#i still don't understand what hashtags fit here

[specialtrees01]

Hi good morning how are you. I just rewatched the Christmas special like 7 times. I enjoyed it so much.

anyways, who is your favorite star fleet tug and the zero fleet tug?

Favorite Star Tug would be Top Hat, no contest. Favorite Z-Stack... Zorran, Zip and Zug. Can't choose between 'em lol.

I love Zak too, although that's mainly due to headcanons and ideas expanding upon what we see in the show and early concepts/deleted scenes. Zebedee... least interesting in terms of writing, given how High Winds is the only episode in TUGS to explore a Z-Stack deeper, thus already having all the work done for expanding.

[quackle]

So what’s your final opinion of Disventure Camp All-Star now that it comes to a end?

Also regarding winner, you are right! They didn’t go with “Who deserved to win” and tons of fans are piss off.

and so we have made it to the end. dcas is officially over... sobbing a lil at that fact. now. finale rambles under the cut (tldr: 7/10 season):

i think dcas was pretty nice for what it gave. i know a lot of people think it's shit, and i do nod my head at most concerns i've seen through posts on here and elsewhere. but idk. i had a relatively good time these past couple of months while watching!

let's start with...

Things I Liked:

The Main Premise (and in extension, Riya's Story) — this season showed that it truly wasn't about who deserved to win, it was about who wanted it most. and riya wanted it badly, to the point where it changed her for the worst whenever a camera was around. it took me until ally's elimination to see the direction this season was going (so... basically near the end LOL), but once it clicked, i was like. wowie. this is a bold choice of a winner. and interesting as fuckkkk, despite it not being hinted at as much as i hoped it would near the beginning. i don't think i've ever seen someone who is deemed as a villain be the only winner of a show like this. no alt endings or anything, just a villain win that sort of translates into a loss when you really think about how nobody is in riya's corner anymore. i know people (mostly riya fans) were disappointed with how sad and slightly open ended riya's conclusion arc was, but i personally can't be that upset at it. rosa maria's message during her elimination in season 2 really hit here. riya let the game change her, and though she won three million dollars, she has absolutely nobody (except potentially her sister eesha, but even still, that's not the best way for things to end for her). tis the way the cookie crumbles. i'm glad the writing team decided to go with this instead of the jake ending like thank GOODNESS for the proofreaders omg this is what proofreaders are for!!! (also. i'm clearly biased to the 'faking in front of cameras/others just to become a realer version of oneself once that's tested' characters in particular. look at my icon rn. i think you can understand why i'm such a big fan of this)

Allyson Amber— obligatory ally mention LOL. i think i already rambled enough on why i love ally so so so much as a character, so i will avoid. today. just know that opinion still stands.

Voice Acting— i am not a voice actor, just a voice actor enthusiast, so idk how much my words truly mean here. but i absolutely loveeeee the vocal direction this season went. best vocal performance in the whole series thus far. i can tell each actor + anybody on the voicing team worked hard to deliver! each character's voice really fit and everyone is so talented. hashtag i love connecting voices to characters. i'm excited for s4 voices ahhhh <3

The Grett + Gabby Friendship— we had her for like a good two eps and it still solo'd. going from what had happened in season 1 to what happened in season 3 was chef's kiss. it showed that both grett and gabby grew as characters throughout their whole journey on dc. idk i just love their bond so much, hashtag thank you for adding that.

and now...

Things I have Mixed Feelings About:

Gabby and Ally's Elimination— am i that mad that they ultimately left? eh not really, especially after i learned what type of story onc was aiming to tell this season. but am i mad about how they left? absolutely. because it was bullshitttttt omg. last minute, out of nowhere changes that cause eliminations of characters will never fail to piss me off. personally. even if real life is unfair like this too. (i'm only human LOL let me live)

TomJake Plot-Line— the good news (?) is that i don't find it absolutely mind-numbingly awful anymore. jake's cool. tom's okay. so overall, now i just think the plot is thee definition of mid. improvement! but still mid! i think certain ships in media are not for me, and this is one of em. sorry tomjakers, they should have had a meaningful conversation a long ass time ago. (also why tf they the finale thumbnail like MOVEEEEE with yall yaoi moment /lh)

Connor's Marriage— not that big of a deal, props to connor for finallyyyyyyy retiring from his savior complex (like i genuinely clapped for him cause that was a LONGGGGGG time coming), but a record scratch DID go off in my head when i saw that lol wedding pic. like OH... okay! congrats? i guess? (idek why i had this reaction or why i'm even writing about it lol, connor is Just Okay to me so)

Certain Lack of Character Interactions— i know this is a parody of reality TV and the show can only do so much, especially for characters that got eliminated early on. and i know i can quite literally go on something like ao3 and either find some fic that caters to my tastes or create it myself. but i frowned a lil when i realized certain characters wouldn't talk that much canonically. the curse of an all stars season is that they're bringing back some of the best characters this series has to offer. so when i don't get to see them interact, i go "aww. fair. but aww." (biggest examples here would be grett and hunter during the returnee challenge (because they can serve as interesting parallels (why would they finally make me gaf about hunter just to make him have like 30 seconds of lines ugh onc i am GLARING)), and jake and tess in general (the slightly healed meets the destructive work in progress. the difference in mental health journeys and how they can reflect within gameplay + outside convos. we coulda squeezed a lil somethin here. for me.))

Ellie's Plot-Line— one of the main reasons why i found ellie so compelling as a character is because the choices she made, both good and bad, all connected with her need for money due to being a college student who's not that well off. so to see that written off at the end was... well. eh? like cool, she's got gabby and grett, and they do matter the most, and i loveeeee their bond, but like. girly is a student in nyc and losing all that money is fucking huge. (i think it's mostly the bad pacing here, so i'm not giving it too much critique)

Grett's Plot-Line— onc introduced that whole tree scene (one of my fav scenes btw), and i thought that was so inspiring. "oh my gosh, i can't wait to see grett shine after she was constantly disrespected by some fucker that should have gotten his ass beat a long ass time ago!" i exclaimed. and then, she was eliminated. look. i get the whole premise of this season. i like it, too. so even though i think grett deserved to win the most, i can understand why the writers didn't have her win. BUT i think they should have written her arc with way more care and attention. if anything, i remember more harmful moments than good. grett deserved better than that. to me.

Huntally Plot-Line— i like huntally. and i wish it was written a bit better. it felt... rushed in comparison to other things we've seen here. granted, they couldn't do as much as others when hunter was eliminated so quickly, but still. meh overall.

and finally...

Things I Didn't Like:

The Staffs' Plot-Line— yall. the way i grew to not give a singular fuck about this plot... i saw people complain about tomjake screen time or jake screentime or ally vs jake screentime or connor vs riya screentime or riya screentime. which, okay whatever i guess. but LOOK AT THE REAL CULPRITS HERE... they're already getting a spinoff, idgaf about some staff when i won't be able to see some of the contestants ever again after this season!!! trevek irritated the absolute hell outta me, kristal made me side eye, marcus, nina and oliver were there i guess, and emily? man. i think that alone needs another bullet point hold on-

Emily's Plot-line (if you can even call it that)— yes, yes, i already know, emily was terrible, this was shown in the very first ep, she was never supposed to be rooted for, blahblahblah. but why. why did she decide to help yul. why did she decide to help trevor. why is she helping men so much. why did she turn so cartoonishly evil in the end. why is she like that. it's so uncanny to me. it just feels like she's more of a plot device that she is a character, which makes her fall so fucking flat. it blows. to me.

The Therapist Characters— ashley and tess are the biggest examples of this. not to say that friends irl don't ask this question, but fuck, did i get tired of hearing "are you ok?" or "what's wrong?" or "here let me give you some advive." it feels like such a reduction of their characters, which really sucks considering they didn't get much characterization in comparison to other characters in the first place.

"Be the Bigger Person, Ally"— okay. the more i think about this the more it pisses me off. this is a quote from episode 18, where connor tells ally to be the bigger person in her whole situation with jake. now riddle me this, chat. why is it that connor only tells ally to be the bigger person, then a few minutes later when talking to jake, he goes "oh there's only so much i can accomplish with jake" in the confessional? you didn't even reiterate the same words old man. that makes it seem like ally should do more and adjust what she deems as okay and not okay, just so her tension with jake can dwindle, while jake gets a sigh and a slap on the wrist and a "welp i tried." despite her more immature reactions later on during this plot, ally had every right to be bitter toward someone who kept snapping at her and giving her attitude because no good communication was being used to explain why he kept doing that. instead, i wish the message could have been something like "communicate, then try to insert yourself in their shoes so you can understand each other better because you're more alike than you think" to BOTH ally and jake, because this conflict involves BOTH of them, and needs to be worked on by BOTH of them, not just by one damn party. (i could dive into shit like the sexism connotations of the message "be the bigger person" only being directed to the female character here, but ehhhh, not today + people would think i'm overreacting when i know i'm not)

Yul— look, even if i put the whole slur slinging slanger incident that occurred to the side, i still was not a fan of how yul was portrayed here for that long. idgaf if he's sometimes funny. it just made me feel uncomfy seeing such a disrespectful piece of shit get this far with a burn to the face that didn't even stay permanently. like oh so emily can be in bandages for "a year or two," but bigot mcgee here gets off burn free? okay. don't piss me off. and yes, i understand his sponsorship ending where he's still acting fake because "it doesn't matter to him whether he's liked or not," and i know he serves as an okay parallel to james at best. but personallyyyyy if we were going with the whole "yul is the worst type of famous person imaginable" angle, you could have at least made the consequences of his actions stick to his face forevermore. (that's like the only thing they got right with endeavor from my hero like come on)

and that's about it. i think. overall, i'd give this season a solid 7. i know it looks like there's more stuff i didn't like or felt indifferent about,but i just feel like i have to explain my distastes a little more so people can understand me pfft. but yeah, it's not too bad of a season, even if i side eye some things.

and i'm looking forward to season four! from what i've seen, from the short character dialogues in the voice acting tryouts (ruby save me), to the potential storyboarded scene of the setting (abandoned carnival vibes???), i am most certainly sat. i really hope onc improves from here on out :)

[slow-apocalypse-zone]

Reblogging my own tags bc I definitely cared a lot about what I was saying(to the point of hitting the tag limit) and if ppl want to talk abt them this might make it easier

I’ll do a kinda image description/transcript below the cut, but adjusted slightly bc it doesn’t have to fit into tag formatting. All the words and punctuation are the same though. Mostly I’m just taking out hashtags adding paragraph breaks lol

theres also a little further discussion under that if you're interested in reading it!

(#public resources) (#open discussion)

yeah. we need to improve stuff in A Lot of places but that isn't gonna look the same everywhere

personally? I seem like a lazy suburbanite. but I also have joint issues and shit and hate that stuff isn't stacked like Lego bricks instead of being spread out and that I have to drive to get Literally Anywhere in ten minutes and that it isn't neccesarily Safe to walk places because guess what!!!

summer is hot as balls and there isn't shade!! walking half an hour to the nearest strip mall with nowhere to take a break from the heat and the sun and sit down to rest my joints? that's dangerous!

drivers around here don't give a fresh shit about bikers either and the sidewalks aren't wide enough to legally or safely bike them

so the option is walk(feel sick and be in pain and have no way to take a break to recover so it the discomfort and pain just get worse) (esp in summer and winter. my mom has an intense pain reaction to cold and i sweat excessively in heat which doesn't do anything in high humidity areas like where we are)

bike(you might die or get badly injured and yeah you might get dismissed bc you're the one biking in the road but it's illegal to bike on the sidewalk so what the fuck am I supposed to do)

or drive(this is a skill. you need to have a car or someone who will let you borrow theirs.

to learn you also need a car and someone to teach you.

then you need a car to get to the dmv(the nearest one is 45 minutes away by car) and for your practical test.

before the practical test you need your learners.

which means you need to study your ass off so they can't pull a gatcha with obscure road laws and then get to the dmv.

again you need someone who can drive you to the dmv to take the learners permit test

and then once you have your liscense after all that you still need a vehicle and to pay for gas.

and then there's the emotional conflict some have over using gas cars at all. unless you have an electric but then you have limited range of movement

basically. yes you could say l'm a lazy suburbanite but understand that it's kinda SHIT to be in the suburbs if you don't have a car and those cost a LOT over time even after purchase, tuneups and gas and tire replacements and maintenance ect ect)

like. if there was a trolley system at the front of the collection of neighborhoods I'm in even. that'd be awesome. I can easily walk there.

or even benches Anywhere along the way to the nearest stores that don't require me to cross a three lane street(both ways so six? idk) with no crosswalk and hope that the church over there didn't start locking up again and that no one will pester you about faith and how 'prayer and excercise will fix all your health issues' (im agnostic so I HAVE faith. just not in your bible. and believe me I excercise)

like. I need to stop now and again without needing to get into theological discussions that I don't want to have. I want to be able to stop in the shade and rest without crossing the dangerous road that doesn't have a crosswalk

anyways. I'm out of tags so I probably should've just responded normally but here we are

End transcript

These are things that make living where I live So Frustrating when your whole family just has one car. But the solutions for our problems(adding rest stops to sit and maybe a water fountain every few stops, busses that go to more central/necessary locations, wider sidewalks for bikers and more laws protecting bikers in the streets, that kind of stuff) won’t solve every problem ever in transportation, walkability, and accessibility of necessary resources.

For example, we don't really need to add ramps anywhere here, because everything is sloping and mildly hilly, so 'ramps' are more default as we work with geography. Instead, adding stairs paired with that would be amazing, because some people have issues that make walking on inclines, even mild ones, painful and dangerous for their long-term health. Most places have the opposite issue, but the goal shouldn't be to replace stairs with ramps and vice versa, but rather to add what isn't there when there is a need for it. There is almost always a need for it.

Edit:

Sometimes the slopes are too severe for wheelchairs as well. In those areas, we should add stairs and proper ramps. Not one or the other.

“America IS walkable, you’re all just lazy” my childhood home was an hour from the nearest hospital (by car)

[svyat0s]

Today, we attended a fire show by a group known as Palyachi. They perform dances with fire sticks, and the show was indeed fiery, both literally and in the slang sense of the word. It's still too soon to change the hashtag from #YourGaluispampered; our Galu is still pampered.

To be fair, the music selection was quite good—pagan and fiery, fitting the theme well. However, the performance didn't quite live up to the music, although it seemed to appeal to the younger audience. We had seen them in Burgas a few years back. Sonya recalls enjoying it less than I did. But upon discussing it, we realized we had different branches of reality; I don't recall it like other. For me, this show was too slow.

Also, a note to anyone putting on a show: please refrain from inviting the mayor, your grandmother, your sponsor, your colleague, the second entertainer, or the show manager—or at least don't let them speak. Honestly, it's tedious and uninteresting. The audience doesn't care. They came to watch, not to listen, so the focus should be on the performance, not the speeches. And please, don't repeatedly solicit applause; it comes across as desperate. If the performance is outstanding, the audience will applaud on their own. There's no need for excessive bows or pleas for recognition. From the audience's perspective, it can seem quite unbecoming, as if you're begging for approval. Those who have come to see you likely already appreciate your work, but such behavior can detract from the experience. And that's the feeling that lingers after the show, even a successful one—the memory of how you pleaded and the perception that you weren't well-received.

However, the grand fire was impressive, and afterward, attendees were invited to jump over the fire for purification—an old Christian tradition, as the presenter informed us. The Bulgarians have their unique Orthodox practices, like slaughtering a lamb in the church, throwing a cross into the Sea for good luck, jumping over fires, weaving wreaths, walking barefoot in the dew to collect herbs, dressing as monsters, and singing from house to house—well-known Christian traditions, apparently. After leaping over the coals, we felt cleansed and blissful as we headed to our car.

An incident occurred when a girl spotted Ol, and it seemed as if her entire troubled fate flashed before her eyes, prompting her to lunge at Ol. From my perspective, I was leading Ol through the crowd when she suddenly reached out to stop a girl who, in desperation, was screaming and flailing, trying to grab onto Ol. I stepped forward to intervene, but Ol urged, "Let's get out of here quickly!" And so, I swiftly guided her away from the crowd. It's a dull story, recounting who offended whom, who made a misstep, who misunderstood, and who ended up in a mess.

But what's interesting is that we have some statistics. Several years ago, Lenochka visited a temple in St. Petersburg to seek blessings from some relics. It seems the blessings were granted, as on her way back, she intervened when a man was harassing a woman at a bus stop and beat shit out him. So, what I'm getting at is that Ol and Lenochka's creator - Mefis, must have a different understanding of blessing. How does one convey ideas in batches, as it's on a picture?

[interneteclipse]

"pink is nice"

pairing: Valeria Garza x fem reader

synopsis: some domestic fluff backstory on Valeria's pink nails.

word count: 1.3k

tags: domestic bliss, fluff, silly wlw brainrot

A/N: Have you ever noticed Valeria has pink nails?? I have so many headcanons about her because she's just my little silly goose. Yes, she's 100% an artist and yes she has awful seasonal depression. I also think the y/n I've made for her is a beautician who does her hair and nails. Hashtag Valeria apologist lifestyle.

"Sorry that I don't have any more colors! I thought shades of pink, yellow, green, and blue would be cute for spring." You said while Valeria looked at your relatively empty nail polish organizer. "You could go with your usual picks too."

Her brows furrowed, eyes squinted, and she stood with arms crossed, deep in thought. Never have you seen someone so decisive with nail polish– it's cute, though! The people around Valeria could never see her in such a normal state– thank god you were able to witness this. You spaced out and stared at the organizer until she snapped you out of your trance.

"Pink is nice. I think I'll go with that." She kissed your cheek and handed you the nail polish, base coat, and top coat bottles. You fixed the throw pillows on your shared bed for extra cushion, one for you and one for her. She sat beside you in her spot, putting the polish next to you and handing you a nail file.

"You think you can shape them down? I think they're a little overgrown for work." She laughed while pushing her stray hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear.

"In your terms, they are. I hate filing them down, though... you have such pretty nail beds."

"I wouldn't be able to do my job properly with anything longer, but thank you for the compliment, amor. Sweet as always."

You jokingly groan at her response, continuing to file down her right hand. You both sat in a comfortable quietness, the occasional dog barking or car driving by being the only interruptions. Valeria darted her eyes around the room before circling her sight back to you, the floor, then to her hands. By now, you were working on her base coat. Her focus returned to you when you broke the silence.

"When we first met, I saw you as a purple gal. It's a very royal color historically– it fits you." You said, observing the bottle of hot pink nail polish beside you.

"Really?"

"Mhm. You usually don't pick bright colors, so it surprised me when you chose this. What's the switch up today?" Valeria bit the inside of her lip and looked to the side, trying to come up with an answer. If she had to be honest, it was just a pretty color– one of her favorites, too. She does understand where you're coming from, though. Her nails usually match her everyday closet, which are neutrals and some hints of blue from her jeans, so she opts for either black or shades of nude. They're colors that don't stand out too much but still make her feel pretty wearing them.

"I felt a little special. Spring is here, so it feels less dead, unlike winter. Plus, our anniversary is coming up! I'm in a good mood," She used her free hand to pet your head, not wanting to mess you up by shifting to kiss you. "I think a bright color fits how I feel right now."

 You smiled at her genuine happiness. It was rare for Valeria to come home without stress, walking in carrying her anger from a mistake her employees made or a mistake she made herself. Whenever that happens to be the case (which again, is frequent), she isolates herself immediately. Despite her line of work taking a fair amount of collaboration, she works by herself most of the time. That left a lot of speculation about what 'El Sin Nombre' was truly like, and not who Valeria Garza was under her work mindset. It amazes you that you were able to get to know her with how distant she was with the people around her. You're surprised she even wanted to date you– let alone marry you.

"As long as you're happy, I'm happy, love. Speaking of our anniversary, what do you wanna do?"

"Well... I think we could both benefit from going outside. How does dinner sound? We can still cook breakfast and lunch ourselves. I know you like spending our mornings together." She giggles.

"You know me so well." You laughed, finishing the base coat, and started with the main event; the hot pink nail polish chosen by your wife.

"It really is a nice color. It makes me forget the seasonal depression we both got out of." She said, examining the sheer first layer. She was right about the seasonal depression. You both get tired during December, then exhausted trying to start the new year correctly in January and February. It starts getting better in early March when you're finally caught up with life, and the pace quickens to prepare for spring.

"Now you have me wanting to use pink too. I might go with a lighter shade so we can still match."

After about three coats, you were finishing off Valeria's nails with a glossy top coat. She looked at her other hand which was drying to admire your work.

"Good job as always, amor! When can I not trust you with my nails? Thank you."

"It's nothing! Plus, it's been a while since you've taken some time for yourself." Valeria clicked her tongue and sighed, knowing what you were referring to.

"I know, I know. I missed being home, too." The only con to being married to her; she's rarely able to be home, especially nowadays with her bigger plans. As much as you appreciate the precious texts and phone calls while she's hours away from home, dealing with something work-related, it's hard to cope with life going on without her home. Your co-workers always see you mope around whenever Valeria is long-distance, and she's more serious than usual while operating away from home. You completed each other so perfectly– it was like tearing the sun and moon apart when you weren't together.

Every conversation you and Valeria had brought you closer; it was the reason you both took interest in each other from the start. One of the more hidden interests she had was art. She isn't into doing her own art– at least not often, but she could talk about how it impacts her for hours. You remember you were on a walk with her while admiring the street art of Las Almas after coming home.

"What made you start liking street art so much? You talk about it so passionately."

"Las Almas wouldn't be itself without the street art. I think it shows the community and the will of the people. I like it for that."

"Do you have a favorite piece?"

"Hmm... I don't think I could pick one if I tried. You're always my favorite work of art, though."

It makes you glad that she sometimes treats her trips as art tours, sending you murals in a new town she arrived in. Sometimes you think in another reality, Valeria pursued art and wouldn't be as stressed and overworked as she is now. But as long as she's happy with her life, all is fine. 

"Alright, they're dry- ah!" You got pulled into a hug while Valeria laid back on the bed, bringing you down with her. She peppered your face with kisses before deeply kissing your lips and burying her face in your neck.

"Thank you again. I love you." She said, sighing into you. You were on your sides facing each other while her arms were on your waist.

"I love you too. You're welcome, by the way." You giggled, wrapping your arms around her, enjoying her loving embrace. You stayed just like that for a minute, savoring the warmth before Valeria spoke again.

"Do you want to get snacks and watch a movie together? I call it an early anniversary celebration." She said while getting up on her elbows and giving you a wink. "I may have been able to work a little extra last month to be around you more."

"Of course, I want to." She got off your shared bed, helping you up to go pick movie snacks with her.

"Alright, let's go. This week will be just for us, I promise."

[confoundedluna]

Here's the Until Dawn iconic and absolutely ridiculous lines masterlist, please let me know if there's any good ones that I miss! Sorry this took a while, I had to be Thorough with this. (no they aren't in any particular order, I apologise for that)

MIKE

Maybe we should start with a little, you know, making out, and see where it goes from there.

Jesus hot sauce Christmas cake.

Oh my God, totally, we're SO gonna make-out!

Shutters are shutted.

That scared the blue out of my jeans!

Alright! Let's get going, ya fucked up sonnovabitch.

What- are you serious? Now I gotta find a fucking keycard?!

Fuck nuggets!

All wrapped like a little present with a bow on top for that thing to tear us apart on Christmas morning?

This is the safe room, Em!

One at a time, boys. There's enough of me for all a'ya.

Got any marshmallows?

ASHLEY

Go suck an egg!

What are you tweeting?! Hashtag there's a freaking ghost after us?!

Chris, if this is your way of trying to make me feel better... you're fired.

We're freezing our buns off out here!

EMILY

Understand the palm of my hand, bitch.

It was just a prank, Han!

Rule number one, Emily is always right. Rule number two, nothing else matters because Emily is always right.

Holy Cannoli.

Ugh. Unfollow.

Oh, did you not hear me? Was your sluttiness too loud?

At least I can think. 4.0, bitch, honor roll. Suck on that when you're trying to sleep your way into a job.

Oh God. Here goes six hundred bucks... Better be worth it. I looked great in that top.

Meatbrain? Mister Musclebrawn? Matt the incredible sulk?

I found her head. I found Beth's head. ||| Beth freaking Washington.

JESSICA

That bitch is on crack or something.

You couldn’t buy a moldy loaf of bread with your skanky ass.

Michael! I have the best idea! Let's go hug a bear!

As far as I can tell, I still have all seven of my limbs!

That's what bats do! They bite me!

Maybe nosey nannies shouldn't go nosin' around in other peoples'... nostrils...

Boom shakka-lakka!

Sex-iled.

Stand back, Debbie Downer.

CHRIS

I should have paid more attention in climbing class.

Your ass just got saaaacked!

Panel opens, head explodes!

Boom! You just got monked!

(They don't like fire.) I don't like fire!

I'm bad. I'm a badass.

It's a dummy, dummy.

Any, uh, pro Wendigo tips? Like if I rub garlic all over me they won't be able to smell me or something?

JOSH

Let's party like we're fucking porn stars, okay?

Ooh, a sleepover! C-Can we order pizza?

Can't tie 'em up if they just wriggle around!

Godspeed, pilgrim.

Chris is an ass, Ashley’s a dumb dumb.

Do you have an app that can get you laid? ||| Dude, you don't. The answer is that you don't.

I hope you appreciated my little phantasmagorical spectacle!

Guaranteed for at least three hostages, or your money back!

You know what that sound is? It's the sound of never kissing Ashley, you pussy!

I don't take orders from you. You can't tell me what to do.

MATT

Why do you hate my jacket?

I've seen you fit into some pretty tight jeans, Em. ||| It's a talent!

It's no prob, babe. But you gotta remember that there's more to this guy than just bein' a lean, mean, luggage lifting machine.

I was bein' like... sexy.

This ain't roomy enough for you?

Does this 'spot' start with a 'G'?

Boy I'd be a terrible boyfriend if I let a scary old totem pole bite your hand off, wouldn't I?

SAM

Nice shootin’, Tex!

I see a hot bath in my crystal ball.

Watch out for that Josh, he's a schemer!

The towel didn't turn out to be the best outfit for fighting off killer maniacs.

It was just a cute little baby wolverine!

Can I have my clothes back now or am I supposed to hang out in a towel for the rest of the weekend? ... Towel it is, then.

Spunky for an old timer.

You need to listen to me. I don't care if you believe me or not. Doesn't matter because you will. You need to go down to the mines.

I've seen what's down there... and I'd give anything to unsee it.

[nightswithkookmin]

JIKOOK AND THEIR SHENANIGANS-pt1

Disclaimer:

This is my opinion and perspective of Jikook. I do not intend nor imply malice by my choice of words or by my interpretations of BTS' contents. Nor do I intend to be disrespectful of any member herein mentioned.

Do not take my words out of context in furtherance of your own agenda. You are the author of your own intentions and interpretations. If you do hold yourself accountable first.

PREFACE

I am done with with Jikook. Lol

I swear to God by the time they officially come out as a couple, if they ever do, I'm going to be left with severe PTSD.

Pray for me.

A lot has happened with Jikook these past few weeks. A devastating lot. Everything was going great and smooth and boom- we were hit with yet another anomaly in their dynamics. It was usual given us most of the things that had happened were entirely new to their dynamics yet not at all surprising in the grand scheme of things simply because unpredictability is Jikook's schtik and as I've come to terms with, part of their dynamics- you'll get used to it if you are new. Welcome to the club. Lol

I have shared snippets of my thoughts here and there on this whole development as and when it unfolded and said I wasn't going to deliver a comprehensive commentary until later so here it is- grab a glass of wine or coffee. It's gonna be long. Bless.

WHY I WAS HOLDING BACK

Contrary to what some people say and assume about me, I don't pull my opinions on Jikook from my ass- a dollar to the jar. Lol. I don't base my perspective on Jikook's relationship and dynamics on puff and nada. Where is the fun in that? I may be delusional about somethings but... Anywho.

I have said time and again how when it comes to Jikook moments there's always context and subtexts we are missing- it's a challenge trying to fill in the gaps. Probably part of the reason I'm obsessed with their dynamics. Lol.

Most of the theories I share with you on here are based on my observations of Jikooks interactions over a period of time. My objective has always been to try and understand the motivations (context) behind their moments and interactions, some of which I find fit a pattern while others- I never want to tackle or even think about without several pain killers and depressants until years later when a piece of content is released to provide better insights into their dynamics.

Jimin's birthday is one such moment for me. While I understood and even predicted JM's use of 5/8 in May this year was going to be a substitute for May 13 because I felt Jikook were not in a good place, were under heavy scrutiny in SK within that time period- starting with that March 30th VLive which I believe had led to a ban on Jikook using the platform on their own(especially Jimin- JK was already under ban but we will get into it later) given as BTS's content had changed drastically with heavy VLive supervision and the pg 13 contents they were made to make post that JM's VLive; then there was rumors of Dispatch's alleged conflict with BigHit, BigHit's IPO, Jungkook's Itaewon scandal- which of course were all confirmed later on that month, I felt the prospect wasn't looking good for Jikook to Jikook as wildly and as openly as they did.

Now you all know about my wild assumption about JM taking space out of their relationship due to JK coming on strong around that time so I'll spare the details.

Contrastingly, post BigHit's IPO, post Soop since Stay Gold era I felt things were looking great for Jikook. They were back to Jikooking. I felt they weren't being monitored as much by their bandmates and had a new found freedom within BigHit to do their own things as it appeared BigHit had begun 'managing' and presenting them as a brand- which I have written dissertations upon dissertations on so I won't get into.

JK and JM had started their online flirty banter thingy, even Dispatch seemed good with Bighit posting BTS official photos etc. Jimin too posted for JK on his birthday, JK came out on social media to gear up for JM's birthday and then puff- ashes. We hit a wall.

Now I know some people are speculating there was too much attention on Jikook within this time frame which is why JK didn't post- uhhmm, I don't buy it that view. There's always attention on Jikook. It's usually the negative attention like around March-June that holds them back from Jikooking. In opinion. I wouldn't call the attention they are or were getting within that time period negative.

Then there were some who speculated JK wasn't going to post because he hadn't posted for any of the members since Jin's birthday last year which again I didn't buy into. Jk is fearless and doesn't shy aware from making bold expressions of his love for Jimin. Him posting for Jimin would have been a bold move but nothing exactly new.

We've seen his GCFs. Enough said.

Personally, I felt he had showed up on social media a few days to JM's birthday to promote his music but to also prepare the grounds for when he posts on Jimin's birthday.

I genuinely felt he was gonna 'out' Jimin with that post and have people raising all kinds of brows like they did with GCF Tokyo, Saipan and Helsinki. Lol

Why did I think he was going to do this?

DECEMBER 4TH 2019

Jin's birthday. Now I have given y'all the back ground to this timeline and so I will just hit the highlights- Rosebowl, New Jersey VLive, JK getting drunk on his Jun VLive which I felt led to a ban on him from making solo live on VApp since 2019 to date- his recent Solo live was on YouTube mind you.

Prior to this I felt he and JM had earned a ban from making a VLive together until their 2020 VLive which was heavily monitored as I have speculated in past posts- again this is just my opinion.

JK, I felt, was being 'reckless' within this period. He was making bold moves and pushing the boundaries of his relationship with Jimin and even teasing the gates of the glass closet they are in. It certainly didn't help that the You too movement in S.K and the whole Idol sex abuse scandals in Kpop was on going as I've mentioned before-which had led to August's issues. Again you know my theory on the whole tattoo girl scandal so skipping.

October we had the whole cancel Jikook hashtag trending after Jikook's performance of I still want you and the whole you are me, I am you schtick.

In all of this I felt Jikook were fine.

November is when I noticed Jikook having 'issues' in their relationship (rolling my eyes at Silver) lol. Now again I won't go into all of that but you can check the real time contents/ behind scenes content on BTS around the time period and draw your own conclusions on that.

Then came the December ups and downs, JM flinching and dropping his face when JK went to sit by him in Jin's VLive- JK's awkwardness around Jimim. Now I know some people interpret this Live as that they were fighting? I won't call it fight fight perse. Lol. Issues, perhaps?Just seemed to me JM wanted to keep a low profile because again they were under heavy public scrutiny around the time which was what I feel was causing RM to keep an eye on them throughout that period- by keeping an eye on them I mean he was invoking the spirit of Jesus between them Pentecostal style. Bless him.

But seems JK wasn't having none of that, clearly. Lmho. There were already alot of restrictions on him since June in the way he used social media(Vapp) he and JM were not allowed to VLive together, he couldn't solo Vlive no more and now he couldn't even sit right with his man- I approve of the frying pans Jk. I APPROVE. Lol.

All this is my opinion of course.

But I think that is what he meant when he kept saying it's been a while he did a solo live and didn't even know how to do one anymore in his recent YouTube live- Jk can be passive aggressive in that way but we will get into that YouTube live in a bit. Hang in there.

So with all this going on I felt I understood him when he missed Jin's birthday on Twitter. Felt like a silent protest to me. But then again I thought perhaps it was just an impulsive act on his part.

Then he missed Tae's Birthday too and I thought hold on- this man is up to something. He was gonna a statement with that in retaliation to all the ban and sanctions and interferences with his personal life.

I was just following this whole drama with anxious glee towards a big reveal and then- cricket's ass ass deadass. Chilee. This man is cruel! Lol. I'm gonna need therapy to process this one on god! Lol JK!

My Right brain said perhaps, others had been right after all and he hadn't done all of that missed birthdays on purpose at all but had only acted impulsively in the heat of the moment given everything that had been going on with the group in around Jin's birthday- Mama 2019, we all know what had happened.

I felt perhaps, the moment he missed Jin's then he had to miss everyone's because if he wished any other person a happy birthday people were going to ask questions. People were going to assume he hated whoever he didn't wish a happy birthday.

But then my left brain- the crazy delulu side, also thought otherwise. I had a funny feeling that JK really intended to post only for Jimin on his birthday since he had been gearing up for it and that the only reason he wouldn't go through with it was if JM had asked him not to.

Why would JM do that? Because he enjoys the glass closet- he loves to flex his bond with JK, tease their relationship, claim his man, he wants people to know JK is his man because he is happy with him and proud of the man that he is but that doesn't mean he is ready to come out as LGBTQ plus. In my opinion.

JK I feel was done hiding the moment he posted GCF in Saipan- he gets right with us. Bless him.

JK often weaponizes their 'secret' against Jimin and hold's it over his head sometimes- so often when Jimin is on his Kumbaya agenda with the group taking their sides on things relating to their relationship JK switches on him and tries to expose Jimin- if you're just gonna help them burn us, I'm just gonna blow the whole operation out in the open and we are all going down. Chilee!

God, I felt Jk was going to expose Jikook for real! 🤣 Don't mess with JK and his Jimin- even Jimin himself gets burns sometimes.

Remember when JK threatened to expose a picture of himself with a hickey if JM didn't stay and do a VLive with him? Remember that? JK scares me for real when he is on his Jikook agenda! Lol

I felt he knew exactly what he was doing just as he knew exactly what he was doing with Saipan and editing of Helsinki. He just reiterated it in his recent live- which we will get into soon. He pointed out how he had gone to ask the members to describe the feelings they wanted to express through the MV he directed.

He admitted yet again in that live how he expresses his feelings, HIS FEELINGS, through his art and music- for all those who keep saying you can't tell JK loves JM just because he doesn't do the things JM does. Lmho.

And so I was heavily confused by these two conflicting theories in my brain. Which is why I kept saying I didn't want to jump into conclusions, that I was going to need more content yadda yadda yadda.

Which brings me to my resolution for JM's birthday saga.

POST JIMIN'S BIRTHDAY

Jimin enjoys been treated special. It's part of his love language. Jk has always treated him like he is special to him. And I know people claim it's just a birthday post- sure. But I understand also that Jimin doesn't Joke with his birthday. His father doesn't Joke with his birthday and clearly neither does JK- given as even before they all started the exchanging of gifts culture that he was giving presents to JM and JM alone within the group.

Besides, he's said he reads the members birthday messages to him on social media and have gone ahead to read some of them on his birthday Vlives in the past. So I can't say JK not posting was nothing.

My resolution was simple. I was going to examine their interactions post Jimin's birthday to see if their dynamics had flipped to see if JK not posting for JM's birthday had in anyway affected their relationship.

If JM's birthday meant something to him. Jk was going to make it up to him- openly. Deadass but in my opinion. Lol.

That's one aspect of Jikook's dynamics you can always count on- hopefully. Lol.

They have a way of reassuring eachother of their love and affection. And I don't know what happened to put the fear of God in both of them but lord are they both scared of pissing the other off! Jesus! Not sure if it's the whippery but damn- they are both crazy for that.

For instance, take JinMin's VLive right before the New Jersey Vlive. JM posted immediately after their live had ended to say he is sorry and loves JK on Twitter. And y'all saw him when JK panned to him on the bed? I've never seen a man so terrified of another man in my entire shipping life- Manila must have put the fear of JK in him, which THANK GOD! lol. Jimin plays too much. Lmho.

Never knew a hyung needed permission from a dongsaeng to leave a room until that day. Chileee! Jin had pulled a prank on JK too but I didn't see him wetting his pants and blowing kithes to JK- come at me with Jinkook is real, see what happens. Lol

Then GCF in Tokyo! I know to some it seemed like a random act of confession on JK's part but boy did he have motivation! He don stressed JM out to the ends of the world with those weird ass rumors (again not gonna mention it because it's very controversial 'saesangs' nature) if you know good for you but chilee you didn't hear it here. Lol

Then there was that whole photoshoot and JM looking like he wanted to kill JK lol right around August 2017. Which I have discussed in one of my blog posts. I think it's in a lot of jeonlous. I'll link it later- if I find it.

Then the almighty 2019 Tattoo Girl scandal, I'm not talking about the August scandal. I'm talking about the one on JM's birthday last year which launched the severe 'I am sorry' hashtags in JK's post on JM's birthday. In my opinion definitely.

The Tattoo girl's shop had wanted until Jimin's birthday, almost a month after the incident, to release a statement which blew up the incident again and almost overshadowed JM's birthday.

Chilee, the delulu in me felt that was intentional. They just wanted to hurt JK by ruining his man's birthday for him- never let him forget. Lol. These evil masterminds. Chilee!

In my opinion. Please.

My point is, JM and JK do make out in efforts to fix their relationship. And usually, I find whoever is in the wrong takes the most initiatives- not to say all the GCFs was because of a fight. Personally I take Saipan and Helsinki more seriously than Tokyo. Just saying.

And of course we all saw JM fly all the way from Paris on JK's birthday- talk of grand gestures and extending Olive branches. Chilee, I'm single!

I was going to wait till I could see who was reassuring who after JM's birthday to see who was in the 'wrong' know what I mean? Like who is putting in more effort to let us know they are a thing?

After their March/May shenanigans that was JK with the thirst traps and shit on Weverse, which brought JM around and he started opening up taking initiatives of his own like in the Dynamite MV reaction VLive.

Afterwards it all seemed pretty mutual to me and they were vibing. Jikook was a Vibe. Sigh.

THE PHOTOSHOOT SAGA

Now I know some people assert they don't see the 'tensions' in that behind the scenes photoshoot but we would have to agree to disagree on that because I saw that as tension between Jikook as I explained in my last post.

Jk walked right past and around Jimin without a word- chileee. JM was 'extroverted' with everyone but Jk- chilee chileee. This is weird as fuck. Lmho.

Prior to this shoot I had my eyes on Tae, RM Jk due to the Twitter war that I felt was going on between them in the days leading up to the concert. If they had anything to do with JK not posting on JM's birthday it was gonna leave trails.

Jk loves everyone but fuck with his relationship with his man and you're- poor Namjoon. Lol.

I refrained from discussing the photoshoot video or conceptualizing a theory around it because for the love of me I couldn't tell who was mad at who in that footage.

They all seemed equally mad to me. Jk had his usual don't fuck with my man mood on with that glare he gave RM causing RM to back away from JM and that attitude he gave Jin right after- which I have already speculated on in my last post.

The stare down contest between him and JM was equally nerve wracking and reminded me of that interview stare down contest between Jikook around Manila.

And I know I mentioned the 'elite' squad backing up Jimin in that moment. Chilee, I was too tired to explain that term because I had been writing for a whole day nonstop but that is the term I give to RM, Hobi, Jin as the hyungs/ elders who enable JM's shenanigans most often in the group.

JK usually pans them down when he and JM are going at it.

I feel Tae, JK, Suga are the ones that stay on JM's neck and calls his bull the most out of all the boys- Y'all don't wanna know what I call them. Lol. Perhaps, I should call them Silver? Chilee, girl don stayed my neck, put the fear of Moses in me! Lol

It felt as if, whatever the problem was, they both had an interest at stake in that moment in my opinion and they were battling it out. Besides, 5 days had gone by and for the love of me I had no idea why that mood was still persisting especially if it had anything to do with Jimin's birthday.

But I understand JM had been away with his family after the concert and had spent his birthday with his family so perhaps they couldn't resolve things within that time period. And JK it seemed had also thrown himself into work from what he said on his YouTube Live, filming and directing and shit- good for him. JM's wedding suit won't buy itself. Lol

So now the Jikook Solo lives.

JIKOOK SOLO LIVES

Now y'all know I was waiting for this one. I told y'all I was waiting to see how BTS interacted with the VApp post Soop. Y'all know my conspiracy theory on this- the whole Jikook were banned from using it, JK was banned after his last VLive in June last year and how JM was banned in March this year after JK intercepted Jin's call and asked him on a date and said the whole I love you kithes thingy- they are trouble.

Then I talked about how JK had been trying to rebel in retaliation, the whole team up with Tae to expose BigHit on Weverse after their live.

I don't think much has changed in that regard. He still didn't do his Live on the VApp and through out his YouTube live he kept hinting at how BigHit had sabotaged his passion- he claimed he had lost his passion for GCF( at least that's how I took it) and that GCF felt more like work than something he did out of passion.

He threw jabs here and there at BigHit complaining about how he didn't even know how to do them Live logs anymore because it had been a while he did them- the lies Jeon Jungkook ne spilling! You was on a live with RM not too long ago what do you mean it's been long! *smirk.

Jimin did the same thing too but in a more subtle way I feel. He kept saying how he didn't know his way around the app, how the staff had set it up for him and JK said the same thing-but more aggressively. Lol.

It seems JK was just going to turn on the Live, keep it business and yeet himself out of there- just like people want him to do(to be professional and not expose his relationship- chileee, JK is that too much to ask? Sigh.

JK is really passive aggressive like the Silver Squad- see what I did there? Lol. Tae and Suga have taught him well. It's that control thingy, I feel. He hates it. He hates when he is controlled by anyone- except Jimin apparently.

He really enjoys and wants the freedom to do what he wants- rather dead than cool. Chilee! It's how he was raised I believe. He is a very independent free spirited individual, I keep saying.

All that, "it's awkward' 'it's been awhile I did this' yea he ain't slick. *smirk.

Another interesting thing I noticed is how both him and JM tried to keep the other's name out of their mouths- well Jimin tried. Dude couldn't help himself bless him.

I just think they have been cautioned to keep a really low profile on the app especially in regards to how they use the app, what they share on the app- no eye fucking, no weird tensions staring into eachother's souls, no I love you's in the background and certainly NO BONERS!

All in all, my impression of those two Lives was that- Jimin had baited BigHit when he posted that 'see you soon on VApp.' In my opinion.

I think he did that to force BigHit's hands. Jk did the same with his 'I can't do live logs on my own now' statement.

Jimin had put BigHit in a tight corner when he read that 'I miss Jungkook' comment. And the way he kept it pushing afterwards- the next day BigHit was like, y'all this is Simba. Hair slicked back and all. Take him. Lol.

I keep saying the one thing BigHit is scared of is a scandal. They really don't want people asking certain questions that's going to make them look bad especially towards their artists- in my opinion. BigHit please it's my opinion. Let the records show. Lol.

And as I keep saying, BTS and even Jikook have a way of weaponizing their social media Influence against BigHit- that nearly 9 million viewers Jimin read out on his VLive certainly gave BigHit a push to call out JK. Lol.

Personally, I was curious as I said earlier as to how that VLive was going to be live. Whether it was going to be monitored heavily like their lives were after the March 30th incident.

I was curious to see if he would appear on YouTube or VApp. As it stands, it seems whatever ban was placed on JM from having Solo Lives on the App has been lifted

And it seems he was fighting for his man too in the most kumbaya way possible- Jimin! Lolololol. He is hilarious. Bless him

I just hope JK doesn't call in on JM's future VLives again to ask him on a date- again cos damn that would chaotic. Lol.

It's crazy to me how people still look at JK and ask if he loves JM at all- damn if he isn't carrying their relationship on his back!

It seems for now he still isn't allowed a solo VLive on the App and from the Way he kept saying he couldn't do a log alone it seems he is pushing to have that freedom to have a VLive with JM again- I don't know. I might be delulu. Lol

As to whether JK was the wrong party for not posting on JM's birthday I still don't know. Would have to observe their interactions a bit more.

So far from their lives the only one who was making efforts to feed us was Jimin with the whole 10/13 Mickey Mouse thingy which we all know is reference to Jikook.

If my hypothesis is right, JM would be coming out here with heart eyes, clinging to JK, making all the efforts while JK has the mood he had during the On era again- acting like he not whipped but he whipped- bless him.

Sigh.

All that being said, this is just my opinion. I'm just sharing my thoughts and observations. I am not calling anyone to action. I am not instructing anyone on what to do with my opinion, to hate on BigHit, or any of the members mentioned in here.

If you are not an adult, and can't reason like an adult do not sit at the adult table. Immaturity is not a bar to freedom of expression.

CONCLUSION

When it comes to Jikook, I always feel JK has put in so much effort into his relationship with Jimin to squander all that effort over something as silly as a birthday post.

Jikook have both worked through a lot, come a long way in their love journey to let petty issues undo all the efforts they've both put into eachother.

If JM's birthday is an issue for JM, JK would have made it right by now. All it takes it one simple post to fix it. And he has taken much bolder steps in the past to chicken out now.

And if Jimin is the one holding JK then- dude better prepare another Paris trip to placate his man because JK about to pout him to death. Lol.

As I said I have a feeling things are good between them now. I just want to see more of their interactions.

Keep supporting Jikook.

Signed,

GOLDY

[clarz-cc-archive]

answered April 11, 2020

Q: I was pretty sad when j//ngkook cut his hair. The selfish part of me was i loved it, it was hot and (pretty cute in bv in those pigtails :( But the tatts/hair , i felt he wS growing into his own person and he got a lot of hate for it. (Esp w the c*r incident) it was so bad, and still is. what i understood from a big update acc, is that the antis who were on a forum (where they bash lots of artists) moved to twt bc that forum got shut down. So now its easier to trend and spew their hate. (They trended a nasty hashtag on j**ins bday too) I feel like that mini break j//k was really growing into his own person, and i feel when he cut his hair, it wasn’t an aesthetic reason, but bc antis / ppl felt like he was out of control.

A: i agree with you that him growing his hair out and getting the tattoos felt to me like him taking ownership of his own image and doing what he wanted to, and i was really happy that he made that choice! but i think when we're so deeply embedded in fandom and we see fandom commentary constantly, it can start to feel like every decision the boys make is directly the result of fandom when the only evidence we really have for that is a narrative that we've put onto it entirely from the outside? sure, he cut his hair after the car accident, but he also cut his hair after they finished their break and right before they'd be doing awards shows and stuff, so it could just as easily have been a decision based on making things more convenient for the stylists or to fit a more polished image for official appearances! ultimately, the way i see it is that jungkook didn't give us any explanation for why he cut his hair, so for me to assume that he did it because of mean comments online (which is something that they've all had to deal with for the entirety of their careers, just like any public figure) feels like giving fandom more power over his decisions than it deserves (tbh i'm counting antis as part of fandom here, bc their obsession is exactly the same as fandom, just in a negative rather than positive direction).

obviously the fandom response is very important to their careers, and it's taken into consideration on a professional level, and i understand people feeling protective of the boys and not wanting them to be exposed to criticism, but to automatically assume that criticism is all they focus on and that it has the power to guide their life decisions feels, to me, like taking away their agency and personhood and turning them into someone whose choices are made solely in reaction to the opinions of masses of strangers, and that feels bleak and sad to me! i like to think that bts are bigger and stronger than that.

part of what bothers me about making these assumptions too is just that army has a tendency to go above and beyond in the name of bts bc we assume that certain things bother them (for example, the Fansite Discourse.) it always comes from a place of "we just don't want them to feel bad!" but i've seen that kind of protective impulse get twisted SO quickly into an excuse to disseminate hate online, or to police the opinions of people who disagree with you, and i like to think that bts trust us enough that if they want our help they will ask for it.

i just want to be EXTRA clear here that i don't think worrying about them makes you bad or means that you would participate in the kind of behavior i just talked about! i think it's natural to worry about them! but all we can do is to be loving and supportive of them and hope that they focus on our voices and not on the voices of people who want to bring them down!

asks in response to this one: #1, #2

[mariaiscrafting]

Lol just go to twitter if you don't like it here, dnftwt is mostly character based if that's what u want, go to the dreamnotfound hashtag follow the big artists there, see the people who they follow and you'll go down the rabbit hole of the dnf community of twitter :|, here in tumblr it's a mix of everything, literally i really don't understand where your pov is coming from? The dnf tumblr community so far is one of the most respectful communities when it comes to dnf, the people constantly limit others or tells them they are crossing a line and respect the creators(who are people too) boundaries, yeah and the big blogs constantly do that, constantly, like all the time. And what's so wrong about "in love behavior"? Is there something wrong about someone showing their love and care to the other one in ways that aren't the stereotypical way of showing their "love"? You don't need to make a clear statement word by word, in a tweet, send flowers and chocolate to the person one loves, scream it to the public that you love this person platonically or romantically, believe it or not the truest forms of showing love and care for someone come from unexpected places and moments, in tiny things someone does, is it that bad that people over here can catch that?

Aight, I’m going to try to be organized about this one:

1) I don’t like Twitter. It fucked with my mental health, I hated it, and frankly, I don’t think it’s fair to respond to me being critical on my own blog with “go to twitter,” as if we aren’t allowed to be critical thinkers and have differences of opinion on Tumblr.

2) It is a mix of everything on Tumblr, that’s why I love it. I like that there are people here with differences of opinion than me. I like that there are people who have criticized my own criticisms and have taught me something. I like that I have the chance, here, to be a different opinion that could possibly persuade someone else, too.

3) You’re right, I fucking love the dnf community. I’ve never engaged nearly this much in discussions and arguments about shipping/fandom culture in any other fandom I’ve ever been in, and I’ve been on Tumblr for seven years. The reason I actually have the courage and will to talk about this stuff in the mcyt fandom is *because* I know that there are good people here. Also, most people are respectful of CC’s boundaries and just treat them like human beings they respect. If this were like, some massive, widespread fandom, I’d probably just dip, not take the time and effort to provide my own point of view and try to persuade others. That’s what I did with DNP when I was young, then again with SU and LIS when I was in high school. But I fucking love mcytblr. I love the people here. And with love comes the yearn to help grow. And I manifest that through criticism and discussion.

4) Uhhh, I’m not sure where this last point came from, but I literally 100% agree with you? I love pointing out in-love behavior. It reminds me of when I was in love, and it’s fun and cute to witness. I guess my only problem with analyzing things as in-love behavior is diverging from the knowledge that this is just theorizing, based on the small view of a CCs that we as an audience have. Like yeah, I love pointing out all the moments in X and Y’s interactions where they were talking flirtatiously, liking each others’ tweets/shipping fanart, implying how much they liked each other, etc. But at the end of the day, I still have that crucial understanding that this is all in my head. Whatever conclusions I want to draw from various instances of in-love behavior only constitute a fraction of those people’s interactions with each other. This is not to mention that they are in front of a camera, and bound to act differently or at least hide parts of themselves. At the end of the day, I still know CCs, as much as I love to ship them, are not just content creators, they are human beings, three-dimensional and whole and much too big to fit into the boxes I’ve created in my head for them to fit into. 

[nervous-ninja]

Part 3 - Conclusion

Finally part 3. After this I will post this only on AO3 if you want to follow me on there. This is the end of this fic but I plan on doing an AU one soon. I hope it’s not too disappointing! AO3 account here: https://archiveofourown.org/users/AshaBlue/works

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3 - Conclusion 

“Nong!” Mew called, reaching for him as Gulf fled the room. The sudden break in contact and the force of Gulf’s push left Mew off balance. "Don't run away."  Mew said under his breath, not entirely sure if he was addressing Gulf or himself.  He would have to do the soul searching later, now he had to deal with his mess. Mew hurried after other man, closing the distance between them quickly. He grabbed Gulf by the elbow before he could disappear into the bathroom.  “Wait a second!” Mew was still a little breathless.

Gulf let Mew tug at his arm a moment before turning around. He faced Mew with a mostly calmed expression, but would not meet his eyes, choosing to stare at his own feet instead. It was hard to reconcile the Gulf who could now barely look at him, his face a storm of shame and residual desire, with the hungry, eager man who moments early had Mew pressed against the fridge, moaning against his mouth, bold hands exploring.

“Please, Phi.” Gulf layed his hand over where Mew held on to his arm. “Can you just give me a minute?” He looked up for a moment before shying away again. Mew’s heart gave a defiant lurch at the sound of defeat in his voice. He wanted to fold him up in his arms and murmur reassurances into his ear, but getting that close did not seem like a good idea right at this moment. Instead, Mew ran his thumb over the soft inside of Gulf’s elbow and let go. Gulf instantly disappeared inside the bathroom, locking the door behind him.  to think of anything better to do, Mew made his way back to the kitchen to make another attempt at some kind of dinner, his mind on the first time, and what he promised himself would be the last time they crossed that line from brothers to more.

It was months ago. The tension had been building for months, their chemistry electric from the day they met and instantly palpable to anyone around them. It became real affection, and real love not long after. It was harder and harder for Mew to maintain his guard against the onslaught of trust, care, and acceptance that Gulf directed at him while asking only for things Mew was already more than willing to give. His time with Gulf became something he increasingly looked forward to, missed when it was over or when their separations were too long. Gulf felt like home. They could be anywhere and so long as he could reach out and find his familiar warmth, Mew felt safe. From the way Gulf sought him out, clung to him, let him into his space, and always made an effort to end their fights told Mew that the affection was far from one sided. Yet even as the entire world around them declared them lovers, between themselves they never broached the subject in any way that might give their feelings clear lines and edges. They stepped around the subject like it was some fragile beautiful relic that would oxidize and crumble under the harsh light of the day.

Then came the night of the Chinese New Year event.

Even on stage in front of so many people Gulf’s was more unreserved than Mew had ever seen him. The younger man delighted Mew with his suggestive responses and flirtatious jokes. They were both at ease, happy having learned that season 2 would be happening. Gone was the dread of parting, replaced by giddy optimism. And it happened right there on stage, the right atoms collided and something passed between them through the wide channel of shared understanding formed when they met each other’s gaze. They stood close noses touching, Gulf’s hands on his neck, playing pretend lovers in front of hundreds of people. Though the pose was in the script, Gulf whispering “I love you, Phi” as he planted a soft kiss on Mew’s forehead, was not.  Neither was the way Mew stopped breathing when he heard those words, meant only for him. The pretense evaporated.  Gulf smiled widely as if in acknowledgement of what they both knew and Mew felt something like a small dam in him dislodge. For a moment they were both suspended inside a shared understanding. Mew felt only the beating of his own pulse, the heat of Gulf’s body in his arms and the delicate fingertips pressed against his neck. Their eyes caught in each others, spilling everything. The rest of the world disappeared. The fans, MCs, stage, lights, all faded into a barely audible hum somewhere on the periphery of their perceptions.

There was no one else in their dressing room when they stumbled in, shutting the door to any possible intrusions. Mew pretended not to notice Gulf locking the door, something he had never done before.  The room was a technicolor kaleidoscope of flowers, stuffed animals, Bhat bouquets and bags of gifts. More had been delivered while they were on stage, leaving little room to stand. They were laughing at nothing of note as they moved through the room, Mew’s arms protectively around Gulf’s waist to steady him, guiding him through the narrow free space on the floor. His attention was drawn to the light catching on the heart-shaped stickers still clinging to Gulf’s neck when he lost his balance. Mew collapsed unto the love seat, landing on a large bouquet of white lilies, taking Gulf down with him.

Gulf landed in Mew’s lap, the flowers crushed beneath Mew’s bulk. Gulf was laughing as he turned around to check if he had injured Mew in anyway. The questioned died on his lips when their eyes met. Their laughter abruptly faded. Though Mew had held him like this a million times, a new feeling ran through the length of him like he had just injected some thing. For what felt like forever they both just watched each other, eyes hungry but neither quite bold enough to speak or move. Somewhere in the back of his mind protest blared but Mew could barely hear them. Then Gulf - shy, reserved, quiet Gulf - his voice soft, words polite, as straightforward as ever, just up and asked if he could kiss him, complete with khun phi and na krap.  It touched the weakest spot in Mew's reluctance, sending the whole thing crumbling. Gulf’s mouth parted in a smile, eyes dancing with self satisfaction at the expression on Mew’s face before suddenly feeling shy with his own request and Mew's lack of an answer. While Mew gazed up at him the other man started to speak again. Some kind of assurances like You don’t have to. It’s ok. I’m just kidding na when Mew closed the space between them.

He moved first partly to stop that pretty mouth from talking, but mostly because he had been wanting to kiss that mouth all night.

He kissed Gulf through a smile first, almost playfully, with little depth or heat. Like he was kissing a precocious kitten. He meant to end it there, foolish faith in his own will power, but Gulf’s hands were suddenly on his face, pulling him towards him, deepening the kiss. He didn’t expect it to feel so different from what it was at work. Didn't expect the surge of what to be so strong, so all consuming, did not remember Gulfs lips being so soft.

Things escalated quickly after that.

They scrambled to fit their tall frames on the overburdened love-seat, crushing more flowers beneath them, their movements spilling petals, tearing tissue paper. After Gulf winded him with a misplaced knew or elbow for the fifth time, Mew wrapped an arm around the other man's waist and in one fluid motion, with grace belaying his size, lifted Gulf and flipped them both.  Gulf landed softly beneath him, snuffing out the remaining life of a bouquet of carnations. The short “hah” that erupted from Gulf's mouth at the motion as he grinned up, his face a mix of awe and arousal, turned Mew’s thoughts into white noise. Mew wanted to watch him longer but Gulf already had his hands on the back of Mew’s neck, pulling him back down. Mew didn’t so much give in as melt into Gulf’s urging.

He did not remember when or how he managed to remove his red silk shirt or how it ended up on the other side of the room unceremoniously strewn over the face of an obscenely large teddy bear.  He remembers coming up for air one more time, pulling away to take in the focused look on Gulf’s face as he worked at unbuckling Mew’s belt. He was mildly aware of his own smile and the blush growing more fierce on Gulf’s face under Mew’s intense examination. Then Gulf looked up at him, those soft brown eyes defiant, pleading, trusting. Tenderness and worry shot into Mew’s heart and then visions rose to his mind unbidden; he was suddenly back in 2018, afraid to leave his house, facing rejection and scorn when he did, the terrible, suffocating weeks of shame and heartache. He also saw the headlines, the hashtags, the comments. He recalled with sharp clarity the ordeal with Poom and the toll it took on Gulf, the way he closed in on himself. His late night LINE messages the only way he could express his pain and only to Mew. He saw Gulf on the receiving end of attacks he knew too well. Past memories swept up with horrible imaginings of what might be and a protective instinct raced down his spine. The spell was broken. He suddenly felt the stab of thorns against his leg where their movements distributed some roses, there were knocks on the door, phones vibrated and dinged with alerts. The thoughts as sobering as a punch. Whatever delirium had taken him that far dissipated and panic crashed in with savage force.

Gulf must have seen the change come over his expression, understood instantly what was running through Mew’s mind as he shot up and scrambled to stand, nearly falling again. Gulf was there at his side steadying him, saying something as he shot looks towards the door. Mew’s head buzzed and all he saw was the indefensible state of the room and their clothes. The sound of knocking and phones seemingly growing louder with each second. He was pulling on his shirt frantically, repeatedly missing a button when Gulf was there again, a comforting hand on his arm.

‘It’s ok’ He remembered Gulf saying as he moved Mew’s hands away from the shirt and buttoned it for him. Before he could find his voice again Gulf was gone. Then there were people in the room and hands pulling him along and voices talking about dates and times and then he was in the van and in his house and collapsing unto to his bed.

It was nearly 1am when his phone buzzed with a LINE message from Gulf.

-I’m outside

Mew met him at the front door.

“Did I wake you, Phi?” Gulf had asked. His face cast in shadow as the lights of his still running car silhouetted him.

“No. I couldn’t sleep.” Mew made to move aside to let Gulf come in but the other man shook his head.

“I’m not staying.  I just needed to tell you this in case…” There had been hesitation in his voices but Mew was not able to read his expression in the dark.

“P’Mew…I’m not like him.”

Mew knew Gulf saw him flinch at that.

“I don’t want you to think you did anything wrong tonight. I don’t regret kissing you. I think I know what you will say yet I can’t bring myself to regret it. But the way we started. How we stopped.” He said haltingly. “I didn’t want you to think that it was impulsive. That I didn’t want it. That I haven’t wanted it for a long time.”

I wanted it too. I’m glad it happened. I don’t regret it either. I love you.  I’m so happy to see you. Don’t leave. Please don’t leave.

Mew's mind screamed but he forced these thoughts behind the expanse of common sense. “Thank you." He said, hearing how awkward that sounded, glad he couldn't see Gulf's face. "But you didn’t need to come out all this way so late.”

“I wanted to see you. I was worried.” Gulf shifted from one foot to the other. He turned to leave. “I better get back before anyone realizes I left," he added and Mew had not missed the disappointment in his voice.

“Wait, Nong,” Mew took two steps towards him “Are we ok?” What a ridiculous question that was. For weeks after he would remember this moment and cringe at his own cowardice.

“We’re fine, Phi.” Gulf had replied with an exaggerated shrug of indifference as he kept walking away, “Nothing we haven’t done before.”

“Tua eng…” he took another tentative step towards him, bare feet on gravel.

Gulf halted at the word.

Please stay.  

“Message me when you get home." Mew said.

“Oh…" There was that disappointment again. The tone clawed at Mew's heart. He hated it doing this. "That’s in almost an hour, Phi. I’ll be fine.”  Gulf whined as he climbed into the car.

“Message me or I will worry” Mew insisted, his hand on the car window.

“Kraaap.” Gulf groaned in agreement.

Mew stood looking after Gulf’s car long after it disappeared down the street. He had gone through all the things he should have said and all the reasons he kept them to himself. Though he returned to his bedroom he did not sleep until the message came.

“Khun Phi?”

Mew was pulled out of his reminiscing by a familiar voice. Gulf stood just outside the kitchen. He stood by the shelf, examining a framed photo of them from the day they were cast.  He turned to see Mew entered and turned back to the photo. “I think I should go home,” he said flatly, “I’ll call a car.”

“You don’t need to leave. It’s late. I’ll give you space” Mew said thrown by the request, not sure which way to push.

“I don’t want space, P’Mew,” Gulf sounded tired, “And I can’t see how I can stay after what happened in there,” he nodded towards the kitchen.

“It wasn’t anything we haven’t done before.” The words left Mew's mouth the instant he knew they were they wrong things to say.

“You know as well as I do that’s bullshit. It was bullshit when I said it and it still is.” Gulf turned to face him. His face impassive, expression unreadable. He stood there, watching Mew intently. His hands still wrapped around the framed photo. Not angry, not judging, just waiting. Mew searched for the words that would somehow make this better and came up empty.

“Alright. I’ll get my keys.” He said taking the photo from Gulf’s hands and replacing it on the shelf behind him.  He lingered on it a moment, pretending not to see Gulf’s expression falter.

“You won’t even try to convince me I’m wrong?” Gulf asked, a hint of anger in his tone.

“About what?” Mew fixed his gaze on Gulf in the photo, not daring to look at the real man beside him.

“About there being something more here. Tell me I’m imagining things. Convince me I’m just getting carried away. That maybe I’m tired. That maybe it’s just the emotions of the last few days. Anything?” With each sentence Mew heard Gulf’s composure crack.

“I’m not a very good liar, Nong” Mew said gently. He turned to look at him. Gulf's expression warring between fear, anger and hurt.

“Try!” The desperation and pleading in Gulf’s voice rolled through Mew like thunder. It seemed to surprise even Gulf, the plea completely erasing the front he tried to put up. He grabbed Mew by the shirt, “Convince me, Phi. Tell me you don’t feel the same way. That it doesn’t mean anything,” He pleaded giving Mew several firm shakes.

Oh Tua eng.

“Would that make it easier? Would you even believe me?” Mew placed his hands over Gulf’s fists balled up around his shirt.

“No,” Gulf said finally and dropped his gaze. His grip loosened and he fell against Mew, headbutting him in the chest. “Why is it so easy for you?” He asked, his fists lightly beating against Mew’s chest.

Easy?

Mew pulled him in closer, wrapping his arms around him. He pressed his own face into Gulf’s shoulder as he spoke.  “It isn’t easy, Tua eng. Nothing makes it easy. But this.” He held Gulf tighter. “This makes it worth it. If it means keeping you safe and keeping you close…”

“This.” Gulf echoed. “And it’s enough?”

Mew pulled back to look at Gulf. He cupped the younger man’s face with one hand. “Watching you go after what you want and succeed? Being the person you go to when things are hard? Seeing the rest of the world fall in love with you? The pride on your face when you take care of your family? The way your eyes light up with every job you do well? Being here for all of these moments and more? Yes. It is” Mew smiled, knowing with his whole heart that he meant it.  

"None of that has to change.” His voice urgent.

"Maybe not right away. But if people found out…”

"They'd throw us a parade" Gulf interrupted "The world already thinks we're married." He added, looking down in a moment of shyness.

Mew took hold of Gulf’s hands in his. “Some people would, yes. We’d make a lot of Waanjai’s happy,” he flashed a quick smile. “Then the media would drag us through hell,” He squeezed Gulf’s hands reassuringly, smile dropping. “It could ruin your career. You have so much success for someone so young, so many opportunities right now and it could all disappear. And for what?"

"For us." Gulf answered quickly, without so much as a second thought. Mew frustrated as he was, could not help but warm at the untarnished optimism in that answer. He beamed at the other man, "And you dare say you aren't romantic,” Mew teased.

Gulf groaned in exaggerated annoyance, not trying to hide his own smile “I’m not being romantic. I’m being serious.” The work stuff isn’t forever. I don’t even know if I want to keep doing this for the rest of my life or even next year.” Gulf pulled his hands out of Mew’s and held Mew’s face instead as he stepped closer. “I don’t know about any of that, but I do know about you. I know I want you to stay with me for a long time.” Mew felt his heart skip at the sincerity in those word, at the closeness of Gulf’s face, at the heat of his hands.

Mew covered Gulf’s hands with his own. "I won't let you throw away everything you've worked for. Your dream to help your parents. I can’t be the reason for destroying that. You understand that, right?”

"It's not your decision." Gulf said simply.

“Can you really promise me that you won’t grow to resent me later when you realize what you gave up or lost? For not protecting you better?"

Gulf swallowed and pulled back, dropping his hands. He said nothing for a moment, considering his answer. “I can’t make any promises about the future. You taught me that.” He said finally, his voice decisive, assured. “But I can make and own my own choices. I would not blame you for my mistakes,” he pressed his forehead to Mew’s.

“Then what about the media, the tabloids. They will tear you apart. They will be so cruel, Nong…”

“I don’t care what they say about me.” Gulf insisted. “You are smart, Suppasit but you can be really dense sometimes. These last few months I have been trying so hard to make you see, to prove to you that I am ready for it, that I am not afraid to be with you openly and publicly if that is what happens.” He met Mew’s eyes. “If that is what you want.”

What I want?

Mew watched the man before him, considering every possible horrible scenario that would face them if he actually went after what he wanted, but they came far less easily now, diverging instead into happier possibilities the longer Gulf held his hands and the longer he looked into his eyes. He felt the wall of reasons against his own happiness crumble.

"You're willing to risk everything...to be with me?"

"Yes!" I love you Mew Suppasit Jongcheveevat.” He said with such intensity and force so as to leave no doubt in Mew's mind that he meant every last syllable.

Mew felt the last bit of resistance turn to dust.

“If you tell me now, once and for all, that you want us to remain as we have been, brothers or something like that. I will not push again. But if you want what I think you want, what I think we both want then I am willing to accept the risks, the hardships, the challenges.”

Mew laughed and put a hand over Gulf’s mouth. “You sound like you’re saying vows. Mr. I'm not Romantic. Enough speeches,” He said moving his hand away. He stepped away from Gulf, marveling at the him, at himself, at the foolish, wonderful thing he was about to do.

“Lets go to bed. It’s late.” Mew said, grabbing Gulf's hand, pulling him along towards the stairs.

“Wait a second. You can’t just leave it like this? What’s your answer?” Gulf protested, weakly resisting being dragged along.

“Ask me what you asked earlier, about the interview.” Mew stopped and turned. He faced Gulf, still holding his hand. Gulf, looking confused, searching Mew's face before finally speaking.

“Is…is your heart available?” he stammered out. Mew cocked his head as if considering the question. Abruptly, he tugged at Gulf's hand, pulling him towards another embrace. His hands gentle at the small of Gulf's back as he moved his face close to nearly touching. "Yes, Tua eng. It is.” He smiled

"But.." Gulf’s eyes grew wide with confusion.

“I think you should do something about that, don’t you?” Mew interrupted, eyebrow cocked. The expression on Gulfs face remained guarded and suspicious. He shoved against Mew’s hold.

“Mew, stop fooling around. What are you saying? What do you want?” Gulf demanded, even as a blush began to creep up his neck. Mew pulled him closer, nearly lifting him off the floor and pressed his nose to Gulf’s throat as he did so.

“Stop squirming.” Mew laughed. “I’m saying yes you brat. Yes to all of it. Now come on up to bed and I’ll show you what I want.” He put him down and let him go, turning towards the stairs. He paused when he realized Gulf wasn’t following and sighed, exasperated. He turned to see Gulf looking at him with suspicion. “If you’re teasing me” Gulf threatened narrowing his eyes. “I swear…Phi.”

Mew sighed with a smile. He went back, folded his arms behind his back and leaned in just next to Gulf’s ear. “Come up to bed. And I’ll show you what real teasing looks like.” He whispered, his lips intentionally brushing against the other’s ear. He paused before moving back to see the goosebumps rise on Gulfs’ neck. With a self-satisfied smile he headed for the stairs. He heard Gulf rushing to catch up behind him.

------------------------------------

Gulf yawned as he slid into the makeup chair.

“Did you stay up playing video games again?” The girl asked as she smiled teasingly at Gulf. “No Phi.” Gulf mumbled reaching for the tea someone handed him. “Just doing homework late with P’Mew.”

The girl stopped her brush for a split second then continued, smiling to herself.

Gulf Pulled out his phone as she worked.

-- Can I stay at your place again tonight?

-- No. I need my rest.

-- Please na. Na kraaaaap. Na na na.

-- Brat!

-- Naaaaa

-- Yes!

“Hey” the Girl exclaimed as Gulf grinned, forcing her to smudge lipstick over his teeth. "Would you sit still."

“Oh sorry, Phi.”

She sighed.

“In a good mood are we?”

“Mmm.” Gulf looked up at the mirror as Mew entered the dressing room. They saw each other and Mew smiled when their eyes met.

“The best.” Gulf answered. The girl gave him another playful shove at the grin interrupting her careful lipstick application.

[ouchmaster6000]

Does it hurt to be a Western comics fan given the horrific SJW state of the industry? My uncle collected mints growing up and I don't even want him to look at comics these days...

To some extent.

There's definitely some decisions Marvel and DC (but especially Marvel) have made in the past year that piss me off, but at the same time, American politics in relation to anime and politics in relation western comics are a bit of a different thing.

In regards to anime, SJWs try to censor and force stuff from another country to fit their ideals (while hypocritically complaining about cultural appropriation in other instances). Take shield hero for example. Obviously alot of idiots were pissed off that it would even consider showing false rape accusations being a thing, but even SJWs that weren't absolutely raging and trying to give it a chance claimed it was "tone-deaf" to show something like when the #metoo movement was trending.

Now I'd argue it was the PERFECT time, since people more than ever need to realize false accusations can and do happen frequently, but what's funny is calling it "tone deaf" when in Japan THERE WAS NO CONTROVERSY. That hashtag isn't a thing there, and none of the people who made the anime knew what they were going on about.

Basically, American politics has no place in anime, and it's shitty to try to censor someone else's work to fit your values.

By contrast... Superhero comics have always been at least a little bit political. Captain America, Wonder Woman and X-Men in particular have always been tied to certain political and philosophical concepts. So it doesn't necessarily bother me too much when Cap talks about facism, the X-Men discuss discrimination, or Wonder Woman talks about feminism as much, even if I may not agree with EVERYTHING they say, since it's always been a part of there character (at the very least, it's not as awful or insulting as when Funimation dubbers throw in random jabs at gamergate, or the female characters clothes, putting words into the mouths of characters that were never theirs)

I should also point out that, and this may surprise you, when I first started reading comics I was pretty liberal myself (though, I first started reading in middle school, so my ability to fully understand politics was questionable at best) But I feel like things have changed since then with left becoming increasingly more crazy and obsessed with identity politics in the past several years. I've definitely changed as well, and would identify more as centrist at this point, but honestly, I feel like the political landscape itself has changed even more than I have. As a result, reading a comic (or anything really) with liberal overtones written in the 70s or 80s feels very different than one written today, as I'm more inclined to find myself agreeing with sentiments in the former than the latter.

So I don't have an issue with politics in comics per say, and even today's dumbass sjws have a right to freedom of speech and to express their opinion in fiction (as cringy as reading said fiction can feel) what is frustrating and, in my opinion, crossing the line, is that with the rise of identity politics were seeing more and more creators actively CHANGING older characters with an already built in fan base to fit new agendas (as opposed to just making new characters) often to please demographics that were never all that into comics, thereby insulting and pissing off the older fans, and disrespecting both the character and the characters original creator.

Big examples of this are altering She Hulk from a sexy amozonian woman to a big ugly brutish female version of the Hulk, and randomly making Iceman gay (even though he's been around since the 60's, has had several girlfriends over the years, and has never shown ANY signs of swinging that way)

It'd be one thing if they just tried to make a NEW she hulk (there already hulk, red hulk, she hulk and red she hulk, so why not) while still letting the current one be herself. They'd be keeping She Hulks current fans happy, while testing the waters to see if there's a market for the other (though I SINCERELY doubt there is.)

The Iceman situation is even more frustrating since they wouldn't even HAVE to make a new gay mutant, there are already several (Northstar, Anole... Mystique, if we're counting lesbians and villains. Probably more I'm not aware of, given how many x men characters there have been over the years.) They could easily make a book about one of them.

Actually, Anole has a pretty interesting design/powers, and many of his interactions with his friend Rockslide are incredibly funny (with Anole, ironically, playing the "straight man") I think a team up book about them would be a lot more entertaing and probably sell better than "gay Iceman" (whose books, I should clarify, are some of the worst garbage Marvel's ever shat out, and make Chuck Austen's maligned Uncanny X-Men books seem like fine quality literature gold in retrospect)

Wow, I rambled on quite a bit here, but hopefully that explains my take on things.

[brightingales]

I'm going with your hashtags as well, I've seen the scene like three times now. And if you listen to it you can see the moments where things change in tone and words. Harry says don't you have heart and James lashes back, but there is the vulnerability when he talks about his job being his only constant. Cause he doesn't believe Harry will be, because of his lying, (he did bring it up and he even brought up Ste again). I think the relevance will come later when the cheating is brought up.

It’s difficult at the moment I think because we have no idea whether this is going to be some deep psychological point or not. My prefered option is to have Marnie involved and to echo the conversation she had with Harry while kicking James’s ass (dear God he needs it). Potential other parallels could be the conversation with Kyle that we know is coming up. 

It’s difficult to know what to say about this, though, as if this scene gets brushed under the carpet we can just put it down to bad writing (I’m so glad Phoebe didn’t write this episode!!) Right now, without the context of other episodes, it’s impossible to know if this is a case of bad writing or bad characterisation. What I did find interesting was that my first reaction to this was ‘that’s in character’ which is the total opposite of what everyone else has been saying. For me, it fits in very well with the Stag Do scene and the ones following, as well as the DeeDee and Ant scene. It might also be that this speaks to my somewhat negative interpretation of human nature, or maybe it’s just because I watched everything in a very compressed timeline. I’m certainly not saying I was right - though I do stand by my instance that Harry should leave James until he gets a full and honest apology. 

Something I’ve not really thought about yet but just remembered - James said that he didn’t tell Harry about Laurie because he was planning on telling him that night. I wonder if that was a deliberate move on the part of the writers. Certainly, it suggests that James thought carefully about how to tell Harry, and therefore lashed out at him for other reasons. If he knew Harry would be upset - as his decision to have a proper conversation with him after he had properly looked at Laruie’s case - that might provide some other explanation. I do want to be clear though that I’m not trying to excuse James here, just to understand him. 

We know Harry and James are still together when Harry’s secret comes out. So I can’t see them leaving things as they are. And we know Greg is a wonderful actor - if it turns out that all of the nuances that you have so wonderfully spotted were done on purpose I will happily go full-Kanye and award Greg the BSA myself. 

[unhonestlymirror]

I also cried because it seems that the blockade of Chernihiv (one of the oldest cities in Europe) began - humanitarian corridors are being brutally shelled. The cousin of my aunt's husband was captured by russian occupiers. He doesn't get in touch. I heard that rashists force the captured to go forward to the mines so that they are blown up and indicate a safe path. I can't hug my siblings because they're in another country. I can't hug my grandparents because they are in Belarus.

I have a roof over my head and the opportunity to study. Classmates do not understand me when I freeze and ask if they heard the planes. All my loved ones are alive and well, and thanks God.

Sometimes I cry right on the street - and at such moments I really hope no one will come up and ask what happened, because I really don’t know what to say. Teachers also ask me if everything is all right - and I say yes, I'm fine, because I don't know what to say. I used to give people positive emotions, and not tell how a rocket flew into the house next to my classmate and killed 10 people. I don't want to say anything. I'm tired.

At the same time, I understand that mine friends/colleagues are in much worse situation now because they do their homework without electricity, sometimes without water, during the explosions. My classmate joined the territorial defense and i'm really proud of him. There is one girl with whom we fought a lot last year, now she makes videos of military helicopters flying nearby. Why did I argue with her? I do not remember.

I do not call to hate all Russians, but I also do not call on them to help and sympathize. One famous Russian writer, also a victim of the moscow empire regime, once said: "We all scold Stalin, and of course, for the cause. But I still want to ask - who wrote 4 million denunciations?" And I also want to ask: who raped a woman for several hours in front of her son? Who robs and burns our houses? Who drives tanks over the bodies of girls and children? Who shoots evacuation buses? Who publishes stupid nazi tiktoks with the hashtag #I'm not ashamed? Do you know that most occupiers' wives and mothers ask them to steal blenders, laptops, jewelry, etc?

Ukrainians, damn it, have the right to protect their families, their home, they have the right to wish death on russians. Even if not everyone is like that (and that's right. Not all but about 70-80% thanks to propaganda). Ukrainians have the right to slaughter rashists like pigs, not waiting until they rape another child or shoot another pensioner in the face.

It looks like I already have friends here - but all I can think about is if they are not agents or just information gatherers, so that later they can turn me in to a local rashist group. There have been incidents, especially in France and Germany.

I try not to think that if there is a respite in the summer, and then there will be war again, because stupid biomasses, proudly calling themselves great conquerors, will not disappear anywhere.

It scares me what a fit of hatred I experience when I hear russian speech. And this despite the fact that the losses of me and my family are relatively small.

I cried because for the first time in a day I was able to eat ✌️

[sunken-standard]

For The Halloween sentence thingy: “Costumes and candy are for babies. You and me? We’re going to raise the dead.” :D sherlolly of course.

(I had a couple false starts with this one, but here’s… something.)

“Costumes and candy are for babies. You and me? We’re going to raise the dead.”

*

Need your help for a thing.  Lab,23:30, don’t be late.

Sherlock glanced at the text one moretime as he walked towards the morgue.  Molly wasn’t usually thiscryptic, typically writing a dissertation spanning four texts ofnegations and apologies and explanations if she ever had to ask afavour.  He wasn’t worried.  Much.

He stopped dead once inside the morgue;the overhead lights were out and the room was lit by what had to be ahundred candles ringing a sheet-covered body on the slab.  His gutclenched until he noticed Molly in the corner, making notes in a filelike it was any other post-mortem.

She turned and smiled.  "Ah, good,right on time, let’s get started.“

“What’s this about?  Is this somekind of— Halloween—” he wiggled his fingers “—thing?”he asked, remembering the date.  She quiteliked Halloween or, at least, always seemed a bit cheerier rightaround that time, much like some people perked up around Christmas.

“‘Halloween thing’ makes it soundso amateur.  Fancy dress and sweets are for babies.  You and me? We’re going to raise the dead.”

You and I, hecorrected on reflex, then absorbed what she’d said.  "Raise thedead.“

“Yes.”

“Have you been inhaling some fumesyou shouldn’t have been?  Maybe ate too much and fell asleep in frontof the telly while a horror film was playing?”

She looked to be taking a moment tosteel herself before saying, “There’s something you don’t knowabout me.  It’s, ah, probably just easier to show you rather thantell you.”

He waited, wondering what he may havemissed.  She picked up an old leather-bound book from next to thefile she’d been working on and flipped through it before recitingsomething in what sounded like Scots; he felt the oddest sort oftingling in his limbs and a bit disoriented as his field of visionoriented itself a foot higher than it normally was.  He looked downand yes, his feet had left the floor.

He ran through all possiblescenarios—accidentally drugged, actually asleep, head injury,sudden neurological event causing hallucinations, some kind of freaklocalized gravitational anomaly, actually levitating as a result ofwhat Molly was reading from the book.  Considering he couldn’t proveor disprove any of his other hypotheses, he chose to temporarily workwith ‘magic is real and Molly Hooper is some kind of witch.’

“So why do you need my help?  Andif you could see fit to put my feet back on the floor?”

“Oh, sorry,” she said,flicking her finger and letting him drop to the floor.  Good thing hehad excellent reflexes, she didn’t let him down gently.  "Bloodof a virgin,“ she added brightly.

"I’m sorry?”

“If I were only trying to contactthe other side, I could just use any old blood, but to reanimate someone, I need the bloodof a virgin.  You’re the only virgin I know and I didn’t have time totroll university mixers for spotty gamers in fedoras.  I’mon a bit of schedule here, so if you could just—?”

“Wh—uh—I’m not a virgin. Can’t you just use Rosie’s blood?”

“The spell doesn’t call for bloodof an infant, who knows what I’d get?  It’s like chemistry, you don’tjust substitute sulfuric acid for hydrochloric willy-nilly.  And youdon’t have to be embarrassed about it, some people are just latebloomers.”

“I’m not a late bloomer and I’mnot a virgin.  I’ve done things.”  Not that he needed toelaborate or defend himself, but he had plenty of sexual experience. He went to public school and he’d had a girlfriend once (even if itwas fake; and sure, maybe they hadn’t had penetrative sex, butgenitals still featured rather heavily in their encounters) and,well, sexting didn’t count per se, but he’d done that, too.  Plentyof sexual experience.  

“This book was written in 1631. The things you’ve done—which I don’t need to know the detailsof—were not the things they had in mind.”

He scowled at her.  Did she read minds,too?  "How do you know?“ he accused. 

"Call it women’s intuition.  And Idosed your coffee when you were here earlier.  If you weren’t avirgin, it would have made you violently ill.  Or killed you, butthat hardly ever happens.”

“You tried to poison me?”

“You’ve poisoned John like sixtimes.”

“Yeah, but it’s me.  Andyou,” he sputtered, “you don't— poison people.”

“Sherlock, focus.  I need fiftymillilitres of blood, give or take, and I can get it out of you theeasy way or the hard way because this needs to happen at midnight andI’m not waiting another year.  So if you please?”

He tried to stare her down, his eyesnarrowed, but she just gave him her very bland, polite, somewhatvacant ‘I’m waiting’ face.  He huffed a sigh and gave in, rolled uphis sleeve. “So how long have you been…?”  

He had no idea how he was supposed tofinish that sentence.

“Born into it.  Last of my line,actually—it’s matrilineal—which is a pity, but, well, you knowabout my luck with men,” she said conversationally as sheprepped his arm for the blood draw.  

“How—how did I miss somethinglike this?  Me?” he ask himself aloud.  He still wasn’truling out some form of altered state on his part, but for now, theimprobable was looking like the truth.

“It’s not something we can reallybe open about, for obvious reasons, Y'know, with the burnings and thedrownings.  And the stonings.  And the pressings, and the hangings,and the beheadings.”    

“But Wicca is mostly accepted andconsidered a 'legitimate religion'—as far as that goes—thesedays.”

“Pfft, Wicca.  'Oh, I can summonthe wind!’  The only wind they can summon is from the lentils theyhad for supper the night before.  This is real magic, not thecartoon Order of Thelema toff 'magick’ with a 'k’ or the sociopathicsex cult that popped up in the States sixty years ago.  Which is whywe’re not supposed to tell men about any of it and especially not letthem see the book—”

Sherlock raised an eyebrow, glancing upfrom where he’d idly been flipping through the pages; surely she’dnoticed and she hadn’t stopped him.

“—because they read one littlesection and think they understand the answer to life, the universe,and everything, and then they go off spouting gibberish and making itall about them.  Crowley did it, LaVey did it, tons of others too,going all the way back.”

“But you’re telling me.”

Molly looked away for a second,colouring faintly.  "Because I trust you to keep my secrets,just like you trust me to keep yours,“ she said softly,sincerely.  Then she shifted back to her usual sunny self.  "AndI’m probably the only person in all of England who can murder you andget away with it.”

He steadfastlyignored the tingle that thought gave him.

“So how does this work?  Raisingthe dead,” he asked, changing the subject before he saidsomething stupid like I could help you with that 'last of yourline’ problem.

“I combine some reagents, anointthe body, say some words, and hey presto, 'it’s alive!’”  Sheended with a dramatic pantomime a la Frankenstein.

Which would make him Igor, he supposed. Wonderful.

“But the physiology, the sciencebehind it, how—”

“No idea.  They don’t usually stayundead long enough to run tests, and it’s not like I canshuffle a reanimated corpse up to Imaging for a CAT scan.”

“So you’ve done this before.”

“A few times…” she hedged.

“Ah,” he said.  Hewatched as she set the second vial aside and withdrew the needle; hepressed the cotton wool over the puncture while she fiddled with apiece of tape.  It was obvious she didn’t do this very often.  "Whatfor?“

"Hm?”

“Whydo you do it?”

“Practice,mostly.  Only get to do it once a year, when the veil is thinnest. And I’ve been testing the limits of the spell against state ofdecomp.  I raised a skeleton last year, but it fell apart after fiveminutes.  Without any soft tissues, it couldn’t really do much ofanything, though, so there isn’t much practical application for that. Remind me later, I’ll send you the video,” she said, pouringthe blood into a latte mug, then adding some kind of (obviouslypre-measured) powder from an envelope.

Abit like instant soup,he thought giddily.  "You take video?“

"Isend it out to the rest of the coven.  Kind of a humblebrag, but youcan only see 'hashtag: love potion success!’ so many times before itgets old.”

“Soyou’re rubbish at potions,” he said flatly.

“They’remostly useless, with modern medicine,” she defended.  He mighthave touched a nerve.  "Sleeping draught?  Sedatives.  Cure fordropsy?  Diuretics and diagnostic testing.  Rickets, scurvy, allkinds of pox—all gone, thanks to medicine.  And love potions arejust… cheating.  What’s the point of someone loving you if it isn’treal?  And it’s a bit dodgy besides with, y'know, consent issues.“

Hetipped his head, agreeing; she probably hadn’t tried one on him,then, and he found himself a bit disappointed at that.  Best to stuffthat down the laundry chute in his Mind Palace with the rest of hisfeelings.

"Justgoing to pop off to microwave this,” Molly said, holding up themug.  "Don’t touch anything until I get back.“

"Youuse a microwave?”

“Can’texactly build a fire in the middle of the floor and hang a cauldronover it, can I?  It only needs to boil, doesn’t matter how it getsthere,” she said before disappearing through the doors.

Becausehe was an adult and he could follow directions, he didn’t touchanything.  Except the book—grimoire, he supposed—which was justtoo much to resist.  Upon closer inspection, he decided that no, thebinding wasn’t cow or sheep or any other ruminant; it was more likepigskin.

Longpig, his brainsupplied.  Human. He was delighted.  Inside was a jumble of pages in different handsand different languages, some runes, some Old and Middle English,some he didn’t recognize at all; aside from the content, a book likethis was a museum piece.  He wondered if she used magic to keep itfrom degrading, then laughed at himself for even having a thoughtlike that.  Utterly ridiculous.

Mollyreturned with the steaming mug, two mismatched oven mitts on herhands.

“Ifyou could just pull back the sheet for me?  And then hold open thebook on page, um…  I don’t know, the one right after the full pageillustration of the orgy with Satan.”

“Isthat a thing you actually do?  I suppose that explains why you sleptwith Moriarty.”  

“Islept with Jim because he was nice and he had a cock like a baby’sarm holding an app—” she cleared her throat.  "He wasnice.  And the woodcut is contemporary political satire.  The Devilis actually James the First.  Huh, James, Jim… whatever.  Hold thebook open please.“

Foronce, he shut up and did as he was told.

*

"Arethey always that chatty?” he asked, hovering as Molly closed thedrawer on the doubly-deceased Mrs. Moon.

“Notusually, no,” Molly said.  "Thank God her tongue finallyfell out.  I think she had a grudge against every single person andautonomous body in all of England.“

"Howmany cats did you say they found with her?”

“Seventeen,I think?  But four were mummified.”

“Mm. Pity I hadn’t known you could do this years ago.  Probably couldhave saved myself a bit of time dismantling Moriarty’s network if Icould’ve just asked him who they were.”

“Well, ah, actually, I did. Wasn’t really able to get much out of him, though, with the braindamage.  He just kept repeating strings of numbers and letters.  I,um, took them to your brother—don’t worry, I lied about where I gotthem—and, long story short, they were offshore account numbers,mostly in the Caymans.  Redid my kitchen and went on holidaywith the finder’s fee.”

“I suppose that explains whyMycroft stopped complaining about my expense account.  I knew it wastoo good to be true to think he’d finally come around to seeingthings my way.”  Then, a thought struck him.  "So what elsecan you do?“

"Lame a horse, blight yourneighbour’s field, inflict pin-vomiting and hallucinations, um…snakes for hair, impotence, warts, turning people into rats, frogs,bats… all the traditional stuff.”

“Will you show me sometime?”

She smiled at him, bright and genuine. “This is going to be fun,” she said.

“Yes, it is,” he said,grinning back.  

[angstywriterangst]

(Thought I'd answer this here rather than just the comments, hope that's ok, but it may make it easier for some people to read.)

I'm a chronically ill writer, but I have been an able bodied writer too. And even though I always had some weird health problems, it wasn't until I became disabled that I realized how many misconceptions and prejudices about disability and chronic illness I had. It was simply because I didn't know, I'd never had a conversation about disability and chronic illness with someone who had them. I didn't know many people who were disabled or chronically ill. And the little conversation I'd had, I was looking through the lense of societal prejudices and societal norms.

In this essay I will:

give tips on how to talk to disabled/chronically ill people about their health.

Explain why as writer, and human, we must redefine "happiness= no pain"

1) go out and meet disabled and chronically ill people. Go to "walk for the cure's" and other awareness events. Meet people, talk to them, make friends. And just talk, like normal friends, share your problems and your goals and you triumphs. Just listen. If they describe something you don't know how to relate to, just say something like "that sounds really hard. I can't relate because I've never experienced that. I hope you find something that can help." I now have many chronically ill friends, and I still struggle with knowing what to say sometimes, so don't feel too bad if you do too. But also, talk about things like movies and books, dating, pets, spill some tea, whatever you talk about with able bodied people. What defines disability isn't the disability, it's little and big differences in how we do normal things. Chronically ill people have limited energy, so friendships are mostly held online. I hardly see any friends in person, even before covid. Texting, messaging, zoom, Netflix online parties etc, that's how I spend time with friends. Offer to do those activities.

2) if you have a specific question, just put a post on tumblr for people to weigh in on, just like this post! Most chronically ill people are extremely touched an able bpdied person wants to try to understand and advocate at all, because we are ignored and deemed unworthy. Reading threads on reddit or comments on memes and posts tagged with chronic illnessor disability related hashtags may give some ideas too.

3) Be sure your definition of disabled and chronically ill are accurate. Not all disabled people are chronically ill, and not all chronically ill people are disabled. Not all disabled people experience chronic pain, and not all chronically ill people experience chronic pain. For example, someone born without a hand is technically disabled, but they don't feel any phantom pains an amputee may feel. Their life is basically normal. Many amputees work and live normally, while chronic illness often makes working extremely difficult to impossible. Some people with mild diabetes (a chronic illness) lead a fairly normal life, and don't really deal with chronic pain (some do though, diabetes, especially type 1, is a horrendous disease, and some people's lives are more negatively affected than others). Certain mental health disorders are chronic, and are therefore chronic illnesses, but if it's mild enough, some people function pretty much normally. I know several people with depression and anxiety who are unmedicated (even though it would probably help if they were), and they are not disabled by their chronic illness. But there are some chronic mental illnesses that are completely disabling, making working and living independently impossible in extreme cases. (I know people like the examples I gave above. )

4) The first thing I learned when I became disabled and dealt with chronic pain, was that societies idea of what a happy, joyful, worthwhile and fullfilling life was completely false. Literally, the college degree, happy perfect marriage, homeowner with white picket fence and kids, fitness healthy lifestyle was unattainable to the majority of even able bodied people. So are people unable to attain that ephemeral dream supposed to forever be unhappy, and can only be happy if they achieve societies life plan? Because disabled people have even less of a chance of achieving all those things in that order, so if able bodied people often don't get the white picket fence, there's little hope for me to be happy, right? As you've probably realized , of course not! There are plenty of other, even more important things that make up a life worthwhile.

5) I soon was forced to realize that this white picket fence didn't matter. When I became disabled, all that I thought was my identity, such as my degree, my work, my hobbies, my physical strength (I was very physically active), my friends and family (many abandoned and shunned me) were all burned away, and I was left naked, finally able to see myself in the mirror for the first time. I realized that this opportunity to fully see my true self was something few people recieved at my age. At least until they aged and got old, lost their powers, independence, and what they thought their identity was. Able bodied people don't want to think about the fact that all of us will become disabled when we become elderly.

So if we humans become disabled when we become elderly, does that mean that nobody gets a happy ending in life? No, of course not! And that means that disabled or chronically ill characters who know they will live in pain their entire life get a happy ending too. Same as any able bodied person when their body begins to decay.

6) There is a false belief that joy is the absence of pain. But as Wesley said in The Princess Bride;

"Life is pain Princess. Anyone who says otherwise is selling something"

A lot of organizations, (wether they be religious, university degrees, businesses, products, pyramid schemes etc) entice people by promising that your life will be free of pain if you give them your money/time/obedience. But all spiritual/religious practices the world over usually say something to the point of "Pain is a part of life. It's sort of the point of life. Pain is how we learn"

Does that mean life is devoid of happiness, devoid of joy, if pain will always be a part of life? Of course not!

7) The first step to any character's happy ending is realizing that joy is a skill, something that takes practice to cultivate and grow. Joy is not dependent on outside forces, it comes from within. Happiness comes from outside sources; ex. getting a present, seeing someone you love, playing a game etc. But joy can be expiernced right alongside fear, grief, and even anger in equal measures.

8) The answer to how to give a chronically ill character a happy ending may be to change your definition of "happy= no pain", and instead focus on giving all your characters joyful endings.

Hey I started thinking, how should writers with no personal experience of it handle writing characters with chronic illnesses/chronic pain?

Naturally people with disabilities are still just people and should be treated and written like everyone else, but obviously if the stories that chronically ill people are given were satisfying, there would be no point to ask at all.

 One post about the subject was talking about how heavy-handed and awful chronically ill characters’ storylines tend to be, they either get killed off or magically cured (especially if their illness doesn’t have a cure in real life). The message - which I hadn’t even realised as a complete outsider - was that ill people can’t just exist, they or at least their disabled status has to be wiped out, and that’s terrible.

 Able-bodied writers are squeamish about writing disabled characters, it’s easy to never think about something that you never have to think about, and there’s no way to word this that would make me look good, so I’ll just have to ask, how do you properly write a character with chronic illness?

 How do you give a happy ending to a man who is not only in pain every moment of every day, but in his sleep as well?