#i wish we could live in a space where we acknowledge one with the other

[mecharose]

also ngl one of the worst parts of having the air of melancholy is that no one wants to be around u if ur sad all the time. so i just have to quarantine the vibes. can someone just sit and be sad with me?

[katakaluptastrophy]

One thing that has me gnawing on the metaphorical drywall is that Abigail Pent apparently never learned just how awful Jod is.

There she is, in the River, murdered by one of god's fingers and gestures, having been invited to the First so that she could kill her husband and eat his soul and...she's triggering Harrow by exclaiming that "The King Over the River is good!" when she learns some people survived.

Having worked out that there is something fundamentally, practically, metaphysically wrong with the River she...just assumes poor old god doesn't know and could do with some Cliff Notes.

And then there's the battle with the Sleeper. She's hiding from a mad, gun-wielding ghost, her husband shot in the stomach on the other side of the room, and her carefully planned exorcism in pieces, and Ortus begins to recite the Noniad. And realising the impossible thing he wants her to do, Abigail - who pages earlier expressed her doubts about god's omnipotence, prays: “Oh, God... God, please help me” (which makes her the only character who isn't a literal priest or member of a religious order who we see praying).

When she describes her childhood bedroom to Harrow, everything she mentions sounds like something of significance to her: her grandfather's bones, her desk, the bed where her brother sometimes slept, and "a pretty chroma of the Prince Undying, but a little cockeyed." (think mass produced 1950s Sacred Heart picture and you're probably not far off...)

Despite having formative memories of having weird devotional art in her bedroom, Abigail is miles away from that other enjoyed of Jod pictures in their living space, Silas Octakiseron. She's open about her heterodox views, and clearly has the knowledge to back them up (including, it should be noted, at least one degree taken on the Eighth). And she clearly has form with going off on a heterodox tangent, as Magnus seems to have a well-rehearsed pattern for bringing her back to an acceptable line. And while she's happy to acknowledge that her views aren't orthodox, she's not being pointlessly controversial: she doesn't mind being a heretic, but she's rather upset by the idea that Marta might think her a mad one.

Marta, meanwhile, is one of several characters who show us that Abigail's intensity isn't just the result of living in a theocracy: “No. The Second House doesn’t overthink the River...If we did we’d just have to fill in forms.” Meanwhile, Ianthe is clearly thinking about dogma with an eye less to worship than replication.

And maybe it's because I know a lot of people who are devout but heterodox, and in relationships only tenuously accepted in their tradition (or only in their specific bit of the tradition)...but I just have a lot of feelings about Abigail here. Someone who's willing to be frank and informed about the complexities inherent in her belief system, but who seems to be committed to her faith. She seems so willing to think the best of Jod, to pray to him even when she's intellectually aware it may not be quite that straightforward and...he doesn't give a shit. He isn't god. He's a stupid little man who looks down on the humanities and I wish Abigail Pent got the chance to say something devastating to him.

[kvetchinglyneurotic]

The common thread I've seen in a lot of posts about Ted's decision to return to Kansas is the question of whether he's happier there or in Richmond. Here's the thing, though: in my view, Ted's character arc is not about (or not only about) finding a place where he is happy, but rather learning to coexist with discomfort so that he can be present for the people and in the place that matters most to him.

When Ted is sixteen years old, his father commits suicide. His mother doesn't know how to process her grief or help Ted process his, so she pushes all her messy, painful emotions down under a blanket of cheerful optimism and Ted follows suit. He grows into adulthood unable to acknowledge his sadness or anger, which leads to the dissolution of his marriage. (Ted's reaction to Dottie during her visit illustrates how wearing this attitude would be from the other side.) Michelle asks for space, very likely intending for him to move into another house in the same city where he could do an equal share of co-parenting, and instead he moves halfway across the world to coach a sport he knows nothing about.

Ted builds a community in Richmond, because of course he does: he is very, very good at connecting with people. Part of that is because he's determined not to let anyone get by him who might be hurting, as he says, but he's also clearly a naturally sociable person — there is virtually no way he didn't have these kinds of connections in Kansas. While his life in Richmond seems more "real" to us, the audience, because that's the part of his life we see, for Ted, his "real life" has always been in Kansas. He misses Henry, obviously, but he's also intensely homesick: for most of the show, he fails to integrate to a degree that seems almost wilful; he only tells stories about his life in Kansas and the people he knew there; he goes to a terrible American restaurant in Amsterdam and the first thing he thinks of when he sees Van Gogh's Sunflowers is home.

All of which is to say that while Ted creates some deep and hopefully lasting connections in Richmond, it's not where he fundamentally wants to be. He wants to be present for his son; he wants to live in the state where he grew up and which he clearly loves — and that means facing his grief and anger at his father's suicide, and the fact that Henry will one day grow up and leave him, and the reality of his divorce and his ex-wife's new relationship (although I really, really wish they'd chosen literally any other man to be the new boyfriend if they didn't want to address the implications of Michelle dating their former marriage counsellor).

[befuddledcinnamonroll]

Our Youth, See Your Love, and Caged Again - final thoughts

What a week of endings in BL! Three shows, three countries, and three really satisfying conclusions. Each show includes such great examples of what each country does best, while also having their own unique voices. Each show is so distinct while sharing themes of love, hope, and connection. This is so much of what I love about this genre.

Our Youth/Miseinen: Mijukuna Oretachi wa Bukiyo ni Shinkochu

I wouldn't say that Japan is my favorite country for BLs, but there is something special about many of their shows that makes me feel seen. They do introverted, deeply feeling characters in such a sweet and melancholy way. You can feel the repression, the exhaustion, the longing. It's something that transcends language and culture for those of us who live profoundly internal lives. We may seem quiet on the outside, but inside there is so much - and there are so few who ever get to see it. This series connected two people who found they could let themselves be seen by one another in this deep and precious way, and it was achingly beautiful.

There was also something about this series that felt like a love letter to those who are still closeted within Japanese society. The casual heteronormativity of people and the huge blind spots to the connection between our main characters because it didn't suit people's narrative assumptions, both in regards to "good" behavior, and sexuality. And the ending, where Minase is not ready yet, and that's valid in such an imperfect world, but he gets to be loved anyway.

Beautifully made, beautifully acted (the eyes), and such quiet yet poignant heart.

See Your Love

Ok, if I did have to pick a favorite country, it might be Taiwan. Not every show is a hit with me, but every show that does hit, really hits. Especially when written by Lin Pei Yu, what an incredible gift this woman is to the world.

I loved the handling of Shao Peng's disability and how much agency he had throughout the story, I loved how Zi Xiang's trauma wasn't "fixed" by love but gave him a safe space to work it out, I loved Shao Peng's parents and their example of unconditional love while also acknowledging that good parents also make mistakes. Shao Peng and Zi Xiang were both just so delighted to be in love with one another, and so unflinching in their faith in each other. They saw each other's flaws and imperfections and challenges and it just made them love one another harder. And yes, that size difference was hella hot.

And while we had a fantastic main course, we also had such a tasty side dish, and I wish for all of us disasters to find a passionate and supportive, gently and slightly sadistic, hot, capable, and confident someone to get us through the tough times.

This show was so much fun. Taiwan, you did it again, my love.

Caged Again

I know everyone has pretty much said the same thing, but omg. Where did this come from? How did this happen? How was it so damn good?

None of us anticipated how deeply we'd fall in love with our panther/penguin love story, but fall in love we did.

I honestly cannot remember the last time casting felt so perfect to me as Ben and Jay. They obviously have incredible talent, but it's also clear that a lot of work was done with them to prepare for the roles, and whoever was responsible did a brilliant job.

I also want to point out that it looks like this is director Potae's first time directing a series (and maybe first time directing at all?), and she did an incredible job. Could things have been a little bit more polished? Sure, but that's an easier skill to learn than infusing a series with heart, and she has that part absolutely nailed. And that's what captures me into a series, that's how I get hooked. Also her sense of humor speaks to me. ("Why is it these fuckboys never get cursed?" Tell me about it!).

But what I most loved was how relatable the story was, how it is really fucking hard to be a human being, how we get so caged in by all of the restrictions placed on us no matter where we go, and it's such a struggle to find a place where you can be your authentic self, and carve out a little safe space of home and love and acceptance.

And we got to see these adorable little creatures find their way and find their space and their love, and that is a gift of hope to us, that there can be ways to slip those bars and do things in your own wild and strange way.

[sky-scribbles]

Playlist for my Aeor longfic

I failed to figure out how to do a fancy spotify embed like the kids do but uh. Here's the playlist for Gravity!

I listened to this while planning and writing, and there are even a few shout-outs to the songs in the fic... Songs are arranged chronologically, so you should be able to hear the story happening, hopefully :'D

Further yelling about song choices under the cut!

A Matter of Time - This one is... sort of the fic's opening titles in my head? I wanted to start out with an instrumental, to capture the vibes of the months before the fic opens - Essek and Caleb apart, thinking about the T-Dock, and each other. Wondering. Waiting.

Horse to Water - Essek in Chapter 1, knowing his life as the Shadowhand is ending, waiting for Caleb to come and take him away to whatever comes next. (I'm normally very picky about not putting songs that reference modern day stuff on fantasy playlists but this one's vibes were too perfect)

Dear Fellow Traveller - Two wizards heading into Aeor together.

Conquest of Spaces - A song for Aeor. A dark, beautiful city, the remains of a people who lived by greed and power. (And two wizards in the ruins, trying to draw closer to each other.)

Neptune - This is mostly for Essek's breakdown in chapter 5, as he worries he'll never break out of his Shadowhand manipulation, wanting to be closer to Caleb and not knowing what that would even look like. And it's a little for Caleb in chapter 6, too, grappling with his feelings for Essek and his fears that they'll ultimately be bad for each other.

Please Don't Say You Love Me - ... and as they move past those fears, this song is for them tentatively acknowledging what they might be to each other. Not yet. But maybe soon.

Woodwork - This is for the chapters 6-9 span, as they learn more about Brashaar's plan. The pressure of a crisis has an odd way of making them realise just how deep their trust and care for each other runs.

Two Evils - Since we're at the point where Brashaar shows up, she gets a song now! This is pretty much her internal monologue during her confrontation with the wizards (though she really should have paid attention to 'if you're not careful, you will lose her' in reference to Quaera...)

Winter - Travelling northward, and yearning. Wishing they had more time.

Mind - A song for a young Quaera, slowly forming a personality, wondering about who she is and how her identity forms...

The Tower - ... and having their own breakdown.

What Could Have Been - I love me a good villainous breakdown, and this is a song for Brashaar's. This is how I imagine she feels during the final confrontation, raging against the gods, against Caleb and Essek, against Quaera after they turn from her. Not quite able to let go of what she thinks Aeor could have been. What, in her eyes, the world is meant to be. (As a bonus, I think the second verse sounds a bit like a retort to her from Quaera...)

Everybody Wants to Rule the World - This is such a fun cinematic cover, and I can't tell you how many times I've imagined a mental AMV of the final battle with Brashaar set to it :'D

Ori, Embracing the Light - I wanted an instrumental here too, because... Essek is dead, Caleb is in shutdown, and Essek and Quaera are communing with the Luxon, a being that doesn't really speak with words. Also, 'embracing the light' is exactly what Quaera does at this point.

Would That I - I know we all use this as Caleb's 'learning to live and love again' song... and I am no exception. This is for him after the T-Dock, finally fully acknowledging his grief, and his love for Essek.

First Day of my Life - Just two wizards realising that they have a future, and agreeing to slowly work at what's between them.

Ready to Call This Love - This one speaks for itself, honestly.

Five - Both of the wizards in the final chapter, but especially Essek realising how isolated he's been from the world, and letting it all in so he can feel it. (Also, studying the universe is a love language - )

Gravity - Gravity is a metaphor for love!!!!

[violottie]

I cant stress enough how much bi lesbians and bi lesbian discourse flared up my SO-ocd, I was fine for a few months and then I returned to this side of tumblr and I get reminded of them. One of my worst fears is that I am somehow a “bi lesbian” or if after all these years of questioning and finally coming to the conclusion that I’m a lesbian I’ll turn out to be straight in the end. Idk if I should have stayed on the art side of tumblr but where else do I find other lesbians??? I wish I could go back to when I didn’t know “bi lesbians” existed it was easier back then. Apparently the only thing to make intrusive thoughts subside is to be like “so what if I’m not a lesbian, who cares” but I cant do that. I wanna go back to when I didn’t know there were people who deliberately fake being gay because that’s also one of my fears,, even though when I realized I was a lesbian it felt like I REALIZED it rather than chose it

(this is gonna be long but it's very important to talk about so just a heads up on that)

i am so so sorry to hear this, and im infuriated that these fucking creeps in the "community" have caused not only so much blatant lesbophobia to spread but also have caused so much harm to lesbians.

i am right with you because ive been through, and still go through sometimes, what you're experiencing. its terrifying that all this bullshit can snowball and make any doubts we lesbians already have from living in this heterosexual patriarchal society double and multiply even more viciously.

my internalised lesbophobia has worsened also. i doubt myself alot and more often thanks to all this bs. its... i dont even have words to express how damaging lesbophobia, especially from within the "community", is.

it causes harm and trauma and pain and suffering for lesbians, but all these stupid juvenile shits just think it doesnt matter because "uwu theyre so kweer and cool now"

it sucks... but i need you to know it is not your fault that you feel this way.

no matter what anyone inside or outside the community says, and no matter what your spiralling thoughts might make you believe as a result of lesbophobia inside and outside the community, you are not straight, you are not a "bi lesbian", you are not bisexual. you are a lesbian.

i know it is so so hard to just say but i promise you, nothing they say will ever ever change the reality of your lesbianism. i promise you.

it hurts, and its beyond infuriating to have to share space with these disrespectful bastards who coopt our lived experience for a moment of attempted self-actualisation, and that pain deserves to be acknowledged and soothed, not pushed away.

i wish i could give you a hug rn honestly because this shit just fucking sucks. i too wish i could go back to the time when these idiots werent even a concept in my mind or memory, but if there is any advice i can give you to help ease the torment of this constant barrage, it is this:

❤️🧡🤍🩷💖

1) know, for a fact, that nothing anyone, and i mean ANYONE says and no matter how loud they say it, will ever change the lived and exact reality of your innate sexuality.

nothing will ever magic away your lesbianism. it is wired into you, it IS you, a very central part of your personhood. that is not something that any words, especially words shat out of the asshole of a dickhead child on the internet, can ever change.

im not disregarding the hurt, im just reminding you that who you are, who you truly are, cannot change because of the words that hurt. especially because you know deep down that those words are not true.

because being a lesbian is who you are. it is not a quota to reach, or what you do, it is who we are. innately. you know where your natural attactions lie, what genders draw your attraction exclusively and without effort. you know that deep down. we are literally born this way. words cannot change that.

❤️🧡🤍🩷💖

2) the best thing to do whenever you accidentally glimpse said bullshit is to block them and focus on uplifting the actual lesbian community.

lesbians community is such an integral lifeline, i cannot emphasise the sheer importance of enough.

these idiots are, after all, idiots and do not deserve your energy, your time or your pain. they will never matter, and the truth is, they only exist on the internet among weirdos who have no sense of self so seek it by stealing bits and pieces from other peoples personal experience and identity.

they are and always will be inauthentic, unlike you.

❤️🧡🤍🩷💖

3) find and focus on the joy of your lesbianism individually and in lesbian community with other lesbians.

We lesbians are blessed to experience the best kind of human life possible: lesbianism.

our sexuality is bold and strong and proud and beautiful and brilliant and effervescent. it is perfect and brave and worthy of honor and praise and celebration and respect.

our community of lesbians is just as exquisite as we are individually. we are diverse and divine. every butch, femme, stud, stone, masc and feminine lesbian; every trans woman, transmasc, transfem and nonbinary lesbian; every black and brown and lesbian of color; every aromantic, asexual, aroace, non-partnering and polyamourous lesbian; every lesbian of every age and race is so overflown with wisdom and joy and love and brilliance. there is nothing more empowering as a lesbian and nothing that strengthens lesbian pride more than being in a community of lesbians and finding joy in ourselves through each other.

and im not just saying this to be mushy. i mean it. lesbians are divine, and thus, you are also divine.

you are perfect as a lesbian because you ARE a lesbian. you are incredible and intelligent and brilliant and brave.

nothing will change the brilliance of who you are, and in everything you are as a lesbian, you have a universe of lesbians who have been, who are and who will be, all of whom have not only been through the same and similar demeaning bs from the same kind of lesbophobic idiots, but they fought it back and survived and lived and thrived as lesbians.

you are just as strong as every lesbian who has been and is. and you are not alone. i promise you.

i am slowly rebuilding the community of lesbians on this blog that i had on my old one, but i promise you, on my blog you are safe. i swear, i will always always put lesbians first here, and that includes you. i will always defend and support and celebrate lesbians first here, and here you will find many other lesbians who will do the same.

❤️🧡🤍🩷💖

i know this was long, im sorry about that but i just need you to know that i see and feel your pain with you, and i need you to know that you arent going through it alone, and you are not alone.

we lesbians have always stuck together to defend and fight for one another, we have always survived, we have always been here, and we always will be.

i hope this reassures you in some way, and know you're always welcome and safe here ❤️🧡🤍🩷💖

[rowdyhughesy]

"You know how I feel about you" with Arber please! 🤍

Thank you for requesting🖤

The fight had been well, big. A discussion that got out of hand. A discussion that had been months in the making but swept under the rug like dust time and time again. Tiptoeing around the fact that he was your boyfriend but at the same time he wasn’t.

The strange grey area where neither of you are seeing other people but not having put a label on it. Together but not really together, friends but also more than friends.

It had been a whirlwind of screaming and tugging of hair in personal frustration in the living room of Arbers apartment. It didn’t matter that it was 3am and neighbours were sleeping because all you could see were red.

“The one thing I’m asking Arber is that you actually acknowledge that we aren’t just friends. Either you want me or you don’t. Make your choice.” The fight had ended with you grabbing your bag from the bedroom and a slam of the front door. Not giving him a second to say anything else. It was time for him to think about what he wants and if what he wants even is you at this point.

That had been a week ago. A week of radio silence from both ends. Not even a good luck text on his games or a congrats when they won one of them. No I’m sorry, you guys did your best when they lost. Nothing. And that was killing him.

He missed your arm wrapped around him in the mornings when he had a day off and you could sleep in. Body curled up behind him, chest pressed against his back and soft breathing leaving goosebumps on his neck. It was torture. So he caved.

He didn’t buy any flowers, no candy or stuffed animal because he wanted what he had to say to matter more than a store bought I’m sorry gift. He would buy you as many gift as your heart desires after he makes things right.

Wrapped in blankets on your couch you’re watching some reality show on Netflix, something to ease your mind from its turmoils and fill the silence that came with not having Arber running around the space. Until loud determined knocking on your door breaks the trance you’ve been in for days.

Brows furrowed you stand up from your previous seat, sock clad feet shuffling over the hardwood floor. You don’t even care to look in the peephole before opening your door. Wishing you had done that as you come face to face with Arber.

Staring up at him with a frown he awkwardly scratches his neck before shyly asking if he can come inside. You think about it for a few seconds before stepping aside, opening the door more as if to say go ahead. His hand brushes yours as he walks past. Sending warmth from your fingertips to your bones. Something you’ve missed.

Following after him back to your living room he just stands in the middle of the room. As if this is a new environment he’s never been in before when in reality he’s been in this space more times than you can count. “You know how I feel about you. I just didn’t know how to say it but I do now. I want you. I wanted you a week ago and I’ll want you everyday that’s comes after. I messed up not asking you to be my girlfriend and I know that. So what I’m asking is, do you still want me?”

Blinking away the moisture in your eyes you look up at him. The sad puppy look on his face as he waits for your answer. Waiting for you to do whatever because he’s standing there with his heart on his sleeve giving it to you for real this time.

“I want you too. I choose you and I’ve chosen you since you kissed me for the first time.”

[runawaycarouselhorse]

A theme of Best Wishes!, mentioned on the official TV-Tokyo website's story section, is growing up… and the memories and the differing attitudes towards childhood is part of that. This applies to major characters like Iris (she has the most flashbacks and most developed story of any Pokemon heroine up until that point; her ostracization made her shy away from trusting others and opening up to them, which also delayed the development of her Dragon empath powers—she needed to learn to trust and communicate!), rivals like Trip (who denies being a child, having a negative view of it, and in a hurry to grow up, perhaps due to taking Alder's advice to heart… until he learns the importance of bonding with his Pokemon and appreciates Alder's guidance) and Georgia (who fully acknowledges being a child and won't allow Iris to tease her for it--"That's right, I'm a child, just like you!"), antiheroes like N (who has difficulty believing in a world where humans and Pokemon can coexist happily, because of his father figure's influence and the abused Pokemon he was surrounded by.)

Even minor characters, like the medical intern Sally, who had just returned to her home after leaving for medical school, and her Gothitelle who recreates the world of its memories in the fog, repeating the days when Sally was a child and they worked together on the ferry, before the bridge was completed, ending their old job forever... Sally misses those days on the ferry and her old home too, that's why she chose to have her internship in a hospital here, but she sympathetically tells her friend, "We can't return to that life, no matter how much you or I think we could." They can cherish those memories together, but they must accept that the bridge was built, that the ferry is no more, and live in the present, even so.

(Most of our childhood is stored not in photos, but in certain biscuits, lights of day, smells, textures of carpet.” -Alain de Botton)

There is also Fujio's insistence that he had once traveled into the past and befriended a Protoga/Tirtouga. His friends disbelieved him, but he believed in that encounter, until he met it again in his adulthood. He was left without proof of it again, but his skeptical childhood friend Stella had seen it, and asked if he was alright with having no proof of the incident. As for Fujio, he was satisfied with the chance to meet it again as an adult.

Another minor character with a moving story is Robert, who sets out to prove his grandfather's photograph of Sawsbuck in all four seasonal coats was not faked—his grandfather wandered into a sort of liminal space in the mountains, a hazy border between worlds, where time flows differently, and captured a photograph of Sawsbuck... he insisted the story and photograph were true. Robert sets out for it, but has nothing to prove of his magical adventure, except the memory of his experiences and the reassurance that his grandfather's words were true.

And while in the past, Alder might've encouraged Trip to grow up quickly (he can't remember if he said those things, now), his current stance is that one should enjoy life and that the present moment is most important.

[raybeanschildrenslit]

If You’re a Kid Like Gavin: The True Story of a Young Trans Activist - Nonfiction

If You’re a Kid Like Gavin: The True Story of a Young Trans Activist by Gavin Grimm, Kyle Lukoff, J Yang (Illustrator) - (Nonfiction) Published 2022 by Katherine Tegen Books

This is one of those books that once I had finished reading and set it to the side, I felt like crying. This is one of those books that I wish I had when I was younger to help me feel seen for who I was and am, and to have it be valid and normal and wonderful.

Gavin Grimm is a trans activist who started his journey in activism in high school in 2015, the same year I graduated high school. He released this children’s non-fiction book about seven years later, sharing his experiences and normalizing trans identities for young- and hopefully all age- readers. While Gavin doesn’t share everything with us about his journey in his trans identity, he doesn’t have to, instead he reaches out to the reader in ways that make this aspect of life feel more natural and normal. For many, this can be a heartwarming moment. A place where we are recognized and acknowledged through someone like us generously sharing a fraction of their story. He walks us through coming into his identity, the issues that arose as he more so entered the world, and the actions he took to rally for rights and change. His story is far from over. In the snippet of it he is sharing, he says in his author’s note, “I hope people come away recognizing that we all have important choices to make in our lives- being kind, leading with love, standing up for yourself and others- whereas living our lives as the people we are is not a choice; it's a right. I hope that this story shows kids their own power and what they can do” (Grimm, 2022).

As someone who identifies with transness- identifying as Non-Binary Trans-Masc Queer- it is important that all versions of transness are expressed as they can be and remind others regardless of where they are in their journey that they are real, valid, true. Like I said, I could have used this when I was younger. I applaud Gavin for finding himself so strongly and standing up for what he knows is right. I am his age and still don’t really know who I am but if I had an ounce of his clarity when I was younger I could have saved some heartache, toxicity, and a few tears. I won't go into it but everyone, regardless of queerness or transness, is important and valuable and amazing and stunning. As someone who is queer and wants to push for social justice, diversity, recognition, safety, human rights… I want to be the librarian that shuts down bigotry and ignorance while creating a safe and free environment for the patrons- especially the YA individuals I want to work with, feel seen and heard and safe. I understand that I am repeating myself but I am passionate about this and that’s what happens with me. I think there are a lot of creative ways we can express ourselves in a smaller environment scale; making name tags with preferred/ correct names and pronouns, making zines of our identities, and experiences, hosting a queer club safe space for media discussion and community work. On a slightly larger scale, I can see myself reaching out and collecting resources for people to use and provide opportunities for parades, peaceful protests, celebrations, safe spaces and community gatherings beyond the library, and more.

-Ray 02/11/2024

Grimm, G., Lukoff, K., & Yang, J. (2022). If you’re A Kid Like Gavin. Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.

[vagabond-umlaut]

STARS.

GLOWING BALLS OF BURNING GASES, LIGHTING THE DARK OF THE NIGHT SKY. PEOPLE OF TALENT, FAMOUS AND MUCH LOVED BY THE GENERAL POPULACE. FORCES OF FATE, INFLUENCING & DETERMINING THE LIVES OF US, MORTALS.

ONE SMALL WORD YET SO COMPLICATED IN ITS MEANINGS, IS IT NOT?

YES, INDEED IT IS— THOUGH, CERTAINLY NOT AS MUCH AS THE STORY OF ONE KING OF CURSES & HIS WIFE— WHAT DO YOU THINK, MR. SUKUNA & MS. KORE?

*The camera focuses on one of the most well-known and beloved couples from the renowned TV show Jujutsu Kaisen. Despite being six years younger in age and over ten years younger in acting experience, the woman seems every gram the seasoned acting professional the man beside her is; although, a lot more cheerful and friendly than the latter. [The almost-absence of space between them doesn't go past the eye of anyone— nevertheless, the interviewer chooses not to comment on the same. For now, that is.] Kore greets the camera with a happy smile and a wave whilst Sukuna acknowledges the same with a minor twitch of his lips— the two of them then returning their focus to the interviewer.*

KORE: *chuckles* AH, NO, I DON'T THINK THEIR STORY IS AS COMPLICATED AS IT IS BEING MADE TO BE. IT IS A RATHER SIMPLE, SWEET AND SUCCINCT TALE OF LOVE, SET IN ANOTHER ERA. SUKUNA: *nodding* I AGREE. KORE'S & MY CHARACTERS SURE DO HAVE QUITE OPPOSING PERSONALITIES IN THE SHOW— ONE, WORSE THAN A DEMON AND THE OTHER, BETTER THAN AN ANGEL– BUT THAT DOESN'T REALLY MAKE THE STORY COMPLEX OR DIFFICULT. THEY FALL IN LOVE LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE DO AND WISH TO STAY TOGETHER FOREVER LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE DO– PERHAPS IN AN EVEN BETTER WAY BECAUSE OF THEIR OPPOSITE NATURES ATTRACTING EACH OTHER.

WOW, THAT MUST HAVE BEEN THE FIRST TIME MR. SUKUNA'S SPOKEN FOR SO LONG IN AN INTERVIEW, RIGHT? YOUR FANS, ME INCLUDED, ARE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST. WOW...

KORE: *giggling at Sukuna, the latter looking away and coughing* SUKUNA TENDS TO BE VOCAL ABOUT THE THINGS HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT— THIS CONCEPT OF OPPOSITES ATTRACTING IS JUST ONE SUCH THING.

OHH. I SEE. AND DID THAT SAME THEORY OF OPPOSITES ATTRACTING PLAY A ROLE IN DECIDING YOUR OUTFITS TONIGHT?

KORE: *stays silent for a while before answering* YOU CAN SAY THAT... BUT TO BE HONEST, IT'S MUCH DEEPER THAN THAT. *shares a small, almost secretive smile with Sukuna*

OOH! NOW, I'M INTRIGUED— EXACTLY HOW DEEP DID THOSE REASONS BEHIND TONIGHT'S OUTFITS RUN, MS. KORE?

KORE: *huffs a chuckle* NOT VERY DEEP, I PROMISE!— BUT I ASSUME YOU KNOW TONIGHT'S THEME IS STAR-CROSSED LOVERS, DON'T YOU? AS DECIDED BY THE STUNNING HOST OF THE GALA, AND MY DARLING FRIEND, MARA [@margumis]?

YES, OF COURSE!!

KORE: *smiles widely* TONIGHT'S OUTFITS WERE INFLUENCED BOTH BY THAT AND BY WHAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER. IN MY GREEN DRESS AND GOLDEN ACCESSORIES, YOU COULD SAY I'M THE PRINCESS FROM OUR SHOW– ROYAL, ELEGANT & A SYMBOL OF JOYFUL ENERGY, AS THE COLOUR GREEN DEPICTS. SUKUNA: AND MY RED & BLACK TUX REFERS TO THE EVIL KING OF CURSES— THE POLAR OPPOSITE TO THIS SWEET LADY. *sends a very conspicuous wink to Kore*

THE VISION'S GETTING MUCH CLEARER NOW... BUT WHERE IS THE THEME OF THE STAR-CROSSED– YOU DID NOT JUST CALL THEM STAR-CROSSED LOVERS 'CAUSE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS THEY'RE FACING CURRENTLY, DID YOU? ARE THEY NOT GOING TO HAVE A HAPPY ENDING? OH MY GOSH... IS THIS YOU BOTH POSSIBLY GIVING THE WORLD A SPOILER RIGHT NOW?

SUKUNA: *glancing at Kore with a smirk* AT THIS MOMENT, WE DO SEEM TO BE A BIT STAR-CROSSED, DON'T WE, MY QUEEN? *Kore nods, muffling her laughter with a palm*

WELP, DEAR VIEWERS— SEEMS LIKE THIS IS THE MOST WE CAN KNOW FROM OUR BELOVED ROYAL COUPLE— NOW, RETURNING TO THE IRL DUO– WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ASPECT OF THE OTHER'S OUTFIT?

KORE: NOTHING— EXCEPT THE FACT HE LOOKS A LEGIT FIVE-COURSE MEAL IN THAT SUIT, MAYBE? SUKUNA: *sighing deeply* I WISH GETO WAS YOUR MENTOR IN PLACE OF THAT GOJO– HE IS A TALENTED ACTOR BUT A PATHETIC TEACHER. MORESO IN THE FIELD OF ROMANCE. YOU CHOSE THE WORST PERSON EVER TO ASK FOR TIPS. KORE: *coos, moving to pinch Sukuna's cheeks* BUT THEY'RE WORKING ON YOU, AREN'T THEY? SEE, HOW PINK HIS CHEEKS HAVE TURNED! ALMOST AS MUCH AS HIS HAIR— HAHAHA–

IT PAINS ME TO INTERRUPT THIS CUTE MOMENT BETWEEN YOU TWO— BUT, SADLY I'VE HIGHER AUTHORITIES TO ANSWER IF I DON'T ASK YOU ALL THESE QUESTIONS ON THE SCRIPT—

KORE: *moves a bit away with a sheepish smile* UM, SORRY!! PLEASE ASK. SUKUNA: *rights his clothes, then smiles politely* YES, PLEASE CONTINUE.

THANK YOU!! SO, MS. KORE, CONSIDERING THIS IS YOUR DEBUT GALA, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

KORE: I'M TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH THE ENTIRE CONCEPT OF THE BLR GALA '23!! INCREDIBLY NOVEL. INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL. MARA, MY SWEETEST ANGEL, I'M SIMPLY IN AWE OF YOUR MARVELLOUS BRAIN, GIRL! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PLANNING THIS!!! AND I LOVE YOU!!!

WHAT ABOUT YOU, MR. SUKUNA? THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME ATTENDING THESE EVENTS WITH SOMEONE BESIDE YOU, ISN'T IT? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

SUKUNA: *shares a brief yet visibly soft look with Kore, before looking ahead* I'M VERY HAPPY, HAVING KORE BY MY SIDE. BESIDES BEING A WONDERFUL CO-STAR, SHE IS ALSO AN AMA—

*A loud yell of Sukuna's name interrupts him. The camera moves from them, to Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru in the distance, the white-haired man jumping up and down with an exuberant beam while his black-haired companion waves his hand. Kore and Sukuna look at each other once, the former with a bright grin & the latter with a sigh, before looking at the interviewer.*

SUKUNA: *smiling apologetically* I'M SORRY BUT IF THEY'RE HERE, THE REST OF THE GANG TOO WILL BE HERE PRETTY SOON— KORE: WE'RE SORRY BUT I THINK WE OUGHT TO CUT THE INTERVIEW A LITTLE SHORT NOW. *offers a contrite smile*

OH, PLEASE DON'T BE SORRY!! I GET IT. WE ALL GET IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. SUKUNA & MS. KORE, FOR ATTENDING THIS INTERVIEW. I, ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE ELSE, WISH YOU AND YOUR SHOW A STELLAR FUTURE AHEAD! WE ARE CERTAIN JUJUTSU KAISEN WILL BE AN IMMENSE SUCCESS!!! THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN!!

KORE: *bows* THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SWEET WISHES! WE'LL BE SURE TO NEVER DISAPPOINT YOU ALL. SUKUNA: *bows* THANK YOU ALL.

*With a happy goodbye and another whispered apology from Kore, and a small smile from Sukuna, both of them walk in the direction of their co-stars and friends– where, sure enough, many more well-known faces can be viewed. The camera returns to the inerviewer after a moment.*

WISH WE HAD MORE TIME TO ASK THEM MORE QUESTIONS, DEAR VIEWERS— BUT ONE THING REMAINS UNQUESTIONED. MR. SUKUNA & MS. KORE HAVE AN IMMENSE POTENTIAL TO BE ONE OF THE LOVELIEST COUPLES IN THE– HUH??

*The camera shifts from the astonished face of the interviewer, to where Sukuna and Kore are walking. Hand-in-hand. The camera lingers there for a moment before going back to the interviewer. The latter blinks at the camera– with a mildly disbelieving yet an excited smile, nonetheless.*

THE SHIP IS VERY CLOSE TO SAILING— OR HAS IT ALREADY SAILED, FOLKS?

[brazenlystrong]

an infinite void implies infinite space, infinite universes. i have two people who love their own infinity, so we're gonna have to cross the streams just a little on this stream-of-consciousness birthday missive. regardless of how we get there in the end, the point remains this: happy birthday, satoru.

sukuna wakes before the sun rises. he's intent to beat the sunlight that normally streaks through the window and kisses gojo's face, intent to watch the rise and fall of his chest and count snowy eyelashes and trace the lines of his jaw with hungry and devoted eyes. shoko is left to sleep in these days, her already exhausted body is being pushed a little past her usual limits with the incoming arrival of what is sure to be a boundless well of cursed energy. she dreams about blue eyes, a teasing smile, rests comfortably in strong arms with the knowledge that her (admittedly over-prepared) plan to surprise him has already been taken care of. sukuna cooks. he's adapted well to some technological advancements with expediency. still texts like he's old as dust (because he is), but he knows gojo's tastes extremely well and it makes something stir in him to see the one who taught him how to love eat well as his table. shoko went shopping the day before, pastries from the shop where they had their first date half a lifetime ago. little notes, answer cards, with his favorite movie and his favorite pastry and one more that says, again: koibito.

sukuna would happily feed him, give him the world on a string, conqueror conquered by the strongest in every lifetime. a choice he will make again and again, keep making until the heat death that follows the end of everything. he does not allow his angel to go into work on time, keeps him in bed with one kiss after another until he is belly-full inside of warm magnificence and telling him he loves him over and over and over. shoko wakes up just in time for them to get ready and go to work together, she does not do autopsies anymore this close to her due date but she still works in the clinic. they part ways by the door to her office knowing that his is decorated from floor to ceiling in fragrant flowers in every shade of blue and white and purple she could find. another card, another box full of sweets she had delivered special, a receipt from a very expensive lingerie store where she's written one more present for later in scrawling letters.

each home is built on a love that defies all logic, all reason, save this: satoru gojo's birth not only affected the delicate balance of jujutsu society, but the lives of a king and a doctor who would do anything for one more day by his side. no gift will ever be enough to show him how appreciated he is, how seen he is, how loved. good thing they have so many other tries to get it perfectly right.

♡

@koseigu

The feeling of being loved on a day like a birthday is an overwhelming warmth, like stepping into the sunlight after a long, cold night. Even if he expected it—knew the day is coming—it still catches him off guard, like a pleasant surprise that goes beyond just gifts or words.

He feels the warmth in his love's gaze, the smiles are genuine and eyes are shining with affection. There’s a tenderness to it, a kind of silent acknowledgment that he matters, not as the Strongest, but as Gojo Satoru. The gestures—big or small—aren’t just actions; they’re expressions of how deeply one is cherished. The little things mean a lot to him. Moments he could only wish to experience but isn't able to due to his busy schedule.

The love feels tangible, wrapping him like a soft, familiar blanket. It’s in his laughter, the way his taste buds are spoiled with sweet flavors, the way his name is mentioned with extra fondness, the way his the way the little details are remembered like his favorite food, the way his skin is marked with the trails of plush lips. It’s in the small surprises that show that he was thought about long before this moment.

There’s a flutter in Gojo's chest, joy and profound love. A part of him marvels at it all—that is all for him—while another part, the quieter part, whispers how much he wants to spend eternity experiencing this feeling.

--

He doesn’t want to leave yet. Should he take a day off? Satoru is amused at the thought, knowing he can’t do that. But if it means he’ll get to stay in bed with Sukuna and feel the way his lips flutter against his cheeks then it’s worth being late. Every second is precious time for him, moments of his life that are way more significant than whatever those higher ups have in store for him for the day. Each I love you makes his heart beat so loud he could hear the blood rushing to his face. He says these three meaningful words back with such enthusiasm, his expression brighter than the sunlight casting ethereal pathways above them both. Cheeks cupped in warm fair hands before Satoru presses his lips to Sukuna’s for a passionate and tender kiss, letting it last longer than the cute little pecks. This time, he allows his love for him to pour out in the way he nips along his lips, the way his hands caress his face in mellow touches. He wants to spend eternity with him. One of his best birthdays yet.

--

He’s in love with the way she carries herself with quiet strength, like she knows the weight of the world and chooses to shoulder it anyway. It’s not just her intelligence but also her sharp mind that keeps him on his toes. It’s the way she is so effortlessly authentic in a world that often demands masks. And they’re at a point where they’ve taken off their own.

Every shade of blue that swirls inside his striking eyes could be seen spreading from every wall to the ceiling. She’s outdone herself, he thinks. She is incredible like that. He chuckles to himself, thinking of when they were still in bed and she was curled in his arms—how coy she was. It made the surprised times better. The pastries are delicious but not as delicious as her luscious lips when they meet his own after Gojo pulls her in by the waist, closing the distance between them. Work can wait.  Though, the receipt is the one thing that has his mind trailing off. He can only imagine how she looks in it before he gets to see it from up close. And he promises to explore every detail, every lace pattern, every bow. She is the one. The most beautiful woman he’s laid eyes on. The one who owns his heart.

[dojersdiary]

𝑼𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂���𝒅 𝑼𝒏𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒅: 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑯𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝑩𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏

My story today will dive deeper into my darker sides that I never really got the chance to tell others about. I will never say I was ungrateful for the life I was given. My family was a happy one sure, there might have been several times where I wished I was just dead, but there were also moments that I cherished the most with them. It’s just that sometimes, I felt unseen and unheard by them.

Even though I only have two siblings, I’ve always felt this deep, dark hole inside me, like something is missing. And that something is affection from my parents. I’m not saying they don’t love me, because I know they do. But it often feels like it’s just not enough. Maybe it’s because I’ve always compared how they treat me to how they treat my siblings, or maybe it’s just my own mind playing tricks on me. Sometimes, I feel so alone, even in a crowded room. It's not like they ignore me, but the warmth and acknowledgment I crave feels just out of reach. I wonder if I'm asking for too much or if maybe I’m just not as deserving.

When I went to boarding school, I started finding ways to fill those emotional gaps. My friends became the people who saw me for who I was. We were all still figuring things out together feeling homesick, missing home and somehow, we ended up becoming each other’s homes. They became my emotional anchors, giving me the attention, connection, and sense of belonging I had always longed for. It was like living the teenage life I had always imagined from Disney movies, full of shared laughter, secrets, and late-night talks.

We tried things we never thought we would good and bad. Boarding school became the backdrop to our lives, the place that witnessed our transition into adulthood. Those years shaped us in ways I didn’t expect, but looking back now, I see how much I loved them. They filled the spaces I didn’t even know were empty.

In the end, I realised that my friends had become more than just companions they became my home. They filled the emptiness that had been lingering in me for so long. Sometimes, I wish I could just stop time, to stay in those moments where I felt whole, surrounded by the people who made me feel like I truly belonged.

[actual-changeling]

poetry/flow of consciousness that got a bit out of hand

—

It gets hard to find reasons once you think about it too hard. Does it matter, really, any of this, when my head will come out the other side exactly as it is? When change is little more than the empty promise you tell yourself at the end of the day to fall asleep?

Tomorrow, it will all be different. Tomorrow, I will become a new person. Tomorrow, all my problems will no longer be too heavy to carry. Tomorrow—the day that never comes, no matter how long you wait for it.

There is only now, this moment, this exact fraction of time that is over before we even acknowledge it, and yet the universe is irrevocably changed with every single one. I blink and matter moves, electrons get flung into space and caught by atoms forming my retina, my optic nerve, my body nothing but a being of consistent change. Does it count, though, when change is the constant?

Is it still change when there is nothing else?

Nothing ever truly stands still, we're all moving away from something, our goal barely more than the fragile hope that we will open our eyes again tomorrow. Variables, infinite variables and probabilities, and yet if you look back, most of it is a straight path, a story told in the right order, a life that happened to be lived exactly the way you lived it. We think about missed chances and 'what if's—everything we wanted but never received, everything we got that we wished we hadn't—while neither of us would be without all of it.

Trying to find a purpose, a reason for the pain and suffering, an entity to blame so your screams go somewhere and don't ripple until they fade away, the universe forever changed and somehow the same.

There is no purpose.

There are no reasons, and we cannot accept it, the idea of life—short, unremarkable, unimportant—needs to amass to more than what we can process. Chance brought us to where we are, and it will bring us to where we will be, and when our bodies disintegrate in the ground until the solar system crumbles and slowly, oh so slowly, the universe begins to die, there will be no one left to ask questions, and existence won't have mattered.

There is movement regardless of whether we want it or not, and as much as there is a 'now' to preside in, we could all die tomorrow and it will change the universe like a blink changes your life.

It happens. It will happen again.

Something moves, something almost, almost touches, but it's never quite there, and somewhere, it will keep moving even when the ripples fade. Nothing ever truly stops being utterly alone, and yet it sings, it screams, a choir of change birthing another and another and another; life as we know it, time as it passes.

Maybe insignificance scares some—or many—people, the desire to build something that will outlast you is inherent to almost every being, but it doesn't scare me, it never has. Surrounded by noise, there is holy loneliness in being the only one who listens to the songs your body sings you.

Alive, alive! Stay alive, keep changing to be someone, yourself, and there is a sonata in the blood cells making you breathe and an etude in the palm you press to your cheek.

The change we carry, the change we are, ripples in a pond that do not fade until they do before they begin again. Throw another stone, close your eyes, turn off the light, and hope that tomorrow will come. Hope that the pond won't freeze now, hope that in the daylight, the change it elicits will give you the reasons you're so desperately searching for.

None of it will last, and while it might not matter when you look past the pond, the water is singing—and you are listening. You ARE the song, just as you are the choir, just as you are one single voice drowning in a cacophony of sound.

None of it will last, none of it will outlast the pond, yet for one single moment in time—so fractional it passes before we know it—there are nothing but ripples and nothing remains unchanged.

Then everything stops.

But it was there, missed by no one and preserved in nothingness, but it was—and maybe that is reason enough.

[shamelcss]

the last few days have been difficult, and i've been sitting with so many thoughts and much sadness that i'm struggling to navigate. unsure of where to place and express my grief. then this blog popped into my head. while it doesn't look like it anymore bc it evolved over the years and grew with me, once upon a time this was filled with 1d posts. this was one of my main outlets and connection points to a band and community i held so dearly and brought me to lifelong friends. that will never stop meaning something to me. if you were to look back at my blog during that time, too, you'd see that liam was my favorite. liam was everything... i mean, everything. i absolutely adored that man and he truly helped me navigate awful times in my life. i mean, they all did, but i could always relate to liam and zayn the most, particularly regarding struggles with bullying and mental health. last night i found an old post of mine on my stan twitter from 2014 stating "my entire existence is based on the single fact that liam payne is an actual living and breathing human being" which perfectly sums up how much i adored him (while also breaking my heart in equal measure). in recent years, i have not supported liam at all. i think that sentiment is fairly common. as a victim of predatory adults online and abuse, it was incredibly disheartening to hear the things that have come to light over time. someone who had once helped me through the darkest times of my life was guilty of things i had experienced personally. still, it saddens me to know how deeply he struggled with addiction and mental health, and i wish he could have gotten the help he needed. i wish he could have been held accountable for the hurt he caused and grown as a person. i wish he could have healed from all of his traumas. this whole situation is incredibly tragic and i can't quite wrap my head around it. i keep thinking of his son, and his family. his girlfriend. the boys. his ex and other victims. i hope they are able to continue to heal, and if they need to continue sharing their stories to do that, i hope everyone will have the compassion to allow them the space to do so without hate. it is okay to acknowledge that somebody may not have turned out to be the person you thought they'd be, and still grieve the person they used to be and who they were capable of becoming if things had been different. it is okay to sympathize with how somebody suffered, it doesn't mean you condone how they acted or treated others while they were suffering. things are not black and white and there is so much more nuance in life than people like to allow. my heart really goes out to everyone affected by liam's passing. everyone struggling with how to navigate their grief and how to feel - let yourself be sad, let yourself be angry, let yourself be nostalgic. feel everything you need to feel on behalf of your inner child and your current self. don't let anyone make you feel weird or bad for it. one direction meant so much to millions of us in our most formative years. this is one of the first big losses our generation has experienced of a star from our time.

anyways i didn't mean for this to get so long but it has helped me to process and flesh out my thoughts, so maybe it will help some of you to read. i wish we could all hug each other right now. i will always love this fandom, and i will always love the boyband of our time. they had fun, they were normal guys, and they were terrible terrible dancers. 🥹❤️

[minivantiny]

Growing Tomatoes "The Muggle Way"

Summary:

Inspired by Yunho's wish to taste a freshly grown tomato, Mingi embarks on a gardening adventure.

Professor Flock's Muggle Studies classroom has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The desks and chairs are arranged in a semi-circle, creating a space that encourages lively discussions. The walls are decorated with colourful posters depicting various Muggle inventions, which contrasts with the magical tapestries typically found in Hogwarts classrooms. The shelves are lined with an assortment of quirky Muggle gadgets, including typewriters and rubber ducks, adding to the room's unique charm.

As Professor Flock posed his intriguing question, the classroom seemed to come alive with a mixture of curiosity and disinterest. Some students slumped in their chairs, fighting off drowsiness, while others feverishly scribbled notes or exchanged amused glances. The Hufflepuff student at the back, known for his outspoken nature, couldn't resist throwing in a cheeky question:

"Can't we just Accio food from some Muggle shop?"

Professor Flock answered with a grin, "And you think you wouldn't get tired of doing that every day?" The Hufflepuff, acknowledging the wisdom in the professor's words, nodded in amused agreement.

"Well, actually," Professor Flock continued, his animated gestures capturing the class's attention, "some local grocers buy food from the Muggle world and sell it to other wizards. That way, only a small number of wizards would have intimate knowledge of the Muggle world, while the rest would buy it with wizard money from magical stores."

The information hung in the air, prompting a mixture of contemplative nods and raised eyebrows. Amidst the sea of students, Yunho sat in a desk, absorbing every word with genuine interest. The intimate setting of the class, with only 12 seats, allowed for a more personal connection between the professor and the students.

As Professor Flock continued his lecture, he encouraged discussions between students. Students began to share stories about encounters with Muggle artifacts, debating the usefulness of certain inventions. Laughter echoed through the room as one student recalled a particularly baffling experience with a Muggle "bicycle."

The classroom, despite its modest size, became a vibrant space where the boundaries between magical and Muggle worlds blurred. Professor Flock's engaging teaching style and the students' varied reactions created an atmosphere of learning and excitement, proving that even the smallest classrooms could hold the magic of discovery.

Yunho lingered after class, eager to delve deeper into the details of growing non-magical plants with Professor Flock. With a smile, he approached the knowledgeable wizard.

"Professor Flock, I was wondering if you could tell me more about growing Muggle plants like tomatoes and onions without using magic," Yunho inquired, his curiosity evident.

Professor Flock, delighted by Yunho's enthusiasm, gestured for him to join him at his desk. "Ah, the classic Muggle way! It's a fascinating process, my dear Yunho. Let me give you a brief overview."

Yunho leaned in, absorbing every word as Professor Flock began to explain. "Firstly, you'll need the right soil. Muggles often use a mixture of sand and loam for their gardens. It provides good drainage and aeration for the plants. Now, for tomatoes and onions, they thrive in slightly acidic soil, so keep that in mind."

Yunho nodded, his mind absorbing the details. "And what about planting the seeds?"

"Ah, excellent question! Muggles typically start by planting seeds indoors in pots, especially in colder climates. This gives the plants a head start before transplanting them outdoors. Make sure to follow the guidelines on the seed packets for the proper depth and spacing."

Yunho, scribbling notes on a spare piece of parchment, continued to inquire. "And watering? How do Muggles manage that without magic?"

Professor Flock chuckled, appreciating Yunho's eagerness. "Muggles water their plants manually, usually with a watering can. They gauge the moisture levels by feeling the soil; if it's dry an inch below the surface, it's time to water. Remember, it's a bit of trial and error, but you'll get the hang of it."

As their conversation continued, Professor Flock shared more insights on the complexity of Muggle gardening, from dealing with pests to the benefits of companion planting. Yunho absorbed the information like a sponge, grateful for the chance to expand his magical knowledge into the realm of the mundane, yet fascinating, Muggle practices.

Yunho couldn't contain the excitement bubbling within him as he practically skipped down the Hogwarts halls, eager to share his newfound knowledge with Mingi.

Finding Mingi at the Hufflepuff dinner table, his plate already half-empty, Yunho approached with a grin, unable to contain his enthusiasm. "Mingi, you won't believe what I learned in Muggle Studies today!" Yunho exclaimed, excitement glimmering in his eyes.

Mingi looked up from his meal, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Yunho's excitement. "What is it, Yunho? Something interesting?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Seating himself next to Mingi, Yunho dove into a descriptive recap of Professor Flock's class. He vividly described the quirky Muggle gadgets and the insights into how wizards obtained non-magical products. Mingi listened attentively, occasionally nodding or chuckling at Yunho's enthusiasm about such simple things.

As Yunho reached the topic of growing Muggle plants, he couldn't help but let slip his personal desire. "You know Mingi, I'd love to taste a freshly grown tomato someday, like the ones Muggles grow in their gardens, the proper 'Muggle Way'."

Mingi, ever attentive to Yunho's interests, leaned in with genuine interest. "The proper 'Muggle Way', you say?"

Yunho's eyes sparkled with excitement as he grinned. "I can't help but wonder how different they might taste compared to the magical ones we're used to."

As the conversation flowed, Mingi secretly hatched a plan to fulfill Yunho's wish. His small gardening haven behind the Beasts classroom would be the perfect spot to grow tomatoes without arousing suspicion. The mischievous gleam in Mingi's eyes went unnoticed as Yunho continued sharing his enthusiasm for Muggle studies.

Intrigued by Yunho's passion, Mingi made a mental note to surprise him with a taste of freshly grown tomatoes, grown with care and dedication, a secret gift from one Hufflepuff to another.

So he got to work.

The very same day.

Mingi, armed with a bag of seeds from "The Magic Neep" in Hogsmeade, embarked on his ambitious tomato-growing venture behind the Beasts classroom. The plot was set, the seeds were planted, and the pots were filled, but little did Mingi know, his gardening journey was about to take an unexprected turn.

Unbeknownst to him, Mingi had chosen clay soil, believing it to be a magical boon for his tomatoes. The pots were generously filled with magical fertilizer, expecting it to work wonders. As the days passed, Mingi's tomatoes weren't thriving; they were practically begging for mercy.

In the midst of his gardening disaster, Mingi scratched his head, wondering why his plants seemed more interested in protesting against their magical confinement than growing into lush tomatoes. It was then that he stumbled upon a gardening guide tucked away in the corner of the greenhouse, its title reading, "Gardening for Muggles: The Unseen Magic of Soil."

Wide-eyed, Mingi realized his mistake. He needed loam or a mixture of sand and loam, not the clay soil and magical fertilizer concoction he had been using. With a sigh, he resigned himself to the fact that gardening, even 'The Muggle Way', required a bit more attention to detail than he had initially thought.

Weeks later, as the first raindrops fell from the darkened sky, Yunho hurriedly exited the Beasts classroom, his footsteps echoing through the deserted courtyard. The heavy rain quickly escalated, prompting him to dash towards the castle to seek shelter from the downpour.

In his haste, Yunho caught a glimpse of a determined figure behind the Beasts classroom. Through the misty rain, he spotted Mingi, wearing a vibrant yellow raincoat and matching rubber boots, battling the unexpcted weather to tend to his struggling tomatoes.

Yunho's footsteps slowed as he observed Mingi's dedication. Dirtied with mud, hair sticking to his forehead, Mingi reflected loyalty to his words. He saw Mingi frantically attempting to move a gardening pot under a hastily constructed wooden shelter, struggling without a hint of magic.

A small blush crept onto Yunho's face as he realized Mingi was enduring this for him, inspired by Yunho's simple desire to taste a freshly grown tomato. Mesmerized by Mingi's unwavering commitment, Yunho decided to respect his friend's privacy and retreated, leaving Mingi to wrestle with the unpredictable forces of nature.

Three months had flown by since that day. On a lazy Saturday morning, Yunho stirred in his dormitory bed, basking in the luxury of a day free from classes.

Deciding to savor the rare opportunity to sleep in, Yunho stretched and turned his head towards Mingi's bed, only to find it suspiciously empty. The Hufflepuff dormitory room, usually filled with the soft snores of its occupants, felt unusually quiet. Furrowing his eyebrows in confusion, Yunho sat up and scanned the room, wondering where his roommate had vanished to so early on a weekend morning.

His eyes landed on a parchment paper neatly placed on his nightstand. Intrigued, Yunho picked it up and unfolded the note, revealing a message that stirred his curiosity. "Meet me behind the Beasts classroom, I have a surprise for you - S.M." Yunho's eyebrow raised in confusion. He had momentarily forgotten about the discreet encounter with Mingi and his gardening incident.

Yunho, now fully dressed and ready for the day, ventured out of his dormitory, the mystery note from Mingi still clutched in his hand. The Hogwarts corridors were a mosaic of magical portraits and enchanted tapestries, and Yunho's footsteps echoed through the ancient stone halls as he made his way toward the Beasts classroom.

As he strolled towards the Bell Tower Courtyard, the unexpected sight of Yeosang and Jongho sitting on a couch near the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom caught Yunho's attention. Both engrossed in their Advanced Potions textbooks, their focused expressions hinted at the challenges of their studies.

However, it wasn't the textbooks that drew Yunho's gaze; it was the unusual intimacy between Yeosang and Jongho. Jongho occupied the left corner of the couch, while Yeosang sprawled across the remaining space, his head nestled comfortably in Jongho's lap. The scene seemed so oddly familiar yet foreign to Yunho, as if he had stumbled upon a private moment between the two students. Yunho was taken aback at the carefree ease with which Jongho and Yeosang embraced their closeness.

Uncertain whether this was a regular occurrence for the two friends, Yunho hesitated to intervene. Instead, he opted for a simple wave, receiving warm greetings in return. A small smile adorned Yunho's face as he continued down the stairs.

"Well, that was interesting," Yunho murmured to himself. With a gentle smile, he continued his way towards the Beasts classroom, eager to uncover the surprise Mingi had in store for him.

When Yunho arrived, there were no signs of Mingi. He curiously scanned the surroundings, the anticipation building with each passing moment. Just as a hint of uncertainty crossed his face, a familiar voice sliced through the air.

"Yunho! Over here!"

Yunho's eyes lit up at the sound, and he turned around to spot Mingi waving enthusiastically from a few meters away. A wide grin spread across Yunho's face as he made his way towards his best friend.

"Hey, Mingi!" Yunho asked, his curiosity bubbling over.

Mingi, with an air of excitement, motioned for Yunho to follow. Leading him to a spot behind the Beasts classroom, they reached a breathtaking sight. A massive tree stood proudly a few meters away, its branches reaching towards the sky, offering a comforting shade. The small river nearby added a soothing melody to the surroundings, creating an atmosphere of tranquillity.

As they approached the tree, the Hogwarts Castle came into view. Perched on its majestic hill, the castle stood as a testament to centuries of magic and history. The sun, casting a warm glow over the turrets and towers, painted the scene with an enchanting radiance.

Mingi gestured towards the impressive view, a proud smile on his face. "Surprise! I thought this would be the perfect place for what I had in mind."

Yunho's eyes widened in awe as he took in the breathtaking scenery. The sprawling Hogwarts grounds, the river gently winding its way, and the castle looming in the background created a memorable scene. It was a scene that resonated with the magic of the wizarding world, and Yunho couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected beauty that Mingi had unveiled.

Mingi's hand pointed towards the meticulously arranged picnic blanket on the ground, a colorful spread that hinted at the result of Mingi's secret gardening adventure. "The tomatoes grew so much faster than I thought they would, and I had no idea what to do with all of them," Mingi confessed bashfully, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of pride and hesitation. "So I asked the castle house-elf staff if they could do something with them. I also helped! Given that they prepare our meals every day and that my request was probably additional work, I felt horrible watching them handle everything."

The blanket, adorned with an array of vibrant tomato dishes and salads, gleaming with the essence of Mingi's dedication. Yunho, initially struck speechless by the unexpected feast, finally managed to find his voice.

"You did all of this.. for me?" Yunho's words carried a hint of shock, his eyes reflecting both gratitude and amazement.

Mingi, with a humble grin, responded, "Well, don't get me wrong, despite the hard work, I actually enjoyed growing plants like this. You get a nice feeling of accomplishment."

As Mingi picked up a plate filled with freshly picked tomatoes, he extended it towards Yunho. "You said you wanted to try a fresh tomato, so.. here's your chance. I might've already eaten about half of this plate.. They're delicious!" Mingi's smile widened, showcasing his satisfaction with the final result.

Yunho, unable to resist the allure of the freshly picked tomatoes, accepted the plate gratefully. The first bite was indescribable, a burst of a tart and tangy flavor that surpassed all expectations. The tomatoes, nurtured with care and dedication, left a sweet after teaste in Yunho's mouth, almost as if he could taste the love Mingi has put into growing them.

The duo settled onto the comfortable picnic blanket, surrounded by an array of tasty-looking dishes, each infused with the magic of Mingi's efforts.

As they delved into their meal, Mingi regaled Yunho with tales of the misadventures that had peppered his gardening journey. Amidst the laughter and shared stories, Yunho couldn't help but find humor in Mingi's gardening mishaps. "How could you put them in clay soil? I told you Muggles use sandy loam!" Yunho teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

Mingi simply shrugged his shoulders with a grin, taking another spoonful of the delectable tomato salad. "Instructions unclear," he noted.

Yunho found himself captivated by the enchanting scenery surrounding them. The Hogwarts Castle, with its towering spires, stood proudly against the azure sky. The river nearby whispered tales of secrets shared only with those who sought its solace.

Amid the tranquil moment, a comfortable silence enveloped them, the special bond between Yunho and Mingi flourishing without the need for words. Yunho sighed, a contented smile playing on his lips as he gazed at Mingi, grateful for the genuine connection they shared.

After a few heartwarming seconds, Yunho finally broke the silence. "Thank you, Mingi."

Mingi turned his head towards Yunho, his eyes reflecting the warmth of their friendship, and he smiled sincerely. "You're welcome, Yunho," Mingi replied, the words carrying a depth that transcended the simple act of growing tomatoes. In that moment, gratitude and appreciation hung in the air, reinforcing the bond between the two of them.

Later, standing in front of Mingi's flourishing gardening haven. The tomato bushes stood proudly, their branches laden with plump, vibrant fruits that seemed to display the joy of their caretaker's dedication.

"What should we do with them? We can't eat all of this by ourselves!" Mingi exclaimed, his eyes scanning the multitude of tomatoes.

After a brief pause, Yunho's eyes gleamed with an idea. "What if we gather the tomatoes and offer them to the headmistress? She can ask the kitchen elves to include them on the menu for dinner today." Yunho's suggestion hung in the air, an opportunity to share the fruits of their unexpected harvest with the entire Hogwarts community.

Yunho and Mingi exchanged a knowing glance, their unspoken agreement sealing their decision.

Later at dinner, Headmistress Weasley took center stage, her poised and authoritative presence commanding the attention of the entire Great Hall. The hum of conversations gradually subsided as students turned their focus to the headmistress, a sense of anticipation filling the air.

"I would like to announce that tonight's dinner is indeed very special," Headmistress Weasley began, her words flowing with the effortless grace and eloquence that characterized her speech. The students, initially confused, now listened attentively. "One of our students has generously offered fresh ingredients for tonight's dishes, cultivated with dedication and care. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Song Mingi, a fifth-year Hufflepuff, who has spent the last three months cultivating his own tomatoes. He selflessly contributed these homegrown treasures to our school's kitchen, expressing his desire to share the fruits of his labor with his fellow students."

A gentle smile graced Headmistress Weasley's lips as she continued, "In recognition of his outstanding efforts, I am pleased to award Song Mingi with 50 house points for his remarkable contribution to our Hogwarts community. Now, without further ado, let us all relish in this extraordinary feast. Bon appétit."

As she concluded her speech, the Great Hall erupted in a chorus of cheers and applause. The tables, adorned with a variety of dishes, showcased Mingi's tomatoes in all their glory – in vibrant tomato salads, rich marinara sauce paired with pasta, and even as delectable snacks in the form of cut-up tomatoes. The Hufflepuff table, especially, erupted in jubilation, celebrating Mingi's altruism.

Amidst the cheers and applause, Yunho couldn't help but gaze at his best friend with admiration, recognizing the purity of Mingi's heart reflected in this special moment.

[lemonhemlock]

I really think some Green fans need to get real and realize the show will never portray a clearly young girl (we don't know the character's age but the actress was 15 years old during S1 filming - it's just vile to pretend her character was making everything up) lying about getting raped and setting poor Aegon up. Also, he was never confused when Alicent confronted him about what he had specifically done, in fact, the dialogue between them heavily implies this was not the first time this happened. He also never denied the accusation which I think he would've if the "it was a set-up" scenario was true. Anyway I doubt Dyana will knowingly be involved in the B&C affair either like some people from the other side keep hoping for. If she's going to provide information about the hour Helaena and her children are visiting Alicent or anything of the sort then it will likely be the some manipulation from Mysaria's part. I highly doubt Misaryia is going to say to Dyana "I know he wronged you and you want justice. How about we kill his heir?" and she'll be like "yeah let's do that". Her being a part of B&C is the second worst arc she could possibly have after the fake rape plot some are suggesting (or just as bad) because in no way one can ever claim that an innocent child getting beheaded in front of his mother would be an epic revenge story the audience will be cheering. I don't believe the writers will choose either of these two options.

yeah, the reason aegon turns the waterworks on and looks confused is because mummy hit him, not because mummy unjustly accused him. i realise some fans are hoping against hope and there's nothing wrong with daydreaming about a perfect pro-green world (i wish LOL), but, unfortunately, there's no "fixing" the dyanna situation. portraying young girls as manipulative liars when it comes to rape is just way more damaging than portraying a rapist prince on screen. we need to believe women and normalize that in our media, not to give more ammunition to dismissive narratives.

if the writers, say, had a change of heart and realised the error of their ways (i know, bear with me) or regretted the lost opportunity they had with aegon or whatever else. AT MOST, they could maybe retcon the child fighting pits thing bc aegon is never actually shown in there, so, if they REALLY wanted, they could never mention it again and pretend it didn't happen. but dyanna already got a pretty emotional scene where she was scared out of her mind and pleading with alicent + aegon basically admitted his guilt in the very next scene, so there's not much to do about that, other than reshoot the episode or re-edit it to remove that sideplot, which is obviously never going to happen ever. also, say what you will, but it was a pretty big deal that alicent believed her, no questions asked, and provided her with contraception and financial compensation, instead of punishing her and going "nuh-uh, not MY son"

like, "house of the dragon fake rape plot angers SA survivors and women's rights organizations" is not a good headline to have unless their aim is to turn it into The Idol with dragons

the good news, though, is that aegon is not real, so, as beings who exist in three dimensional spaces & outside screen and paper, we can acknowledge it as a controversial writing choice, accept it as an L and just move on with our lives. you don't have to agree with it & there is ample room to critique it, but it's also time to (gently) advance with the five stages of grief. the damage is already done, i'm afraid, we just have to take it on the chin and carry on.

i also agree that dyanna actively participating in b&c would be a mistake and not smth aspirational for her character (i have already breached this topic in her tag for curious cats). but i'm not convinced i trust the writers 100% NOT to go down this path bc they have sure shown that they can have a very simplistic understanding of female badassery and emancipation sometimes, re: how rhaenys killing civilians doesn't matter. all the more frustrating, because, had they moved the set around a little, she could have flown out dramatically on meleys without killing anyone, while maintaining all the benefits of the scene. but it seems they're not immune to shock just for the sake of shock.

anyway, as with all speculation, i am simply just talking out of my arse right now and cannot judge any aspect of S2 without seeing it first. episodes can be filmed with more than one version for various plots and who knows what they'll choose in the end. dyanna's actress may be filming scenes, but do we have any assurance those scenes will even make it in the show? there's no certainty they won't end up cutting them and editing the episode around her. so she can act out the most Kill Bill variant of her character and by the time next year rolls around it's on the cutting room floor