#it’s a big day for a clowning swiftie

[jerimovich]

[hurtspideyparker]

The Avengers as High School Friend Group Archetypes

Tony Stark: Mentally ill friend. Made too many suicide jokes so his friends forced him into therapy. Flakes out on plans a lot. Either has a God complex or the worst self-esteem known to humankind. Freaks everyone out when he texts goodbye in the gc without context (he's just going on a business trip)

Bucky Barnes: Black cat. Hisses at everyone but Steve. Great at holding his boundaries but comes off aloof. Nobody is sure if he actually likes them but would secretly kill for all his friends. Hides in shadows and jumpscares everyone with his lurking. Secretly naps on Sam's bed when no one's looking

Steve Rogers: Mom friend. Always has granola bars, Tylenol, and a Tide to Go on him. Organizes the group hangouts and reminds everyone when they have a dentist appointment. Everyone's parents love him, "you can go if Steve's going" vibe. Constantly getting his friends out of trouble (secretly encourages them). His romantic life is a disaster

Thor Odinson: Gym bro. Eats eggs, chicken and rice everyday. Forces his friends to join him in the gym and comments about them not eating enough protein. Genuinely cares for their health, will get them out of bed for food and fresh air when they're sad. Goes through protein powder like Tony went through cocaine in the 80s

Peter Parker: Annoying little brother. Someone's mom definitely made them bring him to the big kid hangout. Everyone bullies him but he doesn't realize it, he just likes the attention from the cool older kids. Sam and Bucky hold him upside down from his ankles till he gets dizzy and Steve makes them put him down. Everyone is super protective of him when he's outside the friend group (hey, only we get to be mean to him)

Sam Wilson: Therapist friend. Gets way too many texts at 3 am. Extremely emotionally mature but laughs at fart jokes. Knows everyone's trauma and will use it against them if provoked. Strangers randomly vent to him in public. Gentle parents adults when they're upset. Nobody ever asks him how he is

Natasha Romanoff: Man hater. All her best friends are men and none of them are actually sure if she's joking about hating them. Mean but never takes things too far. Flirts constantly because she thinks it's funny but is really awkward and bad at it when she genuinely likes someone. Hates when someone treats her like a man / "one of the bros", wishes she had more female friends

Bruce Banner: Bad luck friend. Can not catch a break. Everytime they hear from him something new has gone wrong in his life. His dog threw up on his bed, his computer broke before a huge deadline, his favourite sweater shrunk in the dryer. Just a disaster of a human. Constantly has some minor injury, from inexplicable bruises to a sprained wrist. Never having a good day but tries to remain positive. Anxious

Clint Barton: Class clown. Will make a fool of himself in front of every pretty girl in his vicinity. Is actually only funny half the time, the other half he's just loudly wrong. Confidence is key for him. Can charm and talk his way out of anything. Will make everyone laugh at the worst moments. Women reject him because he has a girl best friend

Wanda Maximoff: Boy crazy. Is ready to talk about her crush, boyfriend, or situationship at any given moment. Is never single for longer than a month. Will not take shit from a man and makes sure her and her friends are treated properly. Surprisingly good at balancing her friendships and relationships, doesn't neglect people. Has Pinterest boards for her wedding, dream home, and decor. Wants to be a stay at home mom. Big Swiftie and went to the Eras Tour

Pietro Maximoff: Unemployed friend. Always doing the most random thing on a Tuesday morning. One day he's kayaking in British Columbia, the next he's joined an MLM scam. He has a new cat? He adopted him from Istanbul on that trip no one knows about. He's drinking fresh lemonade? He actually volunteers with disabled elderly and Doris gives him lemons from her tree. Knows how to cook a turkey. Unclear if he's homeless or not, usually sleeping on a friend's couch or at a random woman's place (still on the couch)

[bucking-mustangs-with-wings]

Heart of Gold (5 Times Gale's Heart Gives Out And +1 time Ken's Does) Barbed Wire Hearts Universe - Chapter One

God I can't believe I can finally publish this after so many problems preventing me from both writing and editing it, it feels like it's been too long! But here's the next instalment in the BWH universe. Only one chapter written and edited so far, but I'll be updating when I can with more. This is to add some much needed little details and lore for upcoming plot fics in this series.

For now though, enjoy! This chapter is only a short one, just to give the general start to the fic, but following chapters will be a little bit longer as the story continues (and don't worry, the big plot fics will be longer as always haha)

@swifty-fox @onyxsboxes @stoneinyourshoe @carnevol @trashbag-baby666 @slowsweetlove

Ken stared at the little box that Curt was brandishing in front of himself with a raised brow, taking in the self-satisfied smirk behind still fading clown paint from the day before on the other man’s face. He let the exasperated sigh escape him from where it had been building since Curt first showed him the box.

“You can’t be serious, Curt.” 

Curt wiggled the box at him, the item inside rattling gently in response as Curt’s smirk grew. “Oh I’m deadly serious,”

Ken eyed him, judgment clearly written across his own expression as he snatched the box from Curt’s fingers. He looked down at the box, eyes scanning over the words with another sigh, albeit gentler than the one before. 

“You’re gonna give Gale a Fitbit, because you wanna, and I quote ‘record the uptight bastard’s stress and heart rate because it would be funny’?”

Curt shrugged nonchalantly, reaching out and plucking the box from Ken’s fingers with the tip of his tongue caught between his front teeth.

“Yes. I think you’re missing the whole point here, Kenny. Have you seen the guy? Man is one big walking ball of stress, especially around Bucky and his bullshit, and all he says is that he’s ‘fine’.”

“So you just wanna prove him wrong so that you have something to brag about, basically?”

Ken raises one eyebrow at Curt and watches as the other gapes slightly, expression turning chastised but no less mischievous underneath Ken’s scrutiny. A hand comes up to scratch at the back of his neck.

“Basically,” Curt affirms, looking slightly sheepish, and Ken can’t help the knowing smile that curves his lips. 

“Uh-huh,” Ken hums. He stares down at the box again where Curt is starting to peel the edges of the tape holding it closed with the edge of his fingernail. 

Curt pauses and glances up at Ken through his lashes, scanning over Ken’s face before his shoulders sag and he rolls his eyes.

“Look, I’m not trying to be a dick. Call it genuine curiosity and slight worry for the sake of one of my best friends and his well-being.”

“With bragging rights,” Ken tacks on with his own answering eye roll.

Curt laughs, goes back to picking at the tape again with a wide grin. “Exactly! See? Now we’re getting on the same page here, Kenny my boy.”

Ken breathes out through his nostrils, watching Curt work away at the tape until he flicks the opening flap upwards and starts to extract the packaging holding the little black watch from its confines.

Curt holds it up, like a prize dangling from his thumb and pointer and looks at Ken with no less pride on his face. “You can even hook it up to your work phone so you have 24/7 access to Gale’s heart rate. Just in case there ever is actually cause for concern. It’s got a little alarm setting and everything.”

He waggles the device towards Ken’s face, eyebrows rising and falling in a suggestive gesture until Ken once again snatches it from Curt’s hold.

The little watch is cool in his palm, and he turns it over to observe it before glancing up at Curt again, lips pursed.

As much as Ken wouldn’t put name or face to it, he couldn’t deny that there had been a few times through the course of getting to know the men in their circuit that he had observed and noticed that Gale, in particular, had a bit more weight sitting on his shoulders in comparison to most of the others. 

When he had first met the blond cowboy, all done up in his roping get-up with his stoic steel-hard expression and sizeable buckle sitting on his belt, Ken could admit that even though he wasn’t a competitor himself, that he couldn’t help but be a little bit intimidated by the air that Gale often exuded. Especially when in competition mode.

Despite only being a rodeo EMT, it was hard to come by anyone involved in the circuit that hadn’t at least heard of the great Gale Cleven and his achievements in the arena. Coupled with the known talk that the guy was ‘all work and no play’ and advice of ‘just don’t get in his way and you won’t have to worry’, Ken had truthfully dreaded the day that he would have to meet the man and have him under his jurisdiction of care and medical expertise. 

The day he had met him, Ken felt like the world was trying to swallow him whole as he was faced with meeting most of the crew that he would be looking out for and tending to if any of them sustained injuries in the arena. He had shaken hands and introduced himself a number of times, friendly smiles and warmth being directed at him as easy as breathing before the group had all but parted in the tail end of their greetings and Ken was faced with Gale.

The blond cowboy had walked up to Ken with his shoulders straight, blue eyes questioning while also exuding an air of careful scrutinization as he’d looked Ken up and down, and Ken had felt like he was about to be snapped up like a bird between the jaws of a cat and crushed between sharper than needle fangs. 

He’d stared at Gale, not game enough to break eye contact as the other thrusted his hand out in Ken’s direction, still adorned with worn but expensive looking brown leather gloves. The strength and power behind Gale’s grip alone once he’d taken his hand in to a firm handshake was enough to have him shivering in his sneakers. 

But as Gale had introduced himself, Ken had watched as a slight look of warm fondness had broken through Gale’s expression, lips curving upwards in to a perfect smile full of straight white teeth directed at him, and felt his shoulders relax from their timid posture.

“Welcome to the crew, Ken,” Gale had said to him, words soft and sweet and dripping with unintentional charm. “Heard you’re one of the best we could possibly ask for. You might have your work cut out for you though, with this band of hooligans.”

Ken couldn’t help the smile that had slowly crept its way on to his own face in answer to Gale’s obvious attempt at easing his nerves, and he had felt his shoulders sag as Gale had dropped his hand, but feeling no less welcome. 

It was from that point forward that a sort of easy friendship had blossomed between Gale and himself, the terrifying tales of strict and hard-faced Gale Cleven all but melting away in his mind until any time he heard Gale’s name whispered with unease from the mouths of any of the other competitors from different circuit teams made him smirk knowingly. 

The guy was all bark and no bite, as far as Ken was concerned. At least when it was towards his own team, and he had come to realize that whenever Gale would be the first one to comfort or build up the confidence of the other boys without a second thought. 

It was all a structured hierarchy, and Gale had been appointed the unquestioned leader of the group and the overseer to most of the happenings and organizing both between and during the rodeos that they travelled to and from over the course of the season.  

It was with that unsanctioned leadership, though, that Ken could also see the immense strain heaped up on top of the cowboy’s shoulders in the thick of it all. And he would be unhesitant to admit that there had been a few times that he had observed Gale in the quieter moments where the weariness and need to keep on a brave noble façade was obviously eating away at him. 

Especially once Ken realized that the group’s main bull rider John Bucky Egan was more than just a friend to Gale, and every time the man went in to that arena and sat on one of those great muscled animals, Gale turned a few shades whiter every time Bucky’s dismounts were a little less than graceful. 

Ken had also noticed, through several different interactions both with himself and with other members of the group, that as much as Gale would unthinkingly dole out support and softness and strength, that when it came to himself, it was a completely different story.

He had noticed on more than one occasion the cowboy shying away from support directed at him, waved it off with a strained smile or an off handed comment that left Ken with a sour taste on his tongue and a worry settling in deep in his bones like a festering flame. 

As much as Gale gave it, receiving it was a whole other ball game, and was met with such a conditioned resistance that Kenny often wondered what was laying in wait underneath Gale’s carefully composed surface. What scars were carefully concealed under a strong expression.

He was thankful for John in those moments, seeing Gale respond to Bucky’s carefully extended supports more than anyone else, but even then it was barely a sliver of open acceptance to the gentle touch, cards still close to his chest and roped back against him and away from prying eyes.

Ken looked back up to where Curt was still standing in front of him, now holding out the charger for the Fitbit and Ken’s work phone that had been sitting on the counter being waggled in his direction underneath an imploring look. 

He stared at it for a few seconds, mind running through all the pros and cons and the precarious thought of ‘what could possibly go wrong’ cycling through his head, and let his shoulders sag with an exasperated sigh. He tried to ignore the gleaming smile Curt shot him as he took the charger and phone from his hand. 

“Fine,” Ken gave in, switching on the phone and opening up the app store to download the accompanying app that would sync with the watch. “But I’m doing this purely for Gale’s well-being, and to give myself some piece of mind.”

Curt laughed, a smug but joyous lilt to its tone as he walked up to Ken and patted his shoulder. “Yeah you keep telling yourself that, Kenny.”

Ken rolled his eyes, a small smile working its way on to his lips as Curt pressed a loud smacking kiss against his cheek as the other made his way to the door of the trailer, swinging it open and stepping out to leave Ken to hooking up the devices. 

“You’ve still got paint on your face, by the way!” Ken called out behind him as an afterthought before looking back down at his phone. 

He could hear Curt’s laugh echo back to him from a small ways away outside. 

“All part of the charm, baby!”

–

Surprisingly, Gale had accepted the watch from Ken without so much as a second thought, albeit a small look of question directed at him as the watch was passed into his hands. He had turned it over in quiet observance a few times, lips pursed and brows furrowed before he’d carefully pulled back the sleeve of his shirt and fastened it to the surprisingly delicate circle of his left wrist.

Ken couldn’t help the way it lifted a nervous air from his body and mind at Gale so trustingly taking the watch paired with Ken’s words of professional reassurance, and had to remind himself that as much as Curt had palmed the whole endeavour off with the pretense of it being a joke, it also gave Ken some peace of mind to now have a bit more of an insight into the medical signs of one of the most important cowboys in the team. 

He also couldn’t deny that Curt’s curiosity had bled into him as well in the face of the act.

“Can’t say I ever really put much thought in to actually using one of these things,” Gale confessed to him, eyes still curious as he looked down at the face of the watch with interest. The time flashed back at him as he turned his wrist, experimenting with the movement of it a few times. 

Tapping the face of it, the small screen cycled through his steps, distance travelled, energy burned, and finally the rate of his heart, which Ken couldn’t help but notice was currently sitting at a steady 89 as they spoke.

“You can thank Curt for that,” Ken chuckled, pointedly and casually adding in Curt as the culprit as well so he wasn’t the only one being thrown under the bus. “He figured it’d be a good idea to keep an eye on you fellas, your health and what-not seeing as how you’re all meant to be tip top athletes. And you’re one of the only ones who doesn’t actually have one.”

Gale looked up at him, a knowing smirk on the blonde's lips as he quirked one brow. “You mean Curt’s morbidly curious and just wanted something to brag about to John when I blow my top at him.”

Ken couldn’t help but laugh at Gale’s words, the sound punched out of him in surprise as Gale hazarded the guess and got it as close as he possibly could. He had had a feeling long before he’d even set up the watch that Buck would be clued in to exactly what was happening, especially once Ken name dropped Curt in the scheme. 

“It’s alright Ken,” Gale assured him, smile still colouring his face as he winked. “I won’t let him know I’m on to him if you don’t.”

“Sweet,” Ken grinned, holding out a fist towards Gale in a silent ask for a fist bump which the cowboy gladly reciprocated without a second thought. 

Gale gave another small look down at the watch as he let his hand fall back to his side, carefully pushing his sleeve down over it as it went to hide the little device from view.

“I’m actually a little curious myself,” Gale added on as an afterthought. “Might actually come in handy.”

Kenny nodded, casting his gaze over his shoulder towards the arena where Brady and Rosie were currently trotting their horses around in circles around a fake practice rig shaped like a steer. He could hear them laughing good-naturedly as they threw their ropes over it, joking amongst each other in friendly competition as Brady missed and Rosie whooped in triumph, arms coming up high in celebration. 

Jack, Benny and Everett were perched up on the rails watching with smiles on their faces and chatting amongst themselves, Meatball at their feet chasing something in a patch of tall grass against one of the posts. 

Ken pointed his chin in their direction. “This lot seems in a good mood today.”

Gale looked up to where Ken’s gaze was directed, and Ken couldn’t help but note the small fond smile that slipped on to Gale’s expression. Likened it to that of a proud parent looking at their unruly bunch of teenagers.

“Yeah it’s a lazy day today. Figured with more than a week until the next rodeo I’d back off and let them have their fun. Don’t need me breathing down their necks 24/7.”

Ken looked back at Gale with a questioning expression that he hoped Gale didn’t notice. Underneath the pride, Ken could sense a sudden hint of doubt mixed in Buck’s words, smile still evident but more muted as he stared over at the others. His blue eyes were slightly distant, and Ken felt his chest constrict just a little at the sight.

“I’m sure they’ll need your instruction sooner or later with how that’s going,” Ken tried, grinning as he turned to watch Brady expertly lasso Rosie around the middle with the other cowboy’s laughing squawk of offense. Brady’s replying laughter reached them seconds later with a shouted insult barely audible, and Ken could see the fond smile return to Buck’s expression. 

Buck rested his hands against his hips with a gentle sigh, smiling up at Ken before dropping his eyes towards the ground. “Yep, yeah, I’d say you’re right.”

Ken saw a suddenly questioning frown pull at Buck’s brow as the other looked back up towards the arena, eyes scanning over the expanse of it, the stands behind and then flickering around. “Speaking of, you seen Curt or Bucky anywhere since earlier?”

Ken felt his eyes slightly widen in realization as Buck’s words sank in and a pit of innocent fear started to curl its way in to his gut. 

“I can’t say I have, and I don’t know how I should be feeling about that,” Ken confessed to him with a grimace.

Buck blew out an exasperated breath, shoulders squaring as he tipped his hat at Ken with a smile before making his way past him. “Terrified, would be the correct term, I reckon.”

Ken couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him at Buck’s words as he watched the blond walk casually over to the others. 

–

The sounds of the crowd spectating the rodeo from a small distance away reached Kenny as he took a long drag of his cigarette, smoke curling its way out in to the air on his exhale in a wispy array of patterns before disappearing into nothing. He adjusted his seat on the step at the back of the med van, the back doors open to reveal the sterile and organized inside, medical equipment stored carefully and tucked away ready at a moments notice if needed while the current rodeo was in full swing. 

This one had been going on without so much as a hitch so far, which Ken and a few of the other EMTs were thankful for, leaving them meandering around outside the van without much to do to occupy their time besides talking amongst themselves or scrolling on their phones to pass the time. 

They knew at some point they’d probably need to patch up a knee or do the mandatory check over for concussions or other types of damage, but they were taking the peace while they could and being lax in the moments they were afforded. 

It left some room for a tiny hint of boredom to thread its way through, but Ken would rather feel that unconcerned drag of time over doing vital signs on a bull rider that got too big for his chaps or be knitting together another cowboy’s split open brow while trying to stem blood flow with a stern hand and hint of exasperation. 

The audience noise crescendoed in to a flurry of whoops and hollers by a few octaves, but being where he was Ken couldn’t quite see what event was currently happening around the edges of the towering bleacher seats. It was only still halfway through the rodeo so he knew that nothing truly spectacular was happening at this point, and he was content to sit, sneaker propped up on the tow-ball of the van and scroll for a few moments on his socials while sucking down the last few dregs of what he guessed was his third cigarette of the day. 

Thought on the disapproving glance that Curt would be sending his way if the other wasn’t currently out behind the bull chutes painted to the nines in clown makeup and baggy shorts and suspenders waiting to run in and save the day once the bull riders were performing.

Also thought on the way the other would tut in disgust but still pluck the still burning cigarette from his fingers before stealing a drag in the face of Ken’s knowing smirk. 

Almost too lost in the depths of his thoughts as he brought the cigarette up towards his lips for another inhale, Ken couldn’t help the way he jumped, startled and nearly losing grip on the burning stick as a sudden continuous beeping blared at him from the pocket of his jacket.

Frowning, he propped the cigarette in between his lips and reached down to clumsily fish what he realized was his work phone from the deep pocket and pull it out. 

It was only when the bright words of warning that the current connected device was picking up irregular rhythms did he also manage to look up in time to see Buck, pale faced and looking a little worse for wear stumbling from somewhere over towards the camp grounds in the distance before leaning one shaking arm up against a telegraph pole.

Distress was obvious in the tense line of the cowboy’s shoulders, shuddering on a deep inhale and face pointed towards the dirt with tightly squeezed eyes, and Ken quickly stubbed out his cigarette in to the grass by his shoe and flicked it away as he half rose, alert.

“Buck! You okay, man?” Ken called out, worry tainting the tone of his voice, hand that was holding the still beeping work phone tightening until he could feel the plastic creak underneath his grip.

He kept his eyes trained on Buck’s figure, worry seeping even further in to his awareness when the other only managed a haphazard glance in Ken’s direction, a gloved hand waving out in dismissal before he turned his eyes back to the ground at his feet, arm falling back against his side.

With a groan of effort, Ken hoisted himself up off of the step of the med van and started in Gale’s direction with purpose. He turned off the work phone, silencing the noise and shoving the device back in to his pocket without a second thought. 

The closer he got to Buck, the more he could hear the ragged exhales the blond was attempting to get under control and see the trembling shudder wracking the other’s taut shoulders.

Ken reached up one hand, resting his palm on Gale’s shoulder and leaning down to try and catch Gale’s line of sight where it was currently still trained downwards, brows furrowed in obvious distress.

“Talk to me, buddy. What’s happening here?” 

The professionalism that bled into Ken’s voice in the situation finally reached through to Buck, blue eyes glancing up to Ken’s face with a blank look that morphed into a humourless smile for a second or two before falling again. 

“‘m fine, Kenny,” Gale huffed, shoulder trembling more violently underneath Ken’s hold for a fleeting moment. “Don’t gotta get all serious on me, now.”

Ken chuffed out a laugh, a bit disbelieving as his eyes raked over Gale’s shaken form. “You sure? Because from where I’m standing your words aren’t exactly hitting home for me, Chief.” 

Gale flicked a dismissive hand in his direction again, body straightening marginally like he was trying to put Ken’s mind at a little bit more ease if he showed less weakness. It made Ken frown in reply, the minute beeping originating from underneath the cuff of Gale’s shirt where he knew the watch would be reaching his ears amidst the ambient sounds of the rodeo around them.

Gale sniffed, eyes flickering towards Ken again in what he could only name as chastised. 

“Was wondering though,” Gale started, tilting his chin towards his sleeve as he brought up his other hand to pull it back and reveal the Fitbit. “That ain’t normal, yeah?”

Ken gave Buck an exasperated look before turning his attention to the face of the watch, and felt his eyes widen marginally but managed to conceal the sudden unease in his expression so that Gale wouldn’t pick up on it.

Knew he had failed when Gale shot him a frown with accompanying worry reflected in his own eyes.

“I’m guessing no,” Gale grinned, forced and fake as he swallowed underneath the scrutiny of Ken’s expression. 

“No, not so much, man.” Ken answered, simple and direct. He adjusted where his hand was on Gale’s arm, moving it more up underneath in a concealed attempt at support as he tugged slightly. He was still very aware of the shudders wracking through Gale’s frame, the beads of sweat sitting on the cowboy’s upper lip and across his brow underneath the brim of his hat on an ashen pallor. “Why don’t you just come over to the van with me and I’ll give you a quick look over, yeah?”

Gale shot him an unreadable look, but allowed himself to be guided back to the open back of the med van thankfully only a short distance away. 

Ken helped lower him down so that the blond was occupying the seat against the low step that Ken was only on a few moments before, movements a little bit stiff and uncomfortable and made sure that Gale was comfortable before he stepped up in to the van. 

He glanced back at Gale’s figure, reaching out and getting the vitals pack hooked up on the far wall and snatching the blood pressure cuff off of the built in bench as he turned.

Jumping back down onto the hard packed dirt, Ken knelt down in front of Gale who was still looking pale but not as frantic as the younger man started retrieving different equipment from the bag that he sat in front of him.  

Gale eyed everything speculatively with that ever present frown still evident on his face. “I’m fine, Ken. Really.” 

Ken glanced up at him with a strained smile as he pulled the velcro of the blood pressure cuff apart with a stark ripping sound, reaching up to secure it around Gale’s upper right arm with perfect and practised precision. 

“Just taking precautions.” Ken assured him. He started manually pumping the small decompressor attached to the cuff. He unlooped the stethoscope from where it was draped over the back of his neck and lifted Gale’s sleeve up enough to be able to press the cool metal against his inner elbow gently. “Alarm went off for a reason, Buck.”

Gale rolled his eyes at Ken good-naturedly, but Ken could see the hint of worry reflected in the blonde's eyes as he flickered his gaze down to where Ken was listening to the thrum of his blood underneath his skin, wincing at the tight restriction of the cuff around his bicep. 

“Dumb is what it is, I don’t even feel that bad any more.” Gale grumbled. 

A few moments of silence went by as Ken listened intently to Gale’s pulse, holding his breath but allowing it to pass back out in a gentle exhale as everything seemed to be normal at least as far as blood pressure went. 

Pulling the stethoscope away from Gale’s skin, he rolled the cowboy’s sleeve back down to cover cool but clammy skin and ripped off the cuff from further up. “Yes, well, as true as that may be right now, I just want to check you over in case. False alarm or not. I don’t particularly feel like having to explain to Bucky why you keeled over dead from a heart attack on my watch.”

Gale let an amused snort escape him at Ken’s words, lips curving up into the semblance of a smile as he kept his focus on Ken’s rummaging around in the med bag below. 

“Point taken,” Gale mumbled, and Ken felt his own lips quirk up in reply. 

The next few tests went by without so much as a suspicious blip or reading, and as much as Ken was confused, he was also incredibly relieved that Gale didn’t seem to be suffering from anything life threatening. As a small after thought, he reached out and gripped Gale’s wrist wearing the watch gently and turned the face of it towards himself, eyes scanning over the lit up surface and feeling satisfied when no warnings or alerts glared back at him. The heartrate had also gone back to a steady pace, and he let Gale’s hand drop with a sigh.

“Well, whatever was happening, you seem to be fine now,” Ken informed him. He looked up in to Gale’s face from where he was still crouched in front of the other, taking in the now more normal looking complexion and clear blue eyes staring back at him in curiosity and their own brand of confusion. “It might have been just a false alarm.”

Gale sighed, peeking down at the watch hidden back underneath the sleeve of his shirt with a blank look, posture relaxing that small increment more so he was slouched in a lazy lean, an elbow propped up against his knee.

“Fat lot of good a false alarm is,” Gale grinned. One of his hands came up to wipe the remaining perspiration still sitting against the ridge of his brow underneath the rim of his hat. That same hand then rose up to point an unthreatening finger in Ken’s direction, a mock expression of seriousness moulding on to his features. “But not a word of this is to be spoken to Bucky, under any circumstances.”

Ken chuckled, pushing himself up to stand and wincing at the ache that accompanied the movement from being crouched down in the same position for so long. He stretched out his back with a groan. “For once, I do agree with that statement.”

Gale looked affronted, mouth gaping slightly as Ken’s words but Ken could see the humour reflected there. “For once?”

Ken raised his hands in mock surrender, feeling something in his chest warm at the sight of Gale’s barely concealed amusement as he reached out a hand in Ken’s direction for help. Ken gladly accepted, gripping the other cowboy’s hand and pulling him easily to his feet until the other was standing tall and firm in front of him. The other did sway slightly, and Ken held out a hand in concealed readiness in case he needed to keep the other balanced, but in a blink any tilting had disappeared.  

The sounds of the rodeo pierced back in to both men’s awareness, and Ken watched as Gale’s focus turned out towards the arena with a sharp turn of his head, the small smile that was there slowly slipping back into something that Ken couldn’t quite put his finger on. He allowed his own gaze to wander over in the same direction as Gale’s before pursing his lips and glancing back towards Gale’s face. The other looked lost in thought, blue eyes far away amongst whatever was running amongst his thoughts as the sound of cheering echoed across the grounds in a muted distant roar. 

Licking his lips, Ken hesitated for a few seconds before parting his lips and letting the words that were sitting on his tongue escape in to a more simple question than the true ones he had. 

“You sure you’re okay, Buck?” 

Gale seemed to come back to the present at Ken’s words, face whipping back to look at Ken with a blank numb expression before his lips pulled up in to a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Though they were soft as they looked at the younger man.

He reached up and let his hand fall in a friendly comfort against Ken’s shoulder, patting it twice before allowing his arm to fall. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m good. You don’t gotta worry, Kenny, promise.”

Ken let himself smile back in reply to Gale’s words, but he knew that it didn’t quite reach his own eyes either as the image of Gale only a small time before all but hyperventilating and looking moments from death leaned up against that telegraph pole flashed through his mind in vivid technicolor. He could almost hear the ghost of the beeping of his work phone buzz behind his ears. 

He almost asked again, taking in the way that Gale had suddenly started gnawing at his bottom lip between perfect white teeth until the plush skin was red and looked moments from breaking apart underneath the ministrations, but something squeezed in his ribcage and he swallowed the words down. 

[everytaylorswiftsongisaboutcats]

What’s one more day of clowning?…

Here we go final leg of the Eras Tour😭

(RIP my hope of tickets☠️)

Miami Florida N1

— (I’m gonna update this as I go cause I need somewhere to speak in hyperspeed Swiftie screams) while streaming —

Lover Creamsicle/Lava Girl (despite the Twitter debates (yes I said Twitter😂) it looks the usual coral to me at least) though possible new necklace? w Normal speech + addressing the final leg & fantastic crowds to celebrate these albums

New Fearless dress! (Possibly my favorite thus far)

— I’m thinking Elsa for a “Mastermind” name? … trying to come up with some pasta suggestions for “Swiftbowl” but honestly all I can think is “buddy the elf spaghetti”😂

A lot going on at the moment for Red with usual ATW speech & announcing the confirmed ✨RAIN SHOW💖

Swirls for Speak Now enchanted

NEW REPUTATION SUIT WITH MATCHING MIC & DIFFERENT SNAKE (its giving Karen… which @taylornation is of course trolling the clowns with)

— Maybe more green snake intro? (otherwise normal) It seems to be more green lighting?🤡 Normal Rep setlist (I guess I’m going with Christmas themes today… cause all I want is Debutation?😂) also lwymmd has red Rep suit box… idk if it’s new? Mostly just afraid new suit is from “old stinky” (who I love) having holes…

Berry Folkmore/Everlore dress, basic Betty & Champagne problems speeches (or at least nothing officially big?⬇️), + usual setlist (the rain pausing & beginning in Marjorie was beautiful though) & while I see some Tweets saying Willow has new synths I personally did not hear them or see lighting differences in coloring (maybe it’s my screens? It seems usual green & coloring) OKAY BUT THAT SPEECH DANCING RAIN (dancing with our hands tied?⬆️)

Was hoping for a new combo with an all green set for 1989, we got red & green which is both rep colors, usual set, bikes are green not blue!

Hoping for Florida during TTPD, seems more red and green lit, Florida is in setlist WITH FLORENCE!!! (I’m getting snake eye lighting vibes which is me clowning for sure). Malfunction: she was literally running with her dress unbuttoned.😂 The crowd screaming again tricked me w Postie😭🖤NOTHING HAPPENED (but hey I love Jan so) Hoping for all Gold set (or black for Rep?) Set is white! Currently: Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me? dress w White gloves & usual rest of set (aside from earlier ⬆️ Florida)

It’s all waiting on surprise dress now… I’m hoping new green, brand new black (maybe even silver/gold) or at least orange? Surprise songs o clock (coming in right after ICDIWABH which were on as I type this lol): HERE WE GO — THE DRESS IS RED AND GREEN AND BLUE AND LOOKS LIKE BLACK MIDNIGHT STARS OR HOLOGRAPHIC OR RAINBOW WHAT??? ITS RAINING?? ITS TIME!! ITS TIM MCGRAW & TIMELESS — ITS PIANO TIME (I AM CONFUSED) ITS THIS IS ME TRYING & DAYLIGHT — SHES JUMPING — UNLESS MOTHER DOES SOMETHING NEW AND ANNOUNCES AT MIDNIGHT WE HAVE BEEN CLOWNED🤡 but hey def my new fav dress for surprise songs (excited for high quality full pics)

It seems this has been dubbed the beta, paint splatter, sleeping beauty make it blue make it pink, lover hair or rep dress reference of Surprise Song dresses

Midnights: purple CORRECTION NEW ANTI HERO DRESS —

— & MoonStone🌙 bodysuit (don’t think it’s new guys) normal setlist & Kam love! Loving the rainy curls😍 & new crowd YES YOU ARE chants (haven’t heard that one for going out tonight before… maybe I’m just lost lol clowning fried my brain) if nothing else thankfully Vigilante Shit will always be scream worthy and heart stopping for mother🥵🤣👏 we Stan a good ✨Chicago✨ moment Magenta jacket & a wonderful night! Thanks for clowning!

[tayblackdog]

here's my intro since i'm going to be on here a lot more 🪩✨🤍

my name is addy and my pronouns are she/her

i’m 18 turning 19 in 27 days

my twitter account is ilyreputation

i’m a HUGE reputation stan and my all time favorite song is new year’s day

i’ve seen taylor twice! once on the red tour and once on the eras tour

i’m also a very big clown so don’t take any of my theories too seriously

i’m so excited to make tons of friends on here!!! (and learn how to actually use the app) WOOOO SWIFTIE TUMBLR!!!!!

[thesmithsoniancollection]

hi everybody! as you know i am a very big fan of kaylor jewelry, somewhat of a collector (i keep a jewelry box lovingly named the smithsonian collection), and am always on the hunt for the next key jewelry identification.

this has led me to developing somewhat of an ability for figuring out what things are or might be… or at least, i feel like i’ve gotten better at it over the years

i think this is a part of the kaylor story that is so important. things being as they are, i’ve never felt great about clowning in the comments of swiftie posts, so i’ve decided to make my own blog to archive what i feel like will one day historically matter 😌 and maybe just have a space for us to have fun.

no idea what i’ll do re: a tagging system but hopefully i’ll figure it out as we go. okay! let’s get sparkling 💎

[ilikepjo24]

can I ask why you're trying to debunk people's bad opinions on taylor swift? if someone doesn't like her music they won't start liking it even if you successfully change their mind on this one thing, which is already a stretch if they're a hater, they'll just find another reason to dislike her (bc most people can't admit that they just personally dislike something, they have to find some ~reason~ for that, but that's a whole other can of worms). so why do you care to try, as opposed to just ignoring the haters?

I'm not trying to make everyone a Taylor Swift fan. That would be impossible and a waste of my time. Her music isn't for everyone, people like different things, that's normal. What I am trying to do is eliminate the haters.

Not liking something is perfectly normal. But being a hater just because you don't like something is flat out pathetic. It implies you don't have a life and that you are a pessimist and/or masochist that can't enjoy the things they do like because they're too busy fussing over the things they don't like. Being so obsessed with something you hate cannot be healthy. You get caught up in a circle of self harming behavior because all you do is ruin your own day by throwing tantrums about the stuff you hate.

I'm not a fanatic person, I know I can't make everyone like the things that I like, and I won't even try. And I won't go out of my way to hate on something I dislike either. As I said before, I think that's pathetic. But when I see people ruin their own day by screaming crying throwing up over the music I like, and then ruin my day too, by being annoying and cyber-bullying/making fun of me for liking the things that I like, am I supposed to just stand on the sidelines and let them rain on everyone's parade, even their own?

Taylor Swift fans get harassed by haters and their stupid takes all the time, and there are children in this fandom. A big part of Taylor's demographic is little girls and teenagers. Children are being made fun of by adult men (and sometimes women) that have no life for liking an artist! There's 10 year old Taylor Swift fans that get mistreated for listening to her music. This is outrageous!

I know I can't live in a world where everyone is a Swiftie (even though that would be my ideal reality). But what I know I can do is make sure to turn as many haters I can to people that are just indifferent. People that don't like Taylor Swift and simply told listen to her instead of throwing half-baked, stolen opinions and takes around. I think that making antis realize they are clowns will make them feel at least a bit ashamed of theirselves to the point they give up on being annoying and just become indifferent instead.

[thisselflovecamebacktome]

I'm conflited about this whole thing. I believe she's been planning this collab for awhile but the fling with MH is still makes me unconfortable and upset with taylor. I think she'll get her number 1 and she doesn't need my support but i won't stick around for this one, sadly

I want to start this by apologising for taking so long to answer it. I always try to answer asks as they come in, but have been preparing for or in legal meetings most the day and wanted to give you respect by giving any response I have to this my full attention rather than a quick 'agreed' and that's it.

I definitely do agree with you that the Ice Spice remix specifically has me very conflicted, and have mentioned so here, on other social media I'm on and to my friends. And it's rough because there's a lot of nuance here.

Like on the one hand I do not want to take away any agency that Ice Spice has because she has every right to say yes to this collaboration, and as someone who hasn't listened to her music, I'm excited for her to get her name out there with such a big opportunity.

But there's always going to be a little voice in the back of my mind that's praying that this is still what she wants and she doesn't feel like she had to be silent at risk of losing opportunities or, given this collaboration seemed to have happened pre Taylor and Matty getting together, feeling like she signed up for something different than what she actually did. Now I want to make it clear that this is not me being like "Taylor is a heinous witch who is silencing Ice Spice", but we've heard from just about every artist in the industry over the years about how the industry is very good at coercing decisions and silencing clients, even in situations where career based anxiety is the main barrier. And I hate to say it, but given how Swifties have dealt with Taylor's missteps in terms of race issues over the years, but I cannot see a situation where Ice Spice says anything less than positive about this without getting mountains of hate.

I've heard a lot of people say that they think this is all a PR stunt to make Matty look good. While I unfortunately think it will have the added benefit of that, given how long this has been in the works for, I don't think that was the initial intention. But in some ways, that makes it worse for me. Like again, if Ice Spice is fine with all of this that is the main thing, but I just cannot imagine being in Taylor's shoes and respecting someone enough to asked them to collaborate just to date someone who did what Matty did to Ice Spice, especially so soon after, and I also cannot imagine being in Ice Spice's situation and not feeling uncomfortable at the circumstances this collaboration is now being released under. Like at least if Matty and Taylor had been a thing before the collaboration, I could feel more sure that Ice Spice was definitely down for all of this in context.

Ultimately though I've never been one for Taylor's remixes anyway so like you said, I'm happy enough to sit this one out or give it one listen and that's it, especially because I'm barely listening to Taylor's stuff atm (mostly just tuning in for the tour surprise songs each week and that's it).

As for the more generalised two extra versions stuff, I've always made it clear that I hate the idea of deluxe CDs that are sold after/aren't available at the time of the album's release date, but like that's just capitalism. Most artists do it and I don't have specific thoughts on it past the fact that I'm not gonna buy the new versions lmao. I do find it kinda weird that she's only selling it at her show for now but I imagine they just didn't get them mass produced in time and eventually it'll be sold in at least her store if not all stores and be put online. And I know people are clowning about Glitch and Paris not being on the CD, but I imagine she wanted to limit it to one disc and they were the least streamed songs. So yeah again, no specific thoughts negative or positive about that side of things.

When it comes to Taylor in general at the moment, I'm still very much in the process of figuring out how and if I want to go forward being a fan of hers. I've mentioned a few times that people of colour who I love have been threatened and attacked throughout this process and more and more tiktoks and posts are coming out to show that this is more universal than it should be and than I originally thought. Because of that, this is unlike anything I feel like I've been through in this fandom and has made me feel the most negative I ever have about Taylor, which anyone who was here in 2015/early 2016 will tell you, is saying something. I'm not going to go over all the ways I feel hurt and have changed how I engage in Taylor's content + feel like I'm here more for the community we've built than for her again, because tbh not only do I feel like I'm beating a dead horse at this point, but as a white person, I don't feel like my voice should be the loudest or most ongoing seeing as a lot of the talk about him has been in regards to the comments on race he's participated in and the ways that Taylor's fans of colour have felt let down over the years. In all honesty, I've only really felt okay to take up the space I have because fans of colour have impressed onto white fans that they want us to in this instance. But yeah I will just leave it with reiterating another ask I answered a few days back that overall, even if I ever do go back to being as big a fan as I was at the start of the year, it's going to take a very long time and a lot of healing to say the least.

[imhereonthekitchenfloor]

Every day I log on to tumblr, head empty no swiftie thoughts. Just here for vibes. Then I scroll through my dash and see the most big brained posts and all I can wonder is how you have the mental capacity to regularly be taking in Taylor Swift content with such an intellectual lense. Meanwhile I am decomposing into a clown.

[anderperries]

SPEAK NOW TV HOW WE FEELING :0000

esme i am so so not normal rn. like i need to lay this out from my point of view. actually, let’s do it as a green text 4chan style

> be me

> be a HUGE swiftie and an especially big fan of the album speak now

> speculate with wild theories about taylor’s easter eggs but especially constantly guessing that speak now (taylor’s version) is gonna be released

> your swiftie friends constantly call you a clown and rag on you for your theories (affectionately) and tell you you’re wrong. you are labeled the jester of the group.

> present day

> you didn’t sleep AT ALL last night

> you casually make another clown theory to your friends that SNTV will be announced tonight during taylor’s concert

> you have to get up and be on a train by 11 to meet your gf at 12

> you guys have an amazing date and you tell her about your theory

> throughout the date, taylor keeps playing in public spaces and you are able to immediately sense Her even though the volume is low

> you were getting a sign even if you didn’t know it

> that evening, you’re with family so you can’t watch the livestream like you usually do

> see everybody saying she’s hinting to SNTV a lot tonight and decide ‘fuck family, i gotta watch’

> you get more and more sure as the night goes on

> it’s 11:20 for you and you haven’t slept in over a day and you start to fall asleep during the last set before surprise songs

> you wake up just as taylor begins her surprise song speech

> HOKY FUCJIBG SHIT SOEAK NOW TV

> I WAS RIGHT. I KNEW IT. I KNEW IT. HOLY SHIT. IM GETFING THAI ALBUM

> screams so loud you wake up your whole sleeping family

> freaks out for a while and then go Zzzzzz

so yeah i uhh. i am soooo normal.

[bettyshoweduptotheparty]

I think Today was a Fairytale could totally be a birthday song 😉

Mainly though, I’m just really glad that nothing big happened this weekend, like so many of the Swifties had predicted. Just like last year, Taylor just likes to make all her fans clown and watch the livestream so she can serenade her wifey on her birthday with an audience.

Btw, last August Karlie showed up to a show two days after Taylor sang exile. So… second time in 2 tour stops (London)??

Tonight's surprise songs are:

Today Was A Fairytale x I Think He Knows 🎸

The Black Dog x exile 🎹 (August 3, 2024 | Eras Tour, Warsaw Night 3)

[preraphaeliteknight]

First day of The Brutalist filming was last Thursday. If this is it (huge if), this could be why Joe has been so quiet. Are there Swifties or Joe fans in Budapest?!?

Budapest hoes get sleuthing!

And yeah, it’s obviously a big “if”! We’re literally basing this on some insta follows lol. But clowning is fine as long as one is being self aware, that’s my motto! 😂

[bigmack2go]

Albie: mad hatter (obviously)

Specs: pirate pr a clown

Race: fantastic mr fox(again, obviously)

Jack: cowboy (even more obviously)

Alvin: a clown

Crutchie: the mona lisa

Jojo: coraline

Sarah and smn Spot: Red Little Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf

Smalls: marty mcfly

Katherine: medusa

Buttons: strawberry shortcake

Mike: the statue of liberty

Swifty: Sims

Tommy: Alvin

Scobe: Simon

Barney: Theodore

Blink: pirate number 2(also obvious)

Mush: vampire

Bart: IT

Lucky: Beetlejuice

Kenny: Frankensteins Monster

Niahm: Zombie

Finch: Cookie Monster

Romeo: Captain Marvel

Ike: the guy from subway surfers(sorry for being a little TOO ACURATE HERE?!)

Bumlets: Coraline number two

Joey and Rafaela: Men in Black

Itey: Gru

Tumbler, Les, Kit, Kat, Pips, Snipeshooter, Splasher Sticks and Flipper: his minions:

Flames: pumpkin head

Skittery: “Halloween is a social construct and so is my soul. i’m wearing a mask every day so i could just show up not masking for once but that wouldn’t be the right point either so i just wear that same mask i wear everyday. It may not look like I’m wearing a costume but i am”

Elmer: a hotdog or some shit—

Mack: Minecraft Enderman

Snitch: Among Us (haha get it bc Imposter haha)

Sniper: Chucky

Splint and stray: Phineas and Ferb

York: a bedsheet (a ghost apearantly)

Hotshot: a bedsheet prt two but this time with holes and sunglasses

Myron: a skeleton

Morris: joker

Oscar: idk but smt fnaf theemed

Bill: Fate1

Darcy: fate2

(They couldn’t find a third:()

Stitches: slirm

Graves: Skeleton part 2

Or alternately they could just all be smurfs.

Okay so I have a fic idea.

But, to do that idea, what would each newsie wear to a Halloween party?

[explosiongamora]

Steve Rogers Headcanons / what he's like in my DR (i've shifted twice:))

Transgender FTM 

 Omnisexual

Steve’s father was physically and emotionally abusive towards him and his mother Sarah.

^ not really a headcanon, as Steve's father was abusive in the comics, but you get the point 

The Super Soldier Serum is what helped steve through his transition  - FTM

Loves starbucks (his favorite is a vanilla bean frap, obviously)

Loves dogs

Is allergic to cats 

Hates birds

Hates british accents (he barley dealt with peggys) 

Cant cook lol

Can bake really well tho^

 cleans and bake when he’s stressed

Loves curvy women (honestly the curvier, the better.)

Hates parties and get-togethers, even if they’re small.

LOVES MYTHOLOGY 

Paints his nails for special occasions (holidays, birthdays, etc)

Hates big trucks.

Loves the name Cassidy for some reason.

Has like 5 dogs of all different breeds.

Lives in a small little cottage on a small mountain with a huge lake wrapped around it.

LOVES SNORKELING 

he hates going to the mall (unless he can stop at forever 21)

His house is  like 90% windows and 10% wall.

Wants to go to the spa, but is too embarrassed to actually go 

HATES. HORROR. MOVIES.

he literally lives on pinterest and buzzfeed. 

^ no srsly he's obsessed. Like he even has a monthly subscription to buzzfeed

LOVES LOVES LOVES MILEY CYRUS

AND TAYLOR SWIFT 

HES A SWIFTIE FOR LIFE ( they can recite every lyric of every song tswift has ever written)

Loves the percy jackson book series 

Hates the color brown 

HATES HATES HATES SPIDERS

Loves kids sm. Like someone please give this poor man a baby already.

Is deathly afraid of cardi b

Watched fifty shades of grey for the plot.   The plot in question: 

Loves braiding hair ( i feel like he would grow his hair out a little just so he could give himself tiny braids on either side of his head :,,)

Every time bucky and peter (p) watch ahs (i’ll explain in bucky headcanons later lolz) steve will run to his room and won't leave until the episode is over. 

One time he walked in just as twisty the clown was on screen and he screamed like a banshee and super sprinted to his room and didn't leave for 2 days.

He definitely has an iphone 6+ and refuses to upgrade phones

He's actually a really big fan of lacrosse and enjoys watching the games at the local highschool (creepy lowkey) 

He really wanted to go to a nirvana concert but sam and bucky bursted his bubble by telling him (rather bluntly) that kurt cobain was dead and nirvana was not together anymore 

He got depressed and didn't talk to Sam or Bucky for 8 hours.

He doesn't like One Direction (the music isn't his type) but he really appreciates Harry styles and all he does for the LGBT community :)

He even went to a harry styles concert with thor because loki wouldn't go with him

Likes making power points ( he fully believes he's an internet genius every time he successfully creates a powerpoint)

His favorite bands include: Mother Mother, Nirvana, The Lumineers, and Paramore. 

He went as a panda for halloween one year (nat did all his makeup obviously)

When bucky first joined the avengers (go with it) steve saw how much bucky hated his arm so he forced tony to make a metal arm for him too so bucky would feel better :,)

Dumbass tony however made it for the wrong arm so it went on his right hand instead of his left (like bucky’s) so  steve holds bucky’s left hand with his right when bucky gets nervous or anxious  :,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,)))))

 Did i mention he loves dogs?

Another year for halloween him, sam, and bucky went to tony’s halloween party as dogs :)

Scott once told steve he gave off golden retriever energy so he went as a golden retriever :,)

His favorite board game is sorry and uno, no questions asked. 

Hes deathly afraid of the people in his insta comments calling him “super zaddy soldier”

Fall and spring are his favorite seasons btw <3

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

idk how to feel about this lol, i hope this was good and you enjoyed it :)

i will also be making more headcanons for the other avengers / marvel characters :)

lmk if you have anything to add <3 

[spade-riddles]

Has anyone considered the possibility that Karlie is doing what she is doing for justifiable financial reasons and privacy for their family?

1. Even if they are both millionaires, releasing re-records must cost a fortune! It’s why even established historical artists rarely attempted this.

2. Releasing re-records also means the need for it to sell to make it profitable, diminish the value of the masters and that requires the funds of Taylor’s massive het fanbase. Taylor’s massive career hinged on her personal life (aside from sheer talent and wit of course), unfortunately has ramifications on how people sleuth even the finest details. With the upcoming launches of her supremely gay music catalogue, she has to manage loose ends aside from using Joe (the only massively gay loose end highly publicized to hets is kissgate). Esp when they’ve strategically position Karlie as a bff to traitor, someone Swifties will forever remember if needed for future purposes but actively not talk about out of blind loyalty to Taylor — another masterclass from TS and Tree.

3. Karlie, despite earning massively during her supermodel peak vs lowly regular model pay, is now past her prime. Aside from brand endorsements, she has strategically expanded her ventures with the help of Kush. I think people need to understand that despite their political views, these 2 big reputation lovers are celebrities and businesswomen. They view the world differently having both been in the industry at a very young age where they were actively taught that success goes hand in hand with building and protecting a public narrative / image for their own brand which may be somehow diff to who they are privately. It’s one of the trade offs of their chosen career and having been in the industry for so long this could be normal for them already. Besides, esp with the timing of the rerecords and the baby, what benefit is there for them to come out to a world that behaved so harshly when they shared a peek of their personal life (kissgate, 1989 socially active Taylor) as Taylor had to learn the hard way — and open that possibility for their child? Instinctively as parents you’d like to protect your kid from the pain you’ve already endured.

Leaving easter eggs in music and posts are still coded means to still signal undertones of truth for those who’d care to understand and hope, but does not in any way commit to any sort of speculated timing or desired outcome of the community. While stunts can be frustrating, think about the deliberate obvious weirdness being left behind for speculation and possible loopholes for future use from both (non-tagging, timely deactivating of IG, post award show producer win) Everyone needs to calm down and not step on their gowns bec both wouldn’t achieve that level of success in their own fields if they haven’t considered all options at play.

Put yourselves in the shoes of these women, who are both imperfect human beings with a child to protect in a world of cynical clones, hunters with cellphones, robbers to the east and clowns to the west. One who was once targeted with hate worldwide for sharing that had to resort to boarding up all windows and running away with her lover. Then ask yourselves why Karlie would want to self-sabotage.

Do you remember? 🐻🐻🐻

I responded to this without posting the actual ask the other day. It is a well thought out post, but:

spade-riddles: 🐻🐻🐻, anon: Where are you from? Do you know who the Kushners are? Not one person is asking them to come out. The baby has absolutely nothing to do with Taylor's re-records. Letting Jerk pretend to be a father has nothing to do with her re-records. Karlie could have bearded with any other guy.

spade-riddles: One other thing, anon ... what about our gowns? How many times are they going to get stepped on? We keep getting invited to the ball, we always accept the invite, only to have the door slammed in our face when we arrive. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[bisluthq]

But Kaydom was also toxic. And like I just want a good and chill fun lane, which is what so many of us are trying to do and build now. // as an ex hard kay, this is really just what I wanted all along. in the main swiftie fandom, there was so much homophobia and also a lot of racism too (at least back when I was in it). and so I never felt comfortable there at all.

and on TTB's blog and other similar kaylor blogs, I never really felt free to express my own thoughts because anybody with a differing opinion would get shut down. you couldn't voice a theory that didn't fit their version of Kaylor Canon without being dismissed or sometimes even made fun of. and a lot of them tended to get rude or even mean if you disagreed with them

I also hated the way that marginalized fans were treated by most of those main blogs too, it was extremely frustrating

empsmd was always really nice and open-minded and so were a few other "big" blogs, so it wasn't every single one of them who was like that. but even on those blogs, the toxic kinds of kaylors still followed and so you still had to be careful what you said

I felt like leaving the fandom, I was done with it all, I didn't feel comfortable anywhere. it just wasn't fun anymore. and I know it wasn't just me, a lot of other people felt the same way

but I'm really glad that I found blogs like @swiftgron-get-married and your blog and others like @kaylorrehabcenter and @kaylortruther and @kaylorhistorian. I also really like @karliesbuzzcut bc she's really funny without being mean-spirited and is still open to people with different opinions to her. there are a few others I like too but I can't name them all lol

it's really nice and refreshing to just be able to send in asks and not feel as judged as I did before or like I'm being looked down on or like certain blogs are trying to bully me into either shutting up or agreeing with them, you know?

and I'm glad this side of the fandom actually seems to be more accepting towards minority groups in general

I know this is super long and kinda sappy but yeah, I just wanted to say I really appreciate all of y'all and for the first time in almost a year, I'm actually enjoying being in the fandom again. so thanks guys ❤️

This was so so nice! Thanks for taking the time to write it up babe.

At the end of the day, fandom is meant to be about clowning and having fun. It’s not about being “right” tbh. The moment it starts being about that - about proving something “for a fact” and when self-awareness of the clownery gets lost - is the moment things get toxic and weird.

Like again idk I guess like I say my first fandom was Harry Potter. We clowned on ALL the books and guessed what was coming. 85% was wrong. It didn’t matter, we were just having fun.

I hear someone shouting - but these are real people!!! And sure. But like... they’re also brands and market themselves for public consumption. I’m quite hectic to not talk too much about private characters beyond mentioning their existence because that’s not fair. But Tay markets her relationships, and us gossiping about them whether real or fake or rumored or confirmed is fundamentally chilled. The issue is when we think we know better than her or get like... angry at her for not being our headcanon version.

Also I make a huge effort to be inclusive of all minorities and I know the blogs you mentioned do too. I have limitations and I can fuck up and if I do please tell me so I can course correct. It’s really important to me for this to be a safe, welcoming space for everyone. That doesn’t mean we won’t talk about icky subjects sometimes but we do not endorse those opinions/standpoints/ideologies.

So thank you again for taking the time to write this up. I love y’all so much.