#let men be in love 2k23

[ingravinoveritas]

whizzoqualityassortment replied to your post "Cary Grant and Randolph Scott's Hollywood Story:…"

The saddest and most poignant part of Grant and Scott’s story is towards the end when, as two old men, they sat in a Hollywood restaurant and ate lunch, and gazed lovingly at each other. I like to imagine an eternity for them — like that.

@whizzoqualityassortment Oh god. And here I thought the end of the Vanity Fair article was heartbreaking enough, talking about how Grant and Scott's relationship ultimately ended because it wasn't allowed to fully progress, due to the overwhelmingly homophobic strictures of the era, and the ongoing criminalization of LGBTQ+ people. Reading Grant's words near the end just about shattered me:

Most poignantly, Grant confessed to the pain of saying goodbye to the love of his life, all those years ago: “It was dreadful having to let go of him in my heart.”

No one should have to say goodbye to the person they love for the sole reason that other people have decided it is unacceptable. Also that phrase that you used ("gaze lovingly") of course made me think of Michael and David, because that's exactly how they look at each other, and it makes me ache inside to imagine them having to stop for any reason.

Thinking about Grant and Scott at that lunch, I can't help wondering how wistful they might have felt--happy to be with each other, but also deeply sad for the years they didn't get to have together. I would like to hope that things are different enough now that, if there is something between Michael and David, they can be open about it (in whatever way is right for them), and will never have to experience such heartache.

An eternity like that is such a beautiful thought, and I'm so glad that you have shared it. Although both Grant and Scott are long gone, I can see the echoes of them in Michael and David. How precious and rare love like that is. How lucky are they all to have to found it...

[ingravinoveritas]

Thank you for the tag! I'm so glad you are enjoying my blog and very much appreciate the kind words.

I do remember this interview, and I think what happened was that at the time, there were SO many interviews coming out on the same day, and a lot of us got focused on Michael looking so happy when David was nonstop praising him that the rest of this interview somehow got overlooked. But what you mentioned is absolutely worth discussing, so here's the video of it, for those who haven't seen it:

This clearly aligns with what we've heard Michael say before, both four years ago when GO season 1 came out and in the present day, which is that he doesn't know where that line is between him and Aziraphale. He's also said that with season 2 in particular, everything that has happened between him and David over the last four years informs how they portrayed Aziraphale and Crowley and the relationship they have.

But what I think makes this hit differently now is that we have seen the kiss, which we didn't know about when this interview came out. The fact that we have Michael talking about them getting to some incredibly emotional places in season 2 (most likely referring to the kiss/subsequent separation) and that he reacted both as the character and as himself, and reacted to both Crowley and David, truly speaks volumes. I also can't help thinking of the Thin Dark Duke tweet and how Michael said the touching of Crowley/David's chest was all him, and it seems even clearer now that he was referring to it being as much him wanting to touch David as it was Aziraphale wanting to touch Crowley.

So is this an open love declaration (or as open as it can be without Michael coming out)? It certainly seems possible. I think what also pushes me in that direction is the media outlet titling that video "Michael Sheen and David Tennant Love Each Other and Good Omens," which even back in July felt like something very deliberate.

As I have said before, however, it's not that there is one particular big moment or clip that stands apart as a declaration, but rather it's the cumulative effect of all of these little moments put together. It's this, plus all of the other moments from the GO 2 interviews that I've documented, plus Michael's recent Twitter spree focusing heavily on David that all combine into a sum much greater than its parts. (And that's not even including all the times he gushed about/stared lovingly at David four years ago...)

Whatever the case may be, it is truly something to watch this all unfold, and to see and feel how much love (whether platonic or romantic) there is between Michael and David and how that love was such a part of what made GO 2 what it was...

I don't understand how people can be so calm about it

@ingravinoveritas

Hi, I started reading your blog recently and really enjoy it. I don't know if you have written about this part of this interview. (I can't find any, but I might have missed it.) I don't understand how people can be so calm about it:

I love watching what David does with Crawley, around the idea of someone who, underneath everything on the surface, there is a kind of decency and a love there. And being able to see how he expresses that through a kind of a mask of Crowley, I find that endlessly enjoyable and fascinating to watch. And I think — that's me Michael, but as Aziraphale, I think that's also what pushes Aziraphale as well. So in scenes that are very emotional — I think you're right, I think in season two, we get to some incredibly emotional places. And **seeing what David's doing, and what Crawley is doing, definitely pushes me and Aziraphale into places** that you wouldn't necessarily think that that character would go to.

We all know Michael has been constantly blurring the line between character and actor, like when he uses "I/me" we can't be sure if he's talking about himself or Aziraphale. But here he is unusually clear about who he is talking about. He clearly states that both himself as Michael and Aziraphale are pushed to the same emotional state by David and Crowley. And we all know Aziraphale is in love with Crowley. I feel this is as open a love declaration as it gets without him actually coming out.

[yeonboy]

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥 ♡ choi yeonjun // mlist.

After facing disappointment with love for years upon years, you have chosen to replace romance with dance in your life, dedicating your entire time to this dance academy you’re employed at. It’s not that you hate men now, you just don’t expect to fall for them anymore because all they do is break your heart. And then Choi Yeonjun enters your life as a new recruit at the academy – sweet, adorable, soft spoken, kind and younger than you. He is everything you have never found attractive in a guy before. But somehow, you're helplessly spiraling for him.

❧ choi yeonjun x f. reader | 16+ | smau ♡ comedy ♡ angst ♡ strangers to friends to lovers!au ♡ dance academy!au ♡ 98-liner!reader ♡ dancer!reader ♡ dancer!yeonjun ♡ slow burn.

❧ warnings! profanity, an ABUNDANCE of suggestive jokes, mentions of people's sex lives (or lack thereof), death & murder threats as jokes, some of the characters being assholes for no reason, reader being a commitment phobe, a lot of pining, a ton of miscommunication (hehe ofc <3), misunderstandings, unnecessary heartbreaks + more will be added as the series progresses!

❧ featuring! all of txt | jimin & jungkook (bts) | sakura & kazuha (le sserafim) | yeji & ryujin (itzy) | keeho (p1harmony) | somi (soloist, ex i.o.i).

❧ playlist! trampoline - zayn & shaed ║ easy - camila cabello ║ lavender haze - taylor swift ♪

❧ status! 23.04.23 ⇢ tba. | on-going | bi-weekly updates

notes! heyyy, guys! yes, rya smau era 2k23 hehe! i had this idea for a very angsty fic where an older reader has feelings for a younger yeonjun but can't accept it bec he's not her "type"... but when i tried to write it, it got soooo sad and heavy soooo fast that i had to give up 😭 SO! i reckoned why not attempt to do an smau w a lighter version of this concept??? let's hope this turns out okay (:

pls be kind! the last time i wrote an smau was in 2018 so my creativity's got rust in every crevice (': but constructive criticism + suggestions are more than welcome! 🫶

❧ main masterlist | inbox ⁘

profiles: [1] [2] [3]

00. intro ║ 01. more nepotism hires ║ 02. grandpa and grandma ║ 03. break a leg (but not yours) [written: 1k] ║ 04. do you like flowers ║ 05. ✨aRtTtT✨ ║ 06. let the boy feel a woman's touch ║ 07. support system ║ 08. liking people we can't have ║ 09. it IS weird ║ 10. ‼ trouble ‼ ║ 11. connecting some big ass dots ║ 12. it's a work in progress ║ 13. dance crush ║ 14. enemies to lovers ║ 15. ohhh my god i'm so stupid ║ 16. at least that’s how it began ║ 17. we're no sidehoe material ❌ ║ 18. jealousy wasn't on my bingo card ║ 19. pesky little feelings ║ 20. why do i know so much ║ 21. it should've been me ║ 22. an overthinker AND a dumbass ║ 23. everything is a mess [written: 500] ║ 24. sum chamgo love dive it is [written: 1k] || 25. feels like a funeral in here ║ 26. let's all act surprised || 27. must start breathing into a bag ║ 28. IDK DUDE IM NERVOUS ║ 29. i wasn't jumping I SLIPPED ║ 30. wdym denial ║ [tba]

taglist: @bailies-me @samisubi @forever-in-the-sky2 @captivq @jiawji @hyuneyeon @wanlore @softcabur @emohazuzworld @yjusei @marifujioka @taekwondoes @suzirumas @ohmahgods @ye0nvibezzn @mrsyawnzzn @rionah

let me know if you'd like to be added!

© yeonboy 2023 // do not steal, copy or repost. respect your local content creators, kaythanks.

[vole-mon-amour]

3x10, a mix of everything, part 1

didn't expect it to happen that fast but HELL YEAH. there's nothing for Nathan to do next to Rupert. Rupert keeps switching his lovers like socks while his wife is still at home with their daughter. come on!! villain arc for Bex and Rebecca when? when is Rupert gonna get killed die and leave Bex all the money??? and then Bex and Rebecca become best friends and raise a daughter together?

Trent being the heart of the team? do you remember how it all started and how wary everyone was of him? do you? it warms my heart, but it warms it twice bc of the clear bond we see between Colin and Trent. like, older queer with younger queer, helping each other out and bonding. their friendship does things to me tbh. it's so very important and intimate and—

in other words, representation matters.

yaaay! also, Trent <3333 again, this warms my heart.

sometimes I really have no idea what this season is doing. i miss them being a dramedy, not a full on sitcom. i'm enjoying this season, but sometimes it's borderline too much. it's out of nowhere and it's not necessary at all.

besties unlocked <3 Trent is such a sunshine, I love him. the way he and Ted share a raised eyebrows look. there is something so wonderful happening between Ted and Trent from the moment they met. it's like they're connected and are being drawn to each other.

girl talk, especially when it involves middle aged men <3 Rebecca as their leader is really something. i love it.

I think Rebecca is being mean to the actual devil. also, why do iphone users love their matte screen cover? why not the regular one?

Trent is so in love with Ted, my goodness. that cute smile. Ted is so freaking oblivious, I need the show to do something about it. i need Ted to learn Trent is in love with him.

this is such a nice shot. something something, the idea of press taking pics of Nate's gf leaving. which at first I thought was kind of nice, but then she leaves with a suitcase and it looks like a breakup of some sort, so not that nice. hm. still, the shot is pretty.

this is such a nice look & I like her hair a lot, but my GOD, how do people wear those minies? it's beyond good and evil for me. shorts i can kinda understand, but skirts? that's... yeah, no.

there you go Jack's "me and Keeley are dating" without asking Keeley first if she wants to announce it and then Jack totally ghosting Keeley. *frustrated high pitched growl* I hate that plotline. if it's their way to push Keeley back towards Roy bc she will no longer be that busy so Roy can't come up with that excuse again, that's a very shitty thing to do. so far I don't see the bigger picture of this. they've been messing up Keeley's storyline this season just like that.

"the board" oh, fuck you, Jack. (in Grace Le Domas' voice) fucking rich people.

Dani crushing Van Damme's chips is such a dick move, ESPECIALLY since you're trashing the airplane!! you're not the one who's gonna have to clean it up, you asshole.

can somebody connect this parallel for me pls? it's just within my reach but it slips away.

sooo, Beard isn't getting out of a toxic relationship? gotta say, this plotline concerns me. idk where they're going with it and WHY in the first place. Beard deserves better & Jane needs some serious therapy.

#fired immediately

I'm here for Rebecca standing up for herself against Rupert. I hate that asshole so much.

I don't remember, have we seen Roy's sister before? it's so rare.

go fuck yourself. yes, i'm quick to jump to conclusions and violence.

Leslie is NOT having a good tea time this season. let him enjoy his tea 2k23! however, the fact that he knows every friend Rebecca has. some friendship between him and Rebecca developed along the way since s1.

[dark-elf-writes]

You gunna be real pissed whenever people stop Tsuna from being good to her because she’s a girl and there are things “men just don’t understand”

Like let my boy take care of his family and let my girl get some comfort

“Yeah our family has a girl. All but one of us completely isolate her and forget she exists but we have a girl”

Also yes I will be pissed off. I’m already pissed off knowing it happens.

Let. Tsuna. Be. A. Brother. Figure. 2k23.

Also someone for the love of god give Chrome a hug. Baby girl needs it.

[yellowkitkieran]

What the Heart Wants (Complete):

Kieran is your best friend’s older brother. Your best friend’s fit older brother that you definitely haven’t had a crush on for years. Not at all.

Part 1 (2.1k), Part 2 (3.1k), Part 3 (2.2k), Part 4 (3.7k), Part 5 (3.2k), Part 6 (3.3k), Part 7 (2.4k)

Little Blue (900) 🌶 Written by anonymous

NSFW! As Mason Mount’s younger sister, fraternizing with men of rival teams is forbidden. It should be against your morals. So why does it feel so good?

The One You Least Expect (1.6k) 💔 Written by anonymous

Kieran’s plans of spending forever with you are shattered.

Two Minutes (1.5k)

Kieran isn’t very good with words, which leads to you thinking he doesn’t care, which he very much does.

Brand Me (600) 💔

You are the one woman Kieran has ever loved, and when you leave it scars him forever.

Here To Stay (1.2k)

Kieran leaves celtic, and you, behind in Glasgow. When he gets homesick, you turn up at his door in London with a surprise.

Support System (2.1k)

You play for Arsenal women's, and Kieran becomes your support when you tear your ACL.

Slow Down (1.8k)

Kieran has been stressed lately, so you take it upon yourself to help him relax.

Rumors (2.2k) 💔

Kieran doesn’t tell you about his set-in-stone transfer to Newcastle and you can no longer trust him.

Accents (1.1k)

You clue Kieran in on the simple things he does that drive you wild.

The Hardest Goodbye (2.0k)

Kieran is transferring away from London, and he worries that you'll be left behind at Arsenal.

Coffee Gopher (2.3k)

You catch Kieran’s eye on a photo shoot while you’re interning at Arsenal.

Settle The Nerves (2.7k)

Kieran is nervous about bringing you around the lads for the first time.

In My Plans (2.6k) 🌶

NSFW! Kieran tries to break things off when he gets news of his transfer, but you refuse to let him.

Christening (2.3k) 🌶

NSFW! Kieran insists on breaking in the new house in Spain.

Pull Through (2.3k)

You help keep Kieran's spirits up when he gets injured in Spain.

Stream (1.4k) 🌶

NSFW! Kieran is recruited for a PGA 2k23 stream, but you make the most of his distraction.

Lazy Mornings (1.0k)

You and Kieran enjoy a lazy morning in bed with his pup.

Meet the Family (3.3k)

Kieran is nervous about meeting your family for the first time.

Boyfriend (1.3k) 💔

You and Kieran are on different pages regarding your situationship, which leaves both of you broken hearted.

Home (1.7k)

Kieran surprises you by coming home early from his loan spell in Spain.

No Scotland, No Party (1.9k)

Kieran helps you pack for Germany and helps fight your insecurities at the same time.

Birdie and Fox (3.2k)

You spill your guts to Kieran on his birthday.

Winner Takes it All (2.2k)

Inspired by the song of the same name. Kieran makes a poor decision that winds up ruining things between you two. (Part of the mamma mia song series)

[maulie-dyke]

Precious Novae scenes but it’s all my wife, Cyrille (+ my comments, for substance)

+ Elouan, because they are THE duo

(Spoilers for up to halfway through chapter 13)

first sighting! I thought she was pretty when they first showed up, and now, years later, she’s even prettier

‘why did I let Elouan talk me into this’

(Under the cut because things got long)

I just think this shot is so funny. She’s so annoyed lmao

She!!! Is so pretty!

Annoyed Cyrille 2.0

She <3 I wonder if everyone in universe thinks she’s wearing a wig because of how fabulous her hair is

This scene is so short but SHE IS SIMPLY STUNNING (Their dynamic in one shot)

MOTHER (mommy?)

Back at it again when you’re supposed to be having fun, cyrILLE

Making people uncomfy at balls since the late 1600s (more proof for my autistic Cyrille headcanon?!?!)

She’s so pretty <3

The most majestic hair in France, by Cyrille Le Valois

I’ve always thought they look like they were going to have a fistfight over that brooch (personally, I think Sulvain would win in the end but Cyrille could hold her own)

Her running shots in these few pages are hilarious. Does she like running? or is she going ‘sir, why am I running, I am a respectable woman and ladies do not run’

The one who will cuss you out while still managing to look better than you, even in a crisis

#/let Cyrille have a whole sword fighting scene 2k23 PLEASE

The detail of her eyes in this shot (’I am literally dying and you’re trying to steal my sword? Make me die faster? What?) >

MA’AM?!?! She straight up disarmed him with her scabbard, while actively dying, and caught the sword before it fell. AN ICON I STAN FOREVER

As this chapter goes on the little detail of her face going grey/bluer is such a nice touch. So when she actually passes out you realise ‘oh shit she’s literally blue in the face’

HOW does she have the skill to be so pretty while dying? I don’t know if I want her or want to be her

CYRILLE IN A DRESS when I tell you I lost it when this cover page came out I lost it

Brb busy SOBBING I love her, I’m so proud of her

‘I am at my LIMIT with this weird magic shit’

Elouan and Cyrille HE LOVES HER SO MUCH A KING If I liked men I’d want an Elouan

This is deadass my favourite shot of them they’re so cute

I love her dumb expressions so much

Cyrille’s really out here being a nerd about the magic room while Elouan is busy being Elouan

She has such a nice profile, like I want her nose

Elouan: ‘I know you’re trying to debrief me on everything that went on but I’m busy making an engagement ring’

SHE SAID YES THEY’RE GETTING ENGAGED I LOVE THEM YOUR HONOUR

[herohikara-wol]

FFXIV Write 2k23 - Day 18

Fish Out of Water - Emperor AU

“Back straight.” Hero did his best to stop slouching but Varis had a very critical eye from years of instructing young men like him. “Shoulders squared.” He still didn’t quite understand this one, but he tried rolling his shoulders back and found it uncomfortable, but it did help him stand straighter. “Chin up- no not that high, just enough to stretch out the neck, there you go, now keep your head up but angle your chin down just a touch. Perfect. Stop folding your hands in front of you, keep them at your sides, if you must gesture, do it only to the elbows.”

“Okay that last one is impossible for me, Varis, I talk with my hands.” Hero lost the entire posture when he turned to complain, falling back into his bad habits immediately.

“Yes, I know, I need you to try though. Just for the parade. This is your first public appearance and making a good impression is everything, you may not feel like a leader, but you need to command the attention of the people regardless.” They’ve been doing this four bells a day for the last week and Hero still couldn’t hold his parade posture longer than a quarter bell without slipping. His style was casual and relaxed. The military formalities were lost on him.

“You claim you were able to steal a uniform and salute your way into a castrum, yet I can’t see a single hint of orderly conduct or decorum from you. Gaius’ men must have been poorly trained if you could fool them with your poor posture.”

Hero sneered for a moment, one eye twitching a bit before he drew himself into perfect posture once more. Even saluting the way he’d learned in order to infiltrate the castrum. “That was a performance, van Galvus. I refuse to put on an act for my people. I am not an actor pretending to be an Emperor. I am their Emperor.” He let it slip away again, but he held Varis’ gaze. “I can’t be the founding father of Garlemald, but I can be myself, and I want to be someone my people can love and trust. Not a figurehead, and not an object of fear and loathing.”

“That attitude might help you in the provinces, but the capital is different. The people here did love my grandsire, he gave them the world if they were bold enough to reach out and take it. You aren’t from here like I am, you wouldn’t understand without knowing the people, and if you walked out there without anything indicating your station they wouldn’t trust you for a moment.” He paused for a moment, “unless you were dressed in a way they would consider trustworthy.”

Hero tilted his head, “what do you mean?”

“The academy occasionally accepts youth from the provinces, trains them to be diplomats and the like. One of the courses requires them to find their own lodgings for a semester. Proof of concept that they can thrive under their own power. We’re within the semester, so there’s a chance you could be mistaken for a student-”

“- so long as I’m dressed the right way.” Hero frowned as he considered it, he was a bad liar, but he also did want to learn more about his people without feeling like there was a barrier between them. “I just have to pretend to be a student and smile and nod and listen and let people tell me about their lives here. I guess I am kinda a fledgling diplomat right now.”

That was the trick, Varis had known Hero long enough to know how his mind worked. Hero was a terrible liar, but if he believed his own lies for any reason, he could slide into the role just as easily as a natural born mummer. Varis gave him just enough information to give him an idea to latch onto so he’d be able to sell the act. “That is a good way to think of it, your Radiance. Asahi had to do the same thing when he was in the Academy, he might even still have contacts he can introduce you to.” Asahi also wasn’t officially a royal guard, it’d make sense if he was introducing other students from his native Doma to some of the people who’d helped him back when he was a student.

Hero’s ears perked and he straightened his back, looking up at Varis with bright trusting eyes, like a youth trying to learn the way of the world. “Does this mean I can take the afternoon off of lessons to have a little adventure with a chaperone?”

“I suppose, just this once.” There it was, Hero was motivated enough to adopt the role. “Asahi said he’d be in the training room, I think this will be good for both of you. I’ll requisition a uniform for you and make sure your guard knows to stay at distance, just in case.”

Hero dashed off and Varis sighed a bit, he’d never worked with someone who was more motivated by the chance to meet new people and experience new things than they were motivated by power or control. It was a breath of fresh air after years of being under his scheming grandsire’s thumb and working his way up the ranks of the military, but it could be equally exhausting trying to bicker with someone who outranked him and didn’t even realize the power they held. Reckless, willful, and occasionally childish- not the person he would have chosen for the Emperor to be sure. However, he had a natural charm, a desire to make people happy, and a willingness to do anything for the people in his care; hopefully that would be enough for now.

[baconcolacan]

Silly old gay men Tom and Tord supremacy. \ (•◡•) /

LET THE OLD MEN BE SILLY IN LOVE 2k23!!!!!!!

[grave-queen-jakrabitt]

Dissecting the failure of NXT UK because I’m bored

Now don’t get me wrong I fucking loved nxt uk but I was apparently part of a very small group of people. The word of the day here is mismanagement, the wrestling ruled…so let’s look at why it failed from another perspective.

Not being advertised properly

Most of the time I saw any hype for it was when it was advertised by or with its American counterpart, now I’m not saying it has to be mentioned every week on the main roster but seriously they could have mentioned the uk takeovers. And most of the exposure it got was through either a full on colab with NXT USA like worlds collide, or its main title being defended at US takeovers. Speaking of

Only UK Title showcases at American takeovers

This is two problems in one, it only showed off one division of nxt uk when the tag and women’s division fucking ruled. I get that it feels bigger but half those matches were just Pete Dunn and Tyler bate so this somewhat causes a depth perception problem, we could have had something like Andrew’s and Webster vs the coffee brothers at takeover Chicago or something like Kay Lee ray vs meiko satamoura.

The 2020 dusty classic was a brilliant move they could have done every year, half USA half UK. I get the travel cost might get high for the semi finals but it would have been worth it.

Merch missed opportunity

Yeah they had T shirts and stuff but as an avid collector of action figures let me tell you they’re a very underrated tool for creating buzz, if you get a figure of someone you’ve never seen your probably gonna seek out some of their work. You know the only people to get figures from nxt uk? Imperium, pretty deadly, Jordan Delvin, Noam dar, Pete Dunn, and to my knowledge the only dedicated NXT UK figure Tyler bate. That’s just counting the men. What do they all have in common? They got moved to NXT USA or the main roster. I know Nxt figures roll out slower but your telling me you signed alllll these people to contracts and you couldn’t even put out a line of uk basics? You could have saved the elites for the champions if you really had to. Thankfully the games treated them better.

2k19 Pete dunne, Tyler bate, Noam dar, I’ll even throw in Chris hero and jack galiger, and the uk title for a total of 5 people

2k20

Trent seven, mark Andrew’s, Rhea ripely were added and I could have sworn Walter was but I can’t find him on the roster page THE PROBLEM IS NOBODY PLAYED THE GAME

2k22

Lorcan and birch, a kid, team kick imperium, dragunov was dlc, I’ll put Walter in officially here

2k23

Blair Davenport, pretty deadly, piper niven and Nathan Fraser

2k24

The unholy union, gallus, Lyra Valkyrie

What would I do instead?

look I don’t have an answer for that, dissecting why a company failed is always easier than running it and I’m not stupid enough to say I could handle it but I think it could have gone better. I hope they don’t do Nxt Europe to be honest. I hope you enjoyed my dumb little breakdown

[ingravinoveritas]

missdeliadali replied to your post "It's SO wholesome how, when hugging Michael,...”

What a great analysis! Thank you! I couldn't agree more.

Aww, thank YOU (and everyone else who's commented on this post) for these kinds words. I truly do appreciate it so much.

It seems surreal that I wrote this post two years ago, and yet that whole night was so powerful that it still resonates even now. Reading back what I wrote, I think what comes to mind is a lot of the discourse I've seen from the anti-RPF crowd, particularly the sentiment "It's lowkey homophobic to say two men can't be close friends/flirty without being in a relationship with each other."

But to my mind, what's actually true is exactly the opposite. That it's lowkey homophobic to say two men can't be close friends and be in love. We often hear the refrain of "The person you're in love with should be your best friend," and aren't Michael and David best friends? Why, then, would it be such a bad thing for them to be in love?

I feel like so many younger fans in particular seem to think monogamy is the be-all, end-all, but that's not how love or relationships work. Attraction doesn't stop just because you're in a relationship or married to someone, or because you have kids with someone. And David in particular I feel like has shown he has the capacity to love more than one person at a time--different to, yet not less than how he loves Georgia. Georgia herself has supported and even encouraged the shipping of Michael and David (even calling Michael David's "other wife"). Michael and David themselves have had countless opportunities over the last four years to snuff out the fires of speculation...but they never have.* Not once.

There are so many terrible things in this world--war, famine, hatred, abuse, violence--but two best friends falling in love shouldn't be one of them...

*If anything, Michael has done the complete opposite, fanning the flames repeatedly while cackling maniacally...

[fierceawakening]

Also Reblogging myself here to continue to grumble but… part of why I’m sad that Urabrask isn’t heroic is just that… so many of the Phyrexian dissidents we see are girls and women. Xantcha, Belbe, Ixhel. We have Belaxis and Vishgraz but they’re not point of view characters.

And that… I love me some kickass women. Don’t get me wrong! And Xantcha is a heroic transfem, which is the best thing.

But there is a social stereotype that women are more empathetic or caring than men. So having the symbol of emotions affecting Phyrexia be someone who uses he/him was cool to me.

Still glad he does have glimmers of compassion and allow for some individuality and creativity, but yeah, part of me is a bit sad he didn’t turn out to be Feelings Boy, Conscience of Phyrexia for that reason too.

Let Boys Feel Things 2k23.

Is there anything you can say about Phyrexians who resist the Orthodoxy's rule and act upon their empathy for others similarly suffering? I always enjoy stories of Phyrexians experiencing the full range of compassion, conflict, and sympathy that other people do.

Phyrexians don't experience compassion and sympathy the way non-Phyrexians do. Any personal emotions they feel are still filtered through a shared Phyrexian ideology: Machine eugenicists who believe the Multiverse will be better if everything is Phyrexian. Just because Urabrask doesn't preach total compleation of reality as fanatically as Elesh Norn doesn't mean it isn't also his end goal.