#none of whom he has any romantic interest in and none of whom are either a) romantically interested or b) made uncomfortable

[andromeda3116]

oh there is something good that came out of january:

i got engaged!

[suzukiblu]

Ko-fi thank-you sentences for an anon; a fake cryptid and a real romantic.

“I think I’m gonna try making him a ruby and do that in a trilliant cut,” Superboy says decisively, which isn’t necessarily much progress towards “normal” friend-making but again, Clark doesn’t want to discourage either a hobby or a creative outlet for the kid. Or just literally anything that isn’t about being a superhero, even if the trilliant cut resembling the S-shield and making friends with a vigilante are only sort of “not about being a superhero”. 

Look, the kid’s six months old and was educated by ethically bankrupt scientists and absolutely exhausted grad student interns, absolutely none of whom had either normal childhoods or an interest in instilling any semblance of “normal” in their cloned Superman’s head. Clark’s not going to be picky here, he’s just gonna meet him where he’s at and go from there. 

Superboy has some unfortunate difficulties understanding the difference between celebrity attention versus genuine admiration and things like that, and also an unfortunate tendency towards causing a lot of unnecessary property damage and jumping to conclusions and temper issues, but he tries, and he clearly does think about things. There’s just a lot to figure out in the world, and he’s had to do it in speed-run mode and while being an active superhero. 

Really, Clark thinks the kid’s doing a lot better as a superhero than he would’ve done at his “age”, and he’d actually been that “age”. Superboy is frankly just about the best-case scenario that could’ve come out of a situation like Cadmus and also mercifully only seems to be minimally traumatized by the sorry excuse for a “childhood” he was provided, so . . .

“That sounds nice,” Clark says, smiling at him. “I’m sure you’ll do a good job with it.” 

“I’m gonna do a good job with it if it fucking kills me,” Superboy says, looking determined, which seems like a lot of intensity to put into making a gift for a friend, but again: six months old and educated by ethically bankrupt scientists. Clark is going to stick with the “meeting him where he’s at” approach. 

“Just do your best to start, maybe,” he says wryly, reaching over to pat the kid’s shoulder. Superboy grins at him, his expression turning pleased. 

“I will!” he says. “Wanna see some of the test ones?” 

“Sure,” Clark says, figuring Superboy will just–

Nope, no, Superboy just immediately stuck both hands into his jacket pockets and came up with two big fistfuls of a good dozen high-quality diamonds done in trilliant cuts. Very large diamonds. 

Heavens to Betsy, Clark thinks a little faintly. That is . . . that is so many diamonds for Superboy to just have in his pockets. They weren’t even zipped shut! They weren’t even buttoned! 

Superboy lays his series of diamonds all out in neat little rows on the ledge, because there are enough of them to require multiple rows, and then reaches back into his pockets for a few more, because of course there are more. Clark continues to feel vaguely faint and has absolutely no idea how to point out how much money this is. Even at lab diamond rates, this is so much money. Just–so much. 

At this point in his life Clark has seen entire planets made of diamond, mind, but he still grew up in smalltown Kansas as a farm kid, so there’s something about seeing quite this many virtually flawless ones just laid out on a Metropolis rooftop the same way he would’ve shown off his POG collection to his friends as a kid. Even the damn cuts are just shy of perfect. 

Well, at least Superboy’s enjoying his first hobby, he supposes. But also, Jesus H. Christ.

“They look good, kid,” Clark says, smiling at him encouragingly. No need to take the wind out of his sails, obviously. Though seeing them now, it does occur to him to wonder–“Where did you get the tools?” 

They must be good ones, because honestly he really wasn’t expecting results this good–or even half this good–from a six month-old teenager. Superboy could definitely ruin De Beers’s day with those.

Or their industry, again. 

. . . well, it is De Beers, so . . . 

“Oh, I don’t have any,” Superboy says, shaking his head. “I just use my TTK.” 

Clark . . . pauses, for a moment. 

Clark pauses for a long moment. 

“Tactile telekinesis can cut diamond?” he asks carefully. “This precisely?” 

“Yeah!” Superboy beams proudly at him. “Cool, right?” 

Clark looks very, very closely at the diamonds. The cuts on them are practically atom-sharp. 

Alright then, he thinks to himself even more carefully.

[emmitaaa4]

Addressing some fandom BS inconsistencies

Gwyn was shadow mommy, Az was shadow daddy, they were gonna have shadow babies with her extra super pliable bones.

I audibly chocked when I read this @nikethestatue (btw everything said in this post was on point). No but seriously this is how they sound, too many of them insisting that there is nothing wrong with basing the likelihood of a ship on who has the more suitable uterus to be with a man... cause supposedly they're just picking up on the hints SJM wrote for them? She likes babies for HEAs so ofc children are the end all be all of a relationship, plus there's absolutely no way that she could ever write an adoption plot SJM is literally adopted and has done it in other series. Selective reading strikes again.

A minimum amount of critical thinking would tell you that 1) the infamous *magical uterus change* scene was about nessian (& feysand), not about any ship; 2) if SJM had written Nesta changing Elain's uterus, it would have given too much away, not to mention 3) how disturbing/violating it would have been for Nesta to change her sister's reproductive anatomy WITHOUT HER CONSENT?! None of it makes sense narratively; my girl Nes would never, especially given the trauma they both suffered from having their bodily autonomy--and so much more--ripped away by the Cauldron.

This argument is so trivialized that I see it every other day on reddit/tiktok/*insert media app*, and yet elriels are the toxic side of the fandom? The ones whom people are allowed to insult, to ridicule for theories all made in good fun, the women that are villainized over a difference of opinion? Don't get me wrong, there's assholes on both sides and people keep calling one another variations of delulu (and the nastier personal attacks). But by painting this fandom-wide villain there is such a lack of accountability for the plethora of harmful talking points spread by other portions of the fandom. (I've been silently reading the anti-elain & anti-elriel tags for like a year, and I'm on tiktok. Yes, I have self-destructive tendencies).

Anyways.

I never understood either how people ever actually thought (or well still think) that gwynriel would happen BEFORE elucien?? It makes no sense logically, narratively, or in terms of characterization & the arc she's set up for Elain, Azriel, and Lucien. Yet it took one controversial bonus chapter for people to decenter Elain in her own story, that is make her choice of romantic partner--which SJM spent 3+ books setting up--Azriel's. It took one bonus chapter that soo many readers are still unaware of, to brush Elain off as a "sexual object" Az is using to distract himself until his therapist-extraordinaire Gwyn comes in and heals him all up. Because ofc she will: she's badass and not the "passive and weak and boring" Eplain (aka "Plant" or "brain dead gardener"), she fits the YA archetype of the spunky warrior-girl so she can handle his darkness, and SJM supposedly spent time fleshing her out because she wrote her as a LI for Azriel; she's made for him, she is what he needs to grow (I actually enjoyed Gwyn's character btw, just pointing out how silly it all sounds). “Next book is a love triangle between Elain/Az/Gwyn” “Elain will turn evil or is secretly evil”. So you're telling me that SJM would pit Elain & Gwyn against each other in a love triangle over a man... all because of a necklace that was not even mentioned once in the actual books? Please, let's be logical for a second.

All this because instead of reading the bonus chapter in the context of the books, some people are reading the books in the context of the bonus chapter. Which now that I think of it is probably why so many people mischaracterize Az the way they do--because yes we know enough of his character to know half of the stuff the fandom diagnoses him with is questionable. Azriel? Entitled incel x fuckboy hybrid (gotta be the first of his kind, minute slay ig)? Interesting tell me more. No joke I saw a semi-popular post on here where a gwynriel said they read the bonus WITHOUT HAVING READ ANY OF THE BOOKS. I'm sorry, ship wars are silly and believe it or not idc who ppl ship, but it makes it hard to take some of the things they say seriously.

All this to say that the fandom isn't even debating the right thing. If you consider everything SJM has said in her interviews:

(she's been planting seeds for Nesta & Elain's book since acomaf; she knows who she is writing the first 2 books about + is keeping things open for the 3rd one--with 5 different ship options--which automatically rules out "Elain will close the series"; she said she's doing research for Elain's book in the ACOFAS bonus & there's seeds for future bookS in acofas; all she said recently about her beloved *heroines* and the themes of fate/true love/choice she finds *very* interesting & wants to discuss)

and if you also consider all she's written in the actual books (elain's characterization + the overarching plot in general & how she fits into it), then it's pretty evident that Elain's book is next.

The question then would be who is the MMC / 2nd PoV in her book, aka would acotar 5 be an elucien or an elriel story? Because logically, gwynriel was always a consequence of elucien. I honestly do not understand how people don't see that.

Oh and they always think they're gagging elriels with the "obviously Azriel is the next MC" as if elriels aren't saying the same thing? And we're the ones twisting info and not making sense. It's just funny at this point.

---sidenote: I realize that this post generalizes some things, and I just wanted to say that I have interacted with lovely eluciens / people on either side of this headache of a ship war. My hard limit is Elain haters though... back off I say 🤺 BACK OFF 🤺

---sidenote 2: I would have written this as a reblog except im not entirely sure how tumblr works and I get no visibility from them rip.

[kitkat-the-muffin]

Something I’m insane about is the parallels between Roxy Lalonde and Jake English when it comes to romance

Roxy Lalonde is panromantic and crushing on all her friends, but none of them love her back in the same way. Jane is heterosexual, Dirk is homosexual, and Jake is very aromantic-coded and I need to talk about that but gimmie a second. Roxy is a hopeless romantic and she cares so much about those around her, but she can’t pursue any romantic interests with any of them because they either aren’t into girls or are super into Jake, and she’s fine with that because love isn’t exclusive to one type! But it hurts when it’s something you crave and you only have like four friends (including Callie) and live alone in the apocalypse!

And then there’s Jake, whom everyone has feelings for. Jane and Dirk both have intense crushes on Jake and Roxy feels obligated to give up her own to let her friends have a chance, which hurts her inside. But Jake is so incredibly unaware and unaccustomed to romance that he’s constantly asking others what he should do! He asks Jane if he should be with Dirk when he finds out about his crush and Jane, who’s so afraid of her own feelings and of confrontation, encourages him to date him! And Jake takes it as instruction, and when things start going wrong all Jake wants is some attention and quality time together with Dirk. And when Dirk avoids him for unknown reasons, Jake contacts Jane and then she yells at him for being clueless!

Jake isn’t clueless because he’s stupid, but because the romantic drive for romantic relationships is beyond him. He’s the opposite of Roxy, and he just wants to be whatever his friends want him to be because he’s a people-pleaser. Meanwhile Roxy is afraid of losing her friends, unaware that they’d love her unconditionally. But they seem to all have conditions for Jake centered around his interest, and it’s tearing him apart

AND I’M INSANE ABOUT THIS

[veiledfox]

lion-hearth: His brow furrows slightly and he released her tail and crawled over to sit facing her side. "...romantic or not, moping around doesn't suit you Kyuushi..." Octavius sets a hand on her knee. "I want to help you move past this, but I can only do so much...I can't purge your heavy feelings with blade and bolter , I'd try if I could...but know I'm here for you, Little Vixen." Offering a smile at the coy pet name of her's.

She could see him shift over to her side, feel him move with all her various senses. Kyuushi didn't know why, but she felt like she wanted to just... shrink in on herself further. To not be seen, not by him, especially not while she felt like she was in such a horrid pit. Having him behind her, playing with her tail, was one thing. But this... she felt pathetic, it really wasn't like her, yet at the same time... none of the past few years was like her. Not with how she was most her life.

From a Kitsune living alone, traveling to other Realms and making entirely platonic connections, never once having a romantic interest. To suddenly growing to love one Person... whom was Married to another... which she grew to love as well. To having multiple Lovers across the many Realms she traveled, all of whom she loved so dearly. It was all so new, all so unfamiliar, she wasn't ever sure she was doing the right thing or if she was treating them correctly.

But to then lose that initial pair out of the blue... unable to contact or find either of them at all. Another simply just... vanishing, and the mask she had been given no longer working to take her to them. A brief interaction with another still stirring the thought of something possibly forming, only for them to be impossible to find again soon after. Then to have another start speaking of so many dislikes, too many of which matched her entirely, and her upset mood in response to lead to that very same Partner just... cutting things off between them... with such a horrid image of her in their mind as well.

This isn't Kyuushi, that wasn't Kyuushi, none of it has been Kyuushi. A part of her did want to just... turn back time to before it all. Go back to being that lone Kitsune, purely just traveling the Realms for the sake of exploration and discovery. To just being Kyuushi. It'd be a lie to say she didn't want to.

But, all the same... she didn't want to undo any of it. At least, not entirely. She just... didn't want to lose them... doesn't want to lose what's left... Which, with that scare of not being able to find him due to an attempt on his life still somewhat fresh on her mind, and the knowledge that one of his hearts was now inert? It would be impossible for her to say she wasn't scared that it was just a matter of time before he would be gone too.

It was all so unfair to him, though... to wind up shutting herself off and trying to keep some kind of distance while she was still hurting. To be unable to properly respond to him, all because of how horribly she wept for all those she had lost in such short, rapid succession. Even with the trust that he would always be there, a reliable safety she could return to whenever she needed, there was still pieces of worry that this would all wind up pushing him too far away. Even when his words said otherwise.

With... everything... surging through her mind, it would be impossible for her to even just attempt to stop the tear that began to well in her eyes and spill down her cheeks. The illusory text that had hung in the air moving over, flickering as her focus wanes, shifting into a somewhat messy looking "I'm sorry". All the while reaching up to rather desparately try and wipe away her tears, only for more to replace them. Trembling shoulders, breath short gasps and hiccups, the text flickering out entirely.

"I'm sorry..." Her voice, still weak, still quiet, still hoarse and creaky.

[booklove22]

Curse and Mystery Theories (Probably Wrong but Having Fun Anyway)

Just procrastinating instead of doing what I'm supposed to be doing....here are some of my thoughts about where the mystery and curse storylines may be going (I recognize I am probably completely wrong).

Where is the Mystery Going?

I think 4x09 is going to kick this story into high gear after its sort of just simmered all season. What we know for sure? They go after the Sin Eater with crossbows! That’s….pretty much the only thing the episode description told us. Thin information here.

However, from the trailer, it looks like we can also assume that Tristan gets shot with an arrow (“You are not going to die tonight!” scene) in 4x09 or maybe 4x10 (the promo photos make it seem like these two episodes will be bleeding together) so these episodes may also be Tristan heavy but not in a romantic way – more in a how he is related to the larger mystery this year

Is he India’s (the most recent corpse) son? I think this is as good a guess as any. And I’ve got a few competing theories that stem from this idea

Theory 1: Tristan is the Latest in a String of Sin Eaters. This theory banks on the idea that there has not been 1 sin eater created in horseshoe bay, but multiple sin eaters – one created every 20 or so years. Tristan is just the most recent/current one. If creating a sin eater requires a human sacrifice, then its possible that each sacrifice (the 8 corpses) were made to create a new sin eater. Like maybe there is a shelf life on the sin eaters. They can only eat so many sins before they die, requiring a new one to be created (and a new sacrifice to do so). Or maybe they just have a roughly 20 year lifespan. Either way… If India was the last corpse/sacrifice, its possible that Tristan is the sin eater “born” from her sacrifice (I’m using “motherhood” in the absolute loosest sense here). For some reason, I don’t like the Tristan as sin eater theory though. Its too easy to make the “other love interest” evil. And I don’t really get why the sin eater would have this alternative human form? Like we’ve seen monster sin-eater and Tristan. But why have these two separate forms?

Theory 2: There have been multiple Sin Eaters – none of whom are Tristan. This theory follows the same logic as above. Where sin-eaters, at some point, die or reach a shelf-life and a new human sacrifice is needed to ensure the creation of a new one. Each of the 8 corpses have served as this sacrifice. India is the most recent sacrifice. Tristan was her human biological son that the Glasses adopted (knowingly or unknowingly).

Theory 3: There has only ever been 1 Sin Eater created in HSB – back in the 1800’s. So why 8 corpses? Maybe the sin-eater can only eat a certain number of sins before it needs a “reset” (human sacrifice) or maybe there are more than 8 corpses and EVERY sin requires a human sacrifice. Perhaps we only know about 8….but there are actually many many more. Nancy said they all “came from the same section of the graveyard” – possible Temperance’s tsunami waters reanimated them, but didn’t reach the other human sacrifices? In this version where every sin requires a sacrifice, I think India was sacrificed by the Glasses or someone else (just some sad depressed lonely girl living on her yacht – no one will miss her, we’ll put her out of her misery). And the Glasses adopted Tristan (knowingly or unknowingly).

So…where does each of these theories take us?

Theory 1: Tristan is the latest in a string of Sin Eaters. And his death by crossbow leaves HSB’s elite without a sin eater. You know what that means? Human sacrifice time and isn’t Nancy just ripe for the picking? The Glasses may even want it to be her because, sin eater or not, they actually cared for Tristan in is human form and blame her for his death (I sort of believe that if Tristan is the sin eater, his human version didn’t know the other version existed. Sort of Jekyll and Hyde style).

Theory 2: There have been multiple Sin Eaters – none of whom are Tristan. While attempting to track and kill the sin eater, the Drew Crew is met with resistance from some of the town sinners– including the Glasses. In the tussle, Tristan is accidentally arrowed, by one of his own parents. Does he die here? Maybe. In some ways, it seems too soon for that. So it’s possible he does die, or maybe he survives, but the Drew Crew uses the opportunity to fake his death. And that’s a sin the Glasses would likely want to forget very quickly. And if the Drew Crew is successful in killing the current sin eater before the Glasses can do so, they’ll need a new sacrifice to create a new one (in the form of Nancy obviously). Which is what I think is happening in the trailer scene with the Glasses.

Theory 3: There has only ever been 1 Sin Eater created in HSB – This is similar to above. Same line of thinking, but if the idea is that each sin requires a human sacrifice, then they’d use Nancy as the sacrifice to forget what they did (or think they did) to Tristan.

Of all of these, I lean most heavily toward Theory 2 because it’s the cleanest. To be clear, I don’t think ALL of this is happening in 4x09. More I think the thread will start in 4x09 and carry over into the remaining episodes of the season.

Where is the Curse going?

I think 4x10 is our magic episode here and it’s really user somanypetals on Twitter who made my brain explode this morning with this idea so credit to her for getting my juices flowing.

4x10: The BALLAD of Lives Forgone

It’s now heavily theorized that Ace is going to get ensnared by a siren’s song (or something like it) – which are ultimately deadly (see: Homer’s The Odyssey).

Ballad = love song or poem and the wordplay ties into a siren song plot

somanypetals theorized (whether she was serious or not) that the only way to break the siren’s spell might be with a true love’s kiss

Good news, his true love is Nancy!

Bad news, kissing Nancy would trigger the curse and does not solve the problem of Ace dying (death by siren or death by love curse).

I think that Ace will be so close to death with the siren, that they’ll have no choice but to trigger the death curse, starting the countdown clock on Ace’s life.

More good news: this means they can kiss, hold hands, bang! Bad news, the emotional gut-punch of Ace’s pending death is going to hover over it.

This is the episode where Ace isn’t in any of the promo images….hmm.

[lovethewayyoudoso]

Moussa Rosaire Rousseau

ルソー・ロザエール

b. 8 September in Bordeaux, France

Parents: Moussa Rousseau (d.) and Agnès Konate Rousseau (d.)

Siblings: None

Physical Attributes:

Height: 1,54m (5ft1in)

Weight: 52kg (114lb)

Type 4c hair, naturally black but often dyed brown or red, occasionally with colorful portions or extensions. Always kept in either knotless braids or cornrows. Lower half of his hair is kept shaved tight, so the braids are only on top but kept long.

He has sharp, slightly angled eyes that are blue. Nose is fairly broad by round, lips are full, and face is a soft heart-shape. His skin is a deep hickory shade. He is a meticulous user of moisturizers and cremes and lotions and potions, so he has a perfect complexion and soft skin. His facial hair, and body hair for that matter, has all been permanent removed. Eyebrows are meticulously kept but are on the slight side to begin with.

Style and Appearance:

Light cosmetics are common: mascara and eyeliner every day; lip tint and eyeshadow when he needs to look nice; full foundation and all when he needs to look stunning. (Or if he's feeling particularly 'beautiful' on any given day, whatever!)

Generally, he styles himself with more feminine-feeling clothing however it is typically made custom for him or is a customized designer good. Most of it would be a men's style or cut, but with traditionally feminine fabrics, colors and accoutrements. He loves gold jewelry, especially with diamonds or coordinating gemstones. He has a single piercing in his nose and multiple on each ear. Typically, ear jewelry is worn asymmetrically, with a long or large earring on the right and a coordinating piece or a mate for the large earring on the left. He always has at least one necklace on, whether it be a simple chain or a statement piece. Bracelets are more uncommon, and he might wear one fashion ring or he might wear multiple.

Personality:

He's a spoiled brat, especially in his youth. As an adult he's full of himself and quite prideful. He's got charisma and a mind for running his business empire. Demanding, focused; he's a classic type A personality on the brink of burnout. To compensate, he's addicted to social media where he has a decent following. (He's 'famous' for being rich; he is not an entertainer of any sort, and his business ventures aren't particularly interesting to the younger generation.)

He's surrounded by acquaintances and a strong social and professional network, but he has little time or want for a long-term romantic partner. He does, however, keep Grindr installed on his phone for when he doesn't have a new flavor-of-the-month plaything, whether it be somebody from a club, a social media influencer, or the like. As he enters his thirties, he's getting a bit tired of this game, but it's all he knows.

By adulthood he is completely fluent in English and French and has passable Japanese. He has few creative abilities or skills though he appreciates the arts. To supports those like him but without the resources, and as a slight to his late father, he is a lifelong donor to a major LGBT organization that offers counselling, education and other resources for LGBT youth. He attended private and group sessions and classes lead by the same organization, behind his father's back, when he was finding his own place in the world.

He is attracted to men of all varieties with zero interest in women (bordering on an aversion to the gender, save for Fabienne).

Brief Background:

Born into exceptional wealth, Rosaire is the only child of a multi-millionaire businessman. His family owns one Africa and Europe's largest logistics companies and during his youth things start getting global. His mother died with he was just shy of five years old and his father was definitely not the type to be a parent. He was raised by his nanny alongside her own daughter, Fabienne, whom he views as a sister.

When he is twelve years old his father and his business partner decide to begin investing heavily in the Asian market, starting with buying out a large courier company in Japan. He uproots his son and they move to Osaka which is an extreme culture shock to the boy. His only saving graces are that his nanny and Fabienne come with, and his school is an international academy that is comprised mostly of the children of other elites from all around the world.

Few of his fellow classmates find him to be particularly friend-worthy but they include him anyway. They're all much bigger fans of Fabienne. The two of them, however, do face an interesting combination of racism and genuine curiosity from the locals when they are out and about with the nanny and chauffeur. Rosaire is relieved of the bullying for his particularly petite stature; he can handle trying to sternly educate about racism if it means he doesn't have to suffer another short joke.

The supposedly brief stay in Japan turns into years and years. Rosaire goes to university at an elite school nearby. During his first year his father dies, and he suddenly has immense freedom. He loses control of his life due to excessive partying, whatever all you can imagine that entails, until he is brought back to reality by his best friend from senior high school and Fabienne. Once he finishes his education, he is officially given control of his family's company and he grows it like never before.

Fun Facts:

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Flower: Wild Flowers

Favorite Mental Breakdown Activity: Eating greasy fast food and watching reality TV

Secret Skill or Passion: Collecting Mercedes-Benz vehicles and philately (don't you DARE call it stamp collecting)

Biggest Pet Peeves: Calling him by his legal given name and short jokes

[hellzyeahthewebwieldingavenger]

Being attracted to women doesnt mean you are exclusively attracted to them.

That is true.

However we have spent 60+ years seeing everything about peter from not just his pov but from inside his head. The ‘contract’ between reader, writer and characters are that we get to know all the notable details of who Peter (and other such lead characters) are. We live inside their heads and so we should know everything they know at minimum.

In that time he has exclusively been attracted to cis women and has a long list of women he’s had romantic/sexual interactions with.

His biologically identical clones have also only ever been attracted to cis women, even the ones who don’t have all of his memories and so their nurture is not the same as his.*

The overwhelming majority of alternate universe versions of him, whether they are divergent from 616 or simply exist in a wholesale different universe like the Ultimate Universe, have overwhelmingly only been attracted to cis women.

Among all these versions often times they have had regular interactions with stereotypically attractive or stereotypically desirable men. The Avengers for instance is chockfull of incredibly attractive men many of whom were single and many of whom were single at the same time Spider-Man himself was. Peter never made a move with any of them though, nor even had passing romantic/sexual thoughts about them.

Among all that there has never even been a subtle implication that Peter might possibly find people who are not cis women attractive the way there has been a slight implication that Black Cat finds women attractive (I can't speak more recent stuff Im out of the loop so maybe the latter has changed) or Electro finds men attractive.

At that point the notion that this aspect of his character is up in the air is a non-starter. It’s very clear that it isn’t up in the air at all.

For certain other characters this is not necessarily the case. Let’s use the most famous Spider-Hero besides Peter Parker, Miles Morales, along with my personal favourite alternate Spider-Hero, Mayday Parker, as comparative characters.

Miles has existed since 2011, he’s less than 15 years old (in real time) as a character.

Mayday existed in near consistent publication between 1999-2010. Let’s highball all her appearances and say today she’s had 13 years worth of appearances.

They are also both teenagers who’ve had relatively little romantic experience, to my knowledge 0 sexual experience and none of their love interests have been particularly serious with one possible exception on Miles’ part. But the fact we’re even debating that tells you a lot about how serious it was really.

For either of these characters it’d be entirely logical to establish them as being attracted to members of the same sex.

Teenagers are only just discovering their sexualities, they haven’t had experience and haven’t seen much of what’s ‘out there’ yet. The fact that they have a relatively short list of romantic interests also supports the idea they could very well be attracted to people of the same sex as themselves.

I wouldn’t mind that at all with Miles, but I have to admit I don’t care for that character in the first place.

The same isn’t true of Mayday. Words fail to describe my adoration for that character so when I say I’m onboard with establishing her as gay, bi, etc please believe me. In fact I’ve proposed such stories myself. I think there is a really great love interest for Mayday in Felicity Hardy waiting for her if they went that direction and she’s a billion times more compelling than her other male love interests.

For Peter though the context is very different as outlined above. I mean to be very blunt if we have all these stories (well in excess of 1000 issues worth of comic books) demonstrating Peter’s romantic/sexual attractions and that doesn’t equate to us knowing what his sexuality is...what would be? By that logic couldn’t Northstar or Iceman not necessarily be gay? I wouldn’t say so and I wouldn’t want that for their characters either.

BTW the <insert current date here> argument is bad logic.

Yes it’s the modern day....and?

The world becoming more enlightened (allegedly) doesn’t have any bearing on this because it would creatively and realistically be more viable to have a different character (be they an AU Peter or a wholesale different character like Miles or Mayday) be queer instead of 616 Peter Parker regardless of the date. The ship in regards to his character sailed a long time ago.

Plus if this is mainly about representation** then wouldn’t it be rather reductive to have Spider-Man, the most famous Marvel hero ever who is famously in love with 3 famous female characters in their own right, be queer?

Think about it most adaptions would inevitably pair him up with MJ, Black Cat or Gwen and the comics would do so too. And Creatively speaking in terms of the Insomniatics that would 100% undermine his ‘queerness’ regardless of what you say. Again Electro and Black Cat are gay or bi in actual canon but since they are only ever paired up with people of the opposite sex it diminishes it’s relevance much as Dick Grayson being Rromani has been superflusous to his character because it’s an aspect left unused and unexplored.

I am not meaning to compare a sexuality to a disability here, but it is a little like when they made Flash Thompson Agent Venom. Yes he was a ‘disabled’ superhero but...not really. Because his disability eventually became practically irrelevant to the stories issue to issue due to the context of said stories.

In other words for Spider-Man to be queer and for it to actually matter he WOULD need to actually have stories dealing with his romantic/sexual interactions with other men. Creatively speaking how much are you really going to use the fact he’s attracted to men if he’s in a stable relationship with Mary Jane. He’d never cheat of course, he’s not one to even flirt and he barely noticed any other women were attractive beyond MJ, with the exception being Felicia. 

Doesn’t it make a lot MORE sense in terms of representation to either take a less canvassed character or a brand new character and clearly establish them as queer instead? You can build that in much more easily as a central aspect of their identity that way, introduce potentiall endgame same sex love interests, more easily tell stories about them without dancing around decades of contradictory continuity, etc.

It’s the difference between creating a wholesale queer character like the popular Kevin Keller and retconning that Archie himself (who’s defined as having the hots for multiple people of the opposite sex) is in fact queer. Or to use the Mayday/Miles example, it’s the difference between retconning Archie as queer vs. taking a less canvassed character like Jughead and establishing they are in fact queer.

*To be clear as crystal I’m not saying your sexuality is a matter of nurture, rather it’s possible for people who are not hetereosexual to ‘perform’ as though they were or even believe themselves to be based upon the environment they’ve grown up and lived in. Thus his clones who lack that identical environmental factors could hypothetically result in them being attracted to people of the same sex as themselves if they were indeed not heterosexual. 

** which is again bad logic as these creative properties existing to make money thus demanding the reative and financial considerations must inherently trump all social/political considerations

marvel when they heard tom holland saying he’s interested in exploring peter’s sexuality

[keaalu]

None of your business, sergeant major!

(aka "Good lord you kids are annoying. Do you argue about EVERYTHING")

Should be fairly obvious who is talking to whom, here… (Nothing obscene, just terrible innuendo and euphemisms.)

----

“So lad. I was just wondering. Seeing as you and Hiro is all official now. Does you ever, that is… Do anything.”

“What do you mean, do anything?”

“You know. That. What humans do.”

“Oh. My. Stars. You are outrageous! I can’t believe you would even-… actually no I can believe because you are precisely the sort of person to ask something as inappropriate as that." Sigh "If you are asking if we have a physical relationship, you old prude, I am quite sure that is none of your business!”

“Might I remind you that as your senior NCO, I does need to be made aware of anything that might compromise the safety and security of this here orbital battleship, and that includes relationships between senior staff. Especially ones what might cause, ahem. Distractions.” Beat. “Of course, you can always talk to him what must be obeyed instead, if you’d prefer.”

“Ugh. This is ridiculous. I can’t believe I’m pandering to you. Fine. First of all, Hiro isn’t interested in doing that, and because I love and respect him, I’m not gonna put him in an awkward position by even proposing it. Second of all… it’s still not any of your business! And thirdly, if you missed the memo, we zeroids aren’t precisely built for that!”

“Ohh, I get it. ’Engineering problems’, is it, lad? Could happen to anyone.”

“…Oh do shut up.”

-----

Postscript thoughts:

Hiro I usually parse as being a little similar to me; happily ace, but also not averse to being romantic and fluffy. Not sex-repulsed, just doesn't really care, overall? Has no libido, and never missed having one either, thanks.

101 is a total law unto himself who keeps changing his mind every 30 seconds. "Officially" I think he has no libido because (as the joke suggests…) he doesn't have any "equipment" anyway so doesn't have a sex drive. Unofficially? Make. Your. Damn. Mind. Up. (As a 7.5ft tall fluffball he is absolutely 100% sex positive, btw. And is 100% not limiting his options to any particular gender, either. But that's just a load of very non-canon idiocy I'm playing with in private.)

[julianobungus]

What do you think a Sex Car would look like? I have two ideas.

The first idea is that it is a car in the form of a bedroom, and when Passengers and Denizens get inside, they get aroused. Maybe there are aphrodisiacs in the air, maybe there are none, but if you stay in this car with someone, then one of you will eventually fuck the other.  Those who are in this car can fuck for hours and they will not get bored or tired of it. And if there is only one person in the Car, then he or she will masturbate. And the only way to stop in both cases is either to be outside the Car with the help of outside help, or any physical needs like eating

Another idea is inspired by your idea that a Train can create copies of Passengers and resurrect deceased Denizens by rolling back their minds to the initial settings. This idea is that when someone enters this car, he creates copies of those to whom the visitor has romantic feelings or has had in the past.  Copies have only the knowledge and memories of which the visitor of the car is aware, but there are exceptions. If a visitor to the car has or has had feelings for a Passenger or Denizen, then the car will create a copy of the Passenger or Denizen with all the memories.

Also, if a person has never been on a Train, but different Passengers had feelings for this person, then the car will create a copy that has all the memories that different passengers are aware of. And it doesn't matter if these Passengers are on the Train right now, or have already left it a long time ago.

And the last thing, a copy in any case will want to fuck the one for whom the Train created it. Regardless of how the original felt about this person and whether the original had a relationship with someone, the copy will love Passenger or Denizen for whom it was created, and try to fuck him.

Imagine how self-confident Lake fucks with clones of Tulip and Jesse, while in another place Jesse embarrassingly rejects all offers from different clones, including clone Lake. Or, Amelia is having fun with clones of Alrick and Simon, while Hazel is having fun with a clone of Simon and Grace and possibly a clone of Amelia. Or Grace, who takes the loss of Simon badly (His death or exile) and cries with happiness to see him again and touch his face. And she doesn't mind at all when he offers something interesting.

I do not know if copies can leave the Sex Car, but it would be interesting. The brave Atticus, the king of Corginia, leaves this Car with a clone of Tulip the Literate, who eventually becomes the Queen of Corginia. Samantha the Cat leaves this Car with a clone of Simon, who becomes her assistant and husband.

Oh, and imagine a meeting of several clones of one person, or a meeting of a clone and an original. All these emotions, all this shock, distrust, and only from those for whom the clones were created. By themselves, clones have no problems with the existence of other clones.

What do you think about it?

OOOOOOft. Honestly, I love both ideas, so perhaps I can adopt both? So many good steamy aspects to take in here, great job :3 I also loved learning about the different ships and pairings and situations you've fed me here (Tulip/Atticus fr. Big-brained). I'm extremely normal about this concept. hrrg. I also like the touch of existential horror at the end there (an implication suiting most Infinity Train scenarios). Great work. The idea of two lifeforms being so absorbed by the need to have sex is so oddly adorable? Especially if one is a passenger and the other is a denizen - can't explain it, it's just weirdly cute.

Why not a bit of both ideas, like I said? If a passenger/Denizen is alone in the car, then copies will be made; if they're with another person, then they'll fuck. The point is, coitus WILL happen. Also, an older Hazel using the car to enact her crushes on the three people who probably informed her sexuality is A+

[writingwithcolor]

Desexualized Mammy & Strong Black Woman, too busy for “frivolous love”

“Alyse” (Anon Submission) asked:

My science fiction story includes a black woman (Talia) who raises two children that aren’t her own and takes on two young adults as apprentices. One of the children she is raises has Arabic background and was taken into her home upon his father’s death (his mother’s whereabouts are unknown). She was a close friend of his father and the closest thing he had to a relative. The second child has mixed French-Latinx background and was taken in after becoming shipwrecked with no means by which to contact her people. Talia was the first non-hostile individual she encountered and one of the few who would so openly embrace a stranger. Since Talia is Master Medic (the highest medical authority in her community) she is training two apprentices (think residency) and eventually mentors the second child as well. She was once married and passionately in love but lost her husband to illness. In this setting, some technology we take for granted is inaccessible and violence against their people is commonplace. Most have experienced sudden loss. This particular loss was the catalyst that drove Talia into medicine- a desire to protect her loved ones and prevent others from experiencing similar tragedy. She is usually kind (though businesslike) but sometimes succumbs to a frigid, furious depression when, despite all her knowledge and determination, she can’t save someone. 

I worry that her maternal association with the two children (one of whom is an outsider) mires her in the mammy trope. On top of that, she hasn’t pursued romance since the death of her husband. I’ve considered giving her a romantic subplot but there are already so many characters to keep track of. Furthermore, I just can’t see her engaging in the frivolous pursuits of new love when she’s dealing with kids, students, and an extremely taxing career. 

In terms of race and culture in this story, practically every character can trace their ancestry back to populations displaced through war. Even Talia’s second child was shipwrecked during a botched evacuation from a military science lab. The people who live here have been isolated for generations and no longer have a real concept of their ancestry. Cultures have blended, new religions have formed, and many of our familiar racial/ethnic issues are forgotten. However, new and different but equally toxic ones have replaced them. In this way, Talia’s blackness doesn’t carry the same associations in her world as it would in ours. However, readers may still make these associations. Do you see any issues with her character that I could amend? 

So! You have:

A highly educated Black-coded woman (the highest medical authority in the community)

She raises two kids alone 

She also looks after two apprentices

She is widowed (not sure the race of the husband, was he Black?)

Having experienced heartbreaking love, Talia's drive to look after, protect and save people through medicine is a great motivation for the way she is. Her experiencing depression and taking losses seriously is also very human and is dynamic characterization. 

However, such characterization with Black women is prone to brush across several tropes. You have a Black woman who gives and protects, but what does she get in return? Who cares for her? 

Prioritize your Black character’s happiness

"I’ve considered giving her a romantic subplot but there are already so many characters to keep track of. Furthermore, I just can’t see her engaging in the frivolous pursuits of new love when she’s dealing with kids, students, and an extremely taxing career." 

Priorities, priorities. Is love a frivolous pursuit in her eyes, or yours? Because I strongly disagree. You probably don't mean to but you, as the author, having an excuse to NOT give the Black woman romance is showing that you do not think she's worth being loved. TV viewers and stans who are uncomfortable when Black women characters have relationships find similar excuses to explain away not wanting BW in relationships.

"She's too strong and independent for a man/relationship" 

"I liked her better alone." 

"It'll take away from her character."

“A romance doesn’t feel right for her”

These sorts of statements above are grounded in racialized misogyny. 

Relationships do not lessen the woman.

Relationships does not lessen Black women. 

Love

Whether that love is romantic, familial, or friendship, it can come in many forms. Give Talia love. Because Black women characters deserve it! Either one or all! 

Let her have a loyal best friend, a cat, and a girlfriend. Because why not? And not to downplay the love of children to parents, but please provide her love beyond what she gets on a maternal level from the children she looks after. 

The stories that Black women are in today severely lack love for us, so why add to the narrative of Black women being all work and no play, and too [insert excuse here] to be loved? 

Of course, you didn't provide all the details from your story, but I'm not seeing much of a balance from the struggle. She is a caretaker, teacher, doctor (or doctor-like figure). 

Her position and background in itself is okay. It's the Strong Black Woman being presented with seemingly no commentary that strikes me. 

Where is her team to help balance the weight of the world? 

Who takes care of her when she's depressed from another loss? 

What does she get in return from taking an emotional and physical toll to heal her community? 

Do those around her recognize all she does for them and offer their friendship? 

When does she get to relax and turn off the need to be everything for everybody?

Fitting love into a book with many characters

There are many books with several characters to keep track of. People tend to manage. Also, I'm sure some of those characters are in and/or out of relationships. Even stories that couldn’t be classified as romances have relationships of some sort. It’s unrealistic to have a ton of characters and none of them be in relationship(s) of some sort. Not when there’s so many forms of it and many sexualities. 

Friends, frenemies, enemies, romance, affairs.. Relationships make stories (and life) interesting. By no means do I think adding these dynamics harm your tale. And what’s one more for a hard-working Black woman who sacrifices a lot and clearly deserves a shoulder to lean on? And, if you use an existing character to be that friend, family, or lover, then you won’t need to pencil in another character.

For romance specifically - I think a misconception when it comes to including romance in stories is that they have to somehow take over the story. Romance does not have to bombard the plot nor be described in lavish detail. Not every story is a romance and those sort of details aren’t everyone’s style or things they’re comfortable with. A sentence or two establishing relationships does not take away from the story.And how those relationships look and affections expressed will vary based on the characters, sexuality, etc.

Not every character needs to have a deep level of detail. 

“Katie and Lisa, a newly engaged couple, walked into the meeting.”

“Jack and Jamie are a married couple in their 40s.” 

“The two met in college. After two months of blissful courtship, they eloped, eager to start their happily ever afters. Twenty years together, they were still blissfully in love and never too far from one another.”

Sentences like the above are enough for some characters. You don’t always need to put in paragraphs worth of relationship-establishing details or plot. 

When it comes to the characters whose love you would like to highlight, at least a bit, you still don’t have to go over the top.

Use subtle details. 

“As soon as Talia’s back was turned, he gave her a longing look before shaking his head and getting back to the patient.”

“He squeezed her hand before taking hold of the stethoscope.”

“She kissed her wife goodbye before racing out the door.”

“You mean the world to me.” he had said, holding her face. Those words stayed with her all day, making her heavy load light as a sack of feathers.

“She soaked his shirt with her tears and he just held her tight, saying nothing, silently holding her together.”

As for Talia specifically…

Talia having the mindset you described, as love being frivolous and not a priority, is understandable knowing her background (I just don't agree with you as the creator using this as a means to keep her alone. Whether she’s romantically alone or without close friendships). She has lost so much, and continues to experience loss with patients. This can be extremely traumatizing. I gave some examples of being subtle, so perhaps that will help with the burden of feeling a thick subplot of romance doesn’t fit in your story. 

And as Talia doesn’t strike me as someone who would go looking for companionship, what if she stumbles upon it without trying? Is there someone on the medical team that can offer her friendship? Someone who admires her and feels the urge to care for her that she feels the same for, or has pushed feelings down for? What happens when she can’t hold those feelings down anymore?

Takeaway

Talia deserves healthy love, even if she doesn’t believe it or feel she has time for it. That love can come in any and many forms, not necessarily romantically required, although it is a plus. A struggle-ridden novel is balanced by love, support and rest for characters that hold the weight of the world. If you do not, evaluate why you want to write Black characters in these struggle roles without at least a social commentary. 

~Mod Colette

[john-laurens]

Is there any record of Henry Laurens’ view/stance on queer people specifically? I know he was pretty religious but of course back then nobody was really accepting as far as today’s standards regardless of religion. Just curious :)

To my recollection, Henry Laurens never outright discussed his views on queer people. A quick skim of The Papers of Henry Laurens also did not produce anything. Keep in mind that the queer culture of the 18th century was different than the world we know today. While most people today have an opinion on queer marriage, gender transition, and other queer topics, these weren't really topics of discussion to the same extent in the 18th century. We can certainly guess at what Henry Laurens's views on two men engaging in a romantic/sexual relationship might have been based on his Christian views, but it's not something that he likely would have ever discussed much outright.

In regards to Henry's view on his son John Laurens likely being what we would consider a gay man - again, there's not much to say. John was not "out," and any of his intimate relationships with men could be dismissed as the typical romantic friendships of the day. The closest thing we have to Henry commenting on this matter is the following quote:

Master Jack is too closely wedded to his studies to think about any of the Miss Nanny’s I would not have such a sound in his Ear, for a Crown; why drive the poor Dog, to what Nature will irresistably prompt him to be plagued with in all probability much too soon. - Henry Laurens to James Grant, in a letter dated October 13, 1767

So Henry seems to have noticed that almost-13-year-old John wasn't interested in girls, but he wasn't very concerned with the matter - he figured such attraction would come about soon enough.

Transitioning from genuine response to borderline crack theory here, I do find it interesting that there are multiple instances of Henry possibly recognizing John's attraction to men and just staying quiet/being mildly supportive about it (if you read way too into it). My points:

1. The above quote about John showing no interest in girls and Henry saying "that's ok, I won't push him into courting any girls."

2. "I purpose [Jack] shall go to Britain & there be first initiated at Winchester which I am told has greatly retrieved its character for Learning & discipline & from thence to such University as my friends who are better Judges than I am shall advise, among whom I am permitted to number Your Excellency & if nothing very cross interposes to hinder, either Jack or I or both will go to Augustine before he goes to England, but the Monkey insists upon being Major of the Clyster pipe." - Henry Laurens to James Grant, in a letter dated November 24, 1770. A clyster pipe was a device used in administering an enema, so this was a reference to John wanting to enter the field of medicine. But, as one might imagine, "clyster pipe" or "clystering" could be used as a sexual reference, particularly in regards to sodomy (Sex and the Eighteenth-Century Man: Massachusetts and the History of Sexuality in America by Thomas Foster includes a couple examples of this). That's probably not the connotation Henry was aiming for here, but also - why did he specifically reference enemas when he could have referred to any medical practice to get the point across? John also often copied his father's letters for writing practice, so imagine his reaction if/when he came across this passage.

3. Henry let John know that Francis Kinloch was going to be around, both in Geneva and at Army headquarters:

From a hint which Waag dropped at Bath tis expected by the freinds of the young Eatonian that he will find a freind in you at Genevé, tho none of 'em have Said a word to me on the Subject. - Henry Laurens to John Laurens, in a letter dated January 14, 1774. Francis Kinloch is the "Eatonian" (he had studied at Eton).

Your friend F. Kinloch will probably salute you in Camp this day sinnight, another friend of yours R. Berresford is in New York. - Henry Laurens to John Laurens, September 17, 1778

4. There is the likelihood that Hamilton sent THE April 1779 letter to John through Henry. Who's to say how much (if any) of the letter Henry actually read, but it's interesting to think that Henry once possessed the gayest letter of the 18th century and just casually sent it along to his son.

[discolesbo]

Reasons why Judar is queer-coded

Alright. I guess this is finally a good time for me to write what I have wanted to for quite a while. Here, I will go through five points as to why a lot of people in the Magi fandom headcanon Judar as gay, bi, or other form of not-straight. It is a very common headcanon, to the point of being quite funny: it is one of the very few things that Tumblr and 4chan seem to agree on to a large part. Compulsory “not everyone, of course” disclaimer here.

I would also like to note that this is not a list of “Judar is canonically gay and here’s the proof”. This is a list of what are the things that have motivated people to headcanon him as queer. One thing to remember is: Judar has never shown canonical romantic or sexual interest in anyone. Not a man, not a woman. That gives us the possibility to inspect the situation from multiple angles.

First, let’s go through the obvious. His appearance. Long hair and jewellery are common for men in Magi, but not even Magi men wear make-up (Fatima doesn’t count, he’s trying to mimic a woman–Madaura–with his look, after all). We also know that Judar’s clothes aren’t exactly the norm in the Magi world either: Yunan specifically points them out, asking Judar if it wasn’t time for him to wear something “less flashy”.

Judar’s appearance has the type of look we could easily call “queer-coded”. It could, however, also be interpreted as “villain-coded”. I’ll explain. In the past, some decades ago, when it wasn’t quite acceptable to portray queer characters on screen, and definitely not heroic queer characters, creators got past this by adding queer-like features on the villains instead. Disney is quite known for this. Ursula was designed after a drag queen. Look at the movements of characters like Scar: they are swaying, maybe somewhat theatrical or feminine; not how good characters like Mufasa move. You can add many other villains in this as well, think about Aladdin’s Jafar, his way of carrying himself, way of speaking, the uh eyeliner. These are features that we might see and immediately recognize: ah, this character is the villain! But the fact is that the source of these villain character design tropes is queerness, and the fact that a villainous role was the only place where queerness was socially accepted to be portrayed.

This brings us to the topic of Japanese-created media. Thanks to works known worldwide, just like Disney movies, these queer-coded tropes have become known all over the world… as villain tropes. It is impossible to say if Judar’s design is supposed to convey the impression that “this character is a villain” and thus be accidental queer-coding. I can’t really think of any other male villain, or male character in Magi in general, having got the same treatment. Therefore, I think it’s also reasonable to ponder what that appearance could message about Judar’s character. Reading it was queer-coding is not unreasonable at all.

Second, we have Judar’s role in the story itself. Judar’s story revolves around multiple characters, but none so striking as his obsessions. There are two characters whom Judar was quite obsessed with in different parts of the story: Sinbad and Hakuryuu. Of course, this is portrayed as interest as King Vessels. Judar has many King Vessels, however, but none of them have caused such obsessiveness level chasing from Judar except for those two. Needless to say, they are male characters. One source for people’s headcanoning him as queer comes from the fact that he spends time chasing after multiple male characters in the story, but never quite expresses same level of interest in any female characters.

Third, and I think this is the most “concrete” as “evidence” goes: Judar simply saying that he’s not interested in a girlfriend as he thinks women are boring. He’s speaking from experience: to Alibaba’s dismay, it turns out Judar was not a rookie on that front and could get anyone in the court he wanted (so spoiled!) This could be read in multiple ways, of course. Maybe he is default straight and just not interested in a relationship. But there are queer readings that could be done to it as well. Maybe he is bi as he has had experience with women too. Maybe he had his experience and didn’t enjoy it, figuring out he’s ace. Or maybe he’s just plain gay, finding out women were boring but maybe men weren’t. (I think the bi one used to be the most common in the fandom for quite a while, once upon a time).

Fourth, we have something that’s been brought up by people for many years: Judar’s character profiles. Here, we are talking about guidebooks and such. As it turns out, Judar is one of the very few characters whose “interest” in others has never been gendered. When male characters are asked for their favourite and least favourite type, they respond with “x kind of woman” and “y kind of woman”. Same thing goes for female characters, describing their favourite or least favourite type of man. Judar is one of the few instances where these are marked with gender neutral language: “strong/weak guys”. Note here the gender neutral “guys” (yatsu). Usually, the characters have at least one category marked with a specific gender, while for Judar, both are gender neutral. While not the only time this happens in the profiles, it is one of the few.

And finally, we get to the best part, that is, historical-cultural analysis. As we all know, Judar is from the Kou Empire. And the Kou Empire is based on ancient China. It is very clear that the mangaka did a lot of research about ancient China for different cultural, clothing, etc references. Judar is also a big fan of peaches. We see him eat them on panel and talk about them. It is way more references than we ever get to any other character’s favourite food. Even in Judar’s first introduction with a name, he is biting into a peach. There are also half-eaten peaches around him.

Do you know what “bitten peach” or “halved peach” is a term for in ancient Chinese literature? Male homosexual relations.

Alone, none of these points would really mean anything. However, when put together, they do, in my opinion, form a basis for a valid queer reading for the character for anyone who wishes to do so. It almost makes me question could all of it really have been a coincidence on Ohtaka’s part. Speaking of which.

I know a typical reaction to theories like this is “Japan is different. They don’t think about these things in Japan” which I can easily prove false in Magi’s case. Not only do we have both gags and traumatic situations in the story acknowledging the existence of same-sex relations (think of the scene of Sinbad and Mystras going to a brothel in Artemyra for the gag part). But in addition to those, the mangaka quite literally posted a comic on her blog of Pisti and Sharrkan taking Spartos to meet the trans community of Sindria (whom, as it turns out, Aladdin had met as well). In light of these, I don’t think it’s reasonable to claim that “the mangaka is Japanese so she knows nothing about any western LGBTs!”

And there is my list of reasons why a lot of people in the fandom tend to headcanon Judar as queer based on the arguments I’ve seen from people over the years. It extends way further than “I ship him with a male character, therefore”. I’d also like to mention that straight is not the default setting of characters or people. Judar is not any more proven in canon to be straight than he is proven to be any other sexuality.

[studentinpursuitofclouds]

hey, I was thinking about what you said of Isaac becoming a marriage candidate and how we may end up simping for him, so do you have any Isaac headcanons?

*rubbing hands in anticipation* yessssss!

Yeah, Flash has confirmed that Isaac and Alesia will be the marriage candidates in 2.0, and I'm pretty sure we'll fall in love with them as quickly as we did with Lance (even if they're not your type of spouse, they'll still be very interesting characters). Anyway...😃 here's some random headcanons about our fellow adventurer bitch Isaac.

⚔️Random SVE Isaac headcanon:⚔️

Isaac is a very strict and disciplined adventurer with vast experience in battles under his belt. Honor for him is not an empty word, but he has his own concept of honor. After all, young people very often confuse honor with pride.

I don't think he's that much of an asshole. Sure, a little bitchy, but not completely a bitch. He just saw too many self-confident young adventurers in his life who either died in the first battle or simply ran away from battle.

And maybe that's why he treats the Farmer like that: because he considers them the same. But they are still alive, and still fighting dangerous monsters, so now Isaac will treat them a little tolerantly. This, of course, is not friendship, but it's at least better than nothing.

Since they're still on their feet and managing to keep the world safe from the monsters (and somehow manage to run the huge farm, how the fuck), he can offer some survival advice. Pretty harsh advice, but the world is also a harsh place.

Definitely followed in the footsteps of his father/mother, who, I think, were also adventurers who died defending the village.

He will never allow himself to drink on duty, but in his free time he does not mind drinking mead or beer, mostly alone.

Got a scar on the first encounter with the corrupt serpent. Not very pleasant experience. And don’t ask him about the scar: if Isaac wants to, he will tell, in another case - fuck off, it’s none of your business.

Deeply respects Marlon. Considering that Marlon actively helped Castle Village in the battles with monsters in his youth, and still helps, Isaac shows his respect to Marlon, when he helps to clear the mines from monsters in Stardew Valley, with or without Alesia. Even if it's not an independent impulse, but an order from Camilla who sends support to Marlon and Magnus, I still believe that Isaac respects Marlon as an old, honored warrior.

Alesia is the only adventurer with whom Isaac gets along pretty well or even befriends. He considers her a brave warrior and a skilled strategist who effectively controls the setting and leads the defense of Castle Village. Even if they're not friends, Isaac definitely respects her.

Maybe he even have romantic feelings for her? If you're the idiot who says this out loud, Isaac will NOT like it, believe me, and I advise you to sleep with your eyes open from now on.

Also deeply believes in Yoba, as does Alesia

He has a pretty good collection of melee weapons in his house/guild room. For the most part, he prefers swords. And if you're really lucky, Isaac might even tell a story about where he got that sword. Don't count on a long story though, he is a man of few words.

For some reason, I think that Isaac will write at least one book about survival in the Crimson Baldlans, or will keep a bestiary with detailed descriptions of various monsters and creatures.

Despite the fact that our lone wolf uses magical weapons and items, Isaac does not trust wizards. Maybe because of the witch of the Castle Village, Camilla, who is rather flippant about everything, or maybe because of the arrogant nature of some of the mages he worked with. In any case, he doesn't trust them (he won't say it out loud, of course).

To me, Isaac seems like a tragic character: a warrior who defends his home and guild, while not striving to make new friends, because deep down he is afraid to relive the loss of a close friend/comrade. Isaac knows from bitter experience that few adventurers die peacefully in their bed. And he knows that such a fate is prepared for him, when he took an oath to protect people, his home and observe the traditions of his guild.

plz don't throw tomatoes at me if there are grammatical errors, I was writing a headcanon at 2am I didn't expect the headcanon to be a bit sad, but that's how I see Isaac. I wonder how his character will be revealed in the 2.0 update. Well, hope you enjoy the headcanon, thanks for asking😊

[samisadeangirl]

Agree with the points raised in the above comments. First and foremost, Castiel is NOT a main character, period. He appeared in <50% of the overall episodes and <25% of the screen time (55% and 28% respectively if counting from S4 onward), was never the protagonist in a main story line, and was regularly missing from multiple episodes at a time (including most of the season for S7 and S11) with no effect on the plot. Cas was at best a major secondary/recurring character and therefore doesn't count for this poll.

Second, even IF we dubiously included Castiel as a protagonist, it's highly debatable that he's queer. It can be argued that angels in general are asexual, non-binary, and/or genderfluid, but that's trying to apply human terms to completely alien beings, since angels are immense wavelengths of celestial intent that have neither gender nor sexuality. Castiel in particular never showed sexual attraction or romantic interest to anyone (except MEG) other than when he'd lost his grace or memories (i.e. wasn't an angel), and in those instances it was only to women or beings in female vessels. The so-called "confession" in 15.18 Despair should be considered platonic since not only did Cas NOT say "I'm in love with you," but also his speech only referenced familial and altruistic love, he'd previously said "I love you" in a clearly familial fashion to Dean (and Sam and Mary) back in S12, and none of his canon interactions with Dean in his entire 12 seasons had been romantic ("interpretation" of supposed "subtext" with shipping goggles on too tight doesn't count). Not to mention that this scene had been orchestrated to allow Misha to pander to and milk his gullible fans, given that Stands (which he owns) started offering "gay angel" merchandise within hours of the episode airing.

Last but certainly not least, neither Sam nor Dean--the actual main characters--are canonically queer. Both have only been shown having romantic or sexual interactions with women, and Dean explicitly stated multiple times that he's only into women/not interested in men. As above, "interpretation" of supposed "subtext" doesn't count, both because 1) that's not how subtext works in show business--subtext is meant to support the main narrative and is obvious enough for the general audience to figure out, NOT to try to tell a completely different story from the main narrative and be so "subtle" that only a small number of obsessed shippers can see it, and 2) SPN has always been blatantly obvious in revealing the sexuality of other queer characters, all of whom either outright stated it or did clearly romantic/sexual actions with someone of the appropriate gender, so it doesn't make sense that TPTB would rely solely on "subtext" to reveal that either Sam or Dean is queer.

Again, fans are welcome to have headcanons regarding characters' sexual orientation (or anything else), but in the actual canon, there is only one answer--SPN does not have any queer protagonists/main characters.

This year, I’m trying to keep track of how many shows I watch where one of the main characters is explicitly LGBT and I’m divided on whether Supernatural should count.

Question: Should Supernatural count as a show with at least one explicitly queer protagonist?

Possible poll options:

- No. I don’t think there’s anything LGBT about Supernatural. (Insane answer)

- No. Even though Cas admits he loves Dean, it’s only in his last episode, and therefore Cas doesn’t count as explicitly queer most of the show, so the show shouldn’t count.

- Yes. Because coming out of the closet doesn’t mean you were straight before, Cas has always been queer, and therefore Supernatural has always (since s4) had queer rep.

- Yes. Throughout the show I considered one or more of the main characters as explicitly queer.

hey anon! just ran a similar poll here that you might be interested in, but i will make this one as well. only including the options anon suggested, but as always feel free to add nuance in the tags :)

[asavt]

Another cookie squad Headcanons

Featuring Sparkling, Vampire, cellphones and the Espresso and Madeleine Story of how they came together. Consider it an AU now baby!

-As a note, when I say the squad I'm mostly referring to the adults, so no worries about Walnut or Creampuff useless I mention them too

-Each one of the squad has been in Sparkling's bar at last once. There's no need to say who has been there the most. Sparkling has a time every time someone besides Roguefort comes, because to him it's mostly like "Oh I'll finally know the continuation to the burnt toast accident or maybe the cat catastrophe? Maybe a new POV of the--"

He practically knows a lot of what happens in between the squad.

-As another note, Sparkling's bar is called Milabo (You know, like the song from Zutomayo of the same name, which, btw, I relate a lot to Latte)

-*A great part of this “AU” is kind of inspired by the song. Part of its lyrics and vibe.

-Vampire is there most of the time when the squad visits the bar (it's almost as if he never leaves the bar and this is definitely not me low-key putting sparkvamp in this oh no--) Sometimes the fakes his sleep to listen to the things others say (Which is how he knows most of Rogue's pan-ic).

-Walnut has been in Sparkling's bar too, but at day and for case-solving purposes only. Sparkling will give her some alcohol-free drink for free sometimes (mostly because he gets along pretty well with the nut family and because Almond usually pays him whatever he serves her).

-If the squad had cellphones (and probably an app like discord because.), their group chat would initially be called "Coffee mage appreciation group" and then be changed to "Coffee bean appreciation group"

Coffee Bean: Can we please change the group name and mine?

Guided by the Devine: No <3

Coffee Bean: Fuck you.

-*And they all would dedicate half their time to make fun of Almond but with love.

-Espresso has been mistaken for a dark mage before by Almond. It was how they meet actually. Almond had pulled him to interrogate him and got a long lecture on the differences between black magic and coffee magic.

-Madeleine gets along rather well with Roguefort. Rogue seems impressed by Maddie’s acting skills.

-Madeleine is currently living with Espresso. Out of his armor most of the time. He usually takes care of keeping the house clean and preparing meals (He never really had to cook before but the first dish he made wasn’t bad at all). Sometimes he will tag along Almond in the detective’s work, or Almond will ask for his help.

-I’m still unsure if I want the Almond/Roguefort/Latte to be romantic or platonic. But honestly? Both are good. Latte is pretty close to Almond and Roguefort but not in the way she is with Espresso (that makes them look like siblings jkashduawhu). Perhaps I’ll keep it platonic.

-The Espresseleine/Madespresso story of how they came together, because I seem to not be able to write it down JSHALDHUIWADWA-

--It happens after the Puppet Show mini quest. Madeleine starts to ask for Espresso's "assistance" in different mission that are given to him. Angel is there too, of course.

--During these missions is that Essy clarifies that no, they are not friends, no, he does not like Madeleine. Bringing up the knight begin too prideful and self-centered if not all then most of the time.

--Is not until one of their missions goes wrong, were Angel is knocked out and Espresso (seeing and knowing that if Madeleine is knocked down too they might not be able to go back to the kingdom ever) pretty much receives a rather big attack for Madeleine is that he kind realizes the facts given by espresso true. All while he is carrying Essy and Angel back to the kingdom, running and exhausted too.

--Clover begin kind of a mediator between the two (I want to see more of my son--)

--"Devine, protect us" Should happen too after this. An scenario like, Madeleine coming to think something like "I'm the shield, the one who goes on the front line and receives the blows for those who can't, always looking straight ahead... but if I am doing that then who watches my back? Who do I rely on and trust to take care of most enemies so the damage received is not overwhelming...?"

Power of team work baby!!!

--As a note to this, Maddie getting his cape damaged as well as his hair. So, you get short hair Maddie~

(I've been drawing him with short hair in secret now I have an excuse to show)

-- "You...cut your hair..." *Madeleine touches the points of it with one of his hands, pensive* "...pft it'll grow back!"

--There's also this "Search for your own light" thing between Angel and Maddie. Angel encouraging Madeleine to do so. Maybe Madeleine giving his best wishes to them for their wish to fly before they decide to part ways.

--Madeleine trying other ways to befriend Essy. Which at first Espresso mistaken as the knight usual attempts to befriend anyone he sees out of habit and attention seeking, but once they realize the feeling is completely genuine, Espresso is rather perplexed.

--"You can't just befriend people by buying them gifts (although I do appreciate them)" "Then what?" "hmm..."

--Said gifts used to be rather expensive things, simple though. Eventually Madeleine settles to just pass by Espresso's place, give him any food he had bought that day (which usually is glazed donuts), ask if he needs any help with something (getting a vase, materials, moving things), and if not then he just says his good byes, best wishes and silently leaves. (A note on the "silently leaves": Madeleine is pretty much used to speak loudly and enter loudly anywhere, he still does this at this point, but when it's about Espresso he is a bit more quiet, a bit showy over his entrances still, but less loud, and he actually knocks the door)

--Madeleine eventually manages to go out with Espresso to other places that aren't some place in the forest full of enemies. Probably after some more visits to his place and more calm talks between the two, Madeleine brings up that Espresso tends to act a bit cold or distant towards a lot of people, and that, although he understands his discomfort at begin in public spaces or too long out of his work, he should try and open up a bit. This reminds Essy of a certain friend he hasn't seen in some time, and from whom he keeps getting letters.

--Shenanigans.

--There's still some bickering between the two, always with a playful undertone though.

--Espresso explains Madeleine, one time the knight has gotten Espresso wrapped in a blanket burrito again and got him to bed, that sometimes, no matter how tired he might feel, he is simply unable to sleep. Part of a headcanon of mine that coffee magic has this side effect on it's users, prolonged usage of this kind of magic will induce a high caffeine kind of state, which on the long run can fuck up the user's sleep schedule. Madeleine understands this, but remains stubborn about keeping Espresso in the bed so at last he can get some rest from his work and clear his mind a little, the idiot falls asleep in the process and Espresso doesn't try to wake him up.

--This happens several times after, neither of them thinking of the implications of not begin bothered by the sudden closeness they share until it's too late.

--Espresso realizes first that he has slowly, yet nicely, fallen for Madeleine. I think I talked about this before but I'll do it again: Is in one of the times Madeleine has gotten Espresso to bed to get some rest, Espresso not begin able to fall asleep and Madeleine doing again. Is while he thinks of how he has gotten to know Madeleine for real, not the Knight Commander from a noble family or the Chosen by the Devine, but as he is, that he comes to think that "Ah.... I love him" and he remains calm about it.

--Espresso doesn't overthink it, just thinks that, if Madeleine ever got an interest in him, he would surely show it. So he waits. Even if in the end his feelings aren't mutual he knows he'll do just fine remaining friends.

--Madeleine realizes not many days after. And the realization hits him like a truck. Alone in his place and probably in bed looking at the ceiling thinking about Espresso. Once he realizes and thinks about it a bit more his face gets all red and chooses to scream in the pillow.

--He would think about telling Espresso as soon as he can, after all, he doesn't want his feelings to make their friendship weird. He values it, a lot. Maybe because his friendship with Espresso it's the first one where he genuinely wanted to become friends with someone.

--Espresso takes the confession calmly, gets all flustered after they kiss for the first time.

--As a few extras of this: Madeleine goes back to the Republic, asked to be seen by his family and Espresso goes to Parfedia, where a few students have applied to his class to his surprise. When they see each other again is at Parfedia (Madeleine sending a message to Espresso beforehand about his arrival) -there was this one drawing I did once of Maddie running to hug Espresso, something like that happens-. Madeleine gets very clingy for some reason, which they speak later and comes out as “Home doesn’t quite feel like home…” “Why is that?” “I don’t know… maybe I’ve become used to be around you”

--Espresso lets ends up letting Madeleine stay with him until he either feels like returning to the Republic or is called back, whatever happens first (though none will happen for maybe a year or a little more).

--Ends with Madeleine meeting Latte and Almond.