#not a lack of chemistry/compatibility
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saucerfulofsins · 29 days ago
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the issue for me though is they haven't shown any obvious hints that there's any pining between Buck and Eddie. The way they've positioned Buck and the other guy, it's more likely that they get into some bumps and breakup or something, which will allow the writers to do a "will they won't they" plot for BT...
This ask is from yesterday about this post on will they/won't they.
Anyway. I don't think Buck and Eddie's relationship is about pining at this point. At least, not in the traditional sense. They're both kind of past that and not yet there? As in: they fill a lot of partner-shaped spaces in each others lives. Simultaneously, they're both not yet aware of or suppressing romantic feelings. I get what you're saying re: Buddie btw, but I just don't think Buddie is that kind of story/will they/won't they? Not after 6+ seasons being the way they are.
As for BT, ngl, your suggestion baffles me. I don't see the chemistry. The show doesn't show them as romantic (i.e. if it had been Chimney or Eddie in Tommy's place, I'd have bought them being a good friend). They aren't physically affectionate. They don't talk much. When they do talk, Tommy is dismissive or, if you're pro-Tommy, sarcastic. Irrespective of your personal interpretation, Buck looks unhappy when Tommy (and last ep, Eddie) acts that way.
If BT were meant to be a will they/won't they during a break, I'd expect more physical/romantic affect between them right now. Instead, they are giving me "two guys hanging out." Frankly, Eddie and Tommy have more chemistry than Buck and Tommy; the scenes with Eddie there make Tommy more bearable.
On top of that, Tommy has been reduced to a LI similar to Marisol. Ignoring S2 for a second (the GA won't remember/the show is insistent on ignoring his characterization)... Tommy's S7 introduction was as cool pilot, and from 7x05 on, he hasn't been. The closest we got was him referencing his shifts, and those are always explanations for why he shows up late.
The way I see it, Tommy and Buck are set up to be incompatible - they lack chemistry, affect, and the ability to talk; incompatibility like that can't be fixed during a breakup (possibly partially tied to LFJ's acting style). I also sincerely doubt the GA really cares for Tommy, because there's no personality/substance there (which we know the show's writers can and do effectively write into far fewer scenes than Tommy's had). Again, the better chemistry is between Tommy and Eddie, because they're more similar (which brings me to Buck yearning for Eddie but applying it to Tommy).
So yeah, feel free to explain what about BT makes you think they're going to last or make for an interesting will they/won't they... because to me he's just another LI that's going to exit the show in a couple of eps.
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littlestarprincess · 3 months ago
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Trying to finish the book before going into the tags but Marius is so dumb and the Cobra is so smart and I feel bad for them both but it's so funny.
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Me reading a cool new novel: hah wow this is cool it has a neat premise and a promising plot line let’s see our protagonist level up and learn how to use his new power in interesting and cool ways—
*MC meets a beautiful powerful girl and defeats her
*MC meets a beautiful powerful girl and impresses her
*MC meets a beautiful powerful girl and rescues her
*MC meets a beautiful powerful girl and defeats her PT 2
Me: Ah nvm it’s a harem novel god damn it
#it was cool at first but now I’m grinding my teeth like wtf#I was okay with it at first bc like. he defeats the beautiful cold hearted prodigy by a hairs breadth and we get this sad backstory for her#which could be better’d by the MC who doesn’t fear her and can teach her how to socialize and become a brighter happier person through their#developing friendship and potentially romantic relationship and it could have led to character development for both of them as they struggle#through the feeling of being cast aside as an ‘other’ by society and learning how to stumble through a relationship that involves#communication and admittance and honesty#something our MC and FL can’t get through their mentors#instead we get her genuine attempts at becoming friends being brushed off by him who assumes she’s going to eventually want a romantic#relationship by the end of it and ARGHHXHHD she’s a shy person!! she’s trying her best!!! you asshole!!!! and then the author has the#AUDACITY#to make her continue yearning after this guy who doesn’t give 2 shits about her and she’s only used as a support character for the#ensuing battle and then he promptly leaves her behind for his own adventure#and don’t even get me STARTED on the lack of compatibility with the other women in this story#they aren’t even being used as potential love interests they’re just there so the author can say he added strong female characters and then#IMMEDIATELY turns around and makes them fawn over this 19 yr guy who cAn pRoTeCt ThEM AnD HEs sO cOoL FUCK#I was holding out but now he just annoys me dude this is why I don’t like reading male lead perspectives if there’s a DROP of romance#it ruins it! romance is dead no one knows what chemistry is they only want to be fawned over by women to stroke their egos#not a reblog
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kairos-polaris · 11 months ago
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the pain of hating a ship and not understanding why 😭
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pendarling · 5 months ago
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What Ruins Romance Between Characters
Also keep in mind I’m not a professional writer. This is just a list of things I think absolutely destroys chemistry
Lack of Communication & Proximity: It should be a no-brainer that the two characters in love would also want to be together as much as possible. However, for some authors, what they don't do is just that. Automatically, these characters become more like strangers than people that are dating/married/pining for each other. If you want to build romance start with them actually talking and putting them in situations that demand them to work as partners.
No Show of Physical or Verbal Affection: Another no-brainer. How're you going to want your reader to love them if they don't show it? Even enemies-to-lovers will always figure out a way to make a scene more tense and filled with desire as long as your characters are giving us hints that they want something more than just what they currently are.
One-Sided Pining: Do not have one character doing all the romantic gestures! Readers will think the receiver of the affection is undeserving of their partner. I can assure you, nobody wants to see only one person doing all the heavy-lifting in the relationship. It's boring, sad, and will likely make readers want that character to leave the relationship asap.
Wildly Different Perspectives/Nothing in Common: You're bound for writing a breakup if this is the situation of your characters throughout the entirety of the story. Unless they slowly come to understand one another and meet in the middle, this romance will fail.
Arguing More Than Loving: If your characters are constantly arguing with no intentions to stop it, they are no longer compatible for each other. You are writing a toxic couple that hate one another and forcing them together is unlikely to make the average reader want to continue any further. I've seen some writers do an excellent job of a couple arguing but always trying to be better for their significant other. If you want them to argue solely because this is enemies-to-lovers, some time soon they're going to want to stop being an asshole to the person they like.
Better Romance With Other Characters: If Character A is supposed to be with Character B, but Character C is becoming the ideal, then I'm afraid to tell you the romance will not work between A and B. To avoid this, make them communicate less, have less in common, spend less time together and give more attention to Character B. Take away the roles that make Character C more compatible and give it to B. This doesn't mean you should completely change C, it just means you need to do everything you can to put the focus back on B, and if that's too much then consider ending whatever B and A have.
Too Slow/Fast to Fall in Love: Characters that take 20 seasons and 3 movies to confess is insanely slow. We are starving for the romance that was promised in the story, eventually readers will stop reading because that is not being satisfied. Pacing is incredibly important and you need to take into account the behaviours Character A will have with Character B. Also, don't make them instantly fall in love, I feel everyone in the writers and readers community know this very well. That's not how people work, you actually have to try to know each other first.
Only Together for Sexual Gratification: I don't even have to do a lot of speaking for this. Unless the characters become part of each other's lives outside of the bedroom then the chemistry does not exist.
Lack of Trust/Keeping Secrets: There has to be someone that knows their partner more than anyone else. Keeping secrets will show the readers that Character A does not love their partner enough to trust them with important information. It's fine if they're keeping a few secrets maybe-- major ones-- to protect Character B, but constantly lying and being unwilling to share is the beginning of what we call "falling out of love." Even worse is if Character A went ahead and shared their deepest insecurities with Character C.
Priority is Not The Significant Other/No Sacrifices: All relationships have done something that must be done in order to make the relationship work. If Character A will not give up something that they know upsets their partner/crush then they are not ready to be with someone. In order to love someone you must devote time and have interest in them. If your character chose some external desire over Character B, then this will not work. Their greatest desire should be Character B.
Unrealistic Standards & Expectations: We can't have characters choosing each other for surface-level wants to be satisfied. Readers will end up seeing characters changing their entire personality for their partner and their entire body to fit an image they were not made for. If your readers know Character B very well and it's that Character B would never turn away a friend for example, and suddenly they cut ties with all their friends because Character A doesn't like them, then I'm sorry but this is toxic. You can't change someone's characteristics in the middle of the story to help Character A.
No Conflict: What relationship is truly perfect? There will be arguments and setbacks that need to be explored. This is a fun way at having a deeper level of understanding on why your characters are having a conflict of interest. It's quite stale when everything is happy-go-lucky with no issues, you don't need to make them breakup or anything just a simple disagreement can show a ton for readers on the complexities of Character A and B as people who operate differently together.
Underdeveloped Character with No Goals: Some shows I've watched put time and effort in flushing out one character and completely forget about their life-long partner. Uhm, hello? What's going on?? If you write Character A with their entire lore and family tree or whatnot and then-- oh side note, they also really love Character B-- excuse me, who's Character B? Give us some sign that Character B is capable of thoughts and has dreams of their own. Do not make it revolve around Character A either.
Couple Do Not Interact with Anyone Aside From Each Other/No World Building: Similar to the point above, if these characters only know and see each other, you will lose readers. We are sick and tired of stories where the overarching story has been reduced to two people. If the story is about them, then introduce us to their lives outside of their partner. Can they operate as a functioning creature with thoughts without their partner? Do they have friends and family? Do they go to work and school? Are there fears they have? There's tons of material to choose from, pick anything.
Too Much Interference: Although it's fun to watch two characters do anything to get closer to each other it can become annoying when there's simply way too many characters and situations that separate them. We want all that hard work to be rewarded to Character A when they finally get what they want, Character B. Even a little bit of talking alone, being alone, finally away from the chaotic world is more than enough. Let your characters be alone.
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~~~ MASTERLIST
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astrotruther · 5 months ago
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Astro Observations
relationships (i)
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📍For compatibility, it's important to factor in both composite and synastry chart. I've seen couples who have the spiciest synastry but they seem to have no chemistry/tension while in each other's presence due to the composite being bland. Not even kidding, a composite lacking fire & water placements can even make venus conjunct mars look like siblings.
📍Celebrity couples who seem to have a PR relationship could have Capricorn/Aquarius stellium in composite chart (Cap/10H = public image , Aqua/11H = social media/the internet).
📍Gemini-Aquarius Venus compatibility is overhyped. Gemini being a mutable sign needs a lot of conversation on a regular basis. Aquarius being a fixed sign needs regular periods of solitude. Something that may really irk Aqua Venus is Gemini Venus' habit of sweeping issues under the rug. They'll spend all day talking about a rock band they recently discovered but at the mere mention of actual relationship issues, they either become avoidant or take it as a personal attack (when underdeveloped, of course).
📍People often forget that Venus when taken out of context can be quite a superficial planet. It doesn't fully explain the person's love style. For example, Pisces Venuses can get over relationships and move on to their next conquests quite quickly. One thing I often see with this placement is that they don't understand the concept of emotional fidelity. They could openly flirt with their ex; when confronted they'd play victim and by the end of the day you'll find yourself comforting them as they cry over their past relationships (when underdeveloped, of course). I don't think they're malicious though. Neptune's influence brings a bit of delusion so they ARE being truthful, it's just that THEIR truth is a bit deluded.
📍Water Venuses can be serial daters. When paired with a Fire or Plutonian Moon, they may cope by getting external validation from a lover. What they need the most is to spend some time in solitude analyzing past relationships. Get to know themselves better and they'll be able to spot the red flags much earlier in relationships💙.
📍Mars can be as important in relationships as Venus especially when they're aspected within the Natal Chart. For instance, a Water Venus with an Air Mars could make someone a bit of a player, or a stereotypically detached sign (like Aquarius) in Venus paired with a Libra Mars could make someone very commitment-oriented and not interested in flings at all.
📍Cardinal signs in Venus/Mars are commitment-minded. Mutable signs either have a fear of commitment or they like to really play the field before settling down. Fixed signs will either have only serious relationships or have only brief flings. There's no in between. The point is they stick to their beliefs and, are stubborn about them.
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sk-lumen · 1 year ago
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Date by honoring your nervous system.
This took me a long while to realize, but once I did, it changed how I see dating and chemistry. Let me explain.
When you realize that chemistry and flying sparks have zero correlation with compatibility, you've leveled up your dating mindset.
Most often those sparks and butterflies you feel, that's your subconscious picking up on familiar toxic patterns in the other person. Patterns which remind you of past experiences or even childhood trauma. Our brains are designed to see familiarity as safe, so when toxic dynamics are all you know, this can turn against you. You have to conscious rewire your brain, and be intentional and aware of how they make you feel.
Toxicity = familiar = safe = we interpret it as attraction. If they make your nervous system go haywire, we see this as chemistry and sparks flying, but it is actually alarm bells going off to signal we are not safe.
Healthy = unfamiliar = can feel unsafe and scary. We may interpret a vanilla, calm, comfortable interaction as a lack of chemistry. But there is a difference between no physical attraction, and being attracted to someone but not feeling any sparks. The latter is normal in the beginning. If your nervous system feels calm, they make you feel comfortable and at ease, that's a good sign!
So if there's any advice I would give to my younger self, it's this: date based on how he makes your nervous system feel. Does he make you feel safe, comfortable, at ease? That's the green flag to go for.
-Lumen
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botanicalsword · 6 months ago
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Synastry vs Composite ✧ Summary
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Synastry chart analyzes the relationship dynamics between the two. It reflects the overall feel and interaction state of the relationship - evaluates the initial attraction/conflicts
✧ From the early stages of relationships ✧
Highlights:
the issues that two people bring into the relationship
their interaction and chemistry with each other
reveal areas of harmony and conflict.
the most informative chart
may occur automatically without extra effort
the impact of one on the other's career, financial situation, and emotions
A harmonious synastry chart indicates:
Strong mutual attractions and chemistry, are shown by harmonious aspects (e.g. conjunctions, trines, sextiles) between personal planets like the Sun, Moon, Venus, and Mars. This suggests the two personas will have an easy, flowing rapport.
Stable and energetic connections, where planets form stable, long-lasting aspects (not just volatile conjunctions). This helps the relationship maintain intimacy even after the initial infatuation phase.
Conversely, a "challenging" synastry chart suggests:
Lack of compatibility or chemistry, with discordant aspects (squares, oppositions) between personal planets. This foreshadows potential friction and struggles in the partnership.
Absence of planetary aspects or challenging aspects between planets - This can cause the connections to become cold and emotionally detached after the honeymoon stage.
The synastry chart provides important clues about the long-term potential and effort required to sustain the relationship.
Composite chart provides deeper insights into the long-term potential of a relationship between two people. It reveals whether the couple can confront challenges together.
✧ For public relationships, long-term relationships, or marriage ✧
Highlights:
how the long-term energy between two is perceived by others
the compatibility of your relationship in the eyes of others
how they compromise
how the energy combination is presented
specific nature of the relationship
possible obstacles and contradictions that may arise
the expectations, goals, and purpose of the relationship
Examine how this relationship is perceived by outsiders: 
It serves as a mirror reflecting how others see you both. 
The interactions between important placements in the composite chart, especially challenging aspects, can indicate if the partners can truly support each other and overcome difficulties together.
If the composite chart has severely challenging aspects, the relationship may struggle to be stable and lasting, even if the couple gets married. This suggests it is a karmic lesson rather than a connection built from a foundation of mutual affection and trust.
In summary, the compatibility chart reveals the initial feelings, while the composite chart determines if the two people can face adversity together and have a lasting relationship. These astrological tools offer valuable perspectives for various relationships, not just romantic ones.
✧ Evaluating astrological compatibility is helpful for both partners to understand each other better and prepare accordingly. Let me know if you have any other questions about relationship astrology or need guidance on love, career, finances, or life challenges.
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✧ More articles for Compatibility chart
❥ Synastry Chart
How they view you in this relationship • Synastry ✧ Part I (extended)
How they view you in this relationship • Synastry ✧ Part II (extended)
Aspects in Synastry Chart • Short notes
Who feels more / Synastry explanation
House synastry observations
Long term relationship
Slow-burn love (Synastry / Composite)
Choosing partner based on House Synastry
3rd House synastry
5th House shows your crushes & love adventures
8th House Masterlist
Mars-Sun synastry • Mars-Venus synastry • Mars-Pluto synastry • Mars in Houses Synastry
Vertex in Synastry
❥ Composite Chart / Davison Chart
Venus in 11H • 11th house stellium (Composite)
Indicators for Unbreakable bonding
Davison Chart • will there be reconciliation?
❥ Extensive reading on Patreon
Karmic relationship : 8th & 12th House Synastry
Characteristics : 8th & 12th House Synastry
8th House Synastry ✧ Depth . Intensity
8th House Synastry ✧ Who is more influenced 
Aspects in Synastry Chart
Synastry Chart • from their perspective 
A Note • to Venus / Pluto Aspect
Theme of relationship •  vibes check on aspects • Part 1
Theme of relationship •  vibes check on aspects • Part 2
 Axis & Angles  ✧  ASC ☽ DSC  •  IC ☽ MC
Observations on Composite Chart and Davison Chart
 Challenges in the connection • Davison Chart
 Dynamics and challenges ♡ Composite Chart
 Crack the code ♡ Relationship compatibility
❥ ❥ ❥ ❥
>> Back to Masterlist ✧ Explicit Content ✧ Book a Reading
Exclusive access : Patreon
/ instagram : @le.sinex / @botanicalsword
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imbecominggayer · 2 months ago
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How To Write Romantic Relationships [MASTERPOST]
How do you balance between having emotional and meaningful without also having sappy and cliche?
How do you organically incorperate romance to the plot without having too force it in?
Don't fret my romantically inexperienced little writer! I'm here to help!
A) Make It Meaningful
Look, you can put in all the effort and still have readers not give a f$ck about the romance.
Why is there romance? Is it to create conflict? Illustrate a character's flaws? Is it a fun dynamic?
Make characters individually interesting. Your readers should understand why a character has fallen in love or you will have a riot on your hand! Remember when your favorite character fell in love with the equivalent of cardboard? Not fun. Remember: FLAWS!
The characters should be physically attracted to each other. It's pretty awkward having a romance where one character is just supressing disgust for the other.
The characters should feel emotionally connected.
Unless this is the main focus of the relationship, the characters should share core, fundamental beliefs. They can express these beliefs in different ways but it's awkward trying to ship pacifist x murderer.
Characters either need to share the same level of critical thinking ability or be willing to fall in love with an idiot. By the way, you don't love idiot x smart, you love emotional x stoic, reckless x reserved, or emotionally intelligent x logical.
B) The Meet-Cute Or Meet-Hideous
Now you might be saying, "but my dynamic is "friends/enemies to lovers"! Not strangers to lovers"!
Cool. You still have to understand how they met initially whether that was 5 minutes ago, 5 months ago, or 5 years ago. How two or more characters meet can influence first impressions, expectations for the relationship, and what these characters know about each other.
If two people met with A thinking B is an angel and B thinking A is the most boring person alive, that's a meeting that's definitely going to influence each other's expectations for their relationships and for each other.
Then, if you are writing a couple who met before the beginnings of this story, you also need to investigate their "re-meeting". This re-meeting demonstrates how the relationship is between characters.
Is there tension? Are they breaking apart? Are they meeting after a period seperated?
For strangers to lovers, where characters meet in canon and not pre-canon, a writer needs to focus on the meeting.
What are their first impressions? What is the environment around them? How is everyone feeling? What's the initial dynamic?
Common Pitfalls:
Love at First Sight. Unless you have a story where you are switching between the love interest's perspective, then the only way the audience is going to fall in love with this character is through the protag. And while the protag can fall in love at the blink of an eye, the reader can't. If your audience isn't invested in the characters, that's a problem.
Boring Meeting. Unless the entire point of the meeting is that it's mundane, try to give the meeting significiance.
Lack Of Characterization. Writers often copy the standard rom-com meeting but it does a disservice to your characters. Distrusting characters won't fall in love immediately. Reserved characters won't leave their routine for anyone. Let the meeting be guided by the characters.
C) Romantic Chemistry
In order to make a couple romantically compatible, their traits need to complement each others.
Readers tend to implicitly see the potential two characters could have if they just got together. Having two characters with opposing but balancing characteristics could satisfy this thirst.
Readers understand that a character battling depression is more likely to thrive with someone who provides benefits in relation to the depression whether it's compassion, open-mindedness, or perceptiveness.
D) Conflict
All relationships need conflict! This type of conflict tends to be man vs self, man vs man, or man vs society
Characters are either struggling with their own characters flaws, the external threat of another character, or the interference of society.
Common Pitfalls:
Lack Of Themes. Let the themes you are working with inspire what type of conflict impact the relationship. Don't throw in a plot twist or an inorganic cliche.
Lack Of Grounding. Authors can be so focused on the spectacle of a grand fight that they can loose their characters and the grounded experience of an unstable relationship.
Lack Of Characterization. Whenever authors grab a random conflict, they risk a character acting outside of their parameters which make the move feel shoehorned in.
Lack Of Justification. Don't have the conflict show up out of nowhere! Write little moments where something seems off. Then when these little things pile up, it won't feel shocking but justified.
Lack Of Punishment. Characters shouldn't come out of these moments without questioning their entire existence. Have them re-evaluate their beliefs, expectations, and actions.
Lack Of Power. Give your love interest and your protagonist the chance to air out their grievances. Don't let your characters suffer in silence. Call these characters out on their bs.
E) Actions In Love
Everyone has their own ways of expressing love, so don’t assume that there’s only one right way to write about it. Some characters show their love through physical acts of intimacy such as holding hands and kissing. Some characters compliment. Others show it through grand romantic gestures. Others are more subtle.
Try to weave these little acts of sincerity throughout all of the scenes where your two lovebirds are in love.
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halfhoursonearth-writes · 8 months ago
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Can you recommend fanfiction that you personally really like?
Yes! Love this ask. I’ve never made a Zutara fic rec list partially because I’ve read so many wonderful stories over time that I find the prospect daunting! 
But there are absolutely certain stories that I have a personal soft spot for, that I return to again and again. And that’s my criteria for what’s included below. This is a sampling of fics that I find myself coming back to, in no particular order. I may come back and add more, because this list is so far from exhaustive. A mix of ratings (marked), so keep that in mind.
Wish I Was the Moon by Like a Dove (T), post-canon: There’s so much that I love about the way this one-shot explores Katara’s character and what she faces post-canon, how she frees herself, strikes out in the world and finds her way home. Her feelings for Zuko, and her inner-conflict around them, are rendered tangibly, both through scene and subtext. A really good example of how an author can show a character’s lack of/journey to self-knowledge without breaking voice.
Refraction by caroes3725 (E), post-canon: When I started reading Zutara fanfic (for me this was in 2020), this was the fic I was looking for—a deep, realistic-to-canon, in-character exploration of how Zutara could unfold after the events of ATLA in a way that gives Katara in particular the arc she deserves. Really well-done development of the Fire Nation court world, well-developed characters, shining dialogue. An amazingly well-worth-it slow burn.
Wildfire by rainstormdragon (E), post-canon: To me this story is kind of a steamy Zutara thesis. The characters are so spot on and alive, their flaws are on full display in a way that feels realistic, and their chemistry is powered by their compatibility—matched in passion and stubbornness, and also in what they want from life. And I think it really gets Aang, too, which is something that can be hard to find in ZK fic. Also really hot, but that's only part of what makes it really shine.
Partners in Learning by evergreenonthehorizon (T), Modern AU: One of the things I love in modern AUs is watching an author weave that invisible string between these characters. Sometimes, it’s by writing narrative arcs that parallel the series, and sometimes it’s by drawing out the personality traits that make the characters both lovable to readers and such a compelling match and watching that spark bloom into flame. This beautifully written story does that so, so well in a really compelling Modern AU setting. Zuko and Katara here are so wonderfully lovable, and it’s a joy to watch them fall for one another, too.
Journeys by Smediterranea (E), Modern AU: In real life, I want to see my friends in relationships with people who can recognize why they’re so particularly amazing. That potential, I think, part of the appeal of ZK as a ship, and that’s part of the special magic of this fic. Watching these two characters get to know one another—really see one another—and fall in love deliciously sweeps the reader up. Plus, really fun, in character cameos from the rest of the Gaang along the way.
Spark, set fire by marijayne (T), Modern AU: literary fanfic, and I mean that in the best way. This story is beautiful and bittersweet, the latter is not often something I seek out in fanfic (where I hide from life), but here it’s gorgeous and worth it. The world building here is really cool—allows the author to explore some of a set of cultural issues/interactions that both echo the ATLA world and ours. The characters are so tenderly drawn (dadko especially)—and the connection between them builds beautifully and tangibly—and the longing is…chef’s kiss. 
Wrong when it's right by nire (T), Book 1 Canon Divergence: Before I read this, I couldn't imagine wanting to read a Book 1 Zutara. After, I wanted more. Bickering, bed-roll sharing, shared heat, tenderness and common ground. A delight from start to finish.
Anyway, thanks for asking and happy reading! <3 And if you want more recs, let me know.
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will80sbyers · 23 days ago
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I feel like what Mike feels toward El is some sort of an admiration. He mixed up his feelings for being romantic because El was the first girl he actually talked to, her being a hero also made Mike be attracted to her. I also feel like this pretty much applies to El. Mike was the first person to show her genuine care for the first time. I think she confuses her feelings with romantic love too.
Yeah, that's pretty much what I think too, he had a crush on her when they were little but it's mostly based on idealizing her as a hero and this means he doesn't understand her truly, he likes that she's a hero and thinks she's great, but she doesn't really want to be seen as a hero because she can't be constantly good to the extent that a hero is required to be, because she's human and has so much trauma to deal with!!!
Basically Mike likes heroes and she was a cute girl that liked him back and they liked each other as kids but then growing up things changed, to have a serious relationship with someone you need more than what they have... and El is exactly in the same situation, she is not in love with Mike... She relied on him for a sense of safety and familiarity
they both are confused because they are just so little, it's normal!! They are still kids!
I think Mike was really convinced he could love her romantically too and he has this strong need to protect her how he can, and especially after Will's speech he convinced himself that he could make it work between them again, I don't think he lied about anything, he thinks all that but he doesn't know what true romantic love is and that what he's feeling isn't it
It's literally the Laurie - Jo situation from little women... Laurie did have love for Jo but the love he has for Amy is "different" because the love for her is mature love not puppy/childhood love
Mike has childhood love for El and he's scared of letting go of the relationship because they didn't exactly start from friendship before dating, so he's not sure if they can get there without them dating... Obviously he's wrong but he's still scared of losing her completely and that blocks him from understanding what would be better for both of them
And he's scared of El not needing him anymore also because he's scared that she will leave his life completely if she doesn't need him anymore... he does love her even if it's not romantic and they don't work in a relationship outside of the physical side of it, there is love there but they are just not compatible as people in a romantic way
For how I see things, the writers wouldn't have made them like that if it was only that he can't love her because he's not attracted to her, in my opinion that seems unnecessary, they showed us that they don't have that type of understanding that comes with being in a relationship that works emotionally for a reason
They lack the deep understanding of the other person and they don't feel safe to be open and communicate their fears without thinking that if they do the other person is gonna find them "not cool enough" to date etc and they are locked in the roles of "boyfriend & girlfriend" instead of being just Mike and El
Mike and El just have too many problems as a couple and I really think things have changed between season 3 and 4 and they don't even have the physical romantic chemistry anymore... because that was tied to the emotional connection, and they don't have the emotional connection needed as we understood from season 4 in particular!
And guess what... Mike has all of the things that will make their relationship work... with Will!
But you know, it must be just a coincidence... 😂
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thefirstlioveyou · 2 months ago
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"The Last Lie," as the final variation of "The First Lie," why it would be the perfect title
+ the importance of the the songs
(before anything: yes. i know. "it's literally just a song title." but obviously the song is important to the duffers if they wanted multiple versions to put in each season. this song is insight to what's not always being verbalized. the series of this song contains themes of queerness, romantic love, self-discovery, honesty and acceptance. all of it is meaningful and that includes the title pattern that's going on.)
ok so this is gonna be very much a rambling post.
but i was thinking of all the variations of "the first lie," and how the final one is most definitely gonna be for byler, or related to it in some way.
so far we've got... The First Lie (jancy) // The First I love You (mlvn s3 kiss, robin's coming out) // Being Different (Will's Monologue, 3:20-4:29)// Jopper scene S4
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
(yes. jopper has their own variation! you can tell by the lack of bass, extra added synths and different build up that it's a different version... i'm just not sure why it wasn't included in the soundtrack.)
i got bored and began thinking what the title would be if it were to be for byler.
i've noticed many people suggest to capitalize the 'L' in 'love' to prove that mike's love for will is something real, where as it wasn't for el.
i guess they could do that.
but... that requires them to say that phrase. and i really don't think mike and will are gonna say that to begin with, nor would i want that.
in the stranger things universe, "i love you" has only been a phrase used platonically or by failed relationships. the show really loves to depict love by actions or with other words. they enforce the theme "actions speak louder than words" with their relationships.
in real life, it's important to hear those words 'i love you.' however this is a fictional story that's crafted with precise choices to send an underlying message to the audience. so going by that this means that in this fictional world, el shouldn't need to hear mike say it. no other couple in the show had this issue other than stancy, and well.. you know how that ended up. bullshit.
mike and el had this issue because they don't love each other that way. the desire to hear it comes from none other than their codependency. they rely on each other to have some form of identity or purpose, slowly destructing who they really are in the process.
so while i understand why some may want mike to say 'i love you,' the point is he shouldn't have to say it. his actions should be enough to prove it, if we're following along the themes this narrative is trying to display.
his actions fall flat, and will continue to. although his actions ARE signs he CARES about her, their relationship has no chemistry and especially compatibility. there is no actual romantic love. just unhealthy attachment.
will feels better about himself, he feels loved as a whole, not just as mike's potential partner. mike makes him feel better for being different... but when has mike ever said anything specifically like that? he's never sat down and said, "hey, it's okay to be different." it's mike's actions that make him feel that way. mike's love for will is already being said without actually saying it, just like the other endgame ships. it's following the active theme.
and yeah it can get confusing.. because we're in the pov of will, who thinks it's unrequited... we lost mike's pov... mike's with el.. but the show is deliberately trying to make the audience (at least the heteronormative-blinded part) MISS it, so it can be a whole twist and all that and continue to enforce the theme they're going for.
and let's say the word 'love' is used, i think it'd be used in the context of a letter (ex: love, mike). i just really don't think they will make them say "i love you" if no other endgame couple has before. it disrupts the theme.
now, if not "The First I Love you," then what would be a good title?
personally, i like the idea of "The Last Lie."
why?
because mike needs to stop fucking lying to himself and denying his homosexual desire for his childhood best friend and stop pretending like that dragon poster isn't gay as fuck
no but, THINK ABOUT IT. (this is about to get severely cheesy and probably cringe inducing and i'm sorry)
imagine it. thee byler kiss scene, or whatever it ends up being (but it has to be related to them in some way). this is the moment in which mike finally confronts his truth and accepts it. he isn't bullshitting who he is anymore - being gay, his interests, his true personality.
the 'normal' boy who he tried so hard being... the 'normal' boy he risked his friendships and the love of his life just to be... the 'normal' boy that doesn't enjoy nerdy games... the 'normal' boy who he masked behind just to live a lie.
whether it's by words or a kiss, he's finally letting that lie of a boy go the moment he shares his love for will. and in those seconds of time, it's almost like a promise to himself that 'normal' boy would be the last lie he'll ever try to live again
i fucking love characters who break their own moral code. that's mike - the character that enforced telling the truth and being honest to those you care about, and still ended up being a liar all along.
and it's not even that mike's relearning "friends don't lie." no. he already gets that. we already get that. you're free to disagree here, but what i personally get from mike's overall character is that there will always be an inability to be truthful to others if you can't be truthful to yourself first. mike must live his live authentically and stay true to who he is and what defines him if he wants happiness. otherwise, the lie he digs himself into will only get bigger and bigger, and inevitably will destroy what's important to him (his relationships in this case) and himself.
all this... it already fits the themes the other song variations have been displayed in:
acceptance of a love and finally letting it in -> jancy/jopper
coming out and speaking your truth -> robin
queerness -> robin, mike, will
self-discovery -> mike
just imagine all of those themes just smashed into one title and scene. that track would carry so much meaningful weight.
Ok
maybe this post was just my secret love letter to those songs. but am i really crazy for caring about them? soundtracks in film/tv deserve more love! that little melody is clearly so important to the story, the way the titles it transitions through and what it tells us. i just think it's genuinely brilliant how they managed to do that with one instrumental. that's storytelling!!
ok i'm done now thank you kyle dixon & michael stein. ur my fave bylers
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nardo-headcanons · 9 months ago
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Writing Scientist Characters
this post is mainly an excuse to post a certain list of lab supplies I've made for a friend and infodump about lab work. but feel free to use this as a little resource when writing characters who are scientists and/or lab nerds. who knows, maybe it'll be of use.
General thoughts
Many people think it's a stereotype that scientist or nerd characters talk using complex technical jargon. While that is true to an extent, there actually is some kind of lab jargon. It varies across different labs and fields, but one thing they have in common is that it seeks to simplify, not the other way around.
gelelectrophoresis becomes elpho
microbiology becomes mibi
deioninized water becomes aqua dist
biochemistry becomes BC
sodium hydroxide becomes NaOH
They will probably not call a glass of water "silicon dioxide and h2o".
...and more. feel free to get creative. If you're writing in any other language than English, you can throw in one or two anglicisms as well. Also, most scientists will never gatekeep their work, and in an opposite fashion, will not shut up about it unless you make them. And no, most chemists do not know the entire periodic table by heart, only the most relevant elements. (main groups and a few commonly used metals of the subgroups) When it comes to characters doing the lab work, keep in mind that there are a lot more people involved than the scientist themself. Most scientists are more occupied with paperwork and data analysis, it is the laboratory technicians and assistants that do most of the practical work. They often have more lab experience than the scientists themselves.
Things you can have your lab nerd character do instead of making random chemicals explode
writing a lab report (and losing their mind over excel)
degreasing the glass bevel stoppers
removing the permanent marker from beakers (labeling is important)
complaining about the lack of funding of [their field] research
cleaning glassware
preparing specimen for examination
googling the most basic equations for their report
checking if the glassware and utensil collections are complete
steal single use plastic pipettes from their lab
pirating expensive textbooks
A list of laboratory supplies and utensils you can have them work with
Laboratory general (chem + bio)
Erlenmayer flasks, beakers, precision scales (3 digits), glass rods, metal spoons/spatulas, screw on glass flasks (autoclave compatible) test tubes, stopcock grease, dispensers with sanitizer and hand cream, gas burners, heating plates, eppendorf pipettes, pipette tips, Peleus pipetting aids, squirting bottles, liquid and powder funnels, incubator/drying chamber, round watch glasses, magnet stirring plates.
Microbiology Autoclave, petri dishes, agar plates, innoculation loops (reusable and metal), clean bench, microscope slides, microscope, drigalski-spatula, test tubes with clamping lids
Histology
Paraffin bath, water bath, scalpels, scissors, razor blades, microtomes (rotating microtome, slide microtome and freezing microtome), histocinette, tweezers (various kinds), ocular
Biochemistry
Sequencing robots, eppendorf tubes, gelelectrophoresis chambers, centrifuge
Analytical Chemistry
Photometer, kuvettes, burettes, mass spectro meters, UV bank (for chromatogrophies), pyknometers, melting point meter, porcelain mortars, pH paper, analytical scales (4 or more digits)
Prep Chemistry
Tripod/standing material, miniature lifting platforms, spiral condenser, colon condenser, round bottom flask (three necked and y- necked), filtration material, Separating funnel
Electrical engineering
Electric generators, Soldering iron, Clamp connectors, plugin connectors, ohm’s resistors, plug in lamps, condensers, transistors, PCBs, amperemeters, voltmeters, multimeters
Mechanics
Tripod/standing material, metal hooks, metal rods, mechanical stop watches, marbles, metal springs, Newton meters, laser motion detectors
Optics
Prisma (various kinds), various glass lenses (concave, convex, biconcave, biconvex), laser pointers, optical bench, mechanical iris diaphragm, looking glasses, monochrome lamps, lamp filters
Most used chemicals
Deionized water, ethanol, NaOH, HCl, H3PO4, NaCl (+ physiological NaCl solution 0.9)
Useful websites for writing science stuff
DNA sequence generator (simple): http://www.faculty.ucr.edu/~mmaduro/random.htm
DNA, RNA and protein sequence generator: https://molbiotools.com/randomsequencegenerator.php Annealing temperature calculator: https://tmcalculator.neb.com/#!/main
Medicine name generator: https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/medicine-names.php Anything chemistry related: https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=chemistry
Commonly used software:
MS Excel
Yenka
CASSY Lab
LabView
SpectraLab
LIMS
LaTex
Slack
Scientist friends, feel free to add onto this.
Have fun writing!
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ladyantiheroine · 19 days ago
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Rewatching Batman and Batman Returns back-to-back and it's just reminding me why I like Selina as a love interest better than Vicki.
I mean, anyone who follows me already knows I'm a batcat fan, and I don't find Vicki that compelling outside of the TellTale Games version of her. But even beyond my own preferences, Selina is just a better match for Bruce in the Burtonverse overall.
The problem with Vicki is that she's so distant from Bruce's world. Just as Bruce explains in Batman Returns, she couldn't reconcile the two parts of him; Bruce Wayne and Batman. She had "difficulty with his duality," to paraphrase Selina. Part of it is Bruce's unwillingness to open up to another person, but I never got the vibe that Vicki liked Bruce being Batman. When she discovers his identity, she says to him, "I've loved you since I met you, but I don't know what to think of all this." It seemed like she wanted him to just be a normal guy, which of course, he can't be. Even at the end of the movie, she seems to accept Bruce as Batman begrudgingly, as something to tolerate rather than understand.
(At the end of the movie, Alfred tells her that Bruce will be "a little bit late" and she responds with "I'm not a bit surprised." It's meant to be a cute jab, but to me it just seems like she's passively accepted that Bruce's alter ego will always take precedent over her, and that's not very romantic to me)
On top of that, their date scenes are kind of bland, they don't really get to know each other that well, and they don't seem to have much in common. Overall, Vicki is written like a stock love interest, a damsel in distress to scream until Batman saves her. There's not much glue keeping them together.
But Selina on the other hand? She knows what it's like to have a darker alter ago. She knows what it's like to be traumatized and hurt by the criminals of Gotham (Max Shrek and Penguin). She knows what it's like to be a freak. Bruce himself says so in their movie: they're the same, "split down the center." When she finds out Bruce is Batman, she's upset not because she can't reconcile the two halves of him (like Vicki) but because it puts them on opposite sides of the law ("Does this mean we have to start fighting?"). They are perfectly matched but kept apart by outside forces and conflicting priorities, rather than other than lack of communication and compatibility.
On top of that, Bruce and Selina have way more chemistry (bolstered by Keaton and Pfeiffer's performances). On their date, they talk deeply to each other, about their pasts and their desires. They seem to innately connect in a way I never felt with Vicki, who seems to beg Bruce to be normal while he seems borderline bored with her half the time. With Vicki, it's like he's acting out a script. With Selina, it's an organic spark.
Of course, Selina does end up leaving at the end of their story, because she's been pinned down by men for too long and needs to go off on her own. Unlike Vicki, she's not built for the normal "fairy tale castle" life. And because he loves her, Bruce follows the old truth that if you love someone, set them free.
But despite this ending, I buy the tragic love story of Bruce and Selina more than the straightforward Hollywood ending of Bruce and Vicki. The former felt like soulmates torn apart by circumstances, the latter felt like two people who were never going to work in the first place because they weren't compatible.
If you ask me, Vicki was just a stepping stone for Bruce on his way to Selina. She taught him a lesson: He needs someone who will understand him fully and join him in the night, not simply wait for him to return and act "normal" again.
The big difference is this: When the bat signal hits the sky, Vicki is going to stand back and worry.
But Selina Kyle? She's going to grab her whip and join Batman on the battle field by his side.
And at the end of the day, I'd much rather see a badass power couple working together as a team rather than a worried wife sitting at home while her husband goes off and saves the day.
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aruanimess · 2 months ago
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If you're comfortable answering, how long do you think it takes Aruani to slowly build up the kind of trust that leads to physicality?
Hey, Al!
I'm assuming you mean in canon, so that's how I'm going to answer.
Honestly, I believe it would take them a while. They're both incredibly traumatised and were never particularly good with communication in the first place (Annie especially). I think they might jump into bed, so to speak, almost immediately in a "holy shit we lived!!" sort of way, but it would take them a long time until they got to a place where they could freely express their wants and needs.
Also, their limited sexual experience paired with the lack of talking... Yeah, realistically, the sex would not be great, in the beginning.
Also, let's not forget that they barely know each other at this point and have just admitted their romantic feelings. I think they'd both be hesitant to say something that might make the other feel self-conscious. Especially Armin who is more attuned to other people's emotions. As for Annie, she would probably assume that this is as good as it gets and just shrug it off.
That being said, I believe that both of them are very willing to make things work and love each other very much. They also have a deep understanding of each other's psyches, which doesn't always translate to the physical side of things, but is important nonetheless.
Perhaps a bit of nonverbal communication is the way to go for them. A major advantage for Annie is that she'd never fake anything. She's naturally honest and straightforward. If Armin got the sense that this-ain't-it-chief and asked, she'd give him a real answer. She's also stubborn and hardworking and really into this guy, so she'd be eager to figure out things along with him.
On Armin's part, he's very intuitive and has proven in the past that he's able to work past his insecurities to achieve a better outcome. So if he learned that he couldn't make Annie come, for example, he'd be devastated, he'd be mortified, but he'd lick his wounds and come back and try again (and maybe lick some other things too, hehe).
Some natural compatibility would go a long way as well. No matter how you headcanon them (doms, subs, switches or vanilla), AruAni are undeniably drawn together. Their attraction is apparent and magnetic, so, you know, the chemistry is DEFINITELY there 😉
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edwinspaynes · 10 days ago
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Why don't you like Cryland? I'm p neutral to them but think they have a couple good scenes
Thanks for the ask! It's rare for me to hate a ship while loving both characters in the ship. Usually I hate ships when I think one doesn't deserve the other or when I hate both characters.
I ADORE both Charles and Crystal. So this is new!
Disclaimer: If you ship Cryland, you may want to skip this post. But if you to read it, I do not have any beef with you. Ship and let ship <3
So, first, they have absolutely no romantic chemistry whatsoever. Like what are they even doing. The chemistry meter is just at 0.
But I think it goes a step further than that for me. I understand that Cryland is almost certainly bi4bi, but the ship reads as very... comphet to me. Not for the bi characters were made straight, but it feels like the show itself felt like it needed to have a compulsory M/F ship so they were inserted. The lack of chemistry especially makes me feel like the writers were like "oh, we should have the girl and a boy have a mid romance so there's something for the straights." It especially bothers me in a show that otherwise does NO pandering to the straight gaze whatsoever, and I find it confusing. Maybe it was an attempt to evade the Homophobic Canceling Chopping Block, but a) Edwin is so gay that a random forced M/F ship wasn't going to make a difference, and b) look how that worked out for them.
Finally, and I think this is probably the real nail in the coffin for me, is that I REALLY WANT TO SEE THEIR PLATONIC RELATIONSHIP. Like, they have a ton in common! They're both mixed kids who dealt with abusive upbringings, and they're both almost certainly bi and seem to be kind of in denial of that fact. They have compatible senses of humor, and Charles welcomed and supported Crystal when she came to the agency. WHY DID YOU WASTE THIS POTENTIALLY BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP ON A FORCED RELATIONSHIP? I want to see them being besties! Shooting the shit! Not flirting in a really silly, forced way!
Last, my petty greivance: "I will always hit a demon with a cricket bat for you" is a great quote. I wish it could have been Charles to Edwin.
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