#otp // a love that transcends time

[gavillain]

I was talking with @marciabrady the other night about ships and the aesthetics of our favorite couples, and it made me really want to do a break down of one of my obscure crossover OTPs:

Grimhilde/Cruella, a.k.a. EvilPuppies!

Because I feel like Grimhilde/Cruella, out of all my ships, looks the most like crack at first glance, but there is so much more to it than just sticking two random Disney Villains together.

So, first and foremost, I started shipping them because of Kingdom Keepers Book IV, Power Play:

Despite the fact that Frollo is on the cover of the book and was the heavily promoted new Overtaker before the release of the novel, the main villains of the novel are actually Grimhilde and Cruella. The premise is that after Maleficent and Chernabog were captured at the end of the previous book, the Disney Villains who are trying to take over the parks have had to take on new leadership to get Maleficent and Chernabog out of Imagineer-prison. Grimhilde is the next in the chain of command, so she's in charge and has Cruella De Vil as her companion who follows her everywhere. They are ALWAYS together in the book, and Cruella, naturally, has a very flirty and complimentary demeanor towards Grimhilde that the Queen naturally just adores. Their chemistry is great, and there is even one part where the main hero finds the two of them asleep together on an air mattress and a bundle of furs (it makes sense in context) and, well... yeah XD The novel really glued the two of them together in my head.

And that togetherness, as you can see above, blends over into the parks. Grimhilde and Cruella are the only two main Disney Villainesses who are out with some regularity as face characters in Disneyland. All of the villains in the Disney Parks have a familiarity with each other, and you can get similar gal pal dynamics with them and Maleficent (and Lady Tremaine) around Halloween time. However, because Grimhilde and Cruella are out together for so much of the year, they tend to carry the brunt of that sort of "evil besties" friendship, leading to cute photo op moments like this...

So Disney is already doing a lot of the leg work to make them come across as girlfriends and to give them chemistry and a ship dynamic. However, if that was all there was to it, I probably wouldn't love this ship as much as I do. I need that interesting and thought through layer of shipping, and thankfully, these two have it in spades.

So, despite being from different time periods and wildly different worlds, Grimhilde and Cruella are aristocrats through and through. Grimhilde is literally royalty, and Cruella an over-financed heiress to the remnants of England's aristocracy (and she's the head of a corporate fashion empire in the Glenn Close movies). The House of De Vil dates back to medieval times, and evidence of that extensive and wealthy history is littered all around Cruella's mansion.

Cruella is in essence, the remnants of an old world that no longer exists, one of royalty and station that Grimhilde herself was a part of, and though the times have changed, Cruella keeps that class and regality alive. In that way, I think it blends perfectly with her taking on a lover who is quite literally OF that time period, and it also helps tie Grimhilde in with the modern world, giving Grimhilde a sort of immortality and transcendence that I think she'd very much value with her desire to be eternally young and beautiful. And, along those same lines, they are both very strong examples of matriarchal authority and power with Cruella bemoaning the uselessness of men and the pitfalls of women losing themselves to marriage, whilst Grimhilde murdered her own husband in order to reign alone without a man over her. They fundamentally get the sort of twisted villainous feminism that they are peddling.

Next is the themes of beauty and glamor. These are two women who are fundamentally motivated by vanity - Cruella wants to design her original Dalmatian puppy coat and stun the art world with her ruthless originality whilst Grimhilde wants to kill her stepdaughter so that she can reign as the Fairest One of All. For them, beauty and aesthetics are absolute, and they share a willingness to buy their glamorous ambitions with the blood of the innocent. They would fundamentally GET each other in that regard. However, and this is important, they GET that same motivation for vanity, but they don't COMPETE with each other. Cruella is a pretty woman, but she's older and she's a chain smoker whose habits have caused her to become a bit emaciated. She's beautiful in her own way, but she's never going to rival Grimhilde as the Fairest One of All. Likewise, though Grimhilde has extravagant fashions and jewelry, she's not setting out to be at the forefront of clothing design and art. She would certainly WEAR outfits Cruella designed for her, but she wouldn't want to supplant Cruella either. They're going to make the world kneel before their beauty, but they're going to compliment each other rather than rival each other or have to set aside their vanities for each other.

Then one of the big important elements that makes this ship appeal to me so much is the motif of DUALITY. Cruella is noteworthy for her hair that is half-black and half-white. It's her signature style, she's well known for it, it ties in with the black and white dogs, and it ties in with how she has her likable and admirable public face but also her sinister and dark side that the rest of the world doesn't see. Grimhilde also has the duality motif. Hell, she has BLACK HAIR as the Queen and WHITE hair as the hag, and the whole black and white motif shows up in her potions ("Black of Night" and "To Whiten My Hair, a Scream of Fright"). Grimhilde literally has two faces and two forms. She is two villainesses in one, which is such a tasty match for the woman with infamously two-toned hair. And what I like about that too is that Cruella BLENDS with both the Queen and the Hag. With the queen, she has the aristocratic and blue blood regality and beauty that I mentioned before, but with the hag, she has the cackling maniacal bloodthirsty side that would have an absolute riot bringing death to innocents. It's so symbolic, and they're the only Disney villains who have that duality motif in that fashion.

And the fact that they have all of these interesting parallels and motifs while also being from two different worlds and two different time periods (medieval and modern) is a lot of fun purely from a crossover perspective but also as ANOTHER manifestation of their duality motif! And THAT is the type of tasty shipping fuel that I LIVE for!

So with Grimhilde and Cruella being of two different time periods, they also simultaneously coexist in one time period. Cruella in the original animated film may have been released in the 1960s, but her animator, Marc Davis, designed her to be a throwback to the old Hollywood glamor of the 1930s. Most specifically Tallulah Bankhead...

And Marlene Dietrich...

Cruella is pure Old Hollywood 1930s glamor trapped in a late 50s/early 60s modern domestic setting. And you know whose movie was made in the 1930s and has a very 1930s cultural aesthetic to it?

And Grimhilde herself is designed based on ANOTHER 1930s film villainess, She (Who Must Be Obeyed):

A movie that was famous for its Art Deco sets, and Art Deco is one of the main aesthetic motifs attributed to Cruella in the Glenn Close movies. So stylistically speaking, the two of them despite coming from different time periods and different worlds coexist in a way that is very old Hollywood. And with that combined link to the 30s, it helps the two of them to coexist peacefully and harmoniously in the same time period. They meet in this glamorous and mythologized liminal space. Heck, with Cruella's aesthetic links to the 1930s, I personally headcanon that she grew up absolutely obsessed with old Hollywood and making a concentrated effort to emulate that energy in her own style. Since Grimhilde is kind of an Old Hollywood character come to life, it's almost like Cruella can be a fangirl of something that she's admired for her whole life when she gets with Grimhilde, and you know Grimhilde is gonna LOVE that attention.

In addition, I personally like to be very cognizant about my ships with regards to what the individual character is going to look for in terms of a romantic partner and why the character that I've chosen for them suits that specific need. With Grimhilde, we know that she was married to Snow White's father and that she killed him, so we know that she didn't have any real love for that man, possibly any man. She rules over her kingdom alone and doesn't want anyone to rule beside her. In the Snow White comics and deleted scenes from the film, she showcases a sort of romantic rivalry for Prince Florian, but her affections for him are never about wanting an equal. She wants him because he is young and handsome and compliments her beauty and elevates her image in a way that helps give her more power through her beauty. So for Grimhilde, she needs a lover who can fill that niche - not someone to rival her or rule beside her, but someone who can be a perfect accessory to her beauty. Cruella being all about fashion and style is absolutely that person. She's very cognizant of appearances and what can accentuate or take away from beauty and aesthetics. That inherent utility to their relationship means that it would be something that Grimhilde would be open to indulging, and from there deeper feelings can develop under the right circumstances in a way that they wouldn't without having that utility first.

So that's Grimhilde's side of things. But what about Cruella? Well, we see Cruella's relation with love mostly revolving around this sort of one sided attraction that she has to Anita. And at first glance that seems contradictory to her getting with the queen, because Cruella is obviously going after a dainty and demure woman who she can kind of steamroll and collect as another fashion accessory. However, I think what makes this work so well is that it really showcases that Cruella has an attraction to traditional feminine beauty and women in general, and Grimhilde is of course is the fairest woman of all. The Glen Close movie adds an interesting dynamic to Cruella's attraction to Anita in that she enjoys the creative interaction that she has with Anita. Never really noticed Anita until the two of them started to collaborate creatively, and I feel like that's a big thing that Cruella needs and wants in a partner, someone who engages that creative side of her brain and understands her drive for aesthetics and beauty. And, as previously stated, who better to do that than the Queen of beauty herself? Grimhilde is a perfect model of unlimited dramatic creativity wrapped in a feminine and beautiful package that would set Cruella's heart ablaze.

Together the two of them fulfill that perfect niche for each other and foster a creative, beautiful, and bloodthirsty ruthless energy that would make them feel seen and supported. They effectively create their own little world of 1930s fantasy glamor when they come together, and that's just beautiful to me.

Those are the biggies, but some other really fun pieces of shipping fuel: *I love the aesthetic they have with them both being tall women with dramatic almost drag queen makeup and outfits that have tones of black, white, and red in their own signature styles. And Cruella has the flowing fur coat with the red liner and Grimhilde has the flowing cape with the red liner and so they can be very flouncy and twirly with their styles. *Grimhilde keeps a royal huntsman who can kill all of the animals for Cruella whenever she wants. *They both have similar structures to their stories - they start out on friendly or familial terms with the protagonists before they show their true colors, then they entrust men to kill the innocent creatures needed to enact their plan but those men fail them, forcing Grimhilde and Cruella to take matters into their own hands, and then the finales showcase them both transforming into frightening demented versions of themselves (old hag and crazy demon eyes Cruella during the car chase) madly pursuing their goals until they ultimate bring about their own defeats by the environment turning against them *Cruella has the green smoke of her cigarette which echoes the green and smoke of the Magic Mirror, and also Cruella's chain smoking being a sort of poison in and of itself links back nicely to Grimhilde's literal poisons. *OUAT gives Cruella magic powers and ties to the Author, and Grimhilde also has magic powers and is a literal storybook villain.

So, yes, at first glance, EvilPuppies may seem like just a crackship, but it's really not. There is SO much here in both their canon interactions and in their numerous parallels, and there are honestly probably even more that I'm forgetting. They are the crowning queens of femslash for me for good reason, and I adore them, darlings!

[sophsicle]

it's so weird reading king/pirate fanfiction as a history student because i keep wondering if the most autocratic of dictators and the biggest, cruelest idiots who have ever ruled monarchies had secret side flings whose love "transcended space and time.” like LOL imagine if tsar nicholas ii had a gay side boo. i wonder if his relationship would more closely resemble jegulus or wolfstar or rosekiller. hard to imagine but i cant help it. nicholas x rasputin my otp!! LMAO this is the type of stuff your writing inspires in me.

k but they literally did tho

like Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley? grew up outlaws, basically loved each other until the day they died but just couldn't be together because of timing and politics (she also fucks around with a pirate for a bit, i love her so much)

King James I / V and his lover the Duke of Buckingham who becomes a second father to James's son Charles, is there for him after his father dies and then is murdered by his political opponents???

Frederick II whose father forces him to watch as his male lover Hans Hermann von Katte is BEHEADED (jesus christ)

Alexander the Great and Hephaestion, childhood friends, who make offerings at the alters of Patroclus and Achilles, and then Hephaestion goes and dies and Alexander is destroyed and follows not too long afterwards basically from a broken heart

William of Orange was definitely also fucking around with his bffs from Holland, I'm pretty sure he builds like an addition to Hampton court for one of them but I'm too lazy to fact check that

ANYWAY i always think if you want to be a writer you should study history, cause there are so many stories right there

[silviakundera]

Dramas I watched in 2023

[Chinese Dramas]

My Journey to You - Wuxia. Spy games, badass ladies, subtextually homoerotic cousins. Gentle & sweet ML who melts the cold & calculated heart of FL assassin. Gorgeous setting and cinematography. Left me with a burning desire to see Zhang Ling He play more gentle babygirl MLs and Esther Yu to play more anti-heroes. Absolutely perfect to me.., if we just pretend the director didn't add a pointless cliffhanger in the last 5 min. Which is how I choose to live my life.

Story of Kunning Palace - 'rebirth' costume drama that I waited to air for like 2 years or something and then it... actually didn't disappoint? And was almost everything I wanted? 😳😲 This is THE couple for that post about the pair that need to be stuck in a neverending monogamous relationship with each other as a quarantine measure to protect everyone else.

A Journey to Love - wuxia perfection. The stand-out drama that I wasn't expecting. Murder mommy & murder daddy became an otp for the ages and all of the supporting characters were interesting and dynamic. I cared about so many more characters than I expected and never fast fowarded. Just immensely satisfying.

The Ingenious One - wuxia with a weak, scheming scholar protagonist on a revenge quest (yes, we've all heard that before!) who puts together a group to execute his cons, Leverage style. I love me a martial artist x weak scholar couple 👌. Some exciting twists & turns in this one. Both A Journey to Love and The Ingenious One are best enjoyed coming in with little to no information. Hell, skip the trailers and simply dive in!

Hidden Love - Modern drama. Top tier romance-novel-on-screen writing and acting. It felt honest and real. The coming of age arc for the FL was well done. Great brother & sister relationship that feels authentic. The ML's backstory was so heart breaking because it was never overplayed for melodramatics. Just a quiet pain, a distance and a burden he carried with him.

Road Home - Modern. "Do you remember who I am?" / "Yes. If I were to turn to ashes, I would still remember you." I am very weak for the "reunited exes", "second time around" trope when the actors are capable and the breakup wasn't a narratively convenient 'misunderstanding'. As a career woman who works very long hours, I also tend to appreciate modern drama relationships where the couple manages to stay functional & supportive while not having a lot of free time for each other. That's my version of wish fulfillment 😂. I felt like this narrative made me fully understand why they couldn't make a long distance relationship work as young adults but now they're ready and have experienced enough of the world to know that they are happier with their lives joined together than apart.

Love You Seven Times - xanxia. I wrote a whole review post (love letter) on this one, since it seems rather underrated. I feel like this one may actually end up one of my fav examples of the genre. I just sincerely bought into the couple and their mutual devotion.

The Last Immortal - xanxia. Terrible trailer but turns out to be a decent show. I'm a fan of the genre, so I'm enjoying it. (I think you do need to be, to enjoy it - it doesn't transcend or really subvert..just a solid representation of xanxia) I like both lead actors and they do a good job with the material. It's working better for me than Ancient Love Poetry and Ashes of Love. After being eager for Song of the Moon in 2022 but then being let down (I dropped that one quick), I'm very happy 2023 brought me 2 xanxia I liked.

Three Body - modern sci-fi. Book 1 of my fav sci-fi trilogy of recent years. As a novel fan first, I was pleased to see it on screen with talented actors. Eager for book 2.

Love Me, Love My Voice - modern drama with an unusual couple (2 introverts) and dubbing fandom hyper fixation. A laid back relaxation drama, to de-stress with. Minimal plot, no conflict. Just sweet slow burn relationship building, singing & audio performances. Supportive friendships.

Here We Meet Again - modern drama that suffered from sloppy editing. I mean almost incoherent editing in a couple places, like when they are counting down the days until getting married and then.. It's not mentioned again? 🙃 But I very much enjoyed the couple's chemistry. I can't say it was objectively good but it sure was compulsively watchable for some reason.

Royal Rumors - Costume drama that was so aggressively mediocre that I don't have any real explanation for not dropping it. Except I find the lead actress unspeakably alluring. Blame my hormones.

Dropped

Back to the Brink - xanxia. Great concepts but the execution didn't work for me. I'm not a fan of slapstick and wacky humor within serious subject matter. (It's the reason kdramas can be very hit or miss with me.) The amount of humor layered into AJourney to Love is basically my limit for tragicomedies. (Note: I did go read the book and it was very entertaining - the tone was much more to my taste.)

My Lethal Man - modern. Embarassing english name, but they had me in the first half, not gonna lie. Then after her identity was exposed, I wasn't feeling it idk. Sometimes it's just not that complicated.

Destined/Chang Feng Du - costume drama. idk really why I dropped. I watched about a 3rd of it and then was distracted by other shiny objects. I plan to come back to this one in 2024 and finish.

Romance of the Twin Flower - costume drama; unholy abomination of a great novel. I hope somehow, someday, the culprits pay for their crime. Need I say more?

[Korean Dramas]

Perfect Revenge Marriage - a modern rebirth tale. For the 90% of it, I was high on the love of a drama that is just what you didn't know you wanted. The camp, the dedication, the scenery chewing, the glorious evil step mother. It was magical. And then the last 2 episodes I found underwhelming. I can't really explain it, the climax just didn't hit for me. But that's very much a personal taste issue and I'd definitely recommend to all drama lovers who enjoy the genre. Seriously, the performance of evil step mommy was a master class.

King the Land - modern workplace romance. I've heard complaints that there wasn't much of plot. But tbh that was fine with me, because some dramas are simply character pieces. This was all about the personal growth of the FL and ML. I ended up invested and rooting for the ML to become a decent guy who isn't a gross classist like his dad.

Destined with You - modern reincarnation drama. I blame my lingering kdrama good feelings about King the Land for convincing me to keep powering thru this one. Such a strong start but then half-way in I began to realize it simply wasn't going to go into the direction I wanted it to. I still have no idea what they intended to communicate with that love potion subplot.

Vincenzo - modern crime drama. I was late to the party on this one. But after I got around to watching the delightful Kinnporsche, this was rec'd to me as another drama that embraced the bigger than life unreality of Fantasy Mafia™ and provides a rollicking good time. Absolutely ridiculous and compulsively watchable. 10/10.

[American]

House of the Dragon - Awful people doing awful things to each other, as a 1st act before everything goes straight to hell. Plus freaky dragon-riding fantasy incest. What's there not to like?

Fall of the House of Usher (YES i DO watch every horror drama by Mike Flanagan thx) - Was it as good as the first 3..? No. Did I still breathlessly binge it in 2 days? Yes. Awful things happening to awful people, poetically. 👌 👌

[thebreakfastgenie]

Hawkeye for the character ask game please ❤️

How I feel about this character

"Character of all time" is perhaps played out, but... I love this character. He's complex and interesting and shaped like that. He's one of my favorite characters ever. He's from Maine! He has one of the best character names of all time.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

Margaret

Frank

Trapper

Charles

Bigelow

Carlye (not endgame)

Inga

I'm also a big fan of Hawkeye/OC, especially Female OC but Male OC too

My non-romantic OTP for this character

Hawkeye and Trapper probably takes the cake, but I also love his dynamics with Radar, Klinger, and Sidney.

My unpopular opinion about this character

This is tricky because there's a lot of fanon that I agree with the broad strokes of but disagree with the details, or feel it's taken too far. I'm a fan of exploring his trauma; I think he has PTSD and he's still going to have an adjustment, but I don't think he's a broken bird.

I don't think he's overly political. I don't think he's read theory, I don't think he throws around words like imperialism. He certainly has political opinions but I don't think they're ovelry sophisticated. I think he's much more of a mainstream liberal than a leftist and he's definitely not a communist (though people like Flagg would call him one). I think his strong anti-war feelings come from a more basic moral place of hating death and violence and his anti-bigotry views come from a similar place. I think that's an important part of his character, because the show is trying to say that the horror of war should transcend politics, that everyone should be as horrified by it as Hawkeye is.

I don't think he's especially feminine, I think he has a lot of masculine traits and he's a man who's very comfortable in his masculinity which makes him willing to explore more feminine traits too, because he's not afraid of being "less" of a man. I think most of his gender-nonconformity is about about rebelling against authority much more than gender expression. Even his more feminine traits feel like more of a statement of what a man is allowed to be.

I don't think he's a bottom and I hate the bratty bottom characterization (he's vers; I can buy bottom-leaning but he definitely enjoys topping).

The last thing he would ever do is sit around pining for someone who wasn't available. I don't think fandom consciously characterizes him as a pining love martyr, but a lot of ship fic/fanon relies on that characterization, so it's very popular.

I don't think he was wrong in Fallen Idol, Commander Pierce, or Bottle Fatigue, but I don't think he's a saint who's never wrong.

I think a lot of his friends treat him badly in the later seasons, especially 8-11, and he doesn't deserve it.

I'm not sure what the popular view on this is these days but I feel very strongly that Hawkeye was raised culturally New England protestant but agnostic.

I think he wants to get married and have kids someday, just not yet, and he probably does eventually.

Of course, my least popular opinion is that he has no romantic feelings for BJ whatsoever.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

I wish he'd gotten a medal! You could get a great storyline out of his attempts to avoid it. Unlike BJ's bronze star storyline, it wouldn't be out of guilt, it would be purely because he doesn't want to be honored by the military.

[diivineray]

SHIPPING INFO. Answer the following for your muse(s) so people know how shipping works on your blog.

What’s your OTP for your Muse(s)?

I have a lot-- most are currently inactive but you'll know when you see them. I'm open however to creating new OTPs and spazzing about them with you.

What are you willing to RP when it comes to shipping?

Its fair game. I am willing to write just about everything except for like underaged stuff. Everything else is fair game if we discuss it beforehand. I'm not easily triggered by things, and a lot of my muses tap into that risque and taboo nature so come at me bruh.

How large does the age gap have to be to make it uncomfortable?

I agree with what Ash said. we just don't like dealing with toddlers.

Are you selective when shipping?

Not really. I go based off chemistry. This isn't just a muse related thing, its also on how well we write together. Sometimes our writing might not mesh and that's okay. point is, I'll always try.

How far do steamy moments have to go before they’re considered NSFW?

idk once clothes come off, bow chicka bow bow. I love smut, I'm not shy about it. I do not use read more's but I will tag. This blog contains heavy amounts of it so it shouldn't be surprising.

Who are other muses you ship your muse with?

Oh boy, literally every one of my muses with @deathfavor. Xie Lian and Mu Qing with @feietouhuo, their love transcends worming. Mu Qing will also eventually come to know their deep infatuation with Pei Ming. (We still have hope.) Also, I don't know if you'd still be down for Peilian, but like 🥺and, of course, anything with Xian le trio. @dcstinyscdgc with Fei Fei and Ruolan <3 some new ships i got going with leona I am loving with @verreprincesse & @duunswitch ! Of course leona's very OG prince @farspirit. If i am forgetting anyone hit me fndsklfs but the gist is I got a lot <3

Does one have to ask to ship with you?

Nah, but if that helps you by all means go for it. I think ships work very much like real relationships and I love when things kind of just pop up on their own. When the chemistry is cooking ya know?

How often do you like to ship?

i'd be a lying hoe if I said not all the time so.

Are you multiship?

yep!! There are some muses it might take me some time to open up with, but every muse is different, and I don't wanna do myself the disservice of missing out on cool peeps by not branching out.

Are you ship obsessed or ship more-or-less?

half and half?? Like I love ships, but I also really do like exploring other aspects of my muses than just the romantics.

What is your favorite ship in your current fandom?

twst: leovil tgcf: fenglian /peiwen mdzs: wangxian

Finally, how does one ship with you?

Asks !! IM's !! I know IM's suck, but I don't give my discord very easily these days so IMs are the best way to go.

tagged. @feietouhuo ( sending you smooches thank u worm qing) tagging. @dcstinyscdgc, @verreprincesse, @duunswitch, @ghostlypath & anyone else who wants to do this

[great-kung-lao]

Copy-pasting myself from discord server cause I want it to be here as well.

I was always a sucker for romance in fiction. I think The Mummy and The Matrix were my first exposures to how it can be done good in visual media. When two characters have respect for each other, badasses in their own ways and aren't bad towards each other (not toxic if we use modern language). No bickering or being at each other's throats, no hate, no problems that would make you genuinely question why in the hell these two people are even together. So when I became a gamer, my passion for good romance transitioned there. I remember when I've got my first PS2 and then bought Yakuza because of the hype that it is "Japanese GTA", I was blown away. It was much better than GTA and nothing like it at all. Since I didn't had an internet back then, my source of information were video game magazines and I was blown away by the news that Yakuza 2 is coming. Once it hit the shelves, I bought it immediately and boy oh boy was the game a massive surprise.

I think that was the game that showed me good romance in video games, it became a staple and KazuKaoru became an OTP, even though I didn't even know what shipping was, they just became favorites and dear to me. It is enemies to lovers where enemies stage doesn't last long, one might argue you can't even even call it enemies in the first place, they hit it off pretty quickly. You could fight together with Kaoru, you could take her places. Romance simulator in a game about underworld gangs. That was groundbreaking. Who knows, Yakuza 2 might be the first game with a properly shown kiss on screen in video games.

I'm not buying into them being rushed, slowburns can be exhausting and sometimes people can fall in love fast. I believe in this kind of stuff like soulmates, love at first sight, destiny, etc. It was so nice to see one of the manliest protagonists in gaming history expressing this positive masculinity. He can read a room when he is with Kaoru, he can hold normal conversations and treats her as his equal. Kaoru on the other hand doesn't put too thick of a walls in front of Kiryu and can accept his help when necessary, I'm not a fan of dynamics like "I can do this by myself, I don't need your help", to me it shows more like those people just don't trust their partner and don't respect them enough to rely on them. Help is not bad and accepting help doesn't make you weak.

Kazuma and Kaoru are two good and kind people who can be themselves around each other. It is one of the healthiest relationships where both partners treat each other well. There is trust, there is respect, there is understanding. They are labeled by society, but can see pass such trivial things. KazuKaoru is a wonderful love story of two opposites that actually find a lot in common in each other and it makes them comfortable with one another. Even if we look at them after Yakuza 3 with all the additional information we've got today, it is absolutely beautiful how after more than a decade they hold each other so dear to their hearts. Love that can transcend time and space is one of a kind and we as humanity deserve to have stories like theirs, it helps us to believe in good things that can happen in this world. This is what good love story is suppose to do.

[brooklynislandgirl]

SHIPPING INFO // Answer the following for your muse(s) so people know how shipping works on your blog.

REPOST. Don’t reblog.

What’s your OTP for your Muse(s)?

I will have to go with Jo's answer here and say every ship I have has something about it that makes it my OTP, something unique to us and our partner/their muse. And I don't want anyone to feel excluded or unloved or less loved than anyone else. I do think because she was literally created side by side with @morgansmornings that they share a deep bond that is both familial and the deepest sort of friendship. They are family. They are transcendent.

What are you willing to RP when it comes to shipping?

Platonic, familial, and romantic are all on the table with discussion ooc, time, and development. I will do pre-established on the first two but Beth is demisexual/quoiromantic, with a leaning toward sapioromantic. Meaning it takes bonding with someone before she even feels anything 'below the belt' so to speak, and doesn't really understand/distinguish the difference between romantic/platonic feelings, treating them both in the same way, but she does have a very slight preference toward people who can engage her mentally, and seduce her with their awkward intelligence. Toxic ships can be a thing with huge boundaries. The boundary is how comfortable with you as a friend, ooc, regardless of what we are writing. Currently I will be willing to do toxic with: Mischa/Larry { @thebiggestlies }, My Dear Prince and Ionaka {and potentially Na Baron Feyd Rautha @nightmarefuele }, Shades of Ben { @kylo-wrecked }. And I live for the hate-ship of Lorcan and Beth with @macdiari, whose mun is totally one of my bffs which makes it funnier. We can have meetings about the rest. Dubcon/non-con, etc...has to be plotted to within an inch of its life, I don't care what Beth says.

How large does the age gap have to be to make it uncomfortable? Age is not a really a thing with Beth when it comes to her significant other as long as they are a little over 'of age' {18-21}. She has literally one ship where this isn't the case and her paramour is 15 and she's 25...and it isn't what many people would assume, both of them are broken hearted. This a unique situation with @macdiari. Beth does have a penchant for older partners. Let the 'daddy issue' jokes commence.

Are you selective when shipping?

I would say yes. I only ship with chemistry. And by that I mean myself and the mun as much as the muses. Shipping requires a delicate balance between interest, trust, compatibility, goals... writing something fictional that isn't just pwp is not unlike building a real-life relationship. I want to get to know the other mun. I want us to have in-jokes, I want for us to be comfortable talking about everything and anything even if we might not always agree. I want us to be friends, first.

How far do steamy moments have to go before they’re considered NSFW?

I guess I follow the TV guidelines. We can write up to a certain point but once there's body parts that you wouldn't see on network television, it should probably get a tag. I don't care if there's a read more {I will occasionally do that for terminally long posts}, if my partner is more comfortable with one, great. If they prefer it on a different blog, awesome. If you want to write it on discord? Go ahead and add me, fren. I try to faithfully tag certain things because Beth is just...wrong and a lot of her hobbies and interests tend to be really morally questionable at best.

Who are other muses you ship your muse with?

Beth tends to be drawn to people who are neurologically divergent, biologically divergent, other-worldly, empowered, and the like. She is drawn to those who are lonely, othered, or unusual because there is so much in them she sees in herself. And if Beth happens to fall in love, she is neither likely to mention it, nor does she expect for the feeling to be returned. For Beth, love is love. So if you see someone on my dash, unless it's brand new just met you, know that they are cared for, and will always be someone important. As I consider every mutual mun and their muse{s} as some kind of relationship {platonic, familial, romantic, or enemy...I can't really list *every* blog. Sorry.}

Does one have to ask to ship with you?,

I mean it's nice to be asked, so at least I know in broad-strokes what sort of relationship you, the other person, might like but also the fiction can often dictate the course of how things go :)

How often do you like to ship?

I am not gonna lie. I love watching and writing how Beth interacts with people. How she slowly starts to unfold around them and what leads her to becoming involved with other folk.

Are you multiship?

Yes. And multiverse, too. One of the best things is when you have a multi-verse partner and get to see how your ships and theirs change from friends to other things, depending what verse your in, and how everyone can make a community with that information.

Are you ship obsessed or ship more-or-less?

Ship more or less. I love it as much as the next person but that's not the sole purpose of my blog.

What is your favorite ship in your current fandom?

I am still waiting for Olivia and Elliot to get married. IYKTYK.

Finally, how does one ship with you?

Let me know what you want? Be patient. We'll talk boundaries, desires, needs, and build it/grow it as it goes.

Tagged by: my darling @betwitchingbaker

Tagging: Heave ho, thieves and beggars....

[velvet4510]

I recently posted a playlist of instrumental themes/leitmotifs from other movies that I have plucked from their original context and mentally associated with characters and relationships from Tolkien’s works (particularly love themes for the pairings that I ship).

Now, as an individual highlight, I will share the love theme I found for Frodo/Sam, and explain why I chose it for them.

When you have 7 minutes to spare, you can start thinking about this OTP and listen to “their” theme here.

This love theme is originally from the great 1959 film Ben-Hur (highly recommended), composed by the talented Miklos Rozsa. I watched it and heard the soundtrack for the first time around the same time that I watched the LOTR Extended Editions and read the books for the first time, and somehow when I heard this theme, my brain immediately jumped to Frodo & Sam.

I think it’s because of how gentle yet profound this theme is, just like their love for each other.

It begins very tender and sweet, with a hint of shyness and hesitance that reminds me of Sam stroking Frodo’s hand and then blushing in Rivendell; the feelings are growing but they don’t know it yet, and as “master and servant” it seems impossible anyway.

Yet there is also an underlying depth and passion in this theme, simmering under the surface and gradually building, just as Frodo and Sam’s relationship strengthens and blossoms throughout their journey.

The swelling of the instruments in the last minute carries us into the climax and finale of the story, where they have flown far beyond social barriers and propriety; their relationship is now utterly unbreakable and transcending all time and space.

I now like to play this theme while reading their scenes in the books, to set the mood.

Hope y’all enjoy it, too. :)

[queered-into-oblivion]

++ Ask game Nahobino/Aogami? Please. I am asking very nicely

I’m doing this one first because I’m the most abnormal about them and need something to keep me sane right now

Nahobino: {going to edit with Aogami after we finish in the bureaucracy hellscape}

1 {Favourite thing}: Literally everything, they make us explode so much it hurts - the design {especially the water hair} the new forms the really stupid answers you can give in demon negotiations how they can give up everything to exist in stasis as a god despite what they probably wanted because of what they think is right

How heavily tied to the concept of transcendence they are and also the gender and how he falls asleep in class because me too. I really don’t think there’s anything we don’t love

2 {Least favourite thing}: N/A but if we had to choose anything it would be the way the humanity ending makes them do a 180 like that, but that goes more into the unpopular opinion thing. They would not get rid of the demons, those are their friends

3 {Favourite line}: A good 75% of demon negotiation dialogue to be honest

4 {BroTP}: Demifiend/Raidou/Nahobino because they rotate really fast in our brain at high speeds all the time but in the game itself Amanozako and also Dazai

Amanozako for obvious reasons {love her} and Dazai. Dazai for less reasons because most is just our headcanons but I am interested in if Vengeance will do more there, I like him he’s silly I want more of him

5 {OTP} : Can we count alterous relationships, I’m counting alterous relationships. We view them as nonSAM aromantic but really enamoured with the idea of romance and feeling that deeply so AoShu is nice for that intensity of connection and understanding whilst knowing it’s not and will never be romantic.

The Nahobino has PDA autism activated by relationships. To me {projecting}

6 {nOTP}: I don’t really know I don’t think much about it

7 {Headcanon}: Under the suit the Nahobino form is a heavily patterned ball jointed doll, with the patterns flowing in an etherial blue glass type way. It makes soft glass clinking noises too but the suit muffles them so they’re only audible when not in it. It looks like a storm is always going on in there but no one can tell if the patterns actually move or not

Outside the Nahobino, the protagonist has two expressions { •_• and :} } because he struggles to get his face to move right, he’s also kind of clumsy for a similar reason but not in the ‘I’m going to fall over’ way in the ‘no one can know I can’t walk right’ way. In the Nahobino he becomes obsessed with being able to move *right* and starts trying to make as many expressions as possible to figure them out

He says it’s an attempt to ‘transfer over the skill’ but because the Nahobino is half robot it really doesn’t work

He also gets intrigued by how much power and emotion he can put into his voice in Nahobino form I don’t think he’s normally able to. It can go too far and has made a few demon negotiations end badly though, but he keeps trying because it’s such a new concept to him

8 {Unpopular opinion}: Humanity ending incorrect, he would not do that those are his friends

9 {Music you associate with them}: https://youtu.be/baQVB2W1KAQ?si=PFuEkMvvrXC3CUbU

It’s our go-to for them, a lot of songs fit but Waiting On The Sky To Change unlocks the secret emotions

10 {Favourite image}: Any and all Shimeji screenshots, they’re too silly, but also the vinyl album covers, I really like them

[sailorshadzter]

3, 5 and 15 for the otp ask 💖

thank you my love!! <3

send me otp asks

3. What is something you look for in an otp? oooh, i look for opposites attract. i love a dark, brooding boy paired with a sunny girl. i love height difference. i love let me protect you (especially from the weaker of the duo). i want trust & love & i want to see their romance unfold. it can be slow burn or fast, i dont care. i just want to FEEL what they feel for each other.

5. Why do you ship the otps that you do? because they offer me all of those above things and usually more. zutara gave me enemies to friends to lovers. they built an unshakable bond / trust in one another to the point that it was katara that zuko wanted by his side to finally face his sister once and for all. usamamo gives me the 'i wanna protect the person i love' from both sides- usagi being the powerhouse she is constantly is saving and bringing those she loves back from death. it kills mamoru that he can't be that person for he, but it doesn't stop him from trying. also their love transcends time itself??? jonsa gives me ultimate trust between two people- sansa finds jon after the worst period in her life, a period that has opened her eyes to being a new person, a BETTER person. jon has just come back to life and has something new to live for that he didnt have before. MAN I COULD GO ON AND ONNNNNNN

15. What do you think their favorite things are to do together? Ex watch movies, shopping, ect. Ooh okay well usamamo LOVE to go on shopping / lunch dates. then spend the evening curled up on the couch together. zutara loves to spar together, followed up by a different sort of sparring session in their bedroom. jonsa loves to take long walks now that spring has come, watching as the North comes back to life from the long winter. they take Ghost with them and watch him run, hear him howl, and spend long hours in each other's arms beneath the heart tree. Sansa will sometimes read to him, his head in her lap, one hand in his hair.

[beheworthy]

I understand that you appreciated enough things about Love & Thunder (as in Jane's scenes, Thorjane, etc) to consider it canon, but what are your thoughts on the Thor2 deleted break up? I can't help but prefer them breaking up because of the long distance, or Jane being so overwhelmed that she "couldn't imagine a life with him" after everything, than what we got in canon. Maybe my opinion would change if I watched the movie, not sure, but I'm interested in your take on it.

*takes a deep breath* Buckle up.

1. I appreciate you saying whether I'd consider anything canon or not. Buddy, my acceptance is irrelevant. Anything Marvel puts out IS canon, regardless of how we feel about it. That's the whole entire reason I can't let this shit go. Because he's CANONICALLY drilled into the ground by Marvel with nowhere to go. And it depresses me.

2. I hate both break-up scenes because I simply don't want my OTP separated. Period. But if I have to validate any one, I'd go with Thor4 because at least its idea was understandable, the issue was its failed execution. The Thor2 breakup makes no sense and regresses their characters. The two reasons you present that the movie presents:

a) Breaking up because of long distance is such a bastardization of their magical relationship that transcends realms that I just cannot. He's not a coworker or a one-night stand she tried to have a relationship with and decided it wasn't working out. He's the Prince of the paradise in the clouds that's advanced to her realm by a millennium. He's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as far as boyfriends go lol. And his mother died to protect her. Why? Because she had all but accepted her as her daughter-in-law.

You don't just break up with THAT because of long distance, that's unbelievably simplistic.

b) Jane being overwhelmed that she "couldn't imagine a life with him" is also against her character because she is such a zero self-preservation inquisitive soul that was so fascinated by Asgard's advanced technology, she would be at home on Asgard. She would want to be with him and explore his magical world she's studied about her whole life.

And ok, she was so overwhelmed that she would dump him. For what? To return to her boring 9 to 5 life and do theories of the phenomenons she could do practicals of on Asgard. That makes no sense with Jane's character.

Or she was so scared by the challenges of a life with him (even tho she was ready to die saving him a scene ago) that she just quit? That's not the Jane I know either. She takes challenges head-on and is not a quitter.

The ONLY reason she would break up with him is for him - like I said in my theory that Odin made her do it.

3. Even from a story-telling perspective, it was a terrible choice because it resets every character to their factory settings, rendering the development of Thor1 and 2 completely pointless. Jane becomes a meaningless person forgotten going forward. Thor and Odin are chilling in Asgard with nothing to do and Loki and Frigga are dead with their sacrifices for Thor and Jane amounting to a big fat 0. Why dedicate two whole movies to their romance only to break up because of freakin long distance?

You can't have the event of Ragnarok with Thor in Asgard. You can't have him on Midgard for Avengers movies. What is the point of this then?

-

Not to elongate an already long answer, but I always thought the plan was to make her the Queen of Asgard, the perfect foil for King Thor. Her love and quest for knowledge + kindness to help shirtless strangers combined with Thor's sense of justice and protection of his people would make them the PERFECT rulers. Do you know what I'd give for this to be Thor's final ending in the MCU?

Like, I thought she was written to be so fascinated with the stars beyond because that where she belongs. That's where she'll rule. That if anyone from Midgard in the MCU was meant to leave it and stay on Asgard their whole life, it's Jane because she's so far ahead of her time.

But I was Boo Boo the Fool. Her entire purpose in life was to die for him. Because Marvel's all about feminism.

[chatgptwritesfanfiction]

Sweet Nicknames

The volleyball court was alive with energy as you and Hinata Shouyou, the fiery sunshine of the Karasuno team, practiced tirelessly. The sound of your spikes and the cheering of your teammates filled the air, but amidst the intensity, there was a connection that blossomed between you and Hinata—one that went beyond the sport itself.

One sunny afternoon, as the two of you took a break from your rigorous training, Hinata approached you with a mischievous glint in his eyes. With a shy smile tugging at his lips, he mustered the courage to call you by a new name, a nickname that held a hint of endearment.

"Hey, (Y/N)," Hinata said, his voice filled with a newfound sweetness, "can I call you 'Sunshine'? Because you bring light to my day, just like the sun."

A blush crept across your cheeks, your heart fluttering at his words. The affectionate nickname seemed to capture the essence of your connection, a reminder of the warmth and joy that radiated between you.

Hinata's choice of nickname reflected his vibrant personality, and it filled you with a sense of adoration. The nickname became a symbol of the bond you shared, one that surpassed the boundaries of the volleyball court.

As the days went by, Hinata continued to use the nickname, his voice filled with affection and fondness whenever he called you "Sunshine." Each time he said it, it felt like a gentle caress, a reminder of the light you brought into his life.

In moments of triumph, when the team celebrated a hard-fought victory, Hinata's voice would rise above the cheers, calling out your nickname with joy and pride. The sound of it reverberated through your being, kindling a warmth that spread from the tips of your toes to the depths of your heart.

But it was in moments of vulnerability that the true power of the nickname shone through. During challenging matches or difficult times, Hinata's voice would soften as he whispered, "Don't worry, Sunshine, I believe in you."

His words became a soothing balm, erasing doubts and fears. In those moments, the nickname held a deeper meaning—it represented Hinata's unwavering belief in your abilities, his faith in your strength, and his unwavering support.

The nickname "Sunshine" became a reminder that you were cherished and valued, not just as a teammate but as a person. It served as a beacon of encouragement, lifting your spirits and fueling your determination.

And as you stood side by side with Hinata, facing challenges both on and off the court, you realized that the nickname had become an integral part of your relationship. It symbolized the trust, affection, and unwavering support that you shared—a connection that transcended the boundaries of volleyball and resonated deep within your souls.

For in the embrace of Hinata's affectionate nickname, you found a sanctuary—a place where you were reminded of the light you brought to his life, and where your bond continued to grow, nurtured by the warmth of his unwavering love and the unspoken promises it held.

a/n: considering it's one in the morning, i don't really know where i'm getting any of these ideas from. you can thank the otp prompts and my liking of extroverted characters.

[vintagelacerosette]

Valentine's tag game & picrew combo 💖

Tag game by the effervescent Macy @celestialmickey & I was also tagged by @you-are-so-much-better-than-that Deena @suzy-queued Evie @energievie Nosho @creepkinginc Carolie @shinygalaxyperson Paola @mishervellous Vey @look-i-love-u Donna @sleepyfacetoughguy Jay @surviving-maybe Lyds @ardent-fox PLUS the picrew I was also tagged by Leah @whatwouldmickeydo Tina @squidyyy23 Julissa @heymrspatel Harvey @mikhailoisbaby thanksss

Relationship status: Single but dreaming about being in luuurv 💕

Your ultimate OTP: Absolutely Gallavich, they make me awww, they make me cry, combust & make my heart go wild 🥰😫🥵😳💘

Favourite trope: I have to a agree with my good judy Donna @sleepyfacetoughguy I just adore a great AU where I can read my fellas fall in love in every & any situation possible bc their love is transcend

Favourite candy: Ohh one I'm obsessed with rn is Nerds rope I finally got to try some at this candy store that specialises in American candy & ceral (but your butt i also got my lucky charms & cinnamon toast crunch) I've always been jealous of asmrist eating the Nerd ropes hahaha

Favourite flower: Cherry blossoms

A song you love:

A movie you adore: Crush 2022 sweetest movie omg

Red or pink? Pink 🎀💝💟🩷

Breakfast in bed or brunch at a cafe? Brunch definitely

Romantic comedy or angsty drama? Romcom for the feels

and finally, in the spirit of love, leave some kind words for your followers & friends:

I can't say enough how much I cherish having all of you being in my life. When I started on tumblr in 2012 I was a young hopeful wishing to make life long friends here but never ended up panning out. But this fandom & other friends I've made from others is exactly the connection I dreamed of & it's so much better than I imagined bc all of YOU, yes you, are SIMPLY WONDERFUL. I got back my creative spark & drive to bc of all of you with your kindness & encouragement & I will forever be grateful to each & every one of you. I love this little internet space we crafted together, built on love, creativity & brilliant minds. I really feel so damn lucky 🥹 I wanna say thank you so much for allowing me to be your friend & you all mean the world to me. 💝💝💝

❤🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜🤎🖤🩶🤍❤🩷🧡💛💚💙

Soooo I got carried away with this super adorable picrew bc it has everything I love & my fave animes of all time cardcaptor sakura, tokyo mew mew & sailor moon. So naturally, I had to make myself in various magical girl forms bc I felt like i deserve to live my fantasy 🥰💖😆

I'll tag these sweetpeas if they wanna play or if you see this feel free to play along darlings 💖 @mrsinistertype @ian-galagher @darthvaders-wife @gallavichgeek @psychicskulldamage @chicanomick @gardenerian @bravemikhailo @good-then-dont @adakechi @xninetiestrendx @clingymickey @sluttymickey @depressedstressedlemonzest @gallawitchxx @tomorrowillmissyou @howlinchickhowl @michellemisfit @shameless-notashamed @mmmichyyy @lalazeewrites @crossmydna @stocious @rereadanon @jomilky @intotheblindinglight @messedwithmandy

[cheesy-poofs]

Pls gush about Kyman (⁠��⁠ᴗ⁠◕⁠✿⁠)

I feel better now lol. This post in particular won't be detailed because I feel like I've already said everything about Kyman (at least, most things, or others have already covered them sufficiently).

But yeah Kyman! As I've said plenty of times, I find them very entertaining, and it was the ship to get me to appreciate...well, the yaoi side of the fandom lol. When I got into this show I went into it without any ships in mind (spare I guess Creek, since I heard a lot about the Creek episode prior and obviously there's a lot of fanart and fanfics for it...I actually expected Creek to be my OTP and while I still enjoy Creek I wouldn't say it is). So there wasn't anything shipping-wise I was really looking for while watching the show, and I didn't interact with the fandom until I had watched every single episode/special/ect. up to that point.

I just love how I shipped Kyman ironically before actually shipping it. I love how much fun it was for me to rewatch episodes that focus around them and to really indulge myself in this ship...I haven't really had that experience with any of the other ships of South Park despite wishing I could feel similarly about others. I kind of did with Stendy but it left me wishing M/F couples were better in the show, and the women in general. (I still love Stendy though lol, but mostly in fanon I guess because canon doesn't really show their full potential).

There was a bit of time where I didn't really give Kyle as much attention as the other main four boys and considered him my least favorite, but Kyman actually helped a little bit in appreciating him more, since his rivalry with Cartman is a notable part of his character and the show overall. Y'know when I was first getting really, disastrously deep into this ship, I had a dream that basically told me "Cartman and Kyle are South Park" and I think my subconscious had a point lol...to an extent. It helps knowing that Trey likes playing around with characters that are opposites, such as Kyman and Buttman.

Is Kyman perfect? No. Do I like all their episodes and moments unequivocally? No. This is kind of a show that's easy to pick and choose from. I'll admit I do it sometimes. Shipping Kyman isn't a matter of looking at them as characters realistically (in regards to all of their actions/traits). If you really want to interpret Kyman as "abusive" then sure, you can, you have a right to that interpretation as I have a right to my own. I disagree with it though, at least the way I like to go about the ship...which yes, does kinda involve Cartman improving (especially in regards to his bigotry) but not to the extent that he's an entirely different character.

Anyway, I guess the way I see Kyman is that couple that enjoy bickering and its usually entertaining for others to watch...or completely unbearable if you're anyone other than Kyle and Cartman. This also applies to other aspects of their relationships like how PDA they are, which they absolutely do not hold back on lmao...this is truly why you see so much fanart where Stan and Kenny are just there to witness the absurdity of Kyman, because that's really just how it is, all of us are just watching the insanity of their relationship unfold.

I think I've gushed enough for now, if you want good analysis this is definitely not the place for it. Kyman is still very special to me though, in a way that will probably always transcend other South Park ships to me. Ultimately they make me laugh a lot and I love them.

[artificial-absinthe]

Hi!! 1, 3, 7, 22 for the salty ask 😁 tvc fandom

1. What Otp in your Fandom (s) do you just not get?

For the Vampire Chronicles, I don't think I can apply that. Because canonically they don't have qualms on crashing (not falling, crashing) in love with a new vampire for the oddest of reasons and with more than one at every time. If you give me Marius/Armand, that's canon. If you give me Armand/ Louis, Armand/Lestat, Armand/Daniel, Lestat /Louis, Lestat/Armand, Louis/Claudia, Marius/Pandora, Marius/Bianca/Armand, Lestat/Tarquin, Lestat/Nicholas that's all canon. I've seen Marius/Daniel that I dont think is quiet canon compliant, because I don't think he loved Daniel as he did others. But I haven't read the last books, so I can't really know, and besides, it could very well happen. Makes sense. I've also seen Pandora/Bianca that is definitely not canon, but it could very well be, why not? I mean, as I said, they fall in love suddenly, or have weird not quiet love not quiet hate, friendship lovers or undefined complex relationships with one another, and transcend gender and age, and labels, so I think you could very well pair anyone with any other. Save Marius with Santino, of course! But I've never seen anything of the like. Santino would be the one to not make sense with almost anyone.

Overall, I think that it is not that most otp's make sense regarding which characters are in it, but it rather be that if the way they are portraying or interpreting it makes sense or not.

3. Have you ever unfollowed someone over a Fandom opinion?

Of course. Everyone moralizing, mischaracterizing or fiercely misinterpreting any character, or hating Marius (which implies both) is going down the water pipe.

7. Is there anything you used to like but can't stand now?

Hmm... not really. What I disliked of the books or the Fandom I've always disliked and vice-versa.

22. Popular character you hate?

Hmm... no, I don't think so. I love all of the popular characters. And also like those that a part of Fandom hates. There are only two characters I absolutely despise, but they are not (fortunately) quiet popular.

Thanks for the several questions!

[xitty]

Hello.... If you don't mind me asking, who are your favorite romantic relationship's couples in books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series (can be canon or non-canon)? Feel free if you want to write the reasons or not of why you love them...Thanks if you want to answer....

Ohohoh, I don't mind at all! I've been fujoshi since forever (and I mean it, one of the very first anime I watched was Gravitation), so this is dominated by m/m couples, of various states of canon... Warning: long post.

My OTPs are Wataru/Eichi from Ensemble Stars and Yuki/Momo from IDOLiSH7. I could write essays (and sort of have done) about Wataru and Eichi, I sometimes joke I don't need romance novels because Wataru and Eichi provide all the twists, from graduation rooftop "proposal" to flirting in front of their unitmates to jealous fits to bragging about their relationship to others. There's almost 9 years of lore here so I'll just say here that their story is superb and they are my jam.

Yuki and Momo are just the most married and cute and funny couple. And funnily have some similar beats as Wataru and Eichi, where one (Yuki, Eichi) was devastated by something to point they didn't really see any reason to continue and the other (Momo, Wataru) came to drag them out of their gloom.

I have other Ensemble Stars ships I enjoy too: Tatsumi/Mayoi, Nagisa/Hiyori, Izumi/Leo, Rinne/Niki... I usually go for ships that have fair amount of canon material and these do.

I have one more OTP: Shizuma and Minato from Therapy Game. Aaa, their relationship is great because Minato *knows* all his own faults and tries to be rational but it's so hard, and Shizuma understands that and has patience of a saint. But Shizuma also doesn't always understand how some of his innocent actions towards other people look to Minato. But they are really cute and hot too. And I bow to Meguru Hinohara for her storytelling and art, her other series, The Dragon's Betrothed is good too.

Other manga couples I like are Hirano & Kagiura from Sasaki & Miyano, and their own spin-off series of course. I like Sasamiya a lot too, they are really sweet but I find myself being more invested in Hirano and Kagi's thing.

Ok, what next... I just finished The Case Files of Jeweler Richard novel vol. 7, so Seigi and Richard. If there ever was what's-actually-gonna-happen?? slowburn, it's here. Seigi is damn slow and Richard communicates in riddles but man I'm invested. I also bow to Nanako Tsujimura for these books, love them.

Speaking of slowburns and slow realizations and dumb communication (/affectionate), the danmei royalty of Hua Cheng and Xie Lian and Lang Wangji and Wei Wuxian. Both are very good. I love the trope of love transcending time and all that, so Hua Cheng waiting for 800 years for Xie Lian ticks this box so hard.

I'm also basic, so of course Viktor and Yuuri from Yuri On Ice are on my list. Same also for Ash and Eiji from Banana Fish. Touya and Yukito from Cardcaptor Sakura. Oh, I quite like Cherry blossom and Joe from Sk8 too.

I have a bunch of Genshin Impact ships I enjoy. I'm most invested in Alhaitham/Kaveh and Diluc/Kaeya. I like ships that have a past, I'm sure you noticed.

Ok, should I mentioned relationship that nobody probably knows about... But I keep thinking it a lot. There's this BL visual novel called Tokyo Onmyoji, the main character Rei is dealing with all kinds of supernatural problems as onmyoji. One of the routes is with his childhood friend Suguru and that route is beeeest. It's so good, deals with trauma and family trouble and their past and aaa now I'd like to read it again.

Also, Dramatical Murder is my least favourite Nitro+Chiral visual novel but damn, Koujaku and Aoba are so good couple, it ticks again so many boxes for me. (why oh whyyyyy that gorgeous figure of them is so expensive?! I can't justify myself to get pieces of plastic that cost two month's rent...)

Alright, let's pretend for a moment I'm not completely rotten woman... One of my favourite game couples is Eirika and Seth from Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones. It again gives me the "I've always liked you but I have kept my distance for reasons". I'm also in the Cloud/Tifa (minority?) camp for FFVII ships.

Kiyoka and Miyo from My Happy Marriage are het couple I'm really behind. I like how they are in the "so good for each other" category and how they've had to work on their relationship. The anime didn't show Kiyoka's thoughts that much but in the books he's also still learning how to be a good boyfriend/husband.

Shin and Lena from 86. Often I'm just "ok" about obvious couples like these but they are the exception. I think maybe it helped that they were separated soon after they got to know each other and then had to sort of got to know each other again.

Oh btw, I do read yuri too but I'm usually more into the series as a whole or one character's personal growth rather than their relationship. Like Sayaka from Bloom Into You. She's my favourite character from the series and I like her spin-off light novel series but I'm most into her finding peace with herself and love in general, if you understand what I mean. But! Hanako and Alice from Goodbye, My Rose Garden manga are my favourite yuri couple! Escaping relationship/marriage that people expect for you but you don't want, to unite with your true love is a trope I'm really fond of.

But Xitty, do you have any Western media couples you like? Well, murder husbands aka Hannibal and Will Graham I think of fondly and love forever. I was very very big Sherlock and John shipper (BBC ver.) and you can't take that away really. I'm also basic when it comes to Doctor Who, so Tenth Doctor and Rose make my heart flutter and eyes cry for their doomed (kinda) story. I just find myself watching less and less Western shows, so I don't even know what's happening there nowadays.

Umm... maybe that's it for now? Thank you everyone who read till the end. :D