#pop culture loves romance

[forsapphics]

Wlw art + lyrics from Dancing With Our Hands Tied by Taylor Swift

[katelovesit]

pop$tar

[fadavitalis]

My friends and I were discussing Heartstopper, how great it is, and how much we love a good vibes queer story. My friend, however, noticed a particular trope in queer media, particularly between two male leads.

Friend: "Why is it always a curly haired brunette twink paired with a blonde himbo?"

Me, without even giving it a second thought, instictively: "... because of Frodo Baggings and Samwise Gamgee."

Ngl, this is legit our new headcanon now: LOTR has sparked so much fanfiction and gotten so deeply entrenched into our culture that, subconsciously, we just model our main gay couple after those two.

[skyloftian-nutcase]

The Many Languages of Love - February event!

Hi lovelies! February is often themed with romance because Valentine’s Day, and I, a sad little lonely peanut who has never had romance in my life, finds it quite annoying that the only love anyone in our culture cares about is romantic, emphasizing it to the point that it makes you feel like your life is incomplete without romance.

SO.

February is now the month of love, BUT it covers all the kinds of love - romantic, friendship, familial, and selfless/sacrificial. Because love is a beautiful thing and NOT just pigeon holed to romantic partners! I can’t write something for every day, but I will be dividing the themes into each week and will hopefully write a couple per week. Enjoy! :)

[blissfulcrow]

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: The Crow 1994 Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Eric Draven/Reader, Eric Draven/Shelly Webster, Eric Draven/You Characters: Eric Draven, Shelly Webster, Reader, Sarah Mohr Additional Tags: Reader-Insert, Eventual Romance, Eventual Smut, Eventual Fluff, Inspired by Music, Post-Canon, Post-MCR, Love, Falling In Love, Canon-Typical Violence Summary:

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she could see a crouched man dressed in all black, rips and tears covering his attire, squatting on the sides of the mausoleum as if he were a fierce stone protector right at home with the gargoyles. His clown-like face paint was framed by deep black hair and intense brown eyes that seemed to pull you deep into them. There was something almost ethereal about him, nearly as if he glowed in the pale moonlight engulfing them both.

Note: My fic inspired by Brandon Lee’s portrayal, posted both here and on AO3. Please feel free to leave a like and comment so I know I'm not just throwing this fic into the abyss

Chapter One: Can’t Find My Way Home.

Blinding… That is the only way to describe her rage's effect on her… Blinding… like a flashlight clumsily pointed in your direction or a train rapidly approaching, unwavering in its journey and uncaring what was in the way. She was inconsolable after they told her the news. Her closest friend suddenly and unexpectedly passed away after having no signs of deterioration whatsoever. When she remembers, she feels like she's still there in that hospital room. Her ears ring as doctors ask a flurry of questions that she can’t answer, not because she doesn't know the answers but because her mouth just refuses to form the words. The bubbling of emotions threatening to boil over is unbearable; she thought she had prepared for this… “Stupid fucking idiot!” She reprimands aloud, boots slogging through the dense, earthy surrounds of the cemetery just outside the city. She walked straight back into the emotional turmoil of losing her mother; she promised herself she wouldn't work herself up, today of all days especially. Today marked one year since her friend's death, a whole year. One year without her closest confidant, a year of benders ending with her curled up next to a toilet, calling her friend's voice mail despite knowing it was futile. She would never get the answer she sought at the end of that dial tone, no matter how many tears were shed… The dead can't come back.

Every week, she would bring flowers to her grave. No matter how much it hurt, she pushed herself; she knew her companion's biggest fear was being forgotten, and she couldn't bear the thought of her being right. Every week, she had to put herself through the same bitter cycle of grief, and she knew she couldn't keep going like this. She just didn't know how else to cope. She trudged closer to her destination, fists whitening from her stone grip on the wilted pink Chrysanthemums. It happened to every flower that made its way to the grave; no matter how hard she tried, they always ended up crushed, and in that regard, she could relate to the poor flora withering in her palms.

The headstone slowly entered her view, the night's fog limiting it momentarily. The pot of emotions she thought she had under control started to boil wildly and without warning. Tears erupted ungraciously, blinding her vision as she approached, unaware of the crow mounted atop the grey stone watching her intently.

A grating caw pulled her from her mourning. Startled by the black bird as she kneeled, she looked up at it, and its eyes were hypnotising. It cocked its head as if almost to ask, “What's wrong?” and that's when laughter burst from her mouth. “I must be going nuts if I think a bird is concerned for me!” She manically exclaimed, running her hands through her hair to soothe herself. It wasn't working, not this time. “Sometimes, seeing truly is believing.” a bleak voice beside her called, snapping her back. Dropping her bag and flowers, she scurried away, hyper-aware of the reality of being in a cemetery alone with a stranger in the late hours of the night. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she could see a crouched man dressed in all black, rips and tears covering his attire, squatting on the sides of the mausoleum as if he were a fierce stone protector right at home with the gargoyles. His clown-like face paint was framed by deep black hair and intense brown eyes that seemed to pull you deep into them. There was something almost ethereal about him, nearly as if he glowed in the pale moonlight engulfing them both. Seeing her reaction to his presence, he shot his hands up, seemingly to say, “I’m no threat to you.” It was comforting in a strange way. Despite his ghostly exterior, she felt that there was something more to him, something tragic. His eyes held sorrow and grief, just as hers did. ‘Probably just another poor grieving soul.’ She speculated, feeling foolish for her initial reaction to his presence. “What do you mean?” She quizzed, referring to his opening line. She hadn't said anything, yet he had read her mind. “The bird, you thought you were going crazy because it could understand you. If you see it, believe it,” The leather-clad man stated as if it were something everyone would know.  

“That's an odd icebreaker” She quipped, straightening herself up. “Got a name, Mr Lurker?” Stretching out her hand to formally introduce herself to the man. She's done stranger things.

He stared at her hand as if contemplating the minor gesture. After a moment, he shook his head. ' Oh,’ she thought.

“Don’t do physical contact” Fell bluntly from his blackened lips as he looked away. Her hand wavered for a moment before returning to its place beside her. “Hey, fair enough, man, the chick you just met in a graveyard probably has heaps of diseases. I don’t blame you.” She chuckled, turning her head towards a grave, any of them to not face the embarrassment of her word vomit.

Eyes flicking from graves to the man, the woman sucked in a breath as if to build the courage to ask.

“So, what brings you this neck of the woods?” He stared again, trying to read her face.

“Only two types of people come to these places at such an hour: criminals and mourners.” He laughed, a haunting laugh that almost echoed off the surrounding statutes and monuments. She was entranced in how alluringly beautiful he looked as the smile spread across his monochromatic features. The crow landing on her shoulder broke her out of her daze. “So which are you? We friend or foe?” She jested, bringing her hand up to her shoulder, stroking the feathered creature with her pointer finger. 

Her eyes moved from his face to the disturbing sight beside him: an overturned grave. She couldn’t make out the deceased's name but could do the math. Sketchy stranger plus disrupted grave equals criminal, a thought that caused anxiety to rise to the surface despite his good looks. 

She slowly rose to make a quick escape, seeing as though she had just interrupted a looter, and she didn't want to end up in that empty grave. He saw her alarm and quickly cried out as she turned to run, crow flapping away from the perch on her shoulder.

“It's my grave!” Well, that certainly is a good way to stun someone. Ever so gently, she turned to face the unknown clown-covered man, contemplating how even to address the statement he so brazenly blurted out. ‘What the fuck does that mean?!’

Before she could verbalise her confusion, he was suddenly in front of her as if by magic. His hand flew to her mouth as he pulled her towards the mausoleum, keeping her from screaming. Her arms and legs flailed wildly in vain as he pinned her to the wall inside. “Hush now; no harm will come to you.” He whispered curtly. “There is someone here; they are responsible for the grave. If I take my hand away, do you promise to be good?”

All she could do was nod, eyes wide in fear and confusion. He eyed her carefully, steadily removing his hand, testing if she would keep her word. She did.

“Thank you. If your kindness could extend a tad longer, that would be appreciated. We have a visitor, " he said, crouching at the tomb's gated entrance to get a better look at who was approaching. She joined, slightly behind him.

It was a cloaked figure, steadily encroaching on the mangled grave. A heavily bangled arm outstretched to pick up the wilted chrysanthemums, crouching as they grabbed them. Low, angry muttering could barely be heard by the shrouded pair when suddenly, the flowers set ablaze in the figure's hands. More curses left the form as they clapped their hands over the empty grave, shaking the remaining cinders from their skin with the loud clangs of their bracelets that echoed through the graveyard. Visibly frustrated, the figure turned to leave quickly as if on a mission.

She didn't realise she had been holding her breath until her body reminded her of her oh-so-important need for oxygen. Spluttering as she attempted to regain a semblance of control of her body, the man before her turned to meet her gaze as if almost to say, “You mind?”

“Sorry”, She started, “I’m not accustomed to hiding from hooded figures.” If the joke landed, his face did not show it. 

“What happened to the whole ‘Don't do physical contact thing’?”

He peeked out to ensure the coast was clear, ignoring her before straightening up and extending his arm. Rapid flaps could be heard as the forgotten crow took its place upon his arm before turning to its owner; when they locked eyes, it seemed almost as if they were communicating with each other telepathically. ‘What the fuck is happening?�� The woman thought. “Go home, it’s not safe here.” Well, that much was apparent. Hastily, she skirted around the man to begin scooping up the contents of her bag back into its home. This had been creepy enough to last her a lifetime. 

The man watched her fumble and tumble out of the cemetery, not moving until she was out of sight. He made his way back to the decrepit grave, wracking his mind: ‘Why am I here? I thought this was over with. How am I back? Who was that figure?’ His eyes slowly drifted from the carved-out words ‘Eric Draven’ to the name on the adjacent grave, ‘Shelly Webster’, his heart rapidly thumping, threatening to leave his chest.

“I tried to come home, Shelly; why can't I return to you?” He wept, kneeling beside her headstone. His head met his hands as he unleashed his sorrow and frustration. ‘It’s not fair; what cruel being keeps us apart?’

Next to his grieving form, he could hear tiny taps of scale-like feet. Pulling him from his pity, the crow had dropped something beside him. Reaching out, he picked up the object, a driver's license. Seemingly, it belonged to the woman who had mistaken him for a thug. Gazing towards his feathered companion, he muttered,

“Suppose it’s time for a formal introduction.”

Alright, folks lemme know what you all think With Love, Blissful Crow <3

[astroa3h]

Nara Aziza Smith & Her Venus Love Style Reading

Nara has Venus in the sign of Virgo @ 7 Degrees 

— Trine Mars in the sign of Capricorn @ 10 Degrees 

Venus governs love, beauty, and relationships. When it’s in Virgo, it's considered in fall, meaning Venus isn’t entirely comfortable here—like a queen trying to rule from a modest cottage. People with Venus in Virgo, like Nara, approach love with a meticulous and analytical mindset. They crave perfection and are highly discerning when it comes to partners, often seeming picky or overly critical because they won't settle for anything less than the best.

Virgo is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication and intellect, which means Nara’s love language is likely acts of service and detailed attention. She notices the little things and appreciates when others do the same. Nara is the type to remember your favorite coffee order or that you mentioned loving sunflowers three months ago. This placement suggests a practical and nurturing approach to love, where actions speak louder than words.

Now, let’s zoom in on the 7 degrees. In astrology, each degree of a sign has a specific influence, and 7 degrees is associated with Libra. Libra represents balance, harmony, and legal matters. Nara’s love life might be intertwined with issues of fairness and justice, potentially leading to legal battles around relationships or partnerships. This could manifest in prenups, divorce settlements, or public disputes with significant others.

Next, we have the Trine to Mars in Capricorn at 10 degrees. Mars represents action, drive, and sexual energy. When in Capricorn, Mars is exalted, meaning it operates very effectively. Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, brings a disciplined, ambitious, and pragmatic energy to Mars. Nara’s Mars in Capricorn means she’s incredibly driven, especially in her public life. This placement is about climbing the ladder of success, no matter how long it takes. Nara is strategic and hardworking, traits that translate into persistence and determination in love. She doesn't give up easily and will work hard to make a relationship thrive.

We shouldn't overlook the significance of 10 degrees, associated with Capricorn itself, emphasizing a public-facing life and its challenges. Nara is likely to be in the spotlight, whether she wants to be or not. This can bring pressure and potentially lead to feelings of depression if not managed properly. The constant scrutiny and high expectations can weigh heavily on her.

Returning to the trine aspect between Venus and Mars: a trine is a harmonious aspect, suggesting that these planets work well together. Nara’s Venus in Virgo and Mars in Capricorn form a supportive and synergistic bond. Her love life and ambitions likely complement each other, balancing her need for practical, detail-oriented love with her goal-driven nature. Her relationships are built on mutual respect and shared goals. She seeks partners who are equally driven and who appreciate her meticulous approach to love and life.

Nara is a powerhouse of discernment, ambition, and balance, navigating her love life and career with precision and grace. Keep an eye on her—she’s bound to make waves in both her personal relationships and public endeavors.

xoxo Astro Ash 🤍✨ Get your own reading: astroash.net

[lonelystar1111]

[czgif]

Lukáš Vaculík and Tereza Pokorná in Love Between the Raindrops (Lásky mezi kapkami deště) 1980, dir. Karel Kachyňa IMDB

[caitchercatlady]

Black History Month Musical Acknowledgement Day 13

Everyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for a love song. I'm a romantic at heart, always have been. Endless Love, regardless of the version, has my chest in a clutch every time, but my favorite version is the Luther/Mariah duet. As much as I love Lionel and Diana, and I do agree with Billboard that it's the greatest duet song of all time, it doesn't compare to the chemistry that Luther and Mariah have. Every time I listen to it, I fall in love myself. Not that I'm walking down the aisle any time soon, but this song will be the track I'll walk to. No ifs, ands, or buts.

[gayofthefae]

Wait you guys......

Mike and Will are in love

No because like they're just...they're just a wholesome childhood friends to lovers slowburn I'm gonna rewatch like "aww you don't know yet".

Like....

Mike and Will are in love.

They fell in love from ages 12-16(?). That's so cute. What the hell. I just randomly starting thinking about it like it's just some show I just heard about or something and I'm like "aw cute trope". What a cute trope wtf. That's adorable. Two twelve year old boys in the 80s and they fall in love over the course of many years as they grapple with internalized homophobia and homophobia in their small town? That sounds like a GREAT show where can I watch it? That's adorable.

Mike and Will are in love. And...that's just the premise. That's just the premise of their plot. If you came up to me after you watched episode 1 for spoilers and you were like "What happens to Lucas? Dustin? Mike? That girl they found? The kid who went missing?" I could just be like "Dustin gains confidence and becomes besties with Mike's sister's boyfriend after they break up, Lucas meets this girl who's introduced next season and they're really good for each other, the girl gets adopted by the police chief and then into the Byers and has a great found family and independence arc, and the boy who went missing survives and he and Mike fall in love!"

And that'd just be like...right. I'd just be telling you what happens.

[stardust-in-my-mind-blog]

responsible gunpowder

so this relationship feels more like

the angry punishment of some dude who

never got to grow up because of the

emotional enmeshment of his mother

your mother wound that umbilical cord

so many times and tight around you two

that you forgot who you were

and who she was

and who the fuck I am

time is a motherfucker

and I'm his daughter

the man of my house

was me the eldest daughter

a power I never wanted

but a game I learned how to play

you made this game

you set the characters

and I'll match all your energy

and let it burn like the gunpowder

I accidently left in a ritual

all over the floor

in a mandala design

just for fun

[f1orencesyndrome]

"the girlies who were never pursued or even considered"

#penelope #polin #wallflower #bridgerton june 27

[theexodvs]

Disney movies aren't real. The Hallmark Channel isn't real. The Princess Bride isn't real. Romance novels aren't real. Adult videos aren't real. Hashtag-riddled Instagram posts of celebrity couples aren't real. 80s love ballads aren't real. And, as much as I hate to say it, The Addams Family isn't real.

Most Americans' (and Canadians') view of love is primarily influenced by one or more of these. Before one gets married, one needs to disavow all of these things as remotely realistic depictions of how couples are to love each other. Loving is an action, and if your concept of the act of loving is based primarily in self-fulfillment and emotion, your relationships are all doomed to fail.

[aroaessidhe]

2023 reads

What Stalks Among Us

YA thriller

two best friends skip a field trip to explore some old forgotten backroads - and get trapped in a looping corn maze full of weird shit, including their own dead bodies

they have to figure out how to get out, what’s killing them, what’s causing the maze, and face their traumas

fat girl MC with anxiety, both are bi and have ADHD, no romance

[coupleofdays]

Growing up, a lot of the pop culture I read or watched depicted romance as something that the protagonist just sort of stumbled into while doing other stuff, randomly meeting the love of their life while on some great adventure, bumping into them when rounding a corner, sitting down next to them in the classroom, etc. This might have had something to do with the fact that the romance wasn't the focus of the story, but often was something "added on" because "we've got to have a romance in there too".

I think this gave me the misguided idea that I didn't have to actively pursue romance, that I could just do other stuff, and somewhere along the line a romantic partner would just fall into my lap (maybe literally?). Looking back at it now, I feel extremely frustrated about probably having wasted several years of my life simply waiting for love to find me, doing basically nothing myself to try and find someone. Going to parties? Dating? Attempting to be attractive? Pfft, who needs it, I just gotta wait for that meet-cute to happen by itself.

Which means that now, as a grown person, I have basically no experience with romance or how to meet people in that context, and have to learn it from scratch. And, of course, I had the impeccable timing of deciding to seriously attempt it just before the pandemic started.

[astroa3h]

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck seen kissing, holding hands during brunch with kids amid divorce! 👀✨

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s on-again, off-again relationship has always been a whirlwind, and their recent public affection is no accident—astrologically, it’s deeply tied to a karmic lesson they can’t seem to escape. Their Venus-Saturn conjunction in Gemini at 18 degrees—a Virgo degree known for themes of addiction and self-sacrifice—screams unfinished business. This aspect indicates a relationship that isn’t just about love; it’s about the grind, the boundaries, the hard lessons, and the undeniable pull of fate. Saturn brings the weight of responsibility, while Venus yearns for connection and harmony. When these two energies clash in a sign as restless as Gemini, it creates a bond that’s as intoxicating as it is challenging.

For JLo and Ben, this isn’t just a romantic reunion; it’s a karmic tug-of-war between their need for love and the heavy responsibility that comes with it. Saturn’s influence over Venus can feel like a blessing and a curse—one minute you’re deeply connected, the next you’re cold, distant, or stuck in repetitive patterns. The addiction here isn’t just about substances or habits; it’s about being hooked on the high of love, the drama, the nostalgia of past moments, and the fear of letting go. Their relationship, marked by past breakups, rekindled flames, and public ups and downs, speaks to the Saturn struggle: the push and pull between building something lasting and the constant test of their commitment. This is a couple that thrives on the challenge, but they also risk losing themselves to the very obstacles that bring them together.

In your own relationships, if you’re feeling stuck in a cycle of old patterns or are attracted to partners who feel like projects rather than equals, this Venus-Saturn dynamic is asking you to wake up. Love isn’t just about attraction or nostalgia; it’s about building something solid without losing yourself in the process. Don’t get caught up in the fantasy of fixing someone or reliving the past. Learn from JLo and Ben: love should empower, not imprison. When Saturn’s involved, you’re not just dating—you’re building a life lesson. If it feels heavy, it’s because it is. Ask yourself if this weight is one worth carrying. Prioritize your boundaries, communicate openly, and if the relationship isn’t adding value to your life, be brave enough to put it down. This isn’t about giving up; it’s about knowing when to break free from what’s holding you back.

Blessings,

Ash ✨

Get your own reading at astroash.net