#prettyarbitrary's writing

[meetinginsamarra]

Fanfics I really liked in August 2023

So. Since I keep a list of what I´ve read anyway (there´s always a list), I will rec all the fics I´ve wholly enjoyed on a monthly basis. Old and new, canon or AU, big or small authors, long or short but nearly always Johnlock (-ish).

The Traveller by Calais_Reno @calaisreno

Sherlock works for the ministery as a time traveller in oder to prevent an apocalyptic event happening. But his adversary is a traveller too and when timelines begin to change and mingle one John Watson enters the game.

Great idea and impressive writing!! Everything and every timeline is coherent and guessing how it will evolve (and being proved wrong, LOL) has been a lot of fun and intrigue.

Last Words by PrettyArbitrary  and Final Hours by bendingsignpost

“You should die faster,” Sherlock recommends. “We’d both be better off.” Even as a ghost Sherlock remained an obnoxious dick. Very delightful and without angst. Two companion pieces.

The Master of Latham Hall by Kryptaria @kryptaria

A re-read. Awesome ghost story and casefic mix which is very suspenseful. Also, while the story unfolds, parallels between the past and present begin to appear which will lead to much appreciated conclusions.

A Rock, An Island by stopthat

It's that fateful moment in Bart's lab when Sherlock tries to get rid of John via claiming Mrs Hudson is in danger. But this time John notices something's off and things go very differently compared to BBC canon. Thankfully.

Ever the Strange Case by DAngeles @dangeles

A XO fic where Sherlock and John stumble into the multiverse and meet Dr. Strange and Mr. Ross. Shenanigans ensue. So much sassy funny and on point in character dialogue between them. Great!

Fallen series by mamishka 3 fics @the-mamishka

The series follows canon episodes 1-3 closely. However, Sherlock is a fallen angel and a lot of the other characters are supernatural beings as well which gives the storyline a new twist.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

heeeey is there any fic where john play the violin? or instrument

Hey Nonny!

Ahhh, I don’t have many I’ve personally read, so I’ve included stuff I’ve filed in my MFL list too <3 Hope that’s okay! And a lot isn’t violin, but wheee why not everything I’ve got :P

As always, Lovelies, add your own recs if ya got them!

JOHN PLAYS AN INSTRUMENT

Sonatina in G Minor by SilentAuror (E, 22,574 w., 1 Ch. || Case Fic, POV Sherlock, Angst, UST, Sherlock’s Violin, Post-S3, Romance) – John has come back to Baker Street, but Sherlock doesn't understand the strange tension between them, even after he begins teaching John to play the violin at John's request.

The Baker Street Nativity by SwissMiss (E, 99,662 w., 23 Ch. || Nativity! AU || Teacher Sherlock / TA John, Pining, Sherlock POV, UST, Angst, Christmas, Music/Song Fic, Anal / BJ’s, First Kiss / Time) – Fusion between Sherlock (BBC) and Nativity! (2009 movie starring Martin Freeman). Sherlock is a primary school teacher and John is assigned to be his classroom assistant. Together, they are charged with putting on the school's Nativity play. What could possibly go wrong? Part 1 of The Baker Street Nativity Verse

MARKED FOR LATER

Stringplay by PrettyArbitrary (E, 3,219 w, 1 Ch. || Sherlock’s Violin, Kink, Music, Stringplay) – John secretly plays fiddle. Sherlock and his violin seduce him into a threesome.

White Satin, Silver Sequins (a continuation) by Saki101 (M, 3,468 w., 1 Ch. || Cross Dressing, Disguise, John Plays the Clarinet, Not S3 Compliant) – John writes about more than their cases. Excerpt: Time re-wound. My fingers itched to touch as though I’d never known the warmth and glide of you.

The Violin of Ruin and Favour Series by PizzaMan (T, 5,923 w. across 4 fics || Post-TRF, Sherlock’s Violin, Angst With Happy Ending, John Plays the Violin, Emotional Hurt / Comfort, Depression / Suicidal Mentions) – 3 years after the Fall and Sherlock comes back. During that time, John had learned to play the violin.

Suite for Violin and Clarinet by AwkwardAnnie (G, 9,165 w., 6 Ch. || Hidden Talents, John Plays the Clarinet, Fluff, Music) – John finds a clarinet in a charity shop and discovers that some things are better said with music. Eventual Sherlock/John.

I Could Try by Arcwin (T, 9,583 w., 5 Ch. || Greek Mythology Crossover || Post-TRF, Orpheus and Eurydice Myth, POV John, Pining John, BAMF John, Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, Horror, Angst with Happy Ending) – John is grieving Sherlock's death post Reichenbach until one day, he sees the violin case, and something inside him tells him to pick it up. Crossover between BBC Sherlock and the Greek tragedy Orpehus and Eurydice, wherein Eurydice is killed for her beauty and taken to the Underworld. Orpheus, being the son of Apollo (the God of Music and Medicine) travels to the Underworld to convince (via playing his lyre) Hades and Persephone to let Eurydice go. Orpheus then must travel with Eurydice behind him, not looking back, until they exit to the land of the living.

Out and Loud by paradigmfinch (M, 28,233 w., 8 Ch. || Popstar AU || Dancer/Ballet Sherlock / Singer John, Fluff, Falling in Love, Mutual Pining, Jealousy) – John Watson is a 22 year old pop star who's about to come crashing out of the closet. Sherlock Holmes is a reluctant fanboy auditioning to dance in his next music video. Part 1 of Out and Loud

Brooklyn Heat, Summer Jazz by Zigster (E, 41,820 w., 10 Ch. || New York Ballet AU || Jazz Pianist John, Ballet Dancer Sherlock, Modern Setting, Brooding Sherlock , Confused John, Non-Linear Storytelling, Sexual Tension, Angst, Alcohol / Pot / Club Drug Use, First Time, Not-Good Mycroft, Happy Ending) – "There was, however, one thing that made it easier to stay on his piano bench every day. One thing that kept John Watson showing up to class on time, every morning at ten with a large thermos of honeyed tea and a conviction to see a job well done. His name was Sherlock Holmes and he was the most confounding and extraordinary thing John had ever come across - the most exotic of birds and the most unattainable of men."

While the Music Lasts by gunandviolin (E, 44,645+ w., 6/? Ch. || WiP || Orchestra AU || Slow Burn, Jealous John, Angst with Happy Ending, Classical Music, Sexual Tension) – John Watson, a weary veteran of the professional orchestra circuit, settles into his new position as principal clarinetist for the London Symphony, hoping that he's left his worries behind in the States. However, his sudden acquaintance with the brilliant solo violinist Sherlock Holmes and the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of his predecessor prove that John's troubles are far from over.

Silence by halloa_what_is_this (T, 44,993 w., 13 Ch. || The Piano Fusion || Victorian Sherlock, Dub Con, Voyeurism, Permanent Mutilation, Johniarty, Mute John) – In 1850, John is a mute young man forced to marry to save his father from indebtedness. His sister as his interpreter and his piano to keep him company, he travels to London to live with his husband James Moriarty. Without John's consent, James sells the piano to his friend Sherlock Holmes, who only asks for lessons from John in return. The lessons turn into a power play between the two when Sherlock proposes a deal: John may earn his piano back one key at a time, certain conditions attached. Part 1 of the Aborted Wings series

Queen's Philharmonic by Holmesianscholar (M, 69,785 w, 25/30 Ch. || WiP || Orchestra AU || Classical Music, Synaesthesia, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Love Confessions, First Kiss, Romance, Fluff, Light Angst, Past Drug Use, Happy Ending) – There is a vacancy at Queen's Philharmonic Orchestra for Principal Clarinet. John Watson, a modest but talented clarinettist, returns to London to apply to the orchestra to pursue happiness and purpose in life. Sherlock Holmes, violinist and concertmaster at the QPO, is in constant search of a musician who can fulfil his need to create the most colourful music together. Join their rehearsals to be a part of this slow, sweet, lyrical journey that they embark, one note at a time :-)

[awakeningzine]

BettyBattaglia: I try... but I have so little time at the moment that I even don’t get to read fanfiction There are a lot of talented writers in the fandom @what_a_harlot , @Ladymuzzmuzz , @Afyxia and a lot moooore!

JulieWithAxe: Related to DMC, no I don’t

Nuxcia: I read and write but it's been a loooong time since I read one... usually, it's on Tumblr and Dante x Reader or Dante x V. Recently, I read fics by rodeoxqueen, la-vita and an amazing one by lickitysplit.

AVAAntares: I do! Though I don't tend to read fic for a given fandom while I'm actively writing for it, so for the past year I haven't read much DMC fic since I've been working on the monolithic Children of the Future Age. I'll rec @writingsquid, In_Pieces, PrettyArbitrary & Moonsheen on AO3

Slingbees: I used to read a lot of DMC fanfic but my favorite has to be this 2 parter by namesonboats!! It's Vergil/lady with a lot of angst, a lot of steps to get to a place where the relationship is sustainable and a lot of characterization (NSFW in some chapters) https://archiveofourown.org/series/1482305

Hails: Oh, tons! Trying to pick a favorite is like trying to take my head off. Anything by TheWritingSquid and FarLouRea is just -chef's kiss- The Best Content

Kadaogan: Can I just say, being in this zine with writers whose fanfics I’ve read and probably cried about was,,, a experience,,, Anyhoo favorites yes err here’s “Never Had the Courage of My Convictions” by wanderseeing on AO3! https://archiveofourown.org/works/28406496

Sparkie96: I dooo I love too many to name favs. There is so much talent!

MarquiseAngelica: My native isn't English, and there in Russian community there is a very small amount of fanfics which kind I prefer. So I have to write more than read there. As for AO3, there's surprisingly big fandom for me here, and for now I just try to accomodate that.

[odd-lil-duck]

Check it out

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178517047261

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178517030131/imdefinitelyyourcat-apoeticmindset

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178517048561

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178517054201/you-know-what-nooooo

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178517129706/fieldbears-fullmetalquest

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178517004976/thebootydiariesmeparentsmeparentsme-puts

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519263026/a-polite-melody-socialjusticeichigo

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519327976/danielhowall-why-didnt-you-paint-your-nails

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519304781/tony-says-sorry-steve-screams-fuck-you-people

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178511977136/i-will-cast-a-spell-to-make-you-have-a-good-day

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519416911/spiders-are-the-worst

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519345311/mcu-headcanons-nasafic-steve-rogers-on-jimmy

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519438231/ummmmm-i-know-what-i-said-google

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178508602056/josephcooper96-diaperedlilgirl-sheepmommy

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178508625616/bonk-protectnormani-loueish-not-gonna

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178508641851/reblog-if-youre-nonbinary

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178508637571/europe-belongs-to-europeans

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178509327201/the-art-daddy-nightphoenix10

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178509336526/notthesweetreese-sharksonfiretonight

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178509374581/youre-a-thot

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178509405481/do-you-ever-watch-movies-that-youve-starred-in

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178509385541/look-i-dont-care-if-you-are-trans-cis-boy

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178509399076/damonwells-cringepics-dean-you-fucking

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178509412466/fatdryad-evelynnesbit-masculinity-is-a

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178509314541/writer-ace-i-dont-know-if-some-people-just

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178509424756/you-absolutely-will-not-believe-this-until-you-see

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178509495571/how-to-survive-a-cougar-encounter

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178511832506/partypoisonsam-just-another-band-devotee

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178511948256/everyone-we-want-more-lgbt-characters-in-our

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178511974861/irish-catholics-filled-with-shame-always-are

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178511905991/lilsplanet-april-yes

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178511993956/unclefather-wayneradiotv-hey-thats

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178512007151/small-loon-appreciation-post

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178512023936

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178516434506/im-so-over-baby-boomers-and-gen-xerss-insults

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178516998776/nickfuckface-parents-u-should-be-more-active

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519449281/mostlygibberish-mostlygibberish

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519480121/comickit-dio-brandos-finely-toned-ass

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519487841/writing-prompt-s-human-beings-are-able-to-use

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519506881/skazuhira-terriamon

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519577101/im-so-glad-mcr-isnt-a-band-in-2018-because

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519609291/teampurple-rustnut-xamag-undertale-gee

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519622226

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519651501/oscar-wilde-had-a-lesbian-niece-yea-yea-her-name

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519653191/thepowerwithin-you-have-done-it-my-friend-you

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178520463341/lierdumoa-laughingfish-bloodbending-peter

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178520400196/hungryonmain-pureslime-pureslime

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519915976/lesbie-vague-cis-lesbians-dating-trans

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519702461/30-minute-memes-me-irl

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519687876/dragonenby-one-thing-that-most-media-fails-to

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178523609621/the-name-of-op-worries-me-asfghf

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178523514356/catchymemes-local-council-called-out-on-twitter

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178523464021/wentzilla-grand-theft-autumn-where-is-your

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178523456106/draconym-draconym-i-had-planned-to-do

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178522798606/gentlesharks-fuliajulia

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178522764596/m1tos1s-the-only-reason-i-still-have-depression

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178522758671/oppa-homeless-style-peechybean

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178522746141/elenamatisstuff-gasstationchampagne

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178522702841/shubbabang-funny-story-my-5th-grade-elementary

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178522676471/danielhowall-dnp-laughing-at-us-for-thinking

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178522663031/dan-called-himself-a-lesbian-on-stream-thus

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178522614371/redthebear-this-little-angry-flemish-puppet

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178522563216/gaytwunky-is-nomine-vacans-casualhibiscus

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178522518276/this-is-the-gay-cat

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178522482341

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178519658016/gaymaractus-poppys-gaymaractus-poppys

https://godofdiverseinterests.tumblr.com/post/183526038091/not-to-be-a-brit-but-tea-mira-jadeamethyst

https://winglessnymph.tumblr.com/post/183487387215/se0ctopus-the-best-sleeping-positions-when-you

https://xxslasher-skeletonxx.tumblr.com/post/183484944325/victorian-sexstache

http://galvanists.tumblr.com/post/182200038042/character-designs-for-gerard-ways-concept-of-a

http://thepoolofthedead.tumblr.com/post/183477220579/weasowl-20thcenturyvole-probablybadrpgideas

http://the-mexican-satan.tumblr.com/post/183481138562/coolhandofagirl-stop-me-if-youve-heard-this-one

http://lil-mistake-boi.tumblr.com/post/183481139045/if-the-purge-was-real-wed-defend-one-another

https://cant-miss-being-humxn.tumblr.com/post/183431044340/more-how-to-manage-adhd

https://pinkwhiteandblue.tumblr.com/post/183420580016/more-ways-to-bind-without-a-binder-a-list-of

https://fandoms-are-a-gift-of-chuck.tumblr.com/post/183431127930/did-i-tell-yall-that-one-time-when-my-friends-and

https://not-alone-but-always-alone.tumblr.com/post/183431131778/procrastinatingnerd-lily-orchard

https://aropossum.tumblr.com/post/183430657144/obfuscobble-naamahdarling

https://skylagamingv2.tumblr.com/post/183430676767/prettyarbitrary-servicek9s

https://5000angryspiders.tumblr.com/post/183430679284

https://witchbithebooks.tumblr.com/post/182949937195/domestic-garden-witch-when-eggshells-grow

https://broadwaytheanimatedseries.tumblr.com/post/186292291234/pinsir-anarcho-kaibaism-cr-familiar-faces

https://thatpettyblackgirl.tumblr.com/post/186298239731/marauders4evr-so-youve-got-this-typical-story

https://younggayanddoingokay.tumblr.com/post/186275084251/advanced-procrastination-norrington-hell

https://younggayanddoingokay.tumblr.com/post/186275084251/advanced-procrastination-norrington-hell

https://love6428-blog.tumblr.com/post/186270580145/attackofthekillerderk-abloodymess

https://bubblseri.tumblr.com/post/186271532285/wxnderduo-crashboombanger-some-ppl-wanted-to

https://starlight-sanders.tumblr.com/post/186128024994/armageddonwithit-have-a-whole-130-of-good

https://emovirgil-sanders.tumblr.com/post/186128150672/rootbeergoddess-lizzo-really-is-that-bitch-god

https://i-need-a-hero-i-need-a-loki.tumblr.com/post/185602421951/dookiediamonds-fakedick-kultmimbur

https://toxicprincetoby.tumblr.com/post/185430999053/otherwindow-otherwindow-otherwindow

https://supermariogalaxy.tumblr.com/post/185374741892/top-music-artists-in-2020

https://deadpool4king.tumblr.com/post/184777559350/freakofandoms-blackgirlcurves-finally-a-body

https://whatthefuckbuttercup.tumblr.com/post/184598210856/wethepotterheads0214-galaxyside-0

(Color test)

https://thepoolofthedead.tumblr.com/post/184331476549/bendamneron-coolmanfromthepast

https://shrugs-are-shrinky.tumblr.com/post/183954017571/vvildde

https://wowdeathwouldbenice.tumblr.com/post/183954047525/satan-graffitied-my-soul-anarchetypal-i-saw

http://dduane.tumblr.com/post/51881306566/above-possibly-the-most-photogenic-bread-ive

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178524039061/knowing-my-fat-ass-if-i-were-belle-i-would-have

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178524027361/sinnahsaint-magicalgirlmindcrank

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178508548846/jhzargo-pangur-and-grim-blogging-icarus

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178524095421/actualbrendonurie-sarcasm-not-capitalism

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178524102821/i-just-realized

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178524131386/imthegingerninja-bihalfling

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178524414956/curlicuecal-hopeology-andreajmars

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178524425861/paracosmicmind-runawayalters-i-want-this-to-be

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178524439866/blackqueerblog-it-is-well-documented-that-tens-of

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178525878576/beachdeath-the-pure-unrestrained-giddy-joy-i

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178526055381/yourgothboyfriend-nurse-peach-me-listening-to

https://enby-ghost.tumblr.com/post/178526061306/secrettunnelyeah-a-queen

https://i-am-a-fish.tumblr.com/post/167918732772/flump

https://i-am-a-fish.tumblr.com/post/168113990672/im-im-a-meme

http://gravityfying.tumblr.com/post/167578540371/mxxn-kitten-vampire-kohai-mxxn-kitten

http://echoisweird.tumblr.com/post/164939382518/hopesananchor-fragipan

http://gravityfying.tumblr.com/post/167580647681/the-septic-theory-squad-tssanderssidestrash

https://starydraws.tumblr.com/post/167325760844/in-case-anyone-is-having-a-bad-night

http://lesbianshepard.tumblr.com/post/167417290047/chefpyro-charlesoberonn-non-english-speaker

https://emirrart.tumblr.com/post/167122973035/oh-man-aw-geez-emirrart-oh-man-aw-geez

http://gliterrypunk.tumblr.com/post/167005962740/my-nama-bitchiro-tuffgreg-rolodextra

http://lesbianshepard.tumblr.com/post/167007893495/tonydezz-tonydezz-reblog-if-you-fucking

http://writing-prompt-s.tumblr.com/post/166966594657/writing-prompt-s-the-alphabet-game-write-a

http://writing-prompt-s.tumblr.com/post/166988070290/greeneyespurpleheart-writing-prompt-s

http://atomicmangos.tumblr.com/post/166929815431/the-signs-in-2017

[thessalian]

Tag 10 followers you want to get to know better!

I was tagged by: @lord-corgi-attano

Gender: Cis-female

Star sign: Aquarius

Height: 5′3.5

Sexuality: Panromantic asexual

What image do you have as a wallpaper: The official Critical Role S2 fanart on my desktop; the art of the characters from my novel, which was drawn by the talented @ichithecupcake and gifted to me by @raceofhearts, on my iPad.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?: By that point, I’ll be in my 50s. More than likely, I’ll still be working medical secretarial, still writing, still selling perfume, still DMing ... I’m pretty happy where I am all things considered, and I don’t expect it’s going to change.

If you could be anywhere else right now, where?: San Francisco. Because so many friends there.

What was your coolest Halloween costume?: Rose demon. Gorgeous asymmetrical red velvet skirt edged in black lace, black top with bell sleeves, fishnets, fuck-me heels, black and red rose jewellery, black and red feathered mask with horns. I went out on my own, had a great night and the bar I went to took my picture and hung it up on the wall of best Halloween costumes of that year.

What’s your favourite 90’s show: It took me a minute to think of one (I didn’t watch much TV in the 90s) but Daria is basically the one I watched, and which had a pretty hefty effect on my life on the whole.

Last kiss: My ex-fiancee, many many years ago.

Ever been stood up: Yeah, a couple of times.

Have you ever been to Las Vegas?: Nope.

Favorite pair of shoes: Do my brand new bunny slippers count?

Favourite fruit: Mangoes

Favourite book: ... Can I just list the full back catalogue of @seananmcguire and have done with it?

Stupidest thing you’ve done: Refused to do my homework or make any effort for most of the 7th grade. I had just moved to the US and I hadn’t wanted to move, and I refused to engage with the school that hated me. I did some significant damage to my GPA with that ... but at least I made up for it.

Tagging: @raceofhearts, @lindira, @janiemcpants, @somegreyjedi, @thanesprayers, @korakos, @prettyarbitrary, @mollymauk-the-tiefling, @maybethings, @mastro-soul

[singwhenyoucantspeak]

So, I’m seeing a lot of ace discourse on my dash today, which is an odd coincidence since this is a topic i had a very long in depth conversation about yesterday with another friend. While I often reblog posts to signal boost information about asexuality and particular experiences of acephobia, I realized I have never really made a post or spoken up about it myself. With this in mind, I have decided to post a summation of the comments I made to my friend yesterday to let you all know what my thoughts are and why I personally believe we need to fight against the acephobia present in our community and support ace and aro people of all positions on the spectrum. That said, I don’t really feel like going through and editing everything I said yesterday, so I apologize if the following has tone issues or spelling errors etc, I’m just copying and pasting what I said in this conversation. I also want to note here that I myself am not on the ace/aro spectrum, I am lesbian/queer. The question posed to me was basically what is my stance on the discourse, and this is some of my response: 

I'm against gatekeeping. Ace people of all romantic orientations experience oppression from normative society. Inter LGBT+ community prejudice is strong between all sectors. Biphobobia, transphobia, and even lesbophobia are extremely prevalent as is sexism from gay men and yet we HAVE to work together as a community. Are some ace people who are heteroromantic homophobic? Probably but a lot of gay people also do homophobic shit and I've read enough and seen enough in the world to know ace people are oppressed by heteronormative society even if they are heteroromantic, and the same goes for aromantic people who might be heterosexual. But, tbh many many ace people are also aro and a lot of the non ace community wants to pretend like that's not a thing and that since they don't experience any same sex attraction they should get out of the community, which is stupid. There are also hetero trans people so using same sex attraction as the measuring point or definition for belonging in the queer/LGBT+ community doesn't work anyway. So yes it sucks when anyone the queer community does something prejudice or holds prejudice views and there are ace people who do, but they are still not privileged in society and to say they are is to ignore multitudes of proven life experience which is VERY dangerous for all kinds of reasons. 

And we as a community HAVE to form coalition regardless of what inter prejudice we have or else we CANNOT combat the current heteronormative hegemony. We have to respect each other and work together if we want to destroy the system that is oppressing all if us, even if sometimes it sucks. But tbh I've seen wayyyyyyy more shitty acephobic lesbians on here and actually not a single homophobic ace person so yeah that's just one instance of my personal experience but I think gatekeepers exaggerate the problem they bring up and need to look at their own selves and their own ability to listen to others with empathy. Because unfortunately we all rely on society learning to listen to us with empathy. Even with coalition there is not enough of us to change society without straight allies and how can we be so hypocritical as to expect religious heteros to put aside their beliefs and listen to us with empathy and change their views if we cannot do the same within our own community.

Also I think maybe it's important to note that my stance on this issue wasn't made based on Tumblr discourse alone. I actually came to this position while taking the queer theory course in my last year of undergrad and reading a bunch of scholarly work that also discussed this so I'm not just randomly jumping on whatever train my favorite blog is on... If that makes sense. I point that out not to be elitist about academia, but because I think that there is a common occurrence on Tumblr as well that people just pick up whatever stance on an issue that a blog they admire holds, I've in fact even found myself guilty of that, so with something this fraught with conflict I think it is important to self reflect and make sure that's not what I'm doing. 

I've also noticed a pattern in which many acephobes are also transphobes. And I think it comes from this paranoia of thinking that cis straight men are trying to infiltrate our community for some reason... Tbh I don't understand it. It's the idea that trans lesbians are really straight men in disguise and in a similar way ace people are really straights in disguise... It's so problematic and unnecessary.

I've reblogged quite a few pieces of writing on what oppression is like as an ace person if you're interested in reading some of that, I will include links to some resources at the bottom of this post. Because they do experiences a very different kind of marginalization than lesbians or gay men, so I think sometimes it's hard for monosexual L/G people to quite understand.

But I also want to make it clear that being ace is NOT an excuse for doing homophobic shit. So I'm definitely not advocating to not call out homophobia when you see it. Just that we should be addressing it on an individual bases in terms of individual actions, not advocating to exclude an entire group from our community out of fear that they might have prejudice.

i'm also just gonna add a couple things: there is definitely a difficulty in the fact that ace people and sexual queer people want and need very different things and that creates problems when trying to make a space that is safe and inclusive of both. Because queer people do not have the freedom to express their sexuality in heteronormative spaces so they rely on queer spaces to do that but sex repulsed aces can then find those sexualized spaces to be very hostile environments. The problem is that telling queer people not to express their sexuality in every queer space because it is hostile toward ace people IS homophobic. we need both kinds of queer spaces. Because queer people NEED a space to safely express themselves and their sexuality. But ace people and also younger queer people need the non sexualized safe spaces as well so we need BOTH. and people don't seem to be able to wrap their heads around the fact that it doesn't have to be either or. Ace people need to self police and know when they are going into a space that may not be comfortable for them, but at the same time queer people need to recognize the importance of having equal opportunities of safe spaces that are not hypersexualized. it's hard because there are so few opportunities for physicals spaces for us in GENERAL that it seems almost impossible to guarantee we are providing for the both, and the easy out is to just decide to exclude someone. but while that is an easy answer, it's not a good answer.

at the same time, again it gets very very complicated with relationships. some of the reports of acephobia on that lists I have linked I think need more detail because i do not believe a queer person who wants a sex life should be forced to be celibate because their partner comes out as ace. That is a case in which two people find out they want very different things, and while it sucks, a relationship is likely not going to work out. BUT, the way that that is handled is what makes the difference between it ending up as acephobic or not. and tbh I've been thinking a lot about this and I think part of the problem is that asexuality is so unkown. it really needs to be a conversation before the relationship gets too serious, but a lot of ace people do not know they are ace before they've ended up in a serious relationship. so the fact that ace people continue to get broken up with BECAUSE they are ace is a symptom of acephobia, not because their individual partners are necessarily acephobic, but because the system forced them both into that situation in the first place.

tbh I think the solution to is, is actually sex positivity, which needs to be understood as NOT the same thing as the forced/hyper heterosexuality that the media enforces now. I mean as in open conversation about sex and sexuality and sex education. I think part of the problem is that because the dominant christian culture is so weird about sex, there is a lot of argument toward ace people of "Oh you're not ace, you are just repressed and need to learn how to appreciate sex. sex is weird for everyone at first, but you get used to it and learn to love it, you just need to give it a chance." I think it'd be helpful to get rid of that weird ass christian repressive culture because then it is more clear that asexuality is a real thing and that a person's awkwardness toward sex due to a sexually repressive religious upbringing is in fact NOT the same experience as people who do not have sex drive and do not enjoy sex. because a sexually repressed person who feels that way due to christian upbringing can and will learn to become more comfortable with sex (I AM CASE IN POINT)  but an asexual person CANNOT and trying to force them to is very harmful/painful for them.

So yes, it's a shitfest of complicated issues, but that is just my take on it. also aphobia and biphobia sometimes go hand in hand due to this issue: https://singwhenyoucantspeak.tumblr.com/post/157331442151/straight-couples-shouldnt-be-at-pride so just another thing to think about. In the end, I’ve noticed that most gatekeeping heavily relies on heteronormativity which is like the exact thing we are trying to dismantle.

Links to resources: 

this one has a LOT of info, especially if you keep reading down to the bottom with the tons of links https://singwhenyoucantspeak.tumblr.com/post/163230928631/its-all-a-fucking-joke-right

i don't know a lot about the blog posting this but seems like a source of more info https://singwhenyoucantspeak.tumblr.com/post/127991052391/bhryn-asexualthings-asexuality-is-an

https://singwhenyoucantspeak.tumblr.com/post/103997214821/prettyarbitrary-oreides-pungeon-mistress

also this an example of why from the  standpoint of representation etc. ace people need our support https://singwhenyoucantspeak.tumblr.com/post/156705124231/how-is-riverdale-queerbating-and-ace-erasure 

There are probably more posts that I have reblogged with more or better info but this is what I could find since i never tagged any of it. Also, if any ace/aro people have input they want to add or want to discuss anything I said please feel free to sent me an ask, a private message, or just comment on this post.

[redvsbluemicrofic]

Here’s a mental health fic rec very close to my heart, with Wash in anguish and Epsilon reaching out. 

I’ve said this many times before, but this should be required reading for how to write Epsilon.  I adore @prettyarbitrary and am humbled to say that they are one of the reasons I started writing again.  Thank you.

[remmyme]

Fandom Fanfic Basics

Fandom: Sherlock (John/Sherlock)

Favorite Canon fic:

echoes through time by chellefic

Mummy sends a trunk from the Holmes cottage in Sussex to 221B. Its contents alter the way John and Sherlock see themselves and one another.

---

Gosh I love this one. There’s something about the slow and soft poetry of the writing that drags you in and sticks with you for years.

Favorite AU fic:

Cracks in the Wall by sweetcupncakes

"The day of the funeral is cruel in its ordinariness.

The sun hides behind bleached wisps of clouds, the air is lukewarm on his skin, the ground stubbornly refuses to consume John from the feet up."

---

*heed the ao3 tagged warnings!*

Super amazing teenlock step-siblings AU.  

Favorite Short fic:

Homemaking by rageprufrock

The original plan for returning to England involved fucking around being shellshocked and suffering mandatory post-combat counseling and physical therapy to dissect the shattered mosaic of his feelings. That's not quite how it goes.

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It’s rageprufrock, what more incentive do you need?

(No, seriously, this woman’s writing sends me into truly embarrassing fits of joy on the regular. Read. I beg of you.)

Favorite Long fic:

Nature and Nurture by earlgreytea68

The British Government accidentally clones Sherlock Holmes. Which brings a baby to 221B Baker Street.

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The kid fic to end all kid fic and YES I’M AWARE everyone ever has already read this.

Favorite Angst:

Ten Minutes by PrettyArbitrary

In ten minutes Sherlock will live in a world with no John in it.

Ten minutes is how long they have for everything.

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*warnings: major character death*

I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been continuously crying for 5 years over this one.

Favorite Fluff:

Let You Kiss Me (So Sweet and So Soft) by out_there

The first time Sherlock kisses him, John keeps his eyes open, and so does Sherlock, and mostly, he wonders what Sherlock could possibly be up to. There'll be some logic to this. Some ridiculous experiment about body warmth or respiratory rates or testing a new way of picking pockets. Sherlock does the unimaginable for bizarre reasons, but behind it, there's always logic and curiosity. Sometimes, it just takes him a while to explain it to John.

---

Gorgeous characterizations and sweetly domestic. For a 221B-specific measure of domestic, of course.

Favorite PWP:

In Practice by greywash 

Sherlock's time is limited, so he tends to focus on acquiring the knowledge he finds most necessary in the quickest and most convenient way possible—which, yes, frequently means that he tends towards the theoretical over the practical, especially when the theory is widely explored, frequently elaborated, and easily accessible.

"So you mean," John says, a little thickly, "you've watched a lot of porn," and Irene drops down onto her stomach on the floor with her hair falling around her face and laughs and laughs and laughs.

---

AKA the scorchingly hot Irene/John/Sherlock threesome that wasn’t.

Favorite Fusion/Crossover:

Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc by etothepii

"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc. It's the family motto."

"What does it mean?"

"We gladly feast on those who would subdue us."

---

Addams Family/Sherlock crossover that I read again and again and again and again. Special!John is so good in Sherlock fandom, and this fic is perfect. Amazing world building.

Favorite Fandom Trope:

examine every inch by whimsicalimages

John Watson knows he is a special boy. He knows because when he is five years old and asks his mother, “Do you and Daddy have that string so you can always find each other?” his mother just gives him a confused look.

“What string, Johnny?” she asks.

---

Trope: Soulmates

Sherlock fandom lends itself perfectly to soulmate AUs. Let’s face it, we all know these assholes were made for each other in any universe.

Favorite Fandom Author:

 bendingsignpost in Sherlock at AO3

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UGH picking a favorite author is hard.

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(And because I’m unrepentant fandom trash)

Favorite RPF:

The A.G.R.A. Complex by SilentAuror

Martin Freeman wakes from a brief coma during which he dreamed the entire Sherlock series. As he recovers from his brain injuries, he has trouble distinguishing between reality and the Sherlock universe in his dream. This impacts his relationships with both Amanda, whom he cannot stop seeing as A.G.R.A., and his friend and sometime colleague Benedict, who is Sherlock to his John.

---

*warnings: brain injury, motor accident, infidelity, not very Amanda friendly*

SilentAuror is an absolute gift to the Sherlock fandom, they pretty much single-handedly guided me through my many post-S3 feels. A great mix of Sherlock/RPS that comes together in a beautiful (and emotional like whoa) story.

[redvsbluemicrofic]

1) Describe your comfort zone—a typical you-fic. 38) Talk about a review that made your day. 39) Do you ever get rude reviews and how do you deal with them?

1) Describe your comfort zone—a typical you-fic. 

Hmmm.  As the name of the blog implies, I mainly do drabbles, microfics, and other quite short stories.  I admire the shit out of people who do epic length longfics, but for my writing, I find joy in snapshots and moments, and the deep breaths that happen in between the more dramatic events.  I enjoy writing warm humour the most, and a lot of my writing is dialogue heavy.  With that in mind, the whole “Assholes in first aid class” series of drabbles is probably the most typical of my humour and laid back style. 

38) Talk about a review that made your day. 

Oh hell. This is so freaking difficult, but there is one that does stand out, because I read it and nearly hugged my screen.  When I wrote the October 16th fic, @prettyarbitrary reblogged and tagged it in a way that told me that I had done it right, that people were hearing it the way I wanted it heard.  I wanted to lay my head down and weep, it made me feel so wonderful.

The tags were as follows:  “Tags: rvb agent washington fanfic not my fic fanart not my art SCREAMING THE INABILITY TO COPE EXCEPT FOR THIS AND YET IT'S EXACTLY WHAT SHE NEEDS JUST STANDING THERE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE DOOR GRIEVING TOGETHER IN THEIR MUTUAL ALONENESS and wash omg i can just imagine how UTTERLY TERRIFYING he is there utterly shut down and emotionless he's always at his scariest when he's being a robot haha locus wishes he were that good at turning off“

39) Do you ever get rude reviews and how do you deal with them?             

You know, I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone give me a negative review before?  I have had zero problems with anons - usually they just pop up for prompts and memes (I’m looking at YOU)  and everyone has been incredibly nice, supportive and engaging.  I’m surprised really, because every once in a while I write something that I half expect is going to push someone’s buttons - not because I’m trying to be incendiary, or because I’m being gratuitous with violence or gore or anything...I just know that Tumblr just enjoys a bit of drama, and I’m just pleased that shit hasn’t hit my particular fan so far.  I’m to the point now where I’m curious what it would take.  I made a Cain and Abel reference that I thought would likely piss off a few South fans.  I refuse to do trigger warnings, but rarely do fics that touch on controversial topics, and my works are so short that graphic descriptions are usually limited to a single sentence - North firing up under Maine’s helmet and bits of bone and grey matter coming out, Wash shooting first Caboose and then Tucker in the head to spare them being tortured by Felix - I’m fairly certain those two are the worst I’ve ever done, and there was nothing.  Granted, they were really early on and I didn’t have a lot of followers then (they were both back in the June series) so it probably had a lot more to do with not many people seeing them rather than people just simply not feeling offended.

Thanks - these were good questions!