#thank you for giving me an excuse to talk about it

[allaboutynn]

THE SPARK BETWEEN US

💐 synopsis — it was good being the maknae of aespa, they always treated you like their younger sister, well Except one member who definitely thinks of you more than that.

⚠️ warnings: Urm idk why I wrote this in first persons POV but never trying that again :/, 5th member reader, avoiding

💬 Rin: first actual attempt at writing something that’s fic related, yay(?) came up to the decision of making this blog my writing fics blogs and created another for reading and interactions!

☀︎︎☁︎︎ 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 ꆭ ᷎ ࣪ 🎀ᩖ ࣪ ۪ ̃ ✿

As I spent more time with the members of aespa, I couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging. They were all so kind and welcoming, always making sure I felt included and comfortable. Karina would often give me advice on fashion and beauty, while Giselle would share stories about her love of food and cooking. Ningning would tease me playfully, but always made sure I knew she was just joking.

But there was one member who treated me differently. Winter would often find excuses to sit next to me, or to touch my arm while we were talking. She would look at me with a gaze that was almost... intense. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I knew that Winter saw me in a different light.

At first, I tried to brush it off as mere friendliness. But as time went on, I began to realize that Winter's feelings for me went far beyond friendship. She would make subtle comments, or find ways to be close to me, even when it wasn't necessary.

I have to admit, it was a little intimidating at first. But as I got to know Winter better, I realized that she was genuinely kind and caring. She would do anything to protect me, and make sure I was happy.

And as I looked into her eyes, I couldn't help but wonder... did I feel the same way?

As I pondered my feelings, Winter's gaze seemed to hold mine for a bit longer than usual. I felt a flutter in my chest, and my heart skipped a beat. I quickly looked away, trying to brush off the sensation.

But Winter's eyes seemed to follow me, and I could sense her gaze on me even when I wasn't looking. It was as if she was trying to will me to look back at her, to acknowledge the unspoken tension between us.

I tried to focus on the conversation around me, but my mind kept wandering back to Winter. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if we were more than just friends.

As the evening drew to a close, Winter walked me home, her arm brushing against mine. The touch sent shivers down my spine, and I felt my heart racing in my chest.

As we stood outside my door, Winter turned to me and smiled. "Thanks for tonight," she said, her voice low and husky. "I had a really great time."

I smiled back, feeling a sense of nervousness. "I had a great time too," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Winter's eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I thought she was going to kiss me. But then she seemed to hesitate, and instead, she leaned in and whispered, "Goodnight."

As I watched her walk away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. But at the same time, I knew that Winter's feelings for me were real, and that she was willing to take things slow.

I smiled to myself, feeling a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, Winter and I could explore something more than friendship. And as I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us.

The next day, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something had shifted between Winter and me. We had always been close, but the way she had looked at me the night before, the way she had whispered "goodnight" in my ear... it all felt so intimate, so personal.

As I went about my day, I found myself wondering what Winter was doing, whether she was thinking about me too. I felt a little silly, to be honest - I had never really considered Winter in a romantic way before, but now I couldn't seem to get her out of my head.

It wasn't until we met up for practice that afternoon that I saw Winter again. She smiled at me as I walked in, and I felt my heart skip a beat. We exchanged a few pleasantries, but I could sense a newfound tension between us, a sense of awareness that hadn't been there before.

As we began to practice, I found myself stealing glances at Winter, watching the way she moved with such precision and control. She was always so focused, so dedicated to her craft - and yet, when she caught my eye, I saw a flicker of something else there, something softer and more vulnerable.

I felt a pang of curiosity, and before I knew it, I was wondering what it would be like to kiss her, to hold her close and see where things might go. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I quickly looked away, trying to compose myself.

But as the practice drew to a close, Winter caught up to me, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hey, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice low and teasing. "You seem a little distracted."

I felt my face heat up, and I looked away, trying to play it cool. "I'm just tired, that's all," I said, trying to brush it off.

But Winter just laughed, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I don't think that's it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think you're just avoiding me."

I felt my heart skip a beat, and I turned to her, my eyes locking onto hers. "Why would I be avoiding you?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Winter just smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I think you know why," she said, her voice low and husky. And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving me feeling stunned and confused.

As Winter walked away, I felt a pang of curiosity. What had she meant by that comment? Was she really suggesting that I was avoiding her, or was she just trying to get a rise out of me?

I decided to follow her, to see if I could get some answers. I caught up to her in the hallway, where she was waiting for the elevator.

"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual. "What did you mean back there?"

Winter turned to me, a sly smile spreading across her face. "I think you know exactly what I meant," she said, her eyes glinting with amusement.

I felt a flutter in my chest as I met her gaze. There was something in her eyes, something that made me feel like she could see right through me.

"I'm not sure I do," I said, trying to play it cool.

Winter laughed, a low, throaty sound. "Don't play dumb," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know you feel it too."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as she stepped closer to me. "Feel what?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Winter's eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I thought she was going to kiss me. "You know exactly what I'm talking about," she said, her voice husky with emotion.

And with that, the elevator doors opened, and Winter stepped inside, leaving me standing there, feeling stunned and confused.

For the next few days, I made a conscious effort to avoid Winter. I would take the stairs instead of the elevator, just so I wouldn't run into her. I would sit in a different part of the cafeteria during meals, and I would arrive early to practice so I could warm up before she arrived.

It wasn't that I didn't want to see her - it was just that I needed some time to think. I needed to process my feelings, to figure out what was going on between us. And I couldn't do that with Winter around, being her usual charming and persuasive self.

But as the days went by, I started to feel a little guilty. I was avoiding Winter, and I knew she had noticed. I could sense her eyes on me during practice, could feel her watching me even when I wasn't looking.

And then, one day, Winter decided to confront me. We were at practice, and I was sitting on the sidelines, taking a break. Winter walked over to me, her eyes fixed intently on mine.

"Hey," she said, her voice low and serious. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. I knew what was coming.

Winter sat down beside me, her eyes never leaving mine. "I've noticed you've been avoiding me," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "And I want to know why."

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Winter raised an eyebrow. "Don't lie to me," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "I know you've been avoiding me. And I want to know why."

I sighed, feeling a sense of resignation. I knew I couldn't avoid this conversation forever.

"Fine," I said, looking down at my feet. "I've been avoiding you because...because I don't know how to feel around you. Okay?"

Winter was silent for a moment, and I could sense her processing my words.

"Because of what I said the other day?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle.

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "Yeah. Because of that."

Winter nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. "I see," she said, her voice thoughtful. "Well, can I ask you something?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation.

"Do you feel the same way?" Winter asked, her voice soft and gentle.

I felt my heart skip a beat as I met her gaze. Did I feel the same way? I wasn't sure. But as I looked into Winter's eyes, I knew that I couldn't deny the spark that had ignited between us.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Winter's eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if searching for the truth. I felt a flutter in my chest, and my heart began to beat faster.

"I...I don't know," I stammered, trying to sound nonchalant despite the turmoil inside me.

Winter's expression didn't change, but I sensed a flicker of disappointment. "Okay," she said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "I understand."

But I could tell she didn't understand. Not really. And I couldn't blame her. I was confused myself.

Winter stood up, her movements fluid and effortless. "I'll leave you alone for now," she said, her eyes still fixed on mine. "But can I ask you one more thing?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation.

"Will you at least think about it?" Winter asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Think about how you feel, and what you want?"

I nodded again, feeling a sense of resolve. "I'll think about it," I promised, my voice firm.

Winter smiled softly, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Good," she said, her voice gentle. "I'll be waiting."

And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving me feeling more confused and uncertain than ever. But also, somehow, more hopeful.

I watched Winter walk away, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I was glad that the conversation was over, but at the same time, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just made things more complicated.

As I sat there, trying to process my emotions, I couldn't help but think about Winter's words. "Will you at least think about it?" she had asked, her eyes pleading with me to consider my feelings.

And I had promised her that I would. But as I sat there, I realized that I had no idea where to start. I had never really thought about my feelings for Winter before. I had always just assumed that we were friends, and that was it.

But now, I wasn't so sure. Winter's confession had thrown everything off balance, and I was left feeling confused and uncertain.

I decided to take a walk, hoping that some fresh air would clear my head. As I strolled through the streets, I couldn't help but think about Winter. I thought about the way she smiled, the way she laughed, and the way she always knew how to make me feel better.

And as I walked, I started to realize that my feelings for Winter went far beyond friendship. I felt a flutter in my chest, and my heart began to beat faster. I couldn't believe it. I had feelings for Winter.

But what did it mean? And what was I supposed to do now? I felt like I was standing at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take. But as I looked up at the sky, I knew that I had to be honest with myself. I had to acknowledge my feelings, no matter how scary it seemed.

And with that, I made a decision. I would talk to Winter again, and I would tell her how I really felt. I was nervous, but I knew it was the right thing to do.

I took a deep breath and made my way to Winter's room, my heart racing with anticipation. I had been thinking about our previous conversation nonstop, and I knew I had to talk to her again.

As I knocked on the door, Winter answered with a curious expression. "Hey, what's up?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.

I smiled, feeling a sense of nervous excitement. "I wanted to talk to you about what you said the other day," I began, my voice barely above a whisper.

Winter's expression softened, and she nodded encouragingly. "I've been thinking about it a lot too," she said, her voice gentle.

I took another deep breath, feeling my heart pound in my chest. "I have to admit, I was surprised at first," I said, my eyes locking onto Winter's. "But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I feel the same way."

Winter's face lit up with a radiant smile, and she took a step closer to me. "Really?" she asked, her voice trembling with excitement.

I nodded, feeling my heart soar. "Really," I replied, my voice firm.

Winter's eyes sparkled with joy, and she reached out to take my hand. "I'm so glad," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

As our hands touched, I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. It was like the whole world had come alive, and everything felt new and exciting. I smiled up at Winter, feeling my heart full of joy and anticipation.

As Winter's eyes sparkled with joy, I felt my heart skip a beat. We stood there for a moment, hands touching, and I knew that everything was going to be okay.

Winter smiled and leaned in close. "I'm so glad you feel the same way," she whispered, her breath tickling my ear.

I nodded, my heart racing with excitement. "Me too," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, I knew that this was just the beginning of our journey together. And I couldn't wait to see what the future held for us.

✰𝐀𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐀

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

You mentioned how ace's dream was like a vague fanfiction addressing some fun fandom theories and ideas but I think whats the best part about it was how the progression up to that point made sense. Theyve dropped so many moments showing ace caring dearly for yuu to the point where this dream as fanservicey like that it was it feels natural for ace to have such a dream if that makes sense WAAGH I LOVE HIM SO MUCH

What did you think of the dream though ms raven? The dream made me wail so badly ough hes finally cried too m sure hes been through a lot 🥹 seeing cater talk to ace so sincerly it hits me so hard in the feels im so glad hes finally got to cry (a little anyways)

Ace’s dream felt like fanfiction, but at least it felt natural or like everything up to this point was leading up to this being his wish. I unfortunately cannot say that for several other dreams. Certainly ones definitely felt egregious or contrived. Some were largely fanservice (Savanaclaw Rook, dorm leader Cater, delinquent Deuce) or just excuses to make new cards (merform twins), even if it didn’t make complete sense for the character to wish for it.

dgjswvizjsowk I know you’re probably expecting me to comment on Ace in his own darn dream, but I actually have a lot more to say about Cater. Ace’s motivations + butting heads with the rescue squad were what I expected them to be (though I give him props for being the only character so far to resist waking up right away). More on my precursory thoughts in this post (but based the exact wording of your ask. I’d be tired to guess you’ve already read it 😅)! But CATER????? TELL ME WHY HE WAS THE GOAT THIS UPDATE 😭

Cater does SO much???? First he suggests the third years help Trey cook BBQ so the darkness is distracted while the others can isolate Ace and try to wake him. When that attempt fails, Cater pretends to agree with Leona’s proposal to leave Ace behind to bait Deuce to come after him to play as his support. Cater sitting down to have a heart-to-heart convo with Ace??? And then mercilessly using his UM to gang up on Ace and beat him up??? 😭 Him reminding Ace about his courage facing off against OB Riddle… Cater confessing he wanted to run, but being encouraged to join the fight because aaaaah his kouhai looked so cool and dashing!! Thanking Ace??? Finally verbalizing some of his feelings???!?!?!?!???! CATER PULLING ACE OUT OF THE DARK????? MY GOD… OTL ThE biG BRoTHER EnERGGY WaS SO DTRONgGGGGGggGGGGG

And he kept this up even into Trey’s dream???????? Where Cater once again does a TON. He volunteers to investigate since makes the most sense (he is a Heartslabyul student so it’s not shady to be in the dorm and his UM is useful for combat). Cater also the third years with him into the kitchen to have a look around. Him saying he’s impressed with Silver’s will and how he would’ve given up so much sooner if he were him???? Dropping interesting lore about Trey??? Cater admitting that he has always been a spectator and now realizes he should have done more than just watch events unfold???

CATER CONSISTeNTLY puTTING hIMSELF AnD THE THirD YEARS IN hARm’s WAy FiRST… StRAtEGIzING… mAnIPULATING… AND ACTUAL SELF-REFLECTION AnD SINCERiTY????

Cater got to shine SO much this update, especially in Ace’s dream. He really came off like a big brother figure to Ace. A little mean, but also able to be so very vulnerable with him. Him not wanting to give up on Ace even though he later says if he were Silver, he’d have given up on everyone a while ago… MAN. CaTER cARES SO muCHHHHHhhh 😭 This might actually bump him up a little in my tier list… I didn’t like him much before 💦

[pedge-page]

Or imagine Sarah owning a play grocery store and she totally refuses to scan Joel’s items or either doubles the price for his groceries and gives him dirty looks and she may or may not own a play restaurant as well and she refuses to take his orders because everything is either out or she just does not want to put in the effort and just says flat out no and she just winds up giving him whatever she wants him to have

Joel Dealing with Sarah: Price of Bananas

- - - -

The best and worst toy Joel ever got Sarah was the mini store set up. It's everywhere: He’s constantly groaning in pain, hoisting his foot in the air after stepping on a plastic broccoli, or tripping on that stupid little baby shopping cart the size of a small dog, and don’t even get him started on the manager of that supermarket!

Sarah. Miller.

On his knees, and with a metal basket full of plastic produce and empty boxes, Joel unloads his haul onto the (pretty damn ingenious piece of equipment) toy conveyer belt.

A very grumpy, attitudinal, a little too young to be working here, young lady rolls the belt so his items approach her register slowly.

He grins happily, but she only shoots daggers at him.

Tf did he do? He’s just a happy customer—

BEEP!

Trying to play nice with his—

BEEP!

Sweet little three year old girl and her—

BEEPBEEP!

“Hey, you scanned that twice, ma’am,” he says, pointing to the orange she’s just haphazardly tossed into the plastic bag. BEEP!

“No I didn’t,” she says matter of factly, not even looking his way.

BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!

“You did, and you just charged me for three sushi rolls when I only got one in ya hand.”

She rolls her eyes. 

Testy little thing, aint ya? He raises his brows but says nothing. Rough economy in the Miller house, I tell ya.

“Your total is—“ “You forgot to scan half my cart, kid.”

“Excuse me! I talking!” She snaps back.

She angrily rubs the plastic apples slices back and forth over the scanner, a BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP echoing between the two hostile occupants of this fake grocery store staring one another down. She then tosses it at him rather than at the bag.

The cool thing Joel appreciates about the whole gadget is that, it actually scans the plastic toys and registers a price for each one. Easy stuff, like $1, $2, etc, and totals into the register for her.

So he can CLEARLY see the price, albeit unfair for charging him for 5 bananas when he only had one—and WOULD be fine, were she not randomly punching numbers into the computer, adding additional items at whim that are not in his shopping bag.

“Your total is like, a $million dollars.”

“I got 4 pieces of fruit. No it isn’t.” “Yes. It is. Do I need to call my body guard, sir?”

“Momma ain’t ya body guard. I am. And I’m tellin’ ya, ya over chargin’ me for my damn apples—“

“You not welcome in my store if you gonna rip me off.”

“YOU’RE THE ONE RIPPING ME OFF LITTLE MISS—“ Joel stops, realizing he’s getting heated at a 3 year old over a bunch of plastic toys. “I mean. Yes. Right. Here’s my card—“ “Decline!”

“Ya ain’t even scan it yet.”

“It’s all out of money.” She chucks it back at him, tucks her arms and taps her foot impatiently.

“That’s not how credit card work, Sarah.”

“MISS! SARAH!” She corrects him. 

He grits his teeth. Ripping out the fake wallet of Monopoly money, he counts out 6 random bills, glancing up at the girl, who raises her brows as if expecting more. He pulls even more out and hands it to her. It’s probably $78 total. Thank god she can’t count to hundred yet.

“There. One billion,” he announces begrudgingly.

He goes to take his bag, but she grasps it back. “NO. WE CLOSED!” “I ALREADY PAID. ITS MINE!” “NO!”

You place a hand across both of their eyeballs, temporarily putting them in a freeze. “It’s just pretend. Joel, take a breather.”

He lets out a big huff of steam through his flaring nostrils before crawling over to her cozy corner and plopping his big ass on her tiny princess couch, facing the wall. Spoon takes the cue and waltz over to him, putting her chin on his lap. He absentmindedly begins petting her, soothing away his frustration until he’s docile. 

-

On another day, Chef S Miller has just opened her finest restaurant and everyone is invited.

Joel walks in to see a line of stuffed animals standing behind one another, leading from the hall and into the living room where an array of stacked books act as ‘tables’ for the little stuffies, and some Sarah sized tea tables and chairs hold her bigger dolls.

Joel walks up to the front, but is immediately greeted by an angry munchkin—the one and only ,Chef Sarah.

“You need to wait in line!” She commands, pointing to the end of the hall.

“I got special reservations.” code: I’m not waiting in line behind a bunch of stuffed animals. 

“You have to wait,” she sneers, pointing once again firmly. 

Joel grumbles but makes his way to the back of the line. Even Spoon has somehow taken the whole thing seriously, sitting patiently a few stuffed animals ahead and waiting her turn. For what, he’s not entirely sure she truly knows either.

They both deserve a steak after this.

He watches as Sarah greets her plushy customers “You have reservation? Right this way!!” And walks them to their tables. He rolls his eyes.

Joel’s about to plop over and fall asleep on the plushies when she finally lets him in.

He manages to squeeze his oversized self into one of the tiny tea party chairs, hunched over the even smaller table.

Oh great. She’s not only the chef, bouncer, and hostess. But she’s also the waitress!

Sarah comes over with a disgusted look upon her face, notepad and colored crayon in hand. “What do you want?”

“Steak—“ “Out.”

“Fine, Ribs—“

“Out.”

He sighs. “Hamburger—“

“No.”

“No?”

“No.”

“You out of burgers too?”

“No.”

“So you’re just refusing to give me one.” “What do you want sir, I don’t have all day!” 

“Whatever you’re willing to give me at this point, kid.”

She lets out an exasperated sigh, scribbling nonsense busily into her notepad.

Oh, she can’t write either. It’s literally just orange scribbles.

She leaves to go get a snack in the kitchen, pet Spoon, play with the other stuffed animals, put her head down for a 5 minute nap, before stretching and going to Joel again—

“What’s takin so long, chef?” He asks curiously. God, his back is killing him. five more minutes of this and he’s putting Spoon in his place so he can lay on the couch…

She rolls her eyes and storms off to the play kitchenette. He watches as she bangs pots and pans onto the fake stove, mixing in half of the play grocery store items and random things she found lying around the house: jenga wood blocks, plastic broccoli and fish, bits of Spoon’s dried kibble, barbie brushes and shoes. She runs it under the faucet of fake water, making a “SHHHHHH” sound as she does, then fires up the pretend grill and mixes it altogether with Daddy’s very expensive whisk.  

She then dumps it on a plastic frisbee turned upside down into a plate and then—

Dumps it all on Joel’s lap.

“What kind of service—! I demand to see the manager!” Joel says, hands on his hips.

She nods and turns around, and turns again. “I’m the manager. What’s the problem?”

His eyes feel so heavy now. So he needs to call in reinforcements.

“HONNEEYYYY.”

After some time, you work out an agreement : Sarah and Joel splitting a pb+J sandwhich you had just whipped up, and Spoon also got a cut in the deal with some of that kibble that got knocked on the floor.

And you all sit around the little table peacefully munching on your respective snacks. No hostile threats. no anger. just brain empty, yummy food full.

Turns out, they were both just really hungry. 

- - - -

taglist:

@harriedandharassed @lola8888673 @its-nebuleuse @zliteraturehoe @merz-8 @joeldjarin @pascalscoffin @pedroshotwifey @ghostslillady @innerpersonunknown @missladym1981 @mrsoharaxx @survivingandenduring @milla-frenchy @cockykookiee @fairytale07 @daddy-din @pedropascalsbbg @spookyxsam @somehopeatlast @millercontracting @pedrostories @mishala005 @theoraekenslover @animez96 @not-a-unique-snowflake-blog @puduvallee @cassiecasluciluce @loohoop @himboelover @callsignwidow @wintersquirrel @fluffygoffpanda @picketniffler @bbyanarchist @jeewrites

[genderqueerdykes]

Wow. Talk about having a shit experience. Why is people explicitly keep saying not to tag their aro or ace post as aroace.

Why why why am I not valid anymore? Can I really not be aro and ace anymore? Can I not open the tag and say "ahh aroace me is so related with this post" anymore? What is it??

It feels fucking shitty seeing community that barely get mention in big queer space like this. Gatekeeping their post and experience to the "right" identity only.

If you someone that do this please stop. I just want to see positive post about my aroace identity. Heck anything about Loveless Aplatonic Afamilial barely get talk about and they don't gatekeep their post from aroaces because what's the point?

this is a great ask, i really appreciate you taking the time to stop by & share your experience, anon. this is something i've noticed within the past few years and i've wanted to talk about it, so thank you for giving me a chance to do so

i've seen 2 excuses for this behavior and they're both terrible and only hurt other people and serve as a method to control strangers.

the first way people try to excuse this behavior is by saying "well I'M not aroace, therefore the post isn't for aroaces!!!!! it's ONLY for JUST aromantics or JUST asexuals not both!!!!!" i have gotten yelled at this before as well. like, profusely. over tags. i feel like people should NOT take a stranger's tags personally. even if they tagged it something you don't agree with or don't like... that's kinda not really your business. this particular behavior stems from people who neurotically check their reblogs/interactions, and it's not healthy.

if you find yourself scrutinizing every single interaction and reblog you get on this website, it might be a good idea to reduce the amount of time you spend on social media, because you quite literally cannot control what people do with a post once you post it. you're at the mercy of god at that point. like i cannot stress this enough: You CANNOT control what strangers do with a post once it's published. these are PUBLIC FORUMS. tumblr is not a private club where only the people you like interact with you. it's a public space. you gotta learn to cope with the fact that other people will interact with your posts in ways you don't like. i don't like it when rad fems interact with my posts, but i also can't stop them from doing so unless i already have them blocked, because they also have free will and a tumblr account.

the second excuse for this behavior i have seen is definitely the worse of the two. people will say that "aroaces get TOO much representation!" or things like "everyone ASSUMES you have to be aro if you're ace/ace if you're aro which isn't true and i take very personally which gives me an excuse to bully aroaces!!!!!!!!" like it legit comes from people thinking that somehow, aroaces are "over represented". the behavior stems from the OP feeling literally attacked by aroaces existing and feeling like they're somehow talking over aromantic people who experience sexual attraction, or like they're somehow talking over asexual people who experience romantic attraction.

people seem to have forgotten that aroace people are STILL ARO. THEY'RE STILL ACE. you can't sit here and go "well i'm mad that 'too many' people know about aroace people so i'm going to harrass aroace people like they're the ones making my life harder and not cisheternormative society." also it's disgusting because a lot of asexuals quite literally believe that aromanticism doesn't exist, and that the term came about to "rip off" asexuals. it's the "transandrophobia doesn't exist because it threatens trans women" argument but with aspectrum identities.

it legitimately causes you NO HARM if your post about just asexuality or just aromancitism is tagged as aroace. they are not saying YOU are aroace! they're tagging it that way for themselves, because they are aroace!!!!!!!!!!!! aroace people are aromantic! aroace people are asexual! stop with this weird gatekeeping and acting like posts tagged just aromantic or just asexual are for people who are ONLY aro or ONLY ace. this shit is hurting people. like i cannot get over the fact that aroace people are. aro. and. ace. and somehow people freak the ever loving fuck out about a mean nasty aroace making them feel bad for.... also being aromantic and asexual ?

like your experience matters. you don't deserve to be told that you can't interact with posts about aromanticism or asexuality because you're both of those things and somehow that's threatening aromantics and asexuals who aren't both. you are still aromantic. you are still asexual. you aren't hurting or threatening anyone. you deserve to be seen and heard, and you shouldn't have to specifically stick to JUST the "aroace" tag and nothing else. i DON'T understand this behavior.

honestly a lot of it smacks of arophobia on the behalf of asexuals and acephobia on the behalf of aromantics. it blows. it's not cool or cute or funny it's hurting people.

this attitude sucks. as the anon said, please stop this. it's unnecessary and petty infighting for no reason. aroace people are not a threat to other aromantic and asexual people. stop treating other people like shit for no reason other than you are insecure and angry about it. nobody is saying YOU are aroace if they tag your post about aromanticism or asexuality with "aroace". they're doing it for themselves. knock it off.

[alittlegiraffe]

Title: Stand By Me

Part 2

Marshall knew your relationship with your mother was complicated.

You never talked about it much, but he noticed the way your body tensed when she called, the way your voice changed when you spoke to her. You’d plaster on a polite smile, but your eyes would dim, your shoulders would sink just a little.

At first, he didn’t push. He knew what it was like to have family issues, knew the guilt and obligation that came with it. But as time passed, he saw the way it weighed on you—how every conversation left you drained, how her words clung to you like poison long after the calls ended.

And he hated it.

Because he loved you. And watching someone tear you down, even if it was your own mother, made his blood boil.

But what could he do?

You were an adult. You had to navigate this on your own. So he did the only thing he could—he stayed by your side, ready to catch you whenever she knocked you down.

Until one night, he couldn’t stay silent anymore.

You hadn’t wanted to go.

Marshall could see it in your face when you told him your mom wanted to have dinner. The hesitation. The forced smile.

“You don’t have to go,” he reminded you gently.

“I know,” you sighed, “but it’s easier this way.”

That didn’t sit right with him. It never did.

But he didn’t argue. Instead, he grabbed his keys. “Then I’m coming with you.”

Your smile, this time, was real. “Thank you.”

The dinner started off tense.

Your mother was polite—too polite, the kind of fake sweetness that Marshall had learned to recognize. She complimented the restaurant choice, asked about your job, made a few passing comments about how ‘different’ you looked (Was that supposed to be a compliment?).

You did what you always did—nodded, smiled, answered her in that careful, measured way that told him you were just trying to get through it.

And then?

Then she started in on you.

“I just don’t understand why you’re so distant lately,” she sighed, swirling her wine glass. “I mean, I am your mother.”

You tensed. “I’ve just been busy.”

“Too busy to call? Too busy to keep up with your own family?”

Marshall clenched his jaw.

You let out a breath, clearly trying to stay calm. “Mom, let’s not do this here.”

“Oh, so now I can’t even ask questions? I’m just supposed to sit here and pretend I don’t notice how much you’ve changed?”

Your fingers gripped the edge of the table, your knuckles going white. “I didn’t change.”

Your mother scoffed. “Of course you did. You used to be so sweet, so considerate. Now it’s like you don’t even care.”

That was it.

Marshall had kept his mouth shut for as long as he could, but seeing the way her words broke you, the way your shoulders curled in like you were trying to disappear—he wasn’t letting that slide.

He leaned forward, voice low but dangerous.

“Nah. She didn’t change. She just stopped lettin’ you control her.”

Silence.

Your mother blinked, clearly taken aback. “Excuse me?”

Marshall didn’t back down. His gaze was steady, unwavering. “You act like she owes you somethin’ just ‘cause you’re her mother. But family ain’t supposed to make you feel like shit.”

Your breath hitched.

Your mother narrowed her eyes at him. “This isn’t your business.”

“The hell it ain’t.” His voice was calm, but there was steel behind it. “She’s my wife. When you hurt her, it is my business.”

You stared at him, your heart in your throat.

He wasn’t just defending you. He was protecting you in a way no one ever had before.

Your mother scoffed, setting down her glass with a sharp clink. “I see. So this is what it is now? You’re letting him turn you against your own mother?”

Marshall laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “She don’t need me to do that. You did it all on your own.”

The tension at the table was suffocating. Your mother looked like she wanted to argue, but Marshall wasn’t giving her the chance. He turned to you, his expression softening.

“You ready to go, baby?”

You hesitated.

Then, for the first time in your life, you nodded.

“Yeah. I am.”

Marshall placed a few bills on the table, grabbed your hand, and led you out of the restaurant without looking back.

You didn’t speak until you were in the car, his hand still wrapped around yours.

Then, finally, you whispered, “I don’t know what to say.”

He glanced over, squeezing your fingers. “You don’t gotta say nothin’.”

You swallowed hard. “No one’s ever stood up for me like that before.”

His jaw tightened. “They should have.”

You let out a shaky breath, your eyes shining. “Thank you.”

He lifted your hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to your knuckles. “Ain’t gotta thank me for that, baby. That’s just what you do when you love someone.”

Your chest ached, but for once, it wasn’t from hurt.

It was from knowing.

Knowing that no matter what happened, no matter who tried to tear you down—

Marshall would always be there to catch you.

[4lexnilsen]

alex can barely believe his ears,  his stomach twisting and turning.   the only reason why he hasn’t told sarah about the whole bed sharing thing is…   oh,  he just forgot about it,  that’s how insignificant it was —   that’s the official version that he intends to push down her throat if she begins to question him.   the unofficial version,  though,  is slightly different.   he knew that she wouldn’t understand,  that she’d only grow suspicious of him and dislike poppy even more.   when nothing happened!   one look at sarah and he immediately senses what’s going through her head,  anger and confusion mixing with an ounce of betrayal on her features.   “excuse me?”   sarah mumbles,  growing more and more repulsed,  and turning her anger on alex.   

“is that true?   but you told me something very different.”   she’s been in denial basically ever since they got together,  trying to be accepting of this awkward friendship between her boyfriend and that other girl.   but she must draw the line somewhere,  and he did tell her that they had two separate rooms.   she glances at helena one last time,  silently wondering if alex’s been giving her mixed signals,  too,  maybe that’s why she’s having such a strong reaction now.   she begins to feel bad for the girl,  even if previously she saw helena as a competitor and never really wanted to get to know her.   she nods her head in a silent thank you.   this is really the last straw.   and as alex attempts to talk to her,  she just shakes her head,  trying to keep her tears at bay,  and begins to walk away as well,  backstage,  towards the dressing rooms.   “i don’t want to hear any more excuses,  alex.   go be with poppy if that’s what you want.   i’m tired of this.”   he doesn’t even get the chance to go after her because she’s shutting the door in his face,  locking it from the inside.

he goes after helena instead,  anger brewing deep inside his chest.   his stomach pulsing where she’s punched it,  the tissues long forgotten,  littering the floor of the auditorium.   “are you proud of yourself?   you just ruined my relationship!   is it a game for you?   does it thrill you?”   part of him wants to stay at the theater and wait for sarah,  beg for forgiveness,  talk this through,  but another part just wants to go after helena’s relationship.   destroy it.   that’s what she just did to him.   let her have a taste of her own medicine.   “thanks for making her cry!   hope it makes you happy.”   

brows knitting, fists angrily clutching at her sides at the infuriating whispering right in front of her. without taking the offered tissues because she's more focused on the way he's further acting like an entirely different person as eyes stay intently glued to him and what he's saying. frozen in place at what a backstabber he's turned into. "that's not how it went at all... that's not why i'm having a melt down at all and you know it," holding back all the rage she wants to unleash on him, how can anymore still exist after screaming her lungs out? yet, it exists in great amounts of volcanic red anger at how heart-wrenching and repulsive it is. until all of it dissipates momentarily as face softens in disbelief, anger replaced with disappointment. betrayal with how easy it is for him to turn it on her, he just proved exactly everything she thought even if helena was hoping he'd do differently.

tears welling in big doe eyes all over, realizing it just hurts more than it does anything. how stupid of her to still be so naive after she thought she'd done everything correct to be ten steps ahead. she doubts sarah cares about any of the reasons WHY she'd been crying, if she takes this same treatment off alex why the hell would she care about the plethora of hurtful things he's said and done to her tonight? so she doesn't waste her time. there is one minor important detail she could expose, though. "great way at twisting the story around to fit your narrative. but yeah, sleeping in the same bed as the girl who has a crush on you while you HAVE a girlfriend is something she should be warned about, in case you didn't tell her." helena doubts she cares, though. "you can find a lot of those details from his crush over on her instagram." the raven haired girl walks a few steps over, gladly taking those tissues and turns to shove them at alex on her way out. making sure she hits him right in the gut before taking off running so he can't have the opportunity of making fun of her not another time and the fact she's done here.

[bookshelf-in-progress]

This is me yelling at you to write, as requested!

Are you still contemplating the Beauty and the Beast retelling(s)?

I am!

That post about characters who need a domestication arc before they can have a redemption arc came around again, and it reminded me of how much fun it would be to use that in a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but give Beauty the domestication arc.

I envision this dinner scene where Beast is this extremely refined anthropomorphic animal who knows how to use a hundred different kinds of silverware, and he's dying inside as Beauty breaks every single rule of etiquette a dozen different ways, but he's got this elaborate plan to give her an Eliza Doolittle arc to turn her into a proper lady that he won't mind marrying. But while Beauty's partaking of her meal in ways he considers better suited to farm animals, she's also thanking people and reacting to stuff that's not him. And Beast is like, "Who are you talking to?" And she looks at him like he's dumb and is like, "The servants. Can't you see them?"

And he can't. Beast had assumed that all the stuff moved around the castle by mysterious magical forces, so he's flabbergasted to learn that the servants have been people this whole time and he's the only one who can't see them. And it's symbolic, and stops him short, making him rethink his approach to the world and wonder if Beauty might have something to teach him before he can be decent marriage material.

That's the only scene I've got and I'm trying to figure out if I can justify presenting it as a short, because I like this one scene but don't know if I can extend it into a complete romantic arc.

[gravedangerahead]

pre-history au!!!

This is the result of reading The Dawn of Everything — which is a really great look at the immense variety of social configurations that existed in pre-history — while having Sydrian brain worms. So it's a hunter-gatherer AU. I always get pretty emotional about how humans were always humans, yk?

In what continent does the story take place? I don't know. When exactly in the really broad timeline of prehistory? Look, back when there were vampires, ok? Adrian says in The Fiery Heart that he has no idea where exactly vampires fit in human evolution and with this fic you can keep wondering lol

Sydney and Adrian come from different but intersecting groups

With Adrian I'm imagining a society where Spirit and spirit guidance has a known role, and where dreams have social importance. He still has the downsides of spirit but he has a better defined role.

With Sydney I enjoyed thinking about how a character who is so defined by being extremely intelligent would work in a society without writing and still be just as smart and capable. I thought about her love of stories and knowledge and witchcraft. I thought about the huge diversity of languages that existed then, even within one group. Her protectiveness and loyalty. Her curiosity. And her wish to travel.

And some romantic fluff. A lot of romantic fluff.

This is probably the one I thought about the most and the longest. Which does not actually mean that I wrote that much. It's just short of 25 hundred words long

I almost posted a section of it involving Malachi Wolfe that I was proud of immediately after writing, but decided against it lol

Also, I kind of didn't name any of the characters. It feels weird to have characters called Sydney and Adrian and Eddie in a prehistoric setting. It makes it a bit complicated

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

It's the 6 month anniversary of this blog! Check out these cool bugs I found.

(EDIT: Check out this amazing fanart by thecornermushroom!)

Part 2 - Part 3

[shalom-iamcominghome]

I'm sure you know this but it might be nice to hear after that bizarre ask: I am not trans myself but I know SO many trans Jews, including converts and non-converts, who love being trans and love being Jewish and do not find any contradiction between those things! And many have written beautiful things about what it means to be trans and Jewish and how those things actually fit together and can enrich their personal understanding of God! And I think that person MIGHT have been asking in good faith but if you want to ask something in good faith you probably shouldn't include the bit where you tell them they're a mistake or that their conversion isn't valid :/

It reminds me of a quote that I learned a few years ago actually has roots in jewish philosophy:

"As my friend Julian puts it, only half winkingly: 'God blessed me by making me transsexual for the same reason God made wheat but not bread and fruit but not wine, so that humanity might share in the act of creation.'"

My jewish trans friends have been instrumental in helping me accept, understand, and embrace my transness, and this quote especially was meaningful to me when I first saw it. This is my view, but I think there is something beautiful about g-d intentionally leaving parts of us which must be cultivated and created by us. G-d leaves room for us to speak, He lets us rise to the occasion, lets us see what a beautiful universe it is that we live in. And that includes the act of creation that being trans is.

[northernfireart]

Hi!

If you want to and only if you want to, could you do TenRose hurt/comfort prompt or TenRose Victorian era prompt? Once again, only if you can and want to, because I think art demands lots of time and energy - it's a miracle people can draw so much! Anyways, no pressure 💖🪞💌✨🌷

i might do hurt/comfort some time in the future because i find it really soothing, but right now i've been thinking a lot about them attending a ball ever since i drew my last regency request...

[oneluckydragon]

So I decided to spin the wheel by @onefey since I saw so many mutuals getting really cute PMD Teams.

Meet hero Lucky (Girafarig) and partner Biggs (Wimpod). Never in my life have I considered a Girafarig as my potential PMD-sona but here we are despite it all. Even though I was skeptical at first I am now in permanent love.

Gotta think of an Exploration Team name now... hm.

[twentyfivemiceinatrenchcoat]

ari, do you have any shoko headcanons you want to share with us?

SHOKO HCS !!!!!!! my wife ….. i do i do ………. this is more of a character analysis maybe but ;;;;;;

shoko is very similar to stsg in many ways. one of them being her brand of loserism …….. just like them she appears very cool and nonchalant at first glance, a charming stranger that keeps catching your eye from across the room ……. i think she has a very particular allure. pale skin and long coats and half-smoked cigarettes and a barely-there kind of smile. radiates the kind of energy that makes you go ’i could fix her’. BUT once you actually get to know her that mysterious charm gets dashed to bits because i do think she is a loser …… a wet cat of a lover. if she falls for you i don’t think she ever falls out .

she is sooooo emotionally repressed and detached but she loves you very deeply and steadily ……… touch is something kind of foreign to her but she’s pretty clingy with you . or more like she wants you to he clingy with her so she doesn’t have to initiate…. i think she melts whenever you link arms. loves feeling like she’s safeguarding you somehow (sashisu all share this trait). basically !!!!!!! she is a bit awkward when it comes to love . a bit of a mess. but she’ll stay with you through thick and thin — that’s the easiest way for her to show her love for you . she has a lot of love to give but you’ll have to get used to her emotional constipation and occasional withdrawal

[jovialoddity]

Just a random question, what headcannons do you have of Human Puzzles that you'd love to tell us , but didnt? I'm loving the headcannons you have for him, and I would like to know a bit more

Oh i ABSOLUTELY do!! I’m almost constantly thinking about new Mr Puzzles headcannons (both for canon and for my human AU) so I would love to share some! I’m super happy that people wanna hear them too 🥹

Ok so a couple of them are:

He is incredibly proud of the fact that he isn’t balding (yet). Aside from his receding hairline, he’s still got all his hair and it’s in really good condition. He will NOT stop bragging about this.

SPEAKING OF HIS HAIR - he has two VERY stubborn pieces of hair on the back of his head that are just always standing up weirdly. They somewhat resemble his canon antennae. He hides them with his hat most of the time since they’re immune to being brushed.

He likes his popcorn HORRIFICALLY salty. The average person would shrivel if they tried to eat the kind of popcorn he makes.

His hearing has been slowly getting worse and worse over the years, but he refuses to admit there’s anything wrong or go to the doctors about it.

Doesn’t own a bed. He just sleeps on the couch in his living room. He could afford a bed if he wanted one, but he just likes the couch.

He does Not trust doctors. At all. Especially not Ophthalmologists.

He tends to lose his appetite when he’s especially stressed or in a bad state.

His left eyebrow has always been a little wonky, but he tried plucking it to make it look a little more straight when he was around 5 years old, and he fucked it up BADLY. The hairs never grew back correctly. He still cries when he looks back at that moment.

[to-be-a-dreamer]

you sound like a right winger. cancel culture?

This is legitimately the funniest insult I’ve ever received thank you Anon. Like, you can’t think of any better way to discredit my post about how I wish people would just let a character be Not Racist and acknowledge that sometimes people can learn they were wrong and become better people so you call me (a queer woman of color who is college-educated and an immigrant, btw, just so we’re all on the same page) a “right winger” for using easily-recognizable terminology to ensure everyone reading understands what I think is the core issue. Incredible, insane, I wish you weren’t a coward who posted anonymously so I could scroll through your blog because I’m sure you’ve got jokes.

But anyways, since we’re all here I’ll take the opportunity to explain what I mean and my thoughts on cancel culture.

Original post that Anon is talking about for reference

People on the internet are obsessed with this idea of perfection. They think that a person has to do the right thing, always, every time. They think that a person who does or has ever done something shitty is just a shitty person who doesn’t deserve a platform. And they think that a person who was a shitty person in the past should always be viewed in that way. They can never accept that someone could have toxic or harmful views, realize they were wrong, and then become a better person, especially if they went through that journey offline or a long time ago. They don’t care if the person they see before them is clearly an open-minded, good person who doesn’t possess those views anymore. In their eyes, that person is still that same bigoted asshole from three, five, ten, twenty years ago and they have to acknowledge that past and be publicly shamed for it every single day in order to be “forgiven”. (They will never truly forgive)

And it’s just. I don’t understand it because what is the point of activism and education if we’re not going to allow people to learn what we’re trying to teach? How is our movement supposed to grow if we don’t accept the people who have been touched and reformed by it? How does any of this get better if we don’t allow people to be better?

Here’s my biggest problem with “cancel culture” (the mass ostracism and shaming of someone who has behaved or spoken in a socially unacceptable way). I think that this kind of mindset has led to an entire generation of internet users who are terrified of ever doing “the wrong thing” on the internet. We’re so afraid of making mistakes because we know how hard it is to come back from that and how unforgivable the rest of the internet is. And it’s turned us into overly defensive people who struggle to admit when we’ve done something wrong. We’re terrified to consider the possibility that we’re the "bad guy" in any situation because we've convinced ourselves that doing something shitty makes you a shitty person. We think our individual actions are lifetime sentences. I've seen so many people on the internet make small mistakes but double down and take things way too far when they're called out for it because they don't want to see themselves as a person who does problematic things. Because we've convinced ourselves that making a mistake makes you a bad person on a fundamental level. We've tied the amount of criticism we receive to our self-worth.

I also notice that it prevents people who actually need to learn and be better from realizing that. Because the amount of hate someone receives is so disproportionate to any mistake they actually made, it's so easy for a person to think "okay there's no way I deserve to be harassed this much, this is probably just the internet overreacting again, I haven't done anything wrong" and instead of learning the small lesson they needed to learn they just brush off the hate and dismiss it as cancel culture.

And so to bring this back to 9-1-1, I do think that some of the hate towards Tommy is due to shipping wars, but on a deeper level I think people just can't handle the truth that Tommy is actually a good person now. Maybe it stems from people hating the idea that someone who made their own lives miserable could learn and grow and become a better person later in life like Tommy did. Maybe people have some unresolved trauma about bigots that they're projecting onto these characters. Maybe they want to feel morally superior and just don't like the idea that someone who was shitty in the past could go on to have the same views and ideals as them. It's hard to tell for sure and it probably varies from person to person but I think the idea that a person has to be defined by their past is a big part of it on all levels.

Anyways, those are my thoughts on cancel culture as a whole and why I think the current generation of internet users has a really tough time taking accountability and why we all have rejection sensitivity (not RSD, the actual real medical condition, just a general sensitivity to being told you're in the wrong). We don't like to confront our own flaws because, according to the internet, those flaws make you a terrible person always and forever and you will never be able to overcome them or move past them. I hope this all makes sense I've been thinking about this a lot since 2020 but I've never tried to explain it in words. I don't think there's anything wrong with holding people accountable for past actions, I think there's something wrong with the disproportionate hate those people receive and the amount of shaming and shunning they have to go through before they're allowed to move on with their lives.

[rosurie]

@sweetestflow3rs I've actually got an answer for this ♡

cw: psuedo-incest

Noé is fairly territorial when it comes to Damsel [he was WAY more territorial when they were younger. I may explore that later. they were very Andy and Leyley coded]. they have very strange, murky sibling-esque relationship despite not being related in any way. they've been attached at the hip since Damsel arrived at the orphanage and as a fairly isolated kid, Noé latched onto that relationship...like aggressively.

Noé has always this obsession with taking Damsel's firsts. he thinks of himself as the ultimate lifeform, and therefore, way more worthy of taking the virginities of someone like Damsel [who is the only person he'd put on a pedestal even close to his own]. he's taken her first kiss, hand holding virginity, oral virginity...

that's not to say you couldn't take her virginity. because of his unwillingness to lose his angel tf, he's unlikely to take Damsel's v-card. but he makes up for this by deciding she can lose her virginity...if it's to someone he deems worthy. trying to fuck Damsel without getting Noé's approval first is a challenge: he seems to always know where she is and what she's up to. it's not impossible per se, but it's difficult. so far he doesn't think any of the li's are good enough to take his big sister's virginity so Damsel's virginity is still intact because he intereferes or gets rid of random npcs who try to fuck her <3

they're both very low-key about this, so you only really notice the psuedo-incestuous undertones if you're close with them. to most people he just seems like a really protective brother.

tldr: Noé's a little freak who wants to fuck Damsel vicariously through the person of his choice ♡