#the CHARACTER GROWTH *chef’s kiss*

[kesoyotes]

@tmaynt Challenge: Day 15 - Best Karai

" you are who you choose to be. not what others make you "

[loveisalwayswise]

I can't believe we got a corruption arc, this show really is made for me specifically.

[zhoras-bitch]

Season 1 John making Theodora immortal out of his own selfish desire to keep her around with no regard how it will affect her because it's the first time he's ever loved someone vs season 3 John accepting her desire to become human again, taking that immortality away from her, knowing full well he's gonna have to watch her age and die, but respecting that choice, even if it breaks his heart. Is this anything.

[abushelandablog]

My favorite animal is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, wife to Arwen Evenstar, heir of Isildur and Elendil, the Ranger turned King in the entirety of Return of the King

[crehador]

THAT MIYAMURA SMILE

[liesmultixxx]

logan going from “i am not boyfriend material” to literally proposing to rory is ✨growth✨

[cyberneticdryad]

y'all, monkey man is so good, if you haven't watched it you absolutely should

[manyothermusingsofmine]

hoooolyyyy fuck I was so right to pair Mydia off with Gale the boat scene really proved that to me because listen the main character trait I want you to take away from Mydia is freedom. The freedom to choose, the freedom to come and go as she pleases, the freedom to wander and roam and explore. Her freedom matters as much to her as the freedom of anyone else. And here's Gale, offering her the stars, the ultimate freedom to do whatever she pleases and go wherever her heart will take her. He's giving her what should've been her ultimate dream and goal, and all she has to do is just let him remake the crown and ascend to godhood-

and she doesn't. because she loves him, as he is. she doesnt want him to ascend to godhood, she wants him free from the mistakes from the past. And if she has to give up on complete and total freedom of her own to accomplish that, then so be it.

[lianchuann]

was thinking about golden days again and I swear it is still heartbreakingly satisfying. I can’t think of any other ending that suits the manga so well even if it is bittersweet. It is a really good read once in a while when you need a force to pull you back to reality.

[thunderlina]

How It Started vs. How It's Going

The way that this show used it's character designs changes to reflect character growth is just- *chef's kiss*

[windsweptinred]

But then, I remember how far he's come...

i think every time i reread souvenirs a little part of me dies

[parmahamlarrie]

Today's theme is Christmas Fics! If you would like a specific theme or trope, let me know! As always, these are all fics I have read and loved, not all the fics out there. You can find more Christmas fics here!

A Very Darling Christmas || @aquamarinedaffodil || 133k Christmas, Strangers to Friends to Lovers, Pining, Baker Harry, Drama Teacher Louis, Wonderful Side Characters, Tons of Love Actually Quotes

In A Twinkling || @jacaranda-bloom || 89.2k Christmas Fic, Famous/Non-Famous, Self-Growth

All Your Mates Are Here || @londonfoginacup || 36.1k Werewolf AU, Pack Dynamics, Christmas, College AU

I Just Want You to Stay || @sadaveniren || 34.9k Omegaverse, Christmas Fic, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Friends to Lovers, Kidnapping (but not really scary)

You Should Be Here With Me || @lululawrence || 34.4k Footballer Louis, Social Media Manager Harry, Friends to Lovers, Mpreg, Advent Fic

I Really Like Your Styles: The Baking Advent-ure || @homosociallyyours || 34.3k  Christmas, Baking, Tiktoker Harry, Baker Harry, Coffee Shop AU, Small Business Owner Louis, Strangers to Friends to Lovers

Heart Beat || @allwaswell16 || 33.4k Christmas, Single Parent Louis, Kid Fic, Music Teacher Harry, RomCom Feels, Small Town

Give A Little Sing To The Singles || @londonfoginacup || 31.7k Christmas, Office AU, Coworkers AU, Pining, Fluff and Crack

Frankincense-ational || @londonfoginacup || 31.5k Christmas, Librarian Harry, Firefighter Louis, Fluff and Humor

Santa Baby Honey || @sadaveniren || 28.7k Crack Fic, Christmas Fic, BDSM, Sugar Daddy Louis, CEO Louis

An Alpha For Christmas || IceQueenRia || 28.1k Christmas, Omegaverse, Fake Relationship, Neighbour AU

Lonely Cards Club || @hellolovers13 || 25.8k Christmas, Second Chances, Wales, Teacher Harry

Every Snowflake Is Different (Just Like You) || @hellolovers13 || 20k Snowed In, Meet Cute, One-Night Stands, Genderfluid Harry, Christmas

‘tis the damn season || @louandhazaf || 17.9k Girl Direction, Christmas, Long Distance, Coming Home

stay another day or two || trackfive || 17.6k Canon, Hurt/Comfort, Sick Fic, Christmas

Single Bells Ring || @absoloutenonsense || 16.7k Omegaverse, Non-Traditional Omegaverse, Alpha Harry, Alpha Louis, Speed Dating, Christmas

You’ll Be Home For Christmas || @2tiedships2 || 15.2k Omegaverse, Christmas Fic, Heat/Rut, Friends to lovers, Fluff

nothing lasts forever (nothing stays the same) || @beckydoesthings || 14.8k Kidfic, Christmas, Friends to Lovers, Mild Angst

A Fateful Snow || @parmahamlarrie || 13k Omegaverse, Christmas, Christmas Tree Farm, Small Business Owners, Fluff

and marshmallows || @briannamarguerite || 10.7k Strangers to Lovers, Professor Harry, Mentions to History, Christmas

Like a Picture Print by Currier & Ives || armadillosunset || 10k Christmas Fluff, Established Relationship, Knitting

Not Another Lonely Christmas || @haztobegood || 8.7k Christmas, Childhood Friends to Lovers, Fake Relationship

The leaves are buried under six inches of white || loha28 || 8.7k Married Harry and Louis, Chef Harry, Christmas, KidFic

Snow Squalls & Kitty Paws || @littleroverlouis || 8.6k Christmas Fluff, Bookstore, Cats, Blizzard

You’re Invited || @becomeawendybird || 8.5k Christmas Party, Girl Direction, Meet-Cute, Dating Apps

A Christmas Kiss || @parmahamlarrie || 8.3k Christmas, Kid Fic, Fluff

Here We Come A-Wassailing || @lululawrence || 8.2k  Childhood Friends to Lovers, Christmas Fic, Fluff, Pining

Rated R || @cherrystreet || 7.6k Christmas, Established Relationship, Sex Tape, Humor

kisses like snowflakes || @stylesthebrave || 7.5k 90's AU, Christmas/Winter Fic, Fluff

Ruined Plans || stylinsonslytherin || 7.1k SickFic, Christmas, Birthdays

candy in your mouth (I know you love me) || @crossnecklace || 6.9k Christmas, Friends to Lovers, Porn with Feelings/Plot

knowing you're in love with me is the greatest gift of all || @greeneyesfriedrice || 6.7k Christmas Fluff, Established Relationship, KidFic

Pour out the wine let’s toast and pray for December snow || armadillosunset || 6.5k  Christmas, Minor Injuries, Neighbor AU

Missing You || @canonlarry || 6k Canon, Future Fic, Kidfic, Christmas, Humor

A Boyfriend for Christmas || chelseafrew || 5.5k Christmas, Fake Relationship, Gemma’s Brother Trope

Holiday Greetings & Gay Happy Meetings || @beanno28 || 5.1k Established Relationship, Christmas Fic, Smuff & Fluff

When You Really Love Christmas || @jaerie || 4.9k Christmas, Hospitals, Nurse Louis, Humor

A Very Louis Christmas - Basic Beautiful Chaos || @silverstuff50 || 4.8k Christmas Party, D/S, Established Relationship, OT5 Chaos

Even Christmas Can’t Compete with Your Glow || @becomeawendybird || 4.5k Werewolves, Christmas Fic

Slip into Your Arms || ohpleaselarry || 4.4k  Christmas, Meet Cute, Doctor Harry

Christmas Pretenders || @larryatendoftheday || 4.1k Fake Relationship, Baker Harry, Christmas Fluff

A Christmas at Home || @parmahamlarrie || 3k Kidfic, Established Relationship, Christmas, Fluff

All The Way Home I’ll Be Warm || @justanothershadeofblue || 2.9k Friends to Lovers, Holiday Cards, Fluff and Humor

Change of Plans || @haztobegood || 2.8k Omegaverse, Non Traditional Omegaverse, Omega Harry, Beta Louis, Christmas, Asexual Harry, Queer Platonic Relationship

'Tis the Damn Season || @zanniscaramouche || 2.8k  Christmas, Angst, Exes with Benefits

Advent Drabbles || @berzerkshires || 2.5k Canon, Christmas, Fun/Fluff/Humor/Mild Smut

A XXX-Mas Miracle || @fallinglikethis || 2k Christmas, Camboy Louis, Masturbation

You’re Family || @neondiamond || 2k Ace Louis, Established Relationship, Christmas

An Annual Affair || @neondiamond || 1.6k OT5 Friendship, Omegaverse, Mpreg, Christmas Fluff

While the Moon is Bright || @tommokat || 1.2k Girl Direction, Christmas, Speed Dating

**This post will be updated as I have more fics in this theme to recommend!** You can find more recs in the directory of fic recs on my blog!

[late-draft]

Hello, Dema here!

First off—I have fallen desperately in love with your artworks. You have a very particular style, strong and fluid all the same, and I can't help but admire the way you draw and how you approach character design.

And talking about character design...

I saw your post about Zuko's bold design in S1 when compared to what we got in S3 and—as much as I love S3-Zuko—I completely agree with you. Something I've always loved about Zuko in S1 is just how striking he was, how much of a presence he had, even when he was being tossed around by a twelve-year-old. That being said, I love Zuko, I love him in armor and pointy shoes and with a ponytail, and I loved your alternative design for him.

What do you think about his S2 character design? How does it flow with the story beats and his overall character arc? Much has been said about the Hair-Growth-Means-Character-Growth (and I find it interesting, also, that he cut his hair again before joining the Gaang), but I'd like to know your opinion on how that translates to character design and how the decisions made in the show could be either good or bad in that regard.

Sorry about the long ask! I've just been thinking about this a lot, lately, and would like to know what you think. Hope you have a good day ❤️

AAAA Dema hii!!! I'm so happy I got a message from you, I didn't expect it!!

I'm super glad to hear, I'll wear it as a badge of honour and I must tell you that I also love your art, you wonderfully do volume and the shading done through a contrast of sharp and soft areas! Super solid anatomy too and I'd be lying if I said I didn't look up to your art!

Yess the character designs in the show actually are rather strong, I like a good balance between memorable and functional. Zuko is just *chef kiss* but, considering just how many appearance changes he goes through, some are bound to be weaker than the starting one. That said, I'm gonna go through a few of his S2 looks and make this reply long, ha!

The starting one when he ends up huddling with uncle Iroh with other poor refugees, fits extremely well for the narrative at the moment. It's actually one of my least liked looks for him, and that's great!! It's precisely how it should be, because he's also arguably at one of his two lowest moral points in the story - he basically lost almost all hope, no clear goal, nothing to fight for, he's desperate precisely because of the lack of orientation and thus his morals degrade and sink veeery low. He gets on my nerves so goddamn much in this period LMAO I want to beat him up, he looks like a recovering drug addict... annoying, entitled whiny jerk stealing food and anything shiny for his uncle, but even then he just does not cross the moral event horizon. Excellent characterization. He just looks atrocious and it's great because it fits this low point.

Next he gets the standard boyish square of a hair, no notes here...

But theeeen, he arrives at one of my favourite looks of his, and it's not just because the clothes fit him very nicely (I've seen fandom say they look too big for him which, maybe?? But it doesn't look like he's swimming in them to me) And a thing I've noticed which, maybe it was just an accident on design part but I'm not sure considering they colour coded the entire cave scene; in this part his clothes match the shape of Katara's, first one in bottom then the one in top. The collar is the same haf-circle design but I don't know, maybe there was a limited pool of clothes designs guide which they cycled through. Or, he really is meant to come close but miss Katara by a beat, like sine and cosine chasing each other.

But besides this outfit fitting the inconspicuous Earth Kingdom customer service persona, it also (perhaps inadvertently) does this VERY cool thing:

It makes his shape look closed off and guarded, supposedly non-threatening. It's most visible in his fight against Jet, whose shape is open and goes in many directions like an aggressive star. But then look at what Zuko's shape does:

When he attacks, it opens up to reveal the hidden aspect, again the aggressive star shape shows up! The same thing happens in "Zuko alone" episode but I think it's most clearly visible in this fight against Jet because here he has a direct contrast and comparing with Jet. I think this is an example where the outfit, whose similar design exists irl, overlaps with a great visual metaphor and enhances the narrative at that moment in story. He's still that combative firebender but he has to keep that aspect concealed most of the time. Plus it just looks badass as hell!!

Animators really knocked it out of the park with many frames. I think Jun was too early and missed his better hairstyle, but Katara was just in time.

I agree it's super funny how his hair in the Beach is awfully long, covers his face to an uncomfortable degree and then he apparently shortens it before joining the Gaang, insane behaviour Truly an "I'm so angry and depressed I won't show my face nor be capable of seeing anything because there's nothing nice to see in my life" look...

I guess all his appearances in S2 cover his mental states, but only one of them is extremely Extra (the tea server, doesn't even take the apron off and goes to fight) and I don't see any spot where a similar tier design could be shoved in, narratively speaking. So all in all, S2 did as much as S2 could have. More tea server arc please though, the Guru episode really feels like it skipped 800 km of plot and everything that happened in it is so crammed and pretty sus in terms of character behaviour.

[crehador]

we stan a self-aware queen

[yamujiburo]

I'm not going to lie, the way you make your comics really feels like they're actually canon; all the characters are written as they are in the show, and the growth you've sent them all through is just 🤌 chefs kiss

yaaa im so glad! i always try to keep the characters' voices in mind when writing them~ i want these comics to feel as believable as possible despite the premise being a bit out there haha

[vinelark]

in return for the fic recs i got last month, here are a few fics i read recently that i want to absolutely yell about from the rooftops:

Iron, Fire, Mirror-Glass by PurpleSoot: an early batman days AU where, while slowly healing from a spine-shattering injury, bruce finds an old book about the fae. in a fit of desperation he attempts a Summoning to try to heal his spine. enter: robin.

this story is fantastic—the kind of longfic with a plot so good and satisfying that finishing it leaves you on a reading high for at least a week. one of the best early days bruce fics i’ve ever read, with honorable mentions to excellent alfred and clark and jim and selina characterizations—but robin (dick) really takes the cake here. the balance of chilling, otherworldly, not-quite-human vs. playful, earnest, Still Just a Child…chef’s kiss. the way robin’s character arc drags bruce kicking and screaming through his own emotional growth is so well-paced and well-wrought that i already want to reread just so i can experience it again. this is one of those god-tier longfics that i can’t believe i got to read for free on the internet.

mid-reading testimonial:

The Lone Ranger Never Had to Deal with Bruce Wayne by @theskeptileptic: a tim-joins-the-family-early fic in which tim decides to do everyone (his parents) a solid by faking his own death and running away to canada, except his weirdo neighbor bruce wayne keeps butting in and messing up his plans.

this is one of the rare stories where tim doesn’t know batman’s identity yet, and even rarer stories where that somehow makes the whole thing even more compelling. this fic has two of my favorite things: small, lonely, moderately unhinged tim drake pov, and really good pangs—pangs that are expertly teased out through flashbacks that add context to the present action at exactly the right moments. also, a very fun cameo near the end. i had a blast reading this one, physically clutched my chest more than once, and am already looking forward to rereading.

mid-reading testimonial (feat. @cairoscene):

equivalent exchange by scribblemetimbers (wip): an au set during tim’s robin days in which tim discovers 1) crossroads demons are a thing and 2) people can make deals with them. deals that include bringing people back from the dead, so long as you’re willing to pay the price with your own life.

this fic is so…🤌‼️ it feels like everything i want in a fic so far, down to two incredibly specific concepts i love (bruce, in his grief, saying something harsh to robin!tim with disastrous consequences later + tim making a big secret sacrifice gambit) which are both done so so well, within a larger plot that is also done so so well. the way this fic cuts in and out of scenes at the exact right moments for max tension feels like a masterclass in causing me to tear my hair out (in the best way), and instead of assorted pangs reading it is just one big Pang. it currently leaves off on an agonizing cliffhanger but, again, in the best way. highly recommend. (thank you again @owlbats for the rec!)

exchange between me and my friend after i sent the link, which about sums it up:

and to cut this angst with some humor:

IRIS Log #1548 by @deadchannelradio: a night on patrol as recorded by the bats’ audio logs, centering around red hood getting flung into a ditch and everyone, eventually, getting home safe.

one of the top ten funniest things i’ve ever read—spiritually up there with send to all (and if you’ve seen my fic rec tag you’ll know what a compliment that is). this makes use of the audio log format SO well. the dialogue shines, the jokes land with excellent timing, and it moves at such a clip that it’s pretty much impossible to stop reading once you’ve started. every character shines in this, and i’ve randomly choked on laughter remembering the phrase ‘good god he got thrown like a corn hole beanbag’ like twenty times in the past few weeks.

mid-reading testimonial: