#then I'll continue to do my best to analyze and share my interpretation as well

[wordrage]

Ok so the reblogs on this went a little off from where I read this originally, and I wanted to clarify my interpretation and response to the above.

I am a person that enjoys the canon and fanfic/fanart/etc that feels like the canon. I like Draco best when he's got that mean, sardonic personality that we see in the books. I like my Harry emotionally distant and the introvert we see from canon.

That being said, I'm 100% down with characterizations of Draco or Harry (or any of the characters) that differ from the above. I'm open to reading how a writer can approach where we leave off in canon and continue forward with these character's stories. I can and have enjoyed flamboyant, flaming homosexual Draco as well as macho, hypermasculine Harry. I've read trans, genderfluid, or nonbinary readings of the characters and found them to be great! Homosexual, Bisexual, Pan, Demi, Ace, Drarrysexual. I have enjoyed them all. I'll continue to enjoy them!

(I do not care about top/bottom discourse and have no preference or opinion on it.)

The best part of fandom, and fic especially, is being able to see a writer take a character and go "what if?" Fanworks that can take from the canon character and make me believe he would fucking say that!

I do agree there are trends in fandom, certain characterizations that get repeated or inspired by. However just because it's a trend or a popular reading of the character, doesn't necessarily mean it's OOC. If a fic is not ticking certain boxes for me, I will disengage. Sometimes the more popular characterizations are ones that I really do not vibe with. Luckily, Drarry particularly is a huge fandom, so at least you're not stuck with one particular trend over another! There's room for all of us in the pool.

I do want to respond to the criticism that Draco being a diva, flamboyant or transfeminine is enforcing heteronormative or heterosexual gender roles. Yes, I can see the argument that there are biases a writer or artist can have and they inadvertently use stereotypes that have been perceived negatively. Yes, we can analyze where these stereotypes originate from and why some are more popular with certain characters or ships over others. I do have a theory why Draco over Harry is the one we see this a lot with, but it's not because of writers using heterosexual relationships as a template.

Fanfiction isn't published work. It's not a transaction between creator and audience where the audience can be let down. Fic/fanart is shared with fellow fans. Criticism, especially criticism that a writer is enforcing negative stereotypes or enforcing heteronormative gender roles, about a fic they wrote for fun does feel like we're assuming the worst intentions of the writer.

Attributing negative social consequences to their works, or assuming they are writing from a place of ignorance feels wrong. These are fanworks. There's no publisher distributing fic to mass audiences. There's no promotional circuit the writer is doing. Fanfiction is something a person has to seek out. We've gotten really good at ensuring fic is categorized and segmented appropriately over the past few decades.

I think it's important to remember that fandom is made up of fans. We're all here out of a shared love for the canon work. We love these characters and the relationships they have with each other. Fans create and share fanworks because they want to express and share the emotions and joy these characters inspire within them. DL;DR

alright kiddos buckle up, cloud has Opinions today

let's talk about the alpha douchification of harry and baby girlification of draco, as blackcathjp so wonderfully said

i will tell you that this isnt my first rodeo when it comes to mlm ships being shoved into heteronormative gender roles. ive been in the yaoi fandom, ive been in the BL fandom, ive been a weeb since i was aged single digits. im perfectly aware of how deep in mlm ship spaces this issue is. but today's subject of interest is drarry, and why i dont like a certain popular characterisation of drarry.

first of all let's pose the question : why is harry the manly alpha head honcho douchebag dumbass jock ? why is draco the naughty bratty overdramatic babygirl princess ? why do yall feel the need to push harry and draco into these stereotypical gender roles, especially in smut ? whats up with that ?

yes harry is a quidditch guy but that doesnt automatically make him a dumbass jock ? the guy's not stupid. i wont elaborate because i and several others have discussed harry's intelligence in other posts already (will link if asked), but yeah harry's not a "dumbass" or a "himbo", at least not in the way you people love to characterise him as. hes not even trying to be a dominating presence. hell, the guy wants to skeddaddle out of situations 8 times out of 10. hes a rough kind of dude, sure, but thats more for his own protection and not out of a need to dominate or control other people. it's weird and stupid to reduce harry's character just to make him fit yalls' homophobic and heteronormative view of mlm dynamics.

SPEAKING OF THAT, what is up with people overplaying draco's overdramatic tendencies and tying it to being a sub and/or a bottom or being the 'feminine' one in the relationship ? i love my bratty subs as much as the next person (my no.1 blorbo rn is a bratty sub who BITES), but if draco's only a bratty sub because hes an overdramatic princess diva who is so, so helpless without the presence of testosterone in your eyes, you need to reevaluate. yes hes a bit helpless in canon but again he was a kid with no pratical combat experience caught up in a war. + his parents' safety being dangled in front of him who wouldnt be helpess in that scenario ?

people absolutely love to explore draco's gender beyond being masculine and theoretically i love that because i love seeing people interpret characters all over the gender spectrum but there's just something about the popular draco gender exploration that just ,,, irks me, for the lack of a better word. people make him smaller ??? than he actually is ?? more helpless ??? like the height and size difference between drarry in canon isnt that noticeable but by god do people stretch it out to infinity and beyond. to make the fem-coded half of the ship smaller and more helpless and more dramatic is, frankly, toeing the lines of misogynistic if it isnt there already.

and why is it that it's always harry who is hypermasculine and draco who is hyperfeminine ? why not have both be feminine ? both be masculine ? both be all over the gender spectrum ? whyyyyyyy do they have to be male x female coded ??? hello ?????? if i wanted a heterosexual ship, i wouldnt be here

like come on guys, theres a bunch of different ways to write mlm ships and a bunch of resources out there to help you get going. why are we still sticking with the heteronormative gender roles in this day and age ? have we not grown out of it yet ?

THIS DOESNT MEAN I DONT HAVE AN ISSUE W HYPERFEMININE HARRY AND HYPERMASCULINE DRACO TOO. i despise heteronormative gender role coding. let queer ships be queer without the lens of heteronormativity.

[scoups4lyfe]

Hebi Anon

Donbrothers is a show that, by some unfortunate coincidence, seems determined to dig up and expose everything I find traumatic and try to reframe them as jokes.

I was traumatized for good reasons, I do not appreciate them being used for cheap laughs

So, I did see your TW ask Hebi-san. I haven't done anything with it yet because its real personal and I didn't know if you wanted me to post that. But I will at least say that I've read it.

First things first, your thoughts/feelings/opinions are 10 billion percent valid.

Remember to take care of yourself FIRST, my friend.

I know what it's like to get triggered by something in tv shows. Episode 10 was a good example of that. The idea of being replaced and forgotten fills me with unholy fury and rage 🤪.

Another good example would be the first time I watched episode 15 of Revice (not so much anymore lol, cuz I know it was written that way for a reason and thematically I appreciate that). So funny tho cuz other liveblogs were like "True sibling behavior <33" while I was like: "Ikki and Sakura. You two are DEAD to me." (lmao)

So I 10 billion % get where you're coming from.

Thank you for choosing to share something so personal with me. I always appreciate your input.

And yeah,

I understand exactly what you're saying about asking a lot of questions that seem incredibly obvious to some people.

In school there were times I hated certain essay questions or multiple choice questions because it was too ambiguous / abstract for me and I had the constant fear of "this is too vague? What if I answer it wrong?!?"

I feel like the only time I really get stressed/anxious is usually when I have to ask a lot of questions for things I have no understanding for. Mostly because I'll probably ask the same question like 6 times just to make sure. And like you said, others kind of peg you as incompetent when you're like that.

It's rather unnecessary for me to put here, but since you shared something personal, I might as well reciprocate, if only just a bit.

I know why you hardcore empathize with Haruka/Haiku. Absolutely understandable.

For me, it's not that I solely empathize with Tarou -- am I a Tarou apologist? Lol absolutely. But I don't only see just his side.

Often I actually had "?????" times as well about a majority of his actions LOL! But I could tell he was written like that for a reason. Esp with how he's hella coded as being on the spectrum. So I knew that I needed to do a lot of research on topics I knew jack-all about so I could parse out theories/deductions.

(Which is what I've been doing lol)

I think for me, I fall right on that line of being not emotional at all, and also being overflowing with emotions always. Strong emotions tend to fizzle out quickly, like it's impossible for me to hold grudges -- I know, I've tried 🤪.

But because of this I don't get too overly attached to characters. / Situations, because my mind places that in "short term" and I forget about it by the time I wake up . (Unless, of course, it's a re-occurring thing, because then I'm not able to put it on the periphery.)

This gives me a detached way of recollecting/examining things, as the emotions don't come up with the memory I'm recollecting (usually).

So when it comes to Donbrothers, I view most of the situations neutrally. Obv I have my favoritism and what not, but that's because I looked at both sides and chose the one I felt for the best.

I said it once, twice, and I'll say it thrice, but I saw Momoi's attempt at complimenting them > over Haiku's nonsense 🤪.

And this is because out of all the people present, I felt Momoi was the one who took the biggest L in that entire interaction.

It's like I could see behind his eyes, and feel the fear and pain of dying, as well as the anxiety, confusion, etc. over the other team members essentially going "you failed to do this. So fvck you then <3. Have fun fighting alone."

AND THEN, also holding into account the fact that he's been abandoned all his life. And now his teammates are abandoning him over something he has no control over (i. e lying) / something he failed to do (compliment them).

And my heart bled for him and this injustice. ESP seeing how affected (emotionally) he is about it on the rooftop with Sonoi.

I get where the others are coming from. But to me, Momoi was the one hurting the most in the situation, and so I sided with him <3.

Now, on the topic of taking sides.

Just like how you're influenced by your experiences, I believe I'm just built to (mostly) look at both sides of the equation.

I grew up in a very small household (imagine 3 rooms, 1 bathroom and 12 people living there); and my household was/is also filled with mentally ill people.

I say this because, such small space meant A LOT of fights. But you had to 'forgive and forget' quickly cuz if not you'd be miserable for days when the ppl that screwed you over are just fine and dandy. So it's easier for me to forgive and forget than probably a lot of people.

Growing up, I also wasn't able to see myself in/mirror myself from either of my parents. So instead I mirrored myself/found comfort through tv shows. Because I didn't see myself in either of my parents, this also led me through a lot of self-reflection cuz I assumed there had to be something wrong with me (lol).

(Though this was all subconscious. The self-reflection led me to a lot of self-analysis and gave me the analytical lens I have today of viewing things from a more detached perspective)

And for me, instead of asking questions (I do sometimes, and I always have the running commentary in my head anyways) I learned to not ask questions ever.

For example, I stopped asking my mom to help me with my homework because my questions always led to a beating and my mom accusing me of making her do all the work. (RIP <3) And to this day I'd rather die than ask for help LOL.

I also never got diagnosed until literally last year. (Prior to that I didn't realize I had anything like ADHD or Bi-polar), so I was def riding the "I could do so well if I only tried harder and wasn't so lazy <3" train for basically all my life.

I can't say I've ever been bullied (by anyone outside my immediate family <3), and I always had at least 1 friend in all the schools I went to (even if I don't at all remember how I befriended them LOL).

But my traumas being directly related to my family has made it so I can't really hate or despise them. Because, they're my family you know? And they really do try their best.

The worst part is, where I'm at now I can see exactly where they're coming from. Which makes it virtually impossible to hate them for anything because it's like I can see behind their eyes and know their thoughts and feelings and worries, and idk.

I'd say my family is very dysfunctional. I could tell you a normal day in my family's household that would blow the hair right off your head.

The only way I can describe it, is (for us siblings) literally you could mirror us with the Umbrella Academy sibs.

(My older sis is Luther to a T, my younger sis is Five, my younger brother Ben, and everyone in my family unanimously agreed I'd be Klaus LOL)

Another example to what my life growing up was like,,, I'd compare it to being eerily similar to Shameless (U.S vers)'s Gallagher family.

If you. haven't seen any of those shows ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

There are youtube compilations LOL.

TLDR;

You didn't deserve the BS you got from those losers at ur school, I get much better now why you don't like Momoi, and I absolutely respect your opinion. Once again, thanks for sharing your experiences. If you want me to post that ask, I will. But only with your permission. Like you, I'm also influenced by my experiences/personality and because of so I'll more than likely continue my Momoi Tarou apologism.

[everythingsinred]

Let's Talk About NatsuMikan: Natsume (pt. 22)

Today we'll talk about the Time-Travel Arc. Obviously, the focus in that arc is Yuka's past, so there's going to be a lot of content that I'll skip unless it's relevant to NatsuMikan. What ship/character content there is I will dissect heavily. This is just a warning that I'll be skipping even five or so chapters at time, and it might seem jarring. Sorry about that.

In this part, we'll see how Natsume and Mikan are in many ways fated, but also how selfless Natsume can be, even in the face of losing the person he loves the most forever. He's going to keep his promise to protect her no matter what happens, even if it means never seeing her again.

Chapter One Hundred and Seven

For most of this arc, Natsume and the others are merely observers of Yuka’s past. They keep the talking and interaction to a minimum. There will be some instances where Natsume does enough for me to be able to analyze him, but they’re limited to start with.

For example, when Tsubasa, Tono, and Nobara are finally able to join them, there’s a dramatic reunion.

Nobody has seen Tsubasa in some time, and his whereabouts were a mystery. Obviously he shares a meaningful embrace with Mikan, but he also makes eye contact with Natsume, who looks shocked and relieved to see him again, even if he wasn’t the one to find him. Tsubasa knows Natsume had searched tirelessly for him, so he apologizes for making Natsume and the others worry. For a moment, it almost seems as though maybe they will share the next reunion hug. But to show that everything truly is back to normal, Natsume’s demeanor shifts and he gets annoyed with Tsubasa for hugging Mikan for so long.

Thinking really hard about Natsume's love languages: nicknames, being willing to die for you one second and then pretending like you're a nuisance the next, never giving compliments so they hit like a brick when he does, just hanging around you, and physical touch.

Natsume doesn’t know how to show feelings properly. With Ruka, he can be more openly affectionate and loving, and now with Mikan he has recently (today) had the opportunity to be more honest about his feelings, but Tsubasa is different. For a very long time, he has pretended like Tsubasa was nothing more than a nuisance. Suddenly being honest with everyone would be tiresome. Besides, Tsubasa already knows that Natsume cares, since he struggled so much to find him.

If you want to hug somebody, Natsume says (or doesn’t say… this conversation seems to all be telepathic), go hug Misaki. Not my girl. It hardly matters that Misaki isn’t around and that idea is impossible to make a reality. So Tsubasa naturally shoots back that he will simply pretend Mikan is Misaki.

Natsume is a good person, as we have seen over the course of the manga. When he loves someone, he loves hard and with his whole chest. He doesn’t half-ass his feelings. Despite his occasional bouts into saying something kind and heartfelt, he is and always has been naturally a bit more reserved. His personality is one to withhold a little, and to interact with people through teases. Even at his most free, before he came to the academy, he would tease and insult before saying something sweet. His love will always be something that needs to be interpreted, because he hates being open about why he’s doing the selfless things he is. If he is too open, then people will know and then they might feel guilty or like they owe him something. He doesn’t want that. Another thing is that he just likes having fun with his friends and loved ones this way, with occasional taunts and teases. That’s just the kind of person he is.

Chapter One Hundred and Nine

We get introduced to Igarashi Kaoru, an upperclassman of Yuka’s and a mysterious figure. Yuka first met her in a compromising position, when she’s about to sleep with a boy who we will later find out is Natsume’s father. She looks very much like a more grown up, female version of Natsume, and they seem to have a lot in common when it comes to their basic personality.

Just like Natsume, Kaoru can be serious-minded and doesn’t take any shit. She’s also like him in that she shows affection through teasing.

Mikan, in this chapter, finally asks who this Igarashi person is, since she looks so familiar. Natsume sarcastically says, “Heaven knows.” I’m sure he wasn’t actually expecting to see his mother in these flashbacks. She died when she was very young and as a result she didn’t have the opportunity to talk much about Yuka. It must be a surprise to see that she played such an active role in Mikan’s mother’s life.

Heaven knows. Get it. 'Cause she's dead. Hahahaha.

To everyone else, it’s obvious that the Igarashi person is related to Natsume. Ruka might even directly recognize her from the painting he saw at the Hyuuga house that one time, but either way they look and act so similarly that it’s apparent to everyone but Mikan.

In any case, Natsume is seeing more of his mother than he ever has before. He knows very little about her, since she died when he was so small. He couldn’t have many conversations with her and he spent more time mourning and missing her than actually being with her. Not only is Mikan getting the chance to know the mother that was a mystery to her for her whole life, but Natsume is too. This is also his chance to discover his mother and get to know her, and it’s just his luck that Yuka and Kaoru actually had a strong bond.

After Kaoru intimidates Yuka at the Hana Hime den, Mikan and the gang react to the shocking scene. Kaoru is a force to reckon with, and Noda comments on how this force and tough love helped Yuka find strength in herself and confidence in her own alice.

Ruka insists on knowing more about Kaoru, and since everyone but Mikan seems to get that Kaoru is Natsume’s mother, we can see that Ruka is asking for Natsume. Natsume won’t ask. This is about Yuka, after all, and about Mikan. Natsume will see what he will of his mother insofar as she’s in Yuka’s life. Beyond that, he won’t ask for anything. Ruka knows this, so he asks instead. He wants to know about Natsume too, and what better way than to learn about the woman who seems to have so much in common with him? Natsume is touched that Ruka would go out of his way to ask a question Natsume will not ask.

Noda answers that Kaoru and Yuka will become best friends after this, and Mikan is shocked. How could someone so scary be Yuka’s best friend? But Noda explains: Kaoru has a compassionate and caring heart behind her cold front, just like Natsume, and Yuka could rely on her, even in her darkest moments. Yuka wouldn’t have gained confidence in her alice the way she did without Kaoru by her side.

That is a really fucking long red string!

And then Noda says it so even Mikan can tell now, that Natsume’s mother has always been beloved and a truly amazing person.

Chapter One Hundred and Ten

Noda further explains about Kaoru. She used her alice to spy on the academy for the HSP, and then after she graduated she continued to use her alice to expose corruption. She was deeply committed to doing the right thing and holding the academy responsible, and this commitment was inspiring to Yuka as well, who went down the path she did for the same reasons.

Somehow, their children met at the academy by pure chance, and are standing side by side now.

Here they are, standing together and in love with each other. Fate is a silly thing.

They are fated somehow. The same red string that tied Kaoru to Yuka now ties Natsume to Mikan. In fact, it’s his love for her that motivated him to go against the academy, more than his own misfortune or the wellbeing of other students or even because it was the right thing to do. The strong bond between their mothers now lingers between them, but differently, and maybe even stronger.

Natsume and Mikan are holding hands, looking at each other. Were they always meant to meet? To be together? Nothing is said out loud, but it’s apparent that they’re both thinking about their moms’ past and what exactly it means for their future.

Perhaps there's a difference between fated to fall in love and fated to be together.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen

Lots of chapters are getting skipped because there simply isn’t enough content, if any, of Natsume, not to mention NatsuMikan specifically.

Izumi is about to die, and everyone knows it as they watch. Mikan has just returned from falling through the time window. She wanted to warn her father, but Tsubasa was able to bring her back without much changing. Natsume immediately goes to Mikan’s side when she is safely returned and doesn’t leave. He holds her hand because what she’s about to witness will be deeply traumatizing and he knows that she will suffer all the more because she wasn’t able to stop it.

Everything happens as it is meant to, perhaps. Izumi is dying from Rei’s alice, since his own nullification can’t fight against Rei when he uses so much power at once.

I don't have anything clever to say here. He just loves her so much.

Mikan is distraught, and although Natsume first just tries to keep her from approaching the window again, once he sees her crying, despairing face, he shifts. All he’s ever wanted to do was keep her happy, keep her from sinking into even a fraction of the darkness he’s had to live in. It hasn’t always been easy, because Mikan was also destined to suffer, just like him.

Everyone else is pleading with Noda to get them out of the hole, to stop the flashbacks, but Noda can’t. The window is too turbulent and any moves on his part might be dangerous.

Protecting her no matter what doesn't only mean protecting her from physical harm, it means protecting her from seeing horrible things that she shouldn't have to see, like the death of her father.

So Natsume holds Mikan close. It is the only thing he can do, to tell her not to look and to hug her. She doesn’t need to see anymore. Natsume doesn’t just want to protect her physical safety but her mental and emotional well-being as well. He fell in love with a girl who always looks on the bright side, who is so optimistic and kind that her cheerfulness bleeds into everyone else. From the start, he was concerned that if her life darkened, her own light would fade and become tarnished.

But Natsume doesn’t need her to always smile. He just wants to protect her the best he can. If she needs to cry, then she can cry on him. He will hold her and support her and comfort her. She can’t always be happy, but all he’s ever wanted was to be there for her when she can’t be. When she needs to crumble a little, he will be there for her, because she would do the same. She comforted him too, even if she never knew she was doing it. It's not about having her be happy all the time, just minimizing the trauma. He can't protect her from all of it. Everything else is more powerful than he is. He can't keep her ignorant and blissful forever. Nobody can. But if they can't escape the flashback, then he will keep her from looking.

He can do this openly now, so he does. He wants her to know that she can rely on him and seek comfort from him. No matter what happens, he will be there for her.

So as Izumi dies, Natsume and Mikan aren’t looking. She doesn’t need to see. He keeps his focus on her, to support her, because she has to process a deeply traumatic event in a very short time. After all, the flashbacks are still going. Time didn’t stop for Yuka, and it won’t stop for Mikan.

Natsume’s shirt is probably soaked with tears. Not that he cares.

He holds her, not just through Izumi’s death, but for most of the aftermath. He stays, holding her, for as long as she needs him to. He will only let go when she’s okay to stand again. He ends up holding her for a couple chapters, and even when they stop hugging he still holds her up. He'd hold her for hours if she needed it.

Conclusion

Natsume and Mikan learned that their mothers were besties and are now struck with the knowledge that by pure chance they managed to meet and become as close as they did. Natsume confessed to the whole DA class (including Mikan) that he loves her in the last part, and he's done nothing but prove it over and over again.

We'll wrap up what is left of NatsuMikan in the Time-Travel Arc next week on Monday. His low self-esteem, selflessness, and all-consuming love will all take center stage in the next few entries.

Thank you all so much for reading so far. I hope you have a lovely day!

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[nanigma]

Ive been meaning to apologize to you properly i really did not wanted to get under your skin but i have just word things real poorly which makes me sound real arrogant. Hope you can forgive me and if not i'll just get out of your way and wish you the best

First of all, “Gays are disgusting and should not exist” was NOT the intention. But using the word “insult” though true for some, was an insult in itself. For that I must apologise. Initially the ask was more than 5 times longer, but character limitations meant many cuts, changes and it got more blunt in order to fit. Then I got tired and sent it as is, I’m sorry for that too. So I have done what I should have in the last ask; split it (whether you intend to carry on reading or not). This is 1/6

2/6. Wouldn’t IS give the option for characters to choose from either gender if that were the case? They could exchange half the S-supports with ones of the same gender and keep the overall amount for constraint concerns, or laziness. The fact that it is made in Japan who still withholds traditionalism and by mostly older men who grew up in that environment supports this theory.     

3/6. Even for fictional characters fans like to delve into every aspect of characters as if they were real. It helps to know all about them to write about them. So I assumed your thoughts on Leo were concrete; doesn’t help that your analysis of characters are logical and that others say similar too, so it feels like heterosexuals are looked down on or overshadowed by LGBT that has taken the media by storm. This is where my questions arose from. I guess this is what LGBT community have felt.             

4/6. I don’t recall many LGBT events in the medieval era, but in the ancient times of Romans and Celts they existed as the norm. Since the subject was mostly about Leo I was asking in terms of royalty as well, for their line that must carry on it seems to make more sense for heterosexual relationships to be the norm - anything outside of that can go on whichever path they like because they aren’t restrained by royal duties or for some social barriers.

5/6. If I could change Camilla’s armour I would, along with Charlotte’s, Nyx, Kagero, Ophelia, the berserker and Oni classes and do something with Orochi’s top. I would also give F!Corrin leggings like her male counterpart, and make them better in the story that matches with their support conversations so people would stop bullying them. I blame the developers for that. But even if I could change it the damage is done, and people will continue to hate.

6/6. (It seems that you can only ask 5 times before waiting around an hour) And I guess I do have a case of homophobia, its something that I’m still trying to understand and get used to. Though not outright crushing, I do appreciate some of the same gender. Is this what you mean by “…fall in some place in-between.”? Then yes, this would relate to everyone. 

(Very long answer below the cut)

Like I said yesterday, I really appreciated this ask (series) and know how much courage it must have taken you to do so (yes, even on anon). I do admit, that some of the things you said really got under my skin, but that was mostly because it’s a very sensitive topic for me, not because your ask was particularly hostile. It was worded very.. unfortunately, true, but I could tell you weren’t outright malicious. You also caught me at a bad time I guess.

1) I didn’t actually think you were trying to say that, but I feel it’s the feeling behind the word “insult”. Of course, you didn’t intend that word either, butI didn’t back then. I just feel that being “offended” (only word I can find right now) by someone elses private headcanon (of a character being bi in this case), is, well, that person’s own problem.. As long they aren’t trying to force their headcanon on others, people are entitled to believe whatever they want about a character. If you really cannot deal with seeing someone elses’ headcanon, unfollow that person or ask them to tag the posts that talk about it. Ultimately, people should be able to talk about their interpretations on their private blogs, and it’s on you to avoid whatever you cannot deal with.

2) Again, whatever Intsys thinks or intended about the characters doesn’t affect my headcanons.. that’s literally the definition of it. Something that is canon to me, and not canon canon. I am sure they didn’t intend for Leon to be viewed as LGBT, but they know that catering to fangirls is a straight way to $$$, so they probably think of adding bi options in the first place as fanservice or something. I am definitely calling Death of the Author on this one. Their intentions matter zilch to me when I analyze the game. It’s only fair, since my opinion, on it’s own, matters zilch to them either, and I doubt I am going to convince them of making Leo bi in canon. My only way to respond is sharing headcanons which I feel make sense with the established facts… not rewriting the script. I don’t see how I am not allowed to do that because it’s not official canon. Most of fandom is build on headcanons, and I am sure you have your own ideas about a story that the author either didn’t specify or clearly didn’t intend. We are’t just mindlessly consuming media like gospel. Each and every one of us walks away with a different interpretation of it. And I think that can be very beautiful and sometimes even better than what happened in canon.

3) My thoughts on Leon, are that his relationships with men are very close in a way that’s more relaxed and feels more intimate to me than with many of his S-ranks. Part of that has to do with not being reminded of Camilla, but I also feel like there is something he shares with Takumi in particular that he doesn’t with anyone else. If you interpret it as friendship, that’s fine by me. I just think there’s something else to it, and I love being able to explore it in fandom. There are certainly people in the fandom that bash hetero couples, but I find a lot of the time those people are straight themselves and often in it to fetishize gay people/relationships anyway. But for those who don’t do this… you have to understand fandom is a tiny bubble compared to the mainstream audiences. It’s a safe haven for many, who can get pretty aggressive in defending what they believe is “their turf”. Because outside of it.. if you say a certain character is gay/bi/other you’ll get disbelief at best and outright hostility at worst. LGBT are alienated from many places, so they tend to be very concentrated wherever they aren’t. Doesn’t mean it’s a good thing to try and drive out others of course. I do have “straight” ships myself, and I am always annoyed when people try to prevent me from shipping them. (As you can tell, I am very adamant on being allowed to “do my own thing” no matter which side).

4) There were multiple non-straight monarchs in medieval times (though opinions vary of course and records are fragmented from those times). Like William II (either gay or ace) or Edward II (probably bi or gay) to name only English examples. Of course, producing an heir is always an issue for royalty, (or aristocrats in general) and it’s certainly interesting to think of Leon being faced with it, which more than one fic has explored in the past. He may deal with it like Philippe, Duke of Orléans did: Fathering kids in an arranged marriage while having male lovers. Or relying on Xander and his sisters (whose offspring are still considered royalty) to keep the line going. Birthright is the only scenario where he is outright forced to have an heir himself, and again, that doesn’t exclude potential lovers, though I admit I don’t imagine him taking one in that route.

5) So you agree the developer’s can be very frustrating sometimes haha;; Anyway, I mainly just pulled out Camilla as an example for unrealistic armour, because I am so used to people who pull the medieval argument being very selective when it comes to the stuff (such as certain GOT fans ardently defending the sexism as historical, but not batting an eye at shaved armpits and anachronistic dresses). My point was that Fates is in a fantasy world and does not adhere to medieval standards in multiple ways, nor does it have to since it’s explicitly not a historical documentary (though I do wish they’d tone down the fanservice too). It just can’t be judged by them, since it’s a product of the 21st century.

6) Being able to admit that is already a good sign, since it involves a lot of self-reflection. I am sure it’s hard to overcome one’s ingrained beliefs, and it takes a lot of time, but I think you are on the right track. So long as you try to keep an open mind about things and educate yourself I am sure you’ll continue to make progress. And yes, I think that most people experience some form of “attraction” (sexual or romantic) for either gender, just to varying degrees. I am glad I could explain this to you, and thank you for taking the time to consider it.