#there's also a like. gendered aspect of this that rubs me the wrong way a little

[anonymusbosch]

oh no, i established myself as Capable Of and Willing To Perform some minor annoying administrative tasks at work and now am being tossed additional requests to perform said tasks

i know that in a strict financial view it makes sense to spend 20 minutes of junior engineer time on mundane-annoying-task than 20 minutes of senior staff engineer time but have you considered: I Don't Like It

[sleepyboywrites]

Creepypasta Fluff Headcanons for Trans!Male Reader Pt. 1 (Being a boy on his Period)

Because it's nearing that time again and being a boy on his period sucks ass. I'm making this to provide some comfort! For myself as a trans man and hopefully you too. This takes place with established and healthy relationships. Or as healthy as relationships with these characters come.

Tw: Possessive behavior, not necessarily wanted affection, rough contact, references to slight verbal abuse.

Eyeless Jack

• Run. Run right in the opposite direction if he hasn't eaten in a bit/is agitated. You will make him hungry due to his blood lusting demonic nature and he's not very friendly when he's hungry.

• You already aren't feeling great so if you go to him in that state anyways expect to be more uncomfortable albeit supported as a half-apology.

• If he has been satiated and is calm you may proceed to tell your demonic boyfriend that your cycle has begun and you are distressed and dysphoric about it.

• Cuddle bug. Like sits you directly into his lap and burries his face in your neck. Telling you words of encouragement. Think "I'm so sorry Baby boy." and "You're so strong y/n. One of the strongest men I know, I mean other men can't live through bleeding for 4-7 days on average."

• He's a med student so he knows the best ways to help with cramps and the physical pains that come with a menstrual cycle.

• He also gives you high testosterone foods and encourages you to wear one of his shirts and your boxers over your underwear to help with the dysphoria aspect. But he won't let you bind if your chest area gets sensitive.

• Tries to distract you and keep you as comfortable as possible

• Extremely protective during this time. He has a lot of self control but his instincts are still spiking under the surface screaming at him to lock you up/protect you. His emotional attachment to you paired with his constant hunger leave him clinging to your side and glaring at anyone else who approaches/gives you a weird look. Attacking anyone who hurts you emotionally or otherwise.

• Honestly a bit feral in a way akin to nesting.

• Insists on taking walks together once a day.

Laughing Jack

• A bit confused at first in his eyes he has erased any of your perceived biological imperfections.

• Hits you with the "But you are a boy" when you tell him you're feeling dysphoric and crying. "One who's very very important to me as well so please don't cry."

• Gives you your favorite candies and sweets

• Rubs your back when you're curled over in pain and sings you songs to help you calm down.

• Takes you to his amusement park and takes you on all your favorite rides and shows you all your favorite shows

•Always introducing the act as "Dedicated to the best boy in the world/my Favorite boy."

• Essentially his mentality is "I'm going to make sure this boy has so much fun he forgets the torment of having his brain stuck in the wrong body."

• And it fucking works. He has you laughing so hard that you can't tell where the stomach ache ends and the cramps begin.

• He likes to play "dress-up" in the sense where he has an array of gender affirming costumes and each day he insists you choose from the extensive array because even if you don't feel well at the moment doesn't mean you have to be reduced to a puddle of stained oversized clothes. He was always one for theatrics.

• If you say you really aren't up to dressing up he'll bring out an array of hoodies, baggy tees, shorts, sweats, or jeans instead.

• Genuinely just trying to distract and cheer you up

Ben Drowned

• Pretends to not know what you're talking about or why you're so upset. "Bro I assure you no one cares?" Followed by a long silence as he stares at you followed with "We all still view you the same, man."

• Then promptly refuses to leave your side

• Think anything from lurking in nearby electronics to straight up following you around everywhere.

• If a mission comes up he'll take you with him and make up some sort of excuse like he needs your help and your avatar is better abled than you physically. Alternatively if you have a mission he'll grab you and say he's coming with, before dragging you with him.

• Makes sure everyone is careful around you. No roughhousing or insults. Not at this time even if you protest.

• You had to break up a fight with the intent to maim once because Jeff had called you a "Pussy" in an attempt to agrivate you to change your mind about not being up for training today. Ben who had been lurking nearby lunged at him and you had to break the two apart.

• So much Gatorade. This boy makes you drink so much Gatorade.

• He also has a collection of snacks you normally crave and hoodies specifically for you in his closet.

• Let's you bind during your period until you don't take it off on time or act like you're in pain then he will take and hide it until it's passed.

• if you complain about dysphoria he'll roll his eyes as he drags you to his realm where your avatar already matches your gender and have you hang out there.

• Naptimes are mandatory once a day during this week because he knows it takes a lot out of you.

• Reminds you to take showers despite how much you hate having that reminder because you'll feel better afterwards and it helps with the cramps.

Jeff the Killer

• I promise he's trying. He's trying to keep things as normal as possible by being a jokey asshole dick like usual.

• Mans has your cycle engraved in his memory so on the first and worst day when you're at your grumpiest without fail he'll go "Can't you just give me a bloody smile god damn it?"

• You know he's joking and he knows he's joking but without fail you'll mock laugh at him, sock him in the nose, and walk away.

• One time you ran out of products and Jeff went to get them for you he called from the store and went, "Hey man, what size cunt do you have?" You shook your head, called him an asshole, and hung up.

• He tried to apologize by calling and texting and when you wouldn't answer he made you a care basket with hot wheels and various manly items such as boxers and button-ups/baggy tees. He also covered the pads wrapping in dinosaurs. And replacing "girl" with "boss" on the labels

• He's made a habit of getting you one of these everytime your supplies run out.

• Insists on more training and fighting because what better way to blow off steam and frustrations than a good ol fashioned fight.

• One time it went too far and the two of you ended up being patched up by EJ who scolded the two of you and said "If I catch you boys doing this again I will make sure Slender needs two new proxies."

• Always carrying ibuprofen and water. Always.

• Rubs your back if it hurts too much and treats you more gently.

•Will attack and maim anyone who misgenders you.

Homicidal Liu

• Liu is already constantly holding your hand as if he's scared you'll disappear, like the rest of good in his life, so you two are fairly well synced and sometimes you swear he can read your mind.

• You keep him calm, in a way that reminds him of before the incident because of this he knows all of you, obsessed over it and memorized it, including when your cycle is, it's linked in his internal clock.

• You'll often wake up to a warm bath and clean comfortable clothes if your cycle started during the night. While you bathe he'd change and wash the sheets then bring you breakfast to eat together after you finish.

• Tells you he's sorry that your body doesn't match your mind as he nuzzles into your neck. Snaking his arms around your waist and engulfing you in his weight. Sometimes uncomfortable but you know by now if you try to pry him off he'll only tighten his grip and agressively albeit incoherently mumble

•calm and supportive/protective and possessive are how his alters have always treated you. Both affectionate sometimes overly so. Heightened during your cycle due to you being in a more easily hurt and in a distressed mood.

• Think overlap of Liu and Sully's voices, "What did you just say to my boyfriend?" Followed by "You'll pay for that." should anyone so much as look at you funny in a way that'll make you feel worse about your current state of being.

• Said anyone would be carried away in a body bag. <333

• Gets you trinkets as well as anything you may be craving.

• Owns heating pads as well as cold pads at his disposal to help with cramps.

• Water/Gatorade and a variety of pain meds on hand. Always.

• Doesn't want to leave your side out of fear of you running into a less than kind individual without him there to support you and maim your instigator.

Ticci Toby

• You'd have to go to him about it because his ass doesn't know. His brain is on fifteen different topics at any given time. You occupy at least five but he doesn't have much memorized.

• He'll know that something is bothering you but won't know what unless you blatantly tell him.

• Once you do he'll probably try his best to limit his roughness/aggression and increase softer touches/tones.

• Much more pet names a lot less insults. IE: Instead of calling you a dumbass he'll call you pretty boy.

• If he gets frustrated expect said pet name to be said with aggression.

• He owns several weighted blankets he'd offer you to use on top of his own body weight when he flops onto you, should you want that affection. Though he still will with a piss-poor excuse of an apology if you don't and he does. Which he does frequently because you're one of the only people whose touch is gentle with him.

• Bad about carrying liquid. Good about carrying meds. So if you need an ibuprofen he will give you one but you'll need to either dry swallow or find liquid elsewhere.

• Also not the best at comforting you through your pain seeing as he doesn't experience that kind of thing himself. At least not in the same way, so he doesn't know what to do nor what you expect from him.

• He'll pick you up something he thinks you'll like when he goes out during this time but that ranges from "really sweet" to "the thought is what counts." Because sometimes his thoughts cross paths one too many times and he accidentally got you cleaning supplies instead of menstrual or edible treats.

• Think: "This rock made me think of you. Do you like [insert candy], because I grabbed some on my last mission. I meant to grab you strawberry mentos, because of a song I heard that made me think of you but accidentally grabbed menthol instead, I don't know how you'd use it but here."

• Essentially when you tell him he'll say "Okay, don't push yourself too hard." And then continue fairly normally while attempting to be nice.

Brian/Hoodie

• Initial reaction depends entirely on where/how you tell him. If you tell him in public in front of others he will simply look at you and say, "...okay".

• If you tell him in private he'll stare at you for a moment and then he'll give you a few well-thought-out sentences on how he'll be there to help and how you aren't any less of a man.

• If you give him a note or written thing however he will build you a cathedral out of paragraphs telling you that he'll do what he can to make you feel as good as you can, how this aspect doesn't change who you are not how you're received, and everything masculine and in general he adores about you.

• Always has water, meds, and a spare hoodie for you in close proximity.

• Doesn't treat you any differently in public or private.

• Very sweet most of the time, including this, minus his aggressive outbursts.

• It's very much the same old same old. He'll still melt into you and expect the same he'll still yell and throw things when he's having a n outburst.

• He'll still treat you as softly and as roughly as he does the rest of the time.

• Will get you your cravings if you ask but he won't really if he's unprompted.

• He may ask for your hand more often if he notices your distress/squeeze your hand more often.

• Though most of the time he won't he's too busy in his head or in what he's doing.

• Or alternatively trying to figure out what is in your head and what you're doing but not necessarily how you're feeling.

• He cares about you he's just not the possessive type in the way that leads to outwardly or intense displays of affection. Though if you even hinted to not wanting to be around people on your cycle you wouldn't be. He would hole up.with you until its over and be reluctant to let you go.

Tim/Masky

• Throws his reeking bomber jacket at you with a raised eyebrow. "Things like this provide some comfort right?"

• Cocky Bastard knows it's in his god-damn calendar and he likes to inadvertently let you know he knows.

• IE: throwing one of your favorite snacks at your head while you train or work.

• Bringing you water, Gatorade, and medicine to you when all you did is hold your head in your hands for five seconds.

• It's become almost a game of whether or not you can get away without him knowing.

• Mocking you lightly if you ask for help with anything. If you need supplies, or would like one of your cravings, or would like a heating pad anything. And you say, "Hey could you get me [blank] if you don't mind?" Or anything along those lines you will be met with an, "Ah ah ah pretty boy, say pretty please." When he returns with what you asked for dangling it out of reach.

• Also always asks for a kiss as payment for being your knight in shiny armor. When he gets you anything. One time he bought you a bag of chocolate kisses you were craving and when he asked you threw a chocolate at him and he chased and tackled you until you gave him an actual one.

• Deliberately and as a rule of thumb, Masky shows you a playful and cocky side he's created because you respond to it best.

• He rarely gets angry at you but when he does that anger translates to avoiding you and not speaking to you should he be in this state he will give you nothing, not even a hug during this.

• If you tend to be touch-starved during he'll be less likely to fall into that angry rut but if you're touch-adverse he's more likely to get into angry ruts because he'll take it as the front he crafted for you not being enough or attractive to you.

• Despite the fact it has nothing to do him and has everything to do with you being in physical and psychological pain.

[pandoraescape]

Can I request NSFW alphabet for So'lek?👀

{𝐍𝐒𝐅𝐖 𝐀𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭: So'lek}

Gender Neutral Reader x So'lek

Archive of our own version: Here

A: Aftercare (What they're like after sex)

So'lek is the definition of a warrior, mighty in his skills and fighting. So it was a surprise to discover him to be so gentle with (Y/n).

They sometimes take to the rivers or pools to wash together, enjoying the soft touches and listening to the wildlife of the Kinglor. Forest

B: Body Part (Their favorite body part of theirs and also their partners)

He loves their Neck.

Lick, kiss, bite, and nimble, he'll do it all to get a reaction from his mate.

Whenever he sneaks into you, he leans into your nape and gives a gentle kiss. His hands around their hips as he leans in their natural scent. 

C: Cum (Anything to do with cum)

One word: Breeding Kink.

That thought alone turns his calm demeanor into a feral Palulukan.

D: Dirty Secret

Ya, the breeding kink, it's not only a kink.

So'lek imagines himself having a family to raise alongside his mate, telling stories about his clan and their traditions and how mighty his people were before the sky people came.

The war he fights is worth it if it means one day he can bring peace to Pandora and his people, but to raise a family with the love of his life.

E: Experience (How experienced are they? Do they know what they're doing?)

So'lak is an ideal warrior within his clan and is well-known for hunting and fighting.

Many male and female suitors wanted to gain the man's attention.

So'lek was always showered with gifts, food, and fine jewelry from secret admirers.

But other than that, he had no experience in this until his love came to the picture.

F: Favorite Position

Mating Press~

G: Goofy (Are they more serious in the moment, or are they humorous, etc.)

Really? This man goofy? Ah!

H: Hair (How well-groomed are they? Does the carpet match the drapes)

Na'vi are all hairless down there; prove me wrong.

I: Intimacy (How are they during the moment, romantic aspect…)

He holds them close. Wanting to feel their lover's body on his and remember how soft/rough their skin feels.

Loves rubbing their backs as they explore their body.

J: Jack Off

Sometimes, when stressed, he'll jack off in his mauri near the base.

But since he's mated, he no longer doses or needs to.

K: Kink (One or more of their kinks)

We know what kink he has, but what about Y/n?

Oh boy, you can't deny that they have a voice kink for this man.

Every time this fucker would whisper deeply in their ears. Promising sweet thing makes their legs jelly.

"I'll be quick, ma yawntu" and "Just like that, that's it."

Yup, you gone.

L: Location (Favorite places to do they do)

Home is where he's most comfortable, and sometimes in his spare room at the base (thank god that the rooms are soundproof).

M: Motivation (What turns them on, gets them going)

So'lek may look like a hard man to get a reaction from, but in truth, one thing can make him putty in Y/n's hands.

And that one thing hunting.

As the sun set, So'lek set out to hunt for his evening meal. The forest was quiet except for the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. Suddenly, a sharp sound broke the silence from the nearby bushes. So'lek's instincts kicked in, and he slowly made his way toward the source of the noise, his senses alert and his body tense. As he approached the bushes, he saw a figure emerging from the shadows, a familiar smile on their face. It was his mate. Before he could question them, they jumped from their spot, running to the side to hide behind a tree, peeking at him with a giggle.

They're teasing him. Immediately, Solak understood what his mate wanted to do, and with a slight grin, he began to join a different hunt. Where his love was the prey.

N: NO (Something they wouldn't do, turn-offs)

Abosutluy no mating if someone is near.

He gets to look at their body, no one else!

O: Oral (Preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

Ah, you kidding, right?

Y/n is 100% a...bottom.

.....sorry, but you can't lie to yourself, even if not lieing here.

P: Pace (Are they fast and rough? Slow and sensual?)

When normally mating it is slow, however, he someone wanted to say, I don't know, roleplay on being pray~

Oh boy, Y/n won't be walking for a while.

Q: Quickie (Their opinions on quickies rather than proper sex, how often, etc.)

On some days, he would do them, but he doesn't really want to since he loves taking his time with his mate.

R: Risk (Are they game to experiment, do they take risks, etc.)

He doesn't take any risks; he doesn't want either of them to be caught in such a vulnerable position.

S: Stamina (How many rounds can they go for? How long do they last?)

This man has the stamina of a Nantang; he can go until the sun goes down, and he'll keep going!

T: Toy (Do they own toys? Do they use them? On a partner or themselves?)

Nope

U: Unfair (How much they like to tease)

So'lek takes the opportunity to use his voice, knowing his mate loves it.

Whenever their mate is busy with something, he sneaks up behind them, places his hands on their hips, and begins to growl deeply. He smirked as he saw their neck turning red.

V: Volume (How loud they are, what sounds they make)

Let's just say the others, Human and Na'vi, can never unhear what they hear if they come close to So'lek's mauri.

W: Wild Card

Listing, the muscle on this man can make anyone in some way, not gonna lie!

Y: Yearning (How high is their sex drive?)

 He has a standard sex drive when it comes to his urges. He has control of how he handles them and how he deals with them.

Z: ZZZ (… how quickly they fall asleep afterward)

Before they sleep, he ensures that both he and Y/n are comfortable and even visits the bath pounds to get clean.

[possessionisamyth]

okay, hi, im back extremely briefly but just hear me out this time!!!

So pre-time skip Sanji goes up to Usopp and asks the age old question "how did you know you were trans?" At first, Usopp's hackles go up for a split second. She hasnt been able to physically transition anything, just socially, and it's hard enough getting anyone outside her crew to believe her. Therefore, this does rub her the wrong way until she recognizes Sanji's tone as being genuine and not condescending. She notices the hesitancy in his posture and the concern in his eyes before she takes up her usual role of lightening the mood.

Usopp explains how it's kinda funny actually. That Ninjin from her village had a pet cat who absolutely hated all men except for Usopp. At the time, Usopp bragged about being one of the world's greatest animal tamers, but it was the hint she needed to start really looking at herself. Sanji interrupts with a hand on his chin in thought and says something like "okay, yeah, animals confirm your gender" and Usopp stops him right there. She then explains that it was actually Luffy's spiel on being themselves and following their dreams that made her take the leap with the social transitioning aspect she struggles with off of Going Merry. She asks Sanji why the question, but Sanji says he's just curious cause he's only really ever run into drag queens and Usopp was far from being the type (even if her wardrobe got a little too silly sometimes). The subject changes to ideas for dinner before Sanji walks off to do his chores. Yet, the conversation sticks in the back of Usopp's mind like a little footnote.

At some point she is able to slowly start physically transitioning, and during this she catches Sanji saying things that are just kind of strange in a familiar way. She doesn't acknowledge it though. She's honestly surprised she notices half the time considering all the other shit they got going on.

Then the group is separated, and Sanji is on drag queen island for a long time. He has a lot of talks with people that make him both extremely uncomfortable, royally pissed off, or terrified and questioning. By the time his tenure on the island starts coming to a close, Sanji faces some very hard truths about how he's treated people and how he's treated himself. So, understandably, when she shows up to meet everyone at Sabaody she's a little nervous. She doesn't let it show though. She was just happy Ivankov's kindness didn't come with a drawback. She also has a little vial for a friend with her cause like, it's easier to skip where you can right?

When she runs into Zoro and he doesn't bat an eye while they get into their angry banter, Sanji starts to relax. Everyone came back different, which means they did what they were supposed to do. Get stronger to take on the new world. She thanks the sea that she isn't attracted to any of the motley men on their ship. It was a real scare with the drag queens that she might find herself pitching for the other team after the transition, but her love for women remained in full force.

This thought occurs the exact moment she sees Usopp. Three words hit Sanji like arrows piercing through her body at the sight of Usopp, which is Strong, Busty, and Beautiful. Usopp's hair was so long now??? Did her smile get even cuter???? Why the hell was she wearing the world's tiniest crop top under those suspenders??!!???

Usopp's eyes light up with something knowing that makes the nervousness return to Sanji in droves. Then Usopp smiles and says "long time no see", and her voice?!!!! Gone is that strange warble from the lingering edge of puberty, and it's been replaced with something smoother right at the bridge between a tenor and an alto in rhythm. Sanji is GONE. She is MELTING. She is BLEEDING ALL OVER HER NICE NAVY SUIT. Oh wow, she's feeling light-headed all of a sudden. She passes out. Wakes up to see she's in Usopp's arms? Passes out. Wakes up to see she's in Usopp's arms? Passes out. Chopper realizes what the hell is happening, and Usopp is switched out for a giggling Luffy. Sanji stays conscious this time.

Fishman Island happens, and things are calmer among their crew as they leave. Well, as calm as they can get for the strawhat pirates. Usopp finally finally gets a chance to corner Sanji in the kitchen because she's excited! Shared experiences and all that jazz. Sanji is both distracted and shy because Usopp is still wearing that tiny crop top that just barely covers her assets as well as showing off her abs AND Sanji didn't think she'd have to keep talking about the transitioning thing. She thought she'd be sort of done unless she ran into someone from her past about it, but she likes listening to Usopp talk about it. While Usopp is talking about all the hurdles on the island she was stuck on, Sanji remembers the little vial she asked for from Ivankov. Sanji asks Usopp to stop mid-story and gives it to her explaining that if she ever wants to just stop taking her shots, she can have Chopper administer that. No pressure obviously. Usopp can do whatever she wants and Sanji will respect her for it.

Usopp is extremely touched by the gesture, and tells Sanji she'll have Chopper hold onto it in case she does want to just go the quick way in the future. They sit in amicable silence for a little while before Usopp narrows her eyes at Sanji and asks "wait, does it change Everything?" Sanji says it does. Usopp pointedly looks down. Sanji hunches forward. Usopp repeats, "Everything?" Sanji now red faced with embarrassment shouts, "YES! EVERYTHING!" Sanji already went through mourning the loss of being about to take a piss anywhere without a second thought before being stabbed with like ten large needles. She was used to squatting now! The bleeding on the other hand...

Usopp sets her chin on Sanji's shoulder, and Sanji looks over in time to catch the smile on her face. She thanks Sanji again, and Sanji sort of nods and hums because there's that nervousness again since Usopp is so beautiful and she's SO CLOSE TO HER. The singular not short-circuiting part of Sanji's brain does speak up as she tells Usopp she's really proud of her. That she feels kind of like she cheated being gone and going the easy route and just being able to step into something Usopp had to work for. That if their roles were switched, Sanji wasn't sure she'd ever feel brave enough to do half the stuff Usopp did to get to where she is.

And that little footnote Usopp kept in the back of her mind for a while pops up right then, so she interrupts Sanji mid-spiel to ask her "how did you know you were trans?" It's a role reversal of a conversation from what felt like so long ago. And Sanji pauses. She's quiet for a little while until she speaks up and says she got a hint for it back in Little Garden. This confuses Usopp, but Sanji continues on and explains how Usopp didn't have any trouble calling herself a girl, and after Brogy and Dorry just accepted it, how happy Usopp looked and how relaxed she was.

Sanji says she wanted that freedom. The freedom to really be herself without any strings attached, and that she envied Usopp but didn't actually understand what the emotion was until much later. To Sanji's chagrin, Usopp pulls away with a hand on her chin in thought and says "okay, yeah, giants affirm your gender". And Sanji stares at her incredulously before Usopp starts giggling. The giggling is contagious. Sanji starts laughing herself, and sure it's nearly 11 at night, but that doesn't matter. There's an understanding here. There's a love here. They'll both be moving forward on the right foot into the future.

But for now, it was time to go bed. Sanji asks if Usopp wants to shower first since she's unsure about the hot water situation. Usopp, as if she's completely forgotten who the fuck she's talking to, says they can just shower together now if Sanji wants to. It's no big deal. Sanji proceeds to start bleeding all over her nice blouse. Usopp promptly freaks out and calls Chopper. There is a long lecture about blood transfusions needing to be SPARINGLY PROVIDED WHEN SOMEONE DOESN'T HAVE A DISEASE. Usopp says they'll figure something out. (They do because the pair start dating around the middle of Punk Hazard).

[blubushie]

I hate how many characters get transmasc'd. its not that i hate trans ppl or whatever, its that it 99% of the time happens to popular male characters with an afab fanbase. And that those male characters also get woobified and infantilized. Its happening with scout tf2 and its happening with daisuke (from Mouthwashing. hes a relatively innocent/morally good character who is described as a ray of sunshine, incompetent at his job on a flight crew, but willing to learn.) They both get mischaracterized as uwu flowercrown-wearing meowmeow blorbos and, obviously, get trans-masc'd. it feels like the fanbase just doesnt want to admit they like a male character but dont want the backlash of genderbending, so they just make him trans. thats just Man Lite! Thats not really a guy, just a cute girl with short hair we call 'man'! that means its okay to like him now, not when he was an icky cis guy! idk if im making any sense. i hate how people stereotypically trans male characters' gender. its like they cant like a man wholeheartedly unless they 'soften the edges' by making him 'less of a man' via transness, whether they realize it or not.

Bad bait but in the off chance it's not:

Have you considered that a lot of these are trans men who are seeing themselves in a character and headcanoning to share something more physical with them?

I do agree somewhat with the latter part of that paragraph but I do not like how you phrased that. I'm sure there's something there but I find it more concerning if people are doing that out of the sense that trans men are "men lite" and not real men. Because they are real men. Maybe I'm being sensitive but "That's not really a guy, just a cute girl with short hair we call 'man'!" rubbed me the wrong way, hyperbole or not.

That said I think the vast majority of people doing this are either doing it for a diversity aspect of a largely cis cast, or for point #1. People see a character similar to themselves and want to share more similarities with them so they feel more represented and less alone.

A more common trend I've noticed is that characters who are canonically personalised as immature (at least in comparison to their peers) are the ones getting the trans headcanons. I personally would like to see more Very Mature And Masculine Men headcanoned as trans, but also this varies by fandom widely, and while I want to see them it doesn't mean I hate other trans headcanons. In TF2 it's mainly Scout, but I can reckon that's because he's the youngest on the team and a lot of the fanbase (especially here on Tumblr) vibe with him on the level of young and brash and cocky. And again, this varies by fandom. The character that most people will trans HC varies widely, though it's often the character that the majority of the fanbase has something in common with.

I'm gonna be honest mate anytime someone has to start a paragraph with "I don't hate [demographic] but-" the next thing to come out of their mouth immediately makes it sound like they don't like that demographic. And you sound like you don't like trans people all that much.

Work on that whether you're cis or trans, cuz you sound like you got some prejudice going on either way.

[ilynpilled]

I like your jaime opinions but you have such bnf takes on jb and marriage that kind of baffles me

bnf takes 😭😭? cmon man. im just not that interested in that. like i am just not crazy about the marriage/children endgame aspect, simply out of preference. do not care for that kind of clean happy ending for any of my faves, i think it would emotionally resonate with me less. i also internalized what george had said about what romances he likes to write and read and the “we’ll always have paris” example he used. i do like some kind of tragedy or bittersweetness in romantic stories too. and the love was and would still always be there and all that. i do want some kind of departure, some key choice and sacrifice perhaps. i see the possibility of jaime dying too, which could achieve the same, but not executed the way it was in the show. i do not at all deny the possibility of interpreting the set up for what u guys r saying either, i think you can find foreshadowing for it (certainly has more of a basis than a majority of what ppl skew as marriage foreshadowing for other ships), i just dont feel crazy about it as a “happily ever after” scenario, dont think it would fit:

like i see this. i even thought that stage direction (if it was that and not a directorial choice that was not in the script) in the lion and the rose could be alluding to a union. the one where loras and jaime discuss the cersei-loras marriage and the dialogue ends with “you will never marry [cersei]” “neither will you” and then brienne enters the frame while the camera is on jaime. followed up by the cersei brienne convo. grrm wrote it after all. this is the technique he kept using with olenna regarding joffrey’s murder as well.

i am just fine with if all this just indicates future romance between them, and is being used to emphasize their desire for each other that they both repress in different ways (oathkeeper itself can be read as an engagement metaphor: “He will bring a rose for you,” her father promised her, but a rose was no good, a rose could not keep her safe. It was a sword she wanted.”, “Ser Galladon was a champion of such valor that the Maiden herself lost her heart to him. She gave him an enchanted sword as a token of her love.”) i do not think it would be made lesser if the relationship does not necessarily operate within the boundaries of westerosi society. i dont care if the marriage is a symbolic one rather than a literal one (like a knighting.) i do not think that would take away from the romantic relationship. we will see. i know jaime deals with failure when it comes to fatherhood but i am still pretty lukewarm when it comes to that kind of ending for him. i would prefer that remaining a tragedy. could that change? idk.

brienne too is a complex character. her relationship with her desires is complicated. part of her does crave marriage and a child etc. again, it is not as simple as her not at all desiring any aspect of the role she is assigned due to her gender. it is a role that society made for her, but also did not allow her to fit due to how she looks. so that is already very loaded and highlights the contradictory nature of this strict binary. but she also is a knight. she likes it. there is a reason she is a little relieved as well. she has agency to be what she wants to be. she is operating outside of society’s moulds in her own way. is there a way to make these things compromise? maybe.

if you want an ���anti-bnf” 😭 opinion from me i do absolutely want their relationship to be consummated, and i disagree with the ppl who want it to be/read it as just a courtly love/chivalric romance type deal in that sense. sexual themes permeate the dynamic, and i wouldn’t like it if george, who does not shy away from dealing with sexuality, didn’t deal with this one relationship, ESPECIALLY because Brienne is an unattractive woman. would unironically rub me the wrong way if she ended up being the one ‘major’ female character, with a key romance, who is also an adult, to not have that. do not want her to be desexualized in this context. i am also tired of the relationship being “purified” in this sense in a lot of general discussion bc i think it often ventures into backwards territory. i would not be really happy with them only getting sex metaphors (which there are plenty of already) + i do believe it would actually mean a lot for both of their characters too.

[kieralopez]

“SOMEONE LIKE ME CAN BE A REAL NIGHTMARE - I'M COMPLETELY AWARE”

⊹₊  ⋆  (  jenna ortega,  cis woman,  she/her,  23)  i  think  kiera lopez just  walked  by!  wow,  they  really  are  a jenna ortega   lookalike!  they’ve  been  here  in  new  york  city  for  2 years,  and  seem  to  always  have  their mothman plush.  i  heard  they  made  their $500k  as  a  actress,  and  are  often  associated  with  wearing all black, dissecting film for the fun of it, and getting lost in an oddities shop.  let’s  hope  the  world  doesn’t  find  out [redacted]! muse 20

INTRODUCING…

NAME: Kiera Lopez

GENDER & PREFERRED PRONOUNS: Cis Woman (She/Her)

AGE: 23

BIRTHDAY: October 13, 2001

ZODIAC: Libra Sun, Scorpio Rising, Gemini Moon

SEXUALITY & ROMANCE: Bisexual / Biromantic

FACE CLAIM: Jenna Ortega

OCCUPATION: Actress / Aspiring Screenwriter & Directer

HOMETOWN: Roswell, NM

CURRENT RESIDENCE: New York City, NY.

CHARACTER PLAYLIST: HERE.

UP NEXT: “NIGHTMARE” BY HALSEY

BIOGRAPHY: tw overdose mention, death mention

Born Marina 'Marnie' Lopez, the young girl legally changed her name to Kiera as a way to drive some distance between herself and her family when she turned 18; Feeling a bit suffocated and needing to re-invent herself. It’s funny though, since her eldest sister raised her, you can see so many similarities (the sarcasm, the intelligence and mannerisms) even though she claims they’re so vastly different. Kiera currently attends university online for film studies. She’s aiming on becoming a writer and director - mainly within the horror realm. This love for horror derives from a young age, and she tends to be a bit of a movie snob because of her studies. You can catch her at the movie theatre almost every Friday. It also doesn't help that Kiera is in the film industry; Having had been in commercials and having had small roles in movies ever since she could remember. A way to keep the lights on for her family. Despite coming across as someone with a good head on their shoulders, Kiera is genuinely a firecracker. Prone to anger and acting on impulse, her tongue tends to be sharper than she realizes. She’s caused a lot of trouble on purpose growing up; some situations meant to weigh on her sister, whilst others were her attempt to try to find herself and fix her own issues. To this day, Kiera is working on figuring out who she is through the broken pieces her mother left behind, and still causes some trouble here and there. Sometimes for fun, other times just to bring an off-balance start to another's day if they rub her the wrong way. Kiera is very artistic and sometimes comes across as pretentious. She loves to paint and sketch, but doesn’t want to make a living out of it. Instead, her artwork is loitering the walls of her apartment. She also likes living on her own, seeing that she lives in an apartment and tends to frequent thrifting in her spare time. Kiera is currently working on finishing up her BA for film at NYU; of course, having landed a full-ride scholarship. She's still working in the film industry - a friend of hers knowing the director to a horror film in which she landed one of the lead roles. She's excited about what's coming next in her acting career, but she still feels a little off with her secret boiling just under the surface. With the loss of her mother, who she was estranged to, only about a month ago due to an overdose - Kiera is now finding it harder to keep her sadness at bay over the loss of a 'normal' childhood (with a parent that genuinely cared).

EXTRA-EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT HER!

Kiera never had a genuine perception of a family. Due to the fact her mother figure in life was her eldest sister and no father figure in sight. As a result, she’s not great at formulating healthy relationships on any plane. She has a mentality of leaving before she’s left, and hurting others before they hurt her as a fight or flight response to deep emotions and attachments in a any sense. She is aware of this aspect of herself, and hates it, but isn’t sure on how to really get better; it sort of became more of a last resort form of acceptance, seeing that she harbors feelings of not being enough to make her mother finally break the addiction, or even get her father to stay - she now owns up to being the source of her own problems as opposed to fixing the root issue that lays deeper. She’s overly self-critical, especially if she loses or if she feels she could’ve done better. There's an air of competition to her in academics as well as in the workplace - she's always striving for good recognition in these fields. She loves to learn new things, and takes up skills rather easily; and if she thoroughly enjoys the topic (ex: horror films), than you can forget it - she'll cream everyone at trivia. She loves to thrift, and always goes out of her way to support small businesses. Kiera is also very cynical with her outlook on the world, though her activism is borderline anarchist because she's just fed up with everyone and everything. Wise beyond her years, she is known to be quite pretentious in her tastes of music, movies and books, and can rant about all three for hours. Also very smart, in general? Graduated with high honors and has street smarts. Though, she does tend to be sarcastic towards others but she utilizes the excuse of being brutally honest to avoid being labelled mean. Kiera is super open-minded and prides herself in being a safe space. Even though she tends to escape into the night life, and has been sneaking into joints since she was 14 to party, she does have boundaries; she won't try any hard drugs, and knows her limits in alcohol. Even if she seems completely gone, she's not - she can't let herself get that way out of fear of a loss of control. Kiera can be sweet to those who she deems as good people in her life, but she's a type of black hole that kinda brings chaos wherever she goes. She's prone to huge mood shifts, and is known to be fierce for her small and young stature. Will 20/10 ruin good thing if she gets her hands on it. She’s just trying her best, okay? Life is unpredictable and messy, and she’s becoming more aware with that everyday. That’s all without mentioning her need to create battling her need to destroy.

PERSONALITY:

+ Adaptable, Driven, and Innovatory

- Detached, Explosive, and Sarcastic

[alistairssock]

Every day I grow increasingly disappointed and mad that the body options in BG3 are so limited when it comes to their bodies

I complain a lot about all the male companions having rippling abs (first off: why??? second off: the hell¿¿¿). While most the female companions have hourglass shaped bodies with uber perky tits facing the sky. Except Lae'zel and Karlach. Lae'zel being weird and lanky yet strong, gitting her being githyanki and a warrior. Check. It's good, I really like that about her, it makes her interesting and unique. Her tits are even slightly diffrent than the others. Karlach? I could never slander Karlach. She's perfect. Hope she can continue to piss off whiny gamer boys who are afraid of muscular women taller than them. Or awaken something in them. Either option is fine.

But the main thing that bothers me is that we're living up to this insane beauty standard that is so implimented into our society that it's so to speak impossible to un-stick from video games. It's a sick and twisted cishet gamerbro fantasy, rubbed into our faces. It's lazy and boring, and lacking of flavor and I'm so so tired of it. And don't get me started how unrealistic most their bodies are compared to what they do and how they've lived and who they are. That could easily be a whole other wall of a text post.

Thing is, I wouldn't mind this as much if the 'standard' bodies were just one of many options. If these body types were just one of many and not the default on every single character model. There could be a custom option/sliders to adjust the character's bodies to your own vision and preference. Though, I do wish it would come with a lot more diverse bodies to begin with (baseline for npcs, and that isn't much to ask for, they clearly have the power, but are not willing to wield it). Hell, even a height slider would be good. Not all player/non-playable characters abide to the standard set body options; that is simply ridiculous when you think about it.

It does however bother me extra much because it's such a cowardly trap both Dragon Age - and probably also other fantasy games (and let's be real, most video games in general) - and now Baldur's Gate fall into. Men are square and burly, and women are hourglass shaped and dainty in comparison, no matter the race option (cough, cough I'm looking at the dwarves mainly). Dare i say The Ideal Male Body and Sexulised Version Of What Most Women Look Like. The only two genders. They do have given us muscled options, for which I'm grateful. But they are mostly just "would you like to be bigger and taller?", and that's it. Essentially same body, just streched out and slap some muscle in it, no problem. But seeing as it's in a fantasy world very much like our world (as in...people are people, living their people person lives), there should be a lot more bodily diversity. Fat people should exist, and they shouldn't be limited to antagonistic characters. We all see why that is wrong and fucked up, right?

It is progressive in it's ways, of course. The fact you can mix and match genitalia to body is a huge plus in my book. Pronouns are also super epic. Not much to complain about on that front, not many gives us these options. It's a small step for gaming, a huge step for humanity, or whatever.

It might be a lot to ask for to have options that include and embrace every aspect of the human experience. I do want more disabled characters in all shades and colours, I do want more fat characters in all shapes and sizes, I do want better and more hair for poc characters. The list goes on forever. So while I'm grateful for what we have and know and acknowledge and mourn it's not a perfect game by far (by wishes and just as a fact), I do appreciate what has been offered us so far. I just need to get this all off my chest, air out some thoughts

[themuseumofwitchcraftandpaganism]

She Who Hunts by Dr. Carla Ionescu

I have mixed feelings about this book, but I know a lot of people like it. I'll start with the good and then the bad.

It's one of the only books completely centered around Artemis that I've found. Dr. Ionescu proposes the fascinating idea that Artemis developed out of Egyptian and Minoan roots and backs it up with many different aspects of her worship: visual art, myths, temples/ceremonies, and texts. This, as far as I know, has never been proposed before nor has all of Artemis' historical worship been compiled in the same place. I learned a lot and am grateful for the research she put in. At the beginning of each chapter is a devotional hymn or poem from a different time period which I thought was a lovely touch. It's also a quick read at only 108 pages of content.

It's at an intermediate to advanced level; Dr. Ionescu references a lot of other authors with the assumption that her reader is already familiar with their writings as well as art that I wasn't aware of. She doesn't provide pictures either, like other academic books I've read, so it was hard to follow what specific visual elements she was referencing. I agree with her argument that Artemis has Minoan roots, but the Egyptian argument was a bit of a reach in my opinion; maybe if she provided pictures, I would have followed it better.

Then there comes the issue of gender. Dr. Ionescu has a lovely section about Artemis and masculinity, which I thought was enthralling, but then goes on to contradict it a bit herself. She says that men in the late ancient Mediterranean neglected Artemis and she was purely a female goddess even though earlier in the book she talks about Artemis' role in male coming of age ceremonies and having male priests. She also makes the generalization of "all women want to live in the woods to escape the patriarchy." And while I'm sure this is true for some people, it just rubbed me the wrong way as a nonbinary person. Artemis is a goddess who's incredibly connected to gender and the patriarchy, and while I agree with some of the points about gender in the book, I feel like Dr. Ionescu's general handling of gender and the patriarchy was very black and white; it could've been much more complex and added another level to her analysis.

Summary:

"Filled with examples of ritual, symbolism and an extensive collection of Artemis myths and folklore, this work is a comprehensive compilation of all things Artemis, and her fundamental role in the communal, political and ritual development of the Greco-Roman world. The goddess of the hunt is more than just a virgin in the woods. Her worship can be traced to a time before the Minoans, and her rituals include all facets of the human experience, starting from birth rituals to rites of passage, to death and beyond. Her protection for those who honour her is all encompassing, her vengeance for those who cross her is swift and fatal.

While classic scholars focused mostly on Olympian deities such as Apollo, Athena, Zeus and Dionysius, this book provides vivid and detailed evidence that the goddess Artemis has been underrated for much too long. Dr. Ionescu's work is a labor of love and research, born out of her long-standing certainty that Artemis was the most prevalent and influential goddess of the Mediterranean."

Where to read it:

Your local library!

Amazon $20.19

Thriftbooks $25

Artemis Research Center (signed copy) $35

[portgasdash]

The Vinsmoke Brothers as Dads/expecting Dads headcanons.

this was inspired mostly by @moonlit-mystery-writer and her three part series of headcanons for other one piece men as dads I HAD to do it for the RBG boys(Plus she was fueling and encouraging me as well don’t lie.). Anyway here we go!

Ichiji

This guy, like his brothers, probably had some thought they were impotent due to their extensive genetic modifications. So when you approached the future king of Germa to announce that he will soon have an heir, shock was definitely written all over his face.

He recovers quickly, hes the future king of course he does, and has that calm mysterious smirk on his face within seconds. “Good to hear. Germa’s future will be secured with this knowledge”

That is for public however, in private he shows the side no one else will see. He is very happy you both will have a child soon and that his suscpicion was proven wrong and he can have a family with you.

He is also extremely terrrified, but won't show it. He is concerned he will be like his father and hurt them in ways that can’t be easily fixed. takes alot to assure him that he won't

You will catch him at night rubbing your stomach, when he thinks you are asleep, and just whispering promises to them about how they will be a better father than his. That he will be there for them and encourage growth rather than perfection.

When you start to show , expect your lap to be his new favorite place to be. He will find any excuse to wrap his arms around your middle and protect that little growing life inside.

When alone he will press his face against your stomach to feel them, and hopefully hear them.(modern aus he definitely got one of those little portable baby heart rate monitors so he can listen).

You will want or need for NOTHING. Whatever it is he will get it, or make someone get it. And only the best care for the mother of his child.

When the day comes for the child to be born he will be a bit in edge. Anything could go wrong, his mother is proof of that. So he's gonna be nervous

Won't stop him being there to see the child entering the world( you are thankful for the inhuman strength and pain threshold during labor as you had him in a death grip). He will make sure he's one of the first faces that baby sees.

He was in awe hearing his child let out their first cry. After so many months they were finally here. It was hard to believe for him.

The moment his child was placed in his arm, it all clicked into place for him. This was HIS child. His family and he may now start to understand love a bit more ( you helped with the romantic aspect of it but this baby brought home the familial kind).

He'd die and kill for this baby.

He'd be happy with any gender but God forbid it was a daughter

He'd immediately become an absolute DEMON to protect her. If you are not on his short list of people allowed to even breathe around her you will die.

He wonders if it's too early to think about convents ( yes you shut that down quick) or if the castle needs to be made more secure.

Other than that he is very active in their care and upbringing. He doesn't want to miss anything. He doesn't want to be absent like his father and only there when it benefits him.

You have caught him just in the nursery, sitting there maybe even doing work while doing so, talking to the baby, or just holding them. It warms your heart.

He suggested the name Angel, boy or girl, because they are the little angel that gave his life a new purpose to work towards.

He's a very involved dad and is encouraging of what his child is learning. Doing his best not to force perfection or failure mindsets on the child. It messed him and his brothers up. He won't let it happen to them.He wants them to learn and grow even if there is mistakes. Learn from them.

After a few years he is definitely going to approach you about another.

"My dear, what are your thoughts about us having another little one to accompany our angel?"

Niji

Same like his brother he thought they were infertile due to the modifications.

When you told him he thought you were messing with him to get out of some 'alone time'.

When you presented the test/ultrasound to him then it started to process for him.

Honestly doesn't know how to think about the situation. He's not upset about it but he isn't doing back flips about it. It happened, this is bound to happen with how much he can't keep his hands off of you.

Once he sees the duress on your face though, after telling him and not getting any kind of reaction, he assured that he wasn't upset and will take time to process for him.

Time it did take. It took months for him to really grasp what was going on. When he finally heard their heartbeats (yes plural that day he learned it was twins) and saw them on the sonogram it sunk in; this was real.

Like Ichiji nothing but the best in food and care for you, especially food. The mother of his children will not be eating trash! Only the best because his kids deserve the best.

Acknowledges he isn't the best or kindest man( look what he's done to Sanji and others). But he promises to do better for their sakes.

He is fiercely protective, won't really tolerate anyone looking at your pregnant self without permission if he had his way. If you both are somewhere together he will place you in his lap and wrap his arms around your middle while glaring at others.

When they are finally born is when it finally fully cements this is real. Seeing their sleeping faces in their cots, blue hair secure under a warm little beanie, made him finally accept.."yep I'm a father now."

He affectionately calls his twins his little blueberries as they inherited his hair color

He,like Ichiji, is a damn demon when it comes to protecting them. If you aren't even on the breathing list to be near them, you will lose the right to breathe.

He regularly changes his voice to entertain them.

He sneaks them sweets when they are older.

Dad and twins become a chaos team once they can walk.

He really wants them to hurry up and grow he wants to show them and teach them so many things.

When they are a bit older he will also approach for more.

"Darling, what do you think of adding a few more blueberries to the bunch?"

Yonji

If it wasn't the genetic modifications he'd probably think he couldn't have kids due to all the physical trauma his body has gone through on missions. Probably left some damage to that department in his mind.

He stared at you bug eyed for a bit when you told him. Mouth hung open to.

Shook it off fast though and immediately started asking if you were sure. That it wasn't a mistake ( at home tests can be wrong at times after all!).

He went with you to the doctor to confirm the test and see the little sea monkey growing inside you, and that moment everything for him changed.

He's actually excited. Have a mini you or him running around soon? Sounds like absolute fun!

He's also terrified as well. He's terrified the child won't like him.

He also knows people are naturally afraid of him for being the biggest and the strongest of his brothers. He is absolutely terrified of the idea of his own child being afraid of him, like Sanji was afraid of him and judge. it would absolutely break his heart he worked so hard to build.

As soon as it's confirmed about your condition he WILL NOT leave you alone. He's going to be acting as a bodyguard of sorts. No one but doctors, and those he deems safe, will be allowed near you.

He's going to be helping with everything including the nursery. He doesn't trust anyone but you two doing it.

That thing where husbands hold up their pregnant partners stomach to ease the pressure? Yeah he does that a lot for you. He feels bad he can't always do it, but walking would be awkward and he has work.

He makes it up by doing it in bed. Places a pillow on his prosthetic arm so it won't jab you, let's you lie on it then immediately puts his hands on your belly to lift it while spooning to help you sleep.

You will be tucked in close to him, wasn't kidding when saying he was protective.

He also likes to rest his head on your stomach and talk to the baby. And he'll talk about anything with them.(his eyes absolutely light up in excitement when they kick back in response).

You have, silently, woken up to him with his face pressed close to your stomach and holding you. Sounding like he was pleading to the baby 'please don't hate me.'

When the baby is born he is absolutely BLOWN away with how tiny they are in his arms. They look so fragile and innocent in his arms.

He is going to protect them. From the evil that infected him. No matter what.

He, when he thought no one was looking ( you were awake but pretended to be asleep to watch them bond), broke down in tears when he made eye contact with his baby and they immediately made grabby hands for him and happy coos. His baby wasn't afraid, they loved him.

Super involved dad. He wants to be there for everything and have the kid with him at all times. It's not an uncommon sight to see him with the baby strapped to him in the castle as he does non dangerous work.

Fun dad. He's always playing with them and making a silly face at them to keep them entertained or doing something weird to make them squeal in delight (that's his favorite noise). He is addicted to his baby's smile.

His brothers are demons when protecting their kids. He's a straight up MONSTER. If you make that baby so much as quiver their lip in duress, or look at them without permission, he's going to make sure that mistake doesn't happen twice.

Active dad in the exercise sense. He'd do his workouts with the baby nearby, but safely away from heavy equipment, to the point they wanna join dad.

Yes he does those little baby exercises to work out the legs for baby too. Get the kid started young for a healthy life!

He also participates in 'baby workouts '. If the baby is on their back kicking their feet, HES on his back kicking his feet. If the baby is wiggling from side to side trying to roll then he's gonna do it too. If the baby is on their stomach lifting themselves up by pushing up on their little arms then yonji is doing it too and if the baby flops he flops too. He will even do his push ups in time with the baby trying to push themselves off the floor.

His kid is an overachiever. They want to crawl and roll as soon as possible to follow dad around, and he LOVES IT. Makes him so proud and he's their biggest cheerleader.

If the kid didn't learn to crawl before walking they were definitely a butt scooter, and he loved that too and always made sure to compliment their kid as they got better at bouncing along on their butt "whoa! Good job on that bounce little buddy! You got some serious air on that one!"

He wants more as soon as you are able and willing. He loves this one so much he's sure he can spread it to more kids.

" what do you say sweetheart? Wanna make a giant green family with me?"

The thought all three of them share: Absolutely, under any circumstances, DO NOT let judge anywhere near their partners or babies. They were fucked up enough thanks to him. They won't let him do the same to their kids. Reiju is fine though and if Sanji WANTS to, he can come around and visit his nieces and nephews.

Woooooo I finally finished these. I hope you all enjoyed these as much as I did making them. Probably going to make a part 2 for more nsfw hcs in regards to this. Again, thank you @moonlit-mystery-writer for feeding my mind on this matter and sharing your hcs and thoughts. It got me through. Now more people can experience vinsmoke love.

Y'all have a good one and see ya next time!

[rollercoasterwords]

also something that's been bugging me about queerness in barbie is that the only kind of gnc barbie we have is literally called Weird Barbie™, and is the butt of the joke the whole time. like you cannot tell me that when her looks change towards the middle of the movie she is not meant to look like a butch

ok yeah i have more time this morning to. try and talk through some of thoughts re:queerness + barbie lol

i def agree the "weird barbie" aspect was one thing that did rub me the wrong way. i get that it's a sillyfun joke or whatever but at the end of the day she really is the only representation of visible gender nonconformity in barbieland and that gender nonconformity is portrayed not as a choice or something which others might aspire to, but rather a fate to be avoided at all costs, and that's never really questioned or pushed back against aside from the barbies later apologizing for calling her "weird barbie," which...doesn't really change the way her gender is viewed in barbieland, just says the barbies will maybe stop actively making fun of her for it lol. i had to look up a pic of her second look because it's been a few weeks since i saw the barbie movie and like--yeah i guess her second look is supposed to be barbie butch lol she's got the dykey boots and the awful gay haircut so. guess i spoke too soon it's not that there are no masculine women in barbieland it's just that the only masculine woman in barbieland is a clownish caricature whose appearance is meant to be one big joke!

anyway aside from weird barbie there simply is an absence of masculine + gender nonconforming women in the movie and a complete lack of any lesbian representation. and like--this is not to say that i expected the barbie movie to have representations of like, butch lesbians lol nor do i think the barbie movie had any sort of responsibility to provide those representations. it's just that i think it is very telling when observing the rhetoric surrounding barbie's critical reception which absences + omissions can be overlooked for those who still praise the film for capturing some kind of universally relatable experience of 'womanhood'. i also do think that had the creators of the barbie movie wanted to make any sort of incisive critique about the cages constructed by gender roles, it's kind of impossible to make that deep of a critique without even acknowledging the fact that masculine women exist (by their own choice, not the mistakes of children "playing too hard"). so, again, it's not necessarily that i think the movie had to have masculine women (it's barbie; i wasn't expecting it to), more that it's interesting to see it get praised for its feminism while, again, completely omitting any discussion or even acknowledgment of gender nonconformity in women.

and like. i have seen people talk about how barbie was "lesbian-coded" or headcanon her as a lesbian, etc, and while that's all nice and fun for those people, i think it is very clear that barbie was not intended by the filmmakers or actors to be read as a lesbian. there is no indication of any sort of romantic or sexual desire towards her fellow barbies, no chemistry between her and america ferrera. it's fine to have fun hc'ing her as a lesbian etc, but i'm not going to give the movie any sort of credit for making her "lesbian-coded" just because she rejected ken. i see absolutely none of my experience with lesbianism reflected in barbie or her story; it's nice enough if some lesbians do, but to claim that barbie provides any sort of sweeping representation for lesbians is again a form of rhetoric that tellingly omits the experiences of any lesbians who aren't, like. hyperfemme women with no interest in sex or romance. and quite honestly the typical representation of lesbians in media is already femme women who are either rendered sexless or objectified in their sexuality, so even if barbie did express some sort of lesbian desire, i still wouldn't be particularly impressed with her as a form of lesbian representation.

and i suppose someone could say i shouldn't make that critique because all the barbies are sexless, but quite honestly i think the film implies quite a bit that kens experience sexuality. in ken's big song he moans about "being a virgin" forever, and there are jokes scattered throughout that imply the kens have some ability to experience at least romantic, if not sexual, attraction (such as the barbies flirting with other kens to make them jealous of each other, etc). i think it is interesting that this ability to experience attraction is relegated solely to men in the movie; sure, people could use the "it's just the way kids play" excuse, except you're delusional if you think there are kids out there who aren't making their barbies kiss + fuck + date each other. in fact, we'd arguably see more barbies experiencing some form of attraction as opposed to kens, considering that kids tend to play with barbies more often than ken. yet attraction remains firmly relegated to the kens throughout the film, and oftentimes is portrayed as a negative thing; it makes the kens pushy, shallow, jealous, etc, while the barbies are above anything so trivial as attraction, valuing first and foremost their pure and sisterly bonds of female friendship. like, i think it's a perfectly valid critique to say that the barbie movie implies that there is no place for lesbian sexuality in feminism--at the very least, it overlooks any place that lesbian sexuality might hold.

anyway. going back to the kens. as opposed to the barbies, who are visually gender-conforming both within barbieland and the real world, the kens are portrayed as distinctly more feminine than real-world men or real-life masculinity. i don't think this is inherently a bad thing; i think portrayals of feminine men can be great when it's not done as a punchline. but i did feel pretty frequently throughout the film as though that femininity was played up mostly for laughs, and it made me a little skeptical about, like. the tone the film is taking overall towards gender nonconformity in men.

like. jokes like "beach you off" (which i thought was funny! i laughed!) are specifically playing into the audience's implicit understandings about homosexuality. the joke here is that the men are arguing, but in arguing they sound as though they are threatening to perform a homosexual sex act. homosexuality here is referenced for comedic effect--how silly that these men sound as though they want to give each other handjobs! of course, part of the comedy comes from the contrast between emotion + action (it's funny to imagine someone angrily giving a handjob, an activity that is usually not angry), but whether intentional or not i also think part of the comedic effect is coming from the contrast between like....the fact that these are two masculine, ostensibly 'straight' men who are threatening to give each other handjobs, an action that the film expects an audience to view as implicitly 'feminine' due to its homosexuality. there are similar implications in other instances of homosociality between the kens (and of course there's allan haunting the fringes of all this implied homoeroticism), where i feel as though part of the silliness is meant to be coming from this contrast between the kens' masculinity and their 'feminine' behavior. and like....i think the fact that gayness is largely used to make the kens 'funny' is supported by the fact that kens all very much fit the same kind of masculine stereotype visually. where the barbies have at least some body diversity, the kens are all pretty uniformly muscular + thin, because there has to be that contrast between their visual masculinity + their feminine behavior in order for it to be comedic, y'know? and i become skeptical when the film seems to draw on gay implications for its comedy, yet refuses to actually include gay characters itself. yeah, yeah, the barbies are all sexless--except they are also very, very heterosexual and specifically paired off into barbies and kens, despite the fact that uniform heterosexuality does not reflect the way that all children play with barbies. like, i don't think it would have broken the whole "it's the kids playing!" idea to have some barbies with barbies and some kens with kens. so either it just did not occur to the filmmakers to do so because they genuinely think all kids make their barbies straight, or (what's more likely, in my opinion) they didn't want to include any gay relationships in barbieland. and, again--not saying i expected them to or that they had to. but when i see people talking about how "queer" the movie was, i'm just like....huh. the gestures towards queerness feel similar to the gestures towards body positivity, where the film casts fat women to play barbies + has fatness exist in barbieland but then still has barbie freak out over getting cellulite. like, sure, the film includes a lot of queer subtext, but what work is that queer subtext doing? and why was it left only as subtext? this is why i sometimes feel as though the film is laughing at queer people more than with us. i don't necessarily think it intends to be mean-spirited, but the queerness of barbie feels more like window-dressing than real representation to me. and i feel like anytime i see people voicing these sorts of critiques there tends to be a backlash of "it's a hollywood movie made by mattel!! it had to work within those limitations!! you have to let it be what it is!!" which i find confusing because i'm like....i...am letting it be what it is? that's why i'm not calling it particularly queer or feminist lol.

[queenharumiura]

Ship game. Mukuro x fem!Tsuna

[My KHR ship game] ||Accepting|| @signorinavongola

My understanding of both Tsu-chan and Mukuro are weak, so I'll probably get some things wrong. This will be shorter than the others because i'm not confident at all and therefore uncomfortable with speaking at much length about it.

Hate it |Am Neutral to it| Ship it| love it! |

Long stressed explanation short: As per usual I don’t know Tsu-chan nor Squaletta very well, so I’m liable to get things incorrect. If you weren’t aware, I’m also not personally fond of Mukuro either so I purposefully don’t really think about him much, so there’s a higher chance of me getting things about him wrong. As such, I probably won’t go too in depth with this one as I honestly feel a little bit uncomfortable to talk about the two of them together in regards to dynamics.

Translation: If I get anything wrong, please forgive me. I’m doing my best based off what little I know and I’m stressing out.

-

I am mostly neutral because I am not entirely sure how things would go due to variables of- Tsu-chan is not exactly a canon character in the sense that I cannot use canon to accurately depict events and how scenes unfolded between characters. Some scenes obviously had to change in the event of her being female and how characters interact with her due to her gender change is something we can’t ignore either. The reason why I also chose ‘Hate it’ is because I don’t like Mukuro (lol). I also am super on the fence with the whole ‘is trying to take over bodies of others’ aspect of him. It promotes a kind of dynamic that I personally am not a huge fan of.

Does this mean I hate seeing it on dash? Absolutely not. Does this mean that I think it’s a bad ship? Not really. It’s just not personally my preference for ships is all. I fully support anyone who likes the ship and finds it fun. It’s just not for me is all.

As stated above, I am not a Mukuro fan (call it the strong Hibari bias in me). I do appreciate him as a character, and I know he adds a lot of value to the story, to the progression of certain character growths and the like- but I just don’t vibe with him. I can understand that he had a rough past, I can get that he’s nuanced, I can understand a lot of things, but ultimately, I view him as a bit of a risk. For his ideals, he is liable to doing things such as taking over bodies and not caring for the state that the body will end up in.

It isn’t to say that I don’t understand his motives, because they’re certainly understandable. He doesn’t want what happened to him to happen to others. I, unfortunately, am an emotional bean who is feels guilty very easily. I cannot use others in quite the way that he does. The moment he was shown to possess kids or possess injured people to use them against others- while totally understandable and a viable tactic- I just don’t like it. I don’t vibe with it. I just cannot get over it. MY CHILD FUUTA!!!!!! The emotional turmoil that child went through. I am truly a Haru-mun, I never could forgive him or like him because of what he did to Fuuta. That’s quite literally it. He also took over the body of another child as well so I’m like BROOOOO LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE!!!!

Then there is Birds who was very much willing to want to use Haru/Kyoko against the others and possibly ruin their lives. It matters not to me that it may not have been explicitly upon Mukuro’s orders or what. Inherently, the fact that he’s doing so, it makes it feel like he knows it’s okay to do so while under Mukuro’s wing. Perhaps the mentality of the necessary sacrifices for the greater good and it does rub me the wrong way (yes, I’m biased, and it may very well largely be because of Haru. SUE ME).

I’m well aware that people really like him, and that’s totally fine! Like I said before, as a character, I like him. He’s got a lot of nuance and dynamicism to his writing. He’s got a lot of depth to him in regards to his motives, machinations, his pitfalls, etc. That said, from an emotional and moral stance, he rubs me the wrong way and I don’t like him very much. I don’t hate him, no, but I will just stare at him from afar and squint. Would I defend him from any slander? Absolutely. I truly have my allegiance to the girls and to the kids. I hate Iemitsu and Cervello more than I do Mukuro for instance.

[[hm? This sounds familiar? Yep more copy pasted things from a previous answer because my assessment of Mukuro still applies]]

Oh- I also forgot to mention. My favorite character, my very FIRST one was Lanchia. Do we now understand why I truly just cannot vibe with Mukuro? After what he did to Lanchia’s famiglia? How it left him with a lot of guilt and trauma? MY FAVORITE? NAHHHHHHH NAAAHHH!!!!

So yeah. That’s why I don’t like him. Don’t hate hate him, but also HISSSSS!

The only time I like Mukuro is when Rikku is writing him and that’s because I’ve known him for years and he mostly just trolls around with Haru. I enjoy troll humor, so he’s the only one that I am okay with. The others will always secretly get glared at by me.

Don’t forget that I also write Hibari. As a loyal Hibari mun, I have to hate the pineapple head LOL.

ANYWAYS.

I honestly think that a ship between Tsuna and Mukuro is really hard to work with. He hates the mafia after all, and she is the next boss of a really big mafia famiglia. Sure, he in a sense accepted becoming one of the guardians, but his hatred towards the mafia is still really strong if you properly read the source material. That kind of ingrained hatred and grudge isn’t easy to overcome. Working together is one thing and being romantically involved with someone in the mafia is another.

The fact that he does state a few times in canon that he’s just waiting for the right time to take over Tsuna’s body is another source of concern that shouldn’t be overlooked. Mukuro, for the sake of his goals, is willing to go to far extents. Reborn in canon has even reminded Tsuna before ‘don’t forget what Mukuro has done.’ He may be one of the mist guardians, but he’s still done some really bad things. He is still capable of doing bad things. There are those who still have their guard up around him (ie Reborn and Gokudera), and that is certainly a hurdle that would have to be crossed.

Does this mean that Neo thinks he has no redeemable qualities? 1000% no. He’s a very complex character and his values are pretty simple to figure out if you really try to look at him. He does have the ability to care for others, but his goals are simply more important a lot of the times. His ability to be cut-throat is a very important aspect to balance out the more positive and innocent members of Vongola 10. Mukuro pretty much symbolizes all the bad and harshness of the mafia itself while the majority of the others symbolize what the Vongola were truly meant to be: protectors. When you need to protect something, sometimes you have to be willing to make hard decisions to protect the majority and Mukuro embodies that.

It takes a lot of strength and bravery.

I suppose that may be a reason to take notice of him.

Again, Mukuro is a very complex character, and depending on circumstances and how certain events in canon went, it can vastly change how he interacts with other muses. It would have an impact on his dynamic with others.

Honestly? If you were to ask me, Mukuro does not actively look for love. He is not interested in love but rather his ideals. He wants to eradicate the mafia. He wants to make sure that what happened to him can’t happen to others again. He may use some drastic means at times, but I have to respect the motive. For a guy who is driven for this kind of goal, more often than not, they won’t have the time or emotional space to even consider love. Even if they did love someone, they usually don’t act on it until they completed their goal.

Obviously, the Vongola is still going to exist, along with the Cavallone famiglia and the Shimon… so his goal to destroy all the mafia will never actually come to fruition.

Not only that, but he is such an intwined pair with Chrome, that it’s very hard to separate the two from each other. It’s hard for me to consider him a ship pair with anyone when Chrome is basically his other half. They are the parallel between Daemon and Elena.

Do I think it’s impossible to ship Mukuro with Tsuna? No… but it would be really difficult and I honestly cannot really think of how it would go because of how complex he is. I think if he were to fall in love with her, one thing that he’d like about her is probably the fact that she doesn’t like the mafia. She’s only here because she’s forced into it, and she’s been trying to clean up the mafia using her influence. That is some positive points in her favor.

I think also, in canon, Tsuna has shown to trust in Mukuro’s abilities and his judgement on some matters. I think though he’s never forgotten what Mukuro has done in the Kokuyoland arc, he has come to respect and trust in Mukuro. The fact that Tsuna does so is both super naïve but also a pleasantry—to know that he too can be given other chances. Seeing how Chrome is able to thrive with the Vongola’s company is also a big positive. As his pair, her happiness and ability to survive in the Vongola’s environment is important to him. In canon, her ability to synergize with his illusions had a profound affect on him, like it was somewhat healing his heart. (Again, parallels between Daemon and Elena).

So it’s very important to him that Chrome is in an environment where she can be happy. So, MAYBE if over time he calmed down and acclimated to the Vongola, maybe he could spare some emotional space to fall in love. I honestly do not know. I don’t understand Mukuro that well, as you can see.

I won’t make any comments about what reason I think Tsuna would have to fall in love with Mukuro. I think those reasons would greatly depend on how he acts around her and what dynamic they have. I don’t have a good idea of what their dynamic would be because I don’t really study Mukuro much (as the professional Mukuro hater I am lol jk). I will not reference RP interactions because the vibes I get from the two Mukuro’s you interact with are different, so it’s hard to really say.

I think that’s all I’m going to try saying on this ship, because I sadly have no good ideas.

No secondary section because I don’t ship them, and I don’t understand their dynamic to even suggest cute ideas for their dynamic.

[zhoras-bitch]

I'd like to hear about your vendetta with TCH xD

I am so sorry for taking so long to answer! It’s completely on me, I’ve just been busy and I knew that once I went into the rant mode, it would take a while, so I had to put the ask away for a while. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, please, take a seat lmao.

Keep in mind I’ve only read 4 chapters of book 2 (I will finish it… eventually…), so this is all about book 1.

TL;DR I hate TCH for not being what I wish it was. It combines aspects that I love with aspects I vehemently despise, and it frustrates me endlessly. Kieran is fucked up in ways that are entirely uncompelling to me. Radiance is fucked up in ways that are extremely compelling to me, but they are not the main character. It would be easier if I could just tear TCH to shreds like the shitty books of the Choices library, but unfortunately… it’s an objectively a good piece of writing (I say, clenching my teeth so hard blood starts running down my chin).

The writing is so poetic. The soundtrack is perfect. Visually, the book fucks so hard. The secondary characters are fantastic. Leaf is the love of my life. The fae and the twisted fairy tale are some of my all time favourite tropes/aesthetics. I should adore this book. 

…Then there is the romance.

(OK this is the part where I go into the petty complaints. Please don’t come to me explaining how these things make sense narratively, I KNOW.)

Kieran and MC are every trope I hate in romance novels. Cold, brooding LI with anger management issues (which are considered sexy for some reason). MC, who is in every way inferior to LI dynamic-wise (as in peasant-prince, mortal-immortal, strong-weak etc.) Also that trope when being good and compassionate makes a character naive like a freaking five year old. That kink thing when LI is so tall and strong and MC is so small and weak and LI overwhelms them physically and that particular brand of ‘sexy’ violence they do in the ‘BDSM’ scenes. Withholding (or failing to communicate) information about their world that is crucial for MC’s survival, like ‘Hey btw MC, since you’re human, you should probably know that most fae are racist dipshits who treat humans like pets, brainwash them and force them to do their bidding with magic. FYI.’

And a bit more on the anger management issues thing (ugh, this is the hardest part to articulate but let’s try). The way Kieran is written — at least in the first half of the book or so — just didn’t make me feel for them. Them lashing out makes sense given their backstory, but it’s some combination of those reactions being so overblown and the way they themselves reacted to those outbursts afterwards (not trying to make things right or showing some indication of remorse or trying to do better) just rubbed me the wrong way. I just, don’t like when people use trauma to excuse being shitty towards others, and that’s what the narrative was kind of doing with Kieran to me. Like, I understand their curse took away their heart, but did it take away their ability to say ‘sorry’ too? Because I don’t remember that part. And of course they change for the better in the latter half of the book, but that initial irritation really spoiled the well for me, and I just can’t enjoy his character anymore. (I told you this is petty.)

Also, in a book full of gender non-conforming fae in flowing silks and glittery makeup, they force me to romance the most conventionally masculine, minimalistic black suit wearing tall and dark one that looks like 90% of the romantic fantasy LIs? Insulting (jk).

In contrast, Radiance checks all the boxes on the list of things I do like in fictional characters. (I mean, I love Aerin, so this should come as no surprise.) In the ’dark is not evil’/‘light is not good’ dichotomy, I am always more fascinated with the latter. The Sun Court’s ostentatious purity and nobility masking their true rotten, egotistical and manipulative nature drives me insane in the best way possible. And Radiance is the embodiment of all those qualities in a human form (with cute fluffy hair!). They are a manipulative, calculating, power hungry bitch in sheep’s clothing and they are so good at being that, which, hot? They are also a product of their fucked up upbringing, which promotes them from ‘there’s something wrong with them <3’ to ‘poor little meow meow’ levels of brainrot to me. They turned their sister into a bear for power. They also love her deeply. My point is, every time they are on screen, TCH is a 12/10 book for me. Then it cuts back to Kieran's bullshit and I'm forced to remember the book is not about them.

So that’s the gist of it, I think. Thanks for the ask! It took forever, but it was strangely vindicating to write out? Lol.

[pinkkittysaw]

I agree with your tags on that rb btw angel!! I don’t shame anyone’s decision to have a kid. Hell, every mother in my family except for one has had at least two kids before 22. And that’s fine!! I think at least for me my gripe is the social media aspect of it. So much of the content coming from family vloggers / family tiktokers is making profit off of children without the kids consent or even having children for the sake of views… or putting kids personal info / medical info out there… and I do feel like a lot of what we see paints a certain lifestyle that statistically is unattainable for most young families (unless they convert to Mormonism akdjskdj that’s a whole other topic) idk something about the social media aspects of it rubs me the wrong way in a “Christian fascism conspiracy” kinda way LOL.

But I did see some tags on that post that are just shaming young families and that’s just not right.

- aleks

for context, i deleted a reblog to this tumblr post here but i will share the tags of that post under the cut since i took a screenshot of them then deleted the post after i got this ask

i definitely didn’t mean to imply that you didn’t agree with my tags. my problems with the post were honestly from other people who reblogged it, not with that you said in particular /lh

i agree with you on your points in regards to the social media aspect of it all and the harmful effects of “influencers” showboating their children online for views/interactions. i think it’s very weird…to say the least.

obviously this is a lot more nuanced than a simple brush stroke of, “it’s all bad or it all isn’t”. there’s a million and one factors and a million and one scenarios to each individual situation and that’s why it can be difficult to articulate points on a particular situation, especially on social media.

i do think the people on social media who paint staying at home and having kids as something that should be ideal for every “woman” and romanticize it as well are also harmful. especially if said people making these posts are earning an exuberant amount of $$$, when that’s not the case for most people today.

(i don’t want to be negligent of the fact that women aren’t the only gender who can and do give birth but often times when consuming media where these social norms are praised, cis women are often the target audience specifically although these social norms do effect all people who can give birth)

social media heavily influences people, i definitely won’t deny that.

there are people and institutions in place that are abusive and preach/push this rhetoric that staying at home and raising a family while still being young is the most fulfilling/best/only option one can have. i don’t want to take away from anyone’s experience from the harm that’s caused.

i am very much a proponent of educating people on sex, birth control, pregnancy, financial independence/literacy because unfortunately, some of these stay at home moms/wives/girlfriends are put in abusive situations and have nothing to fall back on to help themselves rebuild their life.

I GET that is the point with a lot of posts like the one i initially reblogged are ultimately saying.

I GET that they’re criticizing world views that have kept women in an oppressed position for so long.

(not to say that they aren’t still oppressed in today’s society but hopefully you (general) get what i mean with my point)

my biggest biggest problem with all these posts is that they don’t critique the harmful institutions that create scenarios where domestic violence/misogyny/ general harm may arise, they just broadly critique all young parents (and mothers especially).

that’s truly my main issue with it all. not every young parent was forced to have children and to imply that the only “valid” (for lack of a better term) reason for people to have children that young is if they were in a position where they were forced to is also…wrong.

my mom had me when she was in her teens (later teens but still) she wasn’t forced or coerced into choosing to keep me, does that then make her decision “wrong” or make her a shameful person for choosing to keep me? even though she was young? and “didn’t have a future” like so many people in the reblogs love to say. i should surely hope not.

not everyone’s life stories look the same. i too wanted kids. back when i was eighteen i genuinely thought my future was going to contain three little kiddos and a husband. it was only little over a year ago, that i realized that wasn’t really the life i wanted to have, at least for the time being (granted, the time gap between 18-21 isn’t really a large one). me choosing to not pursue a life with children does not make me a better or worse person and that’s the root of what i think all these posts are about.

“you’re inherently wrong and bad for choosing to have kids at a young age” except now it’s repackaged to seem more feminist than before when really, it’s the same exact branding of shame that teen moms have been getting for years and it’s that same shame that prevents people from reaching out and getting the resources they need.

it doesn’t matter what my personal views on teen/young adult pregnancy are because there are always going to be young parents regardless of the amount of education we give them. some people just want to have kids at a young age and that doesn’t make them inherently bad people.

if people who make posts like that want to critique trad wife culture, christian conservatism (which is indeed a whole other can of worms), other systems in place that take advantage of vulnerable girls/women and force them into give birth at a young age, i’m all for it. i just wish they wouldn’t go about it in the most obtuse way possible because then you get a thousand people in the tags being like “i feel sorry for my friend who’s having a kid” “you’re young and stupid too why bring a kid in this world”

the shame that these posts create and endorse is what i have a problem with, not the actual message behind it.

ANYWAY, this was all very long winded but i wanted to make sure i got out everything i wanted to say. also this was more of a general post on my whole thoughts on the matter, not specifically to you aleks /lh

i never meant to imply that you held the beliefs that i was criticizing in that initial reblog and i apologize if it came across like i was.

[stampstamp]

Finished re-reading F*shigi Y*gi part 1 and the first and final arcs still spark joy so I'll keep my collection but volumes 9-11 were so frustrating that I'm gonna roast them a little under the cut (and be a bit critical of other aspects that don't hold up 30 years on)

Major spoilers and references to SA in the series under the cut! (And it's a super long rant!)

The dip in quality from 9 onwards was such a shame! The plot just turns into various enemies trying to rape the 15-year-old protagonist for three volumes! Not to be a pearl clutcher but Watase says the target demographic is middle school - junior high students and there's just a whole arc where:

It's implied that Nakago raped Miaka. It's later revealed he didn't manage to penetrate her and everyone is like 'oh phew! 😄' and her traumatic nightmares about her memories of him stripping her and pinning her down before she fainted just stop. 🤦

Also, in the author note alongside that part Watase comments that things are getting dark but points out that we've just learned that Yui didn't actually get raped by strangers so it's not all bad. Mate, your protagonist is being assaulted?? We can't take much solace in that revelation right now!

Then there's a bit where Amiboshi climbs on top of her while she's sleeping naked and kisses her without her consent (his parents had drugged her).

Meanwhile, Soi disguises herself as Miaka and tries to seduce Tamahome. I know it's a product of it's time but ughh the way Tamahome almost getting raped is handled so differently to scenes where Miaka is assaulted - it's awful. And there's also a 'gag' parody page where it replicates the scene where Tamahome found Miaka after she's been assaulted by Nakago but makes it look like one of the gay characters had raped Tamahome.

After his comrades have failed to take her virginity and stop her from summoning Suzaku, Tomo, who Watase confirms is gay, also tries to rape Miaka. 😑

In the last volume, Watase shares the ideas that there wasn't space for and they were so good 🥲 maybe you could have removed one of the SA scenes or one of the twenty times Miaka or Tamahome breaks it off and runs away to protect the other?

I used to like the author notes but this time they kept rubbing me the wrong way. Watase would say things like 'too bad we HAVE to spank our tiny terrier puppy to discipline it 🫤' or share racist travelogues about trips to China.

But it's kind of funny that in the author notes, Watase hinted at shipping Tamahome and Nakago 😂 never really gushed about how much she loved Tamahome/Miaka as a ship though. I quite like Keisuke/Tamahome as a ship - they got on well.

I was thinking about ranting about how Nuriko is handled but that's hard because 1. 90s 2. Another culture 3. Watase later came out as X gender so the offensive character notes were probably well intentioned and might be regretted now? 4. The translators had to do the usual thing of deciding which pronouns the character that's almost certainly trans would use, while also translating jokes that implied Nuriko is simply crossdressing for funsies and deciphering whatever the hell happened in vol 8 where Nuriko decided to be cis and in love with Miaka for a chapter or two.

I started shipping Tasuki and Nuriko this time and I was delighted to see 20 whole fics on AO3 but almost all of them misgender Nuriko. Maybe the anime subbers used different pronouns or Nuriko's backstory was different in the anime? Watase said someone did a Tasuki/Nuriko doujin and they wanted to read it. Same!

I used to think I wasn't attached to most of the Suzaku warriors beyond Tasuki because I'd re-read the first few volumes way more times than the rest but Watase really didn't give the others much to say or do! 😬 I feel sorry for the fans of Mitsukake(?) Apparently there were lots of Hotohori fans but I always found him creepy; despite his gentle actions, he never seemed to listen to Miaka's wishes. Yandere behaviour. Lucky for me he wasn't in it much (I also feel sorry for his fans lmao)

Forgot how much character death there was towards the end. It's impressive that Watase included characters from the Genbu and Byakko arcs decades before they were written IRL. I don't think I'll read those since FY suggests they ended badly? I wonder if much was retconned.

[bropunzeling]

penny for some thoughts on rule 63 and women in the nhl aus?

hmmm i mean obviously i am an enjoyer, though i understand why others bump on them and respect that! i think for me to be a cisswap au i am interested in and want to consume, especially a het cisswap au, and if it's going to be more than like, 5k of pornography, there should be something to say about the gender of it all! about being in the old boys club. about how even the people you love and are friends with can rub you the wrong way. howEVER it's also important to me that like, no experience of femninity/cis womanhood is the same or experienced the same way? and also how being a cis woman would interact with the aspects of reality that we can see. which things would stay the same or grow even harder under pressure or totally shift. idk that's what interests me! what changes and what stays the same. the experience of gender, as it would be for that particular person. and also good porn