#they are all the same ship yes but

[appleelevengreen]

tbh both sukugo and lawlight are just hannigram but in different font

[descendant-of-truth]

I think the other reason I don't really get into ships as portrayed by fandom culture is that it seems like the mindset is more like. "I want these characters to be in a Romantic Relationship(TM)" instead of "I want these characters' relationship to be romantic"

What I mean here is that, so often I see pairings enacting romance tropes to the point of heavily altering or downright replacing their original dynamic - as if the people behind it only understand romance as a series of checklists to tick off. Couples like to kiss and sleep in the same bed and flirt with each other, so it doesn't matter who the characters are, if they're a couple then naturally they'll do those things, right??

And that's where the whole thing starts to lose me, because I would assume that the appeal of shipping characters is, y'know... the characters? Rather than just, the idea of a couple? If I'm thinking about how it'd be cool for them to be in love, my first thought is always "so how would they show it," because just like everything else about a person, the answer is going to be different on a case-by-case basis.

Maybe the characters involved aren't really into kissing, but they like arranging date activities. Maybe they aren't committed to the structure of dating at all, and just want to be around each other whenever they can. And even if they are the types to like doing traditionally romantic things, that doesn't suddenly erase whatever else they had going on before they started adding that on top of it.

I'm not saying that the more typical romance tropes and activities are bad, just that they're applied kind of excessively, regardless of whether or not they actually work for the characters involved. I want to see my favorite characters having relationships that are true to who they are, not what the stock depiction of a couple says they should be.

[comfort-character-central]

The selfshipper feeling when you've had a long or hard day so you just:

*sigh* it's time.

*opens wattpad/tumblr/ao3/pinterest/youtube/etc*

[doverstar]

actually I love Tentoo and he is the Doctor and it was the only ending for Rose that worked and it is a huge gift to be able to have the man she loves grow old with her, they were always heading for that, y'all be quiet. I 100% understand the angst but it's okay, they're okay, good ending-

[thereareeyesinsidethetrees]

stan: how can you be polyamorous and aroace, or…whatever mabel called it?

ford: in my case, i have my family and i have my platonic polycule. i would prefer to never have to interact with anyone outside these two groups

stan: what about soos and wendy? they’re not in either of those groups

ford: first of all, i am soos’ uncle, second of all, are you saying you don’t believe i would both die and kill for wendy?

stan: you’ve got a weird way of defining family, six

ford: it’s my favorite way

[necrotic-nephilim]

there is not enough femslash in batcest circles. the girls deserve to be just as weird about each other as the boys are. if BruDick gets to be weird father/son/brothers/lovers/friends/rivals/soulmates then it is only fair that Babs/Cass get to be mother/daughter/sisters/lovers too. Something about that deep intrinsic but undefinable love that is born out of trauma, especially if you consider Cass not knowing what healthy love looks like in the first place. i think it's fun and deserves just as much fandom content.

besides that, you can get even more niche with rarepairs like Helena/Steph. Huntress/Spoiler: Blunt Trauma is already a fantastic comic and even though it's their only real canon interaction it has so much potential. very comparable to TimJay in how Helena tries to get Steph to understand her morals and the corruption you could play with it.

batman: huntress/spoiler: blunt trauma (1998)

that comic also highlights on how both Steph and Helena are outcasts of the Batfamily and don't have the approval of Bruce to be doing what they do in "his city". I think there's so much Potential in Helena taking Steph under her wing because Bruce won't let her in and it becomes a weird codependent toxic sapphic mess. I think the protectiveness Helena feels over Steph from the get-go is so clear and the way she wants to look out for Steph, wants to make sure Steph understands the real world? I love them. Helena should be allowed to steal Steph, actually. I think it'd be fun.

there are a lot of other possibilities too like Babs/Steph or even getting weird with Helena Bertinelli/Helena Wayne and the existential question of "is it selfcest or not." But these two specifically live in my head rent-free, especially Helena/Steph and one day I'll convince everyone else to ship it too.

[kazoosandfannypacks]

Fendra wedding, anyone?

[arsenicflame]

i Do Not Trust people who make Mary the bad guy in their stories when the show went out of its way to specifically show us how she was suffering just as much as stede was in their marriage and that shes, yknow, a good person

[skunkes]

Seeing falin cosplays on tiktok like you are not a fat woman and you're using make up and filters to look like a tiny faced doll. BOOOOORINGGGGG

[prettyboykatsuki]

my guilty pleasure ship really is karlach and astarion soo bad and it is solely because i like the size difference and i think karlach should tear that man apart

[lesbiangracehanson]

another day, another j7 scene that makes me feel insane 

[apollo-just-ice]

Textpost time yay! :-)

[cherrysmokesaconha]

// rant

I genuinely think it's really funny how Eddsworld fans (mostly TordEdd shippers) will use The End as an excuse to say that "TomTord is this" or "TomTord is that" but when it comes to T*rdM*tt or TordEdd (or even TordJon) they automatically pull the "Clone Theory" card like if Tord didn't abuse Matt and Edd in The End as well.

I'm not saying all the ships are bad (cuz all of them have their way to be special, even TomTord) but it's like people didn't watch The End correctly. Yeah sure only TomTord is toxic you totally didn't watch The End completely nahhhhh

[stygianheart]

I think one of my “favorite” things is when people misinterpret what it means to be aroace. Watching people so clearly not understand the complexity behind the spectrum of aromatic and asexuality and then proceed to say they “stand with” aroace as an ally is so hilarious to me. Especially when they use this to start bashing on a perfectly fine ship, especially because said ship gets in the way of theirs.

Aroace does not mean no attraction. The plastered poster face for it is people who don’t feel ANY types of attraction, but that does not mean everyone. Aromantic people can date and fall in love. Asexual people can fuck. Aroace people can do both.

Yes, aroace rep IS needed. But we still have it via Luffy—just because Luffy kisses someone (hypothetically) doesn’t mean we just yeeted the aroace label off of him. He is STILL aroace. You know who else is aroace? Bon Clay, for one. Zoro as well. Yet I don’t see people screaming that shipping Zoro with someone completely erases the aroace label, now do I?

Ugh, I’d totally make a whole ass essay about this, but it’s half till midnight. It’s just. Been on my mind for a few hours and I need to say a little shit

[misssakurapetal28]

C@tra Stans: OMG why people are criticizing C@tra so much!? She’s a literal teenager! Poor baby! 🥺

Also C@tra Stans: OMG C@tra and C//A is SO sexy and spicy! I love it! 😍😍😍

[deiaiko]

#22.7 Lunch

Grace had led their guests to the cafeteria, where rows of dishes had been arranged and carefully prepared.

His team took the initiative to make a buffet where each of them cooked a few dishes for their guests and served them anonymously, though that led to a wide range of food, from modified instant noodles to expensive roasted meat. At least there was variety, and hopefully it could cover everyone's preferences.

Grace had given a short speech to thank everyone for participating in the game, and to welcome them to enjoy the buffet. Though the atmosphere was a little awkward with half of the team away to accompany Agni.

At first, the princesses looked at the food warily. But after an explanation from Grace, and after Dan and Gyetang ate their portions to prove them safe, they were finally willing to get their servings.

They gathered together around the long table specifically prepared for this occasion, enough for everyone present. Currently, it was only occupied by Endorsi, Anaak, Hatz, Gyetang, Dan, and Grace himself. Laure was left to sleep on the sofa by the window. Hopefully, he wouldn't be forgotten later on.

It seemed like Gyetang and Dan were having the time of their lives just by talking to Endorsi, and Grace really appreciated that she took the time to indulge his team.

Anaak definitely looked like she would rather be anywhere else but there, but Grace believed that she also found the situation amusing. Especially when Endorsi looked like she wanted to throw hands at her fanboys.

In contrast, Hatz had been eating his lunch quietly. Only speaking if he had to, and only after his mouth was empty. The scene reminded Grace exactly of how it played out all those years ago on the second floor. He felt nostalgic.

Grace obviously didn't want to miss the opportunity to get to know everyone, and began asking questions on mundane things, like their favorite foods, favorite activities, recommended places they would like to revisit, why they were climbing the tower, some fond memories of their past…and so on.

Of course, questions were also thrown his way. He tried to answer it as best as he could, but he avoided telling anything that concerned his past. It was still a sensitive topic to get through, even between him and Agni. He only hoped this wouldn't lead them to think that he was cold.

The elevator behind him let out a soft chime. He turned around to look and beamed when he noticed Agni and Novick. Though he wished the others had tagged along as well.

Novick went to get his servings, Agni only spared Novick a glance before making his way to the empty seat next to Grace.

"Isu and Bam said they'll wait for Ran," Agni informed as a greeting. "I've told them where to find us."

The conversations afterward were mostly led by Endorsi and Agni. Not the friendliest exchange, unsurprisingly. It was more like a business deal with some sarcasm, but it kept the room alive.

Soon Novick joined them, sitting near Dan and Gyetang. Endorsi scanned him once and looked pleased when Novick didn't give her as much of a reaction.

Between the banter, Grace noticed that Agni was sitting quite stiffly. He did a check on him earlier after the game ended, so he knew what was wrong. It was the usual cold and ache that Agni had gotten used to. The game earlier and the days of preparation beforehand definitely had put a lot of strain on him. Was that why he didn't get food along with Novick? What could he do to help in this circumstance?

After a few moments of pondering, Grace downed his glass of water and turned to Agni. "Do you want to eat anything in particular? I'm going to get refills, so might as well."

"Well…Okay." Agni gave him a brief smile, and glanced at the buffet table. "Is there any warm soup?"

Grace had the urge to tuck Agni under a warm blanket and tell him to take it easy for the day. Alas, they need to host for the occasion today, so that wouldn't do. He pushed the thought away and recalled the menu they had prepared. "We have rawon."

Agni raised his eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yes." Grace grinned. He knew Agni wouldn't say no to that.

"Can you get me the meat and soup only?"

"Of course. With tea?"

"Yes. Thank you."

And so Grace went to the buffet table and prepared Agni's order. A medium bowl, some chunks of meat, and then soup. A cold water refill for his own glass. And lastly a steaming cup of tea with an extra spoonful of honey. 

As he was stirring the drink, Rak and Khun joined him to get some food. Seeing them together, still bickering, made his heart swell. It almost felt like he was reliving the past. Which he kind of was doing, in a way.

Khun examined each of the menus, holding up a spoon indecisively. "Which one did Bam cook?"

Grace smiled and put his pointer finger on his lips. "It's a secret."

"It's just food, what's the big deal?"

"Exactly," Grace winked. "Does it matter who made which?"

Khun raised an eyebrow, challenging him. "It matters to me."

A chuckle escaped his throat. Has Khun always been this sappy? That was cute. But Khun should have tried better if he wanted to get that information from him. Definitely not with that attitude. "Just get some of each, then it’s guaranteed that you'll get Bam's in the mix."

"Best turtle is right!" Rak laughed, with his plate already filled to the brim. "I'm trying everything regardless! They all smell good!"

"See? Rak gets it." Grace laughed as he summoned his lighthouse to place Agni's order on. Truly, Rak was the best. His heart unhelpfully ached at the thought. He needed to think of something else. "Are Isu and Bam still with Ran?"

"Yep," Rak was the one who answered, since Khun was purposely ignoring him. 

Grace felt his chest squeeze at the realization. Maybe he should've told Khun the answer he wanted to hear? But that would be against the rules that his team had agreed on. Khun had always been cold to him anyway, though the silent treatment was new.

Grace didn't know where he went wrong the first time, and this one seemed to be too petty to get mad for. Maybe he was just overthinking it.

Don't mind, don't mind. He told himself as he focused back on the task at hand. He had kept Agni waiting long enough. He should get back to him while the meal was still warm.

Grace took notice of Khun taking several servings of food. He was probably going back to the medbay. So Grace turned to Rak and asked, "Care to join me here, Rak?"

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