#whether you ship them or not you have to admit this is p adorable!!

[lazorbeanz]

Why do you personally ship, like, or appreciate Sonamy? What got you into Sonamy? What’s your favorite moment between the two?

Why do I ship Sonamy?

Okay, ima admit it..for someone who is a diehard sonamy fan, and thinks about AND ONLY about them literally every waking second, I can not think of ONE reason why I ship them to begin with….

“So you just ship them for basically no reason WHY?!” Pretty much 😅

And I’ve seen so many other people give their really good reasons and opinions on why they ship sonamy, and I full on agree with ‘em, but as for myself, I rack up nothing…and it’s my favourite ship too I mean come onnn TwT

I’ve also had my sister ask me this same question not long ago, and all I could do was just sit there and think “Damn your life almost revolves around these 2 HOW CAN YOU NOT HAVE AN ANSWER?!” I constantly beat myself up for this because I know I should 😭

And I mean, stuff like being the dynamic duo that they are, (whether in battle or not) their attitude and affection for each other evolving over time, respecting the other’s wants and needs, respecting boundaries (kinda the same thing tbh lol) , enjoying each others company, and just how the whole idea of sonamy has turned from what some people may see as “toxic” or “forced” (that might be the better word for it) from early 2000s media, to something more laid back and healthy like recent media because of all the character development over the years… etc, etc…are all fantastic reasons, and even reasons I would now apply as to why I love the ship even more…BUT they’re not the reasons I began to ship them in the first place, because these things I NEVER took into consideration when I starting doing so.

To put a long story short, I just saw pink and blue hedgies and was like, “ooooh I sense chemistry”

I feel like I could be going no where with all this. But all I’m tryna say is that I LIKE sonamy simply because of who they are…just a speedy blue boi and his hammer-wielding pink girlie. I APPRECIATE them solely because of their existence, especially in my life. They are like- one of the few things I ever look forward to these days. I SHIP them because unlike any other ship that has sonic or amy in it, sonamy just… “works” (I don’t know how to explain it but you know what I mean right??) And despite not being canon, (YET! 😏) they have got to be the closest ship to becoming canon (besides vectilla) ..unless I’m just biased :p

What got me into Sonamy?

Well, I did kinda just answer this in the previous question lol but I have to elaborate!

So yeah it started off with just seeing them 2 together and thought “I like where this is going hehe” tho tbh it never really went anywhere…because I was watching Sonic Boom at the time XD, the first piece of Sonic media I consumed since regaining an interest in the franchise. AND WE ARE NOT going back to like 2015 or 16 when I first discovered Sonic…idek what I did regarding shipping back then…I think I like shipped blaze and shadow or something OH LAWD-

Also to think that those short lived Sonamy moments in Boom didn’t even bother me in the slightest?! Present me is disgusted by such lack of interest or care! 😫

Okay okay I’m straying from the question, I’m sorry!!

There are a few things that got me hooked on Sonamy. First was definitely the tv series’. Boom, Prime and X all had adorable and wholesome moments that I could’ve almost died of cuteness from! Some of it was also hilarious too. In Sonic boom for instance, sonic and Amy would fight like a married couple lololol

Another thing (and this was the game changer) was the fanart and animatics. These became the addiction for me; one comic would lead to me reading another, which lead me to read another and so on. Or I’d find an animatic on YT and watch that and then begin scavenging trying to find more animatics to feed these cravings of sonamy I was beginning to gain all of a sudden.

And it just got worse and worse to the point I practically need a daily dose of Sonamy or I just might go feral

But I mean, how could I not?! YOU GUYS ARE SO GOSH DARN TALENTED AKJDJSJDND

Sadly now my food hath runneth dry over the months…so if any of u like come across anything sonamy pls don’t hesitate to tag me or send it to me pls I need it ajhshsjs

On top of all that, came the brainrot. My growing love for this ship and all the incredible media really sent me into a serious Sonamy delulu era. Literally almost ANYTHING can send me into deep thoughts about those 2, no kidding. I literally planned out in my head an entire story of them a couple days ago. Sometimes it’s a head canon or 2, other times just something extremely wholesome I’ll imagine them do and I’ll be deceased. Those rats live in my head rent free omg-

As I said, ANYTHING can trigger this brainrot; a song, a scene, a quote, a random object…you name it, I’ll come up with a Sonamy headcanon in relation to it.

I can’t also forget other sonic media that also boosted it like game cutscenes and IDW. Lately IDW has been CARRYING it for me with the little Sonamy moments like in the 900th adventure, #67 and other tidbits I’d find in former issues. The amount of frames I’ve seen of them hugging warms my heart waaa🥺🥺

Overall, this fandom has really impacted me and my love for Sonamy. (and sonic in general) all the things I’ve learnt and discovered have made me love them all the more because of it. My life has almost become an Sonamy aesthetic now…I am NOT joking when I tell you my PJs are Sonamy coded, and that was hardly intentional…🤣

Favourite Sonamy moment?

Arrghhh why just one?? Pretty much ANY moment involving those 2 cotton candy hedgies are bound to be my favourite!

Totally not saying this cuz I can’t pick a favourite *cough cough*

Take this, it’s the only Sonamy image I really have in my photo album rn.. (I should be in jail for this)

Its one of my favs so it counts :)

Woowee that just about covers it! Now you know all about my weird and wonderweird love for my favourite ship :D 🩷💙

[chaiandsage]

Hello I am but a humble Trust Life reader coming to thank you.

I’m on chapter 51, and this is absolutely the best fanfiction I have ever read. You write every character so well, from Scott’s reluctance to Cleo’s bluntness to Impulse’s (excuse the lack of a better word choice) impulsiveness. Im also absolutely in love with the dynamics changing throughout the chapters, obviously Scott abd Tango warming up to each other, but also Lizzie and Tangos relationship with each other, and the way Joel and Etho are written.

I must admit, I have cried multiple times, and all my friends know about how obsessed I am with this. Thank you, so so so so so much, for fueling my snowbugs obsession. Honestly, I’m dreading reading the last 15 chapters, because then it will be over. But reading this has to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.

With that, take a quote that I said out loud while reading this (to be honest, monster of a fic, like goddamn this is longgg):

*Clasps hands and sighs* Sleep together. *Que applauding when they did, in fact, sleep in the same bed.*

again, thank you. :3

You. YOUUUU. You are so freakin kind and I adore you /p

I had no idea there would end up being so many people who are as invested in the snowbugs/flower ranchers ships as I am, but whether you were always into it or this fic was what got you into it, I just think it’s amazing how many of us there are now. I wrote trust life hoping to feed my own brainrot about these guys, but of course I also wanted to make content for anyone else who was obsessed with them too, and I’m just really glad that a fellow snowbugs enthusiast such as yourself is enjoying all of it!

Having 15 chapters left puts you at about chapter 51, right? Or I guess a little after that since you got to the “sleep together” joke, lol. I don’t want to spoil or assume anything, but I’d like to think you’ll be in for a very interesting final stretch with this fic. Or at least I hope it reads that way

Honestly, thank YOU for choosing to read this. It’s just amazing to know it was a decision that ended up being a good one for you and one that you don’t regret. I hope that when you do reach the end, it feels like a satisfying conclusion despite everything being over

[bloodywonder1846]

Yes! This!

I have a very strong connection with this show, I’ve loved it for a while now. I have very strong opinions on the story and the characters, and I have very specific interpretations, but you don’t see me being hateful towards people with different opinions, or acting like I know more & am better because of my own opinions. (This isn’t me trying to pat myself on the back for not being a jerk, just saying.)

I’ve never seen the Broadway revival live, but based on the soundtrack and what I know about it, I love it! I do have a couple of criticisms, there are some things that the revival does that I’m not into, but overall, I love it & I love the cast! You don’t have to like the revival, and you can have your criticisms, but don’t be a jerk or a gatekeeper about it.

I’m always afraid to admit it because I’m terrified of all the backlash, but I first got into Sweeney Todd when I was 13 & watched the movie version on Netflix after school. I’ve been a huge fan of the musical ever since, and this musical is actually what got me into theatre in the first place. I know the movie is a mixed bag within the theatre community. In fact, many of you hate it. I was always so scared to admit that I liked it, and even more scared to reveal that it was the first version of the musical I ever saw, because I didn’t want to be accused of being a “fake fan.” “Just some young person who doesn’t REALLY care about Sondheim or musical theatre.” I felt like I had to prove myself to the older fans, that I was just as dedicated and knew just as much about the musical as them. I did as much research on the show as I possibly could (though that wasn’t only to make myself feel less like a fraud, I’m also just neurodivergent and this is a special interest of mine, lol). I’m tired of people being gatekeepers, acting like only the version they like is the valid one and that everyone else is wrong and a fake. Trust me, I have criticisms regarding the movie too, but I still like it, and I’m tired of pretending I don’t. (My little joke with myself is that the movie is “Sweeney Todd abridged,” lol)

And regarding the shipping- Just leave people alone! I know that Sweenett isn’t for everyone and that’s perfectly fine, but you don’t have to harass people who like it! Let me have my silly little fun & wholesome headcanons and one shots and such without getting um actually’d about how it ends and how Lovett lied to Sweeney and so on and so on. I get it, I know.

I love Sweenett. I think they’ve got a very interesting dynamic. They’re two lonely and broken people who find friendship and connection with each other. They’re incredibly messed up and flawed, but they do clearly care for each other and enjoy each other’s company (depending on the portrayal, a lot of things about this show tends to vary, but still). I know they’re both criminals and I know their story ends in tragedy, and yet I love to think & write about them being adorable. I like to think that had things gone differently, they could’ve been happy together. This is another thing I’ve always feared sharing, especially in general theatre spaces, because I didn’t want to get harassed and bombarded by people telling me how much they hate it and all the reasons it’s bad and how I’m dumb for liking it. (Just leave me and my silly little Victorian crime duo alone, okay?)

I love Nellie Lovett as a character. I think she’s far more complex than people give her credit for.

I love the 1982 pro-shot, the og Broadway cast recording, the movie, the Broadway revival, and the clips I’ve seen of the off Broadway revival from a few years ago. (There are many productions I have yet to learn about, I just love this show in general)

I have many other strong opinions about this show and these characters, which I won’t get into right now, and I’d like to be able to express them without being harassed or treated like a fake.

I think any way that gets someone into this show is valid & worth-while, whether it’s the movie, the pro-shot, the Broadway revival, one of the many cast recordings, etc.

I have a major passion for this show and these characters. I know many of you do too. We can all have our own opinions, our own interpretations, our own personal favorite versions & actors. But please, don’t gatekeep. Don’t be rude to people. We’re obviously not all going to agree. I’ve seen many takes that I disagree with, I’ve seen many that I outright dislike, but I’m not going to be rude about it. I’m going to leave those people be. I think we’d all be a lot happier if we just focused on the things we like, and weren’t constantly attacking each other & focusing on what we don’t like.

Let’s just enjoy this amazing show, okay?

i’m not a fan of the possessive, self righteous i-know-the-show-better-you’re-a-fake-fan energy up in here i see sometimes. we’re all here because we adore this show. that is a beautiful thing!!!! we love something SO MUCH collectively that we have a little community to be crazy about it together. so why bring in all that gross dividing energy? sweeney todd is a piece of art and a very complicated one at that. we are allowed to interpret it a certain way and still respect different interpretations. let us have our messed up ships. let us have our stupid headcannons. let us have our favorite actors/actresses. no one’s changing the objective story or manipulating characters beyond recognition. we are watching and analyzing and learning new things about these characters and this story we all love so much. i understand the deep passion and appreciation for the original story and production of sweeney todd. i share that. i also love geeking out about sweenett and josh groban and annaleigh ashford. two things can be true at once. i think a lot of this division comes from differing feelings about the revival. first of all, can we be happy this incredible musical is THRIVING on broadway and getting thousands of new fans? so many people have been pulled into this delicious, dark rabbit hole only because of the revival, myself included. of course some things in the show were adjusted for modern audiences. mrs. lovett reads sexier and sweeney a bit softer because people like that shit (also modern audiences are dense and cannot pick up very subtle messages.) i believe the original production intended that dynamic between sweeney and lovett as well. stephen sondheim The Creator has indicated such himself. this one is just more upfront with it so audiences can understand explicitly and get the most out of the show. people love dark, sad romances and evil hot girls. and the show is doing AMAZING. you can have your harsh criticisms on the current production and actors. you can be boring and hold a hateful grudge against the revival. fine!! you’re missing out!!! but don’t make it the problem of people who love it and are having fun. please stop ostracizing people and giving yourself a medal for having a closed mind.

happy new year xoxo

[opalsiren]

thinking about her (the wooden carving that caleb made will for her birthday)

[my-otp-list]

Me, re-surfacing with my bromance review business because I just learnt today that, after a longgg longgg time, this drama’s English subtitles are potentially coming to completion (or so I really hope).

This is a light-hearted, lesser-known drama starring Xiao Yu Liang (whom many of you likely know as Zhang Qiling / Men You Ping in Ultimate Note) with a certainly noteworthy storyline and applaudable acting. And definitely, loads of bromance.

So, time for a signal boost!  (๑✧◡✧๑)

Anti-Fraud League (C-Drama)

Genre: Suspense, Investigation, Mystery

Synopsis (taken & modified from MyDramaList):

A drama revolving around a team comprised of flippant (with a sketchy past) investigator Fang Yuan, aloof genius Mi Ruo, animated hacker Luo Xin and charismatic lady boss Niu Meng, who run an insurance investigation agency which tackles all sorts of insurance fraud cases. 

Length: Completed - 24 episodes, 40 minutes each

Personal review:

+ Specifically for this drama, the first thing that catches my attention is the beautiful cinematography, which consists of very diverse angles and eye-pleasing colour palettes. Of course, it also helps that Xiao Yu Liang is handsome and looks so pretty amidst the scenery xD 

+ Surely the combo of investigator + genius strategist + hacker is a familiar formula, and this drama proves to be a decent take on that. The team dynamic is adorable, and I actually like all 4 members. The cases likely won’t be the sorts that blow your mind or keep you awake at night, but I’m of the belief that they will satisfactorily retain your attention. Not to mention, the show doesn’t step on the mistake of outrageously illogical or slippery deductions (which is very important, at least to me. It’s difficult to sit through a show that is tagged as ‘Detective’ but brushes off logic or attempts to simplify things T_T). Better still, we are presented with an overarching plot and villain to connect the cases together. 

+ Now, on the acting, it’ll be unfair to not mention how great male lead Fang Yuan’s actor was. As for the other male lead Mi Ruo (by Xiao Yu Liang), in all honesty, there’s room for improvement, but he definitely didn’t do a bad job. In general, for a watcher who gets easily irked by C-dramas’ horrendous acting (yeah, let me just admit that I don’t watch C-dramas all that often, mainly because of the acting and the CGI), I find the show’s overall acting really acceptable. 

+ Moving onto, of course, the bromance - Ah, precious, precious bromance, and this show has lots of bromantic moments too, to the point that people are asking whether it’s a BL uh-oh (☉_☉). Personally though, this is one of those rare shows that I feel zero need to ship the male leads together LOL, or I should say, I view their relationship as #StrictlyBromance. Probably because Fang Yuan and Mi Ruo have quite a big age gap, it’s somehow easy for me to see them as brothers. With Fang Yuan’s cheeky yet big-brother-ish attitude, his dynamic with the taciturn Mi Ruo is a very amusing one to watch. They didn’t like each other a lot at first, but through the cases and a couple of near-death situations, they’ve grown to be each other’s trusted confidante.

That said, I’m compelled to mention that they quarrel a few times in the show, and whenever it happens, the BGM turns into a LOVE song hahahahahaha (I see what you’re trying to say here, editor  (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧). 

A notable bromantic scene in the show beside the famous embrace-in-a-freezer-truck scene *which I won’t include here, because no spoiler :P

And by the way, let me just give a heads-up that this show has no crappy romance that destroys the plot, at all (I know I know, you see 2 male leads - 2 female leads and are thinking whether they make 2 couples. Nah, they don’t).

- Like I said above, this show likely won’t blow your mind, so don’t set your expectation too high. I suppose they could’ve taken on a more serious direction and raised higher stakes. Treat this as a rather light-hearted show sprinkled with a pleasant team dynamic and some great bromance, then you’ll be in for an enjoyable ride.

- Surely another negative thing must be the open ending? Without any indication that there might ever be a second season T.T 

----------

Also a quick announcement that I’ll be combining this Tumblr with my Bromance Recommendation Tumblr since I have no time to manage 2 Tumblrs T.T To those who follow me because of a specific fandom, I’m sorry that my blog will be a hot pot of many things, although they should actually surround either theme: Daomu Biji or Bromance (and perhaps very occasionally, BL). So, if you’re in for random bits and pieces and reviews and recos on anything under the sun that has to do with the above themes, welcome welcome ^_^ 

[littlewitty]

Bitten

Ship: Leonardo x MC

Genre: Fluff

Warnings: Description of blood

I just tagged the people who seemed interested in the story idea.

@entidy13 @niphredil-14 @kisara-16 @lead-ruby-red​ 

It was beautiful in summer. The trees would gently sway in the calming breeze. Nurturing the greenery in his luscious rays, the sun would burn. Lilies, roses, sunflowers and marigolds would all proudly spread their petals out, basking in sultry-filled confidence.

“This is nice,” I hummed into his chest. He was refreshing. One thing I adored and sometimes took advantage of was how vampires were naturally cooler-blooded compared to humans. That meant that leaning on his chest would leave a pleasant burn of tranquil freedom from summer’s passionate heat.

Leonardo’s room was a gratifying wash of warm amber. The sun intruded from the ajar window. The cobwebs were more apparent than ever. I abhorred them but he would only chuckle and say to ‘let them live their lives’. Time-forgotten books scattered. All of them were open on specific pages, held in place with random objects found in the moment: a coffee cup, paper weight (that one made sense), an old lighter and a sleeping Lumiere.

“I guess so.” Leonardo stiffly replied. His eyes reflected something different, as of recent. Ever since I was turned in fact. He seemed further away - in his own world. Perhaps it was because I had abandoned the gift of humanity, turning into the very creature he least preferred. Or maybe the summer heat made him lazier and miss Italy. His body was always raspingly tense; he was on the cusp of rupture. He would second-guess himself around me. I could see it.

“...Cara, you’re a bit close,” he seethed before covering himself up, “Are you trying to initiate something?” He posed. His painfully forced smirk grated itself through his teeth. Overall, he seemed grey and sickly - skin like worn down leather.

“Hey, you can talk to me… come o-”

“Cara, I’m fine.” He panted. The knife-edged tone left no space for questioning and soon my head was perched against his chest, yet again. His breathing had definitely changed. It had once been shallow. I was sure of it. What once had been a peaceful silence had degraded to subtle attempts of panting. Was he ill? Could he even get ill? Maybe thirst?

Now I knew what it was like to be thirsty. I knew of the agony that the residents had to go through. I knew what he went through everyday in our relationship when I was human. Your brain contaminated your morals. Humans turned into blood banks. In your sight, all you can see is their throbbing, pulsating veins carrying their rich, precious life-line. Like swallowing cement, your throat cramps and tenses, contracting around you.

Pushing off my arms, I united his glowing orbs with mine. He desperately tried to avoid all eye contact. He probably would have pushed me off him if he could. Through his separated lips, the sharpness of his fangs protruded. 

“Cara Mia, you should leave.” He hissed, like I would have listened. My hand gradually crawled from the silky, cotton sheets to his slick cheek. Guiding his vision to me. I tenderly caressed his jaw. He was aware I knew. The sorry expression that signed itself on his features proved that.

“Shh, you don’t have to say anything.” I hushed. He knew I was a vampire. Yet, he still had this internalised phobia of biting me.

“C-Cara….I-” He barely ushered, losing his resolve until he gave up. One final reassuring smile to say ‘I know and I forgive you’ was all his instincts needed to take over. I was roughly pinned down. Eyes filled with self-betrayal and soon-to-be regret. Right hand enmeshed in my hair, dividing my neck and head. Left hand on the back of my right thigh, lifting my knee up in between his own. He kneeled over me. Burying his face into my neck as much as he could, he nipped. Asking permission maybe? He was going to feel so guilty. The only pacifier I could think of was entangling every limb I had around him. ‘It’s safer in my arms, closer to me heart and soul.’

“Ah! Gentle Leonardo, p-please..” Fangs deeply nested in my neck, he didn’t want to neither stop nor pull away. I knew, now. Instinct was everything. It ran our lives. If you needed blood, you were going to kill for it.

Glorified, gory ecstasy was tempered through my body. Hot pleasure - a comforting warm -  a rush of anticipation filled adrenaline with tainting spice boasting the feeling. Soft fatigue, humble and descended you down like falling into a heavy sleep. My darkest, deepest desires ran wild. He engorged himself lightly. Sucking and lapping at my neck, tending to it by licking anything he could get. Flailing limp, he loosened his grasp on my figure. Whether he was personally fulfilled or not, his bloodlust was more than sated.

“You can have more, I feel fine.” 

“No, Cara, I can’t.” He exhaled. There was a sleepy, grainy tinge to his voice. Leonardo wouldn’t admit it but he would have found a preserving delight from that.

“Look at me.” I demanded.

“Heh, you’ve been so demanding since your rebirth,” he lifted his head and, even though only slightly, smiled. His whole face had more colour and his skin seemed softer and more delicate. A guilty rose-red tint pasted itself onto his cheeks. Endearingly, he reached up and smoothed my hair out. It definitely needed it. It was odd how much stinging friction my locks had against his hand. That coaxed a laugh out of us. A lovely, peaceful quiet laid itself between us. No words were said, no words were needed. His lips were pale, perhaps that was due to the red stain on the inside of them. In his smile, he bared his, currently, pink teeth and his deeply rouge-dyed mouth. Some smudges around his lips here and there, droplets of blood in the corner of his lips, comfortably resting. But his bloodied tongue soon made quick work of them.

Maybe the vampire in me detecting blood or it could have been the lover seeing him for who he truly is, perhaps a mixture, but he looked more handsome than ever.

“Do I look good Cara Mia? Is that why you’re smiling and stari- hey! Don’t stop,” he pulled me nose-to-nose with him, “It was cute.” A sweet kiss to the tip of my nose and we were back snuggling. Although, this time, reversed-roles. Leonardo’s head rested happily against my breast as I began to stroke his hair softly. He was the most relaxed I had ever seen. 

“I’m going to have to learn a completely different side to you, aren’t I Leonardo?” He shifted, meeting my eyes. “Your vampire side.” 

[my-writings-and-musings]

Could you do ravage and chromedome/rewind for the young liaisons prompt? Cat dad and big gay dads need some kids :)

This is a popular one!

So let's have some CAT DAD and GAY DADS

Here on the Lost Light we have a veritable surplus of parental figures!

Here's the proof!

Tailgate, Ratchet, Minimus, Swerve, Whirl

Drift, Rodimus, Rung

Megatron, Cyclonus

Fortress Maximus

Fortress Maximus(Again), Brainstorm

Ravage

·For the sake of his sanity, he had some other bots make it clear to the incoming arrivals he was not a pet and would not be treated as such. His hopes weren't high, and he made a point to observe the gaggle of young humans before meeting them in person, something he accomplished by surveying their tour from his usual spot on the vents. They proved decent enough from afar; polite, not too loud, enthusiastic... typical behaviour for well raised youth of any species. Once he'd seen enough he decided to get his own introduction out of the way. Of course leaving out his short spying session, he entered the room they were in as if by chance, and was summarily kept under the watchful optics of their Autobot guides.

·Admittedly the first thing he noticed was how small they were. These humans are supposed to be young, but they are finished growing, right? He could pick up one of them with absolute ease! Their well mannered meeting only makes him more concerned, as these soft and naive little squishies are a prime target for a cruel universe, and if anything happens to them the whole ship will be in a diplomatic nightmare. Pretending to be disinterested but polite, he makes it a personal goal of his to protect them. Purely for his own sake, of course. It's not his fault they're all helpless as newborn cubs...

·Silent and stealthy as always, he finds it quite easy to keep watch over the entire group, who conveniently makes a habit of staying together. Sharp ears allow him to catch more or less everything they talk about, and as a shameless eavesdropper he listens in on everything he can. To his surprise they prove to be... less than annoying. Their takes on the crew are entertaining as well as agreeable, and they actually put great thought into the nuances of the war they never experienced. In a shocking twist these squishy little beings actually prove p have more complicated views of the factions and their ethos than your average bot, but he initially credits that more to their unbiased perspective. It isn't until he overhears a conversation about himself that his attitude changes. Unlike so many others, they express disbelief at his secondary status in Cybertronian society, noting his obvious intelligence and their sadness at the exclusion they've learned he's endured. He decides in that moment they're all not so bad at all.

·Some ridiculous, mushy feeling in his spark guides him to stop eavesdropping and to start associating with the liaisons in person, but a far colder and more practical feeling advises harshly against such an idea. What reason does he have to think they won't turn against him under the guidance of some bigoted crewmembers? Being targeted for harassment by strangers is unpleasant, but to face it from someone he let his guard down around... that hurts. He's not especially inclined to opening up weak spots for others. It's only the insistent and unbearable need to ensure they're safe, one he assures himself is purely practical, that leads him to finally approaching the group to... hang out.

·Perhaps the greatest shock of all is how welcoming and genuine each liaison is before he can even request to sit near them. Not only that, but none of them pet him! They're respectful of his space and treat him no differently than any other bot, and he's so surprised he's actually bashful when responding to their questions. This continues at a slow pace for months, leading to him gradually becoming so at peace with his new little gaggle of friends he naps in their presence and lounges with them as they socialize together. Eventually, at great personal risk, he even allows them to pet him. Just to get an itch their tiny hands are better at reaching, of course. But there's a closeness he can no longer deny when they end up lounging against him for a nap one day, and he's forced to admit he'd fight every force in the galaxy to keep them safe from harm, no longer just for his own sake. On more than one occasion he's caught ferrying them from place to place, either carrying one in his mouth like a kitten or letting them hold onto his back like baby possums. He vehemently denies this.

Chromedome/Rewind

·The two were curious and delighted to hear the ship would soon be host to an interspecies diplomatic effort, complete with envoys from Earth! They made a point to welcome the new arrivals at the landing point before they were even on board, with Rewind recording everything for posterity. Both felt their sparks absolutely surge at the incredibly adorable collection of young humans, thought they'd simultaneously made the same decision to protect the tiny beings on sight, and had affirmed that commitment with each other later. They'd long considered raising some new life of their own, and this could be like practice! Rewind decides he'll document as much as possible for reference, and also to present to Earth officials as proof the liaisons are safe and cared for.

·Soon everything is being recorded, and they both can't help adoring every achievement and first the young humans celebrate in space. From seeing their first new planet to meeting another organic race for the first time, they adore each moment to the fullest. They spend so much time with the group it isn't long before one notices how frequently they hold hands, and after a polite but hesitant question the two happily explain their relationship and status as Conjunx Endura, something that gets wide eyed looks of wonder once they explain the meeting. Soon they're answering a series of questions about Cybertronian "marriage" and whether or not most bots fall in love. Amongst the many comments is one on how "shippable" they are as a couple, which they see as high praise.

·As if a switch was flipped, they're soon being treated more or less as the dad's of the whole group, and they accept the honor quite happily. Liaisons follow them in public and come to them for comfort and advice, giving both the surprising realization they may actually be good at this whole parent thing. Chromedome even finds they have no fear of his mnemosurgery needles, and while Rewind is hesitant he can't deny his support of education as they learn about a scientific field well beyond anything their species has dreamed of. Rewind even makes it a point to show them videos of Cybertron in the distant past, and actually has to limit their screen time because there's just too much for them to learn at once.

·Trouble comes fast when the history of their journey comes up. Unwilling to lie, they have the incredibly painful task of explaining multiple things. First, the fact the ship split and second, Rewind was not amongst this original crew. The story is heavily sanitized, but honest, and recounts how death came to befall each of their partners. Retelling it is hard enough for them both they hold each other's hand as they get through it. By the end, every liaison sits in shocked silence, and they're worried for an instant the horror and grief of it all proved too much for such young and innocent beings. Who could blame them for being overwhelmed by the tragic and almost unnatural tale behind their current relationship? Together, they waited in great anxiety for a response.

·The young lifeforms they more or less adopted took them by incredible surprise. Tearfully but not at all hesitantly, they came forth to embrace their adopted parents, crying over the pain both must have suffered in the wake of such tragedy. Neither deserved to endure so much agony, and while they're so happy the two of them have each other, they're also so sorry things went the way they did. Both bots have to work together with their radically different sizes to bring each human in to form the best group hug they can manage. Trying not to cry themselves, they shush the tearful gathering and ensure them they don't have to be sad for them. Things have been hard, and there's always going to be lingering pain, but they have so much to be grateful for today. Each and every one of them is amongst those blessings.

[makeste]

I just wanna enable you to talk more about Katsuki so. top 5 (or 10, or however many you feel like) Bakugou romantic ships? not like number 1 will be a surprise but hey ;p

ah, shipping. the perfect topic with which to take a breather from leg puns and the quirkless!Bakugou debate. nothing controversial about ships lmao.

disclaimer: these are literally just my favorite Bakugou ships, as asked. I have few to no NOTPs, and I’m not anti-anything, nor do I have any opinions on whether or not any of these will or should become canon (as it really makes no difference to me, since I ship them all platonically as well). basically I have no skin in the “shipping somehow has winners and losers” game. I’m just here for the emotional energy and the lulz and the character development.

anyways this is a top six because I couldn’t bear to leave either of my two favorite rarepairs out whoops.

BakuDeku - like you said anon, not a surprise lol. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; for me, these two are the core of the series. honestly it sometimes strikes me as ironic that this ship is so often written off as abusive or unhealthy or toxic, because I often find myself thinking that roughly 90% of all of Bakugou and Deku’s problems could be sorted out just by them communicating with each other. and I don’t mean just their own specific relationship problems -- I mean all of their problems. Bakugou is having an emotional crisis about something? have him talk to Deku. Deku’s overwhelmed by a problem and way overthinking it? have him talk to Bakugou! they balance each other out, is the thing. when one of them veers off course, the other is the compass to steer them back on track. that’s the power of rivals!! and aside from that, this relationship is just so complex, and I am weak for absolutely all of it. it’s just this perfect blend of push and pull and friction and trust. it’s the type of ship where the two of them have such a strong connection that it’s like gravity; they can’t help but orbit the other, even when that orbit is sometimes unsteady. it’s just such a powerful bond and just... guh. I have way too many emotions about it so I am just going to STOP NOW and move on to the next ship.

TodoBaku - so by now we have reached a point where pretty much everyone in class 1-A is an expert on handling Bakugou, and ngl, it’s my favorite thing ever. but what makes the TodoBaku relationship so especially appealing is that Shouto is completely unafraid to just step right up and declare his friendship to the entire world. Todoroki “I’m calling it like it is” Shouto, who, after giving the matter careful consideration, correctly judged himself and Bakugou to be the closest of friends, and thus decided that they should intern together and he should introduce him to his family and get his sister to cook his favorite foods. and the entire time, Bakugou is all “please no one listen to this delusional freak, we are not friends at all,” even as he proceeds to get himself involved in all of the Todoroki family drama, and saves Shouto’s brother’s life, and learns all of his sister’s recipes, and presumably cries himself to sleep at night wondering how he could have let this happen.

Kacchako - what I like about Ochako’s relationship with Katsuki is that she’s one of the few people who’s not afraid to call him out on his shit. she’s not just warmly tolerant of him like some of the others; she has expectations of him, and will unabashedly express her sound disappointment if he fails to be the person she knows he’s capable of being. I feel like Ochako has no patience for him taking his sweet time with his character development, and is just “goddammit young man, just sort your shit out with Deku already and go back to being best friends like you both so clearly want, and while you’re at it please try to treat other people less like garbage”, and various other things that are all true but that he of course hates to hear, but TOO BAD lol. anyway so I love that, and I love that she’s just as stubborn as he is. and I also love that there’s genuine, mutual respect between the two of them as well. never forget that Katsuki is the one who first brought out Ochako’s homicidal badass side. anyway so they basically complement each other very well, and I have my fingers crossed that one of these days Horikoshi will decide to actually have them interact with each other again because damn.

KiriBaku - Kirishima, on the other hand, is warmly tolerant of Bakugou, and openly admiring of him even, but it tends to be in a way that brings out Bakugou’s best qualities. Kiri just has this way of bringing out Bakugou’s confidence in himself. like, he’s very good at saying precisely the right words to make Bakugou grin that smirky little grin of his, the one that’s all “oh yeah, that’s right, I’m a badass.” and seeing as Bakugou, for all his pride and bluster, is surprisingly prone to having mini crises of confidence, this is a valued skill that I’m very grateful to Kiri for having! and what’s nice is that Bakugou is very good at returning the favor, since Kiri is prone to crises of confidence as well. the little flashback right before Kiri unveils Unbreakable for the first time is one of my favorite moments in the series. when this ship is firing on all cylinders they really bring out the best in each other. and also they are both dumb bros which is an extremely undervalued dynamic. I love it when Bakugou is all “HEY KIRISHIMA LET ME BLOW YOU UP A BIT” and Kiri is just like “YEAHHHH!” heh.

KamiBaku - and now for the first of the two rarepairs! first of all I would just like to state that I absolutely cannot fathom why KamiBaku is a rarepair to begin with, unless it’s simply because everyone is already too obsessed with the previously mentioned ships. but at any rate it’s a damn shame, because the cuteness of this ship is off the fucking charts, and right now it’s all just going to waste. what I adore more than anything about this ship is the way Bakugou tolerates every single fucking thing Kaminari does and LETS HIM GET AWAY WITH IT. he lets him call him “Kacchan.” he lets Kaminari manhandle him into various getups (the A Band shirt; the Santa outfit) on multiple occasions while putting up absolutely no fight. he basically allows him an almost unprecedented level of closeness, which Kaminari proceeds to BLATANTLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF at every turn seemingly unchecked! and he is the all time champ at tricking Bakugou into participating in social interactions (tying the ribbon to his foot during the Christmas gift exchange, telling him he won’t get any food at the New Year’s feast if he doesn’t help cook, etc.). he just loves him and wants him to be included. honestly this one of the most adorable relationships in the entire goddamn series and I am tired of it being slept on. the people deserve more KamiBaku dammit.

IidaBaku - last but not least, a relationship between two people who I’m pretty sure have only actually interacted with each other a handful of times, and most of those times involved them shouting at each other! ah, yes. the stick in the mud and the delinquent. god’s natural enemies. except that in this case the “delinquent” is a star student who tutors other kids and goes to bed every night at 8:30, and the stick in the mud once hatched a legitimate plot to kill a man. what I am trying to say is that these two are actually WAY more alike than they would ever care to admit, and I’m kind of obsessed with it?? this is one of those ships where all it would take is one well-applied trope and the possibilities are endless. you could literally just pick one out of a hat. fake dating, roommates, only one bed, undercover as lovers, WHATEVER. and not only does this have the potential to be the most hilarious ship in the history of time, but it also has potential to be disarmingly, shockingly sweet, I shit you not. there are a couple of little moments in the light novels that I absolutely adore, where they’re each taking care of the other with the other having absolutely no idea. Iida makes about four attempts to tuck Bakugou in during the forest training camp arc because his covers have fallen off and he doesn’t want him to catch a chill, and Bakugou unknowingly returns the favor by preventing Iida from stumbling across the preparations for his own surprise birthday party before the others are finished getting ready. by shoving Iida into an elevator and ordering him to go back to his room with absolutely no explanation given lmao. anyway, but the point is the potential is definitely there for cuteness and chemistry and mutual respect while arguing nonstop like an old married couple.

so there you go! honestly Bakugou somehow has chemistry with just about everyone in his class, which is super impressive for someone with the personality of a rabid wolf spider. god bless him.

[emy-loves-you]

Wrong Numbers and Useless Gays Chapter 10

Protective Snek meets Tired Boi (With Flowers!)

Chapter 9 | Masterlist | Chapter 11

Warnings: crying, mentions of sex, mentions of lying and mistrust

(Jan 2nd)

V- (10:20 AM) Hey Pat, what do you want for your birthday?

P- (10:21 AM) I don’t need anything big, Kiddo. Just another drawing from you would be amazing :)

V- (10:21 AM) Is there nothing that you would be happy with me buying you?

P- (10:22 AM) Well, I like flowers!

L- (10:22 AM) No you don’t. None of us have gardening skills and you cry every time they wilt.

P- (10:22 AM) I still like them! We’ll just have to try harder this time!

Virgil thought for a few minutes before smirking. He exited the chat and opened up a chat with Janus and Remus.

V- (10:23 AM) Do either of you have the staff contacts from that charity event 2 months ago?

J- (10:23 AM) Perhaps

Re- (10:23 AM) Y the hell do you want them?

V- (10:24 AM) Do you remember the flowers that they were selling? I want to contact whoever they bought them from.

J- (10:24 AM) You mean like the one that Remus bought for me?

V- (10:25 AM) Yes, but less obscene colors.

Re- (10:25 AM) Wait let me guess

Re- (10:26 AM) “Princey’s” birthday was in July and “Lo” doesn’t seem like the flower type, so this is for “Pat,” isn’t it?

V- (10:26 AM) Do you have the fucking contact or not?

J- (10:27 AM) Even better. I have the address

V- (10:27 AM) Why the fuck do you have the address?

J- (10:27 AM) Remus TOTALLY didn’t break the original flower as soon as we got home.

Re- (10:28 AM) HEY! I tripped on YOUR stupid rug and it happened to end up crushed underneath me!

J- (10:28 AM) LEAVE THE RUG OUT OF THIS!

Virgil chuckled, eventually breaking up their argument so he could get the phone number and address. Once he had it, he called the shop and ordered a custom-made bouquet. They told him that it would be ready for pick-up in 2 weeks. He turned back to his crush’s chat.

V- (10:29 AM) Just finished ordering your gift.

P- (10:29 AM) What is it?!

V- (10:30 AM) It’s a surprise! Oh, and do you still have the vase that your chocolate bouquet was in?

P- (10:30 AM) Yeah, why?

V- (10:30 AM) You may wanna have it empty on your birthday :)

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(January 16th)

“So, where are we going?” Remus asked, chugging the rest of his Pepsi.

“To get Virgil’s flowers, darling. We’ve been over this.” Janus replied, adjusting his rearview mirror. Virgil laid in the back, fast asleep. Janus sighed. Virgil never got enough sleep, in his opinion. It was difficult to get Virgil fully asleep by 4 AM, and even then he was usually awake by 9 AM. Ever since he met his new “crushes,” Virgil had been getting better with his sleeping habits ( “Lo’s been trying to rope me into their sleeping schedule,” Virgil had admitted with a blush ); but he still didn’t sleep enough, in Janus’ humble opinion.

Speaking of crushes, Janus focused his eyes on the empty road as he thought about the three men who had stolen his best friend's heart. Pat, Lo, and Princey, Virgil called them. Not much to work with in terms of name, and no physical characteristics either. Janus was halfway convinced to stalk them (he knew where they lived, after all) but the thought of Virgil hating him for it shut up those thoughts immediately. Virgil already dealt with a ton of Janus bullshit without complaint, the least he could do is honor Virgil’s wish to keep his crushes anonymous. Even though Janus had no physical description to work off of, Virgil's offhand comments were enough for Janus to paint a decent picture of them.

"Princey," the first one that Virgil met. Extremely dramatic, probably light-headed and egotistical. The one that Janus ordered a katana for. A fucking katana. Why would he want a katana of all things? And those nicknames. His nicknames for Virgil were worse than Remus’, and that’s saying something. Though he was kind to Virgil in their interactions; at least, that’s what Virgil told him. Janus would have to keep a close eye on this one.

“Pat,” the one they were going to pick up flowers for. The so-called “Dad Friend” of the group. Called Virgil “Kiddo.” Mother-henned the shit out of him. Even though Virgil was their Sugar Daddy, Janus wouldn’t be surprised if they called Pat “Daddy” in bed. On the other hand, some of the things that Virgil said spoke otherwise. Pat’s love of stuffed animals, his goofy puns, his opinion against swearing; he sounded like a child in an adult body. An oxymoron, and someone that Janus will also have to keep an eye on.

And “Lo.” Possibly the one that Janus trusted the least out of the trio. Extremely serious. Chocolate addict. Has a fucking sleep schedule for his boyfriends. Probably a control freak. Works part-time at the library. Goes to the local college. More interested in space than the world around him. Probably even more egotistical than Princey. Spends the majority of his time arguing with others or chastising Virgil for spending money on them. Most likely to upset Virgil. One that Janus would definitely be keeping an eye on.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened. He would not let them hurt Virgil. And if they somehow did, well…

Some of Father’s old associates could still prove useful. They at least knew how to hide a body. Or three.

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(January 17th)

Janus triple-checked the address, making sure that he was at the right house. Virgil had needed a safe way to ship these flowers to Pat’s house without Pat finding out OR one of his crushes seeing his face. So, Janus agreed to be his delivery boy. It made sense; Deceit wore the most makeup AND he hissed every other line, so it was near impossible to be recognized out-of-costume. And if Janus got a good look at Virgil’s crushes… well, Virgil wasn’t here now, was he? Janus set the bouquet on the middle of the porch; far enough for the person to not accidentally knock it over on their way outside, but close enough to where it would be noticed and not accidentally fall off the edge. He tapped the door three times with the back of his knuckles and quickly turned around, making a beeline for his car. He intended on getting a glimpse of the man’s face as he drove away, hopefully seeing enough to be able to spot him off the college roster-

“Wait!” Janus stopped dead in his tracks. He didn’t expect him to be that fast. There was a moment of silence before Janus heard a sigh. “You’re not Virgil, are you?”

He smirked. “Yes, I’m definitely Virgil. I just decided to knock on your door and increase the chances of you seeing me when I could’ve just texted me.”

The man sighed again. “You must be Janus, then. I assume that since you arrived specifically when Patton wouldn’t be home today, you came to drop off his birthday present.” There was a slight pause, probably meant for Janus to respond. Suddenly. There was a soft “Oh.” Janus couldn’t take it anymore; he turned around and his jaw dropped.

The man was tall, taller than any of the Dark Sides. He had dark brown hair, brushed neatly out of his face. He wore a pair of square glasses, which perfectly framed his dark blue eyes. He wore a black button-up shirt and dark wash jeans. A navy blue tie hung loosely around his neck. But what caught Janus’ attention was the look of pure adoration on his face as he looked at the flowers on the porch. His face was so open and kind, something that Janus never expected him to look like. Is this the look that Janus gave Remus when they were alone? If so, Janus now understood why Virgil didn’t want to be in their relationship. Just the look on Lo’s face was enough to make Janus feel excluded from their relationship. Suddenly, the adoration turned to a more mischievous look. “That’s why he wanted Patton to clean out that vase,” he said fondly, before shaking his head. “Do I even want to know how much Virgil spent on this?”

“Nope.” Janus made sure to keep his voice nonchalant, not showing any sign of weakness. He watched curiously as Logan did the same, schooling his expression before looking up at Janus. His eyes briefly flickered over to Janus’ scar, but other than that he paid no mind to it. Janus felt something rise within him; whether respect or irritation, he couldn’t tell. “Now’s the time where I must ask: what are your intentions with Virgil?” He made sure to keep an even tone, not wanting to influence Lo’s response.

Lo blinked, looking almost surprised, before his eyes dropped back to the flowers. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “On one hand, Virgil is an amazing person that I’ve now known for several months. I know that the others have wanted to ask him to join our relationship for a while. On the other hand, we know very little about him. Unless Virgil inherited this money, there’s no possible way that his only profession is commissioning art. What else has he lied about? How can I trust him, much less love him, if I don’t know when he’s lying to me?”

Janus slowly raised his left hand, using his right to cover his heart. “My name is Janus Williams. I swear to you my full honesty. Ask me anything that you don’t believe other than Virgil’s profession, and I will answer to the best of my ability.”

Lo rubbed a hand against his face- fuck, the guy was actually crying. “That’s the problem. I want to believe him; I want to read his texts and not feel even the slightest bit of skepticism. I want to eagerly accept him into our relationship, no questions asked. But I can’t!” He looked back up at Janus, the look in his eyes something that will pierce Janus’ soul for a long time. “I’ve spent the past 8 years taking care of my boyfriends. I can’t have Virgil hurt them, accidentally or on purpose! I will do anything to keep them safe, even if it means keeping Virgil away.”

Janus sighed, pitying the man in front of him. “Would you like some advice, Lo?” At Lo’s nod, he turned to walk away. “Virgil has no intention of ever harming you. He originally lied to you so that he wouldn’t get hurt or used. He’s never had to tell anyone this secret, and he’s never been one to easily trust others. I know you’ve already waited a long time, but please, be patient. He’ll come to you when he’s ready, I swear.” And with that, Janus got in his car and drove away. Once he got to the nearest available parking spot (located at a sickeningly sweet bakery) he pulled out his phone to text Virgil.

J- (2:12 PM) Package delivered

V- (2:12 PM) Thanks, man. Did they see you?

Janus paused. Should he tell Virgil about their encounter? Something told him that Lo wouldn’t mention their interaction to Virgil. If he did, then Janus would come clean. If not…

J- (2:13 PM) No, Virgil. The secret identities of your boy toys are safe.

V- (2:13 PM) Cool. I’ll let them know that it’s there.

And with that, Janus drove back home, where he can watch shitty romcoms and hopefully forget about the tired look in Lo’s eyes.

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P- (5:04 PM) Oh my gosh, I love these Kiddo!

R- (5:04 PM) What did he get you?

P- (5:05 PM) [*Photo Attachment*]

[The photo shows the light blue vase that Patton’s chocolate bouquet was in. The vase was filled with beautiful glass roses. They were mainly clear, with the tips of each petal either red, navy blue, sky blue, or violet.]

V- (5:05 PM) Now you can have flowers that'll never die. Happy Birthday, Pat.

P- (5:06 PM) Thank you SO much, Virgil!

V- (5:06 PM) :)

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Taglist: @bisexualdisaster106 @self-taught-mess @itawalrus @arodynamic-enby @sanderssides-angst

[piccolina-mina]

I have very mixed feelings about the sudden policing of shows and movies for casting “teen” romantic leads whose actors have an age difference. Whether you like it or not, this is how Hollywood works.

Yes, adults are usually cast to play teens to get around working hours, child labor laws and schooling. Yeah, there is something to say about the disproportionate casting of mostly older guys as teens when casting actual teens as female leads.

And yeah, in the past 40 years of film and television some of it has been downright disturbing, but there’s the almost irksome tone policing that’s happening now where we’re hyper-critical of works where romantic leads have real life age differences between actors, even when the actors are both legal, and even when the characters they’re playing don’t have an age gap. 

And people being told they can’t promote or enjoy a work’s in canon love story because of the age difference between the actors portraying the characters. And even comparing or accusing shows who happen to have this type of casting and who have a love story as essentially peddling kiddie/philia, and I just cannot … I can’t. Sorry. No.

Things aren’t taken into consideration such as typically an entire story may be written before casting even happens. Sometimes casting the right person for the role will include someone who isn’t the same age as the character. This is how the acting field functions, and within reason, this is something that all actors, including the young ones and their parents are aware of etc.

I do find it interesting and have noticed an unfortunate pattern that folks are particularly critical of this when it comes to young actors of color as romantic leads, and it doesn’t sit well. Because while the concerns are valid and shouldn’t be discounted, only being this consistently vocal about it to the point of policing fandom and chastising and discouraging fans from daring to enjoy a ship between the CHARACTERS … there’s a lot to unpack there too.

I’ve seen this recently with Never Have I Ever. Maitreyi Ramakrishen is 18, and Darren Barnet is 29. Yeah, no lie, it is hella weird even within the context of the show because of Devi actively seeking out a physical relationship and also Darren LOOKS like a 30 year old man.

I saw it with The Sun is Also a Star with Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton who are like a decade apart in age. But was something I didn’t notice while watching at least.

But I’m also seeing this with Julie and the Phantoms. The show could not get more wholesome and chaste. The romance between Julie and Luke is innocent pining, but folks are still super worked up about Madison being 16 and Charles being 21, and you would think the characters got it on with no clothes in the backseat of a Volvo or something. And I’m just trying to understand what the guidelines are now.

Because there are DEFINITELY some fkd up and problematic age gaps. Brooke Shields’ mother basically p*mped her daughter out doing films like Pretty Baby. It’s grotesque and should be criminal. She was 14 doing s*x scenes. Simonetta Stefanell was 16 doing them and playing Al Pacino’s wife in The Godfather. Kristen Stewart, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lawrence, Dakota Fanning (ironically with Stewart) and more have definitely been in some questionable roles doing questionable things with questionable age differences.

But then, specifically teen stuff we’ve collectively enjoyed is open to critique, no doubt, but it’s also not dissected the same way or has the same expectations? And I don’t know.

No one batted an eye over 19 year old Tyler Posey paired with 26 year old Crystal Reed, and it definitely didn’t discourage anyone from enjoying their ship…

Trina Mcgee was 28 when she started playing Angela Moore on Boy Meets World and was even expecting at some point, and Rider was 17, but we weren’t discouraged from enjoying Shawngela (because of that anyway 😒).

Mila Kunis was 15 on That 70s Show with a 20 year old Ashton Kutcher.

Selena Gomez was 16 and Drew Seeley was 26 in Another Cinderella Story.

Andrea in the original BH90210 was in her 30s.

Taylor Momsen was 13 on Gossip Girl (still weird AF casting choice honestly) With 19 and 22 year olds over time.

Claire Danes was 14 to Leonardo Dicaprio’s 22 in Romeo and Juliet. And to 21 year old Jared Leto (which eww) in My So Called Life.

Lyndsy Fonseca was 14 with a 25 year old costar playing teen love interest on Y&R

Peyton Kennedy was like 15 with Sydney Sweeney being 22 years old in Everything S*cks.

Mischa Barton was 17 The O. C. with 24 year old Ben Mckenzie.

And Sasha Pieterse was 14 made out with 23 year old Shay Mitchell in PLL.

Cobra Kai, which is two seasons in now, has a love triangle between Sam, Mary Mouser who is 24, Diego, Xolo who is 19, and Tanner Buchanan who is 21.

I’m not arguing that people shouldn’t feel some kind of way about some casting choices or aren’t entitled to feel a certain way about this. I’m not even arguing that Hollywood doesn’t have an issue here because they clearly do as evidenced by examples above.

But I’m just genuinely trying to understand where we’re expected to be as consumers and fans of fictional works, characters, and relationships (again, within reason) if we’re not allowed (by public opinion and fandom space) to enjoy the fictional stories and relationships, romantic or otherwise because of casting choices…

Because I’ll admit, Devi and Paxton on Never Have I Ever was distracting as hell because Darren has like crow’s feet and everything and doesn’t pass as a teenager even by the absurd tv standards, so I couldn’t get into the pairing.

But I’ve been a diehard Shawngela fan for years, and that age gap between the actors didn’t deter me back then and it still doesn’t now.

And imagine my surprise when I bingewatched one of the most wholesome shows of this godforsaken year only to discover it’s now wrong to enjoy two adorable teens singing to each other lovingly and hugging because apparently there’s a five year age gap between the actors playing them and therefore it’s problematic to like the fictional pairing.

Like, I guess this is controversial, but Tumblr, I’m tired.

[writingsfromstarfleet]

Nothing Will Change That - Data X Reader

A/N: This is a request for an adorable Anon (you guys are using that option well :P) so whomstever you may be, dear human, I hope you enjoy it! And you lot, as always, thanks for reading! :)x

(The reader is pansexual here, not a warning really, just letting y’all know. And to everyone out there struggling with gender, sexuality or anything, remember you are valid and wonderful and completely amazing. Anyone who says otherwise is just incorrect. You are brilliant, and you are loved. X)

In space, nothing was too out of the ordinary. Not much could surprise anyone aboard the Enterprise at this point. Nothing could top what they'd seen thus far, that much was certain.

Sitting in Ten Forward, you were sat looking at the stars in front of you, as became normal for you. Geordi had suggested writing your name on the chair you were there that often. It was peaceful, Ten Forward, you enjoyed the atmosphere and Guinan was always a delight when she popped over for a chat. This time, however, you were joined by another friend, instead.

"Y/N, may I join you?" came a voice from the left of you, and you looked up, smiling at the android, who currently had his head tilted to the side awaiting a response.

"I would enjoy nothing more, Data. Please." you gestured to the empty chair, and grinned as he sat. Over the year or so you had been assigned to the Enterprise, you became good friends with Data, often meeting together to discuss art, or read poetry with one another. Simply being together made you happy, and you were glad you had met him.

Data felt the same, too. Well, as much as an android could feel. Much like his relationship with Geordi, he was thankful he had you to teach him, to help him, and to love him. Basic human emotions like that were something he couldn't feel, but he understood. You had waltzed into his life and neither of you looked back.

Data knew you very well, and over the years, he had been there with you through the bad, the good, and the downright awful emotions you went through. Never once did he leave, or even think of it. Which is why at present, he sensed you were deep in thought and slightly away with the fairies as it were.

"Are you alright, tonight?" Data's voice was low, quiet and kind, as it always was when he enquired as to your mood. He knew sometimes you didn't feel your best, and the last thing he'd want to do would be to antagonise you.

"Hm? Oh, yeah, I'm alright, Data. Just a few thoughts running around in this little head again." You laughed a little at the end of your sentence, something Data picked up on; it usually meant you weren't telling the whole truth.

"Are you sure?"

At that, you looked into the android's eyes, and the twinkle told you he was worried. You raised your eyebrows, defeated. Looking down at your lap, you twiddled your fingers together and bit your bottom lip.

Data stared at you. He couldn't recall the last time he saw you so nervous. Placing a hand on yours, he used his other hand to tilt your head up to look at him. Data recognised the worry in your eyes, and his face softened once again.

"Please talk to me, Y/N."

"There's just something on my mind, I guess. Something I've known for a while, and I suppose if I'm going to tell anyone, it should be you," you faltered slightly, questioning whether or not to continue. Feeling Data squeeze your hand in support, you did. "I've known for years now, but I don't know why I have had such a hard time admitting it to myself, but I have. I'm pansexual, Data."

He cocked his head, processing what you had said.

"Pansexual; not limited in choice with regard to gender, sex or gender identity." His voice was calm as he read off the definition he'd found in his memory banks. Data looked at you again. "Is this a problem for you?"

"No, no, I'm comfortable in what I know. I thought it might be for some other people, though.." your voice went quiet and you looked out to the stars once more. Hearing Data's chair scuffle along the floor, you assumed he was readying to leave and sighed. However, you felt him pull your hands into his lap so he could hold them properly as he spoke. Staring at him yet again, you found nothing but affection in his eyes.

"Things like this are never a problem, Y/N. They used to be, in a long gone dark era of human history, but now, it is not. I am proud of you for being so open about this, and finally coming to accept it, because there is nothing wrong with it. If people choose to have a problem with your sexuality, then I am afraid they have no place in your life. I for one, do not care. You are still wonderful, you are still brave, and you are still you. That is all that matters."

Your eyes welled up as Data spoke. Smiling at him, you received a hint of a smile back, as he stroked the back of your hands with his thumb.

"You don't think anyone else will care either, do you?"

He blinked at your question. "Not a chance. The crew we travel with are by far the most accepting set of people you could find. And if anybody should fine problem with it, they will not last much longer aboard this ship, as I am sure the Captain would not take to kindly to it, not to mention the rest of us."

You thought about what he said, and he was right. You knew your friends wouldn't care. Not unkindly, of course, but more in the sense that they loved you regardless of who you chose to love.

"Thank you, Data. Where would I be without you?"

You leaned over and kissed his cheek, pulling him in for a hug. The android wrapped his arms around you and ran a hand through your hair as you buried your head into his neck, getting any final nerves you may have had out of your system. Pulling back from the embrace, Data kissed the top of your head.

"Thanking me is never necessary. I will always be here, whatever the problem may be. You are my Y/N, and you always will be. Nothing can change that fact."

[unto-the-breach]

✨Inferno & Bucky✨

Pre-Relationship-

4.) Who felt romantic feelings first?

General-

3.) What was their first kiss like?

Love-

2.) What are their primary love languages?

Domestic Life-

7.) How do they celebrate holidays?

bet alright let’s gooooooo

gonna throw this under a read more bcos it won’t make sense to literally anyone but jor, Inferno is my marvel OC who’s shipped with Bucky Barnes! 

there’s sort of two answers to these questions, the Back Then and the Now answers. For context, Inferno has sort of got two “lives,” one that she lived as Quinn Watson, an army nurse in World War 2, and afterwards she became a science experiment and got all fiery. She’s been pretty much in hiding since, until Captain America and Bucky Barnes start running around again, and she figures if they can show off, so can she. I know you said Inferno but I’m going to mostly answer these from the Back Then (pre-Inferno and pre-Bucky-falling-off-a-cliff) perspective because that’s the part of the relationship I have mapped out the best! Also, just in case you were wondering, yes I am answering these to further put off finishing her biography. It’s all I have left to do for her form and it’s like a third done, but. I don’t wanna. 

PRE-RELATIONSHIP- 

4) Who felt romantic feelings first? 

This is sort of a toss-up. Bucky was sort of immediately attracted to Quinn and the powerful vibes she was throwing out, but it took a little while before it became more than a passing interest for him. Quinn thought he was pretty from the moment she met him, but didn’t give him much of a chance, because she assumed he’d be like many of the other Male Officers she’d come across so far. She’d spent some time in a field hospital before being assigned to the 107th, and hadn’t received the respect she deserved from many of the male officers--even though she technically out-ranked them. However, she changed her tune when the two of them were the only ones in reach of another soldier who was wounded, and she began barking orders at him and he took every one of them swiftly and efficiently. This caused her to start seeing him in a different light, and her fondness of him only grew. She was much nicer to him then, and he began to realize he was more than just passively interested in her. So, romantic feelings, probably Quinn, but not for long. 

GENERAL- 

3) What was their first kiss like? 

God I actually have SO MANY thoughts about this one!! 

They have a lot of moments where they come close, pressed tightly against each other in a foxhole he’d pulled her into when an enemy opened fire, leaning over him to put pressure on a wound that would be fine, but she wanted to be safe, quiet whispers when they were scared they might not make it through the night, but their first kiss doesn’t actually come until a little ways into their story. 

It was late one night, and Quinn certainly should have been trying to sleep, but Barnes had volunteered for the first watch of the night. That day, they’d taken some quasi-victory--it was something small, but in their situation, you learn to celebrate the little things. Many of them had been drinking, sitting around a fire and telling stories, breathing in the smoky air and thinking of home, and these two weren’t exempt from that. Neither of them were drunk (most of what they’d drank had worn off by this point in the night) but if you asked them the next day, they’d say they were. 

Quinn went out to find him at his post, not exactly sure what or why she was doing what she was, all she knew is she wanted to see him (even though she’d spent the earlier half of the night glued to his side, nearly in his lap as they all shook with laughter). She’d sat down next to him, and he’d smiled, and they’d talked a little bit (neither of them remember later what on earth they talked about), and she’d leaned in, and so had he, and suddenly they were kissing, and it was everything. 

“We can’t,” she’d said. 

“Right, right,” he’d agreed. 

And they’d done it again. 

And again. 

LOVE- 

2) What are their primary love languages? 

I think that Quinn/Inferno, having grown up really during the Great Depression, has a big thing for receiving gifts. She never quite got out of the mentality of being so, incredibly poor for a large part of her childhood, that receiving gifts means so much to her. A lot of her childhood, her family and her neighbors would exchange goods for services (her neighbor gave her homemade jam for babysitting her kids, her father repaired a rocking chair for someone who gave them a bolt of fabric to make clothes from in return) and gifts simply for the sake of being gifts were somewhat foreign to her, but nevertheless incredibly appreciated. Giving her a gift now won’t produce quite the teary eyed response it might have when she was fifteen, but it still strikes her so deeply, and feels like such a great act of love. It’s not necessarily her primary love language, but it is one that strikes her straight to her core. 

I think they both have quite the thing for physical touch, and that when they were in the war together, just being able to feel the other person’s warmth and know they were alive went a long way. Probably a primary one for both of them, this is something that has really stuck for the both of them I think. Moving into the 21st century, positive physical touch is something Bucky has been deprived of for so long I think it would scare him a little bit, but especially when they finally admit that they both still love each other, I think just being there and holding each other would be big for them both. 

Real talk, Bucky has been deprived of love period for a long time, and I think it probably really messed up how he expresses and receives it. I think back in the war, Bucky seems very much like a words of affirmation kind of guy? Looking into his backstory, he was a big time over-achiever as a kid, and was apparently a 3-time YMCA boxing champion, and that all screams “loves being told that you’re proud of him” kind of guy. 

I’d actually love to hear your thoughts on this in regards to a current Bucky, because I don’t know how I think his current relationship with Words and generally what he went through might change that. Would that only get stronger after he’s used to the closest to praise he gets is being told his mission was successful? Would that make him crave honest affirmation and love even more? Or would it mess with his relationship with that sort of thing and make him really reject it? I’m sort of leaning towards the former, but I’m not sure. What do you think? 

DOMESTIC LIFE- 

7) How do they celebrate holidays? 

Oho boy. So, after that last question, I think some proper fluff is in order. So we’re actually going to skip into their timeline a little bit. 

Think of this as a few years down the road, when they’ve settled into a relationship and are living together. And we’re gonna talk Christmas, because, well. It’s christmas. These two were children in the 20s and 30s, and I think a lot of what they do for christmas is stuff that reminds them of back then, back in simpler times. Their first christmas living together, they watch three different versions of A Christmas Carol (because it was SUPER popular in the 20s!) in the week leading up to the holiday, and they debate whether they could get away with putting real candles on the tree (”I’m always here for fire” “you could put it out if something happened right?” “ah, it doesn’t work like that. I can only make the fire” They use LED lights). Bucky makes an incredible eggnog--he doesn’t quite remember the ingredients and proportions, but he tries using a recipe and then totally veers off the path and it comes out incredible. Quinn/Inferno is generally a really great cook, and she intends to cook Christmas dinner by herself (as was typical of her day) but Bucky wants to help, and she’s nervous he’ll be terrible at it but he’s actually great, and they cook together. They make way too much food, but all these years later, the excess doesn’t give them anxiety anymore, it feels good to be able to celebrate Christmas like this. They have leftovers for a week, and give extras out to people who don’t have their own. 

They love to host Christmas Eve dinner for their close friends, but no big crowds. Maybe a gift exchange with friends, and the first year they do this, they both say that they’ll open their gifts for each other at the gathering. However, on Christmas morning, they both reveal that they’d kept a special gift for the other person to open that day. They’re both shocked to see the other did the same thing, but think it’s adorable, and from then on it becomes a tradition. They always save one, special little thing for Christmas morning. (Maybe one year it’s a ring? Idk that’s not solid but it seems like the logical follow through on this!!) 

There it is!!! Thank you to Taylor Swift and the things I should have been doing but didn’t want to for how long this ended up being, and thank YOU for these questions it got some Real Creative Juices Flowing !!! 

@oh-cruel-fate i’m p sure it’ll notify you I answered your ask but just in case, you can never trust tumblr notifs and if you didn’t see this i might actually cry 

[ship-to-hell]

Being A Collection Of Letters Across The Sea

Have an emmhono epistolary fic, written uh...several months ago on AO3 and somehow neglected in the drafts of this tumblr since then. I offer no excuses, I’m just bad. have a future!fic with FEELINGS.

AO3

This letter has been written on the back of a colorful postcard proclaiming “Greetings From Kugane.” The penmanship is elegant, but a little scratchy on the rough paper. It’s also notably more cramped near the bottom where the author starts running out of space.

My lord,

I pray this letter finds you well. I have arrived in Kugane after a very uneventful journey; the only event of any import was the sighting of a great whale, which ignored our ship completely. The Bokairo Inn has opened its doors to me upon the Warrior of Light’s recommendation, and their hot springs are very relaxing. I wish Were you here, you would no doubt enjoy them; after spending three bells traversing Kugane’s winding streets with my bags, I’m not sure whether to credit my good opinion of them to the waters themselves or the sheer relief of reaching them. The cuisine here is unlike anything I am used to, but it is very good if you like fish, rice, and combinations thereof. You would not like wasabi paste; it is v. spicy. You would however like horses – like unicorns without the horns, and most of them are very friendly and not at all inclined to bite your fingers off. Please take copy of attached notes for safekeeping.

 Wish you were here,

Sincerely,

Honoroit Banlardois

The attached notes stretch to several pages of dense handwritten vellum, and contain what seem to be a week’s worth of very keen observation of the city of Kugane. Amidst the footnotes referring to other works for background information, the author has noted major shops, cultural institutions, the correct method of donning a kimono, and how to perform a tea ceremony. There is a small, crooked sketch of a horse in one corner.

The handwriting on this fine parchment surmounted with the Fortemps seal bears a strong resemblance to Honoroit’s, but is looser and messier, suggesting the writer has much more practice with it. Blots of ink mark spots where the writer was distracted or searching for a word.

Honoroit,

Praise the Fury you arrived in one piece! The Warrior was very keen on telling me all about her first voyage to Kugane, including what she assures me was a thoroughly haunted ships’ graveyard. I, of course, knew you would encounter no such thing – and if you did, you would surely emerge unscathed. Kugane seems like quite the place; I wish I could see even half of the wonders you’ve described so well. Do they truly eat with sticks? However does that work? Speaking of food, I think you do me a disservice, my boy. This wasabi cannot possibly be stronger than good Coerthan horseradish. I demand a sample for comparison!

Kugane seems to love its tea nearly as much as you do. I’ve sent you a box of ours in case you miss it; it ought to arrive with this letter or I will be having words with the postmoogles. Pray write back soon; my days are very long and cold until I hear from you are missed dreadfully at Dragonhead. Corentiaux has been moping, and I have needed to reassure poor Medguistl a dozen times that you are not going to die eating foreign food. Please don’t die eating foreign food I pray this letter reaches you in good health.

All my love,

Emmanellain

P. S. - Unicorns are much better. They come with their own spears.

The heavy box of tea is stamped with the insignia of a shop in the Pillars known for its exorbitant prices and high quality. There is also a tea infuser shaped, for some reason, like a sleeping chocobo with its head tucked under a wing.

This letter has been written on smooth Doman paper. There is a slightly damp spot in one corner, probably tea, and the handwriting is less sure than it was.

My lord,

Thank you very much for the tea; I’m enjoying a cup as I write this, and the infuser is wonderfully charming. I had not realized how much I missed the tastes of home until you sent it to me. The tea in Kugane is very different; they seem to be very fond of a variety called matcha which is bright green and truly astonishingly bitter. I am assured that it is an acquired taste. Speaking of which, I must warn you again not to risk the wasabi! Though if you have the chance to try fresh sushi – I understand a fine Hingan restaurant has recently opened in Mor Dhona? – I think you would enjoy it. Yes, they do eat with sticks; I have provided a diagram, though I am no great artist.

Do tell the troops there is no need to fret over me; I remain quite well, and Kugane agrees with me. I would have preferred to explore more of Hingashi, but you know how they feel about foreigners. ‘Tis much like Ishgard before the opening of our gates. Likely by the time you get this letter, I will have left for Doma by way of the Ruby Sea. That country is far more welcoming; I understand their Enclave owes much to adventurers. Pray do not fret if my next letter takes overlong to reach you, but know that I lo you are in my thoughts. Please take the attached notes for my records, and do not mix them in with your own reports.

 The tea makes me think of you.

Sincerely,

Honoroit

The abovementioned notes are, if possible, even denser than the previous ones, and seem to contain nearly everything the author thought noteworthy about Kugane. He seems to be especially keen to educate his audience on local folklore and cuisine, including several clumsy but charming sketches of various shrines and festivals. There is indeed a diagram showing how to eat with chopsticks.

The parchment is crumpled, as though it has been hastily shoved into a mail bag. One corner is ripped.

Dear Honoroit,

How dare you, old boy! You must know it’s been simply ages since I’ve mixed up anything with my own paperwork, never mind anything as important as your next manuscript outline! I keep your notes in a locked chest especially so that they come to no harm; I should die if anything happened to something you’ve worked so hard on. Regarding which, incidentally, I have enclosed your month’s profits for The White Yonder, and your publisher demands wishes to know when you will write another. I have told him quite firmly that he will get your next book when it is ready and not a moment before.

I have reassured the men that you are well, but you know how they will worry. I don’t suppose a daguerreotype is a possibility? I We should like to see for ourselves that you are doing well on your travels. Is it yet warm in Doma? The weather here continues freezing, and I pray that you at least are comfortable. I will send you more tea, and do please let me know if there is anything else. or if you want to come home

I have also tried wasabi thanks to the Warrior. I must admit, once again, that you are far wiser than me. On the upside, it does wonders for head colds, have you noticed? I will take your recommendations of Mor Dhona under advisement; I would far rather have my culinary adventures by your side. (And it shall give me more time to practice with the chopsticks.) Would that I could join you on your travels! Alas, were both of us to go on vacation, the garrison would surely collapse. I believe I owe my very life to Yaelle, though she can never compare to you.

 I miss you so--

Praying for a swift reply,

Emmanellain

This letter has been written on a torn-off piece of notepaper, so rushed as to be nearly illegible.

My lord,

Your letter arrived barely a bell before my ship is due; I am glad to hear that all is well at home and v v thankful for the gil you sent; passage across the Ruby Sea is v expensive. It is warm here. When I return, we will go to Mor Dhona together & I insist it is my treat.

The daguerreotype is for you.

Yrs,

Honoroit

In addition to the by-now-expected notes on Kugane, there is a daguerreotype in a cheap frame. It’s smudgy and not very clear, but it shows the author—freckled, lean, with slightly shaggy hair pulled back off his face and just showing the very edge of a scar on his temple —smiling for the camera in front of a massive building. The reverse is etched Shiokaze Hostelry, 5 7AE.

My

Dear

Honoroit,

Thank you for the picture; it rests on my desk, where I may be reminded of your face. Not that I am likely to forget, you understand – I could never do that – but you have been gone simply ages and I own that travel always changes a man. You look so handso very well in Kugane; longer hair suits you. It makes you look like quite the adventurer! Speaking of, you have not been neglecting your archery I hope? I have heard that Doma is home to monsters. And we will have no talk of this paying for meals – you must know I would simply die of shame. You who do so much for me deserve to be taken care of! Which does remind me: while I was perusing the fashion plates I saw a doublet I think would suit you very well for a dinner Artoirel is holding for the Feast of St. Valerinne, by which time you must be home. I’ve attached the plate in question; do let me know what you think regarding materials?

Ah – has the news reached you yet? I know the Warrior writes you, but in case she didn’t mention – I am an uncle again! Tristechambard de Fortemps weighs just a hair over ten ponzes and is simply the most adorable infant. (Do refrain from telling Linie and Charlemend I said that; I think they’re jealous that their new brother is getting so much attention.) Artoirel says I shall be a bad influence, but I think the little ones only need the sobering influence of their Uncle Honoroit to come out as perfect little ladies and gentlemen – and the Lady Rivienne agrees with me, so hah! You’ve only two more months of travel before you may prove me right, I think?

Please know that you are in my thoughts, and write back swiftly. And tell me everything about Doma, so I can see it through your eyes.

Yours,

Emmanellain

The attached fashion plate is a remarkably well-done engraving showing a generic young Ishgardian gentleman in the very latest sable-trimmed velvet coat, with a doublet of blue silk damask edged in gold to match the buttons on the coat. It is very fashionable and very, very expensive.

This scrap of paper is crumpled so badly that it’s difficult to unfold without tearing, and damp spots blur the ink.

Honoroit it’s been a month since your last letter where are you? Did something happen? Did you decide to stay in Doma you should, if you knew No, I know you wouldn’t want to stay, only to visit, but you’ve been gone so long and I miss you, I miss you

I love you please come home

The handwriting here is legible, but just barely. Seawater has dried on the torn page, leaving white streaks behind.

Emmanellain

If you get this letter, please know that

(a slash of ink)

--the captain of the Hideyori is a grasping skinflint who refused to pay the Tithe until we passengers mutinied & I don’t know if they will accept it

(An ink splot leaks onto the edges of the words, but they are still clear) --you hold my whole heart

H

This letter is written on cheap paper in a slightly trembling hand.

My lord,

Kindly disregard the previous missive; I was overwrought and have since landed safely in the village of Isari. The Ruby Tide Confederacy is really quite reasonable if paid properly, and our new captain is a very intelligent young woman. The village is small and close-knit; their local wares are mainly fish-based, but I have enclosed a scarf I think you might like. I have not been neglecting my archery at all; already it has come in quite useful, for the wilds of Doma have no shortage of beasts and Isari is willing to pay for their removal. I am afraid I had to spend most of my proceeds from the book on the Tithe. Never fear, however; I have quite enough funds to see me safely to the village of Namai, and from there the road to the Enclave is well-maintained.

I was overjoyed to hear of your new nephew; I hope he continues in good health. I look forward to meeting him, but you must cease calling me his Uncle Honoroit; though I would of course be proud to hold such an honor, people will talk. As regards the fashion plate, I shall reserve judgement until I am in the tailor’s shop myself; I do not think such bold embroidery quite suits.

Sincerely,

Honoroit

Attached to the envelope is a burlap-wrapped package; opening it reveals a finely-woven wool scarf in a deep brick red. It’s quite plain, but very warm.

At several points in this letter, the quill has torn small holes in the parchment. The handwriting shakes.

Honoroit Banlardois,

I shall not be disregarding any letters you send me. Did you think I would dismiss you? That it would be possible to know you, to live beside you, and not love you in return? I have been near to dying with thoughts of you. I have been dreaming of nothing but your smile; I haven’t been able to look at anyone else Fury knows I tried, and yet I could barely look at you – you are so beautiful and clever and wise and wonderful, I felt so sure you would hate me, that if you knew what was in my heart you’d just stay in Doma and count yourself well rid of me--

Forgive me. I have far too much to say to you to ever put my thoughts to a proper letter. By the time you get this, I will be well on my way to the Doman Enclave, where I intend to kiss you breathless until you are quite, quite sure that I love you beyond my own life.

With all my heart,

Emmanellain

P. S. - And if you call me my lord after that, I shall be quite put out.

This letter is dated several months after the preceding ones, and is written on very fine paper indeed.

My lord brother,

Must I apologize again for my sudden trip to Doma? Well, you’ll be happy to know that Honoroit and I are on our way home, and you may expect us for Valerinne’s Day. This letter ought to arrive before we do; you know how taxing aetherytes can be. I am glad that all remains well at home; Corentiaux assures me that, contrary to what you may believe, Dragonhead has not collapsed, burnt down, or otherwise been destroyed since my departure. Give my love to the children, and let them know that their favorite uncles are coming with as many toys as they can carry. Honoroit is telling me that I shall spoil them; I think you’ll agree that they deserve the best we can give them. As for the adults, I am sending you several bottles of the finest Doman rice wine – well, they call it wine, but really ‘tis more like beer with how it’s brewed – and enough silk for a gown for Rivienne and a doublet for you. I think they will meet with your approval, especially the wine.

Yours in the Fury

Emmanellain de Fortemps

P. S. - Honoroit’s manuscript is nearing completion. You and Father will, of course, be entrusted with the advance copies.

These notes have been written on high-quality paper, but appear to have been torn from a larger sheet. The edge of the Fortemps sigil is just visible in one corner.

S,

I never thought this day would come, but you were right. Gil enclosed.

~H

H,

I told you so. To think it only took five years of the most awful pining I have ever seen. If he stops treating you right, I know where he sleeps and which laundry bags are his.

S

S,

Your concern is touching but unnecessary. He is wonderful.

~H

This particular note has been ripped into pieces and reconstituted from the scraps.

H,

So, a spring wedding?

S

[thelittlepalmtree]

What is a healthy ship?

I think about this a lot, because we through the word “toxic” around constantly. I actually love the word toxic to describe relationships that are draining, because like radioactive or poisonous materials, toxic behavior may be unnoticeable on a given day or it may have a big affect all at once. However, because of overuse of the word, I’m going to talk about healthy vs unhealthy.

So first of all, let’s identify things that are risk factors: A relationship between a boss and an employee (even after that dynamic has ended), a relationship with a significant age gap, a relationship between people of different social strata, a relationship between a person who has financial control of another person, and a relationship with a history of aggression/dislike of one another, a relationship between a therapist/social worker/doctor and a client, a relationship between a teacher and student, a relationship between people of different physical abilities, etc.

Obviously these risk factors vary in many ways. That’s because what makes a relationship unhealthy is a clear and dramatic divide between the partners. This is true of every relationship. That’s why teachers, doctors, therapists etc have strict regulations and ethics because the people they serve are in their power. Abusing that power is wrong. Now you can have some risk factors, and not be in an unhealthy relationship. In fact most if not all relationships have some risk factors for an unhealthy dynamic (common).  For example, people of different social strata can have healthy relationships, they just need to work that out and find ways not to let that into their relationship. And there are millions of healthy relationships where one partner has financial control of the family, but is not abusive.

Then there are gray areas. Personally, I think that a relationship between a boss and an employee isn’t inherently abusive as long as they are no longer boss and employee (look at Aunt Hilda and Dr. Cerberus on TCOS, Ben and Leslie in Parks and Rec). But there are so many factors involved that if one of my friends told me she had a crush on her boss, I’d tell her not to pursue it and I heard a boss was trying to pursue a relationship with an employee I’d immediately be uncomfortable. But a lot of it depends on the job relationship, have they always been boss and employee? How dependent is the employee on the good graces of the boss? Is the boss using rewards or punishments at work to control the employee in the relationship? Is the boss directly managing the employee? I have a similar thing about age differences. Often people are quick to condemn a 20 year old dating a sixteen or seventeen year old, but there are so many factors that you really have to look at it on a case by case basis. Similarly I know people who have very strong and loving relationships with a 7-10 year age difference that met when the younger one was in their early 20s and the older one was in their 30s. Personally, that isn’t something I’m interested as a 20something trying to date, but that doesn’t mean that every relationship like that will be terrible.

That being said, there are some risk factor that are always bad (absolute). A relationship between a therapist, counselor, personal aid, or any profession that gives the professional intimate and necessary knowledge of the person is wrong. If you need that explained think about Elijah Wood in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Did he skeeve you out? Yeah, that’s why the “my therapist is hot and I want to date them” plot is often very cringe. A relationship with an adult and a child, is always going to be bad (If you’re wondering where that line is, you’re too close to it). A relationship with a history of abuse is always going to be a relationship that is unhealthy. 

The thing is, if the relationship hasn’t happened yet, and it doesn’t have one of the clearly wrong risk factors, whether it’s actually abusive or not is really up for debate. A lot of time we throw the word abusive around for ships we don’t like. Sometimes it’s about misinformation, where people assign an absolute risk factor to a relationship in which there is no absolute risk factor. A big one for this is buckynat, a ship I adore. I’ll go into the age difference (which is one of many things that does not make sense):

the primary canon for the ship is in the comics based on Black Widow: Deadly Origins (the last comic to give specific dates for Natasha’s life)  they met when Natasha was twenty eight and Bucky was thirty nine. Not a significant age difference when you consider that at this point they both have anti-aging bastardized super serum that will keep them both alive for sixty three more years and counting. While other comics have alluded to changing the timeline, they have not actually provided different dates or information (there’s also some discrepancy as to whether or not Natasha was continuously with department X or not).

In the MCU (not that it matters now) it would probably not be hard to establish Natasha as older than the date given in CA:TWS and it would actually empower her to say that she has a version of the serum (where right now she’s just a normal human) and undo the horrible concept that she was sterilized as a graduation from the red room (in the comics she can’t have children because the serum makes pregnancy impossible unless you take immune system suppressants). If they didn’t want to go with this plot line, they could also just have Bucky and Natasha meet in the early 2000s right before she defected (Iron man 2 came out in 2010 if she met Bucky in 2004 when she was 20 she’d still have six years to defect).

And yet there is some strange insistence that if Bucky and Natasha even look at each other in the movies it will be some sort of pedophilia because of a throwaway line in CA:TWS, and based off of almost no evidence from either of the two reservoir of content we have. And rather than just say “I don’t like this ship” it’s been called unhealthy from every angle. Ironically in the comics it was one of the healthiest and most supportive ships which is why so many people fell in love with it. (but that’s for a different blog)

 Then there’s the assigning a gray area risk factor to a ship and insisting it always means that relationship will be unhealthy. I have to admit, I can be guilty of this. And I’m calling myself out right now because I do this to the reylo ship all the time. The thing is, these are legitimate reasons to not ship a ship, they’re gray areas and if you’re like me, the very existence of these risk factors makes the idea of the two characters being together seem cringe-y. So my Reylo analysis below:

The risk factor that makes Reylo seem unhealthy is the fact that Rey and Kylo had very few positive interactions in the first film, and in fact their most in depth conversation was while Kylo was hurting Rey. But, given the circumstances, it is possible they might get together. Think about Katarra and Zuko, who were on different sides of the same war, and then later became good friends (and personally I shipped them like crazy). It’s commonly accepted that in movies with grand fantastic implications, that two people who are on different sides can later become friends when one of them makes a major personal change.

Now, in the second movie, it seems fairly evident that that character change has yet to happen. But speaking from personal experience, it takes a lot for someone to be a better person. While it’s not a good idea to get together with someone to change them, it’s not like that’s an impossible thing to do, but also Kylo and Rey are not together and have yet to get together in the films. So presumably most of the shippers are hoping for Kylo to make better choices before the two characters get together.

That’s the thing about shipping. No one ships the version of Reylo where Kylo is a whiny bitch who wants to take over the metaphor for the original nazi army metaphor (they’re called storm troopers people) and he spends all day emotionally manipulating Rey just to make her feel bad. The ones who do ship it, like that Kylo and I guess Rey have to become better people first. They don’t ship things as they are now, they are excited about the potential happiness these characters can find.

While this isn’t a good way to live your life (i.e. don’t date someone who isn’t their best self right now), it can be a fantasy for someone. I get it, the idea that the person you like isn’t great yet but eventually they’ll get their shit together. The thing that makes it nice is the fact that it never happens in real life. So if that’s what you’re into, cool. You do you. If your version of the ship is okay, we’re good.

Then there’s the last method of calling a ship unhealthy. That is taking a number of common nearly universal risk factors and using it as evidence to say the ship is unhealthy. To me this is the grossest misuse and one of the most common. It is almost always used against canon ships that get in the way of the popular ship and it can honestly push people out of the fandom. The example I’m going to use here is the ship Karamel, because once again I did not ship it at all. But I saw so much Karamel hate that I’m familiar with the ridiculousness of the some of the arguments. Analysis below:

Where to start with this one. Honestly everything was thrown at this ship. The fact that Mon-El was kind of a dick in the beginning. The fact that his parents were bad people. The fact that he told her he liked her multiple times. The fact that Kara took some time to show interest in him. Yes, if a relationship is abusive, these might have been early red flags, but this relationship was not abusive. It wasn’t the best relationship ever. But Mon-El never disrespected Kara’s choices or ingnored her when she said stop or no.

The truth is, sometimes people have crushes on people and it’s not mutual. In this situation, they had to remain a part of each others’ lives, and honestly, I’m glad that Mon-El was honest with his feelings. Because for him, Kara’s friendship was really important, and she was constantly pushing him to be open wit his feelings and to be more emotionally mature. So when he was honest, even though the conversation was risky, I think it was the right decision.

Here’s the problem with labeling this relationship as abusive. Obviously, the implication is that Mon-El is abusive. When you are in an abusive relationship, it isn’t a choice. It’s something that happens to you, because an abuser will constantly lie and gaslight you so that you have no real understanding of the facts and therefore cannot really make a choice. If you say Kara was in an abusive or “toxic” relationship just because she’s in a relationship you don’t like, you are taking away her choices. The best part of Supergirl is that Kara has to struggle to make choices whether they be right or wrong. She’s the one in control of the plot, she’s the driving force. So to then take all that away because you disagree with her choice in partner, really ignores her power and turns her into a passive, incapable woman. Whether or not you like her relationship with Mon-El, it is clear that she is the one that sets the boundaries and she is the one that drives it.

So then there are clearly abusive ships. I’m not going to do an in depth analysis but I think the best example is Jarley. The tamest incarnation of this ship Suicide Squad in which the Joker tortures her and then pushes her in a vat of toxic chemicals. It’s also a relationship between a therapist and a patient. A truly unhealthy relationship is one that satisfies most or all of the following criteria:

The couple is actually together in the canon (otherwise how would we actually analyze that dynamic?)

The couple has an absolute risk factor

There is evidence in canon of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse (this is not having an argument or teasing each other, for more info go here)

There is evidence of gaslighting or maniuplation (these must be intentional)

There is a clear power disparity between the characters

It’s important that we don’t over-label ships as abusive. First of all because there are a lot of people who are in abusive relationships or have been in abusive relationships all over the world. If they see that just any relationship that people don’t like is qualified as “abusive” it will become so much harder to then see their own relationships with clear eyes. I legitimately realized that my parents had been abusive to me because of some of the discourse here on tumblr. But if I was fifteen in the marvel fandom right now, it would be really hard for me to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships. 

It’s also really important to make a distinction. Not all ships are created equal. There are dark corners of fandoms where parent/child ships grow and pedophilic ships are popular. And several fandoms have very popular incest (sibling) ships. These relationships are not okay. We need to be able to call them out undeniably. And every time you call a ship you don’t like unhealthy when it isn’t, you’re giving people a reason not to believe you when you do call out an unhealthy relationship.

Our words matter, and how we treat each other matters. It’s important to remember that there are no easy answers here. And also it’s okay to just not like something. You shouldn’t feel the need to justify it and you shouldn’t feel the need to declare it from the rooftops. My favorite ship is Buckynat. I’ve never once gotten mad for seeing a “how do you like buckynat?” “not my cup of tea” post. I get so upset when I see a “How do you like buckynat?” “oh it’s so TOXIC” post. In the same way that if you liked chocolate ice cream and your friend told you that chocolate ice cream is contributing to misogyny and trauma for women everywhere, you’d be a little up in arms.

If you read through this, thank you so much, you probably don’t need it. If not, well, you’re not here are you?

[imjustthemechanic]

Our Own Demons

Part 1/? - A Bolt from the Blue Part 2/? - A Different World Part 3/? - Stark At Home Part 4/? - Pot Roast Night Part 5/? - Space-Pie Continuum Part 6/? - Energy Signature Part 7/? - Miss Potts Part 8/? - Bot from Beyond Part 9/? - Even the Odds Part 10/? - Miss Potts Arrives Part 11/? - Truth Hurts Part 12/? - The Third Reality Part 13/? - Thor and Odinson Part 14/? - The Tesseract Platform

What if Tony Stark really were the villain of the Marvel universe?  How would that work?  Tony himself is about to find out, as he battles his inner demons (and some outer ones, too) across a multiverse of infinite possibilities.

The Thor Tony knew had an annoying habit of summoning Bifrosts willy-nilly, with no regard for things like whether the lawn had just been mowed – so he was pleased to see this Thor do it from the top level of a parking garage, where the only thing the touchdown would scorch was the asphalt.  With the Odinson thus on his way, the rest of them boarded a chartered jet to Washington, where Hill said SHIELD had something that could help them. Tony just hoped that wouldn’t be when this reality’s HYDRA infestation decided to make itself known because that would just be ridiculously inconvenient.

Dr. Ross stayed in New York, apparently having some kind of prior commitment there, but Miss Potts came with them, and so did Jane Foster. She sat across from Tony and his double, chattering happily with the hammer resting on the seat beside her.

“The prevailing theory,” she said, “is that a new reality is created every time a decision is made.  Not a human decision, of course, we’re not that important on a quantum level.  But every time a particle has to choose a spin state, for example, one universe branches off where it goes left and one where it goes right.  The vast majority are nearly identical to their neighbours, because they’re separated by only one particle.”

“I think we’re a few particles apart,” said Tony.

“He comes from a world where Stark Industries is still a thing,” his double said.

“That’s gotta take several particles at least,” Tony agreed.  “There’s other differences, too.  Dr. Ross’ old boyfriend is still alive, and she doesn’t do the Hulk thing.”  He paused. “And Thor and Odinson are the same person.  How did that happen, by the way?”  Tony nodded at Mjolnir.

Foster glanced at it.  “I… I don’t know.  I just picked it up,” she said.  “When the hammer fell in New Mexico, Odinson went into the SHIELD compound to get it, and I went with him because they’d impounded my research and I wanted it back. He tried to lift it and couldn’t, and I really don’t know what made me think it would be a good idea to try, but I did, and I just picked it up.”  She lifted it in one hand.  “It feels feather-light to me, but it actually weighs nineteen point one-eight kilograms.  I weighed it.”

“I see.”  Tony smiled.  He wondered how Thor back home would have taken it.  Probably very well, really – he adored Dr. Foster.  “Any theories how that works?”

“None,” she sighed, setting it down again.  “I mean, I understand that on some level the hammer itself is intelligent and able to judge who is worthy, but I don’t know how you qualify worthiness.  Odinson says it’s because I’m completely unselfish – all I want is to gain knowledge and share it with others.  But does that affect my brain waves or something?  What does that psychological quality confer on me as a physical quantity that Mjolnir can read?  What’s so funny?” she asked, as she noticed Tony doing his best not to giggle.

“Sorry,” he said.  “I just… for all you’re totally different, you’re also exactly the same as the Jane Foster in my reality.  It’s great.”  Tony looked at his counterpart, but found the other man staring out the window, drumming his fingers impatiently on the arm of his seat.

“Well, maybe we are just a few particles different, then,” Foster said.

A bit later, she got up to use the washroom and left Mjolnir lying in the aisle seat.  Tony reached over and grabbed the leather strap on the handle, but when he gave it an experimental tug, it wouldn’t move.  It was as if it were part of the structure of the plane.

“The airplane seems to lift it okay,” Tony observed, settling back in his seat.  “You think the plane’s worthy?”

His double did not answer.

“I’m leaving,” Tony reminded him.  “Soon I’ll be gone and will never darken the door of your reality again.”  Was the other still annoyed about what he’d said that morning, or the simple fact that Tony had slept in closer proximity to Miss Potts than he had?

“Beth texted me,” said the other.  “She wanted to know if I was okay, and then she asked if you were going to be okay and how long you’d be in town for.”

“She and I had a couple of dates in my universe,” said Tony.  “Didn’t work out for us, but maybe you’ll have better…”

“Just stop,” the other told him.  “You’ve done enough!  If you say one more word I’m gonna get up and slug you.”

When it came to social interactions, Tony could be just a bit denser than a self-proclaimed genius really ought to, but that got through.  He shut up.

They landed at Dulles, and from there drove to a warehouse in Alexandria, where SHIELD kept what Hill described as ‘odds and ends’. She let them in with a keypad, and consulted a directory before escorting them into an elevator to go down.

“What are we looking for?” Tony asked.

Hill hesitated.  “So Loki came to Earth in your reality, too?” she asked.

“Yes,” said Tony.  “So he must have had a gateway to enter.  I got that when I had JARVIS take a look at SHIELD’s computers – they’d built this platform to try opening a wormhole, but could never get it to work until Loki can through, because there was nobody at the other end.”

His counterpart brightened.  “But we’ve got a platform here, and they’ll have one in his reality, so as long as we can find a third one we can transfer him home!”

“Every so often I remember why Ginny keeps you,” said Hill with a nod.  “Do you know what they did with it?” she asked Tony.

“No, but SHIELD never gets rid of anything,” Tony said.

“Even when we should,” Hill sighed.  “Once we got rid of Loki we cleaned it up, put it in storage, and never touched it again.  It’s still here, just waiting for something useful to do with it.”

“Then I hope the one in my world is, too,” said Tony. He wondered if that were what had given his double in the unknown third universe the idea for all of this… had he been allowed to do more playing with SHIELD’s toys, and stumbled across the secret to interdimensional travel?  And having done that… what had he decided to do with it?

What would Tony do if he discovered an alternate reality on his own?  Besides the scientific equivalent of poking it with a stick to see if it twitched, he couldn’t imagine.  He certainly couldn’t think of anything he would go looking for there – he might go investigate his alternate self, just to see what the guy was u p to, but why would he kick that other Tony out of his reality?  Had that really been an accident?

The only idea he could come back to was that the third guy’s universe had somehow gone all wrong and he’d hoped to make a new start somewhere else.  Even then, it didn’t seem like a Ton thing to do.  When Tony found himself having to rebuild his life after Afghanistan, he’d done so on a foundation of fixing his mistakes.  Surely any hypothetical other would feel he owed it to his own reality to do the same, rather than just jumping ship.  Unless there were so little left that it didn’t matter… but what could possibly cause something like that?

He knew he wouldn’t like finding out.

They found the wormhole platform in a back corner of the warehouse with boxes piled on top of it.  It didn’t look particularly secure to Tony, but Hill went and checked a panel in the wall, then nodded and turned to talk to the group.

“This is normally guarded by an infra-red laser grid,” she explained, and pointed at a bank of windows overhead.  “It’ll fire stun wires at you and then summon a dozen or so agents from the guard houses upstairs and on both sides.  Are you absolutely confident they’ll know who you are?”

“Yes,” said Tony.  “And based on what was happening in my reality when I left, I don’t even know if they’ll still be at their posts.”

His double pulled one of the boxes off the pile and peeked into it – it was, for whatever reason, full of blue and white 80’s kitchenware – then set it aside on the floor and looked the platform over.  “That’s it?” he asked.

He had a point.  It wasn’t a terribly impressive-looking thing.  The device was quite literally a platform, with steps up to it and conduits around the edge. The only high-tech bit was the set of connectors designed to draw on the tesseract.  Rather than a physical Faraday cage like the mesh in the suits, the activated platform would surround itself in an electromagnetic field that behaved the same way, distributing the energy to create a contained wormhole. It didn’t help that the equipment was scorched and slightly melted from the sheer quantity of power that had been forced through it by Loki.  The demigod’s shadow was literally burned into the platform, and Tony wasn’t sure he liked the idea of standing in those footsteps.

“We’ll have to apply the tesseract in two bursts with different resonant frequencies,” Foster said.  “That’ll put you in Reality D, then send you on to A, without disturbing the robot-builders in C.  Theoretically.”

“Theoretically.”  Miss Potts folded her arms over her chest and frowned, clearly not liking the word much. “What happens practically if it doesn’t work?  Does Arno end up in Reality C with his enemies?  Are more of those robots going to come through?”

“I don’t know,” Tony admitted, then had to add, “I already told you, my name’s not Arno.”

“Yeah, but we already have a Tony,” she pointed out.

Foster hefted Mjolnir, and her clothes transformed back into Asgardian armor, lightning briefly crackling over her.  “I’ll get the robot,” she promised, voice echoing.

“What about you?” Miss Potts asked Tony.

“I’ll improvise,” he said.  “I’m good at it.”

She was still unhappy.  “I don’t want you to have come all this way just to get hurt on your own doorstep,” she said.  “After all, somewhere out there is another one of me who’s depending on you.”  She smiled fondly, and Tony returned the expression without even thinking about it.  He’d heard that note in Pepper’s voice before.  That was the way she sometimes talked about him when she didn’t know he was listening.

“She’ll be glad to have me back safe and sound,” Tony assured her.  “And if I’m not, I’m sure she can come to my rescue.”  She’d done it before, after all – Pepper had saved him from Stane, she’d gotten Hammer locked up, she’d kicked Killian’s ass… no wonder Rescue was the name of her superhero alter-ego.  It was perfect for her.

“Good to know she’s on top of things,” said Miss Potts with a nod.

Tony’s instincts told him to kiss her, but he didn’t – she wasn’t his Pepper, and her Tony was standing just a few yards away, moving boxes with a sullen expression on his face.  Tony had to shake his head a little when he saw the guy.  Hopefully someday he’d grow a spine and just kiss her on a rooftop as was meant to be.

They cleared the platform, and then Foster, still in her guise as Thor, stood on top of it and summoned the Bifrost.  It touched down in a roar of psychedelic colours, overlaying Loki’s scorched footprints with its own intricate patterns.  There was the Odinson, holding an object that looked like a smaller version of the crystal tube Thor and Loki had taken the tesseract home in.  This had a small crystal in the middle, pulsing with blue light.

“Oh, good,” said Foster.  “I’ll have to thank him next time I drop in.”

“I’ve already done so myself,” Odinson replied, “but you know he likes to see you.”

Tony and his counterpart took the container and carefully connected it to the wormhole platform, with a bare minimum of speaking to each other.  It was obvious that the other was still jealous, and Tony found himself very troubled by that idea.  He was used to people telling him they were jealous of his lifestyle, of his money, his brains, and his superhero hobby – but they didn’t know any better.  They didn’t know what each of those things had cost him.  The idea that another one of him would feel the same way seemed all wrong.

So as they finished up, Tony brushed off his hands on his pants and told his double, “you’re a lucky guy, you know.”

The other glared at him.  “Now you’re patronizing me.”

“No, I’m not,” Tony said.  “You might not have some of the stuff I do, but you also don’t have to live with some of the things I’ve done.”

“And you don’t know a damned thing about what I’ve done,” the other said.

[double-bubble-discourse-queen]

Despite my url, I tend not to participate in much discourse. I mean, I just thought it was catchy and I like P!ATD. And I thought I summed up my feelings well enough on Allura’s death in this post but I’m going to do something I normally don’t do and elaborate a bit more, at the risk of involving myself in the dreaded discourse.

In my previous post, I mentioned the target audience of this show. The kiddos. And my friend, who doesn’t watch VLD, but whose 9 yr old niece does, texted me to let me know she had a meltdown at the end. Yeah, like full on sobbing. Unsurprisingly, her favorite character was Allura.

I’m not gonna derail here and be all “children should never be exposed to anything bad ever,” don’t get me wrong. Actually, I think it’s great to introduce difficult concepts to children as long as it’s handled tastefully. This isn’t going to be a post like that. But that said...hearing that my friend’s niece was nearly inconsolable over this bummed me the heck out, guys. Made me feel like crap.

And you know what else made me feel like crap?

Allura’s death.

I get the bittersweet theme the show was trying to go for. But that is not the feeling that I got from Allura’s sacrifice. It just felt crappy and intensely uncomfortable. It didn’t feel like any sort of payoff, it just felt mean. Mean to a character that had already lost her natal family, her home, her crown. Mean to the little girls in the audience, who like my friend’s niece’s, identified with and adore Allura. Mean to the girls and women of color in the audience who felt represented by Allura.

I think a bittersweet sacrifice is like Madoka in Madoka Magica. We feel payoff because other characters, particularly Homura, sacrificed so much for her. It felt balanced. She gathered her potential because of how much Homura sacrificed for her. Madoka embodied Homura’s love to make a sacrifice of her own, and changed the system that doomed them both in the first place (in the series, at least).

Or let’s take Oscar from Rose of Versailles. Her sacrifice was bittersweet because we loved her as a character, and she died fighting for what she believed in. But Oscar’s cause was all she had going for her at this point. She was terminally ill. Andre, her lover, was dead. Rosalie, her dear friend and also, perhaps secondary love interest had been separated from her. And she had to separate herself from Marie Antoinette, the woman she had protected and fought for since she was a young teen, because they were on opposite sides of the revolution. Oscar’s death felt like peace.

Jerome from Ginga Densetsu Weed? His sacrifice was his redemption arc. He was an assassin. Not only an assassin, but partly guilty for the deaths of the other assassins in his squad. When he gave his own life to save Weed, it was pretty clear to the audience that in doing so, he was completing his character development.

Now, most of these show’s I’ve drawn from are oriented toward older viewers, so let’s age down a bit.

Yue in ATLA, okay, well, her death also suited the narrative. The moon spirit gave her her life. When she become the moon spirit, she essentially returned the gift that had been given to her. Additionally, Yue got to reclaim her agency in doing so. This was a young woman who lived in a patriarchal culture, where she was betrothed to a man she didn’t really love and the route her life would take was out of her hands. Yue’s decision to sacrifice herself was taking control over her own life, possibly for the first time.

Okay, how about Tadashi in Big Hero 6. That’s cruel in its own way, because he sacrifices himself trying to save a man who was never really in danger. The man who started the fire in the first place. It sucks. But the rest of the movie is about Hiro coming to terms with his loss and learning to cope with grief. It’s a movie about turning away from revenge and turning toward healing.

When it comes to Allura?

Just feels like crap, man. Feels empty. She sacrificed herself to save all of reality, okay, and I get that, but it just seems unnecessary. Allura’s death does not feel like a payoff to me, because she’s been sacrificing since the beginning of the show, unlike Madoka, who up until her sacrifice had been a character sacrifices were constantly made for.

So lemme compare Allura to my second example, Oscar. Oscar didn’t have anything left to live for. Allura had found a family in the paladins. Lance, whether you ship it or not, swore he would follow her anywhere. She lost so much throughout the series, but she gained a family in her team. She had something to look forward to after the war.

Let’s contrast her with Jerome. Jerome needed a redemption arc. What the hell did Allura have to redeem herself for?? She was a surivivor of genocide! Actually, the unfortunate implications in the context of her sacrifice really squick me out. She had to forgive the ones who committed atrocities against her race and instead of Honerva alone, sacrificing herself, which would have made a lot more sense for a semi-redemption are for Honerva...Allura had to walk into death with her? That is very uncomfortable, to say the least.

So, Yue and Allura. Obvious parallels. People have been calling Lance “Space Sokka” for a long time and it’s pretty clear why. This reinforced that. But Allura was a female character who had agency, unlike Yue. She was not born into a patriarchal culture. She was a leader in her culture, which while never explicitly stated to be so, may even have matriarchal undertones. While her relationship with Alfor was the one more focused on, it was Melanor who wore the circlet. Honerva was Altea’s most esteemed alchemist. And again, Yue’s sacrifice made sense in her narrative. Yue was returning the gift of life the spirit had given her. Allura had nothing to return. Actually, the Blue Lion wouldn’t accept Allura as a paladin until she admitted she needed help. In Allura’s narrative, it would have made more sense if her development would’ve followed this trend, where she's learn not to take everything upon herself.

Allura and Tadashi? Both of their loved ones mourned their losses. But Big Hero 6 was all about exploring this loss and recovering from it. Loss as a side effect of war was something explored in VLD, but it never centered around it. And Allura doesn’t die until the last 11 minutes of the show. There isn’t a whole lot of time to grieve with those who loved her or revered her sacrifice, even if loss had been a more prominent theme. Tadashi’s death was the event that kicked the plot into gear. Tadashi was also a supporting character. Allura was a member of the main cast. Again, only one of two female characters in the main cast and the only WOC.

Actually, I don’t think it’s incorrect to say Allura was the main character. This was an ensemble cast series, but Allura is the one who’s life force was connected to the Lions and she was referred to as the heart of Voltron. So although there isn’t exactly a main character in a series like this, I’d argue she came the closest.

Anyway, this was long and ranty. But the point is, Allura’s death didn’t feel bittersweet. It felt hollow. It felt dirty. It felt mean. I, an adult, felt like crap after I watched it. And my friend’s 9 yr old niece felt even crappier, so crappy, she sobbed. And I can honestly say I don’t think she had any reason to feel anything but cheated, because Allura’s death as a sacrifice doesn’t accomplish anything positive for the narrative.