#you have to establish what his boundaries are!! otherwise i expect to see him in the background of every future spinoff

[asgardian--angels]

yknow on that note, there's been so many theories about 'in all timelines, in all possibilities' with regards to how many Jayces have visited mage Viktor, whether his words imply all but our Jayce have failed or whether it's Jayce in all timelines that succeed.

And I just want to put this tidbit out there - if many Jayces have met mage Viktor atop the hexgates and received his instructions, and tried & failed to kill Viktor in the commune, you'd need a lot of hammers.

Now, true, we don't know if our Jayce is the only one who fell into the ravine and dismantled his own hammer, hence why he had to take husk Jayce's. As many have speculated, that could have been why he ultimately succeeded - he was hardened and enlightened by the experience of having to walk a literal mile in Viktor's footsteps, retracing his hardships through life. Maybe it was a test, mage Viktor closely monitoring him to make sure he didn't die but understanding this was necessary to prepare Jayce for what lay ahead. But there's only one corrupted mercury hammer, and given that we see husk Jayce's fingers literally break off and get stuck to the hammer when he releases it, it's clear this hammer has never left his grip since he knelt down there ages ago.

I've recently seen this screencap going around:

One of many of Jayce's potential 'divergence point' moments - but is it really? I love the idea, especially given the following moment of his face splitting into many screaming thrashing versions of himself. It's certainly set up visually to invoke divergence points. But idk it just doesn't add up to me!! We can't see the hammer design on these Jayces, and also, why would they all look exactly like our Jayce who was stuck in the ravine for weeks/months? If many Jayces spent time in the cavern there'd be evidence, and they'd have an equal chance of succeeding. Would mage Viktor let so many Jayces die, after the grief and pain of losing just one - his own, after going through the trouble of saving young Jayce when he could easily avoid all of this by just, not rescuing him?

It comes back to 'in all timelines, in all possibilities, only you can show me this.' Many have pointed out the wording is very specific here, vs something like 'out of all timelines and possibilities' which would imply our Jayce is the only version of Jayce that can succeed. This is such a big sticking point for me because the fandom really cannot seem to agree on or even figure out what the hell's going on. The wording we got implies that in all timelines it's always Jayce who brings him back from the brink, and Viktor sets it up that way because he always saves young Jayce and gives him a rune to start his journey. And yet, we get radically different interpretations of this scene that are basically opposites - either Jayce always fails or he always succeeds. You'd think that if Jayce can't do it by attempt number five hundred Viktor would start rethinking his strategy. The romanticism of it stems from Jayce succeeding in other timelines - so why is the more common interpretation that he usually fails? And I'm not pinning this on the fandom - I think the show could have given us something just a tad more explicit (about literally all of this) to let viewers know what was really going on here.

It also feeds into the separate but connected ongoing speculation about Mage Viktor's existence in general. I've seen it postulated that our Jayce succeeding broke a cycle and somehow erased the ruined timeline from existence (and I've heard this one often enough that a fair amount of people must believe it). I just don't see why that would happen. From what I've heard, it comes from the fan idea that all anomalies are connected or are the same anomaly, thus destroying one destroys them all, which, we have no evidence that's the case in any way. Even if so, destroying the anomaly wouldn't destroy the timeline. Mage Viktor now exists in the arcane, he is outside of time and space. Even, even, if his timeline ceased to exist, he's basically immortal. I think this all stemmed from the shot where the corrupted hammer crumbles into dust atop the hexgates, having served its purpose. And yes, I do think it's symbolic of breaking the cycle, but I don't think we can take that and say that timeline doesn't exist anymore (esp when Swain's raven takes the hexgem from it whoops).

these are just some disorganized thoughts. I really like analyzing these things but most of the fandom's on twitter and not only do I have zero footprint on there to help my posts get any traction, but it's not exactly the best platform for long-form meta. anyway.

[becauseimanicequeen]

I love Yak in Wandee Goodday so much. He's probably my all-time favorite GMMTV character and I think it has to do with how much I see of myself in him.

For one, he knows and respects boundaries (even when they're not clearly stated). I mean, he apologized for taking Dee's keycard to find out where Dee was living when Dee was passed out drunk by the trash. He apologized again as he grabbed Dee's phone to answer the call.

Yak was also the first to ask about the rules of their FWB relationship.

Setting up rules is another way to establish boundaries. And Yak is respecting those rules/boundaries even though he's clearly struggling with the no-kissing rule (considering he takes every opportunity he can to stare at Dee's luscious lips, which is also relatable).

(Obviously, let's be honest, the rules will be broken at some point. But I'm pretty sure it will be because both Yak and Dee want them to be broken.)

Yak's respect for boundaries also flows into his approach to consent. He needs consent to continue, otherwise he won't.

Additionally, he's written to be a character who has genuine respect and equal care for those he's interested in (regardless of gender) and he's shown to respect, care about, and listen to both Taem and Dee (and look at them both with heart eyes).

Yak clearly likes Taem (to the point where Cher knew about it) and was willing to further their relationship. At the same time, he didn't hesitate to hook up with Dee (when Dee had sobered up a bit) and he, evidently, likes Dee a lot as well.

(I can't remember the last time I saw a QL where a main male character genuinely felt as if he could end up with either the girl or the guy. And even though Taem has already said she wants to keep their relationship as is, it still has that feeling for me. But, since this is a BL, I'm 100% sure they won't end it in any other way than Yak and Wandee being together.)

Also, Yak is dedicated to what he does (boxing). (I'm honestly not sure if he actually wants to box and win as badly as his brother does or if he's just boxing because that's what his brother and dad did, and that he's expected to gain the same successes, but he's definitely putting in the effort regardless.) It takes a lot of discipline to be as good as you can be at what you do. And even though Yak's discipline might be wavering slightly since he met Dee (relatable, lol), the hard work and discipline he puts into it is relatable to me (it's the reason I get out of bed and paint every day).

And last, but definitely not least, Yak seems to have a soft spot for beautiful messes.

And who can blame him?

[promptedwordsmith]

LADS MEN REACTION to mc friend-zoning them after leading them on ;)

This was really hard for me to write since I’ve never led anyone on, the second I thought anything like that was happening I immediately set boundaries and didn’t allow any misunderstandings. If this isn’t what you meant, then I apologise!

Ok, so all of them would be extremely respectful about it, but I believe they would have different base emotions:

Rafayel would have betrayal as his, you lead him on made him think he was what you wanted spent so much time with him and acted like it was only a matter of time before you were together. But when you turned around and established him as your friend, his heart shattered, as much as he hates to admit it, he doesn’t think he could have done anything wrong, he only reciprocated the energy he got from you, never anything more than that. So, he feels played with, and can’t help but consider you like the other MCs that abandoned him, because he feels like they set him up just like that, it’s just this time you’re still in his life. He says OK, he will step back, but he doesn’t know what he can do from there, he spends more time in his studio, spends less time with you and the energy just isn’t the same for a long time until he can come to terms with everything.

Xavier would be confused underneath it all. Would apologise and ask if he did something wrong, when he gets confirmation that you never felt the same, he would rethink the entire time he spent with you trying to figure out how he could have interpreted everything another way fully believing he was completely in the wrong and there was no way you could have been leading him on. None of the other MCs did that did they? Questions everything repeatedly and vows that if he gets another chance in the future, he would be more careful and attentive to you to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Feels it’s his duty to always be in control of his emotions so not much would change except his skin ship and proximity which would lessen, otherwise he would still talk to you and partner up with you, but he would be much more cautious.

Zayne would be surprised, he regarded himself as quite intelligent, even emotionally intelligent, so learning you did not feel the same as him he feels he missed a clue. Would take an instantaneous step back, apologising but saying he needed some space to re-evaluate and re-assess his expectations for the relationship. He wouldn’t take too long, a week or so because he is fully aware that he is your primary care physician and that comes first for him whether you are in a relationship with him or not. Your health would always come before his feelings, so he is the epitome of professionalism from there on out. He still sees you outside of work sometimes but nowhere near as often as before and there would always seem to be a line in the sand, one that you could cross if you showed him you wanted him but that would act as a boundary otherwise.

[moony-2001]

Lore Olympus ep. 254 critique

Well I can officially say that Persephone is the most selfish person in the comic

What in the Disney ripoff

So obviously it’s too late and Zeus is poisoned and ✨wow, how convenient✨ Apollo is suddenly there with Leto (who btw we haven’t seen in almost 100 episodes). I don't really want to focus on his confrontation with Eros and Psyche, because let's be real, it wasn't much of a confrontation. No, instead I want to focus on this:

My first thought when I saw the whole blackmail scene coupled with this was "What in the Lion King is this bullshit." Seriously. This is almost verbatim to what Scar says to Simba (except Scar as a villain is actually intimidating and Apollo, well...).

But here's the thing. This is how stupid Apollo is as a villain. Hebe has the least to gain from Zeus' poisoning and death. Look at the list of children that could stand to benefit from Zeus' demise:

An angry War god who was banished to the mortal realm for years by Zeus for pissing him off. Additionally, Zeus slept with his then-romantic partner and was implied to sleep with her often

The estranged daughter who literally thrives on chaos and is basically the goddess of "it's getting a little too chummy around here" who has beef with not only Zeus, but also Hera

A newly revealed son who has a tendency to heavily push boundaries and can't take no for an answer. This son additionally has been making moves to gain power politically

Compare this to Hebe, who we have only seen being kind to Zeus. No where in the comic is she seen harboring any kind of resentment towards him. Even when she criticizes him, it is gentle and she doesn’t push any further when he lays down the law.

Not only that but the whole prophecy- the usurp of power prophecy that Uranus got about Kronos, and Kronos got about his children, and so on- only applies to the sons of the tyrant in question. That was established in the myths, both in the Theogony and the Metamorphosis via a prophecy that usually came from Gaia. So that immediately takes Eris off the suspect list by virtue of the fact that she is a goddess. But even then, Hebe still shouldn't be a suspect.

How is Rachel expecting people to fall for this? Even her audience in some respect is calling out Apollo for being "back on his bullshit". Yet I can almost guarantee that everyone is going to fall for it because the only 2 gods who actually know are trapped in jail, Cassandra is probably going to disappear from the narrative for a while, and the rest of the general cast of characters only shares 2 brain cells between the lot of them. I can't wait to see this drag out over the course of, like, 15 episodes.

The most selfish thing

I just… wow. I have no words. Except yes I do or otherwise I wouldn’t be making this post. So we transition to the second half of the chapter where Persephone talks about her nonexistent connection with the snow and how maybe, just maybe, this is all her. Just like her act of wrath and what she did to Minthe, she has no one to blame but herself. And then she straight up goes “nah”.

I will be the first to admit, the way Rachel wrote Demeter during Persephone's homecoming/proposal was horrific. Demeter behaved horribly to Persephone. Now, I more blame Rachel for poor writing because if you have to make side characters look worse so your protagonists can look better, you suck at writing. BUT that does not excuse Demeter's initial actions and behavior toward Persephone.

However, in this situation, Demeter is not putting Persephone down for what she’s done. Obviously, Demeter is distressed, but she basically says “You tried, but now it’s time for the adults to handle it” and Hades agrees. He fucking agrees.

Demeter is far more capable and mature than Persephone due to being around for thousands of years. Demeter has had experience, she’s worked hard at maintaining everything, and she has even had hardships and failures. But because of this, she is a very very powerful goddess. Thus it makes the most sense for Demeter to step in to handle this situation. It is what's best for everyone, most of all for the mortal realm, which has been immediately affected.

But because Persephone has been told over and over that she’s hot shit, she's special (and has been treated as such), her ego can’t take the blow. She can’t take the L. She makes everything worse because she can’t stand the idea that she’s not special and that she's not this big bad goddess who has control over her abilities.

To me, this is so selfish. Persephone acknowledges that everything is dead. She acknowledges that she is the cause of this destruction. Yet she knowingly makes it worse because her ego can not handle the fact that she isn’t miss fucking perfect. This is the epitome of a child’s temper tantrum- like how when Nemo swims out to sea to touch the boat after Marlin tells him he can't do it. Because that’s what Persephone is. A child. In this case, it does not matter that she’s the age of an adult mortal woman. She is a god. She hasn’t even been around for 100 years. She still doesn’t have a handle on her powers. Persephone is being immature and selfish by stomping her feet and going “No, I can do it." Because of that, she makes everything so much worse.

Hades naturally makes this worse by enabling her. Although I genuinely can’t say I’m surprised since Hades has a history (especially post-marriage) of enabling Persephone’s bad behavior (like rewarding Persephone with sex after destroying the apartment of Leuce and threatening to kill her). When asked rightfully by Demeter if he’s going to do anything to try and talk her off the wall since Persephone has a history of not listening to anything Demeter has to say, Hades basically goes “Nah, my hands are tied, nothing I can do”, Despite the fact that he saw the destruction she caused and ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS TIME FOR THE ACTUAL ADULTS TO STEP IN. This could’ve been a great moment for someone who wasn’t portrayed as a force against H&P (like the main love interest/husband) to hold her accountable. To say “That’s enough”. But nooooooo. No one, not even her own husband, is allowed to get in Persephone’s way.

Thus, Persephone continues to cause mass destruction and death until she passes out (this is important to note) and Demeter rightfully loses her damn shit.

Final thoughts

This is, I think, the worst chapter of Lore Olympus. Genuinely. As I stated in my last post, I had no idea where Rachel was going to take the whole “Persephone causes winter” idea and that there was no way she could make it more feminist than the original hymn. And boy was I right. Because I guess nothing is more feminist to Rachel than an ego-fueled power trip that results in the death of life in the mortal realm and also probably a good portion of the mortals who probably aren’t built to handle this kind of weather (by Persephone’s own admission that the mortal realm doesn’t get cold).

I'd also like to end on this note: if you're going to be a writer or artist or comic writer, don't treat your audience like they're fucking stupid.

Remember that little note I made about how it's important to remember that Persephone passes out? Yeah, well, that's because Persephone is actually unconscious and not dead. In literature and media today, people often use some version of the phrase "you've killed [x]" as a way to say not that whatever [x] is, is actually dead, but that it died in a metaphorical sense. You see a great example of this in the season finale of Arcane with Jinx. Powder doesn't actually die; Jinx is still very much alive. But Jinx metaphorically obliterated Powder to make room for the new her. The new Jinx, unburdened by her old self.

And that's what Demeter is saying. Hell, Hades even said that Persephone wasn't dead after presumably checking her vitals. Anyone who read the chapter would recognize this. But I guess Rachel thinks her audience doesn't have more than a 4th-grade level of reading comprehension because why else would she put in this, frankly demeaning, message at the end.

Oh boy. Welp. See y'all in my next post.

[eveeyehorizons]

love on a distance

how to make it work

first of all its a terrible idea to fall in love with someone far away and I cannot recommend it to people with certain attachment issues or mental problems. You have to have a certain stable foundation on your own and some experience with feelings and love and relationships are useful, if not the groundwork to build upon. If you are making career or having family local, that you would never leave,it's probably better to not engage in far distance love search.

You have to be aware that there's only so much you can get to know from someone over the internet. Of course our abilities in that manner increased, but from my own experience, I can tell you it's still crucial to see someone in person to know if there are these feelings that you project onto it.

Reassurance and a vital interest in the other ones well being mentally and emotionally should be a thing.Aswell as respect and acceptance. If u cannot live with the fact that your significant other has an own life with people and family and all that comes with that then don't get involved.

Communicate clearly and don't leave room for misinterpretations.

Then there is this thing with the sexual desire towards your loved one. Ideally you two find a way to live that out together as far as possible but be aware that maybe that is not what the other one likes or needs so don't ask questions to make him her feel uncomfortable or demand certain practices from him her. I think what would be good is not to play out all of it right away.if u love the person and you are planning to see each other save it up for the moment you are together . There has to be a certain amount of tension and unknown intimacy to share when you finally meet in person.

Otherwise it could be not at all that special anymore when you touch the first time. The chemical neurons that are fired in such moments of intimacy are important and binding you together for the future.

So save it up for that moment and you will not regret it believe me. You could also be in danger of having expectations based on your fantasies that are likely to be destroyed or lead to disappointment. If it happens , that one of you has sex with another person on his own, please keep in mind, that there is still the harsh reality that they have their own life there and if it wasn't a reoccurring event, there is no reason to throw it all away immediately. Talk about it and may recalibrate your feelings and boundaries or expectations. Shit happens, especially with alcohol or other things involved.

Dont become lazy or regular. Dont demand your partner to be there all the time you want him to. Live goes on everyday and you should make the best out of it.

These digital communication platforms allow everyone to share his life but that doesn't mean you should go mad about someones profile or social media posts. Believe me this shit paired with obsession or paranoia and anxious attachment can literally ruin everything.Dont fall for it.

Stay creative and express your love in new ways every day. not every day is the same.

Stay calm if you don't hear from your loved one right away when you think you need it. And especially learn to control your own thoughts and emotions cuz most of the time the other one cannot know and is probably not responsible for your overthinking.

keep an open and clear view of reality and don't let a wonderful relationship become a guilt and shame driven wrack.

Dr.GPT says:

Maintaining a long-distance relationship can be challenging, but with commitment and the right approach, it can absolutely thrive. Here are some key tips to help make your long-distance relationship work: 1. Effective Communication Regular Check-ins: Establish a routine that works for both of you to stay connected. This could be through texts, calls, or video chats. However, don’t let it feel like a chore. Quality Over Quantity: Focus on meaningful conversations rather than just frequency. Be open and honest about your feelings, and listen actively. Use Different Channels: Mix up the communication methods—texts, voice notes, pictures, video calls, letters, etc. to keep things fresh. 2. Set Clear Expectations Boundaries and Needs: Discuss what you both need from the relationship—communication frequency, exclusivity, and how you'll handle challenges like loneliness or misunderstandings. Relationship Goals: Make sure you're both on the same page regarding the future of your relationship, including how long the distance will last and plans to eventually close the gap. 3. Maintain Trust Be Honest: Transparency is key to building trust. If something is bothering you, bring it up before it festers. Avoid Jealousy Traps: Reassure each other and avoid behaviors that might cause unnecessary jealousy or insecurity. Trusting each other’s intentions is crucial. 4. Plan Visits Regular Meet-ups: Plan trips to see each other when possible. Having something to look forward to can help bridge the distance and give you motivation to keep going. Make Visits Special: When you’re together, cherish the moments. Focus on making memories and enjoying your time rather than worrying about the separation ahead. 5. Stay Connected in Creative Ways Share Activities: Watch movies, read the same book, or play online games together to create shared experiences even when apart. Send Surprises: Mail handwritten letters, small gifts, or even care packages. Thoughtful gestures can strengthen your bond. 6. Keep Your Independence Focus on Personal Growth: Maintain your own hobbies, goals, and social life. Don’t put your life on hold because of the distance. Support Each Other's Independence: Encourage each other to thrive individually and share your experiences to stay connected. 7. Stay Positive Focus on the Positives: Long-distance relationships can strengthen communication, build emotional intimacy, and create resilience. Stay positive about what the relationship is giving you. Celebrate Small Wins: Celebrate anniversaries, successful communication, or personal achievements together to maintain positivity. 8. Work Through Conflicts Carefully Stay Calm: Misunderstandings can happen more easily due to the lack of face-to-face communication. Approach conflicts calmly and with empathy. Pick Your Battles: Don’t sweat the small stuff, and work on resolving conflicts quickly instead of letting them linger. 9. Have a Plan for the Future Discuss End Goals: Ensure you both have a plan for when and how the distance will close, whether through moving closer to each other, career changes, or other arrangements. Stay Focused on the Bigger Picture: Keep reminding each other why you’re in the relationship and the future you’re working towards. 10. Be Patient Embrace the Journey: Long-distance relationships require patience and endurance. It’s not always easy, but the effort you both put in can make your relationship even stronger in the end. Fostering connection, communication, trust, and shared goals is the foundation of a successful long-distance relationship.

[cosmoknightchaos]

hi 30 for Ares. pretty please,,, 🥺

30. My OC and your OC are friends. This isn't a question. I'm not asking. (How do they respond?)

What are you talking about, dear? We're already friends!

Oh. You mean your OCs? Well, I haven't met many of them... except for him, I suppose. Regardless, if they're anything like you, I'm sure they're lovely! I wouldn't mind getting to know them!

-Ares

Wow. This is a very hard one to answer unbiased lmao

Ares would definitely want to meet new people and befriend your OCs! Does that mean he should meet them? Absolutely not. With the current exceptions of Thirio, Avarice, and Medea, Ares would "befriend" your OCs, mainly in an attempt to get more attention. There probably wouldn't be that much of a real connection.

But on the off chance you manage to actually befriend Ares, he's... well. It takes a certain type of person to like him haha. He's not that much different from how he currently acts, if anything he's worse, but he actually respects you now. He makes fun of you a lot for shits and giggles, but he doesn't see it as insulting, and fully expects to be treated the same way because that's how he shows affection. On the flip side, he will respect your boundaries very well (once you establish them. You have to tell him where the line is otherwise he will not notice it) to the point of fighting other people who don't respect you.

Ares partially belongs to @therealnoot

[illarian-rambling]

*in the most elegant, immaculate handwriting imaginable*

Dear Elsind,

I saw your column, and am in fact rather in need of advice. I’ve tried asking my good friend Amelia, but she just laughs uproariously every time I do, so I’ve given up on getting a straight answer from her.

I recently got a new coworker at my workplace, and he’s… very attractive, to say the least. His name is Merry, and he’s absolutely lovely. We’ve become fast friends, and I’ll admit I’m developing a bit of a crush on him. Luckily, the place I work is very unbothered by workplace relationships, but I have a lot of other problems.

First of all, I believe I may have mentioned I’m married in front of him. While my husbands wouldn’t mind me seeing him as well, I know a lot of pirates (oh, yes, context: I am a pirate) are very disapproving of polyamory and I don’t know how he’d react. I’m also asexual, and I’m not sure how he’d react to that either, since my people (I’m a siren) are generally stereotyped as seductive and expected to behave in a very certain way.

That being said, I keep feeling like he’s flirting with me. By pirate standards, he’s absolutely not. But he’s consistently started dressing more colourfully and elegantly and going out of his way to ask me what I think of his outfit. He’s also given me a few small trinkets he found at the market. Both of these are significant signifiers of flirting in my culture, and even though I know he couldn’t possibly know my cultural signifiers of flirting, I can’t help but feel like it means something.

Any advice you have would be welcome. If he is flirting with me, I’d love to see where it goes - he’s really a wonderful man (and I’ll admit I might have been dressing up for him a bit too). But if he isn’t interested, I’d hate to make him uncomfortable having to work on the same ship as me every day, especially since I outrank him (I’d never pressure him into anything, and Amelia would kill me if I did, but I can’t be sure he knows that). I’m not certain how best to proceed.

Much thanks,

Malcolm Lee

*In passibly legible cursive, hearts dotting all the I's*

Thanks so much for writing in, Malcolm!

This is a delicate situation you've found yourself in, but also, I think, a great opportunity. You're right - even in such a relaxed environment, coworker relationships can be tough. It gets messy when rank factors in, and if you ever break up, then you're just stuck seeing them everyday anyways.

But things are looking up for you! It would be quite the coincidence if Merry out of nowhere started engaging in siren flirting behaviors (I'm assuming your word for siren is different from mine, as the siren flirting I'm familiar with involves quite a few more human sacrifices). However, if I was a strapping pirate trying to show interest in my siren shipmate, I would read up on how sirens flirt and try to get him to take the hint. It's a really caring thing to do and a total green flag, in my opinion. Of course, yes, it could be a coincidence, but that's the boring answer!

As for the polyamory and asexuality, that's a conversation you're going to have to have up front with him. Make sure, if he is interested in seeing you, that he understands the possible risks involved. Also, definitely introduce him to your husbands. I don't know your exact situation, but all the polycules I've seen work best when every member is on friendly terms with the others. Asexuality is also something to talk about right off the bat. Make sure he's aware of your boundaries, especially when he might assume otherwise due to racial stereotypes. I can relate to you there - changelings are frequently assumed to be promiscuous due to a tendency to wear attractive faces as a social shield and a history of sexual exploitation. In my relationships, though I'm not asexual, I do have some strict boundaries when it comes to intimacy, and I find it best to be clear about these from the get-go. It's a good way to establish trust early on and also to use as a litmus test for your partner's respect for you. If your Merry is truly a worthwhile lover, he'll understand.

Ultimately, I think you should go for it! To me, it seems like he's trying to be subtle, but he's definitely interested in you. Maybe ask him out for a late-night picnic on the deck (I don't know anything about ships) and spill your heart there. I wish you luck, whatever you decide to do!

Ever your friend,

Elsind Cavernsight

(From this ask game)

[epithet-beloved]

Something about xerxes my tired mans.

Maybe taking care of his sorry ass💛

LIVING WITH XERXES ROUGHHOUSE HEADCANONS

synopsis… You share an apartment with Xerxes Roughhouse

ft. Xerxes Roughhouse

tags… anime campaign, fluff, can be read as romantic or platonic, domestic scenarios, roommate headcanons, reader keeps Xerxes from working himself to death, established relationship, no actual spoilers for anything

word count… 866

a/n… This is how I reveal my Xerxes bias. Him and Jericho are my #1 anime campaign chrs and I love them so so much I’m sealing them in plastic capsules and shaking them around ✧ 🦄

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 You may or may not be the only thing reminding him to eat sometimes.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 Xerxes is admittedly….not the greatest at taking care of himself, so having you as a roommate certainly does help a bit with that.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 In terms of completing tasks when others are relying on him, he never fails or hesitates. But he can tend to be so focused on productivity and serving those he cares about that he neglects himself. A lot.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 Plus, man is used to living with a lot of people since he grew up with such a big family, so even if he prefers to have quiet time to himself after work, he appreciates having someone else around to ground him when he zones out overworking himself.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 That being said, he would do best with a quieter roommate. Though he can mesh with pretty much anyone as long as you don’t ignore the boundaries and ground rules he has, which he’s pretty clear on, so it’s hard to forget.

When you’d first agreed to move in with Xerxes, you very vividly remember the list of ground rules he had given to you shortly after. Most of them were pretty standard — no loud music late at night, clean up after yourself in the kitchen, rotate who does laundry……but a few stood out to you.

“Hey, Xerxes?” Without looking up at him, you pointed to one of the bullet points on the printed list. “Why did you feel the need to write ‘no indoor skateboard ramps’ and ‘no doomsday bunkers’?”

When your eyes darted up to his face, you could see a tiredness in his eyes unlike any other.

“You don’t want to know.”

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 Aside from maybe being a bit uptight, Xerxes is fairly easy to live with — he’s organized, quiet, and very upfront with his expectations, so you don’t have to worry about dealing with a passive aggressive roomie.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 That being said, you try to sneakily do his chores for him most of the time since you know how much he overworks himself. Xerxes will insist you don’t have to do this, but the bags under his eyes suggest otherwise.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 Sometimes the man comes home and passes out the minute he steps through the door. Most days he doesn’t even get to bed and just passes out on the couch instead.

Finding Xerxes asleep in the lounge has become a bit of a routine occurrence, if not a somewhat concerning one. You knew that you couldn’t control his sleep schedule, let alone his much more concerning work schedule, so the least you could do is try to take care of him in the moment.

There was a blanket you always left draped over the back of the couch for occasions such as these. It felt surprisingly natural to grab it, shake it out a little, and drape it over your slumbering roommate. You’d have to wake him up before dinner and scold him about these unhealthy habits of his.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 You typically rotate who makes dinner. Xerxes is a pretty alright cook, and no matter what your skills are, he’s always appreciative and rarely complains. Dinners don’t always have a lot of conversation, but neither of you mind. Comfortable silence is sort of a love language for you two.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 You got matching aprons for the two of you for when you cook together, and he isn’t very outwardly expressive about it, but he thinks it’s just the sweetest thing ever.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 Also, I’m convinced that he just owns several copies of the same outfit and that’s all he wears. He owns pajamas, but sleeps in his work clothes half the time anyway.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 He acts indifferent if you steal one of his shirts, but he’s secretly endeared by it.

You were honestly worried the guy would kill you the first time he saw you in one of his stolen shirts. Not like Xerxes was at all the type of person to do a thing like that, but even someone who’s known him as long as you have could still find him intimidating sometimes.

Even so, all he did was give you a quick once over, sigh to himself and turn around without a word to hide his smile from you.

“Just throw it in with the other darks when you’re done.”

Maybe you should start doing this more regularly.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 Even though you’re the one taking care of him most of the time, Xerxes is a dependable guy who keeps his promises, so he’ll always be there for you when you need it, just like you’ve been there for him.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 Expect a blanket to be draped over you when you fall asleep somewhere, or breakfast left on the table for you when you slept in and he had to leave early. Sometimes, he doesn’t always have the time to say goodbye to you in person when he leaves for work, so he always makes sure to leave a note of some kind.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 Sometimes, he’ll accidentally write a “love you” at the end of them, being used to writing notes for his family.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 You never bring it up to him verbally, but you try to show him that you care for him just as much.

[kingofthewebxxx]

Answers to a previous meme

Note: Considering I got a few of the same questions I put them together in one post for easier reading!

What’s the lie your character says most often?

He lies many times to get what he wants but can also be surprisingly honest at times. The lie he tells the most would likely be pretending he cares about someone or values them to be able to use them, alternatively, he sometimes continues to make out he isn't impressed with someone in order not to give too much away when in fact he is. 

What’s the most obvious difference between their behaviour at home, at work, at school, with friends, and when they’re alone?

At home, he is slightly more relaxed but always carries a cold air about him, he allows his mask to slip yet since he is a psychopath and he is mainly internal, you have to know what to look for to be able to understand how he’s truly feeling.

When it comes to work he allows his cold and dark soul to emanate from himself, making him seem even more cold and intimidating, yet he always keeps a playful edge and allows it to show, he likes how his mood can make him so unpredictable, it may be a weakness but also a great strength

As a child going to school, he was fairly introverted keeping to himself, however, he had several angry outbursts and wasn't afraid to do anything to make things go his way.

Depending on the definition of friends if we are going with those he doesn't want to scream at after five minutes, then he is much like he is at home but more guarded, yet he tends to be even more playful than usual, that doesn’t mean he won’t play games with them quite the opposite!

What do they tell people they want? What do they actually want?

He often tells people he wants entertainment, to play games, to play the ultimate game that will go down in history. Whilst these are true he doesn’t share that the mean goal of this is to feel something, he wants to feel a euphoric high of some sort in an otherwise plain and dull existence.

When do they feel the most guilt? How do they respond to it?

Guilt is not in his vocabulary 

Would they rather be invited to an event to feel included or be excluded from an event if they were not genuinely wanted there?

Why would he go to an event unless he wanted to be there? 

What’s something they’re expected to enjoy based on their hobbies / profession that they actually dislike / hate?

Most would likely expect he would enjoy a mass gathering of fellow criminals; in fact, he wouldn’t. Considering he views most of them as inferior he would want to narrow it down significantly to those he views as on his level or could be. 

How often do they show their genuine emotions to others versus just the audience knowing?

He very rarely shows completely all he is feeling when with the majority of people, whilst he will always be psychotic as I mentioned earlier since he allows his emotional states to change his behaviour, very small pieces of what really goes on in his mind can be revealed to those who listen carefully. Jim will be the most honest with those with who he has established boundaries with but also where he has more power, for him the game is never truly over.

What belief / moral / personality trait do they stand by that you (mun) personally don’t agree with?

Jim is a believer in doing whatever is needed to achieve goals without taking any notice or caring for the feelings of others. This is something I disagree with strongly, humans are social animals and I believe everyone’s feelings should be valued. As the saying goes “Treat others as you would like to be treated.”

What would you (mun) yell in the middle of a crowd to find them? What would their best friend and/or romantic partner yell?

Well, I know what he definitely doesn’t like to be called, I would most likely yell Jim or Moriarty (I may write him but I would never assume closeness with him, I would wait for him to tell me), I could see a best friend of his depending on their personality either calling him his name or even Jimmy to tease him slightly and perhaps some other words……. 

A romantic partner, now this is interesting considering romance is a topic we know he doesn’t hold much interest in. I would mostly likely assume he would want them to call him “my king” or “daddy”, yes, of course, he would want the latter

What’s something that makes them laugh every single time? Be specific!

People assume that they know how an encounter with him will go because they have ‘dealt with those like him before’ or if they jump straight to the threat if they don’t get their own way with no proper creativity in between, it amuses him for a few seconds and so does the following reaction until he just becomes plainly bored. 

“I would be surprised if anyone met anyone like me and thought what they said wasn’t a cheap copy, standards! I have standards”

How do they put out a candle?

Depends on the situation, unless he is trying to scare someone in which he will blow it out very slowly so it flickers. However, on most other occasions he treats candles as most others, either putting them out with a wick dipper or blowing it until the flame dies out as if it was a birthday candle. 

What subject/topic do they know a lot about that’s completely useless to the direct plot?

How to rewire some of the basic components within a computer to improve processing capacity, as a child he spent lots of time to himself and felt peers not amongst people but machines who seemed to grow with his mind whilst everything and everyone else lagged.

How do they greet someone they like/love?

Most likely calling them a nickname or pet name of sorts, still something we shall have to see for ourselves when it comes to his Tumblr adventures

Who do they keep in their life for professional gain? Is it for malicious intent?

Anyone who serves his purposes or needs or if he needs leverage. Could be for a few reasons including not malicious intent but also to gain power or just to get a kick out of it.

What’s something unimportant/frivolous that they hate passionately?

The kind of paintings and murals you see that read words such as “the day will always get better” or “you are never alone”, he can’t believe people let some words written on something influence their lives so much. He believes it’s just a way of making money and people are too stupid to see that it’s the author just writing back to themselves and selling it on.

Who would / do they believe without question?

Sebastian Moran/ tiger in relevant verses is the only person he has that strength of understanding with, other than that we shall have to see

What’s a simple daily activity/motion that they mess up often?

Arranging mealtimes, he is often so engrossed in his own mind and schemes that he forgets to eat, to him it is mostly a necessity, to really want to taste a meal it has to be truly special.

In a Moran verse, Sebastian sets regular reminders not just on his own phone but Jim’s also, Jim tends to ignore them until Sebastian calls or checks in on him personally, then he will eat, with statements of “I didn’t know you cared” to tease him.

Tagging: @fantasycorrupted @malumxsubest @consultingsister @heretoboogie @tealeavesandthorns and anyone else who is interested!

[aphelyon]

this because honestly not only is it kind of gross because in many ways they really seem to be, like, the equivalent of long-lost fraternal twins, but also like them having a more sibling/familial relationship is SO MUCH BETTER for both of their characterizations.

I'm holding onto the vague hope that like. what the point ends up being here is that they DO have a familial relationship but because all the characters around them see them and are like "this guy is obviously self-centered enough to fall in love with himself plus any strong, not-yet-defined relationship between a male and female must be romantic." like, it's repeatedly other characters which suggest that their relationship must be romantic (and also establish that it's strange and somewhat uncomfortable even within the boundaries of the setting).

because Loki of course witnessed some of the events which set Sacred Timeline Loki on his path of redemption, enough to push our variant Loki onto the same path, this Loki didn't experience them first-hand over time, or get the chance to really work on having healthy familial relationships directly with Thor and Odin like ST Loki did. Sylvie, meanwhile, hasn't gotten to experience having a family since she was like 8. so basically, neither of them know how to feel out this whole "surprise new twin" thing (or even that that's quite what it is), and people constantly suggesting that their relationship must be romantic is pushing them towards thinking, okay, maybe these feelings are romantic because that's what everyone is saying it is and I actually don't know enough about positive family dynamics to know otherwise.

it's also worth noting that in several situations they actually appear to become more comfortable with each other when any implication of romance is set aside, such as their conversation before approaching Alioth; it's only after they both admit that they don't actually know what kind of relationship they have and that it's not necessarily romantic that they're able to start becoming legitimately relaxed and comfortable in each other's presence and physical closeness. even the kiss in the last episode feels less like a confession and more like Sylvie's attempt to lower Loki's guard by giving him something she thinks he wants. and then the fact that neither of them even address it when they meet again in S2E2, like it's not something that either of them is eager to continue. like, if either of them did feel romantic and now had some idea that the other felt the same, you would think that would be the first thing they would be using to try to win each other over, or at the very least that it would be in some way referenced/implied.

and honestly all this would be a really great characterization because Loki has clearly always been pretty family-oriented but always felt like an outcast; Sylvie has always been missing a family but won't really address it. so their "full" power is in a mixture of finally having that family who believes in them and cares for them -- something both have been missing -- and also being able to see the best in themselves/their potential through each other, because towards the end they do seem to start to see each other as being in many ways "the same." which is so much deeper and more meaningful than "pOwEr Of [romantic] LoVe" nonsense and is easily consistent with characterization we've been seeing from Loki since the first Thor movie.

also it would be a really great way to segue into Loki x Mobius bc it shows a contrast between Loki's relationship with Sylvie (the expected target of his affections, but possibly not the actual one) vs his relationship with Mobius (not the expected target), which, especially if you're trying to justify a gay relationship to a widescale heteronormative audience, being able to point it out and be like "see how Loki was actually treating & and responding to them differently all along?" is kind of important. (Mobius has a similar dynamic going on with Renslayer; any romantic tension between the two characters is very much a result of "male and female on screen together" and the two repeatedly refer to each other as friends, with no implication of hidden meaning). I have probably at least as much to say on why Lokius can and should become canon but that's not really the point of this reblog lol.

that said, while all of the above would make great storytelling, I am very likely overestimating Disney's (and especially Marvel's) ability to write subtlety, or at least to follow through with it (especially when it comes to Gay). not to mention it's possible some of the creators are trying to push for something at least vaguely similar to my Lokius-with-Sylki-as-a-red-herring theory, but that execs will decide to canonize Sylki at the end anyways regardless of what anyone else involved with the show (or fandom) wants. who knows, though. I'm holding out some hope, because I can see the potential, but I'm also prepared for the very squick-inducing likelihood that I'm entirely wrong.

this is so real

[samspenandsword]

SFW Alphabet: Sergeant Hunter

Summary: SFW alphabet for everyone’s favorite clone dad, Sergeant Hunter Pairing: Sergeant Hunter/Reader — gender-neutral reader with no mentions of their appearance Rating: GEN — SFW Warnings: None — Fluff and romance, established relationship headcanons, some language, mentions of war and canon-typical violence, sibling shenanigans, kissing and physical affection, mentions of children and having a family Word Count: 3.7k

You can find the template I used here

NSFW Alphabet

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

Hunter is pretty affectionate. He really enjoys being close to or touching you in some way. A hand on your waist or back, brushing the hair from your face, hugging you, squeezing your shoulder, holding your hand, keeping a hand on your knee or thigh. He is openly affectionate, not as much as Wrecker (who has no awareness of the concept of PDA), but to the level where if you’re not comfortable with that level of open, casual touch then you will need to communicate this to him. He’ll respect that 10000%. Hunter also isn’t afraid to kiss you in front of others. Not full-level make out, but a quick goodbye kiss, or a peck on the cheek when you make him laugh. Again, if open affection isn’t your thing, make sure to set that boundary, otherwise Hunter is going to be showing everyone that you’re spoken for. He’s also a sergeant, however, so when I say he’s openly affectionate, I just mean in front of his brothers or the general public. In more formal military settings, he is both expected to and wants to maintain a modicum of professionalism. You test his patience however lol.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?) 

Hunter as a best friend is more like an older brother than anything, even if he’s technically younger than you. He’s protective, he’ll tease you about your crushes or choice of drinks and snacks. He’ll listen to you vent and offer advice, and he’ll give you as many hugs as you want. He steals your hairbrush without asking (it’s remarkable how much his smirk resembles Crosshair’s every time he does this), scolds you for forgetting your jacket, makes you a warm drink when you need comforting, buys you drinks at 79s and breaks the fingers of those who get too frisky, teaches you self-defense, keeps all your secrets, embarrasses you mercilessly by reminding you of every time you’ve fallen flat on your face in front of someone attractive (both literally and figuratively), grumbles when you steal his bandanas, nearly pisses himself laughing every time you do a surprisingly good impression of Crosshair’s haughty sneer or Tech’s patented sniff of derision, even Echo’s impressive eye roll, and Wrecker’s infamous snoring. And most of all, Hunter will always be there for you. You are part of his squad, and no matter the differences between you all, Hunter protects his squad. 

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?) 

Being in a relationship with Hunter, whether romantic or platonic, means cuddles will happen. Either way, Hunter adores you and, as mentioned, is openly affectionate. I genuinely believe that for all of Hunter’s heightened senses, he is pretty comfortable with touch and can even be a total cuddle bug when he wants to be. However, due to his heightened senses, there are times where he can get overwhelmed. You’ll have to learn how to read him and his body language, because there are definitely times where he isn’t in the mood to be touched. He won’t ever deny you, of course, because Hunter is a giver and caretaker before anything else, especially in the days following the fall of the Republic (au au au au), but learning to read him when he’s feeling overstimulated will make him feel so special. 

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Come on, is there any other answer? Hunter absolutely wants to settle down. He sees families on his missions, and children and backyards and farms, and he wants that. He wants it so bad his chest aches sometimes. As soon as the war is over, he wants to settle down with you and start a family. Hunter’s not a great cook, he’s been living off military rations his entire life, but he wants to pull his weight at your home. If you cook, he’ll wash the dishes. If you do laundry, he’ll change your sheets. If you go get groceries, you’ll come home to find the floors clean and windows sparkling. You’re his partner, not his servant. You’re a team, and Hunter never wants you to feel like anything less than that. 

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

I feel like I have this answer for a lot of Clone Wars era characters, but I believe that Hunter would only end a relationship if he felt like it was putting you in danger. Especially following the fall of the Republic (au au au au). Associating with a clone deserter is a surefire way to put a target on your back, and Hunter just wants to keep you safe. He might try to end it for that reason. And being the gentleman he is, Hunter would definitely want to have that conversation in person. He still loves you, and you deserve a proper face-to-face about this. 

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?) 

Hunter would propose after two months if he had less self-control. The man falls hard and fast, so much so that even he is a little overwhelmed by it. He is committed to you, 1000%, right from the start. And if you get along with his brothers? If you hit it off with Omega? That’s it. Game over. The man is fully in love with you. In short, Hunter is an all-in sort of guy. There are few things more important to him than loyalty and commitment. 

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?) 

Emotionally, Hunter tries to be on the gentler side. His life, especially during the war, and maybe even afterwards, does not lend itself to stability, so he tries his best to give you that in your relationship. He never wants you to feel pressured or rushed or overwhelmed. But inevitably, a relationship with Hunter is passionate. Both emotionally and physically. Because he feels so deeply and you are one of the few consistent, safe, stable things in his life. It’s so hard not to return his passion, because it’s Hunter, and falling in love with him just seems so easy and inevitable, so how could you not?

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?) 

Hugs actually aren’t as common as other types of physical affection in your relationship, but they definitely still happen. They most often happen when you two are reunited after a mission (that is, if you’re not the medic for the Bad Batch like we all internally want to be), or just before he has to deploy again. There are a lot of “I’m so glad you’re alive” hugs, and side-hugs when you two feel like being cuddly and romantic and making Crosshair roll his eyes and gag. There are a lot of hugs where Omega is crushed between the two of you, and hugs where Wrecker is nearly crushing both of you with his exuberance. So hugs happen, but Hunter would much rather express his feelings for you with a kiss, or by cuddling on a couch or bed. He does, however, love to hug you from behind. He doesn’t do it often, but you both love it every time he does. 

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?) 

In a relationship as inevitably deep and passionate as the one you share with Hunter, he would pop the L-word much sooner than generally considered appropriate. To be honest, it is likely that the two of you may be experiencing feelings at vastly different paces. He manages to bite his tongue however, because the last thing he wants it to make you uncomfortable by shoving his feelings in your face. You definitely notice that in the first months of your relationship, Hunter very much lets you set the pace when it comes to verbal affection. But if you happen to be as competent on the battlefield as he is, or if you’re particularly good with his brothers and Omega, Hunter might just let those three little words slip.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Hunter is prone to jealousy. Not because he doesn’t trust you or anything close to that, but because he knows he snagged someone insanely attractive and desirable and he wants everyone to know that. He will plaster himself to your side at bars, hold your hand in public, kiss you openly. In a more true sense of jealousy, Hunter does have to reign it in sometimes if you’re not a member of their squad. Because he comes back to you, hears all your new stories about life on your planet, and gets a little upset at all the times he misses out on. Because there are a lot of people out there who could spend every moment of their lives with you, and Hunter just realistically can’t give you that during the war. 

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

Kisses are the most common form of affection in your relationship. Hunter just loves to kiss you. He kisses your cheek, your temple, your forehead, your nose, your neck. You have experienced everything from quick pecks on the lips, to tender kisses, to long, passionate kisses, to full-on horny makeouts, and everything in between. But besides your lips, because Hunter could makeout with you for hours if he had the time, his favorite place to kiss you is right over your pulse point, because he can hear and feel the way it leaps when he does so. Not to mention you scent is so strong there, and he loves burying his face in your neck. He personally loves it when you kiss his jaw, especially if it’s the only place you can reach because you’re shorter than him. He finds it so adorable every time you stretch onto your toes and press a kiss to his jaw. And oppositely, if you’re taller than him, he melts every time you lean down, dip beneath his jaw, and press your lips to his skin. 

L = Little Ones (How are they around children?) 

Okay folks, we all know that as soon as Hunter got used to the idea of Omega being around full-time, he became A+++ dad material. Just one more Star Wars dad for us all to fall in love with (and make no mistake, I love Din Djarin, Kanan Jarrus, Bail Organa, and Plo Koon so much). Hunter might be somewhat nervous and hesitant to have little ones of his own, but once his life settles into something resembling peace, he becomes more and more open to the idea. And he has no qualms about adoption vs natural birth. He really does just love the idea of raising children with you. He wants a family with you. 

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?) 

Mornings with Hunter tend to not be the most relaxing, to be honest. If you’re not being woken up by Omega and her endless amount of energy, you’re being woken by an argument between Echo and Tech, or Wrecker crashing his way into the barracks or through the ship. Very rarely do you and Hunter have the opportunity to have lazy mornings together. Most often, the both of you get up, dress, eat, and are instantly ready to go. 

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Opposite of mornings, nights are the calmer times for you and Hunter. His brothers and Omega have likely gone to bed already, so the both of you can just settle in together. One of Hunter’s favorite ways to spend quiet time with you is just to be with each other in bed, slowly and steadily falling asleep. There is no where he feels safer than beside you.

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

Hunter’s not inclined to spill his guts about all his insecurities and trauma on the first date, but he’s also not a brick wall (Crosshair). Over time he’ll open up, as the two of you grow closer. He’s always willing to tell stories of him and his brothers on their missions. And then, later, he’ll tell you stories of the shit they got up to on Kamino growing up. Eventually, he’ll start to reveal his insecurities, though he tries not to phrase them like that. A lot of the things Hunter reveals are things he doesn’t say — more than most of his brothers. Learning to read him will bring the two of you closert, and when Hunter realizes you’re noticing things about him, he’s never felt more seen.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?) 

We all know Hunter gets angry, of course he does, he’s human. But Hunter’s anger has a high threshold. He’s been putting up with Crosshair and Tech and Wrecker his entire life. There are things he has simply learned to tolerate. So he gets annoyed, and irritated, but his real anger is not as common. But there are some things that definitely get him going. And truly, no one seems to anger him as much as his brothers sometimes lol (sibling culture, my dudes). When it comes to a partner, however, Hunter tries incredibly hard not to let anger get the better of him. He never knows when he’s going to be deployed, so the last thing he wants is for the two of you to fight and then he has to leave, maybe for weeks, before you can reconcile. With you, especially, he wants you to always try working through your anger and fights and not let them fester.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every ittle detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

Hunter has a memory for the small things, the offhanded things you mention liking or enjoying. But something the bigger facts get lost in the shuffle. He’s jotted down your birthday somewhere because he can guess it within three days or so, but can never for the life of him remember exactly which day it is. He might also not remember exactly how long you’ve lived where you are, or who your favorite band is. But he does remember that you apparently had a pair of socks when you were 14 with tookas on them and have been lamenting their loss ever since you wore them through. Hunter also remembers that you crave that one specific junk food when you’ve had a bad day, and the story behind your childhood nickname. So yes, he remembers things about you, of course, but it’s usually the strangely specific things. 

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

Hunter remembers, so distinctly, this one time, before the fall of the Republic (au au au au). He and his brothers were all piled into your apartment. Crosshair and Tech were on your couch, arguing loudly over what to watch on the holo. Somewhere behind them were Wrecker and Echo, the ARC trying desperately to keep Wrecker from accidentally breaking everything in your apartment. You were in the kitchen, trying to put together a meal for the six of you, whether by ordering in or cooking. Hunter remembers looking at you, from where he sat in an armchair, and seeing the smile on your face. It was nothing short of fond. And between that smile, and the way you had accepted the five of them so readily into your space and life... Well, if Hunter hasn’t yet realized he’s in love with you, this is when it happens. 

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

Hunter is pretty protective. To be fair, Hunter is protective of everyone he feels even a modicum of care for. And he is a naturally caring and giving person. It’s what makes him such an effective sergeant — he respects the skills of his crew, is able to maximize their effectiveness as a team, all while still taking care of them. So Hunter is used to protecting others, and isn’t sure how he’d react if someone was similarly protective of him. It’d take him a bit to get used to, but over time would come to realize it was just a natural way for you and him to show your care for each other. 

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?) 

Hunter puts a lot of effort into the time he spends with you. He wants to make your dates special. Especially if you’re a member of the unit and you get to spend every day together. So the times with just the both of you should be something special and different, and Hunter genuinely puts in the effort to make them so. Your favorite flowers. Dinner reservations. Romantic getaways. A bottle of your favorite wine or drink. He wants not only the time you spend together to feel special, but for you to feel special and loved as well. 

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?) 

Hunter can be overprotective. Not in the sense of him giving you his jacket when it’s approaching chilly outside, and not in the sense of him protesting to you coming on missions. And not even really in the sense of him plastering himself to your side at bars when you get intrigued looks (though he does do that), or when he holds your hand in busy cities. Hunter’s true overprotectiveness comes out in the aftermath of a battle or mission, especially in the early days of your relationship. He might try to convince you that you’re better off with another unit, or back at home, away from the war. He’s overprotective in the sense that he wishes desperately that you could be shielded from the horrors of the life he leads, and it has led to a few arguments between you.  Hunter also does not do laundry. The stench in the Bad Batch’s barracks is partly because of Wrecker’s molding snacks, sure, but also because of the multiple pairs of dirty black undersuits lying in piles on the floor, and the bedsheets that haven’t been changed in months. Please teach him how to do basic chores, dear god. 

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Hunter’s not the most vain person in the galaxy, but he still likes to maintain his appearance. Especially his hair. He spends a lot of time on his hair when he can. Especially because the majority of the time, it’s stuck under his helmet. So when he gets to show his hair off, he’s going to make sure it looks good. Hunter also likes to keep his armor looking good. He buffs out the scuffs and scratches when they get out of control, touches up the paint when it’s needed. He also loves his tattoo, and I’d hope anyone who gets half their face tattooed ends up liking the result lol. But Hunter really does like it, and he enjoys the way it enhances his natural good looks. So admittedly, he likes looking good for himself, but also for you. Hunter, for as confident and self-assured as he is, does possess that tiny hint of insecurity that he is a clone, and that there are a million men out there that look very similar to him. So he likes to look good, for both you and himself. 

W = Whole (Would they feel imcomplete without you?) 

In an everyday since, no. He doesn’t feel incomplete without you, because he always knows, while he’s gone for weeks at a time, that he has you to come home to. In a grander scheme, maybe. Before meeting you, Hunter didn’t really feel incomplete. However, after meeting you, something slid into place. Something he hadn’t realized was missing. If he were to lose you, it would take a long time for him to adjust to the hole you would leave in his and his brothers’ lives. If he would ever fully adjust at all. 

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them)

Beyond physical touch, which is something Hunter very much takes comfort in, I headcanon Hunter’s love language as quality time. During the Clone Wars there was rarely a time when he wasn’t on a mission or just with his brothers. This doesn’t change much after the fall of the Republic (au au au au), so one of the ways he shows that he really cares for you is when he carves out time for you, plans a date or outing where the two of you can spend time alone in each other’s company. He knows he doesn’t have much time to give, but he still wants to give you as much time as he possibly can. Because he loves you, and you deserve at least that much.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

Showboating is something Hunter doesn’t really enjoy. Accolades, bragging, showing off. It really doesn’t do it for him, or anyone from the Bad Batch. Whether you’re a friend or partner, he cannot stand someone who would use your relationship to gain status or clout. Or even in a less conceited sense: Hunter just doesn’t like anyone he knows showing him or his brothers off. 

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habit of theirs?)

The reality of Hunter’s heightened senses means the constant stimuli of day-to-day life for him wipes him out. He can and will fall asleep in seconds if he allows himself to. And when he sleeps, he is liable to cuddling you like a teddy bear, but he is equally liable to flipping onto his stomach and burrowing his head beneath the pillow to block light and sound. It’s both hilarious and concerning. 

______________

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[leonsi]

seeing all these rottmnt/2012 crossovers bash on the 2012 bros’ relationship with each other is kiiindaaa upsetting as someone who’s uncomfortable with expressing and receiving overt affection

but hey what do i know i probablyy just have all toxic unhealthy relationships where we never understand each other and share mutual trust and love *twirls hair*

the 2012 bros may not openly express their love like the rottmnt boys do, but that doesnt mean its not there. and acting like the rottmnt relationships are automatically better and the only Right standard for healthy relationships seems pretty,, juvenile and inexperienced imo. love isnt only expressed through physical affection and saying things like “i love you,” openly, and assuming there is no love in a relationship without those things is… odd.

love is not only in words or hugs. the 2012 boys can love each other just as much as the rottmnt boys without being open about it. 2012 raph, especially, loves to show affection through acts of service, physical affection, and quality time, but he doesn’t like any of this to be commented on because it makes him uncomfortable. and thats okay! he doesn’t need to express affection openly to have it be there.

just as rottmnt donnie can express love and affection outside of hugs and words, so too can the 2012 boys. they all have their own unique ways of expressing love that the others all respect and recognize, and dismissing that feels less like it’s intentional, and more like the people writing these crossovers just don’t recognize alternate forms of expression exist. which, again,, reeks of inexperience.

( also semi-related tangent speaking of donnie he literally fucking . put a shock collar on his brother like he’s a dog in an attempt to change him. and brainwashed his brothers. and frequently puts his own wants and needs over their own - which is totally fine, if it didn’t happen all the time. it’s kinda laughable to say 2012 raph is worse than rottmnt donnie honestly

siblings hit each other. okay. siblings hit each other. i need y’all to recognize this. i will power drive my little brother into the floor over the last oreo. siblings hitting each other is not abusive (TYPICALLY) because there are established boundaries both parties abide by. like i will never touch my siblings if they are in a bad mood, trying to concentrate on something, or otherwise in a bad position (like standing somewhere dangerous, by a corner etc), and i will never intentionally hurt them. if i think they are actually hurt, we stop immediately until they tell me theyre fine. roughhousing with your siblings is fun. it is bonding. its a self-esteem booster to be able to pick up ur freshman brother okay.

the 2012 bros always abide by these rules. they never hurt each other beyond what the other party can handle, and if they do, it is very clearly treated as a bad thing by them or the other brothers so they realize they went over the line, and they resolve it by the end of the episode (as is the way of formulaic kids shows).

rottmnt donnie. put a fucking shock collar on his brother. and this is funny to him. and not something he ever learns from. and totally not weirdly sexual. But 2012 raph is the bad guy? ok )

i mean. i dont know what i expect from a fandom full of chronically online children who truly dont have experience with relationships. but it just really irks me for some reason and its currently one in the morning so im feeling whiny about it.

affection outside of words and hugs exists. affection outside of words and hugs exist!! and if you know that then you know that the 2012 boys love each other so so so much, just as much as rottmnt. just because they express it differently than in sanitized queer TV shows and not overtly, so you kinda have to pick up on nuance, doesnt mean they dont love each other. let people love other people in non-overt ways!

[not-terezi-pyrope]

Everything that Musk does make sense if you internalise the fact that he sees himself as the heroic if misunderstood "Mary Sue"-style self-insert protagonist of a sci-fi novel, specifically the genius visionary who expands the horizons of humanity with his leadership and cool ideas.

Unfortunately, he lucked into enough riches that the world and the people surrounding him confirm this fantasy instead of giving him a much-needed reality check, and as a result everything he does is an attempt to match up to the aesthetics of that image. Any time some aspect of the world does not conform what he would expect from his personal narrative, it frightens him, and so he has to reaffirm his awesomeness by doubling down on some new venture and prove that he was right/capable of doing the cool thing all along.

This happens fairly often, because he's not actually that competent - he's not a total idiot in a knowledge sense like some people make out, but he's not a genius, and as such can't live up to his expectation that he is one; plus the fantasy he is living in overrides much of the common sense he'd otherwise be able to lean on. Hence we so often get these bizarre outbursts and billion-dollar-scale resources being thrown at these weird aesthetic pursuits and the focus of some transient dreamland neurosis. It seems to be becoming more common as he pushes himself further into wonderland.

What would be best for him, and for us, would be for him to crash hard, in some way he really can't ignore, and see if it might not break the spell. Unfortunately there is enough money locked up in his ventures that it's hard for him to fuck up enough to lose it all, especially as his established businesses have adapted to work around his bizarre requests so that they don't compromise the income streams. So unless something changes I'm sure we're going to be getting more weird stuff like this.

X specifically is his long-running concept for his boundary-pushing monopoly everythingcorp that will take over the world (in a good way!!!1!!) by virtue of him being at the helm. It's the sort of thing I played pretend about when I was 15, except it's really stuck with him.

I think the reason the Twitter 𝕏 feels so bad to me is because it feels like a new flag being unfurled, and it evokes a "are we the baddies?" sort of feel.

Like "hey guys, here's our new uniforms. Don't mind the skulls."

Which feels a BIT unfair. If 𝕏 was for a phone, or a gamer PC, or a car, or any number of other tech things, I wouldn't bat an eye. 𝕏 is not inherently bad. It's potentially cool, even.

For social media, however, AND replacing the blue Twitter bird with a white 𝕏 on a black background ? It feels very out of place, and somehow sinister.

Not helped is the fact that Twitter 𝕏 apparently wants to be a jack of all trades, which sounds like it wants to be some sort of monopoly. That's not helping the super villain vibes.

[transhawks]

I don't get what was wrong with what Izuku said. Should he have told Shouto that he was a horrible person or something?

I think it's more the way that forgiveness means you're a good person. It...doesn't. The choice to forgive an abuser is not indicative of whether a survivor is good or bad. That's what the issue is. It encourages the martyrization of survivors constantly put on us - that we apparently have to suffer and then forgive our abusers in some desire for 'sainthood'.

Forgiveness is, ultimately, a personal choice in coming to terms with abuse. If it helps in the coping and healing to forgive or not forgive, that's what the survivor will do. But ascribing a moral quality to either puts an expectation that for a survivor to be 'good' (and heal) they /must/ forgive. And while there's definitely a conversation in BNHA about letting anger about abuse consume you to levels of self-destruction, like everything, there's nuance and healthier alternatives. Natsuo is not wrong for not wanting to forgive Endeavor as he was in the time of the dinner. He's right to dislike the pressure because he's either not ready or doesn't seem like he wants to. There are many survivors who lead happy lives with no forgiveness and contact with the abuser, and that seems to be the route Natsuo is trying to go for.

I think Deku spoke this way out of naivety and his own personal beliefs about people who harmed him. While Inko and he definitely have some issues I don't see spoken about often, he's otherwise grown up in a happier home if lacking the nuclearity of the Todoroki house. It's also just in Deku's character to be like this because he's a very self-sacrificial kid and you can see that in both his heroic actions and in his relationship with Katsuki.

But what works for Deku isn't really what works everywhere and, again, there's a lot of more dynamics at play for survivors of parental abuse and neglect where there's immense pressure to be a 'good' survivor because 'bad' survivors aren't believed.

Natsuo, by the way, is a very caring and loving character who, despite it hurting the boundaries he wants established, will repeatedly try for his sister and little brother. He's already a good person and forgiving or not forgiving Enji has nothing to do with it.

[itsclydebitches]

I keep seeing people calling Good Omens queer bating and a I can't help but ask why? I read the Aziraphale/Crowley relationship threw an Ace lens and they are clearly as close to married as they are probably going to get without stepping on holy ground.... and they love each other... why is it considered queer bating?

Personally, I think it's mostly young queer fans turning legitimate grievances on the wrong target. A case of getting so fed up with queerbaiting in media as a whole that they're instinctually lashing out at anything that seems to resembles it on the surface, without taking the time to consider whether this is, in fact, the thing they're mad at. Good Omens is a scapegoat, if you will. The equivalent of snapping at your partner after a long day. Your friend was an asshole, your boss was an asshole, the guy in traffic was an asshole, and then you come home to your partner who says something teasing and you take it as another asshole comment because you've just been surrounded by assholeness all day, to the point where your brain is primed to see an attack. Your partner wasn't actually an asshole, but by this point you're (understandably) too on guard to realize that. Unless someone sits you down and kindly reminds you of the difference between playful teasing and a legitimate insult - the nuance, if you will - your hackles are just gonna stay up and you'll leave the room, off to phone a different friend to tell them all about how your partner was definitely an asshole to you.

Only in this case, that "friend" is a fan on social media doing think pieces on the supposed queerbaiting of Good Omens, spreading that idea to a) people who aren't familiar with the show themselves and b) those who, like that original fan, have come to expect queerbaiting and thus aren't inclined to question the latest story with that mark leveled against it. Because on the surface Good Omens can look a lot like queerbaiting. Here are two queer coded characters who clearly love each other, but don't say "I love you," don't kiss, don't "prove" that love in a particular way. So Gaiman is just leading everyone on, right?

Well... no. This is where the nuance comes in, the thing that many fans aren't interested in grappling with (because, like it or not, media is not made up of black and white categories; queerbaited and not-queerbaited. Supernatural's finale is proof enough of that...) I won't delve into the most detailed explanation here, but suffice to say:

Gaiman has straight up said it's a love story. He's just not giving them concrete labels like "gay" or "bi" or "asexual," etc. because they are literally not human. Gaiman has subscribed to an inclusive viewpoint in an era where fans are desperate for unambiguous rep that homophobes cannot possibly deny. The freedom to prioritize any interpretation - yes, including a "just friends" interpretation - now, in 2021, feels like a cop-out. However, in this case it's an act of world building (they are an angel and a demon, not bound by human understanding of identity) meeting a genuine desire to make these characters relatable to the entire queer community, not just particular subsets. Gaiman has said they can be whatever we want because the gender, sexuality, and romantic attraction of an angel and a demon is totally up for debate! However, some fans have interpreted that as a dismissal of canonical queerness; the idea that fans can pretend they're whatever they want... but it's definitely not canon. It is though. Them being queer is 100% canon, it's just up to us to decide what kind of queer they are. This isn't Gaiman stringing audiences along, it's him opening the relationship up to all queer possibilities.

We know he's not stringing us along (queerbaiting) because up until just a few days ago season two didn't exist. Queerbaiting is a deliberate strategy to maintain an audience. A miniseries does not need to maintain its audience. You binge it in one go and you're done, no coming back next year required. The announcement for season two doesn't erase that context for season one. No one knew there would be more content and thus the idea that they would implement a strategy designed to keep viewers hooked due to the hope for a queer relationship (with no intent to follow through) is... silly.

In addition, this interpretive, queer relationship between Crowley and Aziraphale existed in the book thirty years ago. Many fans are not considering the difference between creating a totally new story in 2019 and faithfully adapting a story from 1990 in 2019. Good Omens as representation meant something very different back then and that absolutely impacts how we see its adaptation onto the small screen. To put this into perspective, Rowling made HUGE waves when she revealed that she "thought of" Dumbledore as gay in an interview... in 2007. Compare that to the intense coding 17 years before. Gaiman was - and still is - pushing boundaries.

Which includes being an established ally, particularly in his comics. Queerbaiting isn't just the act of a single work, but the way an author approaches their work. Gaiman does not (to my knowledge) have that mark against him and even if he did, he's done enough other work to offset that.

Finally, we've got other, practical issues like: how do you represent asexuality on the screen? How do you show an absence of something? Yeah, one or both of them could claim that label in the show, outright saying, "I'm asexual," but again, Gaimain isn't looking to box his mythological figures into a single identity. So if we want that rep... we have to grapple with the fact that this is one option for what it looks like.

Even if he did want to narrow the representation down to just a few identities for the show, should Gaiman really be making those major changes when he's only one half of the author team? Pratchett has, sadly, passed on and thus obviously has no say in whether his characters undergo such revisions. Even if fans hate every other argument, they should understand that, out of respect, Good Omens is going to largely remain the same story it was 30 years ago.

And those 6,000 years are just the beginning! Again, this was meant to be a miniseries of a single novel, a novel that, crucially, covered only Crowley and Aziraphale's triumph in being able to love one another freely. That's a part of their personal journey. Yeah, they've been together in one sense for 6,000 years, but that was always with hell and heaven on their backs, to say nothing of the slow-burn approach towards acknowledging that love, for Aziraphale in particular. We end the story at the start of their new relationship, one that is more free and open than it ever was before. They can be anything to one another now! The fact that we don't see that isn't a deliberate attempt on the author's part to deny us that representation, but only a result of the story ending.

So yeah, there's a lot to consider and, frankly, I don't think those fans are considering it. Which on a purely emotional level I can understand. I'm pissed about queerbaiting too and the knee-jerk desire to reject anything that doesn't meet a specific standard is understandable. But understandable doesn't mean we don't have to work against that instinct because doing otherwise is harmful in the long run. We need to consider when stories were published and what representation meant back then. We need to consider how we adapt those stories for a modern audience. We need to acknowledge that if we want the inclusivity that "queer" provides us, that includes getting characters whose identity is not strictly defined by the author as well as characters with overtly canonical labels. We need both. We likewise need to be careful about when having higher standards ends up hurting the wrong authors - who are our imperfect allies vs. those straight up unwilling to embrace our community at all? And most importantly, we have to think about how we're using the terms we've developed to discuss these issues. Queerbaiting means something specific and applying it to Good Omens not only does Good Omens a disservice, but it undermines the intended meaning of "queerbaiting," making it harder to use correctly in the future. Good Omens is not queerbaiting and trying to claim it is only hurts the community those fans are speaking up for.

[emblemxeno]

Fire Emblem Fates: Personal Arcs and Thematic Parallels for the Royal Siblings

Introduction

As we all know by now, the royal siblings of Fates are all mirrors and contrasts with one another.

Xander and Ryoma are the wise and kind elder brothers who have the weight of their kingdoms’ futures on their shoulders, however Xander is an anxious stoic entrenched in state of denial who worked hard to get as strong as he is, whereas Ryoma is a charismatic natural talent, a huge hothead and has major prejudice issues.

Camilla and Hinoka are the caring elder sisters, with Camilla being overbearing and feminine and Hinoka being stubborn and tomboyish. 

Leo and Takumi are the intelligent younger brothers who face massive self esteem issues (in regards to their older brothers) and jealousy (in regards to Corrin), but while Leo’s problems are hidden under a layer of cold pragmatism and isolation, Takumi’s are front and center since he is very emotionally volatile. 

Elise and Sakura are the sweet and compassionate little sisters, with Elise being excitable and cheery and Sakura being shy and timid.

However, these aren’t the only parallels that exist between the siblings. More parallels are discovered when you look at the story closely. Especially when you lock down each of their personal arcs. Furthermore, close analysis reveals other interesting parallels, namely for Leo and Hinoka in regards to their brothers, Xander and Ryoma.

Themes, Arcs and Developments: Hoshido & Birthright

The development for the Hoshido siblings and the Birthright path is belief in others, collaboration and tolerance. The siblings start off separated from each other, with Takumi and Ryoma going missing and Hinoka having already left to go find them. 

Corrin’s belief in others gets tested through being double crossed by Zola, and the possibility of there being a traitor in the party. Nevertheless, his doubts don’t consume him, and his belief in himself and others gets him through tragedy. Many times in the story, trust and working together gets brought up, like during Chapter 14 where Corrin asks if anyone’s reluctant to move forward with the invasion, but his siblings reassure him. The same thing occurs when Corrin learns about the Rainbow Sage; at first he says if he needs to go alone, he will. But again, his siblings make sure to come with and support him. This dovetails into how the siblings personally develop as well.

Through Corrin accepting Sakura’s pleas to come with them, Sakura goes from meek and unsure princess to a strong willed young woman who’s able to punch Iago in the dick. Through being reassured and believed in by his family, Takumi goes from a prickly skeptic to a confident and heartfelt prince. Through learning of Nohr’s plight and accepting that he can’t do everything alone, Ryoma goes from a stubborn and prejudiced high prince to a tolerant King who seeks to break boundaries and misconceptions, walking hand in hand with his former enemy. The siblings enjoy their newfound perspective and the peace that comes with it; the peace their mother cherished.

Themes, Arcs and Developments: Nohr and Conquest

The development for the Nohrian siblings and the Conquest path is moving on to the future, where justice lies and change. Nohr and the siblings are set in their ways; doing what needs to be done to survive. Upon his return to Nohr, Corrin seeks to change that necessity and bring an era where Nohr can seek glory through mutual respect, not oppression. His willpower gets tested constantly; at times he succeeds in settling things peacefully, at other times he fails or his plan backfires. Still he moves on, working behind the scenes toward his own path of justice, along with his siblings who have done the same for much longer than he has.

Through Corrin’s leadership and conviction, Xander is shown the truth, and from that leaves behind his entrenched way of thinking. He grows from a scared crown prince set in his ways, into a benevolent King promising to bring prosperity to his kingdom through his own sense of justice. Camilla is able to cut away from the same mindset, no longer being afraid of the monster her father has become. Her love for her family outgrows her fear of Garon, the fear that was established during the aftermath of the Cheve rebellion. Elise starts out naive and innocent, but playing a part in the tragedies that unfold gives her perspective. When she first meets Sakura, she’s childish and selfish, but later comforts the Hoshidan princess during a time of great pain. At the end of the route, the two are fast friends as a result of Elise’s compassion. The siblings enjoy the light they are able to bring to their kingdom and the future they seek to walk towards.

The Outliers

But in all that, there remain two siblings whom I didn’t really name specifics for: Hinoka and Leo. This is because, other than the general development of the siblings as a collective and the themes of their routes, they don’t really change too much. Leo starts as the pragmatic executioner who imparts the course which Corrin begins to take, and remains as such later in Conquest. Hinoka is the stoic and determined princess whose concern is the protection of those she cares for, and she remains as such later in Birthright. Neither seems to have personal growth to accomplish other than the general themes of their routes. 

That is, until you look at the routes in which you oppose them.

In fact, a new form of development occurs for all of the siblings when you oppose them, and with that, come new parallels.

Opposing Paths and New Parallels

Xander and Ryoma remain each other’s mirror and contrast. On the respective paths that you oppose them on, they are the notable threat to overcome later in the game. You encounter both of them in earlier chapters as well, and both of their maps are escape objectives; this shows in gameplay how much stronger they are compared to Corrin and how it is the smarter decision to pull back and regroup. They both can’t forgive Corrin for betraying their kingdom and family, but while Xander accepts Corrin has turned traitor, Ryoma is intent on bringing him back by any means necessary. Upon Elise’s death at his hand, Xander falls into despair and forces Corrin to strike him down. Ryoma on the other hand, sacrifices himself to spare Corrin the hardship of striking him down when he realizes his brother is still the kind soul he thought he was. 

The elder brothers are the ultimate test of Corrin’s resolve, to see if he’s ready to finish the path he started. The loss of these two are a tragedy, and the impact is felt in many ways.

Takumi and Elise gain new mirrors and contrasts with each other. For starters, each of them get inflicted with illness and reveal a truth they wouldn’t otherwise have awareness of during their delirium. It’s the suffering of these two that gets highlighted the most on routes you oppose them. Elise is miserable from her family being broken apart, and has to escape her home just to find some semblance of joy. Takumi meanwhile, lashes out more and more against Corrin, becoming more volatile and suffering from constant headaches. Elise only fights you once (and even then she’s an optional fight), while Takumi fights you the most out of any other sibling. Both of them end up losing their lives through indirect means; Elise throws herself in front of Xander’s sword in a bid to get him to stop fighting. Takumi throws himself off the Great Wall of Susano-o, blinded by rage, frustration and sadness. 

Takumi and Elise are major victims of this war and the path Corrin chose, victims who expressed their misery in different ways.

Camilla and Sakura are each other’s mirror and contrast. These two probably have the most difficult parallels to pin down, but they are there nonetheless. When Corrin chose Hoshido, Camilla lost her security; her family is broken apart and she can’t do anything to stop it. She is forced to accept that Corrin has left her to join Hoshido, and finally comes to terms with it after her second encounter. When Corrin chose Nohr, Sakura lost her solace; her country is being invaded, she had just lost her mother and now her older sibling is choosing to go back to the kingdom responsible for her suffering. She is forced to suck it up and defend her home on the from the front lines. Instead of development coming naturally due to positive reveals and encouragements, both sisters are forced to change in order not to break entirely. 

Camilla and Sakura are loving sisters who now have to accept a harsh reality during and after a war they had no control of.

Bear the Crown, Bear the Development

That leaves Hinoka and Leo, and this is where they each get major development as opposed to their native routes. 

Hinoka and Leo were spared by Corrin after thinking they were gonna be killed, and eventually the thrones fall to them when the war concludes. After all, Hoshido favors kings over queens so if it wasn’t Ryoma, it would be Takumi. Nohr has an age based inheritance, so if it wasn’t Xander, it would be Camilla. Leo and Hinoka never dreamed it would be up to them to lead their kingdoms. When they bear the crown, they bear the weight of a responsibility they never expected.

However, when looking at it closely, it seems they also bear the character development their older brothers would’ve had.

Leo has battled feelings of inadequacy and jealousy in regards to his siblings already, but Corrin choosing Hoshido causes those feelings to surface. He’s angry and hurt over it all, but hides that under a layer of cold-bloodedness. Leo, promising to kill Corrin at every turn, thinks of his brother as dead to him.  However, Leo later finds himself. When talking with Corrin and seeing the truth about Garon, he realizes that Nohr doesn’t have to remain the way it is in order to survive. 

Leo at the end of Birthright begins to feel similar to Xander at the end of Conquest.

Hinoka has dealt with the guilt of Corrin’s kidnapping for over a decade. She became strong by choosing the path of the warrior as opposed of the princess. When Corrin chooses Nohr, she is in disbelief; after all, why would her brother return to to his kidnappers? She resolves to defeat him, and thinks of her dream of being a family again as a fantasy that will never come to fruition. However, Hinoka later believes otherwise. When talking with Corrin and seeing him and his Nohrian siblings work to end the war in a different way, she realizes that Hoshido’s beliefs about Nohr are wrong and that those misconceptions must be cleared. 

Hinoka at the end of Conquest begins to feel similar to Ryoma at the end of Birthright.

Conclusion

Leo and Hinoka each become the rulers that their kingdoms needed. They fill the space left by Xander and Ryoma. They don’t have personal arcs on their native routes nor on Revelation because there’s no absence to be filled; they can remain as they are, rather than be bound by the weight of the crown. Their rule as monarchs is bittersweet, for it’s a role neither of them expected, but they perform said role well nonetheless.

That’s, at least, how I feel about all of this. Of course, this whole thing isn’t a perfect interpretation, nor does the game handle this aspect as well as it could have. Hinoka still lacks in number of notable appearances compared to pretty much every other sibling; hell, there are even scenes in Birthright where every sibling except Hinoka appear. Leo, meanwhile, has many more scenes of importance, especially since he wields a divine weapon and his big hero moment triggers the Yato’s transformation during Conquest. The negative effects of Hinoka’s later addition are still very present, and it’s something that I hope would be done better in a possible Fates remaster. 

As it stands now though, I still think all of this is done well enough for everything I described. Fates’ story is smarter than one might think, and I believe all of this is an example of that.