#and i value her as a friend than i do a potential romantic partner especially if there's a good chance those feelings arent returned

[chicken-fifi]

BTS Reaction | They Have a Crush on You (Unrequited)

Pairing: BTS Members x Reader

Requested by anon: Hello 👋👋 could you pls write for BTS members unrequited love headcanons? they are in love with reader who is their friend. But she is oblivious to their feelings and doesn't reciprocate because she is not a celebrity and she never thought that they will ever like her romantically. They also can't confess to her because she told them before that she will never date a celebrity (cause of crazy fans, lack of privacy, hate comments etc.) Thank you ❤️

A/n: this one took me so long to write i'm not even kidding, like wtf

Tunes: superbowl LVII. do i understand anything about it? no, but the it's the first time univision is covering the super bowl in SPANISH. so here i am. :)

Jin:

Seokjin understands full heartedly your reasons for not wanting to date a celebrity

They are all valid and very logical reasons 

And he wishes you find someone who is able to check all those boxes

Even if it breaks his heart to have to let you go

He’ll bottle up every single feeling he has for you

Battle them to remain buried for years if he has to

All if it means he still gets to be a part of your life

All if it means he doesn’t have to lose you

Suga:

Much more quiet around you than usual

Yoongi really struggles with this

He wants to be happy with you

And he knows that he can make you happy on his own

But the knowledge that you don’t want to date a celebrity due to privacy issues, and fans, and hate

He gets it

He really does

But it breaks him

Because at what point can put his foot down

Take control of his life solely because it’s his life

Protect you and everything you value

He would do it without question

But he won’t do it if it means risking your friendship

J-Hope:

Quiet but not unavailable if that makes sense

Hoseok really tries to push the romantic feels he has for you aside

Some days it’s much easier than others

He does dwell on the ‘what ifs’quite often

What if he hadn’t auditioned and passed

What if he wasn’t a member of BTS

What if he was just a normal person, who had a normal life, and could give you the normal life you wanted

What if

What if

What if

RM:

Is probably the member who hides it the best

Namjoon loves you to pieces

And while he doesn’t necessarily allow that to show, he does show that he cares for deeply

But part of the reason why he’s able to hide and push it aside is because he genuinely doesn’t believe you even feel the same way

After who on earth would like him

Especially you

Given your position on not dating a celebrity

He can handle pinning over you for the rest of his life

He can’t handle not having you in it all

Jimin:

One of the sad puppy trio

Jimin is so mopey about this

He tries not to let it show but it does sometimes

He can’t help the pain that fills his eyes whenever you talk about new romantic interests

It hurts to know that he would never be considered as one

But if by some chance he could ever be taken into account

He’ll jump at the opportunity

But until then

He’ll wallow in sadness

Putting one a smile just for you

His friend

V:

Taehyung is very much like a sad puppy

It’s noticeable despite how much he tries to hide it

He wishes he could say that he wouldn’t allow any of the hate, lack of privacy, and crazy fans to get to you

But he can’t promise that

Not matter how much he wishes he could

That would put him in your good graces as a potential partner for sure

But risking your unhappiness is something he would never do

So he’ll mope and remain silent

Cause he’s not going to put you in any situation where you aren’t happy and free because of him

Jungkook:

Sad puppy here too

Jeongguk can’t hide the longing stares

Or the pouts that come across his face whenever you bring up another celebrity and non-celebrity couple who struggling with protecting their private lives, the hate, and stalking

He hates that that’s the norm for relationships for people like him

That they can’t offer the same normalcy in a relationship

And they can’t really expect the same either

He wants nothing more than to confess his feelings to you

Live his life with no regrets

But the risk of not being able to have you in his life for even the most simple of conversations

He can’t risk that

He won’t risk that

Even if it means he’s unhappy for quite sometime

#kpop #kpop reactions #bts #bts masterlist #bts reactions #rm #jin #suga #j-hope #jimin #v #jungkook

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

Rpg Anon: For the Bingo: Hinazumi, Soudaionji, Togahina, Naegiri, Fuyupeko, Tokomaru, Soruko, Saimatsu, Tsumioda, and everything. Yeah that's right. I'm throwing all the ships at ya.

//Aight, that's fair. Might as well get it out of the way.

//I really do wish that Mahiru was a more integral character to DR2's plot, because her interactions with Hajime in the Free Time Events are probably the cutest the game has to offer. Originally I was more of a Hinanami fan, and honestly I still am, but I've been corrupted by these two.

//Mahiru and Hajime are perfect catalysts for each other's character development, since one counters the others past trauma. Being someone who's just a meer photographer, Mahiru also has the potential to relate to Hajime more as a talentless individual.

//Ship is hella underrated, it needs more love.

//Outside of Survivor, I'm not CRAZY about this pair, and honestly, the only place I can think of it starting from is that one manga where Usami creates a Japanese festival and they have a bonding moment.

//It's kind of like a Nagatoro/Senpai relationship where the girl mercilessly bullies the boy because she likes him, and with these two, I can get behind that.

//Especially because of how much opposites attract. Hiyoko has a graceful design but a less than graceful personality, wheras Kazuichi is an honestly nice guy but looks and acts pathetic. There is potential there, but due to it being such a meager and not-well established ship, it lacks the fanbase movement to make it worth it.

//I didn't write down romantically or platonically on this one because the basic pair can go either way. This pairing is basically the definition of that high-school movie couple that's the pompous rich girl and the jock, except the gender roles are reversed, and honestly, I think that's pretty funny.

//Hina and Byakuya's progressions from adversaries to friends in DR1 and DR3 is actually pretty fun and natural, and the idea of Byakuya softening up around his classmates is one that I can more than get behind. Hina being the catalyst for it is also perfect.

//I kind of wish more people talked about this one.

//Don't think anyone's gonna argue with me for holding Naegiri in high regard. Makoto is the character who I have the MOST ships with, because I also think Sayaka and Mukuro make for amazing partners, but because Kyoko has spent the most time bonding with

//They have this theme where they can bring out themselves in each other to help balance out where their characters lean. Makoto is usually optimistic and wistful, but Kyoko can help bring him back down to earth and make him face reality if he ends up in a tizz. Alternatively, Makoto's optimism breaks Kyoko's ordinarily stone-cold expression, and it's shown in DR3 that she's gotten to the point that she is unashamed to speak highly of Makoto, because she's come to respect him and value him as a friend, something she would not have done in early DR1.

//They make each other the best versions of themselves and that's all a good relationship needs. Plus, the cool girl and lame boy dynamic is rarely ever not fun.

//These two got married after DR2 happened and nobody can tell me otherwise.

//Honestly though, as cute as I think Kuzupeko is, their actual canon relationship is kind of toxic. I know that's the point, but I like to think that Peko works herself out of that horrid mindset of being Fuyuhiko's servant and nothing else once she realizes how much he really loves her, not just romantically, but as a friend.

//Peko's also pretty good for Fuyuhiko's health. Even before any relationship upgrades I imagine he always vents to her about stupid shit because he can't trust anyone else with it, and thinking about that makes me realize how much they trust each other. They deserve one another, and no one else should have them.

//What I find most hilarious about Tokomaru is that it's basically just Naegiri with baggage. Rather, MORE baggage. Also, lots more screen time and room for development, since UDG is basically ABOUT these two and outside of every horrible thing that game brought, this relationship was not one of them.

//Like her brother, Komaru can be easily overwhelmed, emotional and sometimes too optimistic for her own good, and Toko helps mediate this with her more cynical and realistic personality. In turn, Komaru's more ordinary high school girl nature and her own quirks as a character suit Toko well, normalizing HER fucked up writing and bringing out the human side that she SERIOUSLY lacked in DR1.

//Speaking from the heart, I actually think these two are my current favourite couple in DR Survivor. I already talked in a previous post how writing Toko is one of the most fun and engaging things I've ever done, and I'm proud to see the natural progression of this pair and how far they've come together. If only DR weren't cowards and made them canonical lesbian lovers.

//WHERE IS UDG2 GOD DAMMIT!?

//Soruko is a pair that I love, but I have a hard time writing because Sora can sometimes be a MASSIVE DICK to her wife. Not that she means it, but sometimes I feel like I inadvertently make Sora this big dick energy monster who wants dominance over Yoru, and that's NOT what these two are.

//I get why they don't want to just write proper ships in even the fangames, but these two had such an intense amount of sexual tension between them for most of Another 2, and the way their stories end is frankly tragic and bittersweet.

//I have LOTS of problems with Another 2, really, I do. But these two were one of the things that actually drew me into the game. I think they should have kissed at least

//This is my favourite ship in canon and has been so since the dawn of time. It takes aspects from all the other relationships in Danganronpa I love and meshes them together in a sweet romantic lasagna.

//My biggest GRIPE is how little we got to actually SEE of these two, and the fact that whatever romantic scenes we get of them are called forced by a majority of the fandom. And I will admit, stories like Three-Point Shot and others like it portray Saimatsu in a much better way than the main series does. But the potential is unmatched.

//Like Tokomaru and Naegiri, one is an optimistic girl who is given reality checks by the more serious boy, who also has clear past trauma and depression that is quelled by the optimistic girl. It's the PERFECT healthy dynamic, and the good thing about it is that neither Kaede nor Shuichi are ever portrayed as perfect protagonists. In fact, they perfectly cover for the other's flaws to help sustain that balance. Their designs reflect this as well with Kaede's faded but colors being the basic reverse pallete of Shuichi's darker ones. Even as one of Shuichi's more well established ships, these two deserve more attention.

//Ooooooh fuuuuuck...I have a LOT to say about this one...

//This is probably my favorite ship in the series, possibly only beaten by Saimatsu. More people need to talk about this pair, it's frankly the best that the both of them can find among whatever pairings they might have.

//They have basically no interactions in the games and I think that's REALLY sad actually, because their dynamic of the emotionally strong girl and the emotionally frail girl has potential that just isn't explored, when it SHOULD be. Especially considering that Ibuki is probably the only character who can definitively FIX what's wrong with Mikan.

//Ibuki's entire Free Time Event storyline is all about her being herself, but also subtly helping Hajime overcome his fears and insecurities as a person by naturally taking his mind off them to have fun, and this really does help Hajime. If ANYONE needs therapy like that, it's Mikan. And Ibuki is just so naturally optimistic and charismatic, even Mikan should be able to see that nothing Ibuki does is foreplay or taking advantage of her.

//LET THESE TWO BE A THING!

-Mod

#mod #danganronpa #danganronpa survivor #bingo #naegiri #tokomaru #saimatsu #hinazumi #soudaionji #togahina #tsumioda #soruko #kuzupeko

[mousieta]

Review: Twenty-Five Twenty-One

Year: 2022 Country: Korea Platform: Netflix

Twenty-five Twenty One is a coming of age drama elevated by a stellar cast and a thoughtful, moving script to stand out within its genre. Disclaimer, though, I may be biased as I am smack dab in the center of the target demographic of this show’s nostalgia pull. I’m the same age as Kim Tae Ri’s character, Na Hee Do, with a daughter only a year or so younger than hers. That fact definitely colors my perception of the show. But, I feel, also gives me insight on what it is setting out to do and a clear perspective on how successful I feel it was.

In the vein of the Reply series, the show centers on youth’s coming of age in the late 90s and early 00s. The show spans roughly from the IMF crisis in South Korea through the United States attacks of 9/11. The focus is on the transition from teenager to adult within the context of a sports drama.

Kim Tae Ri plays Na Hee Do; her and her rival Go Yu Rim are international level fencers. The show lovingly sprawls through relationships with parents, friends, the struggle of self-discovery, finding one’s path in the world, starting a career and, of course as any KDrama worth its salt, first love.

What sets this drama apart - in my opinion - is what makes it controversial and will potentially render it unpalatable to others and it also cannot be easily discussed without show-ending spoilers. So if you don’t want those, you can go ahead and skip the rest of the review knowing I heartily loved and recommend this drama for its solid writing and acting (Nam Joo Hyuk, as ever, reminding me of why I have such a soft spot for his characters and their awkward charm).

~spoilers past this point~

A common trope in the Romance-heavy drama landscape is the idea of The One. It is not enough for our OTP to meet, fall in love, and be together. No, they must also be fated, destined to meet since childhood, mystically connected all their lives. It is a useful short-hand, a way of confirming to the viewer that once the drama is over and done, the viewer gone, these two are going to remain together in perpetuity (which is often why sequels or continuations is placed where they’re more common are awkward). Fate has declared it so,

To be clear, I have no problem with this trope. It is just one of many in a storyteller’s toolbox: dependent on execution for its success.

However, over the course of life, a person can have many loves, many important relationships. Longevity is not the sole marker or a relationship’s success or value. So it is refreshing to have a show that acknowledges and explores that. A romantic love can be deeply important, powerful and essential to a certain person at a certain time in their life and then ultimately fall apart. The fact that it ended does not render the relationship’s place in a person’s life meaningless and doesn’t have to be torn down because someone eventually has a different life partner.

The show takes pains to show early on and continuously in the flash fowards that Hee Do is  not with Yi Jin. He is not the father of her child and she only knows about what’s going on with him in passing. I am sure some may have anticipated a last minute fake out, putting everything right so our lovers can rid off into the sunset, but there is no such moment, nor even the hint of one. The last scene is not a mystical meet-cute. The focus is fully on Hee Do reflecting on the beauty and ephemeral nature of the past.

The relationship is permanently left in the past of Hee Do’s journals and memories. This, for me, renders the entire story all the more poignant, overlaying it with a Romanticism of youth.

I found the ultimate dissolution of the main relationship heartbreaking because it was so understandable and believable. It is not enough to care about someone, to be in love. Relationships require communication skills and cultivation, things that come with experience. It is why first, young love rarely works out. Especially in the late teens/early 20s which is a transitionally period for many people. It is a time of internal growth and self-discovery which is important and not always conducive to building a relationship. (Of course relationships from this age can work out, but it is nice to see them *not* working out and still be important)

As watchers, it is frustrating because we can see what the characters need to do to solve their problems. But the characterization of each lead is so strong we understand why these solutions aren’t possible or readily discovered by either of them.

And so, we are left on this gem-like reflection on the past. It is unclear if current day Hee Do is happy; there is a melancholy to Kim So Hyun’s portrayal of the older Hee Do. And we never see her partner to know how that relationship is. But I find that ambiguity fitting. This show is ultimately about youth, and in ones 20s the future is wholly uncertain.

#twenty-five twenty-one #kim tae ri #nam joo hyuk #kdrama #mousie watches kdrama #reviews 2022

[acourtofthought]

Yeah, absolutely. I didn’t mean to say that the “only soft with the love interest” trope is exclusive to Feysand, but that it doesn’t make sense to rely on it so heavily with both Feysand and E/riel (two of the sisters’ ships and main romances, whether established or potential).

Especially because, again, that’s not what E/riel is about. It’s literally a ship between two people who can’t communicate even when they have all the chances and instruments to do so, who hide their true selves from the other because they feel (deep down) that they wouldn’t be accepted. And they wouldn’t.

They’re too different, and not in a good way. Azriel’s life revolves around violence and shadows; Elain’s revolves around peace, gardening and sunlight. What do the two of them even have in common? What could they build a relationship on?

Feysand and Nessian have core values in common (and I don’t like Nessian, but it’s objective), Elucien have core values and also hobbies in common. It’s easy to see why these couples work or would work together, but not E/riel.

And even if we were to look past Azriel and Elain’s differences, why would anyone wish for them to be together after what we learned in Azriel’s SF bonus chapter? Because, no matter how you spin it, that was seriously problematic.

Not only does Azriel show that Lucien’s life means nothing to him (which should give everyone the ick considering Lucien is Elain’s Mate and someone she’d never want to be hurt), but also that he has zero regards for her feelings.

Azriel doesn’t stop and think about what it’d be like for Elain to lose her Mate (both psychologically and physically), or acknowledge Lucien’s importance (which goes beyond there being romantic feelings between Lucien and Elain or not). Azriel also admits that he’s only thought about having sex with Elain, and that was a red flag considering the circumstances.

Do I think there’s anything wrong with not wanting anything besides sex? Absolutely not. Do I think Azriel should be shamed for it? Again, absolutely not. Does it bother me that, out of everyone in the NC and Prythian, he chose Elain? YES.

We get it, Elain’s the third sister, Azriel’s the third brother, it’s almost impossible for him not to think “why Lucien and not me.” But shouldn’t some boundaries come into place when you risk hurting another person, and one you supposedly have feelings for at that?

The thing is: Azriel and Elain are two people who view romance and sex differently, who’ve had opposite experiences regarding the latter (as far as we know), and if Azriel actually cared about Elain (even just as a friend) he would’ve spoken to her at length about engaging in something that’s only physical. That’s a conversation that needs to be had, especially if you have an inkling that your partner may not share your view or experiences.

Of course, Elain could simply want to have sex too. We don’t know her enough to rule the option out, and it’s her right to do whatever she wants. But still, how can we, how can AZRIEL know if he hasn’t asked her? How can he respect Elain and her wishes if he only thinks about getting in bed with the third sister, and can’t even ask her if that’s what she wants?

Us readers, being outside of the story, can see that Elain is either (according to E/riels) chasing a romance with Azriel, or (according to us Eluciens) ignoring her too difficult feelings towards Lucien, their mating bond and what happened during the War by seeking an “easier” connection.

Both opinions are based on possible interpretations of Elain’s feelings more than they are based on possible interpretations of her physical desires, and, while both are important, Elain deserves to know that Azriel’s interest is purely physical.

She also deserves to know that Azriel fantasizes about having sex with her, which is okay, per se, but becomes a bit troubling when you realize that the only reason he’s fixated with Elain is that she’s Feyre and Nesta’s sister, that Azriel knows Elain has a difficult situation to still sort through, and never even bothers asking her if she’s fine with it all. (With her situation, his desire).

That’s the quintessential of problematic.

(P.S. Understand, it’s not my intention to shame Azriel. He can do whatever he wants as long as he doesn’t hurt anyone and I stand by that, but I also think that there were many ways to go about his attraction towards Elain, all of them much more respectful to her, and that he simply didn’t care enough to go with them).

Hello again! 😊

You made so many good points.

It almost seems like they get so fixated on a trope (like you said with Az being soft around Elain versus who he normally is) at the very first hint of it and they call it a day. They never bother to question whether it actually meets the criteria for that trope. That trope only works when the female is aware of the Male having a dark side but knows he's soft around her. According to Az, Elain has no idea so she's been tricked into thinking he's someone different than he is. If they're really meant to be together, he should have trusted her to show the good and bad in him especially before they were willing to hook up.

The Bonus Chapter always makes me question how anyone still thinks Az and Elain are endgame.

What girl wants the male love interest to say he's never thought of a future with her beyond his sexual fantasies? In what world does anyone think that means Az is in love with Elain?

And you make an excellent point. There is nothing wrong with Elain and Az sharing a mutual attraction and being willing to hook up and I completely applaud that as part of these characters journeys if that's what they need. But we can still recognize the difference between what that is and actual love.

E/riels love to talk about consent but is it really consent when the guy knows he's given the female a false impression of who he is? Their lack of communication is such a red flag. Like you said, she deserves to know exactly who it is she decided to take that next step with and vice versa. Az also should have been informed on where Elain's thoughts are when it comes to Lucien. He thinks he knows but that's not the same thing as Elain explaining to him what she wants to do about the bond.

I don't think you're shaming Az. I think you're expressing why in this situation Az is not making smart decisions and is basing those decisions on the wrong things. Seeing that he would have kissed Elain wouldn't have become so problematic if it wasn't followed up with all the reasons why he's become so fixated on Elain.. And the fact that he admit to Rhys or himself that he's over Mor..

Thank you for your follow-up! 😍

#anti e/riel

[mdhwrites]

Luz is not in love with Amity, I don't even know why she is attracted to Amity, Do you know the reason why Luz likes Amity (romantically?

In "The First Day" Luz has a line while talking about being excited for what may come that goes 'And maybe meet a hot VULNERABLE upperclassman.' It's meant to be silly but... It betrays the fantasy that Amity gives Luz. She may not be an upperclassman (and actually, she is of 'the upper class' financially so she still can fit) but the points of her being considered one of the most attractive students in Hexide, at the top of her class but also emotionally able to be manipulated and controlled to always forgive Luz all stand true. The fact that Amity started out as a rival only made the fantasy all the more appealing so she could be the Hecate to her Azura, a fantasy she makes the comparison to herself.

And that... Is as far as I'm going with this. I've made my opinion clear with how I feel about what Luz planned in Thanks to Them and what she did in Reaching Out that I don't think Luz cares about Amity post them getting together. Not beyond the spins and the kisses. I could dive DEEP into this rabbit hole and get lit more on fire than this is already going to make me. I'd also make myself INCREDIBLY sad doing so and honestly not be the most productive.

SO INSTEAD, let's go more into the hypothetical and the literary. I'm going to cover three things. 1: What Luz and Amity's theoretical archtypes are, especially in S1 when their characters had the most potential and were their most likable. 2: Why Luz's archtype would be attracted romantically to Amity's. The reverse of what I did in my blog about why S1 Amity loved Luz. And then finally 3: Where I talk about the ways in which Luz's archtype normally struggles to show a partner extra care (and I will try to say why it doesn't apply to Luz).

Though a heads up: While these are my interpretations of the two, the ONLY versions you'll really see me write, I do NOT think they're true at this point. Luz only really fits her archtype at moments and to really fit it you have to believe her words far more than her actions. Amity on the other hand stays to her archtype through S1 but by S2B she has turned into "Generic, morally good character with jokes" which is the majority of the cast. One could easily make the case for this change happening even as early as Winging it Like Witches honestly.

With that said:

1. What exactly are Amity and Luz's archtypes?

I would best describe Luz as a ball of sunshine with hidden insecurities. The Pinkie Pie archtype. This is mostly an expansion, especially in modern times, of just the always happy, always excited and always energetic archtype that gets a bit more angst because they're not quite as confident as they make themselves out to be. This can be simply who they are, due to past trauma, an awareness that their friends may be fair weather fans, etc. like that.

As a note, I would argue this archtype pushes the character to be even MORE full force with their friends and trying to make them happy. They're on their mind pretty constantly and they're constantly trying to appease them, for better and for worse. Often they need to be told they're enough, not just for their weirdness but just as a person. Their value is not tied to how they appease others.

Amity's archtype is actually MORE common than Luz's which is that she's the overachieving, mean spirited high society person with the one twist of having a good heart. She is serious, ruthless to that which stands in her way, intelligent and driven. Her achievements define who she is and her worth is commonly determined, internally and externally, by how much she is meeting the goals put in front of her. While a lot of this can sound negative, really they commonly just need to be reminded to breathe (Luz) and given a reality check from time to time (Boscha).

2. Why would Luz be attracted to Amity?

Amity's archtype can very easily end up being a bully for the sort of archtype that Luz is. They can see the lack of achievements, the penchant for what appears to be wasted effort and energy as a waste of time and space and find them loud enough to possibly even consider them a distraction that needs to be removed. This possible contrast is actually part of what makes the pairing so popular in a lot of media honestly. They live on a knife's edge of being worst enemies or...

Giving the ball of energy someone in their corner that lets them stop second guessing themselves. One of the biggest reasons Luz's archtype is attracted to these sorts of people is because of validation. "If the popular girl thinks I'm doing things right, maybe I can tell myself I'm not the only one laughing at my jokes." However, the danger of that same person calling them out is ACTUALLY PART OF THE APPEAL. Someone who they know cares about them enough to have it come from a good place but also will call them out when, I dunno, they fuck up and have snakes accidentally assault people. As a hypothetical.

As a note, I actually think Boscha's archtype leaning more on ruthless bitch actually fulfills this role even better, especially since she allows Amity to be even more in her own head and less emotionally reliable then. Her approval also hits someone like Luz even harder when it comes because it NEVER should, instead of there being a maybe. I could do a whole blog on why Lumischa is great though.

Beyond that though... A lot of it's actually the basic reasons why anyone would find another person attractive. Amity's archtype is commonly highly capable, highly intelligent, passionate in their field, commonly depicted as more beautiful than most people, etc. like that. Her archtype is depicted as the most popular girl in school FOR A REASON.

That's likely why the Luz has to put a lot more work into forming cohesion and sticking to their Amity than the other way around. The traits for why someone would want to get with Amity are obvious. Why they'd want to get with Luz can be a bit less so, especially since many can find class clowns annoying more often than exciting. Not to say the Amitys of media don't need to work for their partners, they still need to show they support and appreciate and care about them, but as far as what attracts the two to each other, it's a lot simpler for a girl like Luz and ripe for angst about them being 'out of their league'. Mind you, if looks is ALL the Amity has then once the two are close, the ball of sunshine has every reason to leave. That’s when the Amity usually needs to show their better nature, show they can care, etc. like that but baseline what brings the two together to have an interest in each other? Attractive people attract people, what can I say?

I do want to acknowledge that some of this could even be said as exactly what I brought up at the top and I want to remind people: Just because two people get together doesn't mean it's inherently healthy. How they treat each other, their priorities, etc. like that is important. Wanting validation and wanting someone you never have to worry about questioning you are two very different things. One is someone you open up to and be honest with, especially if you have a promise in place, the other is one where lies flow as easy as water because you know there will never be repercussions for your actions. One takes into account how their partner may feel while the other plans in ways that, I dunno, may emotionally devastate their partner because their feelings, their validation, matters more.

3. Luz's archtype and difficulty with differentiating a friend and partner So when who you are as a person has you throw your full force into caring about potential strangers, how the hell do you make a partner feel special? How do you make sure they know that in your eyes, they DO matter more than others? Because when you care so deeply about all and any social connection, it can become blurry which ones mean anything to you. *opens mouth to mock Luz* No. We're not talking about Luz's failure to meet her archtype, no matter how little investment she has in... any of her relationships except maybe Eda and King? This is as close as we're getting. Because a bad writer will make sure a character is more important (and this includes in the eyes of the audience, this isn't just an archtype thing) by having the rest not matter as much. This can happen to the Luzs of media really easily actually. The girlfriend, having someone that close, consumes them and trying to prove that they mean something special to them is a very real problem they can develop. In a more benign way, I would say that the best way to depict is to make their partner be the one who can most easily make them slow down. They get serious with their partner faster than anyone else because they know they don't need to use humor as a defense mechanism with them.They can be honest. And that is probably the absolute best way to make a Luz character, especially if you lean on the insecurities, show love rather than friendship. How much do they let the smile drop and take things at the pace their partner needs them to? How much do they prove that they truly can be there for the Amity who needs to know love isn't transactional and that she can be vulnerable herself? Admittedly, one could claim this for any relationship. That openness and honesty are some of the scariest things we can give as human beings and thus why some only save those things for those they love. Almost any truly healthy relationship doesn't have secrets or lies after all. And yet Luz post Amity and her getting together seems incapable of doing much else but lie to her girlfriend, with catastrophic consequences for Amity attached to those lies. *sigh* Can you see why I didn't want to go in deep on why Luz clearly doesn't love Amity?

#TOH #Lumity #Luz #Rambles #Sad

[linnoya-writes]

Things I always hear Kat*angers argue (with counter-arguments):

1) Zuko and Katara’s elements might showcase an “opposites attract” idea, but they’re the same people: both are hot-headed and stubborn and would be at each other’s throats.  Katara and Aang carry the “soft boy/head strong girl” dynamic that is more healthy.

Let’s dive into this idea that Katara and Aang compliment each other better based on their natural responses to danger/conflict:

Aang is playful and cheerful where Katara is serious and focused.

Aang is a patient and peaceful soul where Katara is quick to anger.

Aang encourages Katara to reach for the sky, and Katara keeps him grounded.

Okay-- so it’s safe to say that whenever one partner is angry/frustrated, the other approaches them in a calm, collected supportive manner... right?

Actually, look closer.  These fun-loving, playful and peaceful kid-like traits embedded in Aang’s personality are traits that Katara always had in her-- she just needed someone like Aang to remind her that she had them.  The focused, serious and disciplined traits of Katara are all traits that Aang should be adopting into his own sense of maturity as he gradually becomes more confident and determined to be The Avatar.  

It’s not so much that Katara and Aang compliment each other enough to manage a relationship together, but more that they inspire each other to become more complex, beautiful, individual human beings.  Romantic potential between them has nothing to do with that.  

This “soft boy/head strong girl” idea of Kataang doesn’t even address the way Katara always hides her dark side/emotional issues from Aang in order to be a capable “voice of reason” for him on any given moment, or the fact that Katara is always defending Aang like a mother to a son, chasing him every time he literally or figuratively runs away from problems.  The dynamic between them is an imbalance of maturity rather than a balance of character traits.

Which leads me to Zutara’s dynamic; yes, Zuko and Katara are quite hot-headed, stubborn individuals who easily get frustrated when people don’t see things their way.  They have been at each other’s throats in the past... but here’s what people forget -- they stopped fighting the moment Zuko learned the error of his ways, stood by Katara’s side without judgment when she faced YonRha, and they became an unstoppable well-oiled machine of a duo who understood, respected and trusted each other enough to lay down their lives for the other.

It isn’t to say that Zuko and Katara would never argue or fight again, but the difference here is that their shared maturity, their understanding and mutual respect for one another would keep them at bay to hear each other’s point of view.  They have seen the darkest sides to each other and would know how to approach it calmly and collectively.  Neither of them would downplay or ignore the other’s anger; they would face each other until the conflict is resolved.

And that’s why Zutara’s dynamic, despite sharing similar character traits, holds a lot more weight and power that Kataang.

2) “Their bond is so epic that not wanting them together is like not wanting Han Solo/Princess Leia to be together.”

Okay, so, I’m not completely disagreeing here.  

I do understand that Katara and Aang had a spiritual connection since the beginning (very much like how Hayao Miyazaki sets up two protagonists to have a special, unspoken bond) and the adventures/obstacles they face together make their relationship all the much stronger.  I see Katara seeing Aang as the culmination of all of her dreams come true with the revelation that he is the Avatar, and that she brought him back, and I see Aang seeing Katara as the person who not only welcomed him into this second chance to fulfill his destiny, but to also guide him as a voice of reason into this darker war-torn world that he isn’t prepared for.  As Bryke once commented, Katara and Aang are the “DNA of the show” and I interpret this as the two of them moving the story forward... taking the initiative to go from plot-point to plot-point to fulfill all the needed tasks (ie. finding Aang bending masters) in order to have Aang become a fully realized Avatar.

My argument here is, why does it have to turn romantic?  Why can’t the bond remain as a spiritual, wholesome connection between friends?  Even Roku and Toph brought up the idea of friendship being such a powerful bond that it can transcend lifetimes in “The Avatar and the FireLord”... and I think the beauty of Aang and Katara is that it was a powerful friendship that occurred serendipitously and yet perfectly, setting up the entire arc of the ATLA story.  To me there is more emotional weight in keeping Katara and Aang as life-long friends rather than making things romantic.

The problem with turning their bond into a romance is that it brings up a lot more issues.  Katara is not a nomad like Aang; she would give up her own personal wants/needs to not just be at Aang’s side but travel everywhere with him as the Avatar’s SO, when we know that she is a girl who prefers setting roots, building connections and helping people for as long as its needed (”Imprisoned” and “The Painted Lady”).  She has a strong connection to her family in the SWT and would want to rebuild her home after the war and especially train new water benders.  Her SWT culture that greatly values quality family time, a meat-based diet, clothing made by animal skins would also clash with Aang’s personal tastes-- he’s not even discreet about how much he doesn’t like SWT food.  Furthermore, Aang as the Avatar would have so much responsibility fulfilling his work to the world that he would have a lot of trouble understanding the emotional needs/wants to Katara as a partner-- especially since in the show, he’s so accustomed to seeing her be mature enough to handle tough situations calmly and collectively.  Aang has even repeatedly avoided, ignored or downright down-played Katara’s angry and aggressive outbursts, so it goes to show that he wouldn’t know how to properly “be there” for her dark moments.  Katara has gotten accustomed to setting aside her own emotional headspace to instead nurture/coddle/support Aang.  It becomes a very lonely, very unsung existence, carrying that responsibility to be “collected” one in the relationship.  It’s easy to determine that this would continue as they’d get older, and Katara would continue to carry that heavy burden of always “being there” for Aang, but not vice versa.  

The emotional imbalance in a romance between Katara and Aang would be palpable (and it’s implied in LoK and the comics that they did have problems) especially since healthy relationships are meant to express equality and partnership-- where the two people interchangeably give love and support as needed.   

So yes, Kataang is indeed an “epic” relationship in the sense of friendship, but turning it into a romance would come at the cost of the individual characters’ wants/needs and development, and the healthy dynamic that they had as friends would suffer.

3) “But... what about Aang??  He’s loved her since the beginning and would be so devastated from Katara’s rejection, he wouldn’t be able to fulfill his duty as the Avat--”

Stop.  Just-- I’m gonna stop you right there.

It is not Katara’s responsibility to be there for Aang, especially as PR/damage control for the Avatar.  She does not owe Aang a relationship just because he harbored strong feelings for her, or because he’s grown to depend on her over time, or because he has this unbelievable power of the Avatar State that he hasn’t learned to control without her influence. 

Aang is the one who must grow up, who needs to be the Avatar and understand how to manage this power and sense of duty to the world.  On his own.

Aang needs to learn to be enough on his own.

... And while we’re on this topic, it is never healthy for someone to be figuratively “stuck” or “trapped” in a relationship just because their partner would be a lost, broken wreck without them.  

That is called “codependency,” and that is not okay.

#kataang critical #aang needs to grow up #katara #katara of the southern water tribe #aang critical #pro zutara #zuko #avatar the last airbender #atla meta #atla critical

[extasiswings]

If AK sticks around and is added to the cast unless the show does something in the finale that assures that Buck and Lucy will always be just friends then it is probably at least to the fandom meaning that she is potentially bucks next serious love interest/endgame. I hope that is not the case and she's just there to be part of the team and a firefighter but the general consensus probably around the fandom and especially Twitter if she is added as a main is that she is Buck's endgame and Buddie have lost. Unless in the finale Buck or Lucy friendzone each other. Also Lucy doesn't stick me as the type that wants any of the things Buck wants in a partner and relationship. Like she doesn't want children or family. Who knows if she even wants relationships considering she is Buck's counterpart only he's probably gonna be 4.0 and she's 1.0

I think unfortunately that is the one fear when it comes to Lucy being added to main cast from a fandom perspective.

I understand what you’re saying and I don’t necessarily disagree (although to be clear I don’t think she would be bumped up all the way to main cast if she sticks around) but my perspective is more: people in this fandom and especially in the Twitter fandom are so heteronormativity poisoned and insistent on their own brain rot that the cast and writers and showrunners could literally hang a neon sign, hire a sky writer, and build a fifty-foot billboard saying “Buck and Lucy are just friends and will never be more than that” and the people who insist on freaking out and screeching about queerbaiting whenever a woman so much as breathes in Buck or Eddie’s direction would still never be happy. I have no strong feelings about Lucy either way—I’m not invested in her sticking around but I could see some potential narrative value in it, it’s too soon to tell.

I am fairly confident at this point that by the end of the season we will have some confirmation of queer Eddie who has feelings for Buck. And as far as I’m concerned, as soon as that happens, Buddie is canon, it’s going to happen, and whether or not Lucy sticks around will have absolutely no bearing on that (or may even be a positive thing as an objective outside voice of friendship). I also know that there are people in the fandom and especially in the Twitter fandom who will twist literally anything and everything to fit their weird, warped view that actually the writers and showrunners are evil homophobes and that they won’t be happy with anything short of Buck and Eddie loudly proclaiming their love and kissing with tongue regardless of other narrative considerations (like, say, Buck’s character arc and whether or not it would make narrative sense for him to start an explicitly romantic relationship with Eddie right now, immediately after breaking up with his long-term girlfriend), and tbh I doubt they would be happy even then! [Sidenote: if I’m wrong about the timeline those same people will be insufferable throughout the next hiatus but being wrong about the timeline wouldn’t mean I’m wrong about the end goal].

All that to say, I think the writers can and should do what’s best for the narrative and pay the clowns on Twitter (who have regularly demonstrated they wouldn’t understand longform storytelling if it slapped them across the face with a brick) absolutely zero attention. And I think the rest of us should do the same. And I also think those same clowns on Twitter should a) stop watching if they’re just going to complain; b) log off the internet and go outside and touch some grass; and c) learn when to shut the fuck up. Because it’s really fucking annoying.

#chapel talks #ask #pedropascale

[dat-carovieh]

Let there be Carnage Spoilers

I went to see Let there be Carnage for the third time and I have a couple of thoughts.

The scene where they're drawing has a lot of comedic potential but it makes no sense. Why is Venom throwing everything away so quickly? Why are they not actually talking about it? And why does Eddie, who's supposed to be very smart, acts so dumb?

Venom: *draws a cathedral* Eddie: "That's a house." Like he didn't even try but also Venom didn't really communicate, it's so weird. Like as a good journalist he should have taken all of these drawings and analysed them. They would have probably found out more stuff earlier. It makes them seem not smart

There was a small mistake I noticed and found fun: When the visit Cletus for the first time during this film, his actual cell is on Eddie's and Venom's left, you can see the closed door. But when they turn away from Cletus, the door is suddenly open and they look inside to find the drawings.

Anne was super hot, when she was bonded with Venom and eddie tried to apologize to Venom, idk why she just radiated some kind of energy and it got me.

Also I could totally pinpoint the second, Anne realized, Venom has a praise kink and decided immediately to use this information. I absolutely love her for this.

Anne also not taking shit from anyone is amazing. She also is so cool about the whole Aliens thing while Dan seemed very scared. I love this, they're cute together. I hope she takes care of him.

Anne deserves Dan, he is good to her, the scene in the restaurant showed that to me again. She needs and deserves the stability she gets with Dan, she would have never gotten this with Eddie. Especially not after Eddie bonded with Venom, it's not what she wants. Her and Dan are much better.

Eddie was talking so much shit as they started to fight in the apartment, it makes me so mad everytime, when he blames Venom for shit that Eddie did on his own, before Venom was there. Like he botched his relationship and career on his own but he blames Venom. Later on he shows growth. The whole Carnage thing is Venom's fault, they shouldn't have attacked Cletus. I understand why they did it, they wanted to protect Eddie, which I admire, but they shouldn't have. Later when Eddie talks to Anne at the police station, he says it was his fault alone, taking the guilt on himself. I'd see this as growths.

Frances and Cletus: Fucking hot. I absolutely love them as a couple, they are amazing. I mean yes they are evil but their energy was amazing. Carnage pressing them together at that cage and them kissing as it breaks, so fucking hot I can't even, it was amazing. Obviously they weren't compatible with Carnage in more ways than just one. But it makes me want to see Eddie and Venom have another partner who they love, I'm just unsure, who.

I watched in German and some things sounded weird. I will watch original on sunday, I think. Anyway, in the beginning, Cletus uses the informal you for Eddie while Eddie uses the formal you, in the end, just before Venom bites Cletus head off, Eddie also uses the informal you. Why? No clue, I don't know how they makes these decisions. Also because I know people might ask again, yes they used the romantic form of love. But the way it was phrased, as a "When you love someone" and not an "I love you" it could also maybe used by very close friends or family, but I don't think it could have been made differently, I still don't think it should be read differently. Also other German speaking people might see it differently and would not use it for friends or family. I do believe people would say it about their pets, so we could argue, Eddie is Venom's pet, I like the comedy value of this. When Anne tells Venom, she loves to see him in action, for a moment, before she can finish the work action, my brain thinks, she is about to they, she loves to see them naked because somehow it sounds similar until half of the word action.

I already talked about the beach scene but of course it can't go unmentioned, it was so incredibly cute. I wish Eddie would have said it back, but Venom is clearly more emotionally secure. Eddie still needs time to realize his actual feelings while Venom clear was already in love when they visited Cletus for the second time, probably earlier.

#Venom #Venom 2 #Venom spoiler #Venom Spoilers #Venom Let there be carnage #Venom 2 Spoiler #Venom 2 Spoilers

[fandomscombine]

Make The First Move

George Weasley x Reader

BG: The Yule Ball is only a month away, but the boy you were hoping to ask you out still hasn’t make a move. So you decided to take matters into your own hands.

(With guess appearances of Fred and Cedric)

This is an entry for @heloisedaphnebrightmore​ ’s 1k Followers Writing Challenge

Fluff prompt #1 “Do you find it sexy when girls make the first move, or should I wait for you to do it yourself?”

Fluff prompt #6 “If you want to make a move, today would be the perfect time to go for it.”

Trope #8 Friends to lovers

WC: 2623

>>>MASTERLIST<<<

>>JOIN MY WRITING CHALLENGE!<<

y/n l/n is not a girly girl. You would categorize your fashion mentality to value comfort and functionality more than style.

Yes, during the weekends, you do tend to rock a graphic tee, jeans, soft sneakers and a outwear of choice, depending on what you’re feeling that day- be it a leather jacket, causal blazer to a denim jacket.

Hey in your defence, the Scottish Highlands where Hogwarts is located isn’t exactly the warmest place, besides students are only allowed to wear casual clothes during the weekends.

But every now and then you do wanna pop on a skirt or a dress, especially when its warm outside.

This upcoming event though…. you, like everyone else is oh so very much do want to feel like a star! To feel elegant! Luxurious!

That’s right the Yule Ball is only a month away. It is all that is in every single student’s mind ever since it was announced. Who would their date to the ball be? What outfit would they wear?

A number of students had already picked their respective dates and dresses. However, a remaining select few have not done either- Like yourself. Time is running out and the pool of available potential partners is decreasing day by day.

You didn’t mind going alone, as long as you have a great time with friends, going alone it isn’t really a big deal. But there is a small childlike wishful thinking that wants to have a fairy tale experience.

It also isn’t helpful that you had started to develop feelings for a certain redheaded twin over the summer. You swear that he too felt the dynamic changed between the two of you- who knew that 3 weeks tinkering with joke shop ideas and fixing out the burrow’s garage could be so impactful.

Though now coming to think of it, could you have just read the signs all wrong? The lingering stares, the tighter and longer hugs… Could this be signs that he planning of ways to murder you? Because if this were all romantic signs, wouldn’t he have had asked you out to the ball by now? It was no secret that you hadn’t said yes to anyone yet.

So, what’s taking so long? George Weasley is one of the most confident and popular guys on campus. Surely, he wouldn’t chicken out or get nervous to ask you.

Right??

Pushing boy trouble aside, you focus back on the dress catalogue your mum had sent you earlier today.

Flipping through the pages, 2 dresses caught you eye. One was a short tule the other had a long side leg slit.

You were in the process of bookmarking the page when you felt the catalogue being pulled out of your grasp.

‘Hey!’ You instinctively shouted to the culprit.

‘What’s this?’ George said, turning to the front cover. ‘“Madam Bella’s Evening Gowns, Autumn/Winter 1994”’

‘Give it back George!’ You tried to take it from him, but he quickly held it above his head.  

You stood on the bench in hopes to extend your reach. You could almost take hold-

‘Catch Freddie!’ Shouted George and threw it across the table.

Fred flipped to the dogeared pages. ‘Ahh..’ He was scanning through the choices you had circled. ‘Great choices indeed, my dear y/n!’

At first you weren’t sure if he was teasing you or being sincere.

That must had shown on your face as Fred continued, ‘I’m serious y/n/n!’ He placed his left hand on his heart and raise his right. ‘I swear! But you would look good in any dress anyway.’

You blushed at his compliment. ‘Thanks for the confidence boost Freddie.’

He hands back the catalogue to you, and as you took it, he whispered in your ear. ‘A little hint though,’ He shifts back a bit- now being face to face. ‘My vote is on the slit dress...’

Your brows scrunched together- was this boy seriously giving you fashion advice?

‘….I know George would like that..’ He steals a quick glance towards his twin, who has now turn bright red, both from being embarrassed and furious at him. ‘… I-I mean, it would match George’s dress robes.’

Fred sends you a final wink and bids you both goodbye.

You watch Fred exit the Great Hall, never letting him out of sight until he turns the corner. Which George to grateful for, as that had bought him time to calm his face down.

That was the one of the weirdest exchanges you’ve ever had yet, but you also couldn’t help but wonder if there was some truth to it.

George cleared his throat ‘So…y/n...Have you got a date yet?’

‘No why?’ You look over at him and you thought that you might give your hypothesis a try. Smirking hopefully, you asked ‘Are you gonna ask me?’

If you only knew what was going on inside of George’s head, the boy was panicking.

It was as if time slowed. Or it was because George’s thoughts are going a thousand miles a second.

Of course, he wanted to ask you to go with him!

But his brain was feeding him of insecurities. What if you didn’t want to go with him? What if you did say yes but only as a friend?

Plus, he didn’t want to ask you in front of all these people, thinking that you might be pressured by the crowd to agree.

No, he wanted to do it in a private, more intimate setting. Deserving of your beauty and grand place to confess his feelings.

He’d dream that in return you would say ‘Yes, I loved to go to the ball with you, George!’ and perhaps even say those 3 words he’s been dying to hear-more in the romantic nature than of friendship- and if he was lucky, maybe even share a kiss, that would be the best case scenario.

The worst-case scenario would be you rejecting him, possibly forever ruining the relationship with his best friend and having his heart broken- at least that case, nobody else would witness that.

‘Eh George?? Georgie?? Hello??’ You frantically wake a hand in front of him. ‘Earth to George Weasley!!!’

Great, when you finally had the courage to ask him to be your date-albeit indirectly- You broke him.

‘uuh.. I… I have to go...’ George looked like a deer caught in headlights

‘What?’

His eyes, dart upwards, thinking of an excuse. ‘Yes, I have to go… GO CLEAN MY SOCKS!’ Unfortunately, for him, in an uncharacteristic manner, he failed to think of a believable lie. ‘I’ll see you later!’

And with that he rushed out the Great Hall, leaving you once again gawking with a confused face at another Weasley twin.

~

You had your back against one of the rock formations near the Black lake, deciding which of the 2 dresses you would be wearing to the ball.

You were enjoying the last good sunny autumn days, taking in the sights of other students having a picnic on this beautiful Saturday. When suddenly a figure had landed right in front of you.

‘Ahhh!’ You had jumped in fright, causing you to slip a bit.

‘I got you, I got you!’ You felt arms holding you tight, preventing you from falling off the rocks.

Once you had regained your balance you check to see the perpetrator that had gave you a heart attack.

‘CEDRIC DIGGORY!!!!!!!! I TOLD YOU TO STOP DOING THAT!!’

The boy chuckled. ‘I know y/n/n, but I just couldn’t help it!’

You narrowed your eyes at him. Which made him laugh even more.

‘You know you love me.’ He gushed, bring you into a hug.

‘And that is my weakness’ Your reply being muffled by his shoulder. You Cedric were as close as brother and sister, having basically grew up together as both your families super close. Your father is best friends with his father and so are your mothers ever since their Hogwarts days. Therefore, naturally you and Cedric have a close bond too, being joined at the hip since birth-the only time part was the 3 months that you are older by.

It has been a while since you two had caught up with each other, him being busy with the Triwizard Tournament ofcourse.

‘Have you got any idea about the second task?’

‘Yeahh’ Cedric gulped.

You crocked a brow. Not buying his bullshit.

Cedric scratched the back of his neck. ‘Fine, I haven’t….’ Gazing towards the lake, he continued. ‘But I think it’s got something to do about the water.’

You take hold of his hand. ‘Hey, it’s alright. You’ll figure it out. We’ll figure it out.’

‘Thanks y/n. I thought initially you wouldn’t be against me joining.’ He confessed.

‘You know I would support you no matter what. But don’t get me wrong, I’m worried for you Ced, always am. The tournament just upped it to level 1000! But I know that you have it in you to win this, to be the Triwizard Champion!’ You beamed. ‘Imagine that Ced, a Triwizard Champion in the family!’

‘It would be great, would it?’

‘Now to the matter at hand, The Yule Ball.’

‘What about it?’

‘Have you asked someone yet? You enquired.

‘Well there is this gorgeous lady that I’ve been meaning to ask…’ He hinted. ‘Though I am waiting for the right opportunity to ask her, you see everything has to be perfect!’

‘Awww, what an absolute sweetheart!’ You swooned.

Behind Cedric, you could have sworn that you saw someone in the trees. However, in your eagerness to know more of Cedric’s possible date, you brushed it off as the swaying of the branches and falling autumn leaves.

‘How about you? Has Mr. Beater asked you yet?’

You sighed. ‘Not exactly…’

Cedric leaned forward with hands on his chin, interested to hear more.

‘He asked if I had got a date yet, to which I said no. Then teased if he was gonna ask me.’ You recalled. ‘Then he froze. I guess I broke him, cause the next thing he said was that he’s got to go clean his socks.’

That had Cedric doubling over. ‘George really said that?!?!!?’ He had his arms wrapped around his stomach. ‘Clean his socks?!!??’

‘Yeah yeah yeah, laugh all you want Diggory. But you still hadn’t asked Cho out yet.’

‘Heyy! I told you I am waiting for the right moment!’

‘C’mon Ced, Sweet intentions aside. Cho has been declining offers to the ball, time is running out and I bet she is getting tired waiting for you to make a move, especially this close to the ball.’ You know how much Cedric likes Cho and hate to see him sad if and when Cho doesn’t get tired of waiting for him. ‘Sooner or later she might just say yes to some other guy, cause you’re talking so long!’

‘I’m sorry Cedric.’ You had realized that you projected your own frustrations on him. ‘I didn’t mean to go off on you like that.’

‘I know y/n, it’s alright really.’ He smiled, having come up with an idea ‘How about this, the next time you see George, YOU ask him out?’ He suggested.

‘ME?!?’

‘Yes.’ He insisted. ‘That why we would get a definite answer. And this time not more asking in an indirectly direct way. - We don’t want another system error in that head of his. Deal?’

‘Deal’

Picking up the discarded catalogue, he remarked. ‘Hmmm, I think that the long one would suit the occasion better, don’t you think? Being it a formal event and all.’

You agreed. ‘and you‘re not the first one to say that too.’ You muttered-more to yourself.

‘Huh?’

‘Nothing!’

‘So what color are you thinking? Blue or…’

‘Oh I got that all figured out! I was thinking that since the point of the Triwizard Tournament is school unity, I want the grown to be featuring my house colours.’

~

Fred had ran back to the Gryffindor dormitories as fast as he could. Glad to spot that his twin brother laying down on the bed.

As much as he enjoys teasing his siblings. He could no longer endure the obliviousness of his brother and y/n. He can no longer take the constant nonessential pining, especially when they obviously like each other.

Fred had been trying to get them together for the past month, but it seems that subtly pushing them to the right direction isn’t working. Which leaves him with no choice.

‘If you want to make a move, today would be the perfect time to go for it’ Stated Fred.

‘What?’

‘I can’t take it anymore Georgie!’ He grabs his brother by the collar. ‘I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE! I KNOW YOU LIKE Y/N AND BELIEVE ME GEOGRE WHEN I SAY THAT SHE LIKES YOU BACK OKAY.’ Fred pleads, shaking George with each word. ‘AND YOU HAVE GOT TO MAKE A MOVE TODAY! NOW! ASK HER TO THE BALL BEFORE CEDRIC DOES.’

George now dizzy, mumbled. ‘What? How?.....How do you know this?’

‘I saw them together at the lake and me being the best brother that you have decided to eavesdrop.’ Fred admitted. ‘And guess what, Cedric plans to ask a gorgeous lady- y/n- to the yule ball but is just finding the perfect opportunity.’

‘Therefore, brother dearest, it’s only a matter of time til that happens. And I your very supportive wingman urge you to freaking ask y/n out RIGHT NOW before it’s too late.’

That news that Cedric might ask y/n to the ball before he does, had put George back into his senses.

In record time, George had tidy up his clothes and fixed his hair. ‘Right.’ He turned to Fred who was looking smug leaning on the door frame. ‘How do I look?’

‘Smashing.’

‘Great, Now get out of the way you prick.’

~

George was busy thinking on how to ask y/n out to the yule ball and possibly even side in the chance to ask to go on a date with him, when he accidentally bumped into someone.

‘Wooooahh careful George!’

Damnit! he thought, out of all the people in this huge school, he just had to bump into the one person he doesn’t want to see.

‘Diggory.’ George growled.

‘You two alright?’ Said a voice beside them.

In his annoyance towards Cedric, George hadn’t noticed that you were close by. ‘Yeah, I’m good.’

‘Heyy’ Cedric interrupted. George had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. ‘I’ll see you later okay?’

Cedric kissed your forehead and whispered. ‘Good luck.’

This was is. George interpreted that sibling affection as you going out with Cedric to the ball.

Accepting defeat, he cleared his throat. ‘I guess imma go too-‘

‘Wait George!’ You held onto his arm to prevent him from leaving. ‘I wanted to ask you something.’

‘Go ahead.’ Replied George, curious onto what it is that is so important to ask him.

‘Do you find it sexy when girls make the first move, or should I wait for you to do it yourself?’

‘Hmm?’ George once again confused.

‘Gosh you are slow sometimes aren’t you.’ You chuckled. You take a step closer to him, coming up face to face. ‘George Weasley will you go to the ball with me?’

It took a second for George to believe what he was hearing. ‘YES!!’ He exclaimed then recomposed himself. ‘Yes, I would love to go to the ball with you.’

Wrapping his arms around your waist, he decided to take it one step further- cause what else has he got to lose? ‘Will you y/n l/n go on a date with me?’

You bring your arms to his neck, his him close. ‘I’d love nothing more.’ You grinned, pulling him into a long awaited kiss.

 Taglist [All/General]: @gruffle1​

#george weasley x reader #george weasley fluff #heloises1kwritingchallenge #george weasley imagine #george weasley #weasley x reader #cedric diggory x reader #harry potter x reader #harry potter imagine #fred and george #Fred and George Weasley #weasley twins #fandomscombine writes

[zuzuslastbraincell]

mai & the rest of the gaang:

mai & aang: a bit awkward, at first? not on aang's end of course, he's totally unflustered and in fact quite keen to get to know zuko's girlfriend and I actually think mai doesn't know what to do with this attitude, given she spent six months or so trying to hunt him down, and that's very present in her mind. hanging out with aang is a very pleasant culture shock in how he casually diaregards half the norms she was raised to strictly follow, speaking with warm enthusiasm and genuine curiosity to all, be they dish washers or tea servers or the Fire Lord's girlfriend, disregarding barriers of social class that are so carefully upheld in the Fire Nation. It's refreshing as it is bewildering. I think mai does develop a fondness for aang - although she can find him and his antics a bit much at times - and deeply respects and cares for him if only for how valued his friendship with zuko is. she claims to tolerate his goofy antics but she enjoys them far more than she lets on (his flying marble trick does elicit a rare smile, although it only appears for 0.02 seconds before returning to the most deadpan expression). I think mai respects him most politically actually - aang grows up to be an excellent diplomat, an excellent mediator who does not lose sight of the importance of various different perspectives, especially those who are forgotten or maligned, even when in circles of power.

mai & sokka: as discussed, they have a rocky start. sokka, my darling beloved sokka, has a tendency to be a bit abrasive, if we're honest, in that his humour and his puns are a little in-your-face, he has a bit of an ego aboht being the funniest/smartest person in the room, and he can take it personally when people don't like it. mai doesn't have much time for that. mai doesn't care much for sokka's jokes if only because they're attached to this ego, but also and finds the puns a bit flat (whereas she finds aang's mischief making genuinely funny, though she tries to hide it), and sokka takes this deeply personally and tries really hard to elicit a laugh from her. this just ends up with him aggravating her more. I think mai has little time for sensitive male ego games and that's partially why her and sokka clash- she won't blunt herself for him, even if he is one of zuko's closest friends. I think sokka, to his credit, doesn't dismiss her as a 'bitch' and keeps trying - in fact, the reason he comes on so strong is because he actually really wants her to like her - and i think that's because of boiling rock, and because of that alone sokka deeply respects mai on many levels (and was extremely surprised by how all that played out, and knows from that alone that mai is a layered and complex person who contains multitudes). I think what might cause mai to warm to him is politics - sokka's a pragmatist, who is skeptical of idealism without material backing and is refreshingly realistic for one of aang's friends. he keeps the fire nation on its toes at the negotiating table but he's also the first to point out when a potential proposition - when anyone's potential proposition - has more logical holes than a piece of honeycomb. i think mai appreciates that perspective. and i think they could slowly and gradually go from personality clashing to building this begrudging friendship where mai will never openly admit that she likes him, where sokka will still grate but in a way that becomes almost familiar and comfortable because of that, and where - especially in a situation where they have to work on a project together - they're a formidable team. a difficult friendship but eventually could be a dear one.

mai & katara: another personality clash that becomes a really fascinating friendship. katara wasn't there for boiling rock and is perhaps a bit cool towards mai even understanding what she did there, and the grounds where they most often meet is politics, and they largely are at odds there too. they're interesting parallels, in terms of role - both partners of powerful world leaders, but while mai positions herself as a vital support and power behind zuko's regime, furthering that goal, katara loathes to be associated with aang simply because of their romantic relationship, and does not envision their relationship to be a political one: aang and katara stand independent, but with shared values and goals (and perhaps katara simply does not understand why mai takes the position she does regarding politics and relationships). their actual political approach wildly differs, with katara being an impassioned idealist who is the most radical out of the gaang, whereas mai is a pragmatist - much more concerned about the feasibility of the radical ideas proposed and sees herself occupying the role of a much needed skeptic who asks 'okay, but how are we going to do this?' in a group of radicals. this does lead to some fierce clashes actually - some of katara's proposals appear outlandish to mai, and katara interprets this as fire nation indoctrination and ideological conditioning limiting her perspective (and honestly neither are completely wrong - mai can be on occasion perhaps too conservative and cynical and that is often because her upbringing has limited her scope, and katara sometimes isn't fully aware of how feasible her ideas are and leaves practical concerns to others). I think despite this they have such a deep respect for each other - and that's in part why their arguments are so impassioned, because they both fundamentally know the other comes from a good place. mai saved katara's brother's life at boiling rock, and katara saved mai's partner during the final agni kai - they have both proven to each other the extent of their commitment and cared for another they care about deeply. they're the biggest idealism vs. cynicism clash but honestly over time i think the respect only grows over time despite periods of hot and cold. I'd like to think if katara ever has relationship difficulties with aang, after her gran's, it's mai whose advice she might respect the most - after all, it's mai who understands what it's like to date someone who is a world leader, and mai absolutely believes in having firm, healthy boundaries and little tolerance for sufferring for men in relationships. I think given their positions they're often in dialogue and in conversation and end up building the most unexpected but also rock solid friendship. they *would* take a bullet for each other, i am sure of it.

mai & toph: i love these two. an incredible friendship. mai takes to toph the quickest out of aang's friends. it makes sense - toph comes from a similar class and upbringing as mai, albeit has taken a different life path and expresses herself completely differently, and i think while surprised and thrown at first by toph's bluntness, mai sees that and not only respects but honestly just loves how toph is a little crass, and doesn't hold decorum as the be all and end all. I think the age difference here actually makes a difference - mai very much sees toph as a younger peer (and eventually, much like zuko, a younger sibling), and while it can be sad to see someone from a younger generation express themselves freely in a way that mai feel she can't, i think her joy at seeing that takes precedence here over any mixed feelings. mai pretends not to be amused at toph's antics (but quietly delights at them) and absolutely is the person who will get the authorities that be in the fire nation to look away from whatever misdemeanours she's committing at any given time (indeed, mai as often been a partner in crime - actually, speaking of, she's been surprised before to see katara also partake with toph, and it was an ice-breaking moment for them, probably one engineered by toph). that said, mai absolutely does not patronise toph, gives it to her straight, will also tell toph when she's going too far or pushing the limit, something toph deeply respects and values. mai can see toph's wisdom and her strong intuitive understanding of how others feel, and admires that, as well as the kindness toph shows (i would not be surprised if mai looks at toph and wants to be a little more like her). I also think mai's sardonic and biting sense of humour is best appreciated by toph out of aang's friends (sokka also finds it very funny, but sokka is also trying hard to get mai to like him, as aforementioned). mai and toph vibe together *so hard* and *so well* (something i think zuko is quietly deeply grateful for, since mai hasn't clicked as well with the rest of the gaang, but also because he views toph like a little sister too).

mai & suki: right! so this one is complicated. mai does not see suki as often as the rest of the gaang - she sees katara and aang often for political reasons, at summits and keets and so on, sokka keeps in touch often and is constantly sending letters, and toph will just turn up unannounced and will stay for several weeks to "relandscape" the fire nation gardens (so she claims) every year or so. I am sticking to show canon here but reject the comics canon - there is no way in hell suki ends up as a bodyguard for zuko, the kyoshi warriors have better things to be doing. so! while mai absolutely saved the teal at boiling rock and suki knows this, the fact that they see each other relatively little mean things are a bit... cool between them? Not quite cold, but there's a degree of awkwardness that mai works past with the others that takes longer with suki. I honestly don't know if suki knows how she should feel about mai? like ty lee not only helped at boiling rock but then went on to work with the warriors and suki very much sees someone who wants to prove herself and right those wrongs in ty lee (as well as someone who is running away but. that's another post). mai completed step 1 and 2 with boiling rock, but hasn't... done anything after that. and on paper they're cool and she knows it but... idk if she knows how to feel? it's a bit weird. a bit awkward and weird. it's possible suki holds more of a grudge than she's willing to admit (she's been most directly wronged by mai and ty lee after all) and the fact that mai has returned to the fire nation, and been, according to katara, disappointingly conservative at times, makes her question what boiling rock meant. suki is cordial and professional around mai but doesn't really know her that well and doesn't trust her as much as the others. mai doesn't particularly care either way and will take or leave friendship with suki (though mai, to be clear, does respect suki immensely as a warrior). the key factor here is ty lee, honestly. i think the two of them could have an excellent relationship if so inclined but it would apmost definitely be due to ty lee trying to prod them into getting along and hanging out and getting to know each other - because i think they're both practical minded, no-nonsense girls who are exceptionally skilled in martial arts and if nothing else they could bond theough sparring sessions, but i think they'd also just get along splendidly if they had the chance. suki just doesn't quite trust mai and mai making those personal amends isn't a priority when she's trying to stop zuko running the fire nation into the ground.

#mai #aang #sokka #katara #toph #suki #this is SO long but please appreciate it

[jesswritesthat]

Bokuto Kōtarō: Love Languages

Fandom: Haikyuu!! — [ Masterlist ]

Summary: Fluff

• In which your group of friends is attempting to decipher the famous Spiker of the Black Jackals’ love language but you get an unexpected personal insight into the answer.

Warnings: Scheming antics of friends, one swear word.

>>>>—————————>

Upcoming Outside Hitter of the MSBY Black Jackals, a famous athlete by all means and potential model if he so wished - or rather, Bokuto Kōtarō as he was known by name.

An increasingly popular topic amongst your female friends as of late...

He's handsome - yes you'd heard it.

So charismatic and friendly - god you knew it.

And that athletic physique, those arms especially - eh, you'd seen him shirtless, his abs were nothing to scoff at either.

For you, it was understandable why people would see him this way in comparison to his teammates. Meian Shūgo had his fair share of fans too which you'd narrowed down to 'Captain Rights' - like in all the movies, who doesn't want to date the Captain y'know? The Jackals found amusement in the analogy nonetheless, even if Meian lightly punched your shoulder in mock offence.

But it was common knowledge that Spikers held more recognition simply because their role was more showy, Bokuto and Sakusa were popular with Black Jackal fans albeit the latters’ attitude sent many warming more to Kōtarō. Hinata was too cute be considered hot, and Atsumus flirty behaviour resonated with those drifting toward the idea of a fling rather than valued relationships - hence their preference to Bokuto.

It stumped you as to how he was viewed more fitting for that role considering they were both as immature as each other. Dumbasses.

"What do you think his love language would be though? Quality time maybe or -" Kotori giggled, the brunette growing overly excited with the idea much like your other two friends as you tuned in momentarily.

"It's Physical Touch."

You'd filtered into the conversation so confidently, not a hint of uncertainty within your lacklustre answer as the trio of girls stared at your distracted figure with stunned expressions.

It wasn't that you were being antisocial, you'd just heard each Kotori, Yuki and Hanami gush over Bokuto too many times and now allowed yourself to zone out or type away on your phone as they rambled on. However, their extended silence caused you to meet their expectant gazes with a sceptical brow.

"What?"

"You can't just say that without reasoning (Y/n), especially with that clear-cut tone of yours. Why do you think it's Physical Touch?" Yuki cheerfully smiled at you, beckoning her hand for you to elaborate.

Did they forget that you worked with MSBY Black Jackal teams as their private medical professional on a daily basis? Apparently so.

"Ughhh, alright..." It was a pained groan of defeat, one that elicited invigorated smiles from your group as you uncrossed your legs and leaned on the Café table with a contemplative pout prior to elaborating.

"Bokuto responds best to Words of Affirmation, the man is a sucker for compliments really but expresses his own feelings via Physical Touch. I mean he's pretty decent with Acts of Service too but it's a lot less in comparison - he always claps his team on the back when they make a good shot, or tackles them usually for fun. Plus that idiot is a hugger so I'm pretty confident in my assumption."

"They're teammates though, I mean a romantic partner." Kotori clarified with an understanding nod, processing your casual information with a satisfied sigh.

"Teammates love each other, it'd likely be similar but I guess hand holding and more intimate embraces would be involved. I don't know guys, I've never seen him with a lover or even know if he has one." You playfully shrugged amidst your gentle laughter, turning to Yuki who held a rolled up magazine in her hands and waved it as evidence.

"I've read the gossip magazines, they say he's currently single~"

"What wonderful news for you guys, maybe one of you will meet him, fall in love, invite us to your wedding and be all the journalists can talk about for the next week." Though your sarcasm was evident, the group immediately joined in with the banter - Hanami over-dramatically flicking her hair over her shoulder to accompany her next humorous statement.

"Exactly (Y/n)! You can all be my bridesmaids when he marries me!"

With a bemused shake you of your head at their antics, you collected a majority of the tables waste and stood to dispose of it in the nearest bin before heading back - brushing off your hands until you were abruptly taken off course much to the awe of your onlooking trio.

"Hey hey hey!"

If not for the strength of the individual, you'd likely would've been sent flying with the amount of encompassing force they'd tackled you with, his arms withdrawing to your waist to hold you in place as you pulled away from the embrace enough to face the blinding smile of none other than Bokuto Kōtarō - who tilted his head once noting the close proximity, sheer joy morphing to that of subtle admiration as he took in your quizzical features.

"You're so pretty (N/n)~" It was an honest and unfiltered observation on his part, the weight of it going unnoticed with his softer tone and stereotypically oblivious nature.

Meanwhile you snapped from your analytic reverie, deflecting the compliment with a casual facade hoping the heat on your skin was dismissed.

"Tch don't call me that, what do you want anyway? You look exhausted."

Bokuto only released a tired sigh with his cheery attitude faltering slightly and bored pout emerging, releasing you from his hold to explain himself with a sheepish hand running through his hair.

"Extra practice was painful and I know your shift starts soon so I was wondering if you'd check me over before I have to start again."

"Kou, tackling me wasn’t very persuasive."

The Spiker cunningly smirked at your justification, holding his index finger up as if to delay your final decision whilst he grabbed a paper bag from the side (that he'd temporarily displaced prior to startling you) and offered it you.

"That's why I brought you a treat from the coffee shop too, perfect way to start the shift right?"

Your gaze flicked between him and the food parchment before ultimately sighing in defeat and taking the item from him to put it in your bag.

"Damn, that was clever. You win Kōtarō."

Gesturing for one second, you walked back to your table a metre or so away to bid farewell to your friends and discreetly finalise your statement from earlier to the rather enigmatic trio of girls - each withholding their presumptuous thoughts with overly gleeful smiles.

"See, Physical Touch."

"All I'm seeing is romantic gestures~" Yuki broke the silence first, the others agreeing and chuckling at the playful glare settling on your features.

"Shut up, it's not like he's holding my hand or kissing me. Try flirting with him since you're so in love with-"

Still radiating accomplishment from his earlier achievement, your defence was ironically cut short by Bokuto easily lacing his digits around your wrist like he’d done it thousands of times before, and carefully tugged toward the exit to indicate his intention.

"C'mon (Y/n), Meian will kill me if I'm late and Atsumu, ugh, he'll give me a break if I say I was with you."

There was a momentary lapse in comeback, yourself too caught up in his happy-go-lucky wink to finish your proclamation - "Sorry (L/n), you were saying...?" - but Kotoris’ mischievous tone certainly reminded you.

"Oh right, you wanna stay? I forget you're not at our beck and call sometimes, you're just always there when I need you I guess - but you should relax if you want to." Bokuto thoughtfully added before you could answer, taking a step toward you and diverting his gaze to the side, embarrassingly rubbing the back of his neck due to his apparent intrusion.

"No worries Kōtarō, I'd be leaving in a few minutes for work anyway." With a soft sigh of - was it gratitude? Adoration? God you hoped not - you opened the door to leave and waved a ‘later’ your friends.

However, the echoing shout following after the two of left you hauntingly vengeful in the most kindest of ways.

"You better invite us to your wedding (Y/n)-chan~"

"Shut. Up." Came your hushed return, the trio breaking into fits of giggles upon hearing the emphasised irritation in it.

The sudden panic in the Spikers tone prevented you from going back in and demanding they buy you an apology coffee - Bokuto practically jumping away from you like you’d caught the plague, now wearing a contrastingly apologetic and shocked expression.

"You're getting married?! Sorry (N/n)-chan I didn't realise you had a fiancé else I would've stopped flirting with you ages ago."

"There's no wedding, I'm singl- wait - you what?" At first you rolled your eyes and brushed it off with a wave of your hand as you continued towards your shared work place until his admittance truly resignated and you stammered rather ungraciously.

"That’s a relief and yeah, Tsum Tsum suggested finding your love language so that's what I've been trying to figure out." Bokuto seemed more relaxed, an overly enthused sigh of relief escaping him as he rested his hands behind his head whilst walking - meanwhile you'd come to a precipitated stop, staring at him in utter bewilderment.

"Oh shit..."

Kōtarō turned around when noting your lack of presence by his side, pausing in place and tilting his head in curiosity upon hearing your confounded whisper - still wearing a puzzled but lopsided smile.

"...you like me." You concluded (more a fact than question), gazing over to him in complete awe and expecting - hoping for him to deny it wholeheartedly.

Instead his smile only widened, eyes closing briefly with a toothy grin sparkling under the sun and a firm nod of confirmation making your insides plummet.

"I do, hadn’t you noticed?"

<——————————<<<<

[ Masterlist ]

#bokuto koutarou #bokuto koutarou imagine #bokuto koutarou x reader #haikyuu #haikyuu scenarios #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu imagine #haikyuu imagines #msby black jackal #fukurodani #anime x reader #anime imagine #bokuto imagine #bokuto x reader

[colossalsummer]

That Crush Cuffs Scene in Nightfall

✨Why I like it and you should too✨

YA lit and youth culture in general spends so much time celebrating romantic relationships, and sometimes I think it feeds this idea that romance is the highest form of love.

Our obsession with true love in stories for teenagers has created this bizarre pressure to find your soulmate before the age of 18. In middle and high school, the concept of a casual date seemed impossible to me. Expressing interest in somebody carried all the anxiety of a proposal. A lot of the month-long dating relationships my friends were in felt like mini-marriages.

Which is why That Crush Cuffs Scene absolutely destroyed me in the best possible way. 

Because it blows all of those myths about first loves out of the water.

🚨NIGHTFALL SPOILERS🚨

Before you get out your torches and pitchforks to defend your sweet baby boy...

I'm sure there are people who feel like Dex got shortchanged, and I can totally understand where they're coming from. We spent a huge portion of the first KOTLC book learning to like-like Dex, only to spend the next four and a half books slowly peeling Sophie away from him. I'm sure that was hard for people who are really sold on Sodex.

And don't get me wrong, I really liked Dex as a love interest in the first book. That scene with the telescope will never not make my heart explode.

But this scene where Dex confesses his feelings for Sophie is a really special moment, and I love that it exists.

So Dex makes these crush cuffs. And he makes them knowing that Sophie has to wear them, like, for her survival. 

If she likes him, then great. She wears the cuffs, he makes Keefe and Fitz cry, the end.

But if she doesn’t like him, then Dex has forced her to decide between two icky options. A) Flat-out reject him and this gift he spent a lot of time on, or B) take the passive route, wear the cuffs, and feel sick inside. 

I really do think Dex meant well, but this was, at best, an immature move. He put his friend in a really ugly position with high emotional stakes. His idea of a  relationship with Sophie is on such a high pedestal it’s like he’s totally lost touch with reality.

Even when Dex sees Sophie’s reaction to the cuffs (“Ouch,” Dex mumbled, “You don’t have to look that horrified.”) he still tries to talk her into wearing them, which is just wild. This boy is not in his right mind.

So Sophie tries to finagle her way out of this crazy booby trap that Dex has created. “Could you make it look like a nexus instead?” “People will think we’re dating, and we’re not.” “We’re technically cousins.” And finally she backs him into a corner, realizes he ordered the cuffs way ahead of time, and is forced to confront the truth.

We’re back to the two options Dex set up for Sophie. And now that she knows he’s had these crush cuffs for MONTHS, she knows exactly how end-of-the-world important she is to Dex. So she knows that both of these options she’s facing end with somebody crying themselves to sleep that night.

But what I love is that Sophie decides that “Dex [is] worth fighting for.” So she creates a third option. 

The Kiss is such a great solution, because it proves to both her and Dex that she really gave him a fair shot. In the end, it just wasn’t meant to be.

And what I really love about this kiss, besides it being terrible, is that it’s Sophie’s first kiss. It’s something you expect an author to save for the end of the book, when the heroine chooses The One in the love triangle. But Sophie cashes in her first kiss to salvage a friendship.

So Sophie makes her point. They debrief how they feel. Sophie thanks Dex for caring about her. Dex thanks her for letting him down easy and apologizes for causing extra drama during a scary time in Sophie’s life. They affirm their friendship is more than intact (“Forever.”) and decide to take a break from each other.

Of course Dex is disappointed, because this outcome is different than what he wanted, but he never acts like getting friendzoned is a step down. And the next day, Sophie wears the crush cuffs with humility and protects Dex’s dignity.

I am delighted by how That Crush Cuffs Scene defuses the teen romance value system by shattering Sodex’s dating potential and stripping away the premium on the First Kiss. Because we’re left with this kind, vulnerable conversation where Sophie and Dex discover just how much they treasure each other, and that their friendship is enough. 

I expect the new relationship that emerges from all this awkwardness to be hugely rewarding, at least to me. I hope it delivers the depth that Sodex fans deserve--especially after Dex kind of sidelined the past couple books. 

I realized today that with all of Sophie’s potential partners, there’s that same reassurance. Even if Sophie and [insert favorite boy here] don’t end up together-together, their friendship is strong enough to adapt and survive. 

Sophie and Dex show us the value of a relationship, romantic or not, that minimizes drama. And that the key to minimizing drama is to value our friendships just as much as our romances... and maybe bringing the intensity of our romantic gestures down a notch. At least as an opening move. Maybe ask your girl if she wants to go on a lunch date before you handmake a big honking set of crush shackles and engineer a romantic confrontation.

First kisses, first dates, and first relationships are made for experimentation. Commitment is important, but when you’re getting to know somebody and still learning what you want in a partner, it’s more important to feel free to say, “This isn’t working for me.” Anytime. For any reason. And to feel like if you do walk away--even if you’re single for the rest of your life--you will still be a whole person who is loved deeply. 

That Crush Cuffs Scene taught us how to protect the hearts of the people we love. I hope we see more of that in teen romance.

I’m truly sorry that Dex is out of the game, but I feel strongly that Sodex did not die in vain. I hope some of you that love that ship do, too. 💕

#keeper of the lost cities #nightfall spoilers #kotlc spoilers #kotlc ships #kotlc #kotlc nightfall #I wish I could tag who this is about but I don't want somebody to peek at the tags and get spoiled on accident #I care about you my friends #sorry this is an essay #I just have a lot of positive feelings about this #Which is why I haven't posted in a while #I pulled the brake on finishing Nightfall too #And I haven't gotten through the rest of the books so if any of this turns out to be inaccurate #Don't tell me just tag this with a frowny face or something #To tell me you disapprove

[writingandmore]

Hi!!! May I get a HP, Star Wars, Voltron, and Disney matchup?

𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗖𝗦 + 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘

19, Libra, Neutral Good, enneagram is 4w5, muggleborn Ravenclaw (with Gryffindor tendencies), and my patronus spirit is Hummingbird. Biromantic Pansexual Genderfluid woman using pronouns of She/Her or He/Him. Cherubic-like face, with short height (5'1") plus sized Southeast Asian woman with Spanish descent that has chic messy/wavy brunette medium hair that reaches to my shoulder, oriental skin, slightly upturned eyes, small lashes, chocolate brown irises, cute flat nose, heart shaped face, full cheeks, cupid's bow lips, a small beauty mark on the forehead, and naturally straight teeth with tiny gap in front (just imagine that it's a mixture of Marinette from 𝗠𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝘆𝗯𝘂𝗴, Musa from 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘅 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯, and Alexandra Trese from 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲---cause' my friend told me that I kinda look like them). My sense of fashion is in between emo and boyish plus korean glam, I sometimes let my hair down or styled like Lara Croft reboot.

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬

Distant, quiet, and timid at first making people thought I'm a demure, modest, and self-effacing that looks "immaculate" or "one of a kind" (due to my protective mom, a reason why I've never been in a relationship) but the truth is, dunno how to initiate a conversation, but a total opposite if I open up---friendly, ambivert, witty, laughing loudly on a daily basis---like my happiness is too shallow, super talkative, eats a lot (yeah I can finish a huge slice of cake or a meal in one sitting), awkward, daydreamer (I got embarrassed from knocking at the door even I'm inside the classroom 😂), EXTREMELY CLUMSY (mostly gets bruises from hitting, bumping my head somewhere, walking into something on my way, and being careless to my belongings), secretly likes affection, easily overwhelmed, prone to melt over wholesomeness, flusters on compliments, lightly blushes on cheesy banters, eager to share what I know (especially about Catholic Church---my past teacher joked that I'll become a saint because of it 🤣), oftenly speaks full of sarcasm with a lowkey crackhead energy citing meme references, and talented girl who can be your no.1 supporter and unashamed to be true to myself but can be awkward to strangers. In terms of leadership, I only educate and guide than being a prefect (I might take the role seriously), will lift my group when there's lacking/incompleteness. About doing projects in school, I become too extra and prepared for efforts, but I'll forget the process in the end.

The extent, I'm expressive, warm-hearted, willig to help, kind, intelligent, supportive, nice, creative, enthusiastic, laid-back, determined, tough, competitive, and feisty outside, but a real softie that can be childish and dramatic that cries so easily (but will enlightened real quick by smallest things that makes me smile) filled with doubts, frustrations, and insecurities with fear of failure that pushes off the limits to to please everyone because they might get dissappointed from expectations---I simply can't stop proving myself too much because I'm a survivor of bullying. But I still managed to be stronger than ever after I stumbled, even it's a slow burn process. I can be blunt, intimidating, harsh, and a douchebag if I receive ends or I got interrupted while doing something. Immature, headstrong, perfectionist, demanding, hesitant, jumpy, forgetful, overthinker, quick-tempered, sensitive, and anxious (no joke, my nervousness makes me think worse scenario will arrive). Though can be procrastinator and arrogant, I raised as a religious 𝖺𝗇𝖽 diplomatic youth, willing to fight what I believe (including my dreams and what's important to me) and what is right. In addition, I have a habit of staying up late and doing sign of the cross to ease nervousness.

Rowdy and feeling-brokenhearted and bitter friend in the group who fangirl a lot, swears like sailor, will call out on people that we loathe, will make fun of your stupidity (in a good way) before helping, and bring gossips, but a hopeless romantic and cheeky (makes banter with sarcasms or pick up lines as an endearment, but gets annoyed if I received sappy or offensive one), Still generous and concerned person in a subtle and different way.

𝗛𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗦

My hobbies are singing, drawing, roleplaying, listening to music, chatting/browsing on social media, conceptualizing, writing, and reading some stuffs. I'll include making corniest jokes/puns, sleeping, and dancing when nobody's around or walking like a model if I feel so bold (even I'm terrible at both xD). I also used to learn Italian language a bit.

𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗦

Loves kittens, milk tea, singing at the karaoke, cartoons, iced coffee, memes, cute things, watching YouTube videos (mostly pageants, ASMR, edit audios, and mukbangs), also enjoys playing games on my sister's PSP. Sucker for arts, choir, poetry, night sky, makeup, fun/deep/dumb conversations, Christianity, documentaries (about saints, real crime stories, and inspirational people), reading interesting stuffs, talking about social issues, and creative writing, chilling both indoors and outdoors. Beside that, my music taste are like late 90s-2000s songs (mostly rock, pop, and country) sometimes Catholic songs, kpop and ppop, chocoholic, and a sweetooth as well.

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗦

Things that I hate are stereotyping, HUGE creepy crawlies (spiders, toads, snakes, and cockroaches), firecracker sounds, thunder and lightning, being left out, loneliness, heart break, blackout, and judgemental people. If I found out that someone hates or backstabbing or being rude to me, I won't hesitate to throw offensive criticisms, leaving them with a "I don't give a f" attitude. One random fact about me is, I 𝗐𝗂𝗅𝗅 vent out EVERYTHING I despise in my entire existence---from bad soap operas to toxicity, worse scenarios in real life, and how terrible is my love life from unrequited feelings that I got, because it's a big deal for me, and I consider forcing me to do what I'm not into and manipulating me as my major pet peeves.

𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦

In terms of triggers...I only have two which are ta𝖨king about divorce/annullment/separation because I came from a generational broken family (it sucks that some people I knew assumed that the reason why I'm overly unaware that someone is interested in me in secret, is I have "high standards" looking for a partner, but the truth is I'm strict and I have a personal preferences...I know my worth and I don't want settle for less!) and religion/beliefs discrimination, cause' there are reasonings that doesn't makes sense because some, sounds too hypocritical, like as if you're a morally good person.

𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 + 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗨𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗦

My love languages are quality time and gift giving, but I actually swoon over physical touch (especially cuddles and cute kisses) and words of affirmation when it comes to having a partner, though I get attracted so easily, matured but can be a goofy person who's nice, friendly, kind-hearted, loving, faithful, and excels in academics is my cup of tea. Whenever I have a real life crush (which is rare), I act the same but deep inside, my heart is about to explode and will eventually share to my trustful friends how I highly admire that person, however if they spilled the beans out, I'll obviously deny it and will cry if they like someone else, it will take some time for me to move on, now I don't care for them anymore.

Best Friends to Lovers is my ideal trope because I find it very cute since you already knew each other before dating (which happened to my 2nd cousin, she married her best friend!)---perfect balance for romance, laughters, comfort, and tears when it comes to sharing your vibes, being there through thick and thin, safe with embraces, and helping each other to grow.

𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔𝗦

My best assets are smile, eyes, personality, singing voice, artistic skills, writings, intelligence, oratorical skills and I have potential in hosting...so I can consider myself as a singer, artist, orator, speaker, and a top student who's a former active campus ministry member with three roles (choir leader, psalm singer, and reader).

May sounds different but I'm passionate for helping people through my talents and sharing my story to inspire everyone. I may look selfish, but I have a different way on how I show that I actually care also I have a biased sentimental value

Currently a college freshman, learning how to cook. I have so many interests, to the point I don't know what I'm into because of my dreams to become a popular Filipino YouTuber, a novelist, and being part of a successful chorale competing internationally...I also consider joining pageants at school too once the pandemic ends, but maybe.

HP: Remus!

- Remus is also quiet and a bit reserved when he's not in a familiar situation, so your own first impression on him would be a good one, as you'd seem similar to his own personality. He's sweet and is able to start up a conversation if he notices the other person is having a hard time doing so, so hopefully he'd be able to bring out your more extroverted and friendly self after a while so he can be around the more open you. He wouldn't mind you being a bit awkward-he's very much the same way-honestly, the comradery that would come from that would be more positive than anything else. He loves sharing knowledge and learning about new things, so your eagerness to talk about what you know would work really well also! He does a lot better when he knows someone has his back too, so your extra supportive nature would endear him to you as well.

SW: Han!

- Your nicer and more helpful personality would balance out Han's more standoffish vibes when first meeting. You might get on his nerves a bit first, but you'd quickly grown on him and, in turn, make him a bit of a better person. Your ability to be blunt and a bit harsh would serve you well if you ever needed to stand your ground on an issue that two of you have, as he can be quite stubborn.

VLD: Lance!

- Lance can be a bit immature from time to time as well, especially when it comes to trying to be funny or cheering up those around him-he's also headstrong and typically firm in what he wants to do, so your own determined personality would attract him to you a lot as well. He often puts off things he needs to do if they make him anxious too, but if you both recognize that you share that problem, helping each other might be a good solution!

Disney: Flynn!

- Flynn is quite a sarcastic and teasing person, so your own humor would match well with his. He's also quite a hopeless romantic as well, even though he's certainly not one to admit that right off the bat. He enjoys singing, and as he gets closer to someone he feels more comfortable doing so in front of them, so a partner he's been with for a long time would get to see him be more and more open with it. That also applies to activities like dancing.

#hp matchup #remus lupin #sw matchp #han solo #vld matchup #lance mcclain #disney matchup #flynn rider

[bleachbleachbleach]

Do either of you like any bleach ships? Which ones if so?

@whipplefilter's answer: I’m not a shipper, and a lot of that probably has to do with the fact that I’m unclear on the concept of romance just like, generally, lol, and shipping tends to imply some kind of romance. But I am very invested in relationships! It just doesn’t really matter to me whether the relationship is romantic or non-romantic, and I really love it when non-romantic relationships get focus and airtime. But I’m certainly not anti-ship! I probably consume more fannish shippy content than non-shippy content, by pure virtue of the fact that there is more shippy content, and I’m perfectly happy about that because if it’s about characters I like—and to have my cake and eat it to, about relationships between characters I like—then I’m probably excited about it.

Personally, I don’t feel strong distinctions, or a strong need to identify distinctions, between what’s a ship and what’s a friendship. I think that’s part of the reason why shipwars always take me by surprise. I don’t feel like a character not being in a romantic relationship with someone automatically devalues the relationship they have. I mean, I think if the character thinks about their relationships in that way, then that’s what happens. Or if the character tends to be a single-minded kind of person, such that they really can’t imagine themselves having multiple intense relationships of varying stripes. These aren’t Bleach examples, but in Nana, Hachi treated her friends like complete shit in pursuit of/focus on her romantic partner. In that case, yeah, she was totally the one devaluing her friendships! Or in Chihayafuru, Taichi ends up heartbroken because Chihaya doesn’t reciprocate his confession of love, and he knows that Chihaya is a one-track-mind kind of person.

By contrast, I see Ichigo as someone with huge capacity to have, well, a mountainload of intense and meaningful relationships, in ways that distinguish him from a lot of "one goal to rule them all" 15-year old manga protagonists. (No shade to single-minded love! I mean… We run a very monogamous and single-minded Bleach blog.) I’d say the same is true of many of his friends.

Beyond that, I do think my level of excitement re: shipping varies in terms of how central romance feels to [my interpretation of] a character. Like, in terms of how important *I feel* their love life *feels to them*. XD (And also how proximal the "things that make this pairing tick" are to the "things that excite me personally about this character.") So like, I am very excited by the idea of Hisagi/most fucking anyone, because, paraphrasing @ippoddity, his desire to make connections and be perceived is both important to him and to my investment in him. I think Hisagi is thirsty for any kind of connection, but I think he’d really like it if some of them involved romance. Also sex.

As a writer, I’m pretty committed to gen, because it’s my fave and there doesn’t tend to be as much of it in fandom spaces and I want it to exist. In one of my other fandoms, I have run a gen fic exchange for over a decade and people are still unclear on what "gen" even is! People constantly confuse gen for "anything that’s not porn" and submit shippy stuff lolol. Though, on the flipside… long long ago in a kingdom far far away, I did once run, like, THE Naruto porn meme of its time. XDDD Which is weird to look back on, but I think that was really because I happen to be pretty good at organizing things and it was a way of hanging out with my horny friends, LOL. Porn itself does nothing for me outside of its potential aesthetic value, and/or its potential to show me things about the characters/their relationship. And while a lot of porn is interested in both those things, if it weren't also very interested in the actual fucking then what would be the point?

-----------------------------------------

@ippoddity's answer: I'm on a similar page as @whipplefilter when it comes to shipping. It's not like I don't ship, because I certainly do have preferences, but I am more invested in (and interested in) relationships (whether they be romantic or not).

I really love that in canon, Ichigo's relationship with Rukia is deep and meaningful, but not necessarily romantic. I really like the idea of soulmates (or twin stars or twin flames or whatever you want to call them), but like, not romantic soul mates. I think what makes IchiRuki so appealing to many people is that they have a close connection. And I'd love to see more of that explored (not just in regards to IchiRuki, but all relationships in general), sans romance.

This isn't to say that I don't also consume shippy fanworks! I do it all the time! I am sort of an equal opportunity shipper, and will try out anything at least once. I feel like I can appreciate a good piece of content, whether it's for something I ship or not. Like GrimmIchi works?? SO MUCH GOOD STUFF OUT THERE (y'all are amazing). It's not necessarily a ship I'm actively sailing on or contributing to, but I'm there for the fun ride. Like my co-blogger said, I also think that Hisagi can be shipped with almost anyone. The poor man is just so desperate for connection and acknowledgement. So if someone is gonna give him a relationship that gives him what he wants, I'm down for it. And something else I've gotten into since starting this blog? Akon/almost anyone. He has so much potential and I've really gotten onto this Akon stan train.

When it comes to shipping or not, for me the most important thing is "does this relationship make them happy?" And that's really all I care about. For example, I think Renji's happiness very much weighs on his connection with Rukia, so I'm happy that he's happy with her (if that makes any sense at all). For the same reason I'm down with IkkaYumi, because I love Yumichika and think he deserves to be happy and I think his relationship with Ikkaku makes him happy. LOOK I JUST WANT HAPPY ENDINGS FOR EVERYONE.

(ngl I was scared of writing this post because I didn't want to get stuck in between some kind of shipwars. The fervor of shipwars honestly baffle me because I do not think I could ever feel so strongly about a ship that I get dragged into hateful discourse, especially for series that ended a long time ago?? But I am also very against confrontation to begin with, so I would probably just apologize and bow out anyway.)

--

ALSO we are sorry we are so bad at answering asks in a timely manner! But I assure you, we are DELIGHTED every time we receive one and love interacting with everyone! Our asks are always open!

#lmao i didn't answer the 'which ships' part the literal question #whichever ships seem like they make my faves happy #i was gonna say 'anything that involves my faves' but i tried ukitake/rukia once and didn't like that #i think ultimately their own attempted romance would just upset them and probably fuck up the relationship they had before #but even that's not a hard fast rule because i'm interested in failed relationships and fucked up relationships actually?? idk man #leave it to us to answer an ask but not actually answer anything at all #despite writing a novella's worth of text we still have not clarified anything at all

[carewyncromwell]

Hi guys! I thought I’d start this HPHM AU Ships Challenge, just for funsies! Feel free to steal and pass it along, if thou dost wish!

Tagging @dat-silvers-girl, @annabelle-tanaka-official, @angellazull, @lifeofkaze, @samshogwarts, @drinkyoursoupbitch, @kc-needs-coffee, @cursed-ice-spirits​, @thatravenpuffwitch​, @cursebreaker-lilith​, @cursebreakerfarrier​, and @cursebreakerelmswood​! 💖💛💙💚

What HPHM characters (or MCs) could you see your MC dating, in an AU? What would their relationship be like? Why did you ultimately decide not to go with that ship, or do you still hold a torch for it?

My answers for my girl Carewyn are under the cut!!

(Sorry, I couldn’t resist starting with a recycled doodle of my canon ship, the HMS Carion. 🥰)

Andre Egwu

Alright, right off the bat, we should discuss Carewyn’s canon ex, Andre. Carewyn and Andre attended the Celestial Ball and dated until their fifth year, breaking up right after the All-Wizard tournament. Fortunately despite their break-up, they’ve stayed on good terms and still greatly respect each other -- but truthfully, I never intended for them to be a long-term match in any universe. If you’d like to read more about why Carewyn/Andre didn’t work out, you can consult this analysis, but to put it very simply, Andre was someone Carewyn admired deeply, but couldn’t ever be completely herself around. And from a personal perspective, my parents are one of those rare couples who remained friends even after divorcing, and I’ve always found their relationship really fascinating, as no one can deny they do still sincerely love and admire each other, even if it’s no longer romantically. Carewyn and Andre know each other in a way no one else does, so it gives their friendship a depth that it didn’t have before -- so unlike with a lot of relationships, their bond actually strengthened after they broke up, rather than falling apart. 

Bill Weasley 

In Carewyn’s canon, Bill ends up becoming Carewyn’s best friend. Although at the start, their relationship had much more of a surrogate big brother/little sister dynamic, over time the two ended up on much more equal terms, both as Cursebreaker partners and as unofficial “parents” for the rest of their friend group. Bill is Carewyn’s right-hand man both while dealing with the Cursed Vaults and while leading the Circle of Khanna, and even though Carewyn wants nothing to do with Cursebreaking after dealing with the Vaults, she’ll still drop everything to help Bill with his work, should he need her. Bill is the one who came up with the nickname “Carey” for Carewyn, and he’s also arguably the friend who understands Carewyn best after the death of Rowan, given the similarities in their personalities and how long they’ve known each other. I actually did write out a post guessing what a romantic relationship between these two might’ve been like if they’d become a thing, but honestly, I’ve never really shipped these two. Carewyn may not be entirely based on me (she’s got elements of my mum too), but one aspect of the wish fulfilment for me early on was that my girl could have a ride-or-die best friend like Ron was for Harry in the original Potter books. In the end, that friend ended up being Bill, Ron’s eldest brother and a character I loved when I first read the books and only became fonder of through the game. And honestly, we could really use more sincerely loving, but completely platonic male-female friendships that never bump up against romance!!

Talbott Winger

Talbott and Carewyn are truly “birds of a feather,” though one would never know it based on their respective masks. Talbott is the sort to put a gruff facade on to hide his more sensitive feelings, while Carewyn is the sort to put on a pretty face to hide her angrier and sadder feelings. Underneath, though, they both are stubborn, intelligent, and distrustful people with a strong desire to fight evil and a creative spirit. After becoming an Animagus, Carewyn would frequently fly around the school grounds with Talbott in robin form, singing songs for both herself and Talbott, and even though Talbott teased her about it, he did sincerely enjoy it. Carewyn loves reading Talbott’s poetry, and Talbott is also one of the few people who can get Carewyn to laugh a lot, since their senses of humor line up really well. Last but not least, they become a lawyer and an Auror post-Hogwarts, so they end up working together A LOT, especially post-War. I did write a prompt once about what a Talbott/Carewyn romance would be like, and I admit, I could see them being a relatively good couple, particularly since I headcanon both of them as being on the ace spectrum. That being said, though, I ultimately didn’t go with Talbott for Carewyn for two reasons. One, I thought they’d be too similar in a lot of ways (most notably, they’re way too friggin’ serious -- give each of these two some sunshine, will you??) -- and two, on a much more superficial note, Talbott was so popular that I kind of hesitated before having Carewyn ask him out. (Plus come on, for that date, how much of a b*tch would you have to be to break Andre’s heart and then snatch up an outfit he made for you to wear on a date with his dormmate?! Just -- COME ON.)

Chiara Lobosca

When I first started playing HPHM, I strongly considered shipping my girl with Chiara, once she broke up with Andre. From the moment Chiara and Carewyn met, Carewyn just knew she had to know Chiara better, and that ended up being because -- thanks to her latent Legilimency potential -- she could subconsciously sense that Chiara and she were similar in a lot of ways. Most importantly, Chiara was very lonely and desperately longed for a friend, which reminded Carewyn of how lonely her pre-Hogwarts life was, especially after Jacob disappeared. Once Carewyn earned Chiara’s trust, Carewyn proved herself to be a very loyal friend, even learning how to become a robin Animagus so she could keep Chiara company and cheer her up with twittered songs during full moons. Both Carewyn and Chiara are sensitive “Healer” type personalities (though Chiara is a bit more literal of one) who fight against their own crippling self-loathing to try to nurture others. This, in the end, though, is why I hesitated on making them official and why I’m ultimately glad I didn’t. Like Talbott, Chiara in some ways is too similar to Carewyn, and I think in a romantic relationship, they wouldn’t grow as much as people through their interactions. I did come up with quite a few ideas about what their relationship might be like -- but ultimately I couldn’t help but feel that Carewyn’s happy ending couldn’t just be about peace, but about finding someone who could challenge and contrast her.

Diego Caplan

This  started off as a crack ship for me before actually gaining some legs and becoming Chiara/Carewyn’s main opponent, when it came to my debate with myself regarding Carewyn’s romantic future. In contrast to Chiara, Diego is pretty much Carewyn’s complete opposite. Carewyn is a planner. Diego is spontaneous. Carewyn is meticulous. Diego is flirtatious. Carewyn is serious. Diego is anything but. Carewyn is ace. Diego I headcanon as pan. And yet they both have their romantic and creative sides and are both seasoned fighters and loyal friends. Diego would definitely be able to bring some levity to Carewyn’s life, while Carewyn could bring some grounding to Diego’s. Diego even has a cute little nickname for Carewyn from their time in the Circle of Khanna: “general!” In short, these two would be perfect leads in a rom-com chick flick. But this, ultimately, ended up being why I hesitated on making them official and why I’m ultimately glad I didn’t. Diego/Carewyn is a ship that could really only bloom and blossom under fair conditions, and I had trouble seeing Diego being equipped to deal with Carewyn’s darker emotions or even her more intellectual bent. Just like with Chiara, I came up with plenty of ideas about how these two could be as a couple -- but I really felt as though Carewyn needed more than just “fun” as a happy ending. And ultimately, this conflict between peace VS fun ended up coming to an end when I discovered Carewyn/Orion, as Orion could provide Carewyn with both.

Jae Kim

Okay, honestly? When I first encountered Jae as a character, I didn’t think he and Carewyn would have anything in common, but in a weird way, they sort of subvert their respective house’s stereotype by exhibiting values from the other’s house! Gryffindors are seen as these rash, reckless, show-off hero types, but Jae showcases a lot of Slytherin-worthy cleverness, resourcefulness, and disregard for rules and what others think of him. Slytherins are seen as these cold, cruel, ambitious villain types, but Carewyn showcases a lot of Gryffindor-worthy courage, nobility, and selflessness. And so even though Jae is generally a rulebreaker and Carewyn is generally a rule-follower, when circumstances made it ideal for them to be on good business terms (namely, working in detention together and Carewyn needing an ally who knows Knockturn Alley and Jae needed an ally who was a Prefect), they soon found a lot of common ground. Add to that how much Carewyn encourages Jae’s cooking talent while respecting his privacy, and it’s little wonder that post-Hogwarts, when Jae opens up his own pub on the border of Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley, the two still meet up very frequently to swap news from their respective corners of the world. I admittedly don’t know how well Carewyn’s job as a magical lawyer would be conducive to her being anything other than friends with Jae, and I don’t think they’d ultimately have many interests in common, so I do much prefer them as friends, but their dynamic is full of fun contrasts! 

Ben Copper

Hahaha, oh god. So. Obviously Ben in-game is still very polarizing, but in my canon, Ben and Carewyn’s relationship is really complex and honestly one of my absolute favorite friendships for my girl. Ben was one of Carewyn’s very first friends, so he -- like Rowan, Bill, and Penny -- knows Carewyn in a way few others do. He befriended her before she became known as the poised, perfect Slytherin “Mama Bear,” but unlike her other friends, he was a bit disappointed by her abrupt transformation between her third and fourth years. While those like Bill, Penny, and Andre saw it as Carewyn coming into her own, Ben noticed how much Carewyn put herself “over” the rest of her friends, becoming their protector more than their equal, and Ben lamented it, disliking how he felt like a responsibility to Carewyn more than her friend. But Ben kept those feelings inside, not knowing how to properly express them when he did still cherish Carewyn’s friendship. After the events in the Portrait Vault, Ben went through his own dramatic change, and Carewyn sure enough didn’t end up liking it any better than Ben had liked hers. But ultimately the two had a heart-to-heart and realized that they both had become very different people than the kids who’d befriended each other in first year. After Rowan’s death and the formation of the Circle of Khanna, the two reforged their friendship on more equal terms. I did actually write out an AU roleplay where Ben and Carewyn’s confrontation in Jacob’s room ended up hinting Ben/Carewyn, but I ultimately think that the people they ultimately become are way too different to be a great romantic match. It makes their friendship fascinating, as it makes you wonder how such a tall, suspicious, reckless Gryffindor ever befriended such a poised, methodical, lady-like Slytherin...but even if they do feel a lot of deep platonic love for each other and I personally headcanon Ben being on the ace spectrum like Carewyn, I ultimately think they’d have very different dreams in mind for their future and would each need something different in a romantic partner. 

Barnaby Lee

Barnababy!! 💚 Yeah, Barnaby Lee is my personal favorite HPHM character, and yet I have never really shipped him seriously with Carewyn, even though I love their relationship and could see potential chemistry. Barnaby and Carewyn are both amazingly sensitive, loyal, and modest Slytherins with a love of magical creatures and a strong sense of honor, but they also contrast each other in some fun ways too. Carewyn may put on a happy face a lot, but she’s actually rather pessimistic. Barnaby’s unblinkingly optimistic and he wouldn’t even dream of putting on a mask to hide his feelings. Then of course there’s the fact that Carey-Bear is this tiny and rather physically weak thing, while Barnaby is a perfectly dashing tank. 😂 Barnaby and Carewyn are both protective of each other, as seen by Barnaby throwing himself in front of Carewyn to shield her from an Imperiused Rowan’s spell and Carewyn verbally tearing into Ismelda when she learned she planned to use a Love Potion on him. Barnaby was the one who really taught Carewyn about how deceiving appearances can be, and Carewyn was the one who really taught Barnaby about how generous and selfless friendship could be, so they both respect each other a lot. For all that respect, though, there’s a significant slant to their relationship. Carewyn supports Barnaby emotionally infinitely more than she would ever let him support her, so their dynamic comes across as very “mother/son”-like rather than complete equals. Plus, honestly, I think Barnaby and Carewyn’s dreams for their respective futures -- namely, to be a magizoologist traveling the world and to be a magical lawyer for the Ministry of Magic -- don’t match up in the least bit. I could also see Barnaby wanting a large family, and Carewyn has no interest in bearing children herself and would prefer a quieter home life. 

#hphm #hogwarts mystery #analysis #au #shipping #carewyn cromwell #andre egwu #bill weasley #talbott winger #chiara lobosca #diego caplan #jae kim #ben copper #barnaby lee #...geez carey's pan and yet so many of her potential love interests are dudes XDDD #I blame the fact that among the hphm cast most of her closest friends are dudes #though of course she's got plenty of mc friends who are chicks #but yeah I headcanon carey as ace/pan so she's attracted to personality more than gender #of course in the end she got orion and you all know I'm happy about that XD #hphm au ships challenge

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[SPOILERS FOR LEO’S ROUTE❗️] okay so i just got to the bit after leo reveals what he is, and mc and comte are talking on the balcony & comte offers to turn her into a vampire if she would like. obviously mc declines but i guess my question is, how do you think leonardo would react if mc DID agree to that offer? i am enjoying his route, but i kinda get the feeling he mostly/only loves mc because she is human :/ im interested abt what might happen if she didn’t say no? thank you v much💖💖ly lots

Aww, ily3 hun tyty 💕💕💕I’ll offer my thoughts below, I hope I can answer your questions to satisfaction! 

Ah yes, the point in Leo's route where I essentially get shot in the leg and limp through my walk of shame

Jk jk, but I think there has been a considerable degree of displeasure associated with Leonardo's line in the proverbial sand. No life with him can be spent as a vampire, MC must remain human. Despite his easygoing nature, he remains stalwart in his opposition no matter what the MC or Comte has to say. To summarize it quickly, Comte’s relieved exasperation at the end of Leo’s MS gets more across than I think any of my analysis can convey “Thank heavens one of you has good sense.” It offers the implication that he has tried to broach the topic with Leonardo out of concern, only to be met by a brick wall--or doesn’t try at all for fear that he’ll only ensconce Leonardo further into rejecting a greater future for him and MC.

As to how he would react I......really don’t think it would go well? Only because I think it would serve to reinforce the rifts that already exist in Leonardo’s self-perception. He would believe it was his own fault for pushing her in that direction, and while I don’t think he would hate Comte, he would definitely become estranged from one of his only close friends in life. (What GUTS ME about Comte offering to turn MC is that he is probably well aware Leo might beat the shit out of him, never talk to him again, or both--and he still fully accepts that he could lose his best friend to guarantee a future for both of them. Excuse me while I bawl in the corner) He probably wouldn’t hold it against Comte for too long, but he wouldn’t be any less aggrieved and hurt. And when Leonardo is vulnerable, he will hide and nurse his wounds until he can behave with some level of calm--or at the very least until he can pretend he’s okay after an initial explosion. He doesn’t feel comfortable troubling people with his own problems, so he tends to fall into silence when personal things come up. This doesn’t necessarily mean he resolves all of his emotional turmoil, or heals that fast; it only means that he wallows in those feelings alone unless they’re tugged out of him and worked through forcibly.

Basically, I see only one of two possibilities coming to fruition. The first is that he and MC would wobble only to completely fall apart if some kind of resolution could never be found. He’d continue to blame himself and start sabotaging his own happiness, and that would likely mean some level of selfishness directed at MC--resulting in anguish for the both of them. If MC takes on too much without complaint or Leonardo goes too far...I get the feeling that relationship would either end in shambles immediately, or result in a kind of twisted union in which both feel responsible for the other’s hurt but neither one can relieve it (until they’d be forced to split up before someone gets seriously hurt). They would be the source of each other’s suffering, so much so that the walls climbing between them might never again lower. 

This might sound odd, but if there’s one thing that Leonardo needs it’s control when it comes to his relationships with others. It is a subtle, but acute trait that might not seem obvious knowing his magnanimous disposition. He decides if MC gets to be a vampire, he bargains with Sebastian because he refuses to be a test subject, he refuses to validate Comte’s conclusions (despite knowing he’s right) because he doesn’t want to cede the power silence/smokescreens offer his emotional vulnerabilities. Even around villains like Shakespeare and the final serial killer, pay close attention. Shakespeare begins revealing deeply personal information and wishes that Leonardo holds close to his heart on purpose, snatching Leonardo’s agency and ability to control how his feelings are being conveyed. How does Leonardo respond? With explosive, forbidding anger--instantaneous and barely contained, nothing at all like his breezy attitude and calm.

If you think about it, it’s a fairly obvious extension of the humiliating powerlessness by which he was raised (he needs to be in control; he needs to be the one who decides who gets to walk away and who doesn’t. He doesn’t come on to MC because he wants to, he does it for the sole purpose of scaring her out of wanting to be a vampire. He doesn’t even attempt to explain where he’s coming from because he falls into whole-scale panic. When he loses control of the trajectory of others--of how they perceive certain things about him--all of his charisma fails him. If he can’t explain or justify where he is mentally, when he’s too afraid they won’t hear him or care, then he needs to redirect the opposing party). Additionally, he feels responsible; that he can better adjust the outcome with his experience--and while that may be true for some things, sometimes he gets ahead of himself. Only an individual can decide their own future and their own happiness, the most others can do is enhance or worsen aspects of life. He doesn’t have enough faith that his presence is positive or worthwhile enough to guarantee his spouse’s happiness ;-;

The other possibility I see is MC coaxing him as best she can into reassurance that she’s happy with her new life. While he may have doubts, there is absolutely room for her to help him approach those fears little by little. If Leonardo has even a hint of doubt in regards to his dismal feelings about her being turned, a potential for acceptance may be nurtured. I don’t think his uncertainty would ever fully vanish; there will always be a lurking fear that a fate tied to his can only mean suffering and disappointment. Prove his worth and compassion with time, and this man will be unable to remember how life was lived before her. It would take a great deal of patience and a sizable obstacle, but it wouldn’t be impossible. His heart is much too big for that, I think.

I don’t think happiness with a turned MC is impossible, only that it would take a lot of work to swing it after a heated moment of decision. I think the way to go with Leonardo is a more enduring effort. He shows much more receptivity after years of being together. I think time, ironically, helps him relax into the possibility of forever as a couple. I think he cannot conceptualize a world in which he is in love, and that this love is not conditional--not dependent on his ability to be the perfect companion, the brilliant inventor, the equanimous mentor. I think he needs to see for himself that love can be gentle and real and whole even when he’s at his worst (by his self-perception). 

Also I put some extra meta under the cut because I have brainworms and just can’t stop thinking about Leonardo rn so read if you like, but it’s more related to why he feels this way abt turning MC than necessarily about the outcome. 

That being said, I'm conflicted because I don't necessarily think Leonardo only loves MC because she's human? (Rather, I think it’s more a result of his history and the values he’s developed in response to that upbringing. But I’ll loop back to this in a bit, so stay tuned)

I say this for two reasons. Firstly, I don't want to say that no person in this period shared his values (I mean look at Comte)--this would be an overstatement, even if it was rare. But it does appear that Comte and Leonardo are acute exceptions within vampire society in elevating human beings to an equal status among vampires (if not a higher status at points or depending on the person). As such, a vampire partner he’d be comfortable living with is unlikely. Human beings are more optimal in some regards (more adaptable and more egalitarian than vampires, most likely), but he also knows that he’s more susceptible to falling in love with a human; so he makes sure to squash his feelings or remove himself when his feelings become too intense. 

Secondly, he's in close quarters with MC by necessity, and reacts to her isolation by virtue of the situation. That's probably half the reason they get together at all; he was fully intending to keep his distance despite his initial curiosity. One thing this signals to me is that even when Leonardo did feel attraction to any person he was in contact with, he would avoid them until they were removed from his presence--or he deflected their romantic approaches enough times for them to give up. With this in mind, it can come as no surprise that Leonardo has kept to himself for nearly five hundred years now. If it was another vampire hitting on him (especially a pureblood), he would be playing into his parents' expectations and would approach the vampire social hierarchy he was working so hard to escape. If they were human, he would deem himself a burden; he could never love them within the normal expectations of a human couple (growing old together, raising a family, etc etc). So ultimately I think it's less her being human, and more their compatibility and context.

As such, I think he just locks himself into a kind of Catch-22? Because in the end I think this is more about his own fears and insecurities--that he can never make someone happy, that he himself will never be enough (hello child of abusive home). Not to oversimplify his character, but one crucial element of his upbringing must be considered if he is to be analyzed properly.

There's something I often think about:

Comte, quoting Leonardo: "‘Not all parents love their children, or even think of them as such.’"  [Though he got away and was able to make a life for himself, he had to do it alone.]

There is. A LOT to unpack here. While we may not have evidence of what his familia is like firsthand, this description tells us...so many heartbreaking things. It tells us that Leonardo never once felt like anything more than a child intended to carry on a legacy. The likelihood that his insights, his feelings, or his entire self-hood were acknowledged is pretty much at a hardcore negative three. While it's been a good number of years since he was the problem child/family disappointment, I feel like so many of those experiences seep into his capacity to properly accept the love of another person. It's a good portion of the reason he struggles so intensely with being loved despite his unfathomable wealth of affection for other people. When a person is diagnosed with unlovable and cringe for having positive feelings for others, it's not really surprising that a person might have trouble accepting a commitment or attraction to another person. There is...a kind of Sisyphus dilemma that surfaces in the wake of that kind of life, a constant push + pull between craving acceptance and either expecting it’s loss and/or fearing it’s disappointment. Though he shows signs of healing from it, there are still portions that linger. (Jean-Paul shakes him from this self-berating in his MS, but after four hundred years he still struggles to overcome those instincts. I wish there were words for the extent to which that knowledge breaks my heart...Many say time heals all wounds, but sometimes I think only others can heal them.)

Keep in mind, I don't think his enduring fallacy that "human beings are the epitome of untainted purpose and vitality" is irrelevant or less problematic here. I just think it's a reflection of a deeper disturbance and loss. It's a reflection of his parents' unilateral rejection of the kinder parts of him; his devotion to patience and understanding. It's a kind of reiteration or what he's already known: he's doing exactly what his parents did in an odd way, he's rejecting vampirism whole-scale despite evidence of both pros and cons (just as it is for humanity). I will always offer that his fear of something going wrong during the change is completely valid--but it does feel more like a fear of admitting that vampires (and eternity for that matter) aren't inherently awful. He ran away from his parents for good reason of course, but for all his running he didn’t escape their black and white logic.

It’s funny too, because his absolutism is kind of reflected in his inability to commit to a single discipline in some ways; while part of it is that he probably exhausts study, I have to wonder how much of him oscillating is a fear of eventual failure. (Think his reaction to MC’s knowledge that he can’t dance, his mortification and utter...shock that she wouldn’t use it as a way to make him feel terrible about himself). He probably prefers to hone his skills helping people because the motivation of providing relief is a much more powerful motivator than knowledge for knowledge’s own sake. He needs the impetus, that drive to move him.

Granted, I won't fault anyone for feeling like Leonardo only loves MC for her humanity. At first glance it really did feel that way! But the more I think about it, the more I feel it has more to do with the weight of his life's experience, and the parts of himself he hasn’t been able to reconcile.

Sometimes, with Leonardo, I urge gentleness. So much of who he is disguises all the ways in which he has been hurt. While his decision is selfish and foolish, it comes from a broken place. My unhappiness will always lie predominantly with the fact that he believes to his core that happiness and self-respect is something he doesn’t deserve. 

#asks #ikevamp #ikemen vampire #ikevamp leonardo #ikevamp mc #ikevamp meta #ikevamp saint germain #ikevamp comte #er this response got a lot longer and more detailed than i meant it to be but uh #i hope it's helpful? #this is just how i tend to think about the game but then im also a feral leo stan alhkjadagd #im just that meme like 'i love you but i hate you but i love you' with leo LMFAO #sometimes u just gotta smack some sense into the man (which is why i love that Jean-Paul does exactly that HAHAHA) #but yeah most of the time i look at leo and have to resist the urge to cry and the recent event has been absolutely no exception #i would die for him