#queerplatonic love comes in so many forms and this is one of them | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

romancerepulsed · 4 months

Text

aspec terms for beginners!

since it's trending right now, i feel like it might be helpful to clear up some basic aspec (but particularly aromantic, as we are the center of attention currently) terms. if you have absolutely any questions, i would be happy to answer, either in the replies, dms, or my inbox!

★・・・・・・★

the split attraction model (SAM): a model of human behavior that posits that, for some people, romantic and sexual attraction are not the same.

[most often this will come in the form of someone being aspec on one axis and allo (not aspec) on another. for example, a biromantic asexual may be romantically attracted to two or more genders, but sexually attracted to none. some people may even use SAM for allo identities– a bisexual lesbian may be sexually attracted to multiple genders, but only romantically attracted to women (note that this is not the only way that someone can be an mspec lesbian, just one way!). the SAM does not apply to everybody, not even all aspecs! there are non-SAM aros, for instance, who do not differentiate their aromanticism from their sexuality.]

aspec: a collection of queer spectrums centered around the lack of a certain attraction or identity. the most common spectrums under the aspec umbrella are asexual, aromantic, agender, and aplatonic, though there are many other ways to be aspec.

asexual: experiencing little to no sexual attraction.

[aces can still have sex– whether its because they experience some amount of sexual attraction or they just want to participate in sex because they find the act appealing in some other way. that being said, there are still plenty of aces who have not and will never have sex. it is a spectrum.]

aromantic: experiencing little to no romantic attraction.

[aros can still have romantic partners– whether its because they experience some amount of romantic attraction or they just find relationships appealing in some other way. that being said, there are still plenty of aros who have not and will never be in a romantic relationship. it is a spectrum.]

agender: having no gender or little relation to any gender.

aplatonic: experiencing little to no platonic attraction.

[similarly to aros and aces, apls can still form friendships if they so desire– whether its because they experience some amount of platonic attraction or they find friendships appealing in some other way.]

aroallo: combination of aromantic and allosexual– allosexual being someone who fully experiences sexual attraction. an aroallo, then, is someone who is aromantic but not asexual. aroallos often do not have a standard relationship with sex due to its romantic connotations and the stigma against loveless sex. someone having sex with someone else they do not love does not inherently make them aroallo, much in the same way that having a nonsexual relationship with a partner doesn't inherently make either participant asexual.

aroace: someone who is both aromantic and asexual. because aro and ace are both spectrums, an aroace may still experience some amount of attraction on either or both of those spectrums, or they may experience attraction of some other kind (platonic, tertiary, etc.), and that attraction may be only for a certain gender or genders– these are known as oriented aroaces.

queerplatonic relationship: a type of relationship that is defined only by the people within it. i have a post dedicated to explaining this in larger detail.

partnering: an aspec (usually aromantic) person who has and/or desires to have a partnership or multiple partnerships– romantic, queerplatonic, or otherwise.

non-partnering: an aspec (usually aromantic) person who has no desire to form a partnership of any kind.

romance/sex/plato favorable: an aspec who desires or would not reject a romantic, sexual, or platonic relationship. they are also generally not particularly bothered by seeing these relationships in their day-to-day.

romance/sex/plato repulsed: an aspec who does not desire a romantic, sexual, or platonic relationship and generally does not like seeing those relationships in their day-to-day. [x] repulsed people are not necessarily judgemental towards people who desire or participate in those relationships, they just do not desire them for themselves. repulsion often takes the form of discomfort or annoyance. [x] repulsed people are not necessarily cruel sticks-in-the-mud– they are perfectly capable of being respectful, and they very often are. repulsion does not always stem from trauma, though it certainly can.

romance/sex/plato positive: not to be confused with favorability, [x] positivity is the belief that romance, sex, and platonic relationships are human rights that should be supported and uplifted. someone can be [x] repulsed and [x] positive at the same time, because favorability/repulsion revolves around the self, and positivity/negativity extends to others.

sex/romance/plato negative: not to be confused with repulsion, [x] negativity is an inherently judgemental and harmful ideology. most commonly in the form of sex negativity, these ideologies are centered around the opposition to or personal judgement of people who engage in romance, sex, or platonic relationships. sex negativity in particular is embedded in western white supremacist societies and it is important for aspecs not to play into that.

those are the basics, but i have more information below the cut!

★・・・・・・★

> how are aspecs queer?

aspecs are queer because "queer" does not only mean LGBT. queer theory is about far more than just LGBT people– though they are undeniably a large part of it– queerness is any subversion of the traditional cisheteronormative standard. this includes things that cishets may take part in/identify with, because you do not have to be LGBT to subvert those standards. cishets who are gender-nonconforming are queer, for example. a good rule of thumb is that if you have to explain what you whole deal is to cishets, you're queer. queer does mean strange, after all.

traditional cisheteronormative conceptions of attraction, gender, and relationships do not account for aspecs. it is expected that everyone will one day form a traditional partnership with one other person, and that relationship will include sex (even if only for procreation, under some dogmas). virginity past a certain age is seen as a point of shame and something indicative of a larger problem in someone– in men, a red flag even. people past 30 without a relationship are pitied. our economic structure is build for couples and families– it's near impossible for someone to live comfortably alone. romance, friendship, and love are placed on a pedestal, treated as the meaning of life, the best thing anyone could ever experience. "love is the point of everything," as many posts on this site like to claim. people who reject these ideas are undeniably queer.

> i can get behind aros and aces, but the whole "aplatonic" thing feels like a stretch to me. how is not having friends queer? "platonic attraction" isn't even real.

aplatonicism is more than just "not having friends," and many apls have friends anyway, much in the same way that aros can date and aces can have sex. someone who does not have friends is not inherently aplatonic, they only are if they identify that little-to-no platonic attraction in themselves and choose to label themselves that way (just like how virgins aren't inherently asexual). still, apls who don't have friends exist, and they are all queer. what is a greater subversion of traditional cisheteronormative relationship structures than an outright rejection of what's seen as the most basic, fundamental relationship our culture has to offer?

you may not feel that platonic attraction is a distinct phenomenon in your own experience, and that's fine! ultimately, a lot of aspec terms exist for the utility and comfort of aspecs themselves. the SAM isn't for everyone, and platonic attraction isn't for everyone either. you do not have the authority to tell people what their own experiences are, nor should you care.

> i think it's sad that you're limiting yourself with these labels. you'll find someone one day!

for the broad majority of aspecs, our identities are not self-disciplinary, nor are they necessarily permanent. all queer people are capable of misunderstanding their identity or having a fluid identity– it is not a problem unique to being aspec. that being said, a lot of us may always be aspec and completely happy with it. being aspec is not a tragedy. the only thing i don't like about being aromantic is the judgement i receive from other people about it. non-partnering aspecs are not "missing out" on anything, because we don't even want the things we're rejecting in the first place. many of us are romance/sex/plato repulsed and are far more happy engaging with the world and with other people in different ways, because there is so, so much more to life than relationships, and it's wrong to presume that relationships are universally fit for everybody. telling an aspec that they'll find "the right person" one day is no different from telling a lesbian she'll find "the right man" one day. there is no "right person" for an aspec just as there's no "right man" for a lesbian. a lesbian is not "missing out" on a heterosexual relationship just because it's culturally perceived as superior and more fulfilling.

[disclaimer before anyone tries to do a "gotcha," i'm talking about a lesbian who is fully not attracted to men in any way. it's not like homophobes know the intricacies of gender identity and nonconformity as it pertains to homosexuality anyways.]

lastly, i wanna give a special shout out to the loveless aros and the relationship anarchists.

loveless aros are those who either feel little-to-no love as they understand it, or they are someone who supports the de-centering of love. they're worthy of a whole post of their own, but in summary: the loveless experience is all about finding joy in yourself and the countless things our world has to offer that are not dependent on the vague idea of love.

relationship anarchy is another concept worthy of its own post, but in essence it's an ideology aimed at abolishing the standard hierarchy of relationships (in the USA, depending on who you ask, its typically friendship < family < romantic partnership or friendship < romantic partnership < family) and allowing everyone the autonomy to define their relationships for themselves.

if i made any mistakes, let me know! and of course i'm willing to answer any questions anyone may have. :-3 thanks for reading my long ass post!

2K notes · View notes

genderqueerdykes · 2 months

Text

in honor of aromantic spectrum awareness week, i thought i'd take the time to talk about how much my personal life and feelings improved after coming to terms with the fact that i'm aromantic. before i accepted this, i found myself in several romantic relationships where i was deeply unhappy, uncomfortable, and made to feel like i wasn't a good enough partner because i just couldn't do or feel certain things.

i've never enjoyed kissing, and cuddling gets uncomfortable for me within the first few minutes of doing so. even hugs are deeply uncomfortable to me unless i really know and care about someone, and even then, hugs only come when that person asks for them. it never occurs to me to touch people this way, the most you'll get out of me is a pat on the shoulder, back or knee.

i ended up dating several people who were very much romantics, and heavily focused on that aspect of our relationship. it kind of felt like torture to me, i felt like i was being forced to live every day like it was Valentine's Day- every day had to be filled with hours of cuddling, kissing, and telling the other person how much i loved them. while not all romantic partners are like this, it wore on my psyche quickly to be paired with folks like this, because i understood how important it was to them, but i just couldn't keep up the performance.

i thought something was "wrong" with me for years and that i just wasn't in touch with my emotions, or that i was somehow embracing some toxic aspects of my masculinity without realizing. it took me ages to remember that i came out as aromantic when i was much younger, but after criticism from my friends, including a friend who was asexual, i stopped identifying with the label, because i was told that aromanticism wasn't real, and that that just made me an asshole.

nearly a decade and several uncomfortable romantic relationships later, it finally clicked that there wasn't something wrong with me, but there was something wrong with the situations i was getting myself into. sure, i love being partnered- i have a queerplatonic partner that i've known for a decade and have only gotten closer to over time. but we've never been romantic. we don't exchange romantic platitudes, and i realized; i've never been happier with someone else than i am with this person.

why is that?

oh. because they don't expect romance from me. they are also on the aspectrum and don't have a romantic partner, either.

this relationship has brought me more joy than any romantic partnership i've ever attempted to pursue. that doesn't mean there's something wrong with me- i was just looking for happiness in the wrong places. i was miserable not because i'm aromantic, but because i was getting into romantic relationships.

romance can be a source of misery. romance does not inherently make everyone happy. we are not all looking for romance as a species. in fact, chasing it makes many people miserable. too many people spend their lives looking for "the one" that they can kiss, cuddle, hold and say all of those mushy things to when they may not even want that to begin with.

i've never been more at peace with myself since finally, fully accepting that i'm aromantic. i love who i am, and i love how i love. i am not loveless, i experience platonic, queerplatonic and other forms of love. but loveless aromantics aren't miserable, either. we are all embracing ourselves in a way that's true to us. we are refusing to warp ourselves to a society that tells us that we all must have homogeneous feelings.

i am aromantic. i am here. my aromanticism is queer in a society that expects and demands romance of me, and this is true of all aromantics, cis, trans, gay, straight, bisexual, asexual, and otherwise. we are here, we are not going away any time soon, and we will not be silent because our identities make some people uncomfortable. we are happiest being who we are.

happy aro week, this goes out to every last arospectrum person out there, appreciate yourselves this week. you deserve it.

#aromantic #aro #lgbtqia #lgbt #queer #lgbta #aromantic spectrum #arospec #arospectrum #aroace #aromantic asexual #aro awareness week #aspectrum #aspec #our writing #about us

277 notes · View notes

furrysmp · 5 months

Text

decided to go sunbringer designs for once. I have so many words oh my god

so. uh,

I am so normal about sunbringer joel smallishbeans so normal I swear. he's planning to throw the o from his name at scott btw.

... he and scar are related but I'm not explaining further until the actual fic about it comes out because there's so much plot significance in the smallishbeans.

... grian. has a book. that he borrowed from the Library. it's very relevant I swear the concept of the library is a plot point.

Also grians eyes are technically green! With a bit of purple and just. a layer of Dark over them to make them less neon green. its not in his genetics to have neon eyes. unlike scar and I swear their eye colors are relevant but like in a weird queerplatonic scarian dl based bit in the grian chapter of the fic

Mumbo is a long cat and being held by me specifically those hands are how I draw my mc skin. I wanted to draw him as this meme since 2021 but he's very hard for me to draw so I took the one time I'll ever draw him and did this.

Jimmy is. a creature. that has bird features but also cod features bc again half of the plot of sunbringer is based on empires 1. Also the bird he's holding is singing. And joel is stealing the song bc he has music type magic.

Scott! Is the one guy I can talk about! Because he already appeared in the fic. He's part ender dragon and like. a child of stars? I have a lot of times I drew him before I think but idk how much of it I uploaded before so yeah. Please ask me about sunbringer scott smajor he's one of the only ones I can talk about and he has so much lore going for him he's so dear to me

impulse is. technically part ender dragon too? the specifics will be explained in his chapter of yhiwu (alongside. a lot of magic lore. like a lot. I have half that speech written already it's basically looking the empires fic in the eyes and going "fight me uwu")

And because impulse is aligned to shadows skizz gets to be some form of light dragon descendant? Like light isn't directly an element in the magic of this universe but it does have an equivalent in the element of Life, which connects to truth and love, whereas shadows and theatrics (and storytelling in general) is always aligned to whatever element is considered dark; in this magic system, being Void.

Tango is looking up at mumbo. thats all. I don't have a lot of notes because my tango is just a little guy.

(Etho is checking smth on his smartwatch and also doing his best to ignore bdubs rn bc bdubs is in his villain arc/hj)

... ngl the only note I have on the bdubs design is that it's accidentally inspired by my human design for the main character in the show I'm writing. Bracelets and sparkly eyes and a t-shirt and. Crimes.

also not much on the cleo design she was just fun to draw but the implications of her existence are spoilers and also not really visually indicative bc idk what a "zombie hybrid" would look like so she just looks. funky. her background is all stitched together btw I finally had a use for the dashed lines brush :D

martyn and ren are. BIG spoilers. But only to like chapter 5 of the current fic. I will say I highly enjoy their existence tho. Also my ren designs always have hawaiian patterned shirts its a personality trait he seems to possess. Also his glasses are like. a hologram? bc his ears are Dog so he cant have normal glasses w like. the things that go behind ur ears.

lizzie is. also very important. she gets the two animals thing like jimmy bc axolotl and cat were her empires animals. also her buns are heart shaped I saw some fanart of that and its really cute so I also have that. and she's also looking at the long mumbo! very confused.

bigb. scares me. like yeah secret life really be mans villain arc. I tried to reflect that by actually straight up mirroring his eyes and having him be. the only guy looking straight at u. he can see u. u can run but u cant hide. also he gets cookies. also also drawing facial hair is hard he's the only time I ever managed to make facial hair look. normal. ever. wont happen again.

gem is being adorable and also definitely a deer hybrid dont mind the magic or stuff its fine (her chapter is. third in the roster. I literally just need to finish the impulse chapter to convince myself that its ok to upload her immediately after ch2).

and pearl! who we know bc she gets first chapter of the fic and thats already out. her eyes are a bit like moons btw. also she's doing magic back at gem which is cute I think. idk.

also half of them have fancy hair shines. like joel having beans that get progressively smaller. or pearl having moons. :D

204 notes · View notes

bloggingboutburgers · 2 months

Note

Reading your blog, I'm starting to see my relationship with my bf differently (we've been together for over a decade). Like, I've been questioning my romantic orientation for some time, suspecting I might be somewhere on the aromantic spectrum. But I realise I don't really have a clear image of what romance actually is and if it's something I have in my relationship. Like, he's my best friend. But what makes it different that a very close friendship? Apart, you know, the fact we live together and see each other every day. I'm also asexual so we don't really have sex, but for the very rare time I feel like doing something for him, but it's not really something we do, though I know sex and romance are to different things, straight people tend to say that the difference between friendship and dating is sex. I've heard allos saying "if I don't have sex with my s/o, what are we? Friends?" Anyway, I'm just more and more confused by what those criterias are for defining what is and what is not a romantic relationship. Love? I mean, love can have so many forms, how am I to regognise which one I feel? I just care about my bf. I like spending time together. We help each other on a daily basis. And when one of us need alone time we give as much time as the other needs. We do our things each in our corners and meet in the middle when we want company. We're happy this way. And that's great! I just can't comprehend what this all means. Sometimes I'm confused about the feelings I get for other people. Am I attracted to them or do I just want to smother them with my intense friendship? Which is hard. I sometimes feel like I love my friend to hard and I shy away during our interactions for fear to overwhelm them with my love. What's the difference between the two? Between my relationship with my bf and the friendship with those people I have to keep away sometime for fear to be "too much"? I'm sorry for these ramblings. You probably don't have the answers to this, but I needed to tell all this to someone that might understand at least some of it. I love your blog btw.

Sorry I'm replying so late – but thank you so much for all of this input, it's actually so interesting to hear your take on your own experience.

You're right, I don't have the answers, because every experience is very personal and I don't wanna project onto others, but there's a lot of points I actually relate to very much – like, I don't have a clear idea of what romance even is either, I just feel in my gut that it's not what I have with my queerplatonic partner. I guess in my own case I've also always had a bit of trouble with the idea of a "best friend" (like, I HAVE entertained the idea that this or that person might be my "best friend" at some points in my life, but I always end up coming back to the thought that I don't feel OK putting one person above others in my head – I work more in tiers made out of several people at once).

I might also be overthinking things but I often hear in the long-term-relationship discourse that romantic partnerships often wind up turning into friendship over time and that's OK – no idea how that works but it's interesting to think about, and I wonder if there's any truth to that on an aromantic spectrum basis? Like maybe... If both of us are on the aromantic spectrum, then maybe we just didn't get the "romantic high" part because we don't feel romantic attraction or feel it less than most people, and we're straight to that "friendship" part people talk about? ...Either way, what you describe with your bf sounds like a vibe, a healthy vibe to me. Sounds like you guys have it figured out and I wish you the best, honestly.

Also lol it really IS a useful and sobering reminder that to most allo people, the "sex = romance" idea is probably very prevalent still... Makes it even harder to figure ourselves out

Either way sorry for rambling and thank you SO MUCH for sharing your self-reflection, honestly, whatever conclusion you come to I hope life is good for you^^

#mx loar tev #aromantic spectrum #aromantic awareness week #aro #aromantic

77 notes · View notes

monstrous-femme · 4 months

Text

So You Want to Write Poly Fic: A How-To from Your Favorite Poly Mutual

(i know for many of you I'm your only poly mutual so that works too)

This guide is going to rely heavily on Stranger Things pairings, because that's the fandom I'm currently writing in, but these concepts can apply to any fandom.

Expand your definition of Polyamory

Fandom loves the triad, and if this is what you want to write, there's no reason not to. However, three people all dating each other should not be the only thing you think of when you think of polyamory! Here are some other configurations for your consideration:

Jonathan is dating both Nancy and Argyle, but Nancy and Argyle are not dating each other

Chrissy is dating Robin, but sometimes makes out with Heather at parties.

Eddie, Steve, and Nancy are all dating each other, and Nancy has a separate relationship with Barb.

Steve and Robin have a queerplatonic relationship that they consider their primary partnership, but both date other people in a casual setting.

Chrissy is not ready to be in a relationship after breaking up with Jason, but has casual hookups with multiple people who are aware of and comfortable with the situation.

2. Pay attention to your dyads.

One of the most common mistakes I see in poly fics is trying to superimpose the same way you'd write monogamous pairings onto more people. The problem with this is that in a couple with only two people, you are only writing one relationship. In a poly ship, you're writing more, and probably a higher number than you think of. This is where the dyad comes in.

A dyad simply the relationship between two people. Say you're writing Nancy/Chrissy/Robin (as you should). You're not just writing the one relationship between the three of them. There are also three separate relationships to consider:

Chrissy/Nancy Robin/Chrissy Nancy/Robin

Each of these relationships will have its own dynamic, and just because they're all dating doesn't mean it will all be the same. This is why I often caution newer writers away from writing relationships with tons of characters off the bat. The jump from a triad to a quad moves you from 3 dyads to 6. Now, depending on your POV character, you may not have to focus much on every single dyad, but you do need to be aware of their existence.

3. Metamour Dynamics

A metamour is a person who your partner is dating and you are not dating. Metamour dynamics can be very complicated (but also very fun to play with when writing) because of the feelings that can come up seeing your partner with someone else.

Let's say both Steve and Robin are dating Nancy, but not each other. Are they thrilled to never have to be apart? Do they find it hilarious how much they share one brain? Or do they get sick of never having space away from each other? Does Robin resent that Steve's relationship with Nancy is more recognized by society because of heteronormativity? Does Steve resent that Robin's never had her heart broken by Nancy?

Metamours also may be awkward or choose not to interact. Let's say Nancy's dating both Barb and Eddie now. Do Barb and Eddie form an unlikely friendship? Are they consistently awkward and tense to a point where Nancy doesn't keep them near each other?

There are as many different metamour dynamics as there are people, and giving some life to these relationships will give a lot of texture and realism to your poly fic.

4. Let it be Messy

When we write monogamous pairings, most writers in a longer fic will include things not working out, miscommunication, hurt feelings, jealousy, anger, and angst. But there seems to be an anxiety around allowing any of these things to exist in polyamory, as if by admitting it's not always perfect, we're giving ammunition to polyphobia. (This same pressure is put on poly people in real life to be the Perfect Poly Partner and never experience difficult feelings around polyamory.)

The truth is, relationships are complicated. And while I love seeing poly pairings in fluff and smut, there seems at time to be real resistance to putting poly pairings into genres that are messier.

Mess is a part of life. Mess is especially a part of intimate, vulnerable relationships, and, on a personal note, I need the mess to exist in fiction because stories are how I understand myself. When poly people are allowed to be human, it helps me (and probably other poly people) give myself permission to be human too. You are not hurting the poly community if your characters mess up, especially if it's in real and human ways.

I hope this helps you feel more comfortable and confident writing poly characters! Feel free to shoot me an ask if you have any follow-up questions.

#polyamory #stranger things #poly fic #writing advice

95 notes · View notes

popcaki · 1 year

Text

Simon ‘’Ghost’’ Riley Headcanons

SUMMARY - Some of my headcanons for Ghost, MW2 was good I liked it.

He 100% has a thing for knives like the edgelord he is. Probably owns a massive knife collection, different kinds.

Like I said he’s an edgelord.

Bad driver, I mean did you see how he hit the car that was easily avoidable? He avoids driving at all costs, too afraid to admit about his terrible driving skills.

100% has big self hatred but also a big ego at the same time.

Wears pink socks.

Good luck seeing him eat or sleep, he will disappear until it’s time for a mission. He probably travels to space for all we know to eat his packed lunch.

Owns Hello Kitty lunch boxes.

Has tried a lot of different kind of drugs at least once, probably smokes a blunt before missions. His red eyes are both due to sleep deprivation and him being high.

Owns so many different masks and even changes it mid mission, they all have different proportions, meaning it’s not the same (totally not just a normal ingame inconsistency)

He both loves and hates attention, but if he 100% hated attention he wouldn’t be wearing a damn skull mask in the first place. He’s very extra, he likes the attention, drama queen.

He has a lot of dark jokes, but those can be just that jokes, he does them just for shock value. That doesn’t mean there isn’t any truth to them, he at least has a little bit of a twisted mind... start running NOW

He hates kids, not only because he doesn’t know how to handle them but he just genuinely doesn’t like them. Devious creatures.

Listens to ‘‘Wake me up inside’‘ type of music

Most likely likes to read stuff, requires no talking and no engaging with humans.

When he pulled off his mask, he in reality wore another mask execpt it’s shaped like a normal face.

Ok enough with the goofy ones that are kinda shitposts. Here are some genuine ones, specifcally since a lot of people seem to have the hots for him, and like him in such way. These are about any form of relationship and things like that, and how he works from my POV.

Simon when it comes to relationships and such.

I personally see him on the asexual spectrum, could be demisexual. He has no interest in sex really. Gender does not matter to him!

It would take years of building up a friendship with him, I mean that, to even be considered to be in a relationship with him.

Even then I doubt he’d wanna get into a relationship at all, considering his work, trauma, trust issues, and general fear of loosing people.

If it were to happen, his love language is more in the form of a mutual respect. He’s not very touchy. Words of affirmation is something he would do.

Don’t touch him, even his shoulder, even if it’s with good intent. It would 100% activate a form of fight or flight response. Considering any form of ‘touch’ he has had has been from abuse or in combat.

Even if it’s someone he trusts and cares for to some extent, any form of touch would make him extremely uncomfortable, he would go stiff. I can see him having sensory issues.

I can see him never wanting to speak about his past, even to trusted people.

A relationship with him would be more friends based honestly. A queerplatonic one.

You would need to give him time with things, anything really when it comes to these things.

He would never in a million years commit the s3xy s3x during a mission or out in combat. You’re in enemy territory, being off guard is a death sentence, and he has a purely tactical mind during these times. It’s his job after all. (This isn’t against any smut fics btw! Just how I personally see him)

He can be very avoidant, distant, act all serious and edgy. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about people, he also jokes with them for example even if dark humor. Ghost joking and having conversations with Soap during the Alone mission has a real practical reason, but it’s clear as day it’s some friendship bonding time during war crimes being unfolded.

Ok if you made it here, so these are half jokes and some what I genuinely believe, again this is just how I see his character, and any other interpretation is 100% okay and valid! we all have different views and ideas. That’s what makes headcanons really fun! I really like the character and have some drawings planned.

#simon ghost riley #simon riley #soap mactavish #call of duty #modern warefare 2 #call of duty modern warfare 2 #simon ghost riley x reader #simon riley x reader #simon ghost riley headcanons #simon riley headcanons #call of duty headcanons #MW2

473 notes · View notes

nocompromise-noregrets · 5 days

Text

unpublished fics game

Tagged by @thatonetimetraveller - thank you! <333333

I haven't many at the moment, and I am definitely not at home to the idea fairy just lately so most of these are actually longstanding WIPs that aren't quite behaving themselves and aren't being actively worked on.

Completely unwritten:

Sequel to Break You But You'll Mend, which was going to be later chapters of that story but it was doing my head in so I've chosen to end it at a convenient point and then put all the subplot stuff in a new story. In essence, Sigrid and Tilda (reborn in Valinor because Auriel (Thranduil's wife) went and gave the Valar a piece of her mind for letting Thranduil almost fade from grief though he'd defended his corner of Middle-Earth from Sauron for thousands of years alone, and demanded they send Bard back, and when he arrived he was accompanied by his daughters and his wife (Maudie)) are not happy with how unfair it is that they got to come back but any number of other people there have mortal loved ones who aren't coming back, and come up with the idea of putting their case before the Valar and persuading them to change the rules. It's going to be plotty and complicated and is therefore giving me the Fear, because I don't do either a) plot or b) complication.

The Sigrid-and-Tauriel queerplatonic companion story to My Heart Is An Empty Vessel, which I suspect at this point just plain isn't going to get written because I've run out of spoons where it's concerned. I've written little glimpses of them in EV-'verse, and various other beginnings for them, and I honestly don't think I have enough to write a proper long-form multi-chaptered fic. Which means that the full story of Elrond and co's visit to Dale from the later chapters of EV, including most of the Rivendell crew making friends with the Bardlings, is probably not going to happen, unless I manage some one-shots sometime.

A vague idea for Glorfindel Week sparked by this post about flowers spontaneously growing where Glorfindel is in Imladris, because they can't grow on his grave any more.

In progress in one way or another

Part four or whatever it is now of It's Always Been You, in which Rúmil and Orophin happen to be in Imladris not long after Legolas arrives after the Battle of the Five Armies and take issue with how the twins are treating him; they also meet young Estel, witness the aftermath of his first meeting with Arwen, and then the idea was to follow the characters up to the end of the War of the Ring (Haldir DOES NOT DIE). I am very stuck with this one, and it feels like one of the long stories I tried and failed to write 20-odd years ago - I had the idea but not enough of it to fill it out.

The twins-make-their-choice fic, of which I have about 900 words. I am really struggling with it, mostly with knowing quite what form it's going to take and how the story is going to unfold. I've been circling it for a while now and nibbling at the edges of the problem with various other fics, so I'm fairly sure it's going to happen at some point, it's just...getting there.

A canon-'verse fic for Barduil Month week 2 involving a linguistic diplomatic incident for @myeaglesong which I'm halfway through, I'm just a bit tangled up in how the incident itself will unfold, having done the setup.

Another Dancing in the Dark-'verse fic, a direct sequel to there's a joke here somewhere and it's on me, delivering a happy ending for Barduil Month week 4. I've got a bit done but I've been singularly lacking in spoons this week, for no apparent reason, and it's also from Tilda's perspective and I haven't written much from her POV before, especially not a modern teenage version so it's taking a while.

The Legolas/Haldir-in-Ithilien fic I was intending to write for My Slashy Valentine's event for Keiliss in February 2023. Also not cooperating. >.<

All I Want Is You, which is getting more and more difficult the further we get from the summer of 2020 and I forget more and more of the historical details. Another one where I think I had the idea but not enough filling. I just need to get back on with it, I think, and it'll fill itself out. Possibly need to do that May writing challenge I reblogged earlier and try and write 200 words a day, which might kick it off.

Stars and Arrows, a sort-of-originalfic based on a really glorious moodboard and concept by @mihrsuri - featuring two rather familiar-looking Oxford professors in a possibly-the-future-of-Middle-Earth-set reincarnation story with a mysterious illuminated medieval manuscript, which again probably requires more plot than I'm capable of but I'm greatly enjoying writing scenes here and there.

Two of a Kind, the long-ongoing original novel (based on a very old fic from the fandom that does not speak its name) which I am stuck on in various places. If anyone wants to read 180-odd-k of damaged ex-street-kid musician idiots in love and help me fill in the gaps, please do let me know (but please heed the tags)! I was posting it to AO3 for a bit but got out of the swing of it and now I'm totally out of the habit, though I tend to do a few one-shots here and there mostly for Writers' Month and Writers' Pride Month.

I think that's all of them. More than I expected, but still...! Do please ask me about any that catch your eye, I am in dire need of talking about them, and it might just kickstart the muses...I do need interaction to spark the ideas, it turns out, I'm not great at this in isolation.

Tagging anyone who fancies taking part in this one!

#lotr #my writing

9 notes · View notes

critter-genfic-events · 3 months

Text

This week, we're focusing on Yasha! Nine (nein) fics focusing on before she met the nein, her dealing with the events of campaign 2, and her managing to settle down afterwards. Check them out under the cut, and as always, don't forget to comment or kudos if you like them!

warm, unalone (come settle down) by Meridas (20811,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Molly & Yasha

Yasha and Molly, as queerplatonic partners, move to Zadash together.

Reccer says: It's so incredibly soft and such a wonderful take on these two. I adore the Circus Kids as QPPs and this series is in large part responsible for that. It's tender in all parts, the atmosphere feels as soft as a well-worn T-shirt.

heart of winter by venndaai (2779,Teen) Warnings: implied cannibalism, blood Pairings: Yasha & Molly

Yasha makes her own deal with Isharnai. Molly comes back wrong.

Reccer says: It's dark and bleak, but in a good way. An interesting look at the possible dark sides of resurrection magic and the things a desperate person will do to save their friends.

Loving Again by wanderstar (1312,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Kingsley & Yasha, Molly & Yasha

Yasha once thought she'd never find love again. Luckily the world, and her friends, are able to prove that wrong.

Reccer says: I liked it

remember me as something bigger than i was by grayintogreen (1882,General) Warnings: Pairings: Kingsley Tealeaf & Yasha Nydoorin

Kingsley is ready to hear Molly's story from Yasha.

Reccer says: I love the way that this allows Yasha to grieve for Molly but also accept Kingsley as someone else. It's a soft and sweet tribute.

the mariner's hollo! by Beans_McGee (4341,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Mollymauk Tealeaf & Yasha Nydoorin

Yasha and M.T., before the Mighty Nein

Reccer says: I need so many stories about Yasha and Molly being friends, and this does both characters justice

patching up by Windward_wings (1664,Teen) Warnings: Discussions of past manipulation and abuse, unhealthy coping mechanisms Pairings: Caleb & Yasha

After the Nein's night at the Rexxentrum fighting pit, Caleb goes to find Yasha.

Reccer says: I love this take on their friendship - both are awkward, but also talking about their shared experiences with being manipulated

Inventory by Operafloozy (3862,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Essek & Yasha

It’s the day before Essek heads out to an expedition in the Savalirwood with Calliope and Reani. Yasha helps him sort out a few things.

Reccer says: It's nice Xhorhassian bonding over cultural differences and also funny and sweet

speak of life and i will learn to cherish it by Ink_Beneath_Her_Fingernails (830,Not Rated) Warnings: None Pairings: Caleb & Yasha

Yasha listens to Caleb speak Celestial and feels things.

Reccer says: The idea that both Yasha and Caleb are speaking their second language (or might be, in Yasha's case) is rarely touched upon, and this is a sweet little bonding moment between the two of them

with the sun (i will rise) by lostinwriting23 (3765,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Background Beauyasha

Beau's been gone for a while. The solstice has happened and Yasha's not been able to reach any of the people she loves.

Reccer says: I love Orphantaker fics and this glimpse of an older Yasha worrying about her wife and kids is so compelling

This is one of our weekly communally-generated gen rec lists. Every week we announce a new theme and allow anyone to submit a fic recommendation. Please note that the summary and content notes are provided by the reccer, and may be different than what the author has provided. Please assume good intentions all around. <3

And hey, anyone includes you!

Next week, we'll be featuring fics that mention clothing! A lot of the characters in Critical Role have a special item of clothing or relation to clothing, so there's a lot to explore there!

Then, it'll be Time Skips, Pranks, and then Ashton

Any fics coming to mind? Well, then use this form to submit!

If you're looking for some more, check out some fics written in the critter genfic bingo tag, or the older rec lists! Or you can request your own card and join in on the fun!

#critical role #critter genfic rec lists #the mighty nein #gen fic #Yasha Nydoorin #Caleb Widogast #Mollymauk Tealeaf #Kingsley Tealeaf #essek thelyss

16 notes · View notes

ace-aro-queerplatonic-positivity · 6 months

Text

The Multiamory Podcast did an Episode (Ep.438) discussing the intersection of polyamory and aromanticism.

Explicitly polyamorous/ polyaffectionate aromantics, not asexuals!

You are all welcome to chip in/ add on through reblogs and tags and commentary!

The relevant Facebook announcement got shared into a group I happen to be in and as I commented, thanking the person for sharing it seeing as the group wasn’t aro-related at all, I got politely asked to explain how polyamory works for me as an aromantic asexual.

Keep in mind this explanation was targeted for an audience/ readership of allo-allo polyamorous people.

Also: CONTENT WARNING ⚠️

Internalised acephobia, self-depreciation, implication of sexualised abuse, mention of faithfulness

So the first thing I always say is that: disclaimer – obviously I can only talk about my personal perspective and aromantic people are very diverse, asexual people are very diverse

I just happen to be an asexual aromantic, whereas many aromantics are allosexual (meaning any sexual orientation that isn’t asexuality); seeing as this post is explicitly about the intersection of aromanticism and polyamory

I personally want a queerplatonic/ alterous life partner

That’s my personal wish, I want someone to share my life with

I consider myself polyaffectionate, seeing as I’m not “amorous” in any way shape or form

To me this means a few things

1) I practice relationship anarchy – I do not place a romantic relationship on some arbitrary pedestal, every relationship is important to me and that relationship looking like romance doesn’t mean much

For the other things I need to explain about myself first

I am a sex-averse asexual. I have had sex. I didn’t like it. I am generally sex-positive but I don’t necessarily want/ seek sex as part of any committed relationship; rather I’d avoid sex

(This following bit is self-depreciation but) Because of that I think I shouldn’t “tie down” any partner. Someone willing to be with me shouldn’t suffer for it and hence I don’t see a point in being possessive/ demanding sexual faithfulness – although the details would need to depend on the partner(s) and situation

Also due to me not making a grave distinction between “best friend” and “date friend” I just think it’s easier to call myself polyaffectionate since relationships involving me need thorough explanation anyway

I have explored through writing* what I’d like for myself and that basically always ends up that I’d like to be comfortable “sharing” my partner with pre-determined other people

I would only agree to a closed polycule, although I don’t need to be involved with everyone in it

Also I always hoped if I get that, if I get to have a queerplatonic polycule, it could be a found family and support network more than dating in the classical sense

Again, keep in mind all of this is just my personal perspective and I don’t speak for other aromantic people or other asexual people

Many asexuals are fine with/ want sex

Some aromantics are non-partnering/ would only practice solo-poly

My ideal relationship would be having one or two partners I live with, who are my family, who I can cuddle or leave to their own devices, basically a house share and we each cuddle and kiss each other as we please 🙈

—The thing is I’m aware I probably talk like someone who doesn’t value themself enough

Like, if I believed I could be enough for a partner my whole stance would be slightly different

But I have not yet made the experience that what I can offer (a sexless, queerplatonic commitment) is enough for people

I’m fully aware that mindset isn’t healthy but until someone proves I can be enough for them, well… “outsourcing” sex is easier than worrying

And if it’s a genuine relationship I’m happy for them, in any case

I wholeheartedly mean that I’d like a closed polycule and would be comfortable as described

But I also acknowledge that part of it comes from feeling inadequate/ not wanting to hold back the person(s) I love

I just know I can’t provide what – to many people – is a need

And since I know I can love more than one person at the same time I think getting to be with someone who also has other partners is my best chance… if that makes sense

As I said, I write a lot and with my latest novel-attempt* I think I found the relationship model I’d be comfortable with 🙈

* I have indeed written multiple fan fictions as well as original fiction about a self-insert character navigating relationships as I would like them to play out (setting aside the overarching plot of the individual fiction works) but seeing as I’m a pro-shipper and actually do have a writing side-blog, I don’t feel all that comfortable to just straight-up link my own writing here. Due to the here relevant works all featuring central relationships with a self-insert character, these works are also deeply personal. More so than other ship fiction I have written. I have linked these works on here before - as part of “#queerplatonic fiction” lists - but never really put “my name” (this blog’s URL) directly to them

18 notes · View notes

maryholdenofthevalley · 3 months

Text

The not-really-hidden meaning of the 1967 scene in Good Omens - Crowley and Aziraphale's First Confession

The job promotion scene in season 2 and what comes after that was not their first confession. No, no. It wasn't at all, and I have just found out about this too late.

(I have always been slow from picking up the undermeaning of people’s tones or writings and I have never seen anyone else talking about this, so this is like an enlightenment for me. To be fair, the bandstand scene was very close, but I will write a whole ass study about the entire season 1 riddle later.)

So, yes, I want to talk about how the entire season 1 was full of riddles and coded conversation and Neil was not being mysterious when he said this:

Maybe they have never kissed, held hands or said out loud “I want to date you” in season 1 (but did say “I know you do like me”??? unreal.), and so some people might think that Good Omens was just queerbaiting us, since the author clearly said it was a love story but they never explicitly confirm it on the screen? Yes, I used to think that too. I trust Neil, but I didn’t know him when I first watched season 1, and even though I have strong, concrete suspicions on so many scenes, unless they actually use one way or another to confirm it, I really couldn’t just go around saying their relationship is canon or something, right? And even regarding the tweet… I mean, if that were me, I could even say that friendship love is still love, so it’s still a love story if they aren’t lovers.

(There is a relationship dynamic called ‘queerplatonic’ and it’s not romantic love, but not friendship, either. I’m siding with the idea that Aziraphale and Crowley want to be romantic lovers, but if it’s not what they intend to and want something close to queerplatonic, then that’s fine, this whole post’s stand is still the same.)

It’s embarrassing that season 2 had to be out in the world and everyone was in shambles but in exchange for the right to claim canon relationship, that was when I started to believe season 1 was, indeed, a love story. And when I rewatched it, I almost had a heart attack because I cannot believe that one angel and one demon were so explicit in showing their romantic love, and they even actually CONFESSED ONCE, and I didn’t realise???????

So I am here trying to help anyone who is just as pathetically clueless as me. We are of the same kind, my friends. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, notwithstanding anything I just say about being embarrassed.

First, let’s quickly visit this certain homosexual’s subculture around the world, where they spent years being oppressed, discriminated against and even killed for just wanting to love people with the same gender as theirs, so: they formed some sort of language or code that only the people in the community can understand, to recognize each other (you can read more about it here). One example I saw in a recent manga I read, “Hōzuki no Reitetsu”: gay men wear earring on their right ear - it’s not to ridiculous straight men as gay for wearing their jewellery in a certain way, it’s a coded fashion statement for gay men to recognize each other.

Why am I talking about this? Because Aziraphale and Crowley’s loving relationship, whether platonic or romantic, is just as forbidden in Good Omens world as homosexual in real life. Even if Heaven or Hell doesn’t consider homosexual to be a sin like some extreme conservative Christians think, or Aziraphale and Crowley is not exactly males (angels/demons are sexless), but as two Earth field workers respectively belong to two opposite sides who just want to declare war on the other side and destroy them, they are not different from two spies from two warring countries. Every interaction without authorities’ permission will be considered treason and will be punished. Not to mention after the battle against God, the former fallen angels - as well as those who remained - understood best how terrible the punishment for traitors could be.

That’s why when Crowley talked about the Agreement (first letter capitalised, not getting in each other’s way and helping each other when needed) and when Aziraphale thanked him for saving him, or when Aziraphale said he’s actually very kind or when Crowley asked if he should thank him, the other person freaked out and said “Don't say it!”. Don’t say it out loud. Because, even if their bosses weren’t supervising them, they both felt in their hearts that, if they acknowledged the existence of a not-so-nice angel and a not-so-evil demon, or describe their relationship in spoken words, then one day they will be discovered by their side and will be severely punished, or even not able to see each other anymore. Or the other person will experience the exact same feeling. If the two of them want to continue communicating in secret, they must have a series of secret intermediate meeting points, must talk to each other in codes, and the other person will always understand what the other person really wants to say. Or sometimes, think that they understand.

Besides, 6000 years have passed since the Earth was formed, and this “secret friendship” relationship has still not been discovered, and they have been very happy together for so long, and for them, putting a name on their relationship is extremely unnecessary. Their relationship is unique, no one can interfere, and no one should find out and call them anything other than “arch enemies” or “willy opponents”. This further contributes to the fact that any conversation that seems “more than friends” must be in extreme euphemism, because even being “friends” is not allowed.

Recently, I just found a fanfic on AO3 - post-professional endeavours by darcylindbergh - catches on very well the way they talk in code, in which I quote:

Ezra and Anthony were hardly joined at the hip; Anthony’d even told Daniella once that they were just colleagues, though Daniella had made a dramatic face about it and he’d had to concede, “All right, friends, then.” They never reached. They never curled together at tables in coffee shops; they didn’t lay side by side on sample mattresses, testing them out. They never said we in that tone, in that two-as-one kind of voice. They didn’t ring off phone calls with love yous and goodbyes. But she could see the way they looked at one another. She wasn’t sure if they thought they were hiding it from her, or if they thought they were hiding it from themselves. They weren’t very good at it, if they were. Or maybe they just weren’t really hiding anything, per se, but they were so used to never saying, to never acknowledging, to speaking euphemisms and riddles and code words, that they forgot how to speak clearly.

This. This is what I meant when I talked about the way Aziraphale and Crowley talked to each other over 6000 years, in fear of their two opposing sides, of their superiors, and of themselves. They have forgotten how to speak clearly.

So. And those are for before 1862 AD. I will soon get to the love confession scene that I promised you, but I have to analyze the scenes leading up to it first before we can understand it.

- 1862, St. James's Park: Their desire to protect their relationship leads to an unwanted overprotective reaction

This is where we started, with St. James’s Park, one of Aziraphale and Crowley's meeting points. Human spies throughout the park’s history have also used it to meet discreetly, pretending to feed the ducks to stand next to each other, but are actually discussing important matters.

This is the scene where Crowley first asked for holy water, in 1862. While pretending to be a stranger standing next to Aziraphale, Crowley opened like this:

“Look, I've been thinking. What if it all goes wrong? We have a lot in common, you and me [...] If it all goes wrong, I want insurance.”

Crowley needed a backup plan, because he was afraid that this little friendship he had would lead to his destruction, because Hell wouldn’t send a warning letter, Hell wouldn’t forgive. But Crowley found a way for him to continue this “fraternising” relationship instead of cutting ties with Aziraphale.

Aziraphale stopped Crowley’s attempt to take the holy water, because the holy water would not only temporarily damage the human corporation, but it would destroy the devil’s soul completely, just like what hellfire does to angel’s. Aziraphale’s first reaction was not “I won't help you because this is against the rules in Heaven” - which he would use as an excuse later, but fear, thinking that if Crowley got hold of the holy water, he could get hurt, whether accidentally or intentionally (if I talk more about the time Neil told us that Aziraphale doesn't keep holy water in the bookstore to protect himself from demons because doing so could accidentally hurt Crowley, I will scratch the wall and cry for another ten minutes).

Crowley got angry when Aziraphale called their relationship fraternising. He was accepting the risk when he asked for holy water so he could continue to be friends with this angel, and his angel called the thing he was trying to protect ‘fraternising’ like a something beneath him or similar, and angrily replied, “I have lots of other people to fraternise with, angel.”

And Aziraphale left, also angrily, burning Crowley’s holy water request, and the two of them never spoke again for nearly a hundred years... (yeah, they really didn’t see each other again) until Crowley saw Aziraphale get in trouble with the Nazis and jumped in to save him.

This might just be my own guess, but Aziraphale was faced with two choices here: either continue to be friends with Crowley but it would put him into a dangerous situation that he had to ask for dangerous insurance, or quit it before the time to use the insurance had come. It was clear which choice he took.

(About the reason Aziraphale left: when Aziraphale broke off his relationship with Crowley, he was also in conflict with himself about their relationship and his own relationship with Heaven, for more details you can read in this essay about Aziraphale as autistic-coded character (this is my backbone when watching the TV show). Aziraphale has done this several times: in the bandstand or the last moment of season 2, he always ended their relationship when he was overwhelmed with emotions, even though he didn’t want to.)

(In 1880s, about 20-30 years after St. James park, Aziraphale was learning to dance in a “discreet gentlemen club” which is, confirmed by Neil, a heavy reference of a real gay club back then.

and I can’t stop thinking about the headcanon “Aziraphale was so sad after he broke up with his ‘queer friend’ that he went and found other ‘queer friends’ for comfort”. Which also explained why Crowley didn’t know he could dance, since at that time they weren’t around each other to tell the story, and also Aziraphale wouldn’t be able to explain why he was in a gay club when they were on break---)

- 1941, The London Blitz: Aziraphale realised the feeling…?

At the sudden meet up after 79 years (if the 1827 Aziraphale consider one month of not meeting Crowley was a long time, I wonder how heartbreaking it was for him to not being able to meet him for almost a century), Aziraphale saw how Crowley still eyeing holy water but still hadn’t got it ever since he first asked for it (it kinda prove that Crowley didn’t need it when he wasn’t fraternising with Aziraphale), and in the same night:

practically realised his love for Crowley/realised how loved he was by Crowley

explicitly said to Crowley they are friends

saved Crowley from Hell’s punishment (=> and had it sink in again how much in trouble he would made Crowley for being with him)

had a romantic candle dinner with him in the bookshop's backroom

In one. single. night. Now that I talk about it, they really had had a wild night in 1941.

Aziraphale may be slow to change, but once given enough time to figure something out, he is extremely determined and stubborn. The moment he realised how much Crowley cared for him: jumping into consecrated ground to save him, using a miracle to save precious books, even though the two of them were still angry at each other; Aziraphale realised. Did he realise he had feelings for Crowley, or realised that Crowley cared about him more than a friend? Only Aziraphale knows it. Michael Sheen once said: “This was the point where Aziraphale falls in love with Crowley.” (23:30)

Bonus: About this post on Tumblr:

I think I don’t need to say much more. Let’s think about how, from then on, they have started a relationship that wasn’t about asking favours back and forth anymore: it's about friends helping each other when the other person needs it. Keep it in mind, because we will return to this point in a moment.

So, yes, they started their relationship again after that 1941 dinner, and there was also that unfilmed scene in the 1960s in America. It would eventually bring back the reason Crowley needed his insurance again, and this time, instead of asking Aziraphale and risking breaking up like they did once, Crowley went and planned to get it himself (I wonder if Crowley was rubbing it in Aziraphale's face to plan his heist in a pub just right across the bookshop. I know Soho was a good place for that shading activity according to Neil, but really, that petty? Even though he still didn’t want Aziraphale to find out?) before being stopped by Aziraphale who accidentally heard about it.

- 1967: The shift in the relationship and the unconscious confession

Crowley knew best how stubborn Aziraphale was, that’s why he always try to nudge him to agree to stuffs in roundabout ways in their 6000 years of knowing each other (like the time he made excuse so that Aziraphale would agree to help him raise the Antichrist).

But he had never persuaded Aziraphale to give him the holy water again.

“You told me what you think 105 years ago.”

He didn't do his usual to convince Aziraphale, but Aziraphale himself had come up and gave him what he wanted, just like Aziraphale had not asked him to rescue the books, but Crowley still used his demonic miracle to help them not being burnt to a crisp even though Aziraphale, who worships his books just as he worships his God, had forgotten about them.

Gave holy water to a demon, gave the demon an ultimate weapon that can make other demons fear of him. Something that would make Heaven smite him, for fraternising with a demon. Why? Because he was his friend. The only one he could see as friend in this whole universe.

“Should I say thank you?” “Better not.”

How risky and dangerous it is, to help an angel from being discorporated. To give a demon insurance from Hell’s rage.

But Aziraphale did it anyway instead of leaving, because he wanted to be with Crowley. And Crowley understood the meaning of that action. And this action changed something in their 6,000-year relationship that seemed to always remain unchanged, and that change was more dangerous than the word “friends" that they had gradually accepted in recent years, and they began to speak in a code that only the other could understand, because their fear of being discovered was ingrained in their celestial/occult’s blood, because this was how they spoke from the beginning, was the dance they have been doing for six thousand years.

“Well, can I drop you anywhere?” Crowley asked. (Let me help you back, I owe you this. Let me drop you somewhere else, somewhere nice, to say thank you. Maybe we can do something else, because clearly something has shifted heavily in our relationship, you just admit to me that you want to stay with me despite everything you believe in, and can I know more about that decision?)

Aziraphale had answered: “No, thank you. Oh, don't look so disappointed.”

(No, please don’t look so disappointed. I’m not rejecting you. I’m not rejecting this advancement in our relationship.)

“Perhaps one day we could… Go for a picnic. Dine at the Ritz.”

(We have done this so many times. We had so many shared meals together. We had gone out for no reason at all because we were friends. I had already admitted that you are my friend 26 years ago and you heard that. No, I’m not talking about the obvious matter that we are friends. I’m telling you we can advance this relationship at some point in the future, into whatever state it leads us to.)

So when Crowley offered, again, in a sickeningly soft voice, ��I can give you a lift, anywhere you want to go”, it was so painfully, clearly a plea: “I’m ready to do this, angel, I want to be of use to you, I want to be with you anywhere”.

Crowley was offering something outside of their Arrangement, not just part of the ‘I own you you own me’ circle over and over again for years, but something beyond that, a plea that they could remain this current new side of the relationship. Or, maybe, he was seeking confirmation of whatever spark happened that night of 1941, the night they started helping each other outside of the Arrangement, the first time Crowley gave Aziraphale a lift with his brand new car.

It’s worth noting here that there’s a moment in season 2 that (in my interpretation) confirms 2023 Crowley still doesn’t realise his feelings for Aziraphale are “love”. So what does the code ‘I’ll give you a lift, anywhere you want to go’ mean here, if I keep insisting that Crowley already confessed in 1967?

Crowley is an optimist who improvises on the go, intuitive and has strong feelings. He rarely plans in advance, but most of his plans are “we will cross the bridge when we get there”. Evidence: it shows in the book that Crowley only thought of trapping Hastur in the answering machine when Aziraphale called him; or he always chose to run away first instead of finding a way to solve it, whether it is Armageddon or Satan.

So, by the time he offered to give Aziraphale a lift anywhere he wanted, Crowley was sensing a new shift in their relationship. And although he knew it was moving in a positive direction, he didn’t really understand it as “love” - and at that moment, didn’t really think about the opportunities, possibilities, nor the dangers that may arise if they continue to move beyond this relationship milestone.

But Aziraphale knew. Aziraphale, who understood that if he expressed his love for a devil would make him a traitor to Heaven, would cause him to be completely destroyed, would put Crowley in danger.

Aziraphale, just as sad and as gentle as he could, stopped him there.

“You go too fast for me, Crowley.”

(Like I said: I’m not prepared. You might be ready, and you might be eager to pursue this, but we are still not in the clear and there’s still danger if we do it. So let’s stop this conversation.)

Aziraphale had actually given Crowley the greenlight, in a possible future. When they no longer have to fear the punishment of Heaven and Hell, when they are free.

But until then, would Crowley still love him? Would Crowley still be waiting for him, and this world, to prepare?

Conclusion:

And that’s what I meant when I said 1967 was the year the two of them confessed their love to each other, even though the result never led to a new step or the end of their relationship, and one angel and one devil continue to know each other in fear, but with an understanding: that they can go further if this world allow them.

Before ending this post, I want to add one more detail that may be extremely important, but has not been completely confirmed yet. At the end of season 1 and in the novel, when the two of them ate a luxurious meal at the Ritz - the most luxurious hotel in England (they have been eating there together for a long time), there was a musician in the room playing and singing the song “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square", with the following lyrics:

♪ That certain night ♪ The night we met ♪ There was magic abroad in the air ♪ There were angels dining at the Ritz ♪ And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square

And the narrator, God (!!!) had said that when they were eating at the Ritz, there really was a nightingale singing in the Berkeley Square!!!

At the end of season 2, both Crowley and Aziraphale understood the nightingale's reference to love, and even used the bird to point out their love for each other???

sO the important thing we need to know here is whether Aziraphale understood this reference when he said “perhaps one day we could dine at the Ritz” in 1967? If he actually knew about it then, then this conversation he had with Crowley is even more obvious “we can be lovers but not now”. Even though this post would stand its point if he didn’t know it, but, if he did, I would literally put Neil in a demonic circle with ominous candles.

Edit: youryurigoddess has a meta’s about the possibility that both Aziraphale and Crowley had heard this song together and considered it their song in 1941. So it proves my point here, and I’m preparing the candles.

(Also, in case he didn’t know about the nightingale song then, I still think he would have heard Queen’s “Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy” whenever Crowley giving him a lift somewhere:

♪ Dining at the Ritz, we'll meet at nine ♪ (One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine o'clock) precisely ♪ I will pay the bill, you taste the wine ♪ Driving back in style, in my saloon, will do quite nicely ♪ Just take me back to yours, that will be fine ♪ Come on and get it ♪ Ooh, love (there he goes again) ♪ Ooh, lover boy (he's my good old-fashioned lover boy, ooh) ♪ What're you doing tonight? Hey, boy ♪ Everything's all right, just hold on tight ♪ That's because I'm a good old-(fashioned, fashioned) lover boy

If Aziraphale still didn’t get in then I will give up.)

EXTRA BONUS:

I just read a post with the exact same topic as this one, but about the scene after Armageddon was successfully averted, and Crowley asked Aziraphale to come to his house after saying Aziraphale’s bookstore had burned down, you can read it here.

To summarise: In season 1 episode 2’s script, when Gabriel and Sandalphon went to the bookstore on Thursday (after Warlock’s birthday, Crowley went to Aziraphale’s bookstore to have a drink, which was Wednesday), Aziraphale could see Crowley walked out to his Bentley from window, that’s why Sandalphon smelled evil: because Crowley had just left.

So what does it mean? It means: Crowley just spent the night at Aziraphale bookstore. This one time didn’t really mean anything, the two of them have probably stayed at each other’s house overnight several times to drink alcohol. But, if so, then why did Aziraphale act so worried when Crowley invited him to sleep over at his house, if staying over at each other's house wasn’t something strange compared to before?

Because the moment Aziraphale stood up to Heaven and Hell, along with Crowley telling them about the Ineffable Plan to abort the Apocalypse, it was also the moment Aziraphale came out that he was on the same side as Crowley, that Aziraphale has betrayed Heaven. So when Crowley said:

“You can stay at my place, if you’d like.”

It’s. Not. It’s not as simple as ‘oh your house burned down I can give you a space to rest’ NO. It’s not that simple.

Crowley was suggesting something else, whether he was aware he was suggesting it or not, and Aziraphale understood it. Like when Aziraphale telling Crowley in 1967 “someday, who knows, we might have dinner at the Ritz” even though the two of them had dined together many times before and the Ritz also was just a restaurant like any other restaurant, if more luxurious: but it has a different meaning, because the two of them had learned about the song of the nightingale, about the love that blossomed while the two angels had dinner at the Ritz…

So what did Crowley mean when he invited Aziraphale over, you asked me again? To be honest, I’m not sure. My last three brain cells are yelling “THEY DEFINITELY FUCKED BUT IT WAS A DRUNKEN NIGHT AND THEY NEVER MENTIONED IT AGAIN JUST LIKE THAT CONFESSION IN 1967. DON’T BELIEVE IT? JUST LOOK AT AZIRAPHALE IN SEASON 2!!!!!”

Aziraphale in season 2 really was this close 🤏 to have a feast on Crowley’s body, I am sure about that. I don’t believe they’ve done nothing in 4 years; I didn’t believe that they held hands in the bus back then, but now I am a firm believer ✊✊✊ Just as how they had a 6-hour drinking at the news of Armageddon or how they stayed overnight drinking away the shock that Warlock was not the Antichrist, I believe that after the success of averting the end of the world, they held hand on the bus and then had a drinking blast back at the flat and then during drunkenness they fucked. And then not another word again. For four years, “pretending we are not together, but not really for the last few years”.

(I will have another post for this later)

Even so, if you don’t think they actually do something too intimate, then I think Crowley’s invitation still means something: we are now on our side now, please be together with me Aziraphale. Maybe he was trying to bring back the unanswered question back in 1967, when Aziraphale asked him to wait: Have you caught up now? Am I still too fast for you?

“You don’t have a side anymore. Neither of us do.”

They are no longer restrained by Heaven and Hell, Crowley reminded Aziraphale, the speed limit (danger) is no longer there. And that Crowley was still waiting for Aziraphale, that now Aziraphale had a chance to choose Crowley.

(Crowley I swear to God Herself-)

#good omens #good omens 2 #ineffable husbands #crowley #aziraphale #azicrow #crowley good omens #aziraphale good omens #1967 good omens #good omens analysis

13 notes · View notes

gay-otlc · 1 year

Text

Cognates and Queer Coding

(Note: this essay contains spoilers for Stellarlune, mainly regarding the relationship between Sophie, Fitz, and Keefe)

The similarities between queerness and cognate relationships throughout Keeper of the Lost Cities is shown through specific cognate partnerships such as Quinlin/Alden and Tiergan/Prentice, cognate relationships not fitting into norms of romantic or platonic, and the parallels to coming out.

Specific Cognate Partnerships

According to Mr. Forkle, the cognate connection creates a bond that is similar to marriage; similar enough to marriage that councillors aren't allowed to have cognates due to their rules against falling in love and having families. Because of this, cognates of the same gender could be considered to have been in a same-sex marriage. Before their breakup following Prentice's mind break, Alden and Quinlin were essentially in a queer marriage with one another.

Although they never officially became cognates, Tiergan is stated to wish he'd been cognates with, or "married," to Prentice. This is one of many lines that suggest Tiergan has romantic feelings for Prentice. Throughout the series, Tiergan is shown to be extremely devoted to his close "friend." Despite being stated to be uncomfortable with touch, he is very physically affectionate with Prentice. Additionally, the two of them are raising children together. This has led many in the fandom to believe Tiergan and Prentice are in a romantic relationship.

These two specific instances of queer-coded cognate relationships could imply the queer nature of cognates overall.

Queerplatonic Relationships

Due to its similarity to marriage, use of rings, and frequency of holding hands, cognate relationships are often read as having romantic implications.

However, cognate relationships are not depicted as entirely romantic. Sophie and Fitz were cognates before becoming romantically involved, and hoped to remain cognates even after their romantic relationship ended. Quinlin and Alden were also married to their respective partners while in a cognate relationship with each other. Therefore, while cognate relationships closely resemble romantic relationships, they are not exact.

Because of this, cognate relationships could be read as queerplatonic. Queerplatonic relationships are a type of relationship that don't fit into the traditional boxes of romantic or platonic, and are often formed by those on the aromantic spectrum. While it is unlikely Shannon intended for these relationships to be written as queerplatonic, reading cognates as a bond between two aromantic spectrum telepaths would be an interpretation supported by canon.

Coming Out

The emphasis on sharing personal information with one's cognate, and the potential discomfort with that, resembles the difficulty surrounding coming out as queer. Although doing so is necessary to strengthen trust within a relationship, many queer individuals are anxious to come out and will avoid doing so, even if telling the truth would likely improve a relationship.

Growing up as an elf in the human world, Sophie learned to be a very reserved person and disliked sharing personal information about herself. Even after moving to the Lost Cities and no longer needing to keep her telepathy secret, she continued to prefer to keep things private. When she learned she would need to tell Fitz everything in order to be his cognate, she was very uncomfortable and it made her rethink whether she wanted to become cognates.

Tiergan is also someone who prefers to keep secrets from others, and Mr. Forkle describes him as "particularly adept at misdirection." Avoiding personal questions is a skill many queer people develop out of necessity, in order to remain closeted. Given the Lost Cities' opinions on matchmaking, they are presumably not accepting of queer elves, and it is likely that Tiergan avoids revealing information about himself because of the need to hide his sexuality (and possibly gender).

This similarity is especially prominent when it comes to hiding information about crushes. Having to conceal information about who you're attracted to is a common experience for queer individuals, and it is also something Sophie experiences throughout the series. At first, she is hesitant to become cognates with Fitz because she doesn't want to confess that she has a crush on him, and later, she is reluctant to reveal her feelings for Keefe because she is worried that he will be upset or angry. However, when she does tell the truth, or "come out," their relationship is stronger and they trust each other more.

Conclusion

Although Shannon Messenger most likely did not intend for cognates to be queer-coded in her writing, many aspects of cognate relationships can be read with queer implications and may resonate with queer readers.

#cognate essay #i wrote this instead of doing my homework :)#shows this post to my english teacher to explain why i didn't study for my test. i think she would accept that #kotlc #qualden #tiertice #sophitz #keeper of the lost cities #queer coding #stellarlune spoilers

72 notes · View notes

sallufix · 11 months

Note

Tell me more about Envicto and Clivicto!! I love them sm

I THOUGHT NO ONE WOULD EVER ASK. Semi-long post coming time to dump the fucking mountain of government info

As i have said the story is mainly called Oblivious Prison. The basic plot is that prisoners from 20-or-so years in the future are the inhabitants of the prison.

The prisoners are mainly the suspects from Layton Brothers Mystery Room! After they got sent to court and arrested blah blah blah they went to the very same prison as 20 years ago, but could somehow interact with CliVicto.

It is unkown how, but Envicto has all the files of each criminal INCLUDING the ones from the future. It's all hidden inside the mechanical backpack where his robot arms come out.

What's even weirder is that items can break or be broken both from the past or the future. Both people can see eachother and interact.

The prisoners from the future only appear once Envicto is near, where an anomaly follows him everywhere of reality kind of glitching out.

To talk more about CliVicto though, is that Felis (who is still a Constable at this time) keeps an eye out for them. The government trusts Envicto with watching over Clive but they also know that sometimes he can be reckless or plain mad. So Felis sometimes watches them and sees GAY SHIT but he's too nervous to actually report that info

That and also because Felis is scared of this anomaly thing going on with Envicto and that he can beat his ass like any day

Clive literally just like. Does not know what's going on but since they hired Envicto to follow him around everywhere he just kind of accepts this (plus its better to have company in isolation he's happy with anyone at this point)

The more Clive and Envicto hang out the more they form a dynamic where Envicto is always in the most weird situations like oh I don't know almost blowing up the whole prison with his new invention? Maybe activating the fire alarm because he tripped and fell? He kind of just brings chaos to wherever he goes and Clive has to deal with his shit

Though, Clive also has immense respect for Envicto because of his inventions and creative or imaginative thinking. Both of them would stare at a painting for too long but with the most opposite intentions (Clive enjoying the art and the abstract intelligence of it VS. Envicto thinking he can make something better or steal it which the explanation are in the next paragraphs)

SO. You're probably wondering, do Clive and Envicto even have anything in common? Why would a queerplatonic relationship of them work? Ohoho well. Envicto is actually a multifandom oc, a term which i feel like only i have used?? BUT BASICALLY i insert him to any fixation that has anything to do with a 1900s aesthetic or timeline.

First one being Ramshackle! In there, he is 18 and is living in an alleyway. His story here isn't as fleshed out as the one i made for PL but basically, he sells art to strangers in hopes he could fund going to college, except the art isn't his.

He does this throughout the entirety of summer break but things don't work out. Luckily for his brilliance, he's been crafting something behind the scenes if he ever wanted the final option! A giant robot!! Wow!! Who could've seen that coming!!

It's a neat parallel though since Clive bought an entire mobile fortress to destroy all of london, but Envicto made a giant robot to take all of ramshackles gold supply. I also wrote his ramshackle story waay before i found out about pl

But yeah basically he ransacks the town but the government and ramshackle cast stop him (?) But the government actually DOESN'T arrest him and instead funds his college fees with the intent of him permanently working under their supervision! They thought his intellect was useful for military weapons and whatnot so erm yeah he gets to go to Gressenheller!!

Nah maybe Gressenheller will change if i ever get fixated on a thing based on college in the 1900s.

Yeah now he's got several degrees many jobs, one of which is being a scientist. And as you know, Clive kidnapped some scientists. So Envicto got to work on the fortress for a while until Clive went to prison and stuff and since the government still has Envicto under their wing, they hire him to watch over Clive in prison! Boom!

Now back to Oblivious Prison present, Clive thinks the whole prisoners-from-20-years-in-the-future thing really stressful because it just reminds him of time, and therefore the time machine.

He goes along with Envicto for the mystery in hopes that they'd be able to solve it and that weight from his shoulder would be lifted.

That is with him being unknowing that his death penalty will be in a WEEK FROM NOW (3 years after unwound future, CliVicto has built a good bond this time around) so with Envicto being anxious about all this, he seeks the professor for help

Anyways thats all for now, everything else has either a plot hole, or is a big spoiler to the mystery. The comic will probably reveal much more but until then, have this long infodump. (If you guys have any more questions DO NOT BE AFRAID i will strangle you to get the questions out if i have to)

#professor layton #pl #prof layton #envicto #Envicto Admisso #clive dove #CliVicto #pl oblivious prison #pl oc #oc × canon #oc #long post #masterpost #infodump

23 notes · View notes

jrhartauthor · 1 year

Text

When it comes to writing contemporary romance, there are certain expectations that readers may have:

A happily ever after or happy for now ending (HEA or HFN)

Chemistry between the main character and love interest

Intimacy

But when it comes to the last point, it’s high time to recognize that intimacy comes in different forms. For one, not every book needs on-page sexual intimacy. Many writers choose a closed-door sex scene, or to have their characters go as far as kissing and stop short of anything past that. But as LGBTQ+ representation in fiction grows, and we start to see more asexual and aromantic rep in stories, it may not just be about what an author wants to share on the page, but also about what a character feels comfortable with doing with their partner.

When it comes to writing characters under the ace and aro umbrellas, it’s important to know that these identities aren’t a monolith. Some asexual characters are sex-repulsed. Some enjoy sex in the right circumstances. Some enjoy sex under all circumstances. Asexual simply means “does not experience sexual attraction.” It doesn’t necessarily mean the character doesn’t want to have sex. Similarly, asexual characters may have an identity anywhere along the ace spectrum. A character could be asexual, gray asexual, demisexual… the list goes on.

Aromantic characters could want a queerplatonic partnership. Some aromantic characters may be okay with a relationship where their partner is alloromantic, and experiences and shares romantic feelings toward them, even if they don’t share those feelings in return, and that’s okay too.

When writing your character, taking time to research their specific identity and make sure that you’re writing it authentically is a huge help. Spend time learning about the terms used within the ace and aro communities, and what your character might feel, think, and understand of sexuality and romance.

As I wrote The Heartbreak Handshake, I honestly wondered whether or not readers would be okay with an contemporary romance with hugging as the peak of physical intimacy in the story. While the series it is a part of—the Clover Hill Romance series—ranges from no sex on page to open-door fully descriptive sex, and I knew there was a place for it in the series itself, having space in a series and space in readers’ hearts is a very different thing.

It turns out a lot of my fears were unfounded. The reality is, pushing your character outside of their comfort zone will bother a reader far more than writing something they may feel is “tame” by comparison to other stories. And if they’re not a fan of where your character (and you) draw the line? They may not be your target audience!

Regardless of if you’re writing the spiciest of spice allo romance, or an asexual one, using inclusive language is incredibly important. In the same way that you wouldn’t want to say “my friend Taz likes both genders,” (if Taz likes men and women, you can say men and women without dismissing that other genders exist), using inclusive language when it comes to asexuality and aromanticism can be helpful too. Check out the difference between these two ways of phrasing things:

“After spending so much time with her, my hope is that one day, we’ll be more than friends.”

“After spending so much time with my best friend, my hope is that she’ll feel the same spark I do.”

Both of these sentences imply that two people are on the cusp of a potential relationship, and that maybe they’ve been friends in the past with a possibility the relationship may shift in the future. Now take this example into consideration.

“Judging by the way they both acted, I got the impression they were more than friends.”

“Judging by the way they both acted, I got the impression they were definitely into each other.”

Again, both sentences convey the same basic meaning. But once again, one conveys that being friends is “less than” being in a romantic or sexual relationship. This isn’t true! And for many, a friendship is equally (or more) desirable.

All it takes is a little shifting of your language to make it more inclusive, and make sure that you’re putting romantic, sexual, and platonic relationships on equal footing.

If you’re not asexual or aromantic, writing a character that is can be hard. After all, there are tons of misconceptions about asexual and aromantic people. Hiring a sensitivity reader within this community—especially if they share your character’s exact identity—can help you ensure the most accurate portrayal possible. Even if you are ace or aro, the reality is, different ace and aro people have different experiences, and getting a second perspective (or third! Or fourth!) can help you flesh out your character more realistically. Lived experience when writing will almost always be better than writing a character you don’t share an identity with, especially if that identity is a margilized one—like another race, sexuality, or gender identity. Keeping that in mind as you write can help you pick your character and what you’re writing to begin with.

No one will ever argue that beta reading isn’t difficult or time consuming, but unlike beta reading, sensitivity reading places a special burden on the reader, often on a marginalized reader. Sensitivity reads are often reserved for reading a specific racial, sexual, gender, cultural, or disabled identity, and this can put a huge emotional or mental drain on a sensitivity reader. As a result, sensitivity reading should be paid work whenever possible. That said, if a sensitivity reader is up for a work or goods exchange, by all means, that’s an option too. Just remember that a sensitivity read requires a very different skillset and level of effort than beta reading or editing, and should be compensated accordingly.

You don’t have to skirt around your characters’ identity in writing. Often, sharing character identity actually helps a reader find what they’re looking for, both as you write and as you market your work as a writer. Being unapologetic about your characters’ ace or aro identity can help you find the readers your book is after.

Understanding Asexuality-The Trevor Project The Asexuality Visibility and Education Network (AVEN)* Asexuality, Attraction, and Romantic Orientation-UNC Chapel Hill’s LGBTQ Center 5 Asexuals Explain what Asexuality Means to Them-Tinder (Video) 4 Demisexual People Explain what Demisexuality Means to Them-Tinder (Video) r/Asexuality and r/Aromantic on Reddit (Additional identities linked in Reddit Sidebars)** What it Means to be Aromantic-VeryWellMind Aromantic-spectrum Union for Recognition, Education, and Advocacy (AUREA)

*Please note: AVEN’s forums have sometimes been problematic. Your mileage may vary. Viewer discretion is advised.

**Reddit can often be problematic, especially outside of LGBTQ+ subreddits, but also within them. Viewer discretion is advised.

Please note Amazon links are affiliate links

The Heartbreak Handshake (cis m/nonbinary)

Goodreads | Amazon

Clover Hill Romance Series website | Goodreads | Amazon

Sex-repulsed asexual MC, nonbinary MC, autistic MC with sensory aversion to sexual intimacy, MC with ADHD

Content warnings: real-life aviation disasters resulting in death, autistic character faces unkindness for being autistic, referenced ace-phobia

Paxton McKee, Clover Hill’s rideshare driver and handyman, is known by his customers as responsible, dependable, and loyal. On first dates, though, he’s known by another word: boring. His dates never seem to appreciate his in-depth knowledge of famous aviation disasters or his LEGO expertise. His book club buddy, Mrs. Sawyer, keeps trying to set him up. But after so many failed dates, Paxton’s given up on finding someone who can accept him, special interests, stims, and all.

Hand-crafter Remi Sawyer put Clover Hill in their rear-view mirror to sell at craft fairs across the country. But being a traveling artisan is harder than Remi thought. With mounting bills, they’ve ended up back home. Being in their old teenage bedroom is weird. Even weirder, their mother keeps trying to set them up on dates, even after they’ve made it clear the homecoming is temporary.

To get Mrs. Sawyer off their backs, Paxton and Remi agree on a scheme: they’ll go on three dates. When it’s over, Paxton can pretend to be heartbroken, and Remi can get back on the road. They even shake on it. But awkward dates lead to the realization the two have a lot in common. Kissing is gross? Check. Spending quiet time doing projects together is enjoyable? Double check.

But Remi is still hell-bent on leaving Clover Hill again, and Paxton is dead-set on staying. Can they find a new vision that doesn’t involve Remi leaving their kindred spirit behind, or are they both destined to lose the person who might be their perfect companion?

–

Go Truck Yourself (cis f/nonbinary)

Coming Soon

Clover Hill Romance Series website | Goodreads | Amazon

Aromantic MC, nonbinary MC, Asexual MC, bi/panromantic MC, single parent MC, autistic child side character

Content warnings: attempted business sabotage, mentions of absentee parents, brief mention of a parent’s sobriety/rehab, brief mention of a deceased parent, mention of the death of a sperm donor/family member, minors using curse words, family member with dementia, mention of foreign exchange study programs in a positive light, mentions of travel social media and modern colonization

Between being a single parent and running a successful food truck, Myla Horan has no room for drama in her life. She's got her nose to the grindstone to make Tasteful Noods a successful noodle business year-round. But when her friend-turned-rival Zo comes back to town, they start to squeeze into her prime Clover Hill locations… and her profit margins.

After Zo moves back to town to care for their ailing uncle and starts a business of their own, they’re not surprised that Myla’s Tasteful Noods are faring better than their tiny food trailer, You're My Jam. After all, driven Myla can do anything she sets her mind to. Unfortunately, it also means all of the animosity they ended things with has resurfaced.

When Myla and Zo agree there's only room in Clover Hill for one of them, they make a deal: whoever loses the First Annual Clover Hill Food Truck Frenzy shuts down their truck. Forever.

But will serious sabotage leave them both truckless for the competition and threaten both of their chances at victory? Or will they work together as an unexpected dream team and find out they’re better as partners than rivals after all?

–

Getting Off (cis m/cis m)

Goodreads | Amazon | NineStar Press Website

Demisexual MC, biromantic/bisexual MC, gay MC

Content warnings: homophobia, homophobic slurs, bi-erasure, biphobia, sexual assault (on page), forced outing

JJ is certain he’s got everything figured out. He’s straight, right? He’s just not into the hookup culture prevalent on his college soccer team. But he’s trying to hide that to avoid getting on his team captain’s bad side.

Kade is anything but straight. Out and proud, he’s curious about how the “other half” lives… even as his best friends remind him there’s more to the LGBTQ+ community than just the “G.” Curious, Kade texts JJ a simple question: do straight guys ever get off together?

When JJ’s reply leads to a head-spinning sexual spark, he starts questioning everything he knows about his sexuality, both in terms of who he’s attracted to, and also why hookups have never been his thing. But when JJ endures trauma that confuses him more, he starts pushing Kade away. Kade has to learn how to be a supportive friend, and more than that, a supportive partner, or risk losing JJ altogether. And JJ? He has to fight for his team to be team players, even when they suspect he’s “playing for the other team.”

Please note: I haven’t read every book on the above lists, and cannot vouch for them. My inclusion of these lists here is not a recommendation of these books specifically, but instead an indication they exist.

LGBTQReads List of Books by Romantic/Sexual Orientation from @lgbtqreads

EpicREADS list of 23 YA Books with Asexual Representation from @epicreads

QueerBooksforTeens list of books with Aromantic Characters

QueerBooksforTeens list of books with Asexual Characters

Buzzfeed’s list of 17 Books about Asexual and Aromantic Validation from @buzzfeedbooks (cc: @buzzfeedlgbt)

Did you find this post helpful? Consider buying me a Ko-Fi!

#writing advice #asexual characters #aromantic characters #writing lgbtq #national hugging day

38 notes · View notes

madlori · 1 year

Text

[excerpt from “Courtship Behaviors of the Southern Coastal Husbro” chapter 6 (final chapter)]

---

[published in Slate.com]

The Un-Couple, Coupled

by Evan Buckley, guest contributor

Two years ago, I wrote an article for this site about my relationship with my best friend, Eddie. He and I had decided to become platonic domestic partners, share a household, raise his son (later our son, I adopted him soon after we entered this arrangement), and form a family. We were not romantically involved. We were not physically involved. We just wanted the security, support, and comfort of sharing our lives with the person who knew us best.

This concept seemed to strike a nerve. The article was shared, tweeted, discussed, and in some cases, doubted. I did an AMA on Reddit shortly after it was published, and was both flattered and mystified by the level of interest in the idea that two straight dudes who were just friends could commit to each other for life. In the many discussions that followed, we found out that this idea was not as unusual as it may have seemed. I’ve heard from so many couples (and groups of more than two) who have chosen this kind of relationship to form the basis of their lives and give them what they need to be happy.

It sure gave us what we needed. The years I spent with Eddie as his domestic partner (or “husbro,” as one of our friends likes to call us) were some of the happiest of my life. I’ve never felt so safe with another person, so valued, and so content.

I’m writing this follow-up article partially upon request (we get frequent emails asking how we’re doing) and partially because I wanted to share it with readers who felt seen by the first one, because our platonic domestic partnership has come to an end.

Whoops, we fell in love.

To those who already thought this was the case, or predicted that it would happen, well, congratulations. If you had a bet on it, spend your winnings on something frivolous. To those who felt validated that we were making a queerplatonic relationship visible, and making it work: you and your relationships are still valid, and still awesome. The fact that we failed at being platonic partners doesn’t mean that such a relationship is doomed to fail, it means that we were.

I definitely had some guilt that I’d “betrayed” this concept for which I’d been such a visible torchbearer, but Eddie says that my first responsibility is to myself, my own happiness and mental health, and to him and our family. He’s right.

If you’re thinking to yourself “wow, I could have sworn he said they were both straight” you’re correct. Sexuality isn’t an either/or situation, it’s a gradient. I am not the first person to experience an evolution of my sexuality, and neither is he. I’m not comfortable labeling myself, or him, but I can say that however I’m wired, it allows me to have a fulfilling, amazing, and physical relationship with a man I love very deeply, and for that, I’m grateful. If the rest of the world would like to call me a gay man, or call us a gay couple, that’s fine. That’s none of my business. I plan on spending the rest of my life happily married to Eddie (we got engaged a few weeks ago), so it’s sort of irrelevant, anyway.

Our son is over the moon, although I suspect the biggest part of that is he no longer has to share a bathroom, since Eddie moved into my room. Our friends and family are busy bombarding us with wedding suggestions (no, Hen, we are not having a destination wedding in Iceland) and we are debating how long we can wait to buy our son his new suit for the ceremony so he won’t grow out of it too quickly. We still work in the same firehouse and so we spend almost all our time together, but I still can’t wait to get home to see him and hang out with him. I never had any confidence that I would find happiness in life, or that anyone would ever volunteer to spend it with me, but Eddie has done so, repeatedly, and joyfully. I can’t wait to be his husband, and for him to be mine.

If my earlier article helped anyone out there discover a new kind of relationship, or realize that something they never imagined was possible, I’m glad. If anyone is happy now because of what I shared with you, I couldn’t ask for a better reward for writing it. If this update makes you feel sad, I understand. But our domestic partnership was valid and worthwhile on its own merits, not just because it led to more. We had an amazing, cooperative, and fulfilling life together long before our first kiss. Just because it changed, doesn’t mean it wasn’t real.

---

Read the whole fic series here on AO3!

#buddie #buddie fic #queerplatonic #madlori's fic #husbros #9-1-1 #9-1-1 fanfiction #evan buckley #eddie diaz

25 notes · View notes

wordsandrobots · 10 months

Text

This is not in response to anybody in particular but I’m going to be grumpy and pedantic for a moment (I’m in a mood this week, sorry).

Throughout the Gundam franchise, far more major stories end on ‘hopeful’ terms than do not. This is entirely reasonable because hopeful endings are oftentimes more broadly appealing and therefore more saleable. Working shown below, but my point is that liking the qualities in a particular ending is distinct from categorising it. Whether something executes a ‘hopeful ending’ with technical competence or to your liking are important questions, but the truth is, few Gundam shows are totally bleak. A lot of them would probably hit harder if they were, but that isn’t the kind of product they are. I don’t even say that as a value judgement; it’s simply a consequence of what they are and the many, occasionally competing influences upon them.

I suspect this is one of those places where the franchise’s reputation is clashing with the reality, which is why I felt it necessary to write this out. Similar to earlier comments regarding the body-counts in various series, from what I can gather, the . . . let’s say, utter grim and bloodiness is largely restricted to particular iterations (Zeta, Pocket etc.). Again, that’s not me saying ‘that’s bad’ (or even ‘that’s good’). It’s simply a facet of the general tone of the thing.

This isn’t Blake’s 7 or, I dunno, some more culturally up-to-date reference to something that ends horribly my brain is too frazzled to produce. Gundam is more often ‘hope emerging from adversity’ than it is not.

SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT. AS IN, END-OF-THE-SHOW SPOILERS.

I’ve cludged a couple of the movies together with the series where I think it’s funnier to give the filmic endings, but the endings of those particular series don’t go against the trend. Some of the ones I don’t list are more ‘neutral good’ endings than actively hopeful, too, so it’s not like everything not here is automatically hopeless. (Gosh, it’s handy having all these typed up in list form already; usual caveat that I haven’t watched Victory.)

(Also, the IBO part features me going off on one because of course it does. Again, sorry.)

Mobile Suit Gundam (1979): the crew of the White Base reunites as the war finally comes to a close; it is both a happy ending and one that points towards their capacity to be/become newtypes.

Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986): Judau and co head into new lives with (some) maturity and responsibilities. Even prior to that, it takes the route of a triumphant recapitulation of Zeta’s explicitly harsh ending.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988): Char’s cynicism is disproved, the rock is moved, the sky literally lights up with the power of the human heart.

Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994): the power of love defeats the Devil. In space!

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing/Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (1995/1997): peace is restored, the weapons are discarded, Heero finally gets to rest.

After War Gundam X (1996): the entire philosophical underpinning of the UC timeline is ejected in favour of working together to restore the Earth.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team (1996): star-crossed lovers ditch the war entirely to live together off the grid.

Turn A Gundam (1999): a new understanding between the Moon and Earth is made possible; Loren and Diana settle down into queerplatonic domesticity.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002): The war is ended, the mega weapons are busted, Kira and Athrun part on speaking terms.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Destiny (2004): Ditto.

Mobile Suit Gundam 00/Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer (2007/2010): Setsuna (the world’s least people person) becomes a vector for understanding between species; humanity journeys to the stars.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Unicorn (2010): A broadly positive resolution despite the losses; Amuro, Lallah and Char fly off into eternity together because . . . sure.

Mobile Suit Gundam AGE (2011): The Earth and Mars make peace and work towards recovery, the family is reunited, and Flit is remembered as a unifier.

Gundam Reconguista in G (2014): Bellri ditches his responsibilities for a world tour, also everything else finally calms down a bit.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (2015): For goodness sake, this series ends hopefully. You can problematise the heck out of some of the things we’re shown but if you don’t see the survivors of Tekkadan getting to grow up and (by and large) live peaceful lives as a hopeful ending, I genuinely question your understanding of the term. Hope gained at cost is still hope, hope tinted with bittersweetness is still hope, hope alongside tragedy is still hope.

Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (2018): Most everyone dies but even so. There are still things to live for and both living and dead find peace.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway (2021): Mafty gets away with it by the skin of their teeth; yes I am aware where the rest of the story goes but this film ends unquestionably upbeat.

Mobile Suit Gundam the Witch from Mercury (2022): Not actually an outlier on this particular score.

#GUNDAM #endings #tone #franchise #hopefulness #loosely defined here as #'a better future is possible'

9 notes · View notes