#for a love that they perceived to be true? in a romantic sense— yes that’s amazing. we don’t need your canon. we can thrive without it | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

aspoonofsugar · 3 months

Note

Have yo read Captive Prince? What do you think of Laurent's character? Does he foil any other characters (besides being mind to Damen's heart)?

Hi!

Yes, I have and I love Laurent <3 He has the most complex arc and is at the centre of the major conflict, so he foils several characters, who are used to explore his personality and to progress his arc.

In general, I would say three major jungian archetypes are used in Laurent's story:

Inner Child = the childish and most vulnerable part of a person, which is influenced by one's younger years. Laurent's inner child is embodied primarily by Nicaise, but also by every boy abused and raped by the Regent.

Shadow = the repressed part, which the person doesn't want to aknowledge. Laurent has severals: the Regent himself, Aimeric and Jokaste. They all embody Laurent's most negative side.

Anima/Animus = the anima is the female side of a man and the animus is the male side of a woman. It is usually used in romantic subplots to show two characters growing closer. Here, it is embodied by the bond between Laurent and Damen.

Laurent's arc is one where he integrates with Damen, but to succeed he also needs to save his inner child and to face his shadow. Or to fail and try again.

BROTHERS AND LOVERS

Laurent and Damen foil each others' brothers:

Laurent foils Kastor: both are the unfavourite child, but Laurent adores Auguste, while Kastor resents Damen. At the same time, Damen perceives them in opposite ways. Damen initially doesn't aknowledge the good in Laurent, while he doesn't see the evil in Kastor. It is as Nikandros says. At the beginning of the story, Damen sees things in black and white. By getting to know Laurent he learns complexity and that the world is in shades of grey. He integrates his own heart with Laurent's mind. His own idealism with Laurent's wisdom.

Damen foils Auguste: both are strong fighters and beloved leaders, able to inspire others. The moment Auguste dies, Laurent loses his heart and it is only with Damen that he learns to trust and to open up again. It is also through Damen that he overcomes Auguste's death and his sense of inferiority, which is carefully nurtured by the Regent. Laurent is brilliant, but his arc is about showing vulnerability and find new faith in others. He integrates his mind with Damen's heart. His wisdom with Damen's idealism.

So, as you said, Laurent is the mind to Damen's heart and has to rediscover his own interiority. He needs to love himself again. Only by doing so he can truly escape the Regent and grow up. This process of growth is the main focus of the trilogy and it happens twice:

Laurent fails to grow in the second book

Laurent succeeds and completes his growth in the third book

Let's see how.

NICAISE AND AIMERIC = LAURENT'S DARKEST HOUR

Laurent's darkest hour happens at the end of the second book. This is common for a trilogy. It is not rare for the second installement to end in a negative way. Now, The Prince's Gambit doesn't end badly. Laurent and Damen win and grow closer. Laurent even frees Damen and they have sex for the first time. Still, psychologically, Laurent risks a huge brakdown because of Nicaise and Aimeric's deaths.

Nicaise and Aimeric are two parts of Laurent:

-Nicaise is Laurent's child-self. He is petty and capricious, but he cares deeply. And yet, he can't show any vulnerability. The moment he does, he is killed. Moreover, Nicaise plaids for Laurent because he deep down thinks the Regent won't kill him. This is true for Laurent, as well:

"I didn't think he's really try to kill me" Laurent said "After everything... even after everything".

-Aimeric is Laurent's shadow. He is a young man, whose life is defined by the Regent's sexual abuse. Aimeric confuses the Regent's imitation of love with true care and fights to get it back, even if it means hurting people, who truly love him. Unconsciously, this is true for Laurent too:

"You play his games like you want to show him you can. Like you're trying to impress him. Is that it? You need to beat him at his own game? You want him to see you do it? At the expense of your positions and the lives of your men? Are you that desperate for his attention? Well, you have it. Congratulations. You must have loved it that he was obsessed enough with you that he killed his own boy to get at you. You win."

Damen's speech to Laurent is basically the same one Laurent gives Aimeric. Aimeric shines light on this specific aspect of Laurent. Laurent too still loves his uncle. He too wants his attention and on some level thinks of his uncle as his only family:

"When you lost your brother, was there someone to confort you?" "Yes," said Laurent. "In a way".

So, Nicaise and Aimeric embody Laurent's vulnerability. Nicaise is the child who still feels safe with the Regent. Aimeric is the young adult, who wants the Regent back. Both are Laurent. This is why Laurent wants to rescue them both. He grows close to Nicaise and tells him he will buy his contract and free him. He accepts Aimeric into his guard and refuses Damen's advice to send him away. And yet, the Regent uses them both against Laurent. He kills Nicaise and has Aimeric betray Laurent.

Laurent wants to help both Nicaise and Aimeric and the Regent tells him he can't. Just like he can't save himself.

According to the Regent's narrative:

Laurent is fond of Nicaise, but eventually leaves him alone out of selfishness

Laurent welcomes Aimeric in, but this is a blind spot that is used against him

By using vulnerable and abused kids, the Regent conveys to Laurent two messages. On the one hand Laurent isn't selfless enough to truly save anyone. He isn't good enough to be a protector like Auguste. On the other hand he is still foolish enough to trust others. He isn't smart enough to be a mastermind like the Regent. Too cruel and too foolish is how the Regent wants Laurent to see himself. So, that Laurent would feel trapped and cut others out.

And Laurent almost gives in, but is stopped by Damen:

"You tried to hurt me, and you have. I wish you would see that what you have just done to me is what your uncle is doing to you."

Damen goes through to Laurent and stops him from losing himself. He saves him from turning into a copy of the Regent.

THE REGENT

The Regent is Laurent's negative foil. He is who Laurent could become if he gave in to his worst instincts. As a matter of fact Laurent shares many similarities with his uncle:

Both are very intelligent master manipulators

Both are able to seize people's weaknesses and to use them

Both can be cruel and ruthless

Both tend to complicate things

This isn't by chance because the Regent does his best to break Laurent's heart and to warp his mind into a frailer copy of his own. He needs Laurent to think like him and to follow his rules, so that he can beat his nephew. This is why the Regent spends the years after Marlas by abusing Laurent in different ways.

The Regent's abuse has a double nature:

It has a sexual component: the Regent rapes Laurent multiple times as a child and shows possessiveness of him as a young adult. For example, many of his assassin attempts come with a sexual element. The assassins instructed to rape Laurent by using a drogue the Regent clearly used on his nephew as a child. Having Laurent and Damen sleep together, so that Laurent would eventually kill himself. Twisting Laurent and Damen's love story, as if to frame Laurent as dirty and despicable. Spreading voices about Laurent's supposed romantic feelings for Auguste. And so on...

It has an emotional component: the Regent keeps mentioning Auguste, which hurts Laurent in two ways. On the one hand it doesn't let him move on from his brother's death. On the other hand it drills into Laurent he isn't as good as the previous prince

"I hate to see you grown up like this," said the Regent, "when you were such a lovely boy."

The Regent basically blames Laurent for both growing up (physically) and not growing up (psychologically). He manipulates him by treating him as a child, while implying he isn't pure as a child anymore. The result is that Laurent hates himself.

This self-hate manifests itself in recklessness, suicidal tendencies and self-destroying behaviors. Like Laurent lashing out at others, when he is actually furious at himself. This is why specifically Laurent breaks Aimeric by using their shared trauma as a weapon. He hurts both Aimeric and Jord (who hasn't done anything, but being loyal to Laurent) because to truly face Aimeric means to accept himself and he can't.

Symbolically, Laurent kills Aimeric like he is slowly killing himself. This is why Aimeric's death happens after the reveal of Nicaise's murder by the Regent. Laurent kills Aimeric, just like the Regent kills Nicaise. Both victims are abused kids with frail and unstable senses of self, who deep down seek love and vulnerability. The lesson Laurent needs to learn is that he can't save the Nicaise within himself, if he doesn't help the Aimeric too. This is why it is important that Laurent is able to express empathy for Aimeric and to recognize he is a wounded person, just like Nicaise:

"Nicaise knew that when he got too old, he would be replaced." "Like Aimeric," said Damen. Into the long silence that stretched out between them, Laurent said: "Like Aimeric."

It is the first step to aknowledge his own hurt too.

AUGUSTE WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH

The second step is instead to face Auguste's ghost. Laurent's big brother is a double edged sword for the Prince. On the one hand Laurent deeply loves Auguste and is devastated by his dead. On the other hand his idealization of Auguste is unhealthy and leads to Laurent undervaluing himself.

These powerful contradictive feelings come to the surface in his "sparring" match with Damen. There, Laurent for once is able to show all his anger and grief. He lets it all out and is forced to accept he would have never been able to kill Damen in a fight. Still, another realization comes to the surface:

"I know," said Laurent, "that I was never good enough." Damen said, "Neither was your brother." "You're wrong. He was -" "What?" "Better than I am. He would have -" Laurent cut himself off. He pressed his eyes closed, with a breath of something like laughter. "Stopped you." He said it as though he could hear the ludicrousness of it.

Damen's words might seem cruel, but they are actually necessary because they break Laurent's internalised idolisation of Auguste. Laurent has been brought up with the convinction that Auguste is somehow better than him. This idea is present even before Auguste's death because of their father's favouritism. The early loss of his brother and subsequent abuse only makes this feeling stronger. Hence why Damen refusing this helps Laurent grow. Damen is the first one to see Laurent as his own person and to give him a choice:

Damen picked up the discarded knife, and when Laurent's eyes opened, he put it in Laurent's hand. Braced it. Drew it to his own abdomen, so that they stood in a familiar posture. Laurent's back was to the post. "Stop me," said Damen.

Laurent chooses to give up on his revenge. He chooses his present relationship with Damen over Auguste's ghost. He starts wishing for something positive for himself. He starts caring for himself. He starts looking toward a possible future.

JOKASTE = OPENING THE DOOR

To reach this future Laurent has to face Jokaste, who is really another version of Laurent:

"You're lucky we're alike," Jokaste said, stepping down. She and Laurent looked at one another like two reptiles.

Not only that, though, she is Aimeric and Nicaise combined in a single character:

Like Aimeric, she betrays a lover for selfish reasons (apparently)

Like Nicaise, she is caught up in a power struggle and has to choose the side, which ensures her survival, even if it means negate her heart to do so

"You mean, the only difference between us is that I chose the wrong brother?" As the stars began to drift across the sky, Laurent thought of Nicaise, standing in the courtyard with a handful of sapphires. "I don't think you chose," said Laurent.

This time Laurent is able to see this. He empathizes with Jokaste and gives her freedom. He opens her the door:

"We're alike. You said that. Would you have opened the door for me? I don't know. But you opened one for him."

In this way Laurent understands the Aimeric he could not understand and saves the Nicaise he could not save. By the end, Aimeric (Jokaste) is shown mercy and Nicaise (her baby) survives. Laurent gives Jokaste and her family a future. And in this way, he symbolically gives himself a future and a family. He opens his own door.

THE TRIAL

The climax of the trilogy is Laurent's trial in Ios. This choice is interesting on multiple levels:

It is an inversion of the ending of book 1, where Damen is blamed for the assassination attempt on Laurent's life and Laurent protects him. In fatc, it is not by chance that Damen mentions the episode in his initial defense of Laurent.

It shows Damen and Laurent's integration. As a matter of fact Damen is the one who realizes Paschal has the key to dethrone the Regent. He is able to do so because through Laurent he has learnt to observe others, to understand them and to empathize with them. Laurent instead selflessly gives everything up for the person he loves and bravely faces off the Regent with no plan, but simply with his heart. The Regent tries to turn it into a weakness and to force Laurent to give it up, but fails. Finally, he and not Damen is the one who fights Kastor and kills him. He uses the skills he has learnt for his revenge and uses them to protect Damen, instead. He chooses life and love over death and hate.

Most importanlty, though, the trial starts as a farce, but by the end it becomes a fair administration of justice, which punishes the criminal and recognizes the innocent. Let's see how this change happens.

NICAISE = VICTORY

Laurent wins not because of his mind, but because of his heart. Specifically, he wins because of the relationships he builds and of his ability to empathize with the humblest people, those nobody cares about.

First of all, Laurent obviously wins thanks to Damen. It is Damen choosing him over his kingdom that makes it possible to the tides to turn. So, it is because Laurent overcome his internalized hate for Damianos and slowly comes to accept and love him, that he is saved in the end. In a sense, the night where he has to choose if to let Damen die or to save him out of loyalty in volume 1 is when Laurent chooses who he wants to be. He can let a man he hates die without risking anything, like the Regent would. Or he can save that man our of a sense of fairness, like Auguste would. Laurent chooses the latter and makes the first true move towards his victory.

Secondly, Laurent is able to touch the councilors' sense of morality thanks to Loyse, Aimeric's mother. She reveals that her husband basically sold Aimeric to the Regent in exchange of power. She also explains how the Regent conspired with Kastor to kill Theodemes. This testimony isn't decisive because the assassination of Theodemes is a matter of Akielos. Nonetheless, Loyse re-opens the trial and gives importance to Aimeric's story and pain. It is also important that she is a woman because the Regent hates women. She is the character nobody considers, as everyone is focused on Guion's, the powerful councilor. And yet, Laurent does and convinces her to break free from her husband influence for the sake of her son.

Thirdly, Laurent is saved by Paschal's testimony. That said, Paschal is only able to reveal the truth about the Regent's murder of the King only because of Nicaise. In general, Nicaise is a character, who ends up being important in the finales of all three books:

In book one, Nicaise goes to Laurent's apartments after the attempted murder. He is clearly worried and can't decide if to openly switch sides and tell Laurent the truth or not. He also appears to tell Laurent goodbye and to give him his earrings. Symbolically, Laurent is saying goodbye to his younger and most innocent self, as he prepares to enter war with his uncle.

In book two, Nicaise's death is revealed in the climax and it leads to Laurent's decision to march on Charcy. It also kickstarts Laurent's deepest psychological crisis, as he struggles to keep a clean mind and shows how deep he is hurt and desperate.

In book three, Nicaise is the one who indirectly hands Laurent victory, as it is him who stole Govart's papers and gave him to Paschal.

In other words, Nicaise is the one who leads to victory, which fits his name. As a matter of fact Nicaise means "victorious", the person who brings victory and he delivers.

Thematically, this is very important, as Laurent initially regrets to have grown close to Nicaise:

"I killed Nicaise when I left it half done. I should have either stayed away from him, or broken his faith in my uncle. I didn't plan it out, I left it to chance. I wasn't thinking. I wasn't thinking about him like that. I just... I liked him."

He believes that because of their sibling-like bond Nicaise is now dead. He believes his influence isn't enough to break the Regent's control over Nicaise. And yet, it is precisely because of Laurent's love and care for Nicaise that the boy is able to rebel himself enough to steal key documents and to hand them to Laurent's side. Nicaise dies tragically, but his life and Laurent's kindness to him are not in vain. They change the destiny of two kingdoms. Laurent isn't able to save his child-self, but his child-self is strong enough to save him. Just like Laurent might not cancel what happened to him in the past, but can still move forward:

"Stop it, you're hurting him. You're hurting him. Let him go." A soldier was holding him back, and the boy was fighting him. Laurent looked at the boy, and in his eyes was the knowledge that some things couldn't be fixed. He said, "Get that boy out of here."

The new Regent pet once again mirrors a part of Laurent. The side of him that still sees the Regent at family. And yet, Laurent is finally able to accept this part of himself, but is strong enough to start healing. Just like as King he has now the chance to help as many children as the Regent hurt. Laurent ends is arc by growing up. He isn't a child anymore:

"You think you can defy me?" the Regent said to Laurent. "You think you can rule Vere? You?" Laurent said, "I'm not a boy anymore."

He isn't a boy anymore, he can't be controlled by the Regent anymore. He can now start a new life as his own person, free from the Regent and from Auguste's ghost. A life of love and new relationships.

#the captive prince #captive prince #laurent #damen #damianos #the regent #aimeric #nicaise #jokaste #my meta #the captive prince meta #asksfullofsugar #anonymous

149 notes · View notes

wishingicouldfly · 4 months

Text

Why I Believe Larry Is Real

It’s been a long time since I’ve done one of my opinion essays. This week I was asked to justify my belief that Larry is real, and that Harry and Louis are together. It feels like it’s time.

::cracks knuckles::

I’ve thought about how to reply to the demand, which came from someone on X (formerly Twitter). I cannot compel someone who isn’t inclined to believe in Larry to suddenly change their mind. If someone doesn’t want to interpret the signs the same way I do, that’s their prerogative. But that said, I decided to give some thought about how to answer the question.

I’ve been inspired by IndiaAlphaWhiskey and her recent reply to a similar question. I loved the way she answered by talking about long term love and how it’s steady and doesn't need to have a lot of fireworks visible from the outside. It’s hard to put that into words that make sense to someone who hasn’t witnessed it. Here’s her original reply:

The reality is we do not have solid proof that they were or - as I believe - still are in a relationship. Nor should we. H&L are closeted celebrities who keep their private life private. They are closeted, so you won’t see them admitting to being in a relationship in interviews; that would defeat the point of being closeted. In fact, you may think you’ve heard them outright deny being together. Again, if you’re not looking at the clues, and you only want to take this at face value, you’re not going to see any other possible narrative. Full stop. If that’s the case, you’re not going to agree with me, and that’s fine.

If you really want to go down a rabbit hole, my friend @bkatie617 keeps a running spreadsheet on perceived coincidences in the current era.

https://x.com/BKatie617/status/1739715223244742755?s=20

I can list out a hundred things that, to me, are coded messages H&L have signaled to either us or to each other. You can debunk/deny/laugh-out-loud at all of them, if you want. You might call something coincidence or debunk one or more of these pieces. And yes, there are things out there that aren’t true, that are completely coincidence or debatable – or wildly unbelievable.

I get that. In fact, I have a whole thread of debunks on my Twitter bio. My debunk thread focuses on factual, hard-proof debunks to help veterans and newcomers keep the story straight.

https://x.com/Rosann_1986/status/1670101749267406848?s=20

But there are a hundred more things that are real. Or at least open to interpretation. At some point, it becomes really, really unlikely that everything is a coincidence over the last decade, and you have to admit that H&L are in collaboration with their messaging. For me, once you admit they are in collaboration in their messaging, it doesn’t take a huge leap to believe they are together romantically. Why else would their teams coordinate messaging to the media and the masses?

Harry even said, in 2022, “There’s not many [clues and tidbits] that get left behind. Most of the time, they usually pick up on pretty much everything, along with a couple of hilarious coincidences that were never meant to be, never meant to be kind of clues in the first place that happen… end up being clues.”

Source: Harry Styles talks to the Morning Mash Up about his new single, 'As It Was', Coachella, and more (siriusxm.ca)

You don’t have to believe any of it. I’m fine with that. But because you don’t believe it, doesn’t mean I’m not completely, unwavering, solidly adamant in my own belief that it’s real. Especially if you’re not providing any evidence to sway my beliefs.

Here’s what I think: I think Harry and Louis met and fell in love during X-Factor in 2010, began dating, and continued to fall while on the X-Factor tour and the recording of the first single and album. I believe they made it official in 2011. Over the years, they went through hard times through career changes, loss of family members, solo career ups and downs, differences in career trajectory, doubts and fears, and then the pandemic. I believe they weathered all that and are together and committed to this day.

I think they live a private life and have no intention of coming out or going public any time soon. Harry said to Rolling Stone last year that he hasn’t publicly “been with anyone.” I also think, even though they are determined to stay private, they like the idea of some fans knowing and supporting them. Seeing their true, authentic selves. So, they’ve gotten good at messaging their truth to fans who want to see it and support it.

Due to industry pressure and 'image' clauses in their contract, I think they were encouraged by record execs and management to keep their relationship quiet, but rebelled (as teenagers, young adults, and fools in love will do) by insinuating double meanings in interviews and signaling to those in the know ever since.

I think the signaling started in One Direction days when fans began to pick up on the signs they gave each other - the secret looks, the thumbs up, their complementary tattoos.

When they saw fans remaining loyal, despite the idea they might be gay/queer and together, the signals turned more outward and louder, with Harry’s blue bandana, lyrics, the rainbow bears, and more. I think it continues today with graphic t-shirts, even more lyrics, matching merch, intentional mirroring in stage lighting and costumes, and more.

Evidence Larry are together Now

Understand that there’s no solid “proof” that H&L are together now. So, if that’s what you’re here looking for, you won’t find it. They are closeted still, both portraying a heterosexual narrative in the media.

My lens (admittedly biased) is that they are together and hint to us, but that most of what they do these days is for each other. Little inside jokes from across the world or across the room to show they are together. Despite them being separated for work a lot, I believe these little nods to each other helps keep their connection healthy and strong across the time apart.

What follows is a small sampling of what I think is intentional messaging from H&L, meant to suggest to those following that they are still together. Nothing is a proof. Nothing by itself is anything more than coincidence. But taken together, these along with other examples, show two men who are speaking through their actions, in my humble opinion.

They have strikingly similar patterns in their merch for FITF and HSLOT.

Harry’s merch looks like it would be comfortable at Louis’ show.

Harry drew H and L on his trainers on May 10, 2022 on a pap walk in Italy.

Both Harry and Louis used some of the same songs for their pre- and post-show playlists. https://www.tumblr.com/bluewinnerangel/702446259292831744/do-you-see-any-commonalities-between-harry-and

They both had really intentional blue/green stage lights at their shows. For anyone who doesn’t know, blue and green were their respective assigned colors when they were in One Direction. Certainly not a proof on its own but coupled with other things adds to the intentionality.

Complementary stage outfits. See this whole thread by @grete418 on X. It’s tongue in cheek, but it demonstrates what I mean about outfits matching/complementing each other. https://twitter.com/Grete418/status/1536453046611369989

Harry dressed as Danny Zuko at Harryween 2022 (coincidentally, Louis’ one and only lead role in a high school musical). https://twitter.com/UpdateHLD/status/1587297649572585473

Louis namechecked his unreleased song “All Along” in September 2022 (here at about 5:20), which strongly references Harry and a concert they attended together.. https://youtu.be/D9NjoMuz5-s?si=eRB-FwLI9JveMK3N

Louis wearing his 'dancing man' top when the 'dancing Harry' figure is so well known.

Similar visual themes like this. Same assignment, different execution. (Harry’s House/Silver Tongues):

Louis’ new tattoos (2023) appear to be images already seen on Harry’s journal cover and eye motif from HSLOT, plus they add to the existing traditional nautical motif they share.

T-shirt in Music Video for Music for a Sushi Restaurant reading LT Seniors.

Louis used fan images of Harry’s tattoos as Spotify cover art in February 2021.

Lyrics that seem to respond to each other, and/or have similar themes

Louis wears a rose (like Harry’s tattoo) on his shirt on 6/26/23…next night Harry wears a very phallic shaped rocket ship that looks a lot like Louis’ dagger tattoo. Seems like a call and response.

Louis singing 7 by Catfish and the Bottlemen, on both his tours. The song begins, “Larry call a load of smoke in…”

So there you have it. I could obviously go on for quite a bit, with many more examples, but I think this is a pretty good sampling. If you’d like to know more, or talk about it, feel free to DM me here or on X (@Rosann_1986). I don’t do this to try to change anyone’s mind. If you don’t believe they are doing these things intentionally, and aren’t curious or approaching this with an open mind, nothing I say will change that for you.

If you’re new here and you’d like to learn more, there are a lot of places to find master posts. Understand that you have to take everything with a grain of salt and come to your own conclusions. Here are a few places to start:

(2) Be a lover. Give love. Choose love. on Tumblr

It’s a beautiful war 🌈 (tumblr.com)

Great lyric analysis here: it's subjective - My song analyses Last edited December 22nd 2022,... (tumblr.com)

#larries #harry styles #louis tomlinson #why I think they are together #they are married #they love each other #closeted #they never broke up

85 notes · View notes

thebellearchives · 1 year

Text

𝐒𝐔𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍

~ solomon ; obey me

✧˚ · . S Y N O P S I S : it’s been a year since Solomon gifted you your most precious possession and now you want to return the gesture

‧₊˚ c o n t e n t s : fem!mc, fluff

‧₊˚ a / n : alternatively: a romantic coffee shop date with Solomon in London ~ this is set between season 3 and 4, the passage of time may not be accurate?? anyways, enjoy ✨

As the time passed and the clock’s second hand clicked endlessly, you leaned into the jewelry’s counter and checked your old text messages once again.

Solomon:

Hello Mc

Quick question, do you ever wear anklets?

You:

Not really

I do like bracelets though!

Solomon:

Oh, well, you see

Leviathan just taught me how to make them

Apparently it’s the hobby of an idol named Zaramela

"A true otaku takes an interest in his favorite idol's hobbies!"

Or so Leviathan said, anyway. He had all the materials laid out on his desk.

Listening to him ramble, I decided to try it as well.

But while I was working, my thoughts turned to you, and I ended up making one that I think will suit you.

Maybe I could adjust it as a bracelet, would you like that?

You:

Yes! Id love that, thank you!

The bracelet Solomon had made for you about a year ago suddenly blinged with the dimming sunlight streaming from the window. It was a delicate golden chain with a sun charm and four cloud charms around it. So much had happened since then, you had been his apprentice for some time, now in the human world you had acquired your sorcerer license and the brothers had gone back to the devildom two weeks ago. Solomon probably didn’t even remember the date he gifted you your precious bracelet, which you never took off, but you did. And considering the feelings that had made a home in your chest since that day… you wanted to make this date special.

“Here it is miss, silver plated just like you asked” the jeweler’s voice snapped you out of your thoughts.

Inside a small rectangular box, the chain you had made just some days ago looked beautiful. A smile widened your lips.

“It’s perfect, thank you.”

So you picked up the gift, paid and then headed outside. The wind welcomed you softly, the sun was setting and it painted the clear sky, the elegant buildings and busy people in a beautiful pastel pink colour. A fluttering feeling filled your chest as you made your way through the Londoner streets, the animated chatter of people and the sound of cars passing by accompanying your thoughts as background noise. You weren’t sure if it was just your hopeful mood or everything genuinely was perfect that afternoon, because just a quick glance around made you feel like you were seeing the world through rose tinted glasses. The smell of coffee and pastries filled your senses once you were close to the coffee shop where you had asked Solomon to meet you. He had asked why you wanted to meet here instead of the Angel’s Halo, but you wanted to make sure you were alone with him this time. So when you stepped inside of the cozy cafeteria and you spotted him at the back, you weren’t sure if your heart stopped or if it had just started beating so fast you could not perceive it. With heated cheeks you watched as his long pale fingers flipped the pages of an old book, his white eyelashes blinked in fascinated interest, he licked his lower lip and tilted his head to the side, squinting.

“Afternoon miss, may I get you a seat?” a cheery freckled girl startled you out of your lovesick state.

“Uhm, I was just looking for him” you pointed at Solomon with a nod.

“Oh, you're with him?” her blue eyes widened “you’re a lucky gal.”

Now it was your turn to widen your eyes.

“Not like th-”

“Come with me” the girl didn’t even hear you out, instead happily walked over to Solomon’s table.

With a nervous sigh, you chewed your lower lip and followed in silence.

“Here” the girl made your presence known.

Solomon’s attention then settled on you and he immediately smiled tenderly.

“Mc, you’re here”

“Yes, sorry for the wait” you offered him an apologetic smile back.

“No worries” with a chuckle, he closed the book and set it aside.

“You’re ready to order now, sir?“ a nice menu was placed in front of you.

“Oh no, I’ll order when she’s ready” Solomon didn’t tear his gaze away from you, you tried to focus on the menu instead of his hovering eyes.

“Alright, I’ll be back soon then”

When the girl left, you inspected the menu as much as you could, even when you felt him staring at you.

“Is everything okay?” you asked curiously.

“Yeah” he giggled and relaxed his posture, his back hitting the back of his seat again “you just look lovely today, more than usual I mean”

“Thanks” you sighed with a shy smile, glad that you had taken your time to pick a nice outfit and accessories.

“I brought some of the books you said you wanted to take a look at, but I have a feeling we won’t be studying today?”

Surprised, your eyes abandoned the menu to look back at him. How was he able to read you so well?

“I…” you couldn’t find the words, he raised his brows expectantly with a cheeky grin “…yeah, can we just have some coffee and chat?”

“Yeah, I’d like that” the sorcerer’s frisky expression was then replaced by a heart-stopping smile.

Smiling too, you went back to looking for a nice drink. Solomon made small talk with you in the meantime. The same girl from before came a couple of minutes after that, you ended up ordering the usual thing you ordered in every cafe, and Solomon just ordered a black coffee. The time spent with your magic teacher flowed in between your fingers quickly and naturally like spring water. Your beverages were placed in front of you at some point, and soon stories, jokes, laughs, flirty comments, quick remarks and witty retorts built a whole different world around you two. Unconsciously, both of you were leaning over the table closer to one another, the lights of the coffee shop were now turned on, making his soft silvery hair shine. The passage of time was easy to forget when you had such a beautiful smile to look at, and that charming laugh to listen to. When you had the chance to just casually brush the soft skin of the back of his hand, or the opportunity to study the subtle ring of amber tint around his pupils, hidden in between the silver pools of his irises. But then his smile faded away, his lips turning into a fine line.

“What is it?” you raised your brows, worry filling your chest, had you said something you shouldn’t?

“I’m just wondering, is there something you want to tell me?”

You blinked twice, cluelessly.

“Like what?”

He just chuckled.

“I don’t know, I just had a feeling you had something on your mind when you first arrived, since you looked kind of restless”

Oh, that’s right, the bracelet!

You licked your lip, suddenly nervous again.

“Right yes…” taking a deep breath, your hands went looking for the deep blue box in you bag, and then placed it in the table before you.

Solomon’s curious grey eyes flickered between the box and your face. An anxious feeling washed over your stomach, but you tried to dismiss it in order to start talking.

“I’m sure you don’t remember, since you’re bad at remembering dates and everything, but it’s been a year since you first gifted me this bracelet” you held you wrist at eye level, he nodded slightly “and you’ve been such an amazing teacher, and- I mean, just an amazing person overall, you know? I just wanted to do something nice for you in return, to thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do for me”

Pressing your lips into a fine line, you slid the box over to him. He seemed surprised for a second, but then a fond smile softened his expression.

“Love, you didn’t have to”

The sudden pet name caught you off guard, you face was quickly tinted a shade of pink and a giddy feeling rushed through your body.

“I wanted to”

Solomon opened the box delicately, and then picked up the chain you dedicatedly made for him.

“It’s silver plated, you know, because of your hair and eyes. The moon charm is meant to symbolize that too, and also because the moon is mysterious and alluring. And the star charms stand for the constellation pattern in your cloak.” he stared at it in awe, and then looked back at you, you extended your arm over the table to show off your bracelet “and now we’re matching!”

The sorcerer giggled in amusement.

“How’d you know?!”

A confused frown appeared in your face while he locked the bracelet around his wrist. You tried to ask, but he grabbed you hand with his and laced his fingers between yours.

“You’re golden to me Mc, that’s why your bracelet is gold plated. The sun charm is because you’re warm and bright, you shine in my eyes, you light up every single room with your presence.”

With widened eyes and flushed cheeks, you inhaled to try and calm dow your heart rate, but the air got stuck in your throat. You tried to swallow it down.

“Solomon…”

“I’ll tell you what, why don’t we give them our own personal twist?” with a wink, Solomon placed his other hand over the bracelets, a sudden glow making them shine momentarily.

“Charmed bracelets?”

“If you ever need me, just touch your bracelet and call for me, I’ll come for you whenever you want me to. How’s that?”

“Yes, that’s perfect. Thank you.” your other hand found a comforting place over his, and you offered him the most genuine smile you could.

He chuckled.

“You’re the one giving me a gift, why are you thanking me? Thank you, Mc, this is my favourite present ever, by far.”

“I’ll be taking this, is that alright?” the waitress’ voice suddenly bursted your bubble, grabbing your empty coffee cups.

“Yeah, sure” Solomon cleared his throat “thank you”

“You’re welcome” her eyes lingered over your matching bracelets, and then she glanced at you with a proud smile and a complicit wink before waking away.

Solomon smiled.

“I think she knows something”

You couldn’t help but laugh.

#; fluffy belle #obey me shall we date #obey me swd #obey me #obey me nightbringer #obey me nb #obey me solomon #solomon obey me #om solomon #solomon x mc #solomon x reader #solomon x you #solomon x y/n #obey me x reader

250 notes · View notes

goldenharmony · 7 months

Text

Mem-Cho's Realization about Aqua's Feelings: Unambiguous and Correct

I don't believe the chapter 83 conversation in Mem-Cho's apartment is as ambiguous as some people may believe, or that its incorrect. Yes, Mem-Cho is unaware of Aqua's trauma, but that doesn't change the fact regarding what she realized about Aqua's feelings. Additionally, Mem-Cho is also an idol so if Aqua's reasons for avoiding Kana were purely motivated by PTSD, then he should be avoiding Mem at all costs too, rather than going to her apartment at night.

Almost like a part of him does understand that being near Mem isn't going to immediately throw them both into a scandal but still takes extreme measures for Kana.

To me, this was the one of the 2 explicit confirmations (as of ch125) that Aqua had romantic feelings for Kana - the other being Akane's monologue in ch87. It's especially obvious when you realize it parallels with Mem-Cho's realization about Kana's Feelings for Aqua.

Mem-Cho with Kana's Feelings for Aqua

During the First Concert arc, Mem-Cho hasn't ever seen Kana and Aqua interact on a normal basis, so seeing Kana constantly put Aqua down makes her come to a logical assumption that Kana must hate him for some reason.

After the concert, Kana starts talking to Aqua again, but their interaction is still stiff since the misunderstanding about Akane isn't cleared yet, which further supports Mem-Cho's incorrect assessment.

But as soon as Kana starts being happy that Aqua isn't dating Akane, Mem-Cho immediately notices and realizes the truth.

Mem-Cho doesn't actually complete her thought below even if most, if not all translations, have her clearly think that Kana likes Aqua, since she cuts herself off and based on phrasing structures in Japanese, the verb isn't spoken.

The literal translation would actually be 'Arima-chan ____s Aqu-tan'.

But it's obvious on what Mem-Cho realized about Kana.

Going forward, Mem-Cho is usually the character used when Kana's feelings are brought up with another character.

Mem-Cho with Aqua's Feelings for Kana

In the Main Stage arc, Mem-Cho confronts Aqua regarding him avoiding Kana. She believes Aqua's unaware of how his behaviour towards Kana could be perceived, which may have contributed towards Kana's "obsession" over Aqua.

But Aqua rebutted this, and opens up about how he actually feels regarding the situation, revealing that he only is doing this to protect Kana even if it hurts both of them.

From this, Mem-Cho realizes that its not Kana who is obsessed between the two, but its Aqua.

Mem-Cho realizes that Aqua cares for Kana much more than she initially assumed, seeing that the idea of Kana being put in danger is making Aqua have a meltdown.

'For Aqu-tan, Kana-chan is...'. : The direct translation of this line from Japanese would be 'Aqu-tan is the one who ___s Kana-chan', and it's easy to fill in the verb based on the context.

After their conversation, we see Mem-Cho bring up Kana more often to Aqua, even teasing him about "Ah-kun".

Parallels

Both situations involve Mem-Cho initially misunderstanding the situation when one of the two act distant/cold towards the other. Not because Mem-Cho's bad at reading situations (she's actually great at it), but because she was working off of minimal information.

Once she saw Aqua/Kana let their true feelings slip out, she immediately pieced together that her initial assumption was incorrect and came to the correct conclusion: That the person in-question actually loved the other romantically.

In both situations, her thoughts are cut off from the audience:

'Arima-chan ____s Aqu-tan'

'Aqu-tan is the one who ___s Kana-chan'

Finally, this isn't the only example of Aqua and Kana paralleling one another during the First Concert/Main Stage arc, as another example are the scenes where they push one another away.

It would not make sense to parallel these scenes if they both weren't based off of romantic feelings.

#oshi no ko #onk spoilers #aquakana #kana arima #aqua hoshino #mem cho #lily reads onk #lily watches onk #aqua x kana #aqukana #onk #analysis #my analysis

132 notes · View notes

spacecowboyhotch · 11 months

Text

summary: but it's coming down, no sound, its all around.

pairing: fem!reader x santi garcia

contents: song based fic, angst, jealousy, perceived unrequited love, best friends to lovers, love confessions, santi being a desperate simp, kissing

wc: 2k

an: yes this is a song inspired fic again bc it’s just who i am ok. listen i want them to fuck eventually but who knows if i have the bandwidth to write santi railing her into oblivion. if people really want it, let me know.

oscar characters masterlist | requests are open

“What’re you doing out here? It's cold, cariño,” He calls out to you, a healthy distance away.

He can tell that you’re brooding by the tension in your shoulders, the way you’re rocking back and forth as you stare straight ahead. He knows you better than he knows himself— possibly better than you know yourself— though he’s not sure why you’re upset in this instance. Not yet anyway.

He’s right– it is cold. Despite the extremely warm days in Miami, the nights can grow cold, especially standing on the sandy plains of a beach such as this one. You don’t bother turning around to look at Santi, continuing to stare out into the darkness of the ocean. It's stupid that you’re out here, that you feel a way about how tonight’s gone. Santi isn’t yours and the depth of your friendship, or your romantic feelings for him doesn’t change that.

There’s always a risk with bringing Santi anywhere. It’s not a deadly risk, but sometimes he looks so absorbed in someone else that it feels like your heart might give out. He’s good at it, at making someone feel like they’re the center of attention or all that matters to him.

He’s a natural flirt, so charismatic that most people don’t believe he’s been in the army or that his day job is in operations and the execution of them. People— including all of your single cousins, who have been all over him since the moment the wedding reception began. You couldn’t blame them, even if you weren’t in love with him, there’s no denying that he’s one of the most attractive men you've ever seen.

Tonight everyone is treated to a rare occasion. Santi’s in a suit; it’s black and fits him perfectly. The top two buttons of his crisp, white button-up are undone giving the most sinful view of his strong neck. His unruly curls are styled neatly for once and with the short stubble dusting his chin it's practically game over. He’s Santi, he rarely turns down showing a woman a good time– because that’s just what women deserve according to his creed– and being with your family means he’s pulled out all the stops, always trying to make a good impression.

You’ve been friends with Santi since college— you signed up to be pen pals with someone in the service. When you saw the name Santiago Garcia, you pictured some sauve man who wouldn’t give you the time of day if he’d seen you walking on the street. It made you nervous, and you didn’t send him a letter— except in a twist you never saw coming, he wrote you first.

You were correct, he was sauve— is sauve, but so incredibly charming. So understanding and playful in the short length of a single sentence. So devastatingly handsome. There was no resisting him. Your friendship with Santi unraveled parts of you that you were unaware of. The deep yearning, the lightness in your chest, the craving for adventure. With Santi by your side, whether in person or words on a page, opened a world for you. One you’re completely sure wouldn’t exist without him.

The first time you’d met six months after exchanging your first letters, you had to swallow the notion you’d been denying for months. You love him. Staring into his mischievous brown eyes, witnessing his bright smile for true and not just in the photo he’d sent you in one of his letters only solidified that. But, he’s Santi. You and Santiago… make sense as friends. And so you fake it. You fake not loving him until it’s almost believable.

“Cariño?” He calls again, breaking through the hazy thoughts of your mind.

You glance back at him for just a moment, and the smile that you flash him doesn’t touch your eyes, “Just needed some fresh air.”

“You’re gonna get a cold in this dress,” He murmurs, slipping out of his jacket as he closes the gap between you.

When he starts to drape the jacket over your shoulders, you turn to him, taking a step back, “I’ll be fine.”

The bite in your voice, the way you don’t look at him as you say it makes him realize that he’s done whatever’s put you in this state. He ignores you, wrapping you in the jacket before pulling you a little closer, dipping on his knees so that he can try to catch your gaze.

His eyes are pleading, “What’d I do? Just tell me, I’ll make it better, you know I will.”

“There’s nothing to say,” You insist stubbornly, looking down at where your feet are buried in the sand. You wiggle them, trying to do anything to distract you from this conversation you and Santi are on the cusp of. Maybe he’ll give up.

He sighs, using a finger to raise your chin so you must look at him. And when you try to pull away, his thumb grips you, holding you in place, “There’s plenty to say if you’re upset, so let’s stop playing this game, yeah?”

You fix him with an empty stare that chills him to the bone. “Fine, there’s nothing I feel like saying. Happy?”

He glares at you, tightening his grip on your chin, “Fuck, no, you know I’m not. Words. Speak. Tell me, right now, cariño.”

Getting both of your hands on his chest, you push him back gently, forcing him to let go of you. Angrily, you murmur, “Would you stop with the cariño and the puppy dog eyes, for fucks sake. Go back inside, I’m sure the girls miss you.”

Santi takes a step toward you, and he’s close enough that you instinctively take a step back— he prevents it though, grabbing you by the lapel of his jacket so you’re cemented in place. Santi’s eyes widen to an almost comical size as he realizes what’s happening.

Are you…jealous? Jealous that others would look at him, that he might be theirs. Do you want him?

“Is that what this is about?” His question is vague so as not to make a fool of himself.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I’m here for you.”

“I asked you to come with me, of course, you’re here for me. Not standing around while you whisk women out on the dance floor would be nice,” You grumble, fiddling with the lapel of his jacket so that you won’t have to meet his gaze.

“No, I’m here for you,” His other hand raises, cupping your freezing cold cheek.

“Don’t, please, I can’t. It’s not the same for us Santi. It’s never been the same for us,” You whisper desperately.

“You think I give a fuck about anybody in there but you? Do you? Hmm?”

You open your mouth to answer, though you’re not sure what you would say. He continues to speak, not even giving you a chance.

“You think I wore this ridiculous fucking suit to impress your cousins?”

“I…I don’t know what you mean,” You repeat, swallowing to try to rid your throat of its sudden thickness.

“You’re jealous?” He tests, too in disbelief to say it as a statement though there’s no other explanation for this.

Your mouth twitches, brow furrowing as you step back, “I am not.”

“I know when you’re lying, your mouth, it does this thing,” He says, eyes wandering your face with wonder.

Yes, you’re jealous. It thrills him— his heart pumping so loudly it drowns out the sounds of the tide.

“You’re jealous, and there’s no reason for you to be because I’m yours. I’ve always been yours, cariño. Understand?”

“What?” You whisper, taking yet another step back. You look like a wild animal, like prey looking predator in the eye, desperate for an escape route.

“I’m here for you— I need you. There’s no one else,” He murmurs, taking a slow step toward you.

“Is…is this real?” You stutter out, the fear in your voice palpable to both of you.

Slowly as not to scare you away, he takes both of your hands, pressing one to his chest, the other to his stubble-covered cheek as he gazes down at you, “Does this feel real? Do I?”

You blink rapidly at the feel of his stubble beneath your palm. It’s a new sensation, it almost tickles and his skin is warm despite the chill of the night.

“You’ve never felt real to me,” You admit quietly. “You came into my life like a shooting star, I’ve just been…”

“Yeah? What’ve you been doing?” He encourages softly.

“I’ve just been waiting for you to disappear like all shooting stars do.”

“I could never leave you, baby, don’t you get it? From the first letter…I knew. I knew,” He repeats firmly.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” You grumble, your hand twisting in the fabric of his shirt.

A humorless laugh leaves his throat, “You’re the most unreal thing I’ve ever had. I thought— I was afraid you would slip through my fingers. That I’d wake up and you wouldn’t be there, that this is all a dream. I don’t get things like this. I don’t deserve you. I got lucky. I’ve been waiting for you to disappear, can you believe that, cariño?”

“That could never be true. Walking away isn’t an option for me, trust me, I’ve tried to free myself from the torment that is having feelings for you.”

“Sweetheart—“

You cut him off, seeing the disbelief in his eyes, “It’s not, Santiago. It’s not, there is nothing more that I could ever want more than you. I want you so much that I can’t breathe.”

“Then I’m yours. All of me, for you.”

“This is unbelievable.”

“Believe it,” He implores, cupping both of your cheeks and pulling you closer. Your eyes flutter shut in anticipation but then he stops, his mouth brushing against your cheeks as he begs for you, Let me kiss you. Please, I’ve wanted it for so fucking long, querida, let me?”

“Yes,” You breathe, trembling against him. He smells divine, like fresh linen, a soft summer breeze, and something uniquely Santi.

You allow yourself to get lost in it, to get lost in him for the first time because it’s safe. He’s right here, getting lost with you.

He presses his mouth to yours and groans, gripping your face so tightly that his hands ache. He forces himself to take a step back and let you go, chest heaving as his eyes roam your face for any evidence of discomfort.

“W-why’d you stop?” You ask the whine evident in your voice despite its breathy tone.

“Did I hurt you?”

“No, kiss me again, Santi. Right now,” You demand as you bury a hand in the curls at the nape of his neck, pulling him closer.

When Santi leans in once more to kiss you, you meet him eagerly, capturing his lips in a bold move that only he could elicit from you. He falters for a moment, still in shock that this is happening before he matches your passion, one arm curling around your waist while his other hand cups the back of your head so that he can dip you.

You smile into the kiss, gripping the fabric of his shirt a little tighter on instinct as he tips you back. It's impossible to not know that Santi’s a charmer and flirt even upon first meeting him, but this is different. You can feel the way he forces himself to be delicate with you despite his hunger. All of this is as painstakingly romantic as it is cheesy, something you’d never expected despite knowing him so well.

He breaks the kiss when he feels you clutching him, nuzzling his nose against yours as he whispers, “I won’t drop you.”

There’s no doubt in your mind that his words are true. Through everything, Santi has only ever done his best to take care of you, he’s shown up for you as much as you would let him. Now that you both have been honest with each other his devotion to you will only grow sweeter and deeper.

You grin up at him, closing the small space between you to press the tenderest kiss to his mouth, “I know.”

santi taglist: @honeybrowne, @jitterbugs927, @theconsultingdoctor10, @tanzthompson, @siezethenights, @clairevoyanceee, @moonmalice, @tiffanypooh, @dearvirtualdiary-blog1, @marc-spectorr, @xbellaxcarolinax, @toracainz, @roseqzpd, @rosecentaur1916, @mccn-bcys, @hotchs-bitch, @missdictatorme

#santi garcia x reader #santi garcia x fem!reader #santi garcia fanfiction #triple frontier fanfiction #arson writes randos

157 notes · View notes

suchawrathfullamb · 2 months

Note

do you think an actor's opinion is 100% canon? if they say it then it's true? I ask this because Hugh took a long time to say that there was romance between Hannibal and Will but Mads didn't

I think we often forget that actors are real people. These people are flawed. They're not gods because they portrait characters brilliantly. With that being said, actors have biases. Sometimes, no matter how canon something is, if the actor, for whatever reason, doesn't like it, they might play it off or completely deny it when asked about it. Sometimes out of spite, because again, actors are just people, prone to normal human behavior.

I don't wanna say why I think Hugh played it off at first or why he thought Will had relevant feelings for Alana cause I have zero patience for the backlash I might receive. I'll say one of the reasons, the other I won't: I think, just like Will, because he internalized Will, he was in denial. But whatever because he came through after season three.

Sometimes, an actor likes another fellow actor, sometimes they hate or dislike them, and because they're human and their work ethics are much looser and less demanding, they can get away with a silent bias, meaning, their opinions are not based in canon but in their feelings about other actors they work with, and nobody will actually know it because the true reason is inside their head and the only thing we hear is an actor having an opinion that no one seems to understand why, as in "how are you not seeing this?", or when they try to force a ship that no one else likes and everyone is "why??".

We need to take actors out of the pedestal. Yes, they are living those characters and understand them a lot, but they're still actual people, and people (actually, most) cannot see themselves properly, they lack self awareness. So of course they can have an opinion that is completely wrong because although they're playing the character, they simply lack the ability to actually take a step back and analyze their behavior and actions.

I believe that like Will would 100% deny any romantic feelings towards H, because of what it represented about him, so would Hugh. Just because Hugh plays Will doesn't mean he sees Will in the same way we see Will, in fact, he 100% doesn't, just like you cannot perceive yourself in the same way others perceive you. Our perception of Will is actually manipulated by two lenses: Hannibal's and Alana's/Jack's. That's why the fandom is divided between people who love deranged Will and want to see him in his becoming and fully accepting of his darkness, and the ones who have the copagenda thing and see him as a wounded puppy.

Now, Mads is the exact same, actually. His perception of Hannibal is flawed sometimes. For example, he says Hannibal is happy, a lot of times. Of course H isn't happy, we all know this, but Hannibal himself lives in denial. He crafted a mask of refinery and charisma, to keep that deep rooted depression in check. So it makes sense that Mads would think H is happy, in fact, he needs to in order to play the character in the best possible way, because in this manner, he's not pretending or lying, he's truly in Hannibal's shoes, deluding himself as a happy, satisfied, person.

The actors who think too much or rationalize their characters too much are often the ones we forget about. Actors who engage less in overanalysis often provide responses that appear less intricate compared to fan-generated meta, as they authentically embody their characters rather than engaging in extensive rationalization. This is because the actor is just being, instead of trying to be. They're not rationalizing their own behavior because people, although they think they do, they don't, at most, we judge our own behavior, but that's different than actual rationalization or complex analysis (some people do, of course, me included, but it's not the norm, not the default).

I believe this answers your question.

#lamb tries #ask the lamb #difficult topics #hugh has a thing i think LOL but I digress #hannigram #nbc hannibal #hannibal #will graham #murder husbands #hugh dancy #hannibal lecter #mads mikkelsen

43 notes · View notes

1-lightofjustice · 3 months

Text

Using "Sibling Title" in Romantic Relationship Is NOT Incest

You know, interacting with majorly English community about Asian media made me realize that English doesn't have any "sibling title", something that was so common in Asia (and perhaps other continent too cmiiw), thus I noticed some of them have a little difficulty on perceiving what "sibling title" actually meant. Combined with shipping war and incest allegory, many misunderstanding are created. Somehow yesterday I happen to stumble upon two of them in almost the same moment so I wanna make this post to vent my frustration.

First is this :

The segment that they meant is when Kota called Izuku "nii-chan" and Ochako "nee-chan" after Ochako's speech.

Yes, Kota called Izuku "Big Brother" and Ochako with "Big Sister". But really, even the translator clearly explained in their translation that "nii-chan" and "nee-chan" are not only title for older siblings but also title/name for a young teen or 20-ish boy/girl (overall people still in youth). Other people on twitter (X who?) pointed out that Kota means those title in relation to him and not to Izuku-Ochako, which is true, Kota may think of Izuku and Ochako as his big brother and sister at that situation. But even if he's not, he will still use "nii-chan" and "nee-chan" titles toward Izuku and Ochako because that's the title that was correct from person on Kota's age to people on Izuku/Ochako's age. Of course, that doesn't mean Izuku and Ochako are bounded by sibling/familial relationship in any form.

For example, this is a "7 years old" kid Conan ("a young boy" in disguise, for complicated reason) called 18 years old Heiji and Kazuha with "nii-chan" and "nee-chan" while at the same time helping them to hook up. He didn't really think of them as his brother/sister like in personal level, but he still used "sibling title" because that was the appropriate ethic for him.

Next is the example in broader sense, but the point is still because they are "brothers", there's no way Gilgamesh and Enkidu have romantic relationship.

let's pretend it's not completely bizarre to input arabic perception on a story with a language that way predates arabic, with different time, culture, and setting. Let's use arabic now. Brother in Arabic is "akhi", derived from Akkadian "ahu", the language that was used on 12 tablet Epic of Gilgamesh standard version ("Ses" is Hittite/Sumerian version).

This is the excerpt from Epic tablet by Andrew George, when the word "ahu" is used to described Gilgamesh and Enkidu :

The thing is, "ahu" may meant brotherhood, but they don't necessarily mean bounded by familial forbid-to-marry relationship. The word "ahu" can mean brother of same social standing, close male associate, or the proof of companionship, for example King Tushratta used "brother" (ahu in akkadian, shesh in sumerian) to Pharaoh Egypt which they have brother-kingdom relationship. Of course they are not "family" with each other and their family can marry each other.

Even if, as the commenter said, translated into arabic, "akhi" is not meant for strictly brotherly relationship. The word itself means "brother, close male friend, male associate". In fact, there's webtoon in my country (Muslim majority) that has female lead called her love interest "akhi". And this is her pray so God can make her meet her "akhi".

Translation : "There has been 6 years passed but I still haven't meet "akhi". Please God lead him to be close to me"

Of course when the female lead called her crush "akhi" she doesn't mean that there's familial feeling from her to him that prevent her for wanting to marry "akhi". And readers from my country completely expect her to still call her husband "akhi" even after marriage.

Those "sibling title" are not and never strictly platonic. Those are title for almost-familial-but-not-really attachment, usually to emphasis social construct. It just, I don't know the exact term but I call it "polite endearment title". When it comes to romantic relationship/marriage, even with "sibling title" there will be no incest feeling involved as long as the couple are not bounded by blood of close family, share the same mother's milk/wetnurse, nor raised together from before puberty (the latter may depend on situation).

P.S : I wonder, do English users find it weird if we Asian use the exact same title for sibling and for romantic partner? Like, you guys know that Korean fangirls called their idols that they want to date/marry as "oppas" in the same word as they call their "oppa" in home, right? I am Javanese, I call my blood-brother "mas", and I expect to use that word for my husband too, like my sister who called her husband "mas" even though she's older than him.

32 notes · View notes

ohmyfate · 5 months

Text

One of the most frequently discussed problems of the series can be safely called the relationship between Stolas and Blitz since it was to please these relationships that the series changed its vector of development. From a black comedy with elements of drama, it turned into just a drama of the level of romantic novels from young writers with no experience. But more about this some other time.

So what is the main problem with this relationship? The fact that they are toxic and built on blackmail? This is the problem most often referred to and I understand why. "Stolitz" is one of the most striking examples of romanticization of unhealthy relationships.

Their relationship remains one-sided to this day. Unhealthy love can only be observed from the side of Stolas in his stalking of the object of affection, attempts with all his might to get Blitz’s love and complete ignoring of his daughter. Blitz at the same time does not show any signs of sympathy. Yes, in several episodes he showed some concern for Stolas's condition and unwillingness for his death, but this is not enough to indicate romantic feelings. It looked more like he didn’t want to lose his ticket to the human world which at the moment only Stolas had. And I will remind you that his business is built on the human world and it is vital for him to have access to it. And in the first episode of the first season, Stolas took advantage of this for their monthly deal. There was no sense that Stolas saw Blitz as anything more than a toy for entertainment that he enjoyed using. But at the same time, they are clearly trying to convince us that he is the most damaged party in this “business” relationship, because Blitz rejects him over and over again. And it could have worked if we were shown that Stolas recognized the unhealthy nature of their current relationship. If he was committed to sincerely apologizing to the imp and trying to make their relationship just a little bit better. And there's even a good reason for this. Stolas grew up completely alone, surrounded only by servants. He has not seen true love and does not know how to show sympathy in a normal way. And then romance novels or TV series come onto the scene, which he might be interested in. We all know very well that very often unhealthy relationships are transmitted to us, and in Hell, where love is ridiculed in one of the rings, this can be even worse than ours. Stolas could have adopted an unhealthy pattern of behavior from the hell media or communication with Asmodeus and reproduced it in his relationship with Blitz. At the same time, one could ridicule such novels. Helluva is a comedy after all if I remember correctly. It would also be possible to make it so that it was Blitz who proposed this deal, since he has nothing else to pay the aristocrat with. And Stolas would again perceive this as a sign of attention to his person and therefore would see something more in their relationship. The main thing in such relationships is to show that this is wrong and unhealthy. And such a plot would work even taking into account the following problem.

There is no chemistry between Stolas and Blitz. Since the series decided to take the path of exploring a romantic relationship between two broken personalities, it should be obvious to the viewer where this love came from. But even after half of the second season it is still unclear what they found in each other, other than mutual benefit. The series spends a lot of time on these two, but generally doesn't explore their relationship to each other on deeper level. They don’t really spend time together, and if they do, it’s either a forced measure (“Loo loo land”) or their relationship is going through tests (“House of Asmodeus”). There was no more relaxed interaction between them where we could have been shown why they can love each other, since the authors are most often focused on creating tests for these two, where they have to show their love, but they have nothing to show.

The relationship between Blitz and Stolas completely changed the direction of development of the series and almost completely freed it from the original concept. In fact, this problem is much deeper and I want to discuss it in another post separately, since series began to change not only because of the Stolitz, but also several other factors. However, for the sake of the relationship between these two we almost completely lost the originally stated plot. They didn’t want to write the series in such a way that the activities of the IMP and the personal lives of the characters would run parallel to each other in the same episode. As a rule, all episodes pay attention to one thing, and if the authors try to carry out a parallel plot, it turns out to be a C grade at best.

I know that these two have several more problems, but I decided to limit myself to the most basic and related to both of them at once. Sometime in the future we will discuss Stolas and Blitz separately, where I will talk about the rest of the problems with their relationship. For now, that's all. I'd love to read your thoughts on these two!

#vivziepop critical #helluva boss critical

25 notes · View notes

canonizzyhours · 4 months

Note

RE: #222 and #220 This is pure speculation, but was wondering the same thing.

The obsession with steddyhands/edizzy/stizzy shipping could stem from any number of things (and we know when some people ship, they ship hard), but probably why some were so convinced of its validity or potential might be because this is a show that's been advertised/perceived as 'you never know what's going to happen next' and where 'so many fanfic-related dreams can come true' especially when related to queer fanfiction. Combined with the show's flexible disregard for the rules of reality (bird transformations, super fast healing, logic-defying dinghies, etc.), this could foster the perception that literally 'anything is possible.'

Also, OFMD has consistently reassured the queer community that they're not bullshitting when it comes to featuring, highlighting, and supporting queer relationships, which apparently could translate to 'any ship you could dream of might actually happen here.' So from that point of view, the OFMD crew basically said ‘yes, let's do it!’ to so many beloved fanfic tropes and queer relationships except these particular OTPs. There's also the possibility of outright indignation - 'Well, you gave Fan Groups A and B their fantasies, why not me/us?' Plus the manifestation of Izzy's antagonist-to-ally arc was probably equated to meaning 'only positive things are going to happen to him from here on out,' so naturally this was going to progress into a romantic/sexual relationship with one or both of the romantic leads (whether out of genuine belief that it made sense and would be good for him or just because it would be a hot and sexy outcome). So this - as well as an article promoting and practically promising an Izzy/Ed/Stede love triangle - might be another reason why some of the shippers went beyond being just disappointed (which isn't too unreasonable) and plummeted into a sense of hurt and devastation. Maybe they felt somewhat 'betrayed' in a bait-and-switch kinda way by the revelation that pairing Izzy with Ed/Stede/both more than likely wasn't the even on the table.

Being upset over Izzy's death however, that's another matter...

#226.

related posts: #222, #220

#ofmd #izzy hands #steddyhands #canonizzyhours

29 notes · View notes

funficwriter · 4 months

Text

Soft - A 1:32 AM Risotto Nero x Reader drabble

You and Risotto are unbelievably soft with each other. It's just a secret to the world.

You two were a couple, and you were his right hand in leading the squad. However, that's all people knew about your relationship to him. The lack of further detail, along with the stoic appearances you both put out to the world, only fueled the curiosity surrounding you.

Risotto Nero, the feared criminal even amongst other felons, has a lover? You, one of Passione's most ruthless killers, are capable of loving and loving him of all people? And he too?

You both put up shields around everyone. You never talk about each other in romantic terms to other people, aside from a mere acknowledgement that you're not single. It helps a little in the sense that rival gangs think twice (or not at all, once they know your partner) before trying something on you. He likes the safety it can bring. He'll never tell his teammates though.

However, you both live in a cruel, cruel social sphere, where even said acknowledgements come with their risks. You are a couple, but if you consider your traditional expectations of one regarding PDA, showiness... It's not there with you two. You often get compared to other couples, within the mafia sphere... Couples that actually look in love. They hug, kiss, and declare to the world who they belong to as they are covered in the blood of their victims. They refuse to not be recognized as not only a couple, but a true, violent couple, as some would say. Violent (passionate?) in their ways of work and love.

Appearances never let on much. You and Risotto are detached, coordinated in work terms alone with each other. But once the door of your shared home in the city's lone outskirts is snapped shut and locked.. Oh, the different stories your words and bodies tell.

You both got called cold. The term didn't hold up in private, not when you laid together in bed, bare bodies holding each other as you exchanged languid kisses and half-whispers, containing the love beyond a full sentence.

You both got called uncaring. And sure, your mannerisms looked as such, in public. But would that still be valid when Risotto wakes up from a traumatic nightmare recalling a kidnapping of yours, and quietly begs for your sleepy reassurance? If you were so uncaring, why were you embracing him as if you cared if he lost his life someday? Why did you both dream up and execute future plans of leaving the mafia life into the past, for an exchange of quiet Sicilian life?

"Are they really a couple?".

Yes, yes, and some more yes. What idiots; Just because they never saw it, then it can't exist! Oh well, there's plenty of them in life, so it would be a waste to get angry about them. That energy could be used for other things, like making love better than the other couples you got compared to.

You and Risotto are unbelievably soft. These same large arms, that have killed in such painful ways, also blissfully held you. The same lips that have spouted threat after threat, have also kissed yours in silent promises of seeing your plans to the end. It was a weird (almost impossible) dichotomy for those who only knew Risotto in works terms to perceive, but they weren't entitled to that knowledge.

You and Risotto are soft in ways uncharted by mafia members and wronged people alike. In fact, the secrecy made it much, much sweeter. To know that that softness wouldn't be documented, exploited, showcased or made a circus out of was beautiful. You two didn't need to prove anything, because it was all said and proven when you confessed to each other. And it's sweet as hell, and it's all yours and no one else's.

#idk man i'm tired from term papers #and i'm in a soft mood #risotto nero x reader #risotto nero fluff #jjba part 5 x reader

21 notes · View notes

nekropsii · 1 year

Note

hello! sorry if this is a stupid question, but i recall seeing someone claim that aranea was pedophilic/predatory towards jake— is that true? if not, do you know where that idea may have come from?

Hi, Anon! Considering the question is prompted by the claims of another, and this claim has an extreme amount of gravity attached to it, this is not a stupid question whatsoever. I appreciate that you're trying to fact check this, rather than just spreading that idea with zero regard. A lot of people online tend to get really caught up in the immediate emotional response that an Accusation of Sexual Misconduct gives them, and fail to do their due diligence. I can't fault anyone for feeling distressed upon hearing that anyone is a Pedophile or a Sexual Predator, but it's irresponsible and disrespectful to not... Y'know, check the evidence, if there's even any there.

I'm going to put this all under a cut due to the subject matter. You understand, I hope!

Content Warning: Discussion of Pedophilia, Assault, and Dubious Consent.

Let's get this out of the way right off the bat: No, Aranea is not a Pedophile, and I do not believe she has ever sexually or romantically predated on Jake.

I am not saying this to blame who is being understandably perceived as the victim of the situation. Jake is, by all accounts, the target of a lot of Non-Consenting and Dubiously Consenting advances… So it makes a lot of sense to immediately be on the offensive with regards to anyone's conduct towards Jake. I get it. Jake is living in the tragedy of being seen as an object by his peers- some kind of prize to be won, something that exists only to provide some kind of romantic or sexual catharsis. It's horrible, genuinely, and I totally understand the urge to instantly jump on anything that veers even slightly in that direction and take it to extremes…

…But that just… Did not happen with Aranea. Because Jake was not the target of attraction here. Aranea was. Aranea never pursued Jake, to my knowledge, save for one single scene. Put a pin in that. She was not interested in him, he was interested in her. He labelled Aranea as his Dream Girl very quickly after meeting her, and at no point does she... Reciprocate his feelings.

The immediate counterpoint to that is that Pedophiles do not love their victims. And I would typically completely agree with it!! This is true!! Bringing up anything akin to "True Love" in defense of an act of Child Predation is absolutely disgusting!!

...But Aranea is not a Pedophile. In no universe would Aranea ever be considered a Pedophile, even if she had feelings for and sexually pursued Jake. She wouldn't be a Pedophile even if she straight up assaulted him on screen. She is 19 years old, and he is 16 years old. That does not even come close to counting as Pedophilia. Their ages are way too close for that. If Jake was 13 years old or younger, and she was attracted to him, then yes, this would be an entirely valid point to make. That practically wouldn't even be an accusation, that would be an observation. It would be extremely fucked up if that was the case, as it is with Cronus and Meenah, but that's just... Not true here.

But then there's the claim of Predation left, which is an entirely ageless concept. There's no implication of an immoral age discrepancy in the label of "Predator".

...But Aranea never sexually predated on Jake. She just plain was not interested in him, not even as a friend. Jake was more or less just a tool to her, a mere cog in the machine of her plan to Fuck Shit Up. Is that fucked up? Sure!! But that's average Villain Behavior, and it's not inherently Predatory. Especially not in the way that's implied when paired with a Pedophilia Accusation.

Remember that scene I said to put a pin in, though? The one where she actually does make an unwanted advance on Jake? We're bringing it up again now. That, conceptually, sounds like a counterpoint to what I'm saying here at first, but just bear with me. There's a scene in which, just prior to her making Jake Hope-splode, Aranea tries to kiss him. This was actually how she was initially going to "heal" him. The advance was made, and right before she actually did kiss him, he started flailing and wildly professing how much he does not consent to the situation.

[Homestuck, page 6582.]

It's clear from what he's saying and how he's behaving that the severity of this reaction has been building up over the course of his story. Even if that wasn't the case, his lack of consent is fair...

...And goes completely uncontested.

[Homestuck, page 6582.]

This is the problem. This is the biggest issue I have with the claim that she was predating upon Jake. Not as a child, but as a person. I have to assume that it was about this scene- there's no other place in the story in which you could make that claim and have it be any level of grounded. But taking a moment to read the text makes the entire argument that this was an act of Sexual Predation completely fall apart, because his lack of consent to being kissed goes instantly respected and totally unchallenged.

She drops him... And says this.

[Homestuck, page 6583.]

This... Is not Pedophilia. This is not Sexual Predation. This is two teenagers experiencing a messy situation.

Aranea knew Jake was into her, and assumed that that meant he would've enjoyed her making a move on him. It is, by all means, a valid assumption to make- it's understandable. It's a completely average train of thought. Jake, however, is tired of people making moves on him, and despite being attracted to her, did not accept this advance.

...To which she immediately accepts "No" as an answer, ceases physical contact, apologizes, explains herself, and then says that her advances were inappropriate, and that she will try to be better in the future.

This is... A fantastic response to someone expressing a lack of consent. Especially considering she's Beforan! By all accounts, she's the most normal person out of that whole group because of this!!

The only thing that puts a damper on this is that she immediately turns around and heals him. But... That's not an inherently sexual act. Yes, he did not give express verbal consent to being healed, but it's also just straight up not something you can quantify as Sexual Predation. It's not even a metaphor for it!

I don't know. Calling her a Pedophile is abhorrent. It is way too far and entirely inaccurate. Calling her a Sexual Predator is less egregious, but the bar for what's okay is being used in a limbo competition in Hell.

To me, this is just an instance of messy teenage sexuality. It's just... A misunderstanding that was immediately resolved, and then followed up by some Video Game Villain behavior. If their age gap in the context of any romantic advances makes you uncomfortable, that's completely and utterly fine. More than okay. It's a perfectly respectable boundary to have. But that boundary doesn't mean that it's fine to randomly stick a label as loaded and utterly despicable as "Pedophile" onto anything. A misunderstanding left unescalated isn't a crime, and Video Game Villain Behavior isn't sexually predatory.

I hope this response finds you well. Have a lovely day.

#homestuck #homestuck meta #homestuck analysis #alpha kids #alpha trolls #beforan trolls #dancestors #aranea serket #jake english #cw abuse #cw child harm #aranea.pdf #aranea.prtsc #jake.pdf #jake.prtsc #nekro.pdf #nekro.sms

108 notes · View notes

mlchaelwheeler · 2 years

Text

Why Mike and El Shouldn't (And Won't) Be Endgame

Before I start this analysis of sorts, I just want to say that yes, I do believe byler will be endgame, but I will be taking an objective perspective to Mike and El's respective characters, as well as their relationship with each other. That aside, let's dive in!

Mike and El meet at a very eventful time in both of their lives. For Mike, his best friend of 7 years has just gone missing. For El, she's just escaped a prison (the lab) where she's spent her whole life. They are pushed together by a mutual need: Mike needs El to find Will, and El needs Mike to survive the real world, and stay away from the "bad men." It's clear throughout S1 that Mike and El have created a special bond--while some call it romantic, I don't think that's really on their minds. What they want (and need at this point) is a strong friendship.

El has just escaped from the only place she's ever known, thrust into a new world she knows nothing about, and in which she knows no one. Should she be jumping into a romantic relationship 2ish days after meeting Mike? No, she absolutely should not. I doubt she even understands what romance is, let alone the difference between being Mike's friend or his girlfriend--to her, they likely mean the same thing: Mike cares about her. It's the same for Mike. S1 shows (and tells) us over and over again that Mike isn't thinking about El as a possible girlfriend. Lucas tells him: "if you love her so much, why don't you marry her?" Dustin questions why Mike doesn't understand why Lucas is upset and has to spell it out that Lucas is jealous of El--jealous that Mike is wasting time on her when they could be looking for Will at the lab. Even Nancy asks Mike if he likes El. To all 3 of these querys, Mike responds negatively or is confused. He clearly isn't thinking about El romantically, but he is starting to realize maybe he should be, since everyone is asking him about her.

For me, S1 is the purest and best form of Mike and El's relationship. It's their true dynamic together before they're forced to conform to outside expectations. Once S2 starts, we see El watching romantic soap operas on tv, likely shaping her view of what romance is like. After her rushed kiss with Mike in the S1 finale, she's likely realizing that this means she's Mike's girlfriend now, and should be initiating romantic interactions between them. From the soap operas, she's getting a very over exaggerated view of what romance is--however, she has no way to tell that it's not realistic. In soap operas, people break up all the time and get back together the next episode. It's normal, right? She sure thinks so. This will go on to skew her views of her relationship with Mike. No matter what they go through, or how he treats her, it will always work out in the end. That's how the soap operas go anyways. El is clinging to a sense of perceived normalcy because she so desperately wants to be normal for once.

While Mike doesn't see El much in S2 (he's with Will all season), he calls her on the radio every night since she goes missing. Lots of people read this as romantic and a big love confession of sorts, but I think Mike would've done this for any one of the Party. Time and time again, we're shown how loyal Mike is to his friends--remember, this is the same Mike who jumped off a cliff to save Dustin's teeth!! He obviously felt massive guilt over El's "death" in the S1 finale. She slept in his basement, helped him find Will alive, relied on him to keep her safe from the "bad men," and then "died" keeping him and his friends safe? No wonder he called her every night hoping she was still out there--after all, he did see her that same night outside his living room window, so he did have a reason to hope she'd actually hear him. Again though, if Lucas or Dustin would've disappeared instead of El, I think Mike would've called them on the radio too, trying to reach them. Remember, all throughout S1, Mike believed (not really) that Will was dead--and even saw his body!--but still attempted to contact him over the radio multiple times. If he did this for Will, obviously he would for El too. These are parallels that should be noticed together.

Moving on to S3, this is the first time we see Mike and El as an actual couple. This is obviously the first relationship for either of them, and it's made clear from the start of the season that they're not better together than they are apart. Whereas their interactions are sweet and inclusive of their friends in S1 and S2, come S3, they're ignoring everyone in favor of constantly making out. They don't even really talk to each other! When Mike tries singing, El tells him to stop and just resumes kissing him. When Mike tries to find El a gift at the mall, he is unable to do so--not because he doesn't have enough money, but because he has no idea what she'd actually like.

The sad thing is, no matter what he'd pick out, El would probably love it, because it's from Mike. S3 makes it clear El hasn't grown her sense of identity at all since escaping the lab--nearly 2 years prior! She sadly asks Max at the mall, "how do I know what I like?" She's never actually stopped to consider what she might enjoy because she just always goes along with whatever Mike or Hopper tells her. That's not really anyone's fault, it's just how it is because they're teaching her about the normal world. She's been learning so much that she hasn't had time to stop and think about what she enjoys. Luckily, the break she gets from Mike allows her to explore other possibilities--new styles, new food, and new friendships. Her time with Max is the time when she arguable gets the most growth character-wise in the series. She can focus on herself without being caught up in Mike.

I should also point out here that the story makes it clear that El only grows as a character when she's apart from Mike. This is intentional--when she's Mike's girlfriend, she is stagnant as a character. In S2, her solo adventure to discover her past helps her understand her roots and develop her powers. She becomes more independent--traveling to Mama's house and Chicago by herself, which is a huge step for her after not leaving the lab for 12 years. Then, she gets back to Hawkins and "defeats" the mindflayer, but from that point on her character falls short, as she goes back to Mike. She regains this sense of independence and agency in S3 after she breaks up with Mike, and has more development up until she loses her powers. When 3 months go by, and she's moving, she seems to be back to how she was before the breakup--completely dependent on Mike. We see this again in the opening of S4. Her room is a literal shrine to Mike! She has't made any friends, has isolated herself emotionally and physically, and is sending letters full of lies to Mike. When Mike arrived in California, they go back to their old S3 selves, but things are a bit off because El's covering for her lies. She's obviously angry because Mike can't tell her he loves her, so she's in tune that something in their relationship is wrong. Unfortunately, El sees her worth as being tied to her powers, so when Dr. Owens gives her the opportunity to get them back, she jumps at the chance. Maybe Mike will love her if she goes to become a superhero again. After all, that's why he "fell in love" with her in the first place right? Because she used her powers to find Will and save them from the demogorgan?

El's narrative has been building up her independence since the beginning of S2. She has to realize that her powers do not define her--she's worth so much for just being her! If Mike tells her he loves her just after she gets her powers back, it will feel cheap. El should be affronted by this, and should rightfully call him out. Mike can find thousands of other reasons to love El besides her powers! If he can't say it, well, there must be a deeper reason. I think that by diving into her past, El has been able to understand her trauma more fully and grow from that, triggering her hopeful resurgence of independence. However, the story has made it clear that she can't do that while being in a romantic relationship with Mike.

Speaking of Mike, let's look closer at how his interactions with El have changed after becoming her boyfriend vs when they were just friends. I think everyone can agree that Mike and El were adorable in S1. Their smiles, their understanding that they were both missing something (a home and a best friend), and their actions say it all. However, these are all platonic things, and I think they both viewed themselves as just friends until other people brought romantic feelings into the equation. In S1, Mike shows lots of emotion when interacting with El: his smile and voice after she saves him from the cliff ("El, you're not the monster, you saved me. You saved me!"), explaining what friendship is, setting up the basement fort for her, yelling at Papa as he takes her away, etc. Mike also shows emotion with her in S2, before they're properly "together." However, his interactions with her feel much more forced and unemotional with her from S3 onward. He doesn't even seem a bit sad after El breaks up with him--if anything, he seems offended, not something someone who just lost the love of their life should feel. When he tries to clue El into his feelings in the grocery store, he stutters around the real words, unable to make eye contact or say "I love you." When she confesses her love to him before moving away, he doesn't respond and looks downright confused after their kiss. When she confronts him about "from Mike" in S4, Mike is stiff and unemotional as El sobs in front of him. He blames other people for their problems when the real problem is himself. This isn't the same Mike as S1-2, where he would've shown at least some emotion and done anything to make El feel better.

These are key narrative choices that the show has been pushing to show that something's not right--things are not as they should be. If we step back and look at Mike and El's narratives as a whole, it's clear that they're both worse versions of themselves when they're together. Mike becomes an unemotional puppet of himself, simply going through the motions of being in a relationship. El becomes completely dependent and lost in a fantasy world of soap opera-type relationships, and is unable to cope with faced with real-world problems. If the show has constantly pushed this idea, how does it make sense that they'd end up together? Why stunt the development of 2 main characters just to have Mike and El end in a romantic relationship? It's clear that they're the most genuine with each other--and the rest of their friends/family--when they're platonic with a capital P. The narrative isn't building up to a big romantic confession, it's leading to a mutual understanding that they never shouldn't rushed into a relationship they neither wanted nor understood in the first place.

#these are my thoughts on these 2. i think they're the bestest besties tho <3 elmike >>>>>#i was very objective. but it's clear that mike is worse with el. who is he better with??? will. that's who #ok thanks for coming to my ted talk #mike wheeler #jane hopper #byler #stranger things #stranger things analysis #sarah.txt #meta

306 notes · View notes

psychewritesbs · 6 months

Note

Maybe I'll regret sending you this ask but it's like a thorn in my side and I need to get it out because I can't stop thinking about this so here I go 🙇‍♀️

If I don't see the romantic subtext in Gojo and Geto's dynamic, does that mean I'm not really understanding what Gege is telling? I like their dynamic, they're complex characters and so is their dynamic, but not because there is romance there. Of course, if I read and look to see romance there I find it... but I'm looking to interpret it that way. So when I see "the subtext is there", "the dynamic is ambiguous", I start to question my interpretation... I don't know if it's because my reading comprehension has already been attacked when I said their relationship isn't canon. I really tried to see that ambiguity since I started reading the manga but in the end I felt like I was reading too much... that I was actively searching for something that was supposed to be in plain sight.

P.S: I have seen ships with ambiguous dynamics in SNK, HQ, Naruto (NARUSASU, I don't even ship them but I understand 😅) and I never saw this war between shippers and non-shippers...

Nooooo anon 😭. Please, I promise I don't bite too hard.

So, first of all, thanks for sending this. I'm ngl, it makes me sad to think that I might have contributed to someone feeling like I would make you regret asking about something you don't see.

Second, I'm going to make this answer about perception because the purpose of my blog is psych.

Third, as a lead up to the psych stuff, it goes without saying that one of the reasons I don't talk about shipping in jjk is precisely because shipping is highly personal, and a lot of people in this fandom take their interpretations about the story as absolute truths, to the point that they gaslight anyone who doesn't agree with them.

It's like we're all just deploying domain expansions and the one person with the strongest sense of self wins. Right?

But this is a HUGE irony because Gege has gone on record in an interview saying that one of the themes at the core of jjk is that there is no such thing as an ultimate truth where someone is right and someone is wrong.

(source)

And to me this gets at a much larger issue that I taco'bout under the cut.

So this is the thing, right?

If you don't see the subtext in stsg, there are a lot of factors affecting your perception. Gender, sexuality, background, etc etc...

The thing to keep in mind is that you don't see the world as it is...

So I love that second angry anon brought up the idea that someone who is straight would very likely see gjhm as a romantic pairing, because it's true!

This is really complicated because, yes, heteronormativity is at play here, AND that doesn't mean a straight person is being homophobic for not seeing the stsg subtext without putting on pink-colored fujo glasses.

That said, I have seen the jjk dudebros be total dicks because they think that, because they are straight and the target demographic, the only way the story should be perceived is as if most all characters are straight and you are delusional to think otherwise.

And I'll be honest here, I'm a bi/pan woman. I am also a fujoshi. I've read quite a bit of bl/yaoi, and I think that has influenced why I don't see the romantic subtext without looking for it.

Basically, I've read really long threads by stsg fans that were meant to provide evidence for why they are canon that I was just like "this is all a subjective perception" and that is not to say they are wrong.

More like, YES. I couldn't agree more with you. It's there if you look for it. I am not sure if you saw this, but someone else came through sharing the same sentiment as you.

For me, little details like the battle taking place on December 24th, and Gege recommending bl before, point at a certain ambiguity that Gege might want to create without confirming anything.

It's funny that baity anon said stuff like "Gege is throwing irrelevant breadcrumbs at these shippers" when the same could be said about stsg according to many, many, MANY people.

Who is right? Who is wrong? If a group of people can see it and another can't, who owns the ultimate truth?

If Gege doesn't explicitly say "stsg is the other dynamic that is canonical along with mechamiwa", then who gets to have the authority on how to interpret the story? And who gave them that authority? And why are they ignoring subtext that doesn't suit their agenda?

I'm asking both sides for the sake of being a devil's advocate btw lol.

The thing is, it's all subjective, and there is no such thing as an ultimate truth where someone is right and someone is wrong--what there is is people arriving at conclusions based on their own logic according to who they are.

In the end, we're all looking at jjk through our own subjective lens, which is inevitably made up of many different factors.

That ramble aside, I hate that your reading comprehension was attacked because you can't see what someone else can see. That's just lame af because it tells me this is someone arrogant enough to take their opinion as absolute truth, and insecure enough to make someone else feel bad for questioning their interpretation.

As someone who has been internet-mean and who has wrongfully thought she owned the truth about something in the past, I apologize that someone has made you feel this way.

The reason this is a bigger issue than just shipping is because this issue is prevalent across fandom.

jjk dudebros will have you believe that if someone reads jjk for anything that is not battles is wrong.

Others will gaslight people and call them dumb for being open about how they don't understand how Gege explains certain things.

By the way, Maki is better than Toji according to some, but not to others.

I'm telling you, for jjk being a story about how there is no absolute truth, we sure are attached to our interpretations as being the ultimate truth.

All I know is that I don't want to be part of the problem and that starts with me making space for understanding why someone would disagree with me or think differently than I do.

Here's the last thing I'll say, anon.

If you don't see the stsg subtext as romantic, then you are indeed missing out on a romantic interpretation. If that's not something you're interested in... that's no one's "problem" but yours.

As long as you aren't seeking to minimize someone else's perception, then it's your interpretation and yours alone.

For me, I see this:

And I fucking love this spread because I see deep and intense longing. I get the sense Gojo is looking really hard for any semblance of Geto in this body.

Do you see something romantic? Yes? No?

It doesn't really change anything, does it? It just means someone reads into something you don't see.

The fact that you are questioning whether you are "really understanding" the text "right" tells me you have the humility to look to adjust your perception and be open to other ideas.

There's a difference between saying "I don't see it" and "I don't see it and neither should you because I don't see it, and if you do, you are delusional!"

Which one are you?

Which one will you be moving forward?

Thanks for coming to my TED talk looool.

I went on a raaaaant bahaha.

I just... man... this is the kind of problem that shipping in this fandom creates. As you said... imagine just wanting to mind your own business and someone who ships a certain pairing comes and tells you you are an idiot for not reading the same way as they do. OR viceversa, you're shipping along, minding your own business and someone tells you you are delusional for enjoying a ship.

Come on....

It really is a matter of perception and we're quite literally spamming domain expansions on each other as a way to impose our personal truth on others as absolute. It's really ironic and funny ngl.

This reminds me...

Idk if you've seen any Gundam shows, but at least the ones I've seen, usually the plot revolves around how war and conflict is the result of two sides of the same coin being unwilling to accept a different point of view.

So anyways. As I said in that baity ask... I'm at a point in my life where I'd rather focus on holding the tension of opposites. It's just where I'm at.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts anon!

Don't let others define your perception! If you do, you've already turned your back on the only person whose perception matters most--you.

#ask the mental gymnastics anime girl

15 notes · View notes

kimbappykidding · 2 years

Text

Imagine Wooyoung getting jealous of you and Yeosang getting closer because he likes you

You'd always been a trio. You, Yeosang and Wooyoung ever since your trainee days and were very close. You'd even stayed that way after you debuted but recently things started to change. Wooyoung had begun branching off on his own more, leaving you and Yeosang to hang out with other people. This was normal in the sense that Wooyoung was more social than the two of you and tended to have more friends than both of you...but it still hurt and was made worse by the fact you had a crush on Wooyoung.

In your defence he was pretty gorgeous and had an amazing sense of humour so how were you not supposed to like him? You'd admired him ever since you met him but weren't sure if he felt the same way and didn't want to risk your friendship just to find out. You loved being Wooyoung's friend and that was more than good enough but apparently not for Wooyoung. Wooyoung had a very different view on the matter. In his mind you and Yeosang were separating yourselves from a trio to a duo and he figured there was only one reason why this would occur...the two of you were together. He'd always worried it would happen, you both got on so well and really cherished one another and your relationship. Wooyoung worried he was too different to both of you and now it seemed like his worst fear was coming true. In response to his perceived abandonment Wooyoung became very defensive and started freezing you both out. You and he basically weren't talking anymore but anytime he did see you, he'd just say a quick hi and then rush off pretending to be really busy.

Things with Yeosang were a little more complicated seeing as they worked together. Wooyoung tried avoiding him and speaking to other members instead but it made things awkward and Hongjoong finally had enough. When Wooyoung purposefully didn’t hand Yeosang a piece of cake until last, he demanded they both stay in the room and talk it out.

They sat in awkward silence and Yeosang started talking first “so...have we done anything to offend you?”. Wooyoung shook his head “no I just figured you wanted me gone”. Yeosang frowned “why on earth would you think that?”. Wooyoung rolled his eyes “ow come on you were so obvious! Going out of your way to avoid me and not inviting me to your meet-ups”. "We never excluded you Wooyoung you just stopped replying!" Yeosang explained "and so it became a habit not to ask you". "That seems pretty convenient, why can't you just admit you like her?". Yeosang was so genuinely confused at the idea of liking you romantically that he actually asked who wooyoung meant. "Y/n!" he cried "you've always had a thing for her". Yeosang raised an eyebrow "I think you're getting me confused with you". "What? I don't have a thing for y/n". Yeosang managed not to roll his eyes "but you do! Wooyoung you've always liked her! We first became friends with her because your jaw dropped when she walked in. You flirt with her any chance you get and the only time you’ve ever yelled at me is when you thought I was dating her". Wooyoung paused "i...but we’re just friends so it doesn’t matter or we were friends". Yeosang shook his head “y/n is just mad she doesn’t want to lose you. If you explain to her what you told me she’ll get it”. Wooyoung sighed “i’m not sure...y/n can be pretty fierce when she wants to be”. Yeosang didn’t deny it “true but do you really want to avoid her forever. I know you miss her and she misses you too”. “She does?” Wooyoung asked and Yeosang smiled “yes”. That bolstered Wooyoung so he nodded “okay, she’s going to that event on Friday right? I’ll speak to her then”.

You arrived at the party to find Yeosang and Wooyoung together. Neither spotted you and you waited for Wooyoung to leave before going over. Yeosang greeted you, complimenting your outfit and you did the same for him. "So is his highness still angry at me?" you asked Yeosang "he’s so pathetic". Yeosang paused and you raised an eyebrow "don’t tell me he’s got to you. He always does this! He does something bad and you just forgive him". "He’s not got to me just I had it out with him and we’re better now". "You argued? You?" you asked and Yeosang smiled "yeah I even raised my voice a little". You smirked "I'll believe it when I see it".

Then as if you were drawn to him you spotted Wooyoung across the hall watching you. He looked really good and you felt your anger lessen before pulling yourself together. He walked over to his members and was soon laughing and joking. You sighed and touched Yeosang’s arm "you wanna dance?". He shrugged "okay" and you took his hand.

Wooyoung now knew there was nothing going on between you but he still paused seeing you pull Yeosang along after you to the dancer floor. Then again as you stepped closer and began dancing together. You placed a hand around Yeosang’s shoulder and Wooyoung sighed. "I'm going to get a shot" he told Mingi and went to the bar but still even two drinks later he couldn’t get his mind off you. So he decided to follow Yeosang’s advice and speak to you. You were having a good time with Yeosang and had lost sight of wooyoung...until he appeared right in front of you. He smiled at you both and came closer "mind if I cut in?" he asked. "Yes I do mind" you replied but Yeosang stepped back immediately. "Yeosang!" you cried but he looked down "just listen to him y/n" and he quickly walked away making you wonder what Yeosang hadn't told you. You sighed "well just because he left doesn't mean I have to stay" and you went to walk away when Wooyoung grabbed your arm. He didn't use any pressure but you still glared until you noticed his eyes. They were very soft and he was staring at you almost pleadingly. "Please" he said and you paused, never hearing his voice so desperate. "5 minutes" you told him and came back to him. Neither of you were dancing and you were just stood staring at each other in the sea of people. "Whenever you're ready" you prompted and Wooyoung nodded. "I'm sorry for the way I've been acting, isolating myself and avoiding you...it's just because I was jealous of you and Yeosang" he admitted but you didn't understand. "But that's so childish, to begrudge your friend from being friends with other people? We've never gotten mad when you hang out with other people". Wooyung shook his head "no I wasn't jealous because you were friends with Yeosang, I was jealous because I thought you were more than friends". You paused "you thought me and Yeosang...that's crazy!". He nodded "I get that now but I didn't know it at the time and it drove me crazy with jealousy and anger". "You were jealous?" you asked "why because we left you out?". He shook his head "because in this fantasy I wanted to be your Yeosang". You went to speak before it click and only managed an "ohhh". Wooyoung nodded "oh" and you realised how close the two of you were standing. "So how do you...feel about me?" you asked softly and Wooyoung smiled. "You're one of my oldest friends and I love and respect your friendship more than anything. I think you're an excellent performer and have one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. I'm mesmerised every time you dance because you're so graceful but also so hot that I swear everything you do leaves me a mess. I want you more than I've ever wanted anything and I can't picture myself with anyone but you" Wooyoung told you "and I wouldn't want to". He was now inches away from you and he stared at you with a beautiful look "now your turn". Your mouth went dry and you panicked. "I...you...i think i like you too". Wooyoung smiled "you do huh? Care to elaborate?" with that signature smirk that always made your heart flutter. "Well you've been my comfort through debuting and everything. Moving here, moving out of dorms, hate comments, basically everything and I really care about you but it goes beyond that. Nobody can make me as angry as you can and every time I saw you leave a club with someone it made me feel weird...i think I didn't like seeing you with other people because I wanted it to be me but I'm not sure". Wooyoung nodded "well how about we test that?". You nodded and he leaned in and kissed you.

Years of pent-up attraction and the jealousy you’d both been feeling came together in a huge crash of emotion. So of course the kiss was amazing but still Wooyoung didn’t let up and that spurred you on too. You could’ve got lost in it forever but Wooyoung separated with another smirk "well that's a resounding yes". You blushed but smacked him lightly "shut up". He smiled looping his arms around your neck "make me". You gripped his waist and kissed him again just as Hongjoong and Seonghwa appeared. "As happy as we are the two of you finally worked this out can you stop making out in the middle of the floor. People are staring to stare". "Let them" Wooyoung replied holding you tighter against him and you laughed. "Okay we'll find somewhere more private" you smiled and led Wooyoung away. He kept an arm around you and as you headed outside, you saw Yeosang. He smiled "so I take it, it went well?" looking at Wooyoung and your eyes widened. "You knew?" you asked and he smiled "sorry he swore me to secrecy and you know I can't break a promise". "Dammit I hate how angelic you are sometimes" you pouted. “Aww come on you love it really” Wooyoung said kissing your cheek and you melted “yeah I do”. Yeosang smiled “i’m really happy for you both...does this mean I’m going to be the one being left out now?”. “Of course not!” you cried while Wooyoung nodded “yes”. You and Yeosang both slapped him lightly and Yeosang grinned “fine i’ll just replace you with San” and skipped past you both to him.

You smiled watching Yeosang “he’s so cute”. “But i’m cuter” Wooyoung replied and you smirked “hmmm i’m not sure, I think i’ll need convincing”. “It would be my pleasure” Wooyoung replied with a gleam in his eye and all you could think was thank god for Yeosang, for getting the two of you to speak to one another. You’d be getting him a huge birthday present for sure.

#ateez #wooyoung #wooyoung fic #wooyoung imagine #wooyoung x reader #ateez imagine #ateez fic #ateez x reader #kpop #kpop imagine #kpop fic #kpop ateez #ateez kpop #ateez wooyoung #ateez yeosang #yeosang #hongjoong #mingi #seonghwa

131 notes · View notes

sapphire-weapon · 10 months

Note

You might be bored answering this type of question, so feel free to ignore. I just needed a rant lol and to see if anybody out there at all agrees with my views. I'm just so mad at the complete WASTE of potential that Ada had. I sincerely hope that the remakes decanonise Aeon altogether because oh my god, it makes no sense for either character. Like at all.

Ada (despite the complete lack of background information) is at the very least an independent, stubborn, capable and (often) profit driven woman. She has multiple priceless connections and opportunities up her sleeve that she obtains by herself. This idea that Leon's the only kind person she's ever met is so fucking stupid. She took her chance to manipulate him when he was young and stupid, and I'm supposed to believe that their sparse meetings for a few hours every couple of years leads her to continuously question her motives because this One Guy changes her mind, because he's kind and handsome or whatever. It's so fucking stupid. The way the fandom perceives her is so super sexist. Why is she constantly portrayed as the Wine Mommy trope by fandom? It does my head in. She has been completely and utterly minimised to "how does she serve Leon Kennedy". That's it. That's all a large majority of the fanbase see her for. I would kill for Ada content that decanonises their "romance" and to have her OWN story, devoid of the male leads. (Also I hc her as lesbian lol, but that's neither here nor there.)

Then there's my understanding of Leon. I like that you pointed out he often takes the "easy choice", which I somewhat agree. Regardless, the pinnacle of his character is empathy and anger (as far as I understand). Bioterrorism has haunted him his whole life. He's witnessed countless atrocities at the hands of greedy billionaires. All he wants is to help innocents where he can. This trope of turning the other cheek because the antagonist is hot... makes no sense. Yes, she helps him, but she's consistently betrayed him and openly admits to working for her own gain. In what universe does his leniency make any sense when lined up with his other decisions and worldviews? Every "romantic" encounter they've had has required Leon to act completely out of character imo and "oh... he must have strong feelings" is the only reason we're provided with. It's so stupid and it's a pet peeve of mine that so many just don't see how horrificly written it is, lmao!

Anyway, do you agree? Am I maybe perceiving characters the wrong way? I can only hope the remakes fix this debacle. Aeon is some of the worst writing that RE has ever produced imo, but the excellence of RE7 and 8 give me hope for the newer content. :)

you're super not wrong about Ada

and while I really wish I could say you're not wrong about Leon, either... there is some there there. I get it. I get why he's so attached to her. the issue is that Leon's attachment to Ada is nothing more than a trauma response, but the series never treats it like that.

what's funny is that the actors do. both Matt Mercer and Nick Apostolides know that it's a fucked up trauma response, and they've both said so at different points in not so many words, and so they both treat it like that when they're actually delivering his lines -- but the actual games are over here like "aren't these two so hot together 😏" like... completely unironically.

the closest thing that RE came to self-awareness about the true nature of Leon and Ada's relationship (prior to RE2make and RE4make) is this:

whew. don't strain yourselves, there, Capcom.

I don't even think Capcom realizes just how alarming Leon's manic breakdown about her in RE6 actually is. I legit think they meant for it to come off as sincerely romantic and loving. but that scene -- like a few others in RE6 -- is carried on the shoulders of Matt Mercer's acting talent, and it is legitimately upsetting to watch/listen to.

I find his breakdown about Ada in RE6 to be more distressing than his cries for help in Vendetta, personally, because at least his cries for help are cries for help. the shit that happens in RE6 is just Leon's brain fucking breaking and no one is around to stop it or do anything or help him in any way -- and then later on, Helena, who couldn't actually hear what was said, assumed it was romantic, and Leon never corrects her, and that's that.

it's just

the line "if you're really Ada..." like holy shit what the fuck is that line WHAT IS THAT LINE Leon is literally ready to reject reality on the spot in that moment.

it's rough, dude.

and what's frustrating about Aeon is that that kind of dynamic has such huge potential to be legitimately compelling and tragic and heart-wrenching, but it isn't that because the script is so shitty.

all they had to do was just go one step further with Chris calling out Leon for his blind faith in Ada, axe the "lol u like her" shit from Helena, and then bookend that previous conversation between Chris and Leon with a more upsetting version of "She's like a part of me I can't let go" (make it something more like "But if I do let her go... what else will I lose?") and like

that's it, that alone makes RE6 way more nuanced and interesting in terms of characterization for Leon. it doesn't fix Ada in any way (because it's too late to fix Ada tbh), but it at least makes Leon's shit feel less ... bad and stupid.

but the way it is right now, it's just like...

17 notes · View notes