#my wee thoughts

[celluloidbroomcloset]

I was thinking about the idea that homophobia doesn't exist in the world of Our Flag Means Death. I think it's clear that this is not the case, but it is a more complicated issue than what we think of when we discuss straightforward homophobia, and is closely aligned with how the different worlds represented in the show perceive sex, love, and desire.

(Before I get going, I want to be clear that I'm discussing the world of the show itself, not the world of the historical Caribbean in the 18th Century. Our Flag Means Death primarily uses history as a useful lens through which to filter our own time period and the things it wants to discuss, and so only uses history when it serves the show's purposes. These are all just my thoughts - I'm always happy to discuss them!)

There are two major worlds at play in the show: the English gentry that Stede comes from, and the pirate world. In neither world is homosexuality explicitly treated as illicit or unacceptable, though it is never mentioned or shown in the English world. Most of the homophobia expressed by characters lies in the perceptions of the "right" and "wrong" ways of performing gender and sexual roles. I talked about this a bit here in regards to Izzy's homophobia.

In both the English and the pirate worlds, Stede's gender presentation is openly questioned. Stede is a fop - not necessarily a sexual marker one way or the other - but he's also, in the words of the show, soft. His father labels him a "weak-hearted, soft-handed, lily-livered little rich boy" who has never done a "man's work," blanches at the sight of blood, and is only inheriting his power from better, more masculine men.

Within the world of the show, Stede occupies a role typically reserved for female characters, in which he's sold in marriage to build his family's wealth. His romantic desire to marry for love is knocked down; it doesn't matter if he loves Mary or she loves him, or if there is even any desire on either side, because the whole point is to unite their wealth and produce heirs to carry on that wealth.

In Stede's memories, the shift from getting married to having children is instantaneous. Sex is implied, but it barely exists for him - it was simply something that he had to do to fulfill his part. Again, this casts Stede in a role often reserved for female characters in fiction. The function of sex, in the English world, is procreation. Desire hardly enters into it, and love certainly doesn't. So it is likely that Stede's only sexual experiences are ones without desire and without love. They are simply to fulfill a function.

Pirate society is significantly more open when it comes to expression of sexuality, but it is still steeped in sexual roles and requirements. Stede's outward queerness marks him out, but it's his inward queerness and how that integrates his emotional core that makes him unacceptable within the masculine hierarchy represented by Izzy and Calico Jack.

I've gone into Izzy's toxic masculinity and hatred of Stede's gender presentation elsewhere, but to reiterate briefly - Izzy's biggest problem with Stede is that Stede does not occupy the correct gender role within the masculine hierarchy, nor does he occupy a properly defined sexual role. He is, in Izzy's view, supposed to be submissive to a dominant male, and he's anything but. He breaks the rules of piracy and he breaks the rules of masculinity, without seeming to be aware that there are rules to break (at least in the pirate world). Stede is "wrong" in Izzy's understanding of masculinity and homosexuality, just as he is wrong in the Badmintons'/his father's understanding.

It is Stede's breaking of those rules that attract Ed to him in the first place. He doesn't act like a pirate should. He's strange. He's off-script. He's...queer. That queerness draws Ed in - far from being repelled by it, as Izzy thinks he should be, he's fascinated by it. Stede's softness and gentleness are things that Blackbeard should either reject or attempt to dominate, and he does neither.

What comes out in Stede and Ed's interactions is that Ed himself doesn't just desire softness, but is soft himself. Beneath the masculinity he puts on, he wants to be touched with kindness, he wants to be embraced. One of Stede's first questions is if he "fancies a fine fabric." When Ed says he does, Stede doesn't laugh at him or view this as un-masculine. He shows Ed as many fine fabrics as he can, excited to finally have another man with whom to exchange this love.

Ed also wants to be submissive without being hurt. He gets Stede to stab him in a performance of sex, but the act implies even more than that - that sex and pain are closely related in the pirate world, tied to sexual roles (men who penetrated and men who are penetrated). But Stede, once more, is a gentle man who penetrates. He doesn't see the stabbing as a sexual act, nor does he get a sexual thrill from causing Ed pain. Ed submits to a man who cares that he's being hurt, and it is this softness that Ed wants and is, as yet, unable to ask for.

(It is notable that, when Ed recalls the stabbing in "Fun and Games," his main memory is of Stede's look of concern.)

The role of sex, love, and desire in the pirate world is made clearest with Calico Jack, far and away the most explicit representation of a pirate's toxic masculinity, who also highlights the reading of sex as about power and pain, not love. Calico Jack and Stede's conversation is the first time that sexual relationships between men is actually raised, in explicit and vulgar terms as Jack asks Stede if he and Ed are "buggering each other" and tells Stede "Blackie and I have had our dalliances."

Jack views Stede's response as being ashamed, but we see clearly that it's not shame but anger. Stede doesn't like who Ed is with Jack, and he doesn't like Jack's vulgarity, simplifying sex, and especially sex with Edward Teach, down to pure functions, not expressive of love or desire, just as they are in the English world. Jack's attitude that this is simply what men do to (not even with) other men when they are at sea, and he's proving his dominance by telling Stede that he's done it with Ed.

Stede is not ashamed at the assumption that he and Ed are having sex, but angry at the implication that sex between them would be "buggery" and "dalliance," not love (and, what's more, that Ed would be treated as a thing instead of a person by another man).

Stede's queerness is part of his emotional core - it is not a whim. It is not something he can discard or mask, regardless of how he dresses or behaves. It is not something that just "goes at sea," or that can be reduced to functions. It is integral to himself, and so he's been completely unable to conceal it from being perceived in either the English or the pirate world, though he has tried very hard to conceal it from himself.

Ed has also tried to conceal the emotional reality of his queerness via his performance as Blackbeard, turning it outward as violent games between men, without softer emotions. It is with Stede that his own emotional core is revealed, and the big mean pirate is shown to be a man who wants to be held and touched, to be submissive without being shamed or harmed.

They allow each other to be vulnerable, to move beyond their worlds' insistence on sex as being purely a function and to unite it with love and desire. Their romance develops out of friendship and a powerful emotional understanding that claims softness as strength.

Neither Stede nor Ed are acceptable in worlds dominated by toxic masculinity and controlled by rules of masculine hierarchy and power. But they are acceptable on the Revenge, filled with a crew of the "worst pirates in the world," all of whom openly, and increasingly, express fluid gender and sexual roles and identities that shift with relationships and feelings. Both are aligned with the queer liberation of the Revenge, itself shaped by Stede's ethos of kindness and breaking the "culture of violence" of piracy, but they have to break out of their worlds' underlying homophobia to find their way to each other.

#ofmd #ofmd season 1 #stede bonnet #edward teach #ed teach #gif #ofmd meta #our flag means death #queer liberation #rhys darby #taika waititi #my wee thoughts #long post

[awearywritersworld]

mdni

prisoner!toji x prison doctor!reader, anyone?

the first time you meet him, it's because he busts his knuckles so badly in a fight that he needs stitches.

"had i known there was such a pretty little thing hiding back here, i'd have done this a lot sooner."

the only response you offer is a roll of your eyes.

despite your evident disinterest, he visits the infirmary much more frequently after that day. the next time, he swears he feels ill and that there's something going around his cellblock.

"so, why's a nurse like you working in a place like this?"

"doctor."

"doctor, hm?" he muses. "i guess i really don't have a shot, then."

you let out a breath, something between a laugh and a scoff. the pads of your fingers prod at the lymph nodes below his jaw, and you conclude that he's probably feeling just fine. "not a chance."

a week later, he hurts his shoulder while weight lifting in the prison gym.

"you should really be more careful," you chide, rather confident his small winces aren't for show.

"if it means i get to see your pretty face, why should i?"

it's unbelievably inappropriate the way heat rises to your cheeks, but you can't help it.

so for the next two months, you just ignore it.

you ignore the easy conversation that seems to flow between the two of you. you ignore when his hand brushes against your thigh as you press your stethoscope to his chest. you ignore the fact you look forward to his visits.

but late one night, he's brought to infirmary after a fight with his cellmate. his eye is black, his lip is split, and his knuckles are bloody.

and you think fate must have it out for you, because you can't ignore it anymore. not when he's pushing you against the wall, a medical tray clattering to the floor in his haste. not when his lips devour yours hungrily, his grip on your hips brutal and unforgiving. not when he's sighing your name against your mouth, his soft tone a stark contrast to his actions.

finally you gather yourself enough to pull away, to ask him what the hell he's doing.

it doesn't matter though, because it's too late. you've had a taste of him, and you are so unimaginably screwed.

#this is my wee little bedtime story #ive been itching to write but there are not enough hours in the day :( #i dont love this but i needed to put this thought out into the world #m!writes #toji #toji x reader #toji imagines #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jujutsu kaisen imagines #jjk #jjk x reader #jjk imagines

[mitoad]

#im going to be so fucking real price nd gaz were my gay awakening as a lil wee guy (12yr old) #🍵 mito's rambles°｡ ⋆⸜ #call of duty #cod x reader #call of duty x reader #cod modern warfare #cod mw #cod mw2 #cod mw3 #john price #john price x reader #kyle gaz garrick #kyle gaz x reader #simon ghost riley #simon ghost x reader #simon riley x reader #simon ghost riley x reader #simon riley #john soap mactavish #johnny mctavish x reader #cod x male reader #cod x tm! reader #cod x ftm reader #cod x m! reader #trans male reader #male reader #mlm #mlm thoughts #gay thoughts #transgender

[ami-v-dragnire]

Unpacking 📚🪴✨ __ My piece for the month of August as part of the @desiderata2023 calendar! A quick break from unpacking all the boxes in their South Downs cottage.

#good omens #good omens fanart #ineffable wives #ineffable partners #the colour palette was a wee bit of a challenge but i think i made it work #august is the month my fam moved into our house so i thought it was fitting to have them move into the south downs cottage too #good omens zine #crowley #ami v art #aziraphale #av art #also finished this may last year so i hope my style has improved #AND I HOPE THEY MAKE IT HERE IN S3

[oodlesodoodles]

Harry squeezes a local Club manager to let them have a swim in the fancy ass pool in return for keeping a drugging/poisoning case quiet

#Ive been really productive the last few days but i go back to work so thats gonna change #Maybe this isnt universal but the most easygoing and eager to skinnydippers ive met are trans guys haha #And i like the thought of kim being so tightened til theres relative privacy and also a body of water OUT OF THE WAY #Hes really disapproving of harry doing this until it works! Then hes excited. so they come back in the wee hours to 'interview a late night #They have to be hush about it bc they dont want anyone else tagging along #God when im bored for multiple days instead of doing chores my brains starts writting fic i guess.

[rainymoodlet]

this is the police- the sim is too hot, i repeat- (arizona sutton, she/they)

#ts4 #ts4 screenshots #ts4 horse ranch #ts4 cas #alt title: reddit help - i think i accidentally made my dream butch partner in the sims???? #i LOVE... big arms #sim: arizona #;cinextras #my cinnamon girl~ #(gender neutral fdhdj) #kmik is still here to stay i'm just having a wee creative break before editing on wednesday~ #arizona lived in belladonna cove for years working as a shop mechanic before moving to chestnut ridge #they were actually going to be my gameplay sim until this... literal very moment #bc i thought up a boyfriend for don and not this absolute heart-stealer #minorly bc i can't pair another hot ass genderless sim with an OLD MAN djfhs #my self-insertdom regardless fdhjf #i love u all i give Big Smorch #so now they are TOWNIE BESTIE YAYYY

[lemongrass-and-buttercups]

ok so when con described izzy as a “hopeless romantic” in that one article. he wasn’t kidding

#i’m so sorry i can’t stop thinking about the la vie en rose scene #first of all one of my favourite songs #second of all who would’ve thought izzy hands would end up softly singing a love song in drag makeup and kissing wee john on the hand?? #like??????? #the man of all time??? #the babygirl of all time???????? #little talks #our flag means death #ofmd #ofmd spoilers #ofmd season 2 #ofmd s2 #our flag means death spoilers #izzy hands #con o'neill

[oifaaa]

I know it doesn’t really matter but I’m curious on whether u think Jason killed Felipe Garzonas or not. I could go either way tbh.

He did it and he'd do it again I've got evidence can you see the evidence no but trust me I have it

#ask #anon #honestly i change my mind anout this atleast 5 times a month #but yeah it doesn't really matter if he did or not #it was more about bruces reaction and how he handled the situation #yadda yadda yadda #but no shut up just thought of a fun question #bc i do know alot of people tend to go the opposite direction #of he didn't #so im curious #if it was ever confirmed jason did kill him #like full flash back in a good jason book #would that change any thing for you #presuming you are the type of person who thinks he didnt push philippe #if your with me and you flip flop on it #or just think he did already #then this isnt for you #idk this seems like a fun wee thought game

[iron-sparrow]

i know i'll see you again whether far or soon ♪

#ffxiv screenshots #gposers #ffxiv gpose #elezen #haurchefant #yein my beloved #wol x haurchefant #“I thought I'd lost you!” #“You did.” #the only person WoL Yein ever loved #wee my first NPC pose #excited to save him in DSR

[track-1917]

that look was a choice. i'm wondering if there were other options.

#buddie #911 abc #evan buckley #eddie diaz #i'm a shipper and i'm a lurker #this is probably the only post i'm going to make about them #eddie x buck #buck x eddie #911 spoilers #911 abc spoilers #eddie diaz my beloved #album: stark #track: you could have mine #album: guzman #track: i do not panic #this is dumb but i had a thought #album: wee woo show

[celluloidbroomcloset]

There's an exchange in the bedroom scene in "Man on Fire" that I think gets a little lost and is actually very important:

"You saved my life." "Well, I'm glad I could help. I'm sure you'll return the favor next time we're in a near-death situation." "How about we just avoid all near-death situations?" "Yeah, nice idea. Not bloody likely in our line of work.

The exchange gets kind of lost in the mermaid discussion and Izzy busting in, which happens before Ed can say anything more, but it's not an incidental moment. Ed’s greatest fear is always losing Stede - either because Stede is whim prone and wants to be a big famous pirate, or because piracy is dangerous and they are constantly in near-death situations. The moment comes at a time when Ed has discarded his leathers; he no longer wants to be Blackbeard, and it's increasingly clear he doesn't want to be a pirate. But the fear is still there.

Stede has nearly died multiple times since Ed met him. They meet when he’s been stabbed and is bleeding out. Izzy runs him through. Ed himself almost goes through with killing him. The English try to execute him. Every time Ed has been more or less powerless to stop it.

Blackbeard has nearly been the cause of Stede's death. The persona is what Izzy kept appealing to when he tried to get Ed to kill Stede. The night before, Ned Low almost killed them as a result of choices Ed made as Blackbeard. Ed can’t stop Stede from being hurt, even when he tries to keep the attention focused on him. It’s Stede who winds up being able to act, using the awesome power of empathetic listening and worker unionization. Ed can’t protect him and can’t save him, and Blackbeard put him in danger.

This feeds into Ed’s other fears. He spiraled when he lost Stede once, and every time he sees Stede hurt, he starts to panic. He’s been reminded, as they’re lying in bed in the safest place they could be, that their jobs mean that they’ll be in danger - that Stede will be in danger, either because of simply being a pirate, or because of Ed himself. Ed is scared of who he becomes when he has to put on Blackbeard, and he doesn't want to do it anymore. He's also now had it confirmed that Blackbeard is what puts Stede in danger in the first place.

It seems safer for him to run. If he runs, he never has to see Stede hurt, he never has to be Blackbeard, he never has to be worried about his own heart breaking, he never has to be left alone because he's the one that ran first.

But of course he does, because he goes back to the Republic of Pirates and sees the destruction and the first thing he thinks is that Stede is hurt. He hears Stede screaming for help, and he’s not there.

What Ed has forgotten is that Blackbeard has also saved Stede's life. The one time he was able to save Stede from death was by being Blackbeard—the English listen to his call for an Act of Grace because of the persona; they want the accolades for turning Blackbeard from piracy. The persona itself is what saves Stede.

In the end, Ed finds something worth killing for. He puts on Blackbeard again—he kills, willingly, for perhaps the first time since his father, in order to find and protect the man he loves. Much like Stede searching the Caribbean for Ed, there's no guarantee that he'll find what he hopes for, but he'll still hope. He's no longer watching the world burn; he's going to save Stede, or die trying.

#ofmd #our flag means death #edward teach #stede bonnet #blackbonnet #gentlebeard #ofmd meta #taika waititi #rhys darby #ofmd season 2 #tw: violence #my wee thoughts #always happy to hear others!

[ofswordsandpens]

also I do think it might be noteworthy that Ares in the show was like "You guys are so behind schedule" when in the book the trio were arguably making fairly good (or at least okay) time until they got stuck at the Lotus Hotel and lost five days. Like sure maybe show Ares was just picking at them but it also does makes me wonder if the show is intending to tweak the time loss aspect of the story line.

#I hope they dont but like I am ye of little faith #I think they're going to focus on Hermes a wee bit too much here in the episode and that will likely unnecessarily bog down the story a bit #I never thought one my complaints about the show would be that that the gods are TOO involved in the storyline now but like #yeah #pjo show crit

[bleedingichorhearts]

I wish to boop an Astartes, as if they were a cat.

𝕬𝖚𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖗: You wish to boop the snoot? No, you desire. Careful on who you boopin’ however. You never specified who's, what and the huh.

𝕿𝖆𝖌𝖌𝖊𝖉: @kit-williams, @egrets-not-regrets.

What I imagined(can’t find the original.). Have a Mario version too.

TW // Language.

Dark Angels: To boop such an Knight. You must build yourself up to his level quite literally. He’ll watch you with a semblance of amusement as you pull a chair in front of him and climb on top of it, just to “boop” him? On the ‘nose’ of his helmet? He shakes his head, silly little bonded. You’re lucky he allows you to touch his armor.

Emperor Children: Booping such a diva will reward you with a purr to your name. His form leaning down to let you pursue more of your little “boops” as long as he gets to admire your beauty in it. Perhaps even take your hand in his and kiss it. Slather it in his saliva.

Iron Warriors: To boop this warrior, you’ll have to catch him at the right time or surprise him with it as they are stubborn in their work. So, when you suddenly succeeded in giving him a “boop” while he was fortifying/crafting, he huffs and turns to you before swiping you up in his arms and placing you in his lap. He’ll let you boop him as long as his work gets done perfectly. It is your gift after all.

White Scars: To boop a White Scar is like trying to catch a certain someone underneath a mistletoe, but just for you he will stay still for just a moment when you request of him. Leaning down to your level, he experiences your “boops.” His nose scrunching up, but otherwise— aaannnnd he already off in the wind.

Space Wolves: The booping of the Space Viking comes at the immediate price of some attention. You “booped” him? Do it again. Again! Will you give me some smooches too? Is quite the definition of “puppy.” You might as well scratch under his chin while you’re at it.

Imperial Fists: Booping this bulldozer rewards you with a secret fortification. However, he doesn’t necessarily like you interrupting his work, but he wasn’t doing anything nearly as important as listening you. So, when you “boop” him on the nose, it scrunches up before he just nods in acceptance. Though liking the… experience.

Night Lords: To boop a Night Lord, you must be able to face the consequences afterward. One can’t just “boop” him without having one back! So, the bastard just overwhelms you with his own “boops” to your cheeks, overall body.

Blood Angels: The booping of these vampires is quite easy, really. He’ll lean down at your request, watching as your finger comes out and “boops” him on the nose. Your petite form giggling at him, blood pumping through your veins, and before you know it. You have his fangs brushing up against your neck. Showing you his own little “boops” at your acceptance, of course.

Iron Hands: To boop this one is a lot harder to do. Considering they are the more… “logical” Astartes. You’ll need to be careful or perhaps more smarter? Tricking the Iron Hand into “helping” you with some appliance. You do manage to “boop” him on the nose. His form pausing in his action to help you before he realizes he’s been fooled for your attention. His eyes watching you run away from him as he could only grumble to himself. His heart’s beating in his chest.

World Eaters: Easy to “boop” this one! He is usually always around you when you become more attentive. Anything you do to him and he’s his devouring it as it calms him down greatly. Sometimes more than he likes admit.

Ultramarines: Booping this blueberry is a classic. He’ll kneel down to your level, awaiting the “booping” you told him about. Acting all courageous when receiving the “boop” on his nose, but dying on the inside.

Death Guard: This stink bug here is like a moth to a flame. When you “boop” him, he’ll just stare at you. Not a single thought going inside of that brain of his. You were afraid that you might have broken him, but in reality he was just really slow. He’ll rumble and purr in return… eventually.

Thousand sons: This one is a slow one too. To endorsed in his parchments, but he’ll catch on more quickly. Especially since you’re doing it more than once. When another “boop” leaves your mouth, your finger poking his nose. He sighs, taking you by your shirt and laying you down his lap, a slight grin showing on his usual voided face.

Sons of Horus: Booping this Son grants you a mix between a purr and a growl an impressive sound to hear. It stops you in your tracks to “boop” him again as he looks down at you, questioning why you didn’t “boop” him again. He really wants it. Give him another boop.

Word Bearers: Booping this one is also a classic. Kneeling down to your level. He’ll amuse your need to boop him then to tend to his scriptures. Blinking when you do “boop” him on the nose. He doesn’t hesitate to grab your hand when you pull back. Kissing your knuckles with a chuckle.

Salamanders: It’s freeroam to boop these dragons! They are a wholesome bunch! When you “boop” your Salamander he smiles and gives you a (very gentle) boop in return. 10/10 experience would try again.

Raven Guard: Booping these ravens is another classic, but a loving experience. Your Raven coos at you when you “boop” him. His head coming forward to give you eskimo kisses. Do thread your fingers through his hair too.

Alpha Legion: These bright blue mysteries are an easy one to boop also. Perhaps too easy… When you “boop” your Legionnaire on his helmet and run away giggling. His suspicions are high, even higher when his visor is coated in… glitter? Did he just get blasted with glitter by his little bonded??? His brethren laugh behind him. Oh, he so going to get you back.

#warhammer 40k #space marine husbandry sentience #space marine husbandry #fanfiction #space marine #personalized headcanons #just my thoughts on what they would do #ya didn’t specify who #so I tried to do all of them #something I’m trying out #blood Angel got a wee thirsty #some of them do bite

[t0x1nz]

2012 but instead of it being called 2012 its just called "i forgor"

#idek what im trying to say here i have no thoughts in my head #2012 #william woodiam #will wood #wee woo #will wood and the tapeworms #wwatt

[steakout-05]

huegehgshhgeehu big slappy

#tf2 #tf2 scout #scout tf2 #shitpost #big slappy #i fucking love the big slappy image so much you have no idea #it's so unbelievably silly #look at him go wee haha!!! heeheehoohoo #ignore the headset that may or may not be missing i forgot which side of scout's head it's on #also the duffel bag. didnt feel like drawing it #he was off duty ok #this is him joyously going to a date with miss pauling and/or sniper #also while drawing his pants i thought about that one really funny tf2 fact that came out around the leaks #which is that the blu scout's pants have been the wrong colour for like the entire lifespan of the game up to that point #because whoever was doing the textures forgot to enable the correct colour layer and no one noticed for over a decade #classic valve #honestly i think blu scout looks good with the brown pants. i dunno there's just something about it- #-that tickles the ''cool colours'' part of my brain #it might be a jon arbuckle thing for me because he had brown pants in gaf and i just think that combo looks nice #i like it!! #anyway. slap him on the ass

[mira0000000-blog]

Concepts for a Surgamy fankid named Nerine, created in a fit of Surgamy thoughts at 6am and I cant draw him again..So i think im gonna abandon him for a while haha.. sth

#i dont know how to character design at all im so sorry for his colors lmaoo #i dont like how his clothes turned out.. gonna try doing somethin else for his wardrope when i feel like it eee now im angy at him #he never met surge or amy as a kid! he doesnt even know he is technically their son! its complicated! #he never really doubted or thought too much about where did he come from either #also hes very forgetful! he only forgets more stuff over time and nobody can tell why.. #he was born and found around a time where sonic wasnt heroin anymore so he takes the role! as weird as that sounds! #his lore is very incoherent cos he was born yesterday lol just a silly incoherent guy.. #surgamy fankid #surgamy #surgeamy #Nerine the Hedgehog #sth #wee my art i gues