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#Can be seen as platonic or ambiguous
passportclown · 4 months
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Starscream x Reader
Warnings: Mentions of violence and threats, but nothing actually detailed or described in depth.
You and Starscream, just spending time together in a Forest.
Takes place during Season 2 of TFP
ao3 link
My kofi if you feel like donating!
Brush it Back
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It has been a while since you first ran into Starscream. He's rude and loud. An overall foul individual. You normally wouldn't bother with such a person. Except.. he's also a giant supposedly alien robot.
Obviously, you kept coming back, if only to look at him.
You're pretty sure he was going to kill you the first time, but in a pathetic attempt to protect your life, you complimented him.
He liked it... you think.
He doesn't like you, you assume. Sometimes it seems like he does. But.. then he'll call you some sort of expletive in an alien language. So you're not too sure. But he doesn't kill you, at least.
Currently, you're sat on a large tree root as you watch him pace. He vents his troubles to you. Whenever you meet up, you can barely get a word in.
He doesn't touch you. He thinks you're sticky, squishy, or… something like that?
At times he switches to different languages to better express himself. You have no idea what he's saying, but it doesn't really matter. You feel like a therapy animal or something. Maybe that's what you are to him?
"Are you even listening, human?!" He flares up, his voice growing particularly nasally as he yells. That's another thing about him, he can speak totally ASMR worthy at times. But other times.. he sounds like this.
"Well?" He taps his pede, shaking the ground and causing you to feel slightly intimidated.
"I'm listening, I promise. You just switched to another language.. again.. so I couldn't keep up." You try to sound placating, so he doesn't throw a fit.
It seems to work because he just huffs and looks off to the side.
There's a few minutes of no movement and awkward silence, but then.. he bends down. You're not sure why at first, but then you see his large servo reaching for you. You yelp and quickly back up. "What are you doing?" You exclaim, unsure if you've upset him or not.
"Oh relax, pitiful mammal. Just hold still." He doesn't grab you, he just reaches for your bangs and flips them back with one of his long and sharp claws. When your bangs flop back in your face, he scowls.
It would've been sweet, or friendly if he weren't giant and scary at times. Sometimes he's funny, but he's still.. him. And rude.
"Why must these strands defy me.." He mutters to himself. You pretend to not hear it. Because the way he refers to your hair 'defying him' is.. absolutely hilarious.
"I can brush it back, next time." You offer, but his scowl just deepens.
"Don't seek to cater to me like some organic youngling!" He flares up, but then he slackens slightly. "That's not the point, fleshbag." He grumbles, almost a growl.
It makes you wonder if he just wanted to play with your hair. But you don't ask. You just sit and watch as he stands back up and wiped imaginary dust off of himself.
"You better not leave, got that human?" He sneers.
You're not sure if he cares or not. Maybe he's just lonely and desperate. But you nod, and that seems to be good enough for him.
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lost kitten
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Summary: Halfway starts with happiness for me
Halfway house, lost kitten in the street
Characters: Ranpo Edogawa & Nakajima Atsushi
(A/N: I don’t own anything from this franchise. Respectful ownership belongs to Metric for this song and Kafka Asagiri for this manga).
Don't say yes if you can't say no
Victim of the system, say it isn't so
Squatted on the doorstep, swollen on the blow
Leaving without you, can't say no
Nothing gets past Ranpo’s keen, chartreuse irises.
So, when his line of sight grazed over Atsushi’s form the next time the other placed the stacked of papers onto his desk with an awkward smile on his lips and a pure sparkle of curiosity pooling around his amethyst eyes, he’s quick to dismissed him as a lanky male with an airheaded disposition and a terrible person who can’t say no to other people even if he doesn’t want to do it.
A doormat with no self-preservation.
Atsushi’s existence wasn’t worth thinking about so he focused on other things.
Even when the other was kidnapped back then he didn’t hold back on his own opinion of questioning the agency’s want of saving him when it’s Atsushi’s fault for falling into that kind of situation in the first place.
Because of his stupid kindness. Naivete. And didn’t have an ounce of self-regard for himself.
Even if Fukuzawa had persuaded him successfully back then to rescue the young lad, a twinge of acerbity pooled within him as he complied with his team’s wishes and successfully rescued him with his great assistance.
Ranpo had tried to dismiss it and paid attention to other important variables of their mission even though numerous emotions had arisen within him which had his mind and heart swam into pools of confoundment.
Halfway starts with happiness for me Halfway house, lost kitten in the street Hit me where it hurts, I'm coming home to lose Kitten on the catwalk, high-heeled shoes
Boarding on the train was a pain in the ass.
There were a lot of things that needed to be considered which always made Ranpo’s mind came into a screeching halt when processing more important information inside his head.
But most of all he hated it when he had to stare at the railway map at the train station like it was an object consisted of alien language.
For all his cleverness and intelligence, he had a terrible spatial awareness when it came to directions.
Most of the time he loathed some missions that required for him to take on the train.
“Ranpo-san…?” Atsushi’s hesitant voice in the background reached his line of hearing and halted his thoughts and concentration.
“Yeah?” He asked noncommittally.
“I already bought some train tickets so we’re good to go…” The other’s voice faltered slightly at the end which caught Ranpo’s attention and turned around to face him.
Ranpo saw the look of hesitation and slight embarrassment coloring the other’s face but what caught more of his attention was the other holding a bottle of—
“Ramune?” He voiced out.
“Oh. Uh, yeah. I figured that you might be bored and probably thirsty from the heat and waiting for too long because of the long lines at the booth. So, this one’s for you Ranpo-san but I’m not sure if you’d want a drink like this—.”
“Open it and give it to me.” Ranpo cut him off lightly.
Atushi blinked at him owlishly before complying to his words and twisted the cap off from the lid. The soft, sizzling sound of the soda permeated his ears as soon as Atsushi opened it and handed it to him.
Ranpo took it in silence and drank from its contents. As the other was mostly self-conscious around him to notice anything else, one of his eyes opened slightly and let his dazzling emerald orbs bored right through the other’s soul.
He guessed that lost kittens had an interesting side after all.
No more hard-headed Saturdays They got it, they want it, they give it away Tell me one thing you would never do I was looking for a hooker when I found you
Ranpo was used to it by now.
The incompetence and inefficiency of the police in this place was something that irked him in the past but he grew mostly out of it and regarded them with a cold indifference and distaste.
But this was one of those days that his backhanded comments and smart aleck remarks had made Ranpo landed himself in hot waters with one of the police officers.
He didn’t look like it but he had a basic knowledge of self-defense techniques from Fukuzawa himself which wasn’t to be trifled either as he was trained by a previous assassin.
Besides Ranpo view the other people who resorted to violence as a retaliation as a lower being than himself as he found them dull and lacking in sharpness in thinking that fists could solve everything.
Ranpo was ready to block out the other’s officer’s incoming fists when someone blocked it already much to his brief surprise.
His eyes grew wide for a moment as he stared at Atsushi’s paws effectively caught the other’s fist and blocked his attack.
“I’d appreciate it if we don’t resort to violence sir. Especially not hitting on Ranpo-san who’s currently lending his hand and skill as a detective in solving this case.” Atsushi’s firm voice rang out.
It was rare to see and hear Atsushi being like that.
He knew that he got some hidden claws but it’s usually overshadowed by his meekness and insecure behavior most of the time.
“Tch. Whatever. Don’t think that both of you are some hotshots just because your talented people.” The officer sneered as he withdrew his fists and walked away grumbling to himself.
And just like that.
Everything went back to normal.
You've got my eyes, you've got my eyes You'll never be mine, ah, but you've got my eyes
“I can defend myself earlier.” Ranpo’s casual voice shattered the deafening silence as they’re both walked back to the train station after Ranpo solved the case at the pier.
Orangey hues spread out through the sky as the sun was already setting down in the late afternoon.
“I know Ranpo-san… But deducing something from a complicated crime such as this in just less than a few minutes is a great talent itself even greater than my own honestly… And people such as the police officers should learn to respect and appreciate that…” Atsushi paused and looked at him with a serenely downcast expression on his face, a fragile yet smile of understanding marring his features.
It made Ranpo paused gazed at him with a brief expression of being taken aback for a few seconds.
And that’s when Ranpo knew.
Atsushi was one of the genuinely accepting and selfless people he had met in his lifetime.
When you lie, I cover it up When you hide, I cover it up When you cry, I cover it up When you come undone, I cover it up
Ranpo had realized his initial lukewarm reception towards him.
Because he saw his younger self in him.
Naïve. Accepting. Kind.
It disgusted him.
But he was more disgusted at himself.
He had turned into some jaded, cynical being disguised in the faux sweetness of his confectionaries and quick remarks to other people.
Emotions hadn’t been his strong suit and Ranpo knew that his sharp tongue and disposition with other people had always got him into trouble rather out of it.
But an unknown, niggling feeling within him had urged to take a good look at Atsushi and pay more attention to him.
And his intrigue grew with each moment passed them by.
So pent-up, I was coming home to you Happy in the nighttime, howlin' at the moon Sippin' on a cocktail, drinking in the loo There's something about you I hold on to
Days trickled by that turned into weeks.
They both found themselves in being partnered often in missions together.
Mostly because aside Atsushi being too kind in refusing tasks and partners being assigned to him, he was one of the few people who possessed a genuine patience that can rival a saint when it came to dealing with Ranpo’s fractious personality.
Their silence inside the train rides slowly turned into occasional small talks: mostly with Ranpo commenting idly on his observations about other people and ranting about everything else. Until it turned into a two-way street of conversation between the two of them.
Ranpo found out even with their stark differences, they have oblique similarities.
They’re fiercely protective of people they care about even if it’s in the form of different entire beings.
Opinions of the people they greatly respected and admire about were both important to them.
When the train ride was over, Ranpo had looked over the horizon where the sun was setting peacefully.
A maelstrom of emotions was awakening within him as he stayed longer by Atsushi side.
And he didn’t want it to end.
When you lie, I cover it up When you hide, I cover it up When you cry, I cover it up When you're blind, I cover it up
(A/N: Yeah, pretty damn late getting into this fandom. But what can I say? Ranatsu is the first rare ship that caught my attention in this franchise, and I just had to get this out of my system. Reviews are amusing so let me hear them from you).
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trulyhblue · 3 months
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If you write for her, I will not be opposed to a Kerstin Casparij one because I have the biggest fattest crush on her. Maybe a fan keeps showing up in the fanzone (an area of the Joie stadium where a selected few are allowed to meet the players, but it's random each time and should make it so its different every time so everyone gets a go.) And nobody knows why she's there or how she keeps getting chosen but the players find it funny and make sure to get round to her every time. But Kerstin always spends a particularly long amount of time with her, until it's revealed that she's pulling strings and getting the girl in every time just so she can see her. (You can either do it where she does it because she likes her or because they're dating, it works with both and I'm not sure which one I want more.)
Charmer
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Kerstin Casparji x Reader, Lauren Hemp x Platonic! Reader, Esme Morgan x Platonic! Reader, Man City WT x Reader.
Warnings: fluff, coarse language, established secret relationship
A/N — Thank you for this request!! Love it so much. Will definitely write more for Kerstin if anyone is willing to send in some requests!!!!!
__________________
You had met Kerstin in a bakery down the road from your house. When you first saw each other, the woman nearly tripped over her own feet. You were surprised by the shock on her face like she was starstruck by being in a metre of your presence. You gave her a friendly smile, hoping your open ambiguity would keep things humble.
It was during your final exams, the ones where you needed to pass so that you could continue your degree. You were very passionate about what you did, and sitting down in a quiet coffee shop with your headphones on and books open was your idea of being productive.
Kerstin, on the other hand, had the impression that you didn't want to talk to her.
Which, well, to be honest, you were in the middle of studying, but you gave no clear indication of what she thought you were thinking.
Instead of going about her day — she should've been at training twelve minutes ago, but it was only media day so they could wait — she slowly sauntered closer to where you sat, pretending to be interested in the decorative flowers that embellished the cafe. You watched her out of the corner of your eye, smiling at her piss-poor attempt in remaining discreet.
You were dressed in very basic clothing, similar to hers save for the Manchester symbol embedded on her jumper. Only one ear was covered by your headphones, meaning that Kerstin would be heard loud and clear if she plucked up the courage to speak to you — which she was trying to do now. She thought you were the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen, and she was surrounded by women almost every single day of her life. You looked extremely immersed in what you were doing, which should of been an indicator of apathy but it only lured Kerstin in more.
She wanted to know everything about you. Your name, you favourite colour, what you did, what you loved, who you loved—
It sounded a bit creepy, so she shook off her thoughts and focused deeply on the flowers. The woman was staring at her screen distantly, aimlessly typing away on the keyboard with a mug by her side.
When she realised you had caught her staring, she buried and swallowed down her pride. “They are nice flowers, don't you think?” She asked, her cheeks burning a vibrant red as if she had just run a marathon. You noticed her accent, one that wasn't accustomed to Manchester, and nodded like you cared about the topic.
“Yes, but I think they are fake.” You replied, smiling wider as the woman’s flustered state only grew in size when she caught sight of the very fake-looking plants.
“Oh.” She gulped, shoving her hands into her pockets. She's so stupid, she thought to herself, she’d blown her chance of even talking to this gorgeous stranger by talking about some stupid, fake plants.
You wondered whether the woman would continue the conversation she started, but the silence that followed was a pretty good indicator that she was audibly stumped on what to say.
“They are pretty, though.”
“Like you,” Kerstin spoke without thinking and instantly regretted it. She slapped her hand across her mouth, nearly walking out of the coffee shop, packing her bags and moving back to the Netherlands. “Fuck, sorry. That just— erm, came out. Sorry.”
You took off your headphones, pretending to act offended, raising your eyebrows and sighing. “You don't mean it?”
“What— no, no, you are so pretty. Like, beautiful, gorgeous. That's why I'm here. Well— yeah, I saw and thought you were pretty. I didn't mean it like that. You're probably smart, too, but— erm, yeah.”
The look of remorse almost made you feel bad, but your amusement — and somewhat endearment — overturned your hesitancy.
Instead, you laughed, took a sip of your drink and smiled, hoping it would calm the woman’s nerves.
“You worry too much.” You said, moving across the booth you were sitting on, offering the space beside you for her to sit down. She did so without delay. “I'm not someone you should waste your worry on.”
“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” Kerstin answered wholeheartedly, pleased when she noticed the blush that dusted your cheeks. “I would rather worry about you than anything else for the rest of my life.”
You laughed, crossing your arms over your chest. “You don't even know me.”
With a push of confidence, Kerstin wrapped an arm over the back of the booth, scarcely missing your shoulder. “If you’d let me, I’d like to.”
“Charmer.”
It was from there that you and Kristen started to hang out.
Seven months had passed, and you were now completely and utterly in love with the woman. Kerstin was an externally affectionate person despite her introverted persona. She loved showering you with compliments, giving you everything you needed at exactly the right time with just the right amount of love and devotion.
You found out she was a football player pretty early on in your relationship due to the tight and busy schedule the girl had, including her diet, exercise, and all of that. You weren't a massive football fan, but going to your first game a week into knowing Kerstin made it seem to find a way into your heart.
Your girlfriend wasn't the only one to give compliments. You had your fair share in making sure the Dutch woman knew how much you were enamoured with everything she did. It took you a while to get used to her career and the publicity that came with it, but you found pleasure in knowing that once you got back to your shared apartment you could tell and show her just how much she made you feel so so proud.
It was in mutual agreeance that you both wanted to keep your relationship under wraps. Your feelings for one another and how you cared for each other were one of the highest concerns in your relationship, and by keeping your love between yourselves, you've found that it worked better overall. You didn't want to indulge in a media presence, and Kerstin respected that.
Kerstin was fine with putting herself out onto social media, but when it came to you, she wanted to make sure you were comfortable at all times.
Because of this, you both came to the decision that at games, you wouldn't sit within the family and friends section, and instead, in the crowd with the fans.
You were among the group of fans that were guaranteed to meet the players after the match, whether it be cause they paid more or if they were chosen randomly by officials. For many weeks, people just assumed that they were lucky or could just afford to pay the extra money to be seated in the same section. Both you and Kerstin found it amusing when fans would wonder why you were always the first one to be greeted, or why you knew her.
After a month of this recurring theme, some of Kerstin’s teammates started to notice.
Surprisingly, Lauren, who wasn't the most observant, caught sight of it first.
“Do you know her?” She asked Kerstin after a game against Everton, watching the Dutchie make eye contact with you from where they were signing shirts.
Kerstin looked at Hempo, a blush running across the bridge of her nose.
Shrugging, she thanked the last fan, handing back the pen. “She's a friend of mine.”
Lauren’s eyebrows furrowed. “Then why isn't she in the friends and family section?”
When Kerstin didn't instantly reply, silenced by the prodding questions she was receiving, a distant idea clicked in Lauren’s mind.
“She's your girlfriend?” She sounded, obviously a little too loudly since the Dutch international nudged her warningly.
“Alright, nosey, keep your voice down.” She snapped, pulling the girl away from the crowd. “You can't tell anyone, alright. It's still pretty new.”
Lauren’s eyes widened in alarm, not exactly thrilled with the commitment of keeping a secret. “Does Jill know?”
“Why would Jill know?”
“I don't know, I didn't think I’d be the first person to find out,” Hempo replied, looking back at you. “Can I tell someone?”
Kerstin’s eyebrows furrowed. “I just said you can't.”
“Yes, I know, but I'm terrible at keeping secrets,” Lauren whined. “Please, let me tell Jill, at least.”
“No, because Jill will tell Viv and Viv will tell Beth, and Beth will tell literally everyone.” She quipped, only half-heartedly digging at the Arsenal girls. She watched Hemp sigh like a child, looking down as if the burden of her knowing was too much. “You can tell Esme but that's it.”
That was how the first people found out about you and Kerstin. When she told you that night, you weren't necessarily fazed. It was bound to come out at some point, and you’d rather Kerstin’s teammates find out from her than the internet.
Unfortunately, though, the rest of the girls weren't afforded the same luxury as Esme and Lauren.
All of the girls at Man City couldn't believe their eyes when they found out Kerstin was in love.
Well, to be fair, they weren't quite certain this was true. Lauren and Esme saw it first at the next game against West Ham, watching their teammate smile cheekily at the girl in the stands when she should've been stretching.
Sandy mentioned the Dutch International’s love-sick countenance to some of their teammates over lunch a few weeks later, promoting Hempo and Es to spill their not-so-long-kept confession.
None of the girls knew who Kerstin was talking to — or even if their suspicions were acclimated, but Sandy, Esme, and Lauren all made it their mission to keep their lips closed.
Sandy was the one to come up with the pact, yet the demanding eyes of Roebuck after an endurance training session set her tongue loose.
Lauren wasn't at all happy. Esme ended up spilling the secret to Mary as well, meaning the secret was already spreading across the team.
Meanwhile, fans were growing more and more suspicious of you and how you managed to steal the attention of Kerstin after each and every game.
The media surrounding you two got so big that Kerstin’s national teammate Viv called her one day asking what was going on.
Kerstin knew Lauren and Esme had told at least half the team by then, including Jill, who had run up to you after a game and pretended to flirt with you just to annoy her teammate. Viv was quick to point out that if she wanted to keep your relationship private, putting you in the midst of cameras and media attention wasn't the most suitable option.
You ended up deciding that if you were to stay in the crowd, both of you needed to be willing to make your relationship more public.
It had been seven months of concealing your obvious love for one another. Pretty much the whole team knew about you, and it only took fans a quick video of the two of you looking at each other to piece the clues together. You were both mature enough to keep your private lives private and social lives up to your discretion.
You made the decision to share very minimal parts of your lives together without spelling it out. This meant that you could hug your girlfriend for that little while longer in front of everyone. You could kiss her and not look around to see if anyone was looking. You could tell yourself that Kerstin was yours and you were hers.
But you didn't need public knowledge to make you feel loved by her.
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kerstincasparji
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kerstincasparji — bit of a charmer ✨
Comments:
user11 — UM THE SOFT LAUNCH ARE YOU KIDDING???
viviannemiedema — ❤️
laurenhemp — love that bakery
*liked by kerstincasparji and yourusername
esmemorgan — busy girls
^ wosofan — SHE KNOWS
maryfowler — 🐐
user23 — is she dating the fan??
^ manchestergirl — if you mean the girl in the stand then yeah I think so
^ user2 — “THE girl IN THE STANDS” AHAHAHHAA
jillroord — ew cooties
^ viviannemiedema — shush
^ jillroord — no 😍
user7 — why does she sit in the stands and not in the family and friends section
^ laurenhemp — that's what I said 🫢
yourusername — charmer, huh?
^ kerstincasparji — idk, some pretty girl called me it
^ yourusername — didn't you call her beautiful, gorgeous, stunning, talented, incredible, out of this world
^ kerstincaslarji — she likes to think so.
^ user12 — IS THIS HER??????
^ arsenalwosoxx — THEY HIT THE PENTAGON
________________________
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shortnotsweet · 4 months
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[ “REMEMBER WHEN” ]:
I CAN STILL SEE YOU AT THE PLACE OUT THERE WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES. DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN WE FELT LIKE THE ONLY TWO ALIVE? DON’T LET ME BE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO SEEKS A LOST ROMANCE. WOULD YOU GO AND DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN GIVEN THE CHANCE?
— WALLOWS, NOTHING HAPPENS (2019)
Laena had known Rhaenyra since the two were only girls. They were the closest of friends—closer, even—under the watchful eyes of the castle and the upturned nose of the queen. Queen Alicent had a lovely face befitting for a lady and a brittle, jealous demeanor appropriate for a wicked stepmother. As much as Rhaenyra was drawn to her, she equally sought reprieve. Laena hardly worried, however, as Rhaenyra had the men, steel, and fortitude to rescue herself. It was only a matter of time.
In this AU, Rhaenyra’s older stepmother, Alicent, remains a contrary source of vitriol, intrigue, and affection. Her fixation on her stepdaughter evolves, until her envy is not only of her, but those who love her and are loved in return. Laena is clearly one of those people, and has earned the favor of the nobility in her own right. She wears gowns of silver, blue, and gold, and will become one of the most revered dragon riders of their generation. What else can she inspire but awe and envy? To Rhaenyra, it seems that tenderness is there, and maybe relief. Fondness is the word. It leaves a bad, coppery taste in Alicent’s mouth. Alicent doesn’t have hardly anyone to be fond of in this wretched place. Her children, perhaps, however many she’ll have. Or her husband, her father, or noble, dejected Criston Cole. And—well. No. It’s out of the question. Still. What compares to the camaraderie of shared girlhood? Like knows like, a dragon and dragon sharing the sky.
Laena is Rhaenyra’s first love and closest friend, and the two toe an ambiguous line between platonic and romantic. While they may never wed, their affinity towards one another is an open secret and there is an implicit understanding between families that should Rhaenyra be forced to wed Laena’s brother, arrangements will be made. It is, after all, hardly the first time such agreements have been enacted. Alicent is disgusted, of course; marriage between and man and woman should stay that way. She’s seen the wandering eyes and shared smiles, and something low in her gut twists in revulsion, and for some reason, hurt. Why are they free to do what they want and with whomever they please? No one is free here, not even the blood of the dragon.
Laena and Rhaenyra are both young women, not quite adults yet. In this imaginary timeline, Rhaenyra enjoys a relatively smooth few years before she is forced to take up a sword against traitors and defend her own right to the throne. Despite their complicated history, Alicent’s role in a usurpation attempt on Rhaenyra’s crown has been discovered. Laena reassures her not only of her own conviction and loyalty, but reminds her of the gossip and hurt Alicent has inflicted in the past, rooted in her own resent.
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gumycandyyy · 8 months
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Heyo I'm here to request that Male Reader x Winter King you wanted-
Anyways, can you write for a male Reader that used to be Simon and Betty's friend before the crown and the Mushroom War, who randomly shows up in the Land of Ooo? As in, Simon thought that they had died a long time ago, alongside Betty, but the Reader had survived through some odd means and got reunited with him?
Lol, if that's too much, then I'm sorry. It could be a fic or Headcanons, whichever you prefer!
⠂"ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ɢᴏᴛᴛᴇɴ ᴏʟᴅ."⠐
⠂"ᴡᴇ ʙᴏᴛʜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ."⠐
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AHJFHJGSKHA HOW DID YOU KNOW I WANTED TO WRITE ABOUT SIMON?? I LOVE THIS WET CAT.
Winter King actually isn't this one, because I wanted to focus on Fionna and Cake ver. Simon
Male reader
Platonic/Romantic (I'm leaving it ambiguous, because I mean, c'mon. It's Simon.)
Type: Headcanons (With a drabble and oneshot mixed in)
Summary: An old friend shows up after a bunch of time-related shenanigans, and is finally ready to settle back down in Ooo. Though this sudden happening is quite a shock to Simon.
⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂
-You used to be an old family friend of Betty's, and met Simon through her.
-Y'all were really close, and they invited you over for dinner every other weekend.
-But one day, you just...
-Vanished.
-Everyone thought you were kidnapped, and Simon and Betty were heartbroken.
-However...
-Through some odd means, you were kept alive for a thousand years.
-It all started one weird day when you bought a little doodad from a garage sale.
-the next thing you knew, you were in a big yellow cube with a pink wall guy.
-Apparently the little thing you bought was an item from another universe, and it was janking up Ooo.
-Aaaaand technically you just committed a serious crime by purchasing the little thing.
-And whether intentional or not, you now had to go on trial for this little accident. You tried to explain what happened, but you were found guilty.
-You were sentenced to a thousand years in some donked up time jail.
-Apparently, you wouldn't age in there, and a thousand years would pass on Ooo before you were set free.
-It was the worst thing that could've ever happened to you.
⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂
-The time jail kept you from losing your sanity, and a thousand years later, you were released.
-You were teleported back to Ooo, which looked quite different than how you remembered it.
-It felt like an eternity since you've seen rolling green hills and a clear blue sky. An eternity since you've breathed familiar air.
-You heard something, about a hundred yards from you.
-You approached the loud noises to see some buff dude with a sick beard and robotic arm beating up some one-eyed monster.
-He punched the creature, and it was sent flying towards you.
-You ducked, and the dude noticed you.
"Ah, sorry man! Didn't see you there!"
-You assured him it was nothing.
"You're not from around here, are you?"
⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂⠂
You shook your head, then blinked confusedly. Well, technically you were. It had just been 1000 years. You tried to get your story straight, then told the guy.
"Woah, so does that mean you're technically a time traveler?"
You shrugged. Time travel hadn't been proven yet, has it? You weren't sure. You asked the guy his name, so you didn't have to refer to him as just 'the guy.'
"Oh, yeah. Name's Finn. Good ol' Finn the H."
"The H.?"
"Y'know, the Human?"
But you were human too. With all due respect, you asked him about his strange surname.
"Oh, uh.. My real last name is Mertens, but I like 'the Human' better. It's only recently other humans have started living in Ooo. So I'm kinda seen as 'that one human' y'know?"
You nodded, trying to make sense of what he said. what had happened that caused humans to leave Ooo? How was that even possible?
The two of you talked for a short while, and you learned a little bit about Ooo. You were used to knowing a lot, but you barely even recognized this place.
"Oh, you're from the 20th century, right?"
You nodded.
"I've got a friend from then, maybe you'd like to meet him? He's one cool dude."
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-You agreed politely, wondering if this 20th century man would help you adjust to life in whatever century this was. What century was this anyway? 30-something?
-Finn ended up taking you to a scrappy little bar filled with people that looked to be made out of candy.
"Anything you'd like to order?"
"Nothing for me, Dirt Beer Guy. Maybe he'd like one, but we're just waiting for-"
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"Simon?"
You stared in disbelief at the face of your old friend, who looked at you with the same expression. He was carrying something under his arm, but he dropped it in shock.
"No way, you know him? That's awesome!"
Simon slowly walked up to you, as if afraid you'd disappear at any second. Tears welled up in the both of your eyes, and you had to suppress breaking down right there. It hadn't occurred to you that this 20th century man could've been Simon, but now that you were seeing him, you realized you subconsciously wished it would be him.
He spoke your name softly, not much more than a whisper, as if anything louder would cause reality to shatter, or one of you to wake up from a dream.
"You... You're really here, aren't you?"
You nodded softly, not daring to say a word. Tears spilled out of your eyes, and Finn looked slightly confused.
"Do you guys, uh.... Wanna step out for a minute?"
You agreed, still quietly, saying it would probably be better to not make a scene. Finn gave you a thumbs up and shooed you out, saying he'd wait for you when you got back inside.
You stepped out of the little bar with Simon, realizing it got dark out while you were inside.
"So..."
"How about we take a walk?"
You nodded, falling into step with Simon as you walked into a nice little forest. The small stream rushing by provided ambient noise.
"How are you here..?"
Simon asked, with an air of disbelief. He blinked, wiping his glasses and rubbing his eyes. As if you'd disappear once he'd open them. You explained what happened, and suddenly gasped.
"If you're here, that means Betty must be here too, right? Where is she?"
Simon sighed, bringing his arms up to hold himself.
"She's..."
"She's not."
You decided not to pry, but you couldn't help but notice the sinking feeling in your gut. She was one of your best friends, and she was gone. But she was Simon's fiancee. It must have hit him harder, whatever happened to her. You'd ask later, when the emotional turmoil between the two of you wasn't so fresh.
You walked in peaceful silence between the two of you, listening to the sounds of the stream, or chirping crickets.
You took that time to study Simon, how his appearance changed, and things that stayed the same.
Same fashion sense,
same goofy circle glasses,
even the same walk you remember.
There was a white streak in his hair now.
Wrinkles on his face.
Something about him just seemed so...
Sad.
"You've gotten old."
Simon smiled, though it seemed bitter.
"We both have."
"I missed you, Simon. Not a day went by that I didn't think of you, Betty, or any of our other friends."
Simon stopped walking, and you copied. He seemed as if he was about to cry again. To be honest, you were too. Talking about all of this while looking him in the face didn't fare well for your emotional state.
He took off his glasses, wiping at his eyes. Simon smiled bitterly through it though. He seemed to be so lonely. You wondered where he lived now.
". . ."
He wiped his eyes again, then looked straight at you with an unwavering gaze.
"You have no idea how much we missed you. Even years after you disappeared, we still looked. Even when the police failed, we still-"
He inhaled sharply, breath shaking. He turned his head away, as if ashamed of his emotions.
You placed your hand on his shoulder, trying to provide comfort. Simon suddenly wrapped his arms around you, pressing his face into your shoulder. You returned the embrace, holding onto him just as tightly.
Simon's breath shook, and you softly rubbed his back. You had no idea what he's gone through, and you were genuinely unsure whether you were helping or not.
"Simon..?"
His grip on you loosened, and he looked up at you.
You said nothing else, but you gently rested your forehead on his. He sniffed, then took a deep breath. Your hands fell to his waist, while his rested on your shoulders. Simon closed his eyes, cherishing this small bit of comfort.
After a few moments, Simon pulled away, bringing his fist up to his mouth and clearing his throat.
"W- well, today was certainly... Eventful."
You laughed softly, agreeing with his remark. The two of you walked back to the little bar, realizing you'd gotten farther from it than you thought you did.
Simon cleared his throat yet again, once you reached the outside of the bar.
"Yeah, Simon?"
He thought for a moment, then spoke.
". . .Thank you."
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Thanks for reading! I absolutely loved writing this, and Simon needs a hug.
Your complimentary artwork ^^
reblog for a beginner writer?
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stainedglassthreads · 7 months
Text
I feel like the four leads of Deltarune--Kris, Susie, Ralsei, and Noelle-are just. Somehow two different levels of queer-coded.
(Edit: Just to be clear: not saying any of this to disparage or insult shippers of Kralsei, Suselle, or Kriselle, I've just seen a lot of cool analysis about tropes, romance, and lack of choice in Deltarune and wanted to chime in with some of my own thoughts. If you ship any of those ships in Deltarune--fantastic! May you find a lot of content precisely to your taste.)
Like. On the one hand, if you're looking at tropes, they are very neatly set up into two romantic partnerships. Noelle is very blatantly interested in Susie, and Ralsei's feelings for Kris are often portrayed similarly. On a surface level, both pairings appear very clear. Noelle is a girl in love with another girl, while Ralsei is a very effeminate boy in love with a teen who doesn't appear to use pronouns. And a big deal isn't made of either pairing, there's nothing really in the way of Suselle or Kralsei on a societal level we've encountered so far. At least in terms of gender and sexuality. But if you look a little closer, it's kind of...'these are a very straight idea of queer ships', y'know?
Noelle and Susie are both girls, but one is very effeminately coded, anxious, uses magic, and is more traditionally cute, while they other is crass, crude, intimidating, and physically strong. Ralsei and Kris are gender-noncomforming, but Ralsei is a sweet pacifistic healer who bakes cakes while Kris uses a sword, and keeps being mistaken for a boy by much of Youtube and Reddit. The active one and the passive one, the fighter and the mage, the one with cute hobbies and the one who eats moss, the one in pants and the one in a dress.
And here, I start thinking of some posts I've seen analyzing how, in Deltarune, romance is used to explore how Kris doesn't really get choices. Kris has been cast as the leader and knight, and Ralsei has been cast as the healer and Princess, even if he is a boy. The leader often ends up with the healer. The knight often gets the princess as a happy ending. But Kris doesn't seem to like this! Their reactions to Ralsei are constantly lukewarm at best, and that's not getting into how Ralsei seems to be in love with his idea of Kris, while being very. Asriel-coded, who the game describes often as Kris' brother, in sharp contrast to how ambiguous Chara and Frisk's relationships with the Dreemurrs were.
If we and Kris reject Ralsei as a love interest, we can a different romantic partner in Noelle...but this choice has a bodycount, traumatizes Noelle, doesn't seem to leave Kris any happier, and it's still a kind of straight-coded ship. Now it's the knight being paired up with the apocalypse maiden, for the doomed codepedent toxic tragedy lovers out there. But it kinda makes sense too, right? If Kralsei is the expected RPG romance, then Kriselle would be the expected romance if there were no Dark World and Ralsei weren't an option. They're childhood friends and neighbors in a small town, their families used to be very close, Rudy is still very fond of Kris. They're even extremely angel/devil coded.
But the most interesting part is. It's implied that there IS someone that Kris is very interested in, either platonically or romantically. It's Susie. Kris never seems frightened by Susie when they're bullied by her, and rejects Noelle's offers to switch seats. They seek comfort from Susie rather than Ralsei after the Spamton fight, they call her their friend when Toriel calls, they share moss with her, they refuse to think about her during Snowgrave when Ralsei prompts them, they make it clear that out of all the people they COULD go to the Carnival with, Susie is the one they'd ACTUALLY want to choose.
And this is the part that drives me crazy. Because while Kris is so tightly controlled by genre and narrative, and those things would usually push them towards Ralsei or Noelle, and Ralsei keeps encouraging Kris to stick to the narrative. Susie is the one who refuses to be bound to the narrative. Susie is the character of Deltarune who is most unapologetically herself--and isn't that a very queer thing, refusing to be anyone but yourself despite everything? She says no thanks to the prophecy, until she comes around to it on her own terms! She makes herself and Ralsei learn to take their own actions, and drags Ralsei off to have fun with him instead of letting Kris choose who to with! She doesn't stay in her box of the damage-dealing fighter, she insists on learning Healing magic, even if she's not particularly skilled at it at first! Even Ralsei is forced to admit that it's wonderful that Susie is Susie, and not anyone else!
I think Kris likes Susie a lot. And part of it may be admiration. That while Kris is controlled by the player and the narrative and the prophecy and humanity and divorce and a dozen things outside their control, Susie refuses to ever be bound by anything. And Kris and Susie together happen to be the two more masculinely-coded party members, the two melee fighters, the two troublemakers. It honestly makes me wonder a little if Susie and Kris might be able to make their own ending beyond the bounds of gender expectations and romance expectations together? It would be cool. And I think it would make Kris very happy to break free like that.
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yanderes-galore · 30 days
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Hi if you do poly can I please request yandere Alastor and Charlie both fallen for the hotel new resident please , hcs if possible if not a Drabble would be fun to read 💗
I was sharing thoughts with @okchijt late at night since Hazbin is such a brainrot for me rn. So some of what I talk about, such as the dynamic between Darling and Alastor/Charlie, is from what I discussed with them.
I took my own creative liberties with this request... sorry if this isn't quite what you wanted :( LOVE THIS SHOW!
Yandere! Alastor + Charlie sharing a Darling
Pairing: Romantic/Platonic - Sharing (Alastor would be ambiguous due to Canon)
Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Manipulation, Possessive/Protective behavior, Sadism, Degrading behavior/Ownership, Yanderes sharing, Stalking, Clingy behavior, Imprisonment, Forced companionship/relationship.
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So, the idea I came up with is this;
You're the new resident hoping to be redeemed, yes, but you have a past.
Somehow in someway... you have a deal with Alastor.
You were silently hoping that coming to the Hotel and being redeemed would free you.
Yet you end up coming face to face with Alastor the moment you enter.
Now, Charlie can be either intention with you.
Alastor... the way I intend to write Alastor is something dubious.
His intentions can't be read as exclusively platonic or romantic.
He has his own intentions... ones no one but himself can read.
(I will usually write him like this due to him being Asexual in canon... although according to research, even that has a range/spectrum)
As the new resident and a sinner, Charlie naturally wants to redeem you.
Although, she may not learn until later that Alastor has you on a leash like Husk.
If you aren't a soul claimed by Alastor before you enter the Hotel, you will be at some point.
Alastor has an idea of what your plan is... he doesn't like the idea of letting you out of his grasp.
In response, you're allowed to live and work at the Hotel... "for redemption".
Charlie is clueless at first of the tension between you and Alastor.
Although Husk would understand your issue... even if he isn't big on the whole redemption thing.
Just another pet meant to do tricks.
The two are complete opposites, even when they eventually start sharing.
Charlie is too nice for her own good and nearly smothers her obsession at times.
Alastor is, like I've said, mysterious.
You don't know what he wants exactly... but he owns you and your soul.
When Alastor sees Charlie's obsession towards you, he'd share to keep her happy.
In reality you are definitely still his... regardless on if Charlie wants to help you be "better".
Alastor is a reminder of who you once were... the result of a bet gone wrong... you can't scrub the past away that easily.
You're only in here because Alastor's allowing you, anyways.
Eventually Charlie will know of the dynamic between you and Alastor.
Especially if she sees him pull your chain.
The fact that one way or another you got under Alastor's grasp upsets Charlie at first.
But Alastor convinces her of the benefits.
Alastor knows Charlie couldn't dare see you go if you were redeemed.
Charlie goes to deny such a thought... but Alastor cuts her off.
He's seen how Charlie acts around you.
She follows you around like a puppy at times, always asking for your approval and clinging around you.
She loves you... be that as friends or something more twisted.
However... she won't have to worry about that if you just stay here.
That way, Alastor gets to keep your soul under his control... and Charlie gets to keep seeing you.
It's not like Heaven will let her visit.
Charlie may actually be won over by this... resulting in them "sharing" with each other.
It's yet another deal, you now being with "two" masters.
You feel betrayed that Charlie would choose not to redeem you just to keep you to herself.
Alastor merely stares you down with a smug aura, you can feel the chain around your neck even if he didn't manifest it.
No need for kidnapping in this situation, Alastor already has you in his control.
He can keep you in the Hotel with Charlie, even better since his role is playing protector of the place.
Yeah, no other Overlord is coming near you.
Charlie doesn't even like the idea of Alastor "owning" you... but it's better than someone else... hopefully.
At least with Alastor you're in the Hotel.
Your only "solace" is speaking with people like Husk or Angel Dust... at least they understand such a plight somewhat.
Charlie tries to regain your trust the best she can.
She feels horrible for Alastor essentially exposing her true desires.
She clings to you, crying and whimpering about you hating her.
You're sort of forced to comfort her as Vaggie glares at you if you don't.
A silent warning to play nice with the Princess.
Alastor finds all this amusing.
To think you had a chance at leaving?
Face it, outside of the Hotel isn't safe without him and Charlie.
Going to Heaven? Out of the question!
Alastor has eyes on you all the time... even if he didn't, Charlie certainly follows you around even if you don't know it.
You're bound to him.
Alastor's merely playing nice by allowing Charlie to have you.
It's all deals in Hell!
Unfortunately... deals define your life... as you learn the hard way once Heaven is torn from your grasp.
"What's wrong, darling? Upset your little plan didn't work the way you wanted it to?"
"Please! Please, I'm sorry! I just... love you too much to let you go to Heaven... you'll be happy and safe here... with me and Alastor! Okay? Don't look at me like that!"
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qprsmackdown · 9 months
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propaganda (under the readmore):
BENCHTRIO PROPAGANDA:
My friend wrote a fanfiction detailing their platonic relationship from childhood friends to spouses. It is over 1 million words long. Pls he needs this
my good friend sunny wrote over 1million words of fanfiction about them that was so good it permanently altered my brain chemistry. also i think the feat of over 1mil words is worth the win (:
Ranboo and Tubbo are canonically married, semi-canonically platonically so. Tubbo and Tommy have known each other for years, and have an understanding of each other that no one else does. Tommy and Ranboo went through a very awkward and begrudging beginning of their friendship, but Ranboo would go on to make Tommy's grave when he died.
I want to start off by stressing that these 3 are characters and are not at all connected to the real world creators that portrayed them aside from having the same name.
c!Ranboo and c!Tubbo were canonically married, with the nature of their marriage being largely ambiguous and up for interpretation! They live together in a mansion with their adopted child, Michael, a tiny baby piglin! c!Tommy was never an official part of their marriage, but the three spent so much time together(before the series' writing took a very unfortunate turn due to behind the scenes stuff) that they might as well have been a qpr polycule! It is confirmed that c!Ranboo(an 8'5 foot tall enderman hybrid) can only look 2 people directly in the eyes with it being STRONGLY implied those 2 people were c!Tommy and c!Tubbo! Their relationship didn't get as much time as it needed due to the series's unfortunate downturn near the end, but while it was there, it was a very comforting, very tender relationship between 3 traumatized young queer teens who were their for one another through their journeys in healing from their various traumas. Also one time c!Tommy and c!Ranboo got high together in a tiny smoke box they made(they also met when Ranboo hit him on the head with a giant flower. An allium, to be specific!).
MAJORWOOD PROPAGANDA:
i went so insane about them they spawned inside my brain, guys ever
They are the Mean Gills and they are canonically qpr!! They would also canonically die for each other
Canon QPR! Confirmed by cc!Martyn :D (he confirmed it on stream after the series ended)
They're canonically a QPR guys!!!! Both the CC's who play the characters have said that they see them as being in a QPR!!!!!! literally the first time ever i've seen any media ever portray a qpr of some sort
someone in Martyn's chat explained what a QPR was and he said "oh that sounds like me and Scott"
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thesharktanksdriver · 3 months
Text
A wish for a happy life (romantic)
The Readers gender I’ve tried to leave ambiguous
This is being made when there’s only 4 episodes out (and I haven’t yet seen them all) so there may be inaccuracies to stuff later revealed but who cares!
I got inspiration to write this after seeing @ice-cream-writes-stuff bucchigiri fic that you can find here. Please check it out
There need to be more fanfics for this show pleaseeeeee 🙏🏻
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To say you were a handful as a child was an understatement
From the moment you could remember anything your knuckles were always bruised and bloodied
Bruises littering your arms like medals of a successfully won fight
Tousled hair and busted lips
Glowering and prideful eyes daring someone to be next
Fighting was almost as natural as breathing to you back then
Speaking with your fists to get across the message of not being messed with as playground bullies ran off
Violence was all you knew as a way to get attention
Crying and begging for the orphanage attendants or preschool teachers to listen was for naught
They brushed it off
Crying was white noise
But the yelling and sounds of an arm being broken on school property was heard loud and clear
On all accounts you should’ve ended up as a delinquent
For hells sake you even started a gang at some point
On all accounts you were Someone on the “wrong” path in life fated to be some lowlife scum
It was expected of you by just about every grown up
Even looking at yourself in the mirror, busted and broken you knew how you’d likely end up
You didn’t want that but what choice did you have?
You wanted to be loved, to be seen, to have a happy life
But fate didn’t seem to have that cut out for you
…at first
But despite it all
You changed
And it all started with a woman own a small Chinese restaurant and her son
Despite your track record
The scornful look on your lips and gritted teeth as the other children lined up to be picked as you sat off to the side
That kind woman and her son saw you
The kid off to the side
The unwanted
The “trouble child”
And despite the fact they should’ve picked one of the more well behaved kids they chose you
Arajin often talks about the look on your face that day
The pure disbelief
Shock
Confusion
And most of all the tears
The expression of finally being seen for the first time in your life without having to quite literally pummeling it into someone
Your expression remained that when they brought you home
A room already made for you and left for you to eventually decorate how you want
That night laying in your new bed you vowed you’d change
You’d put your life on track
Not only for yourself but for your new family
Arajin (platonic)
Arajin can removed with a whole heart the first time he met you
It was before bringing you into the family
He was training with Matakara at the time as some older kids from some gang showed up
They were probably gonna rough them up
Arajin was ready to fight when suddenly someone beat them to the punch
“Oi! You fucking meatheads I told you to leave civ’s alone!” You stood there, a scowl on your face as the others cowered. Your eyes turned to him and Matakara, sympathy flashing through the hardened eyes of steel and diamond. The unspoken words of “I’m sorry” in them.
After that he saw you around town
Never going up to you but watching in curiosity
Maybe once upon a time he’d see you like any other punk
But that day changed something
There was compassion in your eyes
Even compassion in the way you seemed to fight for others without admitting it
He could see at heart you were a good person
Someone who fought for others because no one fought for them
He didn’t know why you did what you did until he and mom ended up at that orphanage
And in the back he saw you there
To the side with a resented sadness
Knowing you would never be picked
Never be loved
Never have a good life
His eyes connected with yours and he swears he sees them widen in that moment
You were seen
You were chosen
You could have a good life now
That night he remembers your silent sobs of joy in the next room over
The next morning he design comment on your reddened eyes and neither does mom
Both just focus on how you eat with a smile
Still a little jittery as if wondering if this was real
He pats your shoulder to remind you it is
In the months following he can’t help but smile when noticing your room grow with things of your interest
The way you seem to find clothes that properly fit you
The way in which you talk with him while cooking with mom
You grow with him
Hang out with Matakara who welcomes you with open arms
When he becomes interested in base you save up your buy him one for his birthday and when it comes yours he does the same bit with a drum set
In every way possible Arajin sees you change for the better
Perhaps your temper never went away but you know how to handle it now
Use it for good
Use it without lashing out wildly
He sees that you help mom out, call her mom too
You call him Ara, call him your brother
In every way possible you look out for him as best you can
When he looses his old physique and dream you take the place of protector instead
No matter the situation you step up for him even if his idiotic actions lead to his ass being beaten
You love him like he’s actually your brother
And he loves you the same
When moving back to the graffiti covered hometown you both were born in he can’t help but see your nervous
It’s easy to tell for him since he sees past your stoic facade
Your hands fidget
Eyes glancing from place to place
Breath getting heavy
When your shared teacher talks about the class he sees your hands fidget once more
For so long you’ve protected him
And in the moment your both in front of the class he protect you
He introduces you by his nickname for you
Your stoic face breaking a little with gratitude before he immediately sits down beside a cute girl in the back of the class
You aren’t surprised, damn horny teenage boys
The sentiment of what he did thought resonates with you though
Much more than you’d ever admit to your stupid little sleez of brother
That girl he’s looking at with goo goo eyes is trouble (also vaguely familiar)
But you’d be damned if he’d get his asskicked if you weren’t there to save him
…….later on when he ends up in a temple almost completely naked and ends up shooting both himself and you with two old ass guns you almost give him the ass kicking of the century
But fortunately for him you don’t
But unfortunately for the both of you two beings appear instead
“Ara, when we get home I’m kicking you in the ass for shooting me in the stomach”
“Just don’t kill me before I lose my virginity”
“God your a degenerate”
Senya and Astḗr (platonic)
The two Majin appear from a burst of smoke swirling smoke of red’s and purples
Two magical beings demanding to know what both your and your brothers wish was
The Majin your brother was granted is much more intimidating in nature than yours who leisurely relaxes on a cloud
Their much more and lithe androgynous appearance paired with an elegant and sly smile
Whilst Senya pokes at Arajin for being a wimp, Astḗr stares at you with interest in their golden eyes
A curious expression on their face as they examine your glare of both fear and defence
A lavender tinged hand reaches out
Your frozen in fear
And then-
“Kyaaa!! You’re such an adorable human!” The Majin wraps their arms around you, choking you in a massive hug as the other lightly laughs at their behaviour. “Ah! Mind my manners! I’m Aster, now what’s your wish?”
“Huh?…w…what?”
“What’s your wish?”
“My wish?…” you think it over for a moment before a memory plays in your head as you one night watched a shooting star “I wish happy life”
The Majin grins at that, “as you wish”
And then Arajin wishes to lose his virginity which makes you and the two Majin stare at him in both shock and disbelief
Before you them rightfully punch Arajin in the head for both shooting you and wasting a wish for literally anything in the world
Meanwhile both Majin laugh their metaphorical asses off
The Majin are only seen by you and Arajin despite Ara trying to get others to see the two
Despite the fact that you had a mental breakdown when first meeting Senya and Astḗr you become quickly used to their presence
Senya is the more battle hungry of the two, enthusiastically asking you of your past experiences once hearing you had your fair share
Despite his initial impression he seems to be quite a fun guy
He even has an almost puppy like expression at times when you explain new human things as Aster listens with a look of amazement
Speaking of Aster your Majin is seemingly the youngest
Apparently their first time even experiencing the human world
Senya has granted wishes a couple times within the span of few centuries but Aster is doing it for the first time
It leaves Senya looking on like a big brother as Aster engages with you with enthusiasm
You soon realize though that your wish for a happy life was soon much more complicated than you initially wishes
“Aster why am I seeing shojo anime sparkles?!?”
The Majin giggles “well you said you wanted a happy life right! Well I watched some of those shows your mom was watching and some fairytales and well…they seem to be living a really happy life! Plus you used to live here right? Whats more happy and romantic than reuniting with your old friends!”
As much as you like Aster your gonna strangle them
Mahoro (romantic)
The girl your brother is listing after and sits beside seems worryingly familiar to you
Even she seems to notice this as she looks your way as Ara is too love stricken to notice she’s looking behind him
It’s so odd
She rings a bell in your head yet you can’t place a finger on it
Until it’s after school and you end up at a small stationary shop selling cute stuff
Even back in your delinquent days you had a soft spot for cute stuff
It was a secret you hid in the depths of your soul for your reputation
Except to two people in particular
One of which who you gifted a small my melody keychain to match your kuromi one
In that small store you pick out the cutest stuff of your dreams without any hesitation you used to have
By the time you leave your bag is filled to the brim
It’s there you bump into that pretty girl
She looks at you with big pink eyes
And it’s there passing her you notice her my melody phone charm
It’s there you realize it’s “Mai-chan” as you used to affectionately call her
The only person you felt comfortable in talking about your love for cute things
Back in the day she used to have the biggest crush on you
She’d follow you around and cling to you like a stray puppy and glaring at anyone in a 3 feet radius
She even had the gull to argue with her big bro about being to close to you
In retrospect maybe a little obsessive but at the time she was one of the few you felt…soft with plus it was probably just puppy love
Around everyone you had to be ready for a fight
You were the ruthless leader of a gang after all
You couldn’t have to to just simply sit down and enjoy something like Sanrio
Someone but yourself to put bandaids and wrap your bruised knuckles
But with her you let your guard down
She was someone you could simply be you with
And because of that, because you were her shield and someone who would genuinely listen to her
You could simply be you and she could be herself without people just perceiving her for her looks
When you were adopted though you cut contact for everyone’s sake
Because how would she feel if she saw you were a completely different person
In some sense you were ashamed
In another you thought it was best for anyone to know
When you leave the shop she stares at the kuromi merchandise you bought
Distantly you hear her nickname for you but you pretend to ignore it
When Ara asks about his prospects with his “sweet Mahoro-chan~” you can’t help but sigh
She’s doing that old habit of luring guys in for her brother to beat up since you won’t do it anymore
You tried to warn Ara but you assume you’ll have to step in personally when the time comes
“Oni-chan! I think I saw them again! And they’re hanging out with some boy! You know what that means!”
Matakara (romantic)
The moment you stood up for him and Arajin as kids he looked up to you
Despite the fact you were the leader of those kids you clearly had morals
Even watching your fights against other kids he noticed you were honourable
And that’s something that stuck with him
Sure, it didn’t take much for you to bloody your knuckles but you didn’t play dirty
You fought fair
Sure maybe you were rough around the edges but he saw in you like Arajin a kindness
One that was on display that day and even more so when you were taken in
He didn’t know you for very long until you and your family moved but when he did it was something he’d never forget
You were more kind at heart than he imagined
When he an Arajin would train you’d alway cheer them on and have celebratory snacks ready
When he pushed himself to the limit of got hurt you’d patch him up
Washing his scrapes and putting cute little bandaids on them
He was heartbroken when you left and as were you
So it’s a surprise when he suddenly sees Arajin again
And by extension that means your back too
When you both run into each other again your much more happy than Arajin
In fact his men can hardly believe it when he’s suddenly tackled hugged by you
Never can he but he then spins you around in pure joy
All the while his men Zabu and Komao watch in awe
Before you turn your attention to them
And pause
And then turn back to Matakara with an expression which could only be described as “pissed and wanting an explanation”
So turns out he joined a gang
And turns out you don’t like that much since you then suplex him onto the ground
Of all the things he learned from you it should’ve been not to get affiliated with gangs
It’s literally what you told him and Ara everyday
But nope, this block headed puppy dog did the one thing you told him not to do
Zabu and Komao almost attack you if not for Matakara laughing it off
Even if your upset with his decision he’s at least happy that your still the same you
Temperamental but compassionate
Sturdy yet gentle
Stoic and emotional all at the same time
He asks if sometime you’d like to have lunch or train at the dojo his relatives own and you agree
But only if it’s non gang related and he smiles
Zabu and Komao can practically see hearts buzzing around him and the gentle look in his eyes as you leave
They can’t really blame him for it either
“Other than joining a gang (which I’m still upset about) what have you been doing?” You ask sitting down beside him with your bento box and his. Mom made one specially for him
“Well I’ve been training. Arajin may have given up but I haven’t, it seems like you still train too” he says with the same kind smile as usual
You feel yourself get a bit flustered at that “how else am I supposed to keep that idiot brother of mine safe. I swear he walks into danger sometimes” at that Matakara laughs in agreement.
Marito (romantic)
Back when you started your gang there was only ever one person that ever came close to your strength and that was Marito
When you had defeated him it was as if he became a parasite that latched onto you (you say this lovingly and out of annoyance)
He had stuck with you like glue and became your right hand man
Quite literally helping you claw your way to the top of the metaphorical food chain
Marito and his sister were the only two people at the time that saw you for who you were
Saw where you’d slink back off to at night
Saw how utterly hopeless and alone you felt
You were strong yes, that’s what drew him to you in the first place
It was (as he says) “love at first fight”
But beyond that he began to see the person who did his sisters hair
Gave other tips In how to throw a proper punch
Allowed their mask to break In his presence and crumble
It made him grow to love you more
Respect you more
And most importantly grow to care for you despite your inability to properly see it
Despite what you thought so many people respected and looked up to you
Him included
For fucks sake his own sister got jealous when he once had to carry you or when your attention was on him too much
You didn’t see this though, perhaps couldn’t with the constant feeling of invisibility and insecurity instilled into you at birth
It’s because of this that one day you seemingly disappeared and left a note saying you gave up your position as leader to him
It hurt
It hurt a lot more than he wanted to admit
everyone felt your absence, him and Mahoro especially
But despite that Marito never gave up on trying to find you
He would get it through your thick head one way or another that he cared for you
That he loved you damn it
And if there was one thing people would agree on about Marito is was that he never gave up on something
Especially for someone he loves
So when years pass he’s still looking for you when something catches his attention
His sister mentions that she thought she saw you
It seems you were back
And with a guy? Who was also once again wrapped around her finger
He wasn’t surprised at that but moreso you were with someone
So maybe after that he got a little bit heated more than usual when interrupting Mahoro’s “date” with him to beat the shit out of him
And maybe he does get a little obsessed with his punch
And then you show up with that beautiful stoic and cold look on your face as you give him your famous combo moves
And he falls in love with you all over again
I mean how can he not?
Especially when he punch back and you simply spit the blood out to the pavement
And how can he not be jealous when you go help Arajin before realize through a now pissy Mahoro (upset he got to be within 4 feet of you) that’s your brother
From the look on his face of lovesick and determined you can’t help but feel a bit nervous in class with Arajin as Mahoro practically looks behind you and you hear some footsteps quickly approaching your classroom
“Looks like big boss is back in town! I wonder how long I’ll need to fight them to get it in their thick head how much I love them” he says kicking his feet as newer members look in confusion. The older one though know
“Oni-chan you better not hog them from me!” A huffy Mahoro grumbles
You really wish you could’ve wished for something else
Your having the feeling Arajin wishes the same
It seems they were right about having wishes always turn out in the worst of ways
Senya and Astḗr don’t seem to be doing it maliciously but rather out of obliviousness
But maybe it was both your faults for not asking for a straight forward wish from two entities that haven’t interacted with humans for centuries (or for in Astḗr’s case ever)
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theminecraftbee · 21 days
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Just out of curiosity, do you know any alternative ways of showing types of relationships that could be used on ao3? I find the & and / method to be very constraining, especially with ambiguous or multi-dimensional relationships. & for platonic and / for romantic does not allow for a proper representation of nonstandard relationships, for example an enemy/loathing or polyamorous relationship. (Homestuck quadrants are their own thing and are not what I am asking for/about.)
answer that answers your question:
yes and no. if you just want another category of markers to exist, i know you said no homestuck quadrants, but those are probably most commonly used, although they're all synned to the / tag. i've seen some exchanges that want to differentiate use /& together, i've seen ? be used, and i've seen some invent their own tag (largely exchanges use these for matching purposes and it's rare but i HAVE seen it). however, there's no unifying convention, and ao3 will eventually syn all of these to either the / or & tag (usually the / unless the wranglers have a very good reason to think it's the & tbh). so know that even if you use your own symbol, it will show up in the relationship tag it ends up synned to.
one of the most common solutions to this is to use the symbol closest to what you want--personally i tend to just use the & unless there's fic content i think gen fans would really hate, since & is the tag that covers the much wider spectrum of relationships in my head, although some people will differ--and use freeform tags to disambiguate. for example, last days has the & tag for joe and cleo, along with a "queerplatonic relationships" tag! i believe "ambiguous relationships" is also a canonical tag, and you don't have to use canonicals if you can't find the one you like! the world is your oyster.
(here i'll also note: the & doesn't require them be like... friends. it just requires the fic be about their relationship in some way, and for this relationship to not be romantic or sexual. enemies is absolutely covered here, as is like, weird coworkers, or even tags like "hero & the public".)
(similarly, the / tag doesn't require they like each other, it just requires it to be a "ship"; enemies who have a ton of sexual tension goes under this, as do things like abusive romantic or sexual relationships; just make sure you're using your warnings and additional tags appropriately!)
the other most common solution is to tag both the / and & tag and use a tag like the "ambiguous relationships" or "this can be read as either" or "queerplatonic relationships" or whatever other disambiguating tag you think it needs. this is less common in the mcyt fandom because of the mcyt fandom's history of being SUPER WEIRD about shipping, but it's often the most common solution in fandoms that aren't this one.
"i want ao3 to have a ship tag that is neither & nor /, and is not considered synonymous with either" unfortunately this doesn't exist and isn't going to. like i'd love to say there's a way to make it exist but it Won't because of how ao3 was designed to work on a backend level and also ao3 does NOT change quickly, for better or for worse. you're going to have to pick between "make up a symbol and it will probably be synned to /", "use the tag you think you like best", or "use both". i wish there was another option too, if it helps, but the additional tags are really useful here!
"use no relationship tag" is also always an option; the relationship tag is not a required tag!
answer that answers your two examples, neither of which really fit the question as i understand it, hence me separating them out:
a fic about the relationship between two enemies is either the & tag if you just want the one that is actually meant to be used or the / tag if you mean for it to be like, the kind of enemies that have sexual tension. use additional tags to additionally disambiguate (example: just put in the tags the canonical tag "enemies" and you're good to go). the & tag is for ANY kind of platonic relationship, it does not require the two characters like each other, only that the fic is about their relationship! you can use the homestuck <3< if you REALLY wanna make it clear but that's synned to /, so like, up to you. if you're super worried someone will misunderstand the & tag you can also just not tag a relationship, relationships aren't mandatory tags.
i have no idea why you're asking about polyamory because that has a solution that's entirely unrelated to the problem you propose: you just tag the ship. ship tags with more than two names in them are legal tags, as long as it doesn't go over ao3's tag character limit you're good. if you do hit the limit, just use more than one tag! this is totally fine and follows ao3 conventions, don't worry. if it's the kind of polyamorous relationship with metamours, where not everyone is dating everyone, this is where more than one overlapping relationship tag REALLY helps. plus: you can mix / and & tags! not all of them will be canonical yet, but that's true of ANY ship tag you're originating! i have seen the form of "character/character & character" in many fandoms before, it's totally valid and will disambiguate! (also, the ensemble tags may help you here if you're doing like, a polyhermits thing; "hermitcraft ensemble/hermitcraft ensemble" is a legal tag and i think what polyhermits is probably synned to.)
so yeah, hopefully this helps some! good luck out there!
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crow-stars · 1 year
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❝JUST TO BE NEAR YOU❞
❦summary; sometimes, a gentle touch is all someone needs.
♪the characters in this story; malleus draconia, gn!reader
✎word count; 807
❀what do the ghosts say?; ambiguous relationship (can be seen as platonic or romantic), malleus just being a big cat
☛the author's notes; nothing to note...
☪look at the catalogue?
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Humans were an odd species. Their rituals were different and what was normal for the fae was odd to them and vice versa. For example, when you began to get curious about the horns on his head, you just began touching them. Eventually you had moved on to stroking Malleus’ hair and have been so focused on it ever since. Even today, when he’s visiting you in your room, his head lays on your lap, your fingers combing themselves through his ebony locks. 
Malleus is quite happy with this odd arrangement, don’t get him wrong. He adores the affection that is showered upon him by you, not motivated by fear or ulterior motives but by you yourself. Truly, it makes Malleus feel lucky that you’re by him. 
As you rake your hand through Malleus’ hair, you hum some tune that the fae doesn’t know. It’s silent besides that, but some silences are welcome. 
“You know Mal,” Your voice tears through the silence, yet you still continue your motions, even as Malleus turns his head to look at you. “Your hair is really soft. I like it.”  
He relished in that compliment, lips curling into a smile. 
“Thank you, Child of Man. I appreciate it.” Your laughter soothes him, keeping that same smile on his lips as the silence settles between the two of you. Your humming comes back once more and all feels comfortable. 
The day ends with this and Malleus feels happiness swelling in chest as he appears in a flurry of fireflies in the Diasomnia commons room, where Lilia awaits along with Silver and Sebek. 
Sebek is first to talk after Lilia’s greeting, wailing about how he oh so missed the Young Master, how worried they were about his disappearance, so on and so forth. Lilia laughs at Sebek’s usually worrying, ushering the three to their rooms with playful laughter. 
Malleus finds himself wishing that he could fall asleep to the feeling of hands running through his hair again. It seems he’s gotten quite addicted to the action of you running your fingers through his hair. 
The next day, Malleus is the one to seek you out after classes are over. He finds you in the courtyard, seeming to be studying, with the textbooks and papers that are scattered around the table you’re at. You notice his presence before Malleus announces it, head lifting to smile at the fae prince. 
“Oh hey Mal!” You close your notebooks and textbooks, turning your full attention to him as he sat beside you. “Did you need anything?” 
“Yes. I require your touch.” 
Malleus has to stop himself from chuckling upon seeing you jump in surprise at his request. You raise your hand, lips parted and ready to talk before you stop, look away and then back to Malleus.
“I’m sorry?” 
Malleus places a hand on his head, the area between his horns. “I’ve started to crave when you pet the area here.” 
He can practically hear the hefty sigh you release, soft laughter escaping you as you shake your head. Malleus almost thinks you’ll deny his request, but the soft patting of your hand against your thigh tells him otherwise. As if practiced, Malleus curls onto your lap, head laying on your legs and rest of his body curled up to fit onto the bench. 
Your soft laughter soothes him as your fingers begin to comb through his hair, slow and at a steady pace. It’s a wonder how he keeps his eyes open as such gentle touches and you even scratch the area in between Malleus’ horns, earning a soft rumble from his chest. 
Malleus thinks he hears you mutter something, comparing him to a cat he thinks, but he could not care less, eyes fluttering closed as you continue your ministrations. The sun feels pleasant against his neck, warming him and numbing his senses. All he feels is the warmth of your touch, the warmth of the sun relaxing him sufficiently. 
It was... It was nice. His body felt afloat, but it was a welcome feeling, a new and amazing feeling. 
Malleus ended up falling asleep on your lap that day, right in the middle of that courtyard. Sebek was the one to find the two of you, aghast at the situation in front of him. You quickly shushed him, a bit passive aggressive when you asked if he wanted to wake the sleeping dragon. 
Of course, the knight yelped out a no and slapped his hands over his mouth. Lilia was next to arrive, chuckling softly at the sight before him. He commented on the situation at hand, smirking to himself as you just asked for Malleus to have some time to himself. 
Lilia dragged a despairing Sebek away, leaving the two of you on the bench, silence surrounding the area and work quickly forgotten.
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passportclown · 18 days
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heyyy I saw that you write for Transformers.. you didnt say which transformers though so Ill assume all? just ignore this if not.
could you write something for G1 Soundwave and Starscream both liking the same human reader? headcanons pls
Oh hi!! Yes, I write for all Transformers. I haven't watched them all but for any request I'd research the specific characters to write them as accurate as possible.
You didn't specify if you wanted angsty, lighthearted, etc.. so I'll go with G1 goofiness mixed with my own style. Nor did you specify romantic or platonic. But I think it's Romantic? I couldn't tell if the reader was into them both as well.. so I tried my own approach! If this isn't right, re-send an ask (if you want)! o.o Headcanons below!
Warnings: Kidnapping (but it's not taken too seriously) , slight ignorance towards human comfort and physical limitations , slightly forced relationship but it's ambiguous as to whether it's platonic yearning or romantic yearning , maybe slight yandere?? my kofi if you feel like donating
Soundwave:
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Well, you must have done something to get this con's attention. But now you've got it, and you're very much unlikely to lose it.
Soundwave likes to think he's calm and smart.
He's got his cassettes, he's got his position, he's got Lord Megatron.. everything's good.
He never assumed that he'd want a human as well.
And yet, he does.
He treats it as a simple desire to ignore. Like how humans crave chocolate but ignore it and get salad instead.
Well, at least, that's what he thought humans did. He soon found out that it's hard to ignore such cravings.
He couldn't stop thinking of you. So, he'd send out Ravage or Lazerbeak to watch you. Just so he could understand his strange desire further.
It didn't make sense, but he wanted you.
He watched, and admired the little things about you. But then.. one of his Cassettes informed him that Starscream was watching you as well.
He had even taken you in the recent fight..
Soundwave couldn't have that.
Starscream:
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You must be quite the organic for Starscream of all Decepticons to like you.
Of course, he'd ignore his feelings at first. Or assume it's his clearly genius processor formatting some sort of plan involving an organic squishy.
But alas, he truly likes you.
Once he realizes his feelings, he denies them insistently. No way does he like a human! They're small, weak, easily crushed but..
Also cute.
He's a very rash individual. What he wants, he gets.
And he wants you.
He doesn't immediately jump into it, of course.
That'd be desperate.
He ignores the stares he gets from others, particularly Soundwave, convincing himself it was paranoia. He was being very careful!
No, he watches.. and waits..
And at the perfect moment, with you struggling to run in the midst of a Decepticon attack..
Well, who would notice if he just hid you in his cockpit?
Small ficlet:
Starscream got you to stop struggling from his affection.
Now you sat still in one hand as the other roughly pet you. He didn't quite have the hang of it, almost pulling out your hair and tugging at your clothes. His metallic hand would pat your head, then roughly slide down and grip your body. Over and over, in a repetitive motion.
He had a nasty grin, you couldn't quite tell what he was feeling but he was certainly pleased.
It's not that he's unattractive or anything, for a giant alien robot.. he is! But you were trying to avoid getting stepped on and he shoved you in a cramped space, shook you around as he walked, jostled you as he flew, and now he's roughly petting you.
Then.. Starscream jolts as the door opens.
"Starscream: Explain" A more robotic voice speaks, though it sounds as if it's accompanied by some sort of auto-tune. He really does speak like a robot constantly making a report. The Third in Command of the Decepticons, Soundwave. It's impossible to tell with his mask, but you suspect he's displeased.
"Wh- Soundwave! Why didn't you knock!? I am your superior-" Starscream yelps when Soundwave slams his hand against the wall, leaning over Starscream and prying into his mind.
There's a brief moment of absolute tension. Then Soundwave pulls back, and stares down at you. He pries you from Starscream's tight grip, attempting to be as gentle as possible. Starscream grunts, and glares at Soundwave.
"..I presume you'll be reporting this incident to Megatron and getting rid of the fleshy?" Starscream asks with a snarl, trying to pretend you mean much less to him than you actually do.
But Soundwave got enough of a read of his emotions from that peek into his mind.
"Soundwave: Might. Unless.." Soundwave continues, then leans forward once more and dangles you in front of Starscream like bait.
It works.
"Unless what?!" Starscream squawks, unable to keep up his uncaring and confident facade for more than a moment.
Soundwave stares, but not at Starscream this time.
At you.
Even you can tell through his red visor, seeing a brief flicker of light, that he's staring right at you.
"Starscream: Will share human with Soundwave."
-
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That was the start of an odd situation.
Starscream didn't know as much about taking care of humans as he thought he did.
Soundwave got you a more comfortable place to rest, food, water, everything you need.
Of course, neither Decepticon let you leave.
They would routinely swap you between their respective spaces.
Starscream hated it, and Soundwave tolerated it.
But if Soundwave just took you, Starscream would make trouble.
And if Starscream kept you, Soundwave would report him.
So they're at an impasse.
And you're in the middle.
It's not all bad.
You think in some.. weird alien robot way that they both love you?
Maybe not exactly romantically, but close enough that they both want to keep and hold you.
They listen to you well enough, as long as you use honeyed words with Starscream and speak more pragmatically with Soundwave.
It's a decent exchange for them, and a new but tolerable change for you.
You might be a pet, or maybe some odd flavor of partner, maybe just a friend. It's hard to tell. But at least you don't pay rent.
I really hope you liked this. 🥺
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ultfreakme · 7 months
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Honestly Geto and Gojo having the same death anniversary which happens to be the most romantic day in Japan, with a character in-story stating how romantic it is should be enough evidence to convince anybody that SatoSugu are supposed to be a romance.
On top of that, we hear that JJK0 is about Yuuta and Rika's love but it's also about Geto and Gojo's relationship.
Then Gege Akutami specifically assigning break-up songs to Geto and Gojo.
AND THEN; they each get canon songs made in each other's POV speaking about their feelings specifically for one another. Where Gojo's song contains lyrics like "Even though I’ve come to know the scent of you being different from mine" and "Any prayer, any word Could bring us closer, but they couldn’t reach you Just like a silent love, In the summery colors along my cheeks". And Geto's song has lyrics like "Even trivial conversations are fine. Show me your blushing face once more" and "It exists only here. I want to touch you" and "Though I understand a wounded heart. Why do I end up hurting and leaving the same scars?"
The animation team going out of their way to give these two more soft moments hanging, creating visual parallels through the Betta Fishes, the flowers, the entire OP for Hideen Inventory but especially the part where we are seeing Gojo's vision being filled with Geto looking amazing while he rides Geto's rainbow dragon.
I saw someone say we're just projecting western views of romance onto satosugu but like, LOOK AT ALL THIS. I cannot stress enough the insanity of their death dates. It's like two people dying one after the other on Valentine's Day. This is some Romeo & Juliet bullshit. JJK in general has next to no romance, no one's pining after each other, the few times there are implications, it's very short. The most obvious one is Mechamaru and Miwa. Now imagine if Mechamaru and Miwa were the ones who got Ao No Sumika and Akari. Imagine they got 5 episodes dedicated to their story and Mechamaru dies on December 24th and Miwa's the one forced to put him out of his misery for betraying them to Mahito and Kenjaku.
Okay do you fucking see how ridiculous denying SatoSugu is? If Mechamaru and Miwa got all that even WITHOUT saying an 'I love you' no one would question their romance.
I know people keep making fun of shonen animes for having a stronger 'romance' between the two guy leads than with any other love interest but I've seen that stuff and even there it isn't nearly as deliberately romantic as SatoSugu. I can tell that Kuroko & Kagami, Gon & Killua or Levi & Erwin are supposed to be friends, the shipping thing is based on the established friendship stuff but SatoSugu are so blatant it's hard to think of another explanation.
I saw a point about how people are projecting western perspectives of romance on platonic friendship expression in a different culture, which I do get, I think it's a valid point. Idk much about how people express friendship in Japan but I have heard there's a lot more skinship and openness as compared to western cultures.
But w/ SatoSugu there isn't anything that can be read as purely platonic, there's always an ambiguity or it's directly romantic.
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whoopssteddiefeels · 1 year
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Penny in the Air
Robin is a lot of things: judgey, hyperactive, anxious, impulsive, talkative, loud- there’s a list okay, and she’s very familiar with it. High up the list is that she is very, very gay (if possible, she’s pretty sure she’s actually getting gayer. She blames Steve for this, as she’s pretty sure it has to do with being able to finally talk about her crushes to someone other than her reflection.)
The point is, she’s gay, so she’s not surprised that she notices first. The Steve-Eddie thing. Because it is, in fact, a thing at this point.
She knows Eddie is gay- knows it like the sky is blue and David Bowie rocks- because of, y’know, the way he is (if she had any doubt, the way he leaned in while calling Steve “big boy”, ew, killed it dead.) Her research suggests this is “gaydar,” but its very unfair, she thinks, that so far it has only detected exactly (2) gays, both men, making it pretty much useless. It has given her exactly 0 information on Vickie.
She empathizes with Eddie’s position. Feels it pang under her sternum when his eyes go soft watching Steve talk emphatically, hair flopping around in that ridiculous way it does. Knows how it must catch in his throat when his hand suddenly retracts halfway to Steve’s shoulder, going to his own hair to cover the aborted movement. Tries hard to not over-identify with the sharp tug he gives there, trying to snap himself out of it (fails because she did literally exactly that when Vickie was in the video store the previous day, almost as if he had seen and copied the mechanism).
The part of the puzzle she can’t figure out is Steve. She’s annoyingly aware that he likes (groan) boobies, thanks Fast Times, and he isn’t treating Eddie like a girl whose number he’s trying to score. That being said, whenever the older boy appears, Steve lights up like a damn Christmas tree. Affection doesn’t have to be romantic; she knows this- wants to hit several of the kiddos over the head with it whenever they allude to her dating Steve- but empathy for Eddie is tinting her judgement, and once you put on the gay rose-tinted glasses it’s hard to unsee the possibility. It certainly seems like flirting. Rearranging his hair every three seconds, drawing Eddie’s eyes to the mane that is his pride and joy. Getting what she can only describe as unnecessarily close when he squeezes by Eddie in the video store aisles or whoever’s living room they’re sprawled in, hands brushing a shoulder, back, or one time his hip under the pretense of maintaining balance. The soft blush whenever Eddie flirts hard in a way he knows can be passed off as a joke. The honest megawatt smile Steve gets whenever Eddie starts in on his usual antics is infinitely more endearing than the smolder he’s learned to use like a weapon.
She usually knows exactly what Steve is thinking or feeling before he does. They’ve got that whole platonic soul mate telepathy thing, and he’s easily the center of her social world. So, since she can’t tell what he’s thinking (other than the obvious but unhelpful “Eddie, yay!”), she’s 99.9% sure, from experience, ok, that it means he isn’t thinking. Like at all. So, what she’s witnessing is instinctive, his body just moving into Eddie’s space because it feels correct, and he hasn’t paused to think about it.
             He’s walking that line of comfortable and affectionate that is ambiguously intimate. Could be platonic, could be more. It would be frustrating for anyone with a crush, but she knows from bitter experience with straight-girl crushes that Eddie must be going insane. And yes, Robin and Eddie are friends, but not close enough for her to open a conversation with “So you’re obviously gay and into Steve, my best friend who I talk to every second of every day, and no he hasn’t mentioned it, and neither have I. What’s up with that?” Similarly, she can’t quite figure out how to bring it up to Steve without accidentally outing Eddie in the process.
That’s the main reason she’s keeping her mouth uncharacteristically shut on the subject. She is not, however, above the occasional raised eyebrow, ok, especially as Eddie’s flirting slowly becomes ridiculously obvious. The man is literally leaning on the counter, chin on his hand, mooning up at Steve through his eyelashes. Steve has his hip propped on the opposite side, leaning into the shared space. How are either of them this oblivious, seriously.
~*~
She’s there when the penny finally drops.
They’re not even watching a romantic movie, it’s fucking Life of Brian, all three of them calling out their favorite lines along with the actors, throwing things and generally goofing off. If she takes the armchair to force the boys together on the couch, she doesn’t think anyone can blame her. If she’s feeling a little smug that they both sit in the middle, right next to each other, instead of taking opposite ends, she keeps it to herself. She might not want to stick her foot right in the middle of that mess, but she’s not above setting booby traps.
Robin couldn’t tell you exactly when Steve’s arm went around Eddie’s shoulder; it was somewhere between Eddie practically climbing into Steve’s lap for a “Biggus Dickus” re-enactment, the closeness and flirting safely enveloped in humor, and Steve attempting to force Eddie to “haggle” for the bag of chips. When she glances over from the safety of her armchair, Steve’s arm is trapped behind Eddie’s head, draped over his shoulder on the opposite side. Eddie, usually a constant ball of fidgety motion, is frozen stiff like he’s trying not to scare off a nervous rabbit. Even in the blue light coming off the screen she can see the flush coloring his usually nocturnal-pale cheeks.
The thing is, Steve had just discussed this move with her. Told her to invite Vickie to movie night, recommended light, easily joked off roughhousing and settling an arm around her in a way specifically gaged to judge the reaction. Which means he knows. No way he hasn’t finally figured out what his lizard brain has clearly been screaming for months (seriously, she deserves a medal. Someone tell her future girlfriends about her stamina), not with the way he’s twirling a soft brown curl around and around his finger. He must know Eddie can feel that. And oh. Steve is not-so-subtly glancing to his right, trying to gage that reaction like they discussed, to see if this is ok.
Yup. Robin needs to be literally anywhere else. She tries to be subtle (insert laugh here), muttering “bathroom” and legging it out of the room, seeking the safety of the kitchen. She wasn’t worried though- odds are she could start playing trumpet and those two wouldn’t hear it past the tension of the moment.
 ~*~
In addition to gay, Robin is also easily bored. She hums along to “Always look on the bright side of life,” drifting in from the living room, crunching on some peppery crackers she found in a cabinet in a way that vaguely matches the song’s rhythm. She would just leave the boys to whatever they were going to do (yuck, don’t think about it), but unfortunately the two people most likely to give her a ride home were occupied (seriously, no thinking about it). She’d held out for as long as she could, really, but if the movie was ending, surely she had given them enough time?
Hoping she wasn’t going to regret it, she peaked out of the kitchen, and was relieved to see that 1) everyone still had clothes on and 2) Steve and Eddie were cuddling. Fucking finally.
“SO, BOYS,” she boomed (remember loud is on the list of things she is), trying not to enjoy the way two ridiculous heads of hair jumped and then shifted away from one another anxiously. “Who finally lost the longest game of gay chicken I’ve ever seen?”
Steve’s head makes an audible thump as it drops against the back of the couch, hands coming up to rub at his face as she rounds the furniture to face them, feeling deliciously smug. Eddie gave up any pretense and buried his face in Steve’s shoulder, sweater and hair completely hiding his face.
“Shut up Robin, go away,” Steve groans.
“Nope! This has been the slowest burn of all time, you guys were killing me. I have to balance it out by being just as insufferable.” she chirped, doing her best Steve impression, hands on her hips and eyebrow quirked.
“Technically, I would say we both won gay chicken since neither of us pulled back. No chickens here. Roosters only, in fact.” Eddie surfaces with a smug little smile, dimples on full display.
“Oh you’re definitely a cock Munson, I’ll give you that,”
“Don’t make me flip you the bird-”
“That’s a bit of ostritch-”
“Well toucan play at that game-”
“I’m so happy I like tits-“
“Why me?” Steve grumbled at the same time Eddie dropped his teasing tone to ask, “Wait what?”
“Me? Lesbian. You? Obviously gay. Steve has been flirting back at you for months you dingus.”
“I’ve been what?” Steve sits up straight, suddenly laser focused on Robin. “I have not. I only realized, like, a week ago-”
He was seriously going to be the death of her.
“Steve. Stephen. My guy. What would you say if I told you a girl had been giving me a hair show, the unnecessary squeeze-by, and big eyes? Consistently. For weeks.”
Eddie starts laughing. Then cackling. Steve went an even deeper shade of red, though she could tell this one was more indignant ruby than embarrassed scarlet.
“Thank you,” Eddie wheezed out, fighting down another fit, picking himself up from where he had slid down the couch. “Oh my god, thank you for fucking noticing that. He was wasn’t he? I thought it was just in my head, y’know, and Gareth always said I tend to imagine signs that aren’t there.”
“Oh I know, you think you have a hard time, girls are so physically affectionate platonically, it’s impossible to tell-”
“Ok. Done with this conversation!” Steve interrupted, standing up between the two of them, hands furiously combing through his hair.
Robin only grinned wider at Eddie. “So, Munson, care to give me a ride home?”
“You know, Buckley, I would be delighted.”
“Hey now-” Steve tried to interject as the two of them moved towards the door.
“Why thank you, kind sir.”
“Don’t mention it, fair lady. Your chariot awaits.”
“Wait, hang on, Eddie-” Steve’s tone shifted from confused to plaintive as she stepped out into the night. And she resolutely pretended to not hear Eddie’s reply before he closed the door behind them.
“Sit tight, big boy, I’ll be right back!”
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therainscene · 1 year
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Much of the supernatural horror that Will has to contend with works extremely well as a metaphor for his issues -- the Upside Down is the closet, the monsters represent homophobia, his powers are as repressed as he is, yadda yadda -- and in my opinion, this makes him a relatively easy character to analyze. Being able to draw on the supernatural stuff just gives you a lot more material to work with.
Mike, though? A goddamn enigma. He’s often present when supernatural stuff is happening, but he doesn’t interact with it to anywhere near the degree that Will does, and it’s much harder to fold him into the allegory being told here without reducing him to “Will’s love interest”.
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And that’s interesting, don’t you think?
That the “stereotypical” gay boy who attracts homophobes like moths to a flame has had his issues laid out in code since the beginning? Whereas the straight-passing one, who’s so deep in the closet he’s probably not even out to himself yet, is so hard to read that most of the GA assume his bizarre personality change in S3 was a symptom of bad writing?
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Figuring yourself out as a queer is a challenge even today, and part of the reason it’s so challenging is because heteronormativity steamrolls right over our right to know that being queer is a valid option.
The closet isn’t a queer space -- it’s a queer-shaped void within a heteronormative space.
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Stranger Things is full of examples of this:
Will isn’t shy about expressing his disgust at the thought of dating girls, but he’s dealing with a lot of childhood trauma so he’s just a late bloomer, right?
Will is jealous and upset about his new step-sister’s relationship with the boy he’s been attached to at the hip since he was five, but it must be because he’s in love with her or otherwise misses his platonic buddy, right?
El’s character arc is about freeing herself from toxic relationships with men, but her infatuation with the boy who puts her on a pedestal is the one exception to that, right?
Robin shows zero romantic interest in men before coming out, but she and Steve just vibe so well it’s reasonable to assume they’re love interests, right?
Vickie paused Fast Times at fifty-three minutes five seconds, but she has a boyfriend so she must be straight, right?
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Over and over, the show presents us with an ambiguously queer situation and dares us to assume it’ll end heteronormatively.
If this were any other show I’d call it queerbaiting... but these situations just keep ending in a non-heteronormative way, all while symbolically dancing around Mike.
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Granted, “non-heteronormative” doesn’t necessarily equal gay -- El’s arc is more about independence and forging healthy platonic relationships than about replacing men with women -- but she’s still on the path to breaking out of comphet, which is rather a queer act regardless of whether she's literally queer herself.
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But I’m digressing.
We’ve seen how Will is visibly queer and struggles with the trauma of being abused for it, and how his closet is symbolized by the existence of a literal alternate dimension full of monsters.
But Mike is invisible, so his closet isn’t represented by a metaphor at all, but by something more meta than that -- it’s etched out in the negative space formed by the narrative itself. Only the audience can see it, and then only if we’re paying attention, tracing the edges of the story and feeling out the shape it results in.
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These two different approaches in depicting the struggle of being closeted remind me of drowning.
In films, drowning is a noisy and dramatic affair, easy to identify.
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But in real life, drowning doesn’t look like what we think it does -- it’s silent and resembles calm water play. All too often, drowning victims will quietly slip under and succumb helplessly to the depths...
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...right under everyone’s noses.
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Alhaitham and Kaveh - not 'friends' but 'roommates'
(This is a reworked excerpt taken from my Haikaveh essay! If you're interested you can check it out here or as a pdf <3)
Due to Chinese game restrictions, explicit mentions of homosexuality or overt queer references have resulted in less implicit ways of conveying queer relationships or characters. Therefore, same-sex characters in romantic relationships are assigned the platonic status of “best friend” or “friends”.
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As such, these restrictions can be used as guidelines in establishing queercoding within Genshin Impact. It is of note, however, that this rule does not mean that all characters who are canonically “friends” are in a romantic same-sex relationship. Differentiating between same-sex couples and platonic friends (who have all been assigned the label ‘friends’) can be done by identifying particular care undertaken to ‘style’ characters. This is done so by queercoding, as in, using taboos linked to queerness; references which point to romantic connotation; or omitting certain details which casts obscurity on the nature of their ‘friendship’.
Alhaitham and Kaveh’s relationship has been styled in this way, as although various titles have been given to their relationship status, there has been no definitive term supplied overall. Alhaitham tells the Traveller that the two are “roommates”, with Kaveh confirming this, although stating that they “used to be friend(s), but not anymore”.
Within Kaveh’s Character Stories, their history as “best friends” is a painful one of separation, which can be seen as akin to a break-up, and despite their lack of status as ‘friends’, the two share an intimate knowledge of the other that no other character is privy too.
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Condensing their relationship down to ‘roommates’ is an oversimplification that the narrative challenges the player to question.
This is achieved through their rapport with each other, seen within Alhaitham purposefully goading Kaveh, something which he cannot be seen to do persistently with any other character, as well as Kaveh’s unique reactions to Alhaitham, which present a side to him unlike which can be observed in his interactions with others. Additionally, the two mention the other without them present, as Alhaitham mentions Kaveh unprompted twice within the Archon Quest and once within his Story Quest, and Kaveh is prone to discussing Alhaitham with those who are aware of them living together, as Collei observes: “Seems like you always include him in the conversation, even when he isn’t here…”
When the two confirm themselves to be roommates, this is immediately followed by Paimon asking Kaveh if they are friends, to which Kaveh does not give a definitive answer too. When Paimon asks Alhaitham the same question in the Archon Quest, Alhaitham evades the question, and turns it back on Paimon, who notes that “[she] doesn’t know. That’s why [she’s] asking,” to which Alhaitham then describes Kaveh as his roommate. Although, this still is an evasion of Paimon’s initial question, Alhaitham neither denies nor confirms their friendship status. The status of their relationship is constantly called into question, for the characters they interact with, and for the player.
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This casts an ambiguity over their relationship which aligns with Chinese gaming regulations in regard to same-sex couples, which in turn, points to a certain ‘styling’ of relationship which differs from general platonic friendships within the game. Where both platonic friendships and same-sex relationships can only be openly dubbed as ‘friendship’, signifiers must be present in order to differentiate these platonic friendships from the non-platonic.
Obscurity of relationship status can be used to do so – where characters are not explicitly “friends”, but are evidently tied to each other in some way, more than their assigned platonic status. Here, Kaveh and Alhaitham are irrevocably connected beyond their “roommate” status, and although they are not currently described as “friends”, they used to be, “best friends” according to Kaveh’s Character Stories, which creates a gap for interpretation.
The player is encouraged to interpret the reason for the two’s parting of ways, along with the reason for their current rapport. Although Kaveh asserts that there is a mutual “disdain” between the two, Kaveh observably talks about Alhaitham enough for Tighnari to assert: “No dinner with Kaveh is complete without a few words about Alhaitham." Rather than out of disdain, it can be surmised that Kaveh talks about Alhaitham due to the fact that he cares, as he states that the reason he has so many troubles regarding his work is because he cares so much about it.
When paralleled with his troubles with Alhaitham, being that Alhaitham finds a way to “infuriate” him every time they talk, it can be inferred that Kaveh’s approach to dealing with his work is the same as to how he deals with Alhaitham.
If Kaveh’s assertation that the “disdain” between the two of them was true, then there is no basis for him to talk about Alhaitham as much as he does. This is due to his attitude in caring about something results in him verbally expounding the problem, the same behaviour he exhibits when dealing with Alhaitham. By his own reasoning, if Kaveh did not care about Alhaitham, he would not be so “infuriate[d]” by his words.
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In turn, the player can see Alhaitham’s care of Kaveh manifest in his concern for Kaveh’s wellbeing within A Parade of Providence. In this sense, the rapport the two have currently which the narrative prompts the player to question can be explained. The two hold a mutual concern and care for the other, but due to elements in their past, they cannot address this, and thus it goes unspoken. The same can be said about the explicit status of their relationship, as no canon label applied to the two can truly explain their relationship, with ‘roommates’ being a clear oversimplification of their bond, and always followed up with the question of their friendship.
Alhaitham and Kaveh’s status as ‘friends’ is disrupted, not only due to the canon ending of their friendship in the past, but also in the current narrative of the game due to this refused label. Alhaitham and Kaveh do not adhere to the status of ‘friends’, either evading it (Alhaitham) or outright denying it (Kaveh), however, their bond remains central to each of their respective narratives, so much so that their differing viewpoints are integral to the other.
Alhaitham and Kaveh have been designed so that they are integral to each other, and the obscurity of their relationship acts as a signifier that their bond is not of a typical platonic friendship.
In Chinese gaming restrictions regulating platonic bonds and romantic bonds between same-sex characters as strictly ‘friendship’, Genshin Impact can be seen to subvert this in order to queercode. By creating an obscure bond between a same-sex relationship, a bond which the game constantly calls into question, a silence has been generated as to what the status of the relationship really is. The depth to Alhaitham and Kaveh’s relationship and the unspoken nature of it alludes to the queer taboo, in that its inability to be definitively labelled generates an otherness than that of an easily understood platonic bond.
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