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franklyimissparis · 1 day

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mr schwartz: a line-by-line queer-coded lyrical analysis

warning: this is quite long but mr schwartz is one of my favourite songs off the car album (and one of my favourites of alex’s in general) and i’ve ALWAYS read it as super queer but have yet to dive into precisely what makes it queer and the themes within it. it’s TRULY such an understated lyrical masterpiece.

Put your heavy metal to the test

- this is a play on words of the phrase ‘test your mettle’ which basically means to see whether or not someone will carry on through something that is difficult. immediately, this indicates that the relationship between alex and the other person is a difficult one and requires strength/determination to move forward with

- it also could refer to heavy metal music (which isn’t a very traditionally romantic genre) as is played off of in the next few lines

Might be half a love song in it all for you

- the phrase “half a love song” is particularly interesting to me as there are many ways to take it: it could be half a love song because it is unfinished or because it isn’t fully a love song (and both interpretations tie into other lyrics in the song)

- if we go down the route that it’s only half a love song because it isn’t fully a love song, it implies that there is more to the relationship than romance or that the song/relationship isn’t meant to be viewed (solely) through a romantic lens (but the other person may see it as such)

- whereas the idea that the song is unfinished could either suggest a lack of passion or the feeling that the story isn’t done yet.

- it could also communicate that the someone else needs to finish the song for alex - which is somewhat implied in the previous line. this could also indicate that, like alex, the other person gets musical inspiration out of their relationship

Timing wise, it’s probably for the best

- the use of “timing” ties in with the musical references but also highlights that the relationship is heavily tied to the timing of what’s going on in their lives (invoking “right person, wrong time” in a way)

- alex is acknowledging that because of forces outside of their control (i.e. time) it’s probably best they don’t pursue a serious relationship (or, like the previous line, a “full” love song)

Come here and kiss me now, before it gets too cute

- he’s asking his lover to quickly kiss him before they can let the moment become sweet, implying that, while he is fine with the physical aspect, the emotional side of things makes him uncomfortable

- musically, he also wants to avoid being cheesy or overly sentimental which ties in thematically with the ultracheese as well

- it’s important to note that this is also the only explicitly romantic line on the entirety of the car album: this (and the half a love song line) is the only line on the album that cannot possibly be read as platonic

Mr Schwartz is stayin’ strong for the crew

- here we switch to discussing the persona/character of mr schwartz, which as seen later, is obviously meant to be an extension/alter-ego of alex himself

- the reference to “staying strong for the crew” directly after talking about his lover implies that there is a conflict between the two: that staying strong for the crew entails keeping an emotional distance from his lover

- he recognises that those around him rely on him to keep up his persona to do their jobs (in this extended metaphor of a film set)

Wardrobe’s lint-rollin’ your velveteen suit

- alex is known to emphasise his personas via clothing choices and the velveteen suit is representative of that here. the crew removes any imperfections, like the lint, off of the suit (the persona)

- this also ties into alex’s obsession with perfectionism and control and how, though he is wearing the suit (i.e. persona), there is a mutual reliance between him and the “crew” to maintain his image

- also have to mention that velveteen is a rather untraditional material choice for something as traditional as a suit, there is a bit of a clash here between the two (a fully velveteen suit could also be seen as quite camp - and is also very 70s, which ties into eycte’s aesthetic too)

And smudgin’ dubbin on your dancin’ shoes

- dubbin makes leather softer and waterproof: again, others are trying to prevent damage from occurring to the persona

- this could also refer to the musical direction that the band has gone to in tbhc and the car: their music is softer and more contemplative than it was before, especially since ‘dancing shoes’ is also a song off of their first album. this could be commentary on how alex’s personas have evolved and the mixed reactions he’s gotten from his audience over it

Gradually, it’s coming into view

- we move from music imagery to film imagery with the line “coming into view”.. things were blurry or unclear before but he (or the other person) are slowly coming to realizations about their situation

It’s like your little directorial debut

- having a directorial debut suggests that this is the first time they are taking control of a situation and telling others what to do, they are directing someone else instead of being directed - with the word little being used to emphasise that this isn’t a massive change yet

- but he’s also directing himself to behave in a certain way: alex is directing his new persona, mr schwartz, in his debut

As fine a time as any to deduce

- to me this line also implies that this realisation has sort of been a long time coming, they’ve been through this cycle so many times that they might as well come to the realisation now

The fact that neither you or I has ever had a clue

- going into the next verse as well, this hints that alex and his lover have had struggles with seeing where alex ends and the persona begins and have also never been able to get their relationship right as a result

And if we guess who I’m pretending to be

- here he is confirming what is obvious: alex is mr schwartz and the persona is clearly differentiated from himself as “pretending”. alex and his lover are both keenly aware that mr schwartz is a persona which almost becomes a joke to them in the next line

Do we win a prize?

- alex pokes fun at how obvious it is to him and his lover that mr schwartz is a character but i think he’s also pointing out here: do we get anything out of the persona that i’ve created?

- he’s questioning, perhaps for the first time, if in the end keeping the persona up will be worth it to him and his lover or if it is all meaningless

Having attempted twice, both incorrectly

- okay so obviously the majority of us reading this are immediately going to go to a certain side project of alex’s and the two albums they’ve released (with talk of there being a third to complete the trilogy)

- this suggests that there have been two attempts at happiness between him and his lover but both times there was something fundamentally wrong with the relationship that caused them to drift, which is likely related to the act that he is putting on

Do we get a third try?

- the phrasing on this line is interesting as well as alex doesn’t ask his lover directly like “can we have a third try?” instead, he poses this question more existentially: will a third try be given to the two of them? it implies that he and the other person aren’t in control of their situation to some extent, they have to rely on being given chances by others.

- though this also could be interpreted as alex shirking responsibility of the situation onto others instead of being straightforward. he simultaneously wants and does not want control.

The gloved hand’s reachin’ in to hit the switch

- by wearing gloves, there is the desire to avoid leaving fingerprints/evidence of the relationship. and because the hand is gloved it is intentionally anonymous: is it alex’s hand? mr schwartz’s? the other person’s? or someone outside of things meddling in the relationship?

- interesting also that a switch is a binary thing: either on or off (gay or straight, platonic or romantic, alex or mr schwartz) ignoring the possibility of things being on a more complicated spectrum as is implied earlier (“half a love song”)

- hitting the switch is sometimes used as a euphemism for triggering a permanent change but can also be seen as a temporary action (the switch can be endlessly turned off/on), highlighting the back and forth in their relationship.

There’s not one goddamn thing that you can do about it

- this is the only time alex curses in the song which highlights how frustrating the persona and lack of power can be

- he feels stuck in the situation, just continuously flicking the switch between persona and reality, and indicates that his lover is also likely frustrated at this too. though they want to help fix the situation, they can’t, or at least they feel like they can’t

But Mr Schwartz is havin’ tea with the grips

- again, he’s switching back and forth between the real him and mr schwartz: while alex is frustrated and insecure about the lack of control in his life, mr schwartz charms those around him and takes hold of the situation

- more film imagery with mentioning the grips (those who help with camera and lighting equipment on a film set): to me, this line is fascinating as we’ve seen that everyone (including the crew) is working towards keeping the mr schwartz persona up and through the metaphor of the film set they are creating something imaginary, however, behind the scenes the grips still get to be real people with real families while alex, or mr schwartz, has to continue to keep the persona up.

Askin’ after all the wives and the kids

- the use of the phrase “askin’ after” instead of “talking about” etc. implies that the question is not mutual: mr schwartz is not being asked about his wife/kids because he does not have any and the others know it. yet he knows that it is important that he shows interest in their nuclear families. this is also clearly commentary on how alex is the only unmarried and childless member of the band

- it could be seen as him directing conversation away from his personal life: focusing on others and letting them talk is more comfortable than discussing yourself honestly and breaking the act

It’s at the heart of what the business is

- the final line of the song breaks down the essence of why the persona is kept up: ultimately, it is a business decision. alex understands how closely tied together business and personal lives are as a celebrity and is invested in the persona to keep the two separate, though by choice or force is up for debate

- also poses the question of whether or not he’s genuinely interested in their lives or if it is just business to him. it could be read as bittersweet in the sense that the heart of the business is human connection, but if you don’t conform you aren’t allowed to drop the act without punishment

- finally, this line also ties back to “staying strong for the crew”: he has to keep up the persona so that the ‘crew’ can continue to work and take care of their families. and hearing about them is both a reminder of what he is denying himself and what is at stake for the others.

to summarise: alex is torn between putting on the straight persona of mr schwartz and being truly himself within the fractured relationship he has with his lover - which has been heavily influenced by external and internal pressures. gee i wonder who the song is about (rhymes with schmiles schmane.)

#may do some other songs bc this was fun #it took me way too long though 😭😭#if you made it to the end you’re insane and i love you #if anyone has any requests let me know lmao #alex turner #the car era #the car album #arctic monkeys #miles kane #milex #the car #mr schwartz #tlsp

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chrysalis-the-butterfly · 3 days

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Can you do Alastor please 🥺

Yep!

Send me a character and I’ll list:

Favourite thing about them: The radio filter on his voice! I'm a sucker for characters with artificial voice filters like that. And his disdain for "frivolous television technology" is amusing.

I recently rewatched the first episode of Hazbin Hotel with my dad, and he liked Alastor's radio filter too. (Yes, my dad watched some of Hazbin Hotel. And he decided it was "a bit too out there" for him.)

Least favourite thing about them: His design, I think. Yes, the creepy smile that never leaves his face is a nice touch, but that bob? It does nothing for me.

Favourite line: It's a close tie between, "Do you like blood, violence, and depravity of a sexual nature? Of course you do! That's why you're in Hell!" and, "Well, my dear, I haven't been active in Hell for some time, and everyone remembers me from my radio show! The proper medium to express oneself! But you insisted on this ... noisy picture box advertisement. So I had a little fun with it."

brOTP: I like his friendships with Mimzy and Rosie. The fact that he and Mimzy knew each other when they were alive is really interesting. And I can see how he and Rosie would bond over their shared fondness for cannibalism.

Plus, I just think it's funny that Alastor has been building this platonic girl gang around him. He's asexual, but also a chick magnet.

OTP: I don't really have one for Alastor. He's definitely ace, and he might be aro too, and I have yet to see a character that's made me go, "Ooh, I'd love to see what would happen if they were in a romantic relationship with Alastor."

But if I had to pick an OTP ... maybe RadioRose? Two cannibalistic Overlords causing chaos together? That would be pretty neat.

Actually, what about RadioStatic? The fact that the normally cool and collected Vox can be made to completely malfunction because of Alastor has piqued my interest. Maybe they were dating years ago, and then something went wrong. Or maybe they had a business partnership, and Vox wanted it to become something more, and Alastor just wasn't feeling it. Yes, Vox has Valentino now, but maybe there's a part of him that still pines for Alastor - which would be ironic, considering that Alastor has little to no interest in him.

nOTP: Charlastor. I prefer them having a "twisted mentor and innocent mentee" relationship, rather than a romantic one. Given that Alastor has positioned himself as a father figure to Charlie (albeit just to annoy Lucifer), it would be weird to think of them dating.

Random headcanon: Alastor has zero artistic ability. He once tried to paint portraits of the Hazbin Hotel staff and residents as part of an art therapy exercise, but they all look cursed. Or like cats. Or like cursed cats.

Unpopular opinion: Sorry, Alastor stans, I can't get on the hype train with this guy. Not yet, anyway.

I like characters that have a mixture of the known and the mysterious - that is, you know enough about them from the canon material that there are traits you can identify and latch onto, but there are also some things left up to interpretation for you to muse over.

Right now, Alastor's just a bit too mysterious for me. Is he going to be an ally? Is he going to be an enemy? I can't decide whether I like him because I don't know enough about him.

By contrast, I already know lots about Angel Dust, and I like what I've seen so far. And there are still things I don't know about him, such as how he met Valentino, that I can speculate on, which I find fun. That's why Angel is my blorbo and Alastor isn't.

Song I associate with them: "Love ka?" (a.k.a. "Rabuka") by Hiiragi Kirai and Ado. Particularly this Yokune Ruko cover. I see it as a RadioStatic song, because the lyrics are about sharks (Vox likes sharks, doesn't he?) and about bugs (which would fit with Vox glitching out).

The ending lyrics translate as, "These putrid 'love you,' 'love you,' 'love yous' have already fallen to the ground and died out. If you don't like what you found within your reach, maybe you should stop looking." That sounds like something Alastor would say to Vox.

Favourite picture of them:

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maybebitterxox · 2 months

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Something about Rarry that I think is just so beautiful is the fact that Ron thinks he needs to be better than his sibling and friends, needs to be better than what he is to be worthy of love, but the very moment Harry Potter, The Chosen One, saw the lopsided smile of the scruffy redhead with dirt on his nose and worn clothes, he loved him like he had loved nothing else. And he never, throughout his whole life, loved anyone in the way he loved Ron.

Ron believed himself unlovable — Harry had never known love until he met Ron, and loving him was as easy as breathing.

#rarry #ronarry #romantic but you can also interpret as platonic #ron weasley #harry potter #ron x harry #harry x ron #firebolt

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notemaker · 9 months

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Part 1 of Ace! April + Best friend Dynamics - Next? Some context: April isn't very confident about being around people in canon. She's weird and badass, and while we love that, she thinks she's got to 'be normal' to be liked, and make friends. It reminded me of the Ace Experience, and how that'd add another layer to the slow acceptance that is herself. Enter Donnie.

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pianokantzart · 4 months

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Princess Daisy's capabilities as a ruler being disregarded because she's loud, hotheaded and emotional, leading her to be perceived by many as immature and impulsive.

Luigi's capabilities as a hero being disregarded because he's awkward, nervous and emotional, leading him to be perceived by many as weak and pathetic.

Both of them recognizing the value inherent in each other's feelings while simultaneously seeing the strength and potential in one another that they are unable to see in themselves. Do you feel me?

#super mario bros #Mario Headcanons #Luigi #Princess Daisy #Luaisy #albeit this can be interpreted either as a platonic or romantic thing depending on what floats your boat #but I headcanon that Daisy shows off as hard as she does partly because she is trying to prove herself #We all love Daisy being a cheerleader for Luigi but also how about Luigi being a confidant for Daisy?#reassuring her of her competency as a ruler and admiring her love for Sarasaland #seeing her as more than just a sporty fun time friend that only shows up to drive carts and play soccer #like do you see my vision here?

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tiredpacdad · 5 months

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most exhausting hospital trip ever

#dethklok #metalocalypse #mtl #fanart #nathan explosion #pickles the drummer #skwisgaar skwigelf #william murderface #you can interpret platonically or romantically it doesnt matter to me #also whether murderface is praying in the back is up for interpretation too #skwickles #skwistok #kinda implied #pacdadart #i dont love how this came out but im experimenting with things rn #trying to decide how i like to render cause its the thing i struggle the most with #if anyone has advice i am open to it

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mav-the-artist · 1 month

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The Crescent Crew after kicking Gibby's ass

#My art #Hylics #Hylics 2 #YES THIS IS THE JOHN LENNON WALK MEME LOL #It felt way too fitting #Also Wayne's wearing Doc Martens :]#Also the hand-holding can be interpreted as platonic or romantic it's up to you ^^#Wayne Hylics #Wayne #Somsnosa #Dedusmuln #Pongorma

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slimslamflimflam · 5 months

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Hot Pants and Johnny catch up with a nice chat :]

#sorry this is very blatantly shippy i made it to share with one of my friends #but if you want you can interpret the marriage as a platonic thing!#anyway sorry i lied this is a jojo thing i have that i drew and forgot to post but it is also genuinely the only jojo thing ive drawn in a #while wehhhhhggg #jjba #hot pants #johnny joestar #diego brando #gyro zeppeli #gyjo #dinopants #<— can be viewed as romantic or platonic though!!#my art !! :]

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mister-heart · 1 year

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My two fav OFF characters :]

#off game #off (game)#off (mortis ghost)#fanart #Enoch (OFF)#Dedan (OFF)#denoch #you can interpret this as platonic or romantic tbh #love enoch being a giant but i also like the idea of him being a lil shorter than dedan #i think he can change sizes personally

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raionmimi · 8 months

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He offered to carry her when she got tired of walking but had the nerve to have perfect hair after going over 90mph

#queen medb #magical college girl medb #achilles #fgo #fate grand order #medb rarepair #he's one of her canon good looking braves #you can interpret it as romantic or platonic it's up to you #I just wanted to draw Medb being carried and also with windswept hair

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captainschaos · 2 months

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steam and smoke

I got @bonthebanana as my @mcyt-valentines valentine, and I've got a little ranchers fic for ya !! I ended up just doing a lil bit of mostly canon compliant angst/fluff, but I had a nice time writing it, and hope you like it!!!

word count: 1203

---/---/---

Tango still feels the fire. Not his own- the phoenix feels two heats, in such a blaze. The fire that is his, and the fire that isn’t. His holds his fury, the pounding of his blood as he fights to smother the flames destroying his home, it holds his love and his hatred. The other holds only the intent to harm that which he loves. It is nothing like him. But then there’s a third heat.

Jimmy hands him a mug of hot cider.

It snaps Tango back to reality, and he looks up at his soulmate, remembering where they are. He sits on a wooden stool in one of the barns, the smell of hay and good soil on the air. Jimmy sits on an overturned bucket across from him, holding his own steaming mug and smiling gently.

“Feeling better?”

Tango sighs, and a puff of smoke drifts from his mouth with the breath. It makes Jimmy giggle a bit, though the canary quickly quiets himself, trying to be sincere. In all honesty, he’s doing very well, and Tango shifts to look at the ground.

“A bit. It just–” A sound somewhere between a shriek and a groan escapes his throat, as Tango leans back and puts a hand to his face. “It’s all gone! All that work, all just– woosh!”

“Well, not all gone, right?” Jimmy leans back, to an angle where he can glance out through the barn door. He does wince a bit when he spots what’s left of the ranch house. Tango’s glad he can’t see outside in this moment. Strategic positioning on Jimmy’s part, likely, when he brought Tango in and sat him down. “We’ll rebuild. We can rebuild, easy!”

But Jimmy’s latter words are a bit fuzzy as they reach Tango’s ears. He’s looking at the hands that cup Jimmy’s own mug of hot drink, and the burn marks that adorn them. Charcoal is smudged on the side edges of his fingers, but the fingertips are raw and red. And looking at them, Tango remembers the flurry of events that transpired not a half hour before. The fires of the ranch, mostly put out, seemed to settle in his stomach. He was furious, his own flames flaring, and he growled and screamed at the people around who had laughed at his loss. Their loss. He remembered the hands that had grabbed him, pulled him back, been gentle when all he wanted was to be horrid. And soft words had told him to wait, kept him safe from the neighbors that laughed, and tucked him into the barn.

He hadn’t noticed, until this moment.

“...Oh, Jimmy…”

“Hm?” The canary followed Tango’s gaze and glanced down at his own hands, then hurriedly tried to hide them when he realized. Which he failed to really do all that well around a mug. “Oh, ah, it’s fine, really. Nothing too bad, promise!”

Tango set his own drink carefully on the floor, then leaned forward, reaching out to Jimmy. One hand took the canary’s mug gingerly, while the other took one of his hands with an even more tender touch. The last thing he wanted was to hurt him more, after all.

“They should heal up quick enough,” Jimmy says, his voice speeding up in a clear attempt to make Tango feel better.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Tango whispers, voice feeling weak as he sees what he did to his soulmate. “It was just so–”

“Hey, hey–” Jimmy’s freed hand moves now, and cups Tango’s cheek with the same tenderness he’d cradled his mug. He pushes the phoenix with gentle touch to make him look him in the eyes, and he smiles. “I know, yeah? I know you didn’t mean to hurt me.”

“But, still! I didn’t even realize…” Tango glances away quickly, though he doesn’t stray from Jimmy’s touch.

“You were trying to protect us! I get it, I promise, Tango.” Jimmy’s voice is so bright, so kind. It always is.

“I messed that up pretty bad then, huh?” Tango says with a pathetic little laugh.

Jimmy laughs in return. “I mean, you scared them off pretty good, didn’t ya?”

“I guess. Just– next time, leave me to get into my trouble, won’t you?” Tango shifts his focus from the wall of the barn to Jimmy’s hands once more, wincing as he once again sees the reddened skin. “I’ll burn somebody else.”

“Hey. I know that too, you know.”

Tango can’t help but look back to Jimmy’s gaze. The canary’s expression is soft, but there’s determination in it. This is the balance of Jimmy. He can be sweet, but also so stubborn. He can be loud, but also so gentle. And in this moment, Tango had felt horrible for how he’d hurt his soft-feathered soulmate. But there’s something resolute, set in stone, as his eyes meet his.

“I knew what I was doing, alright? Believe me,” he says with a laugh, “I’ve died plenty enough times to consider myself an expert, when it comes to jumping in places I shouldn’t. But this is my place. With you.” Jimmy’s touch finally lowers from Tango’s face, and he puts his hand over the one Tango is using to hold his commandeered mug. Tango holds one of Jimmy’s hands, Jimmy holds one of his. A cycle, a trade. A connection. A bond. “Soulmates gotta look out for their soulmates, yeah? So I’m gonna look out for ya! And I don’t care if I have to grab a few fiery hands to do it, alright?”

Tango can’t help but smile, as Jimmy’s head dips and his expression only widens to something more insistent. It’s understanding with a force, with eyes alight with unstoppable spirit, a smile brightened by laughter and empathy. Tango can’t help but believe in such a face.

“You’re a wonder, Jimmy Solidarity, you know that?”

“Oh, stop it!” And Jimmy finally looks away, just a tinge of shyness pinking his cheeks. He quickly recovers and sends a jab back at Tango. “Just remember which of us died first, that's all I'm saying.”

“Hey now!” Tango slips Jimmy’s mug back into his hand, and leans down to pick his own back up. “I mean, it’s not like we don’t know who will get the last life…”

“Not me! I refuse this time!” Jimmy stands up, a fist planted at his hip as he turns his attention toward the door. “But it would help both of us live a bit longer if we got a real roof back over our heads.” He looks to Tango, and for just a moment the playful teasing slips as that same, steady kindness fills his gaze. “Ready to go see how bad it is?”

Tango sighs deep, but stands up himself. He sips the cider, and feels its warmth travel to his stomach, sitting coupled with the burning rage in his gut. But it’s something sweeter, something spiced. Something like home. And that’s what he holds onto, as he steels himself to assess the charred remains of the ranch. Revenge can come later. For now, he needs to take care of Jimmy. And he trusts Jimmy will take care of him.

“Let’s go, partner.”

#jimmy solidarity #solidaritygaming #tangotek #team rancher #captain's words #sorry this was so late!!! I wanted it done to post on valentine's but life got in the way </3 #also I tried to leave it as ambiguous as possible- can be romantic platonic or queerplatonic !#I tend to write qp but wanted any interpretation to work ^_^#also I tried to make it as jimmy love centric as I could since that was the character you listed LOL so hopefully that comes across <3 #all in all hope you like it !! :]

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