#astropathers

Guys, I’m totally not immune to Ryan Gosling’s puppy eyes, pretty face, and ridiculous on-screen charm. I have a weakness for the whole "tough, protective, level-headed guy falls in love with a clumsy, lovable nerd" trope too. And to be fair, I’m guilty of partially leaning into the "Ryland helps Carl loosen up" agenda in one of my fics. Not gonna deny that 😅 But!!! Have you ever considered that in a Carl/Grace relationship, Carl is actually the cutie patootie?! <3 Sure, Carl is competent, rational, and authoritative when he's on the job. But that's because his job requires him to be. That's Carl at work, not Carl's entire personality. I don't really buy the idea that he's deadly serious and self-controlled in private, or emotionally repressed, and only starts enjoying life because Ryland happens to come along and charms the no-nonsense government agent out of his shell. Look at how openly happy he is when he's helping with the astrophage experiment! Look at him gently and playfully teasing Ryland and getting a smile out of him with the expense-account punchline. Look at him cheering with his entire body when Ryland catches the escaped astrophage. Ryland might start the Home Depot shenanigans, but Carl is absolutely game! If you ask me, that's a man who gets genuinely excited about things and isn't afraid to show it. That's a man who enthusiastically roots for his favorite sports team, gets waaay too invested in board games, and absolutely goes flying down the giant water slide with his little nieces while yelling the whole way down. Tbh, I think Carl is probably the sweeter and more easygoing person to be in a relationship with. Ryland is the one prone to impulsive decisions, stubbornness, and the occasional temper tantrum. (And I say this with all the affection in the world, because I absolutely adore Ryland! I do think Gosling's portrayal added an extra layer of cuteness and charm to the character that wasn't quite as prominent in the book, though. Which isn't a bad thing, just an observation. And fandom tends to lean into that aspect even more.) So yes, Ryland is playful and kind-hearted at his core, but those might not even be his most defining traits. And I can absolutely see him being completely smitten with Carl's delightful personality. In my head, Carl would totally be Ryland's ray of sunshine; The person who can pull him out of his head with a deadpan joke, and make him smile on his worst days. (If fate had allowed them to actually have a life together instead of separating them that way 😭) Carl Agent™ means business. Carl Boyfriend™ is a cinnamon roll!