#nicki!

i think the downfall of reader inserts is that everyone wants to see themselves in the character. but we're all different people, so that's not possible. and people tend to get really upset when reader makes choices that are different than the ones they would make because it ruins their immersion. (i also think that there's a lot of projecting going on when folks get that upset by a choice or action but that's not the point here).

to me, reader's feelings and behaviors are in line with the background we have of them throughout the whole series. yoongi too. healing isn't linear. reader is still going to have insecurities and their own past heartbreak is still going to get in the way. that's true for ALL of us. and yoongi's own past in regards to relationships (or the willful lack thereof) is also not going to disappear. it's been made clear throughout the entire series that whatever yoongi and reader have is new to both of them. yoongi's past has fueled reader's insecurities due to her own past (fuck off jungkook and all partners following him) many times up until window, and that's very reasonable. and then, on this trip, there's also the fact that reader and their brother have their own family stuff regarding the holidays which puts them both in a bad mood. AND THEN on top of that yoongi and reader's entire relationship is a secret. they have to hide, and that's not easy either. it can be really easy to forget what reader knows about how yoongi feels when their reality does not line up with what happens between the two of them behind closed doors.

i'm saying all of this because i don't want you to keep thinking that you weren't thinking things through enough or that you posted too quickly. i want to make sure you know that what you wrote DID make sense for the storyline and that it WAS in line with everything else that has happened throughout the series. people are entitled to not like how things played out, but from the little you've said about the feedback you got, they did not approach you kindly about it. the anonymity of the internet can make some people act with so much less respect than they would if they were talking to you face to face.

and i want to reiterate this again: i've ALWAYS found that when i really dislike something about another person, it's because i see that exact trait/behavior/etc. in myself. and i do think that's true for all of us. reader inserts are the ultimate tool for projection, and when being faced with something they don't like or don't resonate with, people react strongly. you're not the first author i've seen this EXACT thing happen to. at the end of the day, i wholeheartedly believe that it's not personal and that it doesn't actually reflect on your writing or your choices. reader inserts are a double edged sword in that they are as inclusive as possible but for that very reason it's just not possible for every single person who reads to be represented.

take as long as you need to feel comfortable with posting. i understand why it got to you, it definitely would have gotten to me too. thank you for showing up for us anyway 🫂 i hope you had a wonderful time in korea!!!! and that you have so much fun with yoongi AGAIN. thank you for being you 💕

WHOA Nicki when the hell did you send this?? Holy shit I didn’t see it until I actually clicked my inbox!

But damn.. thank you for saying all of this. I don’t really have anything else to add other than that because I’m extremely grateful. If it did make sense then I feel LOADS better because the things people were saying made me feel like I genuinely messed up my own characters. Ngl it hurt for days (but yeah, this was a long time ago and I’m better now!)

And thank you for the commentary on these characters, too🫂 I love that they are human and complex and don’t always make the best choices. While it’s frustrating to readers, trust me when it’s frustrating to me too and I’m writing it LOLLL but I want it to be realistic and/or not ideal.

FULL SEND ON ANON NICKI I KNOW UR BRAIN IS AS BIG AS YOUR THIRST‼️ the people wanna know what you have to say🗯️🗯️🗯️

but also….

ME @ ME FOR NOT LOOKING AT THE CONCERT TIMES AND ASSUMING IT STARTED AT THE SAME TIME AS D1💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

anyways yes nicki you are most definitely not alone i woke up confused and like oh nO😂

namjoon: please don’t forget about us

me: BTS????????

of course we’ve been told many times that 3tan!yoongi doesn’t do relationships, but i don’t think that comes from a desire to keep his options open or a desire to be with multiple people. he’s been good to reader the whole time. he’s not tried to run away from them or his feelings, and the only time he tried to let them go was because he thought jungkook would be better for them. it was coming from a self-deprecating place. i do understand the idea of just because he’s telling reader he’s not seeing other people doesn’t mean that’s true, but in this case i believe yoongi’s actions back his words up.

ANYWAY this is my long-winded opinion but i just think that based on the story we’ve been given, reader came to yoongi and turned the whole room upside down and he’s taking it very seriously

Ahhh, I was wondering if more people were gonna join in the discussion!! I’ll make a more fleshed out reply later since I’m out rn but wanted to get this out in the world for forum purposes.

AHHHHH NICKI WAIT that’s fcking cool as fck!! Why didn’t we meet up on Tuesday now I’m so damn sad😭😭

Yeahhhh the pre/during/post-concert surrealism stays with you no matter how long it’s been. But the main point remains: you got to see YOONGI?? LIKE?????? come on that’s amazing!! You’re okay. Even if you felt like your body couldn’t accept what was happening, it seems like you were enjoying the moments regardless and you’ll still have plenty memories to cherish.