#surviveyourhumanity

Three for three so far! Because this is another stellar ask — as well as a nice reminder of how far media has come, because not only are most of these recent, but I didn’t have to try too hard to find happy, more positive ones. And even better, I really could find stuff in most of my favouite genres. Viva more inclusive media!

P.S. It was actually hard to limit these to only five! 

Let’s hope that trend continues:

OBLIGATORY MENTION: It’s a low-level crime, that Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s Rosa and Alicia (Gina Rodriguez’s character) can’t be on this list. But seeing as that they haven’t had more than an adorable meet-cute at this point, I couldn’t justify it to myself. But I feel the need to note that if we are fortunate enough to have her reprise this role in at least a minor recurring capacity next season, you’ll have to come and resuscitate me, because I’ll probably be dead. Like. Look at this!!! (I’m all three of them in this scene.) 

5. Amy and Lucy (D. E. B. S.)

What happens when you’re your spy agency’s top agent, but you just happen to be set up on a blind date with and then fall for the criminal mastermind who’s the basis of your thesis project? This movie. Directed by Angela Robinson (who herself is queer and also responsible for the polyamorous Wonder Woman creators backstory film Professor Marston and the Wonder Women last year), this film is a tongue-in-cheek parody of Charlie’s Angels. This means lots of wacky spy hijinks and some cheesy dialogue, but it truly feels like the queer spy AU I’ve always wanted. I also appreciate that there’s a B-story about female friendship and what it means when your friend embarks on a new relationship. (Side Note: This movie pairs perfectly with Spice World and SClub: Seeing Double, you’re welcome.) 

4. Goldie and Diane (Goldie Vance)

Goldie is pretty much living my dream ages 7 to.. well, pretty much now, seeing as she works at a local holiday resort where she also solves mysteries with the help of her best friend Cheryl (who wants to be an astronaut) and her girlfriend Diane (seen in all her chic glory, below). This comic is relatively new but it’s one of my all-time favourites because the art style is gorgeous and retro, the mysteries are fun and modern, and Goldie herself is fully-fledged and already iconic. And on top of all that, we get to see her initial crush on Diane, followed by them beginning a relationship all with very little drama. It’s cute and sweet, just what this book and our hero deserve. Also, I know it sounds weird, but I kind of have a crush on Diane. She’s just so ridiculously cool. (And she’s not even wearing her leather jacket.) 

3. Lena and Stef (The Fosters)

I haven’t caught up on the last two seasons of this series, but I did catch a bit of the season finale (which really focused on their relationship and Stef coming to terms with her dad’s death and his not having accepted their relationship) and it just drove home how special it was to be able to watch five seasons of a loving, committed lesbian relationship play out on TV. These ladies have been through so much together — and that’s excluding the insanity their five kids put them through. And I know they’ve gone through some rough patches, but it made me only love them more because relationships can be hard and require work and it was nice to see both these women doing their best to put in the effort. But more than that, the show allowed us to see them be funny and sexy and cute and domestic, amidst all the drama, which only makes this relationship so special. I hope we’re all lucky to find that kind of partnership some day. 

2. Carmilla and Laura Hollis (Carmilla)

Freshman journalist investigates and then falls for dark and mysterious vampire roommate, and then proceeds to get into all sorts of vampiric and demonic shenanigans with their inclusive group of friends. It sounds like some kind of wild fanfic idea, only it’s a real web series that ran for three seasons and then blessed us with a movie. And honestly, there is so much to love about Carmilla and Laura’s relationship. They’re both the tough and strong one and the soft and sensitive one, and better yet, they take turns being that for each other. Their chemistry crackles, the emotions (both positive and negative) come through, and even more importantly, they’re endlessly watchable together. Because they have that push and pull and give and take that is at the heart of all great pairings — and I could not be more grateful to everyone involved.

1. Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught (Wynonna Earp) 

Just as her sister Wynonna is off learning how to become Wyatt Earp’s latest heir, the ever-delightful Waverly goes on the fun journey that is discovering that your sexuality isn’t as defined as you thought it was — especially when she falls for the cute new female police officer in town. (Of course, while all this is happening we’re graced with all kinds of revenant-hunting and demon fighting goodness where both women show off their admirable skillsets.) But the best part of Waverly exploring her bisexuality and feelings for Nicole is that in many ways we get to see the “real” Waverly come out when with someone who appreciates how smart and insightful she can be and treats her with all the respect and adoration she deserves. And the same is true for Nicole, who while also being softer and more vulnerable around Waverly, also lets her see her more ambitious and determined side. It’s a sign that both women are at their fullest with each other, trusting one another with the best and worst parts of themselves, which is what good relationship allow you to do — even if one of you is constantly in mortal danger. Bring on Season 3 already. 

So here’s the thing - Robert is self aware enough to realise he’s kept this feud going with Aaron for as long as he has because he likes him. He does, he’s got a big, fat, embarrassing crush on Aaron Dingle.

It hadn’t started like that - no, it had been a legitimate thing at the beginning. They’d always rubbed each other up the wrong way, from the day Aaron arrived in Emmerdale when he was fourteen, snarky and snappy and rude in ways that made Robert want to swing for him.

Over the years, it had just become normal for them to snipe at each other the way they did. Old habits died hard, Robert guessed, because they were friends now, probably. Aaron had been there for Victoria when their father had died, and Robert had made it his business to check in on Aaron every once in a while when they were in school, after that day he’d found Aaron having a panic attack in the boys locker rooms.

Friends or not, they still argued. Fought like cats and dogs, Diane would say despairingly, giving the two of them a dressing down in the middle of the pub because they’d caused a scene playing darts again, competitive to their core - captain of the rugby team, and captain of the football team, always on opposite sides.

Victoria claimed they were trying to live their own West Side Story, having annoyed an admission about Robert’s crush out of him one quiet evening at home, the Sugden’s still coming to terms with Robert coming out, Victoria always there to support him.

He’d laughed, because - well, it was wrong. Nothing in the world was keeping them apart except well, them. It was the worlds worst kept secret, how the real reason for their silly little feud was a big old crush.

Time was running out to do something about it now.

They had three months left at Hotten Academy, and then the summer, of course - but then it was university, and the closest place Robert had applied for was two hours away, because he was nothing if not true to his desperate need to get away from Emmerdale, away from the only place he’d ever known.

The world was bigger than Emmerdale, he’d always known that - but the older he got, the more reason he was seeing to stay a little closer to the tiny village.

Robert glanced across the room, spotting Aaron. He was leaning against a wall, beer in hand, laughing at something Adam was saying. He had a perfect view of what Aaron was wearing, from this angle - a tighter than normal pair of jeans, and that grey henley of his that always had Robert’s mouth watering.

He was gorgeous. The kind of gorgeous Robert couldn't tear his gaze away from, the kind of gorgeous he wanted all for himself.

“Are you ever going to tell him?”

Robert looked up to see Finn hovering by his shoulder, his brow furrowed in confusion, wearing an utterly ridiculous shirt patterned with flamingos. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he feigned confusion, taking a swig of his beer.

Finn raised an eyebrow. “I think even the teachers know you’re in love with him, Robert,” he pointed out.

“I’m not - I’m not in love,” Robert shook his head, his heart thundering in his chest at the mere idea. He’d never really been in love, if he was being honest - he’d dated people, and he’d liked them a lot, but love, well, it was a different story, wasn’t it? Love was big, and scary.

“You clearly like him, though,” Finn said. “So isn’t it worth telling him? Before someone else gets in there first,” he gave a pointed look toward Ed, one of Robert’s teammates hovering close to Aaron, his interest obvious. He’d overheard Ed admitting it, recently, that he had a crush on Aaron, and Robert knew Aaron wasn’t opposed to the idea either.

Hell, Robert would sleep with Ed if he asked.

“All I’m saying is don’t lose your chance with him,” Finn concluded, giving Robert’s shoulder a squeeze. “Anyone with half a brain knows he wants you, Robert. He has for years, and you’re standing here and throwing that all away for nothing.”

“I can’t believe I’m standing here listening to you give me advice on my love life,” Robert joked, flashing Finn a good-natured grind clinking his beer bottle against Finn’s before he headed for the other side of the room, and Aaron.

“Hiya lads,” Robert grinned, slapping Adam on the back and eliciting a groan from his little sister’s boyfriend. He had a reputation to maintain as the scary older brother, however much he did like Adam.

“Hiya Rob,” Adam coughed, trying to regain his composure. “I’m going to go get another beer, you boys want one?”

“Yeah mate, I’m gasping,” Aaron hummed his thanks, draining the last of his beer.

Robert shook his head. “I just got a new one, thanks though,” he said, sliding into the empty space Adam left behind, close enough to feel the heat radiating off Aaron’s body. He’d taken to leaving his hair naturally curly, these days, flopping over his forehead in a way that had Robert’s heart racing.

“You looked like you missed me,” Robert joked, nudging Aaron’s side, earning himself an eye-roll from the other boy.

“More like you missed me,” Aaron snorted, picking at the label on his beer bottle. Ross had bought some vaguely fancy shit for the party, glass bottles rather than cans. It wasn’t half bad, if Robert was being honest, but anything was an improvement on the three quid bottle of cider Aaron usually turned up to parties with.

“I always do,” Robert said softly. “Miss you, I mean.”