Is it valid to look at Strade, say "that person is horrible and deserves nothing" and then go "buuut he's fictional, I don't condone his actions, I acknowledge that he's awful, and yet somehow he's also my little pookie that I can put in my pocket and kiss on the forehead" ?
aka: is acknowledging how HORRIBLE Strade is as a character (action-wise) and yet thinking of him as a silly guy outside of a serious context, ok or am I a shitty person?
You are not a shitty person for thinking, "Strade is a horrible murderer but also kind of my little freak." That doesn't mean you condone his actions. It just means you're engaging with the character as a fictional construct, not as a role model. Liking horror, violence, or twisted characters in fiction does not make someone morally compromised it means you're human and your brain is curious!
It is valid to acknowledge how awful a character like Strade is and still find him silly or entertaining in other contexts. That's what fiction allows us to do,it gives us the space to explore complicated, taboo, or even outright evil characters in ways that are safe, contained, and separate from real-life harm of direct interaction.
no one wants to admit: abusers aren't 24/7 snarling monsters. They can be charming, funny, soft-spoken, or seem sweet in some contexts.
Strade is awful. Heâs a murderer, abuser, and deeply disturbing character. And because he's fictional, itâs safe to explore those extremes. You can say âheâs horrible and deserves nothingâ and still go âheâs my weird little guy and I love to torment him in my brainâ Itâs a duality. Itâs the fun of fiction.
Also, this is just me talking to myself but could ring true to others, donât only consume horror. I mean it, your brain canât be in constant âfight-or-flinchâ mode. Go touch some moss and watch a cartoon where nobody gets decapitated. Do something that reminds you youâre not just reacting to darkness youâre a person. A whole, messy, beautiful person.
Last thing, stop looking for permission to feel how you feel. People are messy. Theyâll turn on you for breathing wrong. You donât need anyone to say âyeah thatâs validâ for you to feel it. You already know whatâs real and what isnât, thatâs enough.
like I have some people in the fandom I donât engage with or talk to cause I donât agree with them on stuff. Thatâs fine. Iâll stay over here in my lil corner and only swing hands if they try to pull some shit on me. I donât need to be friends with everyone and you donât either.
But also, protect your peace. Seriously. Find people who get you. Who like the same weird stuff, who donât guilt you for enjoying fiction how you enjoy it. Donât go with the crowd just cause itâs louder. Donât let the algorithm or some fandom clique tell you what youâre âallowedâ to write or draw.
Throw the plushie. Kiss it. Call him a bastard. Then go eat a popsicle and talk to your inner child. You're allowed to enjoy things and still be okay.
prguitarman
stormborns
yousharknotpass
blakekathryn
dailybridgerton
ellievsbear
turnnoffyourmind
