Preface...was this a lot of words to say "this is complicated and hard to put into words" ...probably.

Ooh. A number of things, really. Like, Minho is more complex than just the hissing, quipping cat, and yet those are incredibly interesting facets, too. He’s bright, and kind, and aware. I loved when Jisung was talking about how he would lead among his friends group, too like… Each situation is a dynamic and brings out different parts of people. And Chan can be soft puppy, bristly wolf, and smarts, and neuroses. The things they share in kindness, and care, giving, responsibility, dedication, intelligence… All of them are building blocks, compatibilities. They are both open and wary in different shades of ways, so it’s interesting to see how those things can fit. And because each universe, they have different circumstances, backstories, etc, things that shape their personalities, and how they’re expressed? So can they both be soft for each other, yes, but who is soft when and how can change.

I think that's the fun of shipping All the Things because almost everyone fits together differently to one person than they would to someone else, and even between fics that can change. So, kind of like puzzle pieces where one person is all pokey pieces, and another has ins and outs, another has a corner, etc. And because they all have different shapes, they fit together in unique ways, too. (Not in a dirty way. [Though, also in a dirty way sometimes, too]) And sometimes that's very obvious to portray, and sometimes it's more subtle. Age dynamics, personality... The way that Minho behaves like a cat to a dog to Chan is different to the more indulgent ways he'll sometimes respond to Jisung, Felix, etc. As he said himself, they have their own chemistries. lol 😂 And this is of course things that we See With Our Eyeballs, and fic is obviously all made up, so there can be shades of that. So some of Minho's cat-ness may not show exactly the way he is in some situations in greater reality, and some may find that out of character. 🤷‍♀️

So it can be at least with Jisung that maybe there could be a bit of an inclination to softness, curiosity, because of their dynamic. Maybe some of the corners can be more easily rounded, and some sheilds are down. However, that doesn't always mean it's easy?? That could also lead to Minho being wary of the feeling of that, like what is causing these shields to falter. But also can open the door to soulmates, etc, etc. Whether Jisung is confident or doe-eyed, it can be fun. It’s…dependent on the other person. (she says, like that’s not obvious) I’ve written them where Minho is mega wary of Jisung’s person, and am knee deep writing one where Jisung’s strength and vulnerability has KO’d Minho’s self preservation. I think I’m just saying the same thing in different ways lol. ;;; “It depeeeeends” Same for Chan, whether he’s being an alpha of whatever stripe, or being the soft boy next door. All the little things between either of them that can draw Minho in like a magnet. The base is the same for all the variations, but whether by necessity or design, they are all a bit different in shade between fics. But also ideally fitting well together on the same palette.

...does any of that make sense. I've gone around it several times trying to make any sentences have meaning lol ;;;

But thank you so much and thank you for the questions, despite me basically going "but I love them and want them to love each other 🥺"

I was about to say no, and that sure would've been an accidental lie.

I do have what will be a short f/f minchan where Chan is a farrier and Minho rescues horses/cats. The...timing on that is tbd. It should just be small and cute. Am I contemplating something on the m/m side where Chan is a farrier, yes, but what the plot would be is Unknown lol. Respite has bits of horses, and I referenced him having a horse in Pinfire but then never had them ride, lol. Alas.

But every time I picture Chan in riding breeches-- 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 Whether that was something like him doing dressage, or just as some kind of fancypants (lol) rich guy/lord of the manor kind of stuff, idk. All of it is appreciated in my brain. But for sure there's always a chance of something else coming along if a plot happens to stagger by. Before this last album dropped I was just innocently walking on the treadmill and had a picture of him sitting on a horse, so the MV was a bit of a jumpscare to my psyche in the best way. XD And then every single shot of him petting the pony, and then posting a pic of the pony... Let me live. (or, don't, keep going, I don't need those heart cells after all)