Friendzoned by "History"

"Come to my quarters at midnight tomorrow, don't breathe a word to anyone" (16:12)

This line was ripe with BL/gay subtext. The secrecy, the lingering glances, the closeness, the unspoken tension between the two men that pulled them ever closer teased at something more than "just friendship." Yet, the societal expectations of the past and the present snuffed out the possibility of a blazing love affair

To the people scoffing at the reimagination of these historical figures or their relationships as gay based on the supposed lack of historical "evidence," I have a sobering truth: a crown prince or medieval male warrior could've very well engaged in a love affair with another man without a trace of it being preserved. Such a revelation would've been buried by the bloody gloves of the aristocratic elite to maintain appearances of propriety. No record would dare speak of it, and hints of gay love would be replaced with "friendly platitudes"

History is written and rewritten by the victors—or in this case, by the straight-washing, homophobic society. For every story preserved, countless others are lost to the tides of time and cultural norms. One can only wonder at the secrets held in the buried pages deemed unfit for the public eye

The BL/GL/gay interpretations of history aren't an inaccurate retelling or rewriting of a history that's already been rewritten by those in power. We're filling in the gaps and exploring the possibilities that might've been erased from historical records

If the use of real historical names feels inappropriate to you, we could rename the characters to create a story that draws from history, but isn't beholden to it. I'd enjoy a story that prioritizes emotional resonance over rigid adherence to historical records

Read More