KarlVlad

KarlVlad is the slash ship between Jose Vladimir Austria and Karl Frederick Almasen from the Gaya Sa Pelikula fandom.

Canon
Karl is an 19-year-old architecture student. He moves into a new apartment and his neigbour is a gay guy called Vlad. At first, they do not get along. On the first day, Karl hears loud music from Vlad's apartment, and asks him to turn the music down. However, Vlad rudely shuts the door in his face.

To hide from his sister, Vlad runs into Karl's apartment, since it was left open. This scares Karl, but reluctantly allows him to stay in the apartment. Once it becomes quieter outside, Vlad attempts to leave. But is stopped by Vlad who checks his bag in case he's stolen anything. Then proceeds to check his pockets, and is caught by Karl's sister in the act. She sees them looking rather intimate, and incorrectly assumes that they are boyfriends trying to have sex. She sits them both down, saying she is an ally, but they shouldn't be having sex in public. In order to stop his sister from bringing him home, Vlad pretends that Karl is his boyfriend. And says that he will not go home until his mother accepts his love. He makes a deal with Karl that's he'll cover his rent, if he pretends to be his boyfriend. "Don't worry, pancake. Nothing will tear us apart. I'll take care of you!"

- Vlad to Karl, pretending to be boyfriends

Vlad's sister pays for Karl's rent. However, this leaves Vlad without a house to stay in. He tries to move in with Karl, who at first rejects him, but eventually agrees. Karl feels guilty for Vlad, and is worried he'll be hurt without a place. He makes him dinner and says he can stay the night. Vlad comes out of the shower shirtless, and asks him if 'he sees anything he likes', referring to job postings. Karl gets the wrong idea and thinks it's about his body. Karl gets flustered when he sits on the couch with him. They both sleep and Karl dreams about making out with Vlad. The next morning Vlad makes breakfast for Karl. Karl also asks him to be his roommate, in exchange Vlad can teach him about filmmaking.

They struggle at being roommates to begin with. Vlad's alarm clock wakes up Karl, the house is left messy, and they have difficulty sharing the one bathroom. Later, the room is still messy, and they start arguing. Eventually Vlad gives him and says he'll move out. He gives him a filmmaking book and leaves. Judith's arrives at the apartment, and Vlad returns. Vlad overhears Karl talking positively, and they end making up from their argument. They watch a movie together and agree on being friends.

It's now December and Karl adds many Christmas decorations to their apartment. However, Vlad isn't a fan of Christmas. They start getting along more as roommates, and Vlad does the dishes more. They watch films together regularly. Vlad decides to celebrate both his birthday and Christmas with Karl. He asks if they want to do a Noche Buena and maybe watch a film after. Karl apologies and says he's going home for the day with his friend Anna. He is not aware it's his birthday. Vlad is a little upset and jealous, and acts fustrated with Karl about the dishes. The next day he spends alone, and his messages to Karl are left on read. He threatens to set the Christmas decorations on fire if Karl doesn't reply. They video call, and Vlad sends him an angry video of him knocking the christmas tree down. He opens and presents, drinks, and dreams of hugging Karl.

The next day, Vlad wakes up, and the entire apartment is covered in birthday decorations. Karl appears with some pancakes and a candle. He tells him to make a wish, and they watch a movie together. They touch hands while having chips. The two are beginning to have feelings for each other.

Karl continues teaching him about movies. They have a power cut in the apartment and decide to have dinner. Since his birthday, Vlad has been acting more adnormal and kind towards Karl, since he has a crush. He does the dishes without complaints and makes him food more often. They argue about it, but Karl apologies. They mess around while doing the washing and have a water fight. Later Karl comes out of the bathroom shirtless, that makes Vlad stumble, clearly crushing. Anna comes around the apartment and tells a horror story over dinner to both of the boys. They hold hands during the story.

After the story, Vlad finds a childhood photo of Karl. Anna and Vlad leave Karl in the dark room. He's spooked by the sounds of ghosts, and comes out to see Anna and Vlad. They have beer together outside in the low-lit light. They talk and Karl compliments Vlad, saying he made him braver. Vlad was unable to dance at prom, due to being gay and at a Catholic school, and therefore was unable to dance with a guy. Karl offers to dance with him, and they dance together to the radio. They imagine what is like if it was prom. They nearly kiss in the midst, before being interrupted by the lights turning on.

Karl's heart is pounding unsure of how to deal with his feelings. He avoids him afterwards, hiding upstairs and in the bathroom. But eventually, they talk, Vlad saying he's doesn't have to mean anything. Judit arrives, interrupting them both. She says they've made reservations for dinner with Vlad's mother. This is when they admit the truth to Judit and that they are not togther, and it was a lie. Both guys are upset, and Vlad is taken away by Judit.

On his way home, Vlad receives a call from Karl. He is lonely without and misses him. He asks to watch an art film together,, but Vlad says no. Judit tells Vlad to go back, choose love, and he does. He runs back to the unit, and reunites with Karl. They dance together, and Karl kisses him. They kiss more. They bond more over their past, over Karl's brother that passed, and Vlad being hit by his father when he was young. They cuddle in bed.

They wake up in the morning, and Karl plays with Vlad's hair. They cuddle even more, and Karl rubs his nose against Vlad, before doing his work. They enjoy their last day together at the unit. They play in the pool together. Once they return to their unit, they find Judit and Uncle Sants. Karl is a little grumpy, since Uncle Sants already knows Vlad. They have dinner together, with Anna as well. Both Judit and Uncle Sants work out that their is more than just friendship between the guys. They talk privately about whenever Karl is ready to come out. Vlad says he has feelings, and Karl says he does not. He runs out of the unit and goes to the gazebo. It is lit up romantically in lights, with a video (or short movie) made of both of them called "Dear Karl". It shows a ton of moments of them being together. They kiss again, and unknown to them in front of Judit, Uncle Sants and Anna. This panics Karl is not ready to be out yet, and is upset that Uncle Sants thinks he's gay. Vlad is upset that Karl is not ready, and is acting like being gay is a bad thing. Vlad packs away his things, and gets ready to leave. They are both upset and crying. Karl asks Vlad to turn around, but he doesn't. He leaves. Karl is alone in his unit with Uncle Sants. They hug and Karl admits that he's gay, and in love with Vlad. But he's also not brave enough yet.

Time passes. Karl is studying film now. They are walking around the same area outside, but just miss running into each other. Karl lives alone in the unit, and their are many reminders of Vlad, who he does miss. One day, a drunk Vlad attempts to enter the unit, but his key doesn't work. He's got the wrong unit. He passes out on Karl's couch, and is a little flirty. He throws his shoes and tells him to fetch like a dog. His toothbrush is still in the unit, so he goes and washes his teeth. He also admits part of being drunk was becuase of his feelings. They talk. Karl admits that he is gay, without any euphemisms, but isn't ready to say it out in public. Vlad apologises, but admits he doesn't want to be silent about his love. He asks Vlad to stay for a while, and rests his head on Vlad's shoulder.

They have dinner. Vlad asks him what it would have been like if he wasn't afraid. They imageine being in love and happy in front of their friends and family. After some time, Karl returns to the gazebo and meets Vlad. They smile at each other. It is implied that Karl is now ready to be out.

Fanon
KarlVlad is the central ship from Gaya Sa Pelikula. It gained popularity with fans of BL, and is one of the most popular slash ships in Filipino BL. The series receives praise for being a more honest and realistic depiction of gay relationships, compared to a lot of BL or Yaoi that can sometimes be festishing. Gaya Sa Pelikula has more development into coming out, and being public about their relationship.

Gameboys and Gaya Sa Pelikula are arguably the most popular Filipino BL dramas in 2020, and so fans of both dramas tend to overlap. Many fans of KarlVlad are also fans of Caireel.

There is some fanfiction for the pairing. As of 2022, there are over 55 works on Archive of Our Own. There is also some fanart, and the dolphin plushie the two own is drawn in a lot of artwork.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

FAN ART
 * Art by rombutans
 * Many artworks by starkrieg

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