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jimlingss · 4 years

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Sugar and Coffee [19]

Chapter 18 - Chapter 19 - Chapter 20

➜ Words: 4.6k

➜ Genres: 99.5% Fluff, 0.5% Angst, Pâtisserie school!AU

➜ Summary: It isn't hard to be a pâtisserie chef, but it's not a piece of cake either. It seems like for you in particular, life keeps throwing in one wrench after another. It always finds ways to make your sweets bitter. The cherry on top is Jeon Jungkook — a rival with a sensitive sweet tooth who always finds ways to complain about you.

cr.

“You guys are together now?!” There’s a high-pitched, deafening shout that has you flinching. On sheer instinct, you’re about to let go of his hand, but you feel Jungkook’s grip tighten on yours instead, squeezing your palm securely. You glance at him with your brows raised and he merely shrugs. “What? This?” Jungkook lifts your interlaced hands up to your shoulders, showing it off right in front of Taehyung’s face. He teases, “Friends can hold each other’s hands.” “You don’t let me hold your hand when I ask,” Taehyung argues with a scoff. The tall brunette is left utterly confused and soon, Jimin is joining the trio. He greets all of you with a bright smile but almost immediately, his eyes stray downwards to your interlocked hands as well. Yet Jungkook shamelessly maintains it in spite of the obvious attention it's bringing, even to your classmates and acquaintances passing by the hallway. Jimin’s grin widens. “Are you guys datin—” “I already asked.” Taehyung cuts off. “They’re just being weird.” “Oh.” The shorter man’s lips become lopsided with his frown and he sends an incredulous expression to Jungkook that only makes said man laugh. Jimin turns around anyhow. “Yoongi and Hoseok are already in the dining center. Do you guys have any classes today?” “No, I think they’re just doing orientation for the newbies.” “You weren’t this excited to tell your parents,” you lean over to whisper into Jungkook’s ear when the pair of you naturally fall behind the two boys. “Well, they’re my parents. I’d rather spare the both of us from….that,” he explains and then smiles. “But is it such a bad thing if everyone here knows? It’ll stop people from making moves on you.” “Moves on me?” You scoff. If anything, it should be the opposite. Jungkook’s always been popular with everyone without even having to try. But you suppose it would be rather helpful if everyone knew that he was taken. It might just save you from a lot of headaches. So you don’t protest further. Yoongi and Hoseok are easy to find in the dining center. They’re at the usual table and it’s like time hasn’t passed whatsoever. Yoongi is picking at his food and chewing gingerly as if it's exhausting for him to do so while Hoseok is tapping on his phone. They look up when you approach. “Long time, no see.” Hoseok grins as Jimin settles beside him with an equally warm smile. “What are you talking about? The group chat has been blowing up because of this guy.” He hitches his thumb to Taehyung who is wholly offended. “It’s not my fault I want to share the cute dogs I come across with everyone.” “Haven’t you muted the chat?” Jimin asks Yoongi with a small laugh, not expecting an answer when he already knows it. Taehyung is exasperated that no one answered his messages during the last week of the break and that Yoongi could possibly have the heart to ghost everyone — accusations the sleepy man doesn’t even respond to. In the meanwhile, Jungkook sighs at how his friends are already making a loud ruckus and ruffles your hair as he gets up from the table. He asks what you want for breakfast and then returns shortly with two trays of food. It’s when he sits down that Yoongi raises his head again. “So, how long have you guys been together?” “We’re not together—” Jungkook answers without missing a single beat. “Cut the crap,” Yoongi deadpans, halting his chewing. “It’s too goddamn early for this bullshit.” “What?” Jungkook’s grin is swelled across his face. “Can’t best friends kiss each other sometimes?” Hoseok’s eyes are enormous, having no idea where this is coming from. Jimin is sitting on the edge of his seat, anxious for the transpiring events. Taehyung is utterly befuddled but Yoongi, on the other hand, wears a completely blank expression. The lethargic man is wholly unimpressed. Jungkook bursts out laughing. “Okay, okay. It’s true. We’re dating.” Immediately, there’s an uproar. But it’s mostly from Taehyung. “I knew it! I knew it!” Jungkook laughs and argues back with a ‘no, you didn’t’. At the same time, Jimin is smiling tenderly and giggling at his friend’s reaction. Hoseok is grinning as well and even the corner of Yoongi’s mouth quirks. The latter man mumbles that it’s about damn time and you’re sheepishly smiling as your face heats under the attention. Jimin curiously asks, “When did this happen?” “In Tahiti,” you answer. “Somewhere along there…” “So it’s been like two months and you never thought to tell us?!” Taehyung is once again exasperated, shaking his head like he can’t believe it. “It’s only been a month and a half,” Jungkook says as he throws a fry into his mouth, chewing in his cheek. “We wanted to see where it would go and stuff…” “Obviously it went well enough that you two are still together,” Yoongi points out. “I think it’s going well.” You turn to Jungkook. “Don’t you?” “It’s been going awfully,” he remarks in sarcasm, making you scoff. Laughter bubbles out of his chest and he leans over to gently knock his head against yours. “I’m kidding. Kidding.” “Wait, does this mean you two are going to be cute and gross together now?” Taehyung’s face wrinkles into a frown. “Of course they are,” Hoseok laughs. “It’s a requirement.” “No, we won’t make things weird,” you protest. “Promise.” “They’ve always been gross together,” Yoongi mutters with his mouth-full, pointing his wooden chopsticks at him and completely ignoring what you’ve said. “Haven’t you noticed?” “Congratulations, you two,” Jimin speaks sincerely with his eyes crinkled into half-moons. “Thanks.” You laugh, leaning into Jungkook. “I lucked out, really.” Your boyfriend clicks his tongue in annoyance. “I’m the one who lucked out.” “Ugh.” Taehyung’s nose wrinkles and he feigns disgust. If anyone looked any more satisfied right now, it was him. You suppose to outsiders, your relationship with Jungkook was a long time coming. “They’re being gross already. Go get a room.” You scoff at him and turn to Hoseok. “Is Aeri coming?” “She isn’t,” he says simply without looking you in the eye, “She and I broke up.” “What?” Several heads whirl over, the focus now brought onto him. This was new news too — information that was much more bitter. “Yeah, it happened during the summer.” Hoseok offers a tiny, reserved smile. He keeps his head down low and that’s only when you notice the darkened circle underneath his eyes, the sickly colour of his skin and his disheveled hair. “It just….didn’t really end up working out.” “Oh.” “Why didn’t you tell us?” Jimin asks gently as Taehyung automatically puts his brownie onto Hoseok’s food tray in an attempt to make him feel better. “It just happened a week ago. Honestly—” He sits back. “—I’m still trying to process it, so yeah.” Yoongi reaches over, stiffly patting him on the back. “It’s going to be alright, dude.” The corners of his lips pull a bit. “Thanks.” You could’ve never fathomed it. They got together long before you and Jungkook did, but you always thought that they would work out. Someone as bubbly as Hoseok with someone as kind and timid as Aeri, it seemed like a match that you wouldn’t think twice about. To hear that they’ve split is shocking. But you don’t pry for details when it’s their personal business. You don’t try to figure out what exactly happened when it was the last thing you wanted to talk about when you experienced it yourself. But you’re also not sure how to feel. And Jungkook picks up on it when you’re quiet for some time. “Are you alright?” He syncs his slow steps into yours as the pair of you head back to your dorms together. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking.” After a beat, you turn to look at your boyfriend. Your eyes meet one another’s. “What happens if we break up, Jungkook?” “Then we break up.” Jungkook takes your hand. “But we’d still be okay.” “You think so?” “I didn’t start off this relationship with being your boyfriend. Frankly, I didn’t want to be your friend at all—” “Hey.” “—but we were friends, so it’ll stay that way.” You sigh, keeping your eyes trained forward. You squeeze his hand securely. “You make it sound so easy. It isn’t.” “I know, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try to make things work.” He moves his fingers to interlace with yours and comforts your worries, “So you don’t have to worry. Every relationship is different, right? Ours is unlike anyone else's as theirs are not like ours...if that makes any sense.” “No, it does.” You share a smile with him. You don’t know if it’ll last — but at this moment, you want to savour every second with Jungkook. // You catch sight of a familiar girl across the dining hall during dinner, and with one glance given to your boyfriend, he responds with a reassuring nod, having already followed your line of sight. So instead of sitting at the usual table, you confidently beeline straight for her. And you take your place across from the girl. Aeri lifts her chin, surprise written across her expression. “Y/N?” “Hey, how’s it going?” You smile, taking your utensils and beginning to eat. “I hope this seat isn’t taken.” “N-No, it isn't.” She peeks over her shoulder for a second and then looks back at you, blinking several times. “It’s going well. How about you?” “Same old, nothing really ever changes.” You backtrack when Jungkook sticks out in your mind. “Well….a few things, but anyway, how was your internship?” “It was good. Great.” Aeri gives a softened smile that’s sad around the edges. She’s playing with her food without eating it. Her voice sounds thick like she’s been crying. “I learned a lot and the people there were pretty nice.” “You worked at a restaurant, right?” “Yeah.” She names it and some small talk is made about internships. Afterwards, you discuss your summers and how traveling went. With time, Aeri seems to ease up again. And when there’s a few seconds of silence, you decide to address the elephant in the room. “I heard you and Hoseok broke up….” “Yeah, it was mutual.” The corners of her mouth move stiffly like she’s been training to smile naturally. Her eyes meet yours. “Thank you for sitting with me and keeping me company.” “Of course I would. You’re my friend,” you reply earnestly. “Why wouldn’t I?” “It’s just…” The girl shifts uncomfortably in her seat, not sure if she should utter the truth. “You’re friends with Hoseok too, so I thought you would side with him.” You adamantly shake your head. “I don’t side with anyone. It’s not fair to leave someone out because of another relationship and plus, you were my friend first.” You place your foot down, fist slamming on the table and while it startles the girl, genuine laughter streams from her. “I know what it feels like too, so I would never do that to someone else.” Aeri nods, eyes glossy. “Thank you.” “It’s not a problem.” Your arm stretches over the table, hand placed on top of her’s. “If you ever need me, I’ll be here.” It’s déjà vu. An out-of-body experience. To be sitting across from someone who’s gone through something akin to what you have, it feels like you’re looking at your past self. A reflection of you more than half a year ago. And you reach out to her as you wished someone did to you. As Jungkook had done to you. You realize that he was there when you needed someone most and it makes you glad he became a part of your life when he did.

It’s another one of those days — of you and Jungkook lying on his bed, tapping away on your phones. The pair of you were cuddling until you each got bored and reached for your phones. And Jungkook got uncomfortable in his position and rolled over, so you’re both squished on his tiny bed, laughing every once in a while and showing one another funny memes or videos. It’s a luxury that won’t last for long. Once you’re both into the semester, it’ll be textbooks in your hands instead of phones and you’ll be sitting up, scratching your heads, being driven crazy with theories that don’t make sense and forced to memorize countless recipes. So you enjoy this sleepy relaxation while you can. “Hey.” Your eyes stray away from your screen to his walls and your brows furrow as a question comes to mind. “Who do you like more? IU or me?” There’s a long silence. The silence draws on. Your arm lowers and your head shifts onto the pillow to look at him. Jungkook is staring at the ceiling. And the silence continues. One second — ten seconds — thirty seconds... Your brows lift. “Seriously?” “What? It’s like asking me to choose between my mom and dad.” “Did you just compare me to your mom?” Jungkook laughs too loudly, too stiffly. “I-I’m kidding. Of course I would choose you.” He reaches over to plant a kiss on your cheek, but you dodge, sitting up. You give him an incredulous expression, hovering over your boyfriend. “You’re a terrible liar.” He grins, sitting up as well. “Are you jealous?” “That my boyfriend would rather get together with a celebrity than me? Nope,” you pop the ‘p’ harshly, making him giggle. “Not at all. Why would I be?” “Jieun’s been a part of my life for longer…..” Jungkook says, then laughs again and tries to backtrack. “But obviously I still love you more because you’re actually here.” “But if she were here..?” you ask him and when it gets quiet again, you reach out to pinch and tickle his side. Jungkook squirms, laughing even harder while you grin. It’s not like you were actually upset or irrational enough to be jealous over a celebrity crush. You’ve long known about his fanboying hobby and love for IU after all. It’s just fun to tease him. “You gonna ditch me for Lee Jieun, huh? You think she can put up with your shit like I do?!” “Course not!” He grips your wrists so you can stop tickling him. “I love you. But if she were to kick down the door when we’re getting married, I might just have to go with her. Might.” “Okay.” You relent. “Fine. I’ll admit, if she asked me to go with her, I’d go too, so she can be your hall pass.” “Hall pass?” Jungkook grins. “Who’s yours?” You hum, tapping your chin in contemplation. But it doesn’t take you long to choose. “Song Joongki. He’s handsome, he’s kind, he’s rich.” “And how does that help?” “Well, maybe he’ll fall in love with me and want to get married — then I’d get rich.” It’s his turn to be put in disbelief, but you have no reservations. “Song Joongki has great proportions too. Have you seen his legs? And have you seen his face? I wouldn’t be surprised if he was an angel who descended down on this planet to bless us all. He’s just so boy-next-door one second and then like handsome-handsome the next. I wouldn’t mind if he wanted to sweep me off my feet. He’s just so charming in everything he does, like—” “Alright, Alright.” Jungkook puts his hand on your face. “I get it.” You peel his palm off with a pout. “Hey, you get your crushes and I get mine.” “I know.” He pushes your shoulder lightly and you let yourself fall back onto his mattress. Jungkook moves to hover over you, smiling at your quiet obedience in spite of your defiant exterior. You’re all bark, but no bite. “Jealous?” You cock your head to the side, lip pulling up to a smirk. Jungkook scoffs. “It’s not like you’ll ever get to meet him.” “Don’t ruin my dreams.” Jungkook smiles, unaware of how wrong he would soon be. But for now, there’s not a single ounce of worry or concern in him. He knows Song-fucking-Joongki would never know how amazing you are. And it’s unfortunate since you might actually blow the actor away. He’ll never have you smiling at him, pouting at him, underneath him and crying out his name. But it’s okay — Jungkook doesn’t mind taking one for the team and having you all to himself. // There’s a loud ruckus and it’s early too. Jungkook has never felt more like Yoongi. He wonders if this is how the man feels every single morning. Tired and exhausted and having to hear high-pitched screeches only irks him even more and unintentionally puts him in a sour mood. It was just too loud and too much of everything. “What’s going on?” Taehyung turns to him, arms crossed. For once, the brunette is wholly unenthusiastic. “Dude, I was texting you all morning. Did you not check your messages?” “I might or might not have muted you like Yoongi did.” There are girls gathered and a few boys as well, a whole crowd of people standing together and blocking the way to the dining hall. The sound of murmuring fills the corridor. “Is someone giving out something for free?” “No.” Taehyung sighs. “You know the actor, Song Joongki? He’s here.” “What?” “Beats me.” The tall brunette shrugs. “Apparently he’s sponsoring the university and making a donation to promote culinary arts. It probably has something to do with the commercials he’s been doing. I don’t know. They were trying to keep it on the down low but someone leaked it over Twitter that he was visiting and now everyone knows.” Jungkook is stunned. For a moment, he wonders if you’re actually a witch. It was just too convenient considering the jesting conversation he had with you nights ago. Or perhaps it was the damned world wanting him to eat his own words. But whatever the case is, Jungkook isn’t able to dwell for long. Suddenly, the sea of students split, gasps and screams echoing down the hall. There are professors leading the way with the Dean, ushering students to move aside. There’s one or two bodyguards as well, their arms stretched to keep the actor safe. But as Jungkook stands there at a distance with his friend, he manages a far away peek at the dark-haired actor in his black suit as he passes with a small, polite smile and his head dipped. Holy shit. You were right. He’s handsome — but even more so in real life. “Oh my god. Was that him?! I didn’t get a good look.” — “That was him!” — “He’s so cute!” Everyone is fawning over Song Joongki. And even Jungkook, who doesn’t have a particular taste for men, can appreciate the actor. “My mom loves him. Maybe I should get her an autograph.” Taehyung thinks about it for a second and then shakes his head. “Nah. That’s too much work. Let’s just go eat.” The crowd moves past and Jungkook catches sight of a very familiar mop of head in the midst of the horde of people — a girl whose eyes are wide and excited. But his own damn girlfriend doesn’t even notice him. Instead, you’re holding Aeri’s hand and hopping up and down. “C’mon, Aeri! We’ll get a better look up front.” Taehyung bursts out laughing as the corridor finally clears. “Was that just Y/N?” Jungkook sighs lightly with a sheepish smile. “Yep.” The dining hall has never been so quiet and empty. It’s eerie, almost like someone bought the place out to have a private buffet of sorts. Jungkook finds Jimin, Hoseok, and Yoongi already seated at the table — somehow they had squeezed themselves through the crowd. Everyone greets each other with raised brows, silence desirable after the whole commotion. But Taehyung, on the other hand, is enjoying Jungkook’s astonishment too much. “Looks like Song Joongki is also Mr. Steal Your Girl. Guess where Y/N is.” “She left you?” Yoongi is stunned and then starts chuckling. “She didn’t leave me.” “Well can you blame her?” Hoseok pipes up. “He’s pretty handsome. My sister was a fan of him in Descendants of the Sun.” “Really?” Jimin nods. “I liked him more in Innocent Man.” “I said she didn’t leave me,” Jungkook repeats in exasperation. “And it’s whatever, he’s her hall pass anyway.” That remark surprises all his friends. “So you don’t care?” Jungkook shrugs. The boy slurps up his noodles, not paying much mind. “It would be fucking impressive.” And he means it. If his girl can charm on Song-fucking-Joongki, he’d be impressed. You should do whatever it takes to live your best life and he’ll always root for you. Meeting Song Joongki is probably your dream come true anyway, so he has no reason to stop you and doesn’t want to. “It would be a one in a lifetime chance, so why not?” “Wow.” Hoseok nods, impressed at the carefree attitude and how secure Jungkook is. “Speak of the devil….” You appear in the dining center, running at full speed, grabbing some toast. At the last second, you spot Jungkook and your eyes light up. You sprint over. “Hey!” You plop a kiss at the top of your boyfriend’s head, making him grin. “Did you guys see him?!”

“Sure did.” “We saw him alright.” “I’m just grabbing some food for Aeri and I but he’s going to the kitchens later and Miss. Kang says she’s going to introduce a group of us as the baking students!” You’re shrieking for joy, jumping up and down. Yoongi winces at the noise and gives you a dirty look, but it makes Jungkook giggle. You turn to him. “You don’t mind, do you?” “Why would I?” He grins and encourages, “Go get it! I believe in you.” You nod, running along and he watches your backside with a softened smile. Out of nowhere, Taehyung snickers. “You are so whipped.” “Fuck off.” He continues to slurp down his noodles. // Song Joongki doesn’t stay for long — but it sure feels like it. All of his social media is flooded with pictures and clips of the actor being taken on a tour around campus, snapping a few selfies with fans, and real life updates every twenty seconds. Jungkook even gets a call from his aunt who caught wind of what was happening. Jungkook, himself, is kind of over it. He’s not so starstruck and dazzled like he was earlier, but he still checks his phone every so often for your texts. It’s been silent for the entire day and he can only wonder what ended up happening. Luckily, he doesn’t need to wait for long when nearing his bedtime, there’s a knock at his door. Jungkook opens it to see your sheepish expression and your body clad in your cotton pajamas. “Hey, thought I would stop by.” “Did you sneak in again?” “It’s not sneaking when no one notices in the first place.” He notices that you’re shivering from the chilly air outside and quickly ushers you into his small dorm room. The corner of his mouth pulls when you automatically crawl into his bed and pull the toasty covers up to your chin like you were always supposed to be there. “So…” Jungkook turns around after shutting the door, curiosity ebbing away at him. “What ended up happening?” “What do you mean?” You blink at him. “Did you end up….you know….” “No.” Your expression is blank. “I really don’t know.” He sighs, having to explicitly word it. “Did you bed Joongki?” There’s a long silence. The silence draws on. You snort. “What? You thought I was gone all this time cause I was fucking Song Joongki?” “Listen, we agreed on each other’s hall passes. I won’t get mad. Trust me, I’d be pretty impressed, but I want to hear all the details.” “Well, sorry to say, captain, but there isn’t any.” You pull back the corner of the covers, patting the empty spot beside you. Jungkook doesn’t hesitate slipping into his small bed with you and he finds a comfortable position. His arm drapes over your waist, allowing the soft yellow glow of his bedside lamp to cast your shadows on his wall. There’s a beat of quietness and then you’re laughing again. “What?” “I can’t believe you thought I slept with Joongki.” “So you didn’t?” “No.” You give an incredulous look, exasperated at how dumb your boyfriend can be at times. It’s not like you were any better, but still. “You really thought I could get close enough to sleep with him? He’s an actor! He practically had twenty bodyguards around. I barely got an autograph in — which I’m framing on my wall, by the way.” “Oh.” “Sorry that a famous actor didn’t fuck your girlfriend,” your voice drips of sarcasm. “I didn’t mean to be such a disappointment.” Jungkook scoffs. “Why would I be disappointed?” “Well, you’re acting like you’re let down that I didn’t get to use my hall pass.” You’re fiddling with a loose thread at the neckline of his cotton shirt while your other arm is folded underneath your head. He stares at you. “I wouldn’t want to anyway, by the way. Thought I would just mention that. Some things are better left for fantasy. And I have you. Why would I want someone else?” His arms curl around you, pulling you into his body. Jungkook cuddles your frame and you melt against him, smiling. “I’m not disappointed,” he teases. “He could never treat you as well as I do.” “I don’t know about that,” you chime. “He was really handsome though.” “Was he nice too?” “Super. I didn’t really get to talk to him, but he listened to Miss. Kang’s entire spiel about ovens.” You pull apart a little to see him, eyes meeting. “Apparently there are rumours Joongki might come back. Who knows, he might fall in love with me this time and we might get married. You’re not invited to the wedding, by the way.” The boy feigns offence, eyes glimmering in the low lights. “Why not?”

“It’s weird if my ex is there. I’m sure Joong-bear wouldn’t like it.” “Joong-bear?” He raises his brows. “It’s an inside joke,” you playfully taunt. “You wouldn’t get it.” Jungkook scoffs, then laughs. “You best believe I would kick down the doors to the chapel and object to the marriage.” “And what if IU showed up?” He hums. “Polygamy is underrated.” You giggle. “So all four of us in one marriage?” “Sure.” Jungkook shrugs. “Even if it’s just Joongki, I wouldn’t mind if it was us three.” “Me too. Joongki, Jieun, and me. It’s perfect.” “I meant me.” He starts to tickle you, laughing when you do. “Did you forget about me?” “What?” You squirm against him. “Can’t hear you.” It’s an absolutely absurd scenario, completely unfounded and ludicrous. But Jungkook loves to be ridiculous with you. He holds you and his eyes stray upwards onto his wall. Beside his IU’s posters are pictures of you and him — polaroids taken throughout the summer to the one bigger frame that holds the photograph at the wedding. The one where you and him are staring at each other mid-laugh after he caught you in his arms.

#bts fanfic #bts scenario #jungkook fanfic #jungkook fluff #jungkook scenario #welcome to the daily life of dumb and dumber lol #this is a very lighthearted chapter so enjoy it!

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oppabimbab · 4 years

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sequel: did we make it right? | kim taehyung

genre: heavy angst, tiny bit of smut, break up

starring: taehyung x reader

synopsis: you broke up with him and the phase of moving on—you didn’t know it would be this hard. You wanted him here but somehow, it feels like letting go is the best and the only choice you had in your hands, isn’t it? or not?

words: 8,972 words

side note: so this sequel happened since yall cried bc of prev fics and many of you wanted the second part of that. here we go. sorry for the grammar errors and any kind of faulty. i tried my best to keep the plot as it was planned and i still think this isn’t my best edits yet but enjoy!

recommended songs: moon and back - alice kristiansen | run to you - lea michele

related: maybe, it wasn’t right | kim taehyung

You had no idea that moving on would be this hard. It has been almost 6 months since the relationship ended and these past 6 months—were never that easy. It was harder than everyone have told you about. They said it would be easy but not once you found yourself in a right state of mind. They said everything will be just fine but you still found yourself in the midst of grief. 6 months—You never knew that time flew this quick even though every day felt like nothing but misery to you.

Break up wouldn’t be easy. And you agreed. It was a torture.

There were some part of healing that you didn’t understand. It was weird and confusing. Some days, you find yourself laughing and smiling like you had the entire world in your hands. You ate well, get enough sleep and happy. And some days, you would stopped talking to anyone—not even your bestfriend Wendy and locked yourself up in that stuffy room. You woke up with swollen eyes and broken heart like the wound was still fresh and bleeding. It was heavy and difficult. It made you confused and clueless. It became more confusing when you couldn’t find any reasons to move on if everything reminded you of him.

You tried to avoid his favorite songs every time it came on the radio. You changed the channel if his favorite movies shown up on the screen. You even stopped looking at everything that remind you of him. You forced yourself even it was really hard not to curl on your bed and cry. They were all a torture.

Honestly, if you asked yourself, you would agree that it still hurts like hell. The pain was still there, reminding you every day how unwanted you were. The memories on that night kept pulling your skin and made it bleed—reminding you that he wasn’t yours from the very first start. It still torn you down and drained the energy that was barely there. You couldn’t remember how many times the ugly tears would fall down in a very random place.

You were having the casual night, watching some movies with Wendy then the next second, she was there—patting your back as you bawled your eyes out because you remembered him. You wanted him, here.

Let alone when you needed to take few minutes break from your work at the office just to spend some tears inside the toilet—thinking how cruel he was for making you like this. He was really cruel.

You wondered—how was he? Did he cried when you left? Did he go through those sleepless nights like you did? Perhaps, did he ever think of you when he heard your favorite songs? Was he in pain, just like you?

6 months have passed yet It was never that easy to forget him.

When nights fall, you would silently scrolled down to the old messages you have shared with him. Taehyung was a bad texter. He hated texting because he said he preferred to see you more than doing the dry text all day. Once, both of you got into argument because of how bad he was.

“Are you serious?” you frowned at him—crossing your arms while you stood there. You weren’t happy now and of course, he knew why.

“What?” he chuckled as he munched on his favorite snacks, watching his favorite movies. Probably confused as hell why were you acting like this at 11pm. You rolled your eyes.

“You said you would text me when you got home yesterday? But you didn’t?” you pouted—scrolling through the messages from yesterday before you looked back at him. He raised his eyebrows.

“I didn’t? I thought i did?” he grinned and just like that, he was really a bad texter.

“Baby!! I got worried for nothing. I thought you were kidnapped,” you thumped your feet softly on the ground—trying to protest at him like an annoying clingy girlfriend.

He let out a hearty laugh at you. His eyes disappeared when he laughed and weirdly, you loved that. You hid the smile that was slowly plastering your face.

“Who would want to kidnap me though?I’m big and huge, unlike you,” he scrunched his nose at you, probably amused at you and your sudden clingy self. Your eyes widen at him, almost choking at his choice of words. A small laugh escaped your mouth.

“Big? Are you really that big?” you mocked while squinting your eyes. Taehyung hated it when that tone came out from your mouth. He cocked his brows. A grin showed up on his lips.

“Don’t act like you don’t know. Or should I remind you?” he bit his lower lip before pulling you closer to him. You squealed when he made you sit on his lap when you supposed to be mad—making him giggled at your quirky squeal as he planted hundreds kisses on your jaw—stroking your hips softly. You couldn’t help but laughing.

“Hmmm. You smell so good. Did you change your shampoo?” he mumbled through the kiss. You slapped his shoulder and looked down at his hooded eyes. A happiness bloomed in your heart at the sight. Nothing fancy. Just his presence was enough. Crazy.

“So, you’re going to change the subject again like you did last time?”

“Yes,” he grinned. You groaned jokingly. Taehyung knew your weak spot and he never failed to use that. And you weren’t complaining either.

When the memories came up, you were left helpless and vulnerable again and again. You wished it never ended. You wished the memories shouldn’t be called memories because you wanted to feel it everyday.

There were a lot of them and every day, you would remember it like a diary. His pictures—he loved to send you those random pictures of him, his dog Yeontan and sometimes, those things that remind him of you. 2k pictures from him—you still kept them nicely inside your phone.

You would read those old messages from him without realising a trail of tears were streaming down in the corner of your eyes. You didn’t realise the same tears kept you company every night without fail. He was gorgeous. You missed his raspy laughter. The way he pinned his body against yours because you were cold. Those sleepy voice echoed through the room when he woke up next to you—begging you to stay with him for few more minutes.

And just like that, the entire night was spent with the silent cry from your mouth. It happened everyday and you didn’t know how to make this stop.

“I’m gonna fucking kill him. Fucking asshole,” Wendy groaned in frustrations while you were beside her—sobbing. The first few weeks of break up, you chose to keep quiet about it because you had no energy to tell anyone about this. And when you decided to tell her, of course, she was mad. As hell.

“If he still wants that girl so much, why the fuck did he date you for 1 fucking year? Are you kidding me? Did you look like a joke? Oh god,” her eyes were gleaming with fire as she couldn’t hide the anger in her voice. The scrambled egg was left cold because she lost her appetite already. That morning felt intense and gloomy than ever. Wendy was a very straight forward woman. Even you were here sobbing like a crazy woman, she cursed the fuck out whenever she pissed off.

You shrugged, wiping your eyes with the tissues.

“Maybe if I was enough-“

“Enough? For god sake, you are more than enough. You gave everything you had, what else did he want?” her voice soften when she noticed your flushed face. As she came closer, she pulled you into her tiny embrace. Again, you broke down. You wished she was right. You wished you had given everything.

“Babe, you are the kindest person I have ever met in my entire life. You are beautiful, gentle and selfless. I’m so sorry you had to go through this. You don’t deserve this,” her voice broke a little when she heard you crying. She was a very sensitive person because the next second, you heard her tiny sob. You hope somebody could feel what was inside your heart now.

“I don’t know. I really don’t know, Wendy. I’m really sad,” she rubbed your back softly as you forced yourself to talk. It felt like a huge chunk just got stucked in your throat. You couldn’t talk.

“Please take your time. It will be okay. It should be okay, I promise you,” she whispered.

Months have passed. Will it be okay?

You leaned against the leather seat as you finished the last document for the day. It was a long day yet you be able to survive it even in such state. You gave a soft pat on your shoulder before gathering all the paper works to give to your boss before you leave. It was already Friday. Time flew quicker than you imagined.

Switching off the computer and grabbing your stuffs, you counted the steps to the huge room, few metres from your desk before you knocked on the door. A soft hum was heard few seconds later and you entered it.

“Good evening, sir. Here is the edited financial reports that you’ve requested before. I’ve made a few edits and please let me know if there is more faulty,” you cracked a soft smile across your lips as you put the plastic file on the table. You tried to sound professional as much as you could do even in this messy state of mind. You glanced at the young man—standing at the book shelf.

“Good work, thank you,” he nodded. A soft smile appeared on his lips as he looked at you. You returned the same thing to him while you stood there, at the edge of the his desk.

“If that’s all, I’m leaving first, sir. Thank you for today,” you bowed politely before you turned your heels. Few steps ahead and he called you again. You looked back at him and this time, he was already leaning against the desk, crossing his arms on the chest—staring at you with frowned brows.

“Can I ask you something? I hope it’s not something personal to you,” Mingyu voiced out—looking straight into your tired and confused eyes. You sure everyone could see how tired you were because you didn’t plan to hide it either. It drained your energy to fake anything now.

“Sure. What’s it, sir?”

“Are you okay?” his voice soften along with his eyes—gazing at you like a melted honey. The tension frown disappeared from his face and it was replaced by a worried gaze. You were a little surprised at his question especially when he looked at you like he knew something was bothering you. It looked like he knew something was wrong with you.

Mingyu has been always that kind of person and you were fully aware about that. The relationship you shared with him was fully business and you barely talked to each other once the office hours ended but sometimes, it felt more than that.

The way he guided you during your first few months as his clumsy secretary, the way he spoke to you even you screwed up too many times, the way he handled those mistakes caused by you—you knew Mingyu was a very gentle person. Rather than making himself as that cold and egoistic boss, he made sure that you could look up to him every time you were in need. Even so, you didn’t want to see his kindness as something that involved love like everyone claimed—deep inside, he treated everyone just as nice as he treated you.

He was a gentleman—with maturity. For real, you couldn’t ask anything more than that because that was enough.

You finally get it why Taehyung disliked him. You flinched slightly, trying to get him off your mind.

“Yes. Of course I am,” you faked a laughter even his eyes were striking into yours, completely unconvinced with your lies. He exhaled, silent for few seconds.

“You’ve lost your focus these past few months. I don’t know, you did your job perfectly but something is off. Are you okay? Is there something bothering you?” His voice has soften a bit—he probably noticed the changes on your face which was something you wanted to hide.

“I’m really sorry, sir. I will do it better next time,” honestly, you had no idea what exactly should you reply to that? Were you okay? Were you good? Definitely not. He shook his head, still unconvinced.

“That’s not answering my question,”

“Uhm,” you hesitated. Your lips turned into thin line.

“Actually, there are few things that have been bothering me but they are minors. I’m completely fine....yes, everything is just fine. Maybe it’s me being easily tired but really, i’m good. Don’t worry, sir,” you tried to sound convincing to someone that observant like Mingyu. He was really sensitive to little changes. You didn’t know he noticed those changes in yourself more than you did.

“If you need days off, please ask me for that. I don’t want you to overwork yourself too much. You’re important,” he looked serious without any hint of smile on his face as his eyes never left yours. His eyes were so intense and you wonder, why was that? Mingyu had such beautiful pair of deep eyes and you couldn’t deny that.

When he noticed a small smile crept on your lips, he spoke again.

“....as my secretary. You’re important to this company,” he corrected himself while adjusting his throat—his eyes immediately left yours as you still stared at him with a small smile. You chuckled—looking down to your feet. He was oddly cute for some reason.

“I know, sir. I appreciate that. But, i’m really fine. I still can go to work tomorrow. I can stay overtime if you want me to,” you smiled at him sincerely—showing off the beautiful smile you barely shown to anyone these past few months. But, this time, you find yourself loosened up for something very weird.

A small raspy giggle left his mouth as he shook his head. Mingyu got off from the edge of the table before he came to the desk to clean up the papers and stuff. You supposed, he was about to leave so you waited for him to finish.

“That’s good to hear. I’d like my best worker back....Alright, that’s all for today, You can leave now,” he flashed you another soft smile. You bowed politely.

When you thought it finally came to end, he called you again. This time—he came closer to you, towering your petite figure under his built. His scent—sweat and cologne filled up your sense, making you looked up at him.

“Are you hungry?”

“Yeah, kind of,”

“Great. Dinner’s on me tonight,” he grinned before he left you alone in the empty room—completely speechless at his sudden gesture. That was quick and random.

“But, sir I-,”

“You can’t say no to your boss, can you?” his voice echoed through the office as he already few steps ahead from you. That was it. You couldn’t say no to your boss, could you?

For few moment, you felt comfort. A sincere one.

The whole ride was filled with soft music from his radio along with the soft breeze, coming from outside. None of you both started any conversation since 10 minutes ago. It wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable but it felt more like both of you were enjoying this silence.

“Do you have any plan tonight? I mean...you know, it’s Friday,” when you were too immersed in such silence, he spoke out—bringing you back to the reality after been lost in your own thoughts. God knows how many time you have spaced out like this. You despised this side of you.

“Uhm, no honestly. I’m planning to eat then sleep until next morning,” you replied while letting out a faded chuckle. The next second, you immediately realised how pathetic that sounded like. Mingyu must be thinking that you were such an anti social and depressed bitch. But, you has always been like this since forever.

He giggled while nodding.

“I don’t know why but I kinda knew you would say that. That sounds very of you,” his deep husky voice filled up the car space along with the small laughter coming out from his mouth. You glanced at him, hiding a smile. You weren’t sure if he already recognised your traits for these past 2 years of working together but for some reason, it was kinda cute that he noticed the littlest thing about you.

“You can’t stop me,sir” you replied, almost chuckling with him.

“Can you do me a favor? Drop the honorific when the office hours ended. I think it’s better that way, it’s not like we are discussing about that annoying client we hated the most though,” he said in a very straight voice.

Without you realised, the car was filled with your laughter when you couldn’t hold yourself from laughing at his remarks. That was the most random shit you have ever heard from him. Mingyu looked surprise but a soft chuckle left his mouth.

“I can’t believe you said that. You hate her too? I thought it’s only me who hated her for no reason,” it was hard for you to utter the words as you were still laughing—covering your mouth with the back of your hand. He nodded with a grin across his lips.

When you have calmed down, he spoke again.

“Can you do that?” he met your eyes. Curling your lips, you nodded.

“I’ll try, Mingyu,” you hid a smile. His small dimple appeared right away—eyebrows raised.

“Without doubt, huh?” he teased. Again, the car was filled with nothing but his small chuckle and your soft smile.

The weird thing is, you felt a warmth for the first time from someone you had the least expectations from.

When both of you arrived at the restaurant, it was packed and crowded—completely something that you hated the most. The last time you went to such place was few weeks ago, thanks to Wendy’s pushy ass.

Both you and Mingyu came inside—finding a table to grab a dinner and go. But, it seemed like it wouldn’t happen because when you looked around, you found that eyes again. Out of those stranger eyes, you would still find that eyes again. Eyes that you have lost.

You saw his boxy smile—twinkling like it always does while his eyes—gleaming with the same sparkle. They were beautiful and painfully gorgeous that you almost forgot everything around you. Again, the universe seemed it was fading away from you.

But, he wasn’t alone. She was there—with him. The woman whom you wished you wouldn’t be seeing again—sharing the same smile and laughter—with him. Those gazes, you sure, they were filled with love.

The wound inside your chest, it was ripped open again.

Everything about this was tiring. Your body was tired. Your mental was tired. Your soul—it died. You tried to comprehend and see the good things from this stage of your life but why did it seem like nothing would work out? Why were you still here, alone with the same wound again?

It was unfair. Why was it only you, who suffered the pain of this break up? Why did it look like none of these things affect him as much as it did to you? Why did your heart still ache so much like this even 6 months have passed? There were so many questions that held you like a knife—stabbing you for the same reason again and again.

The same warm tears fell down—wetting your face for millionth times as you found yourself to be sitting on the bench at a park, not to far from the restaurant. The people seemed to be freaked out since you were there—sobbing silently like a weak bitch even you have told yourself to stop being this weak. Nothing worked out. None of them.

Honestly, you hated this. There were so many changes in yourself and you hated that.

“I found you,” the familiar voice echoed through the cold space before you looked up at your side with tears streaming down to your chin.

There was Mingyu—breathless as he tried to catch some breath from running too much. He must be running around to find you since you left the restaurant in just blink of eyes. Silence filled the gap between you and him while he stared at you and your pathetic self. It was embarassing and you wanted to disappear.

He heaved a soft sigh before slowly making the gap disappeared as he sat next to you.

“So, I believe, that thing, it bothered you these past few weeks? Your boyfriend?” he spoke and from the corner of your eyes, you could feel his gaze glued at you. With these swollen eyes and state, how the hell could you look at him?

“Ex boyfriend,” you replied. He nodded.

“I understand,” he exhaled, taking his eyes off you and looked around as if he let you to calm yourself down from the tragic sobbing. He probably noticed that you wanted to hide yourself from him so he looked away, letting both of you immersed in a night silence.

“It is hard and complicated,” without you realised, you spoke out in such a defeated voice. It was still vulnerable. And Mingyu finally saw that side of you.

He curled his lips.

“Break up will always be difficult. Don’t believe it when they say it’s not,” he met your teary eyes. His gaze was soft and dreamy. He probably saw all the pain in them that he chose to keep staring at you.

“I don’t want to let him go. I don’t want to forget him. Not yet. Not forever. It’s crazy,” you wiped the remaining tears in the corner of your eyes using the back of your hands as you looked down to the ground.

“Do you still love him?” he spoke as he looked straight to the busy streets across the park. You nodded as the remaining tears stained your cheeks. After all these while, you didn’t care anymore. You didn’t care if he find you weird—crying over someone like this even in fact, you shouldn’t have anymore.

“Aren’t you hurted? By still holding on to the past?” Mingyu cocked his head at you. His brown orbs were shining under such dim street lights above both of you. They were blinking like a pearl, something you have never seen it before. Rather than looking disgusted or uncomfortable, you could see a hint of reassurance in them eyes.

“It hurts so bad, Mingyu,” your voice cracked as you felt his gaze seemed never left yours before he exhaled. He looked up to the sky and sighed again.

“You know, there is a thing that I strongly disagree since forever. They said love is about timing, where you found your soul mate at the right time and be happy, also at the right time....” he stopped. There was a short silence.

Then he filled the air with his voice again.

“....but I believe, love is about what has been written for you,” a faded smile appeared again.

“It will always be difficult to get over someone.... whom you thought would be here with you for the rest of your life,” he added.

“...but you know, love isn’t about staying until the end. It’s not always about holding on from the beginning. Sometimes....it’s about letting go even it’s going to break every parts of you,”

When both of you found each other’s eyes—you could feel your heart clenched so much that it suffocated you to the edge. You felt every pieces of you were scattered all over the place again because deep inside, you knew it was true. You wanted to deny but It was painfully true. Fuck this.

“No, please,” curling yourself, you sobbed into your hands. Everything about this was hard. You weren’t ready. The next second, you felt his warmth beside you as he scooted closer. The same cologne filled your sense before he whispered.

“Can I hug you? To ease the pain even a little?” you weren’t supposed to hug your own boss but weird thing, you found yourself nodding at him. Probably, begging for some comfort that been slowly losing from your system. And, Just like that, you were so deep in his embrace—in an embrace that wasn’t Taehyung’s.

Part of you was so in pain. You wished it was him, hugging you this way. You wished it was him—comforting you this way because world knows, everything will be just fine. But, he wasn’t here anymore and you weren’t sure how to get used to that.

You pulled Mingyu closer to you and sobbed on his chest—like you did to yourself every nights. He wrapped his arms around you, securing you like he never wanted you to fall apart like this. It felt like he knew how painful it was so he was there, to put the scattered pieces, back as a whole.

It was weird. You knew there was a goodbye few months ago when you chose to leave but now, why did it feel like everything was finally over? It felt like you have lost that 1 chance and hope—leaving you this helpless.

“Let the grief go and set him free. You deserve to be happy. Genuinely happy,” he whispered—pulling you closer.

You sobbed. He was your happiness but it seemed like you need to replace it with a new one.

Another 2 months have passed. Nothing has changed drastically in your life except the fact that Mingyu has become a new part of your life. You couldn’t believe that night would be the night where both of you went deeper than you had before. He wasn’t yours and you weren’t his but the relationship has changed especially when he helped you moving on. Mingyu knew how and when to be gentle whenever you were around. It looked like he studied every little about your traits and tried to get along with it without disrespecting you in some kind of way.

You appreciate his presence so much. His presence was new yet comfortable—that you were still trying to get adjusted to it even sometimes, you got confused and lost. The weird part—Mingyu was the opposite side of Taehyung.

He loved to cook whenever he had the chance to do so and surprisingly, was good at it. He was huge fan of romance and melancholy genre—you still remembered when he kept you company, watching the same cliche kdramas without whining and complaining about how sucks the genre is.

He loved the smell of pastry—he loved the beauty of the evening sky—he loved the sound of the ocean. Those things that you barely heard from your ex. Indeed, there were new.

Some days, it felt perfect. Almost perfect. The heart break was slowly taken away from you and your days started to fill with laughter and smile. The heaviness in your heart got lifted for a moment, leaving you with nothing but a temporary happiness. It was genuine, all because of him. And you didn’t plan to push him away because there was some part of you, longing for his presence but you had no idea on what reason.

“Are you serious?” your eyes got widen as your gaze was glued on his face that had grin all over it. He curled his lips and nodded before taking the usual monthly reports from you.

The dried saliva in your throat was swallowed forcefully—making him chuckled.

“You’re asking me to go to a party with you? I supposed it isn’t a good idea, sir,” you kept the professionalism as both of you were still in the office—the boss and the worker but you couldn’t hide the tone that coming out along with the words. He shrugged.

“I couldn’t attend it last year and I don’t plan to do that again. And also, I don’t plan to go there by myself either,” he sounded very casual and straight forward—completely ignoring your widen eyes. A slight hum from you filled the space.

“That sounds sad,” you scoffed jokingly before you took back the signed report from him. His small dimple appeared.

“I guess that’s a yes? Great, you sure know what’s the best,”

“Hey, I didn’t say anything,”

“Okay, are you coming with me?” he crossed his arms—showing off his veiny arms while raising the eyebrows at you. For some reason, your heart thumped at the sight because he sure looked hot. You adjusted your throat as you looked back at him.

“I’m coming,” you said, almost rolling your eyes because he definitely knew you were going to say yes—as you witnessed a small satisfied smile plastered on his lips. He looked fierce yet soft, you don’t understand.

“Great. I’m going to pick you up tomorrow, at 8. Are we good?”

“We good, sir,” you scrunched your nose at him before you excused yourself to leave. He gave you a thumbs up as you left

You weren’t sure if he made you come as his secretary or something more than that.

You couldn’t help the nervous sweat that have been wetting your hands when you saw how huge the party is. Now, you weren’t sure if the basic black dress that been wrapping your curvy figure was a good choice since everyone looked damn good. Is this make up okay? This hair?

“Mingyu, I feel uncomfortable,” you leaned closer to his side while whispering to his ear, as both of you walked inside the bar. Of course it was crowded with so many people that seemed to be his friends because each seconds, his name was called.

“Just stay with me, you’ll get used to this,” he whispered softly before you could feel his warm hand sealing yours as he guided you through the crowd. There wasn’t any response from you as you let him take you to anywhere he liked while he introduced you to anyone he bumped to. He wanted you to be by his side so bad because swear to god, his hand felt like glue—it was sealed perfectly inside yours.

“Now, let’s meet my friend. He’s over there,” Mingyu said with a grin to you as he took you to the corner—making your heels clank on the marble floor. Every steps felt like fire because your heart thumped for no reason. They were beating so hard that it made you anxious for nothing.

When you finally reached the table, a gush of air left your lungs immediately when you saw him. Again.

It made you freeze on the ground—making you stood there like a statue as you felt all of the gazes were glued on you. You didn’t give any damn about anyone at the table because the only matters right now was his gaze—it felt like a fire on your body. You met his eyes again after the last time it broke you. He looked surprise to see you here, standing across him, in someone’s hand. Perhaps, he thought you were so in love and happy with someone new. Your heart thumped at the sight before you looked away.

“Thanks for inviting us, bro, it’s been a long time since I met you. Oh and this is my date for tonight,” Mingyu spoke as a proud grin plastered all over his face—greeting those people at the table without noticing you were completely out of zone. Wooshik greeted him back before he averted his attention at you.

“You look good like you always do. I’m glad you come,” he smiled—making you return the same thing. Of course he knew you. He was around when you dated Taehyung. Wooshik witnessed your journey with him until it ended. You glanced at Seojun and Hyungsik, who were also flashing you a soft smile. Those guys, it felt weird to see them after the break up.

“Thank you, Wooshik. The party is great,” clenching into your small pouch, you scooted closer to Mingyu, tugging his arms around yours—completely ignoring Taehyung’s eyes on you even it almost made your legs become wobbly and shit. Mingyu smiled at your gesture because he knew what was inside your mind. Without any doubt, he took your hands inside his. The atmosphere changed. There was a short silence.

“Enjoy the party, you two. Let me know if you need something,” Wooshik spoke—there were changes in his face, he probably finds it weird that you were now in someone else’s arms instead of his friend. You were sure everyone finds it’s weird that both you and him were no longer together in just blink of eyes even yesterday the world saw how deep the love was. It was indeed weird because the next thing you realised, you were in different home.

Every sips of alcohol that glided into your throat felt like nothing but a poison. The crowded place were damn noisy and full of emotions but you were here at the corner with the emptiest heart instead of having fun—like Mingyu have always told you. You should be having fun tonight but it seemed like nothing ever worked out on you.

It’s crazy that both of you were in a same place but the distance felt way too significant. He was over, probably happy and in love. You were over here with your empty heart.

Somehow, you hated him so much. Why would he always come up whenever you were at your peak—building yourself back? Why would those images of them two slapped you—shoving the damn thorns and blood to your heart whenever you were trying to be fine?

“Are you okay?” you flinched a little when the warm whisper touched your ears before you find Mingyu, by your side. Every time you looked at him, you couldn’t help but feel bad. How the hell could he still keep up with your sudden mood swings and bullshits like this? The weird part, he always treated at you like the whole world belonged to you.

“Yeah. I’m good,” you replied—forcing a smile. It was very artificial. He curled his lips as he stared into your eyes without saying anything. Both of you exchanged such an intense eye contacts for few moments before he took your hand—gesturing you to dance with him. You were left in hesitation but just like always, you would say yes.

His hand, you let them sealed with yours. The next second, you realised that he took you to the center of the bar before the warmth from his arms wrapped around your waist as he pulled you closer to his body. Your whole body froze when his deep eyes strike into yours when you looked up. Mingyu was tall that your petite figure almost got disappeared inside his embrace.

“Put your hands on my chest,” he whispered down at you—making you slowly do as what he told you. You weren’t sure if everyone was looking at both of you but the thing is, your skin—it tingled.

“Have I told you that you look beautiful today?” after such silence, he spoke again.

Chills running down your spine when he added.

“You look amazing in this dress. I think I’m falling in love,”

When he said that,it felt like there was a huge chunks in your throat because you barely can breathe when your sense came back. The courage to look at him was gone immediately when you finally understand what he just said.

“Mingyu...” you whispered—trying to make this conversation as clear as possible. He needed to repeat himself because you were afraid that you might be wrong even you heard him crystal clear. His hands slid behind your back to pull you closer—making your face was few inches away from him.

“Please...let me love you,” he said.

“Mingyu, what are you saying?” you whispered back at him.

“I know, I know. This is too sudden for you but please....let me love you. Let me heal you,” he looked down, breaking the eye contact from you. There was a desperation in those eyes, leaving you without words. He sounded needy and desperate. After all these while, you never know he was in love with you. You had no idea, not even once.

“How can we do this? We barely know each other. I’m scared,” you spoke to him—finding his eyes again. The more you stared at him, the more it made you confused you—how couldn’t you see that before? They were obvious.

“We can make this work, I promise you. We can do this. Gosh, I love you so much,”

A small smile appeared on his lips. Mingyu was one gorgeous man. He spoke with his eyes and heart.

Silence filled the gap.

“Can I kiss you?”

You wanted to say no but the next second, you found yourself nodding at him. You wanted to get off from his arms but you let him touch you even deep inside, your heart felt heavy.

The next second, you felt his lips against yours. They were sealed perfectly, spreading his warmth against your trembling lips. Mingyu secured his arms on your back when he noticed you were stumbling on your feet as the kiss deepen. His lips felt nice but why were your heart still empty? Why didn’t you feel any emotions in your heart when he kissed you like this? The worst part—why did you still have Taehyung’s image in your mind even after all these while?

The kiss lasted for few seconds before Both of you pulled away from each other and panted hard. You looked down to your feet—catching some air and a piece of reality. Time has froze around you, you couldn’t really process anything about this yet.

“Don’t touch her,” before you could get back to your sense, you felt a tight grip around your arms—pulling you away from Mingyu.

There was Taehyung, standing so close here as he glared at him with so much fire in his deep eyes. His eyes were already that deep but with fire, they were really intimidating. His jaw clenched a lot, his body tensed up with anger. Your eyes widen at him. Why was he here?

“Don’t fucking touch her again,” he grunted like a tiger before taking your hand and took you away from the place. There was nothing come out from your mouth as you followed him to anywhere he wanted to bring you.

You shouldn’t do that but you did.

“Let me go!!! What the hell are you doing?” you screamed at him when you were stumbling on the ground—almost hurting your feet. Few more steps, he let you go.

“What are you doing with him?” Taehyung grunted under his breath—his chest pound like he was holding such anger. You frowned at him.

“Why do you care so much? Let me go,” you spat as you tried to push him away but unlucky you, he was way much stronger

“Why are you kissing him? Why did you let him touched you?!” his jaw clenched a lot as he found your eyes even in such dark alley. You used to see sparkle in them but this time, it was a fire and you had no idea why would he act this way when everything was over now?

“It’s none of your business, Taehyung! Everything that happen in my life, you don’t need to know. Go kiss your girlfriend and leave me alone,” you yelled even your legs almost turn wobbly because of his fiery eyes. The words felt like thorns in your mouth and his presence still affected you this much, he probably knew that.

He looked stunned.

“After all these while, why do you care so much about me? I thought you said you wanted her but why are you here, dragging me from him? Why?” the quiet alley was filled with your fiery voice between you and him.

“Look.....I know, I know...I’ve fucked everything about us. Everything we had. I get it why it you are this mad because....gosh, this is crazy,” he ran his fingers through his wavy hair while sighing to the cold air. He sounded so frustrated and guilty that it made you become more furious.

“Oh for god sake, please. I don’t want your sorry. Just never show up again, please. You don’t know how hard it is for me to erase you from my life. You hurted me, Taehyung...” you stopped for a while because fuck this, the same tears were pooling in your eyes again.

The painful memories showed up again.

“...You broke me so much. So please, leave me alone. I’m tired,” You weren’t sure if those words were true. You weren’t sure if you really wanted him to leave you alone.

You thought the conversation was over when there was barely any response from him but the next second, he pulled you and pinned you against the cold wall of the small alley—trapping you between his arms. A small whimper escaped your mouth at the cold contact while his face was only few inches away from you that you could his hot minty breath. Teary eyes to such deep pair of eyes. What a moment.

“I never wanted to hurt you like this,”

“You probably get sick of me already but for the remaining minutes, I wanted you to know that—every part of me, never wanted to bring so much pain to you, like this,” you caught his eyes even it was really dark. They have soften. There was no more anger and fire. Don’t know why but It made your heart clench even more.

“Are you still in love with me?” out of sudden, he asked you.

“Why does that matter now?” your voice faded.

“Say that you don’t love me anymore and I will let you go to him. Say that so I know.....when you go back home, there is no more piece of me that would hurt you like this,” his eyes tremble. Fear and pain. Tears pooled again in your eyes. The blood could stain your lips from bitting it too much.

When you couldn’t answer it, he spoke again.

“Push me away if that’s the answer,”

And just like that, he crashed his mouth against yours. The kiss was deep—deeper than the last time you had with him when you chose to let him go. His lips—that was 8 months ago since you got to taste it and they still have the same flavour. Sweet and addictive. Like a drug. Taehyung grunts in the kiss as deepen the kiss by pulling your face closer—savouring your mouth like he missed it.

You hated yourself. You knew you already had the answer for Mingyu’s question because the next thing you realised, you didn’t push Taehyung away. Instead, you kissed him back like tomorrow doesn’t exist.

“Ah!!” a sweet erotic moan escaped your mouth as he planted trail of kisses along your bare chest—sucking and biting into the flesh, leaving some marks on your body. His kisses were rushed yet it never stopped sending chills and tingles to every part of your skin.

He stopped kissing you as he pulled the wet panty from your hips—showing off the dripping liquid from the pussy. You moan to the air when the cold breeze touched your bare core that it immediately made you missed his warmth. He stared at you for few seconds before coming down to your wet entrance.

“Oh my god, Taehyung!” you screamed out loud as you felt his warm tongue all over the throbbing clit. He sucked on your clitoris while grunting and groaning which sent so much electricity to all over your body. Mouth opened, body arched—you called his name like it was the only thing in your mind. You lowered your gaze down at him while moaning, just to find his eyes—were looking straight into yours. Swear to god, you heart thumped a lot. You fisted into his hair—pulling him deeper.

When he thrusted his tongue inside your core, a gush of air left your lungs immediately, making you scream his name as he stared at you. That was hot and your pussy clenched for more. Taehyung kept licking, sucking, eating you out and you never know you have been missing this intimacy with him. He always make you feel good. This good.

A knot started to twirl in your lower abdomen whenever he thrusted his tongue into you with no mercy. It felt like heaven.

“I’m so close,” you cried out and not long after, you cummed—making him lick your juice all over your pussy without taking his eyes off you. That was really hot, you couldn’t contain the overwhelming cloud in your chest everytime you met his beautiful eyes.

Then, he got off from the bed to unbuckle the belt around his waist before undressed the pants from his body—leaving the huge bulge under the boxer to your sight. His cock was throbbing hard inside the fabric and when he pulled his boxer down, your pussy clenched for him. You wanted him to touch you again and do whatever he wanted to do with your body.

“Ride me,” he grunted before crawling back on the bed, sitting with his back on the headboard as he waited for you to climb on him. The veins along his neck and arms were making it’s hard for you to think straight. Your mouth felt dry.

Slowly, you crawled on top of him, sitting on his thigh as you placed your hands on his shoulder for support. Lips were bitten when you caught his eyes before you slowly placed his member on your entrace before sitting on them—burying it deep inside your tight and wet pussy. Taehyung groaned—staring at how deep he buried inside you while you were here with a breathy moan escaped from your mouth.

God, it felt so good. Your legs tremble at the sudden contact—making him secure his hands on your hips as you started to bounce and move your body on him. The pace was slow and intoxicating. He was really big and the fact that you needed to adjust to his size, you never knew it has been a while since he made love to you like this.

Squeezing your eyes, your chin was lifted to the air along with the scream and moan from your mouth. He grabbed onto your hips—making you move back and forth on his dick while groaning with you, so the room was filled with nothing else but the sound of skin slapping that got louder each time you buried himself in you. You’ve lost your mind, you couldn’t feel your legs anymore. Why did the pleasure feel much more stronger now when both of you were no longer together?

“Fuck. Oh fuck,” he grunted through gritted teeth, pulling you closer to deepen the thrusted. Chin up to the air, you cried his name out—digging your nails into his shoulder whenever he quicken the pace. His cock was slapping your weak spot over and over again. It drive you crazy.

“Taehyung....” you whined—the courage to look at him were suddenly gone as you felt your chest was somehow heavy.

When you realised that you be able to touch him again like this—you felt like you just woken up from such nightmare. You could feel his skin, his lips, his eyes against yours—after being so lost and alone. You’ve missed him so much but you had no idea it was this much.

Your cheeks were stained again. As he kept thrusting inside you, you couldn’t help the heavy cloud in your chest—making your silently sob on his shoulder. He wanted to look at you but you didn’t want to so you kept your face buried on his shoulder. You have lost that courage to see his eyes at times like this.

“You always feel this good. I’ve missed you,” he whispered along with a faint grunt—making you moan out loud with tears falling down from your eyes. It was a weird combination. Moaning and screaming his name in every thrusts, both of you were reaching the climax.

Few more thrust, he cum inside you—filling every space of your core with his warm release as your body jerked and flinched at the contact. Your legs felt like a jelly that you almost fell from him but he grabbed your hips right away.

Both you and Taehyung were panting hard on each other’s body after such intense and quick sex. You weren’t sure what was that sex for? Was this a goodbye sex or make up sex?

There was only silence but then, it was replaced with your small sob. The tears kept falling down from your eyes and stained his shoulder as you buried your face on the crook of his neck. The emotions that lingers in your head were too much, you couldn’t put it into words.

“Why are you doing this to me?” you spoke. A chill ran down in your spine as he stroke your hair softly while giving a soft rub on your hips using the other hand.

“Why are you making me like this, Taehyung! Tell me, you jerk!” you almost yelled before you pulled from him and punched his chest with your little might—trying to let go this slight anger in your chest. You pushed, punched and slapped his chest while sobbing like a crazy woman. He stared at you without saying anything before you finally stopped and became vulnerable again.

“Why did you make me fall this deep even I know, I can’t have you,” your voice crack.

He was cruel. He made you cry and now, he made you break Mingyu’s heart when that guy had nothing but love for you. But, after all these while, why did you still pick him instead of Mingyu? Why did your heart still want him, like this?

“I’m so sorry for hurting you like this,” he whispered—pulling your hands that covered your face before crashing his mouth again. He sucked on your lips like there was no tomorrow—probably get to taste the salty water from your eyes. The kiss lasted only for few seconds before he pulled away.

“I....I never knew that I wanted you this much until you left. Everything...everything felt so fucking empty when you aren’t here. Fuck, what did I do to us?” he took your face inside his hands. His deep eyes were trembling so much.

“You love her,”

“I was confused,”

“Don’t get it twisted, Taehyung,”

He shook his head.

“It made me angry to see you with him. I saw you that night...at the restaurant. I shouldn’t be mad but I did. I know he loved you and it drives me insane.The thoughts of you being with him, god, it’s crazy because I hate it,”

He wiped off the water from your eyes as he took every part of your face into his eyes. God, you’ve missed this. You thought you have lost it completely.

“What do you want, Taehyung?” a faint voice left your mouth.

“You. I want you. I know...what I did to you was too much. I know and I’m not asking you to forgive me now. But, let me fix this. Let me fix the broken parts of you,” his voice strained so much that you actually could feel his pain. Just as much as you do.

Tears prick again.

“I’d still want you even you ended up choosing her instead of me. That shit hurted but I’d still want you”

He shook his head, denying you immediately.

“Nothing happened between me and her ever since you left. The relationship wasn’t there because I couldn’t do it and she agreed for us to just stay as friends. Nothing more than that. She was my first love, yes but no matter how we tried, I realised that, my feelings for her were completely gone when you left. I thought it was her but no, baby. It was you,”

“Believe me, just this once,” he begged.

Swear to god, your heart bloomed like a spring. A small smile finally appeared on your lips as you stared at him. He talked sincerely with his eyes and you could see that. Twinkling and sparkling.

“I love you. I love you so much,”

He spoke and it felt genuine. You knew Taehyung wouldn’t be saying those words without actually meant it. You couldn’t remember when the last time he said that to you but listening to it again after a while, you were on a cloud nine.

You chest were full. The heaviness was gone in a blink of eyes. You nodded at him while biting down your lips before you wrapped your arms around his neck—burying your face on them.

“What took you so long to reply?” you whined softly.

He chuckled.

“I’m so stupid for taking this long,” his husky voice filled you.

“You are so stupid,” you sob—tighten your arms around him as if you didn’t want to let it go. Not anymore. Silence filled the space as both of you got immersed in such deep thoughts for a while.

“I love you too, Taehyung. I always do,” after a while, you finally got to let him know that. The sincere feeling that has been longing in you ever since you met him. It was still here to this day. Crazy.

“Can I date you?” he asked after few minutes of silence and without any doubt, you said nodded. He said the same thing to you before and it happened again. It felt like both of you just got back to the day 1.

Where both of you were young, reckless and in love. Perfectly right.

PS: I think I wanna open a fanfic request box. You guys can give me a request (genre: angst, smut, fluff) and I’ll make it happen (slowly, no tension). Also, ask me anything. I’m always opened for talk. And, thank you for enjoying this fanfic and its sequel. love u

#taehyung #kim taehyung #bts #taehyung smut #taehyung angst #break up #kpop imagines #bts smut #bts fanfics #namjoon #suga #yoongi #seokjin #hoseok #j-hope #jimin #jungkook #taehyung fanfic

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keiscait · 3 years

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Hi! I just wanted to say from the match-ups I have seen that you are such a great writer! If it’s not too much I was wondering if I could get a living room and bedroom matchup for a male character. If both are too much, feel free to do one whichever one you feel like you can write better. I wanna do this anon so the emoji you can use for me is: <33

Info:

Pronouns: She/Hers

Personality: I am a very goal orientated person and I can become very hard on myself sometimes if I don’t achieve things as well as I wanted to. I tend to be quiet but not shy per say. I do not have trouble talking to people and making friends and I can become very outgoing but in the friend group itself I usually keep to myself. If I am comfortable with you I will make witty remarks and make fun of you in a playful friend banter kinda way but I would like to say I am a good listener so I can get serious real quick. I am really big on trust and I used to trust too easily and now I am a bit more closed off where it is a bit harder for me to trust others.

Relationships: When it comes to relationships, I believe in communication and I haven’t had a big problem with it in the past. I wouldn’t mind a small pda such as hand holding or a small kiss here and there but nothing over the top because you gotta keep the important stuff private ya know. My love language is quality time because I tend to be really busy once school starts and so making effort to see each other even through our busy schedules is really important to keep the relationship healthy.

Hobbies: I believe that you need a good balance between work and play though so some other hobbies I have are painting (acrylic and watercolor), baking, and skateboarding. I also listen to music everyday and watch like an episode before I go to sleep if I have school but binge watch on break. I also try to game a bit too like league, minecraft, and my switch. I also like hiking and runs in the mornings before class because it really clears my head and I used to be on the swim team but I don’t competitively do it anymore.

Bedroom: I believe I would be a switch that leans more submissive. However, I am really cautious to do anything because I need to trust them to be submissive. I would consider myself very open to different kinks and what not and aftercare is a must. I’m not super into degrading because I’m sensitive af. I just would want someone who is observant with me and my body as well as someone who helps me with my insecurities. Once I’m comfortable though I definitely become a brat. Just want someone who would manhandle but still tell me i’m the prettiest girl they’ve ever met hahaha.

Zodiac: Pisces (sun), Cancer (rising), and Leo (moon)

Hogwarts house: Ravenclaw

Future Plans/ Dreams: I am working to become a biomedical engineer one day to help make medical devices to help people. Right now I am leaning towards possibly doing physical therapy and making prosthetics.

Looks: I’m 5’6/5’7 and have a medium build. I am tan kinda like a honey color with black wavy/slightly curly hair that is about at my breast length. My eyes are hazel but mainly light brown and I have pretty big doe like eyes.

Sorry if it’s too much or too little but thank you so much! and I have such respect for writers so keep being you :) HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND STAY SAFE

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Hello and welcome, my darling! So sorry for the long wait, and thank you SO MUCH for your kind words! (⌒‿⌒)❤️ Let’s get right to it then! ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶

I was reading your description, and I think the person I had in mind for you also fits your bedroom matchup!

Our lovely guest keeping us company in both rooms is...

(Runner up: Ushijima Wakatoshi)

Kageyama is a very complex character. He’s one of the few characters ever who we actually see slips back into his old bad habits every now and then, but is immediately remorseful and shows signs of him knowing better. He’s always striving for progress, and he understands more than others what it’s like to dislike your past self.

- Tobio here is somehow both incredibly observant yet so fricking DENSE

- I imagine that however it is that you two meet, he’ll be super formal at first. It’ll take a little while for a romance to build because he’s not used to opening up, and he’ll need to really trust the person for him to let his walls down

- however, as soon as you guys establish a friendship, he’d be drawn to you and how goal-oriented you are, especially since he is, too

- He’d take interest in you, notice all your little quirks, and would even find himself blushing whenever you playfully tease him

- Problem is, he has no fucking clue why HAHAH

- I love him sm but boy doesn’t know what it is to like someone

- Hinata would try to explain it to him and he’d just be like cr- cru--... c-CRUSH?? ...what is that?

- Man is in desperate need of wingman someone help him

- Anyway, once his friends get Operation: Get Tobio A Girlfriend in motion, he just turns into his pouty blushy self whenever he sees you

- The other boys will probably go overboard that he’ll be forced to take matters into his own hands

- The confession would be a damn mess but in an adorable way

- He’d 100% yell his feelings at you while pouting/blushing

- You’d have to shush him TBH

- shush him with a kiss maybe? that’s a great way to shut him up ( 　･ิω･ิ)

- Kageyama_Tobio.exe stopped responding

- anyway I think he’d just be such a soft, protective boyfriend, especially since you’re kind of quiet

- You two would understand each other so well. He’d protect you and your quiet side, while you would help him be more relatable in order to make friends. It’s also perfect that you two are both goal-oriented, because then you’d be on the same page when it comes to co-dependence/independence. One would understand the other when it comes to pressure, deadlines, and hard work, and you’d just be super supportive of each other all the time

- I think you’re better at communicating than he is, so you may have to inform him a bit on how it should work between the two of you. He’d pick up on this really fast tho so no need to worry! Kags has got you ;)

- Dates would be really productive ones. Study dates, work dates, workout dates; anything that would be beneficial to your improvement

- Early morning hikes with Kags :’( beautiful

- He really appreciates that you’re not big on PDA because that puts a lot less pressure on himself to be someone he’s not. PLUS I imagine he’s the same as you, who really treasures the private moments between the two of you because you’re both so busy

- Once you guys have some private time, he’d take it as an opportunity to release all his pent up energy and emotions. He’d be so needy and clingy when he knows others can’t see

- ( 　･ิω･ิ) ( 　･ิω･ิ) ( 　･ิω･ิ) also u kno whassup when you guys finally get some private time ( 　･ิω･ิ) ( 　･ิω･ิ)( 　･ิω･ิ)

- I don’t think Kags is the very kinky type. He’d be a dom, but I don’t think the freaky stuff would really appeal to him, especially if it’s degradation, since the man worships you?? He’s just like... why tho

- He may get into some stuff that emphasizes his strength, mostly how he grabs you and handles your body

- Picks up on your sweet spots really quick, and I imagine he can even deduce which parts are sensitive without you having to tell him

- Apologizes if he ever makes you uncomfortable :’( he’d just be SO tender and protective

- I don’t think he knows what aftercare is, or like the specifics of it, but I think despite that, he’d just naturally want to take care of you and check in on you afterwards. He’d ask if you’re okay, if you need anything, if you’re feeling any kind of pain, if there’s anything he can improve on. And he’d definitely scan your body for any bruises.

You were walking home from an exhausting day at work.

There were more than a few setbacks today - an annoying coworker took credit for your hard work, your precisely detailed schedule wasn’t honored by others, and because of this, you weren’t able to have lunch. It was now 6:30PM. The rain poured as you waited at the bus stop. You were famished, soaked, and, quite frankly, so done with this day.

You sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. You were so out of it today that you haven’t had the chance to check on your unread messages. Your boyfriend, Tobio, had left a few missed calls over the past hour, causing some worry. He didn’t usually call, given how busy he was all the time. You texted him first to check in.

You: Everything okay, bub?

K: Yes. Sorry about all the missed calls. Where are you right now?

Y: At the bus stop near my building. Why?

K: Which one?

K: Never mind. I see you

What? You whipped your head left and right, then saw your boyfriend’s figure standing a few meters away, umbrella in hand. He was truly a sight for sore eyes right now - he wasn’t wearing anything special, juts his usual tracksuit, but he was wrapped in a scarf and held a soft expression on his face. It was just the warmth you needed right now. He jogged over to you, closing the umbrella as he made it under the roof.

“Hi love,” you started, “what on earth are you doing here?” A huge weight seems to have been lifted off of you.

He didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around you, rubbing your body to give extra warmth. Pulling back, he took off his scarf so that he could wrap it around your neck.

“It’s been raining all day but I noticed you left your umbrella at home. I was hoping to catch you before you left work so that you don’t have to walk in the rain.” You couldn’t help the smile that was erupting through the exhaustion. This felt like an all new Tobio. “I guess I was a little too late, I’m sorry.”

You shook your head. “No, don’t worry about it. Thank you for thinking of me, bub.” You allowed yourself to slump onto him, wrapping your arms around his waist. You felt him loosen up, strong arms making their way around your form. You looked up at him without pulling away. Your big doe eyes stared into his blue ones, totally sinking into each other’s gaze. He planted a small kiss onto your nose. It wasn’t normal for you to be so affectionate outdoors, but right now, it seemed apt. You scrunched up your nose in response.

Had it not been for the honking of the bus, the two of you could’ve cuddled in the rain for much longer, ridding each other of the lousiness of the day.

I hope that was alright with you, darling! Thank you so much for trusting me with your matchup. Hope you’re having a wonderful new year so far!! Please don’t hesitate to sit and have a chat with me anytime ❤️

Thanks for stopping by! (ﾉ´ヮ`)ﾉ*: ･ﾟ

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tellywoodtrash · 4 years

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immj2 16.11.20 lb

chanchal interrogating ishani, ki did riddhima spill about what happened that day. ishani like no dice, but imma beat it outta her so help me goddddd.

aryan coming throwing shit around. coz vansh has left everything in his will to dadi. thank fuckkkkkkkkkkkkkk. none of you snakes are worth 5000 cr. i mean, ishani is, but idk, maybe not that whole amount at once.

ishani is like THANK THE LORD, VANSH HAD AT LEAST ONE WORKING BRAIN CELL. “kahin uss riddhima ko nominee banaa dete, toh humaare sar par chadhke tandav karti woh.” snort.

chanchal telling aryan ki “vansh ke baad saara business toh tuney hi sambhaalna haina”, and lmaoooooooooooooooooooooooo ishani’s face:

i honestly love her the most. MAKE HER THE NEW KING OF THIS EMPIREEEEEEEEEEE. SHE DESERVESSSSSSS IT.

ishani saunters off and chanchal is telling aryan ki anyway dadi ke haath laga hai sab, she’ll write it all to you; coz siya is in a coma, who knows when the fuck she’ll wake up, and ishani is walking talking TNT ka khaaaaan, that’ll blow up any second now. tujhe hi sab milna hai. lol bohut hi zyaada khushfehmi. can’t waitttttt for vihaan (whether he turns out to be vansh or not.......) to come show them thenga.

some parcel came outta nowhere for mummyji and it’s filled with all the stuff of her “long lost son who got kidnapped”. veryyyyyyyy conveniently opened by riddhima.

mummy has started filmfare nom-worthy performance on discovering the relics.

there’s a letter too! basically says i kidnapped your kid for money, but when you didn’t pay up, i threw him in a river. i’m confessing all this coz i’m now dying of cancer and want redemption. sounds to me like someone watched both ‘the prince of egypt’ and ‘badlapur’ in one day and did a mashup of those stories to write this letter.

watch out meryl, viola, jodie.......... mummy has gone beyond filmfare and is now doing OSCAR worthy performance about how she keeps losing kids.

lmao i am aryan, watching this nautanki:

mummy like it’s all coz i neverrrrrrrrrrrr accepted riddhima as a motherrrrrrrrrrr, mujhe maaaf kar dooooo.

of course riddhima’s dumb ass forgave her. god, this chick just tooo easy to scam.

someone’s come to say “final goodbye”. coz he’s taken a transfer. sure.

lmao riddhima is the biggest mood when dealing with an ex who just won’t leave you the fuck alone.

is it just me or has his hair become more........... vansh-y??? like, height-wise.

blah blah he wants to apologize to everyone........... for what exactly? he said he was just doing his job, why to say sorry for that??

lmao ishani has appeared and is ready to kick kabir’s ass. omfg i think this might be my new fav dynamic of this show, ishani v/s kabirrrrrrrrrrr.

RIDDHIMA DOING NOTHING TO STOP HER ALSO, LMAOOOOOO

whole family has appeared and he’s like sorry kehne aaya tha and all and THENNNNNNNNNNN....... NAZAR PADI ON THE TABLE FULL OF ARTIFACTS.

anupriya like don’t touch my son’s shit and........

“yeh sab mere hain!!!!!!!!!”

hahahahahahahhahahahaha ishani is truly my absolute favourite character of this show from now on.

“maaaaaaaaaaaa?????? iska matlab aap meri maa hain??????” lol bohut hi bhadddda actingggg.

riddhima agrees with ishani.

kabir narrates exact story mummy did like 5 min back.

he’s giving proof ki i know the collar of this uniform has a K behind it and everyone’s shockedddddddddd ki oh god yet another middle class orphan is gonna make their way here

wow the terrible acting from mummy and beta is just.......... peak today. i can’t take it.

my question is, kabir has come to this house and seen anupriya a million times before, it never clicked for him then????? anupriya looks to be baaaarely in her 40s, she wouldn’t have looked much different when she was younger. why didn’t he recognize her then. SOMEONE USE YOUR BRAIN AND ASK HIM THAT. ISHANI, ARYAN, SOMEONE?!!!?!?!

ok ishani didn’t ask that but she’s like that kid was thrown into a river, i’m pretty sure he’s dead. and kabir doing extra naatak ki yes, i was thrown into the river but a policewaala saved me and raised me and that’s why i’m police now.

ugh itnaaa sasta acting lol.

high time this pinky and the brain team up and take the rest of these fuckers downnnnnnnn.

lmao riddhima is soooooooooooooo angry rn. she didn’t even get this mad when her fucking husband paralysed her. that’s just how much petty hatred male exes deserve. the fact that that their bitch ass is even alive and wasting oxygen on the damn planet is fucking unacceptable.

OMFG MUMMY BETA ARE LEGIT WHISPERING INTO EACH OTHER’S EARS WHILE HUGGING, GIVING SHABAASHI ABOUT THIS BRILLIANT PLAN. IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. SERIOUSLY, YOU COULDN’T WAIT TILL YOU WERE ALONE???????????????????/

“kamaaaaal ki acting, KAMAAAAL KI ACTING!” lmaoooooooooooo honestly, this show would be fucking unwatchable if not for vishal cheesing it up in every other scene and making it so damn hilarious. kabir played by anyone else would never be this likable. his dialogue delivery of these lines is just A+

lmao he’s hamming some more about how he’s been searching for his mom allllll his life and today he’s leaving the city and finally found her.

LITERALLY EVERYONE ELSE AROUND THEM HAS A FACE LIKE SOMETHING WITH 8+ LEGS CRAWLED ACROSS THEIR DINNER PLATE. IT’S SO HILARIOUSSSSSSSS.

he’s like mom, come with me, and she’s like “tum yehi ruk jao!” and omfggggggg the reactionsssssssssssss:

“ab yeh bhi yaheen rahega?????” alkjdsalkjdlaskjdlaskj chanchal’s no filter ways really come in handy sometimes.

kabir’s like no no mom will come with me. starts leading her out and dadi is like no anupriya is a part of this family and will not leave. and if you can live here in this house................... riddhima will decide that. lmao this should work out well.

kabir trying to jedi mind trick her.

even ishani is pleading in her mind, please riddhima no kehnaaaaa. aaaaaand....

“haan.” great.

big mood.

lmao booooooo, the amount of shit you get away with just coz you’re so stinkin’ cute. you’re exactly like my asshole cat son. just worming your way into my heart by the power of your adorable faces, you absolute bastardssssssss.

oh of course. she had this conversation with vansh, about if mummy ever found her son, he’d like to welcome him into this family as his brother. sentiment mein aakar haan keh diya. BITCH HE DIDN’T KNOW THAT IT WAS GONNA TURN OUT TO BE YOUR EX WHO WAS HAATH DHOKE BEHIND HIS GODDAMN LIFE. IF HE DID, HE WOULDN’T HAVE THOUGHT TWICE BEFORE PULLING THAT UGLYASS GOLDEN GUN ON HIM AND SHOOTING HIM BETWEEN THE EYES.

this is a sweet scene and all but dude how the fuck am i supposed to overlook the fucking ugly beetlejuice suit. if i never have to see this godforsaken garment ever again, it’d still be too soon.

also jesus, were you a goddamn kid just 10 years ago, COZ HOW ELSE THE FUCK DO YOU HAVE A MINION WATERBOTTLE FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD?!!?!?!?!! OH GOD YOU GUYS, IS VANSH JUST 19 YEARS OLD OR SOME SHIT, AND THE BEARD AND THE VOICE THREW US OFF INTO THINKING HE’S 30?!?!?!?!?!!?! OH MY GOD, I FEEL LIKE A PEDO NOW. 28 IS MY LIMIT ON HOW YOUNG I’LL GO FOR WHEN I LUST AFTER SOMEONE.

anyway i’m fwding this scene so that my mind won’t dwell on these horrible possibilities. and that horrible fucking outfit.

lmao riddhima is like kaash tum yahaan hote, tum bhi yehi karte. snort, okaaaay sis.

“tumhari riddhima hoon main. aur hamesha wohi karoongi, jo agar tum hote toh karte.” ok everybody start monitoring your drinks from now on. pata nahi kab kya mila de yeh madam vansh 2.0.

ishani is, how you say................ LOSING IT.

ahahahahahahahahahaha aryan, who's going to town on the punching bag, is like i already picture him here, hence the vigorous mid-day cardio.

“mera toh mann kar raha hai ki main 2-4 jamaa ke aaoon. kabir ko nahi, uss riddhima ko!!!!!!!!” The Biggest Mood, Ever.

“pehle woh bhai ki tarah sochna toh seekh le?!?!?!?” bhai ki tarah chodo, pehle BAS SOCHNA HI SEEKH LE, WOHI BOHUT HAI.

ishani like i’m sureeeeeeeee kabir found out the story about mom’s missing son and now that vansh isn’t here, wormed his way into the house. PRESENTING TO YOU, THE ONLY ONE WITH A BRAIN IN THIS HOUSEEEEEEEEEEE. THE FACT THAT VANSH SLEPT ON HER AS A FUCKING PILLAR TO THIS HOUSE IS FUCKING RUDE.

“yeh sab kuch hua hai uss stuuuuupid riddhima ki wajah se!” that’s what they should call the show.

ew kabir is in riddhima’s room and getting all touchy and LIKE BACK THE FUCK OFF MAN. SERIOUSLY, YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED, NOW GO HANG OUT WITH YOUR MOM ALL DAY LONG, INSTEAD OF ACTING SKEEZY.

yeah riddhima pretty much told him that. threw in some more shit about how she’ll hate him till she dies, coz he’s the reason vansh died.

he doesn’t look happy about that. this fucker still wants herrrrrrr. ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. kabir yaaaaaaaaaaaaar, you can do so much bettterrrrrrrrrrr. get yourself an hot evil shawty with 4+ brain cells dude!

she’s dragging him out. nice.

kabir still talking and she’s like do i literally have to kick your ass out?????? damn girl, there’s the spine i like to see.

askljdaslkjslkdjlaskdjlaskdj he’s like main bhi vansh jaisa hoon, iss ghar ka beta hoon. lmao good you said this in front of riddhima and not ishani, warna ***** phaad ke tumhare haath mein de deti.

riddhima also handing it to him, but verbally. but it’s lameass shit like no you’ll never be like vansh, not in 7 janam. like, ok i get she’s really mad at him for what happened, but i don’t get what’s this sudden hatred of his personality?????? she doesn’t know the whole truth and abhi se itni nafrat??? based on what?????

lmao he muttered “woh toh waqt hi batayega” as he was leaving and she’s like BITCH WHAT YOU SAY?!?!?!?!?!?!

hee hee hee hee. i loveeeeeee when he makes his exasperated faces.

some more sweet talk about how she’ll see his intentions aren’t bad at all, and she’s like justttttttttt gtfo my room man.

"kahin kabir ko yahaan rehne ki permission dekar kuch galat toh nahi kar diya???” LMAO YA THINK?????????????????????/

haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaye. finally. aankhein taras gayi thi.

bro refusing more shady work coz “abhi mere paas chote-mote kaamon ke liye time nahi hai. kuch bada plan kar raha hoon.”

mmmmmmmmmmmm baby what that mouth do??????

“vansh ki body ka toh main antim-sanskaar main kar chuka hoon.” ohohohohohohohoho symbolism samajhhh rahe ho aap loggggg???? new identity, who disssssssss waala scene hai.

“riddhima vansh rai singhania, main aa rahaa hoon.”

oh aaja, aha aaja, aha aaajaa, ah ah aaaaja, ah aa aaaja, aha ha aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

#ishq mein marjawan 2 #immj2 #immj2 lbs #episode liveblogs

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whydowelove · 3 years

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hi! i was hoping to get a match up with the boyz and enhypen if you don’t have too much already! i’m 5ft and a cancer sun, gemini moon, and taurus rising! i love to edit and draw. i have dyed brown hair with a long mullet. i get annoyed super easily, but i can be really clingy if i miss u !! my mbti is infj and i often need my alone time. my favourite colours are red and yellow, id say im really supportive and open minded, im also sensitive and really stubborn. some people say im really soft spoken, gentle and that im really quiet, i love clothes and jewelry especially rings !! oh and my love language is words of affirmation !! thank uu :DD

HiHi !! So Idk a lot abt astrology so this is purely based on my opinion and what member I think would suit u best personality wise ! Also ur hair seems like it would look so cool !!

In The Boyz I ship you with Chanhee !!

Ik what ur thinking rn but hear me out !

So I really love Sunew which is why this is my choice

I think u have a few similar similar traits to Sunwoo

Chanhee and Sunwoo get along and have a really funny friendship

So I think you 2 would have a similar one as well

Probably make a lot of jokes and have those pity arguments that are funny

He’d love that ur on the clingy side tbh

Loves laying on your lap

He doesn’t want u touching his hair that he spent so much time on 🙄

But you still do bc u know he likes it

Literally once he sits up he gets mad and scolds u but he’ll let u play with it when he’s laying down? Idk it makes no sense 🤦‍♀️

Honestly, I feel like you guys would get your hair done together ?

He loves dying is hair as we know and I feel like you probably like doing a lot with yours as well ? If you don’t then my bad 😅

Y’all eat some good ass food

Chanhee will even feed you

He’s like “how is it? Is it good?” While holding the fork and staring at you with big curious eyes

😭😭

he will sing to you !

I REPEAT

HE WILL SING TO YOU

compliment him and tell him how beautiful his voice it istg u better do it 😡

This man will hype you tf up 👏

“Holy s- you look amazing !! I love your hair and necklace!”

I can imagine his expression but idk how to describe it.. uhhhh sorry

He will deff buy cute couple rings !! And a bunch of nice jewelry for you

Especially when he’s abroad, he’ll buy you the really unique, expensive stuff bc he knows you’ll love it

You guys barely argue unless it’s a joke or your in a mood and he’s being sassy or smth

Other than that u guys got a super chill, funny relationship

In Enhypen I ship you with Jay !!

I was gonna chose Jungwon until I really thought abt it

So with Jay I feel like he’s good at dealing with people who are more sensitive and have a short temper

I’m not meaning this is a rude or offensive way I just feel like it wouldn’t be so awkward for him as it might for the others yk ??

I think Jay is just very understanding bc he’s kinda the same

Sometimes the smallest thing can push his buttons and he gets real angry (as we’ve seen)

It’s ok

He just knows how you feel and knows how to comfort you and how to talk to you !!

You support his dreams and his idol life and ur so supportive pls 😭

He appreciates you a lot and when y’all together omg-

I just imagined that y’all are on the couch and he lays his head on your shoulder and you wrap ur arm around him and play with his hair ?

Hope that u can imagine what I’m saying 😭

Another one who will buy you the most expensive , unique jewelry!

He’ll take you to practice just so you can watch him and be with him 😏

Fun times

You guys always compliments each other istg omg

It’s annoying

LOL IM JK ITS CUTE

Ur guy’s dates are probably just shopping for some bomb ass stuff to wear

Y’all with buy the coolest corresponding outfits ever !!!!!

There’s not really any arguments unless he both mad about something and take it out on each other

So maybe one really bad argument a month or smth 😭

(Photos cr to rightful owners)

#the boyz #the boyz ships #chanhee #enhypen jay #enhypen #kpop ships #kpop #enhypen ships

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dangerouscommiesubversive · 3 years

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First Lines Meme

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line. Then tag 10 authors!

I was tagged by @toku-fangirl-2015 <3 <3 <3

So, uh, obviously I’ve got a lot of writing up, and a fair amount of stuff still in progress. We’ll do some recent full-length fics first, even if two of them are still works in progress:

The way it works is, you wake up in the morning and there’s a dragon living in your chest. (from a WIP)

Discord, May 9th, 2019, 11:19 PM gudetama's buttcheeks#19X46: oh holy shit holy shit holy shit ReadySetGou updated an antique railing#XX304: wtf is ReadySetGou wait that’s the Japanese guy youre in love with right I thought you said he died (from a WIP)

They meet for the first time in Marrakech, in a coffee shop. It’s not as if Gai’s looking for company. It’s just that he’s on the phone with Naomi, promising to bring her back a souvenir when he’s next in Japan, and when he looks up he realizes that someone else in the room understands the language he’s speaking. (from Phone Home)

All right! Now, prompt fics, working backwards!

“Hey, look, I’m sure we can take care of this later--” “You know, M, this would be easier if you’d just take off your pants.” (current prompt in progress)

Hiiro walks into the CR with the kind of tense dignity that generally means he’s had a long surgery and he’s very tired and stops when he sees that the cot is already occupied. “Pediatrician, is the Bugster actually sleeping?” (post)

Really, Shoutaro thinks, it shows a lot of restraint from Philip that he managed to wait a full week after discovering that Roidmudes were back in the world before he insisted on meeting one. (post)

First: they’re at the docks, walking together, talking about the problems they’ve encountered. Kiba says he’s not sure Kusaka is trustworthy, and Takumi nods and doesn’t say anything in response, because he definitely could say a few things, but he’s not sure if Kiba’s trustworthy either. (post)

“Oh, Sougo,” Tsukasa breathes out, “what have you done?” Sougo actually sputters a little. “Me? How is this my fault? I just got here.” (post)

The photo studio doesn’t move as frequently as it used to, which is sort of a relief. The constant hopping it used to do was exhausting–apart from whatever Tsukasa needs to get done, and whatever problems each World has, there’s always the issue of learning the way around a new neighborhood, not to mention finding a new grocery store. And, of course, the restructuring of Tsukasa’s wardrobe, which is a problem they’ve mostly learned to live with. (post)

“–so the Zyurangers were the first team to ever go past five members, but Big One from J.A.K.Q. was the first sentai ever to join his team late. And for a while the Kyouryugers were the biggest sentai, but now the Kyuurangers have them beat, especially since some of the Kyouryugers are part-time. I’m kind of wondering if we’re ever going to see a team bigger than the Kyuurangers, twelve is so many–” “Gai, my dear?” Gai blinks. “Yes?” (post)

When Keiichiro gets back to the apartment Kairi’s already there, curled up on the couch in Keiichiro’s bathrobe and a blanket with several boxes of takeout waiting on the table. None of the boxes seem to have been touched; Kairi’s attention is entirely devoted to the steaming cup of coffee he’s holding in both hands. (post)

“How did you find this place?” Yuichi says as they round the corner into the little alley. “Fujisaki recommended it to me, actually.” Kiyoshi grins up at him. “Apparently she and a couple of her girlfriends like to go here sometimes. She says the coffee’s only ok really, but the pastries are really nice. Here, this is it, Cafe,” he squints at the sign, “Nas–nascita.” (post)

Luka wanders through the common area of their slapdash temporary living space, lost in her own thoughts, and nearly pulls a gun when she hears Noël say, “Bonjour, Miss Luka.” (post)

It’s a crowded room, but nevertheless Tooma knows when he’s being watched, and he turns and meets the thoughtful gaze of the man in the check pants and the cabbie hat and says, “Why are you staring at me?” “Trying to remember where we’ve met before. Besides here, of course. You’re one of the Lupin guys, right?” “Lupin Blue.” Tooma pauses. “You’re Spada, I remember you. From the Kyuurangers.” As he speaks, he remembers–“You’re the chef.” (post)

Makito wanders into the library mid-morning with a slip of paper in hand and begins running his fingers along the shelves as he searches for a book, and then stops, frowning. “Hey, did someone organize these? Who did this?” Kai doesn’t look up from his homework. “Who did what?” “Organized the books.” “Oh, yeah, that. Houka’s boyfriend.” “Houka has a boyfriend who organizes books?” (post)

“Your sense of timing leaves something to be desired,” Tetsuo gasps. “As usual.” “What, as usual? I’m tryin’ to be more spontaneous.” (post)

Parad twitches violently and nearly falls over, and Emu looks up from the patient file he’s reviewing with some alarm. “Parad, are you all right? You feel,” and a wave of nausea hits him as he’s saying, “sick.” (post)

Souji’s an attractive man in general, but there’s something about his legs in particular that just makes Arata completely lose his mind. It’s not just that they’re good legs, although they are incredibly good legs–it’s that there seems to be a lot of them. Arata’s not sure how that works, since Souji’s not actually much taller than him, but he’s not going to argue with it. (post)

“All right, are we recording?” “Camera rolling, Dr. Kujou.” “Ok, excellent. This is a video record of Game Disease recovery experiment number one hundred and thirteen. Today we’re attempting a revival using Roidmude Core technology donated by Dr. Sawagami Rinna, she’s a fantastic lady, we’re sending her a fruit basket–I’m focusing, it’s fine. Subject is Momose Saki, we have on file a signed release from her next of kin–” (post)

Clink. Clink. Clink. There is someone in Maki’s laboratory, and he has not authorized anyone to be in there. Of course, it might be Date, the man’s always making himself inconvenient, but somehow Maki suspects that it is not. Clink, clink, clink. He steps into the laboratory and it is, of course, not Date. (post)

All right, and with that we’ve hit 20 and I’m stopping. Anyway...clearly I like to open with dialogue, but otherwise I’m not sure that you could say there’s a particular pattern.

I am tagging @si-siw and no one else, but feel free to blame me if you decide to do it too. ^_^

#first lines meme #toku-fangirl-2015 #fanfiction #at the very least fic-adjacent #long post

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moderndaybard · 4 years

Text

2020 Weekly Ficlet 16/52(? We’ll see?)

Never Quite My Style (CR Campaign 1 Ficlet)

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They didn’t talk about kids at first—the first several years of the Shorthalt-Trickfoot household were spent slowing down and figuring out what the status quo was, rather than rushing to change it. Pike and Scanlan let Grog and Kaylie be the ones pursuing change (and education—that still seemed the strangest thing about their new life: a literate Grog), and let their home in Westrun be the touchpoint, the anchor that the two of them could come back to and ground themselves.

(Percy and Vex, on the other hand, wasted no time at all; but then: as humans/half-elves, they had a few less centuries in the long run.)

That had actually been a tipping point: except for Keyleth, the two gnomes would likely outlive all of their friends. If they waited too long, some of the shorter-lived members of Vox Machina wouldn’t be around to meet any kids they did have.

(Grog wouldn’t be, and that realization was the final piece Pike needed to make up her mind.)

Still, it was important for Scanlan to talk the matter over with Kaylie—to make sure his little girl knew that he wasn’t ‘replacing’ her or ‘doing over’ everything he’d failed and/or missed in her life and childhood. He’d messed so much up with her before, he couldn’t jeopardize all that they’d built, now.

(“‘Bout damn time,” she’d laughed, tone dancing with mischief, eyes steady and honest. “I was hoping to be a big sister before I forgot all the fun stuff I’m gonna teach ‘em. Troublemaking runs in the family, after all.”)

Eventually, though, they were ready (whether or not the world was), and soon Juniper Rae Shorthalt-Trickfoot entered their lives, followed a few years later by Willhand Stone Shorthalt-Trickfoot.

When he held his children for the first time, Scanlan, who’d never considered himself a fearsome fighter or warrior of renown even as he traveled with Vox Machina (his skills lay in other areas, after all), felt as though he could be: if this tiny gnome child in his arms needed him to be, or asked him to be…

(I can’t promise success, but I swear I’ll try to be everything you need.)

A bard’s repertoire is an ever-expanding, ever-changing thing: they travel and learn new material everywhere they go, they adjust sets for each audience’s taste and preference, and as they themselves grow and mature as artists, certain songs or bits will rise into or fall out of favor.

But some pieces remain standards out of sheer popular demand.

As Scanlan caved to his audience’s plea and launched into ‘The Kooky Chroma Conclave’ (A nonsense ditty only tangentially based on historical events, in which the dragons were reduced to nothing more than ridiculous, incompetent figures that clumsily tripped into their own downfall—a bard’s best revenge), he couldn’t help but smile.

Juniper danced around the nursery with the small tambourine that Keyleth had given her at Winter’s Crest, keeping time as best she could (which was actually pretty good, for her age—he’d have to apologize to Pike eventually for the chaos a budding percussionist would loudly bring) and singing along enthusiastically, while little Willhand sat on the floor, gurgling happily and clapping his hands.

Abruptly, the energetic strains of a fiddle joined the cacophony, and Juniper cheered as Kaylie all but leapt through the doorway to join the fun, winking and smirking at her dad (who really hadn’t meant anyone over the age of eight or so to hear this ridiculousness passing as a song) and gesturing for him to keep going.

He did, and Kaylie played along, improvising around the simple, silly melody while Juniper and Willhand laughed and danced.

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Early on, even before Juniper could really even follow the stories her parents were reading to her, Scanlan grew…well, bored with the simple children’s books available. Sure, when she began to learn to read, they’d be a good, easy starting point—but in the meantime, they were hardly any sort of interesting bedtime tale!

Well, any bard worth anything at all knows how to solve that problem, and from that night on, Scanlan simply ignored the books and made the stories up himself.

“And so the Bugbear, thoroughly confused and completely convinced he was an Owlbear, left the village alone and ran off into the woods, trying his best to hoot all the while.” He finished off the tale with a garbled screeching noise that did, indeed, sound like a very bad ‘hoot’, and was rewarded by the sounds of giggling from two small beds.

As he moved to tuck the children in, it occurred to Scanlan that there’d also been a deep rumbling sound in the hallway.

Hiding his frown, he doused the lights and poked his head out the door to see a sheepish-looking Grog sitting just outside, leaned against the wall beside the door. The goliath looked over at his friend and grinned.

“Dat was really good, Scan-man. Funnier’n last night, but I still fink da one about da hag n’ da ogre in da ballgown is my favorite. G’night!”

And with that, Grog lurched to his feet and shuffle doff to his room, paying little mind to the baffled (and slightly embarrassed) bard still in the doorway behind him.

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The Princess Caramel Sundae With Sprinkles On Top (of the Royal House of the Land Of Sweets And Desserts And Goodness) adjusted his tiara to a slightly more comfortable position, then turned just in time to grab the Grand Duke Of Sugar Cookies And Gingerbread Men (two great houses, now united into a singular political powerhouse) just before he took a flying leap off of the Sheer Cliffs Of Delicious Despair.

The Grand Duke Of Sugar Cookies And Gingerbread Men was swiftly and safely deposited down and distracted from further acrobatic attempts by the Mystical And Magical Orb Of Candied Cherries On The Side, then Princess Caramel Sundae With Sprinkles On Top turned back to Her Majesty, Queen Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Frosting And Strawberries Inside, ruler of the Land Of Sweets And Desserts And Goodness, as she finished explaining that they were about to be attacked by the terrible armies of the King Of Nastiness And Meanies.

“What are we going to do?” Princess Caramel Sundae With Sprinkles On Top dutifully asked.

Queen Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Frosting And Strawberries Inside looked up at Princess Caramel Sundae With Sprinkles On Top, and gave him a mischievous grin. “We shall defeat them,” she declared grandly, “with the Battalion Of Banana Cream Pies and the Legion Of Lemon Custard Tarts!”

And they did (sound effects cheerfully and enthusiastically provided by the grand Duke of Sugar Cookies and Gingerbread Men), which was a good thing, since Queen Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Frosting And Strawberries Inside had an important tea-party meeting with representatives from the Realm Of Stuffed Toys And Pretty Dolls that she simply couldn’t miss for such trivial matters as the King Of Nastiness And Meanies latest failed invasion.

------------------------------------------

Pike watched and listened from the doorway as the happy trio launched into the next chapter of their game. She’d soon step in, the gallant knight, Sir Whipped Cream And Honey, returned form her quest to… chase away the terrible dragon that was roasting and eating the Marshmallow Men And Chocolate Rabbits Of Marshmallow Marsh, if she was remembering correctly. (If she wasn’t, Juniper would correct her.)

But for now, she let herself enjoy the scene.

So long ago, they’d both thought that their kids would need them to be brave warriors standing between them and the dangers of the world until they were ready to face them (and, to some extent, they did so they were), but what they’d learned in the last few years was, more than that, Juniper and Willhand needed them to be parents—

And sometimes, that meant just being a little silly.

--------------------------

(Also on AO3, with my other ficlets)

#critical role #critical role fic #cr fic #Vox Machina #scanlan shorthalt #pike trickfoot #kaylie shorthalt #grog strongjaw #my post #writing challenge

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dracoqueen22 · 4 years

Text

[CR] The Sunny Side

Universe: Critical Role, Campaign Two, Set during Episode 99 Characters: Beau/Jester (one-sided), Caduceus Clay Rating: K+ Description: There’s nothing Beau wouldn’t do if it’ll make Jester smile even if it means fixing something as minor as a sunburn. There aren’t a lot of places to hide on the Balleater, but it’s amazing how hard it can be to find someone when you’re looking for them. Luckily, Caduceus is one of the easiest members of the Mighty Nein to locate since he’s not prone to sulking in solitude or lurking in the darkness. Beau’s not sure how Caleb manages to make himself scarce or avoid her, but it’s a magical trick she kind of wants to know. Anyway, she finds Caduceus in the galley on her first try, since he hadn’t been on the aft keeping a look out like usual. He’s got a vast array of food he must have magically produced spread out on the table, and he’s looking at it like it holds the key to the universe. Caduceus is fucking weird, man.

“Hello, Beau,” he says without looking up at her, and it’s still weird when he does that. How is he so perceptive? She’s as quiet as Veth, especially when she’s trying. Whatever. “Yo, Caduceus.” Beau gives him a jaunty salute that he doesn’t return, save to flick an ear. “You got a second?” “Sure.” He looks up at her finally, and his smile is warm and interested. “What can I help you with?” Beau gnaws on her bottom lip. “Look, so I need like... Do you have something for burns?” Caduceus blinks. “What kind of burns?” he asks, and the corner of his mouth lifts up. “Was Fjord cooking again?” Beau barks out a laugh before she can stop it. “No. This is for like a sunburn.” She gestures at her shoulders. “Ohh. For Miss Jester!” His eyes light with understanding before he folds his arms and furrows his brow. “Hmm.” His tail starts a slow swish behind him, swing, swing, swing. Beau waits with a new patience she’s pretty fond of. Caduceus kind of demands patience. He’s not dumb, but it takes him a bit to think sometimes. Her eyes wander, taking in the kitchen, recently saved from Fjord’s last attempt at cooking until Caduceus stepped in to save the day. The smell of burnt… something lingers despite the open window. Caduceus snaps his fingers, and Beau startles. “I know just the thing,” he says and goes to the shelf of plants he has near the porthole. Beau knows a bunch of them are herbs because she’s sniffed them, and seen them in the food, but there’s a few she’s not sure about, and one of them should not be touched. She knows because she tried. Caduceus takes down the poky one and produces a small knife, cutting off one of the leaves. He hums over it, pulls out a bowl, and drops the leaf into it. Beau moves closer, peering into the bowl, as Caduceus takes a grindstone and smashes it, squeezing out a thick, clear jelly. It smells very, very planty, but it’s not a bad smell at least. Not like the mushrooms Caduceus tries to feed them sometimes. He swears they taste good, but Beau can’t get past the stink. “What the fuck?” Beau asks. “It’s aloe,” Caduceus says with a laugh and hands her the bowl, massacred leaf and the gooey stuff it bled out pooled at the bottom. Beau arches an eyebrow. “She eats it?” “No, you rub it on the burns.” Caduceus nudges it closer to her. “Though I guess there are some species you can eat. I wouldn’t recommend eating this one though.” “Oh. Duh.” Beau takes the bowl, her nose wrinkling. It’s not that it smells bad, but it definitely doesn’t look appealing. Not like Caduceus’ usual salves. Beau salutes him anyway, tucking the bowl under one arm. “Thanks, Caduceus. This’ll really help.” “No problem.” He gives her a distracted wave as he returns to contemplating the provisions. “Good luck.” Good luck...? What the fuck does that mean? Beau crinkles her forehead, but Caduceus isn’t paying her any more attention. His lips are moving like he’s quietly counting, and well, she guesses that’s it. Damn, he’s weird. Beau shakes her head and goes in search of Jester, who is one of the hardest to find on a good day, but pretty easy this time. She’s below decks and as far from the sun as she can get without being completely in the dark, perched in the room they’ve taken as their refuge, with the porthole open and a seabreeze wafting inside. “Sup, Jess.” She looks up from her sketchbook, smiling brighter than the sun. “Hi, Beau.” Jester grins, despite the flush of purple over her skin, the tightness of pain around her eyes. She’s stripped to her innermost layers to keep fabric away from her burned skin, and there’s far too much bare skin for Beau’s sanity. She tries to keep her gaze averted without making it obvious, which means she ends up looking all around the room like an idiot, because she doesn’t want to be caught staring. Somehow, it’s more alluring that Jester is still covered in all the right places, but her shoulders are more visible. “Got something for you,” Beau says. Jester perks up, her tail twitching through the air. “Pastries?” “I’m pretty awesome, but I can’t make pastries out of thin air,” Beau says with a grin. She wiggles the bowl and shoves it under Jester’s nose. “Got this stuff from Caduceus.” Jester’s nose wrinkles. Damn, that’s so fucking cute. It should be illegal. “What is it?” “Nothing weird, promise.” Beau sits next to her, and Jester scoots aside to make room because she’s awesome like that. “It’s aloe or something. For your sunburns.” “Really?” Jester lights up and finally takes the bowl, sticking her finger into the pale jelly and giving it a sniff. “Smells okay.” She dabs it on her other arm, smoothing it over a dark purple splotch. She groans like she does when Caduceus is healing her or she stands up and stretches after spending too long sketching. “Ohhh. That feels tons better. Thanks.” “No sweat. The purple’s cute and all, but it seemed like you were hurting so… you know…” Beau shrugs, trying to aim for caring, but not too much, else everything she’s trying to hide will slip right out and ruin everything. Beau can’t think of a single thing she’s wanted to work so hard to keep. “Could you get my back?” Beau blinks. “... What?” Jester beams at her, oblivious and sweet and hopeful as she holds up the bowl with aloe-slick fingers. “My back,” she says, and her tail points like an arrow to the nape of her neck and the back of her shoulders. “I can’t reach.” Fuck. It’ll look weird if she says no, won’t it? “Uh, sure,” Beau says, and sticks her fingers into the plant goo. “Let me know if I hurt you.” This is gonna be a special kind of torture, isn’t it? Uko’toa’s revenge, maybe, for refusing to let him come and take Fjord. Jester giggles as Beau very, very gently dabs the aloe on the back of her shoulders and neck. “You’d never do that,” she says, sweeping her hair up and out of the way so Beau can work. “You’d be surprised,” Beau murmurs, but she’s not thinking of physical pain, or the times any one of them have lost their will to an enemy. She’s thinking of how she almost walked away, and what Jester did to make sure she stayed. Beau knows she’s got a lot of making up to do for that. She doesn’t know where to start. She doesn’t know if she can even do enough honestly. “No, I wouldn’t,” Jester says, stubborn as always, jaw set. “I know you, Beau. I trust you, and even if you did hurt me, it wouldn’t be on purpose.” Her tail flicks through the air, and Beau dodges it with a quick bob of her head. She can’t think of a damn thing to say in response. Jester’s so fucking sweet. Like criminally sweet, and it hurts, like a punch to the chest, how much Beau fucking loves her. So instead she gets another dollop of the aloe, soothes it over Jester’s purpled, inflamed skin and says, “This all right?” Jester hums and sags a little in front of her. “It feels so much better. Thank you, Beau.” “Thank Caduceus. He made it.” “Yeah, but you asked him to and got it for me,” Jester points out, throwing a grin over her shoulder which makes Beau’s heart skip a beat and her pulse flutter. Beau drops her gaze, focusing on smoothing the aloe over every purple blush. “True,” she admits, and that’s when Jester attacks, her body swiveling around, her arms coming up around Beau in an embrace, her chin hooking over Beau’s shoulder. Beau goes absolutely still. She’s not even sure she breathes, until she reminds herself she’s supposed to act like a normal person and not a lovestruck idiot, so she hugs Jester back, and forgets about the aloe on her fingers, smearing it on Jester’s top. “Thank you,” Jester says. How does she do that? Just melt Beau with a couple of words and the warmth of a hug? It’s fucking unfair is what it is. “You’re welcome,” Beau sighs. Jester giggles and hops up from the bed, stretching her arms above her head. “Man, I feel great now, and I’m tired of being cooped up down here.” She sticks her hands on her hips and grins. “Wanna go up on deck with me?” I’d go anywhere with you. “Sure, why not? I mean I was gonna take a nap but…” Beau trails off with a one-armed shrug and shoots Jester a lazy grin. “We could grab Yasha for a game or something.” Jester hops in place, arms tucked in celebration. “Fjord, too!” Ouch. “Yeah, of course,” Beau says, and she’s proud of her smile for not slipping even a little. She loves her captain as much as she loves Jester, though it’s a different kind of love. How can she even think for a moment that it’s unfair? “I mean, if he’s not busy,” Beau corrects. Jester waves her off and hooks an arm through Beau’s, immediately tugging her toward the door and nearly pulling Beau off balance. “We’ll ask everyone,” she declares as if it’s a foregone conclusion they’re all going to say yes. Then again, she’s not wrong. “It’ll be fun,” Beau says, because as long as she’s with Jester, she’s guaranteed to be happy. Doesn’t matter how or what, she can take it. If Jester’s smiling, then Beau’s happy, too. It’s enough. ***

a/n: feedback and comments are always welcome!

#beauregard lionett #jester lavorre #beau/jess #onesided beaujess #critical role fanfic #critical role campaign 2 #episode tag #draco writes critical role

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annakie · 5 years

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We're back for part two! Remember the last time how I said....

And after that game... I parted ways with my friends once again. Because I had tickets... to Critical Role.

Well... not only that, but I was finally meeting @thievinghippo IRL to see it!

CRITICAL ROLE (aka Friday Night)

I took off right after the previous game had ended and headed for the show. My one big frustration was that it took 30 minutes for my Lyft driver to arrive from AROUND THE BLOCK (ok, about a quarter of a mile, but still). In retrospect, I think he was hoping I'd cancel so he could get a bigger fare or something. I think he just fucked himself over because he could have done that route twice in the time it took him to come get me. So I got there with just a few minutes to spare and no time to get in the merch line. But hey, I found Hippo and met a few other people from Tumblr whose names I recognized!

It was so great to finally meet her, but we had almost no time to talk beforehand (but when we did, it was all about how mad we still are about Jaime / Brienne and also I tried to catch her up to what's happening in CR since she's pretty far behind.)

The show was AWESOME. It was so fun to see live! It was particularly awesome when the entire audience sang along with the theme song (See this video if you haven't yet for those of you not there: https://twitter.com/PhoenixHeart815/status/1157446225223962624 ). It reminded me a lot of singing along with the Sparks Nevada theme the last few TAH shows, I got a little misty-eyed.

The bad? It was really really hot in the theater. At intermission I bolted out to the bathroom and buy cold waters. I was about to get in the merch line but the lights already started flashing. SIGH. I gave Hippo a water and before we could settle in much, the show started again. I told her my plan for the end of the show, though.

I will admit, my lack of sleep from the previous two nights was starting to catch up with me, and I had no caffeine available to combat it with. I almost ducked out of the show early because I felt myself nodding off with the heat in the theater masked with the dark of the theater and that the second half of the show was less exciting (but still fun!) than the first. Seeing the show live was amazing!

Just as Matt said they were ending the show there, I hopped out of my chair (I was in an aisle) and went into the lobby. I was dying to get a set of the metal dice... and they were sold out of EVERYTHING except the big blue d20 and some pins. ARGHGHGHGHGH. So I got the d20, and watched the rest of the show including Liam's very surprising win, on the monitors. (I'd voted for Liam because I assumed Sam would win. I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome. :) Though I love Sam to bits.)

Hippo joined me outside in the lobby early, and we left the theater just ahead of everyone else and she waited and we chatted while I called a Lyft. She wanted to get out before traffic got too crazy, too, so she took off. I am VERY MAD I didn't get a pic with the two of us at all. Next year?!

Then of course my Lyft driver didn't come to where I was exactly (literally at the Lyft pickup/dropoff designated location) and I had to walk around and look for him and by the time I found him, he'd gotten boxed in so we had to wait in traffic anyway. Ah well.

At least the freeway was re-opened that night heading back to the airport, and thus, my hotel, for a shorter ride. I ended up not falling asleep til close to 2.

I loved my evening and would do it all again but that Jeremy and Marcus told me that the Starfinder game they played in that night was AH-FUCKING-MAZING and was literally one of their favorite games of their entire lives, both of them. It was a multi-table megagame that had a pass-fail condition and would shape the next season of the Society, and I'm sad I missed it while being really glad I did what I did. Sometimes it's feast or feast, and you gotta pick which awesome meal you want.

I didn’t take many pics, just one as they were settling in after Sam came out in his costume, and one during intermission. It’s all on Twitch, anyway!

SATURDAY

Oh man, for some really dumb reason we'd scheduled our Saturday morning for 8AM... but it was Starfinder!! Uh, I will say I consumed more caffeine on that Saturday than maybe any other day of my life. But it was needed.

What also helped keep me awake that it was FUCKING FREEZING IN THE ROOM. The game itself was an absolute blast, though. It was a brutal slog through a dead planet with hostile aliens everywhere and we had to stealth through, collect information and get out. This was the game I felt the closest to death in all weekend, I'll say that for sure. But we did it!

The very kind Felice(sp?) who was at the table decided she didn't want to carry her hoodie through the dealer hall, where she was going next, and her husband was working the main table at the Pathfinder room, so she told me to leave it there with him when I was done with it. Since our next game was also in the Paizo room, I took her up on this offer and was warm and comfy the next few hours.

Our DM, an Operative, and Felice, plus the Hoodie of Warmth +2.

A very rare picture of me, on the internet, along with the guys.

And our next game was our first Pathfinder 2 game! We were very excited to try out the system, and were put at a table with a father and son duo. Jeremy and Marcus were excited because the DM was the same guy who'd DM'd their Starfinder game while I was at Critical Role.

The only bad thing that happened here was that the El Paso Cielo Vista shooting news broke. I grew up in El Paso, from when I was 12 to 22... it's Middle School through college for me. Even though I've now lived in Dallas twice as long as I lived in El Paso and I haven't been there in like ten years, it's still... a little bit home. So I left the table for a little bit to get on Facebook and make sure my friends there were all okay (they are), and text with my mom to make sure a family member who still lives there is okay (she is, though she took awhile to answer mom so we were worried.) I have a lot of thoughts though, which belong in another post, and I'm still angry and upset about the shooting, even though it didn't affect me personally. But for now, that's the end of talk of that terribleness.

At our table were a father and ~10 y/o son, who I'm cutting out of the pics because posting pics of minors without getting permission is not OK. Also, the game was SHORT. It turns out it was designed as an intro to Pathfinder 2 or maybe even RPGs in general so we knocked it out pretty quick, like 2.5 hours.

One very cool thing that Pazio was doing was that when you played in a game, you got a wooden token that you took up to the prize table, and rolled a d20 + d10. No matter what you rolled, you got a prize, though most of them were cool little boons for your official characters. However, if you critted, you got to pick a physical prize from the table. Well, we played so much that Jeremy and Marcus both critted twice. They ended up getting ALL THREE Token boxes (like cardboard minis, very nice quality) for Starfinder, plus the Starfinder Beginner's Box. Pretty sure those four things together retailed for over $100. Score!

So after the short game, with time to spare before our next game, the gang decided it was Dealer Hall time, literally the first time Jeremy or Marcus had time to go AT ALL. I volunteered to be the stuff-holder. After dropping off Felice's hoodie, I found a comfy seat near an outlet that was near the dealer hall and let everyone dump the stuff they didn't want to carry with me. They came back and left stuff with me, and then after a couple of hours, also brought me dinner from the food trucks. It was a fair trade.

I also asked Jeremy to stop by one particular booth and pick me up a set of dice I'd decided on, Blue Turquiose stone dice from Metallic Dice Games. I took some pics of the dice below, though the next day I did have Jeremy swap out the d20 at the booth because I didn't like how some of the faces looked (by far the angle in the pic is the best side, there was too much solid color on the other sides of the die.) These are going to be my official dice for my 4e character, who is a storm sorcerer reskinned as a druid.

LOVE THESE DICE, can’t wait to roll ‘em.

DM, Dad and blurred-out son.

A blurred-out boy and my guys.

Our final game of the day was the Cypher system, which is made by Monte Cook (one of the original D&D designers). Cypher is a fairly simple system which mostly just uses a d20 and d6, and the DM never rolls dice. The original system was made for a game called Numenera, which we'd played the beginner's box adventure for a few years ago but didn't feel like we got a good feel for the system, so we wanted to give it a go with a DM who knew the system well.

Overall, we enjoyed the game, it definitely wasn't "bad"! But the problem was, we all agreed later, that the module that was being run was the kickoff module for a much longer campaign, there was a huge lore dump near the end and we also didn't really "get" everything that was going on.

It also had the most memorable ending, though. We ended the game by trying to escape from a base while being chased by some guys who greatly outmatched us. My character was a pilot, and we needed to leave via a shuttlecraft. One of the players who we didn't know was on the "get the door open and provide covering fire so everyone else can get to the shuttle" team. And then he needed to make a roll in order to also GTFO and get to the shuttle.

He rolled. Got a 5. There's a mechanic where you can spend a card that you've collected in order to re-roll. So he did that, got a 2. Someone else gave him a card to re-roll. He rolled a 3. Someone else did. He rolled a 5. I was the last one with a card on the table, so I slapped it down. He rolled a 4.

It was amazing. Amazingly terrible rolling.

My pilot already had the craft powered up and was waiting for only him to get on. I sighed, looked the player in the eye and said...

"I'm so sorry, but my character sheet says that I have a personality flaw. I'm impulsive and impatient and have a setback to anything that requires patience, concentration or willpower. I'm not waiting for you." I looked at the DM and said "I decide that he's sacrificing himself to save us, and take off."

So I left him behind.

The player was 100% cool with it, we had a laugh about it, and he agreed it was what my character would have done. So it was kind of a tragic and funny way to end the game. Also Brian needed to get some sleep that night so he hadn't come to that game, and Marcus left a little early to tend to the family, so just Jeremy and I closed out the night.

DM on the left, players I didn’t know in the center, and one on the right. The guy in the bright blue shirt in the center? I killed his character. Sorry not sorry.

SUNDAY

The next morning, sadly, was the last day of GenCon. We only had one game scheduled that morning, our second Pathfinder 2 game. And EVERYONE was gonna be at the game!

I hadn't even SEEN Gwen or Laura the entire con, and when they arrived at just about the same time Jeremy and I did, we joked that we hadn't believed the others were at the convention.

We'd hoped that they'd let us put all 7 people at the table (Kirstyn had left late Saturday night to fly home and be at a concert she was playing in.) They did not. So we split up "Kids" and "Adults".

Sadly, this didn't work out super well for either table. Gwen/Brian/Ally's table had a DM they did not enjoy and also a married couple who actually fought with each other uncomfortably at the table(!!).

We had a good DM, but also an old guy who... I did not like. At all. He talked over the DM, even when the DM was explicitly trying to answer a question we'd asked him, things like rules questions on how game mechanics in PF2 had changed from PF1, since, you know, it was a system that had released THREE DAYS AGO. Also, he was very... helpful... in telling me how skill checks worked and also questioning my decisions on how I was playing my character. (YES, thanks I did consider carefully before casting Sanctuary on myself, and yes, it WAS THE RIGHT CALL. I was the only healer in the party and had gargoyles flanking me, THANKS.)

I literally told the guy (as nicely as possible) "Sir, I've been playing RPGs for over twenty years, I'm well aware of how RPGs work, thank you" the second time he told me how skill checks worked as I was adding up my die roll with my skill modifier and took two seconds to do the math. And sure he'd probably been playing for thirty or more but um... I know how to roll a skill check.

After a short break, I told my friends I might need to leave the table. Instead, Marcus and I switched seats so I wasn't sitting next to him anymore and the DM tried to refocus the game a bit. It helped me at least. I just did my best to ignore the guy. I'm pretty sure he just didn't have the greatest social skills in the world but sometimes my tolerance for people like this can be... low. His brother was also at the table and seemed okay, at least.

The game itself was pretty good, ignoring everything having to do with that guy. After the game the DM thanked me for sticking around and basically empathized that he was getting pretty annoyed, too.

Not the greatest way to end gaming at the con, but hey, it also could have been worse. I took pics of that game but decided not to put pics of someone I didn’t like on the internet.

Gwen, Brian and Ally's game ended like 45 minutes before ours (sadly, much to their relief) and they'd left to do one more run through the vendor hall and then left the con to start their drive home. I had Gwen pick me up a set of dice that... I haven't even seen yet... and they were hella expensive. I'm kinda feeling buyer's remorse about them right now, I didn't need to spend that much on dice this con but... well, we'll see how I feel when I see them in person. If I hate 'em, I'll resell 'em.

All weekend long I'd been texting with my BFF from High School's husband, who is also my friend. He was at the Con as well but doing his own thing and we'd been trying to arrange a meetup. Well, we finally did it! He came and saw me, and we hung out for about 45 minutes, just talking about the con, and old times and what we're doing now and the family etc. etc. So that was great! I was really glad to see him and catch up.

It’s Richard!

After he left because he had to go help tear down the booth he'd been working at, like the day before, I set up "basecamp" in the same place as before. I had thought about going back to the vendor hall where Jeremy, Marcus and Laura were, but I'd already sent Jeremy off to ask him to pick me up the one last thing I wanted (the official GenCon dice tray. I have a Wyrmwood Lacewood dice tray for home use, but wanted a nice travel dice tray. I had a leather one for Kraken, but I'm real unhappy with Kraken Dice now and wanted something else. I don’t plan on buying from them ever again in the future. The official 2019 Gencon tray is very nice, and Jeremy had gotten one the day before, so he picked me up one as well.)

POST-CON

I only had to wait about an hour for the end of the con, and by that time the only ones from our group left were "the adults." So once we were all gathered back up, the four of us headed out and walked a couple of blocks to a restaurant, which we couldn't get into, so we went to the restaurant next door, the Yard House.

Wherein we had comically bad service, but they were very nice about it, and also WE were really nice about it, and ended up getting about half our meal comped. Like our waiter had put in all the drink orders for all his tables to our table, so we had the wrong drinks delivered about five times. We never got water refills. Marcus had half a beer spilled on his leg (not even his beer, just another wrongly brought to our table), Laura's Appetizer-as-entree came out as an appetizer. We asked for more chips for the chips and guac and queso we'd gotten as an app and never got it, etc. Also while the manager was there assuring us we wouldn't have any more drinks brought to our table we didn't ask for... drinks were brought to our table we didn't ask for. It was actually hilarious by that point.

The waiter was brand new (his second day) so we got it. It was just one of those things. But they took care of us, we tipped well, it was all OK.

So that was the end of Gencon. Back at my hotel, which Jeremy and I had long decided we wouldn't stay at again, I'd taken a shower very early Saturday morning after Critical Role. Sunday morning when I showered again, the water still hadn't drained from the tub(!!) but I was in a hurry and just showered in gross cold water at my feet. Then told the front desk.

They hadn't even been in my room all day to even clean up the room at all, much less do anything about the bathtub when I got back to my room Sunday night, so I switched rooms. And then the room next to me had left the alarm clock on, and it went off at 9pm. And my phone in that room didn't work, so I had to go downstairs a second time to get someone to go shut it off. Also the AC in that room never turned off, the controls seemed to do nothing, so it was like 60 degrees in there the entire night. It was actually a relief to leave the hotel the next day. Next year... we'll pay a little more for a bit nicer hotel.

Annnd.. the next morning Jeremy and I got to the airport early enough, flight was full but not delayed, and had no problems getting home. Spent most of the day from getting on the plane to going to sleep that night with a massive migraine so I spent the afternoon at home sleeping and drinking lots of water.. but yay... no con crud!

I miss the con, but being back in my own bed with my kitties is all worth it. Still, I can't wait for Gencon again next year. :D

#gencon #gencon 2019 #critical role #critical role live #starfinder #pathfinder 2 #gaming #tabletop games #annakie's misc stuff

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rosymaplemoth · 6 years

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Girls’ Night

I wrote this drabble last night at a write-in, so it sort of tapers off rather quickly, but I had fun. This is an CR OC-only story, with canon characters only being mentioned.

!Modern AU! (Not to be mistaken with Idol AU, which is different.)

Wordcount: 1734 Pairing: (mention of) Nemonnax and Avice (yeah, they have ship names. Nice.) Rating: PG-13, I guess? Warnings: Language, mentions of sex toys (thanks, Alice), bad “The Godfather” jokes

Miss Irene Adler belongs to @thebluestmage and I love her so much ioi

---

“Hey! Hurry up and open the door, my hands are full!”

She wasn’t supposed to be here for another fifteen minutes, and she’s kicking instead of knocking.

“Could you not kick the door, Alice?” I say, turning turning the page of my book.

“You should be grateful I brought dinner! The gnocchi will get cold if you don’t hurry, and if the gnocchi gets cold I will never forgive you because the Boss made it himself and he always makes THE BEST stuff!!”

As much as I hate to admit my own selfishness, free food does change things. I set my book aside and stand up, quickly hopping over to the door to open it.

Miss Alice Liddell comes bursting in, still in her work uniform. Even her little bow tie is still on, sparkling and white with a cleanliness that doesn’t match its owner.

“It’s hot, grab it grab it grab it!”

Alice shoves a dish into my arms and, oh, she was not kidding about it being hot. I stumble over to the kitchen counter and set it down on a towel, rubbing my hands to lessen the sting.

“So, made by the Boss himself, huh?” I look over my shoulder at Alice, who’s still poking around my door. “How many people did you have to off to get this?”

“Don’t be tacky, Polly, it doesn’t suit you. Ooooh, what’s this?” Alice picks up a rather large box and grins. “Hey, what’cha order? Wait, let me guess… a full-sized model of some nerdy-ass prehistoric fish.”

“I haven’t ordered anything,” I say, walking over to where she’s standing. “And we usually have to pick up our packages downstairs, anyway.”

Alice’s eyes light up. “Maybe it’s a bomb! Or a severed head!”

I glance slowly over at her.

“If it was a bomb, you probably would’ve set it off with all the shaking. And, uh… do severed heads get delivered often?”

“Oh, honey, don’t ask me.” Alice tilts her head. “Copying the movies is tacky, and this box isn’t big enough for a horse head, anyway.”

“You’re the one who was talking about severed heads in the first place…” I take the box from Alice and look down at it. There are stamps on it, but the label’s been changed. When I see the return address, I let out a sigh and let a small smile cross my lips.

“A bomb’s more likely than a head in this case,” I say. “But he wouldn’t be stupid enough to leave one on my doorstep.”

“Oh?” Alice crosses her arms as I set the package down on the coffee table and walk back over to the gnocchi. “Hey, hold on, aren’t you going to open it?”

“Oh, probably later,” I reply, pulling the lid off the food. “God, he could make an honest living off of this stuff.”

“Yeah, but he’s so much more fun as a dangerous guy, you know?” Alice pops the cork on a bottle of wine—where had she been hiding that?—and grins. “You understand me, right? With that weird Matrix boyfriend of yours! Open the box, I wanna see what he sent you! Do you have any ideas?”

“Well, um…”

I think back to the last few e-mails I had exchanged with him. He was going to be going abroad for work and had said:

‘OH! I’ll be sending something your way too. Something that can give you lots of love while I’m gone, okay? ^o^ ^o^ ^o^ Just don’t love too much on it, or I’ll get jealous! : ( : ( : ( : ( I miss you already, please keep me updated on those saltwater filters you’ve been researching! O_O I want to hear all about the effects they’ll have on the transportation of…‘

Etcetera etcetera.

“Oh. My. God.” an awful grin splits Alice’s face when I tell her the gist of it. “Polly, honey, he totally sent you a dildo!”

“What?!” I swing my head over to glare at her.

“Oh, that’s so cute! Something to use while you think of him!” Alice dances from foot to foot, twirling like she’s talking about lollipops and rainbows instead of silicone penises. “Mr. Avido did something similar for me, once. He got me the cutest pair of panties and a remote-controlled vibrator and—”

Alice is only stopped when I fling a throw pillow her way.

Any further discussion on Alice’s part is interrupted by another knock at the door.

“Oh thank god,” I mutter. “Irene.” I quickly walk over to the door and open it up, looking at the taller woman gratefully.

“What’s the matter, kitten?” she asks. “Alice bullying you already?”

“Weirdo-Man got her a dildo!” Alice shrieks with laughter.

“Well, that’s the first I’ve heard about that…” Irene smiles sympathetically at me.

“I’m so sorry. He doesn’t talk your ear off, does he?” I murmur, but she waves it off.

“Yes, but he did that even before he met you,” she walks in and shuts the door behind her. “Nemo’s loud, but he’s a sweetheart most of the time.”

Irene walks over to the box and looks down at it with a smile. “He has talked to me about this, though. It’s not a dildo, Alice, sorry.”

“Aw, Miss Adler, don’t crush my dreams!”

“If I don’t crush your dreams you’ll get spoiled,” Irene takes a deep breath, smiling at the aroma of good food. “Your boyfriend’s going to be hard to beat, though.”

“Ew, come on,” Alice shakes her head. “He isn’t my boyfriend, he’s my Boss. He’s my ‘capo’, my ‘padrone’, my ‘signore’—”

“If I open the box, will you stop butchering Italian?” I ask.

Alice sits down cross-legged and silently hands Irene the bottle of wine.

I drum my fingers on the box before looking up at the two girls, a blush beginning to spread across my cheeks. “Look, it’s kind of embarrassing when the two of you are staring at me like that. Go grab some plates or something.”

“Go get some plates, Alice,” says Irene.

“Oh, come on!” Alice pouts up at her, but stands up without further complaint and goes to dish out her boyfriend’s, um, Boss’ cooking.

Once Alice has her back turned, Irene nods at me and I tear into the box with glee.

It opens rather easily, and there’s a ‘pop’ as a cloud of confetti bursts into the air, making me gasp.

“Cute…” Irene says with a slow smile. “He initially wanted to put fireworks in it, but I told him that probably wasn’t a good idea.”

“My face thanks you,” I reply. I move the confetti container inside and am faced with a wall of pink. “What is this…?”

It’s soft and plush, and squishes when I reach in to grab it.

“It’s a…”

“He knows how much you love them,” Irene’s looking on proudly.

I feel tears brimming at the edges of my eyes already.

“It’s so cute!” I hug the squid to my chest and hug it. It’s so large that I can wrap both my legs and arms around it as I bury my face in the soft fabric. It smells like him, too, like leather and oil and circuits and science.

“ACK I missed it!” Alice runs over, but her expression drops when she sees me nuzzling my face into a cushiony cephalopod. “What the fuck.”

“Isn’t it sweet?” Irene rests her elbow on Alice’s head. “He made it himself. He actually dragged the poor thing with him to a bunch of meetings while he was sewing it. Finis was thrilled about that…”

“He went to all that trouble?” my voice is muffled, but I don’t want them to see me crying. He hasn’t even left the country yet and I’m already getting emotional. It’s just two weeks… just two weeks. “It’s warm, too… just like he is…”

I sniff, and I feel a gentle hand on my head.

“Aw, kitten, he made it so you wouldn’t be lonely,” says Irene.

“I don’t get it,” says Alice as she pauses to shovel a spoonful of gnocchi in her mouth.

“You don’t understand making someone a present to show someone you love them?”

“Nope,” another shovelful. “Why not just buy it?”

“… Why not just buy it, indeed,” Irene stares pointedly at Alice’s plate.

I wipe my eyes and stand up to fix myself a plate of Avido’s gnocchi.

“Hey, Irene,” I say. “I know you can’t go into details, but…”

I turn around and hand her the serving spoon. “This stuff isn’t… I mean, will he be safe?”

“If he can resist pushing Finis’ buttons, he’ll be fine,” Irene replies.

“Oh no…”

‘Pushing buttons’ is a rather bad habit of Nemo’s. Despite looking, well, not innocent, but… perhaps unobservant is the better word? Despite looking unobservant, Nemo’s always noticing things about the people he talks to. His mind’s like a computer, I swear he has a mental registry of every single insecurity of every single person that he has ever interacted with, ever. And sometimes, just for the meanness of it, he’ll make the most innocuous of comments that absolutely drip with malice. And he’ll do it all with a clueless expression or sometimes even an impish smile. But if you call him out on it, he’ll just stare at you as though you have no idea what he’s talking about. He’s just making an observation, it’s just an opinion, why are you making such a big deal out of it?

As I rub my temples, I thank my luck that I haven’t been on the receiving end of one of his “observations”. My self-esteem is withered enough as it is.

No, instead I glance over at the happy-looking squid sitting on my couch and smile.

“Y’know,” Alice takes a sip of wine. “It’s kind of funny to think about, but really… Polly’s the only one with a job she can freely talk about.”

“There’s confidential stuff, too,” I say.

“What, do you have a secret stash of octopi or something?” Alice laughs.

“Octopuses, and no. It’s mostly things like donor lists and the like,” I say.

“Wow,” Alice’s voice is deadpan. “How scandalous. Donor lists.”

The exchanges go on like this as we eat, and I can’t help but think about how strange it is that the three of us are here with each other.

Strange, but nice.

#cr modern au

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originaldetectivesheep · 6 years

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Tales of the Missing 24 - Declamatory Judgment

Now in every name of god at once, upon what 5-meat doth this Little Caesar's feast, that it is grown so great? Age, and thou art shamed, to bestride your narrow world like a Colossus.

Declamatory Judgment

"To sleep, perchance to Dream; aye, there's the rub, for in that sleep of death, what dreams may come,"

– "Uh, miss?" –

"when we have shuffled off this mortal coil, must give us pause."

Kathleen did not pause, not more than to push her glasses back up, and certainly not to look up at the guy in the uniform t-shirt standing off her table like he was trying not to be threatening or anything as he tried to get her attention.

"There's the respect that makes Calamity of so long life: For who would bear the Whips and Scorns of time,"

– "Miss! Miss!" –

"the Oppressor's wrong, the proud man's Contumely,"

– "Miss! Please! I don't mean to interrupt, but please, there are other people here!"

Kathleen did not stop, and Nic for his part was getting a little concerned, and more than a little anxious about what Judy would have in store for him if he couldn't get her to stop, or at least quiet down a little.

"– the pangs of despised Love, the Law’s delay, the insolence of Office, and the spurns" – "Miss!" Nic gave up, and he was leaning in almost right over her.

"– that patient merit of the unworthy takes, when he himself might his Quietus make with a bare Bodkin? Who would these Spargels bear, –"

Kathleen tripped up on "Fardels" in that last one, because honestly who wouldn't, and while she checked the footnote to be sure what the hell it was even supposed to mean, she noticed, finally, someone standing over her. She looked up and flushed a little, fumbling at her glasses to be sure they were in place. "Oh! Oh, I'm so sorry! I must be making a scene – I'm sorry, I'll go, I was just going."

Nic shook his head. "It's fine – I'm not here to throw you out or anything. I mean, it's okay to read, just, if you're reading out loud, can – can you try to not disturb the other people?" He looked around a little sheepishly at this, because there weren't that many other people in the café, and the few of even them who were looking over this way didn't look like they'd minded Kathleen's Shakespeare rant all that much.

She took a deep breath and bushed back a stray strand of hair. "Right. I – I'm sorry for the disturbance; I'm just practicing, and sometimes I just can't help getting into it. I'll try to keep it down." Nic almost said something else – the way her eyelashes fluttered as she looked back down at her book made him almost think she might have been waiting for someone to say something – but she was straight back down again, mouthing along as she traced out the lines of the soliloquy, and he made his way back over to the counter. If he wasted time talking to customers instead of making up their coffee orders, Judy would be mad about that too.

It was later and Nic was done with the huge break-time order from the startup that their intern Consuelo had to spend like half an hour fretting over and ferrying back, and he was feeling real good about handling Nancy and Galvin's daily counter-staff-abuse ritual (today's subject, "where is the proof that the marmalade is gluten free") without yelling at them or anyone who asked him how much milk room to leave in a normal Americano or calling in Judy, who hadn't found anything else to get mad at him about yet. Then the crescendo started coming up.

"A Curse shall light upon the limbs of men; Domestic Fury, and fierce Civil strife, Shall cumber all the parts of Italy: Blood and destruction shall be so in use, And dreadful Objects so familiar," – she was getting kind of really loud and he knew this part, really bad stuff was coming, and so Nic ducked around Candace and almost ran out around the bar into the floor –

"That Mothers shall but smile, when they behold Their Infants quartered with the hands of War: All pity choked with custom of fell deeds, And Caesar's Spirit ranging for Revenge, With Ate by his side, come hot from Hell, Shall in these Confines, with a Monarch's voice," – she was standing up, didn't notice him coming up on her, and jesus that was Judy back there, standing in the door –

"Cry havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War, That this foul deed, shall smell above the earth With Carrion men, groaning for Burial."

She punched the air, and Judy cleared her throat, and Nic winced, arms spread out from his sides, and Kathleen looked up, and her eyes swelled wide, mouth open, embarrassed and more than a little anxious. "Oh! Dammit! I'm sorry – I'm so sorry, I won't do it again! I should go – I should go, right – I'm going, I'll just go now." She scrabbled for her handbag off the arm of her chair, her book slipping out of her hand and bouncing across the table.

"Miss – no, no, we're not going to throw you out for just yelling Shakespeare the first time," Nic said, louder than he needed to for Judy's benefit, because he would have to throw her out if Judy heard her doing it again, and she didn't mean anything by it, she was just getting into the play. "Just, like, maybe don't yell so much so loud about babies getting chopped up and the dogs of war – like. If you've got another part, or if you're not so loud."

Kathleen nodded, an anxious glance back over his shoulder at Judy smoldering in the door to the kitchen. "Right. I – I will. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I made a scene like that. Thank you – thank you so much for not just tossing me out." She slid the strap of her bag back over the chair, and pulled straight down on the tails of her jacket, straightening herself out. "I'll be good – I promise."

"It's okay," Nic said, reaching out to bus off her empty coffee cup, as long as he was out here. "Just as long as you don't go doing, like, Titus Andronicus or nothing. Are you trying out for a rep company or something? Just, you started up with Hamlet, and now it's Julius Caesar."

"Oh no, no," Kathleen said, waving her hands, trying to stay back out of the way as Nic cleaned up her place. "I'm not an actor – I'm just a law student. My advisor gave me all of these soliloquies – it's to practice delivery for, like, doing openings and closings, when you sell your case." She stopped, and blinked, looking him over. "But you – you knew both of the plays – are you an actor? I'm sorry I'm so bad!"

Nic shook his head, smiling. "No – I wanted to be, but my old man laid down the law and I got to do something I can make a living at. I'm just a law student, same as you – I used to do amateur, when I could, but this term and last it's been too heavy, and I got to work too."

"Really?" Kathleen folded up her hands in front of her, looking Nic straight in the eye, not the least idea about sitting down, "That's wonderful – where are you studying?" Judy coughed with all the subtlety of an earthquake tremor, and Kathleen snapped to attention, then sat down, as Nic made a half-nod and turned away to run her cup and saucer back, scoop up and lug in the whole tub of dirty dishes so that his hands would be full and he could push past Judy and go load the dishwasher without getting yelled at.

It was later and Kathleen had come up and gotten another cafe latte with vanilla syrup no cocoa powder and made a point of waiting till Nic was the one to take her order and given him her credit card with a meaningful look so he could have her name (she obviously knew his off his nametag, so that was them even maybe?) despite how Judy was out on the other end of the counter and staring daggers at Nic just barely not fraternizing with customers on the clock and also messing up people's fritatta orders because she was the manager and didn't actually know jack about how the line worked, and it was starting to be almost time for the lights to come on, the heavy carbon filaments in their old hand-blown bulbs high off the distressed-wood floor and far down out of the open-beam ceiling shedding more ambiance than actual illumination, and most of the café patrons had drifted away: young parents home, middle schoolers to the library or the sub shop, barflies to the actual bar. And probably, because there were fewer people, because Armando'd turned the music down when he came in for his shift, Nic was able to hear it from the start; the problem, though, was that Judy heard it too.

A speech for a quiet café, maybe; a quiet place at the end of the day and that was where and how it came from:

"To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!" – Judy slammed her tongs onto the metal counter with a ringing clack, and Nic dove to get out ahead of her.

"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player" – Nic clattered up to the end of Kathleen's table as she stood, hand out, gesturing out the windows to the street –

"That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury Signifying nothing."

She shook her head, full of mournful regret, and it was Joe and Ahmad looking up from their dominoes game to clap, Rebecca in the corner beaming and nodding over her teacup, a hand on her Wilson's withers so he didn't start barking, that staved off the catastrophe, but Judy was still there, a volcano of furrowed bows behind tortoiseshell cat's-eye rims, and one look from Kathleen over at Nic told her that she didn't want to turn the rest of the way around and see it. "Oops?" she asked, pursing her lips.

Nic shrugged, heavy shoulder muscles rolling, and smiled as he nodded over at the door. "Oops."

"Did you really need to escort me out?" Kathleen asked, leaning in as he held the inside door for her.

"My, uh, my manager's kind of hardcore," Nic said, wondering how much eye contact it was right to make in a situation like this, "and – and I wanted to let you know that I didn't mind it. I don't think anyone else did either – the Macbeth at the end. Like, if, sometime, when Judy's out, like you're not banned – I'd love to hear you read again."

Kathleen stopped, turned, her back into the outside door. "Then – if I can – it doesn't have to be here, right? My advisor's into this – I think she works with one of the in-the-Park companies – so if we met, like, maybe, at when they're doing Twelfth Night from next month – she might be able to get us backstage." She colored, faintly, briefly, as she stopped. "Because – I want to hear you read, too." Literally all pink up to her ears, she turned and shoved her whole body into the door, not waiting to see Nic hold up a hand.

"Sure – any time. I'll see you around." "Nic!" He turned back, away from the door before Judy really lost her shit, and didn't see if or how Kathleen was looking back – what a piece of work is man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculty; in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel? "I'm done, Judy – it's handled." He breathed out and set his steps, ready to inevitably get chewed out again: o, wonder, how many goodly creatures are there here – how beauteous mankind is. O brave new world that has such people in’t.

further Tales of the Missing ...

#fiction #talesofthemissing

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tornadoofboredom-blog · 6 years

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WHY I AM THE WAY I AM

edit: i know this is really long but y’all don’t have to read all of it. just part of it. i’ve struggled with trying to speak about my emotions for my whole life. so i want to start this blog explaining my purpose. thank u to everyone who has even glanced at this, i appreciate and love you even tho i don’t know you 💛

During my childhood, I was relatively happy. I knew that my family didn’t have a lot of money and we weren’t rich, but we still were comfortable. My parents were divorced, but still did everything they could to make sure we have what we needed. While I was also pretty happy, I was also very unhappy. When I was 11 or 12, my grandfather had passed away. He was the rock in our household. He kept everything together and we all just lived in harmony. After he died, my mom and my step dad both lost their jobs. I can’t remember the reasons now, but a lot of it was because of the recession at the time. So for about 6 months, we were barely scraping by with what we had. It was the lowest my family has been. I was so upset at the time because I couldn’t go to work for my family and help them. All I wanted to do was help. It was so hard for us to get the basic necessities and get everything covered. We struggled and we still do to this day, but the difference now is that I can help. Since my personality type is a INFJ, we are people that are naturally motivated to help others. We like to make an impact; some go for small while others go big. Helping people is something that I’ve always been drawn to. For a while, I wanted to become a social worker. But now that I’m more in tune with my creative side, I’d like to make a bigger impact through art and unique experiences.

Since my parents were divorced, we stayed with our mom during the week and saw my dad every other weekend. For the longest time, he lived in Sheldon with his girlfriend, Gina, and her daughter, Angelica. At first everything was great and we all got along well. But after Gina got comfortable around us, she started to show her manipulative side. She was very controlling and would verbally lash out if things were not done to her standards. Looking back, I think a lot of this started my anxiety. I was so anxious that I would mess things up and get yelled at or punished some other way. Since I am the oldest out of my sisters, I think Gina felt there was a competition between me and Angelica. If I had a shining moment, she would try to push me aside and try to bring the attention to Jelly, Angelica's nickname. Sometimes she would just say stuff to degrade me and made me feel less than. I still feel that lasting effects of this. I still have anxiety when it comes to having a spotlight on me. I think people in general just give me anxiety because they are so unpredictable. Throughout all of this, my favorite way to spend time with my dad and escape Gina was through us drawing. My sisters and father would all just sit around the dining room table together and just draw anything. It was a way for us to improve our skills and spend quality time with him. I credit him for my passion for art and drawing. He taught us the value and importance of art and how it can mean anything you want. My dad introduced us to our favorite form of self-expression and I’m gonna be grateful that he did that for probably the rest of my life.

Growing up with mental illness is strange. You want to feel closer to your peers, but worry constantly that they won’t accept you. Since this area is can be very judging, there was definitely some societal pressure that made me want to conform to how they were. There was also a lot to alot with at home. My mom also had problems with anxiety and depression due to her childhood and teen years. This only worsened when my grandpa died. For a while, we were all going through it. Mental illness is hereditary, so it does make sense that my family would have to deal with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression. We all have a little bipolarness, even if its not severe or moderate, it’s still noticeable. Children growing up with mental illness tend to be much aware of feelings in my experience. They tend to be more mature and have more empathy. It’s also very common for children to grow up with anxiety and depression. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, at least 80% of children grow up with anxiety and 60% are getting left untreated for depression. Knowing that a lot of my peers grew up with this makes me want to create a better world and society that we can all thrive in.

To help fulfill my purpose, there are a couple of things I could do with my life. I could either go into politics and try to work in the system, or I could create a visual line to spread my message of peace and positivity. I really want to do it through a creative line because it’s something I could see myself doing for the rest of my life. Preferably I’d be self employed; the goal is to gain success and be able to make a decent living. After that, I want to make myself and my family comfortable. Following that, I want to move on to society and people in the world. There are so many people out there that have the resources to fix our broken world, but are too selfish and full of greed. To me, this is the ultimate evil. Why not make everyone happy for generations to come? Right now, our earth is at a pivotal moment. We either help it and save it, or it dies. If I could help preserve something that can be enjoyed for eons to come, I’d be willing to do whatever I could.

What is so ironic to me is that I want to help people, but I have a hard time dealing with my own anxiety. I wouldn’t say my anxiety is crippling, but it definitely has an affect on me. I stress so hard when it comes to money or anything of the sort. Honestly, there’s a lot of different things that can trigger me. Just having to sacrifice some personal happiness, sometimes food, or just other necessities starts to take a toll of someone. I feel that if everyone has basic things we don’t have to worry about, then anxiety and depression would be less prevalent. In general, people are less happy when they are in poverty. In 2010, a review was created that included 115 studies from across 33 different countries-the countries ranged from developed to developing- about poverty and mental illness. 80% of the studies concluded that poverty does come with a higher rate of mental illness (Sohn). Not only that, but the same studies also found that mental illness is more severe, damaging, and lengthy. This is especially true for disorders like depression and anxiety. Growing up, I didn’t really know that what I was thinking or going through had to do with mental illness. No one really talked about it so I would keep it in.

Even though I do struggle with controlling my anxiety, I never try to let it prevent me from fulfilling my goals, small or large. One thing that keeps me inspired to go through with my future goals is the Flatbush Zombies. The Flatbush Zombies are a rap group out of Brooklyn, New York City. Their music talks a lot about opening your mind to new ideas and experiences. They also rap a lot about the political climate and change for people. When I went to their concert, I knew from that moment what I really wanted to do with my life. Before that, I was still very undecided and indecisive. The following quote by Erick Arc Elliott is one of the best they have.

“A person who has never failed will never know

How to deal with the billows of the bottom

And will never truly appreciate

What it's like to be comfortable with themselves

Pushing the boundaries to societal norms

This man took on the task to be an indifferent

While others stood by with a simplistic outlook”

This quote really speaks to me because it’s a reminder that it’s okay to fail every once in a while. One can never know what the top is like if they haven’t experienced the bottom. I want to be able to push society into something better and more loving. Flatbush just reminds me and inspires me to keep the vision alive. . Without them, I don’t know where I would be to this day. My life would be on a completely path, and I would still have a feeling that I’m lost. I will be forever grateful to Flatbush for opening my mind and helping me find my purpose.

When asked about my purpose, I feel that there are a lot of ways I can answer that question. I could settle and go to college for archeology and history. If I would take this route, I wouldn’t be able to make a big impact like I want to. If I would do graphic design, it would be the start to make the large impact that I want to. I would be satisfied with both, but I want to pursue a passion. I feel that archaeology would be fun, but that I would be missing out on what could’ve been. The impact that I want to make is probably going to take years to come into fruition but I’m okay with that-good things take time. According to my own natal birth chart, my conjunction jupiter is in saturn. This means that I am serious, patient, honest, hard-working, orderly. My judgment is good and I think things over. I will pursue my objectives to the bitter end, usually knowing when to choose the right moment. This is going to come in handy when I want to run my own business and all aspects of it. I’m also gonna need to rely on the stores of energy I can have and stay motivated.

Getting insight about yourself and doing some self reflection is something I feel that everyone should do. Personally, I like to look at my astrological natal birth chart. A birth chart is a map of where all the planets were on their rotation around the sun at the exact time of your birth. It also can help you know your strengths and weaknesses, opportunities for soul growth, and the best timing for important moves and decisions in your life. Each planet means symbolizes something different. Astrological charts have been around since 3300 B.C. when the Babylonians developed the system the Sumerians and created the zodiac wheel we use today. For example, my moon sign is in scorpio. The moon sign is your emotional personality. To put it shortly, I am emotionally courageous, brave, independent, not a fearful nature. Moon is scorpios are often a very sensual and progressive. This is very accurate to how I am emotionally. I am not afraid to say what I’m feeling and move forward. I need communication to progress forward and grow. Weaknesses that I have is that my feelings could bubble over. I also tend to be secretive and tend to bury feelings because feelings tend to be really intense. In summary, my birth chart and the description would fit my personality type, INFJ.

Horoscopes obviously can’t tell you everything about your life, but it can help guide you. Of course there are very bad and generic horoscopes, but there are also good websites and places to read them. There’s a lot of people that discredit astrology, but I’d say it's just another way of faith but more personalized. If the moon controls the ocean and we are 70% water, its logical to think that the planets would have an effect on us. I’m really open minded when it comes to creation and what our purpose is. I’ve read texts from the bible to documentaries on how our world could be a simulation. The simulation was very, very different. Basically, it states that we are created here for a purpose. The “creator” or whoever would be running the simulation has created us for a purpose. This sits better with me than being put on earth to worship some higher being that punishes us if we don’t. But like I said, I’m open to just about anything and have thought of a lot of different scenarios. I don’t know the answer and I don’t think I’ll find it until death. All I know, is that everyone has a purpose and mine is to create a change for the benefit of society.

#poetry #writing #writers #poets on tumblr #flatbush zombies #divorce #purpose #youmatter #speak now #openmind #openyoureyes #destiny

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courage-a-word-of-justice · 7 years

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Showa Genroku 5 – 13, 15 | Classicaloid 14 | Masamune-kun’s Revenge 2 | Osomatsu-san 16

(ep 5)

You can hear the sarcasm in his (Sukeroku’s) voice, even with only subs. Actually, both Kiku and Sukeroku have their sarcastic moments.

How does the charcoal not burn the cushion?

You can clearly tell she’s got him wrapped around her little finger. Pretty ambitious, in those times.

Apparently injured legs can feel when rain is coming…that sort of thing.

In an age without phones, there’s more need for socialisation.

Basically, this is the equivalent to a high school or uni play. Low budget as ever.

Tanuki…well, they’re pranksters. Of course.

It seems pretty sexist in this day and age, but back then…welp. Let’s not complain about comparisons between some so-called “good ol’ days” and the present.

(ep 6)

“I don’t need lectures from a bum like you.” – Especially a drunk bum…

Even if it’s selfish to take something because of the thrill…I do kinda miss my days of scanlation. It’s hard to get a thrill like the one I got when I did that. Heh heh. Well, 2017’s going to be another intense year filled with Japanese, because even though I’ve shifted my education once more, I stuck Japanese in there again.

The texture on the smoking pot is quite something. Huh.

That’s a biiiiiiig cicada…

Hey, a Yotaro. Is that Daiku Shirabe Yakumo 7th’s doing?

Miyokichi says “gokigenyou”. I have enough lip reading skills to detect that, at least.

Who wrote the signs at the rakugo stage? I wonder…

(ep 7)

There always seem to be more women during Kiku’s performances.

The humour in this is a bit slapstick, but that’s why Charlie Chaplin is a household name now, right?

How many Es are in Tennessee, anyway? I never kept count…4? Okay then.

The ear picker is a sign of romance and intimacy. In Japan, anyway.

Extra “that” in the subs.

“Master Bonsai” sounds like such a cliché.

The “slice of eye” technique is just so effective. I’m lucky I’m not a film school student, or else I wouldn’t be eloquent enough.

A two futatsume show wouldn’t sell. Didn’t you say that a few episodes ago, Sukeroku?

(ep 8)

The master’s (Bonsai’s) fanning himself so much, it must be summer.

You need to win favours for a shinuchi promo…hmph. Better note that on the wiki.

Come to think of it, this was the age of letters, wasn’t it? Sukeroku’s right.

The Sukeroku and Miyokichi scene is so powerful, you can’t look away from it.

Drinks solve everything for these guys…sheesh.

Sometimes antagonising Kiku ain’t the answer, Sukeroku.

Without Sukeroku, kiku just kept clinging on to his part…huh. This part suddenly made a lot more sense, now that ep 14’s clarified Yotaro’s purpose.

The thing about this show is that it’s quite the acquired taste – you come for the humour, stay for the drama…or something along those lines. I spotted Sukeroku’s name on the very right, by the way.

(ep 9)

The dressing room is the “comfort room” in Japanese.

Of course Kiku wouldn’t be Sukeroku’s partner in crime for something like pissing the masters off…

I think it was “Edo flair”, subbers, but it was kinda hard to notice…

With those tired eyes, Kiku looks like Jean Otus (of ACCA).

These foreboding shots of light on water…hmph.

Note Amano’s got a fan that says “Japan one” literally, but whether it implies he’s number one in Japan or something else is number one in Japan is entirely up to debate.

There was a typo in the subs, but since the erroneous part was “While her husband it out…”, unless the actual word is “is”...I dunno what the correct word is.

The angles in this show are part of the personality. However, as Hand Shakers tells us, too much of a good thing can spoil it. Good thing this toes the line properly.

“Storyteller” is the appropriate equivalent for rakugoka, but “storyteller” doesn’t seem to do a story about rakugo justice. You need the jargon to make the world come alive, I feel.

You can tell Haruko Kumota used to be a BL author before from the way Sukeroku and Kiku act and react in that end scene of the ep.

(ep 10)

The cat…and the box-in technique from Erased. Letting go…is a theme in this show. Didn’t I say that already?

The kanji for “7th generation” was pretty nasty in regards to stroke count. No wonder they simplified it.

Shinigami. Of course he’d unleash that on the audience. Watching again has allowed me to really study Kiku as a person.

I wonder, are there full texts for these rakugo stories somewhere (like those books the apprentices memorise from)? I’d like to read them all someday, even if it’s just a testament to how much Japanese I’ve learnt.

In a world full of filial piety, the man really shouldn’t piss off his ancestors.

With that hat, Kiku looks like something out of Joker Game. Plus, even though the old person says “these days they have their televisions”, nowadays it’s “these days they have their phones and their internet” (in a spot of irony for me, LOL). In the end, technology will be too good for rakugo…and that’s what makes this show all the more interesting for me. Me, who wants to understand the past but still advance to the future.

For bad pun central, stop right here. The English “equivalents” to some of these Japanese puns really are kinda corny, and that’s saying something…since I’ve been looking at joke books since I was a kid.

How old is “old”, old man? If Konatsu’s calling you old, the internet is old.

(ep 11)

On the wall near Kiku are the signs “beer” and “tsukimi soba” (moon viewing soba). There’s another one past the one with a woman on it, but I can’t really make it out.

Oh, it’s the sign! Unfortunately I don’t know the second kanji, so I can’t tell you what it says.

This scene with the bag always makes me laugh. Every time, I tell you.

Konatsu’s got dango in her mouth. How do I explain dango…they’re sticky. Kinda like mochi. Never had them myself though.

I think ep 11 really shows how far Kiku’s come as a rakugoka.

(ep 12)

The word used for “inn” is ryokan. People tend to translate that as “(traditional) Japanese inn” in order to contrast with “hotel” and such.

The “chopsticks over the edge of the balcony” scene…now that I think of it, that is some heavy foreshadowing.

Is there a man who doesn’t like women? Probably.

Is it possible to make art using the spirit (behind it) alone?

Shibahama. Of course. Also, I’d never heard the term “a total lush” until this episode, I don’t think.

If only Sukeroku were like Kuma…haha. (sad tone)

I never thought about it until TV Tropes brought it up, but Miyokichi really is yandere.

When a grown man is driven to tears…you know stuff’s gone down.

Hey, there was no OP or ED on the ep now, was there?

(ep 13) [Trigger warnings: death, hell, political commentary etc..]

What is “inter[ring] the ashes”?

The world has had some horrors to get globalised like it is today…unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about it.

You put an end to oral traditions by not having anyone to pass them on…that’s the scary part of this show. Also, all the boxing in looks like Yakumo’s going to hang himself, and that’s the point. Which is even scarier.

I think this show’s only gone off model once.

Enma being the king of hell.

In English, Konatsu’s words are even more deceiving in regards to her “drink”.

Yotaro does the “bwong” bit more fast and lively than Yakumo.

Such a rebellious spirit (Konatsu) wouldn’t be right, tied down by marriage.

Oh yeah…I forgot they announced the “Rakugo Association President” thing in this ep.

“Lately all we hear about is deaths…” – Basically 2016 for the wider entertainment world. (Then came Trump. Aye carumba, what is the world coming to?)

Wait, do you want to shake Yotaro or the man who impregnated Konatsu?

I wonder how the reality of the Sukeroku scene played out…maybe it demonstrates his senility, interpreted one way.

Lilies, chrysanthemums and daisies…white is the symbol of death in Japan. (The chrysanthemums are yellow but the theme is the same.)

(ep 15)

Fresh new ep…well, I’ve been keeping this one since it first rolled out to the public, so it’s not entirely fresh. However, this is as fresh as it’ll get in regards to how the simulcast commentary goes.

Urk, why must CR be so insistent with turning “Descending Stories” into the title? It’s hardly convenient.

Imawa no Shinigami…I saw the video on ANN. It’s a nice song, but hard to put on repeat because the visuals are so good.

Whoa, even I can tell how fast Yota’s motormouthing, and I’m not even listening to it!

“Fussing to the shamisen”? What’s that?

She (Konatsu) clearly mouthed “papa”, and I think that word goes across multiple languages.

Huh. There’s no identifying name on this story, and it seems so crucial. That’s why I asked for a full guide of them (like the books that you sometimes see Kiku practising out of).

You can tell what books I’ve studied and the random things I’ve picked up from the quotes I can spout at a moment’s notice. For example: “…full of sound and fury, signifying nothing…”

Amaken’s eyes are funny while he gripes about the shinuchi’s role.

Who is this glasses guy? I can’t read the kanji…

Kappore. It’s something like this, anyway.

Was that a non-language-barrier pun? (About how the story suddenly switched to being about women in Yoshiwara.)

He’s (Yotaro’s) motormouthing again…

Higuchi really is a spanner in the works for Yakumo, eh? Especially because it turns out he’s the one who begged Yakumo for work the day 7th Yakumo collapsed. Karma’s such a pain in the butt, isn’t it?

Oh no! I-If Kiku dies next ep…where will the story be? Surely, we have Yotaro/Sukeroku and the Yakumo legacy, Konatsu and Higuchi, but I’ve learnt from the SGRS discord that Kikuhiko really is the glue of this work and this fandom. Don’t let him die or else we’ll all have a real funeral service for him…(well, maybe not that extreme, but people will be in real mourning due to a fictional character…and that’s bad.)

(Classicaloid 14)

I’ve seen from all the “best of 2016 anime” posts that Classicaloid’s gotten on to a lot of critical reviewers’ lists, but looking at my top 10, it didn’t make it. (If you’re wondering, it’s currently in spot 12 and since it’s a 2016 list, it won’t move up from there.) As for 2017, it’s currently in 4th place, but it’s likely to get debunked by later anime (Inuyashiki for one, since I’ve heard about it…if I hear about its source material while it’s still a manga, then its anime has a lot of promise!).

Beethes? On love? That’s new.

A capriccio is “following one’s fancy” according to Google-sensei, while I already knew poco a poco to be “little by little”.

Not all those foods Kanae listed are Russian, right? Pirozhki I know is Russian via YoI, but stroganoff clearly is not. To confirm my suspicions, I asked Google-sensei about gazpacho and that’s Spanish.

Gorbacho…? I might need to check that one over, but Sensei has nothing on it.

Those gyoza buddies have already appeared twice in this ep (excluding the OP) and both were in Kanae’s vicinity.

The foods listed are just local specialties of the area. Okonomiyaki is quite known as an Osakan one, that’s why.

They teach kids how to make vodka in this show…that’s slightly horrifying…Please don’t try making vodka at home, kids.

The birds…are so adorable! Ahh!

“Madol” appears to be a squashing together of “mad idol”.

This is actually very enlightening. At least from Bada’s perspective.

It’s not even the usual credits. It looks like karaoke…and that’s the entire point. There’s even lyrics!

(Masamune-kun 2)

The problem with Kirito-face (Masamune) is that he keeps going over his problems day by day, as if he can’t live without focussing on his revenge. Unfortunately, that’s the point of the show. I know it can do better than that! Plus, Heike Monogatari.

BL sandwich?

Okay, I’m definitely out of here. Ew. Fanservice without any particular reasoning is the worst.

(…but why did I leave the video long enough to find out that Makabe doesn’t even look adorable when stuttering? Yet another reason to leave.)

(Osomatsu-san ep 16)

The one episode I really liked (aside from the feels-getters), aka The Mad Max Parody…I think.

Manekineko behind the interview.

Apparently, Matsuno Matsunan can be read as “Matsuno Makkusu”, but the subs never explained that now, did they?

LOL, Iyami’s too visual kei in this.

Matsu in that case meaning “end”, but…you know…Matsu of the century…

The innuendo…it’s slghtly grating the second time ‘round, but it made me laugh the first time.

Welp, from that one segment, you basically learn how to make a successful non-Gintama…well, success…in Japan.

Highly relatable, but painful due to it being relatable.

Why is the Karamatsu!Ichimatsu not a meme like the Todomatsu face?

Matsu-cest…squick. Why do people ship that?

Technically, only fans of Karamatsu are Karamatsu girls…or boys.

Why is this second face not as memeful as the first?

With a series like this, you really have to be careful that it’s funny every time…because it’s only one third as funny the second time around, at least for this episode.

#simulcast commentary #showa genroku rakugo shinjuu #classicaloid #osomatsu-san #showa genroku rakugo shinju #Chesarka watches SGRS #Chesarka watches Classicaloid #Chesarka watches Osomatsu-san

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theworstbob · 7 years

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the thing journal: 30 july 2017 - 12 august 2017

the pop culture things i took in over the last two weeks (because i was busy last week). in this post: faces and sounds, catch me, superstore, me. i am mariah... the elusive chanteuse, crazy heart, platinum, cocksure, the obsessives, okja, golden, if you wait, nervous system, moana, right thoughts right words right action, who told you to think??!!?!?!?!, the incredible jessica james, moonrise kingdom, and unbreakable kimmy schmidt

1) Faces and Sounds, by Pete Holmes: Faces and Sounds is such a good name for a Pete Holmes album. Like, if you were to read a transcript of a Pete Holmes set, it would obviously still be very funny, but it wouldn't seem like one of the best things in the world. But when the material is paired with Pete Holmes' boundless exuberance, it's one of the most distinct comic experiences of all time, like Pete Holmes is one of maybe three people I could imagine both wanting and being able to pull off a joke about Enrique Iglesias in 2017 because he can sell you on the idea that he's a man who is enjoying the fuck outta some Enrique Iglesias in 2017. Pete Holmes is a nice boy who likes to say fun words!

2) Catch Me, by Maggie Baugh: So I was sick last week, so I missed a Thing Journal, and now I'm here, and I'm looking at this pop/country album I listened to, at this point, exactly two weeks ago, and I'm trying to figure out something I remember about it, but all I can remember from this album is thinking, "This is an acceptable way to background 38 minutes." It's a fun time, but it's not particularly memorable, there's no strong character to any of the songs, nothing that suggests any strong desire to rise above the level of "#16 country radio airplay single."

3) Superstore (s2), cr. Justin Spitzer: And it's kind of the same thing with this sitcom! This is significantly more memorable than Catch Me -- the romance between Wheels and Lauren Ash is one of the single-greatest romances in history, every interaction those two shared made me happy forever, and it's worth noting that the show knows the perfect amount of usage it can squeeze from the teen mom's husband's character, but it is very much A Sitcom, something that's gonna be really fun for the seven hours it'll take to watch it (slash have it on in the background during Zelda times) but isn't going to make an effort to rise out of the B+ range. It's a good show, recommended if you're looking for something to enjoy, but not if you're looking for something to sink into, if that makes any sense.

4) Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse, by Mariah Carey: Her. She is Mariah... The elusive chanteuse.

5) Crazy Heart, dir. Scott Cooper: I'm not sure how long I would've made it into this movie were it not for Jeff Bridges and the promise of more T. Bone Burnett. It makes me angry that T. Bone Burnett's wastebasket is filled with songs a million times better than anything I could ever write, and Jeff Bridges adds layers of depth to a character that doesn't really deserve his performance. Like, here's my main gripe: this movie is about a self-destructive person, right? But this movie chooses to depict the dad he destroyed, you see him interacting with Buddy and Maggie Gyllenhaal and think he could've been a wonderful husband if it weren't for that damn ALCOHOL, when a much more unique movie would've been the movie just at the edges, about how he destroyed Bad Blake. Like, imagine Bad Blake watching Scoggin' Billiam or Walker Wheeler or whatever ponytail's name wasperform the best song he ever written and knowing that Scoggin' Billiam could never do it justice, that Bad Blake kept Bad Blake from enjoying a career-defining hit and has to settle for royalty checks, that's a way cooler movie about what art means and the things we do to chase dreams and how we get in our own ways, it's a way cooler movie than "man loses woman and decides it's time he gets right." Like, it's a movie about a musician that doesn't have any music after the forty-five minute mark. That's dumb.

6) Platinum, by Miranda Lambert: So with this album, Project 2014 was completed, I caught up on all the 2014 releases I think I want to listen to (though I'm sure we'll find more at some point), and I am free to move on to 2013. This is one of the better Miranda Lambert albums, and it hit all the Miranda Lambert buttons, songs about being a pissed-off ex, songs about people understimating attractive women, standard country songs about being proud of small-town upbringings, it's all there. I feel like there's five album reviews from last week and all of them are some variation on "it was good," and I'd like to say I tried my best but I'm not sure that I did? Like you can probably tell that this was the last capsule I wrote, there's gotta be some air of "if I can say three sentences about this album I will be at last free."

7) Cocksure, by Laura Stevenson: Of all the female singer/songwriters I've heard about from checking Dan Campbell's Twitter feed, I think I like this one the most, simply because she's plugged in as hell. This album just rocks. I wish I hadn't gotten sick over the weekend and had written this capsule after listening to it twice in one day, when all the songs were fresh in my mind and I could have called out some specific lyrics, but bad as I am at listening, I still remember that this album is a joy, and I'm very much looking forward to hearing more from this person.

8) The Obsessives: THIS WAS A GOOD ALBUM BY A PUNK-LEANING BAND AND I ENJOYED IT AND GODDAMNIT WHY DON'T I EVER REMEMBER ANYTHING, I SAID I WAS GONNA WRITE STUFF DOWN AND I DIDN'T AND NOW I'M HERE YET AGAIN, WAY TO GO ME like I've been at this post for three hours and I can come up with things but i just, ugh, i'm bad at listening

9) Okja, dir. Bong Joon-ho: One of the things about Netflix as a production entity is that it seems to be staying out of the creators' way as they try to make their thing. It's giving people creative and financial freedom, provided they can make something lucrative for Netflix. And if the upshot is more movies like this, where high production values are being paired with thematic complexity and brutal endings, I'm for it. Like, this is a bold, devastating ending. (Turning spoilers on!) The corporation is the winner. The girl gets her pig back, but she's also going back to the farm knowing the horrors that occur behind the scenes, having seen the grotesqueries the corporation deemed not good enough for the cameras. The environmentalists get arrested, and the corporation gets a gold pig that's probably worth more than they were going to make off the meat the pig was going to produce, as well as continue to kill pigs. The machine keeps churning, and all a regular person can hope for is the chance to be afforded a small, personal victory. Not a lot of filmmakers would have been willing to go there, and not a lot of studios would have been willing to let them explore that place.

10) Golden, by Romeo Santos: I don't speak Spanish, so I'm not gonna pretend I have anything truly substantive to say, but one thing I'd like to point out is, the instrumentation on this record is something I never hear. Like, because I don't listen to Spanish-language stuff, I don't hear guitars played the way they are on this record, so even if I have no idea what this album is about (I'm assuming it's about how good Romeo Santos is at horny), I can still get some value out of hearing a new way to play music. Like, I can't remember if I brought this up when I watched the Finnish film The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki, but in that film, there's a scene where a bunch of the boxers have a naked splash fight in the locker room. That scene either doesn't happen in American film, or happens as a joke, like, "Look at these silly boys having an effeminate fun time!" But with the Finnish movie, they're just like, "Yeah. Sometimes men have naked locker room splash parties. It's fun to have fun," and they move on, and it's cool to see how other cultures treat that sort of thing.

11a) If You Wait, by London Grammar: This isn't a full album, or at least I wouldn't consider an album featuring a live performance from The X Factor to be a complete artistic vision, so I'm not counting it as a full thing. I did enjoy hearing the undeveloped version of the ban I so enjoyed on Truth Is a Beautiful Thing, hearing some of the ideas they had for their sound, hearing things that they would eventually drop, I dunno, this might just be because I like introductions, but it's fun to revisit debut albums well after the fact. ...Except The Wonder Years' Get Stoked On It! The Wonder Years is my favorite band, but I don't know if I'll ever be ready to hear what Get Stoked On It! sounds like. Anyway, London Grammar, they're really dope. I'm not gonna go back and see if I compared them to the Parks & Rec scene where Tom is confused at how the shapes make him feel things, but that's how London Grammar makes me feel. I have to figure out these shapes!

11b) Nervous System, by Julia Michaels: So let's also bring this up, because Julia Michaels is an awesome songwriter and most of these seven songs are good and I can't wait for a full album, true YAS hero Julia Michaels, but also, "There's no innuendo/It's exactly what you think/Believe me when I tell you/He loves the color pink." I mean. You can? I would never tell you you can't. I'm just not. You can! I'm not.

12) Moana, dir. John Musker & Ron Clements: This would be one of the best Disney movies if they had cast an actual actor instead of The Rock. He gives a very enthusiastic performance, it's clear The Rock is trying his best, but it is equally clear that The Rock is not a voice actor, nor should he have been asked to be a voice actor. Like, there's probably a cooler movie here where Moana ends up having to fight both the volcano monster and Maui at the same time, where Maui reveals he was never more than a selfish jerk and Moana has to push herself to overcome Maui's selfishness to restore order and go as far as she can, but because The Rock isn't capable of nuanced vocal performance, it's kind of a standard buddy comedy with a few highlights ("Shiny" best song, I can't believe Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote a top-tier Flight of the Conchords joint) and Alan Tudyk giving an Oscar-worthy performance (I can't tell if it's funnier if they just used real chicken noises and gave Alan Tudyk a credit for the chicken or if Alan Tudyk was actually in a recording studio making chicken noises for thirty minutes) but not enough meat for this 28-year-old man to be satisfied with a children's movie. Um, know your audience, maybe?

13) Right Thouhgts, Right Words, Right Action, by Franz Ferdinand: Franz Ferdinand could make this exact album a thousand more times and I would love it a thousand more times. This music is my happy place, which means Franz Ferdinand has achieved their goal.

14) Who Told You to Think??!!?!?!?!, by Milo: I had to look up whether or not whether or not the Link to the Past boss Arrghus was named after some mythical figure or another because I heard some line like "Argus with a hundred eyes" and needed to confirm if I was giving this guy a shout-out for the first Link to the Past reference in a rap song I've ever heard. Truns out: it is! So that's one special thing about this album, how it's so densely laden with references that you sort of need to have a reference guide handy just to keep up, to catch everything this dude is saying, something which warrants multiple, attentive listens, which, pffft, who the fuck got time for that? So I probably haven't explored this record fully with one bus listen, but I'm excited to get in there again at some point.

15) The Incredible Jessica James, dir. James C. Strouse: There's a way to make a thing about what it's like to be an Artist in New York City that's its own thing and doesn't feel like the other billions of things about being an artist in New York City. I know this because I read literally show me a healthy person this year. This was... This was not an example of how to tell a story about being an artist in New York City, or being single and looking for love in New York City, or looking for love in 2017 with all these apps and social media the kids use these days. Jessica Robinson does her best to make it unique, and man, this film did not deserve the work she put in making this film watchable. But yeesh, this movie doesn't need to exist.

16) Moonrise Kingdom, dir. Wes Anderson: So first off, let's all agree we are giving Wes Anderson side-eye for the copious shots of 12-year-olds in their underwear. I know it's for art! But remember last Thing Journal, when we watched Jackie Brown, and there was a long, long close-up of the one girl's feet? I do not trust Wes Anderson! But I do enjoy his films, as I am a pretentious white boy with a sense of whimsy, and can I tell you guys about the funniest line I've seen in a movie all year? The boy and the girl are mourning the dead dog. "Was he a good dog?" "Who's to say? But he didn't deserve to die." That is the most Wes Anderson shit of all time and I loved it. It was a charming film about young love and broken people finding each other, especially resonant since it is two kids. We only hear the stories about how they act out their emotional damage, but when they're with each other, they're calm, at peace, because they found a kindred spirit, and I thought that was touching.

17) Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt s2, cr. Tina Fey & Robert Carlock: Maybe it's because I spent the first 25 years or so of my life accepting the 22-minute sitcom, but every single episode of this season, I would ay, "Hey, this was a fine episode! I bet we're ready to wrap up soon!" and then I'd see there were eight more minutes of sitcom left. And that's not specifically a critique of this show, I think everyone making TV shows in a commercial-free environment needs to look into their hearts and ask themselves if they really need to take advantage of lax time limits, but especially in a show as zany as this one, you run the risk of running out of gas for minutes at a time, or needing to explore unnecessary subplots, like Jane Krakowski crusading against the Washington Redskins, which, why? Why would th -- no! You don't need that to be a plot point! You didn’t need to bring up the Native American thing again! Why would you lean into that? No! This is me being exceedingly negative about a season of television I truly enjoyed, Ellie Kemper is a national treasure and when this show is on it is unlike any other, just that unfortunate tendency we all have to focus on misses instead of hits.

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