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docholligay · 2 years

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Noted English Scholar Holligay: can you explain to me why Lena's support of West Ham United is important, perhaps even fundamental, to understanding her character and position within the greater HON HON HON story?

UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU I'M GOING TO JSUT TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I DO FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT IT

It's always amazing to me the blind spots people can have when creating a character, and while we have much to thank Michael Chu for, up to and including his defense of Lena as a lesbian and not available for men, his assertion that Lena would be a Chelsea fan is one of the fuck-stupidest things I've ever heard, and I can hardly tell a ~footie team~ from a hole in the ground. He picked Chelsea, because Chelsea is one of two teams Americans know from the UK: That, and Manchester United. 80% of Americans can do no better than those two teams and until I wasted FAR TOO MUCH of my brief time on this earth trying to figure out who i thought Lena's team would be, it would have in fact been the sum total of my knowledge as well i'm not trying to play Cool American here I am very basic bitch bog-standard makes tea like a fuck uncool American and I'm fine with that.

But, my darling, we must go back in time. back to the original intentions of the 6th circle of my own personal hell, keeping me consumed in my own flaming tomb for eternity, Overwatch.

When we started this little endeavor, weirdly, the main characters were NOT the old fucks who had failed the world before. And the mainest of these main characters, who is still the face of the game to this day, is Miss Lena "Tracer" Oxton, a former RAF pilot who was shotgunned through time, leaving her with a permanent temporal unmooring that required a medical device. She was cheerful but willing to kill people if the situation called for it, a tenacious and funny little butchy thing.

She was also, distinctly and intentionally, a working class Eastender.

I did not mean to love her, but I very much did. A N Y W A Y, the actress they picked couldn't do the cockney accent they were asking for and people got in a snit even though oh my god who the fuck cares y'all jesus hopping christ, and anyway over time they have walked back her being an old school cockney gal which, j'refuse, because I love that for her.

But in the time in which *I* am speaking, we're still in Original Recipe Lena time. So all this applies.

Now, I am not saying I am the ONLY right answer but let me tell you how I got to the answer *I* did, and all the reasons why it's a million times better than Chelsea.

I asked a British person for a team on the East End of London. Everyone calm down, I know that's a bizarre place to start. It took me writing one whole email and waiting like six hours for a response, but I was very brave. She gave me I think...three options? Then i did an even scarier thing.

I used google to read about these teams.

Having extremely strong feelings about Lena and her specific view of life, a very very old football club with a very dedicated (and occasionally extremely out of control) fanbase RICH WITH PASSIONS and at least when the fuck i have tried to get tickets to a game either for myself or others, CONTINUALLY FUCKING SOLD OUT ONLINE, even though they lose as much as they win over the last ten or more years, really FIT for me with her. It's about LONDON and TRADITION and more specifically the EAST END and HOPE and CAMARADERIE and for a character I think of being very defined by place in a way i don't think of Angela or even Fareeha as being, it was important to me.

BUT CLEARLY NOT TO MICHAEL CHU

#boy I bet you all wanted THIS to be the conclusion to our broadcast day

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seouledbysisi · 5 years

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A Time Like No Other

Chapter 16

Misun & Shownu

They had been at the river for hours just spending precious time together. Nori had even gotten the chance to ride on Jooheon's jet ski a few times and boy was she excited.

“The night sky is so pretty.” Misun admired as they laid on the blanket staring up.

Shownu turned to face her. “Yeah, it's almost as beautiful as you.”

Misun giggled. “You're so cheesy!”

Shownu shrugged. “I know, but it got you to smile.”

“Wanna take a walk with me?” Misun asked him as she stood up.

He raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?” He was shocked at how nice she was being. Normally she was shy and closed off.

“Please don't make me ask again, Shownu!” She covered her face and laughed.

He stood up. “No, I'ma need you to ask again so I know you mean it!” He was staring down at her.

She rolled her eyes. “Would you like to take a walk with me?”

He grabbed her hand and led the way. “I thought you'd never ask.”

The breeze coming off of the water felt amazing and whipped through her hair. “Why are you single, if you don't mind me asking.”

Shownu smacked his lips a little. “I guess I don't have a lot of time to meet women.”

“You're an idol, you're literally around female idols all the time. That can't be the reason.”

Shownu sighed. “I've never wanted a high profile relationship. I mean I'm not opposed to dating another idol but it's not something that I'm setting out to do. It'd have to be the right person.”

She nodded silently for a moment. “If you were looking to have a relationship, what would be the key ingredients?”

He smiled. “You want the truth?”

“I wouldn't have asked if I didn't.” She looked down at their intertwined hands.

“You probably won't believe me when I say this but if you were emotionally available I'd say that you bring most of what I need in a relationship to the table.”

She stopped walking for a moment and placed a wild hair behind her ear. “What exactly do I bring to the table?”

“You're honest, caring, beautiful inside and out and you don't expect anything from people. You're a go getter. You'd make me actually work for you and these days you don't find that often.” He continued walking as he pulled her with him.

“Why do you think I'm emotionally unavailable?”

Shownu chuckled. “I figured you'd question me on that. The fact that you're not willing to let me in tells me that you're not. You shut down when people start caring too much about you. The only person you don't do that with is Nori.”

She stared out at the water. “She's never hurt me.” She said under her breath.

“Neither have I. Who made you scared of love?”

“I'm not scared!” She rolled her eyes and became defensive. She snatched her hand from his and walked ahead of him, crossing her arms.

Shownu jogged to catch up with her. “You don't get to do that anymore. I've opened up to you a lot, even when you don't give me the same in return. I want to be someone you can count on, I just need you to let me!”

A tear escaped one of her eyes. “Nori is the only constant thing that I have. I'm not close to my parents, I mean I love them and they love me but their always preoccupied with running a business. It's always been like that. I moved out here for work, and I feel like I'm turning into my parents. Everything is work with them, that's all I've ever been taught. I guess you live what you learn.”

Shownu nodded. “I admire your work ethic, believe me I know all about staying busy because of a job and I love what I do but when I look at how Jooheon is around Nori it makes me feel like we're all missing out on more. There's gotta be more to life than just working, right?”

Misun wiped her face. “Maybe. I've tried relationships and I still focus on work more than anything. I can't seem to find a balance.”

“Maybe that's the problem. Maybe a balance needed to find you.”

Misun looked up at him for a second. “What do you mean?”

“Think for a moment. When was the last time you actually hung out with people other than for work? Just simply hanging out to enjoy each others company and have fun?”

“Hardly ever. I didn't start doing that till I met y'all.”

Shownu smirked and walked away slowly. “You coming?”

She shook her head. Realization had fallen over her. “Wait-”

He turned around and simply watched her moves.

She stood in front of him and simply stared for a moment. She cocked her head still trying to figure out how he had crept down into the depths of her soul and maybe even her heart.

He searched her body all over trying to calculate her every move and expression. He wasn't sure what was happening in that head of hers but he was feeling things that he hadn't quite felt for her before. She was pulling more and more at his heartstrings.

“I think you may be the balance in all of my chaos.” She continued to stare at him.

He licked his lips. “You really think so?”

She smiled as she caressed his cheek for a moment.

Shownu took a deep breath and placed his hand on top of hers. “I really want to kiss you right now.” He groaned and looked away. He knew that she probably would push him away and he was finally making strides with her so he needed to stay at her pace for now.

She tuned his face back in her direction. She stood on her tip toes and pulled him closer allowing her lips to finally meet with his.

Nori & Jooheon

They had finally gotten through riding the jet ski and were tired. They laid on the blanket. Nori laid her head on Jooheon's chest. She could hear the rhythm of his heart and it was like music to her ears. She could listen to it all night.

He rubbed her back softly. “This may sound really weird but I love the scent of your hair, what is that?” He laughed.

Nori raised up to look at him. “I'm pretty sure it's just shampoo.” She giggled.

He took another whiff of it. “Smells like heaven.”

“I guess. Are you excited about going on tour?”

“I am actually. It's always fun meeting new people and getting to see the people who support you the most. It makes everything all worth it.”

Nori smiled. “How do you do it? I know this gets super tiring, right?”

“Of course. I hardly ever have time for myself but it's the life I chose. I love performing and overall I feel like my music touches people in a way that I don't think I could without it. It's not easy but it's amazing.”

Nori nodded. “When I would get depressed I would always listen to you guys music. It somehow lifted me. I'm sure a lot of your fans feel that way.”

He pushed her hair out of her face. “That's what makes all of this worthwhile. When I'm down I think about how much effort our fans put into us and it helps me keep going.”

Nori sat up and stared out at the water. It was so peaceful.

Jooheon raised up and brought his knees to his chest. “What's going on in that brain of yours?”

Nori shook her head silently. She had a lot on her mind but she couldn't find the right words to say and even if she could she wasn't sure if it was even okay to have the conversation to begin with.

“There's definitely something on your mind. What is it? I'm all ears.”

Nori sighed. “Tell me if I'm out of line but what exactly are your plans with me?” She looked in his direction.

“What do you mean?”

“I don't want you to feel pressured but I like to know what I'm getting myself into before I get too deep.”

“You want to know what the future holds for us?” Jooheon asked as he slipped his hands through his short hair.

Nori shrugged. “I guess. I mean I know you like me and I like you but is this just a casual thing or are we going to be more?”

“It's not casual for me. I'm not seeing anyone other than you and I hope you're not either. I feel like you think that because I haven't said the word 'girlfriend' that you don't mean something to me. . .is that what this is about?”

Nori shook her head. “No, I don't have to be your girlfriend but I do feel like you're flirtatious a lot and I just want to know what we have so I know how I need to move around you.”

Jooheon chuckled. “I am a bit too nice at times but if that bothers you I can work on it. I'm flirty because I didn't have a girlfriend but now that you're in my life, I'll have to adjust around that.”

“You didn't have one or you don't?” Nori looked at him with a small smile.

Jooheon looked up at the sky. “I don't-”

Nori looked away. “I was only joking anyway.”

“But if you'd like to be my girlfriend, I'd love that.” Jooheon finished and grabbed her hand.

She tackled him and showered his face and lips with kisses. “What took you so long?” She slapped his arm and then rubbed the sting away.

He wrapped his arms around her waist as she hovered above him. “I should've been did this but I'm an idiot.”

Shownu and Misun walked up.

“Are we interrupting something?” Shownu asked as he chuckled.

Nori looked at how they were holding hands and smiled. “No, we were just playing around.” She rolled off of him and stood up.

“Well it's getting late, I guess we need to check back in since we have a plane to catch in the morning.” Shownu revealed. “Kihyun has been blowing me up saying that he's running out of excuses to cover for us.”

Jooheon groaned. “You gonna be okay without me for a while?”

“Do I have a choice?” Nori said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him closer to her.

He traced his fingers along her hips. “I guess not. Be on your best behavior, you're officially mine now.”

“I think I need to be telling you that, mister. Don't give too much of my love away to the other fans.” Nori giggled.

He kissed her lips softly. “Never.” He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist holding her close.

Shownu looked out at the water.

Misun wrapped am arm around his waist and stood beside him. “You good?”

He looked over at her with a shy smile. “Yeah, I just don't want us to have to start from square one when I get back. I feel like we moved mountains tonight, I don't want that to change just because I'm not physically here.”

She stood in front of him wrapping her other arm around his as well. “You have nothing to worry about, okay?”

He tipped her chin up. “You promise?”

She nodded with a smirk on her face. “I do.”

He sighed. “No other guys while I'm gone.”

Misun laughed. “So only when you get back?”

Shownu rolled his eyes. “No, never! Not ever!”

“You make it sound like I'm yours. . .” Misun pursed her lips.

Shownu leaned down and kissed her forehead. “As far as I'm concerned, you are!”

“I like the sound of that. Now let me go before I make you stay here with me.” Misun squeezed his hands one last time and then walked away with Nori leaving he and Jooheon behind.

#Monsta X #monbebe #shownu #changkyun #kihyun #jooheon #hyungwon #Minhyuk #wonho #IM #fanfic #stories #soft hours #kpop #kpop idols #kpop idol #relationships

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