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absolutebl · 2 months

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This Week in BL - it was a pretty darn good time, frankly

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

Feb 2024 Wk 4

Ongoing Series - Thai

The Sign (Sat YT) ep 12fin - Everyone looked like they were having a lot of fun in the fight sequences. I’m very happy for them. I’m not surprised they shot Khem and Chart. A little shocked it wasn’t also Yai, TBH.

I found this final episode rushed. According to rumors, The Sign was originally slated to be 14 eps, and it probably should’ve been. And I don’t say that often about Thai BL. But we all knew it was getting too bloated for its britches, so I'm not surprised they fumbled the ending. For me personally, it just wasn't that bad. It was fine and I was fine with it.

Tho, Billy does not look good with facial fur, messes up those gorgeous angles.

I was ultimately amused that the solution to the mythology thread was simply to talk to the river god and persuaded him to give up... off screen. It felt very old school wuxia. Or like Aeschylus or something. I did adore the stinger, Saint was basically like “I want wings too”.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This show is literally everything (except straight) all at once. It's BL, queer, band of brothers, romcom, erotica, PNR, fated mates, police procedural, fantasy, mystery, suspense, and slasher. It’s the king of genre mash-up chaos. Sure, it's madness but there is genius in it. Was it a crazy unhinged mess +1 roll for damage? Yes. Yes it was. Did it manage to hold all those tangled threads together? No it did not. Was it also a charming, sexy, engaging, non-stop piece of entertainment? Sure thing. I think this show is basically my KinnPorsche, and frankly I’ve been chasing that dragon naga since KP aired. Is it perfect? No. But it was balls to the wall FUN and that gets a 9/10 from me.

I'm thinking of doing a full recap review (partly because I have so many great screen shots.)

Cherry Magic (Sat YouTube grey) ep 10-11 of 12 - Since this series is following the yaoi so closely, I knew these were the separation eps. (Also I knew with would be a soft non-doom ep 11, Japan rarerly does these.) I like that they used it to show improve communication and development in all relationships, but, frankly, TayNew are just best when they are TayNew together on screen. So yeah. Let’s keep them back together, please?

Meanwhile, TayNew gifted us a gorgeous loving sweet sex scene. Thanks OG for doing us a solid.

I wanna add, it sure is fun to see New play as soft and vulnerable character, I feel like he hasn’t done that since SOTUS.

(Read all about distribution issues here.)

Cooking Crush (Sun YT) ep 12fin - 1/3 of this is a sweet romance about a student doctor falling in love with a student chef, and the rest of it is utter dross. Look the OffGun bits were GREAT.. In fact, I think they’re better AS A PAIR in this show than in any of their other BLS. And I'm a hard sell on any OffGun being better than PickRome. Saying that, how can I review a show where I could only tolerate 1/3 of it? Because I didn’t like any other aspect of this show, no other pairs and no other plots. That gives me: 9/10 for the OffGun bits, 5/10 for everything else. Frankly it probably should be an 8 but I gotta go with my gut and it's upset about this so 7/10. Sorry boys. It’s GMMTV’s fault. Your heart was in this show, mine wasn’t.

City of Stars (Fri iQIYI) ep 4 of 12 - These two are so good at making heart eyes at each other. It’s ridiculous. They don’t need any cartoon images or noises. Moot crush but "I wanna flirt and court more" is so flipping awesome. I love this for them… and us.

1000 Years Old ep 2 of 12 - It’s very silly and we have been gifted with the dorkiest vampire ever. But... the smell thing makes me so happy. And I like that the vamp uses chan/nai or tan = v old fashioned. Nahlak. I love our ghost girl. Did you notice she wasn’t in the room with them but they left an empty chair for her? Also nahlak.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Perfect Propose (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 5 of 6 - Kai was pretty much just “you're a workaholic but I basically married you whether you like it or not.” SMOOCH. What can I say? I'm a sucker for this dynamic.

AntiReset (Taiwan Fri Viki/Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - How is this show so cute? How do they both love and hurt each other so much. They are both just scared of loosing each other. Gah.

Unknown (Taiwan Sat Youku YouTube) 1 of 12 eps - Youku dropped the first ep to their YouTube channel but I doubt we can expect that to continue. Still, it was nice to be able to watch it in a convenient way. I enjoyed it. But I am cautious about it. Of course this is possibly two of my favorite tropes of all time (stepbrothers or a variation + hyung romance). So I’m looking forward to the romantic thread, but from the gritty style, it feels a lot more like a Taiwanese short. Which means it could go very dark and may not end happy.

Although I Love You and You AKA Sukiyanen Kedo Do Yaro ka (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 7 of 10 - I just don’t know if the main couple should be a couple. But when they finally get around to talking to each other, they sure are lovely. Also how great is it to see a uke initiate a kiss? Even if it’s not a very good kiss.

My Strawberry Film (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 2 of 8 - I am still not sure about this one. I am not contesting its quality, just saying it’s not for me. Also I’m not wild about what amounts to basically a redo of everything that already happened in the first episode from a different perspective. I know it’s a tall order with Japan, but I would like (when it’s a short series) for each new installment to actually move the plot (such as it is) along in someway. Am I asking too much?

It's done but I have no time

What Did You Eat Yesterday Season 2 AKA Kinou Nani Tabeta? Season 2 (Japan Gaga) 10 eps - will binge when I have any spare time. 2024 is crazy busy for me so far.

The Servant and the Young Master - from Vietnam, it's on YouTube. I will give it a try when I have a window of time.

Began Beginning (Myanmar YouTube) - A Burmese BL? @heretherebedork vouched for it, so I will give it a watch.

It's airing but...

Dead Friend Forever (Thai iQIYI) - rumors are it's interesting but full of unlikable characters. I'm waiting to know how it ends.

Ossans Love Season 2 (Japan Gaga) - 5 years later, will anything have changed? This is Japan so… probubly not. I won't be watching this. I disliked Season one and actively hated the follow ups. No thank you.

Playboyy (Thurs Gaga) 14 eps - Dear Playboyy, it's not you, it’s me… I hate you. You’re about as deep (and as palatable) as a shot glass of cum. While I'm sure you’re someone’s kink, you're my weakest link. Goodbye. I DNFed this at ep 5. Frankly I'm impressed with myself for getting that far. Ends next week TF.

Time the series (Tue Gaga/YT) 10 eps - dropped it at ep 4.

A Secretly Love (Thai WeTV) - I tried but I can't get into my WeTV account anymore and I'm way too lazy to figure it out. Should I bother to go grey for it?

To Be Continued (Thai C3 Thailand YT) - High school sweethearts who had a bad break up reunite when both of them have full time jobs but coming out is still a problem. You can watch this on YT but it has no Eng Subs.

Next Week Looks Like This:

We're light on content right now, but frankly I'm so busy with work I don't really mind.

3/6 Born to be Y (Thai ????) 10 eps - 14 contestants who audition to compete in Born To Be Y, a program that searches for the best couple of the year to work together on a giant project. Described as semi-reality series. So I probably won't bother.

3/7 Deep Night (Thai iQiyi) 10 eps - Multiple romances set in a host clubs. Nice to see First back on my screen but this is not my favorite setting.

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

The eyes have it.

Your random BL moment brought to you by my ult-bias being a hyung smartass to his maknae.

(Last week)

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u3pxx · 4 months

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WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S 2024?!?!

next, you're gonna tell me it's gonna be some made-up year like "2025" next. tch, imagine that.

anyways, whoo! 2023! compared to both 2022 and 2021, i gotta say, my art style took a hard swerve in some direction this year. i mean, look at that klavier from january and that butch kim from just this december! (granted, i heavily referenced the portrait of butch kim but still, i didn't use to paint! mama mia!)

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the way i drew faces has definitely changed, that's what i get for getting into something that's live-action and into smth that has realistically proportioned art lol

OH! OH! HOW COULD I FORGET!!! IT WAS (and still will be) THE YEAR OF THE OLD MAN!! i really learned how to draw aged faces this year! ach fraulein, i have not stopped drawing people in their 40's-50's! i would say "send help" but i'm actually having a lot of fun ASKSKS

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i think a funny thing about these art summaries i've done is that they're mostly ace attorney but then there's just a month where i become a different type of ill LMAO this year it was four months for the price of two new interests!

cheers! here's to 2024!!! hope y'all have a fun art year!!!!

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i'm gonna ramble more below about like, other art things i did this year but i'm gonna put it under 'keep reading' bc this baby is getting way too wordy now WHEEZES

1. FAVORITE THINGS I'VE DRAWN THIS YEAR (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

⚖️ mea culpa comic [x]

drawing this one was so time-consuming and ambitious but boy, do i love the end result! i had fun doing the inks for this one but was it a lot! i usually color in lineart and render everything but i had to stop myself from doing it for this one bc man, i'll die asksks

this also has some of my favorite apollos i've drawn, definitely

also! the part about the lineart not being colored and no rendering ended up being a deliberate stylistic choice for this one bc i had like more freedom to do just shadows with inks without it looking too out of place.

💐 my lawfully wedded zine spread [x]

now this one isn't out yet but take my word for when i say that this is one of the most craxy things i've ever drawn for this year, on account of drawing a comic AND group shot all in one!

also literally one of the prettiest things i've rendered this year, lookit that klav...

🎉 aa4 redraw - 2022 anniversary [x]

kind of like my wedding zine piece, group photos are insane, and rendering like uhhh [looks at drawing] 11 CHARACTERS IS ALSO INSANE if i try and draw a group photo again you have to stop me DFGHDJ

🎨 my art fight stuff [x] [x]

was possessed in the month of july or smth bc i pumped out like how many drawings so quickly (before i got burnt out that is pftt)

pace yourselves and don't be like me pls ajshgdghhjk

💥 people park day [x]

my friend told me that it was very obvious i watched across the spiderverse when they saw this FDFGHJD

but yea! this is when i started getting really into like, thought bubbles or just like, panels or drawings within a drawing when coming up with layouts

i still love the colors on this one...

🪩 fem disco portraits

ok so i haven't uploaded these yet but you have to trust me when i say that something was in the water DFGHDJ

who knew that all it took for me to learn how to paint was butches

2. ALSO DID YOU KNOW THAT I SOLD STICKERS THIS YEAR IN OUR UNI'S ART MART?

THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THAT SCHOOL I SWEAR PFTTT this experience has also awaken the merch beast in me and i need to make more physical things for my brain to be happy, that's just how it be pfttt

hopefully next year i can actually start like a shopee shop or whatever lmao

3. ART FIGHT

i'm actually quite happy i got to participate in art fight this year! very delighted for all the art i've gotten and very fun to have drawn for others too!!

4. ZINES

i got invited and joined so many zines from 2022 continuing to 2023 that i kind of got burnt out from participating for now ngl ASKSKSKS not gonna be joining much this year oopsiessss! (unless i lose self-control [very likely])

5. SCHOOL

i don't actually like a lot of the stuff i draw for art school bc i tend to cram and not have fun pftt <- adhd moment, tragic! but here are some that i actually kind of like lol

6. THAT'S IT!

i think that's it! thanks for reading all the way down here!! o(*￣▽￣*)ブ

#art summary #art summary 2023 #sunnysidedraws #sunnysiderambles

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dreamingalto · 15 days

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I was slightly bored and couldn't decide on what to do... and then I remembered the Hunger Games Simulator existed.

And I have been watching too much Dan and Phil lately...

One thing lead to another and I eventually ended up with the following:

The Phangry Games

Naming logic went something like this: Hunger to Hungry. Gotta insert the infamous Ph at the beginning. Phangry.

Also yes Pastel Phil is accidentally named Punk Phil I didn't notice the mistake until after I began.

And it turned out 1000% more entertaining than I ever thought it could be.

So right off the bat, we have BIG Dan and Craftie Dan planning their fishing trip while Hiatus Dan is staying in character and fucking right off.

Then a couple of them are fighting for bags but the bloodbath is staying pretty safe right now.

In fact, there is only 1 death during the bloodbath.

Thought that meant that Day 1 was going to be a slow start but I SPOKE WAY TOO SOON! First, one of the craftie boys bites the dust to an infection of all things. Apparently HE doesn't provide medical care for infections.

Interactive Introverts Phil also tried to get rid of the current Phil but he managed to escape. So really, no harm no foul.

Then the Acid Rain started and DAMN DAN AND PHIL (spoiler: especially Dan) CAN NOT SURVIVE ACID RAIN VERY WELL AT ALL!

The day ended with only 11 survivors. 7 Phils and 4 Dans. PINOFs, Punks, Crafties, and WAD Era have all been completely eliminated!

At this point, I decide I am rooting for the 2009 boys, Sister Daniel, or COTY and Revival (AKA the Current/2024) Phil. But I was also just immensely amused at how quickly the simulator popped off this time.

The first night was pretty quiet with no deaths or anything occuring. Some of the Phils snuggled up together while Revival Phil snuggled up with 2009 Dan.

Then almost immediately on Day 2, a group with both the 2009 Boys, COTY Phil, and Sister Daniel actually raid Revival Phil's camp. So 10/10 on the betrayal there 2009 Dan.

It stays quiet the rest of day 2. AND INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH ON NIGHT 2!

Phil STOP TRUSTING 2009 DAN HE LITERALLY HELPED RAID YOUR CAMP EARLIER!

But besides the whole trust and betrayal plot with those two, we have both of the hiatus boys deciding that it was time to start the hiatus for everyone else.

Hiatus Phil going for the more strategic kill as Pastel Phil is only Phil who has a kill up to this point.

Day 3 brings the feast. And just like BIG Dan tripped and died during the acid rain...

Coming out of the closet apparently involved tripping out of the closet.

The feast also included the continuation of the Hiatus Boys kill streak with them getting rid of half of the remaining Dans.

I really apperciate Hiatus Dan's commitment to lore accuracy.

This left only 6 tributes for the rest of Day 3.

Which turned to the final five tributes almost immediately with 2009 Phil finishing off the TATINOF era team.

All that is left in the Final Five is the 2009 Boys, the Hiatus Boys, and Revival Phil.

Night 3 is pretty quiet. But Day 4 ends up leveling the playing field with Hiatus Phil accidentally eating toxic berries.

Nothing in particular happens on Night 4 EXCEPT for the fact that 2009 Dan is now snuggling up with Hiatus Dan.

AND WITH A TASTE OF HIS OWN BETRAYAL MEDICINE FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME, Hiatus Dan tries but fails to eliminate 2009 Dan in the morning of Day 5.

After the failed attempt to eliminate 2009 Dan, Night 5 is actually pretty quiet. But on Day 6, Hiatus Dan sets his sights on the 2009 team again.

This brought us to the final three. 2009 Dan and Revival Phil, who both have no kills so far. And Hiatus Dan, who has brought a hiatus to at least three other Dans/Phils.

I don't have that much faith in either 2009 Dan or Revival Phil, but anything can happen in this simulator.

And on Night 6:

Revival Phil, in a bit of an ironic twist of following lore accuracy, put an end to Hiatus Dan while 2009 Dan actually ended up on fire.

No I am not sorry for that last sentence.

THIS MAKES PHIL THE WINNER OF THE ENTIRE PHANGRY GAMES!

The simulation turned out a lot more dramatic than I have experienced in the past (with the whole underlying Trust/Betrayal Plotline that ended up emerging with the final three) and was so funny to go through.

Here is a link to the simulator in case this post reminded you this simulator existed and you wanted to try it for yourself.

(The above link should load up the DnP Season as shown in the first image but it might not work after around three months due to the websites saving policy)

#dan and phil #dan and phil games #daniel howell #phil lester #amazingphil #phan #the phangry games #edit: accidentally hit post while I was finishing adding all the alt text #thought I accidentally deleted the whole post for a moment and was a little upset #be careful editing long posts on tumblr mobile lol.

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cricketnationrise · 4 months

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500 Followers Ficlet Fest 🎉🎉🎉

First of all, I gotta level with y'all. I skipped the 400 followers one, but I swear I had a good reason! (I had to write my FTH fics.) So I was going to wait until the new year for it, and then I hit 500 on the literal last six hours of 2023 and fucked that right up.

We're doing a bit bigger of a fest to make up for it, and also because holy cow what a milestone.

Previous fests are on AO3 here, here, and here if you want examples or to check what you've prompted in previous years. Read on for instructions/rules to get your very own ficlet!

Come into my ask box and drop the following:

a time stamp (ex: 3:46pm or 18:21)

a location (ex: haus kitchen, the linden tree, New Hope, The Spotted Custard…)

a character (ex: Lardo, Bea Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Keladry of Mindelan, Alexia Tarabotti…) ((more characters may appear at my own whim but not guaranteed))

a song title/lyric for vibes [OPTIONAL]

a rating (G, T, M, E) [OPTIONAL] aka, 1, 2, and 3 are required, 4 and 5 are not

and ye shall receive:

At least 500 shiny custom Cricket words! just for you! because you're great! and I love you!

some rules:

You have to be following me. Seriously. It's a fest of ficlets for followers.

Don't submit on anon. No name, no ficlet. So, submit as yourself or sign your anons. Easy peasy.

Only one prompt per person.

If you have an AO3 handle, let me know what it is so I can gift your ficlet to you properly on there!

Prompts will be accepted through January 31, 2024

I can't wait to see what y'all come up with! 💜🦗

#cricket writes #ficlet fest 500 #y'all this is gonna be so fun #its the most wonderful time of the year #its the 400 follower fest #its the 500 follower fest #its the combination 400 and 500 follower fest

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ftm-radio · 11 days

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My gender is 4 years old

...and four days, as of April 15th. This post is a bit late. 😅

Four years ago, all the confusing little puzzle pieces I'd been collecting came together in a genuine eureka! moment and I realized I was transgender. It was exhilarating and terrifying and it undeniably changed my life for the better.

The last few years have felt pretty damn slow and I've had to scramble over a few frustrating obstacles (never changing my name AGAIN, lmao, that was annoying as fuck) but it's all been worth it and now it feels like I'm really making headway.

I started testosterone this past year! I did that! I'm almost 7 months on T now! Currently on a dose of two pumps of gel, which I have only missed applying once in all that time because I was literally sick. The changes are gradual but they are real and they have already brought me so much joy and made me so much happier in my humble flesh prison. 💗

The most anticipated change for me (and for a lot of transmasc folks, I imagine) is my voice, and BOY (heh) am I happy to share this data comparison with you:

[ LEFT: A screenshot from the Voice Pitch Analyzer app, dated November 3rd, 2021. It shows that OP's voice registers fully within the female voice range. RIGHT: Another screenshot from the app, dated April 12th, 2024. This one shows that OP's voice registers mostly between the Androgynous and Male voice ranges. ]

My voice is so different now. It sounds different, it feels different, and in just the last week or so I swear it has gotten a little rougher and raspier and I am LIVING. I could not be happier!!!

...okay, fine, I could be happier lmao.

I'm adjusting to my deeper voice and still learning how to use it in a way I like & that feels best to me, so I'm starting to do some casual at-home voice training again after basically forgetting about the concept completely since 2021. (Whoops.) But I am already so much happier and more content with my voice than I have ever been in my life, so it's only getting better from here, lads. <3

I've also had to go to a lot of appointments and answer a ton of phone calls about said appts recently because I kinda fucked up my eyeball (it's better now, don't worry! and be gentle to your eyes, they are delicate and eye drops are so fucking annoying when you're doing them seven times a day, jfc) and my voice has reached a point where I was a lot more comfortable interacting with strangers and I also didn't notice any surprise or confusion when I introduced myself with a male name! It was kind of amazing.

Also singing is even more fun now. I love love LOVE singing along with a male vocalist and feeling the way my voice kinda rumbles through my chest. 10/10 sensory experience.

Other changes aren't nearly as exciting or obvious as my voice, but here's a quick (?) rundown, for those who are curious:

Mood — Gotta be honest, I don't think I've really noticed any significant change in my day-to-day mood, though I may not be the best judge for this because I have trouble figuring out what/how I'm feeling in general, tbh. But I think I have certainly gotten more comfortable and content with myself and I'd even go so far as to say I feel a little more confident these days. It's nice, I appreciate it.

Acne — I definitely noticed a change in how my acne presents itself on my face. I wouldn't say it's worse than before (I've had very bad acne since I was a young teenager and only got medication for it like, last year which has helped immensely) but I think it's different. More little red spots and roughness than the unpleasant and painful pimples I'm used to. I don't even mind it, really. Oddly affirming.

Facial Hair — I've got facial hair. I really do!!! Not clickbait!!! It's not much, not enough for me to be brave and take my dad up on his offer of shaving lessons quite yet, but it has grown in enough that I don't feel silly including it in self portraits! 🤭🧔🏻 Got a little bit of a mustache happening, a little bit at the sides of my face, some fuzz on my chin (with one LONG hair that I can only assume has been greedy and stealing his brothers' growth), and a frankly surprising lil patch of hair under my jaw. On a semi-related note, not sure if my brows have gotten much darker/thicker. They might have? idk.

my new discord icon, hehe... 👁💜🪓

Body Hair — I have gotten a little more hair on my forearms, and it may have gotten a little darker too! I have a tattoo on my arm just below my left wrist and it's been surprisingly helpful for measuring arm hair growth because for years my tattoo was not covered by hair at all but the left side of it's a little fuzzy now... 😏 I've gotten more noticeable hair growth on my upper arms, which were basically hairless before (free gender euphoria every time I put on my T) and on my thighs. Don't think my lower legs have gotten much hairier, and I'm a little impatient about it lmao. I want to get hairy enough to rival my brother.

Energy/Appetite — Can't say I've really noticed any differences here? I am not a very active person and I already struggled with appetite and getting myself to eat before I started T (thank you adhd & poor eating habits 🥲💀), so I can't quite tell if I'm ignoring more hunger signals than usual. 😅 I am hoping to get more active and start doing more physical activity now that it's starting to get warmer outside again, so hopefully that will help me see these sorts of changes and also get me into some better eating habits as I expend more energy and work up a proper appetite! (Also, since we're on the topic... a reminder for all of us that taking care of yourself and feeding the body you live in is a million times more important than aesthetics and numbers on a scale. ❤)

Menstruation — I am still getting my period right on schedule, but I am happy to say it is considerably lighter than it was before I started testosterone! My period has begun getting shorter, too. It lasted for roughly 7–9 days before, but I was bleeding for exactly 7 days last month, and only 6 days this month. I'm not sure if this trend will continue at such a dramatic rate, but if my next round is only 5 days I will be very excited about it, lol. My uterus can retire any day now, please...

Bottom Growth — if any of my friends read this part, don't speak to me about it lmao — Yeah... there's a little bit of something happening down there. Not a lot, and I haven't really noticed any pain or sensitivity, but there's a Difference. Aaaaand I like it. 😌 I am looking forward to any and all future developments. 😏👉🏻👉🏻

Okay! I think that's it, really.

I know I haven't been super active on this blog for quite a while now (I have really gotten into fandom blogging on my main lmao, and also discord is my favorite thing right now, it's where 90% of my friends live) so I hope this nice, long, ramble-y post makes up for that a little bit. <3

Not gonna make any promises that I'll post here more often, but y'know. I might. It could happen. Definitely not leaving this blog to sit and gather dust, that's for sure. I'll still be reblogging stuff semi-frequently, even if I'm not writing up my own posts.

So goodbye for now, and thanks for tuning in! 👋🏻📻💖💙✨️

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animebw · 24 days

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Seasonal Reflection: Winter 2024 Anime

My feelings on the first anime season of 2024 can be summed up thusly: Most of my favorite shows from winter 2024 were continuations of shows that were already great from last season, not new entries. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and there were plenty of new anime I at least enjoyed watching. But it became clear about halfway through the season that aside from a couple fall 2023 holdovers, there was barely anything truly exciting going on here. Most of the adaptations I watched didn't do much to truly elevate their source material, and most of the few original series we got ended up the worst of the bunch. I can't say nothing good came out of winter 2024, but if this is any sign of how the rest of the year is gonna go, we may be in for a slog. For now, though, let's take stock of the anime I watched this season, and which ones are worth your time.

Metallic Rouge: 3/10

If you asked me what the worst show I finished this season would be at the start, I never would've guessed Metallic Rouge. I mean, it's a cool-ass original sci-fi anime from Bones with slick 2D mecha animation, surely that's gotta be at least a little cool, right? Sadly, no. Because this is, without question, one of the most baffling scripts I've ever seen in anime. Almost every single detail of its world and plot are barely explained, if at all, and the mechanics of what's even supposed to be going on are so nebulous that every attempt at a plot twist feels like a twist on something that never actually existed. Characters are plopped into the story without even an introduction. At times it feels like whole scenes have been cut out entirely. The only thing I can compare it to is the original Suicide Squad movie from 2016: a story so cut to the bone in the editing room that you can barely tell what's supposed to be happening half the time, and yet enough of the original story remains to suggest it was never any good in the first place. The one thing it gets right is the prickly chemistry between its two leads, and then it fucking keeps them separated for like half the damn runtime! How do you even unforced error that badly?

Bucchigiri: 3.5/10

Man, this was not a good season for original anime. Bucchigiri might not have been as staggering a writing trainwreck as Metallic Rouge, but its sin is arguably even worse; it's boring. It's a wacky, colorful high school delinquent romp with rainbow-haired Jojo's punks beating the snot out of each other with genie powers, it's sort of a re-imagining of Aladdin, it's got freaking Hiroko Utsumi at the helm, and it's boring. Why? Because this show gets absolutely stuck in the quicksand of its own status quo and refuses to budge an inch. Character growth is nonexistent, the protagonist is an aggravating loser wimp who never learns his lesson, and nothing of actual meaning happens from the first episode to the end. Literally everything you think is setting up a character arc where someone learns a lesson or grows as a person, all of it amounts to nothing. It's a limp, inert world that perpetuates the same overdone jokes and contrived, misunderstanding-based drama over and over again until all the outsized Utsumi visual personality feels like a tacky coat thrown on top of a lifeless corpse. What an utter waste.

Urusei Yatsura Season 2 (1st Cours): 5/10

I'm still not quite sure what to make of the Urusei Yatsura remake. is it charmingly dated? Annoyingly dated? A welcome throwback or a sign that some things should stay in the past? If nothing else, it never fails to get at least a couple chuckles out of me every episode. But the more it tries to lean into being actually sincere, the more its inherent cheesiness and lack of depth starts becoming a problem. I'm sorry, this cast of characters is just too abrasive and purposefully insane to take seriously, and none of their relationships are healthy enough to unironically root for. Lum and Ataru are not a couple I want to see actually get together, at least not unless Ataru stops being such a fucking shithead. And if him being a jackass could be charming in season 1, then this season is really starting to test my patience with him. It's one thing to be a serial skirt chaser, but his actions this season regularly cross a line from womanizing to unambiguous sex pest, and there's only so many wooden mallets he can get knocked over the head with before it stops feeling like like he's getting punished as much as he deserves to be.

Undead Unluck (2nd Cours): 5/10

Good news, everyone: Undead Unluck finally gave up on those awful groping gags that were ruining its central romance! Bad news: at the same time, it spontaneously developed one of the worst cases of recap padding I've ever seen! I'm not just talking overlong recap segments at the start of the episode, I'm talking constant flashbacks to events we just saw just moments before, straight up playing the same footage again just minutes apart, all climaxing in a truly unforgivable episode that spends seven goddamn minutes on recycled footage. Not even Tokyo Revengers was this bad with its time-wasting. And to add insult to injury, once it finally gets its feet unstuck and returns to a reasonable amount of recap for the final arc, it's probably the best arc of the entire show! It's some of the most bonkers high-concept emotional storytelling I've ever seen attempted, let alone pulled off so spectacularly. It's proof that there is so much brilliance to Undead Unluck, if it could just get out of its own way. But as long as it continues suffering from such massive systemic flaws, it's only ever going to be an also-ran.

Solo Leveling: 5.5/10

Okay, look; is this show dumb as a bag of rocks? Absolutely. Is it as nakedly an adolescent power fantasy as any anime has ever been? Ditto. Does it solely exist for dweeby incels to feel like swaggering douchebag chads getting revenge on all the normies who looked down on them by becoming The Bestest Strongest Chadliest Awesomest Of All Time? You know it. But god dammit, it's actually fun. I cannot pretend I'm too mature and sophisticated to enjoy a big, helping heaping of dumb edgy schlock when it's actually done well. I'm the one person on the face of the earth who still caries water for Akame ga Kill, for crying out loud. And Solo Leveling makes two really smart storytelling choices that keep it (mostly) on the entertaining side of dumb fun: building a genuinely interesting and intricate world that exists well beyond the scope of the protagonist's actions (for now, at least), and making sure that no matter how stupidly overpowered Jinwoo gets, his opponents are always just a little bit even more stupidly overpowered, so he's still pushed to his absolute breaking point and barely scraping together a win by the skin of his teeth every time. There is an art to edge that's too often taken for granted, and this show is proof that being the living embodiment of a twelve-year-old boy's wet dreams is no excuse not to be at least a decent version of that. That said, let's be real, Jinwoo was so much more attractive before his supposed glow-up. Give my boy back his scraggly rat locks, you cowards.

Bang Brave Bang Bravern: 6/10

What happens when a campy, cartoony 70s-style super robot anime crashes headfirst into a much grittier real robot anime? Well, what happens is Bang Brave Bang Bravern, the latest ten-car pileup of mismatched genres from the Cygames masterminds behind "What if horse racing but idols?" Take a desperate war story of survival against impossible odds, airdrop a skyscraper-sized superhero into the mix, and watch him completely shatter the original tone one cheekily ironic powerup and power-of-friendship speech at a time. It's a beautifully bonkers sendup of mecha tropes that has some of the funniest individual moments in this entire anime season, and the absolutely wild twist it pulls with the titular robot's identity in the back half is more than worth the price of admission on its own. Unfortunately, if it wanted to be as perfect a parody-until-it-isn't mecha series as Akiba Maid War was a parody-until-it-isn't mob flick, it probably should've tried being as long as most mecha series tend to be, i.e. more than just twelve measly episodes. There's just not enough time to develop any of the characters or world beyond the most essential parts, resulting in huge chunks of the supporting cast hanging around with nothing to do but take up space. And it leads to this show, which is trying to be so big and over the top, instead feeling so small and half-formed. Also, the secondary romance is gross. Like, really gross.

A Sign of Affection: 6/10

I think this show has helped clarify something for me: I'm really getting tired of how quickly modern romance anime get their main couple together. As much as we rag on the endless will-they-won't-they of ages past, taking so much time to build up the characters and their relationship before they finally make it official can result in some truly one-of-a-kind storytelling when done right. I might agonize over how long Sawako and Kuronoma take to get together in Kimi ni Todoke, but the payoff is so transcendent that none of those complaints matter. Whereas Yuki and Itsuomi getting together so quickly in A Sign of Affection... I mean, they're cute, I guess? His cool demeanor plays off her sincerity very well? But it feels like the show's in such a rush to get to the good stuff- and so determined to make Istuomi the dreamiest, most perfect boyfriend ever- that it skips over so much of the careful character-building that makes all the best anime romances so special. It's a sugary sweet confection, but wipe the frosting away and there's just not that much cake underneath. Honestly, I find the side characters a lot more interesting because they're allowed to have messy internal conflicts with a bit more meat on their bones. But hey, props for putting a deaf heroine at the center of your shoujo romance and taking so much time to explore how that affects the way she interacts with the world. That's a cause well worth celebrating.

Sengoku Youko: 6.5/10

Rejoice, everyone, we finally have an adaptation of a Satoshi Mizukami work that doesn't look like absolute garbage! After the flaming disaster that was Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer's barely animated hackjob production, Sengoku Youko has arrived to give the cult fave manga artist a chance for his work to actually shine on the silver screen. As someone who only knows him through Planet With, I've always wondered if Mizukami deserved the reputation his manga gets, and with White Fox delivering as tight and intense a production as they gave Re:Zero, I guess it's time to finally find out. And the answer is... mostly? Like, the biggest problems in this sci-fi/feudal fantasy mashup are the characters being a little too eager to state the themes out loud and one pretty crummy death that's about as hamfisted and over-telegraphed as I've seen in a while. But there's a shockingly gripping narrative underlying it all, a story about the scars trauma leaves on people, of characters making bad decisions and facing real consequences for them, of hatred and poisonous ideology forced to reckon with the more complex reality of the world as a whole. And it all climaxes in an absolute barn-burner final episode that knocked my score up a half point all on its own. If future seasons can make good on all the potential this first season has set up, then I may just end up a Mizukami fan myself when all is said and done.

Blue Exorcist Season 3: 6.5/10

I'm of two minds about Blue Exorcist's second return after a six-year gap between seasons. On one hand, it's clear the new staff is just nowhere near as talented as the folks who first brought this series to life at A-1 Pictures. The action is abysmal, the storyboarding is clunky, and the animation feels like it's constantly fighting for its life to maintain a passable standard. And it sucks that a series that once brought such great life to its story is now held back by such a mediocre production. But on the other hand... holy fuck, am I glad Blue Exorcist is back. I once described The Devil is a Part-Timer as the mathematical average of anime as a concept, but if you were to ask me what the best possible version of that mathematical average looks like? It would be Blue Exorcist. This is, hands down, one of the best straightforward shonen action stories in the whole medium, a reminder of why all the most generic and overused tropes were once powerful enough to become generic and overused in the first place. It's proof that even the simplest of "superpowered teens kick demon butt with the power of friendship" concepts can result in a wonderful goddamn series when handled with good old-fashioned storytelling fundamentals. And not even the rough-as-hell production is enough to keep season 3 from delivering on the thrills, tears, laughs, and cheers that make this series so magical. Just, please, give the next season more time in the oven so it doesn't feel like it's wading through molasses to hit those heights. Okay?

Delicious in Dungeon (1st Cours): 7/10

Delicious in Dungeon's biggest problem is that it takes a while to really settle into itself. The opening scene of the protagonist's sister being devoured by a dragon sets the tone for an intense and desperate rescue mission, but the actual series that follows this harrowing opening is as lackadaisical as can be. And it's jarring to be thrust into a gag-filled, character-driven fantasy cooking comedy where the harsh tone of that opening scene and the ticking clock of Falin's digestion completely disappear from the characters' heads in favor of how beast to cook and eat the various fantasy monsters they encounter in the dungeon. Yes, it makes a little more sense once the mechanics of death and resurrection are explained later on, but it's a weird note to start on. Which is a shame, because once Delicious in Dungeon gets a handle on what kind of story it's trying to be, it's really fun! Its sense of deadpan comedy coupled with Trigger's expressive animation makes for some really unexpected gags, and the way it explores its fantasy cuisine is genuinely some of the most creative stuff I've ever seen in the cooking anime genre. Plus, with the dark tone coming back in at the end of the first cours- and landing much more naturally this time- I have high hopes for how this series will marry those two sides of itself moving forward. If the manga fans' reactions are any indication, I think we're in for a damn good time.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (2nd Cours): 8/10

So remember in my last post how I said that it was kind of disappointing whenever Frieren turned into an action show because of how disconnected the fights were from the beating heart that makes this show so special? Well, apparently the writers heard me and decided what I meant was I wanted this peaceful, meditative tale about grief, change and the passage of time to turn into the goddamn Hunter Exams for ten episodes straight. It's one of the most shockingly ill-advised storytelling swerves I've seen in an otherwise good show, discarding all this series' strengths in favor of a half-baked tournament arc with tonally jarring grimdark elements and a bland, overstuffed cast of characters who only start becoming interesting in the rare moments they're allowed to stop slinging spells at each other and just, like, talk about life? You know, the stuff that Frieren's actually good at? Not this brainless slice of shonen envy that only avoids being a complete slog thanks to how spectacular the action is across the board? Ugh. Look, Frieren is officially the most beloved anime on the goddamn planet right now, and its best moments are so incredible that I wish I could join that chorus as well. But it's so disappointing to me that a show this singular and special has so often chosen to be the least interesting version of itself.

The Dangers in My Heart Season 2: 8.5/10

It's official: director Hiroaki Akagi is the master of middle school rom-coms. No other creator so perfectly grasps the specific blend of immaturity, awkwardness, cringe, and heart-on-sleeve sincerity that defines the love stories of early adolescence. That was already clear with his work on Teasing Master Takagi-san, but now that he's pulled it off twice, there's no room left for argument. And just like with Takagi-san, the second season of The Dangers in My Heart takes a show that was already shockingly good and catapults it into all-time greatness. This is a coming-of-age triumph, a soaring tribute to embracing your own cringeworthy self, flaws and all, and sharing that self openly with the people who matter most to you. Ichikawa's journey toward maturity, Yamada's journey toward self-love, and the way their romance sparks the best in both of them is the stuff that dreams are made of. I laughed, I cried, I squealed like a little girl, and I felt my heart grow three sizes by the time it was done. This is a new gold standard for anime rom-coms, and if you can stomach a bit of groanworthy fanservice, it more than deserves your attention.

The Apothecary Diaries (2nd Cours): 8.5/10

Most of the time when I cover a two-cours show on these seasonal reflections, I end up in a pretty different place by the end of the second cours than I did at the first. Either it sort of fell apart in the second half, or found its footing and took it to the next level, or it changed in some interesting way that affects how I view the show as a whole. But The Apothecary Diaries has stayed the course from the first episode all the way to the end. Start to finish, it's remained pretty much the same show, with the same ideas and attitude, exploring the same themes in the same ways. And you know what? When you're as good as The Apothecary Diaries ended up being, there's nothing wrong with that. This is a spectacular historical drama that builds such a rich, compelling world for its equally rich, compelling characters to inhabit. It's a powerful exploration of how old society treated the disadvantaged- women, poor people, people with all severities of disability- and how one deeply abnormal girl carves her way through this viper's den with her body and soul intact. It's the kind of mature, thoughtful series we so rarely seen done this well, and with the announcement of a season 2 already confirmed, we may well end up with close to 50 episodes when all is said and done. That, folks, is what a true shoujo/josei renaissance looks like. And I'm so happy such a deserving series is leading the way in reminding us how damn good women's stories can be when they're given a chance to shine this brightly.

DROPPED

Cherry Magic: Dropped at 2 episodes for looking like butt and the central romance feeling pretty lifeless.

High Card Season 2: Dropped at 1 episode because I realized I didn't care anymore.

Ninja Kamui: Dropped at 2 episodes for being dull tryhard edgy bullshit with overdone fight scenes that are impossible to follow.

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strawberryfairi · 1 month

Text

Synopsis✨: The story of how you catch heavy feelings for the hot photography student, Shuji Hanma…even though you already have the perfect (fake) boyfriend.

Pairings: Photography Student! Shuji Hanma X Dance Major! Black Fem 🤎 Reader (ANYONE CAN READ🧚🏾‍♀️) Content: Drama, lots of denial, angst, sneaky link, lots of cheating, mutual pining, unserious Shuji, controlling parents, forced relationships, romance, fighting, porn with a good plot vibes, intense sexual tension, etc (just find out the rest lol)

w.c: 5.1k💠 Released: March 20, 2024

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NOTE: I hope you guys enjoy this next chapter! I really want to focus on making this story a nice balance between smut and also having a genuine plot which honestly makes this one a bit hard. But I'm glad to see y'all are liking it anyways❤︎

C.W: None

6; Fatigue 疲劳

You wake up the next morning completely sore, everything was aching, reminding you of the intense events of last night. Hanma is fast asleep, laying with an arm lazily slung around your waist, the majority of your body on top of his.

The both of you looked tangled together, from the way your legs intertwined to the way the sheets wrapped around different limbs oddly. Y'all had knocked each other the hell out.

You let out a small, tired moan, attempting to move out of his grasp so you could check the time. Where did you even leave your phone? Thanks to the literal entanglement you were in, you couldn't move at all without potentially waking him up. You pursed your lips, feeling a little bad that you'd have to bother him, he looks so peaceful, cute even, while sleeping. His hair hanging lazily over his forehead, expression completely calm, and his chest slowly rises and falls in a steady rhythm. You catch yourself staring, blinking a few times as you snap yourself out of it.

Let's not forget you do still have a boyfriend...

"Hanma..." You mutter, much too soft for him to hear. You try again, this time nudging his shoulder a bit. He stirs but doesn't really wake up fully, tightening his hold around you as he turns on his side. "Oh, no!" You whisper, trying not to laugh. Now he has you smushed to his chest, his legs weighing over top of yours.

"Hanma! Uh uh, you gotta wake up. My legs!" You finally crack, giggling a little as you shake his shoulder. He groans opening one eye a bit, looking down at you.

"Mmm, what?" He mumbles tiredly, his voice all raspy.

"I gotta see what time it is; and you're crushing me." You tap his shoulder lightly, trying to move.

"Mm mm." He grunts, not moving even an inch..

"What'chu mean 'mm mm'? I have classes today!"

He ignores you, closing his eye again.

"Come on! I can't miss my classes." You urge him, shaking him again.

He let's out an annoyed groan, flipping over onto his back and letting go of you. You smile innocently at him then drag yourself out of bed. "Oh! Oh my gosh!" You grunt out in pain, falling backwards onto the bed. Your body was not having it. Everywhere ached, especially the lower half of you, not allowing you to move fluidly at all.

"This is not good." You mutter, attempting to get up much more cautiously this time.

Friday's were unfortunately a busy day in your week. Starting the morning off with a nine a.m. body conditioning pilates class, then an hour break for breakfast before you have to head to your Classical Ballet III course. After that, two hours later is straight to Black Aesthetic in American Modern Dance, then you'd have to get to practice for the upcoming The Gypsy ballet audition.

In other words, you couldn't afford to miss today. You get yourself up and start searching for your phone, massaging your arms and legs as the cold air hits you. You find your phone sitting by your duffel bag on twenty three percent. Hitting the lock button you check the time.

11:09am

3 Missed Calls Big K💖

Imessage Big K💖

"Shhhhhit." You whisper, facepalming. Not only did you already completely miss your first class, you haven't responded to not a single call or text from Ken. You only had a short slot of time to first get to your dorm then shower, eat, get dressed, and head over to your Ballet technique class, all while trying to calm Ken down from being inevitably pissed with you. There's no way you're gonna be able to do all that within the hour.

"What's up with you? Why're you up so early?" Hanma furrows his brows.

"'Cause I have classes! Do you not have classes on Friday's?" You look at him like he's crazy, brows furrowed deeply.

"I do. Just not as soon as the damn sun rises." He replies, running a hand through his hair.

"It's eleven in the morning; almost the afternoon." You narrow your eyes at him.

"Oh shit." His expression falls in realization as he sits up in bed.

Gosh what a mess. Your hair is probably looking wild, your body's completely exhausted, and you have lots to do today...all involving high intensity body movement. You hadn't spoken to Ken all day yesterday, so you already knew he'd be wanting to hear from you at some point today too. The worst part about Ken is that not even now is any sliver of guilt making its way into your heart. Maybe it's because the anger is still hot from what went down in your dorm the other day. Yeah, that's it, the guilt just hasn't kicked in yet.

"I don't know how I'm gonna get through today." You groan exasperatedly. To be honest you could lay in that bed and not wake up until tomorrow. That sounds perfect...

"I mean, you could always skip." He shrugs, still not even bothering to move out of bed.

"I already missed one class, I can't miss Ballet; and my teacher's pretty strict with showing up and showing up on time. I already know I'm gonna be late; and Ken's probably already pissed with me too..." You ramble anxiously.

💎

Classical Ballet III

It was so embarrassing coming into class late. Everyone was already locked in with warmups, spots chosen at the bars and doing the movements the professor called out. The way the other students were staring at you like you were some halfwitted creature for 'disrupting' the class didn't help at all. Why is ballet such a toxic world? You quickly scurry inside the studio room, placing your bag down and jumping out of your sweats and oversized hoodie, making your way to the bar in the front by the floor-to-ceiling mirror.

It hit you a few minutes before coming inside that you'd be showing off the piece by Bach that your professor assigned each of you to practice, Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor. Lord have mercy you weren't even close to being able to do it well. What a dumb idea last night was, you'd practically be torturing yourself for the rest of the day, and weekend if you get the call back for The Gypsy. Maybe that's what you get for cheating on your boyfriend? Is this the guilt finally kicking in?

"God help me..." You mumble, getting into the releve he'd just called out.

10 Mins Later

"No no, stop! You all were late on that jeté!" The professor stops the music, shaking his head annoyedly.

Before the professor turns the music back on he turns to you, the disappointment already made clear before he could even say a word. "You're missing your usual poise today. You alright?" He questions, tilting his head to the side.

"No yeah, I'm good! Just feeling a little sore." You reply awkwardly, getting yourself back into the starting position. Some of the students a few feet away from you start whispering and snickering to themselves. You knew they'd definitely came to the right kind of conclusion as to why you were feeling sore.

"Don't push yourself. Our bodies are powerful, but we can only withstand so much pressure." Mr. E states matter of factly, a look of concern making it's way onto his face. You nod with a slight frown. If you could miss a day of classes you would. But things just move way too quickly. You miss one class then all of a sudden a mountain of assignments and things just come at you out of nowhere. Yeah no, not for you. You fight passed the whines of discomfort your body throws your way, trying not to make any uncomfortable expressions as you go through the dance. This was only the assignment from last week, you hadn't even gotten to the Bach piece yet.

"Much better that time on that jeté! Alright, let's see who practiced the concerto!" He calls out.

Your heart sinks, this piece was not easy. He'd wanted to challenge you all last week since some of the students were slacking off with their overall technique. He's one of those professors where if one slacks off you all basically slacked off. The first five people go, none really impressing him all that much.

"Disappointing Riku; I expected better. Next." He shakes his head then gestures over to you with a hand. He already isn't happy with the class's overall performance of the piece, so you'd really have to get a grip.

You take a deep breath, getting into the starting position.

"Really pay attention to your balance during the sissone." Your professor instructs in a much softer tone. You nod then get back into character as the music starts. Immediately your thighs burn, and you prayed they wouldn't give out on you since your arms were already feeling like jelly. The piece was thankfully only three minutes and fifty one seconds, and you were able to get through it without any major disasters.

"Ok...good. Not great; but good. You're clearly fatigued. You barely made it through that sissone and arabesque." He completely read you, his tone matter of fact.

"I-..." You weren't really sure how to respond.

"Why don't you sit out, or head to the dancer's wellness center? I won't have a student breaking themselves under my watch."

You were truly grateful. Mr. E was a stern teacher, but he really does care for his students. You give him a soft "Ok, I guess I'll just go to the wellness area."

"Lemme give you a note." He says, holding a hand up. You gather your things at the back of the room then take the note. It was a little awkward with no music and all the other students just watching this go down. You practically limp your way out of the room, your body feeling even worse than before with forcing yourself to do all those intense movements. You make your way down the hall and to the stairs that lead down to the third floor to the wellness area, the dance studios are on the fourth. Right as you reach the staircase, a familiar voice calls out to you, making your heart stop.

"Ken?! What're you doing here?!" Your eyes go wide.

"I came to find you! You haven't answered a single text or call! The hell is wrong with you?!" He says angrily, stepping up close to you.

"Are you serious?! What makes you think I'd wanna be in the mood to talk to you after how you acted the other night?!" You scoff, continuing on down the stairs. Yeah that's good, just cover the rising guilt with anger. Of course he followed after you.

"Jesus babe, I don't even remember that." He rolls his eyes.

"I really can't with you right now Ken, like I'm not even in the mood." You shake your head, waving him off as you continue down the stairs.

"Can you just...stop for a damn second?!" He grumbles, reaching for your arm and stopping you halfway down the staircase.

You clench your jaw in annoyance, snatching your arm away while you wait for whatever the hell he was about to say.

"Look, I'm sorry alri-

"No, no you're not just gonna hit me with another sorry ass apology and brush it off. You were acting wild Ken! I should never have to call a friend to come get you after I ask you to leave my dorm!" You rant, eyes on fire with anger. "Aright alright. I apologize; I mean it." He says in a softer tone, looking you right in the eyes. You let out a dry laugh. "Changing it from I'm sorry to I apologize doesn't make it better, Ken. You're supposed to actually mean it through your actions, which you obviously don't. If you were really sorry you'd just stop getting crossed or high or whatever the hell it is you're doing. You know what'll happen if our parents catch you like that; if they catch our relationship looking shaky." You warn, your tone stern.

At this point you were seething. You couldn't risk getting kicked out of the school because Ken wants to go be an idiot and put a bad look on himself, and ultimately the two of you. "I-..I know, babe. I'll do better, I promise." He assures, leaning in to give you a kiss. You pull away instantly, like you were avoiding a punch to the face. "Don't promise, just do it, Ken." You grit, turning away from him and continuing on to the wellness center.

"There you go again, being the "boss girl", telling me what to do."

You stop in your tracks for a moment, Ken's intoxicated words suddenly coming to the forefront of your mind.

Now that he went and spilled his secret thoughts, you couldn't help but start to overthink a bit. You're not really the problem, right?

"You know what? He's getting crossed more because he's starting to lose his shit. That's why he feels like you think you're better than him. You don't fold under pressure like a bitch, getting drunk or high to ignore it all the time. You know what you want and you're always going after it no matter what, but Ryuguji? He's a fuckin' mess and he knows it. Let's be real, he's only playing football because his dad wants him to; he's the damn coach!"

But when did he start to lose his shit though? Why would it have anything to do with you?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4 Days Later Tuesday Night 7:36pm

The past two days had been fairly breezy for no apparent reason, but honestly, after how the weekend went with Ken, you're not complaining. It was close to a train wreck, this past weekend. The two of you going back and forth arguing in the middle of a fairly upscale restaurant; his dad's money of course.

Allegedly, Emma saw you get into the car with Hanma that Thursday and told Ken, which of course made your heart sink to the floor. Not only that, but you couldn't help being a bit pissed at her for just assuming you were cheating all because you got into someone else's car that isn't Ken's.

Even though you were cheating....

Flashback

"Like I said the last time I asked about you getting into some other guys car, anything you wanna tell me about that?" Ken asks, his tone threatening and slightly dark. Your jaw clenches, more annoyed at the fact that you still get nervous about sneaking around with Shuji than anything else.

"If you must know, it was for a photoshoot that he asked-

"Wait, don't tell me it's that same photography student from before. Who is it?!" He cuts in, eyes narrowed. You could see the cogs turning in his mind as he leaned forward at the table. You huff, trying to keep your composure as you go to explain again.

"Yes, and it doesn't matter who it is Ken. I already know you're just gonna find him and try to-

"It does matter!" He outbursts, drawing immediate attention to the two of you. You scoff, brows raising as you lean back in your chair. People's eyes trailed across the room to both of you, discreetly murmuring and watching whatever scene was unfolding.

"Ok, first of all, stop cuttin' me off." You grit out, your own voice holding a low, threatening tone. "Second, I am not obligated to tell you every single thing I do and with who, just like you're not. Let's keep in mind the fact that I haven't pressed you about who you're getting these drugs you love so much from Ken; neither have I bothered to tell either of our parents about it. So let's keep things how we agreed to way back in the beginning. I mind my business and you mind yours." You criticize, keeping your eyes locked on his the entire time.

"Don't try to flip this shit around on me, I'm used to your bullshit mind games by now! The other day you were goin' on and on about me makin' us look bad in front of our parents, but baby if you're cheating on me, it'll be you that ruins our lives first, not me!" He fumes, pointing an accusatory finger your way. You roll your eyes, sighing as you shake your head.

"Mind games?! You're over here basing shit off a flimsy ass 'if' when I know for a fact you're using drugs! Have you thought about what happens when you need to do your next drug test?! Oh yeah, I guess not since you're too busy livin' large during your trips." You fumed.

Then Ken goes silent, sitting there with his jaw locked, looking off to the side.

"This isn't about who ruins either of our lives first Ken, this needs to be about us both keeping this fake ass relationship running as smoothly as possible, and lately you haven't been doing nothin' to help with that! I don't know what's been goin' on with you since you damn sure don't talk to me about your problems anymore, but what I do know for sure is that you need to get a goddamn grip! I do not have time for you to be fallin' a part at the seams and ruinin' your career because all of a sudden you're sooo unhappy to be in a fake relationship with me like this is a brand new occurence! I'm not happy about it either Ken, but I still get shit done! So tighten the fuck up, and shake whatever is going on with you off; right now!" You argue, your gaze blazing hot as you peer into his eyes.

Ken shakes his head, a genuinely hurt look on his face.

"You just don't get it..." He grumbles lowly, crossing his arms over his chest.

End Flashback

Tonight you have practice with the girls for an upcoming basketball game, teaching them a new dance along with just standard practice to the songs they already know. In small groups and individually the girls start to file into the large studio room, taking off their sweats and getting semi prepared to dance.

You're currently in the women's locker room, getting your mind out of ballet from your class about forty five minutes ago and into your contemporary dance mindset, changing into your workout clothes. You were wearing a cute hot pink pair of workout shorts, and a white sports bra. Your water bottle also cutely matched your outfit as it's also pink with your name written around it in a lavender shade of purple. Very girly.

You make your way out of the locker room and over to the water fountain just a few feet away from the door. Taking a random deep breath, you sit the water bottle onto the fountain, letting the automatic fountain do it's thing and fill it up.

"H-hey, hello there-

"OH MY GOD-you scared the shit out of me; what the fuck..." Your voice goes from practically screaming to a whisper as you look to the right of you at whoever just spoke. Your water bottle falling over to the side from the way you bumped into the fountain when you jumped.

"Oh, I'm-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He stammers, grabbing your water bottle just before it could fall to the ground, some water splashing around and onto the floor unceremoniously. "Uhh, it's all good...?" You trail off a bit awkwardly, your eyes unintentionally looking him over up and down. You've never seen this dude before in your life, you're positive.

He's wearing pretty basic clothes, a red plaid button up top with dark wash jeans and converse shoes on, also wearing black square glasses. His dark hair is sort of medium length, maybe reaching a few inches past his ears just hanging down lazily. A very nerdy look for sure. The guy just stares at you as if dazed, not saying a word...and freaking you out instantly.

"Did you wanna talk to me or...?" You trail off again, trying with every fiber of your being not to sound rude and/or look at him like he was a weirdo even though that's kinda what he's giving. "I-oh I'm so sorry! I just-...I-I've always seen you around here and...well I was hoping you'd let me take you out on a date sometime? Get to know each other?" He says sheepishly, his dark brown eyes shifting all over the place before looking back at you. Your jaw nearly hits the floor, but you quickly catch it, trying to keep your composure together as your mind replays his words over and over.

"Uuuuum-

"Oh wait wait! I forgot to introduce myself! My name's Fumihiro Miyagawa; hi." He says, giving you his hand to shake. Not even a split second later he retracts his hand, then changes his mind again and extends it. You purse your lips, just standing there watching as he goes back and forth.

"Hi. It's nice to meet you Miyagawa." You smile politely, finally shaking his hand.

"S-so, would you wanna...?" He trails off, still holding your hand. You bite your tongue, feeling uncomfortable that he wasn't letting go yet. Even though it's been just a few minutes speaking to him, something felt off.

"Well I'm really flattered you're asking me out, but I actually have a boyfriend." You tell him, your tone apologetic. Miyagawa's expression falls instantly, almost dark looking as your response sinks in. There's a heavy silence that comes and hovers over the two of you as you try to let go of the handshake and retract your hand. For a second his grip tightens, making your heart abruptly leap in your chest, but it calms as he finally lets your hand go.

"Oh", He says dryly, "That's too bad, I guess." His tone softens up now, along with his expression.

"I'm sorry." That was all you could even think to say as your mind was thinking of one thing and one thing only, getting very far away from this guy.

You hear the water from the fountain start to overflow from your bottle, ripping you out of the severely awkward conversation. "I actually gotta go now. I have dance practice." You say, already heading off down the hall to the studio room as you screw the cap onto the water bottle.

"Whaaaaaaat the hell was that?" You whisper to yourself.

Once you get into the studio room, you leave that random, borderline creepy conversation behind, getting into serious mode.

"Heeey! How's the day been?" Emma beams, coming up to your from the front center of the room. You swallow your emotions towards her and keep it professional, keep it chill. "Hey girl! It's been pretty good. What's goin' on with you?" You ask softly, giving her a small smile.

"Honestly, this has been some of the best couple of days I've ever had." She sighs blissfully.

These past couple days? The same couple of days that consisted of some of the worst arguments you've ever had with Ken in the entire time of knowing him? An argument that was ultimately caused because Emma went and ran her mouth to him? Something about her words had just hit you in all the wrong ways, making you feel a little skeptical.

"Oh, well that's good. Wish I could say the same." You chuckle, trying to make it sound as lighthearted as possible.

"You always get your stress out through dance practice though! That's your thing!" She pats your shoulder, before heading off ahead of you to the front of the studio. Your eyes couldn't help but narrow at her as she saunters off like a dandelion in the damn wind.

Somethin' ain't sitting right....

33 Minutes Later

"I need just a bit more carefreeness from you, Himari! Your technique though is looking great, but I think you're thinking too hard about it. It's great, so now just focus on balancing the technique with-

You pause, losing your train of thought as you follow the girls in the far left side of the rooms wandering eyes through the floor-to-ceiling mirror. As soon as you turn towards the studio doors, someone walks in, and it's Hanma. All of a sudden, he just...appears.

"What-..." You trail off, trying not to react in a way that made the girls skeptical of you.

The girls immediately start murmuring and gasping about how 'gorgeous' and 'hot' he is as he struts inside like he owns the place, an infuriatingly smug grin plastered across his lips.

"Uhhh, can I help you with something?" You call out from your side of the room, trying with everything in you to sound like you've never met him before, pausing the music and placing your hands on your hips as he makes his way to you.

"Do-..do you know him?!" Emma whispers over to you.

"Hell no." You answer shortly, keeping your eyes fixed on Hanma.

"Yes she does." He chuckles deviously.

"No I-..you do realize we're in the middle of a rehearsal, right?" You sass.

"And do you realize you've been avoiding me for-

"GAAAAAH! Outside, right now!" You outburst abruptly, hollering over him so the girls wouldn't hear what he was about to say. You purse your lips together in embarrassment, practically speed walking to the studio doors as he slowly followed behind you.

"Y'all, just give me one second, ok? I'm so sorry." You apologize, facepalming before shutting the door.

"Shuji Hanma, what in the hell is wrong with you?!" You whisper yell.

He chuckles, backing up until his back is against the white painted wall. "You haven't been answering my texts for days, so I was worried. Wanted to make sure you didn't go and die on me or somethin'." He says coolly.

"So you bust in my rehearsal?! How'd you even figure out where-..you know what, doesn't matter, what do you want?" You facepalm.

"First, I wanna know why you're avoiding me again." He says nonchalantly, raising a finger.

"Uhh, because I have a boyfriend, and that said boyfriend has been up my ass all weekend starting arguments about you!" You point a finger to his chest. "I wanna be up your ass..." He mumbles playfully. You huff in immediate annoyance, ignoring his idiotic statement. "I'm trying to save my ass and yours by not being around you or texting you. None of it."

"Saving my ass, huh?" He smirks.

"Yeah! You should be grateful, to be honest, since Ken was just about ready to-

"So you care about me, doll?" He raises a brow, looking down at you with a completely unserious expression. "W-What?! What is going on?!" You shake your head, heart skipping a beat for a second as your mind makes sure you heard him right.

He goes to open his mouth again but you cut him off, already knowing he was just gonna say something dumb. "Be serious! I care about not having my relationship fall apart and all my "sins" bein' laid out for the whole freakin' school to see!" You rant, throwing your hands up in the air exasperatedly.

"All of a sudden you care about your relationship?" He questions, raising a brow. "It's not all of a sudden, I've cared the whole time." You scrunch your face up. "Now you know that's bullshit, doll. You couldn't even look me in the eyes when you said that." He pressed. He wasn't wrong, you really didn't care, but you had to care all at the same time.

"What're you here for, Hanma? For real." You grumble, looking back up at him with as stern of an expression and voice you could muster.

"That leads me to the second thing I want. You, in my bed with me, tonight. Right after your cute little dance rehearsal." He purrs sensually, taking your chin with his fingers.

"No." You deadpan, swatting his hand away.

"Your bed?" He shrugs plainly.

"No! Absolutely not! Did you tune out everything I just said like five seconds ago?! This whole thing, with you and me, is done now alright? We hooked up once, we're not doing it again; that was a one time thing!" You say with finality, gesturing between the two of you. He raises a brow, completely unfazed and slightly amused by your rant.

"A one time thing; I'm serious." You add for good measure.

"Are you? 'Cause I'm pretty sure you said something veeerry similar the last time." He says lowly, placing his hands on your hips and pulling you closer.

"I'm actually deadass serious, that's how serious I am." You narrow your eyes halfheartedly, placing your hands on his chest to keep yourself from being pulled any closer. You were already starting to feel yourself cracking under his gaze. "Sooo, you're tellin' me you really don't think about how good I had you feelin'? You don't ever think about doing it again?" He questions softly, leaning down so his lips were just a few inches from yours. You huff, trying to maintain your resolve, clenching your jaw as your eyes flicker downwards towards his tempting pink lips for a second. Of course you think about it. The flashbacks have been absolutely torturous.

But for the sake of the "relationship" you've got going on with Ken, you'd have to let Hanma go now. "I'm telling you...that that was the first and last time we-

Hanma cuts you off, closing the slight gap and pressing his lips against yours. That was the last straw. The small, shaky piece of resolve you had left just crumbled into nothing. Instantly it's like you're transported back to last Thursday at his place, up against that wall while he sets your whole body ablaze with his dangerous kisses. You melt, sliding your hands up to place one on his neck and the other on his shoulder. Gosh, he must think you're so easy, just a few words in that sexy low tone topped off with a kiss and you're putty in his hands. He has you completely wrapped around his finger. You pull away slowly, your mind finally made up.

"I'll be done at ten, take me to your place." You murmur sensually against his lips before leaning in for another quick kiss. "Oh, and since you came and interrupted my 'cute little dance rehearsal', I'm gonna use your shower first...while you make me a nice dinner." You add with a semi smug grin, running your thumb along his bottom lip.

"You askin' or tellin' me, angel?" He raises a brow, tone dripping with lust. "Requiring actually." You clarify flirtatiously, turning away and heading back towards the studio doors. "Damn. Well somehow I happen to be very turned on by that." He chuckles lightly in surprise.

"Glad you're discovering new things about yourself", You chuckle lightly, "Bye Shuji."

Your eyes go wide, heart skipping a beat in your chest. Shuji. You just called him Shuji...

#shuji hanma #shuji hanma x reader smut #tokyo rev #black female writer #strawberryfairi🧚🏾‍♀️#a mile away ㊙️#tokyo revengers x black reader #tokyo rev x reader #shuji hanma x you #shuji hanma x black fem reader #fem reader

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dailydoseoffanfics · 1 month

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the alex kister drama......well......

idk how long i've posted something but ever since this alex kister situation came out, i need to speak my thoughts about this because this situation was the ONLY thing I was thinking

If you're not chronically online, Alex Kister is just a youtuber that created The Mandela Catalogue (2021) and other things like Mystifying Oracle and The Red Box Project, and he got exposed for being weird and predatory towards a minor.......yeah

i actually loved The Mandela Catalogue back then and i was a huge fan of it (even if there was only one post about it in my blog and it was only just a reblog of a fanart in like 2022 probably 💀) like I loved the concept, characters, the creepiness, everything in general. i eventually lost interest in this series and gained new interests in 2023. i kinda forgot about this series until now, and........

yeah, what alex did was fucked up, but here's the problem: I don't know if I should believe the victim or not because there were times where creators were accused for being pedophiles or just being creepy in general and majority of them were false accusations (ex: Kwite, ProJared, etc.). Like...I literally do not know who to trust, and I'm telling the truth. Especially considering the fact that ruining a famous person's career is getting easy, I don't know if the evidence are legitimate or not.

So what's my opinion on this?

I won't pick a side yet. I'm not choosing a side until Alex released his response to this situation. I don't want to immediately jump to conclusions because I don't know who to trust. If everything the victim said was true, let's hope that Alex will stay away from the internet and another person will pick the up series. But if the victim was lying the entire time, we'll beat their ass for trying to hurt Alex. We don't want to repeat our mistakes (especially if you remember the Kwite situation).

For now, I won't pick a side until Alex releases his response. I'll remain neutral.

Yeah, that's all I gotta say. 2024 really is the year huh? I'll post more light-hearted and positive posts after this, because I think there's too much negativity in my blog recently.

Oh and if you're wondering, here's the link to the doc:

TRIGGER WARNING: sexual themes, suicide themes, fucked up shit in general. If you're uncomfortable with these themes, don't read it.

Cya everybody, and I hope you guys are having a decent day.

#important #the mandela catalogue #mandela catalogue #tmc #alex kister

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simplylove101 · 2 months

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2024 Horror Challenge: [1/?]

↳“They say time heals all wounds, but time is the wound.” Lisa Frankenstein (2024) dir. Zelda Williams

Plot: A coming-of-rage love story about a teenager and her crush, who happens to be a corpse. After a set of horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a journey to find love, happiness - and a few missing body parts.

Starring: Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Joe Chrest & Carla Gugino

Goodness, another horror challenge has officially begun (technically this wasn't my first horror watch of the year, I have a few others I need to make a review for) but it figures this would be the one that convinces me to make the first post for this year's challenge (my 8TH YEAR doing it!) I was excited about it when I first heard it was going to be a thing. It looked like it was gonna be super fun as a concept. Not that it's completely original (reanimating life has been done more than plenty. Case in point - I literally watched Poor Things before this. lmao) but knowing that the script was coming from the zany mind of Diablo Cody (Juno, Jennifer's Body) I knew to go into this expecting the tone to be at least slightly off. And well, ofc it was. lol I don't know if it ended up being an instant classic as I thought it would be but I honestly don't really care because overall, I did really enjoy it. Kathryn Newton really impressed me once again like she did in Freaky, really owning that scream queen title. I loved her so much. And her chemistry with Cole was rather solid imo, despite his role mostly being silent. I thought Liza Soberano was a definite scene stealer as her step-sister Taffy as well. And ofc I gotta mention the wonderful Carla Gugino who is always good because her character was quite memorable, despite not being in it very long. I'm a sucker for a comedy horror so I'm not surprised I ended up liking it even though I've seen some mixed reactions (tho more good) It probably could have been better but I will say, even the movies from the 80's that you can tell inspired this one even had their flaws so let's not pretend they were perfect. I think this lived up enough to my expectations that I'm gonna say it now, I can see this one making it on the end-of-the-year faves list. Maybe it won't be for everyone but I think it was pretty good, for whatever that's worth. lol

#lisa frankenstein #horrorchallenge2024

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neet-aspirant · 2 months

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Tuesday, 12th March 2024

my results were pretty good today and I'm happy! ofc, i gotta work harder this new term to score wayyyy more but yes! i can do it!!

class 11 is officially over!! i'm literally a 12th grader now wooohoo! from tomorrow, extra classes for class 12 begin at school, then from 23rd, one week of break and then from April, the new term officially starts!

if any seniors (especially desis cuz indian education system yk) but also anybody else at all have any tips on how to start out with class 12, please tell me! because this is board + neet year and i wanna manage time well, so!

senior year begins baby 🥂 (a lot of miseries, spirals, screaming, crying, throwing up, lost hope, rejuvenated faith, love, laughter, good marks and successes coming right up because beta, ab dikhega real wala fun :D)

#productivity #studyblr #study blog #desiblr #desi tumblr #desi tag #just desi things #desi studyblr #desi stuff #neetblr #neet preparation #neetcore #neet #cbse board #board exams #12th boards

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hangmansgbaby · 1 year

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Always Darling | 4 | J.Seresin

A F T E R A L L

Summary: The time has come for the elusive Uranium Mission. With Willow heading the mission, she has to make the tough decision of who she is trusting her life (and future with her daughter) with.

Pairings: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x OC!Willow "Vixen" Seresin, brief mentions of Pete "Maverick" Mitchell x OC Daughter!Willow "Vixen" Seresin and Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x OC God Sister!Willow "Vixen" Seresin

Warnings: none?

Note: Should I keep the series going after this? What would you like to see from this if I do continue it?

Apr 2024 note: I did end up updating this into an OC as I dont write my series as a reader insert anymore.

Word count: 5.3k

Masterlist | Always Darling Masterlist

Willow, Maverick, and Cyclone stood before the team. Willow convinced Cyclone to allow Maverick on the carrier. She knew she couldn’t make the decision without Mav’s input.

"It's been an honor flying with you. Each one of you represents the best of the best. This is a very specific mission. This is a very specific mission. My choice is a reflection of that and nothing else." Mav turns to Willow, motioning for her to step forward. “Vixen.”

Willow steps up as Cyclone speaks. “Choose your two foxtrot teams.”

"Payback and Fanboy," Willow announces. "Phoenix and Bob."

"Choose your wingman.”

The room was silent. Willow looks around the room, her gaze lands on her husband who nods, giving her all the strength she needs.

“Who are you going to choose as your wingman?” Jake asked.

Willow laid with her head on his chest, Jake running his fingers through her hair. “I’d much rather have you.” She sighs.

“I know, darlin.” Jake nods softly. “I think you should choose Rooster.” Willow sits up, turning to look at her husband. “I know, but Willow you gotta believe me when I say that if I trust anyone to prioritize you making it home to Elle, it's Rooster."

"Rooster."

"The rest of you will stand by on the carrier for any reserve role that’s required. Dismissed." Cyclone looks to her knowingly as she nods in return. Everyone leaves the room but Willow, Hangman, and Rooster.

“You chose me? Why?” Rooster questioned.

“Jake suggested it.” Willow answers which shocked Bradley even more.

“I love Coyote, he’s my best friend. But I know, despite everything you two have been through, you won't let a kid lose their mom.” Jake says. “I’m trusting you Bradshaw, bring my wife home.”

Bradley nods before exiting without another word.

“I’m scared.” Willow says truthfully.

“Me too but,” Jake turns Willow to stand directly before him. “You are the best of the best, literally. You’ve successfully flown this course more than the rest of us.”

“It was one time.”

“And that one time proved that it’s doable.” Jake continues. “Now, go out there. Be the best team leader, do the mission and then come home. I will be right here waiting for you.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too darlin.” Jake pulls Willow into a quick kiss before guiding her out to briefing.

Crews scramble across the deck prepping the jets for take off.

"Dagger one, up and ready," Willow said through the comms.

"Dagger spare standing by," Hangman chimed.

"Dagger four, up and ready," Payback and Fanboy call.

"Dagger three, up and ready," Phoenix and Bob call in unison.

"Dagger two, up and ready," Rooster says after taking a deep breath.

One at the time the jets launch off the carrier, Willow head of the group. “Comanche, dagger one. Standby check in.” She calls once everyone is in the air.

“Comanche one one, set. Picture clean. Recommend dagger continue.”

“Copy. Daggers descending below radar.” She reports, leading everyone down. Everyone’s rapid breaths can be heard over comms, trying to keep their heart rates calm. “Here we go. Enemy territory up ahead. Feet dry in 60 seconds.” She takes a deep breath as the canyon comes into view “Comanche, dagger one. Picture.”

“Comanche. Picture clean. Decision is yours.”

“Copy.” Willow looks over her shoulders at the jets around her before making the call. “Dagger attack.” The tomahawks are launched and everyone watches as they fly overhead. “Daggers, assume attack formation. Daggers set. Proceeding to target.” She says as Phoenix moves in behind her, followed by Rooster and Payback. “Two minutes and 30 seconds in three, two, one, Mark.” She calls as she crosses the entrance to the canyon, starting her timer.

“Three Mark.” Phoenix starts hers.

“Two Mark.” Rooster calls.

“Four Mark.” Payback is the last to call, leading the tail end of the formation.

Willow starts leading them around the first curve, picking up speed as she clears it. “First SAM site overhead.”

“Looks like we’re clear on radar, Vix.” Phoenix reports when no SAMs are launched

“Let's not get our hopes up.”

“More SAMs! Three o’clock high!” Fanboy shouts. Rooster looks up, spotting the 3 more SAMs above him.

“We got two minutes to target.” Bob shouts.

“Copy.” Payback responds. “We’re a few seconds behind, Rooster. We got to move.”

“Thirty seconds to tomahawk impact on enemy airstrip.”

“Dagger, comanche. We’re picking up two bandits. Single group, two contacts.”

“Comanche, what’s their heading?” Phoenix questions.

“Bull’s-eye zero nine zero, fifty, tacked southwest.”

“They’re headed away from us. They don’t know we’re here.” Rooster calls.

“The second those tomahawks hit the air base, those bandits are gonna move to defend the target.” Willow deduces. “We have to get there before they do. Increase speed.” She directs.

“We got you, Vix. Don’t wait for me.”

“Bandits are switching course to defend the target.”

“Rooster, where are you?” Willow questions looking behind her.

“Come on, Rooster. Bandits inbound.” Payback shouts. “We got to make up time now. Let’s turn and burn.”

Willow beats heavily from the G’s maneuvering the course. “Heads up, Phoenix.” She calls as they come up on a bridge.

“Whoa!” Bob shouts as Phoenix clears the bridge.

“Guys, we’re falling behind. We really gotta move.” Fanboy calls.

“If we don’t increase our speed right now, those bandits are gonna be waiting for us when we reach the target.” Payback shouts.

“Talk to me, dad.” Willow hears Rooster mutter.

“Come on, Rooster, you can do it.” Willow encourages, keeping her own speed. “Remember what we were told growing up. Don’t think, just do.”

She doesn’t hear anything over comms until Payback’s voice comes through.

“Jesus, Rooster, not that fast!”

“That’s it, Roose, that’s it.” Willow sighs to herself.

“All right, let’s go.” Rooster says as soon as Payback catches up, picking up speed again.

“Damn, Rooster, take it easy.” Fanboy shouts.

“Thirty seconds to target. Bob, check your laser.” Willow shouts.

“Air-to-ground check complete. Laser code verified, one six eight eight. Laser is a go!” Bob reports.

“Watch your heads.” Rooster calls as they reach the bridge.

“Holy shit!” Fanboy ducks in his seat.

“Shit!” Payback turns the jet to its side.

“Payback, you with me?” Rooster checks.

“Right behind you.”

“Phoenix, stand by for pop-up strike.” Willow calls.

“Dagger three in position.” Phoenix’s voice rings through as they get closer to the mountain.

“Popping in three, two, one.” Immediately, the three are in their vertical climb. As they reach the top, they invert on their way over before returning up right. “Get me eyes on that target, Bob!” Willow shouts.

“Dagger three. Stand by, Vixen.”

“Come on, Bob, come on.” Willow mutters as they get closer.

“Stand by. I’ve got it. Captured!” Bob shouts a s his laser locks.

“Target acquired. Bombs away.” Willow says as she launches the missile beginning her climb out, Phoenix not far behind her.

“We’ve got impact! Check, direct hit! Direct hit!” Bob shouts as his vision clouds from the Gs.

“Dagger two, status.” Willow struggles to get out as the g-force increases.

“Almost there, Vixen. Almost there.” Rooster shouts as they invert into the dive down. “Fanboy, where’s my laser?”

“Rooster, there’s something wrong with this laser!” Fanboy tries to turn it but it goes haywire. “Shit! Dead eye, dead eye, dead eye!”

“Come on, guys, we’re running out of time. Get it online!” Rooster directs as they get closer.

“I’m trying!”

“Come on, fanboy!” Payback shouts to his WSO.

“Nearly there! Nearly there!”

“Come on, fanboy, get it online.” Payback shouts as the target enters their sights.

“There’s no time. I’m dropping blind.” Rooster shouts, getting his sights set on the target.

“Rooster, I got this!” Fanboy shouts, still trying to get his laser to focus.

“No time. Pull up.”

“Wait!” Payback shouts.

“Bombs away! Bombs away!” Rooster and Payback begin the climb out while Fanboy focuses in on the target waiting for impact.

“Bull’s-eye, bull’s-eye, bull’s-eye!” They all hear through comms.

Willow can hear Jake’s cheers through the comms. “That's my girl! Woah!” She smiles softly as she flies up into the radar.

“We’re not out of this yet. Here it comes.” She says as a SAM sets off. “Radar warning! Smoke in the air. Phoenix, break right!”

“Emergency jettison. Dagger three defending.” Phoenix calls.

“Here comes another one!” Bob shouts as another sets off.

“Dagger one defending.” Willow shouts, launching her flares. “Rooster, status.” She calls as the missiles behind her go off on impact with the flares.

“Oh, my god.” Rooster gawks as a SAM goes off. “Smoke in the air! Smoke in the air!”

“Break right, Payback!”

“Breaking right.”

“Oh, my god, here they come!” Fanboy shouts, looking over to see Rooster. “SAM on your six, Rooster!”

“Deploying countermeasures.” Rooster launches his flares, effectively blocking the missile. “Negative contact.”

“Dagger one defending.” Willow calls, maneuvering away from the missiles.

“Talk to me, Bob.”

“Break right, Phoenix! Break right!” Bob shouts turning to see Willow. “Vixen! Nine o’clock! Nine o’clock!”

“Rooster, two more on your six.” Willow shouts, dodging her own.

“Dagger two, defending.”

“Payback, SAM on your nose.”

“Dagger four defending.”

“Rooster, tally, seven o’clock!”

“Talk to me, Bob!”

“On our six!”

“Dagger two defending.”

“Phoenix, break right!”

“I see it!”

“Dagger one defending.” Willow shouts, launching her flares but nothing happens. “Shit, I’m out of flares!”

“Vixen, evade, evade!” Rooster shouts.

“I can’t shake ’em! They’re on me! They’re on me!” She shouts. Rooster slows his jet allowing Willow to fly under him as he launches flares, blocking the missiles that were after Willow but another missile comes out of no where, hitting the back of his jet.

“Rooster! No!”

“Dagger two is hit! I repeat, dagger two is hit!” Phoenix reports. “Rooster is down.”

“Dagger two, status.” Willow calls. “Status! Anyone see him? Does anyone see him?” Willow shouts. “Dagger two, come in!”

“I didn’t see a parachute.” Payback calls, looking around him.

“We have to circle back.” Willow suggests.

“Comanche. Bandits inbound. Single group, hot. Recommend dagger flow south. One minute to intercept. All daggers flow to ecp. You have bandits headed for you.”

“What about Rooster?” Willow asks, the distraught in her voice clear to anyone who paid attention and Jake paid close attention to her.

“Dagger spare request permission to launch and fly air cover.” Hangman requests, prepping to get strapped in.

“Negative, spare.”

“Dagger, you are not to engage. Repeat, do not engage.”

“Dagger one, return to carrier. Acknowledge.” Willow doesn’t respond. “Acknowledge.”

“Vixen, those bandits are closing. We can’t go back.” Phoenix calls, knowing exactly what her best friend is thinking.

“Vixen, he’s gone. Rooster’s gone.” Bob returns.

Down on the ground, Rooster wakes in the snow to see an enemy helicopter coming for him. He quickly detaches the parachute from him before running in the opposite direction, looking for cover. The helicopter was quick to follow, immediately firing upon him. He dives over a fallen tree, pushing his back against it as the shots fired continue. The rapid fire stops but only long enough for the enemy to circle around and gain sights on Rooster but before they can fire upon him a missile lands, blowing the helicopter to bits. Rooster looks up and spots the jet that flies by.

Willow spots Rooster on the ground, his bright red helmet sticking out against the snowy backdrop. She doesn’t spot the SAM that launches a missile at her until it's too late and it makes an impact on her jet.

“Oh, no, no.” Rooster watches as she ejects and runs in the directions that she drops.

“Dagger one is hit. Dagger one is hit.”

“Dagger one come in. Dagger one, do you copy? Dagger one come in.”

“Fuck!” Jake shouts, hitting the side of his jet.

Willow immediately begins stuffing her chute into the snow, trying to cover it up as Rooster runs up.

“You okay?”

“Yea, you–” Rooster cuts her off by shoving her into the snow. “What the hell was that for?!” She shouts as she stands.

“What are you doing here?” Bradley asks, throwing his helmet off as she does the same.

“What am I doing here?”

“You think I took a missile so you could be here? You’re supposed to be on the carrier! You’re supposed to go home to your daughter!” Bradley shouts at her.

“I saved your life!” She shouts.

“I saved your life. That's the point. What the hell were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t! Don’t think, just do remember? We’ve only been told that our whole lives!” Bradley sighs knowing he can’t fault her for that logic.

“It’s good to see you, Willow.”

“It's good to see you too. So what's the plan?”

“You’re telling me you essentially crashed your jet without a plan, team leader?”

“Did you crash your jet without a plan?” Willow raises a brow at him. Bradley doesn’t respond, just staring at her. “That’s what I thought. Come on.”

Willow leads him through the snow, using her compass to figure out where to go.

“So…”

“Bradshaw, do NOT do that awkward shit again.” Willow growls.

“I’m sorry I made your life so shitty.” He apologizes. Willow freezes. Had she actually heard him correctly?

“Did you just–”

“Apologize for being a ‘spoiled ass little orphan’? Yea.”

“Holy shit. I never, ever thought I’d hear you say that. Especially after that first night here.” Willow turns back around to keep walking.

“Well you did. Look, I wasn’t trying to steal your dad. In fact, I’m glad Ice stepped up for you. At least one of us deserved to have some decency in our lives.” Bradley chuckles at a thought before speaking it. “Never thought decency would lead to Bagman getting married, let alone having a child.”

“He’s a lot different outside of all this. It's all just the ‘Hangman’ persona as I call it. He’s a great husband, and an even better father.” Willow says. “Maybe you could get to know the real him if we get home, play big brother?”

“Do I get to know Elle?”

“Baby steps, Rooster. You gotta earn all the trust before we let you be Uncle Rooster.” Willow laughs.

“I’ll take what I can get. So long as you two haven’t poisoned her brain into making me the bad guy.” Bradley chuckles.

“Nah, don’t worry. The brainwashing wouldn't go through her thick skull.” Willow laughs. “She got the stubborn gene from both sides.”

“Mav’s stubbornness mixed with Hangman’s? That's gotta be a pain.” Bradley laughs.

“Which is exactly why she’s a daddy’s girl. Jake caves so easily to her, she always gets her way with him.” Willow stops, pulling Bradley down into the snow near a drift.

“What are you…?” Willow pulls out her single eye binocular, scoping out the enemy base they had blown up with the tomahawks.

“You can’t be serious.” Bradley sighs as the emergency sirens ring. Willow shrugs before getting up, jogging down the mountain side. When they reach the bottom, Willow hands him the binocular, pointing to the only remaining hanger with a jet still intact. “You’ve got to be shitting me. An F-14?”

“Dad shot down three MIGs in one back in the 80s.”

“But we’ve never flown one.” Bradley states.

“Speak for yourself. I did a 3 month detachment in one of them. Got 3 kills out of it.”

“We don’t even know if that bag of ass can fly.” Bradley tells her.

“Let’s find out.” Willow jumps up running out to the destroyed runway.

“Vix!” He whisper-shouts. “Okay.” He sighs before running to join her.

“There’s people everywhere, Vix.”

“Yea,” She looks around before making a decision. “Time to run.”

“Yea, run. Run.”

Willow leads Rooster to the hanger, shaking out her hair as the run up beside the F-14, her military regulated bun already destroyed. She runs up to the control panel, flipping it on. “Once,” she turns to Rooster who was paying no attention. “Hey!” She slaps his arm and he turns around. “Once I give you the signal, you’re gonna flip this switch until the needle gets to 120. When the engine starts you gotta pull the pins and disconnect everything, okay?” Bradley nods and Willow turns back to the panel pressing the green button, everything roars to life. “Yes! Once I’m up, store the ladder.” She instructs, tying her hair into a low messy bun and pulling her helmet on.

Willow settles into the pilot's seat and sighs. “Okay, been a minute, huh?” She acknowledges everything's location before flipping a few switches and turning to give Bradley his sign. He nods, flipping the switch while Willow starts the left engine. Bradley runs around pulling everything off as she starts the right engine.

Bradley jumps on the wing and climbs into the back seat. “Oh my god. This thing is so old.”

“Alright.” Willow pulls off her gloves and accelerates the jet, moving out from the hanger. “Canopy?”

“Clear!” Bradley calls as the canopy drops down. Willow breaks in the middle of the taxiway, trying to think of their way out. “Both runways are cratered. How are we gonna get this museum piece in the air?”

Willow chuckles as she gets an idea and brings the wings out.

Bradley leans against the canopy glass to see what she was doing. “Why are the wings coming out, Vix?” Willow doesn’t answer. “This is a taxiway, not a runway. This is a very short taxiway, Vix.”

“Hang on.” Willow says before setting the jet to full speed.

“Holy shit!”

“Come on, come on, come on. Needle’s alive. Come on.” She repeats, muttering to herself as they get closer to the water towers at the end of the taxiway.

“Vix?”

“That’s it. Come on, come on! All right.” She says as the needle moves farther up the odometer.

“Willow!”

“Here we go.” She pulls back on the controls, guiding the F-14 into the air, narrowly missing the towers, only losing her front landing gear.

“Holy shit!” Rooster shouts again, closing his eyes. Once they had leveled out in the air, Rooster turns on his tracker, praying that the signal reaches the carrier.

When Phoenix and Payback landed their jets, Phoenix hopped out and immediately ran to where Jake was. He sat by the front wheel of his jett, knees pulled to his chest, willing himself not to cry.

“Hey, Hangman. Snap out of it.” Phoenix snaps next to his face, catching his attention.

“She's gone, isn’t she?”

“I refuse to believe that someone as stubborn as Vixen got taken out by a SAM.” Phoenix tries to cheer him up. “As soon as they send out search and rescue, they’re going to find her. I know it.”

“Hangman!” Coyote shouts, running onto the tarmac. “Get on comms dude.”

Jake immediately climbs back into his jet, connecting to the comms.

“Sir, we’re receiving a signal from Rooster’s ESAT. But there seems to be a malfunction.” One of the comms technicians says.

“Overwatch reports an f-14 tomcat is airborne and on course for our position.”

“Yes!” Jake cheers.

“What is it?”

“They’re airborne!” Jake shouts to everyone below him. “My girl is airborne in an F-14!”

“And we thought she was crazy for volunteering for that detachment.” Coyote laughs, elbowing Phoenix.

“That son of a bitch.” Phoenix laughs.

“Okay, Rooster, get us in touch with the boat.” Willow directs.

“I’m working on it.” Bradley flips a couple switches but nothing works. “Radio’s out. No radar. Everything’s dead back here. What do I do? Talk me through it.”

“Okay, first the radio.” Willow tries to picture the backseat. “Throw the, uh… the uhf-2 circuit breaker. Try that.”

“There’s 300 breakers back here. Anything more specific?” Rooster questions.

“I don’t know. That was your dad’s department. Shouldn’t you be a natural at this kind of stuff?”

“I’ll figure it out.” Rooster grumbles, searching the breaks when he catches a glimpse of two fifth gen fighters below them. “Vixen, tally two, 5:00 low. What do we do?”

Willow looks over to see them before answering. “Okay, listen. Just be cool. If they knew who we were, we’d be dead already.”

“Well, here they come. What’s your plan?”

“Just put your mask on. Remember, we’re on the same team. Just wave and smile.” Willow tells him. She looks over at the other pilot and waves before signaling that they had no comms.

“What’s that signal? What’s he saying?”

“No idea. I have no idea what he’s saying.” She responds to Rooster, signaling again about their lack of comms. The other pilot makes another gesture.

“What about that one? Any idea?”

“No, never seen that one either.” Willow glances behind them to see the second fighter move. “Oh, shit. His wing man is moving into weapons envelope. All right, listen up. When I tell you, you grab those rings above your head. That’s the ejection handle.” She informs Rooster.

“Can we outrun these guys?” He questions her.

“Not their missiles and guns.”

“Then it’s a dogfight.” Rooster says, almost encouraging.

“An F-14 against fifth-gen fighters?” She questions, trying to get Rooster to see there was no hope.

“It’s not the plane, it’s the pilot.” Rooster tells her. “You’d go after them if you were alone.”

“But I’m not alone, that's the problem.” Willow tells him. “It's one thing to risk your life, it's another to risk your’s and your back seater’s.”

“Come on, Vix. Don’t think. Just do.”

Willow takes a deep breath, contemplating her options before she jumps into action, maneuvering the jet between the two fighters, firing and damaging the first jet. “Tell me when you see smoke in the air.”

Bradley searches around them, waiting for the second fighter to launch a missile at them. ‘Smoke in the air! Smoke in the air!”

“Hang on.” Willow passes in front of the first fighter downing it.

“Yeah, Vixen! Splash one! Splash one!” Rooster looks behind them to see another missile. “Here comes another one.”

“Rooster, flares! Now, now, now!” Willow pulls off, free falling past the second fighter before falling in line with it. “Splitting the throttles. Coming around. Give me tone, give me tone.”

“You got him, VIx! You got him!” Rooster calls as the missile lock chimes.

“Taking the shot. What the…” The fighter jet dodges the missile and somehow ends up behind the F-14, neither pilot aware of what kind of trick the fighter just pulled.

“Holy shit! What the fuck was that?” Rooster questions.

“Hang on. We gotta get low. The terrain will confuse his targeting system.” Willow shouts, dropping their altitude.

“Here he comes!” Rooster shouts, keeping an eye on the fighter.

Willow maneuvers the canyon below with ease. “Talk to me, Rooster. Where is he?”

“He’s still on us!” He shouts. Suddenly the fighter jet fires on them. “We took a hit! We took a hit!”

“Damn it!” Willow mutters, trying to shake the jet.

“Come on, Vix. Do some of that pilot shit.”

“Brace yourself.” The opens the wings fully, pulling up to fly out of the canyon. She straightens out just as the fifth gen fighter flies past them.

“Holy shit.” Rooster shouts as they go zero Gs for a second.

“I got tone. Taking the shot.” Willow launches another missile but before it can make impact the fighter releases flares.

“Damn it!”

“Out of missiles. Switching to guns.”

“Come on, come on. You got him, Vix!” Bradley cheers as Willow lands a couple shots on the fighter.

“It’s not over yet. One last chance. You can do this.” She says to herself as she preps to fire the last shots. “Come on, Vixen.” She fires on the fighter, taking out both engines. The pilot ejects just before the jet crashes into the land beside them.

“Yes! Splash two!” Bradley cheers. He flips a couple more switches and more things spring to life in the back seat. “Vix, I got the radio on.”

“Outstanding. Get us in touch with the boat, already.”

“Copy that.”

Suddenly alarms start blaring. “Oh, my god.”

Willow and Bradley start searching around them for the bogey but don’t see anything.

“Where the hell is this guy?”

“He’s on our nose.” Willow tries to fire the guns but gets nothing but clicking. “Damn it, we’re out of ammo.” She looks up to see the incoming jet fire a missile on them. “Smoke in the air! Rooster, flares!” Willow moves the jet into a barrel roll as Rooster launches the flares. “That was close.”

“We’re out of flares, Vix.” Willow glances behind them to see the jet turning around. “Shit, he’s already on us.” The fighter starts firing upon them and Willow deos her best to avoid taking any damage. “This is not good. We took another hit!”

“No, no, no, no, no!” Willow mumbles.

“We can’t take much more of this!” Rooster shouts.

“We can’t outrun this guy. We got to eject!” Willow tells him.

“What?”

“We need altitude. Pull the ejection handles the second I tell you.”

“Vix, wait!”

“Rooster, there’s no other way. Eject, eject, eject!” She orders. When she doesn’t hear the release she calls out again. “Rooster, pull the handle! Eject!”

“It’s not working!” Rooster groans, tugging on the handles. “Vix!”

“I’m sorry.” Willow whispers to herself. “I’m so sorry.” She didn’t even know for sure who she was apologizing to. Bradley for getting him in this position, Her Uncle Goose and Aunt Carole for leading their only child to his death, Ellorie for taking her mother away from her, or to Jake for leaving him to raise Elle by himself. All she knew was that she wished everything had gone a different way as the fighter jet got missile lock on the F-14.

Just as the jet launched its missile though, the jet and the missile blew. Both Willow and Bradley turn back to see an F-18 fly out from behind the cloud.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is your savior speaking.” Willow laughs as she lets out a deep breath, just happy to be alive. “Please fasten your seat belts, return your tray tables to their locked and upright positions and prepare for landing.”

“Hey, Hangman, you look good.” Rooster calls out.

“I am good, Rooster. I’m very good.” Jake laughs.

“Hey handsome.”

“Really think I was gonna let you leave me like this without a fight?” Jake asks, flying parallel with Willow.

“I knew you’d come for me.” She smiles at him through her mask.

“I’ll see you back on deck.” Jake chuckles before leading the F-14 back to the carrier, landing first.

“Vixen is downwind. No front landing gear. No tail hook. Pull the cable and raise the barricade.” Willow informs the tower.

As the flight crews work, Willow does a quick flyby to loop around, giving the crews more time, buzzing the tower in the process.

Suddenly, the F-14 takes a random drop in altitude.

“Please don’t tell me we lost an engine.” Bradley sighs.

“All right, I won’t tell you that.” Willow answers, laughing in the process.

“Okay.” Bradley braces himself as Willow guides the jet to land through the net on deck.

The F-14 comes to a stop 50 feet from the edge and Willow takes a deep breath leaning back in her seat. “You good?” She asks Rooster.

“Yea. I’m good.” They pop the canopy and climb out to be greeted by all their friends. Phoenix runs up, pulling Willow into a tight hug, Payback, Bob, Fanboy, and Coyote not far behind her.

“Hey Phoenix, let a man see his wife will you?” Phoenix pulls back from the hug and Willow immediately jumps into Jake’s open arms. “Hey darlin.”

“I was worried I’d never see you again.” Willow tucks her head into his shoulder, legs wrapped around his waist. Jake held her as close as he could with their flight gear still on.

“I’m never gonna let anything happen to my best girl. Elle still needs her mama.”

“I love you, Jake Seresin.”

“I love you, Willow Seresin.” Willow pulls him into a deep, passionate kiss, kissing him like it's the last time. They only stop when their friends clear their throats. Jake sets Willow down and Bradley walks over.

“Chalked yourself another kill.” Bradley says to him.

“That makes two,” Jake smiles proudly.

“Willow has five.” Phoenix says, ending Jake’s little celebration. “Makes her an Ace.”

“Did I ever mention my wife is a badass?” Jake laughs, pulling Willow into his side and kissing her temple.

Bradley, Maverick, and Willow had sat down to talk while the carrier made its way back home, working through all of their own issues with each other, the conversation ending in hugs and invites to Mav’s hanger being given out.

When the carrier finally docked, Willow and Jake were the first off the boat to be greeted by Ellorie running towards them. Willow drops to her knee as Elle runs into her arms. Willow holds her daughter tight as Jake kneels down next to them, joining the hug to hold both his girls.

The Seresins held a small movie night at their home. Willow and Jake sat cuddled on the loveseat. Phoenix held a sleeping Elle, who fell asleep halfway through the movie, on the recliner. Bob, Payback, Fanboy, and Coyote were spread out across the couch and sectional and Rooster took residence on the floor by the sectional, all fast asleep. Jake took Elle from Phoenix’s arms, carrying his daughter to her bedroom. Willow sent Phoenix off to the guest bedroom and forced Rooster to move to the loveseat.

Willow walked down the hall to the master bedroom where Jake already lay.

“Hey darlin, ready for bed?”

“Yea.” Willow sighs, laying next to Jake as he wraps his arms around her. ‘I think I’m going to step back from flying.” She says calmly, barely loud enough for Jake to hear but he catches it.

“What? Why?”

“Well not fully step back. They’re looking for new Top Gun instructors. And plus, the new position means I am more willing to consider that second child you’ve been wanting so badly.”

“Really?” Willow nods. Jake quickly flips their position to where he is on top of her. “You know, I seem to recall how many accidental tries it took to end up with Elle. Maybe we should practice a bit.”

“We have guests in the house, Jake.” She moans softly as he kisses her neck.

“Oh please, you got really good at being quiet the minute Elle started sleeping through the night.” Jake smiles against her skin, continuing his assault. “So what do you say, darlin? Time for baby number 2?”

Willow laughs, pulling Jake away from her neck. “You know I love you?”

“Always darlin.” Willow smiles.

“Alright.” Willow sighs laughing. “Let's get to work on baby number 2.”

“Hell yeah darlin!”

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