#saw the worst post of my life as 'recommended for me' like bet

[sleepingfancies]

Ok if you can't figure out that ppl saying "actually I like men. Men are sexy and cool" is about their sexuality and not some pro-patriarchy statement then you need to log off fr

#personal #saw the worst post of my life as 'recommended for me' like bet #i dont even know if it counts as a terf post??? it was just like. fucking hell this site goes in circles #'i dont trust anyone who stands up for men or acts like im oppressing them by saying i want them all to die' do you hear yourself btw

[lsholland]

London Lights (pt. 1) - Tom Holland

Pairing: Tom Holland x Reader (1st person)

Genre: Party!Tom

Warnings: swearing; alcohol; nothing much but I don’t recommend -18 to read.

Word count: 1.9k

Author’s note: Hey guys! That’s my first story on this blog. I hope you’ll like it. I’m not native so there may be a few mistakes. I’m trying a new genre of fiction. It’s my first Tom Holland fiction. It’ll be a series of 2-3 chapters. If you want to be part of the master list for Tom please like this post and message me. 

Synopsis: Quarantine has been tough. I’ve lost my boyfriend, and I’m feeling lonely. Clubs and restaurants are open again, but I feel like it’ll never be like it used to. My friends have been pushing me to install Tinder and go on dates. Well, tonight, I’m going on a date. I don’t really want to but I’m going to try and have fun for once. Just a few drinks and I’ll go home. What else could happen?

PS. You can read the story on Wattpad.

What am I doing here? I think to myself.

I matched with this guy on this famous dating app . . . And now I'm supposed to meet him here, at this bar. But I don't want to. I'm just hoping he won't show up so I can escape from this shit-place.

I've been seated at the table for a good 5 minutes. The waitress cleans up the table next to mine and asks if I'm ready to order.

No, I want to leave.

I quickly glance at the drinks menu.

"Ehm . . . A pour over Irish coffee, please."

She nods and leaves. I don't even know what I just ordered. I hope it tastes good. Hopefully it'll make me drunk enough not to remember this awful date.

It hasn't even started yet.

I'm sweating.

"Hey there" says a husky voice right behind me.

I turn around and see my date. His name is Jordan. He's good-looking and I bet he's intelligent, but I don't have this feeling with him. I don't know why I accepted to go on a date in the first place. It's awkward.

"Hey!" I grin.

"Have you ordered something already?" he asks, touching his short, clean beard. "I'm thirsty!"

He looks nice.

*

The waitress hands me my third drink. They help the clock tick a little faster.

He's been talking about his job, his passions. He loves football and practises daily. He has 2 sisters and lives in Camberwell.

Cute.

For a moment, I feel sad for him. He drove all the way to this East London bar, put effort trying to look nice and being cool . . . and yet, he doesn't know it but he has no chance to get lucky tonight. Not with me.

I shouldn't be sorry.

But I am.

I glance around looking for something that might be a little more entertaining than him. I realise I've avoided eye contact since he arrived. I finally glimpse at him. He has beautiful hazel eyes.

Still not enough.

I quickly check my phone. It's getting late. I don't know how to end this.

"Look," I slightly bend over the table. "I'm so sorry but I don't feel like it tonight"

"I noticed." He smirked. "Kinda awkward, innit?"

I chuckle. I am so embarrassed.

"It's okay, though." He added. "I'm just trying to meet new people. I broke up with my ex-girlfriend a few weeks ago. My mates told me I should try these apps."

Okay, now I feel worse than ever. He's been so nice with me and that's how I treat him. I grab my drink and gulp it down.

I shouldn't have done this.

"Let's go dance. I owe you one." I say as I grab his hand and walk towards the dancing area. It becomes difficult to keep my head straight.

I'm drunk, I must admit.

I'm going to regret it, my sober-self shouts in my head.

I don't care is what I reply.

The dancing area is not crowded, but there are already a few people. Most of them are girls.

Girls . . . I wish my friends were not so busy all the time. I would've come to this bar with them instead of wasting my time with strangers.

I start dancing. I stare at him. He looks amused.

A group of guys join the dancefloor and all the girls on my right start screaming. It's so high pitched I cringe.

"What the fuck guys?" I shout, trying to focus on the music.

"Woah, that's Spider-Man!" says my date. He grabs my chin and makes me look in his direction.

No way, I think. It's actually him.

I know he lives in the area, but I've never met him before. It's always weird to see movie stars in real life. They look so much more attractive.

He is so much more attractive.

I try not to be a drunk fangirl and shyly wave to him. He doesn't notice.

"You wanna go and take a picture with him?" my date asks.

"Oh, no, no!" I answer. I'm blushing. "I don't even know what I'd tell him."

He laughs.

The worst thing that could happen is to annoy him during a night out. He needs privacy and I must respect it.

But it's so difficult.

I can't stop staring at him. I don't even control it. Being drunk doesn't help.

"D'you want a beer?" I ask my date whose name I completely forgot.

He nods.

I weave my way through the crowd. I can't believe there are so many people on the dancefloor. The area is so busy since the Spider-Man actor walked in.

Even the bar area is crowded.

I let my body rest against a barstool but quickly lose balance and almost fall on the dirty floor. The flickering lights are making me feel dizzy. I grip the counter and get up. I peer around to make sure nobody saw me.

He did.

I dust off my dress trying to save the dignity I have left.

"Want something?" someone asks behind me. I turn around, it's the barman.

"Two pints of Guinness, please."

I glance back at the same spot, but he's gone. It must've been a dream. I'm so drunk I can't trust everything I think I see.

I'm grabbing both my drinks and look around trying to find my date, but there are too many people. I take a sip of my beer and hold the other one above my head.

Someone hits my arm.

Oh no.

"Oh my God I'm so sorry!" yells the drunk blond girl.

I look at my dress. It's soaking wet. I politely smile at her. "It's okay," I mouth.

What a mess. I glance at the lavatory door. I need to go and save my dress.

"You haven't been lucky here."

I turn around to find out who's talking to me.

It's him. Tom Holland. Talking to me.

"What?" is all I manage to say.

"Do you need a hand?" he politely asks.

I blush so much it's noticeable in the dark.

I'm choking. I'm panicking.

I give him my two beers and walk towards the lavatory. I'm surely starstruck. And drunk. This isn't a good mix.

Once in the room, I grab a handful of tissues and try to soak up my dress. I groan. Did I expect to make that beer mark disappear? Yes. Did it work? Of course not.

I watch my face in the mirror.

I look like shit, I think.

A door slams shut. Two young girls just walked in.

"OH, MY G—THAT'S TOM HOLLAND!" shouts one. They are both panting.

I roll my eyes.

Oh . . . I've given him my beers. What about my date?

"Shit!" I hiss.

I violently open the door and frown my eyebrows as the lights blind me.

He's just here gazing at me. Two beers in his hands. One of them is half empty, the rest being displayed on my dress.

"I'm so sorry!" I say embarrassed as ever.

He smirks. "No worries." He hands me the full glass of beer.

I give him a questioning look as I grab it. What about the other one? Oh, right—He's drinking it.

"What's your na—"

I stop him.

"I know who you are." I peer down. "I'm sorry I didn't wanna disturb you" I say as I'm walking away.

This time I'm smart enough to avoid the crowd on my way out.

"That's rude to leave without saying goodbye!" Tom shouts from a distance.

I turn around and stare at him. He's got a soft smile; he doesn't look drunk at all. I wave him goodbye.

Now, he's approaching me.

"I meant to your boyfriend" he nods in the direction of my date who was dancing with a group of other people.

"He's not my—" is all I can say before he chuckles.

"I figured."

"How?" I clench my jaw. I'm hypnotised by his hand running through his hair. And his smile. And his lips.

"I can barely hear you," he points at a booth in the corner of the room "maybe we could sit there" he suggests.

My mouth softens into a smile.

It's difficult to walk with Tom Holland. Every couple of seconds he's stopped by fans requesting a picture. And he accepts every time.

I'd never be so patient.

"What's that?" he asks.

"It must be so annoying sometimes." I tell him as I sit on the booth.

"When they're nice and ask me, it's cool." He chooses to sit next to me. I can feel his arm touching mine. My heart is racing. He uses his other arm to hold his chin; he looks at me with so much intensity. Sometimes peering down my lips.

His face is so close, but he keeps talking. I can feel his breath on my skin. I'm going to burst into flames. "But when they're taking pictures without asking first, that's delicate."

I nod. I can't really listen to what he's talking about. I'm trying not to lose control.

"So, what's your name?"

He smiles when I tell him. "Why did you leave your date alone?" he asks.

I'm so nervous I stutter. I can't find my words. "I . . . I wasn't in the mood. He knows it. I shouldn't have come here."

"I'm happy you came." He says looking me in the eyes.

I raise my eyebrows. "Are you flirting with me?"

He barks out a laugh and breaks the eye contact. He rests his head on the wall behind us.

He isn't as confident as I thought he'd be. I don't know what's up with him, but I enjoy it.

I suddenly remember he's a movie star. He's always being watched. I glance at the crowd and see flashing lights. They're taking pictures of us.

I'm getting dizzier.

I don't want to see my face on a dumb article talking about Tom Holland's mysterious partner. I don't even know him.

"This is stupid" I mumble.

Tom is intrigued. He hasn't got a clue what I'm talking about. He hasn't even noticed the fans stalking him.

"I'm sorry, I gotta go" I abruptly say as I stand up. "Have a good night."

I grab my phone and leave the venue. I'm upset because I really wish I could've met him in a different context. I open my Uber app: there's no driver available.

Shit.

How's that even possible on a Friday night? In London?

I refresh the app, but it doesn't work. I guess I'll have to walk home.

A part of me wants to go back in this bar and spend time with Tom. He's sweet and I'm sure we would've had so much fun together. I glance through the window trying to see his face one last time, but I can't find him.

"What are you looking for?"

I cringe.

"Oh, sorry I didn't mean to startle you."

It's him. It's Tom.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

"Going home too. The fun of the party is leaving . . ." he sighs. I smile back at him. I'm embarrassed.

I stand in front of him, none of us say a word. It's awkward. I'm getting anxious and walk away. I'm so overwhelmed.

He grabs my shoulder. "Wait, are you walking home?"

"Yeah, it's okay don't worry." I smile.

"I can drive you home."

"Sorry, but you've been drinking. I won't let you drive me." I curtly say.

He grins. He looks at one of his mates and nods.

"No way I'm letting you walk home alone," he sighs "besides, you're drunk."

"Come with me then" I instantly reply without thinking.

He nods.

What?

He's coming with me. My heart is racing. I won't survive a 30-minute drunk walk with him.

Not with his beautiful glossy eyes staring at me.

Not with my burning desire to kiss him.

#tom holland #London lights fic #Tom Holland one shot #tom holland fiction #Tom Holland imagine #Tom Holland x reader

[mod2amaryllis]

I'm sure you've received this question a hundred times but do you have some tips for training a deaf puppy? Thank you and sorry to bother you

OK YEAH SO definitely don’t consider training to be an area of expertise but Goose turned out decent so here are some things:

first thing: make sure you’re prioritizing just like, approaching it as A Puppy, and puppies are hard as a baseline. find a class to join for basics if your dog does well in a class setting (my area had a free puppy class option that worked great for Goose, look into it, but I DO think this is something worth spending money on if you have to). then my most recommended puppy literature is: Social, Civil, and Savvy: Training & Socializing Puppies to Become the Best Possible Dogs. it’s almost impossible for me to pay attention to nonfiction books and a lot of dog training books are really crunchy technical, but this book is super short, lots of pictures, big text, straightforward. I had an easy time absorbing it and the stuff works. awesome awesome training guide. also a good podcast is Drinking From the Toilet, which has had specific puppy and deaf training eps

AND BLANKET STATEMENT: socializing is just in general the most important thing for a puppy. like exposing them to new things. expose them to all types of people, all types of animals, all types of situations, all types of floors rooms buildings grass discomforts yadda yadda yadda this is JUST as important for a deaf puppy. blanket ass statement.

NOW FOR SOME DEAF DOG SPECIFIC STUFF

general stuff before I share personal observations: resources I turned to the most were probably Deaf Dogs Rock (awesome equipment recs, so many anecdotes from owners w/ specific advice) and Keller’s Cause (neat little training videos)

ok now personal experience

in the context of training it was helpful for me to think of deafness more as just another attribute as opposed to a disability. like how being a mini aussie makes her creepy-smart, being deaf makes her: not hear (obviously), highly observant, potentially more confident in situations that might intimidate hearing dogs, easily startled, dependent on passive training as opposed to command training. basically it’s not a hurdle. it forces you to be creative and work within her attributes. just like with literally any other dog.

obviously you will use signing. I don’t use ASL, I come up with whatever is intuitive for Goose and me. early training feels like you need 3 hands cuz you’re giving treats, you’re signaling “good job,” you’re signing commands, you’re maybe holding a leash, it’s a lot. so my signs had to be with 1 hand, they had to be intuitive, they had to be distinct from one another to avoid confusion. a few examples: SIT is a closed fist (I feel like most people already do this with their dogs); TOUCH is two fingers offered; LAY DOWN is those two fingers being lowered to the floor; SPEAK is a hand being opened rapidly. I have more but you get the picture. I actually have a notebook where I’d doodle commands as I went cuz I was literally just flying by the seat of my pants lmao

passive training has been clutch. this is kennel training, car training, leash training, basically establishing her life routine (idk if it’s actually called passive training??? i’m sure it all falls under “”””socializing”””” but that’s such a huge umbrella). these areas can be difficult to settle into but they really are essential. I don’t have car advice cuz my dogs drive w/ me to work every day and are fine so IDK WHOOPS but:

leash training: with goose being deaf it was weird because the trainer I worked with was heavily reliant on voice commands. so I put a LOT of time into the loose-leash game, which is walking on a leash in the house, and every few steps, you give the dog a treat AT YOUR SIDE. like hold your hand right by your leg. basically the idea is to teach your dog it’s cool and fun to stay by your side and check in with you every now and then. Goose still pulls on her leash but in a manageable way, and she knows to check back with me. also definitely rec a halter. this one’s my favorite.

kennel/sleep training (gonna spend a lot of time on this one cuz it was/is the worst thing about Goose): listen. this one will be hard. this one’s gonna suck. you will be SO tempted to just let them in your bed but you really, REALLY should not. letting them in the bed can foster separation anxiety especially with a deaf dog who’s probably gonna become your shadow. kennels instill confidence by giving a dog their own space, and if ever there’s an emergency when they need to go in the kennel, it’ll help them feel safe. like there’s so many reasons to kennel train. you gotta do it.

so...as a baby, Goose like almost killed me with sleep deprivation. we initially didn’t think we’d keep her (haha hubris) so she slept out of the bedroom. And Screamed. the ultimate solution was bringing her kennel in the bedroom next to Joanie’s kennel, and we’re pretty sure the reason that solved it is because she could wake up and SEE that there was another dog there. now she loves her kennel. shoots in there every night demanding her pb kong. BUT YEAH LISTEN if you DON’T HAVE some comforting visual/kinetic reassurance there, this could be a problem for a deaf puppy. AND. AND. the problem hasn’t gone away completely. Goose wakes us up at 5:30 am every single morning and probably will for the rest of her life because THAT is her routine and she is immune to our angry tired yelling. the simple act of us going to her kennel reinforces the behavior. we’re not jerks about it cuz we love her and understand how dog brains work. This Could Happen To You. Heads Up.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: big sister dog like Joanie, worked for us; a floor fan creating vibrations, seemed to help her as a very young kiddo; being at least IN VIEW of you sleeping, like having the kennel riiiiight next to the bed, even within arm’s reach so you can reassure the puppy you’re still there. just...both in personal experience and in my research, I saw it a lot that sleeping is a big issue. cuz they can’t hear you, it’s dark, they don’t know if you’re still there, and committing to STILL attempting kennel training is the harder thing to do, but I really, really encourage you to try.

WOW. ok. fuck off I typed way more than I meant to. wanna hear some funny stuff?

Goose follows us around everywhere. she simply must know what’s goin on. we have beds stationed at every visual corner of the house, like sentry posts, so whatever room we’re in there’s a comfy place for her to sit where she can see us and she takes advantage of it. like she could be sleeping in one room and I’ll get up to brush my teeth, suddenly look down and she’s just teleported already asleep in the nearest bed to me.

sometimes Goose knocks on the door to come inside, and I’ll go to the door to let her in, and at literally the nanosecond before I open the door she dog-shrugs and turns and trots away and there’s nothing I can do. can’t call out to her. I’m bamboozled.

she is so fucking loud. I remember when she was a baby and my sis in law was like “wow so I bet she’s quieter than normal dogs huh” and I laughed like no actually she sounds like a rubber chicken going for that 4 chair turn on the voice, at ALL times.

sometimes I’ll do the speak command and she’ll do this huge windup, like big breath, eyes wide, and then release what is essentially a very little hiccup. but i still have to give her the treat. she doesn’t know the difference, not really.

always delighted to be woken up by you, wiggles her feet and starts licking her lips and looking up at you like “!!!! hello!!! omg!!! wow!!! a delight!!!”

doesn’t know the cats don’t like her. will trot up to Frisk and give what is in her mind a very polite little kiss on her nose before trotting away, oblivious to the offended growl she’s just elicited.

MUST BE PET. HOW ELSE WILL SHE KNOW SHE IS LOVED. MUST BE PET AT ALL TIMES NOW EVERYWHERE PLEASE.

...

realizing i could write a book about how much i love this deaf fucker

#dogs #dog training #deaf dog #goose #m2a #m2answers #long post #holy shit that's a lot lmao sorry #got carried away #i love it when people ask about my animals dude #i'm that parent who's ready to whip out the family album at any given moment #just say the word #like i could talk at length about any of them!!!!! #goose is just the most interesting in a public forum lmao

[jimlingss]

The Colour of Our Voices [6]

Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 6.5 OR Chapter 7

➜ Words: 4.1k

➜ Genres: 98% Fluff, 2% Angst, Slice of Life, Broadway!AU

➜ Summary: He wasn’t supposed to hear. He wasn't supposed to know. But the instant Jimin came into your life and pulled the curtains back, you couldn't hide backstage anymore. You were no longer merely a phantom of the opera.

cr.

You try not to let the negative, disgusting feelings get to you.   But envy is a monster that keeps hovering over your shoulder, always peering at what you’re doing, always making petty comments in your weakest moments. You try to tune it out, but it constantly tempts you in whispers to be honest with yourself.   It’s hard to keep it at bay too when every turn you make, you see Jimin’s face. From the moment you step outside the comfort of your apartment to when you get back — he never gives you a moment to compose yourself, to heal, to overcome the green monster. He sticks to your side like gum and you can’t help the way your resentments build into hatred.   “Did you hear?” there are murmurs as you’re cleaning up a spill on the floor, knees sore and bruised blue. The director spilled his coffee and immediately pointed at you and told you to take care of the mess.   “What?”   “Jimin got a role in the Les Mis production.”   “What? Really?” she gasps. “That’s impressive. No wonder he’s not here today.”   “I knew he could do it, he’s cute. I’d let him have his way with me.”   “God, you’re never satisfied, aren’t you?” There are snickers and giggles. “But he must be really good. Didn’t he just come here too? But we should see if we can get tickets to watch.”   “Good idea. I’d love to see him on stage,” she hums. “I wonder if he’ll quit this job.”   “Probably. Working as an intern here is pretty much working as a slave for the director. It’s a shitty ass job,” she mutters and you can feel their heavy stares on your backside. “Wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”   “Shame,” she sing-songs. “I was hoping he’d stick around.”   Your hand crumples into a tight fist, into the dirty cloth that’s stained your skin. Then you scrub harder until your fingernails hurt, until it’s as painful as the way your eyes sting.   //   Your appetite is gone. You can’t swallow your food despite having skipped lunch — the director had sent you on a wild goose chase to pick up a package at the post office and by the time you were done, your lunch break was long over.   You play with dinner using your fork, and Jimin doesn’t notice. He keeps talking about all about him and his accomplishments. You didn’t want to be here in the first place, but he insisted on going out for a celebratory dinner, pressured you into it even when you tried rejecting him.   And here you are.    “So I came in today for the first time, and it was so exciting. You wouldn’t believe it, Y/N. You were right when you said the Phantom production was low-budget. These sets that some other musicals have are a world’s difference.”   “I see.”   Jimin stuffs his cheeks with french fries, getting ketchup at the corner of his mouth. “I’m starting officially on Monday, so I’ll probably quit my internship. I already gave the director a call to let him know tomorrow will be my last day and he sounded pretty happy for me. He even said he’d write a recommendation letter if I ever needed one.”   You drop the fork in your bowl, retracting your hands into your lap. “Wow, that’s really great, Jimin.”   “I don’t think I’ll need a letter any time soon.” Jimin smiles and shakes his head, sipping on his soda. “I’m just so psyched to begin rehearsals. They ran me through a few things and what my costume will be and what it’ll look like before we perform in a few months. Sometimes I just can’t believe that I’m actually there. It’s just surreal to think about how I’ll be on stage. Everything at that production is so amazing, Y/N, completely different from Phantom’s production, you should’ve seen it.”   “Yeah. Wish I could’ve….”   “And now people are taking my coffee orders! Can you believe that?!”   You can’t even muster a smile. There’s a thick lump formed in your throat that hurts to talk past and you’re holding back from crying, not wanting to lose the last shreds of your pride.   Jimin doesn’t know that you never asked to hear any of this, that his innocent gloating is grating to your ears.    “I couldn’t have done it without you.” He gives a cheesy grin and then bites into his burger and puts it down after wiping his mouth free of the sauce. “Seriously, if not for you, I probably wouldn’t have made the role. I didn’t know what I was doing before you taught me the ins and outs of the industry. I bet I’d still be at home rolling around in bed.”   Your tight lipped mouth attempts to pull. “You’re welcome.”   “I’d love to make it up to you some time...s-so...uh...I-I’ve been meaning to ask something.” Jimin nervously laughs and scratches the back of his neck.   You wonder why you’re here, why you’re allowing yourself to feel this misery. You should be at home, underneath the covers of your own bed. Not out here in the cold feeling humiliated. You’ve wasted enough time on Jimin and he’s gotten what he wanted from you.   The two of you are no less than strangers.   “O-Of course, only if you want to, no pressure whatsoever, but there was this theater show coming up tomorrow, I was wondering, well I wanted to ask, um, if you wanted to j-join, I got tickets—”   You don’t hear him. Too busy in your own thoughts.   You grab your bag. “I’m not feeling very well, Jimin. I think I’m going to head home first.”   His eyes are owlish, big and rounded, blinking at you. The boy looks at your unfinished food and then back at you in alarm. “Are you okay? Do you need me to bring you to the hospital? What’s wrong?”   “No, I’m fine. I’m just—” You sigh, unable to come up with a coherent explanation. “—tired.”   Tired from the day. Tired of your life. Tired of him.   Jimin stands when you do. “We can go back together.”   “No, it’s fine,” you insist as lies roll off your tongue, “I might actually stop by a friend’s house tonight.”   “Do you want me to walk you to the subway then? I can go right now—”   “No, it’s okay. Promise.” You can’t bring yourself to smile at him, to spend one more second in his presence. You’re scared you might permanently hate Jimin. “See you.”   “Bye…” His hand lifts to wave, watching you walk away.   Once you’ve disappeared from sight, Jimin dejectedly plops back down into the seat of his booth. He peeks into his pocket and sighs as he looks at the two tickets to the show. He shouldn’t have been so nervous. He wonders what he should do with them now.   But next time. Next time for sure, he’ll ask you on a date.

You’re strung around a lot.   You realized this after your many encounters with Jimin, but everyone in your entire life has strung you around like a pet for their own amusement. Even now, the director brings you places to do his dirty work for him while making you believe that he’ll give you a reference someday, that he’ll give you a chance.    But if you’re honest with yourself, you know he’ll never do it.   He’ll never pick up his goddamn phone and call an agent for you. He’ll never give you the praise you deserve for being his ghost singer. And these facts alone are enough for you to want to grab the nearest brick available and smash it on his dumb head.   But you can’t do that as irritated and as pissed off as you are these days. You can’t go to prison and you can’t quit this shitty job. You need money from somewhere, and you won’t be succeeding in any auditions any time soon — you know that too.   You’re stuck. Trapped in your own inability to succeed. Stranded in your own routine. Even when the entire world keeps moving.   You feel like you’re in a glass case, a phone booth in the middle of the metropolis, watching the universe continue, watching how others move past you.   “Intern. Intern!”   “Huh?”   “Did you not hear me?” The director sighs and rubs his temples. “Don’t make me regret bringing you here, alright?”   Except he didn’t bring you here willingly. Taeyeon couldn’t come to the networking event — the stupid party for ‘charity’ that was actually meant for the sponsor to brag about his wealth. The invitation became open and he saw you staring at him intently, so he reluctantly told you to come with. But now the director was acting like he has bestowed onto you a huge honour.   “Go get one of the waiters to bring those finger food platters to us. They keep running out by the time they get to this side of the room.”   “Yes, sir.”   You remind yourself this job is a privilege. A privilege.   You cut through the room and crowds that make you sweaty. It feels as though everyone’s eyes are on your backside despite knowing that logically no one cares. You’re a ghost in the sea of fancy dresses and glamour.   “—And so, one day I just told him that of course we had to eat during the layover, we were in Italy for god’s sake. It’s eat-aly for a reason.”   Seokjin seems to be enjoying himself. He’s drawn in a crowd with his handsomeness and godly appearance. Even his ridiculous jokes rouse laughter. You’d probably giggle along if he ever wanted to entertain you, but at this point, you might end up bursting into tears after laughing.   “You’re so funny, Jin.”   “Am I? Hmm. Always thought I should do stand-up comedy.”   You continue making your way, catching a waiter walking past and in an attempt to grab his attention, you dive straight through a hoard of people. Apologies roll off your tongue while they grunt. But by the time you get to the other side, the waiter is gone.   Instead you see someone else — the person that you wanted to see the least in the whole entire world.   “Actually, I started in community theater.”   “Oh, really?! What did you do?”   “Well, I did a lot, but I think my favourite role was when I did Peter Pan. That was pretty fun and a really good experience.”   “I can see that.” The suited man hums. “Can’t you?”   “Yes.” The woman on the man’s arm is swooning over the younger boy. “I think that role is rather fitting.”   The brunette is dressed in a well-pressed suit that looks brand new, as if he had just got it off the rack yesterday in haste. But he looks comfortable surrounded in his new group, probably members of his production.   You watch for a second from afar, stuck at another standstill, feet rooted in the ground. Jimin gets along with people easily. He’s only shy on the surface. It’s smart to talk to so many people and to expand his horizons, to actively socialize. He’ll probably get more connections here at the event. It’s only up from here.   You’re envious that Jimin is being presented as a new Broadway actor while you’re just an intern.   Though you sigh with a smile despite your inner turmoil. For a second, one small second, you’re almost happy for him—   But the timing is poor.   As you turn away to fully disappear, he catches you out of the corner of his eye. And Jimin takes a step forward, calling your name out loud, clear and crisp in the air. You shut your eyes, hoping your ears are mistaken, but they aren’t.   He dismisses himself from his new colleagues and comes over to you with the biggest smile.   “I didn’t know you would be here, Y/N!.”   “Y-Yeah, um, I’m here as an intern.”   “Oh, I didn’t even see the director. I should go say hi.” Jimin glances up and down at you. You wonder if he’s judging your meager attire when everyone else is glamorous. But you don’t let your thoughts stray too far into self-deprecation.   You inhale a huge breath, trying your best to get along with him.   “You look like you’re having a fun time.”   “Hardly,” Jimin admits. “I just came since everyone else did and I didn’t want to be that new guy who didn’t come to social events, y’know?”   “Yeah, I get it.”   You wonder when it became so hard to talk to him.   “The food here is actually pretty good, have you had a chance to try it yet?”   “No, not yet.”   “I recommend the tiramisu and truffle fries. It’s delicious. Here we should go to the buffet table.”   “Actually, Jimin, I have to go—”   “There’s something I want to tell you,” he interjects with a softened smile. Jimin waits patiently for your response, so you nod, following him for the sake of not being awkward.   The two of you come to a quieter spot by the corner of the room where the tables are.   “What is it?”   “Earlier I was just walking around trying to make conversation with different people and I spoke to this guy and we had a pretty regular conversation, but it turns out he’s the casting director of an upcoming, original production!” Jimin’s excitedly rambling, sharing the good news with you as if you’re close friends. “It’s called When Summer Meets Winter, and there’s nothing official yet, but he said he really likes me. Do you think I’ll get a part?���   You don’t know why he’s telling you this.   “I...I don’t know, Jimin.”   “Can you believe it though? If I had another role lined up right after this one?!”   “Congratulations,” you deadpan.   “Well nothing’s decided yet.” Jimin sheepishly smiles, unaware of how he was literally pouring kilograms of salt into your wounds, gallons of gas into the fire.   “Is this what you wanted to tell me? I should really get going, Jimin. I’m on the job right now. And I can’t afford to get fired.”   “Wait.” He grabs your wrist before you can turn away from him, desperate eyes asking you to stay for a moment longer. “I...a-actually wanted to ask you something…..and I’ve been meaning to do it for a while now but I never really got the chance, well that’s not true, I had a lot of chances but I chickened out because I was a coward—”   “What?” you sigh in exasperation, annoyed beyond belief. “What is it, Jimin?”   He looks you dead in the eyes. “Will you come with me to an improv class?”   “Pardon?”   “There’s an upcoming improv class. I heard about it, and it’s free. It’s just that we had gone to so many shows before but we never got a real chance to participate, so I thought it would be really fun.”   You don’t want to. Thinking about it makes you scared. And you still haven’t healed from your most recent failure.   “I don’t think so, Jimin...I…”   “Please?” he insists, “I think it would be so much fun.”   “I’ve been pretty busy—”   “I haven’t even told you when it was yet! How would you know if you’re busy?” Jimin laughs, the sound bubbling out of his throat. “And plus, they have a lot of days available.”   There’s an extended silence.    It’s too much work to reject him, to find an excuse, to make this more awkward than it needs to be. You just want to leave, want him to let you go. So you agree. “Fine.”   He grins. “Okay. It’s this Friday at seven. I’ll see you then?”   “Sure. But—”   You’re interrupted by a yell. “Y/N! Where did you go? My god, I sent you to do one task and you got distracted like this?” The director is appalled as he comes over, shaking his head, outright humiliating you.   And Jimin smiles. “Director Kang! How are you?”   “Jimin!” The older man smiles and hugs him. “What’s my favourite intern doing here?”   “I came with my new production team.”   “Up on the high ranks now, aren’t you?” Director Kang slings his arm over Jimin’s shoulder as if the pair of them are sharing a secret. “Make sure to remember who got you there. It’s good to show gratitude.”   Jimin steals a glance at you. “I remember.”   But by then, you’ve already turned away, grabbing the nearest waiter and asking him to bring over a platter of finger foods for the director.   People might see you as a timid mat to walk all over. But you just really itch to set the whole place on fucking fire.    //   Friday comes too quickly, and once you step outside to face the consequences of your decisions, Jimin is there to greet you with a smile as if to show how perfect his life is going.   On the way there, he summarizes his week and somehow gives extensive details — from the rehearsals to the new things he learnt, to how amazing the cast is and what it’s like to work with people who are passionate about musicals. You tune him out, and fortunately you arrive soon enough.   It’s a dingy entrance way and a hall that leads to a lit studio. But as skeptical as you were, there’s quite a few people there. There are around thirteen folks who are both friendly as they are invasive. Though Jimin is comfortable with them while you linger behind him.   It quiets down when the teacher steps into the room.   “Hello everyone.” The blonde with bright eyes flashes a boxy smile. He’s dressed in a loose dress shirt, tight trousers, a sophisticated but casual outfit. And he’s charming, outspoken, drawing the attention of the crowd. “Looks like we have some new faces today, so I’ll introduce myself. My name is Kim Taehyung. I am an aspiring screenplay writer and producer, currently assisted to Director Lee if you know who he is. And today, I am your improv teacher, director, leader, whatever you want to call it.”   Kim Taehyung….   Everyone goes around the room to introduce themselves, and your fixation on Taehyung shatters when Jimin, next to you, announces himself.   “Hello! My name is Park Jimin, and I’m currently working towards my Broadway debut.”   “Oh, impressive,” Taehyung genuinely expresses, eyes twinkling with curiosity. “What production are you in?”   “Les Mis.”   “Wow.” He nods with a smile and looks off at you. You feel the entire focus of the room shift onto you and you begin sweating, uncomfortable, panicking.    “I’m Y/N…” You cringe at how awkward you are, at how quiet your volume is. Others have to murmur to each other to confirm what your name is.   But Taehyung smiles kindly. “And are you interested in improv, Y/N?”   “A little.”   He laughs, a glorious sound that’s chirpy and melodic. “Well, let’s hope it changes to a lot by the time this is over.”   Taehyung turns to the class afterwards, reassuring that it’s all for fun while explaining what the theme is for today. He also explains the rules, what to do, and how to set up a scene.   “Oh no, a man’s been shot!” someone screams, startling you to death.   “I’m the paramedic.” Someone else steps in right away. “He can only be saved by true love’s kiss.”   “Oh my god, George!” Another comes colliding onto the set up scene, next to the man laying on the ground. Someone asks if she’s his girlfriend and she responds with, “I’m his sister.”   It arouses some stiff laughter. “Well that’s awkward. We need someone to kiss him!”   “Gross, I’m not kissing him,” the supposed sister drops him back onto the ground. “He has herpes.”   “She’s right.” Jimin seizes the opportunity and comes in. “I’m his doctor and he’s contracted herpes through kissing raccoons.”   “Are you sure that it’s herpes and not rabies?”   “I’m sure.”   “They’re very different things.”   “I’m aware,” Jimin says smoothly, thinking on his toes, “But we need someone to kiss him stat.”   “Well, you’re the doctor! Can’t you go through the medical procedures and kiss him?!”   “Sorry. Can’t risk contracting diseases. It’s protocol.”   Someone on the scene asks who they’ll contact now. But it’s so bizarre. You don’t know what’s going on — you can’t keep up — it’s happening too quickly and each time you gather the courage to jump into it, the development is too fast for you to conjure more ideas of what to do or say.   But you’re the next person to step in and everyone turns to you.   You’re apprehensive, nervous. You know you’re bad, that you’ll mess up—   “You can do it,” Taehyung murmurs, having watched the scene unfold. His arms are crossed, but his grin is welcoming and warm. He encourages you with a gentle gesture.   You clear your throat and try strutting into the scene. “I-I’m nurse Joy. I was told there was a bachelor party at this venue?”   Taehyung laughs. “Creative.”   The scene unravels in absolute absurdity. You exchange a look with Jimin before your eyes stray off to Taehyung and stay there. It’s surprisingly fun. It’s not so nerve wracking when everyone’s on their toes, when there’s no real audience or anyone to scrutinize you.   Everyone’s a part of the performance.   “There’s no right or wrong,” Taehyung tells, approaching your side as another scene is unfolding. “Try to relax more into it.”   “Okay.” You take his advice and he smiles, endeared.    An hour eventually passes and class is dismissed. Everyone bids farewell and you’re gathering your belongings when Taehyung comes up to you while wearing his coat, balancing his own briefcase.    “You’re really good. It was your first time, right?”   “Y-Yeah.” You try not to show how flustered you are over his praise. “Thanks, I don’t think I’m any good.”   “Don’t say that. It all comes with practice and hard work.”   “And luck,” you add. Not everything can be achieved through perseverance — you realized that a long time ago.   “That too. But did I end up changing your mind?”   “About what?”   “Are you a little more interested in improv?”   You consider it for a moment before becoming honest with your emotions. “A little…?”   “Only a little?” Kim Taehyung gives an exaggerated huff, obviously teasing you. “Aw, jeez, I failed, didn’t I? I was hoping you’d love it by the time it was over.”   “Maybe next time I’ll love it more,” you banter back to him and he laughs.   “So I’ll see you again?”   “Maybe.” You shrug.   Taehyung smiles, the corner of his mouth tilted gingerly. He glances down at his shoes before peeking up at you past his bangs and thick lashes. “What do you do, Y/N?” he asks in a husky timbre that has your chest stuttering.   But you don’t know what to say. You’re embarrassed to tell him you’re an intern. You’ve never been proud of that title and somehow, you find yourself not wanting to tell him.   So you opt to evade it playfully. “Why do you want to know?”   He hums a low note. “Because I’d love to know your availability—”   “Y/N?” He’s interrupted by a soft voice and when the both of you turn, you find Jimin has been standing at the doorway, having watched the entire interaction. His cheeks are pink and he tensely hitches a thumb over his shoulder. “We...should get going. Wouldn’t want to miss the train…”   You look back at Taehyung. “Um, I really had a fun time today. Thanks for teaching…”   “It’s my pleasure, Y/N.”    You like the way he calls your name. The way the syllables roll off his tongue. It sounds nice. Pleasant.    When you walk out the door and glance back, you see his boxy grin and cheerful wave. You wave back to him with a kind of smile that hasn’t reached your features in a long time.   “Did...you have fun?” Jimin peeks at you as you’re on your way back.   “Yeah, surprisingly.” You smile up at the night sky before turning to Jimin. “Taehyung’s super nice, huh?”   “Yeah. He is. He’s pretty good looking too.”   “I know, right?” You giggle. “I thought I was the only one who noticed.”   The two of you keep walking, but you don’t realize when Jimin’s steps slow. You don’t come to see the dismayed expression on his face.   It’s the first time in a while that you feel this good.

#bts fanfic #bts scenario #jimin fanfic #jimin fluff #jimin scenario #park jimin

[edourado]

Warning - Part II

So I had an anxiety attack last night. What fun. 

And, since I was maybe twelve years old, writing is what actually calms me down, I finished this little piece that has been sitting on my drafts for AGES. 

Please note that I wrote 99% of it before the latest Avengers movies. So if you pick up any discrepancies, ignore them. It’s already an AU, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. 

Thanks for all the messages I got, supporting that I posted this. Honestly, I haven’t written anything since mid 2019, and September was the start of the worst time of my life, so I was very, very insecure going back to it. Still am. 

Let me know what you think. Tomorrow I think I’m gonna post a snippet of something else I was working on before all the mess, that I still feel excited about. 

Love you all. 

.:.

Son of a bitch.

Son of a motherfucking bitch, he can’t believe this guy’s luck. 

Or, maybe, it has nothing to do with luck at all. 

When he first met Frank Castle, Grotto knew he should be careful. Nothing about the guy said “friendly” or “willing to sway the rules”. They were both beat cops back then, but, honestly, Grotto was fooling no one. This decision of his to “go straight” was not gonna stick for long, no matter how many times his father threatened him or how many tears his mother shed. It was just in his blood.

And, right away, he knew Castle was not going to be one of his buddies. So best to keep a safe distance. 

Unsurprisingly, Frank, the condecorated Marine, started, you know, going places. Soon enough, Grotto - Officer Grote, now - was still in uniform while Castle was Detective. A blink of an eye and, what do you know. Sergeant Castle.

No grudges there, it’s not like Grotto had big dreams for himself with the police while he was still in bed with the… Wrong kind of crowd, to put it mildly. 

But he had always wondered about that one pesky thing. 

He is better looking than Frank. Yes he is, 100%. He doesn’t have any visible scars and a nose that has been broken about a thousand times, and he doesn’t frown so much. His eyes are a nice shade of greenish grayish blue, he has a nice smile. He can do pretty well for himself with the ladies, there should be no contest between him and Frank Sour-Face Castle.

And yet. 

He doesn’t get it. The guy is grumpy, the guy is broody, the guy is downright rude, but whenever he walks into a room, suddenly it’s all about him. 

Sure, he does have a nice physique, but you can’t even tell it when he’s wearing a suit, which he does everyday. Still. There should not be as many women following his every move wherever he goes. 

When he walks into the station, you can almost hear the collective sigh. From the hookers to the badges, everybody wants a piece of Castle, it seems. 

Not that it really matters. Grotto has his own thing going on with Sally Burnett from Chelsea, and also maybe a little something else with Tatiana Henry, from Williamsburg. He met this amazing nurse in Harlem the other day, Claire something, and he definitely would like to have something with her, but she knows Castle, and Turk tells him she’s involved with Luke Cage, so he’s not holding his breath. 

But then, just when he thinks he finally has the upper hand on the scowling bastard, he gets slapped on the face again. 

Frank lost the bet. Fair and square, he lost it. The one thing they were able to really talk about was basketball, and Grotto got to gloat for a whole weekend plus a Monday when his team won and Castle’s lost, spectacularly, and Frank had to cover traffic for him for a whole night while Grotto went out with Tatiana. 

He had been genuinely happy then. Not really because of the game, he didn’t really care that much about sports. Not even because he finally would get lucky with Tati. No. It was the thought of Castle sitting alone in the car, stopping stupid text-and-driving teenagers and chasing speeding assholes - or, better yet, too slow assholes - for an entire night. That made him almost tingle with petty excitement. 

But then, the bastard had walked in the coffee shop the next morning with a funny look on his face. And before Grotto could even say anything to him, before he could ask about his miserable night while gloating about the mediocre sex he had had with Tati - hey, sometimes you get a little too excited, you know? - the prick was, shit you not, smiling at someone. 

And yeah. Even Grotto could admit the guy was charming, with the kind of side smile that would look ridiculous on himself, but worked on Castle. 

And then, like a fucking slap on the face, Grotto saw that the pretty - gorgeous, so out of his league it was ridiculous - blonde that also got her coffee there everyday was smiling, too. Directly at Castle. 

God damn it. 

How the fuck does he do it? 

Grotto watched, flabbergasted- as his nana would say - as Frank walked confidently and almost leisurely towards the woman, the woman, the one woman nobody at the station ever had the balls to even try to chat up, because are you kidding?, and she was adjusting her hair and fuck this. Fuck this guy. What the fuck. 

“Gotta give it to the man”, Mahoney said from his side, finishing up his coffee. “He’s got it.”

“What the fuck he got that I don’t got?” Grotto asked, and he can admit that he sounded like a boy with his pride hurt. 

“Oh, my friend”, Mahoney laughed, and patted him on the shoulder while Grotto watched as the prick and the pretty lady struck up in hush hush conversation, all secret smiles and flirty eyes. “A whole lot.”

.:.

Well, that’s some predictable heteronormative crap, if you ask her. 

Not that they don’t look good together. They do, she admits it. Her angelic, ethereal good looks contrasts with his burly, hyper masculine vibe. It clashes but it also fits.

Ok. So maybe “predictable” wasn’t exactly the word, but still. 

Ava has been working on this coffee shop for almost a year, now. Her mom’s friend and neighbor, Sarah Lieberman, was nice enough to recommend her to Arlene, and what was supposed to have been a temporary job, just to get her shit together after high school and through the first semester of college, was becoming more and more like a nice career prospect. She was manager now, thank you very much, and Arlene was even talking about another shop, maybe uptown, closer to her dorm. 

But anyway. While the second location didn’t happen, Ava was managing this one, and learning about their patrons while doing it. 

Karen Page came in everyday, twice a day. Once in the morning, for a tall light roast Java and a croissant, and again in the evening, for a caramel latte, sometimes with syrup and whip cream. 

Frank Castle also came in everyday, but three times a day. In the morning - double espresso and a plain bagel -, during lunch - espresso and one single tiny donut hole - and in the evening, just before they closed, for an americano. Sometimes he brought his kids, who got hot chocolates and everything bagels (for the girl, his oldest) and grilled cheeses (for the boy, his youngest). 

She saw him looking at Karen sometimes, while she texted on her phone. She saw Karen looking at him while he talked on the phone or read the paper. 

And Ava sighed, her bisexual ass torn between fantasies of both of them, taking turns in her mind. 

Not that either one of them would ever consider going out with her 19 year old self. They were both officially grown ups, and she still took her laundry home, drove her dad’s old car, was panicking about having to deal with taxes and was intimidated by going to the bank alone. 

That didn’t stop her from flirting, though. 

“Morning, Frank”, she would say from behind the cashier, just to hear him say “Good morning, sweetheart” back at her, that usually scowling face of his making her toes curl inside her boots when he looked at her.

“Hi, Karen”, she would smile, opening the display window to fish the best looking croissant she had saved for the blonde that could have just as well been spat out of a Victoria’s Secret catalogue. 

“Hey, gorgeous” was the reply she got every time, which was certain to give her butterflies. 

That morning, though, Ava sighed, because, figures.

Karen had walked in and not walked straight to the line like she usually usually did, but lingered around the stools by the window. Five minutes later, she was about to ask Karen if she wanted her to prepare her order when Frank walked in and smiled at her. 

Not ‘Ava’ her. ‘Karen’ her. He opened the door, ran a hand over his hair and looked around for about a second before meeting Karen’s eyes, and then he smiled. Charming and still so big and burly, and Ava looked, and Karen was smiling right back, sweet and timid but with a hint of boldness and oh my God. Come on, now. 

They said something to each other, low and privately, and she saw the way Frank’s eyes roamed Karen’s face and hair, how his eyes glinted a little. 

Honestly, buddy. Same.

They walked to the counter then, and Ava squared her shoulders. 

“Hi, sweetie”, Karen greeted, and she smiled, because Jesus, how can you be this gorgeous and this nice? Looking like that, she ought to be a bitch, everyone would understand. 

“Hi, Karen”, she said, pretending not to notice anything unusual while Frank stood there by her side. “The usual?”

“Yes, please. And Mr. Castle’s order is on me, today.”

Shit. They’re totally doing it. 

Trying not to roll her eyes, she lifted her brows and punched in the order, stealing a quick glance at Frank, who winked at her, the beautiful bastard. With a grin, she moved to get the croissant, the bagel and prepare the drinks. 

Honestly. She could totally see it, they already looked so good together. 

Handing Karen’s croissant and Frank’s bagel to her and greeting the next customer, she hoped her own Frank or her own Karen hurried up and got there. She couldn’t wait to have this sort of sizzling chemistry with someone. 

.:.

Lisa Castle zipped up her backpack, sighing. 

She had payed zero attention to class today. Well, it was presentation day, and it had been Bobby Meyer and his group’s turn, so not much to miss there. It’s not like she hadn’t seen a potato lamp before. 

“Hey”, Leo called while they exited the classroom. “Your project is next week, right?”

“Yeah”, she said, sounding gloomy even to herself.

“Is everything ok?”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s just…” they got to Leo’s locker and Lisa dropped her voice. “I think my dad is dating someone.”

Her friend and neighbor stopped right when the lock clicked open, and looked at her. 

“He is?”

“I think so. Don’t know for sure.”

“Did you, like… See him with someone?”

“No, but… We spent last week at his place, right, Frankie and I. And this morning I saw a text on his phone. I didn’t mean to do it, it was just sitting on the counter after breakfast, and it pinged, I thought it was mine, and I saw the text.”

“What did it say?” 

Leo closed her locker and they walked to Lisa’s.

“Something about a croissant and coffee. I didn’t get it. And then when he read it, his face got all… I don’t know, like silly? And he texted back right away, and he never does that. He drives my mom crazy, we usually have to call to reach him.”

“You don’t like that idea? Of him dating someone?”

Lisa sighed.

“The whole thing surprised me, but, to be honest, I think he should. It’s been over a year since the divorce, and he’s been working too hard, even mom says so. Maybe a girlfriend would help him relax. I’m not against that, I just… Wasn’t expecting it.”

“I can understand that.”

They walked towards the exit and Lisa mentioned that he was picking them up today. Maybe Leo and Zach would like a ride?

“Yeah, sure.”

“You’ll see for yourself, he’s all different.”

They sat on one of the benches by the front doors to wait, and she went on about her discovery.

“I saw the name when she texted. Karen Page.”

“Karen Page? Why does that sound familiar?”

“Right? I thought so, too. At first I thought maybe one of our neighbors, or someone’s mom from school, but I can’t figure it out.”

“Let’s Google her.”

In no time, they recognized the name. She was a reporter from The Bulletin, and they both liked her immediately. 

The lady was, to put it mildly, a boss. 

“Oh my God”, Leo said, scrolling through Karen’s Wikipedia page. “She interviewed the Black Widow once and now they’re friends.”

“Who’s that?”

“Only like, the best Avenger. Natasha something.”

“Oh, I know who she is! She kicks ass!”

By the time Frankie and Zach joined them, they were excited about her dad’s new maybe girlfriend. But they decided not to comment with the boys yet, because… you know. Boys. Ruin everything.

“Mr. Castle is coming to pick them up”, Leo said to her brother, putting her phone back in her pocket. “You wanna drive with him?”

The boy shrugged. 

“Beats the bus.”

When he arrived, Lisa and Leo exchanged a look. 

“Pay attention to him. He’s weird, you’ll see.”

“Hi dad”, Frankie greeted, opening the back door and getting in the car. 

“Hey buddy.”

“Is it ok if Leo and Zach ride with us?” Lisa asked, opening the front passenger door. 

“Sure it is”, he said, smiling at them. “Hop in.”

“Thanks, Mr. Castle” Leo said, getting in after Zach.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Seatbelts, seatbelts, everyone.”

The boys, being boys, were loud and spoke over each other during the drive, talking about that stupid game of theirs, and Lisa texted Leo on the back seat about how they could find out if he really was dating their new hero. 

“Hold on, I’m gonna try something”, she wrote, and then turned to her left. 

“Hey dad?”

“Yeah, baby?”

“Could we maybe get some Starbucks?”

“Starbucks?”

“Yeah. They got the new seasonal drinks, I haven’t tried them, yet.”

It was a long shot. Everybody knows dad doesn't like their stuff, he usually gets his coffee from a place near his work, and is always saying how Starbucks has too much sugar in everything and it’s not authentic and these chain restaurants are not as good as the local stuff, the places ran by families, with tradition, real heart, blah blah blah. 

So, everyone was surprised when he said,

“Sure.”

“What, really?” Frankie asked.

“Yeah. Why not?”

“OMG” she texted Leo. “If he orders a croissant”, she went on, after they exchanged surprised looks through the rearview mirror. “That confirms it. He doesn’t eat croissants.”

She thought they were going to the drive through, but he parked the car and they all walked into the Starbucks closest to their block. 

Frankie and Zach ordered venti Java Chips, and Frank made them change it to talls. Leo ordered a strawberry and cream, and Lisa went for the pumpkin spice.

“Just do me a favor and don’t get used to this, ok?” He told them after they were done ordering. “Go see if there are any seats.”

She and Leo lingered by the counter while the boys walked to the couch in the corner.

“No coffee in any of those, please” he instructed the barista.

“Sure thing. And for you, sir, anything?”

“I’ll have an espresso.”

“Ok. Anything else?”

There was a beat, a moment that stretched while he considered it. The girls watched him with bated breath. 

“Do you have croissants?”

Lisa and Leo looked at each other, and tried to hide their grins.

Busted.

“Yes, we have…” the barista leaned to check. “Butter, almond, chocolate and pistachio honey.”

They couldn’t contain the giggles while he thought about it for just a second before ordering.

“Yeah, one of each, please.”

“That’s a lot of croissants, dad”, Lisa said while he paid, trying to keep her tone casual. 

“Maybe I’m hungry”, he replied, a hand smoothing her hair. 

“You skipped lunch or something?”

He clicked his tongue at her and reached to pinch her cheek, which she evaded.

“Get some napkins.”

She let it slide, preferring not to comment that he never had pastries like these, especially not from Starbucks, that his story didn’t really make sense. 

Maybe he wanted some privacy. Her dad had never lied to them, so if he wasn’t telling her the truth about the croissants, maybe it was because he wasn’t ready yet. Lisa can understand that. 

And he seems happy. More than he had been this past year, so she can wait a little bit. 

He stopped the car in front of the Lieberman’s place and waited until Leo and Zach were inside before driving a few yards forward, to their place.

She missed having him home, everyday. His new house was just a block away, but still. Not the same. 

“Bye dad!” Frankie said, hopping off and walking towards the house - mom’s house.

“Bye, buddy. Math test tomorrow. Don’t play video games all night, ok? You have to study.”

“Yeah, ok!”

Lisa lingered a little longer. 

“Thanks for the drinks, dad.”

“Sure, baby. Just don’t get used to it, ok? Too much-“

“-sugar is bad for me. I know.”

She smiled up at him, suddenly very happy to see him looking not so heavy. There was something lighter about him, now that she was paying attention. 

“See you tomorrow?”

“Yes, you will.”

“Ok. Bye, dad.”

“Bye, honey”, he said, leaning to place a kiss on her forehead. “Do your homework.”

“Ok.”

“And get started on your presentation.”

“Ok.”

“Call me if you need anything.”

“Ok.”

“And maybe don’t tell mom about the Starbucks thing.”

“Ok”, she said again, this time smiling conspiratorially. 

He winked and honked when she waved at him from the living room window, driving away after she signaled she had locked the door. 

Finishing the last of her pumpkin spice, she made her way to her room, to get on her computer and find out more about Karen Page. 

Her presentation could wait.

.:.

His wife would say, when she was happy with him, that he was such a good reporter, he didn’t know how to not investigate stuff. 

“This clinical eye of yours, Ben, you see through everyone.”

When she was mad at him, she would say that he was nosy, meddled too much.

“Maybe you should learn how to separate work from the rest of your life, Ben”, that tone that gave him the chills. 

Either way, she was right. Not much got past him.

Not that these two were trying too hard to hide anything. 

Frank Castle was a good kid. Ben and Doris visited his mother at the hospital when she had Frank, they had watched him grow up right next door to him, went to his birthday parties, saw him off when he joined the Marines and flew off to protect the country, helped with the welcome party when he came back for the first time. 

Ben was there when Frank got married, he knew both his kids, was very good friends with his parents. 

He and Doris were there for Louisa when Frank’s father passed away, helped her along the grief, the bureaucracy of his will, his life insurance. 

Frank was like a son to him. 

Still, it was a surprise when he showed up at work, on a Monday. 

“Hey Mr. Urich”, he said from the door, knocking twice. Ben blinked at the sight of him. 

“Frankie! Hi!”

The man - taller than him, now - walked in and Ben got up from his desk to shake his hand. 

“I hope I’m not interrupting you, or…”

“No, no, come in. Can’t say I’m not surprised, though. Been here over twenty years, I think this is the first time you visit?”

Frank smiled, sitting on a chair in front of the desk. 

“I came to ask a favor, actually.”

Ben sat back down on his own chair, and looked at him. 

“I’ve been talking to my mom, and she mentioned a book she wanted to read, but can’t find anywhere. I got it for her.”

Frank showed him a bag from Barnes and Noble. 

“Knowing Louisa”, Ben said, reaching for the bag. “I’d say she only looked for it at Target and Walmart.”

“That’s what I said to her. I hope you don’t mind, I’ve been busy with work, and the house, can’t really find the time to make it to Queens these days. And she doesn’t want to drive any further than five miles anymore, so it makes it kinda difficult.”

“I’ll deliver it to her, don’t worry.”

They talked a little longer, Ben asked about the kids, Frank asked about Doris, it was all very pleasant. 

But he couldn’t fool Ben. He was a bit restless, a bit awkward, there was something going on. 

“I met one of your reporters the other day”, he said, finally. 

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Karen Page?”

Ah. There it is. 

Ben tried not to smile too knowingly. Half his staff had a crush on her. He just raised his brows in recognition and nodded. 

“Karen’s my best asset.”

“That right?”

“Kid’s a natural. Almost too good. She’s sitting on my old chair, I predict she’ll sit on this one soon enough.”

Frank smiled, and Ben was surprised. The last time he saw him smile like that, he was still married to Maria.

“How did you meet?”

“I, uh… Almost gave her a ticket.”

Ben laughed. 

“And we get coffee at the same place, just around the corner.”

“Son, that is almost too cute. A coffee shop romance?”

Frank looked at him, as if he had been caught, and Ben saw that fire cracker of a kid again. 

“Romance, what are you-”

“Come on, kid. I’ve known you your whole life. Can’t lie to me.”

Sighing in defeat, but with a lopsided smile, Frank leaned back on his chair. 

“I haven’t had anything serious since the divorce”, he mused. 

“You think Karen could be something serious?”

Slowly, he nodded. 

“What d’you think?” he asked Ben, and he thought about his anwer. 

“I met her during a complicated time of her life. Came to know her well, I got her into writing.”

“She mentioned.”

“She’s a good one. She really is.”

Frank looked at him.

“Meaning?”

“Meaning you’d be a fool to pass this up.”

He looked towards Ben’s window, apparently thinking. 

But his mind was already made, it was more than obvious. 

“She around?”

Pointing out the door, Ben took a sip from his coffee. 

“Last office to the right.” 

He shook Frank’s hand before he left.

“You don’t disappear. Come visit your mother. And Doris misses you.”

“Yes, sir. You send them both my love.”

Ben watched as Frank walked out of his office and made his way to Karen’s.

Shaking his head, he adjusted in his chair, going back to the article he was revising.

These kids. 

Good for them. 

.:.

He really did like her hair. 

The first time they kissed, it was by the water, two days after she bought his coffee. 

It was a cold night, she was all wrapped up in a scarf, he had a hoodie on, a beanie that made her want to pinch his cheeks - which was absurd. He was not a man whose cheeks one simply pinches. Her hands were cold, she had them buried inside her coat’s pockets while he told her about his kids - his son, the time he drew a Marine on the wall and told him it was to keep the scary guys away while Frank was deployed, and how that had been what made him decide to stay for good - and she was smiling, more than a little bit hypnotized by him, by this man that was a whole different kind of handsome. 

Karen, as a fair skinned blue eyed blonde, usually dated… Well, pretty men. Men that were classically attractive, all right angles and no bad sides. 

Frank, though. Frank was inexplicably beautiful. That rugged kind of handsome that she could not for the life of her explain why it worked so well, but it did. Everything about him was so attractive, his face, his broken nose, his jaw, his resting face that looked like he was ready to bite someone’s head off. 

But God, he looked so good. 

And he looked back at her, that face of his actually doing a pretty job in warming her up. 

She doesn’t actually remember what they talked about after that, but she knows he made her smile, and she said something else that made him smile, and then he was closer, her nose was freezing, but she felt warm in her belly, and then he was kissing her, small at first, just a touch of his lips on hers, one that lingered, but then it was a bit bigger, he leaned a bit closer and she parted her lips slightly, which made him raise his hand and put it on the back of her neck, bringing her closer. 

They stayed there for a few minutes, pressed together against the chilly wind, kissing without any sort of hurry or agenda, in spite of how cold it was. 

“Wanna get a coffee or something?” he finally asked when the wind picked up, and she nodded, closing her eyes when he kissed her again, and that was the day she found out he really did like her hair. 

Everytime they kissed after that, and the first time he spent the night at her place, and all the other times following that first one, he would spend a good while caressing her hair. Twirling a lock around his fingers, smoothing it on her head, pushing it out of her face, pressing his nose against it while they sat on the couch, you name it. Frank would always pay attention to her hair and Karen loved it, felt beautiful and cherished when he did it.

Missed it when he was not there. 

It was a bit after seven when she decided to call him. She knew she shouldn’t, he was working, he would be there later, but she was all by herself, and it was ridiculous, but she missed him. 

Her bag was packed and waiting on the couch, full of things she would need for the weekend, the very first weekend she would spent at his place, the very first time she would actually stay over. His kids were in Chicago with their mother for the long weekend, so she would not be meeting them just yet. 

Which was good, she was nervous about meeting them. 

What if they didn’t like her? What if she said all the wrong things? What if she embarrassed herself in front of this guy’s kids and messed it up so bad she couldn’t see him anymore? 

Pushing those thoughts away from her mind, she pressed the call button, running a brush on her wet hair while it rang, fighting the silly smile when he answered. 

“Hey”.

.:.

He does love her hair. More than a little bit, if he’s being completely honest. 

It’s not even a thing for him, normally. Maybe because he never met someone who’s hair he found so alluring, that caught the light like that, or twisted at the ends like this, or that particular color he had never quite seen before. 

Well, he had seen it, Karen was not the first blonde woman he ever met in his life. 

But the way those particular strands looked on his pillowcases, and the gentle and subtle curl of it around his fingers, the baby hairs that kept out of the towel she wrapped around her head after the shower. 

Honestly, Frank lived for the smell of it, any given time. 

His favorite, though, might just be that contrast of it against his pillowcases. 

She was asleep, but almost waking up. The sun was out already, and the birds outside were chirping like their lives depended on it. He felt her feet flexing under the covers, and, granted, they haven’t been sleeping together long, but Frank was starting to know a few of her patterns. 

First were the feet, then the slight frown, and then she would stir, stretch and then open her eyes.

Karen frowned and Frank raised his hand. Slid his fingers over her ear and into that hair, the heel of his wrist by the corner of her mouth, her cheek warm on his palm. 

As expected, she stretched, and Frank felt a hand touching his chest under the covers. 

For three days, now, he had been watching her wake up, and he liked going through the whole process (a fascinating thing to watch, Karen Page). Today, though. 

Today he put his fingers through her hair, and brought he face to his. She let out a small whimper of residual sleep, and turned her face into his palm, and that hair, that hair slipped and moved, fine fine fine strands of gold, and Frank moved to lie on top of her, nose on the crook of her neck, her arms around his own neck, hands grabbing her legs and adjusting them around his hips. 

“Morning, officer”, she mumbled in his ear, so warm under him. 

“Morning, miss Page”.

“So rude, waking me up like this.”

One breath, deep, the scent of her shampoo filling his lungs. 

“You wanna go back to sleep?” 

“Hmm”. And that hair, working like liquid rope around his fingers. “Maybe.” 

“Ok”, he agreed, pressing one simple, lingering kiss on her lips before turning them, fitting her back to his chest. “Close your eyes, then.” 

He did the same, feeling as she adjusted his hand against her chest, his nose buried once again in the long strands of blonde hair. 

“The lengths we go to avoid a ticket”, she said suddenly, making him laugh, laughing herself, turning inside his arms to cuddle against him, the top of her head under his chin.

He should buy Grotto a coffee sometime. Preferably before he arrested his crooked ass, but the only reason he could bury his nose in Karen’s hair right now was because of the bet he lost, so the very least he could do was treat the stupidest corrupt police officer he had ever  to a cup of coffee.

But he would think about that later. For now he would enjoy the warmth of the woman against him, and not even ponder about the rapidly growing feelings inside him. 

Later. 

#I'm back #am I back? #I think I might be back #kastle #Frank Castle #Karen Page #The Punisher #Daredevil #I have forgotten the tags that I'm supposed to put here #Hell's Kitchen's Chronicles

[soyouareandrewdobson]

There must be something in the water...

This comic by Dobson, is in my opinion one that really serves as one of the biggest self owns in his history, once you know a few things about the quote and are familiar with the work of the person who said it AND Dobson’s output .

See, the quote “My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. Everybody drinks water.“ is alluded to none other than one of America’s greatest writers in the 19th century. Samuel L. Clemens. Or as he is known to many people worldwide, Mark Twain.

Now let me admit, I have not really read much of Clemen’s work in my life, but I have read articles about him, saw quotes of him, read up on his life as well as his social opinions and thanks to popculture osmosis I am aware of the plot outlines of works like “The Prince and the Pauper” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”. I say plot outlines, cause lets face it, those movie adaptations we all know and love obviously miss the point of Clemens social satire he either hid well in his work or was as subtle as a sledgehammer to the head about.

Clemens in a way was an anti-Dobson. He came from a privileged upbringing, but took on a rather “low class” job in his youth before becoming famous through his writing. Similar to Dobson he hated racism, was obviously against conservative Christianity and for his time a “woke” fellow. But unlike Dobson, I think he did not just do it for virtue signaling, he genuinely believed in the cause and if he felt he went too far, he also apologized. Like his takes on Christianity certainly became more mellow later on in life (at least as far as I know)

 Additionally, Clemens was funny. He was critical of society and literature (I highly recommend you to read Fenimore Cooper’s Literary Offences to get just how brilliantly this man could dissect the work of others. Here is a link to it https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Literature/FenimoreCoopersLiteraryOffences )

Both in a way he would use snark to mock them, but also get a valid point across.

And the water line up there? In a way it is both the greatest ego boost, but also self deprecation he could go for.

See, the line actually goes like this

„My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. (Fortunately) everybody drinks water.“

 The boost comes from the fact that he is essentially saying “everybody reads my books”. Which lets face it, was true. Clemens was read by many people, both scholars and people from the general public. He was legitimately popular, to the point that even 110 years after he died he is still well known. Not only his works, but the person himself has become an iconic figure in our cultural conscious. Or to focus on what was really important: Clemens: I make money through my writing, bitch!

Okay, he wouldn’t have said it like that, but he would have at least acknowledged that making good money through his work was a nice benefit.

But in the same way, the line is a bit of self deprecation and slightly humble. See, he says his books are water. Something basic, something not everyone can afford. While the books of great masters are like wine. Something not everyone can afford, but which is in a way “sophisticated” and will live on too, even in higher regards.

I bet that at times Clemens could be full of himself, but we have to understand, this was a man who could take criticism and give it. A man who understood also something about literature and had certain insights others did not have at his time. A deadpan snarker who when he got a positive review allegedly told one of his first critics something along the line of “You made me as happy as the white slave owner chick who realizes her kid was going to be white after all”.

So what I believe is that he was humble enough to see that there were also people better/more sophisticated than him, which he even looked up too and whose work he compared with wine. People by whom he as a creator was like water in comparison. But thankfully (or rather, fortunately) everyone drinks waters aka “reads” the stuff he writes and therefore guarantees his career.

Which honestly, I consider also something of a truth some content creator should go for. Look, I am not saying that we should stop trying to go for something meaningful when we create art or tell stories, but in a way if Clemens was alive today, he would consider his water statement just further confirmed in the way a lot of popcultur works nowadays. Best example, Marvel movies. Marvel movies, as entertaining as they are, are basically just water (or soda), compared to genuine artistic movies or movies with deeper social issues in them. And yet, those movies make money and seem to connect with people at times better than something more “sophisticated”. Go figure.

 But, back to Dobson for a bit, okay?

See, for Clemens the water line made sense, because again, his works were popular and understandable for everyone, making them as accessible as water. But for Dobson? Oh boy… For starters, if we compare their achievements in life so far Clemens already wins. Cause by the time he was 39 (Dobson’s current age at the time this post is written) Clemens was successful under his pseudonym by writing multiple articles and short stories, including The Innocent Abroad, Roughin It and Tom Sawyer. He was also married and was involved in multiple businesses. Dobson meanwhile had attempted to create the following comic series Patti, Formera, Percy Phillips, Legens/Alex ze Pirate, Danny & Spots, Brentalfloss Comics and they all sunk faster than the Titanic. Okay, not the Brental Floss Comcis, those just ended because Brentalfloss thought it was time to end it, but still.

Four major stories he supposedly wanted to write abandoned because they did not earn him the reputation he wanted and one unpopular out of touch gaming comic strips where the punchline was that a rejected clone of Cubitus with the Marsupilami (go look them up) liked the Wii, while its owner/friend was a hardcore PS3 gamer who obviously always needed to be in the wrong because after all, only troglodytes play non nintento consoles.

All his major books got rejected by the public, because the writing was either not good or the artwork was at best mediocre at worst something people on manag forums could draw better when doing fanart.

And yet here we have Dobson, using another ones famous and funny line claiming “his books are like water. Everybody drinks water” indicating amongst other things “everyone reads my books and they are easily accessible”.

No, that is a freaking lie. No one read your books, most of them are not accessible to anyone because they are either out of print or you could not see them anywhere if you dig up as deep as possible online (see my paywall post earlier this week). And when people read your books common criticisms included how unoriginal and aimless your stories would feel (Formera), how derivative characters were from other fictional characters (Alex ze Pirate is e.g. just Lina from Slayers but with the bitchy temper of a Rumiko Takahashi character) and how unlikable most characters would just be (see everyone in Alex ze Pirate except the Ninja Girl and Sam).

 Or to put it in Clemen’s work when describing the sins of Cooper’s Deerslayer, your works tend to break among other things the following rules:

- … A tale shall accomplish something and arrive somewhere. But the Deerslayer tale accomplishes nothing and arrives in the air.

- They require that the episodes of a tale shall be necessary parts of the tale, and shall help to develop it. But as the Deerslayer tale is not a tale, and accomplishes nothing and arrives nowhere, the episodes have no rightful place in the work, since there was nothing for them to develop.

- They require that when the personages of a tale deal in conversation, the talk shall sound like human talk, and be talk such as human beings would be likely to talk in the given circumstances, and have a discoverable meaning, also a discoverable purpose, and a show of relevancy, and remain in the neighborhood of the subject in hand, and be interesting to the reader, and help out the tale, and stop when the people cannot think of anything more to say. But this requirement has been ignored from the beginning of the Deerslayer tale to the end of it.

- They require that crass stupidities shall not be played upon the reader as "the craft of the woodsman, the delicate art of the forest," by either the author or the people in the tale. But this rule is persistently violated in the Deerslayer tale.

- They require that the personages of a tale shall confine themselves to possibilities and let miracles alone; or, if they venture a miracle, the author must so plausibly set it forth as to make it look possible and reasonable. But these rules are not respected in the Deerslayer tale.

- They require that the author shall make the reader feel a deep interest in the personages of his tale and in their fate; and that he shall make the reader love the good people in the tale and hate the bad ones. But the reader of the Deerslayer tale dislikes the good people in it, is indifferent to the others, and wishes they would all get drowned together.

And now replace the Deerslayer tale with Alex ze Pirate/Formera and tell me those rules are not broken.

I am sorry, I get Dobson just wanted to be more sophisticated and give himself a slight ego boost and trick his readers into thinking he is deeper in his thinking than he really is. But if Dobson’s books are like water, said water is somewhere in the desert in an almost empty well that has also been poisoned. Either it gets detoxed and filtrated for consumption or you are better off drinking your own piss. Which is Clemens code for “write fanfiction”.

#adobsonartworks #andrew dobson #syac #so you are a cartoonist #sjw #literature #mark twain #water #alex ze pirate #comics

[thelifeoftuan]

Home

My residents congratulated me today on surviving a full year as a New Yorker. Haha! Honestly, with the way these past few months have been going, imma chalk just surviving as a win in my book. I survived a fucking pandemic while living in New York City and worked my ass off as a physician when cases were at an all time high. Looking back, could I have predicted how my first year living in New York was going to go? Absolutely not. Haha! But to say the least, I am so happy to call New York City my home, and I look forward to continuing my life here. Of course, as most people may know, my good ol’ home state of Oklahoma has been on the news this past week, because of the fucking stupid ass trump rally that turned out to be one of the most hilarious dumpster fires yet in his presidency. If the K-Pop Stans and TikTok Teens were really behind it, honestly, then the future is so, so bright. Seriously, any time Oklahoma makes it on national news, it’s either because we got hit with a disastrous tornado or it’s for something stupid like fucking dumb ass trump decided to hold his first rally since the pandemic started in Oklahoma, not to mention he chose Tulsa, where the Tulsa Race Riot occurred, the worst incident of racial violence in American history while the country is riled up in the Black Lives Matter movement and social injustices were abound. And to top it all off, the fucker chose June 19th--Juneteenth--of all dates. The bastard, of course after the rational people of the country petitioned his administration to do so, later changed it (to the next day)... but I just cannot fathom how tone deaf and horridly ignorant that orange fucktard is. And if these were conscious decisions made by him or anyone on his staff, that’s even more troubling. Like, if you wanna talk about system failures, this is a good example of many that have stemmed from this trash of an administration and presidency. But either way. Fucking stupid. And of fucking course, it’s Oklahoma, so even despite the calls for this ill-advised event to be cancelled, the state opened its arms wide open, and I could do nothing but sit back and seethe with anger and disgust and horror as the leaders of the state carry on with their complicit “go red” mentality and allowed this bullshit to happen. NOT TO MENTION THE FUCKING STATE IS ONE OF THE STUPID ASS STATES THAT DID NOT ADHERE TO CDC RECOMMENDATIONS AND REOPENED THE ECONOMY AND JUST LET PEOPLE RUN AROUND AND DO WHATEVER THE HELL THEY WANT, AND SURPRISE SURPRISE, IT’S ONE OF THE FUCKING STATES THAT IS SPIKING IN CASES RIGHT NOW. ...I just can’t with Oklahoma, lately. I just cannot. There is so, so much more that I can say about it, but I won’t. My residents asked me what my opinions were about everything that has been going on and what it’s like to have gone through such a big change, spending all of my life in Oklahoma and then up and moving to New York City. Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. They asked me if I ever saw myself going back to Oklahoma. And to that, I said “absolutely fucking not.” Even with everything going on in New York, the state being shut down during the pandemic, all of the horrific things I saw at work, the abundance of protests (which is honestly a pro and refreshing outlook on the people of this state as opposed to the ones in Oklahoma), I would still choose my life here in New York City than go back to Oklahoma. I’m really trying not to sound like I’m bashing Oklahoma. Hahaha! I mean, to some degree, I am. But Oklahoma deserves it, honestly. But that’s not what I’m wanting to accomplish with this post, despite Oklahoma’s track record. But to sum it up, I just feel like I didn’t belong there anymore. It’s a tough dichotomy. On one hand, yeah, it’s my home state. All of my family and friends are there. I was born and raised there. My Buddhist roots remain there and it’s a community that helped raise me. I went to school there and did my medical training there. I owe a lot to my life in Oklahoma before I moved. I do still feel like I have a significant connection with Oklahoma and am indebted to it as my home state and the place where I grew up. But I’ve been in New York City for an entire year, now, and I finally feel like my life has started and I am where I am supposed to be right now. Maybe at one point in my life, Oklahoma was home in the truest sense. And to a lot of people, there is something endearing and charming and comfortable with Oklahoma. That’s why all of my family and most of my friends decided to make a life there. So I understand the draw. And I agree. Despite any political and societal shortcomings, Oklahoma does have a general mix of kindhearted people with the typical Southern charm and hospitality that you won’t find up here in the Northeast. And for a while, I did believe that I was going to stay in Oklahoma forever. But that changed. I just didn’t feel like my life was ever going to be what it could be if I had stayed. And I never would have been happy. And looking back on my mentality prior, I really wanted to stay so that I could make other people happy more than anything, and that I had anchored my happiness with the happiness of others. And that’s so Old Tuan, putting other people’s happiness before my own and laying all my cards on the table before bets are even placed. And I vowed not to do that anymore. Once I was honest with myself and finally came out as gay, I knew staying in Oklahoma was not going to cut it for me. I also felt like my career as a pediatrician was not going to reach its potential if I were to stay in Oklahoma. And I also realized that the complacency I was feeling with the familiar things in Oklahoma was what was wearing on me. So I made the decision in 2016 that I was going to do whatever it took to get out of Oklahoma as soon as I finished residency. And I couldn’t be any happier that I landed in New York City, the first big city that I fell in love with. People might not be as nice. Smells might not be as great. There’s a ton of more people here. And honestly, wading through the dating pool here, even as a gay guy, is kinda tough, I am not gonna lie. But still. I love my life in New York City so, so much. I’ve made it almost a full year into my job as a pediatric hospitalist (started end of July). I’m a little more used to the transit system. I’ve developed some quick reflexes to dodge clumsy pigeons and puddles of unidentifiable fluids and weave past slow walkers and crowds. Haven’t driven a car in months. I survived a goddamn pandemic. I participated in my first peaceful protest. The most stable guy in my life here is my curmudgeonly Italian barber who always makes fun of how many grey hairs I have and insists I dye my hair platinum blonde. The doormen of my apartment building know my name now. My favorite boba tea shop knows my usual and has the order punched in the second I step in. I’ve found my favorite pizza place. Jury is still out on my favorite ice cream place, probably because I can’t pick just one. I’ve gotten to see some amazing Broadway shows and art exhibits. Walking around the city is still one of my favorite things to do. I’ve fallen in love with the city lights over and over again. And I finally feel like I belong. I finally feel like this is my home.

And this is still my favorite spot in the entire city. :]

#life of tuan #home #new york city

[makeste]

BnHA Smash!! 01 and 02: Smash!!Might is a Fucking Menace

okay, so. I have about a million other things I should be doing instead, including (1) responding to asks and/or finishing in-progress metas, (2) reading Vigilantes, and last but not least, (3) actually making a dent in the ever-increasing backlog of Actual Work That I Really Should Be Doing Instead.

so naturally I’m procrastinating by taking my first stab at reading BnHA’s cute 4-panel omake spinoff series, BnHA Smash!! IT JUST MAKES SENSE. look, I have exactly one thing I felt like actually doing and not procrastinating today, so I might as well do the thing. basically it’s my attention span’s world and I’m just living in it.

anyway! so apparently this series was scanlated by good ol’ Fallen Angels. that’s right; prepare yourselves for some very creative cursing, fellas. other background info for anyone who, like me, is unfamiliar with this spin-off: this series debuted on November 9, 2015, a little over a year after the original series. said original series was currently at chapter 66, meaning the Final Exam arc was just wrapping up.

so now that we’re all properly oriented, let me go over a few disclaimers real quick and then we’ll get started!

all comments are my unspoiled reactions from my initial readthrough of the chapter. I did a quick edit for grammar and clarity afterward, and added a few ETAs in the process, but aside from that there are no changes.

I’m aware that not everyone may be familiar with Smash!! even if they’ve read/watched the original series, so I’ve tried to make this recap comprehensible even if you haven’t read the spin-off. that being said, it’s probably more enjoyable if you have, so you can either purchase the first volume from Viz here, or read the chapter online (I don’t want to link directly, but the spin-off is available on most of the usual sites. literally just google “read mha” and you’ll find some good options).

this readthrough contains a handful of sorta-kinda spoilers for the BnHA manga, although there are no direct spoilers. just an indirect reference to a joke in chapter 242, as well as a reference to a theory which as of now is in no way canon. but just to be on the safe side I’m posting a heads-up.

and I think that’s it! so here we go.

so we’re opening with a brief summary of the series. people have superpowers and shit’s nuts. you know the drill

there’s also a brief description of the way that the superhero economy works, complete with Mt. Lady’s employees unionizing and demanding better pay

...what

guys I keep staring at this and thinking that surely, SURELY it doesn’t say what I think it says. sidekick... what... manager??

you know what? Viz unfortunately doesn’t include this series as part of their subscription package (WHAT AM I PAYING YOU FOR, VIZ), but it does at least include a free preview of Smash, and I bet you that this, the first fucking page of the series, is a part of that preview. so... let’s see...

okay, see, this actually makes sense! so did the FA scanlating team collectively all have a fucking stroke?! just, what??

this is one of the reasons why I had difficulty reading Vigilantes too, tbh. those early chapter scans were, uh. but at least Vigilantes has a Viz scanlation too. I don’t want to spend 10 bucks just to read one volume of this, but we’ll see. anyways

so now there’s a strip about baby!Izuku watching his favorite clip of All Might saving one hundred people from a bus accident or whatever

lol Inko you should not have left your shrewdly calculating four-year-old son unattended omg

TWELVE MONTHS’ WORTH OF TEXTBOOKS HOW CAN THIS EAGER YOUNG MIND RESIST

and this is why you don’t leave your credit card info saved on the computer when you have kids. life lessons learned today

this is the first indicator we have ever had that baby!Izuku wasn’t perfect and was, in fact, capable of being a little shit and giving his mom plenty of gray hairs in his own special way. ngl, I fucking love it

also 12,800 yen is about $118 USD, which is honestly a really good deal for a year’s worth of textbooks. he got three boxes of books! I just googled the average cost of college textbooks, and the google article said the average student spends about $1200 a year. so this is a fucking steal tbh

OH MY GOD INKO HOW MANY TIMES MUST HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF BEFORE YOU LEARN

at least install a fucking adblocker ffs. you’re lucky quirk supplement ads are the worst of the ads he’s getting! PARENTAL CONTROLS

now we are cutting to a comic about baby!Izuku defending another boy from my problematic fave, as seen in page one of the original series!

lmaooo

I’m not clear on how much of this spin-off can actually be considered canon. my understanding is that it is Horikoshi-reviewed and approved, even though he doesn’t actually write it. but it’s obviously a humor series, so a lot of it is just going to be jokes. that being said, I think my approach is going to be “if it’s not completely ridiculous and doesn’t contradict the actual manga, go ahead and consider it canon”

(ETA: I might change this up after reading the first two chapters. most of these strips would have terrifying implications if they were actually canon sob.)

anyhoo, this actually does contradict the manga in that we saw this encounter play out very differently. but I kind of wish it was canon regardless because looool. these cocky preschoolers and their fucking Battle Tears

the next comic is Mt. Lady accidentally stepping on a guy’s face and the guy being way too fucking happy about it (read: having a fucking nosebleed and taking an upskirt shot). we’re just going to skip this entirely. this is another problem I was having with Vigilantes too. you know, for all my complaints about Mineta and such, BnHA as a whole is so much tamer than it could be, and I need to give Horikoshi credit for that. he mostly knows where to draw the line, and to his credit he’s also much, much better about this kind of thing than he was when he first started. maybe Mineta’s standings in the character poll results are helping to clue him in

anyway, I’ll mostly just skip past the iffy stuff because I don’t have patience for it and there’s still plenty of other stuff to cover. so on to the next strip

which features a bunch of reporters fawning over Mt. Lady’s flashy quirk while Kamui Woods laments in the shadows

and yet we know this kid will have a prominent rise within the next six months. it’s so strange to revisit the start of the series and see how much things have changed in such a short time

oh my god

no one who dresses up as a giant mushroom could possibly have good intentions. I. just

and look at the fucking disappointment in Deku’s eyes. KAMUI WOODS HE BELIEVED IN YOU!

now some strange man is coming up to Deku and is all HEY YOU, YOU’RE A HERO OTAKU, TELL ME WHAT TO BUY MY SEVEN-YEAR-OLD SON FOR HIS BIRTHDAY. better not ask him unless you’re prepared to shell out $120 bucks for some fucking textbooks

hey, what!!

WE DIDN’T EVEN GET TO SEE WHAT HE BOUGHT HIM? unless it’s the action figure the kid appears to be holding? but I’m just going to go ahead and assume Izuku recommended the number one best gift that any seven-year-old child would love, i.e. a giant sword

now it’s a sludge monster omake!

so Izuku is trudging home all depressed after CERTAIN INCIDENTS, and Sludgey is glooping his way out of a sewer towards him

oh no All Might

my biggest takeaway from this is the fact that the entire second half of chapter one takes place after All Might has emerged from a fucking sewer. I forgot all about that somehow. or maybe it never fully processed until just now. but omg. this entire chapter must have smelled so fucking bad. these poor kids

wow All Might

sure called that one wrong. ah well nobody’s perfect

looooool

lmao, Smash!!All Might appears to be quite a bit more vain than the original. wow dude

btw, friendly reminder (and I think this is something that was actually pointed out to me after one of the recaps; that’s one of my favorite things about doing these) that All Might, after saving Deku, actually read his notebook before signing it. super-fast, I guess, because he’s the best. but yeah, so he knew exactly how smart and observant Deku was, and how much he wanted to be a hero. his decision to pick him as his successor didn’t just come out of the blue; even before the “my body moved on its own” thing, there was a lot Deku had going in his favor. this is one of those little details of which BnHA has so many, and which I love

lmao what the fuck

ngl this version of the series would have been amazing in its own way. but yeah. so this is why we clearly can’t assume everything in Smash!! is canon lol. but I can already tell I am going to enjoy the shit out of this series

now we’re cutting to Deku running at Sludgey in order to save Kacchan, oh shit. the most dramatic part of chapter one. clearly no moment is sacred

sob what

I don’t understand this strip at all. is this supposed to be a serious moment inserted unexpectedly among this multitude of joke strips? or did I miss the punchline? heeeeelp

(ETA: okay so. my best guess is that All Might wrote all over Deku’s life-saving advice, and so the joke is that Deku no longer knows what to do when assaulting sludge men because HIS NOTES ARE RUINED. idk. what does 25 P mean??)

now All Might has Done The Thing and saved my boys, and now Mt. Lady is helping with the cleanup. scooping up all the bits of sludge and putting it in trash bags

oh my god

nope nevermind. nope. nope

-- shit. okay, you know what? this first chapter has been a real in-your-face reminder of the fact that the sludge monster was not made of cute sparkly 2018-trending-fad slime, but was in fact composed of RAW FUCKING SEWAGE. (ETA: to be clear, I’m pretty sure the joke in this strip is that she accidentally picked up dog-doo during her clean-up. but still, the fact that it was indistinguishable from the rest of the gunk speaks for itself.) I think I forced myself to gloss over this fact originally due to the nope factor. but just. Izuku and Katsuki were both choking to death on this shit?? and just, how the fuck did they make it out of this not traumatized

and also, like. All Might was straight up going to leave Izuku alone afterwards, just, “well enjoy your autograph, fine citizen” and blasting off out of there. and everyone fucking saw Katsuki almost suffocate to death later on, and after giving him a pat on the back they fucking let him go off on his own too? and you can’t even make the argument that this was Just Another Day In Quirk Society either, because more than a year later, Katsuki is still a bona fide fucking celebrity from the media coverage of his attack. it clearly was not something that happens every day. in conclusion, these kids are resilient as fuck, and thank god for that because people apparently just do not give a shit, holy christ

anyway. at least Mt. Lady had gloves

OH MY GOD

I FUCKING KNEW IT OH MY GOD. THE ROIDS. MUSCLES LIKE THAT DON’T JUST GROW ON TREES, I DON’T CARE HOW MANY LBS OF GARBAGE THIS KID HAULED OFF THE BEACH. THIS BOY BEEN HITTIN THE JUICE

Smash!!Might is so fucking shady omfg. probably sells cheap counterfeit electronics on Amazon

oh shit and that’s the end of the fucking chapter lol. that’s it?? that was only eight pages. fuck it, let’s read another. but first here’s Horikoshi’s note on the spin-off

so he really feels that Neda gets the spirit of the series and understands him. that’s very encouraging. the best spoofs and parodies are done out of love. I really think I’m going to enjoy this series

so! onward to chapter two

so here’s All Might dressed as Mr. 2 Bon Clay from One Piece, I guess??

“you know what’s funny? dressing a man in girl’s clothes LOL.” guys can we grow the fuck up. and also acknowledge that All Might can look good in anything, so this questionable gag wouldn’t have even landed anyway. you work that tutu All Might

lmao check out the past users of OFA here

All for One for All theory fucking confirmed lol. just look. that’s him in the back of the conga line. clearly

so Deku is all “hell yes why would I possibly say no??” but then

HIS LIMBS. lmao. sign here

in all seriousness, given the shit this kid has been through since the part of the series, All Might probably should have gotten him to sign a liability waiver of some sort. not that it would have stood, since Deku is underage! anyways Deku you totally have grounds to sue the shit out of the Symbol of Peace should you ever choose to do so. and the trend of Smash!!Might being shady af continues yes please give me more I love it

so now All Might is giving Deku his fitness plan which has a really elaborate name

given that this is Smash!!Might, I can’t help but wonder if this plan is in actuality some sort of MLM scheme. All Might are you trying to get Deku to do Herbalife

lol what in the fuck

the original series skipped right over a hell of a lot, it would seem. like the time Deku traveled to Arizona and fought coyotes in a poncho

I’m starting to suspect that Neda-sensei might be on some sort of substance. “let’s see what jokes can I make about chapter 2 of BnHA. I know, I’ll send the protagonist to a fictionalized version of the American Southwest in a sombrero, and then turn him into a 65-year-old oil tycoon.” naturally

lmao that’s really it, that’s the strip. moving right along. okay??

now Izuku is staring at the intimidating piles of Beach Trash and is all “I HAVE TO PICK ALL THIS SHIT UP?”

omg Deku no

somebody call Marie Kondo. Deku none of this is salvageable. not even to reuse in a color page photoshoot spread four years from now

OH SHIT

PROVED ME WRONG OH SNAP. SHOWED ME RIGHT WHERE I COULD PUT THOSE SASSY TAKES. MY BAD DEKU I’M SORRY

anyways I don’t know what Smash!!Might is so upset about. he probably wove some kind of clause into the contract Deku signed that allows him a percentage of the profits. unless Deku already spent it all on textbooks

what the fuck is this fucking series lmao

time for a round of “what is All Might casually crushing in this panel?” is it (a) a cardboard box, or (b) like, a mini-fridge or some fucking shit. IT COULD BE EITHER. IT MAKES EQUALLY AS MUCH SENSE EITHER WAY. “HEROES THESE DAYS ARE [FLEEEEEEX] OBSESSED WITH BEING FLASHY” 

holy shit no wonder he ran away to the Sierra Nevada. it’s only a matter of time before this freak fucking kills someone

NOW WE’RE CUTTING AWAY TO KAMUI WOODS DRESSED LIKE A DAFFODIL, IN THE SAME FUCKING COMIC STRIP, BECAUSE REASONS

my jokes about the mangaka being high as a fucking kite when he wrote this are gradually becoming less jokes and more serious inquiries??

lol so he coincidentally just stumbled across All Might and Deku at this exact moment

AND IT WAS A FUCKING REFRIGERATOR OH MY FUCKING GOD

do you guys remember during the final exam when All Might beat the everloving shit out of Deku and Kacchan, and everyone was all “JESUS CHRIST WOULD YOU LEARN TO FUCKING HOLD BACK A LITTLE THEY ARE CHILDREN YOU MANIAC.” but now we can see plain as day that he was, in fact, holding back. anyways Smash!!Might is terrifying as shit and if this had been the main series I would have already pegged him as the final villain by this point

here he is now wearing an old-timey bathing suit but looking more like an escaped convict than anything else

this panel is actually canon. I’ve decided. this 100% definitely happened at some point. especially the swimsuit

now two bikini babes are walking up and they’re all “IS THAT ALL MIGHT??” with excited sparkly eyes because they don’t know that he’s actually a deranged con artist who crushes refrigerators like empty soda cans. this spin-off has truly opened my eyes

LOOK AT THIS SKEEVY FUCK. JUST LOOK

AND NOW HE’S RUNNING OFF AND LEAVING DEKU TO DROWN IN EXHAUSTION, SON OF A

“SUDDEN BUSINESS” KSJLDKF SMASH!!MIGHT IS A FUCKING MENACE TO SOCIETY AND ALSO DOES NOT GIVE ONE SINGLE FUCK. NOT ONE!! HE’S OUT THERE FUCKLESS, AND NO ONE IS SAFE

now Deku is approaching his mom all serious and says he wants to change up his diet

and she’s looking at the menu he prepared all impressed and thinking that she might join him. as long as it’s for your health, Inko. if this manga starts making jokes about your weight, I will beat it over the head with Deku’s textbooks

OMFG

THIS WENT IN THE EXACT OPPOSITE DIRECTION I WAS EXPECTING, AND THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING THING I’VE EVER READ WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK. the whole fucking family is on the juice. and the fucking mangaka is on some special juice of his own oh my stars

now we’re cutting to Mt. Lady stomping on a car

thank fuck no one was actually in there. also does she not wear shoes

and also, it only just occurred to me that she must be another person with a special quirk costume, because her suit shrinks and expands along with her. Hagakure and Momo are really getting shafted by the costume design team here. they need to fire some people

anyway so Mt. Lady slipped on this carelessly placed vehicle and fell down and crushed an entire building whoops

bruh, you think you’re “ow.” let’s hope that building was empty too

and now she’s toppling another building just fucking because, I guess. and saying she can’t do urban areas

lmao and now the sidekick [CENSORED] manager from chapter one is back to guilt-trip her omg

I need this man to show up in every freaking chapter. please. respect my wishes

and now Izuku is standing on top of his collected pile of garbage screaming in victory

I only just realized that there’s still a big old Pile O’ Trash on this beach, though. someone needs to haul all of this junk away. or else get All Might and Mt. Lady to crush it all with a combined effort

oh shit here it comes y’all, the famous “eat my hair” scene. potential comedy gold right here omg

lol what the fuck

this man is a fucking billionaire and he’s out here clipping coupons and deleting pictures of his son in order to make room for them smdh

okay now we’re doing the hair scene

oh. oh no. I know where this is going sob please keep this comic rated PG for the children Neda

motherfucker they really --

Smash!!Might is a straight-up felon. this man has no fucking scruples. that’s okay Midoriya-shounen, if you don’t want to eat my hair we could just try some REDACTED, jesus christ I am going to need some bleach for my eyes after this

OR LET’S JUST STRAIGHT UP GO THERE WHY NOT

lmao sob. well, two chapters in and we’ve established that no territory is off-limits here. it’s a brave new world. wow

 so that’s it! our introduction to BnHA Smash!! I enjoyed it a lot and I will definitely be reading more! I’m not sure what kind of schedule I’ll keep, but this is a really good procrastination manga thus far, so knowing me I might actually work my way through this relatively quickly. especially since the Manga At Large is on break this week. anyways my deepest apologies to the many people who have been requesting for me to start Vigilantes instead. I just need something lighter right now, and this is a good fit. one of these days I’ll get my shit together with the other two spinoffs as well.

#bnha smash!! #boku no hero academia #midoriya izuku #all might #midoriya inko #mt. lady #kamui woods #bnha smash!! 01 #bnha smash!! 02 #makeste reads bnha #the pile o' trash is a legit plothole though you guys #are we just supposed to pretend it magically vanished #they really drew deku standing shirtless on top of a heap of garbage #and in the very next panel declared that the beach was spotless?? #so what is the truth #someone #answer me

[mindmxtters]

Who Are You?

NAME:  Bonnie!

STAR SIGN: Cancer (aka an angry crybaby crab floating in a sea of their own tears 🦀)

HEIGHT: 5′2″

WHAT’S YOUR MIDDLE NAME?: Rachel! Which was also my childhood babysitter’s name, funnily enough.

PUT YOUR SPOTIFY ON SHUFFLE. WHAT ARE THE FIRST 6 SONGS THAT POPPED UP? Que Veux Tu (Madeon Remix) - Yelle, Gold - Chet Faker, Diane Young - Vampire Weekend, Future People - Alabama Shakes, Eros and Apollo - Studio Killers, Hello (Martin Solveig feat. Dragonette).

EVER HAD A POEM OR SONG WRITTEN ABOUT YOU? LMAOOOO. Yes, but never explicitly. Basically this terribly stressful old rp group I was in and officially left last year had a superrr melodramatic admin who wrote poems on their personal as their form of venting. When The Drama was goin’ down last August, with my friend group officially leaving the group and discord servers and all, you can bet they were posting a poem every day about it for like, two weeks. One of them likened me and my friends to basically zombies, just dressed up in purple prose. What a dink!

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU PLAYED AIR GUITAR? Hmm, hmm! Probably a few months, at least. There just tragically hasn’t been a lot of air guitar related opportunities in my life lately. I’ll have to change that!

WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH? That's a tough one! I don't have any one end-all celebrity I like, personally. Lucy Liu has been an actress I’ve loved ever since Charlie’s Angels, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett is a cool dude, and Lupita Nyong'o is such an inspiration, and as time has gone on I've really started to admire Megan Fox and regret all of the ridicule she's had to endure, to name a few! 

WHAT’S A SOUND YOU HATE; SOUND YOU LOVE? I hate the sound silverware makes when scraping against a plate - basically any sounds where metal is grinding against something else makes my teeth itch. I love the sound of my cats’ purring!

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS? Nope!

HOW ABOUT ALIENS? Yep! I don’t really believe in an afterlife, but I think the idea that there’s other life somewhere out in the universe feels like a given.

DO YOU DRIVE? Eyup!

IF SO, HAVE YOU EVER CRASHED? I’ve been a passenger in a few rear-ended crashes, and I have once rolled into the back of the car in front of me at a stop light. Eyes on the road, kids.

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? I’m alternating between the Animorphs series (since I found out it’s been uploaded in its entirety online and with the blessings of the authors), currently on book 4, and The Pnume by Jack Vance, after my mom recommended I read it when she checked it out of the library. I’m equal parts enjoying and horrified by Animorphs, since it’s so much more intense than I expected it to be, and I’m curious to see how The Pnume ends!

DO YOU LIKE THE SMELL OF GASOLINE? Not really!

WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU SAW? GOD SO. On a whim me and my friends streamed The Sand (2015) because it sounded like one of those so bad it has to be good horror movies, and by god, we were right. It’s got everything - shoestring budget, horrible finale cgi, that one dude friend from Hannah Montana dying in the set piece scene of the movie because he literally just eats shit and falls onto The Sand, two women having immensely more chemistry than the beige dishtowel of a man they’re supposed to be fighting over, and Gilbert, who was the best thing about the movie and acted his role so well that he might as well have been someone they grabbed off the street and then convinced that everything happening in it was real. Would recommend if you’re not turned off by several very gorey death scenes!

WHAT’S THE WORST INJURY YOU’VE EVER HAD? I’ve been lucky enough to never have broken a bone, so the worst I’ve ever experienced is one time I accidentally cut under my pinkie finger nail with a pair of safety scissors when I was like, 5. It healed fine, it was just a Very Bad Time in the moment.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OBSESSIONS RIGHT NOW? Always! Currently I’m really into Dead by Daylight, Non/Disney Fandom, Rimba Racer, Overwatch, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and so on! I kinda flutter between a lot of different series and games depending on my mood!

DO YOU TEND TO HOLD GRUDGES AGAINST PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE YOU WRONG? It depends! If it’s something small, or something that happened a long time ago, like... who has time for that. Some shit just isn’t gonna come out in the wash, though, and ideally at that point I’m not interacting with that person much anymore, so it’s not like that’ll come up much. I’ll definitely still vent about things that hurt me, but I know ultimately anyone who hurts you doesn’t deserve any more of your time after that.

IN A RELATIONSHIP? Nope!

tagged by @anomalousunknown tagging: @glittcrngcld, @becominganexpert, @bluesmuses, @raceze, @wcrldlyadventures @hoopsheartthrob + whoever wants to do this!!! follow ur heart!! and don’t feel pressured to fill this out if ur not feeling it either, y’all do u!

#ooc. #meme; #long post #shoutout to me friends for using much more discretion when it comes to the poem question #rattles spoons and dances on that admin's terrible passive-aggressive poetry #ur rhymes are bad and u should feel bad

[yetanotheremptypage]

Happy Fanfiction Writers Appreciation Day!

It’s another fic rec list! Here’s last years, which includes a link to my 2016 recommendations. They are all amazing, so you should definitely check them out, but in the mean time, here’s some more. I tried to tag most of the ships and/or fandoms, so if you ship any of those or are in the fandom, check out the recs below the cut. Of course, there are plenty more amazing fanfictions/writers out there, and to them, I give a huge THANK YOU! Finally, for the shameless plug, if you have any interest in any of my stories, links can be found here.

Arms Extended (Gen, Bandstand) AO3 [Complete]

a remix of “welcome home (finale)”

(or: the moments that inspired the lines of julia's poem)

Bandstand on the whole deserves more love, attention, and fanfiction, especially because the relationship these people build is so beautiful and there’s so much to be explored. This fic does it BEAUTIFULLY, and I can’t stress it enough. TW: I mean it’s Bandstand so anything that applies there applies here

Cut, Print, Moving On (Gen, Smash) AO3 || FF [In progress]

An imagined third season, starting approximately two years after the Tony Awards.

This fic is perfectly written and explores all of Smash’s complicated, messy, great relationships, romantic and otherwise, beautifully.

Epic Love (Han x Leia, Star Wars) AO3 || FF [Complete]

Here is what is believed: that Leia Organa has been abandoned by her husband and her brother, the two men who loved her best, in her time of greatest need. But things are not always as they seem. A TFA fix-it fic about family, the Force, and the love that could save the galaxy. Again. Also features Luke, Chewbacca, Rey, Finn, and mentions or cameos by several others.

I love the new Star Wars movies, I do. But this fic treats Han, Leia, and Luke so much better than TFA does. Please go read this pure perfection of a work and give it all the love it deserves. While you’re at it, check out... Everything else @lajulie24 has written; it’s all golden.

Everything I Never Knew (Emmett x Rosalie, Twilight) AO3 || FF [Complete]

Because sometimes a split second decision changes a life… One night, Rosalie Hale walked a different way home. Because of this, she didn’t meet Royce on the road and the worst night of Rosalie’s life happened to someone else. So what happened when Rosalie was never hurt, never turned vampire, and got everything she had always thought she wanted?

I love a good AU, and Rosalie and Emmett seem the best suited for one. Their connection is amazing and well-written and honestly, everything makes sense to me. I lowkey wish things could have played out this way for them, but alas, they didn’t, so let’s read fic instead. TW: Spousal abuse, bear attack so like blood and stuff

hey baby (i think i wanna marry you) (Donna x Josh, The West Wing) FF [Complete]

Josh goes to dinner with his old law school study group. He ends up defending the institution of marriage, before going home to Donna. Set in the Santos administration.

It’s just such a cute, fluffy little piece. How could I not, you know?

in a storm in my best dress (Percy x Annabeth, Percy Jackson and the Olympians) AO3 || FF [Complete]

"Point is, Percy's not used to being swamped in friends. So you can bloody well imagine his shock when he wakes up one morning and looks impulsively at his arm and there’s one, two, three, four, five, six, seven Marks on his line and holy crap the seventh is a soulmate mark."

or, Percy finds it difficult to make friends and Annabeth is the popular girl with a heart of steel. Soulmate AU.

Not gonna lie, this is a behemoth-- two chapters that come out at like 70k which like, damn, most of my one-shots aren’t even 1500 words, you get props for that alone. However, every word is perfect. There’s lot of pining, and hey, Percy Jackson with anxiety? Works. I saw my own anxiety reflected all over the place which... Was not the main reason I fell in love with this fic, but it’s nice to be recognized, you know? No, I fell in love with this fic because it’s about falling in love and making friends and growing up. And it’s beautiful, so go read it. TW: Anxiety attacks (Is that a tw? Oh well)

Miracles, etc. (Wanda Maximoff x Vision, Marvel Cinematic Universe) AO3 [In progress]

Wanda Maximoff’s life has been a set of frightening miracles: living in a war torn country as an orphan, escaping her anarchistic biological father, and surviving the American foster system with seven older foster siblings. Now 26 and working as a hotel waitress, Wanda has very distant plans for love and for a child. Unfortunately, her complicated life is about to get more complicated when a medical mix-up leaves her artificially inseminated with a stranger’s sperm. That stranger? Her boss, with an equally dark past.

Now pregnant- and possibly falling in love- Wanda finds herself with only nine months to rethink her entire future. Because the only thing more frightening than a miracle… is parenthood.

Did you know that a Jane The Virgin AU is EXACTLY everything you ever needed for this fandom, and specifically this pairing? My depression is cured, my skin is clear, and my crops are thriving, especially now that there’s new chapters again. Read this fic, please. It will not disappoint, especially if you enjoy JTV’s tongue-in-cheek style humor. Also dad!Clint.

My Beauty, My Baby (Gen, Downton Abbey) FF [Complete]

Cora and Sybil share a moment on the eve of the birth of Sybil and Tom's child. This story takes place in Season 3, sometime between Episodes 4 and 5. This is a bit of a departure for me, but the title words were an inspiration.

This is just so lovely. Sybil and Cora’s relationship is, I feel, kind of unexplored, so this was such a lovely treat.

people can surprise you (or not) (Anya x Dmitry, Anastasia) AO3 [Complete]

He's a poor joke of a journalist, she has something to prove to her family, and they're in here for a hell of a ride.

(“You’re asking me to be an asshole to some random woman just to prove a very sexist and offensive point like I’m some guy on Reddit who has no idea women are actually people?”)

(“Next Wednesday. I bet you can’t find a guy tonight, in this bar, and keep him until next Wednesday. Prove me wrong and introduce him to Nana during the gala. As your boyfriend.”)

OR, the reversed How to lose a guy in 10 days AU nobody asked, but everybody gets.

Angst, fluff, pining, misunderstandings, this has got it ALL. And it’s written flawlessly to boot.

Take Me Back To Me (Mary x Matthew, Downton Abbey) AO3 || FF [Complete]

When heiress Mary Crawley finds herself in the headlines for her third scandal of the year, Cora decides that it is time for Mary to turn her public image around. The solution? Hire humanitarian lawyer Matthew Crawley, whose new charity just happens to need a new donation, to play Mary’s boyfriend. (Modern Mary/Matthew!Fake Dating AU)

Were you aware you needed a modern fake dating AU for these two? No. But you do. It cleanses the soul with its perfectness. Go read it. TW: Descriptions of past not quite rape but I think it’s still classified as sexual assault

The Only Crime Is To Lose (Gen, Game of Thrones) AO3 [I think in-progress?]

The series doesn’t have a description, so here’s my attempt at one: The major houses of Westeros are crime families at war. This author expertly adapts the plotting and relationships into this scenario, which takes place after the Red Wedding-- which, in this world, involved Robb getting arrested and put away for life-- and most of the action surrounds the kidnapping of Jaime Lannister, though no one knows who did it. I’m not actually certain if this series is finished or not, but it leaves me reeling from unanswered questions and its overall beauty every time I finish the last story, so you should check it out so we can all share the pain. TW: I mean it’s Game of Thrones so like a lot of that stuff still applies

Treading Water (Annie x Finnick, The Hunger Games) AO3 || FF [Complete]

They don't tell you when you go into the arena that the lucky ones are those who die.

I don’t think I can state enough how amazing this fic is. The beautiful relationship between Finnick and Annie, the breathtaking way Catching Fire is woven into the story, and seeing the Games from the mentor’s perspective is fascinating. Go read this fic! TW: It’s the Hunger Games so anything from the books applies

we got the world (Jesse x Beca, Pitch Perfect) AO3 || FF [Complete]

"They say you're a freak when we're having fun, say you must be high when we're spreading love, but we're just living life and we never stop, we've got the world." Beca/Jesse, post-Kennedy Center flop. A series of missing Jeca moments from Pitch Perfect 2. COMPLETE.

Did you wish there had been more Jeca in Pitch Perfect 2? Then read this fic. It’s perfect in every way. (Written before PP3 though, so not canon compliant for that).

Willow (Anya x Dmitry, Anastasia) AO3 [In progress]

In a city by the sea, Anya and Dmitry find their footing.

Beautiful, happy Dimya, plus dashes of you know, revolution and angst and history. It’s gorgeous and perfect and go read it.

#game of thrones #percy jackson #MCU #star wars #hunger games #smash #bandstand musical #anastasia #downton abbey #west wing #twilight #pitch perfect #percabeth #scarlet vision #wanda x vision #han x leia #odesta #derek x ivy #karen x jimmy #donny x julia #dimya #mary x matthew #donna x josh #emmett x rosalie #jeca

[daughterofsinsloth]

Hello. I saw your post about giving recommendations of skk fics and I seriously love them! Thank you ❤️ Is it okay to ask you if you know any skk fics that are complete multi-chapter? I had been trying to search them but I most see one shots and abandoned multi-chapters.

Hello hello anon-chan!!! thank you so very much about your comment!! It means a lot! :) Mmm… I jnow what you mean! I have a lot of favorite fics that are uncompleted! But let’s have some fate that they will be upload! 💪💪

Here some soukoku multi-chapter fics!

i won’t lie (i knew you belonged here) by mountainlaurels:

(AU/9 chpts) this one is my very first fic and the one that actually got me inyo skk. the writer has done a great great job bringing you to their wolrd. here we are on modern setting but abilities are still on. Chuuya works at a flower shop and Dazai at the cafe across the street.  their interctions are slow and natural. you cant help but ship them. the other bsd characters are all in and they are treated respectifully and well done as if they are the mains. i really like the story and how it grows to the finale.its well writen and the feelings are overwhelming! this has a spanish translation from the writer.

Intoxicated by setosdarkness:

(AU/21 chpts) a really really great fic! nothing less from setosdarkness! definatly read her other works that are currently on-going. they are awesome and cinematic-like. really welldone and well-written. the plot is a bit tricky but it keeps you on edge. you get into the characters and when you will finish it, you will be suprized. its a mafia!AU and everyone plays. its a well build game. you are gonna love it. there is also smut in it, but its part of the game too. the hole thing is a game that you cant helped it but fell willingly into it and you will be satisfied with it.

Find Something Worth Dying For (And Learn How to Live) by kibasix:

(17 chpts) read the name of the writer.. no thats it. thats my analysis. KIBASIX! we are talking about one of the best writers, in my opinion. I cant even explain how perfect this fic is! this fic here?! I cried my eyes out! i was waiting the next chapter like kids wait Santa. simply immersive. it was an absolutely agonized journey. it was like a dance between the feels and the rightness of their world. its chapter was more majestic than the last and the next was more painful than the last. the writer’s words get imprinted in your heart and mind and you cant help but want to read more, feel more, see more. it has a cinematic feel. it starts from the very beginning and we see skk relationship how it evolved and how it suttered  like you are seeing it live. a sad poem in a form of a fic. the characters are practically singing their emotions out, only to be ignored by their life. and yet the fate laughs at them as she entangle them together. I can talk for hours how they write each of the character like a living being, forgeting none, and how they give each one a right place and the spotlight they deserve! an amazing work that leaves you full and empty in the same time. this one has a smak 4 chpts sequel “

Sparks Like A Match (Burns Like A Wildfire)

“ and another sequel that is yet to come (I believe in you kibasix-sama!). also check their other works, both multi and one-shot!

Noir by Adargo:

(20 chpts) another gem. another feel train. noir is the color of skk and this fic is the sorry song of their lives. a corrupted fic that leaves you craving for more. here we read with the shadow of Corruption on our back and the characters live under it.  its one of the character lives under their own corruption and try to get out only to have an odd feeling at the end. it could be more chpts or only this this and the feeling will be the same. we never leave corruption, just learn to live with it in this noir world. although I would love to see more, when you finish it you can only mutter a “wow” and then never live properly again. rips your heart out and fixs it momentaly to rip it again later. you live and breath with the characters and in the end you breath a new air, a better one for me. this epitomy of angst heals you so amazingly. as the characters go a step foward you take one too and from then one your heart has a different weight. a truly and without doubt exceptional work.

A Hearts Desire by Kaokita:

(AU/6 chpts) a beautiful fic. prostitute!Chuuya  opens to us a world that we see journalist!Dazai to bark in and challenge Chuuya in a “bet of felling in love".  a proud chuuya is always  present but here it compinate with a kinda impulsive chuuya, exposed to Dazai's hungry feeling for actual feels. here we are talking about the dark world of the underground were a no less dark but bright light (dazai) comes to shake the everyday life of our protagonist. its well written and well build. doesnt leave you with a complain and brings you to another world. really enjoyable to read. spoiler oda and chuuya having seeeeeex

 Forgettable Significance by Witheryvine:

(32 chpts) after the anime, the feels start.  if you thought that dancing with angst was easy, then you havent read this own. betreyal and love complicate each other and come to you to cry with them. a really interesting work and stunning. it is overwhelming but you want it to be. there are things that are needed to be said, words that have to come to the light and the writer not only do that perfectically but also gives you more to heal yourself  and breath.  it takes a lot to take back someone who meant the world for you and throw you away, yet! the writer  has done such a nice jod giving as the feelings, thoughts and fears that you cant help but be one with it. the style of writing helps the fic to encrave into you and honestly i havent see many write it so good.

You Won’t Lose Me (So Don’t Leave Me Behind) by hybridempress:

(14 chpts) now it will be a terrible mistake to leave this out!from bottom to the top its a must read. an emotional roller coster with the best of fluff. emotions well hidden are suddenly out. too fast changes leave you breathless and the characters have to take fast decisions, act fast and start to live from the zero. a phychological rebirth thats requares a lot of courage to abandon everything so you can chase after an old wild dream in a form of a man, new to you but as old as time to your heart. along with sequel of it  “

You Have a Heartbeat (You’re Real, You’re Here, You’re Human)

” by mostladylikeladythateverladied they create a perfectly must read at all cost fic that gives you the most satisfying feeling of “ah thats how it should be done”. skk are a complicate pair but the writers give them to you bare to see and feel with them to all your might. p.s. that amazing scenes with sskk at the sequel cured my heart!

Sorrow Already Spoiled by Soukokuhell:

(AU/16 chpts) an awesome fic is here once again. this AU is really well written and well build around two people  way too hurt, who find love and healing together. trying to move foward but with the past to hunt them down. love and fear are walking together here. the angst is getting healed by the characters emotions and the lovemaking is great! with each chapter the characters are getting healed and at the finale you get to breath again. the fluff is in the love and devotion they have for one another.

All Aboard by Asmicarus:

(8 chpts)an action fic with a lot of feels. chuuya is suffering again and dazai is an asshole but you can see that there is much more behind them. Dazai’s manipulating nature comes out to play and although it fools everyone, Chuuya manage to sutter it to the ground with a few words. the remark is 10000000% what we all need and what Dazai needs to hear. he pretends to be human but chuuya leave him naked to the bone. from here the story takes another turn to dazai realizing what is happening and what he needs and chuuya finaly decides to take what he deserve.

Silver and Shining by ShesAParadox:

(25 chpts) okay thats a fic that i havent read in a long time, but i remember it still in this day how good impression it left me.  the protagonist is fate and the puppets are skk, but not like any other fic. here there are a little things they can do.as their lives unfold and hardships are presented to them continuously, it becomes apparent that they are both the best and worst thing to have appeared in each other’s lives. the well written text  gives you piece by piece their thoughts and mind, fears and love from the first meeting  are amazingly describe and it leaves you complete. it  happends what it should happen. 

Underwater by meupclose:

(11 chpts) one hell of a fic. here is hopeless chaise with mori as the hunter and dazai as the prey. chuuya is the ‘innocent’ love one of dazai who has been called to play the savior. oda feels rip you apart, every character battles with inner and out demons and dazai is having a crisis. yet! the writer never fails to right a complicated masterpiece where life and death are playing chess. the fluff and smut take the fic to another level as a celebration of life and mori is practically playing death himself. a foolish man who wants to be a god and dazai is the child here who is desperate to live. chuuya steals the spotlight and lead to the end. its an excellent work of a mad song with the most logical story in a world that rules are made to be broken.

from my prievious fic rec please read “own no doubt”, “shared gravity” and insomnia_productions.

Why most of them are angst-like I dont know and Im sorry dear anon-chan. Im terribly sorry! kinda..  nonetheless they are all amazing and you should read them!!!

thank you very much for your ask! I hope that my reccomendations were good and you enjoy reading them! Tell me what you think~~ have a wonderful day anon-chan!!!!bye bye :)

#fic rec #highly recommended #bungou stray dogs #soukoku

[armoured-iron-geek]

I Adore Tony Stark Because...

- He fucks up...a lot....Just as any normal human does, but when Tony fucks up, there’s no such thing as a small mistake.

-But you can bet your ass that Tony will be the first in line to clean it up once he’s realised the consequences of said mistake. Homecoming revealed that Tony was footing a large portion of the bills associated when cleaning up after Iron Man/Avenger related damages. I wouldn’t be surprised if he extended that courtesy to covering medical bills, temporary housing, groceries, etc...

- And on the subject of money, once he came back from Afghanistan, he started using his wealth for the right reasons. Aside from the armour, he was investing in medical research, green energy, technology that the everyday person could afford, providing scholarships and grants to people who needed a financial leg up. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the leg braces he made for Rhodey after the Movie That Shall Not Be Named was turned into an entire venture and released to the public.

- Tony’s had to learn not to forget about people, Killian being the prime example and Yinsen being the sad one. 

- Tony’s trust in Peter Parker is encouraged by Peters youth (I swear RDJ literally said this in an article once), which says a lot about Tony post-Civil Clusterfuck. It’s no wonder that the best relationships Tony’s established in the MCU was either when he was young (Rhodey/Pepper), or when he interacts with youth (Harley/Peter). Tony can trust that Peter’s being genuine cause despite losing his parents and Uncle Ben, Peter’s innocence remains intact and there’s a good chance Tony can help him preserve that. I don’t think Tony is in Peter’s life just as a mentor/benefactor, I think he’s there as a walking tale of caution of what not to do.

-Tony’s bullshit detector is finely honed, but not perfect. He never saw past Obadiah’s fake paternal influence, but completely dismissed what he had heard about Bruce Banner and greeted him as a fellow scientist instead of as an experiment gone wrong. His kind words and understanding landed him with a surprised, yet comforted new friend and the gratitude of a highly underestimated being. 

- When Tony feels something, he feels it with his entire being. Obadiah’s betrayal gives him the strength to drag his way through the Malibu mansion to the original Arc Reactor. His acceptance of death drives him to push away those he loves. Cap’s jeering claims of selfishness stirs Tony’s need to prove him wrong by playing the sacrifice card. Seeing Happy injured forces enough anger to rile in his body that Tony challenges an international terrorist on live TV. 

-And don’t even get me started on how much Tony loves life, even if he doesn’t include himself in the line-up. His worst fear is losing, not only his loved ones, but the world because he didn’t do enough. Tony’s got it stuck in his head that because he is the one with the resources and genius to do so, it’s up to him to come up with the solution for saving the world. Tony agrees with the Accords because for the first time,he sees the opportunity for world-wide solidarity. Let’s keep the Avengers in line and interconnect the world’s resources and people of use at the same time.

- I know what it’s like to try to interweave myself with a group of individuals by big gestures and being helpful as I possibly can, only to be reminded time and time again that I don’t actually belong. Not fully. Iron Man-Yes. Tony Stark- Not Recommended. Did the Avengers actually appreciate him beyond his resources? When Thor, a fucking Norse God, grabbed Tony by the throat and hoisted him in the air, not a single goddamn one of them reacted in anger which still pisses me off. Not even Rhodey. Thor could have snapped Tony’s neck in his anger. 

-If one more person calls post-Afghanistan Tony Stark “a villain”, I’m gonna scream. Don’t tell me Ivan was justified in bringing Tony to justice because he was butthurt that his father made the wrong decisions. Don’t tell me that Killian can justify blaming Tony for leaving him on that rooftop when Killian made the dipshit decision to believe somebody who was clearly drunk off his ass.Don’t tell me Ultron was entirely Tony’s fault when Wanda tapped into his mental illness and triggered that awful vision. And don’t you dare fucking tell me that Tony is responsible for tearing the Avengers apart when he was open to negotiation and making amendments from the word ‘go’. Steve was the one who shut down any hope of open communication.

THIS IS WHY I’M TERRIFIED OF TONY DYING IN INFINITY WAR.

I’ve heard so many people say that Tony sacrificing himself is the perfect way for his character arc to close. This way he finally make amends for his mistakes...UM WHAT??

With that logic, Steve, Natasha and just about every other Avenger could become a martyr for that exact same reason. But no, let’s kill Tony off because he’s always been one of Marvel’s punching bags. I respect that Robert Downey Jr wants to step back from the role sooner rather than later and when he does so, I’ll miss Tony with all my heart, so lets not end Tony’s journey in tears, shall we? 

Let’s see Tony leave for a reason that makes him smile that sweet grin of his. Maybe, he hands over the Iron Man mantle to Harley and mentor’s Peter until he has Parker Industries up and running. Maybe he finally gets that happy ending with Pepper and does nothing but share wonderful nights with her at home and gets lost in the brilliance of his mind until he comes back out of it with a new idea to benefit mankind. Maybe the Tony Stark stans can rest easy knowing that their Mechanic is off-camera, but finally happy as he could be after every thing he’s had to endure. 

Because if Tony Stark is going to find happiness, it should never be in death. He loves life too much for that.

#tony stark #The Avengers #Iron Man #team iron man #team tony #tony stark defense squad #captain america #marvel

[davidcarner]

Buy More High Ch 7, The Coup d’Etat

A/N: I've been working on some fics that you all haven't seen yet, and they've been a little heavy (well for me they are, for everyone else, eh). We went from tomfoolery, which I always enjoy, to maybe a touch of angst. You know I hate angst. So let's try and find a spot somewhere in the middle. Welcome to Ch 7, The Coup d'Etat

A/N 2: I've just struggled with this chapter for days. I'm not in love with it, but I'm posting it and moving on. I don't think it's the best, and I'm sorry, but I just don't know how to fix it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, but neither does Emmett.

Chuck woke up, opened his eyes, and stared up at the ceiling. He felt around him, and realized he was alone in bed. He heard sounds in the kitchen, thought for a second, and pulled the covers over his head. Today…today he refused. Today he just didn't care, and no one could make him go in. This was him adulting, and today he was going to take an F in adulting. His mother was back, causing more problems in his life. He knew it was a bad idea to say anything to her about the play, but it was the only way they could afford the rights. He groaned. Hee just wanted to stay in bed, but it was lonely, but what was going to be even lonelier, was after lunch when he was with Roan Montgomery, and Sarah was with Cole Barker. UGGGHHHHH! Cole. Barker. He was good looking, smooth, and had that British accent that made all the girls swoon. All the girls swoon? Was it the 70s? He bet Cole Barker never used the phrase, make all the girls swoon.

"Are you going to hide in bed all day?" he heard Sarah's voice ask. He loved hearing that voice, and he was going to miss it today. Today SUCKED! So hard. UGGGHHHHH!

"Yes," he said as poutily as humanly possible, burrowing further under the covers.

"Are you going to pout all day as well?" she asked, humor in her voice. Why was there humor in her voice? Didn't she realize today was going to SUCK? Didn't she care?

"Maybe," he huffed, a little irritated that she wasn't bothered by this at least as much as he was. Weren't girlfriends supposed to be sensitive when their boyfriend was feeling insecure about the British hunk?

"Charles Irving Bartowski," she said. Welp, she was done kidding around.

"Uggghhhh," he replied, throwing back the covers and seeing Sarah. He paused in mid-throwing of the blankets. Sarah was wearing a pink button up blouse, and a tan skirt. Chuck got a grin on his face. That wasn't Buy More attire. "Saarrrahhh," he said, sing-songy and grinning. Maybe his girlfriend was more sensitive to his needs than he realized.

"See something you like?" she asked, the smile on her face enough to light the room.

"Emmett is going to be so mad," Chuck said, laughing. How did he get so lucky to have this amazing woman in his life? He'd take having the worst mother in the world if the trade off was Sarah freaking Walker. He got an idea.

"What is he going to do?" she asked. Chuck smiled, hopped out of bed, and grabbed his shoes.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I'm going to get my own clothes," he said gleefully. He bound out of the house, stopped, and then came back.

"Keys?" she asked, an amused and knowing smile on her face.

"Keys," he confirmed.

}o{

Sarah glanced at Chuck. His light lavender button up shirt and black slacks were a whole lot better looking than the nerd herd outfit he had been forced to wear since school started. She asked him if he was okay with her teaching with Cole, and he quickly said no, but that was his problem, not hers. She squeezed his hand and he grinned at her. They pulled up into the parking lot, and exited the car.

"We got this," Sarah said, winking at him. He gave her a quick hug and kiss and started toward the school when he felt her hand yank him back. She kissed him hard, and he forgot where he was for a moment. She released him and ran her thumb over the back of his neck. "We got this," she said again.

"Walker, Bartowski," Casey grunted walking by. He looked…pleased, which worried Chuck. They started toward the school and Sarah took his hand in hers. He looked at her, a little surprised, and she smiled at him, encouraging him. They heard footsteps behind them.

"Charles, Sarah, good to see you both," Roan said, a mysterious smile on his face, like he knew something they didn't.

"I'm sorry about yesterday, Roan," Chuck said. "I just needed sometime to adjust to some…personal conflicts." Roan waved his hand.

"Think nothing of it, my boy," Roan said. "Diane told me the entire situation."

"I guess I need to get caught up," Chuck said, a little worried about teaching history. Roan grinned.

"Yesterday we talked about bloodless coups," he said, a grin on his face. "We talked about leaders and the styles of leadership they use, and how a good leader can adapt. I think today we'll try a social experiment, we might all be in for a suprise." Chuck nodded, having no idea what he was talking about. Roan parted from them once they got inside. "Charles, Miss Walker," he said, nodding. They watched him walk off.

"Do you feel like that should have meant more than it did to me?" Chuck asked. Sarah shrugged and grinned.

"You better read up on your history, Mr. Bartowski," she said.

"I would but my mate keeps me busy most nights," he replied.

"Well, your mate should probably stop then so you can catch up," she said, looking at him, pointedly.

"Uhm, well, you see, I'd rather she didn't," he said. She nodded, an amused smile on her face.

"I thought so," she said.

"What are you two wearing?" they heard the voice of Emmett say. The two kept looking at each other.

"Do you think if we ignore him the bad man will go away?" he asked. The two started down the hall away from Emmett.

"I'm talking to you," Emmett said. "Beckman, tell them I'm talking to them." Beckman was walking down the hall toward them.

"If you two would join me in my office," she said. "Also, Emmett is talking to you."

"We're ignoring him," Chuck said. They walked into Beckman's office, and Diane locked the door. Emmett pounded on the door for a minute and then went away.

"I loathe that man," Beckman said. She turned to Chuck and Sarah. "We should hurry, I have a feeling he'll be back. I owe you two an apology for yesterday."

"I think I owe you one," Chuck replied, looking ashamed.

"No, Chuck, what we did to you yesterday was…inexcusable," Beckman said. "If I were you I'd be prepared for anything today." She looked at them for a moment. "I approve of the wardrobe."

"We felt there were no real consequences to not dressing the way we wanted," Sarah said. The door opened and Emmett had the keys. Beckman was fuming at the invasion into her office.

"What do you think you are doing?" Beckman yelled.

"Talking to these two for their inappropriate dress," Emmett replied. Beckman gave Chuck a look and nodded.

"I talked to Mrs. Vanderbeak yesterday," Chuck said to Beckman. "She wanted to thank you for the recommendation of the hotel."

"How is she?" Beckman asked.

"Excuse me," Emmet said.

"She seems to be doing wonderful," Chuck replied.

"Ahem, I need to talk to you two about your dress," Emmett said.

"She said she's finally getting the time to be the aunt she wanted to be," Chuck said.

"I'm talking!" Emmett bellowed. All three continued to ignore him and he stomped out.

"Quick, let's go out this side door," Beckman said, and they all hurried out. Emmett came back in holding a megaphone.

"EXCUSE ME!" he bellowed into the megaphone. It was then he noticed the office was empty. Chuck and Sarah found themselves in Chuck's classroom, laughing about the insanity of the situation.

"You know," Sarah said, walking into a hug, with Chuck sitting on the edge of his desk. "In a few minutes, this could be scandalous."

"Well, we wouldn't want to upset the students now would we?" Chuck asked.

"God forbid they see a couple in a respectful loving relationship," she said. She saw something in his eyes. "What?" Chuck shook his head, an amused smile on his face.

"Loving?" he asked. Sarah blushed, but stayed where she was and bounced a shoulder.

"Gotta problem with my terminology?" she asked.

"I do believe we have already established you are the linguist in this real-"

"Ahha! There you are!" Emmett exclaimed. "Now, I'm going to need you both to get into your proper uniform."

"I'm really getting tired of this tool interrupting us," Chuck said to Sarah, making her laugh.

"We are within the school dress code, Emmett," Sarah said.

"We had a deal," Emmett said, trying to draw himself up to look important.

"We did, and then you altered it," Sarah said, pulling away from Chuck and walking toward Emmett. He started backpedaling. "Pray I don't alter it further."

"I don't know if you could be any hotter," Chuck muttered. She turned to him and winked. Emmett fled the room before Sarah hurt him. She gave him a kiss on the lips with an emphatic smack and headed toward her room. For the next several hours the two of them taught their classes, and then the bell rang for what used to be their joint planning period. Sarah and Chuck had decided they would keep this period together until someone told them different. Chuck noticed very little traffic in the hallway as Sarah came in. He kept watching the halls, until it looked like a ghost town well before the bell rang.

"Something's going on," Sarah said. The two walked out of the room, and saw no one in any of the halls. No one was in the classrooms, no one was in the lunchroom, or in the gym. They walked to the front office where Emmett was fuming and Mary Bartwoski was watching him.

"This is your doing," he said, stomping toward Chuck and shoving his finger in Chuck's face.

"Would you like me to remove that for you, Chuck," Sarah said, venom dripping from her voice. Emmett pulled his finger back, quickly. "Now what are you talking about?"

"Those children," Emmett said. Chuck looked outside where all the teachers and students were.

"Some of those are teachers," Chuck replied. Emmett was stewing.

"Don't be smart," Mary said. Chuck turned towards her slowly.

"Chuck, she's not worth your time," Sarah said, putting her arm around him. Chuck looked at her, and the two walked outside, their arms around each other. The crowd cheered.

"What is going on?" Chuck asked.

"A coup, Charles," Roan answered. "A bloodless coup." Emmett came outside with his megaphone.

"If you are not back inside this school within one minute, all of you will be given failing grade," Emmett said. Students began to panic, and many started back inside, apologizing to Chuck and Sarah. They told them they understood, and not to worry about it. Chuck thought they would all go in, but they didn't. In a bit, only the teachers and the students that had Chuck and Sarah, or were in the play, were outside. "Seems your little stunt didn't work, Mr. Bartowski," Emmett said, gloating.

"He had nothing to do with, you pompous twit," Casey yelled out. "We just all hate you." Emmett's eyes were opened wide in shock.

"Students, you have been led astray," Emmett said into the megaphone. "I will give you one more minute to come inside or you will all be given failing grades."

"Why did you split up Miss Walker and Mr. Bartowski?" one of the students yelled.

"Because of their inappropriate behavior," Emmett said, with a tone in his voice that the student was stupid for asking.

"What inappropriate behavior?" a voice yelled. Chuck found the student. It was Luke Carter.

"They were making unprofessional sexual advances on each other," Emmett said.

"When?" Luke yelled back.

"At the football game," Emmett said, proud of himself.

"No they weren't," an adult female voice came from the same direction as Luke. He looked over and saw it was Luke's mother. "They were watching a football game, cuddled together, like any other couple out there. I saw the entire thing. They also saved my sons life at the dance. How is any of that unprofessional?"

"Well, it's not proper," Emmett said.

"I wish I had a boyfriend treat me the way Mr. Bartowski treats Miss Walker," a voice yelled. Chuck was pretty sure it was Olivia.

"I wish I had a girlfriend as hot as Miss Walker," some boy said.

"Hey, watch it," Chuck warned.

"See," Mrs. Carter said. "They are not unprofessional."

"It's out of my hands," Emmett said, proud of himself.

"Well, so is the check I wrote you," another male voice said. Emmett paled.

"What?" he squeaked.

"I'm going to move my son to a private school since he can't learn from those two, and I won't be making the rest of my donation," Dr. Carter said. Chuck thought Emmett might pass out.

"Now, wait just a minute," Emmett said. "We had a deal."

"It got altered," Chuck said. Sarah smiled at him and Emmett went pale.

"What do you want?" Emmett choked out.

"Everything back the way it was, plus whatever those two want," Dr. Carter said.

"I can't just go and fire Mrs. Bartowski," Emmett said.

"I didn't say you had to, but those two go back to teaching together, running the play, and whatever else, and if they don't, I don't pay the instalments that I planned on paying," Dr. Carter replied. Emmett looked defeated.

"But you said a lump sum," Emmett whined.

"He altered the deal, Emmett," Sarah said, shoulder bumping Chuck.

"I hate Star Trek," Emmett muttered. Chuck just shook his head.

"Why don't you use Mrs. Bartowski with curriculum, testing, and helping you run the school in an environment more suited for the students," Sarah offered. Chuck looked at her.

"That's a great idea," he said.

"You can live with it?" she asked. Chuck shrugged.

"She's good at what she's good at," he replied. "Another thing," he said out loud. "These stupid Buy More uniforms go." Emmett nodded.

"Mr. Bartowski, Miss Walker, I will check in with you before I release a check to him each month," Dr Carter said.

"Thank you, Sir," Sarah said. "You're helping these kids."

"You save child's life, I figured it was the least I could do," Dr. Carter said.

"Okay, if we're all good back to class," Beckman ordered. The students all turned to Chuck and Sarah.

"You heard them kids, back to class," Chuck said. Sarah gave him a hug. "Careful, we'll get separated," he joked.

"Give him a big kiss," one of the girls yelled out. Sarah laughed and they all went back inside.

}o{

They sat in their booth at the restaurant that night, Ellie and Awesome joining them. Chuck raised a glass.

"To my big sister, who still watches out for me, and saved me, yet again," he said.

"Here, here," Sarah said, as they made the toast. Ellie grinned.

"So I happened to know a guy who could help you out," Ellie said, shrugging. "You two literally did all the work. All I had to do was point out how bad things were going and he had the solution." She looked at Chuck and Sarah and Chuck thought she was going to explode.

"What, Ellie?" Chuck asked, a grin on his face.

"So, you two, how serious?" she said.

"We're mates," Chuck answered. Sarah rolled her eyes, wrapped her arms around him and looked at him.

"I can't speak for him, but it's as serious as I've ever been involved with someone else," Sarah replied. "Oh, boy." Chuck looked up and his mother was heading toward them.

"What is SHE doing here?" Ellie hissed. Sarah was taken back at how much venom there was in her voice.

"Eleanor, how are you?" Mary asked as she approached. Ellie just looked at her. "Charles, I need a word with you in private."

"No," Chuck said, sitting there, shaking his head.

"Charles," she said, in a voice that was used to being listened to. Chuck continued to sit there. He took a chip, dipped it in salsa, and ate it slowly. He then began to choke, because he dipped it in the hot salsa. Sarah rubbed his back as he coughed it up. "It's obvious I have made a terrible error in the past, and have not been a proper mother, that's why I'm here." Ellie and Chuck both looked at her. "You're going to have to refinance your home."

"Why would I do that?" Chuck asked.

"Because I co-signed for it," she said.

"What?" Chuck said. "How, you were never there!"

"You were going to be denied and the loan officer knew me and that I was your mother," she explained. "She went around your back, and did break some laws, but we did it for you. I will not be on that loan as long as you are seeing her."

"First, what the hell business of yours is it who I see?" Chuck asked. "Second, you two broke the law, not me."

"I will sue to have my name removed," Mary said.

"Fine," Chuck said, throwing up his hands. "I'll refinance it. Now go away." Mary didn't move.

"You will be denied," she said. Chuck turned toward her.

"Then I'll figure something out," he said. "You know what, I won't pay it, then it will screw with your credit too." He turned back to the chips, but felt the eyes of the other three on him.

"I will refinance it in my name and you will quit dating her," Mary said. "Every since you've begun this dalliance you have made terrible decisions." Chuck turned to Sarah.

"You're the linguist," he said.

"A casual romantic or sexual relationship," Sarah said.

"I wouldn't call it casual," Chuck replied. Sarah bit her bottom lip to try to control her smile. This wasn't the time. "Like you said, it's the most serious I've ever been."

"That means nothing," Mary said.

"Why don't you go away," Chuck replied. "Just go far away."

"You will not live there and be involved with her," Mary said.

"Sarah Walker is her name, and you will not tell me what to do," Chuck said, his voice rising. Sarah grabbed his hear arm.

"Hey, hey," she said, and he turned to her. "Not casual?" she asked with a grin. He nodded. "I know how to fix this."

"Girl, do not get involved," Mary said. Ellie slammed her hand down and stared at her mother.

"You will not disrespect Sarah one more time or I will throw you out of here myself, are we clear?" Ellie asked, daggers in her eyes. Mary stiffened, turned, and walked out. "I'm sorry," Ellie said looking back to the others, ashamed. Sarah reached across and grabbed her hands.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Sarah said, beaming. Ellie smiled at her.

"Welp, looks like she's back," Chuck said.

"This is my fault, I told you to talk to her," Sarah replied.

"No, that nut decided to act that way because," Chuck replied. "Now, what is your great idea that will fix this." She grinned and bounced a shoulder.

"Simple, you move in," she said. Chuck wasn't sure what to say.

A/N: David…are you seriously ending it there? Yep….til next time…hope you enjoyed it! Reviews and PMs are always welcomed!

DC

#Chuck #Sarah #Charah #Buy More High School #fanfic #fanfiction

[mybumpbirthandbeyond]

Jinx

“I write because I’m afraid to say some things out loud.”

Do you ever think when you say something out loud it’s like a jinx? Or do you joke to someone else, ‘don’t jinx it?’ I’m not particularly superstitious, but I’ve certainly felt that a lot on my journey so far.

Cailean has slept through the night since he was just 10 weeks old. And I mean from 10pm to 7am initially (no wake ups in between) and now 7pm to 8am. I was afraid I would jinx it if I even said out loud: “we’re lucky, my baby sleeps through the night.” Similarly with my recovery, shit hit the fan a lot, so once I overcame one hurdle, I was afraid to actually say, “I’m feeling better,” because in truth, that feeling didn’t last long enough initially.

With my diastasis it’s fair to say it’s been slow and I was nowhere near ‘fixed’ or ‘healed’ or whatever you want to call it. I didn’t recover from it; I merely made progress from where I started. Significant progress, it’s fair to say, but even significant progress still left me with a significant diastasis pre-pregnancy number 2. For months I refused to see any progress or accept that it looked better just because someone told me it did. Even when I had noticed the change, there were niggles that I was still so firmly on the side of caution it was laughable - the atrophy on my right side is a good example. When Gráinne said she couldn’t see any atrophy after a couple of months, I asked if it’s because there might be atrophy on the other side balancing it out - such was my lack of belief and caution.

In pregnancy number 2, I’ve felt like I’ve been on eggshells the whole time and it’s an uncomfortable feeling to say the least. I’ve acknowledged that for me, it’s important to understand, to know as much as possible, and to prepare as much as possible for whatever I’m doing. If that’s a client session at work; or in a previous life, a criminal trial; childbirth; diastasis, it doesn’t really matter. I appreciate you can’t prepare for everything, but I like to damn well do my best to prepare for what I can. This pregnancy has been completely uncharted territory in a lot of ways which I am far from happy with. My brain has always worked in overdrive. I’m an overthinker and there’s nothing I can do to change that. That’s why it’s so difficult that there are so many unanswered questions.

The biggest question mark for me has been the baby’s movements and what the hell is going on internally. Even now at 23 weeks, my tummy still does weird things when I’m lying down, and looks nothing like my pregnancy bump in standing or what it would have looked like with Cailean. With the movements, I’m scared to say out loud what’s happening in case I jinx it. The baby’s movements started the exact same week I felt them with Cailean - at 18 weeks. And they are strong. Despite the fact I have an anterior placenta this time around, I am feeling the same movements I had with Cailean. The ripples, that tingly feeling right before they push so much pressure to the front and you feel your bump go rock solid, and visibly seeing kicks. This little one is either acutely aware of my need to feel movement, is one strong little monkey, or in my head, the tissue is so thin, it’s counteracting the anterior placenta. Will I ever know the answer to that? Probably not. It’s probably just another question to add to the ‘never going to know’ pile.

When people ask if I’ve been feeling movement I’ve been afraid to say it. It would of course be so much worse if I wasn’t feeling it, but I’m frightened that this will suddenly go away. I practically hold my breath every morning until the bump wakes up and decides to let me know. I will say this little monkey seems to be a bit of a party animal like their brother - just like Cailean it’s a nighttime rave in my tummy at times. Who says you get a good night’s sleep when your pregnant?!

I’ve had all my scans now and have had my first midwife appointment at my GP’s surgery. I’ve met my midwife a few times randomly locally, but this was my first appointment with her since Cailean. I’ve bumped into her on my way to physio at the hospital and seen her in the park with her granddaughter. A few days before my appointment we saw each other again in the park. Cailean is a pretty unusual name so even if she hadn’t recognised me, it’s fair to say you’d be certain by the time I called my toddler a few times from running off. She asked about how I was feeling about things and when I was due to see her. I told her Tuesday. She asked...wait for it....if I’d been given a tubigrip. I’ve already remarked on my self-restraint on that one, but bet you didn’t realise it was the second time I’d had to field questions/comments on a tubigrip in a few days!!

When I saw her at the appointment she told me I was obviously carrying similarly to Cailean. She remarked I had quite the bump. and once again I haven’t put weight on anywhere else. In fact, I’m only a few kilos heavier than my pre-pregnancy weight. She had googled about diastasis and also consulted the senior midwife in charge on the community team. I was impressed she’d gone to such lengths, but there’s so much bad information out there that what she found was scaremongering- that labour would be difficult and the baby would not position correctly to engage. I had read the same thing I think before I had even found out I was pregnant. Concerned by the fact it seemed a genuine medical website in the UK and was the first result on the page, I asked Gráinne. Thankfully she told me it was nonsense and there was absolutely no clinical evidence to back it up.

My midwife asked me about surgery and I confirmed I would go down that route after this. She actually told me her colleague had it after twins because it was affecting her mental health and body image. She got her surgery on the NHS from persistently appearing at her GP. I know from what my physios have told me, it can be incredibly difficult to get it on the NHS because it’s seen as elective and cosmetic - despite numerous recommendations from them pointing out it’s anything but. I’m lucky enough that should things stay the way they are, I will be going private to ensure I get the best possible repair available and a surgeon who truly understands it, and advocates for extensive physio pre and post-op. But let’s not jinx it at this point 😉

On examination it became clear she felt like she would struggle to measure the baby. She all but said it. Her eyes widened when she realised how big the gap was and turned to my husband with a look of incredulity/shock. Alex calmly said “yeah about there is probably right.” It’s a mark of how much I have been poked and prodded in the stomach that I wanted to laugh but was grateful I was wearing a mask. She started to say I was the worst she’d ever seen. She commented she had seen a fist before and a few fingers “but that’s the...” then busied herself doing something else. It’s not the first time I’ve been told that and there’s a high chance it won’t be the last. But it’s likely I will remain the worst she’s ever seen - she told me previously she will be due to retire in a couple of years. Not exactly a badge of honour.

She mentioned she could refer me to a consultant. That threw me I have to say. I’m not in any way high risk and that thought always scares me somewhat. It was a kind offer but I didn’t expect it. I knew what my answer was, but it did make me second guess myself. After the appointment I checked in with Gráinne to make sure she was happy that there was no reason I would need a consultant. I felt there wasn’t, but I needed that checked so that I wasn’t missing anything. Thankfully, as always, she managed to reassure me there would be no reason for me to need a consultant from a diastasis point of view.

The appointment - despite delving quite deeply into my diastasis - reassured me that the baby was fine which was all I was worried about. My next appointment is 6 weeks away. As much as I have the kicks to keep me reassured in the meantime, I think I’ll be holding my breath until the next appointment and I can hear the heartbeat again. I think that will just be the nature of this pregnancy.

In terms of physio, we are quickly coming to a point where the number of consults will be single figures now until the baby arrives. Certainly those that are face to face will be few and far between. I feel like I’ve constantly been looking forward to try and get me to the next step, or the next milestone as this journey has progressed. It’s a sobering thought to think it will all start again from that first face to face appointment after the baby arrives. The numbers will, once again, give me a strong sense of how far I have to go to get back to the point I was pre-pregnancy number 2, and beyond. Operation ‘Get Strong’ part 2 (or Operation ‘abs of steel’ as my husband will no doubt call it) starts from my first physio appointment post-birth. I’m under no illusions that I will be sprinting - I’ll be starting slow again because it’s the right thing to do. I have plenty of time before surgery so there really isn’t a rush, but I may need reminding of that come the other side and I’m sure my physios will need to keep me in check...

I never knew the first time it was Operation Get Strong part 1. I thought I was going to be ‘fixed’ by the next time I feel pregnant. Luckily I didn’t say that out loud then, given it would have been a massive jinx clearly! Some people may think I’m getting ahead of myself, but as I’ve said, I’ve always looked forward in this journey. It’s nice to look back and see how far I’ve come, but there’s nothing other than to look forward when you’re facing a challenge of momentous proportions. Like I’ve said before, I’m steeling myself for what’s to come - mentally and physically.

#mybumpbirthandbeyond #diastasisrecti #secondpregnancy #operationgetstrong #rehab

[sampagnereads]

hey, everyone! it’s finally september 30, so i feel like it’s the perfect time for me to post my first monthly wrap-up! reading-wise, this month was pretty average. school started at the beginning of the month, and i ended up reading 6 books, which isn’t all that much to me. still, i read things that i quite enjoyed, which makes up for the lack of reading! under the cut, you can find more information about the books i read and what i thought about them.

1. Wonder Woman: Warbringer, by Leigh Bardugo. 4.5 stars

As the first instalment of the DC Icons series, Wonder Woman: Warbringer tells the story of Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman, as a teenager rather than an adult. I went into this book knowing nothing more than that, and I personally feel like it led to the perfect reading experience. In my opinion, the official summary reveals a bit too much, and I recommend going into this book before reading it. 

Honestly, I went into this book knowing I was going to love it. Having always enjoyed Wonder Woman’s story, and having been a Bardugo fan for about a year now, it was a no-brainer to me that I was going to enjoy Wonder Woman: Warbringer. Still, I ended up being quite surprised by the story. Whilst it begins in the traditional Wonder Woman way, it becomes quite original as it goes on, and I honestly never saw the twists and turns of the story coming in advance. The plot was so good that it led to a story that was action-packed whilst letting the readers get to know the characters more deeply, which I adored. This story’s characters were all so diverse and fascinating, and I wish I could get more of them. They were my favourite part of the story, and because of them, I would actually consider re-reading this book (which I don’t do very often). 

2. Eliza and Her Monsters, by Francesca Zappia. 4.5 stars

Set mainly in high school, Eliza and Her Monsters follows Eliza Mirk, an introverted teenage girl who has no friends in “real life”. Online, however, Eliza is the creator of one of the world’s most popular WebComics, and is quite famous, although she does it all under a secret identity. Then, one day, a new boy transfers to her school, and ends up being one of the biggest fanfiction writers of her webcomic. Whilst hiding who she is from him, Eliza starts to form a friendship with said boy, and things start to change for the better for her, up until her secret identity is revealed, and Eliza’s world turns upside down.

I received this book in my first ever OwlCrate box, and I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed by it. I was never the biggest fan of YA contemporary, and therefore felt a bit let down. Because of that, it took me quite a while to finally read this book. However, I finally picked it up this month, and I couldn’t be any more glad about it. Whilst Eliza was a bit annoying at times, it was understandable due to the fact that she was a typical teenager, and I still couldn’t help but get extremely attached to her. Due to the attachment, the story was a bit hard to get through at times, but at the same time, it was extremely heart-warming. Thing is, things weren’t easy for Eliza, and I think it’s important to explore that. However, whilst I thoroughly recommend this book, I think that it’s important to be aware that this book contains themes of suicide and depression.

3. China Rich Girlfriend, by Kevin Kwan. 5.0 stars

As China Rich Girlfriend is the second book in the Crazy Rich Asians series, I can’t tell you much about the summary without spoiling the first book. Therefore, I’ll summarize the first book for you! Basically, Crazy Rich Asians is about a girl named Rachel Chu who agrees to go on a summer long vacation to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick, to go to his best friend’s wedding and meet his family. Problem is, Rachel has no clue that Nick is one of the most prized bachelors in Singapore, as his family is one of the richest there. They’re the richest of the rich, and they don’t exactly approve of Rachel. On top of that, you also follow other members of Nick’s family, who are all more interesting than the other.

Whilst I didn’t enjoy China Rich Girlfriend quite as much as I enjoyed Crazy Rich Asians, I still thoroughly loved it. These books read like the best kind of rom-com, and are basically impossible to put down once you pick them up. Even the most hateable characters are impossible not to get attached to (except for one *cough*Astriddeservesbetter*cough*). Reading about rich people is just so much fun, and though their problems might be silly at times, we also get to see legit problems they deal with, which gives an interesting depth to the story. Honestly, I feel like I’m watching a movie when I read those books, and I can’t get enough of them. I 100% recommend them, and I can’t wait to get to the third book of the series.

4. Little & Lion, by Brandy Colbert. 5.0 stars

Taking place in Los Angeles, California, Little & Lion follows our protagonist, Suzette, as she comes home from boarding school for the summer. Through the story, we see Suzette dealing with the family she’s been distanced from for a year (just after her brother was diagnosed as bipolar type two), the friends she hasn’t seen in far too long, and a new crush on a girl her brother might also be interested in. (Do not fear; the love triangle isn’t overwhelming.)

As someone who might also have bipolar type 2 (the doctors aren’t certain, but still treat me for it), I loved the representation of mental health we got in this book. I thoroughly sympathized with the medication aspect of the story, and I never expected I’d get to read about something so close to my heart. On top of that, as a bisexual woman, I loved the bisexual rep we got, as Suzette herself is bisexual and learning to deal with it. I could completely understand what she was going through, and was reminded of myself as a teenager when I read about the way she felt. Also, whilst I can’t speak on it due to the fact that I’m white and agnostic, Suzette is black and jewish, which is vital to who she is as a character. Through the story, we see how being a black, jewish, bisexual jewish teenage girl affects Suzette and the way people act around her, and I found it thoroughly fascinating. I honestly loved all aspects of this book, and I can’t recommend it enough to everyone in the world. This is a heart-warming story that is, at its core, about family, love and friendship.

5. Three Dark Crowns, by Kendare Blake. 4.0 stars

On an matriarchal island where magic exists, a queen is deposed from her functions when she gives birth to triplets who each possess a different kind of magic, and are sent to live on different parts of the island when they’re still children. Once these triplets come of age, they must fight to the death to figure out which of them will become the next queen. 

Though the official summary makes it sound like a fast-paced, action-packed story, Three Dark Crowns is actually a slow-burning, politics-heavy novel that relies mainly on character development. Whilst there is little action in this novel up until the very end, we get to know the main characters very well, and I found it impossible not to get attached to the three of them. In fact, I personally got so attached that I found myself cheering for all three of them, which isn’t exactly the smartest thing. Still, this book seems to be either a hit or miss for people, so maybe don’t go into it with too high expectations. Worst case? You’re not surprised. Best case? You’re surprised in the best way possible. 

6. Magyk, by Angie Sage. 3.5 stars

Set in a world where Magyk exists, this book is hard to describe without spoiling everything, which is easy enough to see once you read the official summary. To put it simply, this story follows the lost princess of the kingdom as she must run away to avoid getting killed just like her mother, the queen, was. That’s the most basic summary I can give you without spoiling everything. Sorry! (Also, please avoid reading the book’s official summary. It’s the worst.)

So, I first read this book in French a long time ago, and decided to re-read it (but this time in English) due to nostalgia. It was a quick read, but honestly, I was a bit disappointed. Maybe this was because I vaguely remembered everything that was going to happen next, but nothing in this story felt like a big surprise. I get that this is middle grade, but kids are smart, and I bet they can see those things coming as well. Still, the story was fun, the characters, except for a few exceptions, were loveable, and I read this very quickly. Had I just based this rating on this re-read, I would have probably given it less than 3.5 stars, but I’ve decided to rate this as I would have rated it back when I first read this instead, as this is a middle-grade novel. 

#booklr #sam's wrap ups #wonder woman warbringer #eliza and her monsters #china rich girlfriend #little and lion #three dark crowns #magyk

[hope-for-olicity]

Fabulous Olicity Fanfic Friday February 24th, 2017

Happy Friday! So this is my attempt to both thank awesome fanfic writers for their amazing work and offer my recommendations to anyone who is interested. Here are the fantastic fanfic stories I read this week! I will include an AO3 link if I have one, otherwise I read it on Tumblr and you can find it there! They are posted in the order I read them.

Olicity One Shot by @laurabelle2930 - Beyond beautiful conversation between Oliver and Felicity who have been separated for some time http://laurabelle2930.tumblr.com/post/157348269131/olicity-one-shot-my-cure-to-writers-block To Sacrifice the Sun multi-chapter by @emmilynestill - Felicity and Oliver are ARGUS agents working in the Mayan ruins - AMAZING STORY  http://archiveofourown.org/works/7510744/chapters/17073520 20 Missed Calls by @wherethereissmoak - post 5x13 fic about who calls Oliver 20 times after the shooting at City Hall http://archiveofourown.org/works/9797531 Olicity - A Serious Talk by @marytagus - Oliver confronts Felicity about what is going on with her http://marytagus.tumblr.com/post/157358716946/olicity-a-serious-talk Four Walls (Of Law Firms and Honey) multi-chapter by @dust2dust34 - definitely some of the hottest NSFW stories out there. Highly recommend http://archiveofourown.org/works/3982066/chapters/21868070 Love in the Club by @dmichellewrites - A married Olicity attend the grand reopening of Verdant and things get heated http://archiveofourown.org/works/9803174 Not So Innocent by @jesileigh - Oliver helps Felicity get some experience before going to MIT http://archiveofourown.org/works/9711335 Candid Camera by @some1foundme for Olicity Valentine’s Smut-a-Thon - Felicity and Oliver communicate via webcam when Felicity is away on a business trip - very hot http://archiveofourown.org/works/9713300 Dark Angel in My Ear by @nightkeepyr for Olicity Valentine's Smut-a-thon - Oliver offers Felicity some relief 25 days into a no sex bet http://nightkeepyr.tumblr.com/post/157228435523/dark-angel-in-my-ear Oliver's Birthday by @tammy21 for Olicity Valentine's Smut-a-thon - A reunited Olicity live out some fantasies foundry http://archiveofourown.org/works/9708731 Falling for an Angel multi-chapter by @missafairy - Oliver literally finds an angel, Felicity http://archiveofourown.org/works/9368912/chapters/21886763 Redemption multi-chapter by @vaelisamaza Oliver returns for being with the League after five - this story gets better and better! http://archiveofourown.org/works/9107518/chapters/22038962 Killer Frost Smoak multi-chapter by @tdgal1 - Felicity becomes Killer Frost after the particle accelerator explosion http://archiveofourown.org/works/8654356/chapters/19846777 Behind the Glass by @geneshaven - Oliver visits Felicity in jail and my heart breaks https://geneshaven.tumblr.com/post/157438808124/behind-the-glass#notes Bake for a Date multi-chapter by @oycharlynnrose Donna enters Felicity in a baking contest to win a date with her boss Oliver Queen - Super Sweet and Delightful, link to first chapter, rest are also on blog  http://oycharlynnrose.tumblr.com/post/153149385765/bake-for-a-date-with-oliver-queen-week-one#notes Dropping the Towel by @acheaptrickandacheesyoneline for Olicity Valentine's Smut-a-thon - Very hot! Good things happen when Felicity drops her towel in front of her boyfriend! http://acheaptrickandacheesyoneline.tumblr.com/post/157233222147/dropping-towel Devil's Gonna Ride Tonight by @nightkeepyr for Olicity Valentine's Smut-a-thon -  Olicity get hot and heavy while Oliver is driving a car - HOT. https://olicityvalentinesdaysmut-a-thon.tumblr.com/post/157236304289/devils-gonna-ride-tonight Trust Me multi-chapter by @felicityollies - dom/submissive, prostitute/client initial relationship, things are developing http://archiveofourown.org/works/8487226/chapters/22067882 His Touchstone by @jules85 - Oliver's reaction to the mass shooting a City Hall http://jules85.tumblr.com/post/157454292393/his-touchstone Va Banque by @machawicket - Felicity goes missing - this is a MUST READ. http://archiveofourown.org/works/9828866 Felicity Smoak: A Path of My Own by @marytagus - Felicity feels she has no choice but to leave the team - so sad http://marytagus.tumblr.com/post/157463985473/felicity-smoak-a-path-of-my-own Icing on the Cake multi-Chapter by @yespleasehawkeye - Oliver, John and Thea run Queens Cupcakes and they have a regular customer named Felicity - this is sugary sweet and awesome!  http://archiveofourown.org/works/9828935/chapters/22070231 Yes by @quiveringbunny for Olicity Valentine's Smut-a-Thon - Felicity goes to rescue Oliver from the field and comes under the influence - SO VERY HOT http://quiveringbunny.tumblr.com/post/157237642572/yes-my-latest-naughty-fic In My Daughter's Eyes multi-chapter by @smkkbert - Sequel to The Best Mistake, Oliver and Felicity raise their daughter Mae while going to college. Love it! http://archiveofourown.org/works/9606251/chapters/22094111 Felicity Smoak: A Path of My Own (II) by @marytagus - Oliver deals with the fall out of Felicity leaving http://marytagus.tumblr.com/post/157493456663/felicity-smoak-a-path-of-my-own-ii The Emerald Umbrella multi-chapter by @arrowgirl20 - Felicity goes dress shopping for the upcoming date! http://archiveofourown.org/works/8752441/chapters/22096217 The Nightmare (Drabble) by @stygian-omada-fan - Olicity's 4 year old son Tommy has a nightmare and he has reason to be afraid! https://stygian-omada-fan.tumblr.com/post/157499891930/the-nightmare-drabble Shattered multi-chapter by flip flops - Oliver left Star City when his best friend married the love of his life Felicity Smoak, upon finding out she is single he returns to win her heart - my current addiction! http://archiveofourown.org/works/7118422/chapters/16169119 Felicity Smoak: A Path of My Own (III) by @marytagus - the excited conclusion!! Made me feel all happy. http://marytagus.tumblr.com/post/157507667698/felicity-smoak-a-path-of-my-own-iii Inclusion by @geneshaven - Oliver comes clean about changing time after Felicity broke up with him the first time https://geneshaven.tumblr.com/post/157516213789/inclusion#notes As Easy as Falling multi-chapter by @charlinert - Felicity has a terminal illness when she meets Oliver in a very original way - but my HOPE for a miracle recovery remains strong, such an awesome story! http://archiveofourown.org/works/8035363/chapters/22116248 It's Not That Short by @lostolicityscenes - Oliver gives Felicity the gold dress http://lostolicityscenes.tumblr.com/post/157546465526/its-not-that-short-an-i-saw-a-post-about#notes A Walk Through Hell by @smoaking-greenarrow - Oliver is drugged with Vertigo and sees his worst nightmare http://smoaking-greenarrow.tumblr.com/post/146037219064/a-walk-through-hell Ficlet - Hello by @dust2dust34 - Oliver and Felicity spend time in the house they used to own - beautiful and sad, I broke. http://dust2dust34.tumblr.com/post/132500590494/ficlet-hello-olicity-au Because Chocolate is an Overrated Gift by @lovejesusarrowavengersblog​ - Felicity gets Valentine's gifts for the team http://lovejesusarrowavengersblog.tumblr.com/post/157203234528/because-chocolate-is-an-overrated-gift#notes Bound to You multi-chapter by @bindy417 - AMAZING flashback chapter about young Oliver and Felicity! http://archiveofourown.org/works/6602668/chapters/22154573 Just Like a Tattoo by @felicityollies - Felicity gets a tattoo! http://archiveofourown.org/works/9895586 What Were You Thinking by @felicityollies - Oliver confronts Thea and Felicity over what they did to Susan http://archiveofourown.org/works/9896651

Unspoken Thought by @geneshaven - What was going through Oliver and Felicity's mind's during that amazing scene in 5x14 https://geneshaven.tumblr.com/post/157631137279/unspoken-thoughts#notes

@almondblossomme @emmaamelia95 @mel-loves-all @oliverfel4 @stygian-omada-fan @coal000 @miriam1779 @memcjo @captainolicitysbedroom @tdgal1 @spaztronautwriter @lalawo1 @quiveringbunny @quant-um-fizzx @thebookjumper @miriam1779 @vaelisamaza @myhauntedblacksoul @lovelycssefan

#fabulous olicity fanfic friday #olicity fanfiction #fic rec #FabulousOlicityFanficFriday