#thank you yaoi nation

[moonshynecybin]

#prince of a small country addressing the nation concerning his recent marriage to italian motogp superstar valentino rossi <- oh. OH !!!!! genuinely i need more….. how did they meet…. is marc giving up his title to marry vale….. much to think abt…..

i love this one it’s about marc like. putting down the pr mask and realizing he can have something for himself…

so! much like our marc, in his youth he was a tiny adrenaline junkie obsessed with motorcycles, valentino rossi, and valentino rossi’s y2k bisexual swag. unlike our marc, he was not allowed to continue racing past a certain age bc he is the crown prince of a nation and it was considered too dangerous for him. he rides too hard, he doesn’t want to put that on alex if anything happens to him, etc

but our brave marc is not a complainer! ever! even when he absolutely should be! so he grits his teeth buckles down and does his duty. for his family. for his country. for his brother. for years. but he still keeps tabs on vale, allows himself that small joy. catches races whenever he can—watching them on his phone in airports and the back of cars all over the world. instagram stalking him like a weirdo. trying to covertly attend races with alex in silly disguises SURROUNDED by security, hat pulled low… a wistful thrill in his stomach as he hears the bikes roar past… eyes on valentino the whole way

and then they meet! marc is in his early twenties and they’re at some party marc hates but he’s keeping the big smile on his face as he greets people and vale (here for sponsorship obligation comma bored) notices him across the room and goes hey. that guys hot and looks equally bored! so he goes up, does a silly bit, and is immediately confronted with a full frontal assault of marc’s big dumb smile and shining eyes <3 also realizes he is a fan IMMEDIATELY even though marc is trying to keep it on the DL which he reallyyyyy enjoys so they spend the whole night snickering in their own little world…

whirlwind romance ensues!! and they have history’s least carbon neutral affair over the next few months with the amount of plane rides they charter anshshsgg… truly marc learning to love life and ignore some of his responsibilities for once… insane sex in expensive hotels bc vale wants to show him a good time… extravagant rich people gifts…. personalized helmet tribute only the two of them get… lots of references to marc in interviews that only marc and him understand. like FULLY inside jokes with themselves excluding the press so the other will smile when they watch the interview later when they’re apart… and the CROWN JEWEL PUN NOT INTENDED: ranch visittttttttt where they have a BLAST. vale gets to excercise his clear love of teaching and praise marc, be impressed with his raw talent on the bike. and marc is. SO happy. looks valentino dead in the eye at the end of the day vale’s big hands on either side of his face and tells him this is the best day of his life… and he looks at vale and loves him SO much but feels so trapped by the monarchy (his advisors know this and have been quietly maneuvering the nation towards democracy… marc does not know this) and something cracks in him and he’s just like. i don’t think i can do this anymore. and vale’s face DROPS and marc’s like. do you want to get married. bc he’s insane <3 and it’s the only way he can think to bind vale to him permanently in a way the monarchy/his duty can’t interfere with… like no one can argue with a royal wedding!

SO THEY ELOPE!!! scandal of the century!!! and then marc’s advisors (everyone say thank you to his fictional advisors who create democracy in a nation not bc it is a better form of government but for pure love of the yaoi game) pass the resolution to change the government and marc is FREE to follow vale around the world and get really good on the bike again and learn that it is OKAY to love things and not sacrifice your whole self at the alter of duty :)

#callie speaks #motogp #rosquez #this is like a reverse cinderella where they’re both rich #asks

[thealogie]

Chris Bennion in The Telegraph says comedy Bafta is a "three-way race between Salmon, Animashaun and Gilgun". And lol at British critics continued dismissal of DT deserving anything on his own merits, Chris outright says "Well, he did such a nice job of hosting the Film Baftas that it would be rude not to nominate Tennant for something. Always nice to have him on the red carpet too".

Hey, Doctor Who, come here and charm our big US cousins with your incomprehensible inside jokes and give the UK plebs something to 'awww' about on the telly. Here is your long-awaited Bafta nom that you don't really deserve and won't actually win, oh, and thanks for being pretty on the red carpet!

I also liked the projected win of Steve Coogan "whose bravura performance as Jimmy Savile outstripped an uneven and disappointing drama". Because Des was too brutal to even nominate for (even though no critics said it was "an uneven and disappointing drama"), and everyone said how voters are tired of true crime Bafta bait etc. That's fair, but here's Coogan (whom I love, even though I don't plan on watching the Savile thing), and he is nominated all right and projected to win, even if the whole thing has mixed reviews.... Do I sound bitter about the award troubles of a celeb from another country? You bet! It'll pass in an hour, but if we as a society go on like this we will NEVER cure David Tennant of his religious trauma.

He did mention that no Michael Sheen for Best Interests was "harsh" though. So one half of this old man yaoi at least got some respect.

*looking at the British* these people’s hate mail game is insane. I genuinely have never been more historically, sociopolitically and personally victimized by a nation more than the UK.

Why are they constantly going between “he’s one of your finest actors” and “aw he’s kind of cute to keep around.”

[gotstabbedbyapen]

What do you think Hyacinthus’ personality is? At first I kinda theorized he acted very similar to Patroclus but that’s like… repetitive 😭

Then I kind of made him the likable arrogant prince but i’m still not sure. Wonder what your take is

I'm so sorry for the late reply! I was on vacation away from home on the weekend 😅

Now that I'm back, you will receive a brief evolution of my view on Hyacinthus! Thanks for asking because I've been mean to talk about it for a while.

Like many people, when I first learned the myth of Hyacinthus, I imagined him as a mellow fellow: kind but shy and insecure because his boyfriend is a god. He's also a sad boi who doesn't believe he deserves Apollo. You know, the typical bottom/uke in every Yaoi media (or at least the ones I watched)

But soon, I got tired of the “boo hoo, they are out of my league” trope. I've been eating blank planks for too long, and now I want some flavor for Hyacinthus! So, I began to experiment with other possibilities to develop his characterization.

The first thing I assigned to Hyacinthus is that he is a curious soul for two reasons. One, I like the version where Hyacinthus' mother is the History Muse Clio. His mother inspired his love for reading books (Clio's sacred artifact) and his passion for learning new things. Two, I want Hyapollo to have a God of Knowledge x Curious Human dynamic, where Apollo falls in love with Hyacinthus because of his inquisitiveness.

Second, Hyacinthus is athletic and social as he grew up as a Spartan prince. Hyacinthus was trained with his siblings since childhood and mentored by Apollo later on. This special education helped shape his skills in combat and phrases.

Remember my HC about Clio being his mother? With his mother's poetic genes in him, Hyacinthus is a social butterfly. His charm isn't just in his beauty but in how he enraptures people in conversations. He is also a flirt and enjoys teasing Apollo. This guy is shameless, straightforward, and knows exactly what he is doing.

However, if you get on his nerves, Hyacinthus will not hesitate to roast you verbally. “Laconic phrases” are Sparta's signature way of rebutting. Hyacinthus isn't violent, but his comebacks can be 100% intentionally brutal, which means your face won't be physically damaged, but you can't save it in any way.

Third, I won't say Hyacinthus is arrogant because humility and discipline are some of the defining aspects of the Spartans. But I believe he has a strong sense of national pride. He loves and is proud of Sparta and will not take it lightly if you bad-mouthed his homeland. Whether or not he will kick you down a bottomless pit depends on how much you degrade his kingdom's image.

So there you have it. My take on Hyacinthus is that he is a knowledge seeker, quite outspoken, and has squirrel-like energy.

Of course, this is still a rough draft. I'm still trying to pin down a concrete personality and character development for our prince in future fanfics, and I'm always open to new character traits for Hyacinthus!

#hyacinthus #apollo #clio #apollo x hyacinthus #ask me anything #tumblr ask #greek mythology #greek gods #greek deity #greek heroes

[ambreiiigns]

shit that happened on sanremo in the past couple of years for the uninitiated:

oscar winner roberto benigni talking abt bible lost media centered around sex

winners' names leaking like hours before the final rankings are supposed to be announced (????)

guests falling off the stairs and then different guests making fun of people who have fallen off the stairs

achille lauro . cultural reset

twerking ?!

microphones and the likes not working properly (this is like the biggest event in italian television And Yet)

contestants raising their left fists at the end of their song <3

one of the contestant (beloved old lady) forgot abt covid curfew and went outside late at night and got chased around by cops

during sanremo covid edition when they couldn't have spectators physically there in the crowd they set up balloons w faces on them in the empty seats and somehow a dick shaped balloon got sneaked in there and was caught on tv

again during sanremo covid edition a contestant got covid so he couldn't show up to perform but it felt Rude to kick him out of the competition so for four nights we had to watch the same clip of him performing during rehearsal and he still got like 4th place or smth

the two hosts who have been besties their whole lives simply kept acting up by doing things such as performing in half assed drag (which they'd been teasing since the beginning of the week) or slowdancing or rapping or spitting water on each other or fucking around w autotune or [...]

same old lady from before forgot to turn off the sink or smth and flooded her hotel room

achille lauro used too much catholic imagery in too gay and blasphemous ways so much so that the bishop of the city attempted to excommunicate him and one of the hosts who dueted w him (bishops don't have the power to do that so it was fine)

that same host occasionally took over the show by holding everyone hostage for like 10 minutes at a time talking about fucking whatever (wasn't he talking about piss at one point . ?!) and everyone of us was simply listening w heart eyes bc the last like 4 generations of italian people are helplessly in love w this man

two (2) yaoi kisses on national tv one of which happened during a bastardized wedding (thank you once again achille lauro)

contestant ran into the crowd and stole someone's purse (as a joke ?!)

guy screaming "Ibuprofen Sex" at the camera for four nights in a row and then getting last place or close

two men (one of which is just a Some Guy and the other is a known insane person) decided to participate as a duo and proceded to have personal issues w each other after like two nights which manifested in one of them secretly changing the lyrics to their song into a disstrack against his partner who then wordlessly walked off the stage and the first guy then acted like he didn't understand what was going on and the whole show stalled for a hot minute and they got disqualified . that was The Peak and we're still chasing that same high

måneskin won ig

#oh nay #sanremo tomorrow. are you understanding me. mutuals #i cannot Wait. to see what happens. all the shit that i could add to this list. aren't you sooo excited

[pinkandpurple360]

k so i have a theory that early early on when writing helluva boss, asmodeus and mammon were going to be one character at one point (not in terms of names or their roles as sins, but in terms of fizz having one boss not two). like maybe early on ozzie was going to be abusive and exploitative like mammon is now, but this was shelved for too similar to angel/valentino, or because viv wanted a happier uwu yaoi dynamic, etc. so she included mammon and made ozzie nicer. it’d explain why asmodeus is involved in sex bot business despite saying he doesnt want to be: bc homegirl has no foresight.

(note im actually glad they didnt make ozzie valentino 2: electric boogaloo. and im a sucker for “big buff monster man who’s very kinky but also a sweetheart.” but i think viv’s writing is sloppy and you can see the rabbit trails everywhere)

Thanks anon. I love conversations like these. That line about the sex bots is the biggest glaringly obvious point. Trying to sweep that under the rug and put the blame on mammon Instead was crazyy.

For me it’s up in the air what she had planned, but the remnants of the original better story can still be seen before the fujoshi nation attacked…

Mammon was definitely meant to be the LooLoo Land boss and probably Fizz’s business partner(?) while Asmodeus was possibly a secret not-so-wholesome fling turned sugar daddy. It’s possible that Mammon put Fizz up to dating Ozzie in a “steal as much from (redacted) as you possibly can” type situation. Asmodeus is supposed to have sexualised and exploited the sexualised image of Fizzarolli while Mammon reaped the benefits because Oz is the demon of lust, and in the story mammon is more like Asmodeus than Asmodeus himself. What “i don’t like designing sex toys with your likeness” “I don’t like how many creeps you have now thanks to mammon”’ really? But you built the fuckin things mannnnn 💀 it just makes Asmodeus look so weak willed to me? I don’t like using my entire ass factory he says as a sin, to an imp???? What,? Is this why Crimson called him the weakest most non threatening sin ? Still no explanation for that btw..

You know in a cosmic sortve way, it’s almost like crimson got revenge on Moxxies behalf. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if Fizz got it into his head that moxxie was the evil mastermind behind all of this and started being extra special nice to him. Actually I have no idea how a moxxie and fizzarolli interaction would go now that Viv decided to swap around Fizz’s personality into a moxxie.

Asmodeus should have been Lyle Lipton times a thousand, or at least morally grey like Willy wonka who was whimsical but still exploited people. The worst part is Ozzie has such a menacing design and for what, it’s gone to waste. Just like how terrifying stolas used to be before becoming the creators pet.

Actually you know what else bugs me about putting Fizz in Ozzie’s pocket? The fact that Fizz made his own fortune and Mammon stole it. So now he relies on Ozzies money and gifts. Why the hell does a successful actor and performer need a sugar daddy?? Is it just cause he’s an imp. That would drive me crazy. I’m so sad that the plot of this wasn’t someone who wanted to continue to make his own money out of an inferiority complex of his race, and to not be so dependent anymore. Grrrr.

I’ve seen fics where Fizz is just Ozzies favourite employee and they even have a comforting relationship backstage, but they see other people. Everyone says making them monogamous feels ooc. I think it was this one Jesse x Fizzarolli story I read?And the characterisation of Fizz is just wayyyy superior. He’s what you’d expect, an arrogant asshole. And he has vulnerable cute and cuddly moments. There was another one I read where he started working for Asmodeus but still had a persona with Mammon and that’s why everything was hush hush. I also fully support the trans man fizz in former that fic, he was genuinely cool.

#helluva boss critical #helluva boss #fizzarozzie critical

[baldswagsummit2023]

OK BALD NATION!! this is probably my last post before i start setting up BALD SWAG SUMMIT 2! if you have submissions please send them in ASAP so they can be added to our roster!!!

please rb to break containment + spread the word. i know you personally and i also know that all your mutuals want to watch bald people fight to the death. do it for them, not me 🫶

i'm gonna tag some poll makers here and ask them to rb as well so i can reach some distant fandoms that didn't appear in the first round of the polls! i want as many fandoms to enter as possible to anyone can have the chance to see their favorite baldie destroy someone else :)

@shinypokemonshowdown @toxic-yaoi-tournament @fave-fight @copaganda-clobberfest @battle-couple-battle @morally-grey-girlbosses @makethosenarratorsfight @theultimatetournament

THANK YOU BALD NATION!

#baldposting #baldpoll #polls

[wackytoonz]

HI i dont want to accidentally spam your notifs by reblogging all of your stuff but i do just want to say thank you for reviving the doctor barber nation. i've been a fan of specifically doc since 2019 and your fanart makes me SO excited that theres another fan of him out there. let the old man yaoi prosper...

YIPPEE YAHOO IT IS A PLEASURE TO REVIVE THE LOVE FOR THIS LOVELY FELLOW THANK YOU!!!!

#tmmof #captain k'nuckles #doctorbarber #the marvelous misadventures of flapjack

[daily-gallade]

Do you do commissions? I love your style and I want someone to draw my gallade OC and your style is really cool. Totally fine if you don't do commissions, this blog does enough for my gallade filled brain anyways.

at the moment, my commissions are closed but i can direct you to my main accounts so you would know when i have them open!! here is my carrd with all my main socials!

and thank you so much for the kind words!! :]

#mod deino

[seth-burroughs]

Soldier anon back from the trenches and. Um. I was going to do a really deep dive into this but then I was sick + took psychic damage from the wiki so this is as far as I got 🙏🙏🙏

Hate crimes (Against detectives?)

Ethnic persecution (Of detectives?)

Mass murder (Chapter 0 detectives)

Attempted genocide (Against detectives?)

Abuse (Whatever he has going on with Electro)

Abuse of power, Slander, Corruption, Police Brutality (The Game)

Extortion (The church?)

Propaganda (Runs a dictatorship)

Bribery (Chapter 1, from the church)

Money laundering (?)

Sabotage (Submarine go boom)

Wrongful executions (Cube)

Torture (Cube)

Psychological abuse (Whatever he had going on with Electro)

Blackmail (Yakou wife, maybe?)

Child abuse (Treament of Kurumi when she's suspected of murder?)

Animal Cruelty (I guess he goes run a dictatorship? Peacekeepers have probably crueled animals under his name)

Coercion

Physical and psychological abuse (Whatever he has going on with Electro)

Defilement (???)

Incrimination (????)

Sexual harassment (Whatever he has going on with Electro)

Arson (The submarine?)

Murder (Chapter 0)

Psychological manipulation (Whatever he has going on with Electro)

Attempted murder

Unlawful imprisonment (He runs a dictatorship send tweet)

Stalking (The cameras he has? I guess?)

Assault (Clobbering Yakou with his Gucci doc martens)

Treason (Blows up property)

Terrorism (Blows up property, runs a dictatorship)

Slavery (??????)

Thank you for your bravery soldier anon here is me trying to make sense of these

Once again I can't believe detectivephobia is a canon form of bigotry in the Master Detective Archives: Rain Code universe but that's on me for being ignorant. I'm sorry detectives

I think the "attempted genocide" part refers to the earlier crackpot theory of Yomi actually wanting to nuke Kanai Ward all along and build cube factories over it's ashes, but could also refer to the killings of the detective nation.... if you think about it Yakou was at the moment literally the last of his kind at Kanai Ward before he got got with the gas which is so fucked up omg I can't believe Yomi would do this #yomiisoverparty #tw yomi hellsmile mention

Okay so this may get me burned on the stake like the witch I am, buuuuut I don't think his, uhh... *gestures* with the woman named Martina Electro also known as Swallow Electro, can really be considered 100% abuse. We only got a single scene of them together alone, in which he does kick her but she very visibly has zero problem with it I cannot overstate how much she did not give a fuck. I believe if we take into account him literally was sitting on her right beforehand, I'm pretty sure they were still doing their disgusting little kinky five shade roleplay up until he Got Weird With It (The Cube). Like I don't deny their wretched situationship was best comparable to a disastrous trainwreck that left 87654 injured and 2 survivors, but I swear some people are acting as if Martina was some helpless battered housewife that got waterboarded by Yomi every day and not the 3rd most powerful person in Kanai Ward after Yaoi and The Mask (by Dream). Like, strictly canonwise, their relationship was way more harmful to literally everybody else unfortunate enough to be in their vicinity, than any of them. Like was that comprehensible? Idk man I'm barely alive rn I ate a lot of khachapuri today

Extortion was Seth's and Seth's proud achievement only >:(((((( Why are you discrediting him..... In the end Yomi always ends up taking everything from him...... no joke Seth and detective are two of the most opressed species in Kanai Ward still

I think money laundering refers to him being stated (by Makoto) to..... wait no wait but wasn't that like, he got promotions by the, by bribing people around the world with the money- no but didn't he obtain the money like illegally no was that or that stated can't remember fuck I cannot think for shit rn aouuuughhh christ. I can relay most of what was going on from my canon/source/whatever the fuck yall call it, but concerning the game canon??? chapter 5 mystery labirynths like a not real to me anymore its been long before man. um anyway ignore this i fel like i havent said anything even

Treatment of Kurumi was actually, as far as I checked, 100% on Martina <3 Seth and women get discredited of their achievements so often omg

animal cruelty I have NO idea. but maybe this could refer to the scrapped lost media 6th DLC where Yomi launched 27 puppies with a catapult directly at Yakou's submarine. And the defilement section could refer to how I felt reading the

As far as I'm aware the sub was never really set on fire, so I believe the "arson" part might actually refer to when I bounced with m. No you know what nvm this is not worth it moving on

stalking I have no idea I guess the detectives felt very stalked it's so hard being a detective in modern kanai ward the people are so intolerant

The slavery bit......... Somebody else do that for me I cannot do this anymre my final message I'm going to the kitchen

#mine #ask #yomi slander files saga

[abbeyabominable]

tagged by @fishgirlautism (thank u heehee)

rules: tag 10 people you want to get to know better!

relationship status: single...

fav color: purple!! rlly any shade

song stuck in my head: nyan cat theme song. hmm

last song I listened to: rylan by the national ^_^

3 favorite foods: spaghetti carbonara, grilled cheese, and cupcakes

last thing I googled: "yours to claim author twitter" to see if this cough(yaoi)cough was continuing

dream trip: tokyo or india (either ongole or whereever my dadu is from)

anything i want right now: my mom to be back from singapore !!

tagging: @noelashe @sleepgirlfriend @fishwormz @fillyfooling @littlegermanboy @zoobles @domino @lumali @doggypuppy @essaiint AND anyone else pretend i tagged u meow

#THANK U FOR THE TAG #i feel so sillay

[cassioppenny]

sorry for sonic posting but naming a game sonic x shadow generations is so fucking funny thank you sega for being yaoi nation's strongest soldier

[unhonestlymirror]

can you please stop tagging your ship hate in the main tags? it’s upsetting, and i’m not sure why you’re into a show about imperialism and yaoifying nations if you’re going to get publicly upset about people yaoifying the imperial nations. keep it to yourself thanks

It's still not very clear to me why you're upset that I tagged baluciarz post as "polfin hot yaoi" but okay.

#also polfin is not my ship hate i actually love it #dude let me tell u a secret: there is such an AMAZING feature as Block Button #you click on three dots then Block Button - and boom - you don't see upsetting stuff anymore #ONLY TODAY!!! DISCOUNT 50%!!!

[absolutebl]

Hello! do you have any recs for bls that aren't set in high school or university, and that have a more... "adult" feel to them? I'm thinking along the lines of To my star and Manner of death.

thank you <3

Absolutely!

This is actually an easy ask since one of the categories on my spreadsheet of BL is setting.

BLs Not Set in High School or University 

Already called out, my all time favorite in this category To My Star. Review here. And romantic suspense Manner of Death.  

My rating system is pretty tough so a 7 is actually really good from me. I’ll only give you pitches for the ones I really enjoyed. Where possible I'll include a watch link. 

I tried to choose adult characters, who are out of college age, or at the very least the fact that they are that age doesn’t really matter. 

I also didn’t include shows or series where the couple started in high school or uni (like Life: Love on the Line or We Best Love). 

I didn’t include bromances. So nothing from China. 

Taiwan and Japan, because they connect to origin yaoi the most closely, are going to have the most non-student BL % of their total offerings. 

From Vietnam 

You Are Ma Boy - CAFE & MUSIC 

7/10 - I love this quirky barrista meets idol cat/mouse romance, no student characters at all. 

My Lascivious Boss - CAFE  

7/10 - queerst BL ever, boy in drag meets and has one night stand with hot mess *straight* man who turns out to be his new boss. Then has to pretend to be his own sister to fool said boss, until boss figures it all out. 

Nation's Brother - HOME 

7/10 - responsible older brother type has one night stand with a young man who turns out to be his sister’s tutor. The love interest might be in uni but it doesn’t matter to story. 

NOTE: There are quite a few from Vietnam, actually. They are more likely to do home and country set stuff than they are high school or uni. You can ask @heretherebedork for suggestions if you want to deep dive into that sphere. 

From Japan 

Cherry Magic AKA 30 Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard - OFFICE

9/10 - 30 year old virgin can suddenly hear people’s thoughts, discovers the most popular guy in his office has a mad crush on him. Has to decide whether he wants that or not. Possibly one of THE most adorable BLs ever made.

Restart After Come Back Home - COUNTRY

8/10 - post college characters in atmospheric countryside setting, super under appreciated little gem of a film that’s beautifully made and acted, revolves around family home life and farming.

Candy and Kiss - RETAIL

7/10 - super awkward and shy clerk at a clothing store has a mad crush on one of the mall managers, based on a yaoi manga.

What Did You Eat Yesterday? AKA Kinou Nani Tabeta? - HOME

6/10 - lower rating because it really is NOT BL, it’s slice of gay domesticity, featuring a middle aged couple at home most of the time. Not a lot happens and it really revolves around food and the office, but it’s super sweet and very comforting low angst, low stakes. 

From Thailand

There are a number of spin offs (Our Skyy) and second seasons that feature main characters from uni or high school BLs now grown up and out in the world. But I didn’t include them since you have to have watched the initial series first. 

1000 Stars - COUNTRY 

9/10 - you've probably seen this and the uke character *was* in uni but he drops out to teach kids in rural Thailand and falls in love with a park ranger (basically). It's one of the best things we have ever gotten from GMMTV or Thai BL for that matter.

Lovely Writer - HOME & DRAMA SET 

9/10 - seme character is in uni but doesn’t act like it. Revolves around the shooting of a BL drama (and has things to SAY about THAT) along with the writer of that drama and the lead actor who, it turns out, has wanted that writer for a really long time. 

Ingredients the series - HOME 

7/10 - I think both characters are in college but like Gameboys it’s doesn’t matter because this is basically a cohabitation slow burn friends to lovers romance. It’s about a sweet chef and a singer, and is the only BL I’ve ever watched where I actually liked the sing your feelings trope. The leads are an established pair and have very good chemistry. 

From Taiwan 

Be Love In House: I Do - OFFICE

9/10 - a bit frenetic and contrived but has a weak seme/uke dynamic, super broken soft slow burn romance, adorable side characters and no trigger warnings, which is unusual for Taiwan. I really loved this one, but the plot is naff. 

See You After Quarantine? - HOME 

8/10 - The Taiwanese answer to Gameboys featuring a Japanese love interest, a tiny frantic disaster gay, a slow burn pining and ends on a domestic montage of pure joy. OMG SO CUTE. 

HIStory 4 Close to You - OFFICE

8/10 - trigger warnings on the secondary couple for all the normal BL yaoi derived questionable tropes (step brothers, dubious consent, a few other things) but I still enjoyed this one because I’m used to that by now, and the main couple is basically Taiwan’s answer to Cherry Magic. 

Because of You - MAFIA 

7/10 - lesser known BL about a kind of mafia family of 3 brothers all of whom have their own mini gay romances going on. It’s real old school yaoi with all the tropes and a whackdoodle plot not really holding them together. And by ALL I mean: kidnapping, dub con, whipping boy, and insta-ove. But it’s kinda fun as it’s also bilingual: it takes place in Taipei so most characters speak Mandarin, but the lead older brother speaks Korean, and his love interest speaks both. 

Papa & Daddy - HOME

7/10 - like What Did You Eat this is a slice of gay domesticity only they are younger and have a son. Possibly one of the best peeks into happy queerdom we’ve ever gotten from Taiwan = proper queer fam and Taipei’s Pride on display. It’s adorable but has a somewhat cliff hanger ending. 

HIStory 3 Trapped - MAFIA

7/10 - would be one of my most favorite BLs ever except the main couple is given a bit of a cliff hanger ending. Still it’s great and if you like Manner of Death THIS is the follow up BL for you. Also Korea’s Long Time No See. 

From Korea 

Wish You: Your Melody in My Heart - MUSIC INDUSTRY

9/10 - production assistant/pianist sees and falls in love with a busker who might be the next big star. Tries to help him make it happen. (you want the movie version)

Just Friends? - HOME

8/10 - secret love between 2 men trying to decide what to do with their lives. One of them is on leave from military service and the other one goes to meet him. There’s coming out narrative plus themes of self actualization, it’s short and sweet (and hot) and also Korea’s first BL-ish piece. 

Also A First Love Story a two part micro series makes a great prequel to this. 

Nobleman Ryu's Wedding - HOME

9/10 - fake relationship period drama about a boy who pretends to be his own sister and marries (what turns out to be) the man of his dreams. Very properly Korean so a bit stiff, but high production values for a Cinderfella meets 12th Night. 

The Tasty Florida - RESTAURANT 

8/10 - Essentially this is a sweet and fluffy story of a willing and eager sunshine boy saving a grumpy chef from himself which featured an unnecessary love triangle that was woefully underdeveloped for the amount of angst that resulted. On the bright side, everyone was VERY pretty. Did I enjoy it? Hell yes, they beautiful! Did it have any substance to it beyond the pretty? Not even slightly. Do we want more than that? Ya know? Sometimes... no, no we don’t. 

Made in Rooftop - HOME

7/10 - (machine subs) new movie about two gay boys who are besties one of whom is dealing with a breakup/death of a closeted lover and the other of whom is a manic pixie type trying to settle down, or not? It’s very very much a gay drama and not BL. Obviously, given the plots, only one story arc ends happily. But it’s not depressing either. 

Long Time No See - MAFIA 

7/10 - I actually really love this one, it has a low rating because it’s technically not BL. Mature characters, hitmen assassins, start a relationship not realizing they are on opposite sides of a turf war. Or do they? Ends happily but lots of violence. 

From the Philippines 

Gameboys the series - HOME

9/10 - lockdown romance about an out bisexual who pursues (virtually) an online relationship with the cutest disaster gay to ever pick up a controller. 

My Day the series - PASTRY OFFICE

8/10 - Sky is a university student but this is about his internship at a pastry company where he meets and falls in love with his boss. No seme/uke dynamic but all the tropes and it’s very cheesy and sappy.  I love this BL, but it’s under appreciated because it’s a bit... MUCH. 

Like In the Movies AKA Gaya Sa Pelikula - HOME

8/10 - cohabitation enemies to lovers out gay character ends up crashing with closet case, hijinks ensue.

There are a lot more but I really don’t track the Pinoy stuff. 

I created a My Drama List for these. 

(source kept up to date as of end of 2021) 

#recommendations #asian bl drama #AsianBL #ThaiBL #Thai BLKorean BL #KoreanBL #k-bl #Kdramas #K-dramas #no students #Japanese BL #adapted from a manga #live action yaoi #pinoy bl #vietnamese bl #taiwanese bl

[annetteblog]

I spent January 1 watching YoI and it’s the best way to start a new year, I guess

So, yes, after all these years I finally watched Yuri on Ice. The biggest thanks to all people, who recommended me to do it, because it was amazing :) 

Now, beware of my incoherent rambling about the characters, the plot, figure skating, Victuri (Victuuri?), LGBTQ+ representation, and Russia, just because I need this 🙃

First of all, I had never thought that one day I would end up having a crush on a Russian man, but here I am, having crush on a Russian 2D man. Victor Nikiforov, how dare you steal my heart like this! He’s some kind of a damn Russian Apollo... So I perfectly understand Yuri’s gay panic in the first couple of episodes 🤣 dude, I feel you.....

What I specifically liked about the characters, it’s their growth. They were not frozen, but gradually developed to become more mature towards the end. Victor becoming less selfish, more compassionate and empathic; Yuri becoming mentally stronger and more confident. And Yurio... he’s such a lovely pirozhochek!!! :D Really, this “I-am-strong-and-independent-grown-up” kid with his love to pirozhki is just 🥰 But yes, he also mentally grew.

For me as a Russian, it was a pleasure to see normal Russian characters in a foreign show. They were talented and nice, wow, that really happened!!! Honestly, I’m so sick of this “bad-drinking-vodka-prison-tatoos-nucklear-weapon-terrible-accent” narrative (I watched Tenet the other day, and I was literally sitting like this 😐 the entire film; they forgot to add a bear for the full picture). And normal Cyrillic! Not perfect or 100% correct, but at least it was readable and understandable, not just a classic American movie with a Russian text, which looks like this - зжэщгардгрвъ шщыралойцы фвзпролдрппппп (yes, I just hit my keyboard). The same applies to the athletes from other countries. Kazakhstan!! Otabek!!!! 

I also needed to pause one of the episodes just to scream at this

Aeroflot (rus - Аэрофлот) is a Russian airline. And yeah, it sucks 😄

But seriously, you can clearly see that they did their research, cared for details and payed attention to things, and I, as a foreign viewer, really appreciated this. I really hope, that one beautiful day shows’ producers start to make characters from different cultures, who are just... you know... ordinary normal people? and not just a bunch of stereotypes?? or necessarily devilish evil just because they are from another country??? 

And now, the ship! 

I’m not really familiar with a lot of anime, and definitely not familiar with genres like yaoi, although I’ve heard about its stereotypes and certain common patterns. Here, however, it was a pleasure to see a same-sex relationship, which was not just a cool fetish for some young straight girls (nothing against young straight girls), but like... an actual relationship? Plus the creators successfully embedded it into the main plot, without shifting the central focus of the show and abandoning the actual sport competitions. 

I really enjoyed the delicate approach to the relationship’s development. Considering the characters’ own path of progress, the relationship they formed were equal and mature. Also their care and clear tenderness towards each other were speaking louder than words.

Sidenote. I had never realized how much I needed a Russian non-straight character in my life until, well, yesterday. Thankfully, I had the Internet since I was around 11, so I spent my teenage years watching a lot of American/ West-European tv-series. LGBTQ+ representation was not something out of the ordinary, it was not a taboo; and it mattered to me, a young girl, who tried to figure out what the F was going on with my own self. But I had never seen a Russian LGBTQ+ fictional character on the screen. Ever. Honestly, I had never payed attention to this fact. Normally I don’t really care about a person’s nationality, so I couldn’t even think that having some queer character, who is Russian, would be somehow important to me. As it turned out yesterday, it was actually important. And, I guess, one of the deeply personal reasons why I liked YoI, was the fact of seeing someone from my own country and my own culture, who was non-straight and being just fine and perfect the way he was. Even though I’m not a struggling young girl anymore. 

Okay, back to the tale, before I become a teary mess again. 

Their relationship was heartwarming to watch. Although there were clearly some sexual undertones, it didn’t end up being just some sexy gay boys. It was definitely about the growth of love, firstly fragile but becoming stronger and more affectionate with time. Their bond became psychologically equal; and they do complement each other, being codependent in the best sense. And it was beautiful. 

However, from what I quickly gathered while reading a few comments, some people still claimed that there was not enough clarity in terms of their relationship?? I have to disagree with this completely. Excuse me, but you don’t exchange matching golden rings in a church with your friend to wear it on your ring finger. You definitely don’t passionately kiss it seconds before an important performance. And you don’t cry your eyes out if your friend suggests you to end your partnership. If you do, I have some news for you, dear 🤡

I honestly can’t figure out what kind of a bigger clarity some people want. If the same plot was shown between a man and a woman, you would get the message from the episode 1. Or at least from that episode, where they were naked making out i mean...... practicing some moves?? wtf it was, honestly, I was too busy laughing 😆 However, seriously, what do you need? Is this really necessary to show an R-rated sex scene for some people just to get it? Lame. 

Sure, YoI was not perfect. Some bits with figure skating were off, and there was some obvious magic going on in terms of homophobia, more specifically - its absence. I mean, I’m not an expert in LGBTQ+ rights in Japan (although I know it’s not  that great), but if a Russian figure skater came out or just had some kind of (publicly known) unidentified close relationship with a same-sex partner, their successful career would be over. And not just Russian, I guess, any figure skater would face similar problems. It’s a very conservative sport. 

But, actually, I was grateful that they showed it the way they did. Fairytale-ish. A show doesn’t have to be realistic to be great. It’s enough if it warms our hearts and gives hope to the brighter future. The real world may be cruel and unjust, but we all need kind and reassuring stories to keep us going. And such story about caring relationship and love is the great example of this. 

Lovely, funny, refreshing, and heartwarming. 

Or, just quoting Victor

vkusno!!! (c) 

😄

I will definitely rewatch it at some points in my life.

and now excuse me, I need to fall into the rabbit hole of fanfiction, haha stupid me

P.S. 

This moment was 

hot

#yuri on ice #figure skating #victor nikiforov #yuri katsuki #yuri plisetsky #anime #victuri #victuuri #yoi #lgbtq #lgbtq representation #lgbtq relationships #not km related #long post

[aphspain-pure]

Back to de past, right to the future [Chap. I]

Category: Fanfic. 

Pair: EngSpa, UkSpa. 

Words: 2.611.

Genre(s): drama, historical, yaoi. 

Abstract: England feels some magical disturbance in the air that morning. How could he have imagined that it was caused by his own self, but some centuries ago. 

Pirate England suddendly appears in the Modern Era. 

________________

When he opened his eyes, England could not focus well. 

It was dark and cold, but the tremendous and familiar humidity of his cabin or any of the parts of his ship was not noticeable. Nor could he feel the typical rocking of the waves of the high seas, so he deduced that, God knows why, he was not in his boat.

He scrambled to his feet and took a quick look around him in dismay. He was in complete darkness but, thanks to the patch over his left eye, he was quickly able to get used to the lack of light. Only then he did recognize the place.

This was his magic room, where since Viking occupation times he had conjured his spells and his miracles. It was cloudy, dark and penetrating as always. There was nothing out of place except for him, who couldn't bring himself to remember how in the hell he had gotten there. He did not remember even having arrived at port, even having approached Great Britain. The last thing he remembered was being on his ship, somewhere between the Caribbean and the West Indies, and he couldn't figure out how or when he ended up there.

Grunting in disagreement, with a hangover of a thousand horrors, he decided to leave the questions unanswered for later and get up, dusting himself off, ready to go out and yell at the first servant who crossed his path. He didn't know what was going on but he didn't care, at least he wouldn't think about it until he'd had his first shot of whiskey or rum and kicked a couple of arse.

Or so he thought, unhinged, until he opened his special room’s door and took a look outside.

- What the bloody hell?

 ____________________________

In another part of London, England watched the energy in the air with a puzzled countenance, noticing slight arrhythmic disturbances in the wind while enjoying his famous breakfast tea. He was in a cozy old café from his Victorian era that still stood to this day and which England cherished with pure English love and courtesy. He had decided to have breakfast there, early, to arrive with plenty of time for the world conference that day. That was why he had left the house exceptionally early, even if he usually preferred to get up at a moderate hour and take it easy on homely mornings.

He sighed. He had once been a man of action.

Maybe America was right when he accused him of being a boring old curmudgeon.

He calmly finished his cup of tea, retrieved his coat from the courteous waiter who had stripped him of it earlier –a practice which, now almost extinct in modern times, England greatly appreciated-, thanked him and left. The day was cloudy and threateningly rainy in London, as usual.

Thus, once outside, he felt again that feeling of unease that had been attacking him for some time. A spiritual unrest, as if something bad was about to happen. Deciding not to become paranoid, he called his chauffeur to take him to the boardroom right in the center of Westminster.

 __________________________

He arrived early, and the only other nations besides himself already there were Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Japan. The rest would still be in their respective hotels or even, if they had decided to fly from their countries that morning, on the plane or the airport. As far as he knew, France used to prefer the latter option when meetings were held at his place, preferring to spend as little time as possible on British soil. And England could not say that it did not understand or disapprove of it; moreover, he would resort to the same when the situation was the opposite.

He walked over, respectfully greeted the three blonde nations, and calmly placed himself next to Japan. His transoceanic friend gave him a slight bow of the head. - Ohayo gosaimasu, Igirisu-san. How has the sun risen today? –he commented, in an appropriate and neutral tone.

England appreciated the chivalricism. – It isn’t being one of my best days, but I cannot complain. Anyway, good morning to you too, Japan. –And the Japanese gave him a small and short smile.

After that all went silent, and the only thing that was heard for a few minutes was the chalk of Germany hitting the blackboard as he wrote down the important points of the day. Everyone knew that the meeting would probably end as usual, with nothing clear, with the United States laughing and claiming to be a hero every few seconds, the odd country asleep, hysterical discussions between itself and France and Russia trying to make people become one with him, but Germany still insisted on trying to create a serious atmosphere. Internally, England admired and appreciated his dedication, even if it didn't get real results in the end.

Eventually the rest of the countries began to arrive one by one. The feeling of discomfort and that something was wrong did not leave the guts of the host country, anyway.

There was something strange, even dangerous, floating in the atmosphere. His sharp, mint green eyes scanned every corner trying to find the source of the discomfort, unable to find anything. He had a pleasant conversation with Luxembourg when he arrived and later he chatted with Portugal a bit, all automatically while he went over everything. Each time the air was tighter from a supernatural point of view, as if the Disaster itself was drawing closer and closer.

It wasn't until Norway appeared in his field of vision that England paid any real attention to something. 

Usually they would do nothing but greet each other from afar with a minimal movement of the head. But if Norway had stood there, in front of him, it definitely meant something.

Getting to the point, the Nordic inquired. - What the hell is happening here? –With his frankness and usual calm voice.

England, sighing, crossed his arms and furrowed his thick eyebrows.

- It's been bothering me since this morning. I don't know what the hell it can be, but it's downright disturbing. It is… like a powerful presence but at the same time cloudy. And the strangest thing of all is that it looks strangely familiar to me.

- Yeah… -the other man agreed-. It's ... certainly familiar in some way. –Then he looked around-. And every time it seems to increase that energy. You haven't used magic again while drunk, have you? –And for a moment, England looked offended. At least before recalling the hundreds of times it had actually happened, after which he quietly apologized.

Trying to hide that he was somewhat ashamed of himself, he cleared his throat and muttered that he didn't remember conjuring anything lately. That definitely upset the Norwegian's stern gesture a bit.

- So this doesn't make sense.

A moment later the Italian brothers entered and Germany called the session off. He and Norway were forced to separate, but not before sending each other glances of beware of anything and nodding in agreement.

But in these, just as Germany was about to start with the first point of the day, the main gate that led to the huge boardroom was thrown open. 

And the most incredible thing happened.

- What the hell is going on here by gad!? –The sordid growl of the new presence broke in. They all immediately turned to look there and, simply petrified, England stood up, shocked, knocking the chair over.

In front of them stood an astonishing 17th century pirate captain, dressed in his grandiose red coat, his worn flat boots, his jeweled saber, his open ruffled shirt, the typical gold ear rings, the eye patch in the eye and the so characteristic captain's hat. His voice had been sordid and commanding and his eyes exuded the amusement and danger of a true saltwater buccaneer. Someone who, at least the European countries and some former colonies, recognized immediately. He licked his lips leisurely as he began to draw his sword.

- You're already singing if you don't want to die, you louts! What does this all mean? –And pointed the sword towards the large table full of perplexed countries.

The attention fell entirely on him, in a frozen moment of time, until someone else claimed it.

- What the bloody hell are you doing here!?

Then the newcomer pirate's eyes lifted until, surprised and interested, they rested on the emitter. He looked directly at England, dressed and mature, with an uneasy and confused smile. - I should ask you the same. What is this all supposed to be? –taking great strides and dangerously dancing his saber with that deranged look of his-. You better start spitting it all out if you don't want to taste my steel, you fucking bastard.

And England, still not fully recovered from his shock, tried to articulate something to calm the hotheaded just as the door opened a second time. This time, timidly and slowly.

- Eh… Hello? I'm sorry I'm late again, I've fallen asleep again haha… -from a newcomer Spain who nervously rubbed the back of his neck with an embarrassed gesture.

This intrusion impressively attracted the pirate’s attention. 

- You... –he blurted out, lifting the eyepatch to see perfectly with both eyes, as a wolfish grin stretched the corners of his lips and he screamed in exaltation-. On guard, you bastard!

And before Spain could even react, the subject came forward like a veritable bloodthirsty beast towards him. The ancient empire, instinctively, placed his body on guard against the imminent attack, which he would have been about to receive if it had not been for the sudden cry that devastated the room:

- SLEEP!

And the body of the said pirate man fell inert to the ground. England had conjured something to make him abruptly fall asleep. The boardroom was suddenly silent.

England and Spain looked at each other in shock.

- ...What the hell?

_____________________

 When pirate England emerged from the dark abyss of unconsciousness again, it appeared to be back at its home outside London. He blinked a few times as he growled and groaned at the post-spell pain in his tormented mind. He cursed the other England, the one from the future who had had such a naughty face, and tried to regain control of his body.

It was then that he was known prisoned. His arms were tied with a thick, scratchy rope to the back of the chair he was sitting on. He raised an eyebrow for a moment, really not very impressed, and later turned his gaze straight ahead.

The familiar face of his presumed captor managed to get an idle, amused smile from his lips.

- Scared that I might bite you, darling?

Which was quickly answered by a. – Dare to even suggest such a thing and I will hang you before you can take a step. –Which brought an even bigger smile and a greater sparkle in the other's eye.

There, sitting on the sofa, Spain was holding a rare article of paper with many hyper-realistic letters and images that he seemed to be reading carefully. But England knew better. He knew as the best what face this handsome jerk made when he was really focused, and the one he made when he tried to fake it. Catching Spain in the middle of that picaresque action seemed as charming as it was amusing, and he could not but fall into the temptation to frustrate him in his attempt.

- I do not know anything about the future, but just by seeing those whore's clothes that you bring, I think I would not mind being in your humble care a little more.

A vein was marked in Spain’s forehead who, honestly, had been years, decades…! With no real dislike for England. An insincere and tight smile showed his vain attempt at impassiveness. –This I am wearing is a simple "shirt", the type of garment that is worn today for formal meetings.

- Well, what a scandal, how immoral! With that tight-fitting blouse, I could see your nipples from nautical miles away. –To which, with a new vein marked, Spain jumped just at the time that contemporary England entered the room.

He carried with him a small silver tray with two porcelain mugs of Earl Grey and a few small butter cakes. His entrance surprised the other two. Immediately, however, Spain pointed at the captive and yelled at the newcomer. – Tell this uneducated you that neither my shirt is obscene nor am I a whore, now!

That sudden demand caught England off guard, whose first thought was to look directly at the named shirt, seeing, therefore, how the white fabric hugged and made the tanned skin transparent. He swallowed hard for a moment, which his other self took advantage of to act funny.

- From the familiar treatment that you two maintain I deduce that, very and at the same time not so much to my regret, in the future the Spanish Empire and I have that kind of intimate relationship. –Whistling at the sudden sight of a red and indignant England and an angry Spain-. In the bull’s eye, isn't it?

Making that this time, yes, Spain was so frustrated that he ended up pouncing on him.

The action awakened the green in the captive's eyes, amused to the core that he had finally made the future version of his rival lose his temper. Spain fell on him, a pair of strong hands and –although not as calloused as he himself remembered- still rough from the work in the fields surrounding his neck with accumulated resentment. 

He held back a smile.

- Ahh... I see that you are both quite rusted …

And, shocking Spain (who had still been trying to hang him), he broke free from his moorings and abruptly swapped positions.

England, from outside, watched in shock and without being able to speak as, in front of his eyes, his former self turned the tables and placed himself with the force of a beast above his current EU partner. Spain had fallen backwards and his hands had been forcibly captured on his head; he writhed like a sardine as he looked badly and –almost- growled at the one who just two seconds ago had been tied to a chair. Immobilizing his body, the pirate had mounted on him, leaving him unable to actuate any movement.

Looking indiscreet and almost with little concealed grimace, England glanced in the direction of present-day Britain. - Even a bastard child who has not seen more boobs in his life than his mother's would have loosened a knot that simple. –He growled, nodding at the untied rope lying on the ground. Making disgust, this time he directed his words to Spain under his grip-. Are you grossly underestimating me or are you so old that you have forgotten what you were capable of in the past...?

The three pairs of green eyes maintained that tense look for a few long seconds in which, little by little, the pirate began to change that tension for a deeper emotion. 

Darker and more penetrating eyes as they went down through the other's tanned build.  – Although I have to admit that this body is not that of an old man, no sir ... –taking the liberty of passing a hand from Spain’s chin to his tanned chest-. It's been a while since I saw this sinful skin so closely, I presume since 1588 …

And Spain’s eyes expanded in shock, while modern England’s nearly shook in bewilderment.

The apparition of Pirate Era England had opened something that had been buried centuries ago.

#hetalia #hetalia fanfiction #engspa #ukspa #spuk #aph spain #aph england #aph norway #pirate england #sorry this was kinda better in my mother tongue

[liquorisce]

decisions, decisions pt 2

Fandom : Bleach 

Pairings : Ichihime (ft. some ichi x ishi bickering which we love around here)

Rating : T

Part 1

A/N: A few months ago I wrote a post-tybw-karakura-gang-finishes-high-school kinda thing called ‘decisions, decisions’  ft career choice discussions and orihime thinking of leaving town for uni. I wanted to write some more of that stuff and more ichihime pining obvs, so here it is. also i hate myself for not being able to participate in ichihimeweek2020, i suck, but anyway, ‘nuff with the nonsense, here’s the fic: 

(ps: pls be nice to me and like/reblog/comment or whatevs and tell me what u think, ily thx)

...

It’s five minutes to two, and Ichigo fought to stifle a yawn. The menacing five hundred pages of English grammar exercises in front of him wasn’t helping. 

“... Unbelievable,” he curses, slamming the book shut, much to the annoyance of his bespectacled classmate sitting across him. “Why the hell can’t they just teach us proper English in school?! I’m absolutely fucking positive that Honda-sensei didn’t mention more than three tenses in her class. And what kind of English lesson takes place in Japanese anyway?!” 

“... Quit your whining, Kurosaki. Some of us are trying to study here.” 

Ichigo fumed. By ‘some of us,’ Ishida was pointedly referring to just himself and the long-haired beauty sitting right opposite him, who, judging by her giggling at his outburst, welcomed his distraction. The same giggling that was contributing to the problem, contributing to Ichigo’s immense distraction since after dinner. 

“You’re not even human, Ishida,” he says dismissively. “Keigo’s literally made his bed on my dad’s couch, you can hear his goddamn snores, and Mizuiro left to ‘watch the stars’ with some new girl thirty minutes ago.” 

“You’re the one who invited us over to your place for an all-nighter group study session and you’re calling it quits before the sun is up? As expected, you’re weak.” 

He was right, this had been Ichigo’s idea, Yuzu had offered to make them dinner and his dad had plans tonight, so they were guaranteed some peace and quiet. Despite the noise and the chaos of their group, he missed hanging out with his friends. Ever since the school had given them voluntary study holidays for the upcoming University Entrance Exams, he didn’t get to see much of everyone, as they were either studying or training for competitions. Even today, Tatsuki and Chad left after dinner because they had to get up early for practice and they had decided they wouldn’t be giving the exams anyway. 

Ignoring Ishida’s pointed attempts to rile him up, he turns his attention to Orihime, who despite enjoying their banter, was more focused on the cram book in front of her.  

“Inoue, how are you still so motivated and so… awake?,” he asks, exasperated. “It’s almost 2 am! And you’ve been scribbling away furiously for the last thirty minutes. What are you even studying?”  

“Mouuu, you’re right. I’m not able to solve this proof anyway. Maybe I should call it a night?”

“Electromagnetism?” Ishida asks, skimming the title of the chapter, “Oh, I’ve done this one, I can explain this to you if you want.”  

He doesn’t know what irritates him more, Ishida’s nerdiness, or the soft look in his eyes as he unfailingly offers to help Orihime out, as he’d been doing a lot more of late, ever since they had started studying for the entrance exams together. In fact, it’d been this way this entire evening, starting from when he took a seat right next to her at the table as if he fucking belonged there, leaning over into her notebook, whenever she needed help, his arm casually brushing against her long, silken locks, her answering smile bright and incredibly close to him, and - Ichigo forces that thought to a halt because it has him gritting his teeth.  “... For God’s sake, give her a break,” - 

“... Shut up, Kurosaki, not everyone is applying to study *English* in University”- 

“And what exactly do you mean by that, asshole?” Ichigo snarls, with more venom than needed, because despite having had enough with Ishida’s condescending attitude towards his study choices, his recent behaviour had Ichigo prickling under his skin.  

“... Err, Kurosaki-kun…” Orihime starts, because she’s used to Ichigo and Ishida arguing (they’re just being affectionate, she always insists), there’s a glint in Ichigo’s eyes that’s different.

“... Exactly what I said, some of us don’t have the luxury of skipping the math and science exams,” - 

“Ah, Kurosaki-kun is right! I think my brain really can’t function anymore tonight,” Orihime declares loudly, inserting herself in between them. “Kurosaki-kun, I think I will leave now. Thank you so much for hosting us today.” She bows, her formality annoying him even more, but still throwing him off guard.

As always, Orihime’s pleasant demeanour diffused the rising tempers… somewhat. With one last glare, Ishida grudgingly agreed, “Then I guess I will take my leave as well.” 

Ichigo wants to be polite and say something like, “we should do this more often,” but he’s pissed off, and couldn’t wait to be rid of Ishida’s arrogant mug, so instead he offers, “Inoue, can I walk you home?” 

He doesn’t notice the faint red on her cheeks or the hesitation on her face, when she mumbles, “If it doesn’t inconvenience you.” And he’s torn again - tearing his eyes away from the pretty blush dusting her cheeks unable to stop himself from wondering bitterly if she’d let Ishida walk her home without much protest.

“Ishida lives in the other direction and it would be out of his way, so I don’t mind.” 

“Well then,” Ishida says, looking at her with more fondness than Ichigo would have liked, “Your eyes are all red and puffy. Sleep well. Don’t strain yourself, okay?”

“Yes sir,” she gives him the salute, “... good night!” 

“... And text me that you got home safe. This idiot can’t be trusted with anything,”- 

“... for fuck’s sake, just go home already!” 

“Kurosaki-kun,” she whispers, amused, as she watches Ishida walk away with a cheeky grin on his face, “you’ll wake the neighbours with your angry yelling.”

“Ah, you’re right,” he mumbles, rubbing his neck sheepishly, as their footsteps fall into place beside each other, “I’m sorry for all the swearing, I don’t know why I let Ishida under my skin so much.”   

“Hmmm,” she says, “It’s kind of cute, your bickering. If this were a yaoi novel, I’d totally ship it!” 

“... what the hell?!” His face is red, not just because the thought of him… and Ishida… Ew. But also because this is coming from Orihime, the last person he’d ever expect to engage in fantasies of this sort.

Giggling, she quickly switches to a more somber note. “You seemed... on edge today. Did something happen between the two of you?” 

He doesn’t know how to answer that question. Truth be told, he’s barely able to understand it himself. Sure, there was the usual trading of insults that took place between the two of them, but it was different this time. His whole demeanour just pissed him off. The way he always seemed to know what Orihime was asking, the way he was always able to help her, the familiar way he spoke to her… and the revelation that they’d been studying together for weeks now! 

“I don’t know,” he sighs, because he can’t even explain what he is feeling, let alone the reason behind it, “... I guess it’s just the stress of the exam.” 

“Ugh, tell me about it,” she whines, “I’m so thankful Ishida-kun is giving the same exams as me, and we can share practice questions and tips. I really wouldn’t be able to do this alone.” 

He ignores her mention of him and the tick in his jaw in reaction. “But I don’t get it. You’re giving almost all the exams. Why?!? There’s surely no need.” 

She blushes, ashamed, “I know it sounds stupid, but I really haven’t decided what I want to study in University. I figured if I just gave all of the exams, I would have more options to choose from.” 

“... Come on,” - 

“... And I will also prefer to go wherever I get a scholarship.”  

His fist clenches, “... So you’re definitely applying outside of Karakura?” 

“Yeah, although I’m not sure if there’s any point. It’s so difficult to aim for the National Universities, I’ll never get through. But the counselor says it’s worth a shot for the scholarship.”

“... I thought your aunt was helping you with tuition?” 

“... Only till high school. And I cannot burden her anymore. I’ve received so much from her already.” 

Ichigo doesn’t miss the way her voice wavers at the end, the guilt evident in her words. And he can’t stand it. “... Cheer up,” he says softly, playfully elbowing her. “You’re one of the smartest kids in school. Rank #2 after all the shit we went through last year! If anyone can do it you can.” 

“... You think so?” she mumbles, looking up at him, her insecurities heartbreaking in the grey of her eyes.  

Everything about her is so honest, it hurts him a little bit because his first thought is to say no, to talk her out of it, because the revelation is too sudden, too jarring - he can’t bear  the thought of this town without her. But he nods, smiles encouragingly, because that’s just way too selfish.

Shaking his head out of these thoughts, he asks, “... what was the counselor’s recommendation, again? As a career path?” 

“Ah, Hirata-san said maybe I should just follow my love for baking,” she says, smiling. 

“... and? Why don’t you consider that? You wouldn’t have to give these blasted exams then.” 

He liked the idea of this, now more than before, momentarily regretting his role in convincing her to apply to university. Orihime working in the local bakery, coming around his house everyday to share the leftovers, staying back for dinner maybe… 

“... but Kurosaki-kun was the one who said I wouldn’t be very good at it!” She pouts, “You said I’d make too many things in weird flavours and nobody would want to buy them.” 

Crap. He truly felt like waltzing back in time and whacking the past version of him for saying something like that.  Because if it were anyone else shitting all over Orihime’s dream, he’d have sent the punk flying. Where were all these feelings coming from anyway?! 

“... Shit, I didn’t mean,” - 

“... it’s okay, you’re right. And besides I can work there part-time through University. I was thinking…” She took a deep breath. “Well, actually, it was Ishida-kun’s idea. Maybe I could study to become a doctor? My strength is in healing people anyway…” 

Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Well of course, he'd say that. He's going to study medicine too." And of course he would try to talk Orihime into it. The bastard had taken every opportunity to slither by her side - 

She laughs, a pretty sound, interrupting the profanity in his mind. "Yeah, he did say it would be nice to have some company… but I'm not sure." Sighing, she asks, "How did you decide on English Studies?" 

It wasn't too difficult for him honestly. It helped that he was fairly certain he didn't want to study math or science going forward. "... I like stories. And I want to be able to read and share stories in a global medium, so I decided to study English." 

He looks at her only to find her looking at him in fascination, "... Truth be told, I didn't spend too much time thinking about it. The career aptitude test returned similar results as well, so I just went with it." He shrugs, "I think I'll enjoy it. Let's see." 

"Ahh, you sound so optimistic about your studies, Kurosaki-kun. I wish I could be like that." 

They've reached her apartment building now and she turns to look at him, wistfully. He wishes he could do something for her, ease her anxieties in some way. 

"What about you?" He asks. 

She looks at him, puzzled.  

"... You've told me all about what everyone wants you to do. What do you want to do? I'm sure you must have some inkling." 

“... I,” she stops, opens her mouth again to say something, but nothing comes out. “... what I want… ah, you’ll probably think it’s silly.” She smiles wistfully to herself, because this wasn’t something that she’d ever admitted out loud.

He rolls his eyes, “... Try me.” Because she was many things, and yes, definitely silly sometimes in that unique way of hers, but he would never, could never, call her dreams silly. It’s a moment of realization for him, when he gets angry with the way she dismisses her own dreams that way, and he feels overwhelmed with the desire to pick them up, and keep them safe where no one can trample them, along with that spaced-out, wistful smile of hers. 

“Well,” she gulps, nervous, “I’ve never really thought too much about going to university. Sensei says I’m wasting my potential... but honestly, I think I’ll be happy working.” 

She looks at him unsurely, waiting for a reaction, an opinion, like everyone else. Everyone who’d been urging her to continue school and pursue all kinds of studies that she could possibly do, but… “I just - I want to build a simple life with someone I love. A family, maybe, someday.” 

It comes out so fast, she wishes she could grab the words and shove them back in her mouth. She chances a glance at him, her cheeks hot and furiously embarrassed. 

His expression is unreadable as he gazes down at her. She’s beautiful in the moonlight, he thinks, and it isn’t really a revelation to him, but the melancholy of her beauty is, the loneliness that he wishes he could extinguish as easily as he does hollows. “A simple life huh…” he murmurs. And he can almost picture it, Orihime, ten years from now, a child in her arms, a little boy maybe, with her wide brown eyes and - 

“Well, looks like you have planned it out better than any of us,” he manages hoarsely, unable to look her in the eye anymore. Not with all these… feelings simmering so close to the surface. And before he can help himself, “Do you already know who this mystery man is?” 

He’s come to realize how absolutely unequipped he is to hear the answer, but her unassuming statement has already taken residence inside him somehow, a burning sensation accompanying it. 

 His question jolts her into consciousness, and she notices they’re almost at her apartment. “Ah Kurosaki-kun is very curious today,” she laughs nervously, “only one confession per day! That’s the limit!” The fake cheer in her voice grates in her own ears but she hopes desperately it will steer him away because she’s this close to telling him sometimes, and this was one of those times. Especially in these rare moments when she feels an odd mixture of weakness and greed, where she wants to latch on to him and ask him to stay by her side, hoping selfishly that his kindness will make him say yes. But Orihime was practiced at hiding those feelings away. 

 “Is that right,” he smiles teasingly, albeit weakly, “... I didn’t know you were so mysterious, Inoue. Well goodnight, then.” 

And as he watches her climb up the stairs to her floor, and then lean over the railings to wave goodbye one more time, he can’t help but think of that image of her again, happy and in love and so beautifully fulfilled. And he thinks of the shadow of the man next to her, who will protect that dream and that smile, and his stomach clenches bitterly. 

“You deserve it,” he whispers to her retreating figure, “... You deserve all of it.”

- fin - 

A/N : The ending was cheesy, I KNOW UGH

#ichihime #kurosaki ichigo #inoue orihime #bleach #liquorisce fanfiction