Round 3: Ram (My Engineer) vs Zhao Zi (HIStory 3: Trapped)
[Submitted Reasons Under Cut]
Ram: "Even being nonverbal most of the show he still has his 'pls leave me alone' energy but also he hyperfixates on doggos which is very wholesome and even though he's distant, as soon as you become his friend he's like 'well that's it, I will now protect you from everything'"
Zhao Zi: "Walks on his hands in an alley, back bends in station. Obsessed w/muscles, no chill. Grandma gave him life plan, follows to letter. Trusted Speciality Cop, w/ anxiety & office has calm down protocol. Trusts and doesn't trust people for reasons."
Jack was a dork, but that made him even better. They had only met two times, today and last week, but still Jack had managed to show many different sides of him. He had been a crackhead, flirty, scary, caring and kind. All those in the span of one and a half hours.
Spells and crimson red eyes by Cloudyjongho
What can I say I have a soft spot for any fic that writes Jack well. This fic does write Jack and Zhao Zi and their sweet relationship well, with a supernatural twist.
if I had a nickel each time I lost my mind over the second couple in bl ID BE SO FILTHY RICH BY NOW I could pay for the therapy I need to figure out what's happening
Side Dish(es) That Should Have Been The Main Course
This one is hard for me because I have a few!
First thought is Jack/Zhao Zi, but I love the main couple in History 3: Trapped too. HOWEVER, I definitely watched a video that cuts together just Jack/Zhao Zi's plot multiple times...was gonna link it, but I can't find it anymore. ( ;A; ) Anyway, I just love how smoll and innocent Zhao Zi is and Jack is just like "I've only had Zhao Zi for a day and a half..."
Staying in Taiwan bl dramaland, my second thought is Li Chen and Mu Ren from History 4: Closer to you. I will admit...this story had two main couples, so Li Chen and Mu Ren might not count as a side dish. HOWEVER, I would straight up CUT the other couple completely or alter their backstory beyond recognition. The younger brother character creeps me the fuck out and makes the show nearly unwatchable to me. Li Chen and Mu Ren redeem it because I fucking love their love and their figuring out their relationship together...but it's so hard to watch the other couple's plot play out. I skip when I rewatch ngl.
My final, and probably most valid thought, is Nuer and Syn from Cutie Pie. Like...I know we got to see this actor couple again Middle Man's, but I found their personalities absolutely grating in that show (especially poor Yim's character my GOD). I would love to see a series explore Syn's monkhood vs the obvious sexual tension with Tutor more. We got a little bit in the second season...BUT I WANT MORE.
Round 1: Zhao Zi (HIStory 3: Trapped) vs Kiyoi Sou (Utsukushii Kare)
[Submitted Reasons Under Cut]
Zhao Zi: "Walks on his hands in an alley, back bends in station. Obsessed w/muscles, no chill. Grandma gave him life plan, follows to letter. Trusted Speciality Cop, w/ anxiety & office has calm down protocol. Trusts and doesn't trust people for reasons. "
Kiyoi Sou: "often misunderstood, struggles with emotions, masks, that one scene where hira’s sucking on his bleeding finger and kiyoi is just looking at him so autisticly ."
"Well he did say he wanted things to be more interesting. And Zhao Zi was interesting"
"Zhao Zi wasn’t sure what to say. Jack was an enigma. He was never sure what thoughts lay behind his actions and words."
Waiting for You by futuristicallyspeedyparadise
A Jack/Zhao Zi resurant au. Jack is a chef, Zhao Zi works front of house. What I truly appreciate about this is how the author manages to blend canon and their au.
These are actually twin quotes. Not a direct quote. But they are the characters. This is also the required constant in their relationship. I couldn’t chose between them.