#and third bit is obviously when Victor finally gives in and decides to stay with them

[victorluvsalice]

Valicer Multiamory Month, Day Four: N+1 things (Medieval Fantasy AU)

Day Four of Multiamory Month (as created by @polyamships) brings us another classic fanfic trope -- the perennial "N+1 things," where you write about N times one thing happened, and the one time it didn't happen or happened differently than expected (like the five times one member of a ship nearly said "I love you," and the one time they got it out)! And for some reason, the first thing that popped into my head while I was pondering this prompt was a follow-up to the fic I wrote for the Day Four prompt of last year's OT3 Week -- "The Knight, The Princess, And The Dragon Are Actually All Together!" With Victor being the knight, Alice the princess, and Smiler the dragon, and the situation being that Alice and Smiler are hiding out in a cave near Victor's home village (Smiler having supposedly "kidnapped" the princess from her home kingdom -- she actually fled willingly with them to escape the usurper Bumby) and Victor goes up there regularly to "fight the dragon," which here means "hang out with Alice and Smiler and get hypnotized by the latter for kinky fun times" (the fic has a Mature label because it just brushes up against getting a touch explicit at the end). I liked the universe I created for that fic, and this prompt gave me an excellent excuse to revisit it. :) Admittedly, this is a pretty short N+1 fic -- I was trying to keep from getting too wordy -- but hopefully you find it enjoyable nonetheless! Without any further ado, here is two times Victor was told "you don't have to go" by his partners, but insisted he did...and the one time he stayed:

--

“You don’t have to go.”

Victor blinked, then looked back at the dragon – Smiler, apparently. “Er – yes, I do,” he responded, putting his helmet back on. “It’s getting late, and I d-don’t particularly want to walk home in the dark.”

“But we were having such fun! Why not just stay here overnight?” Smiler asked, tone wheedling as they curled their long yellow neck around him. “Go back in the morning. Claim we had a grand battle and it took all night. Your mother would buy that, right? Especially if I scratched up your armor a bit?”

“Smiler – I think we’ve taken up enough of his time,” Princess Liddell scolded with a little smile. “We do have to let him go sometime – especially if we don’t want anyone coming to see where he’s gone.” She turned the smile on Victor. “But I do hope you come back to see us again. It’s – it’s been nice, having someone else to talk to.”

Victor found himself blushing, and not just because of how hot his armor was. “It was nice t-talking to both of you too,” he murmured, returning the smile. “I’ll be back. I promise.”

~

“...you don’t have to go.”

Victor blinked, then looked back at Princess – at Alice. “Yes I do,” he said, flipping up his visor to frown at her. “Mother’s got a party tonight, and if I linger here too long, she’ll wonder what’s become of me, and – well. She’s the last person you want coming up here.”

“True, but – I don’t particularly want to send you back to her either,” Alice responded, rocking on her heels. “The more you tell us about her, the more awful she seems. And your father doesn’t sound much better, and…” She sighed. “I just wish I could keep you up here, away from them.”

“Same,” Smiler said, as serious as Victor had ever seen them. “Surely you could spare just another hour?” Spirals flashed briefly in their eyes. “Could make it worth your while.”

Victor’s heart ached, looking at their expressions – but he swallowed and shook his head. “I’m sorry, but – I don’t want them to catch you,” he murmured, turning away. “But I’ll be back. I promise.”

~

You have to go.

Victor stared out at the setting sun from the mouth of the cave, watching the shadows lengthen as the darkness took hold. He knew it was time for him to leave – night was falling, and if he didn’t make it home in time for dinner, his mother would not be happy. But despite that, he just – couldn’t get his foot over the threshold. He just stood there, staring at the outside world, thinking about how he’d spend the evening meal being lectured for not getting anywhere with the dragon again...about how his bed at home wasn’t nearly as comfortable as Smiler’s scales, or as warm as Alice’s body against his...about how he’d never felt happiness so complete as sinking into Smiler’s spiral gaze while Alice whispered in his ear...about how he’d started thinking of this cave as his real home, and how much it hurt to leave it, leave them, every time…

A pair of arms went around his chest, and a long tail wrapped around his legs. “You don’t have to go,” Alice and Smiler said in concert, voices soft and warm in his ears.

A few minutes later, an absurdly shiny set of armor went clattering down the hillside, helm-first.

[wings-of-a-storm]

One of the things I hate most about the way the love triangle was handled, other than the fact that it literally came out of nowhere, is the fact the writers decided to throw all these (real) relationship problems at Venji to give Victor the excuse to get close to someone else. Plus the fact that Rahim said he didn't mean to get between them, but he had no problem sweeping in and telling Victor how he felt and kissing him after witnessing Venji arguing. He saw his opportunity and he took it.

Anon, I love your passion.

To start with, yeh, I think it was a disservice to Victor and Benji to skip over a lot of their honeymoon period just because it was too smooth-sailing and not dramatic enough for television. To start the season focusing a lot on the outside forces making them sad and putting strain on their relationship pretty much biases people against Venji before they’ve had a fair chance to show their strengths. The average viewer isn’t going to spend time imagining the good stuff but will only focus on the emotions right in front of them -- the tough stuff. It gives an unbalanced perception that their relationship is just full of tension from the get-go. Throw us a bone, writers!

The Love Triangle:

Okay, to be fair to Vahim, I don’t think the love triangle completely came out of nowhere. The direction/camera-work did show us a lot of small breadcrumbs leading up to their day out, like prolonged stares and white privilege connection and Victor openly oogling Rahim’s naked torso. But that being said, an attraction to another human and a new friendship that covers a few areas that weren’t previously being covered does not automatically lead to a love triangle dilemma. It just means Victor has eyes and room for all sorts of friendships, you know? So in that sense, it did feel (for me) like the love triangle was kind of an over-the-top reaction for Victor once it eventually appeared…

I really feel you with the frustration of the writers throwing ‘challenges’ at Victor and Benji, not so they can work on them like all new couples, but to justify space for a third party to wiggle through for dramatic purposes…

Like, a few times the situations felt less like an organic occurrence and more like a plot device -- namely whenever Victor had to explain anything to Benji without actually explaining anything. The ‘lesbian aunt with a thing for dachshunds’ was meant to mean something obvious to Benji, same with Adrian referring to Benji as Victor’s ‘french toast’ as a sign of acceptance. Would Victor really be that continually obtuse as to explain things only via in-joke phrases that Benji obviously was never present for to de-code?? I kept having to suspend my disbelief for that level of ineptitude and vacancy…

I also had to suspend my disbelief for the climax of Victor’s dilemma in the final episode. Like, it is canon that Victor made a hell of a lot of deep and varied memories with Benji throughout season one, over the summer we never got to see much of between seasons, and then throughout season two (eg. the secret hand signal of epic sappiness that contained Benji’s patience and sacrifice and touched Victor enough to come out at school; the peaceful and meaningful I Love You exchanges in the early morning light, etc).

These were Moments and they happened over months. And yet we were meant to organically believe that the very recent memories with Rahim, as charismatic as he is, would be on equal footing with a developed relationship? Even just with memory recall, wouldn’t that be like short-term memory versus the deeper retention of long-term? So I could understand Victor’s confusion while he was still in shock/processing the kiss, but it felt a bit forced to have that lead to an actual Dilemma of who to choose that very night…

Rahim S2 VS Victor S1:

Ah yes, Rahim making his move was an interesting one… With only season two in mind, I confess I can’t really blame Rahim for making his move. He was longing to experience a relationship, he really connected with Victor, he saw Benji was probably prepping for a breakup and the time was near, and he is a romantic who saw his chance to confess his feelings instead of always regretting staying silent. And since he is a romantic, notions like ‘fate’ and ‘timing’ would inspire him to want to go for it in case it was fate that Benji and Victor were having problems because Rahim is The One meant for Victor. Like I totally get that mindset, especially in high school where anything feels possible.

But with season one in mind, where we had a parallel of this kind of moment with Victor in Rahim’s shoes, you obviously can’t help but compare Victor’s choices compared to Rahim’s. And yeh, I agree that Victor’s come off in a far better light -- Victor didn’t want to cause problems between Benji and Derek when he was forced to see the reality of the mess with Derek and Benji fighting in public. He didn’t want to put Benji through a ton of stress. He wanted Benji to be happy. So he stood in front of Derek, rather like an unarmed man facing a sword pointed at his throat, and defended Benji and tried to compliment Derek’s and Benji’s supposedly amazing relationship to patch things up. He then surrendered and left them alone to their relationship.

Rahim…didn’t do that. He didn’t try to chase after Benji to reassure him about the slow-dance despite knowing how sad Victor had been without Benji. In fact, he made it harder for Victor by escalating the unnamed thing between them right into cheating territory. And that sequence did rub me the wrong way because from my own experience, when you really like someone, like truly like them, you want them to be happy, even if that isn’t with you. You don’t want to get between them and the partner they are in love with and take that away from them. You feel all of that because the person you adore deserves the world, you know? And yeh, Victor did that for Benji but Rahim didn’t do that for Victor… (And Rahim saw Venji’s good moments together at school and envied them for it and photographed it, so he knew how happy they were together when they weren’t fighting so…no excuse, bro...)

I think you summed everything up nicely, Anon, with a simple but efficient: I hate it! XD

[fandomfindings]

Join Us, Join Me

Pairing : (Reader x Finnick Odair)

Word Count : 1.7K

Warnings : None 

Summary : You volunteer to be the female tribute from District 4 to protect Annie and Mags. During this time Finnick approaches you and asks you to join in the up-rise against the Capital.

-----

You could not believe you were back. Your name was back in the reaping, you are back in the Capital, and you were about to be back in the games. You thought you had escaped this life besides the constant nightmares from the last time you entered the arena.You had won your previous games but at what cost?

Once you found out about the special terms of the third quarter quell you knew you would be back. If your name was not picked you would have volunteered regardless. Mags, the woman you saw as a grandmother was too old, you wanted her life to end in peace, not in some gruesome fight to the death. Annie could not go either, her mental state is not healthy enough to be back in the arena, leaving you as the female tribute for District 4.During the reaping they did call Annie’s name but you volunteered . Annie was a friend to you, a friend you did not want to see die like you predicted she would during these games.

You were currently in the training facility working on your skills and weaknesses along with the rest of the tributes when suddenly you feel a hand on your lower back. You had no doubt in your mind that it was Finnick. Finnick was the only person who dared touch you in such a manner , and also the only person you trusted to do so. You and Finnick had an interesting relationship to say the least. The attraction was obviously there and everyone knew it , including the people of the capital. Before Katniss and Peeta came along you and Finnick were considered the star-crossed lovers.You two are not official to the public only because it could affect your status in the capital.Together you would no doubt have a large fan base.However separately, as two of the most popular victors, you both felt would have the most benefits.

“ To what do I owe the pleasure Mr.Odair? ” You asked not taking your attention away from the target in front of you. At your voice Finnick smiled and wrapped his arms around your waist. He ducked his head down to place between your neck and shoulder making him smile even more at your scent. You felt his smile on your neck and tried your best to keep it from distracting you.

“Can I not check up on my beloved? “ He questioned, smile growing you thought impossibly bigger.

“You may but I thought we agreed not in these settings.” You mentioned as you looked around to your fellow tributes. During your observation you noticed that Finnick’s actions had caught the attention of some of the individuals watching from the protected box, including the gamemaker, Plutarch Heavensbee.

“You’re right . Here let me help you with your form.” Finnick stated and moved around to your front so that you two were face to face . He began to move your arm and point at the target you were facing as if teaching you how to do something, all the while moving his mouth but not actually saying anything. At his antics you finally cracked and begin to laugh into Finnick’s shoulder to conceal said laugher. Finnick smiled at your laughter, for it made himself the slightest bit happier every time he heard it. Finnick let the moment pass knowing that the reason he was truly there would soon wipe the smile off of your face. Once you regained yourself you looked to Finnick and realized he was no longer smiling. You looked into his eyes and he knew you were asking him what was wrong with your eyes alone.

“ We need to talk.” He said quietly, looking in his peripheral vision to make sure no one was near.

“ What’s wrong?” You responded this time out loud instead of with your eyes. His sudden change in attitude began to worry you. This type of change was not uncommon for him but it was uncommon for it to happen around you.

“ Not here, later ok.” He stated seriously, letting you know he meant business. You only nodded not sure on what to say. Finnick stayed there a bit longer to ‘ help with your form’ so that it did not seem suspicious that he left so suddenly after the serious atmosphere around you two. Finnick soon left you with a kiss on the cheek and a confused mindset.

After training you both head up to your quarters to shower and change out of your sweaty attire. When you were done you found a note from Finnick saying he would be back soon. In the meantime you decided to go to the roof of the building to watch the night life in the capital. Since the ocean was now unavailable to you this view would have to do.You were out there for God knows how long before you hear the footsteps of someone approaching you.

“ I thought I might find you out here.” Finnick said pulling you into his warm and strong arms.

“ Oh and what had you thinking that? “ You questioned pecking his cheek lightly.

“ This is where you were before your first time in the arena.”. At Finnick’s words realization hit you, he was right. The night before your first games you had spent all night on the roof , trying to take in what you could before your death that never came. Even though you still had scoring and the final interviews to do this time around this place calmed you for some reason.The fact that he remembered you telling him this made you smile and kiss him fully on the lips. The kiss turned into a long kiss and the long kiss turned into a full blown make-out session. After long though you had to part , for you could no longer survive on the minimum amount of oxygen in your lungs.

“ Where were you ? “ You asked tugging on his lip lightly with your teeth. Your actions made him groan and his mind slightly hazy until he realized what you had asked him.

“ I had to go talk to someone. “ He vaguely stated kissing your neck sweetly and not as lustful as before.

“ Would this someone have to do with why you wanted to talk earlier? “ You asked finally with full breath now that the kissing was to a minimum and only on the cheek or neck.

“ Actually yeah. “ He said once again changing the atmosphere much like earlier. This was something obviously very important and this only made you that much more nervous. Finnick pulled away to hold your arms and look into your eyes honestly scared about your future reaction . He was taking a huge risk by letting you into the rebellion plans but it was a risk he needed to take to keep you safe.

“ I went to talk to Haymitch.”. This confused you , when had they ever really talked outside of capital planned events? Finnick saw the confusion on your face and decided it was now or never, no more beating around the bush . He needed to keep you safe.

“ We’re planning a rebellion .” He declared with nothing but seriousness in his voice. You at first took it as a joke and had a smile on your face but it quickly disappeared once he did not return said smile.

“ Are you out of your mind ? You’re planning a rebellion, with Haymitch of all people ? You do realize he’s not even in the games right? “ You asked quietly so no one could hear. You fired questions at him like your life depended on it. He had never mentioned anything like this to you. The only thing he would say was how he was tired of being the capital’s sex puppet, you never thought he would take it this far.

“ I know but that is why we need him, he’s our person on the outside.” He explained to ease your curiosity but once he said ‘we’ your curiosity only grew.

“ We? Who else is involved with this? “ You asked stepping away from him slightly to take in his whole appearance.

“ Haymitch,myself,Johanna,Plutarch Heavensbee,and a few others who are on the fence about the whole thing.” He mentioned calmly as he moved closer to you.

“ You got the gamemaker involved ! Are you seriously out of your mind? He could have you killed as soon as you enter that arena! “ You exclaimed pointing off to some random direction , your mix of confusion and frustration getting the better of you.

“ Hey hey hey calm down ok ,he approached us not the other way around.”

“ That doesn’t make any of this better Finnick ! For all you know he could be just trying to trap you ! “ You shouted as tears made their way from your eyes in fear of your accusations possibly being true.

“ It’s not a trap (Y/N) I swear . If I  thought there was even a one percent chance this was a trap I wouldn’t be trying to get you involved.”. At his words you calmed slightly but your tears continued to flow. The fear of the unknown with this rebellion scared you, possibly even more than going back into the arena. If these plans were ever found out there is no doubt that Finnick would be executed as an example on what happens to those who go against the capital.

“ I can not lose you Finnick.You are all I have left. If you die I won’t be able to continue on.” You stated in a weak voice,a voice barely loud enough for him to hear.

“ I know... that’s why I am asking you to join us , to join me .” He said rubbing your arms while in your fragile state. After a while you think it over silently to yourself , the thought of everything that could go wrong never leaving your mind. You looked up to Finnick , tears still leaving streaks on your face in much less numbers however. He wiped your tears without a second thought making you smile slightly. Once he was done you nodded your head, giving him the knowledge that you would be joining him in the rebellion against the Capital.

A/N : This is my first ever imagine! Feel free to leave me some feedback on how you think I did .There will hopefully be more of these in the future , maybe even a part two to this one (: .

[nottooldforthisship]

🎬   It Had To Be You , by @fullonlarrie (When Harry met Sally AU) : Harry and Louis are strangers who share the drive from Chicago to NYC after college. They don't have anything in common, don't get along, and at the end of their trip, they're both glad to say goodbye. During a chance meeting five years later, they find that nothing has changed, and they part ways expecting never to see each other again. Ten years after their first meeting, Louis and Harry meet once again, but this time they become friends. Eventually, things get complicated.  (45k, M)

🎬  Take My Breath Away   , by @realitybetterthanfiction​ (Top Gun AU) : There is a prestigious school in the British Royal Navy classified as Premier Delta - or as it is known by its flyers, 1D. These select pilots are an elite set of Naval lieutenants who are trained in the skill of aggressive aerial combat. They are instruments of war, trained in times of peace. They are dogfighters, relentless and fearless in their mission to protect their beloved country. From their lofty vantage, they are always watching, waiting, and ready to lay it all on the line.Lt. Harry Styles, call sign Sparrow, is a prodigy when it comes to flying. The owner of an unrivaled Naval pedigree, being a pilot was always written in the stars for Harry. With his trusty RIO, Lt. Niall Horan, Harry has made an unprecedented ascension in the ranks of the Naval aerial combat elite, and has been recruited to the esteemed Premier Delta flight school, carrying on his family’s legacy. What he finds there are unexpected friendships, perilous challenges, and something beyond what he ever thought possible. Because as his father had always told him, before the great Captain Styles went tragically missing in combat, you don’t fall in love with the sky, you fall in love with what keeps you on the ground. (153k, M)

🎬 everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold   , by  sarcasticfluentry  (Inception AU) : Inception-inspired AU. Louis Tomlinson is the most respected and skilled extractor in the dream-sharing business; together he and his point man Zayn have been hired countless times to steal hundreds of valuable secrets straight from the minds of CEOs and politicians. One day, a mysterious and wealthy client contacts Louis and Zayn, offering them triple their normal rate in exchange for successfully completing a job that other extracting teams have deemed "impossible." The one catch is that this client wants the very best - so he's decided to team Louis' skills up with those of Louis' most hated rival, another highly-respected extractor named Harry Styles. Can Louis and Harry work together to complete the job and get the payout, or will they lose their minds along the way?  (49k, E)

🎬  Paint The Sky With Stars , by kiwikero (Titanic AU): On 10 April 1912, Harry Styles boards the finest ship the world has ever seen. Still grieving the death of their mother, he and his sister are being sent to America to live with a callous uncle who cares more about his business connections than family. Harry prepares himself for a long, disappointing voyage alone in his stateroom.Louis Tomlinson has borrowed and saved, and finally has enough to purchase a Third Class ticket to America. With all of his belongings in a single ruck sack, he boards the Titanic filled with hope for a brighter future. Never one to sit still, he can’t resist exploring the massive ship, and soon goes sneaking into First Class in a stolen steward’s uniform.By a twist of fate, Louis finds himself in Harry’s stateroom, entranced by the most attractive man he’s ever laid eyes on. He keeps returning day after day, even if he doesn’t understand what it is about Harry that continues pulling him in. That’s all right; Louis has a week to figure it out, and Harry is plenty willing to help.Except they don’t have a week. They have four days. Because on 15 April, their entire world will be turned upside down.Or, the historically accurate Titanic AU with a happy ending. (62k, M)

🎬 If You Wanna Try Me On  , by zimriya (The Devil Wears Prada AU):  To be fair, Harry’d been half asleep when Niall convinced him to put in his CV in the first place. Like, Harry wants to be a proper serious journalist--he’s not about to give up that dream in favour of becoming a personal assistant at a fashion magazine, or...whatever. Harry’s not actually all that sure what Tomlinson Styles even is, beyond his ticket to fame or any of the other things Niall’d spouted off at him, but when he shows up for the interview and is unceremoniously shoved into an office with the Tomlinson part of that equation, all Harry can really think about is that he would like to be a Tomlinson-Styles.  (19k, E)

🎬 Just Hear This and Then I'll Go , by @allwaswell16​ (Pride and Prejudice AU) : Former boy band member Louis Tomlinson can’t stand pompous indie artist Harry Styles, but with a new record label to launch he is going to have to endure his pretensions to snag up and coming new artist Liam Payne, who happens to be Harry’s oldest friend. Luckily, Liam seems to be very interested in 78 Records and maybe a little more than interested in Louis’ best friend. Too bad Harry won’t be making this easy on any of them. Or a modern day Pride and Prejudice--Louis is Elizabeth, Harry is Mr. Darcy, Zayn is Jane, and Liam is Mr. Bingley. Oh, and Niall is Mrs. Bennett. Obviously. (44k, E)

🎬  Life as We Know it , by  Rearviewdreamer  (Life As We know It AU) :  When a couple dies unexpectedly Harry and Louis are brought together to care for their daughter. (34k, M)

🎬  Who Painted the Moon Black    , by throughthedark  (Hunger Games AU) :  where Louis Tomlinson is district six's victor from the 69th Hunger Games and Harry Styles is district seven's victor from the 72nd Hunger Games.  (95k, E)

🎬 don't be afraid, it's only love , by threewhitehorses  (The Proposal AU) : A proposal!AU where Louis is at risk of being deported back to England and Harry just really wants a promotion. (14k, E)

🎬  The Dead of July , by  whimsicule   (Captain America AU) :  Being an Avenger means continuing to be Captain America and smiling and being honorable for the public and Harry does his best. But it doesn’t give him time to figure out who he is supposed to be once he takes off his uniform and puts the shield to the side. Just being Harry had always involved Louis, and Harry fears he doesn’t know how to exist without him. or: Harry is Captain America, and Louis’ been dead for 70 years. (117j E)

🎬  got the sunshine on my shoulders , by @hattalove (Sweet Home Alabama AU): five years ago, harry styles left his tiny home town to make it big as a recording artist. he didn’t have much regard for what he left behind - a life, a family, and a husband, who woke up one morning to find him gone.now, harry has everything he could possibly want: he’s rich, famous, and adored by everyone he meets, including his boyfriend. but when said boyfriend proposes to him, he’s forced to face the uncomfortable facts of his past - and louis, who’s spent the last five years returning every set of divorce papers harry sent him.(124k, E)

🎬  You Drive Me Crazy (but it feels alright) , by MrsStylinson  (Bridget Jones AU) : “Harry is not short for Harold,” he corrects, his voice as thick as molasses. He lowers his eyes to Louis’ sequined lapels, rubbing one between two fingers. “Is this small or extra small? It looks lovely.”Louis breaks away from his grip with a petulant huff and pushes him back with two fingers.“You’re mocking me. Again.”Harry smiles and it's a real honest swoop of his lips this time. Louis’ stomach swoops with them. (102k, T)

🎬  Let's Fall in Love in a Place You Want to Stay  , by  embro  (George of the Jungle / Tarzan AU) : where Louis is a model who meets Wild Man Harry in the Congo. He was raised by apes and barely speaks a word of English and turns Louis' life upside down.  (134k, E)

🎬  Love Actually, is all around, by satellitemoments  (Love Actually AU) : Louis is Prime Minister and Harry his fortunate catering manager.  (16k, M)

🎬  Keep on Dreaming, This is Hollywood , by popfly  (Pretty Woman AU) : Louis Tomlinson, a pop star manager, makes his way to LA with a pop star (and his new music demands) and a very busy schedule.Harry Styles came to Los Angeles with a dream and ended up sharing a flat and an occupation with a male prostitute from Ireland.What happens when Louis meets Harry, and makes him an offer he can't refuse?AKA A Pretty Woman AU where Louis is the high-powered businessman and Harry is the hooker. No, there is no necklace scene, but there is definitely piano sex. (31k, E)

🎬  Take My Hand (Take My Whole Life Too) , by orphean_account (If Only AU) : “What would you do,” Louis begins, knowing that this will only hurt him more, “If this was your last day on earth?”Harry thinks for a bit, brow furrowed in concentration, and then he says sort of cheekily, “Go skydiving. See my family, see my friends.” “What else, Harry?” (9k, E, TW for MDC)

🎬  I would name the stars for you (I would take you there) , by                    impetuous (Notting Hill AU) :  "Harry Styles is a poem waiting to happen, Louis thinks, eyes tracing peach flesh and the undercurrent of blue veins. He wants to write him all down, to capture the image of green eyes and red lips and skinny wrists... dark ink spilled across the page." Or a vaguely Notting Hill-like AU (or that made for TV Disney movie Starstruck if you’ve seen it… no? Just me?) starring popstar!Harry and bookkeeper/soulful poet!Louis; and including guest appearances by Fate, a wise elderly aristocrat, and lots and lots of pining. (91k, M)

🎬  When In Rome , by @nowweare9direction ( Roman Holiday AU ) : A modern day Roman Holiday AU, where Harry is the prince of pop on a European tour desperately in need of a break and Louis is an expat in Rome just trying to make rent. (19k, T)

🎬  Serendipity, Actually  , by  somethingsilly   (Serendipity AU) :   AU where Harry truly believes in Destiny and Louis just happens to cross his path at the right moment. Featuring a world with the size of a stamp, Liam as the best friend ever, Niall as a social butterfly who knows everyone and Zayn who always knows what's going on. Or where everyone is at the right place at the right time. (142k, M)   

🎬  the new romantics , by wildestdreams (John Tucker Must Die AU) : After being blindsided and dumped by his boyfriend Isaac, Louis does the only thing he can do: wallow and mope. But when Harry tells Louis that karma’s going to get Isaac eventually, Louis decides karma isn’t moving fast enough. He takes matters into his own hands, and if he has to drag Harry into his schemes and seduction plans, then so be it.orJohn Tucker Must Die AU featuring drunk dance sessions, bad disguises, and a seduction plan gone wrong.  (36k, E)

🎬  the sound of shooting stars, by  theseblueskies  (Sleepless in Seattle AU)  : where Harry is Sam, Louis is Annie, and the universe has a twisted sense of humor. Guest starring: fate, magic, destiny, and one little girl who unknowingly changes everything.  (33k, NR)

🎬  After Hours  , by  Velvetoscar (You’ve Got A Mail AU)  :   Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson are the bane of each other's existences. Unfortunately, they're already in love--even if they aren't completely aware of this minor detail. (26k, NR)

[discorderebo]

Why do I ship Otayuri so hard?

Dear reader, take a seat because I'm going to ramble a lot. First of all, I'll admit I'm a little biased in the whole shipping world since I'm not a multi shipper (I feel that shipping a character with more than one pair means you must likely have no problem with cheating, as dumb as it sounds) this usually leads me to hate harem and shojo as the main purpose in these both lately seems to be for pairing the protagonist with as much potential partners as possible without considering their feelings that much and just adding unnecessary romantic content with pretty much no basis at all (Not meaning I hate all the material. I played and enjoyed almost all the routes from DmmD, save for Mink's since it was only an abusing relationship, and Virus and Trip's since I felt once again this was only pulled to satisfy people's desire for a 3P) That being said, I'll declare myself guilty from having read some 3P doujins and doing some multiple shipping with specific characters (for example BnHA's Midoriya, with both Todoroki and Bakugou) so it's not necessarily a BIG problem since in the end this is all fictional characters we're talking about. Now, specifically on the YoI fandom I'll start from the biggest, most obvious relationship and then go further to the Otayuri. First of all, it's Victor and Japanese Yuuri's relationship. As a big fan for the serie, this is a pairing I'm well aware of and am totally ok with. It's not my favorite as it came way too fast for me and make me desire they took their time. Yet as it is, some things the fandom makes from this two can still make me happy and desire to have more from them. From here on I'll express my own interpretation on the matter. For me, it's obvious that at first Yuuri's like for Victor didn't go as far from admiration only, it was thanks to this and the time they spent together, also the fact they exceeded from different obstacles on Yuuri's career (Which as we can see on the first episode, was his everything) that eventually came to him feeling a strong affection and later love for the older. As for Victor, it feels a little bit more dull and can be cliched'ly explained that he felt love at first sight. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying it's just that, is obvious he finally felt inspired once again after meeting Yuuri when he probably considered retirement, it's just that I'm taking this to real life and feel it over-exaggerated or maybe too forced. But well, forget that. So then, here's where the third protagonist enters. Yuri Plisetsky. For me, his feelings are the most complicated (He needs love, he needs all the love in the world). I don't know if it's because he's a teenager but surely they put lots of feelings in him, if you can't see that I don't know anymore. So, Yurio and Victor. At the start, Yuri was totally fascinated with Victor the same as Yuuri, only he lost part of this admiration when realizing Victor didn't keep his promise, and later losing it all when getting to know the real Victor during their stay in Hasetsu. Would he have fallen in love with the other if he did train him? I don't think so, Yurio's feelings towards Victor would only stay as admiration and only would change to competitiveness as they skated on the same level. Now, here's where my feelings gets complicated. Yurio and Yuuri. I'm not going to lie to whoever is reading this, I'm fully aware Yurio likes Yuuri, or at least he did at some point. To begin with his complicated feelings towards the Japanese man, Yuri started off totally detesting him as he felt he was weak. Yet after the time on Hasetsu, he not only got to know the other better, but also felt devastated when the one he thought was so weak defeated him. After that he started obsessing with the older, wanting to know anything from him to take his revenge, yet he also wanted the other to progress to get to compete against his full potential. This was totally on his competitive side and nothing more, this can and happens in the real world as I see it. Yet the point where this feelings change is that moment of the Victuuri hug/kiss (not going to discuss about what it was right now). He felt angry about it with no reason and started "despising" the pair more. Is then where the way he treats them completely changes, not treating Victor with any respect at all and wanting to make Yuuri feel better (such as wanting to cheer on him and giving him the katsudon pirhozkis) but overall his competitiveness as an athlete goes over this and he can't find a way to truly express himself. Later, after meeting Otabek, he's happy to have a friend for the first time (as he doesn't consider the other two being his friends. Victor as he despised him and saw him as a rival that probably wouldn't take Yuuri's love seriously and Yuuri as he was his love interest) but soon this happiness is taken by the showing of the rings. In an childish attempt to fight Victor's confidence in their relation, he says the rings are nothing, but is surprised when knowing Victor's is truly serious about it and it's here where Yurio started accepting their relationship. So when the GPF final started he tried to act as before and mock the Japanese as we see when he stress that everyone is surpassing Yuuri's score. But when he talked with Victor about his return and Yuuri's possible retirement, Victor probably asked for him to prevent this from happening and as he did his best to surpass Yuuri so he wouldn't win gold, all the feelings inside him reached their limits and exploded as he won, crying not only at the realization he won, but also that he needed Yuuri and his feelings to give his all. From then on he decided to let go of his first love and become Yuuri's friend of sorts. So then, what does this all have to do with the hero of Kazakh? Well, for this I need to add another analysis on his feelings towards Yurio. The most difficult to talk about since we only have "three" episodes and wttm manga to go with. We all know that thing Otabek couldn't forget Yuri because his eyes were like the soldier's and all that stuff, but I think Otabek was infatuated and a little more at that time, obviously, as he was still a kid at the moment, he didn't realize his true feelings right there. Again, I don't like the idea of love at first sight and that shit, but for Otabek it was more on the admiration side that surely grew into a bit of an obsession. How many of you would have remembered a guy you never talked to on a training camp five years from watching him? Just for his eyes? Would you even remember his eyes to begin with? Now, if said guy picked your interest for another reason, maybe it'll be easier to have it on your mind constantly, even more assuming it's the first time someone picks it like that. But all in all it's too much to say it was love at the moment, more like liking. Yet, since Yuri's career as a kid was as good as we saw in the anime, it would be easy to say that the next three years Otabek expend on the junior competitions, Yuri's name and image would usually appear to him. This way, Otabek's interest would grow, getting to know Yuri's potential and achievements, as he also desired to get to that level without the needing of ballet. He only did his senior debut a year before Yuri's as we can see on his info chart, so probably he tried to reach the Russian's level plenty of time, taking him as inspiration. When he was finally able to compete with the other on the senior level, he wanted to present himself to Yuri as he felt capable of being his competitor (as he also reached the final) and it's here where he finally reaches for the other and put all the feelings of admiration and inspiration into what he feels is a desire to be friends. But as we get from all those Otabek's looks for Yuri TM on the rest of the anime and the official art, is obvious he feels something more warm than a mere friendship for the Russian. And with wttm manga, we get the idea that he can put away all the feelings as a competitor and hear Yurio's problems to help him, even going as far as to enter the rink again when Yuri asked him to, even when he clearly stated that he already did his exhibition. What I want to say is that, at the end, even if Otabek is not aware of it himself, he's probably interested on Yuri in a romantic way at this point and without realizing it he's becoming a bit too indulging with the minor, wanting to be on his good side (That's why he was still thinking about having left the Plisetsky alone when he went DJing on wttm manga) So what we are left at this point is with an indulgent Otabek that's way too admiring of his friend and a little heartbroken Yuri that has experienced a first love and first friendship at the same time, so where is the pairing at this point? Probably nowhere, well, more like at least a 25% out of a hundred seeing they are getting close as Yurio took Otabek to Hasetsu and gave him katsudon to taste -and also made him buy the same tiger shirt he bought there- as we see in the original art. And that's exactly why I like it, from this point on their relationship can only grow or develop in all the different ways, if you think that's sad I'll just say they're young, so there's no need to rush the development of a possible romantic relationship between them (Otabek is even younger than Japanese Yuuri for five years! And Yuuri didn't experienced any love relationship before Victor as he himself confirmed) from that point, the fandom can totally take their liberties and express however they feel their relationship will grow and be totally possible. So if you want to pressure the relationship and come with a half baked reason to confirm a ship (cof* Ruby and Sapphire. Sorry not sorry cof*) go for it, but as I see it, having something to expect and still getting hyped when the ship does their thing (like those oh so delicious finger bite and finger bang from wttm) is way more fun and exciting than having them so obvious that when they do another kamasutra position you are just like "oh... here they go again " Now is up to Otabek realizing he's way too fond of Yuri to just be friends, and Yuri's realization that Otabek is giving him his full support for the real romance between them to start. Thanks for reading this whole shit and don't be shy to leave your own thoughts on the subject, if what you say is not to my liking I'll probably ignore it. Joking.

[fanniwrites]

Grab My Hand (Dance With Me)

Rating: General Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Katsuki Yuuri/Victor Nikiforov Word Count: 1,671

Summary:  “Dance with me.”

Yuuri, who had only just started eating his lunch, freezes.

Ao3

“Dance with me.”

Yuuri, who had only just started eating his lunch, freezes.

Before him kneels Victor, hand outstretched expectantly. Yuuri blinks, looking around to see if, maybe, his classmate was gesturing for someone else to comply with his ridiculous request. All that he finds are his peers, suddenly quiet and very curious about the scene happening before them. Yuuri swallows his food.

“Me?” He asks, pointing to himself.

Yuuri is swept off his seat before he can get an answer, or even answer in return.

The dance is sloppy. Victor holds Yuuri’s hand and waist and spins them across the courtyard, and Yuuri, too stunned by this turn of events, tries to follow along as best as he can. Everything is happening too fast. Around them, people cheer and clap and whistle, enjoying the show Victor has started. Faintly, he registers the click of cameras.

When it’s finished, Victor dips Yuuri in his arms. They are both panting, out of breath, and the cheering from their classmates has increased tenfold. Yuuri barely notices, too caught by a smile like the sun and eyes that sparkled like the ocean in the early morning.

“Smile for the camera, lovebirds!” Someone shouts. Victor turns his head, grinning.

Realization comes quickly.

Yuuri pushes Victor away, hard, and marches back to his seat to keep eating his lunch.

He resolutely doesn’t look at Yuuko and Takashi, who stare at him, confounded, and he resists even the smallest temptation to glance back at Victor.

::x::

No one knows much about Victor.

Everyone’s aware that his family must be foreigners, which is obvious, and that he has a little brother who waits for him outside the school everyday.

Victor also likes to dance.

Yuuri remembers the first time he saw it--Victor’s dancing.

It was graceful. Victor held himself at perfect posture, moved his arms and legs with swift, clean movements. Music flowed through every part of him, telling a story with his body rather than his words.

It felt incredibly somber, and incredibly lonely, watching the boy dance by himself in the middle of the clubroom.

The dance in the courtyard had been much different than that. It was messy and erratic, filled with so much more life in every movement. Even through the confusion, Yuuri knew he and everyone around them were having fun with the dance. The way Victor looked was so much more spirited, and it was yet another dance that had taken Yuuri’s breath away.

But the way Victor smiled at the camera’s afterward, something bright and only imitating happiness for the sake of the crowd, made something twist in Yuuri’s gut. The moment they had became less about them and more about everyone else.

Yuuri couldn't help but feel used.

::x::

Victor is persistent.

After the dancing incident in the courtyard, he visits Yuuri’s classroom for three days afterward. Every single time he stands outside the door asking for Yuuri, and every single time he’s denied. Yuuko is very firm with her no the third time, which is enough to make Victor stop coming by the classroom any more.

Of course, it’s not enough to stop him entirely.

In what becomes yet another memorable occasion for the week, Yuuri is approached by Nakamura, one of the clubhouse members. “A gift for Katsuki Yuuri!” He practically shouts, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. With a flourish, he bows, presenting a single daisy with a note attached. “Victor sends his apologies!”

Yuuri takes the flower because he’s not sure what he should do otherwise. Nakamura, pleased, marches back to his own desk.

Takashi whistles. “That Nikiforov is really trying to get your attention, huh?”

Yuuri ignores him, opening the small folded piece of paper. Yuuko leans over his shoulder, curious. “Well?” She asks. There’s a bit of excitement in her voice--Yuuko’s always been enchanted by romantic acts. “What does it say?”

The note is simple, asking Yuuri to meet Victor after school in the clubhouse.

“It’s nothing,” he lies, stuffing the note in his pocket. Takashi and Yuuko give each other knowing glances.

Yuuri doesn’t go to the clubhouse after school.

::x::

He finds more daisies on his desk the next day, tied together neatly with a blue bow. The note says nothing; instead, there’s a doodle of poodle.

::x::

“I’m heading out now!” Yuuri calls from the doorway, slipping on his shoes.

Mari leans against the wall, cigarette in hand. “There should be enough money to get everything on the list,” she says, breathing out a bit of smoke as she speaks. “Are you sure you’ll be fine? It can be pretty packed by the pier, what with everyone going home.”

“It’s not the first time I’ve done this, Mari,” Yuuri points out. He grabs the basket sitting on the floor.

“I know. Figured it didn’t hurt to ask.”

They say quick goodbyes, and Yuuri jogs out the door. If he’s fast about it, he should be back at a decent enough time for him and Mari to get started on dinner.

Yuuri barely makes it past the onsen’s entryway when he hears the soft jingle of a bike bell.

Victor and his brother stop their bikes right behind him, and Yuuri curses his lack of foresight. He knows for a fact that the two of them had to ride by the onsen on their way back home--he can hear them sometimes from his bedroom window, Victor’s brother yelling something while Victor himself laughs. Usually Yuuri was too busy studying or helping around the onsen to cross their paths, and it had never really mattered if they had before.

But now it did, and Yuuri suddenly regrets offering to go to the market in Mari’s place.

“What are we stopping for? Let’s go already,” Victor’s little brother orders, annoyed.

“We have time,” is all Victor says, eyes never leaving Yuuri. “Are you going somewhere? Let me give you a lift.”

Victor’s brother groans. “Is this the guy you keep sulking over? Whatever, I’ll meet you at the pier. Don’t be late or I’ll get on the boat without you,” he warns before riding away on his bike.

“Well?” Victor asks, ignoring his brother’s warning.

Yuuri turns away from Victor and starts walking.

He makes sure to keep staring ahead, even when he knows that Victor is walking right besides him. There’s a few moments of silence as they just walk, side by side, the sun setting in the horizon.

It’s Victor who speaks first. “Did you get my gifts?”

“I did,” Yuuri replies curtly.

“Did you like them?”

Yuuri walks faster. Victor stays at the same pace, closely behind. Thankfully, he doesn’t say anything else.

They walk the same path all the way down until they reach the hill, where Yuuri stops and sighs. He doesn’t know what’s worse at this point--that Victor obviously didn’t know what he was apologizing for, or that he was currently following Yuuri around like a kicked puppy.

“Give me a ride down to the market,” Yuuri demands lightly. “Then I’ll consider accepting your apology.”

Victor blinks, surprised, before nodding excitedly. He pats the back of his bike, gesturing for Yuuri to climb on.

He does.

::x::

The ride down to the pier is much faster on bike than on foot. Neither Yuuri nor Victor speak the whole way down, but this time the silence is content, easy. Mr. Toyama, the delivery man who drops by supplies sometimes down to the onsen, says hello as they pass by his truck.

When they reach their destination, Yuuri knows it’s time for them to part ways. He can’t stop himself from feeling disappointed.

The sunset is beautiful, reflecting shades of red and amber off of Victor’s silver hair.

“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you the other day,” Victor finally says. His voice is soft, keeping the moment between the two of them and none of the crowd passing by. “I hadn’t meant to make you uncomfortable.”

“I wasn’t uncomfortable. It was more...” Yuuri struggles to find the words. “I felt more... like you were dancing with me for the sake of newspaper club having a story. It’s sounds silly now what I say it out loud, actually.”

“Not at all,” Victor says, like the idea that Yuuri could ever be silly about anything was ridiculous. “You shouldn’t have felt that way, and I should’ve been more mindful.”

Yuuri smiles. “Okay. But, next time, they are better ways of trying to apologize than stalking my classroom and sending me flowers.”

“Noted.” Victor smiles back.

From the docks, someone yells. They both look over to see Victor’s brother, waving and trying to get their attention. “Hurry up! The boats here!” He calls, frantic. “ Victor !”

“I have to go,” Victor says.

“Yeah.”

“Meet me at the clubhouse tomorrow?”

“And what if I decide not to go?”

“Then don’t.” Victor answers, quick and breathless, as he grabs Yuuri’s hand. “Just know that I’ll be waiting as long as it takes.”

“Your going to miss the boat,” Yuuri urges.

Victor gives one last squeeze before their hands slip apart. They stare at each other as Victor walks backwards, then turns, hopping on his bike and speeding down towards the docks.

Yuuri waves as he leaves.

::x::

Yuuri does go to the clubhouse.

He climbs the stairs, up to where he knows the Dance Club’s room is. Where Victor is waiting for him.

Yuuri is almost tempted to walk away when faced with the other members of the clubhouse, who give knowing glances and whisper loudly as he passes. Thankfully, however, they have enough manners not to bother him, and Yuuri makes it to the clubroom without being stopped by a single person.

When he opens the door, Victor is there, waiting. They are the only two people there.

Victor gives Yuuri a delighted smile as soon as their eyes meet. “Shall we try this again?” He asks, holding out his hand. “Dance with me.”

This time, Yuuri happily accepts.

[schraubd]

Boxing Roundup: June 1, 2019

Haven't done one of these in awhile! But it was a big night of fights, even though I missed the PBC show on FS1. Oh, I recorded it -- it's just that virtually all of it ended up airing on FS2 because some college baseball game ran long, and then the main event came out after the bloc was already scheduled to have concluded. So quickly, before moving on to the far more interesting DAZN card.... Willie Monroe Jr. (24-3, 6 KOs) UD10 Hugo Centeno Jr. (27-3, 14 KOs) We knew a lot more about Monroe coming in than we did Centeno. Monroe is a slickster who can generally outbox anyone on the B-level of the division, but really can't hang with the top dogs. Centeno was someone whose only losses came to some pretty elite fighters -- Maciej Sulecki and Jermall Charlo -- and so the question was whether he was an A-level fighter who happened to lose when matched at the very top, or was a B-level fighter who'd already seen his peak exposed. Looks like it's Door #2. This is a good win for Monroe, but it doesn't really change his position -- someone with basically zero chance to beat a Canelo or a Golovkin (who already smoked him), but might get the call to step-in as a semi-credible tune-up during a lull period. Ivan Redkach (23-4-1, 18 KOs) KO6 Devon Alexander (27-6-1, 14 KOs) Mild upset here. Alexander actually looked to be on the rebound after a long layoff battling painkiller addiction, which is an odd thing to say about a guy who was 0-1-1 in his last two fights, but most people thought he deserved the W against both Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto. Redkach was a one-time prospect who already seemed to have hit a ceiling and was seem more as a fun but limited action guy. But he caught Alexander good in round six, putting him down three times and earning the knockout. This probably ends Alexander's career at anything close to the top level, but it honestly doesn't make me feel ready to reevaluate Redkach just yet. Okay, with that out of the way, onto ... DAZN! Joshua Buatsi (11-0, 9 KOs) TKO4 Marco Antonio Periban (25-5-1, 16 KOs) A good step up for Buatsi against a former title challenger, albeit one who hadn't fought in two years. Periban tried, but he Buatsi was way too big and probably always too skilled to really ever be threatened. Periban is probably a permanent gatekeeper now, assuming he even decides to step back into the ring, which is far from clear. Buatsi is by no means a finished product, but he's got a lot of upside. Chris Algeri (24-3, 9 KOs) RTD8  Tommy Coyle (25-5, 12 KOs) Well, well. Someone finally let Chris Algeri out of the cage. After a long retirement lay-off following a beatdown from Errol Spence, Algeri looks rested, refreshed, and maybe a little more powerful than he did during his spotlight years following his upset win over Ruslan Provodnikov in 2014. He survived a bit of a scare in round two, and the body shot he put Coyle down with in round four was positively wicked. A fun action fight while it lasted, but Algeri definitely put his stamp on it. Can he compete with the top welterweights. No, it'd be the same slaughter we've already seen. Would, say, a fight against fellow Long Islander Cletus Seldin (assuming he gets past Zab Judah -- yep, that Zab Judah) be a fun time for all? I think so. Coyle was already sounding like he had one foot out the door on his career, and this loss probably will hasten that process. He might do a farewell fight back home in the UK, but I suspect that'll do it. Josh Kelly (9-0-1, 6 KOs) D10 Ray Robinson (24-3-2, 12 KOs) Robinson spoils an up-and-comer for the second straight fight, and comes out of it with a draw for the second straight fight. Kelly seems like one of those dime-a-dozen Prince Naseem Hamed wannabes that always seem to be coming up the ranks. It's not that he has no skill (he does) or no athleticism (he does). But he's just not as good as he thinks he is, and it showed against Robinson. I wasn't judging too closely, but I might have thought Kelly nonetheless deserved the edge even as he clearly faded late. But I have no quarrels with a draw (and I know many other observers thought it was Kelly who got lucky here). Callum Smith (26-0, 19 KOs) TKO3 Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam (37-4, 21 KOs) Callum Smith is widely considered the best of the "fighting Smith brothers" (that'd be Callum, Liam, Paul, and Stephen). He certainly impressed here, although I'd say he pretty much did as expected. N'Dam -- who lacks a nickname as a fighter, which to this day baffles me since he should obviously be dubbed Hassan "Bam Bam" N'Dam N'Jikam -- is the real-boy equivalent of one of those punch-a-clown dummies. He goes down easy, but he always gets back up. He went down six times against Peter Quillin, was quite competitive during the rounds he stayed on his feet (I remember quipped at the time that "he's doing pretty well except for the times he's getting his ass kicked"). Anyway, Smith -- who had size and skill advantages over N'Dam -- put him down in each of the first three rounds. The third knockdown was particularly vicious, and while N'Dam naturally got to his feet, the referee waved it off. Unlike Willie Monroe, I think Callum Smith would make a genuinely interesting match-up against Canelo Alvarez if the latter felt like fully moving up. Katie Taylor (14-0, 6 KOs) MD10 Delfine Persoon (43-2, 18 KOs) There is an emergent narrative about women's boxing today, one I largely subscribe to. Basically, it holds that the women's amateur game right now is leaps and bounds ahead of where it was even a decade ago. Hence, the incoming crop of "prospects" coming out of the amateurs -- folks like Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields -- are just on a different level than even the "experienced" champions in the professional game. They're better schooled, they're stronger technically, and they've fought more consistent high-level opposition. We saw the difference when, in a highly-anticipated unification matchup, Claressa Shields ended up just running over long-time champion Christina Hammer. Yes, Shields is that good. But also her generation of fighter is just better than the one that came before, and that, as much as anything else, was what was on display in Hammer vs. Shields. That narrative explains why Katie Taylor came in as a huge favorite against Delfine Persoon, despite the latter's glittering record and near-decade long title reign. Yes, Persoon was undefeated for the past nine years. But as Teddy Atlas would put it -- against who? Against who? There was probably nobody on Persoon's resume with skills anywhere close to the top amateurs Taylor had fought regularly. Yet Persoon did her darndest to upset the story. And most observers -- myself included -- thought she ultimately deserved the nod, or at least a draw. Katie Taylor was very lucky to come away with a victory. And Delfine Persoon showed that she was every bit on the level of the very top, elite women fighting today. To be sure, it was clear that Taylor was the more skilled and well-schooled fighter in the ring. But Persoon came in with an aggressive, gritty gameplan that sought to disrupt Taylor's rhythm and turn the fight into a brawl -- which she was successful at over large periods. Taylor was most effective when she could keep distance and run Persoon into check hooks on her way inside. But Persoon, though a bit dirty and more than a bit awkward, wasn't some mindless aggressor either -- she made adjustments, and by the end of the fight really had Taylor hanging for dear life. There's a fair case that, if this was a 12 round fight over 3 minute rounds, Persoon could have gotten a stoppage (side bar: women's boxing should have 3 minute rounds and the same number of rounds as the men's game. Full stop. The 2 minute round set-up is just the most prominent example of patronizing sexism that afflicts the women's game). But let's not mislead: this wasn't the story of the talented but inexperienced starlet looking lost against the cagey, grizzled veteran and then getting gifted a decision. Taylor had a gameplan too, and had more than her share of moments. What we had was simply a great fight, perhaps the best fight we've seen to date in high-level women's boxing. Persoon was absolutely crushed when the scores were announced, and left the ring almost immediately in tears. It was hard not to feel for her -- she had been toiling in obscurity for years, ignored while fighters like Katie Taylor got all the accolades and fortune. This was her big chance, and from her vantage (and many others) this should have been her night. She put on a hell of a performance, only to have it torn away from her by the judges. I'm not going to say it was a flat robbery, but the consensus view definitely saw more observers giving Persoon the win. I've seen plenty of draw cards as well, but very few folks (other than the two judges) score it for Taylor. The good news is there's a strong case for a rematch. It was a great fight, a close fight, and one where there's still definitely unfinished business. There also aren't so many big money opportunities in women's boxing that a fight like this -- which now is pretty easy to market -- should be muscled out, though Taylor did mention a potential fight with Amanda Serrano instead. No disrespect to Serrano -- who is a great fighter in her own right -- but I hope she waits her turn. Persoon absolutely deserves a rematch, and it should come next. Andy Ruiz Jr. (33-1, 22 KOs) TKO7 Anthony Joshua (22-1, 21 KOs) A monster upset, as Ruiz becomes the first Mexican or Mexican-American fighter to win a heavyweight championship. Was it as big as Douglas over Tyson, as some commentators were breathlessly exclaiming after the fight? No. Joshua was very good but not viewed as an invincible destroyer as Tyson was at his peak, and Ruiz was more of a known quantity than Douglas was. But putting that unreachable height aside, this was a giant upset -- assuredly 2019's upset of the year. Ruiz was a substitute for Jarrell Miller, who failed a drug test and thus lost his big break, but he still got a decent amount of time to train. Of course, with Ruiz it's always "who can tell?", as the guy just comes into every fight fat. I don't mean that as an insult or anything, and he'd be the first to agree -- Andy Ruiz is chubby around the middle. For pretty much any other fighter -- no matter how much they talk about being "comfortable at the weight" or whatever -- that's a big problem. Chris Arreola, the last Mexican-American to make a run at heavyweight glory, always made light of his weight, but it really did hold him back. But for some reason Andy Ruiz is different. He's got genuinely fast hands for a heavyweight -- like, not just in the "you'd think as a fat guy he'd be a plodder, but he's actually deceptively quick", but objectively fast hands measured against any heavyweight you can think of. Ruiz throws really good combinations, quickly and accurately, and that was known coming into the fight. Of course, we knew Joshua pretty well too -- a powerful guy who'd shown both skill and resilience in his breakout fight against Wladimir Klitschko, coming off the deck to knockout the aging legend in 11 rounds. I did not think the fight against Ruiz was quite the afterthought that most were making it out to be -- yet another detour from the Joshua-Fury-Wilder merry-go-round -- but I certainly thought Joshua would win it. I was prepared to be proud of myself when Ruiz made a better accounting of himself than expected. Instead, we got a really impressive performance that included a strong round-of-the-year contender in round three. That's when Joshua dropped Ruiz and most people thought he was about to move in for the kill. Instead, Ruiz caught Joshua swinging wide and almost immediately returned the knockdown favor. A second knockdown towards the end of the round had Ruiz firmly in control and Joshua looking wobbly, fortunate to hear the bell ring. Ruiz left Joshua off the hook, it seemed, in round four, and the question was whether he had missed his chance. But instead, Ruiz knocked down Joshua twice more in the seventh -- again, precipitated by Joshua landing a decent shot and then being countered in-between when he got a little too free going for the finish. The last knockdown saw Joshua's mouthpiece go flying, and Joshua retreated to his corner clearly expecting time to be called to replace it. The referee was not obliging, insisting that Joshua come out to fight with no mouthpiece, and I do think that resulted in some confusion as to why Joshua didn't "come forward" to make crystal clear he wanted to continue. But nonetheless, that's on Joshua, who had his arms draped over the ropes and wasn't making any motions towards stepping back into the fight. He was clearly surprised by the stoppage, but not too upset by it. And on that score: I'm not wild about how Joshua reacted to the end of the fight. Yes, he was very classy in defeat, making no excuses and giving all due credit to Ruiz. Which is great, I like class. But it was a bit weird to see just how little Joshua seemed to be bothered by losing. It's not like I wanted to see a meltdown or anything, but there was a sense as the fight's tide turned in Ruiz's favor that Joshua kind of lost interest once it started to get hard in there. That doesn't really jibe with the heart he showed in the Klitschko fight, but it's something to keep an eye on going forward. Boxing is a tough business under the best of circumstances; it tends to chew up guys who -- however much natural talent they might possess -- have lost that inner drive to press back against adversity in the ring. Anyway, Joshua losing actually simplifies things in the heavyweight division going forward. His next fight will be a rematch against Ruiz, and meanwhile Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are scheduled to fight each other assuming both get by their next opponent -- Luis Ortiz and Tom Schwarz, respectively. But a note of warning should be sounded there as well. I don't know anything about Schwarz, and frankly I expect Fury to truck him. But the Ortiz fight -- which got a lot of moans and groans because it wasn't Wilder facing Joshua or Fury -- is very much a real fight. People forget that the first fight between Wilder and Ortiz was really good and, more importantly, really competitive. It wasn't controversial, because Wilder ended up winning in a knockout, but Ortiz very easily could have taken it. He had Wilder badly hurt and nearly ready to go. For me, I saw a fight where, if you ran it back again, I could very easily see a different man end up on top. So I wouldn't be too blase about Wilder necessarily coming out on top in the rematch. He'll be the favorite, and deservedly so, but Ortiz is a very live dog in there. Wilder/Ortiz is not just some medicine we have to take until we get to the good stuff, and the outcome of tonight's fight should give us all pause before writing the conclusion as foreordained. via The Debate Link http://bit.ly/2HOrFRD