#because i forgot lessons when i was that age! I've been there before! but i. and the other tutee. actually apologised and felt bad for it

[nameforthemain]

It's really hard to annoy me but my tutee is actually getting on my last nerve

[badass-queer-couples-battle]

Sword gays showdown, poll for the third place of bracket two

Propaganda:

For Haruka/Sailor Uranus:

She wields the space sword, one three talismans. She's also in a canon sapphic relationship with fellow sailor soldier sailor neptune and later is raising a child with her and another sailor, sailor pluto. Their daughter calls her papa because she's also a genderqueer icon. 

For Hikaru Sulu:

1) Okay, first off: Which version am I submitting? Prime timeline (TOS) or Kelvin timeline (AOS, also known as the reboot movies if you're not in the fandom)? The answer is both. Prime Sulu has the more iconic fencing scenes (and is also said to have other sword related abilities) while Kelvin Sulu is canonically gay. Specifically as a tribute to George Takei btw who played prime Sulu in TOS and is famously gay and an LGBT+ rights activist among other causes. The picture provided is prime Sulu but if you've only watched AOS, feel free to vote for him anyway.

I'm not gonna link any videos here since that would probably exceed the scope of the propaganda section but clips should be pretty easy to find. And if you can't, just trust me: The TOS fencing scenes are amazing. The AOS one is probably fine too but it's been ages since I've watched it and I forgot it even existed so it can't have been THAT memorable.

Fun fact: George Takei initially didn't know how to fence and didn't find out he'd have to until pretty late and started taking fencing lessons only three weeks before the filming of that episode (The Naked Time) and apparently "became so out-of-control and boisterous that he had to be separated from the rest of the production personnel, for their own safety" which, in context of what the episode is about, is just absolutely amazing. Truly iconic.

Anyway, considering Star Trek is an important part of queer history (I'm only half joking) you need to vote for Sulu, we all know George Takei is an icon, make the right choice here.

2) When they got hit with the drunk virus he took his shirt off and started challenging people to duels. Iconic 

3) This bitch got the outer space disease that makes you silly, and revealed they were gung ho for fencing, and brought out their sabre to just. Swashbuckle. Goes "/oh my/," and is clearly gay and played by a gay actor

[popjunkie42]

Painted Blind: Chapter Two

Read on AO3

Summary:

What Feyre Archeron wants is simple: enough food, gold and safety to take care of her family. But when a terrifying fae beast crosses the wall and enters the human lands, she finds that simple, safe life slipping out of reach.

Part one of an ACOTAR re-telling inspired by the Greek myth of Psyche and Eros.

Chapter Two: Feyre pursues the bounty for a fae beast and finds more than she bargained for.

Warning for this chapter: There is hunting and butchering in this chapter, some canon-typical violence, and a character death (minor in this, major character in the books).

Thank you to @witch-and-her-witcher and @rosanna-writer for the beta reads!

I also have a Painted Blind Spotify playlist that I've been sitting on so long I almost forgot it existed. Not in any particular order, just vibes!

Beginning of the chapter under the cut. I hope you enjoy!

When I was in the woods, I let myself become an animal.

Cold winter wind whipped around me on the edge of pine forest. The wind was blowing east tonight, a good sign. It would bring me scents from the cave I was seeking, and carry mine far behind me into the woods.

As I had tossed and turned in bed early this morning, I knew there were few places in our land that a beast of that size and appetite could reside while evading the towns dotted across the central road.

And now I was headed straight towards it.

I lifted my nose to the wind. Smelling for death, for the iron tang of blood and sickly rot, the stench of wild pelts.

I had not been so fortunate as to receive any formal training in my work of hunting and providing. Such lessons would have been unthinkable in my old life, for my age, gender, and station. And when the money ran out and it became clear my father had no plan to support us, I began my long and painful game of trial and error.

My memories of that time in the forest are ones I try to forget, although I remember them in my body, in my skin. I remember the desperate claws of hunger gripping my stomach. I remember learning to be quiet and still. I watched the deer sniffing the wind as it changed direction, their ears swiveling back and forth. The wolves I watched from a greater distance – their confident, lounging packs always on alert. A single sound, a scent on the wind, could see them rushing out in a blurred pack of fur and teeth.

I watched the rabbits, skittish and cautious, sniffing each step before they hopped to the next.

This time, however, I needn’t have worried about my prey.

I was still a mile from the cave when the scent of festering rot picked up in the wind, filling my nose.

Good — the wind was on my side. I would need every advantage if my suspicions were correct.

The cave lived in my mind as a distant memory — I rarely came here because of the barren forest, the black rock, like something had scarred the earth here long ago and even the animals knew to let it be. Old Hobb had once told me the land south of our town was cursed, some battleground from the war five hundred years ago, where great and terrible magic had been brought down onto the earth. Whatever it was, the land seemed to keep the memory, even if we humans didn’t remember what terror it wrought.

Fresh snow skittered on the ground around my feet, swirling and biting in the sharp wind. The few inches of snow that had been there for months had frozen on top with the last rain, and I cursed as every step through the forest came with a gentle crunch of the top layer.

The night was as cold as any deep December twilight I could remember. But I had dressed lightly to avoid any restriction on my movement, choosing to layer instead of throw on an admittedly threadbare coat. Instead of my leather boots I piled two layers of socks beneath Nesta’s old walking shoes, several sizes too big but softer soled. The cold claws of the wind ripped through my layers easily finding my skin, but I let it sting, let it sharpen my senses.

Every few steps, I sniffed at the air and scanned the tree line. I had been walking for a few miles, and knew soon the trees would end and a small slope would dip down to black rock and the open mouth of a cave. When I left the cabin at dusk, I had prayed the other men of the village hadn’t scared away the beast with their stomping through the woods at dawn and throughout the rest of the day. Traipsing around in groups with knives, axes, scythes, anything sharp they could get their hands on.

Some of them who had gone couldn’t even string a bow, had never skinned a creature in their lives. They made hunting impossible, scaring off whatever normal prey hadn’t already run from the tang of a fae predator, and I was glad for the deer I caught the day before once again.

I steadied myself on a tree as my foot cracked through a particularly thick patch of ice and snow, sliding in up to mid-calf.

The forest was so dark and cold it looked like all color had been leeched from it, just a sharp study in black ink on white paper. Empty of everything but wood so dark it looked charred, the expanse of untouched snow, the strange boulders of jagged black rock covered in frost. And above, the endless depth of ebony twilight, twinkling with stars.

I was looking back at the path my footprints made in the snow when pebbles skittered on the small rocky outcropping nearby. I covered my mouth quickly to not make a sound, reaching for my knife with my other hand.

But nothing but a small snout poked its way above the rock, followed by a white face with twitching whiskers. And two coal-black eyes, looking at me.

A winter fox, white as the fresh snow.

Sniffing the wind for me, it growled.

My heart was still racing. He might be a small one, but it was rare foxes let themselves come so close to humans, much less stay to be observed. If I ever did see them, they usually scampered away like the rabbits we were both hunting.

I took another step towards it, hand still on my knife, waiting for it to bolt.

Instead it snapped at me, sharp canines glistening under the sliver of moon.

Shit. The last thing I needed was a rabid fox chasing and yowling at me, waking the whole forest. I’d have to catch it and kill it, and then blood would scent the air, the possibility of more predators finding me when I was trying to be stealthy.

I lifted my bow over my shoulder, sweeping it in a long arc towards the fox, keeping his snapping jaws as far from my fingers as possible.

“Go, go home. Leave me be,” I whispered, trying to nudge him.

It snarled at me again, and I worried it was about to pounce, but with an irritated flick of its tail it turned and ran down the other side of the rock, disappearing into the night.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

I hadn’t seen any other foot prints or signs of other hunters for at least the last mile.

I knew silence was the key. Not their bands of armed farmers. You didn’t win a battle against a wolf by flicking its nose. You played its own game: masking your scent with dirt and woodsmoke. Sneaking step by step behind it, downwind, breathing quiet.

Normally, I was running away from the beasts.

I must have become too focused on my balance on the ice, on listening to the frozen silence, because I was unprepared when the forest gave way to a steep slope of rock and the cave became visible below me.

The black maw of its mouth ate up the small light of the stars. Over me, the moon was a sharp crescent, just enough to keep me in shadows, but to reflect a little light off the glistening snow. But the cave was black as charcoal, smattered with a light dusting of snow that whipped off the jagged rocks above.

I had heard the fae could hear your heartbeat. Could smell the difference between you and your sister from a mile away. They could burst you into nothing but a blood mist and lure you into deep lakes with an irresistible song.

Every horror story I had heard in the village and from my old nursemaid bubbled back into my mind in a rushed panic.

What the hell was I doing?

Clamping down the fear growing in my belly, I willed my hands to be steady as I grabbed the lowest branch of a nearby tree and quietly hoisted myself upward.

The sky rose up to meet me branch by branch, the cold stars coming closer. Bit by bit, the edge of the slope fell away revealing the dark of the open cave, the black rock in front of it.

Bark groaned under my grip.

Bones, human bones, gleamed white under the sharp sliver of moon, blood thick as a layer of dirt on the rocks, staining the filthy snow.

And paw prints. Larger than my head, dipped in blood.

I looked up to the sky just for a moment, trying to slow my heart.

And then I heard it.

A snore, cutting through the cold night air. And then, a foggy puff of breath in the midst of the shadows of the cave.

I had found the beast.

At least he slept, I thought as I reached for my pack and unlatched it as quietly as I could. Unless this was some fae trickery, designed to put me off guard and tempt me closer.

But I’d be there soon enough.

The ropes I had borrowed from Isaac. If my plan worked, there would be nothing left to return. I figured I could buy him something with my new wealth.

And if it didn’t work? I would be dead, and he would have to forgive me.

My makeshift net drifted down the tree and I took my time lashing a corner to the trunk above my head. My fingers were stiff and cold, and I needed them to work. I threw all my weight into the pull of the knot, the bark groaning.

On soft feet, I slipped across the large branch over to the next tree, trailing rope behind me.

It would work or it wouldn’t. It might buy me nothing but a few seconds, but I had to take a chance on any advantage I could.

Back on the ground, I flexed my fingers and buried them under my armpits until they tingled, and until the tingling went away. I couldn’t think, couldn’t allow myself to contemplate what I was about to do, so without a pause I grabbed my bow, crouched low, and made my way down the hill to meet my fate.

Read the rest on AO3

[corvid-language-library]

2024 Goals Monthly Check-In

I actually didn't do this last month because I was ill all of February and didn't make much/any progress with anything so I felt it was kinda pointless 😅 Let's see where I'm at now!

Japanese

1) Reach ~N3 level - I've not really been focusing on this so much. I've started using HelloTalk again and occasionally trying to learn a little new N3 grammar/kanji/vocab, but I should probably study in a more focused way.

2) Learn 10 songs by heart to a level where I could sing them at karaoke - Oh yeah I haven't worked on this at all, I kinda forgot it was a thing lmao

3) Finish reading another book of short stories - No progress made whoops. I try to read articles on Todai/NHK Easy a bit more but I've not touched my short story book.

4) Finish both Minna No Nihongo books - I'm about halfway through unit 11, so I'm a little behind but not too much. Hoping to finish unit 11 tonight and unit 12 at some point this week, but we'll see what happens!

Norwegian

1) Read at least 2 books in Norwegian - Not started yet

2) Maintain an overall B2/C1 level - I think I'm maintaining, but I need to immerse more for sure

3) Finish Enjoy Norwegian textbook - I've completed unit 2 so I'm a little behind where I wanted to be, but I should be able to catch up relatively easily.

Life in Japan Goals

As with last time, I'm just gonna focus on the goals where I've made progress rather than listing all 11. So:

1) Get my hair cut - Did it! And it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be :D

4) Have a 10-minute conversation with a native speaker in Japanese that’s not an italki lesson - I managed to chat with the hairdresser, so I can definitely say I did this!

6) Go to the dentist - I've booked an appointment and I'll be going next Monday. Absolutely terrified :D

7) Go to a prefecture I haven’t been to before - I went to Tochigi last weekend!

11) Be able to point to every prefecture on a map and name their capital cities - I can still more or less do this, but I sometimes mix up some prefectures or can't quite remember a capital

Non-language

1) Read 36 books - I've read 11/36 books, which means I'm 3 books ahead of schedule.

2) Complete a first draft of a novel manuscript - no progress made lol

3) Comfortable two-block oversplit with back bend - my oversplits are there but they feel very tight and not comfortable, so I need to work more on them.

4) Consistently hold a handstand for 5 seconds - I can barely balance on my hands at all atm lmao but I'll keep trying

5) Noticeably improve my demi pointe - I'm using the strength in my feet a lot more than I used to but I'm not getting much higher. I'll keep at it!

Health/diet goals under the cut:

Diet & health goals

1) Tackle my diet soda and sugar addictions - I've come a long way with the binge eating! I bought a multipack of chocolate marshmallow biscuits and managed to just take one with me to work every day instead of sitting and binging the whole lot. And right now I have a family-sized bag of mini eggs in my cupboard and I'm managing to eat a controlled set portion each day. I still mess up my diet sometimes, but I'm very happy with how I'm doing!

Diet soda is still a huge problem though lol

2) Slim down enough that none of my clothes are tight anymore - I look and feel SO much better about myself! For ages I've not wanted to dress up nicely because I felt like I looked frumpy or chubby or shapeless in my nice outfits. But when I was packing for Utsunomiya, I tried on all my cute outfits and I thought they looked good! I still want to lose a bit more so that I can see my abs, but I'm really happy with my progress here.

[fionacreates]

3, 11, 14 for the book asks?

3. What were your top five books of the year?

(gonna lump some series together)

"Darius the Great is not OK" and the sequel "Darius the Great Deserves Better" by Adib Hhorram - maybe it was just the vibe I needed at the time, but they were lovely coming of age books.

The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb (reread) It's been actual YEARS since I read these and I still cite them as a favourite series. It was amazing how much I forgot. Still a good read. Even if I want to throttle the teenage protag at times!

The Martian by Andy Weir. I picked the audiobook up on a whim because it was available and I needed something to listen to. Best whim I've had this year! I don't know what I expected from the book, (I haven't seen the film) but it was a blast from start to finish. Again, the narration by Wil Wheaton didn't hurt!

Jade City by Fonda Lee. I've only had a chance to read the first of the trilogy, and it was setting up for some grand things. It's been a while since I looked around the fantasy genre for a good series to sink my teeth into and there's been so much published since I last went looking. Can't wait to get to the next two.

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland. Fantasy queer romance. Does what it says on the tin. The right amount of trope and emotion and vibe. I've read a few fantasy romances this year and I was expecting something melodramatic and cliche but fun, and it delivered way above what I expected! I know the author is publishing again next year and I can't wait. I think it's pirates next time.

Honourable Mentions

Lessons in Chemisty - Bonny Garmus

The Goblin Emperor - Katherine Addison/Sarah Monette

11. What was your favorite book that has been out for a while, but you just now read?

The Odssey - Homer (I know QUITE A WHILE Huh?)

I listened to an audiobook narrated by George Blagden, this has been a book I've tried to read for a while as I am ofc very aware of the cultural impact, but I just couldn't get into reading it. Considering the Odyssey comes from Oral Tradition it is so much better when read to you. George Blagden's voice doesn't hurt either :P

14. What books do you want to finish before the year is over?

I'm rereading Jane Austen's Emma for the first time since I read it the first time, and I'm trying to go slowly and really enjoy the language, not zoom through for "OMG WHAT HAPPENS NEXT". I'm now getting to enjoy the slower chapters and all the bonus gossip and vibes.

I'm also in the middle of Victoria Goddard's Hands of the Emperor which has been a good read so far, protags who aren't -20 are rare and I love it.

Yes I ADHD read multiple books at once.

Folks, send more book asks!! - The List is Here

[pr0mpts]

🦌 — lyric prompts from "inbred" (2021), by ethel cain. adjust as necessary.

michelle pfeiffer

i love the way it feels to miss you.

i tell all my friends everything you do.

it's no good.

who am i without you?

home's not home unless you're there.

i'll never be ready, but i don't care.

do you think of me too?

i hate to let you go.

maybe we could be together in another life.

i gotta pack my bags.

i won't even miss you tomorrow.

crush

he denies it.

his daddy's on death row.

he hasn't tried coke.

he's always had a problem saying no.

can you read my mind?

i've been watching you.

you look so cool

good men die too.

i'd rather be with you.

i owe you a black eye and two kisses.

tell me when you wanna come and get 'em.

i only want him if he says it first to me.

something's been feeling weird lately.

there's just something about you, baby.

god's country

the road is longer than it is hard.

could you be someone else if someone else is what i need?

i shouldn't ask that of you.

when you're old, you'll understand.

it was a highway to nowhere.

cold car with no gas, and we chose it.

our kids will grow up with half as much.

you've tasted love.

it tasted sweet.

you drank the blood and bit the meat.

you hold it.

you let it go.

i learned a lesson.

i need to pray hard.

don't sink in me.

unpunishable

call me what you want.

party's over, go the fuck home.

the darker the fruit, the sweeter.

he's mean, i'm meaner.

you're right, in a way.

how so, babe?

i'm too good for you.

it makes me need it even more.

it's still never enough.

i'm unpunishable.

i'm his favorite.

show me where it hurts.

we don't even know where we are.

i don't even know who you are.

inbred

he's so good to me and nobody else.

you should watch yourself.

she can't leave the bed.

something smells rotten.

it's starting to spread.

i'm bad, he's worse.

we're already dead.

all the fucking lights are out.

you can't win 'em all.

who knows how much longer i'll lay on the floor?

touch me 'til i vomit.

i'm not scared of god.

i'm scared he was gone all along.

who will take the fall?

who of us is stronger?

you were wrong.

i love him to death.

you can fuck yourself.

you get off on innocence.

he hates the way you look at me.

you're already dead.

two-headed mother

i create you.

you know she hates you.

i've loved before.

i'll kill again.

you're just the worst of all my men.

i love you.

i'll love 'til i'm sore.

i don't love you.

i don't love you no more.

crying during sex

i lied when i said i didn't want you.

you'll forget the way we were supposed to be.

two drowning coals won't ever light.

you'll bite the hand that needs you.

right now, i need you.

i don't know what happened.

i was young and sweet.

time drags on.

i hate him for the time he's gone.

i've been here for weeks.

i've been here for years.

i've been here too long.

i forgot what stop means.

if i'm crying, it's because i'm in love.

i could love you if i tried.

i'm trying.

earnhardt

love is a nightmare.

i could be good but it wouldn't matter.

there's no silver line on a fucking disaster.

i hope that you're happy.

i'm spending my nights reliving it.

i've been scared of the dark for all of my life.

i'm always afraid but never to die.

you think you're someone else.

you need easy.

you want weak.

i bleed easy.

where were you?

age of delilah

it hurts to grow up.

life's never been without blood.

i'm no good at goodbyes.

can you just tell me which way i'm driving?

i'm going.

i'm ready.

you've been gone for quite a while.

not everything feels like something else.

have i done enough for salvation?

you'll die if you leave it up to god.

michelle pfeiffer (solo version)

i see you.

i feel you.

i know you.

i would never tell you the truth.

you don't know the things i've seen.

hand it back over to me.

you missed the heart.

you just hit all the meat.

the bite back's twice as mean.

[cosmichighpriestess]

You are near the end of the need of experiencing physicality. The fifth dimension is the first gradation of non-physicality. What we have been exploring in the third dimension is a very limited point of view. Always remember that negativity is an illusion and the only true reality is love. Negativity is a shadow cast over your true underlying energy that is always love. It takes a very confident, aware, bold soul to become the fifth dimensional expression of creation because you must rewrite your past and forget it almost completely. YOU are the one choosing to experience limitations in your reality.

You have already heard it before, YOU create your reality, literally 100 percent. When you say, "Well why would I create all this trauma, sickness and suffering then?" That's another a belief you're buying into and creating yourself. Your soul must have thought you needed to learn a lesson on how to stop feeling pain, and how to stop buying into the belief of it. Your higher self sends you challenges to overcome in order to break free from the illusions. Circumstances don't matter, only your state of being matters. You are not being burnt down, you are being rebuilt. You are not sick, your body is getting upgraded. Expect greatness.

In the fifth dimensional awareness, you understand that time is fluid and so you release your old third dimensional concepts of time because you will no longer experience it the same. You are creating the illusion of time from yourself in the now. You create less time when you are living in the moment, because it will feel as though, "time is flying by when you are having fun".

So, in that creation, in that experience you are actually slowing down time and in the process you are aging less, you will begin to look younger and the aging process will stop. Therefore creating the fountain of youth effect. Living in the moment is the secret to the fountain of youth. Personally, I'm immortal, immortality is a state of consciousness. I never plan on dying unless I want that experience. This is my last incarnation on Earth. The only actual existing time is now. You are creating an illusion that your present reality is a result of your past. That is just one viewpoint. NOTHING is written in stone, you can change the future right now, now and now. You are shifting parallel realities billions of times per second.

You create the illusion of time because you believe that when it's dark time is moving and the sun comes up and you have somehow lived another day, but there's only now. Now you could be creating or recreating your seemingly very real past, but you could actually rewrite your past from the now, since there's only now and there's an infinite amount of parallel reality versions of yourself to choose from. So just choose one where you were experiencing love and the one where you are happy. (If you so would like to choose that version of course you have free will.) You can quantum jump to your preferred reality that's already existing now. Take a long bath, close your eyes and just imagine you already are in that reality, you are already in your dream home, and think how they would think, live how they would live, dress how they would dress, be how they would be.

It's up to you, if you want to be the life of the party, and be the best version of yourself having a constant good time because nothing from your past is holding you back. Close the door on the past. Lock it and throw away the key. Again, there's no insistence in any way that you have to rewrite your past if you don't want to. But if you should so choose to, you could remember and think, "Oh, I forgot I'm in a library. I forgot I'm writing my own book, wait I don't like this book, let me put this book down, and rewrite a new book where I get everything that I want, where I've always been healthy, abundant and at peace because it's my birthright. Why am I taking this illusionary, fictional book so seriously? When all I have to do is put the book down and pick up the book of my heart." You only exist in the here and now. When you are experiencing the reality of the fifth dimension, you will be having too good of a time to ever want to die.

[thehaemanthus]

July Reading

I was on vacation, then I got sick, then Life, so reading this month is slower. With one exception.

I re-read books of the Alice Worth series and the Jacky Leon series, which I've talked about before. I think both are classified as urban fantasy. Alice Worth series is probably written better, but Jacky Leon holds a very special place in my heart.

Alice Worth is a MPI (Mage Private Investigator) who solves mysteries with her ghost sidekick. There's werewolves, vampires, witches, other mages, and all sorts of nasties. The series is more or less about Alice dealing with her deeply traumatic past to find love and family. The themes and lessons can hit you over the head at times with how obvious they are, but it's a fun series.

Jacky Leon is a loner werecat who gets pulled into Situations involving werewolves (enemies to the werecats), fae (technically allies but...), vampires (eh, just there for Jacky), and more. Like many a protagonist, she is also dealing with some trauma in her past and learning how to be a part of her new world and new family while also building a family of her own. I adore this series for interactions with a cute kid, Big Family Drama, and interesting politics.

Also re-read Dark Age (enjoyed it more this time, forgot about Ephraim and his broom and had to put the book down to laugh, the violence was softened because I knew what to expect but BOY) in preparation for...

Light Bringer

No spoilers

I mean. Holy shit. Pierce Brown had me in a stranglehold with the first three books of Red Rising. I was demoralized and honestly wondering, do I still love the series as much after Dark Age? After all of those awful things? Are these books just too heavy for me, has my brain been poisoned by fun romances? Light Bringer answered that question.

It's a tighter book, with less POV characters all over the place. Events are easier to follow, but that doesn't mean they are any less clever, jaw dropping, or exhilarating.

Both Iron Gold and Dark Age exhausted me while reading, like the characters themselves must have been exhausted. Light Bringer brought me back up. Hope, perseverance, love, and change are big in this book.

Brown mentioned something a while back about getting back to Darrow, remembering that he's the protagonist or something along those lines. You really feel that with Light Bringer. The other POVs are there and they serve a purpose, but I really felt the beauty of Darrow's story. The POVs also sort of...center Darrow? He feels more present throughout the book. Virginia's POV was kind of just...there? In a good way, I love all the content we get from her, but it wasn't the neatest part of the book I think. I didn't mind it while reading though.

Darrow goes on a genuine journey after such a huge loss in Dark Age. And when you reach the end, you sort of understand why the next book is called Red God. Darrow isn't a god or anything-- he doesn't feel or act that way. If anything, he has become humbled. But with the way he moves through the world and what he'll bring to his enemies and allies, it's easy to understand how the world could view him as a god.

And Lysander au Lune broke my heart but I already wrote about that

(minor spoilers)

Light Bringer was also really fucking funny. Interactions between Cassius and Darrow made me grin and cry. The play between Cassius, Darrow, and Sevro was so nostalgic, I felt that in my gut. Lyria is also hysterical and, as always, a perfect sweetheart. And her traveling companions know it too :)

[ghoulishdude]

Hi, everyone! Been a while since I wrote one of these but I really need to let it out somehow...warning for somewhat (?) unbalanced personal situatiob, also excuse any typos I'm just trying to get it all out at once

So, for context my mom grew up in the 80's , youngest daughter of 6 siblings, basically helping run the household since she was about 8, cooking cleaning gardening washing...you name it (this is a fact she constantly brings up btw)

The thing is, she continued the cycle with me, which I'm thankful for cause honestly life skills ™, having me do my laundry and ironing since I got my first period (9 years old) as well as do the dishes and put them away, aside from other things.

Well, I have an older brother...and guess what, this was not the case for him. Sure, he'll wash his own dish and take out the trash every once in a while but that's it. Ask him to fold his socks and he'll look at you like all confused.

Now the issue for me has always been the expectation of having to do everything for everyone else, and my brother not getting the same treatment. Like, if my mother's reasoning is that we need to know these things for when are independent, why am I the only one receiving these 'lessons'? (Note: a few years ago I actually asked her and she told me, a bit jokingly but still concerning, that my brother would just move in with me when she passes away, and then find a wife to do those chores for him, which...wow)

It's also annoying that, since he won't do the chores in question, whenever I'm doing something of my own, I'm asked to get up leave it and go do that chore. Some examples: having to get up to take the laundry out of the dryer while I'm trying to meet a deadline for a class I'm taking, despite being told that my sole focus should be my academic growth (ok contradictions), having to pause my workout routine (that I started because she subtly told me I was getting chubby) because I had to help her find something in the kitchen and today's incident...

Basically what happened over this weekend is that my best friend of over ten years invited me to her sister's dance competition and then to sleepover at her house (this is a yearly occurrence so you know). I'm always reluctant to attend not because of them, I love them they've always made me feel like part of their home, but because of my mom's reaction when I get back home the day after.

When I was younger I understood as her looking after her teenage daughter and being worried about her staying the night at a different house...fine, understandable. Now, having the same reactions when I'm a young adult (literally 22) and staying at a house where I've stayed hundreds of times, and being promised to be driven over before sundown? Weird If you ask me.

Anyways, everything was going well the morning after the competition, Sunday morning, she texted me and asked when I was going to be home, I told her that after lunch and that my bestie's mom was driving me, she said ok. We had lunch at about 4:30/5pm (again, it's a Sunday and also we woke up super late), she texts me super insistently asking where I was, I told her that still at the house, she asked why I didn't take a taki, I reminder that my friend's mom was giving me a ride, why spend money at all? Well, she basically told me to do whatever i wanted then. I expected that but it still hurt.

I came back home at around 6:10, the sunset hadn't even begun, and what did I get home to? Passive aggression and the cold shoulder, who would've known? Part of me wonders if it's bitterness at not getting to have the same experiences (at my age she already had my brother and been married to my dad for 3 years) or it's the lack of control over having me near at all times?

Oh, yeah, I forgot, I came home and noticed that all the laundry was tended out to dry and hadn't been put away, so all the insisting I get home was to fold the laundry and put it away in everybody's closets. Fun.

Which brings me to my previous point...all the frustration I feel about my brother and I not having the same responsibilities or duties. Like, if I'm not home or I'm busy, couldn't my brother, you know just thinking out loud, do the frickin laundry? And then when I try to bring it up she shuts me down with how it doesn't bother her to cook and clean for everybody so why does it bother me, and how I'm so selfish, cold hearted and I'm going to die alone if I keep acting that way (honest to God)

By the way, it's the same with cooking, everytime she wants to show me a new trick or dish I tell her to get my brother and she tells me that it's no point because I'll be the one cooking at the end (yeah, because you never bothered to teach him anything, like you did me) Also I was nine years old with you making me cry over not knowing to fold underwear. Maybe a twenty seven year old man will learn faster? But idk

That's all for now. I'd appreciate any advice, quote, moment, new perspective...over all I just needed to express my feelings and this has helped before.

If you've made it this far tell me what's your favorite book! I've been trying to get back into reading.

Thank you and good night <3

[badass-queer-couples-battle]

Sword gays showdown, round 1, bracket two

Propaganda:

For Magnus Chase:

His sword talks and sings great parodies of pop songs. Magnus also refuses sword lessons even knowing it may cost him his life, he does this because he feels awkward for taking so long to get lessons. King move, Magnus

Has a talking sword named jack!!!! Is Pan!!! also is dead!!!

For Hikaru Sulu:

1) Okay, first off: Which version am I submitting? Prime timeline (TOS) or Kelvin timeline (AOS, also known as the reboot movies if you're not in the fandom)? The answer is both. Prime Sulu has the more iconic fencing scenes (and is also said to have other sword related abilities) while Kelvin Sulu is canonically gay. Specifically as a tribute to George Takei btw who played prime Sulu in TOS and is famously gay and an LGBT+ rights activist among other causes. The picture provided is prime Sulu but if you've only watched AOS, feel free to vote for him anyway.

I'm not gonna link any videos here since that would probably exceed the scope of the propaganda section but clips should be pretty easy to find. And if you can't, just trust me: The TOS fencing scenes are amazing. The AOS one is probably fine too but it's been ages since I've watched it and I forgot it even existed so it can't have been THAT memorable.

Fun fact: George Takei initially didn't know how to fence and didn't find out he'd have to until pretty late and started taking fencing lessons only three weeks before the filming of that episode (The Naked Time) and apparently "became so out-of-control and boisterous that he had to be separated from the rest of the production personnel, for their own safety" which, in context of what the episode is about, is just absolutely amazing. Truly iconic.

Anyway, considering Star Trek is an important part of queer history (I'm only half joking) you need to vote for Sulu, we all know George Takei is an icon, make the right choice here.

2) When they got hit with the drunk virus he took his shirt off and started challenging people to duels. Iconic 

3) This bitch got the outer space disease that makes you silly, and revealed they were gung ho for fencing, and brought out their sabre to just. Swashbuckle. Goes "/oh my/," and is clearly gay and played by a gay actor

[irkedaud]

A year and a month together with you 🫀

06.22.24 — 1 year and 1 month (13 months) 💭

Happy 13 months of love to us, my baby! 🫀 We've been through so much together, and I'm really grateful that even though we've had a roller coaster ride of emotions, we still managed to stay together and choose each other. Every day, I'm grateful for having you in my life. I never thought I'd get to dream about my future with the person I want to spend my lifetime with.

I still remember the days when I was always crying and begging God to let me meet the person I’d want to be with forever. Luckily, I met you. It was like God was listening to all of my prayers and, when He was finally tired of hearing them, He granted my wish. You are the one I wished for every single night, baby. I can’t believe you’re the woman I’ll get to be with for the rest of my life.

Did you know there's a myth that at the age of 16, you'll meet the person you'll want to be with forever? Ever since I heard that myth, I always wondered what kind of love I’d have at 16. I’ve always been eager to be loved because I didn’t get much of it from my parents. So when I turned 16 in 2022, I thought I’d meet the right person by then. But a few months before my birthday, I gave up on finding the love of my life. I told myself that the right person would come eventually and that I shouldn’t rush things because of a silly myth.

Then in April, you suddenly came into my life. At first, I wasn't really interested in dating, but you caught my attention. There was something about you that set you apart from everyone else I’d met before. I realized then that I wanted it to be you—I wanted you to be the person I’d spend the rest of my life with. Fast forward to now, and look at us. We’re happier than ever. We’re slowly healing from our past traumas, and we’ve already planned our future together. It still shocks me that a month before my 17th birthday, I got to meet the love of my life. It was like fate really had a plan for us to meet each other.

I've learned many lessons during our relationship. I've discovered things I didn't know before, and I'm thankful that you helped me understand them. You made me the person I am now, and for that, I will always be grateful to you. Without you, I wouldn't be who I am today. I can truly say that I am nothing without you, baby. You made me realize many things I didn't know before. I’m really lucky to have you in my life, my riri. You’ll always be the only person whom I’ll love for the rest of life 😚 I love you in all ways, my baby!

Before you finish reading this letter, I want you to know that I wrote this short prose a long time ago (maybe around dec or nov) when I was still working on finding my preferred writing style. I forgot the exact date kasi I was always revising this prose kaya paiba iba yung date sa notes ko.

“In her presence, life unfolded like a tapestry of dreams. The once-dim hues of her existence transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors, painted by the brushstrokes of their shared moments. No longer did she crave the respite of eternal slumber; instead, she found herself longing for the dawn, eager to chase the promise of each new day by her side.

She let go of her weary longing for an end and embraced the fervent yearning for a beginning—a journey of love that spanned beyond the confines of mortal days. For in her, she found not just a lover but a kindred spirit, a companion who illuminated the darkest corners of her soul with unwavering acceptance and boundless affection.”

( I’m still an amateur when it comes to writing those kind of writing styles so bare with me 🙈 )

For the last time, Happy 13th monthsary my wife! 😚 Let’s celebrate all our monthsaries and anniversaries together forever baby! Let’s grow old together and make all of our dreams come true. I love you so very much, my lifeline 🫀 You’re the only one who keeps my heart from pumping. Without you, I am lost—adrift in a world without rhythm. I love you more than anything and everything, baby.

[duhdumb89]

A Forbidden Happiness | Chapter 10

Xiang gui ren was getting on Shen huang gui fei's last nerve. What little joy she could've gotten from His Majesty's favorite whore kowtowing to her was stolen by Her Highness, displaying a trove of gifts that The Emperor had nothing to do with. The look in The Empress' said it all.

Look, my newest pawn has won so successfully. Can you believe that His Majesty forgot about you already? Doesn't it sting?

It did sting, but Shen huang gui fei didn't dare give her the satisfaction. She comforted herself with the fact that Xiang gui ren only managed a small win. All of The Empress' women had a few small wins, a few good years before Shen huang gui fei got rid of them. She assumed Xiang gui ren would be the same until His Majesty said something that made her heart grow cold. 

While she dressed him one morning that he mention he would visit Xiang gui ren at the A Ge Suo after court. As sweetly as she could, Shen huang gui fei asked what Xiang gui ren was doing there. His Majesty then informed her of the disgusting news of Xiang gui ren supervising her maid as she taught her daughter and Second Princess. When Shen huang gui fei suggested that she supervise the lessons as well, The Emperor waved her away, stating that The Empress and De gui fei already had it handled.

It made Shen huang gui fei mad enough to spit.

Jiang gui ren didn't take the news any better and came crying to Zhongcuigong about the injustice of it all.

"How is she able to be in A Ge Suo and see First and Second Princess every day?," asked Jiang gui ren, "Jiejie, even The Empress is bending the rules for her now!"

"Must you harp on it?" Shen huang gui fei snapped. She turned to A'Fang, "Can't you fan faster?"

Jingse attempted to pat her mistress' sticky skin with a cool cloth but Shen huang gui fei snatched it away and did it herself. It was well into the seventh month* and the air in her palace was thick with heat, no matter how many boxes of ice were delivered. Her anger at The Empress and Xiang gui ren's favor made her run even hotter.

The palace rules stated that concubines had to request and be approved by The Empress to visit their children at the A Ge Suo. Special occasions needed no request but there were only a set amount of visiting days allowed for all, including The Empress. Not even a sick child could guarantee a visit. But somehow, because Xiang gui ren's maid had a bit of talent for painting, Xiang gui ren was able to spend more time with her daughter than she ever did. And The Empress was right behind her, claiming some nonsense about supervising the lessons.

"I can't even see my Huaguang," said Jiang gui ren, "Xu-niang said she hasn't been sleeping,"

"Don't worry so much about it. Children are like that at that age," said Shen huang gui fei.

Her words were terse and sharp, but Jiang gui ren paid no mind to it.

"I would never leave my Huaguang in that bitch's care. I've seen her maids flirt with His Majesty. Who knows what kind of nonsense that maid is teaching First Princess and Second Princess? It can't be anything good!"

Shen huang gui fei sighed and massaged her temple. Jiang gui ren had a particularly annoying voice.

"Someone like her," Jiang gui ren continued, "Probably only teaches her maid how far back on the bed to lay to get the best benefits from her master. She probably brought a bunch of nasty things from her old place of business. Disgusting!"

Shen huang gui fei paused. There was a nugget of gold in all the rubbish Jiang gui ren was spewing.

"Yes," Shen huang gui fei said with a smile, "It certainly wouldn't be anything tame. I think the horses where she's from were particularly well trained,"

Jiang gui ren shook her head in disgust.

"Imagine if The Empress Dowager found out what sort of nasty things her maid showed the princesses? Not even His Majesty could save her,"

Shen huang gui fei always considered Jiang gui ren to be a little slow when it came to things like this but she could pinpoint the exact moment an idea formed in that empty melon Jiang gui ren called a head. 

She hoped Xiang gui ren savored her victory. 

It would be her last.

____

Jiayi guided Second princess' arm across the parchment, helping her complete the curve of a crane. Smooth lines were still a bit of a problem for her. Jiayi quickly went to First Princess' table to see her progress on her painting of a magnolia. She was having a bit of trouble with blending her colors.

All in all, Jiayi didn't mind spending her afternoons with the princesses. The Empress was alright. She stayed and chatted with Xiang gui ren for a few moments before visiting Third Prince and Seventh Prince who would be at the A Ge Suo for the midday meal. It was De gui fei who was a bit of a problem.

The noble consort was so...severe. She sat in a corner of the room watching the princesses paint, doing her best not to take her eyes off for a second. She also didn't hesitate to peer over Jiayi's shoulder at any given moment. The first time that Xiang gui ren brought Jiayi over to the princesses' rooms, De gui fei had given her a 20-minute speech on all of the things the girls were prohibited to draw. She then spent another 15 minutes reminding Jiayi of proper conduct between a servant and a master.

Xiang gui ren, however, found De gui fei interesting and was an expert at making the other woman let down her hair somewhat. Xiang gui ren was skilled at drawing De gui fei into light conversation. Jiayi was sure that De gui fei even laughed once! Besides the princesses, the only other person that could make De gui fei behave like something other than a statue was Prince Han.

Prince Han often joined Xiang gui ren in teasing De gui fei and wouldn't hesitate to steal a piece of parchment to write a poem lauding her beauty, intelligence, or expertise in helping The Empress raise him back in the Old Manor. The only time he didn't have a smile on his face was when his injuries flared up but those moments came less and less. Prince Han had been in the Forbidden City for nearly a month and a half now. His legion of fans lamented the day that His Majesty sent Prince Han back out of the palace.

Today, Prince Han was lounging in the courtyard, right outside First Princess' rooms. The doors were wide open so every time Jiayi lifted her head, she caught sight of him, flipping through a book or teasing his eunuch.

"This is a very handsome painting," said De gui fei, "The maid drew this?"

The painting that De gui fei praised so gently was one that Jiayi was quietly proud of. Xiang gui ren had wanted the painting to dazzle De gui fei so she gifted Jiayi a lacquered box of colored ink sticks and handcrafted brushes. Jiayi had never seen anything so beautiful and surprised herself by bursting into tears. She tried to hide it by kowtowing to Xiang gui ren but ended up being teased mercilessly for it.

To get the picture as perfect as possible, Xiang gui ren spent any time that wasn't in the A Ge Suo or with His Majesty, in Dafuge†, so Jiayi could study each and every portrait of Guanyin bodhisattva†† housed within. Jiayi drew and drew until her hands ached until the final painting was finished.

Guanyin bodhisattva stood in the middle of a calm lake, the strokes so vivid that De gui fei could hear the sound of the waves babbling. The white robes that flowed around Guanyin glowed. At her feet, thousands of lotuses bloomed. The rich dark hair that Jiayi had fussed over, glistened in the sun.

"If you like it, you can keep it. I can have Jiayi draw more," said Xiang gui ren.

De gui fei shook her head, "I don't know. Something like this should be kept by Her Highness or His Majesty. The Empress Dowager even," she gently ran her fingers across the painting before shaking her again, "No, no. I can't take this. Deliver this to The Empress Dowager instead,"

Hupo, De gui fei's maid, nodded and left to drop it off.

Xiang gui ren sighed and said, "Aiya, the momos who taught me really weren't joking when they told me about you,"

"Told you about me?"

"You didn't know?" Asked Xiang gui ren, "All I heard back there was 'De gui fei would never' or 'This is how De gui fei behaves'. They were your number one fans!"

De gui fei's neck turned red, "Nonsense, how could they say that?"

"Xiang gui ren!" Prince Han called, "Are you bothering De gui fei?"

"Yes! Are you coming to save her?" Xiang gui ren.

Prince Han scoffed, "No! Let me come closer so I can join you!"

Xiang gui ren burst into laughter, while De gui fei shook her head.

"That boy," she said, "Always so cheeky!"

Sang'er tried his best to give Prince Han a hand, but the prince was stubborn. He no longer walked with a limp, but still fatigued easily. Prince Han stepped inside, clearing the high sill easily, only to stumble on the raised edge of the carpet. Before he could bash his head open on the edge of the table Second Princess was using, Jiayi grabbed him around the shoulders and set him upright.

"Uncle, are you alright?" Second princess said, pushing Jiayi out of the way.

"You're always running around!" First princess griped, a frown on her face.

De gui fei rushed over and led Prince Han to a chair chastising him all the while. From the courtyard, A'Fang turned and high-tailed it back to Zhongcuigong.

____

As much as Jiayi loved painting, it became a tad tedious after doing it for hours at a time. After the princess' lessons, Xiang gui ren came back to Xianfugong to rest before lunch. Jiayi took the time to paint a few more portraits of Guanyin bodhisattva for De gui fei and the princesses. They certainly weren't as good as the original but they were worthy of being hung. Jiayi also picked a few flower paintings that she drew in the Imperial Garden to be delivered as well. Each bunch of paintings were put in a handsome silk box.

Before Jiayi could send Bolin or any of the other eunuchs to deliver them, Xiang gui ren woke from her nap, needing to be dressed. Soon after that, Gaung da ying, Fan da ying, and Zhang da ying arrived at Xiang gui ren's doors. They were three of Xiang gui ren's most persistent admirers. Fan da ying had the luck of serving The Emperor in bed thanks to her habit of inviting herself into Xiang gui ren's space whenever she pleased.  The first thing she did after asking Xiang gui ren to play of few songs on her guzheng§, was thumb through the paintings Jiayi set out.

Jiayi knew that Xiang gui ren wouldn't deny them. In her eyes, Xiang gui ren didn't take much seriously, but when it came to playing the guzheng, it was like she was another woman. There were no coy looks and playful chatter when Xiang gui ren played the instrument. Only an artist.

It only took a few moments to set up the guzheng in the courtyard that was delivered to Xiang gui ren's rooms while they were out. It was a beautiful bleached wood, with glistening jade swirls and silk strings. Jiayi had never seen anything like it. Bolin and the other eunuchs set up a table and some chairs for the first-class attendants to spectate.

Xiang gui ren slipped on her gold-tipped guzheng nails and began to tune her newest instrument.

"Fan jiejie," said Zhang da ying, "Doesn't Xiang jiejie look like a famous master like this?"

"Yes! I heard that no one in the Changyinge¶can even compare to Xiang jiejie," said Guang da ying.

They burst into giggles.

"Goodness! What's all this commotion in my courtyard?"

Jiang gui ren stepped through the gates, an arrogant smile on her face.

Fan da ying greeted the older woman as disrespectfully as she could before sitting back down.

"Xiang jiejie is going to play us a tune on her new guzheng," she said.

"New guzheng?" Asked Jiang gui ren.

Fan da ying giggled and covered her mouth, "Oh, you haven't seen His Majesty in some days. Of course, you haven't heard about it. His Majesty just had the Changyinge gift  this beautiful guzheng to Xiang jiejie,"

Jiang gui ren made a point to inspect the coral and gold ring around her finger, a gift from The Emperor, "Yes, I didn't hear about that. I also haven't heard anything about your promotion. Did I miss that, too?"

Fan da ying slammed her hand on the table, "You–!"

"Aiya! This is Xianfugong! Xiang-fu-gong! How can this be the palace of universal happiness if you both start fighting?" Said Xiang gui ren.

"Fine, I suppose I'll sit and join in on the fun, too," said Jiang gui ren.

Jiayi offered snacks and tea to the concubines before standing aside and basking in Xiang gui ren's music. Today, her mistress was playing a warm tune, a perfect companion to the summer evening.

"Ah," Jiayi said softly. She called Ping'er and Pie'er over, "Take Bolin and deliver the paintings I finished today. The tray with the lily painting is for De gui fei, the one with the roses is for First Princess and the one with the plum blossoms is for Second princess,"

The younger girls nodded and went to fetch the trays but before they could get very far, Jiang gui ren stopped them.

"I haven't had dinner yet, so let me borrow you two to bring my meal back from the Imperial Kitchen. My maids will clear the table and follow you,"

Pie'er and Ping'er glanced at Jiayi.

"Is she your mistress now?" Jiang gui ren snapped, "Go!"

Jiayi sighed as they jumped to do Jiang gui ren's bidding. She would have to leave Molan here on her own and deliver the paintings herself.

"Stop,"

Jiang gui ren covered her mouth with a handkerchief and glanced at Fan da ying, "There are too many bugs flying about. Go bring some incense from my room to keep them away. Haoyu will show you,"

"Jiang gui ren I–"

"It will only take a moment," the concubine said, turning away. 

There was no point in arguing. Jiang gui ren was obviously in a mood because of her chat with Fan da ying. Jiayi followed the eunuch into Jiang gui ren's rooms. Finding the bug-repelling incense took far too long. Haoyu dragged her from room to room and made her unpack and pack so many drawers that she swore that when she found the incense she was going to beat him over the head with it. It pissed her off even more when the incense turned up in Jiang gui ren's bedroom, under the vanity.

"Ah, so sorry Wei guniang, I'm so foolish for not seeing it there,"

Jiayi didn't bother to respond, doing her best to prepare the incense as quickly as possible. She walked back outside and placed the burner on the table in front of Jiang gui ren with a bow. Jiang gui ren began to fan the thick smoke in Fan da ying's face.

"Can you quiet down, meimei?" she said over Fan da ying's coughing, "I can hardly hear the beautiful music,"

Before the two got into it again, dinner arrived.

Jiang gui ren made a show of taking a big sniff as the servants placed the food on the table, "My little sisters should stay and eat with me and Xiang meimei. I know you don't have much as a second-class attendant,"

Jiayi helped Xiang gui ren remove her guzheng nails and take a seat at the table.

Fan da ying smiled, "That's true, us second-class attendants aren't as well-fed as you, Jiang gui ren. If I remember, you became a big fan of braised pork trotters, during your pregnancy with Fifth princess, right?"

She looked Jiang gui ren up and down.

"I see you still enjoy them!"  

Xiang gui ren covered her laugh with a heavy cough.

"Have some shrimp, meimei," said Zhang da ying, terrified of the glare that Jiang gui ren was sending their way, "Try this bok choy, too!"

The glare turned into a sickly sweet smile as Jiang gui ren said, "Meimei, you're so..."

Jiayi sighed. She'd tell Bolin and the other eunuchs to take the paintings over later whenever Fan da ying and Jiang gui ren finished their little battle.

_______

For no paticular reason, Xiang gui ren was allotted for fabric for the summer weather. Jiayi and Molan fetched early the next morning from Imperial Household Department. 

"These silks are so pretty," said Molan, lifting the tray in her hands closer to her face, "Mistress looks good in these colors but I hope she'll be able to wear more purple soon,"

Jiayi knocked her shoulder into Molan's, her own arms were full with fabric as well, "She's hasn't even been here for two months and you're expecting a promotion to Imperial Concubine? Is she a goddess?"

"His Majesty loves her so much! Mark my words, once she get's pregnant, Jiang gui ren will have to bow down to our Xiang pin," said Molan.

"Be quiet," said Jiayi, fighting a smile. She had heard Jiang gui ren's tantrums, but had never seen one in real life. The face Jiang gui ren would make if Zhang Wei came to promote someone at Xianfugong and it wasn't her...

An image of plucked chicken popped into her head. 

Jiayi ducked her head to hide her laughter.

Molan smiled, "You did think about it! I bet–"

"Wei Jiayi," a thin lipped guard said, stopping in front of her.

Jiayi froze as a stream of red coated Imperial guards surrounded her and Molan.

"You're under arrest by order of The Emperor,"

Jiayi gasped as the tray of fabrics was knocked to the ground and her arms wrenched behind her back.

"But I-I–" Jiayi was trying to say she didn't do anything wrong. She wanted to say that this had to be a mistake. She wanted to say that she was innocent. She wanted to say anything at all, but the lies wouldn't make it past her lips. Jiayi knew why she was being taken away.

"Wait, wait! Why are you arresting her?" She heard Molan ask, "Jiejie didn't do anything wrong!"

It was over.

They realized that a corpse had been walking in the Forbidden City.

––––––––––––––– *July 23 – August 23 †Great pavilion for Buddha Adoration ††The goddess of mercy and considered to be the physical embodiment of compassion §Chinese plucked zither ¶ Hall of Pleasing Sounds

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(You can vote for this story on wattpad here)

[doomboogie]

Uh 2021 Games List A Whole Year+ Late

Whoops, forgot about this since time hasn't been real for the last couple of years. I rank based on enjoyment of a game, not if the story or gameplay are particularly great, and to me a 3=pretty good. But it's a vague and nebulous system, it's all fake anyway. In order from March to December 2021:

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire - ?/5

Obsidian Entertainment, 2018

A more quippy and light-hearted tone than its predecessor, it feels like a tabletop game with every character trying to outwit each other and make the snarkiest comment. Some people like that, I don't so much. The true interesting story of colonialism is kneecapped by the generic main plot involving gods that already had their time to shine in the first game. Combat is more polished and fun and the AI improved and the environments are gorgeous. Companions are interesting but have underdeveloped sidequests and awkwardly implemented romances, and some companions just drive me so crazy I couldn't stand to even hear them. The PC's background and opinions never felt relevant, even in places that they really should have been. I never finished this game, as the main plot simply could not grab me enough once it was all that was left. I loved PoE 1, but despite my disappointment with Deadfire I admit it's not a bad game, just not my jam. I didn't rank it because I want to revisit later, I think I can enjoy this game just not right now.

Persona 5 Royal - 1.5/5

Atlus, 2020

Much needed gameplay improvements and social additions are undermined by a thematically inconsistent final act and questionable character writing. The new characters are clunkily forced in resulting in a love 'em or hate 'em feeling, and a lingering thought that perhaps they should've been saved for a spin-off rather than tacked onto an already complete game.

Persona 5 Strikers - 3/5

Atlus, 2020

The Persona series' strongest sequel (Eternal Punishment doesn't count) focusing on the friendship between characters and slight rehashing of original game themes with a twist. The new characters introduced far exceed Royal's new additions, and meld into the exhisting cast with more ease. Overdone tropes and a particularly bad moral lesson regarding child abuse give a mixed-postive takeaway.

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective - 5/5

Capcom, 2010

Oh, to live in a world where Ghost Trick got a million sequels instead of Ace Attorney. A fun puzzler with a cute gimmick and fascinating characters with stellar music and the best animation on the DS. A few eyeroll moments in the last hour may harsh my vibe a bit, but not much. Like most wacky detective games, it's more fun playing with other people instead of alone.

Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines - 4.5/5

Troika Games, 2004

Considered a classic for a reason, with a myriad of roleplay opportunity, tons of interesting characters, and some of the best voice acting I've ever heard in a game. The latter half of the game is much less polished and a combat slog, but the first half more than makes up for it. I didn't appreciate the very aged early 00's humor, complete with some edginess and off-colour "jokes" - Chinatown is a bit of a Yikes. Still great fun, jank and all, and deserves a modern installment. Pour one out for the almost surely dead sequel; this franchise is truly cursed. On my biannual replay list.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution - 4/5

Eidos-Montréal, 2011

Adam Jensen is by far the most interesting protagonist in the Deus Ex series, and you can feel that this game's world is on the precipice of massive upheaval and change. It's the calm before the storm, and then when the storm hits it hits so hard. I love how there's no good ending in this game, I love how much it leans into media personalities influencing the minds of a populace, and I love the gold filter! Maybe I like this one more than the original Deus Ex because it takes place during the growing period between a modern world and the cyberpunk dystopia it's destined to become.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided - 3/5

Eidos-Montréal, 2016

Opposite of the original Deus Ex, I expected this game to be bad due to its reputation. Perhaps that lowered expectation allowed me to be pleasantly surprised by it instead. The story isn't the best, and it desperately needs another game due to the abrupt ending, but the gameplay is a blast. Felt nice unleashing on the police once night fell. Prague is so so so fun to explore, probably one of my favorite game hubs I've ever played in. Still hoping for that third game to close out Adam's story.

Deus Ex - 2/5

Ion Storm, 2000

Maybe I'm just too much of an radical but nothing this game said felt very mindblowing or earth shattering. The gameplay was passable, stealth was fun, but I think I was just too late to the party on this one. The fandom needs to chill out on reccommending this to everyone as "the best game ever made", because it just creates expecations that won't be met. I obviously chose the "Dark Age" ending; I was surpsied, it assumes the worst of humanity and thinks we'll go back to the dark ages from losing technology that didn't exist prior to the 1910s. But again, maybe I'm just too much of an radical and can tell when the leftist ending is written to appear worse than it really would be. Honestly this feels like a game that a lot of libertarians built their entire personalities off of.

Crusader Kings II - 3.5/5

Paradox Entertainment, 2012-2018

A fun rpg hidden in a grand strategy game, and this wonderful combination has spoiled me for every other grand strategy. Base game is servicable but restrictive; DLC and mods are what make the game shine. Massive timesink game, never truly ends. The total for the many packs of DLC is quite expensive; I'm not a fan of Paradox's business model. Score lowered due to the DLC prices as well as bizarre mechanics with some inter-religious stuff. Does anybody actually take part in the Crusades in this game? I sure don't. Too busy plotting against my liege.

Bloodborne - 5/5

FromSoftware, 2015

I loved this game so much that I started a second character while still in the middle of my first playthrough. This game was the gateway to FromSoft titles for me, after years of being on the outside looking in. It's no longer my favorite Fromsoft title, but it will always have a place in my heart. Fighting the Bloody Crow is in my top 10 game moments, easily the most fun duel I've ever had. Also, the singing eyeball creatures are singing the Hunter's Dream melody! Marvelous.

A Plague Tale: Innocence - 1.5/5

Asobo Studio, 2019

If this were a tech demo that ended at the battlefield level I would have been far more entranced and liked it more. This game goes off the rails so hard in a way I can only roll my eyes at, and that's not accounting for the poor pacing and bizarre story choices. What could have been a simple story of survival and family turned into a circus of rats and murder. I don't understand how this is a darling for so many people.

Life Is Strange: True Colors - 1/5

Deck Nine, 2021

Goddammit. I wanted to like this game so much. Alex's powers are the most interesting of the LiS bunch, even if they're not explained all too well and often change the rules. Alex herself is fine enough - she's a bit of a dick, and has a personality that I enjoy seeing. But the game falls apart when it comes to story - the most interesting parts (Alex's past, her relationship with her brother and parents, the core mystery) are pushed aside in favor of larp sessions, aimless wandering, and a forced musical interlude at a festival. When the plot finally wakes back up it dives into a non-twist that was so predictable I was hoping it was a fakeout and then goes straight for completely ridiculous acts of human survivability. Alex should have died multiple times over in the last few hours of the game but miraculously walks off fatal injuries with nothing more than some aspirin and self-righteous spirit. This would be fine on its own, but the series has established what is and isn't survivable - characters in the first two games died from something that Alex shrugs off. The individual characters are some of the most interesting in the LiS series, but the story is easily the worst. I keep thinking of how good this could've been. Maybe next time Deck Nine will get it, but I'll miss Dontnod being at the helm. Also maybe I'm petty but I fucking *wish* there were small towns in the Colorado that were this diverse and inclusive where someone could get by on a meager wage. Ugh.

The Sims 4 - 2?/5

EA Games, 2015

Really only playable with mods and all the DLC. Can't believe it's still on live service in 2023.

Darkest Dungeon - 3.5/5

Red Hook Studios, 2015

Darkest Dungeon is probably my most "pick up, get bored, put down" game I've ever played. I like the conceit, I like the setting, I like the classes. I hate the grind. Even on Radiant Mode it becomes a slog after a while, but I was determined to see it through to the end. Which, as it turns out, wasn't to far off from my last "put down" spot years ago. I still think the grind is to the game's detriment, and overall I'm not a fan of vaguely Lovecraftian horror - Bloodborne is toeing that line for me - and the final four part dungeon has a brutally harsh gimmick that can blindside a player. However the final boss of this game was delightful. I kept Reynauld and Dismas in my rotation the whole game, and sent them both to the final boss. Only one returned. It was a heartbreaking moment, but a fitting one. I think the series should have ended here, to be honest.

Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye (DLC) - 3/5

Mobius Digital, 2021

As I write this I'm replaying the DLC, in hopes to enjoy it more than in 2021. Unfortunately I don't. The delightful puzzles and poignant moments are undercut by the unforgiving traversal of the new major area, a long return time, and a tedious stealth mechanic. The DLC itself is the length of a full game, and I commend Mobius for their creativity in an entirely new area in an already jam packed game. All that said, less fun Outer Wilds is still Outer Wilds, and that comes with a good time regardless. I just hope next time they leave the inky black stealth sections on the cutting room floor. Bummer we can't really tell any other hearthians about our discoveries :( I know Riebeck would like to learn about it.

Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition - 3/5

Bioware (1998), Beamdog (2012)

Baldur's Gate is an odd game to me. I played through once, and found it aged and not that great; I used to have this rated as 2 stars. But I couldn't stop thinking about the game and ended up replaying a few months later and enjoying it a lot. So, I guess I like it? I don't know, maybe it's kind of like a sugary candy where you don't like it much but you keep eating because the sugar is addicting. Perhaps I merely craved a late 90s rpg. I'm fond of all the companions I took in those two save files, and that's one of the problems: too many companions, likely because the devs didn't expect players would care for them. But I do! I would die for Ajantis, nobody knows me like Khalid and Jaheira know me, and sure I guess Imoen can come along too. So long as she understands I like Xan and Coran more than her. Probably the second biggest untwist, after True Colors. Not a big fan of the chosen one narrative in any game, but it was the late 90s so I can forgive it.

Return of the Obra Dinn - 5/5

3909 LLC, 2018

This was the last game I played in 2021, on New Year's Eve. A single shot, 11 hours straight. I loved this game so much. I honestly don't have words other than I love it. I love the gimmick, I love the music, I love the various color palettes you can choose from, I love the investigation and detective work required from the player, I love learning the story in nonchronological pieces, I love how it's a tragedy and I love how there is truly nothing else like it on the market. I hope beyond hope that something will come close to the gameplay again, but I'm more than content with just this. Very thankful to have such a stellar game to end an otherwise bad year on.

[johnsamericano]

𝔖𝔲𝔤𝔞𝔯 ℜ𝔲𝔰𝔥 𝔧.𝔧.𝔥 •3•

I hope this ain't getting shitty. Thank you for reading, sexy people. Send me a message or an ask if you'd like to be added to the tag list.

warnings: hungover jaehyun, age gap, hospitals, nothing too extreme.

sugar rush m.list.

taglist: @thoreeo @trustmahluv @sunny-nyu @nanascupid @silent-potato @painted-hills

~

Yoonoh woke up on a strange bed, the mattress stiffer than the one he had back home. He refused to open his eyes, fearing that the daylight would worsen his headache.

Yoonoh woke up on a strange bed, the mattress stiffer than the one he had back home. He refused to open his eyes, fearing that the daylight would worsen his headache.

“Wake up, sunshine.” He groaned, all the memories from the past night hitting him like a truck. “Come on, I made breakfast.”

His eyelids finally fluttered open, frown softening at the sight of you in a messy bun and your cute pajamas.

“How come you look so fresh?” The dark circles under his eyes had deepened in the span of a few hours. Thank God he didn't have to work that day.

“I always look fresh.” You seemed to be more comfortable around him. Perhaps it was because you had to tuck him in last night. “Up.”

You tugged both of his limp hands, forcing him to sit up.

“What did you cook? It smells nice.” He scrunched up his nose like a little kid.

“Eggs, bacon, and hash browns.” Fast as lightning, he got up from bed. On his way to the kitchen, he noticed the blanket hanging from the edge of your sofa. Disappointment pinched his heart.

“Why didn't you sleep with me? You would've been more comfortable.”

You set two plates on the small table, pulling the pan out of the stove to serve them.

“You spread yourself all over the bed as soon as I laid you down.” You lied successfully. You didn’t have the heart to tell him you weren’t that comfortable yet.

You let the pan down on the kitchen counter, taking a seat in front of him.

“Do you still want to visit my father?” Sparkling orbs stared at him timidly, fearing his answer would be negative.

“I mean…” You hummed, trying not to give it as much importance. “I do want to go!” He quickly corrected himself, frantically shaking his hands. “It’s just that I don't want to meet your father like this.” He pointed at his bed hair, which had only become messier since he woke up.

“You’re acting like he's gonna see you.” There was a slight bitterness in your tone, along with a fake grin.

“Alright, let's do this instead...” Yoonoh sat up straight, clearing his throat as if he were about to give a speech. “We’ll have breakfast, you'll shower quickly, and then we’ll drive to my house so I can fix myself. How does that sound?”

“So I'm finally gonna see your mansion? How exciting.” You kicked his leg teasingly under the table, his cheeks inevitably dipping as he tried to suppress a smile. “I bet you have some peacocks in your backyard.”

“And there's also a dolphin in my pool.” He let out a hearty laugh, extending his arm over the table to grab your hand.

His house was most definitely not what you expected.

It was about the size of the one you grew up in, the decoration inside minimalistic. There were no expensive paintings framed with pure gold, only pictures of him and his family. There was a small backyard you could access through the French door in the kitchen. Half of it was occupied by a greenhouse.

“I had to donate the peacocks to the zoo.” He whispered as you looked through the glass door, squeezing your shoulders with his slim fingers.

“What a shame.” Hesitantly, he wrapped both of his limbs around your torso, letting his chin rest stop of your head. Your heartbeat was thumping loudly against your chest. Yoonoh surely felt it but decided not to comment on it.

“There’s a Tv in my room in case you want to watch something while I shower.” A hint of mischief adorned his honey-like voice. “Or you can come in and watch me instead.”

“Stop!” Your elbow connected with his ribs out of pure panic, making him bend in pain with his hands covering the injured spot.

“It was a joke...” He whispered, teeth gritting together.

I made him mad, you thought. Should you escape or face the consequences of his anger? All thoughts erased from your mind as he grabbed your calves, lifting you over his shoulder.

“Put me down!” You hit his back with closed fists, unable to see the expression on his face. “Yoonoh!”

He went up the stairs, proceeding to enter his room and throw you on his bed. Thousands of dirty scenarios crossed your mind before he threw himself on top of you, crushing your bones under his muscular body.

“My...ribs...”

“Oh, sorry, what is that?” To make matters worse, his fingers tickled your sides, provoking a fit of desperate giggles to escape your mouth. “I’m not hearing an apology.”

“Sorry! Sorry!” His hands finally stopped, giving you time to breathe. Nonetheless, he remained laid on your chest, using his forearms to lift his weight. “Aren’t you gonna shower?”

“I like you.”

The confession was so sudden, so raw it took you some time to finally react. But you had no words to give him an answer, instead, you combed your fingers through his long hair, massaging his scalp while waiting for him to speak up again.

“I never thought I'd be feeling more than friendly affection for you. Our agreement doesn't include love, after all. But I've started feeling like a teenager all over again. I can't help but get excited whenever you call me. Do you know how sweet your voice sounds through the phone?” He sighed, discouraged at your lack of response. “I guess you're not there yet.”

Instead of verbally answering, you planted a sweet kiss on his head, right where small, grey hairs had started growing.

“I’m not good with words.”

“That’s alright.” He snuck his hands under your back, holding you tightly as a sudden need to nurture you took over him. The mature image he had of you faded in less than a second, leaving behind a young, troubled woman. “I’ll shower quickly so we can go see your pops. I bet we’ll get along just fine, maybe even go golfing when he wakes up.”

“I forgot you're almost the same age. Creepy.” He smiled, though uneasiness started steering in his guts.

“Does that bother you?” He asked without giving it a second thought.

“I don't know yet.”

(...)

The man with high cheekbones and bruised skin laid limp on the hospital bed. Yoonoh had been working on his case for about a month, yet, it only started feeling real the moment he entered the room.

“This is my dad.” All emotions had escaped your eyes as if your soul wasn't there anymore. Only an empty shell.

“You look so much like him.” he was afraid touching you wouldn't be the right thing to do, so instead, he said: “He seems like a suitable golf buddy.”

Tension finally loosened its grip around his body as you snorted, pigment returning to your cheeks. Finally, he wrapped his hand around yours.

“He will wake up, y/n.”

“He’s taking his sweet time.” You glanced back at the laying figure, skinnier with every day he spent asleep. “I want someone to pay for taking away the last person that loved me.”

The last person that loved you. Would Yoonoh be able to fill that spot? Not yet, probably. He couldn't modify the depth of his feelings, but he could surely give you the vengeance you longed.

“Do you trust me?” With your eyes still glued to your father, you nodded. “Then I can assure you we’ll win the case.”

“I know we will.”

He sat silently with you, holding your hand without saying a word. The smell of alcohol and the beeping noise of machines made him nauseous. He hated hospitals. You noticed the change in his demeanor, his hand becoming cold while holding yours with strength.

“Do you wanna go?”

“No!” He smiled through the pain, scooting his chair closer to lay your hand on his lap.

He wouldn't agree to get his ass off the plastic chair. You had to tell him you were hungry for him to finally stand up, still clutching your hand like your father did when you were still a kid. His parental behavior caused several emotions to stir inside your guts, so mixed up you couldn't quite put a finger on any of them.

“What do you want to eat?” The tension finally left his body once out of the building.

“Soup.” You smiled while swiping your thumb on top of his knuckles. “I know a place, but to be honest, it isn't good. So we can go to the store and get the ingredients to- but you can't cook.”

“I’m up for a cooking lesson if you are.” He wanted to see your pretty smile again. Maybe making a fool of himself would help. “Let’s hit the road.”

“Wow, so cool.”

“I know.”

(...)

“Can you grab that can of chicken broth?” You pointed at the high shelf, letting go of Yoonoh’s hand to allow him to move freely

“I have a better idea.” He dragged you by the arm so you were standing in front of him, trapped between his body and the shelf. “I’ll lift you so you can reach it.” Matching his words, his hands grasped your waist, ready to carry you.

“Stop!” You slapped his hands repeatedly between giggles. Ignoring your complaints, he started lifting you. “Yoonoh!”

“Yoonoh?” A feminine voice had him placing you back on your feet in less than a second.

“Seryeong, I didn't expect to see you here.” His hands remained seated on the curve of your waist.

“Neither did I. I was surprised when Sungchan told me you'd left early yesterday.” She seemed a bit older than you but still younger than the man behind you.

“I had some matters to take care of.” She eyed you from head to toes with a smug grin plastered on her lips. Just by the look of her clothes, you could tell she was as wealthy as Yoonoh. You feared the scene would turn into a tv worthy drama.

“I’ll go get the chicken breast.” You tried escaping his grip, only to be pulled closer to his warmth.

“No need to. It's already inside the cart.”

Why am I so dumb?

“Does your father know about your little girlfriend?” She asked without hesitation.

“I guess.”

“And why didn't he tell me anything?” She cocked an eyebrow, his hands finally loosening around your body and allowing you to move from your position.

“Look, this is something you should talk about with him. Now, if you excuse us...” With a hand on your shoulder, he began pushing the cart to the next aisle, the chicken broth long forgotten.

“Is this some kind of arranged marriage situation?”

“Something like that.” His hands were tense while holding the cart, knuckles turning white from the strength used. “Before you start asking, I'm not really in the mood and I don't want to direct my bad mood toward you. Let's talk about something else, alright?”

Who was that woman that had the power to turn him into a literal raging ball of fire with just a few words?

[childeex]

Teaching Spanish to Oikawa Tooru [Oikawa Tooru x reader]

• | Warnings : none, fluff, may be cringey, a lil bit of swearing

• | Reader's gender isn't mentioned, anyone can read :)

• | English is my second language, and yeah, I bet you can tell Spanish is my first language :D

(Sorry if you don't speak Spanish, it's my first language and I fell like giving myself a little gift as for tomorrow I'll be having an English exam)

"Knock, knock! Come back down to Earth, Tooru!", you waved your hand in front of your boyfriend's face. He had been daydreaming about his next volleyball match. Of course, you were excited to see him play, but now you were playing a football match on your PlayStation.

Apparently that wasn't enough to bring him back to reality, so you started thinking of some other plan.

You decided to pause the game and pretend to be calling a friend. So when you put your phone against your ear, instead of using your now daily language -Japanese-, you began talking in Spanish.

"Mi novio no me da bola. Está tan emboludecido con el vóley que se olvidó de mí!" [Translation: My boyfriend is ignoring me. He's so stunned with voleyball that he forgot about me!]. That seemed to be effective to gain Oikawa's attention, as he glared at you. You chuckled.

"What's wrong, Tooru?" you asked innocently.

"You're asking me what's wrong? Well, I don't understand what you've just said!", he complained but later added: "What language was it?"

"Spanish", you simply reply. "It's actually my first language" you continue.

He raises his brows and nods. "That's cool".

"I know! You wanna learn?" you ask with a smile on your face.

"It'll be piece of cake, I'm a fast learner", Tooru says with confidence. You chuckle. "I'm not that sure, babe".

You had always been interested in languages. You were born in [your own country/any native Spanish-speaking country of choice] but moved to Japan when you were still a kid.

It all happened when you were 12 years old. Your family decided to travel to Japan because your parents had a close friend of theirs living there and she had offered you to stay at her house until you had enough money to buy or rent a house of your own. Your family kindly accepted, after rejecting the idea dozens of times.

Before you travelled to Japan, you started taking Japanese lessons on Saturdays and Sundays. At school, though, you received English lessons because they were compulsory. Not that you minded, English was your favorite subject.

The first years living in Japan were a total mess: you were not used to using the Japanese language at all and some times you'd mix some of the kanjis. Growing older, you were able to get accustomed to the new language, so you learnt how to speak it fluently.

You looked at him. He was pouting. "Don't underestimate me!" he said. "Alright, alright! Let's see how you do in your new Spanish lessons with your amazing teacher and girlfriend!" you replied and winked at him.

"Well, first of all. Do you remember how to greet people in Spanish?" you ask. "Of course I do! Um... Hola!" he said in the cutest way you've ever heard. Listening to him and his attempts to speak in your mother language made your heart melt. "Very good!!" you clapped your hands.

[Hola = hello]

"Well, do you know how to introduce yourself?" He just stayed there looking at you as if he had just eaten the last cookie. "No? Oh, okay. Repeat after me, then" you started. "Me llamo [Y/N] y tengo <your age> años". [Translation: my name is (y/n) and I am <number> years old] He just stared at you as he struggled to repeat what you'd just said.

"Me... llamo [Y/N] y... ten... tengo-.. Ah! I've already forgot!" he whined. You then bursted out laughing. "Haha! Oh my God! You were supposed to say your name, not mine, dummy!". He pouted again and bit his lip.

"Okaaaaaay, I'll go slower for you!" you complain jokingly. "The expression 'me llamo' literally means 'I am called', you would have to add your name next and after that, it would be as if you said 'I'm called -your name- by' but the by is silent". He stayed quiet. "Hmm, did I overexplain it? Oh God, I should stop trying to explain the simplest details-!" you sighed but then continued. "Okay, so, in other words, 'me llamo' or 'mi nombre es' are the same as 'my name is', you follow me?" He nodded. You happily sighed. "Thank God!"

He then widened his eyes. "I have a brilliant idea!" You raised your brow. He took his phone out of the pocket of the hoodie he was wearing and opened Google's translate app. You giggled and tried to look at the screen but that only made him move away. "Don't look!" he said. "Whyyy?" you whined. "It's a secret!" he replied and started typing. After a long wait, he began mumbling something.

"Te... amo, mi amorrr". Your heart instantly melted at how cute he sounded when pulling the final 'r'.

"Aww, yo también te amo, Tooru!" you replied.

[Translation: "I... love you, my love" & "I love you too, Tooru"]

You both giggled together as he continued trying to pronounce the most difficult words in Spanish. He looked for more cheesy pet names for you in Spanish: such as "mi vida" [my life], "bebé" [baby], "corazón" [heart but used in a romantic way]. You had a great time that afternoon, you even forgot about the football match you were playing!

"You don't even know how much this meant to me, thank you!" you almost cried while talking. He smiled at you and made one last search on Google Translate. Then, he started speaking.

"¿Te querés casar conmigo?"

[Will you marry me?] You eyes widened. Before you could react, he added something: "Nono, sorry. It wasn't a question". He took his phone in his hands and read aloud:

"Casate conmigo". [Marry me]

You put your hand on your mouth and started sobbing. "¡¿Estás jodiendo?! ¡Re si! I'd say yes over and over again!" you replied.

[HAHAHAH español from my home country is from other galaxy, if you know what I mean- LMAO it sounds kinda funny and like meaner than other countries' Spanish, idk!!

Translation: "Are you kidding me?! hell yeah!"]

You wrapped your arms around Oikawa's neck, embracing him tightly and so did he. You then shared the most passionate kiss you'd had in your entire life. Your lips dancing in sync as you played with Tooru's hair while his hand were roaming around your back. After a while you both pulled away panting heavily.

"Te amo" you said at the same time and you laughed together.

~ | tell me if you liked it, and don't be shy to leave some nice comments! I promise I don't bite! Unless... ;) jk jk | ~

[sexyglances]

ugh i rly want to believe the red car is significant like how you pointed out green was their connecting color.. but also idk my mom drives a nice red car cus.. she likes the color. maybe she liked it /bc/ of yijin but at this point the present timeline isnt annoying me. i really do hate the sentiment that you have to be this boring version of yourself when u get older cus responsibilities and life changes... but most of the ppl today who are older are craving their nostalgic past. thats why everyone and everything are rebooting shit bc ppl cant let it go cus it brought them joy and most importantly, they /remember/ that joy. ppl fade out ur life yes but those are people that you just.. either outgrew or didnt care as much anymore cus lets be honest, if you want someone in your life, you work for it. i know circumstances play a role but idk im just irritated. who is even heedo today. how much different can u be 20 yrs later? hell 10 yrs go by hella fast. i just wanna crawl through the screen and be like, HOW DO U NOT REMEMBER HIM? THEM? THE MOMENT?

Re: the red car thing: maybe this is just confirmation bias, but i have family that sell (used) cars, and I've noticed that over the years that less and less red cars are being made standard off the line than they used to. Their car lot has a lot more neutral/muted colors than it used to be, and all the bright, bold-colored cars that are standard are greens and blues (and oranges like ~5ish years ago). Whereas 3 of my first 4 cars were all from the 90s and were red. Also just in kdramas in general, they usually drive black SUVs or sedans, depending on who is sponsoring them, maybe a white car if they're being crazy.

Re: the fading memories thing: ugh that really irritated me because it was a special trip made by her first love for a documentary about her. AND it was the first time she had ever done anything with friends, bc she never had friends before! And what, she just forgot the whole thing like an AI dumping out unnecessary data?? Like, i get what they were trying to convey [insert "i guess??" meme here], where time always moves forward and it takes work to be happy in the present and not stuck in the past, when the present is always changing, but using something so special and significant ain't it.

Also, it doesn't help that current!Heedo's actress acts like a mannequin who just came to life with barely any recall or memories with reactions that seem superficial and devoid of depth of passion. Where's the fire and zeal and intensity we have come to know of Heedo?? Even if the years have smoothed away some of her hot-headedness, it's weird seeing her uncanny valley smile as she reacts like a fairy tale princess who jumped out of the book to teach us a Very Important Lesson to everything her daughter says. I get that they probably couldn't have Kim Taeri go into old age makeup for all the current day scenes bc of time constraints, and that then she would have been in 90% of the scenes, but maybe the two actresses should have workshopped the character together so that at least current!Heedo's microexpressions would make a bit of sense and the line delivery wouldn't make me wonder if she has like, functional amnesia or something.