#I CAN'T BELIEVE MY FAVOURITE CHARACTER EVER IS BI

[casket-robin]

HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

BI BUCK CONFIRMED FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[m0chaminx]

Mk1 characters with witch!reader | Dialogues

*•.¸♡Request: no

*•.¸♡Prompts: none

*•.¸♡Warnings: A couple of uses of y/n (I tried to keep them minimal), flirty, threatening, sweet fluff, the whole shebang, I've never written for mk before so go easy on me

*•.¸♡Paring: Various mk1 characters x gn!witch!reader

*•.¸♡Summary: just some fun dialoge of the mk1 charchters and a witch reader

*•.¸♡Words: 1k

*•.¸♡A/N: Merry Christmas y'all!!

Tomas : I faced far worse than an outworld witch.

y/n: You may jest now, but beware, for my spells can turn jesters into ghosts.

Tomas : Forgive me, but I do not understand the threat you pose.

y/n: Dear, sweet Tomas. Underestimate me at your peril. My hexes have a way of adding a bit of spice to the ordinary. Care for a taste?

y/n: Feel flattered Tomas, you have been the only Lin Kuei to pose a challenge.

Tomas : I cannot except your compliment's y/n, I truly can’t see a way I win this fight.

❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱ 𝒌𝒖𝒂𝒊 𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒈 ⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊

Kuai Liang : I wish you no harm, but be prepared to lose.

y/n: I brew potions stronger than your fire, darling. Try not to get scorched by the truth.

y/n: Is it just me, or did the room light up the moment you walked in? 

Kuai Liang : That’s my Kunai, I’ll try not to cut you… too bad.

y/n: Cross my path again, and you'll find out how swiftly my curses take effect.

Kuai Liang : Your threat has been noted, little witch.

❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱ 𝒃𝒊-𝒉𝒂𝒏 ⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊

Bi-Han : It is foolish to face me, witch.

y/n: Ha! I mastered the art of Ice Manipulation when I was a child. You are the foolish one.

y/n: If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest person in the room.

Bi-Han : Mind your tongue.

Bi-Han : I can't believe I need to waste my time killing you.

y/n: Oh please, Bi-Han. I don't need a crystal ball to predict your imminent exit from my life.

❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱ 𝒔𝒚𝒛𝒐𝒕𝒉 ⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊

Syzoth : So, you cast spells?

y/n: Why cast spells when I can cast smiles? Yours is my favourite enchantment.

y/n: I'd advise you against challenging me. My curses have a way of sticking around longer than you'd like.

Syzoth : Do you stick around as well?

Syzoth : I heard you're a witch. Do you do shows?

y/n: Mock my craft, and you'll wish you had never left that travelling carnival.

❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱ 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏 ⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊

Raiden : They say magic is in the little things, sweet y/n.

y/n: Then consider me your personal witch for these enchanting moments, sweet Raiden.

Raiden : I sense sparks between us.

y/n: I thought you had been practising with your amulet.

y/n: Cross my path, and the shadows you'll meet will be darker than any you've ever known.

Raiden : You must wield very dark magic then, witch.

❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱ 𝒌𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒂𝒐 ⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊

Kung Lao : I can’t wait to tell everyone I beat you.

y/n: Oh, please, darling. I could turn you into a toad with a flick of my perfectly manicured finger.

y/n: Why fly on a broomstick when I can use that thing you call a hat to soar above your nonsense?

Kung Lao : Hey! I thought it was creative.

y/n: I could make your dreams come true, but first, you'll need some better dreams.

Kung Lao : Lucky for me, I dream of you.

❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱ 𝒍𝒊𝒖 𝒌𝒂𝒏𝒈 ⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊

y/n: Tell me Lord Liu Kang, what was I like in this other timeline?

Liu Kang : All I can say is you're far more responsible in this one.

Liu Kang : I must commend your skills, witch. You have far exceeded any expectations.

y/n: Did you just compliment me? By the elder gods, what was I like before?

Liu Kang : Are you sure you wish to battle me, young witch?

y/n: I’m sure I want you to remember when I best you.

❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱ 𝒋𝒐𝒉𝒏𝒏𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒈𝒆 ❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱

Johnny Cage : I gotta ask-

y/n: No! I cannot saw you in half. At least with you surviving.

Johnny Cage : Have you ever been on the big screen? People go crazy for witches.

y/n: While I thank you for the opportunity, Cage, my magic is not made for the big screen.

Johnny Cage : Whoa! Witches in outworld are way better looking.

y/n: Did you expect me to have a long green nose and melt in the rain?

❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱ 𝒌𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒊 ⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊

y/n: I'm not a mind reader, but I'd love to know what's brewing in that mysterious mind of yours.

Kenshi Takahashi : I can assure you, you’re the only one surrounding my mind. 

y/n: Think twice before meddling with my spells. The repercussions can be... unexpected.

Kenshi Takahashi : Sorry if I hurt your feelings, but I’m more intrigued than threatened.

Kenshi Takahashi : WIth Sento at my side, I can not lose.

y/n: Challenge me, and you'll learn that in the realm of magic, the victor is seldom the one who laughs last.

❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱ 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒂 ⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊

Mileena : Consider this your only warning. My wrath is not to be underestimated.

y/n: The feeling is more than mutual, Emperors.

y/n: If I were a witch, I'd cast a spell to make you mine. 

Mileena : Luckily, you don't need magic for that.

Mileena : You over saw my mother for some time. Any words of advice for me?

y/n: A kind word to you Empress: underestimate powers you know nothing of, and you may not live long enough to regret it.

❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱ 𝒌𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒂 ⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊

Kitana : Must you always be so vigilant, my protector?

y/n: Only when it involves safeguarding the most precious gem in the kingdom.

y/n: I put the 'hex' in 'hexcellent.'

Kitana : That’s not as amusing as you think it is.

Kitana : I never expected a witch to be so charming.

y/n: Well, I say chivalry isn't dead, especially when there's a princess to impress.

❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱ 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒍 ⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊

Sindel : You must have heard the news of Mileena’s condition by now?

y/n: I shall try everything in power to help. It’s the least I can do for you.

Sindel : I’m sorry for what must happen, but do know I will always value you in my life.

y/n: I have served you for some time Empress, one battle will not sway my loyalty.

y/n: Your daughters have become great fighters, your majesty.

Sindel : They have found a great teacher with you, y/n.

ﾟ°☆Page navigation

[laismoura-art]

Me during the whole red wedding sequence, focusing on Harumi:

Me (and the rest of the harumi stans) after the red wedding sequence when she is still alive AFTER ALL THESE DAMN YEARS:

Can't you believe Lais? SHE LIVES!!!! THEY FINALLY LET HER BREATHE!!!!!!!!!

Most accurate reaction fr cause

GIIRLL! THIS SCENE IS EVERYTHING TO ME!!!

I just love everything about this scene, my favourite part gotta be her going all dramatic like "Oh no, my hubby is going to war and there's nothing I can d-- SIKE!!"

And the way she goes battle mode, practically waltzing through the battlefield with such deadly and yet graceful moves! Girl really is a crane! :O

Also, she shut up once and for all those who doubted she could fight! Even though this scene

Has been around for A YEAR and the whole point of Kuai look for her is because of her skill and experience but ANYWAYS!

Her fighting was awesome, I love Cyrax protecting her and I LOVE Harumi not hesitating in kick Sektor’s ass when she threatened her! Sektor was lucky Cyrax intervened cause Harumi was NOT taking threats lightly!

And after we have Harumi beating up the soldiers holding her and standing up for Kuai! Look how her guard is up the whole time!

Kuai Liang you LUCKY BASTARD!

It's so good that she was the one who outed Bi-Han! She really said "Girl, this guy is full of shit!"

And the fact that her last act in the story was a merciful one!

Ever since this scene was leaked, I saw everyone making it all about Kuai, how "Oh, she's HIS moral complass" "HIS self control" ada ada ada!

But this scene is so much more about her and Cyrax! It's her way of repaying Cyrax for her mercy, protection and HONOUR, which is all Cyrax wants, to be an honourable warrior! And Harumi was the first to view her as such, she's the first to believe her and give her a shot at redemption!

Harumi is on Cyrax corner from the beginning and I think that speaks VOLUMES about her character!

I said all this just to emphasize the fact that not only they gave us a "for once, she lives" but also showcased what we have believed for A YEAR, that Harumi Shirai

IS AN AMAZING CHARACTER WHO DESERVES TO BE RECOGNIZED!🌺🩷

[nsyncat]

OK, so this is my first post EVER since I joined Tumblr like ten years ago. Always been a lurker, enjoying all of the wonderful things here, the gifs, fics, ships, art, all the knowledge and all the amazing heritage posts, but never posting and hardly reblogging, I don't know why, was always afraid I would make a mistake or reblogg incorrectly...

Anyway, the reason this is my first time posting is because THAT amazing moment that happened a week ago, and I've been losing my mind ever since, and unfortunately I have nobody to share this excitement with that will understand... So I had to get it out somehow, and here seems like the perfect place to do so.

I don't know if anybody will read this or pay it any attention, but never mind, I just have TO. GET. IT ALL. OUT!

So I've been a loyal fan of 9-1-1 this past six years, got hooked to these kind of first responders dramas, also Station 19 and then of course Lone Star. I fell in love with the writing, the drama and action, the characters of course, the emotional and moving stories, both of the regular cast and the people in the emergencies (am not afraid to admit that I cried more than a few times, especially when I was pregnant... woooh, that was a tough season for me).

Anyway, like everyone else, got invested in Buck's storyline and of course hopped on the Buddie train in season 2. And obviously there was something between them, and the fandom always clowned themselves that "in the next season SOMETHING is going to happen!" and I always wanted to believe it, and also fooled myself a few times but always was the cold harsh realist and realised it was not going to happen... But enjoyed the ride nonetheless, read amazing fics, saw wonderful fanart, read interesting breakdowns and analysis.

And then 704 happened and I'm not joking or exaggerating, my life changed!

Confirming that Buck is Bi was amazing! I'm ashamed to admit that I really thought it won't happen, EVER! So I still can't believe it actually happened (thank you soooo much ABC!) and like a lot of you, I've been on cloud nine this past week and can't wait for tomorrows episode (also not from the US), literally counting down the hours.

And look, I love Buddie, I really do, but I fell in love with TEVAN (my favourite one yet) 😍 and been OBSESSED with them this past week. Just from those few moments between them and what we barely know that is going to happen the next episode, I truly fell in love with them and really hope they make it as far as they can. I think its an amazing thing for Buck and also CANT. STOP. WATCHING THE KISS! The actors did an incredible job, especially Oliver, also with his spoken support of the storyline and his love for Buck. Such a KING! So this whole thing is huge.

And I have a one-year-old, my life is hectic with taking care of a little human being, a hubby who is also very busy, work, family and a million other things and this past year with a heavy heart I kinda neglected reading fics, and it was my main hobby, my escape, my one and constant thing in my LIFE since I was 12. I do read here and there, but not like I used to, reading hours and hours and into the night, multi chapters and long oneshots, in multiple fandoms, and now whenever I do get to read something once In a blue moon I'm not fully invested or enjoying it because either I'm tired or have something else more important to do. And unfortunately, eventually I noticed that I lost this fire, the passion in me and it left me sad and heartbroken...

And then something incredible happened. Ever since that earth-shattering kiss, the fire and passion came back! Holy shit! I've been reading and ENJOYING fics nonstop this whole week, I can't concentrate on work thinking about everything and reading in-between tasks, I use every single free minute I have to search new fics and scroll through the tags, I go to sleep late because I need to read just one more fic(!!!) even tough I have to wake up very early in the morning and I DON'T EVEN CARE. I'm thinking about it sooo much and imagining new scenarios in my head, and feeling giddy and happy, in a good mood a lot of the time, more optimistic, knowing I have a new and exciting place I can "escape" to, like I had in the past.

Its not that i'm not happy, I have an amazing son and a wonderful husband and I cherish every moment with them, but these are hard and difficult times and life can be hard and stressful and I'm a different kind of happy... So these past few days have been nourishment for my soul and my mood, it sounds so silly but its true! I'm feeling a bit like my old self and it's amazing.

And if someone did read this or did pay attention and got to this point, sorry for the long rant and thank you so much for the patience and understanding 🙏 I love you and wish you a wonderful weekend and happy Buck's-first-date-with-a-man day! 🥰

So I want to thank, from the bottom of my heart, ABC, Oliver, Lou and you crazy lot for resurrecting my old fangirl self 😌 I'm so grateful for all your posts, your takes, your similar enjoyment and of course your amazing fics you're writing and sharing 🩵

[sabrinaacarpenters]

Yk it's bad when us bisexuals are speaking up about how weird everything they're doing is 🤡

There is no respect for source material in Bridgerton. I dread what they're doing to Francesca's storyline. He story was all about struggling with the death of her spouse, losing her baby and then re entering the marriage mart because she really wanted to be a mom!

But they're taking away her agency and stripping off her reason for doing what she was doing.

Also I loved Michael he was one of my favourites love interests in the books! Plus I absolutely adored him and Francesca! They way both of them struggled with the guilt that is what we're doing a dishonour towards John?

The fact that Michael tells her "I'm gonna tie to to this bed until you're with child" line omgggg

I can't believe as a bi woman I'd ever be mad about a wxw on screan narrative, but I honestly can't bring myself to like this 😭 tbh if they really want to be inclusive they should make characters that are part of the LGBTQ+ instead of turning a canonically male character into a woman and fucking up the whole character developments and storylines.

they had every opportunity to make a successful queer spin off like queen charlotte but i swear jess brownell is secretly trying to ruin this show as much as possible from the shein fabrics, fake nails, bold glamour tiktok filter makeup to fucking up francesca's storyline

like her book is basically the only one where the story does not work if you change the genders, how is michaela supposed to inherit the title ???? and fran is the most desperate out of the bridgerton girls to be a mom, way more than daphne. like that's the whole plot.

i just truly don't understand what the point is of these adaptations where they just throw away the source material halfway through, like write your own story ???

[doodlegirl1998]

Oh my god...

I just realized something about how some characters are treated, so I'm gonna quote Joshscorcher from one of his fails videos

"You aren't a person, you ARE a disability! You're not a human, you ARE a skin color! You're not alive, you ARE a checkbox!"

Doesn't that just fit some of the characters in BNHA to a T?

We got the crazy yandere! The hotheaded rival! The hardass teacher with a heart of gold! The black guy!

And of course! The disabled kid who magically gets cured to be like everyone else!

Hori seems to believe that if he just adds pieces of representation or tropes that people like, they will just eat it up without question.

Not even considering or bothering to think about actual backstory, personality, goals, likes or dislikes.

You know, things that make a character an actual character!

Hi @theloganator101 👋,

This fits how MHA treats it's characters to a T or at the very least they develop from Nuanced characters to a stereotype which is never what you want from a series. Also Hori even fails at fitting these characters into the cookie cutter molds he tries to contort them into at times.

Let's give a few examples based on what you have said above:

"Crazy Yandere and Token Bi" = Toga (which the LGBTQ fans of MHA should be offended by, because having a Yandere who is coded very creepily (yet also not condemned for her creepy behavior in general or how she groped Uraraka without consent) as prominent representation is not good...

"Sweet generic shonen love interest" = Uraraka (well this is what Hori intends for her with IzuOcha endgame even with how weakly its built in the series. And Uraraka herself denying her feelings for Izu and freely simping for Toga. I feel so sorry for Ocha fans, how she has been written with Toga is a complete mess.)

"Hardass Teacher with a heart of gold" = Aizawa (or this is what Hori intends for him realistically a lot of his actions under a critical lense read as malice at worse and negligence at best but go off about how he cares about his kids, Hori. Despite dropping a building on them and making them believe their parents are kidnapped by villains. Or the fact that he expelled tonnes of other students prior to 1A without a care - what makes 1A so special?)

"Hot headhead rival" = Bakugou... (Well this is meant to be him, narratively speaking, but rivals are meant to inspire and respect each other. Bakugou doesn't respect Izuku, Bakugou abuses Izuku and acts as his parasite. Bakugou brings Izuku down at every opportunity.)

"The 'token black/ blasian' characters" = Rumi and Rock Lock. (While I'd say Rock Lock is good black representation. Rumi... She's not my favourite. I like strong female characters but the way she's so aggressive and violence hungry as a hero - that rubs me the wrong way. Realistically, I could see her killing a villain by accident through use of excessive force. And I can't ignore that she's used as a stick for Hori's gore porn fetish which isn't a great look as one of Hori's few Blasian characters.)

"The disabled kid who gets magically cured to be like everyone else." - Midoriya Izuku. (You could say this is the case for All Might and Aoyama too but Izuku is the most prominent example as the main protagonist.) Izuku's story and the lack of how his backstory is touched on is one of the one that's the most upsetting parts of MHA to me. Personally, I have a disability and mine can't be fixed, while I accept and embrace it now, I didn't when I was Izuku's age. I would daydream about getting "fixed" and being like everyone else so I could fit in. As an adult, I have now achieved many things that I was told that I could not hope to ever be able to do - and I didn't need to be "fixed/ made normal" to do it. Instead, I worked my ass off to achieve those things.

Izuku's story would have been way more powerful if he trained relentlessly with All Might, stayed quirkless and achieved as much as his quirked peers.

OR, if he had to gain OFA, the cognitive dissonance between how he was treated then in his backstory vs now should heavily influence him. Either way, he should have grown out of "Kacchan" and told Bakugou, his bully and abuser, to fuck right off.

The fact that Izuku isn't allowed to think of his backstory or one negative thought of Kacchan severely limits him. And it's one of the things that has stunted him as a character. All Izuku is now is OFA 'generic shonen protagonist' who will save Shig and destroy All for One. What a waste.

TLDR - developing good characters is like nurturing a particularly fussy plant, you can put down the right soil (backstory) to get readers hooked but if you get lazy and don't water it regularly (develop plot points, think through what is in character rather than what you as the Author want them to do, have them show up regularly) it (the characters) will never grow.

[nikatyler]

Zeph 1.0

can't believe that yesterday i was like eh i'm not sure about that armor, it looks so good on them

(x)

oooh a pretty evil lady!

(x)

same girl, same, about everything that has ever happened to me

(x)

it's been 84 years (more like 16 hours) but i'm finally opening bg3 again ✨

i think i'll do some more goblin camp shenanigans today if possible 👀

ohhh right. essentially i've already murdered like half the goblin camp so now the other half of the camp is trying to murder me, huh?

Me: "ah yes I'm far enough" *the explosion hits Zeph and Zeph dies* *reloads* "ah yes now I'm definitely far enough" *the explosion hits Zeph again and Zeph dies again*

"yeah we've got this" *the entire party dies*

Fucking gnolls man

yeah it's been a long bloody day

HELLO SAY THAT AGAIN

hUH

jesus christ this man is h🫣rny

Okay so I'll go watch a baking show with my mum in a bit and then we're going back and doing da thing 😏

Sorry for not giving updates if you were looking forward to them, anyway a little thing I love is how everyone sleeps on their back. I do that and apparently that's weird to everyone around me? 😂🤨

I will literally be in my bed like 🧍‍♂️

(x)

newest development in my bg3-rotten brain

did i mention this game is doing things to me because it is doing things to me

(x)

Anywayyyy you know what time it is 😌

I may have just spent an hour organizing everyone's inventories and figuring out who gets what armor and all but we're good to go now I think

Explosive shrooms, yay 🤩

(x)

I'm 💀💀💀 I need to go to bed lmao

Okay so basically what happened um. I don't know how but it did. So I wanted to help Astarion. But I clicked the wrong thing. And I pushed him off the boat. And he died.

I RELOADED BUT HOW DID I EVEN DO THAT 😭😭

If there's one thing about me it's that I'll accidentally murder my favourite vampires

(x)

I love Zeph so much they're so prettyyyyyy

Kinda wanna make a modern day version of them in ts4 and have them interact with my other characters. They'd fit right in

(x)

hole hehe. hole

(x)

my bi ass is having a bit of a dilemma rn

(x)

gay gay gay they're in love your honor

HELL YEAH KISS

(x)

Raw footage of me during my latest combat

I was actually so stressed dude 😭 thankfully we made it through but ahhhhh

Does anyone else apologize to the characters when they get hurt? Like sorry lil guy in my computer I'm sorry I'm putting you through this I promise you'll make it out I PROMISE ah fuck you're getting hit again oh no sorry sorry ahhhh

So uh. The adamantine forge fight huh. 🙂

(x)

Granted it doesn't count ts4 correctly rn probably because I haven't updated yet but…yeah 😅😅

(also I have way more hours on ts4 actually, this is just since Jan 2023, I played through Origin/EA app before and then switched to Steam for reasons)

(x)

my fucking thoughts exactly, i hate this battle 😭😭 on a real note i relate to him so much when he's whining DUDE WE LIVE

i should've known he wouldn't take that as a good thing lmaoooooo dude creases when you smile is the biggest compliment smh

FREN!!!

(x)

oops

(x)

I'm sorry what

(x)

pwettyyyyy

(x)

I'm sensing that I may have messed up real bad in Last Light Inn yesterday...ooops

I should've reloaded to see if things could turn out differently but I've done a lot afterwards, idk if I wanna go back now 😂 No spoilers pls, that's something for me to figure out in my next playthrough

"ooops" people DIED 💀 people i had previously saved died 💀

(x)

You're never gonna believe who I murdered again

(x)

I'm fucking crying I need you to resurrect him you moron stop shaming Zeph for having a sex life Update we are so back lads

(x)

Funny how fast I went from "I think Zeph is mostly good, they just want to get rid of the parasite and help people along the way" to "actually fuck it darling you're so right some power would be nice"

(x)

Crying laughing sending this to my sibling who's in art school. On point

(x)

"eh we'll be fine i don't need bonuses" *rolls 1*

(x)

daddy Ketheric omg💀💀

(x)

uh anyway

(x)

this is the best they are the best 🥹

(x)

Don't be upset, I will reload, just don't be upset with me pleaseeee 😭

The "please a videogame vampire at all costs" disease is real I'm afraid

(x)

Uh oh it's almost 3am, tomorrow will be an eepy day, well it's worth it

(x)

I'm so close to having a funny number of hours played 🤭

(x)

Killed the workout, now let's kill this guy that I struggled with for half an hour. Almost killed my whole party in the process so I quit and decided to kill my legs instead 😂

(x)

[odanurr87]

Alchemy of Completed 2022 Kdramas - Part 1

Last year I watched a bunch of kdramas, too many for me to properly review at the rate I write about them. As a result, I'm gonna try something different and quickly review those dramas that released in 2022 that I watched, and maybe recommend a few alternatives here and there in those cases where the show didn't live up to the task. Considering it's been a while since I watched some of these dramas, I binged a couple of them again to better inform my commentary. If you're short on time, or just want to add kdramas to your ever-increasing watchlist, you'll find a ⭐ next to the titles I wholeheartedly recommend, and a 💀 next to those I feel should best be avoided, but you do you. If you still haven't watched some of these shows, this list will hopefully give you some idea of whether you'll enjoy watching them (or not).

A brief note on my rating system before we begin. I use bins for my 1-10 scale in the following way:

Anything between 5 and 6 is considered average

Shows between 7 and 8 are considered above average

Shows in the 9 to 10 range are the cream of the crop

Anything between 1 to 4 is considered below average, with the 1-2 range reserved for the worst offenders.

Thus, I have two possible scores for the average, above average, and cream of the crop categories, what I believe makes my life a little easier when rating shows. I have occasionally given half point ratings (e.g. 7.5) to certain shows when I feel they're halfway to a better grade, but that has been the exception rather than the rule.

So without further ado, welcome to my Alchemy of Completed 2022 Kdramas - Part 1!

A Business Proposal⭐

Episode count: 12

Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: 8/10

Verdict: "You know I'm good at a lot of different things, right?"

We start with one of my favourites and the best short romcom of 2022. Based on the manhwa of the same name by Haehwa (original story) and NARAK (art), Taemu Kang (Ahn Hyeo Seop) plays the 'perfect CEO' stereotype who ain't got no time for love so, after several hilarious events, he eventually hires Hari Shin (Kim Se Jeong) to play the part of his girlfriend to fool grandpa. Unbeknownst to him though, Hari is his employee. Will their fake relationship turn into a real one? You bet your ass!

The show ticks almost all of the required tropes, subverts some -what was a pleasant surprise- and entertains throughout, making perfect use of its runtime. The second lead couple, played by Kim Min Gue and Seol In Ah, also turned several heads, not to mention the latter had great BFF chemistry with Kim Se Jeong. Week after week, I was looking forward to every episode of this show, especially considering how disappointing another romcom that aired around the same time turned out to be, and that you may or may not find in this list. You could say this show aired just in time for Samantha and Rachel to cure my FLAWless disappointment.

Again My Life⭐

Episode count: 16

Where to watch: Viki

Rating: 8/10

Verdict: Lawful Lawyer is back!

The better Lawless Lawyer of 2022. Kim Hee Woo (Lee Joon Gi) is a prosecutor who travels back in time to put the people who murdered him behind bars while the audience wonders which female lead he should date. And between Kim Ji Eun, Hong Bi Ra, and Veronica Park Kim Jae Kyung, well, he's definitely not lacking in choices. Fortunately, time travel is merely used as a trigger to tell the story (similar to 365: Repeat the Year in this respect), so we don't have to worry about kdramas' rather abysmal track record with sci-fi. The show keeps you hooked episode after episode, finding a good balance between the scheming, putting people behind bars, throwing some punches (has those trademark LJG action sequences!), all the while going after the next big fish. Last, but not least, it does an incredibly good job at managing an ensemble cast of characters, and there are a lot of them! If you're a fan of Lawless Lawyer or Lee Joon Gi, you can't go wrong with this one.

Alchemy of Souls - Part 1

Episode count: 20

Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: 6/10

Verdict: Watch a fantasy cdrama instead

Alternatives: Fights Break Sphere, Fighter of the Destiny

When I watched the character promos for this show I thought this could be Korea's answer to some of China's fantasy dramas, possibly Xuanhuan dramas, and I was all for it! I liked the male actor, Lee Jae Wook, in other dramas I'd watched with him (he was great in When the Weather is Fine and Search: WWW), and Jung So Min playing a master assassin and mentor in a fantasy drama was quite appealing. Of course, I was a bit worried when the teaser dropped, with its emphasis on some weak comedy, but I decided to give the show the benefit of the doubt. Sadly, Part 1 didn't live up to the task. It meandered a lot, definitely under-using its 20-episode order, focusing on every romantic relationship under the sun and then some, ultimately delivering an unsatisfactory hero's journey for the ML, while the antagonists played ping-pong with the alchemy of souls. At times, I was reminded of Hwarang, a show I have reviewed very poorly and that seems to have relied on the idol factor to garner popular appeal.

I've previously compared Jang Uk's journey to that of Xiao Yan from the cdrama Fights Break Sphere, in that I expected the former, from the previews, to undergo a similar rise to power as the latter, rigorously training under his master, slowly climbing his way back to power, but with the additional appeal of developing that romantic relationship between Jung So Min's character and Lee Jae Wook's, what would've made for a more rewarding journey for both the character and the audience. This is a tried-and-true formula, also used by the popular anime The Rising of the Shield Hero, to mention but one other example. Unfortunately for us, Jang Uk can hardly be bothered to train (supposedly, he "trained" with twelve masters for years and didn't learn a damn), except at the very specific, and limited, times that the script dictates, instead relying on luck and plot contrivances to "skip ahead" his way to power, what makes for far less memorable scenes. Additionally, the cdrama nails the master-student relationship thanks to the great rapport between Baron Chen's Yao Chen and Leo Wu's Xiao Yan, but there's hardly such a bond between Mu Deok and Jang Uk.

In the end, Part 1 of Alchemy of Souls should've been about Jang Uk's rise to power under the guidance of his master, and later love interest, Mu Deok, but it's too unfocused, its attention constantly diverted by comedy, love polygons, or caricaturesque villains doing dumb things under everyone's noses. Perhaps its only saving grace was the character of the Crown Prince, brilliantly played by Shin Seung Ho, who was able to nail both the comedy and the drama when called for. However, if you're looking for a good fantasy drama with a more traditional (or any) hero's journey, watch Fights Break Sphere instead, with the caveat only the first season has been released, and it's doubtful there'll be a second. I'd also recommend Fighter of the Destiny, with Lu Han. It probably doesn't have as good CGI or sets, but it has a better grip on the hero's journey than Alchemy and nails the camaraderie aspects.

Alchemy of Souls - Part 2

Episode count: 10

Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: 7/10

Verdict: Works better as a standalone watch

I should've probably left Part 2 of the show for Part 2 of my list, but I'm going in alphabetical order so that's that. This is one of the shows I decided to rewatch to refresh my memory and, to my surprise, it fared much better the second time around. Why's that? Read on to find out!

Part 2 of Alchemy of Souls starts strong, much stronger than Part 1 did, something many were doubting when the news hit that Jung So Min wouldn't return for Part 2, instead being replaced by the original Naksu actress, Go Youn Jung. Fortunately, she does an excellent job throughout, but especially in the beginning of Part 2, which comes across as more of a fairy tale (Rapunzel's), and where the show decides to embrace some of the typical marriage contact tropes, as Young Jung's character fake-marries the now uber-powerful Jang Uk in order to escape from her mother's tight grasp. Honestly, I wish the show had started with Part 2, in media res, and used the material from Part 1 for flashback storytelling, in a similar vein to how The Untamed did it. God, that would've been so good! Precisely because Jang Uk has become sort of a demigod he can boss around all of the useless supporting characters from Part 1 (I'm looking at you, Pathetic Assembly of Evil), and pretty much do whatever he wants, so it's quite commendable to see him return smarter and more measured in his decision-making.

As someone who watched Part 2 live back then, it started to lose its initial glimmer when an inevitable reveal kept being delayed episode after episode, hinting that it would obviously occur the next one. Of course, this never happened, but what made matters worse was the fact that the ML was kept oblivious while everyone around him found out and chose not to tell him because... reasons? I can understand one person keeping the secret for his own agenda, maybe a couple, but I find it astonishing that even Jang Uk's friends and family shared this same agenda, as they also kept the truth from him. Additionally, the more this delay continued the further the narrative possibilities were constrained and, thusly, certain scenarios conjured up by fans never came to pass. However, this will not be much of an issue for people coming in blind to Part 2 (or with a healthy distance from Part 1). Perhaps even the fact that the noble idiocy card is played, or that the main antagonist is obstinately preserved by the writers until the very last episode to little effect (when he shouldn't have made it past Part 1), won't present much of an issue to newcomers.

Having said this, I still feel the final battle for the fate of the world remains rather underwhelming and anticlimactic, not helped by the fact that certain characters are resurrected right before said battle. After all, if the show outright establishes death is not permanent, minutes before "the end of the world," why should I fear for any of the characters? Even Jang Uk himself, during this final battle, doesn't show an ounce of worry that maybe this time he will not make it out alive, regardless of his powers, making the fight seem entirely mechanical and perfunctory. The writers even throw in some half-baked plot device about the King's Star being powered by seven other stars, and since it had never been explained throughout the show a character has to exposition-dump it on our laps (there's quite a lot of exposition dump going around in Part 2, what helps newcomers to the show). It's a plot device prominently featured in the cdrama Fighter of the Destiny, which I previously recommended, so maybe it was inspired by it?

In the end, if you still want to get a taste of the Alchemy experience, I wholeheartedly suggest you treat Part 2 as the original show, with Part 1 being the prequel made to cash in on the show's success that, ultimately, you may not even need. Thus, as a standalone, I'm revising my original rating for Part 2 from a 6/10 to a 7/10, bumping it into my above average bin.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Episode count: 16

Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: 6/10

Verdict: Better luck in S2

Alternatives: Good Doctor, Again My Life

Woo to the Young to the Woo started off with a bang and had me sold after binging its first four episodes (I had a bit of an offset), making me hopeful this could be one of my favourites from 2022. Sadly, it was thereabouts that the quality of the writing slowly started going downhill for me. Woo lost me on two fronts: the weak framing and execution of the legal cases, and the underdeveloped cast of supporting characters, who were mostly neglected in favour of Park Eun Bin's Young Woo. Don't get me wrong, Park Eun Bin nailed the character, and her conversation with her mom in Episode 8 was particularly poignant and well executed, but it wouldn't have hurt to give characters like Min Woo or Jun-ho a case that resonated with them, like "The Strife of the Three Brothers," which was relevant to Young Woo's BFF Geu Ra-mi.

I'll take Min Woo as an example because, out of the whole cast of supporting characters, he showed the most promise. The show mentions in passing that Min Woo is his family's sole breadwinner, what could explain why he's so competitive and regards Young Woo as a threat rather than a boon, but the show never tries to explore this when it has the perfect medium to do so in the form of the legal cases. So why not give him a case that echoes some of his struggles trying to support his family while making headway into the competitive legal world, thus allowing us and his teammates to get to know him a little better? In essence, show us, don't just tell us. How am I then supposed to buy his sudden change-of-heart in "The Blue Night of Jeju" when you've given me nothing to support the fact he's bonded with anyone in the team? (besides Jun-ho who was already his flatmate) Perhaps not surprisingly, this particular episode throws a bunch of arcs left and right for the supporting characters to try and grab hold of, but too little too late.

As a procedural, I feel Extraordinary Attorney Woo is pretty average. It either didn't know how or never intended to handle its supporting cast of characters and successfully integrate them into the narrative, similarly to how a show like Again My Life did. To draw a curious parallel, the final episode of Again My Life gathers all of "the good guys" at the restaurant of Hee Woo's parents. There are 14 of them in total, not counting Hee Woo and his parents, and I feel like they've truly become one big extended family by show's end. Extraordinary Attorney Woo has a similar scene, gathering everyone at Min Shik's place that is meant to convey the same feeling, but they don't quite feel like a team yet, let alone a family. Maybe in Season 2?

If you're looking for a show featuring another savant autistic lead, but with a better grasp on developing an ensemble cast of characters, as well as a romantic relationship between the leads, then Good Doctor is the show for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a kickass lawyer, well, you probably already know who I'm talking about.

Fanletter, Please⭐

Episode count: 4

Where to watch: Viki

Rating: 8/10

Verdict: A lot of heart in a small package

The first among three shows in these lists that feature Choi Soo Young and Yoon Park as either main or supporting leads. I'd only previously watched Choi Soo Young in So I Married an Anti-Fan, a show not without its share of issues, but her as the female lead wasn't one. Indeed, she was one of the highlights and I was looking forward to seeing more of her work. As such, I was looking forward to this mini-series, more so when I realised Yoon Park would play the role of a father willing to move heaven and earth for his daughter, what is not a typical setup in kdramas (in my watching experience, mind you). Off the top of my head, I can only think of Marriage Contract and Lie After Lie as similar shows, in terms of how much of a protagonist the child actor is. Both are shows I would wholeheartedly recommend.

As for Fanletter, Please, I was positively pleased by how much content and social commentary this show was able to fit into its 4-hour runtime without harming the storytelling, something that even full-length kdramas struggle to achieve. Having said that, I would've welcomed one or two more episodes to let it breathe a little bit more and, of course, to watch some cute family moments! This is definitely a case of so good you want more of it. Still, Choi Soo Young and Yoon Park make it work within the available runtime, what's a credit to them and the script. CSY was on a roll last year (as you'll find out in Part 2!) so I'll have to keep an eye out for more of her dramas, and it was very welcome to see Yoon Park play this devoted father character after the disappointing Forecasting Love & Weather (though he was pretty good in it). Give me more short dramas!

Forecasting Love and Weather

Episode count: 16

Where to watch: Viki, Netflix

Rating: 6/10

Verdict: Couldn't forecast love and I have my doubts about the weather

Alternatives: She Would Never Know, The Rational Life

I have a soft spot for Park Min Young, having watched romcoms like What's Wrong With Secretary Kim? and Her Private Life, or even melodramas like When the Weather is Fine. And who can forget Healer, where she played the part of Lois Lane to Ji Chang Wook's Clark Kent (watch it, it's a classic). I couldn't remember a drama with her that I didn't enjoy watching, so it broke my heart a little to see what a disappointing mess Forecasting Love and Weather turned out to be. I should've heeded a friend's advice to steer clear of Song Kang dramas, even though the script was clearly the worse offender by far.

The show hooked us in with the initial romcom elements, and then decided to veer into slife/melo territory, as the relationships between the different couples started to fray, with conflict being driven at an accelerated pace by the issues that arose from poor communication, or an outright absence of it, and how the different couples handled (they often didn't) the results of their miscommunication. I didn't much mind at the time because I felt they were being somewhat mature about it without overplaying their hand, and because my weekly romcom fix was being delivered by A Business Proposal, but they were treading a fine line... that got utterly ground into dust in the last six episodes. At this point in the show, the nonsensical drama was amped considerably, to the point it could've given Young Lady & Gentleman a run for their money, setting us up for the inevitable breakup. Why? Because the kdrama gods have written that a breakup must inevitably occur in Episode 14 or thereabouts, and this show is not about to subvert that trope!

Like Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Forecasting Love and Weather failed at properly handling its ensemble cast of characters, trying to juggle five relationships to some very mixed results, when it would've been better off simply focusing on the main and secondary couples. As a result, by show's end I could've cared less what happened to the main couple, and was actually a bit more invested in the secondary one, played by Yoon Park and Yura, possibly because they at least tried to talk to each other and work things out. Honestly, Yoon Park's Ki Jun got the better deal out of all the characters in the show. How do you make Ki Jun, the guy who cheated on his fiancée with Si Woo's girlfriend, a more likable, or at least interesting, character than everyone else? You have him grow from an immature baby into a more or less responsible adult. You could argue that the main leads experience growth of their own, but it struck me as a bit aimless, a bit hollow. I mean, 16 episodes for Ha Kyung's boss to tell her you learn more from your mistakes than you do your successes? Seriously? Just go to r/GetMotivated for that.

Would I recommend this show? Unless you want to learn a little about what goes on behind the scenes of a weather forecast, not really, but maybe it's my fault for having high expectations due to PMY. It's not a bad show though, just average. If you want far better executed takes on this concept, check She Would Never Know on the kdrama side, and The Rational Life on the cdrama side.

Glitch💀

Episode count: 10

Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: 3/10

Verdict: Watching an episode of Ancient Aliens on the History Channel would've been more exciting and a lot shorter too

Alternatives: Circle

Can I get away simply by saying watching this show was a glitch? No? Dammit. I should've known better than to watch a Netflix-produced kdrama, even if it does star Nana, 'cause they've all been a bust for me, but Glitch was one of the privileged few shows I watched in 2022 that made me feel I had utterly wasted my time, with no redeeming qualities about it. 500 minutes to tell a story that lacks focus and is all over the place, perhaps stretched thin to meet a Netflix episode quota, with a FL that is not particularly interesting to follow, as she goes through a midlife crisis and teams up with Nana to investigate a UFO cult that may or may not have kidnapped her ex to sell his kidneys. Okay, maybe I made up that last bit about the kidneys.

The comedy doesn't land, the mystery doesn't land, the drama doesn't land, and the UFO doesn't land either. Undoubtedly, the finale is the better episode of the show, not least of why because it marked the ending, but also because the show didn't have any more time to dawdle as it had been doing for the past nine episodes, what gave it some much needed focus. To make matters worse, the surprises and twists at the end of each episode just weren't good enough to keep you hooked, nor, I'm afraid, were the leads. I was tempted at the time to give this show my first ever 1/10 for the way it wasted my time over the span of those 500 minutes, with a story that was infuriatingly inconsistent and lacked a lot of common sense, but it's probably not that bad. Still, I would only recommend watching it to my enemies, probably alongside something like Sisyphus.

Good Job

Episode count: 12

Where to watch: Viki

Rating: 7/10

Verdict: Good fun

Alternatives: Secret Royal Inspector

Another ENA network show, like Extraordinary Attorney Woo, but shorter and more entertaining, as we follow the crazy antics of Eun Soon Woo (Jung Il Woo), a chaebol CEO who doubles as a private detective (think Bruce Wayne/Batman), and Don Se Ra (Kwon Yu Ri), his newly-recruited superpowered assistant, as they aim to solve a 20-year-old cold case while uncovering other, smaller, cases, helping people and rectifying injustices along the way.

Good Job is just a fun ride overall, even if the comedy can be a little hit-or-miss sometimes, especially when it drags on for too long or tries the Marvel route of undermining certain scenes. The writing too could've benefited from another revision, as some events feel gratuitously delayed, like when a character refuses to reveal a certain name only to do so a few minutes later, while others are forced to a head, like Se Ra discovering Soon Woo's batcave. Oh, yeah, he has a batcave, of sorts, and even an Alfred, in the form of Lee Joon Hyuk's Director Hong, whom you may recall from Mystic Pop-Up Bar. He also has a talented sidekick and comedic support, Jin Mo (Eum Moon Suk), both a lawyer and a hacker, who also gets into a romantic entanglement of his own with Se Ra's best friend, Na Hee (Song Sang Eun). This is the mini-Justice League you'll see play dress-up (these scenes are so over-the-top fun!) from episode to episode, as they go undercover to solve cases and get one step closer to their goal. In this sense, this show could be compared to something like Taxi Driver, but, unlike the latter, Good Job doesn't take itself too seriously and neither should you for maximum enjoyment.

While the resolution of the final case felt a bit underwhelming, and perhaps a tad perfunctory (I did appreciate the brief redemption arc for one of the antagonists though), Good Job achieves in 12 episodes what Extraordinary Attorney Woo could not in 16, making its cast of characters grow into a team, one I would not mind accompanying in more adventures in future seasons. Will that happen? Probably not, so if you're looking for more fun adventures of the sort, and don't mind traveling to the past, I would not hesitate to recommend Secret Royal Inspector, with Kim Myung Soo and Kwon Na Ra.

Grid💀

Episode count: 10

Where to watch: Disney+

Rating: 4/10

Verdict: Another nail in the kdrama sci-fi coffin

Alternatives: 365: Repeat the Year, Reset, Circle

Sci-fi is one of my favourite genres, but kdramas have had a rather lousy track record at delivering good quality sci-fi and, sadly, Grid does nothing to change that. Our story starts in 1997, when a mysterious time traveler known as "the Ghost" laves a program for an energy grid to replace Earth's failing magnetic fields. This Grid is now managed by the Administration Bureau who intend to track down the Ghost and unlock the secrets of time travel... eventually. The show's comprised of only ten episodes, yet the pacing of the first half is slower than it has any right to be given the events depicted (hint: they aren't that exciting) and the dialogue isn't stimulating enough to sustain such a slow burner. This "season" could've been compressed into 5 or 6 episodes and it would've been stronger for it. Of course, then it would hardly qualify as a "season" (though Netflix seems to think it does).

The main plot line focuses around this serial killer and the fact that the Ghost is helping him evade capture. Why is this time traveler aiding and abetting a criminal? Honestly, this question was never interesting enough to fuel ten weeks of watching (the pain!) and it shows. Additionally, it is not answered conclusively, although there are some bread crumbs for the viewer to put the pieces together. In fact, this statement captures the show in a nutshell; it raises questions, but never provides any conclusive or satisfying answers, playing on the viewer's knowledge of other (better) time travel stories so they can come up with their own. Perhaps the worst example of this is the season finale, which is only meant to set up events for a possible S2 (in your dreams, or nightmares), thereby raising even more questions.

The writer behind this, Lee Soon Yeon, is apparently quite good, having written for Stranger and Stranger 2. I haven't watched either show so I can't comment on them, but time travel stories aren't for everyone. Having said that, the "mysteries" that are supposed to keep viewers hooked were also underwhelming. I remember reading an article that recommended Grid as a show that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I suppose it's possible to fall off your seat while asleep, right? If you want a show that uses time travel well, though in very limited fashion, merely as a trigger for the plot to unfold, watch 365: Repeat the Year. The cdrama Reset is a great exponent of using a time loop and one of my favourites from 2022. If you want kdrama's best exponent of sci-fi to date, watch Circle (review on the way).

If You Wish Upon Me⭐

Episode count: 16

Where to watch: Viki

Rating: 8/10

Verdict: The genie from Aladdin would be proud

First things first, there is a better version of this show if you take out the gangster storyline, which was entirely superfluous, and better integrate the sister storyline into the main plot. You can also drop the jealous doctor who added surprisingly little beyond being jealous at the required times (what a waste of a perfectly good character). Repackage it all into a shorter, 12-episode, season and this show could've reached 9-10 territory for me. Those are pretty much the weakest aspects of the show.

With that out of the way, it's a very good show. People have compared it to Chocolate given that it takes place in a hospice ward but, for my part, I dropped that show after 5 or 6 episodes, partly because of the ML. No such problem with Ji Chang Wook's character here, an orphan and ex-con with a heart of gold, and a cute dog he's named "Son." Despite all the abuse he's been subjected to throughout his life, he slowly starts to open up as he does community service at the hospice. Paired with Choi Soo Young's flirty Nurse Seo (love her!), these two alone make a powerful case for watching this show. Sung Dong Il also delivers a great performance and has some wonderful exchanges with Ji Chang Wook's character.

The show follows the "case of the week" formula for the most part, certainly during the first half of the drama, as Team Genie tries to fulfill the final wishes of the hospice's patients and often positively impact other people's lives in so doing. Be prepared and have tissues at hand. Beyond the gangster detour that wasted our time towards the end, and drew dangerously close to upending all the good will the show had garnered throughout its run, the final episode really brings it home, coming full circle and delivering a really satisfying conclusion to our story, one final surprise as Team Genie brings down the curtain on their show and bids us goodbye.

In short, yes, it could've been better with a tighter focus but, as it stands, it's one of the better shows to have come out in 2022, and perhaps Ji Chang Wook's best work since Healer (with the caveat that I have not yet watched Suspicious Partner nor Lovestruck in the City). And Choi Soo Young is now 2 for 2! (this girl's on 🔥🔥)

Jinxed at First💀

Episode count: 16

Where to watch: Viki

Rating: 4/10

Verdict: Oh, it's jinxed alright

Alternatives: My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, Goblin, Scripting Your Destiny

I had measured expectations for this drama. Na In Woo had previously worked with the same director in 2021's River Where the Moon Rises, a show I enjoyed a great deal, though mostly because it was the first time I delved deep into the history behind the drama, namely the tale of Princess Pyeonggang and On Dal the Fool, and the history of the Three Kingdoms' period. He was brought in late, with production underway, to replace Ji Soo; he barely slept, had to adlib a lot of his scenes, and still managed to have great chemistry with Kim So Hyun and, to my mind, had the better grasp on the character of On Dal. I'd hoped Jinxed at First would give him another opportunity to shine, but, alas, that was not the case.

The first episode alone is a hectic storytelling mess (and, incidentally, River Where the Moon Rises alumni reunion), rushing through a lot of backstory and setup for the rest of the season. We're introduced to Soo Gwang, a bright student with a promising future and powerful friends, whose life takes a turn for the worse when he meets Seul Bi (Seo Hyun), a woman imprisoned since birth by his best friend's dad because of her strange ability to see a person's future through a single touch. Cut to a year later, where we find Soo Gwang working as a fishmonger under a different name, only for Seul Bi to track him down again, determined to remain by his side.

Honestly, I'm not sure what genre this show wanted to be, but I'm pretty sure it failed at most of them. For the first 6 or 7 episodes it tried to resemble something like My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, as Seul Bi is just as innocent and naïve as Miho was (even if Miho sold it better than Seul Bi did, to my mind), and both male leads were resolved to get rid of her. This is perhaps the strongest portion of the show, as Seul Bi adapts to her new environment and neighbors, making new friends while at the same time helping Soo Gwang get rid of his (never explained) bad luck. I even enjoyed some of the comedy. However, unlike My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, there is not enough chemistry between the leads to have them fall in love with each other over the course of 6 or 7 episodes. Well, not in Soo Gwang's case at any rate, as Seul Bi has been infatuated with him for years. Upon falling in love, the trope that naturally follows is a break-up, after which point the show starts to resemble more of a makjang, turning to corporate and chaebol intrigue and infighting. This is also around the time Soo Gwang's best friend, Min Joon (played by Ki Do Hoon, from Scripting Your Destiny), decides he's in love with Seul Bi (what?), something even more out of left field, especially when he's already engaged to Lee Ho Jung's (Soljiwan!!!) charming character, Ja Kyung, who effortlessly stole every scene she was in. Min Joon, if you don't want her, I'll gladly take her off your hands!

Seemingly having exhausted the depth of its narrative well, the show dragged its feet for several episodes, eventually deciding the story was better served by turning a character into a psychopath, who also wanted Seul Bi for himself and was willing to kill anyone in the process, an eye-rolling set of circumstances eventually resolved thanks to Seul Bi's expansive (aka nonsensical) repertoire of supernatural powers. And, of course, in a show of this caliber, the amnesia trope could not be absent, a card that is dealt in the very last episode and resolved at the very last minute. What a payoff.

When I first learned of this drama I recall reading an outline that went something along the lines of, "Unlucky man meets a goddess of luck." Would it have been too much to ask for a show fitting that description, but in the vein of the excellent Goblin instead? Or maybe something like Scripting Your Destiny, which is certainly not as good as Goblin, but is still way better than this, and much shorter too. If you want to watch a show that features a romantic relationship between a god and a human, I encourage you to give those a try instead, as well as the aforementioned My Girlfriend is a Gumiho.

[rookflower]

If you are still doing them Squirrelflight for the warriors ask?

seuality/gender headcanon: oh this cat is bi. not sure on gender, prob just a cis woman

rating out of 10: 10/10 that's my friend squirrelflight

favourite thing about them: selflessness, determination, and absolute endurace in the face of everything that's been thrown her way because holy shit

least favourite thing about them: the fact that she's probably never going to divorce bramblestar. girl leave him

when i first started liking them: uhhh not sure. think it was a click in watching fandom content at some point rather than a specific moment in the books. i was pretty neutral on her when i first stopped reading around early tnp but actively liked her when i picked the books back up a bit later.

do i relate to/project onto them? not really i don't think.

fav ship: tough.... i don't think i've ever actually gotten super into a squirrelflight ship actually. squirrelflight x happiness, i guess. moonlight, tawnypelt or sol if you are forcing me to pick one but im not jumping up and down for any of those theyre all like ok at best lol.

fav platonic ship: leafpool, if that counts? have a bit of a soft spot for funny tnp roadtrip gang shenanigans as well but i can't point to any one of those guys specifically, they work best as a group.

ship i hate: feel like my least fav is ashsquirrel by default. especially considering the bizarre idea that used to be widespread that it would be 100% fine and healthy had squirrelflight never rejected him.

do i prefer canon or fanon?: uhhhh. i guess canon-adjacent fanon from people who actually like squirrelflight?

random headcanon: my mind has gone completely blank i'll get back to you later

what colour do i picture them as: pretty dark red! white paw is important, and i usually give her some white markings on her chest, face, and tail as well.

unpopular opinion: crowsquirrel has like. negative levels of chemistry and i genuinely don't understand why everyone on twitter got so into shipping them last year. hard for me to be invested in shrewsquirrel either when shrewpaw is barely a character. a lot of endeavours to find squirrelflight a better partner are appreciated but in vain sorry. also i don't actually mind the "squilf" nickname (which came from a bizarre kate cary tweet and NOT people calling her squirrel milf, to clarify) i think it's silly

song i associate with them: Dying To Believe by The Beths, Be Sweet by Japanese Breakfast, Every Day I Love You Less And Less by Kaiser Chiefs

favourite maps/pms/amvs

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Tuesday, October 24, Part II

[Fandom Discussions]

How do you think a 6th seasons of Angel would have looked like? by speashasha

Episodes that SHOULD have been a bottle episode? by Glass-Volume-558

Did Willow save Buffy's live in season six by magically removing the bullet? by SafiraAshai

Buffy Comics by BrandalfTehGay

The Character Arc of Xander Harris: A Study Of Masculinity/Femininity by Prometheus321

Where did Dru ever turn a bus into a buffet? by thrasherpix

What happened to Darla? by SvenVersluis2001

Angel's soul by TheTrainer32

Was Faith an identified Potential? by UnquantifiableLife

The curse of Spin-offs in the Buffyverse by primal_slayer

Faith's change of heart by not_firewood_yet

AtS equivalent to ‘Lie to Me’? by saxen021

What was your thoughts when you first saw these guys? by Brief-Cryptographer2

Buffy and Faith by Dry-Sport-9231

I adore Willow. Appreciation for my favourite redhead by Sweet-Siren

Lindsay from Angel is a very attractive villain by Sweet-Siren

Buffy and Riley had some hot scenes by Sweet-Siren

Season 6 and the giant Giles hole by davect01

Character growth in two pictures (Spoilers for S3 Graduation Day Part 2) by Hamblerger

Why was buffy so drastically different in "The Wish"? by Tsole96

Can anyone clear up why buffy is so addicted to Spike? by Ashaixia

Season 7 is a totally different vibe compared to Seasons 5-6. by NorsacceBerlusconi

Once more with feeling S6E7 by EarNo4207

Just rewatched Witch by DifficultRice7075

Why was the cast of Angel so underused compared to Buffy's? by BlueFlameWar

Did Buffy miss the boat on sexuality? by PotentialDavis

Who was your favourite “monster of the week” monster by duvet-cover

Buffy’s Alternate Birthday Is Today by Femfilmrogue

What was a concept or sub plot you wanted to see more of? by duvet-cover

Glory lipstick by prajituracuafine

Buffy’s Friends Love Her by jredgiant1

Can't believe they showed that! by Dry-Sport-9231

Which core 4 scooby had the best frenemy interactions by The810kid

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Wasted a Character’s Potential by Fridging Her by 410Writer

TIL Buffy is actually a show about a sexy young woman learning to cope with her sexiness as an adult by TSllama

Favourite part of the Buffyverse Franchise? by GarthTDdraig

First time you ever watched, did this moment have you fooled? by GreyStagg

Where is Glory's home? by VeterinarianFinal751

Buffy: The Animated Series by blaqueheart

Watching Helpless... it's heartbreaking by UnquantifiableLife

So um, how come no one ever seems to bleed or bruise? by moussetang

As a non-American viewer, I've always wondered: what kind of a name is "Buffy"? by RafRide

this is an appreciation post for faith's ever-present, flawlessly applied lipgloss by meltmyheadaches

BUFFY SEASON 6!!! by bi-zo-zo

Spuffy and the 7x20 house… by winterlovesong1

Cordy and Connor by pandamanda04

Update on my first time watching by craig536

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

[hellzyeahthewebwieldingavenger]

Being attracted to women doesnt mean you are exclusively attracted to them.

That is true.

However we have spent 60+ years seeing everything about peter from not just his pov but from inside his head. The ‘contract’ between reader, writer and characters are that we get to know all the notable details of who Peter (and other such lead characters) are. We live inside their heads and so we should know everything they know at minimum.

In that time he has exclusively been attracted to cis women and has a long list of women he’s had romantic/sexual interactions with.

His biologically identical clones have also only ever been attracted to cis women, even the ones who don’t have all of his memories and so their nurture is not the same as his.*

The overwhelming majority of alternate universe versions of him, whether they are divergent from 616 or simply exist in a wholesale different universe like the Ultimate Universe, have overwhelmingly only been attracted to cis women.

Among all these versions often times they have had regular interactions with stereotypically attractive or stereotypically desirable men. The Avengers for instance is chockfull of incredibly attractive men many of whom were single and many of whom were single at the same time Spider-Man himself was. Peter never made a move with any of them though, nor even had passing romantic/sexual thoughts about them.

Among all that there has never even been a subtle implication that Peter might possibly find people who are not cis women attractive the way there has been a slight implication that Black Cat finds women attractive (I can't speak more recent stuff Im out of the loop so maybe the latter has changed) or Electro finds men attractive.

At that point the notion that this aspect of his character is up in the air is a non-starter. It’s very clear that it isn’t up in the air at all.

For certain other characters this is not necessarily the case. Let’s use the most famous Spider-Hero besides Peter Parker, Miles Morales, along with my personal favourite alternate Spider-Hero, Mayday Parker, as comparative characters.

Miles has existed since 2011, he’s less than 15 years old (in real time) as a character.

Mayday existed in near consistent publication between 1999-2010. Let’s highball all her appearances and say today she’s had 13 years worth of appearances.

They are also both teenagers who’ve had relatively little romantic experience, to my knowledge 0 sexual experience and none of their love interests have been particularly serious with one possible exception on Miles’ part. But the fact we’re even debating that tells you a lot about how serious it was really.

For either of these characters it’d be entirely logical to establish them as being attracted to members of the same sex.

Teenagers are only just discovering their sexualities, they haven’t had experience and haven’t seen much of what’s ‘out there’ yet. The fact that they have a relatively short list of romantic interests also supports the idea they could very well be attracted to people of the same sex as themselves.

I wouldn’t mind that at all with Miles, but I have to admit I don’t care for that character in the first place.

The same isn’t true of Mayday. Words fail to describe my adoration for that character so when I say I’m onboard with establishing her as gay, bi, etc please believe me. In fact I’ve proposed such stories myself. I think there is a really great love interest for Mayday in Felicity Hardy waiting for her if they went that direction and she’s a billion times more compelling than her other male love interests.

For Peter though the context is very different as outlined above. I mean to be very blunt if we have all these stories (well in excess of 1000 issues worth of comic books) demonstrating Peter’s romantic/sexual attractions and that doesn’t equate to us knowing what his sexuality is...what would be? By that logic couldn’t Northstar or Iceman not necessarily be gay? I wouldn’t say so and I wouldn’t want that for their characters either.

BTW the <insert current date here> argument is bad logic.

Yes it’s the modern day....and?

The world becoming more enlightened (allegedly) doesn’t have any bearing on this because it would creatively and realistically be more viable to have a different character (be they an AU Peter or a wholesale different character like Miles or Mayday) be queer instead of 616 Peter Parker regardless of the date. The ship in regards to his character sailed a long time ago.

Plus if this is mainly about representation** then wouldn’t it be rather reductive to have Spider-Man, the most famous Marvel hero ever who is famously in love with 3 famous female characters in their own right, be queer?

Think about it most adaptions would inevitably pair him up with MJ, Black Cat or Gwen and the comics would do so too. And Creatively speaking in terms of the Insomniatics that would 100% undermine his ‘queerness’ regardless of what you say. Again Electro and Black Cat are gay or bi in actual canon but since they are only ever paired up with people of the opposite sex it diminishes it’s relevance much as Dick Grayson being Rromani has been superflusous to his character because it’s an aspect left unused and unexplored.

I am not meaning to compare a sexuality to a disability here, but it is a little like when they made Flash Thompson Agent Venom. Yes he was a ‘disabled’ superhero but...not really. Because his disability eventually became practically irrelevant to the stories issue to issue due to the context of said stories.

In other words for Spider-Man to be queer and for it to actually matter he WOULD need to actually have stories dealing with his romantic/sexual interactions with other men. Creatively speaking how much are you really going to use the fact he’s attracted to men if he’s in a stable relationship with Mary Jane. He’d never cheat of course, he’s not one to even flirt and he barely noticed any other women were attractive beyond MJ, with the exception being Felicia. 

Doesn’t it make a lot MORE sense in terms of representation to either take a less canvassed character or a brand new character and clearly establish them as queer instead? You can build that in much more easily as a central aspect of their identity that way, introduce potentiall endgame same sex love interests, more easily tell stories about them without dancing around decades of contradictory continuity, etc.

It’s the difference between creating a wholesale queer character like the popular Kevin Keller and retconning that Archie himself (who’s defined as having the hots for multiple people of the opposite sex) is in fact queer. Or to use the Mayday/Miles example, it’s the difference between retconning Archie as queer vs. taking a less canvassed character like Jughead and establishing they are in fact queer.

*To be clear as crystal I’m not saying your sexuality is a matter of nurture, rather it’s possible for people who are not hetereosexual to ‘perform’ as though they were or even believe themselves to be based upon the environment they’ve grown up and lived in. Thus his clones who lack that identical environmental factors could hypothetically result in them being attracted to people of the same sex as themselves if they were indeed not heterosexual. 

** which is again bad logic as these creative properties existing to make money thus demanding the reative and financial considerations must inherently trump all social/political considerations

marvel when they heard tom holland saying he’s interested in exploring peter’s sexuality

[life-in-the-monster-haus]

I have a question if that's alright. In you honest opinion, considering certain spoilers of the Monster High Movie; do you think they'll bring Jackson Jekyll and Holt Hyde back? Or do you think they have no chance of ever returning? I think it would suck a lot if they never came back. Jackson and Holt were, and always will be, my favourite mansters from Monster High, and never seeing them again makes me a little sad.

All questions are welcome! tis why my ask box is open! don't be shy! I will try to answer to the best of my abilities. Hmm, I need to be careful how I answer this because I just got done writing a College level dissertation defending Gil Webber and my brain hurts.

Okay! here's the scoop, I love Monster High in all of it's forms- this even includes G2, because of this I have been desperately trying to find ways that the G1 & G3 continuities can play nice together so that BOTH canon can peacefully coexist. I don't think the old Bloodgood is gone- I just think she retired and the new one is her wife. I don't think OG Lagoona is gone- she just got bounced out of the school database when G3 Lagoona got accepted & decided to go join the Olympics.

As for Jackson and Holt it is slightly more complex, but go with me on this journey. G1 in the same breath introduced us to Jackson and Holt and then yanked them away from us! Plus they were not in G2 at all, which means their doll sales were poor. This does not bode well for them returning for G3. HOWEVER! all hope is not lost! We have an ace up our sleeve! The Monster High Live action movie brought the whole Jekyll and Hyde thing back to the front of our consciousness. Mr. Komos is related to Mr. Hyde! which means TECHNICALLY He'd be related to Holt too. Someone mentioned him being Holt's uncle and I am 100% for that! Jackson and Holt would fit perfectly in G3's Monsters Vs Humans conflict! we haven't seen a character this complex since Warren Peace! Holt and Jackson could be a liaison for Monster Human relations! Maybe Holt wants to help repair the damage his uncle did! Maybe Jackson can help Clawdeen learn to love her human half! there are SO MANY OPTIONS! it writes itself!

Also: it's been 12 years, Frankie and Jackson/Holt never became official! I'm tired of waiting Mattel!

Do the fans right! No lone Manster was ever good enough for our Frankie! it took 2 in one body to make them happy! and they deserve to be happy! Also: can you imagine the sensationalism that would follow!? Jackson/Holt dating nonbinary Frankie!? Frankie is not a girl! which means Holt/Jackson are not straight! all of your Bi & Pan Jackson/Holt head canons just became real! you're welcome! AND Jackson/Holt could ALSO use they pronouns because they are 2 he's in one body! they are they in the plural sense! he/they! This would generate so much news and buzz! Mattel wouldn't know what to DO with all the press! you can't buy this kind of advertising!

Now, the unfortunate part of this is Mattel does not have an excellent history of listening to fan requests or fans in general BUT we still have a voice! We bullied Mattel enough that they brought Ghoulia and Spectra back for G3 after they were missed in G2. Let me be absolutely crystal clear: Do not bother the actors or voice actors of the G3 Monster High series... they have zero say in company business. If you want Mattel to listen to must contact them directly, e-mail them or call them to get in touch! Blow up MH's social medias! Youtube, Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook! tell them what you want! Holt and Jackson back! (if you could also mention that they need to get a handle on their quality control that would be very helpful) If you're an artist please keep drawing fan art of our boy(s)! Mattel keeps tabs on that kind of thing! it lets them know who the fans (us) like!

I firmly believe there will be nothing but good to come if Jackson and Holt come back for G3. Please blow up Mattel, be aggressive and assertive! we can bring Jackson and Holt back if we are loud enough I am confident in this! Mattel wants us to be happy! happy people buy their products! Be loud! draw fan art! tell them directly! it takes all of us!

[musette22]

Hi Minnie, feel free to ignore if you're not comfortable answering. I don't know, I'm a bit sad about some attitudes I'm seeing in the fandom from people who want to force a headcanon and if you don't agree with them then you're a bad person. I'm bisexual, and if I see Steve or Bucky as such then I'm either erasing Bucky's backstory or condemning Steve to a toxic relationship with P*ggy. Like, tbh it's no one's business if I think of them as bi, but I'm angry because all of a sudden people come with an anti-like behavior to force their views. As I said, I'm asexual bi, and I relate to Bucky and I see him as asexual bi too, so am I a bad person for not thinking of him as gay? I also think of Steve as trans and bisexual as well, is that wrong too? 🥺😔

Hi sweetheart! I'm sorry for the delay in replying to this, I just have had some pretty chaotic days and I wanted to give this question my full attention <3 I’m so sorry this has been upsetting you! 

So first of all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with headcanon'ing Bucky as asexual bi and Steve as trans and bisexual - they're fictional characters and you can believe them to be anything you like! That's the beauty of fandom: we just use the source material for a basis on which to build our own interpretations and narratives in the way that feels right to us and makes us happy. Unless our opinions and actions are actively causing harm to others, there is no wrong opinion in this context. So don't let anyone ever tell you that what you believe isn't right, or that you're any less of a Steve or Bucky fan for it!

We all have preferences, and likes and dislikes, and headcanons, as well as things we absolutely hate. I have a very long list of things I can't abide when it comes to shipping and characterisation and dynamic of my fave characters. But I am aware that my opinions and preferences are not universal, and they don't need to be. If other people find joy and comfort in characterisations and ships that I personally don't like, then that's great! No skin off my back, right? These things can co-exist perfectly fine, since they're, you know, fictional.

Sure, I get extremely annoyed or ticked off sometimes when I see a take I dislike and don't agree with too, but when that happens, there are several options available to me: I can unfollow or block the person who voiced that opinion, I can focus on my own favourite takes to help me forget about the icky stuff, and I can rant about it privately to my friends who I know feel the same way. What I won't ever do is tell other people they're wrong, or a bad person, or problematic for thinking whatever they think or liking whatever they like. That's unacceptable, and just pretty rude and hurtful. Anti-behaviour is pointless and silly imo. This fandom is big enough for all of us and our personal opinions on fictional characters!

Having headcanons and being passionate about them and wanting to share them with other people is fantastic. Forcing your headcanons on other people and making them feel bad about their own interpretations and preferences is not. I don't know why people feel the need to do that, but I do know that you should try not to let it get to you, and you should definitely continue to believe and ship and enjoy whatever the heck you want, lovely! 😘😘

[kiki-shortsnout]

For the fic writer asks: F, I, O, S? 😊

Hey! Thank you so much for the ask!

F: Share a snippet from one of your favourite dialogue scenes you've written and explain why you're proud of it.

The one my mind immediately went to it this snippet from Obstacles and Opportunities:

‘Please, Stephen, I’ve known you’ve had feelings for Tony for a while now,’ she peeked up at him, a small smile on her lips. ‘So, why the freak out now you’ve noticed?’

‘Perhaps because, oh I dunno, I’ve never been in a homosexual relationship before?’ He snapped, scrubbing his nails with vigour.

‘Stephen, listen to me. Your feelings for him, they’re not different from what you’d feel for a woman right?’

‘I’ve never felt romantic feelings for a woman, beyond our night together. What if I’m projecting my feelings of loneliness onto him? I’ve not been with anyone for nearly a year now, what if I’m mistaking our friendship for something more?’

‘Maybe.’ Christine shrugged. ‘I for one, don’t believe sexuality is fixed.’

Stephen stopped what he was doing, listening.

‘Society tells us we must be one thing and once we’ve decided that’s where we stay. Gay, bi, straight they’re all only labels, our need to understand. What you identify with now is still you, regardless of who you have feelings for, even if you change that identity later on.’

‘Christine…’

‘That’s what I believe anyway. Maybe you’re right, maybe it’s a projection,’ Christine winked, picking up her sterile towel to begin drying her hands.

One of the main points I wanted to tackle with this single parent Stephen fic was him struggling with his sexuality, and I think the above snippet captures his struggles regarding his feelings for another man.  I’m proud of it because this one snippet is one piece of my writing that lots of readers reached out to me to tell them how it touched them in some way, which, as a writer, is the best compliment you can ever get!

I: Do you have a guilty pleasure in fic (reading or writing)?

In both reading and writing fics my guilty pleasure is one partner being sick/injured and the other having to help. So Hurt/Comfort?

O: How do you begin a story—with the plot, or the characters?

Difficult one as it’s sort of both. I’ve always believed that a story should be driven by the characters and not the plot. What I tend to do when planning is to have a few plot points, what do the characters want, what is preventing them from getting it, how do I want the story to end, but then it’s the characters who drive the narrative while I’m writing, and quite often the plot points get changed to work with the character development.

S: Any fandom tropes you can't resist?

 Hurt/Comfort, A/B/O, Dominant/Submissive……I’ve been itching to write a Sugar Daddy IronStrange, or Camboy Tony recently….so that’s a new trope I’ve been obsessing about.

Thank you so much for this ask!💜💜

Fanfic Ask Game

[oddsnendsfanfics]

Unraveling in the Sheets

Genre: Fan Fiction

Pairing: Henry Cavill/OFC

Warnings: Language, Sexual Content, NSFW

Rating: M

Length: Short Story

Disclaimer: a strict work of fiction, I own nothing except the original characters and the plot line. In no way am I affiliated to any of it.

A/N: Spoiler Alert, there is smut. Be warned. It's there.

Also, I am no longer doing tags on posts. Since my list exceeds the tag limit. Please feel free to join the chat in place of the tag list.

Henry Cavill Master List

“How did you do it though?” Gliding the car into a free parking space, Henry glanced at Nell in the passenger's seat.

“How did I do what?” Eyeing him curiously, she tried to hide her gloating smile. She could be a terrible winner, even if she wasn't the winner, she had came ahead of Henry.

“You know what I mean, Nelly.”

He looked so silly, his new mustache curling when he laughed or smiled. Nell had to admit, if any man could wear the 'stache Henry did it well.

“Oh, you mean how did I suddenly leave your ass behind and finish nearly 50 positions ahead?” She laughed, crinkling her nose. “I told you, I've been working hard for this. Besides, you're too big. You move slower than I do. It's that simple. Maybe next year, you will finish ahead of me.”

“You're impossible.” Unbuckling his seat belt, Henry hurried to get out of the car and around to the other side, before Nell could open her own door. Nearly there, he frowned when she opened the door, stepping out of the Aston Martin. “You were supposed to let me open that.”

“I am supposed to do a lot of things that I do not.” Nell grabbed her hand bag. “I'll let you open the door, next time. You big dork.”

Henry was always the gentleman, even when Nell would rather rip his eyes out than speak to him in a civil manner. Not that she ever felt the former much, but on the rare occasion. Sometimes that's how things went for ex-lovers. The mid May air was growing cool, leaving a few goosebumps on Nell's exposed arms. She had expected to be back before now, which is why she'd left her sweater in the hotel.

“Well, happy late birthday. It was nice having dinner with your family. I've missed them.”

“They've missed you, too. I could tell that dad was happy you came along. He hasn't talked that much during a dinner since the last time you came over.” Henry smiled fondly. "I'm glad that you came, Nelly." Hands in his pockets, Henry sauntered along beside Nell. Approaching the main entrance, he held the door allowing her to enter. 

When he'd invited her for the weekend, he wasn't confident that she would come. Wrapped up in work, Nell didn't take too much time away from Dublin these days.

"It was a nice break from work." Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, Nell bit her bottom lip. "I know that you are busy, but do you have a few minutes to talk?"

"I always have time to talk with you." Scanning the hotel lobby, Henry tried to find a spot for them to sit and chat privately. "Should we have a seat at the bar?"

"We could, but I would really like to change. Do you mind coming up with me? We can just talk in the room. It's probably more comfortable anyway."

"Is this about the wild boy?"

"Isn't it always?" 

Laughing, Henry pushed the call button for the elevator. Their son was truly something else. One day he would surely take over the world; Henry could see that coming from the day he was born.  To say Ivan was Henry's pride and joy would be a massive understatement. He lived for their son. This weekend having Ivan, and Nell, in Jersey had been fantastic. A short glimpse of what life could have been. The ding of the elevator brought Henry back from his brief fantasy.

He and Nell had split up several years ago, there wasn't much chance she would feel the same as he did. Lost in the thoughts of happy little family. Allowing Nell to step onto the elevator first, Henry stood silently with his hands clasped in front of him.

“So, Ivan has been doing well in school?” He may as well get this under way.

“Define doing well,” Nell snickered. “I get a call nearly every day from his teacher. The woman is impossible, but knowing our son, he isn't making it easy for her.”

“I was like that in school. Right up until the day I left.” Henry shrugged. The elevator gently bumping to a stop, he stepped forward to hold the door for Nell.

Muttering a thank you, Nell dug for her key card, leading the way down the hall. She loved this hotel, it was the only one she stayed in, if she could help it, while visiting the Island. A great view of the water on one side, the other dazzling with a fantastic look out into the city. The first time she'd ever been to Jersey, she had stayed in the hotel and fell in love with the charm. There were days when that felt like a life time ago.

Opening the door, Nell paused to allow Henry in. “Have a seat. Anywhere you'd like. Sorry it's kind of a mess. I'm going to change.”

The hotel room was anything but a mess, minus the few sketch books that Nell had dropped on the bed. Always working. Henry took a seat on the edge of the king sized bed, casually glancing at the colour coded notes and designs that Nell had in one of the open sketch books. Costumes. A few notes detailed leather armor and Viking era clothing. She'd done well for herself, since he'd met her. The same shy costume apprentice hiding out on set of The Tudors, was now helping drive forward the details of Vikings.

In the bathroom, Nell pulled off her dress. The fabric had became clingy after a while and she needed to be more relaxed. Running shorts and a tshirt would do the trick. Sighing at her reflection, she bit her bottom lip glancing down at her top. The worn coral Nike tshirt was her favourite, it was showing the love and wear in a few spots. Perhaps she should have picked something less frumpy? She was a busy, single mom she didn't have to look the part. Ah fuck, who cared. Henry certainly wouldn't.

He was here to discuss their son, not flirt with her until she gave in to that smile. Or got lost in his eyes, those gorgeous blue eyes – the left with the flecks of brown. His charm alone was enough to make anyone weak in the knees. Damn it, she needed to get over it. He had moved on. She needed to do the same.

Blowing out a breath, Nell reached for the door, pausing when she heard Henry talking. His tone told her that he was speaking to Ivan. Quietly slipping out of the bathroom, she smiled.

“Hold on, just a sec.” He pushed the screen of his phone, allowing the speaker to connect. “Alright, wild boy. Say goodnight to your mum.”

“Mum, momma, mum.” Ivan's voice filled the room. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Ivan. Are you being a good boy?”

“Uh huh. I love you. Good night.”

“Good night, wild boy. I love you.”

“Night dad.”

“Good night, I love you. I'm going to be back soon, you go to bed and I will see you first thing in the morning.”

“Okay. Oh, dad, can Kal sleep in my room tonight?” Ivan was fond of the large black and white American Akita. Henry laughed.

“Of course he can. You and Kal go to bed, now.”

“Okay, bye.” A little too quickly, Ivan hung up the phone. Henry laughed at the eagerness, he would talk to his mother when he got back to the house. Making sure that Ivan and his dog had gone to bed as they were told, with no fuss.

"Can you believe he is growing this fast? My god where has that time gone?" Henry rubbed his hands against his face. His mustache and subtle stubble scratching his palms. 

"Time is a cruel mistress." Rubbing her hands on her shorts, Nell stood. "Drink? I have a bottle of Johnnie Walker." 

"Of course you do." Smirking, Henry shifted on the side of the bed. “I had a look at some of these designs, by the way. They're magnificent. My god, Nell, you are so talented.”

“You're saying that to be nice,”

Shaking his head, Henry accepted the glass, resting it on his knee. “No, I am saying it because its true. You are one of the most talented costumers that I had ever met. Are you enjoying the job?”

“I love it.” Nell smiled, leaning against the large wooden desk in the corner. “The work is great, the people are amazing, and Ivan is really enjoying it. I'm glad we went.”

“Good, that's good. He talks about it, a lot. He really seems to love being there. I'm glad. Once things settle, I am going to try and come visit. I kind of miss it, Dublin.”

“You should.” She smiled fighting the urge to scoff and roll her eyes. Henry was always busy. He'd make it to Dublin, when Hell froze over. “So, how is work coming on this new character.”

“I can't say much, but I can say that I will be happy when I can shave.” He rubbed the mustache expertly. “It's not as bad as some of the beards that I've had to grow, but it's not my favourite look.”

“You look good with a beard. I know you hate them, but you do.”

Leaning forward to set his glass on the bedside table, Henry licked the whiskey off of his lips. “I'm glad to have that compliment.”

“Sure.” Nell nodded, tipping her glass to finish the drink. “Another?”

“Uh, I'm good.” Henry motioned to his glass. Rubbing his hands across his jeans, he furrowed his brow. “I've been thinking, since I am fairly busy the next few months, what if I keep Ivan for a few extra days? Once you leave, I will take him back to London with me, until I have to go.”

Shifting on the bed, her face warm from the second glass of whiskey, Nell sniffled and cleared her throat. “What about school?”

“What about it? He isn't going to miss much, is he? They're nearly finished up and I don't know how long it will be, until I see him. Possibly not until Christmas.”

All he wanted was to spend a little time with his son, was that so hard? His next move would have to be calculated, Nell had been known to stat arguments over less. If Henry wanted to avoid a shouting match, he would have to go about this carefully. Reaching for his glass, he downed the remaining contents in one large gulp. Sighing.

“I want to hang out with him a little. It wouldn't be more than three days extra. Then you get some time alone, as well. Nell, I know that you need a bit of a break. You work so hard and take care of Ivan, please.”

“If you want to, then I suppose I can't really say no. What kind of mother would I be, if I didn't let you see him?”

“Don't say things like that, please.” Henry reached out, his hand taking hers. Gently stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. “You are a wonderful mum. You know that.”

“Sometimes, I feel like I could do better. I really do.” Nell shrugged, allowing Henry to continue holding her hand.

“All parents feel that way, I am sure. I know that I feel like that, all the time. I guess it's natural, always wanting to do better, to be better, for our children.”

There he went again. There were times when Nell could not stand to be near him, other times she wanted to be as close as possible. Damn it. Watching him talk about Ivan and the few extras days they would be together, Henry's eyes lit up. His smile broad and the enthusiasm in his voice was one that dictated proud father. Nell nodded, only because she felt it was appropriate to the conversation.

Henry continued to chatter about how he wanted to take Ivan to a new exhibit at the Natural History Museum, in London. Leave it to the father and son, finding a day at the museum to be high on the list of fun. Nell sighed, continuing to half listen, half gaze at Henry in awe. One thing she loved – well love could be a strong word – adored? Enjoyed? About Henry was how much he loved Ivan.

Mid sentence about some Sir David Attenborough documentary that he'd watched with Ivan; Nell couldn't help it any longer. Leaning in, without warning, she grabbed Henry's face turning it to her and kissing him. Lips connecting, she stopped and jumped back as if hit by an electric shock.

Clearing his throat, Henry rubbed the back of his neck, but not pulling back. “I didn't know that the National Geographic was that exciting.”

“I'm sorry.” Hiding her face in her hands, Nell shook her head. Oh that had been a mistake. She had absolutely no right. None. Henry was crazy, if he didn't get up right now and walk out. If he was angry, then she deserved that.

Blushing, Nell shook her head. “Henry, I shouldn't have.”

“I'm certainly not going to complain.” He shrugged, leaning in his arm sliding around her shoulder. Nell glanced up, getting the nerves to look at him. Oh she had fucked up. “Next time, I would like some warning though.”

“Warning? Next time?”

“Hmm, yes. Kind of like this, close your eyes.” Henry instructed pulling her closer and kissing her. Nell sighed her body melting against him. She loved the way his lips felt on hers. Soft, with a slight force.

Straddling his waist, her arms wrapped around his neck, Nell's fingers laced together. Her lips leaving his, tracing along his jaw, nearing the sweet spot below his ear. A slight nip and he was an unraveling mess. Henry nuzzled his face into her hair, she smelled amazing. Comforting and warm. A groan erupted from deep in his throat, as predicted she had gone straight for that spot.

“Nell, Nell,” Henry cleared his throat, holding her at arm's length, “Janelle, stop.” Looking for any sort of sign that she truly felt that this wasn't a good idea, he sucked in a breath. “Are you sure about this? Because if we continue, I won't stop until...”

“I am.” She nodded firmly, “I don't want you to stop. I don't want to stop. Oh god, Henry. Please.”

“I need to know that you truly, absolutely want to do this.”

“If you don't stop talking and bend me over, I am going to kick you out and do this myself. Please, stop talking. If I didn't want this, I wouldn't have started it.”

A deep rumbling laugh followed, Henry rolled his eyes. God, she was something else. Who was he to deny a gorgeous woman what she wanted? Would this come back to haunt him? Probably. Did he care? Not much. Come morning they would once again go their separate ways, but that didn't matter right now. Right now, he could pretend that he had everything he wanted. And what he wanted was her.

Pulling her to him, Henry kissed her hard. Nell moaned, the force of the kiss was nearly dizzying. Arms around his neck, she rubbed her body against his, trying to grasp the friction that was created when she started to grind herself against his thighs.

“Henry,”

“Hold on, you need patience.” He brushed a bit of hair out of her face, “all in good time.”

Nell squealed when he stood, her legs desperately scrambling to hold onto him. In a futile attempt she huffed, when he let her go, standing in front of him pouting. Unbuttoning his shirt, Henry smirked giving her a heated stare. “Well, are you going to get on the bed or make me do all the work? Shorts off.”

Sliding the mesh shorts down her ass and along her legs, Nell made a bit of a show letting them pool at her feet. Stepping out, as slowly as possible, while lifting the old tshirt from her body. Allowing it to go where it would, as she dropped it. Sitting back on the bed, she could feel her heart in her throat and her stomach where her heart should be.

“Lie back.” Henry instructed, kneeling at the edge of the bed. Arms around her thighs, guiding her to him, he studied her for a moment. She was trembling as his fingers slid across her thighs, positioning her in just the right way.

“Oh god, Hen-Henry.” Nell's mouth was suddenly dry and her voice hoarse. His hot breath between her legs was tormenting her, in unimaginable ways. In anticipation she bucked her hips forward, trying to clench her thighs. Holding her knees with his shoulders, Henry chuckled.

“Eager.”

“Please.”

“You are...” He lingered, kissing the inside of her leg. “Gorgeous. Look at you.” He brushed his thumb against her. Nell whimpered trying to push further. “Hold on, hold on.”

“Why are you teasing me?”

“Because I want to enjoy the view, for a moment.” He shrugged, her legs lifting gently. A hand on her lower abdomen, as if holding her in place, he used the other to gently tease and trace along her calf. Without warning, his lips attached to the most sensitive part of her body with his mustache adding an extra sensation, Nell bucked her hips hard, shoving his face further between her thighs.

Nell's head was swimming, it had been a while since she'd felt this good from such an act. Sure, she'd had the odd date here and there, semi-serious relationships, but nobody could do this the way Henry could. He was a fucking magician, she was certain of it. Humming against her mound, Henry couldn't hide the laughter in his eyes, when she began to squirm and wiggle against his face. She was desperate and he was going to prolong this as much as he could.

Sucking her clit, his tongue generously lapping at her, he thoroughly enjoyed the show. Pushing his head as far down as she could, Nell was nearly in tears each time he leaned in, his mustache tickling in just the right way. Oh god, she gasped trying hard to find release. Henry was cunning, backing off at the right moments.

“Henry,” She whined, threading her fingers through his hair. “Don't tease me, I really need you to finish.”

“Stop being so impatient.” He was teasingly stern. Pushing her hands away, he locked his fingers with hers, holding them at her side. Lifting his head, he smirked, kissing up her body ending with another dizzying kiss. Nell sucked on his tongue, freeing her hands from his, she tugged him closer, pulling at fistfuls of hair.

Cleaning herself from his tongue and lips, she sighed. “I'm going to need more than that.”

“You're sure?” Henry paused, holding his weight on his forearms, resting above her. His jeans still on, he could feel the strain against the denim.

“Jeans, off.” She demanded, sitting up to watch. Shivering against the slight chill, her breasts on display giving him the perfect view of her erect nipples. Nell blushed under his gaze. She was not the tight, toned, and perky body she once was. She wasn't out of shape, by any means, but compared to Henry...

“You are gorgeous.” Henry complimented, his jeans on the floor, boxers being pushed down to join them. Stepping out of his pants, he stood at the side of the bed, in all his glory.

Nell licked her lips, reaching out to take him in her hand. Hissing under her touch, Henry involuntarily bucked his hips forward into her hand. Rubbing the head, Nell intently watched Henry while she leaned in taking him fully in her mouth.

“Fuck, Nelly.”

“Hmm,” She hummed, sliding her head back along his length. Hand wrapped around him, stroking in place of her mouth. Bobbing her head back down, she swirled her tongue around the base. He nearly choked her the first time she'd ever gone down on him. Oh how long ago that felt.

Dragging her tongue against his length, she felt her core tighten, with each moan Henry gave. His slight salty taste mixed with the aftertaste of the Johnnie Walker, Nell inhaled deeply through her nose, hollowing her cheeks around him. Gripping the back of her head, Henry tried to not force her too hard, as he began to guide her movement.

Happy to go along with what he needed to feel good, Nell allowed him control over her guidance. Her finger nails grazing the back of his thighs, she mentally checked the small victory when he threw his hips forward at the sensation of her wrapped around him and her nails on his skin.

“Good girl,” Henry mumbled, his head lulling back, his chest rising rapidly. “Keep it up, just like that. Oh shit,”

Nell's chest swelled a little, she could still make him feel good, even after all of this time apart. That was not something she would take lightly, even if this shouldn't be happening. Oh fuck, who cared? They were two consenting adults. Henry's legs quivered, his hands unsteady stroking the back of her head.

“Nell,”

“Hmm?” She glanced up at him. His face soft and his jaw slack, she could feel him tightening. The perfect time to stop her actions. “Not yet,” She smirked, wiping her hand across her chin, drool gone. “Fair is fair.”

“Jesus,” Henry grumbled. He had been so fucking close, the knot in the pit of his stomach clenched Slowing his breathing, he took a moment to think of anything else. Laundry? Running? How much longer until he had to renew his passport?

“Henry?”

“Yeah?” He snapped his head to look at Nell.

“Are we going to stand here all night, or...” She shrugged, a devious smirk on her face. Laying back on the bed, she curled her finger beckoning him to her.

“You're still sure about this?” Henry asked. His eyes on her, waiting to see if she had any hint of doubt or hesitation.

“I don't have a condom, but I'm clean. It's not like I'm getting pregnant, so....” If she were to get pregnant, there was going to be on hell of a hefty lawsuit against that surgeon.

“You're sure? I know that I'm...but I don't have.”

“if you don't want to, then I understand.”

“I do, though, but...”

Nell shook her head. “No buts. If you want me, then I'm yours.”

“Fuck, you're making this hard.”

Giggling, Nell glance down. “I think we're beyond things being hard.”

His body betraying him, Henry cleared his throat, she certainly had a point. Fuck it. What did they have to lose? Unless this, some how, came back to bite them. No, no he had to stop that. Give in, enjoy what was happening. It had been too long since he'd been able to watch her in such bliss. Bliss that he was responsible for.

“You're sure?”

Nell nodded siting up, opening her arms, “Come here.”

On the edge of the bed, Henry sighed, his large frame leaning into her. Nell held him for a moment, stroking his hair, the feel of his warmth against her sent shivers through her spine. Pushing him back on the bed, she bit her bottom lip, waiting for the go ahead. Henry gave her a slight nod, adjusting himself on the bed to get comfortable. Straddling his hips, Nell lifted herself to slowly take him.

Sheathing him inch by inch, Nell groaned at the fullness. This was her favourite part, taking him to the end, feeling him stretch her. Rocking her hips forward, she countered the motion sliding them back in the same tantalizing pace. Henry held her hips, pushing his up to meet her. Nell squeaked and giggled. She loved the way he hit all the right spots.

“You can touch me, don't be shy.” Nell winked, lifting her arms and crossing them above her head, allowing him a full view of her breasts. “Go on.” She encouraged.

His large hands cupping her breasts, Henry softly rolled her hardening nipples between his fingers, giving on a slight flick when she moved herself up on his length. Close to letting him slide out, she moved back down, her ass grinding against him.

The way her body moved against his was mesmerizing. Massaging her supple skin, from her breasts down her sides, one hand settling on her ass and the other on her hip. Henry loved the shape, even if she had changed a little since having Ivan. God she was stunning.

Hastening her pace, Nell rocked back and forth, up and down. Henry closed his eyes feeling every bit of movement, each clench. Taking in the sounds of her breathing, mixed with his, her small moans not going unnoticed.

“Henry,” She whispered, biting her bottom lip, leaning forward to touch her lips against his. “Please,”

Without having to be asked twice, he moved swiftly, turning them over to pin her beneath him. Nell sighed and stretched her arms over her head, the pull of her muscles caused another shiver. Her head now against the pillow, she reached, tracing the lines of his face with her fingertip.

“I don't know that I can be as slow as you were.” Henry nipped her finger. Holding back on his desire to pound her into the bed.

“Then don't.” Nell batted her eye lashes at him.

Somehow that was all he needed, that tiny bit of permission. Picking up the pace, Henry grunted. Nell moaned drawing her knees upward, allowing him an even better vantage to this position. As if the pent up emotions from the last few years, hours, minutes had been released the couple were lost in the sensation of skin on skin. The feeling of sparks and electricity coursing through them. Connecting them.

“Fuck, Janelle.” Henry hissed, his arm locked into position on either side of her head, keeping him from tumbling on top of her.

“Henry,” She squealed splaying her hands against his chest, tugging at the soft hairs. “Oh god. Please, don't stop. My god, oh fuck.”

“You are fucking amazing. Fuck, look at you.” Kissing her roughly, he sighed, steadying his pace. His hips slapping hers, Nell shook slightly her soft sobs of pleasure were enough to send him to an end.

Shaking with pleasure, Nell gasped trying to bring herself down from the high. Henry moaned, his head back and chest heaving. It had been a while since he had felt that good. Nell laid with her legs hooked around his thighs, no desire to move. Collapsing with his head on her chest, Henry allowed his body to rest. Sweaty and sticky, they laid tangled together. Neither one wanting to break the feeling.

Dosing in and out, Nell was the first to move. Her body growing heavy with Henry still on top of her. She needed to move, before seizing up. Pushing his head to the side, she giggled and kissed the tip of her nose when he lazily looked up.

“I need to pee,”

“Hmph.” Henry nodded, slowly rolling over. Allowing her to escape. Laying flat on the bed, while she scurried off to the bathroom, Henry pushed himself up off of the bed. He should be getting back to his parents, back to Ivan.

All thoughts of moving were squashed, when Nell came back, climbing in beside him. Her clothes still on the floor. Her body was comforting against his. “Hi,” she whispered, sliding in under his arm.

“Nell?” Henry laid with his arm around her shoulder.

“Huh?” Nell grunted, her face buried in his chest.

“I should head back.”

“If you want to. You can stay, I don't mind.” Nell yawned. Her eyes closing.

“Okay, but only for a little while.” Henry agreed, closing his eyes. In a few minutes, he would get up, shower, and head back.

With a start, Henry woke, a loud banging noise rattling him. Looking around the dark room, he squinted to find the source of the noise. Hearing someone whispering at a distance, Henry laid in bed, listening. Against him, Nell stirred, but didn't wake. Someone in the hall was talking, no doubt they had been the source of the banging. He had fell asleep, Nell wrapped against him.

Looking at his watch, Henry frowned. 4am. If he left right now, he could be back before anybody woke. If he left now, he risked Kal barking and waking the house. If he waited, he would risk walking in and having to explain himself to one or more person. Of course he could tell them that he'd ran into some old friends, had some drinks and stayed on a sofa somewhere. Too drunk to drive.

Shifting in bed, Nell sighed, her arm around his waist she snuggled in closer. She was content, who was Henry to try and disturb her sleep? He would wait an hour or two, before he made his departure. So what if he waltzed in, being faced by one of his brothers, or even his mother. He was an adult, if he wanted to stay out all night enjoying the company of a fantastic woman, then he would do just that.

Kissing the top of Nell's head, Henry smiled, sinking down further into the covers, closing his eyes.

Tag List Chat

[drivingsideways]

ALL of them for TMTTAL? Pretty please?

Aww, thanks, Gin! Tell Me The Truth (About Love) is definitely one of my fave things to have written, so I'm happy to yap about it!

☼: how i came up with the idea

I think it started with just an off-the-cuff tumblr ficlet that I wrote, not very well thought out- but that eventually became the official meet cute in Chapter 7 of the fic, where Hyeon-min confronts his STALKER. But then I got thinking about it, like, not in a very structured way- just trying to figure out how I'd get the characters to that one scene, and then @rain-hat was the best enabler, so I just started writing and then...just didn't stop for a long time.

☄: what the writing process was like

It was delightful and exhausting! I was definitely on a roll- by that time I think I'd been almost continuously writing in one fandom or the other for like five months straight- which was extraordinarily productive by my standards- but! Hot girl summer! I loved the story and I believed in it, but I think I went through all the usual emotions of "why" and "when will this torture end" and "oh my god this is all crap". I really wouldn't have made it through if not for the wonderful and generous Rain, who cheered and cried and was, I think, at some point at least 50% more invested in the fic than I was (because I was a tired rodent by then).

✄: something i deleted before the final draft

Oh man, I realized just now that I deleted all my drafts in one of my rare instances of laptop-housekeeping, so I'm sorry, I don't have anything to show for this! I didn't delete a lot (that I remember- but that's also because I often edit as I go along!) but there was a back story for Sister Lee as a labour rights activist, and there was a longish office-comedy scene at the start where Hyeon-min goes to check about his leave pay with HR, and I think the hardest was cutting out a small scene about Kang Hyeon-min's mom- I cut it for pacing, and couldn't find a place for it later, but I wish I had managed it somehow. Oh, and there was an entire backstory about Hyeon-min's realizing he's bi, and his first boyfriend.

♡: my favorite part

You're going to laugh, but eventually my favourite parts of this story were NOT the scenes between Hyeon-min and Yeong, it was the Koo-Kang family- they were the gift the story gave me- because I honestly had no idea I was going to write them that way until I wrote the first line: "It’s Koo Seo-ryeong who susses him out first, and if Kang Hyeon-min were a little less incensed with her, he might have paid attention."

I just love all the scenes I wrote for them, and I can't particularly choose, but I think this bit stands out as what (I think) is good characterization work? :D

She'd sat up, suddenly, and climbed over him, picking up her clothes from the floor.

Hand propped on the pillow, he'd watched her dress—not hurried, but efficient.

“I think we’re done here, don’t you?” she'd asked, casually, as she'd belted the wide buckle of her dress.

He had wanted to ask her what he'd done wrong—but then, he’d never known what he’d done right either .

and maybe my fave exchange (technically: text) I've ever written:

Gyeongie got me a Kit-Kat today, he writes, so Song & Kim had better get you out soon or I’m going to have a new favourite Koo sister.

As if, comes the reply, within seconds. I made a man of you, baby, never forget.

☠: something i found challenging

This was definitely the "case fic" part of the story- for someone who grew up on a diet of whoddunits, I just couldn't make it work, and a large part of my tension during writing it was the resultant feeling that I'm just plain dumb? Eventually I had to stop stressing about being *clever * about it, because, after all, it was just a plot device for the things I wanted to get at.

☾: how i thought people would respond to the fic

Lol, I thought a handful of people might enjoy it- or so I hoped- but it was a long, slow burn for a niche pairing in a relatively tiny fandom, so I wasn't expecting many readers. (But I'm thrilled so many people enjoyed it and I sometimes go back and read the comments on it when I'm feeling low. Thanks y'all!)

☽: how people *actually* responded

I think it has a small, but devoted fanbase! *blows kisses at you all *

∞: something i wish i’d done differently

Hmm, you know, this is one of the few fics I've written that I'm largely satisfied with? Well, yes, the case fic part was probably something that should have been better, and I always find my prose utilitarian- but on the whole, I think it came together pretty well!

★: something i’m proud to have accomplished

Idk if there's anything I *have * with this particular fic- personally, I'm just happy if I can get a reader to click through to the next chapter. :D