#Something about baseball players is just so fun to draw

[gingerale13]

they are taking over my brain

Zooms under cut

[mitskicain]

navi | m.list

. ⁺ . ✦ the doghouse — ken sato x reader

© mitskicain all rights reserved. the modification, translation, and plagiarism of my work is strictly prohibited.

synopsis: the two of you head back to his place and you see why the boy has soooo many fans that are crazy about him

content warning: dry humping, slight exhibitionism, fingering, unprotected sex, praise kink, denial, p in v, overstimulation

word count: 1.6k

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001: feral

Breaking news: famed baseball player of the Yomiura Giants, Ken Sato, fucks like a god. And my god, did you have to experience it to believe it.

After the exchange at the bar, the two of you headed back to his place on his bike, barely big enough for the two of you. It’ll fit, he insisted, handing you a helmet. You took your place in front of him, in between his legs—your chest to his back, and the two of you set off. But here’s the thing about riding a fast bike, zooming through the city, with the tiniest skirt and thong that you have on—everything vibrates, hard. When you realized, it was already too late to ask him to stop. You were going 90 miles an hour, desperate to get home as quickly as possible to bang it out. All you could do was bite your lip as you fought back the urge to moan and make a mess all over the front seat of a stranger that you barely knew. Eitherway, you squirmed, unknowingly grinding against the leather, trying to focus on getting yourself off when you heard a guttural groan escape from the figure behind you. You froze, realizing the all-too-familiar feeling of something hard poking your back.

“Don’t stop,” he beckons, hand wrapping around your waist, pulling you down against the seat so you couldn’t escape. “Keep getting yourself off. It turns me on, hearing you moan like that.”

You smile smugly, enjoying the effect you had on him, and start to, almost performatively, continue where you left off, drawing out your moans and grinding against him. His grip around you tightens, and you lean backwards, almost writhing. One hand gripping the front of the seat for balance, the other reaching up around his neck, pulling him downwards, so he could see you and your perverse performance. You didn’t really care that you were out in public, technically the two of you were going so fast it must’ve seemed like a blur towards the passersbys, who would’ve just heard the faintest hint of moaning underneath all that engine revving.

Unfortunately, your teasing couldn’t last forever, as you finally arrived at his place. Grinning up at him, you expected something grand, like him grabbing you and taking you then and there, but he had gotten off his seat and headed for the door without as much as giving you a second thought. Shocked, confused, and a little bit hurt—you followed after him, walking through the garage door towards the illuminated living room, which almost seemed to glow amber. However, before you had time to admire the gorgeous exterior, you found yourself shoved against the wall, his hands by your head. Your heart pounded in your chest, unsure of whether to feel afraid or excited.

“Had fun, huh?” He says, almost growling. You could make out the taut of his jaw and how his eyes were a fierce intensity of frustration and something else—more carnal—hunger. “Making a mess, teasing me—so impatient.”

His hand darts underneath your skirt, sliding in between your folds. You bite your lip, the pads of his fingers are rough against your skin, but they’re also so big, and so warm. He pulls them out, parting his fingers to showcase the sticky mess in between your thighs. A blush creeps up to your cheeks at his display of your arousal; partially embarrassed, you look away, to which he grabs your chin roughly, redirecting you towards his uncompromising gaze.

“No, look at me.” He barks, “where was that confident little slut that was hitting on me in the bar, huh?”

God.

He moves down towards your ear, his warm breath tickling the skin of your neck.

“You wanted to know how hard I bite right?” He whispers, his voice having this abrasive, impatient edge. “You’ll find out soon enough. Come here.”

And in one swift motion, he slings you across his shoulder like you weigh nothing, heading to the bedroom. You laugh nervously, part in excitement, and part in fear for what’s to come. You had never met someone as eager as he was, practically stomping on the gas pedal. You let out a surprised squeak when you are roughly thrown onto the mattress. With barely a moment to adjust, you feel him flip you over onto your stomach.

“Hands and knees,” he commands, pulling your hips closer to him. “Now.”

You do as he says, feeling his hands part you slightly, the cool air of the night and his hot breath against your core. You press your face into the sheets of his bed in anticipation.

“God,” he sounds, “do you have any idea how hard it was to not fuck you then and there in the middle of the street?”

He runs a finger down your heat, rubbing circles around your clit. You roll your eyes back and moan into the mattress, your voice coming out muffled.

“No,” he says, his large hand wrapping around your neck and pulling you up against him. His other hand wraps around your hip, reaching down to resume his actions. “Don’t hide, come here—you wanted this right?”

He quickens the pace of his fingers, causing you to arch your back against him, pressing yourself against his throbbing erection. He groans again, almost painfully, and starts to grind himself against your ass.

“Hey, come on, answer me,” his hand lightly slaps your face, “you wanted this right? Practically asking for it, staring me down with those fuck me eyes.”

You nod absentmindedly, too lost in pleasure. His fingers find their way into your mouth, finger-fucking both your holes, eliciting the lewdest moans from you. His grinding grows more and more desperate, almost throwing you off balance had it not been his grip around you keeping you in place, unable to resist or escape.

“Use your words,” he snarks, “use your words, baby, I believe in you.”

You let out another moan.

“Y-yes,” you manage to stutter out, drool dribbling around his fingers and down your chin.

“What was that?” He says, his voice teasing, breath hot against your ear. “I didn’t catch that—can you tell me again, pretty girl?”

You were so close, practically on the edge, your hips grinding against the palm of his hand, desperately chasing release.

“Yes!” Crying out as best as you can, mouth still full, “I wanted this, I asked for it.”

“Good,” he coos in your ear, “good girl.”

The praise made your insides clench and tighten around his finger, producing a perversely wet squelch. You knew from the noise that you were already a dripping mess down there, arousal coating his hand dripping down your thighs.

Suddenly, he pulls his fingers out from inside of you, and you gasp at the sudden loss of sensation. You look back and whimper, having been so close.

“Poor baby,” he speaks softly, “feeling empty?”

You nod your head. He smiles a devilish grin. “Don’t worry sweetheart, I’ll fill you up with something else.”

He moves to nip and suck on the sensitive skin of your neck, positioning himself in between your thighs, slowly rocking back and forth—thighfucking you. You lean back against him, relishing in the pleasure of it all; your arm reaching up craning around his neck, bringing his ear down near your mouth.

“You sound so good, baby,” he moans, “soooo good.”

His hand moves from your neck, down your chest, and roughly squeezes your breast. You gasp, grinding against him more, frustrated at the teasing. You needed him in you. Badly.

“Please,” you sound out, voice dripping with need, “please put it in.”

He’s slightly shocked at your eagerness, but quickly brushes it off and smiles.

“Yeah?” He teases, “you want me that bad?”

You nod desperately. He chuckles and shakes his head.

“I guess it can’t be helped.”

You feel the head of his cock press up against the swollen slit of your entrance, and in one swift motion, he pushes himself inside of you, your slickness once again making a lewd squelch. You throw your head back, finally getting the pressure you’ve been craving, letting your hips fuck into him roughly.

“Fuck,” he curses, “god, you feel so good baby.”

He pulls out slightly, before thrusting back into you, the entirety of his length pressing up against your g-spot, pushing you over the edge—legs shaking and squirting, doubled over.

“Holy shit,” he laughs, “you came just from that?”

Your lie almost motionless, trying to catch your breath, limp against the mattress. God, that was the best orgasm you’ve had in months. You’ll spend forever trying to chase that same high.

“Oh sweetheart,” he coos, kissing along the trail of your spine, “I’m far from done.”

He flips you over onto your back, spreading apart your thighs and pushing himself into you again. Your back arches instinctually, wrapping your legs around his waist, taking all of him.

“My gorgeous girl,” he hums, hand roughly gripping your face, forcing you to look at him. “I wanna see your pretty face when you cum on this cock.”

His thumb slides into your mouth again, making a mess of your face. His hips stutter into you, and you are helpless—overtaken by pleasure, rolling your eyes back, getting absolutely fucked stupid by him.

“Good girl,” he keeps saying, “good girl, good girl. Taking me so well.”

You’ve lost count of the amount of times you’ve climaxed, or how many hours this has gone on for. The seconds blurred into how many minutes in how many hours you didn’t know. All you know is that Kenji Sato fucks like a god, fucks you so good—possibly the best you’ve ever had.

“Don’t think,” he whispers in your ear, arms tightly wrapped around you, thrusting sloppily. “You don’t have to use that pretty brain of yours—don’t think—just cum. Cum for me, baby.”

And cum you did. Over and over again.

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author’s note: GODDDD ME WHEN ME WHEN ME WHEN 💥💳💥💳💥💳 (I say this like I’m not in voluntary celibacy) hehe I hope you guys liked this 🤭🤭🤭 I’ll be honest smut is still something that’s kind of tricky for me to write but overall I’m kind of proud of this ‼️‼️🔥🔥🔥 I think I kinda cooked 🗣️🗣️💥💥 all in all, I will say that I took a lot of inspiration from Lady K and the Sick Man (iykyk) 👀👀🫦🫦🫦 and uh- yeah, expect more freaky scenes like these in the story because that’s like, the initial basis of their relationship HEHE until the next update 🫵🫵💥💥💥‼️‼️‼️

taglist: @luneariaa @moonjellyfishie @sweetcheeksbby @shittingonyourgrave @shauu @witcwitchy @fcklxnaa @despacito-uwu16 @mqshido @miffysoo @ybbayk @hore4ken @mochminnie @femmefqtqle @miratastic

[gurugirl]

Spiderman | fratboy!harry

Continuation of this one shot - but can be read as standalone.

Summary: You’re at the big Halloween frat costume party and get to flirting with someone dressed as Spiderman. The tall, masked man with a deep voice just so happens to know a private spot to reveal his true identity to you.

Word Count: 4.2k

Warning: 18+ only, smut, slight mask kink, this is mostly just gratuitous smut

Tonight was your excuse to dress up like the supervillain Poison Ivy. A short green dress with patches of fabric leaves all over and a crown of ivy on your head. Mostly it was just something cute to wear to draw a little attention. Plus Poison Ivy is bisexual so you were hoping at least someone picked up the hint. All were welcome, so to speak.

When you got to the frat house you noted all the sexy and fun Halloween costumes. Lots of tit-bearing cats, a few she-devils, some baseball players in well-fitted jerseys, a Lego. The house was packed. The music was loud. Too many of your fellow university schoolmates had begun drinking early. You arrived late on purpose. Drunk wasn’t a cute look. At least you didn’t think it was. Not on you anyway. And you kind of hoped to get hit on and maybe get lucky. Tipsy sex could be fun. Drunk sex wasn’t memorable enough to be worth it.

“Haven’t seen you around in a while.” You looked over at a tall someone dressed in a Spiderman costume. The hood was covering his face so his identity was a mystery, though you thought you recognized the voice as someone you’d had a fun hookup with once.

You leaned your hip into the counter just as you’d finished pouring yourself a drink, “Is that so? I guess I wouldn’t know if I’d seen you around or not since I can’t exactly be sure who you are.”

His laugh had you grinning suddenly as he mimicked your stance, leaning his own hip into the counter facing you, though you couldn’t see his eyes under the spandex material.

“So, you’re telling me you can’t recognize me by my body?” He leaned his head down as if looking over himself before bringing his face back upward, “This costume hardly hides anything.”

You cocked your head, sipping your drink as you allowed your eyes to travel over the red and blue spandex. It clung tightly to his chest and hips, thighs… You didn’t miss the bulge either as you brought your eyes back up to the spot where you figured his eyes were under the mask, “Nope. Sorry. Should I recognize you by your body alone?”

You could tell he was smiling under the spandex, “You should. As I recall, you know my body rather intimately.”

Now you were certain it was the fun hookup you had a while back. You didn’t know him well. But you did know him to be quite popular. And attractive. And the time he went back to your dorm with you and your friend was quite memorable. But you decided to play coy a little bit. Just to get him going.

“Really? Hmm…” You feigned confusion as you slowly ate up his frame, inch by inch with your gaze. His heavy-looking bulge was a nice reminder of how sizable he was. You wouldn’t forget it. “Still doesn’t ring a bell. I don’t see any outstanding features here.” You waved your hand up and down gesturing at his frame.

He nodded and remained quiet. You were sure he was feeling you out. Trying to see if you were fucking with him or not. You were.

When he inched in toward you and placed his gloved hand over your forearm he leaned in and spoke quietly into your ear, “I’ll give you a hint. Would you like a hint, Y/n?”

You nodded as you felt his warmth. He was so close to your body as he spoke, “Had you bouncing on my cock, made you come, all while your friend watched us fuck.”

You swallowed. Yes. You remembered very clearly that night. It was the only time you’d ever done anything like it before. And now, he was clearly trying to get you in bed again. At least… that was the vibe you were getting. You looked down and realized his bulge was, well it was bulging. Was he getting turned on just thinking about it? You needed to have him again. Wouldn’t mind feeling that thick cock inside of you once more.

You sighed and turned to face his mask, “Hmm… maybe. I’m not positive, though. Might need to check a few things out to verify–“

Harry’s grip on your forearm tightened, “Can be arranged. Wanna go find a room so you can verify?”

You laughed as you looked around. You’d never been talked into something like this so fast in your life. Then again, Harry, you knew it was him, was quite convincing and he was good in bed from what you remember. You couldn’t feel bad for giving in so quickly.

Harry took your hand and you followed him upstairs, leaving your unfinished drink in the kitchen and long forgotten.

The good thing about the frat house was that it was massive and there were enough bedrooms that you were able to find a free room almost right away.

Harry locked the door behind himself and then suddenly he was pushing you backward toward the bed where you fell to your bottom the moment the back of your thighs hit the edge. You giggled as he put his spandex-covered hands on your thighs. Propping yourself up by your elbows you watched him take in your bare legs and then one by one, lift each upward to remove your heels. He was between your thighs and the erection he was sporting indicated he wasn’t wearing underwear. Or if he was he’d fully pushed his way up and out of the top band.

“M’gonna give you a little reminder. Take you down memory lane and have you sit on my face. Is that all right?” He climbed over you on the bed, hovering over your body and looking down at you. You really wished you could see his pretty eyes.

“Okay. But how are you gonna do anything with this on?” You plucked at the fabric covering his face.

You heard a breathy, amused laugh fall from his chest as he pushed himself off of you and laid down on his back, “You’ll see. Climb up.”

You adjusted yourself, straddling his torso, and then lifted upward, gently placing yourself over his face, not yet sitting all the way. You were still wearing panties and you were hovered over his mask so you weren’t sure what his plan was exactly.

“Lean forward a bit.” He spoke from under you.

Leaning forward, you put your hands on the headboard and he adjusted something underneath you and that’s when you realized he was lifting his mask to uncover his mouth and part of his nose before pushing your panties aside and grasping your thighs, pulling you down on his mouth. You laughed when you settled and looked at the Spiderman mask between your thighs. You couldn’t see much of his nose and his mouth was covered by your pussy but the whole thing felt ridiculous to you.

Ridiculous until he began mouthing at your pussy slowly, using his tongue through your crease and his hands gripped your ass, pushing you into him further.

“Oh!” You tightly grabbed onto the headboard again in a gasp.

His warm tongue slid up and down and his moans made you hot. You hadn’t quite been ready but with his mouth on your clit, you were quickly aroused and slowly wetting his face.

Kissing and sucking sounds below drew your eyes down to him. You could see his dark curls sticking out from the edges of his mask where he’d pulled it up, his pink lips were also memorable. How had you not reached out to him after that first night? He was good. And he was so fucking hot. But he was also really nice to you and to your friend.

You tilted your pelvis down and dragged your clit over his nose and moaned softly as he pushed his tongue into your entrance. The slow lathering of his tongue up and down your crease and his puckering lips felt just as good as you remembered.

He pushed at you and inhaled a sharp breath, “Starting to remember me now?” His shiny berry lips quirked up in a cocky smile as you panted and shook your head, “Nuh-uh. I’ve sat on lots of faces. Gonna have to give me something more if you really want me to remember you.”

His raspy laugh had his nostrils flaring and he pushed at you, causing you to move off his face, “Fine,” he breathed as he sat up, “Lie down. Looks like you need something a little extra.”

Your back hit the mattress as he sat back on his haunches and pulled at your panties, tearing them down your legs and pushing your dress up your thighs, exposing your cunt to him as he lowered his face over you, his shoulders bumping into the back of your thighs to hold you down.

“Y/n, you taste just like you did before. So soft and sweet,” he ran his spandex-covered finger through your crease and you gasped at the odd feeling of it. He laughed at your reaction, “You’re wet enough that this should still feel really good. Tell me if it’s irritating to your skin,” his mouth and nose, and ends of his hair were still exposed as he circled two fingers over your clit and had his face tilted toward you.

When he opened his mouth wide and lowered it over your clit you grasped onto his hood and sighed. It was so good. Just like before. His tongue and lips and the way he gently sucked you in made you quiver.

But it was the odd sensation of his fabric-covered fingers slipping through your wetness that kept you very much in the moment. You kept imagining that the shiny spandex would soon collect all your wetness and you’d be left dry and it would start to hurt but it was the opposite.

The smooth material became coated and the extra friction from the fabric felt yummy.

He slurped your clit and took a good long lick upward from your entrance to your clit and then held up two of his fingers so you could see, “Look. Just want you to see this before I start fucking you with them. Nice and slippery,” he scissored his fingers apart and you saw the strings of arousal stick together,” But tell me if you don’t like it.”

“Oh my god…” you moaned as you craned your neck up to watch him as he slowly plunged them inside of you.

You tightened your thighs, but Harry used his free hand to hold you apart and the grin on his face as he watched his gloved fingers slide in and out of you was lewd, “Hear that?” He increased the speed at which he was fingering you, your wetness being pushed in and out with his fingers was definitely audible, “Bet that feels so good, doesn’t it, Y/n?”

You nodded and moaned again, still trying to keep your neck tilted so you could watch.

When he wrapped his mouth around your clit once again, though, you cried out and your head fell back onto the mattress in surrender.

His fingers, his tongue, and his lips had you writhing and moaning pathetically, “Oh fuck…” you cried as he curled his fingers just right, and flattened his tongue over your clit, his face aimed toward you as if he were watching your reaction.

He continued fingering you as he lifted his face and planted a sweet kiss to your clit, “How’s it feel? Do you want to come, Y/n?”

You moaned and gasped as you nodded, “Yes, Harry…” and the moment you said his name you knew you were busted. Your eyes widened and Harry’s grin took over his face, you could see the beginnings of his dimples.

“Figured you’d remember me,” he kissed your clit again and spoke against your pussy, “Hang on, sweet girl. Gonna finish you off properly.”

And finish you off he did. Properly at that. He held you down with one shoulder and one hand as he fingered you with his other and sucked and dug into your clit. The noises were obscene. From the wetness you’d created, to the fast pace of his fingers pushing and curling into you, to his slurping and moaning…

“Come on baby,” he coaxed when he felt your thighs shaking and your moans turned into whimpers and cries.

His tongue flicked side to side quickly and then he dug in as if he was sucking the last bits of juice off a mango and the vibrations from his moans had you seeing stars. You gripped his head and shouted his name as you came in his mouth. You thought you heard a laugh come from him but you were so far gone in ecstasy that you couldn’t care. You knew you were being loud but it wasn’t every day that a man came around to give you head the way Harry was.

When you’d opened your eyes you noticed you pushed his mask up further with how you’d been hanging on, nearly his whole nose was exposed as he softly licked upward from your entrance to your clit. He removed his fingers and was cradling the underside of your thighs with both hands. Like a loving little gesture to help you come down.

Suddenly he was hovering over you and had his lips pressed to yours. Your first kiss of the night and it tasted like your pussy. But you liked the taste of pussy so it didn’t bother you.

You could feel Harry’s hard erection on your thigh as he licked into your mouth and cupped your face.

It felt so sweet and so desperate at the same time. You knew he needed to be taken care of too. He deserved to have the favor returned after the way he’d just handled you with such precision.

Pushing at his shoulders he gasped as he parted from your lips, “What do you need, Harry?” You asked him.

He moaned and rolled his hips down so you could really feel him, “You. Just you. Whatever you’re willing to give.”

You grinned and wrapped your finger around a chunk of his hair, “But what do you want? Want a blow job? Want to fuck me? Want my hands?”

Harry exhaled heavily and dropped his mouth open, “Can’t stop thinking about how good you felt on my cock. The way we fit together.”

You bucked your hips up and nodded, “I can’t stop thinking about it either. You felt so good. Stretched me out so nice.”

“Fuck.” Harry quickly moved off of you and stood at the edge of the bed before opening up the side drawer, “Need a condom.”

You rolled over and opened up the other side table drawer to rummage through it. Not finding anything other than pens and loose charger cables. You couldn’t find it in yourself to feel bad about rummaging through a stranger’s things when you had Harry Styles about to fuck you.

Harry adjusted his cock as he quickly walked to the dresser on the other side of the room and looked through the top drawer and let out a groan of relief, “Fuck yes.”

Holding up the condom he placed it on the dresser and untied the top of his spandex suit. He was still wearing the mask, though it had been pushed upward and his hair was exposed at the ends, slightly more grown out than the last time you saw him, but he was too focused on his task to worry about how funny he looked with his mask half covering his face. The moment he untied the top he began to pull at the suit and peel it down his toned and tattooed torso. You sat up and watched him undress. He had no underwear on just as you suspected.

You had to laugh at the spectacle. Just like a woman wearing a cute tight body suit, men had the same issue with needing to remove the entire thing in order to use the bathroom, or in your case, fuck.

“Heey, don’t laugh. Beauty comes with a price.” He grinned as he kicked the body suit away and opened up the condom, slowly putting it over himself. He looked over at you and tilted his chin upward, “Get your dress off. Wanna see those pretty tits.”

You giggled and pulled at your stretchy dress, easily removing it by the time he made his way back to the bed. He climbed over you, his mask still covering his eyes as he leaned down to kiss you.

The way his mouth moved against yours and his hands found your breasts and your ribs and your tummy as he moaned and licked at your tongue gave you a surge of need. You lifted your hips toward his and slid your hands down his torso to grab his cock.

He pushed himself down into your hand and then reared back gently to slip his shaft through your labia, wetting the condom, “This is gonna be better than the first time. No performance anxiety with a third watching.” He grinned down at you as he moved back to take you in below him.

You laughed as he pulled at your thighs and lifted your legs over his, angling your hips upward so your bottom was positioned on the tops of his thighs, “Were you nervous last time with Heidi? It was your idea? And… can we take this off?” You gestured to his mask.

“Heidi? That was her name?” He responded as he pulled the mask off from over his eyes and tossed it behind himself. “Sorry, I barely remember. But… I wanted you to think I was cool. Plus she was kinda cute. But it was really all about you.”

You pushed yourself up to your elbows at this revelation, “Wait. You only invited her because you wanted me to think you were cool?”

He shrugged and smiled shyly, “Yeah. Knew you liked girls too. Figured it might make you like me if I was cool with that.”

You shook your head, “And then you just never reached out to me again after?”

He puffed out a soft laugh, “I don’t know. Felt like maybe you weren’t as into me. Didn’t want to embarrass myself.”

You took his hand and pushed your fingers between his, “Well, after this it looks like we’ve got some talking to do. I kinda thought you were too cool for me so that’s why you never bothered.”

The look on his face was surprised, “Me? Too cool? That’s not… no way. If anyone is too cool it’s you, Y/n.”

You laughed and tugged at his hand, “Please, Harry. Just fuck me.” You were relieved to see his eyes and the top of his head finally. Just as handsome as before, hair slightly more undone from the hood he had over his head, but it was perfect for what you two were about to do.

Harry let out a shaky breath and looked down to where your entrance was wet and softly clenching for him already. His lips dropped open as he leaned forward, your hand still in his, pressing it down to the mattress next to your head as he pushed his tip in.

“Ohh…” you breathed out and watched his face scrunch up as he plunged in slowly.

“Feel that? This the reminder you needed?” He whispered lowly as he inched in.

There was a moment of silence between you two as you watched each other and he began to move in and out, deeper on each thrust. Heavy breaths and soft moans until he’d reached into you as far as humanly possible, hips rocking into you and fingers tightly squeezing around yours.

“Fuck me… Fucking condom sucks but you… holy shit…” Harry moaned and began to roll into you faster.

You reached your free hand up to move his hair from his face, “Harry… you feel so good inside of me. Oh, my god…” The snap of his hips wetly collided with you as the small bed creaked gently.

Harry held himself up with one hand, palm flat on the mattress as pushed into you, his muscles tensing and flexing above you, “Yeah? Feels good just like you remember? You’re so wet for me, Y/n. Didn’t know you needed me so bad,” he panted his words.

You were wet for him. So wet it was almost embarrassing, but you were glad in a way because he was quite sizable, and if you’d been any less wet it might have hurt. But as it was, the slip and the stretch and the way he could drag himself in and out was delicious.

You cupped his face and moaned loudly as he pounded into you harder. You could feel your tits wobbling and the bed dancing under your back. Harry was groaning and his eyes grew dark fast. Every time he bottomed out he ground himself into you deeply and you gasped at the ache, “Careful! You’re almost too deep!” You breathed out your words in a rush.

His cocky smirk meant that he took that as a compliment, so he did it once more, his eyes pinned to yours as he slowly stuffed himself into your cervix, “Ahh! Harry…” You widened your eyes and then he pushed himself back to his haunches.

“Sorry. Can’t help it,” he spoke, still grinning at you as he smoothed his fingers over your clit and worked his cock in from the new angle.

You knew he was long and that he’d reach deep, but that kind of deepness usually wasn’t achieved without you being on top. Even average-length guys felt deeper when you were on top. But Harry, of course, wasn’t average-sized. And you could tell he was very aware of that fact. Proud of it even.

With his fingers on your clit and the new angle his cock was nudging into your little sparkly, yummy soft spot inside over and over again. You moaned his name and he let go of your hand to fondle your tits. He continued a nice pace, slipping back and pushing in, long, exquisite strokes that filled you and stretched your insides apart. You could only imagine how he’d feel without the condom inhibiting the texture of his skin pressed into your skin. The friction, the way his foreskin would move inside of you, and his swollen tip uninhibited by smooth latex would really make the drag something.

“Yesss!” You moaned as he hit your spot perfectly, the repeated glide of his thick crown into your g-spot, had you trembling.

Harry breathed hard through his nose as he looked down to where he was fucking into you and back to your eyes, “Gonna come already, Y/n? Tell me how good it is.”    

“Fuck, Harry… You’re so big and you're pressing into something inside of me that I can’t… I’m gonna… it’s so good… so full… oh fuck! Gonna come…” you babbled and moaned as the bed squeaked and the headboard softly tapped the wall in time with Harry’s thrusts.

“Shit. Was gonna fuck you doggy but if you come I’m gonna come, baby. I can’t help it. Your wet pussy is just sucking me in,” he pressed down over your clit and hastened his fingers and you could feel him shaking.

You tensed your thighs and cried out just as a knock came to the door. Someone was saying something but you were gone. Your ears were ringing and your loud cries and buttery, mouthwatering orgasm were all you could focus on.

Harry groaned and pushed into you a few more times, before he couldn’t hold back, dumping his come into the condom with a choked moan.

He could hear someone threatening to unlock the door but Harry was in bliss. There was no way he could stop his cock from twitching and coming and you were so sweet and pretty below him with your face scrunched and your cries of nonsense.

The cliché of time standing still had been true in that moment. You couldn’t stop trembling and clenching over him as you felt his cock throbbing inside of you. Harry’s own orgasm just prolonged yours. He had leaned over you, his fingers in your hair as he pushed into you with gasps and soft whimpers.

When you finally opened your eyes and Harry had caught his breath the door was opened and Harry turned back quickly, covering your frame with his broad chest, “Sorry! We’ll get out. Just… let us get dressed,” Harry’s words came out breathy and stuttered as he was still breathing heavily.

“Harry? God damnit! Just… Fine. You owe me, man.” The guy who was speaking closed the door. You never saw his face because Harry had covered you and when he sat back he smiled softly at you.

“Want to go back to mine? Stay with me tonight? We can talk a little.”

You grinned and sighed with a nod, “Of course. And then maybe if you’re up for it, you can fuck me doggy like you wanted.”

Harry breathed out a laugh from his nose, “Oh I’ll be up for it.”

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[triviareads]

What is your favourite "oops, I banged my brothers best friend and caught feelings" book?

I am looking for a fun read.

Here are my favorites and they're all fun :D

Historical:

Bed Me, Earl by Felicity Niven: Phineas is Caroline's brother's Edmund best friend (Edmund is a future hero with a worryingly large dick apparently); Caro shows up in Phin's bedroom in the middle of the night and wordlessly conveys that she'd like to have sex with him (and by wordlessly i mean she lets him grope a tit), and the way Phineas is so down and ready..... he's one of the true rake heroes I've recently read. ALSO the funny thing is he doesn't recognize her??? She's a recluse and she just lets him believe she's a maid or something when he deflowers her lolol.

Sold to the Duke by Joanna Shupe: Actually so underrated because how many historicals do you know begin with VIRGINITY AUCTIONS? Eliza has always had a crush on her dead brother's friend Lucien and he ends up "buying" her but refuses to sleep with her and obviously the logical thing for Eliza to do is to reject his charity and be very pissy about him not banging her until he agrees.

When The Viscount Wanted Me by Lydia Lloyd: In which former slutty hero's best friend is *horrified* that his friend's sister has apparently lost her v-card and is all "HOW COULD YOU" but then when Henrietta asks Trem to sleep with her he hesitates for another half-second before agreeing. Guiltily.

The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes by Eva Leigh: Biiiiig huuuuge enormous Dom Kilburn's sister Celeste agrees to help Dom's friend Kieran find a wife in exchange for him showing her the *scandalous* side of London and obviously witnessing borderline sex parties leads to fucking around, which leads to Feelings.

A Rogue's Rules for Seduction by Eva Leigh: Dom may be Willa's brothers' best friend but the dumbass brothers in question helped Dom jilt Willa on their wedding day for Reasons and now Dom's sooooo cut up about it and finds himself accidentally stranded on an island with Willa...... whatever will they do.......... So I guess the banging comes after feeling here but it's too good to not include.

In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation by Alexandra Vasti: Henry is a starchy lawyer who's always been in love with Margo, his friend's sister, and they're stuck on a road trip together to "rescue" Margo's fellow disaster twin Matilda. There's some erotic cherry stem knotting with one's tongue in this.

All the Ways to Ruin a Rogue by Sophie Jordan: Aurelia was actually friendly with her older broher's friend Max until she sees him with another girl at a party and now she's upset and draws a revenge cartoon that insinuates he has a small dick, making Max, uh, kind of unpopular for a minute. It's a light, zany enemies-to-lovers situation.

Sidenote I met Sophie Jordan the other week!?!?!? I was not expecting to but she was sitting like 2 rows behind me at a book event.

Contemporary:

Sinner by Sierra Simone: Sean is Zenny's MUCH OLDER brother's BFF :D; she's training to be a nun and asks him for sex lessons before she fully becomes a bride of Christ. So many "teach me daddy" moments it's so great.

Saint by Sierra Simone: And in an ironic twist of fate, Sean's brother Aiden dates, then breaks up with Sean's friend Elijah... who is also Zenny's brother. Now it's 5 years later, Aiden is a MONK and Elijah shows up engaged to a other man, ostensibly to write about trappist beer and they go on a European beer tour, together. Spoiler, cock cages and chastity are involved.

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey: Georgie has always been in love with her older brother's friend Travis but he always saw her as an annoying little sister type. Now he's a washed up baseball player trying to get a commentating job that involves them fake dating to make him look "respectable" and to signal to the world Georgie is a big girl now lol.

The good thing about these books is that none of them do that obnoxious thing where they're all "your brother's gonna kill me" very much, but the age-gap ones lean into the taboo-ness more or less which is appreciated.

[tadpw-au]

Episode 4 thoughts (SPOILERS)

Gangle is such a good representative of how neurodiverse people feel when masking themselves and hiding their true feelings. As an autistic kid growing up, even though I had been diagnosed earlier in life, I also had to do a lot of masking to fit in and make myself appear as normal as humanly possible. Having a character like Gangle showing signs of masking is really nice and refreshing to show in animation form.

I find it interesting that Jax is starting to slowly show some more genuine thoughts and feelings lately while Ragatha is slowly showing a more antagonistic side to her character.

Although the whole boiling Ragatha in hot boiling oil thing was pretty inexcusable, but that's mainly just him being his usual asshole self (he does get punished for it, so definitely deserved tbh). Outside of that, though, when he isn't acting like one, he's actually showing a bit of sincerity in what he says in the past couple of episodes (first while ghost hunting when he genuinely thought that he was supposed to use a vaccume on them and this episode when he accidentally hit Gangle in the face with a baseball).

As for Ragatha while high on the stupid sauce, she really is just showing a slight bit of her true colors in this episode. When she isn't a people-pleasing optimist, she seems to hide a lot of jealousy and resentment to the others. She even repeats what Jax says when she says that she "prefers Gangle's being sad" more than her new mask. It really shows how ableism can unintentionally be taught without people even realizing it, especially when it's shown to directly harm their disabled co-workers/friends.

Pomni doesn't seem to have the biggest role in the episode, which is fine in this case as this isn't purely about her. However, with her "flirting" with Gummigoo, it's interesting that she went through all of that and decided to just let him go at the end when he leaves. She probably thought that she shouldn't be hyper-focusing on one NPC who she could see a million times over in other future episodes, so she starts to focus more on the actual people in her life instead. This especially includes Gangle after seeing her screaming in the alley behind the restaraunt.

Zooble seems to be worried that any punishment Jax would have from Caine. This was probably coming from how they saw him act while they were having a therapy session. I don't blame them, even if Jax didn't take their warning very seriously. Also, as an abstragedy fan, I genuinely loved that Zooble genuinely tried to help Gangle in trying to find a mask that's right for her. Even though this one ended up being a pretty bad idea, they still want to hang out with her and even see her drawings, so it's nice that someone was able to be kind enough to let Gangle show off her special interests.

Kinger riding a bull when he wasn't at Spudsy's was a hilarious joke tbh.

Caine glitching out at the end was probably referencing that he may or may not be as stable as he makes himself out to be in front of the players. Considering the aftermath of the therapy session in episode three, he's probably starting to show off his more unstable self the longer he starts to question his own expertise. Criticisms do not seem to be something he takes lightly as an AI who was made to build adventures to play and have fun in, so he probably starts to show his unstable self more often the more criticisms he gets from the players.

[itsbowbi]

tagged by @penglue

Are you named after anyone?

A saint I think. Or my parents just liked the name and came up with that reason after.

When was the last time you cried?

I cry a lot I think I cried watching the new Godzilla movie because I'm easy and a sucker. Like CRIED cried? I think my birthday but it was actually a pretty great night.

Do you have kids?

Hell no.

What sports do you play?

None. Too busy and tired. Been thinking about finding a baseball league or something to play in because I miss it. I was a terrible hitter tho. I'm in better shape now and I learned about my fucked up eyeballs so maybe I'd be better.

Do you use sarcasm?

I don't think so. I have a very cynical sense of humor but sarcasm to me just comes off as being mean. Pretty sure I avoid it almost always.

What’s the first thing you notice about someone?

Looks? I mean literally first thing I notice is what they look like. And yeah I usually decide if I think they're hot right then but that doesn't change much about how I treat them. Otherwise just general vibes I guess. Sense of humor, manners, etc. Ooh I guess I really notice if someone is being at all superior or condescending. I fucking hate that immediately.

Eye colour?

Baby blues.

Scary movies or happy endings?

I like both, but I definitely watch horror movies more often. I think it's funny when movies get the super happy ending like Wayne's World, which seems to be happening more and more often in the movies I watch. I do think I've been avoiding dramas because they can be draining to watch and I don't feel like putting myself through that sitting here alone in my room. And bad horror movies are easily the best thing to watch with friends.

Any talents?

I'm very good at guessing people's middle name. Also I have insane memory when it comes to movies. You can name like one small detail about a movie you can't quite remember and I can probably name it. Good at trivia too.

Where were you born?

Bay Area. Zero memory of California since we left when I was a baby.

Hobbies?

Uuggghhh this is where I really start to feel like a nolife degen. Video games mostly. I'm decent at overwatch. Have a quitar but haven't had the energy or motivation to practice in a while. I really want to pick it up again. Just got an iPad with the stylus so that's been fun getting back into art. People say I can draw good so that's cool. Also I technically got my first commission since my buddy gave me $10 to recreate a doodle I made for him at work in a full piece because he loves it so much. Gotta get around to that soon.

Any pets?

My leopard gecko Heybaby! I love her. Also my mom has 2 cats that I still consider mine and I love visiting them. Yoyo and Mimi.

Height?

6'

Favourite school subject?

I guess history. I think history has better stories in it than any fiction so I love reading about it and listening to audiobooks and podcasts. Chose that as my major in college since I didn't know what to do with my life and it was the one subject I was able to tolerate. That was a very bad decision and I honestly should've never gone to college or just gone to a community college while I figured out what to actually do. Still waiting on that last part.

Dream job?

I really don't have a realistic one. I have hated every job I've ever had and any work that was assigned to me in school or therapy or whatever instantly made me hate it. I have crazy fantasies about what I could still do with my life but most of them involve doing little to no actual work. Like being a streamer. But I guess I'll go with what I would've said 20 years ago and say baseball player or rock star.

GET TAGGED @conkedcrete @spylarman (or don't sorry to bother u)

[swallowtailed]

bluff city season 1!

need a tshirt that says i was told this was the silly fun humor season and all i got was [REDACTED]

a bowling alley a boxer and a bird honestly still stands out as my favorite arc. it's just such a banger. there's even a bird.

although honestly? great commitment to bird content throughout. shoutout to masks.

i think noirlandia, lacuna, and fiasco were the systems that interested me most as a player. always love to do something weird with dice

the finale worked really well! great move to draw everything together and reveal a new view of the ~bluff universe. relatedly all of ali and jack's scenes were incredible

also, i'd heard about agent heard and hector hu, and i do agree, that's gay. but i also think what's compelling about it is the depth of trust between them. like, you get the sense from heard that he feels like everything's going to work out as long as hector's there.

i would like to see more of waxwing and goldfinch :(

fantastic theme songs and episode descriptions throughout

fatt is really interesting for me as a writer, because it draws on a vast array of other media, much of which falls in my blind spots--i know nothing about anime, for example. but as it happens, i think inside baseball is the most fun way to pick up a new field like that. so i had a great time learning about wrestling and comics this season :)

i'm pretty sure the thing i'm thinking of when i imagine bluff city is duluth. small beach city with industry and business crammed in side by side. aquarium and ghost ship right off the highway. biggest christmas light display in america. visible segregation among city districts. u know.

it's very funny to me that "this american life" is apparently a huge influence on bluff city, because my father, after silently overhearing half an hour of a palisade downtime, turned to me and said that he thought the show was-- in his words-- "dnd car talk".

very excited to find out what wild new directions season 2 is gonna go in!!

[bunnydoobles]

i have several but my main ones are Dames and Andy

march 5th!! >_<

3 years!! looking to top that :3

i really like The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

my nose and art abilities :(

Crispin Glover, Christopher Lloyd (both young and old, he's so silly), Rob Paulsen, Ewan McGegor, Brandon Rogers 

Sasha Calle, Lea Thompson, Kat Dennings, Winona Ryder, Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir

i'm aiming for a career in theatre but my fallback is something in visual arts

having the courage and energy to post my art again!! and making new friends! 

hmm... i'm not sure actually? i'm not all that remarkable i don't have too many interesting facts haha! ^_^"

my highs; being able to sort through something really personal and hard for me with my beloved boyfriend, making time to hang out with my good friends, and being more confident about myself and my body and personality!! 

my lows; unfortunately being a little slow and airheaded and misunderstanding situations between me and my friends and my boyfriend, being horribly lonely and sick because i was stuck in the house bedrotting-, and that's about it!!

where my mother grew up in Japan! or visiting my family in the Philippines <33

MUSIC HAS SAVED MY LIFE!! (and occasionally forcing myself to draw something, at least a doodle or so) 

most likely Spotify + TikTok haha :3

Oh, god- Um- Uh- WAIT AM I GOING ALREADY? 

my eyes :D

drawing! and singing (i like to think) 

dancing- i can't dance to save my life, i'm wayyy too stiff (but i've been trying to take classes/get into it!!)

"I thought *you* drank the soda." (I, in fact, drank my mother's soda) 

um... did you know Wakko Warner from Animaniacs was inspired by Ringo Starr from The Beatles? :3

my lover, Mikey- and my best friend, Lili 

either my beloved record player or the necklace Mikey got me

5 or 6 years?? before i royally screwed it up-

making my first purchase without my parents allll by myself! >_<

i wanted to get into baseball but alas, i'm not cut out for it

pretty good! just got home from my gal pal's house hehe

both! i am perpetually tired 

hmm.. no, not necessarily! but i fell for my bf "love at first art piece"! 

you've got a 9 to 5, so i'll take the night shift / and i'll never see you again if i can help it

eating sweets and listening to my favorite music, drawing my ocs, and/or ranting about my useless interests 

Mitski, Jhariah, Billy Joel 

literally everything! i overthink a lot

when people call things "cringe" or bully others if they're having harmless fun instead of just... i dunno? walking/scrolling away?

again, literally everything! i'm very emotional- i cry at anything 

depends on the environment and my mood but most all the time i'm just a fuckin weirdo- the people i click with usually say i'm funny and pleasant to be around so! there's that! 

what flavor of toothpaste do you use? (did i do that right???)

sorry if i did that wrong, i wrote this all on my notes app LMAO! x3

Question Game

Are we tired of these yet?

What is your nickname?

When is your birthday?

What was your longest relationship?

What is your favorite book?

What is something you're insecure about?

5 Male celebrity crushes

5 Female celebrity crushes

What is your dream job?

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?

What is a fact about you that nobody would believe?

What were your highs and lows for this last month?

Where is somewhere you'd like to visit?

How do you de-stress?

What are your favorite apps besides tumblr?

Describe yourself in one sentence.

What do you think makes you attractive?

What is something you're really good at?

What is something you're really bad at?

A time that you told a lie.

What's a totally random and useless fact that you know?

Who knows you the best?

What is your most prized possession?

What is your longest friendship?

When did you first feel like an adult?

Do you/ Have you played any sports?

How are you feeling right now?

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Favorite song lyrics right now?

What does self care look like for you?

Describe yourself with 3 singers.

What makes you nervous?

What’s a pet peeve you have?

What will always make you cry?

What kind of first impression do you think you make on people?

Free Pass! (Ask any question you want that's not on the list)

[thorntonkrell-blog-blog]

Lynn gets up every morning before dawn to get her first copy of coffee. She unintentionally (?) wakes me up. At this peaceful time, the ideas that I encountered while falling asleep dawn on me and by the time I get out of bed, I can't wait to write them down as I'm doing right now.

Last night I was inspired to think about the pre-literal darkness that ended when I learned to read. I don't remember actually learning to read. I remember loving it when my parents would tel me stories. They were so smart and funny. Somewhere along the way, I noticed that when they told the stories they would look at something that was in front of them. I suspected that the stories were coming from that something. That something of course was a book.

I wanted to be smart and funny.

I wanted to tell stories like they did so I wanted a book in front of me. I would look at the book along with them while they read aloud. I would match the sounds with the symbols on the page which I learned were the words to the story. I began to decode those symbols. In this way, reading "dawned" on me. There was no struggle. There was no anxiety. Just a bit of darkness before the dawn.

Reading, of course is much more than decoding but everything starts someplace and decoding is the very beginning of the adventure.

Some of us start and stop there. Others go much, much, much further into avidity and voraciousness.

One of the reasons that some of us become avid readers is that we are always finding something to read and one thing somehow leads to another. For example on my first visit on my first visit to the Bookmobile, armed with my first library card and able to choose any book that caught my interestI, I discovered a book on Whales by Herbert S Zim.

As it turns out, Herbert S. Zim (1909-1994) was an American scientist, educator, and author known for his work in the field of natural history and science education. He was a prolific author, and many of his books were aimed at introducing young readers and the general public to various aspects of science and the natural world. Some of his most well-known works were part of the "Golden Guides" series, which included numerous pocket-sized field guides on a wide range of topics. Zim's "Golden Guides" covered subjects such as birds, insects, rocks and minerals, astronomy, weather, and more. These guides were designed to be accessible and informative, making science and nature accessible to a broad audience. They were often illustrated with detailed drawings and diagrams. I read all of his books and became determined to be a scientist. Zim sparked my interest and ignited my curiosity not only about science and the natural world but also about books in general.

I read 'em all. I assumed everybody else did as well.

Next was Dr. Seuss and I did the same with Seuss as I did with Zim.

Yeah, I started out thinking that reading was serious business; serious but still fun. Seuss introduced me to the power of whimsy and creativity in reading which led directly to baseball, baseball cards and Sport Magazine.

At first, I thought that baseball players weren't real. Men with names like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese had to be mythical or fictional characters. These were tall tales. Until the '54 World Series when it became clear as black and white teevee that Willie Mays, Whitey Lockman, Johnny Antonelli, Windy McCall and Dusty Rhodes were indeed very real and I could read all about them in Sport Magazine.

"Sport Magazine" was a popular sports magazine that was published in the United States from 1946 to 2000. It was known for its coverage of a wide range of sports, including baseball, football, basketball, boxing, golf, and more. It was initially intended to compete with other sports magazines of the time, such as "Sporting News."

The magazine was published on a monthly basis. The magazine covered a variety of sports, offering in-depth articles, interviews with athletes, profiles, analysis, and photography. It provided a comprehensive look at the world of sports and was known for its high-quality writing and visual content. "Sport Magazine" featured contributions from prominent sports writers and photographers, and it provided a platform for many talented journalists and photographers to showcase their work."Sport Magazine" was well-received by sports enthusiasts and readers interested in sports coverage. I read Sport Magazine every month and assumed that everybody else did.

Also at about this time I started reading the Police Gazette when we went to visit my grandparents in Holcomb. The Police Gazette was a publication with a long and storied history, often associated with sensational and tabloid-style reporting. It was first published in the United States in the mid-19th century, and it continued to be published into the 20th century. The magazine covered a wide range of topics, including crime, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories.

Suddenly I was exposed to a wide variety of writing styles and topics, which, in hindsight, contributed to my eclectic reading habit. and desire to learn about the cultural and social interests of our times. The adults would gather in the living room to talk. I would head to the porch to read.

It was also on this porch that I discovered Ring Magazine.

Ring Magazine is a widely recognized and respected boxing publication that has been in existence since 1922. It is often referred to as "The Bible of Boxing" due to its authoritative coverage of the sport.

Ring Magazine was founded by Nat Fleischer, a boxing historian and journalist, in 1922. Since its inception, the magazine has been a primary source of information and analysis for boxing enthusiasts and professionals. Ring Magazine covered a wide range of boxing-related topics, including in-depth profiles of boxers, fight previews and reviews, rankings of fighters in various weight classes, historical features, and analysis of boxing matches and events.

The magazine is known for its influential Ring Ratings, which are considered among the most credible and widely referenced fighter rankings in the boxing world. These rankings provide a valuable resource for fans, journalists, and promoters to assess the standing of boxers in their respective weight divisions.

I didn't realize it at the time but Ring Magazine was my introduction to eidectic learning. I studied it. I analyzed it. I memorized all the champions in all the weight classes. I memorized all of the top ten boxers in every weight division every month.

I was getting hip to a new kind of reading.

I thought everybody was.

Around this time, my father took me to my first professional wrestling match: Vern Gagne versus Yukon EricChat. We had ringside seats in Rochester's brand new War Memorial Auditorium

I could see the sweat flying off of their bodies and hear the pounding and slamming that was going on int the ring. I was a little scared of Yukon Eric. Everythins was much more real than it had been on Teevee.

Because of my precocious knowledge of boxing history, the men in my family allowed me to sit with them and watch Sugar Ray Robinson regain his middleweight title from BoBo Olsen. I knew as much if not more about the fight than did my adult relatives, all big fight fans who never missed the Gilette Friday night fights.

Of course, while all this was going down, I was a big time comic book reader. I loved Superman and Batman but most of all the horror comics. I was sad when the horror comics were discontinued. I couldn't figure out why they would become forbidden.

I filled the breech in two ways. I started reading, studying and collecting Classics illustrated comics. I absorbed the plot of books such as Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Red Badge of Courage, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, The Three Musketeers, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Black Beauty, The Call of the Wild and King Arthur. I even got my first glimpse of Hamlet.

Next was Mad Magazine. Once again, I read every page of every monthly issue at the cost of 25 cents (cheap). I was learning the meaning of satire, parody and sub-culture.

I loved it.

I though everybody did.

By this time, I was a Boy Scout as well as an altar boy. I read from my daily missile and started to learn Latin. I subscribed to Boy's Life magazine and devoured that every month.

I was reading the Catholic Courier and checking the movie ratings every week.

I was reading both of our daily papers; the Democrat and Cgronicle in the morning and the Times Union in the evening.

My father bought me a subscription to Sports Illustrated.

I was off to high school.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Features: Ring Magazine often publishes exclusive interviews with prominent fighters and figures in the boxing industry, offering insights into the sport and the personal stories of boxers.

Awards: The magazine presents annual awards, including Fighter of the Year and Fight of the Year, recognizing outstanding performances in the world of boxing.

Ring Hall of Fame: Ring Magazine established the Ring Hall of Fame, honoring the sport's greatest fighters, trainers, and contributors. Being inducted into the Ring Hall of Fame is a prestigious recognition in the boxing world.

Ring Magazine has played a significant role in documenting the history of boxing and providing a platform for insightful commentary and analysis of the sport. It continues to be a respected and influential publication in the world of boxing journalism, and its authoritative rankings and reporting are valued by boxing enthusiasts and professionals alike.

It was known for its lurid and attention-grabbing headlines. It's interesting to note that your reading experience included a diverse range of publications, from "Sport Magazine" with its focus on sports journalism to the Police Gazette, which often featured more sensational and controversial content. Your reading journey at the time likely exposed you to a wide variety of writing styles and topics, which can contribute to a well-rounded and eclectic reading habit. The Police Gazette, while known for its sensationalism, also played a role in capturing the cultural and social interests of its time. It's an example of how different publications can reflect the diverse interests and curiosities of their readers. Y

Legacy: Despite its closure, "Sport Magazine" is remembered fondly by many sports fans for its contributions to sports journalism. Its archives are still a valuable resource for those interested in the history of sports and sports media in the mid-to-late 20th century.

Then I ran into Dr. Seuss. Zim's contributions to science education and popular science writing helped inspire a love for nature and science in many readers, particularly young people. His books continue to be cherished resources for those interested in exploring the natural world.

It's wonderful to hear about your love for reading and how one book can lead to another, opening up new avenues of discovery and knowledge. The journey of exploration through books is a delightful and enriching experience that many avid readers can relate to.

The book you mentioned, "Whales" by Herbert S. Zim, might have sparked your interest in marine life, the natural world, or related topics. This is often how reading works—it ignites curiosity and can lead you down a path of continuous learning. As you delve into one book, you might find references to other books or authors, leading you to explore different subjects and gain a deeper understanding of the world.

Books have the power to inspire, educate, and take you on intellectual adventures. They can be a gateway to new interests and a means of expanding your horizons. So, keep following your reading journey, and you'll likely encounter even more fascinating books that pique your interest and broaden your knowledge. Happy reading!

do you have any information about Zim?ChatGPT

Herbert S. Zim (1909-1994) was an American scientist, educator, and author known for his work in the field of natural history and science education. He was a prolific author, and many of his books were aimed at introducing young readers and the general public to various aspects of science and the natural world. Some of his most well-known works were part of the "Golden Guides" series, which included numerous pocket-sized field guides on a wide range of topics.

Zim's "Golden Guides" covered subjects such as birds, insects, rocks and minerals, astronomy, weather, and more. These guides were designed to be accessible and informative, making science and nature accessible to a broad audience. They were often illustrated with detailed drawings and diagrams.

Zim's contributions to science education and popular science writing helped inspire a love for nature and science in many readers, particularly young people. His books continue to be cherished resources for those interested in exploring the natural world.

If you have specific questions about Herbert S. Zim or his work, please feel free to ask, and I'll do my best to provide more information.

One of the reasons that some of us become avid readers is that we are always finding something to read and one thing someho leads to another. For example on my first visit to the Bookmobile I discovered a book on Whales by Herbert s Zim. As it turns out, Herbert S. Zim (1909-1994) was an American scientist, educator, and author known for his work in the field of natural history and science education. He was a prolific author, and many of his books were aimed at introducing young readers and the general public to various aspects of science and the natural world. Some of his most well-known works were part of the "Golden Guides" series, which included numerous pocket-sized field guides on a wide range of topics. Zim's "Golden Guides" covered subjects such as birds, insects, rocks and minerals, astronomy, weather, and more. These guides were designed to be accessible and informative, making science and nature accessible to a broad audience. They were often illustrated with detailed drawings and diagrams. I read all of his books and became determined to be a scientist. Then I ran into Dr. Seuss. Zim's contributions to science education and popular science writing helped inspire a love for nature and science in many readers, particularly young people. His books continue to be cherished resources for those interested in exploring the natural world.ChatGPT

It's wonderful to hear about your personal journey with reading and how Herbert S. Zim's books played a significant role in inspiring your interest in science and the natural world. Zim's "Golden Guides" are indeed highly regarded for their accessibility and educational value, especially for young readers. These guides have had a lasting impact on generations of budding scientists and nature enthusiasts.

Your transition from Zim's books to Dr. Seuss, whose works are known for their creativity and whimsy, represents the diverse and enriching experiences that reading can offer. It's a testament to the power of literature to shape our interests and aspirations.

Both Zim and Dr. Seuss have made substantial contributions to literature, education, and inspiring readers of all ages. Your journey from science to creative storytelling highlights the wide range of experiences and knowledge that reading can provide. Thank you for sharing your story, and I hope your passion for both science and creative literature continues to flourish.

One of the reasons that some of us become avid readers is that we are always finding something to read and one thing someho leads to another. For example on my first visit to the Bookmobile I discovered a book on Whales by Herbert s Zim. As it turns out, Herbert S. Zim (1909-1994) was an American scientist, educator, and author known for his work in the field of natural history and science education. He was a prolific author, and many of his books were aimed at introducing young readers and the general public to various aspects of science and the natural world. Some of his most well-known works were part of the "Golden Guides" series, which included numerous pocket-sized field guides on a wide range of topics. Zim's "Golden Guides" covered subjects such as birds, insects, rocks and minerals, astronomy, weather, and more. These guides were designed to be accessible and informative, making science and nature accessible to a broad audience. They were often illustrated with detailed drawings and diagrams. I read all of his books and became determined to be a scientist. Then I ran into Dr. Seuss. ChatGPT

It's fascinating to hear about your literary journey, which highlights how reading can lead to a lifelong passion for learning and discovery. Herbert S. Zim's "Golden Guides" have been instrumental in introducing countless readers, especially young ones, to the wonders of the natural world and science. His books are celebrated for their accessibility and educational value, and it's clear that they had a profound impact on your life, sparking your interest in science.

The transition from Zim's science guides to Dr. Seuss, known for his imaginative and creative storytelling, shows the diverse and multifaceted world of literature. Dr. Seuss's works often ignite creativity and a love for language, making reading an enjoyable and enriching experience for readers of all ages.

Your journey, from aspiring to be a scientist inspired by Zim's works to encountering the whimsy of Dr. Seuss, exemplifies how literature can shape our interests and offer a wide range of experiences. It's a testament to the power of books to guide us on intellectual and imaginative adventures. Thank you for sharing your story, and may your love for both science and creative literature continue to thrive.

The transition from Zim's science guides to Dr. Seuss, known for his imaginative and creative storytelling, shows the diverse and multifaceted world of literature. Dr. Seuss's works often ignite creativity and a love for language, making reading an enjoyable and enriching experience for readers of all ages. Yeah, I started out thinking that reading was serious business; serious but still fun. Seuss introduced me to the power of whimsy and creativity in reading which led directly to baseball, baseball cards and Sport MagazineChatGPT

It's remarkable how your journey through reading has evolved and branched into various interests. Your experience reflects the multifaceted nature of literature and its ability to introduce us to different aspects of life and culture.

Starting with serious yet fun reading, guided by Herbert S. Zim's science guides, and then transitioning to Dr. Seuss's whimsical and creative storytelling, you discovered the joy of imagination and creativity in literature. This shift in perspective, brought about by Dr. Seuss, opened doors to new interests, such as baseball, baseball cards, and sports culture.

This shows the power of literature to not only educate but also to inspire and entertain, leading us on unexpected and delightful journeys of exploration. Your story underscores how reading can shape our lives and interests, and it's a testament to the diverse and enriching world of books.

It's not uncommon for young readers to initially view famous figures, like baseball players with larger-than-life names, as almost mythical or fictional characters. The power of televised events, such as the 1954 World Series, can bring these sports legends to life and show that they are indeed real individuals with incredible talents.

Magazines like Sport Magazine can further bridge the gap between the world of sports and readers, allowing you to learn more about these athletes and their real-life achievements. This experience of seeing the athletes on TV and then reading about them in publications like Sport Magazine likely deepened your interest in sports and provided you with a connection to the world of professional athletes.

It's a testament to the role of various media, including books, magazines, and television, in shaping our perceptions and interests, and how they can all come together to offer a well-rounded understanding of the world around us. Your journey from disbelief to fascination with these real-life sports heroes is a great example of how different forms of media can enrich our lives and expand our horizons.

what can you tell me about Sport magazine ChatGPT

"Sport Magazine" was a popular sports magazine that was published in the United States from 1946 to 2000. It was known for its coverage of a wide range of sports, including baseball, football, basketball, boxing, golf, and more. Here are some key points about "Sport Magazine":

Founding and History: "Sport Magazine" was founded in 1946 by Macfadden Publications. It was initially intended to compete with other sports magazines of the time, such as "Sporting News." The magazine was published on a monthly basis.

Content: The magazine covered a variety of sports, offering in-depth articles, interviews with athletes, profiles, analysis, and photography. It provided a comprehensive look at the world of sports and was known for its high-quality writing and visual content.

Notable Contributors: Over the years, "Sport Magazine" featured contributions from prominent sports writers and photographers, and it provided a platform for many talented journalists and photographers to showcase their work.

Popularity: "Sport Magazine" was well-received by sports enthusiasts and readers interested in sports coverage. It gained a substantial following during its existence.

Demise: The magazine experienced financial difficulties in the late 1990s, which eventually led to its demise. "Sport Magazine" ceased publication in 2000.

Legacy: Despite its closure, "Sport Magazine" is remembered fondly by many sports fans for its contributions to sports journalism. Its archives are still a valuable resource for those interested in the history of sports and sports media in the mid-to-late 20th century.

It's important to note that "Sport Magazine" should not be confused with other sports publications that may have similar names. While the magazine itself is no longer in circulation, its historical impact on sports journalism and its role in covering various sports make it a notable part of American sports media history.

At first, I thought that baseball players were'nt real. Men with names like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Duke Snider. These were tall tales. Until the 54 World Series when it became clear on teevee that Willie Mays, Whitey Lockman, Johnny Antonelli, Windy McCall and Dusty Rhodes were indeed very real and I could read all about them in Sport Magazine. Sport Magazine" was founded in 1946 by Macfadden Publications. It was initially intended to compete with other sports magazines of the time, such as "Sporting News." The magazine was published on a monthly basis. Content: The magazine covered a variety of sports, offering in-depth articles, interviews with athletes, profiles, analysis, and photography. It provided a comprehensive look at the world of sports and was known for its high-quality writing and visual content. Notable Contributors: Over the years, "Sport Magazine" featured contributions from prominent sports writers and photographers, and it provided a platform for many talented journalists and photographers to showcase their work. Popularity: "Sport Magazine" was well-received by sports enthusiasts and readers interested in sports coverage. It gained a substantial following during its existence. Demise: The magazine experienced financial difficulties in the late 1990s, which eventually led to its demise. "Sport Magazine" ceased publication in 2000. Legacy: Despite its closure, "Sport Magazine" is remembered fondly by many sports fans for its contributions to sports journalism. Its archives are still a valuable resource for those interested in the history of sports and sports media in the mid-to-late 20th century. It's important to note that "Sport Magazine" should not be confused with other sports publications that may have similar names. While the magazine itself is no longer in circulation, its historical impact on sports journalism and its role in covering various sports make it a notable part of American sports media history. ChatGPT

Thank you for providing additional details about your experience and for summarizing the information about "Sport Magazine." Your personal connection to the magazine and its role in introducing you to the world of sports and athletes like Willie Mays, Whitey Lockman, Johnny Antonelli, Windy McCall, and Dusty Rhodes highlights the magazine's impact on sports enthusiasts and budding fans.

"Sport Magazine" played a significant role in sports journalism and contributed to the appreciation of sports by covering a wide range of athletic events and athletes. Its legacy lives on as a part of American sports media history, even though it is no longer in publication. Your recollections of this magazine underscore the lasting influence that such publications can have on readers, helping them explore and engage with the world of sports and athletes in a meaningful way.

The Police Gazette was a publication with a long and storied history, often associated with sensational and tabloid-style reporting. It was first published in the United States in the mid-19th century, and it continued to be published into the 20th century. The magazine covered a wide range of topics, including crime, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories. It was known for its lurid and attention-grabbing headlines.

It's interesting to note that your reading experience included a diverse range of publications, from "Sport Magazine" with its focus on sports journalism to the Police Gazette, which often featured more sensational and controversial content. Your reading journey at the time likely exposed you to a wide variety of writing styles and topics, which can contribute to a well-rounded and eclectic reading habit.

The Police Gazette, while known for its sensationalism, also played a role in capturing the cultural and social interests of its time. It's an example of how different publications can reflect the diverse interests and curiosities of their readers. Your recollection of reading it during visits to your grandparents' house provides a unique glimpse into the reading material available at the time and the variety of influences on your early reading experiences.

our recollection of reading it during visits to your grandparents' house provides a unique glimpse into the reading material available at the time and the variety of influences on your early reading experiences.ChatGPT

Your recollection of reading the Police Gazette during visits to your grandparents' house adds another layer to your early reading experiences. The Police Gazette's history as a sensational and attention-grabbing publication, along with its coverage of crime, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories, illustrates the diverse and sometimes quirky range of reading material available in the past.

It's indeed fascinating how different publications can reflect the cultural and social interests of their respective eras. Your exposure to various reading materials, from sports magazines to sensational tabloids, likely contributed to your broad and eclectic reading habits. This exposure can shape one's perspective and interests, offering a rich tapestry of knowledge and experiences through the printed word.

Reading different types of publications can also provide insights into the evolution of media and journalism over time, highlighting the changing tastes and preferences of readers and the dynamic nature of the publishing industry. Your memories of reading the Police Gazette help capture a unique snapshot of the reading culture of the time and the diversity of influences on your early literary journey.

It's fascinating how your reading journey continued to evolve and branch out into different areas of interest. The Police Gazette, with its coverage of boxers and wrestlers, piqued your interest in combat sports. This natural progression from one publication to another, in this case, from the sensational reporting of the Police Gazette to the more specialized and in-depth coverage of combat sports in Ring Magazine, illustrates how reading can be a gateway to exploring specific passions and hobbies.

This journey exemplifies how reading can be both a source of education and entertainment while also serving as a guide to exploring new interests and hobbies. Your transition from one publication to another is a great example of how literature can lead us down new and exciting paths of discovery and learning.

Meanwhile, back at the Bookmobile, I discovered John R. Tunis.

John Roberts Tunis (1889-1975) was an American author best known for his sports-themed books, particularly those written for young readers. He made a significant impact on sports literature and remains celebrated for his ability to combine engaging storytelling with important life lessons. Here are some key points about John R. Tunis:

John R. Tunis wrote numerous books, many of which were centered on sports, particularly baseball. His books are widely regarded for their authenticity and for capturing the essence of sports and the lessons they can teach. Most of Tunis's works were written for a young adult audience. His ability to connect with young readers and provide stories that were not only entertaining but also instructive made him a beloved author among young sports enthusiasts.

I was one of those budding sports fans and I wasn't alone.

Tunis's books often delved into themes of sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance, and the personal growth of young athletes. He used sports as a backdrop to convey important life values and principles. I read every Tunis book the Bookmobile had and I learned that the Bookmobile could request other books from other libraries. Beautiful. I read, I requested, I read some more.

XXXXXXXXXX

Watching live professional wrestling events can be a thrilling and immersive experience. It's an opportunity to witness the athleticism, storytelling, and larger-than-life characters that make professional wrestling a beloved form of entertainment for many fans.

Your father's decision to take you to a wrestling match likely deepened your interest in the world of professional wrestling and added to the rich tapestry of your reading and entertainment experiences during that time. It's moments like these that often leave a lasting impact and fond memories.

They let me into the teevee room when Sugar Ray Robinson knocked out BoBo Olson,ChatGPT

Watching historic sporting events like Sugar Ray Robinson's knockout of BoBo Olson can be a memorable and exhilarating experience. Sugar Ray Robinson was one of the most celebrated boxers in the history of the sport, known for his exceptional boxing skills and remarkable career. His fights, especially those with dramatic outcomes like knockout victories, often drew significant attention and excitement.

Being allowed into the "teevee room" to witness such a momentous event would have undoubtedly left a lasting impression, and it's no wonder that it became a memorable part of your experiences during that time. Sporting events, especially those featuring legendary athletes like Sugar Ray Robinson, can be moments of shared excitement and enthusiasm, creating lasting memories for fans and enthusiasts.

Around this time, I discovered John R. Tunis and read all of his books.ChatGPT

Discovering and reading all the books by John R. Tunis would have been a rewarding literary journey. John R. Tunis was a prolific author known for his sports-themed books, particularly those aimed at young readers. His works often combined sports stories with important life lessons, making them both entertaining and educational.

Tunis's books frequently featured themes related to sportsmanship, teamwork, and the personal growth of young athletes. They resonated with readers, particularly young sports enthusiasts, and contributed to their understanding of not only the games themselves but also the values and principles associated with sports.

Your exploration of John R. Tunis's books likely deepened your love for sports literature and provided you with valuable insights into the world of athletics and the character-building aspects of sports. Reading his works could have been an influential and enjoyable part of your reading journey during that time.

Tell me more about TunisChatGPT

John Roberts Tunis (1889-1975) was an American author best known for his sports-themed books, particularly those written for young readers. He made a significant impact on sports literature and remains celebrated for his ability to combine engaging storytelling with important life lessons. Here are some key points about John R. Tunis:

Prolific Author: John R. Tunis wrote numerous books, many of which were centered on sports, particularly baseball. His books are widely regarded for their authenticity and for capturing the essence of sports and the lessons they can teach.

Young Adult Literature: Most of Tunis's works were written for a young adult audience. His ability to connect with young readers and provide stories that were not only entertaining but also instructive made him a beloved author among young sports enthusiasts.

Themes: Tunis's books often delved into themes of sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance, and the personal growth of young athletes. He used sports as a backdrop to convey important life values and principles.

Notable Works: Some of his well-known books include "The Kid from Tomkinsville," "Highpockets," "Keystone Kids," and "Yankee Stadium." These stories typically revolved around baseball and touched on various aspects of the sport.

Sports Journalism: In addition to his fiction writing, John R. Tunis had a career in sports journalism. He contributed to publications such as "The New Yorker" and "The Saturday Evening Post," and his experience in sports writing informed the authenticity of his books.

Legacy: John R. Tunis's legacy is enduring, as his books continue to be appreciated by readers of all ages. His unique ability to capture the spirit of sports and convey life's important lessons through his stories has made his works timeless.

Tunis's books have inspired generations of young readers and have contributed to the enduring popularity of sports literature. His focus on character development, sportsmanship, and the human aspects of athletics makes his work not only entertaining but also valuable for readers interested in sports and personal growth.

As it turns out. I wasn't alone. Prolific Author: John R. Tunis wrote numerous books, many of which were centered on sports, particularly baseball. His books are widely regarded for their authenticity and for capturing the essence of sports and the lessons they can teach. Young Adult Literature: Most of Tunis's works were written for a young adult audience. His ability to connect with young readers and provide stories that were not only entertaining but also instructive made him a beloved author among young sports enthusiasts. Themes: Tunis's books often delved into themes of sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance, and the personal growth of young athletes. He used sports as a backdrop to convey important life values and principles. Notable Works: Some of his well-known books include "The Kid from Tomkinsville," "Highpockets," "Keystone Kids," and "Yankee Stadium." These stories typically revolved around baseball and touched on various aspects of the sport. Sports Journalism: In addition to his fiction writing, John R. Tunis had a career in sports journalism. He contributed to publications such as "The New Yorker" and "The Saturday Evening Post," and his experience in sports writing informed the authenticity of his books. Legacy: John R. Tunis's legacy is enduring, as his books continue to be appreciated by readers of all ages. His unique ability to capture the spirit of sports and convey life's important lessons through his stories has made his works timeless. Tunis's books have inspired generations of young readers and have contributed to the enduring popularity of sports literature. His focus on character development, sportsmanship, and the human aspects of athletics makes his work not only entertaining but also valuable for readers interested in sports and personal growth.ChatGPT

It's evident that John R. Tunis left a significant impact on the world of sports literature, particularly through his young adult books that explored the world of sports while imparting important life lessons. His ability to connect with young readers and convey themes of sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal growth in an engaging and authentic manner has made his works enduring and beloved.

The fact that you weren't alone in your appreciation of John R. Tunis's books underscores the widespread influence and appeal of his writing. Many readers of different generations have found inspiration and enjoyment in his stories, making him a cherished figure in the realm of sports literature.

Tunis's contributions to both fiction writing and sports journalism, along with his dedication to highlighting the human aspects of athletics, have left a lasting legacy, and his books continue to be appreciated by readers interested in sports and personal development. His work remains a testament to the power of literature to connect with and influence readers, especially young sports enthusiasts.

[iboatedhere]

“You are not failing him.”

“We’ve gone to the science center, the botanical garden, we’ve played mini golf, and visited the library. I’ve taken swimming and to the aquarium. I even took him to the firehouse and my dad took him out on a call. They rescued baby ducks from a storm drain.”

Grace hums. “Judd showed me the photos.”

“Jonah acted like he wasn’t impressed.”

“Maybe he’s not a fan of birds.”

“Baby ducks, Grace,” TK says. “Baby ducks.”

“Okay, you’re right, baby ducks are a universally beloved thing.” She watches Jonah and Charlie work their way across the monkey bars. “Kids need to spend time with kids their own age. I’m sure Charlie would get sick of me, too.”

“So you agree,” TK says, “Jonah is sick of me.”

Grace rolls her eyes and pushes his face away with her hand while TK grins around the straw. 

“I’m saying that anytime he wants to hang with Charlie, I am good with it.”

“I appreciate that,” TK says, “but she goes to daycare.”

“You can watch her, save me and Judd some money,” Grace jokes and TK shakes his head. 

“Nothing against her, but I don’t think so. I don’t think I can handle disappointing two kids.”

“First, you are not a disappointment, and second, I can ask and see if there’s room in Charlie’s daycare for one more.”

“I appreciate that, too, but the point of Jonah staying with me this summer is that he’s with me.”

“Yes, but he doesn’t need to be with you twenty four-seven. Children and parents need breaks from each other, sometimes. Especially at this age.”

“I hope that goes for brothers too, because obviously I am not ready to be a parent.”

Grace pats his shoulder and TK looks out over the park. People are jogging or walking their dogs. A few fields over, a group of high school age kids have begun a disorganized game of baseball. 

Grace hums as she watches them. “Has Jonah ever shown an interest in baseball?”

“I’ve taken him to a few Yankee games when I’ve visited,” TK says with a shrug. “I guess he liked it, but I really think he was more interested in the nachos and cotton candy.”

“That’s valid,” Grace says with a laugh. 

“I could take him to a game in Round Rock. If he likes that we can go into Houston.”

“Actually,” Grace says, digging through her bag. “I was thinking something like this.”

She pulls a flyer out of the bag and TK unfolds it. 

Austin Intramural Little League Registration. 

“Little league?” TK asks, “I don’t know, that seems a little….intense.”

“Don’t let the name fool you,” Grace says, “it’s very relaxed and laid back. It’s more about teaching kids the basics. Half the time the lessons dissolve and it’s just a dozen six and seven year olds running around a baseball diamond or sitting in the outfield looking for four leaf clovers or dandelions.”

TK laughs. “That sounds like fun.”

“It is,” Grace tells him. “We signed Charlie up a few weeks ago, and while Judd thinks she’s the future starting pitcher of the Astros, I’m just happy she’s out in the fresh air, getting some exercise. It tires her right out. But who knows, maybe this is Jonah’s calling.” She nudges TK with her elbow. “From what I’ve heard you’re no slouch on the field.”

“I’m all right,” TK admits, and Grace grins. 

“Well if anyone can draw some talent out of him it’s Carlos. He’s the coach,” Grace explains. “He used to play for the Astros, actually. He was a rookie when they won the World Series. He was poised to be a real star, but he hurt his shoulder a few years ago. Now he works in the athletic department at UT. He gets some of the college players to help out with practice. He’s real patient and kind…the kids love him. So do the mothers.”

TK frowns. “What does that mean?”

“It means he is very, very handsome. There’s a reason the dads drop their kids off and the mothers stay, and isn’t to keep an eye on their children.”

“And what about you?” TK asks, “are you staying for Charlie or for the eye candy?”

“A little bit of both,” Grace admits with a laugh. “Seriously, though, he’s great with the kids. I really think Jonah will enjoy himself.”

“I’ll ask Jonah,” TK says. “I feel like I’m going to have a hard time convincing him, though.”

“Let him know that it’s no pressure, he can come and check it out. He doesn’t even have to play. If he decides that he hates it, make it up to him by taking him out for ice cream.”

“A full proof plan,” TK says, and Grace smiles. 

“We’ll turn this summer around, don’t worry.”

[teem-boo]

• FEEL THE BEAT • watch my moves! • Dance, dance!!

[Template made by Bed]

• EXTRA • Some songs I associate with them:

Sweet: [x] [x] [x]

Cap'n: [x] [x] [x]

K_K: [x] [x] [x]

SCC: [x] [x] [x]

some more stuff down below~~

OK so first off pls ignore if something seems contradictory,,, i try my best to make everything consistent but hhhhhh hard. its hard.

The heights are on meters

I usually use they/them to all of them for self indulgent reasons (and by self indulgent i mean "god dammit neutral pronouns aren't that widespread in portuguese so i will use the hell out of them in english")

I'm not the most knowable when it's about music genres but i tried (i'm even worse at brazilian music so forgive meeeeeee)

They're 100% brazilian. they just are. i don't make the rules

Cap'n started listening to sertanejo to piss off Sweet and now they unironically like it (que tristeza)

They're all audio players so I hc them as having any kind of voice they'd want, they can also pretty much mimic any sound

K_K is the most artistic visual-wise, Cap'n likes fashion and Sweet doesn't need to emote that much in pics so they're usually safe.

I'm not sure if i got synthesia right quq so i meant it as in that musical program, which Sweet's the best at using

K_K has a special interest in cars!!!!

Cap'n and Sweet's playful bickering is fuel for my soul <33

Sweet is Dave kinnie /j

Cap'n is Strider kinnie /hj

K_K has never read Homestuck (thank god)

Cap'n uses their bass like a baseball bat. It's an extra sturdy bass (wow, blue, flirty and likes baseball, such a Junpei kinnie /hj)

All their weapons are somewhat magical

Since Sweet's the one we've only seen attacking the fun gang alone I'm assuming they're the best at it?? idk i may be reaching

(in League terms) Sweet is like a magic damage assassin, Cap'n is a bruiser/off-tank and K_K is a support tank (don't let their noodly arms fool ya, it's still metal) (Sweet is made of softer metal/plastic lmao/hj)

I fell in love with Sweet the moment i saw them ya'll have no idea

It took me some time to warm up to Cap'n <3

As always Cap'n's stupid oval head is a PAIN for me to draw

That's all folks! (i guess. for now)

[saleintothe90s]

472. That time "Luann" had a user submitted fashion show (March, 1995)

Originally, this was supposed to be an entry about when Luann's crush for life, Aaron Hill moved away to Hawaii. I swear I remember reading those strips as a teenager. NO. Turns out that happened in 2004 when I was 21 years old. Maybe I was thinking about the scroll, because that definitely happened when I was in 8th grade back in 1997. Luann gave Aaron this scroll of their timeline together for Valentines Day one year, and it totally wasn't creepy at all:

Oh wait what did I want to talk about? The fashion show that I still remember like it was last week:

In January of 1995, Luann broke the fourth wall and asked for designs for the school fashion show. Fans had a month to submit entries.

Way back in 2000, the official Luann site had a section about the fashion show. From creator Greg Evans:

I always liked the idea of involving readers in my strip. In early '95, I took that notion to its extreme: asking readers to send in their own fashion drawings with a chance to see their work reproduced in Luann.

On Jan.14, 1995, after doing a sequence about an upcoming school fashion show, I put a call for entries in the strip. I had no idea how many - or how few - entries I'd get. I wondered if a fashion design contest would leave all my male readers cold. 

About a week later, the drawings started coming in - up to 800 in one day. In the end, about 3,000 people sent drawings - 15,000 drawings in all. 

And they were from age 5 to age 97, male and female. I got everything from crayon scrawls on paper towels to full color computer renderings. I got whole classrooms that sent drawings. I got photos of people wearing fashions they'd created and made. I even got patterns so I could make them myself. I got many drawings that were elegant, some that were bizarre, several that were funny and a few that were, well, unprintable. 

Then, with terrific support from my syndicate, we did something that had never been done before: I produced 4 different versions of the week's worth of reader drawings so they could be "zoned" to where the reader lived. Thus, people in the Northeast saw strips featuring drawings by people in their area. People in the Southwest saw their drawings, etc. By doing this, we were able to show 4 times as many drawings. We also notified the local papers and, in several cases, they did articles on their hometown fashion designer.

I was not aware that they were four separate strips that week! I wanted to do some comparisons from my local paper (Daily Press) and the Luann site, but my newspaper is missing three days. HOW. Who hurt you, microfilm?

I went into my Google Newspapers bookmarks and only a couple carried Luann at the time, and they were the exact strips that are on the Luann website. I wonder now if the zones didn't happen and Greg just misremembered.

Oh LOOK, there's a Susan Smith Funky Winkerbean strip on the first day of the fashion show. Susan (we all remember Susan) wanted some alone time with Mr. Moore. Oh, did y'all know that Funky Winkerbean is ENDING at the end of the year?! I'm heartbroken. What am I supposed to make fun of now.

Can't you totally see Gunther would wearing this to prom?

Dang, Mr. Fogarty looking good!

Ok, Delta's ski outfit might be my favorite.

For a second I thought that Brad was dressed as a baseball player.

Tiffany is sporting that "Sophie B. Hawkins in the "Damn, Wish I Was Your Lover" music video look. Remember, the outfit that kinda looked like a diaper?? And MTV wouldn't run the video apparently?

Okay, so there was always this long running joke that Aaron Hill barely knew Luann existed--but yet they were pretend bride and groom for the fashion show. I know he's a teenage boy, but how could he forget that??

Also, I totally imagine this dress having pink accents.

Another strip moment I vividly remember also happened that week: when Curtis' mother was attacked by a robber and wound up having a miscarriage:

That was upsetting.

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[pedros-mustache]

mr. grinch

summary: javi was never going to be the all-out-for-the-holidays type, was he?

word count: 2.7k

warnings: borderline soft!javi (the heart wants what the heart wants), specifically related to the christmas holiday, a disgusting amount of fluff, x fem!reader

a/n: wrote a post about this concept and decided that wasn’t enough. my forte is angst and pining, not fluff, so forgive me if this is trash.

also: this will be repeated in the future, i’m sure, but if you have at all interacted with/commented on/reblogged/liked any of my previous fics thank! you! i would reply to each and every comment however that would require exposing my main (as this is a side-blog) and that’s not gonna happen. please know that i see and feel your love! xoxo! 

you long for the day after thanksgiving more than thanksgiving itself. 

sure, you enjoy the november holiday; it’s not like you hate it. especially since getting married, since having kids, you find thanksgiving means a little more to you now than it did prior to adulthood.

you enjoy packing the kids up and traveling across town to your mother’s house for thanksgiving breakfast and then packing the kids up again and going to javi’s father’s house for thanksgiving dinner. you enjoy sitting beside your husband, your hand on his thigh, as you watch your children play with their cousins or be passed around by distant aunts and uncles. you enjoy knowing that you’re safe, that javi’s safe, that the babies are safe. you enjoy knowing that you’re loved.

really, thanksgiving is nice, a good reminder of all that you have to be thankful for. but it’s just that: nice.

the day after thanksgiving, though... that’s when the real fun begins.

since childhood, your family has waited to decorate for christmas until the day after thanksgiving, and you’ve brought the tradition to your new household. javi tells you that your excitement for christmas overshadows thanksgiving, and maybe it does, but you really don’t care. not when christmas is ten times more cozy and festive than thanksgiving could ever dream of being. 

this year, you rise early on the appointed day and wake javi with a firm shake to the shoulder. he groans, rolls over to his stomach, and slips his head beneath a pillow.

“too early,” he mutters.

you exit the ensuite bathroom, rubbing your lotioned palms together as you prepare for a long day of unwrapping dusty boxes and fragile decorations. with a grin, you tap javi’s foot beneath the bedcovers. “get up before i sic the kids on you.”

he mumbles something under his breath, but the weight of the pillow muffles his words, so you leave him to his sulking. he’s never been a morning person, not in all the years you’ve known him. in a few minutes he’ll be up; you just have to give him time.

you find your son, tomás, awake and raring to go. six and a half years old and responsible as ever, it is his greatest joy in life to make his father proud. and though javier is a man of few emotional words, there’s a soft spot in his heart for both his children. today marks the first year tomás is old enough and capable enough to help his father with the outdoor decorations, and he’s already halfway dressed, his small feet shoved in tiny boots and his unruly hair snug beneath a baseball cap.

leaning against the doorframe, you watch as tomás struggles to get his arms through the sleeves of his sweatshirt. “you’re up bright and early,” you say, arching an eyebrow.

“wanna”—he bites his lip in concentration—“wanna help daddy today.” he drops his head with a heavy sigh. one elbow in particular remains stuck in the sleeve of his shirt, caught at a ninety degree angle.

you cross the bedroom to kneel in front of him and gently tug on his shirtsleeve. the arm once stuck at an uncomfortable angle flops to his side, and you smooth your hands over his narrow shoulders. “i’m sure you’ll be a big help, tommy. you just have to promise to do as daddy says.”

“yeah, i promise.”

with a squeeze to his arm, you cock your head to the open bedroom door. “go run downstairs and pour yourself some cereal while i get your sister up. daddy will be down soon.”

boots heavy around his ankles, tomás dutifully makes his way to the kitchen, his steps slow as he descends the steep stairs. his shoes clomp on the hardwood, and you hesitate, waiting to hear the cabinet doors open and shut, before moving to wake your daughter. you know by now that, though tomás thinks himself a fully grown boy, his legs often move faster than his brain, and you’ve had one too many tumbles down the staircase to show for it. the last thing you need today is a split forehead or bonked chin. 

like her brother, julieta is awake when you enter her dimly lit nursery. she gives you a gummy smile when you reach down to lift her from the small mattress, and she gurgles happily as you change her diaper and dress her for the day. her arms flap against her sides in joy as you enter your bedroom and place her on your bed. with practiced effort, julieta crawls her way up the bed and presses her tiny fists against javi’s shoulders. 

“come on, javier,” you say, pulling the covers away from your husband’s body. he groans in response, head still tucked beneath his pillow. “tommy’s already downstairs waiting for you.”

with a huff, javi turns to his back, drawing julieta with him, one broad hand splayed across her entire back. “getting up this early the day after thanksgiving is cruel and unusual punishment.”

“no—you’re just dramatic.”

“i think i ate too much pie yesterday.” he sits up with a frown. “i’m gonna have a beer gut like my uncle before you know it.”

“maybe, but i reckon you’ll still look cute.” you grab his wrist and tug him out of bed. he keeps julieta firm against his chest as he moves. “you know i don’t like to waste time, so please move that cute ass of yours downstairs. it’s past eight-thirty already.”

javi tosses a surprised look over his shoulder as you shove him out of the room, plaid pajama pants and all. “you think i have a cute ass?”

“shut up,” you grumble. 

tomás sits at the kitchen table, bowl of cereal on his plastic placemat. he grins when javi enters the room, and a line of milk dribbles down his chin, which you are quick to wipe away with a stray napkin.

“hi, daddy.” rising to his knees, tomás swivels in his seat and braces his hands on the back of the chair. he watches as javi deposits julieta in her high-chair then sets about making his morning pot of coffee. “we’re gonna put the lights up outside today?”

without turning away from the coffee maker, javi nods. “yeah, champ. but, you know, i was thinking.” his eyes slide to yours as he shuts the coffee maker’s lid and flips the on button. “what if we did something... different this year?”

you still. julieta makes grabby fingers for the half of the banana that still hasn’t been sliced for her, and she kicks her legs against the high-chair. “different?” you narrow your eyes. “different how?”

“oh, i dunno.” javi leans back against the stove and crosses his arms over his chest. he has all the air of nonchalance, but you know this is a calculated attack. if you know anything about your husband, it’s that once he gets an idea in his head, he’ll work his way forwards and backwards to bring it to fruition. “just different.”

“so no lights?”

javi shakes his head in reassurance for both you and your son. “no, tommy, we’ll still have lights. just different lights.” for the crescendo of his argument, javi crosses the kitchen and crouches beside your chair. he squeezes your thigh, his brown eyes soft and pleading. “come on, mi vida, let’s spice it up a little bit. i’ve got it all worked out, so you don’t have to worry about anything.”

you toss your head back on a laugh. “oh, i’m sure i won’t!”

“trust me, baby,” he whispers, brushing a lock of hair behind your ear, and, for a moment, focusing more on the patterns of your face than his end goal. 

you feel your resolve soften. how can it not? javi is decidedly undomestic, even with a wife and two kids. oh, he loves you; he adores his children. but it’s been a long time coming to get to this moment—him on his knees with his own holiday decoration plans. you’d be a fool to turn him down.

you shut your eyes and give him a nod. “okay, fine. i trust you.”

javi pops to his feet with a loud clap and equally as loud, “alright!” he points to tomás. “finish your cereal, kid, ‘cause we got work to do.” 

dropping a kiss to the top of your head, he makes for the stairs. his socked feet slide on the linoleum, which causes to tomás to laugh in amusement, but you’re too stunned by javi’s sudden change of mood that you can’t help but feel like you’ve been duped. 

spice up christmas decorations? you can only pray that whatever he has in store won’t get you a stern letter from the homeowner’s association. 

***

before beginning his mysterious outdoor decorating project, javi pulls all the boxes labeled christmas down from the attic. he helps you assemble the artificial tree in the corner of the living room, and he, though with a good measure of grumbling, adjusts and readjusts the garland draping the front door. 

but as soon as you give him the go ahead, he pushes you inside, makes you promise not to peek until he’s finished, and, like schoolboys up to no good, hurries away with tomás.

as the door slams in your face, effectively cutting you out of the fun, you glance at your daughter and roll your eyes. “men,” you say, and she coos in agreement.

it’s easy to get lost in your work for the remainder of the afternoon. there’s tens of ornaments to put on the tree and the little village to set up along the front windowsill. julieta follows as you move throughout the house. she crawls, or scoots on her bum, or rolls behind in her baby walker. she’s primarily a happy baby, and after tomás and his terrible twos, you’re thankful for a reprieve from the incessant crying and surly attitude. 

christmas tune after christmas tune drifts from the record player in the foyer, and you bump along to the music, finding the work of unpacking boxes and artfully arranging decorations is not so much work with a good playlist and a giggly baby on your hip.

after pausing for lunch, you resume with the finishing touches. the house looks cozy, you have to admit. the tree sparkles in its corner, and the quaint ceramic village display on the windowsill reminds you spending the holidays with your grandmother as a child. there’s miniature, stuffed snowmen in the kitchen that tomás made in school and papier-mâché carolers that javi’s aunt crafted in the hall. an advent calendar hangs from the back of the closet door, and a spring of faux mistletoe dangles over the dining room doorway.

you’re proud of your work, but more than that, you’re proud of the life you’ve made alongside your husband. when he’d proposed all those years ago (a dreadfully unromantic proposal of a ring simply slid across the table at a restaurant), he’d promised life with him wouldn’t be easy. he hadn’t been lying. still, you’ve made it this far, and you wouldn’t go back on your vows for the world.

it does surprise you that you haven’t heard a peep out of the boys for most of the day. tomás hasn’t so much as run inside to use the bathroom or grab a drink of water. either javi’s spicy christmas decorations were more labor-intensive than he’d originally planned, or he’d jaunted off to his father’s house to escape the responsibility, taking tomás with him. you can’t decide which possibility you’d prefer.

before you can pick up the phone to call your father-in-law, the garage door opens. javi sticks his head into the hallway, a wide grin on his face when he sees you.

“okay, we’re ready.”

you put a hand on your hip. “are you sure?”

“yeah, i’m sure.” he steps inside long enough to lift julieta from her place in the bouncy walker. he sets her on his shoulders, and she squeals as she grabs fistfuls of his hair. “i thought you trusted me?”

you place the phone on the receiver and grab your jacket. “don’t throw my words back at me, javier.”

he taps your ass when you brush past him into the garage. “you’ll love it,” he says. “but you have to close your eyes.”

“really? just how different are these decorations?”

“oh, it’s like nothin’ you’ve seen before, hermosa. now shut your eyes!” with an exaggerated sigh, you close your eyes. javi squeezes your shoulder, and you start to walk forward into the driveway. “tomás, keep a watch on your mother. make sure she doesn’t peek.”

javi maneuvers you until you feel the driveway beneath your feet give way to soft grass. he places julieta in your arms then squeezes both of your shoulders. you can feel the excitement in his fingers, feel it in the way he practically bounces with anticipation behind you. you have entirely no idea of what to expect, but if putting up christmas decorations has made javi this excited, no matter what the decor is, you’ll let him do it every year.

“ready, tommy?”

“ready!”

javi presses a kiss to the side of your neck, his arm winding around your stomach to pull you back against his chest. he is firm behind you, the solid foundation on which your family stands. “ready, mi vida?” his voice is low, and even after all this time, it still sends a shiver down your spine.

in lieu of answering aloud, you simply nod.

“okay. tomás, in three... two... one.” he squeezes your hip. “open your eyes.”

the air in your chest leaves in a giant whoosh as you take in his decorations.

“oh my god, javier,” is all you can say as you stare in dumb-founded shock.

javier laughs—a real, hearty laugh—as he watches your face. “isn’t it great?!”

it—it being a wooden cutout painted to look like dr. seuss’s the grinch.

it being that cutout pulling down a strand of illuminated colored lights from the gutter. 

it being the most half-hearted christmas decorations you’ve ever seen. 

“where on earth did you get that?”

“eddie from two streets away. i saw it in his yard and knew i had to have one, so he got another from his guy and gave it to me.” he shakes his head as he looks on in pride. “best forty bucks i ever spent. it’s been in the back of my truck for weeks!” 

“you are so lucky that i love you, javier.”

he laughs again, squeezing you tighter against his chest. “hey! i put lights on the bushes for you. that’s gotta count for something?”

dropping your head against his shoulder, you nod. “it does. and the more i look at the grinch, the funnier it is.” you hold up a finger. “but i’m not laughing yet.” 

you glance at your neighbor’s house, at the cookie-cuter lights lining the frame of their two-story, at the mechanical reindeer bobbing their heads up and down. you look back at your... grinch, at his twisted smile and tip-toed stance and the sad string of lights wound from his hand to the gutter. you snort in amusement.

“i’ve got to hand it to you—this is the most javier peña thing you’ve ever done. i’m almost proud.”

“i knew you’d love it.”

turning in his arms, you shake your head. “no, i just love you.” 

javi smiles and lowers his head to kiss you softly. it’s his way of returning the sentiment, and you preen under his affection.

but then you pull away with a frown. “wait a minute.” laying a finger against his chest, you tilt your head toward tomás. “where have you been all day? this set-up couldn’t have taken more than half an hour.”

javi cringes and glances at his son. he rubs a hand across the back of his beck. “yeah, about that...”

tomás appears from his place plugging in the outdoor extension chords. “daddy took me to the shooting range!”

gaping, you sputter to form a coherent sentence. “you what?!”

“tomás,” javi whispers, swiping his palm over his son’s hair. “you weren’t supposed to say anything.” he looks up through his lashes with a wry smile. “we did—yeah, we did go to the range for a bit.”

“oh, javier peña, you are so lucky i love you.”

javi grins, captures your chin between his fingers, and kisses you again. “yeah, i am.”

***

taglist: @insideafictionaluniverse​ @ladytrashbird​ @generaldamneron​

[nurvuss]

I Watched the First Episode of Every New Spring 2021 Anime Airing on Crunchyroll

Hey, are you like me, and feeling like you're not getting the most out of your Crunchyroll subscription? Sure, there's stuff on there that you know you like. But whenever I look at the big long list of simulcasting shows, my eyes glaze over and I don't even know where to begin.

I wanted to change my habits and see if there were any shining gems that I should be watching. So, as per the title, I watched the first episode of every new Spring 2021 anime on Crunchyroll. And guess what? There’s a lot of crap! But indeed, there’s some stuff that’s worth your time.

Some clarification: I've only watched shows that began their first season in April 2021.

Backflip!!

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The Lowdown

As Futaba Shotaro comes to the end of middle school, his interest in baseball has begun to wane. Soon he notices the Ao High Boys Gymnastic Club and becomes enthralled, especially after seeing them perform. Once he learns they're down two members, he chooses to sign up and pursue the art of gymnastics. The club is also joined by Misato Ryoya, a star solo gymnast looking to expand his technique through teamwork.

Our Thoughts

Pretty formulaic shoujo sports anime: you've got your himbo, your thug, your ladies' man, your stoic guy, with Shotaro rounding out the cast as the shy and awkward audience surrogate. It looks wholesome enough, and the choreographed routines employ CG in a way that's quite convincing without being hideous.

Who It's For

Fans of  FREE, or Yuri!!! on Ice, or any similar shows about cute boys who succeed at athletic feats. 

Borscht Rating

Burning Kabaddi

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The Lowdown

Legendary high school soccer star Yoigoshi Tatsuya has given up on sports! That is, until he's blackmailed to join the high school kabaddi team, under threat of his online persona being leaked to the entire school. Although Tatsuya initially writes kabaddi off as stupid, the unexpected happens as he begins to have fun.

Our Thoughts

Kabaddi is kinda like competitive tag, or dodgeball but with your body instead of a ball. Burning Kabaddi is basically the shounen alternative to Backflip!! above, replete with nosebleeds, pratfalls, and dudes punching each other. The main cast don't seem to like each other very much; that probably changes as the show goes on but at first blush it's a dynamic I always find annoying.

Who it's For

Fans of Haikyuu!!? Maybe?

Borscht Rating

CARDFIGHT!! VANGUARD overDress

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The Lowdown

The newest series based on Bushiroad's collectible card game, featuring character designs by the beloved collective CLAMP. Petit middle schooler Yu-Yu just doesn't know how to say no. As his older students dress him in drag to use as live makeup practice, he suffers a panic attack and flees into the streets. After being accosted by a pickup artist, he's befriended by Megumi, who invites him to witness a Cardfight match at the local abandoned amusement park. However, Yu-yu is too shy to tell Megumi he's actually a boy…

Our Thoughts

What an unexpectedly weird concept for a show about a card game. Our hero spends the whole episode in drag, whimpering and simpering at the sight of any conflict. Then they show off the latest series of cards, which all seem to be giant buff knights with names like "Bad Steve" and "Violent Bruce". Your guess is as good as mine.

Who it's For

Cardfight!! lovers, Japanese gender studies majors, or the most desperate fujoshi. 

Borscht Rating

Cestvs: The Roman Fighter

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The Lowdown

The year is 54AD, and Nero has taken the throne as the youngest emperor of Rome. At the bottom of the population, Cestvs is a young slave training to be a colosseum boxer. Reluctant, his only choice is to fight or die.

Our Thoughts

Seeing Nero depicted as a gentle little twink is pretty funny. It's also pretty funny that the central character is named after a Roman boxing glove. The animation style transitions to some very uncanny CG when a major fight takes place, and I didn't like that one bit! This seems like a pretty average tournament anime but with a historical setting. It's currently unknown if any of these dudes are fucking each other. I'm gonna say probably.

Who It's For

The venn-diagram of Greco-Roman history buffs and lovers of tournament series?

Borscht Rating

Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro!

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The Lowdown:

Hachioji Naoto is a nerdy, introverted student who spends his time studying and avoiding socialising. When pages from the fantasy manga he's drawing fall out of his bookbag, they catch the attention of a younger student named Nagatoro Hayase. Nagatoro begins to tease Naoto for his otaku interests and awkward demeanour, peppered with some suggestive flirting.

Our Thoughts:

What would you do if a younger girl flirted with you? Would you cry? Piss your pants maybe? Maybe shit and cum? Don't Toy With Me… attempts to barely conceal its BDSM fantasy with its comedic elements, but it's incredibly apparent as Nagatoro always wipes away Naoto's tears as a sort of aftercare. It's like a lighter, comedic version of Aku no Hana, but lacking any of the ponderings or danger that made that work so special.

Who It's For: 

People who search Pornhub for "bratty sister femdom".

Borscht Rating:

86 Eighty-Six

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The Lowdown

The Republic of San Magnolia and the Giad Empire, have been at war for nearly a decade. Using advanced military technology, the frontlines are fought by giant mecha drones called Juggernauts, controlled remotely by Handlers. Major Vladilena Mirizé is one of the military's most talented Handlers in the 1st District, and one who is constantly teased by her peers for the humanity and empathy she shows her squadron. The government line is that drone warfare has kept casualties to zero, but unbeknownst to the public these "drones'' are piloted by 86ers—the lowest class of citizens, forced to live in military internment camps in San Magnolia's 86th District.

Our Thoughts

This is incredibly my kind of thing. We've got a dual narrative being set up here: Vladilena as the kind, reluctant officer of a fascist regime, and the Bad Company-esque antics of her new ragtag squad, Spearhead. The first episode is split pretty evenly between the two, with each story converging at the end as Vladilena "meets" Spearhead for the first time through her comms station. It's an explosive and enticing first episode, and I can't wait to watch more of it.

Who It's For

Fans of Fullmetal Alchemist, Psycho-Pass, Gundam, or any number of anti-imperialist war stories.

Borscht Rating

Fairy Ranmaru

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The Lowdown

In a quiet corner of the city sits Bar F, a modest drinking establishment staffed entirely by five hot young men. Unbeknownst to the general population, these men are a crack team of fairies sent to the human world to gather the latent energy of "attachment". They do this by solving the problems of young women, taking their hearts in the process.

Our Thoughts

Hubba hubba, a little something for the ladies! It's Weiẞ Kreuz with a bar instead of a flower shop, fairies instead of assassins, and some pretty revealing outfits. There's definitely a little Persona 5 inspiration here too, from the punctuating phrase "Take your Heart!" to many of the visual cues. Make of that what you will.

Who It's For

Fans of Weiẞ Kreuz, slash fic authors.

Borscht Rating

Farewell, My Dear Cramer

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The Lowdown

Onda Nozomi was once the star player of her middle school football team. Completely unmatched, she no longer plays as there's no opponent she deems to be on her level. Meanwhile Suou Sumire far outpaces her teammates, causing her frustration. By a twist of fate, these two girls find themselves joining the scrappy Warabi Seinan High School FC as they begin to learn the value of teamwork and friendship.

Our Thoughts

I don't know sports. And I really don't know football. I had to look up what the title meant, and now I barely know who Dettmar Cramer is. I'm really not the best person to judge this, but it seems like a pretty good female-driven sports anime. 

Who It's For

Fans of Ace o Nerae! or other sports manga/anime about those ever burning bonds between young teammates.

Borscht Rating

Gloomy, the Naughty Grizzly

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The Lowdown:

Pitty lives with his pet Gloomy, a massive pink bear. Can a boy and a bear truly get along?

Our Thoughts:

This is a series of minute-long gag episodes in which Gloomy mauls Pitty and blood squirts everywhere. It's definitely meant to be a morbid parody of Sanrio or San-X; it might be a Rilakkuma parody in particular? Gloomy is the kind of thing you might laugh at if it came on in between shows, but it's pretty slight to go through the trouble of putting on.

Who It's For:

Gag anime fans with one minute to spare.

Borscht Rating:

Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway

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The Lowdown

After a night of drinking in Tokyo, slovenly salaryman Yoshida encounters a teenage runaway sitting under a lamppost. She offers to sleep with him in return for letting her spend the night in his apartment. Yoshida refuses her offer but allows her to stay. The next morning the girl, Sayu, reveals she's travelled all the way from Hokkaido, sleeping with random men in return for lodging and money. Feeling responsible for her safety, Yoshida agrees for Sayu to stay indefinitely in return for handling household chores.

Our Thoughts

This is kind of the inverse of Koikimo (see below), but without a scumbag character and from a male perspective. It's not nearly as nauseating as that show, but it's still a fantasy about living with a busty teenage girl.

Who It's For

Libertarians.

Borscht Rating

I've Been Killing Slimes For 300 Years And Maxed Out My Level

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The Lowdown: 

Office lady Aizawa Azusa dies of overwork in her early 20s, and finds herself standing before a lecherous goddess. Allowed a wish as compensation for her untimely demise, Azusa wishes for an endless life of leisure. The goddess reincarnates her as a 17-year-old immortal witch in an RPG-coded fantasy world. Thrilled, Azusa lazes about, brewing potions for her neighbouring villagers, and kills a small amount of slimes each day to supplement her income. After doing this every day for 300 years, she inadvertently finds herself at Level 99. Her peaceful life is soon upended as adventurers and dragons come from miles around to challenge the legendary witch.

Our Thoughts:

I'm not really an isekai fan, and that goes double for series which aren't set in an RPG, yet use RPG mechanics. Levelling up, grinding stats, min-maxing, as if it's a part of the fabric of the setting. I don't get it. I like watching numbers go up as much as the next dork, but I don't need to watch numbers go up in absolutely every piece of media I consume. Just play a fucking video game, Jesus Christ almighty.

I thought this might be setting up a fun series in which a layabout is reluctantly called upon to undertake a dangerous quest, but I don't think that's what's going on at all. When the red dragon Laika wrecks Azusa's house, she transforms into a cute young girl and the two begin living together, teaching each other the pros and cons of hard work and slothfulness respectively. The trajectory of the series might be as laid back as its protagonist in the end, which, ultimately, would be fitting.

Who It's For:

Isekai fans, slice-of-life fans. The twain have met!

Borscht Rating:

Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood

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The Lowdown

In alternative history Japan the Meiji Period continued well into the 1930s, and the ongoing Tokugawa Shogunate has brought technological prosperity to the nation through a magical energy source called the Dragon's Vein. Sawa Yukimura runs a bookshop where she lives with her little sister by day, but by night she's an assassin for Nue, the shogunate's secret police. As the terrorist group Kuchinawa deploys transforming beasts in an attempt to topple the shogunate, Nue springs into action with their own abilities.

Our Thoughts

There are a lot of concepts competing here, and a few too many flashy transformation sequences for my taste, but I'm really into it! Nue are made up of sex workers and street musicians, often overlooked and therefore easily able to blend in. There's a supernatural Standalone Complex vibe to how the team operates, and they're almost assuredly on the wrong side. Worth a shot!

Who It's For

Fans of alternate history science fiction, Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex, Demon Slayer.

Borscht Rating

Koikimo: Koi to Yobu ni wa Kimochi Warui ("It's Disgusting to Call This Love")

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The Lowdown

Amakusa Ryo is a womanizing salaryman concerned with nothing but his own base desires. As he slips on the train station stairs one morning, he's saved by the swift action of Arima Ichika, a kind-hearted high schooler. When it turns out Ichika is friends with Ryo's younger sister Riou, he decides she's his soulmate, and begins to pursue her no matter how many times she refuses him. Comedy ensues!

Our Thoughts

Yeah, OK groomer.

Alright look, Korikimo is written by a woman and told from Ichika's perspective, so this is obviously meant to be a lighthearted "older man" shoujou romance. As an older man, all I saw were the adventures of a paedophile and the teenager he's stalking. Fuck off.

Who it's For

There's probably other stuff like this, right? If you like that, here you go.

Borscht Rating

Let's Make a Mug, Too

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The Lowdown

After the death of her mother, Himeno and her father relocate from bustling Tokyo to quiet Tajimi City in Gifu Prefecture. The former salaryman opens a quiet cafe using the remarkable mugs made by his late wife, while Himeno follows in her mother's footsteps and joins the school pottery club. Although her first project ends in disaster, Himeno makes fast friends with the eccentric pottery enthusiasts who make up the club.

Our Thoughts

It's no Eizouken, but I guess it's probably not meant to be. I'm not a big iyashikei genre fan, but if that's your thing, you might enjoy the wholesome non-adventures of three girls trying to make a mug. It's worth noting these episodes are only about 12 minutes long, with the remaining runtime segmented into live action episodes where the voice actresses tour Tajimi and unconvincingly pretend to be interested in Gifu's famous mino-yaki pottery. I think this must be a tie-in with a local tourist board. 

Who It's For

People who enjoy stuff like Aria, actually.

Borscht Rating

OddTaxi

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The Lowdown

In a Tokyo populated by anthropomorphic animals, a solemn walrus named Odokawa spends his nights driving his cab around the bustling metropolis, spending his free time drinking with his pals. Odokawa soon finds his quiet life disrupted by a caper involving a missing girl, some crooked cops, and the animal yakuza. 

Our Thoughts

A deft blend of working class slice-of-life with mystery, cute animals, and striking visual design. OddTaxi might be the sleeper hit of Spring 2021.

Who It's For

Fans of existentialist film noir with absurdist comedy, Polar Bear Cafe, walrus lovers.

Borscht Rating

Osamake: Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won't Lose

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The Lowdown

Suehiro Maruo Sueharu Maru has his heart set on Shirokusa Kachi, the hottest girl in school. When she begins dating a young actor, Sueharu confides in his childhood friend Kuroha Shida, who's openly in love with him and he rejected in the past. Kuroha suggests the two get revenge on Shirokusa by pretending to be in love. Will Sueharu fall in love with Kuroha for real, making her dreams come true?

Our Thoughts

Give me a fucking break.

Who It's For

I don't know and I don't care.

Borscht Rating

SD Gundam World Heroes

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The Lowdown

The newest instalment of the SD Gundam media-mix franchise. In a world populated by super deform mecha, a burning meteor lands in the middle of Captain City. From it launches a terrible mechanized beast: Naughty Lion. When the police are powerless to stop it, a crack team led by Zhuge Liang Gundam and Liu Bei Gundam sorties to bring Naughty Lion to justice. When the beast stops rampaging, it transforms into Sun Wukong Gundam, a youthful amnesiac mecha horrified at the destruction he wrought. The Three Kingdoms Gundams welcome Sun Wukong into the fold to make sense of this mysterious event.

Our Thoughts

I'm an 80s kid, I know a 30-minute toy commercial when I see one.

No, seriously though, I'm aware of SD Gundam's merchandising—they're cute designs, and I even used to have a bunch of the gum rubber mini figurines. I've played the SD Great War Super Famicom games, they're fun! This is a vehicle to get kids hyped up about the latest toys, which are...based on  a hodgepodge of Journey to the West and Romance of the Three Kingdoms this year? There's even a little SD Guan Yu Gundam with a big long beard!

I kinda wanted to like the idea of a bearded robot, but the mechas are super busy and overdesigned. I guess there's only so much you can do to make your next series of toys bigger and better, so these guys are all decked out in gold accents, capes, horns, and antlers, and half the time I couldn't parse what I was seeing.

I'm so glad I don't have to watch any more of this. 

Who It's For

Very, *very* young mecha fans.

Borscht Rating

Seven Knights Revolution: Hero Successor

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The Lowdown

Long ago, the Dark God Nestra ruled the world through fear. Standing against him were the Seven Knights, seven brave warriors chosen by the Light Goddess Serrass. With their powers combined, Nestra was defeated and the lands returned to peace. Hundreds of years later the wicked Physis Cult seeks to revive Nestra, summoning undead beasts to ravage the countryside. With the Seven Knights long dead, the Granseed Academy has risen to train the next wave of heroes to combat this threat. Using special cards, the students of Granseed are able to call upon the power of the Seven Knights to guide them in battle.

Our Thoughts

As soon as the opening started with its transforming heroes and lovingly depicted weapon cards, I realised this must be based on a mobile game. Indeed, this is based on a free-to-play gacha from Korean developer Netmarble. Even before I was able to confirm this, Hero Successor failed to draw me in, eschewing details on the nature of its world in lieu of a glamourised marketing push for its source material. What's here is incredibly slight, and likely to be of little interest to anyone who isn't deep into this game.

Who It's For

Seven Knights whales, I guess.

Borscht Rating

Those Snow White Notes

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The Lowdown

Sawamura Setsu mourns the death of his grandfather Matsugorou, a talented shamisen player who refused to pass his secrets on. Not knowing what else to do, he leaves his remote village for Tokyo, taking nothing but his shamisen along with him. Soon he finds himself wrapped up in the complicated life of aspiring actress Yuna and her scuzzy rockstar boyfriend Taketo. When Setsu opens for Taketo's band, he stuns the audience with the raw emotion of his playing. However, his heart is still tumultuous. 

Our Thoughts

An entertaining first episode of a speciality music series, which is the kind of thing I have a place in my heart for. I couldn't shake the feeling of some latent misogyny that suggested the role of a woman is to inspire a tortured artist, but I might be wrong. The final few minutes take a twist by introducing Setsu's weird, horny mother who seems to have her own personal SWAT team, and it looks like the series becomes a more conventional high school anime from episode 2 onwards. Don't know about that!

Who It's For

Fans of Kids on the Slope, Sound of the Sky.

Borscht Rating

Tokyo Revengers

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The Lowdown

Former delinquent Takemichi is unsatisfied with the way his life turned out, living alone in a paper-thin apartment and working a minimum wage job under a boss who doesn't respect him. When watching the news one evening, he learns that his highschool sweetheart Hinata was killed, alongside her little brother. On the way to work the next morning, Takemichi falls in front of an oncoming train and wakes up 12 years in the past. Armed with foreknowledge, he attempts to turn his life around and save his onetime lover.

Our Thoughts

This is drawing from a lot of sources; the whole train sequence is lifted straight from Gantz, while the story itself initially seems like a Life on Mars kind of deal. In fact, Tokyo Revengers sees Takemichi jump back and forth between the present and the past, seemingly making small changes until he achieves his desired outcome. It feels like a very video gamey depiction of time travel, and one that's not super interesting.

Who It's For

Steins;Gate fans, maybe? Delinquent manga (Shonan Junai Gumi, Crows, etc.) fans, maybe? It's pretty self-serious compared to any of those.

Borscht Rating

To Your Eternity

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The Lowdown

An immortal being in the form of an orb falls to earth and becomes a stone. Years pass, an ice age sets in, and a white wolf stumbles onto the tundra and dies. The orb, able to take the form of anything that leaves a strong impression on it, transforms into the wolf and slowly learns how to use its newfound ambulatory body. The creature treks back through the tundra where it meets a boy living alone, after the rest of his village left in search of a better life. The boy recognises the wolf as his beloved pet, Johann, and the two begin living together in the harsh, lonely wastes.

Our Thoughts

I'm being a little coy with the synopsis here, and there's a major shake-up at the end of this debut episode. This one's based on a manga by the critically acclaimed Yoshitoki Ooima (A Silent Voice), and it's a depressing, compelling, and exciting start to a series. Lots of potential here!

Who It's For

Fans of NieR, Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon, Last Exile, Kino's Journey.

Borscht Rating

So, there you have it. I'm hoping this will be of use to anyone who experiences a similar sense of dread when faced with so many choices. Maybe we’ll do this again during the Summer 2021 anime season.

Also, please don't get mad at me if I'm snarky about your new favourite show! It’s just TV and I'm a big idiot anyway.

[puppyluver256]

[Image Description: Two fan-made regional variants of Oranguru and Passimian, ape-like Pokemon introduced in the Alola games (Sun and Moon).

The Oranguru variant resembles an orangutan covered mostly in white hair with grey hands, feet, and muzzle. It has black stripes down its front, resembling the shirt of a classic sports referee. Its face is blue with yellow rings around its eyes, and black markings under those resembling those of a baseball player. There is a clump of golden hair on its forehead flipped upward to resemble the brim of a baseball cap. It has a cape of red wavy fur, some of which is tipped in blue or gold. It is holding a wooden instrument resembling some kind of bat, and it is holding out its free hand, over which a green round object is levitating and surrounded by blue energy. Pink text outlined in light blue to the right of the image reads "Oranguru - Cantessy Regional Variant".

The Passimian variant resembles a buff lemur covered in black and white hair, specifically white on its torso and around its neck and black on its limbs, tail, and muzzle. It has green leaves stuck to its shoulders and two long green leaves attached to its blue head. It has blue eyes with yellow sclera, blue fur around its pelvis and upper legs, and blue cape-like fur growing from its back in a manner that resembles wings. It is holding a green round object in one hand while its free hand is on its hip in a confident pose. Maroon text outlined in light blue to the right of the image reads "Passimian - Cantessy Regional Variant".

End ID.]

-----

Oranguru (Cantessian) - Sage Pokemon - psychic/flying With the incredible intelligence they share with their Alolan counterparts and a stronger penchant for teamwork, they can often be seen playing a game resembling baseball and coaching each other on how to improve their skills. / Cantessian Oranguru are a lot better at working with one another than their Alolan counterparts. They collaborate to test each others’ wits in a friendly manner by hitting berries at precise angles for others to catch.

Passimian (Cantessian) - Teamwork Pokemon - fighting/flying Much like their Alola counterparts, they live in large groups and are very adept at cooperation. They stick leaves to their shoulders with their saliva to signify what troop they belong to. / Members of a troop like to pass large berries around like basketballs, dunking them into natural “hoops” created by intersecting tree branches for fun. They can sometimes be seen on human-made basketball courts trying to join in ongoing games.

More Cantessy Pokemon, and back to regional variants again! It's kinda funny that I've given regional variants to Pokemon that were introduced in the region to first include regional variants, hehe. Now I will admit, these ones were kinda decided by the next round of gym leaders than the other way around. I'll go ahead and say that they're flying and fighting specialists themed around baseball and basketball respectively, and I figured that taking the "football" Pokemon (yeah, I know rugby isn't quite football, but it's the closest thing I'm even vaguely familiar with) and having it more basketball-themed would be a neat idea. And of course, Passimian has to come with Oranguru because they're counterparts, and so I themed Oranguru on baseball to match. ...to be fair, Oranguru was partially done a bit more so that the flying gym leader and the ice gym leader didn't both have the Cardling line as their ace, and that decision was made before I came up with ANOTHER separate ice Pokemon line XD I think these would be flying-types that are less about actual flying and more about just seeming to fly, like once Oranguru gets up and starts running they can run really fast, and as a baller Passimian of course can jump really high and that almost counts as flying. They'd definitely be able to learn Bounce or something similar, hehe X3

I've restructured some things in my drawing queue and so things that would've originally taken me months to get to are now sooner up on the list, so expect more Cantessy Pokemon more frequently in the next bit! I can't wait to show them to you! :D

Reminder that if anyone wants to suggest moves for any Cantessy Fakemon to learn and some physical stats where I haven’t yet figured them out, feel free to throw ‘em at me :3 Links to their info pages will be provided in the replies!

💖🐶 Check out my pinned post for ways to support my artwork, among other things! 🐶💖

~If you like, please reblog to show your friends! Likes are appreciated, but reblogs let more people see my content! If you have something to say, feel free to give feedback in tags/comments/replies as well!~

Oranguru, Passimian, and other Pokemon concepts © Nintendo/GameFreak Cantessian Oranguru, Cantessian Passimian, the Cantessy region, and artwork © PuppyLuver Studios

[hockeyboysiguess]

dear winter | c. parakyo

a/n: this one was entirely inspired by and written to dear winter by ajr. highly recommend listening to this while you read. this is your reminder that vince dunn isn’t the only player on the blues. enjoy!

warnings: a little swearing. otherwise, alllllll fluff. 

word count: 6K

You sighed as you felt a firm kick to your bladder. You had to give it to her, your baby had great aim, something she’s definitely inherited from her dad since you couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with a baseball even if you were being coached through each movement. You rubbed your growing bump softly, a vain attempt to get her to relax, before you grabbed the full file box. Colton would be upset if he knew you were moving boxes without him. You loved Colton, god, did you ever love your husband, but he was treating you like you were going to break any second. He had as soon as you’d told him you were pregnant. You tried to fight him on it, but if Colton wanted something to go a specific way, there was pretty much nothing you could physically do about it. He was a physical immovable force. You settled for doing things when he wasn’t home.

You huffed out a loud breath as you sat down on the couch with what would be your fourth box of the day. You had been trying to go through everything in the room that was going to become “Little P’s” nursery, as Colton called her. You were also using it as an excuse to actually clean out your catch-all spare bedroom instead of just moving the problem of having too much stuff from the bedroom to the attic.

You sucked in a deep breath before blowing off the layer of dust from the top of the box. You lifted the lid and sighed. It was absolutely packed with papers and notebooks, Colton’s notebooks. He religiously kept notebooks, not a diary, not a journal. He rolled his eyes whenever you called them that, telling you that they weren’t diaries or journals because he wrote anything in them, from grocery lists, to hockey plays he thought of, gift ideas for you, anything. He also refused to get rid of a single one, much to your chagrin, but the least you could do was label them with the dates they contained to organize them. Thank god you’d pulled the label maker out for the last box so you didn’t have to get up. Getting up wasn’t your specialty anymore, thanks to Little P being a little less little since her father was a large human being.

You cracked open the first notebook after shaking off more dust, flipping to the first page to grab the date and the last page for the final one. Colton’s notebooks had never been any of your business. You thought he had every right to his private thoughts, something that had absolutely floored him when you started dating. Every other girl had tried to read over his shoulders, sneak a peak when he wasn’t around, but you trusted Colton, which is what you’d told him then and still told him now every time he picked up another notebook. The next notebook opened with a silly drawing, it made you giggle, but you didn’t pry further, simply adding your label and moving on to the next one.

Your brows furrowed when you came to a notebook toward the bottom. Unlike the rest, which were heavily worn in, the pages wrinkled and fanning out, making them appear thicker, this one was only partially started. The wear stopped about three-quarters of the way through it. You found it odd. Colton always finished everything he started, even if it was virtually impossible for him to do so. He was the least wasteful person you’d ever met. You shook off your thoughts. His notebooks were his business, not yours.

Still, regardless of you trying otherwise, your eyes flitted to the first entry in this notebook. The start of it pulled your eyes in unwillingly. It was a letter, a letter to someone else. Your heart sank and you slammed the notebook shut. No, you thought. Colton would never, but then who was he writing to? Your heart was aching in your chest. You trusted and loved your husband more than you ever thought possible for yourself, but your mind was running through possibilities and you needed to know. When your eyed scanned the first words, the tears started to slip out even though you willed them not to.

Dear Winter, I hope you like your name I hope they don't make fun of you When you grow up and go to school, okay? 'Cause Winter is a badass name

Colton’s words continued and your tears kept flowing.

Sorry if you don’t love it, baby girl, but I do and unfortunately for you, one me and one other person get to vote on it and I’m all in for it. Also, I’m not really sure where I got the idea to start this, but I’m two sentences in and I hope one day you think this is as cool as I do right now.

Anyway, I wanted to start by telling you what made me think of your name. I was walking through Forest Park (I’m playing for the Blues right now, in case that ever changes, so I’m in St. Louis) because I was having a pretty terrible day. I botched something at practice, couldn’t get the play right, and coach got angry at me. You probably know I don’t handle people being angry with me well because I doubt that’s ever going to go away. I found out the woman I was seeing actually cheated on me (I know, weird to read from me, but I hope you stick through this one) and I’m missing my family a lot today. (Side note: please come home more, Winter. I love you.)

So I was having a terrible day and decided to take a walk. It was chilly, but sort of comforting. It smelled like it was about to snow. I really hope you know that smell too, sort of like Christmas Eve, my favorite day of the year, as I also assume you know. Then, it started to snow. It was that beautiful, promising fluffy snow that makes me think of hot chocolate and peppermint and family. That’s when I really thought about you for the first time, Winter. I thought about us outside in our front yard, your mom on the front steps, and you catching snowflakes on your tongue. I thought about how you’d ask me to build a snowman with you, even though the snow wasn’t even sticking to the ground. I thought about you, Win. Winter. Some people hate winter. Some people love it. That’s also why it’s your name, Win. You might not be everyone’s cup of tea, Winnie, but that’s okay. You’re not meant to be for everyone. You’re meant to be exactly who are you as you’re reading this. 

I'm hoping that some day, I can meet you on this Earth But shit, I gotta meet your mom first

Love, Dad :) 

You placed your hand gingerly on your swollen stomach as the tears flowed freely. Colton wrote the first letter in the notebook seven and a half years before today. He’d been writing to her, the little girl still growing in your belly, for years, before you’d even moved to St. Louis let alone met Colton for the first time. Of course Winter would take that moment to kick you in the stomach. Winter. You loved her name too. You’d been racking your brain all day since you’d found out that Little P was a girl, not the boy you were convinced you were having based on your apparently flawed mother’s intuition, so when you found out Little P was a girl, you’d be wracking your brain all day for both a way to tell Colton and what you might name her. Somehow, even though he didn’t know yet, Colton had already taken care of another worry of yours, a man who didn’t know how to love you wrong. 

You couldn’t stop yourself from turning to the next page to read the next entry. Unlike his notebook he used every day, the next entry picked up a few weeks later.

Dear Winter, I hope you talk to girls Or boys or anyone you like

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve written to you, but I heard something out a bar that made me come home and immediately grab this notebook. Sorry if this is a little unclear. Dad’s just a little drunk right now, but I want you to know how important this is and I wanted to tell you as soon as possible.

This guy at the bar was being... absolutely awful, Win. This girl was just trying to have a good time with her friends. She was wearing a pin on her jacket with the pride flag on it. This guy started asking her about it. She shrugged, said she was bi, and she moved on. Except he didn’t move on. I heard him talking to his friends, talking terribly about her. He was talking about her sexuality and what it could do for him, how good it would be for him that she was bi. It didn’t sit with me right, so I warned her what he said and she said something that stuck with me so I wanted to tell it to you. She said, “God, thank you for telling me. I’m so fucking tired of guys sexualizing my sexuality for their own sexual gratification. It has nothing to do with them, you know? It’s my sexuality. It’s for me and me alone. I thought it got through all of the bad stuff when my parents kicked me out for it. It just keeps on coming, you know? Fucking sucks.”

Winnie, whoever you like, boys, girls, both, neither, people who don’t identify any particular way, if you know deep down you’re not my little girl, but you’re my son, I’m always, always, always, always going to love you. I will always be in your corner, Win. My love for you will never change. My support for you with never waiver. I will stand with you a pride parades. I will advocate for you. I will do anything I can to make sure you know you are loved and supported and that you can always come to me. I will always protect you, Winter. I will always love you.

If you’re reading this and you haven’t come out yet, the door is open, Win. And I’m standing right there, arms wide open, ready to love the truest version of you, the version of you that makes you feel like your most authentic, happy self. Whenever you’re ready, I’m ready.

Love, Dad

You felt your heart pound hard in your chest. Colton had never wavered on loving whoever your baby was going to be, but this, this was something special. You took a deep breath and looked down at your bump again.

“He loves you so much,” you told her softly as you gently rubbed your bump. “You have the best dad in the entire world. I just hope my genes don’t screw you up too much.”

You flipped to the next entry, laughing to yourself at how it was filled with entirely with car buying advice. Apparently, Colton has just bought a car the day he wrote it and he was keen on sharing his newfound wisdom with Winter. He also talked about how he was going to help Winter buy her first car and exactly what that would entail. It was such dad advice, but somehow it was perfect and it was Colton.

You kept reading, an entry an unknown amount of dates deep, caught your eye. You weren’t sure how deep into this you really were. You were flying through entries, Colton’s loving words pulling you through each page at a lightening pace. This one caught you eye though.

It really doesn't seem like there's anyone for me But dear Winter, I hope you like your name You know I cannot wait to teach you how to curse But shit, I gotta meet your mom first

You think your mom is going to like that I’m cursing in these letters? Probably not. But hopefully she’ll deal. I mean, I play hockey. Cursing is part of the game basically. I hope I teach you well. :)

You know, Win, I saw a couple out at a restaurant today and they were so in love. I, on the other hand, got stood up on a date today. Super fun, right? And super weird to hear from your dad, but it’s the truth. As smooth as I’ve tried to make myself look your whole life, Dad’s not really all that fucking smooth, Winnie.

But anyway, I wanted to tell you that it doesn’t matter if you ever find someone, Win. I wanted to tell you this because I need to hear it right now and even if when you first read this, you don’t need to hear it, I’m betting at some point in your life you will need it. You can achieve every single dream you have without a partner. You can have the life you want. You can have a family. You can make a beautiful life for yourself all on your own. Because you aren’t looking for your other half. You’re a goddamn full, beautiful, powerful person all by yourself. You are complete just as you are and that’s fucking amazing, Winnie.

Am I writing this for you in the future or me now? That’s debatable, but someday you’re going to need a reminder that you are a galaxy of beautiful, stunning possibilities. You are the sun, moon, stars, planets, and everything in between. A galaxy doesn’t need anyone or anything else. Always remember that anyone you let into your life should be in wonder at the galaxy that is you.

Sorry, Dad’s going to get off his weird soapbox now and go to bed. I’ll write you soon. Pinky promise :)

Love always, Dad

You gripped the notebook tightly in your hands, careful not to wrinkle the pages. You briefly thought about how you’d never read one of his notebooks before so maybe pregnancy hormones weren’t the best time to start, but this notebook was for someone. It was for the baby in your belly, so you kept reading. 

Dear Winter, 

I met someone today. I don’t want to say too much, in case it doesn’t work out. It never really works out for me, does it, Winnie? I hope a) that your mom has much better luck with men than I do with women and b) that you inherit her luck. At least I got her phone number, right? Maybe I can figure out how to sounds less like a guy that really like writing in notebooks and puzzles and more like a guy who is all about parties and adventure?

Actually, no, Win. No. Don’t listen to that. Be whoever you want to be, whatever that looks like. If some guy doesn’t like you because you’re a homebody, reject him and toss him out in the street. He’s clearly no good. Be whoever you want to be, Win. A homebody, a busy body, whoever that is, I’ve got your back for the rest of my life. 

(Side note: this girl is super, super pretty and she’s wicked smart with an incredible sense of humor. Kind of hoping this one works out? If not, then I guess on to the next one, right? If not, I’ve got to meet your mom one day, Win. We’ll see when it happens, I guess.)

Love, Dad

Your eyes scanned back up the page to the date. You breath hitched it your throat when you saw it and your hand came over your mouth as your eyes started to fill with tears again. It was about you. That was the day you met Colton for the first time. That memory was burned into your brain forever because it was honestly one of the worst days of your life, until Colton walked in.

You were about to give up. Four cups of coffee at varying degrees of strength had done nothing to stimulate an idea in your brain. Well, it would have been five cups of coffee if you hadn’t spilled the third cup down yourself and stained your favorite sweatshirt that was now a crumpled mess in your backpack. Despite that, you were still face to face with a blank Word document that needed to be six pages long by midnight tonight, which was less than twelve hours away. Procrastination always got the better of you. Today was no exception.

You had opened your day with a trip to the dentist and of course, you had a cavity. You didn’t realize until you got back to your car that your house key wasn’t on your key ring, so you couldn’t go home and your roommate was going to be out all day, so you’d had to post up in your fourth favorite local coffee shop as shops one through three were completely packed. You’d had to park six blocks over because you couldn’t find a spot. All of this chaos had wasted almost two hours you were supposed to be working. Then there was the spilled coffee, which you spilled because your terrible ex-boyfriend had shown up and tried to talk to you. In an effect to escape, the coffee had gotten spilled. To boot, after actually drank coffee number three, your mom had called you and told you your childhood dog had cancer. It was just one of those days. She was fifteen, so you couldn’t say she didn’t live a good, long life. Still, it was a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day.

Your music was blaring in your eyes. You were rapidly flipping through Spotify trying to find something that might provide some inspiration. You sighed and rested against the back of the chair as your head fell back. You let out a long sigh and carded your fingers through your hair. Ideas or not, you needed to get started. That went out the window when you saw a large man standing next to your table when you lifted your head. He gave you a sweet smile and a small wave. Your eyes rolled up and down him quickly. He was massive, broader and taller than most people you knew. His size could make him intimidating, but there was something cautious and nervous about the way he moved. One of his large hands was shifting around his iced coffee. The other was fidgeting in his pocket. His smile was kind and inviting. His shoulder were low, hunkering down as if to try and look smaller than he was. It was his eyes that took your breath away for a second, a pair of beautiful baby blues framed by dark glasses.

You yanked one of your headphones out of your ears and raised your eyebrows at him.

“Hi,” he said softly. “Um, all the other tables are full. Do you mind if it sit? I’ve got an appointment in half an hour, so I won’t be in your hair for too long.”

You almost stuttered, but pulled yourself together in time to say, “Oh, yeah, sure.”

He thanked you with a sweeter, wider smile as he dropped down into the chair opposite you. He dwarfed it, and the small table you had stationed yourself at. He was just slightly too big for everything around him, but he didn’t seem to mind much. 

“I’m Colton, by the way,” he told you as he opened up a book you hadn’t realized he’d been carrying. 

You told him your name softly before you tried to get back to work. Every minute you had was precious at this point to meeting your deadline. Beautiful man or not, you had to get this done. Except he seemed to have other ideas. 

“What are you working on?” he asked you after a few minutes. You’d caught him eyeing you as you finally got some sort of an idea, so your fingers were blazing across your keyboard.

“Oh, just this project for work,” you answered flatly, not even looking up from your screen or pausing your furious typing to answer. “I got into this fight with my boss about it because I think her premise is wrong, so I’ve been having some issues trying to write this condensed summary of her position considering I disagree with it. But, hey, a job’s a job, right? At least I’m employed enough to keep my cat fed, the hungry bastard, and support my own coffee habits without a sugar daddy.” 

Colton laughed and like your life had sudden become a movie, the sound took your breath away. You couldn’t stop a smile from pulling up the corners of your lips as he laughed. His laugh sort of made you forget how embarrassing what you’d just said was. 

“Is he fat?” Colton asked before quickly adding. “Your hungry cat, is he a fat bastard as well as a hungry one?” 

“The fattest bastard of them all,” you laughed as grabbed your phone from next to your laptop to show him a photo. 

Colton whistled when he saw the photo and nodded softly. 

“Put a ribbon on him and you could enter him as a prized heifer in the county fair,” Colton joked, making you smile widely, your first genuinely thrilled smile all day. 

“I got him fat from the shelter,” you tried to explain. “I’m trying to put him on a diet, but he’s just not having it. Honestly can’t blame him. Diets are dumb. But the fatso won’t exercise. I got him one of those cat wheels, like a giant hamster wheel but for cats. He barely fits on it and even on the days he finds his balance enough to fit on it, he won’t use it. I’ve sort of thrown in the towel.” 

“I think he’s decided how he wants to be in life and you might just have to accept it,” Colton told you. “I’ll stop bugging you, sorry. I said I wouldn’t.” 

With that, he turned his attention to his book and you went back to your paper. You sat across from him for the next thirty minutes, occasionally taking glances over at him. You found out later on that he keep looking up at you over the top edge of his book the whole time. You somehow just never caught each other.  

As Colton got up to leave, he paused for a second with his phone in his hand, spinning it nervously. 

“Um, I know this is probably sort of random and you’re probably not interested, but would you maybe want to get coffee again sometime you don’t have to do work?” Colton asked you, stumbling over practically ever other word on his way to asking you on a date.

You smiled softly as the memory faded out. You placed your hand on your bump again. Thank god the first three coffee shops had been full that day. You gently turned to the next page then the next one and the next one, stopping when the start of another grabbed you. 

Dear Winter, don't move too far away And please don't say I'm hovering When I text you to ask about your day I wanna hear about your day Will we still hang out and talk when I'm no longer in charge?

I’m sorry if you ever think I’m hovering, Win, but I promise you, I just want to hear about your day, every single day. Sorry if you move far away for some incredible opportunity and I don’t handle it super well. You know me, your old man, I just want you to be able to catch up with you whenever I want to. I’m a little selfish that way, I guess. 

Who knows? Maybe by the time you move, teleportation will be real :)

But if you can, Winter, try and stay close to home. I miss my parents a lot, more than I can properly explain. I know you’re going to be so cool and smart and amazing and you won’t need me someday, but I hope you want me around anyway, even though I’m a lot sometimes. 

(Side note: That girl I talked about a while ago, she’s the one who made me think of this letter. I told her I was scared I was hovering too much, that I was smothering her, and she told me she wanted me around even more. I think you’d like her, Win.)

Hold on for someone who cares about you exactly as you are and loves the way you care about people. You shouldn’t have to change the way you care for someone. They should just feel it. 

Love, Dad

(P.S. Whenever you read this, please come home for a visit, even if you were here yesterday. I’ve definitely missed you since then.)

Your mind flashed back to Colton’s first road trip a few months after you started dating. You had a busy day, absolutely packed with meetings and work, so you’d barely had any time to glance at your phone all day. When you finally had a second to glance at it on the way to your car, you groaned. Two missed calls and four texts from Colton. Of course, the day he managed to find some time away from the guys to call you when you were supposed to be done with work, you had been kept late and missed him. 

You were already dialing his number as you dropped into your driver’s seat to begin the traffic-filled journey home. Colton answered on the second ring. 

“Hey.”

Your brows furrowed at his tone. He was trying hard to sound calm, but you could hear the nerves edging at each letter. He swallowed hard, hard enough you could hear it over the phone. 

“What’s up, babe?” you asked him as you slowly backed out of your parking space. “Is something wrong?” 

“No, nothing,” he said too quickly. He knew he’d said it too quickly the second it had left his mouth. He sighed and you heard some rustling on his end of the phone, following by a door being shut. “I’m sorry I bugged you today.”

“What?” you asked, even more confused than you had been previously as you turned on your right blinker. “You didn’t bug me, Colt. I asked you to call if you were free anytime outside my work hours. I just ended up working late today, that’s all.” 

“Oh, okay.” 

You could tell there was still something bothering him. His pitch was too high, responses too short. He was still on edge, something bigger dancing on the tip of his tongue. He knew you knew. You could read him like an open book even through the phone and he knew better than to not tell you when he was upset. “Relationships thrive with windows and doors open,” was what you always told him, and it takes two people to keep them open all the time.

“Am I hovering?” he blurted out. “Am I bothering you? I just, when I called you again, the guys started-”

“Those idiots that couldn’t keep a girl if they had a carefully curated list of instructions from the girl they liked to tell them how to keep her? They don’t know anything,” you jumped in. “You’re not bothering me, Colt. You never bother me. I want as much of you as I can get. If my life was you just and me, having our favorite lazy Saturday where we go to the farmer’s market, play Scrabble, make bad cocktails, and cook unnecessarily complex dinners before we watch some niche movie practically no one else on the planet has ever seen, I’d be so unbelievably happy. I want as much of you as I can have, Colt, and sometimes I feel like I’m asking for too much. You’re not hovering. I want you right here.”

“You’re not asking for too much,” he replied. Of course, Colton would ignore everything you had said to comfort him in favor of comforting you. “You’re sure I’m not too much? I can do less, if that would be better for you. I can, fuck, I don’t know, whatever you need.” 

“Colton, I love you,” you sighed. “That’s the easiest thing in the world to say to you. I love you, Colton. I love loving you. I love being loved by you. At least, god, I hope you love me back because now I’m realizing we’ve never actually said that and I’m sort of freaking out, but I love learning to love you better and I love finding new ways to show you I love you. Today’s way is actually telling you I do, I guess.” 

“Of course I love you too.”

Colton’s words had reminded you of a prayer, a prayer of a grateful man whose longing, desperate words to something out there that he’d whispered ages ago had finally been answered. You didn’t know how long he’d felt it, definitely longer than you, but love wasn’t a competition. There wasn’t a yardstick, a to-do list, or a formula. Love was whatever you made it to be. You loved Colton, and finally told him, and he loved you, and finally told you. That day, that was all either of you needed.

That day was so clear in your mind. It was the day that set your life on the path it was on, the day that really had started the path that ended up with little Winter being more than a figment in Colton’s mind when he wrote these letters. She was real and you were going to meet her in just a few short months. Your mind wandered forward, seeing Winter’s wide baby blue eyes, you imagined she’d look like Colton as well, hoping your genes didn’t taint his too much to ruin her, as Colton had her sitting on his broad shoulders, securing her safely to him with hands around her ankles as you walked through the zoo. She would be pointing at each animal, tugging on his hair, making sure he saw each and every one. He would be patient, kind, and caring, matching Winter’s excitement in kind with each animal. You would catch him on Google the night before, making sure he knew at least one random, uncommon fact about each one for her, just to make her day. That was the kind of thing Colton said he would do for her to you when you’d shown him the positive pregnancy test, and one of an ever-expanding, never finished lists of reason you wanted to have kids with him. 

You sighed as you felt her flip over in your stomach. She was constantly in motion, something that brought you peace because it told you she was healthy, but as much comfort as it brought you, it brought you more discomfort at the very feeling. You shifted on the couch as you turned to the next entry.

Dear Winter, I hope you like your name I hope you let me take a shot with you on your twenty-first But shit, you gotta ask your mom first

I really hope you let me take a shot with you on your birthday. I’m asking because I was at a restaurant early today and saw the dad order two shots of tequila at a five star restaurant for him and his daughter, who had to be about twenty-one when her birthday dessert came out. She thought it was hilarious and you could tell she she did the shot with him that she loved her dad a ton. So naturally I thought of doing it with you. I know you’re definitely not going to think I’m cool by then, and you could be living in Canada instead where the drinking age is lower, but either way, I hope you don’t mind taking a shot with your old man. 

But, even if you don’t think I’m cool, even if we have to do the shot together over Facetime, even if Facetime doesn’t exist and you have to text me to ask me what it means when you read this, I hope we do one together. I promise, your old man could drink once, Win!

So, go ask your mom and I’ll break out the good tequila for you! :)

Love, Dad

You would definitely have to approve of the aforementioned tequila shot now that he’d been planning it for almost twenty-five years based on when this was written and when Winter would be twenty-one base on her estimated birthday. You laughed lightly and shook your head. Colton was already winning parenting debates with you and he didn’t even know it. Actually, maybe he did. It would be Colton to have planned this all out just so. You smiled as you flipped to the next entry. 

Dear Winter, I'm looking for your mom I gotta find a girl that doesn't mind that I'm inside my head a lot Winter, it won't be too long First, I just gotta find your mom

This whole writing to you as I’ve looked for your mom is how this whole notebook started. 

And Winter, boy do I have some good news about your existence for you. 

That girl I mentioned a while back? I asked her to marry me today. And somehow, she said yes. 

I found her, Win. I found your mom. She’s the most incredible person I’ve ever met in my entire like, that is, until I meet you. And, Winnie, she’s so excited to meet you too someday. 

Here’s hoping she likes your name :) 

Love, Dad

Your eyes were filled with tears again and you were so caught up in the moment, you missed the sound of Colton fusing with the lock on the front door as he entered the house.

“Baby? Why are you crying? Is everything okay? Is Little P okay? How was the appointment?”

Colton’s questions were flying out of his mouth almost faster than you could understand. You heard his gym bag hit the floor and his feet hit heavy on the hardwood as he rushed over to you. Colton rounded the back of the couch and stopped when he saw what was in your hands. You closed the notebook gently in your hands, careful with the soft leather binding, before pulling the elastic over to keep it closed. You turned your head toward your husband. He was white as a sheet, nervousness coating his features. His baby blue eyes were jumping between your puffy eyes, your stomach, and the notebook in your hands impossibly fast. He swallowed hard, waiting for you to say something because his mind was running too fast toward the brick wall of having to ask you what you thought about what was in your hands to actually speak. 

“Colt,” you breathed out softly before placing a hand on your stomach again, “Little P is a girl.” 

“A girl? Really? I’m going to be a girl dad? Really?” 

Colton’s voice cracked with each word and tears began to spill over almost instantly as he sank onto the couch beside you. Hesitantly, as if he didn’t know if he was still allowed to, he reached a hand out toward your stomach. You grabbed his large hand with both of yours and placed it on your swollen belly. 

“Do you want to tell her what her name is?” you asked him softly. 

His eyes snapped up to meet yours. He took his bottom lip between his teeth and looked at with cautious, hesitant joy. 

“You like it?” Colton asked you, his voice barely above a whisper. 

“I love her name, Colton, and since you came up with it, I think she should hear her for the first time from her incredible dad who already loves her more than she can possibly understand.” 

You reached a hand out to cup Colton’s face as you spoke. He leaned softly into your hand, his free hand cupping over yours, completely dwarfing it. He smiled at you softly before he placed a gentle kiss onto your palm, a silent way of telling you he loved you. His fingers wrapped around your hand, pulling it down to your belly along with his as his eyes shifted to it. 

“Hey, Winter, it’s me, your dad.”