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[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

The Harris campaign kicks into high gear

July 26, 2024

ROBERT B. HUBBELL

Kamala Harris has the Trump campaign on its back foot. Whatever Trump’s advisers expected from V.P. Harris, they were wrong. Although Trump and his surrogates have tried several lines of attack, each attempt backfires as Trump offends important constituencies he needs to win. In attacking Kamala Harris, Trump is offending Black Americans, successful women, mothers raising blended families, couples trying to conceive, young people, and more. The Harris campaign has responded forcefully, using a pointed sense of humor that is refreshing and attractive to younger voters who see the internet as a battlefield of ideas.

On Thursday, the Harris campaign released a powerful television ad that was a “no-holds-barred” look at the threat to democracy posed by Trump. See The Guardian, ‘We choose freedom’: Kamala Harris campaign launches first ad. The ad is embedded in The Guardian article; I urge you to watch it. If you don’t, here is The Guardian’s description of the ad:

Released on Thursday morning, the ad opens with shots of Harris’s smiling face behind a podium, the word Kamala, the word Harris, and the American flag. The soundtrack is the beginning of Beyoncé’s song Freedom, to which Harris entered and exited her first speech to campaign staffers after gaining lightning speed momentum on the road to becoming the presumptive nominee. The ad is narrated by Harris, whose first words are, “In this election we each face a question. What kind of country do we want to live in?” She continues: “There are some people who think we should be a country of chaos. Of fear. Of hate,” she says, over shots of Trump and JD Vance. “But us, we choose something different.”

On social media, the Harris campaign has been even more aggressive. The Harris campaign took a clip of Trump imitating Kamala Harris, saying, “I’m the prosecutor and he is the convicted felon.” After Trump admits that he is a convicted felon and Harris is a prosecutor, the ad immediately cuts to a picture of Kamala Harris with her voice saying, “I am Kamala Harris and I approve this message.” The Harris campaign is showing early signs of social media savvy—just as Barack Obama’s campaign did in 2008.

The Harris campaign also went after JD Vance, who described Kamala Harris in 2021 as a “childless cat lady” who should not have an equal voice in the future of America because she does not have biological children. (Harris is a stepmother to two children with Doug Emhoff.) Thursday was “In Vitro Fertilization Day.” The Harris campaign released a statement saying, “Happy World IVF Day To Everyone Except JD Vance.” See HuffPo, Harris Campaign Wishes Happy World IVF Day To Everyone Except 1 Person.

The confidence and swagger of that ad was reflected in the Harris campaign’s immediate acceptance of debate with Donald Trump, set for September 10. But as Kamala Harris demonstrated an eagerness to debate, Trump began hedging his bets, saying he “did not like the idea” of a debate on ABC. See CNBC, ‘Let’s go’: Harris agrees to debate Trump, accuses him of ‘backpedaling’ on Sept. 10 date.

The Harris campaign also used social media to troll Trump's morning appearance on Fox News, during which Trump called Kamala Harris “garbage.” The Harris campaign issued a press release entitled Statement on a 78-Year-Old Criminal’s Fox News Appearance. The press release said,

After watching Fox News this morning we only have one question, is Donald Trump ok? Trump is old and quite weird [and] this guy shouldn’t be president ever again.

For their part, Trump and his surrogates were reduced to claiming that Kamala Harris is a “DEI hire,” a “failed border czar,” and a socialist who will destroy the economy of America.

Luckily for Kamala Harris, economic growth and border security both improved in the second quarter. On Thursday, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that the gross domestic product grew at a 2.8% rate in the second quarter, well above the consensus prediction of 1.9% by economists. See USA Today, US GDP report: Latest data shows economy grew 2.8% in Q2 (usatoday.com)

At the border, crossings by immigrants dropped to their lowest level since 2020 (under Donald Trump). See CBS News, Migrant crossings continue to plunge, nearing the level that would lift Biden's border crackdown. Per CBS News,

July is on track to see the fifth consecutive monthly drop in migrant apprehensions along the U.S.-Mexico border and the lowest level in illegal immigration there since the fall of 2020, during the Trump administration, the internal Department of Homeland Security figures show.

My point in noting the responses by the Harris campaign is not to revel in the “zingers” and “smackdowns” that are long overdue. Rather, it is to highlight the nimbleness, swagger, and professionalism of the Harris campaign. The lightning-quick responses would be exemplary for any presidential campaign; they are stunning for a presidential campaign that is four days old.

Although it is still early, it seems clear that the Harris campaign will focus on Trump's criminality, incoherence, age, and hateful agenda. And it is doing so with a satirical edge that transfers easily into internet memes—which is an effective way to create viral messaging that reaches young people. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign has been caught flat-footed, trying to ignore the awkward creepiness of JD Vance and Trump's part-time approach to campaigning.

All of this should give Democrats confidence that Kamala Harris will run a strong campaign against an opponent who will wage a vile and hate-filled counter-offensive. If the first few days of the campaign are any indication, Kamala Harris is up to the task.

Robert B. Hubbell Newsletter

[cornerihaunt]

i need to quit social media and this app too and become a hermit. a cryptid even

[gloomwalking]

this is dinner tonight btw :•)

[younes-ben-amara]

ما شركة غوغل إلا ضيفٌ على الشابكة؛ مثلنا جميعًا؛ ولا يحقّ للضيف أن يشترط - دَيْف واينر (Dave Winer)

ما هذه المجموعة من المختارات تسألني؟ إنّها عددٌ من أعداد نشرة “صيد الشابكة” اِعرف أكثر عن النشرة هنا: ما هي نشرة “صيد الشابكة” ما مصادرها، وما غرضها؛ وما معنى الشابكة أصلًا؟! 🎣🌐هل تعرف ما هي صيد الشابكة وتطالعها بانتظام؟ اِدعم استمرارية النشرة بطرق شتى من هنا: 💲 طرق دعم نشرة صيد الشابكة. 🎣🌐 صيد الشابكة العدد #164 السلام عليكم؛ مرحبًا وبسم الله؛ بخصوص العنوان فهو موجود في أحد الانتقاءات في قسم…

[radiofrank]

Le campagne ultimamente sono in fermento, mentre si aprono curiosi posti di lavoro in Antartide. Poi c’è quella strana e-mail che ho ricevuto dal Guardian… La nuova puntata della newsletter Extra:

[angela-yuriko-smith]

Authortunities June 7—July 5

Happy Birthday to American poet, author, and teacher Gwendolyn Brooks, born 106 years ago today!

Calling all Authortunists! Free-for-all edition! One month of open paying submissions, grants, contests, fellowships, events+. Thank you to ALL subscribers! ✈️The newsletter is shorter this week as I’ve been busy playing hostess. As a result, I’m making it free-for-all. Next week will be back to the usual length. Colleen Anderson is still visiting us here in Brazil. We’ve had a churrasco, we’ve…

[soracities]

where do you find articles or personal essays to read? and also do you have any favorite sources for news? i want to read more but i’m having a difficult time finding sources 🤍

I've answered this just recently but here's a more complete list for essays from places I visit most often (favourites are marked **)

LitHub**

Electric Literature**

Guernica Magazine**

Hazlitt**

Longreads**

Pangyrus

The Dial**

Bloodknife**

Aeon **

The Marginalian**

Asymptote Journal

N+1

Nautilus**

Quanta Magazine**

The Believer

Ordinary Plots**

The Point Magazine

The Baffler

Paris Review (Redux newsletter is good for things usu behind the paywall)

The New Yorker

The Artifice

The Collector

The Rumpus

Catapult

Tin House Archives (the online section is no longer running but past publications are still available)

Additionally, highly recommend switching to Mozilla Firefox and trying the "Pocket" feature on their homepage: it collects links to articles across the web on topics that are either trending or based on the Pocket suggestions you usually click on. I'm on private browser 99% of the time but there's still 2 or 3 articles at least that I'm always interested in and I love it!

Some other places I read things: Poets&Writers, Atlas Obscura, The Guardian, The Independent, New Scientist, Al Jazeera, The Atlantic, BBC, National Geographic, Wired, NY Times, GQ, NPR, The Irish Times / Independent, etc., I don't have favourite news sources as a rule since I usually read 2 or 3 articles on the same topic from different places depending on what it is (I don't like relying on single sources). But on the whole this covers most of what cross my orbit unless I'm looking for something specifically 💗

[dragonageannual]

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[afeelgoodblog]

Best News of Last Week - December 11

1. Biden administration to forgive $4.8 billion in student loan debt for 80,300 borrowers

The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it would forgive an additional $4.8 billion in student loan debt, for 80,300 borrowers.

The relief is a result of the U.S. Department of Education’s fixes to its income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

2. Detroit on pace to have lowest homicide rate in 60 years this year

A partnership to reduce Detroit crime is being praised with the City on pace for the fewest homicides in 60 years.

"This is the day we’ve been waiting for, for a long time," said Mayor Mike Duggan. The coalition which includes city and county leaders that Detroit Police Chief James White formed in late 2021 to return the criminal justice system in Detroit and Wayne County to pre-Covid operations.

3. Dog that killed 8 coyotes to protect sheep running for Farm Dog of the Year

Over a year ago, Casper was stacked up against a pack of 11 coyotes, and he overcame them all to protect the livestock at his Decatur home. Now he needs your help.

Casper, the Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dog, needs the public to vote for him to become the American Farm Bureau's "Farm Dog of the Year: People's Choice Pup" contest.

4. Shimmering golden mole thought extinct photographed and filmed over 80 years after last sighting

De Winton's golden mole, last sighted in 1937, has been found alive swimming through sand dunes in South Africa after an extensive search for the elusive species.

5. About 40% of the world's power generation is now renewable

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have released their first joint report to strengthen understanding of renewable energy resources and their intricate relationship with climate variability and change.

In 2022 alone, 83% of new capacity was renewable, with solar and wind accounting for most additions. Today, some 40% of power generation globally is renewable, due to rapid deployment in the past decade, according to the report.

6. Jonathan the Tortoise: World’s oldest living land animal celebrates 191st birthday

The world’s oldest living land animal - a Seychelles giant tortoise named Jonathan - has just celebrated his 191st birthday. Jonathan’s estimated 1832 birth year predates the invention of the postal stamp, the telephone, and the photograph.

The iconic creature lived through the US civil war, most of the reign of Queen Victoria, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union, and two world wars.

7. New enzyme allows CRISPR technologies to accurately target almost all human genes

A team of engineers at Duke University have developed a method to broaden the reach of CRISPR technologies. While the original CRISPR system could only target 12.5% of the human genome, the new method expands access to nearly every gene to potentially target and treat a broader range of diseases through genome engineering.

---

That's it for this week :)

This newsletter will always be free. If you liked this post you can support me with a small kofi donation here:

Buy me a coffee ❤️

Also don’t forget to reblog this post with your friends.

[mariacallous]

And so it begins…

Tomorrow will see the inauguration of President Trump. And this time around, there’s one crucial difference. His tech bro allies will be front and centre: Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos. NBC has reported they will be on the platform. This is the image that is going to be seared into our eyeballs and that sets the tone and the expectation for the next four years.

The ascension of the tech gods to the presidential dais is a remarkable journey. Back in December 2016, I watched live on C-Span as Trump welcomed a group of tech execs into a conference room in Trump Tower. Front and centre was Peter Thiel, the founder of Palantir, who’d been one of the few people in Silicon Valley to back Trump. And at that meeting, Trump stroked his hand throughout but the rest of the execs looked nervous, unsure. Some of them such as Sheryl Sandberg had been vocal Democrat supporters. But they all said how excited they were to be there and - Bezos’s word - “super-excited about the possibilities for innovations in this space”.

I just checked to see what I wrote that Sunday. There’s a rule in journalism that if the headline is question, the answer is generally no. But eight years on, it’s now clear: the answer is yes, yes, yes.

This week Joe Biden’s last major speech sounded the alarm to a middle America which had not heard such words before. America, he said, was becoming a “tech industrial complex”.

“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that really threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedom."

If you’re subscribing to this newsletter none of this is going to be news to you but given reports Google searches for the word “oligarchy” spiked immediately afterwards, it is presumably to a swathe of America that’s never had to reckon with these ideas and issues before.

Sundar Pichai, the chief executive of Google, is also among the execs who are expected to kiss the ring tomorrow. Back in 2016, it was Google that I was focussed on. Google was prompting users to search for results on whether the holocaust really happened and when they did, they were being sent straight to Stormfront, a Nazi website.

Google responded not by fixing or even acknowledging the problem, instead the head of public affairs for Europe repeatedly rang my editor and complained. Google had recently spent a lot of money with the Guardian on a sponsored virtual reality project and the head of public affairs for the company felt entitled to make his views known. Weeks of low-grade aggression culminated in a nuclear letter that landed on Christmas Eve. I dealt with in a sweat in a service station on the M4 with the Guardian’s head of legal affairs while she prepared her goose for the oven.

I often think about that story, which was the beginning of the trail that took me down the Cambridge Analytica rabbithole and what I learned from it about dealing with big tech. It was the first time I’d been threatened in this way but after the initial fear and panic - the Google exec cc-ed every senior editor on the paper - the Guardian’s managing editor was robust and reassuring: “If there’s anything that needs to be amended, we will amend it,” she said. “And then we will tell him to fuck off.”

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

AsOTD - in Columbus, Ohio yesterday...

the comfort level that rises when power is given to certain parties... I sure hope we survive this next era... 🙏

(Mary Elaine LeBey)

* * * *

Don’t fall for “the red mirage”

November 18, 2024

Robert B. Hubbell

The outcome of the election has been difficult to absorb because of the deliberate distortion of the scale and severity of the losses suffered by Democrats. We were warned before Election Day that there would be a “red mirage” that would create the illusion of a Republican victory in the early hours of Election Night. The hope was that Democrats would overtake Republicans as early leads from “same day” votes were offset by mail ballots and early voting tallies. Because Kamala Harris did not overtake Trump on Election Night, discussion of the “red mirage” was dislodged from the news cycle by insufferable articles that fall into two broad categories: “Scold the Democrats” and “Who’s to Blame?”.

But the red mirage was real—and it persists, distorting the true outcome of the 2024 election and deepening the disappointment of Democrats. The red mirage persists because of a disinformation campaign to create the illusion of a “mandate” that Trump did not earn on Election Day. It also persists because of the laziness, imprecision, and lack of perspective in the legacy media.

Over the weekend, Trump's share of the popular vote slipped below 50%--to 49.96%. It will continue to decline as California completes its tally over the next week. Kamala Harris currently has 48.24% of the popular vote. See Cook Political Report, 2024 National Popular Vote Tracker.

Failing to garner a majority of the election day vote does not constitute a mandate (no matter how many times Trumpworld repeats that lie). Moreover, Kamala Harris’s current 1.7% deficit in the popular vote qualifies as the third narrowest loss in the last 136 years! See Meidas Touch, Resistance HQ Bulletin 6 - by Ron Filipkowski.

Trump's alleged “landslide” in electoral college ballots is also a mirage. As noted in the Meidas Touch article above, Kamala Harris could have won the electoral college if she had garnered an additional 238,000 votes in three swing states.

The tales of a “mandate” or “landslide” are fiction. The election was extraordinarily close—as predicted all along. But elections are binary and being “extraordinarily close” does not convert a loss into a win.

Still, being “extraordinarily close” should help us put the 2024 election into perspective. Many readers are understandably bewildered by the (incorrect) notion that the “majority” of Americans voted for Trump. As I explained in an earlier newsletter, 93 million Americans eligible to vote did not do so. Those 93 million eligible voters dwarf the 76.5 million vote total currently held by Trump.

Of course, we do not know how those 93 million eligible voters would have voted, but we do know—as a matter of fact—that they did not vote for Trump in 2024. So, let’s excise from our narrative that the “majority of Americans” voted for Trump. That is not true—not by a long shot!

Finally, the red/blue maps that depict Trump's electoral college victory are grossly misleading. Land does not vote. People do. So, the traditional “winner take all” color-coding as depicted in the Cook Political Report map creates a distorted image of scale of Trump's victory in 2024. A state that Trump won by several thousand votes is solidly red—effectively erasing the millions of Democrats who supported Kamala Harris.

Don’t be misled or fooled. Don’t allow yourself to be lied to by bad actors who seek to use the “red mirage” to create the illusion that Trump has a mandate to trample the rule of law or ignore the Constitution. He does not. About one-third of eligible voters cast their ballots in favor of Trump. That is not a mandate. It is a narrow victory that is being contorted into a red mirage.

Most importantly, do not allow the red mirage to deepen your disappointment or undermine your faith in our ability to recover from the 2024 electoral outcome. Victory is tantalizingly close at hand. We must keep the faith and stay the course, despite our understandable disappointment.

GOP margin in the House continues to shrink

To place an exclamation point on the above story, determined Democrats are curing ballots in federal and state races to great success. Rather than giving up, these brave souls have thrown themselves into the fight even though they are as disappointed as the rest of us.

The House currently has 218 GOP seats and 212 Democratic seats—with five seats to be called. Democrats currently lead in two of the five still contested races, suggesting that Democrats will have at least 215 votes—with the possibility of 216. Those margins would give Republicans only a two or three seat margin of control in the House—a weak position that will require Republicans to rely on Democratic cooperation on many issues. See NYTimes, Tracking the Remaining House Races. Accessible to all.

And because Trump has nominated three GOP House members to his cabinet, it is possible that Republicans will have a one-vote margin for the early months of the 119th Congress. (Vacant seats in the House must be filled by special election, not by gubernatorial appointment. See Ballotpedia, Filling vacancies in the U.S. House of Representatives.)

Democrats have fought their way back to a narrow margin because of the incredible vote curing efforts on behalf of Derek Tran (CA 45) who was losing by 3,000 votes but now leads by 36 votes. Those efforts continue—as do efforts for other candidates, including Adam Gray (CA-13), who is trailing by 2,004 votes. And I hope that there is an all-hands-on-deck ballot curing effort for Christina Bohannan (IA-1), who currently trails by only 801 votes!

While the failure of Democrats to gain control of the House is a bitter pill, we must remember that Speaker Mike Johnson was required to rely on Democrats multiple times in the 118th Congress to pass legislation. That same phenomenon will be in effect in the 119th Congress.

Moreover, eight House Republicans won races by less than 10,000 votes. Trump's lurch to the right with this cabinet nominations should cause those Republicans to consider whether they are vulnerable in 2026 if they support the extremist agenda implied by his cabinet nominations.

Watch Professor Laurence Tribe explain why he believes that democratic institutions will prevail

During the 2024 campaign, commentators frequently referred to “the end of democracy” if Trump won. That phrasing was meant to evoke the urgent threat posed by a second Trump presidency. But it should not have been understood to suggest that democracy would literally end if Trump won. The only way that could happen is if hundreds of millions of Americans rolled over and refused to battle for democracy. That isn’t going to happen—because you and I are not going to let it happen.

Professor Laurence Tribe appeared on MSNBC to explain why he believes that democratic institutions will survive the stress test of second Trump presidency. See MSNBC, Laurence Tribe: It’s not over. The resistance is about to ignite.

If you are worried about democracy—and you should be—you should listen to Professor Tribe explain why he believes that our democracy will endure and prevail. As Professor Tribe explains, the United States benefits from a decentralized government that can serve as a strong counterweight to Trump’s authoritarian ambitions. It’s within this space — the system of checks and balances — that the resistance will emerge.

Watch Professor’s Tribe’s explanation. It will renew your confidence—as it did for me! Most importantly, Professor Tribe reminds us that everyone has a role in the resistance to Trump's plans to circumvent and weaken the Constitution and rule of law!

President Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use US missiles to strike Russia.

Legacy media is reporting that President Biden has authorized Ukraine to use US missiles to strike “within Russia.” That description confused me. After reading several articles, it is clear that the authorization is to allow Ukraine to use the missiles inside Russian territory that Ukraine has already captured from Russia—i.e., Kursk Oblast,  See The Guardian, Biden lifts ban on Ukraine using US weapons to strike deeper into Russia.

Per The Guardian,

US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukrainian forces to use US-provided ATACMS in limited strikes against Russian and North Korean military targets within Kursk Oblast. The NYT and Washington Post reported on November 17 that unspecified US officials expect Ukrainian forces to initially conduct strikes against Russian and North Korean forces within Kursk Oblast and that the Biden Administration could expand this authorization to use ATACMS against targets elsewhere in Russia in the future.

Notably, the US missiles in question have a range of only 190 miles. Russia apparently anticipated the US granting authorization to Ukraine to use the missiles. Russia reportedly withdrew all aircraft from the range of the US missiles several weeks ago.

Nonetheless, the expanded authorization is a clear attempt to help Ukraine gain a strategic advantage in advance any peace talks forced on Ukraine by Trump's withdrawal of support for Ukraine.

[Robert B. Hubbell Newsletter]

[altocat]

The Silver Elite club is so creepy actually. The fan clubs for Genesis and Angeal share basic information about Angeal loving plants and cooking or Genesis having a history with Loveless.

But Silver Elite takes it to another level. The information is uncomfortably private. Sephiroth sneaking into the training room with his friends was supposed to be a secret, but Hojo exposed it anyway. Yet in the same newsletter he writes about how Sephiroth valued his privacy. Great.

Then for Hojo to share something as personal as what Sephiroth used to clean his “long beautiful hair” is absolutely repulsive and disgusting. All that fan club did was expose how obsessed Hojo was with Sephiroth and how closely he monitored him all his life.

It's really eye-opening because Silver Elite is sorta played for laughs in CC, or at least meant to be kind of amusing because it's Sephiroth doing mundane Sephiroth things, only for you to realize in hindsight that it's actually a very deeply violating invasion of privacy. Sephiroth around CC era won't even LOOK at Hojo, much less speak to him. I refuse to believe he's giving Hojo any license to post all this private information without Shinra pressuring him into compliance.

People have expectations of Sephiroth. That he's this regal, dominant creature that is always in control, always above everyone else, always flawless and badass at everything he does. They know him as a villain, powerful, imposing, always two steps ahead of Cloud and crew, always smug and threatening and towering over the competition. Crisis Core (and First Soldier) paints a far grimmer picture as to the person Sane!Sephiroth really was pre-madness. He's actually very passive and subdued, dare I say submissive. He has his pride, yeah. And a level of authority over his men. He's definitely not someone you want to annoy or come to blows with. But in his private life within Shinra, he's actually very nonconfrontational and sort of bleakly resigned to everything.

Maybe the EC marketing was right when it suggested that the audience doesn't really KNOW Sephiroth. Because the way the real Sephiroth acts doesn't suggest dominance or power or autonomy of any kind. He's dealt a lot of daily Shinra bullshit and he just puts up with it. He does as he's told. He can be choosy about his missions and he might have a few more privileges than the average soldier. But his hands are just as tied as everyone else's. Maybe even more so because his guardians are allowed to exploit him for profit day after day just to drum up propaganda for new recruits.

[misfitwashere]

February 4, 2025

ROBERT B. HUBBELL

FEB 4

LISTEN TO POST · 18:52

With the benefit of 48 hours to organize, we are beginning to see strong signs of resistance from grass-roots groups, congressional Democrats, and a few media outlets as they challenge the unfolding coup driven by Musk for Trump. This is welcome news, indeed!

[After proofreading this newsletter, I realized that I “buried the lead.” Here it is: There is a protest in D.C. on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in front of the Treasury Building, organized by MoveOn and Indivisible. See article below or just sign up here.]

I start with a quick note about the continued reluctance to recognize what is happening as a coup. Jen Psaki on MSNBC referred to the events as a “hostile takeover of the government.” In 100% of the other instances of a “hostile takeover of a government,” Jen Psaki would call it a “coup,” but apparently, special rules apply to Trump.

Likewise, the New York Times published a well-researched, exhaustive article (accessible to all, here) that details the dozens of actions taken by Musk and Trump to overthrow the Constitution. But that 75-paragraph article does not use any of the following words: “legal, illegal, Constitution, unconstitutional, or coup.” The strongest description of Trump's actions the NYT reporters could muster is this cold sauce:

Mr. Musk’s aggressive incursions into at least half a dozen government agencies have challenged congressional authority and potentially breached civil service protections.

Although the facts constituting the coup are contained within the four corners of the NYTimes’ article, the reporters can’t rouse themselves to speak the truth about what is happening. So, the NYTimes’ reporters get an “A+” in “Homework” but a “D-“ in “Citizenship.”

Apart from independent commentators on BlueSky, Substack, and YouTube, no one in the mainstream press has called Trump's actions a “coup.” (Notably, Timothy Snyder did so in his Substack article, The Logic of Destruction.” Snyder includes the following, “All of this work was preparatory to the coup that is going on now.”)

But The Guardian broke ranks with the legacy media on Monday with an editorial entitled, “The Guardian view on Donald Trump’s power grab: a coup veiled by chaos.

The Guardian editorial board writes,

Donald Trump is provoking a US constitutional crisis, claiming sweeping powers to override or bypass Congress’s control over spending in a brazen attempt to centralize financial power in the executive branch. If he succeeds, Nobel laureate Paul Krugman warns, it would be a 21st-century coup – with power slipping from elected officials’ hands. The real story hidden behind the president’s trade war, he says, is the hijacking of government. And Mr Krugman’s right.

We need to raise the alarm if we expect our leaders to respond vigorously and urgently to the dagger aimed at the beating heart of our democracy—the Constitution. It’s a coup. Say its name. It’s not an outrage. It’s not a hostile takeover. It’s not a “challenge to congressional authority.” It is a coup that seeks to neutralize the framework of checks and balances carefully crafted by the Framers. 

[kiesbrainjuice]

I'm not sure if you're still accepting request but I want to try to send one. I already tried to send this request to some writers here who's accepting request but sadly they didn't noticed.

This idea might be cliche story for Nishinoya but I want to see how you do it with your style of writing.

3rd year Nishinoya x kouhai female reader oneshot. The reader is quite smitten for Nishinoya that leads to love confession before her senpai graduates from highschool. Though the reader is smitten for Noya, she's an accepting person, whether her senpai reciprocates her feelings or not. Something like that. It's up to you if you're going to sweet, bittersweet, or angst ending route.

Thank you and Have a nice day~♡♡

— EYES WITHOUT A FACE ! nishinoya yuu

syn : a shy first year girl confesses her crush to the 3rd year Nishinoya, leading to dates and the start of their relationship.

wc : 5.3k

tw : none ! oneshot

a/n : sure thing ! I think it’s an amazing plot ! plus I was searching for a good plot for yuu fictions 😭 ! so yeah I did one, I hope you’ll like it !!

The early morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Karasuno High School, casting a warm, golden glow across the empty corridors. As a second-year student, you had grown accustomed to the serene tranquility that enveloped the school before the morning rush. Today, however, felt different. Your heart was fluttering in your chest, a mix of excitement and anxiety that had become a familiar companion over the past few months. The reason for this upheaval in your otherwise calm life was none other than Nishinoya Yuu, the energetic and charismatic libero of the boys' volleyball team.

Your first encounter with Nishinoya had been nothing short of memorable. It was during the first week of the new school year, and you were still finding your way around the labyrinthine halls of Karasuno High. Lost and frustrated, you had been wandering aimlessly when you heard a cheerful voice call out to you.

"Hey, you look a bit lost! Need some help?"

Turning around, you saw him for the first time. Nishinoya Yuu stood there, a bright smile on his face, his spiky hair and confident demeanor instantly catching your attention. You had read about the infamous "Guardian Deity" of Karasuno in the school newsletter, but seeing him in person was an entirely different experience. He radiated an infectious energy that immediately put you at ease.

Blushing slightly, you nodded. "Y-Yes, please. I'm trying to find the science lab."

Nishinoya's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "No problem! Follow me, I'll show you the way."

As you walked together, he chatted animatedly about the school, his love for volleyball, and the upcoming matches. You found yourself captivated by his passion and the genuine kindness in his eyes. By the time you reached the science lab, you realized you had barely said a word, too engrossed in listening to him.

"Here we are," he announced with a flourish. "If you ever need help again, just look for me. I'm Nishinoya Yuu, by the way."

Smiling shyly, you introduced yourself. "Thank you, Nishinoya-senpai. I'm [Y/N]."

From that moment on, your days at Karasuno High were irrevocably changed. You found yourself looking forward to any opportunity to catch a glimpse of him, whether it was during lunch breaks, in the corridors, or at the volleyball matches you began attending religiously. Watching him play was mesmerizing; his agility, his unwavering determination, and the way he seemed to defy gravity as he leaped to make impossible saves left you in awe.

Your friends quickly noticed your growing infatuation and teased you about it endlessly. "You should just talk to him," they urged, but the thought of approaching Nishinoya outside of those chance encounters left you paralyzed with nerves. What if he didn't remember you? What if he thought you were just another fan?

Despite your reservations, you couldn't help but cherish the small moments that you shared. One afternoon, you were sitting in the courtyard, engrossed in a book, when a familiar voice interrupted your thoughts.

"Hey, [Y/N], what are you reading?"

Startled, you looked up to see Nishinoya standing in front of you, his usual bright smile in place. You felt your heart skip a beat as you struggled to find your voice.

"O-Oh, um, it's just a novel for…class," you stammered, holding up the book for him to see.

Nishinoya's eyes lit up with interest. "Cool! I like reading sports magazines and manga too. What's it about?"

As you explained the plot, you couldn't help but notice how attentive he was, his eyes never leaving yours. The conversation flowed more easily than you had anticipated, and for a moment, it felt like you were the only two people in the world.

"Well, I should get going," Nishinoya said eventually, glancing at his watch. "Practice starts soon. It was nice talking to you, [Y/N]. See you around!"

You watched him walk away, your heart racing. Every interaction, no matter how brief, left you feeling like you were floating on air. You replayed those moments in your mind over and over again, finding solace in the fact that he seemed to remember you.

Your shyness around Nishinoya was both a blessing and a curse. It meant that every glance, every smile he sent your way felt like a precious gift, but it also meant that you struggled to express your feelings openly. You found yourself writing letters you never intended to send, pouring your heart out on paper in a way you could never do in person.

One particularly vivid memory stood out among the rest. It was during a particularly intense volleyball match against Aoba Johsai. You were in the stands, your eyes glued to the court as Nishinoya and his teammates fought valiantly. The atmosphere was electric, the tension palpable as the score remained neck and neck.

In a moment of sheer brilliance, Nishinoya made an incredible save, diving across the court and sending the ball back into play. The crowd erupted in cheers, and you found yourself on your feet, clapping and shouting his name.

After the match, you lingered near the gym, hoping for a chance to congratulate him. When he finally emerged, sweaty and exhausted but beaming with pride, you gathered all your courage and approached him.

"Nishinoya-senpai, that was amazing! You were incredible out there."

He grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Thanks, [Y/N]! I'm glad you enjoyed the match. It means a lot to have your support."

His words sent a thrill through you, and you felt your cheeks heat up. "Of course! I'll always cheer for you and the team."

From then on, your admiration for Nishinoya only grew. You admired his dedication, his unwavering spirit, and the way he always seemed to find joy in everything he did. Every day, you looked forward to the moments when your paths would cross, even if it was just a fleeting glance or a quick exchange of words.

As the school year progressed, you found yourself becoming more involved in school activities, partly as a way to be closer to him. You joined the student council, started helping out with the volleyball club's events, and even took up photography, hoping to capture the essence of the team's dynamic and Nishinoya's incredible plays.

Despite your efforts, your shyness remained a constant hurdle. There were times when you caught Nishinoya looking at you, a curious expression on his face, but you always looked away, too afraid to meet his gaze. Your friends continued to encourage you, insisting that you should take the plunge and tell him how you felt, but you couldn't shake the fear of rejection.

In the quiet moments, when you were alone with your thoughts, you often wondered what it would be like to confess your feelings. You imagined the scenarios, rehearsed the words in your mind, but when faced with the reality of it, your courage always seemed to falter.

The gym was bustling with activity as the boys' volleyball team practiced their drills, the sound of sneakers squeaking on the polished floor and the rhythmic thud of the volleyballs reverberating in the large space. You had come to the gym after your student council meeting, hoping to catch a glimpse of Nishinoya in action. He was, as always, a whirlwind of energy and skill, diving and leaping with an intensity that never failed to impress you.

As you stood at the edge of the gym, watching the team, you noticed a small group entering the building. It took a moment for you to recognize them, but when you did, your heart skipped a beat. Kiyoko Shimizu, no longer the team manager but still as poised and beautiful as ever, walked in with Daichi, Sugawara and Asahi, two former team members who had also graduated. They were here to visit, their presence immediately causing a stir among the current team members.

Your eyes were drawn to Nishinoya and his best friend, Tanaka Ryu. The moment they spotted Kiyoko, their faces lit up with unmistakable excitement. They exchanged a quick, knowing glance before sprinting across the gym, their voices rising in a chorus of enthusiastic shouts.

"Kiyoko-san! Kiyoko-san!" Nishinoya and Tanaka yelled in unison, their exuberance echoing through the gym. They skidded to a halt in front of her, their expressions a mixture of awe and adoration. With the two of them practically bouncing on their heels, their eyes shining with a fervent admiration that was almost comical in its intensity.

Kiyoko smiled warmly at them, clearly accustomed to their antics. "Hello, Nishinoya, Tanaka. It's good to see you both."

Seeing them together like that, the way Nishinoya's face brightened at her presence, was like a punch to the gut. You had known he admired her, but witnessing it firsthand brought a fresh wave of hurt. The way he looked at her, the sheer joy and admiration in his eyes, made you feel invisible. It was a stark reminder that no matter how much you liked him, his heart seemed to belong to someone else.

You watched as Nishinoya and Tanaka vied for Kiyoko's attention, each trying to outdo the other with their antics. They were like two eager puppies, desperate for a pat on the head from their beloved owner. The rest of the team watched with amused smiles, clearly used to this display.

"Alright, alright, settle down, you two," Daichi said, chuckling as he placed a hand on Tanaka's shoulder. "We're here to watch the practice, not disrupt it."

Nishinoya nodded vigorously, his enthusiasm undiminished. "Right! We'll show you how much we've improved, Kiyoko-san!"

The practice resumed, but your heart wasn't in it anymore. You felt a hollow ache in your chest as you watched Nishinoya play with renewed vigor, clearly wanting to impress Kiyoko. The way he moved, the intensity in his eyes, all of it was directed towards her, and it hurt more than you had expected.

You tried to focus on other things, on the other players, but your eyes kept drifting back to Nishinoya. You couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and sadness, knowing that his heart was set on someone who was out of reach. The realization made you question your own feelings, wondering if you would ever be able to compete with the pedestal he had placed Kiyoko on.

As practice came to an end, you decided to leave quietly, slipping out of the gym before anyone could notice. The cool evening air hit your face as you stepped outside, and you took a deep breath, trying to steady your emotions. It was painful to see Nishinoya so infatuated with someone else, but you couldn't blame him. Kiyoko was everything you admired—beautiful, strong, and kind. It was no wonder he looked up to her.

Walking home, you resolved to continue supporting Nishinoya from afar, even if it meant dealing with the heartache. You couldn't change his feelings, but you could be there for him, cheering him on and finding joy in his successes.

—-

The morning began with a sense of determination you hadn't felt in a long time. Today was the day you would finally confess to Nishinoya Yuu. Your friends had spent the entire previous evening pumping you up, convincing you that this was your moment. Their encouragement echoed in your mind as you stood in front of the mirror, psyching yourself up.

"You got this, [Y/N]. Just be confident," you whispered to your reflection before heading out the door.

At school, your friends gathered around you, their eyes full of excitement and anticipation. "Today's the day, right?" one of them asked, grinning.

You nodded, your heart already pounding in your chest. "Yeah, today's the day."

The first opportunity came during the morning break. You spotted Nishinoya near the vending machines, chatting with Tanaka. Summoning all your courage, you approached him, your hands trembling slightly.

"Nishinoya-senpai," you began, but before you could say anything else, a group of first-year students crowded around the vending machines, pushing you aside.

"Sorry!" one of them said, not noticing your disappointment.

Nishinoya smiled at you apologetically. "Catch you later, [Y/N]!" he called as he was swept away by the crowd.

You sighed, feeling a pang of frustration. "Almost," you muttered to yourself.

The next chance came at lunchtime. You had spotted him sitting under a tree in the courtyard, eating his lunch alone. This was perfect. Taking a deep breath, you walked over, your heart racing.

"Hey, Nishinoya-senpai," you said, trying to keep your voice steady.

He looked up, surprised but pleased to see you. "Oh, hey, [Y/N]! What's up?"

"I was wondering if we could talk," you started, but before you could continue, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch break. Nishinoya jumped to his feet, grabbing his things.

"Sorry, gotta get to class! Talk later?" he said, already heading towards the building.

You watched him go, feeling deflated. "Later," you echoed weakly.

As the day wore on, you found yourself growing more anxious and frustrated. Every time you tried to approach him, something got in the way. During the afternoon break, you saw him near the library, but just as you were about to call out to him, the loudspeaker crackled to life, announcing an urgent student council meeting. By the time you got out of the meeting, he was gone.

By the end of the day, you were exhausted and disheartened. You had tried so many times and failed each time. As you walked home, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink by the setting sun, you couldn't help but feel like giving up. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

Passing by the gymnasium, you heard the familiar sound of a volleyball hitting the floor. Curiosity got the better of you, and you peeked inside. There, alone in the dimly lit gym, was Nishinoya. He was practicing his receives, his movements sharp and focused.

Something inside you stirred. This was your moment. No interruptions, no crowds—just you and him. Taking a deep breath, you walked into the gym, the sound of your footsteps echoing softly.

"Nishinoya-senpai," you called, your voice wavering slightly.

He looked up, surprised to see you. "Oh, hey, [Y/N]! What are you doing here?"

You walked closer, your heart pounding. "I... I wanted to talk to you."

"Sure, what's up?" he asked, wiping sweat from his brow and giving you his undivided attention.

You took a deep breath, steeling yourself. "Nishinoya-senpai, there's something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time."

He tilted his head, curiosity and a hint of concern in his eyes. "What is it?"

Your hands were trembling, but you pressed on. "I've admired you for a while now. I love your passion, your energy, and how you always give your all in everything you do. You inspire me, and... I really like you. I was wondering if... if you would like to go on a date with me."

The silence that followed felt like an eternity. Nishinoya's eyes widened, and for a moment, you feared the worst. But then, a slow smile spread across his face.

"Wow, [Y/N], I didn't know you felt that way," he said, his voice gentle. "I’m really flattered. You’re always so kind and supportive. I’d love to go on a date with you."

Relief and joy surged through you, and you couldn't help but smile back. "Really? You mean it?"

He nodded, his grin widening. "Yeah, really. How about this weekend? We can go to that new café in town."

"That sounds perfect," you said, feeling a lightness in your chest you hadn't felt all day.

Nishinoya laughed, a sound full of warmth and sincerity. "Great! It's a date, then."

As you left the gymnasium together, the sky darkening into twilight, you felt a sense of accomplishment and happiness that made all the failed attempts worth it. Nishinoya had agreed to go on a date with you, and that was more than you could have hoped for.

—

The weekend couldn't come fast enough. The anticipation of your first date with Nishinoya kept you on edge, your mind racing with excitement and nerves. When Saturday morning finally arrived, you spent extra time getting ready, carefully choosing an outfit that was both casual and a little bit special. You wanted to look your best for him.

The café Nishinoya had suggested was a quaint, cozy place on the edge of town, known for its warm ambiance and delicious pastries. You arrived a little early, your heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anxiety. As you waited outside, you couldn't help but fidget, checking your reflection in the café's window every few minutes.

"Hey, [Y/N]!" Nishinoya's voice called out, breaking through your thoughts.

You turned to see him jogging towards you, his face lit up with a cheerful smile. He looked effortlessly cool in his casual clothes, his hair still slightly tousled from his usual style. The sight of him made your heart skip a beat.

"Hi, Nishinoya-senpai," you greeted, smiling nervously.

"Call me Yuu," he said with a grin. "We're on a date, after all."

Your cheeks flushed at his words, but you nodded. "Okay, Yuu."

He opened the door for you, and you both stepped inside the café. The smell of fresh coffee and baked goods enveloped you, instantly making you feel at ease. You found a cozy corner table and settled in, the soft hum of conversation around you creating a comfortable background noise.

"So, what do you want to try?" Yuu asked, scanning the menu.

"I heard their pastries are really good," you suggested. "Maybe we could share a few?"

"Sounds like a plan!" he agreed. "I'll get us some drinks. How about a cappuccino for you?"

"That would be great, thanks," you said, appreciating his thoughtfulness.

As Yuu went to place the order, you couldn't help but watch him, admiring the way he moved with such confidence and ease. It was hard to believe that you were actually on a date with him, the boy you had admired from afar for so long.

When he returned, he carried a tray with two steaming cups of cappuccino and an assortment of pastries. "Here we go," he said, setting the tray down. "Hope you're hungry!"

The pastries were as delicious as you had heard, and the cappuccinos were the perfect complement. As you ate and sipped your drinks, the conversation flowed easily. Yuu was full of stories about his adventures with the volleyball team, and you found yourself laughing more than you had in a long time.

"And then," Yuu said, chuckling, "Tanaka tripped over his own feet and fell face-first into the sand. We were supposed to be practicing our dives, but it turned into a comedy show."

You laughed, imagining the scene. "Sounds like you guys have a lot of fun."

"Yeah, we do," he agreed, his eyes twinkling. "But it's also hard work. We push each other to be better."

The hours seemed to fly by, and before you knew it, the sun was beginning to set. You both stepped outside the café, the evening air cool and refreshing.

"Thanks for today, Yuu," you said, feeling a warm glow in your chest. "I had a really great time."

"Me too, [Y/N]," he replied, his smile genuine. "Hey, there's a festival next weekend. Would you like to go with me?"

Your heart leapt at the invitation. "I'd love to!"

"Great! It's a date, then," he said, giving you a playful wink. "I'll pick you up at six?"

"Perfect," you agreed, feeling a surge of excitement.

—

The week passed in a blur of anticipation. You couldn't wait for the festival, imagining the fun you would have and the memories you would make. When the day finally arrived, you spent extra time getting ready, choosing a light summer dress that felt perfect for the occasion.

Yuu arrived promptly at six, looking excited and a little nervous. "Ready to go?" he asked, offering his hand.

You took it, feeling a spark of electricity at the contact. "Absolutely."

The festival was a riot of colors and sounds. Lanterns hung from every available surface, their warm light casting a magical glow over the bustling crowd. Stalls lined the streets, offering everything from delicious street food to handcrafted trinkets. The air was filled with the cheerful sounds of laughter, music, and the occasional pop of fireworks.

"This place is amazing," you said, looking around in wonder.

"Yeah, it is," Yuu agreed. "Let's check out the food stalls first. I'm starving."

You wandered through the festival, sampling various treats and enjoying the festive atmosphere. Yuu was full of energy, his enthusiasm contagious as he pointed out different stalls and suggested things to try.

"Have you ever tried takoyaki?" he asked, leading you to a stall that smelled heavenly.

You shook your head. "No, but I've always wanted to."

"You're in for a treat," he said, ordering a plate for you both. "These are the best."

He was right—the takoyaki was delicious, the perfect blend of flavors and textures. As you ate, you found yourself relaxing, the nervousness of earlier fading away in the warm, friendly atmosphere.

"Let's go see the games," Yuu suggested after you finished eating. "I'm pretty good at the ring toss."

You spent the next hour trying out various games, laughing as you both failed spectacularly at some and triumphed at others. Yuu won you a small stuffed animal at the ring toss, presenting it to you with a proud grin.

"For you," he said, his eyes shining with happiness.

"Thank you, Yuu," you said, accepting the gift with a smile.

As the evening wore on, the sky grew darker, and the festival lights shone even brighter. The highlight of the night was the fireworks display, and Yuu led you to a spot on a hill that offered the perfect view.

"Here, this is the best place to watch," he said, sitting down on the grass and patting the spot next to him.

You sat down, feeling the warmth of his presence beside you. As the first fireworks exploded in the sky, painting it with brilliant colors, you couldn't help but feel a sense of magic in the air.

"This is amazing," you said softly, watching the fireworks in awe.

"Yeah," Yuu agreed, his voice just as soft. "It really is."

For a moment, you both sat in comfortable silence, watching the display. Then, Yuu turned to you, his expression serious but warm.

"[Y/N], I had a really great time with you tonight," he said. "I know this might sound sudden, but... would you like to go out with me again? Like…as my girlfriend?"

Your heart skipped a beat at his words, a mix of surprise and joy flooding through you. "I'd love to, Yuu," you said, your voice barely more than a whisper.

His face lit up with a radiant and full of love smile. "Really? You’re my girlfriend then?"

You nodded, feeling a warmth spread through you that had nothing to do with the summer night. "Really, I love you, yuu…"

As the final fireworks burst into the sky, his eyes widen and he leaned close to you, his lips brushing yours as his hand were on your neck, at the last fireworks, he smashed your lips with yours. You couldn't help but feel that this was the beginning of something wonderful...

“I love you too…[Y/N].”

It had been a month since you and Yuu had confessed your feelings under the fireworks. The two of you had enjoyed your moments together, keeping your relationship private, savoring the thrill of stolen glances and secret smiles. However, today felt different. You had decided to visit him during his volleyball practice, a gesture that hinted at your readiness to share your relationship with the world.

As you approached the gym, the familiar sounds of laughter, shouts, and the thud of volleyballs greeted you. You paused at the entrance, taking a deep breath, the scent of sweat and the sight of the team hard at work filling your senses. Your heart pounded with anticipation, and you felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.

There he was—Nishinoya, your Yuu, in the center of it all, his energy contagious as he encouraged his teammates. You couldn't help but smile at the sight of him, so alive and full of passion. Gathering your courage, you stepped into the gym and walked toward him.

"Yuu!" you called out, your voice cutting through the noise.

He turned, his face lighting up when he saw you. Without a second thought, he jogged over, a wide grin on his face. Before you could say anything, he wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you close, pressing a quick but affectionate kiss to your lips. Your cheeks flushed, and your heart raced at the unexpected public display of affection.

The gym fell silent. Every pair of eyes was on the two of you, shock and curiosity etched on their faces. The team had seen you around before, but this was the first time they witnessed such intimacy between you and their libero.

"Whoa, Nishinoya!" Tanaka's voice broke the silence, filled with surprise and amusement. "Did we just see that right?"

Nishinoya kept his arm around your waist, his confidence unwavering. "Yeah, you did," he said, his voice loud and clear. "Everyone, this is [Y/N]. We're dating."

A chorus of reactions followed.

"About time!" Sugawara said with a knowing smile, nudging Daichi. "I had a feeling something was going on."

"Well, I didn't see that coming," Asahi admitted, scratching his head, but his expression was warm and accepting.

Hinata and Kageyama looked at each other, eyes wide. "No way! Nishinoya-senpai has a girlfriend?" Hinata exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.

Kageyama nodded slowly, still processing the information. "I guess we should've known. He's always been bold."

Tsukishima adjusted his glasses, a smirk playing on his lips. "This explains why he's been in such a good mood lately."

Yamaguchi elbowed him lightly, grinning. "Come on, Tsukki, let them have their moment."

Tanaka, however, took a more dramatic approach. He fell to his knees, clutching his chest as if in pain. "Noya, how could you?" he wailed, his voice filled with mock sorrow. "I thought we were best friends! How could you keep this from me?"

Nishinoya rolled his eyes but laughed, clearly amused by his friend's theatrics. "Relax, Tanaka. It’s not like I was hiding a secret identity or anything."

"Still," Tanaka sniffed dramatically, wiping away imaginary tears, "I expected better. I'm heartbroken, man."

You couldn't help but giggle at the exaggerated display. "I'm sorry, Tanaka," you said, trying to keep a straight face. "We'll make it up to you, I promise."

Tanaka's expression brightened instantly. "You better! I expect to be the first to know about all future developments!"

Nishinoya looked down at you, his eyes shining with happiness. "I wanted everyone to know," he said softly, just for you to hear. "No more hiding."

You nodded, feeling a rush of relief and joy. "I'm glad," you whispered back.

The rest of practice continued with a new energy in the air. The team seemed to feed off the excitement of the reveal, their spirits high and their camaraderie even stronger. You stayed to watch, cheering them on and exchanging smiles with Yuu whenever your eyes met.

After practice ended, the team gathered around you both, eager to know more about your relationship. Nishinoya held your hand proudly, answering their questions with enthusiasm.

"So, how long has this been going on?" Tanaka asked, his curiosity palpable.

"About a month," you replied, glancing at Yuu with a smile. "We wanted to keep it to ourselves for a bit."

Sugawara nodded, his expression understanding. "Makes sense. But we're happy for you guys."

"Thanks, Suga-san," Yuu said, his gratitude genuine. "It means a lot."

As the team dispersed, heading to the locker room to change, Nishinoya pulled you aside, his eyes soft with affection. "Thanks for coming today," he said, brushing a strand of hair from your face. "It made everything feel more real."

"I'm glad I did," you replied, your heart full. "I love you, Yuu."

"I love you too," he said, kissing you again, this time more tenderly.

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tag : @haechansbbg

[brucewaynehater101]

Salty Newsletter Tim

Jason, Dick, Bruce, and Damian do not know though Damian dearly wants to after he discovers a picture in the newsletter of Robin. He just wants to talk. Dick thinks the picture is adorable and wants it framed. Stephanie does not know.

Barbara though, yes, she knows and does help Tim by supplying additional pictures and making sure the digital versions of the newsletter stay safe. Tim has guilted her into making sure she doesn't blab to Dick. The other Bats knows she knows but they haven't been able to come up with a suitable bribe to get her to tell them (it also doesn't help that Tim can absolutely outdo their bribery attempts) while emotional manipulation just makes her angry. Cassandra knows and delights in them. She insists on adding notifications of important events like the dance recitals, school plays, science fairs, etc. of any league associated child to ensure that if the parent or guardian can't make it then SOMEONE in the league will probably be there. Helena aka Huntress also knows because she acts as Tim's editor and helps to make the articles sound less like a Bat report. She is the only one of the birds of prey, besides Barbara, who knows.

Alfred suspects Tim has supplied pictures because of their quality but isn't sure about the articles and isn't sure he wants to confirm the article source since he wants plausible deniability. He also creates regular crossword puzzles for the newsletter.

Tim connected Ma Kent and Queen Hippolyta via his JL PTA and the two of them make up a Dear Abby for superheroes that they gently bully Tim into letting them add. Tim doesn't ask how either of them found out, he's not sure he wants to know. Ma Kent definitely now has Amazon farmhands helping out as she's getting older and her boys have less time to help at home.

This is fantastic! I'm so so happy you added Helena to it ^^

Tim has accidentally created a newspaper club with various people and can't back out. It would be hilarious if Tim made it official and gave the different members role designations (Helena as editor, Cass as events coordinator, Barbara as photographer/photo editor, etc).