#and your enthusiasm makes me feel excited for season 2!!

[kikuism]

mariam time to turn the tables!!! fav jjk characters ??? fav moments from the manga? least favorite characters? thoughts on the manga vs anime !! 🤨

ok let's go!! this is going to be Long i'm sorry

wow it's been a minute since i was in my jjk phase .... i remember when it first dropped back in 2020 and completely losing my mind bc it looked So Good and i loved the traditional aesthetics in regards to the demons and domains and whatnot. it was such a new and exciting experience for me. i also loved yuuji. i also found gojo So intriguing during those first few eps, it's embarrassing but i really thought there was so much charm and allure with the blindfold but then when he took his blindfold off i was like HUH 🤔🤨🧐 all i could think off was that tiktok of people with blue eyes hfkshfh

ANYWAY. loved the series, was super into it, and then righttttt toward the every end i was suddenly like. so exhausted. couldn't summon that same passion for it in the slightest. it sounds weird but i think i ended up burning myself out with how much i was putting into it, making edits and even writing fic, and i just fell out of it all of a sudden.

a while later i decided to read the manga bc i didn't know how long we'd have to wait until S2. my mistake was reading ALL of it in one single sitting. this means that i remember very little from that binge and also moments that were supposed to be impactful just didn't hit the way they were meant to. i was really looking forward to the shibuya arc bc it's so infamous and i'd been hearing about it for so long, but it just didn't hit for me. but then again, i don't do well with reading shounen manga, i really can't make sense of what's happening on the page, it's just better with sound and color for me. so i came out of it feeling disappointed and wishing i'd just waited for the anime instead.

i think gege really got it with gojo and geto. their story is the most intriguing for me. gege has said he doesn't focus on character like he does on plot, but the character studies for gojo and esp geto are so fascinating. there's so much to unpack there. i like how young gojo used to pick on the weak and geto always reprimanded him for that, and now it's the opposite. and like you said, the fall from grace ... and the way gojo couldn't get rid of his body and that led to. all this.

live slug reaction

i'm looking forward to all the gojo and geto madness in s2 for sure!

another favorite moment that stood out to me was this one:

the panelling and the imagery is superb ... this is storytelling! and this was so satisfying too bc i'd been waiting for the Longest time for mahito to die. something about yuuji becoming so callous and quietly vicious also makes me sad.

another moment that stood out to me when sukuna refused to help junpei which led to his eventual death. that was so brutal and so cruel and that's the moment i realized sukuna and yuuji actually Weren't going to bond and become gradual partners like i expected them to at the start. sukuna is just pure evil. like, it was such an awful moment but it was so eye opening. i really wonder what sukuna’s end game is and why he's so interested in megumi in particular.....

OH! another moment i loved a lot was maki’s whole arc, actually. it was so good bc finally a female character in shounen has her own arc that actually advances and affects the plot?? we love to see it. i also loved how unapologetically angry she got to be and how she got to express it. i've never seen this in shounen before and i loved it.

i don't know if i have a favorite character in jjk, but the ones i feel strongly for are: yuuji (he has such a pure soul, and i think his juxtaposition with sukuna, who is pure evil, is so interesting and the way they slowly bleed into each other is so good), also i like how he parallels geto in a way

(cont'd) i also think gojo is quite an interesting character, everyone loves to clown on him but the fact remains that he's so traumatized from everything that's happened in his youth and i always feel like he's just so close to breaking down, he's been repressing it for so long but he's just going to snap soon. i love characters who hide everything under a veneer of apparent cheer and nonchalance but everything is actually so fucked behind the scenes. it's quite sad.

i adored megumi while watching the anime. i do love an emo boy it must be said ... also his demon dogs are cute. i loved how unfailingly loyal and devoted he is to yuuji. but lately i just. haven't been thinking of him as much. after so much time, he's kind of faded to the background while other characters have taken the front stage in my mind.

i like maki! i remember during the school tournament arc, i was head over heels for her, completely losing my mind. love how she's that powerful without a drop of cursed energy herself, the way she was just flattening everyone else. and then ofc, in her own arc after she goes on a rampage and all that, i really appreciated how she had her own time to shine.

oh you mentioned choso! his design is immaculate ... i once took a quiz that was like which jjk character are you and i got choso and it was like 'you're an eldest daughter' hgkshfjfj SPOT ON and also choso is an eldest daughter in my heart, he looks the way i feel.

but also i think it's brilliant how he calls yuuji brother, and i thought it was a cute little throwaway thing but it ACTUALLY MAKES SENSE NOW so that was a brilliant way to foreshadow

but now i have to mention a character that i thought i was going to love but i just....didn't really end up feeling that much for: yuuta. i was Ready to love him with my whole heart but it just ended up being a lukewarm feeling in the end. a timid anxious boy who finds people to care for and to protect and who grows stronger for it....i should have been all in. but his character just ended up a little flat for me. he wasn't as fleshed out as i would have liked him to be, but i know gege doesn't really focus on character as much, so that's probably why. i didn't feel an emotional connection to yuuta and his story just didn't really strike a chord with me, even though i do think his bond with rika is sweet and i love how he wears their engagement ring from when they were kids (stellar character design element!!) i just wish on the whole his story had been a little meatier, so i could have sunk my teeth in fully. unfortunately i just felt like it was a bit lacking for my taste.

for characters i don't like: well i hate mahito for obvious reasons hgkdhfhf so glad he's dead, good riddance. and that's it for characters i really felt strongly repelled by. also wait mechamaru was so boring im sorry hgjdhf

but what i do want to talk about is nobara....i think she's just okay. when people were praising her character for being so unlike a girl in a shounen series, i was like...hm. she's cool, sure, but where's her arc, what's her story, what does she want to do? there wasn't a focus on her the way there was for yuuji and megumi. i wanted something for nobara the way maki had her own arc. i really wanted to get a Feel for nobara's character but unfortunately i never got that, so she never really stood out to me. i keep wondering why gege just didn't do anything with her when he gave maki this whole entire arc that had actual consequences for the story as a whole. and with nobara's current fate, it's like.....i just feel like gege has no idea what to do with her and it's sad. like at least confirm if she's alive or not?? at this point it's just schrodinger's nobara tbh.

another thing i wish the manga had was more downtime for the characters in between these major plots. it would be a much needed break and give a sense of pacing and a chance to build character, but then again, gege doesn't focus on character so it makes sense why we don't have moments like these.

also....the explanations hgkshfjf that's why i stopped reading the manga altogether. i could not wrap my head around the culling game, there was so much text and i just gave up. i don't know what's happening in the manga anymore.

as for the manga vs the anime, i think mappa did an absolutely incredible job! it looks AMAZING and the fight scenes are amazing and such a treat, and so is the soundtrack. it was literally love at first sight for me, from the very first moment i watched the op in the first episode i was completely smitten. it honestly elevates the manga and makes for such an enjoyable experience. very excited for s2 even though i also feel so bad for these poor animators, i know mappa is treating them like garbage ....

okay last thought: i do Not understand the toji thirst. man looks like some kind of beefy rat....but maybe that's the appeal?? idk. but i am excited to see his fight with gojo!

[thesiltverses]

A very big thank you

I posted this on Patreon, but really wanted to share it here as well:

Post-show life begins

For a long while now I’ve been getting up at 4.30 or 5am, grabbing myself the first coffee of four, and then coming to sit at my desk.

I open up the assembly cut of the newest TSV episode.

I listen to it, I try and pin down which scenes I need to be going back over today. I try and push through the entire morning without a break because when the momentum stalls, that’s what kills your release schedule. (I also worry endlessly about just how much of my hair is falling out, and how spending 12 hours a day wearing headphones could be contributing to that.)

Today was different. I still woke up early - it’s a hard habit to shake off, and probably a useful one going forward. But I didn’t go to my desk, and I didn’t put my headphones on.

I went to the rocking chair we bought for our son when he comes, and I sat there - gently swaying and trying not to spill my coffee all over it, because for some reason it’s fucking beige - and looked out over the city skyline. 

I slugged back my coffee surrounded by all the stuff we’ve panic-bought for the baby, and I got to take all of it in - washcloths and the changing table and romper suits - with a sudden focus and a clarity and a rising excitement that I really hadn’t allowed myself to feel until today, because until today the work was still unfinished and there was still much left to be done.

All at once I felt very free, and fully sated, and happy and proud for everything that’s coming next.

There’s so much to feel grateful for from the past three years of working on this show. But what’s probably going to sit with me the most is being able to arrive at that moment and those feelings today, - and we have all of you incredible people to thank for that.

Not just in terms of listenership or financial support, although that’s been truly invaluable and a lifeline for us that’s enabled us to actually make the show - but also your enthusiasm, your passion, your jokes and comments and everything that’s helped to keep us motivated and working on it.

So - with as much feeling as words can convey, thank you so, so much for everything.

What’s coming next, in rough order

#1: Parentdom is going to take over our lives for a while! I also want to write the final Patreon episode commentaries in the next few days, while I have the time and the clear memories. #2: The next thing we’ll organise will be the post-season Q&A (we’d also like to do some kind of off-camera cast party if we can make schedules work, just to say thank you to our amazing VAs and celebrate with them). Please do ask us questions! #3: We have long-unfinished commitments to the Patreon which I need to complete: the last two episodes of So Long, Good Luck, and rounding off Sid Wright’s story. As ever, huge thank-yous for your patience with these; they’ve just been impossible to polish off while also working on the main show so much. #4: Something I’ve been thinking about for a long time is the possibility of going back to Season 1 and redesigning it from scratch to try and bring it closer in style to S2 and S3. We have the raw audio files - some of the mic quality will just be rough no matter what, but we can certainly try.  This is something I want to be conscientious and careful about; I very much want to respect the sound design work that’s already taken place, and ensure we’re not overriding anything. But I do know that the initial quality still sometimes puts new listeners off; we were learning a lot about direction and mastering from scratch, and our designers were working with limited budget and a total lack of plugins, so there’s simply a lot more we can achieve now. (This would also be a good opportunity for me to finally rework the transcripts, another fallen hurdle). #5: A few months back, we were contacted by a literary agent in NYC who was interested in us adapting the show into a series of novels. There’s a long road ahead to actually get published, but I'm thrilled to say that I have signed with them and I’m really excited to hopefully start work on the first book once I’ve settled into dad-dom. I’ll need to check what’s possible, but if it doesn’t interfere with any contract condition I’d obviously love to share excerpts on here as it’s written. #6: Then there’ll also be another larger audiodrama project - we’ve spoken about the different possibilities before! Excited to get started on our final choice.

Just one last word about endings

God, endings are scary. Because endings are impossible.

How many serialised stories actually end in a way that’s received unequivocally well?  People yelled at The Sopranos for its ambiguity and open-endedness. People criticised Breaking Bad for treating Walt too sympathetically at the end and relying on a generic mob of snarling Nazis to act as his final foe.

Endings are either too pat and neat, or too inconclusive to be satisfying, or too surreal and dreamlike, or they simply make what feels like the wrong choices for the characters we care about. We’re all caught in that barbed wire, creators and audience alike, weighed down by the baggage of what’s come before and we've already spent so much time anticipating the infinite possibilities of how it could all turn out - it’s like we can’t get free of the story that’s trying to end. 

And the beautiful thing about these longform, iterative works is that they insist upon becoming completely ungovernable. No matter how much of a planner the creator claims to be, how much prepwork they carry out - they were never really in control. There’s spontaneity and surprises and dead ends and beautiful distractions that come spilling out along the way (I was baffled and delighted to learn that people really - at the end of the show, with such limited time to spare - wanted to find out what had happened to Eddie*). 

So they can’t end. Not really. There’s too much wonderful mess in them to ever be reasonably disentangled.

And, of course, for every ending people remember with frustration or dissatisfaction, there’s another hundred endings that nobody remembers at all, because we lost our enthusiasm along the way and it feels better to keep going back to the start and avoiding the slow decline. (Who the fuck remembers how the umpteenth X-Files reboot ended? What increasingly tired post-modern antics was Alan Moore getting up to in the final League of Extraordinary Gentlemen books?). I really just didn’t want the show to end up in that latter category.

All of that probably sounds like I’m warding off criticism about the show's ending, but for me it’s actually been the opposite. 

For an ending which is all about narrative dissatisfaction, and failed potential and missed opportunities, and how we need to come to terms with the lack of existential fairness and certainty and narrative control in our lives and keep ploughing forward all the same for as long as we possibly can, I’m massively stunned at just how positive the reception has been on here and elsewhere, and that’s something I’m actively having to process, because I think I was fearfully anticipating much more pushback.

But, look - the Eskew finale was originally quite poorly-received and then people came back around to it over time. So I’m not going to pat myself on the back too hard, because maybe it’ll ultimately be the opposite with this show, and that’s OK. For 200 years everyone was convinced King Lear was improved by having everyone survive at the end and get married. Endings take time to settle into their final condition.

For now, I am incredibly relieved that the ending we chose seems to have landed for most people, and I’m incredibly grateful for the lovely messages we’ve got about it and for the trust in us that you’ve all shown throughout the story.

So, yeah, let’s end with another thank you, because that’s what I feel so deeply and so forcefully at this point.

Thank you so much again, and speak soon.

Jon

*My take? We’ve established that the guy is in some kind of blue-collar job and has been pushed into constant overtime due to the reduced workforce. We’ve seen that the so-called ‘national holiday’ doesn’t actually rescue workers from their commitments. So I personally imagine that Eddie was working during the parade somewhere on the city outskirts, and is alive and well.

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Vil Schoenheit - Luxe Couture Vignette

"My orders are absolute"

[Fairest City – Queen's Palace]

Announcer: The curtain rises on this year's Fairest City's International Film Festival. And today... Please take a gander around me!

Announcer: Queen's Palace is completely flooded with the press and movie fans. Enthusiasm is in full force!

Announcer: With so many filmmakers and actors present, this is the event of the season. Let's chat with a few of them.

Announcer: Hello! Which production are you most excited to see during this film fest?

Movie Fan A: WELL, OF COURSE, THE LIVE-ACTION BEAUTIFUL QUEEN MOVIE!!

Movie Fan A: Ever since I was a kid, I've always loved the animated movie on the Fairest Queen and her spirit of tenacity.

Movie Fan A: I'm really looking forward to the live-action remake! Can't wait to see what other info they drop during the film fest.

Announcer: The anticipation is immense! Alright, next… Hey, you over there! And why have you come to Queen's Palace?

Movie Fan B: There's someone I really really need to see…! You know how there's going to be a screening for the Beautiful Queen?

Movie Fan B: I was hoping maybe, just maybe, my most beautiful bias would make a surprise appearance, so I came here!

Announcer: Oho, I see. And who is it you're such a fan of?

Movie Fans: LOOK, IT'S VIL SHOENHEIT!!

Movie Fan B: Yeah, my fave is Vil… HUH!?

Announcer: Everyone, please take a look! Vil Schoenheit has arrived here at Queen's Palace!!

Movie Fans: KYAAAAAAA, VIL-SAMAAAAA!!

Ace: Woah, this is crazy! There's so much screaming for Vil-senpai that I can feel it vibrating my whole body!!

Jamil: Don't lose focus. Our job here is to protect Vil-senpai from his enthused fans and the media.

Azul: Indeed. As recompense for these Luxe couture garments, we must put forth our labor as compensation.

Vil: That's right. [Yuu], Ace, Grim. I expect the three of you to properly carry out your roles as well.

[Yuu nods]

Ace: I mean, I've got on this Luxe couture fit on, so. I gotta make sure I keep lookin' cool, don't I?

Vil: Absolutely. I need you to look your best so you can be of the utmost use for me.

[click! snap!!]

Cameraman: It's Vil Schoenheit!! I gotta snap as many pictures as I can from all angles!

Vil: Hello, everyone, are you all enjoying this very special day?

Movie Fan B: KYAAAAAAA! VIL-SAMAAAA!! I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO MEET YOUUUUU!!!!!

[Vil waves hand with a sparkle]

Movie Fan B: Ooahh, he waved at me! Now I can… die without regrets…

[faints with a thud]

Movie Fan C: PLEASE SPARE ME A GLANCE TOO, VIL-SAMA!

[Vil looks over with a sparkle]

Movie Fan C: THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFEEEE!

[faints with a thud]

Azul: Amazing… Fans are dropping like flies just from meeting Vil-san's eyes…

Jamil: Even when we find erratic people in the crowd, they're instantly affected by Vil-senpai's beauty.

Ace: And this guy's just as stoic as ever even seeing the crowd act like this… Vil Schoenheit is way too incredible!

1. He's so enchanting… 2. I can't stop taking pictures…!

Vil: Don't be content just yet. We're just getting started.

Vil: We'll make sure that no one ever forgets my momentous walk down the tapis rouge.

Vil: Jamil, bring that to me.

Jamil: Of course, I have it right here.

Announcer: Vil Schoenheit has stopped on the tapis rouge and has been handed a box.

Announcer: What could possibly be in the box? …It's an apple! Vil Schoenheit is now holding an apple!

[green smoke starts to surround Vil]

Announcer: Oh? And now he's surrounded by smoke… I can't see Vil Schoenheit at all.

Announcer: What is happening…? Huh!?

Vil: NOW, EVERYONE KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME, THE FAIREST ONE OF ALL!

Fans: WOOOOOOOOOOAH! / KYAAAAA!!!!

Announcer: B-B-B-Beautiful!!! He's so beautiful… More beautiful than I could possibly imagine!!!

Grim: That guy with the mic can't say nothin' other than beautiful anymore.

Ace: Haha, he's even stolen the announcer's vocab away. I'd expect nothing less from Vil-senpai.

Cameraman: Look at his spectacular attire, and his flawless posing…! This is out best chance to snag all the photos!!

[click! snap, snap!!]

Vil: Heh. Just as I expected, the reception is fantastic.

Azul: Indeed. Your design was a grand success. This was a fantastically gorgeous idea fit for this stage.

Vil: It's much too early to be complacent. All of you, make sure you follow me closely.

Jamil/Azul/Grim/Ace: Yes, sir! / Got it!

[Yuu nods]

[Fairest City – Queen's Palace]

[Vil talking to others]

Ace: Hey, hey, [Yuu]! That person Vil-senpai is talking to right now…

1. They're definitely that one recently popular singer. 2. I feel like I've seen them on TV…

Ace: Right? Celebrities are chatting him up left and right… You can really feel just how much of a super celeb Vil-senpai really is.

Ace: Maybe we can slip into the convo at the right time! Think we could get an autograph!?

Grim: Oh hey, they're passin' out drinks over there! I'm gonna go get… Myah!?

[Vil grabs Grim]

Grim: Hey, don't grab me by the scruff!

Vil: Silence! Just because we made it safely inside the Queen's Palace does not mean you can do as you please.

Vil: You are to stay calm and refined, and carry yourself beautifully during the film festival as well. Or do you intend on humiliating me?

Azul: Quite right. The energy of these first years can be quite troublesome.

Vil: If you think so, I would rather you watch those little spudlings instead of passing out your business cards.

Vil: Especially while you tell them you're my schoolmate… Really, I give you an inch and you take a mile.

Jamil: I've confirmed our seating arrangements for the screening. The theater is just past here.

Vil: Wonderful. We should make our way there before the aisles get too crowded.

Grim: Movie's finally over. That was super long… Hey, why's everyone standin' up all a sudden?

[APPLAUSE]

Azul: Well, well… What a magnificent standing ovation.

Vil: The Fairest Queen's spirit of tenacity was fully explored throughout the whole Beautiful Queen movie.

Vil: She was never complacent with the status quo, and spent her entire life attempting to improve herself further…

Vil: It's only natural to be deeply moved by how she pursued her life goals, especially as a performer, myself.

Jamil: I agree. It was a fantastic film. We should join the rest of the audience in applause.

[APPLAUSE]

Vil: Ah… The entire venue has nothing but praise for this film. A spectacular sight to behold. I'm sure Dad is just as elated right now.

Ace: The live-action Beautiful Queen movie rocked. Based on that showing, it'll definitely be a huge hit!

Azul: Well, the film fest has concluded… Vil-san, what are our plans afterward?

Vil: Our plans? Well, that would be…

Vil: We head home.

Ace/Grim/Azul: HUH!?

1. That sucks… 2. No way…

Jamil: It'll get dark soon. If we want to make tomorrow's classes, we should probably head back to campus soon.

Vil: That's right. The main role of a student is to learn. That's why even I have put my career on hold.

Vil: When I received my admissions letter from Night Raven College, I have to admit I did hesitate.

Vil: Was there even any reason to place my acting career on hold just to attend a school…? Or so I thought.

Vil: However, I'm sure that the knowledge, studying and experience that comes from school life will undoubtedly be a boon.

Vil: Once I decided that, I chose to reduce my work commitments and instead devote myself to my studies.

Vil: By spending my days simply being Vil Schoenheit and a member of the Pomefiore Dormitory...

Vil: My understanding of the Fairest Queen's spirit of tenacity deepened, which in turn led to this successful promotion.

Vil: My daily life as a student has absolutely been a boon for my career, just as I expected it would be back before I enrolled… No, I suppose it would be correct to say even more than I had expected.

Vil: This little venture has proved to me that my decision had been the correct one.

Vil: And thus, I am also determined to spend the rest of the time I have left as a student to my fullest, with no regrets.

Ace: Vil-senpai…

Ace: Okay, you can say all that, but you do realize that this is probably the only time the rest of us get the chance to go to a film festival, right!?

Azul: Ace-san is completely correct. It would be an absolute pity to squander this opportunity to network with all these celebrities!

Vil: Oh, is that so. Then do as you please. That is, if you are willing to violate your contract.

Ace: Violate what contract? We played your lackeys already.

Azul: Actually… The conditions set by Vil-san were to "walk the red carpet"…

Azul: If he intends on walking the same path we took to get here, we must escort him during his return, as well…!

Vil: Correct. I see you fully understand the terms of your agreement.

Ace: Ehhhh～!? I thought we were only here for the grand entrance…

Vil: So I'll ask you one more time. I will be returning to campus, what will you do?

Ace/Azul: Return alongside you…

Jamil: Considering the role we were undertaking today, it's only natural.

Vil: Excellent. Then we should make haste to leave the venue.

[Fairest City – Queen's Palace]

[snap! snap snap snap!!]

Grim: Myah, the flashes are way too bright!!

Azul: I had anticipated the crowd would be more settled than when we had entered the venue...

Ace: Doesn't feel like they've petered out at all… And we even tried slipping out mid-fest.

Announcer: Vil Schoenheit-san! Please elaborate on your promotion work for this event!

Newspaper Reporter: WE WOULD BE HONORED TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS ON THE LIVE-ACTION BEAUTIFUL QUEEN MOVIE!

Cameraman: Vil-SAN!! LOOK THIS WAY!!

Jamil: The press are coming at us in full force…! Ace, Azul, hold them back!!

Ace/Azul: RIGHT!!

Vil: Now, now, how frantic everyone is. There's no need to worry, I won't run from you.

Vil: I will gladly answer your questions, at least until I finish walking the tapis rouge.

Newspaper Reporter: Whew, that draped train flutters so beautifully… …Ack! I shouldn't be standing around enraptured.

Newspaper Reporter: Ahem. Then, I'll start. How did it come to be that you would do this promotion?

Vil: Eric Venue personally requested me. Must mean no one was better suited for the promotion than I.

Magazine Reporter: Your whole outfit coordination today is so stunning! Can you tell us some highlights about this look?

Vil: I call this "Black of Night" ―

Vil: It came about by utilizing the iconic Luxe brand color that originates in the Fairest Queen legends.

Vil: Instead of accessorizing with magnificent jewelry, I simply used myself as the adornment…

Vil: Which allowed my beauty to be accentuated even further.

Announcer: SPECTACULAR! YOU ARE TRULY BEAUTIFUL!!

Announcer: Speaking of which… Your companions here all look fabulous as well. Are you all models as well?

Ace: Ooh, is that how we look? I mean, we all look pretty rad, can't fault you for thinking so～

Azul: I'm grateful that you thought to cast your eyes on me as well. Thank you so much for you kind words.

Jamil: Guess it's not too terrible to be thought of as one of Vil-senpai's colleagues.

Grim: Myahaha! This guy knows what they're talkin' about!

1. Wow, I can't believe we were mistaken for models!

Vil: Calm down… Don't get all riled up. Obviously, it's because of the Luxe attire you're wearing.

2. I feel like I've never been noticed like this before…

Vil: Heh, you seem pretty composed. At least you can tell it's obviously because of the Luxe attire you're wearing.

Vil: Although, I suppose if you are basking in my glow, it wouldn't be surprising for others to notice you lot as well.

Vil: These fellows aren't models, but are merely my dutiful manservants. And they obey every order I give them.

Vil: Isn't that right?

Grim/Ace/Jamil/Azul: Yes, sir... Vil Schoenheit-sama.

Vil: …It seems the tapis rouge has come to an end. I'm sorry, but this is the end of the interview.

Vil: I do hope you all have a wonderful evening.

Announcer: Vil-san, please wait a moment!!

Newspaper Reporter: I still have another question for you…!

Vil: Here we go, boys. Get to work and secure a path!

Grim/Ace/Jamil/Azul: YESSIR!!

[Fairest City – Crystal Galleria]

Ace: Wheeew, we finally escaped. The press was pretty intense, but that was an ambush of fans!

Azul: Gasp, whew… Truly an ordeal…

Azul: With how Vil-san made such a grand appearance in front of the media like this despite recently taking a break from his acting work...

Azul: I can fully understand why anyone would want to take as many photos as possible in that scenario…

Vil: It's been sometime since I've had such an ardent reception. It's not something that I get to deal with while on Sage's Island.

Jamil: Good thing we were able to give them all the slip. It was a great plan to confirm possible back roads to escape to last night.

Ace: Is that what you were all doing!? I just thought you guys all snuck out of the hotel to have a bit of fun…

Vil: I don't think Azul or Jamil would let a single thing slip by them. You both have earned my praise just this once.

Vil: There were a few close calls, but… I would say you all just barely succeeded in the job I entrusted you with.

Azul: Your kind words fill me with joy. And once again… Thank you for allowing us to accompany you.

Vil: Of course. This was a fairly wonderful two days, was it not? Not only we were able to relax here in the Fairest City…

Vil: But we were also able to watch an early showing of the live-action Beautiful Queen.

Azul: Yes, indeed. The movie was utterly beautiful from start to finish… I could even feel the dedication in the tableware and cutlery chosen for the film.

Jamil: I understand the tenacious spirit of the Fairest Queen even better now. I feel like I need to put forth even more effort in my own life now.

Vil: Excellent thoughts.

Vil: Next. How about we hear the thoughts from the youngest spudlings here, who seem to be trying to avoid eye contact, hm?

Ace: It was super real-looking, and super fab, and the Fairest Queen was suuuper pretty… Basically, it was just super awesome all around!

1. I agree! 2. It was impressive!

Vil: Sigh, how appalling. How could you watch that masterpiece and only have such boring impressions?

Vil: It seems you still don't have a full understanding on the spirit of tenacity.

Vil: Once the movie is available to the public, you are to go watch it in theaters. Understand? My orders are absolute.

Vil: …And if the mood strikes, perhaps I'll join you.

Requested by @amourteddyst and @ordinaryanon.

[grandpeachpersona]

It's A Man's World

Chapter 5 (Batter up)

a/n: To clarify, I do not own the rights to any pictures or names used in this story, except for Sierra Riley. All other rights and names belong to the NFL and MLB. Additionally, some characters are inspired by the game MLB The Show 24, which includes fictional characters. The title of the book is inspired by the song "It's a Man's World" by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome, for which I also do not own the rights. All rights are held by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. and Unichappell Music, Inc. Enjoy!

If you had told me 10 years ago that I would be playing for the Atlanta Braves, I would have told you. You're lying, but here I am. After the draft, I had to fly to Florida for spring training, and then when that was over, I flew to Atlanta to sign my rookie contract, which is $380k for my first year plus a 2 million signing bonus. Then fly to Cincinnati for my first game for the season. Safe to say I've had a crazy couple of weeks. 

Oh and how fitting that Joe is throwing out the first pitch since its Reds opening day.  So it's really true what they say. It does come full circle. 

I walked out from the clubhouse into the away dugout. I noticed Joe in the batter's box swinging a bat at baseballs as they fired out the shooter and must I say he looked damn good while doing it too. 

Ok, time I come clean about something. Do I have a crush on my best friend Joe Burrow? Yes. Am I scared to tell him? Yes. Why? because if I do I'm going to make a complete fool of myself and I just do not want to risk that and possibly losing a friend.  

But friends don't text each other every day for random things or have late-night phone conversions like they used to when they were in LSU together. To sum it up over the last couple of months Joe and I have slipped back into our old ways and not that I'm complaining I just wish we were more. 

I noticed Joe had finished and might as well say hello. I walked out towards home plate catching the tail end of his conversation “I'm so proud of her…to watch her play in college I knew she was big league bound and now she's here.” I heard Joe tell my teammate Austin Riley, a third baseman. 

“There's the woman of the hour!” I hear Ja’marr call out as I make my way toward the group, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves.

I shake my head, feeling a bit overwhelmed. “Stop! I'm done crying for today,” I reply, my voice tinged with a slight whine, reflecting the emotional rollercoaster I've been on.

Ja’marr looks at me with a supportive smile. “How do you feel? Are you ready for this?” he asks, his eyes filled with genuine concern. I nod slowly, trying to muster a confident expression despite my jitters. “I feel ready; I’m just trying not to overthink everything,” I admit, forcing a nervous smile.

“Sis, you’ve got this in the bag!” Ja’marr encourages, his voice steady and reassuring. “Don’t let them cloud your mind—just play your heart out, like you do every time.” His words resonate with me, pushing back the self-doubt that threatens to creep in.

“Ri, you’ve worked your ass off for this moment,” Joe chimes in, giving me a playful nudge on my shoulder. “You’re going to absolutely kill it today! And we just happen to have front-row seats to witness your brilliance.” His enthusiasm and belief in me fill me with warmth and motivation.

Nodding, I accept their words with a grateful smile, feeling a rush of confidence. “Thanks, you guys! That really helps. But now I have to ask: what the hell is this?” I say, gesturing pointedly at the Cincinnati jerseys they are both proudly wearing. They burst into laughter, clearly thinking they could charm their way out of my noticing their blatant team allegiance.

“Hey it was a gift from them but believe me I would wore yours if I could” Ja'marr gives his excuse. I turn to Joe waiting for his.

“I'm from Ohio.” he gives the most obvious answer—typical Joe.

------

Against all odds, Joe delivered a flawless pitch after the pregame festivities and the stirring national anthem. I could feel the excitement coursing through me—this was my moment, my MLB debut.

As they called my name, I heard Joe and Ja’marr erupting with cheers from their private suite through the crowd their support only boosted my confidence and set the stage for what was about to happen.

I locked in my focus, ready to face the pitcher. He glanced at the runner on first, then turned his gaze to me and wound up for the throw.

The pitch came rushing straight at me! I instinctively jumped back, narrowly avoiding it. “One ball, no strikes.” But that wasn’t a mistake; he wanted to rattle me. Too bad for him—I’m not easily shaken. 

I reset myself, gripping the bat firmly, ready for the next challenge. The pitcher checked the runner again and delivered another pitch.

This time, he made a crucial misstep—an offspeed pitch! I saw it coming, and without hesitation, I swung with all my power. The crack of the bat was electric, and I sent that ball soaring out of the park. A home run on my very first hit! 2-0, baby! Now that’s how you make an unforgettable debut. 

-------

We won only by the skin of our teeth 5-4. I had just changed out of my away uniform into some sweets and a hoodie when I heard a knock on my locker room door. 

“It's open” I shout, not feeling like walking to the door. 

The door opens and Joe pops his head in “Hey can I come in?” 

I waved my hand “Yeah come on” 

 He steps in closing the door behind him “Getting ready to head out just wanted to say you looked great out there today” he compliments. 

“Thanks, I had to show off a bit, you know. Oh! I meant to give this back to you, but everything just happened so fast,” I said, remembering his chain that he gave to me to wear on Daft Night. But I never did give it back to him. If I remember right, I was in my gym bag. Bingo pulled it right out. 

I went to hand it back to him be he stopped me “Keep it Ri” 

 “Huh?” I said making sure I heard him right. This boy is crazy.

Joe cracked a little smile “Keep it...believe me I've got plenty”  

I looked at him to make sure he wasn't joking “You sure cause this is worth more than my signing bonus” I joked nervously.

He smiled and nodded his head “Yeah I'm sure think of it as an ‘I knew you would make it’s gift”.

I smiled “Ok no take takebacks Burrow,” I said putting back in my bag. 

“What are you doing when you leave here?” Joe asked suddenly. I shrugged my shoulders. “It's still early so I'm not really tired. Might just chill back at the hotel. Why what's up?” I answered taking a seat on the bench.

He looks at me for a second then slightly shakes his head. “Some friends of mine wanted to go out to eat and all but Ja'marr had to leave soo…” 

“You want me to go in his place?” I finished the sentence for him. 

This is not anything new. I went to a lot of Joe's events as his plus one back in LSU. And he did the same thing for me. 

“Yeah but if you want to call it a day I understand” he quickly says.

I shake my head with a laugh “No I'll go with you, Joe. Plus it would be nice to get a breather before tomorrow's game” I said, opening up my suitcase. 

“Give me a few to get changed and I'll be right out”

Joe raised his eyebrows “You really could go in what you have on” he said nonchalantly 

Is this boy out of his mind? “Joe I'm not hanging out around people I don't know in a hoodie and sweatpants,” I said looking at him all upside his head.

“Yes, you can cause one where only going to Texas Roadhouse. Two you just finished a hell of a baseball game and have a right to wear this. And if someone has a problem with it then we can go and have our own dinner” he says the confidence just flows out as he says it.

My stomach should have not tightened up but I just love how protective this man is. Biting my lip not knowing what to say except “Alright let's go”

-------

Joe was walking me up to my room after that impromptu hangout session with his friends which by the way all amazing. 

“Yeah I'm definitely paying for this tomorrow,” I said feeling like I was ready to pop. 

Joe gives out a small chuckle “Yeah that makes two of us”  

I give him this funny look “You got time to burn it off, Joe. I on the other hand have to play a game tomorrow” I said pulling out my keycard for my room. “Fair point Far point,” Joe said not disagreeing with me

Stopping in front of my room “This is me” I said turning to Joe “Thanks again for inviting me” I said suddenly nervous as I looked at him and his features pretty blue eyes, dirty blonde hair so silky you could run your fingers through it and not get tangled. To some it up this boy was fine. 

His voice knocked me out of my thoughts “No thank you for coming. I owe you one for this Ri” 

Yeah, a date.

“What’d you say” I saw Joe's eyebrows raise..Did I say that out loud could have sworn I said that in my head. 

“I didn't say anything,” I said quickly shaking my head trying to avoid this conversation at all costs.

“Nah, Nah you said something. What did you say?” he asked stepping a little closer. Looking the other way with a blush on my cheeks “I said a date” I repeat my words still not looking a him. 

He stood there with the biggest smirk on his face “I still didn't hear what you said say it again and this time” he paused to gently grab my chin “Look at me” 

Soaked absolutely Soked straight through.

Unable to move I said it again looking straight dead in his eyes “A date. You owe me a date” 

Joe nodded his head and let my chin go “That's what I thought you said” he said stepping away from me. “Ok, how about this. If you get to the World Series which I know you will I'll take you on a date” he said proposing a challenge or more like a bet. “Ok and if I don’t,” I said waiting for the catch no pun intended. 

“Then I still take you on the date’

[alovesreading]

'tis the damn season | Part 2

Summary: Christmas has been your favourite season since you met Ross MacDonald back in Year 9 when you had just moved to Wilmslow, coincidentally on the same road as him. He becomes your very best friend for the rest of high school, but when that ends, life happens and you just can't stop it. And life is certainly cruel to you and Ross. Every December is a reminder of it, somehow always bringing a chance to ruin things even more. After so many mistakes, how can you get back the times you've always cherished with the silly boy with the dimpled smile?

Word count: 12.7k

Warnings: the tiniest bit of angst.

A/N: Here it is! I hope this one makes up for that first part lolllll. Will warn you that there's a sprinkle of angst at the beginning though... Don't kill me *runs and hides* Anyway, enjoy!!!!!

Masterlist

Part 1

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

“Shit,” you curse under your breath when his words hit you harder than the cold winds of December.

But maybe it’s the realisation that you just know nothing about him anymore that hits you even harder than what he has just said or the cold weather.

Entirely aware of how bad it can look, you pout up at him and add with heavy sorrow for him, “Oh Ross, I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

“S’alright,” Ross says with a shrug like it is nothing.

Your brows furrow, half in worry he’s bottling everything up and half in awe of the way he can cope so well with the situation—you know you could never do it.

After last year’s horrendous holiday break, when you were on your way up to Wilmslow, you had decided on making things right by everyone this year. End 2009 the right way and go into the new year with the joy of grasping onto normalcy back in a place you held dear.

It certainly did help that you have your boyfriend coming back home with you. Not alone anymore, and feeling the deep excitement for him to meet everyone you loved so much in Wilmslow.

That’s why as soon as you had managed to escape your parents and settled everything down in your room, you left your boyfriend to settle down while you ran down the stairs and up the road until you reached Ross’ house.

You certainly hadn’t expected him to turn down your idea of a double date of sorts because he and Katie weren’t together anymore. You thought that when he said he wasn’t sure it could be done, it meant you would have to make a bit more of an effort to get Ross’ friendship back.

You’re deflated by the news, thinking about how sad you are that the gifts you had gotten Katie would not make it to her in the end.

“Who’s he then?” Ross asks with a raise of his brows, bringing you back out from your thoughts.

Your mouth opens as you try to answer, but you stupidly stutter before giving him a vague answer, “Oh, erm, a classmate.”

It isn’t like you’ve come here to dump about your relationship though, and the idea of pouring facts about your boyfriend seems like poor taste after what Ross has just told you. But Ross is kind and you know he’s asking because you obviously were excited for him to meet him if you had come here to suggest going out on a double date.

It is your turn to be kind to him after two years of ruining shit with your stupidity so you let him get out of it by letting him know, “I’ve asked Matty and he said it was fine if I brought him by on Boxing day so I guess you’ll meet him properly then.”

“Right,” he nods first, but when a beat of silence goes by, he adds, “Sure.” His lips are pressed tightly together, the corners of his mouth barely lift up when he tries to fake enthusiasm as he finally adds, “Can’t wait.”

You can’t keep to yourself the shock, or better said, it’s easy for your mum to get what you’ve just found out due to how awful you feel for reminding Ross of his recent breakup, one you had no idea about.

And another thing you’ve got no idea about is that, after you tell your mum how bad you feel about what had just happened, she called Ross’ mum and invited her over for Christmas dinner the following day.

A truly horrible idea that you scold your mum about when she tells you about it the morning of the 25th.

“Mum, what?! How’s it gonna help him to have dinner with us when he’s just broken up with Katie?!”

Of course, your mother is oblivious to what you mean, “He’s gonna have company! All of us together will make him happy!”

Unfortunately, you can’t explain what had happened the past two years, the way you had behaved, and how it seems incredibly unfair to have him have Christmas dinner with you and your boyfriend in the room.

So, to try and fix the mess your mum has unknowingly made, you take it upon yourself to make sure dinner doesn’t end up in a situation like the previous two years.

You keep the pda with your boyfriend to the minimum, make sure to include Ross in every conversation—basically spend most of the time boasting about the guys’ band to your boyfriend—, and keep asking Ross and his parents all about how they’re doing.

Ross is smiling and participating in conversation, which you really appreciate and you relax a bit halfway through dinner when noticing that Ross is doing far better than you had ever done with Katie.

And it’s then that guilt starts creeping back up.

But the thing that you don’t know is that Ross is just good at acting and putting on a smile, because seeing your boyfriend’s hand on your thigh all throughout dinner and the way he takes every opportunity he can to kiss your cheek, is killing him.

Ross gets it then. He gets why it had been so hard for you to keep your feelings to yourself back when you met Katie. Because he can feel that horrendous burn rising up his throat, burning in his chest every glance that he takes at you and sees that the reason for every smile and giggle is the lad beside you.

You have always had a hard time not letting your every thought show on your expression, Ross took the piss about it so often, though he really appreciated it because it meant he always knew what was going through your head.

However, he had the ability to hide everything behind a blank face or a half smile and not be questioned about it.

Exactly like in this very moment when he’s half smiling into his cup of cider as both your parents—as if they hadn’t met him already when they went down to London during summer break—and his parents grill your boyfriend with loads of questions that the poor bloke stutters to answer most of the time.

His fingers clutch the cup tighter every time he hears him call you baby, and he dies a bit more inside when he sees your boyfriend mumble “I love you,” in your ear when you come to his defence after your dad makes a stupid joke about him that has you gasping.

“Love you too,” you reciprocate and give him a quick peck to which everyone coos.

Everyone but Ross.

Ross, who settles you are both even now, who tries washing down the bitter taste of jealousy with more cider until your dad brings out a bottle of whiskey and opens it for everyone to enjoy, and it is then that the bassist starts gulping down the dark alcohol with an ease that your dad jokes about.

What he doesn’t know is that it burns every time Ross takes a gulp back, his throat raw and aching, but the feeling is just strong enough to overcome the horrendous way seeing you this happy and in love makes him feel.

Such an idiot, Ross thinks about himself. He’s an absolute fucking fool.

And then, your mum is calling it’s time for Christmas pictures and when you and your boyfriend go first and the first time your mum presses the shutter is when your boyfriend kisses you under the mistletoe, Ross can’t take it any longer and he excuses himself to walk back home alone.

It isn’t until he has thrown himself on his bed, groaning about how he feels like he’s gonna be sick all over his sheets, that he realises he’s walked out before even getting a picture with you.

Ross falls asleep thinking he needs to make it up to you on Boxing day when you bring your boyfriend over to Matty’s.

“Hope she isn’t too much of a handful,” George jokes when they all fall into easy conversation and banter with your boyfriend.

“She’s a good handful,” your boyfriend jokes, letting his hand fall down to your ass and squeezing it with eager fingers.

You gasp and push him off you while he cackles loudly, the room follows along. A choir of laughter around the place from the lads and their own girlfriends, though the deep rich laughter from Ross is missing.

Your gaze sweeps the room until it falls on him and you give him an apologetic smile. He offers you a tight lip grin and a shake of his head, like he’s trying to say it’s okay.

Nothing really is because with every minute that passes and he sees how well your boyfriend gets along with everyone, Ross dies a little inside. And, in spite of how lovely Boxing day is going, he can’t find himself enjoying the togetherness like he usually does.

An invitation is made for your boyfriend to join you for the gig the band is playing at a pub in Manchester tomorrow night.

Enthusiastically, you both accept and when you go back home, you can’t stop smiling at the prospect of these two sides of your life merging with an ease that makes your heart swell.

You’re early to the gig, since you had convinced your boyfriend to take the chance to go around Manchester before you were due at the pub to see your friends, and you chat with the boys as they set up in a makeshift stage.

At the start of December, their manager Jamie had founded Dirty Hit, a label of his own so he could finally sign the band himself.

You are so unbelievably proud of your boys, tears well up your eyes watching them perform flawlessly on that stage: smiling so hard at Matty’s passion when singing, the funny faces George has always made when playing the drums, the clever riffs Adam managed to play easily and, of course, the suave Ross had when playing that bass.

You, amongst the almost sixty people in that pub, are entranced by them and you sing along the songs you’ve witnessed being written, put together and practised throughout the years.

When they play ‘Robbers’, you can’t help but cry. The memories it brings to you are so overwhelming, your boyfriend ends up hugging you from behind to soothe you as you sing along to the incredible lyrics Matty had somehow come up with at 18, the summer before you went off to university, when everything was alright.

Ross catches a glimpse of you and his heart aches when seeing the tears rolling down your face. The hurt only gets stronger when your boyfriend is the one to wipe them off your cheeks.

He brings his gaze forward again but when he’s unable to clear his thoughts by focusing on a stranger’s face, he lets his head hang and his eyes fall on his fingers playing the strings of his bass.

The same one he had shown off to you the first time you had gone to his house on Boxing day and you stayed there, perched on his bed as you watched him show off his skills on the instrument.

Ross isn’t sure then how much longer he can cope with this, seeing you smitten with somebody else, craving their touch and not his, needing their company and not his.

He’s so relieved when you go back home with your boyfriend after the gig, swiftly getting yourself out of a night of drinks with the guys since you have plans for the next morning that you can’t get out of.

The hangover Ross nurses the following day is entirely worth it for he managed to drown his sorrows with alcohol without being questioned about it, he hid it behind being overly enthusiastic about a new year with a now signed band, the one thing they had been dreaming since they properly formed the band in 2002.

But it doesn’t matter that he had managed to conceal his real feelings and intentions behind drinking that night, for when New Year’s Eve comes around, he’s entirely transparent as he knocks back glass after glass from the moment you arrive at Matty's.

Unlike a year ago, it is time for Ross to get plastered since he’s totally incapable of coping with you being all over your boyfriend now that alcohol is in your system and, since you’ve seen Ross’ reactions for the past few days and you have assumed the bassist is entirely fine with everything, you don’t have to hold back anymore.

For a miraculous change, George is the one to take care of Ross when midnight approaches and he just can’t stay in the room to watch what he knows will happen the second the countdown reaches one.

Ross’ body reacts on its own when he hears the room he’s left erupt in a chorus of “Happy New Year!” and he rushes to the nearest bathroom to be sick when the ruckus of greetings change for one of whistles and teasing, a confirmation that you’re definitely kissing your boyfriend like you had kissed Ross all those years ago.

Hiding away in the bathroom, Ross spends the rest of the night there, sitting against the door and ignoring every knock and attempt of opening it.

He wakes up passed out on the bathroom floor the next morning, wishing he had drunk even more to forget why he had been drinking to begin with. But not even drinking more would’ve helped with him avoiding seeing you and your boyfriend cuddling on one of the settees when he walks out to leave the Healy's house.

When you come knocking on his door later that day, he groggily answers the door. Your goodbye hits him like a gut punch but, despite being sad about seeing you go, he can’t help being a little relieved his chest doesn’t have to ache to the sight of you in love anymore.

At least not until next Christmas.

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

Around May of 2010 you graduated university.

That nightmare was finally over and the only good thing that had come out of it other than your degree, and the fact that you managed to land a job before graduating, was that you weren’t alone anymore.

Your mum and dad went down to London for the ceremony and it brought tears to your eyes to see them in the crowd as you walked onto the stage to get your diploma. Loads of pictures had been taken and though you felt elated, overflowing with joy, it wasn’t until you finally had time to check your phone and see the messages your friends from back home had sent you that you felt complete.

Adam’s message had made you coo and tear up, whilst George and Matty’s messages made you laugh like an idiot. Ross’ message had made you smile nostalgically, a tear slipping down your cheek when you had read it again.

Cannot believe you’re graduating today, sweetheart. So incredibly proud of you :)) You were always the smartest one of us after all. Hope you’re having the best time celebrating yourself today, you’re fucking brilliant Y/N/N. Love you lots, see you soon I hope xx

Truth was, your parents had invited him along but he had declined, excusing it on work and something band related that your mum and dad didn’t ask too much about. Still, they were sad they couldn’t surprise you with Ross’ presence on such a big day.

Ross had really regretted his decision when you posted a bunch of pictures of your graduation day to your Facebook page. Though, the ones where your boyfriend was right next to you reminded him just why he had said no.

He was a coward, he wouldn’t deny it if he were to be called out for it but he was doing it for the best of the situation, for the best of your friendship—or at least to the bits of it that still lingered to which he was holding onto tightly.

Because somehow, despite how the last Christmas time had turned out for himself, Ross found himself holding onto the hope that everything would be alright this year when you came back home for the holidays. And there was a little annoying voice inside his head that laughed at himself for it, but he was holding onto you desperately, like water in his hands, hoping you wouldn’t slip fully through his fingers.

So he had held on and on, day after day, onto that hope until December was around the corner and when a text of yours came through to the group chat you had with the guys, that hope plummeted down and shattered on the floor.

Guys I’ll be spending the holidays in London so please don’t worry about a present for me this year. I promise I will make this up to you very soon!! Miss yous so much and love yous even more!! xx

The first feeling that shows is sadness. Ross frowns, reading your message over and over, his heart sinking and settling on the pits of his stomach as despair overcomes him. He really had spoiled the only chance he would get this year of seeing you, just because he hadn’t really wanted to see you with your boyfriend again.

But now, all he can think is that he’s willing to endure that horrendous jealousy and anguish just to see you again. And he’s especially desperate because it's Christmas! It’s your time of the year, your and Ross’ time, or at least that’s what it had always been until 2007.

Ross wants to pull his hair out of his head then, not only dreading having to spend this season without even seeing you from afar, but just from being reminded of how this will be the fourth year in a row where something has happened and shaken the dynamic you had shared and cherished since 2002.

And then, nosy Matty asks why you’re staying in London because it’s certainly very rude of you to abandon your best friends in the entire world to spend the holidays in the south—that’s exactly what the curly headed boy sends on the group chat.

Which prompts you to answer with a string of laughing emojis and then the truth: you’re spending the holidays with your boyfriend’s family this year.

Reading that message is what turns Ross’ sadness into anger in a split second.

Because you’re breaking the promise you had made before you left for uni, the promise you had swore to never break when Sara, Danielle, and Jodie eventually did.

Hope is gone. A tiny lit flame that has just been blown out and there’s nothing left of it but the string of smoke rising up into the air.

Ross knows this is it then, the end of it all.

He could’ve never predicted it would take eight years to lose you entirely, and he sort of wishes he could warn his past self so he could shield himself from anything he could develop for you when you first met.

He chucks his phone somewhere on his bed, fully ignoring any other messages coming into the group chat afterwards.

Nothing mattered anymore.

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

It certainly is a shock to see you walking out of the house when Ross is walking back to his from the shops.

Matty had sent him out to buy decorations for the New Year’s Eve party because, suddenly, he decides the party needs to be a proper one with decorations and props and cone hats and silly 2012 shaped glasses that definitely don’t look feasible to look through.

So he’s toying with the frame of one of the glasses, thinking about how quickly 2011 has gone by, when he sees you walking out of your house with a skip in your step.

Since there was no message on the group chat, he didn’t really know if you were coming back home or not.

Not that he cared.

At least, that’s what Ross had been telling himself.

But it’s clear he indeed cared because when your eyes fall on him and a gorgeous smile breaks on your face, there’s a hint of relief that floods his system.

“Ross! Hey!” You are wary of the distance that’s there between you, not only physically because he’s still yet to cross the road towards you but also emotionally because you two haven’t spoken at all in the entirety of the year.

Well, you had if the short birthday messages you sent the other counted.

“Hi, Y/N. Y’alright?” he finally asks when he crosses the road and stands just a few metres away from you.

You nod, “Amazing. You?”

“Pretty good.”

You hum because he doesn’t sound so sure about it. Your eyes fall on the bag in his hand, catching the look of the New Year’s themed goods.

“Those look nice. Matty’s decorating this year?”

Ross chuckles softly, “Yes, apparently the party needs to be proper from now on.”

You snort at that and roll your eyes at the image of Matty saying that in your head. He was so annoying, you truly adored him. “Ha, right. Well, I’ll see you then!”

Wow what a good lengthy chat, Ross thought sarcastically. Still, he didn’t let how that made him feel show. With a soft smile, he nods and says, “See ya’,” before resuming his walk and making it back home.

He makes a great effort not to look down the road to see where you’re heading. That quick, awkward chat is enough to know where you stand and in what state your friendship is. Gone.

Ross comes to terms with the fact that it just will never be the same. It’s all gone: you, the holidays you’ve grown to love, all the traditions that only entailed the two of you.

It hurts his chest and he wonders if it hurts yours as well.

He doesn’t even see you the day after, on the 25th. There’s nothing delivered to his house—your mum had done it the year before, but the lack of it this year meant the official loss of that tradition—and since your boyfriend and his family are over at yours, or so Ross’ mum told him, the MacDonalds leave your family to it and don’t interrupt by sending anything over to your house.

The next time Ross sees you is at Matty’s on Boxing day, which goes as smoothly as it can. It’s only refreshing to have the rest of the boys there along with their girlfriends, and little Louis Healy is a funny distraction from the turmoil that clouds Ross’ brain when in the same room as you and your boyfriend.

When New Year’s Eve comes, alcohol makes for that miraculous distraction instead, but this time he’s more careful about it. Not blacking out but, instead, numbing himself with every drink until the countdown happens and seeing you and your boyfriend sharing a passionate kiss doesn’t make him want to run into oncoming traffic.

You leave on the 3rd of January this time, giving your boyfriend’s family and your own time to enjoy the start of the year together.

This time, when Ross answers the front door after hearing incessant knocking and he sees you standing there with a soft smile and a goodbye on the tip of your tongue, saying goodbye back feels more significant.

As he says goodbye, still half hiding behind the door, it feels like he’s bidding farewell to your friendship and all you two ever were.

What you never had been.

Ross wonders then if things would’ve been different if he had done something about the two of you when he kissed you under the mistletoe in 2006, how you two could be in such a different place if he had made a move after kissing you when the clock struck midnight at the very start of 2007.

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

The first week of August 2012, the first official music project by the band came out. It was a bit odd knowing the boys had an official name now, but The 1975 sounded fucking brilliant—you had assured Matty of it when he sent you a picture of it freshly tattooed below his Mortal Kombat tattoo saying that he had gotten the new name tattooed so he wasn’t allowed to change his mind anymore.

You had gone to the closest HMV to your office and bought the CD, sending a picture of it to the guys on your group chat and gushing over how fucking good it was after you had listened to it four times in one sitting.

And you had gone just as crazy when November rolled around and on the 19th the Sex EP came out. A quick message was sent in the middle of your short lunch break, you’d written it with the biggest smile on your face.

Holy shit guys, that was incredible!!!! I’m so unbelievably proud of yous :’’)) Who would’ve thought you’d go from changing your band name every other month to having two stunning EPs out!!! I need yous to sign my new CD!! Cannot wait to see you brilliant, talented lot on Christmas. Love youuuuu!!! xxxxx

It was odd that after all that time, Ross could still hear your voice in his head saying all that while he read it. Like he just can’t truly let go of you, and a flicker of hope that still lives inside him then becomes obvious, he can’t help but think, maybe, just maybe, you won’t miss Christmas at home this year like he’s been expecting you to all year long.

It felt almost like he had been holding his breath since that notion became apparent in his mind, the anticipation of not really knowing if his hopes were gonna lead him to be disappointed or if he would actually be right.

Ross lets out a sigh of relief when he walks out of his house and he catches a glimpse of you walking in through the front door of your parent’s house with a bag in hand.

He’s not aware of what he’s doing until his quick strides lead him all the way up to your front door and he’s harshly knocking on it.

You’ve barely been able to shout hello to your mum, who’s upstairs, and let your dad take your bag up to your room when you’re startled by the knocking.

Turning around on your heels, it’s merely two steps you take until you can grab the handle and turn it to open the door and show a speechless and surprisingly enthused Ross bundled up in a cosy flannel coat and a beanie, the tip of his nose tinting pink from the cold, and his cheeks matching the shade.

Your eyes widen at the sight of him. You have no idea why he’s just standing here, how on Earth he had managed to know exactly when you would arrive or if he had been expecting you, but you can’t stop the need to feel him closer than this the second you see him.

Basically throwing yourself into him, you gasp and wrap your arms around his waist, his arms coming to envelop you in a hug over your shoulders and you melt into him completely.

“Oh my god. I missed you so much,” you whisper into his ear.

His heart squeezes in his chest, leaving him weak enough to admit, “Me too. So much.”

He knows it’s not time for inquiries but he’s honestly taken aback by the fact that you’re here so his questions leave him without him wanting them to, “Are you okay? How’s London treating you? How’s your boyfriend, is he spending it here again?”

Those are heavy questions, lots to explain that just leave you without a word to utter. Except for the last question. That situation’s status was clear enough that you pull back and take a deep breath to be able to answer through the pain of thinking about it, “No. Ermm, we broke up.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t–,” Ross starts apologising but when he sees your chin start to wobble and tears filling your eyes, he pulls you back into him as he says, “Don’t cry, C’mere.”

“It’s all my fault,” you can’t help but admit. Not really about the breakup, that was certainly not your fault if you looked at the bigger picture, but the horrendous pain that fills you when you think about how your attempts to fill the emptiness from being away from home had crumbled down and left you feeling even lonelier than ever. You shake with a sob in Ross’ arms and admit, finally, “I hid so much from you guys.”

The confusion in his breathy, “What?” is clear and you know this is the right moment to just come clean about everything, before this opportunity leaves you like a train does a station.

“Do you…” you sniffle as you pull back to look at him.

God, you must look like a mess and a right idiot. Ross thinks that despite how his heart is breaking seeing you this upset, he’s never seen a person more beautiful.

“Do you wanna come in?” you suggest, thumb pointing behind you into a house he hasn’t stepped foot inside since Christmas day 2009, 3 years ago. “I feel like I owe you a lot of truths.”

Carefully, he nods and that’s when you put your hand out for him to hold and walk into the house.

Electricity runs to his fingertips where he holds you, painfully aware of how your absence has made your proximity now erupt a wave of feelings inside him that he had thought were gone.

Once he’s inside the house, you close the door. He expects you to guide him to the living room but, to his surprise, you take him up the stairs and into your room.

Even your dad is surprised to see Ross in the house after all this time for he stops in his tracks when he sees the now very tall lad walking hand in hand with you on the way to your room, which he’s leaving after leaving your bag neatly on top of your bed.

“Oh hello, Ross. Missed seeing you around here, kid.”

Ross smiles but before he can respond to your dad’s greeting, you speak out, “Thanks for helping me with the bag dad. I’m gonna chat with Ross for a bit if you don’t mind.”

Your dad notices the tears in your eyes then, with the slight waver of your voice so he knows this is a serious matter and he nods, giving you both a smile before walking past you into his room where your mum’s still hiding. She must be really entertained with what she’s doing since she hasn’t run to your room to crush you in a hug like she always does, but you won’t complain right now because it seems like everything is about to spill out of your mouth.

Closing your room’s door behind you, Ross makes his way into your room when you drop his hand. He sits at the edge of your bed and you do the same, looking into his eyes for a second before letting your gaze drop to your lap, where you fiddle with your fingers nervously.

A sigh leaves you.

This is it then.

Looking back up at him, you take in his worried expression and start telling him everything. How you knew university would be hard from the very second you moved into your dorm. How you had been so horribly homesick, you got depressed and had to talk to a therapist on campus for quite a while. The amount of times you had thought of dropping out throughout the first year, but had refused to come back home empty handed and regretting giving up when you have always been academically driven.

And how, despite your efforts, the second year had been just as bad.

You couldn’t make friends but not by lack of trying, it was harsher in uni to find people you felt in tune with when everyone was so focused on themselves and the groups established there were far more stronger than in high school; so many people knew each other from school already, it felt like trying to be friends with them was causing a disturbance to their friendships.

And then you came back to London from Wilmslow, that time Ross had told you to go back and you had left right after the gift exchange at Matty’s, and you met this guy. He gave you just the amount of attention and kindness to lure you in and grow attached to him after craving proper human connection for so long.

He had become your boyfriend easily, because he gave you attention and made you feel needed, despite both of those notions having meant in a sexual way more times than not.

It wasn’t the best relationship and you knew that, but you would take anything, even if faulty, just to not feel alone like you had the two previous years again.

So you made due with what you had and fell in love with him, though you knew he didn’t feel the same as you did, and if he ever did say it was just because he wanted to keep you. For convenience really, because if he said he wanted you, you would drop anything for him, even if you didn’t want to say yes, you did because you feared being left alone.

And then he realised he could make you stay by reminding you how badly you had been going through it before he appeared into your life, and now you could point out how emotionally manipulative he had been, but right then, it had gone right past your head.

That was why it had been so easy for him to cheat before you two graduated, and it had been even easier for him to get you to forgive him. He would say you wouldn’t survive without him, without his love, without his presence in your life; he reminded you just how far away everyone was, how you had lied and kept things to yourself so no one worried and how selfish of you it would be to call and talk about yourself and your issues which you could resolve easily, just by forgiving him and taking him back.

So like a brainless fool, you did.

And then you graduated and you moved in with him, and though you had a job of your own, he convinced you to do everything for him. His kisses, the sex, the cuddles, him making time for you, it all was your reward. Showing you affection had become a reward for you keeping the flat clean, cooking meals and paying half the rent, it had become something to exchange for your efforts rather than something that came with a loving relationship.

You knew he had cheated at least twice after that first time but kept quiet. You knew, but the only thing you could do was ask him to wear a condom every time you fucked, just because that was the last bit of love and concern you had for yourself.

That was until a few weeks before your birthday, when you got off work early because you were feeling a bit poorly and the feverish, dizzy feeling that overcame you was enough for your boss to send you home immediately.

It had been nothing compared to the feeling that washed over you when you quietly came into the flat and walked blindly down the hall to your bedroom, only to find your boyfriend balls deep in some girl.

Your horrified gasp and confused mumbling wasn’t enough for him to stop, instead he kicked you out of the room and you left running back to the living room where you stood almost dry heaving as you replayed the moment over and over again, wanting to be sick but not being brave enough to walk up to the bathroom with how close to the bedroom it was.

Still, he took a fair few minutes to come out of the bedroom and face you. From what you heard, you knew he hadn’t even taken the consideration to stop and had chosen to finish before he could even begin to explain what was going on.

Not that it needed explaining, really.

But it was the absolute lack of remorse in his face when he came out to the living room that brought you out of the hypnosis he had caught you in for so long. The fact that he hissed through his teeth why the fuck you had come home so early. The fact that he sounded more apologetic to the girl than to you, his girlfriend of three and a half years.

And it was the realisation that you would rather feel this hurt because of breaking up with him than because he was trying to convince you that it had been nothing and you could forgive him yet again.

So you did. You broke up with him that very second. Going to the bedroom, which made you feel even more disgustingly nauseous, you quickly packed everything you had there in a big suitcase you had thankfully kept. All that you had in there as best as you could and the rest shoved in a big bag of yours that didn’t fit inside the case.

You had felt more alone than ever, without your boyfriend—ex-boyfriend now—, without any friends because all of your friends had been his first and you knew he would manipulate them enough to make them switch on you the second they found out, without a roof to live under.

But you felt free, oddly, and it was that which drove you to call up one of your co-workers and ask for their help.

Emma was the sweetest and let you stay in her flat for the week and a half it took you to find a place you could rent. You hadn’t been exactly choosy with it, just going off necessity and settling for the better most convenient option, both for your pocket and the proximity to your job.

So you were now living in some shitty flat in a very unsafe area in London, but it was close to the tube station and it was only a thirty minute commute to your office, which you were growing to appreciate.

It was the fact that for the first time in a while you felt like your own person that made you smile on the daily.

And now the fact that you had finally come clean about everything to one of the most important people in your life.

Ross is speechless. He’s lost his breath with every bit that you’ve told him, and yet the way that you fully leave him stupefied and unable to breathe is the smile that you give him when you’re done with your story.

That toothy grin he has missed so much, accompanied with your tear stained cheeks and glassy eyes.

His heart is utterly broken for you, someone so beautiful inside and out being absolutely destroyed and mishandled by people who never appreciated you for who you truly are, stuck in a situation that you kept shut because you’re selfless like that.

Ross feels like his heart had been shattered in a million pieces, but he feels a new wave of heartache when he remembers how cruel and unfair he had been to you when, unbeknownst to him and everyone else, you were going through such a nightmare.

He wants to bang his head against a wall.

But not more than he wants to crush you in a hug and tell you it’ll be alright now.

So he does.

His arms feel heavenly around you, melting into his chest and hiding in his neck comes to you like second nature just how it had always been back then, before everything happened.

You can’t help but cry, and though some of your tears come from the ache in your chest, most of them are spilled because you feel relieved that you can shed yourself of the weight of everything that you’ve been keeping to yourself, relieved that you can mend things back home and you can try and get back those friendships you have always cherished.

Ross doesn’t let you go, not when you calm yourself down and stop crying, not when you yawn and rub your tired eyes, not when it starts getting dark out.

He’s hesitant to let you go when you go to move your bag out of your bed so you can lay down. But he follows when you pat the spot next to yours on the mattress.

His arms wrap around you and he pulls you closer to him. You two haven’t done this in so long, it’s hard to even point out when was the last time you cuddled, but your legs tangle with an ease that makes your heartbeats stutter.

With eyes fluttering as you two succumb to slumber, the last thing you remember before falling asleep is the feeling of Ross’ lips pressing on top of your head.

“I had missed this,” you admit groggily when you wake up to his fingers rubbing circles on your lower back.

The darkness of your room envelopes you like a blanket, pale moonlight sneaking through your blinds to give you the faintest bit of sight.

You can barely make out the dimples on his cheeks as he smiles down at you with a puffy face and sleepy eyes, “I missed you.”

Whole. That’s how you feel when he says that with a warm conviction that melts your insides. You hum, “Yeah. Me too.”

A knock on your door makes the two of you look in the direction of it, and slowly peeling it open, your mum peeks her head through to smile at you.

“Haven’t seen you like that in ages,” she recalls with a coo. “You two are so grown up now.”

You smile just by remembering the pictures your mum would take of the two of you cuddling on the settee after falling asleep watching a film. The nostalgia makes you wish she would take a picture right now just so you could compare it to them.

“Sorry to interrupt darlings, you two look cosy, but could you do me a favour?”

That’s how you end up at the shops with Ross, giggling as you walk through the aisles trying to find the things your mum had forgotten to get on her last shopping trip for tomorrow’s dinner.

It’s hard not to get distracted when you walk around, seeing all the Christmas sweets and treats, even harder when Ross makes you laugh as you go about the place and you keep forgetting what it is that you’re looking for.

“Hey, you better not forget these,” he jokes, grabbing a bag of potatoes that he ends up placing in your basket.

It’s hard hugging Ross goodbye after you come back from the shops and put everything away together, but it makes you so incredibly happy to know that it feels normal again—your arms around each other feel like finding your way back home after getting lost on the way.

You go to bed feeling content, the smell of him lingers on your pillows and you nuzzle your face on them with a loopy smile on your face.

It is when you wake up and go downstairs for breakfast that you properly feel giddy, though, because your mum tells you she called Ross’ mum and they had agreed to have Christmas dinner together.

A loud kiss is smacked on your mum’s cheek at the news and she smirks as she looks at your dad when you run to the kitchen to see if you had all the ingredients to make some type of dessert, leaving your coffee to get cold on the dining table.

Having the MacDonalds over is a joy, as per usual, with Ross’ mum being the loveliest person ever and Ross’ dad making you all laugh hysterically, dinner goes wonderfully.

Everything’s tasty, warm in your bellies and your hearts with the hours you all spend together. Nothing feels more right than this very moment.

And then your mum springs up her chair and calls, “Time for pictures!”

Just like you’ve known to do since the very first time, you and Ross move to the bottom of the stairs right beneath where your mum always hangs the mistletoe. The sight makes Ross smile brightly, his eyes crinkling at the edges and dimples pinching his cheeks beautifully.

Your mum frowns at her film count on display as she takes the camera close to her face, “I’ve got one in here, so I’ll take the first and then go get another pack of film to take the rest.”

You bite your tongue not to smile too brightly when it reminds you of a certain moment, years ago.

As your mum takes the camera up to her eyes, Ross wraps an arm tightly around your waist, fingers digging on your clothed flesh as he presses you flush to his side. You wrap an arm around his waist and just as you’re about to rest your head on his shoulder to pose for the camera, your heart begs you to do something else.

You turn to look at him and pucker your lips to press them on his cheek. Your mum captures just the moment bliss breaks out on his face, melting his smile into a parted mouth as he exhales a sigh in content at the feeling of your lips on his skin.

The second the whirring of the polaroid printing out sounds, you pull back and he peels his eyes open to look at you with adoration, or so you think from the way his brown eyes gleam as he looks into yours.

You have to separate when your mum walks in between you to run upstairs to get some more film, all the while she’s shaking the just printed picture in her hand.

Suddenly, Ross blinks and he’s back in 2006, when your mum was making a mess upstairs as she looked for a new pack of film and he finally got the courage to cup your face and actually kiss you under the mistletoe like he had been wanting for so long.

It’s a memory that flashes on both your minds in that moment, and it’s written all over your faces.

Your mouth parts in anticipation and he carefully brings up his hands to your face, holding it delicately as he starts leaning in.

It’s stupid, and maybe way too fast on his part but he can’t have you looking all beautiful standing in front of him and under the mistletoe and not kiss you. You’re magnetising and he can’t fight the power you have over him, he’s so entranced he just wants you close.

This time it is different, it feels more intense. Not desperate, because the second your lips meet in the middle, it’s not like you lose control and try to quicken the kiss. It just feels way more intent, it’s deliberate and with so much more meaning now. You have each other back and the pieces of the puzzle fall into place perfectly just like the slotting of your lips together.

You’re the one to deepen the kiss as your tongue pokes out to tease his bottom lip and you lick into his mouth when he parts it to welcome you.

A hum reverberates through his chest when you taste each other, and he swallows a soft moan that you let out at the feeling of his beard brushing against the soft skin of your face as you two move rhythmically in a kiss that leaves you dazed.

When Ross pulls back, your breaths mix as you pant out, lips so close together, noses brushing. He drops one last peck on your lips before saying, “Had to do it properly.”

Your mum’s footsteps echo through the hall as she dashes back downstairs with a new film pack in her camera, ready to snap away.

In the pictures you can clearly see your swollen wet lips, but no one comments on it when your mum lets you two see the results of the quick photoshoot she’s just thrown for the two of you. Heat rushes up to your face, just like Ross'. You almost wanna coo and pinch his cheeks at the sight of him flustered like that.

It’s fair to say you’re both incredibly smiley when you go back to the dining room to share hot chocolate and the cookies you had made earlier. You half regret not making the same ones you had made the year you had met Ross, but it’s all fine when Ross says, “Delicious as always, sweetheart.”

You wanna pounce on his lips when he finally goes back to calling you that again.

There’s no way you can stop your lips from falling into a pout when it’s time for Ross and his parents to go. You almost want to convince them to stay a bit longer but you already had and they’d stayed an additional hour than they’d planned.

Ross’ mum and dad hug you tightly, wishing you a merry Christmas and saying that they hope you like your present, as if you haven’t loved every single one they’ve ever given you throughout the years.

When it’s time for Ross to hug you, he makes it a show of almost crushing your bones as he does so. Swaying in your place, your parents laugh behind you as the two of you cling onto each other like you haven’t done in years.

Neither set of parents have it in them to tease or complain because they’ve missed witnessing it.

But perhaps, the biggest shock of all is that when Ross pulls back after wishing you a merry Christmas, he presses his lips on yours on a sweet chaste kiss that makes the four adults around you loudly gasp and, therefore, make you and Ross become flustered like a pair of kids caught holding hands in the playground.

And just like a kid, Ross peels himself away from you and quickly escapes back home with his parents following behind him, leaving you foolishly stunned and wide eyed.

When the front door finally closes, it is your mum saying, “Finally!” that makes you snap out of your trance.

The loopy smile stays on your face as you open presents, though.

Blindly, you pick up your phone when it rings on your bedside table the next morning. You don’t even read who it is as you answer it so your shock makes you open your eyes wide when you hear Ross’ voice on the other side of the line.

He says he’s been texting you to ask if you wanted to hang out, and truthfully you just wanna sleep in a little longer, but you also wanna have his presence.

Who says you couldn’t have both?

You let him know he can come over, whispering as you tell him to ring you when he’s outside because your house is quiet as your parents still sleep.

He surprises you when he says he’s already at your door.

With your eyes still heavy with sleep, you make it downstairs, still in your pyjamas, and when you open the door, you grab his hand to drag him upstairs and into your room.

There’s not even a chance for him to greet you with a hello when you get back in bed and lift the sheets on the empty side for him to get under them and join you.

Ross doesn’t take more than a few seconds to take off his shoes and shed himself off his coat, getting in your bed and wrapping an arm around your waist to pull you into him and let you cuddle yourself into him.

You basically sleep until your stomach growls as you become hungrier the more you’ve been ignoring it most of the morning, pushing aside your basic human needs to stay a little longer in Ross’ arms.

He brings you the cookies that were left from yesterday in a little plate and a glass of water, at your request, whilst you go to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

When you come back into your room, you shove one cookie into your mouth before starting your gift show and tell.

A warmth spreads through the both of you as you show him the most mundane and unimpressive gifts you’ve gotten, except for the pretty little necklace his parents got you of course, but it makes you laugh how since the last time you had done this, your presents went from an iPod mini, books and pretty dresses, to a pair of fuzzy socks and a set of floral pattern baking utensils.

You finish getting ready after you show him your presents, and he watches your every move attentively from your bed, which he has made very quickly before throwing himself over it again.

He grabs a pillow and places it over his eyes when you go to lift up your pyjama shirt, it’s not like you haven’t changed in front of the other before, but it’s been so long that he feels the need to offer you privacy.

He hears you snort at him as you sort through your wardrobe for a shirt, a jumper and a pair of jeans. And he smiles into the pillow when you mumble, “Silly,” as you finish buttoning your jeans.

“You can look now,” you say as you finish putting your shirt on.

And Ross catches a glimpse of the skin of your stomach when he lowers the pillow back onto the mattress.

He shifts from his side to his front to hide the way you affect him. He would’ve put the pillow on his lap but it would’ve been too obvious. He hopes he has a second to adjust himself without you looking when you’re about to leave.

You offer him the biggest of smiles before turning to look at yourself in the mirror and fixing your hair, putting a bit of makeup on your face to look decent for when you go to exchange gifts with your friends at Matty’s house.

Ross is entirely entranced watching you through the mirror, he can’t stop thinking about how he’s always thought you were pretty. But somehow, with time, you’ve only grown more and more beautiful.

As if that was even possible.

You’re just unreal, truly. He can’t understand the mystery of you. And he doesn’t really need to, all he wishes to do is to witness it.

When you go downstairs, Ross follows behind a bit slower since he stayed hidden behind your door adjusting himself for a few seconds while you went ahead, you shout to your parents that you’ll be going to Ross’ and then Matty’s so you’d probably come back home after tea.

They say, “Alright, have fun!” back and you’re off.

But not before Ross catches your wrist before you can walk away from the bottom of the stairs.

You stumble into his chest and he swiftly cups your jaw, tilting your head in the perfect angle for him to lean in and catch your lips in a soft kiss that steals your breath away. It’s slow and delicate, like he’s taking in the way your lips slot perfectly together, trying to memorise how your mouths move with each other.

You’re speechless when he pulls back, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth before he points upwards, “Mistletoe.”

A scoff slips past your lips. “Didn’t know you were such a rule follower,” you tease. He’s so smooth it makes you want to scream.

He shrugs, “Depends on the rule.”

Despite the fact that you assure Ross’ mum that you’ve had breakfast—Ross snitches on you saying it was just cookies and a glass of water—, you’re fed a healthy amount of leftovers for breakfast the second you walk into the MacDonald’s home.

Only thirty minutes later, you’re upstairs in Ross’ room with a mug of hot chocolate as he shows off the gifts he got this year. Which, again, makes you laugh because it’s yet again more proof about the fact that you’re too old now and all you get is adult gifts.

You can’t help but snort when he shows off the beanie and scarf your parents got him, but ultimately admit he looks adorable all bundled up in the matching cotton set.

He wears the beanie proudly when you both walk up to Matty’s, while you have the scarf wrapped around your neck after you quickly snatched it from his room before leaving his house.

When you get to the Healy residence, it’s enough of a shock to see the two of you arriving at the same time. George is the one to ask with a frown if you had walked up there together and you nod with smiles on your faces.

Matty elbows Adam when he notices your accessories match.

The curly headed boy really tries his best to hide his curiosity but he can only last fifteen minutes into the catch up you’ve all fallen into before he asks, “Where’s your boyfriend?”

It’s a shock when you nonchalantly answer, “Oh, we broke up.”

And even more of a shock when you beam after the words leave your mouth.

Ross smiles just as big, proud of you for being so strong about that situation. No one really knows about it and it shows. Yes, you had been confiding in Matty about your struggles feeling extremely lonely in uni but you had never told him the reality about your boyfriend, knowing damn well how it looked that you got into that relationship because you were so desperate to feel something.

You had so much to tell everyone, but this wasn’t the time. Not yet.

The change in the dynamic between you and Ross is obvious, especially after consecutive years of clear, growing distance in between the two of you. But no one comments on it because they don’t want to disturb the return of a friendship that had been, from the very beginning, the core of the unity of your friend group. Even if the girls aren’t here celebrating with all of you anymore, Ross and you had been the ones to bring all of you together once upon a time, and it’s certainly refreshing for the boys to see that restored.

So when the New Year’s Eve party comes around, the group is a little more rowdy and you and Ross don’t stray far from each other’s side.

It might be because it feels like you’re all back in 2006 when you were still in high school and nothing had changed just yet, that Matty and George cause more and more ruckus. It’s certainly entertaining to watch but when George is stopped by a drunk Hann from doing a frontflip from the top of the stairs, and possibly breaking his bones, Ross pulls you outside for some peace and quiet as it’s really close to midnight.

The cold air makes you shiver and sobers you up a little, but god bless Ross MacDonald for offering you a cigarette then.

You place it between your lips and let him light it up, he struggles a bit with the strong wind but you help him by cupping your hands around the end of the stick.

Taking a long drag, you let the smoke in your lungs start to relax you and bring you the warmth you so desperately want right now.

The mess going on inside is still loud despite Ross closing the door, and suddenly, the memory of that 2006 New Year’s Eve night comes flashing back to the forefront of your mind.

“This is giving me some serious déjà vu,” you say as you hold in the smoke for a few seconds before letting it out upwards.

He knows exactly what you mean, he’s been thinking about it from the second you stepped foot in the house, but he still plays dumb, “Hmmm, really?”

You nod, taking a drag before saying, “Yeah. If I remember correctly, it was 2006 and we had come out to escape a very drunk Matty and George thrashing everything inside so we could have a calm countdown. We were sharing a fag, and the countdown started.”

As if rehearsed, you hear drunk voices loudly starting to countdown from ten inside the house.

Ten, nine, eight…

“And?” Ross pushes you to continue.

Biting your bottom lip, you try your best to hold back from smirking as you casually add, “And I said happy new year.”

He hums, “Not forgetting something?”

“Am I?” you play dumb, holding the cigarette between your fingers as you look at him.

Seven, six, five, four…

He turns to look at you, taking one little step towards you to invade your space, and nods, “I reckon, yeah.”

Your brows furrow and you cock your head to the side as you feign confusion.

“Mind refreshing my memory?”

You don’t have to tell him twice.

He pounces on your lips harshly, and it’s this time that desperation shines through the movement of his mouth on yours. His tongue doesn’t waste a second to slip past your parted lips and he groans when he tastes the tart tobacco on your tongue along with the vodka cranberry you’ve been having all night.

His trimmed beard itches your skin in a way that drives you mad and you can only think about how you would really like to get used to it. Your mind betrays you thinking about how it could feel brushing between your thighs, your arms swing around his neck and your fingers run up his scalp, making him moan into your mouth.

Three, two, one…

Your lungs burn with the lack of oxygen and you pull back, panting, but a smirk doesn’t fail to break on your face and you breathlessly quip, “Ah yes, I remember now.”

Your cheekiness has him groaning again before he dips back for another kiss, his arm wrapped so tightly around your waist that you’re pressed impossibly close to his front, you cling onto him just as passionately and let everything you’re feeling in the moment show through the way your mouth moves along with his.

Revelling in the taste of him, the feel of him.

The two of you tune out the loud drunk voices wishing each other a happy new year on the other side of the door.

“Happy New Year, sweetheart,” he says against your mouth when he pulls back slightly.

Your breaths mix, becoming one as you try to get back oxygen into your lungs. Your nails dig into his scalp, wishing for there to be a way for you to melt into him. You can think of a few ways you can even come close to becoming one with him.

Your pupils are blown when you open your eyes and look into his, “Happy New Year, Ross.”

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

The pride that swells your chest every time Ross sends you a picture of a place he and the boys are touring is impossible to explain with words.

You burst into tears every time you talk about your talented boys travelling around the world after the hit their debut album had been. The scolding you got for missing a day of work to go up to Manchester and celebrate their first number one album was definitely worth it, for celebrating their talent and the success they deserved was one of the best fucking days of your life.

After a few months of touring, the boys have finally come back home for the holidays. The 17th of December they played their last gig of the tour in some festival in Virginia, and on the 18th they had come back to their shared flat in Manchester.

So you were up in Manchester too.

“Love, you need to dial it down on the speed,” you tell Ross when you come back into the kitchen after taking your stuff to Ross’ room.

The second you got to the flat, you had been greeted with loads of hugs and kisses from the boys and far too many stories for you to hear in one afternoon. Your bag had been left forgotten by the door where you dropped it when George came running to crush you in a hug that you welcomed gracefully, and then the rest of them followed.

Ross had been quite distracting with the amount of kisses he stole before the guys gagged enough times to have him leave you alone and then they took you to the settee where they sat you down and told you all about the tour.

But then Adam’s girlfriend came over and they went off on a date, George went out to meet his girlfriend at a restaurant, and Matty was off to his parent’s house to visit them and little Louis who had been missing him loads.

That was when Ross finally had you all to himself, and despite the fact that he was itching to get you in his room, he hadn’t been able to say no to baking cookies with you first.

The same cookies you had made him and his family the day he gave you the potatoes back on Christmas day 2002. It just felt right to choose that recipe in particular.

Ross frowns as he looks at the mixer quickly, maybe too quickly, mixing the sugar and butter together, “Why? It’ll be over faster and we can go to my room.”

The smirk on his face makes you chuckle, and you shake your head as you walk up to him. “Oh, you’re awfully confident,” you tut before wrapping your arms around his neck.

He wraps his arms around your waist and dips his head to kiss you but you pull back slightly, he raises his brows in question, “Thought you had missed me.”

“I did,” you assure, your eyes falling to his lips, but you pull back again when he dips down for a kiss once more. You love to tease him you’ve found ever since you got together at the beginning of the year, and so you do, “But I think you missed me more, didn’t you?”

With that voice of yours, it’s impossible for him to deny it. He fights a groan but lets his hands fall slowly down your waist and lower back to your ass and there, he squeezes harshly as he says, “I certainly did.”

You swallow a moan but the hunger in your eyes is clear and a mirror of his, but before you can get too carried away, you let your hands run down his chest and you pat it twice before demanding, “Okay, stop it. Let’s finish this first.”

“Alright, sweetheart,” he agrees easily.

Just because it’s you. It’s hard for him to be stubborn when it’s you.

When the cookies are in the oven, he tries to distract you with those kisses of his that leave you breathless and needy, but you really have to remind yourself of the danger it would entail if you let yourself fall into your boyfriend’s charms and leave the cookies to burn.

It’s only when all three batches of them are out and on the cooling rack, which Ross definitely bought just for the times you came around and wanted to bake, that you and Ross run off to his room and make up for the time you’ve spent apart.

That’s how most of the days that you’re back together go: either tangled in between the sheets, indulging in each other’s touch and letting the devotion you feel for the other translate in your bodies becoming one, or cuddling as you watch film after film—or rewatching the three seasons of Game of Thrones, which he’s certainly obsessed with, and you definitely tease him about how much you fancy Jon Snow as if he doesn’t resemble him.

You go Christmas shopping together but split for an hour in the middle of your afternoon to buy each other your gifts, coming back giggling as you hide your gifts from the other but definitely try to guess what you’ve got as you go back to the flat.

The best time is when you’re all getting ready to go back to Wilmslow, like a big happy family you take up every seat in Matty’s car and it’s a chaotic thirty minute drive that makes your heart swell inside your chest.

The afternoon of the 24th, it is starting to snow outside and you two are cosied up on the settee with a shitty American Christmas film playing in the background as you go through your pictures throughout the years.

“Ross, look at you!” you coo loudly when you find a polaroid of him with a birthday hat on which is dated June 6th 2003. “A baby!”

He grimaces at the look of his long hair, styled to the side of his forehead and brushed down and straight like a cow had licked it, “Ugh, that’s a mess.”

You scoff and chat back, “No, you were so cute,” before going back to pouting over the picture of him.

He hadn’t started growing proper facial hair yet and he looked like a baby after he had shaved the patchy beard he always got back then. Nostalgia hits you as you remember how cute you thought he was back then and you still do. Somehow, your crush on your boyfriend only gets stronger with time.

“‘Were’?” he questions you with a raise of his brows.

You want to laugh at him for sticking to that bit of your words but swallow it to tease, “Yeah, ‘were’.”

A screech leaves you when his fingers come to mercilessly tickle your sides and you thrash around the settee as he comes to hover over you and continue his attack.

It’s a mix of shrieks and cackles and begs for him to stop that fill the room and overpower the sound of Will Ferrell’s voice, the pictures have all spilled on the floor as you kicked your legs and waved your arms around helplessly.

“Baby, stop!” you beg again and this time he listens, leaning in to press a bunch of kisses all over your face before pulling back and helping you sit back up on the settee.

The two of you start gathering the pictures from the floor then and sorting them through the years. But it is then that you notice the gap in between years, when you had been so foolish to ruin things all because of your bitterness.

The sorrowful words leave you as you flip through the handful of pictures from 2006 and the clear difference with only the few from 2007 and then the lack of them from 2008 to 2011. “So many years with no pictures…”

Ross blames it on him though, “I was an idiot.”

But you won’t let him take the blame all on his own, “Oh babe, I was too.”

He smiles sadly at the pictures but when he looks at you, his smile grows wider, “We’ll make up for it.”

His hand brushes your hair behind your ears and you nod, agreeing, “Definitely,” before kissing the palm of his hand softly.

Your boyfriend’s face melts in adoration and his voice drops an octave as he speaks, “I’m never letting you go, you know that right?”

The stupidest smile tugs at the corners of your mouth then before you reply, “I wouldn’t dream of ever leaving.”

Carefully setting the pictures aside, he shuffles closer to you and kisses you soft and sweet. His lips move on your with the same intent that his fingers dig into your cheeks.

Your hands come over his, wanting to keep his touch there, for him to never stop holding you like this and he confirms that he’ll never even think of doing it when he pulls back and mumbles against your lips, “I love you so much, sweetheart.”

The fluttering in your belly and the electricity that buzzes through you never dwindles, no matter how many times you hear him say that.

Nothing’s been easier and felt more natural in your life than saying it back, “Love you so much more, babe.”

You love telling him how much you love him and you love even more seeing his cheeks tint pink when he hears you say it. He always struggles maintaining eye contact after you let it slip past your lips like he can’t help but become putty in your hands when you utter those three words to him.

And you can’t help but giggle at the effect you have on him.

He basically throws himself forward and hides his face in your neck, but he forgets his size and strength for he makes you tumble backwards and fall on the settee with him over you, stealing your breath away.

He doesn’t move when you groan about him crushing you, he only nuzzles in your neck more and you just let it happen. Having him on top of you is your favourite feeling in the world after all, so you just let him melt over you and you even bring your hands up to his head, scratching his head and massaging his scalp. He moans and groans, getting you all flustered in the process.

You can hear his breathing evening out and his heartbeat becoming more regular, so you know he’s about to fall asleep and you smile at the thought of falling asleep like this right now, but the front door opens and your parents walk back into the house with a handful of bags each.

“Did you buy everything mum?” you ask like you have every year since the potato fiasco in 2002.

“Yes,” she calls back with an annoyed sigh like every year.

But you keep taunting her, “Didn’t forget a thing?”

She indulges you as she sing-songs, “Not one.”

You hum, continuing to play with Ross’ hair, “How about the potatoes?”

Ross smirks at your taunting and shakes his head. But then your mum tiredly answers from the kitchen, “They’re here, who do you think I–...”

The trailing off has you and Ross holding your breaths, and then you hear your mum’s loud cursing, “Oh bollocks!”

And the two of you can’t stop the cackles that leave you.

Trying to speak in between laughter is hard and your mum can barely make out your words when you ask, “Did you forget the potatoes?”

“Yeah…”

Tears spill from your eyes as you continue to laugh, “You’ve got something against them I swear, woman.”

“Could you go get some, please?” your mum asks, seeing that there’s still some time left before the shops close down.

You sigh tiredly but actually give in, “Sure.”

Ross leans in and kisses your lips softly and, unfortunately, very briefly.

“Don’t worry. I got it,” he whispers against your mouth, a hint of cockiness in his tone that makes you smirk and play along to what he’s trying to do.

“Will you take some Christmas cookies in exchange for them?” your fingers continue playing with his hair, but you pout to try and play onto the pity you want him to take on you.

He hums like he’s thinking about it but he settles for something else, “Actually, I’ll take a kiss.”

“Just one?” you question with your brows raised.

He gasps like it’s a miracle you’re offering more than one, “Oh well, if you’re feeling generous.”

Your fingers trail down the sides of his face until you can rub circles on his cheeks with your thumbs, “Christmas is all about giving, isn’t it?”

The words echo inside his mind, and he smirks harder knowing what he’s meant to say, “I guess it is.”

A breathy chuckle leaves you, and he steals it by smashing your lips together. Every time he kisses you, you lose track of time and everything around you loses its meaning. You’re completely blinded by him, overcome by his existence, full of everything he has to give you.

Unfortunately, you can’t continue losing yourself in him for your mum shouts from the kitchen, “Oi! Go get the potatoes, you two!”

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

A/N:  This was actually so much fun to plot but a bit tricky to write, so I truly hope you enjoyed the final product!! Kinda wishing I wrote more holiday themed fics now, but I promise I'll try to bring more of them soon, as many as my heart can take lol. I'll take this opportunity to thank you for reading and sending in your reactions, for accompanying me through this crazy year. Love yous so much and I wish you all the happiest new year!!! MWAHHH xxxx

Taglist: @imagine-that-100 @kennedy-brooke @abiiors @everythinggetsfuzzy103 @on-administrative-leave @ughgoaway @harryssiren @2kwreck @obses-sedd @scarlett-grace-2 @taylorswiftsrep-blog @solitariodecartas @cherryofmydesire @momentum2023 @soggynoodles02 @poisonmedaddy13 @k4tie75

[lonewolflink]

your enthusiasm for itzy has reignited my interest in listening to kpop i MISSED this… like wow it’s just. really bright and fun!! <3 i love seeing gifs of the girls on my dash! i was a hyper casual fan who was never too into them outside of liking the music, but they seem lovely 💙

what are they up to lately? do you have any listening recs? :3

- puckpocketed on main 🦈

puck!! hello friend!!!! (trying out puck as a shortened name a la link but you lmk if something else is better)

i am so pleased that you are being infected with my itzy brainrot. maybe i should be more sorry about about it but alas, i love them, so i cannot find it in myself to be sorry. more under the cut!

i would say that not only are my girls lovely, they are Freaks (affectionate). tbh it is what led me to stan. they are so weird and i love them so much. i once answered an ask (also here) about how i got into itzy that i think scratches some of the surface of what i enjoy about them.

what has itzy been up to lately? well the last couple years have been a bit of a rollercoaster for the team. after a pretty serious kpop social media hate train following one of their comebacks (though evidence suggests the hate train started earlier), things were a bit rough. the company seemed to be simultaneously creatively mismanaging/poorly promoting the group while also overworking them—a recipe for disaster that culminated in main vocalist lia going on indefinite hiatus for anxiety issues in september 2023 (or as i like to call it, LTIR).

in her absence, as a foursome, itzy recorded a 10 track album called "Born to Be" and then went on a global tour for it, but with a twist! five of the 10 songs would be the first SOLO songs written by each member and performed individually (sans lia on tour of course). lia's song might honestly be the best of the five (though i probably listen to chaeryeong's the most). they're all quite different and i would STRONGLY recommend them:

-Crown on My Head (Yeji) -Blossom (Lia) -Run Away (Ryujin) -Mine (Chaeryeong) -Yet, But (Yuna)

the solo songs for the active members at the time also have like partial/mini-music videos that are up on youtube and are pretty cool (ryujin's or yuna's are probably my favorite? but it's hard to choose. yeji and chaeryeong also ate). you can, of course, listen to the other songs on that album...but i wouldn't. and that's because with lia now activated off LTIR, the other 5 songs that were recorded with the four active members have been RE-RECORDED WITH LIA and will be dropping as part of their new album coming out next week (oct 15th!). all those songs are good but "mr. vampire" is the one to look out for. the beat is weird, the vibes are excellent, and lia's voice is going to sound amazing on it.

in general, the new comeback feels...different, at least in its rollout so far. above i mentioned mismanagement and poor promotion by the company, and rumor has it that after the last album the division in charge of itzy got like. fired. wholly. and replaced with new employees (GM FIRED AFTER TOO MANY SEASONS OF NOT MAKING THE PLAYOFFS kinda vibes). the new look JYP Division 2 is like...kinda doing great??? there's clearly an actual cohesive (if bizarre) creative direction for this upcoming album, which feels new and fresh, there's been a lot of thought clearly put into Aesthetic rather than just "green screen something flashy and uh. the girls always look hot so just put them in some fashionable clothes i guess".

in sum: this is kind of an exciting time to be following itzy. it feels like we're on the precipice of a bit of a rebirth, which is quite rare with kpop girl groups in particular, who tend to rise and fall with the extremely fickle general public opinion of koreans.

some song recommendations/partial guide to itzy's discography!

let's start with their title tracks/singles:

—girl crush/dark/gym playlist music (aka cuntzy) -dalla dalla (debut single) -wannabe (biggest hit) -mafia in the morning (my personal favorite mv of theirs) -ringo (japanese track, low key sick mv. or maybe it's just yeji w a sword for me...idk) -voltage (japanese track, i LOVE this song, even more than ringo) -blah blah blah (japanese track)

—cute/fun/femme/doing your thing (aka funzy)

-icy (bop) -sneakers (supposed start of their demise, but it's fun and cute? people are haters) -boys like you (your mileage may vary, people love/hate this) -cake (UNDERAPPRECIATED BOP) -algorhythm (japanese track, the dance break in the mv is sick)

—hard to categorize bc they're not dark/girl crush but they are gym playlist (to me) -not shy (ITZYYYYYYY) -loco (this song just slaps idk man) -cheshire (justice for cheshire i love this song)

in no particular order, top 10 standout b-sides (in my opinion...though i should say most of their b-sides are really fucking good): 1. none of my business (the way i need itzy to do more r&b u have no idea. also the mv with the matching fits is SO 90s early 00s r&b groups i love it so much) 2. cherry (girl crush perfection, gym playlist staple) 3. bet on me (this song got me through my phd. mv is imo outstanding. meaningful song generally, but to itzy in particular after the hate train) 4. kidding me/shoot/sorry not sorry (i'm cheating by putting three songs here but they're all from the same EP and go SO well together) 5. snowy (this is MY christmas song) 6. kill shot (i want shin ryujin to decapitate me. women in suits??) 7. nobody like you (quintessential early itzy) 8. bratty (they invented being a brat, charlie xcx who) 9. psychic lover (fan favorite, just a great song, they smile so fucking hard when they perform it live it's so cute) 10. weapon (not even a song from an album, they recorded it for some dance competition show to use. STAPLE on my gym playlist) honorable japanese discography mentions:

-no biggie (japanese) -sugarholic (japanese) -spice (japanese)

OK THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT FOR YOU SORRY IT'S SO LONG

I WILL ALSO STRONGLY RECOMMEND LISTENING TO NMIXX'S LAST TWO EPS THEY ARE REALLY GOOD AND THEIR VOCALS ARE CRAZY

[yushi-ni]

NCT WISH 🫧🧚🏼✨ heart eyes for you ᯓ★

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ masterlist 🧚🏼✨🩵

small things you do that make wish realize how much they love you. little moments that make them fall in love over and over again. ᯓᡣ𐭩 pt 2 of these!!! oopsie somehow got a bit caried away with these. i did not proofread, sorry!! i am trying to find my own way of writing so i am sorry if this is not so good yet. i hope you enjoy!!! 🧚🏼‍♀️🧚🏼‍♀️

──୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ──

maknae line; (hyungs)

김재희 - kim jaehee ⊹₊⟡⋆

there is two things that jaehee loves most in this world; music and you. it's no secret that jaehee is super talented when it comes to his voice and musicality. being the main vocal in his team, he has proved himself a great artist. you on the other hand were far from a professional singer, but who better to learn from than your idol bf?? you often find yourself hanging out with jaehee, with him playing the piano and singing one of his favorite songs. you loved listening to his voice and seeing the way his whole face seems to soften and feel the song. after a couple songs, you get up and make your way to your boyfriend. placing both your hands on his shoulders, you press a small kiss on top of his head. "i love that song, it's one of my favorites" you say as you take a seat next to jaehee. "really???" he asks as you notice how the lights almost reflect in his eyes. "should i teach you how to play? we can play together!!" your bf adds, full of enthusiasm. there is nothing he enjoys more than sharing his passion with you. as the minutes go by, you start to get the hang of it a little more. even though you don't play perfectly let alone press the right notes every now and then, jaehee is super sweet and never loses his patience when it comes to you. "agh!! i can't do it, it's so hard.." you sigh as you played the wrong note again. "no! you are doing great, it's ok!! let me show you one more time!!" jaehee takes your hands in his as he shows you the right keys. the concentration on your face does not go unnoticed by your bf, bopping your head slightly as you press the piano keys softly and the big smile on your face as you managed to pull through without any mistakes. jaehee wonders how he got so lucky to have you in his life. even though your own job - career might be a bit different than his, you never fail to make an effort to show interest in his work. as you play a couple more times, your bf just looks at you with the biggest smile on his face. how could someone look so cute yet so pretty with the tip of their tongue peeking out in between their lips, full of concentration yet have the softest look in their eyes as the sound from the piano fills up the room.

히로세 료 - hiroshe ryo ⊹₊⟡⋆

ryo loves the spring weather. whenever april rolls around again, he cannot wait to go and play outside with you. going for little walkies, getting ice cream, visiting the park near by to go for a picnic, he cannot hide his excitement when the sun comes out of its winter shadow. making your way to the park. your bf starts listing up the things he wants to do now the spring season has started again. you look at ryo as he takes your hand in his, softly swinging your hands together. completely lost in his story about the new zoo he wants to visit, you pass by a little bush with flowers. "omg look!!! the flowers are starting to bloom!" you let out with excitement as you make your way to take a look up close. ryo, finally snapping out of his own little bubble, looks at you as you kneel down infront of the pink and orange flowers. he smiles to himself, fondly looking at you as you take out your phone to take a couple pictures of the colorful spring blossoms infront of you. he loves the way your eyes light up when you call over your bf to show him the pretty flower you saw. "isn't this one so beautiful.." you point at a pink blossom flower as your boyfriend kneels down next to you. it's something about the way your face is flushed over with excitement that makes his heart skip a beat. the sun shines perfectly on your face and with the soft sound of distant chatter from other people it makes it look like a scene straight out of a movie. ryo smiles and takes your hand in his as he pulls you up on your feet again. "close your eyes" he says as he let's go of your hand. you feel his hand come up to your hair as you open your eyes again, met with your bf who shyly smiles at you. "now it's even more pretty.." you put your hand up to feel the flower he put in your hair. you look at your boyfriend who cannot hide the pink blush flushing over his face as he gazes into your own eyes. your smile reaches up to your eyes as you plant a soft kiss on his cheek. you swiftly turn around and continue walking, leaving your bf a couple meters behind, following your every move witjh his eyes. "are you coming?" you asked, giggling as you turned to look at your bf. he cannot hide the big smile on his face as he looks at you as you walk through the street, your reflection in the windows as the sun seems to shine just for you. the wind softly blowing through your hair with the little flower on the side of your head. to him, you are more beautiful than any flower in the world. quickly making his way to you, he grabs your hand, pulling it up to his face as he plants a small kiss on the back of your hand. the sun was shining nicely but nothing can compare to the warmth he feels when you are next to him.

후지니가 사쿠야 - fujinaga sakuya ⊹₊⟡⋆

sakuya is known for his mischievous and playful nature. being the youngest in his team, he is often the reason behind the laughter and excitement that fills up the room. he loves hanging out with his members, almost as much as he loves hanging out with you. since his older members care about their maknae more than anything in this world, they grew very fond of you as well. often visiting the guys' dorm, it's safe to say you have gotten really close with the others as well. in the middle of the second round of the 'mafia game' you were all sat in a circle on the floor. sakuya, who got killed in the last round was sat on the couch with sion, who played the roll of the mayor. full of energy, sakuya was watching the game unfold in front of him. as the night comes with the next round, the two mafias that killed him awakened again. letting out a loud gasp, sakuya looks at the way ryo and you both point at your next target. sion who watches his maknae in utter disbelief laughs at the face the younger one pulls as his eyes meet with yours. you smile at your bf, finding it funny how he was so shocked by the fact you were one of the mafias. even though it's just a game, he always takes these things seriously. as the game goes on, you and ryo end up winning this round. still in disbelief that his gf killed him in the first round, he stays seated on the couch as the others decide on the next game. you get up and sit down next to your sulky bf. "awwww cmon saku, it's just a game" you said as you look at the expression on his face. you put your arms around his neck as you pull him into a hug. almost immediately you feel his arms sneak around your waist as he leans into you. you pulled away to give him a quick kiss on his cheek. smiling at him which he returned as the pink flushes over his cheeks. quickly joining the others again, you repositioned yourself on the floor while sakuya decided to skip out on this round. he has no idea what the others are saying, nor does he know what game you decided to play. all he can see is you, as the sound of laughter fills up the room, he cannot help but stare at you. what did he do to deserve you. seeing you play with his older brothers, a sudden feeling of joy and gratefulness rushes into his heart. he loves having you around, you make him feel like no one else can. yes, his members care for him all the time but there was something about the way you loved him that made his heart feel so warm and happy. quickly standing up, he made his way over to you. as he sits down next to you, he gently kisses you on the cheek. returning the favor as he takes your hand in his.

[darkstar225]

Twice's 10th member acts in an action drama with a twist (protective unnies incoming!)

A/N: Heyyy, I'm coming up with a lot of stuff for you guys so I can make up for the time I'm gone lol! Sry for taking so long to post :D I hope that the anonwho gave me this idea on Tumblr likes it!

The request: Heyy if it's okay i want to request where y/n got an offer to play in an action drama. Everyone knows that's an action drama, but in the middle of the drama y/n gets a romantic scene (kissing scene). How the unnies reacted to their babygirl doing that scene? Thank you^⁠_⁠^

PS: Tysm for everyone who reads what I write, I hope I can bring a smile to your faces every time I post! I'd like to thank whoever sent me this idea 'cause I loved to write it <3

__________________________________________________________

Y/N had always dreamed of becoming an actress, and when she received an offer to play the lead role in a highly anticipated action drama, she was over the moon with excitement. The drama was set to be a blockbuster, with a gripping storyline and intense action sequences. The maknae was thrilled to be part of it, and she threw herself into her role with determination and enthusiasm.

As the drama progressed, TWICE's little star knew she was in for a challenging experience. The action scenes were physically demanding, and she spent hours training to perform her stunts and fight sequences flawlessly. Her fellow cast members, as well as the production team, were impressed by her dedication and work ethic.

However, little did Y/N know that her role in the drama was about to take an unexpected turn. In the middle of the production, the script for an upcoming episode was revealed, and she was shocked to discover that it contained a romantic scene... a passionate kiss between her character and the male lead. TWICE's youngest hadn't been prepared for this, and the sudden revelation left her feeling anxious and apprehensive.

She confided in her fellow TWICE unnies about the unexpected turn of events. Sana, known for her playful and mischievous nature, couldn't help but tease her little sister about the kiss scene. 

Sana - Well, well, our babygirl is all grown up now. 

Sana said with a grin, earning a playful punch on the arm from Jihyo.

Momo, the group's dance machine and very protective older sister, tried to offer some encouragement. 

Momo - Don't worry, darling. You're a talented actress, and you'll do great in the scene. Just remember it's all part of your character's story. *kisses Y/N's forehead*

Nayeon, the eldest member of TWICE and Mom number 2, took on a more protective role, her maternal instincts kicking in. 

Nayeon - We'll be there for you, sweetheart, no matter what. If you're uncomfortable with it, you can talk to the production team. Your comfort and well-being are the most important. *smiles*

Y/N appreciated her unnies' support and took their words to heart. When the time came to film the romantic scene, she gave it her all, but the experience was nerve-wracking. The male lead, a seasoned actor, was professional and supportive, but the pressure of the situation weighed heavily on Y/N.

The drama episode featuring the unexpected kiss scene finally aired, and it sent shockwaves through both the audience and Y/N's fellow TWICE sisters. The fans couldn't stop talking about it, and they flooded the group's social media accounts with questions and comments about the scene.

Nayeon, Jihyo, Momo, and Sana had decided to watch the episode together to support their girl. They gathered in their dorm, snacks in hand, and huddled around the TV. As the romantic scene played out on the screen, they couldn't help but exchange uncomfortable glances.

Nayeon's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth in shock. 

Nayeon - I can't believe they made our babygirl do that scene!

Jihyo, always the leader, tried to keep a straight face but couldn't hide her discomfort. 

Jihyo - It's just acting, right?

Momo cringed at the on-screen kiss.

Momo - Never again. I can't watch this. *muttering*

Sana, who had initially teased her dongsang, was now feeling protective. 

Sana - Our Y/N deserves better than this.

The drama episode ended, and the members were left in a state of disbelief. They had never expected to see their sunshine in such a situation, and it was clear that they were deeply uncomfortable with the romantic scene. The fans, however, couldn't get enough of it and kept asking for the members' opinions.

In response to the fans' requests, TWICE decided to do a live video, where they would watch the episode again and share their reactions. The members were hesitant, but they knew it was an opportunity to address the fans directly and provide their perspective on the situation.

As they settled in front of the camera for the live video, Nayeon took a deep breath and began speaking. 

Nayeon - Hello, ONCE. We know you've been asking for our opinions on our child's drama. We just want to say that we support Y/N in everything she does, but we were definitely surprised by the romantic scene.

Jihyo - Yes, it was unexpected for us. But our girl is a talented actress, and we know she's doing her best in her role. *nodding*

Momo - It's just that we're her family, and it was strange to see her in such a situation. We'll support her no matter what, of course.

Sana - We just hope that our little sister's future projects will be more comfortable for her and for us.

The members decided to watch the episode again, this time with their reactions recorded live. As the romantic scene played out, they couldn't help but cringe and squirm in their seats. Nayeon and Jihyo exchanged knowing glances, Momo covered her eyes, and Sana shook her head in disbelief.

When the episode finally ended, the members let out a collective sigh of relief. Nayeon summed up their feelings by saying: 

We love our maknae, and we'll always support her. But as for watching this kind of scene again, I think we'll have to say never again.

Their live video was a hit among fans, and it didn't take long for memes and fan art to circulate online, capturing their humorous and protective reactions. TWICE's unique bond with their babygirl Y/N and their frank live video had endeared them even more to their fans, who appreciated their genuine and caring nature.

While Y/N's unexpected romantic scene had taken them by surprise, the members of TWICE would continue to be there for her, offering their unwavering support and love as her fellow actresses and, most importantly, as her family.

And as the youngest saw all of this, she had only one thought:

I love my dear older sisters.

A/N: I'm sorry for any errors. English is not my first language. Pls, let me know if there is something wrong, thank you for reading <3

[buffyfan145]

Morfydd gave a new interview at the Canneseries TV Festival about "Rings of Power" and teased season 2!!! :D It's in French but my browser translated it and I'll post behind a cut and a link in the comments to the article, but she actually mentioned how she and Charlie played Galadriel and Halbrand/Sauron's relationship as ambiguous so that it could be interpreted however the audience wanted to see it including romantically!!! LOL :D And it was Charlie's idea. LOL Could be the translation but that seems to be what she said which contradicts the press tour and what Charlie said in interviews. Then she also went into how she's been playing Galadriel being so sad and lonely and how devastated she is about what Halbrand/Sauron did to her, but is happy to know thanks to the LOTR movies and books she loved her whole life that she'll be ok and reunited with Celeborn at some point!!! It's the first time she's mentioned Celeborn in an interview too. She also then went on to say she's excited to see Charlie fully as Sauron in season 2, which seems to confirm like the other spoilers he's still the main form going forward. Again full translation behind the cut but I'm even more excited for s2 and honestly this confirms to me Galadriel really was in love with Halbrand/Sauron and still loves her husband too like I thought all along.

The Canneséries festival awarded the Welsh actress, who carries on her shoulders the prelude to Amazon Prime's Lord of the Rings, the Madame Figaro Rising Star Award. Meeting.

Floated Friday night on the Croisette, an air of Middle-earth. To open its sixth edition, the Canneséries festival presented its revelation prize to Morfydd Clark. In the Amazon Prime blockbuster series The Rings of Power, a prelude to the events described by Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings, the Welsh actress appropriates the character of Galadriel. The future great and wise elf queen of Peter Jackson's trilogy, played by Cate Blanchett. For her first recurring role in a series, the 32-year-old actress rose to the top. But remains in interview of disarming spontaneity and enthusiasm.

Le Figaro - What inspires you about this Madame Figaro Rising Star Award? Morfydd Clark. - I can't believe it. I am deeply grateful. It's a crazy chance to headline a program watched all over the world. At school, I was a calamity in French. Having been unable to unravel this mystery, I have always had the impression that your culture and language were phenomenal. This prize of a French festival so young, so warm touches me more than you imagined.

The Rings of Power ended with the thunderous revelation that Galadriel's Halbrand's alluring traveling companion was none other than the devious and dangerous Sauron in human form. Which unleashed the fans. Did you follow their turbulent debates? I've never been more anxious in my life than in the weeks leading up to the show's launch. Until that moment, The Rings of Power belonged to me in its entirety. Once online, it becomes the property of the fans. I love their imagination. I don't go on the Internet. But my sister scours the forums and selects me the theories that I might like. Some extraordinary ones defy comprehension. Others are aiming for the nail on the head. But I can't tell you more. I did not expect that the relationship between Galadriel, Elrond and Halbrand would be so dissected even if I imagine that the slightest perfume of prohibition - and still I am afraid with this word to say something I should not - can only stir passions. Halbrand's hold on Galadriel was less connoted in the scripts. It was Charlie Vickers who plays Halbrand who had the idea to make it ambiguous. Supposing that these quasi-divine beings can feel human emotions. Were we in a relationship of seduction or power? It's up to the viewer to decide. Extremely kind, Charlie was the best partner to play it. I can't wait to see what he does with his Sauron.

Looking back, how do you view Galadriel's trajectory? In The Lord of the Rings, Galadriel is at peace with her and rules Lothlorien. The series takes this path backwards by imagining the most extreme starting point. It's soothing to know that no matter how sad, her loneliness consumes her soul entirely and obliterates the rest in this first season, to which is added Halbrand's betrayal, she will overcome these trials. For the immortal beings that are the elves, the course of time is different. One can be separated for a lifetime and find oneself like Galadriel and her husband Celeborn, currently missing but present in The Lord of the Rings. That's what I love about fantasy: through magic pierce human experiences.

You've said it over and over again, Tolkien's writings rocked your childhood. I was born in Sweden. It was first the stories of Astrid Lindgreen, creator of Fifi brindacier, who accompanied me. It was my gateway into fantasy. Suffering from attention disorders that made my schooling trying, the fantasy characters, who managed to exist differently, were a great source of comfort. Wandering the Misty Mountains with the Hobbits, who have always had my heart because of their benevolence and vulnerability, was a wonderful escape. Peter Jackson's trilogy came out when I was 12. I was spellbound. During a bad time at school, I even watched The Two Towers every day. My parents were a little worried (laughs). When I realized that I was auditioning for The Rings of Power, I said to myself: "No room for failure, you must succeed". To find myself in the New Zealand landscapes was an enchantment.

What was the tipping point that made you embrace your acting career? I had to leave school at 16. I absolutely did not know how to endure and manage the stress of exams. I auditioned to join the Welsh Youth Theatre Company. I couldn't believe that after so much criticism at school, they finally wanted me. On stage, no one scolded me anymore. I made people laugh. For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged. I went on to get a place in a conservatory. I was incredibly lucky that my first steps in front of the camera were in 2014 in front of Carol Morley's historical drama The Falling. She protected us, made us feel safe. It is no coincidence that the actresses of this project Maisie Williams (Game Of Thrones) and Florence Pugh (Don't Worry Darling) are nowadays so much in demand. The psychological horror film Saint Maud which was my first experience of a leading role was also a special experience. I discovered that I loved horror, a mind-blowing testing ground with an audience that still appreciates risk-taking, even if it doesn't work.

What can you tell us about season 2 of the Rings of Power that you are filming? Nothing, except that it's exciting! I'm too afraid to accidentally let slip a spoiler. It's amazing to be able to reconnect with your character and your playing partners. It was also necessary to get back in shape: horseback riding, fight sequence and stunts. I kind of let myself go on that (laughs). One of the most surreal moments was the passage of Prince Williams on our sets. It's amazing to think that this public figure is a fan of our work. We even chatted in Welsh!

[elisysd]

Tolerate It – Taylor Swift

Masterlist - Previously - Next Chapter

Trigger warning: toxic relationship / mention of revenge porn and eating disorder.

I made you my temple, my mural, my sky Now I'm begging for footnotes in the story of your life

Five years ago – Vancouver

Lyanna looks everywhere, trying to register every single detail her gaze feal upon. It’s her first day on the set of Fire and Blood. She’s already met her castmates and rehearsed with them but being here, with all the lights and cameras, all the people working behind the scenes to make the magic happen: it amazes her. She is like a kid in stores around Christmas time.

Playing Laura Emmet, a young girl who is supposed to be human but has a few special abilities, is going to be her big break she can feel it. She is so excited to start filming.

Fast forward to four months later and it’s a wrap on season one of Fire and Blood. All the cast members as well as the directors and some people from the team are in a nice restaurant to celebrate. They all laugh together and it’s overall like a big family. Lyanna is talking and joking with Amy Holland who plays her best friend in the series and James Barton wo plays her love interest. She has a crush on him, ever since they met when they had their chemistry test during the auditioning process.  She is a little tipsy but not enough to make the first move. Amy, who knows perfectly what is going on in her friend’s head, pulls her aside.

“Come on girl, just go for it! You’re so obvious.”

“Well not enough apparently, he didn’t try anything. Maybe he is just not interested.”

“You won’t know if you don’t try!”

And indeed she tries.

Fire and Blood is a tremendous success. Beyond what could have been expected. Lyanna and James quickly become Hollywood’s new favorite couple. They are so in love it’s sickening. They are this couple who loves posting pictures of each other, who are doing everything together all the time and for a lot of people, they are the physical embodiment of soulmates. Everyone is sure they are endgame. And Lyanna thinks so too. She is eighteen, James is twenty. He is most of her first times. First serious relationship, first time, first person she wants to call when something good or bad happens to her. He quicky became her whole world to the point she isolated herself from her friends and family. Everything revolves around James.

She loves waking up in the morning with him by her side. She loves going to work with him. Working on season two of Fire and Blood is a lot of pressure. The expectations are high but Lyanna doesn’t care, she has her boyfriend, the love of er life by her side. Nothing can go wrong. They are dating for almost a year now and nothing has changed, they love each other just like the first day. At least, that’s wat she feels. She noticed some slight changes in James’ behavior: like he gets jealous more often, especially since she seems to get more attention from the fans and the media and sometimes, he feels left out. But Lyanna still thinks it’s cute: his jealousy. It shows that he cares for her.  

They are celebrating the wrap up of Fire and Blood season 2 in the same restaurant where they did or the first season. But the atmosphere is not the same. Lyanna got a big proposition to be the new face of Dior. She was so excited to announce it to James. But unfortunately his enthusiasm doesn’t match hers. They are fighting outside the restaurant and Lyanna is crying. She doesn’t understand.

“You do realise that this means that you are going to attend a lot of events with them and for them. And did you think about me? About our relationship? You should have told me.”

“That’s what I’m doing, James…”

“No. You’re informing me. You’ve already made up your mind. And that’s fucking selfish. You are throwing away a year and a half of our relationship. And for what? To play the Barbie to a fucking luxury brand?”

“It’s an amazing opportunity James.”

“You know what else is an opportunity, Lyanna? Me going to see other girls. They are a lot of them tonight. Why should I stay with you when at the first chance you get you leave me. I can do the same. Many girls are throwing themselves at me and because I love you and respect you, I always refuse. But why should I, hum, when you are acting selfish?”

She ended up turning down Dior. She loves James more than a stupid contract. She doesn’t want to lose him. To avoid the history repeating itself like its fateful night, now every single thing she wants to do, she asks him first. Because in her mind that’s what a good girlfriend is supposed to do. And just like that she is isolating herself even more, to the point where even her family has a hard time reaching her. They tried to warn her about James, that the relationship wasn’t healthy, that she should leave him. They are scared for her. But Lyanna loves him too much. Her family doesn’t know him like she does, they have no right to judge him. So she started to answer their phone calls less and less.

3 years ago – London

They bought an apartment in London. In fact, it’s James that bought it for them. It was a big step in the relationship but since they were already together pretty much every day, all day, it just make things official. She is almost twenty one and she is still so in love. But lately she noticed that James is drifting away. One day she saw the models that he was liking on Instagram and wen she confronted him about it, he simply said:

“Yeah well, I like the way they look. It doesn’t mean anything. If you feel insecure because of that that’s not my problem Lyanna.”

She was naïve and she desperately wanted to have his attention. Just like it was at the beginning when he could not keep his hands to himself around her and was whispering sweet nothings in her ear every chances he got. So she started to exercise more and eat less. A few months later she was only a shell of what she used to be.

And still it was not enough.

The final blow came a late September. She was out to meet her agent who wanted to have a very boring talk about her salary expectations for the season three of Fire and Blood. She was going to have a raise. It made her happy but her part of her was dreading to announce it to James, not knowing how he would react to her now being paid more than him.

But nothing could have prepared her to what she saw when she stepped inside their shared appartement. When she opens the door, what immediately hits her is the smell of bacon coming rom the kitchen. What could be perceived as a nice surprise makes her, in reality, feel sick in the stomach. James is vegan and she hates bacon, something that he knows perfectly well.  

It's when she approaches the kitchen that her worst fears are confirmed. A young woman is standing in front of the oven, only wearing a tee-shirt, one Lyanna knows all too well well since she bought it for James’s birthday two years ago. Her hair are wet, she used the shower. She is to stunned to speak, her brain trying to process the information. She finally makes a move when the door of the bedroom opens and James comes out, wearing only comfy pants, his hair wet as well. That’s the extra push she needs to finally speak.

“Am I interrupting something?”

It startles the two cheaters.

“Lyanna? Fuck, I thought your meeting would run for way longer.”

“I bet you did. Who is your guest? Care to introduce me.”

“No need, the blond girl finally speak totally unbothered. You’re James’s girlfriend.”

“So you do know he has a girlfriend.”

“Alice, can you leave us please.”

The so-called Alice exits the room before picking up her stuff and leaving the place not without miming to James to call her.

“How long?”

“How long what?”

“Don’t play stupid James! How long are you cheating on me for?”

He remains calm as Lyanna starts to feel tears rolling down her cheeks wile James was looking down on her, not even remorseful.

“Come on Lyanna, you can’t seriously think that I would stay faithful to you? I’m twenty three, I’m young, I’m famous, I’m rich and I’m good looking, you can’t expect me to stay loyal to you. Not when there are so many opportunities around me.”

“You could have just broken up with me instead of throwing away three years of my life. I love you James… I can’t believe it. That’s not you, that’s not the man I fell in love with.”

“And I loved you. At some point I guess when we started dating. But wat I once felt for you died a long time ago.”

“Why did you stay then? Explain it to me!”

“Because it made us look good. People love us together. They are stupid enough to buy our perfect couple story. If I broke up with you, it’s a loose -loose for both of us Lyanna. You really think that you can exist on your own? List me one time where you made the headline on your own. Where I wasn’t being mentioned. You can’t. People don’t like Lyanna Michel on her own. They like James Barton and Lyanna Michel, the power couple. If you sink, I sink too.”

“You are wrong.”

Her voice is broken, she is holding back so as not to break down in front of him. His words are cruel, his gaze cold and his face inexpressive.

“I missed so many opportunities because I believed your words, because I didn’t want to lose you, because I trusted you. I lost friends, I barely speak to my family. All that because I thought that you loved me and because I wanted to spend my life with you. I thought they could not understand. I protected you.  And for what? What do I have left?”

“Well too bad for you. I never asked you to do those things. It’s all your fault Lyanna if you are alone now.”

She couldn't bear to stay another minute in that bloody flat. She stomps off to the bedroom, takes out a suitcase and stuffs a few things into it. She has to leave. To where? She has no idea, but she has to get away from here. Away from him.

“Where are you going? You can’t seriously think of leaving?”

“Oh yes, I can. I won’t stay here wit you. We’re done James. Forever.”

Her words seems to shake him. His gaze hardens and he grabs her violently by the elbow as she walks through the bedroom door, dragging her suitcase as best she can.

“If you go through that door, you'll regret it, Lyanna. I'm not joking, I’ll make you life like hell. You think you can just leave me, after everything I've given you? This flat? It's mine, you've got nowhere else to go. What about shooting the show? Have you thought about that? Do you really want to throw it all away over a domestic quarrel?”

“I'm going to tell the truth, to the production team, to my agent, to the press if I have to, but I'm not going to let you manipulate me. I don’t want to see you ever again.”

She pulled away from him and went through the door.

When James said that he would make her life like hell, she did not believe him. But she quickly changes her mind when she gets a phone call from her agent early in the morning, a few weeks later.

“Pictures leaked in the press Lya.”

“What pictures?”

“Intimate ones.”

It takes her a while to understand what that means. And then she made the mistake of opening her social networks. Her private messages are flooded with insults. Photos of her in compromising positions jump out at her. She just doesn't get it. She doesn't know where they're coming from. She's never taken any. She explained this to her agent, who replied that she was doing her best to minimise the damage. And the more she looks at the photos, the more she understands. She recognises James's flat. Could he have been vicious enough to take photos of her without her knowing?  It seems perverse and sick and twisted and wrong, but after all, does she really know him? She wonders.

And just when she thought it couldn't get any worse, a video surfaced. A video of her and James having sex. And the media machine goes into overdrive. Radio, television, newspapers, social networks, they're all having a field day making her out to be something she's not. A slut. The comments are making her sick. It's violent. She can no longer leave her house without being mobbed by the paparazzi. She feels guilty. How could she not realise that she was being filmed without her knowledge or consent? Shame overwhelms her. And soon her agent tells her that season three of Fire and Bood will be the last. Faced with the scale of the scandal, the channel decided to cancel it. What had made her the happiest woman in the world three years ago turns into a nightmare. She dreads the day when she has to return to filming.

As expected, the shoot was hellish. The atmosphere is tense and it's no surprise to anyone when the critics come out and describe the final season as a shipwreck. It can't be any other way when the two main actors can't be in the same room as each other. James barely spoke to her, just to ask if she'd had a good few months since the break-up and if she'd enjoyed his little surprise.

That year, Lyanna is a shadow of her former self. She barely eats or goes out. All the unwanted attention she receives gnawed at her insides. So she disappeared. She closes her social networks and leaves London to return to France, to her mother's house, to recover. As the months goes by, she steps away from Hollywood to concentrate on smaller projects that don't attract many people to the cinemas, but that allows her to regain confidence in herself and in her work.

So when Steven Spielberg contacts her agent to offer her a role in his next film, Lyanna hesitates. She isn't keen on returning to the violence of the business, and is terrified at the thought of doing it all over again. But her passion for art takes over and she can't refuse. Who would say no to Steven Spielberg?

But her experiences have taught her one thing: she will never again let a man be so important in her life. And never again will she go out with someone famous. It's nothing but trouble. As for trusting anyone, never again. She would rather be alone than badly accompanied.

And then Monaco arrived. And with it, a neighbour she finds hard to stay away from.

==========

taglist: @zendayabelova @purplephantomwolf @ru-kru @dakotali @blueflorals

[nono-bunny]

Heya! Just wondering, since Netflix Geeked Week will probably show a trailer for the live-action Avatar on Thursday, I want to ask a few things:

Are you excited for it?

What do you think they'll keep, cut, and expand in this live-action of ATLA - Book One: Water (Season 1)?

Since Bryke are not on the project now, do you have a good feeling that this live-action could be a lot better than what they come up with at Avatar Studios?

(By the way, were these "Braving the Elements" episodes recent from your last posts? And were Bryke really acting like complete stooges in them? :O )

Hi, thank you for the lovely ask!

I've been completely ignoring the huge Geeked Week banner so I have no idea what's up with that or that it's possible we're getting a trailer soon, so that's cool information to have lol

1. I honestly can't say I'm excited for the live action. The last Netflix live action for a beloved childhood franchise of mine was such a dumpster fire because they focused on being edgy and dark and abandoned the source material for the worse, so like? Past experience has made me extremely cautious in regards to live action adaptions coming from them. In general I am not a fan of this trend- the Disney ones are shit, and I only really find myself watching and enjoying the (sometimes shitty, but like, in a fun way) J-drama adaptions of old shoujo manga as I don't really fuck with any other genre nowadays. Anime has a long history with shitty adaptions for action shows, and as action is inherent to ATLA after all, even if it's not technically an anime, I know that's gonna be a hurdle they'll have to clear- just having good effects and fight scenes. It's not MY personal focus as I do find charm in shitty effects (I do like J-dramas after all!) but honestly that is probably what's gonna make or break the initial hype for the show imo. Rn I'm honestly just... So neutral about it to the point where it surprises me (I'm. Very much not a neutral person usually lol) and I think it's just a matter of like.... Being burned AND pleasantly surprised by ATLA stuff before so I'm kinda hedging my bets until I know which way it's gonna go for me. Honestly I can very realistically see me LOVING it, but the other option is that it's bad and that's kinda what I'm preparing for rn ig? I can't imagine I'll be too upset if it's just... Bad or unsatisfactory given that I already spend way too much energy on the shit the OG did wrong lol, if the LA follows suit with those I think I'll just kinda... Ignore it lol. Idk, A LOT of mixed feelings

2. I... Really can't even begin to imagine what they choose to do with the reduced time frame, but I know I for sure have my own thoughts on what I WISH they would! Mainly I want NO Kataang, if there's Kataang I'm not gonna even bother with it tbh unless it's completely one sided (which it was in the original, yet we still know how THAT turned out)... I obviously want endgame Zutara, but I'm not hard pressed on it tbh- it would be funny as fuck for it to happen after Bryke left over creative differences though! I REALLY want the Blue Spirit to stay, I really DON'T want The Great Divide (no way it's staying in though so we're probably safe on that front), and overall I kinda just? Want Aang to be more sympathetic- him being irresponsible in the original show only makes sense until a certain point, and I want an Aang that shows an ability to grow from early on. Aang's an awful, awful Avatar, and I truly want him NOT to be one here- honestly, a good way to get around some of his early issues would be to borrow a bit from Korra and twist his love for slacking off into an enthusiasm for all four cultures (rather than just their rideable animals), which I feel like he was CLOSE to having... But as usual with him it was all tell and no show- I wanna see him having friends in all four nations, I wanna see him being multi cultural even before he gets freezed, I wanna see him embrace all four bendings and cultures rather than fixating on air, I wanna see him fail and take responsibility... But I also still want to see him being a kid, because that's crucial, and while the original show never allowed him to grow up, I also don't want him to be immediately seen as and treated as wise and powerful- I want him to struggle with what it means being an Avatar who knows about it at such a young age, I want to see him meaningfully interact with his past incarnations, I want him to ACTUALLY find a balance! I think I maybe just... Want a whole new main character still named Aang tbh, because I DON'T like who he is in the original show, but I do like who he could've been! I REALLY don't want the show to be intentionally edgy- if it goes into any dark topics, they should be ones already raised in the original. I want some more light shed on how the North Pole and Pakku's sexism never went away, I want the show to acknowledge that the monks didn't go down without putting up a hell of a fight, I want to know what the fuck Zhao was doing to get promoted like that despite his constant failures on screen, I want to really dive deep into Aang and Bumi's relationship and maybe how Aang failed him on a personal level (he's literally the only one who would've missed Aang, not the Avatar for all this time) and how he mourned him for years, I want Aang to contend with and realize that he's in a war and how he's FOR SURE killed people and will have to again even before Koizilla (he kills so many people in The Northern Air Temple!!)... I could honestly kinda do with an abridged version of some of the Gaang's travels, like, a lot of them are neat but only matter tangentially or from a world/character building perspective and can be dropped/merged/replaced pretty safely tbh. For example, Haru doesn't really need to exist tbh, what Imprisoned does for Katara can and maybe even SHOULD change gears to focus more on her rather than this random guy who only ever shows up once more to get laughed at because he has a lame mustache. The Fortuneteller should be dropped or altered severely because its message doesn't hold up under scrutiny. Yue should be a bigger presence and be more of an established character. Jet should maybe get his role expanded. Suki should be more of a presence throughout. There are a lot of ways to make the first season better tbh, and also it NEEDS to change to fit with the new timeframe so? Yeah I hope they do a good job at separating the wheat from the chaff because god knows the original show did not know how to do that.

3. I'm honestly pretty confident in saying that Avatar Studios will never ever make anything good, or at the very least, anything that I'll like, but as to what the lack of Bryke means for the LA? Honestly, it's all up to the people working on it- Bryke being bullheaded and bad writers isn't exclusive to them, and if the staff is made up of writers that lean too heavily on the source material or drift too far from it that could honestly sink the whole show. Of course I'm happy they're not on board given their awful track record, but like... I know nothing about any of the people working on it in their stead, so a lack of Bryke doesn't necessarily equate to good writing (it certainly does leave out THEIR bad writing though!!)

Braving the Elements is soon gonna start reviewing the third season of ATLA, and it started in 2021 so everything there is very recent! And yeah, every time Bryke are on they prove themselves to be assholes all over again, they keep topping themselves somehow istg!

I feel that this isn't my most eloquent post but tbh I'm quite sick rn so this is the best I can do atm, hopefully I managed to answer properly anyway?

[elysiangroundsforall]

In the Course of It ...

"You're my only Bambi, Bambi"

Chapter 2

The next morning, I woke up early, still feeling the excitement from the previous day. The trainee dorms were buzzing with activity as everyone got ready for the day's training. I quickly dressed and headed to the training center, determined to make the most of this opportunity.

The day started with a group orientation session. We were briefed on the training schedule, introduced to our trainers, and given an overview of what was expected from us. The schedule was intense, with long hours dedicated to singing, dancing, rapping, and even language lessons. But I was ready to give it my all.

My first session was vocal training. As I entered the practice room, I saw a few familiar faces from the auditions. We exchanged nervous smiles and waited for our vocal coach to arrive. The coach, a seasoned professional with years of experience, greeted us warmly and started the session with vocal warm-ups.

"Remember, your voice is your instrument. Take care of it and practice regularly," the coach advised.

We spent the next few hours working on various vocal techniques, and I could feel myself improving with each exercise. The coach's feedback was invaluable, and I made a mental note of everything I needed to work on.

After the vocal session, it was time for dance practice. The dance studio was spacious, with mirrors lining the walls. Our dance instructor, a former professional dancer, was strict but encouraging.

"Remember, precision and energy are key. Every move should be sharp and confident," the instructor emphasized.

We worked on different dance routines, and I found myself getting lost in the music and movements. Despite the rigorous practice, I felt a sense of exhilaration. This was what I had always dreamed of, and I was living it.

By the time the dance session ended, I was exhausted but satisfied with my progress. We had a short break for lunch, and I took the opportunity to chat with some of the other trainees. Everyone was friendly and supportive, sharing tips and encouraging each other.

The afternoon was dedicated to rap practice and stage presence. Our rap coach was energetic and charismatic, pushing us to find our unique style and voice.

"Rap is all about expression. Let your personality shine through your lyrics," the coach said.

We practiced different rap verses and worked on our delivery. It was challenging, but I loved every minute of it. I could feel myself growing more confident with each session.

Finally, the day ended with a session on stage presence and performance. We learned how to engage with the audience, project confidence, and own the stage. It was the perfect way to wrap up an intense but rewarding day of training.

As I walked back to the dorms, I felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. The day had been tough, but I had learned so much and felt more determined than ever to succeed.

Back in my room, I took a moment to reflect on everything I had accomplished. This was just the beginning, and I knew the journey ahead would be challenging. But with each step, I was getting closer to my dream.

I called Minseo to share the day's experiences with her. She listened intently, cheering me on and offering words of encouragement.

"You're doing amazing, Y/N. Keep going, and don't forget to take care of yourself," she said.

"Thanks, Minseo. I couldn't have done it without your support," I replied.

After the call, I prepared for bed, feeling a sense of contentment and anticipation for the days to come. I was on the path to achieving my dream, and nothing could stop me now.

The following days fell into a steady rhythm of training and self-improvement. Each morning, I woke up early, ready to tackle the day's challenges with enthusiasm and determination. The intensity of the training schedule pushed me to my limits, but I embraced every moment, knowing that this was my chance to grow and shine.

In the mornings, we focused on vocal training. I worked diligently on my breathing techniques, pitch control, and vocal stamina. The coach's feedback was direct but constructive, helping me refine my skills and gain confidence in my abilities. I could feel my voice growing stronger and more versatile with each passing day.

Dance practice continued to be a highlight of my day. The routines grew more complex, requiring precision and fluidity. Our dance instructor, though strict, was incredibly motivating. She challenged us to push beyond our comfort zones and encouraged us to add our own flair to the choreography. I found myself getting lost in the music, my movements becoming more synchronized and expressive.

During lunch breaks, I bonded with my fellow trainees. We shared stories, tips, and dreams, creating a supportive network that made the intense training more manageable. We laughed and encouraged each other, forming friendships that I knew would last beyond our time as trainees.

Afternoons were dedicated to rap and stage presence training. Our rap coach's passion was infectious, and I found myself experimenting with different styles and rhythms. I wrote my own verses, drawing inspiration from my experiences and emotions. The coach's guidance helped me find my unique voice and confidence in my delivery.

Stage presence training was equally demanding. We practiced engaging with imaginary audiences, projecting confidence, and commanding the stage. It was exhilarating to learn how to connect with the audience and make each performance memorable. The tips and tricks we learned were invaluable, and I could feel myself becoming more comfortable in the spotlight.

Evenings were a time for self-reflection and additional practice. I often found myself in the practice rooms, rehearsing my routines and perfecting my techniques. The dedication and hard work were paying off, and I could see the progress I was making.

One evening, after an especially grueling day of training, I received a message from Minseo. She had been my rock throughout this journey, always encouraging me and offering support.

"How's it going, superstar?" she texted.

"Exhausted but happy," I replied. "The training is intense, but I'm learning so much. I can't wait to show you everything I've been working on."

"You'll do great, Y/N. Just remember to take care of yourself too," she responded.

"Thanks, Minseo. I couldn't have done any of this without you," I texted back, feeling a surge of gratitude for her unwavering support.

As the weeks went by, the day of our first evaluation approached. This was our chance to showcase everything we had learned and prove ourselves to the trainers and company executives. The anticipation and nervousness among the trainees were palpable, but we supported each other, knowing we were all in this together.

The night before the evaluation, I called Minseo to calm my nerves.

"Tomorrow's the big day," I said, my voice a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"You've got this, Y/N. Just be yourself and show them what you're made of," she encouraged.

"Thanks, Minseo. Your belief in me means everything," I replied.

"Always. Now get some rest and give it your best shot tomorrow," she said.

I took her advice to heart, ensuring I got a good night's sleep. The next morning, I woke up feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. As I got ready, I reminded myself of all the hard work and dedication I had put in. This was my moment to shine.

The evaluation took place in a large performance hall. We were each given a chance to showcase our skills in singing, dancing, and rapping. When my turn came, I took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage.

The lights were bright, and the room was filled with the watchful eyes of the trainers and executives. I started with my vocal performance, pouring my heart into every note. Next, I performed the dance routine, moving with confidence and precision. Finally, I delivered my rap, infusing it with all the passion and energy I could muster.

As I finished, the room was silent for a moment before erupting into applause. I stepped off the stage, my heart pounding but filled with a sense of accomplishment. Whatever the outcome, I knew I had given it my all.

The evaluations continued throughout the day, and by the end, we were all exhausted but proud of our efforts. The trainers and executives would deliberate and announce the results the following day.

That night, I could hardly sleep, my mind racing with possibilities. The journey had been challenging, but it was just the beginning. No matter what happened next, I was ready to face it with the same determination and passion that had brought me this far.

The next day, as we gathered in the training hall, the air was thick with anticipation. The head trainer stepped forward, holding a list of names.

"Congratulations to all of you for your hard work and dedication. The following trainees have been selected to move on to the next phase," she announced.

My heart raced as she began reading the names. When she finally called out, "Y/N," I felt a wave of relief and joy wash over me.

I had made it. This was just the beginning of my journey with INB100, and I was ready to embrace whatever challenges and opportunities lay ahead. With my friends and supporters by my side, I knew I could achieve anything.

Chapter 3 >>>

[thetinylittlespider]

Tearing Up: Season 1

Chapter 6: A meeting

Finally some interaction! Im awful at writing xD

Cw: Dehumanizing treatment. Mature language. Blood.

KUM9's POV:

I dont remember when did my eyes closed, the fall was something I was terrified of, I didn't knew if I could survive. And all my senses shut down probably because my body assumed my dead already...This was exactly what I didn't want to happen!

For a few seconds, I believe I opened my eyes again, I felt my surroindings again...Hear, well...The sounds were being supressed by something, my ears felt strange, like being smothered by the space, where was I? The answer to that was answered really fast.

The cold feeling in my body...I couldn't breath...My lungs were filled by water! An unfortunate scenario that I was more than familiar with.

Transported back in my memories, I was 6 years old again, the scientists in charge of me started to tap the glass of my box, they wanted me to stay awake even after I just slept less than 3 hours. I could not make up the meaning of their words at the time, I just recall being scared, my legs couldn't stand the sight of them...Their size, how those eyes aimed at me, knowing full well they could dispose of me with ease if I did something wrong.

ー"Hey buddy! Ready for your next test? Are you excited?" ーA femenine voice asked with enthusiasm...My answer, was just a weakened nod of agreement.

The next thing I remember...Was her fingers, holding my head with too much strenght, I believe I started crying due to the pain and pressure over my skull. This was back before my resistances showed up, I could've been easily broken at that exact moment, a stain of blood in her hand...

Her grip got loose, I was falling to a glass container of water...

And then...in a flash...I was 15 again...

I tried to find air, to swim my way out, attempted to stick to the glass, crawl out before I drowned in here...apparently I landed on a cup of water, but if there was a cup in the middle of the big forest I was meant to live in...Did I finally found the camping area!?

Finally! Yes! That means humans should be here!

ーEw! Did that thing just fucking moved!?ー A voice boomed from above.

Oh, no...Humans are here.

My heart beated faster than normal, panic overtaking my senses, and the cough to clean my lungs from the water got complicated...My brain, ached...That smashing feeling of dread and danger. I didn't need it now! I can tell there is a human right above me! That is more danger than I expected in my plan to come see them in the first place!

But it didn't matter how much I tried to escape, using all my might, there was not enough time for me to get away from the clear view those humans had upon me, the same humans my sister always warned me about, the same species of the people who created me, who subjected me in torture every single day since I got memory, the ones who were ready to trash me and considered me a failure...The same creatures were now fully aware of my existance, and the tone of their voice was mixed in emotions, none of them were positive, not that it could save me from an awful fate.

ーI-Is that a fairy?ー The same voice asked in disgust, it was a male...

ーThose things got extinct like 2 years ago...And this one doesn't even have wings!ー A female voice started to freak out while I was trying to get some air.

My movements were full of panic, I wasn't good in water, I could try...But the longer I stayed there the more memories came to mind to remind me how lethal the liquid can be.

"What do you want me to do!? Kick it!?"

"Call Civil Protection! They'll know what to do!"

Words that I wish I could give more attention to the moment I finally fell off the edge of the cup. The ground welcomed me unceremoniously, and I took most of the water I could out of my lungs with deep and heavy coughs that probably did more damage to my throat.

Once I recovered from almost drowning, I remembered the couple of humans who were right above me watching my every move without an ounce of joy. Casting their shadows on top of me, by the look of their faces, they didn't plan to let me go like if nothing ever happened here.

ー"There goes our only fucking turn in this place, it will take months to get another reservation!"ー The masculine voice said with clear annoyance. What was a reservation!? I was just learning new words the last week! Hold on...I should not be worrying about that, I needed to get out of h-...

As I turned around slowly, trying to stand up from all the mud and filth in the ground... I could see the giant hand of the man getting closer and closer...No, no...He was going to pick me up, a human, a human that seems angry enlugh to just squish my head in between his careless fingers. Just like in the laboratory, just like them...

I felt like a kid again, one that gave up any hope of freedom, a kid who's tears already ran out...As painful as the tortures were, it was impossible for me to even tear up, I've been doing it so much that my own body grew tired of it, unable to produce the tears because I had none left...

Begging was pointless, my creators usually got mad at me if I did that...A tendency to inflict more pain upon me was clear. Always being reminded how that was what I needed, how much of a failure I was to be taken to those extremes...I was their worst mistake, a waste of resources...

Everything was still so fresh that even without being touched yet, I could feel my muscles aching because of the grip of humans hands, my bones shattered to dust by their pressure, and feeling like I could explode at any given moment...

I was lucky if I died in one of those tests...

I should've never come here...

ーD-Dont touch it! Are you insane!?ー The high pitched female voice snapped me back from my little flashback, and as soon as I was brought back to reality, I felt my breathing getting cut short.

The man who picked me up had no idea of how much strenght he had, he raised his hand all the way up until I could meet his eyes, in any other situation I'd be just crying by just having a human this close...But he was making breathing really hard when his thumb and index finger were pressing my chest like a button of some sorts.

ーWell this thing sure looks like one of those fairies...But it doesn't have wings...Maybe they were not extinct! And this little one just lost their wings to some animal!ー The man explained to the woman, who seemed to ease a little bit with the small reason his "partner" gave her.

Now both humans started to inspect me, every single part of my body, the way their hands got closer to move my head for a little, to check my back for any trace of wings, everything was causing an inmense level of claustrophobia, their fingers were everything my eyes could perceive, the woman used one finger to lower my jaw, exposing my fangs...thing that had the reception I expected...

ーT-Those are fucking fangs!?ー She said with a clearly concerned tone on her voice, pulling her hand back and taking to massive steps away.

ーJust put it inside the cup! What if it's poisonous!?ー She remarked him, they had already call some kind of security...I didn't knew how much time I had...

Yes, I could bite the hand of the guy holding me, the pressure was enough of a factor to convince me to do it...I needed to do it, or else I was back into a laboratory, back to have my body under all forms and shapes of pain.

But I didn't want to hurt them, I can't do it...I don't want to do the same...I don't want to be the same. My sister already told me how dangerous my venom could be, I didn't wish to cause that suffering...All I could think about the concept of killing was the faces of my siblings, taking their last breath...They all died while fighting each other. Why? Just to show someone we were worth living? To show the torture we've been in all those years wasn't for nothing?

ーP-Please, stop...I-I don't want to hurt...you, just let me go...ー Words, I finally released words, this could feel amazing if my chest wasn't about to explode by the pressure.

And somehow...by the grace of some god, they stopped poking me with their huge fingers, and holding me like if I were some kind of toy, the grip of the man eased a little bit, probably out of surprise ... or...where they mad? Oh no, the last thing I needed besides curious humans were angry humans.

Back in the lab I would've been placed in a test chamber, expecting flames to burn my skin, or be electrocuted for the fifth time a day...

But nothing happened, I was still on the human's hand, unable to figure what thought could cross their minds, what they would do to me now that I showed them I could talk.

They seemed as lost as I was at that moment, no words, no panic, no fear...They were just looking at me, and then back at each other.

ーD-Did you just...Speak?ー The female said with a whispering voice. Of course, it was unbelievable to find a similar creature to another that in a certain moment was believed to be extinct, and on top of that, unlike their extinct counterpart...this one talked, like a human..

It took me a fat second to find a simple word to answer that question, It was the first time I was holding a conversation with humans, even when I learned their language...It was far too late for me to be able to speak with them, the scientists already installed a natural reaction of fear and submission that I had to show if I wanted the pain to be over soon...

ーYes...ー I said softly with an almost broken and shaky tone of voice. I hoped for their reaction, I needed it in order to know what was going to happen to me next. But their fast blinking was hard to translate.

ーWhat are...you?ー The male replied to me while he checked to his back, making sure his friend was also as amazed as he was.

And what was I? This was hard to tell...A test subject? Was that all I was?

"A predator, a superior to these weaklings"

That's what my sister would say...But I wasn't a predator, unlike her, I was yet to know what it felt to hunt a prey, to test my power and watch the contrast against my "victims". But it never crossed my mind, I was so lost trying to understand the few books I read, the nature of the humans who created us, it was enough for me to overshadow the thinking my sister tried to instruct me with. But none of that gave me an answer...What was I?

ーI-I'm a...An experiment, co-could you please let me go? I-I didn't want to be so...close, sorry.ー It was true, my plan was just observe this gigantic creatures from a safe distance, enjoy their conversations, watch their behaviours...Not have a talk with them, as much as I saw this as an achievement, this was far too risky...Specially with my memories bombarding my brain with the previous human interactions of the past years...

Probably out of pity, the hand that held me was getting closer and closer to the ground, the man was crouching, his look of confusion met my eyes, of course...they didn't meant to harm me, they were just curious. I could understand that...

ーJack, the fuck are you doing? We already called authorities to come check that thing out...You think they are going to let us go home if we are empty handed? We might even go to prison for wasting their time!ー Those words coming from her were enough to stop the guy who's name was...Well, Cool, god why didn't I thought of that name for me!?

But Jack thought of it, the ground was close, my only escape without hurting anyone! Come on Jack! Jackie? Release me! You will never, ever know about me, not because I want to, but because I will probably won't have the chance to come here again...

ーH-Hey, fuck that, we can just tell them that it escaped and we couldn't follow...Give fake directions, it's not the first time we have done that! And there is no way you want to take this thing back at home with us, Bethー Jack seemed reluctant to let me go, I was glad, I didn't expect a human to finally show some kind of respect...for my freedom, he was a good guy...Right?

ーUgh, fine...then we better get things ready to go...Not that they ever give any reward for finding weird stuff anywaysー I could sense that Beth was annoyed, apparently I messed up their camping day, and they were in trouble with some sort of authority...tho, I didn't knew much about it. It was better that way, the less we knew about each other. The less trouble there was.

Right?

[yazzydream]

Hidden Inventory / Premature Death Official Interview

Vol. 2 Shoko Ieiri Role: Aya Endo

Vol. 1: Gojo

–Please tell us your impression when you read the original work and scenario of "Hidden Inventory/Premature Death." Endo: Since it's a story of the past, I was really looking forward to it. After all, even in the original work it's a necessary tale of the era. Having that properly depicted in the tv series was a very happy thing. And also, it was fun playing the non-adult, young, Ieiri Shoko. Because it wasn't of her childhood, her feelings would be closer to that of an adult. It was very rewarding playing the era in which she was being shaped into who she is now.

–What was it like actually playing young Shoko? Endo: At first, I thought of trying it very lively and cute, but received the direction to leave it a little more languid. So it became like, "That's how it is~" (lol) Because she looks so cute, it made me want to try that. But I was satisfied enough just testing it out. Honestly, it was difficult to play Shoko backwards from where she is in the present. I think, as a result of experimenting with various approaches, we have the final version of Shoko-san on air.

–What is Shoko Ieiri's charm? Endo: Even though it's the school era, it's not as if it goes into detail of what happened to her. But then, there's Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto. Even when they're not around Shoko seems to have fun, and when they're hanging out they get along well-- The teen Shoko, it's hard to tell whether she's interested or not in people too, huh? (lol) That doesn't change much, but I believe she's thinks about things in her own way. But for Gojo and Geto, it must've been reassuring to have someone who wouldn't budge no matter what happened. I think their charm is in the feeling that they have the kind of relationship where no matter how many years they've not seen each other, when they reunite, they can say, "Yo!" to each other.

–Please tell us what scenes in “Hidden Inventory/Premature Death” are highlights and leave an impression? Endo: The feeling I got when reading the original is exactly the same as it unfolded in the anime, so I was very happy to act it out. This applies to the original too, but I was surprised when it suddenly started in the past, leaving a strong impression on me. Yuji Itadori really isn't showing up!-- is what I thought (lol). Shoko starts with a line to Utahime with a relaxed tension, but somehow my heart starts pounding from there.

–Please tell us about your enthusiasm for the broadcast and a message to the viewers. Endo: It's a story those familiar with the original work know already, so I think the scenes will come back to them. But, after all, it'll move, have voices, and such, so please enjoy the anime's speed. I'm also looking forward to seeing the completed version. Even from what I saw on the monitor during dubbing was beyond amazing. The drawings were amazing and thinking there were people who would make them move made me excited. That's why I'd also like everyone who watches be just as excited. Their youthfulness 12 years ago-- I think you'll feel their lack of experience and find out about the characters more deeply too. So, please look forward to season 2.

[theinsanecrayonbox]

FOP: A New Wish ep1-4

alright, lets do this

long time watchers will know that i live for FOP lore, i die for FOP lore, and even in it's worst examples i try to find something of value...and then run away screaming like a lunatic to make it my own and a million times better lol

so New Wish. this is the...3rd sequel attempt (after the Live Action movies, and Fairly Odder) and could be considered the 5th continuation (if you count Sparky season and Chloe season as separate continuation attempts)

as a quick reminder, like s3-5 were my jam, Superverse is my baby forever, i hated 99% of the Sparky season, love Chloe but the season was heavily flawed, the LA movies suck (Christmas is the best only because it's a holiday special), and Fairly Odder was a huge hot mess that was very questionable

so again, lets do this

Episode 1: Fly Part 1 and 2

uhg ok first just going by the title, we are doing the stupid and counting half episodes (15 min segments) as separate full episodes again huh? i hate this, it makes keeping track of the chronology harder, and makes it so the TV Guide won't always register new episodes because they'll split a previously aired with an unaired but he guide says 'has already aired" so you miss the other new half. OR you get duplicate recordings of the same episode half because they keep pairing it with a new one and your DVR fills up and just urgh. it's terrible, 30 min blocks should be the norm again. please fix all animation peoples.

anywhos, onto the episode proper

i had seen the opening theme before this, and yes i approve of the completely revamped/brand new opening song. it's got the right vibe, but is it's own thing. they tried it with Chloe...but that just felt like a copy/paste clip show element. this is it's own thing, it evokes the original but is still itself unique.

and i guess i could do it now; the art style. i'm...eh? it's hard to explain. there's times when i'm getting an eerie uncanny valley effect where my brain says that they're like flat puppets (you know the kind you made in grade school out of construction paper and brass tabs so the joints would work) and that's not right. this isn't stop motion, but sometimes it looks it and i can't process that. it's...eh? maybe i'll be more used to it by the end of the 4th episode, and if not i'm sure over time i'll be used to it. it's not bad by any means, LEAGUES above the CGI in Fairly Odder. but it's...uncanny.

the title card being 2d while the episode isn't though is slightly jarring. HOWEVER i do appreciate having a 2d model for Hazel that is easy to see and not a blink and you'll miss is thing like in Fairly Odder (she also looks far better duh lol). it's just slightly odd to do it this way, idk maybe that's just me. it's fine.

not immediately recognizing any of the staff credits aside from the obvious...that could be good or bad...

the style is looking more stop motion clay now...weird...

but i cannot get over how many Chloe elements Hazel has to her. you've got the tooth gap, the voice is similar, the enthusiasm over learning things, collecting things. as i said above, i actually LOVE Chloe, it's just the writers didn't really use her to her full potential. it feels like Hazel is a doo-over to do it right. idk if that's a good or bad thing, because i want Hazel to stand on her own, but i also want Chloe to not just get swept up and hidden away in shame like Sparky; he deserves it, she doesn't. but back to the episode...

it is also a nice changeup that Hazel is in a more urban setting; it's still more west than east sure, but Dimmsdale was suburbia, so this is a new setting with different problems to tackle. and her being a younger child is also a new and exciting development. there is so much potential here, it is exciting!

are they going to explain why Cosmo and Wanda are pretending to be humans again? i know descriptions mentioned retirement...but why would the retain their magic...or unlimited magic at least.

is Hazel's dad the new Crocker?

Dev Dimmadome is the bully id ok...wait your dad is Dale Dimmadome?? HOLY COW! we have a spot on the timeline here folks!!! Dale was 16-18 when freed from Vicky's basement, and Dev here is a 10 year old, so this is at minimum 10 years in the future from the main series, if not more (because teen marriage/pregnancy bad, probably safe to assume Dale didn't have a kid that early). but how cool! and it makes sense that dale would move out of Dimmsdale given his history, and that his dad would give him control of stuff. ok Dev, i like you, you can be the new Remy with some Trixie and Tad and Chad blended in there.

ok that was a nice and easy and fast introduction of our supporting cast with a brief character trope to each. i like it.

heh ghost, gotta have a DP joke don't we

zomr the screencaps of Cosmo's times in space, pfftt. great continuity nod and visual gag. Totally/Spaced Out caps are obvious, the white asteroid one i don't recognize off the top of my head, but...that's an Oh Yeah! Darth Cosmo...idt they were in space for that one? how weird that they pulled s0 for this and Odder

i love it. Hazel's problems are realistic and plausible, and she's trying to deal with them in a way that makes sense. things suck, so yeah she'd need fairies. again, the element that a lot of later FOP lacked was the fact that these were mundane problems that just needed a little help to get through....and using magic usually made them worse and at the end of the day it was the lack of magic that made it better actually. i think that might be a reason why App Trap wasn't *as terrible* as the rest of the Sparky episodes, because it kinda did that...then again it had Missy and i think i focused on that way more. but conversely, that's why a lot of Chloe's episodes didn't work as well as they could've, because the situations weren't believable to start with. yes we got magic, we gonna be crazy and zany and fun and magical, but...this is also a storyline about kids learning to grow up and deal with things at their own pace. Timmy wasn't allowed to grow up after a certain point, the writers regressed him and kept him in a permanent absurd level, and that's why the series started to fail.

and i need to get back to the episode in progress, because i've already spent 40 min to get 12 min into the FIRST episode of 4 ^^; (maybe doing everything at once was a bad idea after all ^^;;;;;; )

ADULT TIMMY! ok, ok, slow it down! gah i can't spend hours untangling the timelines right now to figure this one out. because that's adult Timmy from The Big Problem (why do we keep referencing this episode suddenly?? i swear Odder did it too), as in he was aged up from 10 to this form instantly. compared that to the OTHER adult versions we've had (Channel Chaser 1, Channel Chasers 2, Channel Chasers college aged, LA, and Odder (we're not counting the grandpa 10 year old from the stupid "i paused time for 20 years" trial episode) ) who appeared to age naturally. this Timmy was guesstimated to be middle-aged, which is 45-65. SO if we go for 45, that's 35 years from the original series, making Dale Dimmadome like 50s...he did not look in his 50s. now i KNOW nothing says that that IS Timmy (though his vest did have T on it...but he is an actor...)

also "Chin-finity War". yes, that's mine now. idk how or when i'll use it, but i'm taking it, no takebacks. thank you FOP team, you know how to feed me well, i appreciate it.

they aren't assigned to her yet, why would saying "I wish" revert their disguises? i mean, i guess since they *wanted* to come out of retirement, their own desires could've triggered it, but still...they could hang around people who said "I wish" before and not be compelled to grant them. are they compelled because they're unattached? is that why genies work the way they do? does attaching oneself to a human limit their capabilities? or protect them more like it?? what lore ramifications does this have on the fae social and power structures?? also she's turned into a fly...that sounds like a genie's monkey paw wish granted and not a fairy's. again, is this because they are unattached to her? are they granting wishes "rule-less" so they are unfocused and more chaotic? are genie wishes twisted because they do it on purpose, or because they are unbound and unfocused?

O.o!!! i did not have Cosmo and Wanda body horror on my FOP bingo card...i applaud you writers, that surprised me

ok a carousel of timeline events...not referencing anything in the past canon...but is dating it for this time frame...eh i'll let it slide (because i missed it the first time because of the shock at the body horror)

wait their welcome gift was a Seemingly Harmless Plant? how did i miss that earlier? lol

dawww Hazel learns the lesson of the day from an ant that's going to be dead in 5 minutes. so sweet. see, using magic to fix mundane problems.

oh that's cool, their front door is an interdimensional portal. so they aren't living as humans in the human world. but oh boy, 2d flashback time again...oh no, but wait canonical confirmation that they were with Timmy for 7 years???? (pft 20, yeah that's real time i know, stilly funny). that...makes sense in both the you age out of fairies thing, but also that it was s8 where things started to loose proper focus what with only 5 episodes that you could fold into s7...and that's where the stupid Timmy's Secret Wish thing was. but also...s9 was Sparky, and s10 was Chloe; if we go back to the alternate timelines thing, ten that means it was after s7 (s8 folded in or not) that each continuation branched off from. best example being that Poof didn't speak until s9, but in the LA movies he only started to speak, so obviously those 2 are separate branches. now, this doesn't explain the lack of Poof in Odder or here (so far) i know, OR how there's a few connective episodes between s9 and s10 (very few) but DOES explain the absence of Sparky from Chloe's season since they could be considered different timelines, and why they both were not in the LA or Odder. this is fascinating, and i eagerly await more of New Wish to see if anything from s9 or s10 show up to disprove this theory

ALSO if they were with Timmy for 7 years, and we assume that 1 season = 1 year (not exactly right but roll with it), then since Dale Dimmadome first appeared in s2 (and last appeared s4) and Dev is 10...wait i lost my math train of thought and my tv went to screensaver i'm taking so long on this gah! well it's not the 35 years that adult Timmy woudl suggest. c'mon i gotta finish this episode before i hit the 90 min mark

oh i had a minute left lol. ahhhhh but the production? drawings on the credits with the instrumental of the opening theme, my heart! i love these latest sequel-reboots that know what they're doing.

so to sum it up; this is a yes. this series is looking good so far. i know, still got 3 more episodes to go. but hopefully it won't take me 3 times the length of the episode to get through them too ^^;;;;

Episode 2: The Department of Magical Violations

ok so this description says something about the fairies reupping their magical permits. makes sense, seeing as they've been retired for who knows how long (and we'll just ignore the magical build up implications of that since they do reside in Fairy World still so do regularly use magic) AND the old lore does have them having to redo their certifications like...twice i think in the canon? i know Temporary Fairy was one, but i think there was at least one other instance. so yeah, i'm on board for the premise, let's go

Jorgen what happened? you're in a sweater vest and you haven't shaved. did you retire too?

ok cool Hazel was already on the list to be assigned a fairy. Cookie though....already not vibing with them (which is the point i know, we want our OG pair tp be best after all)

Jorgen you're in cargo shorts and tall socks. did...did you become a dad?

Wish Fart...eh...i can forgive it

because this trial thing sounds very much like something they've done before too! Wishing Well, Wish Fixers, there's another one idr...oh but this is something different, cool. also nice that Hazel has performance anxiety; i guess that's our lesson for the week.

does this dance off date this...i'm not sure...the dabbing though does pretty sure

ahhhh Cookie's so proficient because she does whatever whether that makes her kids happy or not. she must annoy them so much that they willingly give up their fairy rights too early. thus leading to her productivity levels being "many jobs completed" but not because they were done properly.

oh look Da Rules!

Hazel hates chocolate chip cookies? hmmm...i guess i can still like you

huh just now noticed that the fairies are scaled smaller than Hazel.

mk, so yeah lesson of the week was communication and standing up for yourself. nice, sweet, simple. onto the next half!

Episode 3: Teacher's Pal

this description says she's lonely and wants to make friends. mk, that's a good lesson of the week, and very relatable. the title card even reminds me of A Wish Too Far...well in vibes, not in matching title card art obviously

"Dimmadelphia Enrichment Center" is the name of the school

oh wow that's interesting; Cosmo and Wanda took up her pop-it keychains but weren't them, they were overlaid on them.

"Dimmy Shimmy"...yeah...i don't get tiktok dances either

hm maybe the principal is the new Crocker...

wait does ASMR boy have a d20 on his shirt???

yup that's your lesson Hazel. see, a mundane problem made worse by magic and fixed in the end by the MC growing up and taking responsibility. good story telling

and was really a breeze to watch *shrugs* not every story is action packed or dripping in lore. as i said, some of the best stories are t he mundane and in the end are about growing up on your own terms at your own pace.

Episode 4: A Dinosaur in Dimmadelphia

it's the last aired thing my Xfinity On Demand is giving me, since this isn't on Paramount+ yet. weird that they list the previous 2 as a full ep2, yet the wiki has the half episodes (save for the pilot) being individual numbers. so for the sake of me not complaining, and simplicity, i'll just use the wiki as an episode guide from now on

(also Robby Daymond is part of the cast??? hurray! ok you just scored points with me. thanks wiki for telling me) (oh wait this is supposed to be on Netflix...but not yet...ok, so Xfinity we remain on)

so this description says dinosaurs. should be fun!

"Dimmsonian Museum" lol

"Obtuse Rubber Goose from 2001 BC" pffffft cute

classic wish train going on. get a dino, talk to him, get people to not care, don't send him back, make him fit into modern society.

convolute dover the top parade thing? lol sure

black vans huh? oh it's the mayor, not MERF, hm

but hey day is saved. and i guess a dinosaur just...is around now...mk

so this was a little less mundane, but you know that's ok too. it is a cartoon, we are silly and out there, not everything is a lesson of the week. (though one would argue that having a dinosaur around would lead to the magic reveal...but eh...)

so after 4 episodes...yeah the style was grown on me, it's less off putting. and yes, the writing here is doing very well. the team seems to know what they're doing, and they're paying attention to the past canon lore BUT they have the advantage of having a new main cast so they can be a bit looser with it. the easter eggs are fun, the energy is high, it's all good. i am looking forward to more of this series (and trying to detangle the timelines XD)

[autisticburnham]

for the ship asks, pick any of these you feel compelled to talk abt!

mariner/boimler, mariner/t'lyn, t'lyn/tendi, tendi/rutherford, mariner/tendi, boimler/rutherford, mariner/ransom

I actually just answered Mariner/Boimler in the last ask!

Mariner/T'Lyn, I ship it

1. What made you ship it?

Empathalogical Fallacies!!!! Mariner being the one to figure out what was going on and knowing exactly what to say to make her feel better? It was wonderful and I hope we get to see more episodes with them paired up

2. What are your favorite things about the ship?

Disaster girl x disaster girl my beloved ship dynamic. The ways they both struggle with emotionality pair together in such an interesting way, they could easily make each other better or make each other worse, but most likely will do both, and I'm so excited to see it happen

3. Is there an unpopular opinion you have on the ship?

I don't think so? I don't think the ship is popular enough to have established popular opinions about it. I will say I hope we get to see more of T'lyn supporting Mariner in the future- there's a pattern with fictional interracial relationships where the black character will provide all the emotional support for the nonblack character and get little to none in return. It's way too early to say that Mari'lyn falls into that, but I really, really hope it doesn't in the future

I'm gonna do all the others too, but under a readmore

T'lyn/Tendi, I'm gonna go with I don't ship it, though I used to

1. Why don't you ship it?

This is difficult to put into a dichotomy of do/don't ship it because I don't not ship it, it's just that my enthusiasm has definitely waned. I certainly wouldn't be mad or say it was out of character if they did get together, but it's not something that I'd describe myself as shipping anymore.

During the break between seasons 3 & 4 I was very excited about the little hand hold, but Tendi's enthusiasm and effort to become friends felt to me like she was ignoring T'lyn's boundaries. Which made it feel a little like the Tuvok/Neelix dynamic, a dynamic which I despise. Tendi/T'lyn certainly aren't that extreme, and it's clear that Tendi's gonna work on those boundary issues, but it was enough to put me off it for now.

2. What would have made you like it?

I still could very easily like it in the future, I just need to see more of Tendi respecting T'lyn's boundaries

3. Despite not shipping it, do you have anything positive to say about it?

It's certainly full of potential! Like I said, I could easily ship it in the future, and even as it is now, they clearly care about each other and have settled into a sweet friendship

Tendi/Rutherford, again, this is complicated. I don't ship it romantically, I think they should be in a QPR. So I'm gonna hesitantly go with I don't ship it

1. Why don't you ship it?

Parth Ferengi's Heart Place. They were so uncomfortable pretending to be a couple, and while you can certainly read that as "they both like each other and are nervous about the other one finding out," it very much read to me as "neither of them are interested in each other romantically, but they don't want to hurt the other by addressing that because they are so enmeshed in each other, they are partners, but discussing a romantic aspect to it could fuck it up."

2. What would have made you like it?

Again, I don't dislike it and I wouldn't be mad if they got together, but given my current reading of the characters, I think they work best as platonic partners

3. Despite not shipping it, do you have anything positive to say about it?

Yeah, I love their relationship! They're definitely codependent in an unhealthy way, but it's fascinating to watch

Mariner/Tendi, I have no easy opinions. I don't ship it anymore, but I used to

1. Why don't you ship it?

I was so hype for them for the first season or so, even before the show started. This was one of the first promotional images for the show

and I was immediately like "The girls are looking at each other? Lesbians💚❤️" And I drew fanart for them during the break between seasons 1 & 2, but over time my enthusiasm for them has really waned, just because we don't ever see them together by themselves. When they are together, it's part of the group, so I don't have a concrete dynamic to hold on to for them. And I can only be excited about a dynamic that only exists in my head for so long

2. What would have made you like it?

Seeing them together!

3. Despite not shipping it, do you have anything positive to say about it?

I love them! I just need more of them!

Boimler/Rutherford, I don't ship it

1. Why don't you ship it?

Like above, we just don't see enough of them together. I can see a version of them I would, but that version doesn't exist in the show as of yet

2. What would have made you like it?

Same as above, seeing them together.

3. Despite not shipping it, do you have anything positive to say about it?

We do have a bit more of them together than with Tendi/Mariner bc they hung out together while the girls went on their trip with T'lyn, so I will say little fucking freaks (complimentary) about their Mark Twain bit

Mariner/Ransom, I don't ship it

1. Why don't you ship it?

While most of the time I don't have a problem with trek ships of different ranks because most characters are pretty chill about it, they've made it clear Ransom is Mariner's direct superior, so I'm not personally comfortable shipping it. I'm also not overly fond of mentor/mentee ships, which they're starting to fall into. I don't think there's anything wrong with shipping it or anything, it's just not for me.

2. What would have made you like it?

I don't think I could. The entire structure of their relationship puts me off from reading it romantically. I guess I could like it in a fucked up watching a car crash way.

3. Despite not shipping it, do you have anything positive to say about it?

I really like the growing friendship they have, and they clearly have fun together, even if that fun mostly consists of pissing each other off