#but at least next week should be better 💀

[yoloyeahhh]

sometimes i forget pmdd is a thing and then the horrors strike and im curled up in unspeakable pain and im like oh yea this explains a lot

[born-to-lose]

Why the fuck did I skip a Quireboys show near me because I had a date with my then boyfriend which I thought could have saved the relationship

[quickstappen]

track 004: the see is calm (before the storm)

A/N: i know i've disappeared for a while but it turns out that second year of college is very different to the first. now finally after two months i've got it under control so hopefully we'll have a semi-regular schedule for now, i'll try to post something every two weeks (on weekends most likely). anyway, this one's not very plot heavy but it's needed for the story, enjoy!

masterlist | previous next

liked by carlitosalcarazz, oscarpiastri and others

paola_sainz contrary to popular belief, I do actually work sometimes ;) keep your eyes open guys, things are getting done here

tagged: sean_cliff

see all comments...

F4ST_C4R oh please say its a new collection, i was too late for the 1st one and it sold out 😭

oui_lyanne who the fuck is sean

↳ 4ND1 from what i can see he's another designer

↳ oui_lyanne ooh, collab maybe? 👀

↳ f1w1tch OR the super secret boyf

L3CH41R well, looks like she's not in spa after all

mcwilliams are you gonna comment on the williams/carlos announcement??

↳ prplsector i mean,, why would she?? it's not her announcement, she's got a job

lightning_enjyr oh my god are those pieces from the new collection?? 😳

danielricciardo Respect the grind 💪🤠

↳ sadiebull sorry what is daniel ricciardo doing

↳ fastkiwi trying to relate to the youth lol

shithappens oh god women in suits 😳

STARG3N guys,,, what is carlos alcaraz doing in the likes

↳ hamilteaa the tennis player???

↳ STARG3N yeahhh

sean_cliff you know it's always a pleasure working with you 🤭

↳ paola_sainz oh I know, I am brilliant of course

↳ elmatadorf1 jesus what a self-centred bitch 💀

predestined55 no one's gonna buy this crap anyway 🐍

carlitosalcarazz We need to play again sometime! 🎾

↳ paola_sainz do your job at the Olympics first, then we'll see 👏

↳ isawthesainz THEY KNOW EACH OTHER???

↳ dutchlion sure looks like it 👀

oscarpiastri You gonna spend the whole summer break working too?

↳ paola_sainz actually no, this one guy invited me to visit his family you know

↳ oscarpiastri Lucky guy

↳ lightning_enjyr oui_lyanne surely you see my point now

↳ oui_lyanne everyday i am closer to believing you

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paola's messages:

paola_sainz posted new instagram stories!

caption 1: a little pitstop before our journey ;)

caption 2: mid-rant and a little drunk but he's fine, alive and well

⟶ alex_albon replied to your story!

alex_albon oh thank god you're with him, he hasn't been answering my calls and texts

paola_sainz yeahh, we figured. me and Osc are with him rn but we have to leave in the morning

alex_albon shit, how is he really? do you seriously have to leave?

paola_sainz he's better than yesterday, mostly pissed atp but I'm sure that the self-hatered and misery will come soon

paola_sainz and yeah we have to, we've been trying to visit Oscar's family together for ages

paola_sainz I think he's going home for the rest of the break

alex_albon jesus, that's good at least

alex_albon I'll try to reach out again

paola_sainz good idea

caption 3: couldn't take this little guy home, apparently "2 is enough cats Lola"

⟶ maxverstappen1 replied to your story!

maxverstappen1 I think you should've taken him anyway, he is very cute

paola_sainz I knoww! I named him Barron Meowmilton

paola_sainz unfortunately, I do not fancy sleeping on the couch for the foreseeable future so we left Barron at a local shelter ;)

maxverstappen1 Ah, I understand

maxverstappen1 We'll always remember you, Barron Meowmilton

caption 4: and we're off to see the future in-laws ;)

⟶ hattiepiastri replied to your story!

hattiepiastri has my brother done something we don't know about??

paola_sainz nahh, dw about it, you'd be first to know after your mum

paola_sainz I'm just sure I'm gonna marry him someday, there's no other option

hattiepiastri you're both so disgustingly gone for each other it should be studied

hattiepiastri can't wait to see you though

paola_sainz girll me too, it's been too long

paola's messages:

liked by jensonbutton, hattiepiastri and others

paola_sainz can confirm that kitties are just as cute down under as in the rest of the world ;)

see all comments...

shithappens paola talking about cats at all times? fork found in kitchen

arthur_leclerc did you try to take the cat home?

↳ oscarpiastri take a wild guess mate

↳ paola_sainz don't know what you're talking about mate

↳ oscarpiastri I have a feeling that you're gonna grossly overuse mate now

↳ paola_sainz now why would I do that... mate 😇

barbiegirl what are you doing in Australia girllll

elmatadorf1 thank god she's not going home with Carlos, he doesn't need her 🐍

jensonbutton Come back in one piece please

↳ paola_sainz don't you worry about that Jense, I am well taken care of ;)

oui_lyanne yeah okay she's actually in australia

charles_leclerc You're right, that's a very cute kitty

lightning_enjyr did you buy any new records?

oscarpiastri Have you seen the sights yet?

↳ paola_sainz not really, my tour guide has been kinda busy

↳ oscarpiastri That's a shame, there's a lot of great things to see

↳ paola_sainz don't worry mate, I've been looking at different kind of sights plenty enough, lot of beach days yk? I can wait a few more days 😉

↳ oscarpiastri Oh, well in that case 🫢

prplsector oscar is brave fr, I'll give him that 😳

4ND1 god the tension is this comment section is something else

ada_moore if Oscar's not the boyfriend and I was the boyfriend I am straight up fighting that man in some dark alley because that is so flirty and for what (if he IS the boyfriend, carry on please, the energy is unmatched)

L3CH41R how are her outfits always so good???

predestined55 Carlos just signed a contract and she's talking about cats and being a slut in the comments, great 😒

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hattiepiastri posted new instagram stories!

caption 1: did you know, we're killer on karaoke nights?

caption 2: doing all this late night talking

caption 3: we're keeping her oscarpiastri, if you don't wife her up I will

⟶ oscarpiastri replied to your story!

oscarpiastri You don't have to worry about that

paola_sainz posted new instagram stories!

caption 1: g'day mate! celebrity crush meet up officially checked out from my wishlist

caption 2: the locals showing me the best ice cream places in town

caption 3: hands that have never seen manual labour

⟶ oscarpiastri replied to your story!

oscarpiastri hey!

paola_sainz you're offended like it's not true

caption 4: bad bitch on the beach

liked by oscarpiastri, danielricciardo and others

paola_sainz most unexpected crossover of the year? maybe not as unexpected as you think! me and Robert did some cool things this week and I got to meet some sweet pets, I might not come back from 'Straya

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N3CKSTRI excuse me- Robert Irwin and Paola Sainz in one place? i might actually die

prplsector spain's sweetheart with australia's sweetheart, way too cute

dutchlion can someone actually explain to me how people can hate her? if you don't like her content just stop looking at it, but actually hating on her?? can't imagine

robertirwinphotography It was good to finally see you! The animals already miss you

↳ paola_sainz oh god please don't say that, I'll cry for real 😭 I miss them too

shithappens i dunno, i still think it's pretty unexpected

fastkiwi the way this isn't even the wildest thing she's done this season 😳

predestined55 can you like rot in hell now? two faced bitch 🐍

barbiegirl they'd look sooooo goooood together

↳ zoebryne_x ik right??

logansargeant Is zookeeper next on the cv?

↳ paola_sainz you're laughing but I'd be an amazing zookeeper

↳ logansargeant Who told you that? I wouldn't trust them, you'd end up taking all the animals home

↳ paola_sainz Robert said I'd do great!

↳ logansargeant I think that's just his job, plus he's too nice to tell you the truth

↳ paola_sainz you're mean, see if I bring you gifts when I get back

4ND1 can I meet Robert Irwin now??

oscarpiastri Still looking at sights?

↳ paola_sainz why, you jealous mate?

↳ oscarpiastri Don't worry, just curious

lightning_enjyr are they even trying to hide it atp???

elmatadorf1 can she just injure sth since she's playing tennis so much? maybe then we'd get a break from her stupid face 🤢

↳ STARG3N you guys are literally insane what the hell

madi_races every time i open the comment section i get whiplash, on twt everyone is trying to figure out who the boyfriend is, the press is eating this all up, people are placing bets and here is oscar just shamelessly flirting, it's like a different universe

arthur_leclerc I'm coming with you next time

↳ paola_sainz ditch Charles and come here then

hammertime_1 guys i really don't think Oscar's the boyfriend, she's just way out of his league

isawthesainz jesus she's so cringe, excuse me while i throw up

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paola's messages:

NETHERLANDS 2024

liked by charles_leclerc, logansargeant and others

oscarpiastri And we're back 👍 break at home was good but it's nice to be racing again

see all comments...

laile_f1 he's never beating the calm cat allegations

catstri81 that is the most oscar caption to ever caption

maximumformula he's doing the dad pose 😭

4ND1 i can't with him 😭 he's just a guyy

chat_withmani ohh he's posted the girlfriend!!

elmatadorf1 i can't believe he still has a seat

↳ prplsector can you guys stop being fucking petty for a minute

paola_sainz so did the girlfriend like it in the down under mate?

↳ oscarpiastri Yeah, since she's now best friends with my sister I'm pretty sure she did mate 🙄

↳ paola_sainz what, you jealous of your sister?

↳ oscarpiastri She basically stole my girlfriend

lestappen116 he looks so happy 😭

fastkiwi it was good to see you back at home

landonorris Let's go mate! Good weekend 👍

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paola's messages:

click here to be added to the carved my name taglist!

taglist: @blushmimi @Ale-522 @joalslibrary @jaydaaasworld @vroomvroommuppett @sugarhoneylemons @formulaonebuff @clove0 @rockyhayzkid @glitzyditzy @coriyaps @irishmanwhore @gr3yhues @kikiki04 @fall-bambi @nichmeddar @sunfairyy @formulaal @marauders-wife @theseus-jpg @heavy-vettel @anxxiousaries @linaversion @gloriousmoneyrascalbiscuit @d3kstar @camelliaflow3r @delululeclerc @lesliiieeeee (xxx - couldn't tag you)

DISCLAIMER: i do not know anything about this people, this is not real life, this is just something for fun, i do not know anythings about their life or personalities!

[estcaligo]

My favourite Sebek moments from this update (Book 7, chapter 11)

*what is this picture? who knows... *Spoilers, obviously

EQUESTRIAN CLUB LORE Silver's horse name is Samson and Sebek's - Tempest (ok ok I'm so normal about this) Once again, a reference to Sebek and books, I think, amazing And guess what other horse was called Samson?

Azul mentioned that someone uploaded a video of Equestrian club to Magicam and people were saying "He looks like a prince" (obviously about Silver but Azul actually says he meant both of them :)))

When Silver asked Sebek if he knew about it he said no because

But anyway Silver thought it was about his white horse Samson Sebek got jealous (big news) and said HIS horse - Tempest - is better and Prince of Horses ahsdkjhasdkah I can't with him (don't mind this wonky translator, I'm too lazy to type everything)

Next to Jack's dream

"To live in a dorm run by a man you can't respect. What an unlucky guy he is" - he comments on Jack's dream version of Leona (the opposite of irl Leona yikes) But then he adds "well, anyone who is not in Diasomnia is unlucky" lolol ok ok we get it you're proud as you should be

TEAM RAMSHACKLE OK YES Please Sebek transfer to Ramshackle at least for one week for one day for one second I beg you, It'll be fun I promise

Leona calls Sebek TsunTsun Head :)   ツンツン頭 can be translated as "spiky-haired" or "with spiky hair" (Leona was talking about their hair) but also it's a reference to Sebek's tsundere character :) Cute detail, imo

And what does Ruggie say about Sebek?? "That Diasomnia first-year - he's built just as well as Jack" RIGHT?? I've been saying!!! He literally has dumbbells in his room, like. Canon. Thank me again for drawing canon-accurate Sebek :)

Unprotected hand-holding with Leona :) My LeoSeb heart is throbbing aw (like someone once said on twttr - Sebek do be living his dating sim dream life lol)

Also oh? Main story SebeJack - "I have no intention to forgive a Sawanaclaw students who tried to hurt Young Master with their sneaky plan. But to think they also have someone like you…" Aaaa two tsunderes interacting yes pls

Next we have some lore about Baur. Sebek says his grandfather told him it was hot, but he couldn't imagine just how hot. He comments that Baur must've had a hard time when he (suddenly??) moved to the subarctic Briar Valley. *why did he say suddenly, what happened? Was he banished???

OH??? Baur also told Sebek that there were many different species, including Night Faes and that it was an easy/nice place to live.... Then why did he leave?????

Anyway! Sebek and Grim are hungry and wanna eat lots of doughnuts (3 doughnuts omg how Sebek.....) We've got options! Either we tell them to be modest, or we cheer them on hehe

OF COURSE SEBEK EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT

Then Ruggie wakes up and cries, of course. "Malleus you are heartless, you're not a human!!" - briefly And Idia comments "Well, he it's technically not, he's a fae" IDIA💀💀💀 Then Ruggie goes - "Ughhh These faes with their fae ways..."

And Sebek hears this and OF COURSE he says

LMAO CALM DOWN

Aslo I like this Moment with Silver. Our prince is stronk

That's it! In conclusion - Sebek is the best once again!!!

[mieeaahhh]

All for the game headcannons (so so so many)

(might delete because I’m embarrassed)

-Aaron and Andrew hang out at least once a week because bee said they should give it a try and then once they graduate and live separately they call once a week instead.

-Aaron has a slightly stronger southern accent than the rest of the foxes and they like ‘mock’ him by repeating what he says sometimes. (idk if that makes sense and I’m not American so idek if he’d have a southern accent I just saw other people saying the foxes would😰)

-the foxes usually go to Aaron if Abby isn’t around when they have like a small ache in their arm or something along those lines.

-on Valentine’s Day since Eric lives so far away and Seth is yk 💀 the foxes do small things to try make nicky and Alison’s day better. Matt and Dan invite them to tag along their plans sometimes, Andrew and Neil leave them extra ice-cream in the freezer, Renee makes gets Allison flowers and sometimes takes Allison on a walk if she’s up to it, Aaron and katelyn let Nicky watch movies with them sometimes, and they also just hang out with each other and somewhat ‘bond’ about being by themselves on Valentine’s Day 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

-Aaron had piercings before meeting Andrew without his mum’s permission which obviously made her absolutely furious, so then Andrew had gotten them as well because he knew she hated them. (And he thinks they’re cool)

-the twins share a lot of their shoes. Like they’re is only one pair and it’s neither Andrews or Aarons🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

-Neil named sir and king because when he suggested that Andrew should name them, Andrew just said something lazy like “cat one and cat two”.

-Katelyn’s personality is like Nicky’s and Renee’s combined. Also I like to think that Aaron is an absolute MESS around Katelyn and the foxes do NOT leave him alone about it.

-Randy is like one of those mums that’ll ask you to invite people you are barely friends with over for tea and she started doing it with Matt about Aaron. (I like to think that Aaron and Matt end up becoming really good friends)

-Aaron doesn’t like sleeping by himself and will sometimes awkwardly ask whoever he’s with if he can sleep in their bed with them (only if he trust them like A LOT and is obviously like close with them??) and most of the foxes are aware he does this but never bring it up as they all do things that are a little childish to make themselves feel better(safe)

He’s slept In Nicky’s, Andrews and obviously Katelyn’s bed the most.

-Matt always gives people those double high-fives after good games (like this🙌) and one time turned towards Andrew for one without thinking and then put them down with a quiet apology while Andrew stared at him. Andrew silently set his hand out for Matt to give him a high five and he hesitantly did.

-there is a photo of Seth (that Allison picked) on the foxes photo wall with a metal plate thing next to it that has his name, exy position and t-shirt number.

-they take a ‘team photo’ every year for the photo wall and it’s probably the most awkward looking photo in the world.

-Katelyn is an accessory girly🤞 she constantly has hair clips and jewellery and whatever else on and when she gets sick/annoyed if having a hair clip in around Aaron she will wordlessly clip it somewhere onto him. His jumper, his hair, his bag, his shoe etc etc and a lot of the times he doesn’t even notice.

-Katelyn has videos of Aaron singing his absolute heart out while drunk and she reminds him of it whenever he’s being difficult

-a lot of the foxes sing while drunk so it often leads to a mini concert when they drink together

-Wymack has a mug signed by all the foxes that he uses every day because they got it for him on Father’s Day as a joke (Kevin’s name is the biggest)

-the twins have both been caught standing on countertops soooo many times trying to reach stuff but nobody is brave enough to mention it.

-Andrew helps dye Renee’s hair and Renee helps paint Andrews nails.

-Aaron’s septum is ALWAYS squint and it drives Katelyn mad so she always just fixes it for him and he just kinda stares at her in confusion because he honestly forgets he has piercings sometimes.

-jeans new hobby is drawing (I saw Nora say he picks up a new hobby and I’m hoping, wishing and praying it’s art related)

-Jeremy has a habit of doing this 🤙 all the time in photos.

-Kevin and Wymack start going out for lunch once a week after the books take place.

-Andrew fiddles with his piercings and picks his nail varnish when he’s bored/anxious.

-Aaron’s glasses are bent slightly from always falling asleep on them at his desk

-Neil is the only fox who isn’t afraid of spiders so he’s the designated spider remover whenever they see one.

-Neil likes holding Andrews face a lot and sometimes Neil will squish his cheeks slightly too annoy him.

-we all know Andrew has a resting bored face but I think Aaron has the worst case of rbf knows to man bro. Like he will look at Matt or something and Matt will feel the need to apologise.

-Dan, Allison and Renee invite Katelyn for girls nights and slumber parties because they know it annoys Aaron and they actually just really like her.

-Aaron likes the smiths

-Kevin has dimples

-Aaron and Andrew have freckles on their nose, Neil has freckles all over and Jeremy has freckles on his cheeks

-Aaron apologises whenever he cries (trauma response??) and when he lived with Andrew and Nicky they’d always try tell him that he has nothing to apologise for which made him cry even harder

-Neil wears caps and Andrew hates it so whenever Neil wears them Andrew flicks them off his head

-Katelyn is the tallest out of Neil, Andrew and Aaron

-Dan always sends the photos she takes to the person in said photo so that they have a copy of it as-well as it being on the wall.

-Dan and Matt have soooo many matching clothes it’s ridiculous

-Andrew has smoker lungs💔

(he coughs so much it’s concerning sometimes)

And his voice is like raspier than Aarons is

-whenever the twins say something or do something at the same time they just automatically say something like “shut up” or “stop” as if the other did it on purpose.

-the twins always sit weirdly because if they don’t they’re feet will go numb from not being able to reach the floor.

-Dan made a group chat for the foxes that barely ever ended up getting used but after everyone graduates and goes on with their own lives it ends up getting used a lot more for calling/FaceTimes each other

-Nicky sometimes tags along in the twins weekly hang outs/calls

-after that big sleepover the foxes had after getting Neil back they start doing things like that regularly. Having sleepovers, trips, movie nights, baking, board games/game nights, etc because they do start realising that maybe they do care about each other more than they say they do and it should be shown towards one another a lot more or it could be too late🤷‍♀️

Sorry bro there is so much and I can’t think of any more right now 💀

[wildgirllz]

this is super random thought that i had about Bucky, i shared it to people before but never put on asks/requests... so could you write something like this?

Imagine you getting a new roommate. Or should I say roommates because you did not expect Bucky would move in with certain adorable fluffball named Alpine. You don't mind though, you always wanted a pet but never had the chance to adopt any. And having Alpine around feels like she's your pet as well.

Your relationship with Bucky wasn't the best or the worst. It was neutral. Mostly because Bucky himself was quite reserved. He is either not at home (possibly in some sort of mission with Sam) or he's curling up with Alpine somewhere within the shared apartment. But that don't mean that y'all are not secretly pining for each other ;)

One day, you came back home from work to see Bucky pacing around anxiously. Turns out Alpine was missing, he can't find her anywhere. So they decided to went out to search for her.

You found Alpine first, she was being chased by an unleashed dog. Your poor baby was running for her life. Not thinking twice, you try to catch up with her and scoop her up to your chest before stumbling on the ground. You ended up hovering over the cat, protecting her from the feral dog. Indirectly getting yourself bitten/scratched on your shoulders, your back, any spot that was exposed to the dog. You were bleeding due to the unrestrained strength from the dog's attacks, but you mind was more concern of the cat in your arms.

When Bucky saw this. How you were literally sacrificing your body for Alpine; well he almost went full winter soldier mode. Like... no one touches "his girls". No one. But he managed to hold it back (cause we don't want to hurt the doggo) and of course, saves the day.

And the next following days were just how Bucky clings to you and do every little thing for you so you don't have to lift a finger when he's around.

You pull out your mug, he would take it from you and get your coffee done before you could stop him. You open the cabinet door in the storage room, he'd take the vaccum out before you could reach out to it. He made sure that your breakfast, lunch and dinner was on the dot; of course he was the chef of all the amazing dishes served to you.

It was nice and all at first but its not like you were paralyzed or something. And its been nearly 2 weeks. Your wounds were almost healed. You wanted to do something at least but apparently Bucky thinks that you needed rest.

So you kinda raised your tone, "i can't even make grab myself snack from the kitchen now? Whats next, Bucky? You'll bathe me? Or better yet you'll help me to get off? Cause god forbid I can't even turn on a fucking vibrator because I'm 'severely injured ' "

You were spouting all the things that you thought he wouldn't have the guts to do, just to make him stop doing literally everything for you. But turns out he was more than willing to do exactly what you just proposed.

Maybe he don't even need to use the vibrator. Maybe his fingers were enough, or his mouth, or his cock.

This is how I imagined it in my head, but feel free to write in your own way though! Have a nice day, love ♡

Girl look at that request 💀 you’re insane

Here you go!! <3

(I most definitely did not do your request justice im so sorry)

Let Me Do It Myself

It had been nearly two weeks since you saved Alpine from the unleashed dog, and Bucky had been hovering over you ever since. At first, it was nice to have someone taking care of you, but now it was starting to feel suffocating.

You were sitting on the couch, trying to work on your laptop, but Bucky kept interrupting you. Every time you tried to do something, he would jump up and do it for you. It was driving you crazy.

"Bucky, please," you said, exasperated. "I can get my own glass of water."

"I just want to help," he replied, looking at you with concern.

"I know, and I appreciate it, but I need to do things for myself. I'm not helpless."

Bucky looked at you for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay, I understand. But if you need anything, just ask."

You nodded, relieved that he seemed to be getting the message. But over the next few days, he continued to hover, always ready to jump up and do things for you. You were starting to feel like a burden.

One evening, you were making yourself a sandwich when Bucky walked into the kitchen.

"Let me do that," he said, reaching for the knife.

"No, Bucky," you said firmly. "I can make my own sandwich."

"I just want to help," he repeated.

"I know, but I need to do things for myself. I need to feel like I'm not completely helpless."

Bucky looked at you for a moment, then sighed. "Okay, I understand. But please be careful."

You rolled your eyes. "I will."

As the days passed, you tried to assert your independence, but it seemed like every time you did, Bucky was there to pick up the slack. You were starting to get frustrated.

Then, one day, you snapped.

"I can't even make grab myself snack from the kitchen now?" you said, your voice rising. "What's next, Bucky? You'll bathe me? Or better yet, you'll help me to get off? Because God forbid I can't even turn on a fucking stove because I'm 'severely injured.'"

Bucky looked at you, his expression unreadable. "Is that what you really think of me?"

The passion between them was palpable, the tension wrapping around them tight like a cord in the small bedroom. The thundering rain outside its windows provided the perfect background music for their highly charged moment.

Bucky Barnes had just crossed a line, pushing his luck with pushing the boundaries of her patience, and now he was paying the price. She was angry and she had every right to be. 

'You always do this,' she said, her voice tight with frustration. 'You always think that you know what's better for me than I know for myself.'

'No, I just,' he stumbled over his words, her anger turning him on. 'I don't want you to get hurt.'

She huffed in response, pushing his chest away from her and not even trying to hide her scowl. He stepped back and let his hands slide off of her body, feeling the loss of her warmth instantly.

She knew that her frustration was only turning him on more, which only made her angrier. She wanted to take control of the situation.

' You don't get to make decisions for me, Bucky,' she said, her voice softer this time around, though still firm with her assertion.

He swallowed, his throat actually running dry, his body responding in a way that only she could make it. He stepped closer to her, his hands sliding around her waist before he pulled her into him. 

She expected him to say something in response, not to take her in his arms and bring his lips down upon hers.

Their mouths moved together as if they had done this a million times, each stroke and caress of their lips only making them hungrier for more. His fingers ran up her back, squeezing her closer and further teasing her already sensitised skin.

The taste of him consumed her, making her forget why she was even angry with him in the first place. He let out a groan of satisfaction as her hands ran through his hair, both trying to deepen the kiss.

Finally when they did pull apart, both of them breathing heavily, their eyes connected, neither wanting to break the contact.

He leaned down again, his lips running down her neck, her moan vibrating through his body as he left a trail of gentle kisses. She arched into him as his tongue ran over her collarbone, his hands exploring her body as he moved lower. 

He groaned when his fingers touched her between her thighs and her body instantly reacted, pressing against him, desperate to feel the pleasure his hands were giving her.

He pulled back and looked at her, their eyes still connected as each of them tried to take the other in. His face was filled with admiration and appreciation as he said, 'You're so beautiful.'

He cupped her chin in his hand and kissed her again as he lowered her onto the bed, his body following hers as her hips moved against his. For a moment, he paused, his lips still connected to hers, a question in his eyes, asking for her permission. 

Her eyes answered for her when she let out a soft moan, pushing herself against him even more, pressing his body into hers. 

He responded by pushing himself in, their bodies melting together as he started to move, his hips moments surging upward with each thrust. His hands still moved around her body, both bracing for the intensity of the pleasure, and caressing her soft curves, taking in the sensation of her body against his.

'God, you feel so good,' he said, his words barely audible over her moans of pleasure.

The intensity built as they moved together, each of them finding their release moments later, Bucky burying his face into her neck and calling out her name as his orgasm swept over them.

They laid there, their bodies still connected, until finally Bucky rolled off of her and laid on his back next to her. 

He reached over and gently brushed her hair away from her face, a satisfied smile gracing his face. He paused for a moment, just taking her in, before finally speaking.

'I'm sorry for trying to make decisions for you,' he said softly, regret laced into his voice. 'I just want to take care of you and make sure that nothing ever hurts you. I love you.'

“I love you so much, Bucky.”

[jamiedryssnail]

pls i need to know about quinn and that experience 💀💀😭😭

- replying to anon

Warnings- Smut!!!! Awkward Quinn!

LoveOfMyLifeAu

Rutger and Madi had been deprived of each other all week if you know what I mean.

Spending summers at the lake house got hard. Let’s just say there was never any peace and quiet. Especially right now as it was the peak of summer. With her having her three brothers and all there friends. There was always so much going on it was extremely chaotic to say the least.

They had not had time nor been left alone to have sex this week. Usually there 5 times a week kinda people so it has been hard.

Especially because rutger has been walking around shirtless all week and his biceps looking better than usual.

Rutger was no better. He love love loves mads in her bikini. Her tits pushed up in just the right way. Her piercings all visible accept for some ifykyk….

Oh my god and her ass just bounced perfectly as she walked around. He was honestly in disgust with himself. He had gotten a boner four times in the last week in front of everyone. He obviously ran of and dealt with it the way he does on roadies. Pulling out a pic of Stella out of all the ones she’s sent or he’s took. And going for it.

It was safe to say that we’re both so horny it’s all they could think about. So when everyone went out for dinner and they said they wanted a movie night what better time to do it. They both knew they were needing each other. They had played a movie getting out snacks as everyone started exiting the house in different vehicles. Quinn ending up having to drive himself.

Little did they know Quinn had lost a game of beer pong and had to pay for everything tonight everyone’s dinner. I mean it’s not like he didn’t have the money. Once he arrived at the restaurant he realised this and told everyone he’d be back soon and had to rush home.

Oh poor Quinn.

As soon as Quintin had left rutger had started to undress her starting with her sundress, then her bikini top, and bottoms. As she layed beneath him on the leather couch he started smothering her breast with kisses. Small moans left Madi’s lips as he pinched her sensitive nipples.

Rutgers lips kissing her cold pierced boobs. Rut didn’t think he could get any harder.

“Please Rut” Madi exclaimed breathlessly

“What baby, use your words” he said smiling down at her.

Madi having had enough decided to show him she slid herself onto her back as rutger watched. She started fingering herself rubbing soft circles on her clit as he watched. Load moans leaving her lips.

At this point rutger has had enough he needed her. But also being rutger he has to please her.

So without warning he grabbed her by the hips and started licking all around her wet pussy. Her aching core practically begging for his dick.

After a few minutes he needed to fuck her.

“Baby you ready” rutger whispered

“Yes, I need you in me” she moaned back

Rutger without a second thought started fucking her. It was like heaven to them or at least for the next minute.

The room was so filled with moaning and groaning they didn’t hear Quinn’s car engine come and stop.

Nor did they hear the door open.

“Faster Rut, Oh right there baby” Mads screamed.

“Oh my god baby your so tigh-“ rut was cut off

“ Holy Fuck, Holy Fuck, STOP OH MY GOD YUCK” Quinn’s voice echoed through the air.

Madison quickly covered herself up trying to hide under rutger.

“ omg are you stopping I need my keys what the fuck your just kids”

“Bleach my eyes”

“GET THE FUCK OFF MY SISTER, was the im going to bleach my eyes not enough”

“quinny we’re not currently fucking” madi said

“yea but you were and oh gross don’t use that words” he said

“oh wait oh yuck gross im getting flashbacks”

“Oh shut up and get out” madi said jokingly

And oh my god did he. He basically ran.

Honestly it should have ruined the mood but it didn’t they still did it. They did it hard ( ew wtf I just gave myself the ick )

Quinn handled it reasonably well never ever bringing it up again. Let’s just hope it doesn’t happen with Luke or his forbid Jack.

It Does…

[saneriddlefan67]

ace who had a whole ass conspiracy board abt who the other basketball team members are dating vs. Jamiazu being vague as hell, Jamil never talking abt personal info, and neither of them doing a ton of pda (but just enough to make him suspicious) and also florid. Just being them.

Thank you for this amazing ask. Unleashing my ship demons rn to reply to this🙏

The moment Ace sees Jamil giving Azul a TINY genuine smile he already starts suspecting, he tells Deuce and the Ramshackle dorm and they all say he's just making up stuff, Ace keeps trying to explain to them how they're totally dating or they at least have a crush on each other like:

Jamil is completely aware of how Ace knows him and Azul are dating and I can see two outcomes to this:

1- He mentions it one day casually acting like he doesn't know Ace was for months looking like a conspiracy theorist trying to prove their relationship and then he laughs with Azul about it later.

2- Jamil and Azul decide to mess up with Ace. Everytime they're walking down the halls and they see that he's the only one there they hug each other and start acting like a typical overly affectionate couple on purpose. They do this multiple times and then when Ace asks Jamil about him dating Azul he goes "Dating Azul? Try coming up with better jokes next time" Ace loses his mind everytime Jamil says that, he's convinced they're messing up with him but after weeks of gaslighting he starts thinking it might be his imagination.

Now you would maybe ask: why they would do this? Because I think they should be evil/chaotic together. They're already busy enough with their own tasks and they spend a lot of their time together relaxing (like cuddling, talking about their days or stuff about themselves, doing schoolwork together, etc-) they're only missing the being evil together, I want to see them pulling little pranks on people and having fun (Also neither of them had the possibility of doing this when they were kids, Azul was studying all the time and refused to participate on pranks the Tweels would pull, while Jamil had to take care of Kalim and prevent him from dying).

I think that they don't exactly hide their relationship but they don't show a lot the fact that they're dating?) Or at least from Jamil's side. Azul takes every chance he gets to mention HIS BOYFRIEND JAMIL in any conversation he has, he wants to make sure everyone knows that he's dating the beautiful and smart Jamil Viper, but then in public they don't do stuff like high PDA or kisses and shit so people get mixed signals and they think Azul is lying about Jamil being his boyfriend💀 they can believe almost anything that comes from Azul's mouth, but him dating Jamil??? Not in a hundred years.

-

With Floyrid it's a slightly different situation. Just like Jamiazu no one really expected them to be dating, not even Ace, he was expecting Riddle to end up murdering Floyd rather than them dating. Worst of all is that he found out on accident, I can think 100 different ways of how Ace found out they were dating but idk which one to write so this is up to your interpretation.

I think I would need to do a whole separate post for them, I have a lot of ideas. Don't trust my word though I might forget to write it💔

Thank you again for this ask!!! It was pretty fun to think about and write, you're always welcome to send me stuff like this :3 Ranting about my favs is my favorite thing so I love this kind of asks.

[this-is-moony-lovegood]

👧👧👧

💀💀💀

& my absolute fav 🏹🏹🏹

Girl Dad!Buck 👧🏼 - This fic was 13K worth of dialogue that needed some serious editing, so thanks for making me pick this one back up! Also, I know this is a Girl Dad! Buck fic, but those two co-parent hardddd so enjoy this clip of a victim talking to Eddie in the back of an ambulance about his new nail art.

“Nice nails.” Ms. Martin says, eyes directly on Eddie’s still-painted fingernails. He had been so busy getting his own house in order yesterday, that he didn’t even think about how his nails must look. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d walked around with painted nails before. Although, when his sisters had done them for him back in the day, Adriana and Sophia had held back on the sparkle nail polish. “Thanks.” Eddie says, rolling his eyes as Chimney snorts next to him. “Let me guess, you have a little girl at home, right?” “Yeah, she’s eleven.” Eddie offers simply. “She had a sleepover this weekend and she and her friends went a little overboard.” He explains, wiggling his fingers a little closer to give her a better view. “Do you have a photo?” “Yeah, of course.” He doesn’t think twice as he slides his phone out of his pocket and clicks the side button, lighting up the lock screen. It’s a photo he’d taken of Chris and Hailey from when he and Buck took them to the aquarium last week. In the perfectly timed photo - courtesy of one Evan Buckley - they were posing in front of the whale tank when a beluga whale came and joined them for the photo. Buck had also snapped a few more after the pointed out the whale, and the kids excitedly turned to say hello. “Hailey is my nail artist, and then the other one is my son, Christopher.” “Oh, they’re adorable.” She smiles sweetly, bringing her hand up to rest over her heart. “I remember when my kids were that age. They really grow up so fast.” “Yeah they do.” Eddie agrees.

Bones AU 💀 - Over 15K and counting! This is a snipet of Chimney and Buck while they're buried underground.

“Since we’re spilling our guts apparently, got anything you want to share?” Chimney asks, finishing his sentence with a wince. His hands are clenched into tight fists, which Buck is sure is meant as an outlet to redirect his pain from the severe pressure building in his leg right now. “With you?” Buck scoffs. “You’re the worst secret keeper on the planet.” “First off, I might die here of shock in a few minutes once you slice me open, and if that’s the case then you won’t have to worry about me telling anyone your secret.” “Chim-” “And second,” Chimney adds, cutting off Buck’s protest, “if the secret you’re going to tell me involves how you feel about a certain FBI agent, then that’s pretty well known to everybody, so it’s not really a secret you need to worry about me keeping.”

Green Arrow AU 🏹 - Oh, the beloved Green Arrow AU! Here's a piece of Buck and Eddie meeting again for the first time since he came back from Lian Yu (yes, I know that differs from the original plot, but I am taking some creative liberties with their backstory)!

He looks different from the last time that Eddie had seen him. He’s gotten taller, at least four inches, standing at nearly 6’2” now. For someone who had been stranded on a desert island for seven years, Eddie would think he should have withered away, yet, Buck is bulkier than he remembers, broader, four times the muscles that he remembers Buck having. He stands taller, his back straighter, but his head ducks lower than he used to, as if he’s purposefully trying to hide. Eddie had seen Buck on the news telling the world that he was alone on that island after everyone on the Buckley’s Gambit had drowned. Yet, if he was alone on that island, why does he carry himself like a solider who just came back from combat, one who is constantly on his toes, ready for any attack? “Buck! Hold on, there’s someone that I want to introduce you to.” Bobby calls, causing Buck to stop in his tracks. He pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath before turning to face Bobby, who is quickly approaching him. He forces a smile, before shifting his gaze away from Bobby to Eddie for the first time. It’s subtle, but Eddie swears he sees Buck’s eyes widen and his smile soften for half a second in recognition. “This is Eddie Diaz. He’ll be accompanying you from now on.” “Bobby, I don’t need a babysitter.” He insists, refocusing on the older man. “I understand, but this is… this is something that Maddie needs…” Bobby tells him, reaching up to gently squeeze Buck’s bicep. “It’s something I need, too. Okay?”

Keep requesting! This is just the motivation I need! :)

[t-the-ring-master]

Funny things that happened to me, my sister, and our best friend in “Escape the backrooms.”

Literally just stuff we did and said while playing. We still are working through it and are on some kind of level on the hotel I think. We hate the dogs.

Okay keywords/names.

Me T: Sword

My sister C: Coco

Our best friend(we’ll call her A I guess): Corgi

Contains spoilers to the game probably.

Level 0: looking for the latter. We all spawn in different places and are using proximity can’t.

Sword: Marco! Marco! MARCO LOSERS!

Corgi: I got the latter!

Sword: *screams bloody murder.*

Level 0: crossing the holed floor to get to the vent. Both Corgi and Coco fell.

Sword: I’m making it.

Coco: she’s not gonna make it.

Sword: I’m making it!

Corgi: she might actually make it.

Sword: I made it! *falls the very second I get there.*

Corgi: she didn’t make it.

Sword: *screams in Spanish because English just didn’t feel right to convey my rage.*

Level 2 (the parking garage): the three girls try to make it past a skin stealer

Coco: there’s a skin stealer.

Corgi: *completely ignores her and gets killed.*

Sword: welp… at least we know what they do now.

Level 2: Skin stealer tries to hit up a couple of girls after murdering their friend/sister

Sword: *sees Coco get killed*

Corgi: I think Coco got killed.

Sword: yeah I saw it

Skin stealer: hey!

Sword: no.

Skin stealer: *literally goes to the window Corgi is watching from* hey.

Corgi: no.

Level 3(?): another version of the parking garage but you need to find a random door to get to the next level. The three girls are in a small room talking and trying to figure out what to do.

Corgi: okay, so one of us needs to go out.

Coco: *is glitched out and watching through the door* yeah he’s gone so we should be good.

Sword: I’ll run and lead him off.

Corgi: *Opens the door and the skin stealer is right there.*

Skin stealer: *Kills everyone and leaves Coco alive. Whom is still standing surrounded by Corgi and Sword’s dead bodies and not even crouching.*

Coco: OH MY GOD!

Skin stealer: *looks her dead in the eyes* hey. *Runs out.*

Coco: wow.

Sword: *in the chat* My man needs to learn how to pick up girls better, because this ain’t it.

Lost track of levels but the one where there’s generators and the weird dogs are there: the girls are on the final three generators.

Coco: *is already dead and is looking at a map for Sword and corgi.*

Corgi: okay, I’m good with the flash light! As long as I don’t die we should be good!

Sword: cool, watch out for the-

Corgi: *walks into the electrified water.*

Sword:…. So about the “as long as I don’t die-“

Still in the dog level (this level took us about 4 weeks to finish oh my god we hated it.): Coco is dead, Corgi and sword finally got the final generator and have to make their way back to the main gate.

Corgi: Final room! We’re gonna make it!

Sword: awesome, just don’t die on me. Keep your flash light on the dog so I can get through the door and lead you-

Corgi: *messes up and gets killed.*

Sword: CORGI! *Starts panicking and somehow manages to get to the main gate after closing the door.*

Sword: I HATE BACKROOMS!

(I managed to make it, I had no clue if more dogs would come so I just sprinted screaming and freaking out -partly in Spanish- because I was now by myself. Did not forgive A for that for a while lol.)

That’s all I can remember for right now. I’ll probably write a little burb about this sometime also more stuff we did/said. We are finally a little ahead in the game but the level we are on got both dogs and skin stealers so we all avoiding like the plague at the moment. I might even do a lethal company for what might happen if the 3 of us played it. (We all want it but don’t got that gamer money and spent it on backrooms 😔)

You all might get some other blurbs of us when we play other games as well, because it’s always chaos. Anyways, bye my darling readers! I gave up on level numbers so fast 💀.

[highandlow-in-borderland]

Todojima HCs

Pairing: Todoroki x Yuken (High&low: the Worst X)

A/N: Holy fucknuts, I had no idea these would end up being so long. My Todojima brain rot is really starting to show 💀 Also, I know I switch between past and present tense in this, don’t @ me

Thank you times a thousand to @livelaughlovehyunjin​ for beta-ing this! 💕

They never agreed to meet, but Todoroki and Yuken crossed paths on the dock at least once a week

Yuken always thought Todoroki was indifferent to his presence, but there was one week in April when Yuken stayed home sick

And Todoroki noticed

He found that, while still relaxing, fishing just wasn’t as nice without Yuken around

Because when Yuken wasn’t there, Todoroki couldn’t glance at him every few minutes to take in his pretty profile

And Yuken couldn’t pretend not to notice

And yet—

Each man had convinced himself that there was no way the other one could ever want to be with him, albeit for very different reasons

Todoroki was certain that Yuken was far out of his league, and Yuken believed that Todoroki wasn’t a romantic person, period

They were both wrong

But what to do? After all, Yuken knew that Todoroki often stared at him and ask him where he was when he was away

But that didn’t mean he had a crush…right?

But Yuken is too curious to ignore it

So he starts pushing boundaries

Each day at the dock, he inches closer to the stoic, black-haired person next to him

Todoroki should warn him to keep his distance, lest their fishing lines get tangled up

But he doesn’t

Instead, Doroki asks Yuken one day if he’s hungry, suggesting they pause fishing to go to a street food vendor

Yuken knows better than to miss an opportunity, so he nods nonchalantly

But his heart is pounding

They eat for about half an hour, then walk along the riverfront until well after dark

It’s the first time Yuken sees Todoroki smile, and he thinks there’s no way this is actually happening he is so cute but then—

Todoroki laughs

Yuken says something offhand, and Doroki actually laughs

At the same time that Yuken is thinking he needs more of a smiling Todoroki in his weekly routine, Doroki is thinking to himself that this is the first time in a long time he’s actually had fun

Their conversations run for hours and it becomes increasingly evident that they’re on the same wavelength about a lot in life 

Including not talking about their feelings

Todoroki doesn’t want to, and Yuken doesn’t need to

They communicate by acts of service and physical touch

Todoroki starts bringing Yuken coffee at Housen so he can recharge between practice fights

And Yuken learns how to properly bandage knuckles so that he can help Todoroki patch up after brawls

Thinking, Maybe if I hold eye contact while I do this, he’ll get the hint??

Doroki’s breath hitches in his throat the first time Yuken does this

Not only because he’s not used to someone doing that for him, but because it’s Yuken and he’s so close and is he holding eye contact on purpose??

One thing that the two have in common is that no one expects passion from them

Todoroki is unwavering, relentlessly coolheaded, and Yuken is an easygoing jokester

But they love the same way that they fight— focused and ferocious

Even then, Yuken was taken aback at Todoroki’s eagerness the first time they kissed

Because Yuken may be an expert flirt, but Todoroki is full of pent-up Gay frustration

Yuken was watching Todoroki practice kicks on the punching bag in his homeroom at Oya, and the little voice in his head had started to become an impatient scream

He moved away from the wall and stilled the punching bag as Doroki watched, also moving closer without realizing it

But Yuken doesn’t stop at that, stepping closer and closer until the only thing keeping them from each other is the bag itself

And neither of them is certain what’s happening, but they know they don’t want it to stop

Yuken moves around the bag until he can feel Todoroki’s breath across his lips, and he’s sure that Todoroki can hear his heart pounding

Their lips meet and it’s strange at first; unfamiliar

Yuken pulls away first, but only barely, to look at Doroki and make sure that this is real

And then it clicks into place

And Doroki is pulling Yuken back to him by the back of his neck, kissing him with such urgency that Yuken has to wonder if he thought about doing this

They both did, many times, and by the time it happens, it’s long overdue

And fishing is never quite the same

[dead-tired-cm]

The Red Hood - Jason Todd

Close ups and fic updates under the cut click images for better quality - tumblr ruins it

I worked on this for like a week while procrastinating writing both my fics(404 - Title Not Found and A Cat and Her Stray). Excuse the poor anatomy, I need more practice.

The plan was to post The Adventures of a Cat and Her Stray like two weeks after the poll and it’s been a whole month 💀 The same with 404 - Title Not Found, the next chapter was supposed to be at least a first draft by now but I don’t got more than a sentence.

Good news tho! The chapter one rewrite of The Adventures of a Cat and Her Stray is done and should be up sometime this week and 404 - Title Not Found will be worked on.

[sunskate]

FD-

with nearly half the teams cut after the RD, the FD was all teams who had Grand Prix assignments (except S/F who weren't yet eligible 🇨🇦→🇮🇪)

PiriHara's Chicago program was a surprise - it hadn't made much of an impression over a stream, but what do you know, Broadway is better live 😅

Olivia and Tim - they never did work out the timing glitches in this program. at least he made it to the end without struggling so much condition-wise like he did at Challenge Cup a few weeks ago. catching up to her in one season was a tall order. i really love how languid and easy she can make it look while covering big ice. send him to IAMO for the summer. it's no consolation to them, but going below both sibling teams allowed the Czech Republic to keep 2 spots for next Worlds

Taschlers were low balled - in no reality should they be below Davis/Smolkin

the swan lakes - D/S in this context, skating against strong teams, look so very small, shallow and with not much ice coverage. it doesn't help that they picked huge music that normally would be danced by an entire stage full of swans. plus their music cut had a couple awful jarring edits - the audacity to slug in extra notes in Tchaikovsky 💀 i might be the only one so bothered lol

the Mrazeks by comparison looked smoother and faster and smarter in that they picked some of the gentler swan lake music including the waltz. for a first year senior team, they can be proud. another first year team who's been even more stellar is Hannah and Ye -

omg they were so good - they're able to be so emotional without feeling over the top. just expressive and connected to each other. lovely ❤️

i like Demougeot/LeMercier - i'm going to look forward to see what they do next. i hope they keep being quirky

really happy to see T/V and R/A live - T/V are willowy and ethereal, and her ballet background shows. but i don't think they get down into the ice. i like this FD a lot, but the interest in it is in those arm movements and elements more so than the skating. R/A i liked the RD a little more than the FD but like them very much

CPom are raising their game all the time - so happy for them and their well earned rise. what i love is that not only do you see them becoming better skaters and performers, but you can see they believe - their confidence in themselves is at a completely different place than it was 2 years ago

omg, live i didn't see just how long Charlene's skirt was caught on her blade at the end. idk if Barbara in the kiss and cry was holding her breath to see if the judges used the little mistakes to put F/G ahead. thank god they didn't, because G/F still have such a higher quality

and Piper and Paul - this program uses the glide and sweep of the music to emphasize that in the skating in a beautiful way. a skated program is so much more satisfying than an element-fest like C/B's. as impressive as their elements and performances can be, i don't know if i've ever been moved by a program of theirs

my favorite of the entire event - LaLa - i was crying by the gorgeous OFt. they alone would have been worth the trip. but gratitude to all the skaters and their coaches - my cup's full. i'm still processing

[runakamoran]

A late FNAF piece for WIP Wednesday

I wanted to post it yesterday, but then I forgor 💀 Silent Hill 2 remake is taking my mind rn. But have a little piece of mini FNAF fic I've been working on this autumn. Post-canon SB Savior ending.

❗ TW: attempted murder, descriptions of violence

It's been over a month, but Vanessa still isn't sure what to do. You'll figure it out when you get there, they told her at work. But the road goes on and on, farm after farm, town after town. She never gets anywhere, and everything just becomes more confusing.

Turns out, even the Internet can't tell what to do if your identity has been stolen by an evil doppelganger who kept you captive for past six months. Or how to cope with the horror overtaking you every time you see your own face in the mirror. And how to move on after this, when all you have left is a bag of clothes, an old laptop, and a stolen van with altered license plates.

She tried to look for an answer. She's still looking, but never found.

The future seems bleak and blurry. She tries not to think about it. Not to think about what she’ll do when winter comes; when the van serving as their home becomes too cold to spend nights in; when her savings run dry just when she needs them most – when her laptop breaks, or her car, or the boy sleeping on the trunk floor doesn’t get better… A good number of “what ifs” she’s not prepared for, neither physically or mentally, make her head spin.

So Vanessa tries not to think about the future and focuses on here and now. The gas station is four miles away. They need to stop and have breakfast. Add another ten gallons to the tank and hope it'll be enough to get them to the next town.

Route 95 stretches forward, an endless gray stripe through the withered savannah. The sun rises slowly over the brown sandstone hills. The arid plateau, pitted with ravines, stretches for miles around. Every now and then, lone farms and ranches appear on the sides, but they quickly fade into the tawny Mojave Desert. Nevada will be behind them soon. California is next. And then.. who knows.

Vanessa hums lazily to a song of Crosby, Stills and Nash playing on radio. Behind her, Gregory sleeps, curled up on the floor. They've thrown out the back seats and lined the entire back of the van with rugs and blankets, turning it into some sort of motorhome. Next to her, plugged into the cigarette lighter by a charger cable, sits the third and final passenger, Freddy. Or what's left of him. The edge of the blanket hides him securely in case someone curious wants to look in the windows.

If a year ago someone told Vanessa her only company would be a street boy and a talking head, she would've probably laughed. It still seems as ridiculous as it sounds.

There's no one at the gas station except for one sleepy attendant. The woman buys a few sandwiches, a cup of coffee for herself and a box of juice for Gregory. The boy is snoring heavily, his swollen nose buried in the pillow; drool is dripping from his slightly open mouth. Vanessa pats his shoulder carefully. At least, she tries to - the boy shudders from her touch and immediately opens his eyes.

"Hush, it's me," she says softly. "Come on, it's time to take your meds."

"Good morning, superstars!" the voice from under the covers sounds much more cheerful. "You should have breakfast first! It's bad to take your medication on an empty stomach."

Greg grumbles discontentedly, tosses and turns in his makeshift bed. However, his whims quickly stop as soon as he hears the rustle of an opening package. The boy grasps his sandwich as if someone's going to take it away. It's an old habit.

He looked so much better than he was a week ago, but some wounds still needed attention. The bruises had healed, except for the biggest ones, especially the one stretching around his neck. Several cuts on his arms and legs still needed bandages, and the old ones covering his dark skin needed replacing. The biggest problem was his nose - the swelling was lessening, but the bridge was crooked, and his wheezing and frequent nosebleeding weren't encouraging at all. They couldn't see a doctor, so Vanessa had to deal with everything herself. As best she could.

They couldn't draw attention to themselves. According to official data, Vanessa Anderson-Johnson was found guilty of theft, vandalism, kidnapping and murder of at least nine people. Not long ago, her name was flashing in news across the country; but at least she knew the police won't be looking for her.

According to official data, Vanessa Anderson-Johnson was dead.

She tries to be gentle, but the boy still hisses when she puts antiseptic on his inflamed skin. He never complains and hardly ever cries, probably seeing it a sign of weakness. Nessa still makes him take painkillers, along with antibiotics and vitamins. He didn't survive a fight with a killer just to die from some infection.

When she's done, Vanessa puts away the first aid kit, pats the boy on the head, and tells him to stay here while she works in the cafe for a bit. Gregory waves lazily and curls up on his cot again, clearly not planning on getting up for the next couple of hours. Freddy promises to look after the boy, and she believes him. This robot adores his kid and will protect him - as much as a talking head wired to a car can do so.

Vanessa finishes another assignment and hopes she will get paid this time. Freelance is an unreliable thing. You never know who's sitting on the other side and whether they cheat or not. But at least she has the opportunity to earn some money without having to reveal her face and identity. And this is the only source of income available, so Nessa grits her teeth, endures insults and makes any edits, so the client will finally pay.

She tries not to look in the mirrors; but, washing her hands after bathroom break, she inadvertently meets her reflection. Vanessa freezes, when for a moment she sees her in her own face - her crooked smile, her eyes burning with malicious joy. The woman jerks away from the mirror in horror. However, when she looks up again, she sees herself - her pale and nervous face, with chapped lips and dark eye bags. Despite everything, it's still her, Vanessa. Even if the rest of the world doesn't know.

That woman took everything from her. College savings, an old car, all belongings, her documents and job, her identity, her freedom. Even that nickname, Vanny, was a cruel mockery of a name she stole. But there was one thing she couldn't take away: her life. At the last moment, Vanessa was saved by the boy that woman considered her prey.

Vanessa takes longer than usual to wash her face, as if the cold water could wash away all her fatigue and road dust.

She tries not to think about that night, even though it's burned into her memory and comes back to her mind whether she wants it or not. They're almost out; the clock hit six in the morning, the doors are wide open. But Vanny is there first, along with every security bot in the mall. Freddy tried to stop them. He's but a head now.

Vanessa drags the boy toward the loading docks, despite his protests. Suddenly, he breaks free and disappears around the corner. The young woman runs to the security post, throws open the box and grabs the key to the service van. She turns to run again – and meets her double on the other side of the glass. The woman with Vanessa’s face grins back and raises the hammer.

The reflection shatters, a shower of shards scattering across the small office, and Vanny is already inside. Nessa barely has time to reach for the door before a strong, gloved fist strikes under her chin, in her stomach, in her temple. The ceiling spins, her breath hitches. Someone grabs her by the hair, throws her head against the table, thrashing her like a doll. Another blow, and Vanessa is on the floor. As usual in scenario like this, her double is always stronger.

The doppelganger pulls out her belt and tightens it around the real Vanessa's neck.

"Think about it," Vanny whispers, tightening her grip. "A simple security guard took advantage of her position, and used it to lure and kill children! But suddenly, she felt remorseful and hanged herself in her own office. What a story!"

The evil reflection floats and fades, and her head sinks into a silent vacuum. Vanessa always loses this fight.

"And no one will ever know… Not if they think I am you."

But she wasn't alone that night.

A scream tears through the void, and air comes back to her lungs. Vanny screams; Gregory hangs on her, clutching her hair with one hand. In the other, he holds a box cutter, and stabs her back over and over. Blood splatters across the shards of glass.

The woman howls in pain and spins around, trying to get the boy clinging to her like a small, ferocious bull terrier. Vanessa tries to crawl away, to get to her feet, but her body protests. Vanny barely manages to tear Gregory from her. The boy throws the cutter away - its blade has broken from his furious blows - and runs. The woman catches him at the door.

"Bastard! Son of a bitch!" she roars. "I'll rip your guts out, you brat!"

The sounds of struggle fade as her consciousness slips away; but Vanessa quickly comes to her senses. She must've been out for around ten minutes. In that time, the security post has changed drastically.

Empty concrete walls and floors, broken furniture - everything is covered in blood. Vanessa has never seen so much in her life. The air smells sickeningly of iron, and her aching head spins. Vomit rises in her throat, and she barely holds herself back. In the lake of red lies her double with a cut throat. She's still smiling.

Vanessa hears a small sob and remembers – oh god, Gregory. He’s still there, tucked in the far corner. Sitting with his arms wrapped around knees, huddled in a ball, covered in blood from head to toe. It doesn't take long for her to put two and two together. Forgetting her own pain, she grabs the key on the floor, scoops the boy up in her arms, and runs.

Halfway to the loading docks, he suddenly comes to life, wriggles out and runs off to grab some duffel bag. Vanessa doesn’t ask why – she shoves him into the backseat, starts the van and takes off, nearly knocking down the roller shutters.

From that moment on, they run.

Much later, Vanessa thought she shouldn't have done that. Maybe if she'd just waited for the police and explained the situation, they wouldn't have gotten stuck in this mess. But she was too scared and shocked to think straight, and it was too late to turn back now.

But it didn't matter, because she's still alive, no matter what. So, gathering everything she had left, Vanessa is building her future anew.

[odanurr87]

Alchemy of Completed 2022 Kdramas - Part 1

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

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

Anything between 5 and 6 is considered average

Shows between 7 and 8 are considered above average

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

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

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

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

A Business Proposal⭐

Episode count: 12

Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: 8/10

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

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

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

Again My Life⭐

Episode count: 16

Where to watch: Viki

Rating: 8/10

Verdict: Lawful Lawyer is back!

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

Alchemy of Souls - Part 1

Episode count: 20

Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: 6/10

Verdict: Watch a fantasy cdrama instead

Alternatives: Fights Break Sphere, Fighter of the Destiny

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

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

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

Alchemy of Souls - Part 2

Episode count: 10

Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: 7/10

Verdict: Works better as a standalone watch

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

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

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

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

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

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Episode count: 16

Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: 6/10

Verdict: Better luck in S2

Alternatives: Good Doctor, Again My Life

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

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

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

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

Fanletter, Please⭐

Episode count: 4

Where to watch: Viki

Rating: 8/10

Verdict: A lot of heart in a small package

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

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

Forecasting Love and Weather

Episode count: 16

Where to watch: Viki, Netflix

Rating: 6/10

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

Alternatives: She Would Never Know, The Rational Life

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

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

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

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

Glitch💀

Episode count: 10

Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: 3/10

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

Alternatives: Circle

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

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

Good Job

Episode count: 12

Where to watch: Viki

Rating: 7/10

Verdict: Good fun

Alternatives: Secret Royal Inspector

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

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

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

Grid💀

Episode count: 10

Where to watch: Disney+

Rating: 4/10

Verdict: Another nail in the kdrama sci-fi coffin

Alternatives: 365: Repeat the Year, Reset, Circle

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

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

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

If You Wish Upon Me⭐

Episode count: 16

Where to watch: Viki

Rating: 8/10

Verdict: The genie from Aladdin would be proud

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

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

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

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

Jinxed at First💀

Episode count: 16

Where to watch: Viki

Rating: 4/10

Verdict: Oh, it's jinxed alright

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

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

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

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

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

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

[trashworldblog]

Hi!

I hope ur well.

Anyway I wanted to know if u have any accomidations in ur college for your disablitie? It seems you are constantly in pain and could use some extra help? (PLS CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG) I see ur posts about ur disablites and I can't help but feel sympathy, I know some of what your going through (my ass has been on meds as well as being in and out of hospitals my whole life)

I don't know what your collage could offer and such but I hope you at get some extra help bc everyone should have a good college experience and not have to cry in front of professors bc of pain and stress.

I hope you are better in the next few days. And I hope u get some good vitimin D (Illinois is cloudy as shit rn).

hi!! thanks for checking in !! yeah my school provides accommodations. its just hard as fuck to do (paperwork, doctors signatures, etc) and i havent had the time or energy to do it yet. im hoping to get flexible due dates and have flexible attendance? also just a general understanding that if im uncontactable its cus im in bed, in pain, with nausea. (or asleep due to meds). i have 2 game studio classes coming up so i get to break it to them that im chronically ill yayyy

having a disability is fucking hard! and its been hard to figure out how to communicate that to professors and classmates in a ~chill regular people way~ because beep beep im also autistic and have no clue if im over or undersharing. luckily i was able to express it in a semi normal ish way with a 1 on 1 w the prof for the class thats really been rough because of my disability. (the tldr is i worked on a big and cool project w a client, and had to be in contact with my team for updates, and due to my disability i would disappear for half a week cus i was busy passing out in doctors offices and sleeping due to pain meds) but i was always able to do good fucking work! just couldnt message people all the time 💀 the meeting went well, i didnt actually cry cry, my voice got all wobbly and i made that noise you make when youre TRYING not to cry a few times. honestly i was confused as to why i got emotional cus i thought i was over it. clearly not lol. she was very understanding and nice too. she wished i brought it up sooner but tbh this all unfolded during the semester, and i was new(ish) to chronic illness so i didnt know what to do or how to approach that.

overall my college experience has been very good, this is a rough bit of it. and i find it helpful to write about it.

i wouldnt say im constantly in pain, it comes and goes every few days. and even then, everyday theres at least some pressure/pain for a few seconds and on bad days theres times when it goes away for a few minutes every hour. she's very dynamic.

sorry to hear you also get the medical struggles <3 hope you are well and your meds work well for you. and thank you for the well wishes. today was pretty nice! low pain, and it was actually sunny and warm in chicago! i got to escape to the lakefront for a while and listen to the waves break and the birds chirp