#i put on paradise found in the background and - omg

[tunemyart]

I’m feeling a whole S4 rewatch comin on...

[moons-and-stars-and-shit]

Hey!saw the matchups and i got so happy! im 5'7 with long curly hair thats all black except for my bangs. Im pretty sarcastic& funny& i have bad moodswings. im an extrovert&i tend to talk a lot. my personality types intp and im a sag. my hobbies are napping,studying second languages,writing, and skating. Some things I like are gaming& cooking. things i dislike are overwhelming noise,idiots,and people who are too negative. I want someone I can laugh with and also get a lil spicey with ykyk ;0

@bigolearrings

Romantic Matchup

Atsumu Miya

How Y’all Met

Ok

You we’re really good friends with Osamu

You guys have been each other’s “baking buddies” since you were first years

So you we’re a common guest in the Miya household

And honestly...

Atsumu thought you were hot 👀

BUT THATS NOT ALL I SWEAR

He thought you were super funny

And you always put yourself out there

The female version of him 💀

A n y w a y s

He would always flirt with you when you came over

Which always earned him a punch from his brother 🥲

But he kept doing it

And occasionally you would flirt back

And it was always so funny when you did

Cause this boy acts all smooth...

But he gets flustered SO easily

So whenever you would flirt back he would have to turn his head to hide his blush

And one day he just couldn’t take it anymore

So instead of doing his normal flirting

He just straight up asked you out 😐

Listen you were either gonna reject him so that he could move on

Or say yes and go with him

His was really shocked when you went with the second option 💀

But nonetheless he was over the moon!

(Peep at osamu gagging in the background 🤢)

What They Love About You

Ok he loves your sarcasm

He thinks it’s absolutely HILARIOUS

But

He only thinks it’s funny with other people 😐

He gets like low-key offended when your sarcastic with him

But in your defense you only do it when he’s acting stupid

“Y/n your cars low on gas.”

“OH REALLY, it’s almost as if I don’t have a gas light telling me that already”

Atsumu: 🥲

You: 😐

He loves that you can cook

It’s always suck a pain in the ass to get his brother to cook him something

But now he just askes you 😃

Omg he loves your hair ✋

He just luvs ze curlssss

Favorite Things To Do Together

Omg he loves to skate with you

Roller skate

Ice skate

Skateboarding

All of it

Though he’s particularly bad at ice skating 🥶

He’s always down to game with you

But be warned

He turns into a cocky mf if he beats you

Although he’s not the best at cooking

He INSISTS on helping you cook

Tbh he’s just jealous of his brother 💀

Random Hc

One time you accidentally called him osamu in the kitchen...

This boy looked so OFFENDED

and then yelled at osamu to stay away from you 😅

You found out he was bad at ice skating when you both went to a ice rink and he left with bruises on his ass 😃

He confuses salt with sugar ALL THE TIME

You even labeled the containers

And he STILL mixed them up

If you let him he loves to bounce your curls 👀

Astrology

The merging of Libra and Sagittarius can be paradise found for both Signs

This combination is a harmonious one, to say the least.

Signs that are two positions apart in the Zodiac tend to have a very deep, special connection and understanding of one another.

Sagittarius, the journeyer, is constantly in search of wisdom.

Libra has a mind keen for art, beauty and aesthetics

Libra makes a stimulating companion for Sagittarius on their travels and adds much to Sagittarius’s experience.

The relationship always feels new because these two keep it exciting and yet their natural understanding of one another makes them feel like intimates from the beginning.

Together they will reach new horizons in love and in life.

Libra and Sagittarius make great friends as well as lovers.

They share a certain fresh-faced optimism in the world; they’re both enthusiastic about finding truth and beauty in their experiences.

Problems rarely occur.

Occasionally Sagittarius may hurt sensitive Libra’s feelings by speaking without thinking; conversely, Libra can sometimes be a bit too emotionally controlling for Sagittarius.

Since Libra is a born diplomat who abhors conflict, they’ll be able to smooth over any ruffled feathers.

These two have the gift of forgiving and forgetting quickly.

Overall Aesthetic

SkatePunk

Alright - Supergrass

Needs - Verzache

Honeypie - Jawny

Gimme Love - Joji

[hermionegranger56]

a v late recap of evermore

so i think Taylor Swift sensed that i was Going Through It and was like here you sad bitch, here’s another surprise album to help fix all that. cause good lord evermore is just what i (and i think we all) needed. i truly TRULY can’t believe we’re lucky enough to get a sister album to folklore, i love it so much. the first day it was out i drove myself 2 hours to the very end of the Cape and sat on an empty beach and cried to it and honestly??? magical. here are my thoughts on it that no one asked for:

first, as an overall here, this album complements folklore so well. it’s the spring to folklore’s autumn, it’s self-assured and warm and beautiful. each album shows off her lyrical genius so well and she only grows stronger here. when folklore came out, i was floored because the music was so different for her and so up my alley. each song’s production sucked me in and it was like she was confidently telling us “here is another genre i can work with” (masterfully at that). evermore feels different. it feels like Taylor is so comfortable in this creative space, she isn’t trying to fit into any new molds or expectations, she is just HERE, now, saying “this is who i am and this is my craft”. it’s really been a privilege to watch her grow as an artist. ok. here we go

willow:

god the video was so beautiful, a really good continuation of cardigan. the chorus is so so delicate and prettyyy, thats MY MAN ughhh its so good. it reminds me a lot of invisible string tbh, or if betty from cardigan grew up and found love. this is really one of my favorites, she starts so strong

fave lines: “the more that you say, the less i know/ wherever you stray I follow/ i’m begging for you to take my hand/ wreck my plans, that’s my man”; “life was a willow and it bent right to your wind”

champagne problems:

oh dear god, it’s if all too well and new years day had a baby and it is a MASTERPIECE. i can picture it all, college sweethearts, broken hearts, i feel like its new england at christmas, ivy league old money…its cinematic. and it gets at the feeling like you’ll never be good enough so you leave before that happens (basically before you get to the tolerate it stage??) and OOF. AND GODDAMN THE RANTING BRIDGE (illicit affairs came close on folklore but i think THIS might be the best bridge since All Too Well). I’ve screamed it a lot tbh

fave lines: BRIDGE BABYYYYYY EVERY SINGLE PERFECT WORD. WHAT A SHAME SHES FUCKED IN THE HEADDDD

gold rush:

this one is bright and lovely and catchy!! it reminds me a lot of mirrorball tbh, all like swirly and magical. i can’t even put it into words but i can see this one so clearly. its all rosy and golden

fave lines: “eyes like sinking ships on waters/ so inviting, i almost jump in”; “what must it be like to grow up that beautiful?/with your hair falling into place like dominoes/ I see me padding across your wooden floors/ with my Eagles t-shirt hanging from your door”; “the coastal town we wandered round/ had never seen a love as pure as it”; “my mind turns your life into folklore”

’tis the damn season:

UGH I FUCKING LOVE THIS ONE EVEN THOUGH IT MAKES ME WANNA TEXT MY EX. the melody is SOOOO satisfying, the progression to “write this down”, i’m obsessed. the idea of being home for the holidays and feeling a little lost and tired and nostalgic for what could have been is something superrrr relatable. this song reminds me of snowy drives around my hometown in the best/worst possible way hahah. one of my top 5 for sure.

fave lines: “we could call it even/ you could call me babe for the weekend/ tis the damn season, write this down/i’m staying at my parents house/ and the road not taken looks real good now”; “and wonder about the only soul/ who can tell which smiles i’m faking”

tolerate it:

oh honeyyyyy this track 5 packs a punch, i mean the lyrics are absolutely BRUTAL in the best way. it’s just so sad, and encompasses a lot of my own insecurity about always feeling like you’re more invested in a relationship and watching someone fall out of love or just stop caring. i LOVE the “my love should be celebrated, but you tolerate it”, like bitch YES your love should be celebrated. also taylor sounds angelic on the “I” at the start of the chorus

fave lines: “i know my love should be celebrated/ but you tolerate it”; “i made you my temple, my mural, my sky/ now i’m begging for footnotes in the story of your life”; “what would you do if I/break free and leave us in ruins/ took this dagger in me and removed it”

.

no body, no crime:

YESSSSSSSSS I LOVE THE SUBGENRE OF COUNTRY ABOUT WOMEN KILLING SHITTY HUSBANDS AND THIS SONG IS SO FUCKING GOOD AHHHHH!! I LOVE the beat, i love country taylor, i love the addition of HAIM. UGH ITS SO CATCHYYYY, like i’m obsessed with the slide from “i think he did it but i just. can’t. prove itttttt NOOO no body no crime” UGHHH this is without a doubt in my top five

fave lines: “she thinks i did it but she just can’t prove it”

happiness:

I heard this one described as an emotional marathon and holy shit it is, each line is a sucker punch. i really like how it feels like a conversation and looks at the acceptance and pain that mingle together when a relationship just…ends. her lyrics are unmatched on this album but this is a particularly strong track

fave lines: “i haven’t met the new me yet”; “when did all our lessons start to look like weapons/ pointed at my deepest hurt”; “there is a glorious sunrise/ dappled with the flickers of light/ from the dress i wore at midnight”

dorothea:

this one feels like Betty 2.0 and its so sweet and bright and also kinda sad. it’s wistful!! that’s the word i want, wistful! the vibe is gives off reminds me of Red, like musically. it’s home-y. idk if that makes sense but i like it a lot

fave lines: and if you’re ever tired of being known for who you know/ you know, you’ll always know me”

coney island:

ugh this one is magical, i honestly really love the instrumental to this one, it’s so soothing. the lyrics to me feel like you’re in some dream state, going through every heartbreak you’ve ever been through. I love the addition of The National, the vocals fit together so well (and I like it better than both Bon Iver features i think??)

fave lines: do you miss the rogue/ who coaxed you into paradise and left you there/ will you forgive my soul/ who you’re too wise to trust me and too old to care?”

ivy:

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (that’s how i feel about this absolute masterpiece oh my GOD) it makes me so incandescently happy, the folk feel, the lyrics that are so cinematic and poetic and paint such a clear picture (to me) of two Victorian lovers who are in unhappy marriages but don’t let that stop their love. the chorus just like….fills my whole chest, the OH GODDAMN hits so different. and i want “my pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand” tattooed on me, that is one of her BEST lines and i will die on that hill. its all so pretty, i can’t deal. the vibe also strongly reminds me of a) invisible string and b) Little Women (2019). i think taylor should do folk and uhhhh only folk please

fave lines: EVERY WORD BUT ESPECIALLY: “i’d meet you where the spirit meets the bone/ in a faith forgotten land”; “oh goddamn/ my pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand/ taking mine, but its been promised to another/ oh, i can’t/ stop you putting roots in my dreamland/ my house of stone, your ivy grows/ and now I’m covered in you”; “he wants what��s only yours”; “clover blooms in the field/ springs breaks loose, time is near“; ”so yeah, it’s a fire/ its a goddamn blaze in the dark and you started it”

cowboy like me:

ALL RIGHT everyone sleeps on this song but oh my GOD its so good!! it’s smooth and dreamy and gives me that old fashioned, bonnie and clyde type love story and some of the lyrics are so poetic. I really love the addition of the Tim McGraw chords too???? BUT DEAR GOD COULD WE HAVE GIVEN MARCUS MUMFORD MORE OF A ROLE HERE??!! HE SOUNDS WONDERFUL, GIVE HIM A FEATURE, GIVE HIM A WHOLE VERSE. THIS IS A FOLK ALBUM TAYLOR, USE FUCKING MUMFORD AHHHH (i fucking love him omg)

fave lines: “dancin’ is a dangerous game”; “you’re a bandit like me/ eyes full of stars”; “now you hang from my lips/ like the Gardens of Babylon/ with your boots beneath my bed/ forever is the sweetest con”

long story short:

A BOP!! GIVE ME SOME HAPPINESS TAYLOR WOO! I really love how catchy this one is. it feels like her introducing the craziness of her life to joe and being like look all of that was tough but here i am now and I couldn’t be happier. It’s refreshing, self-deprecating and endearing. I couldn’t love it more and it is ALWAYS stuck in my head!

fave lines: “and he’s passing by/ rare as the glimmer of a comet in the sky”; “long story short I survived”

marjorie:

ha hahah hah ha this one ENDS me, like dear LORD i need to call my grandma immediately. it is so so GOOD and SAD, like the you don’t know how good something or someone is until they’re gone, but even then, they’re still there with you. I love the grandma wisdom of “never be so clever you forget to be kind” etc. and holy SHIT the addition of Taylor’s grandmother’s opera singing as background vocals is GENIUS AND DEVASTATING, god the part where she goes “i’d think you were singing with me now” and then Marjorie comes in is honestly one of the most beautiful musical moments i’ve heard in a hot minute and it breaks me every time. wow.

fave lines: “never be so polite/ you forget your power/ never wield such power/ you forget to be polite”; “the autumn chill that wakes me up/ you loved the amber sky so much”; “and if i didn’t know better/ i’d think you were singing to me now”

closure:

ok i’m sorry, this is my only skip here. I really do love the lyrics and the idea of, yeah no you don’t deserve closure from me. i just can’t get past the pots and pans beginning, its too chaotic. but i’m sure it’ll grow on me! it does feel like finally moving on and i do love that about it

fave lines: “don’t treat me like/ some situation that needs to be handled”; “i know i’m just a/ wrinkle in your new life/ staying friends would/ iron it out so nice”

evermore:

god her voice is SO soothing in this one, it’s literally hypnotic. the song itself feels wandering and dark at first, like you’re stuck in this depression, and then bon iver comes in and it picks up and it feels like coming out of the trees, into the sunlight and finding your way again. finding that the pain WOULDNT be for evermore like she says. it feels like an ending and a beginning. beautiful

fave lines: “writing letters/ addressed to the fire”; “and when i was shipwrecked/ i thought of you/ in the cracks of light/ i dreamed of you”; “and i was catching my breath/ floors of the cabin creaking under my step/ and i couldn’t be sure/ i had a feeling so peculiar/ this pain wouldn’t be for evermore”

[tintinwrites]

The Next Chapters For My Series’

You guys wanted to know my ideas for my series and uh here ya go and please leave suggestions for anything maybe possibly?

fifty ways to kiss someone

Reuniting with everyone else...that’s all I know.

love

I have no idea, not many people cared about it.

the stars were made for falling

You cry into Poe’s lap about everything that happened/you did and it quietly turns into you talking about wanting him back and wanting to kiss him. You have sex on a table in your new base’s dining hall then make your way to your quarters. You wake to find Poe getting dressed to leave you :)

a friend in me

I’m thinking for the last part Poe gets a message from you saying to meet him but the First Order is using you as bait?

the light side

Your pregnancy is starting to show but you go on a feminist rant about refusing to stop missions yet (at Poe and Leia’s worried suggestion) and go only to find out the entire galaxy knows that Poe got you pregnant and idk Poe yelling while a First Order officer holds a blaster to your bump.

soft

No idea.

arranged

I’d like for them to get married and for Poe to put no pressure on the wedding night since they’re near strangers and allowing Reader to choose when they have sex, but I’m stuck on the next chapter

provocative

You still do it with Poe but you’re almost keeping him at arms length bc he loves you and that’s all I know.

captain dameron

You tearfully confide in the captain that your ailing father might not have much longer and you guys bond, but you’ll be at the coast of your country by midday.

nothing can harm you

You’re still afraid of Poe and he searches for something for you to do on the base and idk you’re sitting on a crate watching him work on his ship.

a stranger in paradise

Bonding and banging.

please never fall in love again

You arrive drunk at Poe’s bar and he takes you to his apartment bc your boyfriend took your apartment and you’re scared your mom will be mad at you for drinking lol.

not while I’m around

You and Poe wake up to find yourselves in the back of a van; Finn finds it suspicious that the two of you are MIA the next day but no one else is worried and he finds Poe’s half-shattered phone (he knows it’s his bc the background is a picture of you two) in the alley where you were taken.

you will be found

The zombie apocalypse has started now and you and Rey stumble upon Poe and Finn the former of which hugs you even tho he barely knows you bc omg another human!!!!

[trulyhopelessromantic]

4 9 10 15 38!!

4. How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Care to share one of them?

Dang well if we’re talking about full fledged ideas for entire novels/stories then that’s a fewer number; off the top of my head maybe 5? No maybe 7 or 8. 10? Gosh I keep remembering more and more haha But small ideas, snippets of ideas or dialogue, etc well I have an entire Word document full of them; not easy to count those haha

Erm I have a couple ideas I could share: a contemporary gender-bend retelling of Jekyll & Hyde, a wonderful historical time travel fiction love story, my own fan fiction retelling of ‘Phantom of the Paradise’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’ mashed... And others.

9. Which fic has been the hardest to write?

HMMMMMMMMM Daughter of Death my Snow White vampire retelling gave me trouble because I found myself in a funk not writing for months at a time. But I finished it and I really like it it was just painful to be consistent with it.

10. Which fic has been the easiest to write?

This is a difficult question because a lot of my early work (anything older than 5 years) came easier to me than anything nowadays. Off the top of my head @thehauntedmanor​ and my novel ‘A Promise Kept’ and  my novella‘I’m With You’ (I should share this one actually) and novel ‘The Secret’ have all been pretty great.

15. If you could choose one of your fics to be filmed, which would you choose?

If we’re talking my novels, I’d love to make my Lair Chronicles series into movies. I’ve imagined it for the past 16+ years now what it would look like so to see that come to fruition to have actors and the sets and everything omg

If we’re talking short ones and/or fan fiction I’d love to see my Haunted Manor story (as mentioned above) even tho that one is novel length lol but for short ones uh it’s too hard to pick a one-shot I would love to see my Nutcracker Prince story and I’d love to see my Moulin Rouge contemporary retelling <3

38. Talk about a review that made your day.

I actually had to go back in and find reviews to even talk about this. To be honest reviews make my day and my week and my month but they’re so few and far between these days! :( I’ll speak therefore about The Haunted Manor since that’s the one that has the most feedback on it.

A reviewer wrote (mild spoilers for the ending of the fic which I’ve crossed out so you can skip if you want):

I honestly enjoyed your version of "The Haunted Mansion". Your version is like the book that should have existed before the movie. While you do keep many elements from the movie you also embelish things and enrich the story. You give more of a background story and further develope the characters. I also like your ending better than the movies. I love that they will stay in the Mansion because they loved it anways and all the stories they will have to tell that will be passed down through the years. Plus I personally would have stayed there, it's just so beautiful and marvelous. I really feel honored to have read this story. You did a fantastic job and you have shared your magnificent writing skills. I hope that you will continue to write stories and fanfiction a like for years to come.

This is a great review that makes me fuzzy; it acknowledges everything I personally felt were my strengths in the story AND gave me some of the person’s personal thoughts about the situation(s) and the story if they were in it! Also they encouraged me and sent well wishes that I could continue to write for years to come which was so very sweet of them!

While I have you all here (if you’re still here lol), PLEASE REVIEW THE WRITING YOU READ it doesn’t have to be a long review but just say one specific thing you liked (or didn’t) and a quick idea of why, if possible! Or a reaction you had! I’m old enough that I come from an era where a keyboard smash was considered a high form of positive review because it meant the reader was just so excited or moved or flabbergasted that they couldn’t speak! So please it doesn’t have to be much; it could even be a reaction like “OH NO!” if it’s a single chapter that ends with angst or something.

Sorry I just have a lot of feelings; I put them onto my Patreon in vlogs and writing quite often but basically to summarize those I have said (not my idea) that reblogs and reviews are your audience currency that you pay for free content. Please review <3

-Britt xoxo

THANKS LYDIA FOR THESE QUESTIONS I’VE LOVED ANSWERING!

[fk12b]

Always & Forever

Mafia AU

Mob!Bucky Barnes x Reader

1K Summer Writing Challenge by @asadmarveltrashbag -> I hope you like and enjoy this fic as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Summary: This is a second part of the fic, My girls, written by @asadmarveltrashbag (This story is just beautiful, read it first.)

Main Characters: Steve Rogers (mentioned), Sam Wilson (mentioned), Bucky Barnes

Prompts:

175 - “Forever?”

176 - “Forever”

Warning: Just pure fluff and Bucky has gone soft because he can

Word Count: 1391 words

A/N: This was quite the challenge because I never tried one like this challenge where you have to follow a story. I always use songs to write my fics they help you imagine the background, everything with a soundtrack is better. Here you go <3000. Also, sorry, not sorry I stole Steve’s song.

Based on this song -> It’s Been A Long, Long Time - Harry James and Helen Forrest  (Kitty Kallen & The Harry James Orchestra)

A faint whimper woke me from my dream. The dim light peeking through the curtains and warming our room signaled it was past dawn. My girl was sleeping peacefully on my chest, I couldn’t help but admire her while I caress her arm. She stirs a bit in her sleep and buries her head on my neck. She truly was an angel in every sense of the word, so I can’t help myself from smiling as I caress her soft cheek.

Another whimper, this time a bit louder, brought me back from my daydream. I turn my head to look at the crib, next to the window. Our little girl, Our angel had woken up. I didn’t have the courage to wake Y/N, she looked so angelic. As cautiously as I could to not wake her, I untangle myself from the sheets and softly kiss her forehead, cheek, and lips and pad to the crib.

Our little girl was wide awake and frowned a little once she focused on me. I knew she was expecting her mama and I let out a quiet chuckle.

“Good morning, my angel. Did you sleep well?” I quietly coo while gently tickling her belly, making her giggle. She squeals ‘dada’ raising her little arms towards me and making grabby hands. My heart melted for the second time since I woke up. I shush her carefully picking her up and kiss her cheek adjusting her on my arms. She looks so small in them. “What do you say you help me make breakfast for mama, uhm?” I whisper while I bounce our little girl. She smiles and places her small hands on my cheeks patting them but seconds later she found my hair more interesting.

Turning to look at my sleeping girl, I space out again thinking that after everything I did, I truly was the luckiest man on earth. I’ve been blessed with the two best things in the world. God, the two best things in this entire universe. I felt a tug at my hair and I looked down to see our angel munching on my air. “You hungry, little one?” I asked trying to take away the strand of hair from her mouth while we both made our way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. I pick a little stuffed fox that was on the couch in the living room and hand it to our little girl when we crossed it. She quickly took it but didn’t let go of my hair what made me chuckle and kiss her forehead.

The morning summer sunrays had warmed the big house on the beach we owned. Our little piece of paradise on earth where we could scape and no one could find us. And for once, it felt nice having no worries. I won’t let anything happen to my girls. And I couldn’t let my girl feel sad. The light in her eyes, her smile, and her laugh are the only things I live for. I can’t let her worry every day and night wondering if will come back or not. She knows I will always come to back to them, to her, but she still worries and I don’t wanna see her sad. Just happy and smiling. That’s why we needed to take some time away from the chaos of the city and spend the summer on the beach together.

Grabbing the ingredients for some fruit and chocolate chip pancakes, I sit our little angel on the counter, in a safe place next to me. I brew some coffee too, knowing that my love likes warm coffee with milk and sugar in the morning once she’s out bed. “Blueberry pancakes for mama?” I ask our princess, who finds the stuffed fox more interesting now but nods anyway, while I start mixing the ingredients for the pancake batter and I can’t help but eat one or two blueberries. I look at our angel who is now looking at me with curious eyes. After placing the pancake in a plate I offer a small blueberry to her and grabbing my hand, she happily accepts it.

“Mama!” She squeals and I turn, running a hand through my air, to see my girl wearing my t-shirt that looks like a dress on her, walking up to us sending me a wink and I smile at her admiring her features once again.

“It smells amazing” she cheers picking our giggly princess up peppering her face with kisses “Good morning, pumpkin” I feel her free arm circle my waist “And good morning to you too, handsome” she greets kissing my lips and I instantly kiss back. “Good morning, beautiful” I whisper against her lips and kiss her again “Did you sleep well?” She asks me placing a loose strand of my hair behind my ear as I focus on her beautiful Y/E/C eyes “The best sleep I’ve ever had” I say not looking away from those beautiful eyes that I could easily get lost. She kisses my cheek whispering ‘good’ and my girls part to settle themselves at the table.

While I focus back on the pancakes I realize that it’s time to do the right thing. I won’t risk the two best things to happen to me for anything in the world. As I place the last two pancakes at the top of the stack, soft jazz music starts playing. That makes me smile because It’s our song. My smile widens when I feel a pair of arms circle my waist from behind, I turn off the stove and put the spatula away. I turn around in her arms to kiss her and she kisses back. I place my arms around her shoulder to bring her close to my chest as we start swaying to the music.

“I made a decision” I quietly say to not disturb this peaceful moment. “What is it” she wonders hugging me tighter. “This has been the best summer so far” I kiss her forehead “I want every summer, every winter, every fall, and every spring to be like this. Every season” She looks up to my eyes “That means that” She trails off “Rogers and Wilson can handle everything” I rest my forehead against hers “Are you sure?” She whispers “I want to be with you. The both of you. I don’t want to miss anything. And I don’t want you to worry and be sad” I kiss her lips and pull her closer, deepening the kiss “I just want to see your beautiful smile everyday” I state and kiss her cheek when I see her smile lightening up my world. “If you are happy, we are happy” I bring her close to my chest where she rests her head and I rest my cheek a top of it while we admire our oblivious angel “I’m the happiest man on the universe. I love both of you so much” I kiss the top of her head and wonder how I got so lucky as we both sway to the music.

Never thought that you would be

Standing here so close to me

There’s so much I feel that I should say

but words can wait until some other day

“I love you” I whisper in her ear while we still sway to the music.

“I love you too” She looked up to me and cupped my cheek and smiled. I look at the light alive in the eye, I feel her love and can’t contain my own smile. I feel blessed.

kiss me once, then kiss me twice, then kiss me once again

it’s been a long, long time

Haven’t felt like this, my dear since I can’t remember when

It’s been a long, long time

“Forever?” I ask softly cradling her face with my hands and caressing her cheeks with my thumbs, still swaying to the music together.

“Always and forever” She replies with a smile and I lean in to kiss her passionately feeling her arms sneak around my neck.

you’ll never know how many dreams I’ve dreamed about you

or just how empty they all seemed without you

So kiss me once, then kiss me twice, then kiss me once again

It’s been a long, long time

I let my arms fall back to her side and circle her waist as I lean my forehead against hers parting from the kiss for air.

“Always and forever” I repeat softly bringing her closer to me letting the music guide our steps.

OMG, I never felt so nervous about a fic before. Hope y’all like it and it’s as good as you expected <3000

[goddessvicky]

Song meme

Rules: List 10 songs you’ve been listening to

Thanks for another tag, @that-wimpy-cowboy-doll!  <3 Giving me the distraction I need when I needed it!

1. Hurts Like Hell by Fleurie - This song has always been a soundtrack when I’m writing. The flow of the lyrics, and the building of suspense is beautiful, and I could see it as the background music in a battle scene. It’s one I always come back to when I need inspiration.

2. Poison & Wine by The Civil Wars  - I’ve always found Joy Williams’ voice like a balm, and she gets to showcase it here in spades. I’ve been in a relationship for almost 19 years and you learn the ins and outs of your partner in ways you never thought possible, and this song speaks to that and is something I can relate to.

3. Freaks and Geeks by Childish Gambino - I count myself lucky AF that I was able to see this man perform live. Hearing all the kids around be singing the lyrics back to him? Amazing. It was before this song was out (he was still riding high on Heartbeat) but the next time we manage to go out to karaoke, this is going to be my go-to song.

4. Good As Hell by Lizzo - Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving EVERYTHING Lizzo has put out there, but this bopper is just so fun and positive and I get a smile on my face just thinking about it.

5. 26 by Paramore - This song is bittersweet. I’ve been following the band since their Riot! album, and have therefore been witness to the rough things they’ve gone through. It’s clear in this song that Hayley’s dealing with some stuff, and it’s beautiful to see it be so raw. “Reality will break your heart, survival will not be the hardest part, it’s keeping all your hope alive when all the rest of you has died.” I feel that lyric on a deeply personal level.

6. Lost In Paradise by Evanescene - Amy Lee was *everything* to me in HS. I actually met the whole band during college. I’ve got a thing for powerful vocals and dammmmmnnn does she fit that bill. The song itself is bittersweet, but the strength she has in her voice... it’s magical.

7. Alexander Hamilton from the musical Hamilton - I start each week by listening to the musical in full. Was very lucky and managed to see the show when it came to Chicago (OMG Wayne Brady played Burr and it was AMAZING) and had absolutely NO KNOWLEDGE of the songs before going in. Getting to experience it for the first time live? Chills.

8. The Village by Wrabel - fitting song, seeing as it’s Pride month, and this one goes out to all my trans brothers and sisters. You are not wrong, or broken, or any of the other ugly things they throw out there. You’re beautiful, from your toes to the tips of your ears. Stunning. Gorgeous.

9. Call Your Girlfriend by Robyn - hey, sometimes you need to put on a fuzzy jacket and dance it out. This song does exactly that. 

10. Grow As We Go by Ben Platt - Let’s just say this song is cathartic after all the twists and turns that come with being in a 19-year-long relationship, but I’m happy to say that things are good, and this song grips my heart in a very deep, personal way.

You say there's so much you don't know You need to go and find yourself You say you'd rather be alone 'Cause you think you won't find it tied to someone else Who said it's true That the growing only happens on your own? They don't know me and you I don't think you have to leave If to change is what you need You can change right next to me When you're high, I'll take the lows You can ebb and I can flow And we'll take it slow And grow as we go Grow as we go You won't be the only one I am unfinished, I've got so much left to learn I don't know how this river runs But I'd like the company through every twist and turn I don't know who we'll become I can't promise it's not written in the stars But I believe that when it's done We're gonna see that it was better That we grew up together Tell me you don't wanna leave 'Cause if change is what you need You can change right next to me When you're high, I'll take the lows You can ebb and I can flow We'll take it slow And grow as we go

Hey you! YEAH! You! If any of my followers are musically inclined, feel free to share in the fun!

[theroadyouchoose]

M19

With all the salt about M20 I realized that I never actually watched M19 so I’m doing that now and writing down comments as I go. This is not a review. This is basically spam and me screaming.

I like how every movie has to explain what’s going on with the same narrator

This one is getting all technical about mega evolution holy shit most kids would be like ‘great you’re interrupting Charizard and lucario’  stfu

Also narration.

Creepy flying vehicle of doom? Check. Ominous music? Check I think we found the bad guys.

Oh shit angry pokemon.  Also how did those pokeballs not just fly off the edge of the flying ship they’re probably moving pretty fast that’s not how things work.

I feel like the animation budget in this one wasn’t as high as other ones.

Mega evolution is super special except for when it’s forced and not

AND DID YOU JUST THROW AWAY A LEGENDARY POKEMON YOU IDIOT WTF YOU COULD HAVE SOLD THAT FOR MONEY WHAT THE SHIT

I bet the narrator is about to introduce Ash Ketchum and that he wants to be a  master and that his ‘partner’ is Pikachu.

Oh look I was right.

Bonnie and Serena are trying to do your laundry boys stop being fucking rude.

I didn’t like the anime opening before and I don’t like it now either.

Sup Squishy actually noticing something relevant

This song is horrible.

Fucking rekt everyone

HOW DID ASH NOT NOTICE THAT STUPID RING AROUND HIM RIGHT AWAY WTF I GET YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT PIKACHU AND ALL BUT STILL

Get Rekt Ash

How many times? Chill it’s only once.

‘Is it telepathy’ IT ONLY IS EVERY SINGLE MOVIE

AND WHY DOES THIS POKEMON SOUND LIKE A CRANKY OLD GRANDPA

HOW DOES CLEMONT JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT CAN SEE AN INVISIBLE FORCE

And Ash Ketchum was never seen or heard from again

WHY DO MOVIE CHARACTERS ALWAYS LOOK SO RIDICULOUS?!?!?!?!?! THEY’RE ONLY THERE FOR A BIT SO THEY HAVE TO HAVE SUPER DISTINCTIVE DESIGNS TO SCREAM THEIR ROLE AND PERSONALITY

FEEL THE BURN ASH.

Team Rocket’s just trying to have a good time way to ruin it.

Do evil, corruptive powers always have to look so obvious? Wouldn’t it be better for everyone if they looked normal for once?

I am so confused this little prince dude seemed happy to see Volcanion but everyone else was like ‘MUST ATTACK’

WTF IS WITH THESE DESIGNS

Ash does not give a shit if you are a prince he has more than once tried to punch a super powerful pokemon.  

Expositional background is expositional.

Family members look super like their ancestors because of course they do.

WAY TO STEAL THE POKEMON ASH OMG

And this is why most of Ash’s pokemon are flying types so they can keep going after their ridiculous trainer (who needs a tracking beacon on him)

WHAT IS THIS FLYING MACHINE

Clemont I know you’re having a nerdgasm but chill. This really should have been his movie.

This city and the one from the Darkrai movie probably hung out and exchanged ridiculous ideas.

James what are you looking at?

ASH ALL SHE’S DOING IS BEEPING HOW DOES THAT PROVE SHE’S A ONE OF A KIND POKEMON

I don’t want to say that the English dub voices are bad but…here we are…

Ash tried to save the Bae (aka Clemont)

HOW DID HE GET CHANGED WITH THAT GIANT GREEN BAND ON HIM IF HE CAN TUCK THE CLOTHES UNDER IT AND YANK THEM OFF HE CAN YANK THAT OFF TOO

AND DID HE JUST STRIP THEN AND THERE?

I SEE WHAT YOU WERE REALLY DOING SERENA Seriously, way to take the opportunity to dress him up to your tastes.

Okay Bonnie is still adorable even in English.

CLEMONT DON’T CALL THE POKEMON HEAVY THIS IS WHY BONNIE WILL HAVE TO PROPOSE TO SOMEONE FOR YOU

I AM A LITTLE PRINCE I KNOW BETTER THAN YOU OLDER SISTER seriously just deck him

Ash Must Suffer: The Movie

HOW THE FUCK DID THAT BIG BUKLY SUIT GET ON ASH AND UNDER THE BAND WHAT THE SHIT

AND DID HE JUST STRIP THEN AND THERE?

I SEE WHAT YOU WERE REALLY DOING CLEMONT. Seriously, way to take the opportunity to dress him up to your tastes.

WHY ARE YOU ALL CASUALLY DISCUSSING THIS JUST FIGHT JESUS CHRIST STOP LECTURING EVERYONE

Does Bonnie get to dress up Ash later on?

CLEMONT YOU HAD ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD TO STOP PLUS THERE IS NO WAY YOU WERE GOING THAT FAST

ALSO THAT HOLE IS TINY JUST CLIMB OUT

Volcanion really reminds me of an actor for some reason but I don’t know who and it’s driving me crazy

Volcanion: I can level a mountain Ash: Fucking sweet YOU JUST MET A PRINCE ASH WHY DO YOU SOUND SO SHOCKED TO SEE A PRINCESS JFC CHILD

This whole thing is so awkward for some reason it’s almost like more than one art style was crammed together or something I can’t put my finger on.

WHY DO YOU TRUST PEOPLE THAT LEGITIMATELY LOOK EVIL

Bonnie is precious and must be protected at all costs.

Oh look another conflict from a person that looks visibly evil.

This movie already seems a little more slap-stick than the other XY ones to me almost like they were prepping us a bit for SM.

“THEY’RE CUTE” Pokemon snarl.

Good job Serena. You healed one leg and that’ll probably help the rest of the body.

Also Amura is fucking cute. I love the XY fossil pokemon so much.

Ancient city made with strange science? Music that soothes pokemon? Secret paradise place?  This sounds familiar.

Serena…they are visibly afraid of Pikachu, but I guess there needed to be a science with all of your pokemon and -

I’m sorry I can’t take Ash seriously he looks like the fucking Stay Puft Marshmallow man. What was I just talking about? Doesn’t even matter

ASH GETS PULLED VIOLENTLY ALONG. BONNIE IS ALL EXCITED “WAIT FOR ME”

HOW THE FUCK DID THAT SUIT JUST BLOW UP BUT KEEP THE FUCKING RING ON HIM OMG AND ALSO IT WITHSTOOD A GIANT BLAST BUT NOT HOT WATER WTF I S GOING ON

That’s right now run around in your underpants Ash.

How the fuck is he going to get those clothes on when—you know what never fucking mind.

Squishy stop being that aloof kid that plays with no one.

CLEMONT ARE YOU GOING TO TRY AND THROW ACID AND SAW AT—okay it worked. That could have turned this into a completely different anime right then and there. Ash does not flinch at all because he trusts the bae entirely.

Seriously Ash does not give a fuck he will fight you himself if need be. Which will disprove a point but still.

I am Squishy.

I am only half way through and I need to take my dog outside and make supper, I’m going to continue this later

Summery: wtf is this movie? People are jerks and how I want my boyfriend to dress?

[bentchcreates]

Summer Feels, A #romanceclass Anthology

A few things I want you to know before you proceed with my review: For starters, I’m one of the twenty-three authors featured in this book. So yes, you might call bias, but this is my book and my blog so I get to do whatever hell I want to do here. That’s also why this is only Part 1 of the #SummerFeels content I’m releasing. The review today is my reader-side talking, come back tomorrow for the writer-side view. :P

So anyway, here’s my shot at the Summer Feels Anthology Blog Tour!

I will not deny that twenty-three short stories is a lot to process, (I had to take breaks in between, and by breaks I mean reading other books between the stories to even out my feels) that’s why it took a whole month before I finished the entire thing! Haha!

But it was fun discovering/re-discovering different authors’ writing styles, voices and themes this close to each other. I learned a lot from authors who are already my favorites, and those I was only reading for the first time. The gradual (but necessary) rise in heat level was also a good call on editor Kate Sebastian. It made the book cleaner in terms of “flow” and it ensured all authors get equal spotlight whether they’re new or are already established in the literary scene.

I initially didn’t want to review the stories one by one but reading other blogs who said nice things to each and every story was fun and enlightening so I’m gonna do the same here, even if it’s just one liners of what I loved about it. 

1.       All About That Bass by Fay Sebastian

It was perfect to start the anthology with this sweet and fluffy story. I loved the Glee references and how everything led to #LiRika

2.       Alter Christus by Catherine Lo

Certified crowd favourite and I totally agree. While it is true that this stood out because of the heart-wrenching theme, I think I love how Catherine’s narrative flowed artistically smooth and the characters were well-rounded enough to carry such heavy-weight romance.

3.       Fall for Me by Miel Salva

Another cute story filled with Filipino food and feels! I can’t wait for the full Yasmin x Igo book to come out!

4.       The Game of Twenty Questions by Elizabeth Galit

The pacing of the scenes leading up to the grand reveal of feelings is swoon-worthy! The second chance trope is difficult to navigate but this one nailed it.

5.       The Summer You Said Hello by Ami Granada

Sexy voices and on-air flirting sold this for me! And ugh, knowing both of them were playing coy on purpose gave me life!

6.       At the Bermuda Triangle by Elea Andrea Almazora

The banter with this one is solid af. I love how the characters talked and ‘acted’ and I especially love the humor and sarcasm in each of them. And then there was the feels! *Kiligs*

7.       Beachin’ Summer by Arlene Manocot

#romanceclass shout out! Haha! I love that in this one, the guy is the romance junkie and the girl gets him. In Pagudpud, nonetheless!

8.       Buddy System by Yeyet Soriano

The ‘plays’ Carlo and Kit did to finally, finally admit their feelings to each other is A+. And ugh, don’t even get me started on that Javi x random IT guy fanservice scene! I will now stock easy to melt hard candies in my bag for impromptu kissing games! *yes, this is what I’m taking from this story. LOL

9.       Busy Out of The Friendzone by Charlie Dio

Gillian, gurl! *snaps fingers in the air!* I love her witty clapbacks and the way Aidan put a “love stamp” on her to get their messages across. XD I enjoyed this so much!

10.   Flying With You by Rachelle Belaro

Incredibly sweet and the parts about travelling were great! And OMG, that cake!

11.   Guide for A Day by H. Bentham

THIS IS THE BEST STORY IN ALL OF THE UNIVERSE!! Lol. Not really. Even I can’t convince myself with this. Haha. But everyone loves their first born. ;)

12.   Ready to Run by Kit Salazar

This take on the friends with benefits trope is awesomely done! I love the powerplay between the athlete and the homebody. Argh. I mentioned that and a recollection of what Chris and Lauren did with their ‘homebodies’ flashed before my eyes!

13.   Secondhand Wanderlust by Erleen Alvarez

The twist in this one is unprecedented, but I love it. There is sadness, but also happiness, courage and hope.

14.   The Search for The Kissing Monster by Ella Banta

This is incredibly sweet and fluffy and a creative take on the ‘what did I do last night’ trope. I absolutely adore Vincent and his friends and their pact to always spend a bit of summer together. Ella Banta’s HeistClub background might’ve influenced the light mystery in this but the romance is apparent and is very well executed overall.

15.   Anything Can Happen by Marian Tee

This is where I started to find considerable heat! And omg, ALEXIO, if anyone introduces himself with this name, gurl, I’m telling you, anything can happen!!

*Disclaimer, he has to have this Alexio’s good looks and abs, ofc. LOL

16. Four Basic Principles by Bianca Mori

I love the efficient use of alternating POV’s in such a short piece! That in itself is impressive, but wait ��til the steamy kilig (along with the glorious bickering!) takes you by surprise!

17.   Love After Summer by Irene Jurado

I love the names of the characters, as well as the CAKE! LOL. Ooh, and wedding hook-up fizzles and sizzles until the romance is palpable. It’s a lovely read.

18.   Lucky in Paradise by Farrah F. Polestico

I didn’t think I’d enjoy this as much as I did but it was amazing! The non-promise and pining and the eventual second chance drama made me feel things from a part of my heart I didn’t know I still had access to! Haha!  

19.   The Swimming Instructor by Eris Peñaluna

I thought this started YA-ish so I wondered why this was put farther up the steam level, and then we’re talking about hiding swimmer’s tents, electric touches and voila! We’re in sexy pool palooza! I need moarr of Jandro x Ariel!

20.   Wedding Night Stand by Mina V. Esguerra

I knew this story was hot from the onset, but oh my god, when it did turn super hot, I was still caught unawares and so happy for Andrea! I haven’t read What You Wanted yet (which I’m now planning to correct in the following couple of days!) but familiar characters make this even more endearing!

21.   An Overdue Adventure by Kate Sebastian

I’ve been around Cebu countless times but I haven’t gone on an adventure similar to Hilary’s. I should probably do that before I turn thirty and I MUST stock up on Aloe Gel because that’s how you get sun gods to give you what you want! Hehe. I also adore the Bisaya representation of this one! I miss the Queen City so much now!

22.   Buttered Sunset by Halina Cabrera

I can’t decide what I love most about this. Is it the illustrious scenic descriptions of the food and places? The fact that there was a sort of courtship (four/five meriendas is the modern day ligawan, imho)? Or that Sol is a woman of power who knows precisely how and when to use said power? All of the above, probably.

23.   Then Derrick Was Back by Georgette S. Gonzales

I was angry at Derrick because he was clearly just playing with Nadia’s heart the first time…and then he wasn’t! Argh! Georgette’s superb writing got me so affected I was ready to vent tweet about German boys and why we need to avoid them, but good thing I waited ‘til I finished the story. Hihi. Let’s not avoid them, okay? :P

So that’s that. Haha.

The thing about anthologies by different authors is that not all will be suitable to my reading tastes. But I guess with this one, it’s okay. Some stories seemed to have been paced too slow for me, but when I managed to push through with it, I found that the ‘slowness’ was necessary groundwork for the kilig fireworks to explode by the end. And in the others I found things I wish my story had, or things I knew could be developed more, etc., etc.

I also got to read more straight steam than I can usually take (*this is prude of me to say considering I devour M/M smut like crazy) but I appreciate how hot/loving/raw the scenes were depending on the author and her target audience. And yeah, sex scenes of this kind are far better than smut in comparison, straight or queer.

The Summer Feels stories are short enough to get to the bite-sized HEAs and still let you enjoy your summer activities. If anyone asks me what I did this summer, well, I went touring up from Pagudpud and down to Gen San twenty-three times over!

6 of 5 Stars. I mean, 5 stars are enough for the anthology on its own. +1 Star for my story because I love my work and I deserve it.

Blurb:

Summer loving happens so fast, as you'll find with Summer Feels, an anthology of 23 stories of love under the summer sun by #romanceclass authors. Savor the candied thrill of firsts—first loves, first kisses, first solo vacations—and the bittersweet triumph of second chances. Tour the Philippines as the stories take you to mountain retreats and island paradises. Let the magic of the hot sun, clear blue skies, and lots of love take you on a roller coaster ride of feels. With stories ranging from sweet to sexy, there's sure to be something for any fan of romance.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon E-Book: http://bit.ly/summerfeels

Print Book (PH Only): http://bit.ly/summerfeels-pof

About the Authors:

Elea Andrea Almazora   Elea Andrea Almazora typically writes poetry and speculative fiction and has a weakness for funny romance stories. She currently works as a contributor to Playboy magazine’s Advisor column. To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her blog, readinginbetween.com Follow her on Twitter @ealmazora Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/ealmazora Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/eleaalmazora   Erleen Alvarez   When she's not running errands or making monthly reports, Erleen Alvarez escapes the real world by reading books and writing stories about love of all kinds. She lives in a small town in Camarines Norte, where she’s trying to complete at least one publishable novel.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her blog, bookforya.blogspot.co.uk Follow her on Twitter @BooksforYA Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/author.erleen.alvarez Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2py994M Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oDRpr6   Ella Banta   Ella Banta is a purple-loving, egg pie-eating 30-something woman. Writing has always been a dream for her since she was little. And writing for a #romanceclass book is a dream come true. After this, she plans to write more and hopefully meet more awesome egg pie-eating peeps.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her blog, gabrielleluna.wordpress.com Follow her on Twitter @gabbie_ellaine Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/ellabantawriting Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2pwjLEj Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2pyi9XU

Rachelle Belaro   Rachelle is a published author of Pop Fiction, an imprint of Summit Books. She chooses watching Kdramas over writing stories, which makes it difficult for her to finish a chapter. If daydreaming were a profession, she could have made a great career in it.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her blog, rachellebelaro.wordpress.com Follow her on Twitter @areysieyts Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/rachbelaro Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/rachellebelaro Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2o45RYx H. Bentham   H. Bentham was born and raised in the Philippines, but now resides 1,487 miles away from home. He battles homesickness with his various hobbies and (mostly) by procrastinating on the internet. When he's done being bored, he writes stories and, when he's feeling particularly profound, poems. He adores turtles and bettas, enjoying the slow, quiet companionship they provide.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Follow him on Twitter @bentchbites Like his Facebook page, facebook.com/Mr.H.Bentham Follow him on Amazon at amzn.to/2nZO6eo Follow him on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oIysCK   Halina Cabrera   Halina Cabrera writes steamy romance, among other things, while she’s on break. She’s a breakfast person (that’s not the same as being a morning person). And she loves serif fonts. She’ll keep writing until she keels over.    To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Follow her on Twitter @cabrerahalina Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/HalinaCabrera Follow her on Goodreads atbit.ly/2nKWytT Charlie Dio   Charlio Dio is a jack of all trades hailing from the Philippines. She loves reading, writing, watching anime, and taking long walks with her two dogs. An office employee by day and an internet ninja by night, she spends the majority of her waking hours talking to people in her head and putting their stories into written words.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Follow her on Twitter @chardiosaurus Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/Charlie-Dio-622595757951587/ Mina V. Esguerra   Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance. She blogs about her writing and publishing adventures at minavesguerra.com.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Sign up for her mailing list at bit.ly/list-minavesguerra Visit her website, minavesguerra.com Follow her on Twitter @minavesguerra Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/minavesguerra Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/minavesguerra Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2p1YcaQ Elizabeth Galit   Elizabeth Galit’s friends call her Beth. She is a book hoarder, romance writer, a chocolate sucker, a coffee addict and a hopeless romantic.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her website, bethgstories.com Follow her on Twitter @bethgstories Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/bethgstories Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/elizabethgalit Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oaLzwR Georgette S. Gonzales   Georgette S. Gonzales is an author of romance in Filipino (as Edith Joaquin of My Special Valentine) and in English. She’s also written crime fiction novella Classified. Gette is a milrom junkie; she cooks but does not bake, loves to travel, and prides herself on being a singer, poet, and friend.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her website, pinaynobelista.com Follow her on Twitter @Gette_aka_EJmsv Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/georgette.pinaynobelista Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2oJa3Li Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oDwHaR Ami Granada   Ami Granada writes romances, travel stories, and poetry. She has written one romance novel in English (Unspoken), romance novels in Tagalog, and short stories that have been published in local magazines and newspapers. The only time she feels really free is when she travels and when she writes.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her blog, amidemanila.blogspot.com Follow her on Twitter @amidemanila Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/amidemanila Like her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2o06KCQ   Irene Jurado   Irene is a full-time mom in the morning and full-time employee by night. Once she puts everything in order, she becomes a romance reader, writes short stories, opens her bag full of watercolors, and drinks her milk tea.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Follow her on Twitter @I_reign_ Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2peizWo Catherine Lo   Catherine Dellosa Lo is a freelance writer by day and a geek by night, with works published in SuperHeroStuff, Vibal’s POC, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and more. She hopes to soar the skies as a superhero someday, but for now, she believes in saving lives through fiction. For fun, her personal blog recounts rookie misadventures as a noob wife.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her blog, quirkylifeofthenoobwife.blogspot.com Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/TheNoobWife Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2nZN3uP Follow her on Goodreads at goodreads.com/TheNoobWife   Arlene Manocot   Arlene Manocot writes in English and Filipino. Her words dwell in the realms of fantasy, suspense and romance. Aside from writing fiction, she also weaves poems from the endless thread of life. Daydreaming is an expensive hobby she'd like to preserve, and putting her thoughts into writing keeps her sane in this world of insanity.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her blog, writingandlovinit.blogspot.com Follow her on Twitter @arlenemanocot Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/manocot.arlene Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/arlenemanocot Follow her on Goodreads at goodreads.com/arlenemanocot Bianca Mori   Bianca Mori is the author of One Night at the Palace Hotel, Tame the Kitten, and the Takedown Trilogy. She is interested in exploring power in romance and enjoys reading about demimondaines, pin-up girls and Jazz Age personalities and hopes to reinterpret these in her stories. She lives with her family and a hyperactive pug.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Follow her on Twitter @thebiancamori Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/thebiancamori Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2nbI4Hd Follow her on Goodreads at goodreads.com/thebiancamori Eris Peñaluna   The author is a graduate of the University of the Philippines. This is her first romance short story, though she plans to publish a novel in the near future. During her spare time, she practices yoga, runs and tries to learn as many languages as she can.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Follow her on Twitter @ErisPenaluna Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/erispenaluna Like her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2nZZ5EN   Farrah F. Polestico   Farrah F. Polestico wanted to be a lot of things in life—an engineer, a nurse, an astrophysicist. But it wasn’t until she was thirteen that she knew she was going to be a published writer. When she’s not up all night writing her next book, you can find her reading anything and everything, from Charles Dickens novels to old grocery receipts.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her blog, bookskeepmesane.wordpress.com Follow her on Twitter @bookskeepmesane Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2oJlZwO Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oaCvYK Kit Salazar   Kit has always known what she wanted in life, but only recently took courage to go after it. She's back to doing things things that she loves, including writing and illustrating, while juggling a side job that helps fuel her creativity.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Follow her on Twitter @KitSalazarAuthor Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/kitsalazarauthor Follow her on Amazon at amzn.to/2nZXLSd Follow her on Goodreads at goodreads.com/kitsalazarauthor   Miel Salva   Miel Salva is a Filipino HR consultant by day and a romance writer/reader by heart. She enjoys watching movies, documentaries and TV series and going out to eat with friends or with her fiancé. She reads and writes stories about love and its many different facets because she believes that even in this world filled with hate, love still prevails.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her blog, mielsalva.wordpress.com Follow her on Twitter @Miel_Salva Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/pg/MielSalva.Author Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/mielsalva Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2pec7Pf   Fay Sebastian   Fay is a speech communication student who writes even on the busiest of days because writing prevents her from turning into a college zombie. Why she holds writing instruments in an odd way will always be a mystery to the world.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her blog, faysebastian.wordpress.com Follow her on Twitter @mileventwelve Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/Mileventwelve Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/faysebastian Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oJDblO

Kate Sebastian   Kate Sebastian has been crafting stories since she was tiny. She spent her childhood reimagining classic fairy tales and inventing new ones. She earns a good living writing articles and editing manuscripts, but decided to try her hand at writing romance (the steamy kind) since she reads so much of it.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her website, katesebastian.com Follow her on Twitter @ImKateSebastian Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/katesebastianauthor Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/katesebastian Follow her on Goodreads at goodreads.com/KateSebastian Yeyet Soriano   Yeyet Soriano is an Asia Pacific IT manager by day, writer by night, and a wife and mother of three all throughout. Turning Points, In My Dreams, The Retreat, and Kate, Finally are her self-published novels. Romance is not her core genre, but all her stories, no matter how dark or twisted, have romantic elements embedded in them.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her website, ysrealm.com Follow her on Twitter @ysrealm Like her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Yeyetsorianowrites Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/yeyetsoriano Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2nbyOmv Marian Tee   Marian Tee is the author of The Art of Catching a Greek Billionaire, which is part of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Billionaire Bad Boys of Romance.   To learn more about this author and for updates on new releases, please Visit her website, authormariantee.com Follow her on Twitter @authormariantee Like her Facebook page, facebook.com/authormariantee Follow her on Amazon at amazon.com/author/mariantee Follow her on Goodreads at bit.ly/2oaFHDO

[for-i-am-dying-of-such-love]

#i put on paradise found in the background and - omg#how do people hate this episode i really don't understand#there's this thing about x/g that i love so much bc it hurts so good#that they love each other so much but it's not always enough#they see each other in pain - particularly x sees g in pain - and she KNOWS she can't help#both bc of who they are and the things holding them back as individuals and bc of the things they've been through together#*cough the rift cough*#that make it IMPOSSIBLE to get close enough or understand#there's always an ideological and traumatic barrier between them#and it gets bigger the longer they're together#and the longer and more they love each other#and they can't breach it#my god it's so good#it's SO GOOD#and to have all of that situated in this very sexy episode#with sexy wet wound tending and naked candlelit bath massages and oh i pulled a muscle let me undress you to rub it out massages#at the same time as xena is staring agonized at gabrielle bc she can't help and she knows it#at the same time xena is FREAKED OUT AS HELL about the violent part of her#and specifically the inevitable potential of it hurting gabrielle (again)#this episode is a lot!!!!#y'all!!!!#it's so fucking good!!!#and bc I'm MIFFED about it i'm gonna say again that if you're put off the WHOLE THING by xena's stupid hair and teeth at the very end#you are not watching this show correctly#and you're missing out on 90% of what it's doing#there i said what i said#and what i was too tired to say last night#xena

Tags by @tunemyart

Ok, I had to include Amy's tags in this reblog because genius.

But also, YES YES YES. Paradise Found is fantastic! I love it. I LOVE IT. AND NOT JUST BECAUSE IT’S SO FUCKING SEXY. It's just such a brilliant inflection point in S4. Like, on a practical level, it acts as the pivot between the first and second halves of the season, introducing us to the India arc and setting in motion events that will lead Xena and Gabrielle to that Roman garrison, and their beautiful, violent breaking points. But, on a narrative level it’s also a much needed and important aside - a brief reprieve from the rising action of the season’s main arc; a moment of stillness.

I mean, this episode doesn’t even try to hide from itself! It very plainly tells us what it’s doing - Gabrielle lays it out in the teaser: “instead of reaching out maybe we should be looking in.” Not that the show ever shied away from confronting the devastating reality of Xena’s and Gabrielle’s lives, or the enduring torment of the trauma they’ve suffered! It’s very consistent - and earnest - in its exploration of their emotional and spiritual and psychological struggles.

But Paradise Found is one of the few episodes where the story is given over almost entirely to sustained reflection, and Xena and Gabrielle - alongside the audience - are allowed the time and space to confront the extent of their suffering, and to dwell in the personal anguish that each carries. And in so doing, it brings into sharp, agonizing relief the driving emotional conflict(s) of the season (and a sizable chunk of the series tbh). It’s a meditation on grief and sorrow and purpose and love, and ugh, it’s soooooo good. And also sexy, yes! Sexy!!!

And then there’s feral!Xena. Can we please talk about her? I love her. I love all the layers of meaning in her. I love what she represents, you know, beyond what the episode tells us, which is that she is the realization of Xena’s true self; her darkness given form. An amalgam of those ugly traits and uninhibited impulses that make her dangerous and destructive, that make her vile and inhuman, that make her unworthy and unsympathetic.

But there’s more to it than that! More nuance. Feral!Xena is more than just a caricature of Xena’s dark side! More than just how others view her. Feral!xena is very specifically a reflection of how Xena still views herself, what she sees when she looks inwards. And, maybe more importantly, what she fears Gabrielle will come to see in her too, what she might yet become once more - a grotesque monster that will be Gabrielle’s ruin in the end (and again here! The brilliance! The parallels! Gabrielle calling herself a monster. Xena becoming one. There is so much they share!)

Feral!Xena is Xena’s psyche made flesh, both in the context of the series’ arc and, more specifically, in the context of the season’s. She is the embodiment of everything Xena hates about herself, but also a manifestation of how she’s been feeling since she thought Gabrielle had died - desperate, restless, terrified, unhinged. Xena isn’t reduced to feral!Xena because she’s inherently evil, she’s reduced to her because she’s emotionally compromised (BUT THEN, ISN’T THAT WHAT THE SHOW HAS BEEN TELLING US ABOUT XENA ALL ALONG?!?) - because she’s feral with fear and guilt and helplessness. She becomes like a crazed animal because on some level that’s how she’s been made to feel as circumstances seemingly beyond her control force her ever-steadily into a corner...

HOLY SHIT. LIKE. THIS EPISODE!!!

Then there’s the foreshadowing/parallelism - whether it was intentional or not - of what is to come in India, and what is to come in Ides! Because, broadly speaking, Gabrielle’s dalliance with Aidan’s philosophies, and her ultimate rejection of the inner peace he claims his beliefs offer, is a warm-up for what will happen with Eli. Of course, Aidan and Eli start from very different places, in terms of their motivations and intentions, but nevertheless they both seek to pacify Gabrielle with their respective ideologies (not that she isn’t willing!), and they both fail in the face of Gabrielle’s love for, and desire to save Xena.

The way Gabrielle snaps out of her serenity-now stupor and breaks free of Aidan's influence to protect Xena from the spiritual harm of taking an innocent life is such a poignant mirror (stepping stone!) to the way she ultimately snaps in Ides, categorically abandoning the Way of Love to protect Xena once again, this time from brutal, physical harm!!! Both moments are eye-opening for Gabrielle - literally and figuratively - and once she sees, there's only one choice for her.

But then, there’s only ever been one choice for her!!! And there will only ever be that one choice for her. Which isn’t a new revelation for Gabrielle - it is a part of her as surely as the marrow in her bones. But, even though Gabrielle has been choosing Xena since the moment she laid eyes on her, there’s still some reticence there on her part - and Xena’s too - to follow that choice through to its natural conclusion.

And here, a momentary aside, but I think that reticence is born of Gabrielle’s own misguided sense of who she ought to be - both for herself and for others, especially Xena! Now, I’m not saying Gabrielle thinks she’s beyond reproach, only that she’s carrying around a lot of expectations, some self-imposed, some put upon her by others. Much of how she views herself is influenced by how those around her perceive her, especially Xena - which is often in a highly idealized way - and by S4 she’s internalized a lot of those attitudes about herself, for better or for worse. Not that there isn’t merit in some of the ways she’s been lauded, but she’s been so focused on being a counterbalance to Xena’s darker instincts that both she and Xena have unwittingly gotten stuck in a mindset (though, for different reasons) that’s creating this impossible tension in their relationship. And sooner or later, it’s not enough to just choose Xena. It’s all or nothing, and Gabrielle cannot be without Xena, so it must be all.

Ugh, that’s what I love about S4! It really is just one long, heartbreakingly, glorious surrender for both Xena and Gabrielle - a surrender to their deepest fears and to the truths of who they are and just what they’re capable of and to their transcendent love. A surrender to the inevitability of the all. And, Paradise Found ushers in that last painful contraction (the India arc and The Way of Love and the increasing incompatibility of their life together) before Gabrielle’s explosive rebirth in Ides, when she finally realizes where her true path lies and how she is meant to walk it (not that she still won’t struggle from time to time with her choices! Ides takes a brush to the slate, but it doesn’t leave it perfectly clean, the painful shapes and shadows of some decisions are still there to tug at hearts and minds. But, like, don’t get me started on Ides.)

Anyway, I adore this fucking show. K, thanks for reading.

I’m feeling a whole S4 rewatch comin on…