#jay chow

[deadthehype]

Cash Cobain & Laila! - Problem (feat. Fabolous, Kenzo B, Big Sean, Lay Banks, Luh Tyler, Anycia, Chow Lee, Kaliii, 6lack, Flo Milli, YN Jay, Flee, Don Q & Rob49)

[pancakepoet]

My bookshelf!

Not pictured: The Water Outlaws by S. L. Huang, Strike the Zither by Joan He, and Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao

Two years ago, I decided to completely stop purchasing books by white authors. I definitely have a preference for East Asian (especially Chinese) and indigenous authors. I'm currently expanding it to include S/SE Asian and African/Black authors.

Books I haven't read yet: The Poppy War, Never Whistle at Night, Moonstorm, Of Jade and Dragons, The Girl with No Reflection, Fathomfolk, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, The Night Ends with Fire, and the Emperor of the Endless Palace.

Books I'll be getting soon: A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli, Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, and The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahey by Briony Cameron

Update: I finished reading A Bright Heart, Of Jade and Dragons, and The Night Ends with Fire, along with a few others that I didn't describe in the last paragraph. I'm currently halfway through Fathomfolk.

PS: I wasn't aware Shannon Chakraborty was white when I bought the book, but my book shelf is also lacking Muslim representation

[somnus-in-law]

How many batgirls and robins later do you think it would take before the kids realize that Dick wasn't lying and Bruce really does just eat the rats, bats, and literally everything that crawls in the cave?

[1000-year-old-virgin]

Laila! ft. Fabolous, Kenzo B, Big Sean, Lay Bankz, Luh Tyler, Anycia, Chow Le, Kaliii, 6LACK, Flo Milli, YN Jay, FLEE, Don Q and Rob49 - Not My Problem (Remix)

[hiphopvibe1]

Cash Cobain and Laila ft. Fabolous, Big Sean, Kenzo B, Lay Bankz, Luh Tyler, Anycia, Chow Lee, Kaliii, 6lack, Flo Milli, YN Jay, FLEE, Don Q and Rob49 - “Problem”

Cash Cobain and Laila release star-studded “Problem” single Cash Cobain has finally delivered his highly anticipated single, “Problem,” remix of Laila’s viral hit “Not My Problem.” After months of teasing, the full version is here, and it’s nothing short of a blockbuster. The track brings together an impressive lineup of artists who initially teased their own freestyles over the instrumental,…

[mendingmusic]

Cash Cobain - Rump feat. Chow Lee

[dapplewood]

1. Applin Pie by Moss (@iamuniverseblog)

"A very simple applin pie with excess dough baked to look like leaves and a roped brim, baked to a golden hue."

2. Rhubarb Pie by @uprisist

"A pie is mysteriously left late at night... it's rhubarb, foreign in make, with honey adorning its sides. It's taller than one would expect for a pie, but it's not all rhubarb- it's layered like a cake, with the lower half a spongey texture reminiscent of marshmallow. It's delicately sweet, and smells extremely aromatic for a pie."

3. Blackberry Cobbler by Jay (@im-taako-you-know-from-tv)

"Anyone up for some blackberry cobbler?"

4. Shuppet Brownies by Cricket (@centipedefriends)

"Brownies with frosting decorated to look like shuppets on each individual brownie, with mini chocolate chips for eyes."

5. Banana Pumpkin Muffin by Shay (@leavesandbounds)

"Banana pumpkin muffins with a dyed cinnamon sugar glaze and edible flowers. Themed after autumn deerling and inspired by the kinds of muffins Shay's mom would bake back in faer hometown."

(This entry has a cute little story with it beneath the cut!)

6. Savory Chikorita Pie by Thistle (N/A)

"He has, of course, done unspeakable things to a chikorita to make this pie. It's a creamy cheesy roasted savory vegetable pie."

7. Cinnamon Spice Applin Cookies by Dustin (@sundecided)

"Dustin spent hours on these, but the icing is a little thick..."

8. Applin Cider Donuts by Lark (@janalowitz)

"Apple cider donuts dusted in cinnamon sugar and little applin themed mint sprigs."

9. Strawberry Spice Cake..? by Shiloh (@isa_ah)

"I forgot to let the cake cool before I tried to- it's not important."

Shay's story for baking faer muffins!:

Shay had never been a particularly strong baker. Fae could follow a recipe just fine, but if fae tried to experiment even a little? Well, gogoat would get a lot of extra treats, we can put it that way. So when he moved to Dapplewood and an annual fall baking competition was established, he was a little apprehensive about participating. In fact fae hadn't planned to at all until fae found faerself stuck in faer apartment for a few beautiful autumn days.

A window was open to let in the crisp air, but it did nothing to relieve Shay's stir-craziness as he tentatively tried once more to rest weight on his bad foot. Fae hadn't had a flare-up so severe in ages, not since leaving home. And with that single thought Shay was sent tumbling through old memories.

Memories of bundling up in blankets while tucked against faer father's side on the couch. Memories of autumn scented candles lit in the kitchen because the city air wasn't nearly as festive. Memories of warm muffins in his small hands, and a smile from his mother.

Shay took another breath of the fresh air coming through his open window, and he looked outside at the forest and the mountains separating him from where he came from.

Fae may just participate in the baking competition after all.

(via @leavesandbounds)

Interested in the Pumpkin Patch but unfamiliar with what's going on? Check out the tag [here] and play along!

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🌈 Queer Books Coming Out in March 2024 🌈

🌈 Good afternoon, my bookish bats! Struggling to keep up with all the amazing queer books coming out this month? Here are a FEW of the stunning, diverse queer books you can add to your TBR before the year is over. Remember to #readqueerallyear! Happy reading!

[ Release dates may have changed. ]

❤️ Shift: A Memoir of Identity and Other Illusions - Penny Guisinger 🧡 Tempting Olivia - Clare Ashton 💛 Monilinia - Free Mints 💚 Guillaume - Aurora Dimitre 💙 The Marble Queen - Anna Kopp & Gabrielle Kari 💜 The Baker & the Bard - Fern Haught ❤️ Rainbow! - Sunny & Gloom 🧡 The Safe Zone - Amy Marsden 💛 The Weavers of Alamaxa - Hadeer Elsbai 💙 The No-Girlfriend Rule - Christen Randall 💜 A Different Kind of Brave by Lee Wind 🌈 Cirque du Slay - Rob Osler ❤️ Wizard’s Debt - Niranjan 🧡 One Last Breath - Ginny Myers Sain 💛 Nothing Special - Katie Cook 💚 I Feel Awful, Thanks - Lara Pickle 💙 The Tower - Flora Carr 💜 Be the Sea - Clara Ward ❤️ What Grows in the Dark - Jaq Evans 🧡 Heirs of Bone and Sea - Kay Adams 💛 The Haunting of Velkwood - Gwendolyn Kiste 💙 Thunder Song - Sasha taqwšəblu LaPointe 💜 Mona of the Manor - Armistead Maupin 🌈 Like Happiness - Ursula Villarreal-Moura

❤️ Ellipses - Vanessa Lawrence 🧡 Saint, Sorrow, Sinner - Freydís Moon 💛 Blood & Brujas - Mikayla D. Hornedo 💚 Infinity Kings - Adam Silvera 💙 Really Cute People - Markus Harwood-Jones 💜 How You Were Born - Kate Cayley ❤️ These Bodies Between Us - Sarah Van Name 🧡 Icarus - K. Ancrum 💛 The Emperor and the Endless Palace - Justinian Huang 💙 How Not to Date an Angel - Lana Kole 💜 Enemy Colours - R.M. Olson 🌈 Broken Parts Included - Alyson Root

❤️ Who's Afraid of Gender? - Judith Butler 🧡 The Duke’s Cowboy - Andrew Grey 💛 The Secret Something - Emily Wright 💚 Colstead & Andie - Olivia Janae 💙 Play It Again, Ma’am - Sienna Waters 💜 Love Is…? - K.J. Wrights ❤️ Welcome to Forever - Nathan Tavares 🧡 Just Another Epic Love Poem - Parisa Akhbari 💛 The Phoenix Bride - Natasha Siegel 💙 These Letters End in Tears - Musih Tedji Xaviere 💜 Truly Home - J.J. Hale 🌈 Monster Mixer - Robin Jo Margaret

❤️ The House of Hidden Meanings - RuPaul 🧡 Promised to the Queen - Barbara Winkes 💛 A Conclave of Crimson - Nicole Eigener & Beverley Lee 💚 A Hunt of Blood and Iron - Cara Nox 💙 The Fealty of Monsters - Ladz 💜 Ariel Crashes a Train - Olivia A. Cole ❤️ Those Beyond the Wall - Micaiah Johnson 🧡 Dancing Toward Stardust - Julia Underwood 💛 Heir to Dreams & Darkness - Ben Alderson 💙 Comet Cruise - Niska Morrow 💜 Dead Girls Walking - Sami Ellis 🌈 Blackout - Carlos E. Rivera

❤️ Monster Crush - Erin Ellie Franey 🧡 Blessed Water - Margot Douaihy 💛 These Fragile Graces, This Fugitive Heart - Izzy Wasserstein 💚 Kiss of Seduction - Rawnie Sabor 💙 Sunbringer - Hannah Kaner 💜 Evacuation to Love - C.A. Popovich ❤️ Sin - Brooke Matthews 🧡 Falls from Grace - Ruby Landers 💛 Lean in to Love - Catherine Lane 💙 A Small Apocalypse - Laura Chow Reeve 💜 Cascade Failure - L.M. Sagas 🌈 The Mars House - Natasha Pulley

❤️ All This Time - Sage Donnell 🧡 The Romance Lovers Book Club - MA Binfield 💛 View from the Top - Morgan Adams 💚 Number Call - Nagisa Furuya 💙 Crossing Bridges - Chelsey Lynford 💜 The Boyfriend Subscription - Steven Salvatore ❤️ Love the World or Get Killed Trying - Alvina Chamberland 🧡 Synthetic Sea - Franklyn S. Newton 💛 The Prince & His Stolen Groom - J.E. Ridge 💙 Chrysalis and Requiem - Quinton Li 💜 Where Sleeping Girls Lie - Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé 🌈 A Botanical Daughter - Noah Medlock

❤️ Wednesday Nights - by Donna Jay 🧡 The Woods All Black - Lee Mandelo 💛 Song of the Huntress - Lucy Holland 💚 Rainbow Black - Maggie Thrash 💙 Spirits & Sunflowers - A.D. Armistead & Austin Daniel 💜 Floating Hotel - Grace Curtis ❤️ Far From Camelot - Rylee Hale 🧡 This Way to Change - Jezz Chung 💛 Mexican Bird - Luis Lopez-Maldonado 💙 Android Affection: Unveiling - Beau Van Dalen 💜 Welcome to the Damned - Astraea Long 🌈 She Came for Blood - Darva Green

❤️ Cover Story - Rachel Lacey 🧡 The Poisons We Drink - Bethany Baptiste 💛 The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist - Sophie Gonzales 💚 In Walked Trouble - Dana Hawkins 💙 Never Leave, Never Lie - Thea Verdone 💜 Guardian: Zhen Hun - Priest ❤️ All the World Beside - Garrard Conley 🧡 Rainbows, Unicorns, and Triangles - Jessica Kingsley Publishers 💛 The Feast Makers - H.A. Clarke 💙 Synthetic Sea - Franklyn S. Newton �� All the Painted Stars - Emma Denny 🌈 A Hard Sell - Jennifer Moffatt

[unofficialdigby]

JULY BIRTHDAYS

July 1: Curt the Cranky Bear

July 2: Agent S the Peppy Squirrel

July 3: Blaire the Snooty Squirrel

July 4: Apollo the Cranky Eagle and Wilbur the Dodo Pilot

July 5: Samson the Jock Mouse and Reese the Re-Tail Alpaca

July 6: Mira the Sisterly Rabbit

July 7: Bree the Snooty Mouse and Viche the Normal Squirrel

July 8: Jeremiah the Lazy Frog (Jerimiah was a Bullfrog) FISHING TOURNEY DAY

July 9: Static the Cranky Squirrel and Huck the Smug Frog

July 10: Mott the Jock Lion and Toby the Smug Rabbit

July 11: Victoria the Peppy Horse and Filly the Normal Horse

July 12: Olive the Normal Cub and Kapp'n the Kappa Captain

July 13: Twiggy the Peppy Bird

July 14: Dizzy the Lazy Elephant

July 15: Caroline the Normal Squirrel

July 16: Frita the Sisterly Sheep

July 17: Jay the Jock bird and Beppe the Professional (also bird) RV Painter

July 18: Croque the Cranky Frog

July 19: Nibbles the Peppy Squirrel and Pascal the Stoner Otter

July 20: Yuka the Snooty Koala

July 21: Prince the Lazy Frog

July 22: Chow the Cranky Bear BUG-OFF DAY

July 23: Elvis the Cranky Lion

July 24: O'Hare the Smug Rabbit and Rex the Lazy Lion

July 25: Peck the Jock Bird and Nat, Chameleon who originally ran the Bug-Off and Flick's Dad

July 26: Curly the Jock Pig

July 27: Erik the Lazy Deer and Ketchup the Peppy Duck

July 28: Truffles the Peppy Pig that did not get typo-ed as peppa three times

July 29: Lionel the Smug LIon

July 30: Frank the Cranky Eagle

July 31: Grizzly the Cranky Bear and Julia the EXTRA TRANS Snooty Ostrich.

[deadthehype]

Cash Cobain & Laila! - Problem (feat. YN Jay, Lil Yachty, 6lack, Luh Tyler & Chow Lee)

[xx-s3lf-ship-xx]

Sorrow Makes New Friends pt 2 (Zane)

Zane is not gonna be in character in this fanfic cuz....I try my best to try to mimic his words just like in the show..so you gotta bare with me XoX

Hope u enjoy UuU.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

•★ Frostbite ★•

Sorrow has officially had a best friend to talk and play with but sorrow started to have some feelings with jay

He never felt this feeling before which feels warm and fuzzy but he doesn't want to ruin his friendship with jay so he continues having a friendship journey with him

Sorrow and the others (Zane, Cole, Jay and Sensei Wu) were eating in the diner room, chowing down that Zane has made then sorrow heard a small quiet mew that is coming outside, sorrow realized that sound, a small critter, crying for food

Sorrow looks side to side hope no one will see him seeking food in his gi, stuffing his gi with food

Sorrow: may I be excused...I need some fresh air....

Sorrow asked Sensei Wu if he can go outside and he nodded while sipping his tea

Sensei Wu: you may, child

Sorrow nodded and stood up, walked to the door, he looked around if the small critter was still here, then he saw a very small kitten, approaching sorrow

Sorrow: hello little one...are you hungry....

Sorrow gives a gentle smile then he couches down, grabbing the food that stained his gi, he hold to the kitten with a shrimp, the small kitten sniff then grabs, begin to eat it

Sorrow: hehe...I knew it...your are hungry....

He softly chuckled, keeping his voice so low and quiet, he put the rest of the food so the kitten can eat more

Zane was curious about sorrow, he stood up without saying a word, he slid the door open then closed behind, Zane saw sorrow couches down, he tilted his head and he walked slowly to sorrow

Sorrow see a shadow that the light is shining, he gasped quietly then holding the kitten protected then look back with a scared face

Sorrow: Z-Zane?...

Sorrow shattered, still feeling frightening, Zane couches down and patted his back

Zane: it's okay...no need to be frightened my friend...just... curious...

Sorrow then softens his face and sighs in relief, the kitten nuzzling and kneading on sorrow arms getting comfortable

Sorrow: I heard a small meow that is coming outside...it was crying for food so...I gotta feed it...I don't want the poor fella to starve...

Sorrow said to Zane as he petted the kitten gently, the little critter was purring that is feeling loved, Zane looked sorrow and smiled warmly, seeing his soft side of cats

Zane: hm...I'm glad you took care of it, my shy friend...you have a pure heart....for animals

Zane petted the kitten gently while it's purring, sorrow smiles at Zane that he finally spoke to him

Sorrow: I'm more comfortable talking to cats than humans...it's..very hard to communicate to....so..I would rather talk to cats than people...hehe...

Sorrow nervously chuckled then he stood up from all the couches then Zane stood up with him

Zane: but...you talk to Jay...same with Sensei Wu and me....but you didn't talk to Cole....are you...afraid of him?...

Sorrow thinking about Cole, he's not sure if he's afraid or maybe it's just he's anxious about talking to him

Sorrow: no...I'm...just anxious to talk to him...I don't know if he...judges me...just like my past...it's..hurts...so much....

Zane nodded and understood, he doesn't want to force him to talk to Cole

Zane: take your time...sorrow...no need to push yourself...

He patted his back gently, smiled softly to sorrow, sorrow hummed and smiled softly, he turned his head to Zane

Sorrow: thanks...you... actually understand me...I'm glad....

Zane: yes and plus... you're actually unique, a shy friend who can talk to cats....but wanna be trained to be a ninja...to protect cats or animals?...

Sorrow chuckles softly and flattered by his compliment

Sorrow: yes but...also people as well...I may only interact with cats but...still...people do have the same pain as me....

Zane hummed and patted his head, giving his friend a gentle smile

Zane: you have a pure heart...sorrow...you will be strong and protected lives...plus...we are here...

Sorrow smiles softly, he finally has a 2nd friend to look at, the kitten jumped off his arms and ran outta to the wooden gate, Sorrow gasped and walked quickly to the small critter along with Zane then they saw it's mother, nuzzling then went to a hole that was created

Sorrow: oh...it's has a mother...I'm glad...she can protect it at all costs...

He smiles and sighs in relief that the little fella has a home to protect, Zane smiles with him, he looks at the sky which is night time

Zane: is best...to be resting for tomorrow training...

Sorrow nodded and walked back to the dojo, nobody is at the table, which they must be at their room that needed to be shared

Sorrow: I think they're in the room...but let's get some rest Zane....

Zane nodded and walked down to the room, where Cole and Jay were brushing their teeth

Jay: guys! What were you? We just have to clean the dishes and everything, and totally hated it!

He whined with a toothpaste on his mouth and crosses his arms, Cole spit at the sink and nodded

Sorrow: oh...we..just talk...about something..

Sorrow chuckles and looks at Zane smiled softly, Jay rolls his eyes and sigh

Jay: whatever but I'm beat...

Jay yawned and put his toothbrush away and wiped his mouth with a towel, He hopped to the bottom bed that sorrow and he shared that which is a bunker, he yawned and drifted to sleep

After Zane and Sorrow brushed their teeth, then they went to bed, sorrow climbed up the ladder and got all comfy

Sorrow: goodnight guys....

Cole and Jay were sleeping but Zane looked up to sorrow with a smile

Zane: goodnight my dearest friend....

He drifted to sleep, sorrow smiles then he sleeps, happily...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yay! Just two more!!!! Cole and Kai!!! :3

I would say that sorrow does have a very tough childhood, he couldn't talk to anyone but cats

Which is normal for people who doesn't talk to people ^^

[dark-twist-fairytales]

Headcanon: food edition

-Jay's allergic to tree nuts, but not peanuts. You can try to take peanut butter foem his cold, dead hands, you won't be able to.

^He has an odd eating habit that skipping breakfast, absolutely chowing down at lunch, and snaking through dinner.

^-Wu tried to get him to eat breakfast a few times, and the entire team has deemed it an impossible task. He won't. Maybe a bite of something, but not a full meal. It would be concerning, except when confirming with Zane: Jay's still eating, and a healthy amount at that.

-Cole and Kai can both put down a LOT of food. Kai because his body craves to get energy in any way, shape, or form. Cole because he's a foodie and will try anything once (ends up liking most things).

-Nya's a pretty picky eater, mainly due to textures. There's always something she'll eat at the table, though, as Kai will make something for her specifically.

^Accidentally, Kai has begun to develop a texture issue testing food for Nya

-Before being rebuilt, Zane's body function quite a lot like a human being, eating food and drinking without it damaging his inner systems.

[what-if-it-was-a-warrior-cat]

i hope you will do 5 cats 🧍🏽‍♀️

the first one - michelle gray and white shekitty with green eyes, i found her about 5 years ago when she was just a tiny little baby, shes very territorial of me and my little sister and likes to attack my bowls and plates when they are drying, she loves being outside and has caught multiple mice, cockroaches, a spider, and a squirrel for me.

the second one, ray, is very old (17) and i found her on the side of the road (along with the last one, the tabby with green eyes) in new york. she loves cuddling and water, and she loves food, like im not joking she will chow down on whatever she can get her grubby little paws on.

the third one - princess, the orange and white cat with beautiful eyes is about 3 years old and likes to keep to herself, though she likes climbing trees everytime i take her outside. she has really small paws and an extra toe bean on both her left feet.

the fourth one, the gray kitty, is only 7 months old and my favorite little stinker and she loves jumping into my fridge whenever its open. shes very adventurous and likes to paw at things she should not be ever pawing at. she also likes eating grass and touching plants. shes brought me multiple sticks and leaves to my window whenever she leaves. (shes half outdoor kitty)

and the last one, sasha, (17) is a very sweet little baby who loves and adores babies and children, and has attacked my dog before for being too close to her. when she was a younger cat she bit into a porcupine and almost died, but she has proved it hasnt stopped her and she still eats bad things that end up hurting her, but she survives and she will live forever.

i hope youll do this bcos i wanna find out theyre names 😔

Oh wow, lots of kitties!

Top to bottom:

Michelle -> Mousenose

Rank: Warrior

Fiercely loyal to her clan, Mousenose is often regarded as the clan's best hunter. While she won't show it most of the time, she's often itching for a fight, and occasionally antagonizes other clans on border patrol. Her favorite prey to hunt is squirrels, as the chase keeps her running skills sharp, as well as her claws. Her favorite prey is mice!

Ray -> Shadestar(wing)

Rank: Leader

Shadestar, while not the youngest of the leaders, is easily one of the most respected. While she loathes having to fight the other clans, and often opts for peace whenever she can, her military strategies are rivaled by little other. She often looks to Pinequill when she needs advice. Her favorite prey is frogs!

Princess -> Flamelight

Rank: Warrior

Flamelight is one of the clan's quieter warriors, opting to keep to herself most of the time. Despite this, the rest of the clan very quickly recognized that she is exceptional at climbing trees, and Flamelight is often praised for her squirrel- and bird-hunting skills. While she says she's not a fan of the attention, she secretly loves it. Her favorite prey is thrushes!

Sootpaw(blaze)

Rank: Medicine Cat Apprentice

Sootpaw is a curious apprentice, and often sticks her nose into things first, and asks questions later. While her adventurous personality can be troublesome at times, her mentor also sees it as a valuable tool. Being willing to learn is an important part of being a medicine cat, after all. Although, ever since they've taken Sootpaw on as an apprentice, the catmint has been mysteriously disappearing... Sootpaw's favorite prey is shrews!

Sasha -> Pinequill

Rank: Elder

When Pinequill was an apprentice, they wandered a little too close to a porcupine, and came back to camp looking more like a bramble bush than a cat. While others made fun of her for it, Pinepaw took it in stride and decided to request the name Pinequill at her naming ceremony. Now, as an elder, she often regales the apprentices with the tale of how she had to fight three whole porcupines single-pawed! The story is different almost every single time she tells it. Her and Shadestar are like littermates, nearly inseparable. Pinequill's favorite prey is blue jays!

[chntfessions]

WHO CHNT CHARACTERS REMIND ME OF ALTHOUGH THERES NO REASONING:

- Rowan Chow : Arthur Lester, Donatello Yamato, Wallace Wells and Dorian Grey. ( Malevolent, 2018 teenage mutant ninja turtles, Scott Pilgrim and the picture of Dorian Grey. )

- Yvonne : Petra, Nya Smith, Kim Pine and nemo. ( Minecraft story mode, lego ninjago, Scott Pilgrim and finding nemo. )

- Joshua : Fin, bitter giggle, Jay Walker, Dareth, Michealangelo, Axel and Heath. ( Adventure time, garten of ban ban, ninjago, 2018 teenage mutant ninja turtles, minecraft story mode and monster high. )

So....part 2...I will do all the characters all at some point if I'm fine to on this blog!

- 🐀

Mcsm mentioned

[antigonenikk]

-to the state fair-

Fandom: The Pacific

Pairing: Merriell "Snafu" Shelton/Eugene Sledge

Summary: the mortar squad adopts a mini-horse as their mascot in the first months of okinawa.

“Instead of replying, afraid he might start screaming, he keeps his silence. Head buried in Myrtle’s side, he lets Snafu rub his dirty hand over the nape of his neck, just like he would with the pony. Tender and with too much force. Like he’s not used to gentleness. The panic inside of him does not pass.”

Warnings: bittersweet, mini-horses, tender homoerotic moments

Burgie is the one to find her. She’s tiny. Maybe the tiniest horse Eugene has ever seen. Her head comes up to Gene’s elbow, and her coat is a silky smooth brown. The color of the deer he used to spy on in the forests near his home as a child. At first, no one knows what to do with her. Burgie looks just as lost as the rest of them, holding her wooden bridle, standing in the middle of a muddy road on patrol. But with no fighting going on in those early days, it was quickly decided that she could be allowed to stay at camp with them.

She grew on them quick. Burgie was prone to reading to her before they had to head to their foxholes for the night. Jay, hesitant at first, was constantly checking her feet for injuries, hovering like a mother-hen over her shoulder the minute she seemed thirsty or hungry or tired.

Snafu, Eugene thought, had taken to her the fastest. He seemed to have a supernatural connection to old Myrtle, as they had lovingly dubbed her. In the morning when they all sat down for chow, Snaf could be found leaning against her hide, whispering french into her ear. Before patrol he would pat her on the nose. Once for good luck. Then run back a second time for a quick kiss. The other’s might have razzed him for it, but Myrtle had become their mascot. And each of them loved her with a fierce devotion you reserved only for the dearest of pets. She wasn’t just sweet, but strong too. She would carry boxes of ammo strapped to her back for the squad, meandering down steep inclines with dogged determination. Eugene had never liked horses in particular. But Myrtle was special. She reminded him of a character from an old Jack London story. Hearty and full of love and hope, navigating a world torn asunder by man’s sickness.

One night, he joined Myrtle and Snafu at the cliffside by their camp. Artillery fire could be heard from halfway across the island. But for now, things were peaceful. The sun was setting, gusts of cool air were blowing through the pine trees and into their faces from the Sea. They took turns feeding her sugar rations, petting her muzzle, and talking about home.

‘My mama took me once, to the State Fair. Had a pony like Myrtle there. Not as brave as our gal o’course. But I remember sitting there for an hour. With the goats and sheep and ponies and all. Everyone else, my brothers, went on to the rides. But me and mama stuck together….”

It was said in a lilting drawl. With stops and starts. As if Shelton was scared Eugene was going to judge him for a simple childhood memory. He could feel those eyes on him. Blue and wide and lovely like a girl’s. He wanted to fidget. Wanted to touch. Wanted to be anywhere else. Wanted to move closer to Shelton’s wiry body, radiating heat.

Eugene had never been to the State Fair. Just the circus. But he can imagine going there with Snafu, the two of them. Eating funnel cakes and riding the Ferris Wheel and letting themselves get trampled by little barnyard animals. The thought makes him so homesick he could cry. He feels a bit like Dante, overlooking the entrance to hell. Nowhere to go but down and down and down. He doubts, deep in his heart, that he’ll ever get to see something as simple as the circus again.

Snafu must be able to tell he’s upset. Because when their hands brush over Myrtle’s coat, almost touching, Snafu moves to place his calloused palm on his wrist. Eugene exhales, inhales the scent of pine again. When he turns to look he sees an expression on his friend’s face he knows all too well. More than affection, less than grief. Something beyond loss or desire. Beyond spoken words.

The sky is purple, red and pink striations marking out the warmth of Shelton’s skin. Eugene looks down to Myrtle and wishes they could bring her home together.

‘I’ve never been to the State Fair.’

Snafu cracks a grin at his admission.

‘Yeah?’

He nudges Eugene’s shoulder.

‘I could take you, if you like. When all ‘dis is over.’

He chokes on his own tongue. Lets the moment rest. Can’t let it rest.

‘You think we’re going home?’

A look passes over Snafu’s face then. And it makes Eugene regret ever bringing it up in the first place. Myrtle whinnies and Eugene presses his face to her flank, chilled by his own fatalism.

‘You’re going home, Sledgehammer. You’re going home.’

He says it with such conviction that Eugene can’t possibly contradict him. He says it like he knows it’s true. Like he’s willing to do just about anything to make it happen. It doesn’t make him feel less afraid. He doesn’t want to let go of Shelton. He doesn’t know what he would do if the other man died, especially trying to save him. Because that’s what he means. Shelton doesn’t think he’ll make it. Because he’s determined to die to make sure that Eugene does.

Instead of replying, afraid he might start screaming, he keeps his silence. Head buried in Myrtle’s side, he lets Snafu rub his dirty hand over the nape of his neck, just like he would with the pony. Tender and with too much force. Like he’s not used to gentleness. The panic inside of him does not pass.

Two days later Eugene stares Myrtle down, her black eyes wide open and beseeching, full of uncomplicated love. He gives her a single sugar cube ration. And feels himself tearing up. They march out again today. And everyone has agreed. It’s not safe for her anymore. Not with them. The others have gone ahead, each giving her their own private goodbye. Snafu stands waiting for him, machine gun over his shoulder, a living ghost. Eugene pats her once and places his face to hers. If he closes his eyes, with Myrtle in front of him, and Snafu at his rear, he almost feels like he’s home. Like there is hope for the future. Possibility. He imagines the scent of powdered sugar. The sound of children laughing and carnival rides. The flashing neon lights of a game being won. And then he opens his eyes and the moment is over.

He and Snafu walk in silence, down past the cliffside where they sat together what feels like a lifetime ago. Time bends, and snaps, and comes back together. For a moment, Snafu’s pinky hooks together with his own. Then they separate again, and continue marching. Eugene hopes beyond anything, beyond his own will to live, beyond his desire to see Snafu through the war, that that damned little pony doesn’t die. At least not where he can see it.

[asian-heart-92]

Street Fighter fancast (part 2)

Jason Scott Lee as Retsu

Jon Foo as Geki I, Kairi, Cycloid Beta and Cycloid Gamma

Lewis Tan as Geki II

Stephen Thompson as Joe

Michael Shannon Jenkins as Mike (Street Fighter I)

Benedict Wong as Lee

Chow Yun-fat as Gen

Nonso Anozie as Birdie

David Ames as Eagle

Dwayne Johnson as Sagat

Yamamotoyama Ryūta as Edmond Honda

Vitor Belfort as Blanka

John Cena as Guile

Liu Yifei as Chun-Li

Shah Rukh Khan as Dhalsim

Mike Colter as Balrog

Óscar Jaenada as Vega

Josh Brolin as M. Bison

Jodie Comer as Cammy White and Decapre

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson as Zangief

Maika Monroe as Eliza Masters

Lulu Wilson as Chris

Eugene Brave Rock as T. Hawk

Danny Chan Kwok-kwan as Fei Long

Laurent Plancel as Dee Jay

Tadanobu Asano as my choice #1 for Akuma/Oni

Brian Tee as my choice #2 for Akuma/Oni

Simon Kuke as Adon

Yoshi Sudarso as Guy