#the models were this v sweet couple who ended up taking some of the drawings home with them :-)

[utopians]

back on tha life drawing grind... went to TWO workshops today but this is the only drawing I really liked

[classic80sand90smovieloves2]

Meeting and Dating Joey Donner

(Not my gif)(Requested by anonymous)

- It was a little known fact that nearly every girl in your school wanted to date or at least screw Joey Donner. You were no exception but at least you could tell he was a total ass and didn’t actually try to get with him.

- You acted uninterested, convinced yourself at times that you were uninterested yet deep down you knew you secretly were attracted to him even if it was just the surface you were attracted to.

- But you’re disinterest is what drew Joeys attention to you in the first place. As everyone else swooned you completely ignored him and talked to “losers” instead, hiding away from attention and for the most part wearing clothes which left nearly everything to the imagination. Though to be fair, you woke up at five in the morning and stayed in school till two; frankly you just weren’t in the mood for heels.

- He wasn’t entirely compelled just by that. No, his real interest towards you started when a friend of yours decided to give you a makeover and plead with you to try it out for a week just to see what would happen. Since you were equally curious you gave it a try, even though you knew it was going to be a hassle.

- Thats why early one morning you arrived at school dressed in a v-neck top, a tight skirt, heels, hair perfectly done and more makeup than usual. To say he was enticed would be an understatement.

- “Had you always been so hot?” Was a common question among your peers but most didn’t even realize it was you until halfway through the day. Even Cameron and Michael; your friends, were having trouble not staring at your cleavage. Boys were swarming you to say the least.

- It was kind of fucked up to have the same people who made fun of you throughout middle school and high school now open doors and pull out chairs for you.

- You and Joey were lab partners so to an extent you were forced to interact for at least a good ten minutes a day. A lot of girls were jealous of you for this exact reason but you didn’t pay them any mind.

- It was when you were sat at your desk pulling on gloves to cut open frogs that Joey actually got his first look at you, well, the new you. He genuinely thought you were transferred and a new girl was sitting in your place. Sure he thought you were good looking before but every girl looks a bit better with makeup and some tight clothes, at least to guys like him.

- He slowly sat down next to you, eyes trained on your face and body as he went. You paid him no mind as you wrote down your notes and got to work. He sat there staring at you for a few moments before shaking his head and getting a hold of himself. He couldn’t actually get with a “loser” like you; it would ruin his reputation.

- He was bewildered when he found himself actually starting to like you. You, the girl who was a nobody, the girl that half the school didn’t know existed and the girl that, regardless of all that, still didn’t like him. You were weirdly endearing for it; hot even. He actually had to work to gain your attention.

- Joey doesn’t really know how to go after girls that he doesn’t have leverage on. Like if a girl likes him it’s easy to score with her but what does he do if they seem to hate his guts?

- He tried flirting, complimenting you and being sweet before he asked you out for the first time. You rejected him, quite brutally might he add and so he had to take a different plan of action. His second plan was to annoy the hell out of you, getting you riled up so that you’d give him the attention he wanted from you, even if it was given to him with a glare.

- After an especially rough week with him borderline bullying you he made the mistake of asking you out again. That’s how you and him got into an insult match in an empty hallway of the school after classes ended.

- A moment of stillness came over the two of you after a particularly heated exchange of words. When all of a sudden his hands were cupping your cheeks and your lips were smashing together.

- It was rough, passionate, heated. You didn’t exactly know why it was happening but to hell if you weren’t enjoying it. So long story short you ended up making out with the cocky most popular guy in the school who only moments before you were calling a pompous ass.

- When you came to your senses you realized he had you pinned against the wall and was thoroughly enjoying himself. The two of you pulled apart to catch your breath and were silent for a while, still close in proximity. Both of you leaned in and shared a much tamer kiss before he spoke.

“I’m an asshole, I get it, but that was great and you can’t deny it, alright? There’s something between us and you know it so why don’t we see how this plays out. Let me take you out and make everyone in this town jealous that I have you.”

- Well maybe it was worth a shot, right? You pulled him into another kiss which he smiled into like a giddy fool even if he wouldn’t ever admit it.

- So that’s how you became the hottest couple in school and started living out the dreams of all your classmates.

- He has a major soft spot for you.

- He’s really cuddly when you’re alone. He’s like a totally different person.

- Lots of gifts and dates people your age shouldn’t be able to afford.

- Being backstage at his modeling and commercial jobs.

- He’s jealous as hell, he hates boys looking at you but at the same time loves it because he’s a smug asshole. It makes him proud that people want what only he has.

- He’s lowkey possessive.

- You have to wear his jacket in classes you don’t have with him.

- Hickeys and constant pda.

- When he’s bored he tends to write his name on your skin. At some point he’ll get you a necklace with his name on it and a ring for himself that has yours engraved on it. He probably wouldn’t even tell you about his ring, you’d just notice it for yourself one day and get a little misty eyed.

- He’ll randomly grab a part of your body and start drawing on it. He reserves dicks for other people though.

- Once you’re in his car he’s eating your face. His lips are on yours and they aren’t letting up until they get their fill.

- He likes to grab your face and pull you into kisses.

- His arm is constantly wrapped around your shoulders or waist.

- You’re on his lap like 90% of the time.

- Even though he’s got a big ego, he actually gets pretty flustered when you compliment him on things other than his looks. He doesn’t know how to react at first but he tries his best to play it off and act cool.

- Someway, somehow, you’re incorporated into his workouts whether it be you sitting on his back or underneath him during pushups or you being used as a bench press. It makes things more entertaining for him and lets him show off.

- I feel like his household was the kind where money substituted actual relationships so this boy is probably hella attention starved. The first time you showed him innocent affection he was kinda confused.

“What are you doing?”

“Loving you.”

“...alright.”

- He’s an asshole but it’s somehow endearing?

- Anyone who comes close to bothering you is getting his ass kicked either by him or someone he’s paid to do so.

- He’s a pretty demanding person, he wants your attention, affection, anything you can give him. You’re basically inseparable.

- Hugs from behind with his head resting on your shoulder.

- He’s a sexual guy and proud of it so undoubtedly sex will be a part of your relationship.

- It gets him all hot and bothered when you wear his clothes.

- Him “accidentally” touching your boobs and butt. Just blatant groping yet he’ll probably apologize like it was a mistake.

- Wearing one of his rings, most likely on a chain around your neck.

- Flowers and cute but ‘macho’ notes.

- Fighting usually ends up being his fault because he’s a cocky bastard and won’t ever admit he’s wrong. It also doesn’t help that he thinks he can do whatever he wants.

- You tend to give him the cold shoulder. It annoys the everloving fuck out of him because he’s only just now gotten used to and started to rely on your affection. When you’re not giving it to him there’s a lot of tension and stress in his life. People in school suffer since he takes out all his annoyance on them.

- After a little while he’ll man up and apologize, holding out his arms for a hug once he’s finished. He both smugly smile and melts like butter when you wrap your arms around him.

- If you massage his scalp he’ll turn to putty in your hands.

- Skincare with him. Masks, creams, etc; he probably pampers himself more than you do.

- Likes laying his head in your lap and having you read to him.

- Your teachers love you since you tame him in the classes you share with each other.

- Getting him to stop picking on people.

- Helping him with schoolwork. He’s not dumb he just lacks the motivation and focus to actually go through with and finish his assignments.

- He tries his best to calm down with his drinking and partying because he knows you hate when he’s drunk.

- He likes randomly picking you up and throwing you over his shoulder.

- Pestering you is a game he’s good at and one he enjoys.

- His parents probably like you fine enough but your parents probably don’t like him. Not many parents would unless perhaps you just show your mother a picture of him.

- He’s definitely attempted to bribe your teachers into putting you guys in the same classes, teams, and lab groups.

- When he’s alone and actually tries to do well he can be pretty good at drawing.

- If you mention that you like a certain kind of shirt on him he’ll magically own like a dozen more over night.

- He really likes when you gush over and compliment him. It gives him the confidence that he really didn’t need but greatly appreciates. Or maybe it’s just a boost to his already inflated ego.

- Whenever you’re cold all you have to do is snuggle into him, he’s like a human heater and is all smiles when you randomly bury yourself into his chest.

- No one is allowed to interrupt the two of you at lunch without a proper reason unless they want to be made a fool of in front of everybody.

- He has a hard time saying he loves you because he wants to keep up his tough guy reputation but his heart swells everytime you say it. Deep down you know he does.

- You’re the power couple of the school.

[heathered-beinn]

BTS American Hustle Life Ep6

Ep 5 recap:

BTS are still in LA learning about hip hop. After their lyric challenge last episode, they had a little party (bbq) with Warren G to celebrate. Over dinner Warren G asked them if they got to spend much time with their friends and family and we learned the heart-breaking truth that they don’t and that it’s been 2 years since some of them have even been home.

The episode’s challenge was to shoot a music video and their task was to find some women to appear in the video. Cue some hilarious and cringeworthy moments as 7 terrified lads combed the streets trying to speak to the opposite sex. The filming was equally – if not more - hilarious to watch.

Onwards and upwards…

So they are still filming and straight away Jungkook is getting himself into some mischief. I laughed when the stylist hurried out yelping to get out of there because he doesn’t have a spare outfit.

Jungkook makes it back to solid ground and starts recording his self-cam again. ROFL at him running away squealing when one of the ladies plays up to his camera.

Now the ladies are in bikinis and sunbathing and the groups have to sit next to them and film. I almost couldn’t breathe from laughing especially when V, Jungkook and Suga walking away pretty swiftly after they’d finished; Jungkook saying he nearly *died* back there. And Suga grinning like he’d just been released from prison and saying he’s relieved it’s over. I really never expected Suga to be so nervous of women! He’s usually so chill.

Lol at the three of them watching Jin and J-Hope filming with the ladies (and acting fairly naturally) and Jungkook wondering how they can have fun like that as he thought his heart was going to explode and he’d die *crying with laughter emoji*

 Ah, it was really no surprise that J-Hope won the challenge. He was the only one who had fun, could get within a foot of a women and not look two seconds from shitting himself LMAO.

His and Jin’s reward for being the winning team was a collectible figurine/model of their choice? Cool!

Next day…

So Jin and J-Hopes next challenge is to find their beat box master but they have to beat box in the street to draw them out? I totally agree J-Hope, it’s utterly embarrassing. Yep, I had a little fast forward through that.

So they find their master, Fraahz and go back to his place where he goes through the basics of beat boxing with them. Their attempts are cute, although I think that microphone may need to be turned upside down to drain the spit ewwwwww looooooooooooooooooool.

Elsewhere, RM and Jimin’s task is to find their dance master – lol at RM’s pained reaction at having to dance again

Oooooh they’re going to learn some bboying! Wow, Jimin picks it up pretty well – I always thought he was a good dancer (since he led the dance class in Carpool Karaoke) that’s why I was surprised that J-Hope was considered the band’s best. RM does a pretty good job too! They really are such a cute duo. It’s quite a unique friendship they have – hard to describe. Bet they’re knackered after that dance session though.

Yep! Well… RM is knackered.

V(?) teasingly trying to wake him up and RM kicking his leg in retaliation. This band really do act like brothers. It’s like they’ve lived together since they were born.

Lol at Jin and J-Hope repeatedly bursting into giggles as they fail time and time again to get through their beat box and meditation practice.

****************************************** 

It’s the next morning  and RM and Jimin meet their dance teacher in the park for a little exercise (although they claim they didn’t know it was for exercise).

AHAHAHAHA RM almost dead after running a couple of laps. To be fair it’s probably scorching outside which won’t help. LMAO, the dance teacher putting the weight jacket on Jimin as the exercise was too easy for him. Poor Jimin and RM look absolutely floored by the end – I hope the walk back to the dorm isn’t too far for those tired little legs.

They’re back in the dance studio later on and poor RM get’s hit in the head by Jimin’s foot – aww. RM gets revenge by slapping a high five to Jimin’s hand/wrist extremely hard *crying with laughter emoji*. I love these lads so much <3 They are such characters.

Jin and J-Hope meet Fraahz again in the park to go over their beatboxing practice. I was impressed that they managed to get through the meditation without bursting into giggles. That part with them turning animal sounds into beats was hilarious.

******************************************** While the others are working with their masters V, Suga, and Jungkook are chilling at the dorm watching basketball and Jungkook is pretending to shoot people with a tablet… Lol, here comes Tony and N to spoil their fun! What are the three of them going to get? RnB!

Wait whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! Hold the **** phone. Did they just say they’ve never heard of Whoopi Goldberg????!!! I ain’t from the states either man but she is a l-e-g-e-n-d. These three lads need to sit down and watch Sister Act 1 and 2 STAT.

Iris Stevenson, the woman Sister Act 2 is based on, is such an inspiration.

OMG they are going to get to do some gospel singing! *squeal*

Wow, Jungkook, you have such a nice voice <3 What an absolute cutie.

This was a great thing for the 3 of them to do. Not only was Iris’s happy and motherly soul something I think they desperately needed but, from what the lads were saying afterwards, I think musically it was important they learned how to feel love for singing again. The amount of practice they had to do as trainees – and no doubt still have to do - and the type of practice, as well as the stress of trying to ‘make it’ seems to have taken a lot of joy away from their art. And that is a real shame. If you don’t like what you’re doing, if your heart isn’t in it, then how can you possibly be happy? You certainly won’t be the best you can be!

Aww V has a wonderful voice for this kind of music too. But he’s not feeling well :( You need to rest up sweetie.

Iris is such a lovely and amazing woman.

Go V and Suga bragging about how great Iris is <3 Wonderful lads.

Okay, so they are going to each show off what they’ve been learning and then score themselves out of 100 “fairly”. Why do I get the feeling that “fair” will be used very loosely lol.

J-Hope and Jin did well with beat boxing although I think Jimin and RM were a little harsh with giving them a score of 69. Bet that gets reciprocated when it’s their turn. Aaaaaaaaaaaaand I was right lol. RM did really well with the dancing thought, kudos to him.

Next up it’s Suga, V, and Jungkook. Aww sweet Jimin getting up out his seat to hug V and tell him how much he loves his voice <3 <3 And ten seconds later he rigs the scoring so that he and RM are not last *facepalm*. At least he takes it back at the end and honestly gives them a score of 100 points. This means he and RM lose and the punishment is….

The winners get to smash the losers faces into a plate of whipped cream. LMAO. This I have got to see!!!

Oh Jungkook… <3

“Oh delicious”

But Tony’s “Welcome to America” in reply just killed me

Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaha

Look at the happiness on Jungkook’s face *crying with laughter emoji*

*dead*

There are so many crude analogies that I could make here… Jungkook creaming Jimin’s face and them both loving it but I will… refrain.

LMAO RM flinging cream all over the place in retaliation.

So we got to see the music video and it was quite good. I felt it wasn’t very polished though as there was a noticeable difference between the colouring/lighting between the car scenes and the scenes at the mansion that you wouldn’t expect/want in a professional MV. I really like the song though.

Final musings.

Another enjoyable episode. This one was both fun and funny. The boys have got great personalities and can make even silence seem interesting. They are a delight to watch and I’m so glad I’m still at the beginning of the journey <3

Two eps to go: Episode 7 up next…

[ernestsinclairs]

NS*W Alphabet - Raleigh x MC

A - Aftercare

The first couple of times you’d slept with him, you’d expected little to no aftercare. And like many times before, you were right. It was common knowledge that Raleigh hadn’t had any real serious girlfriends before, mostly flings and one night stands and haphazard relationships with an array of models that only lasted a few short months at best. For him, it was do it and go. Not anymore. Slowly, but noticeably, he began to come around. First it was the quick cuddle after the two of you fell back into bed, then the steadfast presence of his arms when you began to drift off into sleep, then take out arriving just as the two of you came down from each other. 

B - Body Part

Like so many other men, Raleigh is a sucker for the chest. Every time you slip into another one of Zadie’s stage costumes or a low cut gown for some award show, the cameras are there - as are his eyes. In your more private hours, when the two of you are right in the middle of it, his hands are running down your chest, cupping and massaging while you groan beneath him.

C - Cum

Raleigh definitely prefers to do it inside of you if he can. It just adds to that feeling, that feeling of closeness and intimacy and proximity. In the end, that’s what he craves, and it’s the perfect ending to a perfect night.

D - Dirty Secret

Though he’s usually the one who will take control when the two of you get it on, he has absolutely no problem with letting you take the lead. It’s relaxing sometimes to let someone else take the reins for once, to just lie back and enjoy for a few hours in a hectic schedule that’s 24/7, three hundred and sixty five days a year. 

E - Experience

There’s absolutely no way in hell Raleigh’s not experienced. He’s been one of the top bachelors ever since his boy band debut all those years ago, and now, as a solo superstar, he’s the one everyone’s chasing after. Ever since the first time the two of you slept together, you knew he had quite a lot of experience, and you knew he was going to teach you some things.

F - Favorite Position

Definitely against the wall. Actually, it doesn’t have to be a wall, it can be anything - a window, a pillar, just something solid that he can back you up on. He’d be lying if he said it didn’t give him a rush seeing you pressed up against him as you nipped at his neck. If it wasn’t that, Raleigh would be perfectly fine with you on top too, just so he could see all of you and run his hands up and down your body before pressing kisses on your stomach that tended to start to trail a little lower. 

G - Goofy

Raleigh has a pretty big ‘why not?’ attitude about doing the do. He teases a lot, infuriatingly so with that mocking smile and tiny touch of sarcasm. It’s more a seductive style of mockery rather than lighthearted laughter. Not that you’d have it any other way. It was pretty hot.

H - Hair

Sure, his PR team might have made Raleigh cut his hair for the persona of it all, but there was still plenty to run your fingers through as he pressed you up against the wall and pull when he moved against you. 

I - Intimacy

Raleigh had a reputation and touch starved wasn’t one of them. But the more time you spent with him, the more you realized it should be part of said reputation. Right from the start, you noticed tiny touches everywhere - on your waist, trailing your forearm, tiny kisses on your neck and cheek wherever you went - he just had to be touching you in some way or another. After a long and passionate night, the two of you would fall back with you curled up in Raleigh’s arms as he continued those tiny, light touches, which might not be so chaste after all. 

J - Jack Off

A concert tour lasts for several months of hard travel already, and for a star of Raleigh’s caliber, the term ‘world tour’ is pretty common in his vocabulary (and that sweet, sweet contract). If he’s going to be away from you for that long, waiting for a break in the tour schedule or a performance where the two of you will collide on your respective tours, he’s got some needs. 

K - Kink

It doesn’t happen inside the bedroom, it’s what happens outside of it. Nobody knows for certain that Raleigh’s trying to touch you underneath the table at the Grammys. People think, but they don’t know. And that’s the magic of it all.

L - Location

If he can do it, he does it. When on tour or performing, Raleigh will pull you back into the tour buses or in the dressing rooms or behind the screens backstage for a quickie. Literally no area is safe. There was the time where he pulled you in for one right before your Coachella set in what looked like Travis Scott’s dressing room. Before the Grammys, he pulled you aside in a closet right next to Beyonce’s prep area. Not that you were complaining - the risk of it all gave a little rush to all the situations. 

M - Motivation (what turns them on, what gets them going)

To Raleigh, nothing’s hotter than watching you sing a melody on a new song or rehearsing or just plain performing. And seeing as that’s your entire job description, it’s quite often that this happens. It’s just the way you do that power walk across that stage or hit that high note illuminated by the fireworks behind you, and then run excitedly off the stage when the lights dim right into his arms. And of course, just a slight suggestive touch like a stroke of the thigh underneath a table at the Met Gala will do the trick. Nothing gets him on more than being teased with the very thing he just can’t do in the moment. 

N - NO (what turns them off, what is a no for them)

Anything with other people involved. Sure, he might joke about it or still have his reputation as one of the biggest playboys in the industry, but Raleigh’s commitment to you is dead serious. When he’s with you, tracing your curves under the sheets and pressing himself into you, it’s all about the two of you and no one else. If anyone tried to get in on the situation, you’d probably end up hauling a couple bank statements to the police station to make bail. 

O - Oral

Raleigh absolutely loves when you give, probably from seeing you pressed over him, eyes looking straight at him as you take him on. There’s that absolute rush just from thinking about it, and he most definitely reciprocates. Like said before, he’s definitely experienced. So when he gives, you can be sure it’s going to be a good time. 

P - Pace

Between going slow and going fast, Raleigh most definitely goes for the latter. He absolutely loves going a little faster and a little rougher than most men would do, but if you want a slower, more romantic experience, he’ll definitely do it though. 

Q - Quickie

Some people were more established, preferring the extended privacy of the bedroom or home. Raleigh was not one of those people. Any time he could get a chance, he took it, even if might entail a few embarrassing encounters with interlopers. For him, pleasure was pleasure, and it didn’t matter how long or how private it was as long as it was with you.

R - Risk

The more risk the better. You’d teased Raleigh about his penchant for risk and his nonchalant attitude about ever getting caught. Any level of risk didn’t really deter him, and you soon came around to it. Besides, the more it happen, the more you started to enjoy it. He was right - the adrenaline more than made up for it. 

S - Stamina

That man can literally go all night. In fact, that became the subject for a song for one of his upcoming albums. One round? Okay. Two rounds? Cool. Three rounds? Okay, now we’re getting started. Not having stamina just wasn’t Raleigh’s thing 

T - Toy

He doesn’t necessarily use them or have them in his arsenal, but he’s not going to complain if you bring one home. But to him, there’s really nothing hotter than getting rid of all that extra fluff and rituals and just things getting in the way and getting right down to business.

U - Unfair (does he tease, and if so, how?)

Oh please. Raleigh’s entire brand and persona is about being that rebel, yes, but also that serial heartbreaker and major tease. You can bet that carries over into your bedroom as well. He’ll start by kissing you all over, starting from nipping at your neck and working downwards, always bringing you right to the threshold of pleasure before drawing back and making you work for it all over again. For him, the fun’s also in the chase, and in this case, the buildup.

V - Volume

Raleigh’s a talker. And an infuriating one at that. It’s not just dirty talk or some kind of romantic sweet talking. It’s also the slight teasing and banter the two of you already do pretty much every waking hour that you’re together. Good luck showing any type of desire, because he seizes on that fact. That man’s impossible, but in a good way.

W - Wild Card (a random headcanon)

The two of you nearly stumbled into a tabloid scandal while on vacation. You and Raleigh had ended up renting a yacht (thankfully he didn’t crash this one), and he proceeded to do what he did best to you right on the deck. The tabloids picked it up and proceeded to run it, and you thought Fiona would have a stroke and die right there. Thankfully, the pictures got bought back and the crisis was averted, but not exactly for long. 

X - X-ray (what’s going on down there

Lemme’ just say you’re eating good

Y - Yearning (how high is their drive?)

Raleigh’s drive is pretty high, definitely higher than any others you might have been with it. Multiple times a week is the norm, especially the honeymoon period, though you doubted Raleigh had fully grown out of that phase. You can be in the most chaste and unassuming of situations like brewing the coffee in the morning or calling Fiona about a future engagement and he’ll be there, waiting for just the right moment to pounce. The man never stops. 

Z - ZZZ (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

He doesn’t fall asleep for quite a bit afterwards, preferring to let you drift off first and make you comfortable and well rested for the day ahead. Raleigh’s always been somewhat of an insomniac or night owl, seeing as that was the time he’d write his music or get his ideas flowing when he was in the middle of writing albums or singles or whatnot. That extended over into the bedroom, but instead of nurturing a new song, he was nurturing you, tucking the covers over you and rubbing steady circles on your back and giving you that nightly kiss on the forehead he always did. 

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@sinclaire-made-me-sin @lifeat314universe @isabella-choices @cora-nova @gonewithpersephone @foulcroissantknightpalace @xkinikilig @writinghereandthere @betelgeusebee @thepotatobleh @alwayslietohidethetruth @donknowhowtonamemyself @drink-of-paradise @poeticscolt @adricnraines @pixelberrytrash @buckett-harrington @sunattuned-vance @noeschoices @katie-sinclaire @makitokito @thequeenschoice @donutsgirl36 @myname-is-ehm @chanceisagoodboy @agentmilayawithshield @lightofcordonia @desiree-0816

[rezdogsyonder]

Need (3)

Pairing: Professor!Rogers x Reader

Summary: The professor realizes just how mich he wants you.

Warnings: stalking, mention of blood.

A/N: This part will mostly be in Steve’s point of view. Kinda. I’ve decided reader wears glasses and idk why I wrote this, this way.

**********

**********

‘Why am I doing this? I shouldn’t be doing this.’ Steve thought as he kept following her from a safe distance.

**********

He wasn’t following you at first; he stayed back in his office for probably an hour...or three. He didn’t keep track. He needed to turn in a book, a history book for revision, and comparison. He is writing his own book, telling what actually happened while in the Howling Commandos.

By the time Steve got to the library the sun was setting, and it was a complete ghost town inside. Only spotting two people on his way to his destination. One of them being a janitor. The top floor of the library is where he needed to go, it’s where the special collection is kept. Normally these kinds of books aren’t allowed out of the library, but being older than most of the books in their library has its perks.

Putting the book back in its respective place, and about to return the checkout card, that is when I sees you once more. Hiding out in the back corner, at a table that is covered in notebooks and colorful pens and highlighters. Looking so deep in focus, biting your lip, and flipping through papers only to turn back to your notebook.

Hair tossed up in a messy bun. Glasses hanging at the end of your nose. You look at little bit more disheveled than what he remembered from a couple hours ago. White V-neck t-shirt under a navy blue cardigan. You looked beautiful.

Deciding to stay, Steve began to look through more history books, encyclopedias, and records that would help with his little project. If he was going to stay he might as well get some work done too.

He sat at a table across a very long isle from you. A seat that made sure he could still watch you, without you seeing. If he had, to he could just scoot his chair forward and he would be out of sight.

Steve is there for another 40 minutes or so before he sees her putting all of her notes away. He quickly stacked everything and put it all in his bag, then walking out before she sees him. Waiting by the entrance for you.

‘Why is she out this late? Doesn’t she know this is a dangerous city?’

Then he realized. He shouldn’t be here, he could get fired.

‘Why am I doing this? I shouldn��t be doing this.’ Steve thought as he kept following her from a safe distance.

He was going to turn back, he really was, but she just seemed so vulnerable. How far does she live? ‘I’ll just make sure she gets home safe.’ He decides, but he truly know that now he’s hooked, and he’s not going to stop.

And he didn’t. He not only followed her home but he found out what apartment she lives in. First floor, not very safe, at least the windows to her home are high. Less of a chance of robbery. He also saw her roommate, he recognized her from the coffee shop. Watching her clean up her room Steve realized something.

He’s got it bad.

**********

He held himself back from following her again. Not really by choice. He didn’t see her at the library again. He also avoided the cafe she works at. Not wanting himself to get too close, too fixated. It has been three weeks though, and he doesn’t know how much longer he can keep himself from you. Of all of his classes, yours was his favorite.

You have his class twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday. Both scheduled at 4:30. He has kept his distance and she has been nothing but a model student.

Steve needs a teachers assistant, and he thinks he’s already found her.

**********

The essays Steve had assigned are finally almost done being graded. Deciding to leave yours last. When he was done going through, your essay was nearly perfect. Maybe he was biased, but he really thought that you’re paper deserved an A.

A grade he rewarded to only six other people. He was going to write an A when an idea struck him.

He grabbed his red marker and marked the paper with a C, writing “see me after class”.

He smiled at his plan and quickly filed it into the bottom of the stack of essays to hand back as students began filing into his classroom.

It’s Thursday.

**********

You got to Mr.Lee’s class 15 minutes early as per usual. You like being a little bit more than punctual. This was one of your favorite classes to be in but to be honest you’d be glad when it’s over. Math made sense to you but it took work. A lot of work.

Last class, there was a test and you were dying to see how you did. Mostly because he said that this test will be just like the mid-term and a good chunk of the final. You tried really hard, going to the library more often than usual. Well, it isn’t a big accomplishment, you only go the the library once a week. For like 4 hours, but still.

You’re practically bouncing in your seat all class period, since the average score on the test for this class was 82% Mr.Lee thought that we can have a reward. It’s his top priority that his students are understanding his material, and that’s why you like this class.

We are currently watching a movie and those who wanted to leave could, but they would have to wait longer to view their score. You stayed because you worked too hard to wait any longer.

But finally the end of this class was drawing near, and Mr.Lee just checked his watch and was pulling out a big stack of papers. Trying to stay calm just in case your score was bad, and why did this class have to be so big?

He was finally get to you, and he set your packet face down on your desk. Did he put the other students tests face down? You weren’t even paying attention. Now that you have your test, you can leave the class.

Pulling out your phone you call a familiar number, “Wade?” You met him on you way to a book store last year, he actually saved you from being mugged when you thought it was a good idea to take a shortcut through a back alley.

“My common sense it tingling,” you hear him the material of his mask being moved around, “What did you do this time Y/N? Something that shows you’re intelligent I bet. That’s the main trope of your story’s character.”

“You know you don’t sense sometimes, but maybe! I took a test the other day and I’m scared to look. I was hoping a call to you would help calm my nerves.”

“Would an in person meet and greet help?”

“What do y—” you couldn’t finish your sentence before a body landed in front of you on the sidewalk. You let out a loud shriek, then you heard a voice.

“Holy fuck knuckles! That shit hurted.” And you realized who it was.

“Fuck I hate you sometimes.” You sighed.

“I’m hilarious so don’t hate. And that was about as much fun as a sandpaper dildo,” he sits up at looks at you, “wanna kiss it better?” He says gesturing to his backwards foot.

You bend over and turn it back around, despite his cry of pain. Then you offer a hand so he may stand.

You looked down, “ah shit you got some blood on me.” It was only a drop, probably the size of a quarter on your white boyfriend cardigan. Wade pokes his arm and draws a smiley, using the dot on your sweater as an eye.

“Gross.” You smiled.

“Hydrogen peroxide will get that out.” You nodded and began unbuttoning it to take it off. Leaving you in your baby pink cami that was tucked into your high waisted back jeans.

“So... Wanna see my score?” You held out the packet.

“Ah... mhmm... yes.” He mumbled through his mask as he flipped through the pages. “Y/N I’m sorry to have to tell you this but it looks as thought you’ll have to drop out.”

You hit him, “Shut up, let me see.” You snatch it out of his hand before you finished your sentence. By it before you look at your score you smiled at him, “I guess your ‘inperson meet and greet’ did help.”

93%. You were struggling in that class and this will surely boost your grade back up. Squealing you jump at Wade, hugging him. He twirled you around.

“Celebratory chimichangas?” He put you back down and began walking, knowing you’d follow.

“Yeah actually I have roughly an hour and a half before my next class.” You said you you looked down at your phone. “Where should we go?”

“There’s this beautiful woman that has a restaurant somewhere that way.” Wade said point in a general direction.

You didn’t really believe him but two blocks in the direction he pointed was a small restaurant. You wouldn’t have noticed it if Wade hadn’t pointed it out. The lady that ran it was a sweet little old woman.

The food was great, and Wade was able to keep you occupied the entire time. You didn’t even realize how much time had passed before there was only 5 minutes before your next class started.

“Oh SHIT! Fuck IM LATE!” You scrambled pull out your wallet, but end up spilling everything. Wade starts to help you pick up everything that fell out, he stood up with five of your notebooks.

“I paid ahead of time. Sorry read ahead in the script. But let’s go!” He waved at the little lady behind the counter. “Goodbye, my princess.” And blows her a kiss.

“Come on we have to run, slow ass.” he starts pulling you to go faster.

“Jesus, I’ve never been late before. Oh my god.” Starting to get out of breath. About a block and a half closer.

“Really? Never would have guess that.” He says sarcastically. You two are back on campus, and you need to pass two more buildings.

“There! It’s right there,” you say running faster, you get to the front of the building. Wade hands you back your notebooks. You lean over trying to catch your breath.

“4:28. Why was it so important to be on time to this class?”

“Well turns out Mr.America is also Mr.Punctuality.”

“Cap is your teacher? I better skedaddle before he try’s to cut off another arm. Goodbye sunshine.” He taps your nose. “Boop.”

“Bye!” You waved and headed inside, going to the second to last classroom on the left.

You check the time again 4:29, you weren’t late. But it looks like the teacher is going to be. All that worrying for nothing. Not knowing that you were the reason for his tardiness.

**********

Mr.Rogers did show up for class but was about five minutes late. Other than that class went on like normal, you took your notes and worked. Used to the feeling of somebody staring at you, you didn’t want to know who thinking that acknowledging them will encourage them.

‘Wow she looks so adorable, pink suits her well.’ He thought as he watched her, but he began to grow angry as he realized that these boys were looking at his girl.

It was nearing the end of class, so he began passing out the essays. Saving yours for last. Today’s class was small, most students skipped his class once they realized that he wasn’t going to talk about Captain America or the avengers.

Once he got to you he placed your essay on your desk face down gently. He felt a little bad, turning around quickly so he didn’t have to see the disappointment on your face.

You forgotten about the essay, but you thought you had done well when you turned it in. You were having a good day, but this just ruined it. A big C on the corner of your paper. You felt tears beginning to well in your eyes but you blinked them away before they could fall.

You look at the clock and there is 2 minutes left, but the professor dismissed everyone already. You begin packing your stuff up, when you feel a little chilly. Sighing you pull out your cardigan and look at the smiley. Maybe you’ll call Wade again after this. You put it on hoping people will think it’s just a cute little design.

The class was now empty and you walk to the office connected to this classroom. It was more plain than you’d expect, and a lot cleaner too. Almost every other professor’s office you’d been to had been a complete mess. He was sitting behind his desk.

“You said to see you after class?” You say timidly. He gestured to the seat in front of his desk, and you take a seat.

“Yeah let me see that,” he holds out his hand and you lean forward to give him your paper, “I just needed to talk to you.” He crossed out the C and wrote an A right next to it, and stood up.

“What did you need to talk about?” You felt a little better with an improved grade, but a nervous pit in your stomach began to form. We’re you in trouble? He walked around and leaned against his desk in front of you, handing your paper back.

“I have been needing to choose a TA for the semester, and I was wondering if you would like to fill that position?”

“Oh my gosh really? I would love to! What would I need to do?”

He smiled, “Well, regular TA responsibilities like grading, tutoring or mentoring students if and when they need help, stuff like that.”

“Wow, thank you for this opportunity.” At this point you wouldn’t be able to stop smiling.

“It’s no problem. This job will suit you, I can tell.” He sighs and rubs the stubble on his face. “But, you will have to sign a few papers.” He slid walked back behind his desk and pulled a small packet out of his desk drawer. “This isn’t what you would sign with other teachers, but I’m sure you’re aware of my previous profession.” You nodded. “This is just protecting my privacy and it’s basically saying that you won’t do anything that would take away that privacy.” He slid the papers over to you, then putting a pen on top.

“Yeah, okay.” You didn’t read through it before signing, as Mr.Rogers just explained it to you. You put the pen down. “What now?”

Yes, what now? Steve thought.

[lolbtsaus]

College!Jimin

And now it is time for the first half of the Busan line, one third of the maknae line, a total cutie who is so so sweet, seeing him on Hello Counselor just makes me respect him even more, it was interesting to see that side of him, I loved it, Park Jimin aka chim chim

So this is gonna be the prequel to tattoo artist!Jimin (here)

His major is art

Jimin is really talented with a lot of things (dancing, singing, being an adorable lovable sweetheart, etc.) but he’s also v v talented with art

Especially when you consider the fact that he’s so busy and probably doesn’t have that much time to practice it so the fact that he can draw at all is amazing

He’s also really dedicated with it, like in one of the Vlive, I think he mentioned that he spent 2+ hours on a drawing for the coloring book thing they did

He tries a few different things, he does a few painting classes, he does some sculpture work but his main interest is in sketching/drawing

He does hold himself to a pretty high standard, he can be tough on himself at times so when he does something, he just throws himself into it completely, even if it isn’t something he’s extremely passionate about

So he’s not super into sculpting but he’s not gonna half ass any of it, he’s gonna take the hours it requires to make it look the way he wants it to

Forever asking you to be his model

The rest of your shared apartment is somewhat organized but his art area is a bit of a mess, not to the point where it’s too messy to stand but it’s definitely used constantly

There’s a huge sheet on the floor to catch any paint drops or scraps of clay distractedly thrown aside when he’s too busy focusing on the project in front of him (he picks them up later but in the moment, he doesn’t wanna lose his momentum and worry about finding a tiny scrap of clay to throw away)

Has about eight different sketchbooks laying in the weirdest places, one’s on top of the fridge, he’s got a couple in their actual place, one in his bag for on the go inspiration doodles and a couple more scattered around his art area

There always seems to be paint on the sheet, always paint on the back of his hands and on his arms and even a few spots on his legs bc he’s always got some painting going on

He has all the things, he has an entire draw of pencils, a pencil case filled to the brim with erasers, a few boxes of paints, chalks, clay, everything he could ever need

His concentrated face is s o nice though like sometimes he’ll be drawing while you two are just chilling in bed and you gotta admire him for a second bc wow he isn’t real

He wears lots of hats when he does art bc he doesn’t want his hair continually falling into his face so on top of his face being super nice, he also has the beanie/snapback look going on and he’s got the glasses to be able to see better so it’s just really boyfriend material

Head canon that Jungkook takes a majority of his art classes with him bc Busan bbys gotta stick together

They have these light hearted competitions with each other all term, like whoever finishes their art supply shopping first and pays less for it all will get a meal paid by the loser or who can get to class first gets to post something on the other’s social media

It’s all in fun of course but there’s definitely some teasing from both sides

“Wow so I was born in Busan first, I did the contacts first and now you’re following me into art”

“Oh my g o d”

He takes the essential classes of course but he also takes a few music classes with Yoongi and hobi, he takes a couple classes with Tae, some art, some history, some writing

They take the more needed classes that they aren’t really interested in together bc at least then, they have each other to entertain them

Jimin’s more of a hand written note taker but he has used his laptop here and there

I feel like Jimin’s notes would actually be really organized and all of the boys are kinda ?? how does that happen when you’re rushing around trying to take notes

He doesn’t l o v e using the laptop to take notes bc he just prefers hand written notes but he forgets his notebook a couple of times and one of the other boys let him borrow their laptop bc he takes some of the best notes anyways might as well share with each other

He studies a lot but it’s not daily, he tries to do it once or twice a week for a couple hours just until he’s got it down

Maknae line study sessions just think about it

Slightly chaotic, a lil loud, v v playful, they lowkey don’t study much until the last hour of it bc they’re that one group of friends that says they’re gonna study together and then ends up listening to Numa Numa at 3 AM

He is late to a few classes but he never means to be

He just wakes up too late or can’t make it across campus in time bc the language building is all the way on the other side of campus from the art building and he’s gotta book it but he’s got a bag of books and art supplies so he’s weighed down a bit

He’s never too too late but he has been like 5-10 minutes late to a couple classes here and there, for the most part he’s there on time

Seating wise, he’s a third row type of guy but he is flexible about it, he’s okay with sitting a few rows back to sit with his friends but he’s not gonna sit in the back of the classroom

He had to one class bc he got there too late and all the good seats were taken and he didn’t like it very much, he couldn’t see most of the time and it felt like the teacher was so far away, it just didn’t work out for him

The apartment you two share isn’t huge but it’s more than enough for you two and there are tons of nights where you two are huddled into the kitchen waiting for the water to boil so you can make some noodles and he always kisses your head when he adds the noodles to the water and it becomes a thing for some reason

Like one time, he makes noodles and you aren’t there and he’s just o h oh no

He gets his first tattoo the year before he goes off to college and it’s just a lil tiny tattoo on his forearm but it boosts his confidence so much, he wants to show it to everyone ever bc it looks so cool

The moment he walks into that tattoo shop, he’s just like I get it now bc he knew he wanted something with art for his major but then tattooing comes up and it matches perfectly 

And after seeing how professional his tattoo artist was and how much of an experience it was to get a tattoo, he decides he wants to do it for the rest of his life

College!Jimin is just a total art lover who l o v e s sitting there and creating things and he’s so excited to open his own tattoo shop or work in someone else’s and he’s just ready

[idolizerp]

LOADING INFORMATION ON NIGHTMARE’S VOCAL, DANCE NAM YURA...

IDOL DETAILS

STAGENAME: N/A CURRENT AGE: 25 DEBUT AGE: 23 TRAINEE SINCE AGE: 22 COMPANY: Koala T. SECONDARY SKILL: N/A

IDOL PROFILE

NICKNAME(S): N/A INSPIRATION: None other but the old man himself for raising her with an impeccable work ethic, even if he hates the line of work his only daughter is involved in. It’s managed to get her this far, and if that isn’t something, she doesn’t know what is.   SPECIAL TALENTS:

Can shove her whole fist into her mouth.

Take perfectly angled selfies with her feet.

Demonstrate various taekwondo moves.

NOTABLE FACTS:

Her father is a high ranking officer of the ROK Air Force. 

Particularly skilled in sports as a child: Yura received her first rank black belt at the age of 15; outside of her martial arts focus, she dabbled in track and field as well as basketball.

Graduated from the Korea National Sport University with a Physical Education degree in 2015.

Knows a couple of the well-touted members of the performance demo group, K-Tigers. 

Has her motorcycle license.

IDOL GOALS

SHORT-TERM GOALS:

Increased exposure of Nightmare as a whole through their sub-units. They’re not her cup of tea, but at this point, it’s no brainer that KTM is sharpshooting in hopes that something, anything, will stick and hit bullseye. Once it does, there’ll be relief in going back to the original game plan because that’s what Yura has become comfortable with. She’s been going with the flow since debut, and has no plans of going against the current for now.

Quit sittin’ pretty, because the rest of her members are beginning to make moves into other areas, while she has nothing more but Nightmare activities on her repertoire. Insecure? Hardly, when it only guarantees more free time, but the job description says girl idol, not girl idle, and she signed up for this to do something different, and not nothing at all. Can girl group members moonlight as stuntswomen? She’s beginning to consider it more by the day lately.

LONG-TERM GOALS:

To ride out Nightmare’s name until she has nothing more but her own to rely on, then fade out into the blissful obscurity that is life away from the stage. Being an idol has never been her first, center, or last resort, not when she’d accepted the offer only as a chance to weasel her way out from a restricted, rigid sort of life for however long she can. The idea of eventually being billed as an “action star” down the road started off as a joke-to-self, but with her athletic abilities and with her idol lookalike now cushy in the Chungmuro film industry, maybe it can amount to something a little more serious than that. Safe to say though Yura hasn’t decided just yet, and if all else fails, there’s no problem in working up to finally receiving her 9th rank in taekwondo and / or marrying the model air force officer Daddy Dearest will pick out for her.  

IDOL IMAGE

Knifelike. That’s a good word. The proper word. Down to the teeth of something animal, the line of her jaw, to how her gaze can cut through crowds. Precision, glint, and edge all wrapped into two syllables. Being raised by a military man did her well in that respect, discipline with the square shoulders and a straight spine. Smoke and mirrors are nonexistent in the face of the cold, cold metal. She prefers to leave that up to the other members anyway, as the oldest, and the most unconcerned.

This translates on-stage to: a piercing gaze, sharp moves, a woman unsettled rather than some soft, wicked thing. Power and aggression in each pulse that is impossible to look away from. At the same time, it’s intimidation in spades that can create a sharp divide between themselves and the ones they want to draw in. Which is why show performances and variety appearances are two vastly different rodeos. It’s during the latter, free from dark makeup and costumes, when the comments resurface ( “From that idol group-” “You look just like her, she’s beautiful-” ), which, eerie sense of impostor syndrome aside, she takes without question. For the questions that are raised her way however, Yura keeps things pointed and to the point. Nothing more, nothing less, not because she’s shy, but she knows action always speaks louder than words. So where they cease to exist, she goes above and beyond in being a doer, be it through physical stunts or her avid participation in activities ( no matter how ridiculous ) without complaint.

Off-stage, there isn’t a lot of deviation. She talks little, works more, cruises the most. Doesn’t actively seek people, but takes initiative in leaving some bite of an impression, then doesn’t do much to keep them around. Desperation, hunger, for any of these things the others strive for ( fame, attention, money, love ) feel terribly insignificant; more distractions than direct pathways to a solid destination. Coming from a girl who’s only here for a good time, and not a long one, she’s fairly content with simply seeing this to the very end.

Some noted characters quirks include: Being inactive on social media ( to the point where even their manager has to remind her to post things come promotion time ), never seen to slouch or soften up, and seemingly having an odd aversion to skirts.

IDOL HISTORY

I.

There’s little to life but family. Correction: family is all there is to it. Appa, oppa and baby girl in their well-to-do house in a well-to-do neighborhood in Haeundae-gu, contained and without contempt in the countless ways they mean the world to each other. Ironic, what with a wide ocean view from their windows and a patriarch who’d made a living solely off of flight, but one’s scope is always small from the start. Lullabies, plucked strings, film reels, none of these are woven into Yura’s childhood. Square and center in all early memories sits a round table made of dark elm. As plates were passed along, so were lessons. Shoulders level. Hands crossed over the lap. Chin at that angle. That’s my girl.

II.

A fine line exists between control and discipline. At first, she only learns this because she has to, but soon embraces it in body, mind and spirit. For over a decade, athletics is the forefront of her focus—not dream, mind you—and with the way she pushed forward, the chances of it becoming a formidable future were high. Pressure mounted, never all at once, but just enough for her to feel it with each passing year. Apparently love and passion is supposed to be part of the picture, but all Yura ever feels at the end of each match is the hard pounding in her ears and the wet sheen of sweat at her brow as gold is pressed into her hands. Devotion is practically sewn into every nerve and muscle, but it’s all it ever is. Skin-deep. Physical.

With age, the word “beauty” remains skin-deep as well. Puberty and good genes does wonders, but the pool of pretty people is only so wide. Overlap is expected in hindsight, then, but she doesn’t expect it to include her. The first time someone tells her, Yura admits she doesn’t think the same. The second, that she’s heard that before. It only multiplies and expands from there, with a dash of sweet talk and awe, to the point where it’s deemed fact for her. And of course, there’s the staring. Little does she know that this is  only prep-work for what it’s going to be like all the time.

III.

Inertia stays for as long as one allows it to. Physics allows that much. A uniform, routinely life is fine for the first ten, fifteen, and even twenty years, but somewhere the monotony of it all brings out the first swell of exhaustion. Family, school, sports, then family again; with each rotation, the impulse is harder to fight. Indifference to losses by the first year. A switch to the Phys Ed. department by her second. Trysts found a dime a dozen by her third, through people, places. Positions. An early existential crisis, or a belated attempt at teenage rebellion? Neither actually, not even close. She just wants to move differently, feel what it’s like because it’s all starting to get a little old and she craves a change of pace. It’s that simple.

Luckily for her, the first opportunity wasn’t anything less questionable but a recruiting offer from Koala.T, who’d seen her face on the street in her post-graduated state and conjured the same thought that countless others have made. Of course, making an impulsive decision is always the easy part. Explaining it later that night would be the uphill battle none of the Nams would have seen coming.

IV.

No, she’s not the best. The important thing here is that she’s not entirely the worst, either—for someone who doesn’t have a single artistically inclined bone in her body, that’s not too shabby. Having physical strength, agility, and reflexes has its positives; channeling those assets into dancing, then continuing to improve with time has her getting favorable marks during trainee evaluations eventually. Singing ( to this day ) remains passably decent—so long her voice stays well within its lower range.

It helps that she’s not here to win, not when she’s led a whole twenty-something years dedicated to the idea. It also helps there’s no sweat in being watched, criticized with every blink of an eye. She’s been there too. Despite it all being intense and laborious like trainee life is touted to be, it’s the newness of it Yura marvels at. Everything else is only a matter of adjustment.

V.

When the concept is first introduced, it’s perhaps the most emotion anyone has seen on her face because it’s so damn pretentious. Sopretentious Yura couldn’t help the small snicker that had escaped her lips at the time, incredulous. That this won’t sell is practically written all over, plain as day; then again, she’s not really here to sell anything, really, remember? Instead, she merely bites her tongue and simply goes along with it, because the code of conduct is to be grateful for even a sliver of the spotlight at all, irregardless of one’s intentions. She didn’t expect to come to this point, and not certainly this soon. So let’s take what we can get and make something out of it, shall we?

[inb4vaughn]

North Alabama Golf: Birdies, Brews & BBQ

The 5th hole at the Highlands, one of two courses at Hampton Cove.

Don’t look now, but the state known for its championship college football teams and a movie character named Forrest Gump has not-so-quietly become the golf capital of the Deep South, thanks to the famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, which now boasts 468 holes at 11 sites from the Gulf of Mexico to the Tennessee border. But zero in on North Alabama golf in particular and you’ll find a region that’s blown sky-high, literally and figuratively, as a must-visit both on and off the course and far beyond the Trail itself.

In fact, filling a solid week with memorable rounds on lovely, well-maintained courses of surprisingly varied character — some of which aren’t formally RTJ Trail courses — in a geographic triangle from Scottsboro to Muscle Shoals to Birmingham is no stretch whatsoever. And if you’re a fan of locally, lovingly brewed lagers, ales, hefeweizens and porters  (who isn’t these days?), the eight breweries that make up the North Alabama Craft Beer Trail will keep you hoppin’ with a smile from round to round. Work in a wide array of lodging and dining options — from upscale group-friendly cabins to well-appointed hotels and down-home seafood and barbecue joints to higher-end culinary showcases — and you’re all set for a swinging, swilling, finger-licking foray of fun.

Let’s start in Alabama’s northeast corner and “roll tide” from there.

FLYING HIGH IN HUNTSVILLE

Hampton Cove, whose 36 holes are the northern gateway to the RTJ Trail, went online back in the early 1990s on the outskirts of Huntsville — called “Rocket City” for the NASA U.S. Space & Rocket Center, where full-size models of the Saturn V and Space Shuttle stand proudly next to the interstate, drawing thousands of skyward-looking would-be astronauts every year.

Scenic, friendly and gateway to myriad outdoor pursuits, from golf to world-class bass fishing to hiking to waterfall viewing, Huntsville is on track to become the state’s largest city and continues to attract some of the world’s top scientists. “Huntsville has the highest percentage of astro-physicists in the country,” said one proud local. “Werner von Braun made his home here.”

It’s not clear if the German physicist who helped America reach the moon in 1969 ever picked up a golf club, but chances are he’d have loved Hampton Cove’s two very different routings — the rolling, bunker-studded Highlands and the utterly bunkerless River Course. The Highlands is Trent at the top of his resort-golf powers, conjuring a showcase of nifty, muscular-but-playable holes through a handsome subdivision of stately brick homes. Most of the front nine is tree-lined and more than half the back nine breaks into an open, flatter mix of lakes and meadows. Conditioning is excellent (though the greens can be a bit on the slow side at certain times of year) and there’s no dearth of memorable holes, especially No. 5, a short par 4 bisected by a creek squarely in the driving zone, with an old “mule barn” guarding the right side. The back nine’s opening stretch offers the best opportunity to go low if you play the proper tees (white in our case), as long as you do your best to ignore or work your way around and over several water hazards. From the tips it’s a Tour-caliber beast (over 7,400 yards), and college studs from local University of Alabama-Huntsville have been known to venture back that far into the shade, but the rest of us should move up, order up from the well-stocked beverage cart (serving a few local crafts, of course), and tally up the gratitude for getting to know a Southern belle of this architectural breeding.

The Digs: Doubletree Suites is a popular jumping-off spot for golf groups in Huntsville. The poolside lounge area is outstanding for a post-dinner cigar and a cocktail or two and the buffet breakfast is a cut or two above regular chain hotel fare.

The Chow: Downtown is packed with dining options but craft beer heads can’t beat the hop-scented complex built around Campus 805, an old middle school. Built from a consortium of home brewers who turned their passion into big, gleaming tanks that pump out year-round beers, Straight To Ale offers Saturday tours, a tasting room, shops, food and its own Ale’s Kitchen (burgers and wings, oh yeah). Across the way, Earth and Stone Wood Fired Pizza puts out a great artisan pie from a wood-fired oven plus plenty of great bar food staples.

SWEET ON SCOTTSBORO

The Lake Course at Goose Pond Colony Resort

Close to an hour’s drive east of Huntsville is Scottsboro, home to perhaps the most unique retail operation in America, Unclaimed Baggage, in which 70 percent of the merchandise is just that — mostly carry-on luggage and items left on planes, then purchased, after the legal waiting claim period, from airlines. About a third of these items are given away, a third are thrown away and a third are resold. More than a million people come from all over the world to shop there each year, nabbing everything from jewelry and electronics to brand-name apparel at discount prices (one writer picked up a sweet leather jacket; others grabbed books and golf wear). Over 7,000 new items hit the shelves every day.

Save some room on that credit card for a round and perhaps a stay at Goose Pond Colony Resort. Situated on pretty Lake Guntersville, Goose Pond is folksy and semi-rustic, though the cottages are spacious, smartly if straightforwardly outfitted. The lodge has single rooms, some with kitchenettes. The small pro shop and grill have a hilltop view of the practice facility, first hole, water, woods and hills. Designed by George Cobb in 1971, the Lake Course plays out onto a peninsula, around two lakes, with the feel of a friendly muni but the chops of a higher-end resort course. It’s not an official part of the RTJ Trail but it very well could be, with its quartet of strong par 3s (No. 16 is as hefty as it gets, some 223 from the tips over water), gently turning and mildly hilly, tree-lined par 4s and 5s, and vistas you get few other places, including a large multi-spoked marina packed with bass fishing rigs and a few nifty cabin cruisers (the state’s largest fishing tournament takes place in these waters). There’s a second course not far away, The Plantation, that was acquired a few years ago, but the Lakes is the one to play.

MUSCLING UP AT THE SHOALS

Fighting Joe at The Shoals near Muscle Shoals, Ala.

Elvis Presley was famously from Tupelo, Mississippi, which isn’t that far from the northwestern ’Bama twin towns of Muscle Shoals and Florence — one known for attracting the world’s best blues, rock and country musicians to its fabled recording studios (Nashville is just a couple hours away), the other for a simmering stew of fine cookin’ and Southern hospitality. It’s also where a one of two great golf courses at The Shoals pays tribute a singular American warrior named Joseph “Fighting Joe” Wheeler.

Wheeler was that rare warrior who fought for opposing armies, though not at the same time. Born near Augusta, Georgia (ring a bell, golfers?), he was raised in New England and graduated from West Point, but resigned his Union post and joined the Confederate Army in 1961 as a Second Lieutenant, took command of the 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment out of Huntsville, and went on to battle with distinction throughout the war. In 1880 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as an Alabama Democrat, and Decades later, well into his 60s, he volunteered  for the United States Army and fought in both the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American war. Retiring to New York, he penned several books on battle strategy and military history, and after his death in 1906, several landmarks in his native South were named after him, but not a golf course — until the 1990s, when Trent Jones laid out 36 holes at The Shoals — an “inland links”-flavored 18 called Fighting Joe, the other called The Schoolmaster.

Like its namesake, Fighting Joe is a battler, with plenty of water in its arsenal — ponds and lakes on 11 holes and the “big water,” the Tennessee River, far below the par-3 18th (the front nine also ends with a one-shotter, a true rarity in the full-length course firmament). Jones kicks off the fun with a healthy, slightly downhill par 5 that stretches to 611 yards from the way backs (Joe goes more than 8,000 yards from the tips; might as well fall on your bayonet instead). From there it’s about negotiating one sneakily hilly, water- or fescue-lined hole after another and avoiding the many steep-sided bunkers at all costs while leaving open angles to the greens, which trend big and rangy and just begging for a three-jack if you’re not careful. The tee shot over a lake on No. 10 sets the stage for a run of water holes that demand the level of commitment ol’ Fighting Joe asked of his troops. Then comes the final short- to mid-iron tee shot over a ravine, with the plantation-styled clubhouse behind and a steep drop-off toward the river on the right, and it’s time to clean the guns (er, clubs) and live to fight another day, hopefully on the Schoolmaster, which has an amazingly different, more intimate (as in forested) feel to it, with a couple of the most dramatic holes on the entire property including No. 14 — a middle-distance par 4 with a daunting and tasty approach over (of course) water. The closer climbs a steep hill up to the clubhouse with the river on the left. You’ll come away from this pair of muscular Trent tracks with new knowledge of just how special North Alabama golf can be. As they might say in these parts, “that’ll learn ya.”

The Digs: If you want the most refined dose of Florence hospitality, stay at the Marriott Shoals, where every suite offers a river or pool view, or both, with a separate tower housing a small but full-featured spa down below and a slowly revolving restaurant up top.

The Chow: Head downtown to a main street scene right out of Sinclair Lewis and take in some top-notch continental fare at Odette — steak, seafood, pork, poultry, inventive salads and appetizers, all locally sourced and prepared, writes chef Josh Quick on the eatery’s website, by marrying “international flavors with regional flare.” Even the deviled eggs get a unique touch, served “two ways,” while the fried brussels sprouts or okra, catfish fillet and pan roasted grouper keep the South in your mouth, big time.

CULLMAN CALLING

TP Country Club, Cullman, Ala.

The Shoals marks the most northwest reach of the RTJ Trail, meaning it’s time to head south, in this case to the semi-sleepy town of Cullman and its off-the-beaten Trail course, TP Country Club. Semi-private and family run, the Tom Jackson-designed course that is well worth a detour. The clubhouse sits on the highest point in Cullman Country, with 18 loblolly pine-studded holes spreading out below it. This is the hilliest collection of holes you’ll most likely play in North Alabama, with elevation changes that rival most mountain courses in the West or Northeast — call it the Everyman’s Augusta, Alabama style, with incredibly fast and subtly contoured greens and more than a few ponds, with wetlands working their way into the fun on the front nine. The finisher is a straightaway par 5 that’s reachable in two if you’re playing the up tees or can really bust it from the back, but beware the big oval of agua about 50 yards short of the elevated green.

TP Country Club is straightforward, sturdy golf and a blast to play, but what really pushes it into must-visit status is the hospitality from Director of Golf John Hunt and his crew — a reflection of the golf-loving spirit of the 91-year-old owner and his army of members, one of which, 97-year-old Julian Campbell, still plays three times a week and has carded more than 5,000 rounds total. Also home to Bob Kurtz, a retired pastor and “Golf’s Iron Man” who once played 1,850 holes in one week and the fastest 72 holes ever played — 3 hours and 5 minutes — at TP, with the final 18 only taking 42 minutes. We advise stretching your own round a bit, enjoying the course’s flow and friendly quirks, and making the most of a day here.

The Digs: Check into an overnight at aa secluded wedding-and-big-group getaway spot called Stone Bridge Farms, with its collection of multi-bedroom ranch-style cabins (including the one-level Villa Rica, former residence of CEO Ron Foust, with an outstanding pool/patio spot complete with built-in stereo), and the elegant two story Manor situated on its own 75-acre estate. There’s an event room/dining area called the Carriage House, plus another restaurant mostly reserved for events but serving a buffet dinner on Thursdays.

The Chow: Dig into some killer ’Bama ’cue courtesy of Jim ‘n’ Nicks BBQ, a seven-state chain. Each menu is tuned to its region; in Cullman they grow monster racks of baby back or spare ribs (and riblets for the less hungry), plus chopped pork, brisket, hot links, chicken and turkey breast; the sides run the gamut from spicy-sweet slaw to collard greens to can’t-say-no onion rings. The double decker sandwich piles on the pulled pork and brisket, and the go-to dessert, banana pudding, is off the (diet) charts. Leave this joint hungry and it’s your own damned fault.

GOIN’ DOWN GADSDEN WAY

Silver Lakes Golf Club near Gadsden, Ala.

About a 90-minute drive northeast of Birmingham and its very convenient airport is another fine, hilly outpost called Gadsden — home to Back Forty, the state’s largest craft brewer. Founder Jason Wilson will talk you up a red streak on his baby’s story, and with 22 people pounding out the suds to seven southern states out of its 27,000 square foot facility, with more on the way, Back Forty is bound for bigger glory — on their own sweet Southern and surprisingly progressive terms.

You’ll need a bracing brew or two to take on Silver Lakes, what might be the toughest three nines on the entire RTJ Trail. The aptly named Heartbreaker, Backbreaker and Mindbreaker nines also might comprise the senior Jones’ best work overall on the Trail’s northern circuit, though these 27 holes — with a par 3 course kicker — are as different from their original incarnation as North Alabama is from the south half of the state. A 2011 tornado ripped out thousands of trees; after some debate on whether the course would reopen at all (thank God it did), the work was put in to make its newly “open” setting as complementary to the original design as possible. Mission accomplished: from the opening tee shot slightly downhill to a broad fairway followed by a layup and final, sharply uphill approach to a huge green (a theme that would be repeated many times), this is big boy golf, broad and muscular and fraught with just-off-the-fairway danger, mostly in the form of deep grass but also water hazards, stout bunkering and copious sidehill lies. The greens are near-perfect, rolling true and testy. If you play the Heartbreaker-Backbreaker combo you’ll come away thrilled if beaten up a bit, though going low is doable with some patience and a favorable bounce here and threre. One a recent visit, one golfer’s birdie on the final hole — a reachable but dangerous par 5 that swoops down a hill, then back up and over water — put the place in a giddy, too-bad-this-is-the-end light. The clubhouse is big and well-appointed with showers and a fine locker room, with a grill serving fine sammies and salads.

The Digs: Chain hotels rule these parts, with the likes of Hampton Inn leading the way. It’s convenient to the main road and Silver Lakes itself, which makes for the perfect first or final track on your North Alabama adventure, depending on your flight plan.

The Chow: High time for an epic seafood gorgefest at Top of the River, where catfish is king but shrimp, crawfish, chicken and steaks get their due, too. Fried is the preferred preparation but boiled and pan-roasted are fine options. The cornbread is amazing. Fried dill pickles a great choice for appetizer and the Chocolate Beyond Reason pie will push you over the sinful dessert edge.

Jonesing for a shot at North Alabama golf yet? Of course you are, and there are stay-and-play deals and group rates to be explored and enjoyed. Visit www.northalabama.org for more information.

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