#tried something new: reviewed a tv show :)

[yongility]

NEO TV #i like me better when i'm with you ꗃ╭╯ jung jaehyun. ──────── chapter ⵌ 3 : the price of loyalty.

𒄬 genre: slowburn / angst / suggestive / gang au / rich kid au / e2l

𒄬 warnings: drug use mention / gang activity / fights / use of weapons / adult language / nsfw scenes / illegal activities / mentions of cheating / toxic family enviroment / addictions / manipulation / insecurities / illegal street racing / death mentions / jeno is jaehyun's brother / lots of angst.

𒄬word count: 10k.

if you want to be in the taglist, just lemme know;) enjoy!

The third day of the week arrived promptly, where (Y/N) found herself comfortably seated in one of the library chairs, with her chemistry books scattered on the table in front of her as she studied for the exams she had coming up, with Jungwoo beside her.

It was becoming her routine for the week; after last Friday's party, what she most desired was to avoid being at home, especially after having an argument with her mother when she returned from the party.

She didn't want to deal with her in a good time.

Annoyed that her mother had thought it was a great idea to take away her right to use her own car as punishment for disobeying her that night and leaving the house... staying in the library seemed the most pleasant option; with silence, able to listen to music through her AirPods, without her mother bothering her every five minutes and being able to review what she had learned in her last classes: it was something she could take advantage of. She took a sip of her vanilla latte, which had been sponsored by Jungwoo, who, in an attempt to apologize for abandoning her in that way during last Friday's party, promised to pay for each of her daily drinks for a week and a half, no matter the cost.

And even though (Y/N) could afford that or even triple, she was still happy about it. Gifted things tasted even better anyway.

Of course, she first gave Jungwoo a -no- beating after telling him everything that had happened during his absence, but still, she appreciated that her friend was okay even though she hadn't heard anything from him until Saturday night.

During these last few days, with a new routine, (Y/N) was almost always in the same places, at the same times, and if she was honest, she was surprised not to have bumped into Jung Jaehyun at any moment.

It was weird; she would normally see him somewhere around the school, either accompanied by Lucas or just sitting on one of the benches while smoking his 'n' cigarette of the day. But simply, since Friday, she hadn't heard anything from him... she hadn't even bumped into Lucas, which increased the level of strangeness, considering he was a social butterfly, he was always around. (Y/N) had been aware of her words after Jaehyun had taken her home: she could no longer continue with whatever deal they had, with all the stress of her own tasks and knowing that no matter what she did, her cousin wouldn't give up his addictions, it was best to give up.

Although it would hurt her soul to know that there was no way to help Daeho.

But thinking about it, she didn't know if she had really been sincere about each going their own way... apparently Jaehyun had taken it very seriously to not show up anywhere, and although (Y/N) knew very well that being close to him didn't bring her anything good... his presence hadn't been so bothersome in the last few days. Really, after sharing a few words and spending more time with him, she couldn't say that she disliked his existence. It was funny if you asked the (Y/N) from a month ago, there would be no way she could have imagined that, somehow, she would be related to none other than Jung Jaehyun, who, on the outside, just seemed to be one more problem.

She tried to stop thinking about it and tried to focus her gaze on the book in front of her, but after a few minutes... it was difficult for her. There was something inside her that made her feel uneasy but she couldn't think what it was.

"There’s a race in Kosmo today" her best friend's voice brought her out of her thoughts.

Kosmo was the neighborhood that was right in the middle of the city, dividing Kwangya and Neo Zone. (Y/N) knew that there were usually illegal races in that area because it was when the rich kids from Kwangya usually dared to compete against Neo Zone.

"And why should I care...?"

"Your cousin will go to bet," Jungwoo replied, interrupting her study session.

The girl opened her eyes in surprise and asked, "How do you know?"

"Daeho told Mingi, and Mingi told me," he replied simply, shrugging his shoulders. The boy fell silent for a moment and cleared his throat. "Don’t you want to go?" He asked curiously.

(Y/N) looked up from her books and observed her friend incredulously. "Why would I want to go?"

"To keep an eye on Daeho," he answered.

"I'm still mad with him, I've decided not to help him anymore. I really tried, I've been trying for the past few years, but he doesn't want help and now I understand," the girl confessed, closing her book and letting out a sigh.

"Still... don't you think it would be fun? Getting out of our comfort zone a bit... seeing what all this racing stuff is about. I've heard they're amazing," Jungwoo insisted.

"Jungwoo, my mom will kill me if she finds out I went to an illegal race," the girl continued, taking a sip of her coffee.

"She won't find out."

"Jungwoo..."

"Come on, (Y/N), we won't even be in Neo Zone, it'll be in Kwangya only. We'll go, watch the race, and leave. We won't even make contact with anyone. We'll go on our own," the boy assured her, moving closer to her. "Please, I think it would be interesting to break out of our routine, just for one night, what could go wrong?"

"Many things could go wrong, Woo," she replied.

"We won't know unless we try," he pouted, clasping his hands together. "Please."

She hated how persuasive her best friend was.

She sighed and shook her head. "Fine, but at the first sign of trouble, we're leaving without a second thought."

"I love you so much," Jungwoo replied, hugging her shoulders.

"And I really hate you."

______________________________________________

The night fell faster than she expected, and among the roar of engines and the intense music that could be heard on the outskirts of Kosmo, (Y/N) felt something cold run through her body.

She could see familiar faces here and there, some of her classmates from Kwangya were in the place, and from the opposite side, the cars and familiar faces of Neo Zone were present.

It was a strange atmosphere for her; she had always played it safe, and now she didn't even know what to think. She felt herself getting closer to Jungwoo to not lose him, the last thing she needed was for them to separate like they did at the party.

She didn't think she could survive alone.

And it's not that she was dumb to think otherwise, but her parents raised her in an environment where they made her believe that she shouldn't do things outside her daily life. (Y/N) was afraid of adventures. Her life was governed by being obedient and doing the right thing; she didn't know when the moment of rebellion she had a few days ago when she left home the night of the party had been wise.

And now finding herself in Kosmo secretly from her mother at an illegal race? She must have gone crazy.

She believed even more so that she had gone crazy when something inside her hoped to run into none other than Jung Jaehyun.

She didn't understand why the urgency of what was happening, and even less why she expected to run into Jaehyun before running into Daeho.

Maybe it was because she found it strange not to have seen him since last Friday's party.

But she knew that if there was one place Jaehyun wouldn't miss... it would be the race tonight.

"Are you looking for Daeho?" Jungwoo asked when he saw her looking around. "He's probably with Mingi."

How could she explain to her friend that the person she was looking for was none other than Jung Jaehyun?

She nodded without saying more, and they both continued on their way while cautiously observing their surroundings. The smell of marijuana and car engines was embedded in the place, the music made their ears ring, and the night breeze made their bodies tremble.

(Y/N)'s eyes drifted away when she noticed Lucas in the distance, having a conversation with another guy. Lucas felt her gaze on him and looked at the girl with confusion before approaching her after apologizing to his companion.

"Hey, Kwangya kiddos, what brings you here on this magnificent night?" Lucas asked enthusiastically.

"We wanted to know what these races are about," Jungwoo replied simply.

"Hmm, interesting," the tall guy nodded. "Well, you're in luck, Jaehyun will race today, are you sure you want to see the show? The best of the area against someone from Yellow Wood," Lucas explained while cracking his fingers slightly.

Upon hearing the guy's name, (Y/N) looked up and paid attention to Lucas's words.

"If you're interested in betting, come to me," Lucas advised.

"I think we're fine like this," said (Y/N).

"Alright, take care. I'll go look for my guy to get him ready for the race," Lucas announced as he patted Jungwoo on the back.

The guy walked away from them with a smile, and Jungwoo responded with one of his own, then he looked at his friend and frowned, "relax, you're anxious."

How could she not be?

But before she could even answer anything, a few meters away, she saw the familiar face she had been looking for. In the distance, the silhouette of Jung Jaehyun was leaning against his car while talking to a few guys from Neo Zone, his neck tattoos weren't very visible due to the darkness of the night but she could distinguish them a bit, then... as if he had called him, Jaehyun's gaze moved to connect with hers, making her freeze in place.

Jaehyun frowned when he saw her standing just a few steps away from him, looking like a lost puppy as she stood beside Jungwoo.

The sight reminded him of a month ago when Daeho had clumsily brought (Y/N) to Neo Zone. Although this time she was accompanied by her best friend, another rich and spoiled kid from Kwangya. He observed the outfit she had decided to wear, once again, just like that time, it wasn't extravagant, no famous brand could be seen in her attire, and the only piece of jewelry she wore was a pair of earrings that definitely looked like gold...

He hoped she wouldn't lose them tonight.

Because they made her look good.

The surprise was evident on the girl's face when she took a better look at the brunet's body, who was now walking towards her, wearing a hoodie with its hood over his head and as he got closer, the darkness of the night was no longer so intrusive. It hadn't been enough to hide the bruises that were scattered across his body.

There was one under his cheek, just below his left eye, and it was reddish, as if it were flushed. Then, looking at the ones between his jaw and his neck, she noticed how they subtly mixed with the ink of the tattoo he had on his neck. That one was difficult to distinguish thanks to the dark lines that adorned that part of his body, but if you paid enough attention, it was alarming.

When she lowered her gaze over his torso and then looked at his hands, she could see the intense shades of red that his knuckles contained, as if ground blood had accumulated on each of them.

It wasn't the first time she had seen Jaehyun or Lucas with a bruise or two on a school day, but it was the first time she had seen it up close.

Her heart was pounding a mile a minute. Why was it suddenly doing this?

"Did you lost your way home?" Jaehyun asked when he was in front of her.

"Jaehyun," she muttered quietly, "... are you okay?"

The girl didn't need much to realize that was the stupidest question she could ask right now, of course he wasn't okay. And although she knew this happened regularly in Jaehyun's life, she couldn't help but fill her head with doubts; what had to happen for him to end up like this?

... was that the reason he hadn't gone to school?

A small smile appeared on the boy's face, and even with the different colors decorating his face, she could still notice the dimples that formed in it.

Why did he still look good?

"I don't think you came here to ask that, Angel," Jaehyun replied mockingly. "I really believed in your whole story about us going on our ways, so what are you doing at a race where most of the spectators are from Neo Zone?"

The girl was left speechless. "Jungwoo brought me here."

"Well, if that's the case, enjoy the races, I think it'll be fun for you to spice up your Wednesday nights a bit," he continued with a sarcastic smile.

"What happened to you?" She asked again.

Jaehyun didn't answer.

He had gotten himself into big trouble... all thanks to Jeno.

He had trusted that all his merchandise would be sold by the time Monday came around, but after being at Johnny Suh's party, where other dealers were also present, he didn't manage to sell what he needed.

He had a little less than half left in his pockets and in Lucas's.

Luck had not been on his side this time, and when he had to be accountable to Lee Sooman, he had to take responsibility for his brother's actions. And despite telling him that he would not take care of him like he used to after the argument they had... he'd much rather take the beatings he had received than see Jeno the way he did in the mirror.

That time, it really felt eternal. He still remembers the angry (but also mocking) look Sooman had on his face when Jaehyun and Lucas brought the money to his office and after asking Lucas none too kindly to leave, that was when Jaehyun knew what was coming.

With Cheol Uk by his side, leading him out of the office to the vacant lot not far from the warehouse, Jaehyun could do nothing but accept what was coming.

It was one blow after another, and he knew well that at that moment, defending himself was not something he should do or he would end up worse.

He remembers feeling every punch with tremendous pain, and all he could think about was Jeno and how he would have felt if it had been him getting beaten up.

At least Jaehyun was used to the beatings and had no choice; he already knew that all of this was part of being someone from Neo Zone, so he simply had to continue to comply with what Sooman demanded to the letter unless he wanted to end up again in the position he was in.

What felt like hours was really just a few minutes; Cheol Uk stopped hitting him after a while and without saying more, he left. Leaving Jaehyun in the middle of the vacant lot with a broken lip and eyebrow as he spat blood and reached for his abdomen for some support to get up and walk to where he knew Lucas was waiting for him.

How much more? How much longer would he have to keep with all of this?

But, right now, it wasn't something he should talk about.

"It's really not something you need to know," he replied with a smirk. "You came to enjoy the race, right? Then do it, I'll be running in a few minutes, if you don't get scared by the atmosphere here before that, I'm sure you'll want to see me," Jaehyun continued, winking at her.

"I think it'll be fun to see you in second place," the girl teased.

"Baby... I always win," Jaehyun bragged, looking her directly in the eyes.

It was then that the girl didn't say anything else, she just kept her gaze on his. She hated feeling intrigued by Jaehyun himself. Because right now she didn't even feel like she was in Kosmo, with Jaehyun in front of her looking directly at her, she didn't even feel real. She was getting into fire and she knew it.

And she didn't know if she could escape from it.

For a moment she felt a heaviness on her shoulders and warmth surrounded her, causing her to snap out of her thoughts and notice that the jacket that Jaehyun was wearing over his hoodie was now over her body.

"You were trembling like a chihuahua," Jaehyun explained. "Don't consider it an act of kindness, I'm just returning the favor after having done my jobs those two weeks... at least now they won't kick me out of school this evaluation period," he continued.

"I'm not sure if I should feel good knowing that I'm indirectly helping an illegal business," she replied, adjusting the jacket.

"No one needs to know," he replied. "Good luck tonight, don't get lost too much because things get interesting," he said, and without further ado, he turned around to go back to his friends.

(Y/N) stood perplexed in her place, and it was then that she felt Jungwoo's presence next to her.

"What was that?"

"I have no idea."

The next morning, after putting her books back in her backpack, (Y/N) looked at the jacket folded inside her bag, feeling a heaviness and remembering the events of the previous night.

The rumors were true... Jung Jaehyun was the best street racer in the area, because he not only competed once the day before, but two more times, winning 3 victories in a short time, and to be honest, it had been impressive.

She hadn't run into him again after the brief conversation they had, and even though she had been waiting for it... she and Jungwoo bolted from the place when they heard the police sirens approaching Kosmo.

The last thing she needed was for her parents to find out about her escapade.

She didn't hear anything from Daeho the night before, she even doubted if he had really gone to the race.

She didn't want to give too much importance to the situation, which is why she chose to continue her path through the school hallways, hoping to return the jacket that was at the bottom of her bag and trying to divert her thoughts to something other than Jaehyun.

And as if she had summoned him, she saw him under the entrance roof as he leaned against the wall and took a drag from the cigarette in his hands. (Y/N) checked the day's weather and cursed when she noticed the raindrops falling lightly. She had forgotten about today's forecast.

Jaehyun was lost in his thoughts as he watched the rain and let out the smoke in his chest.

The bruises were still visible.

She stopped abruptly to take the jacket out of her bag and, without saying anything, approached him and handed it back to him.

Jaehyun looked at her with a raised eyebrow and blew out the smoke from his lungs.

"You're welcome," Jaehyun said as he took the jacket in his hands.

"Yes, thank you," she said, feeling her cheeks flush.

"Where did you park your car?" Jaehyun asked out of nowhere.

"I didn't bring it with me, my mom confiscated it," she blurted out without thinking, and when she turned to look at Jaehyun, she noticed a mocking smile on his face.

"Oh, mom took away your Porsche," he pouted mockingly and shook his head. "Come on, I'll take you home."

"I'm fine, Jaehyun. Thanks," she said as she looked at the rain.

"Come on, it wouldn't be the first time I've taken you. Plus, the school won't be closing anytime soon."

She thought about all the possibilities that crossed her mind, but something about her was excited to think about the ride home.

"Where's your car?"

It was fortunate that his car was nearby.

Jaehyun turned on the heater as soon as they got into the car, and without further ado, the journey began.

It was just like the first time they had been together in the same car. Without saying anything, both with their eyes focused on the road, and it was then that they both realized that they didn't have a topic of conversation. The few times they had interacted had been about their interests and what they needed from each other at the moment. However, Jaehyun didn't know anything about (Y/N) that he hadn't heard at school, and (Y/N) didn't know anything about Jaehyun that she hadn't heard in the hallways or from her parents about the people from Neo Zone.

At this point, they weren't even acquaintances.

They had just coincided in something and that was it.

(Y/N) took the opportunity to send a text message to Jungwoo and tell him that he no longer needed to pick her up, without explaining more, she sent the text and subsequently, Jaehyun's phone rang.

The boy sighed and cautiously looked for a quick place to park even with the sound of the mobile phone ringing filling the car. He took the device and (Y/N) could notice the slight tension that seized Jaehyun's body as he read the caller ID, without thinking twice he answered the call.

The brunette felt weird being able to hear Jaehyun's conversation, so she tried to distract herself with something else. First with her phone, then looking out the window where she could see the rain beginning to dissipate, and then she could hear a "I'll be there in a moment" that made her react and turn to see him end the call.

The boy scratched his neck and then brought his hands to his face to rub it, let out a deep sigh, and looked at (Y/N).

“Uh, I need to do something quickly and your house is still a bit far... Do you mind if we stop by that place first? It's on the way” he asked with no other option.

“Does this has to do with your job?” She asked.

It took him a moment to respond: — No, it's not about my job. You can stay in the car, it's just that, I really need to get there.

After seeing Jaehyun's face and not being able to decipher what he was trying to say, (Y/N) nodded, not very sure, and that was enough for Jaehyun to quickly start the car.

Thousands of thoughts ran through (Y/N)'s mind. Eager to know where they were headed; she didn't know if she should believe Jaehyun that this wasn't about picking up or delivering goods or meeting someone who worked on the same thing he did.

She was only sure they wouldn't go to Neo Zone because they were far from there.

She could see how impatient Jaehyun seemed while driving, and that only made her even more nervous. What exactly did they tell him in that call to make him like this? She wanted to ask, but she knew she wouldn't get an answer.

She didn't know how many minutes had passed, she only knew that the rain stopped just before the car parked and she finally noticed where they were. A gray building was a few meters away from them, and it wasn't hard to recognize it.

It was the National Rehabilitation Center.

A long and large building, which was accompanied by an extensive garden, and from the outside, you could see that there were a huge number of rooms inside it.

Her head was flooded with even more questions knowing that this was the place where Jaehyun was needed.

“You can stay in the car if you want. I'll be back in a moment” Jaehyun said as he opened the car door and got out.

Curiosity got the better of her.

And that's why she got out of the car and followed Jaehyun. Without saying anything, they entered the building where they were immediately greeted by a nurse who seemed to know the boy well.

“Jaehyun, I'm glad you were able to answer the call” said the woman as she greeted them. “We need to talk to you”.

The boy nodded and turned to (Y/N), who just nodded and said, “I’ll wait for you.”

He smiled slightly and walked with the person until they reached the reception where she was able to pull out a few papers.

It had been, perhaps, about two weeks since the last time he had been there. A place he was very familiar with and where he regularly went; he had become good friends with the friendly nurses who apparently didn't care where he came from.

He was grateful that the nurse didn't say anything when his bruises and wounds were clearly visible.

“Has something happened?” he asked after a few seconds.

“ He's fine” the nurse said with a smile “but we need to talk to you about his stay here” she continued.

That's when the small smile on his face disappeared. Jaehyun knew what she was referring to. He swallowed hard before the nurse could speak.

“The payment is overdue, Jaehyun," the nurse confirmed what he already knew. "We care about Sicheng's health, but this is not my concern. You know that the center relies on patients' monthly payments, and the administrators in charge of them request them punctually," she commented as she handed Jaehyun one of the papers. "I understand your situation and Sicheng's, but there's nothing more I can do even if I wanted to; I've tried to delay the payment as much as I could, but unfortunately, it can't be delayed any longer. The administrators expect the payment soon, or we'll have to discharge Sicheng and send him home," she concluded.

It was difficult at first for Jaehyun to process everything the nurse had said, as more than ten things ran through his mind at once; one of them being his good friend Winwin, then, thinking about how he could quickly get the money he knew he owed to the clinic, considering the beating he had just received for not being able to complete a sale. So, what would he do? He still needed half the money for that monthly payment, and between the clinic's expenses and those of his own house for his family, he couldn't see a way to get the money on time.

He would have to ask for more stash to sell if he wanted to do it.

He couldn't let them discharge Sicheng.

Not while he hasn't made progress.

"I'm sorry," Jaehyun said. "I... I still have a little left to complete the payment. It's just that lately, it's been harder, and... how much time do I have to pay it?" the breathless boy asked.

"Considering that it's only the first few days of the month, and the payment is already two weeks late... I can't give you more than three days," lamented the nurse, making a grimace.

"I'll try the impossible to bring you that money on Saturday. Sicheng still can't be discharged; he hasn't progressed the way he was supposed to," he affirmed, a slight pout evident in his mouth.

What a contrast there was between his expression and the bruises, accompanied by the tattoos on his body.

Being in the Rehabilitation Center was the place where he could be most vulnerable.

"How is he?" he asked, lowering his gaze.

"Same as the last time you came to visit him," commented the nurse. "We're doing what we can, Jaehyun, but as long as he stays the way he is, we can't move forward. We need his will to help him."

When no words came out of his mouth, the nurse continued: "Jaehyun, you know you can go see him."

For Jaehyun, each visit was just as difficult as the day he decided to admit Sicheng to that clinic, and each one left him more tormented than the previous.

He would give everything if that means that Sicheng would go back to be himself.

He nodded after a few seconds and cautiously glanced back, where, not far away, (Y/N) was reading some brochures and observing the facilities around them; when she noticed the boy's gaze on her body, she walked toward him carefully.

The brunette didn't really know what came to his mind or what caused those words to come out of his mouth, but when he wanted to back off, it was too late, because they had already been expressed.

"Are you coming with me?"

And although (Y/N) had no idea why they were there or where they were going, she accepted anyway. So they found themselves walking down the long whitewashed hallway until they reached an elevator, and then they went up about three floors.

The atmosphere was cold, the hallways and rooms were well-lit, and they could see a few nurses and what she assumed were doctors walking around in their lab coats.

Jaehyun didn't know why he was allowing himself to show her that part of his life, especially when it was such a fragile part for him. He had tried to protect it cautiously for the past few months, and now he was there, accompanied by Hwang (Y/N), with the person he never thought he would meet at that moment.

He hadn't really thought of her when he asked if they could go there before going home; his head was only thinking about the clinic and Sicheng when the call had ended, and it was too late to change his mind when they had set off.

He just hoped the girl would be discreet enough.

They reached room 119, where Jaehyun pushed the door open and where in a wheelchair, they both could see Winwin, who was facing the large window of his room, looking outside.

(Y/N)'s surprised face did not go unnoticed; she was confused in a thousand ways. She knew who Dong Sicheng was; everyone in her school knew him, however... she thought he had simply left the city. She had no idea he was in that place. So in her head, thousands of questions arose about him, why he was there, and why he was in a wheelchair.

She could only react when she heard Jaehyun's voice: "Hey, buddy. How are you today?"

Nothing.

That's what he received.

Jaehyun walked over to him, and when he stood next to him, he crouched down enough to be able to observe him better. Winwin had his gaze fixed forward, his cheeks were a little rosy, his hair fell over his forehead, and his hands were resting on his legs.

Jaehyun sighed.

"Oh, I see you've taken a shower today," the boy mentioned with a smile, and again, there was not a single response.

When he noticed the presence of the girl, who had remained in her place throughout the visit and hesitated to approach them, he spoke: "Today I'm not alone; I brought company. Maybe you'll find it helpful to hear another voice that isn't mine or Lucas's... or the nurses'," the boy teased and gestured to the brunette to come closer, who obeyed. "Do you remember (Y/N)? She was in our class; we've coincided a couple of times, that's why she's here."

"Hello, Winwin," she greeted softly. Jaehyun made a grimace and stood up from his place to be at the girl's height.

"Don't expect an answer," Jaehyun commented. "There won't be one."

"I thought... I thought Winwin had moved to China," (Y/N) confessed.

Jaehyun snorted: "Yes, that's what everyone thinks."

Those words took her by surprise, and it was when she decided to remain silent, watching from a distance the little interaction between the boys: it was just Jaehyun saying a few words while adjusting Sicheng's hair without expecting any response.

Dong Sicheng and Jung Jaehyun had been friends since birth, being two little boys who grew up on the streets of Neo Zone, it was easy to click with each other. Winwin's parents had decided to move to the infamous area after his father had met Lee Sooman in some low neighborhood in Wenzhou, China, and he had offered him a job where he could have his family at least a little better off than in his country.

Winwin had not joined the gang since it had not been of great urgency to him; his father was the active member needed by the family, and if he were honest... the farthest he could be from the Neo Zone gang... the better. He was always Jaehyun's companion at all times. Best friends who shared every detail of their lives for years, Jaehyun took care of Sicheng, and he provided the most sincere friendship he had ever had... then, a while later, Lucas Wong and Mark Lee joined their adventures.

Four boys from Neo Zone with the desire to conquer the world, but unable to leave their sad reality behind.

Jaehyun still remembers that fateful day a year ago, and he still feels like it happened yesterday.

The guilt gnawed at him every passing day, terrorizing each of his nights as he wondered: Why?

Why did something like that have to happen to someone as good as Dong Sicheng was?

A year ago, when Jaehyun had chosen to go deliver a package of stash after Winwin had asked him to stay and keep him company, and he had denied that request... that decision still drilled into his head.

Winwin's family and he had been robbed in their own home. Knowing who had done it, the reasons for the event, and who had ordered such inhumanity, were still a mystery. When Winwin's parents along with him tried to flee the place by leaving in a car; it had not been the wisest decision they had made at the moment... because not long after, outside of Neo Zone, after the group of people who had robbed their home managed to shoot a clean shot in one of the tires of the rear part of the car, causing Winwin's father to lose control of his own vehicle and not a few meters later it would impact hard enough for the car to be shot in another direction, causing immediate damage.

Jaehyun only remembers receiving a call from Lucas and minutes later finding himself at the entrance to the Emergency Room of the General Hospital, where a stretcher with Winwin's body was being transported.

He remembers seeing the blood. He remembers hearing Lucas and Mark's screams asking to see their friend. He remembers standing still at the entrance to the Emergency Room.

But above all, he remembers thinking, what would have happened if instead of deciding to go sell that stupid package of stash, what if he had stayed at home with his mother and Sicheng?

A week in a coma and a diagnosis of paraplegia was what made Jaehyun lose his mind.

It had been a year since the accident, and Winwin had not even progressed a bit. After being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, it had been difficult to help the injury in the dorsal spine that he had suffered; the damage had been partial, Winwin could handle his movements and his sensitivity to walk again... if only he would come out of the state of shock he was still in.

There were too many things he experienced in so few minutes, so much physical and mental pain for what happened, that now, Sicheng couldn't react.

It had been a year since Sicheng hasn’t spoken.

The doctors assured that he could hear and understand everything, but he was simply mentally tired to process the words and make them come out of his mouth.

His body didn't react as it should either.

And until Winwin had the strength of his own will to do it, the only thing they could do at that clinic was to keep him on medication so that the pains would not persist.

But Jaehyun couldn't take it anymore.

What he would give for Sicheng to be able to enjoy life again.

Unfortunately, the visits he made to the hospital... didn't last more than half an hour since that was the place's regulation. So, his farewell was as quick as his arrival.

"See you on Saturday, Win," he put his hand on his shoulder. "Don't give the nurses too much trouble."

He could swear he heard Winwin laugh and say goodbye.

Even though that really didn't happen.

(Y/N), who throughout the visit remained silent observing both boys, could feel her heart in her hand. She had never believed she would see that vulnerability on Jaehyun's part, and knowing what it was about because of the importance his best friend had in his life, made her heart ache with sadness even more.

"Now I'll take you home," murmured Jaehyun when he passed by her without saying anything else.

The girl glanced back, looking for the last time at Sicheng's silhouette, who hadn't moved from the same place since they had both arrived in the room. She took a deep breath and left the room when Jaehyun was already far enough away.

She didn't know what to say. There were no words of comfort for the situation, and she knew it, that's why they both silently said goodbye to the nurse who had received them and continued like that until they entered the car, which was not parked far away.

Jaehyun allowed himself to lean back on the driver's seat as he closed his eyes and sighed heavily.

"I guess you have many questions," Jaehyun said without opening his eyes.

She had.

"I don't know if I really should ask them," (Y/N) confessed as she looked at him.

The boy remained silent for a few seconds.

"Sicheng and his parents had an accident a year ago," Jaehyun said, opening his eyes to look at her. "An accident that was caused."

"By whom?"

"No one knows," he replied, taking his hands to the steering wheel of the car and squeezing it tightly. "His parents died instantly... Winwin arrived at the hospital in critical condition; it was a miracle that he came out alive."

"Why...?"

"Why is he in this clinic?" he interrupted, and she nodded with a knot in her stomach. "The accident had a great impact and damaged on his dorsal spine; the doctors diagnosed partial paraplegia; his sensitivity in his legs was minimal, and he couldn't make any extensive movements with his legs that didn't make him cry from the pain. After seven days, he woke up from the coma and realized everything that had happened, including my uncle's death... he hasn't said a single word since then... the doctors said it would take time for him to recover, and that eventually, he would speak, but Winwin doesn't have the will to do it; he's still in a kind of state of shock, and that has delayed his recovery," he explained, unable to see her in the eyes.

"Who... who pays for all this if Sicheng's parents aren't here?" she asked curiously.

Jaehyun sighed; "For the first few months, my boss covered part of the monthly fee, until suddenly he stopped doing it. Since then, I've been taking care of it."

The girl's expression was one of surprise.

"How do you do it?"

"That’s the reason I'm in the business that I'm in," he replied, changing his gaze to her, being able to see directly into her eyes and causing her to feel a shiver run through her body.

There was something about those bruised eyes that had done something to her.

"It must be hard," the girl said in a murmur.

Jaehyun snorted and nodded slowly. He hated being seen in his less tough character. The only person he allowed himself to be like that with was Lucas... or Winwin. And for a stranger to see him like that... made his blood boil.

"You know? Winwin loved dancing," Jaehyun said, smiling sideways as the memory came to his mind.

That fact wasn't strange for (Y/N), she remembers seeing Winwin at the school theater... the only boy from Neo Zone who was part of the dance team. She didn't even know how he had managed that, but he must have been good if the Kwangya students allowed him to be in the group.

"Now nobody knows if he'll be able to do it again," Jaehyun continued. "Winwin was the only one of all of us who really had a future, he wasn't even a gang member... he hadn't even gone through his initiation, and look how he ended up."

(Y/N) swallowed.

"Mark Lee is no longer friends with you, right?" The girl asked curiously.

"Things got complicated with him after the accident."

The brunette fell silent for a moment and then shifted her body to face him.

“Haven't you thought about looking for another alternative?” she questioned again “You know? If you let me help you, maybe I could get you a position at my father's company and...”

“Shh. I think I've told you it's not that easy.”

“ But it could be” she insisted.

Jaehyun scoffed and shook his head as he looked away from her.

“I not only have to cover this quota, I also have to bring money home, for my mom and for Jeno. It's the easiest way to get what I need” he confessed “besides, I told you once... in Neo Zone there's no way out, once you're in, you're in forever.”

The tattoos on his neck were what sentenced him to a miserable life forever.

But as long as that miserable life helped to ease the pain and managed to make Sicheng return to who he was, it would be worth it.

“It doesn't have to be like this” she murmured, focusing on her own hands.

"You don't know what it's like to be part of this," he countered in a low voice.

How had they opened up to have such a conversation so suddenly?

The girl felt her lip tremble as she remembered the scene she had witnessed minutes earlier in that room, and she couldn't help but think about how it would feel to lose a loved one in such a way... knowing that physically they were present, but mentally they weren't there.

(Y/N) had always had a heart easy to move, but she really never believed that Jung Jaehyun would be able to achieve that.

"Is that why you insist on continuing school?" she asked, looking at him again.

"Students are my best clients," he replied with a half smile.

(Y/N) didn't know how to take that.

She closed her eyes for a moment and then said, "I can help you with a few more assignments," she assured. "But only for a while and in my own way. But, I don't want you to involve me in any of the problems you're in, it will only be school matters. I don't want to be associated with anything you do, if anything you do is enough to help Sicheng, I'll try not to question it."

Jaehyun couldn't believe what he had just heard.

"If that helps you help me and me stay in school..." he paused "...I might be willing."

"What's the reason for your change of heart?"

"Because if I were in the same situation as you, I would also want someone to somehow help me," she replied, hugging herself.

The boy nodded with a half-smile, and without further ado, he started the car.

"Only school matters," Jaehyun confirmed.

She definitely didn't know what he had just gotten himself into.

The day after the visit to the National Rehabilitation Center, something happened that made (Y/N) unable to concentrate enough during class hours. Her mind kept going back to the place over and over again, but how horrible was the situation the boy was in. One day you're capable, and the next... not even being able to move. How could anyone endure that?

At some point in the morning, during the physics period, her mind was spinning, her leg moving anxiously, and she bit her lips. She tried to erase the conversation she and Jaehyun had had the day before a thousand times and tried to erase the image of Winwin in that room.

But it was impossible.

Just when she thought she had succeeded, the image returned immediately.

She hated being someone who cared too much about things.

Because she knew something wasn't right with her when she found herself in front of the doors of the Rehabilitation Center.

Her coat shielded her from the cold breeze on that day, and as she clutched her bag to her, she didn't think anymore and entered the place.

She felt a little out of place when she entered the center, but after a few minutes, a presence came in front of her.

"Hello, good morning," the nurse greeted her. "Oh, you're the girl who accompanied Jaehyun yesterday, right?" She asked in confusion.

The girl smiled and nodded. "Yes, I'm Hwang (Y/N). I'm Jaehyun's classmate... and Winwin's."

"How nice of you to visit us... are you here to see Winwin? It's rare to see someone come for him other than Lucas or Jaehyun," confessed the nurse.

"Um, yes... I could say I'm here for a visit," the girl smiled. "But, to be honest... yesterday I overheard a bit of his conversation with Jaehyun... I know Winwin's payment is delayed this month."

"Yes, usually Jaehyun finds a way to pay on time," she sighed. "But this month it's been delayed for a few weeks, and if I'm honest, I've been doing everything I can to keep Winwin from being discharged."

The girl nodded and asked, "Do you think Winwin's treatment will still take time?"

"I can't answer that accurately," admitted the nurse. "It's all a matter of Winwin's will, but to be honest, right now he has no will at all, so far as we're concerned, and if the payment continues to be monthly... he could spend another half a year here."

The girl understood the situation, and although she would like to think more about it... she didn't, so she didn't even know when she blurted out those words: "Is there any way I can pay for the next six months?"

The nurse's eyes widened with surprise, and she looked at the girl with enthusiasm. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," she replied. "I would like to help one of my classmates as long as I can. Money is not a problem," she confessed.

"Wow... thank you, i really appreciate that. Winwin is a boy with a lot of potential from what we know, and although we're sad that we haven't made the progress we want, we know that someday he will leave through that door better," (Y/N) smiled nostalgically.

"I just need to ask you something," the brunette confessed. "Could you not tell Jaehyun that I've paid?" she questioned.

"I don't know if it's easy to lie to someone like Jaehyun," the nurse laughed. "But since it's something good you've done... I'll try," the nurse walked to the desk with (Y/N) behind her. "(Y/N)?" She called and paid attention. "I know there may be many things about Jaehyun... but he's a good guy... beneath all that facade; he really has something good."

Those words hammered in her head. "Thank you."

_____________________________________________

(Y/N) reviewed the same line of text she had read five times now on some molasses topic. Trying to understand the topic deeply.

The air coming lightly through one of the library windows was enough for her to try to hug herself to take warmth, read a bit from the physics books on the table, and impatiently move her leg.

She didn't know at what exact moment a tall figure stood in front of her, but what she did know was that that person didn't seem very happy.

"Why did you do it?" Jaehyun let out while looking directly at her.

"I don't know what you're talking about," (Y/N) replied while looking at her book attentively.

"I know you know. I thought I told you I don't need your money," Jaehyun repeated with annoyance.

"I still don't know what you're talking about," the girl stopped seeing her book and changed her gaze to the boy.

"Don't play with me," the boy exclaimed exasperatedly. "Why did I went to the center today and they told me Winwin's treatment has been paid for the next six months?"

The girl shrugged. "It could have been your boss."

"My boss doesn't give a shit about Winwin!" Exclaimed the boy. "I told you I didn't need your money, I was clear, I don't want to owe anything to anyone from Kwangya."

"You don't need to pay me back," the girl assured, standing up in front of Jaehyun. "With the money you'll save from that, you'll be able to sell less."

"It seems you don't understand a fucking thing!" Jaehyun raised your arms with annoyance. "Paying or not paying for Sicheng's treatment, it doesn't change the fact that I sell drugs!" The boy explained regardless of where they were; they were lucky the library wasn't being occupied by other people.

"Everyone starts somewhere!" the girl attacked. "I just wanted to take a weight off your shoulders."

Jaehyun scoffed and looked at her with a sarcastic smile.

"Why? I don't need your pity! If you hadn't accompanied me yesterday, you'd still be thinking Winwin had moved to China! You didn't give a fucking damn even when he was your classmate!"

(Y/N) started gathering her things and putting them in her backpack.

"Saying thank you would have been enough, Jaehyun!" the girl remarked. "I know you can do better with your life," she murmured as she turned to look at him.

Jaehyun's blood was boiling; he hated when people interfered in his life, as if he didn't already have enough to deal with.

"You don't know anything about me! You said it yourself; we're not even friends," he retorted.

"And what if I want to get to know you better?" the girl exclaimed without thinking. They both fell silent, staring into each other's eyes. (Y/N) didn't even want to say those words, but she did.

She couldn't deny that Jung Jaehyun was intriguing. She didn't know why. She didn't know why she had been avoiding him for weeks, but since that night at Neo Zone, when they had talked about the deal, she knew it would be difficult to shake him off, and when she had... something inside her wanted them to meet again. Why are things so difficult? They are two different people from different backgrounds; why would she suddenly be interested in him? Was it because she saw him vulnerable the day before? Or was it because she believed there was something good in him, just like the nurse had said?

She must be crazy to think like that.

"You really don't want to do it," Jaehyun said with a bit more calmness.

"I know you can get out out of that hole, Jaehyun."

"Winwin's parents tried, and look how that ended up!" he exclaimed. "There's no way out in Neo Zone, get that through your head," he explained. "There's nothing good about me. I don't even know why you think so, just because yesterday you saw something different or because I drove you home a couple of times, doesn't mean you know everything about me!"

"Stop acting like a fucking jerk."

"Like a jerk? This is reality! Your act of charity isn't going to change my life. I was born a dealer, and that's how my life will end!"

"I really believe there's something good in you."

"Well, keep believing it."

"If you ever feel grateful, you know where to find me," the girl said, gathering her things and walking out of the library.

Jaehyun cursed under his breath and shook his hands in frustration. In just a few days, the girl had managed to push his buttons faster than anyone else from Neo Zone.

But when he saw her walk out the door, why did he feel regret for lashing out at her?

The week had been slow this time. (Y/N) and Jaehyun had been avoiding each other like the plague, not even looking at each other when they crossed paths in the hallway. For the girl, it seemed like childish behavior, especially coming from Jaehyun and his usual façade; now he seemed nothing more than someone throwing a tantrum after she only wanted to help him.

But she still thought she really wanted to get to know him better.

What was behind his façade? What was it that made him who he was? Not the boy from Neo Zone, not the dealer everyone knew... who was Jeong Jaehyun really?

That question had been on her mind for weeks, and it disappointed her a bit to know that she might never know the answers to those doubts she had about the boy.

Today was warm compared to the weather last week. The sun was shining brightly, and luckily for (Y/N), her mother had decided to return her car. So her day had started off on the right foot, and hoping for a good day, she took the opportunity to stop by her favorite coffee shop in Kwangya. Ordering her usual vanilla latte and just before it was time to pay, a thought invaded her mind, and after debating it internally, she decided to follow her thoughts.

An hour and a half later, when she was the last one to leave her physics class, someone blocked her path at the classroom door. Holding her book to her chest, after the unexpected startle, she looked ahead to find no one but Jaehyun. Who stood silently in front of her, with the same leather jacket he used to wear, the same combination of marijuana and vanilla scent, and with the same enchanting eyes, that she had just noticed.

She was in dangerous territory.

And she knew it.

"I need to go to my next class, Jaehyun," the girl said shortly.

For a few seconds, the boy in front of her didn't say anything, he just watched her, until he sighed and slowly said, "Thank you."

Short and to the point, he didn't say anything else, and that was enough to make (Y/N)'s heart flutter in a thousand ways.

"For the coffee," the boy finished. "And for the notes."

"I did my part, I told you I would help you," said (Y/N) as she fiddled with her fingers.

"I thought you wouldn't after the last time we met," Jaehyun confessed.

"I'm sticking to that."

A small silence ensued. Two people face to face. With thousands of doubts between them and things to resolve. What had drawn them together? How was it that the universe managed to put two completely different people in the same place?

"Did you mean it?" Jaehyun asked, and when he noticed that (Y/N) didn't understand what he meant, he continued. "About wanting to get to know me more."

(Y/N) swallowed hard and looking him in the eyes, nodded.

"I still believe there's something good in you."

"Why?"

"I don't know yet," she replied honestly. "And it's killing me. A while ago, I wouldn't have wanted anything to do with you, not even to cross paths, but now, I don't know what's changed, but every time I try to stay away, it's like something brings me back here," she confessed, leaving Jaehyun speechless, who just watched her, trying to decipher everything she was saying.

It was killing him too.

"Let's go to my car," he said.

"Huh?" she asked, confused.

"You want to know more about me, then get in my car," he said again, this time making his way to the parking lot, with (Y/N) behind him, who didn't say a single word, just followed his lead.

What was he doing?

When they reached the car, Jaehyun opened the passenger door, causing (Y/N) to get in without protesting. Then Jaehyun got into the driver's seat and without further ado, started the engine. She didn't know what was happening or what would happen next, but right now she could only trust Jaehyun.

Even though she didn't know how bad an idea that might be.

A few minutes later, as they had traveled a long distance, (Y/N) noticed they were approaching Neo Zone, and with her eyes wide open, she panicked.

"This is me," Jaehyun said out of nowhere, catching the girl's attention. "See all these streets? This is where I belong. This is what I am," he explained carefully.

(Y/N) looked out the window, a couple of people smoking on the sidewalk, others passing joints, and other silent streets. The houses weren't that big... rather, they looked cramped. Unlike what she was used to, to her lifestyle, this didn't seem like it would be enough for a family.

But what did she know with the privilege she had?

"I grew up here, this is what I know," he commented. "Most people are born and die here, it's something that seems to be already written," he continued as his car slowed down. "Those of us from here have a different perspective on life... people from Kwangya lives for the money... we live to survive, and although it's getting harder and harder, we manage to do it," the car finally stopped, and still looking out the window, (Y/N) saw a small house in front of them. One story, not much to describe or point out, it was small but for some reason, it looked cozy.

(Y/N) changed her gaze to Jaehyun, who was still looking ahead and spoke.

"Is this your house?"

Jaehyun nodded.

(Y/N) smiled softly.

"Would you invite me in?"

He doesn't know how (Y/N) managed to have an effect on him, but now they were there, inside his little house, (Y/N) carefully examining the walls around them and analyzing every aspect of the small space.

He was grateful there were no one at home.

"It looks cozy," (Y/N) said as she looked at one of the frames hanging on the wall.

"I guess it's not even a third of your house," Jaehyun assured to (Y/N).

“And no matter how many people are there, it always feels lonely," she confessed. "It's like no one leaves anything there, like it's something unimportant. As if it's not a home," she finished.

Jaehyun looked at her gently, and as she looked around, thousands of things went through his mind.

"To be honest with you," the girl spoke. "I see more vibes from Jeno in this house than yours," she said. "Many things here seem related to Jeno... but I don't see many things related to you..." she continued. "It's like you don't even think about staying here for long."

"I don't plan on leaving Neo Zone," Jaehyun asserted, crossing his arms.

"Don't you want a different future?"

"There's no future for me," Jaehyun pointed out. "And if there were, I'd prefer to give it to Jeno. He has much more to live for than I do."

"You also have a life to live. A future to write, you can change what is today, for something better," (Y/N) turned around to face the boy.

"I have no way out," the boy replied. "Do you think this is easy? After seeing my dad die and doing everything my bosses ask me to do no matter what. Taking care of my mom, Jeno, and now Winwin? Huh? Making sure Winwin becomes who he was again and that my brother doesn't end up being a fucking addict are enough reasons for me not to leave here," Jaehyun concluded, getting dangerously close to her, with a few centimeters separating them.

The words echoed in her head strongly.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Don't pity me," Jaehyun said under his breath.

"It's not that. It's just that every time I think about all this and now that I see your place and I don't see anything that seems to belong to you, it makes me think that's what you're looking for, to belong to something and leave here as soon as there's an opportunity,"

Jaehyun looked directly at her, not knowing what to say. And afraid to think that maybe she was right.

Because yes, maybe he wanted to get out of there, along with his mom, Jeno, and Winwin; maybe he wanted to do something with his life that wasn't illegal, but what was the point of thinking about it when he knew he wouldn't make it? He was afraid to admit that he wanted to be able to change things, to be able to make his family okay, that no shadow from the past would follow them, that they would have a place where they could forge a clean and safe future.

"This has never been about what I want," Jaehyun commented with a future. "Since I was born, everything around me was the gang. After my father's death, I knew what was coming, and I knew I would never be able to get out of it. It doesn’t matter what I want. It matter what my boss wants, he has that kind of power, no one below him has their own decision. The whole life of Neo Zone is ruled by him," he concluded, even closer to her.

(Y/N) looked him in the eyes, her breath uncontrolled. Her chest heaved, and her hands were sweating.

"What do you want, Jaehyun?" she whispered.

The boy paused for a moment and looked at her lips.

"Now?" he asked, and she nodded. "Would it be unrealistic to say that I want to kiss you?"

"How realistic would it be to say that I want you to do it?

She didn't even finish the question because Jaehyun's lips collided firmly with hers. The boy's long hands slid through (Y/N)'s soft hair, her hair smelling of lavender shampoo. He gently covered her cheek with one of his rough hands, and she melted into the touch.

It wasn't a hurried kiss, as (Y/N) thought it would be; actually, Jaehyun was taking the time to savor every passing second. As if this moment would disappear at any minute and he wanted to hold onto it.

Was he looking for something to belong to?

His hand moved from her cheek to her waist, and she took the opportunity to press her body against his and release a moan of pleasure. As if she felt complete leaning against Jaehyun's warmth.

As if it was something they both longed for for a long time.

And even though she wanted to continue with the act, they were severely interrupted when a car horn sounded incessantly outside the house, causing them to separate with tremendous confusion. (Y/N)'s red cheeks were enough to make Jaehyun's heart race, but when he heard another horn, he took her hand and they walked outside in hurry.

And then, there was Jeno, being thrown out of the back of a car, blood streaming from a cut on his eyebrow, bruises scattered all over his body, and falling firmly to the ground after being thrown.

"I want this to be the last time your brother sets foot in our zone. Next time it won't be him we throw," the familiar voice of a boy from the opposing gang spoke up. Chris. Who was with the window down and smiling maliciously. "Neither will it be you, Jung. It will be the girl who will end up like this,"

Jaehyun moved abruptly from his place to try to reach the car, but it left as fast as it could, (Y/N) shocked to hear those words, didn't do anything more than approach Jeno to help him up. Then Jaehyun cursed under his breath and looked into the distance at the girl and her brother together.

And his chest tightened as he realized that now, she too had been involved.

And he believed there was no turning back, because she was right... Jaehyun wanted to belong to something.

But how selfish would it be to belong to (Y/N)?

a/n: well now you know what happened to Winwin TT. Once again I’m sorry if this took too long I promise I’ll try to update sooner this time!

taglist is open! if you want to be added just lemme know;)

taglist: @spicyryujin @kriizztin @daegalismybiasinnct @peachfulnight @gojoscumslut @bluedbliss @dear-97 @girlwholoveslpreppyattire @hana-off-icial @cigarettesafterjae

[sooniebby]

Hello, how about first time with soft dom hitoshi shinso? shy reader.

Maybe size kink? shinso's cock is like, uhm, HUGE!!

ఌ 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐎 𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐒𝐇𝐈

꧁ 𝙃𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙨𝙝𝙞 𝙭 𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 ꧂

Word count › 2.2k

Rating › NSFW

Warnings › none

Kinks › small size kink and creampie

╭┈─────── ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-

╰┈─➤ ＢＥＧＩＮＮＩＮＧ

(Name) was nervous to say the least. He had been dating Hitoshi for over twelve months now and this was the first time he was staying at his place for the weekend. (Name) knew that Hitoshi had been leaving with Aizawa for over a few months by now after something that he wasn’t told. 

He was curious but knew to not ask incase Hitoshi got embarrassed. 

What (Name) was mainly worried about was having sex. They were a year old couple and hadn’t had sex once. Whenever (Name) tried to hint that he wanted it, like tugging at his pants, Hitoshi stopped. He had never seen his boyfriend naked! 

Just what the hell was Hitoshi hiding? 

(Name) had come to the conclusion that Hitoshi had a small cock. 

That’s why he never wanted to have sex! He must’ve been embarrassed. (Name) smirked to himself, ah, poor Hitoshi. He would have to show his boyfriend that a small cock won’t bother him. (Name) was a virgin himself but nothing a few BL mangas couldn’t fix on what a top needed to say. 

Needless to say, he was ready to dominate his boyfriend and have him screaming the night away. 

In retrospect, it would be (Name) that would be doing the screaming. 

(Name) sat in Hitoshi room’s bedroom as he waited for him to finish his shower. He read a BL just like this moment. The bottom had finished showering and the top threw him on the bed and they just started fucking. 

It would be hard to throw Hitoshi on the bed as (Name) was on the smaller size but no matter! As top, he must try his hardest. 

The door to the bathroom opened as Hitoshi came out… 

Already dressed. 

Ah. 

Hitoshi softly smiled at (Name), “ready to watch the movie?” 

(Name) simply nodded as Hitoshi turned on the tv in his room. It was a medium sized tv sitting on his dresser. (Name) wasn’t sure why he felt so dejected at his plan failing but he pushed it away. Couples shouldn’t rely on sex anyway. 

It wasn’t like he was horny all the time… 

Like he wanted to have sex with Hitoshi every time they make out… 

No… 

No, he was normal. 

Hitoshi sat down on the bed, leaning towards (Name) as he pressed play for the movie. It was a thriller movie that had good reviews. (Name) pushed away any horniness he felt earlier and decided to enjoy his time with his boyfriend. 

He could always try again later. 

ꕤ

He didn’t. 

He didn’t get to try again later because before he knew the weekend was over and he was back in the dorms. (Name) cried himself to sleep last night. The week went by just as fast as the weekend. It was already Friday when (Name) got the thought he never wanted. 

Maybe Hitoshi didn’t like him. 

He knew it wasn’t reasonable. Hitoshi was honest. He would’ve broken up with him if he wanted to. But why haven’t they had sex yet? It’s been longer than six months. A full year! They were second years now. 

Was he undesirable? 

Should he get as sexy as those tops in the BLs? 

Possibly. (Name) groaned but decided he must do it. 

To get the sex he deserved from his boyfriend. 

It started out simple. He followed what the BL manga told him. Tops usually acted stoic and wore looser clothes. Sometimes tighter to highlight their muscles but (Name) didn’t have muscles so he ignored that step. It was an experience. 

Hitoshi and many of his other classmates thought it was a bit weird how different he was acting. One even commented that he must’ve been copying Todoroki. But it did get Hitoshi to pay more attention to him so (Name) believed it was in the right direction. 

His little experience only lasted a full week until the next Friday when Hitoshi was in his dorm room and said: 

“You’re going to be done with this weird act soon, right?” 

“Uh, no! It’s the new me!” (Name) grinned, quickly frowning at the unimpressed look his boyfriend gave him. The white noise of the movie in their laptop filled the room as the two boys stared at each other on the bed, waiting for the other to speak. 

(Name) bit the bullet. 

“I know why we haven’t had sex yet!” He gulped, a blush on his cheeks. 

Hitoshi blushed himself. “Oh… How’d you found out?” 

“Oh, uh, just process of elimination!” 

“I’m sorry. It’s just my two past partners were pretty scared by it that I was scared you’d do the same. I wanted to keep dating you.” Hitoshi muttered, a look of regret on his face. 

(Name) grasped his had and smiled. “I would never be scared of you. Having a tiny dick isn’t such a bad thing.” 

Hitoshi looked up in confusion. “Huh?” 

“What? Was…. Was that not it?” 

“No, it wasn’t. I have a big dick, (Name).” 

(Name) stared at him as if he didn’t believe it. Hitoshi sighed and reached down to pull of his pjs bottom, giving his boyfriend a clear look at the behemoth of a cock. It had to be seven inches… It wasn’t even hard yet! 

“It’s a bit scary, I know. We don’t have to do anything you aren’t comfortable with.” Hitoshi said, going to pull up his pants only to be stopped by (Name). 

“No…” (Name) blushed, licking his lips. “I like it.” 

Hitoshi felt his brain stutter as (Name) moved off the bed to get in between his legs. (Name) moved Hitoshi’s hands away and pulled down his pants even further, blushing at the large cock that slapped him in the face. He shuddered, noticing how it was almost as long as his face. 

“(Name)! You don’t have to!” 

“It’s fine,” (Name)’s one hand could hardly fully cover the cock. “I’ve waited a year for this.” He whispered, licking the red tip in front of him. Hitoshi cursed, grasping the bed sheets beneath him as he watched in awe at his boyfriend. 

(Name) hated himself for not thinking straight. Yeah, he wanted this but he wasn’t sure what to do. He couldn’t just put in his mouth—it would instantly hurt his jaw. For the moment, he could only kitten lick the tip, enjoying the groans he got from his boyfriend. 

“(Name), I want you.” Hitoshi whispered, grasping at (Name)’s hair. (Name) smiled, pressing a wet kiss on the red aching tip in front of him. It shocked himself at how bold he acted right there but anyone would get so horny that they act so differently if they had to wait a year for sex. 

“Have me, please.” (Name) muttered, a blush on his face. 

It happened so fast, (Name) wasn’t sure what happened. One minute he was on the floor and the next he was on the bed, clothes long gone. Hitoshi was still clothed, only his bottoms pulled down so his cock was free. 

(Name) should’ve been feeling so exposed at being the only one naked but he loved it. He felt like Hitoshi was truly in control right now. Hitoshi reached over the nightstand by the bed and fetched out lube from the drawer. 

It was still full. 

Hitoshi raised an eyebrow. “You never masturbate?” 

“Not as much… It’s a bit weird,” (Name) muttered, looking away in embarrassment. 

Hitoshi simply chuckled as he poured out a decent amount on his fingers. He glanced at his boyfriend and a small smile formed on his lips as he poured some directly on (Name)’s bubble butt, right between the cheeks. (Name) gasped, stuttering on about how cold it was. 

(Name)’s breathing hitched as he felt a finger slip into him with ease. He moaned at the long fingers that caressed his insides. The cold lube soon didn’t bother him anymore as he bit his lip, trying to limit his sounds. 

They were still in the dorms. 

“Just tell me if it ever hurts,” Hitoshi whispered, pressing a kiss on his inner thighs. 

(Name)’s cock twitched on his stomach as he nodded. He hadn’t noticed Hitoshi pushed in a second until he heard squelching from his own hole. Hitoshi grinned at the look of shock in (Name)’s eyes. It was certainly a sound he never made himself. 

The lube on his skin and inside made him feel so loose. His fingers slipped in so easily it made him wonder if (Name) was lying about masturbating. It was like his hole was eagerly welcoming him home. 

“Your hole is just welcoming me home, (Name),” Hitoshi said, smirking at the whine (Name) let out. 

“Don’t say that….” He cried, arching his back at the feeling of something inside him. Whatever it was, he wanted Hitoshi to touch it again. Hitoshi read his mind because that was the only spot he was touching from then on. 

(Name) had long forgotten about holding in his moans. His back arched with each finger thrust as he screamed out for more. The sinful squelching of lube was now comforting to him—telling him he was getting looser for Hitoshi’s large cock. 

Ah, he couldn’t wait. His cock twitched as pre-cum leaked on his tummy, coating his stomach in white. Unsteady whimpers left his lips as drool rolled down his chin. His breathing was sharp and heavy as he whimpered out Hitoshi’s name with each press against something inside of him. 

But then it was gone. 

(Name) almost screamed. He finally turned his head to look at Hitoshi and blushed. His boyfriend stared at him with a small smirk. Hitoshi was sweaty and his right hand was covered in lube, dripping. 

“I want you to cum on my cock—can you do that?” 

(Name), under any normal circumstance, would’ve cried out in shame. But right now, he nodded in excitement. Hitoshi was quick to press his hard seven inch cock at his dripping hole. 

To his shock, Hitoshi teased him first. 

Hitoshi held his cock and rubbed it against the lubed slick hole, pressing in just enough to almost slip in before pulling away. It was torture. Each time, (Name) was just about to push the boy away and take it himself. He wasn’t sure how many times he was cruelly teased before Hitoshi’s cock slipped in with ease. 

(Name) opened his mouth in a silent scream as his cock went off in quick squirts of semen. Hitoshi stared in shock as he watched his boyfriend keen in ecstasy with his toes curled and mouth wide open. He quickly leaned down and kissed him, earning soft moans from (Name) as he shakily wrapped his legs around his waist. 

Hitoshi saw that as a go ahead and quickly began his thrusting. He had been waiting for this. His cock was in wet, tight heat that hugged him like a glove. It felt as if (Name) was going to break from how small the boy was. 

(Name) pulled away from the kiss. “You’re so big…” He groaned. 

Hitoshi slowed down his thrusts, “it’s okay, you can handle it, (Name).” He pressed a chaste kiss on his lips, grinning at the giggle he earned. (Name) wrapped his arms around his neck and pulled him in for another kiss. 

Their first time was, of course, going to be a bit short. Hitoshi had never actually fucked anyone and (Name) was better than his fists and any toy he used on his cock. The tight heat that clenched around him randomly sent him into a light frenzy. 

He screwed himself over on waiting this long to fuck his lover. 

The thrusts began to get faster and more sloppy. Sounds of the bed creaking and (Name)’s occasional surprised screams from his prostate being stimulated meant the other students knew they were having sex. 

Hitoshi wasn’t looking forward to those awkward stares in the morning. 

“I’m gonna pee!” 

Hitoshi hummed, “it’s not pee. I’m close to.” He grunted, reaching over to grasp (Name)’s legs and pushed them towards his lover’s head. (Name) squeaked, shocked at how his body could hold this position with ease. 

What other positions could he do…? 

A grunt left Hitoshi’s lips when (Name) suddenly tightened around him. He stared down at him with a little shit eating grin. Yeah, he’d manhandle his boyfriend more. 

The squelching of too much lube, squeaky bed, and whimpers that could make any man cream his pants—their first time was certainly better than what they could dream of. 

(Name) screamed out as he came a second time but a bit more watery. Hitoshi was right behind him, thrusting in deep as he released inside. A moan left (Name)’s lips as the warm liquid entered his body. A gasp stuttered out of him as Hitoshi began to shallowly thrust in him. 

“Hitoshi….” 

“Sorry… Just making sure it stays inside.” He muttered, coming to a stop as he helped move (Name) to lay on his chest as he plopped down on the bed. 

(Name) hummed in content. He could feel a few drops slip out but he was too tired to care. 

“(Name)…” 

“Hm…?” 

“Promise me to never act like Todoroki ever again. I like you just as you are.” 

╭┈─────── ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-

╰┈─➤ ＥＮＤ

Fourth fic!! There wasn’t much plot to this so I had to improvise a lot! Hopefully you like it!!

Next fic for Saturday is another BNHA character! Thanks for reading!

[afternoondreaming]

No Business Like Show Business (1/?)

It’s no secret that Mr. Puzzles isn’t the most…Creative guy around. So he makes the shrewd business decision to hire you- the screen writer! What could possibly go wrong? [Okay so my secret is that I adore Mr. Puzzles and that he’s my comfort character but I…Really don’t like SMG4 as a whole. Personally I just don’t like the show when the TV ain’t in it. So, forgive me if anything is inaccurate in regards to the world or lore! I’m working off the Wiki here ｡°(°.◜ᯅ◝°)°｡. Either way, this is the first of hopefully many chapters! Lemme know if you want more! Also RIP formatting]

The TV producer sat in his chair, hunched forward with his elbows against his knees as his electronic head rested against his steepled hands. Darkness ensconced him in his eerily quiet office, only the dim light of his own screen and the countless monitors in front of him for any light. His defeat at the hands of the SMG4 crew had been… Humiliating, to say the least. Not only did they beat his screen in, but they had bested him at his own game. What he dedicated his very life to. Television. They had gotten their five stars so much quicker than he did and with seemingly much less effort. There was no possible way the crew had studied more in the realm of film and video than him— he had literally seen everything! From eternal classics to infomercials, Mr. Puzzles could perfectly recall every piece of cinema ever created. And, despite all that work, he still lost.

“No, no use in dwelling on that now.” He muttered to himself, aching for a smoke. “What can I do differently…?” Rising from his chair, he began to pace his office as he wracked his brain. Perhaps branch into Japanese styled game-shows? No, he couldn’t possibly. If his ultimate game-show didn’t work, then zany Japanese game-shows wouldn’t, either. Maybe foreign films? Too niche an audience and it wasn’t as if his Italian endeavor went splendidly. What hadn’t he copied (or rather referenced) yet? There had to be something…!

His frantic patrol of his office stopped short. Maybe… That was the exact problem. He hasn’t made anything new. His knowledge of all things film was encyclopedic, but his creative muscles? Woefully inept. He had always produced everything alone. Scripts? Him. Effects? Also him. Hosting? Who else could possibly do that job? Not as if he would let anybody else take the helm; but if he hired a screen writer… Maybe he could finally write an original enough script to get a five star rating. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

You had heard of Puzzlevision before, I mean, who hadn’t? They were a juggernaut of the industry. Pumping out content hand over fist (for better or for worse). Yet, they were an enigma of a company at the same time- nobody ever seemed to have any work connections to them despite all the content they produce. It was the golden ticket of job opportunities. So, just like many of your coworkers, you submitted your résumé to their business address. Never expecting to hear anything back like the many others who tried their hand at it. However, currently, you sat in shock staring at the letter you just opened on your desk. The small TV logo on crisp letterhead, with a whole message to boot.

‘Dear Applicant,

Puzzlevision Studios has reviewed your submitted résumé and would like to thank you for your interest in our company. Given your stated qualifications and past headed projects, we would like to offer to you the title of Screen Writer. If you would like to pursue this opportunity, please visit the studio at the return address during regular business hours.’

Puzzlevision had never even answered applicants before, much less an affirmative response. Surely more talented writers had to have applied? It wasn’t as if you were inept. In fact, you had worked on many successful projects. Leading them through any bumps in the road you might have faced and being well regarded amongst your peers. But, a job at Puzzlevision… It all seemed too good to be true. Your coworker, Tori, rounded your shared cubicle wall to say her good mornings to you as she always did. “Yo!” She chirped, leaning on your shoulder as she looked ahead of you absentmindedly. “What’s got you so star struck? …Oh shit.” Her eyes must have skimmed your letter, given she was now just as shocked as you. “Well look at you! I can say I worked with a big shot before they got big~!”

“Yeah…!” You replied, excitement beginning to replace the shock. Of course you had to take this! You liked your company, sure, but anyone would give for an opportunity like this. “I gotta draft my resignation…! Pack up my cubicle, get my clothes dry cleaned for the interview- oh God I wasn’t expecting this.”

“Chill, chill!” Tori crooned, patting your shoulder gently when she removed herself from it. “No need to panic. That’ll get you nowhere. Just take your PTO today and draft the resignation while you get your things in order. Once you get the gig, we’ll grab a celebratory dinner, ‘kay?”

“Definitely!” You quickly grabbed the things you had just set down to start your day, ready to depart posthaste for all your prepping. “Tell the boss I’m outta here! Text you later!” You bolted back towards the entrance, waving back at Tori as she called out a goodbye. This was going to be a whirlwind.

[rubyreduji]

ahegao and arousal — ljh

summary: jihoon just wanted to have a nice night watching anime with you, how was he supposed to know the show he picked was a hentai?

tags: smut (minors dni!) warnings: explicit unprotected sex, hentai, ji is kind of a perv, creampies, spanking, scratching, finger sucking, pinning, multiple orgasms wc: 3.6k an: ANON I SCREAMED WHEN I READ THIS LIKE AHHHH THANK YOU SO MUCH I LOVE YOU i made up my own anime plot for this hehe but watched wotakoi while writing bc office romance

orignal request: woozi and reader are at a sleepover and are both anime geeks but what’s playing is not anime and more hentai

Akira, long time secretary at Hayashi Corp, spends her days doing errands for her boss, Hiroshi, and keeping the office running. The mundane pace of her life is suddenly thrown for a loop when the new data analyst, Kaito, is hired.

That’s what the description of the show Jihoon picked said. It sounded like a cute little work place, slice of life romance anime at the time of Jihoon scrolling through what show to watch with you tonight. Oh how wrong he was.

Last week you hunted Jihoon down and insisted that it has been far too long since you two had a day to spend hanging out just you two, so Jihoon invited you over for an all night anime marathon. It’s no secret that you two are giant anime buffs, and so it was difficult for Jihoon to find something that both of you have yet to see. So when he came across this new anime he thought it was the perfect pick. It had an 8.7 review and tropes that Jihoon knows you enjoy, making it the perfect show to watch with you.

The show started out fine, a bit cliche but overall carrying the same cute aesthetic of all romance animes. Sure there were a few throw away fanservice bits, but Jihoon didn’t think anything of it. Until he did.

Jihoon’s ears burn as he tries to figure out where to look. He can’t look at you, that would just make him even more flustered, but staring at the TV is out of the option. Even as Jihoon stares at the wall, he can’t escape the lewd sounds playing out of the speakers. He can’t exactly tell what the characters are saying due to it being in Japanese, but from the excessive moaning and slick sounds, he can interpret it.

The show was going so well, to the point where the two of you were starting to root for a male lead, and then all of a sudden Akira is being cornered in an empty meeting room by Hiroshi (who is the wrong male lead, by the way) and their clothes are flying off and then Jihoon had to stop watching.

His curiosity gets the best of him though and Jihoon glances at the TV, just to take a quick peak, only to get a full view of an animated cock being slid into an exaggeratingly wet pussy (why is it uncensored!?). She cries out as the subtitles read, “He’s so big!~”. The image changes to the bouncing of Akira’s unnaturally large tits as Hiroshi starts to thrust into her. Above her tits is the image of her face, screwed up into a classic hentai ahegao. 

Now, Jihoon is well…a man, and men have certain urges that need to be taken care of every once in a while, and Jihoon often finds himself looking to certain content to help out those urges. He of course carries shame for it and would never actually admit that he watches hentai (a lot), but it's a fact that’s hard to hide when his body is reacting to the scene the way it normally would if he was watching it alone.

You haven’t spoken a single word since the scene started, and Jihoon just prays to god that you’re not looking at him or his lap.

Now in theory, Jihoon could just turn the TV off but then that would force both of you to face the reality that you have now consumed porn together and Jihoon doesn’t think he can handle that. Just thinking about it makes Jihoon’s dick twitch even harder.

Jihoon takes a shallow breath and finally risks a glance over at you. He’s shocked at the sight. Your bottom lip is placed between your teeth, being chewed up as you stare intently at the screen. Your knees are pulled to your chest and there’s a slight gleam in your eye as you watch the scene. Is it possible that you’re…enjoying this?

Jihoon allows himself to get a better look at you, as it’s clear you’re solely focused on the show. He watches as you take a shaky breath, your thighs squeezing together as well. The sight drives Jihoon just slightly insane, and it doesn’t help you’re in the skimpiest pair of sleep shorts and a tank top, sans a bra. 

You and Jihoon have been friends for a while. You two met coincidentally at an anime convention, You were cosplaying as one of his favorite characters and Jihoon made sure to get your socials. You were interested in his own socials though, noticing the OST covers he uploaded occasionally. When it was revealed you two are from the same area, you two quickly became close. Now, nearly six years later, you’re one of Jihoon’s closest friends.

The only thing is, Jihoon has a fat, massive crush on you. He has for years now. It doesn’t help that the characters you cosplay the most are either some of Jihoon’s favorites or characters who are the biggest victims of fanservice behaviors. One time you cosplayed a character who fell under both categories and that night Jihoon shamefully jerked off to the pictures you sent to him.

And now you’re here, dressed in revealing clothes, sitting on Jihoon’s couch, invested in the porn scene playing on the TV. 

Jihoon eyes travel down from your face to your chest, where your tank top does a poor job of hiding your cleavage. He can see the way your chest swells with each shuddered breath. It’s clear now that you’re very into this, and Jihoon wonders for a brief second how wet your panties are.

Jihoon then quickly chides himself, looking back at the wall and away from you. That’s where his gaze stays until the scene ends. Once the show goes back to being a seemingly innocent romance anime, Jihoon finally allows himself to glance over at you. To his surprise you’re staring back at him.

“I, uh, can’t believe she’d hook up with Hiroshi,” you say, breaking the silence between you two. “Clearly Kaito is the better choice.”

Jihoon coughs, clearing his throat. “Y-yeah. It’s also kinda weird since he’s her boss…”

The conversation fizzles out quickly after that and you and Jihoon go back to watching the TV in awkward silence. Jihoon can still feel the ache in his cock as he watches the characters fumble around each other. 

Jihoon can barely even focus on the show, too busy trying to think about anything that will get his boner to go down. He’s not sure what’s happening on screen when all of a sudden you start squealing.

“Oh my god Jihoon, it's happening!” You launch yourself across the couch to grab at Jihoon’s arm. He’s startled for a moment, his skin burning where your fingers dig into his flesh. He glances at the TV to see Kaito walking Akira back to her home.

You don’t let go of Jihoon as you settle down next to him, your body now pressed up against him rather than across the couch. God Jihoon swears his cock has never been so hard in his life. He’s sure the pillow placed over his lap is anything but subtle.

You’re not looking at Jihoon though, too invested in the conversation the two characters are having. Jihoon glances down at you, only to realize that was a bad choice as he’s now staring straight down your shirt at your cleavage. For a moment Jihoon thinks about how he wouldn’t mind seeing how your boobs bounce while he fucks you.

Jihoon’s still focused on you solely, when you gasp. He glances at you and then the screen to see the two characters posed in a kabedon. It doesn’t take long for the two to start making out and Jihoon can already anticipate what’s going to happen next. Your fingers dig into Jihoon’s arm before you realize what you’re actually doing. You go to pull your hand back, but you stop halfway through, your fingers just barely ghosting Jihoon’s arm.

“We can just skip this scene,” Jihoon finally says, seeing the internal conflict going on in your mind. He moves to reach for the remote but you stop him.

“N-no, it’s okay,” you tell him, in a voice that’s smaller than normal. “U-unless you don’t want to!”

“No, it’s uh, it’s fine,” Jihoon says. You give a slight nod, not moving your hand away.

You and Jihoon quiet down once more, staring at the TV, both of your cheeks warm. On screen Kaito is bending Akira over the counter, his cock pulled out and rubbing against her slit. Jihoon hears the labored breath you take, as your fingers slightly tighten on his arm.

Jihoon flits his eyes to glance at you, noticing the intrigued look back on your face. His fingers twitch on his lap as he stares down at your thighs, pushed together. The lewd sounds of moans and squelches fill the living room and Jihoon is five seconds away from getting up to go relieve himself in his bathroom.

Jihoon knows you. If something goes wrong you’ll both just brush it off and forgive and forget it. Fuck it.

Jihoon reaches out and slides his hand over your thigh. You jump a bit and Jihoon goes to pull back, but you stop him.

“No! You’re uh-, you’re fine.”

Jihoon just nods, trying to pretend like his mind isn’t reeling right now. His thumb brushes over your bare thigh, caressing the skin.

Your thighs are soft and he does his best not to full on grope the fat there. Just touching you like this has Jihoon’s cock leaking desperately in his boxers and he thinks about how good it would feel to touch in other ways as well. The swell of your breasts under his palms, his plump lips against your tender neck, his hard cock nestled inside of you.

Jihoon lets his mind wander too much, and the last image makes him squeeze your thigh hard, causing you to let out a moan.

“Fuck, Jihoon,” you mutter.

“I’m so sorry!” Jihoon shouts, quickly pulling his hand away. You’re quicker though, grabbing his hand and placing it on your upper thigh, his fingers just barely brushing against your crotch. Jihoon’s mouth goes dry.

“F-finish what you started, Ji,” you tell him, your voice thick with lust.

Jihoon gulps and nods. He moves his fingers to press against you harder and you automatically spread your thighs to give him more room. Jihoon can already feel how wet you are and he stifles a groan. You let out broken gasps as Jihoon continues to rub at your clit through your shorts. 

Jihoon can’t take his eyes off you, staring at you the way the swell of your breasts heaves with each breath. Jihoon shifts his position to face you so he can reach out his free hand. It hovers over your chest for a moment before he finally pushes forward, grasping your boob in his palm. Your breath stutters before you release a low moan. Jihoon can feel the clench of your thighs around his hand. 

Your pussy is dripping now, soaking straight through your panties and shorts. Jihoon’s cock is also leaking, begging to be slid into your warm walls. His cock strains against his shorts, like it’s trying to break free from the confines itself.

Jihoon groans and pulls his hands off of you and you whine. You’re not left untouched for too long though as Jihoon hooks his fingers into your waistband and starts to pull your shorts down. You lift your hips to help him out, pulling your top off your body as well. Even though your clothes did little to cover you up, seeing you fully naked drives Jihoon insane.

He stares at your slick pussy and he nearly drops to his knees then, thinking about how heavenly it would be to be in between your thighs, but his dick twitches a little too hard and he knows he has to get inside of you now. Jihoon pushes his shorts down his legs and his cock finally springs free.

“Jihoon please,” you whine and Jihoon groans. He sits back down on the couch and grabs you, pulling you onto his lap. You look pretty, perched on Jihoon’s thick, pale thighs. Your pussy rubs up against his cock and Jihoon can feel your arousal spread across his length, lubing it up.

“S-shit,” Jihoon curses. Your fingers grasp his shoulders tightly, your fingernails just starting to dig in, and the slight sting goes straight to Jihoon’s cock.

“C’mon Hoonie,” you mumble. “Just fuck me.”

That’s all Jihoon needs to properly line himself up and slam right into you. You whine loudly at the feeling as Jihoon slides right into you, your cunt already so need that there’s no resistance. Just as Jihoon expected, your walls are soft and warm as you clench down around him.

Jihoon grasps your waists, slowly guiding you up his length before pulling you back down. Jihoon can see you biting down on your lip as you roll your hips against him. He reaches up and gently pulls your lip out from between your teeth with his thumb. Before Jihoon can tell you he wants to hear your moans, your tongue darts out and licks at the pad of his thumb before you lean down and take his whole thumb into your mouth.

Jihoon’s hips buck up into you as you suck on his thumb, your tongue swirling around it. You look down at him with your sultry eyes and for a moment Jihoon wonders if you’ve wanted him just a long as he’s wanted you.

You gradually speed up your pace until you’re fully fucking yourself on Jihoon’s cock, fast and hard. You pop your mouth off of Jihoon’s thumb, finally letting your moans flow free. To Jihoon, you sound like an angel singing. As you bounce in his lap Jihoon can’t help but stare at your tits as they bounce in front of his face. He realizes that if he stares for too much longer, he’s going to cum too soon.

He leans forward and starts to pepper kissings along your neck and chest. His fingers trail up your torso until they come to your tits. He palms at your chest, hard and mean, desperate to feel you up as much as he can.

Your fingernails dig into Jihoon’s shoulders even harder, slightly dragging up and scratching him. Jihoon would never consider himself a masochist but the pain burns delightfully and suddenly he wants you to tear up his whole back.

“F-fuck, Ji~” you whine. “Your cock feels suh’good.”

Your cunt squeezes Jihoon’s cock, so close to milking him for all that he’s worth. Jihoon doesn’t bother taking his mouth off of you, just humming against your collarbone. Jihoon’s body feels like it’s burning up, the feel of your soft skin pressed against him, your warm cunt wrapped around his aching cock. If he doesn’t cum soon he’s sure that he’ll implode.

Jihoon reaches between your body and snags his finger on your clit, rubbing at the bud rapidly to get you closer to your orgasm. You gasp and whine as your hips get more frantic, breaking your steady pace.

“G-gonna cum,” you say between broken breaths. You lean down and capture Jihoon in a kiss. The feeling of your lips against his is new and Jihoon already can’t get enough of it. Jihoon pushes his tongue between your lips, licking into your mouth to taste you better.

You move your hands up to cup his face, tugging him into you even harder as your body trembles in his grip. Jihoon can feel your walls fluttering around him as you reach your high. That’s all the signal Jihoon needs to let go as well, finally letting himself spill right into your cunt. Your hips soon come to a stop and lift up off of him as your body slumps down onto his.

“You know,” you mumble into his neck, your fingers now playing with the hair on his nape, “I’ve always kind of fantasized about this happening.”

“W-what?” Jihoon asks, his mind already dizzy from his orgasm and now your words aren’t helping.

“You’re hot Ji. Like, I’ve never met an anime nerd as buff as you. You’re also just like…really nice and caring? I don’t know, ever since we met a small part of me has always wanted to fuck you.”

“Shit,” Jihoon groans. “You’re saying that we could have been fucking for years now? Baby I don’t think you know how badly your cosplays turn me on.” 

“You’re gonna turn me on again,” you murmur.

“Good,” Jihoon responds. “Because I still have one more round in me.” Even after cumming, Jihoon’s cock is still hard and he easily flips you around and presses you down against the couch. Your face is now buried in the cushions as Jihoon pulls your hips up to meet his.

“S-shit,” you gasp.

Jihoon pushes his thumb against your folds, rubbing at them for a moment before pulling one to the side. Your cunt is shiny from your arousal and as Jihoon forced your entrance open, some of his cum from earlier starts to spill out. Jihoon is tempted to finger fuck it back into you, but it’s not too much of a loss when he can just give you fresh load.

Jihoon’s tip rubs up against your slit, teasing you. You wiggle your hips slightly, begging for him to put it in. Luckily, Jihoon is just as desperate as you are and pushes his hips forward, his tip easily sliding into you.

You just had Jihoon inside of you and yet the feeling of his cock rubbing up against your walls as you moaning and drooling on the couch cushions.

“So good for me,” Jihoon mutters to himself. “Fuck how do you feel ever better the second time.”

Jihoon’s hips slam into yours, rough and slow, making each stroke intentional. His grip on your hips is tight, making sure you stay in place as he fucks into you.

As much as Jihoon loves staring at your tits bouncing in his face, the view from the back is just as good. He can’t help himself as he lifts his hand up, letting his palm smack against your ass as he brings his hand back down. He watches satisfied as your ass recoils, the fat jiggling deliciously. He repeats this action a few more times until he’s sure your ass is warm and stinging from the hits.

“H-hoonie, faster, please,” you beg. You push your hips back, trying to force Jihoon to pick up his speed.

“You need more, baby?” Jihoon coos teasingly. “Want my cock to pound your little pussy?”

“Yes,” you sob out. “Need you to fuck me hard.”

“Okay baby, your wish is my command.” Like a switch flipped, Jihoon starts to plow into you, the head of his cock ramming into your g-spot with each thrust.

Jihoon slides his hand up your spine, his fingers coming up to cup around the back of your neck, and he pushes down, holding you against the couch. It’s dirty, your ass sticking up in the air as your face is squished against the cushion, but that just gets Jihoon going even more.

“You look so pretty like this,” Jihoon tells you. “Back arched just for me.”

You can’t even respond, just letting out a spew of babbles and moans. Your fingers grip onto the edge of the cushion and Jihoon wonders if it’s second nature for you to dig your nails into something when being fucked. He’ll have to test that another time, your nails raking over his back as he fucks the life out you.

For now he’ll stick to railing you into tomorrow.

“S’close,” you slur. “P-please. Need to cum.”

“Aww, you need to come? Okay baby, cream all over my cock.”

Jihoon continues to abuse your sweet spot with his cock as your body tense under him. Your cunt clenches down tight into a vice grip as you whine high pitched and loud. Jihoon rubs at your hip as you orgasm. It isn’t until you fall spineless to the couch that Jihoon allows himself to fill you up once more. He milks himself dry inside of you, making sure you’re stuffed full. Jihoon knows you’re on birth control (you’ve complained about the change in hormones to him before) but the knowledge that Jihoon pumped you full with two loads still drives him slightly insane.

Jihoon slides out of you and slumps down on the couch as well. You shuffle around so you can cuddle up into his side and press a soft kiss to his jaw.

“This was fun,” you mumble and Jihoon laughs.

“Yeah…we should do it again.”

You grin. “We should.”

Before Jihoon can say anything else, you’re both caught off guard by a loud shout coming from the TV. You both whip your heads back to the screen, it seems in the midst of your own fun you both forgot what started it all.

A smirk crosses your face as you look at Jihoon. “You know, for my next convention maybe I should dress as Akira. I think I have a blazer sitting around in my closet somewhere…”

The thought alone sends Jihoon’s mind reeling. The thought of you dressed up in a tight blazer and short skirt, knowing that the character is from a hentai. He’s not sure he would be able to keep his hands off of you.

“And who knows, maybe you could dress up as Kaito with me.” You send a wink Jihoon’s way and it’s enough to have Jihoon’s dick twitching to life a third time.

Oh yeah. He definitely won’t be able to keep his hands off of you, but something in Jihoon tells him you won’t mind too much.

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[rpfofficial]

why did head (1968) flop so badly, you may ask?

the short answer is: terrible promotion. why the promotion was so terrible is another question entirely. there are two schools of thought: 1) bob rafelson and jack nicholson were being deliberately avant garde and obtuse (maybe to attract a certain psychedelic audience) or 2) deliberate malicious intent from columbia pictures to get rid of the monkees (by November 1968, when the movie premiered, the monkees TV show had been cancelled for 2 months).

(LA Times, 2008)

what exactly was the ad campaign? Well, it was originally supposed to be Bob Rafelson's head displayed for a few seconds smiling at the camera--according to Wikipedia this was a spoof on Andy Warhol's short film Blowjob (1964). but in the end it was John Brockman, even more unknown, and he was just the guy who was supposed to be filming the clip.

from Andrew Sandoval's The Monkees Day-by-day Story (page 210). explains more about why they did this. Micky also says he thinks it was a way to get back at the monkees for striking on the first day of filming when they found out they would get no creative credit for the film and had been "getting ripped off pretty badly" basically for years.

another factor was the critics reviews. obviously Head is not your average film, and loads of reviews looked down on it as psychedelic garbled trash. they didn't get it. there were positive reviews of course, but most people just didnt get it (and you cant really blame them - its at its most enjoyable when you are a) a bit of a freak, b) a total anti-capitalist, or c) substantially aware of the horrors the monkees were going through at this point. no film critic at the time ticked all 3 of these boxes). i think at this point bob rafelson panicked, because he wanted the film to do well, he just wanted it to do well independent of the monkees (hubris). there's a funny story about the night before the movie premiered in new york, he and jack nicholson got arrested for putting up stickers promoting head, after jack tried to put one on a police officer's helmet. and it makes me wonder why he then didn't fight harder for the film to do well.

it's funny (re: sad) how so many things came together to bring about the doom of the film: bob rafelson and jack nicholson's own cockiness about how well the film would do, their complete disregard of the what the monkees themselves wanted, the studio being tired of the monkees/already having cancelled the show, the whole phenomenon dying out a little since record sales had gone down (the last album they put out was in february 1968 - by this point it was november, and the Head album wouldn't be released until December)...

another peter quote because I trust him the most (again from the day-by-day story, page 210)

Mike over the years has said different things, at one point calling Head an assisted suicide (pertaining to his own desires to kill the monkees phenomenon and be seen as a serious musician), at other points calling it a murder (which i think is how peter continued to see it throughout most of his life, while simultaneously recognising its artistic and cinematic merit, and also saying the soundtrack was the record he was proudest of besides headquarters 1967). but here's something Mike said in the Head commentary (some time in the early 2000s) which i find simultaneously funny and devestating:

so yeah. the main conclusion is that nothing was in Head's favour for it to do well. there were conflicting visions, conflicting motivations, a total lack of interest from Columbia pictures, and no one was on the Monkees' side, not even really the monkees themselves. the world just wasn't ready for the crazy anti-monkees monkee movie. their swag was too different. everybody wanted to kill them. but they didnt have to cos they killed themselves it happens right at the start of the movie and again at the end. WATCH HEAD.

[em-harlsnow]

Something I’ve had in my mind for a while, so I did a little speed-write:

When he gets back from his therapist, Mickey’s on the couch with his laptop open in front of him.

He doesn’t make a big deal of anything, just looks up, smiles and asks how it went. Today it wasn’t too taxing, just one of the fortnightly appointments that they can afford now. Ian smiles back.

“It was okay.”

“Just okay?” Mickey looks up from the laptop, paying full attention.

He blows out a breath. “Yeah. It was fine, really. Nothing huge.” He says, because nothing huge was revealed, nothing huge was said. Therapy just takes a lot out of him energy-wise.

“Okay.” Mickey replies, placing a hand on his knee, squeezing, and then returns to the screen.

“What are you looking at?” Ian asks, trying to peak.

“That stupid shit you like. Pin Interest or whatever the fuck.”

Ian rolls his eyes. “You like it, Mick. And I know you know it’s called Pinterest.”

Mickey shrugs.

“So, what are you looking at on Pin Interest?” He smirks and Mickey snorts.

“Tattoo ideas. I was thinkin’ of getting another one.” Mickey’s gaze is laser focused as he scans through images, saving some and scowling at others as if they personally offend him.

Ian’s eyebrows raise in surprise. “Where do you want it?” He tries to picture his husband with more tattoos and very much likes the image. He likes his current ones too much to not want him to get more.

“I dunno, man. Some sleeves are cool. But they take ages to build up. Maybe just one on my shoulder to start.”

“That sounds good.” Ian tries to get closer, but he still can’t really see what Mickey’s looking at. “Can I see?” He asks, pointing at the device.

Mickey sighs like he’s the most annoying fucker on the planet, but he tilts the screen towards him anyway.

He can see now that Mickey’s searched up ‘black tattoo shoulder men’ and there are just piles on piles of buff men with shoulder tats.

“I like the snake one.” Mickey tells him, pointing at the picture he means. It’s a serpent winding around the top of the guy’s arm, tangling together and going down to the bottom of his bicep.

“Yeah, that one’s cool.” Ian agrees. “What about that one?” He points at one with a fine lined dragon reaching onto the guy’s peck.

“I guess, but I don’t want it too thin, you know? When they do it too intricate, the lines all blur together.” Ian hums in assent.

“Show me what you already have saved.”

Mickey clicks through the website, and Ian catches a glimpse of his pre-existing boards before he goes to the tattoo one. There’s one called ‘wedding’ and one called ‘apartment’ and one called ‘dope shit’. The cover photo of ‘dope shit’ is an aesthetic image of two beers and two cigarettes clasped in two hands. Ian’s not really surprised that this is what Mickey considers to be ‘dope shit’.

In the folder is a lot of similar things. Snakes, dragons, one cat with bat wings. One looks like a weird cross between a gun and a dagger. They’re all pretty hot, and Ian tells him about his favourites.

“I was thinkin’ of drawing it myself. I don’t wanna just copy what someone else has.”

“What did you do for this one?” Ian asks, grasping Mickey’s forearm.

“Drew it.” He explains simply, eyes not leaving the screen.

“Yeah? It’s good. You should draw the next one, too then.”

Mickey hums in agreement but continues to browse the website, probably looking for ideas.

Ian clicks on the TV, starting up an episode of New Girl while Mickey’s distracted.

They sit in peaceful silence for a while, until Mickey speaks again.

“There’s a tattoo place up the street. The reviews seem good. Don’t wanna go somewhere if they’ll just fuck it up.”

“That’s true.” Ian pauses. “If you’re getting one, I might get one too.”

Mickey raises his eyes brows in that expressive way of his. “You want a new tat? Fuckin’ copy cat.” He grumbles, but with the way he looks Ian up and down he can tell he’s not opposed.

“Yeah, been thinkin about it for a bit.”

“Oh yeah? What you thinkin, tough guy, I’ll look up some ideas.” Mickey suggests, already looking back at ‘Pin Interest’.

“Don’t worry, I already know what I want.”

When he doesn’t say more, Mickey huffs impatiently. “Gonna keep me waiting all night or what?”

Ian smirks and leans forward. “I was thinkin’ of an ‘MM’ tattoo, right here.” He tells him, pointing at a spot on the inside of his wrist.

Mickey looks surprised, and fond, and happy all at once. Even so, he tuts at him. “Tshc, you don’t have to do that just because I got your name.”

Ian rolls his eyes. “I fuckin’ know that, dork. I like the idea of having a more permanent thing than the rings.”

“Yeah, coz you keep fuckin’ losing your rings.”

“Well I’m sorry I don’t want it to fall down a drain or something, Mick.” He laughs, exasperated. “But a tattoo won’t fall down the drain.”

Mickey looks at him, and he’s so happy that Ian can’t help but wind their fingers together.

“You don’t want it to look like Mandy Milkovich, though. Gotta get my middle initial, too.”

“Wouldn’t her initials be ‘AM’? For Amanda?” Ian raises his eyebrows. Mickey scrunches his.

“Oh yeah.”

“You hate your middle name, anyway. And ‘MAM’ looks like I got something for my mum, I want this for you.”

“Yeah, you already got those titties for Monica.” Mickey jokes lightly and Ian pushes his side.

<3333

i might write a next part, where they actually go get them!

[heart-of-ep]

Elvis: Through Her Lens (Chapter Four)

(Elvis Presley × OC Reader)

Character/Fandom: Elvis Presley

Read More Here: Elvis: Through Her Lens - Click here!

Prompt: You are Minnie Jones, an aspiring photographer working for the LA Sentinel. Your chief editor is looking for a story that will help boost the popularity of the paper, so an opportunity comes knocking when Colonel Tom Parker approaches him with a new 'snowjob.' After a tentative first meeting with the Colonel, and his star Elvis Presley, you are hired on to follow Elvis around as his personal photographer in an attempt to catch lightening in a bottle twice with the earlier success of the Alfred Wertheimer photos. Along the way, you develop a close bond with Elvis, leading to complications in your relationship when the issues of his marriage and eventual drug usage start to put a strain on your relationship. Constantly fighting your ever-growing feelings for him, you are swept up into the whirlwind of Elvis' world which forces you to see the King of Rock 'n' Roll through a new lens.

Tags: Slow burn. Angst. Drama. Friends to lovers (sort of).

TW: None? Cussing, kissing.

Rating: PG-13 (ish) (may get spicy but won't be explicit as I don't enjoy writing smut lol but cursing, possible violence, and infidelity will appear throughout the story)

Word Count: 3.5k

Author's Note: Alright guys, things are starting to get juicy now! I had such a fun time writing this chapter and I'm excited to post it today in honor of the 55th Anniversary of Elvis performing at the Houston Astrodome on February 27th, 1970.

It's crazy to think these were his first concerts outside of Vegas. He was so nervous and I loved getting to put a self insert type figure to try and support him through it. ♡

Also I definitely looked to both Kathy Westmoreland's and Joyce Bova's books for inspiration while writing since they had relationships with Elvis during this year. ~

Elvis on February 27th, 1970 (evening show) riding in on the jeep to the Houston Astrodome. (1) Elvis at a press conference March 1st, 1970 after his six performances at the Houston Astrdome. (2)

Rehearsals for the Houston show didn’t go as well as everyone hoped. You stood off mostly to the sidelines, watching as the sound engineers struggled to get Elvis and the band sounding right in the large echochamber that was the Houston Astrodome. Elvis was visibly frustrated, but he tried to stay in good spirits, telling his band to just play and ignore the bad acoustics.

Even with the poor sound quality, you were still able to get a taste of an Elvis Presley show and it was truly something else. Of course, you had heard Elvis sing before, whether it be on the radio or on TV, but hearing him in person? You now understood all those reviews you had read from the International. You figured the actual show would be even more spectacular, but you were already impressed by what you had seen. Even if Elvis himself wasn’t particularly pleased.

You had hoped to talk to him after rehearsals, but he didn’t want any company according to Charlie, which was definitely a stark contrast from the night before. But you didn’t press him, remembering that it was up to Elvis when he wanted you around. You assumed he was probably still in a bad mood after how the rehearsals went, so you retired to your room early after grabbing yourself something to eat downstairs.

The next day brought everyone and Elvis back to the Astrodome for two shows that night. Apparently, Elvis was supposed to ride in on a Jeep with a few of his guys, which seemed like an odd sort of entrance for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, but you supposed it fit with the style of the livestock show.

Before departing for the Astrodome, everyone in Elvis’ group was told to meet upstairs at his suite so they could leave together. You still felt a bit uncomfortable around all the guys, still doing your best to remember all their names and their positions within the group dynamic. You fiddled with your camera, adjusting the settings as you, along with the others, waited in the living room as Elvis got ready for the show.

“E’s pretty nervous.” You heard Charlie say to one of the guys.

“He’s got this. Even if the sound is shit, Elvis will blow them away.” Red, one of the bodyguards, said in response.

You bit your lip, wondering if this was normal for Elvis. He didn’t seem like the type to get such intense stage fright, but you guessed that even the world’s biggest star might get nervous before a performance.

You looked up when you heard the door to his room open and you found yourself completely frozen when you saw Elvis walk out, dressed head to toe in a spectacular white jumpsuit with a beautiful embroidered green trim and a macrame belt hanging low across his waist. The jumpsuit had a deep opening in the front, leaving little to the imagination as it completely exposed his chest, and this time there was no scarf to hide anything. His hair was brushed back and styled, but it was still fluffy and long, the sideburns accentuating his sharp jawline. His signature gold jewelry accompanied the outfit, his fingers decorated in rings and the gold ID bracelet dangling across his wrist.

You were fairly certain you were staring like a dumbstruck fool, but unlike the man you had spent time with the last few days, for the first time you truly felt like you were in the presence of the star, Elvis Presley.

Elvis certainly did look nervous, a bit of sweat collecting on his brow as he crossed the room. “Is everything ready?” He asked Joe, his road manager.

Joe nodded. “The car is waiting downstairs for you and the band is already on their way to the venue.”

Elvis nodded, tapping his foot in a nervous patter against the floor as he glanced your way. He met your gaze for a moment, but he didn’t say anything, quickly looking back to the rest of the group. “Alright, let’s get on with it.”

With that, the group was on the move. They made quick work of getting Elvis through the lobby of the hotel, pushing past any fans who had managed to get through the security that Colonel Parker had set up. You made sure to stick close to the inside of the group, not wanting to get left behind in the gaggle of fans. Sonny and Red rushed Elvis into the car, where Vernon was already waiting, before you were promptly ushered in after him, the door slamming shut as the flashes of camera bulbs went off all around the car. Being on that end of the camera definitely made you realize just how overwhelming it had to be from Elvis’ point of view.

Once the car was on the move, you looked at Elvis, but his gaze was peering out the window in deep concentration as he chewed on his fingernail. You furrowed your brow a little, realizing this was more than just normal stage fright. You hesitated a little before you reached over and gently touched his hand that was resting on the seat of the car. He quickly looked at you, his eyes falling down to your hand before they looked up to meet your gaze. Again, he didn’t say anything, but he did turn his hand around, gently clasping yours in a delicate grasp. The warmth sent your heart into a frenzy, but you ignored it, forcing the feeling away as the two of you sat in silence during the rest of the ride to the Astrodome.

Upon arrival, Elvis was quickly pulled into the venue and toward the Jeep waiting to drive into the inner part of the arena where the stage was set up. A couple of the guys rode with him as security along with Joe, and you were promptly ushered off towards the stage area where you could have a better vantage point to take photos. The Sweet Inspirations, the Imperials, and the rest of the band were all up on the stage already and when you peered out at the large arena, you noticed the large crowds of people in the stands. The arena wasn’t close to being full (though that wasn’t surprising considering the sheer size), but you did bite your lip when you noticed there weren’t as many people as the Colonel kept projecting there to be. You worried what Elvis might think, but decided it was best to focus on taking photos instead.

Regardless of the crowd’s size, the fans roared with applause as the jeep drove into the arena, making a circle around the stands as Elvis stood up in the car and waved, a beautiful smile painted on his face as the wind blew through his hair. When the jeep pulled up in front of the stage, the guys quickly ushered Elvis out of the car and up the stairs to the waiting microphone.

You quickly found a spot off to the side of the stage, making sure to stay out of the way but close enough to get some good shots that the other press wouldn’t be able to get. You bit your lip for a second, still a little stunned by the sight of him as the lights turned on him like a spotlight. He truly looked like a gleaming star in the center of the massive arena. It made you wonder how this was his first time performing at a venue like this in over ten years.

You watched carefully as he kicked off with his opening song, the first song he ever recorded actually, and despite the issues with the audio, he sounded amazing. His voice was buttery smooth, and neither him nor the band missed a beat as they jumped from ‘That’s All Right’ to ‘I Got A Woman’ and onto various other hit songs that he had done in the past. The audience cheered and screamed almost the entire time, and you could tell Elvis got a real kick out of some of the fans' reactions based on his smile or the way he laughed in the middle of a song. It all seemed so natural to him, and any nervousness you saw in him before the show seemed to completely disappear now that he was up on that stage.

You eventually remembered that you weren’t just there to watch him perform and quickly started snapping photos with your camera, moving around the stage to different spots in an attempt to get the best angle possible. When you looked down at your camera to slide in another roll of film, you were surprised as you raised your lens to find him looking in your direction. It was brief and probably not noticeable to anyone else, but you quickly took the photo, capturing the smile he gave you before he looked away back toward the crowd.

Despite how fantastic the show seemed from your point of view, Elvis didn't appear particularly ecstatic once everyone returned to the hotel for a break before the evening show that same day. “Well, that’s it. I guess I just don’t have it anymore,” Elvis said, sounding completely devastated as he disappeared into his bedroom to take a nap.

Everyone looked between each other, not sure what to say to try and cheer him up. You kept to yourself, deciding to occupy your mind by taking photos of some of the guys or different objects around the room.

By the time Elvis woke up, he had settled thinking that this was it, that his career was finished, but Gee Gee directed his attention to the window when he looked out to see something curious. “Hey, E I think you should come look at this.”

Elvis, and everyone else for that matter, walked over to the large panoramic window and looked down below to see cars backed up for miles onto the interstate all heading straight for the Astrodome. “Well, I’ll be damned,” Elvis said, a grin spreading across his face. “I guess I’ve still got it after all.”

Needless to say, the evening show was a smashing hit and Elvis was practically a giddy school boy when the attendance more than doubled from the afternoon. Even the sound quality was improved. You couldn't explain it, but seeing him so happy and proud, it made you feel happy too.

You had hoped to spend a little more one on one time with him like the night before, but between the multiple shows, meeting fans before and after the performances, and one final press conference, his private time was almost fully booked up. You still managed to get some good pictures, catching some lovely interactions with the fans along with some funny moments between him and the guys when heading to his suite after one of the shows.

After returning to the hotel to pack on the last day, you wondered briefly if maybe this was it. The Colonel didn't exactly specify just how long he wanted you around. And all your film still needed to be developed and approved by the carny manager before anything more could be done with it. You immediately thought of the worst case scenario, frowning a bit as you considered already leaving the glamorous world of Elvis Presley. More importantly, though, you felt this strange sense of sadness at the thought of never seeing him again.

You knew it was silly, after all you had only just met him a week prior, and worst yet, the man was married which made the feelings you had even worse to bear. You thought back to the way his hand felt holding yours, the warmth of his skin sending goosebumps flying up your arm or the way he stayed up for hours talking with you in his suite about everything and nothing. He ended up being the complete opposite of everything you expected and it left you feeling conflicted. Now you weren't just interested in staying because of your job, but you wanted to stay for him.

Get it together, Minn. Don’t fall for his charm.

You shook your head, burying your thoughts deep in your mind as you packed up your clothes and film. You only stopped when you heard a knock at your door. You glanced at the clock, furrowing your brow when you realized that was impossibly quick for the room service you ordered. You set your camera down and walked to the door, opening it up only to see Elvis standing on the other side.

“Elvis?” You asked, looking a bit surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to make sure you were ready for the flight back to LA tomorrow.” He said, stepping into the room before you had the chance to invite him in. He was wearing the same outfit from the press conference earlier that day. It was a Texan inspired fit (minus the stetson hat) with the deputy's badge that he had been awarded by the mayor affixed to the front lapel.

“Yeah, I was just packing my things.” You said as you closed the door behind him.

He nodded as he glanced at your suitcase before looking at you again. “What did you think of the shows?” He asked, obviously curious to know how I liked it.

You smiled a little. “I thought they were fantastic. I think I might be starting to understand all the hype about this Elvis Presley fellow.” You teased him.

He laughed, no longer in a nervous mood now that the shows had proven to be a raging success on all fronts. “They were pretty good, weren't they?” He smiled. “Sound was shit, but the fans looked pretty excited.” He conceded.

“It really wasn't that bad. I'm pretty sure you could sound good under any circumstance.” You pointed out as you walked past him and went back to packing up your things.

“Did ya get some good photos?” He asked as he peered over at the film in your bag.

“I think so, but I won’t know for sure until I get the film developed.” You said as you placed your used film into a pocket of your suitcase, zipping it closed. “There was a lot of press there. Maybe the Colonel won’t be too impressed by my work.” You smirked a bit, though secretly you were worried about how the photos turned out.

“Nah, you’ve got that magic touch, Minnie Mouse. I’m sure they look great.” He reassured me, smiling down at me before he looked around your room. “What kind of story does Mr Pierce plan on writing with all these pictures?” He asked curiously.

You raised an eyebrow at him. It had been the first time he had really asked about the project since you had met him at his Hillcrest home. “I’m not sure yet, but Pierce is a good writer. He’s not exactly interested in writing a hit piece on Elvis Presley if that’s what you’re concerned about.”

He pressed his lips together, not looking entirely convinced of Pierce’s motives, but he didn’t say anything. “Maybe you should write it.” He said as he turned back toward you.

Your eyes widened a bit. “Me?” You laughed nervously. “I’m not a writer, Elvis. I just take the photos, that’s it.”

He smirked a bit. “That’s too damn bad. I thought you were startin’ to know me pretty well.” He said as he walked over to me.

You tensed up a little, suddenly aware of how much closer he was standing next to you. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to give Pierce the cliffnotes.” You said, holding his gaze for a second before you quickly looked away. “So…are you staying in LA after this?” You asked casually.

He nodded, and you could see him still looking at you out of the corner of your eye. “Yeah, I’m takin’ a couple months off until the summer.”

“Oh. Good. I’m sure you need a break after all this. I know I would.” You said awkwardly, the small talk making the tension you felt between you and him even more uncomfortable. He nodded again, watching you carefully as you finished packing up your suitcase, zipping it closed and finally facing him after a long stretch of silence. “Um…is there something else you needed?” You finally asked.

“Minnie…” It was the first time he had really addressed you by your name without some kind of teasing nickname. Hearing him say it sent a shiver running down you back, your full focus on him as he suddenly took your hand in his. “I just wanted to say thank you for the other day. Before the show, I mean. You were very kind.”

You bit your lip for a second, your heartbeat racing in your chest as you looked up into his beautiful blue eyes. “Y-yeah, don’t mention it.” You said quietly.

He took a step closer toward you, and immediately alarm bells went off in your mind, yelling at you to push him away or say something to stop him, but for some reason you couldn’t seem to do anything. Your mind suddenly felt like gelatin, and all you could do was focus on his intense gaze and his soft lips which were definitely much closer than they had been just a moment ago.

Come on, Minn use your head! He’s married and right now he’s way too close.

Logic told you to listen to that small voice in the back of your mind, but in the moment it was much too quiet for you to hear.

And then it was too late to do anything.

His lips found yours, both tender and soft as his hand came up to cup your cheek. His touch was gentle, his fingertips caressing your skin while his pillowy soft lips completely enveloped yours in a kiss that left your knees feeling weak. You felt your eyes instinctively flutter close, and you leaned in, almost allowing yourself to kiss back despite all reason telling you not to. It was almost hypnotizing, which made no sense in your mind. It was just a kiss, and Elvis Presley or not, he was just a man. And yet your mind felt fuzzy and unfocused. All you could pay attention to was how warm his hand felt against your cheek or the way his lips seemed to fit perfectly with yours.

And hell if he wasn’t a damn good kisser.

You felt your hand drift up to his chest, gently resting over the collar of his shirt as your eyes opened just enough to take in the absolute beauty of his face. And then reality seemed to finally take hold when you felt his other hand rest against your waist. Quickly you pushed against his chest, breaking away from his lips before he could kiss anymore sense out of your mind.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” He asked, his eyes so sincere that you almost wondered if you were making a mistake.

Focus, Minn!

“Elvis…you’re married.” That’s all you could really think to say, refusing to acknowledge how the kiss made you feel or why he was even kissing you in the first place.

He frowned, suddenly looking annoyed. “You don’t understand, Minnie. It’s not like that.” He said defensively.

“Not like what?” You stared at him like he was absolutely crazy. “Elvis…I can’t do this. This is insane, you realize that right?” You shook your head, feeling flustered and confused, but mostly just embarrassed.

You’re just like everyone else.

You shook the thought from your mind as you quickly turned away from him. He seemed to sense your discomfort and hesitated at taking a step toward you. “Minnie…I didn’t mean to upset you.” He said carefully before you felt his hand around your wrist. You looked down, biting your lip before you forced yourself to look up at him. “I really like you. I like being with you.” He said softly.

You held his gaze for a moment. You knew he wasn't lying, but it didn't make things any less complicated. “Elvis…” You looked down.

Suddenly he cupped your chin in his hand, tilting your head up to look at him. “I want to see you again, Minnie. When we get back to LA, I’d like for you to come over to the house.” He said as he took your other hand in his, squeezing it gently.

You swallowed a bit, parting your lips to say something, but you didn't know what to say. How could you say no to Elvis Presley? It seemed impossible. Before you could attempt to respond, Elvis shook his head.

“Just think about it.” He told you, leaning in and pressing a feather light kiss to your cheek. He then pulled away, leaving you where you were standing as he walked to the door. “Goodnight, Minnie Mouse.” He flashed you one of his charming smiles and then he was gone.

You stared at the door as it closed behind him, leaving you to question whether or not any of that had just happened. But you knew from the warm sensation on your lips that it definitely did. You sunk down onto your bed, suddenly feeling this huge weight resting on your shoulders.

What the hell am I going to do?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Likes, comments, and reblogs are much appreciated! Let me know if you'd like to be added to the tag list ~

Taglist: @60svintage @moonchild-daniella @ken-kenzie-zie @presleyhearted @eapep @i-r-i-n-a-a @iloveelvis2

[bengiyo]

La Pluie Deserves a Standing Ovation

I hope y’all didn’t think I’d forgotten about this show after the finale. I was just traveling and have been too busy to write this final review.

La Pluie has been one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had as a viewer of TV ever. This show told us exactly what it was from the very opening scenes, and then spent the entire show paying that off. This show opened with an explanation about soulmates, and then immediately countered that with Tai’s parents’ divorce, the note that the pairing of people is ultra-rare, and a happy couple that wasn’t a soulmate pair in a café. Throughout the show it repeatedly stressed that love is about how we treat each other and not something you win via a lottery. It’s so rare these days that we get a show that trusts their audience this much to follow the thread and think about the big ideas along the way.

Doubt and Faith in Acts

One of my favorite things I observed in the show is that only Patts and Tien consistently make the kinds of choices that lead to long-term love without getting their asses handed to them. @shortpplfedup observed during her catch up that this story featured four different kinds of believers: an apostate, an agnostic, a believer, and an atheist. It’s notable that the apostate (Tai) and the atheist (Lomfon) are the ones causing the most harm to other people in the way they treat others.

Throughout the show, both Tai and Lomfon keep making standoffish choices. Tai has cut off his mom and avoids his coworkers. Lomfon is rude and standoffish. Neither of them is able to hold on to their loves because they are incapable of letting go of their own bullshit.

Conversely, Tien goes out of his way to take care of his brother, his family, and eventually Lomfon. I actually liked that Tai and Lomfon had to make opposite choices in the finale. Lomfon needed to show in his actions that he was serious about Tien, whereas Tai needed to show in his words that he was actually listening to what Patts had been asking for.

For Patts, he doesn’t believe that he and Saengtai are meant to be together because they’re connected by the rain. He does the work of caring for Tai because he is kind. He loves Tai because he’s Tai and not because he’s his soulmate. Patts stays present for Tai. He respects his boundaries. He tries to help Tai deal with his problems. He trusts him.

The Ambiguity

As a lapsed Catholic, I gotta say that I really love the way this show ended without fixing all of the soulmate stuff and giving concrete answers. I like that the show holds firm to its conviction that love is not ordained by the narrative; it is something built by people doing the work to be together. I love how this show challenged the notion of the narrative itself mandating the characters be together and instead reminded them (and us) to be present for our loved ones and to listen to their needs.

I think this show would have been weaker if Tai and Patts had restored their rain connection at the end. Besides, I think it gives them room to play with that idea if they get a second season. I also liked that Tien started hearing someone at the end of the season. He is a believer in soulmates, and I think it’ll be interesting to see someone as earnest as him face that challenge.

Releasing the Tension

Before I get to wrapping up, I want to reiterate again that this show has two plot-relevant blowjobs in it. So often these shows tease us and then don’t release the tension. Worse, when they do release the tension it doesn’t always feel like it’s something the characters lean into with their new dynamic.

After episode 5 ended, @ginnymoonbeam teased me for having a moment of panic that maybe I was misreading the show and that somehow Patts wasn’t into Saengtai because of how often I’ve been tricked or teased. Instead, these two end up making out on the floor and Patts was going to blow that man. Then, we don’t cut away from them. We watch them talk about what happened and why Tai is holding back.

Going further, they let Patts and Tai find peace and closure with Nara. Moreover, they treat Nara’s heartbreak seriously. She isn’t ejected from the group, and is allowed to be disappointed and sad about the loss. At the end of the show, they also confirm our suspicions about her and Dream.

It’s just incredible to have watched a show that didn’t rely on teasing us and instead treated the sex and intimacy seriously.

Thank You To Everyone Who Watched La Pluie

I cannot overstate how much joy I got from watching this show along with all of you. When @lurkingshan and I began writing earnestly around episode 4 in the hopes that more people would join us on this show, I did not expect so many of you to actually give it a try.

I think, if you have held off on watching this show because you’ve been waiting for confirmation about one plot point or another, just watch it if you’re still on the fence. When you do watch it, try to let go of what you think is supposed to happen or what you want to happen, and instead respond to what the show is giving you. This has been the most legible show at this caliber I’ve experienced since I Told Sunset About You (2020).

At no point did this show try to trick us about anything, and it trusts us to keep up and engage. This show is better when you lean in. It’s better when you discuss it with others. For a show so much about questioning belief, it is amazing how much this show rewards you for believing in it. I don’t know a better show this year.

I have a lot of folks I want to acknowledge here at the end, including but not limited to:

I want to thank @wanderlust-in-my-soul, @pharawee, and @liyazaki for letting me use their gifs in my posts.

I want to thank @lurkingshan and @ginnymoonbeam for being first through the door with me and committing to getting more folks to watch this show.

I want to thank @respectthepetty and @absolutebl for regularly sticking it out for shows and giving them an earnest watch through their lenses.

I want thank everyone else who contributed incredibly thoughtful writing to this experience, including @shortpplfedup, @syrena-del-mar, @neuroticbookworm, @wen-kexing-apologist, @chickenstrangers, @recentadultburnout, @williamrikers, @heretherebedork, @shouldiusemyname, @sunshinechay, @fadelikeclouds, @slayerkitty, @chinzhilla, @indigostarfire, @iguessitsjustme and @rocketturtle4

See you all in the next show!

[strawberrylollipop26-blog-blog]

Movie/Show Round UP

I haven't done one of these in awhile. As always, my thoughts are short and to the point. I don't go in depth. I'm not a professional reviewer, just my thoughts.

Under the cut there are reviews for Fly Me to the Moon, Inside/Out 2, Despicable Me 4, A Quiet Place: Day One, Dune Part 2, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, The Fall Guy, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Civil War, Madame Web, Argylle, Abigail and The Bikeriders. TV shows: Legend of Fei and Halloween Baking Championship.

Fly Me to the Moon: I saw this movie during a three show day at the theater. It was the middle movie and the biggest question mark. Turns out, the whole 'did they or didn't they' land on the moon theory was actually interesting. While I have zero interest in a rewatch, definitely worth attempting for first time viewers.

Inside/Out 2: This movie was exactly the same as the first. There's nothing new here except for possibly children experiencing new emotions. As an adult, I was bored.

Despicable Me 4: Cute. This film added nothing.

A Quiet Place: Day One: I thought it was nicely done. Still, didn't knock my socks off like the first one. My spouse wanted to know exactly how people learned to be quiet. I tried to tell him that they showed it in the second movie. He wanted more of a show. He was also annoyed that we know nothing about the aliens and it's the third movie. Slight spoiler, I wish we didn't know something about a certain character because it would've made the ending decision so much more impactful.

Dune: Part 2: Well, he tried to warn them about what would happen. I like the action that happens even though it all folds into a pretty box.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire: I barely remember this movie. It was sort of reminiscent of the previous one. A typical unite to defeat the super evil blah blah blah.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: Disturbing T!k T0ks regarding the leads aside, this movie was enjoyable. Although, I had no idea a new movie series was starting. There were quite the few holes left so I'd see the second one.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die: I saw this before the previous one so I was quite confused in certain parts. All in all it was enjoyable. There are some funny moments. I've had the urge to watch again.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire: I haven't seen this in awhile. From what I remember there's a side character hero in here that's pretty funny. Pretty textbook, you know what's going to happen before it does.

The Fall Guy: I've heard people talking about this one and disliking it. I thought the whole purpose was to have an outrageous fun movie showing crazy stunts the doubles do. Is it the best movie? No, but if you like action it's worth a watch.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga: I'm an action girl. I highly valued the first Mad Max. This movie is obviously character based therefore slower to catch the stages of development (it's even told in chapters). I was bored. All the story shows in the normal character faced adversity, lived a hard life, finally goes for their revenge. Zero interest in a rewatch. I'll turn on the first one again.

Civil War: A weird movie full of numerous holes. A waste of my time.

Madame Web: I thought it was okay even though this movie was review bombed. There's nothing special about it, but it's not the worst movie that people complained about. Then again, to each their own.

Argylle: Another movie that was review bombed. I also guessed the likely story in this one. I think this movie suffers mostly from trying to be too many things. It goes for serious, yet wild and fun, yet logical. I think if the movie with the effects stayed 'out there' then people would've found it more enjoyable. Maybe.

Sidenote: My husband is always surprised that me (comedy hater) loves Rat Race and Joe Dirt. My response is always the same. Both movies are unapologetically insane. They don't take themselves seriously at all. I think Argylle should've done this as they had moments before deciding to become a serious spy movie.

The Bikeriders: First of all there's a narrator to this movie. Threw me off a bit at first, I normally don't watch those type of movies because i feel it leaves off clues. The movie's okay. Practically a drama in a bikerider setting. There isn't much mystery so another one that's easy to read.

Abigail: I enjoyed this movie until the ending. Not much I can say without spoiling.

Legend of Fei: I finally finished this show. Took me forever as it has good episodes, and others I cared less for (admittedly skipped scenes). Some characters were so annoying. Thankfully, Fei stopped passing out which was killing me. Xie Yun is my absolute fave. I might be biased, but all his scenes were so much fun except for the ones where he's sick :( . I've read reviews where people say they can watch this repeatedly, I'm not one of them. One and done. Sort of reminded me of WoH main storyline.

Sidenote: I love the one scene where he's reminiscing the past in his dreams and he no longer has money. The way this man kept opening up his pouch and dumping it over to make sure there were no coins. So relatable in my younger days.

Halloween Baking Championship: An era has come to an end or at least caught up in the seasons. I really like this cooking show. I hope people have some out of the box creations in the new year coming up.

[just-prime]

I'm not sure if you've been watching The Acolyte, but my critically high levels of sodium over the Ahsoka series have returned with the revelation that Rosario must have fought Lucasfilm over fight/lightsaber training stipulating in her contract.

Manny Jacinto, who came to the role with a black belt in Tae Kwon Do trained for four months for his fight scenes before filming. Rosario repeatedly said in interviews that she trained for two hours a day while filming, and it was clear that she thought this was a lot.

I tried to write it off last year. Budget and time constraints, George Lucas overspent and Disney is doing things differently, the prequel era is dead-

No.

No, this is not the case.

Prequel era love and care in the arena of bringing characters who are expert sword wielders and martial artists to life is alive and well at Lucasfilm.

Daphne Keen fights like Ahsoka plucked from the middle of the Clone Wars and brought to life. Dean Charles Chapman's saberwork is a beautiful hybrid of Obi-wan and Anakin with lightning fast, graceful Soresu and saber spins, lightsabers are deadly once more and used in ways we haven't seen outside of animation and video games, and characters far, far older than 11 ABY Ahsoka have kinetic, energetic choreography because a 42 year old Jedi is nowhere near over the hill, and I'm done with being gaslit about her age.

There are many issues with this show, yes, but there are no cameos (save for one blink and you miss it), no name dropping to make the audience tear up and feel something based on the hard work of previous content. Nuggets are plucked from the EU and made fresh, like the delightful and creative use of cortosis. New force worshipping sects with their own beliefs are brought to life without being the Nightsisters. The galaxy feels large again.

It's everything Ahsoka wasn't and shows just how soulless an effort that show was. Ironically this is the show that's getting raked over the coals while nearly all criticism of Ahsoka was met with dismissal despite the show being desperately mediocre.

If you had asked me to go in without behind the scenes knowledge and tell you if Filoni or Headland was the one new to Star Wars and who was approaching this effort with genuine love of the material and passion for world building and adventure, it wouldn't be the guy who was recently made Creative Director.

I'm sorry for once again paragliding into your inbox (yes, this is the salty anon from last summer lol), especially if you aren't interested in The Acolyte, but it just sheds so much light on everything wrong with Ahsoka and how valid our criticisms were. Salt doesn't have an expiration date, so I hope this is a little bit of vindication!

Hello, hello! Hang up your paraglider, you're always welcome in my ask box.

I have been watching the Acolyte! I'll admit, I saved off answering this until the final ep had come out so that if there were any more cool fight scenes, they were not missed in my response.

Thoughts I had Pre Finale

All in all I agree completely.

While flawed (personally I feel like the acting on Osha and Mea is the weakest part of the show as a whole, as well as the fact that this very much felt like a movie idea stretched into a tv show) the Acolyte has been legions better than the previous slop that Disney Star Wars has put out recently. You know why? Because I had fucking fun watching it. Sure, afterwards I'd usually say something along the lines of 'wow the pacing is a bit weird' but all in all? Actively enjoyable. It never made me angrily close the D+ tab mid episode.

It's also been a facinating litmus test for what people are able to be chill about Star Wars and which ones are not able to handle it. The amount of reviewers and reactors whom I previously had massive respect for who just are acting like utter tools is really getting on my nerves.

Because in sooooo many ways this has been exactly what people have been asking for. A new perspective, with new ideas that isn't just focused on the Skywalker saga. And on top of that, holy fuck the fights are glorious. You are absolutely right, both Dafne Keen's and Tommon's fights prove just how well you can have lightsaber skills look from a single person, as well as the Wookie fight showing off some truly impressive choreo between the three.

And then you have Manny Jacinto...hello ARMS

The man is by far the standout joy of the series (followed closely by Sol) as the man just oozes charisma. His big fight against everyone was brutal and I'm glad to see that lightsabers are once again deadly in the Star Wars universe. Watching him mow through a legion of Jedi was so incredibly satisfying to watch, and again he is just knocking it out of the park with the choreo. LOVE the way that they've introduced cortosis into live action, especially in a fighting style. Headbutting a lightsaber was fucking amazing to witness. Though it's actually not the first time that it's appeared in Canon star wars, as it appears in the second canon Thrawn book, Thrawn : Alliances!

The exploration of the Dark Side is being done in such an interesting way, because none of the practitioners we've seen would self identify as 'dark side users' at all. Because sure, you have Manny Jacinto who is out being evil because the Jedi were going to label him as dark side either way so he might as well defend himself, for him it's just the way he connects with the Force. But you also have the witches, who's mind infiltration is certainly Dark Side, but are just out here living their best witchy lives. They live by their Thread, regardless of what the Jedi would call it.

As always, also the "the jedi need to be the coolest and the morally purest people in the whole wide world" people are having hissy fits, which is just like...no? Stop being allergic to nuance? We've seen time and time again how the Jedi were in fact a child taking cult (yes, yes they are, if you disagree i'd recommend going and rewatching TPM which spells it out pretty clearly) usually we've just been on the Jedi's POV so it seems justified. The Sol flashback episode I think shows off this mentality very well. He had good intentions, sure, but all in all, he wants to take and even Trinity calls him on it. It's a fascinating examination of what decades later would lead Anakin down a path of desperation.

Speaking of Anakin...People getting suuuuuper protective over Anakin's super special status as 'the chosen one' was also rather surreal to witness. Personally, I don't see how this invalidates his 'the chosen one' in the first place? But people were definitely scraping the bottom of the barrel for things to complain about, as opposed to offering actually constructive criticism, of which there are plenty of options.

Thoughts I had Post Finale

All in all, nothing really changed for me, as usual, the pacing was absolutely fucked and the action was absolutely incredible, and in the end, I enjoyed the experience of watching it.

I certainly appreciate seeing more of the Jedi actively covering shit up, both in little ways as well in big ways.

Also *waves* Hi Plagueis!

My main little gripe

I really don't get why they needed to actively tie Mr. Darth Hotpants over here to Venesta specifically? I get the want to connect him to an established character, it just rang a little hollow for me. I think I'd have preferred it if he was just a rando youngling who never even got to being a Padawan cuz the Jedi kept trying to basically de-dark side him ala grade schools punishing for being left handed. Donno, I just think that would have been a bit more compelling.

My main BIG gripe

Why...THE FUCK...did they split up??? They burned waaaay more time having their little heart to heart then had it been all three of them fucking booking it to the ship. I just don't get it. I don't get why Mae or Osha would want to leave each other again, and I don't get why Manny Jacinto would willingly give up an additional fighter. I get the whole "There can only be two" bit, but A) Plagueis is already there on the island, so Osha makes it three and B) Osha's probably going to be more motivated with a little living reminder of the Jedi's lies being right there and present and C) Osha and Mae are both so fucking powerful why would anyone just let one half of the pair walk away????

It just didn't fit with any of the character's previous actions so it annoys me.

Kinda ended as I began, relatively neutral on it all. Think if pressed would give it a 6/10 just because the action was SO FUCKING GOOD, otherwise it would probably be lower due to the rather painful pacing issues and the meh acting on display from Amandla Stenberg which was just such a huge shame cuz I know she's got more range than this.

Mainly, I just really really hope future shows take from this just how good lightsaber combat can be when you have properly trained performers. THIS should be the standards, and it's painful that its not.

As always thank you for dropping into my ask box! You always give me so much to work with it's a joy to respond :D

[mirageofadesert]

Looking back on my first year as a c-drama fan!

This year I fell - first down a flight of stairs - and then (because I couldn't walk properly for a few weeks) down a rabbit hole of cdramas!

In total, I have watched 28 dramas since May. I actually finished 17 of them. I re-watched 8 of them at least once. My most rewatched show is Till The End Of The Moon, followed by Love Is Sweet and The Untamed!

Shows I loved

Till The End of The Moon: This drama triggered my hyperfixation, and I still love it so much. Tantai Jin became my new obsession.

Love is Sweet: This one surprised me because I don't usually care for romantic dramas. It made me more open to different genres.

The Untamed: I watched this for the first time in 2019, and now I can appreciate it even more.

The Sleuth of Ming Dynasties: It took me several tries to get into the drama because the political setting was too complicated. I'm glad I didn't give up. Wang Zhi became one of my favorites!

New Life Begins: I was just looking for something light in between and was quite surprised how much I liked the show.

Things I learned as a newbie:

Cdramas are an acquired taste. Sometimes it's worth going back to a drama that you initially gave up on.

To avoid spoilers, it's best to skip the intro and especially the outro.

I love my characters unhinged.

Apparently it is okay to share leaks from filming.

Never believe anything that comes from yxh accounts.

Shippers are toxic in any fandom.

C-drama fans are a bit older than K-pop fans, but they can be just as unhinged and have trouble distinguishing between how to treat actors and the fictional characters they play.

My ADHD is better regulated when I watch shows in a foreign language while reading the subtitles. I don't get bored watching TV, which is rare!

Shows I dropped, and what I learned from it:

Hidden Love: I still don't like romances that have no significant plot beyond the relationship. Especially if I don't care about the characters at all.

Back from the Brink: Sometimes dramas that start well become an unwatchable, rage-inducing mess halfway through, and it's not worth sticking it out to the end.

Beauty of Resilience: I'm a character-driven audience. If the characters aren't compelling and the story isn't interesting, I don't care about the show.

Ashes of Love: I hate childish FL with baby voices and naive personalities. I need better written female characters. I'm on my 3rd attempt to watch this show and I only have a handful of episodes left, so I'll actually make it to the end (eventually).

I've dropped a lot more shows and actually watched some to the end that I didn't like very much in the end, but those are the ones I learned the most from.

What will stay with me:

Tantai Jin: I'm still obsessed with this character. He is everything I need in a fictional character.

Luo Yunxi: This will come as no surprise to anyone who follows me, but my obsession with TTJ soon extended to Luo Yunxi.

Bai Lu & Sun Zhenni: While I appreciate both of them as actors, it's their fun and uninhibited personalities that made me fall in love with them!!

Costumes: I adore the detailed costumes and hanfu styles, and do prefer costume dramas to modern ones.

Food & drinks: I'm now looking into more Chinese foot now and how to cook vegetables in more interesting ways. I also bought "moon cake stamps"... so wish me luck!

New online acquaintances: I have made some new friends online who I can fangirl with to my heart's content!

What I'm looking forward to in 2024:

I'm really looking forward to Luo Yunxi's upcoming dramas, Follow You Heart, Shui Long Yin and Immortality (🤡). I'm also looking forward to Sun Zhenni's first leading role!

There are still many dramas I want to watch, but haven't found the time for. Like A Journey to Love, Goodbye, My Princess, Nirvana in Fire, Then Miles of Peach Blossoms and The Blood of Youth.

I'm not sure what else I'll post here next year. Probably more reviews and content related to my favourite actors. Let's see if something triggers my hyperfixation soon!

Happy New Year!

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Thursday, January 30

Buffy: Everyday Woman? Joyce: Mm-hm. There's the receipt. Buffy: Why didn't you just go to Muu-Muus R Us? Joyce: Do now, make fun of your mother later.

~~Bad Eggs~~

The Sunnydale Herald is looking for at least one new editor. Contributing to the Herald is a great way to get your Buffy on! Find out more here.

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Dom Xander (Xander/Anya, M) by danu40k

Light (Angel/Cordelia, M) by MarlaHectic

A Change of Scenery (Buffy/Angelus, NR) by Nymue

Adventures in Bath (Buffy/Angelus, NR) by Nymue

Triptych (Buffy/Angelus, Angelus/William, NR) by Nymue

Further Adventures in Bath (Buffy/Angelus, Angelus/William, NR) by Nymue

Promise me this, That you'll stand by me forever (Buffy/Faith, G) by Cumultus9

Mrs Giles (Giles/Reader, SFW) by reginaphalangelobster125

[Chaptered Fiction]

Loop, Chapter 9 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by simmony

Animal I Have Become, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by CheekyKitten

Perfect Clarity, Chapter 23 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Joan963z and Ragini

OSP meet IWC, Chapter 3 (Crossover with NCIS, FR18) by Yorkie

Waiting for You, Chapter 36 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by honeygirl51885

Overture, Chapter 5 (Buffy/Spike, R) by simmony

Ripples, Chapter 23 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by violettathepiratequeen

Xmas in the Air Is the Love We Share, Chapter 9 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by VeroNyxK84

Vampire Whxre, Chapter 7 (Buffy/Spike, AO) by ClowniestLivEver

[Images, Audio & Video]

Cosplay:Buffy cosplay by Skelekate_creates

Itabag:Updated the spuffy itabag! by angelic-chu

Artwork:“… you’re a hell of a woman. You’re the one Buffy.” by petridishbabydesigns

Artwork:Back with another btvs manga style sketch, this time featuring Dawn and my second favourite character dynamic - Dawn & Spike by djmanemihi

Moodboard:moodboard: tara x willow by courtillyy

Gifset:BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER REWATCH -> Homecoming (3.05) by laufeysons

Gifset:FAITH LEHANE in BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER 3.13 THE ZEPPO by 5bi5

Video: Buffy The Vampire Slayer | Season 4 Epic Cinematic Recap | Toxic by Up The Buff!

Video: Buffy The Vampire Slayer WB Bumper November 10,1998 by Tracy G. Jackson TV

Video: Buffy Summers & Faith Lehane | Taste - Sabrina Carpenter | BTVS by Buffeh

[Reviews & Recaps]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer 6x5 & 6x6 REACTION | "Life Serial" & "All the Way" by The Horror Bandwagon

First Time Watching Buffy The Vampire Slayer "ANNE" S3E1 (REACTION!!!) by JerBear Reacts

Buffy The Vampire Slayer 5x5 REACTION | No Place Like Home by George Alexander

Buffy The Vampire Slayer S4 EP20 (Reaction) by CLC Reacts

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 3 Episode 19 - Choices by Sh*t 90s Shows Taught Me

[Fandom Discussions]

there is something so “eve tasting the forbidden fruit” about spike getting his soul back. by lesbianmarrow

You know, rewatching S2 as an adult, I don't... get everyone's (as in the characters') vilification of Jenny? by sparklyfaerie

Sometimes I see people claim Faith tried to help the Mayor end the world, but ... she didn't? by coraniaid

why did giles never just. talk. to buffy. [About the Angel age gap vs Angel is a vampire] by camellcat

The thing that always hits me about season 5 is like... Buffy is just so fucking tired. by firelxdykatara

Is it weird that season 6 didn't touch on Dawn's existence by multiple authors

Angel 1x19 Hot Take by multiple authors

Comedy Gold by multiple authors

What if Buffy had been told that Angel had died? by multiple authors

Spike's Character Development by multiple authors

sanctuary buffy by multiple authors

Azura Dawn Storozynski / Azura Skye (Cassie Newton) had so much magnetism as an innocent, kind, broody, teenager.... and then when she played the first she was just even better playing evil. What did you think? by multiple authors

The more I think about it… by multiple authors

The Annointed One by multiple authors

Empty Places by multiple authors

Cordelia's Hair in Angel by multiple authors

A hole in the world. by multiple authors

Despite how difficult you may find it, what are some Buffyverse takes or topics that you tend to just "agree to disagree" on? by multiple authors

I’ve got a theory (about Spike) by multiple authors

Do you think Willow would have tried to heal Buffy after she got shot if Tara hadn’t just died? by multiple authors

Who wanted more Spike/William poetry? by multiple authors

Hypothetically by multiple authors

anyone else find this extremely satisfying by multiple authors

Julie Benz - podcast interview by multiple authors

Why does Jasmine look like...that? by multiple authors

Did Oz kill the girl that appeared to Buffy in "Lessons"? by multiple authors

The role of dreams in Buffy — Amends and…? by multiple authors

How in character was it for every member of team Angel to join Wolfram & Hart gladly and/or without qualms? by multiple authors

watching this ep for the first time.... by multiple authors

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[whitestopper]

Bisexual media

Note: This should not be taken as a declaration of quality or my personal likings - I haven’t consumed all the media below. Not all of the shows focus on a bi protagonist but all do have at least one bi main character; a summary of main initial plot is provided. I will edit this post with updates intermittently.

TV Series

The Bisexual (2018) - Leila explores her attraction to men after identifying as a lesbian alongside her girlfriend and friends for the past decade, while her new roommate tries to get a grip on his relationship with a younger woman.

Black Mirror’s San Junipero - Yorkie meets Kelly in the strange setting of San Junipero. What’s the deal with this place, and what can make them stay?

Bob and Rose - Bob is gay. Rose has a boyfriend. Can I make it any more obvious? (I can - they find that they’re attracted to each other and deal with the implications and expectations of that.)

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - Rebecca pursues her ex-boyfriend in the hopes of finding happiness. With a drastic move to West Covina, will she learn what happy feels like?

Cucumber - Henry’s life is upturned in one evening, then another, and then some more, while boyfriend Lance and new acquaintance Freddie come to terms with the present and the past.

Everything Now - Newly out of recovery from anorexia, Y11 student Mia is determined to complete her bucket list and be seen as normal.

Feel Good - Mae and Charlotte navigate a relationship challenged by Mae's drug addiction and Charlotte's new sexual discovery.

High Fidelity - Young record store owner Rob revisits her past relationships in order to sort out her singledom.

Kieta Hatsukoi - Aoki lies about having feelings for classmate Ida to protect the feelings of his crush Hashimoto. But misunderstandings and revelations cause a hullabaloo.

Orange Is The New Black - Piper is a 30-something year old who carried a suitcase of her ex-girlfriend's drug money. Once. A decade ago. And now she's been sentenced to 15 months in jail because of it.

Torchwood - this Doctor Who spin-off features a collection of characters solving alien crimes.

Movies

Appropriate Behaviour - Brooklyn dweller Shirin deals with her ex-girlfriend, family expectations, job struggles and more.

The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant - in one of the few films with an all-female cast, the titular fashion designer navigates her relationships with her family, her live-in servant, and her cousin's attractive acquaintance.

City of Lost Souls - a German musical exploring the experiences of LGBT people, black people, Jewish people and immigrants in post-WW2 Berlin.

Disobedience - Ronit returns to her old Orthodox Jewish community after her father passes away, having been shunned for not adhering to cultural expectations.

Je, Tu, Il, Elle - A woman struggles in dealing with her break-up.

Shiva Baby - While at a Jewish funeral service with her family and community, college student Danielle navigates an awkward situation with her sugar daddy and her ex-girlfriend.

Books

@the-bi-library has an extensive collection of books, with specific collections based on genre, romantic endgame, intersecting identities (ie. protagonists of colour or disabled protagonists), etc.

The Literary Bisexual offers a smaller but thoroughly-reviewed collection of books from around the world.

I also recommend winners/noted entries for the Lambda Literary Award's Bisexual categories - there are other categories not specific to identity for which bisexual books can be nominated.

Fiction

You Could Be So Pretty (Holly Bourne) - In a world not too unlike our own, where girls and women can be Pretties or Objectionables, what will schoolgirls Belle and Joni make of their lives under the Doctrine after an incident brings them together?

Your Driver Is Waiting (Priya Guns) - Damani, a RideShare driver, falls hard for a white upper-class girl, but she's been grieving her father, caring for her mother and dealing with the ever-growing tension from protesters across the city. When Jolene acts with massive consequences, what will Damani be pushed to do for herself and her community?

Natural Beauty (Ling Ling Huang) - Our protagonist, a former piano prodigy, has had to abandon her potential in order to provide for her parents following a car crash. A job at a famous salon seems to fall into her lap as the solution, but there's always a price to pay for beauty.

Non-fiction

In The Dream House (Carmen Maria Machado) - Machado goes through her volatile relationship with The Woman From The Dreamhouse, intercut with musings on pop culture and history.

Strong Female Character (Fern Brady) - famous in British comedy circles, this autobiography follows Brady's life growing up in Scotland as an autistic woman.

You're Embarrassing Yourself (Desiree Akhavan) - from the Creator of The Bisexual and Appropriate Behaviour, this autobiography covers Akhavan's life as a bisexual Iranian in America.

Bisexuality research/history/essays

Bi Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak Out

Bi: Notes for a Bisexual Revolution

Bi: The Hidden Culture, History and Science of Bisexuality

The Bi-ble Volumes 1 and 2

Claiming the B in LGBT - Illuminating the Bisexual Narrative

Go the Way Your Blood Beats - On Truth, Bisexuality and Desire

A History of Bisexuality

Purple Prose - Bisexuality in Britain

Music (This is for songs which are outright bisexual, not just songs inspired by bi experiences or by bi artists. Also, no Sweater Weather.)

Alicia Champion - Bi

Amber Fornoles - A Very Bisexual Song

Ana Carolina - Homens e Mulheres

Ani DiFranco- In or Out

Anne Marie - Perfect to Me

Bali Bandits - Girls & Boys

Book Of Love - Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls

Cariño - Bisexual

Chappell Roan - After Midnight

Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight

Delli Boe - Bisexual Problems, Bisexual Problems 2

Demi Lovato - The Kind Of Lover I Am

dodie - In The Middle

Domo Wilson - Becoming Myself, Bi Pride, Bisexual Anthem

Halsey - Alanis' Interlude, Bad At Love

HOUSE OF SAY - Boys Girls

Janet Jackson - Tonight's The Night

Jão - Meninos e Meninas

Jesse - Girls & Boys

Jessie Paege, Lucy & La Mer - Not a Phase

King Kitty - Bisexual

Mad Tsai - Boy Bi

Megan Thee Stallion - Captain Hook

MIKA - Billy Brown, Blame It On The Girls

Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky, She's Not Him

Missy Higgins - Scar

Mitski - Cop Car

Peaches - I U She

Peter Allen - Bi-Coastal

Poppy - Girls In Bikinis

Torrey Mercer - Boys / Girls

The Veronicas - Take Me On The Floor

will.i.am, Pia Mia - Boys & Girls

Ysa Ferrer - To bi or not to bi

[gingersnapwolves]

Kouri’s year in review, a thing I’ve always done and definitely didn’t make up out of nowhere in an attempt to do an autopsy of how I watched so much fucking TV this year and didn’t end up with a new hyperfixation despite my best efforts.

All ratings are based solely on my personal opinion of these shows, I'm not a licensed critic and I don't even play one on TV. Shows listed in no particular order. Shows with an asterisk have a canon LGBT character, two asterisks indicate an onscreen, confirmed, reciprocal LGBT relationship. These are not shows that necessarily came out in 2024, only shows I watched (or tried to watch) in 2024.

tl;dr favorite show I watched this year: The Double, favorite BL pairing this year: Ruan Lanzhu/Ling Jiushu from The Spirealm, favorite character of the year: Ai Di from Kiseki: Dear to Me, shows I felt an urge to create fanfic for: somehow zero. Send help.

Reset - C-drama - a show I watched on a whim after seeing it referenced, like, once, somewhere on tumblr. Time loop bus explosion! Actually quite good. I’m not normally a huge fan of time loops but this one was very well done and more of a murder mystery that they were solving as the murders took place. Interesting characters (the cat apostle owns my whole heart even if I don’t remember his name) and fairly well paced. The leads were cute together. 8/10.

*Ready Set Love - Thai Drama - dystopian fic where there are hardly any men in the world and women compete to marry them on a live dating show. Really interesting concept but fell a little flat when it came to exploring the implications of said concept. Likable characters and fun to watch. 7/10.

**Love Sea - Thai Drama - two guys meet on an island and fuck about it. //sigh// I’m sorry but this show was just. Bad. FortPeat’s chemistry carried this whole thing and made it watchable but that doesn’t make up for the fact that it was poorly written, poorly paced, had inconsistent characterization, and the villain honestly made no sense. Is he a diabolical sociopath or is he just a fucking loser? He cannot be both. 4/10 and at least two of those points are awarded to Fort and Peat for just being so much fun to watch.

The Double - c-drama - this was hands down the best show I watched this year. Imperial era political intrigue thriller plus romance. Interesting characters and amazing chemistry from the two leads. Great villains. Probably my only complaint about this show (beyond the last 10 minutes pulling a weird ending out of nowhere) was how obsessed it was with facial close-ups. I mean, I get it, they were trying to do something there, but it felt so weird to me haha. Anyway 8.5/10.

*Dead Boy Detectives - American - exactly what it says on the label; dead boys are detectives. This was a fun little show. Great characters and interesting mysteries. I’m really sad it won’t get a season two even though I completely understand and support why. What the fuck was up with that guy in the whale? Was he God? 7.5/10.

Oh No! Here Comes Trouble - Taiwanese drama - teenager with survivor’s guilt gets supernatural powers and wishes they would leave him alone. A fun romp. I really liked the fact that he wasn’t dealing with ‘ghosts’ but with supernatural manifestations of people’s obsessive emotions. It put an interesting spin on the genre. Would love a season two of this one. 8/10.

The Spirealm - c-drama - Video game that kills people who play it! Very gay even though it’s not allowed to be explicitly gay. Loved the first half. Each world was interesting, the characters were super fun. It started to lose me when main characters started dying off and then really unraveled at the end. I still literally have no idea what happened in the last episode LOL. First 26 episodes get 8.5/10, remainder gets 5/10. Make of that what you will.

**Kiseki: Dear to Me - Taiwanese drama - You know what, I’m not sure how to summarize this show because it couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a rom-com or a drama/thriller and so in the end, did not do a great job being either. Good characters but what even was happening? And by ‘good characters’ I mainly mean ‘Ai Di, a terrible little feral gremlin, is hilariously awesome, and everyone else was just kind of there’. 6/10 plus a point just for Ai Di comes out to 7/10.

**Only Friends - Thai drama - a group of college friends are messy bitches for 12 episodes. If you enjoy characters being messy bitches, you will like this show! I have to be honest, I watched it for FirstKhao and disliked both the other major pairings (and honestly, only Khao could have made Ray a tolerable character, in a lesser actor’s hands I would have hated him too). The abridged version which is basically just their characters gets about a 7/10 from me. Everything else is 3/10.

Mysterious Lotus Casebook - c-drama - unhinged trio wanders the jianghu solving crimes. Oh man, I really wanted to love this show. I wanted it to be my new hyperfixation. And I did enjoy it very much, particularly Fang Duobing, who’s my blorbo. But I couldn’t make heads or tails out of a lot of the mysteries, and most of them were ‘solved’ just by Li Lianhua explaining a bunch of stuff the audience couldn’t have known. It was a well-put-together show but for some reason it just didn’t grab me. 8/10.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians - American - I forgot that I had watched this so uhhhhh make of that what you will. To be fair, I’m probably not the target audience. It was cute but I don’t have much else to say about it. 6/10 but again, not the target audience.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead - Anime - man with terrible job wakes up in the zombie apocalypse and decides to live life to the fullest until he gets zombified. Cute and surprisingly emotional at points despite being kind of silly on the face of it. Will definitely watch season 2. 8/10

SHOWS I DID NOT FINISH

The Good Detective - K-drama - I was enjoying it but realized it was going to piss me off if [spoiler] happened so I spoiled myself and stopped watching. Sorry but I don’t vibe with shows that revolve around preventing a certain unjust event but then have that unjust event happen. Major bummer.

**Meet You at the Blossom - Thai/Chinese drama - couldn’t get past episode 4. The two main characters were just really obnoxious in my personal opinion. I love a himbo but found JXB to be less ‘himbo’ and more ‘purposefully oblivious because that let him get what he wanted’ which typically made life difficult for everyone around him. The other character whose name I don’t remember was like, what if tsundere managed to be uninteresting.

**PitBabe - Thai drama - Affectionately, what the fuck was this show. I can handle weirdness, but this show was just . . . kind of fucking stupid lmao. Could not finish and from what I’ve seen about the show since, I’m glad I quit when I did.

[archoneddzs15]

My review of Sonic x Shadow Dark Beginnings (all 3 episodes!)

When Anime Expo 2024 took place sometime around July 6th, 2024, Sega took to the rings to showcase their big plans surrounding the upcoming Sonic x Shadow Generations projects, namely the Dark Beginnings prologue animation. Needless to say, fans were very excited, and so was I, I have to admit. They spent the first 30 minutes giving some new fans an explainer regarding Shadow's fragmented backstory, and then it was time to turn the lights on to unveil the teaser trailer for Sonic x Shadow Dark Beginnings. This is the exact same trailer that was then uploaded to YouTube on the official Sonic channel though the version uploaded on the official Sonic channel is actually full-screen and viewers can see more of the animation without all this close-up stuff.

Months went by, and the 4th edition of Sonic Central was broadcast to the world. Among the sea of merchandise announcement from the likes of First4Figures and LEGO and so on, they showed even more animation in the form of a brand-new trailer showcasing to fans what to expect during that time. It was confirmed that the animation would be split into three episodes and thank God it was not spent on filler crap like Disney Marvel would do for utter shit like Echo or Moon Knight or the countless mountains of shit that would air on Japanese TV, especially those endless samurai dramas. Each episode was less than 10 minutes long. Short and sweet.

Well, with all 3 episodes satisfying quite the majority of Sonic fans around the world, and the new Sonic X Shadow Generations game breaking over 1 million copies on release day (October 25, 2024), were they absolutely worth it? Let's find out.

All descriptions for the plot are taken from Sonic News Network, but I'll save my thoughts in the conclusion portion of this article.

EPISODE 1: SHADOW AND MARIA

Episode 1 starts on the Space Colony ARK, fifty years ago. Maria runs down a hallway with Shadow in hand, eager to show him something. When they arrive, Shadow, concerned, asks her what’s wrong. Maria smiles and assures him that everything’s fine, gesturing to the breathtaking view of the northern lights (Maria refers this through the galactic name of Aurora Borealis, which is so profound you will see it on every desktop wallpaper out there). However, just as Shadow begins to relax, Maria suddenly collapses, and Shadow catches her in his arms.

Shadow gently reminds her that the colony's low gravity only keeps her condition in remission and that she shouldn’t overexert herself. Maria nods, understanding, but admits that she can’t help it; the beauty of Earth always stirs something in her, and she looks forward to returning to it one day. Shadow, however, is unsure as he’s not sure if there’s a place for him on Earth. He’s frustrated that despite being designed as the Ultimate Lifeform, created to cure Maria’s Neuro-Immune Deficiency Syndrome (NIDS), they’ve made no progress. Sensing his distress, Maria pulls him into a gentle hug, reassuring him that they’re doing their best and that, for her, spending time with him is enough.

Suddenly, an explosion echoes through the ARK as Emerl (from Sonic Battle) breaches containment. Panicked, Maria pleads with Shadow to go and save her grandfather, as she notices that Emerl is headed for his lab. Though shaken by a dark premonition of the future G.U.N. raid, Shadow reassures her, promising to rescue the professor. He tells her to stay back while he handles the situation.

Shadow rushes to the scene and finds Emerl gripping Professor Gerald by the lab coat. A brief struggle ensues, with Shadow and Emerl exchanging rapid punches and kicks; the Gizoid copies and counters nearly every move of Shadow's, including his Spin Attack when he tries using it. Shadow finally manages to find an opening and delivers a powerful punch to Emerl, but when the blow lands, reality itself cracks, and then shatters around him like glass, which is when he begins to realize that something is off about what he's remembering. Suddenly, he finds himself elsewhere on the ARK looking down on G.U.N. spaceships approaching the colony, a soldier announcing their intent to board; Shadow knows this is the prelude to the G.U.N. raid where they killed nearly everyone onboard to erase all evidence of the ARK's experiments, but he notes that it’s occurring too soon, as if time itself is unraveling.

A rumble is then heard as the ARK suddenly tilts, and Shadow begins to slide as the station lurches to one side. Once again, as he smashes into the window overlooking the G.U.N. ships, reality fractures like glass, and Shadow tumbles through the darkness only to find himself landing in Professor Gerald's prison cell, scrawled with the scientist's mad scribblings. The professor himself sits silently at its center as the light above him sways back and forth. Shadow experiences another series of disorienting flashes and horrific visions of Gerald's execution by G.U.N. soldiers as he approaches, intent on getting his creator out, but the professor suddenly teleports further back with the room seemingly warping into a long hallway. Determined, Shadow chases after him, only to be thrust into a black void filled with crimson lightning and floating debris. Amid this chaos, Shadow sees a vision of Maria being shot. Her final words to him echo in his mind: “Remember!” As Shadow continues his endless descent, the clouds form an ominous, three-eyed figure (you know who, Black Doom) who reaches out to him with clawed, three-fingered hands.

In a flash, Shadow jolts awake in the present day on a cliffside, clutching the yellow Chaos Emerald. Gasping for breath, he fires a blast at a nearby tree, realizing that everything he’d experienced was just a nightmare. As the dust settles, he looks up to the sky, seeing the shattered moon. He mentally comments on how this was no ordinary nightmare as he turns his gaze to the distant ARK leering back down at him, wondering if "he" (again, Black Doom) could have survived. Which proceeds to...

EPISODE 2: FINDING THE WAY

Determining that he needs answers after this unnerving event, Shadow rushes off, and this episode picks up. We go back 50 years into the timeline where Maria is seen walking down a hallway, about to enter a room, when suddenly a boy named Abe (who grows up to be GUN Commander Abraham Tower) runs past her, shouting for her to keep that "freak" (Shadow) away from him. Briefly annoyed at Abe for his rudeness, Maria steps into the room and finds Shadow staring at a container holding a Death Leech. Concerned, she asks if he's alright. Shadow, with a heavy tone, replies that he is, but admits that he was created by Professor Gerald using the Black Arms' DNA, the same DNA as the "disgusting, heartless" larva inside the container. Though he may look like a hedgehog, he says, in reality, he’s no different from that creature. Maria responds by hugging Shadow, reassuring him that what he's feeling isn't the truth. She tells him he has a big heart, and though it may be difficult for him to show it, she knows deep down that he genuinely cares about her and everyone else. Unbeknownst to them, Abe watches from the window of the door, conflicted at first but then glancing back down at the floor with a hateful look, giving back into his dislike of Shadow and his nature. Maria comforts Shadow further, telling him that while he may be struggling to find answers now, she's confident that one day he will, and that he'll also find more people he can trust.

The scene fades to the present day, where Shadow is launching an assault on several of Eggman's samurai armor-clad Egg Pawns at Hidden Base. His goal is to reach a spacecraft that will take him to the ARK, as he suspects the Black Arms may have returned. He's joined by Rouge, who states that she's gathering intel for G.U.N. with E-123 Omega also on-scene and providing backup, though Rouge informs him that this is only a supply depot when he tells her of his intentions.

After Team Dark focuses their efforts on and easily destroys a giant, autonomous Egg Breaker that shows up to the battle, Rouge tells Shadow she can take him to a spacecraft. However, she makes him promise to attend Sonic's birthday party in return, much to his chagrin. As the episode ends, she teasingly asks if he's interested in raiding a G.U.N. base. The answer shall be revealed in the third [and final] episode.

EPISODE 3: TO THE ARK

Explosions go off as Team Dark (Shadow, Rouge, and Omega) infiltrates the base. While Rouge prepares the shuttle for launch, she comments on how G.U.N. funded the research that created Shadow, only to seal him away later; she raises this point to remind him not to seek any vendettas tonight. As a LZ-12R/Blue Falcon mech confronts the trio, a grinning Shadow responds that G.U.N. isn’t his enemy tonight, just an obstacle in his path. During the battle, the mech fires at them, but Omega keeps it distracted as Shadow manages to grab one of the missiles and launch it back. The G.U.N. soldier inside narrowly avoids the counterattack by launching flares that disorient the missile. Undeterred, Shadow teleports on top of the battle mech and grabs the missile again as it passes by, hurling it directly into the vehicle's hull.

The G.U.N. soldier tries to get a clear shot, but Shadow's teleporting makes it impossible to track him. As Shadow free-falls, the Blue Falcon fires a wave of homing missiles. Shadow destroys several in mid-air before using Chaos Control to freeze time, rapidly taking out the remaining missiles in a massive explosion. Shadow then Spin Attacks straight through the Blue Falcon, sending it tumbling out of the sky; the pilot panickily tries to eject, to no avail. Shadow teleports onboard and forces the cockpit open, seemingly ready to attack him, but instead punches the mech itself, un-jamming the ejection mechanism and allowing the soldier to escape before the Blue Falcon crashes into the ground. Shadow then boards the elevator leading to the shuttle, although not before Omega complains to Shadow that he (Omega) wants to destroy the Blue Falcon.

Rouge then tells Abraham that she retrieved the intel he requested, which was data on the Time Eater. Abraham notes that this came at the cost of millions' worth of G.U.N. assets, to which Rouge apologizes but insists that Shadow needed help to save the world.

Abraham sighs and admits that despite the previous bad blood between him and Shadow, he knows Shadow saved the world from Black Doom and would have supported him if he had just asked. Rouge sarcastically responds by pointing out that Shadow has never asked for permission. When Abraham suggests that she could’ve convinced him otherwise, Rouge smiles and says that only one person ever had that ability, with Abraham acknowledging ruefully that her point is true, and that said person was lost to them a long time ago.

As the shuttle heads toward the Space Colony ARK, Shadow reflects on a possible future for Maria had the GUN raid that ended her life not occurred, thoughts that begin to hurt him. He acknowledges after stopping himself that said future was taken from him long ago and, as the episode ends, reaffirms that he needs to focus on the mission at hand: eliminating whatever threat lurks onboard the ARK.

CONCLUSION

So what did I think of all 3 episodes?

In one word, fantastic! More of this, please! I was actually surprised at the sudden jump in quality of animation style. We've sure come a long way from Sonic Mania Adventures 7 years ago and now they are coming out with such a masterpiece like this? Dang! I guess all that waiting was definitely worth it.

[spacerangersam]

Been thinking about how I would've handled the ending of ghosts if it absolutely had to end with Alison and Mike moving out, and it was going to be bug unless I wrote it all down, so here it is:

Firstly,  I think up there needs to be more build up to it during season five, it can't just come out of nowhere in the final episode. There needs to be a bit more tension between the ghosts and the Coopers (preferably with the Coopers sometimes being the ones to upset the ghosts so it's not all one sided, or else it kind of just makes the ghosts look like terrible people), and a bit more hopelessness each time their money-making attempts fail. Not enough that there's no funny or happy moments, just enough that it's clear something has to give.

I think that episode where the ghosts really upset Alison and they spend the entire time trying to make it up to her should be the final episode before the xmas special, and it shouldn't end with them giving her a good review. Instead, they tell her that she can leave. If it's too much, of they're too much, if it'll be better for her and Mike, if it'll be better for the baby, she can go. They'll understand, and they'll love her regardless.

They all leave her to think on it and the season (almost) ends on Alison, just absolutely gobsmacked, alone on her bed.

Cut to the Xmas episode. The baby hasn't come just yet, but she's due soon and the Coopers have to make a choice on the manor. Alison and Mike actually talk about leaving, the pros and cons, and Alison is obviously reluctant to leave, even if she won't admit it. But, when Mike makes an off hand comment about it being a shame they can't all spontaneously move on, Alison gets an idea. While the ghosts have their own b plot (maybe about how they'll handle life after the Coopers leave, with some flashbacks to xmases before the Coopers came), she tries to find a way to help them all move on. She tries fulfilling their last wishes (most of which she can't do because they're impossible), she tries bringing in the priest, she tries everything she can think of, but nothing seems to work.

Finally, just as she's about to give up, she finds a blog written by someone who can also see ghosts. They suggest holding a seance of sorts, and say some ghosts will move on if encouraged/given explicit permission.

It's a long shot, but they try it. Her and Mike sit in a circle holding hands, the ghosts around her, and she closes her. One by one, the ghosts steps into the circle  and Alison tells them how weird and wonderful they are, how much they've changed and grown, how much she loves them, and then that it's time for them to move.

When she's gone through every last ghosts, she finally opens her eyes. Miraculously, it worked. They're all gone. And she immediately breaks down. She clings to Mike, sobbing, and he hugs her back, a bit teary eyed too. They were her ghosts, but he still cared for them too, in his own little way.

The final moments of the episode are a montage (preferably accompanied by an acoustic cover of an upbeat song to really kick in the misery), showing them: driving away from the manor, them moving into their new home (the ghost board hanging in on the wall), the baby arriving etc etc

The very last second though, while her and Mike are sitting down, watching TV, Alison sits up and goes "Oh fuck I forgot about the plagues!" Cut to the plague ghosts, just chilling in the sauna of Button Hotel. End scene.

Obviously this isn't perfect or anything and won't be for everyone, but I think it's the kind of ending I would have preferred.