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hopeshoodie · 3 years

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I feel so bad letting this sit for so long, but better late than never I suppose! Thank you to literally everyone who tagged me in this. Literally every time I see these posts it makes me grin like an absolute dope at my phone. This is one of the best fandoms I’ve ever been in. I know I joke that I’m just sitting in my corner making garbage, so thank yall for making the room my corner is in so lovely.

So here’s a shoutout to the people who made my 2020 better. If I’m following you (from my main @hyperspacial because despite being on tumblr for nearly a decade I still hardly know how to run a sideblog) I 100% like you. I’m sorry if I forget to tag people :( Also this is about to be a long ass post- don’t feel obligated to reply or like or whatever just because you’re tagged :P

@garyandhisnan. I just…. I adore you. Highkey would walk to the ends of the earth if you asked. Your writing, your posts, everything is top notch (and you’re an awesome person to boot which like… shouldn’t be allowed). Thank you for letting me rant about American late-stage capitalism and all the other nonsense I flood your inbox with. If yall aren’t following them, go do it now.

@deuchess

@ariendiel Why you would want to collaborate with me, ME, of all people? Still astounds me. I pinkie promise we’re gonna do it though, and it’s gonna be so good. I’m so excited. But seriously, your fics are some of the only ones that I can keep coming back to. Your writing is *chefs kiss* and your edits/moodboards are literally so pretty. I love your blog and I cherish you, you slut cheat.

@kiki-the-creator same brain saME BRAIN SAME BRAIN how do we have the exact same brain!? Your fics literally are the best thing this fandom has produced- I come up with these half baked concepts, you make them actually good, then I play dollhouse with them over and over again in my head forever :3 That Erikah fic? Literally every Marisol fic you write?? I love them. Also you’re highkey so funny and ugh. Te adoro.

@bubblelaureno you’re literally too good for me. For real. I’m sorry I’m so shitty about keeping up to date with fics and edits, you deserve way more than my shitty memory and my 2 second long attention span. Your blog is literally a beacon of positivity and it’s absurd how much I admire your drive and your analytical way of thinking. This fandom is so lucky to have you.

@codename-mango controversial yet brave opinion- your blog is the best LITG blog on tumblr. Your headcanons, your jokes, your route overviews? All immaculate. Even your reblogs are the best of what everyone else is posting. You’re the only reason I have notes, and I appreciate you sm.

@oneflewoverthecuckoos my comment to mango is controversial only because if not her, then your LITG sideblog for sure. For a ‘Lucas’ blog, the diversity of content and LIs you talk about is refreshing. I fucking love seeing people talk about non-LI characters.

@inthenewblood thank you for letting me bitch about the reddit oml it’s needed. Also having someone to be salty with? A new but not unwelcome experience lmfao

@noahssidechick you are literally so sweet oml I treasure our chats and the pictures of your dogs. You bring such a chill and earnest vibe to the fandom and ugh, I’m so glad to have you.

@fuseboxmusebox I feel like you’re so consistent in the fandom, like you were here when I first joined and you’ll be here after I inevitably lose interest and leave. Your reblogs are top notch, the takes are even topper notch, and it wouldn’t be a ‘litg blogs that made me happy’ list without you.

@crvsh-culture I will never not sing your praises. I love your blog, I love you perspective, I love your vibe. I consider you a friend even though we’ve talked like… once.

@radiantdae your artbreeder edits were the first thing in the fandom that left me genuinely astounded. Like holy shit they were so good. Kassam??? That was a REAL MAN. Obviously the stuff you post now is really good too and your blog is excellent. But tbh when I think of the LITG fandom, the first think I think of is your artbreeder pictures. Also your ‘filipino words that make me think of the islanders’. I still think of that often.

@therealityofthematteris seeing you in my notes makes me smile every time. That’s basically all, just needed to say it lmao. Also if anyone has almost convinced me to start playing TWC, it’s you and Seliné.

@bellarxse my dash would be dry af without you. Same with TWC- I’m so tempted to play because of your posts (I have it downloaded on my phone but like…. I haven’t finished a single route in Arcana and starting a new thing is overwhelming). But also your prompts are one of the few things that makes me want to write lmfao.

@lahelakoh I feel like I’ve said it before but your posts SEND me oml. The tiktok references, the chaotic energy. Both the taste and the flavour is immaculate.

@kiwi-tai we haven’t talked that much but oml I love your content so much 15/10

@confused-inalltheways-human you’re literally so cool and I think about that Harry fic all the time. Am I ever gonna get around to writing it? Probably not. But it was such a good idea. Also thank you for lighting up my notification.

@oceanatydes you come here, you post literally spectacular content, and then you peace out like bruh I wish I had your mind. I adore your edits, but my favorites are your posts/headcanons.

@voile-de-lune your aesthetic is everything I aspire to be and your headcanons/edits are such a refreshing take on characters that we’ve all gotten so stale with. I still live for that Rahim moodboard you made. Also your headcanons are so fantastic.

@lasswithumor this fandom desperately needs more Carl stans, thank you for doing the lords work. Also I highkey stalk your blog on a regular basis jsjsjsjsjsjs every chat we’ve had has been lovely and ugh, you’re just lovely

@bobbysapron your vibes are literally so immaculate. I know it’s been awhile since we chatted but I highkey adore your content and ugh. You’re such a cool person.

@beebips I feel like you’ve vanished off my dash, but you made up for it with that 3rd chapter of The Other Side of Seventh Ave made up for it.

@nerdferatum I don’t think I’ve ever breathed a word in your direction but oml you’re so sweet and supportive and every time your posts cross my dash I *pleading emoji*

@mrsgaryrennell I’m still agog that we’re mutuals because like… You are so talented. It took me waaaayyy too long to get into Blue and Hazel but now that I have… It’s highkey better than the actual season skskskskss

@kingkassam Like the above, you are waaaayyy too cool to be following me sksksksk. I’ve still got a few edits you had ideas for in the pipeline, and highkey the Kassam icons you requested are my favorite edits I’ve ever made. I live for someone else playing Matchmaker.

@hermitclaw hello?????? You’re so funny what the FUCK are you doing following me. Ik you don’t post that much anymore, but every LITG you grace us with is a knockout. It feels unreal when you reblog my stuff. Basically the same to @mchamster. Like you’re both so funny and have been in the fandom for so long that it fully feels like royalty whenever yall interact with me.

@ravenadottir I am fully unworthy to even mention your name but oml. Your guides are the only thing that help me retain information about the season, and your recent outfit edits? Oh my god they’re so good. Hope’s especially, with the brightly colored swimsuit, left me absolutely speechless. You’re just above everything in the fandom and I admire that so much. Plus you really don’t have to flex that hard in your fics, and yet-

@smaiihands saving the best for last because you are one of the single most talented people in this fandom. Your art is the strongest life support for the fandom and like I know we haven’t talked in awhile but you’re also such a dope person. So.

And a big shoutout to all the people I follow who I don’t talk to but have nothing but good vibes. I appreciate yall way more than I can articulate: @richhdesire @needsomesorrel @ficticiouspastry @cranesandshipyards @litg-ish @princesslove19060 @fictitiouspastery @icedcoffee-please @demons-dogs-and-puns @sparklydinosaurr @mountainmanxoxo @diamondsdiary @bucket-bill@another-lottie-simp @bobbys-darling @cyn-onlyyou @mikcove @officialpapa-johns @Amaxn @dxncingthroughlife @myfictionalobsessions @screw-u-vaanu @kittidot @chichiguitarist123 @myfictionalobsessions @Azibear @amelia-w @lilithlibrxa @litghoe @priyas-tiddies @daisybarks @ajs-wife

At this point this post is just a directory of the LITG fandom lmfao but genuinely. Thank every single one of you. 2020 was hard as shit, but I’ve been hyperfixated on LITG for like a year and I treasure your content sm.

#im so so so fucking sorry if i forget someone :(#i 100% did not mean to i hope no ones feelings are hurt #if you've ever interacted with my posts youve definitely made me smile

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sou-ver-2-0 · 3 years

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Writing Master List

I love writing analysis and fanfiction for Your Turn to Die. Here, you can find links to all my writing. Spoilers abound!

Meta I’m Proudest Of

Why Calling It “Logic Versus Emotion” Makes Sense

Sou Hiyori and Kanna’s Sister Parallels

I was wondering why Sou had a zero percent survival rate…

What is Sou proudest of?

What is Kanna proudest of?

What is Keiji proudest of?

Unpopular opinion about Keiji

What are your thoughts on Nao as a character?

Why pushing Fake Reko is logical and sparing her is emotional

Shin vs. Kanna choice: each “valid in its own way”

That was a real comedy of errors on your part, Shin

What “Things” did Shin learn at Sou’s House?

If I could kill Keiji to save both Kanna and Shin...

Thoughts on queer-coded villains and Shin

I make Shin say five nice things about Keiji (not meta, but important)

Some jumbled thoughts about Redemption, and Part 2

How different do you think the story would be if Shin were a girl?

Theories

“Midori is Meister’s son,” and other Sou theories <- my favorite theory!

The Hades Incident, the Present Death Game, and the Role of the Man from the Memorandum

Rambling about Meister Family Theory

A Quick Keiji Theory

I’m staking my pride on this one: Keiji won’t die in the coffin. Part 1 and Part 2

Implications of Kanna being Original Sou’s blood relative

The Mystery of Anzu’s High Survival Rate

Fanfiction

My username is Florencetheflowerfairy on Ao3! Any fanfiction I write will be tagged “my fanfiction” on here.

I haven’t yet posted this to Ao3.

My fanart

Soup Hiyori

Happy birthday Kanna!

All of my meta

How does Sou deal with pain?

When does Sou feel safest? What would others change about him?

What would the others change about Sara?

What do I wish to see happen with Sou?

Chapter 3 Prediction: Sara will lose Keiji

Sou & Keiji’s relationship thoughts; and Personal Headcanons

Opinion on Midori / Original Sou; and Opinion on YTTS

Thoughts on Kurumada’s Partnership with Sou and Kanna

What calms Sou when he’s upset?

What does Sou wish he could change about himself?

Who would be Sou’s favorite fictional character?

What would EVERYONE change about Sou?

How did both Sous do in school?

Who does Sou want to please the most?

How would Kanna spend her money?

What calms Kai when he’s upset? How does Kai deal with pain?

How does Kanna do in school? What’s something Original Sou lost that he would love to have back?

What’s something I wish had happened with Joe?

Unpopular opinion about Q-Taro

What’s something I wish had happened with the Yabusame siblings?

Unpopular opinion about Kai

Unpopular opinion about Original Sou

Who would I vote for in the Second Main Game?

Laughing at Q-Taro in Russian Roulette

Speaking of “I laugh at inappropriate moments in YTTD”

Math Saga (Collection of Theorizing Posts about the Percentage Papers)

Why Kanna can’t take the scarf

More Scarf Meta

I think Shin should fake amnesia in the zaniest way possible, please

Thoughts on Mr. Policeman is Joe’s Dad Theory, Parts 1 and 2 (Some of these thoughts are outdated because I don’t think Keiji knew Joe’s last name in the beginning.)

If I ever seem too harsh on Keiji, please keep in mind

We can hear Joe’s music theme in Midori’s music theme

Thoughts on the Floor Masters

Did Shin send the Sacrifice Card to Joe?

What if Joe had one month to live?

What is Original Sou proud of?

Reading Shin as Queer

Alice and Pain

What would other people change about Kai?

Could Shin and Keiji’s roles switch?

What was Keiji like before the shooting?

I encouraged Sister to vote for Kai in Practice Round

How does Original Sou/Midori sleep?

Who do you think Keiji would bond with the most?

Analysis of Sara’s vote in the Practice Vote

Massacre Ending Thoughts

Thoughts on Naosara?

Dummy Bullet Saga (How did Shin know about dummy bullets??)

Keiji is my Confront Character

What will the fallout with the dummies look like?

Keiji seeing the percentage papers is the simplest answer IMO

Thoughts on Keialice

Thoughts on Joesara

Shin Tsukimi could have DIED ON HIS BIRTHDAY?!

Shin is Poor! Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3

One more funny story, on a walk with Sister...

How would Shin have fared in the Death Game without the Sou persona?

Is Shin too good for this world? (Reaction to above meta)

How would Joe, Kai, and Mishima approach the Second Main Game vote?

What do you think would be Shin’s partnership ability?

Thoughts on AI personalities

Reaction to ‘Sara gets the Sage Card’ Theory

Have you considered the implications of 0.0% vs. 0%?

Foolish Sara AU

When does the Death Game take place, and how long are they there?

Shin’s relationships with Reko and Gin

“When you drink, you gotta be careful not to get swallowed up yourself.”

Judge Keiji by the fact that he’s acting like a cop

I’ve switched to calling him Shin!

What was Shin like in the years after Original Sou died, but before the Death Game?

Headcanons and Shin, Kanna, and trading tokens

Analyzing Shin and Sara’s doll placements in Safalin’s lab

Shin’s reaction to Sara’s “Haven’t we always been the bestest of friends?”

Scenario: Keymaster Kanna takes Shin’s key necklace instead of his scarf

Artists should draw Kanna grieving Shin however they like

Nao and Shin’s friendship

“I happen to like people with nice personalities”

I’m just putting these here so I can find them if necessary: 1, 2, 3

What if Shin thinks Sara is an adult?

Shrodinger’s Lock Saga (Many theories came from speculating about Asu-Naro’s weird locks in Sara’s first trial!)

Shin emulating Sou, oh no

Some thoughts on Shin and Alice, and the darker side to their relationship

A Serious Analysis of the Collarbone Sprites (& other Shin sprites)

Midori and Joe Sprite Parallels

Do you think Ranmaru is more or less reliable than Keiji?

Ranmaru and Keiji Parallels and Thoughts on Keiji flirting

Ranmaru and Keiji reacting to Joe

Out of the cast, who do you think is most likely to be the mastermind?

Miley vs. Gashu thoughts

Megumi Sasahara theories and headcanons

I love that this game’s heart is so earnest

AU where Shin has the Sacrifice, and he can’t pick Kanna

Theory/Headcanon: Sou-Shin-Sara-Kanna three year age gaps

Scenery Paintings in the Gallery

Kanna and Original Sou Parallel - “creepy smiles”

Undertale Parallels, and making Original Sou sympathetic

Kai and Original Sou Parallels

Fic ideas: Green-haired characters, and Shin + Sara Friendship

I love Fake Reko so much!

What if the decision to push Fake Reko affects what happens with the dummies?

Follow-up to above meta about Fake Reko

What if Joe died in his First Trial?

Reaction to Keiji Discourse about flirting, Part 2

Reactions to Fem!Shin:

Kanna’s perspective, Bath Scene Shin, More Bath Scene, Keiji flirting with Shin, I DON’T CARE HOW SEXY HE IS, Am I a lesbian

Will the dummies want to fill in for their counterparts’ lives?

Q-Taro Pacman Sister Theory

Poison Stinger analysis and Rio Ranger’s characterization

Megumi returns as a doll theory

More thoughts on “Back Up Candidates” Theory

Thoughts on AIs representing younger personalities

What if the current Death Game is another simulation?

Shin and Q-Taro ages musings

Shin and Sara ages musings

Honorifics Analysis: Part 1 and Part 2

Everyone’s music preferences headcanons

Shin’s thoughts on Gin in Logic Route

What if Shin died and Kai survived in the Second Main Game?

Imagine Trans Kanna

Thoughts on the names Sara “suspects” when learning that there is a human from Asu-Naro among us

Why doesn’t Shin challenge Keiji for lying that he’s a detective at the start?

Shipping

Which death hurt you the most?

Who do you think is overrated? Who do you think is suspicious?

Shin-Sou roleswap AU

Did you ever notice how Shin is crying during the First Main Game?

How do you think the characters sleep?

What if Shin became Sara’s ally instead of Keiji?

Seven Deadly Sins in YTTD

Song Analyses

“Rat” by Penelope Scott

“Villainous Thing” by Shayfer James

“Nearly Witches (Ever Since We Met)” by Panic! at the Disco

“Butterflies and Hurricanes” by Muse

"House of memories" by Panic! at the Disco

More fun posts

Sister tag (All submissions by my sister)

Sometimes I get self-conscious for loving Sou Hiyori so much

Thinking about how our Sou Hiyori is a queer-coded villainous type

Picrew of the Greenblings

Fannish ramblings and Speculation about Voting for Keiji in 2nd Main Game

Sou has a halo in the manga

Sprite Parallels between Kanna, Sara, and Sou

Confession: Character development is more important than plot twists

Star Wars KOTOR musings

My Favorite Thing about Sou and Sara meeting

Another Greenblings Picrew

How to roast my fave

Are the greenblings next to each other??

Me feeling soft about Sou x Alice and Sou x Kai in spite of myself

I’m too much of a nerd for tumblr

Picrew of Green-haired characters and Sara

Cute Kurumada and Kanna headcanons

Do it for Nao

Happy birthday Keiji, from Sou

Danganronpa Thoughts as of 10/22/20

Top 3 emotional moments

Comparing Eye Sizes

I’m all caught up with 3-1A as of 10/24/20

Link to my “Shin attacking Inbox” edit

I am my PFP

“Disclosure” apparently means “Coming Out”

What did you name your Midori?

Do you think Shin was a gamer?

PMMM Thoughts: Logic vs Emotion

Why would you make Shin a tank?!

Dracula is Sou and Shin is Renfield

Among Us Headcanon

I just think Kanna having the Keymaster first is good drama

So long you fucking fascist (posted on 11/7/20)

Please don’t send me leaks!

Also how are we going to tag spoilers...? (11/12/20)

oh no I’m getting sentimental

Shin and Sara’s confrontation over the smartphone remains my favorite thing ever

Reactions to “I make Shin say five nice things about Keiji”: 1, 2, 3

A Rewarding part of my blog

My undying love for Britney Spears

“Ahaha, I’m glad you remembered my name.”

I love this picrew for the Greenblings

“Saw” and “Cage” on Google Translate

What if there were two Gonbee Yamadas?

Put them in meme boxes

Keiji’s emo eyeliner

Shin can smash something! and part 2

Acrostic Poem for Sou Hiyori

Midori’s canon voice

“Sou” puns

Time sensitive questions!! 1 and 2

All the characters’ ages

Do you think Shin swears?

Let’s not pit bears and twinks against each other!

Here’s how Shindemption can still win

tfw you draw fanart in time for Kanna’s birthday

Keiji accuses Shin of breaking Mishima’s monitor even though he KNOWS Shin is innocent

Q-Taro and Shin college AU

Kugie’s ghost haunting Keiji

Christmas 2020: Part 1 and Part 2

Picrew of Shin and Sou, High School Days~

I struggle to write villains

I play Villains Bingo with Shin

…

This list will be updated sporadically as I write more! You can always use the “mine” tag to find any worthwhile original post I make.

Please feel free to talk to me about YTTD anytime! I love hearing from you all! It keeps me motivated and makes me happy to meet people!

#mine #masterlist #updated as of 12-31-20

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fruitchakra · 3 years

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why you should read haikyuu!! (no spoilers)

as an sns-focused blog, i’m going to frame this through the lens of sns/naruto (the series) because the fact is that i finally, finally picked up haikyuu because i read something posted by someone on tumblr or twitter saying ‘hinata and kageyama are basically just naruto and sasuke in high school’.

which is true but mostly false BUT i am so glad i gave it a chance when even my best friend pestering me couldn’t get me to watch/read it (she doesn’t watch naruto so i didn’t trust her lmao).

the reason i’m so hesitant to start on new manga is because i’m extremely picky with the type of shonen manga i read. 9/10 times i’m just disappointed with the art style, plot, storyline progression, etc. this is also the reason why i reread and rewatch naruto for the nth time because i just cannot get into anything else.

enter haikyuu. haikyuu is truly what a shonen manga is imo - one that revolves around friendship and rivalry with a single key person and overcoming adversities to become the best. compare this to naruto which is a love story because i still cannot believe that it is a shonen manga because it’s not (naruto’s focus on sasuke is not normal or platonic lol. it can’t be. i refuse).

1. character development and world building

the characterizations are really good and they don’t go obsessively deep about people or a single character - hinata’s rivalry with kageyama is clear but it is not the basis of the entire plot. there are no real ‘villains’ too, even if the other team is the opponent. the way things are written makes you root for everyone involved (unlike naruto because there are many characters that i absolutely cannot stand. in haikyu i either like them or can’t remember them because there’s so...many...players.)

furudate’s strength is making you connect with the characters.

the most refreshing thing is that the world building is good (volleyball is super interesting) but not fraught with things that are uncomfortable, like naruto and its politics and how some people absolutely lose all critical thinking skills when it comes to examining things like fascism and genocide. haikyuu is so much more lighthearted and because of this, it’s a lot of fun.

2. hinata and kageyama’s bond

this is one of my favourite things and it’s so SO refreshing compared to naruto and sasuke’s relationship. hinata and kageyama are introduced as rivals and hinata doesn’t fixate over kageyama - his main goal is to the best volleyball player. in naruto, the narrative is set up as naruto’s desire to be acknowledged and become hokage, but there is a disconnect because the plot is driven by sasuke and his actions.

i watch naruto for sasuke so i absolutely have no issue with it but when the second character becomes more important than your titular character, something has gone wrong in your plotting/writing.

but there is no escaping that there are similarities: hinata’s name means sun and kageyama’s name means shadow. their character designs and colors are in direct contrast as well (tall and short, bright and dark hair).

3. tsukishima

give me an aloof, quiet character with brother issues, who finds himself changing due to the influence of the protagonist and I AM SOLD. add in moon symbolisms and i am crying because you are now my favorite character.

4. nostalgia

the best thing is the nostalgia i think! pretty sure everyone reading this has gone to high school. most people have (or were forced to) participate in some sort of sport. everyone has had dreams and in high school, the world outside seems impossibly big and anything and everything is possible. haikyuu really plays into this and it is absolutely hopeful and inspiring it is.

it also reminds me how naive and flawed this thinking is because life will not go the way you want to, just because you really truly want something and work hard for it. of course, as a children’s manga, it doesn’t linger on the negative aspects of growing up but seeing something so hopeful and happy really highlights the stark reality of adult lives. and i honestly love how introspective it makes me.

5. furudate’s art style

the manga is 100000% better than the anime because we get furudate’s art style which is insanely good because you can really sense the speed and motion and excitement of the volleyball.

more importantly are the little tiny details he adds into little frames. it builds so much more character and i’m slowly getting through the anime because the volleyball parts are much better animated and the OPs are hype but the pacing is really off and i don’t think the voice casting is as good as naruto’s.

6. the importance of a strong opening

the first chapter made me cry, with hinata’s enthusiasm and lack of support and him still finding his way around it to make things work as best as he can. it’s incredibly earnest and just so pure.

naruto didn’t do this for me tbh, and it was only sasuke’s introduction that hooked me. the closest feeling i’ve come across in the introduction of a story from another form of media is the kdrama vagabond. no other opening has hit me as hard with this sense of warmth and purity (12/10 would recommend. it’s on netflix!)

7. stand-out characters

hinata - my big hearted sunshine boy. best protagonist ever thank u for existing

kageyama - the way to my heart: a boy with dark hair and dark eyes. his growth is so so good

tsukishima - moon. background and character growth. i love his attitude

yamaguchi - i scream whenever he steps onto court. pure and sweet

basically everyone on the karasuno team

kenma - basically me irl

oikawa - “i hope they both lose” truly the single best sentence ever given to a character

miya twins - they’re drawn so beautifully?? and great chaotic energy

if you’ve read all the way here, you’re the best and take it as a sign you start haikyuu :)

#truly no thoughts just haikyu

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hotarutranslations · 3 years

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Thank You, 2020!!

Evening Its Ishida Ayumi

Its New Years Eve

the last day for '20

the 3 performances for Countdown Live are over

Its been a while,

Since all of us were on stage singing and dancing,

It was super fun

Our turn itself was limited but

There was no screen behind the stage, All of the fans couldn't call out, While thinking, they're watching us move in earnest--

It felt really good like, Lets Move!!!

This year,

I posted on Instagram, dance videos that a lot of people watched,

After that,

When dancing with Morning like that,

I was a bit nervous.....

the dances were completely different though right

I wanted to do it nicely!!!

Junjou Evidence and, Gyuusaretai Dake Na No Ni,

it was our debut performance in from of an audience

thank you very much

Countdown Live, and the live stream and viewing too,

thank you for your support!!

Lets look back on the year on this blog

Every month... went by fastttt

How was it for everyone, Please by all means read while looking back on things

At the beginning of 2020, for the Countdown Live 2nd part,

Kudo Haruka-chan appeared,

and sang~ "Mr. Moonlight ~Ai No Big Band~"

She was nervous when starting to sing~

Well! January, I had my 23rd birthday!

I tried a one man play for the first time at my birthday event

Some people told me that they cried... something like that, I thought 'I want to do a play!' I challenged it, although it was a project, that was just for me alone? The reactions that were returned that enjoyed it, it really gave me confidence

Thank you

This years goals, I want do to something! I want it to be interesting! I want to challenge it!

is how it was

Since it was unintentionally a year like this, it inevitably was a new year, I was able to take on various challenges!

Therefore, one way or another,

I think I had fun

In February there was the "Hello Pro Dance Academy" recording and the "RAGAZZE! ~Shoujotachi yo!~" recording, from that point on, we started doing things without an audience......

Thats right, it was still in February......

Looking at the schedule for March, all of the plans for the weekends had an X, the individual handshake events, and what was supposed to be our first day of the spring tour----

Yeah

We were working a lot on the rehearsals in March!

That song, and that song, and that song, I wanted to sing them---!

But, from the announcement that was couldn't have the first day, videos from the rehearsal were uploaded on YouTube

In the MC of that video,

I said for the first time that I liked the YouTuber Kajisak-san,

All of the fans, took the trouble to tell them

Kajisak-san also responded,

I was happy...

In a good sense it is a memory of me feeling anxious

In April through SNS, trying to do what we can, we were desperate! Ah, but we got to have fun!

"Pop Music"'s dance Looking at it now, it was released on April 1st

lol

In May I did a ton of Instalives!!!!

With Suzuki Airi-san, Alone and, With DA PUMP's TOMO-san!

Ah, it was 3 times

I really remember those~

I'm sorry ← for the Instalives with bad connections←

In June work was gradually coming back, we had planned a "SoloFest!" I got to challenge a performance while playing both the male and female role!

I also got to challenge that

For some reason I was really scared of challenging this but,

I! am glad I did it! I think!

In July we started the ballad concerts Also, we started having individual events while wearing masks

we also had the petit cafe~

I like Fruits Basket (anime)!!!!

I was even called on to, "AniRecoTV"'s studio again!!!!

Happiness!!!!

In August we went to local areas for concerts But, there were still many days off......

Rockin'......

I wanted to go！！！！！！！！！！！！！

In September with additional songs for ballads, we started the fall concerts with smaller groups

In the time that I had free, I would try to do what I could, I thought this while looking through my planner, thats great, lets do our best

On "Konya Kurabetemimashita",

there was as special feature on women who love Morning Musume too much <3

Also the next week,

3 o'clock Heroine's Fukuda-san said, that they liked my dancing <3

They introduced me

Really, I'm thankful...... <3

In October I got to appear on THE! Quiz Iwakan, I'm super happy about that

We also had a Budokan performance

I got to sing "Yume wo Akiramenaide", I look back a ton on the photo of me being surrounded 360 degrees with blue penlights That made me happy

In November towards the release of our new songs, we got to do various TV recordings and the like, but really, I wanted to do even more work~

It was a month where I felt frustration like that

We also went to Budokan in December, Funa-chan and Karin-chan graduated, we also released our new songs, also I was busy preparing for the end of the year concert, it was dense

I was happy to spend time with so much going on...

yeah

It was like I couldn't do anything,

but conversely I think it was a year I was able to do various things

I also had fun this year

There were painful and tough things too, there may have been various things like that,

I think it was like that for a lot of people

Even now the situation is still ongoing

But, I don't want to think that 2020 was a waste, as there were also a lot of fun things, and I'm happy I was able to challenge things,

I want to cherish such memories

I'm glad that everyone greeted the new year-!!!!

Fukumura-san, Yokoyan,

I'm really glad <3

Tonight we'll be performing,

"CDTV Live! Live! New Years Eve Special 2020→2021"

Here, these 2 weren't able to perform at the time of the prerecording. I'm sorry. Although its 12 people, please watch over us.

We're scheduled to appear from 12:00AM~1:00AM

Well then everyone

Ah, its lonely

2020, really thank you very much lets meet again next year with more smiles

Please have a good year <3

see you ayumin <3

https://ameblo.jp/morningmusume-10ki/entry-12647364171.html

#Ishida Ayumi #Morning Musume '20 #Morning Musume #Hello! Project #Translation #Blog

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kinktae · 4 years

Note

I’m so proud of you for not only finishing the masterpiece that is Bitchin *chef kiss* but also getting the final chapter out when you were hoping. Every little win should be celebrated so make sure to give yourself some credit x

bitchin 10 asks (finally!)

thefouranemoi said: just finished bitchin! it was soooooos soooooooooo good! im a sucker for a really good slow burn but this wasn't dragged out or overly dramatic. it was perfect and im so glad y/n and jk have each other. thank you for such a series!

sadlemonboy said: i read bitch’n 10 on the bus and was trying so hard to just not cry. i was so good i love it so much. just like thank you

Anonymous said: WHAT'S WITH YARA AND TAE??? ARE THEY TOGETHER??? WILL WE EVER KNOW???

Anonymous said: Buttt just out of curiosity what happened with Yara and Taee, did they became fvckbuddies or smth

forvever-ddaeng said: STOP IM FUCKING SAD ITS OVER :( WHEN I READ “I SLEPT WITH ERIK” I WANTED TO STAB MY EYES OUT LIKE WTF BUT THE PAPER WAS HONESTLY SO FUCKING CUTE IM SO HAPPY WITH HOW THIS TURNED OUT I LOVE YOU AND YOUR BRAIN 🥺 p.s. do you think you’d ever do a drabble or epilogue where we get more of yara and tae? Totally cool if you don’t want to I was just wondering

O.O

Anonymous said: BITCHIN PART 10 WAS SO GOOD!!!! I WAS CRYING LAST MIGHT, THINKING THAT Y/N AND JK WERE JUST GOING TO PART WAYS,,,,HEKDHBFKD FUCKIN HAD ME SCARED. OMG SUCH A GOOD SERIES!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE.

Anonymous said: AHHH I LOVED BITCHIN SO MUCH!!! This has always been one of my favorite fics right from the beginning and probably will always be one of my favorites. You did such an amazing job. I’m sad Bitchin era is over but I’m excited for whatever era that will be next:) Thank you for writing this, ILY

Anonymous said: THANK U FOR BITCHIN IT WAS AMAZING

Anonymous said: Bitchin was one wild ride 😭😭 I loved it and can’t wait for more of your rewind series 🥺💕💕

Anonymous said: 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺💜💜💜😩😩😩😩- my reaction to bitchin final (for now)

Anonymous said: REST IN PEACE BITCHIN AAAAKAAKK.,?!@ FOREVER IN MY HEART GOD DAMMIT I CANT STOPCRYING ARE U HAPPY ROSE DID U LIKE CRUSHING MY FEELINGS LIKE THIS OIOOHNMY GOD 😭😭😭😭

jessiejellybean said: The only thing I can say about bitchin finale is GAJSOSLALHSISSAOWLLANSHSJAKA SERIOUSLY ITS SO GOOD THIS SERIES AS A WHOLE IS UNBELIEVABLY GOOD 10/10 WOULD RECOMMEND

Anonymous said: bitchin was so good😭 i am BEYOND devastated knowing that ill no longer be getting notifs on another update🥺it was so fun to be a part of this journey consisting of having to anticipate for another part to be posted for as long a month! but never have i regretted any second of waiting bcs the result came out so well written and interesting u might as well make it into a hard copy or a movie and get paid loads🤩 keep up the good work❤️

Anonymous said: Funnily enough, you were the first EVER bts blog that I followed because I thought you were funny as hell. Then, you posted part 1 of bitchin and on god I swear I signed my life away for bitchin!jk 🤡. I've officially lived through an era 🥺🥺. I'll miss them but I'll always be the biggest yaraxtae whore 🥵💦 -♒

sydney--chan said: This might sounds totally stupid or whatever, but bitchin' means a lot to me and I'm so happy that you decided to share it with us. Not to get all sad n shit but I started reading this during a really rough period in my life. This story allowed me to forget about all the stuff that was going on, even for just a little bit. This story means so much to me and seeing it end is like making me 😭😭😭 this is the perfect story and I love you and thank you for creating such a beautiful story

Anonymous said: THAT WAS SO GOOOOOOOD the way u wrote about jungkook’s feelings tugged at my heartstrings like my heart physcially legitimately hurt ur writing was so spot on!! all the details!! Totally worth staying up even though i have class tm

Anonymous said: miss rose i just wanted to stop by and say thank you for always giving us such masterpieces. as a jk whore (ot7 whore in general but ya know) bitchin was just *chefs kiss* i literally looked forward to Sundays bc I knew there was a chance a new chapter would be posted lol. I am sad to see bitchin end but am also suuuuper excited to support your new fics and anything else you come out with. you’re the best. love ya 💕

Anonymous said: Bitchin' 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I'm going to say this for the umpteenth time... IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD. It's one of the best fanfictions out there and I'm gonna re-read it at least five more times. Thank you so much for blessing us with this bounty! Take care! 💜💜

koru-rhi said: I should really be asleep but I had to finish Bitchin & I went back and reread it from the beginning to the end and I just want you to know how much I loved it! It was a beautiful smuttyfluffyangsty ride and I can’t wait to read more of your writing! I totally lost it at Everything I Didn’t Say 😫 btw.

Anonymous said: Wow bitchin is over... what is there to look forward to now on this app :(

Anonymous said: I AM NOT CRYING, YOU ARE ALL CRYING I CNA IT THE END DNDMSM MY POOR HEART. AGHHHH SNAMAMA PLEASE,WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME. YOU ARE KILLING ME. I DON'T KNOW IF I AM SAD OR HAPPY OR BOTH.

Anonymous said: UGH! bitchin 10 was amazing *chef’s kiss* I sobbed, I felt their earnest love for each other. A real roller coaster just like my emotions rn. Ngl I sound like a middle aged white mom giving a book review 💀 anygays I just wanted to say that I love ur stories and they’re always so well written

betysotelo18 said: Bitchin'...has me in tears! For some reason I thought this was going to have smut...Who needs smut! This was PERFECT! The damn piece of paper made tears roll down my cheeks! I loved every single chapter. Thanks for sharing

deewhalien21 said: Waiting bitchin part 10 was hell, couldn’t imagine living without them now😔 I’m going to miss them, like a lot. And thank u for good memories with these people mam, thank u for making me experiencing heart break that I could never have. I’m waiting another great stories❤️😔

lalumaia said: That was just perfect, Rose. Thank you, I love you

Anonymous said: hi, bitchin was soooo good and every time you uploaded i felt so happy and excited for the next one, thank you for all your work!

Anonymous said: when i saw the warning said “angst” i was so worried they wouldn’t end up together :( thank you for this rose this was such a beautiful story and experience!!! love u lots angel

Anonymous said: ROSE HOLY SHIT THAT WAS SO GOOD !!!!!!!!

unknowntalesx said: ROSE IM CRYING WHAT THE FUCK I LOVED THAT SO MUCH MY HEART WAS BEING SQUEEZED AND TORN AND I HAD/HAVE LITERAL TEARS RUNNING DOWN MY FACE

Anonymous said: OMG CANT BELIEVE BITCHIN IS OVER 😭😭 i loved everything from the beginning till the end 💜 THANK U FOR WRITING SUCH AMAZING STORY

Anonymous said: On god bitchin is the best series I’ve ever read on this app. The ending was great too! Just sad that it’s over :( thanks for writing it

Anonymous said: FAM YOU GOT ME CRYING IN THE CLUB WITH BITCHIN PT. 10! I absolutely adore your work so much and Bitchin was absolutely beautiful and so fantastic to read. I love it and you so much! Thank you for giving us something so beautiful ❤️ P.S. now take a long break girl because you deserve it

Hi friends! I can’t even begin to explain how much every single comment/like/reblog/ask in regards to bitchin has meant to me

#ask

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meat-husband · 5 years

Note

Can we please get some headcanon a for the slashers (mainly Michael and Jason) if the s/o actually attempted to ‘break up’ or didn’t think said ‘relationship’ would work out...? Or if like even early on during the ‘courting’ phase the were initially like ‘yeeeeaaahhhh no thank you’? I absolutely adore your writings! But that first meetings hc was the absolute best! I wish you’d expand on it sometime! But your the absolute best! So glad I found your blog! Just wanted to tell you that really X3 !

Thank you

Both of these happen after this post.

Michael

You couldn’t help the silly grin on your face as you tapped away at your phone, holding it in your lap. You hadn’t had much luck with relationships in the past, but you had somehow managed to get into a flirty conversation with the crush you had been pining over for the last few months. They were honestly amazing, and you were sure you didn’t have a chance, but here they were replying in earnest to your cheesy texts. Your smile widens as their next reply comes in, reading it over quickly and feeling your face turn red at the abundance of heart emojis included. That was good, right? They were actually flirting back, and you somehow hadn’t messed it up yet!

“Hey!”

A big hand comes down from behind the couch, slapping the device out of your grip. It clatters to the floor and you swear loudly, afraid that your already damaged screen is going to be ruined.

“What the fuck, Michael!”

He looks at you impassively, face blank. You weren’t sure how long he had been standing behind you, but you didn’t doubt that he had been there long enough to spy on your whole embarrassing conversation. You half lean off the couch, reaching for your phone, but the collar around your neck is suddenly tight as you’re yanked back into the cushions.

“Oh my god, you’re being such a cockblock right now!” You yell furiously, trying to twist away from his hand. “C’mon, they’re finally talking to me, don’t be a dick.”

He lets you go and you’re quick to swipe the phone up from the floor, hastily starting to type your reply. There was a new crack in your screen, but thankfully it wasn’t too bad, so you settled for giving him a glare from the corner of your eyes. You’re halfway through your message when the phone is taken again, lifted up above your head as Michael inspects it, swiping up through your conversation.

“Hey, I’m being serious, give that back!”

You sit up on your knees, throwing yourself towards him over the back of the couch, but you’re nowhere near tall enough to reach. He puts one hand on top of your head to keep you at bay, and lazily scrolls through your messages with the other. It was just like him to start getting involved right as something good came along.

“Michael, please,” you beg, reaching up to grab a handful of his dirty jumpsuit. “They’re so cool and they’re actually flirting with me!”

He looks at you from the corner of his eye, face still turned towards you phone, and the neutral line of his mouth turns down.

“Mine.”

You’re more shocked at the sound of his voice than the actual words, eyes going wide. Your eyes go back and forth between the serious look on his face and the phone in his hand.

“What? Uh, that’s my phone, give it back.”

Michael’s frown deepens, lip pulling back to show a slight gleam of teeth. He lets the phone drop out of his hand, turning to face you over the back of the couch. You shout, watching your phone hit the floor and just knowing the screen is beyond repair now. When you look up at him, eyes full of anger, you’re surprised to see the same look on his face. Long fingers wrap around your jaw, digging into your cheeks and pulling your face up to look at him.

“Mine.”

It’s nearly a whisper, but you’re close enough to hear it clearly. He looks you in the eyes, expression serious, and makes you meet his gaze. You’re not sure what he means by that, but the short statement feels definite and final. Heat floods your face and you squirm under his hand, but he doesn’t let you pull away.

“Okay, okay, I got it, stop smushing my face.”

He tilts his head to the side, narrowing his eyes like he doesn’t believe you. He shakes your head a little, and you struggle to keep from knocking your teeth together.

“Yours, I get it! C’mon, my face hurts.”

A quiet buzz from the floor lets you know that your crush has noticed your late reply. Michael looks down, and you know what he’s about to do, but your hand reaching up for his sleeve is too late to stop him. A heavy boot crunches your phone into splinters, grinding down until the screen detaches completely.

“Really?! That’s a shitty start to a relationship, Michael, I just finished paying for that!”

Jason

You were a mess.

You hadn’t slept well for the past few days, and the lack of rest showed. Tired eyes, messy hair and a grumpy attitude were clear signs of your unrest, and the friends you spoke to everyday were starting to notice as well.

The reason you hadn’t been sleeping was sitting across from you, a hulking body balanced precariously on the edge of one of your kitchen chairs, as though he wasn’t sure he was allowed to sit on it. Big hands were folded in his lap, masked face pointed down and keeping his eyes on the floor. He looked almost like a child being scolded, even though all you had done was offer him a seat.

You weren’t sure what to do about him. Each day only brought more little gifts, thankfully less morbid than the ones he had been leaving before, and he was always waiting when you came home from work. Tonight had been no different, arriving home to find him standing on your porch with another handful of weeds ready to be presented to you. It was a little endearing, you couldn’t deny that, but you had to put a stop to it.

“Thank you for the, uh, flowers. Again.”

You had placed today’s bundle of weeds in the same jar of water that held the ones you had received for the past week, but they didn’t look anything like a bouquet. Mostly made up of grass with clumps of dirt still attached and a few stray dandelions, you were a little amazed that he had managed to pick everything except for flowers. Especially when you considered the abundant amount of wildflowers surrounding your house.

He doesn’t reply, but you can tell he’s uncomfortable. This is the first time he’s been inside your home, and you usually would never have allowed him in despite the awkward presents, but you thought it would be polite, considering you were about to turn him down. It was sweet, you supposed, the little gifts he gave you, but you couldn’t let it go on.

“Do you want food?” You’re a little nervous to actually get to the point, so you flit around the kitchen trying to find something to do with your hands. “Or something to drink?”

He gives you a short shake of his head, eyes still on the ground. You close the cabinet doors you had been looking through, standing nervously with your back to the counter. There wasn’t a good way to let someone down normally, let alone a murderous urban legend.

“Okay, well. I appreciate the flowers, you know, like I said. It’s sweet, but, uh…”

You trail off, shifting on your feet and glancing away. This was much harder than you had anticipated, and he wasn’t helping things with the downcast look and slumped shoulders.

“Jason.”

He looks up at that, finally meeting your eyes. You’re a little surprised at the sudden eye contact, and the words you had been preparing vanish. It was hard to tell with the mask covering so much of his face, but you thought he almost looked happy at the mention of his name.

“C-can, can you talk?”

You stutter out the question with a flush creeping up your face. He shakes his head again, making low gurgling noises in the back of his throat. You look away, mostly to avoid the strangely affectionate look on his face, and spot your grocery list on the counter next to you. You pick it up, turning it around to the blank side, and pull a stubby pencil from your junk drawer.

“Okay, we can use this.”

You slide the paper and pencil in front of him, stepping back to put the little table in between you. He looks down at the pencil, but doesn’t move to pick it up.

“Just write your answers,” you explain, reaching over to nudge the paper closer. “Can you do that?”

Jason cocks his head to the side like a curious dog, pulling the items closer. The stubby pencil is minuscule in his big hands, but he takes it and presses it roughly against the paper. He doesn’t wait to see what questions you have, but starts writing immediately, big, loopy shapes scratched out in a clumsy manner. When he’s done, the whole paper taken up with his work, he holds it back out for you to take.

There are dark smudges from his dirty hands, but the writing is surprisingly legible, only because it’s not words at all. Big hearts cover the page, like the kind little girls draw in their notebooks at school, lines wobbly and uneven. You feel your face go red, trying to find some kind of reply. Looking up, you see the corners of his eyes crinkled up, clearly smiling under the mask.

Okay, change of plans, you decide. You can’t let him down easy now, but surely it wouldn’t hurt to wait a little longer.

#Slashers #Michael Myers #Jason Voorhees #Slasher x Reader #Gender Neutral Reader #im sorry jason is just so CUTE #let him be happy pls #its like saying no to a puppy u just cant do it #Anonymous

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adorkablephil · 7 years

Text

Fic: A Different Kind of First Time

Summary: Sequel to my fic "Just Once," but can be read as a stand-alone. Phil has only ever had casual hook-ups in the past and so has never had sex without a condom. Now in a relationship with Dan, he experiences it for the first time. Word Count: 4.5K Rating: Explicit Tags: Smut, Established Relationship, Smut, Fluff, Smut, Romance, Smut, Barebacking, and some Smut Author’s Note: Quite a few people started following my blog after my last 2 or 3 fics were posted, and those fics were all very fluffy, with only hints at the things that go bump in the night. So scroll on by, little lambs, if you don’t want to learn some fun new vocabulary words. I promise to post some non-smutty fluff again soon. (Also, this fic is dedicated to Gilove2dance, who suggested the idea in a comment on "Just Once" on AO3.) You can also read this fic on AO3 here

A Different Kind of First Time

Phil couldn't seem to stay focused on anything today. He'd tried working on ideas for a new video, but just couldn't keep his mind on topic. He settled on the sofa with his laptop for a while, trying to answer some tweets on Tumblr, but couldn't think of anything clever or silly to say. He and Dan had gone out separately this morning, but Phil had gotten home first and Dan's prolonged absence was driving him a bit mad. He made himself a cup of coffee and sat again on the sofa, one leg jiggling up and down in agitation.

When he heard Dan's steps on the stairs, he sat up a little straighter in anticipation. When Dan unlocked the door and came in, Phil greeted him with a big smile. Dan blinked for a moment, then smiled back, closing the door behind him.

"What are you so happy about?" Dan asked suspiciously.

Phil shrugged, looking away, then smiled a sort of little private smile to himself before meeting Dan's eyes again. His attention was caught by the pink box in Dan's hands. "What's that?"

Dan grinned. "Do you know what today is?"

Phil frowned in thought. "Um ... Thursday?"

Dan rolled his eyes. "It's Tuesday, actually, but that wasn't what I meant. Today is our three-month anniversary ... so I got you something." His smile was a little shy as he offered the box to Phil. Phil opened it to find a cupcake with red frosting inside.

"Can I eat it now?" he asked with childlike enthusiasm, and Dan nodded. Phil took the cupcake out of the box and took a big bite. He groaned in pleasure. "Red velvet!" he mumbled with his mouth full.

"I know it's your favorite," Dan replied, looking pleased that his gift was so appreciated.

"Do you want a bite?" Phil offered, holding the cupcake toward Dan, but Dan shook his head.

"It's for you. Because you've made me so happy these past three months." His face was going a bit pink.

Phil set the cupcake down on the coffee table, heedless of the crumbs falling everywhere, and went to Dan, taking him in his arms and kissing him softly with lips sweetened by icing. "Me too," he said quietly. "So happy."

Dan stepped away and coughed. "We're such saps," he complained, but his pleasure at the attention was obvious. "Now what were you smiling about when I came in?"

"Can't I just be happy to see you?" Phil asked, looking a little nervous. Dan instantly became suspicious again.

"What's going on?" he demanded.

Phil went back to the sofa and sat down, his leg starting to jiggle again. He picked up his cup of coffee and took a distracted sip. "It's been three months," he said hesitantly.

"I know," Dan replied. He gestured toward the crumb-strewn coffee table. "Hence the celebratory cupcake."

"Well, um ... you have to wait three months for an HIV test to be really accurate..."

Dan stiffened slightly, figuring out where this was probably going.

Phil continued in a rush, "So I counted back to the last time I had sex with anyone else, and I went and got tested after three months, and I got the results today, and I'm totally clean. No HIV, no STIs, nothing. Totally clean." Phil glanced up at Dan's face.

Dan nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "I got tested right after we got together. You know, just in case. And I'm clean, too."

They stared at each other a long moment. Phil wiped his mouth with a self-conscious gesture, dislodging a few remaining cupcake crumbs and a smear of red icing.

Neither of them said anything for a long moment. Dan cleared his throat in the loaded silence. "Um ... don't you want to finish your cupcake?"

Phil laughed nervously. "You're thinking about baked goods after what I just said?"

"Well ... you know ... we've waited three months ... I think we can wait a few more minutes so you can enjoy the cupcake I brought you for our anniversary." Dan was clearly blushing now.

"Maybe you can wait," Phil muttered to himself, but Dan heard him and chuckled.

"It's worth waiting for," Dan said softly and came to sit beside Phil on the sofa. He picked up the cupcake and handed it to Phil. "Here. I got this for you, because I was thinking about you and how much I love you. I want to see you enjoy it."

Phil was silent a moment, then carefully placed the partially eaten cupcake back in the box. "I appreciate the thought, Dan. I really do. But the cupcake will still be here in a couple hours." He looked into Dan's eyes. "I've been waiting three months to be able to touch you properly ... and then for the past hour I've been going crazy waiting for you to get home ... and ... just ... please don't make me wait any more." He took a breath before continuing, looking into Dan's eyes. "I've been thinking about how much I love you, too, and I want to see you enjoy something much better than a cupcake." And a cheeky smirk touched his lips.

Dan ducked his head a little, smiling, then said, "Okay."

Phil let out a breath in a whoosh and exclaimed, "Finally!" which made them both laugh. Phil leapt off the couch and pulled a surprised Dan up with him, gulping at the sudden change in attitude. Phil took Dan's face in his hands and kissed him slowly, deeply, leaving him panting in the aftermath.

"Okay, fuck the cupcake. You've got me convinced," Dan breathed, gazing into Phil's eyes.

"Yes to the fucking. Later for the cupcake," Phil replied huskily as he reached down to take hold of Dan's hips and pull him closer, pressing their bodies together.

Dan groaned, then murmured, "It still freaks me out sometimes, how you can go from goofball to ... to freaking sex god ... within seconds."

Phil chuckled. "What can I say? Sometimes I want a red velvet cupcake, and sometimes I want to fuck. Now, less talking. And less clothing." He pulled Dan's t-shirt over his head, leaving his wavy hair ruffled, then began unbuttoning his own shirt. Dan's fingers tangled with his, trying to help with the task, so Phil left him to it and moved on to his belt. He got it undone quickly and tossed it on the floor, then began walking Dan down the hallway as they continued discarding items of clothing along the way. By the time they reached Phil's bedroom—what had become their bedroom—Dan was wearing only a sock and Phil was in his boxers. In seconds, they were both naked.

They paused in the center of the room, running their hands over each other's bare skin, and Phil leaned down to press a kiss to Dan's shoulder, then another to his cheek, before meeting his lips briefly, slowing them down. His voice was soft when he said, "I can't believe we can finally..." He trailed off, swallowing. For a moment he didn't meet Dan's eyes, then he asked quietly, "Do you think less of me ... for ... sleeping with all those people, before? For needing to be tested? Do you think I'm ... a slut?"

Dan pressed a hand on either side of Phil's face and made him meet his gaze. His brown eyes were earnest and serious as he said firmly, "No, Phil. You were always responsible and honest with the people you were with, and I respect that. And I'm just glad that you decided that you want to be with me." Then he grinned a cheeky grin and added, "And I don't mind reaping the benefits of all the stuff you learned over the years," which made Phil laugh and lessened the tension.

Phil ran his hands down Dan's back in a caress, feeling the shivers that ran through Dan's body as he asked in a low voice, "How do you want to do this?"

Dan reached up to twine his fingers in Phil's hair and pull him down into a kiss. When their lips parted, he husked out, "I want it both ways. Either way. What do you want?"

Phil groaned quietly and grasped Dan's hips tightly, his fingers pressing into the smooth flesh there. "I want it both ways, too. I want to feel you in me, but I want to be inside you, too. We can do both, but..."

"You in me," Dan interrupted. "Let's do that first. Like the first time." And then he kissed Phil with such sweetness and heat combined that Phil melted into their connection, his hands roaming Dan's body hungrily, as if he couldn't get enough. Phil nodded into the kiss and began backing Dan toward the bed.

Dan pulled down the covers and scooted to the middle of the bed, Phil following him immediately. Dan looked so soft and vulnerable there, his skin pale against the vivid blue and green sheets. Phil remembered when the younger Dan's skin was tanned from time in the sun, but their lifestyle of spending most of their time inside together had led to him becoming more and more pale over the years, though his skin would never be as pale as Phil's. Phil pressed a hand to Dan's chest and enjoyed the contrast of their skin tones, Phil's tending more toward pink and Dan's more toward olive. He met Dan's eyes, and saw that his lover was becoming impatient. As if Phil's gaze had given him permission, Dan grabbed Phil's hand and began to push it lower, but Phil resisted.

"I want this to be slow," Phil said softly. "The slowest we've ever been." He smiled, trying to let all his love show in his expression. "I've never done this before, never had sex without a condom, and I want this to be special ... for both of us."

They'd had many different kinds of sex in the past three months, and Phil had been thrilled to discover Dan's penchant for dirty talk and willingness to experiment, but tonight he wanted to savor every moment. They'd sometimes been fast and rough, sometimes slow and tender ... and tonight Phil wanted slow and tender. The slowest … the most tender.

He stroked his hand up to Dan's neck, then his cheek, and said, “I’ve never wanted anyone else the way I want you. I’ve never trusted anyone enough to do this, to take this chance. I've never wanted to wait for someone long enough to make this possible. But I've waited for you, to be able to do this with you. Let's not rush."

Dan nodded wordlessly, lifting a hand to press Phil's to his cheek, then taking Phil's hand to kiss the palm gently. He met Phil's eyes before slowly flicking out his tongue to taste the skin there. Phil inhaled sharply, then smiled. "Tease," he chided jokingly. He leaned down to kiss Dan with a lingering laziness, sometimes pulling away slightly to change the angle, sometimes tasting Dan's lips with gentle touches of his tongue, sometimes dipping inside to just barely brush Dan's tongue with his own. It was a prelude, a teasing hint at what was to come, and it soon had Dan arching beneath him, making small eager noises of frustration. Phil loved how vocal Dan was during sex and silently vowed to himself that tonight he would make Dan scream ... but he'd make him wait for it. It would only make the eventual satisfaction that much sweeter.

Phil stroked his hand down Dan's body to toy teasingly with the pubic hair surrounding his jutting cock, not touching him directly but moving lower to gently cup and caress his balls. Dan was moaning steadily now, his fingers clutching the sheets and his eyes squeezed tightly shut. "Jesus, Phil," he groaned. "I get that you want it slow, but does that mean you have to torture me?" Phil relented and moved his hand to rest lightly on Dan's cock, causing the other man to let out a sigh of relief and pleasure. He caressed the soft skin with slow strokes of his fingertips, not grasping the column of flesh but just exploring as if he'd never touched Dan before, as if he was experiencing Dan's body for the very first time. When he did wrap his hand around Dan's cock, he held him loosely, gently, and slid his hand up and down with a teasingly light touch. Dan's groan this time was loud enough that the neighbors were sure to hear. Phil smiled a bit to himself, acknowledging that they'd be giving the neighbors something to complain about tonight, and he wasn't even a little bit sorry.

“I could make you come like this,” Phil offered in a low voice. “Help you last longer when I’m inside you. Would you like that?” His hand stroked loosely up and down, up and down, achingly slow.

Dan nodded eagerly. “Yes. Anything. Whatever you want. Just keep touching me.”

Phil kept his touch slow and rhythmic, loose enough that he didn’t need any lube because he was providing only the slightest amount of friction. It would take Dan longer to come this way, but that was fine with Phil. Still, it wasn’t long at all before Dan’s hips began thrusting into his touch and Phil leaned down to kiss him, continuing the motions of his hand. Dan whimpered against his lips and Phil deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue into Dan’s mouth in time with his hand’s movements. When he perceived a growing desperation to Dan’s thrusting and felt Dan’s cock grow harder in his grasp, he began to move faster, still keeping his grip loose, knowing that orgasm was imminent. When Dan tensed, his hips lifting high off the bed as he thrust upward and cried out, Phil tightened his grip a bit as he gently worked him through his release, continuing his slow strokes until Dan collapsed limply onto the sheets.

“Jesus fuck,” Dan breathed after a moment. “You’re fucking good at that.”

“I’m good at a lot of things,” Phil whispered, leaning close to flick his tongue along Dan’s earlobe. “And you’re not so bad yourself.”

“Give me a minute,” Dan panted. “I think even my toes are throbbing.”

Phil laughed quietly and pressed soft kisses to Dan’s sweaty face. “I love you, you know.”

“I know,” Dan replied, his words jerky with his calming breaths. “I love you, too. Especially right now.”

Phil laughed again and moved his hands to selfishly stroke his own chest and belly as he eyed his momentarily sated lover’s face, rosy with the satisfaction Phil had given him. He lowered a hand to brush against his own hard cock, having become excited by giving Dan pleasure, by Dan’s pleading noises and the beauty of his writhing body. Dan noticed what he was doing and raised an eyebrow. Phil smirked and took a firmer hold of his own cock. “I like looking at you like this,” he said cheekily. “I like the noises you make and the way you look when I make you come. It gets me hard. So while you’re recovering, I’ll just … amuse myself.” He took up a leisurely stroke with his right hand and raised his left to tweak one of his own nipples, purposely putting on a show for Dan. He licked his lips, his eyelids lowering slightly. He arched his neck in a way he knew was sure to get Dan’s attention and suddenly found himself pinned to the bed by the other man’s larger frame, firm lips pressing and biting at his neck. Phil chuckled in triumph even as he felt himself overpowered by Dan’s greater strength and size holding him down.

Dan lifted his body slightly and slowly slid a hand down Phil’s body to his cock, unceremoniously knocking Phil’s hand out of the way. “Let me do that,” he growled.

“Gladly,” Phil replied, feeling himself grow harder in Dan’s grasp. He closed his eyes with pleasure and let his lips fall open on a gasp.

Dan took the opportunity to kiss him. It started out hard and deep, but then apparently Dan remembered Phil’s request that they take this slow tonight and his lips gentled, his tongue exploring rather than conquering, and Phil raised a hand to tangle in Dan’s hair, tugging slightly in a way he knew Dan liked. Phil’s other hand roamed Dan’s back, still hot and damp from his orgasm. The remnants of sweat allowed his hand to glide smoothly along the sleek skin. At the same time, Dan’s hand was teasing his cock, making him buck in a bid for more sensation.

“So dominant!” Phil purred. “You sure you don’t want to just wait a few minutes to get your strength back and take me like some swooning Victorian virgin?”

Dan huffed out a laugh that Phil could feel against his ear and cheek. “Neither of us is any swooning Victorian virgin. I like you just the way you are, confidant and clever and absolutely my equal. Though I don’t promise I won’t be swooning when you fuck me, because you’re just that good.” His hand continued to move below and Phil gasped out a breath. Dan continued with a smirk, “That was a hint, by the way.”

Phil rolled them so that he was on top, nudging Dan’s hand away and propping himself on his elbows and thrusting along Dan’s cock, which was valiantly struggling back halfway to hardness. The slickness of Dan’s come between them made the motion smooth and easy. Neither of them had ever been squeamish about sex being a messy business, and the slipperiness of fresh come was handy sometimes. Phil could feel Dan harden even more against him. Dan sighed, hands roaming Phil’s back. “You feel so good.”

“Gonna make you feel so good,” Phil replied. “Imagine me inside you, nothing between us, just every ridge of my cock rubbing against the walls inside you, my tip nudging your prostate…” Phil’s thrusting had become more urgent without him realizing it as his words had an effect on him as well as Dan. He took a deep breath and slowed. Dan arched up beneath him, but Phil grabbed his hips and held them down. “Give me a sec. I got a little worked up and I don’t want this to be over too soon.” He closed his eyes and just breathed for a moment. When he opened his eyes again, he looked down at Dan with pale eyes shining with emotion. “Let me do this, okay?” Dan nodded, raising a hand to stroke one pale, high cheekbone. He smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to Phil’s lips. Phil smiled back.

Phil reached for the lube that sat on the nightstand, always ready for its frequent use. One of these days he was going to forget to hide it before making one of his videos and the fans would go crazy. But he wasn’t thinking about that right now. Right now, all he could think about was the warm, willing man beneath him, and how much he loved him.

Dan’s reaction to the first slippery finger inside him was a gratifying moan and a lovely arching of his neck as his head pressed back into the pillow. “Yes,” he gasped, and Phil inserted another finger, sliding both in and out in a slow rhythm, curling them up to brush only very gently against Dan’s prostate. Dan’s hips bucked. “Another,” he begged, and Phil added a third finger, feeling Dan’s rim stretch around him. It wasn’t long before they both knew Dan was ready, and Phil was lining himself up, tip just touching Dan’s slippery hole as he paused, hesitating. He began to slide inside exquisitely slowly, feeling the slick friction against the sensitive head of his cock for the first time. When his crown had breached the ring of muscle and he felt himself actually inside, just that first bit, Phil paused again, breathing deeply.

“You okay?” Dan whispered, watching his face, and Phil smiled down at him reassuringly.

“Just not wanting this to be over before it starts. I’ve been thinking about this since we first talked about it, so I’m a little over-excited.” Phil could feel his face heat. He’d always been smugly proud of his own stamina, so admitting this was more than a little embarrassing.

But Dan only smiled at him and raised his head to press a kiss to his lips. “I’ve been wanting this, too. Just having you inside me is incredible. Take it as slow as you want.”

Phil nodded and adjusted his grip on Dan’s legs, making sure both of them were comfortable before he continued his slow slide into Dan’s body. He closed his eyes tightly and just focused on the slippery heat around him, the feel of Dan’s walls caressing his flesh in a way he’d never felt before. He’d known sex would be different without a condom, but he hadn’t expected this intense rush of sensation. But then he opened his eyes and looked down at Dan’s beautiful, shining face and knew it was mostly because of the person he was sharing it with. When he was as far inside Dan as he could get, he leaned down and kissed him, slow and lingering. “I love you so much,” he murmured earnestly, trying to put everything he was feeling into the words, and Dan wrapped his arms around Phil in a tight embrace.

“I love you, too,” Dan said, and Phil could hear the truth in his words, and in all the words they’d spoken to each other in the last three months, and he began to move.

As Phil had requested, they went at a leisurely, easy pace, their hips moving together with the dextrous familiarity of much practice. They kissed lips, cheeks, eyelids, everywhere they could reach, their lips tender and delicate against each other’s skin. “Does it feel different?” Phil asked quietly after a while, and Dan nodded.

“It’s more intense, more … intimate. It feels like … you … inside me. For the first time.” His voice was thready with need.

Phil nodded, then rested his forehead against Dan’s shoulder for a moment. “I can feel your muscles, fluttering around me. I can feel … everything.” His lips against Dan’s then were firmer than they had been, and his strokes began to speed up. “I can’t … I can’t wait…” and Dan nodded eagerly, granting permission if Phil had needed any.

Phil’s thrusts grew harder and faster, sweat beading on his face and chest as Dan’s hands stroked his arms and shoulders, fingers occasionally clutching when Phil hit the right spot inside him. Phil was aware that he wasn’t displaying his usual finesse, wasn’t making this as good for Dan as it could be, but he was so caught up in his own sensations that he felt swept away by his own experience. He felt his orgasm begin to build and ground out, “God, Dan, I’m gonna come!” before it fully hit him and rendered him incapable of breathing, let alone making any noise as his entire body stiffened and clenched with the pleasure rocketing through him. He wished he could see Dan’s face in that moment, but his eyes had clenched shut against his will and he was unable to open them until the waves of ecstasy began to recede and he gulped in a rush of air. His eyes met Dan’s, and those brown eyes were looking at him with such depths of love that their eye contact was almost as intense as his orgasm had been. Phil leaned down to kiss Dan passionately and felt the hard cock pressed between their bellies. When Dan bottomed, Phil always tried to make sure Dan came first, but this time he’d lost track of the niceties in his own eagerness. But it wasn’t too late.

Easing himself gently out of Dan’s body, Phil slid down to take Dan’s cock into his mouth. It tasted faintly of his earlier release, but also of their combined sweat and just the unique taste of Dan’s warm skin. Dan cried out loudly at the feeling of Phil’s hot mouth engulfing him and Phil remembered his determination to make Dan scream tonight. He slid three fingers inside Dan’s well-slicked hole and unerringly found his prostate, stroking over it just the way he knew Dan loved, again and again, at the same time as he used all of his considerable skills to pleasure Dan’s cock. It wasn’t long before Dan was arching off the bed and yelling out Phil’s name in a very gratifying way that Phil was certain must have startled the neighbors. But, come to think of it, maybe the neighbors were getting used to those sorts of noises from them these days. Not wanting this to end, Phil gently suckled Dan’s cock in his mouth until it began to soften and Dan pulled away out of sensitivity.

Dan pulled him up into his arms and they held each other tightly for a long moment. Their sweat gradually cooled and Phil became chilled, so he reached down to pull the blankets up over them both, but then he pulled Dan into his arms again and pressed a tender kiss to his mouth.

“So,” Dan breathed against his lips. “How was your first time without a condom?”

Phil chuckled weakly. He shook his head and tried to find the right words. “If it hadn’t been with you, it wouldn’t have mattered. But because it was with you, it was spectacular.”

Dan blushed but looked happy. They kissed again.

Phil leaned over to flick a tongue into Dan’s ear and murmured, “And next time, it’s my turn.”

Dan rolled them again so that he was on top and nipped at Phil’s neck playfully. “If you hadn’t already given me two amazing orgasms in the last hour, I’d take you up on that right now!”

“Promises, promises,” Phil smirked.

Dan tried to swat him on the butt, but could only reach his hip from this angle, so he settled for giving him a reproachful glare. “It’s your fault I’m so well-satisfied I can’t take advantage of you right now, you know.”

Phil sighed melodramatically. “Yes, I’m aware. I’m just so fantastic in bed that I’ve worn you out. I guess I’ll have to wait until morning.”

Dan grinned. “Count on it.”

They lay together for long moments, bodies intertwined, feeling each other’s breath, feeling the sweat and come growing sticky and sort of gross between them, both thinking longingly of a hot shower, when suddenly Phil gasped.

“What?” Dan pulled away to ask in concern.

But Phil was leaping out of the bed in a flail of long limbs, stark naked. “There’s a red velvet cupcake in the lounge!” he exclaimed excitedly.

Dan collapsed back onto the bed in relief, a fondly amused smile on his face. “You should go get it, then.”

Phil grinned at him and tore off running out of the room. Priorities.

Author’s Note: Don't let anybody ever pressure you to have sex without a condom just because it will feel better. Be safe, get tested, and use condoms unless you're absolutely sure. And, somewhat less importantly, Like, Reblog, Comment, and just generally feed the author! I write to contribute to our little community, so I love to know that the community appreciates my contribution!

#phanfiction #phanfic #phan smut #phan #myphanfic

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kayla-turpin · 6 years

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Another year, another list of longform articles that were my, quote-unquote, jam!

In no way is this a definitive, objective list of The Best Articles™ that were released this year because god-knows any attempt at a year-end list from a locust of authority is a bit silly. However, if you ever wondered what cultural narratives struck my fancy this year, here they are:

10. FML: Why millennials are facing the scariest financial future of any generation since the Great Depression - Michael Hobbes//Huffington Post

Of all the triteness of Millennial think-pieces, this was by far my favourite - substantive dialogue with a mountain of factually diagnoses and (hey, as a millennial) some cool visual effects:

We often think of poverty in America as a pool, a fixed portion of the population that remains destitute for years. In fact, Krishna says, poverty is more like a lake, with streams flowing steadily in and out all the time. “The number of people in danger of becoming poor is far larger than the number of people who are actually poor,” he says.We’re all living in a state of permanent volatility. Between 1970 and 2002, the probability that a working-age American would unexpectedly lose at least half her family income more than doubled. And the danger is particularly severe for young people. In the 1970s, when the boomers were our age, young workers had a 24 percent chance of falling below the poverty line. By the 1990s, that had risen to 37 percent. And the numbers only seem to be getting worse. From 1979 to 2014, the poverty rate among young workers with only a high school diploma more than tripled, to 22 percent. “Millennials feel like they can lose everything at any time,” Hacker says. “And, increasingly, they can.”

9. She Didn't Want This Come Hell or High Water”: Inside Melania Trump's Secretive East Wing - Sarah Ellison//Vanity Fair Despite former political aspirations, all my knowledge about the White House, especially the East Wing, has come from Scandal. It is a fun exercise inserting Melania Trump into this fictional vision, especially with the stark reluctancy of a woman uninterested:

Friends say she is slowly warming to the job. But she has had to state so frequently that she is independent from her husband that it is hard not to see her as distancing herself from his positions, or even from him. That is not to say that she has ever taken any proactive stance against him. An immigrant herself, she never found a voice to stand up for the immigrants that Donald Trump was bashing. A First Lady has always been able to choose the cause that will occupy some of her working hours. For Michelle Obama, it was childhood obesity and girls’ education. For Laura Bush, it was literacy. (Stockard Channing’s First Lady, Dr. Abbey Bartlet, on The West Wing, volunteered in a clinic in an underprivileged neighborhood in Washington, D.C., giving vaccinations.) For Melania Trump, the cause of choice is—improbably—cyberbullying. It has become almost too easy to point out the irony, given her husband’s habit of using Twitter to bully not only political opponents but also members of his own party and even his own Cabinet. Cyberbullying cannot have been Donald Trump’s idea. It’s unlikely but possible that she chose the cause by way of trolling her own husband. (“Wouldn’t that be great?” one former Obama adviser commented.)

8. Greta Gerwig’s Radical Confidence - Christine Smallwood//New York Times

It seems a bit trite to include an article that revolves solely around a single celebrity individual - but it has all my favourite trappings of a good portraiture or human study: Strong, bad-add woman doing cool, creative things that is spoke about in an almost lyrical way. Last year was Kesha, this year is Greta. Also, Lady Bird was one of my favourite films of the year and because I don’t normally do a Best Of of film, this is the next best thing:

After breakfast, while we were power-walking through the West Village, I mentioned that I had seen that she was doing a voice part in Wes Anderson’s forthcoming animated movie, “Isle of Dogs.” She remarked that Anderson’s previous animated film, “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” isn’t “really” about animals. “It’s not?” I said, which prompted the beginnings of an earnest analysis, until I cut her off to explain that I had been kidding. “Ohhhhh,” she said. “I don’t understand sarcasm. I take it seriously!” Her T’s are shiny and bright, like the ringing of a hand bell.

7. Twelve Second of Gunfire - John Woodrow Cox//Washington Post

I am aware that a fascination with tragedy can become borderline perverse so I try to be conscious of towing that line. I also think good journalism allows human narratives around tragedy unfold in such a way that provokes empathy rather than sensationalism. This article is of the former and delicately provides insight into the aftermath of a school shooting among the students at Townville Elementary:

One day, Siena announced to her mother, Marylea, that she couldn’t go to summer camp anymore: “They don’t have a police officer.”

Like many of her classmates, loud, unexpected sounds petrified her. Once, outside a Publix, a car backfired, and she dropped to the ground before dashing inside. Another time, after a balloon popped at a school dance, the entire gymnasium went silent as the principal rushed to turn the lights on. Fredericks later banned balloons at the spring festival. “Noises are different now,” she said.

6. The House on the Corner - Lane DeGregory//Tampa Bay Times

This article leads with “what would drive a man to shoot 17 times?” which immediately begins to swivel that moral compass. The answer seems easy, until it’s not. The article touches on social class, poverty, ownership, and the elusive need to protect one’s own. It is structured as an interview which gives it an interesting ‘he said/she said’ perspective - needless to say, I didn’t come out with a clear answer.

ROY: He pulled a gun on me twice, come up in my face showing me, “This gun right here I just bought.” He always used to make comments about my house not having nowhere to hide. He’d knock on my window 2 o’clock in the morning 'cause he see me sitting on my bed watching TV, just to let me know like, “I see you sitting right there in front of the window.”

QUARLES: We never had a gun in D.C. Never needed one. But now it’s time to do something. The police aren’t going to protect you. You gotta protect yourself. That’s why I bought the gun.

5. The Last of the Iron Lungs - Jennings Brown//Gizmodo

This was a fascinating read on a very tiny sub-sect of the population that technology and healthcare forgot. I think especially in the wake of the anti-vaccination narratives that seem to persist, it is a reminder of the potential health catastrophes that might re-emerge. There is also a warm undertone of friendship that emerges in this article that was pleasantly surprising - many of the individuals in iron lungs rely on the goodness of those who have the skillset to maintain an object that has no simple parts that can be ordered or any warranty to rely on.

When I met with the Randolphs, Mark gave me photocopies of old service manuals and operating instructions. He filled me in on little-known history about the Emerson iron lung and its inventor, whom they met at a Post-Polio convention. I realized what each of these iron lung users have in common are the aid of generous, mechanically skilled friends and family. And that’s probably the main reason they’ve been able to live long and full lives, despite the hardships and anxieties of depending on aging machinery to survive.

4. The Unimaginable, Infamous Case of Pam Hupp - Jeannette Cooperman/St. Louis Magazine

Honestly, considering how much true crime I consume (don’t look through my browser history), I am surprised more true crime longform articles didn’t make it onto this last. All things considered, I am glad it was this one. Or you should be glad it was this one, as it’s a wild ride that is still ongoing.

Schwartz puzzled it out: If you went out of your way to drive your friend home just so she could get there a few hours earlier because she needed sleep so badly, why would you bother her by calling when you were just a few miles from her house? And if she didn’t answer your call, and you knew she was exhausted by chemo and coming down with a cold, wouldn’t you just think she wanted to sleep?

He asked Russ about this Pam Hupp person.

“The last six months to a year, they started hanging out,” Russ said. “It just kind of gradually—once she was diagnosed with cancer, a lot of people wanted to be with her. I never had a problem with Pam personally. She was easy to talk to. But I could name half a dozen other people Betsy was closer to.”

3. The War To Sell You A Mattress Is An Internet Nightmare - David Zax//Fast Company

I know you’re thinking how interesting an article about mattresses actually could be - I was thinking the same when I read it the first time. However, it was down-right captivating and managed to ping a bunch of my interests: blogging, e-commerce, side hustles, and internet drama. So much drama. A few weeks ago when I was out with friends we began reciting common podcast advertisements as a lark - it was inevitable that Casper and Endy came up. I think that says something - for something as mundane as mattress shopping to enter the collective consciousness, there has got to be something interesting happening beneath the surface. Turns out, there is.

It was possible that Derek genuinely loved the Leesa above all other mattresses; he’d reviewed it favorably even before Casper cut off his payments. But many people I spoke to suggested that other things were possible, too. If most mattress companies paid around $50 per commission, other companies paid two or three times that, even as much as $250. In one email I saw, an unscrupulous mattress reviewer said companies regularly approached him offering to “buy” top placement on his site; so long as the reviewer liked the mattress, he’d happily negotiate a price. “Honestly, the FTC has to step in at some point and make review sites divulge what they are paid for each bed or brand,” Nest Bedding’s Joe Alexander, told me. “This industry is a freight train out of control.”

2. Trapped: The Grenfell Tower Story - Tom Lamont//GQ

This article was near visceral - I actually think I held back tears at multiple points. From the perspective of multiple people on different floors, all experiencing the same impending fire yet very different stories.

The fire neared their corner of the building. Talabi fastened the end of his knotted bedsheets inside the bedroom, fed the remainder out the open window, and then climbed out after it. As he hung on the outside of Grenfell Tower, his fingers curled around the frame of his bedroom window, he wasn't willing, yet, to test the strength of the sheets. Instead Talabi told Rosemary to pass out their daughter. But their daughter, crying and struggling, would not let herself be passed. She pushed herself away from the window frame, and Talabi in this moment saw that his plan as it was—to descend holding the bedsheets in one hand, his daughter in the other—was not going to work. As his belief in the plan failed, so did his strength. He realized he could not pull himself back inside. He kicked for a foothold beneath him, but the building's paneling was too slippery and his feet wouldn't stick. He stopped kicking. He clung to the window frame.

1. Deliverance from 27,000 Feet - John Branch//New York Times

This article snuck in at the end of the year but quickly rose to the top of my personal Best Of - two mountain climbers die at the top of Everest. A normal occurrence, as it goes, but it is rare for these bodies to be retrieved even when still alive let alone after death. This article is captivating in writing alone, but it is is also paired with photo and video of the victim’s rescue - before and after their death.

The first photographs arrived on Tuesday, May 16. Debasish Ghosh received one on his phone at 6:17 that evening while sitting at his hotel. Numbly, he stared at it, tugging the edges with his fingertips to zoom in for a better look. He sent the message to his son and to Chandana at home in Kolkata. He also sent it to Sunita Hazra, the only survivor among the four Indians in the expedition the year before.

The photo showed a body in a faded yellow snowsuit bent like a horseshoe and half-buried in snow. It looked like something archaeologists were midway through excavating. There was no face visible, but the boots and the gear matched what Ghosh was wearing a year before. The pattern of the yellow-and-black snowsuit matched what Sunita had in her closet at home, the one she bought alongside Ghosh at a little shop in Kathmandu.

#2017 #longform #bestof

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