![[Early Access] Take Off S2 Ch.128 "The Eulogy (Part 1)"](https://img5.xaiju.com/storage/8/to/kw/d38796-019e8829-45ad-7e60-95dd-5605893048b6.png)
[Early Access] Take Off S2 Ch.128 "The Eulogy (Part 1)"
Added 2024-10-29 00:45:07 +0000 UTC| Previous Chapter |
I am embarrassed because I said new chap up Oct 25 but it has been four new days...! I apologize. If you haven't seen the latest announcement- payment will be paused for all existing patrons next month as I catch up with these chapters.
⚠️Spoilers ahead⚠️ I've been nervous about this one because personally as a reader, I'm not crazy about backstories and long flashbacks BUT I do recognize their purpose BUT I also worry. This chapter as a result is LONG and will be completed in 2 parts. I guess I'm also nervous because it might feel like a lot, but it's something I've been wanting to explore ever since I started season 2 (sorry this is so vague). I'm interested to hear all kinds of thoughts, and very much appreciate all the support you've all given me especially when I know this chapter has come incredibly late.
Thank you for your understanding and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Comments
😧...honestly, I shouldn't be surprised, Asian parents are like this. "It's your decision, as long as I approve!" This is why his communication skills are sub-par. Silence gets you through it, however, it makes it worse sometimes. Hopefully he gets better at speaking his mind and verbally expressing his emotions.
Dawn Stockhausen
2024-12-14 19:42:30 +0000 UTCAww poor baby 🥺, my heart is 💔 now. I hope they can fix this soon. They belong 2gether. I love the back story btw. I was always so curious about Andrews life. I hope that we can find out how he got his scar as well. TY for the update! 🙂
PixelatedLove(｡♡‿♡｡)
2024-11-02 14:42:26 +0000 UTCOur baby boy is so tortured in his own head 😢 really wish he will gain more confidence and trust his friends (and Nathan obviously)! Hopefully he’ll progressively get to talking and sharing. Wishing him luck 💕
Double J
2024-11-01 10:47:55 +0000 UTCI feel so bad for Andrew... I hope he learns how to communicate better with people and that communication and being honest is crucial in any relationship - romantic or platonic.
sour_drinkk
2024-10-31 11:33:27 +0000 UTCYour writing, your art style. I love your work so much! It’s always worth the wait
Peachy
2024-10-30 16:33:25 +0000 UTCPoor baby
Fattwaffles
2024-10-30 16:30:44 +0000 UTCUgh he needs to love himself first so Nathan can love and throw that ass back on em 🥹
Yael St Louis
2024-10-30 13:01:44 +0000 UTCOur sweet baby boy 😭 his heart is so big and just he tries so hard. Someone love him
Goddess Aelin
2024-10-29 21:13:16 +0000 UTCJui, the intentionality and thoughtfulness in your writing is so apparent and appreciated. Hope everything is ok and you're being gentle with yourself. Glad you decided to give yourself more time and space to do your work instead of adding more pressure and urgency.
Grey
2024-10-29 18:42:17 +0000 UTCNormally I agree with you about backstory but I think because you feel that way about them you did an even better job at it. It’s really needed in the story for us to get to know Andrew better. Trust your gut! ❤️
Chloe-oe-o
2024-10-29 18:40:52 +0000 UTCI think back stories are important, sure if it's so long it takes over the story, or if they are used abruptly to justify a character absurd behaviour, then this isn't good back story, but we aren't in this configuration here. A couple of chapters won't kill us, and the fact that you thought this for a long time dismiss my second type of concern. Also, more importantly, silent and/or shy characters deserve a back story because they won't talk about themselves. So Andrew definitely deserves one.
Gah
2024-10-29 17:27:25 +0000 UTC💗💗💗
dead-bi-wizards
2024-10-29 16:30:27 +0000 UTCOh baby, Andrew…you’ve been thru a lot but everything will work out ❤️ Thank you for showing us a bit of his past to understand some of the internal struggles he’s dealing with.
Jessica Marie
2024-10-29 14:58:24 +0000 UTCOh my goodness! I actually agree with you, as a reader I do find long flashbacks/backstories a bit distracting, but to be honest, I think this one is well placed. It's going to be fascinating to see why Andrew has been careful and holding back (from Nathan's perspective anyway). And honestly, I find Andrew to be so relatable. This small insight you've given to him past is a real eye opener and makes me really feel for him having had similar experiences with parents. This story has been such a joy (even with all the heartaches) to read and I'm really looking forward to reading more.
sarkarfish
2024-10-29 10:12:12 +0000 UTCAndrew sobbing for Nathan has my heart shattered 😭 I can’t please Nathan go back he’s just a baby and learning please and loves you so much
VioletDash
2024-10-29 09:04:16 +0000 UTCOh baby.. 😭😭😭
Charliie Kreitzer
2024-10-29 08:02:06 +0000 UTCThis chapter had me shedding a tear on the bus home. So well done and just giving clarity to Andrew’s actions and who he is and where his head is at.
Erin Scott
2024-10-29 06:21:18 +0000 UTCOof. First thing in the morning : See Andrew cry. Definitely NOT recommended!! But what you said about flashbacks. It guess It always depends on how they are made and when they are brought into the story. In this case it gives a deeper insight into Andrew's life so far, especially during his formative teenage years. Personally I think it was a good choice to put it here (sure I know it's only the first half of the chapter) - especially regarding what physically hurt happend to Andrew and what happend during school with the rumor, it's like a bridge between now and then. Also I feel like it's important to see, how Andrew ended up feeling this pressured for perfection in each aspect. And with how he was trying to appease the dreams and ambitions of his parents it's no surprise he is still like this. Some habits ARE hard to break, especially when they were basically drilled into you (being the best, having good grades, making a name for yourself, being "normal" - the whole spiel). And for me personally the worst part is, Andrew knew how he felt and all inside. But he was so afraid because of the outside world and pressure that comes with it. For me it explains a lot more of his current behavior, not that I think it's good. He should definitely work on that as well so he can be more at ease and express himself more freely and better. Like the way he writes. If he could express himself like this (maybe he should write Nathan a letter to explain), maybe the would be easier for him. Now I feel even his choice for his college carrier feels like it was determined by his mindset to help him express but without being to loud( I hope this makes sense). And I'm sure his parents wanted the best and all ( what they always tell you) - but this is like a great example of what parental desires VS. what the child actually wants. And this flashback already gives Andrews character so much more depth again. It was a good choice. Lastly at the moment I'm not sure if I would prefer Nathan to be still there or not... They definitely need to talk but right at this moment I'm not 100% sure about this being the best moment. But we'll see! Thank you Jui and your Team for your herd work, especially on this super long chapert part!! 💜 Appreciate your words! Don't worry, take your time and you are ready when you are💜💜
Kiki
2024-10-29 06:12:31 +0000 UTCThe struggles of being a baby gay 😩 we all have gone through the roughest times like this. Hits so close to home😭
Bella_era_BTS
2024-10-29 04:53:03 +0000 UTCOh boy. This one hit too close to home.. I've built my whole life on what my parents expected of me. Aaand a medical career and a traditional marriage that ended up in divorce later, here I am, a 32yo woman, still trying to find my true self. I understand Andrew's struggle and I'm so glad he didn't apply for the school he didn't want. He was braver than I ever was. I hope he can be with the person he loves dearly (even tho I wanna see Nathan suffer a lil for being a complete d*ck lately..ANYWAYS) This was an excellent chapter Jui, thank you 🙏
catdog
2024-10-29 04:34:35 +0000 UTCFlashbacks to me are incredible tricky. They are the only way to give precise insight into what your character went through, what baggage they carry, who they are as a person/how they became the person they are today. But I hate when flashbacks are used as a crutch for poor character development or as very obvious guilting mechanisms so the reader feels bad for x villain or whatever. This chapter was not a crutch. In the timeline of their story we've reached the point where everyone needs to do some introspection and growth. It only makes sense that while they do that they adress their baggage. And as readers we want to see and understand what happened. Where did it all start. How is a man Andrew's age completely unable to be honest with himself? That's not only anxiety. There's underlying trauma. And the way the flashback is written along with the art are INCREDIBLE. the parents being figures whose faces you can't *exactly* make out but you can see the unforgiving eyes, expecting greatness only, Andrew smiling at them and losing himself to expectations... except it's not just expectations. It's norms. It's being different when the only thing acceptable is being picture perfect excellence in all social norms. It's being in the closet and trying so hard to pretend you're "normal" cause being you is unbearable. Very, very, VERY well executed, written and drawn AND it flows into the story perfectly. Thank you so much (I wrote way too much and did not revise, sorry)
Celia
2024-10-29 04:28:55 +0000 UTCYou’ve reached a new level with this chapter.
Kevin of Nine
2024-10-29 03:48:13 +0000 UTCI am seriously hoping that Nathan IS still in the room & didn’t leave Andrew alone in Xu-an’s room. That would be a serious dick move! Jui & team … another excellent story and art. It’s great to see into Andrew’s upbringing to help understand how his mind processes things. And the atypical presentation of parental pressure on their offspring is so authentic. So many times the way that the various media forms depicts these stressors on the adolescent, they show the parents yelling & being totally unreasonable with their demands for their child to do X Y & Z exactly as they say to do it whether it be to participate in a specific sport, pursue a specific career path or attend a specific university. Andrew’s parents are shown to be caring & supportive but are putting as much stress on him as if they were overbearing & demanding. I look forward to uncovering more of his back story & how he ended up in New York. And I’m sure there’s some juicy stuff in Nathan’s backstory as well!
Shortpockets
2024-10-29 03:24:41 +0000 UTCI love getting insight into Andrew’s home life and youth, it explains so much about who he is as a person in the current story, it will also however make me extra sad when I reread everything and know his past😭
Quinn
2024-10-29 03:10:52 +0000 UTCMe before reading this chapter; This is gonna hurt Me after reading this chapter; I flipping knew it ! *tears in eyes*
Princess
2024-10-29 02:04:50 +0000 UTCNot the title of eulogy 😭
Alexis Zoumberis
2024-10-29 02:04:12 +0000 UTCI love that we’re seeing his backstory!! It helps us understand our anxious baby and love him even more for it!! I seriously love the depth of the characters in this story😭❤️
Bella
2024-10-29 02:00:18 +0000 UTCAhhhh Ioved this chapter! I personally like flashbacks because it helps me to understand the characters more. And Andrew is my favorite ❤️ I'm proud of him for making that decision. That must have been terrifying. He really has already improved by leaps and bounds. It's so sad what he is going through in the present due to miscommunication. 😭
Z
2024-10-29 01:59:35 +0000 UTCI’ve been wanting Andrew’s backstory for a while so I’m very excited to see this arc! Feel so bad for baby Andrew 😢
Jazmin
2024-10-29 01:59:17 +0000 UTCGreat place for a flashback. Builds on the current tension and it’s always good to be with dear Andrew.
Larry Jones
2024-10-29 01:57:02 +0000 UTCExactly what I was wondering. No telling how recently or if Andrew came out. I still think Nathan's response was pretty harsh and I hope they work it out soon.
Elena
2024-10-29 01:47:23 +0000 UTCAwwww andrew. 🥲🥲 and as a fellow college student I DEF FEEL HIM MAN
Skylin’s Tv
2024-10-29 01:45:54 +0000 UTCAndrew baby 💔
Havyn
2024-10-29 01:42:03 +0000 UTCThe anticipation is killing me but the writing, characters and art are so good. Ugh, ill just have to suffer through it. 💜
Morgen Schuler
2024-10-29 01:17:27 +0000 UTCAaaaahh college applications flashbacks 😱😱 I feel you man 🫂
Hannah
2024-10-29 01:12:51 +0000 UTCI don't know if I should wait till the second half comes out, or if I can handle myself only reading the first part... I know I'm gonna be in tears either way though. What should I do, y'all?? 😩 Help!
AbsoluteTerritory25
2024-10-29 01:07:57 +0000 UTCI wanna give him a hug 😭😭😭
Nish
2024-10-29 01:01:53 +0000 UTCSeeing Andrew cry has my heart BREAKING 😭😭😭 I hope there’s a chasing arc, I want to see Nathan going after him 💔
_jlau
2024-10-29 00:59:10 +0000 UTCYesss I’m ready!!! Gimme all the backstory I love these boys
Hydrasteeth
2024-10-29 00:58:29 +0000 UTCAndrew 😢💔
Dandy
2024-10-29 00:56:57 +0000 UTCBaby bean just hasn’t had it easy at all ☹️
Morgana Prezioso
2024-10-29 00:55:45 +0000 UTC2 parts so I’m gonna wait to read together! Take you time Jui 🫶
Jo
2024-10-29 00:55:25 +0000 UTCAh.. Andrew... I think I'll just take a break from this until the end of the year.. too heartbreaking for me 🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧
sekacecir
2024-10-29 00:55:23 +0000 UTCi swear if they don’t get back together, imma end up looking like Andrew ☹️☹️
Yuna
2024-10-29 00:54:03 +0000 UTCJust finished the chapter: He’s just a baby 😭😭😭
J.C. Madden
2024-10-29 00:53:15 +0000 UTCI love this poor sad man to much 🥹
J.C. Madden
2024-10-29 00:51:11 +0000 UTCtissues are ready
Breckie
2024-10-29 00:49:08 +0000 UTC
