#- kid ken my beloved

[ken-dom]

[kursed-curtain]

Snippet

A young RG1 fic

--+--

Something felt... wrong. He didn't know what exactly, but if he couldn't read in these conditions, then there was something off.

He scanned his room, mentally checking off everything that could be different. The window was only 2/3rds open. The carpet was clean. His hair was… itchy.

That's it. His hair felt wrong. Long and loose, untidy and heavy. It made him feel icky, like hearing a guitar out of tune. He got goosebumps and his eyes began to burn.

He had to remember the words. What did he need to say to get his hair cut? 'Do you want your hair cut,' His mum would ask. 'You want me to cut your hair?'

He scrambled up to his parents' bedroom door and knocked. "Do you want a hair cut?" Ken said, as emphatically as one could with a frog in their throat. "Want a… w-want a haircut?" His tears escaped him. He felt wrong and gross, and he needed this desperately.

Ken's parents opened the door to find their son, sniveling and messy with tears.

"What's wrong?" his mum bent down to Ken's level.

Dad looked concerned. "Kenneth, what happened?"

Ken mumbled. "Cut y-your hair?" He sniffled.

They tried to understand. "Cut our hair?" Mum asked.

"M-mine." Ken tugged at his loose strands. He itched his neck. "Wrong…"

His mum seemed to understand first - "You want your hair cut shorter." She said, sitting down beside Ken and pulling back his loose strands.

"Is that it, Kenneth?" Dad knelt down on the other side, rubbing Ken's shoulder reassuringly. "You want your hair cut?"

There was a moment of silence. Ken's sobbing subsided. He sat up straight, wiping his eyes as he gave a tiny nod.

His parents both breathed a sigh of relief, with the knowledge that the issue was merely something so simple.

"Oh, honey..." Mum whispered, wiping away more tears, "Of course. We'll get the scissors."

Dad lifted Ken up to a barstool chair and Mum wrapped a little towel around Ken's neck. It was like a little barber shop in their own home. Ken's mum brushed the hair out of his eyes, then quietly trimmed. It wasn't until she combed his hair back that she noticed how long it had gotten – light blond, almost invisible strands, already down to his shoulders. No wonder it was bothering him.

When the work was done, Mum spun Ken back around and handed him a mirror. Ken grinned, feeling normal again. Mum and Dad both had smiles on their faces as well - clearly, it was a relief that Ken wasn't upset anymore.

"Thank you." Ken smiled, still sniffling a little. "Thank you! Feels better now."

Ken's mum gave him a little kiss on the forehead. "I'm glad you feel better now, Kenneth. Just tell me when you need another haircut, alright?"

(Ken giggled a little. He may have hated when his parents called him by his full name, but he knew his mum meant it in a nice, loving sort of way – and that's what mattered.)

"Alright, mum." Ken nodded, and went to give her a hug. "Thank you. Thank you~"

...

While Ken sat in the kitchen, enjoying the feel of his short hair, Ken's parents talked in the living room.

"He shouldn't overreact so much at this age… I thought something terrible had happened.

"Me too, but it's alright. Just be patient with him. He just works differently. Let him learn and do his own thing."

Ken felt bad for making his hair such a big deal. Maybe it was big to him, but adults had even bigger problems to match their size. Maybe they just didn't get it.

"He shouldn't overreact so much." Ken whispered to himself. Then, he hummed, sing-song, "It's alright. Let him learn and do his own thing."

[kozuwhore]

❛ SPREAD LIKE A BUFFET ?! ❜

ᡴꪫ synopsis ⦂ your beloved has always longed for a family of his own, but has never acted upon it. that was until you suddenly brought it up and caught yourself in many days and nights of overfilled passion.

ᡴꪫ warnings ⦂ breeding kink and fem reader.

ᡴꪫ notes ⦂ this is a repost from my previous account of the same username before it was deleted (it was my first post on the acc too for tokyo rev; the memories :"3)

the moment you said something about having kids around this man is the moment you knew damn well your walking privilege for the next for days (or even weeks) disappeared entirely.

you spoke the golden words he’s always wanted to hear and deliver without any second thought. he can just imagine it now: seeing your swollen breasts growing more everyday, alongside your stomach that carries his child. the idea is intoxicating to him, almost like it was a drug he had to keep using day and night.

he still couldn’t get enough of your folds drip out the fourth load of his cum. he needed to make sure there wasn’t a chance in hell that you wouldn’t be able to carry the dream he’s always wanted to share with you, even if it includes getting a plug to keep every single drop inside of you day and night.

after all, what kind of person would he be if he weren’t to serve the wishes of his beloved and the cravings he’s been imagining for such a long time?

⎯⎯ ୨ CHIFUYU MATSUNO, TAKASHI MITSUYA, KEN RYUGUJI, MANJIRO SANO, SHUJI HANMA, HARUCHIYO SANZU & THE HAITANI BROTHERS.

[dellalyra]

ᴇɴᴅɢᴀᴍᴇ - Mɪᴋᴇʏ sᴀɴᴏ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

ᴀ/ɴ: 𝖺 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌？ 𝗉𝗈𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒． 𝖺 𝗋𝖾𝗏𝗂𝗏𝖺𝗅 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗈𝗄𝗋𝖾𝗏 𝖻𝗋𝖺𝗂𝗇𝗋𝗈𝗍 𝖻𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗈𝗇．𝖿𝗂𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝗍𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗅𝗂𝗇𝖾，𝗂𝗇 𝗆𝗒 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗆𝗂𝗄𝖾𝗒 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗍𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇 𝗈𝖿 𝗌𝗂𝗆𝗂𝗅𝖺𝗋 𝖺𝗀𝖾 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝟤𝟢 𝗈𝗋 𝗌𝗈 𝗂𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌．

𝖢𝖶： 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘻𝘺， 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘤 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘮𝘦，𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘹 𝘫𝘰𝘬𝘦， 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦，𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦， 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦

“Who’s that…?” Takemichi asks, baffled at the sight of a very pretty girl - clad in ToMan uniform, standing beside Mitsuya laughing.

“Who?” Draken scans.

“Beside Mitsuya.”

“That, Takemitchi, is Mikey’s surprise.” Draken smirks, clapping the blonde on the back and once again inadvertently winding someone after forgetting not everyone is built like a refrigerator.

After a moment of recovering, coughing and wheezing, Takemichi continues his inquiries into the identity of the mystery girl.

“What do you mean Mikey’s surprise?”

“I forget you’re still a rookie. Just watch.” Draken smirk, crouching to sit on the steps of the shrine.

So, he did. The shrine grounds began to fill up as the other captains and their vices arrived. Takemichi’s eyes kept sliding to glance at the girl, leaning on her bike. The bike was certainly eye catching - matte black, with pink LED underlights and matching detailing. Sitting on the handlebars was a black helmet with LED lined cat ears poking from the top. She blended in well with the other ToMan members, chatting casually and seemingly in deep discussion about something with Mitsuya.

Was she Mitsuya’s girl? No - because why would that be a surprise for Mikey? That - and Mitsuya definitely had said he was single. She was definitely really pretty, a total eye catcher. She seemed roughly Mikey and Draken’s age, by the look of things.

After a while, and well past the expected time, the roar of the final expected motorcycle echoed through the shrine.

The black CB250T skidded to a stop, a rare lack of care for the beloved ‘Babu’. The blonde atop it leaped off the seat and sprinted toward the mystery girl, snatching her up by the waist and spinning her tight in his arms.

“Y/N-chan! You’re home!” Came Mikey’s (slightly muffled by the girls hair) voice, as the rest of ToMan’s inner circle laughed and cheered - seemingly part of a joke that Takemitchi didn’t understand.

A squeal came from the girl, as Mikey spun her faster.

“Manjiro Sano! You’ll give me motion sickness!” The girl, Y/N, laughed.

Still laughing, and with a bright smile and sparkling eyes that Takemitchi hadn’t seen on Mikey’s face before, he let her down with uncharacteristic gentleness.

“When did you get home?” He asks, setting the girl on her feet with the care of handling a porcelain teacup.

“Last night. Ken-chin picked me up from the train station, thought it would be fun to surprise you.” She says, fixing the lapel of Mikey’s jacket.

Mikey’s blonde head whipped around to Draken who lay smirking against his own bike.

“Ken-chin, you fucking traitor! You told me you’d tell me when you were picking her up so I could go too!” Mikey sulks.

A booming laugh comes from beside Takemichi as Draken hears Mikey’s complaint.

“Sorry for picking up my own damn sister!” The vice-commander shrugs.

Takemichi nods, thinking Draken had a point - wait… sister?

“Wait - Draken - you have a sister?!”

“You’re looking at her, kid.” Draken nods at Y/N, who waves and smiles from the vice grip hug-from-behind Mikey has her in.

“Half-sister. We had the same mom. Different dads. Kenny got the height. I’m Y/N, you must be Takemitchi.” She says, in a warm voice and kind eyes shining, stroking absentmindedly the hand Mikey has clutched around her waist.

“You’re never abandoning me again.” Mikey groans.

“I was gone for 2 months to look after my grandma, ‘Jiro.” Y/N laughs.

“2 months is too long! Ken-chin was all I had and he doesn’t smell like cherry blossom! I’m coming with you if you ever leave again.” Mikey stomps.

Takemichi takes note of how Mikey knows how you smell, and actively missed it - as well as the new name he’d heard for Mikey - ‘Jiro - you were the only person he’d heard call Mikey that.

In the background, Baji lifts the seat of the girls bike, and takes out a bag of candy hidden under some stuff.

“Knew it! Oi, Chifuyu, she still keeps the good stuff in the bike!” He said, skipping off toward Chifuyu with the candy in hand. You move to run after him, shouts of ‘Keisuke Baji, you fucking thief! I trusted that information to you!’ However, the struggle was a fruitless endeavour as Mikey refused to let you go from his vice like koala grip but did something that must be reserved solely for you and mid-shout of cursing Baji’s bloodline half a taiyaki was shoved in your mouth and you instantly settled down and smiled - mouth fun with a fish tail hanging out of you mouth and a pat to the arms on your waist.

Draken just laughs and Takemichi is reminded of the fact that the ToMan founders and a few others have been side by side, growing up together since barely in the double digits.

“Y/N’s my baby sister. There’s only a year and a half between us. Her pa was a little better than mine, he actually knew her, since he was a regular client - he’s pretty high up in gang shit in Kyoto. Still a useless prick, but she loves his mom - her grandma, she had a hip replacement 2 months ago so Y/N went to the countryside to take care of her for a while.” Draken explain to Takemichi while popping a fresh piece of gum in his mouth.

“Why didn’t you talk about her?” Takemichi asks.

“You talk about shit you miss?” Draken shrugs, gruff with the truth of missing his sister.

“So she’s ToMan too?” The rookie asks.

“Sure is. First division vice captain.” Draken nods, a hint of pride in his resolute face.

“Wait but - how? She doesn’t look -” Takemichi is interrupted quickly by a laughing Draken.

“Like she can fight an ant?”

“Exactly!”

“Size isn’t everything, look at Mikey. Underestimating that girl has lead many assholes go broken noses and split lips.” Draken smiles.

Takemichi supposes that’s probably accurate.

Baji walks over and plops himself down on Draken’s other side, half empty bag of candy in his hand.

“So how strong is she?” Takemichi asks, nodding to the girl now sat beside Mikey showing him pictures of the garden she helped tend with her grandma.

“Who?” Baji asks with a mouthful of sherbet.

“Your vice-captain.” Draken replies, snagging a candy out of the bag.

“She’s fast, that’s her strong point. Speed and agility. Could probably take Mitsuya.” Draken ponders, a sense of pride in the way he straightens his shoulders.

“Not in the way she’d like to take Mikey.” Baji snorts, before getting a smack on the head from the girls brother.

“It’s cute two sets of siblings are dating.” Takemichi points out.

“Huh?” Baji asks.

“Well, there’s the Sano siblings - Mikey and Emma, and Ryuguji siblings, you and Y/N.” Takemichi doesn’t know why he, the newcomer, had to explain.

“You and Emma are dating.” He says to Draken, who nods with a small smile.

“And Mikey and Y/N are dating.”

“Nope.” Baji pipes up.

“What do you mean?”

“They’re not dating.” Draken shakes his head.

“Wait - really?” This made no sense to Takemitchi. Wasn’t koala hugs, or something like sharing a treasured snack something romantic?

“Really.”

“Even the rookie sees it.” Baji laughs.

“But the way they act!”

“This has been going on for years, Takemitchi. They’re both fucking dumb. Neither of them are able to see how whipped the other is for them. Oblivious idiots.” The new voice made Takemitchi jump, not realising Mitsuya had slid in behind him.

“But they like each other?”

“Y/N admitted it to me, yeah.” Draken nods, which made sense.

“Mikey told me.” Baji says, wiping pink dust off his face.

“Some shit about being worried the other will reject them or more bullshit like that, I don’t fuckin’ know.” Draken grumbles.

All heads turn around to where the subjects of the conversation were sat.

Mikey was now sitting in the ground, on criss crossed legs between your knees as you sat on the step above and chatting animatedly about something while you used your fingers to comb through and retie his hair, the same way your brother did. The smile on your face as you listened to Mikey, and the way there was a visible tenderness to the way your fingers ran through his hair was more proof on your side, and Mikey was equally as obvious. When you finished, he lay his head on your thigh, and traces circles on your knee with a touch one may reserve for something fragile and smiled a real smile, a soft one, as you leaned down to nibble on the taiyaki in his hand.

Moments like this is when Takemichi is reminded that all the bad shit, all the timelines and the pain? It was all worth it - because a constant in every timeline was these two, and making it to the final one made him proud.

Now they’ll have their happy story. Their peaceful one.

Mikey does have his first official bike race next week, after all.

[captainfern]

Not rly a headcannon or anything but I can’t stop thinking about dad!price :( Doesn’t matter what scenarios nsfw or not, still pregnant or not I just need him

dad!price my beloved <33 @ghostlywhiskey also writes and loves dad!price too so definitely check out her amazing ideas :)

sfw and nsfw below the cut, fem!reader

sfw

dad!price can be both a girl dad and a boy dad and i hope you see the vision with this (just an fyi for stereotypical gender roles in regards to kids; obvi boys can have tea-parties and girls can like trucks, but it’s just for this little drabble ok ty <3)

dad!price with girls— you best believe he’s going all out with tea-parties. gets really into the fact one of his least favourite guests (a teddy) has been invited, making your daughter giggle and squeal. his beard will have glitter, or that cheap play makeup in it by the end of the day. his hat will be covered in stickers too.

dad!price with girls— loves a good rough n’ tumble with them, maybe in the sand or in the pool. puts them on his shoulders, tosses them around pretending to be a sea-monster (safely of course), splashes them or purposely gets them dirty and they’re just laughing and shrieking in happiness. you listen in, and he’s such a good dad.

dad!price with boys— races with remote control cars up and down the house (he actually gets super competitive and accidentally won on purpose once). loves listening to his boys talk about the lore of their hot-wheels universe, and he just sits there and suddenly have to play along to the fact that the red lamborghini galardo is a bad guy?? okay!!

dad!price with boys— just like with daughters, price loves the play-fighting aspect of parenting. tossing his sons against the couch, listening to them giggle and shout at him as they chase him through the house (of course they catch him!).

dad!price with his kids— teaches them all how to swim, and teaches them all how to ride a bike. enjoys teaching them life skills, and gets really proud when his kids succeed (he sobbed with happiness into your arms when each of his kids could finally read an entire children’s book aloud).

dad!price plays barbies with all of his kids, daughters and sons. gets really into it too. like no, son, your barbie can not come to his barbies birthday dinner. okay then, son, our barbies can fist fight each other for the one poorly dressed ken being kept in the attic of the playhouse.

dad!price who makes it his newfound mission to go to every event that his kids are apart of. sports, music, theatre, awards— he’ll be there, probably with his phone recording the entire thing too (in the future, he’ll definitely cry at his kids graduation).

nsfw

your husband has a huge breeding kink, obviously. after giving you time to rest after your first child (waiting until you were ready, of course), he would be stuffing you full again. stretching you open on his cock, pumping you full of his cum over and over again until it leaked out of you, and your tummy felt weirdly bloated.

he’s just obsessed with filling you— hands rubbing your tummy, watching the way your wet cunt milked his cock, plugging his spend inside you. imagining you pregnant again will most likely cause his cock to harden inside you.

price eats you out when you’re out too exhausted from a day with the kids, or being heavily pregnant. he’ll lay you nice and comfy on the bed and prop your legs over his shoulders. he’ll eat you out, kissing up your folds, licking and sucking on your puffy clit, stuffing your dripping hole with the thick muscle of his tongue.

when you come, he groans into you. he loves listening to you whimper and moan for him, whining his name. he’s come untouched against the bedsheets before— his face buried deep against your slick cunt, his hips rocking against the sheets.

he folds you over the kitchen counter (while your kids are at daycare/school) and fucks you hard. will make you come multiple times before he comes inside you. bonus points if you’re pregnant, and he can lift up your bump to ease your pressure while he’s filling your pretty pussy with his cock.

husband!price loves to talk you through it fr. “that’s a good girl, baby, there you go. takin’ my cock so well, aren’t you? takin’ it all in this tight cunt— fuck, there it is, just like that, sink yourself onto me, sweetheart. good girl, now rock those pretty hips— hngh, fuck, yeah that’s my girl. take it, baby, take all’ve my big cock in this tight fuckin’ pussy.”

[ariseur]

how about... a lazy, married morning w/ Nanami? i love your writing btw :3

kento nanami was beautiful, you thought — as you admired him for the umpteenth time this morning ( which technically, hadn’t been a lot of time considering it was only about six in the morning ).

squinting at the brightness of the large window beside your bed, you blinked wearily, rubbing the slight crust from your inner cornea and massaging your temple to adjust to the sight better. enduring the sun’s hatred was instead considered a blessing as you looked down at kento — with what once was creased brows only holds serenity in place of it.

his hair, typically slicked back as you’d recall all the times you’d giggle as he’d frustratedly try to stick down that one cowlick, now bed headed and messy. your lips pulled themselves into a soft smile as you tilted your head at his stirring, his fingers twitching along in sync with his slow breaths.

your hand traversed from underneath the warmth of the comforter and into the foreign coolness of the new air, finding its home in kento’s golden strands. a small sigh left his throat as your nails lightly scratched at his scalp, the scent of tea tree seeping into the air. his hand reached up to grab yours, locking around your wrist as he heard your soft giggles through his slumber.

“ken? kento, baby,” you muttered — almost cautious so as to not interrupt the silence so abruptly.

he turned his head at the call of his name, one eye peeking open quickly once he recognized it as your voice; ever so sweet with a dulcet lilt. nanami gave a sleepy, “hm?” before letting his eyes close once more, sinking back into the comfort of your shared mattress.

“don’t leave t’day, please.”

again, his eye peeked open at you before turning back over towards the window — brown iris morphing into a honey gold. “i promised gojo i’d arrive at the school earlier to talk about some things.”

your elbow flattened from under you, allowing you to lean down and curl around his side.

you pressed a kiss to the tendon of his bare bicep, “please?”

“if i could, i—“

“at least, stay in bed with me a little longer?” another kiss.

“my love,” he began with a soft huff before you pressed yet another kiss; this time trailing up his arm to string along the cords protruding from his throat. you felt the way his adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed, the way his mouth opened and closed in thought of a response, and you cherished all of it.

moments like these were rare with nanami, the pressure of your jobs always getting in between you two — not to mention the fact that somehow, as much as you loved those kids to death, ino and itadori would always somehow manage to cockblock you was frustrating. kento was grateful for whatever moments you had with each other, whether if they were spent in silence or filled with whispers of sweet nothings; anything was good when it came to you, he always told you.

“indulge in me for today, please? you’re just so wonderful,” a kiss.

“. . and sweet,” another kiss.

“. . and sexy—“

“i think i get the idea, sweetheart,” he laughed. you turned fully on your side to face him, your kisses coming to a half as he propped himself up on his elbows. your eyes couldn’t help but roam around his figure, lips subconsciously curling into a grin at the sight of your beloved merely existing.

“i’ll stay for a little while longer, but don’t be so sad when i leave, okay?” now both of his eyes fluttered open blearily to look at you, crinkling with the gentle, meager smile that flashed upon his face.

you nodded as you laid belly-up, sprawling your limbs out as the soft bedsheets rustle from your stretching.

kento nanami was beautiful, you thought — as you watched in awe at how the sun managed to perfectly reflect off of him. he was an angel to you, even with bed head and indents on his arms from how well he had slept. little did you know, that he felt the same way, and he spent the whole morning admiring you two, simply with his eyes half lidded enough for you to believe he was asleep. sometimes, witnessing something beautiful must come from being a little sneaky, he must admit.

𐙚 taglist ; @sad-darksoul @kasumitenbaz @ch3rryfiles

𐙚 requests are closed — july first, 2024 ( 2:02am )

[pupkashi]

hey jess my sunshine, may i request this prompt w kento, please 🥺 “do you think we’d still be a couple in an alternate universe?” “go to bed.” “what if we already got married and have five kids.” “go to bed.”  also i'm tucking you in and kissing ur forehead!💛

hi julie my beloved forest fairy !! <3 i hope you enjoy this sweet little piece :3

join the sleepover!

“coffee doesn’t even affect me anymore ken, plus I’m dying to eat this sweet bread i bought at the bakery” you had pouted at your lover, watching as his disapproving face turned softer from your words.

“fine, but don’t make it as strong as you usually do!” he had warned, you were too giddy to care, making as you usually did and running back to the living room, placing it on the coffee table and flicking on the tv.

it’s two hours later, and kento can’t keep his eyes open for another second. meanwhile you’re wide eyed and gasping at the drama unfolding on the screen in front of you.

“can you believe she’s blaming him! he’s been nothing but perfect and- babe?” you cut yourself off, looking at the man who is now fast asleep next to you. there’s a small smile on your face, pausing the tv before gently shaking him. “ken? wake up let’s go to bed, your neck is gonna hurt like this” you whisper, watching as he slowly comes to, blushing a bit as he nods.

the two of you get ready for bed fairly quickly, slipping under the warm blanket and immediately gravitating into each others arms. nanami is quick to close his eyes, already being welcomed back into the sweet abyss of his dreams-

“do you think we’d still be a couple in an alternate universe?” you whisper, breath tickling his neck and causing the welcoming arms of sleep to move further and further away.

“maybe, go to sleep” he mumbles, adjusting himself a bit so that he isn’t mumbling against the top of your hair.

“maybe? you don’t think we’re destined to date in every life?” you question, teasing him a bit and propping yourself up on your elbow.

nanami knows what you’re doing, and he’s blaming the late night caffeine for it. “we absolutely are fated in our every live, my love” he says, eyes opening a bit, “now go to sleep,” his voice is a bit raspy as he nuzzled his face into the pillow below him.

“what if in one of those lives we’re already married and have five kids” you ask not even a minute later, staring at your blonde boyfriend, curious it’s in your eyes and a small smile on your face. “do you think we have a small wedding? what’s the girl to boy ratio?”

“my love-” he begins, opening his eyes and sitting up a bit more to face you better.

“i bet you spoil any girl we have rotten, and you probably bake pastries for them on Sunday mornings” you giggle, already getting carried away as you think of the version of you two in some other universe.

“darling go to sleep” he groans, his arms wrapping around you and pulling you into his chest, squeezing you tightly and pressing a kiss to your forehead. “never letting you drink coffee after 10 ever again” he mumbles, already closing his eyes.

“g’night lover” you whisper, finally closing your eyes and your thoughts stilling for a moment. the only sound in your bedroom is nanami’s even breathing.

“would you still love me if i was a worm?” you whisper, a smile breaking onto your face when you hear kento groan at your question.

[god-mouths]

Scott pilgrim is a modern retelling of Dante’s Inferno, and I want to talk about it

Hi . Brought this up very briefly a while ago but i rewatched spto with friends last night and got my gears turning. I don’t usually make posts like this but It’s been on my mind and I want to share. Here we goooo. Under read more becwuse I wish not to disturb my beloved friends with a long post

First off, let’s start with theeeee obvious.

Say hello to our Dante and Beatrice.

I don’t think I need to go into this first one much, but Scott and Dante are of course the heroes(term used lightly. Scott is not a good person and honestly neither was fuckinh Dante of all people) of their respective tales, going through hell and back to win over this ethereal, “too good to be true” heavenly dream girl. Scott even dies to get her in the end, like Dante venturing down into the depths of hell, dying and then ascending to get to Beatrice. If I wanted to really stretch it I could say the dreamscape is a sort of purgatory but I don’t think there’s enough evidence for that one.

Next,

Our Virgil. What’s up, Wallace.

In the comics Wallace acts as a sort of guide to Scott. We end up seeing him less as the comic progresses, which I find lines up with Virgil having to part ways with Dante before he enters heaven. Not much to say otherwise admittedly. Love you though buddy

Now for the symbolism of hell. Since there are nine circles of hell, it obviously can’t match up one to one with the exes unless we add some of scott’s relationships to the mix, which both doesn’t make sense, causes this analysis to get stupider than it already is, and leaves some characters left over that already don’t fit in to these parallels.

Luckily, however, there are The Seven Deadly Sins. Going to be going in sin order rather than ex order here

Firstly,

MATTHEW PATEL - PRIDE

- the first boyfriend and the first sin very conveniently line up, which threw me off track because I thought the exes would go in the order of the sins. Enyways

- in the movies, comics, and shows, he is insanely flashy with how he presents himself. It’s the entrance, the dances, the expressive clothing (“that guy’s dressed as a pirate” “pirates are in this year!”, modifying Gideon’s suit to fit his color palette, the outfit he wore while kicking gideon’s ass). The theatre kid in him essentially

- taking the lead in the musical Knives and Stephen presented him with— they knew how to cater to him, because he views himself as the coolest bitch on the planet. Which honestly he kind of is but don’t tell him this

- so headstrong in his pride that he fucks up. Repeatedly. First to get killed, too cocky, spends all of gideons money “I’ve lost billions!”

- believes he’s entitled to Ramona as soon as he wins the fight against Scott

GIDEON- GREED

- I don’t feel like I have to explain this one but I will because I enjoy him greatly

- CEO, billionaire. Money money money mr rich

- literally “owns” or tries to excersize ownership Ramona in the comics and movie as if she belongs to him— with the glow, or with the chip implanted into her neck with his logo on it.

- has all of his past girlfriends cryogenically frozen. All for him none for anyone else. They should only love meeeeee.

- wants everything for himself in excess. Women, fame, money. Almost considered pride for him also but greed is more fitting

KEN AND KYLE- ENVY AND LUST

- holy shit this image has five pixels so sorry about that I’m on my phone and Google images sucks

- anyways of course they’re sharing sins

- not much to say here as they don’t show up much, and it’s easy to make the argument of envy or lust for ANY of the seven exes. These two were the hardest to figure out. Not as sure on Envy, but can definetly advocate for lust— playing around with women, thinking they were playing around with Ramona.

TODD- GLUTTONY

- this one was the easiest one for me. Like come on

- breaks vegan edge in the comics, movie, (vegan police), and show (Wallace breakup event 2 dead 5 injured)

- his whole persona revolves around food. Of course gluttony doesn’t always mean food but here it most definetly equates. Even when he’s vegan he always makes it a talking point of how superior he is to others because of this fact, only for it to blow up in his face when his enjoyment of non vegan food catches up to him.

ROXY- WRATH

- a very angry girl to be sure. Takes her emotions out using violence, attacking Ramona the first time she sees her, even though she is going out of the order of the league and supposed to be attacking Scott (although I guess that point is moot because they all think he’s dead at that point)

- “I’m bi-furious” line from the movie deserves a shout out here I think

- (completely justified) Unending rage against Ramona in the show, and scott in the comics and movies. She is PISSED.

Lastly,

LUCAS LEE- SLOTH

- also one of the easiest ones. Could have made an argument for pride (tries to prove he can land a sick ollie so hard that he dies) or greed (movie star who lives in huge mansion), but sloth ultimately fit the bill the best.

- even before we get into his reoccurring theme of “whatever” in the show, it’s pretty evident in the comics and movie that he doesn’t care enough to extend effort. He tells Scott he’ll leave him alone and say his ass got kicked if Scott gave him a twenty dollar bill, sends his stunt doubles to fight Scott in his stead.

- onto the show, he lets his stardom slip out of his fingers with his attitude, not even caring to read or memorize the script anymore (“is that why half the lines in your last film were ‘Let’s Party’?” “I uhh, read the title.” Etc). Just spends all his time messing around and skateboarding. The title of his episode is literally “Whatever”. He doesn’t give enough of a shit to care. Which. Respect I guess

Extra; the exes ARE referred to as “the seven deadly chumps” in the show.

In conclusion;

[shinyzango]

Just curious, opinions on the different nutcrackers that you know of from all kinds of media and stuff?

Sorry if anyone asked this before I wouldn't know

Love your art and characters by the way keep it up!

Hohohohohohohoho, we be opening the Pandora Box here. Not that I'm complaining~

So, this is going to be a very long post as I've seen a lot of the movies. I also have a couple books which I can give my opinion, and I'm familiar with various apparitions in videogames and such. So yeah this is going to be a loooooooong post.

So buckle up, grab a drink and enjoy the ride into my personal madness o7

[ CAREFUL, VERY LONG POST UNDER THE CUT ]

So, let's start with movies as those are easier to grab and talk about for me. I'm gonna go with their year of release ot keep things organized.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Shchelkunchik (1973)

Small silly dramatic guy, I like him! The animators did a great job animating his design and make him incredibly appealing. As for his human appearance, eeeeeh I don't really care for him. Definitely a shock the first time you see it lol But yes, adorable silly guy

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Nutcracker Fantasy (1979)

Li'l guy. It is Sanrio so it's bound to be on the cute side. The Nutcracker itself doesn't do much in the movie, but as for Fritz himself, I... honestly don't care about him. He looks pretty, but personality wise he needs to work on it pff Idk he just comes out as plain and a little arrogant... Still a fine fellow, though.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Nutcracker: The Motion Picture (1986)

One of the two ballet-based movies I've seen, and definitely the better one of the two imo. And good lord I love this guy. He may look terrifying but good lord if he's silly. And I actually don't mind his human appearance as simple as it is. Silly man, this one.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The Nutcracker Prince (1990)

HIM. MY BELOVED. THE GOOD LAD. Definitely my favorite, and not because this was my most beloved childhood movie. He is such a sweetheart with a hint of awkwardness but who can still kick your ass. And the final scene in the castle in the Italian dub is just *chef kiss* 10/10 lad.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The Nutcracker (1993)

The other ballet-based movie... it's just Macaulay Culkin. And his nutcracker costume looks hideous lol. Nothign to say. Surprisingly, he's not the worst one.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The Nuttiest Nutcracker (1999)

Ripoff Ken. He is incredibly dumb, and a tiny bit of a freak, but could be worse honestly kdjng They did Barbie before Barbie did it lol that's p much it.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Barbie in the Nutcracker (2001)

THE OTHER GOOD LAD. I love Eric so much he's such a sweetheart wanting to fix his mistakes. It's so easy to root for him. As for his human appearance... he's just Ken skjngf 10/10 lad #2

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The Nutcracker and the MouseKing (2004)

Oh boy what to say about this one. Very hateful in the first half. At least he learns and becomes bearable at the last third of the movie. But I do like the nutcracker form, they made the blocky design work as well, like later on it's actually very nice to see him move. Still, horrible personality. Needs a slap in the face.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Nutcracker in 3D / Nutcracker: The Untold Story (2010)

Hellspawn. Nightmare fuel. Abomination. Who the hell approved to that design?? And why did they pitch up his voice like that?? At least the kid playing human NC is not as bad, but good lord. 0/10 Just burn that puppet with fire, please.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)

This one just pisses me off. This one had so much potential, and the actor is actually good. It's just the way his character was written that is dog awful. They made him basically a dumb side character who barely does anything despite everyone in the movie treating him like he's a big shot. And the the fact that this was made by Disney just makes this worse. Just so much lost potential.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The Nutcracker (???)

I actually don't know who made this movie or in which year, but I do like this one. The movie is comedic so he's a bit silly, but he's still quite enjoyable. And for some reason he reminds me of Waluigi.... Still, silly guy.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

That's all for the movies. There are a bunch more that I've missed or that I can't find anymore so my list of opinions on them is not complete. But one day...

---

As for other medias, hm... I have a couple books that are just the original story by Hoffman and the retell by Duman (of which I don't have much to say) and the graphic novel by Natalie Andrewson.

He's just a li'l guy, silly kid but enjoyable.

---

Lastly, while there are no actual nutcracker based games, I do want to mention a few skins and characters I am aware of for the hell of it. I'm pretty sure I will be forgetting some but eh.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Terraria

Silly guy that speeeens. I wish I didn't have to kill them skgjfn.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Overwatch

As much as I now despise Overwatch for many reasons, I still love Zenyatta's nutcracker skin to death. Look at this silly guy. Definitely my favorite skin in the game.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Saints Row IV

SR4 had a Christmas themed DLC, and among all the xmas reskins of the enemies, one was the terminator-like enemies being turned into Nutcrackers. And their design look so sick.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Fortnite

I don't play Fortnite, but I do have to admit that the nutcracker guy looks neat. The crazy look fits the look quite well. If I would ever get in there (I doubt it but still), that would definitely be the skin I would use.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Lethal Company

I don't play LC neither but I've seen videos of the nutcracker enemy in action, and yeah he looks silly. I love how he moves around.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

That's all of the apparitions that I can think of. I'm also aware of the point-and-click game made by Big Fish Games, but I have not played it myself. I really should do that one day...

---

Aaaaaand that's a wrap. I'm definitely forgetting a nutboi or two somewhere but these are all the ones I can think of at the top of my head that are officially published and all.

If we start talking about folks in social medias I've come to know over the years... I'm gonna be here for 3 months trying to talk about them dkjfgn

Well, hope you enjoyed this personal spiraling into nut madness :V

[kairiscorner]

me when ken is causing my ben reilly mood rn (this bitch rewatched the barbie movie wow!!!)

ben reilly x reader headcanons

he finds intelligence attractive. YOU CANNOT TELL ME THIS STRONG, BLONDE ASS HIMBO DOES NOT FIND INTELLECT HOT, OK, LIKE... drop random niche facts to him, explain a theory, teach him a new math formula and he's in love with you.

he offers to open jars and packets for you, ironically he struggles even though he's so buff, but he manages to get it done by breaking the container.

that, or you do it for him easier and he just falls more in love with you.

(inspired by the barbie movie my beloved <3) ben only has a good day when you look at him. like he knows you have a lot of other people to talk to and look at and fight with on missions, but when you look at him, omg, his day is MADE, HE IS WITHOUT A DOUBT IN LOVE WITH YOU EVEN MORE <333

he offers to carry you when you're too tired to walk on missions, or when you're just feeling lazy.

his dream is to carry you in his arms while swinging around the city and doing the spider man kiss with you.

LIKE HE ALWAYS ASKS YOU AFTER MISSIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S RAINING, IF HE CAN SWING UPSIDE DOWN AND YOU KISS HIM

he also finds you super hot when you reject him, like... you're so out of reach, yet he loves and wants you. he has a hard time knowing when too much is too much, so you constantly have to remind him of personal space and that he's being too clingy, but ben's puppy dog eyes..........

ok, but when a villain lands a hit on you, FUCK NAH HE AIN'T TAKING THAT HE GETS ANGRY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG ASS WHILE AND FUCKS. THAT. VILLAIN. UP.

he is the adoptive kid of miguel o'hara, man knows how to get feral it just takes a lot to get him there (or just seeing you in danger is what starts it up)

he constantly says "i love you" in an over-the-top manner, LIKE HE WILL PROFESS HIS UNDYING, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR YOU IN THE LOBBY WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND DEFINITELY COME BACK, BUT HE TREATS IT LIKE HE'S GONNA BE AWAY FROM YOU FOR A LIFETIME

he broods and mopes when you're not around like a sad lil puppy :(

then he immediately perks up and smiles more when you're back :)

shut him up with kisses <333

[stewykablooey]

the way i have to run an illegal pr campaign to get yall to fuck kendall but i dont have to lift a finger to ensure a stewy smash sweep. ken my rotten loser kid that i have to pull strings for and stewy my beautiful golden child naturally talented and universally beloved.

[celepom]

Favourite Non-Fiction / Bio Graphic Novels of 2022

When I Grow Up: The Lost Autobiographies of Six Yiddish Teenagers by Ken Krimstein

When I Grow Up is New Yorker cartoonist Ken Krimstein’s new graphic nonfiction book, based on six of hundreds of newly discovered, never-before-published autobiographies of Eastern European Jewish teens on the brink of WWII—found in 2017 hidden in a Lithuanian church cellar. These autobiographies, long thought destroyed by the Nazis, were written as entries for three competitions held in Eastern Europe in the 1930s, just before the horror of the Holocaust forever altered the lives of the young people who wrote them. In When I Grow Up, Krimstein shows us the stories of these six young men and women in riveting, almost cinematic narratives, full of humor, yearning, ambition, and all the angst of the teenage years. It’s as if half a dozen new Anne Frank stories have suddenly come to light, framed by the dramatic story of the documents’ rediscovery. Beautifully illustrated, heart-wrenching, and bursting with life, When I Grow Up reveals how the tragedy that is about to befall these young people could easily happen again, to any of us, if we don’t learn to listen to the voices from the past.

Finding Joy by Gary Andrews

When his wife, Joy, died very suddenly, a daily drawing became the way Gary Andrews dealt with his grief. From learning how to juggle his kids' playdates and single-handedly organising Christmas, to getting used to the empty side of the bed, Gary's honest and often hilarious illustrations have touched the hearts of thousands on social media. Finding Joy is the story of how one family learned to live again after tragedy.

Flung Out of Space by Grace Ellis & Hannah Templer

A fictional and complex portrait of bestselling author Patricia Highsmith caught up in the longing that would inspire her queer classic,  The Price of Salt Flung Out of Space is both a love letter to the essential lesbian novel, The Price of Salt, and an examination of its notorious author, Patricia Highsmith. Veteran comics creators Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer have teamed up to tell this story through Highsmith’s eyes—reimagining the events that inspired her to write the story that would become a foundational piece of queer literature. Flung Out of Space opens with Pat begrudgingly writing low-brow comics. A drinker, a smoker, and a hater of life, Pat knows she can do better. Her brain churns with images of the great novel she could and should be writing—what will eventually be Strangers on a Train— which would later be adapted into a classic film by Alfred Hitchcock in 1951.   At the same time, Pat, a lesbian consumed with self-loathing, is in and out of conversion therapy, leaving a trail of sexual conquests and broken hearts in her wake. However, one of those very affairs and a chance encounter in a department store give Pat the idea for her soon-to-be beloved tale of homosexual love that was the first of its kind—it gave the lesbian protagonists a happy ending.   This is not just the story behind a classic queer book, but of a queer artist who was deeply flawed. It’s a comic about what it was like to write comics in the 1950s, but also about what it means to be a writer at any time in history, struggling to find your voice.     Author Grace Ellis contextualizes Patricia Highsmith as both an unintentional queer icon and a figure whose problematic views and noted anti-Semitism have cemented her controversial legacy. Highsmith’s life imitated her art with results as devastating as the plot twists that brought her fame and fortune.

My Brain is Different: Stories of ADHD and Other Developmental Disorders by MONNZUSU

In this manga essay anthology, follow the true stories of nine people (including the illustrator) navigating life with developmental disorders and disabilities. This intimate manga anthology is about the struggles and successes of individuals learning to navigate daily life with a developmental disorder. The comics follow the stories of nine people, including: a junior high dropout finding an alternate path to education; a former "troublesome" child helping kids at a support school; a so-called problem child realizing the beauty of his own unique quirks; and a man falling in love with the world with the help of a new medication. This book illustrates the anxieties and triumphs of people living in a world not quite built with them in mind.

Ten Days in a Mad-House by Brad Ricca, Courtney Sieh, Nellie Bly

Beautifully adapted and rendered through piercing illustrations by acclaimed creators Brad Ricca and Courtney Sieh, Nellie Bly’s complete, true-to-life 19th-century investigation of Blackwell Asylum captures a groundbreaking moment in history and reveals a haunting and timely glimpse at the starting point for conversations on mental health. “I said I could and I would. And I did.” While working for Joseph Pulitzer’s newspaper in 1887, Nellie Bly began an undercover investigation into the local Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell Island. Intent on seeing what life was like on the inside, Bly fooled trained physicians into thinking she was insane—a task too easily achieved—and had herself committed. In her ten days at the asylum, Bly witnessed horrifying conditions: the food was inedible, the women were forced into labor for the staff, the nurses and doctors were cruel or indifferent, and many of the women held there had no mental disorder of any kind. Now adapted into graphic novel form by Brad​ Ricca and vividly rendered with beautiful and haunting illustrations by Courtney Sieh, Bly’s bold venture is given new life and meaning. Her fearless investigation into the living conditions at the Blackwell Asylum forever changed the field of journalism. A timely reminder to take notice of forgotten populations, Ten Days in a Mad-House warns us what happens when we look away.

So Much for Love: How I Survived a Toxic Relationship by Sophie Lambda

Part memoir, part self-help book, So Much Bad For Love guides readers with honesty and humor through how to spot, cope with, and ultimately survive a romantic relationship with a malignant narcissist. Sophie had always been cynical about love—until she meets Marcus. His affection and doting praise melt away her defenses. The beginning of their relationship was a whirlwind romance, but over time she finds herself on uneven footing. Marcus lies. He's violently angry and bewilderingly inconsistent. Yet somehow he always manages to explain away his behavior and to convince Sophie that it's all in her head. Sophie comes to realize that she's become trapped in a cycle of abuse with someone with narcissistic personality disorder. Once she gets out of the relationship, Sophie documents the experience in this bracing, hilarious, and empathetic graphic novel that's full of advice to readers who may be in similar straits.

[kursed-curtain]

Deja Vu

-❣️-

Royal Guard No.1 stood in front of his home – his old home. He smiled, looking at how well-kept the outside was back in the day.

"Hello," chimed a young voice from behind No.1. No.1 turned to see a bright-eyed young boy in a little vest and tunic.

He saw himself.

"Greetings." No.1 replied back.

The young No.1, Ken, held his hands together in a meek sort of way. Ken tilted his head. "Why are you in front of my house?"

No.1 took a few steps away from the door, a tinge flustered. "Oh, I just… got a bit nostalgic."

Ken tapped his little foot. "No-stal-gic. Nostalgic. Nostalgic. That's a fun word. I'll look at what it means later." Ken smiled. No.1 sighed. That's what he missed – smiling this much. The desire to learn more. All of it.

Ken walked up to No.1 until they were practically on top of each other. Ken commented, "That's a nice mustache. I like it."

No.1 touched his mustache, as if he forgot it was there. "Hm. I don't believe I receive compliments for my stache that often. Thank you, I suppose."

"You're welcome." Little Ken seemed to glow every time he smiled. Ken looked up and down at No.1's outfit, then gasped. "Are you a royal guard?"

"Why, yes, I am." No.1 was taken aback, though he shouldn't have been so surprised. He did his research on practically anything wearing armor. He owned a few copies of books detailing the extensive defense system of Daventry. Of course he himself would recognize the royal guards. No.1 added, "As a matter of fact, I am captain of Daventry's royal guards."

"You seem very brave." Ken declared.

"Well, yes, that is one of the traits that makes a guard truly successful," No.1 tapped his finger to his chin.

"Truly successful…" Ken looked up with starry eyes. "Can you teach me to be brave, captain?" Ken clapped his hands. "I wanna be big and strong and brave like you. Then I can defend people… successfully!"

No.1 chuckled, seeing his younger self so excited. He missed this. "Alright, though I'm unsure how to train bravery. It's… simply something you learn."

Ken gave a quiet 'Ooh…'

"How do you become brave? If you're not just born brave," Ken asked. "Is it something you learn from other people, or do you do brave things to get better?"

No.1 out a hand to his chin. "A bit of both." The captain knelt down to his child self's level.

"'Doing brave things' doesn't just happen just because you want to do it," No.1 explained, "Occasionally… Your fear can oppose you. And that can be a challenge to deal with. You have to fight your own fear."

"Fight your own fear… how?" Ken gestured, mimicking claws. "Does it have a face like a dragon, or does it live inside your head?"

The word 'dragon' was a bit too much. No.1 rubbed his scar, yet kept going. "I suppose fear can look like anything, or nothing at all. You just have to persevere, if you know that word yet."

Ken giggled. "I do! Persevere – It's when bad things happen but you keep going. Like bravery!" He bounced on the balls of his feet. Then paused, tapping his chin. "What if it's something really scary? The scary that makes you stop moving."

"Well, if you feel like you can't do it alone, know you have allies - people who care about you." No.1 patted young Ken's back.

Ken's gaze wandered to the scar creeping up No.1's neck. "Were you afraid? When you got that scar?" He asked.

No.1 shivered at the thought. The claws and venom and a massive array of draconic heads…

"Yes... Yes, I was afraid. I still fought, even when I felt powerless. I got what I came for, and that's what mattered." No.1 took a shaky sigh. Ken, with two soft hands, took No.1's hand and massaged it – like how Mum did when he was younger. No.1 subtly wiped a tear from his eye. "I learned then not to get too ahead of myself. And that I had people who could guide me back to safety if I went too far."

"My mum and dad are like that, they help a lot…" Ken's gaze fell to the floor, thinking. "But… sometimes other people are not helpful safety people. They think I'm strange, so they aren't nice all the time."

No.1 leaned in close, touching foreheads with his younger self. "Look, Ken. No matter what obstacle stands in your way, fight for what you believe in. Hold your ground, and defend your beliefs."

No.1 shook his head, masking his tears. "Don't let anyone treat you with disrespect."

"Hold your ground… defend your beliefs." Ken repeated the words. "That sounds like something a brave person would do. I'll make sure to do that."

Ken looked up at No.1 "You sound like a very good captain. I bet people like you a lot, and you have lots of good friends, because you're perseverant." He bounced, starry-eyed. "I wanna be just like you."

No.1 smiled through his mustache. He hugged the younger Ken tight. "Don't worry. You will be."

[petorahs]

this literally proves that Makoto had less than pleasant thoughts about life after his parents died like I literally almost cried reading this response... everytime I feel like I'm reading too much into his character I'll remember this. "Because I know how it feels."

for context, Ken in the remake has a particular aspect in his character emphasized... [under read more are spoilers for his first two linked episodes, as well as discussions of suicidal ideation and depression].

in the original, it was made explicitly clear that Ken was going to avenge his mother's death by killing Shinjiro (who was as he deemed responsible) and then killing himself, because life will have no meaning to him beyond that. he's also a kid in elementary school.

in the remake, we find out that this manifests in several ways. first, he does not allow himself to enjoy things anymore, because that would mean he'd be too attached to his life he's going to throw away soon. when Makoto treats him to a hearty meal, he pauses after exclaiming that "it was delicious!", and that he "can't say things like that". food, one of life's simplest joys, has to be paltry to him. he has to focus on the mission. kinda like a robot.

secondly, he frequently regards things with a set time limit. a classmate invites him to the soccer team in October, but he declines (he was planning to kill himself on the 4th of that month, sorry, can't make it). he asks for Makoto's help to take care of his beloved pet hamster, because he knows he won't be around to. he's literally taking care of his own unsettled affairs like a dead boy walking. not making promises he can't keep (a lovely parallel to Shinjiro's upright advice to not break promises in his own 1st linked episode)

from this it can also be seen that Ken's obsession towards wanting to "seem mature" translates to "not wanting to be a burden", because no one took his problems seriously. just because he's a kid, doesn't mean these thoughts can't plague him. it's also because wanting to die makes people feel like they're taking up too much space. so, to do everyone a favor, disappearing would be optimal. (source: my own old thoughts...)

a common thought process of depressed people is indifference to their own future, like "I don't know if I'll make it past 20 years old" for example. Shinjiro and Ken both have said a variation of this. they know neither of them are making it past October 4th. they have a ticking clock over their heads at all times.

and... apparently. what gets me is that Makoto of all people understands this. understands exactly what Ken is going through. that feeling of needing to isolate yourself because "they won't get it" or "i'm just a burden", of needing to be calm cool and collected at all times, of not caring about the future because you don't see one for yourself, that life literally has no meaning and there's no purpose to it- Makoto understands what it feels like to be overwhelmed by that much dread.

he's empathetic and kind, but has awkward ways of showing it. he extends his hands to those that are in clearly bad shape when no one wants to. that's the kind of character he is, and I won't believe anyone who tries to say he doesn't have one... :")

[mercurygray]

Trying NOT to be obvious and ask for something with Diana (beloved) again, so how about a new girl - Freda, with "Cloying sweetness on the back of your tongue" from the Sensory Prompts, please?

And she thought she was supposed to be the welcome wagon.

"Miss Fred, Miss Fred!" Two small boys came running up to meet her jeep, waiting at a respectful and safe distance until she'd turned the engine off and gotten her box out of the back. She was on the lunch run today, and the turkey and cheese sandwiches weren't going to keep if she left them out in the sun too long.

"Well, hey there, Adam. George. What's doing?"

"Have you got any extra doughnuts today, Miss Fred?"

Fred shrugged theatrically, setting the heavy box-tray down at her feet. "'Fraid I don't, fellas. But I do have these cookies - er, biscuits - the mess hall just finished making. I was bringing them for Ken and the crew but I might have a couple extra. How do you feel about chocolate chips?"

You could have knocked the boys over with a feather. "Chocolate CHIPS?? You make biscuits with chips in 'em, Miss Fred?"

"How do you get the chips to taste like chocolate? I think my mum needs that."

Fred cycled through a a moment of brief confusion until she realized the mistake. Chips…crisps…fries…oh.

"What, you fellas ain't ever had chocolate chips before?" Ken asked, coming out from underneath the engine with a grin on his face. "You're missing out. Are those all for me, Miss Fred?"

Freda passed over the container to Ken, who made a big show of opening it and investigating what was inside while the two boys looked on, still absolutely sold on the idea of cookies that somehow managed to have fried potato inside.

"Maybe if you're real nice to Mr Lemmons he'll share," Fred suggested, holding in a smile.

"Naw, I don't think so," Ken said, hamming along for the sake of the joke. "I think me and Wink and the boys are gonna eat 'em all ourselves."

"Yep," Wink said, nodding very seriously. "Takes a lot of cookies to keep one of these things flying, you know."

Ken made a noise and suddenly drew his hand out of the box like he'd been burned. "Oh, darn. Would you look at that. This one's broken. Definitely can't eat that now, Wink, it's spoiled."

Up went the waiting hands, the two boys practically bouncing in place. "We want it! We want it!"

"Are you sure?" Lemmons looked the both of them over with a skeptical look. "Eating broken cookies can be dangerous."

"We love danger!" George said, loud enough for the both of them.

"Well, all right," Ken said, like he thought he might regret this, carefully picking up the broken cookie like he was handling broken glass and gently depositing it into Adam's outstretched hands. "Looks like this one's broke, too, George. 'Fraid you're gonna need to take both."

Both boys bit down hard, chewing carefully to investigate. Adam frowned. "Why, this is just bits of chocolate."

"Well, that's what Miss Fred said, isn't it?" Lemmons replied, clearly enjoying himself. "Chocolate chips?"

"Ohhhhhh." The light finally went on, and the boys giggled, still eating their cookies with glee.

"Chalk one up for American English," Fred said, watching the two boys run off through the tall grass.

"I don't care what anyone says, those are still fries where I'm from," Wink declared, pulling another half a cookie out of the box in Lemmons' hands and chowing down. "Thanks for the grub, Fred!"

"You're really good with 'em," Fred said to Lemmons, sitting down on the tarmac in the shade of the wing and watching as the rest of the crew ambled over for the sandwiches and apples, pulling handkerchiefs out of pockets to wipe off oily hands. "The kids, I mean. Some guys wouldn't take the time." How many 19 year olds would stop and play with their kid brother of ten?

"Helps, you know? Keeping it all in perspective. And I figure, if you make 'em listen here, if you really need to keep 'em out of trouble they'll listen later, too. Might even learn something." Lemmons nodded, mostly to himself. Ken Lemmons, you're a wise man and a scholar. "You eaten yet?"

She smiled and shook her head, taking the cookie he offered and biting down slowly, the chocolate cloying and sweet on the back of her tongue, still just the tiniest bit warm and gooey. Shortage of sweet things in this world at the moment. I'm glad human kindness isn't one.

--

Freda is one of my many OCs - if you liked her here, you can read more about her at her tag on my blog! More of my writing, and more OCs, are found at the mercurygraypresents tag.

[lurkingshan]

10 Things I Love About 3 Will Be Free

I am very late on this one, I know it! But this week I finally sat down with @wen-kexing-apologist and binged the whole thing, and had a grand ol’ time doing it. @waitmyturtles the verdict is two enthusiastic thumbs up. This was such a fun romp, and here are a few of the things I loved most about it:

SHIN MY BELOVED

Guess who has a new blorbo!! In hindsight it is absolutely absurd that it took a Tay Tawan girlie like me so long to watch this show, because Shin is an instant entry on the all-time fav characters list. I love his sad gay ass. He’s sensitive, he’s lonely, he’s repressed, he’s far too susceptible to Stockholm syndrome, and I would protect him with my life.

Mae

A working class trans character with an actual plot?! Thank you for your endless gifts, P’Jojo. Sure, my girl Mae made some questionable choices (just a little light murder!), but listen, I support her, in the words of @wen-kexing-apologist, embracing her feminine rage. And in the end, she figured out exactly the right target for her rage and lived her best life.

Miw

A Survivor. Gets shit done. Absolutely will kill a man if he forces her hand. Loyal to her boyfriends even when it would probably be smarter to ditch them. Also, she so pretty.

Neo’s tanks and crop tops

I never claimed not to be shallow.

Neo and Shin’s backstory

Episode 5 was my favorite of the show and the moment it really clicked for me. I loved getting a glimpse of Shin’s lonely and dejected teen years (I just wanna talk, Ken 🔪🔪🔪). I loved that the basis of Neo and Shin’s relationship and initial attraction was the way they played together. Shin laughed more in his few days with Neo than he probably had in the several years preceding them. I loved that Neo gave him his first kiss and that Shin treasured those memories so dearly.

The Worst Criminals Of All Time

Truly remarkable these three are still alive by the end of the show. Their ideas were half-baked and their execution was severely lacking. They never had a plan they thought all the way through and they never had a single scheme that went off without a hitch. Luckily, the bad guys chasing them were also thoroughly incompetent, so it all evened out. The only smart person in this show was Miw’s mom, who knew the only prudent move was to stay the hell out of this mess.

Miw and Shin’s friendship

I just love that these two developed their own bond, even though they’re not into each other the same way they’re both into Neo. They both risked their lives to save the other. They tease and joke with each other. Shin literally wanted to bring his new bestie home to live with him. They’re adorable.

This weird little guy

Toptap. My guy. What are you doing here and why are you being so strange? Are you good, are you bad, are you chaotic neutral? Who can tell! Certainly not me. But I enjoyed every moment your weird ass was on the screen.

There's a polyamorous relationship, and it’s depicted onscreen!

Okay, here’s the part where I admit my expectations for the poly romance in this show were a liiiiiiilttle off base. I must gently rib the fandom for leading me to believe this show would have any actual sex in it (or really a focus on romance at all) and once again recite to myself a universal truth: gifs removed from context are so misleading. At the same time, I also must acknowledge how groundbreaking it was at the time to depict polyamory at all. I would have loved a bit more time spent on the actual relationship dynamics and the emotional complexities of this triad they formed, but I recognize that’s not really what this show was about and appreciate they included a polycule in the first place. Now that it’s 2023 and he’s been give a lot more freedom, I look forward to Jojo’s further exploration of sexy polycules in Only Friends.

Against all odds, these crazy kids got their happy ending

When this show started I did not see any way for them to come out of this in good shape. I was going to be happy if they simply survived. But not only did they survive, they are thriving! Shin has inherited his dad’s legitimate business and discovered he looks hot in a deep V. Neo and Miw are living that beach life they deserve. Everyone loves each other and everyone is at peace. A+, 10/10, would watch again.