#-and her dad and her 'temper tantrum' and UGH when at the end she said she was fine with falin not coming back.... WAAA. OUGH.

[riacte]

so hey guys i finished dungeon meshi yesterday and i'm still thinking about it

[blueberry-macaron]

who said the reverse love square would be better? Who the hell said lets have Adrien fall for Marinette during THAT moment, lets have Marinette fall for the guy that can't take a hint she doesn't like him despite the fact another timeline of the very dude gave her trauma, and just them being together is the end of the world in three different time lines while dad of the year is still the villain? Why is the audience in for this same people square when it got uncomfortable by the minute in season two going forward?

It's a mess and I hate it😭

Marinette is so, so deeply traumatized by what's been going on in her love life, I don't think she would ever allow herself to date again because everytime she does, something bad happens. The chat blanc timeline was the worst one for her. If I were her, I couldn't imagine falling in love with this guy (and if I did, I would bury those feelings deep down and never ever pursue him).

The writers wanted to make their relationship challenging but they went wayyyy overboard with what Marinette has to endure that I think giving up on her crush would be the best option for her. Her relationship with adrien consisted of making a fool of herself and be embarassed about it, her relationship with Chat was dealing with his temper tantrums, his codependence and watching how the world got destroyed. And now the boy who has turned white and destroyed the world is literally her only option and only then, her feelings suddenly changed out of nowhere because he suddenly put his game face on during akuma fights. As if the other temps haven't done that ever. How convincing.

And the statue scene... ugh.

Look, I too have written plot lines like this where one person didn't know the other one was there (bc they were hidden or disguised or smth) and they declared their feelings to the other person unknowingly and that's how they got together. WHEN I WAS 12. Back then I thought this shit's the most romantic thing ever, now I cringe at myself. The writers apparently have never grown out of this and it shows. And if that was the point where Adrien's feelings have changed... why was this never mentioned? And I don't mean hints that he has looked at her some way because this show is the master of tell don't show, meaning that I expected Adrien to have a moment to say anything about it, like "huh, Marinette kissed me... that wasn't bad actually" or "wow Marinette's such a good friend... and such a good kisser". I didn't get that vibe that he acted different before and after the staue scene at all. You can't tell me he had feelings this entire time, not show it and then expect me to buy it.

For the love square to fully work, it had to reversed (or completed, however you wanna call it). I understand why they went that route. But they're also ignoring a ton of problems without solving them and it just ruins the whole thing. Like, the developement is so over the place and unbelievable that if they hadn't put in the umbrella scene, which was the scene where everybody started shipping them, I think the love square wouldn't have been nearly as successful. Their developement made people walk away from it, and that's pretty telling of the writing skills here.

[revirushifaa]

OK, but imagine MC dying of old age while their daughter is still super young and Lucifer doing his best as a single dad for centuries as their daughter grows from the terrible twos into the teenage rebellious streak that definitely didn't come from him (it did).

Haaah, more papa Sushifer is in order! This is already fun, so I'll give up a scenario!

Enjoy!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Daughter of Pride:

MC is gone. His partner is gone, and now the only thing that was left of them, was their one-year-old daughter, Lucille. While Lucifer was still a little mournful over his mate's loss, he promised to them that he would be the one raising their firstborn, it was a promise that he won't break, he did his best with the raising alone, after all he had experience with raising children.

Lucille was a demon like her father so she aged differently from her human parent so it was only natural that MC died without seeing their daughter grow up, something that torment them even to the last moment of their life. Lucifer didn't wish to remember that sad day. It had to be one of the most saddest days of his long life.

Please, MC, my dearest... stay with me

Lucifer... take good care of my little girl. Tell her that I love her... I love you too, both of you...

With that last sentence and warm smile, MC stopped living. He was so devastated that he turned himself colder around everyone... but his daughter. Lucille was the only living being left from his mate, the one who he had to protect and raise. It wasn't an easy task, normally, MC was who took care of her the major part while he was absent in business with Diavolo.

But he had promised with his heart to MC, that Lucille would be cared for and raised well. Just looking his daughter, it remembered him of MC. While she had his body form and face features, her hair and her eyes were MC's, it was like seeing his beloved in their daughter, which he took as comfort. He would nuzzle Lucille at nights and snuggled her in bed, the baby half demoness had MC's calid smile and laugh, but she had also inherited that hard attitude from Lucifer. It was a mix, of hard and soft.

"You are my pride and joy, Lucille. Never forget that, daughter mine."

What he would always murmur in her small ears as he snuggled her and cradled her. With his daughter with him, he didn't become full isolated to his room, if he had lost both MC and Lucille, then Lucifer wouldn't be sane at all. At least Lucille was safe and sound with him.

"No, Lucille. You cannot have sugar all three meals."

As the little demoness grew up, she was more hard to raise or to try to discipline. She was spoiled, that was true, and sometimes she turned out bratty.

"But I wanna sugar. SUGAR NOW!!"

"Lucille—"

"SUGAR!!!"

Sometimes her temper tantrums, gave Lucifer huge migraines and constant stress. It was when he used his major authorital tone, that he made her to stop acting up. And if that didn't work, then it was taking her privileges and sometime in the corner. He never hit her as a punishment. No. He just couldn't bring himself to do that, the demoness was only three and if he did that, he would be breaking an important promise that he had made to MC. Be fair with my little girl, Lu.

So physical discipline was a no-go with him. There were other ways that worked his way. Like when he grounded her from playing with her toys for three days. She would only study and practice her writing. No dessert as well. He had glared sternly at Beel, warning him to not be lenient when his daughter was grounded.

"That's it, young demoness. No toys or dessert for THREE days."

"But, Daddy-"

"No buts, or else I'll add another day to your grounding."

That was all to shut her savage mouth in protesting. Of course seeing her sob and cry because he was too harsh in speaking to her, always made his heart hurt. He would always tone down his voice and speak more gentler to her, explaining why he did that, and then fix the situation with offering to do a compromise, if she was well-behaved and willing to it.

As she reached into adolescense, that was a huge stress to the poor prideful father. Lucille at 16 was such a pain in the butt. Demanding and rebellious, a huge picky eater and a true brat.

"I will be clear with you, young demoness. If you give me an ounce of attitude, then your D.D.D will be confiscated for a month, you won't go out during that time and will be put on chores duty for until I see an improvement in your behavior. And you will write three thousand times I will not disrespect or disobey my father. Clear?

Lucille would huff at how strict her father had turned himself into. But she hadn't known that it was all her part to have put him that way. Lucifer was fair if she was fair, it was a cycle of giving and giving back. Lucille behaved, Lucifer rewarded her. Lucille misbehaved, then Lucifer punished her.

"Father, when did you turn like an old boring grandpa? I only want to have fun! You can't keep me as your prisoner in this boring house!"

"Lucille, I demand more respect from you. This is your father, speaking to you. And I never said that I would keep you here all the time. But first things first. Do your school work and then you can go out. Do we have a compromise?"

"Fine. We have a compromise, Dad."

Lucifer would smile a bit softly, when the young demoness was reasonable.

"That's my good, little demoness." He would end it with a kiss to the top of her hair, before departing from her and going to do his own work and the demoness would go to do her own thing as promised.

Sometimes the lying habit came to Lucille and because of her, Mammon got in many trouble when it was all her buying the latest of fashion clothes.

"How do you explain this, Mammon?"

"Hey, what have you gotten into you?! I don't buy girly stuff! Maybe you should ask Lucille!"

....

"LUCILLE!!!!"

"What?"

She would come to him with a nonchalant look, as she's wearing highly expensive clothes and from that, is when Lucifer realized that it's all his daughter and not his greedy brother.

"So it was you who spent all of our money to please your nonsense..."

"Nonsense, Dad? I am a demoness in need of good clothes and looks! What if I find some good looking human in the future? They wouldn't like a normie, like how Uncle Levi dubs it!"

Lucifer's poor head throbs with absolute pain and stress. Ugh his daughter, is again causing him to go grey at just the age that he was at currently.

"Apologize to your uncle and then go to your room and write three thousand times I will not lie and blame my uncle into buying items that I don't need. Right now. March."

"But, Dad!"

"No 'but Dad'. Now, Young demoness. Or else, I will make you write it fifteen thousand times. How is it going to be?"

"I'm sorry, Uncle Mammon..."

And after her uncle acknowledged her apology, she went up to her room to do that, with a sad face, she didn't want at all to make her father disappointed today. Lucifer took notice of it, but decided to wait until she was done with the writings to talk about it.

It was several hours but she was done, and her handwriting had gotten better, it was because of the writing punishments that it got better, seeing as this was a very common punishment that her father doled out to her when she was being disobedient or a brat.

"I...I'm done..." she said in a quiet voice.

Lucifer had looked up from the papers that he was signing. He frowned softly, the demoness hadn't realized it but she had a few tears rushing down her cheeks. His firm tone from before had softened to that gentle tone, as he approached her and pulled her into his hold.

"I hope this will be enough to end your lying habit. I do not like seeing you sad, but you know I cannot let you get away with something that you have done wrong. It is okay now. You have learned and there is not reason for me to keep mad."

He had soft-spoken to her, the way that she knew that he wasn't mad or disappointed anymore. But Lucille couldn't help feeling bad either way. She in fact, never liked putting her dad mad or disappointed in her, she let the silent tears trickle down. Lucifer said nothing, his comfort was always silent and he showed it with actions rather than words. He held her in his arms, all the time that she needed.

"I'm sorry I disappointed you, Dad..."

"There's no need to apologize now, this case has been solved. Don't beat yourself too much over it, your uncle had forgiven you, I have forgotten about it. It's all okay, Lulu."

And by calling her by her special nickname that he had for her, she knew all was well. She hugged more but to show him that she actually loved him so deeply. Lucifer already knew that, he loved his daughter with all his life, it didn't matter how much trouble she was, that wouldn't change anything.

He might be cold, stern and everything else that others said of him behind his back, but the love of a father was above everything else. He loved his demoness quite so much, so that was what was important.

"I love you, Dad. And I mean it."

"I love you too, daughter mine, with all my heart."

[musictelevision]

The Sun and the Moon ☯

     “Tell me the story about how the sun loved the moon so  much, he died every night to let her breathe.” 

Emotional Tether Folklore: Two people, preferably benders, who are connected through spiritual interference. They are chosen at birth by two specific spirits. Throughout life, they both will experience feelings and visions from each other. This is a rare occurrence, it only happens every 100-200 years. Together, the two are powerful. Apart, imbalance will occur.

Summary: Y/N is the older sister of Sokka and Katara. Once their mother died, she step forward and watched over her siblings, even though she was only just ten. Years later, Y/N is travelling with her siblings, helping the avatar master all four elements. During this adolescence adventure, will she discover mysteries about herself she’d never imagined? All her life she has resented and ran from the Fire Nation. Now, could she possibly connected to the Prince of the Fire Nation himself? 

A/N: I’ve really gotten into ATLA in the past few weeks, so this happened. I really couldn’t just sit back and not write a Zuko fic. This will be multiple chapters, and will have semi-slow updates. A masterlist and helpful links for a smooth reading experience will be added. I am going to try to make it as accurate as possible. I hope everyone does enjoy, feedback is always accepted!

Warnings: violence, fighting, death, sad elements, cussing, blood, gore, adult themes (later on, will be warned on what chapter if it occurs) !!

Themes:  relationship developments, self love+hatred, acceptance, forgiveness, friendships, adventure !!

Soulmate AU?/Slow Burn/Connection (Unspoken)/Zuko x F!reader

Chapter One :  Beginnings  ☯

The Southern Water Tribe Village ☽

“My love, you should go to bed,” Gran-Gran whispered across the room. Sokka and Katara cuddled together in peaceful bliss, she did not want to wake them. Their father had left earlier in the morning, it had been an eventful day to say the least. With her father left, she couldn’t shake the fact that he would never return. In some ways, you could say, they were orphans. It only brought her thoughts to one sole person: Kya. It had been a few months since the deadly attack. She could still picture the beastly man looming over her mother. 

“Where is the water bender!” He forced once more. Y/N hid behind her mother in fear. They had been inside doing chores when the ships reached shore. Y/N shut her eyes pretending she was somewhere else, maybe penguin sledding with Sokka. Anywhere but here. He became more hostile, roughly moving closer towards the two.

“Where is the water bender.” They knew where the bender was, in fact she was in the same room, hiding for dear life behind her mother. The other, hopefully still alive, was outside with her brother. 

Y/N felt paralyzed. The big man pried even more, making some blows at Kya. Y/N could feel herself starting to bubble inside, her emotions were something to be reckoned with. She’d almost destroyed the entire village over a temper tantrum years prior. Though she was much older, her bending was not under control. It grew from emotion. Y/N noticed the ice around her cracking at every blow he made, Kya did too. 

He stood tall once more, shadowing over the two. Y/N thought death would be different, that she would die of old age. She hadn’t even lived to see the northern lights. 

“Mom!” Katara ran through the door only to be taken back by the large man in their home. The fire nation solider turned towards her, fury in his cold ember eyes. He seemed like he was getting impatient.

“Just let them go,” Kya finally said desperately, “and I will give you the information you want.” 

“Mom-” Y/N pleaded. She was in shock, would her mother really turn in her own daughters? Y/N wasn’t ready to go, but if it meant saving the tribe, she’d be willing to do it. 

“You heard your mother, get out of here!” the man hissed. Tearfully she ran over to Katara, holding on to her for dear life. Being her big sister, it was her unspoken responsibility to keep Katara safe. 

“Mom I’m scared,” the younger girl cried. Their mother looked at them, and smiled. 

“Go find your dad sweetie, I’ll handle this.” Kya spoke before facing the man once more. Y/N practically dragged Katara away from their childhood home, running as fast as they could to find their father. 

“DAD,” Y/N screamed. The ice she stood on cracked under her feet, yet she couldn’t care. The imagine of her mother’s fearful look swarmed her mind, it made her feel sick.

“Mom is in trouble there is a man in our house,” Katara shouted. Y/N held her hand tightly, making sure she didn’t loose her grip. They were the last water benders in the tribe. The two were vulnerable and easy targets, but she would never let Katara know that.  

“Kya!” their father cried out as he followed them back to their home. Sokka followed close behind. 

Her mother’s dead body laid on the floor. 

She didn’t want to remember the rest. Her father left to fight for their tribe after the devastating invasion. He seemed more, cold. Y/N couldn’t help but notice just how much Kya’s death changed him. Maybe his coldness was directed towards herself. She couldn’t bring herself to ponder that thought.

“Dad isn’t coming back,” Y/N remarked. Gran-Gran paused, calculating just the right thing to say. Sokka rustled in his sleep slightly, before settling once again. 

“I can’t shake the fact that he’s going to end up just like mom. Besides I am the reason mom is dead. No wonder Dad left, he can’t even look at me.” Gran-Gran shushed Y/N quickly. Sokka and Katara did not know the reason Kya died, and Gran-Gran wanted to keep it that way. It was Hakoda’s wish.

“Come child,” she waved the young water bender out into the crisp midnight air. Y/N followed the elder eagerly. The moon, full and bright, lit the entire village. The stars shined brightly, she thought of her mother. Kya always told her the magic of the night sky, how the moon and stars worked together so gracefully. Gran-Gran stood at the edge of the water, patiently waiting for the young girl to join her side. 

“When you were born, your mother suspected you would be a bender. That was a dangerous thing to be,” she paused with a long sigh. “However, the moon spoke to your mother the night you were born. The moon was the brightest it had ever been that night, the whole village awoke from its light. The moon shinned for you, and Kya knew that.” 

Y/N smiled to herself. She’d never known this much about herself before. It still didn’t make her feel better, why was Gran-Gran telling her this anyway? It didn’t change anything, her mother was still gone and her father still hated her. 

“But,” Gran-Gran continued abruptly. “The sun rose early that morning, bright as ever. It was as if the balance had returned for a day. We thought maybe you were the avatar.” They both sat in silence pondering her last statement.

The avatar? What a joke. Y/N had begun to believe such a thing never even existed in the first place. 

“I’m sorry I’m not,” Y/N muttered keeping her eyes fixated on the moon.

“No child, that is not your destiny. Your mother knew that you would be apart of restoring balance to the world, but just not in the way. The moon spoke to her. The great spirit told her to protect you from all harm.” Y/N’s eyes filled with tears, but she did not dare let them fall. Her mother was protecting her, she knew that the day she met her end. But to protect her over some prophecy a moon spirit said? It made her blood boil. 

“Of course, you won’t be alone in this.” Gran-Gran smiled to herself, leaving Y/N only to formulate more questions.

“Why would the moon find any sort of balance in me? Why would the sun react with the moon? How will I ever find another person to help me? This is so stupid, how do I know If you’re even telling the truth?  Gran-Gran this is ridiculous. No moon spirit cares about me! If they did they wouldn’t let her die or let dad go!” 

The eldest villager didn’t answered. She knew it was impossible to know. It was the truth, but it would take Y/N years to accept that. 

“Do not dwell on the unknown, it will be revealed when the universe allows it. What you do with this information is your choice,” Gran-Gran slowly confirmed before making her way back to her respected residence. 

“Ugh,” Y/N belted. She waved her hand towards the water before her in frustration. The water reacted with her swift movement, sending a wave towards the horizon. The sadness and confusion hit her, almost like a punch to the chest. 

She chose to never speak of the information Kanna gave her. It still plagued her mind every so often, but she ignored every aspect of it. In her eyes, she was a normal southern water tribe citizen.

But in the back of her mind she knew, that was far from true.

That night at the Fire Nation Palace ☽

Ursa had done what she had to. It was for him, her son, Zuko. She had protected him his whole life, just as she was instructed to. The sun spirit made that clear to her on the day of his birth. This incident was no different, just more drastic changes would have to be made.

She quickly made her way through the palace halls, her frail body still humming with adrenaline. Killing the fire lord, what was she thinking? Leaving now would only make it clear just who did it. Was being on the run from the crupt fire nation worth saving Zuko? A million times yes. Stopping to catch her breath, her attention caught by the bright orb in the night sky. It always gave her peace of mind, the moon. 

Azulon had instructed Ozai, her husband, to kill her first born. If only Ozai hadn’t spoken in such a heartless arrogant way, this wouldn’t have happened. To kill his child? It was horrible. He would do it though, if it meant keeping his honor. Ursa questioned why Ozai was so empty and power hungry. It was an answer she’d never know.

Some servants scurried pass her, bowing in the process. Did they know? They would soon, everyone would. She had to make herself scarce before then. The paranoia was sinking in ever so quickly. It was the only way to save herself, leaving. But, Ursa couldn’t help her mind race to Zuko. 

Zuko. 

The room he occupied was dark. There the young prince laid sprawled out on the crimson-colored king sized bed. Snoring slightly, he peacefully slept. The moon light coming from the window lit his raven colored hair perfectly. It felt wrong to wake him, he looked so content. But, it had to be done. For all she knew, it could be the last time she would ever lay eyes on her son. It was a little past midnight, in the morning the whole world would know. 

She sat on the corner of the bed next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Zuko had never been a heavy sleeper, especially with Azula as a sister. Her unless torment made him keen and aware of his surroundings, a good habit. 

“Mom,” he muttered groggily. Why was she here? His mind was still fuzzy.

“Zuko,” Ursa urgently spoke. Ursa quickly grabbed him by his sides, lifting her son up to face her. He blinked a few times, trying to focus with his tired eyes. 

“Please, my love, listen to me,” this made him try to focus more. Her voice was hoarse almost like she had been crying.  

“Everything I’ve done, I’ve done to protect you,” with this statement she pulled him into a hug. The last hug. She squeezed tighter than normal, he did not question it. 

She finally pulled away after what seemed like minutes. He was such a beautiful boy, how could she leave him? Would he parish without her? Would he be taken advantage of? Only the spirits could know. Footsteps could be heard in the hall outside his chamber. 

“Remember this Zuko,” she started facing him once more. Her voice was more stern this time, like she wanted to send a message. 

“No matter how things seem to change, never forget who you are,” her voice said in a whisper tone. Ursa hoped he’d listen, and take those words to heart. It was all she could do for him. From now on, Zuko would be on his own.

The prince watched her in tired confused as she turned towards the door. He wanted to say something, question why she had come, but he couldn’t. The tiredness was overwhelming, taking over before he could object. She sadly looked back once more, before pulling her cloak over her head. 

Hastily she ventured back trough the halls, leaving swiftly without a trace. By the time the fire nation caught word of their deceased leader, she was long gone. Just a memory. Ursa’s life she once knew was far behind her.

She looked up to the two spirits in the sky. The setting moon and the rising sun. Their harmonious relationship was on display in the sky. How wonderful the colors of the night collided with the morning sun, she thought to herself. 

“Watch after him,” the woman pleaded to the two spirits that occupied the sky.

“He will make you proud.” 

[ofdogsandchocolate]

We’re dancing under the rain

                                   We're Dancing Under The Rain

                                                A Percabeth Au

                                                         o.0.o

Annabeth sobs as she keeps her foot steadily on the petal, her vision blurred from the drops of rain on her windshields the color of the traffic lights, and the wipers, desperately trying to remove them.

"I love you, Annabeth. I've liked you from the moment I met you, but now I realize...I love you!"

How could he say that? How could her look her straight in the eye, and tell her that with a straight face.

It can't be true. Love is a lie, and if it wasn't, it would not be something for her to experience. Nobody ends up with the person they love. And if they do, it's only for a short while. Before it all falls apart.

They had been studying. Peacefully working on a Math assignment, when he just had to stand up and start shouting nonsense at her.

It was too much. So she ran.

She ran out to her car, ignoring Percy's calls. She ran out from his apartment building, in the pouring rain, and started to cry as she got out her keys, desperately trying to just get out of there.

Then she pulled out of park and stomped on the gas.

She came to a gas station, and pulled over.

Her face hurt from crying, and matched the gloomy, wet weather outside.

The white light from the gas station lit up the inside of her car.

If love was real, that's what she felt for Percy. In that case, she loves him with all her heart, and every fiber of her being.

Why couldn't it be real? Why couldn't the fates let just let people be happy. To let them stay with the people of there choice.

The all to familiar rock forms in Annabeth's throat, and her eyes begin to sting.

She pulls her knees to her chest as the tears start to form.

She wishes it was real. That her and Percy could love each other. But there's a reason books are called fantasies. And, people are called Hopeless romantic's.

Just as Annabeth goes smash her hand against the steering wheel, someone knocks on her door.

She jumps, and begins to rapidly wipes her face, while turning around.

Percy Jackson stood right outside her car, his normally thick black hair stringy and flattened, his clothes soaked.

Another sob rises in Annabeth's throat as she questions how the heck he even got there. He didn't own a car, and he couldn't have walked.

He must have known what she was thinking, because he points behind him, to a small bike with pink pom-poms on the handles.

He rode his 9 year old sisters bike 4 miles.

Annabeth rolls her eyes, continuing to wipe the tears off her cheeks. The ones that wouldn't stop, no matter how hard she told them to.

She can't just leave him out there, in the pouring rain. That wouldn't be polite.

Oh, polite can go f-

"Annabeth, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything, I-"

Percy is hunched over outside her vehicle. Annabeth wants to open the door, to let him in and kiss him, and tell him that it isn't his fault.

It's obviously her fault.

The blonde looks at him through the glass of her driver-side window. He looks, very sad, to say the least.

She reaches out her hand to oven the door, slowly, and unsteadily. What is she doing. This is stupid. She's overreacting, and throwing a huge temper tantrum.

She opens the door and Percy Immediately runs up to her, engulfing her in a hug, which made it hard to stand up.

"No," she says, her voice wobblily. "Please stop. It's not your fault."

He pulls away, and looks down at Annabeth. "No, I shouldn't have said anything. I could have kept it to myself. You obviously don't feel the same way, and I don't want want this to, break us. I wouldn't bear-"

"What are you talking about? Of course I feel the same way."

Percy stops, and his expression changes to one of confusion. "Wha- What? Then why-"

Annabeth takes one of her hands out of his, wiping at her face, not knowing if it was tears or rain. It seemed to be increasing by the second, and she was now just as soaked as Percy.

"I'm just...scared, I guess. But, that's no excuse for leaving like that. I'm sorry."

Percy frowns, takes her hands in his,  and Annabeth is surprised nobody seemed to be paying attention to them.

"Why are you scared?"

"I don't know. I guess I doubted that you had feelings for me, then I doubted my feelings for you, then I was like, 'love isn't real' and- it's...actually kind of stupid."

Percy shakes his head, shaking off a small bit of water in the process. "Annabeth, that's not stupid."

Annabeth continues. "And, I want to be with you, but what if we don't work out? What if I leave you, or you leave me, or you decide you don't want kids anymore, or-"

"Annabeth, I wouldn't leave you."

"I mean, that's what happened to my parents! My mom was done with me and my Dad, and just left! What if I do that? What if-"

"You're not your Mom, Annabeth."

The blonde stops talking, as Percy continues.

"You're Mom, was not a good person. She was insane to leave you like that, because your the most amazing person I know. Your smart, and kind, and witty, and brave. And I would rather you break my heart than anybody else."

Annabeth stares up at Percy.

How could she have ever doubted Percy? The Percy who has stuck be her side since 5th grade.  The Percy who helped her through all her problems, no matter how silly they could be. Her best friend. Her rock, her anchor, and just Percy.

The person she loves.

Percy's looking down at her. "I can't tell you the future, Annabeth. But I can tell you the present... that I love you."

The person who loves her.

They stare at each other.  Love could be real, and if it wasn't, it didn't matter. Her and Percy were to good for it, then.

Percy cups her face with one of his hands. "Annabeth, can I-"

Annabeth jumped up and kissed him.

Percy smiles incredibly wide as he pulls away.

Annabeth smiles as well. "That was very cheesy. Cringe dare I say," she says keeping her arms wrapped around his neck. He laughs. "Well, you did kiss me. So, I guess my seduction techniques are working."

She rolls her eyes. "Oh yeah? That one you'll use on all the girls?"

It's freezing, and the both of them are soaked. It's still raining cat's and dog's, but it was perfect.

Percy rests his forehead on hers. "Nah, I think I'm done with the playboy lifestyle." Annabeth smiles. "'Playboy'? Honey, you could never."

He laughs. "Well, I found this girl. She's pretty cool, really mean though."

Annabeth laughs, smacking his arm. "Idiot."

He smiles, and coos. "Oh, but you love me."

The blonde nods. "Yeah. I kinda do."

"Now let's go, I'm freaking cold."

"Same, but did you seriously ride Estelle's bike all the way here?"

"Ugh, my  thighs killing me for it."

They aren't perfect, but nobody is. Challenges will come, but there worth it.

After all, you can't wait for the storm to pass. You have to learn to dance in the rain.

                                                      o.0.o.0.o.0.o

[aweebwrites]

The Good Life pt. 2

Part 1

___________________

“Hey Nya. Getting a head start?” Jay says as he rolled up the sleeves of his engineer uniform, already seeing her inside the prototype.

“Yep. Just checking a few algorithms.” She says, fingers moving quickly over the interface of the device she had plugged into the vehicle.

“Nice. How's Harumi?” He asked as he went over to the tool shelf nearby.

Nya adopted her with Skylor last year. There was a freak incident and the apartment complex she and her parents lived in collapsed. She and few others had survived but her parents weren't any of the few.

“She's doing a lot better recently. Private school turned out to be the best thing for her, you know?” Nya says, still focused on the device. “The nightmares have lessened too. It's a slow recovery but it'll be worth it in the end. Maybe soon, we could set up a play-date for them both. Maybe it'll go better than the last one.” She says, grimacing at the memory.

Jay grimaced too. Harumi was upset that Lloyd got to have 4 parents when she didn't have any. At the time, she didn't consider Nya and Skylor as her parents. Cue Lloyd yelling back that his real parents were dead too and so was every single blood family member he had. Then Harumi yelled ‘at least you had family!’ and Lloyd had yelled the same and then they had both began crying and wouldn't stop. Those two months were rough since Lloyd started to disassociate and withdraw, not to mention the re-emergence of his nightmares. They heard pretty much the same was for Harumi but she threw temper tantrums instead. Jay had wished Lloyd would throw temper tantrums. He wouldn't talk to them or even look at them. It really distressed all four of them and had even caused them to one of the biggest fights they've had in a while. Eventually they all broke down and cried it out then camped out in the living room, watching Lloyd's cartoons.

“I'd have to check with Lloyd first but if they're both up for it, I don't see why not.” Jay says as he walked over with his tray of tools then laid back on the low board with wheels before sliding under the car, flipping on the built in light.

“Then it's a plan. I should drop in and say hi. Knock some sense in my brother if you guys need it.” She commented and Jay chuckled as he made sure the engine was in top shape.

“Don't worry. Lloyd can do that pretty well.” He says with a grin. “He still hasn't stopped calling him old man.” Jay snickered and Nya smiled, setting the device aside and getting out.

“Move over. Let's get to work.” Nya says and Jay grins, doing so.

_________________________

“You owe us lunch for covering for you that entire hour today.” Tox says as Kai clocked out for today.

“Fair enough. For now, I gotta go pick my kid up from school.” Kai says, slipping his security hat off and sliding it into his bag.

“Alright. Tell the kid I said don't do drugs.” Tox says and Kai paused mid walk then looked back at her.

“He's only 8.” He says, a little horrified.

“So? I was smoking-”

“Alright, alright. I get your point.” Kai says, a little disturbed but not surprised.

She was well known in middle school and most of high school for her no caring attitude and her smoking and drinking. Turns out her family wasn't the best but a large group of them had befriended her anyway and got her to stop self destructing.

“See you tomorrow!” He called over his shoulder before hurrying out.

He then checked his watch real quick once he was next to his bike.

“Alright. Still early. As long as there's no traffic, I should be there in no time.” He grinned then got on and rode off.

________

“The old man is late.” Lloyd says from where he was seated outside, waiting for Kai to get here now that school was over.

“My dad is always late.” Gene says from next to him, Brad already picked up by his mom. “Always doing science and forgetting then getting here an hour after school's out. He's so predictable.” He says with a scowl.

Lloyd looked at him as he hung his head with a sneer. Things between he and his dad have always been rough since his mom left a long time ago. Lloyd tries to make him feel better by reminding him that his dad does try but… He can only do so much. Lloyd looked up when a car pulled up and blinked in surprise then smirked.

“Well. He certainly wouldn't have rushed here in a panic if he didn't care.” Lloyd says lightly and Gene looked at him confused.

“Son!” Gene's head snapped up to see his father rushing over to him.

“Dad? Why are you-” Gene was cut off by him instead picking him up.

“I'm sorry son. I tried to make it on time but there was this massive build up in traffic and I couldn't get out of it and…” Gene looked at his dad surprised still then down at Lloyd who only smirked.

He then looked back at his father with a sense of guilt.

“It doesn't matter dad.” He says, cutting the rambling man off and he looked crestfallen. “You're here, aren't you?” Gene added with a small smile that lit up his father's face.

Lloyd watched wistfully as they hugged then looked down sadly.

I wished he had that…

He lifted his head once he heard the sound of a bike approaching. He looked alarmed to see Kai hopping off the bike before it even came to a stop.

“Shouldn't you be more car-”

“Are you ok?! I didn't expect all of Ninjago City square to be packed with traffic! I'm so late! Did anything happen to you?” Kai asked, holding him close after sweeping him off his feet.

Huh.

Lloyd smiled.

“Take it easy old man. You're just 20 minutes late. I'm ok.” Lloyd says, patting his chest.

“Way to ruin the moment Lloyd.” Kai huffed, carrying him over to where his bike was laying on it's side, still running.

“Yeah? You'll only be a moment if you don't hurry home. Daddy'll get worried.” Lloyd says and Kai had to refrain himself from swearing.

“You're right. Let's go.” Kai says, setting Lloyd down then putting his bike to stand then taking off the green helmet for Lloyd and putting it on for him.

He then swing into his bike and allowed Lloyd to sit in front of him since having him sit behind made him anxious. He couldn't see him that way.

“Ready?” Kai asked him, putting up the kickstand.

“Ready.” Lloyd grinned, holding on to the silver part of the handles.

“Alright. Here we go.” Kai says then pulled out, driving significantly slower than he does on his own.

Even though he doesn't want to get yelled at by his worried boyfriends, he'd rather take caution with their kid and arrive even later instead.

“Did you get homework today?” Kai asked from the speaker in the full mask helmet.

“Yeah. But only for social studies. I have to draw the solar system.” Lloyd says, pretending as if he was the one driving. “She says we can color them if we want.” He added.

“Nice. Do you need any help?” Kai asked and Lloyd had a flashback of all the projects and school work Kai has helped him with that somehow always ended up on fire.

“I'm- that's ok old man. I've- I've got this.” Lloyd says with a grimace.

“Is this about the fire thing?” Kai asked, brow arched under his helmet.

“What do you think?”

_________________

“It's strange for Kai to be late. Do you think something happened to him?” Zane asked, pacing up and down.

“N- ah. Nope. I just- ugh- think he may be- right there!- just running late is all.” Cole says, in a state of bliss from his place laying on the ground on a blanket with Zane pacing the length of his back.

“It's almost been an hour. If he doesn't get here by three then-” Zane cut himself off once her heard an approaching bike. “Oh thank goodness.” He sighed, walking off of Cole’s back and slipping his slippers on.

“Well. There goes my back massage.” Cole sighed, not bothering to get up.

“Lloyd! Welcome home.” Zane greeted at the door, his arms opened for his usual welcome back hug.

“Thanks!” Lloyd grinned, wasting no time to collect his hug.

Zane gave him a squeeze and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

“Why don’t you go help your dad out. He needs someone to step on his back.” Zane says and Lloyd grinned mischievously.

“Ok!” He yelled as he ran inside.

Kai walked up to Zane sheepishly.

“Kai Smith.” Zane says with both hands on his hips, narrowing his eyes at said boyfriend.

“To be fair, it wasn’t my fault. There was a huge traffic build up in Ninjago City.” Kai says sheepishly, parking his bike.

“To be fair, there’s something known as calling! I was so worried! The last time you ran this late, we were running to a hospital because you got into an accident.” Zane whispered the last bit, remembering the raw fear he got receiving that call from the hospital.

While it was some drink driver that hit him directly off his bike, Zane couldn’t help but feel paranoid every time Kai was later than normal- which was a rare thing. Kai may not know it but his daily commute is like clockwork. He always reaches home with Lloyd at 2:20, give or take five minutes. During night shift, he always comes home just in time to take Lloyd to school. Anything outside of his usual time gives Zane anxiety. Usually a phone call fixes that but he didn’t want to risk calling him while he was driving. Especially with their son.

“Oops…” Kai winced, scratching the back of head sheepishly before walking forward and taking Zane’s hand in his. “I messed up and I’m sorry. I promise I’ll call next time I’m running late.” He says sincerely and Zane sighed but nodded.

Maybe he was overthinking things but he had a really good thing here. He wants things to stay that way.

“Alright.” He sighed and Kai grinned then pecked his lips.

“How about I make things up to you and cook tonight?” Kai suggested and Zane thought on it.

Kai was the only other person in the house who could make food that actually tasted good and isn’t both burnt and under-cooked… Despite his knack for setting things on fire simultaneously…

“Alright.” Zane nodded, leading him in by the hand. “Oh. Jay called earlier. Nya will be dropping by for a visit.” He told him before they both paused to see Lloyd quite literally jumping on Cole’s back.

“S-save me…” Cole wheezed out, reaching a hand towards them as Zane smiled fondly and Kai snickered.

“I think you can handle this on your own.” Kai says then headed upstairs to change.

“No, Zane! Don’t leave me too!” Cole got out as Lloyd stomped on his back.

“Alright. That’s enough Lloyd.” Zane says, swinging Lloyd up and off Cole’s back, making him sigh in relief.

“I’m not a little kid anymore you know. You guys don’t have to keep picking me up.” Lloyd says with his chin on Zane’s shoulder as he carried him upstairs.

“I beg to differ.” Zane says, amused as they headed into his room that was filled with Fritz Donnegan posters up along with other characters from his favorite comic series Starfarer. “You’ll always be our little boy, even when you grow up big and strong like Cole. And I thought you liked to be carried. Do you need us to stop?” He asked, genuinely curious.

“I never- Well.. if you guys don’t mind doing it then I guess I don’t mind either.” Lloyd mumbled and Zane hid his smile.

“Alright then. I’ll go make you a snack while you get changed. Don’t forget to bring your homework with you.” Zane says, setting him down on his bed then pressed a kiss to his forehead.

Lloyd watched as Zane went before flopping back against his bed. He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. Four dads that loved him… He may miss his real dad to bits but at least he had them… In a way… This really feels like the good life people talk about so often about…

___________________________________

“What’s on the menu chef Smith?” Cole asked, wrapping his arms around Kai’s waist, pressing him against his toned body.

“Not me so you might wanna loosen up before Lloyd hurls.” Kai says with a smirk and Cole glanced over at Lloyd sitting at the kitchen island with his toys, looking at them in disgust.

“Alright, alright.” Cole pouted before heading out to the living space where Zane was.

“What are you cooking old man?” Lloyd asked, setting his Fitz Donnegan figure to stand.

“Salmon and steak.” Kai says as he slipped on mittens then opened the oven.

He flipped the slices again and closed it.

“I’m almost done and Nya should be here any second now.” Kai says, proud of his cooking.

“... Do you think she’ll bring Harumi?” Lloyd asked in a low, troubled voice and Kai paused to look at him.

“No. She and Jay are coming directly from work…” Kai told him. “Do… You want her to?” He asked tentatively.

“Not really…” Lloyd mumbled, squeezing his sludge figures.

Kai set aside the mittens and walked over to Lloyd, resting a hand on his head.

“That’s ok kiddo. Whenever you’re ready.” He says gently then smiled as Lloyd looked up at him. “You know me and your dads love you Lloyd. We won’t force you into anything you don’t want to do- not unless it’s for your own good.” He added once Lloyd opened his mouth, most likely to complain about cold medicine.

“Whenever you’re both ready, you can start over fresh. But for now, what do you think about cake for desert?” Kai says, spotting it in the fridge earlier.

“Cake time?” Cole asked, poking his head into the kitchen and Kai snorts.

“Not yet you dork.” He says and Cole slouched before slinking away.

“You’re one to talk old man.” Lloyd huffed.

“Why you little-” Lloyd giggled as Kai swung him up then settled him on his back. “There. That’s what you get for calling me an old man.” Kai says then returned to the stove.

“It’s hardly a punishment when you think about it.” Lloyd mumbled into Kai’s shoulder, holding onto him tightly as he cooked.

“I know.” Kai says and Lloyd smiled.

‘You’re so sappy papa…’

_____________________________________

(Tada! All done! I am polyninja trash and I am proud! UwU. Yes Lloyd calls Kai Papa in his had but he’s a little tease who likes when Kai gets mad about it. Anyways, I hope you guys like it!)

[sparklyaxolotlstudent]

Karma Chameleon: The Finale.

AKA I can’t write drama to save my life. I’m sorry.

ENJOY!

-------------------------

“Ugh!” Adrien threw his bag at his bed, ignoring the protest coming from inside.

“Hey, watch it kid, I was taking a nap!” protested Plagg, floating out of the bag.

“I can’t believe them! Chloe provokes Lila into akumatization and somehow I’m the bad guy?”

Adrien kept ranting, pacing around his room. Plagg only occasionally nodded, while he ate his cheese. “Are you done?” He asked once Adrien had made a pause. Adrien glared at him.

“I really don’t need your sarcasm right now, you lazy cat.”

Adrien’s words felt icy, something Plagg was definitively not used to. But he knew this boy, and he also knew that he should have said something earlier. Uncharacteristically for Plagg, he placed his cheese in the plate, which surprised Adrien, and then floated directly to his face.”

“I’m sorry ” It was a simple statement, and Plagg had said it while putting his hands on what would be his hips, trying to look all business like.

“What?” Adrien was confused. He was expecting a scolding from Plagg, not an apology.

“I’m sorry I have let your attitude go unchecked for so long Adrien Agreste. I should know better than to let a human teenager become this entitled.”

“What? What are you talking about? Entitled? I’m not entitled.”

Plagg sighed. He really really didn’t like to play the stern father. Or any other figure of authority. He was destruction, for Tikki’s sake!

“Remember when you tried to manipulate me into introducing you to Master Fu?”

“Manipulate? I deserve to know the same things that Ladybug knows!”

“That might be true, but you did it while an Akuma was flooding the city. While people were drowning”

Adrien opened his mouth, but really couldn’t refute what Plagg had said. He hadn’t stopped to think in the implications when he had done that day; after all, he still got to meet Master Fu.

“Ladybug’s power fixed that” said Adrien weakly. Even he knew it was a lame excuse.

“They came back to life, yes, but the trauma of drowning didn’t magically go away.”

“But…”

“Adrien, for once, listen to me. I’m not finished, and I don’t know how much I can maintain being this serious”

Adrien closed his mouth. Plagg being serious was a bit scary.  

“Being the Holder of the Miraculous of the Black Cat is a duty, yes, nothing says you can’t enjoy its perks, but what you have to do come before what you want to do. No whats, no buts, no ifs. You duty is to stop Hawk Moth first and foremost, to protect people, not to throw a temper tantrum because you didn’t got what you wanted.”

“But Ladybug…”

“Ladybug was told not to tell. It wasn’t her secret. Would you like if your friend… glasses boy told everyone stuff you have told him in private? She got to know him because very special circumstances forced her kwami to do it.”

“But…”

“And I understand your frustration, I really do, but there’s the other times you have acted like a brat while an Akuma was attacking and wreaking havoc on the city”

“What? I never”

“That Ice Cream Akuma? When you were acting all pissy at Ladybug because she didn’t go to a date she said she wasn’t going because she already had plans? Not to mention you also ditched your friends to make that dinner”

Adrien was silent. Plagg’s words were stinging him in the worst ways. He had acted like that and he didn’t even notice it at the time. “She would love me if she gave me the chance”

Plagg had to use all his will to not facepalm in the wall. That would surely destroy the whole manor.

“Adrien. While that might be true, and I’m not saying it is, that’s not your decision to make. Ladybug doesn’t owe you anything more than collaborate to defeat the Akumas, and maybe a bit of friendship, but that is all. I have had cats that weren’t even on friendly terms with their ladybugs and they still got the job done.”

“Oh, so now I’m the worst Black Cat ever!”

Plagg noted the bitter tone. He really hated being the serious one, and he would make Adrien pay for this in camembert.

“Adrien” Plagg sighed, and then forced himself into Adrien’s field of vision. “I love you with all my heart, and if you make me repeat this, I will deny it and make you suffer with 700 years of bad luck. You are one of the most unique Black Cats I have had in my care, you’re brave, nice and always put Ladybug’s safety before yours… not always a virtue, but we’ll work on that. That’s why you acting like you have been, is so… odd. You’re a good kid, PLEASE keep that.”

“Thanks” Adrien was barely audible. Having Plagg acting like this was freaking him out, but in a good way.

“Now now, no need to get all mushy… but I do have to ask. Why side with Lila of all people?”

Adrien wiped a tear. “I wasn’t siding with Lila”

“You basically disowned Chloe.”

“I just want everyone to get along! What Chloe did seriously messed Lila”

“Lila was trapped in her own web of lies. And Chloe has done much worse than what she did today”

“But she wasn’t doing anyone any harm!”

“Except for Marinette and the tomato kid. And the ladyblog’s credibility would have been destroyed.”

“People don’t change just because you confront them.” Said Adrien defensively. “I tried. I told Chloe a lot of times, way before I met you. She just kept being Chloe. I tried again and only managed to get her butler akumatized. And my father. He was like that way before mom… He never changed. I know people don’t change”

“Still, Lila might not have changed, but people would have stopped believing her lies. She would have been akumatized sooner, but still, you should have said something”

“If I had confronted Lila, everyone would have shunned me too!” yelled Adrien, a little too loud. Fortunately, everyone in the manor was busy with their own stuff.

“Oh… Oh!” Plagg’s face went from stern to a sad realization. He approached Adrien, tentatively. He was really bad at this mushy stuff and really wished that that pony kwami of friendship or the bear of love were here instead of him. He would even settle for the kwami of fluffiness. He wasn’t sure one existed, but with the internet the way it was, it was entirely possible for humans to have come with that one. “Adrien, it’s okay. You can’t control how people feel about you, and you shouldn’t worry about that.”

“You don’t get it. I have been lonely all my life. I only had Chloe as a friend!”

“I’m the anthropomorphic representation of destruction. I know how it feels for people to hate you. Every time sometimes decays, runs down, every house that falls, every thing that explodes? They blame it on me instead of what caused it. They love Tikki, even if she created Hydras, and Chimeras and all manners of monster, but then they blamed the destruction those monsters created on me.”

Adrien looked up to Plagg. He was still unsure at how to feel about having an open talk with him.

“I know you just see me as a lazy freeloader, and I don’t blame you. I do enjoy the easy life, but should know better than that. At the very least, I should be able to hear you out. I’m bad at this stuff, but I will try my best””

“People… people who matter will NOT abandon you. At least not voluntarily. So maybe your class mates would have turned on you like they turned on Marinette due to that Mop girl lies, but you know Chloe would have jumped at your defense. Marinette too. And that Tomato boy would have been on your side. And you honestly believe Glasses dude would have abandoned you?”

Adrien was speechless. He was barely able to shook his head “no, they wouldn’t”

“Friendship is about trusting, about support and supporting. Glass… Nino even got akumatized because your dad didn’t let you have a birthday party. How many people have been akumatized for someone else?”

Adrien wanted so badly to reply with ‘Miss Bustier’ but that was not the point that Plagg was trying to make.

“I know your schedule is really packed, but you should still make time for your friends to get some stress relief. And talk to Master Fu. He’s 180 years old, he will be able to listen! And probably be better than this silly dumb cat”

“You’re not dumb” Adrien approached Plagg and hugged him as best as he could.

“Just let’s not make this a periodical thing; you’re ruining my style.”

Adrien wiped a tear from his face and gave Plagg a small smile.

“That being said, you still should apologize to them… And to Ladybug too, for how you’ve been acting.”

Adrien was about to protest but knew Plagg was right. He did need the stress relief, but also needed to work on his attitude, especially his one sided crush on Ladybug. Maybe Kagami was right after all and he should change targets. Not Kagami herself, but maybe someone else. Maybe a good friend.

---------------

THE END

I won’t write Adrien apologizing because, again, I can’t write angst, and it would just be rehash of the apology that Alya and Nino gave to Marinette. Adrien might slip in future fics, but at least Plagg will be quick to call him out. 

Chloe too. She’s still a sassy bitch, but she will try to use her bitchiness for the Greater Good. And Marc is a good influence on her. Speaking of Marc, I want to write him with some friends of his own class, even if I have to make a ton of OCs to achieve this. And the Trials of Marinette will continue until I make a chapter for each kwami or I run out of ideas, whichever happens first.

I’m also playing with the idea of Nathaniel knowing Marinette is Ladybug(His “get Ladybug” dialogue was ambigous like that)

And I really really REALLY want to write some dialogue for Juleka and Luka calling each other names like “buttface”, “purple booger” “Lezzy McGuire”, “Jonas Brother Reject” and other such things.

[jazy3]

Thoughts on Grey’s Anatomy: 15X18

I liked this episode better than the last one, but DeLuca and Owen still drove me nuts! I liked that this episode was more fast paced. The patients’ storylines were good and I really liked the side plots. The main plot though really sucked. One thing I didn't like about this week's episode is that it treated Meredith as a secondary character in her own story. She had few scenes and only propped other characters up. It happened in the previous episode as well. I don't understand this because we've only seen this technique used previously in standalone episodes, where it makes sense, but not in regular ones where it doesn't. It's not Karev or DeLuca's Anatomy. It's Grey’s Anatomy. The second half of Season 15 has gone off the rails!

Maggie introduces funky mood rooms as an alternative/complimentary approach to tradition medicine. It produces hilarious results. We learn DeLuca’s Dad has gone back to Italy. Him and Meredith appear to have temporarily broken up again. Ugh. We go through this EVERY episode! Can they just stay broken up?!?! There’s some Owen and Teddy and Tom awkwardness surrounding a birthing class. LOL! Gosh Tom makes Teddy so happy! I hope they make him a regular cast member next year! They can cut Owen or DeLuca or one of the interns. Just saying. And as soon as everyone leaves Teddy starts feeling intense pain! Oh no! She calls her baby Soldier! She gives it orders like a loving drill sergeant! I love it!

Meanwhile Alex can’t get a hold of Jo! He comes to talk to Meredith and it turns out Jo went to find her birth mother. Meredith is still knee deep in her research. Alex asks how DeLuca is. She changes the subject as usual. Very telling. Apparently DeLuca’s being weird (when is he not?) and he’s on Alex’s service today. Alex calls him The Italian! Haha! I love Alex! He’s so calling BS on this relationship while being supportive. That’s true friendship! Meredith says she’s giving DeLuca space because of the fallout from his Dad’s nonsense. Alex accuses her of hiding out with the plants.

Maggie and Amelia talk in the blue room. Amelia reveals she had some insanely good sex at the conference! And then Link walks in! And he accidentally reveals they slept together! Oh and it looks after the fire the hospital added a new sealable hallway to the helipad! It’s about time! Alex throws DeLuca a bone and gives him a chance to be the hero. DeLuca is ungrateful and a jerk. I hate this guy. They treat an 11 year old patient named Nora who is a math genius! She stumps Qadri and it’s hilarious! Her Mom is great too! Alex steps aside and let’s DeLuca get the hug from her Mom and the glory because he really is a good guy. Which makes how horribly DeLuca acts later so much worse. He’s so ungrateful!

There’s another Teddy and Parker scene. I like their dynamic. Tom and Owen are both at the birthing class. Owen gets Teddy’s page and doesn’t tell Tom. What an asshole! Teddy’s not in labour. Thank goodness! She has cervical insufficiency. Owen comes to see her. Meanwhile Amelia and Link have an awkward sexy talk about not telling people about their tryst. Amelia is hilarious! They agree to stay away from each other. That will last 10 minutes. Link is very sexy! He’s really growing on me. I wish Meredith could find someone just as good. Amelia and Link end up working on a mother who rolled her snowmobile. It’s a very difficult case.

Jackson, Helm, and Richard wind up working on the woman’s adult child who is gender queer non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. Richard finds using the pronouns difficult. I really like how this storyline was done. It felt very authentic and nuanced. Some good television here. Meanwhile Parker is quizzing Nora and Qadri. They find out Nora’s insulin level has shot up but they can’t figure it why. They have to postpone the surgery. Alex apologizes to DeLuca because the surgery’s been postponed. DeLuca says he should be sorry for Nora. He then throws a temper tantrum and asks if Meredith put Alex up to this. Jo used to do this all the time and it’s one of the reasons I came to dislike her character. It’s not a flattering look on anybody. DeLuca’s an idiot. He needs to grow up.

All he does is piss Alex off. Also DeLuca is lying. He hasn’t moved on and it shows up later. He should’ve taken a few days off work and seen a therapist. For a doctor he really can’t take care of himself. Meanwhile Amelia and Link find out their patient could end up a paraplegic and decide to work together. Qadri grabs Schmitt for back up! Numbers! Haha! Schmitt’s hilarious! Qadri, Schmitt, Bailey, and Maggie form a mathematical dream team and slo mo walk it to Nora’s room! Now back to Teddy. I love her line, “Insufficient is something I’ve never been called in my entire life!” I love her! Owen starts talking to Teddy’s stomach in a high pitched voice. It’s obnoxious. Teddy tells him to stop thank god! He starts talking instead in an animatronic sergeant voice. It’s hilarious and the only good thing he’s done all day.

Back at Nora’s room everyone’s being quizzed and she’s kicking their buts! Her mom thinks they’re being nice! She doesn’t know the half of it! Qadri accidentally finds a juice box Nora secretly drank. She’s sabotaging her surgery. Amelia and Link go see their patient. There’s a very emotional well-acted scene where they tell her she might be paralyzed from the neck down. Cut to the plant room. Alex tells Meredith that DeLuca’s being a jerk. She says it’s none of her business and that he has to work it out all by himself.

She talks about him like the child he is. Why is she dating him? DeLuca is then a jerk to Meredith. Again, why is she dating someone with the emotional capacity of a 2 year old? The team finds out that Nora sabotaged the surgery because she doesn’t want to go back to school because she has no friends and is being bullied. Been there. She likes being at the hospital because she has friends here. Nora refuses the surgery again and says it’s her body and her choice.

Alex and DeLuca talk with her mom outside. She’s upset that she didn’t know that she hated school and that she wasn’t friends with Lauren anymore. Alex gives her some sage advice. DeLuca rolls his eyes at her scared mom like an asshole. Then tells her she’s supposed to make her get the surgery today. That’s illegal. Unduly influencing a patient or their family is illegal. For good reason! To protect both sides from abuse. In real life DeLuca would be written up, possibly fired, and could lose his medical licence. This whole scene makes no sense.

Alex tells him to back off. He doesn’t. DeLuca says most kids hate school and get bullied at some point. Her mom counters and asks if she’s supposed to hold her down. DeLuca says yes impatiently. Alex corrects him and says no. All of DeLuca’s actions are immoral and illegal here. He is telling a scared mom to participate in the physical assault of her child who is a minor! This is so messed up! DeLuca’s a monster! He’s taking his own problems out on a mom and her scared kid! In real life he would be fired and possibly charged and sued and rightly so!

I hate him so much! Alex says it’s his patient and to back off. DeLuca then says he just wants her to not die. The mom angrily reminds him she’s not dying. Great now he’s delusional and an asshole and a monster. He tells that she’s in pain as if her mom doesn’t know that. He says she should make her get the help she needs. Which is illegal! It’s also clearly about his messed-up dad and not about Nora at all. He is beyond awful! Alex keeps a cool head and tells him he’s dismissed. He tells him to walk away or he’s fired. He should just fire him Vik Roy style. He’s a monster.

Qadri tells Alex that Nora’s glucose panel came back and it looks good. They can do the surgery if they can convince her. They find DeLuca talking to Nora after Alex specially removed him from the case. In real life that would be cause for dismissal or suspension. Alex tells Qadri he tried to help DeLuca out and now he has to fire him. I wish he would. He deserves it. When they arrive, he’s telling a story from his own childhood. He convinces her to get the surgery. It’s all very sweet but that doesn’t change the fact that he tried to convince her mom to participate in her own child’s assault.

Amelia and Link bond during surgery. Meanwhile Alex, Qadri, and Schmitt operate on Nora. We learn Qadri grew up in Utah. They all share stories of being bullied in school. Schmitt and Qadri are hilarious! Then DeLuca storms in. Alex reminds him that he’s not on this case. He tells him he’s the reason she consented to this surgery. Alex loudly reminds him that he talked to her and did that after he told him to stay away from her and that he meant what he said. He kicks him out of the OR as he should! Amelia and Link do great work, but their patient loses the signal in her limbs and she becomes paralyzed.

Back to Owen and Teddy. Owen is still talking to her stomach. Baby talk is actually bad for babies and children so I’m not sure why they’re pushing it. Teddy talks to her stomach and then freaks out that she’s a bad mom already. Owen comes and lies down next to her. One of the few nice things he’s done for her and his future child since she told him she was pregnant. God he’s such a jerk! Jackson, Helm, and Richard are in the OR. Richard is still struggling with the pronouns and tells a story about a mechanic that called him Ricky.

He fired him because he’s not a Ricky. Helm days that’s a false equivalent. Richard says he’s trying to understand and that he’s been called a lot worse than Ricky as a black surgeon at a time when there were very few. He says the world moves fast and he’s trying to keep up and adjust and their attitudes are not helping the process. He’s right. Jackson shares a story about a girlfriend he dumped because she called him Jacky. They share a laugh.

Back to Teddy and Owen. Owen says some nice things to Teddy and her stomach. And then Tom walks in. Tom calls the baby to be peanut! Awww! He calls Owen out for not updating him. Teddy says she didn’t want to worry anymore people then she needed to. Tom says he’s glad to be here. Then steps outside to talk to Owen. He asks Owen if Teddy had actually been in labour if he would have told him. Then Tom spills ALL the tea!!!!! He tells Owen he knows he doesn’t like him and he doesn’t care but if Owen plans to make a play for Teddy and show up with a ring and take advantage of the pain and vulnerability of a woman he’s hurt over and over again and abandoned he should rethink that. Yes Tom Yes!!!! You tell him! You go! Finally someone says it!!!!

He tells him further that and won’t lie down or walk away and that he’ll fight for her! Yes Tom!!! And that it will bring on a lot of drama and pain for the woman he claims he just wants to be happy. Spill that tea Tom!!! Owen says Tom doesn’t know anything about his history with Teddy. Tom corrects him and says that his history is that he chose Amelia more than once. Go Tom Go! Owen seems like he’s realizing this for the first time. What a tool. Tom says his history is that he loves Teddy!  Awwwww! And only her! And that she deserves to be with someone for whom she is the first and only choice! Yes! Finally! Go Tom Go! Amelia and Link have to tell Jackson’s non-binary patient Toby that their mom has been paralyzed from the neck down. It’s very emotional. Jackson can relate and gives some sage advice Webber style. Alex keeps calling Jo and not getting an answer.

DeLuca walks up to him and is a total asshole. He’s says he’s not just some intern he can kick around. Alex didn’t kick him around. He did his job as Chief / Attending Paediatric Surgeon. In real life DeLuca would be fired for this. This is insubordination. You do NOT talk to your boss that way! He tells Alex what he did was unprofessional. To his boss. The Chief of Surgery. WTF? DeLuca has the maturity and intelligence of an acorn. Again, he would be fired for this in real life. The only reason he’s not is because he’s dating Meredith on the show. Which makes this whole storyline and his behaviour even dumber. Ugh. I hate him. Alex calls him on his BS and says what he did was unprofessional. That the way he helped out Nora should’ve been the first thing he did. And he’s right. But that he’s too pissed at the world about his dad and that while he sympathizes DeLuca let it mess with his job and Nora’s amazing mom.

And it’s messing with his relationship. Alex is right. Also DeLuca should know that since he upset Meredith earlier. Seriously how stupid is he? DeLuca acts like Alex doesn’t know what he’s taking about despite the fact that he’s got over a decade of experience and is Meredith’s best friend. Seriously DeLuca is the worst! DeLuca asks what his horrible behaviour to everyone today has to do with ruining his relationship with Meredith. Gee DeLuca I don’t know. Maybe everything? Alex tells him not to let that happen and that when people reach out a hand you don’t bite it. Wise words. That he did it for years and that if you do it eventually people stop reaching out.

Meanwhile Maggie is checking Meredith’s stats & they’re off because she’s pissed at DeLuca. She gets a text from him asking her to come over. Maggie misinterprets and thinks it’s a sexy thing. Owen looks through an exam room window to see Teddy with Tom and Carina laughing and looking happy. He decides to walk away. FINALLY!!! Amelia is in the blue room feeling sad over what happened to her and Link’s patient. Link comes to see her. You all know where this is going! He takes her hands in his. She locks the door. They kiss and you all know what happens next. Also side note: They are going to have to bleach that floor because that’s blue ultraviolet light!

Meredith comes to see DeLuca at his house. She tells him she doesn’t do sitting at work wondering if her boyfriend is avoiding her or being weird. She’s past that point in her life. A few things here. She’s now calling him her boyfriend. Gross. She previously avoided the term and said he wasn’t. Also, her being past this point in her life is why shouldn’t be dating him! She’s at a different life stage and DeLuca is still very immature. She needs to break up with him and find someone more her speed. She’s not interested in it and has no time for it. DeLuca says he knows which makes him even more of a douchebag.

DeLuca says he needed a minute to be hurt. Which is fine but he should have take time off work instead of attempting to assault a child, screw up Alex’s day, and upset Meredith. I hate this guy. He has no redeeming qualities at this point! He says he’s had his minute and now he needs her. He makes everything about him. Never about her. Meredith has had enough of that in her life to last a lifetime! Thank u next! Meredith says maybe she needs a minute now. Yes! Take that minute! And keep on going! But she doesn’t. She laughs instead and they kiss. Ugh. DeLuca made her dinner. She is wooed by his cooking and his ability to speak Italian. Yawn.

Also, I get that Alex is worried about Jo, but he really needs to tell Meredith that DeLuca attempted to assault a child. She’s a single Mom with three small children under the age of 10. DeLuca is a danger to children! Also, as far as we know they haven’t even had sex yet so why is she doing this? This is not a long-term relationship. Why is she bothering with this? She doesn’t even know if he’s good in bed or not. This plot line makes no sense. Every episode since DeLuca took an interest in her is the same. DeLuca does something immature or stupid and upsets her or someone else. They break up. They get back together. At some point they kiss. Nothing ever goes anywhere. There’s no development good or bad. DeLuca keeps getting worse as a character. I don’t understand what kind of reaction they are trying to elicit from fans. This makes no sense at all. Alex arrives home. Jo’s luggage is there. She’s asleep in bed. He kisses her on the forehead and tells her he missed her. Jo opens her eyes. She looks upset. ‏ Now onto next week’s promo! It’s a flashback apparently as we see Jo go find her birth mother. It does not go well. The woman at the door says she can’t be here. They go to a diner. She asks who her father is. Whatever she says upsets Jo to the point that she’s breaks down crying. It does not go well. The promo ends with a warning that ‘Due to sensitive subject matter viewer discretion is advised.’ Which makes me nervous. Grey’s has covered a lot of sensitive subjects and I’ve never seen a content warning before. Someone on Twitter posted that they used one for the Season Six Finale which was the shooting episode. I’m easily triggered by things that come with heavy warnings so there might be parts of next week’s episode that I don’t watch.

That’s all folks! Until next time.

Au revoir!

[theangstyauthors]

Nagito’s Birthday

Nagito's Pov

BEST. DAY. OF. MY. LIFE.

Wanna know why????

"HAJIME LET ME BE MOANA!!!!!!" I half yelled half screamed at Hajime. Today is my birthday, so it is only normal that I can do whatever I want with no restrictions. And that includes wearing that outfit I saw at the party store, which is absolutely a must. We all currently plan to spend the day at our favorite bakery. I'm usually never allowed inside the bakery or any public place for that matter so today is just fantabulous.

"Why are you like this?" Hajime sighed. I think I can get him to let me be Moana.

"Because it's my birthday, after all. So I'm hoping that you'll let me be Moana." I said innocently.

"Fine." Hajime said exasperatedly "You can be Moana."

"Thanks Hajime!" I said while giving him a hug.

"Yeah, yeah." Hajime shrugged "But only this once. We are going to a bakery so as long as you don't get us kicked out.. Again,"

"I won't!" I reassured him, knowing that I probably will.

I usually try to behave but we usually get kicked out. We also usually get kicked out of everything we go to, but at this bakery we try not to. So I instead yell at people in the parking lot and accidentally try to murder Makoto. It's not my fault he's so small. Hajime likes the coffee there so he always tells me to behave. It's not like he's treating me like a child. It's just that I sometimes get carried away and he has to remind me.

I really do try to act like a normal civilian but when you are with a bunch of talented people such as my group, you have to stand out. That being another reason why i'm going to be Moana. Only Hajime doesn't need to know that I already bought the costume a while ago for future use. Now we can start the celebration early.

It definitely wasn't some sort of extravagant party. No we were much too classy for that. We were going to sit in a bakery with me dressed as the one and only Moana.

After my talk with Hajime I quickly ran home to grab the costume. I will be an actual pretty princess. It's only in our group of 7 but I already know that i'm going to be the best dressed for certain.

I approached the bakery to see most of my friends waiting in the parking lot. Shuichi, Kyoko and Kirumi were talking about who knows what, while Kaede and Makoto were having a heated discussion probably about Keeping Up With The Kardashians. It's not that they like the show, they don't really. I guess they like to see how celebrities act and how they easily snap. Hajime and I got out of the car (which he drove, of course) and walked to our friends. I went up to Kaede and Makoto and they didn't even notice me because of their discussion.

"I'm sorry but she was being so fake." Kaede shook her head.

"Of course she was! She was just salty about her dating her ex boyfriend!" Makoto continued ranting. "She wanted to make the other girl feel bad. She also always has temper tantrums just so she can have more camera time. Or they think it's so smart to wear expensive diamond earrings in the ocean and they lose them to have drama in the show. There are people that are dying, Kim."

"I know right!?" Kaede yelled "And you need to catch up on that show where a bunch of brides getting married go crazy."

"I am caught up, thank you very much! I can't believe how people get so wrapped up in getting married! Everything has to be perfect for them while they ignore how their fiance feels. Ugh, I totally think half of the people on Keeping Up With The Kardashians would be like that." Makoto sighed

"Don't even get me started! Kaede ranted "They totally would! Those self centered-"

"Umm guys?" Hajime interrupted. At this point everyone in our friend group stopped talking and were just listening to them for a good five minutes.

"O-oh... Hello Hajime.." Makoto spoke with his face red, just like Kaede's "and Happy birthday to you...NAGITO?!" all the attention went from Kaede and Makoto to me. I'm guessing it's because I'm dressed up as Moana. Makoto, Kaede and Shuichi started figuratively dying while Kyoko looked very concerned.

"Nagito... why might you be dressed as Moana?" Kyoko asked.

"Because Moana's the best and It's my birthday." I said honestly, which caused everyone but Hajime and Kyoko to die even further. Even Kirumi seemed amused.

"I can't even say I'm surprised." Shuichi says between wheezes. They all continued laughing for a good five more minutes before we entered the bakery. We wanted to seems as casual as possible since my costume would bring enough attention already, but seeing how we are all a big mess, that didn't happen. As we were all entering Shuichi tripped on a part of the door and fell, taking Makoto with him. Everyone in the bakery turned to look at Shuichi literally on top of Makoto on the bakery floor while I was in a Moana costume. A lot of people were there, since the bakery had a lot of spots to sit and the food was really good. So many people turned to take photos of this chaotic scene in front of them.

"Ahh, sorry Makoto!" Shuichi apologized while attempting to get back up. Instead of getting up, he tripped on his shoe lace and fell back on top of Makoto. As this was happening, someone was trying to get in so instead of walking by they tripped over Shuichi and fell as well.

"Umm Shuchi? Are you okay?" Makoto said to Shuichi who was still on top of him."

"No." Shuichi said trying not to panic. "My shoelace is wrapped around someone's chair and I can't get up."

Makoto was silent for a second. "I can't get up if you can't get up."

"Oh no, sir are you okay?!" Kaede went over to help the man that fell but instead tripped over him and fell too. Kyoko, Kirumi and Hajime looked into this scene stunned. I wanted to help, but I was too busy laughing.

"Wow Shuichi, are you cheating on me?" Kaede said laughing on the floor. It did look awkward since Shuichi was trying not to crush Makoto.

"Dear lord, you guys are a mess." Hajime sighed. "Here, let me help." He went over to help but then tripped over Shuichi's shoelace that was caught around the chair and fell on top of Shuichi.  "Oh. Well looks like I'm a mess too." Hajime got up and went over to Kaede. "Why aren't you getting up? Are you hurt? Stuck?"

"No, I'm just too thicc to get up." Kaede sighed and Hajime helped her up. Shuchi managed to get up even with his shoelace caught on the chair.

"Oh yes! I did it!" Shuichi went to go help up Makoto until he realized what happened. His shoelace went with his foot as he was getting up and pulled the chair out from someone else while they were sitting in it. "Oh no! I'm so so sorry!" Shuichi said as he went to go help that person. Until he went to move forward and tripped over the chair back onto Makoto as he was getting up. And they all thought I was going to attract too much attention. Everyone in the Bakery was laughing and they had an employee help Shuichi get unattached from the chair. Shuchi helped Makoto get up successfully and we found a place to sit before we got our order.

Our table sat in the middle of the Bakery. It was the only table that could fit the 7 people tolerating each other. We were basically already acquainted with the others in the building. A huge scene was caused before we even got our seats. At least this time Hajime can't blame me for being the cause.

I adjusted a leaf crown on my head. I was doing this as a joke. It was planned to go completely full out. Suddenly I heard a voice from the table next to me.

"Um excuse me sir...ma'am? Can my daughter take a picture with you she loves Moana." The mother looked less than pleased but I looked down to see a little girl happily smiling up at me.

"Of course you can young waterbender!" I excitedly jumped out of my seat to stand with the girl. The rest of the table looked amused or plain confused. I took a picture with the girl who had stars in her eyes. How cute. Before I knew it I had a whole line of people. Looks like I'm Moana now. I was about to take a photo until Hajime went up to the crowd.

"Hey everyone!" Hajime yelled "Five dollars for a picture with Moana. It will be seven for a photo and an autograph!" I looked around to see all of the moms getting out their wallet. Never thought Hajime was the one to make money off of little kid's excitement. But I went with it. In the end we had almost a hundred dollars.

"Boy am I glad I allowed you to wear that." Hajime smirked

"Hajime, you savage!" Kaede scolded him "That's so mean!"

Kirumi spoke up for the first time. "Not necessarily. After all, weren't you the one who charged drunk people five dollars for an autograph at a Meghan Trainor concert since they thought you were Meghan?"

Kaede sighed in defeat "They wouldn't leave me alone! That was different. And anyways, it's all about that bass"

Kirumi smiled "Or so you think. Anywho, Hajime what are you going to do with the funds?"

Hajime held the wad of cash in his hands. "Well, what do you guys want to buy?" We all gave our orders then decided to get even more. We got three cups of black coffee for Kirumi, Kyoko and Hajime, three cups of black tea for Makoto, Shuichi and Kaede and I got a hot chocolate. Then we got a whole bunch of desserts. We pretty much used all of our funds for free food. Not only did we provide free entertainment but we provided a lot of money for the bakery. Happy birthday to me.

*Timeskip to when they were leaving*

"Do you really not feel guilty for doing that to innocent mothers?" Kirumi asked yet again.

"Maybe on my grave I will. Nows that time to live a little bit"

"Wow Hajime! For once you don't sound like a dad!" Kaede beamed.

"Yeah, yeah. Well it's not my first time and it surely won't be my last." Hajime opened the door for all of us. We were all going to part our own ways before Hajime stopped. "Guys. My keys are gone. I think they are in the car." We all had no idea on what to do. (Kyoko wanted to hotwire the car but we all gave a hard pass to that one.) We were thinking on what to do when Kyoko found something out.

"The sunroof is open. Could one of us get in and go in the car?" All of us immediately looked at Makoto.

"Please don't tell me I'm climbing through the sunroof." Makoto sighed. "Fine. Can I have some help getting up there?" Shuichi helped Makoto get the top of the car's roof.

As Makoto was trying to climb through he accidentally fell through the top and hit the bottom of the car.

"Uhh you okay Makoto?" Shuichi asked.

"I sure hope so." Makoto sighed and found the keys. "Got them!" He exited the car and we were all relieved since he didn't die from the process. Knowing him, he probably would.

"Thanks Makoto. Where are you guys even going after this?" Hajime asked.

"Makoto and I were planning on dragging Shuichi to my place to watch random shows where celebrities act self-centered and go crazy about the literal dumbest things." Kaede smiled while Shuichi looked borderline afraid. (which he should be)

"I have work." Kyoko said curtly, as usual.

"I have my maid work to attend to." Kirumi seemed happy about being a maid, which makes no sense to me.

"I'm just going to hang out with this dweeb" I elbowed Hajime and he had his usual look of annoyance. He did seem happy though. We all said our goodbyes and left the parking lot. I couldn't have asked for a more hope-filled day.

*To see images of the Moana please check our page*

Also Fanfiction requests are open

[iggytheperson]

19 kotoko/monaca :)

#19 - longing stare™ + kotonaca

you have given me a gift this day

“…Kotokooo…you’ve been staaaaring at her for thiiirteeeen miiiinutes…”

The girl in question glares at the interrupter of her lovely daydream. “Jataro, if you value the safety of your art supplies, shut up now.”

Jataro doesn’t head the warning. “But why are you staring at the new girl…? You didn’t stare at Naaaagisaaa like that when heeeee got transferred to our class…”

“Because Nagisa isn’t cute, stupid. Now shut up.” She points a glittery pink pair of scissors at him menacingly. He laughs and doesn’t speak again. Ugh. Masochist weirdo.

Since looking at the cute new girl is about a trillion times more fun than paying attention to Jataro, she turns her attention back to that.

Monaca Towa, huh…?

Deciding that hearing her new peer’s voice would be nicer than just staring at the back of her head, Kotoko gets up and boldly approaches miss new girl. “Hello, hello! You’re Monaca Towa, right? I’m Kotoko Utsugi! Call me Kotoko, ok?”

Her adorable new conversational partner gives her a smile sweet as cotton candy. “Alright Kotoko! You can call Monaca by her first name too!” Third person…? Oh whatever, it’s cute, no need to question it.

“So, Monaca, your last name is the same as the name of that one company, right?” A good a conversational topic as any, unless family is as sore a subject for Monaca as it is for Kotoko…

“Yup, yup! It’s my dad’s company!” If there’s any problem with Kotoko’s topic of choice, Monaca makes it seem nonexistent. “Monaca doesn’t mean to brag, but she’s actually the chief executive of the robotics branch!”

“Woooah! That’s amazing!” Kotoko exclaims.

The cutie seems to blush bashfully. “Oh, it’s not that amazing…Monaca thinks Kotoko is much more amazing! You’re a tv star, right? I’ve seen you before! Monaca would never have the courage to do something like that!”

“You don’t know the half of it! Being an actress is such a pain, I’d love to be smart enough to do something like what you do.”

“Oh! If Kotoko ever needs help with school or anything, Monaca can help you!” the precious little angel offers.

Personal tutoring from this darling? What a hard offer to pass up. “Oh I don’t really need help with school or anything, I’m not dumb like Masaru over there,” Kotoko points out the dunce himself, currently flinging a bouncy ball against the other boy’s heads. “But I’d love it if you could teach me about all your computer stuff!”

Monaca seems to consider this for a moment. “Alright, Monaca would be happy to! In exchange, could you maybe help Monaca integrate with the class…? I mean, I’ll still help you if you don’t wanna, but Monaca has a hard time talking to unfamiliar people…”

“Oh, of course!” Kotoko agrees immediately.

“Yaay! Thank you so much Kotoko!” Monaca smiles up at her with the most heart-stopping eyes and Kotoko thinks she’s going to melt. “So, so, tell Monaca about all the people! Who’s that boy over there with the book? He hasn’t looked up once since I came in!”

“That’s Nagisa! He’s a total nerd: super ultra teacher’s pet!”

“Really? Then how’d he get sent here?” Monaca asks, with an air of obliviousness to her that makes it clear she doesn’t realize what an invasive question that is. Not that Kotoko cares about her classmate’s privacy to begin with.

“Believe it or not, it’s because he always falls asleep in class! Apparently, he studies soooo much that he doesn’t save enough energy for school! Silly, right?”

“Yeah, totally silly! What about the other two?” Asking for gossip before asking for names? It would seem this angel has a devious side! Well, that’s probably to be expected. She’s in this class, after all.

“Well Jataro threw a temper tantrum and tried to stab some kid with a scalp.” Kotoko details the incident casually, and Monaca watches her with keen interest. “As for Masaru…well I don’t know for sure, he won’t breathe a word about it, but…don’t tell him I said this; I heard the teachers say he tried to steal an ID from the teacher’s lounge.”

“Woah, super weird!!”

As they talk, Kotoko observes her tooth-rottingly adorable new friend. Monaca has this air of dainty expressiveness to her, making all these little faces of astonishment and interest that hint on exaggeration just the teensiest little bit. It’s the cutest thing ever, and with each face she sees, Kotoko feels more in love, like she’s falling under a spell.

She has never so immediately felt understood by someone. Lil’ Ultimate Homeroom lives up to her name. She talks and talks and for once she feels as though someone is actually hearing her. What a wonderful feeling. 

So they talk. They talk about everything there is to talk about, she talks about acting and Monaca talks about all these big ideas she doesn’t understand and loves listening to anyways. Monaca sympathizes about the creepy old men in the workplace and laughs at the sex jokes and by the end of the day they’re walking home together.

Kotoko never though herself a romantic, but she thinks she might’ve just met the most important person to ever enter her life. And as soon as she’s sitting locked in her room at home, she already misses her. 

For the first time in what feels like forever, Kotoko can’t wait for tomorrow to come.

[shamelessly4shameless-blog]

Another Way (pt 6)

Ian wakes at five am and sits up. He listens intently but can’t hear anyone else moving around. He moves into the kitchen and finds a tub of coffee, adding a generous scoop to the peculator and flicking the switch on. It makes a groaning noise and Ian winces. He doesn’t want to wake anyone up, especially not Mickey.

Once the cheap, dark coffee is brewed, Ian pours a cup and leans back against the counter. He can’t stay here and he can’t go home. He has no money, no job, no purpose. He’s never been worth much, a Gallagher from South Side is worth about as much as anyone else from South Side, but the army was supposed to be his way out, his way to make himself and his life count for something.

Now it’s fucked.

Ian wonders what it is that he actually has to offer and the answer is very little. He knows Mickey cares for him, but what use is that to either of them? Mickey is married with a kid on the way and what he does for money … Ian realises he has no idea what Mickey does for money. He didn’t even think to ask about Mickey at all. Once he knew he was still married, Ian had pretty much shut his mind off from wanting to ask anything else and of course Mickey wouldn’t volunteer the information! The guy never thinks to talk about himself, barely seems to register that he is an actual person with thoughts and feelings ... fuck! Ian hangs his head and breathes deeply. No, he definitely can’t stay here.

He’s heard about under-age guys getting work in Boys Town and if nothing else the army has given him a decent body… He drains his coffee cup and makes a decision. Maybe it’s the caffeine but now that Ian is more awake, he feels consumed with energy.

His mind is racing with possibility and he imagines owning his own club, he could call it ‘Firecrotch’ Mickey would like that! Maybe he could visit! Ian’s thoughts swing around the maypole of that idea for a couple of minutes as he tugs his boots on and he realises he is grinning a full, heady smile that makes him feel amazing.

He considers waking Mickey up to tell him the good news, that Ian has managed to find a new path in life less than twenty-four hours of losing his old one, and if that isn’t luck, Ian doesn’t know what is.

He pours a cup of coffee and eases Mickey’s bedroom door open. Svetlana is breathing deeply, buried under quilts, her back to her husband who is facing the door, lips sweetly parted in sleep, his hand curled up by his chin like a little kid.

Ian’s heart squeezes tight and he can’t bring himself to wake him. Instead he puts the coffee down beside the bed and kisses one delicately structured cheekbone.

“Thank you for saving me.”

He whispers and creeps back out of the room. It is a brand new day and Ian feels incredible … invincible. He leaves the Milkovich house and heads down town, it’s a long way but Ian doesn’t care. He can run it and he does, laughing at the sheer perfection of the morning and all within it. He waves to crack heads in alleys and calls out to shopkeepers setting up for the day. He gets to Boys Town just before six am and approaches three men smoking outside one of the brightly painted doors.

They look him up and down as he explains that he is looking for work and then one of them, a blond guy with a natty little beard, tells him to come to the White Swallow at 7pm and ask for Roger. Ian shakes all their hands and promises to be there.

He doesn’t have anything else to do for the morning so he just wanders around Chicago, smiling.

*

Mickey does not wander round Chicago smiling. In fact Mickey does quite the fucking opposite. He rages. Internally and externally. He woke up that morning to a half-remembered sensation of being kissed on the cheek and had a smile on his face for all of three seconds before he swung his legs out of bed and kicked over a mug of luke-warm coffee.

About a minute after that, he realised that Ian was gone and his day went rapidly downhill from there.

By lunch time he had worked himself up into such a fury that he is glad Gallagher is gone because if Mickey had found him, he’d have likely killed him. Even Svetlana stays out of his way when she senses his mood and wisely keeps her happiness at Ian’s disappearance to herself.

“He say anything to you? Anything at all?”

He demands of Mandy for the third time and it is only the frantically hopeless look on her brother’s face that stops her going into her own temper tantrum at the constant badgering.

“No. Okay? He didn’t say anything to me at all. Quit asking me.”

“Well somebody has gotta know where the fuck he went! Why the fuck does no one know?”

Mickey yells, turning away from Mandy to kick a kitchen chair across the room.

“Oh, great! Nice one, Mickey!”

Mandy snaps at him as two of the legs fly in separate directions and the battered thing topples over. She stomps past him to see if it can be fixed and mutters

“Try looking outside of the house maybe.”

“Do you have something to fuckin’ say to me?”

Mickey whirls to face her, chest puffed out and arms held wide. Mandy knows he isn’t going to hit her but the posturing finally makes her lose her own temper

“Yeah. Get out of this shitty house and look for your fuckin’ boyfriend...”

“Hey! I don’t know what the fuck you’re ...”

“Don’t play dumb with me, asshole. Ian left the first time because of you and I don’t know why he left this time but you’re not gonna know either unless you get out there and look!”

“I went and got him once already! This is not my problem...”

“Ugh. Nothing is ever your problem. Make Ian your problem or stop throwing a fuckin’ hissy fit over it.”

Mandy points a finger in her brother’s face

“And stop trashing the house. You’re not the only person who lives here.”

Mickey purses his lips and glares after her retreating back. He considers smashing another chair but as that is unlikely to move his day along he decides against it.

It’s not that he minds Ian going his own way, it is the lack of any sort of good bye and a niggling sensation that Mickey had all day yesterday that Gallagher wasn’t right. Obviously he was stressed as shit by the pricks at basic training but it was more than that it was … fuck. Mickey can’t say exactly what it was but it was enough that it is really concerning him now.

He paces back and forth like a caged bear in a zoo for a couple of minutes and then grabs his smokes and his keys and heads over to the Gallaghers.

*

Fiona opens the door and internally cringes.

“Hi Mickey.”

“Is Ian here?”

Fiona ignores the rude lack of preamble and folds her arms. She isn’t Mickey Milkovich’s biggest fan but he looks tired and upset and he’s wearing a smart black button down that actually looks pretty clean. She hasn’t seen him for a while but the kid looks like he’s trying to get his shit together.

“No, he hasn’t been home for weeks.”

“I brought him back from the army yesterday. I thought he’d be here.”

“You …? The army?”

Fiona grabs Mickey’s arm and tugs him roughly inside.

“Explain.”

“What?”

Mickey looks pointedly at her hand but Fiona doesn’t let go.

“How did you find him?”

Mickey shakes her off and gives her a disapproving frown, smoothing the sleeve of his shirt before deigning to answer and Fiona has to suppress a small smile. Mickey might be the same age as Lip, but he carries himself differently and she can sort of see why Ian, who seems to prefer older men, likes Mickey’s way of being.

“He called me. Said he was in trouble so I went and got him. From Fort Knox.”

“As in Kentucky?”

“Yeah.”

Mickey looks almost embarrassed to admit this but Fiona gives him a surprised nod of respect.

“Okay. Thank you for doing that. What was the trouble?”

“That’s for Ian to tell you if he wants to but listen he don’t seem right. I know we all got things that make us a bit … but he just seems like … I dunno.”

Fiona sighs a little impatiently but gives Mickey a small smile. He’s clearly trying and for someone like him, Fiona is willing to believe that this sort of thing does not come easy. She moves through into the kitchen and holds up the coffee jug in offer. Mickey shakes his head and stuffs his hands into his pockets.

“Can you describe it? Was it like he was high?”

“Yeah, no, it was more like he was zigzagging all over the place. One minute being a dick and the next being … well, more like Ian.”

Mickey rolls his shoulders and scuffs one capped boot across the threadbare carpet. He hates this. It feels like ratting Ian out but it also feels really damn important that someone in Ian’s family know what’s going on. In all honesty it kind of surprised Mickey that Ian hasn’t been home and seemingly hasn’t called. The Gallagher’s always seemed like the damn South Side Ghetto Waltons. ‘Good night John-boy’, ‘Good night alcoholic waster dad’ … all that shit.

“Did he look okay? Eating? Sleeping?”

“Yeah, I mean he got in a fight before I picked him up but we cleaned it up, I fed him and he slept a bit on the drive.”

Mickey rolls his bottom lip between his front teeth and looks up at Fiona with eyes that are dark with worry and for the first time she feels an inkling of liking for the rough kid from down the block. The one she would never let Lip hang out with. The one who used to smell as bad as he looked in his worn out clothes and shit-slinging sneer. A little thug at ten years old and no better at seventeen. Eighteen though? Maybe.

“If I see him, I’ll tell him you’re looking.”

“Thanks. If I give you my cell number you think you could text me? Just let me know he’s home?”

“Sure. Write it down.”

Fiona shoves an old envelope and a slightly chewed pen across the counter and Mickey only gives the chewed end a cursory, revolted glance before picking it up and scribbling his digits down.

“Do you know where he might have gone?”

“Sorry Mickey. I really don’t.”

Fiona pushes her hair back from her face in a sweeping gesture that is at once protective and dismissive and Mickey nods briefly.

“Alright. Well. See ya then.”

He pauses on the sidewalk to light a cigarette and puff a few clouds of fragrant grey smoke into the air around him. He needs to check in on the girls at the Alibi, he can’t just leave that crap up to Kev. The guy is a seven foot of simple minded pussy and Mickey doesn’t trust him not to end up getting ripped off if left alone for too long.

[hybridrebellion]

Masks Off

Cross posted to AO3 HERE

Adrinette for @miraculousfluffmonth Day 9 “It’s you” 

My first post on this blog! Enjoy an ML masked ball!

When Chloe had first suggested a Carnaval celebration, Marinette had balked on principle. A chance to let the arrogant blonde dress up in all the finery “daddykins” could buy and woo her sweet Adrien? No-No thanks!

But then Alya had pointed out in an exaggerated whisper that with mask, maybe she’d be able to get more than a few stuttering words in with her favorite model.

“Come on girl! You could even make your own dress!” Alya had continued.

“What’s going on here dudes?” Nino cut in, draping himself between the two girls. “Marinette doesn’t want to go to the dance next month.” Alya accused, crossing her arms. Marinette turned bright red, covering her face with her hands. “Alyaaaa…” She moaned, hoping that her best friend wouldn’t mention anything about her crush to her crush’s best friend. Even though I’m pretty sure Alya told Nino after the Zoo Incident… She thought to herself as an aside. “What’s the big deal?” Nino asked. “Everyone’s going, even Adrien-and his old man never lets him do anything.” He nodded enthusiastically, “Come on Mari, you have to go.”

“You’re going Marinette.” Alya declared, practically leaping through the trapdoor. “EYYYYAAAH!” Marinette screeched, rolling across the room. “ALYA!” The brunette smirked. “That’s my name sweetheart.”

“Ugh. You’re impossible!”

“So I’ve been told.”

Alya turned back to Marinette’s work table, covered in fabric swatches and crumpled up sketches. “You are going!” She exclaimed in delight. The designers gaze shifted downwards. “I was going to. But it turns out Mrs. Chamuck scheduled me to watch Manon that night and I completely spaced. I’m so sorry Alya.” Her shoulders slumped. “I was really looking forward to spending time with you and Nino and… Adrien. Oooohh!” She moaned, throwing herself back in her chair. “It’s okay girl!” Alya hugged her around her shoulders. “I promise we’ll take lots of pictures and video chat when the little angel goes to bed.” She gave a sad smile, “Maybe next year, right Marinette?”

“Maybe next year, right Nino?”  Adrien huffed, not able to make eye contact. Nino stared at his best friend in disbelief. “Your old man did that one purpose didn’t he!” He all but shouted, jamming his fists into his pockets. The blond sighed. “Honestly, with my dad. I would be surprised at all.” From his hiding place, Adrien could feel Plagg nuzzling against him in as much of a display of comfort the Kwami would admit to. “Wouldn’t be surprised at what?” The two boys looked up as Alya and Marinette settled into their seats, wearing matching quizzical looks. Nino swiveled in his seat to face the girls. “Guess who's pops scheduled a last minute photo shoot during the dance? Hint: It’s Adrien’s.” The DJ’s face contorted like he was chewing lemons, a common expression when the senior Agreste was involved. Alya’s face puckered similarly. “It’s okay kid. Marinette can’t make it either.” She gestured with her thumb at the now blushing girl, “Babysittting.” She answered immediately at Adrien’s raised eyebrow. “The little girl I did the photoshoot with in the park a few months back?” Adrien asked, “Manon, right?” Marinette let loose a series of squeaks while nodding. “She’s cute.” Adrien replied with a smile, “That was probably the most fun I’ve ever had on set.”

“I-ah.. I’m glad…” Marinette smiled, “Though she can be a bit of a ‘little angel’” She added, air quoting the title. “She must like you better.”

“Okay Marinette, you can do this, you can do this.” Marinette paced back and forth across her room. Tikki floated by her side. “What's the big deal Marinette? Mrs.Chamuk canceled tonight! You can go to the dance!” Her chosen chewed at her lower lip. “I know Tikki! But I only have the one dress and it’s not exactly what I intended on making.” She glanced at the black and silver gown on her mannequin. “It looks alot like…” “Chat Noir?” Tikki flew into Marinette’s face. “Is that why you’re afraid of going? Your costume looks like Chat Noir?” The kwami giggled helplessly at the sicken look that graced the designers face. “It’s a beautiful dress that you put plenty of time and effort into. There’s no reason not to wear it.” The ancient god snuggled into the girl. “What’s really bothering you?” She asked softly. Marinette broke, just like she always did when Tikki saw through the lies she told herself. “I’m. I’m not sure.” She sighed. “It’s not really the dress. It’s some of my best work and I really look good in it. It just feels like something big is going to happen, something I can’t stop or change.”

“Like an Akuma?”

“No, more like Gas.”

The Kwami fell from the air.

“Gas?” She asked in a dull, disbelieving tone. “Yeah,” Marinette called over her shoulder, shimmying into her dress. “Something that’s really uncomfortable, but it’s a big relief when it’s over and you feel all the better for it?” Marinette undid the ties of her pigtails, brushing out the slight curls and pulling her hair into a bun. “Humans.” Tikki said flatly. “Only humans would say something like that.” Tying her mask in place, Marinette grinned, “But, you love me anyway.”

“No way.” Adrien whispered in reverence, unable to take his eyes off the message from Nathalie. He blinked, rubbing his eyes and reading it again to make sure there wasn’t a mistake.

Photographer canceled due to family emergency. Photoshoot is next week with La Bella co. Enjoy your night off.

-Nathalie

“I don’t believe it…” Adrien whispered again. “I can go Plagg! I can go to my first real school dance!” His eyes lit up with such a fervor that his Kwami checked to make sure he wasn’t over heating. “You sure you’re okay kid? You’re acting kinda funny.” The god unceremoniously shoved a section of cheese into his mouth whole. “It’s just a dance after all.”

“No Plagg! It’s not just any dance, not to me anyway.” With all the drama that came with his life, Adrien threw himself onto his bed with a dreamy sigh. “My father never lets me do anything. This is, well, Miraculous!”

“Okay, fine kid. Whatever. What are you even going to wear?” Plagg asked, patting his stomach contently. Adrien laughed, “Men’s Formalwear Winter 2017, set seven.”

Adrien all but leapt over the bannister when his transformation slid off. “Woah, woah, woah kid! What are you doing?” Plagg demanded, whirling from his ring. Adrien spun to his kawmi, eyes alight. “Nino’s down there! My friends!” He sighed dreamily, “It’s my first dance with real friends.” He slid his mask out of his pocket, securing it with leather ties. “Okay! What do you think?” He turned, facing his kwami. Plagg snicked. “You look like the tail end of a comet!” The tiny god laughed, shaking in the air. Adrien frowned. The mask was one of his favorites from a scraped celestial line. It was a shining gold, half covered in a glittering orange sun motif, the other half edged in dozens of tiny yellow rhinestone embellishments. “I’ll take it.” He said firmly, holding open his jacket for the kwami to hide in.

Adrien took a deep breath and plunged in.

Easily the first thing he noticed was a very large, very loud, yellow cloud of floating fabric and glittering gemstones that had the obnoxious shrill voice of Chloe. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY ADRIKINS ISN’T COMING?” She was shouting at a very peeved Nino. Nino, to his credit, didn’t shrink away from the blonde in the way Adrien had seen his other classmates do.  

As much as Adrien wanted to run up to Nino and Alya, he knew that he shouldn’t show up so soon and so publically after Chloe’s temper tantrum. So he ghosted around the edges of the dance until he spotted another lone figure. 

Gods, she’s beautiful. The thought passed through his mind before he could stop it. But I thought Marinette couldn’t make it? He shook that thought away. Marinette was many things, but she was never a liar. It couldn’t be her.

Her dress was the most eye catching-short of Chloe’s near pom pom- he had seen that night. It was a deep black that shown blue under certain lights. The bodice was strapless, embellished silver embroidery and accented with gemstones. At the waist the dress expanded, spreading into an almost victorian hoop in the skirt and finishing in a train adorned with the same shimmering silver stitching.

She looked nervous, and was fidgeting with her mask. But suddenly she smiled, turning to face him. Immediately, her crimson lips formed a perfect “O”

Marinette paced back and forth, wringing her hands. “Ohh Tikki, this was a mistake.” She mumbled, gazing at the ballroom. The little red bug poked her head out from her specially sewn pocket. “Marinette!” She squeaked in indignation, “Adrien isn’t even here! You don’t have to get flustered.” Marinette rolled her eyes, adjusting her mask. “No, Tikki, it’s not that.” She sighed. “I’m just nervous that someone might recognize me as Ladybug with the mask on. I didn’t think of it until now.” She stared at her reflection, seeing more than just Marinette but not quite Ladybug either. Her mask was midnight black velvet brushed with tiny silver glitter flecks and covered in delicate silver lace around the edges. The eyes were alluringly angled with pale green gemstones framing them. Perched carefully at the edges were twin cat ears with pink satin linings. Chat.

She smiled, thinking of her partner with his terrible puns and endless optimism. If anyone would recognize her, it would be him.

“I think I’ll be okay Tikki.”

She turned, and her jaw all but dropped. Chat was in front of her! Or, at least for a moment she thought it was him. He looked familiar, like her kitty, but also like her Adrien.  He was worthy of jaw dropping either way. In a lovely break from the variations of black and grey suit jackets and waistcoats all her peers had chosen. (with the exception of Kim, who had briefly shown up in a tuxedo shirt and jeans sans mask before an incredibly irate Alix sent him home to change.) The entire outfit was beautifully tailored to his measurements, a burgundy suit jacket and matching dress pants that seemed to almost shimmer under the lights. His waistcoat was black, with golden embroidery, and from what she could see of it, his button up was just a few shades lighter than his jacket.

He smiled at her. The gesture somewhere between sweet and shy and a flirtatious smirk, before beginning to approach her.

"Dance with me."

Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was the allure of the girl who looked not quite like Ladybug but not quite like Marinette, but the request came in a much more husky tone than he had meant. Still, Not Marinette smirked in that Ladybug way, accepting his hand.

Something about it felt right, both heros decided at the same time. They walked hand in hand to the dance floor right as the music faded. Adrien laced his hand with his partners, placing the other on her waist. "I don't suppose you have any experience dancing do you?" He breathed into her ear, sending a shiver down Marinette's spine. "N-No…" She stuttered. Adrien smiled, "I didn't think so." He laughed, "Allow me to show you."

The music began again, finding Marinette and Adrien in the center of the dance floor. Marinette's dress shimmered, a soft night sky gliding across the floor as Adrien led her gracefully around the dance floor. In contrast, his suit was a burning ember.  Soon all was still in the room, as those who attended the ball paused to watch the enchanting duo sweeping across the honey shine floors. They were windswept ashes circling a dying flame, the blazing sun and lonely moon trapped in an eternal dance, the unearthly beauty of creation and destruction.

“You’re doing wonderfully, My Lady…” Adrien whispered into his partner's hair. He cringed. The nickname had slipped and yet it had felt so natural.  

Marinette startled, gazing up at him in shock. “It’s you.” She breathed as she was spun across the dance floor.

Adrien watched with pride as she gracefully twirled, dress floating like gossamer winds. My lady always did learn quickly.

He swiftly appeared by her side, gently lifting her into the air. Marinette embraced the lightness of his touch, pointing her toes and hold her arms to her side like a swan. The train of her dress hung behind her partner, making his suit stand out even more. They both were grinning from ear to ear. Adrien was so pleased that even without their suits, his lady, his Marinette, because there was no confusion now,  still trusted him to hold her high. And Marinette knew, even if it was a sudden, and very unexpected reveal, this was her partner and best friend. She would trust him with her life.

Adrien grinned broadly, stepping slowly in a circle. Something about this felt so incredibly right, that his heart felt like it could burst with joy. He found his lady. He let that joy wash over him.

“My lady?” He whispered. “Do you remember Acrobat?” He named an akuma which had required some rather inventive footwork on their parts. “Of course I do Chat.” She giggled, “I trust you.”

With the careful practice that could only come from years of fighting akumas in magic suits, the boy threw his airborne partner. A gasp rushed across the crowd as the girl spun once, twice, three times, before almost floating back to the ground. Her partner caught her gently, pulling her into a fierce embrace as the crowed cheered.

“Oh kitty. It’s you.” Marinette repeated, holding him tightly. She reached up, quickly sliding his half face mask up. Adrien blinked back. “I just.” She smiled, lovestruck, “I just wanted to be sure. It was almost too good to be true.”  Marinette giggled when Adrien cocked his head to the side quizzically. “I love you, you stupid dork.” She mumbled. “Well aren’t we lucky.” He began, heart nearly bursting again, as his tilted her chin up. “Because I love you too Marinette.” Slowly, silently asking for permission, he kissed her. The kiss was soft and tender, unsure and somewhat awkward in that was that only a first kiss can be. But for them it was perfect. When they broke away it was to the sight of Chloe, storming her way towards them. Marinette gulp. “I think I’m going to keep this moment sacred.” She stage whispered to him, turning and running off. Adrien laughed, beginning to chase after her, racing across the ballroom. Once more people stopped and stared, watching the silvery dust flying across the room, laughing joyfully as a comet futility tried to keep pace with her.

Chloe was furious. "Wait! Who are you? Stop!" She called out. Briefly, Marinette came to a stop, ball gown spinning around her lithe frame. "In your dreams!" She shouted, running off in  mirth after her Chat.

As was expected, the next day was filled with chattering about the Carnaval, all curious about the identity of the dancing duo. Adrien and Nino walked down the halls, the blond smirking at the voices around him.

"I heard it was Ladybug and Chat Noir. Yeah. And I’m an Akuma’s uncle."

The boys spotted their friends waiting in the courtyard and veered over to meet them. "Adrien! Did you hear about what happened at the dance?" Alya called in question. Adrien shook his head as he sat down, "I've heard buzzing in the halls but that’s about it.”  "Aww… I really wish you had seen it." His friend responded sadly. "Yeah dude. It was pretty awesome." Nino agreed, clapping a hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Well, what happened?" Adrien asked, turning to his friends. Rose sighed, "There was this couple, the girl had this beautiful black gown that glowed like moonlight.Her partner was wearing a red suit with a that looked like an inferno when the light hit it. They were hypnotic on the dance floor.” “Yeah! At one point the guy just chucked her in the air. It was like she could fly.” Alix chimed it. “It was-” “Miraculous” Marinette finished, flashing a sly smirk to her partner. Adrien chuckled, "I guess I should be sorry I missed it then!" He regretted jokingly, catching the eye of his partner. "Right, Mari?" He asked. His Lady grinned, blue eyes sparkling. “Speak for yourself, Alya showed me the video.”

[granular-experience]

I Mean This. Forever. 67 Final Chapter

Thank you everyone that stuck with me through this, and everyone that found it and binge read it. That was fun to watch.

Rhiannon’s pov  April 3rd

It took me nearly two years to send that marriage licence. Two fucking years! I haven’t been home in two mother fucking years! I was sure he had moved on, but when Robyn showed up two days ago he assured me that Jared was just as much of a mess as I am.

“I’m taking care of this shit. I can deal with you being gone anymore. Jared is…fucking…ugh. He’s driving me insane. And that fucking kid of his! He’s such a dick!”

“Dude! Watch your mouth, and chill out! How is Jared driving you insane? And what do you  expect from Isaac?! His mother ODs and he gets shoved in with someone who’s going through all of this shit and working? On top of being 16?”

“Jared calls me at least once a day. And rambles off some nonsense about random shit! He’s fucking lost it.”

“He’s always been like that. You have to be able to add the missing details. He’s in twelve places at once. You’re all he has of me. That’s why he calls you. Deal with it.”

Rob glared at me, “Fine!”

“Now how do you plan on finding these people and getting the price off my head?”

A few weeks later Alex and I were sitting on the beach playing in the sand when a tall man approached Dimitri. He handed him an envelope and bowed before he left. Dimitri read the inscription across the front. Walking over he handed it to me. Jared’s jumpy letters printed out my name. My hands shook as I unfolded the paper.

    My love, please don’t cry. It kills me. I miss you more and more everyday.  I keep having a dream where you wake me up in the morning and always have something to show me but I never get to see what it is.  Sometimes you simply say you have something to show me but we end up laying bed all day. Other times I get up and follow you but as I round the corner to see what it is I wake up, and realize it was a dream. At least I have you in my dreams if not at all. The only reason I haven’t completely lost it is the hope I have of seeing you again.

Being a dad is one of the strangest things I’ve done. 16 year old boys are assholes. It wouldn’t be so bad if he wasn’t smart and knew how to play games like I do. I apologize to Mom everytime I see her.

I signed the marriage licence. I wish you would have given me a more descrip reason why now and not when you get home.I never thought I would be one to wear a ring but here I am. I love this ring, Alessandro did wonderfully.

Rob says he’s trying to get the hit against you taken care of, but I’m not sure how long It will take or if it will work. We all miss you. Mom and Shannon say hello and send their love.

I miss you my love, and I can’t wait for the day I see you in front of me instead of in my dreams.

     Love always, Panda Bear.

 Tears streamed down my face while I held Alex in my lap. “Mom mom, are you crying?”

“Yes, it’s fine, baby.” Alex looks and acts just like Jared.  Just as smart and just as ornery. The temper tantrums…ugh, and he’s only getting into two.  “What would you like to do for your second birthday tomorrow?”

“Umm, can we come back to the beach?”

“Sure, should we go to the docks today on our way home to see the old lady for some fish?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Ok, let’s go put your shoes on.”

 Jared’s pov December 22nd

This year I’m taking everyone to Italy for Christmas.  It was Rob’s idea. I just went with it.  Anymore, I’m numb. I hate waking up to this fucking ring on my finger not being able hold my wife. It’s fucking bullshit. “Dad, let’s go! The car’s waiting.”

“Coming!” it’s hard to not let Isaac see how broken I am. Inside I’m fucking desolate. I hate everything. It’s like my thirties all over again. I hardly sleep, I can’t get any songs out of my head. I’m floundering and it’s crippling.  

I jumped in the car and we headed for the plane. In a few hours I’d be in Italy wanting Anni even more.

  When the plane landed it was early afternoon. Two black SUV’s picked us up, and drove us out of the city. We drove for an hour before we reached a little seaside village you’d see on a post card.  Anni would love it. It was all white with splashes of bright colors thrown about. Even in the winter it looked like summer.

The cars stopped in a parking lot “We need to walk the rest of the way. Don’t worry about the bags they’ll get them.”

I threw my backpack on and waited for Isaac to put his sketch book up.  I think I’ve finally found an outlet for his teen angst. He hasn’t kept his face out it since he got it. He’s not bad at drawing either.  As we walked down the narrow paths family’s were decorating their houses, laughing, singing, and having fun then I heard it, her voice. “Alexander! Get down from there! You can’t climb the tree!”

I franticly looked to Rob. “Was that fucking Rhiannon?! We’re not supposed to be here. She told us-”

“Chill dude I got everything taken care of. She can come home. I just haven’t told her yet.  I thought this would be the best way.”

“What? Really?” he nodded. “Who’s Alexander?”

He shrugged as he knocked on the door. “Mom mom! Dimi! There’s someone at the door!”

Mom Mom?

“Just a minute! Alex come clean up all this glitter, please.” the lock flipped on the other side of the door  and my heart pounded. I somehow got pushed to the front of the group. When she opened the door we both were frozen.  She looked amazing! She didn’t look like a heroin addict anymore. Is she real? Is this a dream?

We both lunged at each other. She engulfed all of my scenes. I was amazing to feel her, hold her again. I honestly started to think this would never happen. Our embrace was broken by a clatter and a small oops from the other room. Anni rested her head on my shoulder and sighed. “Who is that?”

She stood back and smiled, “A much smaller version of you.” I followed her into the other room to find a child standing next to Dimitri who was cleaning up a pile of glitter. “Thank you,  Dimi. Alex come here, please.” She kneeled down and wiped glitter off his face. He glanced at me briefly with sharp green eyes. She asked him something in Italian to which he responded with a cheery, yes. She picked him up and turned to me,  “Jared, this is Alex. Alex this is your daddy.”

He lunged out of her arms towards me. I took him as his little arms wrapped around my neck, “Hi, daddy.” I was speechless.

I looked at Anni as I hugged Alex. Tears filling my eyes; this is so surreal, “Hey buddy.”

My mom crept into the room, “Is everything ok-“ I turned to face her Alex still in my arms.

His face lit up when he saw Mom. “Hi, Nana!” he acted like he knew all of us already.

I handed him over to Mom and turned back to Anni. “How? I thought you couldn’t.” my hands found her waist and my thumb brushed over the location one of her scars.

“I was bedridden for four months. It was really painful, but I had to do everything I could to keep him.” She looked down at the floor.

I wrapped my arms around her again, “Thank you. I’m so sorry you had to go through that alone. I wish I could have been here for you.” I heard Mom whisper something to Alex before they left the room. Our lips connected again.  It seemed like an eternity since I had tasted her lips. They tasted like heaven and peach tea. My hand moved under he shirt to feel the skin across her back. Her hands gripped my hair pulling me to her. She pulled back panting, “We should wait. There’s no privacy in this house.”

I smiled at her, “That’s fine. Besides it’s been so long it’d probably be over before I even got my pants off.” Her laugh was music to my ears. Rob was yelling at us from the other room was not.

I introduced her and Isaac. Isaac was completely unamused, he said hi and stuck his phone back in his face. “Well b-man you need to pack a bag for you and the tiniest Leto. This house isn’t big enough for all of us.”  I smiled like an idiot. The tiniest Leto. I had a fucking family!

Anni went and packed everything she and Alex would need. While we sat in the livingroom watching Alex question Isaac about everything from what his favorite dinosaur was to his favorite color. “What about your favorite kind of chocolate?!”

“I don’t know I guess I never really thought about it.” Isaac tried to act annoyed but quickly gave in and went along with his brothers million questions, “Oh! I’ve got one!” Isaac got a sly grin on his face, “What’s you favorite nebula?”

He was obviously trying to stump Alex, but Alex retorted without missing a beat, “The Crab Nebula! Because it resembles the iris of the human eye, and it was the first astrological object identified with a historical supernova explosion recorded by the Chinese in 1054!”

“How do you know this you’re two?!” We were all stunned.

“Technically I’m almost two and a half, but mom just says I’m really smart.” Alex fiddled about with the Batman figure in his hand. “Oh no! Mom mom!” he climbed off the couch and ran into her bedroom mumbling something about bowties.

I watched him leave the room, when I turned back to everyone my eyes met with Shannon’s. His huge grin spread across his as he stood and pulled me up with him. He wrapped me in a tight hug, “I told you it would all work out, didn’t I?”

 We arrived at the house we were all staying in. The boys were playing in the back yard with their uncles while I stood in the kitchen with Mom, “You know, son, I never thought I’d see this. After what your dad did and everything you’ve been through. I never thought you’d have a family. I never thought you’d find someone who you’d be willing to take the bad with just to have all the good times. You could have handled all of this differently, and you would have gotten off scot free. Never would have had any of this drama in your life, but you didn’t run. I am very proud of. You have made feel so happy and achieved as a mother. Thank You.”

Mom started to tear up, “Ma, stop it. Come on.”  

I hugged her and she pushed me away from her, “Go find your wife.” She smiled and went to join everyone outside. I turned on my heel and went in search of my wife. I checked three bedrooms before I finally found her. She was sound asleep laying across the bed.

Rhiannon’s pov

I heard the door creak open and felt the bed dip. I looked through my hair to see Jared looking over my body, twirling the ring on his finger. He smiled to himself and looked at his hands. He stood, kicked his shoes off and grabbed the blanket from the chair. The bed sagged again as he laid down behind me covering us both with the blanket. His arm snaked around me and he nuzzled his face into my hair.

I pushed my body back against his and slightly shifted my hips. His deep groan egged me on. I pushed my hips back harder a second time before turning to face him. “I need you Jared. I’ve missed you so much.” I pushed a kiss to his lips while I slid my knee in between his and held myself against him. His body instantly responded to my touch. Small goose bumps spread over our skin as our hands reacquainted themselves with all the dips and angles of each others body. Before I knew it Jared was hovering over me panting while I pulled him into me with every thrust he made.

He felt like heaven. He looked at me different now. Not with the fever that used to be in his eyes, but more love and passion. We weren’t just having sex, or fucking like we used to. He was actually making love to me. There were no games, no holding back, and no begging. Just him making sure I felt how much he missed me.

 Jared’s pov

It was Christmas morning, Mom, Anni, and Catiana were in the kitchen cooking while Alex danced around beneath them. All of them carefully maneuvering around him while he played, like mothers do. I laid on the couch half awake watching them. I felt blissful, everything was perfect. Shannon walked into the kitchen and kissed each of them on their cheeks before getting his coffee. He turned around and made eye contact with me. Smiling he raised his mug at me. I lazily waved back with my stupid grin that’s been plastered on my face the last two days. He watched them walk around Alex for a few seconds before scooping him up out of the way. Alex let out a squeal and tried to wiggle away. He tucked the boy under his arm and carried him into the living room. Alex giggled as Shannon pretended to struggle to keep Alex in his grips. “Dad! Help!” Alex reached his hand out to me. I ‘fell’ off the couch trying to reach for his hand barely missing it. “Oh, no! Daddy!” Alex shrieked. Shannon dropped him on the couch and started tickling him. I ‘struggled’ to reach his hand and slowly pull him off the couch away from Shannon.

When he finally got away he stood next to me while I sat on the floor, “We gotta get him for that.” he whispered.

“How?” I whispered back.

He tapped his finger on his lips, thinking. “I got it!” he pulled me up off the floor and ran down the hallway.  When I didn’t follow him he turned back and whispered loudly, “Dad! Come on!”.

After brunch everyone sat around and exchanged gifts. We sat around opening them and talking. Alex and I sat on the other side of the room waiting for Shannon to open his ‘gift’. “Guys, this can of peanuts looks awfully suspicious.” he shook the can and heard nothing.

Alex giggled. “Open it!”

“Well, ok. If you say so.” he removed the lid and two fake snakes jumped out. Shannon pretended to have heart attack. “I’ll get you for that! You two better watch your backs!”

 Everything was perfect. I have my girl back. She’s happy, healthy, and clean. I have two incredible sons I never would have guessed I would ever have. I never really wanted to be a dad. All I saw was the down side and the lack of freedom. I never looked at the things I’d gain from it. The sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from raising children. To be able to watch a person become someone and develop and shift into who they’re supposed to be.

I never would have thought I would be able to find someone I wouldn’t be able to live without. Now I have three of them. These last four years have been a fucking rollercoaster, and never would have happened if I had taken Anni to the airport or simply told her no.

@msroxyblog

[thedaycourts]

(completed) acowar liveblog

ACOWAR LIVE BLOG (SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY)

spoilers will be ahead... you have been warned

feel free to message me to talk about the book!

---------

5/1/17 11:22pm- someone help me I've literally preordered the ebook and the hardcover (which hasn't even shipped yet ugh) and I'm so prepared 

5/1/17 11:31pm- I've read the first 8 sample chapters so. many. times... i'm ready for the real thing now pls thx bye

5/2/17 12:06am- IT TOOK TILL 12:06 FOR THE EBOOK TO RELEASE OMG MIDNIGHT RELEASE MY BUTT SMH

---

chapters 1-8: i kinda like jurian actually (maybe ill regret saying that idk), lucien being protective of elain is making my heart warm, tamlin makes me wanna kill someone, feyre shouldve cut ianthe’s throat tbh, the twins give out such weird vibes, AND OMG rhys and feyre sending images of themselves sticking their tongues out is my moodboard i love it so much

chapter 9: “Blood rubies or no, you will always have one friend in the Summer Court.” My throat bobbed. “And you will always have one in mine,” I promised her. She knew which court I meant. And did not look afraid. I LOVE ALIS OK SHE IS ACCEPTING AND PROTECTIVE AND AMAZING

ianthe needs to get her filthy hands off of lucien before i strangle her

LUCIEN AND FEYRE GOING TO THE NIGHT COURT TOGETHER HECK TO THE YES 

chapter 12: @luciens brothers can you go die pls ok thx bye

chapter 13: CASSIAN IS OK AND SO IS AZ ADHEIOFHJKFAJ MY LIFE IS SLOWLY PIECING ITSELF BACK TOGETHER

“i am the high lady of the night court” hECK YES YOU ARE

the tender cassian and feyre hug made me sob even more and then the mor hug hauidfghuajkshcdfa the feels

chapter 14: I AM SOBBING I AM S O B B I N G AT THIS FEYSAND REUNION HELP MY POOR BROKEN SOUL

also omg just imagine lucien watching this reunion bc i think his expression would be absolutely priceless

chapter 15: “I was in love with Feyre,” Rhys said quietly, “long before she ever returned the feeling.” whats that noise??? oh yeah its just the sound of my heart breaking no big deal

“I revealed the mating bond months later—and she gave me hell for it, don’t worry.” hA 

LUCIEN CALLING AMREN A CRANKY OLD AUNT OMG

chapter 16: poor nesta and elain omg no 

i really need to know whats going on between nesta and cassian bc theres def something there hehe

chapter 17: MOR AND CASSIAN AND STICKING THEIR TONGUES OUT TO EACH OTHER TOO NOW OMG FIRST FEYRE AND RHYS AND NOW THEM WHAT IS HAPPENING

chapter 18: “defending the female he loved”  PLS JUST GET TOGETHER ALREADY @MOR @AZRIEL 

“our family” MY HEART IS MELTING HELP I JUST WANT MY BABIES TO BE HAPPY

“It was the first time you had looked … peaceful. Like you were indeed awake, alive again. I was so relieved I thought I’d puke right onto the table.” GUYS RHYS CARES SO MUCH ABOUT FEYRE LIKE PLS REALIZE HE WAS SO ECSTATIC THAT SHE LOOKED ALIVE AGAIN HE WANTED TO PUKE BC HE CARES ABOUT HER SO. FREAKING. MUCH.

“I will fight with everything I have, too, Rhys. Everything.” why do i have the feeling this is foreshadowing something that i am not going to like at all

chapter 19: “Why should I be scared of an oversized bat who likes to throw temper tantrums?” this is how true love starts out 400% you go nesta 

chapter 21: oh dang it here goes the nightmares starting up again

chapter 22: feyre sees the bone carver as their son omg what can this please happen

chapter 23: “Nothing about Nesta could frighten me.” *cue me audibly going awwwwww*

chapter 24: “She was the most beautiful female he’d ever seen.” This seems to be a common way of thinking when people look at their mates hehe throwback to acotar

az is such a bean like who else is awesome enough to wait 500 years for the girl he loves 

chapter 26: AZRIEL PUTTNG HIS HAND ON TOP OR MOR’S DURING THE MEETING WITH KIER OMG WHY MUST SHE REJECT HIS TENDER HAND TOUCH

chapter 27: mor being depressed bc of what she witnessed at the meeting makes me wanna cry

omg the inner court arguing what is this

chapter 29: tbh az reminds me of myself so much and i think we have the same MBTI personality type((:

chapter 30: the heck is hybern’s little minions doing in velaris nonunion go home you aren't allowed here

chapter 32: NESTA IS A SEER WHAT DOES THIS MEAN

chapter 33: “He did not glance back at Elain. Did not see the half step she took toward the stairs—as if she’d speak to him. Stop him.” elucien for rulers of the autumn court pls

chapter 34: varian warning amren??? they're friends?? so they keep in touch?? hmmmmmmm sounds suspicious(((;

chapter 36: KING OF HYBERN VS RHYS OMG WHAT AM I ABOUT TO WITNESS

oh jk he wasn't really there oops

chapter 38: I think tarquin should forgive them especially since they came to his rescue but hey thats just me

chapter 39: “And it was precisely because of it that I said, “I love you.” His head lifted, eyes churning. “There was a time when I dreamed of hearing that,” he murmured. “When I never thought I’d hear it from you.” 

nesta being worried ab cassian ahhhhhh

chapter 42: nesta being named emissary omg i love it

“And to my eternal shock, a smile tugged at Nesta’s mouth.” ahaha

GAMBLING ON THE FIGHTS AT THE MEETING AHAHA WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED AT ALL

chapter 43: this viviane girl seems cool.. i hope she doesn't end up stabbing my babies in the back:)))

ew no i was perfectly fine with having tamlin absent for the remainder of the book

same @feyre who is 500% done with tamlin and his crap 

chapter 45: NESTA STANDING UP FOR CASSIAN AND SASSING OUT BERON IS THE REASON IM STILL ALIVE 

chapter 47: I'm beginning to really like helion

chapter 48: too bad i already saw spoilers so i knew helion was luciens dad smhhhhhhh

ok but like if nesta thinks something is wrong, shouldn't you have learned by now that something is usually wrong???????

wow would ya look at that...something was wrong *scowls*

chapter 52: where the frick frackle jensen ackle did jurian come from 

chapter 53: ok but i totally called jurian being good

....tamlin still being a tool i see 

chapter 55: they keep mentioning their dad so i have a feeling he's in trouble/being held captive

chapter 56: nesta helping heal cass omg yes

YES MY GIRL SURI

chapter 58: I've never wanted ianthe dead more,,,,WHO DARES SHOOT MY GIRL SURI HREIAOFHJAKEF FIGHT ME

chapter 60: i literally bawled so much when suri died omg i sounded like a dying horse

chapter 61: this episode of honestly hour features feyre and mor going head-to-head about decisions and relationships... stay tuned for the next episode

chapter 62: amren and varian kissing hm how do i feel ab this

chapter 63: ELAIN IS AN ACTUAL SUNSHINE WHO DARES TAKE HER AWAY (of course its az my little bean who notices she's gone)

also I'm betting ten bucks lucien will find her and save her (prolly not gonna happen but it would be cute if he did)

chapter 64: EW SHE HAS TO BE IANTHE WOW THATS UNFORTUNATE

rhys and feyre’s goodbyes felt more like a pep talk than a sad goodbye but thats just me

ok thanks for saving feyre @tamlin but for the record i still hate you

chapter 65: omg nesta hugging feyre and all the sisters being all nice and cuddly makes me so happy

chapter 66: the moriel shipping part of me is very sad but yunno maybe this means i can keep az for myself (or elain can have him idk which direction sarah will take this) and mor can be eternally happy((:

sooooo does this mean elain x az is now gonna happen bc like az is gonna need someone to help heal the hole in his heart and elain is such a sweetie but what about lucien????

chapter 68: but are we ever gonna know what feyre saw in the mirror?

chapter 69: tender az and elain moment omg that was so cute i love my smol beans

“I would have waited five hundred more years for you. A thousand years. And if this was all the time we were allowed to have … The wait was worth it.” AWEEE

rhys and his lil speeches to everyone dang what is this

chapter 70: “And then Nesta began screaming. Not in pain. But a name. Over and over. “CASSIAN.” IM SUCH NESSIAN TRASH IDOFHAJDKFA

chapter 71: “This was it. The last moments … the last time I would see them all.” nothings even happened yet and I'm already crying

“He told me that he’s got three daughters who live here. And that he failed them for many years. But he would not fail them this time.” well shoot i have no words rn and tbh i kinda forgot their dad existed the past few chapters

chapter 72: “She wrapped her arms tightly around Cassian, those gray-blue eyes bright, then they were gone.” THEY GIVE ME LIFEEEE YESSSS

chapter 73: OK AMREN WHAT ARE YA DOIN???

chapter 74: ....welp... bye bye mr archeron thanks for saving my babies and also wHERE THE FRICK DID YOU COME FROM?? nesta and elain and feyre being sad is making me sad

OK WHY IS CASSIANS WINGS GETTING HURT AGAIN??? i feel like this is sarah starting a new thing like “hey! lets just end every book with cassian’s wings getting ripped to shreds!!”

“I have no regrets in my life, but this.” His voice shook with every word. “That we did not have time. That I did not have time with you, Nesta.” FRICK OMG THIS IS IT. THIS IS THE MOMENT I BECAME COMPLETE NESSIAN TRASH. AND THEN THE KISS. OH MY. I CANT. I JUST LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

and elain coming to the rescue omg heck to the yes

chapter 75: nesta stabbing the king is tHE BEST. i can't just feel the pure rage and emotion radiating out of her as she twists the blade in his neck. think of the people she's doing it for. her dad, her sisters, her new family, cassian. this scene gives me so many feels

amren saying she's glad she met feyre awe

chapter 76: AHHHH RHYS IM SOBBING NO FEYRE HDAUKHJD AHHHH WHY DID RHYS DIE ON PAGE 666

chapter 77: feyre screaming for rhys nononononono i feel my soul shattering

rhys was DEAD and he comes back making a JOKE....why is this not surprising

chapter 78: lucien is back ahhhh it feels like he was gone for the whole book tbh

yes drakon and miryam hauifheajkdfhajfha

chapter 81: RHYSAND’S POV YESSSS

talking about feyre’s “beautiful laugh” ahhhhhh they're sooooo cuteeee

chapter 82: i LOVE the fact the book ended with them all peaceful. they deserve it. i love everyone. i am happy. goodbye.

[evenstevensranked]

#50: Season 3, Episode 20 - “Surf’s Up”

Recurring character Zack Estrada invites Twitty to go surfing with him and his friends. Out of jealousy, Louis, who was not invited — invites himself.. which causes all sorts of drama. Meanwhile, Ren meets and falls for a guy named Gil who she has reason to believe might be a merman.

Okay, so I just want to start off by saying… a lot of people don’t like this episode. I looked at some old forums from 2000-2006 recently and so many people were like “This episode sucked!” right after it initially aired, lol. I guess I can see why they felt that way, but this episode is actually one of my personal favorites. Why have I ranked it #50 then, you ask? Well, upon re-watching.. it felt a little flat and sort of dragged on. It wasn’t as funny or strong as I remembered, but I still absolutely love the basis for the whole thing. If we’re looking at what I’m basing my rankings on, this one probably meets only 2 of the 6 requirements - “personal favorite” and “quality plot line.” So, now that you know my reasoning... let’s dive in. (Pun intended.)

In the opening scene, we see Louis and Twitty at lunch when *dun dun dunnnn* Zack Estrada calls Twitty over and invites him to go surfing at Troubadour Point. Now, this episode actually marks Zack’s last appearance. So, without getting into detail.. Basically, Louis has always been super jealous of this dude. Like, incredibly jealous. The jealousy dates back to early Season 1 and spans 4 episodes throughout the shows run. I refer to it as The Zack Estrada Saga. And here, it continues. The third to last episode of the series, and he’s still jealous.

I know that feel, Lou. 

When Twitty returns to their lunch table he’s talking excitedly about spring break. Which, piggybacking off of what I said last week, is another reason why I fully believe these kids were intended to be high school students. Because, no middle schoolers I know go gallivanting off to the beach unsupervised for spring break, lol. But, hey! Maybe it’s different in 2017. Nah, yeah. Something’s telling me it’s definitely different in 2017. Middle schoolers look and act 25 years old these days, so.

Louis’ jealousy is very evident when he passive aggressively asks Twitty when he started hanging out with Zack and his friends. Twitty says he went surfing with them last spring break while Louis was at a temper tantrum workshop. This is the first funny moment of the episode. Louis responds by screaming at Twitty on the verge of tears, “nOW YOU LISTEN HERE! I EXPRESS MYSELF APPROPRIATELY NOW!” Louis decides to go ahead and invite himself to Troubadour Point even though he has no idea how to surf.

This episode was always somewhat refreshing to me, because it’s one of the only ones where we see our characters in an environment other than their houses or school. That’s something cool about early Disney Channel shows. They weren’t contrived or restricted to a sound stage on a fake beach like Hannah Montana, for example. They’re actually at a real beach and I love it. 

They make a point to show Twitty and the owner of the beach shack rub a sacred lucky surf idol tiki thing and say “Pray for waves!” Louis enters the shack with his surfboard (which is bad luck apparently) and knocks over the tiki. Yikes. This reminds me of The Brady Bunch Hawaii episode, lol. I was just waiting for the bad luck music to play. Zack was already a little annoyed when Twitty told him Louis was coming, so now… his dislike for Louis is pretty strong. 

Side note: I feel like Disney Channel totally typecast Brandon Baker as that ~ethnic surfer bro.~ For those of you who don’t know or never realized, he also played Johnny Kapahala (a.k.a Johnny Tsunami). I just came across this cute little followup series Disney did with him last year. Side side note: Brandon is actually biracial (white and fillipino) and they portrayed that accurately on screen in the Johnny movies! Random to mention, I know. But I’m biracial so I get oddly happy when I notice this stuff, lol.

There are actually two mini subplots in this episode, which might contribute to its “off”-ness. We have Tom who’s trying to build a perfect sandcastle. And we have Beans who’s metal detecting, but just ends up stealing people’s stuff. Beans really shouldn’t be there. His bit is useless. I understand it was most likely an attempt to get everyone involved in the fun beach location episode.. but, I feel like there might be too many things going on here.

Tawny is sitting by Tom, all covered up from the sun. Tom asks her why she isn’t helping with the sand castle and she’s like “Oh, I’m just waiting for a little more cloud cover.” And, Tom says “Oh. Right. Heaven forbid a ray of sunshine should touch your precious porcelain skin.” Tom is the best. But of course.. Twitty, Zack and the surfer bros go running to the ocean and step all over the castle. Louis is trailing behind them like a lovable uncoordinated doofus and ruins the remainder of it. Tom is so sad. Bless his heart.

Ren, Ruby and Monique are chilling on the beach too when some guys ask them to hang out. Side note: This one dude who Monique runs away with!! I always thought he looked familiar and as I was watching it again today — it hit me! He went on to be a member of fictional boyband Boyz N Motion from That’s So Raven! Omg. I looked it up just to make sure, and I was in fact correct. His name is Michael Copon. So, there’s that.

Ren is on the dock throwing pebbles and shells into the sea when a guy emerges from the water and throws shells back at her, lol ok. The two start talking and she finds out his name is Gil! Yep. THE Gil who breaks her heart in a pancake house in The Even Stevens Movie. Gil swims away, and Ren can’t help but notice the giant glimmering fin that splashes in the water. I’d honestly be a little confused, too.

My inner subconscious Social Justice Warrior came out a bit when Ren sees Monique and Ruby doing their hair and makeup and says “Ah! Makeup and hairspray at the beach. Very nice, girls. I thought you already met some guys.” To which they respond, “Yeah, and we wanna keep them.” NOOOOOO! Sorry. I hate to view things through that lens, but after spending so much time on Tumblr and Twitter (especially in the current climate of the country) it just rubs off on you! Ugh. You can’t escape it! Anyway, Ren tells them about Gil and the whole fin thing and they find it absolutely hilarious.

Out on the ocean, Twitty and Zack’s crew are bummed because there are no waves. Zack angrily says “Pfft! I wonder why…” And gives Louis the nastiest look as he comes paddling up to them all happy. I feel so bad. Zack yells at him for bringing his board into the shack and breaking the lucky surf idol. The gang desert Louis and head back to the beach for lunch. Twitty sides with them saying “sometimes I just need to do my own thing, man” and leaves Louis alone in the middle of the ocean. My poor baby. :(

I will not stand for this! Protect Louis Stevens at all costs. 

Louis goes back to the beach and once again walks right through Tom’s sandcastle. Come on, man! You could’ve walked around it, lol. It’s not even like he was running.. he was casually walking. I can’t. He goes to the dock and finds Ren with binoculars looking for Gil. The two of them have a “conversation” that’s not really a conversation. It’s just them going back and forth ranting about their own problems without actually listening to the other. It’s a cute sibling moment, haha. I actually really love Louis and Twitty’s friendship, though. They’re like an old married couple in this episode. I think it’s adorable. During this scene Louis is so fed up with Twitty ditching him for Zack, so he decides to go surf on his own. Meanwhile, Ren is ranting about Gil being real, knowing what she saw and that she’s not crazy.

“At least your best friend didn’t ditch ya. He’s hanging out with his ~new~ surfer buddies. They’re probably having a good’ol time. Laughing, eating onion rings. Twitty doesn’t even like onion rings! Ya know?! So, it’s weird. He’s probably faking like he likes them!” I love this.

Ren decides to go out on the ocean in a boat and call for Gil by making dolphin noises. She brought sardines to lure him with and everything. This is pretty funny and one of my favorite scenes because it’s rooted in miscommunication. Plots with comedic miscommunication are one of my favorite things ever and it’s executed really well here. Naturally, Gil pops up from the water. Like... I’d believe he’s a merman, too. Why is he out there in the ocean all the time?! What was he doing underwater?! How long was he under?! How was he breathing?! All valid questions. 

How creepy is that?! lol

He swims over to Ren and tells her he was getting Lobsters for his dad, King Neptune. I’m dead. She’s like “Wow. So you really are a sea person…” - “Yep, born and raised!” he says. This is gold. Then we get a super cringy, awkward moment. After a tiny bit of flirting, Gil proceeds to dramatically kiss Ren????? Slow your rolls, buddy. That’s a little fast for Disney Channel, don’t you think? They just met 2 hours ago at the most, and Ren is in middle school. I’M TELLIN YA! THESE KIDS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE JUNIORS AND SENIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL, I SWEAR! It’s the only logical explanation for certain stuff. 

Beans is a freaking idiot who hovered his metal detector over peoples’ pocketbooks and crap all day and stole their personal belongings. But he refers to it as “buried treasure.” How stupid can you be?! Like I said, he’s pretty useless here and did not need to be included in the episode. Plus, you know I’m not the biggest Beans fan. Finally, we see him hover the detector over a tip jar in the shack. He goes to steal all of it before Tawny stops him. Tom comes over and announces that the Lost and Found is open, yelling out all of the items in Beans’ bag lol. There’s one bit where Tom shouts “ONE GOLDEN……. oh geez, this is mine” and sneakily puts it in his pocket. Uh. What the heck was it?! Do I even want to know? Can anyone tell what that is?

While everyone’s in the shack sulking over the lack of waves, Twitty decides to go out and attempt to surf again. While he’s sitting out there, a freaking giant wave comes out of nowhere and sweeps him away. Louis notices and runs to Twitty’s rescue! They don’t skimp on the dramatics here. Louis kicks into full Baywatch slo-mo mode with an 80s knockoff power jam “You can count on mEeEeeE, I will always beeee thereeee for youuUuUuU” playing in the background. So good.

One thing I really like about Even Stevens is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. They’ll throw in giant computer generated waves, and a terrible green screen job - but it doesn’t matter. It’s not supposed to look good, it’s supposed to be funny. It doesn’t need to look real to sell the moment on this show. (Christy said something similar on the movie’s DVD commentary!) If this scene looked realistic, the episode would pull a 180 and turn into a drama. That’s not what they were going for, haha. 

A totally not superimposed Twitty getting swept away.

Louis cracks me up. Literally anything out of his mouth is funny because of the way Shia phrases it. Once he rescues Twitty he says “You know what’s funny to me? That the worst surfer in the world is havin’ to save Hot Shot Surfer Boy over here.” They proceed to argue like an old married couple some more. Twitty says he never called himself Hot Shot Surfer Boy. Louis calls Twitty two-faced and insists he buy him a Philly Cheese Steak to apologize. It’s so petty, I love it so much. When suddenly… ANOTHER WAVE COMES OUT OF NOWHERE! We get a wonderful Louis Scream as they frantically paddle. They end up briefly surfing the wave together. 

Twitty: “DUDE THIS IS SO AWESOME THIS WAVE’S LIKE… 10 FEET OVER OUR HEADS!” Louis: “DON’T CHANGE THE SUBJECT, TWITTY! I’M STILL MAD AT CHUUUU!”

Louis falls off and disappears into the sea, which is hilarious looking. But, also awful because if this was a drama, he would’ve died. But, anyway. Twitty comes riding up to shore and everyone surrounds him with praise for conquering that gnarly wave all by himself. Meanwhile, Louis washes up to shore covered in seaweed. This poor child. The two of them share one of those conflicting ~emotional~ moments where one person knows they’re being a jerk and looks off sadly at the person they’re letting down. :( Thankfully, Twitty tells the truth when Zack asks him how he caught the wave and everyone’s shocked that Louis actually did something right.

Ren’s sitting on the beach when some guy approaches her, and she realizes it’s Gil…? But, he’s walking? With legs? And then everything gets cleared up. “King Neptune” is the name of his dad’s seafood company, and he swims with a uni-fin flipper. I almost wish there were more layers of miscommunication! It could’ve been even funnier.  

Louis and Twitty end up having a heart to heart while sitting in Tom’s sandcastle. It’s precious. I wish I had a friendship that tight. Instead I’m sitting here, indoors, blogging about a fictional friendship. Twitty apologizes for ditching Louis, and Louis apologizes for inviting himself. But, Twitty says he’s glad he did because he might not be alive. “Yeah… The whole save your life thing. Whatever, it’s all in a day’s work.” I love Louis. How could you not be this guys friend?! To this day, I wish I had a friend as funny and chill as Louis. Dang. Twitty even bought him a Philly Cheese Steak! Aw. They split it and it’s a nice moment. But, as they’re eating.. they have to throw in a bad line. “Huh. It’s a little dry, isn’t it?” Louis asks. Cue another giant CG wave. Get it? Now the sub isn’t dry anymore! Hah..hahaa..ha…? I never thought that line was particularly funny. It’s almost on par with this terribly cheesy (and insensitive) deleted scene from Titanic. But the visual of them getting hit by the fake wave while sitting in a sandcastle is one of those things that will always cheer me up. I can’t look at that without laughing.

And that’s it! The episode ends with a random Twitty-Stevens Connection music video "Dawn Patrol" lol. The song always gets stuck in my head. Ugh. It’s so cringy in the best way. I actually love some of the bloopers they included. But, hey! Who’s the rando on bass? Beans became their bassist earlier in the season. They use Beans for a throwaway metal detector plot, but don’t have him play bass in the band he plays bass for. Okay. Also according to the episode credits, AJ Trauth actually wrote the song! Haha, awesome.

So, yeah. My opening statements pretty much sum up my feelings towards this one. But, one distracting thing I feel like mentioning is that this episode uses one too many unflattering fish-eye style close ups? WHY?! Look:

One too many! ONE TOO MANY! Paul Hoen directed this one. He still directs for Disney today, btw! I wonder what made him decide on this? It really stood out to me and gives the episode a bit of an offbeat, quirky feel. 

Thanks for reading guys! I feel like these posts are getting longer and longer. I have to reel myself in here. (Okay, no pun intended there.) As usual, chime in below. Are you one of the people on that old forum who thought this episode sucked? I personally like it a lot and was tempted to rank it higher!

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[youremyonlyhope]

The Force Awakens

Almost 4 years ago, I started my Star Wars rewatch by watching the original series in preparation to watch the Force Awakens. Then I rewatched the prequels before The Last Jedi. And now I’m seeing Rise of Skywalker on Sunday, so it’s time to rewatch the 2 other sequels.

I’ve rewatched the Force Awakens a couple of times since I first saw it, so it should still be fresh in my mind. As for the Last Jedi, I have not been able to bring myself to watch that one because of the ending. Not because I hated it, I loved it, but because it hurts.

Also, this gives me a distraction so I don’t get spoiled for Rise of Skywalker. Again. Can’t believe I’ve been spoiled twice already in just 2 days... luckily it was the same spoiler twice. One that was vague and I hoped it wasn’t right, but then the other one was a gif of the scene so now I know it’s true. Ugh...

This is super long and I apologize in advance.

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...” I didn’t see the Force Awakens in theaters. I saw it at home nearly a year later (after getting spoiled for all major plot points during that year). So I can’t IMAGINE the pure joy that people felt when they got to see the opening title crawl for the first time in 10 years. I wish I had seen it in theaters. Ok. I don’t like that I can’t pause Disney+ with the spacebar like other streaming sites let me... or maybe it’s just my computer. ANYWAY. I forgot that the opening crawl literally says “Skywalker, the last Jedi” in it, accidentally telling us the title of the next movie. Yeah so I can already tell I’ll be pausing every like 2 seconds. But I love this opening shot of a ship blocking out a MOON. Oh and NOW the spacebar works to pause. One of those stormtroopers is Finn. Awww. BB8! I didn’t realize he’s (they’re?) the first character we see (that we know is an important character since at this point we don’t really know which stormtrooper is Finn). Poe! Giving a message to a droid... so I know we like to think of Poe as the Han of the sequel trio... but honestly he’s the Leia. Yeah I mean... a friend (or at least co-worker) smearing their blood on your face with their hand as they die is definitely traumatizing enough to make you rethink your life. Finn, I don’t blame you. I started this scene like “Oh we’re gonna get the Knights of Ren and Kylo freezing the blaster ray using the Force” then I got so into the scene that I forgot Kylo was going to show up at all.

It’s not a Star Wars rewatch if my grandma doesn’t call and interrupt at least once. This time it was right as Kylo came out of the ship.

Kylo’s powerful. I’ll give him that. Holding that blaster ray for as long as he's about to. I love Poe looking back at it. Poe’s first lines to Kylo are joking about who gets to talk first, when Kylo’s literally still holding a blaster ray in midair and knows Poe has the map he wants. And people say “General Hugs” during a battle was out of character. GENERAL PHASMA! GWENDOLINE MY QUEEN! Poor baby Finn. [BB8 moans softly] BB8 NO DON’T CRY. Oh poor Finn. But yay first time we see his face! It just hit me that now I’m the same age/older than John and Daisy when they filmed this... great.... AND REY! I remember when we first saw footage of her climbing around, I said to my dad “I think that’s supposed to be Han and Leia’s daughter.” So far I’m wrong. I’ve been holding out hope for years that maybe just maybe there will be a twist and I’m right. I’m fine with her parents being nobodies, but I kind of want to be right. I’m probably not. The scale of that ship behind her... The shot of her speeding across the desert has such... original trilogy vibes. It never registered to me that Rey has some wilting flowers. That brings new meaning to the “so much green” scene later... Awwww the practical effect bread... Ok. I’m being nit picky, but they drained it just a split second too early. If it’d drained just a millisecond later, it would have been perfectly timed with the inflation of the bread. But that’s just me nitpicking for no reason. It’s an impressive effect. “Classified? Me too. Big secret.” LOL even at the time I knew the fandom was making a big fuss about that line for nothing. Too on the nose for it to truly be a big secret she’s keeping from the world. I figured she meant it was a big secret to her. Of course... then people got mad that they wasted their time analyzing that... it’s their own fault really. I forgot that they actually eventually get the location of the map out of Poe. Oh and hi General Hugs! “This is a rescue. I’m helping you escape.” Yep Poe is Leia. She was initially being rescued, but then ends up having to help rescue her rescuer(s) while they’re trying to rescue her. “Because it’s the right thing to do.” If Finn was raised as a stormtrooper, even just to work in sanitation, he wouldn’t necessarily have a moral compass since he wouldn’t know what’s right... at this point I think he just knows he doesn’t like killing... Like how Zuko didn’t realize he wasn’t good because he was taught something else was good. (YES. Finn is closer to Zuko) “You need a pilot” “I need a pilot” Ok see so it’s not necessarily what’s right, but he knows this is how he can get out. Sorta selfish, but not really. Oooooh yeah! It’s Thomas Brodie-Sangster! Forgot he was in this. Wilhelm Scream! Poe naming Finn. Aww. Ok see. How does Kylo know Finn’s identification? Did he ask Phasma “who was the one with the blood on his helmet?” right after they got back on the ship? Because otherwise, he’d have no way to tell them apart in that moment, I don’t think they have their names on their armor unless I never noticed, and even then Kylo would be too far away to read it. There’s a picture of little baby Finn... he was so young when the First Order took him (I assume they took him, I’d hate it if his parents sent him there) OH WOW. ANOTHER WOMAN! Oh and it’s whats-her-face, she was in Deathly Hallows Part 1. (IMDB says Kate Fleetwood) See, back in the day the Empire had no women in their ranks. This is the only thing the First Order is doing right, equal opportunity to be a space Nazi. I forgot that the wreckage gets sucked into the sand... that sucks. Here’s where Poe would have died if Oscar hadn’t been so charismatic. Also, do we ever find out how he survived this? I forgot about the explosion afterwards that just adds insult to injury. Was that necessary? Was that supposed to be funny? If it was, why are people criticizing the Last Jedi’s humor if this moment tries to make us laugh at a character dying... I hope that wasn’t meant to be funny... My poor baby... stranded on a strange desert planet... alone... with the First Order looking for him... I love this giant hippo thing. I want one.

Whiny fanboys: Rey’s a Mary Sue! She can’t know how to fight already! Rey: *Been fighting creeps at the market since she was born*

And I love how she caught Finn. Oh nooo BB8 no don’t cry! Finn, babe, why would you just tell Rey about the map!? Babe! I get that you want to seem reliable and credible, but baby! No! The way Rey was sort of horrified by Finn holding her hand... makes me really wonder what she’s been through. “Stop taking my hand!” Aww and how she offers her hand to him. “The garbage will do” Oh how I wish I hadn’t been spoiled that that was the Millennium Falcon reveal. But that line did create a meme so that’s fun. Wow the Millennium Falcon has been through a LOT. That dramatic zoom in as they fly into the ship (I’m sorry, I do not have ship names memorized) was very Torchwood. The sudden, almost shaky and unnecessary zoom. That upside down shot though. Amazing. And also terrifying. “You’re ok. He’s with the Resistance” *BB8 gives Finn a pointed look* I am DEAD. Oh and the Powerpoint style transitions between scenes. Very necessary. Vital to every Star Wars movie. Kylo. You’re like 30. You should not still have temper tantrums. Grow up. Awww BB8. The internal battle. Followed by the thumbs up. Adorable. Literally for a second I was like “How could the First Order override the controls of the Millennium - HAN!!!!” HAN AND CHEWIE!!!!! I will never forget watching the Force Awakens trailer for the first time with my dad, and nearly sobbing over “Chewie... we’re home.” Also what the hell, Chewie has been through SO MUCH and he’s STILL around! He was protecting Yoda in Revenge of the Sith! And then ends up enslaved and being fed people before Han meets him in Solo!?!?!? What?!?!?!? AND had a whole family before all of that!?!??!?!?!?

Also, watching Solo and realizing that Chewie’s been forced to eat people literally shattered my heart into a billion pieces. I wanted to cry seeing him covered in that mud and trying to kill Han.

Aww, Han and Chewie know the hiding places. I’m not even a third of the way through and I’ve written way too much.

Finn: Han Solo, the Rebellion general? Rey: No, the smuggler! Finn: Wasn’t he a war hero? Chewie: *Grunts and shrugs ‘I don’t know’*

That says so much about all of their characters. Oh god the 12 parsecs thing. I was legitimately MAD when I was watching Solo and realized that they had actually figured out a way to make the 12 parsecs thing make sense. That they actually solved and fixed George Lucas’ mistake, when he was literally just trying to find a cool word and didn’t care about the actual meaning. I am still so angry they managed to fix it in a way that made sense. I started raging once I realized that they were doing it. Awww Han in the cockpit. Ok Finn there you go again, telling everyone about the map to Luke. You’re lucky that Han’s one of the few people it’s good to tell. It could have gone so wrong with Rey. That subtle Binary Sunset piercing my heart. Hey it’s that kid from that Eaters of Light episode of Doctor Who. And when I watched that episode I was like hey it’s that kid from the Force Awakens. He looks familiar to me, but those are the only two things I’ve seen him in. “I got a bad feeling about this” He said the thing! Yeah the Rathtars are gross. Aww and he grabbed her hand again to run. I just noticed that they made the camera lens blurry on the edge, like some of the goo got on it. “That was lucky.” Rey’s so modest. I forgot that they hyperspeeded through the Rathtar... also did that happen in the original series too or am I just remembering it wrong? Anyway, Admiral Holdo did it best. 2nd mention of the last Jedi. Also, LOL remember when everyone was theorizing who Snoke was? My favorite theory was that he was Mace Windu. That was a WILD conspiracy theory. “In the hands of your father... Han Solo.” Oh the dramatic reveal. Awww BB8 running away from Chewie’s roar. Awwww the hologram game! And it’s still stop motion! “It’s true. The Force. The Jedi. All of it.” I forget what video I was watching, but they pointed out that this was Han’s arc. Learning to believe in the Force. I guess in that way, he has a satisfying ending. “I didn’t know there was this much green in the whole galaxy” I remember people saying that Han’s face is basically him thinking ‘...oh no... looks like I gotta adopt this kid.’

...It’s hitting me that we’re going to see Leia in this movie... and I’m gonna be emotional...

...AM I JUST NOW REALIZING THAT CHEWIE’S STRAP OVER HIS CHEST IS A STRAP TO A BAG? I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST TO HOLD AMMO OR SOMETHING?!?!? I’ve been a Star Wars fan for HOW many years and I’m just noticing this?!!? Also, in an alternate universe, Han survives and Rey goes off with him and Chewie and they have smuggling adventures and everyone’s happy and alive. Catina music by Lin Manuel! Yay! WOLFMAN! THEY PUT THE WOLFMAN IN THIS! WOW. Look at them shading George Lucas’s rerelease edits. ...Ok so Maz is definitely Force sensitive if she knew Han was there right away, right? Also, Maz is an example of how before Rose Tico and whoever Naomi plays in RoS (I will not google her character name because I know I will get spoiled), we very rarely see AND hear women of color, we get just one or the other. They’re either in the background with no lines or playing a character that isn’t a human if they have lines. The only exception coming to mind is the Queen of Naboo who took over after Padme, Jamillia. Ok I forgot that the lady who rats them out to the First Order actually gets a line and isn’t painted green, so good for her! I love her costume too. Too bad she’s evil.

See. We hear the breathing of Vader, because Ani is so done with his idiot grandson worshipping him that he’s sighing in defeat in the afterlife. Ani needs to Force Ghost himself over to Kylo and be like “DID YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN I THREW A SITH LORD DOWN A HOLE THAT IT MEANT I WAS TURNING AGAINST THE DARK SIDE? DID THAT GO OVER YOUR HEAD? DID MY ENTIRE CHARACTER ARC GO OVER YOUR HEAD??” Please, what I want most from the Rise of Skywalker (besides making sure Leia gets the proper send off she deserves) is Hayden coming back as a Force Ghost and knocking some sense into Kylo.

Oh Finn. The captions tell us who was talking during the vision... and there WAS a lot of Obi-Wan dialogue... Also poor Rey. She probably definitely remembers her parents, but just blocked it out. Now. If after the endless lines of soldiers, the podium with a giant red and black flag behind it, and the arms rising up still make the space Nazi thing go over your head... then we just can’t help you anymore. HEY! WAS THAT WHATSHERFACE?!? Ghost from Ant-Man and the Wasp? Was that her? Yes! IMDB says it was Hannah John-Kamen! Look at you girl! Too bad you’re evil too. Ok. I will admit that I blanked out for General Hugs’ speech because who wants to listen to a space Nazi. But, has the Star Destroyer been mentioned before this point in the movie? Because I literally can’t remember. If Hugs said it then I probably let my mind wander. Oh and I do appreciate these two dudes who were like “Yeah sure Finn, come with us, work for a bit, and we’ll help you get far away” and were going to let Finn come along with them. They seem nice. Also. Here’s the girl who’s not Freema Ageman. Not every black girl is Martha Jones. The entire internet was like “Martha was in Star Wars!” then I watched the movie and I was like “...that literally was not Freema what are you all on about?” IMDB says she’s Maisie Richardson-Sellers, she’s also in Legends of Tomorrow, which is something I do hope to watch one day. So good for her. The ion engines sounded like the TARDIS for a split second and I was VERY confused. “How did you get that?” “A good question for another time.” Ok JJ you gotta stop with all these unanswered questions that you pose. I get that that’s your thing. And that you have some term for it. But there’s too many now. This one better get answered in Rise of Skywalker. That behind the back shot though. I’m convinced Han’s Force sensitive too. Not even convinced, I think it’s canon. LOL remember when everyone named that stormtrooper who recognized Finn TR-8R.

Finn: *Manages to function using a lightsaber even though he’s only trained with blasters* Fanboys: *Silence* Rey: *Fights with a lightsaber well since she’s fought with sticks her whole life and it’s a similar concept* Fanboys: MARY SUE! SHE CAN’T BE THAT GOOD THAT FAST!

Oh my god it’s the Resistance FINALLY. POE!!!! Yes, I did just scream “Poe!!” out loud. Now, I’m not sure where these forest scenes were filmed, but if you told me the same forest where half of Merlin’s forest scenes were filmed then I would not be shocked. Merlin had some scenes in a similarly narrow trench/valley/pathway/thing. No but seriously, yes the plants look like they’re more tropical than whatever forest Merlin filmed in in the UK, but the trench looks so similar. Oh god the second we saw Leia I froze. And then Leia’s Theme played and I had a sad smile. And then C-3PO popped up and I laughed. Awwww. I love C-3PO so much. There’s so much that body language can convey. Oh no. While watching Finn and Poe reunite, I suddenly remembered that fanedit that put Helpless from Hamilton as the background of the scene. And i laughed. Oh 2015. When all we cared about was Star Wars and Hamilton. That lip bite. Oscar stop it. Billie Lourd! So I’ve realized over the years that R2D2 kind of sucks. Not that I don’t love him. But he spends the entire original trilogy lying by omission, when he could have just told them everything he knew from the prequels (since he WITNESSED everything and didn’t have his memory erased like 3PO did). And now, he just sits back while everyone scrambles to find Luke and does nothing, WHEN HE HAS THE ANSWER. Yes. I get that it’s deeper than that. But still. It’s funny to think that R2 just wants to sit back and watch the drama unfold while not telling anyone that Vader is Luke’s dad or that he has Luke’s map. (Unless I’m remembering it incorrectly and R2 doesn’t have it. If that’s the case R2 gets a pass this one time.) [It wasn’t the case, R2 doesn’t get a pass] “It is very doubtful that R2 would have the rest of the map in his backup data.” C-3PO are you sure? Because I’m not. I think low-power mode means R2 wants to relax and watch the soap opera that is Star Wars unfold. “There’s still light in him, I know it.” For your sake Leia, I hope there is too. But Kylo is going to need a hell of a redemption arc in tRoS. See, and I can’t remember when I found this out, but the ashes that he puts his helmet in are the ashes of people he’s killed. Kylo Ren SAVES the ashes. He has a TUB of them in his office. What is WRONG with him!??! Yeah so him reading her mind about the ocean was just plain creepy. I just... don’t understand Reylo shippers. “You. You’re afraid... that you will never be as strong as Darth Vader.” And he’s right to be afraid! Ani eventually had the strength to turn himself around! Kylo Ren could never! I won’t believe it till I see it! And even then I might not believe it! I think that people forget that Kylo’s supposed to be like 30 years old. I will say that Adam plays the role in this first movie like Kylo’s very young with a hint of a tiny possibility that he feels like he’s in over his head. Really he only plays it that way when the helmet’s off. So I get that he seems younger, but Adam was like 30 when he filmed this too. So why do so many fans coddle Kylo when he’s a grown man? A grown man who’s killing people. After a certain point, you can’t blame Luke or his parents or Snoke... if the guy is literally worshipping his grandfather and ignoring the fact that even Ani turned back to the light side... then the guy has issues. Rey failed twice before getting the Jedi mind trick right. Also, I love that Daisy’s face kind of sorta softened with less fear before she said the command and got it right. I’ve seen the scene of the stormtroopers literally going “Nope” and turning away from Kylo’s tantrum many times over the years, but I didn’t realize that Kylo screams “GUARDS” as he does it until I saw the caption just now. So not only are the stormtroopers like “I don’t want to get into that” they’re like “Let’s act like we didn’t hear him scream for us and let someone else get into that.” Which is even more hilarious. Ok it’s Starkiller not Star Destroyer. Whatever. I was close. But I knew that Luke’s last name was originally Starkiller, so I honestly should have guessed Starkiller in the first place. Whatever. Hey Admiral Akbar! The guy talking about the thermal oscillator looks familiar... was he in Night Shift... IMDB says he’s Ken Leung and yes he was in the Night Shift! Good for him! Awww that was the last time Han and Leia ever saw each other... “That’s not how the Force works.” The captions are telling me that the stormtroopers Rey is hiding from are just talking about how much their new weapons suck. That’s hilarious. “Is there a garbage shoot? Trash compactor?” Oh Han, I see what you did there. Wow, I didn’t notice that the walls of the base are rock, that it’s literally built INTO the planet. Awwwww Finn gave Rey his jacket! I was thinking she must be cold in just a t-shirt after living in a desert. Because I rewatched the last half of RotJ after Force Awakens, I was able to realize that this scene of Han and Chewie planting the bombs was a reference to RotJ, but only because of watching Force Awakens earlier that day. Really, I should have gotten the reference the other way around. “We’ll meet back here.” NOOOOO BUT YOU WON’T. THIS IS THE LAST TIME! Wait, did we not know his name was Ben before this? Was that the moment we all realized he was named after Obi-Wan? (Also, never really got that since Han and Leia knew Obi-Wan for only a couple of days at most... but whatever) Chewie keep going! Keep going and planting bombs while they’re distracted by Han! Come on! Ok I wanted to mention it earlier, but there was a lightbeam hitting Kylo when Snoke’s hologram disappeared, and that was after Snoke told him to be careful of going back to the light. Now as Han walks towards Kylo, there’s another lightbeam. It’s all very literal, but still. I like it. UH OH. I forgot about the light from the sun going away. Now Kylo’s literally in the darkness. We’re getting super literal now. (Also, I now realize that Poe’s line of “As long as we have the light we have a chance” was also a on-the-nose reference to light vs. dark and not just exposition about stopping the Starkiller, though it was also exposition.) I like to think that Han sorta knew that Kylo would kill him, and that he hoped it would eventually lead him to the light in some way and be worth it. But wow seeing Han fall hurts. OH AND LEIA. I FORGOT ABOUT LEIA KNOWING IMMEDIATELY AND JUST SINKING DOWN. OH I HURT. See. Finn’s literally just using a lightsaber like any other sword. Just hit your target with it. Because anyone can do that. Yes Rey! Summon that lightsaber! Earn that Binary Sunset! Trench run. Because Star Wars. Ok I gotta replay all of that because I was too busy getting lost in my mind about something and got distracted. Why is the Starkiller base falling apart? Ok got it, Poe hit a bunch of stuff that exploded. Cool.

Ok see. Some of the fans think fighting with a lightsaber is like a integral part of being one with the Force and being a Jedi. But literally, you just need to know is how to fight with a sword or a stick and you can fight with a lightsaber. The Force just means you’re better at predicting your opponent’s next moves, sensing the danger, knowing the best move to make, etc. That’s why Rey started winning against Kylo when he said “Join me and let me teach you the ways of the Force.” Before that, she’s just fighting like she would with her stick and all that’s doing is helping her survive and keep Kylo at bay, but she’s not winning. Being reminded that she’s Force sensitive let her tap into that and start incorporating that into the fight. Now she’s using the skills she already has, and using the Force to help her predict Kylo’s moves. She’s not magically good at using a lightsaber, she just already had skills that were easily transferable to a lightsaber and using the Force to enhance it.

I don’t think we’ve lost any arms yet in this movie, besides C-3PO off-screen.

OH. AND SNOKE SAYS KYLO NEEDS TO COMPLETE HIS TRAINING! He’s not even a full Sith Lord yet! He’s still being trained! So no, Rey did not just defeat a powerful Sith Lord, she defeated a Sith Lord in training. And she barely defeated him, he was already injured, she just fought hard enough to bring him to the ground. Then the ground literally separated them. Basically, I’m tired of people being mad that Rey has skills, she already had them. Plus, she’s not magically the most powerful Jedi ever like Ani was, she’s just strong. So go critique Ani for being literal space Jesus.

Oh Chewie. He’s alone saving Finn and Rey. My heart is breaking. All teams, Poe? You mean you and the other two who are left? Ok fine, there are a couple more X-Wings behind the Millennium Falcon. You and the other 6 who are left. Playing the Love Theme one last time. I am hurting. OH. NOW YOU WAKE UP, R2D2? NOW YOU WAKE UP? AFTER HAN DIES, YOU WAKE UP? Aww BB8′s like “Dad! Give me the map! I wanna put the puzzle together!” So I was right to be mad at R2D2. Literally sitting back, watching the drama, then at the end is like “Oh by the way, I have all the rest of the information you needed.” (Yes, I realize that I guess we’re supposed to infer that he spent all those years in low power mode trying to find the map, but whatever.) “May the Force be with you.” Oh Leia. Oh Carrie. Oh R2D2 NOW you’re excited. If you wanted to see Luke so bad, you should have found the map faster. You just know Luke knew they were coming, so he was like “Let me get my cloak out and stand on the highest point all mysteriously.” since he too lives for the drama (as we saw from all the flips in RotJ). Oh I love that ending so much. Some people think Last Jedi ruins the suspense of the ending. I love it. I love that Luke takes a minute to just stare at Rey and the lightsaber before deciding to chuck it over a cliff.

I’m watching the credits, and I noticed that Harrison gets first billing. I literally just said out loud “Why does Harri- ok no fine actually” since I realized this was his last Star Wars movie, so give him first billing. He deserves it.

So that’s the Force Awakens. Very enjoyable. I forget where I heard/read this, but the Force Awakens and Rogue One are like Star Wars comfort food. Super full of nostalgia.

And I do agree at least to an extent. Especially since the Force Awakens is like A New Hope all over again. A droid with a special message. Evil character with a spherical base that destroys planets. The evil Empire’s gone, but the evil First Order has taken over. And the Rebels are now the Resistance and are not that much better off than they were before.

But I LIVE for the nostalgia. Throughout the entirety of the prequels, I said that the best moments were the callbacks/references to the original series. The sequels do that better, so I really enjoy them.

Also I don’t actually hate R2D2. But the theory/idea that R2 is secretly a horrible person because of the fact he seems to know everything but never actually tell anyone what he knows is hilarious to me. And I never realized how well the Force Awakens fits into that theory. So it’s super funny to me.

Now hopefully, I can watch all of The Last Jedi tomorrow. I have a bit of a day... and this rewatch took like 4 hours since I literally paused every 2 seconds to write something. For the Last Jedi, I need to try to write less so I can pause less and finish the movie.