#and the main trio are cute too love how you draw their ears

[neverendingdream111]

GENSHIN IMPACT AS IDOLS

- one of the groups consists of: Zhongli, Childe, Venti, Xiao, Diluc, Kaeya and Albedo

- Zhongli is the leader and the oldest obvsly and his smooth deep voice is to die for

- He's also the visual along with Albedo (tho everyone here is gorgeous, ngl)

- Childe constantly switches between rap and vocal, but he's mostly recognized for his amazing dancing (he's the main dancer for a reason)

- Venti is the main vocal and possibly writes most of their songs (sometimes Albedo helps him)

- Funnily enough, Venti is often confused for being the maknae while in reality he's the second oldest in the group

- Xiao is the main rapper

- He refuses to sing but would do it if asked (rarely)

- and he's the real maknae - even tho he hates it he can't do anything about it (and everyone, especially Venti and Childe, loves teasing him for it)

- Diluc and Kaeya are the other rappers along with Xiao and they are related in some way tho both refuse to reveal anything to the public (but everyone is convinced they're brothers)

- they don't get along most of the time and argue constantly, but it only amuses the rest of the members and the fans absolutely love their arguments bc it more often than not turns into a rap battle

- and let me tell you, they completely kill it

- then, we have Albedo. He and Zhongli are the most peaceful ones and most likely keep the team together bc if not those idiots would've caused absolute chaos eons ago

- His voice is angelic, everyone adores it

- Childe and Kaeya are the most chaotic duo especially together

- they have the stupidest ideas and like to mess around

- and they are perfectly aware of their god-like looks and also have the audacity to use it "against" their fans (not that anyone complains)

- they are partners in crime when it comes to teasing Diluc

- Kaeya does it on a daily basis and Childe found it funny and decided to join him on causing inconvenience to others, lol

- Xiao, even though he's an idol, hates interacting with humans but makes an exception for fanmeetings, concerts, interviews and such because Zhongli raised him right--

- he has a soft spot for cats and would have one at the dorm if it wasn't for Venti being allergic to them (although he doesn't see any problem with it)

- speaking of the dorm, it's the pure definition of destruction

- Childe and Kaeya being the little shits they are room together and they are that kind of roommates that would blast music on full volume in the middle of the night just because they felt like it (but obvsly they do it to summon a demon in the form of sleep deprived Diluc because they know he's a light sleeper)

- Venti at some point moved in with them bc he felt like it and it's totally not because Xiao kicked him out--

- Zhongli and Diluc share a room because they both know how to appreciate a moment of peace and they just like each other's company; their perfect afternoon on their day off is sitting there with a cup of tea each and exchanging stories they've heard and/or experienced

- Albedo is probably the only person Xiao would room with excluding Zhongli (and maybe Diluc but it's debatable) because he's calm and collected, doesn't talk too much unlike the other three and when he does talk it's nice to listen to him

- also, the sound of sketching calms him down

- Venti somehow lives in all of the rooms in the dorm. First he roomed with Xiao and Albedo, but he got kicked out by the maknae. Then he gravitated towards Zhongli and Diluc but after a few days the redhead got so annoyed with him he ended up with Childe and Kaeya. The three of them share a braincell, that's why they get along so well, but even though he lives with them he sometimes ends up in the other rooms but that's just him

- he likes a change of scenery, ehe

- Zhongli's the dad of the group

- whenever someone has a problem they automatically go to him

- also, even though they are a really chaotic group, they are equally capable of working together (main reason why they are so goddamn awesome on stage)

- Xiao might act like he doesn't care but he does. A lot

- every time one of his hyungs is having a bad day he subtly tries to cheer them up. He feels awkward with words in these moments and physical contact isn't really his forte but instead he does things like buying them their favorite snack, or opting to watch their favorite film with them (even if he absolutely hates it he still would watch it)

- everyone obvsly knows what he's doing and they appreciate it

- Childe and Kaeya actually aren't as easy-going as they like to appear on stage. They are really emotional human beings and are probably most affected by hate comments and such

- Diluc, as much as he despises their attitude and teasing he has to endure bc of them, cares about them a lot and usually he's the one to knock some sense in them when they believe the haters or just have a bad day. He may not like their behavior but he's not heartless and deems them as family (even tho he wouldn't admit it)

- Albedo isn't a lot older than Xiao, maybe something around a few months, so everyone thinks of him like a second maknae and just because he gives off the vibe, y'know

- He loves drawing and sometimes does a sketch of one of the members or recreates a fanart of them he saw on Pinterest (cue to the fans going wild)

- He, alongside with Diluc, often cooks for them. They both are amazing cooks and I refuse to believe otherwise

- Venti has a playlist prepared for every occasion and uses them accordingly

- he also has playlists dedicated to every member of the group and it's his way of cheering them up or being there for them when they are separated

- as for the run episodes, well.... It can be described in one word

- chaos

- they're even capable of riling Zhongli up!

- tho he mostly opts to watch the chaos from the sidelines, snickering under his breath, he ends up in the crossfire from time to time

- contrary to popular belief, the most competitive ones are Diluc and Xiao

- they are so set on winning they sometimes forget that it's all a game

- Childe once got an elbow to the face in one episode but still no one knows who did it (it was Kaeya--)

- Albedo is just... There, tho he does enjoy it. More than he would admit

- Childe and Kaeya are dying of laughter most of the time and do stupid things that probably only they understand which makes the other laugh harder

- and Venti absolutely loves being the host: it gives him a perfect view of his friends who half the time have no idea what the hell is going on and, of course, power

- the fanmeetings are just the other excuse for them to make fun of each other and fool around

- fans don't mind it one bit because it is honestly hilarious to watch the utter chaos unfold

- even when they are signing albums and merch they throw comments here and there to provoke the other

- especially Xiao bc he's a softie when it comes to their fans and as long as the girls don't do anything... Weird, he doesn't mind interacting with them and sometimes finds himself actually enjoying the contact

- while we're on the fanmeetings--

- Zhongli is absolutely wonderful. He's the kind to delicately hold your hand, look into you eyes and smile softly while focusing entirely on you and what you have to say, indulging into conversation as well

- if it wasn't for the staff members reminding him that the time's up, he would spend at least an hour with every fan

- Childe is so excited he grins so much his cheeks hurt, and would look at you like you just made his day. You can be stuttering, super nervous and anxious and he'd just say it's completely fine and that you should take your time, even if the staff says that you should move to the next member

- Venti is the one that talks a lot, but would shut up and listen to you. He especially likes playing with your hands or just some games like rock-paper-scissors

- he also loves it when some fans show him their singing and he encourages them to go on, synchronizing with them and making an amazing duet

- Xiao is, like I've said before, a big softie. He really appreciates the fact that people find their music nice and genuinely like to listen to it. Would probably ask you questions like "what's your favorite song?", "What do you think of this album *gestures to the one he just signed*" etc

- he DID wear cat ears once because a fan gave them to him and they looked kind of cute

- he didn't hear the end of it for two weeks minimum and Childe and Kaeya probably have the pic as their wallpapers

- Diluc is the most... normal one? I mean, he enjoys the meetings a lot, but he doesn't show his excitement as much as the others. Conversations with him are like talking to an old friend that understands you and it's just so... wholesome

- he's honestly surprised when he gets gifts from the fans. He does appreciate it of course, but he just doesn't really understand why you would go as far as to give him something for no particular reason please give him lots of love he needs it-

- Kaeya is the one with the audacity to flirt with you. Loves seeing the blush on your cheeks and just enjoys annoying people. Though he sometimes stops it out of mercy and opts to talk with you like a normal human being--

- most protective of their fans. Sees one in distress or being picked on, immediatly steps in or tells a staff member to handle the situation

- Albedo is somewhere between Zhongli and Diluc's behaviour tbh. He's really sweet, loves talking to the fans and gets super excited whenever one of them shows him a fanart - especially if it's an original idea

- now let's get to the best part

- as lovely and peaceful as they are on a daily basis, they turn into freakin devils on stage

- kind grandpa with a calming voice? Who's that? A goddamn satan entered the chat

- ooooh, the cat lover? Sorry, we only have a mf demon available

- don't even get me started on the Childe-Kaeya-Diluc trio--

- all in all, they may be annoying each other night and day but they still love one another like family and their bond only strengthens when they stand in the spotlight

I had this idea today and, well, it turned out like this, hope you enjoyed! I also may be doing some sort of continuation to this with Xingqiu, Chongyun, Razor and Bennett as a trainee idol group so let me know if you'd like something like this and if you have any ideas for other groups!

02.05.21

~Nana

[cloudywriter]

i never got to say i love you - 3

honestly no idea how this actually worked out but i did find it in me to pick it up where i had left off. i’ll keep working on this story and see where it goes but i think i have a few ideas. it’s not very long but it’s a start ya know. it looks nice right now too but don’t worry the angst will be there soon. xoxo

masterlist, main masterlist, AO3

~~~

From that fateful night on, Feyre spent all of her free time in the art building’s studio not even returning to her dorm until long after dark. Quite frankly, she was a little embarrassed. She showed up outside of Mor’s door fully prepared to ask her to please quiet down only to be reminded of how ridiculously dressed she was and then to top it all off after that all she did was stare at Rhysand until she ran off stuttering like a fool which was so unlike her. 

She had a close call one afternoon in the dining hall but was able to make a speedy escape. 

Of course, the one time she decided she should work and study somewhere that wasn’t the art studio she ended up in the library. It had been fine until they strutted in, strolling down the center of the library as if it it was a catwalk. A group of girls next to her looked up at them, giggling and blushing, and quickly averted their gazes when Cassian shot them a swift wink. 

Feyre just kept her head down, trying to concentrate on the book of art history in front of her but just knowing he was in the same room as her, that she was in his vicinity had her mind unable to comprehend anything but that fact. Should she just stand up and leave? Would that draw more attention to herself? 

She quickly deduced she could not wiggle her way out of this one. 

Feyre propped up her textbook in hopes it would shield most of her face while she finished up the chapter and then she promised herself she could make her leave. 

The scraping of a chair across the tile floor informed her she was not going to be so lucky. She zoned in on the words in front of her, she was not going to look up.

“Art history,” a voice read aloud.

Feyre looked up and arched an eyebrow at the man in front of her. “Congrats, you can read.”

“Are you an art major?” He asked, leaning back in his chair.

“I could be or maybe I just enjoy a little art history. What are you majoring in making obvious observations?”

“Is that a new major? Because I’ll admit I’d love to take it up,” Cassian commented, crossing his arms and tucking his fist underneath his chin.

Feyre didn’t deign to respond instead she leaned further back in her chair once again focusing on the textbook. 

That was until the remaining members of the trio wandered up to Feyre’s table as well.

Cassian turned around a little and gestured to Feyre, “Hey guys, I’m just hanging with my girl, Fey. You know, the one who came to yell at us last week and then drooled over Rhys.”

Feyre slammed her book flat on the table, “I did not drool!”

Cassian shrugged, “I don’t know I think I had to whip up a few drops after you left.” 

Feyre just knew her bright red face betrayed her. 

Rhys only laughed, a deep, sultry laugh that sounded the way expensive velvet felt. “It’s alright Feyre, darling, I’m used to it obviously.”

“Oh, don’t call me darling,” Feyre sighed, burying her face in her hands. Rhysand only smirked in response, drumming his fingers on the edge of the desk. 

Azriel and Cassian were hunched over, studying something on Cassian’s phone while Feyre desperately tried to pretend they weren’t there. Rhys kept on drumming his fingers, completely disrupting Feyre, to be fair she was dyslexic and she required quiet in order to sit and read. 

Feyre reached out her hand, holding a pencil, and wacked Rhysand’s fingers. “Stop it!” She whisper-yelled at him. 

“Feyre, darling, you wound me,” he purred, leaning back to slip his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. On almost anyone else Feyre would’ve thought the leather jacket looked stupid but it just worked on Rhysand. 

Rhysand was quiet for a moment when he spoke back up, “What does one do with an art degree?” 

Feyre lifted her eyes from the page in front of her, “Gods, you sound like my sister.”

Rhys cracked a smile at that, “I don’t mean it in a negative way, of course, just curious.” 

“I just want to spend the rest of my life doing something I love and I happen to love painting. I know it's not the standard but I wouldn’t be happy in a 9 to 5 desk job,” Feyre explained. 

Rhys nodded, he looked as though that statement had resonated with him.

At that moment both Cassian and Azriel stood up, “Hey, Rhys, Mor is texting us that she wants to meet at Rita’s for lunch. You coming?” 

Feyre glanced up, making direct eye contact with Rhys, “No,” he says in a husky voice, still looking into her eyes, “I think I’ll stay.” Feyre concentrates on her book again, a small, secret smile poised on her lips. Cassian and Azriel make their exit with knowing glances passed between them. 

Cassian and Azriel had only been gone for around five minutes, Feyre was trying her hardest to appear unruffled by Rhysand’s presence, her eyes glued to her book though they weren’t reading a thing. Rhys then broke the silence, “Are you hungry?” 

Feyre raised an eyebrow, “Are you?”

“Famished.”

“Strange, pretty sure I saw you turn down an invite to lunch a few minutes ago,” she replied simply. 

“I go to lunch everyday with Az, Mor, and Cas, but I don’t go to lunch with you, Feyre, darling. I thought I might switch it up.”

Feyre gave him her best unimpressed expression even though her heart was pumping in her chest. “You’re a shameless flirt.” 

“Well, what do you say?”

Despite Feyre finding Rhysand annoyingly attractive she was hesitant to accept his invitation. She had just transferred schools, she was in the market for some friends, but the haunting memory of her failed relationship crept in like a spider knitting a web of doubt. 

Feyre banished that spider, “Fine.”

+++

Rhys had taken Feyre to a cute little coffee shop that served the best sandwiches in Prythian as Rhysand had claimed. Feyre didn’t have any room to disagree. Their conversation came easy, it felt natural, not stiff like the beginning of most budding friendships. They argued, joked, and even poked fun at each other the entire time. 

Rhysand continued with his brazen, flirty attitude and persistent usage of the endearment ‘darling’ much to Feyre’s dismay. It was irritating but charming, it just seemed to be wholly Rhys. 

Now, Rhys and Feyre were walking side by side back towards the dorm buildings. The conversation proceeded to flow easily. When they were about to enter the courtyard adjoining the separate dorm buildings, Rhys flopped onto a bench just a little ways off the sideway. Feyre raised her eyebrow at him. 

“Sit, darling. All this walking after eating and I’ll get a cramp,” he reasoned. 

Feyre rolled her eyes, it certainly wasn’t that but she entertained him. She took a spot a little bit down the bench from him and leaned her head back, staring up at the tree overhead and the afternoon sun beaming through its leaves. 

A question popped into Feyre’s mind and she pivoted towards Rhys, “What are you majoring in?”

Rhys’s beautiful face turned into a grimace as he turned his attention from the same tree back to her. 

“Business,” he finally supplied.

“You seem disappointed by that,” Feyre commented. Rhysand looked away as his head bobbed in a noncommittal yes. 

“I wanted to major in English, really. I love books, stories, even poetry as mind boggling as it may be sometimes,” Rhys let out a small chuckle, mostly to himself. “I love language too, the way you can manipulate and articulate it, it’s remarkable. I would be more than content to pour over books the rest of my life or share my passion for stories and language with others.”

“Then why do business?” Feyre knew she was probably prying but her curious nature always got the best of her. 

“My father,” Rhys admitted. “He’s a businessman you know, convinced it's always the way to go whether you truly enjoy it or not. Doesn’t matter if you’re happy if you have a stable job and are making good money in his eyes. Not to mention, he demands I work with him at his company after school. I lost the will to fight him on it, just easier to appease him at this point. Books will still be there.”

Feyre let the words hang in the air between them. She knew, of course, the feeling of being unsupported but still her family hadn’t forced her hand. Feyre reached out, resting her hand lightly over Rhysand’s in silent support while still giving him the option to pull away. 

He didn’t. He wrapped her small hand in his own and turned his head toward her. 

The wind tousled his black hair back and forth with each turn of its direction. In the sun’s light his eyes were bright, framed by thick lashes. Feyre wished she could freeze time and pull out her paints to capture the image. The overwhelming desire to do so took Feyre by surprise. Since leaving for Velaris that deep yearning to paint a particular scene, a moment of inspiration so strong it paralyzed her, hadn’t been prominent. Truly, it hadn’t been there for a while. She usually had to force out a drawing or painting for an assignment. 

Then Rhys gave her a gentle smile, it looked how Feyre imagined touching clouds would feel. It brought a funny feeling to her stomach. 

“Do what makes you happy, Rhys, always,” she added so quietly she thought her words might’ve been blown away by the breeze before they even reached his ears. 

Yet, Rhys squeezed her hand the smallest bit. 

~~~

well this is for you @maybekindasortaace​

let me know if you wanted to be added to my feysand taglist or my rowaelin taglist or both, ya know 

[mihidecet]

Sbi&Co d&d AU: Fundy & Niki

AKA: Tibi's MCYT WritingTober, day 23!

SURPRISE!! As for @spout1nk and @awebo 's lovely requests, here is the chapter where we get to meet Fundy and Niki!!

This is also, once again, a fill for @the-only-gamer-gost 's list of prompts!! I got myself another free day aahahah

I do hope you'll like it! And as always, make sure you check out @whatimevendoinhere 's stunning drawings!!! They made art of Fundy and it is so good yall.

It starts like this: the whole gang is looking for a new job to tackle, with Techno, Tommy and Tubbo looking at the town's mission board and Wilbur and Phil needling the town's guard for more high profile tasks.

Half an hour later, a bored and disappointed trio meet up with a radiant Wilbur and an impressed Phil.

They have a job and the pay is five times higher than normal.

Apparently some dumbass has been running around the county, scamming nobles with fake artifacts and cursed precious objects. The nobles are mad, they want their coins back and the scammer in jail - or possibly worse -, and they are willing to pay an embarrassingly high amount of coin for it to be done quickly and quietly. Quietly being the highest requirement.

And that is how the SleepyBois start tracking this infamous scammer down.

First, they find all of the victims.

That alone takes them a while, because nobles are tricky to navigate and scorned nobles are even worse - and somehow these scammed nobles all seem to be not that good people, if the way they treat the adventurers trying to help them is any indication.

Still, one may assume that spending a lot of platinum coins on things that turn out to be fake and haunted might make you a bit … confrontational.

Also, they're going to make a lot of coins out of this job, so it's not like they're going to say anything.

Then, they buy a new, spotless map of the region with about a quarter of their collective coins - “Philza Greenwood we should have accepted the one from the kind old lady.” “You know that was cursed, we’re not doing this again.” - and start writing down every location hit.

It’s not that hard, once they put Tubbo to work, to find a handful of possible towns their target is going to hit.

It's honestly impressive how quickly he's able to narrow their options down, sending Techno and Wilbur out for recon missions to specific locations, guiding the whole team in a weirdly familiar way; straightforward and decisive like Techno, gentle and responsible like Phil, switching between the two attitudes as easy as he breathes.

Wilbur's only seen him like this when he works on his creations before, and it's amazing how quickly he gets over the initial sheepishness and steps into his role.

Everything is good and wonderful and he fits perfectly into the team, and this is just another proof of it.

The only bad thing about the whole situation is how bloody smug Tommy is, since it had been his idea to let Tubbo handle the planning - the kid can gloat, Wilbur's got to give him that, even if he is right in doing that.

Ever since the two childhood best friends had reunited, Tommy has been … more. Not in a bad way - no matter how much Techno jokingly groans about it -, but it's evident how much there was something weighing on the kid's mind before this.

But right now it's not really the best time to think about this.

A couple of nights ago, Tubbo had narrowed the list of possible new noble families that were going to be hit down to a single name. An old timey, very strict and reclusive family, now mainly composed of two grandparents and an impressive array of disowned young adventurers, and workers of all types. Reasons for disowning were many and varied and all a bit ridiculous.

Apparently having a bad temper and even worse record of mistreating everyone around you was the common denominator for all the people being targeted, alongside having an extremely absurd amount of coin.

Phil knows, he's seen it in Wilbur's eyes the moment Tubbo told everyone his deductions, that the tiefling would be more than happy with just letting the scammer go with a slap on the wrist. Everyone is slowly leaning towards that, Phil himself is too, but he's not really going to mention that yet, especially as they're all gearing up to stalk the scammer back to their hideout.

Especially since they can't really let this chance go: the fact that Tubbo was able to narrow their options down to a single family means that if this isn't it, they'll have to start from scratch.

When they leave the tavern, packed light and ready for the expected stealth, it's a couple of hours before dawn.

Everyone is thankfully able to see in the dark - even Tubbo, who is a human like Tommy, since he used his knowledge of glass-making and arcane enchantments to forge himself some night vision goggles - and they move quickly in the shadows, their silhouettes hidden even more due to one of Phil's spells.

This is also the first time Tubbo's bees aren't making any sound - apparently their buzzing is purely aesthetic.

Reaching the family's manor is not hard nor it takes longer than expected, which is quite unusual considering their experiences. Once they reach their destination, they hide near the entrance then Techno vanishes - probably gone inside the main gates to see if their target has already arrived.

About fifteen excruciating minutes later, Techno reappears, one hand already on Tommy's mouth to prevent him from yelping in surprise and reveal their position. The fact that he is perfectly correct in his assumption doesn't prevent him from receiving a swift kick to the shin.

"He's inside. Seems human, dressed like a scammer would be dressed. Or a very extravagant seller. Showing off a floating statue." Techno relies the information as he rubs the now sore spot on his leg, side eyeing a very offended Tommy while Tubbo is red faced almost to the point of tears as he desperately tries not to burst out laughing.

"Good job." Phil confirms, trying very hard to stay focused on the task - this all is extremely useful information, both in case of a possible fight breaking out and because in all the time they've been searching for the scammer, they've had nothing but mixed information from their targets.

One time it's a sweet looking cleric, another time they're a buff half orc, then it's a tiefling with a missing horn- every time something new, but the only constants have been the extravagant clothing choices and them being a magic user.

Wilbur punches the air with gusto, conveying silently what everyone is more or less feeling, and then they resign themselves to some uncertain amount of time of patiently and quietly waiting.

Phil has a spell to hide them again ready for whenever they hear somebody getting close.

Techno takes the time to meditate.

Wilbur is tapping a finger against his leg with his eyes closed, so he's probably writing a song in his mind.

Tubbo is taking notes on his notebook, planning another upgrade for his crossbow.

Tommy is about to vibrate out of his skin.

Everything according to plan.

Then, finally, Phil hears footsteps approaching the gates.

He casts his spell, shadows elongating from the trees they are hiding in, wrapping around them, covering them, fake greenery taking form in front of them- and everyone is instantly on edge.

"Are you sure you don't want a totem? They're good luck! They'll protect you against evil spirits - those old crooks must be beacons for them!" A quick paced voice reached their ears, and Techno's dagger is already out.

A much quieter voice answers - only Phil manages to catch the irritated negative answer, but everyone hears the gates being slammed shut.

There's more footsteps, then their target enters most of their views.

The man - probably? - takes some steps, back straight and shoulders moving with a light chuckle - when his eyes stray towards them.

He blinks once, twice, then his eyes switch colour.

He stops in his tracks.

Raises a hand and gives a quick wave.

"Uhm … cya!" And then he disappears, vanishing into thin air.

Techno curses loudly next to Tommy.

"Wilbur-"

The tiefling stands up and his eyes turn pure black as he raises a hand towards the place where he disappeared, muttering a quick song under his breath before calling out:

"Tubbo!"

A bolt from the kid's crossbow flies in the direction Wilbur's pointing at a split second later.

It flies, but doesn't strike true, barely grazing the scammer's jacket as the man moves out of its way. Right into Techno's thrown dagger which hits him right in the side.

There's a loud, weirdly pitched "shit!" coming from the empty air in the space in front of them, then nothing but the sound of someone fleeing as silently as they can.

Instead of following suit, like one would expect, the rest of the group turns towards Techno, who's holding his dagger - now back into his hand - and mouthing a prayer against the stained blade.

There's a light humm coming from nowhere and everywhere that echoes in Techno's mind for a moment, then he opens his eyes.

"So, do you have him?" Tommy asks, feeling the urge to pursue their target itching under his skin.

"Yup, I've got him. Nice job with the crossbow, Tubbo." Techno answers, shooting a small smile to his short companion, who shakes his weapon proudly.

"It's quite easy to shoot in order to make people move a certain direction, you know, once you know what to do!"

Tracking down the scammer is quite easy now that Techno has cast his tracking spell on him.

They wait for a moment, reconvene, make sure they have everything they need and then they start moving.

They don't have to walk much, as Techno lets them know that their target has stopped moving and they're getting closer extremely quickly.

In the end, it's a small, cute looking wooden house that they reach. It seems small and well kept, with clean windows and bright flowers on the outside. It's a bit hidden amongst a thicker part of the forest, but it gets enough light to be comfortably illuminated.

Wilbur figures the scammer ran and hid here, in hope of either having them lose his tracks or to maybe use a civilian as human shield.

Phil gestures towards the house, to which Techno answers with a decisive nod, so the elf approaches the door and knocks.

"Hello?" A feminine, accented voice answers from behind the door.

"Hi, I'm very sorry to disturb you, we're a group of adventurers looking for a runaway criminal, have you perhaps seen anyone suspicious running around?" There's a beat of silence, then a long, drawn out humm.

"I'm very sorry but I don't think I can help you with that? I was busy baking inside, I haven't seen anyone." The voice answers back, seemingly sheepish and apologetic.

Wilbur takes a step forward, shooting a glance towards a suspicious looking Techno.

"Our apologies, but would you mind letting us rest inside your abode for a little while? We've been out all night looking for clues, and we will pay you for your kindness."

After a slightly longer than expected pause, the sound of keys jingling reachea the team's ears.

"Oh, yes, of course. It's a bit small here, but- We can make it fit."

Phil knows enough Celestial to recognise the accent in the woman's voice; seeing her almost aethereal being open the door cements in Phil's mind the fact that yes, the person in front of him is of Celstial descent - that, and the dusting of silver and golden freckles across her face.

"Oh my, there- there's a lot of you."

Phil gives a sheepish smile, an apology ready on his lips - she is hiding their target, for some reason, but that doesn't mean he's going to be rude about it - but Tommy is already striding towards the entrance.

"We'll be good and squeeze together, promise!" He exclaims, quickly hitting Wilbur in the side with his elbow as he passes him.

The tiefling shoots him a murderous glare, which instantly disappears and turns into a kind smile the instant he realises that the aasimar woman is looking at him questioningly.

"Are you all part of the same group?" She asks as they shuffle in. The house is slightly bigger than expected, with everything looking both very clean and very lived in - books left open on a table, a chair that hasn't been set back, a blanket thrown on an armchair instead of being folded properly. It's homely.

There are a couple of colourful looking birds flying around the place, and they instantly flock to Phil the moment he enters the kitchen - following the woman's instructions. To be fair, there are plenty animals hanging out in the whole house: he's sure he heard a squirrel running in the corridor, and there were a couple of tortoises in the living room.

And then, on the window sill next to the kitchen table there is a fox, sleeping curled up under the sun. Techno, on edge from the tracking and the oncoming social interactions, really envies the tranquil animal.

"Is there anything you need? Something to drink, maybe? I was making some bread, so-" the woman starts, taking out a still smoking loaf. Everyone but Phil is instantly glowing: how often are you offered freshly baked bread? And mostly for free? That really is something special, that must be surely cherished.

And yet, Phil is not looking at the woman - who is still yet to introduce herself - but at the fox. Still sleeping peacefully, after they'd opened a single eye at the sound of strangers entering the room.

"That is very kind of you, miss …?" Wilbur asks, eyes constantly switching between the offered food and the stranger's face.

"Oh, you can call me Niki."

Phil moves closer to the fox with a small smile, one bird still perched on his shoulder, and extends a hand slowly, hoping not to startle the animal.

The fox blinks slowly at the fingers floating right in front of their eyes, then huffs and moves their head so that Phil can start giving them little scratches, tail swishing lazily - all this, while the rest of the team does a round of introductions.

"Niki, your fox is adorable." Phil comments after a moment, while the others are eagerly helping out Niki in finding a knife to cut slices of bread with and honey, which apparently she makes herself.

"Ah yeah, thank you. His name is Fungi." She answers with a small smile, making Phil chuckle. The fox's tail keeps swishing from side to side, probably to convey his appreciation of the continuous pets he's receiving, but one of his front legs seems to not be making any movement. A quick, focused, look confirms his suspicions.

"Oh dear, he seems hurt. Let me heal him for you." Phil comments, worry colouring his tone, as he focuses his intent into the palm of his hand, lightly resting on the injured limb.

As his magic knits back muscle and tissue and blod cells, Phil watches intently as the stab wound shrinks and then disappears. Then, he picks the fox up, cradling him in his arms as Niki gets closer, a look of deep worry on her face - one of the first true emotions she's shown since they got there, Phil notices, which only serves to confirm his suspicions.

"Oh, thank you so much, I'm so very glad, he just keeps getting into messes!"

There's a moment of pause, then Phil starts scratching the fox's chin - his tail starts wagging noticeably quicker.

"Did you know foxes are known for their cunning, but they're actually pretty dumb?" Phil starts, prompting everyone to turn towards him in shock and deep confusion.

Phil merely chuckles.

"You agree, right, little guy? I can see it in your eyes, there's nothing going on in that little brain of yours, right?" He teases, cooing at the little animal before- in a mix of slightly disturbing deformations and a blink-and-you-miss-it transformation - the fox in his arms suddenly enlarges, his limbs elongating and face rounding out.

Now, this would have probably come as a big surprise to akl but instead it looks quite funny because the moment the small fox becomes a human sized man with for ears, all the instantly added weight crashes into Phil and sends them crashing down to the ground.

But since they've all gotten used to a skinchanger moving from their human form to their animal one, one way or another, all that remains is the hilarouns scene of a laughing out loud Phil sprawled on the ground with their red faced, extremely irritated target kneeling on top of him.

"Fuck you, man! That was so mean!"

For a moment everyone is just staring at each other, trying to understand what has happened, until when Techno speaks up.

"Well I guess we found our scammer."

[idreamofhazeleyes]

Gender Swap

Tags: @squirrelnotsam @impala-dreamer @mrswhozeewhatsis @idreamofplaid @mariekoukie6661 @idreamofplaid @percussiongirl2017 @winchestergirl-13 @lyrr24​

Words: 1701

Idea: Thanks to a curse, the trio experience being in the opposite gender’s body.

Muse: Truly Forgotten (Radio Company)

Warnings: Smut, p in v, both receiving, reverse gender body 

It had to be the witch. Aaliyah just knew somehow that it had to have been the witch. Nothing else could explain it. Her whole body had the feeling that something was off, but she couldn’t put a finger on what it was. A few days had passed since she and the brothers had taken out a rogue witch, but not before he was able to cast a spell on them; a warning that it would come to fruition in days. She was ready to deal with the results. Not the results she stared at in the mirror. Her face had taken on more of a chiseled feature, blending into a neck that seemed to be a bit stockier, then into broad shoulders.

Aaliyah straightened, taking her weight off her bathroom sink. There was no question now. The witch had done a spell that had completely changed her gender. Part of her was angry at the witch for doing this against her. It was countered by her curiosity that had lasted years since living with the brothers. Her gaze shifted south even as a hand reached to the hem of her running shorts she wore to bed. She noticed her torso had narrowed down from her chest. Her hips had streamlined along with her torso. Damn if she didn’t … No, not going down that road. Aaliyah couldn’t stop herself from pulling the top of her sleep shorts out enough and looked down.

Yeah, that was the full thing.

She worked to keep her breathing steady before hearing a scream from down the hall. Aaliyah took a look in the mirror before stepping away and shed away her bra. There was no point on keeping it on. A few steps in the hall brought her into Dean’s running path.

“Damn it, Dean,” Aaliyah caught his arms before he could stumble back. “Watch …” Her sentience dropped when she got a good look at him.

His face had slimmed down, the two day stubble had disappeared. Aaliyah let him go and took a step back to take in the full change. Lithe legs. Boxers that seemed to be strained ever so much against his wide hips that led to a flat stomach and healthy waist. And breasts that were free hanging and dared Aaliyah to kiss them. She tore her eyes from Dean’s chest and matched his gaze. Still apple green eyes and short hair.

“Looks like the witch got you guys as well,” Sam’s voice said.

Aaliyah turned at the feminine voice, startled more at the higher pitch than the words. He too had been transformed into a female version of himself.

She nodded. “Seems like.”

“I don’t like it, change us back,” Dean demanded, anger rising.

Aaliyah chuckled. She had to admit he was kinda cute being angry like this. “Wait, you don’t like this?” she said with a smile.

“And you don’t? Come on, Liya.”

She half shrugged. “It’s a … something. We got the witch, and who knows how long the spell’s gonna last? Are either one of you gonna make the call to Rowena to reverse it?”

Both brothers shifted and avoided her gaze. Seemed like they both thought of calling Rowena, but could be a bit too proud or embarrassed to do so. Aaliyah made a mental note to make the call herself after a few days.

“So, what are we gonna do?” Dean asked, frustrated over not being able to do something in fixing the problem.

“What the two of you are gonna do is maybe be able to fit into my clothes,” Aaliyah started. “Because you’re not walking around like … that.” She gestured to their partially nude bodies.

“And you’re any better?” he shot back.

“Dean,” Sam chided.

“Hey, I’m covered.” And wanted to explore more in private. “Come on, you both look like you can wear my stuff for a few hours.” She led the way back to her room, now aware of the rubbing and the itching in her sleeping shorts.

“You know,” Sam said, coming up along side her. “You can adjust if you need to.”

Aaliyah released a sigh before reaching down and adjusting enough for comfort. In her room, she rifled through her dresser in the hope of finding clothes for Sam and Dean. Maybe not Sam since he was still a good six inches taller than her. She tossed a couple decent bras at them. “Put those on.”

A half hour and a wardrobe change later, Aaliyah found herself sitting in a library with books on the table in the chance of finding a way to break the spell. She had figured out a good sitting position that didn’t pinch or squeeze too much. Sam had dared to venture out for food, claiming he got sudden urges for sweets and chocolate. Aaliyah didn’t have the heart to tell him what could happen in the next couple weeks.

A thump of a book broke into Aaliyah’s concentration, causing her to jump in the chair.

“Any luck?” Dean asked, leaning back on the table in his usual manner.

Aaliyah shook her head as she reclined in the chair. “Nothing. You?”

“Same.” Dean took the chair next to her. “It’s like the Men of Letters here didn’t know how to handle witches.”

“And it was a different time.” She remembered Henry and his mind set coming out of the 1950s. “We’re more creative in our solutions.”

“Why can’t we just call Rowena?”

“You wanna explain to her what happened? And get a good laugh from her?” Aaliyah smirked when she watched Dean didn’t quite meet her eyes. She pushed back from the table and stood, stretching as she did. “Yeah, thought so. Now, we can figure it out on our own. I’ve started getting used to … things.”

“Speaking of which. Have you gotten…” Dean gestured in a way near his groin. “Excited?”

She had been trying not to think on that. There was little point on entertaining the thought when there was a spell to break.

A hand traced up a leg, breaking into Aaliyah’s thoughts and bringing her attention back to Dean. She shifted back a little on the table when he moved off the chair and settled between her legs. Her mouth met his. Hands slipped up a shirt and helped to shed it. Another pair worked on jeans that had become a bit too tight.

The kiss broke.

“Damn it, Liya,” Dean said, his voice low.

Aaliyah swore she could hear the husky undertone just before her breath hitched when Dean freed her from the jeans. Her eyes closed as he moved down and took her in his mouth. A light thud of denim hitting the floor reached her ears. She resisted the urge to buck her hips into him. Hands worked off her boots. Somewhere in the back of her mind, notes were being filed away as Dean worked at her. Her feet stepped out of the jeans. If things returned to normal, she would know what he liked.

“Dean, come here.”

Her dick had a slight chill when he obeyed; hands sliding up and under her shirt.

“You’re enjoying this too much,” he whispered.

She smirked. “You are too.” Aaliyah reached around and unclasped her bra from him; kissing each breast as she moved from the table and guided Dean around into her spot.

Their mouths met again as Aaliyah worked through the same motions Dean had with her. Jeans open and down the legs; boots off and legs free of the clothing. Aaliyah positioned Dean’s legs wide and started licking at him and being rewarded with a gasp. She worked a couple fingers into his vagina, slick coating them. Any more teasing and she would climax soon.

“Sweetheart …” Dean started. “Please.”

Aaliyah heard the plea in his voice and pulled away. She settled in between his legs and kissed him, slick still on her lips. “Please what?” She pressed her hips against him; her erection painfully close to Dean’s entrance.

“I need …”

“Need what?”

“You. In me.”

She reached down and lined herself up, pushing into him.

He sighed as the tension faded from his body.

Aaliyah pressed against him as she started thrusting. Slow at first in the want to draw it out. But with how close she was and knowing Dean had to be on the edge, she couldn’t keep the slow pace. Grunts started before she groined with the climax. Dean tightening around her.

She didn’t move from him for a few minutes, allowing the post climax contentment ebb on it’s own. The sound of the main door opening was her one warning that someone was going to see them. Both of them managed to put on their underwear before Rowena rounded a corner.

“I see Samuel was right,” she said, a small amount of amusement coming through. “Well, then. You two finish getting dressed and I’ll get started on the reversal.”

Aaliyah grabbed her discarded clothes and found a spot away from Rowena to dress. Dean followed her to the same spot.

“So … um …” Dean started.

“Learning curve.” Aaliyah stretched a little to give him a kiss before returning to Rowena. “So, what’s the reversal call for?”

“Down to business I see. That’s good. If I may be bold to say, love. You do make for an attractive person.” Rowena gestured to what she laid out and told what the ingredients were before actually casting the spell.

Aaliyah wrapped an arm around Dean when she felt him come up beside her; her body morphing back into her natural female form. It was smaller than Dean’s now male form; always was. But it seemed more noticeable now.

“Thanks, Rowena,” she said.

“It was the least I could do. No need to be having word getting out that the Winchesters had gotten on the wrong side of a spell.”

The wrong side of a spell? Did the witch they took out cast wrong? Aaliyah didn’t know and really didn’t want to. She saw Rowena out with another thanks. Her gaze fell on Dean from the landing. He gave her a head tilt. She smiled and followed after.

[hallowedmuses]

𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑡: 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟

SUMMARY: Our ragtag team of heroes including Natasha Romanoff, Daniel Sousa, Clint Barton, Loki Laufeyson, Veronica Stevens, and Deke come together to rescue Director Daisy Johnson from the clutches of Lucia von Bardas. TRIGGERS: Torture, Violence, PTSD, Trauma WRITTEN WITH: @ofbartons, @oflokismischief, @ofdcniels, @daisyljohnson, @ronniestvns, @oflemcns

CLINT: when loki woke him up for the rescue mission, clint wasted no time. he threw on the first shirt he could find, which luckily was clean, and his shoes before literally tumbling out the door with his bow in hand. his fuzzy pizza-sliced patterned pajama pants wasn't the most tactical choice, but then again neither was his bright purple t-shirt and converse. once they'd arrived at the hellicarrier, clint took out the guards on a section of the deck before firing a bomb arrow at the wall to create a point of entry for 'tasha and the dude in the blue shirt. "i will admit, being subtle might have been the smarter play here." he chuckled over the comms while firing a trio of arrows. the explosion had two purposes in his head- one, the point of entry, and two, draw attention away from daisy's rescue duo. the second purpose was just working a little better than he'd thought it would. he slid across the deck, firing off a couple more arrows before standing up and kicking one of the guards in the chest. using the controls on the handle of his bow, he switched to a smoke arrow before aiming at a group of the guards "hey lo, i'm really glad you have the cape still." keeping the arrow drawn back, clint turned his head to look at his boyfriend "otherwise i'd be too distracted by that ass of yours." he winked and let the arrow loose, still looking in loki's direction "not to mention all these schmucks would be staring at it." he switched back to regular arrows before firing into the smoke.

LOKI: Loki should've known Clint would be far from ready when it was time to lead the mission, it had been quite awhile since he'd gone into battle but then again he did quite love the hunt when it came down too it. His mission was simply and if anything he could easily take out anything humans could throw at him. "Possibly but then again we have quite the army of people who have been missing out dear Director and I'd burn the place down if she wasn't in there." He mused throwing iced daggers at all who dared come near. For those who got to close they were met with his quick stabs and his illusions. when he heard his boyfriend speak chuckling softly "Its all about fashion darling, Those little SHIELD outfits do nothing for my figure" He mused back looking at Clint he always found his Archery skills rather attractive before he rolled his eyes "as for my ass I'm sure I can other wise to distract you, maybe flirt with a villain or two and see how much of your spy skills come out to play, after all Green is quite your color my hawk"

NATASHA: "Subtilty was never your strong suit, but I do appreciate the flare. The pajamas make it easier to find you too," she laughed as Clint shot a few explosive arrows to give herself and Daniel an entry point into the helicarrier. As Clint, Loki, and Ronnie guided Lucia's guards away from the entry point, Natasha and Daniel made their way in. Natasha fired off a few taser disks, hitting the oncoming guards squarely in the chest. She watched them fall to the floor, convulsing as electric shocks ran through their body. As the guards fought to peel the taser disks off of themselves, Natasha made her way through the hallway. She ducked as a few rounds of bullets came flying at her and Daniel. She grabbed him and pulled him toward the wall for cover. Natasha used the wall to shield herself as she fired at the oncoming guards. "Ronnie, have you located the room where Daisy's being held captive?" They could aimlessly fire rounds all day, but they needed to know what direction to go. She made a face as she heard bits and pieces of Clint and Loki's conversation over coms. "Honestly," she frowned and looked over at Daniel. "I can't even be mad. I did this to myself inviting those two along."

RONNIE: “Yea... I’m working.. on it.” Veronica breathlessly remarked over the coms. A few grunts could be heard as she flipped the guard she’d been tangled up with and stabbed him with one of poison daggers.  “Now where were we.. a yess.. here we go.” Ronnie grabbed her data pad, ducking down behind a bolder as she took control of the building. “I’m in, I’ve got eyes on Daisy.. She’s alive..” Ronnie neglected to add how bad she looked from the live feed she was getting on their shitty surveillance system. “She’s on the fourth floor, third door to the right. Give me thirty seconds, I’m disabling the alarms and lock mechanisms now. I’m about to fry the fuck out of their systems and equipment. Can’t promise I won’t blow the lights.. hope you brought flares.” Ronnie playfully teased, falling forward as a couple of guards began to fire at her out of no where. “Hey lover boys! As uncute as it is listening to you flirt endlessly while taking out guards, I could use some help over here! Cover me while I shut down their main line.” She made a mental note to switch them over to their own channel when she was finished here.

DANIEL: while this wasn't the strangest mission he'd ever been on, that title probably had to go to the whitney frost case, this had to be the most chaotic and strange team daniel had been apart of. you had not one but two super spies (one of which was in pajamas and using a bow and arrow of all things), a tech genius, a god (or were they an alien? daniel was a little fuzzy on that particular detail), and deke... at least most of them seemed to know what they were doing. daniel ducked down when agent romanoff pulled him out of the line of fire "thanks." he waited for the shooting to stop, meaning the men were reloading, and once they did he leaned out at shot the men. keeping low he moved towards the door to the stairwell one he heard daisy's location. daniel couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him at the couple's banter "compared to the things i've heard howard utter, this is nothing."

DEKE: In the past, when Deke had thought about his 'next cool mission' this had hardly been the thing in his mind. Not Arrow-Guy in his pajamas, not working with someone who practically a God, Black Widow herself or well, any of them. Certainly not Daisy being in danger like this... But still, he was nothing if not adaptable. So adapt he did. Rescue Daisy now, rankle his mind about all these events later. There was something pretty calming about the group of them being so casual and prepared (though he still felt a spike of fear at every loud noise, the many of them). He was working with the best, Deke reminded himself. He'd gotten the Hyperbaric Chamber ready to go for Daisy upon their return, nervously awaiting. In one of his more anxious moments  he'd thought about preparing food for Daisy before remembering he wouldn't know how long she'd be in there for. So, with the chamber up and waiting, Deke listened on the comms and waited. "How's it looking? It sounds pretty crowded." Crowded, being the word for all the many enemies they seemed to be facing (and taking down). "You guys doing okay?" He was fairly sure they were but it didn't hurt to ask.

DAISY: Daisy had been living in a fantasy world, but it could only last so long before she eventually had to wake up. Wake up was a relative term. It didn't mean she was entirely awake and aware, more so that she had to wake to the reality of her situation, that there were no happy endings, that she couldn't get what she wanted, that actions had consequences, and even when you thought you won, it could come back to bite you in the ass. In the time that it had taken everyone to track down her kidnappers, Daisy had been put through several different forms of torture. Lucia had even been so kind as to grace her with her presence, reminding Daisy of what she'd done to the woman and how everything she was going through now was her own fault. Daisy could give her that much. Daisy had done her fair share of awful things, even if she hadn't been entirely in control of her own actions at the time. Nick Fury Sr. had made sure of that. It seemed that even after she'd taken things over from him, he still managed to screw up her life, but in the end she wasn't really surprised by any of this.

Currently, she didn't know where Lucia was, and she was just surrounded by guards who had all made sure not to listen to a word she said. Still, that didn't mean she wouldn't try. Her ears were ringing, but she could still feel some kind of activity on the ship. She spat out blood. "Sounds like . . . you've got company," she taunted, her voice raspy and barely carrying out to them. Her breathing was shaky and uneven. "You might . . . wanna go deal with that." They ignored her, saying nothing.

CLINT: clint had been in a lot of sticky situations before, but this wasn't one of them... if anything he was like a greased up hog running from the farmers trying to catch him, which might be a little dangerous for him. bad things tended to happen to him when he got too confident, but at least both loki and 'tasha were here to keep him from dying. he was about to fire off an arrow when a guard came up on his left, so he turned and stabbed the arrow into the guy's eye "oooh... i hope your insurance includes vision." clint quipped as he fired another set of arrows into the group. "aww, don't be like that lady. you know that my husband and i are cute as fuck." he winked at her as he ran by, headed towards loki... not because he needed the back up but purely because clint wanted to get another look at loki. his look was different from the last time clint had seen him in his battle gear and the blonde had to admit it was a damn fine look. "hey handsome! you come here often?"

LOKI: Loki had enjoyed the thrill of field work, it had been such a long time since he'd been able to use his daggers and magic against an actual threat. The best part was having Clint fight side by side him, before they'd been on opposite sides of a war, never sharing more the small glances. He fought with a passion ensuring they would clear a spot to bring Daisy home, there was no way he was leaving without her even if it cost every single on of these humans lives. "Did you really just say that Clint?" He questioned chuckling softy as he quickly disarmed three more guys pinning them down with a couple of his daggers. "We actually are, plus you are the driving force that brought us together in life and on this mission. The blame is fully on your shoulders Nat darling." He teased the other as he noticed his lover coming towards him. He could easily see that glint in his eye whenever Clint saw Loki in his more regal clothes, though now he'd donned on his Asgardian wear leaving that as his go too field work outfit. He turned to reply to Clint before throwing a dagger right into the bad guy who'd tried to take Clint by surprise. "Depends on who's asking, and if they are going to buy me dinner first," He mused winking at Clint.

NATASHA: Natasha had learned long ago to tune out the chatter of the coms. She kept her volume low so she could focus on their current situation. If shit hit the fan outside, she trusted her team to be able to handle it. "Ah, Howard Stark. If working with him is anything like working with his son, I'd pass on the opportunity," she joked. Tony wasn't so bad...in small dosages anyway. The lights on their side of the helicarrier flickered before going out completely. In the next moment, Natasha and Daniel were bathed in an eerie red light. Ronnie must've knocked out the security system. Only the emergency lights were operational now. "Fourth floor, third door," Natasha nodded as they slipped into the stairwell. She heard heavy boots above them. Reinforcements were coming through. "Five pairs of boots," she whispered to Daniel as she ducked behind one of the spirals. As the sound of boots came closer, Natasha shot a taser disk at the first guard. He convulsed and fell forward, tumbling down the stairs. He was wearing the same mask Natasha saw in her memories. The widow jumped out from behind one of the spirals and landed a kick square in the chest of one of the guards. He fell forward and took a third guard down with him. Three out of five. Not bad. She turned to take down the other two, but it appeared Blue Shirt was already disengaging them. She would have to share the body cam footage from her stealth suit with Daisy later. That was sure to lift her spirits.

RONNIE: “Nice one Nat.” Ronnie mused as she watched Nat take out three guards at once, followed by Daniel knocking out a couple more. “You kids make a good team. Daisy’s gonna be so proud.” She snickered into her earpiece. She’d muted Loki and Clint’s come but kept an eyes on everyone’s body cams in case the lover boys got into trouble. She loved them dearly, but their banter was brining her lunch back up.  “They’ve got her surrounded.. ten.. maybe fifteen guys.. the footage is shit.. but I’m trying.. ” Ronnie relayed, watching the room she was being held in like a hawk. “She’s saying something to them but no ones budging... hold on..” a few clips to enhance the audio and suddenly Ronnie was sporting a shit eating grin. “I knows we’re here. Hang on, Director.. we’re coming for you.”  

DANIEL: hearing that they had eyes on daisy made him feel a little better but he wouldn't feel settled until she was out of here completely. after kicking the fifth guard in the chest, with his bionic leg for good measure, he turned towards natasha to see if she needed help "ten to fifteen? i think we can handle that." daniel smirked before reloading his guns "so how do you want to do this?" he peeked around the corner seeing that there were no guards outside the room but daniel knew all hell would break loose once they went in.

DEKE: He listened intently to the communications, hoping to hear word of Daisy's safety and prepare the Hyperbaric Chamber for her. Well, it was mostly prepared. It'd really be him opening the thing, then everything was smooth sailing. That is, if her injuries could be healed by it... Which they should. Unless she literally lost a limb or died she should be fine. She would be fine. He heard the ruckus over the comms and felt his heart swell with fear. "Any eyes on Daisy yet?" He asked desperately. Then he heard it. They found Daisy. "Is she okay?!" He asked over the coms, without much hope of getting an answer. They had other things keeping them busy, after all. So he continued waiting anxiously.

DAISY: As the fighting outside continued, the guards around Daisy got more anxious. They could hear on their comms that they weren't exactly winning this fight. "Let's just get rid of the dead weight," said one of the guards. "I doubt Lucia wants this one alive anyways."

"Did you hear her say that or are you just assuming shit again?" asked the other guard. "You know what she'll do if we go against her orders."

"Screw her orders. That's the fucking Avengers out there. If Lucia wants her alive, we can just blame her death on the Avengers, say they didn't give us any choice. Hell, we can say she attacked us." He pulled the tubes that had been connected to Daisy out, but there were still drugs in her system. She couldn't do much. She could barely move. He pulled her up by her hair, shoving a gun against her skull. "You're going to get them to stand down, or you're going to die.

"Guess. . ." Daisy choked on her words. It was hard to focus on her words, when she was focused on something else. "Guess I'll die then." Her shoulders moved up slightly in a shrug. She wasn't actually expecting to die now. She imagined Natasha was probably leading this charge, and these guards didn't stand a chance against her. If Daisy could just move her fingers a little more, she could help Natasha too. There. A small tremor shot out from her fingertips, and the door to the room slammed open. The guard still had a gun to Daisy's head, but Natasha would be here in 5...4...3...2...1... //

NATASHA: "Thanks, Ronnie," she replied when Ronnie relayed the message about what was waiting for them up ahead. "I dunno, Danny Boy," she smirked up at him. "I seem to be carrying all the weight here," she elbowed him gently. "Pick up the slack or I'm gonna leave you behind and save your girl myself. Maybe I'll steal the kiss right from under you too." Natasha glanced down at her utility belt to see what supplies she still had left. "I still have a few taser disks left. That should be enough to shock the oncoming guards. The rest we can take down the good old fashion way." And with that she heard the door to the room where Daisy was being held slam open. "Good girl," Nat grinned. Daisy was a fighter till the end. "Come on, Daniel. Let's work for a living." Natasha sprinted into the room full force. It didn't take long to make an assessment of the danger. She threw the first taser disk at the man who'd had a gun to Daisy's head. He dropped the weapon and began to convulse on the floor. Natasha threw the remaining disks that she had at the next few guards that tried to come at her. She used the momentum of their falling bodies to take down a couple more men. She was really hoping this would be the last of them.

DANIEL: the male let out a quiet huff at the update from ronnie "quack right?" he raised a brow before rolling his shoulders "to be fair, you are enhanced." daniel joked. he looked calm on the outside but internally he was worried about his girl... if that's still what she was. plenty of time had passed for her and daisy was probably given many opportunities to move on from some square she only knew for a short time... he wouldn't blame her in the slightest. nodding he followed after natasha, downing guards with his guns before exchanging blows with a couple. he dropped to the ground and knocked the legs out from under one before moving towards daisy his heart nearly breaking at the state she was in.

his hands were shaking slightly as he knelt down by her “hey... what did i tell you huh? i thought you were supposed to take care of yourself.” he was so relieved to see her again, although this wasn’t the reunion he had been hoping for after he had to stay behind to make sure that the team was able to escape back to their timeline with the chronicoms in tow. he worked as quickly as he could, removing any leftover wires and nodes from her body, while talking to her about... well, anything really. if anyone asked him later what he’d said, danny boy wouldn’t be able to tell you. his focus was getting daisy out of there and making sure she was safe. after he pulled the helmet off her head, he started brushing the hair out of her face “keep fighting okay? you stay awake for me daisy and i’m gonna get you home.” memories flashed in his mind of their time in the barn with malick, his heart breaking at the fact people kept hurting the amazing woman in front of him. he’d kick himself later for not trying to find a way back to her sooner, could he have prevented this from happening if he had? or perhaps he’d have been taken too, used against her in some way... he’d never really know, but daniel had to focus now. get her home, get her safe, make sure she’s okay three easy goals he could focus on. as gently as he could, daniel gathered daisy up in his arms and lifted her from the ground. “i got you sweetheart, it’s okay.”

DAISY: As the man who had been holding Daisy fell after being tased by Natasha, Daisy crumpled too, her body unable to hold herself up after constant torture. She was glad to have been right about Natasha coming in, but after her head hit the floor, her awareness of what was around her was fading again. She vaguely heard the sound of fighting, and then there was a familiar voice that she hadn't heard in a long time. Her eyes, covered in her own blood, wouldn't open anymore, but she recognized Daniel. She must've been slipping. It was a result of being so close to death. An auditory hallucination. It wasn't real. "Daniel?" she whispered, allowing herself to ask even when she knew this wasn't real.  

NATASHA: Natasha was tired as she took out the last of the guards. Parts of her tactical suit were torn and her lip was bloody from where one of them managed to hit her, but she was thankfully in one piece. She pushed her coms button to give the team a status update. "We have Daisy," she informed them. "We're en route out through the north bay entrance. Take the carrier, find Lucia," her voice took on a darker tone. "I have some questions for her myself." Lucia von Bardas was the one that ordered this torture. Natasha was about to return the favor. She turned to see Daniel pick up Daisy. The woman was barely conscious at this point. Natasha approached them and gave Daisy a reckless smile before quacking obnoxiously. "I didn't give you permission to die. This is so unprofessional. I'm sure you'll make it up to me though."

Her coms buzzed. "Romanoff, we're in."

"Welcome to the party, boys," she grinned. Moments later she heard boots on the ground and the sound of rooms being checked and cleared. It was the back up unit that she'd called. "Come on, let's get her to the Hyperbaric Chamber."

DANIEL: "yeah sweetheart, it's me." he spoke softly as he adjusted his hold to keep a feel of her pulse like he had when he pulled her out of that barn all those years ago. watching the small interaction between natasha and daisy made him smile, seeing her have family like this made him so happy... it was everything she deserved. seeing the agents filing in daniel started moving out of the room, daisy didn't look too good and she needed to get back to hq to start recovering. he turned and looked over his shoulder, smirking slightly "you coming romanoff? thought you said you were gonna steal the kiss from me?"

DAISY: She still heard his voice speaking to her, and she felt like it was just a sign that she was going to slip away again soon. The sound of Natasha's voice was something she knew to be real. She could focus on it, though that was getting harder to do. She heard Lucia's name, and the hellicarrier started shaking violently. It wasn't intentional on Daisy's part. She was hardly in control of her body right now, but as Natasha came over to her and started quacking at her, Daisy calmed enough for the shaking to stop. She tried to return the greeting, but it only came out as choked gurgling. Apparently, blood in your throat didn't allow for very articulated speech, even in the instance of duck calls. She managed at least a small smile as Natasha criticized her for not getting permission to die. "n't dead yet," she wheezed out.

She felt herself being lifted up and moved through the halls. Her eyes weren't open, but she could hear and feel just well enough to know she was being moved quickly. Daniel's voice spoke again, and she had to remind herself again that this wasn't real. It was easier to believe that it was a hallucination from what he said. Even if it was her Daniel, she was sure Natasha would kick his ass for implying she was falling behind. Daisy hadn't been able to see much before, but she'd heard the fighting. Plus, she knew Natasha well enough too to know that she must've done almost all of the fighting here. From the sound of Natasha's orders, she was leading this thing. Whoever suggested she of all people was falling behind was going to regret the words coming out of their mouth. Daisy almost felt sorry for whoever it was, but at least it wasn't actually Daniel.

Whoever was carrying her, certainly not Daniel, got her off of the hellicarrier fairly quickly, or maybe Daisy was just losing her concept of time passing. She heard S.H.I.E.L.D. agents directing the person carrying her back to the zephyr, telling them to get her to the hyperbaric chamber as quickly as possible because she didn't look good. She fell back into unconsciousness before she found out if she made it into that chamber or not. Maybe she was dead. She hoped not. Natasha hadn't given her permission to die yet. How would she make it up to her?

DEKE: Deke was nervous. Not his usual 'state of being' kind of nervous but the more dastardly 'holy shit is my friend alive' kind of nervous. Also the 'she got tortured and it's my fault' kind of guilt laid in pretty thick too. But... he couldn't let that take away his focus right now. He needed to be an agent. Turn off the nerves and the guilt, he was a pro at it in the past he could for sure do it now. He would, if nothing else than for Daisy's sake. The moment Daisy was in, all hurt and bruised and broken but still Daisy, still strong. Well, Deke did what he did best. Move. As soon as it was possible with Daisy situated and safety in there the machination turned on and began it's process.

That was his part. Small. In the end, it was Daisy who would have the toughest job. And that was surviving. Deke inhaled deeply, wishing he could do more and knowing he could not. He ran a hand through his hair. "She'll be okay." He spoke, not even knowing if the words were for himself or the others. "She will..."

NATASHA: She rolled her eyes at Sousa's joke. "My pacing's fine. Yours though..." she frowned. She'd carried most of the operation from the investigation to the rescue mission itself so she wasn't even mildly amused. "We'll have to work on that if you wanna keep up with me and Daisy," she winked. She'd already stolen a kiss from Daisy...more than that actually. But she wasn't gonna tell the old man that. Bless his heart. Now that her team had moved in on the helicarrier, getting to the zephyr wasn't all to hard. Natasha's shoulders eased once Daisy was in the chamber. She would be okay.

"Romanoff, we have Lucia," one of her agents reported through the coms.

"I'm on my way." Natasha looked up at Deke, Daniel, and the others. "They have Lucia and I have questions." She also had a penchant for violence. And based on the way Daisy looked right now, Natasha had no plans to go easy on Lucia. "I think you guys can manage from here. Get Daisy home safe or the next body I bury will be yours," she informed the team. It was very clear she had the means to carry out on that threat. With that, Natasha left Daisy's side and made her way back to the helicarrier to interrogate Lucia. / END

[daiseukiis]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑 ┊ 01 ┊ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐭 ┊ 03

⠀⠀

⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀"DOES HE HAVE A DEATH WISH?" kiyara wonders, annoyed at the current predicament.

"won't gojo-sensei be fine? isn't he the strongest shaman?" itadori soon catches up to fushiguro and kiyara who had a head start, kugisaki running right behind the two of them. the two were still confused, what was wrong?

an exasperated sigh leaves the pale blonde's lips, "god, he's not even here but i can already feel that man's ego growing." rolling her eyes they all took a turn towards the school, breaths escaping their bodies in patterns to keep their heart running and going.

kiyara knew this feeling. usually her hitches and feelings towards a certain thing were never wrong so far, why would it suddenly be wrong now?

"that's not what we're worried about." fushiguro explains them, but their confusion increased more than it needed to be. he glanced at them and groaned, 'of course they wouldn't know.'

"it's the two strongest jujutsu sorcerers possibly wiping the school off the map." the blonde says.

there was a pause between all four, the two staring at her back with wide eyes and disbelief. "w-wait... are you implying mizuki-sensei is as strong as him?"

"she can definitely put him at bay."

⠀⠀⠀⠀"fuck." fushiguro breathes out.

there stood all four students witnessing that most of their school buildings wer wrapped in black like mistー shadows. at first their response was that they were under attack, but that thought was dismissed when their eyes fell to the two teachers on the ground in front of them.

one female had flowing chocolate hair, strands which touched the ground as she laid atop their sensei's waist. pure annoyance was written all over her facial as amethyst eyes focus on her target. the strength of her body tries oh so hard to make the dagger in her two hands break through gojo's infinity, but to no avail.

the shaman on his back on the ground had his signature smirk gracing his lips, he was mocking her. anyone could see that her efforts to break his jujutsushiki was entertaining him, and he knew for a fact barely any to none could beat him, and she was no exception even after multiple spars and fights.

it was either a draw or her utter defeat.

"tch, strong bastard." she groans, throwing the dagger away after struggling to stab the snow haired male. the dagger faded into black and disappeared under her shadow. standing up from the mounted position she prompted a hand on her hip.

"still feisty, yusa." gojo smirks at her, yet a tick mark pops above her head and standing up after mizuki.

"please, for the love of the gods leave me alone." she looks at gojo's blindfold, hoping in some unearthly means he would actually listen to her for once in his life. but the teasing she earned right after was not it. "awh~ but your reactions are too cute! it's hard not to."

a straight was thrusted right at gojo's face, one he was able to tilt his head far enough to dodge. attempting to hit her with his right fist towards the stomach, mizuki spun into a round house kick and caught his arm after it extended out whilst her foot was stopped an inch before it landed on his head.

"she's... cool." itadori and kugisaki couldn't help but stare in awe.

"she's second to best from gojo-sensei, but the strongest female jujutsu sorcerer." kiyara glances back to her two companions that were new to the school, smiling at them as they both showed their excitement. "and she's going to be our sensei?!"

"yeah, amazing right?" the smile she gave was bright, kiyara couldn't be any prouder to see others admire her aunt after all the hardships and struggles she's been through.

"i'm just glad that they didn't destroy half the school like last time." fushiguro comments as the two behind him freeze up upon hearing his words. kiyara gives a light chuckle, "we don't talk about it..."

mizuki let go of gojo's arm as she plants her foot back down to the ground, her black coat fell to her calves as it slightly taps her knee high combat boots. black pants and top designed in the same way as almost every other sorcerer, she sighs.

"the new ichinen?" mizuki looks their direction, one click of her heel and the black mist that engulfed the area started to retreat back into her shadow. gojo gave a grin, his hand out gesturing for her to approach the four.

'the shadows disappeared!' itadori and kugisaki's mouths fell as they got starstruck by the simple gesture which unraveled everything.

"yusa, meet kugisaki nobara and itadori yuji." the said two straigthen up when the tall shaman inspected the two, "ryoumen sukuna's host, huh? reminds me of someone."

"right? i thought so too! too bad she's overseas right now." gojo slings his arm around mizuki's  shoulder as his chin rests on her collarbone behind her figure, grinning from ear to ear as a thumbs up was shown to the students. she grimaces at his actions, mizuki slaps his hand as a way to tell him to get his heavyass off her.

"who?" they chorus.

"you guys also don't know?!" itadori and kugisaki point at kiyara and fushiguro who flinch at tne sudden upbringing, yelling back at their classmates and pointing at their teachers in resort. "how would we? they never tell us anything!"

"right," mizuki breaks up their yelling fest, right hand planting on gojo's face and pushs it away from hers. the male lets out a string of complaints, which she continues to ignore and successfully pushes his body off hers. her hand lands on her hip and shifts her body to one leg causing her to accentuate her curves.

"where's my daughter?" she demands.

"mimi-chan's right here!" kugisaki takes a step to the side and gestures to the girl behind her. or so, was supposed to be there. their eyes look at the empty space that she introduced, gojo and mizuki furrow their brows as a question mark appears above their heads.

'we left her at kuidaore!' thunder struck behind the three of them, jaws dropping to the ground the moment they realize she was not even on sight. their skin went pale and blood turned cold, the gloomy aura ungulfs the teens as different worse case scenarios play in their mind.

"ah, there you are my little flower." gojo stands in front nomari who stood a few meters away from the group, his hands wrapping around her waist and bringing her up into his arms.

'how did she get there?!' itadori exclaims in his mind, shocked to see the child in perfect condition at her spot. kugisaki let out a small sigh of relief, hand over her chest and quickly smiled so mizuki wouldn't see that it was a mistake, 'yikes... that was close.'

'wait, so she walked here by herself..?' fushiguro ponders making kiyara groan and facepalm softly, 'we're such idiots.'

"hands off her sato. geez, you'll make her stupid." mizuki walks over to the two, her arms out to take her daughter back but gojo only pouts and swerves her, "heey, that's so mean yusa!"

itadori watches with his classmates on how the trio interacts, mizuki being continously annoyed by gojo as nomari kept the expression of her wondering exactly why she was stuck in their quarrel. yet something didn't add up to him, "mizuki-sensei actually looks really young... how old is she?"

in the next second the pinkett was powerfully punched in the face, kicked and screamed at by kugisaki that held a fist at itadori who laid on the ground with a bump on his head. "you idiot! how inconsiderate! you don't ask a lady her age! this is why you don't have a girlfriend!"

"i'm just curious!" he defends.

"it's still rude y'know!?" kugisaki screams.

'good thing i never asked...' fushiguro continues to keep quiet, watching the fuss go one beside kiyara who was just tired at this point. other than the fact she returned overseas from a mission, bombarded with new people and hadn't taken a nap just yet to replenish her dying sleeping schedule. listen, she just wants her bed and food at this point.

"do you know, kiyara?" itadori asks her, popping the girl out of her small break down. kugisaki in the background continued to yell at him for prolonging the situation and asking other alternatives which she thought was still rude concerning that it was about private information about a woman.

"sorry, but i don't. i just thought it wasn't my business." kiyara scratches the nape of her neck, a hand out in apology to the boy. 'well, it was more to the fact that she always looked like she never wanted to talk about it...'

"almost sixteen."

"what?"

"yusa was almost sixteen when she had mari." gojo answers their questions, all eyes turning to focus on their white haired teacher that stuffs his hands into his pockets.

it took a while for them to register what he said, staring at gojo's figure to make sure if he said ant words about joking they would only get mad at him, but it never came. their lashes blink thrice, processing his words as the shock from it barely passed over them.

"that's really... young." kugisaki still couldn't recover from the disbelief, but fushiguro was the first to question gojo on his words. "what do you mean almost?"

"is that because they're both december babies?" kiyara adds on, taking a step forward filled with curiosity. she knew close to nothing about her aunt when it came to her younger days, she never said anything about it which led her to believe that it was a topic one she should never ask about. but now, maybe, just maybe, gojo had the answers to her questions.

"her early high school years is what you could say were the darkest points of her life," he starts, but his attention was nowhere near his students. his gaze fell to where mizuki and nomari were, watching the child hand her mother sweets she bought at the cafe and the smile that would light up the world as she embraced her loving girl.

"did you know the woman right there was known as the disgrace of the mizuki clan? until one day she showed up being as a special grade sorcerer and crashed the main estate, it was really a sight."

"gojo-san, you're sounding like a simp." kiyara snorts.

"i'm not a simp. but you might want to check with yourself if you're not one for, you know." quickly snapping back at her, he smirks and gestures his head with a little nod to the boy that stood beside kiyara.

his words made her cheeks flush, knowing full well he cracked a code he should have not to begin with. "go away!" her arms flung to push the older man from her group, but the blush that tinted her face remained pigmented and prominent. it only got worst when he chuckled, ears being coated by the same pink.

"no can do! i'm your awesome sensei, remember?" gojo gloats as his hands stop kiyara's effortless advances to push him out of the group circle.

the three students stand there lost in the conversation, 'they seem close...'

"can you stop picking on my niece, sato?" mizuki puts a hand on the sensei's shoulder, he grins and stops his movements as kiyara mirrors him, letting out a small huff. nomari shifts over to gojo who notices it and picks her up into his arms once more.

"anyways, get ready for tomorrow." mizuki hands nomari the bag of sweets she had, the child taking out and showing daifuku to gojo. he grins widely and lets her feed him the dessert as the others blink at the interaction but decide to ignore it.

"do we have a mission?" fusiguro asks. mizuki sighs, crossing her arms over her chest and stares at all four students.

"a high grade one."

tags ; @to-move-on-means-to-grow @dearsukuna @sukun4s

notes ; these are probs gonna be all qued bc im lazy

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

DO NOT REPOST 、 MODIFY 、 CLAIM WORK OR LAYOUT AS YOURS.

© MGUQIIS 、 2020

[ninjakasuga]

Sonal Celebration: Day 5

Day 5 of the Sonic & Sally celebration hosted by @boundforfreedomsonsal and here is my contribution to the ‘Alternative Universe’ prompt, ENJOY!!

Alternative Universe:

[Author’s notes: Gonna be using the Reboot Archive-verse for this one; hopefully, you all will find it as good as my preSGW Archive-verse stuff. Minus one or two bits of altered history, there’s very little changed compared to my compulsion to exceedingly alter things in the preSGW timeline. Also, this one will push the PG-13 a bit (mostly due to constant nudity and implications), but I promise to keep it as tasteful as possible but the set up for this is too good to pass up.]

The first rays of sunlight managed to cut through the drawn white almost-see through curtains of the room. Small sunbeams touching a large bed in the middle of a moderately high-end hotel. The rays of light finally touched the face of a blue sleeping hedgehog, whose soft snoring slowly came to a halt as the light was enough to make his eyelid twitch and then finally open. The single eye narrowed before a hand reached from under the covers, and fumbled around at the nightstand, looking for something. Finding the object, a remote; a push of the button caused a thicker curtain to slowly draw close via a mechanical track system. Thus quashing the annoying light rays of the sun. Satisfied, Sonic placed the remote back on the nightstand and curled back into a comfortable position and tried to return to dreamland.

Yet a new sensation prevented sleep from returning to him. His sleepy brain at first had trouble deducing what was going on, he just knew his left ear felt wet- wait a minute. Blinking his eyes open, Sonic craned his head and glanced upward, finding a familiar chipmunk nibbling his ear gently. “Good morning Sal, must you do that every morning?” He softly grumbled in his greeting of the one sharing his bed.

The Princess softly giggled and merely began to ‘groom’ the fur around his ear. “I’m just indulging an innate urge native to my chipmunk and squirrel heritage.” Her playful tone oozed a mix of sass and snark, but also a tenderness only he and one other got to hear. “Is it wrong of me to love on or groom my boyfriend?”

With a sleepy yawn, Sonic managed a smile, “No, nothing wrong there, but can’t you do it when I’m not sleepy?”

The sassy Princess just smirked back, not backing down, and in retaliation, just held his ear between her teeth, causing him to shudder. “I can’t help it, it’s fun to tease you, plus it is almost noon.”

The blue hedgehog reached back his hand bumping her hip as he tried to reach for her fluffy tail but Sally angled her body so it was out of reach. “D-dirty pool Sal!” He squirmed as she started to chew on his ear again. “R-really dirty, didn’t you get enough lovin’ last night?”

Sally was not relenting and slid her arms around his chest, keeping him pinned as she held his very chewable and cute ear hostage. “I diiiiid, but that doesn’t mean I can’t just do this because I love you and I ca-aaaaaaaaaaaaaannn!!” She suddenly yelped and released his ear as she felt a hand grasp her fluffy tail and squeeze softly. Her yelp transforming into a partial moan as the hand continued squeezing and playfully toying with her fluffy appendage. “Aaah! N-Nicole?”

At her name, a third party in the bed slid up from her ‘hiding spot’ in the covers, appearing behind Sally. As if to mimic Sally, Nicole softly nipped at one of her ears, while still keeping a hand on her tail. “You rang Sally-sweetie? Sorry, but I saw you harassing my main Hog’ and I had to save him.” After a slight pause, she playfully added with a crooked smile. “Also this tail was wagging in my face, bad Princess. You know it makes Hedgehog’s and Lynx’s pounce Chipmunk’s.”

Pumping a fist, and now free of Sally’s nibbling, Sonic rolls onto his other side to face the two, smirking as he holds up his hand in the air. “Nicole my sweet cyber-lady gimme some love!”

“Always my main man’.” She happily returned the high five with a free hand, before their fingers latched together in a handhold.

Feigning hurt, Sally pouted with a quibble of her lip. “Et tu Nicole? I thought you were my girlfriend?”

Releasing Sally’s tail and bringing that arm around to tilt her chin, the Lynx leaned in to kiss her lips. “I am, but I’m also his girlfriend, and you were being a Princess bully.” The matter-of-fact way the line was delivered, made Sonic snicker and Sally roll her eyes.

“I am not a Princess bully, and I’ll remember this next time he picks on you.” Arms crossed, Sally huffed, but a quiver of her lip hinted she was being playful and barely held back snickering at her own BS.

After releasing Nicole’s hand, Sonic put that hand to his chest as he sat up in bed. “Moi? Pick on Nicole? For shame Sally, why would I do that? She’s still getting used to her bio-nanite body, I’d be cruel to use my advanced knowledge of pranking on her.”

Both females stared at him with raised eyebrows and expressions unique to each other, that spoke volumes of how much they did not believe him. After a few moments of staring, the trio breaks out into sputters and then full-blown laughter. As their laughter died down, the three gave each other a hug, a kiss and then climbed out of bed.

Stretching, Sonic picked up the remote and had the thick curtain drawn to let sunlight in and so they could see the view outside. As he started to do a few post-wake-up stretches his mind wandered a bit, musing on recent events. After the Dark Gaia/Planet Break incident had been dealt with; the United Federation and other agencies against Eggman, helped the Freedom Fighters tow the Freedom Stormer to a coastal city where a G.U.N. controlled harbor and shipyard were stationed. As a thank you, for their efforts in helping fix the planet and stop Dark Gaia; G.U.N. offered the use of the shipyard to repair the Freedom Stormer. In the meantime, they would be set up at a hotel, on the U.F. 's tab with meals comped on top. Rather generous but none of the Freedom Fighters saw a reason to turn down the offer.

Tails and Rotor often would go to the shipyard to continue repairs, either by themselves or with Nicole or in some cases, help from the shipyard staff depending on what part of the flying vessel was being worked on. For the two tech-savvy inventors repairing the Stormer WAS a vacation, especially as they could get parts to do upgrades they had been pondering installing for a time. Oh, they still took some time to relax at the resort, but they were very content working at their craft. 

Bunnie and Antoine decided to use the free time to have as they put it ‘extended honeymoon’ as their original one got cut short thanks to Eggman’s scheme of the week at the time. A sentiment everyone supported and so the two were spending most of this ‘mini-vacation’ by themselves for obvious reasons.

Big simply enjoyed being able to fish from the docks or the local beach. Give the big guy a chance to fulfill his pastime and he was content.

Amy went to visit her cousin who they found out was in the next town over. Some guy named Rob whose wife had just delivered their firstborn and Amy was keen to see the new baby. Cream and Cheese went with her, the young rabbit eager to see the newborn herself and enjoy the free time with one of her favorite people.

As for the three of them; well they would help with the Freedom Stormer repairs sometimes; especially Nicole as she would download herself back into the Stormer’s systems and help figure out what still needed fixing or simply help. Other times she would be helping Sally with her workload. 

Speaking of Sally, she did what Sally did best when she wasn’t helping with getting the Stormer up and running, she was multitasking. Updating her Father, the King on what was going on, hosting holo-calls with allied leaders to discuss how to deal with Eggman while he was licking his wounds from this recent defeat. While Sonic usually found the ‘diplomacy’ a snore-feast he had to admit he enjoyed seeing Sally fired up and showing she had the chops as future Queen. Heck, she’d been pushing for the alliances to all really start some ‘info campaign’ to make sure the world knew just how far Dr. Eggman went since he was behind the whole planet breaking apart. Some stuff about ‘weakening his supporters' faith in him’ and stuff about ‘getting those still apathetic to the cause to see what will happen if they don’t all unite to stop the Eggman Empire’, etc, etc.

As for Sonic himself, when he wasn’t running, or doing what little grunt work he was capable of with the ongoing Freedom Stormer repairs; he was enjoying some needed downtime with Sally and Nicole. Especially since the three of them were keeping their ‘more than friends’ relations on the mum. Looking back at the two women who were gathering their discarded clothing items, he felt his cheeks redden at how things changed last night. In a really nice way, but well after focusing on saving the world and not being a werehog at night anymore, Sonic had not given things getting more intimate a thought, and they didn’t even go all the way last night. Just a lot of touching, kissing, and sleeping together without pajamas.

Then again when you nearly die for the umpteenth time and given how ‘close’ this last adventure was; in a way, he understood the need for something more. Whether or not they might cross the ‘next threshold’ anytime soon he didn’t know, but he wasn’t going to rush things. Some things were better taken the ‘slo-mo route’. Yet he doubted he would deny either of them if they sought more and everyone was in agreement. It was just one of those, see what may come situations with this three-way relationship.

Moving towards the window, he stared out at the lovely view facing the beach and a small stretch of beachside near the resort. The sun was up, and the world looked at peace, at least for the time being. One wouldn’t think the planet was in pieces last week. His smile slowly eased into a frown as a forlorn expression washed over his face as he recalled the ‘sacrifice’ made to fix everything. Okay maybe sacrifice was overkill, Chip wasn’t dead, he was just stuck inside the planet. Even with his assurances he could ‘feel and see’ them through the planet itself, it didn’t remove the sense of loss Sonic felt since the spirit returned to his duties. It hadn’t been that long Chip had been with them, but he left an impact and he’d become fond of the little guy.

“You gals think Chip’s okay? That he ain’t alone where he is?” He spoke suddenly, as he stared out the window. His words causing both Sally and Nicole to turn his way, their expressions almost mirroring Sonic’s as the loss of their friend hit them. Yet they each also carried concern for the blue hedgehog, since he was the one taking Chip’s return to the planet hardest. “I know he said he could, ‘feel’ through the world now that the Light and Dark Gaia were in balance and harmony was restored; that he wouldn’t be lonely like he was before; but… I worry he just said that to make it easier for us.”

He felt two pairs of arms wrap around him from behind, not an easy task with his quills, but Sally and Nicole seemed to have picked up the best way to go for a double hug without any quills jabbing into him. After a sigh exhaled from his throat, he rested a hand on each of theirs. “Sorry, don’t mean to be a downer, I just miss the little guy.”

Placing a kiss to his right cheek, Sally warmly nuzzled him as she craned her head so their eyes met. “It’s okay to feel that way Sonic, we all miss him in our own ways, and out of all of us you bonded to him the most.”

“You got him excited to see the world to understand the planet he was meant to protect and serve in his role. Not unlike how two certain someone’s did so for me.” Murmured Nicole as she rested her chin on Sonic’s shoulder, her fingers curling in his chest fur, a habit Sonic noticed that the lynx had picked up. “You inspired him to be the best he could, to find the courage inside he felt he lacked. Take it from me Sonic, even if he’s stuck within the planet, he knows he’s not alone and that he has you, and the rest of us as his friends.”

“I hope so, I really hope so Nicole.” As another sigh left him, the hedgehog slowly began to smile again as he leaned against the two women in his life. “Then all the more reason to kick Eggman’s keister so Chip doesn’t have to fret about some other horror being unleashed, and maybe, when all’s clear we can see him again.”

“That’s the spirit Sonic.” Cheered Sally as she squeezed him before taking his right arm and nudging him to follow. “Come on, the three of us should clean up, and that shower should easily handle three Mobian’s given it’s designed with humans in mind as well.” Her blue eyes twinkle with a bit of mischief as she smiled more. “I wash your back, you wash mine?”

“I call dibs on the tail!”

Laughing at Nicole’s outburst, Sonic shook his head, before giving the lynx a grin. “Fine you get the tail I’ll get the top!”

“Deal!” The lynx clasped hands with Sonic, a deal was struck.

Feeling a bead of sweat start to roll down the side of her face, Sally suddenly started to regret her suggestion. “Uh guys, WHA-?!” She cried out as she was lifted up into the air, Nicole holding her up by her feet, while Sonic held her up with his hands grasping under her arms. “N-now we shouldn’t get crazy the others will start to wonder if we’re late-.”

“Assuming they ain’t sleeping in themselves after all this is a vacation as much as recuperation from all the fighting.” The lynx sing-songed with a cheerful hum as she helped Sonic carry Sally to the bathroom. “We’ll behave and stick to just washing.”

“Maybe.” Sonic mused, earning a giggle from Nicole while Sally rolled her eyes, but smiled warmly.

“I love you goofs, and since you’re adamant, very well your Princess awaits her washing!”

The three share a laugh as Sonic uses his foot to kick the bathroom door shut. The worries of the future put aside as the three opted to share what time they could in this sort of blissful state. At any moment Eggman or his Egg Bosses could start a new incident and put their moment of peace out of commission. Sometimes, you just had to live a little.

[Author notes: Not very originally using the Post-SGW Reboot setting; but every time I tried to create some new alt-verse or one something of the prior ones; it just… Wasn’t working. So I decided to give this a go and rather enjoy it.

Also, I shamelessly do not regret my Sally/Nicole/Sonic shipping of the Reboot verse. So I decided to use it; and while in-story I didn’t explain it as to avoid killing the pacing here’s the 411 on Nicole having a ‘bio-nanite body’.

After restoring her hand-held, learning of her origins and stopping Phage, Dr. Ellidy before the crew left his lab revealed he had one other project that was to coincide with Nicole’s original purpose of being the digital repository of his daughter Nikki’s mind and memories. A pod containing a cluster of bio-nanites coded with Mobian Lynx DNA, that when given a brain to link with, could create a solid, actual living form. Granted it would still be a blend of natural and artificial but you’d have a living being able to experience the majority of the living experience. While still at odds with his feelings for Nicole; he feels Nikki would want Nicole to have all the chances to ‘have a full, and wonderful life and experiences’. So he gave the pod to the FF, and after some tinkering, Nicole downloaded herself into it and later emerged. Nicole was herself still but now with a body beyond hard light holograms. Yet she was still able to digitize herself and return to cyberspace and come back. Cue all the happiness.

As for the menage a trio, I may….revisit this and give them a fuller story and explanation. Hope it was good and sorry for the fatty A/N I just felt having to go over all this in-story would kill the pace.] 

[almasexya]

How to Care for Your Monster (Frankenstein Conquers the World, 1965)

Well desktop tumblr decided it didn't feel like working for me so I have to bang this out on the app - as a result, it's going to be quick and dirty.

Frankenstein Conquers the World is a movie in which there is indeed a Frankenstein (a word which you will grow to love hearing the Japanese actors wrestle with) but really not any world conquering to speak of. In a catalogue that includes Godzilla vs. Hedorah and whatever the fuck Jet Jaguar is doing, Frankenstein is undoubtedly one of Toho's weirdest movies, a kaiju thriller starring a guy in Karloff-esque Frankenstein makeup who just can't stop growing until he reaches Godzilla proportions.

Frankenstein was actually slated to fight Godzilla in the early treatments for what would become King Kong vs. Godzilla, but in the end it was decided that the big ape was a better box office draw (hence why Kong inexplicably gets lightning powers at the end of the film), though Toho kept holding on to Frankenstein until they found something to do with him.

Now we all know the premise is ridiculous, that's why we're here, and the film delivers absurdity in spades, starting with pantomiming nazis delivering a bizarre, beating heart to the Japanese at the tail end of WWII, where it ends up taken to a military hospital for study, ostensibly to create immortal soldiers.

Unfortunately for the Japanese, the hospital in question is in Hiroshima, and the entire facility is wiped off the map in a genuinely frightening sequence of the a-bomb being dropped. The film then picks up years later, with a trio of doctors working in the now rebuilt city. The film primarily centers of doctors Sueko Togami (Kumi Mizuno) and James Bowen (Nick Adams, in his first of two Toho performances before his untimely death) who stumble upon a strange feral child on the city and attempt to care for it.

The child is of course the monster, having built itself a body somehow, and what a body it is. There's something really unnerving about just slapping a frankenstein forehead and big eyelids on a kid like that, and having watched this twice now it still gives me the creeps.

The plot then shifts into gear, as Frankenstein outgrows any way the scientists can hold him, and eventually escapes, running into the wilderness to go do Frankenstein things in kaiju sized proportions.

Intermixed with scenes of the scientists trying to find the monster are scenes of an unidentified Something causing trouble in the region - an earthquake at an oil rig ends with a shot of something vaguely reptilian lurking under ground, and before long the creature has emerged, stomping on farmhouses and generally terrorizing the countryside.

This is our second monster, put in I assume because Frankenstein needed something to fight. Christened "Baragon" seemingly out of thin air, this guy is a real treat and the main reason I derive most of the enjoyment I do from this film, which is honestly not a lot.

As a kaiju, Frankenstein doesn't impress a ton, as in the end he's a guy in makeup, though his big prosthetic teeth make him a bit more monstrous, and unlike the guy in the big rubber suit, he's able to leap and roll around at speeds that remove a lot of the weight and heft that make kaiju so memorable. Baragon, in contrast, is almost a little too cute, with big floppy ears that stand out like frills when he roars, a glowing horn, and a pair of big expressive eyes. I love Baragon, and you will too.

Look at this guy! Don't you want to just give him a hug?

So anyway they fight, because it's a kaiju movie and you can't just not have a big monster fight. Baragon's rampages have been blamed on Frankenstein, so the monster has a bit of a personal stake, though it's honestly debatable if Frankenstein has the mental capacity to really understand anything that's going on, as he basically just spends the movie grunting for food and running from things.

After Frankenstein brutally murders poor Baragon by literally breaking his neck (Baragon would suffer an equally terrible fate in 2001, but at least Destroy All Monsters leaves him alone), Frankenstein just kind of falls into the earth and out of the canon for good (at least until a later film brought him back in a fashion).

There does exist an alternate ending, where after Baragon's death a giant octopus shows up out of nowhere, gets into a fight with Frankenstein, and then both monsters fall into the sea, but nothing in the plot actually changes and it was wisely never included in the theatrical release.

What really stands out in this movie is how close it is to WWII and the bombing of Hiroshima. Frankenstein's bizarre growth is a direct result of getting the atom bomb dropped on it, and this time we get to see it happen. Aside from the literal 1945 prologue there are numerous references to the war and the nazis, and the child Frankenstein is initially thought to be a feral orphan of the sort that roamed many Japanese cities in the years following the war. Just under the surface of the film's absurdity is very real commentary, though unlike the original Godzilla, it feels more like set dressing, and it never really goes anywhere substantial.

Is Frankenstein worth your time? For Baragon, yeah I'd say so. He's a great and criminally underused kaiju, and it's fun to see where he came from. It's hard to get excited about Frankenstein, especially in this day and age when the character has been in so many shitty adaptations, but a big lizard whose power is burrowing and then inexplicably jumping real fast? That I can get behind.

[blankdblank]

Magnificent

Let’s pretend here Rivendell isn’t finished being built yet and Elrond and his wife are living in Amon Lanc with Thranduil with all their kids growing up together.

Plus, not gonna lie got a bit inspired for the end by reading @deepestfirefun​ prompt on this posted earlier. Tried to make it different and leave it open to continue later possibly to keep it short and cute. hope you guys like it anyways :D

…

“We shall have a magnificent garden party, and you’re not invited.”

…

Soulmates. Each one born that upon their reaching their teen years would wake with a book linking their minds and dreams. Each book had a certain amount of rules.

The book can never be gotten rid of, stolen or destroyed and it never fills up.

You can draw or write in then to affect their dreams, or if you sleep at the same time you can even interact in your dreams.

You can mentally speak, though in our world it seems more like our conscience that little voice in your head trying to point you down the right roads.

When you meet you have to spend a year together no matter what you have no choice in the matter.

..

Years you had tried to figure out who your Mate was. One comment on liking stories and you couldn’t help but feel like he was lying to you. Prince to a kingdom you could find no trace of who spent your monthly dream meetings teaching you hand to hand combat when he first spotted the bruises your father had left on you. His concerns of why you had been sleeping in the library led to a revelation of the worst, and in the meantime to however you would meet up one day he had to ensure you would be safe and wait to find a way to you.

Eventually when the pretending got to be too much you simply started to doodle in it wondering what you had done to deserve a Mate who preferred pretending over sharing who he really was. And when he wouldn’t stop asking questions simply to know if you were ok after two months of silence the pages were filled with short stories about a Pompous Prince needing to be rescued by some female hero.

The last straw was finding out that he had gotten married. You were supposed to be the same age, and when you turned 17 your great birthday present was that your chance at happily ever after were over. From then you were distancing yourself from him, slowly growing quieter and merely listening about him gushing about his now expecting wife.

Tearfully you decided to try the impossible, for four years you did all you could to try and get rid of the book. Fire, water, even tossing it out of cars or trains it would pop back into your lap. Focusing on school wasn’t hard to do when you wanted to run away from it all. Again living in the library, literally, sleeping in a storage room in return for cleaning at night when a boyfriend took the handholding too far and decided to try and burn your apartment building down leading to your being evicted, this place only temporary you kept saying as your friend working security here each night had helped you into it.

Tonight however you spotted that ex scouting out ways to sneak in and you gathered your bags reading to leave. The last thing you had to grab was your book, peering at it tears welled up in your eyes at the Prince turned King and Father of a somehow 7 year old child after his now dead wife was pregnant not three years prior. It was just too much, shouldering your bags you shoved the book into a shelf and kept on going.

A tight grip on your shoulder was joined by one on your other shoulder, in the racing of your heart you peered over your shoulder expecting to see your ex, not the blackened ink formed hands from the now open book behind you that jerked you straight through the book and from one library to the ground of another.

From carpet lined to polished marble the floor changed and you found yourself seated on the marble peering down at your glowing book with the number 365 repeating on the flipping pages that suddenly slammed shut making you mumble, “What the fuck…”

The entrance of a quartet of armor clad brunettes froze when they saw you in the middle of the floor with bags around you, all around you they circled you and the tallest of them said in the made up language your Mate had taught you in your youth, “Who are you and what are you doing here?!”

“I’m Jaqi, Pear, um, I wouldn’t happen to be in Amon Lanc, would I?”

Brows were furrowed and another said, “Maybe she bumped her head?”

Another looked at you, “Have you retained any injuries, Miss Pear?”

“Um, my hip sort of hurts, but I wouldn’t argue with my head being hit. Am I in Amon Lanc?”

The silent fourth answered, “Yes. Where were you intending on traveling to?”

“My ex, showed up at my job and, well my last home when I tried to leave him he lit it on fire, so I grabbed my things and tried to run, then my book here sucked me through it, and here I am.” Wetting your lips you peered up asking, “Your King wouldn’t happen to me Thranduil, would it?”

They all looked at one another and you raised the book, “He came with the book.”

Bending down the group lifted your bags while the last offered his hand to help you up saying, “We will show you to our King.”

Once up you peered up at the seven foot Elf asking with a tilt of your head lifting his brow, “Does that mean I have to curtsy in front of him?”

“If you prefer.”

You nodded then said, “Well, I’m still mad at him so no, no curtsy.” They all glanced at you then the one you had just spoken to turned to guide you to the King.

.

Atop the raised platform with a trio of thrones was a rather stern faced blonde with pointed ears sat with legs crossed listening to a tall group of colorful cloak clad men with varying shades of hair. In the approach of the guards his icy blue eyes landed on them making you sigh realizing it was just your luck he’d be as much of a pessimist as you. Coldly he said, “None of you are on this rotation.”

Inhaling sharply you said, “Ya well, they found me,” At your voice the men between you both parted to turn and inspect the stranger in their midst. A tilt of his chin later and he took in your sloppy ponytail draped over your shoulder full of knotted curls your naturally white hair and clip in neon purple highlights matching your bright purple eyes. “Oh don’t give me that look Mr we’re going to grow up, meet and live happily ever after, then one day just look whose grown up, become a King, gotten married and had a baby.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Look, I’ll make it brief, I was trying to hide from my ex who showed up at my job and I got sucked through my book bringing me here. Now whether you want me here or not the book says I’m here for another 365 days,” you said holding the book open making him stand up open mouthed.

“Jaqi Pear.”

You nodded, “Your Majesty.”

“You know my name.”

“I also know you’re a single father and find gardenias overrated.”

Nearing you he stated, “I told you that in confidence.”

Smirking up at him, “What are they going to do, take your crown for it?”

“They might.”

“Then they don’t deserve you.” His weight shifting on his feet his eyes scanned over your face still focusing on the irritation and hurt in your tone conflicting with the playful hint of a smirk fading away. The encounter was being watched by those around you as well as the walk off to the hall you had just exited.

“I will show you to your apartment.”

“I get a whole apartment?”

“You are my One. Deserving of no less.”

“You call them Ones?”

“Yes.” His eyes flinched over you and your baggy sweater and tight jeans covering nearly all of you, “Did he hurt you?”

“Not this time, but I think I bruised my hip on that fall.”

“How much is the apartment each month?”

He glanced at you again, “We can find a position in our libraries since you are so accustomed to the world of books.”

.

Three days, two meals a day together with the King and a series of Nobles and a small group of children later again you were sleepless and on your way back from the library. A sniffle in the hall leading to your apartment you spotted Prince Legolas in the garden wiping his cheek making a flower crown under the watch of a pair of guards in the entries to the garden opposite you. Moving closer you crouched asking, “Is something wrong, Prince Legolas?”

In the turn of his head those big tear filled eyes of the somehow 7 year old child that looked more like a three year old who timidly replied in a half blubber, “Ada promised to read me a story, but another meeting took him away.”

You nodded and asked, “Do you like swans?”

“I have to go to bed, the pond-,”

Shaking your head you said, “I know a story about a swan I loved when I was your age. I can tell you a story if you like?”

Nodding quietly he set the flowers down and climbed onto your lap to have you carry him into his nursery attached to the King’s apartment. A few chapters into the Trumpeter Swan you stopped in your apartment to pick up Legolas was tucked into his bed sound asleep while your eyes drooped and your body shifted sideways in the armchair you were seated in. A curious check of the gardens and then the nursery had the King looking on at you both longingly, wishing to himself that you might choose to stay when the year was up.

One night and it built up a pattern, a growing one as the trio of Elrond’s children soon began to join you in the library and gardens with books of their choosing to hear you read to them. Soon enough whenever Thranduil had been called away you were the go to person for playing and each time he chose something over his son a piece of your mind was given to the King who was floored each time but gradually realized that from a child of an unhappy home truly did know what it was like to feel your parent hated being with you. It would be hard but the obvious irritation you had and one particular event had the council becoming overly eager to aid the King in changing how things worked to spend more time with his son while he had the chance to.

The main Royal Gardens had been made up, complete with a tent and string lanterns with snacks, tea and a selection of books for when the snacks were through, just one thing missing. Alongside Lady Celebrian the children sat peering up at the setting sun marking just a short while to when the King was supposed to have shown up only to have been distracted again. Brushing your skirt down over your legs you kissed Legolas’ cheek saying, “Five minutes, I’ll be back.”

Angrily into a council meeting you strolled right up to the King’s side ignoring the stares of the Council and said, “Two words, Garden Party.”

Peering up at you he huffed back, “I have to settle this dispute over a prized cow.”

“Seriously? Time with your son over two arrogant Lords fighting over a cow.”

One of the Lords in question stated, “I resent that!”

You turned your head to look at him, “You do realize you and your egos aren’t the only ones living in this kingdom? Right? There are thousands you should be thinking of easing the struggles for. And trust me if I was King I’d have taken your seat or your head for how much nonsense you stir up just so you can skip exerting yourself for any reason at all. Most of you are acting like children,”

Thranduil sighed, “Miss Pear-,”

You shook your head, “You know what, no. No more chances. A little boy asked his father to a garden party for a day off from his nonsensical day job and obvious arguing with these children is more important, so congratulations on your choice. Because that’s what it is, a choice to let him down when you gave your word. Enjoy your bickering. We shall have a magnificent garden party, and you’re not invited.”

Turning around you strolled to the door and he called out, “They are my gardens if I wish to go there I can! I am King!”

Stopping in the doorway you turned to say, “Well you’d have to get your ass out of that chair to do it first now wont you, Your Majesty!”

The sarcastic curtsy from you had him huffing and jolting up to storm after you, “Luo, Liu, neither of you get the cow. Viae you will take possession of it until I deliberate further.” Right after you he strode saying, “If you assume for one moment this argument is over merely at leaving a room-,”

Sharply you turned and poked him in the chest, “No, you don’t get to be mad at me. You don’t. I’m sorry your father forced you into an arranged marriage, I’m sorry your One was born in a different world and aged slower than you, I’m sorry you’re still young and have to be King, but the one thing I will never apologize for is telling you that your son will be eight in 73 days.”

His eyes narrowed, “He will never be this young again. You will never get this day back and today all he wanted was for his father to show up to the party we planned, for you to relax for once before you explode into a cloud of silver and scowls. You get one chance, our book isn’t the only one counting down. He’s going to have to have an heir one day, he’s going to have to get married, how do you want him, possibly as King, should the worst happen, to treat his family? Because right here, right now he’s learning. Soaking up everything, big, small, spoken, unspoken. I get it, King, but, Big Leaf, come on! It’s a Garden Party over a cow! He is safe here, but you have to love him more than air and show it to everyone because he sees Celebrian and Elrond fawning over theirs. He’s down one parent don’t make him lose two. You can be more than enough to make him shine brighter than the moon, you just have to show up. No perfection needed, parenting is messy.” Turning away he stood still for a few moments then continued following you at the rise of your hand to wipe your cheek.

Stepping forward his fingers looped around your upper arm making you turn to face him, in what you expected to be the rebirth of the argument his hand cupped your cheek and behind a pillar he claimed a fiery kiss ending with a top of his forehead to yours to hum, “It was never my intention to hurt you, and I will do everything in my power to regain your trust. Just tell me what to do.”

“For starters,” You reached up lifting his crown parting his lips, “No King’s allowed.” Removing it to set it on the table by the archway you strolled through into the garden exhaling shakily to calm yourself after his show of affection.

Peering through the opening he watched you carefully then glanced to Legolas, who’s face fell and his shoulders slumped for a moment only to rise in his large step into the garden earning a gasp from the boy who raced for him, “Ada! You made it!”

Chuckling lowly he kissed his son’s cheek then hummed, “I had to deal with some nonsense over a cow.”

Looking up Legolas, “Ada, your crown!”

Thranduil smirked replying, “I was told there were no King’s Allowed.” Making the boy grin and giggle hugging his neck, a moment he used to steal a glimpse at you in the rising moonlight feeling the first marker of your union being sealed burning into his left shoulder blade giving him hope this just might work and you just might have had what the other has needed for so long. Only ten months left to find out.

All –

@himoverflowers​, @theincaprincess, @aspiringtranslator​, @sweeticedtea​, @ggbbhehe4455​, @thegreyberet​, @patanghill17​, @jesgisborne​, @curvestrology​, @alishlieb​, @jogregor​, @armitageadoration​, @fizzyxcustard​, @here2have-fun​, @lilith15000​, @marvels-ghost​, @catthefearless​, @imjusthereforthereads​, @c-s-stars​

Hobbit/LotR – @abiwim​, @jotink78​, @pastelhexmaniac​

X Thranduil - @evyiione​, @sweetlytenacious25​, @tigereyesf​, @pastelhexmaniac

[kikithedeceiver]

I have read over these 6 asks over and over.

And dear anon. As much as you speak you are not an anti...

...you defend the antis’ actions.

There are many reasons I say you antis have ruined the fandom and scared everyone else to the point they’re scared to even contribute anything. And you may not have contributed to these actions, defending them makes you just as bad. Asking us to understand you while trying to not understand shipper’s reasons to stop them is just one-sided too.

I did not want to tag this in the ‘Kagepro’ and ‘Kagerou Project’ tags, but it’s getting worse since after these asks came in. 

Shall we?

1. The Problematic ships

1.1. KanoKido is incest, so it's problematic

Kano and Kido who grew up together since childhood, lived in an orphanage together with Seto before they got foster cared by the Tateyama’s. They’re not adopted (a thing Yen Press did wrong in their official translation of the 5th novel), and they never took the Tateyama’s family name (more explanation here).

Kano and Kido are not blood related.

Kano and Kido did not change their surnames to Tateyama.

So they’re not officially siblings.

So it’s not incest.

Even in the guide, instead of siblings, they’re referred as childhood friends.

That’s why shippers ship KanoKido to begin with. We see them as childhood friends who grew up to have feelings for each other. At least for Kano, it was revealed he had feelings for Kido in the final light novel and manga.

However, this does not mean we’re telling the antis to stop seeing them as siblings. You guys see them as siblings. Okay, fine. It’s your choice. Ship them with someone else? Go for it.

However, incest is between those who are blood-related and/or share the same surname. Since KanoKido doesn’t have either of those two, then slapping in the word ‘incest’ is incorrect.

We are not saying you are not allowed to see them as siblings who grew up together. We’re just saying just because you guys see them - headcanon them as having more sibling relationship due to the obscured boundaries of them being siblings does not mean it is canonically incest to begin with. Yes, there are different cultures, but there is also respecting other cultures point of view on the fictional characters. And that the series is set in Japan, not where your culture is from. Therefore, attacking shippers on shipping them just because we don’t share your view is not only an immature, but hurtful move.

In fact. I want to mention something on the definition of incest.

As you can see, it means anything sexual. And in our case right now, ‘sexual acts between siblings’.

Now, let’s say the antis sees KanoKido as siblings. Okay?

Then how, is this fanart I requested from an artist and used on my Tumblr blog seen as sexual? This is Kano petting Kido with kitty ears and tail. Is petting head considered sexual now? Can antis not just see it as Kano teasing Kido’s kitty ears and tail? Can antis not see it as what they all claim to be, a sibling teasingly petting their sibling’s kitty ears and tail?

Antis made the claim of seeing Kano and Kido as siblings, however they feel revolted from a fanart of the two together like this, as if this looks sexual. No kissing or whatever. Just Kano teasingly pet Kido’s kitty features, that can be interpreted as a sibling teasing his sibling’s features she’s embarrassed over if the antis choose to.

But no, the antis do not have the ability to see them as siblings, despite their claim. They are not able to do that with any fanart with Kano and Kido together, nor with any manga panel and frames with Kano and Kido together..

In my honest opinion, I believe the antis are just allergic to seeing Kano and Kido together in anything, even when they are just standing together. With symptoms of them being nasty in the fandom and hurt others with no care.

I have more to say about the antis, but I will leave it for later. Moving on.1.2. HibiMomo is paedophilia, so it’s problematic

Let's remind ourselves what the word paedophilia is, shall we?

1.2. HibiMomo is paedophilia, so it’s problematic

Let's remind ourselves what the word paedophilia is, shall we?

If you all remember correctly...

Momo is 16. She's not an adult.

Hibiya is 12. He's not an adult.

Japan's current law for age of adulthood is 20 (will be lowered to 18 in the future...oh look), they're not 20 nor 18 yet so none of them are adults.

So how is this paedophilia? How is HibiMomo considered paedophilia when both of them are under the age of being an adult?

Unless the antis are grossed out on age gaps, fair enough. But first of all, slapping the word 'paedophilia' just because of age gap between two children who are not adults is, how should I say it, idiotic. As the word have lost a lot of meaning when it is always misused because of the antis’ own discomfort without trying to think about the true meaning and the real reason of the discomfort.

Why do you hear people say they sick of antis screaming about problematic ships? Because of the misuse of the word 'paedophilia.' And I should have mentioned earlier, ‘incest’ as well.

Furthermore, the issue with age gaps. Okay, I get it. Hibiya is younger than Momo. Boy younger than girl. Real weird for them to be dating. I get told a lot on dating a guy older than me by my ma as I grew up.

However, here’s the thing. 4 years age gap is not that much of a difference big difference. Your parents, grandparents, teacher's partner, the couple living next door, and the married person walking down the street will have age gaps with their loved ones, and possibly way bigger than just 4 years anyway. 4 years apart when it’s between adults are not an uncommon thing. As for the guy younger than the girl. Well I also know there are girls who married guys younger than them. I question it a bit, but it’s not bothering me, I’m not them. Their choice and life. And hey, they get along and really love each other! Good for them!

So the point is, I believe the HibiMomo shippers are not making Hibiya and Momo full on dating at the age of 12 & 16 respectively. Because okay, if they’re kissing already, then it’s a bit over my limit for them already. And I don’t see them doing that with Hibiya still 12. But Hibiya and Momo can be seen holding hands and hugging each other, which can be seen as a platonic romance, just them with a close relationship, with Momo leading Hibiya the way through the big city and cheer him up. And that’s kinda cute. I believe the shippers are more focused on the developing friendship and support since Hibiya and Momo just met (like how Momo tries to cheer up Hibiya in Otsukimi Recital), then possibly start developing relationships once Hibiya is older, with both he and Momo as adults. Something like in this anthology.

The point is, yes, there are age gaps between a 12 year old boy and a 16 year old girl, but it’s not paedophillia when both of them are not even adults. The real discomfort is age gaps, with the word ‘paedophillia’ misused constantly. But the shippers see them more at the hand holding and hugging stage as Hibiya and Momo get to know and help each other. Nothing more that can be considered inappropriate.

So with HibiMomo shippers shipping them platonically while the characters are 12 &16, and shipping them romantically when they’re both legally adults, that’s not promoting paedophillia.

If it is, then dating someone who has an age gap and both not being legally adult can be considered paedophillia.

No school dates, everyone.

1.3. Additional notes – the double standards Other ships are just as problematic

I’ll be honest here. What I wanted to write is how the antis have double standards on the whole ‘incest’ and ‘paedophillia’ argument. I was going to mention other ships, mainly on any ship to do with Ayano and the Mekakushi Trio, but mainly on SetoMary because by antis’ logic, SetoMary should also be incest (Mary taken in by the Tateyamas in Manga Route 2) and paedophillia (Mary is a 140 year old medusa).

But just before I was going to post this, the antis actually did start dragging SetoMary into this.

Since SetoMary is also targeted by the antis, I’m afraid the 3/5 main ships in Kagerou Project have now gone down to something like this...

KanoKido, SetoMary, HibiMomo, KonoEne, ShinAya

The main ships the fandom can now only ship and enjoy is now down to 2/5 of the main ships (excluding all other ships like KidoMomo, MomoMary, KanoAya, KanoShin, etc). At this point, the fandom have many things to be careful about because how much the antis are screaming at everyone on how to enjoy things.

If the fandoms have so many antis make rules on ships they don’t like, then there’s nothing to enjoy in the fandom as it limits creativity, especially there’s hostility from antis everywhere in the fandom. Therefore, oppression as well.

2. Types of antis present

And since I talked about what the antis had done, I shall list other things antis do that can be considered oppressing other fans to draw and contribute to anything. With this, I shall also show you evidence I was able to gather with the help of my friends who are not as involved in fandom, but agree the antis are just toxic. There are censored out URLs because some of these happened in the past, and honestly, I don’t want those reading this to attack the antis with the toxicity the antis do to shippers.

2.1. KiKi The Hettie

This happened last year during January. Just last year. 2018. And all these attacks, honestly, it still annoys me with how much happened back then and is still happening in the fandom. KanoKido tag was constantly spammed with hate, unseen unless you’re blocked, or blocked by the antis, but that just makes them continue their vigilant hate spreading to make everyone stop posting KanoKido.

Getting anon hate. Having posts mock me and laughed off as a joke. And that it was considered harmless.

So honestly, I cannot believe the words “antis mean no harm.”

Especially this happened over a year ago, and this next thing happened recentlyin January.

2.2. Emy trying to stop all this shipping discourse

Emy, a Kagepro fanartist who is honestly a God send with her making “Ask the Kagepro characters” and taking in requests from askers. She keeps the Kagepro community alive with her drawing fanarts from the asks as well, which is rare to see. Just one year after that “KiKi the Hettie” thing happened, she was tired of the discourse going around. So she made a post to explain why it’s okay to have different opinions on shipping something, but not to be toxic over it

...however... 

Let’s just say, there’s no hope for the Kagepro fandom at this point with how much she was attacked when she tried to explain why it’s okay to ship the ships like KanoKido and HibiMomo, while still okay to ship other things. Antis explain themselves, and we understand and not telling them to stop shipping what their shipping. Instead just at least know there are KanoKido and HibiMomo shippers out there, and not full on attack them over their onesided beliefs and headcanons they considered to be completely correct.

2.3. Mockery in posts

Someone posted official Kagepro art by Sidu. Imagine the fans joy to reblog them, only when they found this post, they see this tag. With this, the OP is scaring the fans away to "fuck off and die.” And no, this cannot be brushed off as “antis meant no harm.” Telling someone to die is very offensive, intimidating to the point threatening them to not upset the antis with what they ship.

This is not just telling shippers to go away.

This is threatening the shippers on how to behave in the fandom and isolate them out if the shippers dare to do anything that supports their ship. And that the shippers have no right to like an official art.

And other than posts on official art, there’s also posts posting these in the ship’s tag.

Like I said earlier, the only way to not see these kinds of posts in the ship’s tag is either to be blocked, or blocking the by the antis. But when shippers go into the ships tag (or just searching), they probably see a post like if the shipper and the anti didn’t block each other.

If posts like this shippers off like this, this is just mocking them really. Make them feel wrong to like a ship because of an antis’ belief despite it is shown Kano liking Kido that way. And again, this makes the shippers be care of not totick off the antis just to keep themselves safe.

And it’s sickening how the antis do this and sees it as no harm. Honestly, it’s not funny.

There are more of these, but I’m not filling this replies with all the things antis posted.

2.4. Antis claiming to be healthy

Literally. Antis do that. 

If it’s so problematic, honestly, why are the antis still here? I know anyone can have headcanons, however KanoKido shippers, along with HibiMomo shippers, based their shippy feeling from what Jin provided. But calling what Jin did as problematic and disgusting, after he worked so hard and became homeless at one point, yet continued to provide Kagepro contents for the fandom, this is the thanks Jin gets.

Furthermore, other than this sort of asks. There’s this posts.

Antis calling themselves Jin. Calling people freaks.

And by calling out ‘anti-antis’, who’s trying to stop their toxic behaviour, just proves how much they do not welcome anyone else in the fandom unless they share the same belief as them. Anything we do is against them, so it is wrong in the antis’ eyes.

By telling the fandom only who is allowed, with those who oppose the antis should leave, that shows what the antis are doing. Controlling the fandom to their liking.

Oppressing.

2.5. Full on attacking on someone they blocked already

If any of you guys reading this had seen what’s been happening the past few days...

Openly saying they’re going to harass me unless I block them. Even though they blocked me.

By blocking me, they should have no other reasons to contact me.

And knowing this person don’t like KanoKido, and attacked Emy (yes, same person. For some reason they deleted their first blog), I have no reason to talk to them anyway. Instead, I wanted to enjoy our own contents without seeing any toxicity from the antis, and not be harassed. Not going out of my way to harass people in asks or making insulting posts to people whom I don’t like.

Unlike this person, who had to harass me for fun.

No one finds you funny, really.

And before everyone here are saying “KiKi! You should have block them!” Now listen, why should I block someone when they blocked me already. And even if they didn’t block me before then, they should know how to block me already since they can navigate through Tumblr to send me an ask. I am not their online babysitter to make their life easier. I am not anyone’s online babysitter. Just want to go online and enjoy my content in peace. This anti have their own methods to make their life on Tumblr easy as well. I would have never seen whatever they posted anyway since they blocked me.

They blocked me? I can’t see what they posted and they also can’t see what I posted. Okay, sounds good to me. I’m not going to stalk them. Moving on.

Furthermore, acting friendly with me with ‘please’ to block them, I honestly don’t comply to someone who was rude to me, my friends and shouting insulting things to us shippers in the first place. It would be like helping a bully after they made my friends and I miserable, yet they like “Yeah do this for me please?” And it is especially true when they’re harassing me after I said no.

No. Just no.

Also, since they reblogged my stuff relating to them, along with them sending me asks not just once, twice, but thrice. They’re just a cyberbully who find it fun to harass me.

2.6. Rule implementing

I mentioned this earlier with the problem with shipping. But other than antis making posts and asks to attack shippers, there is also another thing the antis seems to be doing to oppress the fandom. I’ve been here for a while, and I notice Kagepro event blogs having these rules like “no incest/ paedophilia ships”, “incest/paedophilia shippers don’t interact”, etc.

I understand if the antis don’t like the ships, but that is just scaring the fans away, making them not welcomed in not only the fandom, and in the ship. This includes past Kagepro Secret Santas events (saw one or two of those), and also the current Kagepro Zine, making the biggest double standard move I have ever seen.

From reading this, it is very obvious what kind of people are running the Zine. An event to express love for the Kagepro series, only to be told no ‘romantic relationship,’ and then instantly told exactly what they didn’t want to begin with.

“Not focused on the romantic relationship.” Oh okay.

“May see some more popular couples show up!” ...So yes to ships or...?

“We will not be allowing incestuous or pedophilic ships on our zine.” ...Oh.

Then what is it? No romantic ships at all?

Or yes to romantic ships, but no incestuous or pedophilic ships?

Because of these rules that appear in Tumblr blogs, this also contributes to why the fandom who wants to draw something feels like they’re being oppressed to the point too scared of doing anything for the fandom anymore.

Along with the posts and asks, these rules in Kagepro events just shuns everyone else away while the antis feels right about what they are doing without reasons.

3. Conclusion

In all honesty, I want to understand why the antis are still here. Jin made something shippable, but here the antis are, being all toxic and stopping the fans on how to contribute to the fandom. Calling Jin making a disgusting and problematic ship and all. And making all these posts for ‘lolz’ just because it seemed right to them.

So if Jin was so problematic, why stay here and still love Kagerou Project when it clearly supports incest/paedophillia ship?

Kano have feelings for Kido romantically. It happened. Yet the antis choose to ignore it for their own sake and continue to harass everyone else who are actually happy for this clarification. Making posts to tell shippers off. Attack posts on ships the antis didn’t like. And making rules on who could participate in an event or not.

If it’s so bad, why did the antis stay? It’s not healthy to stay in a fandom that is ‘so bad’ to begin with, it just makes the person miserable. Unless antis just not only stay to be toxic, they stay and want others to suffer because they’re miserable.

That’s sickening.

The fandom is sickening.

And with how much this is happening, to the antis, and the anon who sent the 6 asks, this is not considered oppression.

Anon, if you are still reading this and still believe " We (antis) aren’t coming for anyone by any means," I want you to revaluate all that was said and consider did you guys really didn’t oppress anyone.

With the mocking posts.

Attacking posts.

Sending harassing asks.

Making rules on events that should have been fun.

All this done...

...Over fictional characters.

That is the environment the antis had made in the fandom.

A ship with characters that can be seen as siblings or having romantic relationships.

And on a ship with characters considered paedophilia, even though both characters are not adults.

So please don't say things like "We (antis) aren’t coming for anyone by any means."

Don’t defend their actions anymore.

Especially when they feel no guilt over what they did.

[lonelypond]

Jingle Jazz, Chapter 5

Love Live, NicoMaki, 2.1K, 5/?

Summary: Safe from the snow, now Maki has to face Nico's Mom.

Chapter 5

Nishikino Maki stepped out of the bath. Finally, she felt a little warm. Nico had let her go first, and Maki could hear Nico and her mom talking as she took a quick soak, letting the heat warm her from the inside. Everything was smaller than she was used to — and no shower, but the bathroom was meticulously clean and decorated with cute, flowery touches. She could easily picture Nico growing up here.

Wrapped in a towel, she stepped into Nico’s mom’s bedroom. She’d laid her nightshirt out on the bed, along with a pair of wool slipper socks. The Yazawas' apartment had some corner drafts, but there was a coziness that made Maki not mind the size or the austerity. She’d seen a small tree near the television, which was only a little larger than the one in Nico’s apartment. Nico’s siblings had already gone to sleep. As she changed into her nightshirt, Maki wondered if they woke up as  eager and early on Christmas morning as she usually did. Did Nico?

Mulling over the thought of Nico on Christmas morning, Maki wandered through the living room into the kitchen, where Nico and her mom were both working over the stove, laughing at something.

“I finished, Nico. I ran some water for you. Thanks for letting me go first, I’m a lot warmer.”

Nico smiled, “Well, you couldn’t drive that icebox under a pile of blankets so Nico thought it was only fair.” Nico hugged her mom, “Thanks, Mama. You can feed Maki, she looks starved, just save some for Nico.”

Maki, remembering her earlier kitchen mistakes, bowed her head at Mrs. Yazawa and asked, “Is there anything I can help with?”

Nico’s mother pursed her lips, tapping a ladle on the pot rim, her smile suddenly as hard as the metal. “You can help me understand why you thought it was a good idea to drive my daughter through a dangerous storm in that lightweight of a car.”

Maki flinched at the unexpected criticism. Never again was she setting foot in a kitchen that also contained a Yazawa. It was like fairy tales and step mothers. Bad bad things were going to happen.

A bowl of steaming chicken soup was placed in front of her. The smell was delicious, tantalizing, warmer than the bath. Maki managed to croak out, “It’s a good car. I was careful” while Nico’s mother hovered.

“That’s not the point. What were you thinking?” Arms flung out, a little less vigorous than Nico in ranting mode, but still a clear expression of unhappiness.

Maki dipped her spoon in the soup. It was a great excuse to avoid eye contact, “That Nico needed to get home.”

Nico’s mother sighed and sat across from Maki. A quick glance showed Maki no softening in the disapproving glare or unsmiling features, “If you’re Nico’s friend, you should be more concerned with her safety than impressing her.”

Maki had tried the spoon and yelped at the combination of heat and scorn, “I wasn’t trying to imp…”

Mrs. Yazawa’s eyebrow shot up and her expression was best described as a glower. Maki recalibrated. Not a step mother situation, an angry dragon.

“I was careful. We got here just fine.” Meat and warmth were bringing back Maki’s inner fire.

“You were lucky.”

The combatants paused, Maki to inhale a much needed meal; Mrs. Yazawa to take a good look at the young woman sitting across from her. Then Nico stepped out of the bathroom in a worn flannel robe, hair done up in in a towel and Mrs. Yazawa watched as Maki took a quick glance, ducked her head, and began to bounce her knee up and down.

“Isn’t Mama great?” Nico announced.

Maki grunted.

“Sounded like a lot of talking...” Nico glanced from mother to guest. Mrs. Yazawa gave her daughter a slightly less stern look than she had Maki. Maki continued to memorize the details of her bowl as she spooned up the last of the soup.

“I was just telling Maki she should have been more careful with my baby.” Nico was very familiar with her mother in judging mode. Very blunt. She hoped her mama hadn't been too harsh with Maki.

Nico rolled her eyes, “I’m a grown woman, Mama.” Nico ladled a bowl of soup for herself and then refilled Maki’s. “And Maki has her own parents.”

“I’m sure they would have a few words to say as well.” Mrs, Yazawa’s hands were folded in her lap.

Maki was about to lose her temper. And that was a very bad idea. She had never, well, not since her parents agreed that the piano was more of a passion for her than medicine could ever be, been anything close to a rebel. There had never really been any cause for conflict. Maki knew she was spoiled. And fortunate. But she was also self reliant. Her parents were very busy with their hospital and charities and trusted that Maki would make the best decisions in any situation. They’d raised her to be considerate of others, made sure she learned practical skills, and had expressed only minor concern when she’d told them her plan before heading to Nico’s apartment.

“It’s Christmas Eve, Mama…” Nico pouted. Maki forced herself not to stare, but tendrils of sable hair curling around Nico’s ear caught her attention.

“I just worry about you, especially when you make foolish decisions.” Mrs. Yazawa smiled at her daughter, “But I am glad you’re home safe. Both of you.”

“Me too, Mama.” Nico winked at Maki and dipped a cracker in her soup.

                                                                                                              ###

“Nico, set Maki up on the couch and then come in and sleep with me.” Mrs.Yazawa decided.

“But Mama, Maki’ll need someone to protect her from…”

Maki had moved to the couch, with some tea, watching mother and daughter in front of the small Christmas tree, a single string of lights, some tinsel tossed here and there and a few hand made ornaments.

“Protect me from who?” Maki frowned.

“My siblings.” Nico grinned over her shoulder.

“They won’t bother her, Nico. I raised them to be polite and, unlike you, they listen.” Nico’s mother managed to tease more than scold. “Besides I want to talk to you.”

“Oh about Europe? You won’t...”  Maki offered helpfully but froze when both mother and daughter turned to stare at her, Yazawa senior with extreme suspicion and Nico with shock, quickly replaced by anger.

“Europe…?” Mrs. Yazawa turned to her daughter. Maki clutched her mug tightly as Nico was still glaring enough to slice through her. “With Maki?”

“No” Both Nico and Maki said simultaneously.  Nico whirled, pulling her mom into the hall, but not before one last comment to Maki, “You…” A pause, Nico’s nostrils flared, but what came out was firm, like a command, not the threat or accusation Maki was expecting, “wait.”

Maki’s heart was pounding. The tea suddenly tasted pale and what she wanted was her father’s hot chocolate with a shot of peppermint schnapps in it, always the traditional first drink when they’d successfully made it to Maine. Maki had until about a year ago, just gotten half a teaspoon, not a shot, but right now, she missed the warmth, the richness, and the sting of alcohol that would drift up into her nose with its minty sharpness. From the look in Nico’s eye, on her return, Maki could use some mental sharpness instead of this cozy sleepiness as she stared into the blinking lights, the red ones reminding her of Nico, winking.

Snow piling around her, cold soaking in, Maki could feel the terror, opening her mouth, no sound coming out, snowflakes suddenly feeling like tire irons on her chest, the jingling of bells on Santa’s reindeer’s harness as they flew away, not able to find her, Maki tensed for one last push, hands down, into the cold, she threw herself up, heart pounding, mouth open, shouting, “Here! I’m…

“Maki?” Nico’s voice. Warmth? Someone touching her? Maki opened her eyes. Still on the Yazawas’ couch, no lights but the tree’s blinking in the darkness, Nico with a hand on her forearm, an arm around her shoulders, leaning in, berry bright eyes worried, “You were having a nightmare.”

“Snow. Too much snow.” Maki shivered.

Nico nodded, “Yeah, Nico can see that. Mama gave Nico quite a talking to about our trip while you were snoring.”

“I got one earlier, as an appetizer with the soup.” Maki almost chuckled but then remembered Nico's mother was still in the apartment.

Nico sat back, staring at the tree, “Mama’s strict, but it’s out of love.”

“I can understand that. It must have been tough for her.”

“Well, Nico was an angel, always helpful."

Maki snorted.

“It’s actually true.” Nico’s reply was mild enough that Maki suspected no exaggeration, “Ask Mama.” Nico ran both hands, delicate, tapered fingers splayed out, through her hair, frowning at the ceiling.”Actually, don’t talk to Mama. You talk too much.”

“I’ll be out of your hair…” Maki paused, realizing she’d been watching Nico’s hands, although fortunately not obviously enough to draw Nico’s attention. “I mean, I’ll be leaving first thing in the morning. Plus,” Maki reached across Nico to grab the blanket sitting there, and pulled it toward herself, mostly covering both of them, “I don’t know much about you to tell.”

“You know enough…” Nico groaned, her mother’s disapproval of Nico wrangling her way onto a European tour still echoing in her ears.

“Not really.” Maki pulled up her knees, leaning forward, blanket scratchy against her chin.

Nico yawned. “Well, Nico is talented, a loyal friend, the best older sister, and as good in the kitchen as she is on stage. What else do you need to know, Miss Lives in A Museum, Can’t Get Her Mind Off Europe?”

“It’s not a museum.”

“Seems kind of dusty.”

“The maids keep it spotless.”

“That’s not what Nico meant.”

Silence. Tree lights. Maki could feel the bubble of warmth she and Nico were building up under the blanket.

“How did you meet Umi?” Maki asked. It was a safe question, impersonal enough.

“Composing class together, last year. Nico’s not a natural, but Nico wanted to understand more about how songs were structured.”

“Smart.”

Nico grunted, considering, “Then she introduced me to Kotori, we hung out in the Village a few times, and Umi started helping me when we needed arrangements for Bibi.”

“Bibi?”

“The trio. It’s our name.”

“Why?” Maki tilted her head to watch Nico, who shook her own head at Maki’s dubious scowl.

“It’s cute, like Nico…” Nico’s face scrunched up, so Maki guessed serious thinking was happening, “It sounded…

“Oh my god, don’t tell me…” Maki started as Nico finished.

“French.”

“Incroyable.”

“What’s that.” Nico snapped.

“French. I thought you spoke it?” Maki winked at Nico and then went back to blinking at the tree.

‘Show off.”

Maki shrugged.  

Nico sounded super sleepy and might have been sliding further under the blanket and closer to Maki, but Maki kept not noticing and Nico kept yawning and sliding, “Nico’s tucking you in.”

“Good.”

“So you can leave early.”

“Right.” Maki fixed the blanket so it covered most of the diminutive singer.

“And then Nico will sleep…”

“Obviously…”

“Bon soiree…” part French, mostly snore, all endearing.

“Tu es terrible.” Maki whispered, before closing her own eyes.

                                                                                               ###

Nico woke up, abruptly. She was resting on something soft, very warm, breathing. She opened her eyes. Tree was still blinking. She was under a blanket, arm flung out across Maki’s torso, head tucked into the redhead’s shoulder. Very warm, No wonder Eli and Nozomi were so reluctant to get out of bed on cold mornings...and at that thought, Nico forced herself up. Maki was still sleeping, hair falling forward, mouth slightly open, skin practically translucent in the predawn dark. She murmured something and shifted position. Probably not aware of Nico either being there or not being there...before Nico fell asleep was a blur, Maki had said something in French, they were talking about Bibi?  Oh right, Maki hated the name. Of course, Maki hated the name. Probably not sophisticated enough.  Nico found herself smiling though as she watched the redhead sleeping, such a pleasant expression when the pianist wasn’t grumping about anything. Nico almost reached out a hand to move a curl of hair away from Maki’s closed eyes when she had that fleeting “maybe” thought flash again in her mind. She pulled her hand back, reluctant to possibly startle Maki out of sleep as the reality of their two separate paths loomed.

Nico stood, then eased Maki down to the couch, gently, covering her with the blanket, unplugging the tree, and retiring for another couple hours sleep in her mother’s room. Dawn would put Maki on the road to Maine, her parents, and everything that was ordinary to her...like the car, and extraordinary to Nico...like Maki.

A/N: Things have been hectic and I've been reading angsty things, so let's end this chapter on a quiet note. Next chapter kicks off with a snowball fight. Well, probably pancakes first ; )There's a Super Blood Wolf Moon a coming and I miss howling so I've been thinking about that.Take care! Drop me a comment or a mention of which Bibi werewolf AU you miss the most.

[kujo1597]

Fall @amedotweek Day 1: Halloween

(This is my tattoo artist and florist AU)

This is kinda long compared to my usual submissions so under a Read More it goes!

Or you can read it on AO3.

Peridot knocked on the door to the beach house. This was her first Halloween with Amethyst and they were going to take Steven out trick-or-treating. Pearl opened the door and gave Peridot a quick once-over with a raised eyebrow.

“Good evening Peridot,” Pearl greeted her.

“Hey Pearl,” Peridot returned the greeting.

“Amethyst and Steven will be ready soon. Please, make yourself comfortable.”

“I think I’ll stand, I’ve never worn a tail before.”

For Halloween Peridot had decided to dress up as a werewolf. She had her mohawk styled somewhat similarly to a pompadour and even allowed the sides to grow out a bit in their natural light brown. She wore an open flannel shirt, the only thing keeping her from exposing a bunch of kids to sideboob was the faux fur she wore on her chest which matched several other patches on her body to help sell the look including some fearsome looking gloves. Thanks to diligent research Peridot had learned how to make covers for her ears to make them look pointed and furry, and to top it all off she wore a fake wolf’s nose and put some fake fur in patches around her face.

Pearl looked at Peridot again. “Do you realize that your shirt’s not buttoned?”

“Yes Pearl, I do realize that,” Peridot replied with a roll of her eyes. “All of this is intentional.”

She didn’t get much a response just a “hm.”

Amethyst stepped out of Steven’s room wearing her own werewolf costume. Hers was a hoodie over a t-shirt that said “bite me” and old torn blue jeans. Amethyst also wore gloves but they lacked the sharp looking claws that Peridot’s had, which would come in hand if Steven needed any help. As for her face, Amethyst was also wearing a fake nose with whiskers painted onto her cheeks along with some dark brown drawn to look fur-like. 

When she saw Peridot Amethyst cracked a smile. “You look like the gayest werewolf to ever live.”

“Thank you, I’m glad somebody understood my vision,” Peridot said and gestured at Pearl.

“I’m just not sure how appropriate you look for taking a five-year-old our for Halloween,” Pearl said with crossed arms. 

Amethyst made a dismissive noise. “C’mon P, not like you can see anything. Besides, Peri’s costume’s way tamer than most stuff in the adult’s section.”

“Fine,” Pearl gave in, she didn’t feel like arguing, especially since she was missing such a special night. Barb roped her into coming to a Halloween party, nobody can decline Barb.

“So where’s Steven?” Peridot asked. 

“Little guy’s just about done,” Amethyst replied.

Sure enough, Steven stepped out of his room.

Peridot clasped her hand to her mouth and did a poor job of hiding her gasp. “Steven! You’re adorable!”

Steven for his costume decided to dress up as a werecat, he wore slightly torn clothes with fake fur poking through all the holes, the fur was pale blonde, like Lion the stray maine-coon. Steven’s curly and poofy black hair was unstyled and nestled in it was cat ears. Amethyst had painted Steven’s face in a similiar way to her own but didn’t draw as course of fur. And the cutest little fake cat nose and partial muzzle sat on Steven’s nose.

Pearl made an extremely maternal noise as she took pictures of her son. “You look so wonderful Steven!” 

Then she got a bit teary-eyed, Rose would have loved to see his costume.

Amethyst fondly patted Steven on the head. “Little guy wanted to be a werecat because he likes cats more.”

Steven ran up and gave Peridot a hug as he made a cat noise. “I’m so excited to go out with you!” He bounced up and down. “First Halloween with Peri!”

This brought a huge grin to her face. “Yep, our first Halloween!”

“We should get going soon,” Amethyst said after she checked the clock. “We can’t be out too late.”

“But first, I need to take a photo of you three together,” Pearl said, she coached them until they were in-frame then she took what felt like a couple dozen pictures. 

“Kay, now that we’re all blind, let’s get going,” Amethyst led the group out the door ignoring Pearl who was on the verge of becoming a pile of blubbering mom-mess.

“Trick or treat!” Steven loudly recited at the door as he held out his candy bucket.

Despite it being their fifth house, Peridot was still feeling antsy. 

“Dude, calm down, Steven’s practically a pro,” Amethyst whispered as she held Peridot’s hand.

The door opened revealing an elderly woman. “Oh well aren’t you cute?” She said with a warm chuckle. “Are you a werewolf like your mom and dad?”

Peridot’s face clearly showed her confusion and Amethyst tried her best to not burst out laughing. 

“I’m a werecat,” Steven cheerfully corrected the woman then did a “fearsome” meow, he was too wrapped up in the excitement of the holiday to notice the other mistake she made.

“We love our werecat son, don’t we wifey,” Amethyst nudged Peridot with her elbow.

Which somehow got her even more confused. “Yeah, we love him.”

The woman gave Steven a few candies and he waved at her. “Happy Halloween!”

“Happy Halloween dear,” she waved back.

The trio started moving on to the next house, Steven walked ahead of Amethyst and Peridot. 

“I get that I look masculine, but I thought in a butch way,” Peridot quietly ranted to Amethyst.

“Ah, she’s old, probly doesn’t know lesbian fashion,” Amethyst also quietly spoke. “It was pretty hilarious if you ask me.”

“It is funny looking back on it, but with a town as queer as Beach City you’d think she’d have figured it out by now.”

Amethyst chuckled. “Truth.”

Steven rang the doorbell and did his usual excited bouncing as he held his bucket out in anticipation.

While watching him Amethyst and Peridot would always huddle together with smiles on their faces. 

It was a wonderful evening, even when Amethyst and Peridot took turns carrying Steven home after his feet got too cold and sore to continue.

[askaphmaine]

“With that, that’s the end of the meeting. I hope everyone will be prepared for next time. We have a lot more to talk about.” With that statement from D.C., another long capital meeting was over. Monty groaned, shoving his ‘paperwork’ and ‘notes’ into his bag. Most of the papers were simply scribbled on, so he would appear as if he cared. A couple had drawings, simple pencil sketches of what had been happening, D.C. yelling at everyone to shut up, Concord making and throwing paper airplanes, Augusta pointedly avoiding everyone by hiding under the table, anything interesting.

“Oh, Montpelier~!”

‘Ah, shit.’ Just the person he didn’t want to see. He liked Los Angeles, he really did. She was stunning, with dark golden hair curling around her shoulders and deep blue eyes, not unlike a lake or the ocean. The problem was her flirting. She seemed to enjoy his discomfort, taking every opportunity to jump on him, occasionally even kissing his cheek. While some may have enjoyed the attention, for someone used to four wheeling and mudding, it was overkill to an extreme. The worst part, though, was her comments.

“You know, you’d look so much nicer in a suit! Or anything out of that disgusting plaid. You should let me take you shopping!” Like that one. He couldn’t understand how she thought those kind of comments were okay. He liked his shirt, it had been a gift from his brother. Sure, it was a bit worn but it fit fine and was warm. And he would never wear a suit. Never. “U-um, Montpeli-?”

Maybe storming off wasn’t his best idea. Maybe flipping L.A. the bird wasn’t either. Regardless, Monty didn’t stick around to see the aftermath of his actions. He had soda to drink and cars to work on. He didn’t have time to deal with western drama. Sadly, it seemed to be finding its way to him.

“Okay, I get it. She pissed you off. But you and I both know she didn’t mean it like that, asshole. Now I’m getting dragged into your lovers-spat.” Concord hissed, glaring at the other capital. Montpelier stayed under the truck, rolling his eyes.

“It’s not a damn lovers-spat. Just toss me my fucking wrench and shut it, dude. She’s old enough to deal with the consequences.” A dull thud hit the area to the left of Monty’s head. “Thank you.” A sigh followed.

“Alright, listen. I understand she gets on your nerves. I really do. But you literally made her cry. Maybe you should explain what pissed you off so much. It might make things-” Loud clanging interrupted Concord’s nagging. Monty slid out from his work.

“Explain? EXPLAIN? YOU DON’T THINK I’VE TRIED? SHE LITERALLY IGNORES ME.”

“Dude, stop yellin-”

“NO! SHE ACTS ALL HIGH AND MIGHTY JUST BECAUSE SHE’S BASICALLY RICH AND THINKS SHE CAN WALTZ INTO MY LIFE AND COMMAND ME TO CHANGE? SHE DOESN’T WANT ME, SHE WANTS A LITTLE BOY TOY SHE CAN ABANDON ONCE SHE GETS BORED.”

“You’re crying.”

“Fuck.” A soft sob. “Off.”

“Yeah, no can do. Like it or not, you’re part of Northern New England. You’re stuck with me.” Concord wrapped an arm around the other boy’s shoulders. “We’re family, like it or not. I know she doesn’t listen. But here’s my plan, okay? Trust me, it’s a doozy.”

::A couple days later::

Silence. Never had L.A. felt more uncomfortable. Monty was acting odd, showing no emotion. After what had happened, she had begun to think he was avoiding her before she got a text asking for them to meet up. She wasn’t expecting an apology from him at all but she also certainly wasn’t expecting him to be emotionless and cold.

“You need to stop.” Monotone. A small shiver went up her spine. She only ever heard stories about the people who fit this description, the ‘Mainers’ as they were called. They were only a state away from him, though...

“Stop...what?” She winced at how small she sounded. She was one of the largest cities in America!

“Acting like a lovesick idiot. Grabbing me. Kissing my cheeks. The flirting and the attempts to command me need to stop.” Com…mand? She could understand the ‘lovesick’ part but when had she ever tried to… Oh. Slowly everything clicked. Her comments on his clothing and his pastimes. He felt like she was trying to control him.

“I’m...sorry. I never meant...Nevermind. I’ll stop. I swear on everything I own, I’ll stop.”

::Later::

“Connor, you’re a genius. How did you know acting like those three would work?”

“I’ve spent enough time with the Mainers to know it’s an act and how they manage to do it. All it takes is some practice. I am glad to hear that it worked!”

“Yeah, she promised on everything she owns that she’d stop. I don’t think I’ve been this relieved in ages!” Monty’s grin widened. “It’s like a weight has been lifted!”

“I’m glad for you. I really am. Now, where were we on the truck?”

::Elsewhere::

“Um, hey, Izzy? Can we, like, talk?” Braids swayed slightly as the capital of California glanced up.

“Sure, Liz. How did the talk with Montpelier go?”

“See, that’s the problem.”

“…I see. Well tell me all about it.”

“For starters, you know the stories of the Maine Trio Allison will tell us?” A nod. “Well, that’s how he was acting. Cold, emotionless, distant, you name it. He fit the tale perfectly.” Sacramento gasped. Montpelier had never acted like that before. “Exactly. But that’s not the real problem. He thought I was being…controlling. I didn’t mean to be but you know. I guess I came across as someone trying to change him and he didn’t take it well. Problem is, I have no idea how else to talk to him? But then I had an idea!”

“Oh no. Lizzy, please tell me you’re not thinking what I’m thinking.”

“Please?”

::Another time skip because I am the worst::

Normally, Monty was left alone outside of meetings and his fellow New Englanders. He had woken up as normal, ate breakfast, the entire works, all without interruption, even from his older brother. His pajamas, a t-shirt and plaid sleep pants, got to stay on for once. Normally he had to be ready for anything with Liam and that included being dressed and ready for a hike.

Then he heard the doorbell. No one, not even his ‘family’ visited this early. They all had things to do and they all understood that the Vermont Mounties did not like dealing with anyone  besides each other before noon. A glance at the stove clock told him it was only 8 am, four hours before the barrier was lifted. There were only three options. One was that Liam got locked out and was either drunk or hungover. The second was an emergency. Third, some flatlander was annoying him. Monty didn’t even want to think it was the third.

The world loved proving him wrong. Apparently, either karma or fate hated him. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he took in the sight before him. L.A. in a ponytail was cute, sure. But the muddy jean cut-off shorts, torn plaid-like shirt, and baseball cap 3 sizes too big really didn’t suit her. He didn’t even have the energy to produce the ‘Mainer’ personality. Hell, he didn’t even have the energy to listen as she tried speaking about trucks. Something about…mud driving? He held the bridge of his nose, leaning on the doorframe.

“L.A. stop. It’s 8 in the morning.” Silence. “I’m too tired for this whole ‘interaction’ thing and would really prefer to just eat my breakfast in peace.”

“Oh…sorry. I guess I must be annoying, huh.” He felt a sigh escape. She sounded so sad. Why did she have to act like this? As cute as it was, she looked incredibly awkward, tugging on the odd clothing.

“Listen, no one, and I mean no one, is allowed to visit Vermont and I until 12pm.”

“Ah, I’m so sorry, I didn’t-“

“If you annoy me, I’m kicking you out. No second chances.” A soft ‘huh?’ floated to his ears. “Look, you’re lucky it’s fall. It may not get cold in your part of the country but here? You’ll freeze in that. I also doubt you’ve eaten. Not to mention you look ready to burn that outfit. Just get inside, you can borrow some of my clothes. They may be big, but at least they’re clean. And actually cover you.” He shoved himself up, not even glancing behind him to see if she was following. The door closed, though he didn’t hear any footsteps. “Just take your shoes off and follow me.”

Silently, she listened, much to his shock. He had to admit, he was expecting resistance. It didn’t really hit him what was happening until he was standing in his room, looking for clothes. “You’ll have to wear some sweatpants, nothing else I own will fit you. Any complaints?” He questioned, glancing at her. A shake of the head. “Good. Here, try these.” With that, he tossed her a pair of gray sweats, a black shirt, and a plaid button up. “You’ll want to wear all of it. It’s cold.” Monty didn’t hang around, vanishing downstairs to the kitchen. It took a couple of minutes for L.A. to reappear, keeping her head down. Monty was a bit pleased she kept the ponytail.

“I’m sorry for showing up and making you feel like you had to help me.” He felt himself groan.

“Listen, just sit. This batch will be done soon. And trust me, someone showing up at my door first thing in the morning does not make me want to help them.” He could hear the sharp intake. “Alright, I don’t have the energy for the ‘Maine’ thing, so just listen. I get you’re trying to connect with me for whatever reason. I’m not that dumb. While you may have gone about it in an awful way-“

“I should’ve listened to Izzy…” He paused at the whisper.

“I have no clue who ‘Izzy’ is but yeah. You really should’ve. Not that it was offensive. Just obnoxious. Do you remember what my point was during our meeting?”

“You felt like I was trying to control you. I promised I’d stop but here I am…”

“Yea- What?” Confused, Monty turned, setting a plate in front of the blonde.

“Was I…wrong?”

“Uh, yeah? I never said anything about control. I said you were- oh.” Silence. Slowly, he sat across from her, staring at his plate. Placing his elbows on either side, he dropped his face into his hands. Here he thought it was over. “I didn’t mean you were controlling me. Trust me, Vermont tries to all the time.”

“Then what was I doing?” The almost begging tone nearly got him to lift his head. Nearly.

“You were trying to change me. Even if you didn’t mean to, you were. I’m not a suit and tie kind of person. I’m not into fashion, I actually couldn’t care less. Vermont and I are outdoorsy guys who wear a lot of plaid. We go mudding- wait, is that what you meant by mud driving?” He looked up, shaking his head. He pressed him palms into his cheeks. “Never mind. We go mudding, hiking, and hunting. I fix cars and trucks for fun. I’m not someone like what you’re used to, L.A.” For the first time, he looked her right in the eyes. “I’m not a toy you can dress up. I’m not interested.”

“Can…Can I speak?”

“Sure.”

“I never…I never meant to come across like that. My comments, though out of line, were meant to mean that you’d look great in one of those outfits. I never thought of forcing you to wear any. I never…” With a deep breath, she closed her eyes. Monty blinked. He hadn’t realized he had been staring. “I never saw you as some sort of ‘toy’. In fact, you remind me of Izzy and Nathan- I mean, Sacramento and Northern California. I guess I got caught up thinking you’d react to the comments the same way they do. But they grew up with SoCal and I. They’re used to it and know we don’t really mean it. I’m very sorry for coming across that way.” She slowly opened her eyes, keeping her head down. For a couple of minutes, the two of them sat there, L.A. picking at the pancakes and Monty watching her.

“Alright. And the lovesick attitude? I doubt you treat your family that way.” If anyone asked, both would swear to the grave that L.A. didn’t blush. L.A. to keep her image. Monty to keep the ability to see it to himself. The stuttering only helped further the redness. “I see. Well, it should be noted that I hated the outfit you wore here.”

“I, uh, kinda figured…”

“Good, so let me make one think clear. Changing someone for someone else is stupid. And that ‘someone’ includes yourself. So, we both know you know nothing about trucks, mudding, ect. What do you enjoy? Besides fashion, I mean.”

“Well, I can, like, surf. Even in heels.”

“See, now we’re getting somewhere. That’s an actually interesting fact. What about movie-“

“I am literally Hollywood. I know all the easter eggs, the classics, everything.” She scooted closer, a gleam in her eyes. Monty smirked.

“Oh? Well, then we have something in common. I just so happen to have a movie collection. Shall we pick through it?”

“You. Are. On.” Lizzy practically launched herself from the chair, food all but forgotten. Monty chuckled, grabbing both plates. Might as well eat as they watch, right? “Oh, and Montpeli-“

“Just call me Monty.”

“Alright, Monty. I just wanted to tell you to call me Lizzy.”

“Deal.”

“Dude, you have BeetleJuice? Guess what we’re watching first!”

“I mean, it was filmed here in Vermont. We have a system. ‘Filmed in A New England State’, ‘Takes Place in a New England State’, and ‘Other’. 13 different groups, some overlap. Maine’s are best viewed around Halloween.”

“Oh, please. Carrie is a classic and is perfect for viewing year round. Anyone who says otherwise is a liar.”

Hours later, Liam staggered up the steps to his home. He wasn’t drunk but he was tired. The trip to Mass left him exhausted. Dealing with Mass left him exhausted. Opening the door, he faintly heard the sounds of a movie. It sounded like the selection screen, though he had to doubt this. There was no way Monty would just leave a movie running, not even for food. Slowly, he crept towards the entrance to the shared living room. Sneaking a glance in, he saw a lump under a blanket, larger than his brother would be. Carefully moving closer, he took note of all the food bowls scattered around. Once he reached the sofa, he saw something he knew he’d hold over Monty for a while. Curled up, fast asleep, was Monty and a girl. But not any girl, oh no. Los Angeles herself was curled up on his chest, slumbering peacefully. ‘My little brother, off falling in love with a westerner.’ Liam thought, leaning over to pull the blanket up further. It was going to be a cold night. A smile found its way onto Liam’s lips as he glanced down at the two. Tugging at Monty’s was a soft smile of his own.

[purrincesskittens]

Marichat May: Day 31; Copy Cat

Adrien knew he was in for one hell of a day when Marinette came in to school wearing a new outfit instead of her usual pink, white and black ensemble. She had on what looked like a hand knitted Chat Noir sweater dress that reached mid thigh with tights with cat faces on the thighs. Her hair pulled back in it’s usual pigtails but with green ribbons and a hood attached to the back of the neck line of the dress with cat ears on it.

The dress itself was a simple long sleeve black with a green paw print in the middle and a hoodie pocket on it. The hood she had pulled up at first when she entered but put it down afterwards to show the green hair ribbons and green lipstick she wore.

She had some cute black sandals on her feet with a tiny heel to them. Around her neck she had one of the bell collars she made. He gulped when he saw her unable to help but stare at her. She was so frickin adorable! He was doomed.

He never could seem to find a good way of approaching her to compliment her outfit though. Chloe just would not leave him along today. She clung to his arm tightly coo at him or trashing Marinette despite him warning her that Mari was his friend too. 

He couldn’t pay attention in class at all he kept cast glances over his shoulder hoping to get a peek at Marinette’s outfit. Unknown to him Marinette was very flustered over the peeks he sent her way.

“Alya do you think he likes it?” She whispers to her best friend who laughs softly. “Girl you are driving him crazy with it. He can’t get enough of you.” She reassures with a wicked smile.

“Then why hasn’t he said anything?” Marinette worries biting her lip which drew Adrien’s eyes to her neon green painted lips watching her teeth pull at the plump lower lip unable to turn away. 

“Adrien Agreste would you mind telling me what I just said?” Miss Bustier asks with a knowing smile having seen the way the boy kept glancing at the girl behind him through out her class but it was a class and it was in session thus he should be paying attention to the discussion more then the girl. 

“Umm we were discussing La Marquise de Sevigne and her letters in which she wrote to her daughter and the insight they provide to  French Society. We uhh were focusing on discussing the execution of Madame de Brinvilliers.” Adrien stumbled a bit over his words but he had been listening partially so he had a vague idea of what was being said. 

Miss Bustier nodded confirming that what he said was correct. She moved on with their discussion from there leaving Adrien to give a sigh of relief ignoring the few chuckles from the guys in class and the elbow to the ribs Nino gave him.

By the time lunch rolled around Adrien was seriously wishing J.J. would stop making him watch romantic comedies with her; not that he objected really as he kind of liked them too. Between the rom-coms and the shoujo manga and anime that she had a rather extensive collection of and was more then happy to share it with him, he now knew several new flirting techniques and some kissing techniques. 

The flirting she let him try on on her but he avoided trying the kissing. She had kissed him once already a while ago as Lupine Alpha and him as Chat Noir neither one knowing who the other was at the time. She just kissed him because he was wearing lipstick having just come from a photo shoot. She then proceeded to kiss Corvus as well as Ladybug. Turns out she is bisexual and has no problem kissing females. 

At lunch he was just working up the courage to go talk to Marinette when an akuma attack happened. He slipped away into the boys bathroom to transform. Closing the door behind him he turned to let Palgg out. Only to stop and stare.

J.J. stood calm as day in the middle of the boys bathroom her kwami Accalia floating beside her. “About time you showed up. I’ve noticed that this is where you go to transform the most. So then shall we get going?” She stood her hair loose instead of its usual ponytail she wore to school her eyes a mix of green and brown at the moment.

“J.J. this is the guys bathroom!!” He hisses at her looking around frantically. “Oh I know but not that many guys go to the bathroom during lunch unlike girls who all seem to congregate in front of the mirrors in the girls room to touch up their makeup or to chat so its easier to slip into the boys bathroom and transform then to wait for the girls to evacuate the restroom to transform.”

She was rather calm about it all really as she waited for him to get it together and transform. “Okay that makes a lot of sense in some ways but you’re a girl!! You can’t just walk right into the boys bathroom like that!!” He hisses keeping his voice down just in case anyone was passing by. 

“Adrien my love you don’t have anything that I haven’t seen before. I have had sex before you know.” She said all this with a sly smile on her face one finger under his chin tilting his head up to meet her gaze. 

He gulped and flushed red. He had somewhat wondered considering she was older then him after all and seemed to have some experience dating especially compared to him. 

“Can we please focus, Tala? The akuma is still rampaging and Corvus is on his own out there!” Accalia barks peering out through the slightly open window. “Ladybug hasn’t shown up yet?” Adrien questions joining the kwami at the window. “Girls. Bathroom. Lunch. Makeup.” J.J. repeats to him.

He grimaced taking her words to mean who ever his lady was she was having a hard time finding somewhere to transform. “Plagg, Claws Out!” He calls at the same time as J.J. called out “Paws On, Accalia!” It was amazing and thrilling to transform along side someone; watching them transform was something truly amazing. 

They both exited through the window taking off after the akuma. The akuma was male and a young male probably in his mid to late teens. Could be from their school who knew. But he was dressed like a male version of Ladybug. 

“I am Beetle Bug!! Where are you my dear partner Chat Noire? It is time to stop those copycats of us once and for all!!” He cries with a evil laugh as he continued to seemingly search for a female Chat Noir. 

“Okay that is different.” Lupine comments swinging to land on the lamp post beside her partner or rather hang from it her whip wrapped around the top of it while Corvus stood actually ontop of it having landed there to rest for a moment. 

“Your telling me, Hime.” He mutters dark eyes following the akuma or at least they seemed to it was hard to tell with him having no whites to his eyes at all. His feathers ruffled slightly as Chat Noir landed off to the side of him perched on his baton. 

“What are we dealing with here? This akuma does make a purr-itty paw-some copy of my lady for a male that is.” Chat asks giving a sneeze as he did while still managing to crack a few jokes. He dug around in his pockets for the medicine he kept there for when he was transformed and hanging out along side the crow miraculous holder. 

He quickly swallowed the pills before looking back at the akuma frowning when he realized Ladybug still had yet to show up. Voices carried over from the school not far away drawing attention in that direction. 

Marinette had tripped going down the stairs chasing Alya who had her phone out and was recording already. Alya had stopped to check on her friend Nino already was beside her helping her to her feet her hood having fallen into her face. 

Chat Noir got a sickening feeling in his stomach as he watched the akuma turn towards the trio in front of the school and focus in on the girl in black. A heavy pause filled the air in that moment and a distorted waver of the air around Beetle Bug meant Deer Woman, Hawkmoth’s new partner and the arch enemy of Lupine Alpha and Corvus, was persuading him to do something.

Deer Woman had the ability to possess or hypnotize men and children. Only Lupine had the power to stop her but not alone. While Lupine was the main driving force behind stopping Deer Woman she needed Corvus’s help to do so just like Ladybug and him. 

The ring of the black cat and the earrings of the ladybug were a matching pair two parts of a whole as were the collar of the wolf and the bangle of the crow. The two worked best when together. 

Beetle Bug gave a triumphant cry turning and swinging his way quickly towards their three friends. “There you are Chat Noire!! My love, my partner come let us destroy these copy cats together once and for all!” He cries landing in front of the three.

Nino and Alya immediately formed a barrier between  the akuma and Marinette trying to protect her. “Leave her alone!!” Chat Noir shouts angrily pole vaulting his way towards them with Corvus flying and Lupine Alpha swinging using her extendable whip. 

“They wish to stop us from prevailing Chat Noire but fear not we are together again and nothing will stop us now. Come let us go and plot out how we will take down these filthy copy cats.” 

With that Beetle Bug scooped up the girl pulling her close despite her struggles and swung away. “No!” Chat cried along side the girls best friend. A determined look on his face he gave chase after them determined not to lose his Princess to that fiend. 

They chased Beetle Bug through most of Paris neither one stopping to rest for long racing across roof tops or swinging and vaulting through the streets. By then the news crews had gotten a hold of the story and were following along on the chase.

Alya had hitched a ride with the police in Officer Raincomprix’s cruiser. She was determined to get her best friend back as well as cover every detail of the fight. 

Beetle Bug finally came to a halt in a  busy crowded area dropping down into the middle of the crowd with one arm firmly locked around a struggling flailing Marinette. 

“Corvus.” Lupine calls out to her partner needing no words as they each approached the crowd at different angles. The news crew had caught up and were blocking one street while the cops had blocked off another leaving the three super heroes to split up and block off the remaining streets leaving only one way open that they could filter. 

“I really hate to do this on a crowd of this size but at least the affect will be diluted.” He mutters pulling back one feather covered arm the one that his miraculous was on, as he spoke. 

“Chat get ready to get up close and purr-sonal with the akuma you’re going to have to use your cataclysm on him. I’ll protect the girl.” Chat Noir gave a nod of affirmative extending his baton ready to go the moment she gave the okay.

“Mayhem!!” Corvus screeches giving a sweep of his wing a dark purple bubbling wave of energy spread out from the sweeping motion it washed over the crowd and all who it touched immediately came under its effect including Beetle Bug. Marinette was spared from the full affects thanks to her miraculous. 

Screams and panic set in and people with eyes wide with terror began to flee in all directions or collapse to the ground screaming and crying voices of madness echoing in their minds or just plain old feelings of terror and hopelessness. Chaos reined in the crowd as the outer edges of the crowd ran for the only open exit guarded by the heroes. 

“Now!!” Lupine shouts quickly swinging towards the now visible akuma. Chat Noir vaulted on his baton towards the akuma landing in front of him immediately bringing his baton back up to block the wild throw of Beetle Bug’s yoyo. 

Beetle Bug’s eyes were blown wide and his mind was in chaos complete mayhem ran free in his mind no one thought staying for long other then to drop a suggestion or hint adding to it all. 

He fought with Chat Noir wildly not planning what he was going to do next just swinging his yoyo and fighting hand to hand combat style. It was hard for Chat to keep up unable to determine what he was going to do next. 

Lupine Alpha in the mean time had dropped down to land beside the girl wrapping an arm around Mari her whip tied securely around her hips she raised both hands and calling out, “Sanctuary!!”  

A golden bubble of light encompassed them surrounding them in it’s protective sphere. The remainder of the crowd that had been nearly trampling the poor girl, who was feeling panicked from the use of Mayhem, was now kept at bay as they either ran into the sphere and bounced off it or ran around it avoiding it. 

“Lucky Charm!!” Beetle Bug cried raising a hand and tossing their yoyo in the air. A spotted version of Chat’s baton fell into their hand along with their yoyo. The yoyo went back around his waist while the two staff wielders fought it out. 

Chat’s eyes darted between the yoyo and the earrings Beetle Bug wore. Unable to decide which item was where the akuma was hiding he gritted his teeth knowing he was going to have to take a chance and pick one.

A four winged boomerang made the decision for him as it came out of no where and smashed into the side of Beetle Bug’s head cracking one of the earrings causing it to break off. 

The string attached to the boomerang was yanked and the weapon returned to its wielder Corvus. Beetle Bug gave a cry of pain clutching the side of his head turning now to face Corvus who threw his boomerang again. 

He was far more careful then to just throw it and hope it hit its mark. No Corvus was the cool calm and collected one while Lupine was busy snapping her whip at all who dared approach her and the girl her Sanctuary spent snarling all the while.

He calculated the exact angle need for him to throw his boomerang at for it to curve back around and smash into Beetle Bug again as  he had planned. With both earrings now broken and in pieces on the ground the only thing left was the yoyo.

“Cataclysm!!”  Chat Noir yells his hand being surrounded in the signature black bubbling dark energy as it collided with the yoyo that was swung at him. The yoyo turned black upon contact and dissolved crumbling into black dust a purple butterfly emerging from it. 

Lupine’s whip snapped up the akuma before it could get far. As her whip was recoiled back to her Lupine brought up a hand enclosing the butterfly in her fist still wrapped up in the tail end of her whip bringing it up to her miraculous. A gold light surrounded her hand coming from her miraculous and with a kiss pressed to her knuckles she opened her hand releasing a golden butterfly. “Fly away now little one. Go and be free” She calls softly to it; her miraculous down to one clawed black toe pad and the wide main black paw pad. She tossed her whip into the air with a howl a golden light emitting from it as everything returned to normal.  “Wondrous Wolf!!”

Chat Noir ignored the beep of his own miraculous in favor of rushing over to wrap the stunned and confused girl up in his arms. Corvus already bidding them farewell after high fiveing Lupine quickly and giving her a kiss on the cheek before taking off his miraculous down to just one purple crows foot marking. 

Lupine murmured softly to him letting him know she was taking off too and she would see him later as well as reminding him that he had to leave before his time ran out once he was through thoroughly rubbing his face against Marinette’s hair and squeezing her to death. He was quickly joined by Alya and Nino along with reporters and police officers surrounding him asking him for comments or details on what just happened no one paying much attention to the blonde haired boy sitting confused on the ground a few feet away.

[recentanimenews]

BokuBen – 01 (First Impressions) – Don’t Forget the Frustration

BokuBen or We Never Learn pulls off a fine trick; one so admirable knowing the potential underlying cynicism for its formula doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the show. First, it draws you in with its catchy, vibrant OP, two girls as lovably drawn and animated as Trigger or Shaft fare, and brings three consummate-professional seiyuu in Shiraishi Haruka (wonderful as Asirpa in Golden Kamuy), Tomita Miyu (excellent as Abyss’ Riku) and Osaka Ryouta (from everything) to the party.

Then, once you’re at that party, you learn that the beauty is more than skin deep, and that the three main characters presented so far are richly detailed and both their dreams and motivations are clearly and strongly defined. More to the point, all three are extremely likable rootable characters, so let’s meet ’em!

Osaka’s Yuiga Nariyuki is your standard hard-working kid with a good heart. We learn his family is poor, his father deceased, and later, that he’s the man of a dilapidated house, desperate to help hold both it and the family within it together. And there’s your motivation for why he’d accept almost any condition in exchange for getting a free ride at the college affiliated with his high school.

That condition involves him having to tutor the two school geniuses, Furuhashi Fumino (Shiraishi), the “Sleeping Beauty of the Literary Forest”, and Ogata Rizu (Tomita), the “Thumbelina Supercomputer.” Those amazing nicknames are incredibly accurate in describing the two girls’ strengths, but fall far short of describing the full measure of their respective characters.

That is because Furuhashi, a genius in liberal arts, wants to go to college for science, while Rizu, a genius in science, wants to go to college for liberal arts. The scenario almost too deliciously perfect, right down to their hair and eye color resembling Eva’s Rei and Asuka.

Yuiga quickly learns that Furuhashi is as hopeless at math as Rizu is hopeless at literature, and that this will be no easy task. But the reward will be getting into college without burdening his family, which makes it worth the challenge.

At first, his frustration with their ineptitude in the fields they wish to pursue, and suggestion that they simply tutor one another, lead the girls to suspect that he’ll abandon them just like all the (numerous!) previous tutors. I mean, he’s saying the same thing they all did: stick with what you know, you’re both geniuses in that! Let your talent take you as far as it can! USE YOUR GIFTS.

But like any gift someone didn’t specifically ask for (nor had the opportunity to do so) if it’s not something they wanted, they should be free to pursue something they do.

The polite, apologetic, self-berating Furuhashi and fiery, direct, and suspicious Rizu may differ in many ways but one way in which they do not is in their steadfast determination not to take the paths of least resistance, nor let a consensus of outside voices they had no control over determine what they should be.

In their haste to take their leave of yet another tutor who doesn’t understand where they’re coming from, the girls leave their practice books behind with Yuiga, and when he finds them packed with notes proving how hard the two of them worked to understand, Yuiga proceeds to understand where they’re coming from, because it’s a place he’s been to too.

Yuiga used to suck in school, and remembered the pain and frustration of simply not understanding something, not matter how hard he tried. He’s able to empathize with them not possibly being happy if they gave up on what they wanted to do simply because what they could do was easy.

So he supplies them with advisory notes and suggests they study in the library together. I loved how he got so into his explanation of how he got them and relates to them, it sounded at first to both of them that he was confessing his love for them at the same time! Thankfully, he’s able to quickly diffuse that misunderstanding and they head to the library.

There, Yuiga learns another layer of difficulty beyond the practical matter of getting these two into the colleges of their choice—the fact that he’s a high school guy, and they’re both insanely cute high school girls. Getting his VIP recommendation and free ride doesn’t just mean making sure they succeed; he has to continue keeping his grades up.

But it’s hard to focus when, for instance, Furuhashi nods off and rests her head on his shoulder, during which he gets a whiff of her hair, or when Rizu draws in so close to show him a problem that her chest brushes against his side. Yuiga’s romantic history isn’t mentioned here (it’s likely he’s devoted all his time to studying and improving his grades), but it’s clear both of those events were probably firsts for him.

Meanwhile, Fusuhashi and Rizu remain charmingly unaware of the effect they’re inadvertently having on Yuiga. I appreciate this distinction: they’re not intentionally flirting with him, nor are they in conscious competition for him. This is all in Yuiga’s head right now. They’re both there to study. So when he starts blushing and breathing heavily, they assume he’s not feeling well due to a fever.

Yuiga’s interactions with Furuhashi and Rizu post-“confession” plumb satisfying new depths in both their character stories, both for Yuiga and me. Those new layers further explain why Furuhashi and Rizu are pursuing fields opposite their strengths, and it isn’t just for the sheer challenge.

Furuhashi wants to pursue a career in astronomy because she loves the stars and wants to have a closer connection to them, especially as one of them might be her late mother’s star. Meanwhile, Rizu’s family owns an udon restaurant, but while on break between deliveries she is playing a card game for 2-10 players…by herself. Yuiga plays her learns she sucks at it, but she still loves board and card games, and wants a career that will help her understand more about the human emotions that blend with the math to make those games special.

In both cases, Yuiga promises both he’ll support them, and again, their conversations take a turn that could be construed as romantic, only this time he isn’t being supportive to them both at the same time, like his “confession,” so each girl has more cover to express their gratitude for his continued support.

The episode closes by putting faces on the family Yuiga wants to protect: his mother, two younger sisters, and younger brother. But he’s no mercenary in this effort; and his family is no longer the one and only reason. He seems genuinely invested in working to help secure Furuhashi and Rizu’s happiness, as someone whose late father urged him to value failure, and the pain and frustration that result form it, as among the most important teachers in life.

When he’s approached by both Furuhashi and Rizu at school in front of his friends, and both of them whisper in his ear not to mention to anyone what they talked about last night, it creates a third layer to Yuiga’s increasingly complicated mission: the social aspect outside the trio’s dynamic. This is high school; rumors will spread and misconceptions will develop. How will the three of them deal? Not to mention there’s a third girl on the horizon: one who may be a genius in swimming.

I’m over 1200 words here, so I should wrap this sucker up—BokuBen had a very strong start, as I’m invested in everyone I’ve met so far. It’s a great-looking show with great-sounding seiyuu and has a very promising premise. If it can maintain the quality of its premiere, I’ll have no problem tuning in.

By: sesameacrylic

[taenys]

♢ shinee world v in la ♢

alright so I’ve finally gotten home and have been able to write a detailed fan account of the whole thing which includes their airport arrival!!! the whole thing ended up being over 2.5k :’))) unsurprising considering who I am (resident essay writer of the internet) but i did try to keep it as short and to the point as possible. 

anyways if any of y’all are interested in reading a really emo and sappy essay about shinee and what was undeniably the best day of my life from my seat in the pit, read on!

Airport arrival: I saw Jonghyun’s face so clearly. Key went by me in a flash clinging to him, so I got a clear profile shot. Taemin’s face was covered but his beautiful eyes were visible and I got a very clear look at him. Minho as well, although he was wearing sunglasses, he was tall and brooding. Onew passed before I could see him. Taemin looked at me wide-eyed, inquisitively. I was in front of their van on the sidewalk making hearts at them while they got in and got ready to enter traffic to leave and Minho and Taemin got a clear frontal view of me doing so and both of them smiled, but Taemin’s eyes were on me for quite a while. Once they started to drive away, I waved frantically at them and Minho waved back at all of us. 

Jonghyun’s face caught me off guard. I was in a stunned silence when I saw him, his poreless, airbrushed, perfectly chiseled angelic beautiful unreal face. The entire time I said nothing. No words came out of my mouth, no screams. I was silent. In complete and utter AWE. I’ve never experienced that before meeting an idol. At SNSD’s fanmeet, I screamed (to the dismay of Jessica lol). At every concert I’ve screamed as is customary lol. When I saw f(x) at the airport I called out their names. At EXO’s fanmeet I screamed to get Kris’ attention. But seeing SHINee, right in front of me, their beautiful faces materialized, and even more breathtaking than I could possibly comprehend, the 5 boys I have adored so completely for 7+ years, who’s music has been a constant soundtrack playing on repeat every day of my life…I couldn’t formulate words or sounds to express all those emotions. There were none that could do them justice. The love I felt was so fucking overwhelming, as soon as their van started to drive away and Minho’s waving ceased I broke. I cracked. The suffocating sense of adoration and joy at seeing them, seeing my boys, my loves, and my reasons for existence, I fucking SOBBED. Not small tears but full on snot inducing yelps. I literally choked on my emotions. I had to run back into the airport to my mom to hide these tears from everyone else because they were just so ridiculous lol. Everyone else was all giddy and going over their fancams and screaming with each other. I just cried and cried. I could not believe it. I couldn’t process the whole experience. I love them so much, I can’t even begin to tell you guys just how much. I realized it at that airport when I saw them. It was such a different experience than all my other crazy kpop idol meeting experiences. 

Also, just as a note, the whole thing about them being mobbed was greatly exaggerated. It only looked that way on camera because we had all unfortunately formed our organized lines in front of the doors, but they ended up coming down an escalator so we all had to run over and form NEW lines from the escalator to the door and so it looks like we all tried to swarm them. They all tend to walk really fast so we didn’t even have the opportunity to form new lines since by the time we got to them, they were already nearing the exit so at that point we all just tried to see them and welcome them as best we could. There were only like 1-2 fans who were being disrespectful and obnoxious, but trust me when I say most of us were filming and following from a safe enough distance or at least trying to.

The concert: As soon as I found my seat, which was in row D in the pit aka the 4th row from the stage, my heart stopped. I was so close. SO FUCKING CLOSE to the stage SHINee would be on. And I was right in the center too, I’d have a clear center super close view of them, and the realization of that was utterly staggering. The energy around me was filled with excitement and glee, but I was in my own little bubble of heart quenching awe and disbelief. I could see my mom and my sister in the row behind me and I gave my mom the “Can you believe this is happening” look and she smiled and nodded. She and Ruby (sis) were experiencing their own waves of excitement but I wasn’t with them to share in it. I was alone where I sat but that was what ended up happening during the ticket buying bonanza. I was able to score 1 pit ticket, and we all agreed it would be mine since I was the “main” fan in our little trio. SHINee was ours, but first and foremost they were mine. But luckily my mom and sister got seats together and only a row behind me, so they were just as close as I was to the stage. While we waited for the show to start the venue played their music and the crowd chanted along to most of them. I sang too with my eyes closed, ready for the inevitable. I had to told myself in the weeks approaching the date that I would do my best to study and analyze every member’s face and mannerisms as best I could. Since I knew they’d move around and switch sides a lot, I knew I’d have an opportunity to see every member at some point.  When the venue got dark and the light blared and the first VCR started my heart was racing a million miles an hour. My mind was repeating “this is real, this is happening, they’re going to come out and you’re going to see them, you’re going to actually fucking SEE them. The boys who’ve made your entire life worth living for the past almost 8 years are going to be right in front of you, singing all your favorite songs (because all their songs are my favorites, LITERALLY), and you’re close enough that they’re going to see YOU too,” that last thought being the MOST mind blowing of them all. The people sitting directly in front of me were luckily not taller than me, so my head was higher than theirs when we stood which meant SHINee would get a clear shot at my face when they looked in this direction. I opted to wear these cute aqua cat ears with flowers on them in my hair to hopefully draw their eye. 

Finally the VCR ended and we all stood up and we knew it was time. We screamed. I screamed “I’m not emotionally ready oh my god” to the girl sitting next to me (lol). I wasn’t ready and I don’t think I ever WOULD be ready. How do you prepare to see your favorite humans of all time? They opened with Hitchhiking and I was screaming the lyrics along with them, and oh my god they were so close to the edge of the stage, closer to me than I even imagined, I could see every detail of their faces and it was breathtaking. At one point Jonghyun looked directly into my eyes and held my gaze for a few seconds and smirked. What I noticed first was, they’re all so much more beautiful in real life than is even humanly possible, and secondly they were all dancing SO HARD and with SO MUCH INTENSITY it was stunning. They were dripping in sweat after the first 3 songs but MAN did they dance with every ounce of strength they had. Their passion and drive was just astonishing and inspiring to witness. Onew’s dancing was especially impressive. Taemin’s dancing is so fluid and poetic and I can’t believe I got to witness his shirtless godlike body in person so close WOW. Minho is so much more godly than you can imagine. Jonghyun is small (smol) and darling with those sharp cheekbones and puppy eyes. Key is so intense and cat-like in his features which are more defined in real life. Onew is pure gorgeousness, his smile is the most beautiful thing that exists and will ever exist. It’s hard to believe any of them could be so beautiful. I won’t go song by song describing how they looked and how they felt because I’d have to write over 10 pages and who has time to read all of that lmao I’ll just point out the “highlights.” Key’s English. I know we all know it’s great but hearing it in real life was an experience. He sounds so confident and cool, I adore it with my life. When he told us that this was real and we weren’t seeing them through youtube I fucking BALLED. Because that’s exactly what was so shocking and emotional for me, that I was actually seeing them. And they were fucking seeing me too. Minho and Key being playful and silly speaking English added 10 years to my life. Honestly, Minkey are so important. Their banter is the best thing. I couldn’t believe I was experiencing my otps in real life too LMAO. They were all exactly how I knew they’d be. Taemin would be shy and smiley, like the baby he is, Onew would be aloof and dorky and too precious for words, Jonghyun would be flirty and silly and not try out any English lol, Minho would be so cool and sexy during performances but turn into a sweet cinnamon roll during talks, and Key would be the leader, confident and charismatic and intense. They were all so perfect. Jongtae hugging, Taemin speaking English, it was all too cute to witness. 

Minho spent a lot of time on my side so I got the most fanservice from him. It was unfuckingbelievable. He is an actual god among mortals I’m telling you. His endlessly long legs and slim abdomen, and that tiny gorgeous face with those huge expressive frog eyes and round lips, his entire existence is bliss. He looked at me and smiled a TON because I was making hearts. Taemin was in front of me at one point too, with nothing obstructing his view of my face since the people in front were small and he looked at me and smiled that babyish smiley of his that I live for. Key looked at me and raised an eyebrow curiously at one point as well. Onew got wide-eyed and excited when he saw me and a few others make the “MVP” with our hands during his line in replay. I can’t express enough just how fucking gorgeous and perfect their faces are. I can picture them all so fucking clearly in my mind, it gives me heart palpitations. Even my mom said afterwards at the hotel that there’s no way they’re real. Speaking of my mom, Taemin is the actual love of her life, so when he did his solo stage of Goodbye she snuck up to the front row just to watch him lol. Also during Savior, Minho came right over to their side and I looked behind me to see if my mom and sister would get any fanserivce since he had a clear view of them in the aisle seat they had, and sure enough I saw my mom smiling the biggest I’ve ever seen from her, and waving at him and he looked at her and smiled and waved back. When the fans around saw that interaction between them, they all started waving too, wanting to get a hello from him as well and so he obliged and started waving around the entire section. But the waving was started by my mom and she won’t let anyone forget it lol. “Remember when Minho waved at you and smiled” has been a constant phrase we’ve been saying at random intervals through the day. 

This day meant just as much to her as it did to me. Just seeing them perform was indescribable though. I’ve loved their music and choreo for so long, and witnessing it was a whole different experience. I saw them at SMTOWN, sure, but that was only for a few songs and I was a lot farther from the stage. And even when I think back to that concert, where I saw SNSD and EXO and f(x) and so many other performers, SHINee’s has ALWAYS stood out to me as the most memorable and emotional. SHINee has always been my number one.  Seeing them for nearly 3 hours, I sang so loud and so hard (I kept my screaming to a minimum and focused on singing and doing fanchants so they’d see that we love their music here and despite the language barrier, we know their lyrics and hopefully they’d come back again someday soon). I lost my voice by the end and ended up with a sore throat and a fever the next day, but it was well worth it. I also couldn’t walk for the rest of the week lmao It was like I’d run a marathon after living a sedentary life for years and not doing any kind of training beforehand. My legs did not survive. And neither did my heart. I couldn’t listen to or watch anything SHINee related this whole week honestly. Even seeing pictures and fancams of the event (speaking of which, my sister got a fucking glorious fancam of Onew) hurt my heart and so I avoided everything like the plague. It ended too quickly. The whole experience ruined me though. I crave them so much more now. I want to save up to go to Korea to see them since I know they probably won’t do another US tour. I am going to live out the rest of my life just following their careers and loving them unconditionally as I do now, maybe even more so if that’s even possible. If I had the means and the money I’d probably drop everything and become a fansite owner who travels everywhere and sees them and even befriends them. 

Their music represents so much for me. It represents the bond I have with my mother most especially. Experiencing all of this with her made it so much more emotional. We’ve bonded over SHINee since the beginning. As soon as I discovered them nearly 8 years ago, I showed them to mom. She was the first person I showed a kpop video too and of course it was SHINee We watched Hello Baby and their other shows together, and she learned about them with me and grew to love them as much as I have. Her and I listened to their music more than anything and their songs, their passion, their existence gave her and I a sense of happiness and motivation in a difficult time in our lives. We all just…clung to SHINee’s music. Their music is just so fucking GOOD. She has her own copies of all their Korean albums in her car and they’re the only thing she listens to. It was my dream, my ultimate dream to go to a SHINee concert with her. I wanted her to see them. I saw them before at SMTOWN in 2012 and it was MAGICAL. My mom didn’t get to attend because we couldn’t afford another ticket but she was in the parking lot waiting to pick us up and decided to get off and wait inside to try and hear some of the concert and she says she heard Sherlock and saw glimpses of SHINee performing through the curtains in the venue and she cried. She cried because she was so happy that my sister and I were there seeing them, and she sang along to the song and felt like she was a part of that experience with us. And now she got to see them with us, and us with her, and it was pure and utter magic. 

Anyways, SHINee is my entire life and I will never be over this experience. But man oh man, loving them this much has only made the whole “post-concert depression” about a million times more painful and unbearable than anything I’ve ever experienced. Something that can only be cured by seeing them again. I NEED to see them again.