#i NEED to draw her and her wife being happy goofs

[elliottjpg]

Yoko Jigen's no good, very bad day life

Yoko lost her little "sister" as a teen. Suki got in trouble with the local mafia and disappeared, and several different gangs claimed her murder.

Thirty years later, Yoko's daughter Naomi accidentally kills two gangsters and has to flee the country.

Turns out Yoko's "sister" is not dead and also not a girl, and Naomi will end up studying Bushido under her uncle's boyfriend, giving her mom a heart attack ^^

Btw, I have a fic on how Jigen reunites with his sister (and how it immediately blows up in their faces)! And while I haven't written any story about Naomi, you can find out more about her eventual career as a thief here and here!

[bbu-fan-blog]

A quick question, how would Aristotle act if he got a kiss on the cheek? (If too uncomfortable it's okay not answer!) Or how would the whole bbu crew flirt? Im too curious and HAPPY EARLY CHRISTMAS BBU GANG!

Ok, when it comes to romance, I have to say I both have some facts and headcanons, so to answer this I'll try and go with what I personally know so it's mostly headcanons here. ^^'

Billie: Billie is aroace, and considering she's rather neutral about her father being in love with Aristotle, chances are that they're simply not interested in romance, or flirting.

Aristotle: Based on drawings with Arthur, Aristotle was the loving, affectionate kind. He'd definitely "flirt" by giving compliments and assuring words. Oh, and he'd absolutely melt when kissed, I'm sure!

Arthur: Kinda unlike Billie, I think Arthur would be into romance, but unlike Aristotle's romantic self, he'd definitely try to impress his crush by feats of cool acts or cool outfits, making him appear kinda like a goof who's trying so hard to impress that it comes off as endearing.

Elaine: Elaine is actually in a relationship, and her plot revolves around it: if she loves you, she'll fight tooth and nail for you. I don't see her as much of a flirt, I picture her as someone who shows her love by acts of service, like being a kind eaar for your troubles, or support in your interests.

Percy: Very soft hearted and loving, Percy would absolutely be a most comforting and devoted partner. Something tells me he would be a bit shy to confess his feelings, or even flirt, but if he manages to, he'd mostly gush on everything he loves about you: he's very sweet!

Scrimshaw: Here's the thing with Scrim: he may flirt and charm people like it's nothing, but when it comes to commitment, he's a bit fickle, not one to really be tied down to a relationship. I think it'd take a while for him to actually be open to really consider you a partner. Keep trying, tho': it may happen someday! At the very least, he loves the attention.

Dutch: Dutch strikes me off as someone who's cordial, but not completely open about his real self: if he knows you, he's more willing to show his true personality, warts and soft side. He's very charismatic and knows how to charm, so I bet that, among the main cast, he'd be the biggest flirt of all, selling even the corniest of pick up lines with his southern flair.

Hayes: Poor dear would be a shy, nervous wreck around their crush, if they happened to catch feelings for someone. Usually it's not on their mind since they're very focused on their work, but when it happens, oh, it takes their whole heart, but would be shy to confess, or even flirt. They might need help from their crush to fully confess, and if that happens, oh, such a couple would be the sweetest around!

Basile: He may be gruff on the outside, but as seen with his wife Pom, you can tell he loves someone by showing his soft side, smiling and just being very sweet. Not sure if he'd be a flirt, tho'.

Barnaby: Ash said this:

So, yeah, in his own ways, Barnaby is VERY romantic: if he likes you in a romantic way, he's very affectionate. Not sure if he would flirt, but he definitely would give his partner a lot of hugs and nuzzles. whether prompted or not. And would absolutely stand close to you during any party (that he'd most likely organized to your liking). Of course, if you want full commitment, you'd have to die, but it'd be worth it to stay with him forever, right?

Fantoccio: From what I've seen Fantoccio doesn't open up easily with people, but knowing his love for theatre, I bet that if he loves you he'd flirt by doing great gestures of love, like a Shakesperean ode to your beauty and charm, or offering you your favorite flowers. He'd also be more happily willing to show his interests and hyperfixations, if he trusts that you won't make fun of him. So, yeah, it may take a while, but when it happens, he's 100% devoted.

Dimitri: Not sure how this goof would act when it comes to romance, but something tells me that he'd definitely try to flirt by coming with hyped up corny lines... only for his tail to reveal what he thinks of his crush, thus making him flail and fluster all over. Very awkward, but surprisingly endearing, in a way.

[leviathan-dee]

DMC Week 2020: Day 1: Polar Opposites

(Yay, it’s finally here! I hope the community is working hard to create pieces for this amazing fandom. So let’s celebrate Devil May Cry, as well as Capcom, for bringing us these characters and stories we so easily fell in love with. Let the week commence!) (The prompts I’ve used for Day 1 were “Blood” and “Weapon”).

Watching the combating twins whack each other over minuscule things, Eva and Sparda ponder their children's demonic blood, and the men they would eventually become.

Word Count: 2,716

Characters: Sparda, Eva, Dante, Vergil

Read on AO3

An exasperated sigh left the honey blonde woman, her lashes fluttering shut at the sight of the impulsive twins combating in the greenery. She clasped her husband’s hand around her fingers, coiling their digits together in a comforting motion. The silver haired man simply eyed his beloved, his nonchalant gaze morphing into one of puzzlement and worry.

“Eva? Is something wrong, my love?” Bringing their entangled fingers to his lips, he placed tentative pecks upon his wife’s knuckles, earning him a pleased hum from the woman. Her expression, however, stayed drained.

“It’s just… They’re fighting again,” Eva exhaled once more, keeping her eyes on the bickering brothers in the distance, “tell me, Sparda. Will this ever end?”

The silver haired man, the Legendary Dark Knight Sparda, chuckled. It appeared as though the sound was bereft of any amusement, seeming more forlorn, perhaps even bitter.

“Their nature demands it. The blood that pulses within their veins demands it.”

“I know- I just want them to get along.” She lamented the situation, continuously watching the two arctic silver haired boys whack each other with wooden swords. No matter how many times she reprimanded the two, they never listened.

“They will grow out of it, my love. If I know humans well enough, all boys of this age rebel against one another.” Sparda inched his frame closer to the woman, coiling his arm around her waist, drawing the couple closer together. They breathed each other’s scent, basking in the warmth. Placing her head upon the man’s shoulder, she continued to ponder the predicament.

“You do know us well enough. But... They’re twins, yet they act as if they are polar opposites.”

And it was true. Dante was a tempestuous child, leveling all stillness in his surroundings. He would grab any object that would be sufficient as a weapon, only to whack the ever-loving spirit out of anything that got in his way. The boy barely slept, perpetually energy filled, picking fights at any given moment. It was as if his addiction to adrenaline was insatiable. Although it was endearing, his constant joy and fervour for life colouring the air, it was definitely exhausting to his mother, Eva.

Whereas Vergil was a gentle creature. He was delicate, keeping to himself most of the time. The boy would cradle a novel with all the tenderness he could muster, scanning each word upon the page lovingly. He enjoyed the serenity of life, and preferred a confrontation-free day, as opposed to his brother’s persistent need for chaos.

Though they were twins, they contradicted that notion with every breath they would take. Fighting was the kind of joint activity Dante and Vergil were good at; The only kind of brotherhood they would participate in. Admittedly, it made Sparda proud. His sons had fighting spirits. Their demon blood flowed with a passion for battle, the same kind of passion that helped Sparda defeat Mundus two thousand years ago.

An abrupt memory stormed at the Dark Knight, flashbacks of his fights, and the tumultuous war between humanity and the netherworld. His human form began to sweat, a strange sensation of nausea rising within his belly. It wasn’t often he felt anxious, though the thought of his family perishing under the thumb of Hell would override any confidence he possessed.

He loved them too much.

“Eva… Listen. I have withheld this for far too long. I possess two artefacts. Two weapons, only meant for those who would protect the sanctity of our worldly barriers. To protect the human realm from dictatorship of the underworld.” Raising her heavy head from her husband’s shoulder, she eyed the man questioningly. She seemed to digest the information, noting what he meant wholeheartedly.

“Honey, you don’t mean to give them to the boys now, do you?”

“No. Only when they are ready. Although… Perhaps I may show them their future gifts now, my love?”

Brushing a golden unruly lock away from Eva’s cheek, he placed an amorous peck on the corner of her lips protectively, perhaps even a tad bit possessively. She embraced the warm feeling nevertheless.

“Of course. There is no need to ask permission of me. They’re your sons too, Sparda.” The woman nodded, her hair continuing to cascade down to her cheeks, earning her a boyish giggle from her husband.

Sparda sighed before unravelling himself from his beloved, already missing the tenderness of her frame. He stood to observe his battling sons. The two sparred in the shrubs, the sounds of rustling leaves and youthful grunts echoing in the garden. It was surprising at how well their demon blood healed their injuries. The only signs of the skirmish between the two ended up being the leftover sanguine that stained countless shirts. In fact, Eva began purchasing darker clothes for the boys, knowing full well that they would proceed to bleed each other whenever their tempers would allow it.

Seconds passed, Vergil ended the physical altercation with a swing to Dante’s legs, swooping him into the air. Dante less-than gracefully landed amongst the grass, giggling joyously at the change in direction, from vertical to horizontal. To the parents’ surprise, the twins had their fill of bickering for today. The elder twin approached his parents with a victorious smirk tugging at his lips, a trickle of crimson leaving his left nostril. Bouncing to his feet, Dante sprinted close behind.

Whilst Eva sighed dejectedly, Sparda naturally smiled.

“My sons! Come hither. Come, come.” As the father beckoned the twins, they coiled their arms around his legs, glueing themselves to his frame in a playful manner. Dante’s giggles alleviated all tension and exhaustion Eva felt, his jovial attitude giving her reason to be happy again. Vergil, albeit being the calmer, older brother, snickered mischievously alongside Dante.

“Ahh, my boys have turned to barnacles.” Sparda did not push the youths off, instead walking to his destination inside the manor, with the boys holding on for dear life on his limbs. The mossy colour in the woman’s eyes returned to its full lustrous blaze, watching her three goof-balls interact. It seemed as though her love for her family bloomed brighter than before. She let out a content sigh, before following the sprightly bunch of white hairs.

Moments later, they entered the manor, a warm smell of baked pastries blanketing their senses. Scents of cinnamon, and strawberry began to drift with the draft, the boy’s stomachs rumbling in retaliation. Dante tugged pleadingly at Eva’s scarlet shawl, alongside her heartstrings. Vergil simply stared up at the woman, his puppy-eyed stare finally breaking her defenses.

“Fine, fine. I’ll make some tea with the strawberry turnovers and cinnamon buns. Behave, don’t give your father any trouble.” Eva placed an ardent smooch on her husband’s jaw, barely able to reach his face from the sheer height he possessed. Sparda chuckled at the attempt, lowering himself to let her kiss him proper. The boys cringed at the display, letting out a collective drawl of ‘eeew’s, before their mother ruffled their silver hair beneath her palm.

As the gentle woman left to prepare the desserts, the three proceeded upstairs. Although the manor was an overwhelming size for four people, there was only one rarely frequented room. Standing before a mahogany door, Sparda pressed his palm against the lacquered handle, turning the metal as it laboriously whined at the sudden use. Swinging the door open, inches of undisturbed dust suddenly whafted into the air, a stale smell rising within the room. The family entered hesitantly, with Dante and Vergil still holding onto their father’s legs.

It was lowly lit, the windows obscured by thick, ochre curtains. A singular chest, spanning two metres in width, stood beside a tall mirror. It was ominous to say the least, with these objects being the only things to stand in the empty room. Curiosity seemed to override the twins, letting their father’s hostage legs go. They both approached the strange furniture.

Behind them, Sparda crouched to level his gaze with theirs, before beckoning them over to grasp their shoulders in unison.

“Dante, Vergil. My precious sons. There will come a time when you will grow into two strong men. Two powerful protectors. It is imperative that you understand this. That your existence is far more important than you realise.” Pausing his speech, the man brushed a ruffle of snowy locks away from Dante’s brow to see his flint eyes more clearly.

“You are the symbols of an unlikely union. You are proof that Hell and Earth can coexist in harmony.” Sparda continued, gently cradling Vergil’s chin to better see his son’s features.

“You understand this, yes?” The question was meant as less of a query, and more of a reassurance that Sparda was doing the right thing. He needed to know that the boys will grow up together. That they will sustain the peace that was so lovingly upheld by Sparda. The two nodded simultaneously, alleviating the rising tension their father felt.

“Good. Now. Where were we?”

Effortlessly, Sparda stood from his crouch, towering over the boys. He drifted towards the large chest that held his two prized artefacts. Surprisingly, the twins kept quiet. Usually, when their father wanted to show them something, they both bickered to draw his attention. It was cute, albeit slightly exhausting at times. Nevertheless, Sparda continued to the chest.

Placing a hesitant finger upon the lock, he traced the bronze embellishments, gliding his fingertips across the fleur de lis pattern. Moments of simply enjoying the handiwork, he drew a small, helix shaped key, sliding it into the lock with a buttery smooth movement. It opened with a pleasant click.

The twins inched towards their father, standing either side, clutching onto his shoulders so they could view the contents of the chest more closely. Almost with an aching slowness, the box opened its maw, gaping open to reveal two magnificent works of demonic smithing.

“These, my dear boys, are Devil Arms. They hold immense power I once possessed. I believe it is necessary to share my power with you, so you could too protect this realm.”

As Sparda explained the contents of the box, he grasped the two weapons, one in each hand, to pass them to the twins.

“This is the Rebellion, Dante. It is a blade of fine craftsmanship. The claymore holds powers of unification, and subjugation of demonic forces. I believe it would fit you quite well, my dear boy.” Dante’s eyes glistened with wonder, the oceans of silver going feral over the sight of such a grandiose masterpiece. The metal seemed to gleam in the dark, reflecting what little light the ochre curtains let escape through the fabric. Tentatively, the boy traced his fingers over the designs, poking curiously at the enraged skull that sat upon the hilt. It was apparent that Dante would struggle to hold the claymore, so Sparda propped the blade on the wall, letting his son examine the weapon further.

“And this, Vergil, is the Yamato. It is a powerful odachi, that possesses the ability to separate the demonic realms from humanity. Believe it or not, the Yamato helped me defeat the Prince of Darkness, Mundus. It will be yours, when the time comes.” Vergil’s eyes mirrored that of Dante’s, blazing with a fervent curiosity. The youth’s fingers gently laced around the scabbard, as well as the sheath, a pure smile spreading across his lips. The Yamato held elegant designs, dragon motifs embellished on the endpoint of the hilt, bronze colouring each pattern.

“They will be yours when the time comes. You will uphold the peace, and protect all that you hold dear. For now, however, it is imperative that you fight together. Not against one another. You are brothers, and shall be brothers-in-arms if need be.” Reaching out to the twins, Sparda placed his palms on their cheeks, noticing the congealed blood that sat upon their skin from the previous brawl. He squeezed the skin on their faces lovingly, earning him a gentle giggle from the sons. Sparda continued to examine their faces with pure adoration. The union of Eva’s and Sparda’s features danced bewitchingly on the boys’ faces, an alliance of humanity and demon-kind.

“Is that clear?” Sparda’s assertive tone caused the twins to stand to attention, Vergil answering first, and Dante second.

“Yes, papa.”

“Sure thing dad!”

Sparda stood to his feet, once again towering over the two minuscule boys, moving towards the body-length mirror. The twins moved with him, standing either side of the man, grasping onto the violet corduroy fabric of his trousers. Sparda veered his gaze towards his reflection. He viewed the display before him, the twins watching their father with wide-eyed awe.

How much his love for the polar opposites bloomed throughout his chest, he could barely describe. These innocent youths, watching their reflections with such pure, ardent love, reflected all that Sparda fought for. It was this love that morphed the Dark Knight’s opinion on humanity, and his awakening to justice.

Though they fought with passion, they were more alike than they wanted to admit. It was a similarity past appearances. Of course, their features, hair, the colour of their eyes, and their bodies looked identical. However, their reactions to outside stimulus, as well as conflict, were where the similarities turned even more damningly alike.

Sparda exhaled, ruffling the twins’ hair adoringly. Perhaps with time, they would accept their brotherhood as part of their blood.

A resounding, gentle clearing of the throat interrupted the three, causing all to turn their heads like meerkats. Eva stood in the doorway, the delicate smell of roses wafting in, alongside the scent of ready baked pastries and tea.

“Boys, tea is ready. The desserts are prepared too. Go, shoo, before the tea cools,” as her sons ran past, her fingers brushed against their hair, enjoying the feeling of silky locks, “so… How did it go? Did they fight over their gifts?” Eva watched as the twins ran in unison, surprised at their sudden tenderness to each others’ presence. Not pushing; Simply letting each other pass, running alongside the railing of the manor. They appeared to tolerate one another… for now.

“Not at all. They’re more mature than you give them credit for, my love.” A soft silence engulfed the chamber, the dust settling once again upon each surface. Sparda wrapped his arms around his wife’s waist as he continued with his report of reassurance.

“They may be polar opposites, but they are twins. Whatever the future brings, they will grow up to be fine men.” It was a short exhale that left Eva’s lungs. An exhale of contentment, rather than exasperation. She returned the embrace warmly, keeping her arms on his chest, feeling his proudly beating heart pound with adoration against her palm.

It was this moment she understood that her sons were in the hands of a capable man, albeit his demonic origins. His aristocratic behaviour, and ability to subdue the stormy nature of the twins always impressed her. If Sparda said that Dante and Vergil will grow into two, fine, protectors of the realm, that's what they will become. No matter how contradictory their nature was, and how feverishly they battled against one another, they would join to defeat a common foe.

As long as Sparda was beside them, all would be ok.

The young woman cradled her husband’s jaw, drawing him closer to her visage. Before gazing at him with her mossy eyes, she scrunched her nose to brush it against his own. The motion naturally caused Sparda to chuckle. As the two of them basked in each other’s presence, the cacophony of bickering twins bounced from the dining room.

“That bun is MINE!” Vergil’s venomous tone was to be reckoned with.

“URGH! You had five! Not fair!” The retaliating voice boomed from Dante, followed by a thunderous whack and a pained groan from his elder brother. It seemed as though the moment of brotherhood had gone and passed. Eva facepalmed.

“They will be fine.” With Sparda snorting at the sounds from downstairs, he placed his chin on Eva’s collarbone, nuzzling close. Instinctively, her delicate fingers ran through his hair, drawing him closer to her neck. She smiled, knowing full well that all was going to turn out alright.

“I hope you’re right, honey. I hope you’re right...”

[cowandcalf]

Writer’s Month 2020 - To Find A Way

Prompt No.14 - Metamorphosis Part II

Chapter 1 - 7

They watch Grace play. Danny stays close the to climbing frame with all the ropes to make sure he could run to the rescue if his girl should get into trouble. Steve mimics a statue and stays silent for a long time. Danny's tongue is stuck to the roof of his mouth. All the great remarks he figured he could throw at Steve dissolve into a fog.

He learns once more how difficult it is to transport a special, magical mood into a normal Wednesday. Steve seems to be miles away. The bonding moment they've experienced is non-existent. Danny can't stand the silence any longer. If he wants the quiet, he hikes to the top of a damn mountain or goes snorkeling. "Hey, you okay there, Steve?" He side-eyes the tall, dark, handsome guy next to him.

Steve licks his lips and squints into the bright sunlight. "Yeah, I'm okay."

"You had, uh, a scare this morning with Mary, rattles every man. We think pregnant women are fragile but God, believe me, they're not."

Steve shoots him a thoughtful glance. "You speak from experience, I think. You're a father. You have a sweet girl."

Danny knows Steve doesn't mean to sound reproachful, but his words affect him. "Yes, that's my baby girl. I'm a proud father. We have the life we choose. Or sometimes life chooses us."

"So, you're married? Do you plan on having more children? I haven't seen your wife." Steve gets braver. He even turns and stands closer to Danny. Danny likes where this is going. Steve's checking the turf.

"I was married. Rachel and I have worked hard to become friends for Grace's sake. And no, no more kids on the way. I'm divorced and, uh, I'm single." Danny can't look at Steve. The urge to explain is still pressuring behind his chest. He kind of swipes the playground with his eyes. He hopes he sounds nonchalantly enough. "I'm here for Grace. Today, I mean. It's uh, Rachel, her mother, has an appointment and her husband's not here yet. I'm an emergency backup. Didn't expect to run into you on the maternity ward, though." Danny twists his upper body to check up on Steve's mood. "I honest to God thought Mary's your wife." Okay, his heartbeat just picked up speed. His mouth is as dry as the Gobi Desert.

Steve goes quiet again. Danny senses his troubled mind and wished Steve would be a bit more responsive. It's no fun to talk to a menhir. Danny doesn't get easily pushed out of his comfort zone. But add emotions to the mix and he's as light as a feather in strong wind. Jeez. Danny purses his lips. He fights the urge to assure Steve he's into guys too and that there's nothing wrong with the circumstance to have a family with a woman and why the hell does he even bother? This guy drives him nuts. Danny's armpits are uncomfortably wet.

"No, Mary's my younger sister. I wouldn't be a good father, I guess. I wouldn't know what to do with a helpless bundle, too scared to mess up. I don't know. I've never had to make that decision –" Steve bends his head and watches his shoes, "if I wanna be a father I mean. Hasn't happened so far." He adds.

"Hey, you did well. You made sure Mary's well taken care of."

"We had a big argument before she let me maneuver her into my truck to drive her to the hospital. She's so stubborn. I found her on all four, doing garden work. I freaked. She had cramps and I was so scared. She said, she overdid it and that's all. She just wanted to lie down until everything would calm down. But I couldn't – " Steve rubs with his fist at his forehead. "I got so scared. I had this horror movie running through my mind. I saw how she gave birth, collapsing out on the lawn behind the house or something like this. I needed to bring her here. I can handle tough calls but not when it's my baby sister nine months pregnant with my niece. I've just lost my nerves, I guess." Steve laughs bashfully. "Not my bravest moment."

"You did good, Steve. Mary's going to be fine and she'll be okay. You'll see, nature knows how to do what needs to be done when it's time. Women give birth since humanity exists. Kawika is with her. You're fine and I know you're going to spoil your niece rotten once she's born."

Steve smiles at him and Danny's bones turn into useless goo. "Why haven't you texted? Called? I thought you wanted to get that rain check on lunch?" Danny chews on his bottom lip. His eyes scan the playground to make sure Grace isn't in any danger. "I've waited for your call." Should he have said that? Too much pressure, no, he shouldn't have said that.

Steve clears his throat. "Yeah, about that. I, uh, I was hungry, but I got caught up in work. You know, uhm, I had to get the seedlings into the ground. I would have – would have called, you know? But days," Steve steps closer, still with his arms crossed over his chest as if he has to hug himself, "days sometimes flow into each other and I can't really say how much time has passed. It's been almost a week since we've met and when time passes the things that happened start to shape in something else. I wasn't – it was an intense afternoon. I, uhm," Steve draws a breath before he continues, "you saw me at the worst. I wasn't sure if you wanted to, you know, go for lunch, have a chat. I'm not the funny average guy to talk about the weather over chicken salad."

Danny has his eyes on Grace. He wants to give Steve the space to have his mini freak-out about the fact he might have scared Danny off. He ignores how the heat in the pit of his stomach flows in all directions. "You forgot my number." Danny states calmly, "just say it, Steve. Be honest. I'm not offended. Okay a bit, yes, a bit. I'm offended a bit that you forgot my number." Danny rocks on his heels back and forth while he rambles. "I expected a SEAL, even a SEAL buried up to his nose in flowers and plants to remember a few, easy numbers. Don't you get trained for that? I thought you're tough multitasking guys. The Army is a fun club."

Steve stiffens and scoffs. "I haven't forgotten your number. It's 808-925-1717. Happy? And it's the Navy, Danny. The Navy."

Danny can't believe how fast Steve falls for that dumb joke. "God, you're so easy to tease. Don't be so uptight about it. Look at you, all puffed out chest and standing at attention. I know, man, it's the Navy. I didn't mean to offend you." He hopes his smile is appeasing. "Good to know you didn't forget my number." He darts a look at Steve and sees how he sets his jaw to keep his lips from being pulled into a grin. Instead, he gazes off into the distance and fishes his cell from the pocket and unlocks the screen.

Two seconds later, Danny's cell rings. He takes the call with the unknown caller ID. "Yeah, Detective Williams, HPD – who's it?" He frowns hard at Steve who stands there like a boy who has all fun doing a silly prank.

"Yeah, Detective Williams, McGarrett here, Steve McGarrett. Do you remember me?"

"Yes, you big goof. The Army guy, isn't it?" Danny can't control the laughter. He really needed to say that.

Steve glares at him, for real this time. "You owe me a fat rain check on lunch and for being too dense to know the difference between the Army and the Navy. I'm hungry. Lunch. Today. You're paying. You're in?"

"You know how stupid this is to stand three feet apart and to give me a call, don't you? I can hear you talking and the echo in my hear is strange. How old are you? Five?"

"You haven't answered my question." Steve still speaks into his phone and watches Danny at the same time.

"Yes. Lunch. Today. Good. I'm in. Where do you wanna go?"

"Have you ever taken Grace to Kame's shrimp truck for Kame's specialty of the day? She'll love it."

Whenever Steve says Grace's name, Danny gets kind of dizzy with something he doesn't want to explore. Steve watches him with a gentle, kind expression. Too much for Danny's heart to stand for more than five seconds. "No, I haven't but Kame's place it is." He hangs up.

"See?" Steve seems utterly satisfied, smug even. Danny notices Steve's faintly colored cheeks.

He has tried to keep the love at bay. The crazy beast of feelings is toying with him, tugging at the golden rope wound around his heart. But he can't hold it and he doesn't want to. The way Steve stands there, watching children playing, having a hawk-eye on Grace, makes it impossible for Danny to hold on to the rope that keeps the insane sensation in his heart controlled. He lets the leash go and stands his ground when the wave of feelings rushes through his body.

This guy is going to be the death of him. Danny's cell rings again. This time it's Stan. "Hi, Stan. Yeah, she's fine. Where are you? Give me a second. I'll meet you at the entrance. Yes, she asked me to make sure you'll find her." Danny's eyes search for Grace.

"Danny, it's fine. I'll take care of her. Go, go be with Stan. We'll wait for you right here, okay?" Steve squeezes Danny's shoulder with his large hand.

"You don't mind? You'll keep her safe?" Danny asks hesitantly. He never lets a stranger look after Grace. But Steve, Steve's different.

"Danny, I'll take care of her as if she's my daughter." This time, Steve blushes bright red but he doesn't correct himself. "I'm good at keeping people safe, especially your daughter. Go, Grace is safe with me."

Danny exhales and covers Steve's hand on his shoulder shortly with his own. He swallows. This man, God, he can totally feel the softness of Steve's lips pressed to his just by looking at his mouth. The bottom of his stomach drops out. Danny forces his eyes to stay above Steve's nose, but he gets distracted by the longest lashes he has ever seen on a guy. Steve waits for reassurance. Danny forces his eyes to focus. "Yeah, good. Thank you, Steve. I mean it. I'm back in a flash."

Danny still sees Steve's smile after he reunited Stan with Rachel and made sure they were good. He hurries back to the playground on the other side of the street. But –

He doesn't see Steve. Where the hell is he?

Danny runs faster. And where the hell is Grace?

For a split second, Danny's heart races and his muscles tremble faintly under the strain of too much tension. And then, he hears the lighthearted giggle from his little girl. He jogs over to where the sound comes from. He can't believe his eyes. This tough, combat-hardened SEAL sits on a seesaw with a bright grin on his face. Grace is safely tucked in between the handlebar and Steve's strong arms. He boxes her in to keep her safe. On the other side of the seesaw, three kids shout and laugh simultaneously. They try to fight the weight, to make the seesaw move.

Danny bites the thick rope of emotions back that tries to strangle his throat.

"Danno!" Grace screams and giggles with her head thrown back. She laughs at Steve and Steve looks down at her and answers her laugh with an even brighter grin.

No one ever has told Danny that happiness can be as sharp as a spear. The detonation of feelings almost has him bend over. "Monkey!" He waves and jogs closer. "What are you guys doing?"

Steve whispers something in her ear. "Winning!" His little girl screams on the top of her small lungs. The kids on the other side shout something back.

When they are safely back on the ground Grace throws herself into Danny's arms. "Danno, that was great! Steve is fun! We won!" She clings to him.

Danny hugs her extra tightly. He follows Steve's stance and the way his eyes search his, not letting go until he stands right next to Danny.

"Thank you," Danny whispers.

"You're welcome, Danno." Steve has a way to roll the letters on his tongue that makes Danny want to bury his face in the curve of Steve's shoulder.

Danny puts Grace down and keeps an eye on Steve. "Danno is –" he downplays how much Steve makes him want to reinvent the world. He can't let Steve have that name in his mouth. He can't. "Danno is Grace's endearment for me. I – You can't, it's –"

"I told Steve he could use it, too. He asked me." Grace grabs Danny's fingers and pulls him forward.

Danny blinks. How long has he been away? Two days? "How much have you guys talked? I haven't been away that long!"

Steve shrugs.

"I'm hungry, Danno. Can we go now? Steve said we're going to see a friend. He has shaved ice and French fries."

Danny gawps as Steve. Steve stuffs his hands down the front pockets of his cargos. He looks only half-guilty. "I told her Kame has also lots of different salads and shrimps. And that her daddy knows what she likes for lunch."

"Good choice of words. Good choice." Danny furrows his brows and almost drowns in Steve's gaze. "Yeah, let's head to Kame's. I don't have a car. My HPD partner drove me."

"If that's the only thing that's holding us back, then – we're good." Steve jingles with the car keys. "My truck is over there. Let's go."

Danny has no memory of how they've ended up talking about dolphins. The air is saturated with a heavy scent of wind and sea and a wild beauty Danny has never sensed before. Grace cheerfully answers Steve's questions about the animals she loves the most. Sometimes she also screams their names. "I love fishes! I love dolphins!"

"Baby, tone it down. My ears ring when you shout like that. Dolphins aren't fish, Monkey. They belong to the mammals. They breathe air just like you." He twists on his seat to wink at his baby girl.

She's tiny with the seatbelt across her small chest. The black back seat almost swallows her up. It's huge. Steve's truck is huge and everything in it. She bends her knees and tucks them to her chest. She smiles one of her staggering happy smiles. "I love mamas!" She shouts and giggles at the same time.

"Mammals. A difficult word but you're doing great." Danny's mood is dangerously close to soaring high. It's somewhere up in the stratosphere where rainbows get born and where space waste gets burned when entering the earth's atmosphere. But he couldn't care less.

Steve wears a small smile that makes him glow. Danny looks out of the window. His eyes would have betrayed him under one second flat. He inhales deeply to wallow in the scent of Steve's skin and the way his detergent wafts over to him, tickling his nose and making his heart ache.

"You love dolphins, Grace?"

"YES!" She yells.

"It's time we get some food into you, Grace-face. Look we're here!" Danny unbuckles the seatbelt and pushed the door open. Kame's place is busy with lunch guests. "Hey, Steve! Look! Isn't that Mary and Kawika over there? Whoa, Kono and Chin are also here. Kame's having the time of the day with all the money his getting out of us."

Steve jumps out of the car to scowl over where a bunch of people sit and talk. Danny touches his arm after he helped Grace out of the car. "Steve, you okay?"

"I – Mary's here. She should be lying in bed with her feet on a pillow not moving an inch until the baby's born. What is she doing here?"

"Come on, let's find out. And Steve, before you throw Mary in the back of your truck to drive her home, let Kawika handle it."

"I wouldn't do that!" Steve blurts.

"Maybe you believe that but the way you stare over at her I fear for her lunch. Go easy on her. She's fine Steve. Pregnant women gotta eat."

They get greeted with loud cheering. Kame is serving the first round. "Look what the cat dragged in. Danny with his little girl. It's time you bring her around. Sit down, pua li'ili'i. You hungry?"

Danny places Grace next to Kono. Too many people make her go all quiet and shy. Steve greets the bunch like they're old friends. Kono fires a gazillion questions at Danny only with her eyes. He just ignores her with an elegant move. "Mary, how are you. Is everything okay? Steve was a bit shocked to see you here. He's afraid you might overdo it again."

Mary wipes at her mouth with a napkin. "My brother," she makes sure Steve hears her, "thinks every time I get up our sweet little flower slips out as if I have any intentions to give birth standing upright." She laughs and Kawika pulls her protectively against his side.

"Go easy on him, darling." Danny hears Kawika whisper.

Steve glares at Mary and steals a shrimp off her plate. "Look at your belly. It's so big. You're ripe like an apple. Let me worry okay?"

"Punk, relax. I'm fine. I was hungry. After lunch, Kawika takes me home. Happy?"

Steve takes her hand and has her look at him. "I'll drop by to check up on you."

"I love you, Punk," Mary whispers. "Thank you."

Steve thins his lips. He gifts her with a small smile but doesn't say it back. He takes the seat across Danny and gets involved in a conversation with Chin.

Danny plops down on the bench. "Do you know each other?" He asked dumfounded over to where Steve catches up with Kono, Chin, and Kawika. Kono gifts him with a stupid face and completely slack-jawed.

"You're kidding, right, Danny?"

"No, I'm not. I – I haven't expected you to know each other is all."

"Kukui High, football, quarterback. Freaking Hawai'i, surfing. Brah, of course, we know each other. We hung out together at the beach. We all grew up in Hawai'i. Steve's ohana. He's gone to save the world and now he's back. We all make sure he's fine, getting along with life and all, you know." Kono slaps his back. "Dude, you didn't know that?"

Danny wants to scream. He wants to go for a walk. "How the hell would I know that? I'm the new guy, remember? You have never even mentioned anything about knowing a Steve!" He cuts Grace's shrimps in small pieces to distract him from this unveiling. He can't look in Steve's direction when he sees Steve matching names and events together.

"Danny's your partner?" Steve asks Kono with so much disbelief in his voice it's comical. "He's the haole you talked about?" Okay, that high-pitched voice is a bit unsexy.

After that Danny's memories are blurry.

He remembers a lot of laughter, especially Steve's low, rare carefree rumble. At one point, Kono punches Danny hard and makes faces at him. She points out how he hasn't checked his phone a single time since they've sat down. That got her thinking. She's about the figure out who he might have a secret crush on. Danny kicks her shin and pinches her thigh to shut her up. Kono gives him the stink-eye.

Danny stirs the attention immediately away from Kono with her razor-sharp mind. He calls over to Mary. He asks her if she could be a bit more specific about the details Steve has told her about him. Because that's what she said when they met at the hospital. Strangely enough, Steve chooses that moment to get seconds from Kame's hit of the day. The chatter dies as if well-orchestrated. All eyes are on Steve's sister.

"You have to know one thing, Danny. I talk Steve."

Danny forces himself not to cast a look over to where Steve chats with Kame. "That's a language?"

"Yeah, actually it is. And we all talk Steve. It's – it's a thing. When our mom died and when our dad got lost for some time someone needed to take care of Steve. We all did but I'm his sister. So, he doesn't say much and it's up to us to decipher what is hidden beneath the words he utters. We had a game going as teenagers. He never liked it when we did that. Steve doesn't do emotion; at least not the same way we handle them."

Danny eats. He's not hungry and he's not sure if his body is able to fight the tightness in his throat. He swallows and pretends his skin isn't on fire. "So, okay, what did Steve say that made you recognize me at the hospital?"

Mary's face morphs into a seriousness Danny wouldn't have thought possible. She looks as if she carries wisdom you only gain when of old age. She's calm when she answers his question. "Steve said just two words after a fruitless conversation to get more out of him. He said, 'he stayed' besides that, you're blond and asked all the right questions."

Rachel is downstairs resting from the day's treatment. Stan prepares a simple dinner in the kitchen. Danny tucks Grace in. It has been an adventurous day and Grace is tired. Danny reads to her from her favorite book, but she almost falls asleep. He puts the book aside.

"Did you have a good day, Monkey?"

"Mm-hmm. It was fun. Steve is fun."

"Yeah, he is."

"I asked Kono to take me surfing. Steve surfs too. He said he could teach me, too."

"Grace, baby, we've talked about this. It's still too early. Next year, okay?"

Grace plays with the bed cover before she whispers. "Steve has dolphins and he said he makes me see them."

Danny sits up. He doesn't lose his smile on his face. "He has dolphins. Really? Where?"

"He said, at the beach, where he lives. Danno, dolphins! Can we go see them? I want to go. Steve said we can come anytime." Grace glows and looks so hopefully at him. He knows how much she loves dolphins. "We can go tomorrow. Please, Danno, please." She whines, too exhausted and too hyper about the fact that Steve got miraculously some dolphins somewhere at his house.

"Let me talk to him, first, okay? And then we can go see them. But you might haven't heard it right, Monkey. Are you sure he said there are dolphins at the beach?"

Grace nods enthusiastically. "At the beach, Steve's beach. But we have to paddle out, to see them. He said he's going to show me. Can I go? Please, Danno." She begs.

Danny kisses her forehead and whispers in her ear, "of course, Monkey. We'll go visit Steve and he's going to show you the dolphins."

Back at home, Danny's finally alone with his thought. He can't stand that Steve told, promised even, his little girl dolphins. Real dolphins, the wild ones in the sea. No one promises a child something without keeping it. Danny doesn't know how he feels. Steve should have asked him. He should have consulted him. Danny can't stand the picture of his little girl far out on a paddleboard on the ocean. Not even a boat. Nothing, his girl has nothing lost on the ocean. Not yet, too dangerous.

Danny types already the words to send Steve a text. He's agitated and paces the small space in his apartment. He's also angry. What was Steve thinking to make such a promise?

Danny deletes the written text. He grabs his keys from the kitchen table instead and storms outside. He peels off the parking lot and heads towards Steve's place in the jungle. He needs to ask him in person what the hell he was thinking. Who has freaking dolphins at the beach at home?

Danny's headlights lighten the dark street on the freeway. It's late. The first drop of rain hits the windshield when Danny makes the turn to drive up the dirt road to Steve's place.

TBC

Also on AO3

[kravitzz]

Podcast Recs 2019

Hey there! I’ve updated my list of podcast recommendations for 2019. This includes anything from my top favorites to stuff I haven’t gotten around to listening to yet! For a more up to date version of this list, please go here. 

 * = Favorite! ! = Caught Up # = In progress + = Need to listen

Fiction: *! Wolf 359: Starts off as a goofy space station slice-of-life comedy and spirals into something way, way deeper. Great characters, fantastic plot, and a really great concept overall. *# The Penumbra Podcast: A couple different plots, but primarily a futuristic space noir story. Really cheesy but in the best way, also super LGBT and fantastic and it just makes me so happy. # Beef and Dairy Network Podcast: Just a completely normal podcast about the inner workings of the beef and dairy industry. Nothing weird here, not at all. # Hello From The Magic Tavern: A podcast transmitted from the magical land of Foon! Really chill and funny improvised stuff # King Falls AM: A fun paranormal radio show sort of deal. I’m not far in enough to describe it better. # EOS 10: Doctors in space! It’s gay and funny and suspenseful, I adore the hell out of the writing.  # The Bright Sessions: Superhero therapy! Incredible character building, really cool show. # Within the Wires: I’m only an ep in and uh. I have no fucking clue what’s happening but it’s cool as shit so far.  # Everything Is Alive: A podcast where a guy interviews inanimate objects! It’s interesting and fun. *# Welcome to Nightvale: A classic! A radio show in a desert town that’s much odder than it seems.  # Done Disappeared: A parody of true-crime investigation podcasts. Dumb and funny.

+ Jim Robbie and the Wanderers + Dopple Avenue Hurt + The Thrilling Adventure Hour + Wooden Overcoats + Ars Paradoxica + The Far Meridian + The Strange Case of Starship Iris + Girl In Space + Inkwyrm + Immunities + Mission to Zixx +Kaleidotrope +Midnight Radio

Horror: *# The Magnus Archives: Jonathan Sims, head archivist of a paranormal research institute in London, reads the statements of people who have experienced horrifying things. Things go south very quickly for him and his assistants. HEAVY trigger warning, since it includes lots of the typical horror things such as gore, bugs, cannibalism, etc, but if you can handle it, I highly recommend this show. The writing and characters are so good. *! SCP Archives: Performed readings of different SCP stories. If you like SCP, this show is really good! # Alice Isn’t Dead: A fantastic spooky adventure with a gal trucking across the U.S. to find her missing wife! Made by the Nightvale folks, and it’s really intriguing and well produced. # The NoSleep Podcast: Different horror stories from r/nosleep, acted and read aloud. Varies in quality, but is generally pretty good! Gets better in the later seasons. # Limetown: A well-known faux-journalism horror story. The first season is very good, I haven’t listened to the second yet. # Mabel: It’s been a while since I listened to this one, so I don’t remember much other than it being very, very spooky. # The Black Tapes: The ending isn’t good, but the rest was great. They’re apparently continuing, so hopefully the ending will be fixed.

+ The Blood Crow Stories + The Alexandria Archive + TANIS + Rabbits D&D/Actual Play: *! The Adventure Zone: Look. You know this one. An actual-play podcast that starts off slow and picks up really quickly. 80% comedy, 20% plot, and 100% amazing. Balance is the first campaign and is D&D and a mix of fantasy and sci-fi. *# Critical Role: I’ve been riding with this show for years now, but I haven’t actually listened to the podcast format of it! The show itself is fantastic though, so I’m still recommending it. Follow the in-progress D&D adventure of a bunch of great voice actors. Sorta the flip of TAZ, in that it’s like 80% plot and 20% comedy. Also 100% crying. Their first campaign is complete, and they’re currently partially through their second. # Godsfall: A pretty rules-heavy DND podcast. Really really well produced. # Friends At The Table: Not really far in enough to make much judgement! + Heroes and Halfwits + Tabletop Champions + Join the Party + Dames & Dragons + Bombarded + The Mortal Path + Dnduet + The Venture Maidens + The Broad Swords + Six Feats Under

Nonfiction: # Wonderful!: Happy and pure, Griffin and Rachel Mcelroy talk about things that make them happy. I enjoy listening to random episodes when I need a pick-me-up. # Oh No, Ross and Carrie!: Ross and Carrie go around and investigate different fringe science, paranormal, and spiritual things. They’re super fun to listen to! + The Worst Bestsellers + Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men + Mysterious Universe + Bunker Buddies + Imaginary Worlds + Conversations With People Who Hate Me + Dead Pilots Society + Harry Potter and the Sacred Text + Storybreak + Shmanners + Positiviteeny! + Still Buffering + The Supermega Podcast Comedy: *# My Brother, My Brother, and Me: Really good goofs and advice from the Mcelroy brothers. It’s so good. # Sawbones: Medical history with Sydnee and Justin Mcelroy! Sydnee is an actual doctor, so it’s a wonderful combo of dumb humor and really good information. # My Dad Wrote A Porno: Title kind of says it all. Very, very funny. + What Should We Draw? + Revisionist History + Hardcore History + More Perfect + Making a Podcast with Myself True Crime/Supernatural: *# My Favorite Murder: True crime and murder stories, as told by some very cool and funny ladies. They’re like my goth comedian moms. # Heaven’s Gate: A podcast about the cult Heaven’s Gate. Only 10 episodes, really interesting and well produced. # Lore: I listened to this forever ago and loved it! Really good paranormal and spooky stories. # And That’s Why We Drink: Em and Christine talk about the paranormal and true crime while getting drunk and chatting about their lives! They have a great dynamic and it’s just a fun comfy show to listen to. + Judge John Hodgman +Spirits + Blurry Photos + Expanded Perspectives + Wine and Crime + Cabinet of Curiosities Journalism:

*# 99% Invisible: Beautifully written and edited journalism about design and life. I love the hell out of this podcast. *# Reply All: Journalism and weird stories about technology and the different ways it affects us. I highly recommend listening to episode #102 and #103, Long Distance, if you want an incredibly interesting story about spam callers and trying to hunt them down. # Ear Hustle: Stories about the life of prisoners, made by a prisoner! Really interesting journalism. # Setting the Record Queer: A queer interview show. Pretty new but really fun! # Twenty Thousand Hertz: A podcast about sound design and things relating to it. Very well produced and interesting. + Family Ghosts + Ologies

[fallen029]

Last Month: Ice Skates and Late Dates

There were a lot of things that Laxus didn't like about winter.

It was cold. Too cold. It snowed. Too much snow. Which was wet. And got everywhere. And it meant that he had to buy firewood, for the fireplace, and make sure that the front walk was shoveled and forbid it iced.

He hated when it iced.

Then there was the fact that everyone got a bit of cabin fever, when it snowed so much people were trapped inside too often and why was it, huh, that his wife's dorky siblings and his only friends all seemed to think that his house was the place to escape the frigid night air?

And don't forget the snowmen.

Those wretched, hell-bound beasts.

He thought he hated snowmen most of all.

Still, it seemed to be Lana, his little baby demon dragon, favorite time of the year, so he had to grin and bear it. She liked it even more as she aged out of just playing in the front yard or looking up in wonder at the lights hung from neighborhood houses. No. She was now old enough to be the like the big kids, she insisted to her father one day when she spied them at the park, over on the frozen pond, and wanted to ice skate too.

"Ice skatin', huh?" Bickslow hummed when Laxus approached him with this the next day.

Lana was spending the day with her Uncle Elf, but most the rest of their family was up at the hall. Laxus' wife, Mirajane, was very busy with her Master duties and her aunt Lisanna was filling in at the bar, hoping to pick up some easy, extra jewels for the upcoming Winter Festival. The others in their little group, the Thunder Legion, were sitting around their table, Freed commenting on a job before, but stopping when Laxus made Lana's new desires clear.

She was the only baby any of them had. Given the fact Ever and Elfman were frequently on the outs, Freed had little desire for small children, and Bickslow and Lisanna really shouldn't be allowed near any, ever, unsupervised, this made sense. And given that Mirajane and Laxus seemed content for the time being in her being their only child, this didn't seem as if it would be changing any time soon.

This meant, however, that she was, well, more than a bit spoiled. Not just because her father seemed to bow to each and every single one of her demands (which, yeah, this was a massive problem), but also because the others had very little experience to draw from, when dealing with children, and seemed to mostly wish to keep her appeased.

Or else.

And Laxus was the or else.

So if his hatchling wanted to go ice skating, damn it, they were going ice skating.

"I can't," Evergreen told him. When this got a dark look from the slayer though, she glanced up from filing her nails to insist, "Seriously, I can't. I never learned."

"I must confess," Freed added, "that it is a skill I am lacking as well."

"What's with you guys?" the slayer complained. "How do you not know?"

"We were a bit busy in our formative years," Freed offered simply. "Surviving."

As the slayer looked off them, perhaps feeling a bit of remorse for his harsh tone, Bickslow only took to snickering. His little wooden babies began to do much the same.

"Ah, boss!" He patted at his chest then, the seith did, as his tongue tumbled from his mouth and they all got a good look at his guild marking. "I would be happy to teach the baby boss how to ice skate."

"You weren't," the slayer went right back to griping, "asked."

"You don't know how to either though, huh?" the seith asked. "Else you wouldn't have come to us, yeah? So it sounds like you need me."

"I don't need anyone."

Other than his little tiny baby demon dragon hatchling.

And yeah, the actual demon too.

"Perhaps," Freed suggested then, glancing around the table at the others, "we can make it a family affair."

"Don't have affairs with your family, dude." Bickslow's tongue slurped right back up in his mouth. "Freak."

"Wha- That is not what I meant!"

"Keep it in your pants."

"Bickslow-"

"What do you actually mean, Freed?" Ever asked with a roll of her eyes, really just wanting this conversation to die already.

After sending his friend the darkest of glares, he looked to Laxus once more before explaining, "We all lack in this category and, well, I am certain Lana will hardly be an expert on her first venture. Certainly it will make her feel better, should we all learn along side her. Right?"

"I," Ever began after the others thought on it, "can't."

But she could.

And she would.

They all would. Laxus rose then, to go see the Master and inform her of this while Lisanna, seeing him dip into the back, used this to her advantage and came over to goof off with the others rather than work. Easy jewels could be so straining sometimes.

"It's me," Laxus called out after knocking his knuckles against the heavy door of his wife's office. "Demon."

"Oh, dragon, come in, but don't let anyone else in, alright? I'm really swamped."

"Just me," he assured the woman as, upon entering, he found her desk swarmed with papers and the woman with a pair of glasses on, looking over something rather official, it seemed. At his entrance though, she only pushed them up as she looked to her husband.

"What's up?"

He came over first to give her a kiss before falling into the chair on the other side of the desk.

"Can't come check on my woman?" he questioned, but she only continued to stare at him, waiting for a true explanation. Sighing some, he added, "Lana wants to go ice skating."

"Okay," she said slowly as she blinked. "Is that…. You're not going to be weird over something like this, are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Dragon, you get weird over every new thing she does."

"Do not."

"Laxus, I'm really busy-"

"She's my only daughter," he griped. "Should I not think that each and every milestone is important and noteworthy?"

Mira only sighed at him though and, after sulking for a moment, he knew he had to continue.

"Well, I don't know to do it," he admitted to his wife then. "Ice skate. And neither does the Thunder Legion. Well, stupid Bickslow does, but who the fuck trusts him with anything?"

"Uh, I trust him with my sister."

"That's your bad judgment."

"You're talking to your master, you know."

Oh, he knew.

It had been more than a point of contention, when Mirajane captured his once attainable dream, becoming the guild master in Makarov's death, but time healed most things. That was so far behind them then. And, after seeing all the work that his fie put in, day in and out, for the guild to run smoothly, he figured he didn't even want the job.

It would eat too greatly into his dragon-hatchling time.

Plus…

He wanted Lana to see it. Her mother in that way. Not just as a barmaid, which was fine, yeah, but… Mirajane was one of the few female guild masters around, and of the top guild in all the land. He liked that. Even if he didn't always.

"Freed thinks we should all go out, together, and learn how to ice skate," he told the woman then. "With Lana. So she doesn't feel so bad, about not being great at it."

'That sounds nice."

"Yeah, I thought-"

"But I know how," his wife told him with a slight grin. "And so do Elf and Lisanna."

"Of course."

"I'm sorry. Does that ruin things for you?"

But he only shrugged a bit, Laxus did, as he said, "Better than only Bickslow. Besides, Lana will probably listen to you better."

But Mira gave him a sad look again as she said, "I'm serious about being swamped, Lax."

"It doesn't have to be today. Tomorrow-"

"I'm behind already, because people keep destroying every town they visit and I'm completely confused on how to handle what Natsu did in-"

"It's fine. Mira." He rose from his chair once more, leaning over the desk to give her one last kiss. "We'll do it without you."

"I'm sure Lana won't miss me much," she insisted to her husband and maybe not.

While the girl loved her mother, she seemed to find annoyance with her far more often than any other adult in her life. Mirajane seemed to be the disciplinarian and, while Lana respected her mother, she could find this a very annoying quality.

But Laxus had kinda wanted his wife to go. With them. Even before all the others were going to go. Especially now that they were. She'd been busy with the hall so much recently and he'd only just returned from an S-Class job and he just…

"See you at home," he offered over his shoulder, but she was already busy with her work once more.

Since the demon was out, he only had Lisanna find someone to cover for her and then they all set off, to locate Lana and Elfman. They were very busy in the park already, where Elfman was being directed by his niece (and some other random children she seemed to have made friends with) to roll them the biggest of bases for a prospective snowman. Laxus tried not to let the vain in his forehead pop right out.

It did throb though as he patted his daughter on her soft, white locks.

"C'mon," he said as the other kids seemed sad to see her (or at least her big, burly uncle who was at their whim). "We gotta go get you some ice skates, huh?"

Oh, yes. They did.

And the others as well.

It was the best trip to the market ever, Lana felt. Daddy bought her some new mittens too, as Uncle Bickslow explained she should never leave her fingers down on the pond for long, should she fall.

"Else someone might skate right over then," the acrobat warned. "And then..."

He just shook his head as he closed his hand tight, miming some severed fingers, maybe. As Lana recoiled in horror and Lisanna griped at her boyfriend, Freed only assured her that they would not allow this to happen.

"Are you gonna skate too, Daddy?" Lana asked as she held hands with him, on their walk back to the pond. "Is that how come you got skates?"

"Yep," he agreed as, the closer they got to the pond, the bigger the knot in his chest began to grow. It wasn't so much that Laxus didn't wanna skate with his daughter, but rather, it was that he'd never done it before and therefore didn't know if he'd be good at it or not.

And while he hated failure, he hated it much more when it occurred before the eyes of Lana.

As they all sat in the snow, ditching their boots for their new skates, Lisanna was quick to race Bickslow onto the ice, both finding ease in this. Lana was whining to Freed, who was lacing up her skates, to hurry because she wanted to get out there too!

"Speak," Ever sighed as she seemed rather lackluster in her effort, "for yourself."

Oh, she was.

"Here, Lana!" Bickslow, who'd been happily skating circle around those kids, those cats, out there on the big frozen pond, came rushing back over to the edge of it as he held out both hands, waiting for them to be filled with the little girl's. "I'll help ya, huh?"

Laxus very much so wanted to be the one to lead his daughter out onto the ice and help her out, but he found it to be a good thing, probably, that he wasn't as the first thing he did out on the ice was tumble back on his butt with a hard thump.

"Careful, Laxus," Elfman snickered as he skated by with the wobbly Evergreen holding tight, for once, to one of his hands. "You'll crack the ice!"

He thought he was so fucking funny. Idiot. Fucking idiot. As Laxus growled and shoved up, he looked for Freed, hoping, honestly, the other guy was having as hard a time as him. Then they could commiserate together. But somehow, even though he claimed to have never touched an ice skate in his entire life, the man was busy doing figure eights across the pond.

"It's amazing, Laxus," he called to the man as he came whizzing passed. "I must have repressed it, but yes, I recall now, my father and I, skating every winter, before I left home."

Oh, fucking great.

Laxus fell again and that was it, he was done, fuck this shit, but just as he was about to sulk away, Lisanna came skating up to him with a giggle and outstretched hands.

"Come on, big brother Laxus," she offered with a tilt of her head. "I'll help you."

"Don't need help," he grumbled, but her grin faltered then as she actually leaned down to take his hands in her own.

"Do it for Lana," she insisted as he got to his shaky feet once more. "If she ends up liking this, you'll have to do it all winter."

What horror.

And it would be fine, because Mirajane could join them, later, if he just learned (or at least became a bit more stable) now, but…

He'd just wanted the demon there.

That was all.

And it wasn't enough, her little sister being around. Her doofus brother. Their daughter, Lana. Each had a bit of the woman in them, but it just wasn't enough.

It was complicated. All of it. But he and the demon's relationship especially. Things had been a bit tense, recently, and he just kind of wanted them to do this. Together.

That was all.

But Lana only fell twice, when she tried letting go of Bickslow's hands and, as the sunset, she only let Uncle Elf carry her home, exhausted from her busy day. They were all probably going to go their separate ways, with Elfman shrugging Lana off on her father so he and Ever could go argue over where to get dinner while Bickslow and Lisanna just trailed behind the pair, hoping if they picked the right victor in the match (it was almost always the Lady of Stone), they could trick their way into a free meal. Freed was energized, however, by his discovery and was most keen to figure out what other repressed memories were lurking about.

Laxus felt like this was a bad idea (and questioned how he'd even go about that), but was too down to deal with it in that moment.

It was as they were leaving the park, however, that they ran into her. Mirajane. She seemed in a hurry too, but spotted them rather easily (they were sort of an unmistakable group) and rushed to their sides.

"Are you leaving already?" she asked with a bit of a frown.

"And never," Evergreen griped, who'd been fallen on, by Elfman, crushed, honestly, and they would be arguing over this one for weeks, "coming back!"

"It was," Elfman yelled, "an accident!"

"Men don't make accidents, I thought?" Lisanna mused. "Everything is on purpose."

"Your boyfriend fell on you on purpose, Ever," Bickslow whistled lowly. "And not even the good kind?"

Freed was not riding too high to miss that and found himself asking, and regretting while doing so, "What is the good kind?"

But as the seith opened his mouth to explain, Mirajane only shook her head.

"I rushed all the way here," she complained, just a bit, looking at her husband. "Through my paperwork. I tried really hard to… I just can't believe you guys are already-"

"Sun's going down," Bickslow said. "I can only hang around the kid during daylight."

"Why? What are you?" Freed asked, again, regretfully. "A vampire?"

"A man with a social life," the seith bristled. "Unlike some of us."

But Lisanna only hummed. "Here's an idea."

And she reached over to take Lana from Laxus then. The girl was too old to be carried, honestly, however, and was too heavy for the woman, but Lisanna just quickly pawned her right back off on Elfman.

"You and Laxus go skate. Together." Lisanna beamed at her older sister. "It's a really nice night out."

No.

No.

Laxus mood had run foul now, after falling and hurting himself, honestly, and the moment was ruined and...and…

"Someone," he muttered, "has to check on the dogs. No one's been home for hours and-"

"I'll do it," Freed offered up easily enough. "Perhaps caring for them will trigger even more memories."

And Mira had questions (a lot, actually), but Lisanna was only shooing the others along and she'd mostly wanted to skate with her daughter, honestly, but…

"It has been a long time," Mira remarked when she and the slayer found themselves alone. "Since we had a date. Lax."

She was smiling up at in, in a way she usually didn't anymore, and he could tell she was tired, he knew he was tired, but…

Well…

"Has it?" At her nod, he only let out a long sigh before saying, "Let's just walk, huh? Around the park? And maybe get something to eat after? I really don't wanna fall again. I think I bruised my-"

"The Thunder God is afraid of a little bruise?"

"It fucking hurts, Mira. And it's not like in a battle. You have no adrenaline or-"

"Then I'll just have to hold your hand." And she moved to do so then, gripping it tightly in her own. "And we'll go real slow. So you don't fall. Okay?"

"Demon-"

"Don't you trust me? Dragon?"

With his life.

Which is why he fell back into the snow, to put on his skates once more, while Mirajane only transformed into some and, when he took her hands, it felt so much warmer than with Lisanna.

So very much.

.

Full Series

[silver-greedling]

Morning

Richard Goranski x Reader

It had been a long, stressful week of school. Although the appropriately titled "Squip Incident" was almost six months in the past, the effects still lingered on all those present.

More specifically, they lingered in the one boy who considered himself the root of everything that had happened. He brought the stupid computer to the school, didn't he? He convinced Jeremy to get it, didn't he?

God, it was all his fucking fault.

Almost daily, his sweetest girlfriend, (YN), did all that she could to convince him otherwise, usually to no avail. In her eyes, he had been a victim of something that he should never have come into contact with.

She'd been dating him since the middle of sophomore year, not long before he'd gotten the Squip. Of course, he didn't tell her he was getting it. Instead, he showed up to school one day, after being M.I.A. for the entirety of Spring Break, with a tank top on and a red streak in his hair, lisp somehow completely missing.

They worked really hard together to make it work, even though it seemed rough at times. Still, with the computer out of his brain and the past behind them, they were more than happy to try and move on.

Cut to senior year, where classes are suddenly ten times as dull and school seems to make less sense every day. During classes, (YN) would usually goof off with Brooke or send stupid notes with awful pick-up lines to Rich, who would send a worse one in response.

Life felt okay, for the most part. Senioritis hit every school, and theirs was no exception.

Still, Rich didn't think he was very normal. No, he felt priviliged to walk home everyday beside his amazing girlfriend, hearing her chatter excitedly about whatever it was that Chloe had told her about some famous guy they liked to drool over.

"Wanna spend the night tomorrow?" Rich asked her before they split ways. "We haven't hung out much outside of school in a while."

Jesus, her heart melted at the sound of that adorable lisp. "If my parents let me, I will." With a quick kiss on his lips, she began to step off toward her house, which wasn't but a couple houses down from his own.

Rich smilled to himself as he treaded into his own home, completely unsurprised that his parents weren't there. They were almost never there, so why would today be any different?

Still, whille he was usually a little saddened by his parent's absence, he couldn't help but smile for today. Damn, he was still thinking about her. He was always thinking about her.

The thought of her rarely ever faded away, and, even then, she was ever-present in the corners of his mind. How could one girl mean so much to him? How in the world did she make him feel this way?

Not that he was complaining. Definitely not.

In fact, he was stoked to walk home from school with her and to hold her hand as they padded up to his front door. He had grabbed her extra bag full of clothes somewhere on the walk, insisting on carrying it for her, and it sort of squished between the two of them.

She just laughed, watching him struggle with turning the key. "Let me do it," she offered, gently pushing his hand off of the door and unlocking it for them. "After you." She pushed the door open, ushering Rich inside.

He smiled and entered, pulling the keys from the door on his way in. He heard (YN) close the door behind them and felt the bag get torn from his hands.

"I'll put my stuff up in your room, start a movie or a game while I'm gone!" she called, heading upstairs to Rich's bedroom, a familiar, slightly dull place.

The whole house was dull. Rich's parents hadn't been real parents in years, and not a single framed picture of the family sat along the hallways. There weren't any pictures from when he was young and drew his family in pre-school. There wasn't an award from any spelling bee's or atheltic competitions. The house was practically bare.

Except for Rich's bedroom. While it was lacking in color and all-together style, the walls were covered in pictures of the two of them. What felt like a million Polaroids and printed pictures of themselves covered his room and never failed to make both of them smile at the memories.

(YN) laid down her backpack and clothes bag at the foot of Rich's bed, then stepped up to the pictures, smiling as each event replayed in her mind. The first time she ever went to the beach. A kiss on the top of the ferris wheel, right before it broke when they were a quarter of the way down and they spent the entire ride cracking height jokes. A Christmas they had spent together, jokingly staying up all night to 'wait for Santa', but truthfully wanting every waking moment with each other as possible.

She squealed when hands grabbed her waist, a face nuzzling into her neck. "Ah, you scared the Hell outta me," she whined, but laughed at herself. She turned in his arms, making the embrace into a sweet hug.

Rich looked over her shoulder at the same pictures she'd been staring at. "You were taking forever, so I wanted to make sure nothing happened," he informed her, fingers drawing shapes on her back without a reason. "I'm glad I have these pictures."

They turned so that both of them could look at the pictures, but they couldn't keep themselves from laughing at a few silly ones.

"I remember that!" (YN) announced. "That was when Jake dared me to eat all those lava cakes! That hurt a lot, but it was worth fifty bucks."

Rolling his eyes, Rich glanced at another one. "That was the first time you ever made a cake," he remembered. "That was really good."

"It didn't look good," (YN) admitted. "I was a noob, back then. I can bake better cakes, now."

Rich tightened his grip on her, just a touch, but noticeably. "I'm sure you can," he chuckled.

After ten or so minutes of reliving their favorite moments, they silently agreed it was time to go back downstairs, where Rich had grabbed a collection of snacks from his kitchen and piled them onto a small coffee table in fron of the couch. Behind the table was a TV, which had the movie title Tombstone on it. It was (YN)'s favorite, she loved Wild West movies!

With a broad grin, she hopped over the couch and into her spot. Less daringly, Rich stepped around the couch to sit next to her, both of them cuddling up before he hit play. (YN) held a bag of chips close to her, and they both ate them absent-mindedly as they watched.

"I got two guns, one for each of ya'," she quoted Doc, smiling at herself. She'd probably memorized the entire movie at this point.

Somewhere around Doc leaving his wife and Wyatt watching the train go, she had fallen asleep, and Rich was quick to follow. Of course, he'd turned everything off and put the snacks on the table once he'd realized she was out. With that done, he held close to her and managed to drift off before too long.

Falling asleep with her was amazing, because Rich knew that it meant he got to wake up with her, as well. The first thing he got to see the next day was her tiredly gazing up at him, as if waiting for him to wake up.

"Morning," she said softly, kissing his cheek.

Rich pulled her close, and she let herself bury her face in his chest sleepily. "Too early to be up," Rich whined, and he heard an agreeing sound from the girl with him. "Wanna go sleep in my bed all day?" Another agreeing sound, then the two were lazily but hurriedly skittering up to Rich's room, closing the door, shutting the curtains, flipping the light off, then plopping onto the bed in almost pure dark, despite the time being around seven in the morning.

They curled into each other without hesitation, unwilling to let the other too far out of their grasp. Rich thought it was adorable how she mumbled to herself about him being 'so warm 'n' soft' before dozing back off. He followed suit quickly, and the two just basked in each other's presence. Being with the other was more than enough to make each of them smile, and, until they maybe got a little older, it was all they needed. Maybe Rich had been thinking about a life with (YN), and maybe she'd done the same, but they were content with just holding each other. For now.

[winryofresembool]

Parental!EdWin one-shot: A Make-over

A/N: an anon sent me a message: “Ed let's their daughter do his hair, paint his nails, and do his makeup and he proudly shows it off and Winry thinks he's the biggest goof but she sets up a tea party and the entire family is involved” and this fic is based on that prompt. Please enjoy and review 8)

Genre: family fluff

Words: 1500ish

Warnings: none

“Dad, can we play?”

A newspaper got lifted from Ed’s face, and he woke up from his nap with a start. If the person waking him up had been someone else, he might have grunted angrily. However, she turned out to be Emma, and there was no way he would have said no to her even right after waking up. The little girl’s eyes resembled her mother’s so greatly, and she had already learned Ed was weak against her puppy-eye look, not afraid to use it whenever she wanted to get something her way.

Emma climbed to sit on Ed’s stomach and patted him on the nose because her short arms couldn’t reach the top of his head. “You look tired, dad. I know what will cheer you up!”

“Tell me, little bean.” The ‘l’ in his ‘little’ was a hesitant one, but Ed had decided he wanted to call his daughter that because it reminded him of how his own mother had called Al and him. He had already decided he would stop using it once she was tall enough to reach his elbows.

“I’m gonna give you a make-over!” The girl exclaimed happily and started jumping on the couch before Ed caught her into his arms, lifting her in the air.

“A make--- what? Do you even have any make-up yet?” Ed frowned a little, not remembering Winry allowing her to use hers yet.

“Aunt Mei gave me a make-up bag for a doll once… I’ll use it. And I’m gonna make your hair pretty too!”

Not wasting any time, she rushed to get the bag from her all too full toy box, while Ed sat up on the couch, wondering why exactly he had agreed to let his daughter do this. Well, no one would see it, so no harm done, right?

Besides her make-up bag, she brought a hair brush, hairclips and bands with gigantic fake flowers attached to them, and a jewelry box with countless necklaces, bracelets and plastic rings in it. Ed had no idea how the girl had managed to get so many of them already despite only being 5 years old. When Winry was shopping with him, she always made sure he would not buy anything extra for the kids. But apparently that wasn’t enough to stop him from spoiling his kids…?

“I want to do your nails first! What color?” Emma asked, showing the small bottles she had lined up on the coach table.

“How about this? It looks cool.” He took a bottle of black nailpolish and handed it to his daughter.

“But I like the pink one more!” Emma crossed her arms over her chest, giving him a disapproving look.

“Then how about you use both, it will be ultra badass.”

“Fine!” she said and started doing her job.

About 10 minutes later Ed’s nails were painted, maybe not so evenly, and some of the polish had spread on his fingers, but Emma looked very content at her work, so he didn’t say anything.

“Then what?” Ed asked, mildly curious about what his daughter would come up next.

“Your face! I have… I think this is called eyeshadow… and macaro… I mean mas-cara… and lipstick! And I don’t know where you should use this pen, but we can draw something with it.” She observed the eyeliner intently, as if that had told her its purpose. “Mummy has never let me use these, but we can try them all!”

“But what about your mum’s wishes?” Ed tried to get himself out of the sticky situation.

“She said I’m not supposed to put it on my face. Not at least without her help. But she didn’t say anything about you!”

“OK then… I guess we have no other option.” Ed sighed and closed his eyes as Emma started tapping the eyeshadow on his eyebrows (and a little bit on other places too). She had chosen a bright red shade that would definitely stand out, and Ed prayed he had time to find Winry’s make-up remover before their guests for the evening would arrive.

He didn’t have a lot of time to worry about that, because Emma was already holding the mascara in her hands.

“Hold on, hold on. Can I put that on me myself? I’m pretty good at it,” Ed lied, but he didn’t want her to poke him in the eye.

“Okay! But I’m gonna put the lipstick! Is this color good?” She showed him a lipstick pretty much as red as his old coat.

“You have a good taste on the color,” he complimented. “Sure.”

Emma applied the lipstick on his lips (quite messily), and finally, it was time for the mysterious eyeliner.

“Should I draw something on your cheek?”

“How about a transmutation circle? You know, the one you practiced the other day?” Ed suggested, taking a piece of paper from the couch table and drawing a simple circle with a triangle inside it with the eyeliner. Emma used it as a model as she started working.

Soon Ed had a slightly misshaped circle on his cheek, and Emma announced proudly:

“I transmuted a dad!”

“You did, sweetie!” Ed’s voice turned serious when he added: “Just remember, don’t ever try to actually transmute anyone. I… did… something stupid once… because I was desperate and didn’t believe what the adults around me said, and… I got this.” He patted his automail leg. “I got off easy. Your uncle Al… he was just a suit of armor. For five years. I’ve never told you that, have I?”

Emma shook her head.

“Well, you will get to hear the whole story when you are a little bit bigger… For now, just promise me you’ll only use alchemy to make other people happy, right?”

“OK, dad!” The innocent child she was, she didn’t even understand what bad things alchemy could cause, but one day she’d know and Ed got chills only thinking about it. He couldn’t dwell on it too long, though, because Emma was already in the process of trying to make little plaits in his hair.

“Hey, do you still remember how it’s done?” He took a strand of his hair into his hands and split it into three, so he could demonstrate it to his daughter. “First you bring this part over this part, and then…”

“I got it! Let me try now.”

She was focused for a while, but once she managed to finish the first tiny plait, she said seriously: “Alan said only girls have plaits when I tried to make him one.”

“I need to have a little talk with your brother, in that case,” Ed answered. “Of course boys can have plaits too! I wore one for years and no one cared. And no one should care. Don’t let anyone ever tell you you can’t do something just because you are a girl, because you sure as hell can! Just look at your mama! She’s the strongest and most badass person I’ve ever met, and she also gave birth to three awesome kids! That’s the greatest thing anyone can do!”

“Aw, Ed, I’d kiss you if you didn’t have that red thing all over your mouth,” a feminine voice suddenly said, the person behind it having trouble controlling her laughter. “You look… hot.”

“Don’t mock me, woman!” Ed turned to glare at his wife who was covering her mouth with her hands, so she wouldn’t burst out laughing. “If my daughter wants to practice doing a make-up on me, so be it.”

“You remind me so much of a certain father we once knew,” Winry said with a hint of sadness in her voice, but then her playful side returned again. “How about we let you stay like this until Brigadier General Mustang and Captain Hawkeye arrive and see what they say?”

“Wh-at ever possessed you to say that?! Give me your best make-up removers quickly, Colonel Bastard would not shut up for the rest of…”

“Fullmetal! You just keep getting prettier!” No other voice could have made Ed jump up higher in that moment. Roy Mustang was already in his living room and he looked like his birthday had come early that year as he saw Ed covered with make-up. Riza Hawkeye behind him was smiling widely too.

“Goddammit! Winry, you KNEW they were already here, didn’t you?

“I’m so sorry, Ed. I swear I’ll make up for it soon,” she whispered so the others couldn’t hear. “It was just too late to warn you…”

“Fine, but that making up better be good.”

“Don’t worry. It will be.” She pecked him briefly on the lips, getting some of the lipstick in her mouth in the process. “You did a great job ‘transmuting’ your dad, Emma.” She turned to her daughter. “Although, eyeliner isn’t meant for alchemy but maybe I’ll let it pass this time.”

“Hey, the circle looks super cool! You know what? I think I’ll just let it be for a while. I don’t care what Mustang says, Emma’s work deserves to be noticed.”

“You are such a proud father.” Winry ruffled her husband’s plaited hair before they decided to join their guests in the kitchen where Winry had already set the table.

[thetrueghostqueen]

Stalked- Chapter 8

 Masterlist cover prologue chapter 1 chapter 2 chapter 3 chapter 4 chapter break chapter 5 chapter 6 chapter 7 

    It was 9:30 and break time. Hoseok was over in the corner talking to Kaylee. Jungkook, Taehyung, and Jimin were goofing off. Namjoon was reading and Yoongi was trying to power nap but Jin wouldn't stop with the jokes.

   "Did you manage to find a replacement choreographer?" Their choreographer  Jaeyong asked.

   Yoongi lifted up on his elbows. "Yeah. Turns out our friend Andy is in Korea and agreed to fill in while you are away."

    Jaeyong smiled. Hoseok turned his head and looked at Yoongi. "Andy's here?" He asked excitedly.

  At the mention of her name everyone gathered around to fill Hoseok in on their dinner the night before. None of them noticed the look on 'Kaylee's' face.

   After the recap and some teasing of Jungkook for his crush Kaylee finally spoke. " Call her and cancel." She ordered.

   Everyone quited down and stared at her. "Why?" Namjoon asked. 

  She started shaking. "Please just call her and cancel. Please." She begged.

  Hoseok didn't know what was going on but he could see she was shaken. He gathered her in his arms and silently rocked her back and forth.

   The guys looked at each other in confusion. Jungkook pulled out his phone to text Andy.

   Jungkook stared at his phone waiting for a reply. He could see that she read the last message. She just didn't reply. As he slipped his phone back in his pocket Taehyung's rang.

  "H-Hello?" Taehyung answered. He pulled the phone from his ear and put it on speaker. "You're on speaker." Taehyung said.

   "Would any of you like to explain to me why Kookie just lied to me?"

  The guys flinched at the angry voice of Andy through the phone. 

  "I didn't lie Andy." Jungkook spoke.

  "Is your choreographer getting married and going on a two week honeymoon?"

  "Yes." Jungkook answered.

  "Okay. Yoongi, do you need a choreographer?"

  Yoongi looked at the phone then at 'Kaylee'. As he opened his mouth to lie Andy spoke again.

  "In the case you lie to me Suga my next call will be to You Know WHO."

  Yoongi's eyes flew to Hoseok in apology. "Yeah, we need a choreographer." He sighed.

  "I'll see you tomorrow. Oh! Kookie café in 10 minutes." 

  "Make her leave. Send her home!" 'Kaylee' screeched.

  Taehyung was getting ready to hang up when Andy spoke again.

  "Never mind Kook. I'll be there in 3 don't move any of you. Got it Sayora?" With that the line went dead.

  They all turned to 'Kaylee' with questions in their eyes. "What the hell" Yoongi asked.

   "Why does Andy have to leave?" Jimin questioned.

  "Is there bad blood between you two?" Jin asked.

  Sayora didn't answer any of their questions. Fear setting deep at the knowledge  her best friend was in Korea. Freely roaming wherever she wants oblivious to the fact that her torturer is free and also out and about.

  She was also terrified to reveal the full truth to about her stalker to Hobi. She didn't want to tell him she knew the stalker personally. She didn't want to admit just how vile and psycho he really was. Better to just let them believe it was a crazy Celebrity stalker. 

She sighed and wiped a tear from her eye as the practice room door opened and her best friend walked in. 

  Andy flitted her eyes around the room until they fell on to a tiny women huddled in the corner with Hobi. She narrowed her eyes at the women. She may not look like Sayora at the moment but Andy would bet 1 million dollars it was based on the women's clothes. Clothes that Andy knows well since they are hers.

  Sayora watched wide eyed as Andy made her way towards her. Eyes still glued to her as Andy knelt down in front of her. "Yora, you okay?" 

   Sayora didn't know what she expected from her best friend. Anger. Yelling. Maybe even a slap. What she didn't cross her mind was the soft and caring Andy she got.

  She couldn't hold back her emotions anymore. It was too hard. Too damn hard. She jerked forward and wrapped her arms around Andy in a hug an started sobbing.

   Andy wasn't braced for Sayora's sudden surge and both girls would have fallen back if it wasn't Jungkook behind her. Instead she found herself seated in his lap with a sobbing girl clutched to her chest. Not how she envisioned her two week trip week to Korea. 

  Andy leaned back against Jungkook and turned her head only to be nose to nose with the boy himself. "Thanks, Kook." She whispered.

  She turned her head back straight and looked at Hobi. "What's going on?" 

  Hoseok opened his mouth to try and explain the situation but Sayora beat him to it.

  "You have to go home Andy. Being away from Metronome isn't safe for you. Please, Andy please go home." Sayora cried.

  "Why am I not safe, Yora? Andy asked confused.

  "Charlie." She whispered.

  Jungkook felt Andy tense in his lap and instinctively pulled her closer. He knew this wasn't the right time for feelings but he couldn't help but close his eyes momentarily in happiness when she laid her head back against his shoulder and neck.

  "What about Charlie, Yora?" Andy questioned softly.

  Sayora sat back and looked at Andy. With tears still her eyes she told her best friend everything. Including what she kept from Hobi and the guys.

  "What are the authorities doing?" Andy asked after Sayora finished.

  "They are trying to draw him out. But one of my handlers,  man I hate her, Julie Masters is ruining my reputation in scandal." Sayora sighed.

  Andy abruptly jolted forward out of Jungkook's lap into Sayora's face. With a growl that shocked everyone she spoke. "Say that name again."

  Sayora moved back from Andy. The look in her eyes a little terrifying. "J-Julie M-Masters." She stuttered.

 Andy sat back in Jungkook's lap and put her face in her hands. "Damn you Sayora Lynn Tuan. You got yourself in deep." Andy breathed.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Yora, Julie is Charlie's wife." Andy answered.

[plutonic-5]

JSE community hype: A guide for newer viewers!

(This is gonna be long as fuck)

Hey, you! Did you JUST enter the JSE community? Well first off, welcome! Second of, you’re probably really confused right now.

But look no further, I’ll give you a summary so you can understand all of these theories, glitches, and bloody necks in your feed.

Antisepticeye: A Brief Story

Antisepticeye is a character that people on Tumblr, Twitter and DevianArt created as an “evil Jack”, hypothetically the opposite of Jack. Everyone has their own version of him, but he’s usually portrayed as a Jack with pointy ears, black gauges, always with a bloody knife in hand, and with his neck bleeding.

He’s basically a computer virus, that can glitch through Jack’s face-cam in his videos and “posses” everything that is on the internet, such as Jack himself, that is the “internet part” of Seán (that’s Jack’s real name btw). He “feeds” of attention, and gets stronger the more we talk about him.

On October of 2016, Anti made his first appearance glitching through the Sister Location videos, a part of the Five Nights At Freddy’s game series. He glitched through every video of that month until the last day, on Halloween, where he took full form and possessed Jack in a video called “SAY GOODBYE”. So that’s a video you should watch to start everything.

So it makes your life easier, you can also search for “All Antisepticeye’s moments” on Youtube, there’s plenty of them, watch the most recent one you can find.

Jack also made a video kinda explainig this, called “HAPPY HALLOWEEN”.

After that, Anti was supposedly gone, and with time, other “egos” were created by the community and Jack himself.

Those “egos” are characters just like Anti, that only exist on the internet.

Jackieboyman is a budget superhero, he appeared the most in a video called “JACKIEBOYMAN RETURNS| Welcome To The Game #2”.

Magic Marvin is a magician that can’t really do magic, but everything he throws on the ground apparently explodes. He was introduced in the video “The Jacksepticeye’s Power Hour - Marvin’s Magic”.

Dr. Henrik von Schneeplestein is a doctor that isn’t really qualified for the job, but tries his hardest to save his most constant patient named “Peter”. He first appeared in the video “Jacksepticeye’s Power Hour - Dr. Septiceye”, and then in a video called “TRUST ME, I’M A DOCTOR| Bio Inc Redemption #4”, but he wasn’t quite himself anymore, willing to kill every patient he had. We’ll come back to why that is later. We discovered his name is Henrik in that video as well, and that he probably wanted to be an artist when he was a kid.

Chase Brody is a guy that tries too hard to be cool, and was introduced in the video “Teabag Edition| Bro Average”. In that video we find out that his wife abandoned him and took the kids with her. In the end, Chase supposedly kills himself, but people in the community refused to accept his death, continuing to talk about him. He supposedly dies again later, in the “TRUST ME, I’M A DOCTOR| Bio Inc Redemption #4” video, where Dr.Schneeplestein kills a patient called “Chase Brody”, that later on Jack accepted as cannon to be Chase himself.

And those are all 4 egos until now (today’s date being August 1st, 2017). “Jack” is also considered an ego, because he’s the one that interacts with everything on the internet.

Remember when Anti was gone after 2016’s Halloween? Well, he came back. In a video that Jack made for the PAX East 2017 convention, called “Always Watching takeover” or something. In that video, that you can easily find searching those words on YouTube, Anti comes back and says that he never really left, he’s just always there, waiting for enough attention so he can possess Jack again.

Anti’s objectives are a mystery, no one really knows what he wants to accomplish with all of this.

After the PAX video, it all died down again. Except not. Dr.Schneeplestein started acting weird in that last video where he supposedly killed Chase, and everybody figured that Anti was taking his turn on him, possessing him, getting inside his head.

Theories say that Anti plans in corrupting all egos and the most recent Jack’s instagram picture shows the Doctor with a bloody eye, saying that he was the first one to be corrupted.

In some video tags or Tumblr posts tags, sometimes there are messages with a weird font (zalgo text). That can be Anti talking to us, or Jack asking for help, since he’s like being “held captive” since last Halloween.

Recently, there was a video of Markiplier, called “Darkiplier vs Antisepticeye”, where Anti and Mark’s evil ego, Dark, supposedly meet and want to fight against each other. That video was said not to be cannon, that meaning it wasn’t really Anti and Dark, but just Jack and Mark pretending to be them, “imposters”, a goof!

But the goofness didn’t last for very long, because the real Anti is now pissed because Jack mocked him, and that’s why he got Schneeple and is back again.

So the random words that you may see people talking about, like “home”, “return/reborn”, “imposter”, etc are all things from random tags or Jack’s Twitter bios.

And even more recently, but before Mark’s video, “Jack” made a video putting up an “art contest”, where he’s gonna show the world some of our fanart in a future video. I say “Jack” because there’s a really unsettling vibe about that video, and people figured out that the person in the video was not Jack, but Anti in disguise. He wants this art thing to happen because he knows that people are gonna draw him a lot, referencing Mark’s video, and that will give him the attention he needs to be reborn into something stronger.

In periods of hype like this, video’s titles are a very important part of theories, because they kinda give hints about what may be happening, and thumbnails as well. In his last “Escapists” video, he put a date in the thumbnail that goes back to Anti’s last appearance, and then changed it again to another date: August 3rd.

That’s probably when shit is gonna go down, and Dr.Schneeplestein will appear along with Anti, being reborn because of all the fanart and attention we gave him.

And that’s what you missed on…Everything! I know it’s a lot to take in all on once, but once you get it, it’s really fun!

Everybody in the community works together to figure out this story arc that Jack creates, with the help of his amazing editor, Robin. So if you feel lost, or just want to freak out and theorize about video titles and green lights, there’ll always be someone to talk to you!

And I promise, we’re not mad like this all the time, I made this summary just because we’re in a period of hype, like in the middle of a story, and you just arrived in this complete chaos!

And now, you know everything that we know until now, stay tuned for the next videos and theories, and follow Jack here on Tumblr to know the stuff he likes and reblogs, that may be hints as well.

Oh, and most importantly…Have fun!

[yourmotivationguru]

Marriage – The most important chapter of an individual’s life’s story, right? We live around two-thirds of our life being married to our spouse. However, not all marriages last as merrily or as long. If I had to ask you whether you’re happy or not with your respective spouses, would you be able to say yes in a second? Or, would you stand there thinking of all the pros and cons that you had in your marriage to decide if you’re happy?

According to the National Center for Health Statistics and US Census Bureau, the national divorce rate is 3.6 per 1000 people. Studies in the last year have also proven that more than 20 percent of marriages end in divorce in the first five years. These numbers are staggering and it will scare anyone who hopes to have a successful marriage.

Here are a few glaring mistakes that you can avoid in the early years of your marriage.

Mistake #1: Giving only one spouse access to money and knowledge about FINANCES

Many marriages I’ve seen have suffered because of this mistake. There are two types of marriages where only one spouse has access to the money and the knowledge about the family finances.

One, the spouse controls all the money, investments and expenditure. In this case, the wife has to constantly ask the husband for money and has no knowledge about the finances.

Second, in this type of marriage, both the wife and husband have separate bank accounts. They control their own finances separately. However, the problem is the use of words “his” and “her”. This could cause problems due to indifference.

So, what is the best relationship advice in this case?

The best relationship advice would be to have a joint account. Manage the finances i.e., investment, income, expenditure and assets together. Instead of having “yours” and “mine”, make it “ours”. Having equal knowledge about the finances in the family can help increase the understanding between the couple.

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Mistake #2: Trying To Change Your Spouse

Have you ever tried to customize an order in the menu according to what you like and then realize how horrible it was? Okay, that’s probably not the right kind of example here but trying to change your spouse can be quite disastrous. It’s crucial to understand that your spouse is different but in his/her own way. You cannot expect your spouse to change themselves completely for you. Yes, marriage means compromise. Compromising means to adjust a few things here and there but it doesn’t mean that one has to entirely change.

On the other hand, you can try to understand your spouse. While this may sound like a heavy task, it isn’t. Once you try to understand your spouse, you’ll understand that they don’t have to change.

Mistake #3: Spending your Leisure Time Goofing Off

I get it, you just got married. You’re not used to doing everything with your wife. The starting few years of a marriage lay the foundation. If you spend your time goofing off to the park to play golf with your buddies or keeping yourself busy with your iPod, iPad and what not. We all need our alone time but sometimes, we forget to draw a line. We need to share experiences and try to spend as much as we can with our spouses. Not only will this help us understand our spouse better but it will help strengthen the bond. Let’s face it, once the kids come you’ll hardly have time for each other.

So, spend as much as time as you can with your spouse. Learn what they love and what they don’t.

Wrapping up

These are just a few mistakes that newly-wed couples often make. Avoiding these mistakes will only result in a strong foundation for your long and happy marriage. If you think that your spouse is doing something you don’t like, talk. If you feel that there’s something that you need her to know, talk. If something bothers you, even if it’s that sex could be better, talk. Talk, talk and talk. Once you sit and talk with your spouse, you’ll see that marriage is a two-way street.

Stay Married! http://www.yourmotivationguru.com/marriage/

[oh-my-otome]

What's your opinion on Shigezane's event story, and if you bought his epilogue, what did you think of that? I would love to hear your thoughts

Hello, Precious! I thoroughly enjoyed Shigezane’s event story and did indeed purchase his epilogue. Would you like to look at it together? I’d love to have your company!

Let’s have a look at the very first scene, because it says a lot about him:

We open with Shigezane running an errand, but happening upon a clandestined meet-cute. Shigezane introduces himself with an alias, a different reading of his first and last names, after beginning to say it correctly.

When it comes to character analysis, what do you see here, Precious? Think about everything you know about the Date cousins and their clan, and read it again.

Did you spot it?

Feels comfortable around you, a complete stranger (name slip)

Runs errands below his status (progressive)

Protects those close to him (keeps Masamune’s identity secret)

Watch you prepare food? (two-fold priorities: 1. ensure Masamune is not poisoned 2. curiosity)

Taste food? (1. Confirm food isn’t poisoned 2. Curiosity. 3. Hungry)

We already know that Masamune, like Ieyasu, is very understandably concerned about poisoned food, so here we see one scene multiple ways and learn something about Shigezane’s personality: 

He’s willing to help out, and he’s sociable, but his first priority is his cousin. He’s doing two things at once. You’re cute and all, but he’s there to do a job.

And speaking of cute, you’ve got it bad:

He’s similarly smitten:

The one thing that really bothered me in Shigezane and Nobuyuki’s event story is your state of mind:

You’re going through some stuff. That’s not the time to be making big decisions, and on one hand you have one suitor perfectly happy to take advantage of you, and on the other you up and leave your family for a complete stranger, having no idea if he’ll morph into something like Tarobe later on down the line. 

As the readers, we know that Shigezane isn’t like that, but hth can MC know that? She literally just met him and marries him in the same month.

The only difference between Shigezane, Nobuyuki and Tarobe in that regard is luck.

Anyway, Shigezane changes the subject, since he can see that it’s bothering you, and talks about something else:

We know that Shigezane is genuinely trying to help you, whereas Nobuyuki is trying to trap you, but they are of two completely different personality types (normal-type vs. yandere) so their motivations are simply not going to align.

This is the other thing that bothered me about their event story. It’s like 70% Nobuyuki. In the main event route, Nobuyuki’s sprites show up 65 times and Shigezane’s show up 49. Nobuyuki even shows up when it’s Shigezane’s turn. 

I would have preferred if each of the four characters had their own event stories because someone is going to get short-changed. They’re all interesting, and I want to read more about them, but in order to really get all of it, you have to buy the epilogue, which not everyone can do and not everyone wants to do. 

When they have their own event story, it feels more complete and that the epilogue is something nice to have, or else something one can do without– not an integral part of the story.

But anymarketingtactic, the next time we see Shigezane, he totes magotes doesn’t look like he’s about to rob a bank, at all:

This scene was so cute and funny. Shigezane is part of the vanguard. He could have grabbed any of his men, or something and done something over the top.

But no, he’s good. He’s got himself a handkerchief!:

What even is commanding your own troops, and having said troops rough up a few punks for a good cause?

Oh, “Mysterious Man.” You adorable goof. This way to my harem, if you please

Above: Ohoho, please do keep growling sexily, milord– ahem. 

Below: Focus, Amalthea!:

How did he even get these creepy letters? I want to read about Shigezane sneaking around like Happosai, with his handkerchief tied under his nose and a sack full of Tarobe’s scandalous letters.

I need a backstory on the poor unfortunate souls he’s been with on the low!

MC, strap on your jet pack and get tf away from him, stat!

Shigezane carries you to safety, though, so don’t worry about looking like the Rocketeer just yet.

Girl, climb him like a jungle gym! Wth are you waiting for?:

But no. You tell him thanks for the help, but you’re going to marry Lord Krispy Kreme that gleaming dome of his, tho anyway.

Sensing that you’re about as dumb as a box of hair, Shigezane brings some help:

MC, please! 

That is obviously Lord Yo Ho Ho on the left and Lord Hangs Lo on the right.

Keep up.

Below: A mother bear defends her young

After Tarobe high-tails it, it’s almost time for Shigezane to leave, so you visit him at the inn. There, you learn that his name is actually Date Shigezane and not Ito Narumi.

There was some confusion before about the different reading of his name, but you can think of it like the names Dawn and Aurora. Same name.

Before he leaves, Shigezane tries to get you to be less naive:

This was really cute. Shigezane even broke the fourth wall to mention Love Points.

Regardless of your choice, he says the same thing, but there was no “Hit Tarobe like a whack-a-mole” option, which is really too bad.

Shigezane teaches you something valuable:

You find his…uh…incredibly specific porn stash?:

I mean…we don’t kink shame here in the corner, but…did you draw that yourself, Shigezane? Where did you get it? Is there a market for sexy sous chefs serving sashimi?

He tries to grab his totally-not-supposed-to-be-you waitress porn, but ends up falling on top of you. Shenanigans occur:

I laughed so hard at this!

You fall asleep and Shigezane carries you home. The next day you realize something:

Get in line!

Music for the next scene:

You two stare lovingly at each other as you decide to tell each other about your feelings. Very sweet.

Shigezane’s epilogue is about talking to Kojuro about his totally non-existent feelings for you. Kojuro admits that although he’s had his fair share of lovers, he’s never actually been in love.

The more Shigezane tries to deny he’s in love with you, the more Kojuro laughs.

Also, there’s a really cute part where Shigezane is horrified that he was able to just shuffle right into your house and that the common folk don’t have armed guards.

As the trio are riding back to Oshu, Shigezane can’t help worrying about you, to the point of veering into Saizō-worthy listicles.

Masamune, of all of the precious, innocent buns in the package, suggests that Shigezane propose to you.

Shigezane rides his horse back into town to find you, but you’re already running his way, through the forest.

He wonders if he’s allowed to be that happy to see you, and reminds you to look the person you love in the eyes so you don’t get tricked. You say that you wouldn’t mind being tricked by him, which makes him blush.

He reveals that although he said that he would never ask you to quit your job at the restaurant, he’s changed his mind and wants you to come and cook for him in Oshu, as his wife.

He takes you back home to introduce himself to your family.

Shigezane’s event and epilogue was just cute all over. It was a very fun read and well worth the pearls– especially since his epilogue came with a cute little Masamune for your avatar.

I had liked Shigezane well enough from being a supporting character in Kojuro and Masamune’s main and event stories, but it wasn’t until Kojuro’s The Bonds of Love event story that I really became interested in Shigezane. 

I wanted to know more about the type of person he was, beyond his wingman cousin persona, and I wasn’t disappointed when it came to his Draughts of Starlight event.

[stormbringer15]

alright nerds listen up

actually don’t listen to me i’m a bad role model to follow

ANYWAY

so, it came to my attention recently that though i’d drawn Cupid and Valentine themselves, i’d never actually draw their family; namely their older brother Dyo, and their parents, Frederick and Catherine. so i figured “hey why not give them a proper illustration and give them justice. SO HERE GOES. THE OTHER 3 MEMBERS OF THE SYLEN FAM

info under the cut because i got carried away

Catherine- The loving mother of Cupid, Valentine, and Dyo, and the beautiful wife of Frederick. She is the physical representation of “talk shit, get hit”. She could care less who you are or what you are, if you present a threat to the life and well-being of her family, she will absolutely take you down, no questions asked. She’s a loving mother, regardless, and has and will do anything to protect her family and make them happy. She’s willing to try almost anything, and has an relatively open mind, save when your opinions are harmful. She likes things simple and in order, and often has a no-nonsense attitude, especially when things get serious. She does enjoy having fun, however, and especially enjoys going out and adventuring when she can. She’s a natural-born hunter, growing up among family that lived and survived in the wild. She met Frederick many years ago when he came to Mobius from Celestria. She wasn’t very impressed with his angelic bravado and whatnot, but grew to love him when she saw the real side of him, choosing to become his partner forever. She gave birth to Dyo first, then to the twins several years after. She adores all of her children and only wants what’s best for them, providing her love and protection when they need it, even as adults. She and her husband are bounty-hunters, stopping criminals and keeping the world at peace.

Frederick- The loving father of Cupid, Valentine, and Dyo, and the handsome husband of Catherine. Frederick is a bright-eyed, gentle soul, who typically does not wish to fight unless it is for the benefit of others. However, when his family is involved, he can become almost ruthless, letting nothing stop him from keeping his children and his wife safe. Naturally, though, he’s very friendly and gentle, always willing to give someone a second chance. He’s curious about the world around him, even after spending years on its surface, and thus tries to keep an open mind, as he learns new things about it every day. He’s also a fun-lover, and occasionally likes to goof off, but is capable of buckling down and getting to work when things get serious... most of the time. He used to be in the angel army back up in Celestria, but after a year of service, decided that it simply wasn’t for him. His family supported his decision, and suggested he head down to Mobius for some inspiration. It was around then that he met Catherine, and decided to impress her with his angelic self. Of course, when he discovered he was becoming more of an annoyance to her, he decided to be himself instead, and she warmed up to him, soon marrying him. Years later, she had Dyo, then the twins, and Frederick frankly couldn’t be happier with his family. He loves his kids dearly, and is always willing to do whatever he can to make them happy. He is always there for them, and does his best to keep them safe, even when they’re far from home.

Dyo- Dyo is the first-born son of Catherine and Frederick, and the older brother to his twin siblings, Cupid and Valentine. Dyo is a kind, yet fierce individual, taking after both his mother and his father. Though he will not start fights, he most certainly will finish them, at any cost. He has a strong sense of justice, and won’t back down until things are made right. Regardless, however, he is a kind and gentle person, capable of providing comfort and protection to anyone who may need it. The day Cupid and Valentine were born, Dyo assigned himself as their protector when their parents were away, doing what he could to make the twins happy while also keeping them safe. He adores his parents and his siblings, caring for them deeply and keeping them close to his heart wherever he goes. He was the only child to bear his father’s wings, so he considers himself lucky.