#i cannot draw this dudes dumbass legs

[chickenoptyrx]

Ok so I might be on some new bullshit. Remains to be seen. But uuhhh. Saiyan squad gohan and uncle raditz :T

[marvelous-mushroom-lady]

So I decided to watch a TLOU part 2 gameplay and I am NOT OKAY.

HEAVY SPOILERS AHEAD MY DUDES:

Start to just before that *scene*:

Joel telling Tommy about everything while meticulously cleaning a guitar. Almost like it’s a touchstone.

Little Ellie drawing everything as a little exercise in therapy

Joel being such a sweet Papa Bear  That facking cover and his voice breaking and Ellie can’t help but respond and smile I cannot

”It did not suck” Young miss Ellie continuing her little shit era proudly OK Jessie no need to be this hot AND have a southern accent AND being a good bro AND a queer ally of course no one this perfect will last long

Honestly Dina should’ve just dated both of them 

Well then! Watched the weed lab scene at work, like a horny dumbass. This scene is perfect but also I am spoilered to death so it just makes it worse. 

“You make me want to walk out into the storm”“Who’s stopping ya?”

Godddang it sapphics quit it! (Hits the ladies with the horny stick)Who even needs foreplay here, really? 

Dina has got so much game I do not know how Ellie so much as hesitated. 

Jessie being annoyed that the girls were smoking and boning on patrol and for no other reason at all is very much the greenest of flags

The look on Abby’s face when they introduce themselves

Tommy and Joel being nice and trusting towards the very beefy lady who knows how to use a gun is peak character development and also very upsetting that this was their true downfall. Joel from five years before would never. Can’t wait for this to be played by our sweet Pedro. 

Joel and Tommy being Dads asking Abby if she’s okay and being so concerned. 

Joel and Tommy being led by Abby to (their demise) the hideout.

Honestly fack Abby’s dad. Dude had a bachelor’s degree in Biology and didn't even bother to train anyone else in the very likely case he would die. He deserved that death (thematically only not morally) just for that giant god complex. 

“You act like you’ve heared of us” Oh Joely, baby, sweet prince. Sorry about your leg man. 

I watched cut clips of this scene in video essays years before but yea shit hits different when you watch it like a movie. And Ellie running around the woods. I didn’t play the game but desperately running to look for him must be a new kind of narrative torture. 

Thanks this was brutal. Ellie’s screams man. God Ashley did good here. I felt torn apart along with her. And knowing this is gonna happen was as bad as watching the show’s version of Sarah’s death. I had to take a break after that. 

Edit: Continued to watch without really recording any coherent thoughts so everything else will be summarized into an “end of watch” review because I always have such bad vertigo after watching for more than 30 minutes of gameplay. 

Also I am highkey into Abby and I now understand why we the queers claimed her she is so gosh darn pretty I hope they find an actor who can embody this vulnerability in a tank body. 

[madd-rot]

ITS PICREW TIME BABY

EVERYONE MEET MY FOUR BASTARD ASSASSIN PARAS AKA THE ELITES IM CURRENTLY HYPER FOCUSED ON, (TW: Body ketchup (blood) in a few picrews)

(COLOUR LINKS TO THE MAINLAND THEY’RE FROM: Avraenia, Mavica, Aulden and Wispia)

Kajus Lorano

The type that watches Casper and Phoenix doing dumb stuff

He looks really serious but he’s a huge softie

Fluffy hair fluffy hair fluffy hair fluffy hair

He’s had such a fucked up life so on god do not touch those he wants to protect

If you go downstairs for a midnight snack and turn on the kitchen light he WILL be sat cross legged on the counter

HE LOVES HIS SWORDS

I have no idea how he survives the other three

Half mother friend but also half excitable kid

Really hates doors after he tripped when it caught on his robe and ripped it

Save this guy from the bored bastard that is Casper please

The ONLY one of the Elites that hasn’t entered Bloodlust*

*Bloodlust: A state only a trained assassin can enter, those in Bloodlust have heightened abilities and pure focus on the target, only the strongest can resist losing themselves to Bloodlust and having their minds shatter forever

He’s the newest guy to join Elites so naturally he was terrified with Casper and Phoenix’s little partner in crime schemes

A baby once threw up on his robe (his poor robe wtf) and not only was he horrified but Casper was in fits of fucking laughter and still makes fun of him for it

Casper Verlice

The type that joins Phoenix doing dumb stuff

A stinkman bastard that’s scared of cats

He has the potential to beat Phoenix but he doesn’t care enough to do anything

Annoys the FUCK out of Kajus for shits and giggles

“You issue. Fix it.” 24/7

Aulden messed this boy up I swear

He’s way too bored for his own good

Probably the most infuriating smug bitch out there but that’s just an Aulden thing

A whole bisexual playboy this dude needs to keep it in his pants

When Casper is in Bloodlust this boy goes crazy, at first everyone thought he’d lost it but nope he just actually became interested

Everytime someone says his name it’s usually in disappointment, panic or straight up anger

If you’re cheering for one side he’ll root for the other just to piss you off

A sassy menace that no one is safe from

Why does the aulden government still hire him? They dont know, he doesnt know, nobody knows

Kajus once caught him singing in the shower and still brings it up to this day

A literal enemy of Avraenia after drawing a penis on an important document during infiltration

Nova Angelo

The type that tries to stop Phoenix and Casper doing dumb stuff

A tired parent friend

Respects Kajus, On the verge of killing Casper and needs a break from Phoenix

Mavica’s pride and joy I swear, the government love him

The oldest of the elites

The only thing keeping all hell breaking loose between these three oh my god

L’Oreal because ur worth it type hair shit

He’s also been through so much wtf

Ironically he adores cats and its the only bit of power he holds over Casper

And by that I mean he has Neko Atsume on his phone and shows Casper the game just to irritate him

He’s not the most violent elite but trust me he is dangerous when he wants to be

Most chill music taste out of them all

He has his weird moments as well trust me he is not as “cool” as half of Aturah believes

Bloodlust Nova is absolutely terrifying swear down, even Phoenix is afraid of him then

He may be responsible but not even he is immune to joining in with the Elites dumbass plans

Phoenix Cassidy

The type that not only suggests doing dumb stuff but carries it out with Casper

MANCHILD

Half of the reason he gets away with the shit he does is because Wispia’s Brotherhood all look up to him

This boy literally took over one of the lesser lands and turned it into a HQ

You can usually find him clinging to Nova

Short king that likes to feel tall

The top assassin of Aturah and cannot get enough of the title

Top assassin 100% comes from his Bloodlust state, he becomes extremely calm and calculating. A massive 180 to his regular self

DON’T interrupt his music when he’s listening to it

He is the youngest of the elites

Boy does NOT want Kajus taking his title and will will always try to fight him, it’s scary but hilarious to watch this short ass bitch try and take on a 5’11” guy with a sword

He is wanted in literally all mainlands and most lesser lands for his sheer chaos

You’d expect Phoenix to get paid better with how powerful he is but here he is BEGGING Nova for money

[starburstdragon]

BNHA Class 1-A Hero Costume Review (Part 2)

previous

The last one didnt do THAT well but it did well enough and i had fun so what really matters

In which I review the second 10 of 1-A’s hero costumes from the BNHA anime by seat order and based on 2 criteria:

1. How practical do I think it is

2. How good do I personally think it looks

under the cut again because this will not be much shorter than the first one if at all

Seat 11: Mezo Shoji

honestly i dont have much to say about this one i get it. its practical for him and he makes it work

Seat 12: Kyoka Jirou

only looks less like someone who only draws normal people clothes got hired to design a yugioh character but mostly because of her quirk and the lack of a card disk dispenser on her arm. i do love her boots though and it’s not like it’s not cute or its bad to move in or something so its fine.

Seat 13: Hanta Sero

really leaning into the tape dispenser look here but its fine he’s handling it well. i do wonder why it is so tight though honestly that part looks weird. once again i am not entirely pleased by the fact that this is a one piece jumpsuit instead of something easier to like actually exist in

Seat 14: Fumikage Tokoyami

this is much better in terms of being an outfit someone could actually exist in but unfortunately it is kinda boring. once again his shirt is too tight and also his short sleeves allow me to see his fucking normal dude arms which kinda wigs me out that they’re literally the only identifiably piece of that part of the picture unless i zoom in to distinguish the colors better. dude i understand you consider batman an ideal to aspire to but either keep the cloak on and own the fact that youre gonna be a fucking vague blob running around in peoples visions or add some fucking accent color. is his cloak going in front of his legs or behind them i literally cannot tell

Seat 15: Shoto Todoroki

i understand that the blocking is a bit different but that did not stop me from initially mistaking this for his gym outfit with some things on. practical, but ultimately boring as hell. do better

Seat 16: Toru Hagakure

girl if you are not pranking us with a secret, invisible jumpsuit a la Mirio’s phasing hero costume i am literally calling child services

Seat 17: Katsuki Bakugo

did like 70% of the good outfit juice go to bakugou or something?? this goes beyond slapping. its too good! its too good. everyone else in this fucking class take notes. my one concern is if hes got a demo license because ho ly shit ive seen the size of explosions those gauntlets can produce

Seat 18: Izuku Midoriya

do NOT ask me about his current manga costume its not colored so i will not be reviewing it. anyways this one is fine? i dont think those supports are strong enough and the main body of it looks kinda like someone hue shifted a gym uniform from somewhere but the embellishments on the design mostly make up for that its cool

Seat 19: Minoru Mineta

cringe ass baby man. this outfit SUCKS just get a fucking fanny pack instead of a dumbass utility diaper i am going to scream. the only remotely clever thing here is the stem on his hair to turn into a more grape looking thing but 1) why is that even the aesthetic hes going for and 2) it limits his quirk usage unless he wants the support department to yell at him for losing that piece of his costume for the 5th time this week and it is tuesday they are GOING to stop replacing it they fucking swear dude

Seat 20: Momo Yaoyorozu

girl they are going to call you another r rated hero unless you add something to keep your outfit that level of open instead of any more. it WILL happen. your boobs are not a sufficient fastener for your leotard. also put on some pants and get something a lil more intuitive/fast than a big ass book for your formulae. do not even get me started on how the winter costume is just this with a cloak. like 1 why do you not already have one of those and 2 that will not help nearly as much as you think it will with all the dramatic cloak flapping thats gonna happen while youre running around and literally if you can just summon stuff from your hands like in that picture or your wrists like in the final exam why are you dressed like that you are 16 young lady

[waywardfacegarden]

burning embers

Modern Au: Zuko centric + The Gaang + Zukka + Friendship/Family feels + Angst and Fluff.

Summary: Zuko learns the meaning of love.

Read on Ao3 here.

.

There’s something so tragically painful about falling in love, they say.

But Zuko wouldn’t know. He doesn’t know what falling in love with someone is, he doesn’t know what it feels like. Love is a concept so alien to him; he can’t even grasp the root of it. He just knows a broken home, the remaining ashes of a devastating, blazing fire that was supposed to be his father’s love.

He doesn’t know what love is. And yet, he understands: the underlying and heart-wrenching agony that comes with loving. The sorrow that comes with it; it is just there, intrinsically linked. It’s something that the small kid—full of unknown love and golden warmth, but also deep, bitter pain—comprehends at the tender age of 11.

It’s just common knowledge for him, the same way he knows the sky is blue and the sun hides at night.

Family. Love. Father.

Those words don’t have meaning, Zuko thinks, lying on his bed one night, still hearing the disappointment in his father’s voice echoing in his ears in the quiet darkness of his room. They’re there, of course. And he knows them. He can say them. But they feel far away, slipping through the space between his fingers, becoming dust that blows away with the chilly wind of an autumn midnight, escaping him before he can place what was there in the first place.

They don’t hold weight. They don’t mean anything. They’re shallow; they just exist, like a couple of letters strewn together, like when you say your name so many times in a row it doesn’t even feel right anymore; but, he supposes only a few people are blessed with their significance, with tasting them in their mouth with something not akin to hate or bitterness or emptiness.

Loneliness. Despair. Dishonor.

Those have meaning. Those have weight, despite being such empty words.

(But they very much taste like something akin to hate, too—and that’s the thing.

Maybe Zuko just doesn’t know anything aside from [self-]hate.)

.

.

Family, love, father. They are concepts that come alive to him the same way a phoenix is born.

They rise, awakening from the ashes that the fire within themselves has burned to death; so beautiful, so mystical, so mesmeric and so incredibly fragile and precious and wondrous, like a mythological creature coming back to life after having known its own death.

He learns the words and their meaning the same way his brain starts learning new things and concepts by reading a book; but he doesn’t learn with his mind—even though a part of him knows that this is where knowledge is stored—Zuko learns with his heart (he has always learned things best with his heart; after all, Zuko wears it on his sleeve; he’s emotional, visceral, volatile—his feelings are way too intense, too much that they burn his chest open; he’s always aflame), with his eyes, with his hands. He learns it in every little gesture that’s given to him, in every little crack (that keeps filling and filling and filling) of the time that goes on, in every little drop of ink that is spilled on the parchment where his life is being written.

He learns the words in the way he begins learning his uncle's tea recipes, in the satisfaction and pride he feels when his uncle congratulates him for a job well-done on a warm, quiet Saturday afternoon as he finishes helping cleaning and serving the tables around the teashop, in the way his favorite cup sits next to his uncle's on the kitchen counter in the mornings, full of Zuko’s favorite bubble tea; he learns them in the ugly, endearing, oversized sweater hanging at the back of his closet, the one his uncle gave him in his last birthday; he learns about love in the gentle smiles of weekends, in the singing of the birds outside his room’s window, in the blanket that rests around his shoulders when he is sitting on the comfy couch on a calm Thursday night, dozing off while trying to study for an English test, in the way the nightmares that used to haunt him are tormenting him less and less every time; he learns the meaning of father in his uncle's ridiculous pajamas, full of tiny drawings of cherry blossoms and tea leaves, in his uncle’s obsession with Pai Sho, and in the wise phrases he keeps throwing at Zuko even when he cannot fully understand them.

He learns, little by little, step by step, like a slow fire burning inside his guts.

And it's a weird, strange thing. Zuko learned that fire hurts you, the same way he learned that love does, but somehow, after years of building his new life, it doesn't feel that way anymore.

His uncle is patient with him. Patient as someone who would teach someone else origami or as someone who’s slowly writing a book. He teaches him, sees him fall, stumble and trip over his feet (both, metaphorically and literally speaking) and he’s there when Zuko gets up again.

It’s a nice feeling. Knowing that someone is going to be there, even if you fall. Even when you fail.

His uncle teaches him, the same way he creates a new tea receipt for the menu; carefully, gently, ever so softly. He takes Zuko, the broken child who looks at him through his pain and hatred, and makes him open his eyes. He points out, over and over and over again, that failing is not a bad thing, that love exists and that it doesn't have to hurt, and that if it does, you can heal from it; he teaches him that Zuko is full of it, full of love, he says that he’s always been.

Somehow, it feels a bit like healing. Of course, Zuko is still broken. Probably, a part of him always will be; but, somehow, he doesn't think that being a bit broken is so wrong now.

.

.

Friendship was a foreign concept to him, too. Or maybe not, but Zuko never wanted to get involved with it.

Too much trouble.

(Or maybe fear—fear of what it carries, what it holds in its nature; fear of failing, of not being enough, of being left out, of getting too attached.)

But just as Zuko was wrong about so many things in his life, this is not the exception.

He comes to learn that, too.

It’s a different process than with his uncle. Maybe because it’s slower, or maybe because it’s, rather, faster. Maybe because he wasn’t aware he was learning at all.

Zuko doesn’t know exactly when it starts. Can’t pinpoint the exact moment he started getting involved. Not that he cares much about that at this point, but he would like to know.

They kind of adopt him in their group (or, er, gang, as they call it), without Zuko noticing. But to be fair, Zuko doesn’t notice a lot of things.

Toph is a friend of his Uncle, and she lives near the teashop, so she’s around more time than she’s not; she’s loud and kinda rude, and always calls Zuko a dork or a nerd or an idiot, but Zuko realizes he likes when she’s there. Aang comes along sometimes, with his scarily bright smile. There’s also Katara and her big brother, Sokka.

He likes all of them, to his extreme surprise. They’re all good people. Aang is way too kind, Katara may be scary but she’s pretty cool, and Sokka is just a combination of a very, weirdly endearing, smart dumbass, which is, uh, new.

He honestly doesn’t know how it happened, or when it happened, but suddenly he’s tucked under a soft fuzzy blanket in winter, sandwiched in the middle of the three-spot sofa, with Aang almost laying over his lap. He’s almost sitting on Sokka’s right leg, pressing him against the arm sofa, his side overlapping with Sokka’s. He doesn’t seem to mind, though. He’s sitting there, cross-legged, with his right arm fully extended on the back of the sofa, almost like he’s hugging Zuko’s shoulders; he’s practically leaning on Zuko.

His arm and his side are really warm, though. Not as much as Zuko generally is, but it’s… kind of nice.

“Katara, Titanic is a classic, dude. What the hell.”

Zuko takes a sip from his hot chocolate, blowing off the clouds of steam gathering over the cup—the warmth of it is pretty welcomed in his throat, to be honest, while Katara rolls her eyes at her brother.

“I’m not watching that for the fifth time in a month and seeing you and Aang both cry for an hour later after the already three long hours of the movie.”

Sokka looks pretty indignant about Katara’s attitude towards his (probably) favorite movie, which is pretty amusing.

“You’re just a monster,” Sokka says, dramatically, “that’s why you don’t cry.”

Katara rolls her eyes again.

“I don’t know,” Toph says, from the couch closer to the TV, sprawled all comfortably over it. “It’s actually a really funny movie,” she points out, and then draws out her voice. “‘Jack, draw me like one of your French girls’.”

Aang laughs pretty loud, and Zuko smiles at the bad impersonation despite himself.

“Well, My Heart Will Go On is my anthem.” Sokka says, puffing out his chest.

Zuko actually snorts into his cup and Sokka shoots him a look. He remembers the time Aang and Sokka recreated that iconic scene, with Toph singing at the top of her lungs in a ridiculously obnoxious voice. He actually laughed at that.

Sokka seems to read his mind, because after a few moments of staring at Zuko’s face, his entire expression lights up. He grins, eyes sparkling, and starts singing really loud and purposely out of tune. Aang starts laughing and Toph doesn’t waste time on joining Sokka in singing. Even Katara smiles.

A few minutes later of terrible singing, they’re all laughing. Toph is cackling so hard she’s on the floor, and Sokka keeps leaning over him, laughing in his ear. He believes it should be annoying, but instead of that, it’s actually infectious and Zuko laughs a bit harder.

After they calm down, Toph is clutching at her sides and Sokka is wiping tears out of his eyes.

Aang smiles, then, softly and content, and raises a hand in the air, like asking for permission to talk.

“I have an idea.” He says, and turns around to look at him. “Why don’t we just let Zuko decide? He hasn’t chosen anything yet for our Friday movie nights.” 

All eyes turn to look at him at that. He stops his movements, mouth hanging open, hot cup halfway to his lips.

“Uh,” he frowns. “Thank you, but, um. Why would I choose? It’s your thing.”

Everyone stares at him like he has two heads, which, okay fair but why.

“What?”

Aang gives him a soft smile, all kind eyes and gentle features, like he’s about to talk to a baby, but before he can say anything, Sokka is putting an arm around his shoulders and leaning all his weight on him, as if they weren’t already close enough.

“This is your thing as much as it is ours, dude.” He says, grinning, “You’re one of us.” He vaunts, proudly, and ruffles Zuko’s hair.

Katara nods, at the same time Toph goes:

“Yup, you’re already in, loser.”

Aang chuckles. “Yes, you’re our friend, Zuko.”

Zuko blinks, stunned.

That’s… 

There’s… 

That’s… the F-word.

Friend.

Friend.

Huh? What? How? When did that happen? Huh? Did he miss something in the past few months?

Sokka, completely oblivious to his emotional turmoil, insistently points to the TV while squeezing him. "So, buddy? Don't you think we should watch Titanic to cry and share a couple of very male tears?"

"You only want to watch it because you have a crush on both Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio." Katara accuses.

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yes, you do! You even still keep that poster of them behind your…"

"Katara!!!!"

.

.

Friend.

It’s a nice word.

It tastes like hot chocolate in his mouth on a cold night, it sounds like Sokka’s laugh and Toph’s jokes, and it looks like Aang’s kind eyes and Katara’s nice smile.

It feels like something. It holds meaning. It’s not an empty word. At all.

Sokka’s hand ruffling his hair or over his shoulders, Toph’s nicknames for him, Aang’s offer of help in times he feels like Zuko needs it, Katara’s help with homework and advice on his recipes doesn’t let him forget that. ‘Friend’ is never going to be an empty word.

Friend tastes like hope, like warm food and bear-hugs.

Friend is such a nice word.

.

.

The thing with Zuko being generally—and strangely—warm all the time is that summer is a complete nightmare for him.

He's sitting directly in front of the fan at full power, barefoot in just jeans and a light T-shirt, and yet he still feels like he's going to explode. The weather forecast in the morning heralded a heat wave in midsummer, and it's exactly the worst thing in the world that could happen to Zuko's already overheated body. Toph groans beside him, lying with her arms and legs spread like a starfish on the cold ground. It is no comfort to her, however, and Zuko can understand that well.

Katara is looking at something on her phone, fanning herself with a magazine, and Aang remains practically unaffected, just as energetic as ever as he eats the remaining watermelon slices from the bowl they recently filled.

Zuko is wondering if he should go, or if he should fall asleep on the freezing ground that doesn't seem to be freezing at all, when Sokka walks into the living room in his baseball uniform. He has just returned from his morning summer practice; sweat is running down the side of his face, and his shirt is partly sticking to his body from the moisture. He smiles at everyone in greeting before gulping down all that's left of the water on the bottle of his hand. Zuko stares at his Adam's apple bob while he's drinking, and then his eyes trail the trickle of water that slides down his jaw over his desperation to drink all the water so fast. The drop goes down, down, down, dripping over his collarbone and sinking into his neck until it eventually gets lost somewhere inside his shirt. Sokka throws the bottle over the trash can and uses his shirt collar to wipe the water and some of his sweat off his face. Zuko's eyes unconsciously move downward; he can see a line of skin on Sokka's abdomen and stomach.

He swallows. Uh. His mouth is suddenly very dry. He's probably dehydrated. Is he dehydrated? He's starting to feel a little dizzy.

"So? Beloved friends, beloved little sister? Did you miss me? Obviously, you did."

Katara rolls her eyes, but still asks, "How was practice, dumbass?"

"It was cool! I hit twelve curve-balls in a row and sixteen of that weird fastball Suki pitches. Oh! And I'm finally getting the thing about that forkball. Also... woah, Zuko, are you okay?!"

Zuko blinks from where he was staring at Sokka's hair. It's kind of wet. Is that sweat? Shouldn't that be gross? Why is Zuko staring? Does he find it gross? He doesn't think so, but he also can't quite explain why...

"Woah, bud," Sokka says, kneeling in front of him and getting dangerously close to his face. "You're so red, are you having heatstroke or something? Do you feel dizzy?" He leans on his knees and presses a hand to his forehead, pulling up the bangs hanging over it. It feels nice, actually. Sokka's soft hand on his boiling skin feels like fresh water. He kind of wants to lean into it.

He probably does, because Sokka frowns. "Maybe you have a fever..." His mouth presses into a thin line. "Don't you want to take a shower to cool off? I can lend you some clothes, we're about the same height, they'll fit."

Zuko blinks. Huh?

"Here, let me help you." Sokka says, helping him up.

Around an hour later, Zuko feels a lot better, laying with his back on the floor in Sokka's baggy shorts and blue T-shirt with a cartoonish drawing of The Pink Panther. Zuko smiles involuntarily when he looks at it. It smells a bit like Sokka, or at least the detergent he uses. That makes his stomach do weird flips. He's not feeling that hot anymore, but maybe he is getting sick...

"Hey," Sokka tells him, looking at him from above, standing just behind Zuko's head. His toes are barely avoiding touching Zuko's sprawled hair on the floor.

"Hey," Zuko answers back, looking up at Sokka's soft face. His hair is down and still wet from the shower, and a few drops fall on the bridge of Zuko's nose when Sokka hovers over him. Zuko's face scrunches up, more out of involuntary reaction than out of bother, but Sokka chuckles.

"Sorry," he says, not sounding sorry at all. He uses the towel around his neck to messily dry his hair. "You look a lot better, now."

"Yes," Zuko muses, still a bit mesmerized by Sokka's wet hair. And Sokka's face. "Thanks."

Sokka grins brightly at him. "Sure."

He looks like he's about to say something else, but before he can say anything, Toph groans just a few feet away, sitting now on the couch. "Stop flirting and get a room already; it’s gross. We're here, too."

"What? We weren’t—"

Katara agrees, quietly.

"Hey! I was just worried!" Sokka excuses himself. "Weren't you all? His face was as red as a tomato."

Katara looks up from her magazine and gives him a pointed look, with one elegantly arched brow. Apparently, she doesn't even need to say anything else, because it's enough to make Sokka blush.

Oh.

He's cute, Zuko thinks. And then, oh, I think Sokka is cute. And then Sokka stomps over the kitchen muttering unintelligible things, still a faint blush over his cheeks.

Zuko smiles to himself watching his childish behavior. He is, though. He is cute.

.

.

.

It's raining heavily outside, drops pouring loudly against the asphalt of the sidewalk.

Zuko side-glances at Sokka. Maybe it's because after the course of a year, Zuko has learned to recognize many of Sokka's little gestures, or maybe it's the fact that the boy has been so much into his own mind lately, but Zuko recognizes that way he scrunches up his nose, that wrinkle between his eyebrows, that way his eyes twitch.

“Are you okay?” 

He’s asking mostly just to be polite, to be honest; he already knows he’s not. He knows something’s up.

Sokka turns to look at him, and then stares at the rain hitting the glass window of the lonely teashop.

“I’m…” He says, and looks at his hand. Then he presses his mouth into a thin line.

“You don’t need to talk about it if you don’t want to,” Zuko says, awkwardly, because as much as he cares, he’s still a mess when it comes to social cues. He’s never going to stop being a mess. And terrible at comforting people.

Sokka sees right through him, though, like he always does, and smiles softly at him. His whole face mellows. It kind of makes Zuko’s heart flutter in his chest, like a butterfly flapping its wings.

“I’m…” Sokka tries again, looking at Zuko’s face. At his eyes, at his scar, at his neck. He feels weirdly exposed, but at the same time… He doesn’t. It’s just Sokka. Which means it’s okay. “Scared, I guess.”

Zuko blinks and tilts his head to the side. He’s not sure if he should ask, but…

“Of?”

Sokka gives him a wry smile.

“Of failing? Of disappointing my dad? Of not being enough? I don’t know, I can’t quite pick a single one.”

Sokka’s voice is not quite bitter, but it feels like that, in the air around them. Zuko knows the feeling pretty well.

“You are enough.” Zuko affirms, without a single trace of hesitation in his voice. Because Sokka is enough, in every single aspect, and he shouldn’t feel like any less than that. Zuko’s also aware of what he’s worrying about, and for Zuko, it’s just absurd—Sokka is one the very few people that shouldn’t worry about passing the entrance exam of college at all, he’s crazy smart. He should know that. But, to be fair, Zuko can’t judge him nor scold him for self-doubt when it used to be all that he was, along with his self-hate. So he says it out loud, looking into Sokka’s wide, surprised eyes. “You’re also really smart, Sokka, I’m sure you’re going to ace the entrance exam. You shouldn’t worry.”

Sokka rolls his eyes, but he also adopts that playful-kinda-flirty side of him. It’s painful because Zuko can see the sadness underlying in his voice and body language so clearly. Can see the lack of confidence in every single motion.

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

“I am,” he agrees, “but it doesn’t mean it isn’t true. I really believe so. You’re the smartest person I know. You’re very capable of doing whatever you want, so have faith in yourself just like I have faith in you.”

Once he says it, and Sokka blinks once, twice, thrice at him, Zuko feels painfully aware (and painfully embarrassed) of what he just said.

Oh Lord, what did he actually…

“Ah,” Sokka says, and makes a face that Zuko can’t name. “You’re blushing.”

Zuko covers his cheeks with both hands. Sokka is probably right, they’re so warm, but still.

“I’m not.” Still.

Sokka laughs, and raises both eyebrows. “You sure?” He asks, staring pointedly at his face, which only makes him blush harder.

Stupid Sokka.

He must know the effect he’s having on him, because he laughs again, lightheartedly. Well, at least he’s not upset anymore…

“I’m not,” he uselessly and pathetically insists, even when it’s tragically obvious he is. But he has some pride, okay.

Sokka grins, but it’s all devilish. It makes Zuko’s hair stand on end. A chill runs down his spine.

“It’s just hot.”

Sokka smirks. “Sure, you’re always hot.”

“Shut up,” Zuko complains and groans, facing away from him so that he can’t see his blatant embarrassment. Sokka’s natural flirty personality wasn’t that much of a problem back then, but it’s only gotten worse, and Zuko just can’t handle it sometimes. It feels like way too much.

“Ah, but you blush when you’re embarrassed. That’s cute.” Sokka points out, a wide grin on his face. “Imagine being both cute and hot, what a crime.” 

He sighs theatrically, and Zuko is very tempted to answer, “shut up, look who’s talking,” but he knows he will just get more embarrassed after saying that. He needs to calm down. So he just grumbles while Sokka laughs.

Then, when Sokka has already calmed down and Zuko can feel his face like normal again, they look quietly at the rain, steadily keeping its pace.

“Zuko,” Sokka says, after some time, and Zuko quirks an eyebrow in reply. 

Sokka smiles. “Thank you. For believing me. It means a lot.”

Zuko smiles back. “Of course.”

.

.

Zuko notices it one night. (Though, looking back, it’s weird he didn’t notice it before.)

Well, more like, Aang notices and points it out, and then Zuko realizes that what he said is pathetically true, lying in bed at night because he still mulls things over sometimes before going to sleep.

“You know,” Aang had casually said, holding a can of orange juice, sitting next to Zuko on the bleachers at one of Sokka’s practice games. “You stare at Sokka a lot.”

Zuko frowned. “It’s his game, after all. We’re here to watch him,” he had retorted, like it was obvious.

“Well, yes, but I don’t mean only now. You stare at him all the time.”

Zuko didn’t feel like he liked where this conversation was going. Something about his expression must had given him away, or maybe Aang was just too good at reading him now, because he said:

“Wait.” He actually had sounded surprised. “You mean you’re not aware you have a crush on him?”

Zuko’s eyes went wide. “What? I don’t have a crush on him.”

Aang quirked up an eyebrow. Sure, he didn’t need to say.

“I don’t,” he had pressed on.

Aang hadn’t looked any more convinced of what he had said. If anything, he looked more convinced on what he himself had said. Aang had looked at him for a very long period of 1 minute before lightly chuckling and nudging him in the arm with his elbow, smiling brightly at him.

It was weird, but Zuko has gotten better at reading them, maybe just as much as Aang has with him. Maybe that’s why he knows what Aang means with all of that. Admit it when you’re ready.

It’s not like he was trying to deny or hide it. It’s not like he was trying to lie. He just didn’t think Aang was actually right.

But he is. Zuko can’t stop looking at Sokka, all the time. Thinking about him. About the way he smiles, with his hair up, with his hair down, with that denim jacket that fits him in all the right angles, with his baseball cap, ecstatic after he scored a run in the 8th inning. 

Sokka, practicing on the field. Grinning widely and openly and hugging him tightly when he aced the entrance exam. Leaning in to taste Zuko’s ice-cream into his own mouth. Ruffling his own messy hair. Wearing those silly cartoon t-shirts. Serenading Zuko with Electric Love and the most ridiculous voice ever on his birthday as a joke. Messy eating. Scrunching up his nose while drinking green tea. Reciting 80% of the Star Wars dialogues by heart. Being obsessed with boomerangs and swords (though not as much as Zuko is with that last one). Biting into the end of his pencil when he’s focused on writing an English essay.

Ahhhhh.

Oh, holy honor.

He has a crush. A crush. Feelings.

When did that happen? Why did that happen? He doesn’t know. Was it because of his warm eyes? His pretty smile? His pretty lips? Was it because he opened up to Zuko, let himself be vulnerable around him, bled his heart out so Zuko could piece it back together? Was it because he’s funny? Charming? Cool? Smart? Astonishingly cute? Was it because he made Zuko feel made out of thin air, sometimes, so raw and exposed but yet so safe, so comfortable in his own skin? ...That is, the others don’t necessarily make him feel unsafe, or uncomfortable. He just feels like he can be all open and vulnerable with Sokka better. Maybe because he opened up to him first, about something so personal like his mom (and Zuko knew about losing a mom, too).

Well, whatever the reason, it doesn’t exactly matter, does it? He’s already in deep.

Zuko rolls over his stomach and sighs, groaning loud into his pillow. Why, why, why, why. It’s not like he even has a chance, so why did he have to…

Ugh.

Feelings are stupid. His heart is stupid.

And the way he falls asleep thinking about Sokka’s laugh is even stupider.

.

.

The thing is, because Zuko notices all the little details in Sokka’s gestures and behavior, he also notices the way he acts differently towards… Certain people.

“Me and Yue?” Sokka laughs, and Zuko blinks. He didn’t even mean to ask it out loud. Now, he would just hear the confirmation of what he already knew from Sokka’s lips. How is that any better? Good job, Zuko. 

“Nah, man, Suki would kill me if she sees me wooing her girlfriend. Or at least kick me pretty damn hard.” Huh? Zuko blinks again. Huh? So they’re… Sokka and Yue… They’re not… 

“And believe me, she’s super strong. She kicked me once and I’ve always regretted eating that last cupcake on the fridge.” Sokka makes a face and shudders, like the mere flashback is enough to make him fear. But then he smiles, in that soft way of his that makes Zuko’s knees go really weak. “And I’m pretty sure Yue is immensely happy with her, too.”

Zuko doesn’t know what to say, so he just oh-so-eloquently utters:

“Ah.”

Sokka seems amused.

“Didn’t you know they were a thing? The PDA is so strong when they’re together, you have to have seen it.”

Well, that was… Zuko just thought they were touchy with each other? Sokka is pretty much touchy with him all the time, but that doesn’t mean they’re a thing.

Well.

“That’s rough, buddy.”

Sokka blinks. “Why?”

Zuko frowns. He tilts his head in confusion. “Because you are… Romantically attracted to her? It must be rough.”

Sokka blinks once, twice, three times. Stares. Then, he throws his head back and cackles, clutching his stomach.

“Dude, what the hell.” He wheezes. “Just say the word crush like normal people.” 

“Hmm.”

Then, when he calms down, Sokka eyes Zuko.

“Wait, what?” He says, serious all of a sudden. Or at least, surprised. “Do you really think that?” At Zuko’s lack of response, Sokka looks at him, then at his hands, then at the TV, where the video game they were playing is still on pause. Then, back at Zuko’s face. “No, I don’t have a crush on her. Or on Suki, for that matter.”

Zuko frowns. Sokka must know he doesn’t believe him, because he continues.

“I mean, I did.” He admits. “Back when I met her, when I was, like, 14. But I’m over it, now—Not that she’s not great; she’s awesome and I love her, just… Not in that way. It was just a silly teen-crush, anyway. And Suki is my best friend. We had a thing for a few months like two years ago, but we hit it off so much better as friends. She’s my bi icon, though. And bestest friend.”

“Oh.”

“Besides,” Sokka adds, and eyes him pointedly, “I’m interested in someone else right now.”

Zuko stares. Blinks.

What.

So he does have someone he’s interested in anyway. God, Zuko really doesn’t stand a chance. Why even bothering trying? And it’s not like he knows how to try something, anyway…

From the other corner of the room, Aang shoots him a very cryptic look. Zuko can’t describe what he’s thinking, but he guesses he’s taking pity on him. After all, he knows.

Ah. He really doesn’t like having feelings.

.

.

His mind is a cruel thing. It’s what keeps him up at night, what reminds him of all his insecurities, what makes him feel undeserving of love, what keeps throwing image after image into his head of his broken childhood on bad days. It’s what, as much as his heart, knows about his deepest desires, his longing, his yearning and thinks it’s amusing to play with Zuko for a bit.

“Zuko,” Sokka says, with a fragile smile on his face, his voice going ridiculously soft, his eyes warming up, and Zuko’s heart pounds on his chest like big waves crashing on the shore of a lonely beach. “Zuko, I love you.”

It’s kind of—very—criminal the way Sokka makes him feel. The way he makes Zuko’s heart seem like it’s going to burst out of his chest with how fast it beats after hearing just those three words, the way he makes Zuko’s entire soul ache and want, the way he makes him feel so grounded, so him, yet so tiny and delicate, like he’s made out of thin sheets of ice.

Is this how love feels?

Is this how it should feel like?

He wouldn’t know. He doesn’t know what falling in love is. He just knows a broken home, the destructive, neon-like, toxic obsession with power his dad had, instead of any tender form of anything else that can be called love that his dad should have had for his mom, but never did.

Falling in love is made to hurt. Falling in love is destined to make you feel sad, and alone, and unsafe.

Falling in love is a cruel thing. It’s not cut out for weak people, and Zuko is weak. He’s destined to break. He has always been made out of fragile, easy-to-destroy things.

That’s why his mind plays with him all the time.

He wakes up in his bed, opens his eyes to the dark quiet of his room, feels the way his heart beats so hard that he can almost feel it on his throat. And he feels lost. And sad.

He doesn’t even scream. He just lies there, feeling the world becoming smaller, feeling himself becoming smaller.

Lord, he’s royally fucked. Screwed. He knows. He’s destined to break.

There’s something so tragically painful about falling in love, they say.

.

.

He’s sitting with Toph leaning back on his right side, on the fluffy couch in Katara and Sokka’s living room, cutting up squares out of colorful paper.

They are both terrible in the kitchen. Something coming from being rich kids, Sokka playfully teased earlier. And he guesses it’s true. Either way, they are terrible—Zuko even burned his own kitchen once while making scrambled eggs (and that was. Not a very good day). Sure, he has tried to help Uncle Iroh a couple of times, and he knows a bit of the basics, but besides preparing tea, he’s lost. He can’t cook to save his life. So when Zuko almost lights a fire to bake cookies and mixes up the recipe for the second time, Katara kicks them out and bans them from the kitchen for the next 4 hours. Toph protests just to be annoying—she doesn’t like cooking at all, she has told him, but she loves annoying Katara, it’s her favorite idle activity. Zuko would be offended, but it’s the smartest choice if they want to finish baking Aang’s birthday cake without setting the kitchen on fire, so it’s fine.

Besides, this way he can steal a few glances at Sokka, as he hangs up the decorations he and Toph are making. The muscles under his shirt flex when he raises his arms above his head, his messy hair down from its ponytail, falling over his face when he moves a bit to the left, a line of the smooth skin of his back making its way to Zuko's curious, avid eyes.

Zuko swallows.

Toph sighs heavily and throws her head back. “So, are you planning to make a move any time this century or are you a loser?”

Zuko eyes her, coming out of his stupor, confused. “What?”

Toph smirks. “Right, you’re always a loser, my bad.”

Zuko blinks. Not because of Toph calling him a loser, but because, for a second, he really doesn’t get what she means.

Then, when he does, he buries his face into his hands and groans.

“Even you know?”

Toph laughs. "Yes, idiot, it's stupidly obvious.” She pats his arm. “I can see it and I'm blind, you know." 

Zuko groans again. He’s in physical pain right now. "How?"

She shrugs. "I don’t know. Maybe the way you say his name. Or talk about him."

Zuko feels a bit of panic. 

What? Is he that obvious? How does he say Sokka’s name?

"His name?"

"Yeah,” Toph confirms, nodding exaggeratedly, “stupidly sappy. It's gross."

"Oh my god."

She laughs again, loudly, because his suffering is apparently amusing. "You also talk about him a lot," she chuckles, "and sigh every time you see him. At least that’s what I assume, given that he’s in the room and you keep sighing like a 12-year-old girl in love. Pinning all the way.”

Zuko wants to die. He seriously wants to die. Maybe he should just tell Sokka he likes him, so when he rejects him, Zuko can just die a quick, albeit painful, death.

Toph nudges at his arm, with her typical abnormal strength for someone her age, but she doesn’t mean any harm. “So?” She asks, again. “Are you planning to make a move or not?"

Zuko sighs, "I can't do anything, he likes someone else."

Toph kind of stops where she’s fumbling with a couple of paper sheets. She then turns around and makes this face, where she’s scrunching up her nose and frowning like she just smelled something sour, or like when she’s deeply confused. "Did he say that?"

"Yes."

"Did Sokka seriously tell you that?"

Zuko’s confused at Toph’s relentless insistence. "...Yes?"

Toph’s face goes back to normal, but there’s something about the way she continues to hum that makes it seem like she still thinks Zuko is an alien, or something.

"You must have misunderstood him—which wouldn’t be a surprise, to be honest." She says the last part in a whisper, but he still hears her. That’s probably what she wanted anyway, but it’s not like he gets it. What does that mean? Zuko gets Sokka. That’s one of the few things he’s really proud of. Did he just think that he got Sokka while, all this time, he actually didn’t?

No. He understands Sokka. Sokka himself has told him that.

"No, I didn't. And I don't have a chance if he likes someone else, so I might as well not even try."

Toph looks mad. "You're super pessimistic, dumbass."

"Hmm."

She sighs, looking deeply tired and frustrated, like Zuko has completely worn her out. Then, she raises her fist and punches him. Hard.

Ouch.

Zuko yelps, and rubs at his sore arm. “What was that for?” he grumbles.

She frowns. “To punch some sense into you, big oblivious idiot!" Toph hums a low, guttural sound in the back of her throat, like she’s a feral dog trying to threaten a pedestrian. “Just try, at least. Everyone is kind of getting tired of your pinning, too."

"Ah." Everyone?

"Full offence."

"Ah."

“Even Katara. The only reason she hasn’t intervened yet is because she says it’s not her business to push you, but I don’t think her reasoning is gonna last long.”

Katara too!? Oh, no.

Zuko seriously wants to die.

.

.

Eventually, things go on. 

Zuko’s “crush” doesn’t go away. If anything, it just grows and grows and grows until it becomes almost unbearable. But he still can’t say anything.

“Zuko.”

“Hmm?”

“You know,” Sokka says, looking at him with feign innocence, sitting with his hands upwards behind him in Zuko’s room, “that looks heavy, want me to hold it for you?”

Zuko frowns. He looks up from his work to give Sokka a confused look. “What is, my pen?”

Sokka gives him that little, playful smile—the one that is so incredibly hot for some reason Zuko can’t understand. His eyes gleam, even more than they do all the time.

“Nope,” he says, and his smile grows an inch, “your hand.”

Zuko blinks. Sokka flirting with him is nothing new, that’s why he manages to hold back his blush a bit and remain calm, even when he’s a bit dying inside.

He is just trapped between telling him, “god, I wish you were flirting with me for real,” and, “please stop doing it, it’s not good for my heart,” and, “If only you knew how much I really want to hold your hand”, but neither of those options are actually. Something viable.

“Are you flirting with me?” He asks instead, knowing the answer already.

Sokka would laugh, brush it off, and say something like, “ah, but you didn’t blush this time,” and let it go.

He doesn’t, though.

What he does, instead, is shrug and look at Zuko’s textbook, like he’s completely uninterested in the conversation.

Huh.

But then he speaks up again.

“Have been for the past year and a half or so, but thanks for noticing.” He answers.

Zuko blinks. He’s tempted to answer, “yeah, I know, which is a cruel, cruel thing to do, by the way, given how my heart just wants to escape out of my chest and go with you every time you do it,” or something equally playful to play it down like they always tend to do, but… for some reason, this time it feels… Real.

Maybe he should just laugh.

He doesn’t, though, and, “What?” is what comes out of his mouth.

Sokka looks up. “I said that I’ve been doing it for a year and a half or so, thank you for finally noticing.”

Zuko doesn’t understand. He’s not following the conversation at all. “Wait.”

“Ahh,” Sokka sighs, “honestly, if you didn’t notice by the end of the month, I would have felt deeply embarrassed. I was starting to think I lost my charm and I didn’t know how to flirt.”

“Well, that was a terrible pick-up line,” Zuko can’t help but retort, and like he wasn’t mildly-insulted, Sokka grins at him.

“But it worked for you, didn’t it?” He teases, leaning on Zuko’s personal space, “it made you feel something.”

Zuko frowns. “How would you know?”

Sokka stares. “Your face.”

“My face?”

“I can see it. In your face.”

Zuko covers his mouth, frowning. He can feel his own heart race.

Sokka is still way too close.

“You can…?”

“Yup.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Zuko says, blinking. “That means—are you—are you flirting with me? For real?”

Sokka quirks both eyebrows. “Yes...?”

“But you—you…”

“Zuko, I don’t know where you got the idea, but I don’t flirt with anyone aside from you—at least, I haven’t done it in a long time. So yes, I am actually flirting with you.”

Zuko feels like he just got hit in the head. “Why?”

Sokka blinks. “Because I want to?”

“But why do you want to?”

Sokka shoots him a look. “Zuko,” he says, slowly, “I like you. I thought that was obvious already.”

Zuko blinks. “You have… romantic feelings for me?”

Sokka laughs, amused. “Yeah, Zuko, I have ‘romantic feelings’ for you.”

Zuko blinks again. He’s blinking too much. “So all this time… it was real… when you said… and that time you also said… and… oh.”

Sokka smiles, softly, and ruffles Zuko’s hair. It makes him blush. His heart might also not even work at this point, if it wasn’t for the fact that he can clearly hear it thundering in his ears.

Why is Sokka so calm? Zuko’s about to pass out.

“Katara is right, I’m dumb.”

Sokka grins. “Toph thinks so, too.”

“Toph thinks everyone is dumb.”

“Fair,” Sokka answers; he’s still grinning so wide. God, Sokka is so pretty. “Though I think she only calls us dumb, not that she means it.”

“Mmm.”

He’s so unfairly distracting, too. Zuko can’t stop looking at him.

“Wait,” He says, suddenly realizing something, “so you knew that I—that I—had feelings for you, too?”

Sokka looks at his lips when he talks, and Zuko has to concentrate hard to not straight up pass out from shock and his heart racing so fast it might give him an attack. Has he done that before? He would have noticed, right? Sure, Zuko looks at Sokka’s lips a lot instead than at his eyes, but he would have noticed if Sokka did it, too.

… Right?

He’s starting to feel dizzy. Is he dreaming? Is any of this real at all?

“Noticed it a while ago, yeah. That’s why I’m not freaking out that you noticed my flirting 100 years later.”

For a moment, Zuko is able to set aside  his internal emotional turmoil and state of panic, if only to complain.

“Hey!” He frowns. “Wait—”

“You have said that a lot.”

“Wait,” Zuko repeats, just to be annoying, “if you… liked me, and knew that I liked you back, why didn’t you… make a move?”

“Like asking you out? I tried to, but you’re too oblivious.”

“Huh?” Zuko utters. What does that even mean? He’s not—well, he is, maybe, just a bit, but. “Well, if you knew that, you could have been more straightforward, you know!”

Sokka smiles, then shrugs.

“I guess we’re both dumb.”

Zuko feels his lips curling up, not able to contain all his happiness anymore, his brain catching up with the last 20 minutes of his life.

Holy shit, Sokka likes him. Sokka likes him. Him. Zuko. As in, romantically speaking.

Oh.

Oh.

“I like you, Zuko.” Sokka says, as if Zuko’s brain didn’t shut down already. He reaches out and slides his hand on the table Zuko was previously working, the tip of his fingers touching Zuko’s. “So can I finally, please hold your hand?”

Zuko might pass out for real, but before that, he finally, finally, finally takes Sokka’s hand into his own.

It feels even better than in his dreams.

He feels like burning up, like all of his body is setting itself on fire.

Sokka’s hand is warm, so warm, and soft, so soft, and makes Zuko’s heart flutter like delicate flower’s petals in the wind.

Sokka’s thumb brushes over his knuckles; Sokka’s lips turn into a bright smile, like he’s been wanting to do that since forever.

It feels like home.

.

.

When they tell their friends they’re dating, Yue is the first one to say something.

“You mean you weren’t dating before?”

“Shocking, right,” Katara deadpans, but then she smiles, genuine. “I’m happy for both of you.” 

(Although remembering that minutes later doesn’t make her any less scary, when she decides to corner him out of the bathroom and put a steady hand on his shoulder, feign-sweet smile on her face, and say with a weirdly off-calm voice that, if he ever dared to hurt Sokka on purpose, she was going to break all the 206 bones on his body.)

Toph grins brightly and kicks him enthusiastically on the side with a loud “Well-done, loser!” while Aang jumps on Zuko’s back and clings to him like a koala.

“That’s awesome, guys! Be happy!”

Zuko smiles.

“Finally, I won’t have to hear Sokka’s pinning all the time,” Suki quips, like she’s tired and utterly uninterested, but even the happiness is evident in her voice.

Sokka still complains. “Hey! I had to hear you be head-over-heels for Yue for months, too.”

“It wasn’t months for you, though.” Suki deadpans, but then her face goes all soft, “I’m kidding, So, I’m really happy for you two.”

Sokka smiles, and she gets up from where she’s cuddling Yue on the sofa to hug Sokka tightly, grinning wide, and then look at Zuko (stumbling with a happily laughing Aang on his back and Toph annoyingly ruffling his hair like a proud little sister) and whispers something in Sokka’s ear.

Zuko is glad that he’s still looking at Sokka from the corner of his eye, because he catches him blushing after that.

He’s cute.

Suki laughs. Sokka frowns, still blushing, and when he catches Zuko watching, he blushes harder.

He’s really cute.

Zuko smiles softly, and Sokka blinks, once, twice, before smiling back.

The cutest.

.

.

“Zuko.”

Zuko hums, but doesn’t look up from his work.

“Zukoooo, darling, love of my life.”

Zuko is used to it by now. To Sokka calling him pet-names like those. Of hearing Sokka say he’s cute, or hot, or smart, or witty, or pretty. It still makes his heart flutter, though. Just as Sokka’s laugh does. It still makes him blush sometimes.

(It’s funny because Sokka is the same way—or mostly the same. Zuko said he looked really hot after a baseball game once and Sokka almost died on the spot. He blushed like mad, but after he calmed down, he couldn’t stop bragging about Zuko calling him ‘hot’.

“Look at you, flirting shamelessly with me! You’re all grown up!” and, “I shouldn’t be near Zuko if I’m wearing my baseball uniform, he’ll get a boner,” and a lot of more phrases.)

“Hm?”

“You are—” Sokka sing-songs, and crosses his arms over Zuko’s textbook. He puts his chin over his forearms and looks up at Zuko’s face, grinning, and Zuko would probably be a bit annoyed that he’s not letting him finish his essay if it weren’t for the fact that he’s Sokka. His, ahem, boyfriend. 

“I am…?”

“You are,” he repeats, and his smile grows bigger. Zuko thinks about kissing him; Zuko thinks about kissing him all the time. But, to be fair, he used to dream about that, just as much as he used to dream about them holding hands. And just as if he read Zuko’s mind, Sokka reaches out and holds his right hand; gently, like all of Sokka’s touches. It feels so nice, Zuko never wants to let go. “You are pulchritudinous.”

Eh?

Zuko tries to smile, but Sokka looks at him like he’s looking at a cute baby and throws his head back, still close and still holding his hand.

“You’re adorable.”

“What…?” Zuko is sure he looks as puzzled as he feels; he once caught his reflection in the mirror while playing Scrabble with Sokka and therefore knows how he must look. For some reason, Sokka finds it extremely cute. “What does that mean?”

Sokka laughs again.

Zuko narrows his eyes into slits. Or, maybe Sokka’s just making fun of him. (Not in a bad way, of course, Zuko knows. Sokka never means any harm, but he sure as hell loves teasing Zuko all the time.)

“Are you insulting me?”

Sokka wipes tears from his eyes and looks at Zuko with such a sweet face that it kinda makes Zuko stumble, even when he’s sitting.

His heart flutters alive, his face grows warm. He wants to kiss Sokka.

Sokka does, though, pulling gently at his hand and softly pressing his lips into Zuko’s wrist. He grins up at him.

“You’re adorable.”

(Later, when he’s waiting for a toast on Uncle Iroh’s kitchen, still barefoot, decked out in his pajamas and half-asleep, he finally finds what he thinks is the correct word using the search function of his phone—after 20 lame attempts of trying and failing at remembering—and pronouncing correctly—the right word.

He clicks on the dictionary tab, reads over the meaning, stumbles over, slips and falls flat on his ass.

He almost sets his kitchen on fire for the second time.)

.

.

Zuko is bad at flirting. He knows. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t try, hard, and sometimes, sometimes, he succeeds (conscious and unconsciously).

Or maybe Sokka is just too easy to fluster (even when Sokka says it’s the other way around; even when that’s actually, probably, just a bit, true.)

Either way, Zuko basks happily in seeing Sokka get all flustered. It makes him even cuter than he already is.

(Whipped, Toph would draw out, mockingly sing-song.

And, well, maybe he is.)

.

.

Kissing Sokka is like setting himself on fire. Like burning up alive, but not in the bad sense. Not in the way he was burned as a little kid.

Kissing Sokka is like sitting near a campfire when you’re feeling cold; like standing on the edge of a cliff, feeling your chest contract; like tucking yourself in a warm blanket, with fuzzy socks and drinking your favorite drink, while hearing your favorite song. It’s like waking up on a good day, like basking in the sun at twilight, like taking a warm shower after a long day.

He feels too much, way too overwhelmed, even with just a brush of lips.

Kissing Sokka is a blessed thing.

There’s something that comes alive in his chest at the same time their lips touch. It blossoms under his ribcage, spreads over his chest, warms up all the way up to his throat. Beating, growing, marveling in every fiber of his being. Maybe that’s what love is—maybe that’s what Zuko has been searching for all this time; this connection, this overwhelming feeling, this deep, raw, unfiltered emotion, coming off him through waves of desperation for more.

He can’t be sure. But even if it wasn’t something he has looked out for, the discovery of it still feels like a sacred thing.

It’s like watching cherry blossoms falling on the street for the first time, like falling asleep on the comfortable side of your bed after a tiring day, it’s coming back home—or to what home should feel like.

It’s something delicate, at first. Zuko doesn’t have any experience, so he just lets himself feel as Sokka presses his lips softly into his own, carding his long fingers into Zuko’s hair.

Zuko feels an electric chill run down his spine, where Sokka’s fingertips—from the hand that’s not on his hair—make a slow path down. He can feel them burning, even through his clothes, even when Sokka’s hand is not that warm.

But it feels like that.

Zuko breathes shakily, moves his lips experimentally, feeling Sokka’s smile against his mouth.

He wants to do something, so he leans in, feeling Sokka’s eyelashes tickling his cheekbones, feeling Sokka’s thumb under his jaw, angling his head in a better position, feeling himself become aflame. He wants to touch Sokka. He really wants to touch Sokka.

So he does.

He uses one hand to gently touch Sokka’s wrist—the one Sokka’s using to keep Zuko’s head up—and, carefully, tentatively, he wraps his fingers around it, caresses the skin like he wants to print a topographic map of it into his mind.

Sokka makes a low, appreciative sound, and Zuko feels so happy it should be embarrassing.

Sokka has his hair down, and Zuko wants to touch it so much because he loves Sokka’s hair. Sokka’s hair is so pretty—Sokka is so pretty—so he goes for it. He brushes his fingers on Sokka’s shoulder, touches the strands of brown hair that lie there, moves his fingers to the nape of his neck. Zuko does this slowly, he wants to feel everything and he’s not going to rush, not after how long he’s wanted this.

He cradles his head with his hand, touches and touches and touches. He pulls at his hair, lightly, and his hand goes down just a bit; the skin of Sokka’s neck under his fingertips is warm, and so soft. He can feel the gentle echo of his heartbeat thundering in the tender curve of his jaw.

Just then, Sokka’s thumb brushes on his bare clavicle, and Zuko hisses, feeling like he’s on fire. Feeling like he’s become burning embers.

It’s just—too much, and at the same time, not enough—he wants more.

He has always been sensitive, but it’s different now. It’s like all his senses are turned on—he’s hyper-aware of everything around him—of Sokka’s hands, of Sokka’s steady, fast heartbeat under his open palm, of Sokka’s smell, of Sokka’s warm mouth, of Sokka’s soft skin, of the way Sokka keeps mumbling his name, softly against his lips or when he breaks apart to breath. He touches Sokka’s face, Sokka’s arms, Sokka’s neck; breathes his name into his own mouth, makes sure Sokka knows how much he wants this, how much he’s dreamed of this: of kissing him, of him kissing him back.

It feels too good to be even real—just as Sokka always makes him feel, even when they’re not kissing.

He might as well die there.

It wouldn’t be a bad way to go, though.

Linked, bare soul to bare soul, with the prettiest, smartest, kindest boy he’s ever met.

.

.

There’s something so tragically painful about falling in love, they say. But as he sees Sokka laughing in front of him because of some ridiculous joke Toph made, holding Zuko’s hand like it’s the most precious thing in the world, he can’t help but think that falling in love is anything but painful.

Sokka turns around, catches him staring and grins, playfully wiggling his eyebrows.

Zuko smiles, thinking just how much he loves Sokka, how much he loves his life, how much he loves his uncle, how much he loves his friends, how much he loves being alive, being there, curled up with Sokka on his couch, watching a stupid rom-com movie on Sokka’s cell-phone screen, sharing earphones with his boyfriend. Being there, in the house that he shares with his uncle—his real dad—in the house that he has come to call home. Being there, feeling safe in Sokka’s arms, with Toph hearing music on the TV, while Aang and Katara and Suki and Yue sleep, sprawled there and there all over his living-room.

“I love you,” Zuko tells Sokka, like he just revealed the biggest secret of the universe.

Love.

He feels the word on his tongue, and it tastes sweet. It tastes like the color of Sokka’s eyes, like the tone of Sokka’s laugh, like all of Sokka’s smiles—the gentle one, the soft one, the playful and flirty one, the wide one—all of them. Love tastes like Sokka holding his hand while they go for a walk, like Sokka’s voice when he talks about what he likes, like Sokka’s proud eyes after scoring a run, after Zuko shows him his grades. It tastes like a lot of things he can’t name, like the way Sokka says his name, like the way Sokka makes him feel, like that little mole under Sokka’s jaw, like the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles with the setting sun of the beach, like the way his fingertips feel against Zuko’s neck. Like the way he looks at Zuko like he’s not broken, like he’s the best thing that ever existed, like his scar is beautiful and all of Zuko’s failures don’t matter to him because he’s him, and that is enough. Like Zuko is more than enough, and how he loves that he’s more than enough to Zuko, too.  

“I love you,” Zuko says again, in a low voice, and it feels real. It has meaning. It’s not an empty word at all.

For some reason, he feels like tearing up a bit.

Sokka’s face mellows, softens; he brushes his thumb under Zuko’s left eye, just at the edge of his scar, and his eyes become impossibly warm. Zuko wants to kiss all of his face; he wants to taste all of Sokka’s softness on his own lips.

There, in the quiet of Zuko’s living-room, Sokka smiles, and Zuko thinks he’s the most bewitching, stunning, ineffably beautiful being.

It feels like something ethereal. Sokka smiles and Zuko feels blessed to exist.

“I love you, too,” Sokka answers, like he’s sharing one of the secrets of the universe, too, like he’s never told anyone anything more true, and ever so gentle.

Zuko smiles and kisses him.

Falling in love is a blessed thing.

[draganasimpsforjeff]

Sksjsjsj I'm curious to see if you have any fluffy hc for Masky, Hoodie and/or Toby. Thanks for looking at my ask

Well well well if it isn't my hoe, how u doin 😂😂😉😉

Masky

• the only fluff there is about him is his hair, k bye

•jk

• well, besides his pills that help him relax its also him playing an instrument

• or playing cards or sum shit like that with Hoodie

• ....possibly make weirdass music videos with his favorite songs

• if he was in a relationship he would be those dudes that would not help at all during cooking/ baking

" babe can you get me the eggs?"

" how many ?"

" 4"

"I will need four kisses before I can do that then"

"Honey, can you give me 1 cup of milk?"

"I will need 1 cup of kisses first"

"HUH?"

• only gets tattoos that mean something to him or are a reminder

• the type of dumbass to take random pills (one of these days hes gonna accidentally take a viagra )

Hoodie

• his hair kinda flat and straight to be fluffy

• but pubes? 😂😂😂😂😂

(I'm sorry to all the sorry bastards reading this)

• the dude that will go on street view and look through all the familiar streets of NY

• as much as he says he hates teaching the younger residents to drive, he actually loves it

• until someone like Toby is up next

"ITS EITHER BREAK OR GAS PEDAL NOT BOTH"

"But what if I wanted to take a screenshot?"

• likes to watch anime but like very picky about which ones(its always psychological thrillers that he falls for) his favorite being Psycho- Pass

• the type of person to talk to himself in the mirror

• loves to swim so the moment its warming up, this fucker runs to the lake

Toby

•....this fucker got all the fluff

• that one asshole that will eat all the cookies or lick the spoon when he wasnt suppose to

• clumsy? Nah, random gravity checker

• mightgethurtonpurposebchecantfeelit

• is terrible at skateboarding but this boi is dedicated

*went 3 feet before face planting*

* you want a partner in crime? He's ya boi

• will go on a ghost hunting adventure with you

• has binge watched Buzzfeed Unsolved so...he will quote the fuck out of Shane

•like this one

• definitely a play fighter

• but good luck with this bunny boy

• this fucker uses his leg, whether to kick you, jump around like a crackhead or to spring onto you and tackle you 3 floors below your bedroom

•will let anyone draw on him (as long as its not a dick or something)

• when mania is at its highest, he gets shit done quickly but everyone has problems understanding him bc sometimes when he explains shit, his speech go "wniwofoanqnofnkw"

•what...exactly. you can't understand that shit

• but before you can ask, he's out the door and yelling at nothing

• sometimes has Brian/Hoodie dress him for winter or do checks on him (dressing him as in layers) bc Toby refuses to wear layers and like?? Forgets a thing called pneumonia???

• is literally a child...you cannot see him from all the long sleeves on him

•boi can't move

•but hoodie doesn't care. no one is getting sick from being a stubborn brat

•definitely waits till hoodie isn't looking before shedding them off

[waitineedaname]

davekat childhood friends remeeting in college au please,,,, my heart (also congrats!! you deserve all the love i stan you sm)

you have all my uwus omg

----

Going to college far away was fucking weird. Dave didn’t mind it, but it was just… well, there were pros and cons to his choice in higher education.

Pro: the school had a really great photography program.

Con: he was really far away from basically everyone he knew.

Pro: being so far away meant he didn’t have to worry about his Bro breathing down his neck anymore.

Con: no, seriously, like really far away.

Pro: his professors seemed decent so far and the dining hall was close to his dorm.

Con: oh god what the fuck was he thinking.

Okay, maybe he was overreacting a little bit. It wasn’t like he was completely cut off from everyone. John had agreed to Facetime him regularly, and Jade sent him tons of Snapchats from wherever far off place she was gallivanting through before she had to go back to school too. Rose was close enough that they could occasionally road trip and visit each other, but not close enough that it could be a regular thing. And hey, maybe he’ll really hit it off with his roommate or something, and everything will be okay.

He plopped himself down on the far side of his English classroom and pulled out his notebook. It was the first day for this particular class and it was only an hour long, so he doubted they’d be doing much else than going over the syllabus, but having his notebook out meant he could doodle and, subsequently, pay attention better. He was busy trying to draw a hyperrealistic eye over a ridiculously abstract SBaHJ mouth just to see what it would look like when the professor reached his name in roll call.

“Here.” He said, glancing in her direction before pulling out the syllabus so he could read over it while still doodling. Having a last name that started with S usually meant they were nearing the end of the attendance sheet by the time they got to him, so unless someone had a name that started with V or something, they were basically done.

“Karkat Vantas?” The professor said, and Dave’s head snapped up. Wait, what?

“Here,” came the raspy response near the door. Dave’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. He’d thought maybe it was just a weird case of someone mysteriously having the same name as his childhood friend, but no shit, that was Karkat. He was like ten when he last saw him, so he looked a lot older and a hell of a lot more exhausted, but there was no mistaking him. Holy shit.

Dave barely paid attention the whole time the professor went over the syllabus, too busy trying to catch Karkat’s eye, but dammit, he was totally focused on what the professor was saying. He almost laughed at how little things had changed. Karkat was always the one hanging off their teachers’ every word, while Dave was the one with the undiagnosed ADHD trying to distract his best friend with whatever he had on hand.

He finally managed to tune back in to catch his professor saying something about how she wanted them to “really form a bond with your fellow classmates” and how they should “pair up with a classmate you don’t know so you have a buddy if you miss class or need help.” Dave damn near leaped out of his seat when she let them loose to socialize for the last ten minutes of class, and he made a bee-line to Karkat’s seat.

“Karkat.” He said, bouncing on his heels at Karkat’s table. Karkat looked up from where he’d been shoving his books back in his backpack and gave him a confused look.

“Uh, hi.” He said, giving him no sign that he recognized him. Dave panicked.

“It’s me!” Dave said, then immediately winced at his own vagueness. “Dave.”

“That… sure is your name.” Karkat was continuing to disoriented and more than a little annoyed.

“No, dude, Dave Strider. We went to elementary school together? You had those bigass glasses and I called them ugly on the playground because I was a stupid five year old with no sense of etiquette - not that I’m much better now, I guess, since this is probably the most awkward way I could’ve possibly reintroduced myself, but, shit, I’m getting off track. You threw mud at my shades and said now we both had ugly glasses, and then we ate lunch together like every day after that. Do-. Do you remember?” He faltered a little bit, worried this was an unfortunate case of mistaken identity. Karkat’s eyes widened cartoonishly as recognition passed across his face.

“Holy shit. Dave?!”

“Yeah, dude, the one and only.”

“Jesus fuck, you got tall.” Karkat commented, sitting back and looking him over.

“And you did not.” Dave teased, relaxed now that they were on the same page. He hopped up to sit to the side of Karkat’s desk. “How the fuck have you been, man? Where the hell did you even move to? It was like you disappeared off the face of the earth.”

“Basically.” Karkat snorted. “My dad got a job transfer out of fucking nowhere that summer and the whole family had to move. It sucked having to start all over in sixth goddamn grade, but whatever. I’m sure you weren’t too distraught at my absence since you had John.” Karkat added, gently shoving at his leg in a halfhearted attempt to get him off his desk.

“I mean yeah, John and I got hella tight after that, but it sucked losing my oldest friend.” Dave shrugged. Karkat gave him a skeptical look.

“You cannot be referring to me.”

“No, I’m referring to some other idiot I started hanging around when I could barely walk. Yeah, I’m referring to you, dipshit. We were like soul brothers, man. Joined at the goddamn hip. Two peas in one dumbass pod pretending to slay dragons on the playground. Or aliens. Or that one time your furry sister started reading those Warriors books and she convinced us to roleplay cats. How’s she doing, by the way?”

“Nepeta’s fine.” Karkat said, amused. “What, are you looking for someone to help you break out of your repressed furry state? Do you want me to draw you a fucking fursona?” He patted Dave’s knee and put on a condescending tone. “It’s okay, bro, I won’t judge.”

“I mean, are you offerin’? What’re your commission rates?” The look Karkat gave him was scathing. “Nah, I’m kidding. If I want furry art, I can just hit up Jade. What I am wondering is if you wanna maybe grab something to eat?” Dave asked, faux casual. “I dunno if you’ve hit up that burger place by the university union, but they’re not half bad, and their fries fucking kick ass. Like seriously, orgasmic level shit. I’d fucking live off of those fries if I could. I mean, I probably could eat nothing but overly seasoned fries until the day I die, but that date would be way sooner than it should be because I’ll have destroyed my digestive tract with salt. But, you know, you gotta make sacrifices for what you love, and I’m telling you, I really do love those fries.”

“Jesus christ, you really haven’t changed.” Karkat rolled his eyes. “Here I was hoping - no, praying that puberty might have forced you to finally grow a single brain cell, but I guess I should be used to my dreams being dashed and splattered to oblivion like someone took the most fragile, paper thin egg thrown against a brick wall. Oh, you see that tiny little dribble of yolk sliding down the most microscopic sliver of an eggshell? That’s the last of my hope for humanity leaking away because you’re still a goddamn imbecile.”

“Yeah, well, puberty finally helped you grow a jawline. Shit could cut diamonds. Uh,” Dave panicked, “Not that I’m checking out your jaw or anything. Fuck, that wasn’t even a good come back, goddammit-”

Karkat’s simultaneously exasperated and fond made his heart flutter just the tiniest bit. “Just take me to the fucking burger place, shitbrain.”

“Yeah, okay.”

Maybe he wouldn’t be too lonely after all.

[bluegay-redgay]

This Shit Will Linger - “Dennys, Anyone?”

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/19379371/chapters/46111951 Word Count: 2,634 Summary: Everyone has made it into NYU!! Of course this calls for a celebration!After a late night of drinking and watching shitty movies, Chrisitne makes an interesting suggestion.(For reference, this is what I picture Michael's PT Cruiser looks like: https://www.autoblog.com/chrysler/pt+cruiser/  ) "We all made it!! We actually got accepted!!" Christine excitedly attempted, and failed, to embrace everyone into a group hug following the very exciting news.

"We better start saying 'hello' to student debt."

"C'mon Jerry! As true as that is, we need to celebrate!!" Brooke smiled as she began to pack her bags.

Yes, that is correct. The SQUIP Squad is officially heading to New York as students of NYU in 6 months!!

Christine followed her passion and decided to major in Musical Theatre with a minor in Asian/Pacific/American Studies, Jenna Rolan wanted to put her curiosity of knowing everything about everyone to use, majoring in Sociology. After a few stressful weeks of going back and forth, Jake settled on Sports Management while Rich went with Chemical Engineering. "It's so badass." He would say in defense, but in reality, Rich just wanted to assure himself a stable job.

To no one's surprise, Michael is going to major in Music Technology while taking a minor in Producing. Chloe went against her parents' demands and chose Individualized Study across the Humanities, "I'm not entirely sure what I want to do yet, but I want to focus on myself. But not by being pretty or whatever, like self-improvement." Brooke was definitely happy to hear that as she happily followed in her mother's footsteps, majoring in Nursing.

Jeremy was the last one to pick a major, continuously procrastinating on his application, but after some advice from Mr. Heere and some reassuring words from his friends, Jeremy decided to stick with his secret dream of Digital Art & Design. Although he typically kept his drawings to himself, Jeremy would occasionally post a drawing/design that he was particularly proud of.

Everyone was happy with their choices, and they were so ecstatic to know that everyone will be attending the same college.

"I think this calls for a chaotic hangout at Dennys! Who's drivin'?" Rich swung his backpack onto his back. "Not Jake, the last time he drove we actually almost ran into a tree." Brooke recalled the group's previous trip, sending Jake a glare.

"In my defense, I was kinda jammin' out so.." Jake didn't have anything else to say, shoving any remaining notebook paper or pens into his bag. "Yeah yeah.. So who can actually drive us there?" Jenna eyed everyone.

It only took a moment before everyone nodded and looked at a certain hoodie-wearing teen. "Michael!!"

The outburst was one thing that unsettled Michael but it was about him. And he wasn't prepared, almost falling off of the desk he was leaning on. Michael pulled down his headphones. "Yes?" Jeremy smiled and wrapped his lanky arm around Michael's shoulders, "Would you be so kind and drive us to Dennys? Pwetty pwease?" as he gave Michael the infamous puppy-dog eyes, Jeremy knew the answer already.

"Fiiiine. But you're paying for my meal." Michael groaned and grabbed his keys from his pocket. It's not like he didn't want to hang out with his friends, he was so happy about being accepted but he wasn't thrilled about moving to a new place, especially New York. It was littered with people. But nonetheless, Michael will try to adjust, if not for him, then for his friends, for Jeremy.

"Sweet! Let's dip!.. Chloe, my love, you're about to- well.." Brooke tried to warn Chloe about her smoothie but it was too late. It practically turned her top pink. "SHIT!! I JUST BOUGHT THIS!!" Chloe immediately dropped anything she was holding trying to wipe off any heavy amounts of strawberry chunks. Unfortunately this included her phone. Luckily, Christine caught it just in time as she was grabbing her book from the floor. "Woah! That was close! You need any napkins, Chlo?" Christine placed the device on a nearby desk. "What does it look like!?- Sorry! I mean, yes. Please." It's still going to take a bit more time, but Chloe has come a long way when improving her anger issues and just her overall attitude towards others.

"Are we done fucking around? I want Dennys!!" Rich lightly punched Jake's shoulder as he waited impatiently.

"Will Michael's car even fit all eight of us?" Jenna recalled the size of Michael's PT Cruiser

"Oh sure, all we have to do is tie like two of us on the roof." Michael chuckled. "But for real, you'll be fine. I think you might have a either sit on the floor or sit in someone's lap. Your choice." Michael headed towards the door, followed by everyone after Chloe decided that she was presentable again.

"Just don't fuck up my car." Michael stated, turning on the engine as they got closer. Jeremy quickly ran over to the passenger seat, it was almost a given that he'd take shotgun. But no one was complaining. Except Jake & Rich.

"C'mon Tall-Ass! At least push up your seat a little! We're crushed back here!!" Rich was basically on Jake's lap at this point. Not that he minded, Jake didn't seem to care either. Their legs had different opinions however.

Jeremy basically liked to lay down while Michael drives, whether it's to catch up on sleep that he's deprived of or to just clear his mind. Either way his seat was totally crushing Jake & Rich's legs, "Fine fine fine... This better?" He moved his seat about two feet, clearing the space immensely.

"Yes sir! Thank ya very much." Rich slid down Jake's legs a bit as he relaxed, pulling out some chips that were stuffed in his backpack.

"Can we go now?! It's hella crowded back here." Jenna complained, trying to not impale Christine's chest with her elbow.

"You guys asked Michael to drive, this is what you get." Jeremy looked at her through the rear-view mirror.

"Honestly, anything's better than Jake's driving." Brooke muttered under her breath.

"Do you wanna fight? I was not tryna get called out like this." Jake placed his hand over his heart as he continued his dramatic monologue, "I thought we were friends Brooke. I cannot believe that you'd betray me in such a way- Holy shit!!!"

His sentence was nearly cut off as Michael slammed the brakes. "What the fuck, Michael?!" Rich held the back of the passenger's seat tightly.

"A damn truck cut me off, nearly hitting me. You're welcome for not getting you hurt." Michael snapped back, continuing the drive, if a bit more cautious.

Jeremy looked at Michael and could tell immediately that he was panicking a bit, "Want someone else to drive on the way home?" Michael stayed silent for a moment, "No. It's fine. Just people being complete dumbasses." Jeremy nodded and scolled through Instagram. He was very aware that Michael can get serious road rage despite being calm almost 24/7.

"It'll be the first entrance to the right after this exit, Michael." He nodded and changed lanes, "Thanks Christine."

"Hey! Lovebirds, might wanna wrap that make-out session up soon. We're pretty much there." Jake called out, and he was right: Chloe & Brooke were practically sucking each other's faces off. "Fuck off, Jake." Chloe eyed him from her periphery vision. "We're having a moment."

"You were at my wedding, Denise." Jake scoffed. He then saw the iconic logo signalling his stomach to growl rather loudly.

"I guess that means that we're here. Let's roll! I can't feel my legs." Jenna practically shoved Rich & Jake out of the car, finally free. "Yes!! Now let me stuff pancakes in my mouth!" She ran off with with everyone to grab a booth and potentially raid the kitchen.

Jeremy was about to join them when he noticed that Michael hadn't even moved from his seat, "Micha? You good, dude?" Michael tensed at the question but slowly nodded, "Y-Yup.. I'm great.." His hands started to shake and his chest was rising faster as the seconds passed, "...N-No.." Tears suddenly flowed down his cheeks, it was as if a dam was just broken down.

Jeremy immediately hugged him, rubbing small circles on his back. He didn't say a word, he learned from personal experience that words of reassurance isn't always the best solution. Sometimes it's just a simple hug and letting the other cry it out, but not alone. Not again.

"I'm.. I'm sorry Jer... I-It's just.. I'm stressed? I-I mean we just.. we just got accepted into f-fucking college!.. We'll.. We'll be moving to a new state, shit to the m-most populated city in fucking America!.. And.. And the d-debt.. I guess it's just... piling up on me.." Michael sniffed as he rubbed his eyes with his hoodie.

Jeremy smiled and only tightened his hug a little. "Dude I get it. I completely understand, I mean it IS fucking stressful but here's the thing: I'll be there with you throughout the entire journey. We made it a two-player game, right? That's gonna continue throughout college and even when we're old geezers with white hair. You have my word." Jeremy ran his fingers through Michael's black locks.

Michael almost started crying again, he was only able to nod, still wanting the hug to last forever, "Yeah, I'll uh.. hold you to it, dude."

"Wanna stuff our faces with syrup-soaked pancakes?" Jeremy asked, pulling away to see his reaction.

Michael smirked, "Always." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everyone had finished their food a long time ago, now they were just exchanging witty banter or suffering from a food coma.

"I am a firm believer that Walt Disney froze his body and that 'Frozen' was created to hide those google results about the body! You cannot tell me otherwise!!" Brooke slammed her fist against the table as she declared her stance on this very important matter.

"I mean it makes sense, the man was a genius! Why wouldn't he want to live forever?"

"Brooke, honey, I think you're alone on this one."

"Michael agrees with me! He believes in more conspiracies than all of us combined!"

Michael chuckled and ran a hand through his hair, "I mean it's not the stupidest theory I've heard but there are so many other theories that are way more convincing!" He was feeling better after his anxiety attack, it took some food with a couple of dumb jokes and Michael was smiling again. He was calm.

Christine was rather quiet at the moment so anyone would've nearly screamed when she slammed her palms onto the table yelling, "GUYS I JUST HAD AN AMAZING IDEA!!"

After everyone recovered from the small heart attack, Chloe was the only one quick enough to have a response, "Here we go.. What are we gonna reenact "Your Fault" again?" She rolled her eyes at the memory.

"Not this time. So, hear me out: Like it or not, we're going to be Stressed-Out College Students™, so we need an outlet of sorts in order to-"

"Chris, get to the point." Jenna cut him off, sipping her coffee.

"Okay, okay! We can create a YouTube channel! Or multiple, it's your choice."

It was silent for a second until Brooke released a muffled snicker, following by everyone laughing at the idea. Except Christine.

"It'll be fun!!" Christine smiled. Wait is she serious?

"Chris, I know you're one of the most outgoing people on this dying planet but come on. What would we even do?" Michael wiped his eyes from laughing so hard.

"Anything we want! It's like a way to...how do I put this..

"Express ourselves?" Michael added some half-assed jazz hands, obviously joking.

"Yes!! Exactly! C'mon, at least give it a shot! We can each have our own channels and then a conjoint channel for all of us! It'll so much fun and can be something interesting for us to do over the summer and in college!!"

Again, her statement was met with silence... until Jeremy sighed and gave Christine a smile, "I...uh... guess it wouldn't hurt? I'm still uh.. hesitant?"

Jeremy's agreement was all that it took for the rest of the group, even Michael, to start muttering their agreement. Jeremy had a point, it wouldn't hurt them to at least try it out, right?

Brooke tapped her chin as her mind tried to think of an idea, "Maybe... Oh! Chlo & I can do makeup tutorials, random vlogs or shopping hauls! And also have our weekly trips to Pinkberry! Whaddya say, Chloe?" Her face practically shined like a star. So of course Chloe couldn't deny her, "That might be fun.. I'm up for it if you are?" Brooke responded with a peck on Chloe's cheek.

"Barf. I'd totally do prank videos or parkour. Something hella cool. Maybe a few of those cliche internet challenges." Rich chuckled, secretly excited about this potential channel. "Bro, if you think I'm deadass not gonna join, my dude you are wrong, heh!!" Jake bro-fisted with Rich, establishing this collaboration.

Christine excitedly clapped her hands, "Yay!! I'm excited!! I mean obviously I'd do theatre reviews, maybe some covers and costume tutorials!! Oh, I can't wait!! What about you Jenna?"

Jenna didn't even need to think about it. It was almost a given, "Probably gossip & fashion review. Maybe the occasional vlog if I travel. Michael? Jer?"

All attention was on the two of them, "Well if my channel is gonna reflect my life, it'll be a mess so uh.. I guess whatever I want? It may um.. depend on my mood that day, who knows?" Jeremy just shrugged but honestly? He wasn't sure what he wanted to do at all.

"If I must create content for the people of the planet, most of it would likely consist of conspiracies.. random thoughts/realizations I have when I'm high and uh.. I dunno gaming?" Michael still wasn't keen on the idea of starting a channel but that didn't mean he wasn't gonna try it, it did sound pretty dope to him.

The group nodded in agreement, that suited them. "And we'd have a channel for all of us? Sweet. Why not make a video now? Like a launch sorta thing?" Jake suggested.

It didn't sound like a bad to them, why the hell not?

"Cool, cool. Let's create our channels first!" Christine pulled out her phone and started the process. Everyone mimicked her actions and soon enough, the SQUIP Squad had started their YouTube career.

"I think it's pretty obvious that we share our names, yeah? I'll start: My channel is 'Babbling Brookie'! Chloe and I's channel is called 'verypinkberry' Brooke was proud of the names, it obvious who created them.

"Mine is simply 'CooCooChloe', fitting isn't it?" Chloe scoffed, she actually really liked it.

"Those are nice and all but the channel to be at is 'NotSoRichieRich' cause I'm a broke bitch! Haha!" Jake rolled his and prepared his announcement as if it would change the world, "Are you ready for this, ladies & gentlemen? My channel is called.... 'JakeyD' it's fucking original and no one can top that." His toothy grin was just a cherry on top.

"Adorable. 'JamPackJenna' because woooo boy is the tea hot right now!" She was in the middle of taking a selfie that would likely be her icon.

"I wanted to do a bit of wordplay as well so I did it! 'Chrisanthemum'! It has a pretty okay ring to it. Jeremy? What about you? Please tell me it's a pun!!"

Jeremy laughed and nodded, "It's 'HeereHere'.." The first one to burst out laughing was of course Michael, that pun went way back to when the two met in preschool. "Oh-Oh my GOD Jer!! You.. You actually..!" It took Michael a few seconds to calm down as he cleared his throat, "It is purely 'Mellon'. I do not take criticism."

And no one criticized because come on, that's one of the best puns for his name.

"Sweet, now shall film this late night announcement at Dennys?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TheSQUIPSquad™ uploaded a new video.

[listentotheshityousay]

roads diverged

After a long joint celebratory dinner with their families on the night of their graduation, Jeremy and Michael steal away and drive an hour up to the Alpine Boat Basin in the Palisades, where it's quiet and near-deserted after sunset. Michael parks the car by the waterfront and they perch on the hood together, half-melted slushies clutched in their hands as they look up across the water at the New York skyline, listening to a chapter of their lives draw to a close in the silence.

“I can’t believe I’m never gonna act in that auditorium again,” Jeremy says. It still feels unreal. “You’ll never drive me to school again.”

“Yeah,” Michael agrees. “But I’ll drive you to tons of other places, because god knows you’re lazy and you never drive anywhere yourself.”

Jeremy pouts. “True, but you can’t chauffeur me around New Jersey all the way from Boston.”

Michael turns to give Jeremy a crooked grin. “You can boss me around when it’s not during the school term, dumbass.” He leans in to nudge Jeremy’s shoulder with his own, his voice dropping to a somber note. “But yeah, you might wanna find somebody else while I’m not around.”

There’s something about that statement that feels like a door slammed in his face. He can’t tell if it’s Michael’s tone, or the words, or the thought of not having the familiar cadence of Michael’s voice in his daily life anymore, but it makes Jeremy want to recoil. “I think I can manage on my own,” Jeremy says instead, mirroring Michael’s posture to lean against him, their arms pressing together. “But I’ll miss you. And not just because it’s nice to have you drive me places.”

Michael tips his chin up, gazing towards the stars for a long moment before he looks back down, an unreadable look on his face as he meets Jeremy’s eyes. “I,” he starts, pauses, then looks away. Clears his throat, and faces Jeremy again with a faint smile. “I’ll miss you too, buddy.”

It feels like an incomplete sentence, something swallowed away before it could become a reality. Like missing a step in the dark. Something important spoken in the spaces between words that Jeremy couldn’t hear at all.

“Ugh, now you’re making me nostalgic, and we’re not even going to college for another two months.” Michael bumps the side of his head against Jeremy’s with a huff. “I swear, you’re gonna see so much of me this summer that you’re gonna be glad to get rid of me by the end of it.”

I don’t think I ever could get sick of you, Jeremy doesn’t say. There’s something fragile about this moment, the aftermath of a silent seismic shift that happened under Jeremy’s feet that he cannot fathom, that makes him think that it’s better left unsaid.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he jokes instead, and laughs when Michael elbows him in the side with a mock-scowl.

The waterfront is chilly, especially because summer still hasn’t quite settled into New Jersey yet, but Jeremy feels overly warm and utterly at home, sitting here under the stars, Michael’s shoulder pressed against his.

-

At the end of summer, Michael pokes Jeremy in the chest after they load the last of Michael’s packed boxes into the backseat of his Cruiser. “I better still be your favorite person when I come back for winter break.”

“Only if you promise that you’re not gonna replace me as best friend,” Jeremy snarks, ignoring the twinge inside his ribcage. He’s all bravado these days, camouflaging his apprehension with false confidence and humor that he doesn’t really feel. It’s been a beautiful summer, full of blue skies and good memories, but he’s felt off-kilter the whole time, like he’s trying to button up his shirt but the first button went through the wrong buttonhole, and he didn’t notice until he reached the bottom.  

Michael laughs. It’s usually one of Jeremy’s favorite sounds to hear, but it rings oddly hollow. “Jer, I doubt I could ever replace you.”

-

College is a whirlwind, with new people and new places and new things all vying for his attention as he stumbles along the learning curve of how to be in charge of his life. He shakes off the homesickness soon enough—Metuchen is only a two hour drive away, after all—but tendrils of it dig into his heart and don’t let go.

“I’m not even sure if it’s homesickness,” Jeremy confesses to his roommate, who likes to get stoned out of his mind and won’t remember this conversation tomorrow. “It’s not our town, or my house, or my dad—I miss them, yeah, but. It’s just one person.”

“My dude,” Drew drawls from where he’s sprawled across his bed, limbs akimbo, and nostalgia slithers through Jeremy’s chest, reminding him of Michael’s tendency to sprawl belly-up across the couch when he’s high. “It’s totally homesickness. Y’know, ‘cause you miss home, and home is where the heart is.”

“What the hell does that even mean,” Jeremy grumbles, because he’s not exactly sober himself, and takes another hit from the joint Drew offers him.

-

“I was kinda worried,” Michael says from where he’s sprawled over his beanbag chair in Jeremy’s bedroom. “I wasn’t sure we’d be okay, you know?”

Jeremy looks up from the infuriating wooden star puzzle Michael’s given him as this Hanukkah’s gag gift. He hasn’t managed to make even a single piece budge. “Dude, you were the one who kept assuring me that everything was gonna be fine.”

Michael flaps a hand at him. “I know, I know. But I wasn’t…” He clears his throat. “I wasn’t sure I’d be okay without you, or something like that.”

Jeremy holds the wooden star in his hands and doesn’t let himself drop it. “Oh.”

“Yeah.” Michael runs a hand through his hair, turning his face away. “But I was okay, and you were okay without me, so—I guess it’s all good. Nothing to worry about.”

Michael’s right. Jeremy had been okay. He’d missed Michael, but it hadn’t cut him off at the knees or lacerated him from the inside-out. He’d been content with weekly video calls and text messages at all times of the day and two-hundred miles between them. There was nothing to worry about.

Except yesterday, Jeremy’d returned to Metuchen for winter break to discover Michael sitting on the front stoop of his house, his bored expression breaking into a beaming smile when Jeremy called his name. And Jeremy’d realized he was home.

He wonders if he should be worried about that.

-

Weeks later, back in his dorm room, Jeremy makes a face at his laptop while Michael laughs at his complaints about Michael’s stupid gift that’s sitting on Jeremy’s desk, unsolved. Jeremy usually picks it up before he goes to bed, measuring the weight of it in his hands as he tries to pulls it apart, and it’s transitioned from a frustrating routine to a frustrating and soothing routine. Jeremy’s not sure he’ll ever solve this without cheating through Youtube.

All the frustration is worth it, though, to see Michael's teasing grin on his screen.

-

There’s a girl in Jeremy’s Anthropology 101 class with shapely legs and a sweet, dimpled smile. When she asks to borrow his notes, Jeremy says yes.

When she asks Jeremy if he’d like to go grab a coffee with her, he says yes.

When she asks would you like to have dinner, just the two of us, Jeremy says yes.

-

"Make sure to walk her home," Michael reminds him over the phone. "Who knows, you might even get a good night kiss."

"You sound more excited than I am." Jeremy looks at the mirror and fusses with his hair one last time. It's strange; his reflection's smile looks like a lie.

Michael exhales a chuckle. "I'm happy for you, dumbass." He pauses. "I really am."

There's a sincerity to his words that makes Jeremy uneasy. Like a door closed in his face. A missed step in the dark.

"I love you too, asshole," Jeremy blusters. The ground feels unsteady under his feet.

Michael laughs, surprised and fond. "I know you do.”

-

When she asks for a goodnight kiss, Jeremy says I’m sorry.

-

The day before his final exams begin, Jeremy solves the star puzzle in a fit of procrastination. He takes victorious photos of the pieces as evidence and sends them to Michael, the satisfaction melting into melancholy as he traces the edges of each piece, his fingertips having memorized them all over the past few months.

“Whatcha gonna do without your nightly routine now?” Drew asks from where he’s been staring blankly at his economics textbooks. “You gonna get a different one?”

“I don’t like puzzles.” Michael’s the one who does. Jeremy’s only ever found them frustrating. Crosswords, riddles, complex math problems—they all only make Jeremy feel stupid.

Drew blinks very slowly. “Then why did you hang onto that one?”

“Because,” Jeremy begins, and then stops. He rethinks his words, the meaning wrapped in them. He starts over. “Because it’s a matter of pride.”

Drew makes an unimpressed noise, his gaze sliding back to his textbook, and Jeremy turns back to his desk, his chest feeling too tight. Everything seems off-kilter these days. He’ll forget it about it every once in a while, only to abruptly regain keen awareness of how it feels like his skin doesn’t fit right or his blood is too warm or he’s been buttoning his shirts all wrong

He could have said the truth. He could have said because Michael gave it to me. The words alone mean nothing.

But the spaces between the words, the way he traced every edge of the puzzle with his fingertips every night, nostalgia humming in his bones—those mean everything.

-

He comes back for the summer to find Michael at the bus station, leaning against the side of his Cruiser with a lazy smile that makes Jeremy’s bones hum louder.

“Man, it’s good to see you.” Michael’s jawline has grown a little sharper with the loss of baby fat, and the slant of his grin looks different now. The crinkles at the corners of his eyes, the slope of his shoulders—they’re the same yet different. It’s the way Michael holds himself, Jeremy realizes. He looks more confident. More relaxed.

“Yeah,” Jeremy says inanely, still staggering from the revelation that Michael’s gone and grown up while Jeremy’s been, well, Jeremy.

When Michael snorts and leans in to wrap him in a hug, the hum in Jeremy’s bones quiets, leaving him to hear the pounding of his heart against his ribcage all too well, and he realizes, fuck.

“I missed you,” Michael says.

Jeremy’s body goes hot all over, and he squeezes his eyes shut, burying his face into Michael’s shoulder as he hugs him back. He hopes his voice is muffled enough to conceal the quaver in his voice. “I missed you, too.”

-

It takes days for Jeremy to process the fact that he finds his best friend attractive and that he might have a crush on said best friend. He’s never been very self-aware even at the best of times, but it’s excruciating to think back to all the obvious giveaways and signs he’s blindly overlooked for such a long time.

He tries not to think about it too much. He pushes it to the very back of his mind, under the metaphorical bed, and doesn’t let himself dwell on it. He doesn’t want to examine his own feelings, where they started, how deep they run, how true they are. He doesn’t want them at all. Michael is supposed to be the one uncomplicated part of his life, his Player One who he can trust no matter what, and the idea of him becoming the one person who could truly hurt Jeremy scares him more than anything.

So he doesn’t think about it. Doesn’t let himself consider it. When Michael’s touch sparks a fire in his chest, he holds his breath and starves it of oxygen. When Michael’s smile makes his heart jump to his throat, he swallows it back down.

Some nights, he lays in his bed and thinks that maybe, one day, this will be something he can laugh about. Something like growing pains, ephemeral hurt soon to be mere bittersweet memory, just a passing ailment that leaves no scars.

That’s the most he ever lets himself think about it.

-

Two days after Independence Day, Michael wheedles Jeremy into going up to the Alpine Boat Basin to watch more fireworks. Jeremy’s seen enough fireworks to last him a year, but he’s seemingly lost the ability to say no to spending time with Michael this summer, so he gives in after a token resistance, making excuses about how the Palisades is beautiful this time of the year anyway.

They arrive early enough to roam the waterfront while the daylight dies across the sky, a cascade of pinks and oranges and reds that bleed into darkness. Michael hauls out his DSLR and takes photos, and Jeremy pretends not to notice the occasional candids that Michael sneaks of him from a distance. Together, they watch New York light up slowly across the water, and then they trek back to the car where it’s parked as close to the water as the parking lot permits.

“It’s been a long year,” Michael says as they wait, perched on the hood of Michael’s Cruiser together, lukewarm bottles of soda clutched in their hands. “You ready for another one?”

“Don’t remind me. Please let me enjoy the remaining six weeks of summer break in peace,” Jeremy groans. “No talking about school until August, remember?”

Michael laughs, amused and carefree, and the sound of it makes Jeremy’s heart somersault in his chest. “Alright, you big baby.”

Before Jeremy can come up with a retort to that, an explosion of bright red explodes above the water. “Oh, wow.”

The display isn’t as grand as the Independence Day fireworks at Papaianni Park, but it’s breathtaking all the same, the lights reflected on the surface of the Hudson River against the backdrop of the glittering New York skyline. Here, there isn’t the swarming crowd or their parents. It’s just the two of them, Jeremy and Michael, sitting under the stars and fireworks, and Jeremy’s goddamn heart rattling in his chest at the lights reflected in Michael’s eyes.

“It’s been a hell of a year, but it wasn’t that bad, right?” Michael asks, his gaze fixed skyward, leaning closer so Jeremy can hear him over the boom of the fireworks. “We came out of it just fine.”

Jeremy forces himself to refocus on the fireworks. Pushes down the urge to mirror Michael’s posture and lean in. Swallows his heart and spits out empty words instead. “I guess so.”

There’s a brief lull in the explosions, like a breath held in anticipation, and just as the silence is sinking in, a burst of gold scatters across the sky, lighting up the sky and the water.

And Michael says, “You know, I had a crush on you.”

Jeremy’s heart nearly stops. “What?”

“Wild, right?” Michael laughs, and the sound of it fractures Jeremy’s heart. “Like, I got a crush on you sometime around the summer after eighth grade? And then it pretty much lasted throughout the whole time in high school. Which sounds incredibly pathetic, now that I’m saying it out loud, because that’s like four years?”

“Four years,” Jeremy repeats, and he can barely breathe around the words. “Until the end of high school?”

Michael finally looks down, a sheepish grin curling at his mouth. “Well, okay, it took me some more time to get over you, but college kinda helped, I guess? And the distance?” He shrugs. “Anyway, it’s old news now, so don’t get all weird about it, okay? I just wanted to tell you. Closure, or something like that.”

All the unspoken words, the ignored feelings, they’re rattling in Jeremy’s chest, climbing up his throat, refusing to be contained under the bed, under the rug, in the recesses of his mind, and he thinks he just might implode from it all.

“So…it’s over now?” His voice cracks, but Michael doesn’t seem to hear the break in the facade through the din of fireworks. “We’re still best friends?”

“Yeah.” A flicker of worry passes over Michael’s face. “That’s okay, right? You’re not weirded out?”

Unable to trust his voice, Jeremy shakes his head, and something in his chest gives away at the relief in Michael’s eyes.

“Thank fuck, I was worried for a hot second there.” Michael throws and arm around Jeremy’s shoulders, leaning his solid, warm weight against Jeremy’s side. “I’m really glad,” he says, and the sincerity in his voice is so suffocating that Jeremy has to close his eyes for a moment.

He shouldn’t say anything, shouldn’t ask, but he can’t help but think that four years is a long time. “How serious was it?”

“What?” Michael blinks, turning to face Jeremy quizzically before he catches on. “Oh, you mean my feelings?” He smiles, wide and bright, and that’s how Jeremy knows he’s about to lie. “It wasn’t anything serious.”

The words might are a sucker punch to the gut, knocking the breath out of Jeremy’s lungs, cracking his chest open. But Jeremy’s always been the better liar between the two of them, so he nods and smiles back, and he watches the last of the fireworks die in the night sky.

-

In the dark, curled up on his bed, Jeremy retraces his steps his steps through tonight. He barely remembers the drive home. It’d been quiet, with occasional banter and Michael’s playlist filling the silence, and Jeremy’s head had been full of static, his nerves buzzing, time blurring. He rewinds past today and through the days and weeks and months and finally looks the truth in the eye.

The truth is, Jeremy’s a fucking idiot. Because it’s not just a crush. It was never just a crush.

He knows now. He knows what it was that Michael didn’t tell him last year when they were at the Palisades, that moment when the first button went wrong, that first missed step in the dark. He knows what he’d felt, warm and at home by Michael’s side, utterly content and too fucking stupid to realize his own feelings. He knows that all the possibility in the world had been at their fingertips that night, had maybe even been possible after that, and if only Michael had been braver, or Jeremy’d dared to examine his heart, they could have walked an entirely different path. They could have been in love together.

But Jeremy had been too scared to be honest with himself, and Michael had been too scared to be honest with Jeremy. And now, the door to that path has been closed in Jeremy’s face, and he’s in love alone.

-

“Hey, you okay?” Michael asks as they exit the 7-Eleven, slushies in hand.

Jeremy had cried himself to sleep and woken up with his broken heart lacerating him from inside-out. He’d washed his face and changed into clean clothes and practiced his smile in the mirror until it’d looked real. He’d eaten lunch with his dad and talked about the fireworks and hadn’t let himself falter when he’d said that it had been a fun night. And when Michael had pulled into the driveway for their slushie run, he’d walked out of the house with steady steps and hadn’t let himself fall to his knees.

“I’m okay,” Jeremy says, and quirks a small smile to convince Michael as they both climb into the car. “Just tired because I couldn’t sleep in the heat.”

Michael snorts. “Wuss. It wasn’t that hot.”

“Shut up and drive.” Jeremy gives Michael a playful shove, and the lingering worry melts away, the tension slipping from Michael’s shoulders, just as Jeremy intended. “You’re my chauffeur, remember?”

“You’re so lazy,” Michael mock-scolds him, but he turns the ignition on and grins. “What would you do without me?”

“I’d survive.” The truth will only hurt them both, so Jeremy will keep it to himself and spare Michael the pain. Even if it takes a lifetime of lying. Even if it means breaking his own heart. “Maybe even drive myself to the mall.”

Michael snorts, his mouth quirking into a wicked grin that makes the hollow cavern of Jeremy’s chest ache. “Sure, Jer, I’d love to see that.”

“I’d be fine without you,” Jeremy lies. He has the rest of his life to make it true.

[theliterateape]

How Free is Our Speech and Who Decides?

by Don Hall

"Donald! If you say one more word, I'm sending you to the Principal's Office! Just. SHUT. UP!"

Third grade. Mrs. McWilliams. As the resident 'new kid' I was isolated to begin with but I had ridden this roller coaster before. Two boys in class decided that I was their enemy (or rather the object of their boredom) and they had taken to stealing any toys or books or games I'd grab during in-classroom recess. This was the third time and McWilliams had had enough of my gift for non-stop verbiage.

There it was. They had ripped the CandyLand game out of my hands and aside from just marching across the room and beating them to death I had no options but to sit there and take it. McWilliams had completely cut me off at the legs. If I say one more word, I’m screwed.

Except…

I grab some construction paper and a crayon. I draw what looks like two parentheses with a line through:

( | )

Sort of like an early emoji before there even was such a thing. In my brain, it was a butt. Then I drew the same butt with lines coming out of the crack and another with several circles coming out. This was my best guess at drawing the litany of profanity I wanted to yell. My nine-year old imagination couldn’t come up with anything quick for ‘cocksucker’ or ‘motherfucker’ which, all things considered, was probably a good thing.

I walked over to the boys and flash card style, held each one up to them making a stern and angry face.

The boys ratted me out. McWilliams fished the paper out of the trash and LOST. HER. MIND.

Two hours later I’m underneath my mother’s dining room table waiting for her to come home and belt me. McWilliams was apoplectic; the Principal was horrified. They sent me home early and called my mom at work to tell her what a perverse and awful monster I was. I had drawn pornographic pictures in class!

In hindsight I get it. I was an obnoxious kid. I was smarter than most, was full of more energy than five teachers could handle, and I thought nothing of breaking the rules for the sake of breaking them. 

It seems that we are at an impasse when it comes to our personal rights to free speech. Laws against hate speech are already a violation of the First Amendment (which sets out that the government cannot create and enforce laws abridging speech) but we get around it by using the old chestnut of yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater. The idea that by uttering racial slurs is somehow in the same ballgame is tenuous but still sticks.

The other side of the debate is accountability for words spoken or written. Call it whatever you choose—cancel-culture, public shaming, mob justice—it amounts to groups of people with no individual authority but the power of populist organization to effectively shame companies into firing offending employees. It also, on a far smaller but more destructive level, harbors a revenge justification against those who err in public for any reason (Amy Cooper is a solid example).

When the religious decide you can’t do or say something, well, Holy Shit.

The Critical Race Theorists who advocate curtailment of speech offensive to minorities insist that individual instances of hate speech are never the isolated, unpopular speech of a dissident few. Rather, they are manifestations of a deeply ingrained cultural belief system, an American way of life.

Hate speech is so dangerous because it plays melodies that are so deeply rooted in the culture as to be structural parts of everyday life for large numbers of Americans—perhaps even a majority.

“Your motherfucking son spray painted my house, bitch!”

The woman was a good six inches taller than my mom and outweighed her by at least seventy pounds. Earlier that day she had decided that I and my other eleven-year old friends were too loud just outside her window.

She screamed at us through her window. We cussed her and then ran off. I had come back with some red spray paint and had tagged the side of her house with a defiant “FUCK YOU!”

“What makes you think you can accuse my son of vandalizing your fucking house?” Mom was tiny but the Irish made her think she was much bigger.

“The little dumbass signed his name.”

She was right on both counts: I had signed my name because I was a little dumbass.

When a homophobe uses an anti-gay insult, he's signing his name to it. When a misogynist says something obviously anti-feminist, he's a dumbass. Things get stickier when the racists aren't dumbasses and refuse to provide an incriminating signature.

The question that some would prefer we check off in the “Answered” box is likewise a tangly mess. Is the n-word (a word so thoroughly aggrandized that, like He Who Shall Not Be Named in the JK Rowling books, the utterance has increasing and horrifying power) “hate speech” or just hateful speech? Is it racist or merely racial? Queer used to be a slur but when GenZ kids regularly describe themselves as such, no one calls the language police.

The lack of any clarity along these lines is resulting in a quandary for everyone involved in words or merely dealing with other people and being in a position to have to communicate with them.

In the film Dangerous Liaisons The Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) plots revenge against her ex-lover by ruining his young fiancée. There’s a lot of betrayal and a duel that ends in the death of a dude who duels and all. In the end, she is boo’d a bunch and she is disgraced. Now imagine if her big sin was to call someone something on the hate speech spectrum or espouse an ideology deemed wholly immoral. Sure, booing her then seems appropriate but for her to be completely eviscerated for it? To have the booing crowd pressure her work into firing her? Putting her behavior on social media so that she can never be hired again? Seems like an overreaction.

Seems like the permanent record one receives from going to a religious school.

Seems a bit religious.

When the religious decide you can’t do or say something, well, Holy Shit. You don’t have to go all Goody Proctor and the witches beings drowned to see if they could float to see a more recent example. Operation Rescue was the anti-abortion group in Wichita, KS when I happened to be going to high school in…Kansas. Randall Terry had a unique approach. If he disagreed with you (and if you were anything but fully anti-abortion in every possible scenario, he disagreed with you) he would yell over you instead of have some sort of heated discussion.

The local broadcasters stopped putting him on television because he’d just get on there and scream people down. As if, by drowning out their ability to communicate with anyone, he was likewise obliterating the message entirely.

He and his crew were out of control. They had determined that anyone associated with abortion in any way whatsoever was EVIL. In fact, I remember a group of them screaming at passers-by in downtown Wichita on Douglas Avenue for not joining them. They had extra placards with pictures of butchered fetus parts on them and were foisting them on people. If the person demurred (you know, maybe they had an appointment or needed to go impregnate someone so they could have a reason to slaughter the baby) the group would scream at them until they basically ran away.

At the time, I was anti-abortion but a prolonged summer of being around these religious screaming whack jobs changed my mind. Truly. My ideological change from pro-life to pro-choice had more to do with disgust over these idiots than any righteous belief in the autonomy of women.

This is not to say that I didn’t come around with a more progressive view. It took some time but a woman’s right to choose which surgical procedures she employs on her body is pretty much her business. If someone can elect to tattoo 75% of her skin, decide to stick Botox in her face, and fill her tits with silicone it isn’t much of a stretch that she should without obstacle relieve herself of a tumor that will become a human tethered to her hip for life.

The idea that human life is valued in the world is perhaps a goal but certainly not a reality. An ideal to uphold but not a realistic approach. Some lives matter. Lots of lives don’t so much.

Ideals are exactly that: goals. “I disagree with what he says but would die to ensure his right to say it” is a goal but would I really die so that someone unbalanced or religious is able to say “God Hates Fags” or “All White Americans are Racists”? Probably not.

Would I expect you to die for my right to say whatever I want? Not unless I'm a sociopath or a moron.

So no one is really going to die so that someone else can insult another person or espouse an ideology that differs from his own. Established fact. Where does that leave us as we navigate the increased opportunity to show our ass's in public more frequently (considering that social media and the whole of the digital highway is now quite public)?

Self censorship is completely legit so the folks complaining about people being afraid to speak “their truth” because of repercussions are simply pussies.

Around 2010, I was working for the public radio station in Chicago. I also had a blog from before I was hired. It was entitled (with an intentional wink at the rightwing NASCAR crowd) "An Angry White Guy in Chicago". Being fairly progressive in politic, the fun in the name was that people on the stereotypical raging caucasian dudes would jump on expecting me to parrot their ideology only to have themselves smacked in the face with articles against George W., in favor of the queer nation, and railing against the tendencies of unregulated capitalism. Also, as my mom used to point out, a lot of profanity.

The meeting was called because there were concerns about employees of an NPR station with social media and blogs. The concern was that these platforms might paint the station in a bad light if a lack of objectivity presented itself. The management had come up with a policy limiting our ability to utilize these methods of communicating and asking that they be able to censor us when necessary.

I listened.

My boss came over after the meeting.

“So, Don, what are you gonna do about your blog now?”

“Wrong question, boss.”

“Wrong question? What’s the right question?”

“What are you gonna do about my blog?”

He paused. “Probably nothing.”

“Good answer.”

I had come to the conclusion that any business that decided to censor me wasn’t worth my time working for and that has held true to this day. I suppose the fact that I’m not a racist or a sexist or a religious-type saves me from being relegated to the heap of dumbasses who sign their names to their intolerance. Being far more tolerant but more discriminating (or skeptical, I guess) has likely made me less odious.

At some point I did change the name of the blog mostly because, with Donald Trump suddenly in office, the joke wasn’t as funny as it was before. Self censorship is completely legit so the folks complaining about people being afraid to speak “their truth” because of repercussions are simply pussies. If you believe it, you can prove it, you should say it but don’t blame the mob if they don’t like it. This includes college professors, linguists, journalists, activists, and those dumb shits who think they can post memes on Twitter but shouldn’t lose their jobs if it’s anti-Semitic.

On the other hand if the best you can do in the face of language you can’t abide is scream down your opposition, you’re no better than the anti-abortionists of the eighties and you should look closely at your maturity level and how cultish your beliefs are. Chances are, if you’re so impassioned by your beliefs and refusal to hear anything that may contradict them, you’re a religious nut of one stripe or another.

“You’re a racist, man!”

The guy was in the casino I was managing, trolling around, trying to bum smokes and vouchers from paying guests. When I told him he couldn’t do that, he decided to play what is commonly referred to as “the race card.” This card has now become the rosary beads to flash around as a sort of secular religious icon.

“You’re racist, man!”

“OK. You still can’t solicit cigarettes or cash on the casino floor.”

“It’s because I’m black!”

“No. It’s because it’s against the rules. It’s a colorblind rule.”

“RACIST! RACIST!” He started screaming at me in order to what? Shut me up? Scare me away? He got loud and animated. I just stood there and watched him lose his shit like the girl who lost her shit on the white professor whose wife had written that college Halloween costumes are not the height of racist demonstration. You remember the video. I was mostly surprised at how calm the professor was in the face of such unrepentant childishness.

His accusation didn’t rile me up because I had no reason to be defensive. I know who I am and he doesn’t. He might as well have accused me of being a vampire or a Scottish lord. 

“You finished?”

“You gonna kick me out, racist?”

“I’m going to ask you to leave unless you put some money in a machine.”

“What if I don’t?”

“I’m gonna kick you out.”

“Because I’m black?”

“No. Because you’re an asshole and assholes can be any color under the sun.”

To whom do you award the right to decide which speech is harmful or who is the harmful speaker? To whom would you delegate the task of deciding for you what you could read?

— Christopher Hitchens

It seems like an awful lot of this battle for freedom of speech is a struggle for who gets to say what without living-threatening consequence and who gets to dole out those consequences when they decide it goes beyond a predetermined boundary. The idea that those who can wield the iconography of secular religious thought are somehow the disenfranchised is a fantasy in the exact same way that the idea Christians (or Muslims) are in some way marginalized by those who do not believe.

These days political thought is indistinguishable from religious rhetoric. So many looking to assert the moral ground upon which we all must stand or be banished. The mistake made is to embrace the idea that the digital space is real life or even matters that much. As someone who dumped Faceborg a while ago and whose dick didn’t fall off and life didn’t end, social media is not the sum total of free speech.

A friend who works for Netflix recently made an off media comment that the company is noticing that the social justice crowd is fighting online for more inclusive and political content but that no one is watching it. This indicates that either they’re all just a bit full of shit or there simply aren’t as many out there as the noise of deplatforming and calling out signals.

The best form of “deplatforming” is to ignore the people who can’t understand that all speech is free but if you scream in the wrong person’s face, you’re gonna get popped in the jaw. 

Or at least kicked out of the casino.

[sweetcron]

11-97

hhelllll yEAHHHHH HERE WE GO BABIE!!!!!!! THANKS FOR THE ASK!!!

i probably went too hard on all these but....one of my summer classes just finished and i was like yeahahhHhhahah

11. what you have for breakfast on an average day?

totally depends where i am and how much time i have, but typically ill have yogurt & something small but sweet so i dont go insane

12. name of your favorite playlist?

god right now my favorite is handle without care, which is just stupid songs im into right now

13. lanyard or key ring?

lanyard, except i always get it caught on shit so typically i just throw my keys in my bag anyway

14. favorite non-chocolate candy?

oooo hard one, my initial thought was sour gummy worms, but probably... either that or sour skittles. oh but fuck lemon & black licorice jelly beans together......im excited to have 0 followers & 0 friends tomorrow

15. favorite book you read as a school assignment?

percy jackson was dope. im trying to come up with another that i even read and frankly cannot

16. most comfortable position to sit in?

honestly i just sit like a fool all the time, but i like to be very reclined and almost horizontal, if im forced to sit more upright i like crosslegged or with my leg(s) pulled up to my chest

17. most frequently worn pair of shoes?

depends on the season or length of time, recently it’s been my black high top vans, usually it’s my docs. for a long time it was black converse.

18. ideal weather?

i like when it’s a little sunny, kind of overcast, but a little cold, like enough to wear layers but not suffer

19. sleeping position?

on my side, curled up, ideally holding pam(ela indestructable underworld), my adorable stuffed sloth

20. preferred place to write (i.e., in a note book, on your laptop, sketchpad, post-it notes, etc.)?

depends on what it is, but I have a planner sort of thing i really like for planning, a sketchbook/painting sort of notebook for more emotional shit and then my twitter that nobody follows and is private for really emotional shit

21. obsession from childhood?

i loved making like..dirt, water, and grass mixtures in an empty gatorade bottle. apparently this is not a common experience.

22. role model?

everyone to an extent, but also nobody. but to pin down a specific person, probably my therapist lol

23. strange habits?

i keep listening to shiny from moana? also i keep wanting to change my hair.

24. favorite crystal?

oh god, i love opal, but i dont know. most are pretty but some are awful. it depends, and id have to look at a million pictures for any resemblance of a legitimate answer

25. first song you remember hearing?

that’s so hard um. i dont remember very early but i do remember hearing crush, crush, crush by paramore and thinking ew crushes are gross even though i had a crush on a dumbass at the time, and welcome to the black parade and crying

26. favorite activity to do in warm weather?

warm, probably a concert but past that, walking around, going to thrift stores or record shops. 

27. favorite activity to do in cold weather?

a concert, again but past that going home, or getting a warm drink

28. five songs to describe you?

oh LORD!!!!! this is hard, but i did my best

1. caught in the middle - paramore

2. grow - muna

3. cool for cats - squeeze

4. cut my lip - twenty one pilots

5. tubthumping - chumbawumba

29. best way to bond with you?

share music with me, be vulnerable and share what is going on with you

30. places that you find sacred?

being in trees and being alone listening to music that means a lot to me loudly

31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names?

i have a mustardy yellow shirt that’s got vertical lines that are raised from the shirt, and then a flared leg jumpsuit sort of thing that’s like plaid, with black and white and grey. then docs, and yeah i love that outfit. adore it. even better with a jean jacket with fleece lining.

32. top five favorite vines?

also so hard but after doing this i think im gonna throw up from laughing so hard

1. dancing puppet

2. get outta your mind

3. cat

4. WAY TO GO PAUL

5. krispy kreme

33. most used phrase in your phone?

that’s a great question, probably me asking people what to do with my hair

34. advertisements you have stuck in your head?

none currently, but always “meat, it’s what’s for dinner”

35. average time you fall asleep?

depends, but usually 10ish

36. what is the first meme you remember ever seeing?

probably some rage meme like brian or whatever

37. suitcase or duffel bag?

depends on what im doing, but usually duffel.

38. lemonade or tea?

arnold palmer babie!! but it depends, usually i’d say tea, i really like lemon ginger (especially pukka but its expensive)

39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie?

i dont know if i’ve had lemon meringue pie, but lemon cake sounds better i think

40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school?

i remembered this and it is entertaining, in middle school (i was...prolly 14? 13?) someone said “someone likes uuuu” to me and i was like. “......k” and they were like..... “it’s a giiiiiiirl” and i again, was like “.......k” and so literally, i fucking spent the rest of the class being like, hm! apparently i dont care. and thats how i realized that idc about gender when it comes to liking someone lol

41. last person you texted?

max, @laetan​. follow him if u dont i love him

42. jacket pockets or pants pockets?

women’s pant pockets are cursed. jacket pockets enlighten me, especially when there’s one normal and then one like, on top of that pocket but the entrance is horizontal. that’s my favorite.

43. hoodie, leather jacket, cardigan, jean jacket or bomber jacket?

all? but let’s rank them 

1. jean jacket, my absolute fav, i have like 5 jean jackets and it’s bad. i always want more

2. hoodie, with a jean jacket is even better, but COMFY!!!!

3. leather jacket, look like a badass with one piece of clothing!!

4. bomber jacket, dont have a lot but always make me feel cool

5. cardigan, makes me feel like an old lady, but also really comfy idk. even the worst is amazing

44. favorite scent for soap?

i love lemon, but any fruit is good. or like, vanilla

45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy or superhero?

sci-fi usually....fantasy is usually too much and superhero is usually annoying. unless it’s spiderman. i adore spiderman

46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in?

oversized soft t shirt and like, soft shorts/boxer things

47. favorite type of cheese?

GOAT CHEESE!!! also sharp cheddar and pepperjack

48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be?

pear. i feel like i’m not talked about a lot but people like me and nobody despises me??

49. what saying or quote do you live by?

i really like “you can start over each day” and “only skeleton bones remain” (FUCKING CLIKKIE)

50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have?

i feel like ive cried laughing so hard, or almost thrown up, but i dont know why, and that’s almost better

51. current stresses?

just general body things, appointments, school in the fall, graduating, etc

52. favorite font?

it depends on what im doing, but i love my own handwriting, i like times new roman, hate arial with a PASSION!!!!! brawler is nice but doesn’t bold well. handwriting fonts are cool too

53. what is the current state of your hands?

left hand’s nails is in silver glitter and right hand’s nails are blue/purple glitter. perpetual hangnails. still a hint of a scar from cutting my hand on a razor, and remnants of blisters from rowing

54. what did you learn from your first job?

that you can be kind and see change without changing the entire world, and that men are creepy as shit

55. favorite fairy tale?

i dont think i have one? max probably has a good one that i’d love. new ask game send me ur favorite fairy tales and ill read them and review them

56. favorite tradition?

my mom makes me a half birthday cake every year, it’s really cute and idk why it warms my heart

57. the three biggest struggles you’ve overcome?

fuck dude, umm this is hard and also a lot

1. my extreme self hatred!!

2. my extreme concern for other people’s thoughts, just honestly like dressing and listening to whatever and not really caring, ill always care, just not as bad as i did

3. letting go of things and trying to grow because of pain rather than viewing it as a waste of time

58. four talents you’re proud of having?

uhhhhhghaghhaghdshaghdhsaghadshg i dont know this is hard

1. finding dope ass socks at thrift stores

2. thinking creatively and trying to make something stranger than others like it

3. i can draw p well???? i guess? i designed my tattoo does that count

4. winning contests. i won like, 10 last year? like wtf

59. if you were a video game character, what would your catchphrase be?

recently it would be life’s a sham and then ur wow, in reference to life’s a bitch and then you die and also shamwow. so that. or just constantly referring to things as bad boys, like. dishes.

60. if you were a character in an anime, what kind of anime would you want it to be?

there’s different kinds? but ummmm i dont know, i dont want to google anime types. can i say like a miyazaki movie and be done with it

61. favorite line you heard from a book/movie/tv show/etc.?

i dont know, can i do a song? bc i really like I’m alive in spite of me recently, also like this graffiti that i say that said 33 might mason men couldn’t put me back together again

62. seven characters you relate to?

oh boy, i asked my gf for help on some

1. nick miller from new girl

2. peter b. parker from into the spiderverse

3. dean mccoppin from iron giant for some reason

4. emile from ratatouille 

5. a mix of ben and leslie from parks and rec

6. a weird mix of chris and ron from parks and rec

7. rodrick from diary of a wimpy kid

63. five songs that would play in your club?

1. come down by anderson paak

2. send me on my way by rusted root

3. doses and mimosas by cherub

4. replay by iyaz

5. rap snitch knishes by mf doom

64. favorite website from your childhood?

WEBKINZ!!!!!

65. any permanent scars?

yeaaa got a lot, most prominent are on my legs, partially just stretch marks, and then the one on my forehead from when i got stitches

66. favorite flower(s)?

i love carnations, marigolds, roses, but really anything, fuck

67. good luck charms?

i don’t have any, i used to wear a bracelet my gf gave me but it broke. *insert gif of me trying to remember when it broke and if that’s when everything went to shit*

68. worst flavor of any food or drink you’ve ever tried?

centipede jelly bean. worst thing ive ever had. it wouldn’t go away for a day even with eating other things and drinking water and chewing strong gum. horrible

69. a fun fact that you don’t know how you learned?

i have no idea. truly

70. left or right handed?

i am right handed

71. least favorite pattern?

houndstooth, i really don’t like it for some reason

72. worst subject?

i am oh so bad at writing, it’s really hard for me. but honestly recently every subject is horrible.

73. favorite weird flavor combo?

this was mentioned before, but black licorice and lemon. i’ve only had it with jelly beans, so maybe it’s not as good in other formats

74. at what pain level out of ten (1 through 10) do you have to be at before you take an advil or ibuprofen?

depends on what it is, if i think a migraine is coming then i take it pretty low, maybe a 4, otherwise i can deal with it up to like a 6 or 7, unless i’m needing to focus

75. when did you lose your first tooth?

i dont know when, but i do remember where. i was at a drive through bank in a rental car with my parents and brother in oregon, and i put the tooth in the lid of a plastic water bottle.

76. what’s your favorite potato food (i.e. tater tots, baked potatoes, fries, chips, etc.)?

jalepeno potato chips are soooo good but, honestly, tots are the best. mashed potatoes are good too

77. best plant to grow on a windowsill?

depends on the direction it’s facing and climate, but i’m growing some ivy right now and it’s so pretty and cool. also a christmas cactus that my great great great grandma or something like that started and has been passed down!!!! and a ..... leafy boy

78. coffee from a gas station or sushi from a grocery store?

absolutely coffee from a gas station, i dont trust sushi

79. which looks better, your school id photo or your driver’s license photo?

my school id because i’m smiling. i look stoned or dead in my id.

80. earth tones or jewel tones?

i didn’t entirely know what this meant, so i googled both and went oooooooo to jewel tones so. jewel tones.

81. fireflies or lightning bugs?

i say both, i don’t know which i say more frequently because i live where there aren’t ....... lightning bugs. ore fireflies. whichever. lol

82. pc or console?

i dont game much, but i like my psp a lot, or like a joystick sort of sitchhhh

83. writing or drawing?

dRAWING FOR SURE!

84. podcasts or talk radio?

podcasts, i don’t listen to much of either

84. barbie or polly pocket?

can i throw in a third variable of bratz?

85. fairy tales or mythology?

either, but probably mythology

86. cookies or cupcakes?

depends on the kind, but i love frosting and cupcakes are fun, so cupcakes.

87. your greatest fear?

that i will lose everyone i love or push them away? eeeee

88. your greatest wish?

to be content and hopefully other people are content alongside me

89. who would you put before everyone else?

honestly my gf, max, and steph. and my mom. yeyeeeee

90. luckiest mistake?

oh god we could go deep or not. probably not. so like, buying pamela, my stuffed sloth

91. boxes or bags?

depends on the situation, but bags are fun, can put patches on them, plastic bags are boring and boxes are useful, help organize or carry lots of things

92. lamps, overhead lights, sunlight or fairy lights?

sunlight absolutely, i love it. i then would say lamps are better than fairy lights which are better than overhead lights. fuck overhead lights

93. nicknames?

for me? okay lets GO. delly, delly boi, dell, d, glen, glenjamin, glenny, yenaled. there’s a lot of weird/gross ones that i dont want to share.

94. favorite season?

fall in theory, summer in stability.

95. favorite app on your phone?

wasn’t this already asked? CAUGHTCHA

96. desktop background?

switches between 3 pictures around colorado that my gf took

97. how many phone numbers do you have memorized?

five

98. favorite historical era?

good question, i honestly don’t know. can i say the 80s or 90s? if not like, before racism existed. yeah

[survivor-switzerland]

EPISODE 13: FULL ON SANTANA BREAKDOWN - ASHLEY SARAH

Oh wow look what we have here.

List of people who are dead to me in this game and can go jump off a cliff.

1. Brett

2. Dom

3. Nick

 List of people I love in this game.

1. Tyler

2. Ashley

 I'm so pissed right now, usually the anger of having things not go your way vanishes in like five hours or so but it hasn't.

I cannot believe fucking Brett did that. I am legit pissed because he's reasoning was that he was being selfish and wanted Ben gone because Ben wasn't gonna work with him and shit. Well congrats on doing a bang up job Brett, you just lost us a number and my trust.

Being selfish? You have the balls to be selfish to me?! REMEMBER THE RENEE VOTE?? I VOTED OUT RENEE because that move was for the best of our alliance! I had a chance of being selfish and save Renee but I didn't because I was looking out for the alliance and then you strut in saying you're being selfish and made a move that DID NOT in anyway or form benefit the alliance. How in the world can we even call ourselves H4rmony alliance if we can't even harmonize.

So now I feel like I'm in the minority and I know I ain't winning this immunity but I'm still going to be fake with these fuckers and act like I still wanna work with them. If you blindside me and your name ain't Jenn From or Nicole G then I ain't forgiving you anytime soon.

so lets start with tribal yeah i was completely shocked!! i know dom wanted ben out but jeez i may not trust ben but that doesnt mean i want him out but i guess its what majority wanted would be nice to have a little warning tho i mean i was surprised that it actually worked

i just spent all day doing puzzles my most hated thing ever EVER EVER ok if i dont get something out oif this i will be IRATE

I apologize for spelling and grammar in last few my eyes hurt from puzzles!!! But with people changing their alliances I still think I am in a decent position. I try to stay social. I worry about not having ben as a vote especially with Dom nick on one side and jev Luke on one and Tyler Ian Brett in other. I think my main alliances are still strong!! I hope at least!! The blindside was shocking but at least today people are apologizing and explaining. it's gonna get hard with so few people it only takes one to swing. I'm definitely playing it careful from here on out.

I spent an entire day doing puzzles!! If I don't win I will cry I mean full on Santana breakdown at 1:45. I worked so hard for this. You just don't even realize

https://youtu.be/TlWHTfrGhoY

I won my second individual immunity challenge and I'm so excited! I'm going to at least match my Great Lakes placement and I couldn't be happier! Brett came to me yesterday and told me that Tyler has the immunity idol which is really fucking interesting because he's been upset at me for lying to him this entire game when he didn't even trust me enough to tell me about the idol so lmao! BUT looking at it, Tyler is better for my game than Nick is so I came up with a plan to frame Nick for leaking a plan to Tyler so that we could get Nick out. It looks like things could be going to plan right now which is amazing for me. I just needed to get some trust back with Tyler and this was the perfect way to do it because I know that after this, the only person he will trust is me and I NEED the numbers to get Brett out at some point.

Things have gotten a tad crazy here. I like everyone left but I am so nervous every week about the vote. I really hope tonite goes as planned and I'm safe. It's gonna get ugly but there's no way we have a shot at winning with MVP here.

Hey y'all I found a new definition of the word snake in the dictionary. Aside from being a reptilian creature with no legs, it's also Nick. :O

Anyways, Tyler tells me that these bastards are splitting the vote between him and me and that I'm going down. These people are ugly and a bunch of them are illiterate hoes :D

tbh when Tyler told me that they were gonna split the vote, a voice said to me that if they're going to split the vote I need to vote Tyler to keep myself safe, BUT I feel like it won't be worth it because even if Tyler goes I'm next anyway. So all I'm left with is giving my game at the hands of Luke and Jev to try and get the snake out of this game.

I'm probably getting voted out tonight. It was a good run but this run was filled with so many mistakes that it's disgusting asdfghjk.

Ciao!!

OH MY GOD I AM LAUGHING SO HARD!! After trying to get us out since the beginning of merge, Ian and Tyler have came to Luke and asked him if he wants to create a final 4 with them and me. I just find it so funny that they're now the ones crawling to us for our help.

I'm quite happy with the position I've ended up in, Brett ended up joining me and Luke last round, along with Dom and Nick and that's how the Benjamin blindside came about. However, this round we planned to split votes between Ian and Tyler so that no matter what happened one of them would leave. HOWEVER, Nick had to be a snake and go and tell them about the plan, and now he's coming to me telling me about how he's "scared" because he thinks the plan isn't going to work, YEAH NO SHIT!

Anyways, me and Luke are still holding tight and surviving (at least for now) I'm rooting for us so hard!

EPISODE 13

And the backlash begins. Nick, Dom, and I worked with the Matterhorn outcasts to send Benjamin to the jury. It made sense to me because I had lied up and down the block to Benjamin over and over again and if Benjamin were to have stayed, he would have been of absolutely no use to me. So he can go to the jury. He's a nice dude, but if you aren't going to be of assistance, you have to go.

The first matter of business was to do damage control with Ashley Sarah, Ian, and Tyler. Ashley Sarah seems fine with everything. Ian and Tyler...not so much. Tyler spins out into a lot of paranoia of who is in an alliance with who and is Nick in charge and what's going on with Dom, and why didn't Luke tell him anything--everything. The whole bit was a mess, but as far as Tyler's concerned, I'm just getting started. Tyler 100% would have been walking out the door if he hadn't won immunity. Believe it.

Luke won the immunity challenge--thirty puzzles of all different varieties. No worries. My plan was to draw Ashley Sarah to our side and split the votes on Ian and Tyler to either flush Tyler's hidden immunity idol or to send him home. Everything seems business as usual--Tyler and Ian believe we're voting out Jevvon. Nick is acting squirmy and paranoid like he always does. Dom and Ash are going with the flow. Luke is at ease with the world. And Jevvon is nervous. Same story, different round.

Unfortunately, some people can't leave well enough alone and Tyler erupts upon discovering a vote is splitting on Ian and he. Of course someone had to blab. Of course someone had to ruin it for (me) everyone! Dumbass Nick, in all of his overplaying and paranoia and Jeff Probst BIG MOVES resume-making bullshit thought it'd be fun to spill all the details to Tyler and try to get him and Ashley Sarah to blindside me. Nope. Absolutely not. You can leave as well. We'll send you to go hang out with your buddy, Benjamin, on the jury bench. Tyler confronts me. Ashley Sarah also spills the plan to me. Here's the thing: Tyler HATES Nick. And Ashley Sarah ADORES me. In what world was this going to work?! Come on, dude. Tyler and I had an open forum to get everything out on the table. And we all collectively decided it would be best to toss Nick's ass from the game. It was a nice try, Nick, but ya should have known better than to come after me this soon. Patience is a virtue. Later, buddy. I'll take great care of Dom in your absence.

[elliotthezubat]

DEATH CITY DAYS CHAPTER 16

Q_Q dem feels man.

Takehisa: (tending to their wounds) "You dumbasses really fouled up this time..." Arthur: "Hmph. I blame that dragoness. Vicious creature..." shinra:..........ow................. --In Hibana's room-- Hibana: "Hmph. These children..." gabriella: are you alright? you arent injured, are you? Hibana: (winces) "That stumble..." (looks at her arm) "I hope it doesn't bruise..." -elsewhere- Kid: (rotates his arm) "A hot jacuzzi soak was what I needed..." liz: so what now? Kid: "I will help staff prepare dinner. Please set the table." -the next day- Kid: *yawn* -at school- Patty: "What's the first class?" < > Drawing < > Math < > Training <x> Other Kid: "I was hoping for geography...These forests are all starting to blur together..." -geography class begins- Yumi: "Good morning. I will be offering a guest lecture today on..." Yumi: "Verdant Forest." (Yumi opens her backpack that she brought with her to reveal a relic from the forest) -it's a green jewel- Patty: "Ooo...Shiny! Kid: (raises his hand) "What is that relic?" Patty: "Ooo...Shiny! Kid: (raises his hand) "What is that relic?" Yumi: it’s believed to be a nature stone. Patty: "A nature stone? Where did the DWMA find it?" Yumi: "It was recovered during one of our tours. I actually have a video from the adventurers who found it..." (plays video) person: dude, look at this. pretty shiny huh? Person #2: "Indeed...Captivating..." -something wraps around one person's leg and throws them- person 3: *SCREAM* Person #1: "Oh, God! What the f--?!" (smashed in the face with something) -the video cuts out- liz:........vines? Kid: o___o Yumi: "Yes, vines. You will need to be careful when traveling through this forest..." Patty: (pulls out bugspray) Patty: (and weedkiller) liz: maybe we should give the stone back? Yumi: (nods) "That is your mission. I want you to be careful out there..." (pats Kid's on the shoulder) Kid: (nods) -and so- Kid: (carrying his backpack) "Everyone ready?" stocking: yep. Patty: (holding up her weedkiller) liz: patti! Patty: "What? I don't want to get manhandled by a giant weed monster!" -at the forest entrance- Kid: "..." (looks at the entrance) "I don't sense anyone around yet..." liz:....... *she notices a small altar made from a stump and puts the stone there* Kid: "...I don't sense anything yet." -some of the trees pull back, opening a path- Kid: o_o "I guess...we follow?" -it leads to a grove, where an older lady resides- Kid: "H-Hello?" ???: *she looks back* oh. you must be the ones who returned my stone. the others were just telling me about that... Kid: " 'Others'?" ????: the trees of course. *she smiles* Kid: "...Oh." (looks at them, then back at her) "I am Death the Kid." ????: call me Mirva. Kid: (smiles) "It is good to meet you. This is Stocking, Liz, and Patty." -they converse for a while- Kid: "Mirva, we are seeking assistance with locating the last Sage." mirva: i see. and you have been having trouble finding someone to take up the title, and those who have tried have not fully awakened their full potential... Kid: "So we have heard. However, we need someone...What should we look for in someone who can take on the title of Sky Sage?" mirva: the sky sage will always be a child of grigori. a true child of grigori. Kid: (looks down) "We...lost one such person..." mirva: perhaps another....an angel.... stocking: i tried, but it rejected me. Kid: "I'm afraid we're at a loss. It's not like we can bring back the dead." mirva: i can tell you a presence does exist. someone who could be the new sage. she is kept in a steel prison in the vast desert... Kid: "Which desert?" mirva: a desert where cacti flourish. Kid: "We come from a desert...Death City...You don't mean such a person is back home?" mirva: not quite. but the distance is not too drastic. she lies to the south east. Kid: "Southeast from here, or from Death City?" mirva: south west of your home, young one. Kid: "...Thank you. Is there anything more you can tell us, to advise us?" mirva: one last thing. *she summons a violin and plays a melody* -obtained the forest aria- Kid: (looks to Stocking) "Got that?" stocking: yeah. Kid: (bows to Mirva) "Thank you." -elsewhere- Yohei: "Zzz..." chie: *reading* -meanwhile, at the fear factory HQ- Shinoda: (bites into an apple) "Yum~" grunt: so what's the next course of action, sir? Shinoda: "NoFix set back progress on the re-capture of Yohei at the London Tournament, as well as recruiting some of the robotics experts there..." (shows files on Kepuri and others) "Now that such a debacle is behind us, I think we need to take a new approach to accomplish our goal of Dokeshi supremacy." grunt: and that would be, sir? Shinoda: "Our new plan will be through re-building London. We already have contracted clean-up efforts." -elsewhere- NoFix: "Nice operation around here. So, what'd you got plan for these clowns and those Kishins?" luka: creating an army and selling them to anyone willing to have them in their armies, be it goverment armies, terrorists, whomever. NoFix: "Neat. That's gotta be profitable." (spies on one Clown) "Who's the next client?" luka: we got some orders from a company called 'fear factory'. NoFix: "..." (frowns) "Joy." pierrot test subject: d-doc? i-i dont feel too good....i feel sick in the stomach and my head keeps buzzing.... luka: just a side effect, it'll probably go away. NoFix: "???" (looks at the Test Subject) test subject 2: *a strange yellow substance leaks from their nostril* ahhhhhh...... NoFix: (grimaces) "Oh, shit! That ain't right!" -elsewhere- Kid: (looking out a window) stocking: how're you holding up? Kid: "...I don't know. One more Sage, but I cannot understand who or where they are." stocking: ............... Kid: "What do we do?" stocking: i dont know.... for now, lets try focusing on happier things... Kid: (small smile) "Okay..." (reaches slowly for her hand) stocking: *she smiles and kisses him gently* Kid: (holds her) "Thank you..." stocking: i love you kid, dont forget that, ok? Kid: (nods) "I never will forget...and I will always love you." stocking: mmmm...... *she hugs him* Kid: (strokes her hair and back, feeling her heartbeat and her soul wavelength...) "So warm..." stocking: *she rubs his head and back, smiling warmly* Kid: (kisses lightly along her cheek) -the next morning- Kid: *yawn* -at school- Kid: "Father, Mother, we returned the relic to the Forest." lord death: so i see, kiddo. Yumi: (nods) "Excellent work. I read your initial report about the last Sage's location." (turns to Lord Death) "Any idea where this desert is? What this metal containment unit is?" lord death: i send a search team to investigate the area. Kid: "I wonder whether they will find anything..." -elsewhere- Hiro: "Oh, hey Shinra--?! Ugh...You okay?" shinra: *bandaged* coulda been better..... Arthur: *bandaged* "No kidding..." Hiro: "...What happened?" shinra:......orange juice..... Hiro: "...Orange juice kicked your ass?" shinra:............................(thinking: i'm glad iris patched us up....) *he thinks about iris in an old timey nurse outfit* .//////. Arthur: (thinking something similar about Tamaki in a sexy nurse outfit) o/////o Hiro: "...Hello? Guys? You alive? You need something?" shinra: *NERVOUS SMILE* I'M SHINRA AND IM OK!! Arthur: "!!!" Hiro: "...Hi, Shinra, I'm Hiro, and I'm majorly confused." shinra:.........i need to use the bathroom. Arthur: "...Good idea." (follows) Hiro: "...TMI." -in the bathroom- Arthur: "..." shinra: *banging his head against the wall* stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid! i'm such an idiot! Arthur: "Yes, you are." *checks his eyes* "I did not sleep enough..." shinra: well.....what now? Arthur: "...I think we should avoid Hibana. Otherwise, she will kill us. You really should have stopped me before I went into her room to slay that dragon." shinra: that's what i was trying to do! Arthur: "Then you should have tried harder! And her assistant--she's, like, a goliath! So small, yet able to have such strength! She picked me up with one hand and threw me into the garbage!" shinra: fitting. Arthur: (frowning) "What's the worst that happened to you? Hibana just threw you across the room and Maki--Wait, what did Maki do to you?" shinra:.....i dont want to talk about it. Arthur: "...She hurt your pride, man?" shinra: oh shush. i had to theoretically bury your dignity again! Arthur: (clenches his teeth) "No one asked you to..." -elsewhere- Hibana: "Such brats. Happy they are at school and not here." (examines her GPS bracelet) gabriella: tea or coffee? Hibana: "Coffee, thank you." gabriella: right away~ Hibana: "Hmph. I used to be in charge of my own brigade, my own company. Now I'm basically under house arrest." (softens her face) "I suppose I should ask how you are adjusting to all of this, Gabriella. You had the option to go elsewhere." gabriella: i wanted to be here with you. i couldnt ask to be anywhere else than by your side. Hibana: "..." .\\\\. "Thank you. That actually means a lot." (clears her throat) "Y-You know, because you are so organized...and prepare my coffee how I like it." gabriella: *she smiles* Hibana: "...Why don't you pour yourself a cup of coffee as well and let's talk? I don't really know much about you." gabriella: a-are you sure? Hibana: (frowns) "I said I wanted to know more about you, so sit and tell me about yourself!" (blushes a bit more) "...Please" gabriella: o-ok...w-what did you want to know? Hibana: "Well...What are your hobbies?" gabriella: hobbies? well, i guess...does playing solitare on the computer count? i dont really make much time for doing things like that. Hibana: "You should: I would go nuts if I didn't have hobbies." gabriella: i-i dont mind though. Hibana: (pouts) "We should find you something to do. Do you like cooking?" gabriella: i can microwave instant ramen. Hibana: -_- "Okay. Tell you what." (holds up her wrist) "This GPS tracker lets me beyond 10 blocks of this place. After we finish coffee, we're going to the grocery store, coming back with ingredients, and I'm going to show you how to cook an entire meal. Okay?" gabriella: for real? Hibana: "Yes." (sips) "Hmm...Good coffee." (smiles) -elsewhere- Wes: "Hey, Liz!" liz: oh hey. Wes: "How's your day been?" liz: great. we found the 2nd to last sage yesterday. Wes: "Awesome! What was that trip like?" liz: foresty. Wes: (small smile) "Dressed appropriately for it?" liz: well...... 7-7; Wes: "???" (a little smirk) liz: what? Wes: "Nothing. You just look great in almost any outfit...and you're cute when you're nervous." liz: oh shush you. Wes: (laughs) "Hey, I was wondering whether you were free Friday night." liz: yeah. Wes: "Cool. Up for going out? I was thinking about dinner and..." < > a movie < > a walk through downtown Death City <x> laser tag liz: how about laser tag? Wes: "..." (childish glee) "I never had a chance to play it growing up--and I've wanted to for so long! Can you teach me?" liz: sure thing! Wes: "Pick you up at 5?" liz: this friday? Wes: (nods) -later- Yumi: "Death, which 'steel prisons' are there near this city?" lord death: we did find prisons, but they were made of stone. the only steel building was a labratory facility. 'Nirvana Lab 07' Yumi: "Nirvana? I'm not familiar with any laboratory or company with that name." lord death: neither am i. we'll have to infiltrate and see what we can find. Yumi: "Ideas for whom to include on this infiltration team?" -kid, liz, patti, stocking, clay, akane, homura, gopher, kirika- Yumi: (lists the parties) "Very good. When is the best date for travel?" -how about tuesday- Yumi: "Tuesday, Nirvana Lab 07...I'll send the assignment and ask Auntie and staff to gather all necessary resources." -elsewhere- Yohei: "...Shit." mana: what's wrong? Yohei: "This news: 'Happy Factory lands third contract for re-building London.' Something smells fishy about all of this..." mana: .......... Yohei: "No way that 'Happy Factory' isn't still Fear Factory...but I can't figure out much on this guy leading it, Apple Shinoda." -elsewhere, in the world of witches- Witch Assistant: "Madam Maba, you called?" maaba: nyamu! Witch Assistant: "We have had complaints in the prison regarding the werewolf recently placed there. He keeps going on and on about wanting his froggy." maaba: nyamu? Witch Assistant: "Yes. I am recommending increased security, including another magical barrier tailored for canines." maaba: nyamu nyamu. *nods* Witch Assistant: "Understood...Also, the prisoner has requested...chew toys." maaba: nyamu! Witch Assistant: *sigh* "Very well. I'll put in the order online. Anything else, Madam?" maaba: .....nyamu nyamu? Witch Assistant: "No, we have not had a new lead on Book of Enoch. I was just heading to Intelligence for any updates. Please, excuse me." (departs and runs into...) sephy: hey. *waves* Witch Assistant: "Ah, Sephy. How are you?" sephy: doin' good. making mail deliveres as usual. kerona's been doing well too. Witch Assistant: "Happy to hear. Any mail for me?" sephy: just the usual stuff. Witch Assistant: "...Sephy? I'm going back to see that werewolf..." (glares) "I want to break him." sephy: you and me both. *cracks knuckles* he's got hell to pay for harassing my baby girl! Witch Assistant: "...Maybe he needs a 'visitor' for a few minutes...hours..." -elsewhere- Noah: (his arm his bandaged...and he's holding something in his hand) noelle: [oh?] *When he injured his hand, he reached in, tore out part of his bone, and wore it down to a shiv, which he has hidden from guards* noelle: [o_______o] Noah: *giggling* "Let them come...I'll have my hostage, and I'll escape with the Book..." noelle: [what hostage?] Noah: *blinks* "Oh...I hadn't figured that out...How about that little girl who hangs out with the guy in the mask? She looks weak." noelle: [the pink one?] Noah: "Hee hee...Yeah...Just grab her wrist, hold the shiv to her neck, and the rest of them will back off. Genius." noelle: [sure.] Wrath!Noah: [KILL A LOT OF PEOPLE! *Kermit the Frog arm wiggling with glee*] Gluttony!Noah: [I'm so hungry...] Lust!Noah: [...I got nothing.] -elsewhere- Hibana: (sets the plates before Akitaru and the others) "Gabriella put in a lot of work in this meal, so I hope you all enjoy it." *glares at Shinra and Arthur* (demonic voice) "OR ELSE." shinra: *sweats* yes ma'am! Arthur: (glares at the food) "I don't like fish--" maki: *shoulder punch* Arthur: "Owie!" (crying pout) -elsewhere- scarlet: *loading her gun* scarlet: wind speed seems about right....now, where are you mr burns? Tamaki: (banging on Burns's door) "Let me in, now!" scarlet: oh? Amber: "Tamaki, please, stop!" tamaki: *angry kitty scratching* ugh! what is his deal?! Burns: (opens the door) "...What?" scarlet: *she takes aim* tamaki: why am i being locked here? what's the deal with that?! Burns: "You have been an irritable child lately, Tamaki, and I want that to stop." Amber: (trying to stand between Tamaki and Burns) "Stop this!" scarlet: move brat..... tamaki: i'm not a child! Amber: (trying to hold Tamaki back) "Sir, she's just, you know, having a bad day. Please don't hold it against her." scarlet: aim...... *her phone rings* !!! *BANG* Burns: (steps forward, pulls Amber away from Tamaki) "If you can't fall in line, Tamaki, you know where you'll go..." *GLASS SHATTERS, BLOOD* tamaki: .....!!!!!!! Burns: "!!!!" Amber: "..." (collapses) tamaki: .........!!!! Burns: "Amber!" (sees the window) "Bastards!" (heads out to try to track the assassin) Firefighter #2: "What happened--Amber?! Someone, get an ambulance!" Amber: *shuddering, choking on her blood* scarlet: dammit!...... *she answers* what....is it? Joker: "Hey, pretty girl." tamaki: amber! we're getting you help. Firefighter #2: (removed shirt, applying it to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding) "Please, God, no." scarlet: couldnt pick a better time to call, because thanks to you startling me, i missed my target. again! Joker: "Well, maybe if you put your calls on silent, this wouldn't happen, now would it?" scarlet: .............up yours. Joker: "You first~ So, who did you kill?" *Flames erupt where Scarlet stands* scarlet: some brat from the 1st brig- WHAT THE FUCK?! Burns: "Fire at her, men!" scarlet: SON OF A- *she takes off* Burns: "Not that easy!" (flames his hands--and flies up to the rooftop) "Follow her!" Joker: "Woof! Sounds like you got yourself into a bit of trouble, Red." scarlet: oh no, its just fireworks- OF COURSE I HAVE A SITUATION ON ME! Joker: "Ah, how sad...Need an assist?" Burns: (fires flame just past Scarlet's head) scarlet: ..... *grumble* fine, just get them off my ass. Joker: (snaps his fingers) Burns: (aims) "Got you, you bastard..." *A circle of flames emerge around Scarlet--and they're not by Burns* scarlet: !!! Burns: "What?!" *BOOM* Burns: *knocked back* "Urg!" *Scarlet has disappeared* tamaki: amber, come on, you're gonna be ok! Amber: "T-T-T..." (stops breathing) tamaki: dammit, someone! do something! Paramedics: "We're here!" Ma'am, get out of the way..." (tend to Amber) "She's...I got no pulse. She's--" tamaki: she's alright! she just passed out! Paramedics: "Ma'am. She's gone." tamaki: she's fine! r-really! Paramedics: "She is dead." (nods to paramedics to get Amber to the hospital, clutches Tamaki) "I am sorry." tamaki: y-you're lying! g-get off me! ok amber, jokes over now! Amber: *there is no reply* Paramedics: "Ma'am, please, calm down--" tamaki: STOP IT! *fire forms around her* Paramedics: "!!! We got a Fire Being! Everyone, back away!" tamaki: *she screams* Paramedics: "Duck!" (flames pass by) tamaki: ............*she breaks down* Paramedics: "..." (to the others) "Get her out of here." (approaches Tamaki...and hugs her) -elsewhere, the next morning- Akitaru: (watching the news) "..." shinra: what is it? Akitaru: (turns off the TV, approaches the Brigade) "Everyone, I am sad to report that the 1st Brigade lost one of their members last night." shinra: what? maki: !! iris: *shocked* Arthur: "Th-The First? Oh, God..." shinra: .... *he looks at arthur* Akitaru: (hand on Arthur's shoulder) "Tamaki was not killed. She is...fine." (looks to the others) "It was an assassination attempt, with 1st Brigade Sister Amber Lee McKenzie killed." iris: !!!! *tearful* Arthur: (solemn) "I-I got to call Tamaki--" Hibana: (holds Iris) "Oh, God..." -elsewhere- Yumi: "We have to take this seriously: what if this assassination attempt was related to our investigation coming up on Tuesday?" lord death: according to the reports, there was an attempt on the 5th commander's life as well. Yumi: "Hmm...Burns, Hibana...Who stands to gain from attacking them?" (taps on a board showing the Commanders' faces) "Perhaps increase security at the 8th for both Hibana and Obi, then at the other Brigades. I think someone should contact Hibana as well for more information about this assassin." lord death: that sounds like a good idea. Yumi: (nods) "I'll bring Hibana in. You find someone to question her." -elsewhere- Black Star: "...Assassins. They give people like me a bad name. If I ever find this brat, I'll wring their neck." soul:............ Black Star: "If we weren't on this mission Tuesday, I'd stay here and knock down every door 'til I find this scum. Right, Soul?" soul: yeah. Black Star: "...I need to get some of this aggression out of me. I'm going to work-out for a bit. What're you gonna do?" soul: i'll figure something out... Black Star: "Okay..." (pats his back) "Stay safe, man." -elsewhere- scarlet: .......... Joker: (puffs on cigarette) "Tell me, Red: why did I hire you when you have failed to kill two Commanders? Is your shot really that bad?" scarlet: i had a clear shot on them, but one jumped in front and you screwed me over on the last one. Joker: "...I am mature enough to admit that I may have been slightly responsible for your massive fuck-up." scarlet:.......... spare me a cig? Joker: (taps one out for her) "Light?" scarlet: i got my own, thanks. *snaps her finger and summons a small flame* Joker: (puffs away) "So, they're now going to hunker down, preventing us from getting another shot any time soon. Maybe we need another option..." scarlet: ........ *takes a long drag* now i have to lay low for a while...just great....fan-fucking-tastic... Joker: "Maybe we need something other than you with a gun outside...Maybe we need an insider..." scarlet: oh? Joker: "Know anyone? I'd recommend you, but Burnsy already knows your face." scarlet: i'll see what we can come up with... Joker: (smiles) "Good. In the meantime, practice on your aim." (forms his fingers into a pistol and aims) "Bang." scarlet:....funny. Joker: "Heh heh..." (finishes his smoke, leans back on the couch) -elsewhere- Kid: "The Sky Sage..." (looks at the map) "We're hunting for Sages to stop that monster, and our own allies are getting gunned down. I know this is typical for the life we live, but I cannot help but be afraid and ashamed." (holds a hand to his chest) "Gods of Death do not treat death lightly." stocking:.... *she holds his hand* Kid: "Stocking, I don't want to lose more people...but I can't stop that. If I lost you..." stocking: that wont happen...i promise... Kid: "..." ("How can she know that...") (he hugs her) stocking: *she hugs back* Kid: "Stocking, please do all that you can to protect our friends..." stocking: i will.... Kid: "Thank you. I will as well." (holds her, and just keeps holding her) stocking:...... Kid: *yawns, leans against her shoulder* -the next day- Kid: (tosses in bed, murmuring) stocking: ....... Kid: "M-Mom..." stocking:............. *she strokes his head* Kid: (muttering in his sleep) "I don't want to lose more...M-Maka..." stocking: ............ Kid: "E-Everyone is dying on me...N-No..." stocking: kid. kid get up! Kid: "No!" (sits up, panting, shaking, sweating) "St-Stocking?" stocking: *she hugs him* Kid: "Wh-What happened?" (clutches her, tearing up) "I saw...I saw so much..." stocking: it was just a dream, kid.... Kid: "..." ("No...They are still gone...") *cries a bit* stocking:.......... Kid: *sobbing* "They're all gone...It hurts..." stocking: kid.... i'm still here..... Kid: (clutches Stocking) "Yes, you are..." stocking: *she smiles* Kid: (holds her, slowly calms down) "...It hurts." stocking:.......... Kid: "..." (holds her) "I think I need...a day off from classes." stocking: ok.... Kid: (lies in bed, yawns) -elsewhere- Black Star: "Kid called in sick." soul: ............ Black Star: "He should be ready for Tuesday's mission, but I think that Fire Brigade attack has worn him down." Patty: (in class as well, sad frown) liz:......we should do something for him. Patty: "Like what? A get-together, or get him something on the way home?" liz: maybe a party? Black Star: "Heck yeah! Do that!" -elsewhere- -knock knock- Arthur: "Tamaki? It's me." tamaki: go away.... *her voice is hoarse* Arthur: "...Please? You've been here for days..." tamaki:................ Arthur: "Tamaki..." (leans against the door) "I'm sorry for what happened to Amber. Iris and Hibana have been mourning her loss. I can't imagine what you are going through..." tamaki: just shut up! Arthur: "?! Tamaki?" tamaki: *she curls up, whimpering* Arthur: (hearing her) "Tamaki? Please?" -elsewhere- Kid: *yawns* "That nap helped..." stocking: *she smiles* Kid: *stretches* "How long was I asleep?" stocking: a little while. Kid: *sighs* "I feel stupid for letting my emotions control me like that." stocking: it's ok... *she strokes his head* Kid: "Thank you...What have you been up to?" stocking: i got a cold compress for your head, since you were burning up pretty bad... Kid: (fans himself at his collar) "You're right...That's disconcerting..." *dry cough* stocking: *she gives him some water* here... Kid: *cough* "Th-Thanks..." (sips slowly) -later- Kid: (sipping on soup) liz: doing better? Kid: (nods) "Yes, thank you. Sleep helped." stocking: *smiles* Kid: (finishes his soup, sighs) "I think I'll be ready by Tuesday for our mission." -elsewhere- Burns: "..." (slams his fist against his desk) officer: commander? Burns: "This gets in the way of everything--Everything!" (tosses papers aside) "Where is that assassin?!" officer: we're still examining the rooftops sir. Burns: "A lot damn good that is doing, Soldier! Someone is dead, my life has been threatened, I'm locked in this building like a prisoner in my own home, and all you are doing is checking rooftops?!" officer: !! Burns: (seizes Officer by the collar) "Get out there, round up any lowlife you can find, and get some information! I'm not going to have another member of the 1st dead because of my inaction! Bring them here! I'll make them talk." officer: !!! Burns: "...Why are you still here?! Get going!" (tosses the Officer--through the door) -elsewhere- Arthur: (in the backyard at the punching bag) shinra:..... *comforting iris* iris:............... Hibana: (having a drink with Maki) "I want to find this son of a bitch--and snap their neck." maki: and kick them in the shins! gabriella: and spill boiling water on their faces! Hibana: "Then burn them alive!" shinra: *sweats* Akitaru: (slams fist on the table) "ENOUGH!" shinra: !! iris: !! Hibana: "!!" Akitaru: (inhales, sighs) maki: commander? Takiharu: "I think the commander is pointing out that we will find this assassin and bring them to justice as soon as possible. In the meantime, focus on your work, not on vengeance alone." Akitaru: (sips) "What he said." maki: ....right....maybe we should cool our heads down........ !! i have an idea! Akitaru: "Oh?" maki: we should all go camping! *shiny eyes* Hibana: "..." (yuck face) "Like, in the outdoors? With dirt?" Arthur: "...It could be a welcome break..." shinra: that sounds like a great idea. maki: *squee* trust me, it's gonna be great, as a kid i went camping all the time, my cousins would join in too! Hibana: *grumble* "Gabriella, buy me decent boots and something fashionable for the great outdoors." gabriella: can do, princess. *she smiles* Akitaru: "Heh heh--good idea, Maki! I'll get my RV back from my aunt for this trip." shinra: i think i went camping once during a class trip. Takehisa: "How was it, Shinra?" shinra: welll.... >///>;;;; Arthur: (smirks) "Come on, tell them about camp...Puddles." shinra: ./////////////////////////. Hibana: "???" Akitaru: "..." (chortle) "Seriously?" shinra: oh hush, captain leech-dick. Arthur: o____o "Hey! That's below the belt!" Hibana: (laughing) "No kidding." maki: *snickering* iris: ?????? Takiharu: "..." (smirks) iris: ?????????????? Arthur: "At least I didn't wet the bed!" shinra: I DID NOT! Arthur: "And I didn't get a leech attached to my dick!" shinra: *dials his phone* Arthur: "Wh-What are you doing?" shinra: getting clarification...... Arthur: "Wh-What?! From who?!" Hiro: "Hello?" Arthur: o_______o "Oh no..." shinra: hey there, did arthur really get his joy handle bitten by a leech during a camping trip? Hiro: "...Ha. Ha." (silence) (hysterical laughter) "Oh, God, he was screaming like a baby the entire time! Good memories..." (more hysterical laughter) Arthur: (desperately trying to reach for the phone, held back by Akitaru and Gabriella) shinra: *evil grin* Hibana: "Ha ha ha! I bet the leech didn't get much of a meal off of Arthur." Arthur: o\\\\\\\o "Sh-Shut up! The water was cold!" iris: ?????????????????????????? Hibana: (slapping the table, cackling) Hiro: (still laughing--then a crash) "Ah! I fell out of my chair! Ha ha ha!" shinra: careful, talk to ya later. *hangs up* read it and weep, boyle. Arthur: "Grrrr...Y-You...You bedwetter! I bet you still do it, you jerk!" shinra: you cant prove it. Arthur: "Y-Yeah?! Well, I can prove I ain't small!" Hibana: "Then prove it!" (slapping the table, laughing) Arthur: o\\\\\\\o Hibana: :3 iris: *chop* no. bad sister. bad. Hibana: T___T Akitaru: "Okay, enough making fun of Arthur's size. Let's get packing!" maki: *cough* package-ing. *cough* ............*innocent whistling* Arthur: "Grrr...I'll get you for this, Shinra!" -the next morning- Hibana: "Zzzzz..." iris: sister? its time to get up now. Hibana: "Mmm..." (gets up, wearing her nightie) "Oh. Hello. What time is it?" iris: about 7 in the morning. Hibana: "Hmm...Yes, I guess it is time to wake up. Hmph. Back when I ran my own business, I had an alarm with lights that would slowly turn on to imitate sunlight. And more scented candles." -elsewhere- Kid: (yawns, waking up) stocking: morning babe~ Kid: "Good morning." (cuddles with her) "How are you?" stocking: pretty good. you? Kid: (nods) "Better. My throat isn't scratchy now, and I think my temperature has gone down." stocking: i'm glad to hear that. *she kisses his nose* poor baby. Kid: (hugs her) "I'll get better...It's all I can do." -elsewhere- tamaki:....................... Burns: "She hasn't come out still?" officer: no sir....i'm worried about her. Burns: "I'm open to ideas: how do we get her out?" officer: i dont know...maybe talking to her? but she locked the door. Burns: "Hmm...Well, unless you are suggesting I kick the door down--" officer: dont you have a key, sir? Burns: "Tch. You take the fun out of everything..." (pulls out his key, opens Tamaki's door) "Hello?" tamaki:..... *silently whimpering* Burns: "Tamaki..." (approaches) tamaki: *croaky voice* what do _you_ want? Burns: "You have to come outside. Come on, you need a good meal and a shower." tamaki: why, just to get someone else killed? Burns: "...They were targeting me. If you want to blame someone, blame me--I can take it. But if you don't stop blaming yourself..." tamaki: why? it wont change what a shitty friend i was! i was just so angry that i was locked up here, that i completely swept her under the rug! Burns: "She never held anything against you, you know that. Amber was kindhearted and had the patience of a saint. And she loved you." tamaki: *whimpering* i should have appreciated her better than i did.... Burns: "..." (puts an arm around her shoulder) "Get showered and dress: we're going out." tamaki:................... Burns: (stands up to leave the room) "You got 30 minutes." tamaki:............. -elsewhere- Burns: (standing before Amber's grave) priest: she was a good kid, that one. Burns: "Yes. She was." priest: this world is a truly screwed up place for things like this to happen, let alone to a girl her age. Burns: "...I am sorry. It should have been me, Father." priest: it would be best not to blame yourselves for what happened, all we can do is move on. Burns: "I've been trying to tell that to one of my soldiers...She hasn't taken that advice well." -elsewhere- Kid: (staring at a photograph on the mantle of his mother) liz: ........ Kid: "She was so young, Liz." liz: yeah....just 15.... Kid: "Amber was too young. My mother was too young. All of this death has been difficult." (holds his chest) "It makes it difficult for Shinigami..." liz:.....how old were you when it happened? Kid: "Five..." (picks up the photograph) liz:......... Kid: "I am happy for everyone in my life, and I feel so much love. But that doesn't lessen the pain." liz: ....... *hug* it's ok kid.... Kid: (returns the hug) "Thank you..." *sniff* -later- Black Star: *whistling* tsubaki+soul: *making lunch* Black Star: "So, your bro is taking Liz out for laser tag? What is he, four?" soul: dude, cut him some slack, we didnt get to do stuff like that as kids. Black Star: "...Sorry, man." soul: its fine. Black Star: "...You ever wanted to do laser tag, Soul?" soul: i guess... i did play a few times with you guys. Black Star: "What did you never get to do at home that you always wished you could do here?" soul: stay up late and eat an entire pizza. Black Star: "Oh, come on, you've done that. How about something bigger?" -elsewhere- Yumi: "Death..." lord death: yes, dearest? Yumi: "...I'm scared." (puts a hand on her stomach) lord death:..... *he pulls her close* Yumi: "I know how to be there for Kid...but I've never been a mother. I mean, I've been a mother to him, but not...really?" (puts her head down) "I'm so confused. I just feel conflicted." lord death: how so? Yumi: "...Before you say I am being irrational, believe me, I am aware. I know I can be a good mother. But I feel like I won't be as good as Kid's mother...Sigh. That's awful. I'm sorry." lord death:..... perhaps maybe you and kid could spend a day together? Yumi: (nods) -elsewhere- Ponera: "Is it just me, or does our prisoner seem a bit calmer lately?" medusa: maybe he finally croaked. Ponera: "Grimmy? Nals? Could you check on him?" grimoire: we shall do that now. Nals: "Lead the way, fearless leader..." grimoire:..... -in the woods- Arthur: (cleaning dirt off his sleeping bag) shinra: this is a pretty nice little spot. we even have a firepit. nice. maki: *she finished pitching up the girl's tent* ta-dah~! Hibana: "Hmm...Wish I brought my generator with me." (taps her phone) "Signal sucks here, too." Akitaru: "Great work, Maki!" Takehisa: "...One corner is off, Maki." maki: TnT Akitaru: (frowns at Takehisa) "Come on, let's get some eats." (hands him fishing pole) iris: *she's picking some flowers and making flower crowns* shinra: so, what do we do then? Arthur: "Hiking? Join in fishing? Nature walk? Climb a tree to find where the dragon's cave is?" shinra: i'm gonna go scope the area out. see what there is to see and what not. Arthur: "Hmm..." Hibana: "Want company?" -on the path- shinra:.... *making a map of the camp site and stuff* Hibana: (studying the flowers) "Fascinating..." iris: *she made 8 flower crowns. one for everyone* here. Hibana: "Oh...Um, thanks..." shinra: *he finds a berry bush and takes a picture with a digital camera to show the others* Arthur: (spying a small butterfly) "Hmmm...What a small one." maki: looks like the others are back now. Akitaru: "Come on in! We got food!" (holds up two giant fish) Takehisa: (holding up a tiny fish) maki: awesome! -they would have fish, hot dogs, and smores- Hibana: (struggling to hold her s'more) "So messy." maki: mmmmm yummy! shinra: *cooking his hot dog with fire from his foot* Arthur: "Ew...Isn't that going to affect the taste?" shinra: *nom*......tastes fine to me. Akitaru: "Heh...so, Shinra, you're having a..._foot_ long?" maki: *she breaks down laughing* Takehisa: (facepalm) shinra:...................... *poker face* commander why? Akitaru: "Ah, relax. I'm just...pulling your leg." shinra:......................... maki: *losing it* iris:.....*snerk* hehe... Hibana: "..." (eyeroll) Arthur: (smirks) gabriella: >.>;;; shinra: -_-;;;;; Akitaru: "You didn't get a...kick...out of that gag?" shinra: i'm going to bed. Hibana: "All of the sugar in the Some Mores is going to keep me up...Think I'll look at the stars." shinra: boyle, you enjoy your hot dog. it's leech free this time. Arthur: (chokes on his meat...on his hot dog...) shinra: g'night. Arthur: "I will keep you up all night with snoring, you jerk!" -elsewhere- Noah: (giggling) grimoire: what's so funny? Noah: "Oh, someone just told me a funny joke. Want to hear it?" grimoire:......?? Noah: "Knock knock." grimoire:.......who's there? Noah: "Howie." grimoire:..................howie who- Noah: *snickers* " Howie gonna hide your dead body?" *cackling* grimoire:.....that was terrible. Noah: "Not as terrible as you're going to look." (giggles) "How you want to go? I could make it quick and painful, slow and painful, or something in between." grimoire: that wont happen. Noah: "Parts of me agree with you. Other parts don't." (pauses) "And one part wants to kiss you hard on the mouth." grimoire:.............................................what? [Lust!Noah: "It'd be like making love to yourself...only not masturbation."] Noah: "...Why don't you open this door and let's see what happens: Fuck Marry or Kill?" grimoire:.....no. Noah: "Another time then." *yawns* "The sleepy part of me wants to catch some more winks. The lustful part will have sweet dreams of you, the wrathful part will kill you, and the hungry part wants some more food here in the morning..." -elsewhere- Burns: "..." tamaki: ................. Burns: "How about something to eat? I've been told my homemade chili is pretty good." tamaki:.....*small nom*.................... Burns: "...Good. Oh--" (hands her a glass of milk and some bread) "It's a bit spicy, so--" tamaki: i know...... Burns: "...Anything you need? Salt?" tamaki:............ -the next morning- Hibana: "Zzz..." iris: *snoozing* shinra: *checks his sleeping bag*.... ah.... good. Arthur: (groaning) "T-Tamaki..." shinra: ?? Arthur: (dreaming) "D-Don't cry...It'll be okay..." shinra:..................... Arthur: "..." (hugs his pillow, drooling on it) shinra: *sigh*.... *he looks up at the roof of the tent* Akitaru: *loud snore* Takehisa: *grumbles, puts a clothes peg over Akitaru's nose to make the snoring stop) -elsewhere- Kid: *yawn* stocking: morning babe. Kid: "Morning, Angel." (hugs her) stocking: i heard your mom is taking you someplace today. Kid: (nods) "We're trying to make a day of it. I was thinking a walk in the park, a film, and a late lunch. Any suggested changes?" stocking: that sounds pretty good. Kid: "Thanks. I hope it is a good day." -and so- Yumi: "Ready to depart, Kid?" Kid: (nods) "We will see you later today, Father." lord death: have fun now, you two~ Kid: (smiles) "We will." Yumi: (kiss on Death's cheek) "Call if you need anything." lord death: of course, dear. --And So, They Departed-- *Kid and Yumi on a Bus* Kid: "It's been so long since I took a bus trip around town." Yumi: (smiles) "I and other Death Scythes used to take you on the bus all the time. You would want to stay on all day." -a few people get on and off- Kid: (points to the park) "Here's our stop." (he pulls the cord to get off) -and so, after the park and movie- Kid: (hands her her ice cream cone) "Here you go..." (hands her something else...) "...and, surprisingly, they did have jalapeno sauce..." Yumi: "Thanks!" (covers her chocolate chip ice cream with jalapeno sauce) Kid: ._. "Um..." (keeps quiet, eats his mint ice cream) person: *squick face* Yumi: (glares at bystander) "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?!" person: nothing, ma'am! Kid: 0_0 Yumi: (still glaring, angrily eating her ice cream) "Hmph...This is tasty." (angry eating) "Really tasty. How is yours, Kid?" Kid: "...Excellent, thank you." -elsewhere- Patty: "So, Sis, how was laser tag?" liz: pretty good. *she smiles* Patty: "Who won?" liz: the other team, but we had fun anyways. Patty: "Wes lost it for you?" liz: i wouldnt say that, but in the end, it was a good game, overall. we got dinner afterwards too. Patty: "Where did you go? Was it a good meal?" liz: we went to a burger place. Patty: "Tasty." :3 "Anything else happen on your date?" liz: .............. ./////////. Patty: "Oh-ho-ho...Details, details..." -meanwhile- soul: DUDE REALLY?! Wes: o\\\\\o soul: like...full on the lips or.....just on the cheek or something? Wes: "Th-The lips...mostly." (blushes harder) soul: dude. Wes: "W-What? I haven't dated much." -elsewhere- Yumi: (to a clerk) "Yes, thank you." (picks up the book) "I've been meaning to read this novel for some time." Kid: (nods) "I hope it's enjoyable. What is it about?" Yumi: "It's another Murakami book--someone trying to find a sheep with a star on its side." Kid: "...That's weird." Yumi: "Indeed." -there is a light overcast- Yumi: "Oh, no...We forgot umbrellas." Kid: "Maybe we can purchase ones there..." <> polka dots <> clear <> skulls <> black Kid: "Skulls work?" Yumi: (smirked) "I joined this family, didn't I?" Kid: (chuckles) "Two skull umbrellas, please." -and so- *A bit of rain is falling, as they hold their umbrellas* Kid: "...Mother?" Yumi: "Yes?" Kid: "...I am happy to have you as my mother." Yumi: "..." (nods) "Thank you. And I am happy to have you as my son." *Awkward silence* Yumi: "..." (stops, puts an arm around him, hugs him) Kid: o\\\\\\o (hugs back) Kid: "..." (voice squeaking) "Y-You want to do anything else before we head home?" -elsewhere- Patty: :3 liz: oh shush >////> Patty: "I'm not saying anything! But since you asked, when's your next date?" liz: i-i dont know yet. Patty: "Maybe something a bit more high-energy than dumb old laser tag. How 'bout dancing?" liz: maybe. Patty: "And dinner. Then go back to his place for coffee..." -later, elsewhere- NoFix: "Tch. I would've thought by now you guys would make some cooler type of Clown. Like, one with chainsaws for arms or something." luka: well, the results can be unpredictable at times. perhaps if we used the syrum on a lumberjack or something... NoFix: "Oooooh! Fun! So, what would happen if you used that syrum on a hot super-stud?" luka:.......... NoFix: "..." (frowns) "I was talking about me. Have you ever tried mixing my spinning cells with your clown cells? Maybe make a spinning clown baby?" luka: it would probably end badly for you. NoFix: "...Okay, okay, I'll take your warning. Jeez." (taps glass) "But what am I doing here? I feel like all I've done is bang my old lady over and over and over again." luka: you did repair the generators and speed up the transformation process with some of the subjects. we also got blood samples from you to use. NoFix: "Yeah, but I haven't gotten to kill people in a few weeks now." luka: we have some prisoners downstairs for you. NoFix: "..." (grins) -there are 6 people, of varying age, gender, race, and size- NoFix: "They all look so good, I don't know where to start!" (points at one) "What's the worst way you think you could die?" lady: please....why are you people keeping us here? we didnt do anything to you! NoFix: "You exist: that's enough for me..." lady: wh-what are you doing? NoFix: (opens the cell, spinning his hand) "Givin' you a one-way ticket to your maker..." lady: s-stay away from me! NoFix: (seizes her by the throat) "Sorry, can't hear you over how awesome I am..." lady: !!!! < > Quick kill < > Draw it out <x> Toy with her < > Spare her NoFix: (stop vibrating his hand, rubbing it along her face) lady: w-what are you- NoFix: "It's been a long time since I saw someone like you...Like, a whole 5 minutes." lady: *she doesnt say anything* NoFix: "Want to have some fun before you go?" lady: !!!!! NoFix: "How about a game of Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe?" lady: ?? NoFix: (puts a hand around her shoulder, points to the other jail cells) "I'll pick a prisoner, and if you kill them, then I'll spare your life for one more day. And I get to pick the prisoner. Sounds fun, right?" lady: ........ NoFix: "Great! Let's start off!" (takes her hands, puts a knife in it, and then grabs her hand so the knife points at each cell as he says..." "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe!" lady: ............ < > Prisoner #1 < > Prisoner #2 < > #3 <x> #4 < > #5 *Prisoner #4, who is twice as big as the Lady and looks furious* lady: *gulp* NoFix: "Ooooh...I don't think it looks good for you, ma'am." (whispers) "Better luck next time..." (gestures to Guard to put the Lady into Prisoner #4's cell) lady: *whimpering* Prisoner #4: (cracks his knuckles) "You're in for a world of hurt, little girl. I've survived two prison sentences, killed five meisters, and tortured dozens of people. You think you got a shot with your little knife?" NoFix: "Them's fightin' words! You gonna take that off of him, Lady?!" lady: please...i-i just want to go home! Prisoner #4: "...I'll make it quick." (lunges at her) lady: *SHE SCREAMS AND JABS THE KNIFE INTO HER THROAT* NoFix: "...Shit. I didn't see that happening." (snaps fingers) "Clean up on Aisle #4 please!" Prisoner #4: "!!! Shit!": lady: *she's twitching and choking on her own blood, before her body begins to change....horrifically.* NoFix: "?! What the what?" Prisoner #4: "Hey! Hey, man, get this chick out of here! What's happening?!" -the creature then begins to scream and sink its teeth into the man- Prisoner #4: "Fuck! Get off me, you bitch!" (slams his arm against the wall, trying to shake the Creature loose) NoFix: "Tch. If I had a nickel for every time I said that..." luka: oh mother- GET A CONTAINMENT TEAM IN HERE, STAT! NoFix: "Aw, come on! This was just getting good!" Prisoner #4: (shrieking) "What's going on?!" -elsewhere- Kid: "We're home." Yumi: "Hello?" Yumi: "Anyone here?" liz: hey. lord death: welcome home! *he kisses her forehead* Yumi: (smiles) "Happy to be back. It was a very enjoyable day." stocking: hey babe~ *she hugs kid* Kid: (blushes) "Hello yourself." (hugs back) liz: so how was the outting? Kid: "I had fun: we took in the sights around town, picked up a new book for Mother..." liz: ah. Kid: "It was a good day." (smiles at Yumi) "It will be only get better." Yumi: (smiles) stocking: so what do you want to do? Kid: *stomach grumbles* "...Maybe a snack?" Yumi: *louder grumbling* "Y-Yeah..." stocking: yeah. Kid: "What would everyone like? Something savory?" (smirks at Stocking) "A little bit sweet?" stocking: yes please~ Kid: (smiles) "I'll whip up something good..." Kid: "Liz, could you help me?" liz: sure thing. Kid: "I'll get to work on cookies--could you prepare a small dish for all of us, something not-sweet but filling?" -and so, elsewhere- Hibana: (slaps at a mosquito) shinra: nice shot. Hibana: "I hate these pests...Gabriella, don't you have anything to deter bugs?" gabriella: i have bug spray. Hibana: "That will help, thank you." shinra:....*he looks over at arthur* Arthur: "..." (poking a stick into the dirt, drawing dragons and a cat-ear princess...) shinra: you ok? Arthur: "Wh-What?" (sweats, smiles nervously, unleashing his inner-Shinra) "F-Fine! I'm fine!" (pause) "I'm going to climb a tree now. Excuse me." (proceeds to try climbing a tree) shinra:...................... Arthur: (about halfway up the tree, slowly climbing like the world's most nervous grizzly bear) Hibana: "...Huh. We found someone weirder than you, Kid." Arthur: ("Damn...these big-ass trees...") iris: will he be ok? shinra: define 'ok'. Akitaru: "..." (looks at Hibana) "Welp, I think we better put in a call to Leo when we get back home." Hibana: "Agreed. This is just sad." Arthur: (at the top of the tree, shouts) "I will let you know if any dragons are approaching the camp!" shinra: i feel so reassured. Takehisa: (shouting) "Don't fall: it'll take too long for an ambulance to get here and you will die painfully from a broken neck." maki: D: Akitaru: "...Well, who's up for a swim in the lake?" shinra: sure! maki: hell yeah! Hibana: (laughs) "Good thing I brought my swimsuit. Gabriella, you will join us?" gabriella: of course ma'am! Hibana: "And you, Sister?" iris: i'll pass, but i can watch like a lifeguard or something. Hibana: :3 "Whatever you say~" -and so- Hibana: (in a white bikini, splashing at Gabriella) gabriella: ah, haha! Takehisa: (in floaties and a bathing cap and old-timey one-piece men's swimsuit) "..." shinra: *in fire print trunks* cold water.... Akitaru: (slaps Shinra on the back) "Aw, come on! Cold water builds character!" [also in trunks] maki: *splashing around* haha! *she is in a two piece as well* Takehisa: (glances at Maki) -\\\\\- Hibana: (splashes at Maki) "Cute swimsuit." iris: *she's watching them, wearing capri pants and a t-shirt* maki: thanks, i got it this summer. Hibana: "Hmmm..." (stares at her GPS bracelet) "If I wasn't under house arrest, I'd go to the beach...unless the 8th could make an exception as they did for this trip to the woods..." shinra: doesnt takehisa have the tracker at the campsite? Takehisa: (nods) "I don't see a reason why a beach trip is not possible, assuming you remain in our custody." Hibana: "Oh, good. I could use some work on my tan." (eyes Gabriella) "You could, too." -elsewhere- Yohei: "..." chie: *she is sitting next to him* Yohei: (slides his laptop away) "How you feeling, Chie? Awake?" chie: yeah...... Yohei: "...Want to talk?" chie:....i'm worried. you havent slept in a few days..... Yohei: (rubs a hand along his face, feeling the stubble) "Yeah...Sorry. My mind's stuck on workaholic mode since we haven't found NoFix..." chie:.... *she places a hand on his cheek* i want to find him as much as you, but you shouldnt deprive yourself of sleep over it... Yohei: (shudders a bit at her touch) "S-Sorry...I'm just...NoFix got into my head...I don't want him doing that again to anyone else." chie:........ *she hugs him* we will find him... Yohei: "...Chie? How 'bout we have some tea...then I'll try to sleep. Okay?" chie: sure thing. the kids are asleep now anyway... Yohei: "...That's good." (gets up and goes to the kitchen, yawns) "Chie, actually...Could you help me? I don't want to burn the room down boiling water 'cause I fell asleep..." chie: of course. *she smiles* *One brewed tea later* Yohei: *sips* "This is good..." chie: thanks. Yohei: "...Chie?" chie: yeah? Yohei: "...There's at least one other reason I haven't been sleeping." chie: and whats that? Yohei: "Night terrors." chie:.........*her expression is solemn* Yohei: "When NoFix got into my head, at least two times now, he..." (sets his teacup down, removes packet of cigarettes...and slides them away from him towards Chie, to keep away from him) "It doesn't stop." chie: .............. *she holds his hand* Yohei: "It's one major reason I don't feel comfortable sleeping...He's out there...and I think he's getting into my head again." chie:.... *she hugs him* Yohei: "..." (cries a bit) chie:.... *she rubs his back* Yohei: (crying a lot more, trying to collect himself as he holds onto her) chie: just let it out....i'm right here....we're all here... Yohei: (keeps crying, as he starts to calm down, as the images of the past start to fade away...and he just focuses on who is holding him) "Th-Thanks..." chie: of course. *she smiles warmly* Yohei: (nods, yawns, starts to lose consciousness...) chie:.......zzzzzz..... Yohei: (holds her as they both sleep...) -elsewhere, the next morning- Yumi: "Zzzz..." lord death: zzzzzzzz........ Yumi: (hugs him, resting her hand on his chest) lord death: *purrs* Yumi: (yawns, smiles) "It's like having a full-grown cat in my bed..." lord death: *yaaaawn* mornin'.... Yumi: "Good morning, Love." (she kisses his lips) lord death: mmmm~<3 Yumi: (hugs him...) "Oh!" lord death: you alright? Yumi: (blushes) "Y-Yes...I just forgot about..." (looks down) lord death:..... *he rubs her stomach* morning little one~ Yumi: (sighs) "February feels a long way off..." -meanwhile- Kid: (sighs) liz: you ok? Kid: (stretching) "Yes, just thinking..." liz: the mission tomorrow? Kid: (nods) "I hope for the best: we could be on our way to finally stopping that menace." liz: yeah. Kid: "...I think we all will need a good night's sleep..." (looks nervously at some papers) liz: *she looks at them too* Kid: (sighs) "Liz...I was reviewing...my will." liz: !!! Kid: "Just...wanting to be thorough in case..." liz:........ Kid: "I'm sorry. I'm just...worried after our last mission." liz:....... Kid: "...I will have them submitted back to the family lawyer today. I made no revisions...I had earlier..." liz: ah........ Kid: "...When did you last review your will?" liz: O___________O;;; Kid: "S-Sorry...I just was curious..." -at school- Arthur: "..." shinra: *looking at papers* Arthur: (looking around the room) "Where is she...?" shinra:....*shrugs* Arthur: "...Maybe I should see her, when Commanders Obi and Hibana visit Burns today." shinra: sounds like a good plan. Arthur: (nods, returns to schoolwork) -at lunch- Kid: (trying to get through his meal...) stocking: *worried* Patty: (silent) liz: ................ Kid: "...We'll be fine." liz: i just hope you're right... Kid: "..." (puts an arm around Stocking, one around Patty) Patty: (grabs Liz's hand) -later- Kid: (holds Stocking's hand) stocking:...... Kid: "Stocking, I...I don't know what to say." stocking: you dont have to say anything if you dont want. *she smiles* Kid: "..." (hugs her) stocking: *she rubs his back* Kid: (sighs) "I don't want to lose you, Stocking..." stocking:...... Kid: "..." (holds her) "I want to get stronger..." stocking: and you will. i believe in you. Kid: "..." (nods, kisses her cheek) -elsewhere- Yohei: "Zzzz..." chie: *napping next to him* Shotaro: (in another room) "Hey, where're Yohei and Chie?" mana: they're taking a nap. Shotaro: "Well, that's good--Yohei looked like he was going to collapse." Tuhl: (stretches) "Hey, you two--the fridge is telling me that we're low on kiwi juice." (hands them some money) "Go get some, and some more milk." mana: ok then. Shotaro: "Woot! Good deed!" (takes the money and runs with Mana) Tuhl: (glances at Yohei's room) -elsewhere- Hibana: "We are here from the 8th." (nods to Akitaru and Arthur) "We are here to see Commander Burns." officer: right this way. Arthur: (looks around the area) Akitaru: "How long you been here, Officer?" officer: about 2 years now. Hibana: "How do you like it here at the 1st?" officer: it's nice i guess. big building. Hibana: "Hmm..." Akitaru: "...We are sorry for your loss, Officer. Amber was a great person." officer: it's pretty fucked up. kids her age shouldnt be dying at all, let alone like that... Hibana: "..." (flashbacks to the nuns dying in flames...) Akitaru: "...If you ever need to talk with someone, we're here." (looks at the Officer...and also Hibana and Arthur) Hibana: (small blush) Arthur: "...Officer, where is Tamaki?" officer: she should be in her room. Arthur: "...Permission to see her, sirs?" Hibana: "...I would ask the Officer..." officer: you can try, but i dont know if she- Arthur: "I'll try anyway." (salutes, walks off) Hibana: "And where is Commanders Burns?" -and so- Arthur: "..." (knocks on Tamaki's door) tamaki: !! what do you want?! Arthur: "It's me..." tamaki: !! w-why are you here? Arthur: "Commanders Obi and Hibana are meeting with Burns...and I wanted to see you." tamaki: i-i'm really not- Arthur: "...'Not' what?" tamaki: i'm a little bit in the middle of getting dressed right now! Arthur: "..." o\\\\\o "Um...Can we talk when you finish getting dressed?" tamaki: .......... Arthur: "...Please? I want to talk." tamaki:......fine. just....let me get ready first. Arthur: "..." -and so- Arthur: "...Hi." tamaki: hey.... *she's in a nice crop top with a bow logo on it and jeans* Arthur: "...You look well." tamaki: ...... Arthur: "...I'm sorry." tamaki:....you didnt do anything.... Arthur: "I'm sorry for your loss." tamaki:........ *she tenses* Arthur: "..." (awkward pat on the shoulder) tamaki:.......*she curls up* Arthur: "..." (puts other hand on her shoulder) tamaki: w-wha? Arthur: (pulls her in for a hug) tamaki: o///o !! Arthur: "You're going to be okay. I won't let you get hurt..." tamaki:........ o-oh sh-shut up... *she's shaking* Arthur: "Tamaki, I mean it...Just as I know you would make sure I don't get hurt..." tamaki: *she doesnt reply* Arthur: (holds her, pats her back) -elsewhere- Akitaru: (pours drinks, slides one to Burns) Burns: (sips) "This is unnecessary." Hibana: "You're safety is a top priority: you and I both had assassination attempts. That is no coincidence." Burns: (gestures to an Officer) "Any updates for Obi and Hibana that we can provide them?" officer: just a sketch of the assailant. Burns: (gestures to show it to Akitaru and Hibana) Hibana: "Hmph...Not much in the way of style with this one. So, no known name for this assassin?" officer: not that we can tell. Akitaru: "I trust that, if you get more info, you'll share it with us, right?" Burns: "..." (smiles) "Of course." Hibana: -_- ("Oh, sure--I know an insincere smile when I see one...") -elsewhere- NoFix: "...Well, that happened." luka:............... *irrate and drinking her coffee* NoFix: "...What? At least I finally got to see some people die! That was freaking sweet! It's been a long time since I saw someone turned inside out!" luka: count your blessings you weren’t bit.... NoFix: "True that. So, what're you gonna with Prisoner #4?" luka: he survived, but is still comatose. we'll begin testing once he wakes up. NoFix: "Well, if you ever need me to turn prisoners against each other to help expedite unleashing horrifying mutations in them, I'm your guy!" (smirks) "I'm pretty much everybody's guy..." luka:....... NoFix: "...So, it's 2:10. I've managed to get someone killed, and I need to fuck." luka: tmi. NoFix: "So, no volunteers in this room? No?" (looks at his hand) "Well, it's just you and me, Lefty." luka: *hurk* NoFix: (holds up his right hand, which now has a face drawn onto it as a hand puppet) NoFix: (high voice for the right hand) "Oh, I see--cheating behind my back, huh?!" NoFix: "No, I cheat on you in the front: I may be gifted, but I ain't that gifted!" NoFix: (left hand puppet, falsetto voice as well) "We could make it a threesome: two hands are better than one!" luka: goodbye. *she walks away* kinuta:.......fourway? hell lets make it a fucking orgy in here! NoFix: "...Finally, some privacy..." (starts unzipping his pants) "Come to me, you vixen witch you!" -in the other room- Solence: "..." -in another building- Asura: (pats Mikan's back) "Better?" mikan: *she nods, cradling heibito* Asura: "Hungry?" mikan: *she nods* Asura: (pats her back) "Very well." (examines the offerings...) mikan: let see.. eenie...meenie...miney....you. *she wraps her hair around the neck of one person* Victim: (choking) "P-Please..." mikan: are you willing to die? Victim: (trying to shake their head) "Don't kill me..." mikan:.....nope. *she continues to tighten her grip* Victim: (choking, eyes bulging until...) mikan: nighty night~ *SNAP* -the other sacrifices wince- Asura: (smiles) "Why must you play with your food?" mikan: their horrified expressions amuse me. Asura: "I like you looking amused..." (kisses her forehead) mikan: hehe~ Asura: "Well, eat up: you need your strength." (looks at Heibito) "Both of you." heibito: *hungry crying* mikan: *she smiles and pulls a breast out to feed him* eat up, sweetie. Asura: (smiles as his child suckles and grows sleepy) mikan: *she smiles* Asura: "Rest. I'll watch over you." -elsewhere- Kid: "..." stocking: you ok? Kid: (shakes his head) "I'm trying to focus on our mission..." stocking: i'm nervous too... Kid: "...All we have are our skills, our bonds with our teammates, and faith. And there is something that worries me whether that is going to be enough." -and so- Yumi: "You all have your instructions. Please double-check your equipment before departing." liz: yes, ma'am. Yumi: (hugs Kid) "Be careful." Kid: "...I will." -and so, they get onto the dirt bikes- Kid: (riding a dirtbike, thinking) liz:...... Patty: (in a side car, silent as well) justin: we're just about there now... Black Star: "Good. Getting tired of getting sand in my mouth--Pfft!" soul:..... Kid: (spots something) "What...?" -there is a large, metallic structure ahead. it looks abandoned...from the outside, at least- Kid: "...I think I'm sensing something..." stocking: what is it? Kid: "...A soul? But it is not typical...I have felt it somewhere before..." (eyes widen) "When Christa..." stocking: ?? Kid: "This feels like...a mutated soul, screaming in agony...and laughing." stocking: !!! -another soul is inside. a lonely, mournful soul. a sorrowful winged soul- Kid: (gasps, falls onto his knees) liz: kid? kid?! Kid: (shuddering) "Such...sadness..." stocking:...... Kid: "...I think someone is imprisoned in here." stocking: i bet that's our sage... Kid: "How should we proceed? I suggest we have one party infiltrate...but should someone stay here?" -and so- Gopher: "..." (looking along the walls at the writing) -there are several terminals with written logs on them, presumably from researchers who long since abandoned the facility- Kid: (examines one log...) entry #12: the woman that was brought in a few weeks ago finally began to comply, but progress is rather slow. however, we did reach a small breakthrough. with the research we uncovered, we will begin with 'project Couturier'. Kid: " 'The woman'...'Couturier'..." (looks to Gopher and Kirika) "What does this mean?" kirika: *shrug* Kid: "...Be on your guard." (puts the log into his backpack) liz:.... *she looks at a camera, long since broken* Patty: "Maybe there's a security room, you know, where all the footage is kept..." liz: maybe. Kid: (brushes hand along one terminal) "What did they do to people here?" stocking: from what i can tell, human experimentation... Kid: "How long ago?" liz: looks like since the 80s, maybe early 90s? Kid: "Yet I am sensing at least one soul..." (points to another room) liz: ?? Kid: "...Be ready." (approaches the door...) -the door is closed, but the screws seem old and rusty- Kid: (clutches the knob, to see whether it will open...) -it appears locked- kirika: alright, step back. *she uses her claw weapons to break the screws, causing the door to fall over with a loud THUD* Kid: (gestures for him and Kirika to go in first) kirika: *she looks around* Kid: (looking as well, seeing lab equipment...and an examination table) kirika: creepy. Kid: "I doubt even Stein would feel at home here..." (finds a broken bench--and claw marks) -there are several tools on a tray, covered in rust....at least you _hope_ it's rust...- Kid: (covering his mouth) -there is dust and red stains on the walls- Kid: "My God...what happened here?" -there are a few corpses along the walls, most of them in lab coats- Gopher: (gags) Kid: (shuddering) kirika: *she looks at one of the ID cards the corpses have* Gopher: (trying not to vomit) "W-Who are these people? What does the ID say?" kirika: ..... 'Dr Ivan Faustus. Wing Delta' *she looks at the walls* wing delta..... Kid: " 'Wing'...What could that have to do with the Sky Sage...?" liz: i think it means a like a building wing. *she points to a map terminal* Kid: "...Oh. Um...So, what are the other wings to this building?" liz: wing Alpha, wing Beta, wing Gamma, wing Omega and this wing, wing delta. Kid: "I hesitate to break off into teams...but I also worry that the longer we are here, the greater danger we face..." stocking:.... !!! there's someone down there... Kid: (gestures for all to follow Stocking to the person) stocking: *she finds a cell with a woman inside* ???: ..... !!!! Kid: "It's okay. We are here to help." ???:....... stocking: *she summons her swords and slashes the lock, which falls off* Kid: (opens the door, sets one foot into the cell...) ???: *she stands up, stumbling slightly* Kid: (approaches, offering his arm to steady her) ???: t....thank you... Kid: "You're going to be okay." (tries to turn on communicator to outside team) -and so, they exit with the woman and a few files that were dug up- Kid: "Justin, retrieve the first aid kit." justin: *he removes it from the side of the dirt bike and hands it to kid* Kid: (cleaning wounds, applying bandages) "You're going to be safe. We are with the DWMA." ???: *she looks at stocking*....what was the name you were given? stocking: ??? Kid: "Ma'am? What are asking?" stocking: m-my name is stocking. stocking pheles. why do you ask? Kid: "..." ????: *she smiles, crying tears of joy* so he found you... Kid: "..." (light bulb) stocking: what do- -the woman hugs stocking tightly- Kid: "..." (steps back) stocking: !!!??? ???: you've grown into a lovely young woman... Kid: ("It's her...") ???: my name is Felisia....you probably wont believe me, and i cant blame you....but i'm your mother. stocking: !!!!! soul: well that escalated quickly. Patty: "..." (pulls out cell phone, about to hit the "DUN DUN DUN" button) liz: PATTI NOT NOW JUST GIVE THEM A MOMENT!! TT~TT Patty: "...I'm gonna press it later." Kid: (practically crying) stocking: y-you're lying.... Kid: "???" felisia: .......i understand if you dont believe me, i wasnt there for you when you were small. stocking: oh really now?! NO SHIT! Kid: o_o Patty: "...Now may I press the button?" felisia: stocking, please, i'm sorry- stocking: really? well then that fixes everything! oh wait a second, no it doesnt! it doesnt change everything i was put through. all the ridicule, the torture, the abuse. even after my dad found me, i still suffered torment from others. and this is BEFORE i found out i was a half blood monster! Kid: "Stocking? I think you may want to--" stocking: *her eyes went red* JUST STAY OUT OF THIS REAPER! Kid: "..." (heartbroken) "Stocking..." stocking:...........*she breaths heavily and her eyes go back to normal*.....kid....i think....i want to go home now... Kid: "..." (frowns) "Fine. Justin, please escort Felisia: she will need additional treatment when we get home." -later- stocking: *in her room, silent*.......................... Kid: "..." (outside her door, hesitating to knock...) \she probably hates you now\ \disgusting trash\ \you should just die\ \despicable\ \kill yourself scum\ \worthless\ Kid: ("...You motherfucker.") (knocks on the door) ("I'll show you who isn't worthless...") "Stocking?" stocking:............. Kid: "Would you like some water? Something to eat? ...To talk?" stocking:.................. Kid: "Stocking? May I come in?" stocking:...................... -the door appears unlocked- Kid: (turns the handle, opens just a crack) "Stocking...I'm here if you...want me here." stocking: i dont feel like talking to anyone... *her tone is cold* Kid: "...Okay. I'll bring you some water." (starts to close the door) stocking:............................ \see? i told you she hates you\ \why not slit your goddamn wrists while you're at it?\ Kid: ("...") "Back in a moment..." (walks down the stairs. "Oh, here's an idea: shut up, because I am tending to her, not you.") \why bother when she probably doesnt love you anymore? you worthless worm\ Kid: (fills up the glass of water... "Okay. Let's entertain your idea. Why do you think that a relationship somehow ends--that love stops--in the face of adversity? No: I am with the person I love through easy times and hard times. I was before, I am now. And you can go to hell.") \how can you be certain those feelings arent one-sided?\ Kid: "..." (finishes filling the glass...then smirks) "You're right. I don't know whether those feelings are one-sided." \then just die\ Kid: "No, you misunderstand." (looks at his reflection in the water, and smile sincerely, if sadly) "I don't know whether those feelings are one-sided. And I persist. Because that is the definition of faith. I have faith in Stocking, and you should too." \she is ours. and ours alone. you dont even deserve her\ Kid: (takes the glasses upstairs. "She is her own person, with her own choices, and I will thank you to remember that. She deserves whatever she wants to make us happy: this is her choice...") (knocks on the door) stocking:...................... Kid: "I have water...I can set it out here if you wish." stocking:.............................. Kid: "...I'll leave it here...Stocking? I-I love you..." stocking:........................................ \she doesnt\ Kid: (2x heartbroken) "...I'll see you in the morning. Good night." (turns and starts walking back to his room) -the next morning- Kid: (crying into his pillow in bed) liz: kid?....... Kid: "L-Liz!" (wipes his face, puts on a smile) "G-Good morning..." liz:.......... Kid: "How are you?" liz:.......you know, i can tell when you're faking it... Kid: (fake smile persists...and then the tears start falling) liz: kid....... Kid: "I'm an idiot...I feel all this self-pity, when it is Stocking I should feel badly for..." liz:.....want to talk to her? \selfish bastard\ Kid: (wiping his tears) "Sh-She won't talk with me..." ("STOP.") liz:........come on. Kid: "Wh-Where?" -at stocking's door- stocking:................... Kid: "...Liz...I can't..." liz: kid, just suck it up and talk to her. she trusts you. Kid: "..." (knocks on the door) "Stocking?" -its open- Kid: (looks at Liz) "I..." liz: *she nods, as if to give him permission to go in* Kid: "..." (pushes the door, entering) stocking:......*she's curled up on the bed* ......... Kid: "..." (approaches, sits on the bed) stocking: *she looks at him with a sorrowful expression*................hey....... Kid: "...Hi." (eyes softening) stocking:.......................*she pulls her legs closer to her*................ Kid: "...Did you sleep?" stocking:..........barely...... Kid: "...You should try to get some more sleep. Would you like some medicine? Tea? Milk?" stocking:.....i dont know......... Kid: "..." (awkwardly puts an arm around her) stocking:............. *she leans into him* Kid: (holds her, silently) stocking: i............................i'm sorry kid......i was just so upset...........i lost control and took it out on you.............i must be a pretty shitty girlfriend, huh? Kid: "No. You are a person with emotions. I understand. And I forgive you." stocking: .......i just.... i'm just so mad at her.....that she wasnt there when i needed her......she barely knows a think about me....who i am....anything..... Kid: "...Stocking? If you had the chance to know your mother, and you never took up that opportunity...how would you feel?" stocking: i......i dont know.......i dont know how to feel.....i-i'm scared... Kid: "...You are brave. You will get through this. Just give it time." stocking:.....i'm not sure if i want to call her my mother yet.... Kid: (nods) "You don't have to. But...I think it would help you to talk to her, when you are ready." stocking:............i'm sorry....... Kid: "It's fine. I forgive you." (holds her...and cries a bit) "I'm sorry." stocking:............. Kid: "I'm sorry this has all happened." stocking:......................... Kid: "..." (holds her for a bit) "Are you hungry?" stocking:....a little..... Kid: "Care to join me in the kitchen?" stocking:....ok... --In the kitchen-- Kid: (slicing a bit of cake) "Would this work?" stocking:....i guess..... Kid: (passes plate to her, slices a bit for himself...eats slowly, silent) stocking:..... -elsewhere- Spirit: "Naigus, what can you tell me about the patient Kid's team brought in?" nygus: well, she isnt human, and apparently she is stocking's mother. Spirit: "Hmm...What injuries does she have?" nygus: external or emotional? Spirit: "That bad, huh? Let's start with bodily." -later- Yumi: "I'm worried." lord death: about kid? Yumi: "And Stocking...to find her mother again..." lord death: ah..... Yumi: "...I...can't entirely blame Stocking..." lord death: oh? Yumi: "...There are people in my family I do not want to see ever again...That's awful. But it's what I feel..." *sniff* lord death:...yumi.....*he hugs her* Yumi: "...I don't want to lose a family. Not again." lord death: *he lifts his mask up and kisses her gently* Yumi: (returns the kiss, holding onto him, her eyes a bit wet) lord death: *he strokes her back* Yumi: "...If it was you...if you were Stocking...would you see your mother?" lord death:............................ Yumi: "..." (buries her head) "I'm sorry." lord death: it's fine. Yumi: "..." (hugs him tighter) -elsewhere- Yohei: (wakes up with a start) chie: ?? yohei? Yohei: (pants) "I--I saw wings..." chie: wings? *confused as heck* Yohei: "S-Sorry...I had a weird dream...Like...someone with wings..." chie: huh. Yohei: "...Maybe I need to quit smoking." chie:..... Yohei: "...I need a shower." (brushes his face) "And a shave. Th-Thanks, Chie...for letting me sleep here." chie: no problem. Yohei: "..." (blushes) -elsewhere- Ponera: (putting an ear to Medusa's belly) medusa:.... Ponera: "...Hang on...I'll hear the little babe kick..." medusa:...... -a scream is heard- Ponera: "...What was that?" grimoire: ....... !!! Noah: "Aw, what a fun new toy..." (tossing his bone-shiv up into the air) medusa: !!! milia: l-let me go! Ponera: (furious) "Unhand her!" (stands between him and Medusa) milia: *terrified* Noah: (draws the knife along Milia's dress, dull side towards her dress/body) medusa: *covers her stomach* Nals: (hidden in shadows, watching...waiting...) milia: *tearful and afraid* Noah: "...Oh, hey! Skank! Haven't seen you in a while since you LEFT ME TO ROT!" (slices the blade along edge of Milia's dress, tearing off part of the sleeve) medusa: unhand her. shaula: *scorpion hair tail mode* you wanna fuckin go?! Noah: "Sure." (points the knife at Medusa) "When you give me what I want?" (glares at Shaula) "...Who the fuck are you?" shaula: your ex's sister, did ya really forget about me? woooow rude. Noah: "...I am greedy, acquiring the best I can. If I don't know you, you must be worthless." (brings knife back to Milia's throat) "You want me gone? You want this bitch to live? Then you give me Medusa, give me my child, give me my book, and let me out." milia: *whimpering* medusa:.......... Ponera: "You are not leaving here alive, you abomination." (holds Medusa's hand) Noah: "...Then say goodbye to your witch." (brings the knife closer to Milia when--) milia: *SCREAM* ???: "No!" (slash) medusa: !! milia: ah- Noah: "..." (looks down--at a sword through his chest) "What the...?" Nals: "...Let her go." milia: !! Noah: "..." (smirks, backhands Nals, who still stands but is hit hard) Nals: "Ugh! A little help, Grimoire!" grimoire: with pleasure. *grins* -and so- Killbell: "...Oh no. Am I gonna have to clean that up?" (points to blood on the wall) shaula: amazing he isnt dead yet. milia: nalsie you saved me! *glomp* ~<3 Nals: (clutching his side) "Stop...I'm in pain there..." Ponera: "Good work, all." (stamps her heel on Noah's groin) Noah: "Ug..." -later, grimoire had to seal noah in the book of enoch, and placed a barrier seal on the book to prevent him from escaping- Ponera: "..." (pats Grimoire's back) "Thank you." grimoire: at least he wont be as noisy now. -in the other world, inside the book- Noah: "Arg!" (slams his fist on the barrier--that fails to break) "Let me out!" noelle: seems that guy is pretty powerful, no wonder the index is so enamored with the guy. Noah: "Shut up! I am far stronger--or _we_ are, if you all were joining me in this battle!" -elsewhere in this barrier world- pandora: and the prodigal asshole returns. [Noah: "You kiss your mother with that mouth?"] Mad!Kid: "Hmph. This location got decidedly more unpleasant." -elsewhere, not in the book- Yumi: "...Stocking." stocking: yes? Yumi: "...Would you like to help me with something in the garden?" stocking:.....sure. -In the garden- Yumi: "I'm happy with how these are growing...It took a long time to get them to mature." stocking: *she nods* Yumi: "To grow well, it takes patience, effort...and forgiving yourself when you don't do as well as you wish you could." stocking:.......... Yumi: "Anything worth having requires work. It doesn't mean the result will be as you want it to turn out." (pulls a weed from the garden) "I had to screw up on a lot of gardens to figure out how to make a good one. It's not enjoyable to see people are not imperfect, that they disappoint themselves...and others. But they're only human...mostly." stocking: ........... Yumi: (finishes her work, smiles) "Well, that wraps it up. Thank you, Stocking." -later- Kid: (cleaning his room, vigorously) liz: you ok? Kid: "F-Fine. Just cleaning. Cleaning. Everything needs to be cleaned." (stares at the wall) "Do you see any fingerprints left?" liz: ??? Kid: "Just want everything to be absolutely clean. Has to be perfect. Perfect. PERFECT." (nosebleed) liz:......... Kid: "..." (collapses) liz: k-kid!! Kid: (bleeding from the nose, overwhelmed by mess) "I-I need...order. Everything is better in order. Nice and tidy and clean. Clean. Clean it all. Clean clean clean." -SLAP- Kid: o_____o "...SERIOUSLY?!" liz: kid, just snap out of it! Kid: "At least slap the other side to make it symmetrical!" -SLAP- liz: kid....just calm down...come on, breath in... Kid: (breathing steadily, calmly) "Thank you. I needed that." (gets up) stocking:...... Kid: "...Stocking?" stocking:......... *she hugs him* Kid: "??? ..." (returns the hug) stocking: it's ok, kid... Kid: "Y-Yes, it is...Are you okay?" stocking: j-just worried......i love you kid.... Kid: "I love you, too." (holds her more tightly but still gently) -that night, she laid next to him- Kid: (holds her) stocking: i'm sorry....... *whimpering* Kid: "It's okay." (holds her at the waist) "I understand." stocking: i shouldnt have taken it out on you..... Kid: "You were upset, so I can understand that frustration. And I forgive you, as you have forgiven me countless times." stocking: i lost control of myself.....kid....there's something frightening inside me.....something i dont know how to control....and im scared................kid..........if i ever lose control......and i end up too lost to be saved.............i want you to be the one who strikes me down.... Kid: "Wh-What?" (he sits up) "Stocking, that is never going to happ--" stocking: kid.....please..... -she's trembling- Kid: "..." (holds her steady) "Okay. I will. But it is never going to come to that. I will make sure of it." stocking:.....*crying into his chest* Kid: "..." (holds her, letting her cry, as he pats her back and smooths her hair) stocking: ........... Kid: (kisses her forehead) "I love you. I have, and I always will." stocking: *slowly falling asleep in his arms* Kid: *yawns, slowly falling asleep* -the next morning- Kid: "Zzz..." -later- Kid: (in the kitchen, preparing breakfast silently) stocking: ..... *drinking her milk* Kid: (finishes the waffles, bringing them to the table) "Would you like one?" stocking:... *she nods* Kid: (puts two waffles on the plate) "Any toppings?" stocking:..strawberries please... Kid: (smiles) "Okay." (sets out strawberries) -later, at school- Patty: "You guys okay coming back to classes?" stocking: yeah. liz: looks like tamaki still isnt here... Arthur: (overhearing) "..." Kid: "...We should focus." (opens his book) -during class- Spirit: (leading class, his arm no longer in the sling) "That is why it is important to practice a healthy diet as a weapon. While you are transformed, difficulties with your human form can compromise your abilities in weapon form." mio: .... tsugumi: *writing things down* Meme: (glances at Mio, whispers) "You okay?" Anya: ("Fascinating..." writes more notes) mio: yeah. -at lunch- Kid: (brings water to Stocking, smiles) stocking: *smiles* thanks babe... Kid: "You're welcome." (sits next to her, sad smile, quiet) stocking:........*She leans on him slightly* Kid: (flinches, then relaxes...puts an arm around her) stocking: *she seems content* Kid: (quiet) "May I get you something else to eat or drink?" stocking: i'm ok. Kid: (nods, slides a plate towards him...with a slice of strawberry cake) "I guess this is just for me then..." stocking: QAQ Kid: (holds the fork to her) "Just kidding~" stocking:.........*nom*............ Kid: (smiles) "Another bite?" stocking:....... Kid: (holds some cake on the fork to her) "Maybe?" -after school- Kid: "...What would you like to do, Stocking?" stocking: i dont really know.... Kid: "Tired? Maybe nap?" stocking:.....yeah..... Kid: "...Okay. Anything you want me to do?" stocking:.....could you hold me close? Kid: "...Of course." -in stocking's room- stocking:........ Kid: (holds her close) stocking:........*nuzzles* Kid: (strokes her back) stocking: mmm...... Kid: (kisses her forehead) stocking:.........*sniff* Kid: "You're okay. It's going to be okay." stocking: *weeping into his chest* Kid: (stroking her back, holding her, humming lightly) stocking: *hic*.....*sniffle*....*choking back tears* Kid: (silent, holds her) stocking:......... *she starts to calm down a little* Kid: "My angel...You're going to be fine." stocking: t-thank you kid..... Kid: "You're welcome." *Yawn* "I am here..." stocking: mmmm..... Kid: (kisses her cheek) stocking:....zzzzzzz..... Kid: *Yawns* "Zzz..." -elsewhere- Arthur: "..." maki:...... Arthur: "..." (taps the table) "Useless." iris: *she brings in the drinks* Arthur: "...Thank you." (takes a glass of water) shinra: any progress? Arthur: "...She still is not coming to school. I suggested therapy..." shinra: .......commander? Akitaru: "Well, I--" Hibana: "Burns is trying to get through to her, and it is not going well." Akitaru: "...I think he was speaking to me." -_-; shinra:.....yeah. Akitaru: (clears throat) "As Hibana said, Tamaki is taking her time to cope with what has happened in her own way. I think it is important for you all to be there for her when she needs it." iris:.....*she nods* Arthur: "I don't know...Tamaki seemed like there was something else keeping her there..." shinra: like what? Arthur: "...Is there something about Burns that seems off to anyone else?" shinra: ?? Arthur: "What do we know about him? Why is someone trying to kill him? Maybe they have a reason?" Hibana: (slams her glass down, glaring at Arthur) "...And what about me? After someone tried to assassinate me? You really want to go there, you little shit?" iris: sister, just breath. gabriella: easy now, princess. Hibana: "You tell me to calm down when I had someone try to..." (pushes away) "I need air." (leaves) Arthur: (frowns) "Tch. Looks like I touched a nerve--" -elsewhere- Spirit: "..." (outside infirmary) justin: good evening. Spirit: "Good evening, Justin. I was wondering how the latest patient is doing?" justin: disheartened, mostly. Spirit: "Do you think I could speak with her?" justin: i suppose it'd be ok. felisia:............. Spirit: "Pardon me, ma'am?" felisia: ......hello.... Spirit: "My name is Spirit. I'm a friend of Justin's, the man who accompanied you here to Death City." felisia: ........... Spirit: "...I wanted you to know that you are safe here, and as someone with the Death Weapon Meister Academy, I wanted to offer any help that I can provide. Is there anything I can get for you?" felisia:......... Spirit: "...I'm a parent, too. And I lost her..." felisia:.......oh.... Spirit: "And if I could see her again..." (sighs) "I...hope Stocking comes here soon." -later on- Kid: "Zzz..." -the next morning, at school- Spirit: "...Um, Stocking?" stocking: yeah? Spirit: "Glad to see you in class. You finish your homework?" stocking: yeah. Spirit: "Good...I was wondering if you could do something for me. You have any flower recommendations?" stocking: flowers? Spirit: "Yes. I wanted some to brighten up my room." stocking: hmmm.... maybe some marigolds? Spirit: "Aw, that would help. Thank you! I'll be sure everyone who sees them knows that you recommended those flowers." stocking: thanks. Spirit: "Well, think I'll go to the florist now. Have a good day!" -later- Spirit: (knocks on Felisia's door) felisia: it's open. Spirit: "Hello." (holding marigolds) "I thought you could use something to brighten up your room." felisia: ah. thank you... *small smile* Spirit: "You're welcome...Full disclosure, these were recommended to me by Stocking." felisia: .......*sad smile* Spirit: "...I was wondering whether you had some time to talk." felisia: of course. Spirit: "I was wondering whether we could talk a bit about your past. It's not every day I see an angel." felisia:................ Spirit: "...We can talk about something else, if that would be better." felisia:....*nod* Spirit: "So...Um...Maybe I could learn a bit more about you. Do you have hobbies?" ("I'm in over my head. Help me, Maka. Help me from beyond the grave.") felisia: hobbies? i havent found the time for them, but i did some sewing a long time ago. i even made stocking her little doll. Spirit: (smiles) "She still has it." felisia:....*she smiles a bit* Spirit: "Maybe I could bring you something to pass the time--do you also knit?" felisia: not really. Spirit: "Would you like me to bring something for sewing? I have a sewing machine that's just been collecting dust." -elsewhere- Kid: (eating lunch) "Hungry, Stocking?" stocking: a little.... Kid: (looking at desserts available) "Any particular flavor you desire?" -meanwhile, elsewhere- Ponera: "Feel better, Medusa?" medusa: a lot better now. Ponera: (smiles) "So, need more baby clothes? Toys? Maybe decorate the room for future baby Medusa?" -meanwhile- Noah: "..." noelle: feeling any better? Noah: "No...I want it all. All is not here. All is out there. All was taken from me..." noelle:...... Noah: "I'll take all from them." -elsewhere- Yohei: (stretches) mana: we're back! Yohei: "Cool. You get what I asked for." Shotaro: "Yep!" (holds up bags of groceries) "Here, Chie!" chie: thanks. *she smiles* Yohei: (pulls out cigarettes, staring at them...them puts them back in the bag and slides it away from himself) "I'm done with my work for the day. What're you up for today?" mana: well, rent on the room is just about up... Yohei: "So we either move or get some money. Is that what you're saying?" mana: basically.....but there is some good news. *she places a pamphlet on the table* Yohei: "What is this?" chie: 'affordable living space, work opportunity....' death city? Yohei: "...Huh. You're serious, Mana?" mana: it seems like a pretty good deal. Yohei: "I guess so: probably need some tech people, some helpful people...whatever services useless people like Mana can provide." (smirks) mana: exact- HEY! Shotoaro: "Ha ha ha!" mana: oh stuff it. Yohei: (reads the brochure) "So, how do we apply for jobs and housing? Any visa to enter the sovereign nation of Death?" -elsewhere- Kid: "Stocking?" stocking: yes? Kid: "Is there anything I could offer to help? Maybe run a bath for you?" stocking:...i would like that. Kid: (smiles) "I'll warm up the water and set out the soaps." -and so- Kid: "The water is ready." (opens the bathroom door for her) stocking: *she gets in* Kid: "..." (clears his throat) "I could give you your privacy, if you prefer." stocking: could you help me with my hair? Kid: "You mean, tie it up?" -later- Kid: (brushing her hair) "Better?" stocking: yes. thank you. Kid: (smiles) "Good. May I get you anything?" stocking: some hot cocoa would be nice. Kid: (smiles wider) "I'm on it." (stands up and exits for the kitchen) stocking:.......*she hugs honekoneko*........... *A few minutes later* Kid: (enters with a tray of hot cocoa for both of them) "Here you go..." (looks at Honekoneko..."Wasn't it her mother who...?") stocking: thanks. *she takes one* Kid: (sips along with her) "Honekoneko is really well designed..." stocking: *small chuckle* i thought she was too asymmetrical? Kid: "I've grown accustomed to her." (he smiles) "Familiarity can lead to appreciation." honekoneko: >:| Kid: "..." (feels chill coming off Honekoneko, which makes him tense) "Um..." (nervous smile) "So, you've had Honekoneko as long as you can remember..." stocking: *she nods* even if i misplaced her, she's always find her way back to me. Kid: "...It is a good gift that someone gave to you." stocking:.......................... Kid: "..." (sips on his cocoa) "Stocking..." stocking:......i wanted to know her.....my mother.....and as soon as she showed up, i cast her out.....i must be a huge hypocrite, huh? Kid: (sad smile) "To be fair, I've hardly met a person who is not a hypocrite in some way." stocking:.......i dont know what to do...i was just so upset..... Kid: "...When I discovered my relation to Asura...I hated my father..." stocking:...... lord death: *listening* ....................... Kid: "It took me far longer than I wanted to forgive him...Stocking, if I hadn't, if I lived a lifetime of anger and not thinking of all the love I have for my father, I would have lost someone important to me. And I'm scared that if I let that anger fester..." (looks at her) "...I would lose the love of others." stocking:.......*trembling* Kid: "Stocking..." (approaches, opening his arms) stocking: *she cries and hugs him* \yet you cant ever forgive yourself.... how pitful~\ Kid: (frowns...holds her closer) "You're going to be okay, Stocking. You are loved, and you are a person who deserves to be happy." -later- Kid: (lying in bed) "..." stocking: *asleep in his arms* Kid: "..." ("What should I do...?") *yawns* -the next day- Kid: "I'm almost done with breakfast...Anything else to add to your plate?" -after school- Kid: "...Stocking?" stocking: *she nods* -they enter the room- felisia: ........hello stocking. stocking:............... Kid: "..." (stands back) stocking: h-hey....m-mom..... stocking: listen......i-i wanted to apologize for how i acted........i just felt so upset and..... felisia: it's ok. i understand. i wasnt there most of your life. Kid: "..." felisia: ....mephisto came by earlier today. he told me about all the things you have been through. *she smiles* i'm glad he's been looking after you all this time. stocking:......*biting her lip* Kid: "..." (puts a hand on her shoulder) stocking: i must be such a terrible child.... felisia: stocking.... Kid: (bites his own lip) stocking: *she hugs felisia and cries* felisia: its ok sweetie... *rubbing her back* i'm here now... Kid: "..." (steps back towards the door) -later- Kid: (waiting outside) stocking: *she exits* ...... Kid: "Stocking?" stocking: yes? Kid: "H-How was it?" stocking: better now. we talked about how things are happening. about my dad. Kid: "Oh...Are you...going to visit her again?" stocking: yeah. Kid: "...You are brave." stocking: i'm not. Kid: "Yes, you are. You just faced fear." stocking:.......*small smile* Kid: "Should we go home?" stocking: not yet. Kid: "???" stocking: can we have a little date? Kid: "..." (smiles) "I would love that." -and so- Kid: "What would you like to do?" stocking: how about we go to deathbucks? Kid: (smiles) "Okay." (holds her hand) "Lead the way." -at deathbucks- Kid: (pulls out her seat for her) "Ma'am..." stocking: hehe~ ???: welcome to deathbucks, may we take your order? Kid: "Yes, I'll have the chicken sandwich and a small coffee." stocking: i'll have the peppermint latte and some tea cake. ???: coming right up~ Kid: "...Wait...Haven't we met?" mana: hmm? oh yeah, you're those kids from the tournament. Kid: ("Kids? She looks about my age, if not younger.") "...How are you and your friends? What are you doing here?" mana: well, for your information, we just moved here recently. Kid: "Ah. Your friend, Yohei, he is here, too?" mana: yep, all of us. Kid: (smiles) "When you see him, please let him know we are still grateful for the help you all provided us..." (holds Stocking's hand) mana: can do. Kid: "Thank you." (looks back to Stocking) mana: come to think of it, i think we were here before a few years back? Kid: "You were?" mana: or at least showtaro was... Kid: "Hmmm...I wonder whether we saw him..." stocking: oh! i think i saw him, i asked him to bring you over to talk to me after.... .////. Kid: "???" stocking: n-nevermind. but it brought us closer together. *she holds his hand* Kid: "...Okay." -later- Kid: (dabs napkin) "Tasty." stocking: thanks for the meal. Kid: (holds her hand) "You're welcome. Feel better?" stocking: a lot better now. *she smiles* Kid: "Well, we paid the bill. Where to next?" stocking: how about a movie? Kid: "I'd like that. Anything you've been wanting to see?" stocking: im down for whatever. Kid: "Hmm..." (looks at movie listings on his phone) -and so, elsewhere- Yohei: "Well, I aced the interview with Death Tech. How 'bout you guys? You get jobs yet?" mana: i got some work at deathbucks. Tuhl: "DWMA took me on, after what we did in London, Vegas, and IC Prefecture." Shotaro: "I got a job shipping stuff." (points at Chie) "I ship you with Yohei." chie: how do you- n-nevermind. >////> mana: wrong definition. Shotaro: "No, the best definition." (proud smile) Yohei: "Heh heh..." (pushes Shotaro's head down for a noogie) "Okay, get back to work, you all. We still got to finish unpacking." mana: what about you chie? Shotaro: "Yeah!" chie: i got a job at the shopping mall, just doing a few odd jobs like modeling and handing out samples. Shotaro: "Oh, wow! Modeling would be great for you! Right, Yohei?" Yohei: "..." .\\\\\. chie:...... -BWAP- Shotaro: (floored) -elsewhere- Wes: "Thanks for meeting up for coffee, Liz." liz: no problem. *she smiles* Wes: "It sounds like the mission was frightening. Based on what Soul told me, you all got out okay...mostly." liz: yeah......but looks like stocking is getting better, based on what kid told me.....i'm not sure if i could be as brave as her.... Wes: "...If you had either of your parents here, I think you'd do what you have to do." liz:............ Wes: "..." (holds her hand) liz: i can sympathize with felisia though.......... Wes: (nods) "Yeah. From what you said, it doesn't sound like she had much of a choice." liz:.......*frowns* Wes: "...How old would your child be now?" liz:..........around julie's age, i guess.... Wes: (nods) "...Liz..." liz: *tearful*....... Wes: "..." (puts his arms around her) "It's okay." liz: *she hugs him* Wes: (pats her back) liz: do you think....he would hate me? Wes: "...As angry as Soul is with our parents, I know he loves them. No child can hate their parent..." liz:............. Wes: "I'm sure your son will understand, when he's ready." -elsewhere- Kid: "I thought that was enjoyable." stocking: hehe. *she smiles, holding his hand* Kid: "Anything else to do before we head home?" -elsewhere, at the 5th HQ- Kishiri: "When does boss lady get back? Or is she still under arrest?" miwa: she'll be back soon hopefully. in the meantime, she asked us to watch over things here. Kishiri: "Tch. So, 'New Boss,' what am I supposed to do?" miwa: for now, we're going to try keeping things running. Kishiri: "Yeah? That include the things Boss Lady didn't want getting out to the public?" miwa: we'll leave that to the 5ths head scientist. (thinking: aka dr conehead.) Kishiri: "Hmm...I guess I'm out on patrol, then? Or did you have something else in mind for me?" miwa: i need you to run these files by Dr Sugihara if you get the chance Kishiri: "Seriously? That doc kind of creeps me out." miwa: i dont mean the doctor of the 5th, i want you to bring these medical files to dr sugihara. the squad 0 medic. Kishiri: "..." (devious smirk) "Well, that's different..." miwa: so you'll do it then? Kishiri: "Sure, why not?" (takes the files) -in the medical exam room- Kishiri: "Doc? You in here?" Serina: hmm? oh, hello Mr Kishiri. *she smiles* Kishiri: "Got some papers for you from Miwa. Where you want them?" serina: just put them on the desk for now. Kishiri: (does so) "So, what're you working on?" serina: just reviewing medical files and organizing them. i've been pretty busy lately, especially since a lot of the 5th's soldiers seem to be getting injured a lot recently. Kishiri: "Not me--still going at it, strong and hard!" (flexes his arm) serina: that's good to hear. *she smiles* Kishiri: "Need some help tending to patients? I've been told I have an awesome bedside manner." (pops his gum) serina: i appreciate the thought, but i think i can handle things here. Kishiri: "...Oh. Um, fine. I'll get back to work then." -elsewhere- Kid: "We're home." liz: welcome back you guys. lord death: hello kiddo. Patty: (waves) Yumi: (smiles) Kid: "Happy to be back." (smiles at Stocking) stocking: *she nods* Yumi: "Dinner should be ready soon." stocking: thanks. *After dinner* stocking: today went pretty well, i think. Kid: "I agree. You took an important step today." stocking: *she nods* it's still weird to call her my mother....but i can only try my best... Kid: (nods) "Give it time." stocking: thanks for being there for me.... *she hugs him* Kid: (returns the hug, patting her back) -elsewhere- Black Star: "Get off your butt, Soul--I need to clean under the couch cushions." soul: *standing up, reading* Black Star: "What're you reading, anyway?" soul: just reading something maka always read. Black Star: (looks at the title of the book) -Brave- Black Star: "...Good choice, bro." soul:.....*small smile* Black Star: "..." (goes back to cleaning, then enters the kitchen to prepare a meal) -elsewhere- Shotaro: "Done washing the dishes!" chie: good job. Yohei: "Yeah, you managed to break only three dishes this time..." Shotaro: "Hee hee...Yeah." chie: i did manage to clean them. *she has a bandaid on her hand* Yohei: (glancing at her bandage) "Well, I guess that's it for the night. Got work tomorrow, right?" -the next morning- Kid: "Zzz..." stocking: zzz.... Kid: (in his sleep, moves closer to her) -at school- Kid: "Stocking, are you going to see her?" stocking: yeah, after school. Kid: (nods) "I guess we should head to class. What is our first course?" Tuhl: "Hey. I'm Tuhl. I'm filling in for that guy with the screw in his head." -and so the class begins- Tuhl: "So, I'm a kappa. And we're supposed to be able to talk to the spirits of living things. I'm like typical kappa, but the principle is the same. I'm going to teach you about how to anticipate the moves of animals." *Tuhl brings in a kitten* Tuhl: "Now, you see this small fur-covered creature and think, 'How do I anticipate what it will do?' Well, first--" *The kitten claws at Tuhl's face* Tuhl: "AAAAAAAH!" -after that- Patty: "...Maybe the school needs to reconsider hiring options." Tuhl: (bleeding on the floor) "Someone...get me to the infirmary..." Arthur: T_T "If Tamaki was here..." (whimper) -at lunch- Kid: (one plate of cherry pie with whipped cream) "Could I interest you?~" stocking: yes please~ Kid: "Say ah~" Patty: (whispering to Liz) "Good to see them getting along again..." liz: yeah.... -after school- stocking: hey mom. felisia: hey sweetie. *she smiles* Kid: (overhearing, smiling) -later- stocking: and suddenly everything makes sense.... Kid: (sitting in the hallway, looking around) "...These walls could use a cleaning." stocking: you ok? Kid: "Yes. Just distracted by the walls." stocking:... *rubs his back* Kid: (smiles) "How was your meeting?" stocking: pretty good. i learned a few things about honekoneko's origins. -elsewhere- Wes: "Soul? You here?" soul: yeah? Wes: "Hey. You hungry? I was thinking of going out for a bite." soul: sure. mind if tsubaki and black*star come along? Wes: (smiles) "Sure!" -and so- Wes: "Dig in!" (pizza) Black Star: "Sweet!" (grabs two slices) -elsewhere- Nals: "So, how are you feeling?" milia: better now. ^^ Nals: "...Good." milia: *hugs* thanks for saving me~ Nals: "..." (awkward hug) "Of course." -elsewhere- Yumi: "Death, what have you learned from Felisia regarding who was holding her?" lord death: seems this organization, 'Nirvana Corps' wishes to 'advance humanity' by using genetic experiments, such as using clothes as weapons much like the people of arcadia do. Yumi: "Hmmm...Is that why they wanted Felisia? To learn what Arcadia could accomplish?" lord death: perhaps.... Yumi: " 'Nirvana'...I wonder where else they have facilities. If we could find one of their associates, we may get a lead." ("That poor woman, to lose her child...") lord death: according to the notes we found, it's important we locate them as soon as possible, lest we face a greater threat... Yumi: "Death, what do you mean? What 'greater threat'?" -elsewhere- NoFix: (in a schoolgirl uniform) luka:......................................................................i'm almost afraid to ask. NoFix: "What? You guys are making living clothes--thought I'd try one on!" luka: that experiment went bust after the harime incident. besides, that's just a normal uniform. NoFix: "...What?! So I'm in a girl's uniform for nothing?!" scientist: come to think of it, i think that's the same uniform the girls at the local school wore. well, used to anyway... NoFix: " 'Local school'? Where?" scientist: the Lysandra High School. however, it's been abandoned after the incident which wiped out most of the residents of the city. NoFix: "...Kept any of the corpses?" scientist: yes, most of them have been used in experiments. NoFix: "Cool...So, you like me in this suit?" (poses) -elsewhere- Yohei: "Okay. If I did it correctly, this device should pick up Dokeshi..." chie: wow. Yohei: "Now to test it. Hide somewhere in the house, I'll try to find you with it." (attaches the device--which is a watch--to his wrist) chie: ok. Yohei: (waits a few minutes, then starts following the trail) "Hmm...Signal is fainter here...Stronger in the kitchen..." (points to a cupboard) "...Seriously?" (opens it--) **Someone falls out of the cupboard onto Yohei** Yohei: "UNf!" Shotaro: (sitting atop Yohei) Shotaro: "..." (holds a box of cookies too him) "Want one?" Yohei: -_- "It works." chie: *snickers* -she's in the basement- Yohei: "Mana! Take care of Shotaro!" mana: -CHOP- Shotaro: x__x Yohei: "Thanks. Now back to finding Chie..." chie: *silent* Yohei: (follows the path to the basement stairs) "Hmmm..." (the signal points to behind some boxes) "You there, Chie?" chie: rawr. Yohei: "..." (chuckles) "Hey." chie: so it works? Yohei: "Yeah, you confirm it, and so does Shotaro. Right now, it's range is limited to 500 feet, so I'm going to need another week to expand its range to maybe the radius of a city." -elsewhere- Kid: *yawns* stocking: bedtime. Kid: (shuts his book, stretches) "I guess so. How about you?" stocking: *yawn* Kid: "I'll take that as a yes. Better brush, floss, and get to bed." -the next morning, at school- Tuhl: (bandaged, staring at Marie) "How do you people do this for a living?" marie: it takes a lot of hard work and patience. Tuhl: "I got attacked by a kitten in front of 200 students. You don't get through that when students now look at you like some wimp." marie: you tried your best. Tuhl: "Not good enough. I'm better at getting robots to listen to me than students." (points to a Kick Me sign on his back) -elsewhere- Spirit: "You're looking better, Felisia. Anything Justin or I can bring you?" felisia: some books if you could. Spirit: "Oh, sure! I'm great at that! Read all the time! Um...anything in particular?" felisia: something to pass the time. Spirit: "O-Okay. Give me a few minutes." *Spirit returns from the library with variety of books* Spirit: "Some fiction, some science, some history..." felisia: *she smiles* thank you. Spirit: "So...I heard Stocking has been visiting." felisia: she has. Spirit: "...How is it going?" felisia: quite well. Spirit: "...I wish I had that chance." felisia: ?? Spirit: "...My daughter was killed." felisia: !! Spirit: "It was in the battle against...W-We didn't have the best relationship." felisia: ....... -elsewhere- Ponera: (holding up a baby's mobile...consisting of snakes) medusa: how.....cute Ponera: "Thanks! I made it myself!" (part of the mobile falls off) medusa:..... Ponera: "W-We can hot glue that." Killbell: (has random objects glued on his shirt) "I don't know how to use the glue gun good..." -elsewhere- Kid: "Any plans for afterschool, Liz?" liz: i might do some work at deathbucks to make some extra cash for the holidays. Kid: "...Oh. I forgot how quickly Christmas was coming." Patty: "I better call Wes to let him know where you are...and what you're wearing. :3 " liz: patti! ????: um, excuse me? Patty: "Who said that?" -there is a girl in a school uniform, long dusty-orange hair in two braids and glasses standing before you- ???: pardon me, but do you know where i can find the 8th brigade HQ? Kid: "Yes. You can catch it by taking the Route 14 Bus." ???: ah, thank you very much. i'll be on my way then. Kid: (points) "Actually, those students work at the 8th." ???: oh? -later- shinra: that girl with the braids has been following us a while now... Arthur: "Perhaps it is an elf, disguised as a human, who is following us so they may kidnap the princess..." (seizes his hilt) shinra: dude, no. Arthur: "Hmph. Okay, Smart Guy--who is she? What are we supposed to do, just confront her and ask her?" shinra: maybe she just happens to be taking the same route we are? -this continues until they arrive- shinra: she followed us all the way here?! Arthur: "I am really getting freaked out. Maybe if we go inside, she'll leave us alone." -she knocks on the door- Arthur: "SHE'S STILL FOLLOWING US!" Akitaru: "???" ????: um....excuse me...is...commander...oubi was it? is he here? Arthur: (hiding behind Hibana) Hibana: -_-; Akitaru: "Yo, I'm Oubi. What's up?" ???: um...i....i-i would like to join your brigade sir!...p-please.... Akitaru: "...Oh. Um, well, the entrance exams were last month, and exceptions are up to individual commanders. So, tell me, kid, what's your name?" ????: my name is Nozomi Harada. i'm not sure if i'll be very useful to you, but i'll try my best not to be a burden. Akitaru: (grabs her hand with a vigorous handshake) "Pleasure to meet you, Nozomi! Tell me, you a Fire Being?" nozomi: no, but i do have a bit of science knowledge and medical knowledge from what my dad taught me. Akitaru: "Well, we don't have much in the way of a science department here--we're pretty bare bones. Just about everyone here has basic first-aid training." Hibana: "And Iris and I have our botany lab, so we could use more help there." nozomi: so then, is that a yes? Akitaru: "Call it a trial run, see how you do. I will need to look at your resume, though." nozomi: ah! right! Akitaru: "Let me take a look at it. And do you have any references? Bosses?" (studies her) "How old are you, anyway?" nozomi: 17, sir. shinra: same as me. Akitaru: "Any teachers to vouch for you?" nozomi: dr itou could do so. -and so, elsewhere- Wes: "H-Hey, Liz..." liz: hey wes.... .////. Wes: "I-I was stopping by for c-coffee..." ("That dress...") liz: what would you like, the usual? Wes: "Y-Yeah, that'd be great. H-How is work?" liz: doing well. Wes: "That's good. Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?" -later- Kid: (entering a candy shop) "Hello, I wanted to place an order for an imported dessert?" clerk: imported, what kind? Kid: (opens a brochure) "This one--the dark chocolate Mediterranean fig." clerk: oooh. Kid: "Could it be here by Christmas?" clerk: lets seee.... seems like it. Kid: (smiles, pulling out his credit card) "I will take it, and I will pick it up here. Please have it gift-wrapped as well." clerk: very well sir. Kid: (picks up a few boxes of sweets) "And I'll take these now." ("I wonder whether Stocking's mother has a sweet tooth...") -later- Kid: "I'm home." stocking: hey babe. *she smiles* Kid: (kiss on the cheek) "Hello, Love. How was your day?" stocking: great. i got to show my mother some pictures. Kid: (smiles) "That's good. Which photos?" stocking: a few from when i was younger. Kid: (smiles) "When you were super-adorable? Not to ignore how adorable you are now~" stocking: hehe~ Kid: "I'm proud of you." stocking: *she hugs him and kisses his nose* Kid: (holds her) "I love you, no matter what." stocking: *nuzzles into him* Kid: (strokes her back) "What were you up to here before I came home?" stocking: just setting the table for dinner. Kid: "Need help?" -later- Kid: "Excellent work, Ellen! That meal was delicious." -the next day at school- Arthur: (looking around the school) "Where is she...?" nozomi: who're you looking for? shinra: his girlfriend. Arthur: -_-; "I'm just curious where Tamaki has gone..." iris: i think she's still at the 1st brigade HQ... Arthur: "And not in school...I miss her." shinra:...... Arthur: "I wish I could convince her..." iris: maybe we should visit her? Arthur: "I would like that..." shinra: then it's settled. we'll go see her after class. Arthur: "..." (mutters) "Thanks." -in class- Patty: (drawing) liz: *reading* Kid: (reviewing history book) -later- Patty: "How was work, Sis?" liz: i went pretty well i'd say. -meanwhile- shinra: soooooo how do we get there again? Arthur: "Take Route 7B, then walk." shinra: ok then. on this bus? Arthur: "That's the one." -one bus trip later- Arthur: "Here we are..." nozomi: it's so big. shinra: yeah. Arthur: "Best check with security..." guard: just move along, kiddos. Arthur: (frowns) "Not likely: we are here to see our friend Tamaki." guard: shes busy with training right now and cant be disturbed. Arthur: "Then when will she be done training for the day? When is her break?" guard: after that, she'll be on a mission. Arthur: "Oh, that's convenient! Come on, man!" guard: sorry, we cant let you in without the proper clearance. Arthur: "..." (starts to turn away--then grabs the guard by the neck) guard: !! shinra: woah, dude! Arthur: "We're going in. Now." -later- Arthur: "..." nozomi: *bandaging his wounds* maki: honestly, what got into you? Arthur: "I am a man in love! And I will not let my lady be--Owie!" (pouts) "That peroxide stings!" shinra: *points* AHA!! Arthur: "And where were you, Squire?! You ran off with your tail between your legs!" shinra: using the phone booth. Arthur: "Why?! To rip off the phone and use as a blunt instrument?!" shinra: to call the others to stop you from doing something stupider. Arthur: "...I could've defeated those five security guards if you hadn't butted in." shinra: -_-; Arthur: "We'll have to find another way to break into the 1st. Maybe a hot air balloon..." shinra: that might just work. i'll get a balloon for you to breathe into. Arthur: (biting his lip and glaring at Shinra) "Well, why don't you--! Um...Why don't you...Shut up!" shinra: *smirks* Arthur: "Hmph. Maybe I could text Tamaki..." shinra: maybe. Arthur: "Wish I thought of that before..." (pulls out his phone, texts Tamaki: "hey. tried to visit today") -no reply- Arthur: "Maybe I should try calling?" -no reply again- Arthur: "Damn it!" shinra:...... Arthur: "...I think I'm going to bed." -the next day- Kid: (purrs) stocking: hehe~ Kid: "Sleep okay?" stocking: yeah. Kid: "Same." (stretches) "What's today?" stocking: looks like the weekend i think? Kid: "Oh, good! Any plans?" stocking: not really. Kid: "Maybe go for a walk today? A little holiday shopping? Get some lunch?" stocking: sounds good. maybe i could get my mother a nice housewarming gift. Kid: (nods) "That would be good. Has your mother decided where to live?" stocking: my dad is having her move in at his place. Kid: (nods) "That should be good." -later- Kid: "What do you think your mother would like as a gift?" stocking: maybe something for her new room? Kid: "Like something to look at, such as a painting, or a candle?" stocking: or maybe a decorative pillow? Kid: "Oh, that can be good! Is your mother on her feet yet?" stocking: soon. Kid: (nods) "It's good she has support..." (looks at one pillow) stocking: *she looks as well* Kid: "Perhaps one like this? It feels comfortable, although I'm not sure about the color." stocking: *she looks at a clerk* are there other colors for this one? Clerk: "Of course! It comes in black, white, blue, red..." stocking: blue might work.... Clerk: "Very good!" (pulls out a large set of swatches) "Would that be midnight blue, light blue, sky, Cambridge, Carolina, sapphire, steel..." Kid: (eyes glazing over) "Too...many...colors..." -and so- Clerk: "Are you pleased with your choice, ma'am?" stocking: looks good. thank you. Clerk: "You're welcome. Thank you for your business!" Kid: "So...many...colors..." (shakes his head) "So, another shop, then?" stocking: sounds good. Kid: (points to bookstore) "I was thinking of some books for Father and Mother...and Little Sister." stocking: lets do that. *In the bookstore* Kid: (flipping through botany and gardening books for Yumi) -elsewhere- Yohei: (walking into Deathbucks) "Yo, Mana." mana: hey. what can i get ya? Yohei: "Coffee and a scone, thanks. How's work?" mana: doing well. you? Yohei: "Still fiddling with this." (points to Dokeshi Sensing Watch--which goes off) "...Huh." mana: ??? *she looks at kepuri* Kepuri: "...What the hell are you looking at?" master: *raises a brow* Yohei: "..." (approaches Master...the watch stops beeping...approaches Kepuri--and it starts beeping wildly) mana: ..... Kepuri: "Wh-What?!" Yohei: "Huh. So, what's your Dokeshi condition?" Kepuri: "..." (looks away) Kepuri: "...I'm stuck at this height, okay?! Happy?!!" mana: so? Kepuri: "So what?! I'm short! I don't like it!" -elsewhere- Black Star: "Okay, so I got my gift for Tsubaki." soul: i got stuff done too. Black Star: "Cool. Anything you're getting for Wes?" soul: not sure what to get him... Black Star: "...A hug?" soul: *chuckles* Black Star: "It's free, probably something he doesn't get enough. Or maybe you get him a gift card to that laser tag place." soul:....sounds good. Black Star: "Cool. Still figuring out whether I should get one more thing for Tsubaki." soul: like what? Black Star: "Jewelry? Maybe something else?" -meanwhile- Wes: (checking his mail, smiles) "Good--it came!" ghost: what is it? Wes: "A gift I got for Liz..." ghost: oh? Wes: "Something that I hope she appreciates..." -later- Kid: (brings out tea and a cupcake) "Here you are, Angel." stocking: thank you~ Kid: "I'm sure your mother will enjoy the gift...and I hope you enjoy your gift, too~" stocking: hehe~ *she kisses both his cheeks* Kid: (holds her hand) "I have already gotten to work on an excellent Thanksgiving dessert. And something cranberry related..." -meanwhile- Tuhl: (grading papers) nygus: so how did it go today? Tuhl: (shrugs) "A bit better. At least their essays are getting better." -meanwhile, at the 1st HQ- Burns: (examining photographs...) "Where is that assassin..." soldier: sir? is everything ok? Burns: "I've been interrogating multiple persons with no luck..." (his knuckles are bloody) soldier: ....... person: *bloodied and whimpering* Burns: "Get this dirtbag to a hospital." tamaki: .............. *walks back to her room* Burns: "Tamaki, wait..." tamaki: what? Burns: "...Take a walk with me." tamaki:........ Burns: "Please?" tamaki:........fine..... *They depart* Burns: "Just another block..." tamaki:....... *They are at a cemetery* tamaki: *bites her lip* Burns: (puts a hand on her shoulder) "I know it is difficult. But I think you should go forward." tamaki:.........h-hey....sorry i havent visited.....just been thinking a lot.... Burns: "..." tamaki: i just dont know what to do....they've been keeping isolated there for days.....i feel trapped...... Burns: (clenching his fists...) tamaki: i just wish you were here to give me some advice....make it feel less lonely.... Burns: (looking around...staring at one building's rooftop...narrows his eyes) tamaki: ...........i miss you.......i wish i could have been a better friend to you.... Burns: (light blinks at the rooftop, his eyes widen as he starts charging a flame...) tamaki: ?? Burns: "Down!" tamaki: *she gets down* *Fire blasts around Burns* Burns: "Damn!" (redirects the flames back at the source) tamaki: WHAT THE HELL?! Burns: "Another assassin?! Too afraid to show yourself?!" tamaki:...... [<x> try fighting them off <> try to sneak away] Tamaki: (joins a flame towards the Assassin) "Face us!" ???: *turns to flee* Tamaki: "Oh, no you don't!" (roars, fire-claws on her hands as she rushes at the Assassin) ???: *starts running* Tamaki: (leaps, roaring again) < > Catches Assassin < > Misses Assassin <x> Scratches Assassin ???: ACK! Tamaki: "Stop!" (rips off part of fabric and some skin) ???: *they fall over, screaming* Tamaki: "Got you now, you bastard!" (rushes at the Assassin) ???: w-wait, dont kill me, please! Tamaki: (tackles them, holding flame to their face) "Who sent you?!" ???: p-please, i'll talk, dont hurt me! Tamaki: "..." (tosses the Assassin down to Burns) "Interrogate this fucker." -and so- Burns: "So, care to talk?" ???: ........ Burns: "No? Fine by me. I got plenty of other work I can do." (pulls out a stack of papers and a pen...starts clicking the pen slowly) ???: ...th....the 8th.... Burns: "???" ???: t-the 8th brigade sent me.... Burns: "..." (sets down papers) "Who in the 8th?" ???: t-the commander.....c-can i please leave now? tamaki: *listening* ?! Burns: "You attempted to assassinate us: you are not getting out of her. You are going through the legal system." ???: ........... Burns: "And we have more questions. What did the Commander give you in exchange for trying to kill us?" -meanwhile- Patty: "Julie! Time for bed!" julie: *yaaaawns* Patty: (picks her up) "You wash and brush?" julie: *nods* Patty: (frowns) "Let me smell your breath, young lady..." -she did- Patty: (smiles) "Good girl!" (sets her in bed) "Bedtime story?" julie: yay! Patty: "How about Cinderella?" julie: *she nods* Patty: "Or how about Rapunzel? The girl with the super-long hair and the person trying to reach her?" julie: *shiny eyes* oooooh. Patty: "So, a long time ago--like, at least 50 years--there was as girl named Rapunzel. And she was a little spitfire--always getting into fights, not taking nothing off of any jerk who tried to harass her or her homies!" julie: *listening* Patty: "But then a warlock--that's, like, a really powerful magician but less powerful than a witch--thought the girl needed to be protected from dangers in the world, so he put her in a tall tower and wouldn't let her out." julie: oh no. Patty: "I know, right?! And she was all alone--her friends gone, separated from her. Including this one really cute boy she kept making googly eyes with before Big Nasty Warlock put her away." julie: D:> Patty: "But this boy was a knight! He had shining armor! A big, sharp sword! He tamed dragons to be his pets! He climbed tall walls! He ran faster than other people! He could open 18 jars of pickles without getting sweaty!" julie: wow. Patty: "Yeah! And he was a hottie, too! You should see his eyes and his abs!" julie: ??? liz: ._.; uuhhhh, kid? Kid: (chops Patty) "Keep this story PG rated, please." liz: you wanna take over? Patty: (pouts) Kid: "Very well." (clears his throat) Kid: "The Shining Knight missed his friend, Rapunzel, so he did what any rational person would do: he went to the giant tower--because obviously someone would be locked in a giant tower that anyone could see with no problems." liz:....... Kid: "...What, Liz? Am I wrong?" -elsewhere- Shotaro: "Zzzzz...." chie: so how was work? mana: found out that kepuri chick is a dokeshi, so that's there. Yohei: "And that was after increasing the range of the Dokeshi Watch by another three blocks. By the end of this week, it'll be ready to hunt through a radius of an entire city." (stares at Chie) "..." chie: .......... Yohei: (clears throat) "Y-Yeah...So, I could use some help to track a Dokeshi or two in the city. I don't suppose you could get off from work this weekend for Death City Hide and Seek?" chie: i suppose i could find some spare time. Yohei: "Th-Thanks..." ("...I wonder how she looks when modeling...") -elsewhere- maki: night everyone. Akitaru: *yawn* "Night, Maki. Night, Gabriella." gabriella: night. come along now, princess. *she smiles* -later, in shinra and arthur's room- Arthur: "..." (tossing in bed, not sleeping) shinra:......... Arthur: (punches his pillow) "Damn." shinra: you ok? Arthur: "No. Tamaki still won't answer my texts or calls...I'm worried I'm scaring her." shinra: well, the commander did mention we'd be going on a mission to the 1st soon. Arthur: "About time..." shinra: said something about 'taking the tour'? Arthur: " 'Tour'?" -the next morning- gabriella: kishiri and the recruit from squad zero should be here soon. maki: joooooy. Hibana: "Hmm. Haven't seen Kishiri in a while. I wonder whether his behavior has improv--" *KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK* ???: "Let us in!" shinra: ?? *he opens the door* Kishiri: "Yo yo! Hey, Commander! Gab! One-Punch Hottie!" maki: -_-; does he have to come with us? ???: fufufufu~ ???: in the depths of despair. when all hope is lost. when justice cries out. i will be there. Hibana: "...Hi? Who are you?" Kishiri: (eyebrow wiggle at Maki) -a 15 year old girl with black hair appears- ???: Sayu Hirano, hero for hire, reporting for duty~! *wink* maki:..... *steps away* shinra: o_o -_- o_o ~? (thinking: hero for hire? oh, she must be the squad 0 kid...) Hibana: "...At ease, soldier. So, you have the details for this 'tour'?" sayu: just what commander miwa told me. juggernaut: noooooo what if it's too scary? Hibana: " 'Scary'? Kid, your in the Brigade: you have to face fear." juggernaut: 8< Kishiri: "When you got beautiful ladies having your back, what do you need to be afraid of?" (eyes Maki) shinra: (thinking: he kinda reminds me of that weird kid that follows kure around) maki: i feel safer already (sarcasm) nozomi: ^^; Arthur: "...Let's just go." -and so- Hibana: "What is the first step while we are here?" maki: juggy, arthur, shinra, nozomi, sayu and the other guy will take the tour, and we'll keep you posted. Hibana: "Be safe in there. Don't do anything stupid." maki: can do. *she glares at kishiri* shinra: yes mom.....i mean ma'am....i'll just go now. Kishiri: "..." Arthur: "..." Hibana: ._.; shinra: let's just go -_-; sayu: right behind ya big bro shinra. shinra: *wince* juggernaut:...... Kishiri: *yawns, trying to put an arm around Maki* -SMACK SLAP PUNCH- Arthur: o_o "Jeez." Kishiri: (twitching on the floor) "Worth it." -and so, they took the bus there- Arthur: "...Man." shinra:.... Guide: "Greetings and salutations. Welcome to the 1st! We have been expecting--" (cringes upon seeing Arthur) "Oh God, it's him..." shinra: ?? Arthur: (glares) Kishiri: "Uh...J-Just let us in, please?" Guide: (sweating) "Just keep some distance between me and him--I don't need him attacking me like that security guard..." maki: we'll keep a good eye on him. Arthur: "Hmph." sayu: *picture snap* Guide: "Well, here we are at the entrance, which has intricate architectural design by..." Guide: "...Blake Williams, whose designs of fire reminds us of both its cleansing and dangerous natures..." (still nervous around Arthur) Arthur: (death glare) Guide: o_o; "A-And the 1st has an extensive set of items from various religious orders surrounding the worship of flames..." shinra: ..... *looks over at karim, who gives him a judgemental glare* *nervous smile* Kishiri: "Yeah, I'm really devout. Super religious. Religious as fuck, man." maki:....... Kishiri: (smirks) "Want to pray with me, babe?" juggernaut: um.. m-miss guide? is there a bathroom nearby? maki: shoo you. Guide: "Yes, just around the corner on the left, dear." juggernaut: t-thanks... Guide: "Well, while we are waiting, I can point to the facilities we have here. The East Wing leads to the Medical and Science Division..." nozomi: ...... sayu: ooooh. Guide: "And the North Wing leads to the Commander's Office." shinra: is he in? Guide: "Yes, but--" shinra: can we see him? Guide: "...No?" shinra: oh.... Burns: "Tamaki! Get back here!" -CRASH- tamaki: o-ow.... Arthur: o____o; tamaki: *she looks down and sees his hand on her chest* o////////////o -SLAP- Arthur: X___X (nosebleed) tamaki: U//////U# shinra: so...that happened Kishiri: "Oh, hey, Kitten. How you doin'?" tamaki: up yours. shinra: um. hi tamaki. tamaki: T-T# shinra:....>u>;;;;;; Burns: "Tamaki!!!" tamaki: !! Burns: "I am not done with our meeting about--" (trips over Arthur, lands on his face) "...Ow." shinra: *bites lip to avoid laughing* Kishiri: "Sir!" (salutes) Burns: (gets up) "At ease." (studies the group) "What are you doing here?" (looks at Shinra and Maki) maki: we're taking the tour for extra credit. Burns: (studies them) "Very well. Proceed, Guide." Guide: (nervous salute) tamaki: ....... Burns: "Come along, Tamaki. Now." tamaki: ...... Burns: "Well? You coming or not?" Arthur: "Tamaki, wait--" (reaches out to her) tamaki:....fine.... Burns: (glares at Arthur) "Follow, Tamaki." Arthur: "Wait just a damn minute!" tamaki: ?? Arthur: "Tamaki, I've tried calling you..." tamaki: ......*she drops a slip of paper as she and burns exit* Arthur: "???" (looks at the paper...then slips it in his pocket. "Better not let Guide see it.") Guide: ^_^; "Shall we continue with the tour? We have a wonderful cafeteria..." juggernaut: *nods* Arthur: "...Fine." Kishiri: "Good--I'm starving!" (smirks at Maki) "Care to share a root beer float with me?" maki: .....nah. -later- Kishiri: (he had a root beer float on him...in that, Maki dumped a root beer float _onto_ him) -_-; iris: how was the trip? Arthur: "...Fine." (opens the paper to read it) -cant call, burns has my phone charger and my battery died.- Arthur: "...That's it? What, she can't use someone else's charger? And why would he keep her charger?" shinra:....*shrug* Arthur: "..." (smirks) "Hey, Shinra? I need a favor." shinra: what is it? Arthur: "You need to mail a charger for me." shinra: huh? Arthur: "What? If I send it, Burns will know what I'm up to." shinra:......how about if hirano sends it? sayu: can do, big bro shinra! *salutes* shinra:...... Arthur: "Even better!" (hands $30) "Buy the charger, pack it, and mail it!" sayu: alrighty then! -elsewhere- Wes: "Soul, could you pass the salt?" soul: sure thing. Wes: "Thanks!" (adds it to the pizza sauce) -later- Wes: "...It's bad, isn't it?" soul: it's.....edible. Wes: "...Well, better get better at it before Christmas...I don't suppose Black Star will eat this failed experiment?" soul: well.... Wes: "???" soul: nevermind. Wes: "Hmmm...Maybe the dog will eat it." soul: dog? Ghost Dog: *BARK!* soul:....ok then. Wes: "Who's a cute ghost dog? You are! Yes, you are! Yes, you are!" -elsewhere- kirika: *playing games while mocha sits on her head* Patty: (coloring with Julie) stocking: can you believe its almost december? Kid: (nods) "It is surprising how quickly time feels like it is passing." (holds her hand) "Have you considered how to spend Christmas with your parents?" stocking: my dad's throwing a huge party this year. Kid: (smiles) "That should be fun." stocking: yeah, i think it's to make up for the one missed last year..............*she frowns, trembling* Kid: (holds her hand and puts an arm around her) "It's okay." stocking: *she holds him, calming down a little* Kid: (pats her back, hums a song) stocking: mmmm..... Kid: (keeps humming...) "Stocking..." stocking: *closing her eyes* Kid: (kisses her forehead, carries her to bed) stocking: *drifting off to sleep* Kid: (lies next to her, holds her as he falls asleep too) -the next morning- Kid: (slight snoring) stocking: mmmmn, kid...... Kid: "H-Huh?" stocking: *nuzzling her body against him* Kid: "..." (smiles, holds her) "How are you?" stocking: warm. *she blushes* Kid: "..." (blushes as well) "Um...Are you..." stocking: am i what? Kid: "..." (blushes harder) "I just...like being this close to you. Thank you." stocking: hehe~ *she kisses him softly* Kid: (kisses back softly, just holding her) -at school- Kid: (holds her hand in class) Tuhl: (staring at puppy in a crate) "O-Okay...I can do this..." puppy: *happy pants* : D Tuhl: "Now, when you deal with creatures, remember to treat them like another person. Just because they look different doesn't mean they aren't deserving of respect." (holds out hands to puppy to see what happens) puppy: :3 *nom* Tuhl: o__o; "Ow." -at lunch- Patty: (shoveling bread in her mouth) soul: so how was the tour? shinra: alright. Arthur: (frowning, studying his soup) maki: you ok? Arthur: "Just impatient." maki: about what? Arthur: "...When I can talk with Tamaki again." maki:..... Black Star: "...Maybe just punch down a wall and go inside?" shinra: and get arrested, maybe. Black Star: "What? Who here doesn't have a criminal record?!" soul:...... Patty: (raises her hand) "How do you think I got here?!" -that night, at the 8th- Hibana: (swinging at punching bag) "I don't see what the problem is." gabriella: *timing her* Hibana: "Burns has always been a control freak over his soldiers--" (punch punch punch) "--so how is this any different, Maki?" maki: we're worried they're keeping her there for a reason.... something just feels off about it.... -in arthur's room- Arthur: "..." (looking at a photograph of Tamaki--who is beating him and Shinra into the ground) -dink- Arthur: "???" (looks at window) -a girl in a hoodie is standing there with a ladder- Arthur: "???" (carefully opens the window) "Tamaki?" tamaki: *she makes a motion with her hand to say 'open the window'* Arthur: "...I did open it...What are you doing here?" tamaki: *she puts the ladder to the window and starts climbing up* Arthur: (looks around the room...) -empty save for him- Arthur: (holds a hand out to her) -she climbs in, dropping the ladder in the process- tamaki: ah.... Arthur: "Oh...Um...Is-Is that going to be a problem?" tamaki: if it didnt cause too much noise.............y-you.....*she hugs him tightly* i missed you idiot! Arthur: "I-I missed y-you too..." (holds her) tamaki: h-hey! dont start crying on me! Arthur: (wipes his eyes) "I'm not crying! Something blew in from the window!" (holds her more tightly) tamaki: y-yeah...i should close that.... Arthur: "...I don't want to let go..." tamaki: .....*sigh* jeez, you're such a wimp... Arthur: "Heh. Like you crying as soon as you see me?" (shimmies with her over to the window to close it) Arthur: "...Princess." tamaki: i was not! tamaki: it was the rain, that's all... Arthur: (closes the window, and just holds her) "There's not a cloud in the sky out there, Tamaki." tamaki: it was raining when i left... Arthur: "..." (smirks) "Okay..." (pulls back) "How long before Burns finds out?" tamaki: he probably knows by now......no doubt he has people looking for me... im not gonna sugar coat it, but in case you havent figured it out, i ran away. Arthur: "But what makes you think he won't look for you?" tamaki: he will.......and i bet he is already.... Arthur: "...He'll start here...What do we do?" tamaki: i just need to hide...lay low.... -knock knock- Arthur: o___o (whispers) "Hide under the bed." tamaki: *she does so* Arthur: (answers the door, just opening it a bit) "Y-Yeah?" shinra: hey, one of burn's goonies is here saying tamaki's missing. Arthur: (bad acting) "What? Really? No!" shinra:.....well, just thought i'd keep you posted... Arthur: "Th-Thanks, man. I appreciate it. H-How about we go look for her?" shinra: sounds good. Arthur: "O-Okay! Let me just get something." (slams door in Shinra's face) "Oh boy..." tamaki: shit. Arthur: "I-If I can get them away from here, maybe they won't know you're in this room?" tamaki: ........ Arthur: "!!! The ladder! Let me get down there and hide it!" -outside- shinra: oi! tamaki! Arthur: "Here, Kitty Kitty!" (picking up ladder, hiding it) shinra: dude really? Arthur: (hid the ladder) "What? If she was out here, and I said that, she'd already be out there ripping my head off, right?" shinra: ......*looks at the person from thr 1st* anything yet? 1st Officer: "Nothing. I see some footprints, though." (points to them) shinra: do you think it was a burglar? 1st Officer: "Do these footprints have...kitty paws on the bottom?" shinra: ??? Arthur: "Th-That just looks like cat's prints. Ha ha ha! Don't be silly!" (nervous laughter) shinra: yeah, i guess it was just a cat... Arthur: (nods vigorously) "Wait, I think I heard something over there!" (points away from the 8th Brigade) shinra: ?? Arthur: "I think I saw someone in the bushes! You should go check! Take your time! I'll be over here!" -shinra and the officer go look- Arthur: (slowly tries to inch back into the building and back to his room) shinra: *examining the bushes* Arthur: (back in the building, trying to get back to his room--) <x> Arthur gets to his room without a problem < > Someone stops Arthur Arthur: (enters his room, sighs, then checks under his bed) tamaki: ?? -she's playing neko atsume on her phone- Arthur: "...So, keeping yourself preoccupied?" tamaki: *she nods* thanks for the charger. i missed my widdle babies.... Arthur: "...'Widdle babies'?" (smiles) "Cute." tamaki: oh shush. Arthur: "...They seem to be heading elsewhere, away from the 8th...Is there room under this bed?" tamaki: a little bit... unless you want me to move to the closet? Arthur: "..." (reaches a hand to her) "Even my closet is small, and Shinra is bound to find out. How am I going to keep you here without them knowing?" tamaki:......i dont know..... Arthur: "...What if we told the Commanders, Obi and Hibana? Maybe you could transfer here." tamaki: maybe, but i doubt burns would let me.... Arthur: "Obi and Hibana can be very persuasive, though." tamaki: you dont know burns the way i do... Arthur: "What do you mean?" tamaki:...n-nevermind.... Arthur: "...Has he hurt you?" tamaki:......not physically.... Arthur: "But he's said things to you?" tamaki: no....he's....ever since the incident at the 5th, he's been....overprotective. Arthur: "...Is it safe for him to be in command?" tamaki: of course....i know, he wants the best for his soldiers.....but he didnt need to keep me trapped there...... Arthur: "Then I think that is enough to make a case to Obi." tamaki:...................

[waitineedaname]

sofa smooches

me @ myself: pleas work on your other wips I’m begging you

my hell brain: hhhhhh soft davekat kisses

also on ao3

Like most days on the meteor, Dave and Karkat were spending the evening on the couch in the TV room. The shitty rom-com Karkat had picked out had long since ended; they’d watched all the way through the credits, like they always did, no matter how many times Dave told him there wasn’t going to be anything new at the end, like watching it for the seventeenth time would somehow unlock a secret ending where those background characters do end up together and go on their own cliched adventure. But. Karkat was stubborn and insistent, as always.

It was kinda cute.

It was not the first time that thought had occurred to Dave, but it had yet to be less startling.

Dave put his phone down, having beat Peggle for the twentieth time, and looked up at Karkat from where he was draped across his lap. He’d laid himself there about a third of the way through the movie, and Karkat hadn’t complained. In fact, neither of them seemed to want to be the one to disturb the little cuddle sesh, and they’d silently agreed to occupy themselves with whatever wouldn’t disturb the other. Hence, Dave’s Peggle endeavors and Karkat’s shitty romance novel. He was holding it with one hand, propping it up on Dave’s legs, because his other hand was resting on top of Dave’s free hand, only lifting away to turn a page every now and then, always returning to gently curl around Dave’s hand. Sometimes he’d absentmindedly rub his thumb along Dave’s knuckles, drawing circles and tracing the scars and freckles that littered his skin, and it. It was nice.

Dave wasn’t sure if he was in the right headspace to think about how touchstarved they both were, or how just those little comforting brushes of affection seemed to comfort an ache in his soul he’d never really paid attention to, or how Karkat’s touches when they cuddled like this were so much more gentle than he ever expected from someone who yelled himself hoarse and threatened bodily harm on the daily.

Dave didn’t think about any of that. He just thought about how nice it was to have his hand held, and how the perpetual pinch in Karkat’s brow was softer from this angle, and how he really wanted to kiss him.

Huh. That was a thought.

“Hey.”

Karkat ignored him.

“Hey.” Dave snapped his fingers in front of his face to get his attention.

Karkat smacked his hand away and turned the page.

“Hey.” Dave reached back up and flicked Karkat’s nose. Karkat, predictably, overreacted and reeled back, his whole face scrunching up.

“Ow! Fucker!” He yelled, covering his nose.

“Oh, come on. That did not hurt.”

“Fuck you! Maybe it did! You don’t know, maybe trolls have especially weak noses! For all you know, that could’ve been a built in insta-kill button! You could’ve killed me, Dave, and then how the fuck would you feel?”

“Pretty shitty, but then I’d let your ghost punch me in the face in the next dream bubble we fly through, so we’d be even.”

“What the fuck ever, you wish I’d punch your stupid face.” Karkat rolled his eyes, but he closed his book so Dave counted that as a win for Strider. “What was so important that you had to almost kill me anyway?”

“Can I kiss you?”

“What?”

“Can I kiss you?” Karkat blinked down at him blankly and well shit, that’s all Dave needed to take off on the rambling train, next stop: off the rails and straight into embarrassment territory. “Forget it, I could totally be misreading this whole cuddle thing, for all I know this might be a normal thing in troll culture, just snuggling between bros, like I could maybe expect it with your whole moirail thing except I’m pretty sure we’re not moirails? I’d probably know if that was what was happening-”

“Yeah, you can kiss me.”

“-especially since I don’t think either of us are like keeping the other from succumbing to homicidal tendencies or whatever because you can do whatever the fuck you want and I’m just chilling-” Dave paused mid-tangent, suddenly processing what Karkat had just said. “Wait. What’d you say?”

“I said you could kiss me, dumbass.”

“Oh. Cool. Great.” Dave found himself frozen for a second, realizing all that meant, and he slowly sat up, sliding off Karkat’s lap and turning to face him. This close, he could see Karkat swallow thickly, and he realized this was just as big of a deal for Karkat as it was for him.

Okay. He could do this.

Dave put his hand on Karkat’s cheek because that seemed like the right thing to do, and before he could second guess himself again, he leaned in and pressed his lips to Karkat’s.

It was really nice. It was clear they both didn’t really know what they were doing - they’d spent most of puberty on a meteor with the same tiny group of people, of course they were inexperienced - but it was still nice. The feeling of Karkat’s weirdly warm lips against his, the feeling of sharp teeth pressed up just behind them when they parted the slightest bit.

It didn’t last very long. Probably just a few seconds, but it felt like forever. Dammit, he was a god of time or whatever, he should probably have a better grasp of its passage, but Karkat seemed to knock out what little sense he had in the first place.

To be perfectly fair, Karkat seemed just as dazed as he did. When Dave finally pulled away, he curled his fingers into Dave’s sleeve to keep him from going too far and hey, when’d his hand end up on his upper arm? Not like Dave was complaining.

They both stared at each other for a second, two annoyingly talkative people on most days suddenly stunned silent.

“Thanks.” Dave finally said, and Karkat snorted, the moment broken.

“Thanks? Do you thank everyone you kiss, just to make up for having to deal with your stink breath?” There wasn’t any bite to the insult since they were definitely still close enough for Karkat to be smelling his supposedly stinky breath, and he didn’t seem to plan on moving away any time soon.

“Yep. Just a courtesy. You know how goddamn polite I am, got etiquette seeping out my damn pores. Gonna get pimples that’re sayin’ please and thank you with how clogged my pores are with all these manners.” He leaned in and bonked their foreheads together gently. Karkat looked like he was having a very hard time not snickering.

“Right. Maybe it’s your human etiquette that’s stinking the place up since you’re apparently drenched in it.”

“Oh, yeah. Good manners are notoriously noxious. They have to wear gas masks in Canada because of the permanent politeness stink.”

“You should know by now I have no fucking idea what you’re talking about.” Karkat let go of his arm to tuck a piece of blond hair behind Dave’s ear and the gesture was so soft that Dave’s heart almost stopped. He definitely didn’t lean into the touch a little bit. Nope. Not at all. Shut up and mind your business.

“So. My lips as impudent as you thought?” Dave said to distract himself from how fluttery he was feeling. Karkat gave him a blank look, then grimaced as he suddenly remembered.

“Oh my fucking god. You cannot still remember that.”

“Of course I fucking remember that. You were hitting on me and John at the same damn time. You hadn’t even met us yet. Horny idiot.” Dave said, accenting his point by poking one of Karkat’s nubby horns.

“Shut up! I still think it’s offensive that humans use that phrase like that.”

“What, horny? Dude, we started using that word way before y’all ever even appeared on our radar.”

“I’m not convinced.”

“You think I’d invent an expression just to poke fun at you? Wait, don’t answer that, I definitely would.”

“Exactly. Dick.” Karkat huffed, then took Dave by surprise by leaning in to kiss him again. They shared a few more gentle kisses, a couple of them ruined by smiles from either of them and what was definitely not a giggle or two, and then Karkat lifted his head a bit to press a tiny kiss to the tip of Dave’s nose. Dave was pretty sure he was gonna explode from the tenderness. Pirouette off the fucking handle or whatever but in the best possible way. Here lies Dave Strider, he died because his alien boyfriend was too damn soft.

Wait.

“Hey, are we boyfriends?”

“You mean matesprits?”

“Yeah, whatever.”

“I dunno.” Karkat worried his lip with one of his fangs. “Do you wanna be?”

“I dunno.” Dave said, unintentionally parroting him. “Maybe? I-. I wouldn’t be opposed. To being matesprit-boyfriends. Maybe we can try it out for a while, see if we’re both down to clown- wait, bad choice of words, hopefully no clowns will be involved.”

“Yeah, that might get fucking weird.”

“Definitely. If you somehow become a clown, that ‘maybe’ will immediately turn into a no.”

“If I turn into a clown, you have my explicit permission to kill me instantly.”

“Punch the kill-button on the nose, right?” Dave said, brushing their noses together.

“Exactly. I’m trusting you with the secret to killing trolls, use it wisely.”

“I promise to only use my knowledge to put an end to my clown boyfriend’s horrible hypothetical existence.”

“You’re so dumb.” Karkat mumbled, tone full of affection, and he tucked his face into Dave’s neck.

They stayed there for a while, hours maybe, rambling and teasing each other. It really wasn’t very different from how they normally spent their time except they were a tangled mess of limbs and half on each other’s laps, cutting off particularly pointless rambles with kisses and effectively changing the subject completely.

Dave knew there were definitely things to worry about, things he’d have to deal with eventually, but with an armful of happy troll kissing him, he couldn’t be any happier.