#i guess this is the journey we're taking today

[mixelation]

my other insane contribution from this au is that ahsoka is like "why can't you just soak in a bacta tank and regrow these beta cells" and anakin is like "well i COULD but then my immune system just kills them again*" and she's like "ooooh like lekku" bc i wanted her to have a non-human point of reference for autoimmune diseases and my brain-- knowing only about three things about ahsoka-- decided "all togruta are programmed for continual lekku growth, but sex-related hormones cause continual cell degradation that keep male** lekku short"

*i don't, like, keep super up to date on t1d research but my impression was that it's currently unclear if continual destruction of beta cells would be a problem if we figured out how to replace/regrow them. but anakin is also Special so let's say even if NORMAL people wouldn't have that problem, his body has a super charged immune system worthy of The Chosen One

**disclaimer about natural variation among/between sexes means that there's undoubtedly ""cis"" (or togruta equivalent) male with long lekku and ""cis"" females with short lekku

[sebastiannewai]

Missing you || csc

✿ scoups x reader

✿ idol!scoups x actress!reader

✿ fluff, comfort

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

You sat on your dressing room, wiping away tears. Today had been one of the worst days of filming you could remember. Every scene went wrong, and the director’s frustration only made you more anxious. To make matters worse, it had been two long months since you last saw your boyfriend, Seungcheol, who was on tour with the boys.

The day dragged on, each hour feeling like forever. Finally, when the sun had set and the crew called it a day, you sighed with relief and head straight to the hotel. After freshening up, you just wanted to rest and lie in bed. As you close your eyes, your phone started ringing. You’re sure it’s cheol. It has been your ritual to talk at the end of the day, no matter where or how busy you both were. You were hesitant in answering the phone at first because you know you might break down and cry just by hearing his voice but in the 3rd ring you answered. You still can’t resist not seeing him or hearing his voice, even if it’s just through a screen.

"Hey, love!" he said, his eyes lighting up on the screen. "How was your day?"

You forced a smile. "Hi, cheollie. It was okay, I guess?"

He was puzzled by your answer and asked "You’re not sure? What happened?"

You shook your head. "Nothing, it was just a normal day. How was your show?"

Seungcheol grinned. "It was awesome. The crowd was amazing. But I missed you."

You sighed, hiding your face from the screen and wiping the tears away. "I miss you too, cheol.”

He grinned, but then his expression turned serious when he can’t see you on screen. "y/n, I want to see you. Please don't hide."

You sighed and moved fully into view, your eyes red and puffy. "It was a really tough day and I miss you so so much."

He looked at you closely. "There's something else, isn't there? I can see it in your eyes."

You hesitated, biting your lip. You wanted to tell him something but felt unsure. "It's nothing, really."

"y/n," he said tenderly, "you can tell me anything. What is it?"

You took a deep breath. "I just... I wish you were here. I'm having such a bad day, and I want to be with you. Would it be too selfish to ask if you could come home, just for a little while? Just to give me a tight hug? I know you're busy and that your tour is important, but I just... I know it's silly."

His face softened. He spoke gently, "It's not silly or selfish at all. I wish I could be there with you too, to hold you close and hug you tight. But we both know how important this is for us and for our dreams, right? We're in this together, and we'll make it through, I promise. Hey, we'll be together soon. Just a little longer, okay?"

His words wrapped around you like a comforting blanket, easing the knot of longing in your chest. You felt a wave of calm wash over you as you realized you weren't alone in this journey. You nodded, feeling a bit better. "Yeah, I guess so. Thank you, love."

"We'll take each day as it comes," He continued, his voice warm and steady. "And before you know it, we'll be together again."

You nodded, feeling lighter and more at peace than you had all day. "I can't wait for that day, cheollie. Until then, I'll hold onto you. Wow, you always know what to say."

He smiled. "That's what I'm here for. Now, tell me something good that happened today. There must be something."

You thought for a moment. "Well, I did get to eat my favorite ice cream during a break."

He laughed. "See, that's a start! And when we're together again, we'll have all the ice cream we want."

You giggled. "Deal."

You talked for a while longer, sharing stories and laughs until it was time to say goodnight. As you hung up, you felt a warmth in your heart. Even on the worst days, Seungcheol's love made everything seem a little brighter.

"Goodnight, my cheollie. I love you," you whispered to the dark screen.

"Goodnight, y/n. I love you too," his voice echoed in your memory.

You lay down, feeling a bit more at peace. Tomorrow was a new day, and you knew you could face anything with him by your side, even from miles away.

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

I'm back? hahahaha

[mcflymemes]

THE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE (2004) PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue from the film, adjust as necessary

my eyes!

pull up your pants, [name]. we're going home.

did you see my underwear? did you want to?

i love being purple.

his chops are too righteous.

you don't need a license to drive a sandwich.

it's some kind of wall of psychic energy.

you two dipsticks wouldn't last ten seconds over the county line.

we paid nine dollars for this?

who turned on the ac?

i suppose i can't execute you.

that's it! i'm through with messing around!

are men afraid of anything?

hey, you know, i actually feel a little better.

i don't even remember why i was sad.

wow, the pressure is already setting in.

your life is in our hands.

hey, look! free ice cream!

i'm making a complete what of myself?

wait, how did you know my name?

eww, i think i stepped in something.

you know, david hasselhoff was a great artist.

stalling? i'm not stalling anything.

are they laughing at us?

don't worry. this'll only hurt a lot.

after going on your life-changing journey, you now realize that you don't want what you thought you wanted. what you really wanted was inside you all along.

are you crazy?

i was just going to say that your fly is down.

this is the greatest day of my life!

i haven't felt this giddy since the day you agreed to be my wife.

lord knows i've tried.

all bubble blowing babies will be beaten senseless by every able-bodied patron in the bar.

i'm supposed to get a toy with this.

i am 100% man!

there. i think i made my point.

you said it yourself, this is man's country. and let's face it. we're just kids.

we don't belong out here.

we do not worship him!

oh... it's evil. it's diabolical. it's lemon-scented!

i got you right where i want you.

can i help you with something?

i've been hired to exterminate you.

you caught me and my friend here in a good mood today, so i'm gonna let you off with a warning.

they were fake?

of course they were fake!

uh, perhaps i've said too much.

that's a big boot.

hold on there, baldy.

oh, grow up. what, you think this is a game of kickball on the playground?

you never had a chance to defeat me!

i'm an evil genius. and you're just a kid.

i guess you're right.

you know, i've been through a lot in the past six days, five minutes, twenty seven and a half seconds.

if i've learned anything during that time, it's that you are who you are.

that's great. now get back against the wall.

i did what everyone said a kid couldn't do!

all right, we get the point!

okay, settle down. take it easy.

too bad [name] isn't here to enjoy [name] not being here.

i couldn't agree more.

there's something i need to say first. i just don't know how put it.

[piastree]

Take a Chance with Me | OP81

oscar piastri x reader (fc: huh yunjin)

— Part 4

Previous Part

Summary: When things aren't going well, Y/N takes a break for a while and redirects her focus to other things, spending more time with Oscar and her friends. Y/N's friends and Oscar consistently support her, ensuring Y/N is okay, even though she often insists she's fine. Disclamer: This is a story created for fun without any hate towards anyone. This work exists in a realm separate from the original canon. Characters may be divergent from their established personas. So, just enjoy the rollercoaster ride.

oscarpiastri added a story

landonorris are u proposing mate? oscarpiastri yeah mate, proposing to decide who pays the bill

yourbff

tagged yourusername

liked by oscarpiastri, user and 29,112 others

yourbff Through thick and thin, we've been laughing side by side for ten fantastic years. Wishing you endless happiness❤️

view comments

user friendship goalsss

user they are so PRETTYYYY

user both of you are not only stunning but also funny😂

oscarpiastri reserving my spot for the next decade😁

yourbff you're claiming to be one of my best friend spot now? i'll ask y/n first for the approval

lilymhe

liked by oscarpiastri, alexalbon, carmenmmundt and 29,112 others

lilymhe nature therapy🍃💖

view comments

user lily with y/n?????

user lol y/n just casually third-wheeling Lily and Alex😂

user mother, father and their daughter

user isn't y/n outfit too fancy for hiking??😂

lilymhe she thought we were just joking about going hiking😭

alexalbon y/n seemed a bit lost without oscar

oscarpiastri well, she loves being a dork

user MOTHER SLAYING AS USUAL😍

user Y/N is literally everywhere but not on her own Instagram :(

user yeah but we love seeing how people around her being so supportive

f1updates

liked by user, user, and 25,865 others

f1updates oscar was seen at a karting track with the young karteers yesterday

view comments

user finally we got new pics of oscar!!

user it's cute seeing the interaction between the kids and oscar

user AH OSCAR I MISS U POOKIE

user this is so lovely<3

user no y/n?

user i guess y/n isn't kind of wags who sticks to her partner all the time🤷‍♀️

user agreed, i've seen her at races only a few times

user when she doesn't need him anymore, she throws him under the bus

user lol wdym she just know what she should prioritize. Even oscar himself said she has her own life

imessage

f1wags

liked by user, user, and 10,901 others

f1wags After a brief hiatus from social media, y/n makes a cameo on her friend's IG Live today! In today's live, she spilled the beans on some questions about her christmas holiday in Australia and the short getaway in Japan with Oscar. She couldn't help but gush about the incredible experience—her first time in Australia. Oscar played the perfect tour guide, showing her around his hometown and introducing her to his family. He also told us about their short getaway in Japan. Y/N explained that they haven't seen each other for more than two weeks as Oscar is already back to work—busy with meetings, simulator sessions, and prepping for the upcoming F1 season at the McLaren Technology Centre, and she have to return to her work and projects too.

And can we just say, we're glad the couple is still in good terms after the recent not-so-great rumors?

view comments

user OMG, missed seeing you around, Y/N!

user she's talking about christmas in australia and their japan getaway? I need all the details!!

user she said they went to kyoto, disneyland, tried some street foods and traditional tea ceremony🥺

user i'm so happy y/n and oscar are still going strong and just ignore the haters and rumour

user their holiday stories are giving me major FOMO

user you radiate beauty and glow when you are unproblematic<3

twitter

yourusername

liked by oscarpiastri, landonorris, yourbff and 102,999 others

yourusername in 2023, my journey went from ginger to black, mirroring the different stages of my life. It's like a colorful map of my growth and transformation, representing the beautiful journey i've had. Grateful for the lessons, the love, and the incredible people i met along the way❤️

view comments

yourbff always proud of you!!❤️

user you're the sweetest, y/n! please always be happy❤️

landonorris what's wrong with the last photo?

yourusername my reaction when u got pole in Brazil

landonorris really?

yourusername whatever makes u happy🤗

user wish you nothing but the best, y/n❤️

user caption on point💯

yourusername

tagged oscarpiastri

liked by lilymhe, oscarpiastri, carmenmmundt and 29,954 others

yourusername same with me again next year?

view comments

user would be funny if oscar reacted with no

yourusername DON'T GIVE HIM IDEA

oscarpiastri i'll take that as reference thankyou😁

user adopt me

user the second pic is adorable😭

user this is the cutest photodump ever omfg

lilymhe ❤️❤️

yourusername love u mother, xo

oscarpiastri ready for another journey with me?

yourusername 💑💯

notes: honestly, i really want to put some conflict but i dunnoooo i can't bring myself to do it because i love them so much<///3 i dont want to mess with their lovey-dovey bickering dynamic:((( Maybe in the next part, I'll toss in some drama to keep things interesting hahaha lol. Thankyou for reading this chapter and hope u like it. Anyways, what do you think so far? Share your thoughts and let's have a chitchat with me<3

taglist: @fall-bambi @minkyungseokie @neoivy1

[myfandomrealitea]

Your post regarding specifc places for things and some places dont need a vent channel it helped me realise that the people i follow online were damaging to my health. They were constantly sharing real people who died horrifically and saying things like "if you dont share you're supporting violence " while i only joined social media to view art.

I actively speak about real life events offline with my family, we always talk about whats happening in the world once a week and mention anything new within the local and worldwide news. I didn't understand why social media was worsening my mental health around these topics since i could speak about it in real life with my family. i assumed i was horrible for simply not wanting to see it online, When your post about a safe space came up i realised why it made me feel so bad, the artists i followed no longer were posting art and were just constantly sharing news daily about horrific events. It became inescapable and i was unknownly doomscrolling for hours on social media while hoping to see art (that just made me feel bad viewing after seeing so much death) , my only escape was going offline. I already made new accounts just for art and Im so thankful for your post since i did avoid everything that was about real world events since the account is only for art and i feel so much more.. i guess happier.. but definitely more mentally healthy if that makes sense? It felt like my mind was drained or foggy when scrolling through social media, and i wasnt actually paying attention before but now its a lot more, clear, healthy and positive. Im able to think properly and actually pay attention and appreciate the good things online

I'm so glad I was able to help you on your journey to bettering your wellbeing. Its an aspect of why I run this blog and talk about the things that I do.

So very often people don't actually register or realize what parts of their lives are causing stress. They attribute it to 'working too much' or 'not sleeping enough' without realizing that there are direct causes for things like not sleeping enough. And I'm not saying every single part of life comes back to activism, but very often we don't even realize how much negativity and forced awareness we're exposing ourselves to.

I used to religiously follow accounts on Instagram which posted about animal abuse. Other than a handful of celebrities my Instagram feed would be the most graphic videos you could imagine of people hacking into live dogs with axes, boiling cats alive in huge vats of water, jockeys tearing at horse's mouths until their teeth were loose and they were leaving a trail of blood as they walked the winner's circle.

I used to think if I wasn't constantly forcing myself to acknowledge that these things were happening, if I wasn't constantly reminding myself the extent at which these things happen, I was a bad person. I wasn't a real animal lover. If I truly loved animals why wasn't I sharing these videos? Why wasn't I sitting there with thousands of other people acknowledging what animals go through while I sit comfy at home doing nothing?

It got the point where I'd be throwing up constantly, I refused to sleep because I was terrified of the nightmares and my hands would shake as I opened up the Instagram app because I dreaded what I'd see today.

It wasn't helping me. It wasn't helping the animals. I'm just as aware now of what animals go through without having to see any of it.

But now, I have the wellbeing to actually devote myself to meaningful activism. Not just tormenting myself to no outcome. Now, I have the willpower and the energy to sign petitions and do research and take steps in my own life to better the welfare of the animals in my care.

Now I can sleep at night and wake up well-rested with the energy and the motivation to do things both for myself and for other people. Now, I can scroll Instagram and leave polite, correctional comments on misguided videos about animals. Now I have the knowledge to devote my attention and my efforts to where it actually makes a difference and changes animal's lives.

It is such, such a hard thing to drag yourself out of. We're so conditioned into thinking suffering shared is suffering lessened. We're so conditioned into believing that by spamming words anywhere we can we are the direct cause of change.

Its a hell of a learning climb. A steep one. But I genuinely believe the world would be better off for learning and changing as we both had the courage to.

[gingiesworld]

Family is Forever

Chapter Eleven

Wanda Maximoff x GN! Reader

Warnings: Fluff

Taglist: @fxckmiup @ginnsbaker @gb12d @angrywhisperslove @louxbloom @casquinhaa @natashamaximoff-69 @wizardofstories @canvascoloredin @wandanats-goodgirl @forthelesbians @the-ox-fan20 @marvelogic

18+ MINORS DNI

Y/N's recovery was slow, but they had a whole family to help them. The twins kept them entertained with stories from school and some things that Pietro had taught them. Wanda glared at her brother as Y/N only chuckled, thanking him for being there for the three of them.

"Are you ready to go home today?" Wanda asked as she started to pack their things.

"I guess, the apartment isn't exactly suitable for this situation." They told her honestly, looking down at their casted leg and arm.

"I thought we talked about this." Wanda queried as Y/N shook their head.

"We only said that the divorce was off." They told her. "Besides, we haven't really had a private moment alone to talk further."

"Well, I guess now is as good as any." Wanda smiled as she zipped up the bag. "I figured you would want to come back home and live with the kids and I? But if you think otherwise that's ok." Y/N smiled lovingly as she rambled on. "I guess we can put the bed back in the basement, you know the one you had in case of an emergency."

"I would love to come home Wanda." Y/N told her softly. "The apartment was never my home, you and the boys were always my home."

"Good." She breathed. "I guess I was just nervous, but we will have to figure out work and getting out of the lease."

"I can figure all of that out when we are home." They told her. "I'll call Pepper and then maybe we can think more on your bookshop ideas."

"What?" Wanda questioned.

"Your bookshop. You still want to open it right?" They asked her as she nodded. "Then we can look at affordable locations, talk taxes and all other expenses. Maybe even look at suppliers too."

"You want to help?" Wanda asked them as they just nodded.

"Well, it's not like I am returning to work anytime soon." Y/N chuckled as Wanda just kissed them passionately, pulling away and resting her head on theirs.

"You have no idea how much I love you." She whispered breathlessly as Y/N pecked her lips once more.

"I love you more." They smiled as she gazed in their eyes.

"Let's get you home before the twins send out a search party." She told them as she moved the wheel chair to the edge of the bed. Aiding them in their movement and finally realising just how much weight they had lost. "The twins are looking forward to you being home. They have a whole movie night planned out."

"I can't wait." They smiled as Wanda wheeled them out of the hospital.

"Also mom is making her famous chicken paprikash for you too." Wanda told them, knowing it is one of their favourite meals.

"I have missed that." Y/N whispered as Wanda smiled.

"I haven't cooked it since you moved out." She whispered as they approached the car. Bucky waiting for the two as he helped Y/N in the passenger seat before folding the wheel chair and putting it in the trunk.

The journey was quiet as Y/N tried to keep their heart beat at a steady rate. The nerves of being back in a car was taking it's toll as they soon closed their eyes. Taking deep breaths as they thought of anything else. Wanda noticed this and started to sing the lullaby she used to sing to the twins. A smile soon formed on Y/N's face as they remembered the first time they heard her sing it. Coming home from work earlier than usual to her holding Billy who just gazed up at her as Tommy lay, sleeping soundly in his crib.

"We're here." Bucky stated as he turned off the engine and unbuckled his seatbelt. Pietro was already out of the door to help Y/N out of the car. Wanda grabbed the bag and followed as Pietro and Bucky lifted them up the porch steps.

"O'pa's here!!" The twins bellowed excitedly as Y/N smiled at them, loving the atmosphere they have created alone.

"We have snacks." Billy started.

"Your favourites!" Tommy chimed in as the adults laughed.

"We have refreshments too." Pietro teased in the same tone as the twins, handing Y/N a cup of coffee.

"Thank you." They smiled as everyone else moved to do their tasks.

"They have been excited since you woke." Pietro told them as Wanda disappeared to help her mom. "They missed you so much."

"I missed them." Y/N spoke quietly. "I guess this is something we needed to become a family again." Y/N joked as Pietro shook his head.

"I think whether or not you had a car accident, you and Wanda would have found your way back to each other one day." He told them as he helped them into the bed, which was positioned to give them a prime view of the whole room. Watching as the twins fought on which movie to put on first.

"How about we have a Shrek marathon?" Y/N spoke up as the twins soon nodded excitedly. Setting up the first movie as they waited for their dinner.

Wanda sat on the chair beside Y/N as the twins sat on the floor beside the bed. Not wanting to be away from Y/N for too long. Pietro, Iryna and Bucky all sat on the sofa as everyone watched the movie together, until Wanda's eyes soon found Y/N's.

"A family is forever." They whispered to her making her smile widen as she shook her head at them before taking their bowls away. Pietro helped her with the cleaning before he took Iryna home.

As they had finished watching the third movie, the twins were starting to fall asleep on the floor.

"Come on you two." Wanda spoke softly as she paused the movie. "Bedtime."

"No." They whined as Y/N smiled brightly, ignoring the pain in their cheeks.

"Yes." Wanda told them both. "O'pa will still be here tomorrow." The two bid goodnight as Wanda took away the rubbish as Y/N sighed loudly, causing Wanda to turn abruptly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." They told her with a smile. "I am just, this is the happiest I have been in a very long time." Wanda only smiled as she retreated to the kitchen, grabbing their meds and a fresh bottle of water.

"Here." She whispered as she passed them the meds and water. "I'm just going to shower and get dressed and I will be right back down."

"You can go to bed if you want to." Y/N told her as she smirked.

"I will be going to bed." She told them. "Remember, the sofa pulls out much better than you." She teased as they just laughed at her.

The two of them had felt the lightest they had felt in a very long time. There was no resentment or hatred brewing. The two only felt the love for each other which grew stronger with each passing moment and Y/N had made a silent promise. Sending in their resignation to Pepper, preferring to help Wanda in her shop instead. Also promising to make sure that she knows how beautiful and amazing she is everyday. Something they had neglected to do in the past as they worked endless hours for Stark Industries

[nicoscheer]

Miles Kane, What It's Like to Play as a 'One Man Band'

We met Miles Kane as a founding member of important bands such as the Last Shadow Puppets with Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys and the Rascals. In the last several years, the Liverpudlian has been on a solitary path, as the name of his recent release suggests. We spoke with him shortly before his long-awaited return to Athens, at "Arch Club", on Friday 5/17.

How has your tour been going so far?

The concerts so far are incredible. I'm excited to play by myself, so I'm very happy. I think people are relating and connecting with the songs on my new record and it's taking me to places I haven't seen in a long time. And Greece is one of those places.

Can you tell us a few words about how you wrote "One Man Band", your most chart-topping album to date?

The album was created in Liverpool. We worked on it with my cousin James Skelly, who used to be a member of The Coral. We went back home and that gave birth to the desire to make a completely straight album. Writing songs is what I do best, not thinking too much, just talking about my feelings, my worries and how I want to be better. I guess life in general is what "One Man Band" is all about, stomping on some rock'n'roll, surf music. We had a clear idea of ​​what the album and its sound should be and we followed it to the end. This is also the reason why it is my favorite work of all that I have released so far. I feel very proud!

You started a great career by participating in various bands, such as Last Shadow Puppets. What motivated you to follow a more solitary path in recent years?

I've been doing solo stuff since I was 22 and I'm 38 now. I learned so much from the bands I was in, the Rascals and the Little Flames. Being on my own and free to work with whoever I want and do whatever I want – even if it sounds selfish – I think suits me best.

And what's the biggest lesson you've learned from playing as a "One Man Band"?

Not playing with a band is completely different for me. It's a huge challenge and not many could pull it off to be honest. It has made me improve my performance as a guitarist, as a singer and as a performer.

What is the most important experience from this journey?

It may sound cliche but I really had a lot of good times in my career. But I feel that who I am today as a person in life and on stage gives me new meaning and life. At all these smaller concerts where I meet new fans, I realize that the younger generation brings a whole different energy to it all. I feel that the phase I am in now is the happiest of my life. I feel more connected and hope to stay on this "path".

Are you excited to be back in Athens ("Arch Club", 5/17)?

Yes! I think I can't remember the last time I visited Greece because it's been so many years. I hope people come because I plan to give you the best night of your life.

What constitutes a successful live?

A great outfit, some "golden" dance moves and an audience! I need to feel like people want to be involved as much as I want to be. This is the only way we can go to the next level.

What are your plans for the future?

I'm trying to write something new and prepare a new album, but I'm having a hard time doing it right now. I don't want to stop the flow of things. I'm quite a simple person and I know what I like in life... Music. Maybe next year I'll be ready for a new release.

Is there another side project in the works?

We're not working on anything with Alex. [Turner], like Last Shadow Puppets. But I have this new little side project going on called The Evils and it's an instrumental surf idea. We'll see how this goes... [s.s. In the time between the interview and its publication, Kane along with Oscar Sholto Robertson and Dave Bardon released the E.P. "Miles Kane & The Evils".]

Miles Kane's albums in his own words

"Colour of the Trap" (2011)

"The beginning of the adventure, when I was still searching for who I am. This album opened the way for me. You can hear all the different sides of me in it."

"Don't Forget Who You Are" (2013)

"Probably one of the best songs I've ever written [inc. the title]. Something keeps me coming back to it. It's like coming home to the roots for me. Sometimes in life you can get sidetracked and forget who you are. This song defined me as an artist and as a person."

"Coup de Grace" (2018)

"An intense rock'n'roll, punk period! Coming out with such an aggressive album is not as easy as you think."

"Change the Show" (2022)

"My chance to show my love for Northern Soul and Motown...Growing up I listened to everything from Diana Ross and the Four Tops to whatever was on the radio."

-

Full Greek article

[ravenrothstr]

Once Again Part I🤍

summary. jaehyun and his classmates go through the darkness of adulthood fill with bitterness, where both of them ended finding each other sparks in within

genre. high school! au, second chance love, fluff

words count. 9.0k

disclaimer. the story is fully fictional. other names mentioned are just for the story and pure imagination, with no bad intentions

--｡⋆✮ 🎧 ✮ ⋆｡--

Jaehyun sprang into action, swiftly manoeuvring to catch the basketball tossed by his teammates. Just as he prepared to take a shot, the coach's whistle pierced through the air, signalling the end of today's training session.

"Aish," he muttered to himself, releasing a disappointed sigh before dropping the ball to the ground.

Fist-bumps were exchanged, mutual words of encouragement were shared, and the team dispersed towards the changing room. Jaehyun situated himself between Mingyu and Eunwoo, the sound of lockers being opened filling the air.

"Let's grab dinner at that restaurant we hit up yesterday. You know, the one that always hooks us up with extra side dishes. I'm starving," Mingyu suggested, casting a glance at Jaehyun.

"Yeah, sure. Eunwoo, you in?" Jaehyun inquired, turning to his teammate.

Eunwoo merely turned his head, offering Jaehyun a cold stare before wordlessly heading to the showers, brushing past Mingyu and Jaehyun without a word. The two boys exchanged resigned sighs, accustomed to Eunwoo's distant demeanor.

"Guess he's content living life solo. Seems to be his M.O.," Jaehyun remarked sarcastically, throwing an arm around one of his teammates as they made their way to the showers together.

Despite being the team captain, Eunwoo rarely joined his teammates for post-training meals. While he was undeniably popular and academically successful, Eunwoo's reserved nature and occasional self-centeredness set him apart from the rest, particularly Jaehyun.

As the boys finished showering and left the basketball court, Eunwoo diverged from the group, his footsteps leading him in the opposite direction. With a heavy sigh, he checked his phone, reading a message from his friend.

"Eunwoo, I just finished studying for tonight. How's your day?" you texted.

Replying as he walked, Eunwoo continued his solitary journey.

--

The bustling atmosphere of the restaurant was a stark contrast to the quiet camaraderie of the basketball court. Laughter and chatter filled the air as the team settled into their seats, the restaurant staff familiar with their boisterous antics.

"Hey, Captain, what's your game plan post-graduation? We're hitting 18, right?" Mingyu queried, glancing around at his teammates.

"Why are you never thinking about the future?" he prodded, leaning in towards Jaehyun.

"Stop with the 'Captain' nonsense. Eunwoo's the real deal," Jaehyun retorted with a smirk.

"I know that. We're just curious. Cha Eunwoo seems to have his future all mapped out. So, what's your play?" Mingyu persisted.

While Jaehyun wasn't averse to discussing his future, he couldn't provide a definitive answer. Unlike Eunwoo, who had clear goals, Jaehyun was still uncertain about his path forward. Focused more on sports than academics, Jaehyun's family's financial struggles added an additional layer of complexity to his situation.

"The future?" Jaehyun mused, pouring water into his friend's empty glass before resting his arms on the table, his gaze fixed on the surface.

"That's a strong word," he continued, meeting his friend's gaze with a serious expression.

"Eunwoo has powerful backers," Jaehyun remarked. "His destiny's practically written for him. He knows exactly where he's headed."

His friend nodded in agreement, acknowledging the truth in Jaehyun's words.

"Anyway, let's call it a night. They're closing up shop," Jaehyun suggested, signalling for the bill.

The memory of that fateful night lingered in Jaehyun's mind as he walked home from practice. Stopping by a nearby convenience store, he purchased a pack of instant noodles before stepping outside. There, he encountered a man in his late forties seated on a bench—an encounter that would change everything.

"Evening, Mr. Jung," the man greeted, extending a hand for a shake, though Jaehyun's hands were full.

"Sorry, my hands are occupied," Jaehyun replied curtly, his guard up.

"My apologies. Let me introduce myself. I'm Mr. Lee, from the national basketball team," the man said, offering Jaehyun his business card.

Taking the card reluctantly, Jaehyun listened as Mr. Lee outlined an enticing offer—an offer that came with a condition: Jaehyun must become the team captain by the end of the semester's final game.

With a sense of foreboding settling in his gut, Jaehyun watched as Mr. Lee bid him farewell, leaving him to contemplate the weight of his decision.

--

The following day dawned with crystalline clarity, the school gradually filling with students as the morning sunlight streamed into Classroom 3-5, where Jaehyun found his seat. Despite sharing a class with Eunwoo, Jaehyun didn't pay much mind to him.

Entering the classroom with his bag slung over one shoulder, Jaehyun observed the usual morning bustle: some students gossiping, others hastily applying makeup in a bid to look their best. Meanwhile, Jaehyun quietly settled at his desk near the window, resting his head upon it in a familiar ritual, his hands cradling his head as he sought solace in a few moments of reprieve.

Uninterested in classroom chatter, Jaehyun often used these moments to steal a brief respite from his classmates. However, just as he teetered on the brink of sleep, the sliding of the classroom door disrupted his tranquility.

"Hey y/n, you're later than Jaehyun today," one of the girls remarked.

Y/N, another classmate, was an outsider known for your intellect and rumoured connection to Eunwoo. Speculation swirled that you might be engaged to Eunwoo in the future, inheriting both of your families' companies together. Nexus Architecture and Evergreen Designs & Associates. However, the gossip surrounding you led to disdainful treatment from your peers.

"Oh, really? We must have taken the same bus again," you replied with a smile, unaware of the snickers and whispered comments circulating around you.

Exasperated, Jaehyun heard the thinly veiled mockery directed at you, prompting a silent shake of his head before he sank further into his thoughts.

--

The shrill ringing of the lunch bell marked the midday break, prompting a rush of students streaming towards the dining hall. Among them stood you, patiently waiting in line for her meal.

"Oh, y/n, joining the lunch queue today?" a group of girls approached her, their tone laced with derision.

"Yeah, I forgot my lunchbox today," offering a friendly smile despite the thinly veiled contempt in their gaze.

The girls exchanged glances, stifling laughter before one of them jeered, "Aren't lunchboxes for eight-year-olds?"

Feeling the sting of embarrassment, you averted her gaze, your cheeks flushing with shame as tears threatened to well up.

Jaehyun observed the scene unfold with a mix of empathy and frustration. While he sympathized with your plight, he couldn't help but feel exasperated by the petty antics of their classmates. It was a reminder of the shallow nature of high school society, where appearances and rumours held more weight than genuine kindness.

Eunwoo's departure from the lunch table didn't go unnoticed, his actions stirring a silent curiosity among his friends, including Jaehyun. As Eunwoo made his way to the vending machine, Jaehyun's gaze trailed after him, silently observing the unfolding scenario.

"Hey, where are you going?" Mingyu's voice cut through the ambient chatter, but Eunwoo remained unresponsive, his focus fixed on his destination.

Undeterred by Eunwoo's lack of response, Mingyu exchanged a puzzled glance with the others at the table, his curiosity piqued by his friend's sudden departure.

Meanwhile, Eunwoo deftly navigated the vending machine, his movements smooth and purposeful. Yet, his concentration was interrupted by the unexpected arrival of a girl, her presence laced with a hint of mischief.

As she leaned against the vending machine, a smirk playing on her lips, Eunwoo's demeanor shifted slightly, his eyes widening in mild surprise at her boldness.

"Taking care of your girl again, huh?" she taunted, her words laden with implication.

Eunwoo's response was measured, his expression unreadable as he absorbed her words. Though inwardly unsettled by her assumption, he chose to remain silent, his thoughts swirling with unspoken complexities.

"What do you mean 'my girl?"

"Isn't she yours? For you to take care of her that much?"

She moved towards facing the machine and continued to make her purchase. Eunwoo moved aside slightly, he just stayed quiet at her question. Are you his? He just never thought of sorting those feelings out.

"Choi Ye Won, next to meet you" the girl continued and held her hand out to Eunwoo.

He hesitated momentarily, his gaze flickering between her outstretched hand and her expectant expression.

"Not for now," he replied cryptically, his tone tinged with uncertainty as he sidestepped her invitation.

Returning to the dining hall, Eunwoo's attention was drawn to you, his presence a comforting sight amidst the chaos of the lunchtime crowd. With a small gesture of kindness, he offered you the bread he had purchased, a simple yet meaningful gesture that spoke volumes.

"Hey I heard you forgot your lunch box today so I bought this for you. Though you might get hungry waiting in line"

Meanwhile, Mingyu's teasing remarks drew a knowing smirk from Eunwoo, his response veiled in playful ambiguity. Though his feelings for you remained a mystery even to himself, Eunwoo's actions spoke volumes about the depth of his care for you.

As the conversation flowed around him, Jaehyun stayed quiet, watching everything unfold. Little did he know, these events would soon draw him into a tangle of feelings and drama, making him question his place in their high school social circle.

--

"Jung Jaehyun, Mrs. Jeon is waiting for you in her office," a classmate's urgent voice broke through the classroom's murmurs, startling Jaehyun from the brink of sleep. He blinked, his eyes slowly focusing on the speaker.

"Now? Why?" Jaehyun's voice was groggy with confusion.

"Yeah, she's been asking for you. You better go," the classmate insisted.

As Jaehyun made his way to the teacher's office, the atmosphere felt charged with tension. Mrs. Jeon's voice reverberated through the corridor, sharp and unforgiving, as she berated a student for not meeting her expectations. Mr. Kim attempted to intervene, but Mrs. Jeon's frustration only seemed to intensify, her words lashing out like whips.

"How can I be expected to calm down when I'm surrounded by students who don't take their studies seriously?" Mrs. Jeon's voice echoed with exasperation as she gestured emphatically at the papers strewn across her desk.

"But Mrs Jeon, Jaehyun here has been making an effort. He's submitted his homework on time," Mr Kim interjected, trying to diffuse the situation.

Mrs. Jeon's eyes narrowed in Jaehyun's direction, her gaze piercing through him like daggers.

"Is that true, Jaehyun? Or are you just another slacker like the rest of them?"

Jaehyun felt the weight of her scrutiny bearing down on him, but before he could respond, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Jeon," came the timid voice of yours, Jaehyun's classmate, peeking into the room.

It had been several days since Jaehyun last encountered you in the dining hall. As you now stood beside him, you respectfully bowed to both of your teachers. Mrs Jeon let out an audible sigh. Though the purpose of your presence was to meet Mrs. Jeon, it was Mr. Kim who took the initiative to greet her first, his warm smile providing a momentary reprieve from the tension in the room.

"Y/n, you're here early in the morning," Mr. Kim remarked, a hint of amusement evident in his voice as he continued, "Again."

Mrs. Jeon turned her attention towards you, preparing to deliver yet another admonishment.

"Y/n, you can't come in here every morning to ask about your exam marks. You need to socialize more with your friends," Mrs. Jeon began, her tone tinged with frustration.

"But school is for studying," you voice firm and unwavering.

The others fell into a stunned silence, captivated by your bold response. Mrs. Jeon, feeling the weight of her students' challenges, massaged her temples in an attempt to alleviate the emerging headache. Jaehyun, observing the unfolding scene couldn't help but murmur softly to himself.

"Interesting," Jaehyun whispered, his gaze fixed intently on you.

A few moments later, the school bell chimed, signaling the start of classes. Mrs. Jeon fixed them with a stern gaze before dismissing them with a curt nod.

"You, focus more," Mrs. Jeon's stern voice pierced the air, her finger pointed squarely at Jaehyun.

"And you," she turned her gaze to you, "go socialize more," her tone softened slightly.

As you both made your way through the bustling corridors filled with students rushing to their classrooms, you swung the door open, stepping out of the office with Jaehyun in tow. Just as you were about to dart off, Jaehyun quickened his pace and leaned in to whisper in your ear.

"If you want to socialize more, come eat lunch with me," he teased, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips, catching you off guard.

With a stunned expression, you froze in your tracks as Jaehyun chuckled at your reaction before darting off to their classroom, leaving you standing there, bemused by his playful antics.

--

The day passed in its usual blur of lectures and scribbled notes until the lunch bell brought a welcome reprieve. Jaehyun, struggling to keep his heavy eyelids from closing, finally stirred from his desk as his classmates filtered out of the room and towards the cafeteria.

As he made his way towards the door, a sudden blockade halted his progress. It was you, your innocent smile belying your obliviousness to the social norms.

"Jaehyun, let's have lunch," you said, holding your lunchbox.

Jaehyun stood there stunned, unsure how to respond. His mind went blank. He wasn't expecting you to be this ignorant but he wasn't that mean either.

"You just need to finish your lunch right? Let's eat somewhere else," said Jaehyun worriedly.

Gently redirecting you, Jaehyun guided you out of the classroom and away from prying eyes to a secluded spot beneath a sprawling tree in the schoolyard.

They decided to eat their lunch on the bench beneath a large tree in the school field, where you began to eat. It was a secluded spot, rarely frequented during lunchtime, ensuring they wouldn't be spotted. Jaehyun sat beside you, his hands crossed and feet tapping nervously on the ground. He hoped you would finish your lunch quickly, along with your lunchbox, to avoid drawing attention to their presence together.

"Are you okay?" you inquired, noticing Jaehyun's restless feet.

"Yeah, I'm fine, hurry up and finish your lunch," he replied, quickly grabbing your hand and pushing your chopsticks back into the lunchbox. You, being as innocent as ever, nodded and resumed eating your lunch.

"But—" you began, setting down your chopsticks. Jaehyun's concern grew as he turned to face you, waiting for you to continue.

"Why aren't you eating?" you asked, your gaze fixed on Jaehyun, realizing he hadn't brought anything with him.

"Did you forget your lunchbox?" you asked with a smile.

He simply nodded in agreement. Knowing that nobody brings a lunchbox anymore, he didn't want to waste any more time. You happily finished your lunch, grateful to have Jaehyun's company since you didn't have any friends to eat with at school. Having Jaehyun there made your day.

As you reached for the last gimbap from your lunchbox, Jaehyun breathed a sigh of relief. It was finally over; you had finished your lunch.

"Okay, finished. I'll get going," Jaehyun said, quickly standing up and walking away from you as fast as possible.

"Wait!"

Jaehyun forced himself to look back, a frown forming on his face. "What now?" he asked, glancing at you.

"Do you want to go to the basketball court together after class?"

"No," Jaehyun said sternly as he left.

--

Another school day dawned for Jaehyun. Stretching his legs off the bed and onto the floor, he raised his arms high, grazing the ceiling as he yawned. Glancing at the time, he realized it was still early, so he decided to walk to school that day.

Plugging in his earphones and selecting a song from his playlist, he enjoyed the peaceful walk. Lost in thought about his plans for the day, he reminded himself of his role as the basketball team captain—a responsibility he took seriously as a means to support his family and secure a better future.

Arriving at the school gates, he muttered to himself, "Basketball captain, no more problems."

Suddenly, he heard a commotion behind him and turned to see you on the ground, surrounded by scattered books. A girl who had walked past you was rolling her eyes and walking away.

"Hey, you pushed me!" you shouted after her, but the girl ignored your accusation and continued on her way.

Seeing you struggling, Jaehyun hesitated for a moment, torn between helping you and avoiding involvement with an outsider. He then ignores his inner conflict, he decided to lend a hand. Quickly gathering your books, he approached you and handed them over.

"Oh, Jaehyun!" you exclaimed in amazement. "Thank you for helping."

"Whatever," Jaehyun replied tersely, handing over the books before swiftly walking away. Though he wanted to advise you to be more careful, he found it awkward and opted for a brief response. Helping you was enough for one day.

You walked silently behind Jaehyun, heading to the same classroom as usual. Surprisingly, he didn't walk away or leave you alone. Given the possibility of being pushed or bullied on your way to class, you stick close to him. Jaehyun noticed you following him but didn't mind, although he hadn't realized he wasn't walking away until he reached the stairs. Your eyes met briefly, both quickly looking away.

Jaehyun cleared his throat nervously before speaking up, offering a warning. "You should be more careful," he said.

"I should, I'm sorry. I'll be more careful to not slip on my feet again."

"Not your feet, them," he corrected you. "You should be careful of people around you."

Jaehyun noticed you freeze on the landing step, just standing there. Wondering if he had said too much or if you simply didn't understand, he debated whether to approach you. Before he could decide, a group of boys approached, prompting Jaehyun to continue up the stairs, leaving you behind.

--

During class, Jaehyun found himself lost in thought, gazing out the window toward the school entrance. He was barely paying attention until the lunch bell rang, snapping him back to reality.

As students started leaving the classroom for lunch, Jaehyun noticed his teammates, including Mingyu, heading toward his classroom. A smile formed on his lips at the sight of friends who remembered him. Just then, you approached his desk, and he knew he was in for an awkward encounter.

"Jaehyun, let's have lunch," you said, holding her lunchbox.

Internally, Jaehyun sighed, wishing to avoid this situation. Before he could respond, Mingyu's face appeared at the door, witnessing them together. Sensing the awkwardness, Mingyu quickly shut the door again. Jaehyun seized the opportunity, grabbing your wrist and leading her to the field.

"Eat it now, hurry," he urged.

"Are you not comfortable with me?" she asked, sensing his discomfort.

The question caught Jaehyun off guard, while he was crossing his arms, tapping his feet nervously.

"What?"

"Are you not comfortable with me, Jaehyun?" you repeated.

Jaehyun blinked, realizing his behaviour. He glanced at you, who seemed saddened.

"If you're not comfortable, you don't have to eat lunch with me," you offered.

Sighing, Jaehyun realised he was treating you out of pity. He forced himself to buy some snacks from a vending machine and returned to the bench.

"Satisfied? I'm having lunch too," he said, opening his soda.

"Okay," you replied, beginning to eat.

They ate in silence, and when lunch hour ended, Jaehyun made you promise to let him go to class first. As they parted ways, Jaehyun couldn't shake off the feeling of discomfort and guilt.

A week passed, and Jaehyun found himself still having lunch with you at the field bench. His training and mood hadn't improved, and the basketball match loomed ahead. During the game, he drank the usual soda and ate a chocolate bar, feeling stuck in a rut. As the match concluded, Eunwoo's skill earned him praise and adoration from the crowd.

He threw your bag onto the floor as soon as he entered the house, frustration weighing heavily on him. Memories of the game replayed in his mind, each missed opportunity and fumbled play haunting him. Despite the team's victory, he felt like he had let everyone down, especially with Mr. Lee there to evaluate his skills. Exhausted, Jaehyun collapsed onto the bed, trying to accept the day's events before drifting off into a troubled sleep.

--

You sat alone at your desk, observing the bustling activity of your classmates as they rushed out for lunch. It caught your eye at Jaehyun's motionless figure, his head resting on the table. Probably lost in his thoughts. You could hear concerned whispers from his teammates filling the air.

"Let's give him some space," Eunwoo intervened, urging the others to leave him alone.

You approached Jaehyun's desk, hoping to share lunch with him and lighten him up a bit. But Jaehyun's response was cold and dismissive, hurting you.

"Y/n, can't you tell I don't want to have lunch with you?" he snapped.

His words cutting deep to you, as the feeling of shame and rejection washed over as you struggled to hold back tears as Jaehyun continued, criticizing you for being weird and clingy. With a heavy heart, you watched him leave you alone in the classroom.

As the door closed behind him, your emotions overflowed with tears streaming down your cheeks. You gathered your belongings and made your way to the field bench, seeking comfort in the familiar routine of her lunch break.

You walked to the field bench and made yourself comfortable. You could feel your small fingers trembling over the situation that had happened but forced them by opening the lid of your lunchbox without hesitating for a second. Everything stayed the same for you, except when the tears rolled down your cheeks.

The world has been harsh on you.

--

"And that is all for today," said the teacher, closing the book in front of him to indicate the end of the last period. You left the class with your other classmates, joining the students in the corridor. After spending your lunch crying, you feel drained.

"Y/N!", someone calls you from behind.

You recognised the voice immediately, as you turned towards Eunwoo running toward you.

"Going to art class again?"

"Yes, how about you?"

"Y/N, are you okay?" Eunwoo sensed something was wrong with your response. He gently pulled your arm.

"I'm okay, Eunwoo. Thanks for asking,"

"Do you want me to walk you there? I can tell the coach I'll be running a bit late for today's training."

How you wished you could nod. After everything that had happened today, the idea of someone accompanying you to the art centre would comfort you. But Jaehyun's words had shaken your trust in people's kindness.

"No, Eunwoo, thank you, but I'll walk myself today. You should go to practice," you declined.

"Okay then," Eunwoo hesitated before continuing. "I'll text you later."

You gave him a light smile and walked away from him. Glancing around at the surroundings on the route to the art centre, you were torn between going to art class or taking a day off. Your head and heart were at odds with each other, and with each step, your legs felt heavier.

Unable to bear it any longer, you found yourself walking back home, seeking emotional refuge with Haein, the caretaker. As you entered the house and found Haein arranging cushions in the living room, you felt a sense of relief wash over you, knowing you had someone to turn to in time of need.

A few weeks had passed, and neither Jaehyun nor you had been to the teacher's office since their last encounter. You took Jaehyun's warning about lunch seriously, perhaps too seriously. You found yourself overthinking your interactions with others and making efforts to connect with peers. Amidst all your progress, there was one thing you hadn't changed: her lunchbox. Meanwhile, Jaehyun had resumed having lunch with his teammates as usual.

"Eat up, captain!" Mingyu exclaimed with laughter.

Jaehyun smiled widely as he placed his tray on the desk and joined the rest of the team. It felt good to be back with them. Just as he was settling into his seat, he noticed Eunwoo with Choi Yewon. Jaehyun nudged Mingyu's arm and leaned in to whisper.

"What's going on with Ye Won and Eunwoo?"

"Her? You know, his new target," Mingyu shook his head.

"What? Behind y/n?"

"We all know about his schemes with y/n," Mingyu interjected. "He's just brazen enough to do it openly at school."

They glanced over at Eunwoo and Ye Won, who were clearly intertwined as they conversed. Jaehyun felt uncomfortable, he didn't the thought of you being betrayed like this. They decided to leave them alone and continue their lunch. Jaehyun then began eating ravenously.

"Hey, are you that hungry?" one of his teammates asked, but Jaehyun ignored them completely.

As soon as he finished his lunch, Jaehyun slammed his chopsticks down on the table and hastily announced, before rushing out of the dining hall, leaving his bewildered team behind.

"I'll get going, see you later"

Mingyu surveyed his teammates with frustration. The team was in disarray, with neither the captain nor the potential captain able to focus before their match. Mingyu clenched his chopsticks tightly, feeling the need to intervene.

"Someone needs to stop this," Mingyu declared fiercely.

--

"The weather is too great to have a bad day," you remarked to yourself as you sat down for lunch.

You had grown accustomed to eating alone in this spot, finding comfort in the gentle breeze and open space. It was a solace space for you only. Suddenly, you were interrupted by a familiar voice.

"What are you doing?" Jaehyun's voice came from beside the bench.

You looked up in surprise. "Jaehyun, why are you here?"

"Just... for nothing," he replied, taking a seat next to you with his hands in his jacket pockets.

"It's okay if you don't want to have lunch—"

Jaehyun turned to her, smirking. "Just eat your lunch," he said, cutting you off.

You returned his smirk and began eating, while Jaehyun couldn't help but smile softly at the action. He could sense that you had become more attentive and considerate toward others, and it felt reassuring.

After a few moments of silence, you glanced at Jaehyun, who seemed lost in thought. He looked distracted and anxious, you offered him your favourite juice.

"If you're going to space out for that long, you might as well enjoy a juice," she suggested.

Jaehyun sighed and accepted the juice. As both of you sat together, Jaehyun couldn't help but notice the tranquillity of their surroundings.

"Is this why you always have lunch here?" he asked, curious.

"Yeah, I find it hard to socialize at school, even during recess. So I come here to gather myself before continuing with the day."

"Jaehyun, are you okay?" you asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

He was taken aback by the question, feeling a surge of emotions. He was so close to telling you the truth of Ye Won and Eunwoo. How he wanted to save you from the betrayal.

"No, actually, I have something to tell you,"

Before he could continue, a few people approached the bench. It was Jaehyun's teammates. He quickly stood up, intending to explain the situation, while you were confused, not understanding what was happening as you looked on innocently at them.

"It's not what it looks like-" Jaehyun explained to them.

"So it was you all along," Mingyu pointed at you, ignoring Jaehyun before he continued.

"You were the one messing up with him"

"I'm sorry, who are-",

"You think you can hang out with one of us just because Eunwoo is your friend, right?!"

"This is not what it seems-"

"You getting bolder now. You think people like you now. Can you see people using you just especially Eunwoo? You no special, y/n"

They hurled insults at you, and Jaehyun's attempts to defend her fell on deaf ears. You could sense your eyes got teary, it wasn't even you who approached them in the first place. But Jaehyun was quick to realise your expression, he knew where this was heading. He immediately dragged his teammates away from you and brought them back to the class. They all left you alone on the bench.

Jaehyun was fierce, he walked in front of them in the dash.

"Jaehyun, I did a great job, didn't I? Don't worry, she's not gonna disturb you anymore", his teammate said as he smiled thinking he saved Jaehyun.

Jaehyun turned around to face him, looking at him in the eyes.

"I told you. It's not what it looks like!"

They were all startled at his action, he was really mad this time. People around them were starting to talk and gather around them. It seems like they were getting into a fight any moment now. Jaehyun looked around and gave out a sigh, putting his head down.

"Let's just go to class," he said as he entered his classroom door and closed it shut.

--

Your steps echoed through the empty corridor as you hastened towards the sanctuary of the girls' bathroom. Your heart heavy turns into tears threatening to spill, hiding within the confines of one of the stalls, where you allow yourself to finally release the torrent of emotions that had been building up inside.

As your sobs filled the quiet space, the sound was soon accompanied by the soft murmur of voices outside your stall. Startled, your tears momentarily paused as you strained to listen. Four concerned voices floated through the air, their words a mix of worry and compassion.

"Hey, what's going on in there? Are you okay?", one of the girls asked gently, her voice tinged with genuine concern.

"Maybe she needs a tissue," another voice suggested, practical and helpful.

A third voice chimed in, "I think she might need a pad instead. It sounds like she's crying because of that."

The girls deliberated amongst themselves, each offering suggestions on how best to help you in your time of need. Their voices blended into a comforting chorus of support, reaching your ears and offering a glimmer of hope amidst your despair.

Finally, summoning your courage, you slowly opened the door of the stall, revealing your tear-streaked face to the concerned girls outside. Without hesitation, you begin telling them what had happened over lunch. They enveloped you in a warm embrace, offering comfort and understanding without judgment.

Meanwhile, in the classroom, Jaehyun's anxiety mounted with each passing minute as he anxiously watched the clock. His worry for you gnawed at him, the weight of guilt and regret heavy on his shoulders.

Five minutes have passed.

Ten minutes have passed.

Fifteen minutes have passed.

His eyes peek around the class again as it stops at your desk. You're still not there. Jaehyun begins tapping his feet, his mind too begins to imagine every possibility that could happen to you.

'Is it possible you went back home already?', thought to himself. 

Suddenly the front door of the classroom slides open. The whole classroom sways their heads facing away from the blackboard, even the teacher paused his lesson for a moment.

'Shit'

When you finally entered the classroom, your eyes red-rimmed and downcast, Jaehyun's heart sank. He could feel the weight of the whispers and stares directed at you, a tangible manifestation of the repercussions of your actions.

"I'm sorry, teacher. The toilet was really full, and I had to go number two," you explained as you bowed and made your way back to your seat.

--

Throughout the day, the atmosphere crackled with tension, rumors spreading like wildfire and casting a shadow over the basketball team's reputation. Jaehyun's stomach churned with guilt as he grappled with the knowledge that their actions had contributed to your pain.

Later, Coach Lee's voice boomed with disappointment and anger as he addressed the team. Eunwoo, in particular, felt the weight of the coach's words bearing down on him, the burden of leadership heavier than ever before.

As they endured their punishment of running laps under the scorching sun, Eunwoo's eyes caught sight of something on the bench where you usually sat. It was your forgotten lunchbox.

"It's okay Eunwoo, it's not your fault. We respect you as a captain", said his teammates.

Eunwoo looked at them, turning his head towards the back of him. 

"He's right. I'm sorry, Eunwoo, everyone", Mingyu apologise.

'If only you held your anger on y/n, things would have been better", replied Ten, another member of the team.

"But I really can't hold it in-"

The teammates started bickering while they carried on with their laps. Eunwoo just shook his head at them, he took a glance again at Jaehyun. He was at the back of all of them. His eyes started to wander around, it stopped at something that caught his eye and made him a bit. It was the bench you sat at during lunch. There was a silver box on top of the sits. Apparently, you had left her lunchbox on the bench. Eunwoo notices it as he quickly looks back at Jaehyun to see if he notices it too. He quickly snaps out to distract him.

"Focus. Run faster! 30 laps to go!", Eunwoo shouted.

--

The next morning, you decide to arrive early at school. You realize you forgot your lunchbox in the classroom the day before and want to retrieve it before the school fills up. After all, the thought of leftover food sitting in your lunchbox is less than appealing.

As you push open the wooden door of the classroom, you notice Jaehyun, Eunwoo, and a few others who have already arrived. Ignoring their presence, you swiftly place your pastel brown bag on a nearby chair and hurry towards the bench on the field, seeming to cope peacefully with the aftermath of the previous day's incident.

"Is it gone already?" you exclaim, noticing the empty bench.

Kneeling down, you begin to search beneath the bench when suddenly, Eunwoo appears.

"Here's your lunchbox. I've already washed it," he says, gesturing towards the lunchbox in front of him.

"Thanks, Eunwoo," you reply gratefully, reaching out to take it.

"How did you know I left it here?"

Eunwoo hesitates, running a hand through his hair before responding, "We happened to train at the field yesterday."

"Well, that makes sense. Thank you, Eunwoo," you say with a smile, returning his gesture.

"I knew you were going to look for it. Let's go back to class," Eunwoo suggests, and you nod in agreement.

--

"Are you feeling better? Yesterday was rough for you," Eunwoo asks as you climb up the stairs together.

You don't react much as he expected, just humming at his question, signaling to him that you're okay now. Eunwoo begins to worry when he sees your response, his expression immediately changing as he steps on another riser above you.

"Y/n, don't take it to heart about what they said yesterday. Some people never think before they speak, they were just not in the right mind when they confronted you."

"It's alright Eunwoo. After all, what they say about me was right anyway. I saw that coming already."

As you reassure him with a soft smile, you demonstrate your adeptness at handling the situation. Growing up with both of your parents working as architects, you have become accustomed to direct and straightforward criticism, albeit often delivered in a gentler manner. You have learned to detach your emotions from such feedback and simply accept it for what it is. Even if some of the statements hold partial truth, you see little point in trying to argue or convince otherwise.

"That's not what I mean. You know I'm here for you because I really want to be, I'm not using you," Eunwoo says, offering a white lie.

"I know, that's why I said it's about me. It's true I depend on you a lot because I have no friends here, and it's harder now that you can't always be there to solve all of my problems," you pause before continuing.

"So just let me think it through for now."

Eunwoo doesn't say anything as he stands still in his position, knowing it's best for you to have some time. Deep down inside, Eunwoo understands that it's not about you needing him to solve everything, but rather his own fear of losing you. You have been there for him, even when he resorted to dirty tricks, and now that you are starting to grow apart from him, he fears being left with nothing.

Just as you are both lost in your thoughts, Jaehyun steps in, approaching the staircase. He immediately makes eye contact with you, filled with regret and the desire to apologize, but his actions speak otherwise.

-- This morning, Jaehyun's feet moved in a dash as he exited the bus, the cold breeze hitting him as he sped up. It was early, Jaehyun had already arrived at school. Without bothering to set down his backpack, he made his way to the school field. Jaehyun knew he had to retrieve the lunchbox before anyone else did. It was the only reason he could use to meet up with you again and apologize. However, to his dismay, the lunchbox was nowhere to be found.

His eyes widened in a fluster as he realised the lunchbox was missing. Without hesitation, he began searching for it. Pulling down the sleeves of his sweater, he warmed his hand with a breath before Eunwoo appeared, holding the lunchbox.

"Once again, you're second, Jaehyun," Eunwoo remarked, lifting the lunchbox with one hand while the other remained in his pocket.

"I never come in second. You're the one always taking what's not yours," Jaehyun retorted.

"Like what? The scholarship?" Eunwoo's words struck a nerve with Jaehyun.

"What do you mean?" Jaehyun asked, caught off guard.

"I know about it, Jaehyun. I'm just surprised you're doing this behind the team," Eunwoo continued, receiving a glare from Jaehyun.

The mention of the scholarship ignited anger within Jaehyun, but he restrained himself before it escalated into a physical confrontation.

"Keep it," Jaehyun said sharply, pushing the lunchbox back towards Eunwoo, causing him to sway his hand.

"I don't need those things to come in first," Jaehyun declared firmly.

He watched Eunwoo laugh at his words as he walked away, leaving him alone on the bench. At that moment, Jaehyun made a decision. He wasn't solely aiming for the scholarship anymore; he was determined to prove that he could surpass Eunwoo in every aspect.

--

During that lunch break, Jaehyun headed off to the library after finishing his meal. If he ever hoped to surpass Eunwoo, he knew it had to start with his mind. As he solemnly made his way to the library, everything felt unfamiliar to him. Awkwardly navigating between the shelves, he eventually found himself in the architecture section. Knowing that Eunwoo's family owned a renowned architecture firm in Seoul, with Eunwoo destined to inherit it, Jaehyun couldn't help but feel the weight of the challenge ahead.

Jaehyun let his gaze wander as he roamed the shelves, unsure of what to do next. Eventually, he selected a book that caught his eye:

"The Architecture of Happiness".

Finding a secluded spot hidden between the shelves, Jaehyun settled down on the floor with eager anticipation, immersing himself in the book.

As he delved deeper into the world of architecture, Jaehyun's passion and understanding grew. He began devouring more architecture books and design compilations, expanding his knowledge. Simultaneously, his dedication to basketball training intensified, with Jaehyun pushing himself harder late into the evening.

One night, after wrapping up the extra training alone, Jaehyun was startled to see you entering the court, still in your school uniform, your fingers fidgeting nervously as you glanced around.

"Y/n?" Jaehyun called out, bending his head slightly to confirm your identity.

"Why are you here?" he inquired as you approached.

"I- is- is Eunwoo still here?"

"Eunwoo left an hour ago. You should leave too," Jaehyun advised.

"I see. I'll head out then," you replied, making your way towards the nearest bus stop. Jaehyun didn't stop you, accompanying you silently to the bus stop. As you both boarded the bus, Jaehyun took a seat behind you.

"You could have just texted him instead of coming here yourself," Jaehyun remarked, leaning forward slightly. You flinched at his words, turning your head to look at him.

"He hasn't been returning my calls or messages lately," you admitted.

Jaehyun stared at you, his expression unreadable. It was clear to him that Eunwoo was spending more time with Ye Won, neglecting you in the process.

"You already knew, didn't you?" Jaehyun asked, subtly referring to Eunwoo's relationship with Ye Won.

You simply nodded in response.

The rest of the bus ride passed in silence. You immediately put on your earphones after your conversation, and Jaehyun followed suit, leaning back in his seat. Glancing at your reflection in the window, Jaehyun tried to gauge your emotions, but your stoic expression gave nothing away.

As the night grew darker outside, you stared blankly into the distance, your mind wrestling with conflicting emotions. Despite the calmness of the night, you found no comfort. Just as you rested your head against the window, Jaehyun pressed the stop button behind you with determination.

"Ahjussi, this is our stop!" he called out.

Your confusion only deepened as Jaehyun guided you off the bus before your intended stop. You followed him, your brow furrowing as both of you walked down a street adorned with cherry blossom flowers and trees.

"Why are you bringing me here?" you asked, turning your head to look at him.

"No reason," he lied casually. "You might like it here."

Jaehyun spotted a bench nearby, and you surveyed your surroundings. The windy night had transformed the streets into a scene straight out of a dream, with nearly pure white cherry blossoms tinged with the palest pink fluttering gently in the breeze. They seemed like confetti in the air, descending around both of you. You stood still, lifting a hand in front of you as if to catch the falling blossoms. Jaehyun watched you intently from his seat on the bench. Just then, a cherry blossom flower drifted down and landed delicately in your open palm.

"Jaehyun! Did you see that?" you exclaimed excitedly, your eyes sparkling with childlike wonder as you skipped over to him, the flower cradled in your hand.

A warm, tender smile spread across Jaehyun's face, his dimples forming as he watched you.

"Hurry, make a wish," he urged gently.

You immediately placed your other palm next to the first, closing your eyes tightly and bowing your head toward the flower. You made a silent wish in your heart before opening your eyes with a happy sigh, taking a seat next to Jaehyun. He couldn't help but smile softly at your infectious happiness.

"What did you wish for?" he inquired.

"That your life will be as happy as I was when the flower landed in my palm," you replied earnestly.

"You should wish for Eunwoo to reply to you. Why wish for someone else?" Jaehyun teased gently.

"Because the best kind of wish is the one made for others," you grinned back at him before continuing.

"It was tough when things weren't going well at my father's firm. But when Eunwoo's family firm and ours did a project together, we wished for their success, and it happened. It felt like a miracle, Jaehyun," you added, meeting his gaze.

He listened intently, feeling a connection to you as you shared your story. Your vulnerability opened up a new understanding between you both.

"Here," you said, passing the flower to Jaehyun. "Maybe one day, you can make a wish for me."

With that, you stood up from the bench and began to walk away after adjusting your skirt. Jaehyun watched you go, then turned his gaze back to the cherry blossom. The beautiful night filled with cherry blossoms remained warm in your memories as you both returned home, leaving behind a quiet night filled with delightful memories.

--

"Oppa, the school festival is coming up. Are you going to perform again?" a junior asked Jaehyun nervously in the corridor of the school.

"What?" he replied, staring at her blankly, trying to understand what she was talking about.

"Well, you always perform during the school festival. I was wondering if you're going to perform again this year."

"Oh," Jaehyun hesitated. With his father no longer around to practice with, he wasn't considering performing this year.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I am," he finally answered.

Jaehyun's performances during the school festival always attracted a lot of attention from girls, which made him feel a bit awkward. However, he only paid attention to his friends and basketball team, and now to Eunwoo, whom he aimed to beat.

He entered the classroom after stopping by the library as usual. Closing the door behind him, Jaehyun made his way back to his desk.

"What? You said you went where?" you asked as your classmate who sat in front of her repeated her story.

Jaehyun smirked slightly. He was sure you didn't know about the mall the other girl mentioned.

Jaehyun went through the architecture section in the library like always, wandering his eyes around the shelves. As his eyes went from one book to another, none of the books caught his attention this afternoon.

He let out a groan as he made his way to a seat. He took out a small drawing pen he held in his pocket, letting his fingers sketch on a sketchbook he had bought. Just then, he heard your and Eunwoo's voices conversing on the shelf next to his table. Making his attention on you both, he turned his head before deciding to ignore you as he went back to sketching.

"Y/n," Jaehyun could hear a voice calling it across the library as it broke the silence.

He lifted his head from the sketchbook, just as he saw you approached by a student council at a shelf next to his table. Immediately hiding his face with his hand by laying his head on his stretched arms across the table, facing the opposite of you both. Making sure he did not get caught but he continued to eavesdrop.

"Hi Jihyo," you said to the student council.

"Oh, hi Eunwoo. Didn't see you there," she said to Eunwoo.

"Do you think you can perform during the school festival? We need someone to start the dance during the evening dance event," she continued.

"I'm sorry-? What dance?"

"The principal is finally allowing us to do a dance event as the closing of the school festival," she explained before she continued.

"We would like to have you and Eunwoo perform as the opening for the dance event. Both of you can perform a slow dance, you guys used to go to the same art elementary school," she convinced you.

Jaehyun on the other side wasn't liking what he heard, he was hoping you to turn down the offer as there was a long pause after the conversation. He gathered his strength to his legs, feeling restless over the eavesdrop. He was ready to leave the library before you could answer. Eunwoo noticed Jaehyun at the table as he stood when he decided to leave the room but your voice stops his actions.

"Okay, I'll do it if Eunwoo is okay with it," you said.

Eunwoo immediately made eye contact with Jaehyun across the shelf.

"Sure, I'll do it," Eunwoo answered, still eyeing Jaehyun.

"For you," turned back his head to face you who has on his shoulder level, looking up at him.

Your lips curved upwards at Eunwoo's actions. You're glad Eunwoo is trying to amend your relationship but your guts are telling you otherwise. You were already drifting apart from each other with Eunwoo sneaking around behind your back with Ye Won. As much as you're hesitating, your actions never did anything to avoid him yet you feel it's hard to push him away.

"Jaehyun," said you as soon you lifted your head, making eye contact with him.

By your tone and your face that brightens up when you see Jaehyun, he can tell you're more interest in him eavesdropping on the conversation than being selected for the dance. But your happiness drops in a split of seconds when Jaehyun just passes by you, ignoring you both and making his way out of the library.

Your heart sank.

It wasn't the first time you received cold shoulders from him so you faced the floor, brushing away the feelings.

"So you wanna start to practise tonight?" Eunwoo asked immediately after he noticed you, you must have felt small.

"Yeah, that sounds great."

"I'll meet you at the court then after training, the court should be big enough for us."

You nodded as you gave a soft smile at him before both of you made your way to the classroom.

--

Jaehyun takes a quick look over at the audience on the benches. Usually, there are a few of their teammates' girlfriends, but today you are sitting casually as you sketch in your sketchbook. He shakes off his wandering thoughts and brings them back to the training. Not long after that, the training ended and the team headed to the changing room. Jaehyun stayed at the court for some personal practicing.

At first, he was just minding his own business when suddenly Eunwoo came to court again. He could see from the corner of his eyes that Eunwoo went to you as you too walked yourself down the court from the bench.

"Are you done yet?" you asked.

"Yeah, let's start practicing."

You nodded.

Jaehyun went back to his training after hearing that and you too started your practice. From time to time, Jaehyun took a glimpse of you both. He was confused by his actions. His eyes couldn't help but lay on you and Eunwoo dancing.

"Just making sure everything okay," he clarifies himself.

He looked at how gracefully you were dancing. Surely it proves a lot that both of you were from a performing arts school. He left a smile as he romanticized the view of you both dancing.

Looking at both of you dancing reminisces back his memories with his grandmother. He used to learn some dances with his grandmother, as she was a dancer. He adores graceful movements when she dances, it softens a part of him. It could make the world around him shut for a moment, the only thing that was bright and warm was the dances.

--

"Mr. Jeong, please have a seat," said a man opening the door for Jaehyun, the sight of Mr. Lee and his couch filled his eyes in the room.

He's been here every now and then, just the sight of Mr. Lee and a few men in suits seems new to him. His guts are telling him something was off but for now, all he could do is casually takes a seat next to the empty beside Mr. Lee at the desk.

"Jaehyun," his couch speaks as Jaehyun sits down and continues his words that leaving a shock on Jaehyun's face, he lifts his face to the couch. It was hard to believe what he heard.

"How about giving the scholarship spot to your teammate Eunwoo?"

[ofstarsandvibranium]

My Sweetheart: Part 7

Fandom: Marvel

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x F!Reader

Summary: You purchase a vintage sweetheart bracelet from an antique store and with it, comes the spirit of the woman who owned it. Through her, you go on an interesting journey to find out what happened to her old lover.

Series Masterlist

The next time you see Bucky is when he's scheduled to come in. Alongside him is Yelena and Kamala. Alpine happens to be hanging on your shoulder, so when Bucky walks in, Alpine jumps from your shoulder to the front counter.

Bucky chuckles and picks up the white kitten, "Hey, buddy," the kitten meows and nuzzles into Bucky's neck.

"He was being a little fussy earlier today. He pooped all over himself and we had to bathe him. He wasn't having any of it, but we got through it."

Bucky looks at the kitten, "You being a little stubborn, Al?"

"Think you're rubbing off on him," Yelena says with a smirk, patting the white kitten's head.

Bucky rolls his eyes, "Don't think I've rubbed off on him that much yet." He then turns to you and softly smiles, "So, what's on the agenda boss?"

You check your watch, "It's about lunch time so divide and conquer. Take out and feed half. The ones out and eating need their enclosures cleaned. I'll need some help sorting donations we just received."

"I'll help you," Yelena immediately spoke up, which caused Bucky and Kamala to look at her with raised brows. She shrugged, "What? I like being helpful."

"Well okay. Kamala, Bucky, you guys know where the food and cleaning supplies are, right?"

"We got it, Captain!" she salutes to you and nudges Bucky to follow.

You politely smile at him and point at the kitten on his shoulder, "I assume I can trust you with Alpine?"

He shoots you a grin, "Of course!" his smile fades and then he looks concerned. He rubs the back of his neck "but, uh, you good? I'm sorry but you look a little frazzled today."

You can't help but laugh a little at his statement and you rub your forehead, "Yeah. Today's already been a long day and I've been here for only three hours."

Bucky steps closer, "Anything I can do to help?"

You give him a soft smile and place a hand on his shoulder, "You being here helps." Realizing how it sounds you immediately retract your hand and clear your throat, "I-I mean, you guys, like, you, Kamala, and Yelena being here helps. Extra hands means more stuff gets done and what not."

He smirks at you, "Right. Got it, but, uh, if there's anything you need, you let me know? Or, uh, Yelena or Kamala. We're always here to help."

You nod and nudge him, "Thanks, Bucky. I appreciate it."

Yelena clears her throat and you two completely forgot she was still there. You and Bucky step away from each other and you turn to Yelena, "Uh, follow me to the back and we can start sorting everything."

The blonde nods and turns to Bucky as you start walking away, "Smooth, Barnes."

He rolls his eyes, "Shut it, Lena." He turns on his heel and goes to join Kamala in the cat room.

___________________

Yelena helps you sort out the donations of food, beds, towels, etc. in the storage room. There's a comfortable silence as you two work. There's occasional grunts and sighs as you lift things onto shelves. You two eventually pause for some water and that's when Yelena decides to ask you, "So I hear you're being haunted."

You snort, "Yeah, I guess you can say that." You sigh and place a bag of dog food onto a shelf. You sit on a bin and explain, "I bought a bracelet from an antique store and turns out, the spirit of Bucky's girlfriend from the forties is still attached to it. In order for her to pass on, I need to help her with her unfinished business. At first, I thought it was just for her to see Bucky one last time, but she switched things up on me," you say with a chuckle and you feel a flick to your ear. You pout, "Quit it, Dot."

Yelena's brows rise, "Do you see her or something?"

You shake your head, "She flicked my ear. And, uh, she kinda goes wherever I go as long as I wear the bracelet," you hold up the vintage jewelry.

Yelena nods, "That's beautiful. I can understand why you wanted to buy it."

"Yeah. Apparently Bucky purchased it and gave it to Dot before he left for the war. After Dot passed, I guess the bracelet got passed around and eventually ended up in the antique store I like going to."

"It's funny how big yet small the world can be. Who'd have thought that a bracelet can bring the Avengers into your life?" Yelena asks with a playful grin.

You laugh, "I for sure didn't expect meeting the Avengers or having a ghost companion when I bought it," you look at the bracelet on your wrist, "but, honestly, I don't regret it. It's made my life a little more interesting and it's brought more help to the shelter," you wink at the blonde Avenger and she snorts.

__________________

As Kamala is wiping down an enclosure, she speaks up, "Is it me or did Y/N look a little-"

"I know. I talked to her," Bucky says as he wipes down another one of the cat's enclosures.

Kamala stops to fully face him with a smile on her face, "You talked to her?"

He rolls his eyes at the young Avenger not stopping his task and wanting to face her, "It was a friendly gesture."

"What did you say?"

He shrugs, "Just that if she ever needs anything to just ask."

"Ask you?" Kamala asks with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

Again, he rolls his eyes, "Ask me, you, Yelena, any of us."

"Riiiight. Right. Got it." She doesn't say anything else after that and Bucky's relieved. He just wants to get his task done. He checks behind him to see if Alpine is still there. The white cat still eating on the floor along with the other few cats.

Two hours later it's around lunch time and you gather them all together in your office.

"So I ordered some pizza for us!"

"NICE!" Kamala cheers and immediately grabs a slice and moans in delight.

Bucky smiles in appreciation, "You didn't have to do this."

You shrug, "I was craving it and I'm sure the Avengers need to take a break and eat too right?"

You put out some foldable chairs out in your office and you settle in one. Bucky sits in the one near you and an invisible force pushes you closer to his side. You and everyone else in the room pause for a moment with wide eyes.

You're not sure what to say or do but then Bucky bursts out into a chuckle and everyone looks at him in surprise.

He shakes his head, "Dot's being mischievous still?"

"You have no idea," you say with a smirk before biting into your pizza.

[preservationofnormalcy]

Hey, so, I don't know if this is where I'm supposed to be asking questions like this, but I met a girl at a party the other night, and kind of blacked out afterwards. I've been feeling sick for the last few days, but today I threw up blood, and my canine teeth feel really loose. I feel so cold, and I'm so hungry, but food tastes awful. No one at the party seemed to know her, but I saw one of your organization's billboards and I guess-look, this morning I went out on my porch and within five minutes was sunburned so badly it hurt. I guess what I want to know is: is what I think is happening to me...happening to me?

I'm not an expert, but...yeah, it sounds like it. If you can get to us quickly, there's probably still time to reverse it. It's a painful and laborious process, involving a lot of blood filtering and transfusions. But first, I need you to do something very important. Your life could hang in the balance here.

Sit down. Take a moment to breathe. You are alive, you are a person. Even if we can't change things, even if this...takes, you'll still be you. Count to four, hold it for four, release for four. Do that a couple times. This is a serious subject, I'm not downplaying it, but I want you to know that at the end of the day, you're still going to be you. The person in you is way more resilient than you think.

Trust me on that. I should know.

We're gonna do everything we can to help, but we need you to do your part - right now, that's not give in to it. You're going to feel very strange, you're going to going to hear things you don't want to hear, feel things you don't want to feel. Come to us, we'll do what we can in either circumstance.

The journey out of the pit starts with practicing the climb.

[nahoney22]

Holding On (Part 2/2)

Hunter X F!Reader

Weeks after your rescue, things seem to be looking up for you. Though Hunters feelings remain the same, how can he express how he truly feels?

warnings: hurt/comfort trope, reader suffers from nightmares, panic attacks, mentions of needles and injections. Very emotional reader. Lots of comfort. Mutual pining. First kiss. Female reader.

Authors note: I completely forgot I was to do a part 2 to this. Sorry for the wait. Queued Post.

Part One | Part Two

You awaken to the gentle hum of the ship, blinking away the sleep from your eyes. As your vision clears, you notice Echo sitting across the room, head slightly bowed, soft snores escaping his lips. A warm smile spreads across your face at the sight.

You speak softly, not wanting to disturb the peacefulness of the moment. "Echo, hey." He stirs at the sound of your voice, lifting his head and meeting your gaze with a gentle smile.

"Hey," he responds, stepping closer to you. "How are you feeling today?"

It's a question you've grown accustomed to from the whole team, and despite the lingering challenges, you find yourself improving each day. "Good," you reply softly, sitting up and crossing your legs on the bed. "And how about you?"

Echo chuckles and shrugs, his eyes reflecting a mixture of weariness and determination. "Same as usual." He retrieves a scanner, checking your vitals with practiced ease. "Listen, last night you had a nightmare."

You sigh, the memory of the unsettling dreams still lingering in your mind. "Yeah... they've been happening quite frequently."

Sympathy shines in Echo's eyes as he finishes the scan, confirming that everything appears fine. He takes a seat beside you. "Hunter was here and saw you tossing and turning. He asked me to stay until you woke up."

A pang of embarrassment tugs at your heart, realising that Hunter had witnessed your vulnerability even in your sleep. "I'm sorry he had to see that," you admit, cheeks flushing with a mix of gratitude and embarrassment.

Echo's gaze softens as he nods in understanding. "Yeah, nightmares were a constant companion to me for a while. Still have them occasionally. It's... something we've all been through in one way or another."

You find solace in his words, knowing that you're not alone in this struggle. "I guess it's just part of the journey, huh? The memories and the pain find their way back, even when we try to move forward."

Echo's hand rests reassuringly on your shoulder. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed. Healing takes time, and it's different for everyone. But we're here for you, every step of the way."

A small smile tugs at the corners of your lips, appreciating the support from Echo and the rest of the team. "Thank you, Echo. You've all been so kind to me."

He offers a warm smile in return. "Of course, we care about you. You're part of the squad, part of our family."

The word "family" resonates deeply within you, reminding you of the connection you shared with them all. Despite the hardships and the nightmares, you're grateful to have found a place where you belong. Finally.

"Morning. Can I get you a drink or anything?" You look up as you hear a voice from the hallway, and your heart flutters at the sight of Hunter approaching. Echo takes his cue and gives you a final pat on the shoulder before leaving just the two of you.

"I'm alright for now, thanks," you reply, grateful for his offer, and pat the spot beside you.

Smiling, Hunter takes a seat, his fingers strumming somewhat anxiously against his leg. He still hasn't addressed your confession of love from a while ago, uncertain of when the right time and day would be. With the nightmares plaguing your mind in recent weeks, he feels that bringing it up now would only add to the tension.

"Echo tells me you saw me have another nightmare," you speak up, sensing the sudden thickening of the air. "I understand why you didn't want to stay and watch."

Turning his head to look at you, Hunter's eyes shimmer with reassurance. "I didn't want to leave, I just... I know Echo is more familiar with dealing with this type of stuff, and I wasn't sure what to do. I should've stayed."

"I would've been fine either way, don't worry," you whisper, gently placing a hand on his forearm. A warmth flows between you both, and although you're unsure if he feels it too, he lets out a somewhat breathless exhale before clearing his throat.

"We, uh, we're going to be landing on Coruscant in a few hours. Maybe it'll do you some good to get out for a while?" Hunter suggests, but a sudden wave of panic washes over you.

Your eyes widen, and you instinctively shake your head. The memories of being captured and taken by the Empire on a busy planet flood your mind, leaving you feeling vulnerable and unsafe. The Marauder has become your sanctuary, a place of solace and security.

"N-no, no, I can't," you stammer, a wave of unease washing over you, making your skin prickle as if an itch you couldn't scratch.

Hunter's voice is calm and reassuring as he wraps his arm around your shoulder. "Hey, it's going to be alright. I'm right here with you," he says, his presence providing a sense of comfort. "You won't leave my sight. Crosshair will be with us too, on high alert, ready to spot anything suspicious." He tries his best to offer reassurance, but your body begins to tremble, and tears well up in your eyes.

"Not yet. Please... I'm not ready," you plead, your voice filled with fear and vulnerability.

"Okay," Hunter says softly, his touch comforting as he rubs soothing circles on your back. "You can stay on the ship then. I'll stay with you, and we can have one of the others stay too," he suggests, understanding your fear and offering a solution. You nod, quickly wiping away the tears that trickled down your cheeks, trying to steady your panicked breathing.

“Sorry, it's just..." you trail off, finding it difficult to put your feelings into words. But Hunter understands, and he gently pulls you closer until you can rest your head against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat provides a calming reassurance, especially as he tenderly runs his fingers through your hair. "Maybe another time,"

There was no denying the nervousness that gripped you as the team landed on Coruscant, even though you chose to stay on the ship. Memories of that traumatic incident flooded your mind, causing your heart to race in your chest, despite being shielded by two of the bravest soldiers you knew.

You're in the cockpit, keeping a watchful gaze through the windshield when you hear hushed whispers coming from the hull. Your curiosity piqued, you turn your attention towards the source and see Hunter and Crosshair engaged in an intense conversation. However, when your eyes meet Hunter's, you notice that his smile, though meant to be reassuring, doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"What's going on?" you ask, voicing the question that lingers in your mind.

Crosshair turns his gaze to you, his expression as stern as ever, as he holds up a stim pack. "Tech's orders," he explains, his voice carrying a tight tone.

A sudden wave of nausea washes over you, triggering haunting images of the torment inflicted by the IS-O droid. Your mouth goes dry, and before you know it, Hunter is rushing to your side, his presence a comforting anchor. "It'll be over in a second," he assures you, his voice laced with concern.

Crosshair approaches cautiously, standing beside you and placing a calming hand on your shoulder. "Don't worry, doll. I'm not as clumsy as Wrecker," he remarks, trying to infuse some levity into the situation. However, despite his attempt at humor, you can't find it in you to laugh.

Gently, Crosshair rolls up the sleeve to your arm and you do your best to hold your nerve and look away but your eyes deceive you and instantly fall to the right where the stim was being raised, needle pointy. The sight of it made you recoil and push the boys away from you.

“No, I’m not doing it.” You rasp, tears stinging your eyes once more. “I’m not ready.”

“Cyare, Tech says it’s imperative you take this stimulant.” Hunter explains, holding his hands up as if to ease a wild creature. “It’s going to be okay.”

“Hunter,” you whimper, shaking your head, “I-I can’t!”

Crosshair remains quiet, watching you closely but his eyes are soft at seeing you so anguished.

"Hey, shhh, hey, it's okay." Hunter's soothing voice brings a momentary calmness as he gently cups your cheeks, his touch grounding you. Your ragged breaths begin to steady as he draws closer.

Overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, the fear of the injection momentarily fades as Hunter presses his forehead against yours, cooing softly and caressing your skin with his thumbs. "That's it, you're okay," he murmurs, his presence offering a sense of security.

Your eyes flutter closed, unaware of Crosshair's approach as he seizes the opportunity to administer the injection while you're in this state of calm.

"Hunter," you rasp, feeling a gentle hold on your arm, the fear starting to creep back into your consciousness.

"Just focus on me. You're doing so well. So, so well," Hunter encourages, tilting his head slightly, his breath brushing against your lips. In this tender moment, you're overwhelmed with the urge to lean closer and kiss him. But instead, the truth spills from your lips in a burst of honesty.

"I love you."

There's a suspended pause in the air, your eyes squeezed shut in anticipation of his response. You couldn't help but reveal your true feelings. He meant everything to you.

"I love you most, darling," Hunter replies, his words filling your heart with warmth and relief.

When you open your eyes, you notice that Crosshair had discreetly stepped away, and there's a subtle sting in your arm. Huh, guess he was gentle handed.

Crosshair had left with a small smirk, leaving you feeling a mix of flustered and curious. "I... sorry, I don't know why I said that," you stumble over your words, trying to steady your breathing while your heart races with the weight of your admission.

Hunter hums, a knowing expression on his face that tells you he's not entirely convinced by your apology. "Is that why you've said it twice now?" he asks, tilting his head to the side, his eyes searching yours.

Your eyes widen in surprise, your brows furrowing as you try to recall the first night you were rescued. "Twice?" you repeat, your mind racing to piece together the memories.

"Yeah," Hunter confirms softly, his hand moving from your cheek to your arm, soothing the sting from the stim. "A few nights after we rescued you, you were half asleep and it slipped out that you loved me." He holds his breath, hoping beyond hope that your feelings were genuine as he gathers the courage to ask, "Do you?"

You blink up at him, a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "Do you?" you ask in return, suddenly remembering that he had just declared his love for you. In front of Crosshair of all people.

"Of course. A lot," he replies, his words filled with sincerity and affection. The warmth that spreads through your chest reassures you that your feelings are reciprocated.

A gentle silence fills the air as the weight of your shared feelings hangs between you. In that moment, the galaxy seems to fade away. All the pain and suffering no longer seemed to matter.

Unable to resist the magnetic pull any longer, Hunter leans in, closing the remaining distance. His lips brush against yours, soft and tender, as if afraid to disturb the fragile beauty of the moment. “I’m going to look after you. I’m going to love you, forever.” He utters against you and you melt into his embrace.

Your heart is soaring with joy, knowing that he was going to be true to his word. It will still take a while to heal, but you knew Hunter would not mind healing with you.

Part One | Part Two

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[mcflymemes]

AS SAID BY COMMANDER SHEPARD  *  assorted dialogue from the mass effect trilogy

it's a big stupid jellyfish.

i don't know what i'd do without you.

you're working too hard.

i'll let you get back to work.

i'm sorry, i'm getting a lot of bullshit on this line.

if i'm walking into hell, i want someone i trust at my side.

oh, now it's personal.

you think we're going to lose?

you'll never be alone.

no matter what happens here... you know i love you. i always will.

i haven't forgotten our time together.

i want you. i want someone i can trust.

i don't know what we're gonna find in there, but i'm not going to lie to you. it's not going to be easy.

i've had enough of your snide insinuations.

it's all just part of the job.

i'm getting a little worried about you, [name].

this shop discriminates against the poor!

consider me officially offended.

you know, [name], if you're not comfortable with this, it's okay. i'm not trying to pressure you.

when should i book the room?

can one of you clarify?

they want to know what we're made of? i say we show them, on our terms.

i should be going.

it's been a long journey, and no one is coming out without scars.

i guess i'm on my own. again.

you don't need to hurt him to get what you want.

you have got to be kidding me.

if i didn't have authorization, how did i get in? you see any other doors?

make me proud. make yourselves proud.

what's that you're drinking?

i just saved your ass.

be alive with me tonight.

sometimes things don't work out the way we'd like. that's just life.

i'm the only thing standing between you and a hole in the head.

i don't argue with plants.

[name], this doesn't have to be hard.

get the hell off my ship.

are you naturally this bitchy, or is it just me?

what are we going to tell them? i had a bad dream?

good times are over.

it's not too late. you don't have to go through with this.

one way or another, we're taking this bitch down.

i told them where to shove it.

you getting soft on me, [name]?

we could test your reach... and my flexibility.

this war has brought us pain, and suffering... and loss.

i assume everything's going well up here?

i don't know what drugs you're on, but stay back and i won't shoot you.

i thought you were a friend of mine. you've got the same suit.

sounds like he needs to get shot.

i've been getting that a lot.

look around you. you're not in this fight alone.

i don't have time to babysit you, [name]. find a way to deal with it.

have you got a minute to talk?

here i am. exactly where i want to be.

never hesitate when you've got the enemy in your sights.

give me what i want. now!

lay it on me, [name]. i love bad news.

i should go.

hell, [name], you were always ugly.

i hadn't heard that. is there anything i can do?

someone piss in your coffee today?

how do i shut this thing up?

i can't promise how things will work out... but i missed you, [name]. i thought about you a lot.

everything we've ever known... it's all hanging by a thread.

something on your mind?

maybe you're right. maybe we can't win this.

keep it up, tough guy. you'll leave in a bag.

you kill people because you think they're beneath you; they're in your way. i kill people because they leave me no choice.

i don't know if i'll be coming down here for these talks anymore.

can we ever be ready for a battle like this?

[umlewis]

lewis hamilton is interviewed on media day, baku - september 12, 2024 (transcript under the cut)

Ted Kravitz: "Good afternoon." Lewis: "Good afternoon." Kravitz: "I've only got one hit, so if I can ask a two-part question, I wanna know about- Sorry?" Lewis: [laughs] "Pick carefully." Kravitz: "I will. I certainly will. I've been thinking about it quite… Well, I wanna know about you, this weekend. Seems odd nobody's asked you so far. You're looking for a third win in the season. One hopes it could be either here or Singapore, a place you've been succeessful in. What are your chances of that, and the other part of it was, thinking back to… I'm an old man. Thinking back to 2007, had McLaren done that differently in team orders, you could have beaten Kimi to that year's world championship." Lewis: "Yep." Kravitz: "They've now said that they're gonna favor Lando, albeit 63 points behind Max, for this year's world championship. I just thought whether you thought that was too little, too late, or a good idea. But first to your weekend." Lewis: "So we're coming from not the greatest result the last two races. We're working very hard to try… We still have a good car, and I think it's just trying to optimize it. We've never really done a spectacular job here in Azerbaijan, but I think we're asking all the right questions. We're gonna try to really maximize the practice sessions, and definitely hope that we can have a better weekend than we had in the last two. Reverting on some of the changes that we made going into those two weekends, as well, on upgrades, just to try and test which one is right. And then on McLaren, it's my old family and I'm just really happy to see them back up there, and I think it's probably been a long time since they've been in that position so this is all new… newer. I mean, probably most likely all the people that are in the team today are not all the people that were there when I was there, and so even for those, it's the first time that they're having such a competitive car and I think they've been handling it well. And naturally, like everyone that's challenging for wins and for a championship, mistakes will be made. But again, I'm not running the team, so I can't say when or if they should've or shouldn't have… Yeah." Kravitz: "Thank you."

[time jump] Journalist #2: "We're making a focus on the visibility, the vision you have in the car. Can you take us through the evolution of it, and the car, is it changing for the better, you think?" Lewis: "No, visibility is way worse than it ever was, [laughs] at least in my time. We had much smaller cars when I first joined, or we didn't have the halo. The tires were smaller; we didn't have the little hubcap things going over the wheel. So yeah, vsiibility is definitely narrowed down. Also the visors on the helmets are smaller, like the window is smaller than it ever used to be, with safety going up, so yeah." Journalist #2: "So how do you adapt to this?" Lewis: [laughs] "Luckily we've got good eyes, so just you change it… Like seat position, you have to sit a little higher than we did back in the day. Back in the day I used to sit super low, as where now I have to sit a little bit higher to be able to see over those big tires. And you just have to learn to look even further ahead and plan a little bit." [time jump] Journalist #3: "Guess we've had the news this week that Adrian Newey has chosen to go to Aston Martin. He had been rumored to be considering Ferrari. Would working with him have been a nice little tick-off for you in your very illustrious career?" Lewis: "Yeah, I mean, I spoke about it before. I think anyone would wanna work with Adrian and it would have been nice, but it's just one person, and what I'm most excited about is working with a whole team of people that are passionate and not had a huge amount of success, or at least a championship, in a long, long time, and it'd be great to go and join them and try and get on that journey together."

[doumadono]

Hey, this is my first ever write-in or whatever, and i’ve recently stumbled upon your writing and I really love the way you write all the characters. I’m not good with words, but I lost my best friend 2 years ago unexpectedly and while i’ve been trying to cope this entire time, i’m having a really hard time recently as i’m kind of at a really low point in my life right now, and he was my rock for many years. It’s extremely difficult and sometimes downright debilitating lmfao especially with the holiday season, and I don’t have anyone I’m close to in my life who’s ever really experienced something like this. I guess I’m just in need of a little boost aside from therapy. Was wondering if I could request some comfort or words of encouragement from either bf Deku or bf Dabi? You do not have to do both. This is such a sweet thing for you to do for people and I hope you know you’re awesome for that 💜 Thank you so much in advance.

Dabi & s/o in mourning - headcanons

A/N: I'm truly sorry to hear about the loss of your best friend. It's completely understandable that coping, especially during the holiday season, can be incredibly challenging (I went through the same after losing my best friend almost 10 years ago, and trust me or not but even after all those years it's hard to cope with the loss) Remember, healing is a journey, and taking it one step at a time is more than okay. If you ever need to talk or just want some company, I'm here for you.

EMERGENCY REQS MASTERLIST

Dabi, understanding the weight of your loss, is not one for many words. He silently observes your struggles, providing a constant presence without the need for constant conversation.

Dabi, not one for sugar-coating, acknowledges the harshness of reality. "Life can be a real pain, but facing it head-on is a strength, not a weakness."

When the grief becomes overwhelming, Dabi has a way of offering comfort with a simple touch — be it a hand on your shoulder or a gentle embrace. During a particularly tough moment, he places a comforting hand on your back. "Take your time." Dabi might lightly trace patterns on your hand as well.

Dabi takes note of the small things that bring you comfort — a favorite snack, a warm blanket — and makes sure they're there when you need them. "Figured you might need a little pick-me-up today."

"Loss hits hard. It's alright to let it out, even if it's in the dead of the night. We're both a little broken, but we're surviving. Together."

Dabi notices when you start avoiding certain places. "We can steer clear of there if you want. No need to face it alone."

"It's alright to have those moments. Just know I'm here, no matter what."

On nights when sleep seems impossible, Dabi holds you close, being the big spoon, using his Quirk to warm himself up a tiny bit to provide you with some much-needed warmth. "Shhh-shhh. Close your eyes and try to rest."

Dabi takes you to a peaceful spot in nature, after the sunset. "Sometimes, a change of scenery can ease the burden. Let's find solace in this walk. The evening air can be surprisingly calming."

Dabi proposes a symbolic act of letting go. "Write down what weighs on you, and let's burn it. A metaphorical cleansing by the flames, you know?"

[tobiasdrake]

Digimon Adventure 01x18 - Piccolomon, the Fairy! / The Piximon Cometh

Previously on Digimon Adventure: What was supposed to be a lovely vacation cruise to get away from it all was ruined by undercooked poultry. Mimi and Sora were forced to skewer and roast it themselves. After filing a complaint with the manager, the kids returned to their journey.

The kids continue their march through the desert, though Taichi and Agumon immediately inform us that at least the heat isn't insufferably blazing this time.

Taichi: Nice weather we're having! Agumon: The wind feels great!

A cool breeze has blown in today, making for a nicer walk than usual. The dub gets this point backwards.

Tai: Okay, I admit a little breeze would be nice, but it's still a beautiful day! Don't you think? Agumon: Yeah, maybe for a scorpion!

Dub Tai is being relentlessly optimistic even though the weather sucks as much as ever. Even Agumon isn't having his bullshit.

While those two march ahead, the rest of the group hangs back behind them, deliberating Mimi's new Crest.

Mimi: I got a Crest, but.... Jou: We don't know how to use them. Sora: How do we raise our Digimon correctly? Yamato: Hang on. We haven't found all the Crests yet. Koushiro: That's true. We should shelve this conversation until everyone has their Crests. Taichi: HEY!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK THERE!? Agumon: HURRY UP!!! Taichi: YOU'RE GOING TO GET LEFT BEHIND!!! Takeru: We're holding a really important conference about the Digimon right now! We'll be right there, so just wait a minute, okay?

Man, Taichi just got told by an eight-year-old. Sorry, Tai, but when twelve people are in the back and you and Agumon are way out front, they aren't falling behind. You're running ahead.

The dub kicks this conversation off on a different tone, matching the tonal shift in the previous episode's ending.

Mimi: It's beautiful, isn't it, Joe? And every Crest we've found so far has been different! Joe: Yeah, but... We need to learn how to use them.... Sora: Or else our Digimon could Digivolve all messed up, right? Matt: Yeah, but none of that really matters until we find all the Crests. Izzy: Hmm, I think you're probably right about that one, Matt. Maybe the Crests' power comes from having them all! Tai: Hmm... What are they doing back there? HEY!!! WE GOTTA MOVE ON!!! IF YOU'RE GONNA TAKE SOME DOWNTIME THEN WE NEED TO FIND SOME SHADE!!! T.K.: Oh, thanks, Tai! We were right in the middle of a serious Digi-conversation about the Crests and everything, and then YOU made me forget what I was saying! You be in charge of finding the shade; We'll catch up!

Even though the dub changed the weather, Tai won't need to find any shade because T.K. threw so much at him already. XD Tai just got told by an eight-year-old squared.

We see a couple shifts here based on previously altered context. Mimi loves her Crest and is excited to have it. Sora's line is altered to emphasize the risks while de-emphasizing the whole "proper care of your Digimon" thing, similar to last episode.

Suddenly, the sand beneath Taichi's feet opens up.

A huge Kuwagamon emerges from the ground, flinging both Taichi and Agumon.

(I guess he wasn't amused by Taichi's impatience either.)

Even though we've already encountered one of these, the narrator gives us a rundown all the same. Kuwagamon is an Adult-stage Virus-type Insect Digimon.

Narrator: Kuwagamon. When using his special attack Scissor Arms, the pincers on his head can slice through anything. He's far stronger than the one on File Island.

The dub seems to think this is actually the same Kuwagamon we met before.

Izzy: AHHHHHH!!! IS THAT THE SAME ONE FROM LAST TIME!?!? REALLY!?!? Palmon: It's Kuwagamon alright. There's no mistaking that ugly face! But he's sure bigger than he was the last time.

A week of flying over solid ocean with nowhere to land does spectacular things for your lats, I guess.

Agumon pelts him with a Baby Flame, but Kuwagamon shrugs it off.

Agumon: He's a lot stronger than the one on File Island!

In the dub:

Agumon: Uh, we have a big problem; This guy's much stronger than he used to be!

The rest of the group stands around watching like a bunch of useless chodes while Agumon's forced to fight alone. Gabumon yells at him to evolve, but Taichi and Agumon hesitate.

Taichi: If... If he evolves wrong this time.... Agumon: If I don't turn into Greymon.... Taichi: (races towards Agumon) AGUMOOOOOOON!!! Gomamon: WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!? If he gets you with his Scissor Arms, that'll be the end for you!!!

Establishing a big part of the episode's plot, we see that Taichi and Agumon are still traumatized by the SkullGreymon event. They're afraid to even evolve at all without the certainty that it won't happen again.

In the dub:

Tai: Alright, rethinking our training program here. Oh man, I hope Agumon doesn't freak out. Agumon: What if something's wrong with me? What if I can't become Greymon? Tai: (racing towards Agumon) Agumon, stay away from his choppers! Gomamon: Ahh! Move, Agumon! Move! Move! Do something! Get back!

The first two lines aren't so clear about Tai and Agumon's trauma. Tai makes it sound like Agumon's the one with the problem, while Agumon seems physically unable to Digivolve rather than reluctant to.

Taichi tackles Agumon to the ground just as Kuwagamon's Scissor Arms snap shut overhead. Kuwagamon comes in for another swipe and--

A mysterious voice calls out "Pit Bomb" as this single shot erases Kuwagamon. The dub calls it "Pixie Bomb Seek and Destroy", which is a mouthful.

Shortly after, the kids meet their adorable savior.

While Taichi and Agumon unbury themselves from sand and disintegrated Kuwagamon ash, this little guy marches past and lets out an adorable "Pi!" with every step.

Sora: (to Taichi) You look okay. Jou: Where's Kuwagamon? Takeru: Who's that? He's weird. Digimon: PI! Hey, amateurs! Piyomon: WAUGH!!! You're Piccolomon! Mimi: (picks him up) Cute!

Pretty basic dialogue. The dub spices it up with gags.

Mimi: A powderpuff with wings! Sora: Just don't use it on your face. Joe: And where's Kuwagamon? T.K.: Oh man! Maybe that's him! Digimon: Ha! I am no enemy, nope-nope! If anything, you are your own enemies. Biyomon: Oh! I've heard of you! You're the famous Pixiemon, right? Mimi: (picks him up, impressed) You are!?

The dub cuts out his marching Pi's, instead having him hum a marching tune. We also see that here that's very verbose. Dub Piximon speaks very quickly and with peculiar mannerisms to make him odd and quirky but in a different way from the original adorable fluffball.

From here, we go into his rundown. Piccolomon is a Perfect-stage Data-type Fairy Digimon. Notably, his attack is actually "Bit Bomb" but he says "Pit" due to his verbal tic of uttering "Pi" all the time. His name is rooted in the italian word for "small". Dragon Ball fans may also recognize it as a musical instrument; Specifically, the piccolo flute, so named because it's a half-size flute.

His dub name is, of course, a play on "pixie".

Narrator: Piccolomon. A fairy Digimon who brandishes his favorite spear Fairy Tale and wields strange magic.

Since she's the one who recognized him, Biyomon handles the rundown in the dub.

Biyomon: Piximon is famous in the Digital World for his skills and training, but few have ever met him!

As soon as the rundown's finished, Piccolomon lays into the kids for being weak and useless.

Piyomon: It must have been Piccolomon who defeated Kuwagamon for us! Piccolomon: PI PI PI!! Impressed by the strength of my magic, aren't you? (jabs spear in the kids' direction) PI! You're all supposed to be the Chosen Children, aren't you? You're all so weak, I could barely stand to watch, pi. If you keep up like this, then the Tags and Crests will just go to waste, pi. Mimi: This Digimon isn't cute at all. Piccolomon: The same goes for you Digimon PI! You're slacking off PI! You aren't trying hard enough PI! You're gutless PI! Yamato: (grumpy whisper) Pi-pi-pi-pi. He's so noisy. Palmon: I hate exerting myself.... Gomamon: I didn't have any guts to begin with. Piccolomon: That's why all of you are coming with me for training, starting today! Sora: Training? Tentomon: What do you mean? Piccolomon: Especially you two over there! Taichi & Agumon: Me!? Piccolomon: (flies out of Mimi's hands) You and your Agumon win the grand prize. You'll receive intensive training from the Special Menu PI! Taichi: Special Menu!? Agumon: Intensive training!? Piccolomon: Now, follow me! (lands and starts marching) Pi pi pi pi pi pi pi pi....

Piccolomon is incredibly rude and calls them all wankers. It's almost like they're lost children or something. Who could have predicted this?

He doesn't so much invite them to come with him as take ownership of them. He's telling, not asking. These are supposed to be the heroes of legend but he finds them woefully unimpressive, so he's going to fix it.

In the dub, Biyomon continues on from her diegetic rundown.

Biyomon: His secret home is the training ground for all the great Digimon fighters! Piximon: And I've heard all about you two but so far I am NOT IMPRESSED!!! You seven are supposed to be the DigiDestined!? HA! You'd better be more careful or you'll end up DigiDinners yup-yup! Without my spears and my magic, Kuwagamon would be eating you with a side of DigiFries! Mimi: That's gross! Thanks a lot. Piximon: And that's not all! You Digimon there! You're supposed to protect the children, but half the time they're protecting you! I wanna see some guts! I wanna see some courage! Matt: (grumpy whisper) This guy reminds me of a gym teacher I once had. Palmon: He's right. We just don't have any guts. Gomamon: Aww... Don't we get points for enthusiasm? Piximon: But the news isn't all bad! Yep-yep, from now on you're all going to train with me! Sora: But why? Tentomon: Let's not go overboard, Piximon! Piximon: Especially you two guys! Tai & Agumon: Wha--!? Piximon: (flies out of Mimi's hands) You heard me! You two need lots of help and I have a special extreme training program just for you! Tai: Did I hear him right? Agumon: Sounds kind of extreme. Piximon: Yep! Follow me! (lands and starts marching, humming his marching cadence again)

His quickly spoken dialogue peppered with yep-yeps and nope-nopes are what replace the pi pi pis. Otherwise, this scene is mostly identical. The only difference here is Matt's barb. Since he can't make fun of the "pi pi pi", he drops a solid crack about gym teachers who think they're drill sergeants.

Gomamon's line is also different, but it's actually improved over the original line. "Points for enthusiasm" is a better line for him than "I don't have any guts" because. Like. What are you talking about, Gomamon? You're a rowdy thrill-seeker. You have guts for days. Jou wishes you had less guts. Remember that time you tried to fistfight him?

The kids huddle up to decide what to do from here.

Taichi: What should we do? Jou: Can we even trust that Digimon? Yamato: What's your take, Gabumon? Gabumon: He complains a lot, but he's not a bad Digimon. Palmon: I didn't see a Black Gear or Cable either. Sora: Why not give it a try? After all, we don't know how to raise our Digimon correctly. It'll be fun if we think of it like a training camp! Mimi: It may be more relaxing than wandering around.... Yamato: What do you think, Taichi? Taichi: Let's try it. It sounds interesting. Takeru: It's decided! Group: YEAH!!! Piccolomon: WHAT IS TAKING YOU SO LONG!?!? HURRY UP PIIIIIII!!!

Wouldn't count on intensive training being relaxing, Mimi. You're gonna eat those words in a few hours. Also, I'm amused by the implication that Palmon was cautiously inspecting Piccolomon during all that time Mimi was holding him.

In the dub:

Group: (unintelligible murmurs of suspicion from everyone) Mimi: I don't know about this. Joe: I have a question. Do we trust a ping-pong with wings? Tai: But he did save Agumon and me. Why would he do that if he was no good? Izzy: Precisely! He didn't have a Black Gear anywhere on him; I checked. Joe: What do you say, Biyomon? After all, you seem to know a lot about him. Biyomon: Well, it's an honor to be chosen for training by Piximon! Mimi: Sounds like a lot of work to me. Sora: He's right, though. We could use some help. Tai: How can you say that? Just cause we've nearly been eaten a hundred times...! Matt: Well, there are worse options? I mean, do we have a choice? All in favor, say aye. Group: AYE! Piximon: WOULD YOU ALL JUST HURRY UP!?!?

Having a still image of a huddle with no lip flaps moving gives them the flexibility to change who's talking around quite a bit. Joe seems to lead this discussion instead of Taichi and Yamato, though Matt comes in for the vote at the end.

Notably, it's Izzy who inspected Piximon instead of Palmon. He was also less thorough, only checking for a Black Gear and not, like... a cable sticking out of Piccolomon's butt or something? Honestly, not sure where Palmon expected to see a Black Cable.

Biyomon continues to fangirl over Piximon-sama.

And another line about "how to raise our Digimon properly" gets cut down into vagueness.

As the kids trudge through the desert, Mimi complains.

Mimi: Are we there yet!? Piccolomon: A little further PI! Palmon: 'A little further, a little further', that's all you've been saying! Piccolomon: (ten feet later) Here we are pi. This is the place pi. Sora: Here? But I don't see anything. Piccolomon: PI!!!

In the dub, more kids get in on the complaining so it's not just Mimi.

Mimi: Are we there yet!? Piximon: Just a little further! Joe: That's about the seventh time he's said that. Matt: I think he's lost. Tai: So what do we do, ask a cactus for directions!? Sora: ...ice cream... cold root beer-- Group: STOP THAT!!! Piximon: Halt! We have arrived! Sora: What are you talking about!? There isn't anything here.

The dub's so good at its banter. XD

PIccolomon casts a gibberish incantation to open the way, while Piximon calls out "Pixie Portal!" and then spends the rest of his lip flaps giggling like a madman. His spell unseals a hole in reality, leading to a tropical jungle.

Jou: WHAT!?!? Piccolomon: Nothing to fear pi. This is just the entrance through my barrier pi. Now follow me pi.

After a moment of hesitation, the kids cross through the barrier.

In the dub:

Mimi: It's a hole in the desert! Joe: Am I the only one who thinks this looks like trouble? Piximon: Actually, it's just my front door. Come on in now! Quickly, before it closes, yep-yep!

Mimi gets to chime in, while Jou's shocked reaction is changed to conscious whining.

As the kids enter the jungle, Takeru exclaims:

Takeru: (gasp) A jungle!

But most of it is just 13 seconds of looking around the jungle. Prime opportunity for the dub to add banter.

Tai: Cool! A jungle inside a desert! T.K.: I bet you've got LOTS of friends who want to play with ya! Piximon: You should have seen it when I first got it!

Not their best work. T.K.'s line doesn't seem to connect to anything and I'm not sure what Piximon even means by that. Is he trying to compare his jungle to a used car?

Suddenly, Sora hears something. The sound of a horn, like on a car or train, honking in the distance. Whipping around, she spots Etemon's trailer crossing the desert sands just outside the jungle's border where they'd been moments ago.

Sora: Hey! Behind us! Jou: What do we do now!? Piccolomon: That's Etemon's trailer pi. Jou: Ehhhhh!?!?!? Piccolomon: Nothing to worry about pi. He can't see through my barrier on the other side pi.

This is a fun bit because it's something we've glimpsed in past episodes. It's such a minor detail, I haven't even bothered to mention it. Etemon likes to honk his horn when his trailer's getting hauled around, for no apparent reason but shits and giggles. Because he may be Perfect-stage but he is an absolute mon-child.

Suddenly, his unnecessary honking is plot relevant.

The dub makes the inexplicable decision to cut the car horn from Etemon's trailer. So Sora, I guess, has a psychic premonition and that's why she turns around.

Sora: (reacting to nothing) Huh? (turns around) Heads up! BEHIND US, GUYS!!! Mimi: Oh no, it's Etemon and his trailer! Joe: Oh boy, this is bad! Piximon: And right outside the front door he is too! Joe: Huh? Piximon: Oh, don't worry about it. He isn't able to see through the barrier. He sees nothing but desert.

They add in Mimi to ID Etemon in case kids have forgotten. This, however, creates a second continuity error right alongside the lack of the horn.

The kids have never seen Etemon's trailer until now. That's why Jou had the big "EHHHHHH!?!?" reaction when Piccolomon ID'd it. He knee-jerk reacted to the strange vehicle by assuming they were in peril, and then Piccolomon's explanation upgraded that to THE MOST PERIL. So I guess Mimi's having psychic premonitions too today.

I can forgive Mimi's continuity flub. I don't think the dub team approached this show as a serialized story and were instead looking at it like an episodic cartoon, since that's what most cartoons in the 90's were like.

But removing the car horn is an incomprehensible choice to make.

Inside the trailer, repairs on the Dark Network remain underway, though they seem to have several sectors now online. Etemon, however, is throwing a hissy fit.

Etemon: HAVEN'T YOU FIXED IT YET!?!? Gazimon 1: It's being restored at an incredible rate! Gazimon 2: Please wait just a little longer! Etemon: (bouncing on chair) I can't wait anymore! Hurry up and REPAIR MY NETWORK ALREADY!!!

As someone who works in tech, I feel for these Gazimon.

The Gazimon are bolder in the dub.

Etemon: The stupid screen is still broken; What's taking so long!? Gazimon 1: We've almost got it fixed, Etemon. Gazimon 2: No need for a conniption fit! Etemon: (bouncing on chair) I'LL SHOW YOU CONNIPTION YOU INSOLENT LITTLE WORMS!!! Fix it right away; I have a show to get on!

The boldness to say that straight to an already agitated Etemon's face. Holy shit.

So the kids come to Piximon's home. A tall mountain with stairs spiraling up it, leading to the various structures.

How's that "more relaxing than walking" thing coming along, Mimi?

Jou: ...up there...? Mimi: What is that!? (crying) I don't believe it.... Koushiro: We have to climb that? Takeru: How many steps are there? Yamato: There's no use counting them. Sora: Wait, does this mean our training has already started? Piccolomon: That's right PI! Tentomon: (quietly, to himself) Hehehe, this is a piece of cake. I can just-- Piccolomon: By the way, flying is forbidden during training pi! Tentomon: Aww.... Piccolomon: Stop whining and start climbing pi!

Nice try, Tentomon, but no dice. Start walking, everybody.

In the dub:

Piximon: Alright, everybody, home we are! My house is just up these steps. Joe: We have to walk up there!? Mimi: But I didn't bring my stair-climbing sneakers! Tai: Uh, yeah... And I just remembered I'm afraid of heights! Izzy: Purely from a logical standpoint, it doesn't look very safe. Sora: Is this part of our training? Piximon: Exactly! Tentomon: (loudly, to everyone) Hey, no sweat! I'll just FLY up there! Then, before you know it, I'll be chilling by the pool while you guys are still-- Piximon: And oh, by the way, did I mention there will be no flying by anyone during all my training? Tentomon: Aww.... Piximon: Haven't you rookies learned that the easy way is sometimes a TRAP!? Now let's move out! Joe: I guess Piximon never heard of elevators....

Low blow on that last line. XD These kids do struggle with that. They walk into traps so easily.

Meanwhile, Dub Tentomon deserves to walk. The original was whispering to himself about his loophole; In the dub, he's openly gloating.

On the way up the mountain, Piccolomon motivates the kids to reach the very top by promising food when they get there. And by food, he means:

Gomamon: Hey. Where's the food? Piccolomon: You'll have to finish your next training first pi! Gomamon: (distraught) I knew it.... Piccolomon: (conjures up buckets and washrags) You'll be scrubbing all of these floors pi! Yamato: Scrubbing all of the floors!? Jou: All of them from top to bottom!? Mimi: (crying) No way! Piccolomon: (to Taichi and Agumon) You two have the Special Menu pi! Come with me pi! Taichi & Agumon: (groan) Special Menu....

This is the same in the dub but with all of the kids complaining at once upon hearing about the scrubbing such that it's hard to make out any one complaint.

Until we get to Tai and Agumon. Then they drop this gem.

Piximon: But not you, Agumon and Tai. Come now, I have a special chore for you. Tai: Great; We probably have to paint the place!

XD Yeah, probably.

The kids get to work on scrubbing the floors, with various grumbles arising.

Sora: There's no other choice. Let's get this over with. Mimi: I've never scrubbed a floor; Not even in my own house.... Piyomon: Is this really training!? Palmon: Maybe he's just using us to work as his maids! Gomamon: FOOD!!! Takeru: Tokomon, let's race to see who's faster! Tokomon: Okay! I won't lose to you! Yamato: (stops cleaning to watch his brother and smile) Takeru....

In the dub:

Mimi: The last time I scrubbed a floor was... Never! Izzy: It's a simple task, Mimi; Even you'll catch on. Matt: Is this really training or is this just Piximon's maid's day off and he doesn't like to vacuum!? T.K.: Tokomon, let's have a cleaning race! Ready, set, go! VROOM! VROOOOOOM!!! Matt: (stops cleaning to watch his brother and smiles) Ahaha....

Two key differences here, one I appreciate and one I hate. I like that they composited Piyomon and Palmon's lines into one for Matt. It feels a little weird that, in the original, all of the girls grouse while the boys mostly just get straight to work. Except Gomamon, of course, who's still mad about the food fakeout. This way, it's more even.

But also, they add a line that's just Izzy being mean to Mimi about her line from the original. Thanks, I hate it.

For the Special Menu, Piccolomon drops off Taichi and Agumon in a small, pitch-black cave. As they enter, they sink through the ground and are lost to places unknown. Training has begun.

Later that night, the group goes to sleep on the floor of a miserable looking waiting room with one chair and a couch. Jou-senpai takes the chair (perk of being the oldest, I guess) while Sora and Mimi share the couch, sleeping sitting up and leaning against each other. Everyone else piles on the floor.

But Koushiro can't sleep. Starting to get up, he spots Yamato sneaking out. Yamato shushes him, and the pair leave the room together. Once they're outside, they can talk.

Yamato: Taichi and Agumon haven't come back. Koushiro: Yeah. I wonder what happened to them?

Before they can follow that line of conversation further, Yamato and Koushiro's Tags suddenly begin to pulse.

Yamato: They're glowing! Koushiro: Yamato-san! Yamato: Our Crests must be nearby!

Following the pulsing of their Crests, Yamato and Koushiro descend the mountain. As they leave Piccolomon's home in the dead of night, Koushiro starts to get nervous.

Koushiro: Should we bring Tentomon and Gabumon with us? Yamato: No. We're safe inside the barrier. We should let them sleep.

Trusting his senpai to know best, Koushiro follows Yamato's lead. When their Tags begin to pulse again, they race off from the house, following the trail. As they go, we catch a glimpse of the ever inscrutable Piccolomon watching them leave.

Taichi and Agumon wake up on a boat, floating in a mysterious glowing body of water. Agumon wakes first, then rouses Taichi.

Taichi: Wh-Where are we!? Agumon: I don't know! I thought we were in a cave! Taichi: (stands up in the boat and calls out) HEY!!! PICCOLOMON!!!

No answer returns to him but he does rock the boat enough to fall out so that's a reaction, at least. Agumon grabs an oar to fish him out.

Agumon: What are you doing? Taichi: Oh, be quiet. Is this really training?

Tai doesn't get to talk in the dub; Agumon eats up the screentime for both of their lines so he can chastise Tai more.

Agumon: Don't you know not to stand up in a boat!? Here, grab this.

Unfortunately, a sudden bright light in the distance appears, distracting Agumon.

Agumon: Taichi! Something's shining over there! Taichi: H-Hey! Keep looking this way!

Too late. Agumon's so distracted, he can't pull Taichi in properly. Instead, Taichi ends up pulling him out of the boat.

Surfacing, they both end up clinging to the side of the boat and lay into each other.

Taichi: Crap, Agumon! What are you doing!? Agumon: I was just trying to help you! Taichi: That's a lie, you were staring off at something else! Agumon: But the light! Taichi: Wait a second. This boat is drifting somewhere. Come on, hang tight! Agumon: Don't change the subject! To start off, Taichi, you were--

They squabble just as hard in the dub.

Tai: Now look what you did! We're both in the water! Agumon: What I did!? You were the one standing up in the boat. I was just trying to pull- Tai: Well, if you'd been watching what you were doing instead of looking at some stupid light in the distance-- Agumon: Well, if you hadn't pulled on the oar, we wouldn't be swimming like tuna in pea soup! We'd be back in the boat warm and dry! Tai: I do not swim like a tuna fish and where do you get off blaming--

I'm not sure what swimming like a tuna means but it sounds scathing. Take that, Tai!

As their boat drifts further away, the light slowly moves in. Taichi and Agumon fade away as it passes.

The following morning, the kids remaining at the house are woken up by Piccolomon banging on a metal bucket.

Mimi: What is that racket!?!? Piccolomon: Morning! How long do you plan on sleeping, PI!? Look sharp PI! Tentomon: Has anyone seen Koushiro-han? Group: (suddenly alert) Huh!? Gabumon: And Yamato! Takeru: Piccolomon, do you know where they are? Piccolomon: Those two left to find their Crests pi! Tentomon: (grumpy) Oh. So he left me behind.

So help me, if he wasn't Perfect-stage, they would probably make him eat that bucket.

In the dub:

Mimi: ...what is it? What's going on? Piximon: Rise and shine, everybody! Everybody up! Come on, people! Tentomon: Picomon(sic), do you know where Izzy went? He's not in his bed. Group: (suddenly alert) Huh!? Gabumon: And I can't find Matt! T.K.: What!? Hey, did you send my brother somewhere? Piximon: Your brother and his pal left to look for Crests about midnight. Tentomon: Ohh, I don't believe it! Why would Izzy leave me behind!?

Got another flagrant line flub here. Tentomon's actor says "Picomon" instead of "Piximon", as if starting to say Piccolomon but then realizing and snipping it off. Yet again, they just left it in and didn't shoot another take.

Realizing that three people are now missing, the girls do the only sensible thing.

They bully Jou for absolutely no reason. XD

Sora: Taichi and Agumon haven't returned since last night, and now it's Koushiro-kun and Yamato-kun. What a mystery that they keep disappearing, one after another.... Mimi: Maybe Jou-senpai is next. Jou: H-Hey, don't say weird stuff like that! P-Piccolomon might-- Gomamon: D'aww, Jou. You get scared too easily. It's fine. We can trust Piccolomon! Jou: Are you sure...? Piccolomon: Now! Time for training PI!

Savage.

While everyone's triggering Jou's neuroses on purpose for funsies, we return to Yamato and Koushiro. They've descended all the way to the jungle in search of their Crests.

Trudging through the underbrush, they discuss their own motives for pursuing these ambiguous little macguffins.

Yamato: Hey. Why do you want your Crest, Koushiro? Koushiro: Why? I want to see what Kabuterimon evolves into next, of course! How about you, Yamato-san? Yamato: I, uh... I want to improve myself! It's not only Digimon who evolve and grow stronger. I want to mature alongside them and grab hold of a part of me that's different from before.

Yamato putting off incredible senpai energy right now.

The dub expresses the same sentiments but the way they phrase it is interesting.

Matt: Why do you want to find a Crest, Izzy? Izzy: I guess it's mostly because of Kabuterimon. I would like to see which stage he will Digivolve into after that one. Isn't that the reason why you're looking for a Crest? Matt: No. I want to use the Crest to Digivolve me! Izzy: Oh? Matt: Not into a Digimon, but to make me stronger and smarter. Maybe learn something new about myself. Y'know, to reach my next level!

Matt captures the sentiment from Yamato really well. The phrase "Digivolve me" is a bit awkward, but purposely so. It's attention-grabbing and demands explanation, which he provides immediately.

Izzy, however, tries to sound smart by asking what stage Kabuterimon's going to Digivolve into which. Uh. Isn't. Really. A question. It's Perfect/Ultimate, Izzy. He's going to Digivolve to Ultimate stage. That's how the stages work. The question here is what specific Ultimate-stage Digimon he's going to become.

(It will always be confusing that the dub calls Ultimate-stage Mega and Perfect-stage Ultimate.)

Finally, they come across their destination.

Yamato: We're at the edge of the barrier. Koushiro: We came this far only to reach a dead end. (The well in the desert begins to glow) Yamato: Hey! Koushiro: The well is glowing! Our Crests must be inside it, Yamato-san! Yamato: But it's outside the barrier!

Koushiro approaches the barrier and touches it with his hand, testing whether it's a physical obstruction or not. As he slides his hand through, Dub Izzy utters:

Izzy: Hope my hand doesn't melt....

Fortunately, his hand passes through easily.

Koushiro: We can pass through! Yamato: (nods approvingly) Okay!

Yamato descends the well first, with Koushiro following behind. Before long, they're both able to find their Crests glowing along the walls.

Their Crests activate at the same time, slotting into their Tags. Five down, two to go.

It's just too bad they left the barrier.

The Dark Network is back online and fully functional. Yamato and Koushiro appear circled on Etemon's map. They've been found.

Gazimon: There's a signal in Area K-1! Etemon: What!? HEY!!! (strangles the Gazimon) WE JUST PASSED THAT PLACE!!! REEEEEEEEEEEEEEGH!!! (Etemon goes to his console once he's done throttling his technician) Etemon: Area K-1 is Tyrannomon's territory. Alright, I'll teach them a thing or two!

The dub calls it area G-3 but the dialogue is otherwise identical.

As the boys emerge from the well, they soon realize that the enemy is onto them.

It's not subtle.

(Huh, look at that. The Dark Cables really are coming out of his butt. I owe Palmon an apology.)

Koushiro and Yamato run screaming for their lives while the narrator launches into our rundown. Tyrannomon is an Adult-stage Data-type Dinosaur Digimon. Named, of course, for tyrannosaurus rex.

Of note, some sources say Tyranomon with one 'n'. This is because, in Japanese, it's Ti-ra-no-mo-n. However, that's also how the word tyrannosaurus is spelled: Ti-ra-no-sa-u-ru-su. So the intent, to me, for it to be named Tyrannomon with two 'n's is pretty clear. It's supposed to be spelled exactly like tyrannosaurus.

(The t-rex is also called 覇王竜 haou ryuu, which translates literally to Emperor Dragon or Overlord Dragon. Compositing the kanji ha meaning conquest or domination, ou meaning king, and ryuu meaning dragon. So that's pretty badass.)

Narrator: Tyrannomon. A Dinosaur Digimon well-prepared to survive in the wild. His special attack is the scorching flame Fire Breath.

Piximon handles our diegetic rundown from... wherever he is.

Piximon: Tyranomon. A huge Digimon with fire breath strong enough to cook a couple of boys like you!

Koushiro and Yamato sprint as fast as they can for the safety of the barrier. Koushiro barely makes it inside with Yamato about to follow when Tyranomon lets off a shot of Fire Breath. Unfortunately, the barrier doesn't prevent objects from passing through, so they're both caught up and thrown into the jungle by the explosion.

It also has... other consequences....

Up the mountain, Piccolomon is leading the kids in a meditation session when he hears the explosion. Everyone races outside to see to Yamato and Koushiro.

Tyrannomon enters the jungle. The tree cover hides Yamato and Koushiro, so Tyranomon opens fire blindly. Sending off projectile shots of Fire Breath into the jungle indiscriminately.

A subtle blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment I really like: Koushiro starts falling behind and calls out in fear to Yamato to wait for him.

Koushiro: P-Please wait for me, Yamato-san! Yamato: Hurry, Koushiro!

In the next shot, Yamato is leading Koushiro by the hand so they don't get separated by the huge difference in their stride. Big Brother Yamato is such a good senpai.

The dub downplays this gesture, unfortunately. We still get the shot of Matt leading Izzy by the end, but it doesn't connect the same because the dialogue to set it up is gone. Instead, we have a quip.

Izzy: Didn't I see this guy in one of my nightmares!? Matt: I wish you'd be more careful what you dream!

This doesn't segue into the handholding as directly so it's easier to overlook.

Eventually, the rest of the group finds Yamato and Koushiro, joining them in the jungle.

Gabumon: Yamato! Yamato: (releases Koushiro's hand) Gabumon? Tentomon: This is what you get for leaving me behind! Koushiro: Tentomon! Sora: Are you guys alright!?

XD Sassy Tentomon will never not be funny.

Sadly, his sass doesn't make it into the dub.

Gabumon: Matt! Izzy! Over here! Tentomon: Oh, thank goodness you're safe! T.K.: Oh, hey bro!

There's a cacophany of voices talking at once. Matt and Izzy don't respond to the crowd shouting at them. Those three lines are the ones most audible over the crowd, though T.K. sounds like he's running into Matt at the supermarket.

Fortunately, the group's all together now. Unfortunately, the Dark Network is back up and running in full. You know what that means.

Black Cables surge up through the trees so Etemon can be heard. Etemon takes to his guitar, sending out Love Serenade through the jungle and suppressing the Partner Digimon from being able to evolve. All while Tyrannomon makes his way inward, continuing to fire blindly into the jungle.

In their cave, Taichi and Agumon continue drifting through the mysterious glowing water. They've made it back in the boat, where they lie curled up together and float through memories of human buildings and structures.

Until they come across a bridge. There, they find a visual metaphor for the uncertainty and hesitation gripping Taichi's heart.

A younger Taichi is trying to ride his bicycle, but keeps falling down.

A brief cut back to the world outside shows Piccolomon sustaining a dome barrier to block Tyranomon's Fire Breath from hitting the kids. Looks like they've been made.

Taichi watches his younger self pick the bike back up, but start to cry.

Young Taichi: I can't do it. I can't ride a bicycle. Taichi: Don't give up! You can't quit just because of one or two failures. Don't be so faint-hearted. Believe in yourself. Believe it will work out this time Agumon: Taichi....

Encouraging Taichi's younger self to get back on, Taichi and Agumon hold the bike steady for him while they start running. Then they let go, allowing the young Taichi to ride the bike all by himself.

Young Taichi: I'm pedaling on my own! I can ride a bike! Taichi: I almost forgot, Agumon. I forgot that I can't lose heart. I lost my nerve because I was afraid you'd evolve into a strange Digimon again. Agumon: I felt the same way. That's why I couldn't become Greymon. But it's just like riding a bicycle! If we combine our powers, I feel like I can evolve again!

Taichi and Agumon get back in the boat, taking up the oars and paddling their way back to the others. As they paddle through the mysterious glowing plane, they start hearing the terrified screams of their friends and realize they're needed. Agumon SHINKAAAAAA!!!

During Agumon's transformation, we briefly cut to Piccolomon for a line that, though brief, explains an important detail.

Piccolomon: I can't wait for Taichi and Agumon any longer! I'll have to take care of Tyrannomon myself....

As a Perfect-stage Digimon, Piccolomon is more than capable of shutting down Tyrannomon. He's done nothing but sustain a magic barrier to protect the kids and their drained Digimon because he wants to use this as a training exercise for Taichi and Agumon.

However, at the last second before Piccolomon takes the field, it finally happens. Greymon comically flips Tyrannomon over and charges into the jungle as if he wasn't even there. Letting off blasts of Mega Flame from a distance, Greymon destroys the speakers that were blasting Love Serenade into the jungle.

Then he turns his attention back on Tyrannomon.

Greymon hoists Tyrannomon up into the air, tearing the Black Cables attached to him out of the ground and snapping them from the tension. Then he brings him down into the jungle in a crushing suplex.

We don't see the gory details, but we do see the dust of Tyrannomon degenerating rise into the air from the jungle below, signaling the end of this battle.

To prevent kids from realizing that we just fucking killed that guy, the dub adds some dialogue here. When Greymon first starts lifting Tyrannomon, Sora shouts:

Sora: Greymon's pulling the cables out!

Then, once the degeneration dust emerges from the jungle, we get:

Tai: He did it! Greymon did it! Sora: Look at the Black Cables all shattering into pieces!

What happened to Tyrannomon? Don't think about that. What's important is that Greymon destroyed the Black Cables. That is most certainly what he did, and it's what you're seeing onscreen right now.

Cut to Etemon throwing a tantrum in his trailer.

Etemon: Those children piss me off!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEEGH!!!

In the dub:

Etemon: Those rotten kids beat me again! Ugh, I gotta find something easier to beat like some cardboard boxes or something!

XD If it makes you feel better, you got to throttle a Gazimon earlier. Those are way easier to beat!

Now that everyone's back, the group decides it's time to move on from Piccolomon. Quickly.

Taichi: Really. Thank you for everything. Agumon: Thank you for taking care of us. Piccolomon: Don't think your training is over yet pi. Everything in life is training pi. Work hard and never give up pi! Taichi & Agumon: Yes, sir!

Nobody else thanks Piccolomon. I don't think the rest of the team's Yelp reviews are going to be as glowing as Taichi's.

Though they do speak up in the dub.

Matt: Thank you, Piximon! We've learned a lot from you. Joe: Yeah, like how to scrub floors and starve half to death-- Mimi: Joe! That's just Joe's stomach talking. Piximon: Far from over, your training is. Remember, life itself is a training session. Learn all you can. Everyone: RIGHT!

Tai and Agumon only speak up when the camera fixes on them for their "Yes, sir!" moment. For some reason, the dub chose to put everyone else at the forefront of this scene, even though they didn't learn shit.

We close on Piccolomon watching the kids depart his magic jungle.

Piccolomon: Only you can save this world pi. Do your best, Chosen Children PI!

In the dub:

Piximon: They truly are the DigiDestined yep-yep! No doubt have I, for though they are sometimes foolish, I have seen the love in their hearts. With a little luck, they just may succeed and save our Digital World.

Hey, Piximon? Question. What part of the preceding events hinged on "the love in their hearts"? Was it when Matt and Izzy hurt their Partners' feelings by going to the well alone or was it when Sora and Mimi bullied Joe for no reason?

I think the dub is rambling off Generic Good Guy Speech again.

Assessment: With two Crests in one episode, we are ramping towards endgame. The Etemon arc is surprisingly short, lasting only 7 episodes compared to the 13 that Devimon got.

Piccolomon's episode is kind of dull. For all the talk about offering training to everyone, we only really see it with Taichi and Agumon. It feels like he's doing the Wax On Wax Off esoteric martial arts master shtick. However, the purpose of scrubbing his floors is never explained, so it kinda feels like the sharp comments about doing maid service were right.

I'm not going to be hard on literally using "riding a bicycle" for the metaphor because it was the 90's and Japan. I don't remember when that became a tired metaphor and I certainly have no idea if it ever did in Japan. Taichi and Agumon's stuff worked for me. But a lot of the other "training" felt like space filler.

Yamato and Koushiro's segment was gold, however. Their brief discussion on the way to the well, and Yamato grabbing Koushiro's hand as they fled Tyrannomon? Loved that.

The dub nails a few moments, but it's also peppered with continuity mistakes, weird lines, and inexplicable choices. And the triumphant return of adding in dialogue just to be mean to Mimi. Overall, I'd say I'm tepid on this one.

[lovecolibri]

SaL anon here bestie, ready with the gin to endure whatever nonsense Eddie's plot is devolving into this week. God I hope the focus on Henren or Bathena so I can walk away with some sense of satisfaction. I'm not even going to attempt to say something good might come out if it, since history isn't on our side this season wrt Eddie. Tim needs to lay off his Hitchcock obsession, he did Psycho on LS last season, is doing Vertigo now, and both plots were utter nonsense. At least I got a good laugh today looking at the stills from the Oliver and Lou interview. Somebody should have told Oliver to blink 3 times if he's there against his will, though the fact that he looks like he's actively leaning towards the nearest exit probably says it just as well.

Yeah, the sooner bucktommy ends the happier I'll be. The relationship itself is fine, on par with every other BS relationship Buck was in really, but the fandom around it is exhausting and the active attempts to erase any semblance of Eddie in Buck's life is just so, so dumb (and pointless, like Buck wouldn't be the same without Eddie in his life just as Eddie isn't the same without Buck). Anyway cheers friend, we're on the precipice of something that looks both exciting and annoying, let's hope the scales tip in our favor 🍷🍸🥃.

Well, as I'm sure you guessed by my late answer, I saw this and waved at you from post limit jail, due to the d20 finale last night. I wish Tumblr would have a pop up like, "hey, you have 5 posts left before you hit post limit today!" or something so I could prepare!

So, good news, the Bobby and Henren stuff was *chefs kiss* angsty and dramatic and pulled at my heartstrings! The Bobby montage as he's giving his Captain Dad advice and having Buck cook, and calling Hen "Mother Hen" (while looking at Buck and Eddie 👀👀👀), giving the prayer book to Eddie, giving tips to Ravi, calling out orders on scene, it was all so much! And GOD, them taking that poor little girl away, and Denny stepping between that man and his sister, I was in TEARS! The Bobby and Athena talk got me too, and then him seeing his dead dad?! Bobby is going THROUGH IT and I ate it up!

As for Eddie I- legitimately do not know what to say. The whole thing was a mess, Kim giving herself bangs?? to roleplay with a stranger?? was just SO WEIRD and off-putting. Sorry I guess I'm just a hater but I think Eddie getting stuck with actresses like GW and EG means that him having scenes with anyone else feels good? but I'm not falling all over myself about any magical chemistry 🤷🏻‍♀️I hate this storyline and I'm tired of the narrative that this was some great love Eddie is missing out on when season 2-3 gave us actual canon evidence that it isn't true, and it feels more like Tim wanted Devin back and thought he could get away with it now that the audience had some space and KR spent all last season pretending Shannon was some saint (when he killed Shannon off so quickly originally because he said the audience wasn't going to forgive her and he didn't want to waste screentime on that when grief tied in with anger and abandonment was a more interesting storyline for Eddie and Chris). I'm also VERY curious about where the "Eddie realizing he's been looking at the relationship with rose colored glasses and living in delusion about it" is because GIRL that wasn't it. Eddie crying about her being the great love of his life and how they could have had it all is NOT him taking off the rose colored glasses, no matter how pretty Ryan looks when he's crying.

ANYWAY. I was already not on board with this but the writers dragging Chris into it too just gives me the ick. And it might resolve fine, but GOD!! THE JOURNEY MATTERS!! It matters how the characters get places! And this is just...not just a mess but a completely unnecessary one. They could address Eddie's grief and delusions about his relationship with Shannon (and her relationship with Chris because don't think I didn't clock him bringing up her (shit ass guilt trip) letter but not that she abandoned her son and cut off all contact for years) without resorting to trashy soapy doppelganger nonsense and cheating drama. And it's WILD because Bobby's arc this season and his relationship with Athena, and Henren's storyline have been SO GOOD, and even though there were some pacing and tone issues, even the Madney stuff has been good (and Kenny always slays the dramatic arcs!). Buck has taken a mostly supportive backseat this season which, while I ADORE him, was needed after the mess KR made of his character and her apparent lack of interest in the majority of the other main characters and his personal storyline (the bi realization, being Eddie's partner for all the big emotional talks) is also fine, it just got hijacked by some absolutely bizarre shipping strangeness over a couple minutes of screentime. But GOD Eddie's shit has been such a weird mess! It wasn't enough to be stuck with the transphobe all season, we also had to add in this nonsense?! Thanks, I hate it. At least we might finally be allowed to let Shannon go?? I am literally begging at this point.

As for th b/t of it all, I have literally blocked it from my mind and out of my existence (the ONE perk of my tumblr app still not working and having to do most of my stuff in my phone browser means I haven't really seen my dash lately and I've been smart about staying out of the tag for once) because it's just not worth the headache the bad takes give me. I'm just...so tired. I was willing to watch it play out (felt very much like Ali as the first step post-Abby, something background setting up for more later *cries in s4 Buddie canon*) but go at this point I just need it to be over for EVERYONE'S sanity. Especially Oliver's because like, girl. Why do you look like you're trapped in that loft with MW again?! Why so haunted? Girl, are you okay?? Oliver?? And how he continues to just post Buddie/Ryan stuff?? Loud.

I'm just...tired. So tired. And I need a drink. Imma go find some absolutely filthy/funny/fun Buddie fic and drown myself in that because I have the unfortunate feeling it's gonna be a LONG fucking hiatus.

Cheers friend. I know I always say if we can survive RNM (with it's own doppelganger storyline) then we can survive anything but GOD it would be nice to not have it be so hard.