#i hope this shuts up the naysayers for now

[starry-kattz]

I AM SCREAMING AND SQUEALING RIGHT NOW!!!

I hate that I have to wait 2 days to talk about new episodes.

[666news-and-horoscopes]

[demonvibez]

Clueless

A/N: These requests were just too good, and I had quite a bit of fun with it. Karen Smith is such an icon, I had to take this idea and run with it, lol. Mostly fun, a few serious parts. Hope you guys like it - may expand on this later (perhaps with an nsfw version). Anyways, enjoy! ♡ Characters: Demon Brothers x GN Reader Word Count: 3.7k+ Rating: Teen [Suggestive Themes] Tags: gn reader, dumb reader, implied violence, suggestive themes/implied sex

☆ LUCIFER:

-> He believed it all to be an act at first - surely he and Lord Diavolo had the sense to acquire a human for the exchange program that would actually be up to the task to complete it. Surely you were just pulling a prank on him, much like his younger brothers would. You aren't actually this dense...right? 

-> Feels even more responsible for you than normal, so he feels the need to keep a tight leash on you. You bring a lot of chaos to the Devildom, and he can't have you ruining any reputations (yours, his or Lord Diavolo's), so he practically becomes your shadow in order to minimize any mayhem you may cause - especially since you're so prone to injury.

-> Has a hard time punishing you - your obliviousness causes you to have a hard time taking any of it seriously. He'll never forget the first time you started giggling during one of his lectures, after he caught you and two of his brothers destroying the kitchen. After many headaches, he's had to come up with whole new ways to deal with you - most of which are torture via boredom.

♡ He's not sure when, but somehow, he began to find you rather endearing - and next thing he knew, he had actually fallen for you. No one is more shocked than he is - maybe it's the innocence in your eyes when you look up at him, or the way your smile brings a blush to his cheeks. But now he can't help but to feel affection for all of those dumb little things you do. You have turned the Lucifer Morningstar into a full-blown morosexual for you, and there's no turning back for him now - he is beyond smitten with you, although he does often question himself. "How can a human such as you stir such emotions within me?" So innocent, so earnest, so loyal. Many aspects of Lucifer's life is difficult, but loving you is so easy.

♡ As the Avatar of Pride, he has no issues being very blunt with his feelings for you. The night before, he stays up late in his study, writing several drafts of the confession he plans to recite to you over dinner at Ristorante Six. He knows you, after all, and wants to make himself very clear.

♡ He loves that you depend on him, he practically lives for it. You constantly need his help and protection, and his already ineffable Pride gets inflated every time you turn to him with those innocent eyes and pouty face of yours. It gets to a point where he is used to always being with you - you fall into a synchronicity, a routine. It gets to the point where Lucifer even asks you to move into his room; he would love to share the space with you, and it would just be much simpler for you both - he knows what's best for you, after all.

-> If anyone ever questions his relationship with you, he shuts it down instantly with a singular murderous glare. Pride is unshakable, but Lucifer is still prone to annoyance. He'll string them up in the middle of the RAD courtyard without even breaking a sweat. Nothing like a little public shaming to show the naysayers who the true imbeciles are.

☆ MAMMON:

-> Idiocy loves company, and he's beyond glad to have you in his company! Two peas in a pod, no wonder Lucifer stuck the two of you together!

-> He loves how easy it is to rope you along into pulling schemes with him - he's never had a better partner in crime! And when the two of you inevitably get caught by Lucifer, your cluelessness tends to come in handy.

-> He also loves how your grades are equally bad! It means he won't have to suffer the wrath of Satan's study sessions alone anymore.

-> Pretty much becomes your shadow when he notices how clumsy you are - any human would be in danger in the Devildom, but your stupidity leads you into more peril than normal. After a couple of minor injuries (and a scrape with a lower demon), Mammon decides it's best if he doesn't let you out of his sight. Lucifer put him in charge of you after all, he's just doin' what he's told!

♡ But in all honesty, it's another way you two connect. He loves all the crazy times you two have together, the impulsive adventures you get yourselves into. He feels like you both understand each other better than anyone! The only problem is, between his tsundere act and your extreme obliviousness, your relationship is stuck in limbo. All of his brothers' teasing goes right over your head, and a flustered Mammon usually denies it while trying to hide what a blushing mess he really is. Until, one day, he can't take it anymore - "I'm in love with ya, ya big dummy," he blurts out as the two of you ride in his Demonio 666. 

♡ And ever since that random Tuesday afternoon, you and Mammon have been inseparable. You two are truly like twin flames - consequences don't even matter as long as you're by his side. He'd take a million lectures, be strung up a million times, hell he'd even cut up his credit cards into a million pieces if it means he gets to keep you forever. That dumb smile of yours is worth more than all the Grimm in the Devildom, and he'd do anything for you to flash it at him, even if just for a moment. He wasn't sure he believed in soul mates before, but now that he has you, he's damn sure you're his.

-> No one really gives Mammon grief about his relationship with you, seeing as you're a perfect match made in Hell (affectionate). But you can imagine if they did, they'd suddenly find themselves in more debt than the Avatar himself. And if that doesn't work, he'll fight for ya! Mammon is no stranger to winning a scrap ;)

☆ LEVIATHAN:

-> He makes a lot of assumptions about you at first - you're just another basic normie, aren't you?!

-> Sometimes believes you are mocking him with your questions - especially when it comes to his special interests. How can you possibly be so clueless?! He's explained this game to you literally ten times?!?! You must be inting or something!! You have to be doing this on purpose!!!

-> Also believes your forgetfulness is on purpose, thinking you secretly hate him - or at the very least, don't really care for him. He figures when you agree to hang out with him that you're either just being nice, or are too dumb to figure out how to get out of it, so you must just go along with it. So when you forget him, he thinks you're purposely ghosting him for someone better.

-> He eventually confronts you about all of this, only for him to be met with a confused look on your face. The two of you awkwardly chat it out, and afterward he starts to think that he may be the bigger idiot for making so many assumptions.

-> But once he understands you, you start to grow on him - you remind him of that one MC from 'Oops! That Normie Who Dropped in from Another Realm is Now My Bestie and I May Be Developing a Crush!' and how they may say and do stupid things, but it's actually kind of endearingly cute! And they're so soo loyal! Wait, you actually kinda look like them, too. Prepare yourself - new cosplay incoming, courtesy of Leviathan. He does second guess himself over it a bit - Is it weird if he makes the matching cosplay to go along with yours? It's totally weird, isn't it?! No it isn't, because you're too dumb to think too deeply into it! But he will overthink it all the same.

♡ Not the best at openly talking about his emotions, and he doesn't want to ruin your current relationship with him, so it may be more difficult for him to get across his feelings to you. He keeps dropping subtle little hints in the hopes that you'll eventually pick up on it. And if you never do, one day he just blurts it out (after numerous pep talks from his brothers). He tries writing a confession in the notes app of his DDD to read off for you, but he gets so nervous he drops his phone and ends up just shouting, "I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU!!!" - after which is followed with a flurry of apologies from the otaku demon. 

♡ And after that, you find yourself practically living in his room - and he finds himself purposely losing at games so that you can get a few wins, all to see that excited look on your face that he adores so much. He truly has found his player two! ^.^

-> It would be unusual to find the hikikomori demon in a social situation where someone is questioning your relationship to his face - he does spend a lot of time defending you online, however, and has been successful in getting a few of your haters' accounts nuked. RIP.

☆ SATAN:

-> Honestly annoyed by you at first. You just ask so damn many questions, and it seems like you don't even retain the answers. 

-> Then one day he overhears Lucifer lecturing you about your failing grades - Challenge accepted. You are now his new project. How hard could it possibly be? It would be quite the accomplishment for him, and he's sure it will annoy Lucifer in the mean time! Seeing him put so much effort into the stupid human is sure to throw Lucifer off of his game! The Old Man will think he is plotting something nefarious, but-

-> Ahem. Anyways, expect your bookshelves to rapidly fill up with gifts from him - with everything from textbooks, to picture books, to entire series of epic novels. Expect him to be over after dinner every night, to sit with you an indulge in one of these books. He'll let you pick something most of the time, but he occasionally becomes insistent of one of his own picks - the erotica he reads to you tends to go over your head, anyways.

-> Quickly finds he has to adjust his teaching style, having to go over rudimentary concepts with you multiple times. He's much more patient with you than he is with Mammon his brothers, his temper non-existent as he slowly repeats the lesson to you again. He knows you are trying your best, and is willing to put in the same effort you put forth. Occasionally you do aggravate him in this regard - he usually just takes it out on the first one of his brothers he sees, instead of you. Thankfully.

-> He's unsure what it is about you, but something about you really calms the wrath raging within him. Maybe it's your carefree, peaceful nature that soothes the storm within him. Maybe it's that adorable smile that can light up the darkest of Devildom nights. Maybe it's the way you never fail to make him laugh when you make Lucifer lose his temper. Either way he hasn't failed to notice that his days are better with you in them.

-> Sometimes his patience for you does wear thin though - especially when your stupidity gets you hurt! 'You're not going to survive in this realm if you keep acting so thoughtlessly,' he says through gritted teeth, as he patches up the lacerations on your arm - caused by you touching a killer plant adorned with a very large warning sign. He does his best to keep his anger within, but he's yelled at you a few times, almost desperate to finally get his point across to you.

♡ It is quite obvious to him why he has fallen for you, so he wastes no time in planning his confession. He knows his romantic gesture will have to be overt, the goal being that you truly comprehend understand his feelings for you. A thoughtful gift along with a handwritten letter, simply stating how he is deeply in love with you - and if any confusion remains, he'd be happy to explain. 

♡ And after that, he spends each day with you in bliss. As the moonlight illuminates the pages of his book, he softly reads the words to you; and as you fall asleep in his arms, he knows that this is what true happiness is. He may never be allowed in the Celestial Realm, but being with you makes him feel like he's already there.

-> If people question his relationship with you, they only do so in hushed tones - no one wants to be on the receiving end of his Wrath, especially after that one demon went missing after gawking at the two of you on a date.

☆ ASMODEUS:

-> Excited to adopt you into his inner circle - he knows someone like you would be the perfect little doll for him! He already thinks you're just oh so adorable, and it will be incredibly easy for him to turn you into his little Mini Asmo.

-> New style, new hair, new everything! Be prepared to truly become his twin, for he wants you to become his shadow. Doesn't even take him much effort to convince you to change your schedule to match his! 

-> Asmo is definitely the Queen Bee of RAD, but you're basically the Queen's Hand - he regards your thoughts and opinions highly, as if they are the royal decree. He may also lightly tease you at times, wanting nothing more than to see the many cute faces you make, but he would never stab you in the back. HBIC's have to look out for each other, after all! 

-> Your grades actually go up, shockingly enough, thanks to Asmo having his fan club do all of your schoolwork. You don't have time for that nonsense! 'Pamper and Pre-Game' with Asmo is way more important than writing some silly Devildom Law essay - you don't wanna be late to the Fall, after all!

-> The two of you pretty much run the school, constantly making waves and setting trends. You get your own fan club, but you also have a fair amount of haters! Either way, all eyes are on you, and every dumb little thing you do ends up going viral online. Some days you're being praised for your fashion, others you're being meme'd for your clumsiness. And of course, Asmo always helps you take advantage of these moments, good or bad. Never a dull day on the Devilnet!

-> He especially loves that your air-headedness leaves a lot of room for you to be open minded to experimentation (or maybe you're just easy to convince, hehe). It's lead to a lot of wild nights in his bedroom, with the two of you experiencing unfathomable euphoria - those nights will forever live rent free in his mind. Perhaps he can convince you to let Sol join the two of you next time...

-> On the other hand, he notices he has to keep an extra sharp eye on you when the two of you are out partying together - your obliviousness has almost led you to a few dangerous situations, one that ended up leaving Asmo's strawberry-blonde hair stained crimson. He is now hyper-vigilant over you, always guarding your drinks and cutting in on the dancefloor.

♡ How could the Avatar of Lust not fall you for? His best friend, his partner in crime, his darling human~♡! He comes to the realization that he loves you even more than himself, and that he must start making a plan! The date of all dates to sweep you off of your feet and right into his arms~♡ He knows he'll have to be clear and concise when he makes his confession - not only are you a bit dense, but his usual Avatar of Lust brand of affection may make it... confusing for you, to figure out that he truly loves you romantically. Whatever, who cares! He'll tell you a million times over if you need him to ♡!

♡ After that, not too much will change, for you were already inseparable before his confession! He may become a bit more possessive, but that comes with the territory of being Lust's Chosen One. The two of you are RAD's Power Couple, and he will make damn sure the entire Devildom knows it!

-> When it comes to your relationship, Asmodeus is ride or die. If anyone ever questions it, he brushes it off with his signature smile and a cold remark - at first. Like a scorpion, he strikes from the shadows. Pink may be his color, but he is also well aware how amazing he looks in red~♡ ;)

☆ BEELZEBUB:

-> Doesn't think too much about it at first - you're just that nice human with the pretty smile and the fun stash of human world snacks. 

-> The least judgmental of his brothers, while also being the first to get to know you deeply. He feels like you're really easy to understand, and he finds that it's really easy to open up to you. He becomes a lot more talkative when you're around, and soon the two of you have you own dumb little inside jokes that his brothers are jealous they aren't in on. You don't even get each other's jokes half the time (which is mostly your fault, no offense) but laughter truly is contagious, and you have so much fun in each other's company.

-> Once he really gets to know you, he worries about you endlessly! He feels the need to become even more protective over you than he already is. Not only does your clumsiness worry him, but your forgetfulness too. He knows for a fact that humans need to eat to survive! What do you mean you forgot to eat lunch?! How can you forget something like that...and before you know it, he's adding some of his Acidic Hell Fries to your plate.

-> So he starts inviting you to eat with him every single day, and he loves how easily you say yes! No matter the menu, no matter the restaurant, you're always down to go out with him and share a bite to eat - you don't even ask questions! And he really admires how adventurous you are - always ordering new dishes, never turning down a bite of some strange food when he offers it, the smile on your face when you actually do enjoy it. Sharing a simple meal with you quickly becomes the part of his day he looks forward to the most.

-> The two of you do get into your own share of trouble every now and then though. While Beel has been banned from the Devildom's various eating contests, you haven't been - and you never seem to learn how sick these contests make you, no matter how badly you wanna give the prize to Beel. And let's not forget all the times you've had to wash dishes at Hell's Kitchen because you both ran outta the House without making sure you had a single Grimm on you. Either way, the two of you have so much fun together, that you never regret it - or learn from it.

♡ He wears his heart on his sleeve, and while Beelzebub isn't dumb like you are, he does have a certain innocent honesty about him - so he has no problem telling you his true feelings about you. He may get the slightest bit frustrated after having to explain it so many times, but hand him a snack and he'll have all the patience in the world to sit with you and help you understand how much he truly loves you.

♡ And after that, you continue to spend your days with your sweet cinnamon roll of a boyfriend. Whether you're hanging with him at the gym or sneaking out for a late night snack, being with you always makes his heart feel so full - a feeling he would never trade, even for a thousand Shadow Goose Burgers. 

-> Doesn't even remotely pay attention to what others are saying about his relationship with you - why even bother worrying about that? Although there was that one time some random demon at RAD did question him about it, but Beel couldn't hear them over the rumble of his own stomach - which they hilariously mistook as a threat, causing them to run off in terror. 

☆ BELPHEGOR:

-> Your stupidity made his scheme in the attic all too easy! Truly like the wolf leading the lamb. He could have never dreamed that such a perfect target would just fall right into his lap, would stumble into the attic and right into his trap - it was almost comical. He could have also never dreamed that, once the veil of hate was lifted from his eyes, the amount of overwhelming guilt he would feel. Naïve, innocent little lamb. He'd do anything to make up for it - he's failed to protect you twice already, and he won't be making that mistake again.

-> Suddenly overprotective, as well as a bit possessive. He knows how easily you can be fooled into mortal danger, so you can expect him to lurk in the shadows. The circle of people he trusts (his brothers) is small, and he even occasionally has doubts about a few of them. 

-> Other than that, he is beyond amused by you, and he knows he's going to have a lot of mischievous fun with you by his side! The House of Lamentation was already chaotic with just the seven of them, but your arrival truly added a wild card to the mix. Your absentminded hijinks are usually funny enough for him to warrant losing a bit of sleep.

-> He pretty much makes you the mascot for the Anti-Lucifer League - any schemes he and the Fourth Born can think up, they rope you into. Typically used as bait, watching Lucifer freak out as you stand there looking clueless truly never gets old. No matter how many times they explain the pranks to you, you never really understand what's going on - which makes for a great defense when all three of you inevitably get lectured by the Eldest afterwards.

-> Loves how easy it is to convince you to skip class and nap with him - you're the only one he's shown all of his favorite hiding spots to. Partially because he knows you'll never remember where they are without his help, but also because he loves cuddling up with you. 

♡ He's actually tried several times to convey his feelings to you, with everything from romantic dreams to starlit dates. He's even kissed you, how much more obvious can he get?! If it were anyone but you, he probably would have given up and gone back to sleep. But you're you and you're worth it, so he stays up late conjuring up exactly what to say to you, hoping this time his bluntness makes it clear.

♡ And after that, the two of you spend the majority of your free time cuddled up in each other's loving embrace. It's nothing but sweet dreams and starry skies, so long as you have Belphie by your side.

-> Questioning his relationship with you (or badmouthing you in general) is probably one of the most egregious mistakes one could make. If the endless night terrors aren't enough to evoke instant regret, the Avatar of Sloth doesn't mind resorting to violence for you.

· demonvibez ♡ 2024 · do not copy, repost or modify · · likes, comments and reblogs are deeply appreciated! ♡ ·

[mimihanyuu]

Panic room.

Just a lil something I thought of after trying a 5 minute meditation....yeah.

Cw: anxiety symptoms, fem!reader, sap

If you had realized the kind of day you were in for, you would never have gotten out of bed.

For one thing, you had woken up with a migraine that pounded when you took a step. You had stayed in your dark room for an hour until you lost hope and went to eat and take medicine. But, of course, your companions at headquarters had chosen today to throw a raucous party for whatever arbitrary reason they came up with this time (Komui was always planning parties). When you were recruited to help set up, you had refuse, only to find Emilia and Miranda pouting at your rejection. You had sighed and allowed yourself to be dragged into the job. Lenalee and Lavi shot you apologetic looks and Allen, who didn't know you well, had merely teased you about how rare it was for you to appear without your friend Kanda. You failed to understand this, gritting your teeth and resisting the urge to clarify Kanda as your friend, and nothing else. Besides, you thought, this would only egg the naysayers on, including Allen, who stepped back as irritation seeped from your very pores. Good, you thought. That'll teach him.

And so, you helped obligingly with decorations, cringing with each and every loud crash and screech and stupid mistake made by your companions. No matter, you thought. You'd slip out when the festivities began.

Your close friends had left you decidedly alone once the party started, sensing your drab mood and opting to let you sneak away. But others such as Gigi and Komui and even Reever, who liked you but, like Allen, didn't know your telltale signs of nervousness and irritability, encouraged you to join the festivities. In fact, Gigi had drunkenly dragged you back into the dining hall as you attempted to leave, claiming in a slurred haze that there weren't enough women at headquarters for any of them to be skipping parties.

Your eyebrow had twitched at that, but you kept quiet, though whether it was out of exhaustion or true compliance you weren't actually sure. A mere hour into the party, though, you found yourself sitting in a corner with a glass of water, watching people mill about as your knee bounced up and down nervously. You'd given up on leaving by then, and thought you'd be content to just sit.

You were not.

Your head ached, your heart did backflips, your stomach churned. The noise and movement that engulfed the room had become too much. You felt like you needed to run, but you were glued to your seat in fear, as if leaving were just as bad an option as staying right where you were.

And now, hours later, you have managed to drink a full glass of water, and sit anxiously for an unknown but far too long amount of time. Too shy to go refill your glass, and too lightheaded to remain in the room, you decide then to take the opportunity to sneak out the large double doors that lead into the overflowing room.

One step out the door, two, then three. By the fourth, the fifth, you're jogging. The ninth and tenth steps become more like a run, and by the fifteenth, you are sprinting through the halls of your vast, strange home towards a location unbeknownst to you.

Finally, you reach your mystery destination and slam open the sliding door, panting and startling the room's one occupant. You dont look at him, though--you can't, you're sure you'd cry if you did--as you smack the door shut again and flop onto the mats of the training dojo next to him. You let out a long, shaking huff of air and Kanda stares at you, his sharp eyes watching you intently. His expression holds only the slightest hint of his shock at your dramatic arrival.

"They got you, huh?"

You grumble. Of course he knows exactly what happened! He always manages to escape the torture of social gatherings. You glare up at him upon realizing it.

"You got out of it," you point accusingly, although you're half joking. "How do you always do that?"

"Welcome to the panic room," he mutters. "I just hole up in here and ignore them when they talk to me. But anyway," Kanda narrows his eyes in scrutiny, his gaze scanning your features for signs of distress. "You should meditate. You're obviously tense."

"I'm not tense," you drawl. "I'm pissed."

"Meditation is good for that, too."

And with that, he's back in his cross-legged position, his hands resting on his knees, back straight and eyes closed. You frown. Once he's in that pose, he's going to ignore you; he's proven this many, many times. So instead of poking and prodding at him to elaborate, you simply sigh with a good, intentional amount of drama and settle in next to him, in the same pose.

Truthfully, you've never understood meditation. You try to focus on your breathing, concentrating on deep, full inhales and long exhales. Inhale, exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale....

Exhale.

But your mind wanders several times to several places. How will they manage to clean up after the party? Will you have to help? Hopefully Cross won't be there to cause any trouble for the women. And what about--

"Your breathing is shallow," Kanda whispers so that you can barely hear him, but you swear you feel him scoot closer. "You're distracted. Every time that happens, let it go and focus on your body again."

You scrunch your eyes shut, trying to follow his instructions. For the next few minutes, any time your mind wonders, you inhale deeply again, attempting to center yourself once more.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

You open your eyes.

As if sensing something, Kanda peeks at you from one open eye, still in his meditating position. "Better?" He mumbles, and you're sure this time that there's an affectionate undertone in his voice, one you never hear unless he's speaking to you. It makes you feel special somehow.

With a long sigh, you lean your head on his shoulder. "Yeah," you whisper. "Thanks."

Kanda doesn't respond.

You wake up in your bed the next morning, in the same clothes and unsure how you got there. I must have fallen asleep in the training dojo.

(The second you exit your room, you're met with the news that Kanda nearly skewered Lavi the night before, and you realize that only one person could have carried you back to your room--and was obviously caught in the act and thoroughly teased).

[ecargmura]

Pokemon Horizons Episode 11 Review: Wildfires Suck

I wonder if it’s a coincidence that the episode about a forest having wildfires would be aired a week after the spotlight news of Canadian wildfires that came into light regarding the smoke issue that had spread onto the northeastern portion of the United States.  Regardless of whether it is related or not, wildfires suck. This episode does a wonderful job showcasing the harm fire does in forests, just like how it would be in real life.

Because of the wildfires, there are many barren areas in the forest and Pokemon that live there get hurt, just like the Paldean Wooper. I’m sure it’s also the reason why the giant Arboliva was in a foul mood and why the other Pokemon in the area were hostile towards Liko. It was stated that the wildfire was caused by a lighting strike that happened a few days ago, so the damage was only recent and it already traumatized many Pokemon.

Mollie tags along with Liko and Roy in this episode. Learning more about Mollie was a real treat. She has pink hair and has a Chansey, just like an actual Nurse Joy, but it wasn’t completely confirmed if she was related to them until this episode. Mollie came from a line of Pokemon doctors, but she quit her job at a Pokemon Center because she didn’t want to be stuck in a job that only allowed her to treat Pokemon brought in by Trainers. She wanted to treat wild Pokemon that could be injured and had no access to a Pokemon Center. It feels very humane with the way Mollie had abandoned parental expectations in order to do what she wants to do in life. Sometimes, living a life where you are being told what to do instead of taking the first step and doing things for yourself can be frustrating. I think that’s something many Asian people, myself included, can relate to wholeheartedly. I really like that Mollie was one of the first of the Rising Volt Tacklers to reveal information about herself since mostly everyone is a mystery; you’d think that she’d be one of the last ones to reveal her backstory due to her stoic nature.

The fact that the giant Arboliva has an Ancient Pokeball just upholds the mystery about these balls. I’m really compelled to know what these balls are and why they are related to giant Pokemon. I do think that the Rayquaza Brassius has mentioned in the previous episode went to the forest to meet with the Arboliva because of the ball. Does that mean the Pokemon that are contained within the balls are acquainted with each other? How many are there? Will Roy collect them all?

Liko was a bit silly as she confronted Dot about the strange coincidences she had noticed with her and Nidothing and believes her to be…a superfan. I legit facepalmed at this. This is like Ash and his friends not being able to distinguish Team Rocket in their disguises despite them being really obvious. However, it does make sense because Dot and Nidothing are complete opposites in personality, so it wouldn’t make sense for Liko to correlate the gloomy and shut-in Dot to be her idol. Another interesting fact about Liko was revealed in this episode: her mother is a schoolteacher; I theorized that Liko’s mother was a teacher in my previous episode review and I’m glad I got that right. I think Liko’s mother is the unfamiliar woman with the Squawkabilly in the next episode preview.

Other than Mollie, we learn a new fact about Murdock here: Dot is his younger sister’s daughter. While facts about Murdock pop up every now and then, he’s still a mystery because we don’t know how he came to the Brave Asagi.

I’ve seen people complain about how this episode ended or that it was a bit boring. To those naysayers, I say “Shut up.” Stop complaining. If you don’t like Horizons, don’t watch it. I don’t know why they keep torturing themselves on watching something they don’t like. I think this episode ended decently because it’s supposed to be a two-parter with the next episode. I hope that good things happen to the forest and for Arboliva to be happy again.

[so-secret-it-was-daisy]

Taylor Swift in her Little Musical Family Era is doing something right to me it feels unreal to be feeling this way..

More than anything whatever is going on/happening before our eyes hoping it's true..

They're both beautiful people who deserve all the love & happiness in this messed up world not made for most of us...

They're so different yet have similar upbringing when it comes to family dynamics among other things and knowing how much family oriented they both are is quite endearing...

This looks/feels like the forever love & family life she writes songs about and her having it all now feels like a daydream dressed like a DREAM..

Taylor’s such an affectionate person can only imagine them being suffocated with so much love to die for 😍❤️🙏

I really wish they shared it with those of us who love them and her little musical family shutting down the empty noise of naysayers who rather hate than throwing out old school thoughts in the name of progress and open mind ness #loveislove

[wisteriagoesvroom]

has your favourite driver changed over time? who was it and who is it now?

HI ANON thanks for blessing my inbox. i'd always been an admirer of lewis hamilton and everything he'd achieved in motorsport even if i didn't really follow f1 properly until the end of last year. then i got into f1 proper and it's put into even greater perspective how insane his achievements are. like i would want him to clinch his eighth official before anyone else wins, tbh? lewis gives me anime hero vibes in the sense that he's defied a shit-ton of odds and naysayers, has beautifully intuitive and immaculate levels of racecraft, and is fighting for something bigger than himself. i feel very lucky to catch him in his final seasons tbh. i don't know that there will ever be anyone like him again, in terms of the visibility and access he's pushed for especially for BIPOC and marginalised folks in the sport. though i certainly hope so.

charles was my gateway drug into f1 ngl. the tiktok edits got me good LMAO and his whole massive Predestinato Lore and Catholic-coded Suffering. like it really doesn't hurt that he drives the red car and is insanely charismatic and good at it? and is drop dead gorgeous obviously. but races like Vegas gave me a glimpse of just how insane his tactics can be when he's got the car to back him up. he's so exciting to watch as a driver and he would also be the next person i'd want to get a wdc after lewis.

i'm also deep in the oscar trenches... er, in case anyone hasn't noticed.... *points at self-identifier reluctant papaya twink factory enthusiast*. lando for me is a fun counterbalance to have in the papaya team dynamic but if you asked me honestly who i'd cheer for in a head-to-head battle i'm going with oscar. not only did aussie capybara boi come out and win a sprint in his first year and send lando into temporary shambles, he's ruthless on track, has an insane level of composure and can shut out the noise, which is not easy to do especially at that level.

who knows how long the hyperfixation will last?? if i get post-hyperfixation nut clarity in a year, we'll see if this still stands lol. but for now i'm having a good time

(i don't think you asked for an essay, but here it is anyway <3)

[veteran-fanperson]

Sandalwood and Steel

I fell into a rabbit hole, I really did. Here is the (first ever, I think) Chari (Tarak in Adhurs) and Kala Bhairava (Charan in Magadheera) fic. I do have a real plot shaping up in my mind for this so I hope you enjoy the ride.

Let's get some notes out of the way. The story is set in ancient times, in the Magadheera verse, after Bhairava rejects Mithravinda's hand in marriage. There will some period typical sexism. Not beta read.

If someone wants to be on a taglist or something I'd be happy to make one.

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

“The young princess must do a Gowri vrata if she is to find a noble, handsome and brave husband, one who will rule the kingdom well and look after our people,” the chief priest advised King Vikram Singh, poring over the calculations he had just made. “I am aware of that ill omened challenge and it’s embarrassing consequences - however -”

“Yes she must marry soon.” The King responded heavily, his eyes on the peacock feather quill in the priest’s hand. Even now, ten days after, his daughter remained sequestered in her apartments, not admitting anyone inside, not eating, not sleeping, not crying. He had done this to her, to his golden little girl, unable to watch her wear widow’s white. He had watched her be humiliated in court by a mere soldier, one who should have been honoured to receive her hand in marriage. A brave and good man no doubt, but there was no fighting fate. 

As the days stretched and Mithravinda’s apartments remained closed, rumours began to spread in Udaigarh. ‘The Princess has committed suicide’, insisted some, gossiping over tea. ‘No, our king must have sent her way to hide her shame. Did you see the way she walked that day? She was hoping to marry that young man before her condition was known to all, but he rejected her. Perhaps he isn’t the father either’ insinuated others, winking knowingly at each other. 

Yes his daughter had to marry. And marry well, marry a prince of breeding and wealth, and good looks enough to shut the mouths of the naysayers. He had already broken her heart once, without her knowledge. Now it was time to break it openly, hoping that at the end of it all, when he was dead and gone, his beloved kingdom and daughter would both be safe and flourishing. 

“Tell me what arrangements I must make,” he said to the priest, weary at heart, “I will do as you advise.”

“There is a young man, one of my disciples. His devotion and ritualistic purity is strong. I will ask him to help the Princess perform the vrata,” the head priest replied calmly. “Do not worry Maharaja. Trust in the Devi. All will be well”

***

“Bhairava,” the King said gently, “I need you to escort someone for me.”

“Yes Maharaja.” The young man nodded, his hair shrouding his eyes as he leaned forward into a bow. They were in the King’s private morning room, where few people were ever allowed to enter. Koels cooed busily outside, and a fresh cooling wind blew in through a nearby window, bringing with it the rich smell of wet earth.  

“Every Friday for the next twenty five weeks, a young Brahmin will present himself at the palace gates one hour before dawn breaks,” the King said, “You will take him inside the Princess's apartments, into her pooja room. You will watch over the worship, then escort him safely back to the gates. Take care that no one disturbs the ritual. The kingdom’s future depends on it.”

Kala Bhairava assented, unable to hide his surprise. The palace was perfectly well protected, what was the need to walk a Brahmin across its premises? And besides the Princess -

Walking into her apartments -

“Maharaja. Forgive me - but I train my soldiers and run formations on Thursdays and Fridays. Perhaps someone else -”

“No.” The King answered simply, “It has to be you.” His voice was gentle, but the stelly tone underneath indicated that the matter was not up for negotiation. 

There was a pause as Bhairava struggled to school his features into blank obedience once more. 

“You may leave now. Be careful Bhairava. Take care that you reveal this to none.”

“Very well Maharaja.” Bhairava bowed and exited, his carriage upright, his hands gripping the hilt of the sword at his waist. 

King Vikram Singh watched the handsome young man depart, a sigh escaping him now that no one was around to hear it. It had to be Bhairava who performed this quest, unnecessary as it was. He needed the doubting courtiers to see that the wager to win the Princess’s hand had been nothing more than a manoeuvre to exile the swine who dared to insult her, that Princess Mithravinda of Udaigarh was still a pure young damsel, ready to be married to a worthy Prince.  

He had visited his daughter the previous night, commanding her to perform the twenty five week vrata with single minded devotion. She had made no reply at first, her beautiful face haggard with grief. 

“What will it get me father? Will it bring me the man I love? Will it make him love me?” Her voice had been weak, its brokenness burning him. Yet he dared not show any compassion, feeling like the worst of hypocrites. 

“Your duty is to the kingdom Mithravinda,” he had snapped, “You are a royal princess and you have been exposed to vile gossip enough. This land has birthed you and raised you, you are responsible for all of its citizens. I am sorry that you could not get what you wished very much, but there is more to life than mere romance. It is unseemly to run after a man who has very clearly indicated that even the temptation of the throne will not move him enough to wed you.”

Mithravinda had not looked away from his face while he spoke, her eyes dry and tearless, her cheeks wan and pale.

“Our people need you to rule wisely alongside your future husband, it needs you to birth brave and compassionate heirs to protect this land. You have grown up in the lap of luxury thanks to this land’s bounty, now it is time to pay it back.”

Despite all the pain in his heart, he was proud of her courage and her refusal to shed tears.

“I will do what you ask father,” she had said eventually. “I know my duty.”

“I am growing old, my child,” he confessed as he left her, “I cannot be at peace until I know that my duty is done.”

She had said nothing in return. 

***

Bhairva could not sleep on Thursday night, watching the moon rise gently into the heavens, showering its light on the quiet grounds of the palace. The Princess’s broken and shocked eyes haunted him, robbing him of all peace of mind. The King was quite right to have forbidden the marriage, knowing the family he came from. Udaigarh needed its royal couple to live long and fruitful lives. He regretted ever encouraging the Princess’s affections, ever letting her believe there was any hope. 

The shrill whistle of the night watchman interrupted his thoughts and he jumped up noiselessly. It was almost an hour before daybreak, time to meet the Brahmin. As he strode quietly towards one of the side gates, he wondered again about the need for this escort. 

“It is me, open the gate.” He called to the gatekeeper, and the man nodded briefly before pulling out a large key and fitting it into the lion shaped keyhole. 

A young man stood on the other side, his clothes bright while in the moonlight, his hands holding a small bundle. Bhairava noted that the Brahmin was as tall as him, with broad shoulders and large hands. His eyes sparkled when he caught sight of Bhairava behind the door.   

“You took long enough to arrive!” called the man loudly, “Now take me to your Princess in fifteen minutes, before the durmuhurtham arrives.”  

He strode past the astonished gatekeeper and Bhairava, his tuft of hair bouncing as he walked. After a couple of steps he turned around and stared balefully at the frozen Bhairava. “You! Soldier boy! What are you doing, grazing donkeys? Didn’t you hear what I said?” 

Bhairava felt a sudden irritation, fingers itching for his sword. Who did this man think he was anyway? But whatever he felt had to wait, because the Brahmin was already walking ahead, his steps fast and purposeful. 

“Hey! Brahmin! Stop!” He runs to catch up, “Where do you think you’re going? It’s the other way!” 

“Well you were busy acting like a scarecrow and I had to get going so…” The Brahmin trailed off, his eyes amused as they roved over Bhairava. “Although with that very lovely face I cannot really call you a scarecrow.” 

Bhairava choked as the Brahmin continued to look at him in frank admiration. “Strong wrists, strong legs, and a straight back, you must be very good with that sword! And do not address me so rudely as Brahmin, handsome one. My name is  Narasimhachari - but you may address me as Chari.”

“I’m not -” Bhairava stammered, feeling completely off balance.

“Not what?” Chari asked kindly, his eyes sparkling. “Not handsome?”

“No, I mean -” Bhairava chokes back an exasperated scream. “My name is Bhairava. Kala Bhairava.”

“Kala Bhairava” enunciates Chari, his eyebrows raised. “A fine name for a fine soldier. The name of Shiva, the destroyer, the one who devours time itself.” He smiles widely at Bhairava. “Shiva and Vishnu. We ought to get along splendidly together. Come come Bhairava, our time’s ticking.” 

He breezes past, and Bhairava falls into an easy pace beside the other, his irritation all but gone. 

He doesn’t know what to think. 

[the-firebird69]

Huge changes are happening here I'm going to try and get them out rapidly number one they are amassing at the border so often the Mac is ordering people in here to be taken away and or hit immediately when you're issuing orders to do it because they're trying to backstab them all the time and they're trying to do it here in situ

Right now they've issued orders to 300,000 police to come in to Charlotte county and they're moving now

They're moving entire light armored divisions to the first ring and heavy armor divisions to the final ring and they want to stop them from doing that they've done it before and they backed off it and it was miserable

It also moving to plug the way in they can't keep on doing this idiotic show everyday and they're going to make sure they stop by using Force and they gather up anyways is what they say and it's true and they're going to push the seal it off as they're doing it they're going to see these guys bothering them

They're pushing to get rid of their space fleets and they're aggressive and it's working they are cut down to 25% of the land base operations that support ships and build them and they're cut down to 25% of the remaining fleet really have like 25, 000,000 ships and it's going to be smaller they're also working on precluding them from taking sea vessels you don't want them out there they're busy and it is a war and foreigners are pitching in

There's a few more things happening today that will affect our son and daughter and other people mostly our son and other people on earth the max are starting to aggressive with people who are naysayers or people who are in their way mostly it is the warlock and others and we really don't have anything to say about what they're doing their huge screw-ups and you're in the way of everything and don't have any point to most of it so we are of course hoping they stop doing that in the first place but now they are making an edict to that effect as we do from time to time

Couple more things going on

They're attacking her son when he's trying to post things that they should know about usually people get more interested but that's okay and right now we're going after those people and for for doing that

They are trying to make things better but it's become miserable and they see why and they are attacking people for it I'm just massive attacks reform now and they are forming up and they're going to push them out and they're going to pull them out of here in a group of 30,000 or going from behind and the 300,000 don't get replaced so much it's down to $250,000 after this it'll be $220,000 and will be less and less idiots to drive around our son and they're spending lots of time doing that and they lose it's a distraction and it's their fault in a couple days are probably won't be any idiots here or less

A few more things they're not a huge as well described the main part is that they are this huge wise asses and they piss people off and run around all day doing it and they get their asses kicked I mean that's happened globally they have money and other things people need and they consider them to be useless they're not good workers they don't support people and they're destructive and stupid that's two more people to put on the list yeah what a bunch of f****** losers and see what he's saying it's like you can't see that I'm a big guy and what's wrong with you f****** losers you shut your mouth too Jesus

We're going to town on them but these are huge things that they're moving a big force in here to pull them out and that they're moving in a light armored division and they're moving into heavy and they're going to keep them out he'll trigger your reaction and they'll form up at 8 points which they already are but more so and they're going to wipe their forces out the percentage population is dropping rapidly they're going to the land base tap roots and they're going into the tunnels all over the world and the issuing massive threats and we're going in and cutting them up fairly soon they will be small right now they're sending giant numbers at the tap roots and they don't feel they have to negotiate yet and the people stay on the island it's like 10% of the population on the islands and we are monitoring them and they're trying to steal stuff and they get hit you're also trying to go after our manufacturing base in Canada believe it or not this is huge groups that are for me and they're probably 45,000 quadrillion each and there's 10 of them which would be like 50,000 quadrillion and they get wiped out pretty quick and she says to add to the defenses because you don't want to lose anything we got to do that I have an excuse to tons of trump we'll try and do that and there's about seven holes there after that are in water that are hollow and after all the other ones too and today is going to be a banner day they're going to lose so many it's a huge effort and what you doing here is ridiculous find them choryelling. this morning and they say they have tons of people. Of course I calculations say don't have that many it's like 5% and now it's dropping we say that each time cloning is making up for it a little be nice to knock out cloning and the clones might do that once they lose their fleets probably after the more like help destroy the laser bases and they agree with that

We're going to publish now so we don't lose this

Thor Freya

Olympus

[ahundredtimesover]

Inevitable (02) | JJK

Pairing: Jungkook x (f.) Reader (ft. ot6)

Genre/Tags: exes au, parents au, baseball player!JK; angst, fluff, smut (18+)

Series Warnings: foul language, alcohol consumption, minor character death, explicit sexual content in future chapters (oral, unprotected sex but be safe please!)

Chapter Word count: 7.2k

Summary: You convinced Jungkook to break up years ago so he could pursue his lifelong baseball dream. Now he’s back home, staring at you, and the little boy next to you who looks unmistakably like him.

A/N: So appreciative of your love for this story! I’m quite nervous with this one because I had to make changes last minute so I hope you still enjoy it. Also, you can message me if you want to be part of the taglist (or if I missed tagging you)!

Series Masterlist || Previous || Next

“Thank you again, Mr. Jeon. Quite frankly, this still feels surreal but we’re so glad you’re back.”

Jungkook bows at the man, one of the executives of the Doosan Bears, one he’d just had a meeting with, which followed an interview with a sports writer. 

For the past week, Jungkook’s days have been filled with meeting and talking to many people, forcing smiles, and making conversations that quite frankly tire him. But he welcomes this, knowing that any beat of silence will just force his mind to settle on you. And his pain. And his anger.

The man stops him in the hallway to point at a frame of the elder Jeon holding up the team’s 1999 championship trophy. 

“Hopefully you’ll have one, too, and we’ll place it right next to this,” he says, a statement that Jungkook has been hearing in a variety of forms the past few days of interviews and appearances. 

It’s different this time because his father achieved so many things back in his homeland; he’s a national hero if people wanted to stretch it. Here, Jungkook has to live up to expectations, which many people believe he’ll exceed. His father, a good player and an even better leader, was loved by many in the sports world, and it’s an honor they get to watch Jungkook play in the flesh, reminiscent of the man that many adored.

In the US, they didn’t know his father, so Jungkook was able to pave his own path there and make a name for himself, guided only by the thought and dream of his hero, and not live in his shadow. It’s a dream they shared and one he’d achieved. 

But for the first time, it doesn’t comfort Jungkook. For the first time, it angers him. It’s that dream that took you away from him, that took Jungwon away from him. It’s this dream that essentially broke his heart in ways he never imagined. 

Everyone is quiet as they absorb everything that Jungkook has said. Since that day at your apartment, he’s been radio silent when it came to his friends. But he’s here at Jin’s loft now, with Jimin whom he’s still cold towards, and Yoongi and Hoseok who complete the group, as they’re Jin’s and Namjoon’s friends from college who’d gotten close to the young ones, too.

They’re glad they finally have the time to just be together after a crazy week. Ironically, it’s a somber event. This isn’t how they imagined welcoming the young one home. 

They’re incomplete though. By nature of the concern at hand, Taehyung isn’t around; he left the group chat anyway so he wouldn’t have known that Jungkook messaged - finally, after a week of bombarding everyone with messages about you only to stop after he stormed out of your apartment. Namjoon is also not here, still not checking their group chat.

“Wow, I can’t believe ___ was pregnant all that time and was able to keep the kid from us for years,” Hoseok finally speaks up, shock still evident in his voice.

He’d been the one most vocal in stating what everyone else was thinking, the rest opting to just shut up and leave the talking to Jungkook, who’s now allowed himself to once again feel all the emotions in the presence of his friends.

They know that very little things get to him - whether they’re external stressors, outside pressure, naysayers, envious people, or school, he’d always been able to manage them. 

He rarely gets angry, too, and doesn’t really let negative feelings fester, so Jungkook with a piercing gaze, pursed lips, flared nostrils, and clenched fists, as he is right now, is an unfamiliar sight to them.

And it’s all because of you.

Jungkook never took the very few relationships he had before you seriously; he’d been focused on the sport ever since he was a kid. 

But you captured him immediately and since that day at the field when he threw a baseball and almost hit Taehyung on the arm and you’d shouted at Jungkook relentlessly for being a careless jerk, he knew that he’d want to shut you up with kisses just so you could get mad at him again. 

He was a cheeky sophomore then, enjoying the bit of popularity he was gaining in Seoul for being an immediate standout of their university’s baseball team - the Pride of Busan, he was called - and he didn’t expect this beautiful woman to almost knock him out for almost hitting her friend, even if Taehyung was adamant that the hit was several centimeters off.

“I have better aim than that,” Jungkook had told you smugly, and his heart fluttered at the gagging face you made. 

He wasn’t usually that bold but he felt it was worth it, especially if it was to see you scowl then try to hide a smile after. It took a few days until you gave him more than five minutes of your time, then another few weeks before you finally agreed to a date, and then just two months to convince you that he was definitely worthy to be something more. 

You both knew you’d fallen in love with each other even before either of you said it, the words always catching in your throats whenever you tried, but then he finally did, and he was over the moon when you said it back and he’d never been happier. 

Even when you walked out that door and out of his life that December evening, he held onto you, your lingering presence enough for you to still be his anchor, his love, his guiding light. 

He never thought that at one point, he’d beg for that to not be you. Just the thought of you sends him into a spiral, not of heartbreak or despair like before - although he thinks that was even better - but of the feeling of resentment and betrayal. 

Everyone’s chatter faints into background noise for a while, with Jungkook’s friends saying maybe you’d come back to Seoul only recently, hearing from Namjoon that you stayed in Daejeon with your cousin to work at a tech company. It was a mystery how none of them caught up sooner, having only seen you twice a year at most and not knowing anything else.

“Ask Jimin,” Jungkook chimes in bitterly. “He was in on it anyway.”

The three older men turn to the man in question, Jimin meeting their curious gazes with a guilty look, knowing at some point Jungkook would grill him.

“Remember that woman I dated two years ago, the teacher?” He sighs. 

Everyone nods.

“I surprised her one time at the daycare center where she was working. That’s how I bumped into ___. It was pretty obvious at first glance that Jungwon is Kook’s kid. I mean,” Jimin smiles, thinking about the little boy who’s taken his heart as well, reminding him of the best parts of Jungkook that's laid dormant for years. “Wide eyes, shy smile, puffy cheeks and soft features. It was unmistakable.”

Jimin remembers that day well, how flustered you were, arriving at the daycare an hour late and profusely apologizing to the staff. He stopped you then, his shocked face enough to let you know what he was thinking as you held the boy in your arms. It didn’t take long for you to tell him the truth, begging him not to tell his best friend. 

“He’s finally playing in the major league, Jimin. There are too many good things going on for him there. I mean he— he’s happy. It won’t do good for me to tell him now,” you’d told him. 

Jimin could’ve pressed more, should’ve gone to the root of your decision to hide it in the first place, or maybe even convinced you to tell Jungkook the truth, but you looked too stressed, a permanent fixture on your face, he thought, and he didn’t want to push it. 

So he left it at that, knowing as well that between the pressure to do well and the rumors going around, this type of news would be a big hit to Jungkook. Ultimately, Jimin didn’t think it was his place to meddle; the most he could do was support you any way he could. 

“How is he, the kid?” Jin questions, knowing his cousin would want to know but is too stubborn and angry to ask.

“The sweetest,” Jimin beams. “He’s pretty shy but he becomes playful once he’s warmed up to you. He’s smart, just like ___, and is so caring, he's very affectionate and even talks to insects and—” he trails, as Yoongi nudges his knee and motions for him to stop.

Jungkook is still, jaws clenched again at the thought that these are things he doesn’t know and for obvious reasons. Thinking about how Taehyung and Jimin have done so much more for and with his own child hurts him. 

He loves his friends, knows he should be thankful that they’ve been there for you and Jungwon but he can’t shake off the frustration, the jealousy. He wonders if any other man had the privilege of getting to know his son that way, of getting close to him. 

He wonders, too, if any other man had gotten close to you. That’s a pang in his chest he doesn’t want to dwell on.

“Look, I’m really sorry, Kook. But a lot of things were happening with you then, too and I didn’t want to just drop that news to you. It would have been too much and—”

“You too?” Jungkook huffs. “I fucking hate it when people think they can just decide on things about my life without me having a say. Wouldn't that piss you off if it happened to you?” 

He’s met with silence. 

It’s what gets him, really, the fact that people he trusted couldn’t afford him the decency of letting him decide, of trusting him that whatever happens, he was gonna figure it out. 

“Wanna know what I think?” Yoongi speaks up.

“No,” Jungkook responds.

“That was hypothetical,” Yoongi says and shifts in his seat. “We all know ___. She’s very self-assured, sometimes to a fault, but she’s not rash, she’s not selfish. She might have decided on her own but it doesn’t mean she didn’t consider you.”

“She still should’ve talked to me about it. It was too big of a decision to not include me in it,” Jungkook retorts.

“But she was right, wasn’t she? You would have stayed. She knows you too well that you would’ve given up everything,” Yoongi presses.

“Why does everyone make it sound so bad? Of course I would’ve. That’s my son! I’m not the kind of person who would turn his back on that responsibility,” Jungkook bites back.

“It isn’t bad, but that’s precisely the point. Did you ask yourself why she thought it was worth it? Why she believed that the better option was to not be truthful for as long as you got to live out your dream? For as long as you got to reap the benefits of what you worked so hard for?” Yoongi counters.

Jungkook stills, his lips starting to quiver as he processes his friend’s questions.

“Baseball has always been your whole world, Jungkook. She shared you with it. It was all you talked about - the dream, what it meant to you, the connection with your father, the joy you’d feel when playing and hearing the cheers… We knew that, she knew that,” Yoongi continues. 

“Your dream made you, Kook. It was all you knew, and she never complained. She loved you the same. And even with all your anger towards her right now, you know she wouldn’t try to take that dream away from you. Even if it means hurting both of you in the process.”

“But she meant so much to me, too. I would’ve done anything for her, and I thought she knew that,” Jungkook whimpers.

He never once doubted what he felt for you and he always thought it was enough.

“Yeah, but do you think that was her first thought when she found out she was pregnant? That you’d give up your dream for her without any consequences down the line? She knew you would’ve stayed because you’re the kind of person to do that, but she also knew what that would mean, what that would do to you, and what that would do to them.” 

Yoongi, ever the wise one of the group, makes everyone think. 

The silence is deafening, but Jungkook doesn’t miss the way the guys have taken to slight nods and furrowed brows.

“Baseball was too important to you. She probably believed you’d lose more if you didn’t take the opportunity then. Not being there for her and your son was something she maybe thought you could always make up for,” Yoongi states. 

Of your brother’s friends, Yoongi was the one you were closest to, spent the most nights at parties with, talking and agreeing on things. This is probably why he gets it, gets why you felt like you had to do what you did.

“Kook, don’t think that she never planned on telling you. She never meant to keep it a secret forever,” Jimin says, recalling your claims that you just needed the right time to eventually tell Jungkook. “Maybe that’s why you’re even more frustrated; maybe you think she never wanted to involve you. Of course she does. You were her whole world and—”

“Baseball was mine,” Jungkook finishes, resigning to the idea that that's what you always thought, and you weren’t wrong. “She thinks I’d resent them down the road if I stayed and gave up on my dream.”

“I love you, Kook, but that fear is valid,” Jin says. “I’m not saying I agree with her decision but I think I get where she’s coming from.”

“But hey, you have all the right to be angry,” Hoseok says, disrupting the silence that’s enveloped everyone again. “Just don’t be so consumed by it, okay? You’re back, you have more of a reason to stay, so just think of where you need to go from here. You have all of us, you and ___ and Jungwon have all of us.”

Jungkook wipes off the tears that have silently fallen down his cheeks, the most he’s cried in front of his friends in years. It was a change on his end after the break up - the walls he put up, the control he had over his emotions, the once soft heart hardening in places to make sure he wouldn’t hurt as much again. He hates to admit that it was all because of you.

Jin’s phone rings and cuts through the silence that’s tainted with short sniffles.

“Namjoon saw the chat, wonders if he could come,” Jin asks.

“No need, I’m gonna leave soon,” Jungkook responds.

Jin relays the message to Namjoon who sends his own, then finishes the call.

“He said he wants to check up on you, too. You should meet up with him, I think it’d be good. It’s Namjoon, Kook. He loves his sister to death but you know he’ll be objective about it, too. Think about it, okay?”

Jungkook nods then lets some time pass before he leaves. 

He thinks about it that night until the wee hours of the morning. For the first time, he thinks about what you felt the moment you found out, about what you were feeling and thinking that led you to decide to break up, and if you really planned on making him believe that you didn’t think it’d work out to cover up the truth.

Everything the guys said tonight rings in his head. What made you think this was the better option? What made you think he’d lose more if he gave up on the dream instead of being in your and Jungwon’s life? Why did you think his dream was more important than his life with you? Why did you think he’d resent you down the road? 

It’s not lost on him that his dream seemed to trump everything else. It would always go back to that, it would always be about that, how even during that life-changing moment of you finding out you were carrying his child, what you considered was him and baseball. 

He recalls the days leading up to the break up, how your conversations had been about his move, but never about the two of you. He chalked it up to thinking it was a given, that of course you’d stay together. He never realized that it wasn’t actually clear to you; perhaps it was a given to him but it wasn’t to you.

Jungkook doesn’t remember fights about lack of time because of training, or him not being in the mood after a bad game. Everything you’ve ever been to him was patient, understanding, and accepting of the sport he’d dedicated his whole life to, like it was a given, like it was the most important thing, like it was the third party in your relationship. And you never complained.

He loved you for that and more, for the fighter that you were, for the strong and goal-oriented woman that you were, for the thoughtful and warm-hearted person you’ve always been. He loved you so much. He’d fallen so hard that he willingly gave you his heart and let you do whatever you wanted with it, as long you had it. Because of that, you hurt him so terribly, he didn’t know how he could recover.

He thinks now that maybe it was on him, too. Maybe he didn’t tell you enough just how much you meant to him. Maybe he could’ve done more, appreciated you more, or at least let you know that you were just as much a part of his plan the way baseball was.

Maybe then you would’ve trusted him that you two would work it out, that it would be okay if he had to let go of his dream to be the partner that you needed, to be the father you needed him to be for your child.

But maybe you both didn’t know any better, he also thinks. You were so young, maybe it was too much to ask you to trust him, maybe you were also right not to. He’d definitely grown up the past years, and maybe he wouldn’t have if you didn’t break his heart the way you did.

He thinks about how you’ve been the past years, too, how you took care of Jungwon on your own, how hard it must’ve been for you. But any more and he knows he’ll break down, and he doesn’t trust himself doing that alone. 

He sighs at all the thoughts in his head and his mixed emotions. But his friends are right. He’s home now - he has all the resources, the time - what matters is what happens next. 

He wants to understand better, and to know what you went through but he can’t bring himself to ask you. He knows you’ll brush off the sacrifices, the struggles; you never wanted to make others see your vulnerability or know of your weakest moments.

So he decides to ask someone else. It’s 4AM but he doesn’t care.

[To: Namjoon]: Can we meet up? Jin’s bar at 7pm. See you.

“Uncle Tete, I choose this one!” Jungwon excitedly says, pointing at a toy submarine on the shelf.

Taehyung is quick to retrieve the item then puts it in the cart. 

“Okay, what else does this muffin want?” 

“Tae, I said one thing,” you sigh. “Also, can you make sure that toy doesn’t have removable parts so he doesn’t attract kind strangers to help him?”

Your best friend rolls his eyes but Jimin chuckles next to you.

“___, that broken airplane brought you to Jungkook. Plus, Jungwon wandered away; imagine if some other stranger found him,” Taehyung says.

“Shut up, I’m traumatized. That wasn’t the best way to let Jungkook know. I was so flustered that I lied and said I was babysitting,” you groan to yourself.

You always knew how to carry yourself but it was really only Jungkook who ever made you feel nervous. 

“I made it seem like I really meant to lie and you know that’s not true. I just didn’t know he was gonna be back. And you didn’t tell me,” you glare at Jimin.

“You think I didn’t give him shit for not telling me?” He replies. “Only Jin knew. Even I didn’t think he’d actually sign with the Bears. Everything was so fast. Before I knew it, he was already boarding a plane back home.”

“Well, he did say he didn’t wanna bug you since you’ve been so busy with your show,” Tae says from the shelf next to you. “Jungwon wants this puppy towel, by the way. Can I buy it for him?”

“Tae, I said just one thing. Stop spoiling him. We’re supposed to buy his school supplies,” you whine.

“Right, his father’s gonna hate me even more,” he mumbles. 

“Okay, muffin. Mama said just one thing. Let’s go look at crayons now,” Tae tells Jungwon who smiles back at him and agrees.

“How’s rehearsal by the way?” You ask Jimin.

“Good. Just a few more weeks and we’re ready to go,” he says, excited over the Swan Lake show that his company is putting on.

You’re excited, too, certain he’s going to do well. Being a professional ballerina is so much work but he’s always exceeded expectations. You know it can get stressful so maybe that’s why Jungkook didn’t bother informing him earlier. 

“You’re watching, okay? The first show and the last, it’s when everyone is watching, too,” he says. 

“You don’t have to ask, Jimin. Of course, I’ll be there. Sucks that Jungwon won’t get to see his uncle perform though.”

“Okay, just making sure, since Jungkook is here and all.”

“You should ask him, then. He’s the one who detests me,” you sigh.

“He doesn’t detest you, ___. He’s just angry, and with reason.” 

You don’t miss the stern tone of his voice. You always felt the disappointment that Jimin felt towards you with what happened; he even stayed away for a while after the breakup. Moving back to your parents’ home was a good escape, seeing as how you didn’t know how to face your friends after everything. 

It wasn’t until two years ago when Jimin bumped into you at the daycare that you two got to talking again. You know he decided to stick around for Jungwon, but it always worried you that he’d eventually tell Jungkook but he never did, which you were thankful for.

“I never said it wasn’t justified. I mean, after last week, I hope he stays angry at me, you know? And for a long time. I deserve that.”

“Hey, don’t talk that way.”

“You think I’m wrong? That I don’t deserve his anger?”

Jimin sighs. The department store really isn’t the best place for this but he proceeds anyway. 

“It’s not that. I mean, it’s one thing to hurt him by suddenly breaking up with. And I won’t lie to you, ___, you broke him. That night, I found him curled in a ball by the door, unmoving, kind of like how I used to find him when we were younger… after his dad died.”

You release a long breath, not even wanting to imagine a balled-up Jungkook, sobbing. You heard him that night, how he begged for you to please don’t go. You walked away from the closed door then, as any moment longer would’ve just made you take it back.

“But it’s also another thing to lie about his son,” Jimin continues. 

“You know I had to do it; he wouldn’t have agreed to break up if I didn’t make him believe that I didn’t want him anymore. And I had to keep Jungwon from him because I couldn’t let him stay. I mean, Jungkook and I just couldn’t be together, it wasn’t that easy.“

“Weren’t there other options?” Jimin wonders. “Maybe like, I don’t know, going with him?”

He heard Jungkook mention in passing before about possibly asking you to go with him but he doesn’t know if his best friend ever got to ask. 

No one really knows what happened that night; Jungkook never said anything more than it’s over. No explanations, no follow-ups. Three days later, he talked to the school administration and requested for an early completion of his requirements so he could leave for the US as soon as possible.

“It never really entered my mind… I mean, I got pregnant after the deal was finalized and that was not an option at all,” you explain. “It would’ve been too hard, too scary. I mean, we were still so young and to be in a foreign place, by ourselves, with a child? And we were just together for two years, that would’ve been a huge step and—”

“Did you doubt what he felt?”

“What do you mean?”

“You talk as if you didn’t think you were ready as a couple for that step. You two loved each other so much. He loved you so, so much, ___. Doesn’t matter how hard things were gonna be, he would’ve done everything he could to make sure you two would make it, he would’ve done whatever he needed to make you happy.”

“It’s not that simple, Jimin. He needed support there, needed someone to help him and make things easier, not someone - more like two people - to take care of and what would have I done for him? What would have I offered?”

“That wouldn’t have mattered though, right? He always wanted to make you happy, being with you would’ve been enough, I mean, he loved you that much.”

Jimin is met with silence, and it hits him what Yoongi was pointing out the night before, and it crushes him. Maybe if you knew just how much you mattered to Jungkook, maybe you would’ve trusted him, maybe you would’ve trusted the both of you.

You let out a deep sigh instead. You never doubted Jungkook’s love for you; you just knew there were other more important things, things he‘s dedicated much more time on, unlike you. 

You shake the thoughts away. You know that dwelling on the what if’s won’t help your mind and your heart, especially now.

You and Jimin settle on watching Taehyung help Jungwon decide on which crayons and colored clay to choose for art class, smiling at the little boy who’s been nothing but the sweetest angel. 

Your smile fades away though, at the thought of how it must be for him too, meeting all these men who always introduce themselves as his uncle, but never his father. 

Jungwon has asked you only twice - one time when he wondered if he was made of magic because there was this older kid in the playground who said that her mommy and daddy made her but Jungwon didn’t have a daddy; the other time was more straightforward, just where is Papa. 

That kind of pain is truly unmatched, you think, and you settled on telling the little kid that his Papa is somewhere doing good things but that Papa loves him even if he isn’t around. No promises, no false hope. You made the choice and your kid shouldn’t suffer too much for it - you know Jungkook would love him no matter what. 

“How has Jungkook been, by the way? And I want the truth, Jimin,” you ask as you save your sad thoughts for another day. 

Since you reconnected two years ago, you never really talked about Jungkook and Jimin had always made sure to only bring him up when you asked. Which was never. 

Everything is now out in the open though so you think there’s no harm in asking.

“Like I said, you broke him,” he sighs. “He hasn’t really been the same. We were all so worried, that’s why Jin made sure to go with him when he left; it’s why I made sure to visit him twice a year. He just became different, you know? Like a light was put out.”

You let this process for a bit. It was the same with you, only you had a child to remind you of Jungkook. It was hard to get over him - you didn’t break up with him because you didn’t love him anymore, anyway; it was the opposite, in fact. 

But you had to try to at least move on because at the back of your mind, you knew that things weren’t going to be the same after that. You knew Jungkook would never abandon your son, would never not love him; you are altogether a different story. 

“He was doing pretty well though, wasn’t he?” You shift the discussion.

You recall having watched games for the first few years. He was signed to the affiliate team of the LA Dodgers and was playing in Oklahoma City. He was an immediate standout and was chosen by the major league team to play in the roster the year after. It was almost meteoric, considering that he was a foreigner and as such, largely unheard of. But he was in tip-top shape, had impressive eye-hand coordination, his batting skills a dream especially as a rookie, and ran like Flash that it was a nickname the locals used to call him. 

“Oh, he was great. Even the man who scouted him didn’t think he would be that great. But that’s expected, I guess, if you spend every waking hour in the gym or in the batting cage, if you follow a strict and intense schedule even during the off-season, and if you have no distractions like friends or girlfriends,” Jimin explains, pointing out all the sacrifices behind the success.

“But Maia—”

“Was probably the first friend he made outside of his team. You’d expect her to be his girlfriend too, right?”

You pause at this. You knew that at some point, Jungkook would move on from you; you did make him believe you didn’t want to be with him anymore, anyway. Yet, it was still a bitter pill to swallow when you found out about his relationship. She was a model-actress, so her presence in the games would often cause a buzz. 

“He just changed in a way. There were all these walls up, even from us. You took a very big piece of him, ___. I’m surprised he even got to recover. I was afraid he wasn’t gonna be able to move on from you.”

There’s a pang in your chest at the seeming finality of Jimin’s words. Of course Jungkook would move on from you, of course at one point he’d realize that things would be better without you. You just didn’t think it would hurt like this.

“That’s good for him, then.”

“Have you?”

“Yes, of course,” you say.

You hope he doesn’t miss the uncertainty in your voice, that he doesn’t detect the lie.

Jungkook enters the venue and heads straight to the bar where Namjoon is already waiting. 

“Scotch, please,” Jungkook calls to the bartender, earning him a remark from the older man about how even his alcoholic preference has upgraded.

“It’s smoother,” Jungkook says, fixing himself on the barstool. 

There’s an air of silence between the two men that is almost uncomfortable. 

It was never like this. Namjoon is a protective brother but given that Jin is one of his good friends who’d vouched for the young man, it was easy for Namjoon to go soft on Jungkook. He saw how much Jungkook cared for you, made you happy, and as your brother, he’ll always be grateful for that.

“How are you?” The older man asks, sipping on his Martini.

“Great. Just found out I have a son with my ex-girlfriend, and I didn’t know he existed until a week ago. You?”

“Not great. My parents have been calling me, asking how ___ is and how you are and if things are okay. Don’t exactly know how to break the news that things aren’t actually fine.”

“They must hate me, huh?”

“Nope. You know our parents always stayed out of our relationships. They always liked you, though. But is that what you really wanna know?”

Jungkook exhales, trying to calm himself. He had time to think things through, but facing the emotions has been difficult.

“I just wanna try to understand. I want so badly to justify what she did so I could stop being so angry. I just want to stop feeling… this,” he says, clutching his chest, his lips quivering. “It hurts so bad, I just don’t want to feel this anymore.”

Namjoon weakens at the sight of Jungkook like this, desperate to feel something else other than pain, other than anger. He heard from Jin how it was so hard for the young man to accept losing you, and then all this? It’s a lot for one person to handle.

“She was so selfish, leaving me like that, thinking I would be okay on my own. And then I finally accepted what happened only to find out that we have a child all this time? Please, please make me understand,” Jungkook begs, his eyes glassy now.

“Look,” Namjoon says, turning to him, who, even with his athlete’s build, has never looked so small. 

“I won’t defend her and say that I think she made the right decision. It’s just that she made the best decision she could make at that moment. She knew what was at stake and she felt that choice was the better one,” he explains, similar to what Yoongi had suggested. 

This is your brother who always had a good read of you and it’s the closest to your thoughts that Jungkook could get.

“She tried to comfort herself everyday by justifying what she did - that you did well, that you made it to the major league a year later. You did what you set out to do. And I’m sorry to bring this up but when your mother got sick, wasn’t it that you had enough to pay for it all? No debts, no added stress for her? Life was good for you and your mother. It wasn’t the best, but what if you had stayed?” He asks, the question ringing in his head. 

How would things be if Jungkook stayed?

“Again, I’m not saying she was right, I’m just saying that things happened the way they did and she made a choice. Any other decision would’ve had other consequences and she made the one she could stand by, that she could live with. I mean, it was all she could do.”

Jungkook thinks about this, how he felt comforted, too, that he was able to pay for all his mother’s medical bills when it got too much. But life wasn’t good; it was excruciating being away from you, thinking all that time that you really didn’t believe in the both of you, convinced that it wasn’t going to work out. 

All he had was the love and joy he got from baseball; it was enough for him that time. Of course, with what he knows now, it’s different. 

Jungkook goes back to what Namjoon asked, about what he really wanted to know. 

“Did… did she have a hard time?” His eyes pleading. “Tell me, please.”

Namjoon sighs at this, not knowing how to answer. “It wasn’t easy.”

“Don’t simplify it. I need… I need to know. I need to not feel this. I need to not be angry,” he says, voice strained.

“She won’t want your pity, Jungkook, you know her.”

“Please, Namjoon. You know she’ll never tell me. But I need to know.”

The older man lets out a deep breath, knowing that you indeed wouldn’t tell Jungkook any of this. 

“She stayed with my parents in Ilsan after graduation. She was four months along then but was adamant about earning on her own so she took several online jobs. There was a lot of stress but that’s normal, I guess,” Namjoon narrates. “My parents, Taehyung, and our neighbor all took turns staying with her because she’s so stubborn, you know? Wouldn’t tell you if something’s wrong.”

Jungkook knows that all too well, that you really are like that.

“Knowing that, though, my parents had her checked every week. That’s how they determined fetal distress,” Namjoon slows down, his tone more somber now. “It was early detection so they were able to perform a c-section right away.” 

Jungkook turns to him, fear and worry etched on the younger man’s face. “She… she had surgery?”

“Yeah. It was pretty tough and Jungwon had to be monitored for any disabilities or delays. But he managed, she managed,” Namjoon recounts.

The events are so far away but it’s like the worry and the relief still feel so real.

“The kid’s strong, Jungkook. He has a soft and sweet soul like you but he's definitely a fighter like his mother. Perfect mix, if I should say so myself,” the older man smiles, trying to turn the conversation to a lighter one. 

He means it though, how Jungwon personifies the best parts of you and Jungkook. 

“But they were okay after?”

“Somewhat. She was required to rest for several weeks so those two bonded like crazy,” Namjoon giggles. “It’s a good thing that Jungwon was a quiet one, barely cried, didn’t give ___ too much of a hard time. It just… took time away from her earning, you know? So once she was capable, she took this job at a marketing firm that was way too hectic but paid well and it just… It was hard.”

“How hard?”

“Hard. Jungkook, she was a single parent. A stubborn and proud one at that. Worked over 12 hours a day, took online jobs during the weekend, took Jungwon to daycare everyday, taught him to do everything, made sure he got to play and all…” Namjoon narrates.

“It’s why my mom visited her every month for those first two years, why Ara and I would babysit often, why Taehyung set up a place for Jungwon at his apartment on days when ___ had an event until early morning. She only ever asked help if it was about Jungwon, never if it was about her,” Namjoon sighs, recalling how painful it was for him as your brother to watch you do it all, never taking a break, never asking for help.

“Stubborn and proud, like you said,” Jungkook states.

“Yeah and well, she made a choice, Jungkook. She made a choice to leave you, to have this child on her own, and she made sure to give him everything while being the best parent she could be, taking on both roles for him and she never complained, not once. She just kept going, you know? Never made Jungwon feel any less or that he was a mistake or that he wasn’t loved enough. She made a decision and she stood by it. I’ll always admire her for that,” Namjoon states, holding his own emotions back.

Jungkook lets this all sink in, suddenly wishing that he was there for you, that you didn’t have to go through all that by yourself, that even with friends and family, he hopes you didn’t feel so alone. 

He knows how you are, knows you’ll exhaust yourself before you even ask for help. That’s how he knew you truly loved him, when you would tell him you’re tired, or that you need help, whether it was something as simple as fixing your broken light bulb or using his charms to get the administration office to agree on this event proposal you had. Being open to him let him know you trusted him. Until you didn’t.

You never minded asking him, and Jungkook knows that if he’d been around, you wouldn’t have minded him helping or making it easier for you. And it crushes him that he would’ve wanted to be everything you needed him to be for you and for your child but you didn’t even give him a chance.

He lets out a deep breath, the anger slowly dissipating and being replaced with longing, with a kind of sadness that he now doesn’t know how to deal with. 

Namjoon picks up on this and pats him on the shoulder.

“Look, I know that you’re still upset and you have the right to be. Just don’t be blinded by that. You’re home. You have a son that I’m sure you want to get to know. Four years is a lot but it’s also just four years. Don’t waste any more time that was already taken away from you.”

“Okay,” Jungkook says softly, knowing that it’s still going to take a lot of getting used to.

“So, what do you wanna do now?”

“Maybe meet up with her? I mean, I was yelling at her the last time we saw each other and I just want to ask to see our son.”

“Of course, Kook. I’m sure she’d want that, too.”

You’re sitting on one of the benches at the park the next day, watching Jungwon play with Namjoon and his wife, Ara, from afar. Even from here, you can make out the doe eyes of your son and his smile that reaches his eyes. 

He likes the cold, just like you, and he’s been running about with his toy airplane and submarine, which he almost threw in the fountain. You’re smiling fondly, thinking of how the universe had been kind enough to bless you with the sweetest little angel that it could create.

You feel a figure settle next you, not too far away. Namjoon told you late last night that Jungkook wanted to meet you, perhaps to ask for a workable schedule to spend time with Jungwon.

“Hey,” he says.

You shiver, and you know it’s not because of the weather.

“I never got to tell you but I’m so, so sorry, Jungkook,” you say, turning to him, your eyes taking in the sight of him properly for the first time. “There’s so much I need to apologize for and I know it’s gonna take a long time for you to forgive me.” 

You’re unable to rein in your feelings again, but after that first conversation with him and then the one you had with Jimin yesterday, you can’t help the guilt that you’ve been trying to temper bubble to the surface - for hurting him, for not trusting him, for not giving him a choice.

“There’s no point dwelling on what happened. It’s done. I’m here. I have time. And I’d like to spend it with Jungwon as much as possible,” he responds. 

He doesn’t look at you; he just keeps his eyes out on the little boy still running about. His little boy, his son. And he can’t wait to finally hold him, get to know him, fall in love with him.

“Of course, but we need to take it slow. He’s a shy kid and it’ll take a while. Let’s follow his pace, okay?”

“Sure. We can grab lunch on Saturday, then?”

You can’t help the hope that bubbles in your chest. “That sounds good, Jungkook.”

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[orionsangel86]

I’ve been thinking a LOT this morning about this comparison that keeps getting drawn between what meta writers are saying now about 15x20 and Destiel and the JohnLock Conspiracy(TM) and aside from just linking you all back to THIS POST by @winchestersingerautorepair which explains it all perfectly anyway, I do feel the need to stress some very clear and very glaringly different points that basically prove outright that this situation is Not That.

1. We already have confirmed Canon Destiel. The romantic feelings are confirmed in text. Destiel is canon. Arguably currently textually unrequited canon (yeah right) but it IS canon. It’s also Word of God canon. Basically, where we currently are is actually more canon than even Aziraphale and Crowley ever were. You can NOT say the same for JohnLock.

2. The JohnLock Conspiracy was all about how the actual final episode of the show was a “fake” bad finale, and how they would release a secret finale which would fix everything and make JohnLock canon a few weeks later. There was zero actual evidence of this anywhere. (Sorry JohnLock shippers, I feel for you I really do, but I just couldn’t ever see any evidence that the secret good finale was ever gonna happen.)

In contrast, we haven’t seen the Supernatural finale yet. It actually is next week. This is FACT. 15x20 is not a figment of Destiel shippers imaginations. We really do have one episode left which hopefully will give us everything we wish for.

3. All of this comparison has come out of meta writers saying 15x19 was written like a finale. We are calling it a finale and that’s why for some reason we are being mocked and compared to the JohnLock conspiracy... but... did those people who mock us not watch 15x19?!? (or at least get a plot summary and watch the final 10 minutes like me).

I can’t speak for my own opinion on the episode being bad, as I haven’t watched it. I have seen reactions both saying it was bad, and others saying it was good, or funny, or “so bad it’s good” but like, whatever. The point is, it WAS a finale. It was the episode that wrapped up the mytharc plot, had a callback montage to brother best moments and had them driving off into the sunset together now they are finally free. Like??? Call it whatever you want, but that was a finale.

Which is WHHHYYYY its SO WEIRD that there is still one episode left. What could POSSIBLY BE OUTSTANDING?

4. So yes. the FACTS are that UNLIKE Sherlock, Supernatural DOES have two finales. This isn’t some conspiracy. It’s a fact. We can joke that 15x19 was the “bronly” finale, but however you wanna see it, that was a finale. 15x20 can only be the long epilogue. The episode that wraps up the entire show. The episode JohnLock shippers dreamed about.

I really don’t mean to rub salt in the wound either. I don’t wanna insult anyone who believed in the conspiracy at the time, because hope is a funny thing that can have devastating effects - believe me, I know. But mocking us and trying to say the two are the same thing is just... wrong.

We don’t know how 15x20 will play out. But we do know the following FACTS:

Chuck is defeated. The big bad is gone.

There are no raised stakes anymore

the brothers are free (textually they confirmed this)

Jack as the new God, has fulfilled Castiel’s prophecy that he would bring about peace and balance to the universe. It’s done.

There is no story left concerning any of these big plot points.

BUT

Castiel is still in the Empty

Sam didn’t reunite with Eileen

Dean hasn’t said a damn thing about Castiel’s textually explicity confession of homosexual love for him

These are literally the ONLY things left to wrap up. There is NO WAY that the finale is going to be just a brothers road trip, growing old together, meeting random women, having kids and saying “Castiel Adam Jack Winchester you are named after the bravest men I know” kind of ending! It would be UNTHINKABLE for Dabb to do that.

I am seriously rubbing my temples on this whole thing because there are still so many naysayers that are pissing me off - particularly certain wannabe SPN writer BBFs who steal meta from Tumblr and pawn it off as their own “journalism” spewing crap all over Twitter about the matter because they have super secret insider knowledge from people who worked on the show that confirmed Misha isn’t back.

Oh Misha’s not back you say? Fuck you. Seriously. Fuck you. Everyone knows he went back to filming. He confirmed it himself over and over again until the CW finally panicked and told him to shut his damn mouth and change his story. These are the same people who have been feeding rumours into fandom for years to misdirect us. The same people who probably convinced KNOWN DESTIEL SHIPPER and SPN writer Meghan Fiztmartin to laugh at, deny, and mock Destiel shippers on Twitter literally only a few weeks before IT WENT CANON. They are doing everything in their power to put us off the scent. They don’t want us to know Cas is back because the ENTIRE ENDING RESTS ON CAS COMING BACK AND IF WE ALL KNEW IT WOULD BE SPOILED. DESTIEL IS THE ENDGAME THEY DON’T WANT SPOILED.

This is not anything like the JohnLock conspiracy because we have actual facts to back it up. We have all the evidence, we have all the logic, the narrative is BEGGING for the love story to be wrapped up. Dean MUST use his words and tell Castiel he loves him. Even the General Audience at this point can see that. So I beg you, stop mocking us for something you don’t know anything about.

If there is ONE THING you should trust right now. It’s the meta writers. We are the ones who have been telling you for YEARS that Destiel is a thing. That there was writer intent. Hell, we even predicted Jack would become God in the end (like seriously anyone with any understanding of literary analysis could see it was going that way). Mocking us after we have already been validated by canon confirmation of the DeanCas romance is just idiotic at this point.

[lighthousekeepers-burner-blog]

S.2 ep.5 Stand Still Like the Hummingbird.

The first episode since the special eps that is immediately, viscerally perfect. From the first moment to the end, by design, this is the episode to shut down all naysayers, to those wondering whether Sam still has it, or whether the show is meandering or lost the plot. Always ahead of the audience, ratcheting up the tension, and absurd comedy, until the final song (which is significant only to me as a key track in one of my all time fave films - Greenberg).

That was a body watch, a lot of holy fucks were said aloud.

Um. Sorry to all the other future Emmy nominees for best actress. What’s the point, seriously. Zendaya somehow got possessed and “acted” some voodoo shit onscreen. Like I remember she had watched Hunter’s performance in Sea Blob and said how inspiring that was… this feels like her giving Hunter a front row seat to her raising the bar. Ball in your court, Hunter, holy fuck.

She’s just the greatest actress, period, actor, period. I knew that before this episode but c’mon…

This was what I was hoping would happen, Sam would make another episode to best the special ones and (on first viewing) it’s up there.

Just babbling right now. So, so exhausted and happy and overwhelmed.

[agnes-come-back-challenge]

Who wants a full comparison of episodes 1, 25, and 111 of Welcome to Night Vale? Because I love comparing these episodes and also I have no impulse control. Let’s go

(Spoilers up to episode 111, obviously. Also, I’ll bold every other segment so that it’s easier to tell which ones I’m comparing)

((This is gonna be an incredibly long post. I’m very sorry))

A friendly desert community, where the sun is hot, the moon is beautiful, and mysterious lights pass overhead while we all pretend to sleep. Welcome to Night Vale. (1)

A friendly desert community, where the sun is still hot, the moon still beautiful, and mysterious lights still pass overhead while we all pretend to sleep. Welcome to Night Vale. (25)

A friendly desert community, where the sun is hot, the moon is beautiful, and mysterious lights pass overhead, while we lay open eyed, watching it all. Welcome to Night Vale. (111)

Hello listeners. To start things off, I’ve been asked to read this brief notice. The City Council announces the opening of a new Dog Park at the corner of Earl and Summerset, near the Ralphs. They would like to remind everyone that dogs are not allowed in the Dog Park. People are not allowed in the Dog Park. It is possible you will see hooded figures in the Dog Park. do not approach them. Do not approach the Dog Park. The fence is electrified and highly dangerous. Try not to look at the Dog Park and especially do not look for any period of time at the hooded figures. The Dog Park will not harm you. (1)

One single year since two major events in our town’s history. First, the opening of our lovely, state-of-the-art Dog Park, which is forbidden, and which I will not mention again. (25)

The City Council reiterated for the 1,874th consecutive day that the Dog Park is off limits for both dogs and humans. The fence is electrified and highly dangerous etc. Hooded figures and all that. Since its construction we have shied from and feared the Dog Park. The Dog Park is neither a park nor for dogs, and so what does it even mean to call it a dog park? Why do we use language that means one thing to describe something that is entirely else? I don’t know what the word is for that place the City Council calls the dog park, but I do know it’s time to start searching for that word, and once found, to use it boldly. (111)

And now the news. Old Woman Josie, out near the car lot, says the Angels revealed themselves to her. Said they were ten feet tall, radiant, one of them was black. Said they helped her with various household chores. One of them changed a light bulb for her, the porch light. She’s offering to sell the old light bulb, which has been touched by an angel (it was the black angel, if that sweetens the pot for anyone). If you’re interested, contact Old Woman Josie. She’s out near the car lot. (1)

[none] (25)

The angels, who I can now say are angels, and will say are angels, because they are angels, held a memorial for Old Woman Josie in her house. Everyone in town came, overcome with a feeling that finally they could look at these beings and recognize them for what they were. Even the City Council attended the memorial, but refused to make eye contact with anyone. Of course, this positive, concrete identification only led to more mysteries, for if these are angels, then where did they come from? And what does that mean for us? Even now we find that we cannot voice these questions. Not because we are not allowed. But because we cannot find the words to ask. Instead we ate cake and drank coffee in the living room of Old Woman Josie, which was once just that, a place she lived. Now it is only a room. One by one, we laid our hand on the Angels’ hands, and in that moment of contact each of us, in turn, found ourselves weeping. As the party wound down, we all heard a soft pop outside. It was the lightbulb on Old Woman Josie’s porch, burning out. (111)

A new man came in to town today. Who is he? What does he want from us? Why his perfect and beautiful haircut? Why his perfect and beautiful coat? He says he is a scientist. Well, we have all been scientists at one point or another in our lives. But why now? Why here? And just what does he plan to do with all those beakers and humming electrical instruments in that lab he’s renting, the one next to Big Rico’s Pizza. No one does a slice, like Big Rico. No one. (1)

Second, and more important, it is one year since the arrival in Night Vale of our most beloved and singular citizen. (25)

A man who I know very well came into my house today, which is also his house. He laid his head, with its perfect and beautiful hair, upon my shoulder, and crossed his arms over his perfect and beautiful lab coat. I embraced him. We are creatures of touch, humans, and we retrieve so much meaning and happiness from contact. “I have become too complacent,” he said. “When I came here, I understood this town as scientifically fascinating. And then, gradually, it became my day to day life. I could no longer see the strangeness, but only my home.” “We are all guilty of that,” I said. “But I am a scientist,” he said.“Well,” I said. “We have all been scientists at one point or another in our lives.” (111)

Just a reminder to all the parents out there. Let’s talk about safety when taking your children out to play in the scrub lands and the sand wastes. You need to give them plenty of water, make sure there’s a shade tree in the area, and keep an eye on the helicopter colors. Are the unmarked helicopters circling the area black? Probably World Government, not a good area for play that day. Are they blue? That’s the Sheriff’s Secret Police, they’ll keep a good eye on your kids, and hardly ever take one. Are they painted with complex murals depicting birds of prey diving? No one knows what those helicopters are, or what they want. Do not play in the area. Return to your home and lock the doors until a Sheriff’s Secret Policeman leaves a carnation on your porch to indicate that the danger has passed. Cover your ears to blot out the screams. Also, remember: Gatorade is basically soda, so give your kids plain old water and maybe some orange slices when they play. (1)

Parents: Let’s talk about safety when taking your children to play out in the scrub lands and the sand wastes. All children in Night Vale are missing this week, so there’s no current safety issues. Hope we find them! (25)

Just a reminder to all the parents out there. Let’s talk about safety when taking your children out to play in the scrub lands and the sand wastes. You need to give them plenty of water, make sure there’s a shade tree in the area, and keep an eye on the helicopter colors. I asked my best friend and brother, Steve, to talk me through which helicopters belong to which organizations. Obviously the black helicopters belong to the World Government, although I had not realized, until Steve laid it out for me, how closely they are also associated with the Lizard People. The blue ones are Sheriff’s Secret Police, the pink ones are the new Double Secret Police, and the ones painted with complex murals depicting birds of prey diving? Well not even Steve knows what those helicopters are, nor what they want. On Steve’s chart, those are just labeled with the word RUN and then a few hundred exclamation points. (111)

A commercial airliner flying through local airspace disappeared today, only to reappear in the Night Vale Elementary gymnasium during basketball practice, disrupting practice quite badly. The jet roared through the small gym for only a fraction of a second, and before it could strike any players or structure, it vanished again, this time apparently for good. There is no word yet on if or how this will affect the Night Vale Mountain Lion’s game schedule, and also if this could perhaps be the work of their bitter rivals, the Desert Bluffs Cacti. Desert Bluffs is always trying to show us up through fancier uniforms, better pre-game snacks, and quite possibly by transporting a commercial jet into our gymnasium, delaying practice for several minutes at least. For shame, Desert Bluffs. For shame. (1)

In other news, a commercial airliner appeared today inside the home of surprised Night Vale citizen Becky Canterbury, who said she was about to get in the shower when it roared down her hallway and then disappeared, as suddenly as it had arrived. There is no conclusive evidence that this is the same airliner last seen in the Night Vale Elementary gym one year ago, but we have jumped to that conclusion and will defend it against all naysayers, violently and without mercy. Our truths may or may not be true, but they are ours, and we stand by them, even as the experts and skeptics hold aloft clipboards and intone to us about snow and mountains. Becky added that she would like to take that shower now, and that she has no idea how we managed to arrive for an interview mere seconds after the incident occurred. “My doors are locked.” she said. “My windows too. I’ve had my eyes shut for years. How did you get in here?” (25)

A commercial airliner flying through local airspace disappeared today, only to reappear at the fifth hole of the Sagebrook Pines Private Golf Club and Bulk Supplier. This disrupted all golf activities badly, as well as scaring a family of four who were perusing bulk paper towels offered at a discount price in a nearby sandtrap. I feel, for the first time, that I can articulate that this airliner had flown into some other universe, those divisions being particularly thin here in our quaint little community. This also is the cause of things like dead relatives occasionally joining us for breakfast, or the shimmering skyscrapers and crowded cities that appear for flashing moments in the sky. Of course, it also could be the handywork of the East Night Vale Cacti, the basketball team at the new East Night Vale Elementary School. Those scamps are always pulling pranks. Could they transport a large plane through multiple universes? Who am I to say? But probably yes. For shame, East Night Vale. For shame. (111)

The local chapter of the NRA is selling bumper stickers as part of their fundraising week. They sent the station one to get some publicity, and we’re here to serve the community, so I’m happy to let you all know about it. The stickers are made from good, sturdy vinyl, and they read: “Guns don't kill people. It's impossible to be killed by a gun. We are all invincible to bullets and it's a miracle.” Stand outside of your front door and shout “NRA” to order one. (1)

The local chapter of the NRA has begun market testing some possible new slogans. These include: “Guns don't kill people. Blood loss and organ damage does.” “Guns don't kill people. People kill guns.” “A list of things that kill people: 1. Conceivably anything. 2. Not guns.” “Guns don't kill people. We are all immortal souls living temporarily in shelters of earth and meat.” and “If you say guns kill people one more time I will shoot you with a gun and you will, coincidentally, die.” To vote on the new slogan, simply fire a gun at the object or person that best represents your choice. (25)

The local chapter of the NRA is selling bumper stickers as part of their fundraising week. The stickers are made from good, sturdy vinyl and they read “We genuinely do not value human life.” Cute! (111)

Carlos and his team of scientists warn that one of the houses in the new development of Desert Creek, out back of the elementary school, doesn’t actually exist. “It seems like it exists,” explained Carlos and his perfect hair. “Like it’s just right there when you look at it, and it’s between two other identical houses so it would make more sense for it to be there than not” But, he says, they have done experiments and the house is definitely not there. At news time, the scientists are standing in a group on the sidewalk in front of the nonexistent house, daring each other to go knock on the door. (1)

Scientists, and science in general, would like to remind you that some things exist and some things do not. Usually, you can apply the simple test of seeing if it is there. If it is there, it exists. If not, it probably doesn’t, but it might just be currently existing somewhere else. Existence is tricky, the scientists say. Research shows this. For instance, there is that house in the housing development of Desert Creek out back of the elementary school, the house that doesn’t exist. It seems like it exists. Like it’s just right there when you look at it, and it’s between two other identical houses so it would make more sense for it to be there than not. But it does not exist. They have proved this with science. The scientists still haven’t gotten up the nerve to ring the doorbell and find out what happens. Do you want to do it? They’ll pay you five dollars if you do. Just ring it once ok. We’ll be watching from back here. You’ll probably be fine. (25)

Carlos and his scientists, like Luisa and Nilanjana, are renewing their investigation into the house in the development of Desert Creek, out back of the elementary school. The house that doesn’t actually exist. “It seems like it exists,” muttered Carlos. “Like it’s just right there when you look at it, and it’s between two other identical houses so it would make more sense for it to be there than not.” But he says, it is actually a doorway to another world. A world he himself was once stuck in for a year. There seem to be secrets about that year he is keeping to himself. Maybe someday we will learn what they are. (111)

Lights, seen in the sky above the Arby’s. Not the glowing sign of Arby’s. Something higher and beyond that. We know the difference. We’ve caught on to their game. We understand the lights above Arby’s game. Invaders from another world. Ladies and gentlemen the future is here. And it’s about a hundred feet above the Arby’s. (1)

But here, Carlos and I sat on the trunk of that car, his car, looking together at the lights up in the sky above the Arby’s. They were beautiful in the hushed twilight, shimmering in a night sky already coming alive with bits of the universe. [...] We understand the lights. We understand the lights above the Arby’s. We understand so much. But the sky behind those lights, mostly void, partially stars, that sky reminds us: we don’t understand even more. (25)

Lights, seen in the sky above the Arby’s. Not the glowing sign of Arby’s. Something higher and beyond that. One night, years ago, two people, scared and vulnerable and loving and ready, came together for a quiet moment under that sky. And I pretended at the time to understand the lights. But a big part of recognizing the world for what it is, is recognizing when you have no idea. Invaders from another world? Harbingers of future terror? A fragment of another universe, fading into our own above reasonably priced lunch meat? Maybe any. Maybe all. Maybe none. But here is what I do know. The lights are, among other things, a part of my memory, and a part of my marriage, and a part of my love. They are a piece of my past, and I don’t need to understand them to understand that. Ladies and gentlemen the past is here. And it’s about a hundred feet above the Arby’s. (111)

The City Council would like to remind you about the tiered heavens, and the hierarchy of angels. The reminder is that you should not know anything about this. The structure of heaven and the angelic organizational chart are privileged information, known only to City Council members on a need to know basis. Please to do not speak to or acknowledge any angels that you may come across while shopping at the Ralphs or at the Desert Flower Bowling Alley and Arcade Fun Complex. They only tell lies, and do not exist. Report all angels sightings to the City Council for treatment. (1)

The City Council would like to remind you about the tiered heavens, and the hierarchy of angels. The reminder is that you still should not know anything about this. The structure of heaven and the angelic organizational chart are still privileged information. Also, angels aren’t real. “I really get tired of having to say this,” a City Council representative said to a group of disgruntled angels. “Angels aren’t real. They just aren’t.” The angels became unruly and were dispersed by a thunderclap from heaven. (25)

The City Council would like to remind you about the tiered heavens and the hierarchy of angels. The reminder is the Council is grumpy that all of this is not forbidden knowledge, but due to the new laws, they are required to inform you that the angels have made all of that information available. Stop by the house where the angels live if you want to pick up a free packet outlining exactly how all of that is organized. While the packet itself is free, it is likely the angels will ask to borrow five dollars. They tend to do that. (111)

Speaking of the Desert Flower Bowling Alley and Arcade Fun Complex, its owner, Teddy Williams, reports that he has found the entrance to a vast, underground city in the pin retrieval area of lane 5. He said he has not yet ventured into it, merely peered down at its strange spires and broad avenues. He also reports voices of a distant crowd in the depths of that subterranean metropolis. Apparently the entrance was discovered when a bowling ball accidentally rolled into it, clattering down to the city below with sounds that echoed for miles across the impossibly huge cavern. So, you know, whatever population that city has, they know about us now and we might be hearing from them very soon. (1)

Word is in about a disturbance at the Desert Flower Bowling Alley and Arcade Fun Complex. There has been the sound of chanting and machinery from under the pin retrieval area of lane five, and Teddy Williams has changed all the bowlers’ names on the electronic scorecards to “THEY ARE HERE”. This is causing some confusion and has completely ruined Jeremy Godfrey's 50th birthday party, which had rented out a few lanes for the afternoon. Jeremy was last seen drinking a light beer out of a plastic cup, shaking his head sadly as he swished the liquid around and looking out the window at the sky, mostly void, partially stars. Teddy Williams was last seen howling, commanding his militia to surround the pin retrieval area and prepare for an attack. (25)

Over at the Desert Flower Bowling Alley and Arcade Fun Complex, Teddy Williams, its owner, reported the startling news that there is nothing under the pin retrieval area of lane 5. As you may remember, there has been a tiny city of warlike people under the bowling alley for several years now, which has caused some trouble, although not a lot of trouble, because they were very tiny people. But now there is just a hole in the earth under the pin retrieval area, an empty space containing only my own memories of a night that someone I loved almost died before I had a chance to truly love him. So good riddance to whatever that town was. (111)

Carlos, perfect and beautiful, came into our studios during the break earlier but declined to stay for an interview. He had some sort of blinking box in his hand covered with wires and tubes. Said he was testing the place for materials. I don’t know what materials he meant, but that box sure whistled and beeped a lot. When he put it close to the microphone, it sounded like, well, like a bunch of baby birds had just woken up. Really went crazy. Carlos looked nervous. I’ve never seen that kind of look on someone with that strong of a jaw. He left in a hurry. Told us to evacuate the building, but then, who would be here to talk sweetly to all of you out there. (1)

I arrived at the parking lot to find Carlos, perched on the trunk of his car in flannel and jeans, his perfect hair mussed, his perfect teeth hidden. “What is it?” I said. “What danger are we in? What mystery needs to be explored?” He shook his head. “Nothing,” he said. “After everything that happened...I just wanted to see you.” My heart leapt. My heart soared. My heart, metaphorically, performed a number of aerial activities, and, literally, it began beat hard. (25)

Carlos, perfect and beautiful, came into our studios during the break earlier, and we ate lunch together out of Tupperwares. He had some sort of blinking box in his hand covered with wires and tubes. When he put it close to the microphone, it sounded like, well, like a bunch of baby birds had just woken up. Really went crazy. He asked if I remembered it. He had brought it by on the first day we had met. He had told me that it tested for materials, but he wasn’t actually sure what materials it tested for. He had just wanted an excuse to come by and talk to me. “Anyway,” he said, “I thought it was a nice memento. Back when we were fumbling awkwardly toward this life we share.” “But,” he added, “it’s a real instrument that is detecting some actual materials of some kind, so there is a good chance that everything about this studio is deeply dangerous. Please be careful.” (111)

Settling in to be another clear and pretty evening here in Night Vale. I hope all of you out there have someone to sleep through it with, or at least good memories of when you did. Good night, listeners. Good night. (1)

We understand the lights. We understand the lights above the Arby’s. We understand so much. But the sky behind those lights, mostly void, partially stars, that sky reminds us: we don’t understand even more. Good night, Night Vale. Good night. (25)

Settling in to be another clear and pretty evening here in Night Vale, this weird, weird town. I hope all of you out there have someone to sleep through it with. I know I do. Good night, listeners. Good night. (111)

[brattyfics]

Cape Disappointment | Part One

Pairing: Miguel Galindo x Black!OC [Chantel Williams]

Summary: Miguel doesn’t rescue a damsel in distress because Chantel Williams is not a damsel in distress.

Warnings: None yet.

Chantel Williams was a lot of things. Quirky, witty, sarcastic. Condescending, impulsive, sometimes even chaotic. She could be all those things and more, but she refused to be anyone’s victim.

“I’m not a damsel in distress. I’m not a damsel in distress…” She chanted over and over in a low tone. 

On the side of a low traffic road, snow raining down on her head, Chantel willed the words to be true. Unfortunately, she remembered very little of what her Papa taught her about cars, eyeing the confusing parts under the hood with frustration.

Papa was a school teacher but he worked as a shade tree mechanic on the weekends to be able to afford dance classes for little Chantel. Teaching was his passion through and through. He would talk her ear off in the car on the way to recitals or while she did homework on the bench in his workshop. Being a bratty kid, she learned to tune him out when the topic didn’t interest her and not for the first time she regretted not soaking up more of Papa’s wisdom before he passed. 

If she had, maybe she wouldn’t be stuck on the side of the road with no solution in mind. Empty handed and no closer to fixing the car, she shuffled through the snow. It wasn’t much warmer inside the car despite the thick North Face coat she wore with a matching hat and pair of gloves. She was sure she resembled a wet dog as she shook the snow off, not wanting the ice to melt into water droplets that would surely sting. 

Just a week earlier, she’d splurged on the fanciest new smart phone after losing the older model at a dinner party. Even with all its promised features, it was useless. No signal and no nearby WiFi networks to connect to meant she couldn’t call her sort-of-sometimes boyfriend for help even if she wanted to. She couldn’t even call a tow truck! 

Pride. 

Another one of Chantel’s many traits. She liked to think of it as a positive thing. It kept her from being desperate, saved her from being dependent on others for her happiness. No one else seemed to agree her pride was a good thing. 

Among the naysayers was her sort-of-sometimes boyfriend, Adam. Pride was what had led her to take off from the Yurt they shared on their week-long winter break getaway to race back to her industrial loft in the heart of Seattle despite the weather advisory. She would never admit it to anyone else, but she realized her pride didn’t always serve her well. 

If not for her bruised ego, it would have been funny that her car had chosen to break down a few miles north of Cape Disappointment State Park. It was where she had been staying with Adam. The yurt was too far away to walk back to in the snow but still close enough that it only made sense to stay there for the night once the car issues were resolved. She wasn’t looking forward to ending the night with him. 

Remembering Papa’s belief in God showing up when most needed, Chantel sent up a quick prayer. She really hoped she wouldn’t have to wait long for someone else to come down the otherwise deserted road. Winters in Washington were fairly mild so she wouldn’t lose her extremities to hypothermia or anything crazy like that, but she’d certainly suffer by way of the shivers. 

Any sane person was cuddled up next to the fireplace in their cabin with a bowl of chili, or participating in heat-inducing sexual activities in their yurt to keep warm, not on the road driving. It was only natural for her thoughts to snowball into all the types of un-same people she could run into. 

Indigenous women from Washington and Canada went missing far too often on roads just like the one she had so conveniently broken down on. Chantel had a bad habit of researching everything there was to know about topics when they peaked her interest and she knew too much about human trafficking in the area to not feel a considerable amount of fear. 

“That would be my luck.” She muttered meanly to herself, resolving that whatever happened would be her own fault. 

It wasn’t like a whole lot of people would come looking for her anyway. She had a large group of friends in Seattle, but she kind of had a reputation for taking off without saying much. She hadn’t even told anyone about the weekend excursion to Cape Disappointment! The family she had left she wasn’t close to, and by the time Adam realized she hadn’t made it back home it would be too late. 

Yellow headlights bathed the narrow road, the light blinding her the closer it got. Her hazard lights blinked red, signaling that she was broken down, but Chantel second guessed whether she wanted the help. 

“I’m going to be a sex trafficking victim all in the name of independence. Way to go, idiot.” 

Her fingers fumbled around in the gigantic backpack she’d been using as a purse for the weekend, hastily pulling at the zippers until she found what she was looking for. A purple taser she purchased on Amazon for a whopping ten dollars. She doubted it would stop anyone in their tracks, but it was better than nothing. 

It turned out the man who knocked on her window wasn’t an axe wielding serial murdering rapist, or at least he didn’t appear to be. She tucked the small device into her side as the ridiculously handsome middle aged man with a salt and pepper beard smiled at her through the foggy glass. 

He looked harmless enough, sporting a pair of smart designer glasses and what Chantel knew to be a really expensive cashmere turtleneck sweater underneath an equally expensive Canada Goose coat. She wasn’t shy about looking him up and down as she assessed the risk. What if the male model was a decoy?

His neatly manicured eyebrows twisted down in confusion and she thought it was one of the cutest things she had ever seen. 

She rolled down the window with a nervous smile.

“Hey.”

“Hi.” 

She hated how breathy the words came out but he was truly stunning. 

Tall, fit, well-dressed. 

“Are you alright? It looks like you’re having some trouble.” 

A gentleman.

“What would make you think that?” Chantel spoke before she thought it through, but the stranger didn’t seem to take offense if the amused smirk on his face could be trusted. “I’m kidding. Yeah, no. I’m not alright. The car was making weird noises so I pulled over and now it won’t turn back on. I looked under the hood but I have no idea what’s wrong.”

He nodded attentively while she spoke, watching her lips with interest. She noticed him staring and licked them.

“I don’t know how much of a help I’ll be.” His bronze skin reddened with the admission and she wondered if he was blushing or if the cold was getting to him. “I don’t know anything about cars but I can give you a ride wherever you want.”

She’d like a ride alright. In his cushiony truck that may as well have been a royal carriage considering the circumstances. Or on his handsome bearded face that she couldn’t stop staring at. 

Chantel wondered if he could tell what she was thinking. 

Movement caught her eye and she noticed an identical black SUV pulling off the road to park behind the one Prince Charming departed from. Her hand squeezed around the taser instinctively. 

Was the sexy stranger bait to catch naive, unsuspecting girls? 

“...but I’m sure we’d both rather leave it to the professionals.” He gestured back towards the dark truck and paused, noticing they weren’t alone. Her breath caught in her chest when four bulking men slammed their doors shut and started walking in their direction.

“I apologize. That’s my security team. I left without telling them.” 

Hmm. A kindred spirit. 

Who was he to have a security team? Was he telling the truth? Or just stalling? 

She wanted to believe him. To trust that it was in human nature to help one another without some ulterior, sinister motive. 

Did she even have a choice? How long would she have to wait on the next passerby? There was no guarantee they would be any better than the (so far) kind stranger and his friends.

Chantel Williams was a lot of things, but she was not naïve. With surprising coordination, she swung the door open, knocking the man back several steps. Her boots crunched as she landed in the snow. 

“Back up or I’m going to tase you!” She warned, putting space between herself and the stranger while keeping an eye on the approaching men. 

The corners of his mouth turned up as he fought back a smile. 

Chantel scoffed. He wasn’t taking her seriously. 

“I’m not fucking around!” She insisted, charging up the small device. The buzz felt more powerful than she remembered. The man seemed to think so too, changing his approach. He spoke in a soft tone. “Can we slow down?” 

“Don’t patronize me. Just back up like I said. No, this way!” She ordered until he stood across from her with his back to his men. 

Behind him, they speed up their approach but they could only move so fast in the snow. Following her gaze, the strange man looked over his shoulder and gestured for the men to stall at the front of his truck several feet away. One of them shouted at her to put the taser away from his position. He sported two braids and a cut in his brow. Chantel shouted back at him to ‘shut the fuck up’

Mr. GQ gave another signal and like he was the conductor of an orchestra, all noise ceased. Well, all external noise at least. Chantel swore she could hear the sound of her heart ringing in her ears. 

“Hey!” He demanded her full attention. His hands were up in a defensive position. “What are you looking for here?” 

It was a great question but she had no answer for him.

Trouble maker. Fire starter. Full-time agitator.

Chantel was that way even as a child, responding to normal adolescent teasing with violence. Sharp bites in the classroom or royal rumble style fights on the playground were her specialty in grade school. She made anyone stupid enough to provoke her regret it whether big or small, male or female. That wasn’t to say she was organized or calculating in her plans. She acted and dealt with things as they came. 

She had no idea what the endgame was when she pulled the taser, but she had to stick with it. The crowd of onlookers made her feel more justified in her rash decision.

“I don’t think you really want to hurt me.”

“Now, what would make you think that?” Chantel asked incredulously. He didn’t know her from Eve. 

She was even more steadfast in pointing the taser in his direction but he didn’t seem phased.

“When you want to hurt somebody, you don’t wait around or warn them. You just do it.”

“Are you suggesting I should’ve tased you?”

He shrugged as if they were discussing the weather.

“That certainly would have been more effective.”

Was he serious?

“I mean I still can. If you keep talking I just might.”

He had the gall to laugh in her face. 

Hysterically. 

And it wasn’t fleeting or sarcastic. It was genuine laughter from deep down in his gut. She hated how beautiful he was, even in the middle of showing blatant disrespect for her ability to harm him. 

“Seriously?” She griped, fighting against the way her face muscles twitched. 

Giggle box.

When somebody at church mispronounced a word during the announcements or when her aunt murdered a hit song, she giggled uncontrollably. Papa chastised her for it, but it couldn’t be helped. When the urge struck and she got that itch in her throat, she had to laugh.

So naturally, like two birds of a maniac feather they shared a laugh in four (and counting) inches of snow.

***

GENERAL TAGLIST

@woahitslucyylu @briannab1234 @sheeshgivemeabreak @breakingnewsin-no-oneasked @angelreyesgirl @blessedboo @glimmerglittergirl @apantherinmypastlife @brownsugarcoffy @marvelmaree @starrynite7114 @scuzmunkie @thewarriorprincessxo @sadeyesgf @pearlkitten33 @imanerdychubbyqueen @literaturefeen @ourlittlesecretsoveragain @everyhowlmarksthedead @yourwonkywriter @trulysuccubus

MIGUEL TAGLIST

@thesandbeneathmytoes @taylortheeshowpony

[margseliserobbie]

Dear Lily,

Where do I even begin? You have always had my love, respect and had me in awe of you, but lately, it’s been on another level and I didn’t think that was possible! From the moment Seb told me he signed onto a project with you as Pam, I knew you were the perfect fit and were going to blow everyone’s minds. As much as I hated all the people doubting you, it also made me excited for you to prove them wrong. There was never any doubts in my mind; I knew you were going to make them eat their words. The moment those pictures came out, you shut everyone up and had everyone wanting more. Sure, hair and makeup had their part but it was your talent that made it believable. You had Pam’s mannerisms down to a T and that truly shined through in the photos, before we got any teasers or trailers. For you to silence the naysayers with just photos, proves just how deep your talent goes. And that was just the beginning. The magic you created on screen and the way you embodied Pamela’s heart and soul is honestly one of the best performances I’ve ever witnessed. No one else could even come close to playing Pamela the way you did. And as your friend, unofficial head cheerleader and someone who knew just how mind blowing your performance as Pamela was, it was so satisfying to see you make people admit they were wrong. (Just like you changed peoples views on the scandal and what happened, which I know was the goal of the show and was so important)

Words can’t express how happy I am for you to receive all this love and praise. You truly deserve it, Lils. I know things haven’t been easy with the media and their bullshit towards you over the years, but to see you taking back your power and doing it with such style and grace is so inspiring to me and inspiring to women around the world. Not only that, but you got justice for Pamela and any other woman who has gone through something similar. You telling her story was so important and something people will never and should never forget.

I am so proud to call myself your friend and I honestly can’t wait to see what you do next. There’s a reason I’m your hype woman - you truly have become one of my acting idols and someone I look up to. I hope you get some time off to enjoy all this well earned praise, success and all the good things that have come your way. Although, I’m going to miss your glam photos and killer outfits because 😍😍 damn. You have been absolutely glowing and radiant these days and I am so happy for you. I’m so sad the series is over but so happy for you, Seb and the entire cast/crew now that it’s out in its entirety! I cannot wait to witness you guys run the table with the Emmys and all the other awards and accolades you’re going to win/get! It’s going to happen and I think everyone agrees ;) congratulations on such an epic series, Lils!!

In the words of Borat: I LOVE YOU PAMELA!!!!!!!

Love,

Margot

@lilyjxmes

[embyrinitalics]

Whumptober 2020 No. 26 — Blindness

Masterlist Word count: ~1340 Universe: Breath of the Wild; sequel to “No. 25 — Blurred Vision” Pairings: Zelink Rating: K Themes: Blindness, burdens, commiseration Read on ao3

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A few hours later, his vision was gone completely.

The castle physician made a thorough examination, and prescribed a strange concoction of eye drops for the pain. But he warned him that the prognosis wasn’t good. Well-meaning friends told him not to listen to the naysayers—Nell, especially, with whom he shared quarters in the barracks. But he knew better. He knew he wouldn’t see again.

Things only got worse from there.

They kept him in the infirmary for nearly a week, but it quickly became apart that, besides a lack of eyesight that the doctors were incapable of treating, there was nothing much wrong with him. They couldn’t keep him on bedrest forever, and the castle had no use for a blind soldier. So he was to be discharged from the infirmary, and then honorably discharged from the army.

“You can’t do that,” Nell had seethed when they delivered the news, and Link didn’t need his sight to picture the shade of red his face was turning. “He saved the princess’s life!”

“And the kingdom is very grateful for that. But the fact of the matter is he cannot be a soldier if he cannot see. Unless you’re suggesting we keep him here indefinitely—”

“He has the Sword that Seals the Darkness!”

“Nell!” Link had hissed, mortified, not daring to reach for his shoulder for fear he would miss.

But once the words were spoken aloud, there was no getting them back. They found the sacred blade where he had hidden it beneath his cot, and his secret was out. It was even worse than he had imagined it would be. Not only was the hero they had all been waiting for just a boy, he was also irreparably damaged. Blind. And nothing dampened hopeful spirits like a harsh dose of reality.

Still, Nell’s outburst had had the desired effect. Instead of tossing him out onto the streets, they moved him to a private suite (which Nell wouldn’t stop whistling over), and had the physicians call on him regularly to monitor his condition. He had the castle staff at his disposal, and ate meals from the king’s table. It was lavish, and ridiculous. He had never felt more pitied and useless in his entire life.

“Master…”

“I’m not your master. Not anymore,” he gritted out, gripping the scabbard too hard. “You need to find someone else.”

“Have courage, Master. You must have courage.”

There was a soft rapping at the door. He put the blade aside, letting it slip between the far side of the bed and the nightstand—out of sight, where it belonged. He was getting better at using things other than his eyes to orient himself, and knew his routine by now. The sun on his face told him it was early afternoon. They had already cleared his lunch tray, so there wouldn’t be any more scheduled visits until suppertime. He could only think of one person who would call on him so randomly.

“Come in,” he said, and chided him as the door opened, “If you’ve brought me the paper again, that joke is getting a little old, Nell.”

“I’m so sorry; I can call back later if you’re expecting someone else—”

Link’s heart jammed in his throat as he scrambled to put his feet on the floor, as he tried to steady himself on the end table and figure out where to let direct his eyes. But then she was there, her voice so near he had to swallow. The princess.

“Please, don’t get up. I didn’t mean to bother you. I just… I wanted to thank you. For what you did for me.”

He swallowed again. What could he say to that? That it was nothing? That it was his duty, or his honor? Nothing felt right. His voice was rough in his throat when he finally said, “It was a sloppy parry.”

She paused, suspending his silence, his darkness, in the strangest sort of static. He couldn’t read her expression, her body language, her eyes; he listened to her breath instead, so quiet he shut his eyelids out of habit as he strained to hear. Then cloth rustled, the mattress depressed beside him, she sighed—and in his mind, he could almost picture her sitting there, her brow creased in thought.

“I’m sorry. If I had been more careful, you might still have your sight.”

He frowned. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“That’s not what the people say,” she whispered, but between the misery in her voice and the quiet, he could hear a grim smile on her mouth. “They say I’ve failed to unlock my powers and I’ve maimed the Chosen Hero. That I’ve managed to doom the kingdom while not yet seventeen. It’s hard to argue with their logic.”

“I’ve heard we’re a curse from the gods,” he breathed, daring to smirk at something so hopeless. “That they’ve sent broken saviors as punishment for their lack of piety over the last few centuries.”

“I’m not sure even they could be that cruel,” she quipped, but he sensed her smile vanished the same as his. Because they had been that cruel to them. She shifted, looking for distraction. “Is that it? The Blade of Evil’s Bane?”

He turned slowly, lips pursed as he reached across the bed for it. Somehow he never groped blindly for the hilt. His hand always found it on the first try, like it was drawn. He laid the scabbard carefully across their laps and pulled the sheath away. He could feel her fingers run down a section of the blade as though they were running down the length of his arm.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, and he felt the sword hum proudly. It made him smile. He had never thought of the sword as vain. But apparently even it wasn’t above a bit of preening. The princess noticed, borrow amusement on her voice. “What is it?”

“The sword,” he murmured. “I think it enjoys being admired.”

He heard her swallow. “Can you hear the voice?”

“Sometimes.”

“What does it say?”

He bowed his head a little, eased the blade slowly out of her hands and slid it back into the scabbard. The ricasso peeked out a bit, drawing his sightless eyes as his thumb ran across its smooth edge, and for a moment he had the oddest sensation of looking at himself.

“It says it won’t choose someone else,” he told her hoarsely. “That it wants me, even though I’ve explained that I’m not fit to wield it.”

“I’ve asked the gods for someone to replace me, too,” she admitted. “No answer thus far. I think the kingdom may be stuck with us.”

For just a moment he let himself imagine them overcoming their faults, and how brilliant they would be if they did: a princess aglow with power, stepping into her true nature when the world least expected it, and her knight beside her, steadfast, fearless, unseeing, armed with a sword that whispered to him in the midst of battle—a sword that, if he listened, was as good to him as a pair of eyes.

She sighed, pulling him out of his daydream. “At least we won’t have to worry about disappointing them. No one expects us to succeed.”

He stared into the dark, imagining half-formed shapes where his eyes would have filled in the rest. The color of the quilts on his bed, or the tunic they had laid out for him that morning, or the wallpaper. The only thing he could picture with any confidence was her face. It had been the last thing he had seen with any clarity, he realized, and suddenly he was so very glad for that.

“Well then, princess,” he said, lifting his eyes to meet hers in that endless dark, picturing flawless emerald and thrilling a bit at his own boldness. “Shall we prove them wrong?”

He couldn’t see her smile, but he could feel it. It was warm on his face, like rays of the sun.