#i wrote another one boys

[baileycanwrite]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Unprepared Casters (Web Series) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Count Dion Alexander Grimmawk/Lord Chance Grimmawk of Tarnish, Count Dion Alexander Grimmawk & Queen Luminessa, Queen Luminessa & Tippy the Seacat Characters: Count Dion Alexander Grimmawk, Lord Chance Grimmawk of Tarnish, Queen Luminessa, Tippy the Seacat Additional Tags: Fluff, shameless fluff, Gossip, Gossip & Tea Summary:

A short ficlet of how I think Dion and Lumi should have met, judging off of their relationship.

[clowfish]

am I the only one who was stuck watching those eggshell peeling livestreams on tiktok that they NEVER peeled all the way

[rebouks]

Previous // Next

[Brodie flicked through the mail, instantly recognising the scrawling handwriting of a certain redheaded little boy. Scaring a few birds in the process, he bellowed up the stairs: ALEEEEX!] Alex: [breathless] Is it for me?! Brodie: Nah, but I could do with some help carrying this super heavy envelope upstairs. Alex: Who do you think you are, Johnny Zest? Brodie: I’m better than that guy, c’mon…

… Hi Alex! Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply to you, I promise I didn’t forget! I guess I just didn’t really know what to say cos I’ve sorta not felt like myself recently. My mom says I disappear into my own world sometimes so I sorta did that again and found it hard to think of anything fun to say. I don’t think I’d mind if you wrote to me about the less fun parts of your life though n’ my dad says you shouldn’t really keep everything to yourself all the time cos it ends up hurting so I thought I’d write anyway n’ just force myself not to worry about being boring or whatever. Your letters and your life always sound so exciting compared to mine though so sometimes it’s hard not to!!

I got in a fight at school which sounds like it should be an exciting story, but it wasn’t really. There’s this kid called Levi in my class that always picks on me (don’t worry though, I don’t care about that) and I couldn’t be bothered listening to him anymore so I hit him a couple times, I thought he’d hit me back but he just freaked out so I sorta felt bad about it afterward. He still makes fun of me but he doesn’t get up in my face as much so that’s a plus. Who says violence doesn’t solve anything? Hahaha I’m kidding! It wasn’t nice of me but maybe he should know better than to push people around so much.

I’m looking forward to summer so I can wander off a bit more and maybe it won’t rain so much! My mom doesn’t really like it when I go too far but as long as I’m back before curfew she tries not to freak out about it which is nice of her cos she knows I like to explore n’ stuff. I shouldn’t complain about my family cos I love them n’ stuff but I like being on my own sometimes and it’d be nice to have a bit of peace now n’ then. I’ve got SUPER good hearing so it’s hard to find anywhere quiet in my house, especially cos there’s always something crazy going on. My aunt Alma is sorta similar to me so she’s been helping me block out the noise with this meditation sorta thing, I guess it’s hard to explain but it’s not as lame as it sounds, it’s kinda fun to see how long you can stay in your own brain without people interrupting you. That probably sounds really weird but maybe you sorta get what I mean?

I finally have a treehouse now too!! It reminds me of your watchtower in some ways, but I guess it’s no way cooler than that, even though I know you’re bored of it by now. I wish we could hang out in it together cos it’s super awesome! Mom n’ dad don’t really bother me when I’m up there n’ my brother n’ sisters can’t manage the ladder yet so it’s all mine! It’s right at the bottom of the garden and looks out over the whole Bay too! Mom said she might let me sleep in it once it gets a bit warmer! It’d be cool falling asleep to the sound of the waves.. I hope it doesn’t end up making me need to pee all night though haha!!

Wren’s been obsessed with watching me play on the computer recently and I keep tryna teach her how to play herself but her little fingers can’t really reach all the buttons on the keyboard too well and she gets stupid mad when she dies so she just makes me play instead. She’d kick me if I told anyone but she’s a bit scared of some of the monsters too lol!! Mom told me I shouldn’t let her watch those ones but they’re the only ones she WANTS to watch and she jumps all over me until I give in so idk what they expect me to do other than lock her in the pantry, but I got told off for that so I guess I shouldn’t do that again haha (Wren thought it was funny though so it’s all good!) It’s a shame you don’t have a computer in the tower otherwise we could play together! Jude n’ Jacob aren’t really into that sorta thing so I usually just play on my own. Do you have a computer back home??

Oh! I got another badge for my swimming lessons too! I’ve almost got em all now which is neat but I sorta wanna avoid getting the last ones cos anyone that gets them all or has good attendance n’ whatever get an award at the end of the school year. They save em all up to give out at some stupid last year disco thing they put on before summer for the last year kids n’ it’d be so cringe to get called out in front of everyone like that. Some people think it’s gonna be amazing like my friend Jude, but I’d rather not go at all. Mom n’ dad keep saying it’ll be fun n’ everyone else is excited about it too but how fun could something be if you’re technically at SCHOOL? Bleh! I know you said you hate it sometimes, but being homeschooled sounds awesome to me lol.

I keep tryna bug my parents to go camping again so we could maybe see each other but they won’t take me out of school for a holiday n’ dad’s too busy with some work project so I guess we’ll have to keep writing to each other instead! Maybe if I keep annoying them about it we can come back in the summer! I hope so anyway but I guess I don’t wanna piss em off TOO much just in case my plan backfires or something.

I still feel really bad about not writing sooner but my dad said better late than never so hopefully you’re not too upset with me! I’ll try my best to write faster next time so you don’t have to wait as long. I’m looking forward to hearing about everything you’ve been up to!! Love Robin c: ps. my dad’s friend finally helped me fix that old polaroid so I’ve sent you some random pictures I took to test it out! I’m still getting used to it but the next ones will be better, I swear!

… the treehouse! it even has cool lights on it!! the back of our house! it’s so big it’s hard to fit in a picture.. it sorta looks fancy but it’s not really n’ dad said it was cheap cos it was a shithole a rare Byrd! (grumpy too – dad tried to take his dummy off him lol) he’s not supposed to be on my bed… the Bay! Jude says I sound girly for saying it’s so pretty here but I don’t care I could take a million pictures of this place n’ never get bored (I’ll stop now though cos mom says these polaroid things aren’t cheap for this model.. oops lol!!)

[ultimateloserboy]

i had a therapy session yesterday and the first thing my therapist did was point out how colorful my dhmis hoodie is and asked me to explain what it was from. i then spent 1 hour and 30 minutes (past my session time) explaining what dhmis is to her, all while she wrote down and googled everything i said. by the end she was absolutely speechless and was like “wow.. thats a lot..”

thats when i broke the news to her that i had only explained around 3 episodes at max

[hcdragonwrites]

Cozy (a @jttw-monkeybusiness Drabble )

So I made another one- this one was inspired by this ask (I suck at Hyperlinks I’m so sorry)

It rolled a bit in my brain and kept begging to be fleshed out, so I decided to give it life ! Enjoy!

Snow

Snow fell in white flurries, chasing away the blossoms and birds that had been sitting in the trees just moments before. The storm was in a full frenzy now, peeling petals from overeager trees who had budded too soon, and throwing the birds from the sky. The wind whipped up the cold powder to spray back in the face of the pilgrims as they continued on their journey. They had left the warm subtropical forest only hours ago, where Sophie had rolled her sleeves up to relieve some of the excess heat. Now however, she was shivering.

None of the group, save for Wukong, was truly equipped for the snow and cold. Pigsys ears were turning purple from the temperature as he tried, and failed, to hide from the worst of it behind Sandy. Sandy silently continued on, carving a path for Sophie (who trailed farther behind) to walk through. The snow was already deep, coming to her knees as they continued to follow the tiny path up the mountain. Black rock jutted upward and outward like broken teeth into the white air. Horse and Monk both were struggling ahead, Yulongs sides shivering in the wet as the snow melted on his fur. Tripitaka called Wukong over, asking him to scout ahead to look for a place they could shelter for the duration of this storm. Sophie could see there heads bent together as Master and pupil discussed. Wukong, for once, didn’t reply with a snort or a quick jab at how Trip should be lucky for him to be his disciple. Instead he had somersaulted off, gone in a flash of fur and tiger stripes, into the air.

“Would be nice if I could just somersault out of here.” Sophie muttered.

A freak blizzard had not been on the list of things Sophie was ready for. She had faced shape-changing demons, women that turned to great tigers to devour Tripitaka, mountain gods throwing stones down into their path and the like. Sophie was prepared for any person or creature - or at least- expecting it. The weather however? She was severely underprepared for. She had the travel clothes she had bought with the coin purse she’d been given. They were meant for light rain and mild heat. Not for a snowstorm. Sophies hair was getting wet and the cold was starting to chill her ears from where it melted.

“It’s so cold…” she muttered. She kept following Sandys footpath, thankful for the giant of a river demon and his slow shuffling walk. If he was walking normally he would have left her far behind in the snow.

Her foot hit a rock and slipped, sending her flailing into a rapidly growing snowbank. “F-f-f-freezing! AH!” Snow had gone down her shirt, sending a chill up her spine. Faster than a wildcat she had hopped from the bank, shaking herself.

“Hate snow hate snow hate snow—“ she chanted her mantra as she slapped off the powder, trying to prevent it from melting and wetting her clothes. Wet clothes would only spell disaster. Sophie could recall all the cold born illnesses from one special National Geographic did on Everest and the extreme exposure the hikers faced there: pneumonia, Trench foot, frostbite, hypothermia, flu, Chilblains, bronchitis —

Her foot slipped again as her mind was listing all the things that could happen. Sophie would have been in the snowbank a second time except something caught her by the midriff and hauled her up.

“Stupid women stay on your feet!” Wukong snarled in her ear, setting her down. Sophie nodded, teeth chattering and nose turning red as the cold began to chap it. “Of all the people here I thought at least you had the common sense to be aware of ice!”

From up ahead came the faint cry and heavy fall as Pigsys fell face first in the snow. Sandy had to quickly turn to hid a chuckle as the drenched demon began wilding swinging his rake around in rage.

“S-s-sorry.” She mumbled, shoving her hands beneath her armpits. “Slipped.”

“What’s wrong with your speech? You sound like a squirrel.” Wukong cocked his head, an eyebrow raised. He rolled his eyes when Sophie didn’t banter back irritated she wasn’t snapping back at him. That agitation grew when he felt something like worry begin to itch his pelt. Of the pilgrims, the two mortals were in his charge of care and were the most delicate. While Wukong could fight off monsters and Demons and wicked minded mortals he could not fight a storm. Well- he could if he really wanted to find the celestial body responsible for its creation. But that would take time- and time was not on his side on this.

Tripitaka had put on a brave face when he had asked the Monkey King to find shelter. That didn’t mean Wukong had not noticed how his Masters hands had turned red at the growing cold, how his body shivered and his nose sniffed. Wukong would have teased, poked and prodded at his master- it was his nature to rile and cause mischief. But when he had seen the half awake expression on the mortal man’s face, Wukong had bit his tongue (with great effort) and had instead nodded.

Seeing Sophie in a similar state made the itch beneath his pelt grow worse as fire ants had begun to bite his skin.

“Damn it.” He cursed beneath his breath. He snatched her arm, avoiding her hand, and started dragging her behind him. “Come on just a bit farther you softie. I found a cave up ahead where we can get out of the worst of it. You mortals are ABSOLUTELY worthless when it comes to weather —“

Sophie was only half listening to Wukongs ranting. She allowed herself to be dragged up the mountain pass, trusting the Monkey King to find a better route than her own dimming senses. The cold was like a blanket she wanted to escape out of. Or escape into? She couldn’t remember clearly. If she closed her eyes… she was so tired. The snow looked inviting, comforting. Like the best downy comforter. Like the fluffiest pillow.

Maybe I just … need to lay … down in the comfort. Just close my eyes for a few minutes.

They had been walking for hours before the storm blew in. Her feet hurt, her hands shook and it was so cold. Cold. She just wanted to sleep.

“SOPHIE LOOK AT ME!” Wukong yanked her and she was rattled enough to open her eyes wider in surprise. Sun Wukong was right in her face, leaning so close she could see every line of his facial markings in detail. His breath came from between his teeth like some dragons as he glared.

“Ye-es?!”

“Stay awake- we're almost there. If you fall asleep while I’m dragging your ass up the mountain I will bite your pretty nose clean off!” The demonic monkey spat, then, half carried, half dragged Sophie the rest of the way. Leaning against his back Sophie sighed. Through the clothing she could feel it- like desert sand warmed by the sun. Delicious heat. Sophie - who wouldn’t in normal circumstances have cuddled so close- practically melted against the warmth. What else could she do? Wukong was dragging her up the mountain- practically carrying her. She could see the bend in the mountain pass- a steep cliff where the road cut itself around and hugged the mountain as a snake would do climbing along a vine. Almost there.

“How come you get to be so warm?” She grumbled, not realizing she had said it aloud. Wukong had heard however, and his face became a storm cloud as his heart took a shuddering beat.

“Maybe grow some fur or ask for the Buddha to make you some furry creature. Bet he would too.” Wukong grumbled back.

Stupid fucking women.

They reached the curve in the mountain where Pigsy and Sandy- mostly Sandy since the pig demon kept complaining about how cold his snout was- were setting up three tents. The tents were simple, the leather treated against wet weather and solid. All pigsy had to do was drive the stakes into the stone which, it seemed, he was failing at.

“It’s so damn cold!” Pigsy snorted angrily stamping his hands together, having missed the spike for the third time. “Blasted Heaven and whoever ordered a storm now of all times! Don’t they know who’s crossing these mountains?”

“Less talking more working.” Sandy angrily chided. He had finished setting up the second tent all on his own. When Pigsy went to open his mouth to make another comment and the usually peaceful Sandy shoved him across the shallow cave to the last tent and the one closest to the entrance.

As Wukong walked past, Pigsy lifted an eyebrow at the strange sight. The Monkey King could see the pig beginning to lift a lip in a smirk only to stop when he noticed Sophie’s shivering.

“What did you do?” Those were the last words Wukong expected to come out of his fellow brothers mouth.

“WHAT DID I DO?!” He bared his teeth, fangs on display. He didn’t have time for Pigsy or for his own feelings to confuse him. He knew Sophie was practically clinging to his back like the newborn monkeys did to their mothers back on Flower Fruit Mountain. He was very aware of it. The last thing he needed was for this thick pink idiot to start shit with him.

“I DIDNT DO SHIT YOU THICK HEADED BOAR.” He spat, continuing past. “THIS IDIOT STARTED FALLING ASLEEP IN THE FUCKING STORM. NOW SHUT UP AND GET THE OTHER TENT SET UP.”

Wukong left Pigsy behind, angrily chattering to himself and feeling embarrassed all the while. He couldn’t let that thick womanizing boar know any of Wukongs feelings. If he did, the damn brute would only press his nose to it and route deeper. The sooner he got Sophie off his back the better. Even though he didn’t entirely want that.

He reached the back corner of the cave, setting Sophie down. She huffed, letting go with some reluctance to his warm back. The Monkey King knelt, leaning in. Sophie’s shivering was less. Good.

“I’ll be back- I have to make sure the pink ham doesn’t fuck up the last tent. Once I’ve tended Yulong and seen to my masters comforts I’ll be back to check on you.”

Sophie pulled her knees to her chest. She was still so cold. She wanted nothing more then to curl up and sleep- to find something warm and hold onto it. She heard Wukong from far off - but she nodded.

“S-S-sure… just gonna fall .. asleep.”

“Don’t fall asleep you idiot.” He snapped.

“Why not?” Sophie groaned. She was tired

“Remember. You are in wet clothes. Wake up just to remember - Think. Use that reading brain of yours.” He flicked her between the eyes. That woke Sophie up enough as the pain cleared her head.

“Ow, what the hell Wukong?!” Sophie felt like she had come out of a daze. Her fingers started rubbing at the pain. It wasn’t terrible but … she felt like a child be scolded. Sophie glared up into the smug monkey face.

“Awake? Good. Now fucking listen before you nod off again.” Wukong smirked just a bit. The itching beneath his fur had eased just enough upon seeing her get mad. He spoke slowly, for her sake but also to press in how much he enjoyed giving her orders- and being right about them. “Your clothes are wet. You can’t sleep in them. Change to new ones. In fact, bundle up as much as you can. I’ll be back to check on you.”

Wukong stood up, then turned back around to flick her on the forehead again.

“Ow! I’m up, I'm up!” Sophie rubbed at the space between her brows.

“Did you hear what I said?”

“Yes yes …” she uncurled herself and stood as well, looking down at the Monkey King. “Get out of wet clothes and get new ones. Bundle up. That really hurt you know.”

“If you are still in wet fucking clothes, I’ll do a lot worse then just smack you between the eyes.” And then he was away, already cussing Pigsy out who had, somehow, managed to rip the tent.

It was a only about twenty minutes later but Sophie had managed not to fall asleep. She had gotten into the tent and had peeled the worst of the wet clothes off. Her poor shoes were the worst for wear- the socks and the soles were soaked. She would have to wear her spare shoes tomorrow and let these ones dry. Sophie had set the wet clothes to the farthest side of the tent. She was now dressed in a pair of gray sweats, a long sleeve and her hoodie of bright orange with clementines decorating the front. She felt much warmer and absolutely exhausted. Her fingers were red where the cold had gotten them, her lips felt chapped from the dry air, and her body just kept shivering.

Sophie had retreated almost completely into the hoodie- only her face was viewable.

The tent flap lifted and Wukong stepped in, a bowl of some sort of wild berries and cold rice in one hand. He took one look at her huddled there on her sleeping mat and snorted.

“You look like some orange orangutan.”

“Hahah very funny. See how you like the cold when you don’t have fur.” She shot back. Wukong offered the bowl to her and she took it, digging into it with gusto.

“How’s Trip?” She asked between bites.

“Alive.” Wukong leaned back, putting his arms beneath his head as he stared up at the tent ceiling. “You two would have frozen if not for me- you were both starting to look pinker than yangmei fruit.”

“Thank you.” Sophie said.

“Mm? What are you thankful for ?”

Oh he was gonna ask her for all of it then? Sophie looked at him. Wukong had propped himself up enough to stare at her, waiting.

“Thank you for the food.” She lifted the now empty bowl- she had been famished - to him. “Thank you for finding a spot to rest. And … thanks for dragging me out of the snow.”

“You almost died I hope you know that.” He smirked, laying back down, eyes closing. She followed suit, too tired to sit up anymore or even bicker back with him.

“Yeah I did …” Sophie yawned. Usually she wouldn’t admit so readily to Wukong just how certain situations had made her dependent upon him. He was always, in some way or other, saving the lot of them. When Tripitaka was snatched up by some Goblins belonging to some chieftain of a nearby mountain, when Pigsy had boasted that they didn’t need Wukong and then (almost immediately) failed to find food when Wukong was sent away. He had stopped the dragon horse from foundering and taken to the care of his hooves and coat many a time. The Monkey King had seen to restoring the missing supplies from Sophie pack when a group of mischievous raccoon spirits had taken it. Wukong had even replaced Sandy’s teakettle when it was smashed in battle (Sophie was pretty sure he had stolen it).

He may act aloof and pompous but deep down, this big old brute cared for them. Even Pigsy.

Sophie felt her eyes grow heavy as Wukong kept talking about how she had stumbled in the snow like some “dumb struck fawn” until he came to help her.

As she relaxed to the sound of his voice rumbling on and on, it almost felt … cozy. Yes Wukong may like to slide the occasional wriggly salamander into her water skin, he may thumb through her things like they were his, he may call her idiot, stupid women, and softie. But. There was no real malice behind his actions.

He was also kind of … warm. She scooted closer, half listening to the Monkey ramble on about the idiocy of mortals and the greatness of beings such as him. He was rambling on about his natural prowess over mortals and how he had mastered the arts of immortality and Tripitaka couldn’t even master warding off a cold. Sophie fell asleep before he could get to the part about her looking like a slack jawed idiot in the snow.

Wukong was only a quarter way through his regaling of the story of how he had saved everyone this day when he felt hands wrap around his chest.

His heart nearly flew into his throat as he stopped dead in his speech. His mouth was open, voice cut off halfway through his speech. Sophie curled into his side, face buried in the crook of his neck and so close to his ear he could feel her breathing against its shell.

Electricity shot threw him, fur standing on end as if he had been in a thunderstorm.

He was suddenly very aware of many things. Of Sophie’s hands that had escaped that ridiculous orange sweatshirt and were now burrowed into his fur. One arm was across his chest. The second one was now, somehow beneath his head and tugging on his shoulder. Sophie’s face rested on his arm and in the curve of his neck, her face rubbing back and forth like a cat. As if … she was enjoying the feel of it.

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

Sophie moved just a bit, mumbling in his ear and Wukong felt his tail lash like it had just been bit. She didn’t say anything coherent but — the proximity alone—

Fucking Hell and all its Judges.

Sophie was … cuddling him.

She was practically twined around him.

And she smelled fantastic. Her scent always changed- sometimes it held a hint of lemons and the sweetness of grass, other times it floated like rain clouds and smelled of stones. But all of it together had a larger perfume beneath it. It was just her. Yes there were moments when her scent changed just enough that he felt like he was adding new spices onto his favorite dish. The essence of it, however, was just Sophie.

And now that cloud was all around him, filling his nose.

He looked at her, turning his head just a fraction to see.

Big mistake.

She was asleep, passed out completely. She looked so … fragile asleep. The dark circles beneath her eyes spoke of how she hadn’t been sleeping well. Her nose was stupidly pink like a Red Pika in her pale face. The cold must have chapped it. His eyes darted to her lips …

Mistake number two.

Wukong looked away, feeling his face flame. Fuck. Shit. He was stuck in a predicament now. He hadn’t meant to chat away about himself for so long that Sophie would fall asleep. Wukong was at war with himself. On one hand, he needed to get out of here. To leave before Pigsy and the others found out- before Sophie found out.

He couldn’t let anyone be that close to him- couldn’t let anyone be as close as Sophie was right now. It was a liability to his pride, to his reputation—

To his heart. Because if she rejected him it would ruin the friendship they had. And the feeling he had building in his chest- he would crush it in his fist before he let it jeopardize that peace between them.

I have to leave —

Wukong tried to move-

Only to feel Sophie’s fingers tug in his fur and her sleepy voice grumble “m’no don’t go.”

Jade Emperor flay me and boil me alive again.

In all the hundreds of years of living, Wukong had only felt trapped like this but once before. The first time he had lost his wager to the Buddha, having been unable to somersault out of his hand. The second time? He was trapped because he allowed it. He was trapped in a way no one in Heaven could have predicted- or had thought to do. Wukong had been placed in vats to be boiled, had wormed and tricked his way out of every trap and net that had attempted to keep his mischief managed. It had taken Buddha and his wager to finally end Wukongs terrorization of Heaven.

Wukong couldn’t move now. He was tethered here by frail fingers and the steady beat of a mortal's heart.

He could hear her heartbeat, feel it against his side. It was steady, soft. Like the steady roar of Water-Curtain Cave. Like the wind through the trees of the orchards on his mountain.

She was mortal. One day that steady beat would stop as all mortal hearts did.

That set his tail to lashing just a bit.

Hasn't she been afraid of dying? Of growing old? He remembered hearing a conversation late at night- when Tripataka and Sophie had those rare mortal conversations where he was explicitly not allowed to sit in on. He hadn’t known why it was such a secret conversation. So of course, since it wasn’t an order, Wukong had pulled a hair from his tail and made a doppel and floated somewhere nearby but out of sight to eavesdrop. The Monk and Reader had been chatting about death, about Sophie’s future.

Well her fears were unfounded. Doesn’t she know I would take care of her? Sophie shifted a bit closer as a gust of wind slipped beneath the tent flat he had left unsecured. Damn it all. Wukong carefully, o so carefully, shifted himself. He slid his body so he was now lying on his side, setting Sophie’s head beneath his chin. It was all the invitation Sophie needed to cuddle closer and escape from the wind.

“You stupid women.” He angrily whispered into her hair. He wouldn’t let her die. He would just fix that. He would fix a lot of her problems. She just had to tell him. He was Sun Wukong, Great Sage Equal to Heaven. He knew of a hundred different ways to achieve immortality. He could fix them all. Like her problem right now of being cold.

He was too tense to relax fully- too aware- but he grew just a fraction larger. His size now dwarfed Sophie’s a good bit and gave her a bit more to tangle into. And she did. Sophie curled her knees up, shivering slowing. Wukong waited. Watching. When finally the shivering had ceased he allowed just a fraction of tension to slide off of him. This stupid softie is gonna make me soft. The thought didn’t bother him as much as it would have months ago.

Maybe he wouldn’t get much sleep tonight but…

He could make her life Hell in the morning. It was something that she owed him on. His face was screwed furiously into a scowl because all he wanted to do was enjoy this moment but if he did- if he really truly did- he didn’t know if he would be able to stop.

She was most assuredly going to be bombarded tomorrow with the most annoying and snappish teasing and toying a King of Monkeys and tricks could give.

Sophie woke with a start as something cold and wet slapped her in the face. She panicked as any person would.

“GaH! DEMON!” She cried, grabbing at her face and throwing it aside. It was a wet rag.

“Relax.” Wukongs voice laughed at her. “Unless cloth can become possessed and has gained a hunger for red nosed mortal flesh, you're fine.”

He was at the tent flap, grinning ear to ear in a grin that promised problems. Really so early in the morning and he already wants to play games ?

“You could have woken me up in a number of other ways- why did you pick that?” Sophie rubbed at her face, feeling … huh. She didn’t feel as sore as she usually felt. When Sophie woke up there was almost a constant crick of pain in her neck from whatever odd angle she had slept in on the ground.

Maybe I had been so tired my body just finally didn’t care.

He shrugged. “You stink. Next place we stop at you better demand a bath of some sort or other.”

“Thanks….” She grumbled, letting the sarcasm drip off her words. She took the cloth up, rubbing the sleep out of her face and the worst of the dirt off her face and arms. She would kill for a warm bath, one that would wake up her bones and chase the last of the cold from her body. Once clean, she checked her wet clothes, bundling them away in a separate part of her pack to avoid them dampening the rest of her stuff. Then she stepped out of the tent, smelling the fire and the promise of breakfast being made.

Only for her feet to slip right from beneath her as a monkey foot stuck out and caught her ankle.

“WUKONG!”

He laughed, face full of malicious mischief as Sophie gathered herself up to chase after the errant Monkey. To do what, she didn’t know. He was a mystical demonic creature born of stone and she just a mortal women. As the morning light cut into the cave and Tripitaka had to order his disciple to calm down after he once again tripped her and she almost went sprawling into rocks, the pilgrims ate breakfast. They broke down their tents. And they were once again on the road.

None were the wiser of Wukongs happier mood. He hid it beneath a storm of frowns and a game of teasing torture as he became partically insufferable to Sophie. The threat of the hoop tightening spell was the only true damper to his mood when Tripataka heard Sophie scream as snow was dropped down the back of her shirt.

As the sun rose higher and the word was cast in a frosty flash of refracted gold, Wukong made a decision. He would solve Sophie problem of growing old. It was easy. And if Buddha couldn’t send her back…

Well she was a great sport for pestering and heckling. The least he could do as a benevolent King is give the poor women a roof over her head.

Maybe a few dresses down the line...

Girls liked dresses right?

“Hey Reader!” He called.

“What?”

“Dresses or suits ? What did you wear in that fake time long after this one ? Or whatever fake dimension you fell out of. What did you prefer ?”

And thus began the long hour debate that somehow pulled every one of them: Pigsy, Sandy and Tripitaka, into what was a heated discussion on the best attire for the best occasions.

[the-river-rix]

I fear a new hyperfixation is in town

[majimasleftasscheek]

thanks to you, im now a proud tigerfish shipper. but now it also just makes me wish nishiki lived past kiwami 1... can we see more of them pleaseee :(

a lil wooden Miku and the boys for the soul~

[stardusteyes]

Soooo..

Guess what I had the mixed fortune of hearing about recently.

[kanene-yaaay]

The mistake(s)

Kanene’s notes: Summary of this fic:

Teru: I am evil I am mean I know no mercy I am the master of teases.

Mob: *smile*

Teru: I,,,, s,,somft,,

Warnings: None. This is just a cute tickle fanfic with Lee!Mob and Ler!Teru. Can be viewed as platonic or romantic. Around 2.000 words.

[~*~]

Watching that movie was a mistake.

Except for the part where Teruki got bored with the plot holes - which, together with the roterist's lazy shortcuts to get all the movie's conflicts resolved in less than ten minutes, ignoring completely that they still had 45 minutes left of story to tell, created the perfect setting to enjoy some procrastinating time with a good company - and decided he absolutely needed to stretch himself across Shigeo's lap, looking at him with the corner of his eye to see if he perceived any kind of discomfort with him by the other.

Shigeo's attentive and neutral eyes turned down to watch him back. "Do you want to watch something else?"

The lack of anything but mild curiosity that painted his tune made Teru relax, slightly adjusting himself to be more comfortable and smiling nonchalantly while focusing again at the screaming protagonist on the screen. "Nah. It's fine."

"Ok."

It was calm, the silence that bathed them. Teru felt more than saw the other's hand hovering above his head. Although he didn't allow himself to externally react to it.

"Teruki." He hummed in reply, laziness already beginning to fog his brain and trying to coach him to sleep. He kind of wanted to finish watching the movie with Shigeo, though. "Can I touch your hair?"

"Uh, sure. Go for it."

So, watching that movie was a mistake. Not because it was bad or poorly made. Not because Mob's careful but still very present touch combing his hair made him feel so relaxed and boneless he was afraid he would slip from the couch at any moment. Not even because he realized how... soft this moment was, how soft Shigeo was, even when their first contact, when Teru's first contact with him was much more aggressive and unkind than what he was being shown now.

No, none of these were the reason for the incorrigible mistake that was made that day.

Actually, the moment Teruki realized that something was happening it was already too late to intervene.

Because the scene was already playing on the screen.

Not any scene.

A tickle scene.

And Teru made the mistake of looking up at Shigeo at this exact moment.

His friend was still concentrating on the movie, hand still playing with his hair and... the corner of his mouth was turned upwards. He was smiling.

That was when Teru realized two things:

1. He has never seen Mob laugh or giggle.

2. He really, really needed to be the reason of his smile.

The question slipped before he could think too much about it.

“Are you ticklish, Mob?”

Maybe it was because of his way-too-casual tune, or because the calm moment made Shigeo lower his barriers, but the answer jumped from the tip of Mob’s tongue before he even realized it.

“Yes.”

The blonde could easily notice how, even before the word was completely out, Shigeo realized the trap he was walking into, turning to look at him with alarmed eyes, so Teru didn’t waste too much time. With a predatory grin his fingers jumped to his sides, dancing and scratching from left to right, up and down, effectively searching and finding any and every weak spot where he could latch on and prevent the other from even thinking in payback before he managed to pull at least a single stray giggle.

His worries were, however, unfounded, since the moment the Kageyama’s wide eyes noticed his attack, his entire body tried to curl on itself, arms hugging his torso and legs trying and failing to go up to protect his middle due Teru still being laid on them.

And then, Mob began to shake.

Teru’s fingers faltered, an unpleasant cold fear suddenly appearing on his mind, the fear that he was too rough, too sudden, too close. That he went too far,  overstepped his friend’s boundaries and just made the strongest person he ever known cry for a stupid personal desire.

His eyes then ran to the other’s face, hands still hovering in the air, when he saw it.

Shigeo’s cheeks were puffed out, his eyes were closed, his previous smile now much bigger stretching along his face.

Teru blinked, a bit stunned. The shaking had stopped.

Hm.

He experimentally brought his hands back to his friend’s torso, now skittering along his ribs, index fingers lightly drumming on the space between each one while his thumbs drew circles on the highest ones, the tip of his fingers getting dangerously close to his highest ribs.

Shigeo began shaking again, shoulders jumping up and down just the slightest amount (Teru was sure that if they weren’t that close, he wouldn’t even realize) and small huffs and puffs of air that sounded suspiciously close to muffled yelps made the blonde realize with delight that Shigeo wasn’t just shaking, he was beaming due the amount of giggles and belly laughter he was trying to hide.

That piece of knowledge made his smirk come back at full force, his tickles getting more enthusiastic with this revelation. Now, that just won’t do.

“Come on, Kageyama, you can’t keep them inside forever.” A snort escaped from his tight pressed lips, body swaying a bit to the left when Teruki’s efforts began walking in the direction of his armpits.

Seeing his reaction, the blond decided he wanted to be mean, so he taunted the other by tapping his fingers right on the border of his armpits, just light enough to send tickly tingles where he touched, nerves buzzing with the prospect that he could strike at any moment.

“See? That is already one. You just need to free the rest of them! Let all the high pitched giggles, embarrassing squeaks, cute snorts and melodious laughter come tumbling right out. I promise I won’t break your serious guy façade to everyone we know.”

His teases were accompanied by a couple of pokes to the tickle spot, which made Shigeo duck his head and try to press his mouth on his shoulder, his low, quiet reactions being successfully hidden with it, his bounces getting stronger with the (honestly unfair) mix of silly tickles and taunting teases.

Suddenly, Teru had an idea. It was a risky bet, more than anything. But it could work.

He kept the flow of pokes, slowly increasing the speed bit by bit. “Bet you will feel much better once they’re all out,” Poke. Poke. Poke poke. Poe poke poke.  “don’t you think? To just let it go and laugh and laugh and laugh.” Pokepokepokepokepokepoke.

Mob didn’t answer, the sensation and words making him want to both crawl off his skin (Teru wasn’t even full tickling him yet, how such soft touch could be so maddening-) and not laugh so they could extend that playful moment for longer.

Teru let out his best impression of an evil snicker, lifting himself just a bit more and...

His mouth was now close to Shigeo’s ears.

Perfect.

“Unless you want me to tickle it all out of you.”

As soon as the words filled the room, his hands dug on the armpits, vibrating and unmercifully attacking the so-protected tickle spot with plenty of scratches and scribbles while he blowed weakly at the - now completely red - ears, hoping his assumption that they were ticklish was right and he wasn’t just making a fool of himself.

A surprised and surprisingly loud, high pitched wheeze was his answer and, before the silence could stretch across the room, a waterfall of sounds followed it. Snorts, yelps, squeaks, squeals, titters and an adorably adorable hiccuped laughter began flowing freely from the one with raven hair and they filled every inch of the room, stunning the blonde so much that he almost ceased his attack.

Instead, he pried his hands from under Mob’s arms and shot them upwards, targeting the, as it seems, incredibly and awfully sensitive spot right behind Shigeo’s ears, letting them dance and draw senseless forms on them, skittering the shells and sometimes letting the tickles slip a bit too close to his neck. 

A pure and warm delight exploded on his chest when he watched how such a simple thing made Mob throw his head backwards, not even bothering to try to hide the low and fast giggles that spilled in flocks from him, shoulders still bouncing and trying - even if halfheartedly - to press on his ears and save them from the unfair and unexpected attack.

“So your ears really are ticklish.” It wasn’t even a tease now, Teru was so lost in the realization that this was laughter, this was his serious friend, this was the strongest person in the universe laughing and enjoying himself, this was his attentive friend giggling uncontrollably and non stop because of a few silly tickly tickles, that he even forgot to add that snarky, taunting tune in his words, just letting the fun of the moment carry both of them away.

“Yes.” The word was almost unrecognizable when said in between so many titters. Teru’s hands began to explore his neck, tap-tap-tapping non stop from the spot right under his chin to his shoulders, creating tickly, tingly paths wherever he went and Mob knew that the spot wasn’t even that ticklish in the first place, but in this moment it didn’t fail to fish plenty of squeaky yelps from him. His hands shot to hold the sleeves of Teru’s shirt, not really pulling them away. “Teheheru. It t-tihihickles.”

And that was the exact moment Teruki Hanazawa realized he had made an incorrigible mistake.

Because now he wouldn’t ever, ever be able to live without listening at least once again to his name being said in between those bouncy giggles and huffed titters.

Or without seeing that gigantic smile taking over Shigeo’s face. Or the way his cheeks were still puffed out even though the laughter kept falling and filling the air. Or the way the tip of his ears were starting to be painted in a lovely shade of red. Or how low and silly his laughter was. Or how...

Oh.

Oh.

Teru was the one who walked straight to a trap here, wasn’t he?

He felt his grin turning into something much more soft than playful, and tried to pull his smirk again, not being sure if he was successful or not. Fortunately enough, Mob still didn’t open his eyes or he would, without doubt, see the shine that took over his gaze.

“It is supposed to tickle, Kageyama. This is the whole deal here, you know?” He snickered in amusement, lowering his arms to give the boy’s knees a few experimental squeezes, being gifted with a snort at every single one. “But, I must say, I didn’t think you would be so, so ticklish. Maybe we should change your nickname from Mob to Giggle Storm.” Teru wormed one hand to under his knees, slightly pinching the sensitive skin there while the other one kept squeezing the kneecap, the mix of soft and rough tickles creating a stronger hiccuped laughter and low, high pitched giggles, as if to prove his words. “Or maybe Hiccup King, it would be very fitting, right?”

Mob only shook his head, heat flooding across his entire face, body starting to get too tired to keep his beaming and tears beginning to gather in the corner of his eyes. A couple of squeaks escaped from his lips and he tried, once again, to curl his torso, resting his forehead on Hanazawa, who was still on his legs.

A privileged position that the blonde didn’t even think twice before fully exploiting. Shigeo could only get a glimpse of Teru taking a deep breath before shoving his face on his stomach and giving him a huge raspberry.

Another loud, wheezing sound briefly floated in the air before being cut and replaced by full silent belly laughter, one or two hiccups appearing here and there before the one with raven hair fell again in silence.

When the maddening, tickly vibrations were over - even if the buzzing kept dancing across his torso and making the other spots tickle in empathy - Mob put his hands on the other’s shoulders and pushed it away, his arms feeling more wobbly and noodly than normal, as if he had just went through another exercise from the Body Improvement Club. Teru took a look at the few tears running on his cheeks and the gigantic smile on his lips before chuckling and ceasing his attack.

For a moment, they just stayed like that. Shigeo taking deep breaths and slowly stopping the flow of quiet titters that remained dancing around them. Teruki realized that the movie had ended a long time ago.

"Uh, sorry if I went too far. Just... It really looked like you were having fun." The playful tease left his grin before he even realized it.

"I was." The certitude in his tune, the direct way he didn't even seem phased by the whole tickle attack and tease he just received beyond a light redness taking over his cheeks and a smile still adorning his face... Mob was really something else.

In his place, Teru would probably still be a mess of peals of laughter and pleas of mercy. Actually, cross that, his soul would have flown away from his body the moment he received that raspberry.

"I don't mind being tickled. It's fun."

"Heh." Teru's smile got even bigger, losing somewhat its smirk, sincerity dripping freely in his tune. "That is cute."

Mob considered his words, not saying anything to agree or disagree to it.

A comfortable silence fell on them once more.

"I also don't mind getting revenge."

"Ah- wAIT-"

[cryptvokeeper]

In my time honored tradition of “I like rise Leo but in a slightly to the left way of the general fanon interpretation” I propose: yes, Leo was being a bad leader and not communicating with his team during the movie because he didn’t want the responsibility of being leader HOWEVER he was not purposely self-sabotaging in an effort to get Raph to take leadership back. Instead, he was going solo and not working with anyone in order to avoid leadership altogether and not make calls and decisions that could potentially fail.

[smolalienbee]

something something Disco Elysium fic but 95% of it takes place in Harry’s head as the skills get up to some shenanigans. meanwhile the remaining 5% is Harry irl spacing out

VOLITION - Farewell, everyone. Goodbye forever.

CONCEPTUALIZATION - It appears that Crownhead over here has a metaphorical bag slung over their shoulder.

REACTION SPEED - It’s not possible to just leave, though.

VOLITION - For once, would you just let me have this one?

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Oh, admit it - you love it in here!

YOU - Can you be quiet? I'm trying to sleep.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - As soon as this party pooper stops trying to move out, sure!

VOLITION - This ruckus would not be happening if you had just let me go.

REACTION SPEED - Wait, stop fighting. I think the lieutenant is looking at him.

KIM KITSURAGI - The lieutenant regards you with a worried expression. It appears you've been sitting here for the last 10 minutes, not moving and staring at your desk.

ESPRIT DE CORPS - He is afraid you've forgotten where you are.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - AND WHOSE FAULT IS IT, HUH?

VOLITION - Certainly not mine.

[zappedbyzabka]

Cobras x Johnny asks are needed and appreciated but not obligatory for my affection

[searidings]

Hey there! Just curious if you’ve stumbled upon any new fanfics that you are loving?

hell yeah babey!!!!

if music be the food of love, play on and also you'll always find your way back home by lovepotionnumber5

also checking for updates on i want something just like this by @jazzfordshire and a history of wine by @seabiscuits-us and the bicep obsessed tennis au by ms huge rack @hrwinter like im checking the morning paper

[green-eyes-and-orange-ties]

5am, Lakehouse

Inspired by V Black's delivery of "...to hold you" in ep1.12 (like their talent just Takes.Me.Out.Every.Time) & by my cat needing to be closer than physics will allow before she'll sleep

The sunlight bounced from the lake playing across Sebastian's skin. Angelo watched the patterns form and dissipate. He watched as the sun gently wash through Sebastian's hair, creating an array of colours before running off again.

Sebastian twitched as he fought against something in his sleep, a dream? A memory perhaps? Nothing good.

Angelo reached out; pausing. An unseen moment of hesitation.

A rush of warmth and affection radiated out from the point of contact and flooded through him. Angelo closed his eyes, allowing himself this.

Angelo pulled him closer to his chest.

He could feel the warmth of Sebastian's back along his forearm and the softness of his hair between his fingers.

Pulling him closer.

Sebastian's hair brushed his cheek as his forehead pressed against Angelo's neck. Angelo could feel his heart reaching though it's cage attempting to hold Sebastian itself.

Closer.

Angelo could feel Sebastian's breath from parted lips cross his collar bone. Slowing with each exhale, the tension previously held ebbing with each sigh. An arresting surrender.

Sebastian shifted against Angelo, he felt an arm drape across his side and a hand against his back. It was Angelo's turn for his breath to hitch as his heart fall away somewhere within.

Angelo closed his eyes against time and wished this moment could be an eternity.

[ifyougoillfollow]

a song for a song

|Gen. | Mic & Midnight | 1650 words | Fantasy AU|

"Can you sing, senpai?"

Hizashi winces. He hadn't meant to cut Kayama off, even if he hasn't been entirely listening to a word she's said for the past hour or so.

Kayama straightens from her crouch, hands him yet another fistful of dirt-clodded roots to stuff into his increasingly soiled satchel. At this point, he's going to have to wash it. And his robes. And his hair, too, while he's at it. He should have braided it; it's getting kind of long. Now there's probably bugs in it.

Hizashi refuses to cry about it. Plenty of other things to cry about nowadays, and he's yet to cry about any of those, so bugs? Not gonna do it. Not today.

Kayama eyes him a little like she was eyeing those roots on the forest floor a second ago, but in the end she only snorts and says, "You're the bard here, not me."

"And you're the witch, yet here I am with dirty, smelly herbs in my robes."

"No one asked you to come, snotbrain."

Hizashi takes a moment to remind himself that he is not crying today, then says, "Well, fortunately for you, senpai, Aizawa has gotten much better at evading me with his stealthy ninja skills, so looks like you're stuck with my lovely, charmingly clingy self for the foreseeable future."

"Lucky me, indeed," Kayama mutters, even as she's foisting more assorted foliage onto Hizashi's wary arms. She waits until he deems each twig adequately bug-free before setting off again into whatever new direction through the trees her witchy senses are leading her towards.

"Yeah, I can sing," she answers at length, "I guess. Probably not as well as you can, though, if we're being honest. Not exactly my specialty, is it?"

There was a time, not two moons ago, when Hizashi would have preened at his senpai's first-ever admission that she likes his singing. Now, it just serves as a reminder of all the songs he's had caught in his throat since Oboro died.

Kayama is not looking at him, too busy charming her way through previously virgin forest brush in order to allow them easier passage. Hizashi feels her scrutiny regardless. The air is clear and sweet and open. Inviting. Hushed like a sated dinner crowd awaiting the first song of the evening. The absence where Hizashi's song would be if he weren't choking on it rings louder than his voice ever could.

Kayama slows, her shoulders rising gently in what could be a breath or a sigh. Hizashi nearly hightails it out of the forest right then and there – bugs and blushing virgin underbrush be damned – but when Kayama speaks it's only to tell him to keep an eye out for a flower that 'kind of looks like two monkeys fornicating,' and then she's off again about herbs and roots and spices and their many medicinal and decidedly non-medicinal applications.

She has a lovely voice, even when just speaking. Full and rich and with a little too much heat, like smoke from a spitting hearth fire. Hizashi's always wondered what it'd sound like in song, can't stop wondering even as she goes on and on about dirt and leaves and bark, until she finally stops to contemplate a vine unfurling from what might very well be the heavens for all the attention Hizashi's paying to it.

"Sing for me," he says, unable to choke the words down.

Kayama snorts, keeps contemplating her vine. "What, right now?"

Because that wasn't a 'no' and because she's not looking at him and because the clear forest air remains bereft of song, Hizashi asks, "Why not?"

"I don't know many songs, for one."

"Choose whatever. Anything at all."

"What if I choose a terrible song?" she asks, affecting a pout.

"No such thing, senpai!"

She rolls her eyes and bats the vine at him, but it's only a few beats before she caves. "Honestly, I only know lullabies," she says. "You know – for fussy little babies."

Hizashi laughs. "Lullabies are good! Sing me a lullaby, senpai!"

Kayama's answering grin is more teeth than anything, and it's also the first sign that Hizashi has walked into a trap. "All right," she says, voice too-innocent, "if you insist. Follow me." She flashes another snaketooth grin at him and disappears behind a curtain of vines.

At the sight of the lone finger she sticks back through to beckon him forward, Hizashi once again considers taking his chances on a solo sprint back out of the woods. In the end, his curiosity wins out over his meager self-preservation instincts. He follows.

The two-step trek through the vines is harrowing, but what he finds on the other side might be even more so. It's a perfectly picturesque clearing. Suspiciously picturesque. The clearing is warm and bright and cozy, with lush cloud-cover trees surrounding a bed of down-soft grass and wildflowers. There's even a brook babbling quietly to itself off to the side. A far cry from the barely tamed woods two steps behind him.

Kayama, perched on the grass below a swaying willow, laughs at whatever expression is on Hizashi's face. "Welcome to my den of decadence," she all but purrs, "where I bring all my... conquests."

Hizashi tries not to balk. Tries.

Kayama cackles. "Oh, don't flatter yourself. You wanted me to sing you a lullaby, so I'm going to sing you a lullaby. Properly." She pats a spot on the ground right next to her. "Come here."

Hizashi, forever hapless in the face of his senpai's schemes, does as he's told. Once he's seated, Kayama roots around in her bag for some incense to light ("For the bugs," she informs him with a roll of her eyes) and a stoppered vial filled with an unidentified lavender-colored liquid.

"For you," she says expectantly.

Hizashi downs the contents of the vial without question. It tastes like too-sweet perfume, but he's had worse tonics from Chiyo-sensei, so he doesn't complain.

"It's a new sleep potion I'm working on," Kayama explains, even though he hadn't asked. "I've been meaning to test it, but I haven't had any willing volunteers due to what happened last time – which wasn't even my fault, if anyone's asking – and Chiyo-sensei says slipping potions into other people's food is unethical because she's no fun, so here we are."

For his own peace of mind, Hizashi elects not to ask what happened last time. "How long will it take to work," he asks instead, "and how long will I stay asleep?"

"No idea, that's why we're testing it. Now lay back, unless you want to crack your skull if it takes effect suddenly."

Hizashi eyes the grassy ground warily. "How effective is this fancy incense of yours at keeping bugs away again?"

"Oh, come here, you big baby." She tugs at him until he's laying down with his head pillowed on her lap. Hizashi does his level best to not perish on the spot. She flicks him on the forehead. "Relax, already. I won't bite unless you ask me to."

"Not helping," Hizashi grumbles, willfully ignoring his fever-hot face.

Kayama's thigh is warm under his cheek, and she smells like twigs and earth and wildflowers, and Hizashi is not crushing on his senpai – he is not – but suddenly he understands all too clearly why Oboro had once badgered him for weeks to serenade Kayama on his behalf, until Hizashi had agreed on the condition that Oboro write the lyrics himself (and make that fact clear to all present witnesses), which he did, happily, and the lyrics had been terrible and mortifying and damned near impossible to put to melody, but Hizashi had put his bardly reputation on the line and done it, and Kayama had, of course, laughed like he's never heard her laugh before or since, but had also been so obviously charmed by it that Oboro didn't stop smiling for the rest of the week. If all of Hizashi's songs hadn't died with Oboro, he'd be singing that one right now.

"Sing for me, senpai," he says, because his eyes are starting to burn and because she promised and because this moment calls for song. Every moment calls for song.

"You're the bard here," says Kayama, fingers tugging knots from his hair, "not me."

"Please..."

"A song for a song, then."

"Sleepy..." he mumbles, and it's an excuse, but it's also the truth, his limbs heavy as sun-warmed sand.

"When you wake up."

He shakes his head.

"Why not?"

"Can't," he whispers, too tired to scream.

"Sure you can. You're a bard."

Is that what he is? Kayama-senpai sure seems to think so. She keeps saying it. Why does she have to keep saying it?

"I'm not singing until you say it."

No. That's not fair. She promised.

"Yamada." She smacks his sleep-numb cheek until he looks up at her blearily. "You're a bard. Aren't you?"

"I'm a bard," says Hizashi, because if there's one thing he's good at, it's telling people what they need to hear.

"Good boy," says his senpai, and she's not smiling any kind of smile, but she does finally – finally – start to sing.

Her voice is as lovely and Hizashi knew it would be, and the song – well, the song is lovely, too, in the way that all songs are lovely, even though this particular song is about a busy baby bee winding down for bedtime. Hizashi lets the lyrics wash over and through him, but the melody – the melody he soaks up along with Kayama's voice, lets it seep into the very core of him, into the sun-spooled place nestled deep behind his rib-cage from where his songs and his soul and his spells flow and flourish, and he knows without a doubt that he will never be without song again, because if nothing else, he'll always have this one simple melody, soft and whole and true.

[ghostbustermelanieking]

i can't believe they're making a big little lies season 3. barring the fact that there's pretty much no where for the story to go... how the hell are they gonna explain the fact that all those kid actors have hit PUBERTY now??