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lovelytsunoda · 1 year

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proud mary // han lue

summary: now living a quiet life with their daughter, han and y/n reflect on how they got there, and all the good moments that are still yet to come.

pairing: han lue x wife! reader

warnings: this is a big one so listen up: mentions of post pregnancy mental illness, mentions of pregnancy and starting a a family, weddings, ignoring tokyo drift canon because I fucking can, (actually I ignored a lot of canon) han is about to activate a shit ton of daddy issues

I left a good job in the city, working for the man every night and day and I never lost one minute of sleeping, I was worrying 'bout the way the things might've been.

big wheel keeps on turning, proud mary keeps on burning. and we’re rolling, rolling, rolling down the river

2009, tokyo, japan.

the garage was dark, lit only by the moonlight and the small lamps atop the workstations. han lue had closed up hours ago, and everyone was gone save for him and his lover.

“han, what are you doing?” y/n laughed, sitting at a table scattered with nail polish bottles and a shellac brisa light. “it looks like a smudge.”

“it’s a drifting car!” han laughed, staring through the large magnifying glass that was allowing him to see the design he was attempting to paint on his lovers thumbnail. “see, there’s the spoiler and those are the headlights!”

friday night manicures had become somewhat of a tradition. y/n hated painting her nails with her non dominant hand, but she also didn’t speak enough japanese to venture out and get her nails professionally done. when she and han started dating, he offered to do it for her, easing the aggravation that sometimes came with doing mail designs yourself.

“well, now that you’ve pointed it out.” she laughed, kissing him on the cheek. “I love you.”

they had been together coming up on two years. two long, wonderful years. she was a mechanic and he was drifter, it was almost meant to be. she stopped him from getting himself killed, and in return, he loved her unconditionally.

they were sympatico like that. she loved his sense of humour, his protectiveness. he loved her smarts and the excited way she talked, animatedly and with hand gestures.

“what do you say we get out of japan for a bit?”

han should have known this question was coming. y/n was a restless spirit, never meant to stay in one place for too long. in a way, han was as well. he could tell that his lover had been more restless than usual, either from missing home or needing a change of scenery.

“a friend of mine, his name is dominic torretto, he’s got this place down in the dominican republic.” han started slowly, unsure of how much he wanted to involved her in. y/n was his whole world, and what dom and mia would be running was far bigger than street racing in shibuya.“he called me the other day wondering if I would run a job with him. but it’s not entirely legal and I don’t blame you if you don’t want any part in it.”

“baby,” she frowned, placing her hand inside the blue light machine. “of course I’ll go with you. I never pass up a chance to go somewhere sunny, and you know that I’d go anywhere with you. what we’re running here with twinkie and sean isn’t exactly legal either, you know. I’m a big girl, seoul-oh. I can handle myself.”

“I know. I just want you to know what you’re getting into. you’re important to me, y/n.”

“I know.” she said softly, running her hand up his arm as she rested her head on his shoulder, gently kissing his neck. “so when does our flight leave?”

“whenever you want it to. I haven’t even bought the tickets yet. are you ready for an adventure?”

“fuck yeah.” y/n smiled, pressing her lips to his. “but you have to paint my other nails first.”

han laughed, the kind of laugh that would always set loose the butterflies in y/n’s chest, the kind that reminded her why she fell in love with him in the first place.

“I don’t think I have it in me to paint another drifting car.”

“then what are you going to paint on my thumbnail?” y/n laughed back, looking down at her nails and realizing that her lover had actually done a very good job painting a drifting car manicure.

“I don’t know,” han shrugged. he would deny it if asked, but he actually loved painting y/n’s nails. he thought it brought them closer together, built up intimacy in their relationship.

they were moments he wouldn’t trade for the world.

“I’ll just do like a checkered flag or something.”

“but you did that on my index finger!”

laughing, y/n turned her head to kiss him. “come on, you big dork. the sooner we get my nails done, she sooner I can model that new lingerie set I bought last weekend.”

“sold!” han laughed, knocking over bottles of gel polish as he searched for the bright pink he had used to paint the car on his girlfriends other hand. “drifting car? f1 car? whatever my gorgeous gorgeous girl wants.”

“I love you, han lue.”

“love you more, pretty girl.”

2010, monte carlo, monaco.

it was set up to be another sleepless night without her lover by her side, and y/n was having none of that as she wandered the deck of the comfortable yacht, looking around at the decorations that the crew had spent the day putting up.

she was just praying that it wasn’t going to rain.

nothing was about to spoil her big day.

she scurried below deck, past a half open door through which she could hear roman pearce’s guttural snores. fingers curled around the door knob, she tried not to make any noise as she eased the door open, slipping into the cabin.

“you couldn’t sleep either?” she laughed, looking at the king size bed where her fiancé lay, phone in his hands as he texted his mother, who the crew was picking up in the harbour in the morning before the ceremony began.

“got a lot on my mind.” han shrugged. “fucking tej won’t shut up about the reception and the playlist and I’ve told him a million times that it’s not going to be some crazy rave kinda thing.” the man sat up, gesturing for his soon-to-be wife to come closer. "it's doing my head in. seriously, he wants to do a club mix of 'i would do anything for love'."

y/n snorted. han thought she looked like an angel in the low cabin light, a halo glowing around her head and shining off her white silk pajamas, the ones with the tiny shorts and 'bride' embroidered on the butt. "how the fuck do you turn the best meat loaf song in existence into a club rave song?"

"the fuck if i know." han shook his head, hands sliding up her thighs as she came to stand in between his legs. "jagi, sarang-hae."

honey, i love you.

"mhm." she hummed, a smile on her lips as she leaned down to kiss him sweetly. "i love it when you speak korean. it's so fucking sexy."

the last year had been stressful. the dominican job had been way more complex than y/n had expected, and it took a while for han's old crew to warm up to her. it took a while, but eventually she managed to crack dom toretto, and two weeks later, han got down on one knee and asked y/n to marry him.

hence why they were on a yacht off the coast of monaco, the entire thing decked out in fairly lights and tulle.

"if you think tej is bad, you try getting in between letty and those large plastic ribbons on the back of the deck chairs." y/n laughed. "who knew letty ortiz was so serious about weddings?"

she was practically sitting on his lap now, head resting comfortably on his shoulder as the boat rocked back and forth.

han seoul-oh was her home. her safe harbour. she always felt safe in his arms, at his side, even when they were plunging into almost certain danger like they had in the dominican.

"i brought you something." y/n hummed, reaching into the pockets of her shorts and withdrawing the small cardboard packet.

"fake nails?"

"help me put them on? for old time's sake." she passed him the glittery white french tips, no doubt chosen to match her dress for the ceremony tomorrow.

"i can't wait to spend my life with you. and believe me, there will be plenty more manicure mondays."

2014, monterrey, california.

"daddy, where's mommy?"

"i don't think she's feeling well, poppy." han lue frowned, looking over at his daughter, who was perched in her little kiddie chair at the kitchen table. "i'm going to go check on her, okay? stay right here."

how do you explain depression to an infant? poppy jae-i han had been one of the best things to have ever happened to han seoul-oh. but in the almost twenty-four months since their bundle of joy had been born, something had felt off about his wife.

everyone hears about the mental health complications that can come with childbirth, but no mother ever thinks it would be her.

every husband fears it, too.

"y/n, jagi?" han tried to keep his voice level as he eased open the bedroom door. the couple had bought a ranch house in monterrey when they learned they were expecting. it was one of the few things they used their ill-gotten gains as a part of dom's crew for. "poppy's asking for you."

it broke his heart to see his wife like this, hair messed and greasy, red splotches under her eyes from where she had been crying.

"am i a bad mother, seoul-oh?" she asked, voice small. she seemed so tiny and fragile underneath the layers of blankets on the queen bed. "she always seems to cry when i'm around, but never with you. poppy loves you more than she loves me."

"what?" it was all han could do to stop himself from crying as he sat on the bed, gently running his fingers through y/n's hair. "sweetheart, what's brought this on? poppy loves you. you're her mom. she needs you."

"mia makes it look so easy." y/n sniffled, pulling herself up to a sitting position. she's lost weight. not a noticeable amount, or even an unhealthy one, but enough that her husband knows. there are many things that you can hide from the man you share your bed with, but han knows. he knows she's not doing well. "and i'm fucking shit at it, han."

"look at me, pretty girl." han encouraged, reaching for her hands. "you are such a good mother. i know you're struggling right now, and i know you're hurting but you need to know that poppy loves you so much. she was asking about you over breakfast, you know."

"i don't know who i am any more. i've lost my sense of self."

han frowned, brushing a few strands of greasy hair away from her forehead before leaning down and gently kissing her hairline.

"listen, i was talking to brian last night-"

"of course you were fucking talking to brian."

"-and he thinks you should talk to mia. they're passing through town today on their way back from dom and letty's, brian and i are going to take the kids out to the zoo or whatever, and you and mia should do something." he suggested, running his hand comfortingly up and down his lover's back. "go to the mall, get a coffee. i think she could really help you. she's been through this before."

y/n inhaled shakily, pulling away from han. "what if something happens to poppy and i'm not there?"

"y/n, everything is going to be okay. i promise. brian will be there, the kids will be in great hands. go do something with mia, darling. find yourself again, yeah?"

"okay." y/n nodded, still clutching his hand like it was her lifeline. "i can do that."

"mommy?" a small voice called. poppy had managed to get herself all the way from the kitchen to the master bedroom, where han had left the door ajar just in case poppy needed them. "are you okay?"

"oh, sweetheart, come here." y/n said, tears beginning to fall.

because how could she ever think that her little bundle of joy didn't love her as much as she did? poppy waddled over to the bed, and han hefted the toddler onto the mattress so that y/n could pull her close.

"you know that mummy loves you, right?"

"yes. i love you too, mommy."

"see." han smiled. "you're going to be okay. we're going to get through this."

2017, monterrey, california.

"i genuinely can't comprehend that roman pearce is getting married."

the family of three was walking down the nail care aisle at walmart, a welcome addition to their weekly shopping trip as y/n scanned the packages on the rack for a set of acrylic nails.

han laughed, one hand around his wife's waist and his chin on her shoulder as he leaned against the shopping cart. "it's not going to last. they may be getting married on saturday but i bet that by christmas roman is going to call and tell us she asked for a divorce."

"don't be so cynical." y/n laughed, kissing her husband softly before holding up a small white box. "do these go with my dress?"

"they'll go with anything, babe." han said, moving to whisper in her ear “they'd look even better wrapped around my c-"

"i want nails like mom's!" poppy han's shout cut him off, the little girl looking at the array of disney princess nails on the lower shelves.

laughing, han knelt down next his daughter, one hand on her shoulder. "which one do you want, princess? do you want frozen, tinker bell? mulan?"

"i want the ariel ones." poppy smiled, reaching for the pack of little mermaid nails. han helped her get them off the hook before lifting her up, carrying the six year old securely against his chest.

"seoul-oh, she's like six, you're spoiling her by carrying her all the time." y/n laughed, dropping both packs of nails in the cart.

"what, she's not heavy, sweetheart." han grins. "besides, i have to stay in shape somehow."

y/n rolls her eyes. "sweetie, it's bold of you to assume that you were ever in shape. but i loved you anyways, didn't i?"

back at home, they settled in the living room, near the large bay window. y/n watched contentedly from the kitchen as han sat at the coffee table across from poppy, delicately brushing nail glue across his daughter's tiny nails, dropping the glittery little mermaid nails on top.

it had taken a while to get to this peaceful, quiet part of their life, but y/n han was so glad that they had made it. that she had seoul-oh and that she had little poppy.

"be careful with your nails, they might come off. now, go get your homework done before we make the pizza, okay?"

poppy scurried off down the hall to her room, and y/n padded across the shag carpet, looping her arms around her husbands neck as she gave him a kiss.

"i'm so lucky, you know that. i'm happy and healthy again, and i have you and poppy. that's everything i could ever ask for." she said softly, resting her head against han's chest as the man tilted his head down, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

of course they both missed the good old days. the days of adrenaline and adventure. but brian and mia had left, and then y/n and han, and soon after was letty and dom. they were moving on with their lives, a chapter of glitz and glamour coming to a close.

"i want another one."

y/n froze, pulling back from her husband. "what?"

"i want another baby. and i know what we went through last time, and i fully understand if you're not willing to take that chance again, but god, y/n, i want a big family with you." han explained, holding his wife's hands. "poppy is growing up. soon she's going to be too cool for dear old dad. and then there will be boys-"

"or she'll be like you," y/n cuts him off with a laugh. "in which case there will be lots and lots of girls."

"god help us all. my little girl is going to break a lot of hearts one day."

"and you want another one?"

"honestly? yeah, i do."

"then i guess we'd better start trying. multiplication isn't that hard, so poppy's gonna be looking for us within the next hour." y/n hummed, kissing her lover softly.

han smiled against her lips, hands slipping into her jeans pockets to cop a feel of his wife's ass. "i only need half that."

TAGS:

@libraryofloveletters @magnummagnussen @mignonricciardo @sidcrosbyspuck @cartierre @monzabee @scuderiamh @daydreamingleclerc @diorleclerc @oconso @cl16version

#han lue x reader #han seoul oh x reader #han seoul oh #fast and the furious x reader #fast and the furious #tina: the series by lovelytsunoda #han x reader #han lue #sung kang #Spotify

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maddie7writes · 10 months

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DONT WORRY, DARLING

summary: harry doesn’t ever want his darling to worry, and she doesn’t

warnings: this fic isn’t for everyone, y/n is a housewife (no i don’t hate women’s rights jack chambers is just really hot) also sorry this is short! mentions of smut

she would be a liar to say she hated it. she could lie and say she wished to work, wished to go outside the town they lived in. truth was, the only part she hated was harry leaving in the morning. she loved doting on him, making him his favorite breakfast in the morning, making sure the house was clean for him when he got home, making sure he had dinner on the table, making sure the mini bar was fully stocked. those were her second favorite moments of the day, the first of course being the moments she gets to spend with harry.

she always woke up first, mainly out of habit. the clock on the nightstand read 6:23, and the tattooed arm around her waist tightened at the different breathing pattern. she let herself close her eyes and breathe in harry’s scent. it was cruel to think that in three hours he’d leave her, and not return for another eight.

“your thinking is waking me up.” harry whined in her ear, she yawned out a laugh and turned in his arms to look up at him, her chin against his chest. “go to bed baby, you don’t want to be exhausted all day.” she tucked a unruly curl of his away from those deep green eyes glancing down at her lovingly. green was her favorite color.

“don’t worry, darling.” he whispered to her, pulling her impossibly closer. “it’s worth it, a little more sleepy, for a little more time with you.” he kissed the top of her head as she snuggled into him.

he would always whisper that phrase to her; don’t worry, darling. she never had to worry, not about him, not about her, not about them. all she had to do was exist and love. then harry would take care of the rest. it was blissful, why would she ever want anything different?

—

8:45 rolled around, all the husbands and wives began to step out of their houses, to either wish them off, or go to work. harry always followed behind her, wanting to bask in the sweet little dresses she would always wear for him. though she didn’t always find that fair, especially when he was wearing her favorite navy suit.

“do you have to go?” she whispered, blocking the handle to the car door, he leaned down and kissed her, her hands finding his jaw. “yes love, but i’ll be back. don’t worry, darling.” he repeated the loving phrase to her again. she sighed and let her forehead rest against his chest, taking in one more breath of his cologne before her senses were filled with the sweet smell of cleaning supplies. he kissed the top of her head before opening the car door, “i love you.” he told her, she kissed him one more time before reciprocating the sentiment and watching him drive off. their goodbye was always the longest in the neighborhood, not that they cared.

she spent the rest of the day cleaning. washing the suit harry wore the day before, cleaning the bathroom, making sure the wood wasn’t scuffed, dusting their photos, organizing harry’s record shelf, all of the daily things that needed to be done. she started on dinner at two, and when harry walked through the door at five, dinner had been set, and she had touched up her hair as she opened the door for him.

“god you look divine.” harry sighed, letting his briefcase drop to the polished floors, and using y/n’s back to close the door as he kissed her into it. her heels shuffling trying to keep herself up, to be met with harry’s hands to support her. she giggled at his enthusiasm, “i made lasagna.” she told him. harry nibbled her lip instead, “i’d much rather have you.” he told her, she felt the breath get knocked out of her at his words.

“you have to eat your dinner first baby.” she laughed, she felt like a mother scolding her child to eat their vegetables before they were allowed ice cream. now she was telling harry he needed real food, before he could have the woman he loved. “i like my idea better.” he picked her up bridal style and began carrying her to their bedroom. she whimpered as he set her down gently, “i worked so hard to cook for you.”

“don’t worry, darling. your food won’t go to waste, but i need to thank you properly for the care you take of me and this home.” his kissed her softly, before kneeling in front of her, and thanking her properly.

#harry styles flufff #harry styles #harry styles x reader #fluff #harry blurb #harry #harry styles fluff #jack chambers #don’t worry darling #housewife!reader #domestic

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lightning-and-sparks · 2 months

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Hey! Are you writing a prequel fic and don’t know much about spray paint?? I got you💅

Sparks Guide to Spray Paint

Spray paint is definitely a strange medium that depending on who you are you may not ever get to interact with much. Graffiti culture as a whole is super cool and something that’d add more depth to your fics.

Something I found that isn’t as common knowledge as I thought is that people don’t know spray paint is toxic. It’s loaded with cancer-causing chemicals that you can’t inhale too much of. Many muralists I know use what is called a respirator

Respirators are probably the best layer of defense when dealing with spray paint but probably not something a runaway teenager would have. Which goes into what I have used/use. While it’s not as good as a respirator I have used a dust mask. They suck in the heat but are great at keeping stuff out of your airways and the next step of defense I’d recommend. They’re easy to find and more importantly, easy to carry.

I’ve used them for construction stuff and that metal band is going to keep them put and even leave a mark when you're done. They’re disposable and usually because they’re always near me I’ll replace them more frequently because they gross me out.

Options that aren’t as good but better than nothing are your typical bandana or shirt pulled over your nose and mouth combo. Easily the most aesthetic which would make a better look but not as safe. (I have done these but irl I’d try and get something that would protect you especially if it's something you do frequently.

Super great pro tip, don’t be stupid like me and put these in your hair after I don’t even know why I did that. Spray paint dries quick but somehow I managed to do that and get some black in my blonde highlights which sucked.

Okay! On to the paint.

Yes, they are runaways who probably don’t live in luxury but spray paint is pretty expensive, and rightfully so. There are cheap alternatives and even half cans which are super cute and tiny but totally inconvenient for tagging but can be used for tiny details.

Spray cans are heavy when they’re full so I like to keep my colors to a minimum. Usually, I have to walk far and into wooded areas so that’s my primary reason. Also, not as much paint as you think is there.

One way to get around costs and just get tags up are black tags. They take significantly less paint because you only really need the one coat. Depending on where you are they kind of blend in IMO. (I've used the can on the right and it worked pretty good.)

Had to pull out one of my own pictures because there aren’t many good ones on Google. There is a lot you can do with black and white. I’m a girly teen girl so I’d rather spring for a nice red, blue, or purple to go with it.

I think I could compare spray paint to nail polish. It has a similar rattle and needs to be shaken. There is a metal ball in each can. While you can control how you spray it, there still is a wild element especially if you don’t have different/angled tips but those aren’t necessary. Some people prefer to buy their own tips since the ones on the can usually suck. (especially cheap paint)

I know that gun-shaped handle is not aesthetic but believe me, holding a can and pushing down on it hurts like hell. People usually use those to spray paint like furniture but I just thought they were worth mentioning.

You can't really spray paint in the rain or it looks like shit. It does dry fast but it's better to have that window of a dry period.

The purpose of Graffiti is usually political. It's a way to get a message across and protest something. It has morphed into more of an artistic outlet but the roots stem from expression. I've never really made something that was in protest to something specific but I feel the whole point of what I do is to combat the boring and lifeless urban look. (I live in a city)

Tagging is the proper term for marking an area. A tag is usually between 3-5 letters and has creative liberties throughout. I used to use a three-lettered tag but I knew some people who knew it so I recently switched to a four-lettered one. I've seen longer and I've seen shorter. There aren't set rules for tagging and in some way, it is a free-for-all.

There are unspoken rules of tagging. realistically, it is bad sportsmanship to cover over tags but it happens. I know of people whose friend died and his tag got covered and they were devastated so I personally try to avoid that.

Contrary to popular belief, graffiti isn't illegal everywhere. There are areas where authority will "overlook" such as abandoned areas. Frequent hunts for me are usually underpasses (illegal) abandoned buildings (50/50 shot) and a semi-abandoned skate park (Legal; Sk8ter boi map cooked with that one)

Sometimes you can even get commissioned to do a piece. I've met a person or two who have.

Tagging for the most part isn't meant to be explicit or hagness. It is more so art. I like to take creative liberties with it like making "S" or "Z" into birds or other objects because, at the end of the day, it is about expression.

Quick tagging, or as I've deemed it. Is kind of premade tags on stickers where you just kind of leave them where you go and are common in high-traffic spots where you can't pull out the cans. (Whoever started the "Hello My Name Is" stickers, I love you)

The Lookout.

Graffiti is unfortunately a two-man/woman job. If you are somewhere you aren't supposed to be you need a lookout. Mine have changed over the years and I used to work with other artists and we'd swap. Not everyone will jump at the chance to do something kinda illegal.

Just for shits and giggles, I'm pretty sure the duo in Wasabi Extreme are supposed to mimic an artist and lookout/spotter whatever. I think that was a cute detail.

Style.

There are so many different types of graffiti styles that I could never talk about to the proper extent. I think the biggest takeaway is that no two people really tag the same. They may look the same but it's different. The style of tag can also reveal their skill type.

Where I am, graffiti is like a community almost. You meet people or recognize them by their artwork. your name and tag are one on the same and I've been called by my tag. It may seem punk or whatever but really it's just a bunch of artist that make their own gallery.

I've recently gotten back into it with a new name and look. It is really fun, very risky, but feels right. I'm not saying to go out and vandalize stuff but, ya know. Make something once in a while

I hope this is useful to anyone for fics or other stuff. I'd recommend like looking more into it if you're interested because this is definitely not a full guide.

#just dance #just dance 2023 #just dance 2024 #jack rose just dance #graffiti #spray paint #tagging

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poems-of-the-anentomologist · 3 months

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not doing my best

I’ve got

Dozens and dozens

Of wonderful friends

And watching eyes whenever I type

Mouths that say

The same

Stupid stupid shit

Over

And

Over

And

Over

And it’s over, it’s fucking over

I told him it’s done,

I told him I didn’t love him anymore

Except I didn’t tell him

He doesn’t hear me

I’m beating my hand up against the glass

Sobbing over and screaming

Over

And

Over

And

Over

I wrote it down

I told myself it was over

That I’d written my last poem

And here I am

Writing another one

About him

They say such nice things

About my soul up on a silver platter

It has to be silver

So that people enjoy it

I need to polish it up,

Brighten my dull feelings

I need to find that spark

I’m not doing my best, and I just need to find that spark

It’s glimmering shining

Wonderful radiance

Like his smile

I just gotta find the spark

I’ve found it before

Over and over and over and over

I’ve set pages upon pages ablaze with its ink

And now it’s gone

I’m hollow

I’m done

I’m not doing my best

I feel like I’m falling back in love but I don’t want to hurt anyone anymore

I’m not doing my best,

I’ll just

Plaster on a smile

Brush my hair

Take my meds

Dip my fingers into the slits in my wrists

Paint my nails a lovely shade of red

Wipe my tears away

Who needs them anyway

I look wonderful

I look sexy

I’m not doing my best

But goddamn I sure do look my best

And as long as the facade isn’t knocked down

The corpse that shambles under my name won’t collapse

I Promise Y’all I’m Fine, Just My Dysphoria Talking In This One

#poetry #poem #I’m fine guys #i promise #and I don’t hate all of you #I could never bring myself to hate all of you #just I guess #ignore this poem #it’s not very good anyway #I need sleep #that’s all #it’s a shitty poem from a shitty person #and it’s not good enough #:3

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loverofstufflof · 5 months

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Airing out my LMK trailer/S5 thoughts cause u gotta do this somehow

Most glaring, animation. It’s not bad, by any means. I’d certainly be proud of myself if I were able to come up with it.

However, I think it’s important to consider the context of the show’s style, and how it’s been improving significantly over instalments. Also, it’s Flying Bark. Flying Bark is just gonna make banger animation.

Am I a bit disappointed when comparing it to Emperor’s Wrath? Yeah. Especially when we’ve been waiting a full year for this—twice as long as usual.

But I’m not saying I won’t be watching the show because of it. I still love this story. Fuck, my favourite series is Epithet Erased. The show that’s best described as JPEGs wiggling around your screen for 2 hours. I can handle less than expected animation if it’s made up for by good writing.

I’ve been seeing a lot of people attacking invisible fans that claim they’re going to boycott the show because of this. Respectfully, source? The most aggressive criticism I’ve seen is “man that’s disappointing ig, still excited tho”. Who are you guys even fighting lmao. (Unless this is something happening on other platforms and you’re just venting on here which, valid)

Nevertheless, as I’ve said before, it’s not bad animation, just not up to the standard we’re used to. People are allowed to be disappointed. Let them be. This show isn’t flawless.

It’s looking to be real, all things considered. We’ve never gotten a fan leak this elaborate before, and it contains a lot of elements that were just recently revealed. Unless they’ve been getting announcements much earlier than we have (considering this fanbase’s sleuth skills, I’d doubt it) then there’s no other explanation other than it being official.

Official, however, doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to look that way the whole time. The animation is being done by another studio, yes, but only partially. Flying Bark is still here for the fun. This other studio also isn’t incompetent, they’re behind things like Carmen Sandiego. They know what they’re doing.

They’re also primarily handling additional material, means promotions, meaning trailers. Listen, it’s a bit of a stretch considering the fact that all trailers so far have been taken directly from the show, but also it’s industry standard to make a trailer before you’re even done, meaning you gotta cut some corners for the scenes you’re showing until you polish them up in post.

We know LEGO has a habit of keeping LMK things in their vault until they need to, this may be something they had lying around from early prod and released to maintain hype.

Any which way, this development is very much temporary, only applying because the team is currently working on a movie and need to momentarily lessen their workload. Even if the odds are against us and S5 looks like a PowerPoint presentation, it’ll likely go back to normal later.

Biiig animation rant aside, I am a tad bit sad about the direction the story is going in (namely the abandonment of Red Son) and the fan service is a bit much, but honestly what else are we expecting from JTTW fanfic.

I’m stoked to see more Macaque though—he’s looking to be becoming a proper protagonist, which is great for angst! Yippee!

One thing I haven’t seen anyone talk about is the complete lack of Nüwa. You know, the character they’ve been teasing this whole time? Where is she? Not in the trailer. Not in the posters.

Makes me wondering if this is a part of the new season, teasing the next one, the one Nüwa’s in, later.

#not rereading this for grammar or whatever my phones about to die and I need to post this #get my thoughts out somehow #WAAAA #hope I come across as nonconfrontational here I genuinely just wanna talk #monkie kid #lego monkie kid #lmk #lmk s5 #post!

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kumoriyami-xiuzhen · 6 months

Text

Hakuoki Drama CD - Shimabara Disturbance Track 2 English translation

Heya, I know this is late... but my eye problems continued until the symptoms got better last Tuesday, on April 2nd. Long story short, I had difficulties keeping my eyes physically open without them feeling irritated or hurting after 6pm, which really cut away my time to translate for the past two weeks as I normally translate in the evenings, which didn’t help when I was actively cutting back on my screen time while that happened. Overall, my symptoms seemed to have cleared up for the most part since I started using Hypochlorous acid as recommended by my optometrist and I have thankfully stopped needing to walk around with a damp towel everywhere for relief.

Anyway, I decided to post these as soon as I finish them to make up for the post-less March... I’m about a quarter way through track 3 (it and track 4 are over 10min), but I already have 5 and 6 done so it hopefully won’t take too long? I’m really sorry bout that!

Also, for various reasons, I've decided not to tag the characters for the rest of this drama for the time being. I'll tag them a week after I post the last track... if I remember to.

Anyway, enjoy!

Hakuoki Drama CD - Shimabara Disturbance Track 2: How to use reward money

Translation by KumoriYami

(pacing footsteps)

Saito: There's no need to worry about this myself, I'll just ask Yukimura directly. Thinking this, I came to her room...

But, how do I say this? Isn't it strange to suddenly ask “do you want a a woman’s kimono?” Or should I indirectly ask about what can be done to make her feel happy? No, but not only that there’s....

(door opens)

Saito: Ah! Yu-Yukimura! No, I wasn't doing anything. Anyway, can I have some of your time? There's something I wanted to tell you...

Saito: Nn, then, excuse me.

(door closes)

Saito: Yukimura, um, ermhm... What I'm going to say isn't important, no, not only is it a trivial matter that doesn't matter at all... Um....

(footsteps from outside)

Harada: Hey, Chizuru, you there?

(Door opens)

Harada: Fu... Sorry, looks like you already have a guest?

Saito: No, it's fine, you have something to speak about?

Harada: Ah, yeah, just now, what was her name? That girl named Sen came to visit. I'm sorry, Saito, can you bring Chizuru to see her? I have to go on patrol next.

Saito: I understand. Yukimura, let’s go.

..................

Sen: Chizuru-chan, long time no see! But it actually hasn't been that long. I wanted to see Chizuru-chan quite a bit. The Shinsengumi haven't been bullying you, right? Are you okay?

Saito:....

Sen: Everyone's been treating you well? Really? You're not saying that because of this person next to you?

Saito: I’m sorry, I can’t leave.

Sen: I know that, I just wanted to hear her honest words.

Saito: Uh, hn....

Sen: In any case, Chizuru-chan can't lie. I still remember when you came to Shimabara. Truly, you're really someone who shines the more you get polished! It was really trough after that time. There were a lot of people asking who that geisha was. Hey, would you like to come again? Kimigiku would also like to see you again, you can wear a beautiful kimono again!

Saito: A beautiful kimono...

[recalling]

(Heisuke: If I had a lot of money, I would give Chizuru a beautiful kimono. She was very happy!)

Saito: Sure enough, Yukimura, she...

Sen: Well, please think it about it! You're always welcome!... Now that I've seen Chizuru-can's smile, I should be going back soon.

Saito: Ah, uh... is that okay?

Sen: Yes, although I am a bit reluctant to, I really just came to see her today. Next time, let's go out for tea and chat! See you, Chizuru-chan!

(Sen gets up[?])

Saito: Wait, it's dangerous for a woman to go/leave alone. I'll accompany you.

Sen:, No it's okay. I grew up and Kyoto and will be taking a safe road/route back.

Saito: I have something I'd like to talk to you about. Could I please escort you?

Sen: Something to say to me? I understand. Then, let’s go.

..............

(walking on a road)

Sen: How long will it be before you are all willing to let Chizuru-chan go/When will you be releasing Chizuru-chan?

Saito: That’s abrupt.

Sen: She's confined at your headquarters from morning til night, day after day, and even though she's a young woman, she can't even dress up, She's obviously worried about her father's situation but can't go looking for him. She must be feeling very anxious.

Saito:.....

Sen: Do you understand how cruel you all are to her?

Saito; We have our own circumstances.

Sen:....

Saito: But, what you say is understandable.

Sen: Eh.

Saito: I did say that I wanted to speak to you. I just want Yukimura to be able to dress in a beautiful kimono/I want Yukimura to wear a beautiful kimono [can be interpreted either way]. Would it be possible to borrow a room at Shimabara? If she goes there, she’ll be able to act as a woman as she wishes to

Sen: Ah, Chizuru-chan will definitely be happy! Then, leave all the preparations to me! I'll bring out our most beautiful kimono! I also have to tell Kimigiku about this too!

Saito: No, you don't have to go to that extent. Just prepare a room...

Sen: Just escort me here. I have to go back and start preparing...!

Saito: Hey, wait... listen to what I have to say...

(their voices fade)

Kazama: I see. It looks like this will be very interesting...

----------

My personal bias says that Saito never lets go of Chizuru cuz they get married. xD

#hakuoki #hakuouki #hakuoki drama cd #hakuoki drama translation #Saito Hajime #harada sanosuke #Yukimura Chizuru #suzuka sen #Sen-hime #Kazama Chikage

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arokel · 4 months

Text

To the Victor

Rating: G Pairing: Don/Bobby, Bobby/OMC Tags: Pre-relationship, pining, jealous don, awkward flirting Notes: inspired by @savvylittlecoxswain 's fantastic Poughkeepsie headcanon !

ao3

“Is your scowly friend back there a republican, by any chance?”

It takes Bobby a second to parse the words. He’s not used to the way Frank speaks - polished, refined, but underneath all that education and money there’s still a trace of the East Coast drawl that usually sets Bobby’s blood boiling to hear. But they aren’t out on the water, and Frank isn’t his opponent, and a few times now Bobby has gotten so lost in that cognitive dissonance and all the fascinating contradictions making up Frank’s voice that he’s completely missed the substance.

He cranes his neck to look behind him, mind catching on the most useful part of the sentence: scowly. And Roger is staring wide-eyed at a bust of Agrippa tucked into a bookshelf, which means…

“Who, Don? Don’t think so, but I doubt it’d matter anyway. New Deal’s done a lot for all of us boys.”

Frank’s grin, wide and toothy and as perfectly politic as the rest of him, warms with a sincere relief that seems to light Bobby up from the inside. This is the reason people win elections, he thinks. You just have to be handsome and charming enough and people turn to butter. Even Bobby, strong-willed as he is, feels a little weak in the knees.

“That’s wonderful news. I’m sure my father will be glad to hear it too,” Frank says, with a tone as casual as if he hasn’t just promised to personally relay Bobby’s gratitude to the President of the United States. “Must be another reason this Don fellow dislikes me, then, if it’s not politics.”

Bobby blinks, pulled back to reality by the mention of Don. “Oh - no, Don likes most people. He’s just a bit stone-faced. Killer smile when you can coax it out of him, though.”

It’s not a smile like Frank’s, broad and easy and inviting. It’s something much sweeter, something that brings an answering smile to Bobby’s lips just thinking about it - shy, private, and so brilliant it almost glows. Bobby would vote for Frank Roosevelt; he would go to the ends of the earth for Don Hume.

“Maybe he’s jealous,” Frank says.

“Of what?”

Frank’s grin turns sly, and only then does Bobby realize, with a cold thrill even in the face of that warm smile, that he’s been caught out. His only saving grace is that Frank seems pleased to know it.

“Could be plenty of things,” he says, drawing out the words with an obvious relish. “Putting myself in his shoes… he’s your stroke, right? So you come here, you meet some moneyed easterner, and you spend your night talking tactics with him - well, if I fancied myself the underdog I’d be glaring daggers at me too.”

“He’s not glaring daggers,” Bobby says, bristling. Don would be well within his rights to be pissed at Bobby over all that, if indeed he is pissed; Frank doesn’t need to make it sound petty.

Frank, with a politician’s ease, shrugs it off. “Maybe he thinks he’s a better rower. Maybe he thinks he’s more handsome.”

The second is accompanied by an exaggerated wink, and Bobby grudgingly allows himself to be charmed. Frank can’t help the arrogance, to a degree; that’s just what being raised an easterner with money gets you.

He laughs along. “For a politician’s son, you’re not very discreet.”

“You should have seen your face when you brought up his smile. Biggest cow-eyes I ever saw. Didn’t think there was much need for subtlety after that, though I don’t have high hopes of it getting me anywhere,” Frank says, shaking his head ruefully. “Go un-ruffle your stroke’s feathers. I’ll still be here if it turns out he really does just think he’s a better rower.”

Once again Bobby finds himself struggling to process the words, but this time it has nothing to do with Frank’s accent.

“Thanks,” he says vaguely, eyes already seeking out Don, who is much closer to ‘glaring daggers’ than Bobby took him to be after all. “He is a better rower, by the way.”

Frank ducks his head in a gracious admission of defeat. “I don’t doubt it.”

Don’s face does brighten at Bobby’s approach, though you’d have to know him fairly well to notice the shift. Bobby, who has spent a good number of months cataloging Don’s every expression and could probably call himself the foremost expert in reading Don Hume’s moods, sees it right away. He slides in along the ornately-patterned wall beside Don, kicking his feet out nonchalantly and knocking their elbows together, and watches another cloud dissipate.

Bobby shoots him an exaggerated frown. “Why the thunderclouds?”

“Just feel out of place, I guess,” Don says, with an unconvincing shrug. “All this wealth, when we’re putting paper in our shoes. And the president’s son welcoming us in and talking with us like we’re all the same.”

“Frank’s nice when you give him a chance.”

Although now, outside the radius of that smile, Bobby can admit that some of Frank’s charm is dependent on whether he’s actively turning it on you.

Don hums in clear skepticism. At a loss, Bobby tries for the most plausible of Frank’s harebrained, flirtatious theories. “Don’t worry, you’re a better rower than he is.”

“I know I am,” Don says, with a rare touch of arrogance. It looks good on him. Then he frowns again. “You know that just from talking strategy with him?”

So, it’s not that. Nor is it Frank’s initial conjecture - not that Bobby ever thought it was; Don is too steady for that kind of pettiness. And there’s no world in which it’s the final one.

“I’m a good cox,” Bobby says simply. “And you’re the best.”

Don snorts.

Bobby doubles down. “Scoff all you want, but two months from now you’ll have an Olympic medal and he won’t.”

“Then why is he smirking?”

Bobby knows the answer to that. What he doesn’t know is how Frank’s self-effacing grin, which reminds Bobby so strongly of a losing candidate on election night, could make Don think anything other than the truth: that when it comes to Bobby, Don has already won.

#the boys in the boat #don hume/bobby moch #don hume x boddy moch

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celestiall0tus · 5 months

Text

Tales of Bloody Bug and Chat Noir - Chapter 35 - Love

Beginning || Previous || Next

Alix stepped down into Liberty’s hold. She took a few more steps when Rose poked her head out.

“Alix! You’re here! Come, come, come. We don’t have too long before need to get going.”

Alix grunted and followed Rose to Luka and Juleka’s bedroom. Juleka fussed over Luka when his gaze shifted from her to Alix. He stiffened and nudged Juleka. Juleka looked up and smiled.

“There you are. Here I was worried you’d make us wait.”

“Yeah, well, I had a ride here. Otherwise, I’d have been late thanks to a villain wanting my ass.”

“What?” Juleka, Rose, and Luka yelled.

“Yeah. Apparently, Chloe finally told Kim off and that she’d never be interested in him. However, she did so in a way that crushed him and involved me. Luckily, Gallic Chick and a cowgirl hero showed up and stopped Dark Cupid.”

“But how did it involve you?” Rose asked.

Alix shrugged and threw her backpack down. “Apparently, Chloe said that I was more preferable to Kim. At a guess, Chloe has a crush on me.”

“Chloe? Seriously?” Luka scoffed.

Alix raised her brow as she turned to Luka. “You’re looking dapper, Luka. Marinette is a lucky girl, isn’t she?”

Luka flinched and shrank back.

“That’s what I thought. Now, this is your one chance to run before I need to get ready.”

Luka blushed and rushed out of the bedroom. Alix snorted and changed into a red and black chiffon short dress and a pair of straps with one that sat on her shoulders and the other than fell off them. She switched into a hair of black ripped skinny jeans and knee-high biker boots.

“Hold up. You’re not really wearing jeans with a dress, are you?” Juleka asked.

“Got a problem with it?” Alix countered.

“Yes.”

“I dunno, Jewel. I think it looks good on Alix. Oh! We need to get her some accessories!” Rose chimed.

Juleka grumbled while Rose dug out different accessories to pair with Alix’s outfit. Rose settled on a pair of elbow-length, black fingerless gloves and painted Alix’s nails red. Rose pulled out some makeup, but Alix stopped her.

“Nail polish is one thing, but you aren’t putting any of that on my face.”

“But-!”

“No.”

Rose sighed. “Fine. Then you’re done. Jewel and I will get changed and then we can head out. You’re welcome to-.”

“Join Luka out there,” Juleka butted in.

“But-!”

“Alix may be comfort stripping in front of us, and I’m not comfortable changing in front of her,” Juleka explained.

“Oh, right. Sorry, Jewel. I just, you know.”

Alix raised a brow. “Care to explain?”

“Uh, a little later. Why don’t you keep Luka company in the meantime?”

Alix narrowed her eyes, then shrugged before she joined Luka on the deck.

“Hey,” Alix said.

“Huh? Oh! Uh, hey,” Luka remarked.

“Excited for the dance tonight?”

“I guess.”

“You guess? Aren’t you, you know, a hopeless romantic like Rose?”

“I mean, I guess. I like the idea of romance and love, but I’m worried about Marinette.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just… she agreed to go out with me, but something doesn’t feel right. Her music is all wrong.”

“Her music?”

Luka flinched. “Uh, y-yeah. Her music.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, promise you don’t make fun of me?”

“I’ll try not to.”

Luka sighed. “I can hear the music of other people’s hearts. Juleka says it’s an empath ability, to feel the emotions of others. So, I’ve always been able to sorta know what people are feeling. It’s just not something I tend to share often since… since people bullied me over it.”

Alix’s eyes widened as she sat beside Luka. “Well, what does her music tell you?”

“That her heart is always elsewhere. Whenever I come into the picture, it vanishes. There are times I think there’s love, but it never feels like it’s directed towards me.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because the only time I hear that music from her is when Adrien is around. And I just… it hurts. I want Marinette to like me, but how can she when all she sees is Adrien? Honestly, she should just be with him.”

“Yeah, that ain’t gonna happen. Look, if it’s causing you distress, why don’t you break up with her?”

“Because I don’t want to be alone anymore. I’m tired of seeing the people I love and try to get to know in their own relationships and those relationships all they see. I feel… forgotten. Left behind.”

“Luka, you were closed off for so long. You’ve made incredible progress, don’t get me wrong, but you’re not going to be the first thing people think of. It’s honestly expected that you’d fall to the sidelines for a lot of people.”

“But… what about you?”

“Me?”

“I know you have options. Will you fall in love and forget me too?”

Alix sighed and stood. “Luka, I’m not like everyone else, clearly. But love is just… not something for me. Romantic love, that is.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m aromantic. I don’t experience that romantic attraction. Along with that, romantic love is just… difficult for me to grasp. I understand love between friends and family, but when it comes to romance, I just don’t get it. However, I do realize that I still experience, well, sexual attraction, to put it bluntly.”

Luka blushed. “O-oh? I, uh, don’t exactly understand. So, you don’t fall in love with another person, but you will do things like kiss and, well, that.”

“That? Really? Call it for what it is, Luka. Sex.”

Luka recoiled. “I don’t like that word. It feels… icky.”

“Well, get used to it, because I won’t be calling it anything else. But, yes, I don’t fall in love romantically, but I will and would like to engage in more physical activities. But I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

“Why not?”

“I’m no fool, Luka. There may be some that are interested in a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship, but that’s not what I’m looking for. I want a companion that is more than a friend, but not quite a partner. I want a companion that understands I’ll never love them like a partner, but will always love them as a dear, irreplaceable friend. I want to display that affection openly with seemingly romantic gestures like holding hands, kissing, and, yes, sex. But I know I won’t ever get that. Instead, like you, I get to watch everyone else get what I want because they can love the right way.”

“That’s not true,” Fluff commented.

Alix jumped as Fluff hovered next to her. “Fuck’s sake, Fluff. What are you doing?”

“Fluff! I told you to hide,” Luka whispered.

“But I heard you and Alix talking, so I came to check on you two. And to offer my reassurances.”

“Reassurances? How?” Alix asked.

“My mind spans all of time. That has been, is been, and will been along with all the branching paths. It is quite the labyrinth, but I can reassure you this. You’ll find your happiness one day. You’ll have a number of companions!”

“Number? Companions? I thought-!”

Fluff giggled. “You’re young and still have a lot to learn, but I know good things wait for you. Just keep on the path that you are. It’ll hurt, you’ll want to give up, you’ll relapse, but you’ll always be stronger. Do this, and you’ll achieve the best you I hope you do. The best you that she would have been under better circumstances.”

“Uh, I’ll be honest, I don’t understand a lot of what Fluff says. You may need to do another tune-up on her,” Luka remarked.

Alix took a deep breath. She glanced between Luka and Fluff. “What’s that he said? It starts with an act of trust or something like that?”

“It always does. It’ll be hard, but it be rewarding.”

“How do I know if I’m making the right decision?”

“You don’t, but it starts with a leap of faith. But please do it. I don’t like the extra fighting to make my advice make sense to the ignorant. It’s driving me madder.”

“What’s going on?” Luka asked.

“Fluff, retrieve it. It’s in my bag.”

Fluff gasped and disappeared into the floor.

“What was that? How did she do that?” Luka asked.

“No tune-up is necessary for Fluff. Not anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

Alix held up a finger. Luka tilted his head when Rose screamed. They turned as Fluff flew back to them with the pocket watch and Rose and Juleka chasing after her with brooms.

“What is that thing?” Juleka demanded.

Fluff giggled and dropped the pocket watch in Alix’s hand. “There you go. One miraculous!”

“Miraculous? Wait, you mean the thing that Bloody Bug and Chat Noir have?” Rose asked.

Alix nodded and tossed the watch to Luka. “Fluff won’t need tune-ups now or ever again. She’s no machine. She’s a kwami. And the one you saw that day was also a kwami.”

“What the hell is a kwami?” Juleka asked.

Alix took a deep breath and held out her hand. “Come out, Tikki. Ziggy, you too.”

Tikki and Ziggy blipped into existence over Alix’s hand. Tikki smiled nervously while Ziggy grinned and waved.

“Wait. Wait! That one looks like a ladybug,” Juleka pointed out.

“Very good. What does that mean?” Alix pressed.

Juleka looked between Tikki and Alix, then her jaw dropped. “Holy fuck. I don’t understand. Why sorta tell us?”

“Sorta tell us what? I don’t understand,” Rose remarked.

“Rose, sweetie, I love you, but you can be an idiot,” Juleka commented.

Rose frowned and pouted.

“Because the truth would come out eventually. And I believe Luka would benefit more knowing the truth about Fluff, and by extension me. As does Fluff. And, as I’ve told others, I would rather the truth come out on my terms so I can control the outcome. Well, at least try to.”

“But why us?” Juleka asked.

“Because I trust you. Well, I’m growing to.”

“I’m still confused,” Rose butted in.

Alix sighed. “Rose, I’m Bloody Bug.”

Rose’s face twisted in confusion before her jaw dropped. “What? You? But… that means…? Are you dating Lila?”

“No. That was a lie. To be frank, she annoys me.”

“Oh. Well, uh, well-,” Rose attempted.

Juleka sighed and nudged Rose closer to Alix. “Get it over with, sweetie.”

“But I wanted to wait until we were at the dance.”

“Wait for what?” Alix asked.

“Just do it now. I can see you want to,” Juleka remarked.

Rose huffed then sighed. “Alix, would you like to be in a queer platonic relationship with me?”

“What? With you? But you’re already with Juleka.”

“Yes, and I spoke with Juleka about this. We agreed that we’d try an open relationship.”

“Are you sure?” Alix asked Juleka.

“I am. Call me what you will, but I do believe that love should be shared with as many people as possible. So, when Rose asked for an open relationship, I was more than ok with it. After all, there’s no point in limiting your experiences. Romance and all that jazz is part of the experience.”

“And what does that make us?”

“Just friends. I like you, but I don’t like you that much. You’re not exactly my type. A little too rough around the edges for my liking.”

“Yeah, that checks out,” Alix commented.

“So, what do you say? Want to give this a try?” Rose asked.

“I’ll be honest, I hadn’t considered you. Granted you were and still are technically in a relationship, but I am interested in giving this a try. I’m just… inexperienced in all this.”

“Well, I’m not experienced in a queer platonic relationship, but I’m willing to give it a try. We’ll call this… an experience, yeah?”

Alix smiled. “Yeah. Sounds good to me.”

“Yay! Oh! We should get going. The dance awaits!”

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

Adrien arrived at the Valentine’s dance at Le Grand Paris. He eagerly headed to where the dance took place to find Sabrina and Chloe waiting outside for him.

“Hey, Adrikins! My, don’t you look dashing,” Chloe commented.

“Thanks, Chlo. You’re stylish as ever.”

“I would hope so. I can’t be caught dead in a fashion disaster. Not like Zoe.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, she’s just upset because she got Zoe a really nice dress only for Zoe to tear it to shreds before she put it on,” Sabrina explained.

“Well, Zoe does seem, uh, very American?” Adrien commented.

“She can be American all she wants, but she should at least look good. Now she’s walking around in rags and it’s a nightmare.”

“That’s, uh, a shame, Chloe. Uh, you won’t mind if I head in, would you?”

“Go if you must, but don’t look at Zoe. You’ll die from the horror.”

Adrien smiled and rolled his eyes. He looked at Sabrina and offered his hand. “Shall we?”

Sabrina beamed and took Adrien’s hand. He led them onto the dance floor and glanced around. His heart leapt when he saw Alix enjoying herself with Rose. He tilted his head as Alix and Juleka took turns dancing with Rose, but never danced with each other. He wondered what was going on but pushed the thought away as he turned to Sabrina.

“You look lovely tonight.”

Sabrina blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Thank you. You look very handsome. Though I’m sure you get that a lot.”

“It means a lot more coming from you though.”

Sabrina’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Adrien. He smiled warmly and pulled her to the side.

“Uh, before we dance, I have something for you.”

“Oh! I have something for you too.”

“May I give you yours first?”

Sabrina nodded.

Adrien smiled and pulled out the box from his suit. He opened it and pulled out the necklace. Sabrina’s eyes lit up as she covered her mouth. Tears sprung from her eyes as she pulled out a replica of the necklace of the love interest from the same show. His eyes widened as they misted over. They both giggled and grinned.

“May I… may I put it on you?” Adrien asked.

Sabrina looked down, then nodded. She turned around as Adrien put the necklace on her. She gently touched it as she turned back to him.

“May I put yours on you?”

Adrien nodded and turned around. Sabrina stood on her tiptoes as she put the necklace on him. He beamed as he looked down at it before he turned back to her.

“I love it. Thank you.”

“I’m… I’m glad. I was worried, you know?”

“About what?”

Sabrina shuffled and fidgeted. “That… I was reading things wrong. As you and a certain dashing rogue. Even as we spent little moments together, I didn’t dare to hope, but I did. I mean, it’s you, and it’s me. Especially with, you know, Kagami.”

Adrien stiffened at the mention of Kagami. He scanned the crowd and saw her with Felix in the middle of the dance floor. He didn’t have the best view, but he could see the elation on Felix’s face while she fought to hide her enjoyment.

“Well, you don’t have to worry. Kagami is… in a tough spot. I think she knows what she wants but can’t come to terms that what she wants is a factor. And that what she wants isn’t what her mother expects of her. She’ll still push back against her own desires, but I also won’t give her what Gabriel and her mother wants. I know what I want, and it isn’t her.”

Hope filled Sabrina’s eyes. “Then, would you… would you… like to be… my boyfriend?”

Adrien gasped as a silly grin spread on his face. He scooped up Sabrina and twirled her around. “Yes! Absolutely!”

Relief flooded Sabrina as she returned the embrace. They stepped back and stared at each other before Sabrina pulled Adrien to the dance floor. They giggled as they fell into step with the slow dance music.

Alix watched from the side as Juleka and Rose shared this dance. She slipped out of the room and headed up to the restaurant for a breather and refreshments. She grabbed a water and sat at a table. She stared out the window when Chloe took a seat with her.

Alix snorted. “I wondered when I’d be seeing you.”

“Yeah, well, you were awfully busy with Rose. Any reason why?”

“Because we’re companions now.”

“Companions? Don’t you mean girlfriends?”

“I don’t like that word. It doesn’t fit what we are.”

“What do you mean?”

Alix sighed and explained about being aromantic to Chloe. She also explained the details of her relationship with Rose.

“So, you just don’t do romance, but you still do love, yeah?”

“Basically. I still care about those I would call companion. They’re more than just a booty call or ‘friends with benefits.’ I just wouldn’t love them like Mylene loves Ivan or Juleka loves Rose. Rather I would love in the way I can.”

“Right. Well, I’ll… just be going then.”

Chloe stood to leave, but her path was blocked by Zoe. They shared words in English before Chloe sat back down in a huff.

“Alix, I like you. And… and I was hoping we could… be together?”

“I don’t think I can do that just yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look, I can see you have moved on from our past. That, to some capacity, you’ve forgiven me. To an extent, I’ve forgiven myself, but not completely.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Chloe, I can hang out with you, have a great time, and call you my friend, but I can’t call you a companion. Not when there is lingering guilt… and regret.”

“Alix?”

“I’m sorry, but it remains. Even as we move forward, I still blame myself. I should have been better, but I wasn’t, and I hurt you. Maybe in time we can be companions, but I can’t right now. Not with all that lingers.”

“Oh. I… I understand. For what it’s worth, I don’t blame you. And, yeah, it still scares me from time to time, especially when you’re angry, but I don’t blame you.”

“It doesn’t help but thank you. And I’m sorry.”

Chloe gave Alix a sad smile. Zoe snorted and smirked.

“Hey, I didn’t understand a lick of what you said, but I assume she turned you down. Can I hit that now?” Zoe asked Chloe.

Alix raised a brow while Chloe’s jaw dropped. Chloe huffed and stormed out. Zoe held her head high as she slipped into the seat.

“So, aro, eh? I know a few back in theater. You got any zucchinis?” Zoe asked.

“Uh, I assume you mean companions, and yes. Rose.”

“Really? Huh, you French people are strange.”

“What’s that mean?”

“That you’re strange?”

Alix shook her head. She opened her mouth but shut it when she saw Luka step into the restaurant alone. She watched him take a seat at an empty table and rested his head on it.

“Zoe, we’ll need to continue this later. A friend needs me.”

Zoe shrugged and helped herself to the refreshments. Alix moved and sat at the table with Luka. He shifted, looked at her, then put his head back down.

“Hey, are you ok?”

“I’m… I’m fine. I just needed to step away.”

“Luka, what did Marinette do?”

“Nothing. She just… is being herself. And… and I love her for it.”

“Don’t fucking lie to me. What did she do?”

“Look, it’s not a big deal. She’s just… really interested in Adrien and Sabrina.”

“Luka,” Alix hissed.

“What? It’s… it’s normal. I mean, she’s a fangirl, right?”

“Oh, she’s a fangirl alright. An obsessive one that only has eyes for Adrien. One that will never love you.”

Luka flinched.

Alix winced under the eyes that fell on her. She took a breath and shook her head. “I understand that you want companionship. I understand you don’t want to be forgotten, but this isn’t how you do it. You don’t suffer through this neglect for someone that’ll never see you. You don’t want to be forgotten, yet you’re dating someone who’s likely forgotten you as speak.”

Luka snarled, stood, and slammed his hands on the table. He glared at Alix with tear-filled eyes. “What do you care? You’re already off with Rose in your little companionship. You’re already moving forward without me, just like everyone else. And you’ll forget me just like everyone else. So, why don’t you just forget you ever saw me here?”

Alix furrowed her brows, then smiled. “Would you look at that. The rabbit has a bite.”

Luka tilted his head.

“Go on. I’m waiting for you to lash out again.”

“I don’t understand. Why aren’t you mad? Why aren’t you yelling back?”

“Because you’re doing what I would have done. Lash out at the world when the problem is closer at hand than you think. If you’re looking for a fight, I could get Juleka, but you won’t find it here.”

Luka furrowed his brow.

“Tell you what. Let’s ditch this place. You and I.”

“What? But Rose and-!”

“They have each other. Besides, you need someone else right now. So, let’s go.”

Luka considered and sighed. He followed Alix as they headed out. They walked along the sidewalk until Alix pulled him into an alley.

“You still have that watch?” Alix asked.

Luka pulled the pocket watch out.

“Good. Now, say ‘Fluff, clockwise.’”

“Fluff, clockwise?”

Fluff disappeared into the pocket watch and transformed Luka’s clothes into a white, light blue, and turquoise superhero suit with a light blue and white eyes mask, his teal dyed tips turned light blue, and complete with a cottontail and a pair of white rabbit ears. Luka examined himself as Alix transformed into Bloody Bug.

“I… I didn’t think it true, but it really is, isn’t it?” Luka asked.

“It is. So, what shall I call you, hero?” Bloody Bug asked.

“Uh, Harlequin?”

Bloody Bug’s mind shot back to the Harlequin she met in the burrow. She smiled and chuckled to herself. “Alright, Harlequin, follow me.”

Bloody Bug leapt up onto the roof with Harlequin following her. She led him through the city to the top of the Eiffel Tower. They each took a seat on the railing.

“So, what’s really going on, Harlequin?”

“I just… a lot of things. Where do I start?”

“How about we start with the bullying and move forward them there?”

“Right. Well, that was heavily impacted because of my empath abilities. Though they were worse when I was younger. It wasn’t like now where I can quiet the music most times. It’s easier with small groups, but I’m learning how to handle large crowds. I still don’t like talking about it because I don’t want to be seen as a freak. So, I just… withdrew into myself. It was easier than facing the world.”

“But.”

“But it hurt me. I would watch and see all the joy others our age got to experience. A horrible feeling began to take root. It was easy to manage when I was withdrawn, but since Fluff and, well, you, it hasn’t. I had tried to take Fluff with a grain of salt, but it’s difficult when everything she says just strikes my core. Almost like she knows me better than myself.”

“How so?”

“She’s been able to give me advice to help quell the music of others, how to handle my trauma effectively, and embrace myself. But as I listen to her, I feel myself almost coming undone. Like I’m changing and I don’t like it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I… I want things I didn’t before and it feels like it’s from that horrible feeling. That it grew and was nurtured to the point I don’t think I can manage it. I just… I see what… I just don’t feel like myself anymore. I don’t feel like Luka, but someone else.”

“Well, perhaps that’s a good thing. No, not perhaps. It is a good thing.”

“How? How is becoming whatever this person better than me? How is anything other than me better?”

“You said it yourself. You were withdrawn, afraid to make connections, no? You had an inkling of what you wanted, but refused it because it was easier to be alone. But in the end, it really isn’t. Eventually you’ll see what that isolation costs you. You’ll see just how alone you are in the end. And no one deserves to be alone.”

“But I don’t like the other feelings that come with it. I don’t feeling that I’m alone while everyone else around me is happy with their friends and loved ones. I don’t like feeling that I’m stuck in the past and that everyone else is moving on without me, leaving me behind. I don’t like feeling that I’m forgotten. I don’t like any of it.”

“Then what do you plan on doing about it?”

“What?”

“Harlequin, nothing will change unless you take that first step. You don’t like being alone? Make connections. You don’t want to be forgotten? Make yourself known. You don’t want to be left behind in the past? Stop living in it and move forward. I know they’re all easier said than done, but there’s something important you should never forget it.”

“What’s that?”

“You’re never alone. I’m here. Adrien is here. There are those that care and we want to help you, but we can’t reach you. We’ll only be able to once you allow us to. It was the same way for me. I had people that wanted to help, but they couldn’t really until I allowed them to.”

Harlequin furrowed his brow and looked away.

Bloody Bug smiled, stood, and offered her hand. “What do you say? Shall we take a leap and start a new page?”

Harlequin looked between Bloody Bug and her hand. He hesitated before he reached out and took it. She smiled and pulled him to his feet.

“I’ll always be here, Harlequin. Now and forever.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Tears welled in Harlequin’s eyes as he hugged Bloody Bug. “Thank you.”

“C’mon. let’s go find that Andre and get ourselves some ice cream.”

“Isn’t it still a little cold for ice cream?”

Bloody Bug chuckled. “You’ll come to understand. Come, the night is ours. Let’s make the most of it.”

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mickmundy · 2 years

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SORRY IDK WHERE ELSE TO POST THIS. slapdash combobulation of some bushmed vampire au thoughts i’ve been knocking around in my head for the past few months. whee! i’d like to eventually turn this into a polished fic once i’m done with my main medsnip fic. i don’t want to spread myself too thin but once i get an idea its hard for my brain not to just go nyoom

Sniper is a local hunter who gets brought into this German town in the mountains to deal with population control of these “feral wolves” that have been literally plaguing a lot of land for a long time. They’re harder to kill than regular wolves and Sniper’s a talented beast-hunter so the people of the surrounding area call on him for his expertise and help with finding out wtf is up with all of these Damn Wolves!

So sniper stakes out and observes the wolves and notices that they love eating meat. Almost for Fun. And it doesn’t stop there… they’ll go so far as to lick blood off of the ground, almost draining their kills dry. Not natural for just a normal wolf… and he ends up having to engage with a few of them and shoots them dead with perfect skill (of course). He observes them for about a week before he decides to make a move.

Sniper follows them to see where their den is and they make quite a trek to this huge castle and go in through some concealed undercroft. So clearly they have a master.. but what good would it do to just have a bunch of wolves killing a bunch of people for literally no reason.. nobody in the area is particularly rich and anyone living in a castle like this wouldn’t need anything from common folk anyway. So he decides to approach the castle… and he’s not a people person really so he knocks the elaborate knocker and takes his hat off (polite.. hehe) and clears his throat and isn’t really expecting an answer but the door opens by itself… and sniper hears a booming voice from up above somewhere that’s like “Come in, Herr Hunter! I'll be with you in a moment!”

Sniper’s like ??? but brushes it off… looks up at the impressive balcony and is like 'How the fuck did he know who I was or what I did… “Hello, sorry’a bother you but is there any chance you’ve been commanding those hellhounds that’ve been bleeding the local areas like stuck pigs? S’bad for the environment, mate. So if y’don’t wrangle in your spoiled dogs, I’ll have tooo- uhh…” And at the top of the balcony… Sniper can see the swish of coattails… and then…. appears Medic… vampire Medic…!

He leans over the balcony and grins down at Sniper and is like (hello fraulines! voice ->) “Hello, Herr Hunter!” and does a giddy giggle as he leans over the balcony and is kind of sizing Sniper up… of course plenty of other people have come here to try and stop him, but never because they’d made the connection with his wolves… Ohhh.. this hunter is special! “How can I be of service to you?”

Medic is prepared to kill him like he's killed all the other hunters before him but he's kiiiinda hoping he doesn't have to kill him because he's... cute... in a scruffy bloodbag kind of way...,. and Sniper’s just totally taken aback by how friendly this vampire is so he’s like "Well-..." Clears his throat.. "I've noticed you’ve been a bit of a disturbance.... y'know.,., what with the.... your mutts feasting on the folks around here," and Sniper usually comes in super gruff etc. but Medic is just.. wow..... not like other vampires he's killed....

Vampire Medic hums and is like "Oh, ja, that... I'm afraid it can't be helped! I'm a very... very.... hungry man, after all.." Sniper swallows because well yeah, that much is obvious! And Medic smirks because he can hear sniper's heartbeat like thumpa thumpa! awooooga!!

Sniper's like "Well. Be that as it may, any chance you can stop drainin' folks like stuck pigs?" Medic puts his hands behind his back and is like "Hmm.... well, you're a business man, aren't you, huntsman? You understand that I cannot simply do these things for nothing in return." And Sniper swallows bc he knows how powerful medic is... he can practically smell it and it is not a good idea to fuck with a vampire like this! So he's trying to play his cards a certain way so that he doesn’t have to end this with conflict…

"Well... what's worth an entire town'a people? Dunno how you can just wager-" Medic leaps down from the balcony and lands gracefully on his feet and stands up straight… and Sniper has to crane his neck to look up at him because… holy dooley… that’s a big… well fed…. spoiled vampire… Medic stands at about 9 feet tall and (some) vampires grow in relation to age and how well they feed.. Crikey…!! Not bad on the eyes, either.,.,

Medic cuts him off and is like "You. I would like you! ^_^ <3" Not just bc he thinks sniper is kinda cute... but he's a very good vampire hunter and he could do work for Medic so.... it seems like a good deal to him! A very fair trade…. if he was going to be going ‘on a diet’ for a little while, it would have to be worth it after all! Sniper's like “WHAT?? Y’GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!” And Medic's like "I know you've been the one killing my wolves. I'm very impressed by you, hunter! ^v^" [VERY threatening aura despite hiii <3 vibes] and Sniper’s like “Yeah well what if I’m not interested in negotiatin’ about this, mister-(trying to be condescending)?”

Medic eyes Sniper’s knife and grins and is like “Please! call me Ludwig! (didn’t get that he was trying to be condescending) and of course then you’ll walk out of here alive, just as you came. I must say I would find it interesting that you wouldn’t leap at the chance to be the hero of the local people, though.” And would grin smugly… because sniper’s one life for the lives of the animals and humans of the entire area seems like more than a fair trade… but Sniper’s stubborn as hell and he’s a good enough person but definitely not a saint.

Sniper’s like “And what does all this mean for me? That I’d be some kinda hors d'oeuvre for you until you decide to snap my neck and drain me dry?” Medic’s eyes widen and he laughs and is like “Goodness, no! how barbaric! We shouldn’t focus on how I could kill you. Life is too short to think so heavily about how we might die.” And smirks and Sniper arches his brow, deciding to hear the vampire out..

Medic shrugs and is like “I’m a powerful vampire. I won’t reveal my age to you on our first date (pauses to grin gleefully because he can hear Sniper’s heart flutter at the mention of them being on a date), but I like my home and I intend to stay here and carry on as I’ve had. However, I am not above making compromises!” And shakes his finger and puts his hands behind his back and continues “Of course you know vampires exist. What you might not know is that we don’t all get along.” And says it kinda spitefully and Sniper’s like ???

Medic carries on and explains that vampires are constantly fighting over turf and feeding grounds and whatnot but killing another of their kind personally is… in poor taste. But if Sniper helps Medic take over other territories he won’t need to feed on this area. Less vampires means not as many people die and having both a human and a vampire working together is great for both people and vampires… “But that’s where you would come in, hunter!”

Sniper scoffs and puts his hands on his hips and is like “Y’want me to be your own personal vampire hunter. A vampire hunter that works for a vampire.” Medic hums and is like “Precisely! It has a delectable ring to it, doesn’t it! Hoo hoo!”

Medic approaches Sniper closer and Sniper's on his guard, and Medic bends over at the hip to look Sniper in the eyes and is like “I know you’re a capable hunter, mister Mundy. My wolves have told me (he can communicate with/see “through” their eyes). And if you went from being a small-time crocodile-wrestler and chose to pursue more… exhilarating prey, I can assure you that our deal will give you the thrills of a lifetime.”

Sniper’s looking into Medic’s eyes and then looks down as Medic runs his clawed hand over the sheath of Sniper’s knife holster that’s mounted on his shoulder… and Sniper clears his throat and is like “How’d you know I was-“ and looks behind Medic and sees some of the wolves and looks back at him... Medic smiles toothily and shows off his fangs… and well… the bushman's always admired pretty sets of teeth… control yourself Sniper!

“Imagine this kinda servitude is for life, then.” Medic chuckles and is like “You won’t be trapped here, you’re not my ward. You don’t even have to live here, though I’d be happy to supply you with the finest living quarters you could imagine. Fed, paid, and free as a bird. I do require that in regards to other vampires, your loyalty will be only to me. Of course, there would have to be.. unfortunate repercussions should you betray my interests for another vampire’s.” Sniper snorts and is like “You’re out of your bloody mind.” And Medic laughs…

“Certainly!" He agrees, "So go on and think about it, and come back to me if you decide to take me up on it. The offer is always open.” So Sniper leaves and goes back to the village and gathers up his stuff and finds the locals and tells them “Found a way to deal with the wolves. Gonna take care of it at their den. Shouldn’t be a bother anymore.” They pay him and Sniper stays there for a few more days while he thinks about that vampire’s offer…

Late at night he arrives to Medic’s castle and sees the wolves growling at him as he approaches, but then.,., they stop once they smell him and sit politely! Sniper’s like ???…. and he kicks the door a few times to knock (his hands are full) and the door opens again and Medic smiles pleasantly and is like "I didn't think I'd see you again, huntsman! Welcome back," and Sniper's heart flutters and Medic can hear it… <3 but Sniper stays on the porch.

“I stay, y’leave those people alone. There’s plenty’a eating around here if you’re not greedy about it.” Medic snorts and is like "My pets must eat, you understand (they hunt for him and he can Get Energy from them through blood synthesis. i have a lot of thoughts on this BUT to keep it short lets go with this). As must I. what do you—”

Sniper reaches down and grabs raw meat, intestines, etc. he’s brought and starts tossing it to the wolves outside in the snow, and Medic's pupils dilate at the smell. He knew Sniper must have hunted it (ethically) from local wildlife… and he’d brought it to keep them good on their word… which Medic appreciates because he didn’t have to do that. It’s not anywhere near as good as living blood (truly “fresh”), but the gesture is nice.

Medic’s like “Oh, and are you going to be taking me up on the living quarters?” and sees Sniper’s bags and stuff at his feet looking like a homeless lil hunter and Sniper frowns and is like “‘Course. Clear i don’t live around here, isn’t it?” Medic grins toothily and hums and effortlessly picks up Sniper’s bags for him and is like “Abundantly. Come along then, hunter! I’ll show you to your wing!”

Medic shows Sniper to his quarters which is nicer than anywhere he's ever lived! He's in total awe of the place and that it has electricity and is just so bloody nice… and now he’s living here too… holy dooley. Medic shows Sniper to his “room” which is more like a huge wing that has its own balcony, bathroom, bedroom with a big fireplace, lots of windows…. very very nice. But Sniper’s still totally suspicious!

Medic’s like “I hope it is to your liking! You can of course alter it any way you’d like. I’ll leave you alone for now to get plans for your dinner started. Is steak alright? Oh! And we can start our real work tomorrow!” Like calling behind him as he’s standing at the door…

Sniper’s like this is too good to be true. what the fuck. But instead says “Right. so when do you eat my heart out of my chest then?" and the vampire stops with his back to Sniper and turns his head and gives him a toothy smile and is like "When you beg me to. And not a moment sooner. :) Gute Nacht, Herr Mundy." and delights in the sound of the pounding pounding pounding of Sniper’s heart as he retreats to his main quarters and thinks about his handsome hunter... who is now all his... hoo!

Sniper swallows and is like Wrow… Ummm Okay.,, Hot.,,., and as time goes by he starts to get used to the fancy lodgings and the fact that somehow/somewhy Medic isn't killing him and is actually holding up his end of the bargain, and they're getting so comfortable coexisting together that even a few of Medic's wolves start to warm up to him... and sometimes Medic looks out his Brooding Window to see Sniper playing in the snow with them or them falling asleep in front of the fireplace together... and they start to fall in love... hehehe

okay yeah. as soon as my main bushmed fic is done im polishing this up what the fuck!!!!!!!!!!!!! i need them to fuck nasty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#dutchiehcs #dutchfoolery #bushmedicine #hehehehehehehee....#i ALSO have an idea for a vamp sniper human medic one too >:) but i haven't written anything down for it yet!#vamphunter medsnip

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omegaremix · 2 months

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July 21, 2022.

The biggest music haul ever had been made. So big that I needed two visits to the same store, Jesus, and fucking Mary to pull it off. High Fidelity’s stock has gotten so stuffed that there were piles and piles of disorganized vinyl records, discs, and cassettes all over the place. Under the bins, on top of the bins, on the floor, up high on the wall that you can’t reach. Mark the owner was so bad with overstock that he moved two blocks down to a bigger space and that wasn’t enough. His downstairs stock room he once boasted was off-limits and even a stack of vinyl records almost fell on me from above. It was a literal death hazard - but I survived. You’d think that two round-trips and $893.00 spent would be the penultimate event to cap off another intensive record-store victory tour. No.

There were two other stores I’d yet to visit. Plainview’s Vinyl Bay 777 and Amangansett’s Innersleeve Records. The one time I went to Vinyl Bay- was when I walked out empty-handed because they marked all of their stock three to four times more what other stores sold. There was no reason for me to pay more than I should for a vinyl record I could find elsewhere for a third or fourth of the price. Vinyl Bay was disqualified. That left Innersleeve Records a place of interest. I didn’t go in the previous round and had considered making the ninety-minute trip out to the East End to check it out - until I saw their latest social media post. Ouch! Their prices were even higher than that of Vinyl Bay’s and on new pressings. Vinyl-price cockfighting at its finest. I wanted no part of it. That moment I declared my island run of stores done. Nope. That’s it. I don’t want to hear it any more. La la la la la la fuck you.

Though, there was one store in New York City I was meaning to visit. That was Greenpoint’s Captured Tracks. My show Omega WUSB had just done a three-hour label tribute about the feel-good label and we always played their artists when we found them. They were around for years with no sign of stopping, so why not come take a ride and check it out? Let’s have another bonus round with another city jaunt, shall we?

Late July’s weather isn’t the most colorful but it’s certainly the brightest when it has cloud cover. I stood at the Central Islip platform and look up to see the lit white skies in 80*F weather. I board the train westward to Penn Station and…what a surprise? It’s thunder-storming and raining mercilessly. I didn’t see this coming, so I have no choice but to deal with it.

Deal with it I did. God didn’t give me lemons but instead gave me a 9/2 offsuit. I arrived at Penn Station and transferred to catch the ‘E’ line. It was insufferable. This was a sneak preview of the 7th Circle Of Hell. Everyone dealt with post-rain humidity in a limited underground space and were dying like dogs. I was drenched in sweat and felt like my clothes were falling off. The ‘E’ arrived and what a saving grace. I felt the cold chill of the air conditioner settling on me, erasing the half-an-hour of disgusting unease. The ‘E’ ended its travel and I transfer to the ‘G’ line to Greenpoint. In five minutes it was all over.

I walk up the stairs to Manhattan Ave. and I see nothing but hazy blue skies and sharp sunshine beaming on me, as if the rainstorm never even happened. I’m back at my element. I walk south on Manhattan Ave. to observe and breathe in what was Brooklyn to me. Two blonde women in Polish tongues walk past me as I process the storefronts, the graffiti, sticker vandalism, and cramped crooked sidewalks. I approach and turn the corner on Calyer Street only to learn that I walked past Captured Tracks?! I turn around and I finally found it. The way to The House of Mike Sniper was downstairs. It was a dream, was it? I never had to take a downwards path to any establishment. I hobbled below and here we are: a dense but neatly-packed music store with plenty of boxes of 45”, pricey first- and rare pressings, bins to fumble through, and several lower shelves of records not for sale designated for their Discogs store. It was going to be another intense day digging in the bins.

Three hours and $117.00 later, I finally declared my record-store victory tour of ‘22 finished for good. Nothing else fitting to cap it off with another perfect day in Greenpoint. I walk up Manhattan Avenue with my tote of vinyl records away from the clear sharp sun as its intensive rays bake into my skin. The skies bluer and the air much dryer. Then I notice something I didn’t expect to find: Sunshine Laundromat. Here’s another place I was dying to visit since my post-operation; one which my radio station friends decided to go without me. I’m here, so why not? I’m about to walk into a surreal dream - in reality.

I walk in and I couldn’t believe it. It’s the first time I walked into a laundromat since my stay in Lindenhurst. I walk down the narrow space past the rogue pinball tables and there was the secret door disguised as stackable units that led into the back room arcade. A speak-easy if I ever saw one. All that stood between me and that Murphy door was the nice lady who ran the place. She told me they would re-open the pinball speakeasy as soon as the city OKs their alcohol license. Sounds hopeful if you ask me. I thanked her for the good news and walked out knowing there will be another reason to come back to Brooklyn.

I head on to the ‘G’ to transfer and ride on the ‘E’ line back to Penn Station. It’s 7PM and the visible sun is coming down for the day; slowly sinking against the perfectly clean sky blue backdrop with no clouds in sight. I board the train back home and take a window seat moving backwards. The train motions and the blinding sun peeks through the window as I feel the frigid blanket of the air conditioner. There’s a sparse placement of riders in the same car as me. I can sit and relax knowing that my entire run of spending money all over New York City and Long Island has come to a satisfying end.

New Mexico Stargazers: “Santa Fe Cruiser”

Did You Die: “We Can Do Whatever”

True Dreams: “Reaching”

Vasco Rossi: “Siamo Soli”

Queensway: “Return To Dirt”

Pinch Points: “Am I Feeling OK?”

Public Service: “O Sabine”

Offset: Spectacles, The: “Snags”

Grimes: “Shinigami Eyes”

Schedule 1: “Show Your Children”

Mom: “Things Come Into Place”

Paper Dollhouse: “Swans”

Bad Kiss: “Gimme Action”

Strangers With Guns: “Somebody Needs A Hug’

Offset: Spectacles, The: “Color”

Offset: Spectacles, The: “Dead Air”

Deeper: “Only A Shadow”

Totally Unicorn: “All”

Paper Dollhouse: “Moon”

Spellling: “Queen Of Wands”

Krallice: “Crystaline Exhaustion”

Daniel Johnston: “In A Lifetime”

Sasami: “Say It”

INVSN: “Slow Disco”

Traps PS: “Voids”

Life In Vacuum: “9 To 5”

Jesus Fucking Christ: “Sadistic Madness”

Black Dresses: “Hertz”

Free Love: “May You Be The Mother”

Belk: “Question Of Stress”

Michael Berdan: “God Won’t Help Me (Cause Man Won’t)”

#omega #music #playlists #mixtapes #personal #NYC #New York City #BK #Brooklyn

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sl-newsie · 20 hours

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American Woman (Thomas Shelby x American OC) Ch. 35: How To Grieve?

Masterlist: https://www.tumblr.com/sl-newsie/739551758747090944/american-woman-thomas-shelby-x-american-oc?source=share

“Get up, Verena.”

John kicks my tensed body and in my confused state, drunk of sadness, I’m lifted up and walked into the kitchen. John steers me into a chair and I continue to stare down with glazed eyes.

“Perk up, Verena. Like us. We’re here ‘cause the fucking booze is in here.” Arthur slides me a glass. “Drink up.”

Polly swats his arm. “Arthur, find better words!”

“Does swearing in Gypsy count?” John teases.

The Romanian woman’s eyes flash as she brandishes a cutting knife. “There’s no reason for us to be speaking Rokka or Shelta in any case.”

“What about Verena? She speaks Dutch!”

“Only a few phrases,” I finally speak, still staring at nothing. “I’m not fluent.”

John puts down his drink and kneels down next to me. “Hey, love. Did he bark at you too?”

“He’s just lost his wife, John,” I inform him harshly. “Maybe for once stop thinking like a soldier and think like a brother.”

I slide away from the table and sit down where Karl is playing. If Charlie wasn’t so unstable I’d suggest for them to play together. Finn offers a look that asks if I want to talk but I hold up a hand to decline.

“Hello, Karl!” I try to sound upbeat.

The young lad grins in delight. “Hello, Verena! Want to play?”

We partake in designing an imaginary track for his train to go through. In the background I hear the normal banter of who’s the boss and how things used to be. Eventually the beginnings of a scuffle form and Karl stands up to look at the angry grown ups.

“Fooking pheasant!” he blurts.

Everyone stops what they’re doing to gape at the child. Lord, we need this! We need the purity of children to drive away the madness of this world.

Ada stoops down to hug him. “Karl! You can’t say things like that!”

Polly sighs and glares at John. “Now look what you’ve done.”

They start talking about family again and it’s time I gave them space. Thomas is right. I’m not family and they need to plan their future without me.

“I need to pop out a sec,” I excuse myself. “Need to use the water closet.”

“That’s English talk, Steenstra,” John teases.

“I’m in England. What do you expect?” I call from the hallway.

“An American trying to be English!” Arthur joins in.

They can have their family meeting. I can make some calls to Uncle Colon and maybe arrange to stay with him. If Thomas isn’t willing to open up and I have no part of this family then there’s no use for me to stay.

I turn the corner and someone runs into me, almost sending us crashing to the floor.

“Finn? Wha-?”

“Tommy’s gone!” he gasps. “Just outside-!”

“Whoa, slow down. Go tell the others.”

Finn races off to the kitchen and I sprint across the polished floor just in time to see a Gypsy wagon driving down the road. Is he leaving? For good?

“Tommy! Tommy!” Arthur shouts as he and John sprint past me, trying to catch up.

“Let him go!" Polly tells them.

The brothers watch devastated as the wagon gets further and further away. My own mental state turns eerily calm when I spot a slip of paper on the nearby table.

“Here. Here’s a note.”

Ada picks it up. “Says he’ll be back in Birmingham in three days. Went with Johnny Doggs. He took Charlie with him.” She looks at me. “Did he ever tell you anything?”

I shake my head slowly with unblinking eyes, my brow furrowed. “Why would he? He shut me out just like all of you. What makes me so special?”

“You know why,” Polly says. “He talks to you.”

Take care of him. Okay then, Grace. How can I do that when he’s days away? He up and left and now Polly and Ada want me to stay until he comes back. What keeps haunting me the most is the out of context interpretation of her words. Take care of him. Not marry him.

“You alright, Verena?” Ada asks from across the kitchen.

I hum a ‘yes’ as I chop up potatoes. “Where did the boys go?”

“John and Arthur took Michael to teach him how to shoot.”

I huff a laugh and continue chopping. “With alcohol, I presume?”

“They did what?” Polly demands and reaches for her coat. “I’m going out.”

Ada tries to convince her to stay but it’s no use. “Michael’s grown up now, Pol.”

Polly’s heels click away on the stone floor. Ada and I stand in silence until we hear the door close.

“She won’t like to see him handling a gun,” Ada mutters. “Are you sure you don’t need any help?”

“No, no. It’s the least I can do. In my family it’s always a gift to cook for grieving families. Food provides comfort and brings people together. If they can actually shoot a pheasant then I can learn to clean and cook it.”

“You know there are people we hire to do that?”

“Yes. I need to do this myself.”

I swear Ada mutters something along the lines of ‘just like Tommy’ but I let it slide. If cooking is all I can do to help then by God I will do it. I won’t try asking about leaving again. No matter how many times I tell Polly I shouldn’t still be here she talks me into staying. Who can say no to Polly?

That’s what the days turn into. Ada and me keeping watch at Arrow House, waiting for a sign. Today is a sunny day which calls for a walk outdoors. Usual pastimes that I use to try to fill in the days. Finn stops by to chat now and then but I’m starting to feel like a pet cat rather than a useful friend. Not if I have anything to say about it!

Beep… Beep…

“Hello?”

“Arthur, it’s Verena. Tell Polly that unless Thomas returns by tomorrow then I’m leaving for Ireland. She can’t keep me here and she knows why.”

On the other end I hear Arthur grunt. “Pol will be sad to hear it, but I’ll let her know.”

“Thank you. Any news on your end?”

Silence. “Mr. and Mrs. Changretta tried to ship off to New York. Your territory.”

Arthur fails to elaborate but I deduct from his voice that there’s more to tell. “And…?”

“We sent her to find your father’s pub. She’ll be welcomed there, right?”

“Yes, of course. But what about Mr.-?”

“Taken care of,” he cuts me off.

I frown at the receiver. “How-?”

“You don’t want to know. And you will not know. But we did it much more merciful than what Tommy planned.”

My heart skips. “Thomas? He’s back? Why didn’t you bloody say so?!”

The man chuckles. “Maybe we’re all looking for an excuse to keep you here.”

I piece my thoughts together and try hard not to imagine what Hell was originally planned for the man behind Grace’s death. “He’s searching for himself, Arthur. What if he can’t come back?”

More silence. “Then the old Tommy Shelby will be one to mourn as well, love.”

He’s back. Thomas is back. In Birmingham. Does that mean he’ll come back to Arrow House? I will not be kept cooped up in this mansion any longer! Back or not, I am going to leave this place!

Throughout the day I gather my belongings and pack them into a spare suitcase. I need to stop in Birmingham to get my trunk but it will be a quick trip. The few servants I come in contact with give me food for the road and a footman offers to drive me. That only leaves my coat, which is hung up in the hallway-

“Verena.”

“Jesus!” I gasp and nearly bash Thomas over the head with the Bible in my hand. “Thomas? I thought- I thought-”

“I’m back.” The gangster stands between me and the coat. “Not leaving yet, are you?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.” I go to maneuver around him but he blocks me. “Mr. Shelby, please step aside.”

It’s a relief to see his face no longer shares the bottled anger from last time he spoke to me. Instead there is the pain of loss in his eyes. Good, he’s no longer screaming. But I’m not sticking around for when he screams again.

“I visited Madame Boswell, another Gypsy,” Thomas mutters, ignoring my request. “All religion is a foolish answer to a foolish question.”

I want to fight the desire to oblige his statement but it’s too strong. “You must have faith in His faith in you.”

He’s still looking at me. “Try to sell it to me all you like, Verena. If there is a God then Grace would still be alive. Don’t have an answer for that, eh?”

“No one does.”

I move again but Thomas still blocks me. “Good news. We’re expanding.”

Done with death, onto politics?

I quirk an eyebrow. “To…?”

“Boston.”

Both my eyebrows go up. “In America? You’re going to go against Ford and sell cars in America?”

Thomas shakes his head. “Not cars. Lipstick and gloves. All legal products. Know anyone to talk to?”

“Brooklyn is my family’s turf. Unlike you lot we stick to it. But I can make a few calls and get some ideas. Or, I can ask Uncle Colon himself when I get to his house. Now please excuse me-”

Thomas sighs heavily and holds his face in both hands. Before I know what’s happening he grips my shoulders and steers me into his office, shutting the door. What in Heaven-?

“I need to talk,” Thomas says abruptly.

My words are measured carefully. “To me, or just talk?”

“I need to talk to someone who I can trust and will give me a good decision.” His grip on me tightens by a hair. “You.”

I don’t look away from his pained eyes. “Very well. I’m all ears.”

He nods repeatedly at my answer and lets me sit down on the sofa. He paces a few times, running a hand on his jaw, trying to find what to say.

“Have- Have you ever gone through grief?”

I nod. “A fraction of it, yes. No, scratch that. Yes I have.”

“Who?”

“First it was my Grandpa Steenstra. He died when I was six. I was still young enough to not completely understand death yet but knew enough to know he wasn’t coming back. Everyone around me was sad and in tears.”

“What about you?”

“I cried too. His passing made me learn that life should be celebrated. The other death in my family I’ve gone through was my Aunt Eleanor. During her funeral I kept looking at her casket thinking ‘That’s not her. That’s a shell of what she used to be.’ I thought about how young she was. Her death taught me that life is fragile.” I look up from the floor and slowly reach for Thomas’ hand, which he accepts. “Why are you asking me this?”

He keeps staring at the floor. “‘M not too sure how to feel grief.”

I keep my hand in his and put my other hand on his shoulder. “You’ve taken a good step to overcome it by talking about it. Grief isn’t something you avoid. Doing so only bottles things up worse.”

“That’s how you cope?” Thomas murmurs. “Talking?”

“Me? No. I need to be far away and alone. I talk to God and come to terms with what has passed. We all have our own method, Thomas.”

He mutters something under his breath and stands up. “Keep this confidential.”

I stand up as well. “Of course.”

“I’ll need to talk more later.”

“I’ll always listen.” Speaking as a friend, not an employee. “You’re never alone, Thomas. We’re here with you.”

Thomas shakes his head. “That’s why I’ll never stop worrying.”

I cross my arms. “I think I speak for all of us by saying we would rather go down fighting than give in to whatever bastards are terrorizing us.”

The hint of a smile flickers on his face. “You sound like Polly.”

“Good to know I’m learning something while I’m stuck here. Don’t shut us out, Thomas. I know you only mean to protect us and your heart is in the right place. But pushing us away doesn’t send a good message.”

He points at me. “That’s your problem. I can’t wear my heart over my sleeve for all to see.”

My jaw drops. “I do not-!”

“Yes, you do,” Thomas points out lightly. “Ask around. Your whole persona is ‘hello, nice to meet you, can I help?’”

I put my hands on my hips. “The world you see is much more cruel if that’s what you think of me. The real world doesn’t have to be cruel if you can help.” Grace knew it too.

“Yeah, yeah.” Thomas waves it off but then gets serious again. “I mean it. Will you stay? For a little longer? Just in case? I promise I won’t ask anything extreme.”

Someone to talk to. If he’ll open up to me then maybe there’s a piece of him I can still save. Before all the happiness is gone from those eyes. Take care of him.

“I’ll always listen.”

@meadows5

#peaky blinders #peaky blinder fanfic #peaky blinder imagine #peaky fucking blinders #peaky fookin blinders #thomas shelby x reader #thomas shelby #tommy shelby #polly gray #arthur shelby #john shelby #finn shelby #grace burgess #cillian murphy #alfie solomons #tom hardy #michael gray #may charelton

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creaturefeaster · 2 years

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this post is sponsored by uppsulka

This post has nothing to do with Uppsulka I just had this doodle sitting for like a day. I just wanted to talk about my last post-- that ask about CQ’s story and the likes. I’ve gotten a handful of messages about it since I answered it (+a couple replies on the post itself) and I wanted to clarify a couple of things.

Please, if you’re worrying that I’m overworking myself, or pushing myself to put stuff out that isn’t ready yet, know that I am certainly not under any pressure to put things out before their due time. I share lots of tidbits about the story on this blog of course, but you may notice that any actual, physical writing for the story is virtually nonexistent on this blog. If I wanted to, I could have shared the drafts long ago, but I’m taking my time and making it perfect (for me). It will be out when it’s ready, and you don’t have to worry about outside pressures/lack of quality.

Another thing! Some of the messages I’ve gotten were in response to some of the tags on the post, as I am known to ramble quite a bit in the tags from time to time. I mentioned the possibility of me seeking out artistic help in the future. The amount of people wanting to help is heartwarming, it really helps me realise just how many people want to see this story come to fruition. However there’s still a long road before the real, official art for the story will come into play.

Finding the right people to help with such a personal project of mine, if I so choose to go down that fork in the road, would be an arduous process in making sure I know and trust those people and their abilities. (I’m also really picky about how my style is drawn, if people were to help. But that’s a discussion for another time) Not everyone has all the time in the world, either! This is a long term project. Keep in mind this story has been developing for over a decade, and while it’s only the last handful of years that I have really kicked everything into overdrive to try and fully piece it all together, it’s still probably got a while to go before I could ever consider it complete. So please, keep all of this in mind.

As I continue structuring and polishing the written story, I wish to release it in divided chunks. When any given chunk comes close to its finish, I’ll be having beta readers scour the texts for a little bit. Placeholder sketches would ideally be littered throughout the story as needed, but by beta reader’s judgement, more or less may be added. That right there, once the beta reading is done, is the end of the road to visuals-ville. That is to say, that’s when I’d start actually drawing out the things that I need.

So now you have some insight on how the process would work. Was it all necessary to explain? Probably not!!! But if I didn’t ramble so much, I don’t think I’d be able to write this story, either. It’s so big x_x.

All of this could be (and probably should have been) summarized to this:

For those who want to help, for those who truly enjoy the content I create for my universe and want to see more of it, I just ask for your support. Seeing likes, reblogs, reading the tags or comments people add onto the content I share, they really, really help keep me motivated. Every piece of fanart makes my day, whether I comment on it or not, I’m always behind the screen getting all giddy and excited that someone cares about the characters and world I’ve poured my heart and soul into. All the asks you guys send, while I can’t always answer all of them, it lets me know there are still people who are interested in the world and want to know more about it. That’s what keeps me wanting to write. So if you want to help, that’s how you can do it right now.

#i'm a very quiet person so i know i don't comment on a lot of stuff sent to me #but if you are reading this. if you have created fan content and wondered if i've seen it or not.#i probably have. it's all that's on my mind when I have the time #and my god the amount of video edits and color-overs of my sketches that i have saved from various people...#thank you guys for your support <:3 #and i hope you're all staying warm and safe if you live in the northern hemisphere #especially if you live in the US right now. -70 degrees. what the fuck.

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hyenahunt · 10 months

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Saga: Rivals - 11

Writer: Akira

Season: Winter

Characters: Chiaki, Eichi, Tori

Proofreading: moricchiichan (JP) & Peace (ENG)

Translation: kotofucius

Eichi: Not at all. I only said we’re friends as pleasantries. You’re a presence of absolutely no account to me, Chiaki.

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Location: Classroom 3-A

Chiaki: So you don’t know the origins of the name Lilith either, Tenshouin…

Actually, this might be a bit late to say, but I heard from Hidaka’s dad that these things aren’t officially announced yet. Is it okay for me to hear this name?

Eichi: Yes, an impatient fool with no clue about the risks of information leaking already made it viral on the net.

Well, it’s probably still part of their promotion strategy, of their production design…

CosPro’s Saegusa-kun is very clever in that scene — diligent, actually.

Conversely, this means as long as he’s involved, there’s no way that there isn’t any deep meaning behind it.

Maybe he didn’t name Lilith himself, but he should’ve argued, considering the nature of the name.

I would, if I were him. The fact that Lilith got approved and spread despite that means…

…it does fulfill some form of purpose.

They’re different from your Rain-bows, or the Knight Killers I once belonged to.

They were formed with the mission to save CosPro from decline.

Their name and work content should have been designed with great care and polish. Failure is not pardoned; they can’t afford to let anything unforeseen happen.

Chiaki: Hmm… I’m sorry to say this when you’re being so nice and putting so much thought into this, but is it something to be so fixated on?

Eichi: Yes, because names are important. I named the Five Eccentrics as such to invoke the imagery of otherworldly, out of touch beings whom none would wish to understand — to put it bluntly, inhuman; it’s exactly because I’d made the same calculation in the past that it bothers me so much.

Ah… I see; the Five Eccentrics. Aha, is that it? If I remember correctly, in Lilith, there’s a boy named Sazanami Jun whose father was —

Hmm, they just caused a great disaster by playing a similar hand in SS, so I’d like to think they wouldn’t rake over the ashes a second time.

But I’ll take some precautions.

Chiaki: …? What are you talking about — Sazanami? I’ve heard of him; he’s from Eden, who was Trickstar’s final opponent in SS, right?

Actually… I thought the same thing back then, too. That I’d heard of his name somewhere.

Right, right! I think the guy who filled the position of Sagami-sensei’s rival back when he was active was called Sazanami too?

Eichi: Yes. Sazanami Jun-kun is his son, apparently. I’ve done some research. Blood relation is an illusion, but it leaves footprints that can’t be covered up.

…I’m sorry, Chiaki. I need to look up something, so I’ll stop our conversation here. If their intention is to overlap the images of Sazanami Jun and Lilith…

Chiaki: …? Alright then, let me know if you find something out. I’m counting on you; but really, I'm sorry to depend on you so much.

Eichi: Think nothing of it. Aren’t we friends?

Tori: Excuse me~!

Ah, there he is — Morisawa-senpai! Why don't you check your phone more?

Today’s not Rain-bows’s usual work day, but we just got summoned on an emergency —

They said we should gather ASAP! But you didn't turn up, Morisawa-senpai, so I came all the way here to pick you up, you know~?

We’re not gathering on the rooftop like usual, so I’ll lead the way, ‘kay?

Chiaki: Ooh, Himemiya! Sorry, sorry! The third years had an interview regarding our career path today, you see? It’s been so busy the whole day that I didn’t have a minute to spare to check my phone!

Tori: Oh? But you seem to be taking your time chatting with somebody, as far as I can see~

…Oh wait — Prez! Huh, why? Ahh, that’s right, you’re in Morisawa-senpai’s class, aren’t you…?

Eichi: Why hello, Tori. Isn’t it such a nice day? You’re adorable as ever.

Tori: Eh!? E-Ehehe…♪

Chiaki: Yes, adorable, very adorable! So adorable that I could eat you up! ☆

Tori: Doesn’t make me happy at all coming from you, Morisawa-senpai.

…Actually, it’s surprising to see you two together. Why are you chatting around like friends? Unless you really are friends?

(Oh, shoot! If I knew, I would’ve acted like a good boy in front of Morisawa-senpai!)

(I’ve been so rude towards him the whole time~ What if the Prez finds out?)

Chiaki: Yup! We’re really good friends! Aren’t we, Tenshouin? ♪

Eichi: Not at all. I only said we’re friends as pleasantries. You’re a presence of absolutely no account to me, Chiaki.

Chiaki: What a fiend you are! Come on, we get along swimmingly, don’t we? You always look for me the first thing whenever we have to pair up for PE!

Eichi: That’s because Keito would get all overprotective and try to pair up with me if I didn't…

You’re the safest option I have. I can’t say “Pair up with me♪” to Itsuki-kun even as a joke.

Chiaki: Couldn’t you ask Hakaze or Sena, then?

Even if Itsuki or Mikejima-san might not be options… But well, I understand why you wouldn’t want to pair up with people you often fought on DreamFest.

On that point, Ryuseitai is and has always been on pretty good relations with fine.

Eichi: Since you started to take charge, that is. Shinkai-kun is with you, though, so I actually take care not to match up against Ryuseitai for DreamFests.

But there’s nothing I can do in S1s that assemble many different units, so in those cases, I just leave it to fate.

Chiaki: …Hmm. Do you feel some kind of guilt towards the Five Eccentrics, after all?

Eichi: No. Not me, but Wataru — He doesn’t show it on his face or attitude, but he has difficulties going against his friends.

Tori: Uhh…?

Eichi: Oops. Forgive me, Tori, I end up dragging out the conversation. I suppose it’s about time we part for our respective destinations.

It'll be the end of our lunch break before we know it if we don’t hurry, too.

Chiaki: Alright. You did say you had something to look up. Let us depart, Himemiya — towards the brilliant future, together…☆

Tori: Whoa — Don’t pull me~! You don’t have to be in such a hurry, it’s not that much of an emergency!

Eichi: Ahaha. Have fun, you two. Let’s talk again later…♪

Tori: Y-Yeah! Bye bye, Prez! Let’s meet again in Stuco or fine…♪

[ ☆ ]

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#ensemble stars #enstars #enstars translation #hyenahunttl #s: saga #eichi tenshouin #chiaki morisawa #tori himemiya

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