#it was particularly strong for Sei like just how happy he got to have a brother

[gladerwolfstarkimagines]

Mako x Female Reader Request: Part One

Imagine being placed with Mako to guard Wu and instantly not getting on. However as time passes and the war progresses you come to be each other’s greatest allies.

Part Two Here

Part Three Here

Part Four Here

Mako was done with being Wu's bodyguard. He hated everything about the job and just wanted out. He was hoping Lin was going to tell him it was all finally over and he was free but no. He was now going with Wu to Ba Sing Sei after the coronation, his worst nightmare. "But I have some good news" Lin said and Mako rolled his eyes "what? I also get to sleep curled up at the foot of Wu's bed every night?". Lin shook her head "no but don't give him any ideas, you are getting help. Suyin is sending over one of her finest guards to help protect Wu with the upcoming coronation. Her name's y/n and she'll be here later today. This is her file, read it sometime before then" she said pressing a folder into his hand. "I don't need help while I babysit" Mako protested but Lin shot him a look "you were just complaining about how annoying Wu is and now you're upset you'll be getting help?". "I don't want to guard him full stop!" Mako began to argue when Lin held up her hand "I don't want to hear it! Just meet y/n at air temple island this afternoon. Help her settle in, introduce her to Wu and then bring her to me later today" and that was that. Mako wasn't happy but he did as Lin said and arrived at Air Temple island just after your ship had arrived. He didn't know you by name but he did recognise you when he saw your face from his brief time in Zafou. He couldn't recall having a conversation with you but if you were so high up in Su's regard you must be good. You were rather small for a guard he noted, barely 5 feet and you didn't look particularly threatening as a good bodyguard should. You were talking to Tenzin and Jinora happily and seemed pretty social and bubbly. Mako got a sinking feeling this was going to turn into his babysitting two people. He was inwardly cursing Su Yin for sending you when Tenzin looked up and spotted him.

"Here he is now, y/n this is Mako Wu's bodyguard, the person you'll be working closely beside". Mako sighed slightly and not looking at you held out his hand "nice to meet you, looking forward to working with you". You grabbed his hand and he was surprised how strong your grip was "likewise, I know Bolin well through Opal so if you're anything like him I'm sure it will all go smoothly". Mako didn't reply "Wu is waiting for us back at the hotel so we should go". You paused before nodding "sure" and Mako went to reach for your bag but you grabbed it instead "I'll take my own stuff". Mako shrugged in response and set off. He heard you saying goodbye to Tenzin and Jinora before you caught up to him. "So what's the prince like?" you asked trying to make conversation. It didn't work. Mako shrugged "haven't you met him before?". You shook your head "Wu was kept locked up tight until recently. That's why Su sent me along, he's never been this exposed before and someone could easily see it as an opportunity". Mako couldn't doubt your logic but didn't see how having you around would help. He didn't respond and you lapsed into silence. When you reached the hotel Wu was living in Mako figured you'd need a few minutes to rest or want to unpack but you practically threw your bag on your bed and nodded "I'm ready". Mako led you to Wu's room where Wu was pretending like he hadn't been excitedly practising his greeting the entire time. "Enter" Wu called in his most dignified serious voice as Mako knocked on the door. Wu was sat in a large chair and had obviously gone to a lot of effort to impress you with his royalness. "Y/n" Wu smiled brightly "it's most wonderful to meet you! Su gave you a glowing recommendation so I'm thrilled to have you as my guard". You smiled "Su is too kind but I promise you I will be a diligent bodyguard and will protect you with my life". Mako almost snorted to hear such a big statement come out of something so tiny but Wu seemed to like it. He nodded solemnly and bowed to you "thank you y/n...now come sit! Let's get to know one another!". You and Wu talked for the best part of two hours. Mako felt like his ears were going to fall off and he knew this wasn't going to work. So when he took you to meet Lin he asked her if he could speak with her privately. She refused, telling Mako she was too busy so anything he had to say would have to be said in front of the group. You looked at him curiously and Mako sighed but wasn't going to shrink away just because you were watching him. Meanwhile, you'd only been here 3 hours and already you weren't keen on Mako. He seemed cold, robotic and lifeless. You understood being professional at work but he just clearly didn't want to be here and didn't seem to care that the prince was your nation's best hope at restoring stability. So you weren't too fond of the man and then his next sentence consolidated your negative opinion of him. "Fine" Mako nodded "I don't think y/n is qualified to guard Wu". Your eyes nearly popped out of your head "excuse me, based on what? You've known me a few hours". "Yes and in that time you haven't shown any of the telltale signs of a good guard. You're loud, love talking and aren't much of a fighter. If she is placed as Wu's guard it won't be a help but a hindrance". Mako was honestly expecting you to burst into tears so when you started laughing he froze before looking to Lin "see?". "I'm laughing because you're an idiot. Creerse la última coca-cola en el desierto, el burro sabe mas que tu!". Mako blinked at your sudden language change but Lin smirked. "Pardon?" Mako asked and you smiled sweetly at him "I basically said you know nothing about me or anything in general. For instance do you know I'm the head guard of Zafou? Or that I speak 4 languages? Or that I was trained in metal and earth bending from Suyin herself?". Mako shook his head "I did not". You smiled "Also as for my loudness and love for talking have you ever worked as an agent? People skills and the ability to get people to like you can get you far, something I'm sure you know nothing about. Plus where I come from kindness goes a long way, you didn't even look at me when you shook my hand at the docks and you've been rude ever since. Have you ever thought it's not me whose inexperienced but you?". Mako blanked "what?". You sighed "should I say it in Spanish?" and you went to repeat yourself when Mako held up his hand "I heard what you said". Lin was chuckling slightly and Mako turned to her "are you going to let her speak to me like that?". Lin smiled "after the way you spoke to her I think you deserve it. Y/n has been a guard longer than you which you'd have known if you'd read her file. She's not just here to guard Wu, you could also learn a thing or two from her". You thought Mako's face was going to explode and resisted the urge to laugh. Lin looked at you and her lip quirked in a smirk "y/n why don't you head back to Wu, I'm going to have a word with Mako here...and if nobodies said it already welcome to Republic City. We're pleased to have you". You smiled and bowed "happy to be here chief" and walked from the room. You practically swanned back to the hotel still laughing at the shocked expression on Mako's face when you cursed him out in Spanish. When you reached the hotel room you dismissed the temporary guard and smiled at Wu "your majesty, how are you?". "I'm okay but a little stressed." You nodded "that's to be expected, your coronation is in a week". "I know and my outfit is all wrong, help me choose something different" he said going to his closet. You paused surprised but smiled "of course". Your job here was going to be different than what you'd expected. After you'd diverted the disaster Wu collapsed onto his large sofa with a sigh "being royalty is hard work". You nodded "I'm sure it is" and Wu sat up "but look at me going on, I'm sure you've had a much more tiring day, how's it been so far". "Good" you nodded trying not to think of Mako "the city is very beautiful". Wu nodded "it is isn't it...what about the people?". "Well so far the only people I've met are you, Mako, Tenzin, Jinora and Lin...and you're all very different". Wu chuckled "we are! What do you make of Mako?". You paused "he seems...strict". Wu snorted "that's an understatement". "Is he always like that?" you asked. Wu shrugged "Nah he's a big softie really, he's just got that resting fire nation face and hard exterior. He's a lot more likeable when that drops, trust me you'll be friends in no time. Like me and Mako!" Wu said happily and you nodded half-heartedly. There was probably a greater chance of Wu and Mako becoming best friends than you liking Mako. Or so you thought...how fate likes to screw people over.

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So that’s part one! Hope you liked it @idkatpsworld​

[bqstqnbruin]

Always be my plus one - part 3

Ok, look, it's 4 am, there are going to be typos, and we're just going to have to deal with it. I also tried to find a gif that was Tyson and Cale but I couldn't find one in the gif insert thing on here so I just went with this one (it feels weird to change it up but like, oops)

I make no promises that you aren't going to be mad at me for this part so have fun !

This is shorter than the last part, coming in at around 5k words.

The only warnings I have here are implied sex.

Translations for the Italian in here: "tu sei uno stronzo" - you're an ass(hole)

stronzino - little asshole

Also want to thank @justjosty @zinka8 @hockeylvr59 @hockeywocs anons and I'm sure I'm forgetting people for helping me write this part but ily all I'm just dumb and tired

Read the previous part here!

Series masterlist

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Valentine’s Day

The Feast Day of St. Valentine is traditionally celebrated in the Western Catholic Church on February 14, to honor the patron saint of love. Though not traditionally celebrated as a Catholic holiday, millions of people celebrate the day of love with those who mean the most to them. While pessimists of the day say it’s a ‘holiday made up by greeting card companies,’ approximately 190 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent in the United States alone, not including cards given by school children to their classmates. Couples enjoy the holiday with a romantic night out, presents, flowers, chocolates, etc., while those who don’t have someone or don’t care do whatever they want without the pressure of living up to a holiday that doesn’t mean very much in the grand scheme of things.

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February 12, 2022

“Where are you going tonight?” Matthew’s voice came through his younger sister’s phone. He had called early in the week to see if Anne could babysit Harper so he and Stephanie could do something for Valentine’s Day without having to shell out an extravagant amount of money on a sitter.

“I’m, uh,” Anne hesitates, “going out with Tyson. Sorry.” She hears Matthew let out a sigh on the other end. “Hey, stronzo, why don’t you ask Lucy? Her and Jason never do anything on Valentine’s Day.”

Matthew starts talking about how the last time he asked Lucy last minute to watch his daughter, despite their girls being best friends, she ended up going on a fifteen-minute rant. While Anne gets her heels on, staring at herself in the mirror and admiring the floor-length, red dress she had on the slit going up the side for no one but herself, Matthew continues to tell her about how his twin goes on and on about needing a schedule at all times, how she can’t just drop everything in a moment’s notice because he wants to do something with his wife.

“Hey, Matthew,” she cuts him off, trying to shrug her coat on, “Why didn’t you ask Lucy or Sebby after I said no earlier this week?”

“Because I didn’t think you actually had plans.”

“Again, tu sei uno stronzo.”

“I am not an ass!” he detests.

“Fine, you’re a stronzino, happy?” Anne hears him stammer again, not letting him get a word in, “I have to go, I’ll talk to you later, ok? Ask Ma, Dad’s off in Florida right now so she would probably love to have Harper for the night.”

He lets out another sigh, Stephanie’s voice coming through in the background despite Anne’s inability to understand what she was saying. “Fine. Have fun with Tyson. I don’t need another niece or nephew around Halloween, though, ok?”

“Don’t be gross,” she says, hanging up and finally heading out the door.

Her cousin Adriana was getting married to her soon-to-be wife, Izzy. Her family had no idea that she was the only one who still talked to them, her mother having a fight with her brother after their parents died when Anne and her siblings were younger and vowing to never talk to him again. So far, the stubbornness that seems to run through her mom’s blood going strong since it had been over a decade since she had last seen her brother. Anne was invited to Uncle Frankie’s daughter’s wedding, but no one else in her family.

Adriana and Izzy had this Valentine’s Day-themed wedding, everyone asked to wear red or pink in theme with the holiday, Anne not doubting that there would be paper hearts and cut-out cupids as the decor. The wedding gift she bought them, one of the first things she found on their registry that Anne could afford, was shipped to the apartment they already shared two weeks ago, Anne just needing to remember the card.

She was fully prepared to just sit in the corner with a bunch of people she didn’t know and watch as her cousin got married to the love of her life. Anne wasn’t sure that that side of her family would recognize her after how many years, guaranteeing her to spend her time on the sideline.

Anne slips into the back of the church, seeing no one she knew or recognized to even go up to and sit with them. Everyone was dressed in red, pink, and black. A bit too much for her own taste, but at least she looked good in red and would have worn the color anyway. ‘Note to self, no themed weddings,’ Anne thinks, not particularly fond of the lack of color or real choice that everyone had in figuring out what to wear.

A blonde boy in a red suit walks by her, too far past her to get a good look at him. There was something about him that caught her attention. Anne knew that walk, but she had no idea where she knew it from. It didn’t stop her from admiring him from afar, though, the short blonde hair and the obviously fit physique under the suit captivated her for whatever reason, leaving her practically unable to pay attention to the ceremony in front of her. Not that she cared, at this point she was just there to enjoy the free food she knew would be good at the reception later.

Anne sat at the table against the wall, her cousin not bothering to make a seating chart and just leaving it up to the guests to sit where they pleased. That meant she didn’t have to talk to anyone she didn’t want to, being virtually left alone at a wedding where she knew no one.

“Anne?” a familiar voice snaps her out of the trance she fell into watching Ana’s sister and brother-in-law, Catie and Danny dancing with their two daughters, remembering seeing their pictures on Facebook when they were born, not realizing how much they had grown.

She turns to the man in the red suit who had her attention throughout the ceremony. “Cale?” she smiles at him, not sure how the two had missed they would be at the same wedding this weekend. Since New Year's Eve, the two of them had been texting, calling, FaceTiming, they had hung out, spent the night with each other, Cale insisting he buy her dinner at least once a week. The only reason they weren’t dating each other was because neither of them had said they were. They both said they were busy this weekend, but who would have thought they would end up at the same place. “What are you doing here?”

“Izzy’s brother and I grew up playing hockey together. I grew up with her. What are you doing?” he asks her, taking the seat next to her.

“Ana’s my cousin. Her dad is my mom’s older brother.”

Cale smiles at her, Anne’s heart racing at the sight of it. “So I get to meet your family?”

Anne shakes her head. “I’m the only one here,” she tells him, explaining the family drama that went on between Frankie and Teresa.

Cale looks down at his lap, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his suit jacket. The red bowtie, red pants, red jacket even against the black shirt were so much Anne couldn’t tell if his cheeks were red because of the reflection of his clothes or for another reason. “Tyson’s met your family, hasn’t he?”

She nods, taking his hand in hers. “I told you, Tyson and I are just friends. I needed someone to come with me to a family thing, so he came with me.” Cale nods, not entirely sure that something wasn’t up with her and Tyson. Something was off, there was something he was sure Anne was leaving out, but he wasn’t sure. “Hey, I’ve seen Tyson, what, three times since New Year's? All of them when I was with you. I like you, Cale.”

Cale leans over for a kiss, his hand grazing Anne’s thigh, sending a shiver down her spine. “How about we dance like we did on New Year's?” he asks, standing from the seat, shrugging off the red jacket before he extended his hand out to her.

She rolls her eyes, getting up with him anyway. “I told you then, too, that I don’t like dancing.”

“And yet,” he says, pulling her close, his hand finding the small of her back while he presses his forehead against hers, gazing into her eyes, “you danced with me all night then, and you got up to dance with me tonight.”

Anne laughs, knowing he was right, burying her face in his shoulder, swearing she heard some camera’s clicking, probably the wedding photographer hanging around somewhere and taking pictures of the guests dancing.

“I know I have to say this about the brides when they come in,” Cale whispers in her ear, “but you are the most beautiful girl here.”

Anne could feel herself blushing, her mind flashing back to New Year’s Eve when Tyson told her she looked beautiful. He seemed so genuine saying it, Anne thinking back and not sure if he meant it or was actually pretending. But with Cale, she knew. Cale meant it. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she tells him, ghosting his lips before kissing him.

Being with Cale felt fine. Not perfect, but fine. It was right, but not correct, and Anne couldn’t figure out why.

Everyone starts clearing off the dance floor, the bridal party getting ready to come in. Cale takes Anne’s hand and leads her back to the table where he left his jacket, some other people finding their home base at the same table. Cale knew one of the men at the table, probably from their little hockey group that involved Izzy’s brother. The bridesmaids and bridesmen, as the DJ put it, started coming in, Cale leaning back with his arm slung around the back of Anne’s chair. She leaned back into him, his fingertips dancing up and down her arm as they watched everyone come in.

They watched Ana and Izzy dance their first one as wives, Anne’s stomach starting to make noise as they waited for the food to come.

Cale leans over, nervous about what he was about to whisper in her ear. “Are you hungry for food or maybe something more?”

Anne felt her entire body go numb at his words. They had been seeing each other for a month and a half already, so was what he was insinuating really that strange of an idea? “That depends.”

“On?” he asks, nibbling on her ear before kissing the skin right behind it, losing any sense of care over who at their table was potentially watching.

“On how long you think we need to wait before we can slip out without it being rude?”

Cale inhaled sharply, wishing he could say right now. “At least until they cut the cake. Unless,” he says, his hand moving up her thigh, slowly in case she decided she wanted it to stop, “Unless you wanted to try to find somewhere to sneak away to now.”

“Not for our first time,” she tells him, reaching up to cup his cheek. “And not with my family around,” she laughs.

“I’m fine with that,” he tells her, kissing her. “Your place or mine, though?”

“Well, I drove myself here.”

“And I got a ride.”

Anne smiles, crossing her legs in hopes that whatever she felt would be stifled by that simple action. “So it looks like it’s going to be mine.”

They spent the rest of the night waiting for the moment the cake was cut so they could leave as planned, Cale’s hand never leaving her leg unless he really needed both hands to do something.

Anne could feel her heart racing as she watched Ana and Izzy smash their cake in each other’s face, Anne looking over to Cale and smiling. “You wanna go?” she asks, her keys already out of her bag and in her hand.

Cale drags her out without saying a word, Anne leading him to her car. He walks over to the driver’s side, his arms wrapped around her waist with her back pressed against her car. “You’re sure about this?” he asks her, his eyes flicking between hers and her lips.

“Yeah,” she says, kissing him before he opens the door for her. She couldn’t wait to get home, sure she broke a few traffic laws as she sped back to her apartment with Cale sitting next to her in the passenger seat, his leg shaking the entire time.

They got to the elevator, Cale leaning against her against the wall with his lips pressed against hers, Anne’s hands already working to unbutton his shirt. Cale’s kisses trailed down her jaw to her collarbone, his grip tightening on her waist.

Anne pulled away to lead him down the hallway, practically running, partially due to anticipation for what they were about to do, and because Anne could feel a breeze on her back, indicating that Cale had already unzipped her dress. That, coupled with the fact that Cale’s shirt was already open, his jacket in his free hand, Anne had no desire for any of her neighbors to be given the chance to see her and however Cale was to her already getting naked before closing the door.

As soon as she unlocked her door, Cale had her turned back around, kicking the door closed as he carried her to her bedroom, Anne able to feel everything about him against her body. Cale laid her down on her bed, his lips never leaving hers as he positioned himself over her, sliding her dress off while she did the same with his shirt. Anne’s breath hitched at the sight of him, his body perfect while he stared her down, the first time she saw the typically innocent boy she had been seeing with a mischievous grin covering his face, his eyes darkening at the thought of doing what they had both been wanting to do all night.

“You’re sure about this?” he asks one more time.

Anne nods, taking his face in her hands. “Yes, Cale. I’m sure.”

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February 13, 2022

Anne woke up the next morning, the events of the night before rushing back despite finding the space he had occupied in her bed empty. Her dress was on the floor, Cale’s red bowtie somehow having ended up on her night stand. Maybe he left it there as an excuse to see her again, making a mental note to put it in the living room so she would remember it the next time she saw him.

He had slipped out at some point that morning, Anne playing the voicemail that he left her while she slipped on a t-shirt to cover herself. “Hey, Anne. Sorry, I couldn’t stay, but morning skate was calling. I,” she hears him sigh, knowing he had a stupid grin on his face for whatever it was he was about to say, “I can’t wait to have another night like last night with you.”

It was her turn to have the stupid smile on her face as Cale continues, “Um, anyway, I’ve got something going on with JT and some of the other guys tomorrow for Valentine’s Day, a, uh, charity thing? I think? So would you be free this weekend for a proper date for the holiday? You know, not as crowded, not as much pressure, ideally the same outcome, if you’ll allow it? Oh, hey Tyson,” she hears him say, figuring that he was calling her on the way into the rink despite her being unable to hear Tyson. “Yeah, I’m planning Valentine’s Day with Anne. No, not tomorrow night, this weekend. Uh, Anne, I’ve gotta go, but let me know about, say, Friday night? Alright, talk to you later. Bye.”

Valentine’s Day date with Cale? Part two, more like, but still. Anne liked the sound of that.

“So, uh,” Tyson starts, already dreading what he was about to hear from his teammate given what he had heard him say into his phone. “You and Anne?”

“Yeah,” Cale breathes out, chuckling at the thought of what happened last night. “We, um,” Cale couldn’t even get a full sentence out, acting like a child who just got the toy he had been begging his parents for on Christmas morning. He couldn’t remember the last time he was that happy. “We spent the night together last night. I left from her place this morning.”

More of their teammates were filtering into the locker room, looking at Cale’s face turn bright red while Tyson stood there with him looking like he just about wanted to die. “Ok, but did you spend the night, or spend the night?” Ryan asks.

Cale started to stammer out nonsense, not really wanting to divulge the private details of his and Anne’s night despite the guys teasing him and congratulating him for what he wasn’t saying.

“Guys, keep it civil. Anne wouldn’t want us talking about any of this,” Tyson pipes in, Cale letting out a sigh of relief as the guys disperse to get ready for morning skate.

“Thanks,” Cale tells him, going off on his own to get his gear on.

JT appears by Tyson’s side, a stupid smirk on his face. “Would Anne not want us talking about anything, or would you not want us talking about anything?”

“Well, Anne definitely wouldn’t.”

“Oh, come on, we both know Cale would never.”

“Doesn’t mean I want him to have the chance.”

“You’re treading in deep water, dude,” JT sighs.

Tyson looks at him, hating that he knew what he meant. He had barely seen Anne, despite her brother’s texts from the night before asking if Anne really couldn’t watch Harper because of the two of them going out, Tyson going along with the lie just in case. “I don’t know what you want from me.”

“It seems like you don’t know what you want from Anne, either,” JT shrugs. “But Cale does, and he got it.”

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February 14, 2022

12 hour shifts were the only shifts Anne knew. And they were the shifts that Anne detested the most. She was fine the first ten hours, but the last two always seemed to suck more than anything, leaving her exhausted for the rest of the day, into the night, depending on when she got home in the first place.

All she wanted to do was order dinner from the Thai place down the street, having it delivered despite her really not needing to since it was within walking distance, plop herself on her couch and watch whatever reality TV Lucy had texted her that she thought Anne would like. Anne knew she would turn it off after a single episode and switch to Food Network, but at least she could tell her sister she tried.

Anne walks to her apartment, dragging her feet to her door when she sees someone sitting on the ground, his head down looking at his phone. “Tyson?”

He gets up, grabbing the two bags he had with him as the smell of food filled her nose. “Happy Valentine’s Day, my fake girlfriend,” he says, raising the bags while Anne opens the door to let him in.

“I’m confused,” she tells him as he sets everything down.

“Well, Matthew called me on Saturday asking if the two of us were sure we couldn’t watch his daughter, and I figured he might as well have some sort of photographic evidence as proof of us spending Valentine’s Day together,” Tyson explains. “So, I figured I’d go all out: flowers, dinner, and a present. You know, really convince them that we’re together.”

Anne stares at him for a second, not sure why her heart was racing at the thought of him going out of his way to keep up this facade with her family. “I don’t think I like that you and Matthew are so ‘buddy-buddy.’ Or that fact that he didn’t believe me the first two times I told him I was busy on Saturday night. And I thought that you guys had a charity thing tonight?”

“Oh, you didn’t know?” Tyson asks, handing her the container of food as she joined him on the couch, the Thai food she was planning on ordering right in front of her. “We have a groupchat. Yeah, it’s me, Sebby, Lucy, and Matthew.”

Anne scoffs, rolling her eyes at his failed attempt at a joke. “And let me guess: you gossip about me the entire time.”

“Actually,” he says, his mouth full of food, “you never come up. They think of me as the fourth sibling. The name Anne means nothing.”

Anne laughs, Tyson admiring the way her eyes closed as her smile grew. God, he wished he had gotten to her before Cale did. Why did he have to leave her alone at all on New Year’s Eve? If he were by her side the entire night like he had wanted to be, then he wouldn’t have to pretend to be her boyfriend, he could actually be getting somewhere with her.

“Hm,” Anne hums, swallowing her mouthful of food. “You said flowers and a present. When do I get those?”

“You can get them now on the condition that I can take a video to send to your siblings,” he offers, pulling out his phone and pushing the bag with the flowers and gift behind him. Anne rolls her eyes, smiling and nodding while he starts the video. He hands her the card first. “Read it.”

Anne pulls it out of the envelope, glitter getting everywhere and making her cringe, knowing that it would be impossible to get off her scrubs later on. It was covered with roses and hearts, bringing her right back to the wedding that weekend. “No one has ever made me feel like this. To the woman I love: Happy Valentine’s Day,” Anne reads, feeling a lump forming in her throat. The card was so corny, a little too corny for her taste, but coming from Tyson, she didn’t know why she loved it. She shakes her head, laughing at Tyson. “I love you, too,” she lies.

Tyson swallows hard at her words, wishing she meant them, pulling out the flowers from the bag and handing them to her. She looks down at the flowers, trying to figure out what they are before looking up at him. “Queen Anne’s Lace?”

“Queen Anne’s Lace for my Queen, Anne,” he tells her, cringing at his own words.

Anne giggles, placing them in her lap. “And my favorite flowers, anyway. Thank you, Tyson.”

“Wait, I have one more thing,” he says, hoping that the camera wasn’t shaking too much while he reached for the gift he bought her.

He hands it to her, a small red box wrapped with a gold bow. She unties it carefully, opening the box and gasping at the sight of it. A golden necklace with a white enamel heart as the charm, a golden pattern outlining the heart. “Tyson, it’s,” she starts, unable to find the words, “it’s beautiful.”

He stops the recording, figuring he had enough to hit send to his ‘girlfriend's' siblings. “Let me put it on you,” he says, Anne turning around and moving her hair out of the way. “I thought you would like it.”

Anne studies his face, the smile plastered on it despite her knowing that he didn’t mean it. “You didn’t have to do this.”

He shrugs, grabbing his food off the table and staring at it now in his lap. “It was fun. I’ve never had a girlfriend who I could buy presents like this for. I mean, I still don’t, but I have you.”

“Oh, come on. You, Tyson Jost, have never had a girlfriend? Look at you,” she says, praying that she was careful with the words she chose. “You’re gorgeous, you’re sweet, you’re funny, you get along with everyone you meet.”

Tyson hated hearing Anne go on about him, knowing that she was just saying it as a friend instead of something more. He scoffs, trying to save face from whatever pain or other emotion he was feeling. “Come on,” he says, not believing her anyway.

“I’m serious!” she insists, reaching up and starting to fidget with her new necklace. “Any girl would be lucky to have you as her boyfriend. I’m lucky to even have you as a fake boyfriend.”

Tyson nods, turning his body to face the TV instead of Anne. “So what are we watching?” he asks, changing the subject and putting his feet up on the table, Anne doing the same.

“Whatever’s on Food Network?” she suggests, holding the remote in the air pointed at the TV.

The two of them settle in, Tyson not paying attention to the show she had turned on. “Hey, what’s that?” Tyson asks, racing over to the red fabric that was on Anne’s coffee table.

“Oh,” Anne blushes, taking it from Tyson. “This is Cale’s. He, um, let it the other night,” she explains, Tyson watching her turn his teammates bowtie over in her hands.

“So you and Cale are doing pretty well?” he asks. Anne looks at him, not sure if she really wanted to tell him about it. “Come on, we’re friends. You can talk to me about anything.”

“I mean,” she says, putting down the bowtie on the table, not taking her eyes off of it. “We’re together? I think?” Tyson already hated that he even offered to listen to her talk about her and his teammate. “I like him. A lot. And I know he likes me, but,” Anne lets out a sigh, not sure where to even take her sentence.

“But, what?” Tyson asks.

“I don’t know,” she shakes her head, looking confused. “Everything is great, but it’s, I,” she stammers. “Something is off, and I can’t figure out what.”

Tyson stares at her for a second, trying to figure out what to say. “It’s probably just that it’s new,” he shrugs. “Everything seems weird when you’re still figuring it out. You and Cale will be ok,” he tells her, hating hearing those words come out of his mouth.

=============

February 19, 2022

Anne stared at herself in the mirror, the black turtleneck she borrowed from her sister coupled with a beige skirt and black tights on her as she got ready for her date with Cale. He was bound to show up any minute, promising each other they weren’t going to do gifts due to a general lack of time on both ends. She didn’t believe that he wasn’t going to get her a gift, however, sneaking out to the bakery down the street and buying some pastries that the two of them would like, giving them an excuse to both show up back at her apartment. And if he didn’t give her a gift, then she got the pastries all to herself.

If not, she could share them with Tyson, who had been showing up at her place or asking her to go to his place any free chance they both had.

She heard Cale knocking at her door, Anne rushing as fast as she could in her heels to answer. Cale was standing there, a black crewneck similar to her own turtleneck, paired with dark jeans, black boots, and a grey coat. Cale kisses her hello, one hand behind his back with the other resting on her hip. “Every time I see you I don’t think you could get more beautiful, and yet, you do.”

“You’re cheesy,” she jokes as he kisses her forehead, Cale laughing against her skin. “But you,” Anne says, resting her hands on his chest, “get more handsome every time I see you, too. And, you’re hiding a present behind your back, aren’t you, even though we said no presents.”

Cale laughs, closing the door behind him. “Maybe I saw this and had to get it for you,” he admits, kissing her again and holding up the bag near her head.

“Should I open it now or should I do it later when we come back here?” she flirts, holding the bag in her hand.

“Oh, we’re coming back here?” he teases her, trailing kisses down her neck.

“I might have gotten some dessert for us so we had an excuse to relive last Saturday. Plus, you left your bowtie here,” she gestures to it, still sitting on her table, “And I was thinking maybe you wear that tonight instead of keeping it off?”

Cale raises his eyebrow at her, a silly smile on his face. “And what else would I be wearing?”

Anne shrugs, pretending to act innocent. “I was thinking only the bowtie,” she tells him, feeling his grip around her tighten at the thought.

Cale kisses her again, unable to keep his hands off the girl in front of him. If he could, he would forget dinner altogether and just go straight to dessert, but he knew Anne wasn’t that kind of girl, and he wasn’t about to force her into anything she didn’t want. “Hey, I like that necklace you’re wearing,” he says, twirling the charm around in his fingers. “The heart is perfect for Valentine’s Day.”

She reaches up and takes his hand in hers. “Thanks. My sister got it for me a few years ago for my birthday,” she lies. She couldn’t tell him that Tyson had gotten it for her for Valentine’s Day.

[peachtree-dish]

A Te Che Sei il Mio Grande Amore Ch. 7: Niente ti farà del male piccola

23 Gennaio, 1970

The first indication of Luca’s growth spurt began with his school blazer suddenly feeling too tight as he raised his hands in class. The second indication came from bursting seams on his pants and his pants becoming more like capris as he wore them each day. The third time his inseam split, Signora Mia finally resigned herself to the reality of new clothes. Now, standing in front of his mirror, Luca could see the changes he had been too busy to notice before. His body was lengthening and becoming more svelte, with his legs becoming toned from cycling around the city. His face had slimmed down, losing most of the baby fat and child-like roundness he had grown accustomed to for most of his life.

The only features that hadn’t changed with time were his eyes; richly brown with flecks of gold and red. Luca wondered what Alberto would think of when he saw him. His friend’s voice had begun to deepen when they spoke two months prior, and Luca had all but melted into the warm depths of that voice. Would Alberto have a similar reaction to seeing Luca as he grew into himself? His thoughts were mildly put on hold as a gentle hand knocked on his bedroom door seeking permission to enter. Giulia entered, her hair damps from her bath and her skin glowing from the warmth of the water.

Dante and Luisa had left about an hour ago, having visited for after-school studying. He was not overly excited for their upcoming midterms, and with the added stress of assisting the teachers, he felt nervous about how his grades would fair. She plopped none too gently on his bed while the sounds of Signora Mia’s poor singing and the radio blasting in the kitchen echoed into his room.

“They’re playing the Beatles again?” He inquired, picking up the familiar tunes under Mia’s caterwauling. He pretended to brush imaginary dust from the light blue shirt he was wearing while strains of ‘Let it Be’ floated through the air. Giulia grinned and nodded, wincing when her mother’s voice reached for a particularly high note.

“I think Beatlemania has finally bitten her.” She rolled onto her stomach and faced him. “Were you going to try on the clothes we bought?” She inquired. He flushed under her scrutiny, not wishing to appear vain, and instead opted for sitting nonchalantly in his chair by the window.

“No, I was just thinking about changes.”

“Like what kind of changes?”

“The physical kind; I didn’t realize we were growing up.” Giulia hummed in thought. Just like her mother, both women had a gift to perceive and understand those around them with hardly any words or context.

“You don’t seem overly happy about it?” She cautiously pried.

“I wouldn’t say that, exactly, it’s something new.”

“Well, if it helps, you look good in your new wardrobe. I can hear the swooning girls now.” Giulia grinned wolfishly. The thought of girls noticing him more made Luca nervous and uncomfortable.

“I sure hope not,” he looked out the window to the hues of sunlight bathing the coral and cream houses orange. The lighting reminded him of Porto Rosso, and in turn, reminded him of Alberto.

“Don’t you want to start dating? Dante hardly shuts up about girls and most everyone in your grade is going out. Unless you’re only allowed to date sea monsters.” He continued to avoid her gaze, instead focusing on a flock of pigeons strutting along the rooftop to the left.

“No one interests me here.” He hedged after a moment.

“Not even Luisa?”

Now that got his attention.

“Ew, what? No!” He wagged his arms in horror, nearly losing his balance on the chair.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry!” Giulia soothed, baffled at his reaction.

“No offense to her or anything, I just… no. Definitely not.”

“Bene, she’s not interested, if that helps.”

“Why did you ask her?”

“I never said I did,” Giulia blustered, pink spreading across her face. Luca just stared at her with an unimpressed expression. She laughed nervously, glancing to the side.

“I was just curious,” she mumbled. She began to wrap strands of hair around her fingers, obviously avoiding his gaze now. A light suddenly clicked in Luca’s brain.

“Do you like her?” Giulia’s head snapped up and she glared at him.

“Do you like Alberto?” She shot back.

Looking back at this moment, Luca would realize he should have felt fear, or nervous, perhaps even anger, but Giulia’s question felt like a shock to his system. A switch flicked on and flooded his body with realization and for the first time in years, Luca understood everything.

A shock of laughter escaped him, “Yeah, actually. I do.” He laughed again, this time harder, unsure as to why tears were starting to leak down his cheeks, staining them green. Luca pressed his face into his hands as his laughter turned into hysterical gasps for air.

“Actually, I-I think I’m in love with him.” Oh shit, shit, shit, shit. “O mio Dio, I’m in love with my best friend, Gules.” He didn’t hear Giulia move until her arms were suddenly wrapping around him and she was awkwardly rubbing circles into his back.

“Is this okay?” She asked. He could no longer form words, so Luca nodded his consent instead.

When he eventually calmed down and the only evidence of his initial panic were the scale tracks on his face and neck, Giulia quietly went to grab him a glass of water and held it out for him to take.

“Sorry, that was dramatic.” He whispered croakily. Giulia laughed kindly and patted his shoulder.

“I think dramatic is a requirement in our family. Besides, you already know how I can be too much.”

They sat in silence for a time with their arms around each other, the light outside fading to the familiar dark and loud nightlife of Genoa.

“Per favore, don’t tell my mama.” Luca cast her a look of confusion. “About Luisa.” She amended. “As kind and accepting as she is, I think this is something that would be too much of a sorpresa.”

The red-headed teen scuffed her big toe against the floor, eyes downcast.

“Hey,” Luca nudged her softly, prompting her to look up at him. “She might be the one to surprise you. I’ve never met two people like your parents, Giulia, who truly only lived to make their child happy.”

“Ad ogni modo, I’m still not ready for that conversation. Besides, it’s not like I have a chance. Luisa’s, like, super pretty and smart, and Santa mozzarella! When she sings, it’s incredibile!”

Luca smiled as his friend rambled on about the Sicilian sea monstress, wondering if this was how he looked every time he gushed about Alberto. Eyes bright, cheeks flushed, and an endless amount of knowledge about the one person you consider to be your whole world. It was a wonder no one else knew of his feelings.

21 Marzo 1970

“Santa ziti! You’ve been in love with him this whole time?!”

“Zitto, Ciccio! I’d rather not have the whole town know, thank you.” Alberto flung flour at the blonde’s face, nervously checking to make sure no one had heard them. They were currently working in the kitchen behind the Pasticcini’s front area, with Alberto kneading the dough and Ciccio creating scores in the bread or decorating the more delicate sweets.

Ciccio winced apologetically and lowered his voice, leaning in for good measure.

“Does he know, or have you not told him yet?”

“Of course, he doesn’t know, stupido! I’m trying to not ruin our friendship.

“Don’t call me stupido, and how do you know it would?”

Alberto threw the ball of dough down on the wood surface with more force than necessary, the surrounding flour splattering like snowballs after the season’s first snowfall.

“I just know, é tutto.”

They worked in silence for a while, taking turns with switching pans from the clay oven and glazing sweet rolls with fruit jellies and powdered sugar. When the sun was beginning to set everything on fire, its orange gaze turning the sweet rolls into apricot imitations, Ciccio’s mother brought warm cider and a platter of buttered bread. Alberto liked Ciccio’s mother, she was as warm as the bread she baked and her personality as strong and opinionated as the spices she used. Bella shared the same round features as her son, with a strong nose and bowed lips that were quick to smile. Ciccio once explained to Alberto that he and his mother got their strong noses and blonde hair from Bella’s German heritage, but it wasn’t something they spoke openly about.

Today, Signora Bella’s smile was strained, but it had lost none of its warmth. Alberto knew that meant either some customers had been more difficult than others or some pastries hadn’t turned outright. He recoiled at the thought of her being disappointed in anything he’d done.

“Come va tutto, ragazzi?” She lovingly patted Ciccio’s halo of curls and squeezed Alberto’s shoulder with a large hand. “It’s smelling really good in here. Ah, che bello!” She motioned to the cooling racks on Ciccio’s right. The sweet rolls and scored bread glistened perfectly in the afternoon light and the Signora’s words made Alberto glow as well.

“If you keep this up, Alberto, I may have to bribe Massimo to let me keep you all year long,” she teased. Alberto could only shrug nonchalantly, hoping his pride didn’t show.

“How did the sales go, mama?” Ciccio asked cheerfully, taking a large bite from his buttered bread. Alberto watched nervously, eating his own snack at a slower pace, his stomach suddenly feeling as if hermit crabs were marching and pinching at his insides.

Bella waved the questions away, her mouth pulling sourly at the edges. “Bah, Signor Tafani nearly scared away my customers this morning with his complaining. That man is never satisfied.” She sniffed dismissively. Alberto’s fingers began to pick at the bread, the smaller crumbs slipping from his lap.

“Was there something wrong with the baked goods?” He managed to ask, focusing on Bella’s crocifissione that hung around her neck. The older woman’s hand rested over Alberto’s, pausing the destruction of his bread.

“As I said, piccolo, he is never satisfied. No matter how perfect the bake is,” Her smile was small but firm and it made the hermit crabs release their pinching in his stomach. “God help that poor man’s wife.” Bella sighed heavily as she heaved herself to her feet.

“Ora,” she stood and clapped her hands together and both Alberto and Ciccio swallowed their bread quickly, the butter coating Alberto’s mouth with salt and cream. “Alberto, will you be staying for dinner?”

Alberto’s mouth watered at the thought; the signora’s food was always amazing, rich in seasonings and filled with love. Not to mention Ciccio’s father would usually play his guitar and serenade his family with music and singing. If he drank enough wine, Massimo would usually join in and the resulting cacophony would leave the rest of the family in tears and howls of laughter. Outwardly, the curly-haired teen hesitated, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

“I don’t know Signora, I don’t want to leave Massimo hanging…”

“Bah, but of course he is invited as well, what do you think telefoni are for?”

“To make long distances seem short.” Ciccio supplied cheekily, earning an inconspicuous kick from Alberto. Signora Bella gave her son a bemused look.

“Si, mio figlio, for that too…” deciding that it was safer to not question the odd antics of teenaged boys, Bella left to call Massimo and prepare dinner.

When she was out of sight, Alberto gruffly shoved Ciccio in the side, earning him a loud laugh.

“I think I preferred it when you were trying to hunt me,” he groaned miserably. Ciccio merely grinned.

“It’d be hard to catch a fish that’s already been caught.” Alberto kicked him harder in answer.

28 Aprile 1970

“You want me to start applying already?”

The headmaster grinned expectantly at Luca.

“Ma certo, Luca! You’ve shown so much potential these past two years, which is even more impressive considering your, ahem, background.” The balding man stage whispered behind his hand. Luca could only stare in confusion.

“Why are you whispering, we’re the only ones here?” Signore Bonetti flushed red for a moment, his thin lips disappeared under his obnoxiously large mustache as he frowned.

“It doesn’t matter,” he waved his hand away, his smile returning instantly. “What matters, mio caro ragazzo is that you could have the opportunity for great things.”

“Bene, I don’t know, Signore Bonetti.”

“You don’t know.” The signore’s mustache quivered as he peered at the curly-haired youth before him. Luca shrugged awkwardly under his gaze, feeling a nervous trickle of sweat make its way down the back of his neck.

“I still have two years here and I have to consider prices as well. Moreover, I would like to discuss future possibilities with my family first.” He offered what he hoped to be a placating smile at the headmaster.

“All the more reason to start now,” Signore Bonetti pressed, his hands inching university pamphlets across the oak desk. “Signora Castello has already agreed to help write your application letters along with several recommendations from our staff. And, I should add that we’ve had a growing handful of universities reach out with interest once I sent a copy of your grades.”

Luca sighed internally, he had a feeling that he wouldn’t be escaping this conversation without some sort of agreement.

“How many universities would accept a full-grown sea monster into their halls, Signore Bonetti?” Luca asked bluntly. Thin lips open and closed in an “o” shape. The mustache covering the top half of his mouth reminded Luca of an octopus who couldn’t quite catch its food. He decided to keep that thought to himself.

“Actually, quite a few would be ecstatic, if you were willing to supply their science departments with some information.”

Luca clasped his hands to keep them from shaking. “I will not be some science project that is locked away and never seen again.” He said firmly.

The headmaster quickly backpedaled, “No, no of course not! We would never allow-”

“I’ve seen what humans do to those they consider different. Fear is a powerful, if uneducated, weapon. If I am to go to any university, I do not want them to know about my…background, as you say.” Luca smiled condescendingly.

The bald man paled, his eyes round with shock.

“No, mio ragazzo, I don’t think that would be wise.”

“Bene, if that is everything, I need to head back to class.” Luca stood, he considered the colorful papers on the desk before grabbing the lot and turning towards the door. Signore Bonetti stuttered a farewell to his retreating figure. He didn’t look back.

“What’s got you looking so glum, chum?” Dante’s question sprayed crumbs everywhere, much to the rest of the group’s disgust. Luca glared up at his large friend, dusting the rejected food off of his copy of ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’.

“Is it really that hard to swallow first then speak, Castello?” Luisa asked, her cupid bow lips curled in distaste.

Dante rubbed a large hand across his face, dispelling a few straggling crumbs from his mouth. Without saying anything, he stared challengingly into Luisa’s eyes and took a larger bite of a dinner roll, the crumbs falling to their doom. Luisa scoffed and turned back to braiding Giulia’s red locks in intricate patterns. Giulia hadn’t said much during their lunch hour, and if Luca had to guess, he would wager having Luisa sit so close with her hands combing through her hair had something to do with it.

They were currently sat outside on the campus grounds, good weather permitting it. Around them, other students sat on benches or laid out on the grass, soaking up the weak rays of spring sunshine. Today, Luisa brought an intricate blanket that they all rested on, with Luca lying on his stomach and Dante munching beside him sitting cross-legged. A very flushed Giulia sat leaning back so that Luisa could access her hair easily.

Dante made to speak again, but Luca interrupted him. “I’ll tell you if you promise to keep your mouth shut and your food inside it.” The larger teen rolled his sky-blue eyes in annoyance but didn’t say anything, much to everyone’s relief.

“The headmaster wants me to start applying to universities.” Luca started, immediately his friends turned to him, their expressions matching.

“Cosa?!” Their table received several odd looks from the surrounding students who were simply trying to enjoy their meals.

“Yeah, that’s what I said. Apparently, there are universities already showing interest in me.”

“You don’t think they know about, ya know.” Giulia mimicked swimming, wincing when Luisa yanked her head back into place so she could continue braiding.

“I honestly don’t know, I told Signore Bonetti I don’t want universities to know about it, I didn’t think to ask if he’d already brought it up.” Luca allowed his head to rest heavily against the pages of his book. Up close, the letters were indiscernibly blurry.

“I’ve never heard of a sophomore applying for university before, my mom has never allowed it. Have you been getting tens this whole time?” Dante looked at him incredulously. A red flush crept its way up Luca’s neck.

“That and a few extra-curricular.” He mumbled. Who knew joining the swim team and being the chess club captain would be so impressive?

“Aspettare, why aren’t you happy? Isn’t this a good thing?” Luisa intervened, her honey eyes never leaving her work.

“I dunno, I’m worried about more people finding out, and then there’s Alb- my family, I don’t want to make any decisions without them.”

Giulia shot him a look through her curtain of hair, he responded by nudging her foot with his book. They hadn’t spoken much since that incident happened, something that Luca wasn’t eager to change.

“Ya know, I’ve heard my mom talk about these exchanges that universities will offer to promising students for a few weeks.” Dante tapped his lips thoughtfully. “You’d have to wait until the summer after next to do it, but that would allow you the chance to experience college life without the full commitment.”

“Veramente?” Luca felt a flicker of hope and excitement flicker in his stomach.

“Yeah, take a few classes, sleep in one of the dorms, meet your professors, etc. That kind of stuff.” Dante waved his hand nonchalantly, “You know my mom would be happy to help, it’s her job, but, like, she reaaally likes you. So, instant win.” He popped a cherry tomato into his mouth.

The bell sounded, causing the group of teens to quickly finish what they were doing. With a hum of contentment, Luisa tied Giulia’s hair and helped the other girl to her feet. Dante and Luca helped wrap the blanket up neatly, being sure to shake out any remains of Dante’s lunch. The group split into two and headed to their respective classrooms with the promise to meet after school per usual. Luca’s last two classes of the day were physics and music, and he hurried towards his physics class which rested resentfully on the other side of the school.

As he passed a darkened alcove, his ears picked up the sounds of muffled giggles and whispers. He slowed down against his better judgment and peered around the corner of faded, blue lockers that lined the walls. Two boys, at least a year older than him, were leaning against each other in the darkened hallway. The tall, lanky blonde Luca recognized from the group of teens that Luisa had soaked near the beginning of the school year. The shorter brunette was unrecognizable, especially with him facing away from Luca and most of his body being overshadowed by Lanky.

He knew he was interrupting a private moment, but Luca couldn’t find it within himself to look away. Lanky leaned down and began to gently press kisses to Brunette’s neck who laughed breathlessly in response. Luca felt his stomach flip at the sight, and if he gripped his books harder than necessary, well, that was nobody else’s business. He wondered if Alberto would kiss him like that, or if he would prefer to have his own neck pressed with gentle ministrations. The thought made him sigh forlornly and rest his head non too gently on the lockers before remembering he wasn’t alone. The two boys jerked apart as if burned but Luca was already turning the corner at the end of the hallway before either could see him.

03 Maggio 1970

“Finalmente!” Luisa exclaimed, slumping against her towel in the sand. Luca could only continue to itch at his skin, flakes peeling off and leaving red scores wherever his nails scraped. Next to him, Dante was already removing his clothing, the pale moonlight making his skin glow like marble. The tall Italian hid a yawn behind his hand, his eyelids still struggling to carry their own weight. Due to both Luca and Luisa being sea monsters, it was agreed that they couldn’t attend the beach during the day where people might see them. Thus, it had become a monthly ritual for midnight swims since Luca’s first year in Genoa. With the weather being too cold during the winter, Luca had to settle for long soaks in Signora Mia’s bath.

However, this time around his skin had felt particularly itchy, and transforming during his morning showers had revealed new scales pushing underneath his older ones. He had panicked and ran from the bathroom with nothing but a towel and a shriek. After a rushed phone call with his mother, Luca learned about the extra joys of growth spurts and puberty.

“You’re going to have to swim daily to help your body push out the old scales,” his mother explained in her matter-of-fact way. “Your tail fins especially will need the help and they’re also going to be the sorest.” Daniela’s voice turned sympathetic. “Just a few weeks more and then you’ll be home, we can help manage it from there.”

So, for the past week, Luca with his trio of friends would all pile into Mia’s small, bright yellow Fiat and drive the half-hour to the ocean at three in the morning. Without a second thought, he was in the water, pushing through briny waves allowing the ocean to peel scales away with gentle brushes. His mother had been right, his tail was instantly sore once it unfurled in the waves. The spines along his fins were growing longer and sharper, their bases pink with tender new skin. Luca did his best to stretch his body gently in the dark waters, taking brief breaks to check his location in comparison to everyone else on the beach. The signora could be seen snoring loudly on her quilt and Dante was doing his best impression of a starfish, his face mashed into the corner of the quilt. The only two who weren’t passed out were Giulia and Luisa, who appeared to be in serious conversation near the water’s edge.

Luca dove back into the cool depths, the water burned his eyes in a barely noticeable way, and he wondered if it was because more tourists visited Genoa in comparison to Porto Rosso. There were also fewer fish here, although a stray school of fish could be found here or there. He felt a familiar tug in his chest at the thought of Porto Rosso’s waters. The year was finally coming to an end, with finals taking place for the next few weeks, and then Giulia and he would be heading home. Luca grinned freely as he thought about Alberto again, the tug growing stronger in his chest the more he thought about him. He wanted so badly to talk to his friend about his newfound feelings, but there was also the risk of losing Alberto over said feelings. And then there was the decision of attending university in two years, who knew what could happen during that time? The fifteen-year-old groaned in frustration, sending a burst of bubbles to the surface. A smoothhound shark swam past him, appearing to roll its eyes at his dramatics. Luca stuck his tongue out in defense, not willing to argue with a shark at the moment.

When he rolled onto the beach with a swell, the sun was beginning to crest over the ocean’s face. Giulia and Luisa both nodded to him, neither having moved from their spot on the sand.

“Did you want to swim a bit before we head back?” Luca asked Luisa, already knowing the answer. The Sicilian girl smiled gently at his offer before shaking her head in a negative.

“Is it a self-conscious thing because I totally get that. But just to be very clear, you have nothing to be embarrassed about.” Luca balked at Giulia’s sudden boldness. The redhead in question looked at him as if to ask why he’d let her say that her face turning the same shade as her locks. “Sorry,” she muttered, wrapping her arms around her knees. “that was too much.”

Luisa had the most genuine smile on her face that Luca had seen in their entire time together. She wrapped arms the color of caffè around Giulia, pressing her grin into her shoulder.

“You’re too cute, Giulietta.”

Giulia looked dazed out of her mind, her face the definition of a satellite that had gone to space and made no motion of returning to earth.

Pulling away, Luisa’s expression turned carefully neutral, and she appeared to be at war with something in her thoughts. As the sun began to pour its warm rays along the sandy shores of Genoa, the young sea monster seemed to come to terms with something. Sighing, she gracelessly flopped forward and began to push her fingers deep beneath the sand’s surface.

“When I was really small, I was taken from my parents by fishermen.” Luisa began slowly, “I was sold to a Circo da baraccone in Napoli, and I was their star of the show. The circus was filled with other people who had anomalies, like me. For the most part, they were really nice.”

“For the most part?” Luca asked quietly. He suddenly felt oddly cold, even with the rays drying his skin.

“Our… master,” Luisa bared her teeth at the word, “was not kind. He wanted perfection instantly and he was very greedy, he barely met our basic needs for food and water. Instead, he would spend money on alcohol and parties with powerful people.” Luisa traced vicious lines through the sand, contrasting light and dark with her fingers.

“When he was particularly ubriaco, he would wake us up at all hours of the night and run through shows with us. Every time we would make a mistake, he would use his whip.” Her fingers stopped. “I was just seven years old.” She whispered.

Beside her, Giulia had become rigid, her face pale and her cheeks were glistening with tears.

“One night, he was more violent than usual, and he knocked over a lantern. The whole circus went up in flames. In all the chaos, my tank broke and I was afraid I would die without water, I’d never made the change before. When I realized I could breathe, it didn’t matter because the fire was too big by that point. The smoke and heat were everywhere, and I couldn’t run.

“But then, Marta came back for me.” Luisa gave a small smile and finally met their stricken gazes.

“She carried me to safety, and we escaped together, never once looking back.”

“Is that what brought you here to Genoa?” Giulia’s voice shook, though she tried to hide it. Luisa turned to her and laced their fingers together and they both held on tightly.

“No, I was only nine. Marta tried to help me find my parents, but I couldn’t remember where I had been taken from and I couldn’t find other sea monsters near Napoli. Actually,” she finally looked at Luca, “you’re the first one I’ve encountered in all these years.”

“I’m sorry,” Luca murmured. Luisa raised her eyebrows in question.

“Don’t be,” She answered easily, though her voice caught, “for the first time, in a long time, I have hope.”

“Anyways,” she continued, “we moved to Sicily to avoid recognition and Marta did what she could to teach me how to be a human, including teaching me my letters and numbers. Eventually, she was able to enroll me into a school.” Here, she frowned.

“I didn’t mean to reveal myself, but there was an accident with water, and I changed. I escaped school, which wasn’t hard to do when everyone is afraid of you. Marta and I fled here and changed our names, she’s sacrificed for me so much and I feel terrible about it.” Tears began to leave pink scale marks over her skin.

“No,” Luca corrected gently. He shared a look with Giulia, and wordlessly they embraced the weeping teen. “You did what you had to to survive. And there is no guilt or shame in that.” Luisa sobbed harder, years of heartache bleeding out and dampening the crystals of sand. They stayed that way until there was no guilt left.

[stevie-baby]

@satans-helper​ thank you for tagging me love! This week has been rough, I have had a shit day looking for jobs, but now I’ve got a beer and I’m answering this because self care or whatever. Leggo!

1. What is your middle name?

Marlene

2. How old are you?

19

3. When is your birthday?

August 20th

4. What is your zodiac sign?

Leo sun; Capricorn rising; Taurus moon

5. What is your favourite colour?

Orange

6. What’s your lucky number?

8 or 20

7. Do you have any pets?

not any more :( but growing up I had a corgi mix named Lulu. She was dope. Fun lil origin story about her: my mom missed the majority of my first birthday becuase she had to stay late at work becuase her coworker’s dog was having puppies and had to leave early. My mom was like “Angela if I’m gonna be late for my kids birthday celebration can I at least get first pick of the puppies?” So when the puppies were finally able to go to different homes, my mom sat little one year old me in their pen to let me pick the one we’d take home. Something drew me to the runt of the litter (maybe it was the fact that she didn’t straight up attack me like her brothers and sisters) and she lived a happy 16 and a half years with us.

8. Where are you from?

Southern California

9. How tall are you?

5'6

10. What shoe size are you?

Womens 11 but I usually wear a mens 9.5 because I have wide feet

11. How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Like 7 pairs (none of which are cowboy boots or gogo boots which is a travesty)

12. What was your last dream about?

I don’t remember but I know it wasn’t anything malicious, so that’s good.

13. What talents do you have?

I play instruments and I sing. I also do art occasionally.

14. Are you psychic in any way?

I wouldn’t say psychic but I am pretty in tune with the universe. But I do also have dreams that have to do with fertility that are like super heavy with symbolism and are oddly prophetic. I call them my egg dreams. If y’all wanna hear about them I make a post about them or something. 

15. Favourite song?

At the moment it is When the Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin

16. Favourite movie?

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

17. Who would be your ideal partner?

Honestly? Honestly??? Sam Kiszka. I’ve always been into bassists and lanky boys with long dark hair, so he’s perfect. Also, I love his personality. He’s just magnetic and Joy is a lucky gal :)

18. Do you want children?

Not really. I’m 19, barely an adult, so kids aren’t in my plans right now. I’m not sure if they’ll ever be in my plans. But if I do decide I want children one day, I would want to have more than one because I am an only child and I wouldn’t want that for my kid. It gets lonely and I will never know or understand the bond that siblings have. Also I’d want adopt and foster some kids.

19. Do you want a church wedding?

Nope unless you count a chapel in Vegas as a church wedding. 

20. Are you religious?

Not religious, never grew up practising anything, but I’m spiritual.

21. Have you ever been to the hospital?

Ooof I was always in and out of the hospital. I was always sick or getting injured.

22. Have you ever got in trouble with the law?

Not yet

23. Have you ever met any celebrities?

Quite a few. The most memorable experiences were pouring champagne for Drake Bell when I worked at the country club and when Jack Barakat from All Time Low and Ashley Purdy from Back Veil Brides were hitting on my mom,

24. Baths or showers?

Baths are really therapeutic but I feel bad because I’m not conserving water :(

25. What color socks are you wearing?

I’m barefoot babey ;) I’m starting to feel this beer 

26. Have you ever been famous?

Nope

27. Would you like to be a big celebrity?

Maybe, but probably not 

┈┈┈┈┈◦•✩•◦┈┈┈┈┈

Documenting that I’m now on my second Modelo, just so y’all know.

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28. What type of music do you like?

All types honestly. I stray more toward rock though.

29. Have you ever been skinny dipping?

Let me tell you the story. So yes, I have skinny dipped. I was very not sober that night, much like tonight, and I was at a sleepover at my friend’s house on the lake. So all of us drunk 16 year olds were like “FUCK YEAH” and skinny dipped on the coldest night in February. It was transcendent. Later that night I gave myself a stck n poke tattoo :)

30. How many pillows do you sleep with?

3 of em. One under my head, one between my knees, and one to hug

31. What position do you usually sleep in?

on my side, spoonin a pillow

32. How big is your house?

Big enough :)

33. What do you typically have for breakfast?

coffee and OCCASIONALLY a plain eggo waffle

34. Have you ever fired a gun?

yup. took a gun safety class.

35. Have you ever tried archery?

yeah

36. Favourite clean word?

apothecary 

37. Favorite swear word?

fuck (issa classic)

38. What’s the longest you’ve ever gone without sleep?

74 hours. I was tweaking HARD and crying my fucking eyes out

39. Do you have any scars?

Yup

40. Have you ever had a secret admirer?

this would be a good time for someone to confess their love for me 👀

41. Are you a good liar?

I’m fantastic at lying

42. Are you a good judge of character?

I’d like to think so

43. Can you do any other accents other than your own?

a lot of em

44. Do you have a strong accent?

I was back in California for 4 and a half months, so my valley girl accent came back and stronger than ever.

45. What is your favourite accent?

Australian or Midwestern

46. What is your personality type?

old man in a teenage girl’s body

47. What is your most expensive piece of clothing?

One of my formal dresses that was like $120

48. Can you curl your tongue?

yee

49. Are you an innie or an outie?

innie

50. Left or right-handed?

I’m ambidextrous

51. Are you scared of spiders?

not particularly

52. Favourite food?

Bean and cheese burrito or carne asada fries

53. Favourite foreign food?

Mexican food, but Chinese food is also near and dear to me (they’re kinda not foreign to me because I’m Chinese and Mexican

54. Are you a clean or messy person?

I’m messy in an organized way.

55. Most used phrase?

“Fuckin siiiiiiick, dude” and yes I sound like Nick Colletti when I say it. No, I’m not doing an impression, I’m just from SoCal and sound like a skater dude

56. Most used word?

fuck

57. How long does it take for you to get ready?

About an hour or so

58. Do you have much of an ego?

I’m a Leo and I fit the description

59. Do you suck or bite lollipops?

Lick

60. Do you talk to yourself?

Uh yeah who doesn’t????

61. Do you sing to yourself?

Always

62. Are you a good singer?

I’m not bad ;) I’m just a bit out of practice 

63. Biggest Fear?

failure i guess i dunno

64. Are you a gossip?

I was going to say no but I can’t lie. I don’t spread shit, but I’ll listen to some tea.

65. Best dramatic movie you’ve seen?

Mid 90s was pretty intense. I dunno that’s the only one coming to mind at the momento

66. Do you like long or short hair?

depends on my mood

67. Can you name all 50 states of America?

I’m just gonna say no. 

68. Favourite school subject?

History or science! Loved em

69. Extrovert or Introvert?

Major introvert

70. Have you ever been scuba diving?

Hell naw. I can’t even watch underwater scenes in movies because I get anxious and I feel like I’m drowning

71. What makes you nervous?

Love/being loved

72. Are you scared of the dark?

Lil bit

73. Do you correct people when they make mistakes?

yup and I do it politely so people can learn from it because I’m not a fuckin dick and I want people to thrive

74. Are you ticklish?

Yes

75. Have you ever started a rumour?

Not that I’m aware of

76. Have you ever been in a position of authority?

I was on student council does thaf countt??? I got put in charge of prom 2 years in a row because the peoplw that were put in charge fucked up and dropped the ball.

77. Have you ever drank underage?

Currently am. Not the first time nor will it be the last.

78. Have you ever done drugs?

Yeah, yeah I have.

79. Who was your first real crush?

This kid in first grade who had moved here from Russia. We were sat next to each other because our names both started with Z. He was fucking rad. i helped him study for his citizenship test and taught me phrases in Russian. 

80. How many piercings do you have?

seis. five in my ears and one in my nostril

81. Can you roll your R’s?

Yup yup yup. I speak Spanish so its kinda essential

82. How fast can you type?

Fast enough

83. How fast can you run?

I’m asthmatic and have bad feet/knees/hips/spine, ya know what my bones are fucked upp let’s justgo with that

84. What colour is your hair?

Dark brown, almost black.

85. What color is your eyes?

Brown

86. What are you allergic to?

Cats :( and pollen and shit like that

87. Do you keep a journal?

yeah imean i forget about it sometimes but its nice to vent or reminisce

88. What do your parents do?

They both work in the automotivw industry at separate companies on separate sides of the country

89. Do you like your age?

Nope. I’m at a weird transitional phase of being an adult but also still a kid but I don’t relate to most teenagers and I also can’t legally drink here in the states. Issa bummer ya know???.

90. What makes you angry?

We don’t have time for this and i ont have the mental capacity for iteither

91. Do you like your own name?

Fuck no. My name is Zoeie, acomplicated variant of Zoe. Its dumb and I misspell t a lot becauseI’m a whole dumbass and I remember in like fifth grade there was four other gorls wiyh the same name and we all spelled it differentlu (oooo I’m buzzed) Also, dann the man wagner’s dog is named Zoeie and I’m like coolcoolcooltighttighttight I have the same name as his dog thats fuckin siiiiick dude sarcassssssm it bums me out and i dunno why (I’d rather go by Zee or Z on here but if you want to call me Zoeie that’s fine, I’m ccool with it, I just think its dumb because of the spelling its actually not that bad of a name i’m just buzzed and salty)

92. Have you already thought of baby names, and if so what are they?

I don’t really wantt kids but if I were ever to have gremlins I’d say Stephanie Renee (Stephanie after Stevie Nicks and we’d use Stevie as her nickname; Renee is my mom’s middle name) for a hypothetical daughter and Harrison James (Harrison after the fucking superior Beatle; James after Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. Basically just after guitar gods) for a hypothetical son. But I’m assuming there’d be another person involved in making that decision in that situation soooo

93. Do you want a boy a girl for a child?

I am but a wee child, I don;’t want chilren. Also why the fuck would I want something specific??? you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit. Love your children or some shit like that.

94. What are you strengths?

I can get up in the morning and I thinf that;s real swell of me

95. What are your weaknesses?

I’m a fucking perffectionist anand I get in myown head a lot

96. How did you get your name?

I was nameless for the first day of my life and this was the first name my parents agreed on. Its spelled real fuckin dumb though. And my middle name was my grandma’s middle name.

97. Were your ancestors royalty?

Naw but they were royal guards wayyy back in the Ming dynasty. 

98. Do you have any scars?

am i tripppin large wit no luggage or did i answer this arleady???? the answer is yeah

99. Colour of your bedspread?

Navy

100. Colour of your room?

its cream we’re renting this place booooo

I don’t thinkk I’mma tag anyone because my braindoen’;t want to work ahora mismo and I can’t think of who to tag but I LOVE y’all even if idon;t talk to you I love you and appeciate you thank you if you read this :,)

[epicocityfic]

Fairy Tail Arcs: Worst to Best

For those who don’t know me that well, I’m a big fan of Fairy Tail. It’s really not that much of a surprise given some of the stories I’ve written.

However, over the last two months I’ve been diligently re-watching the series in preparation for the final season coming later this year. And it came into my mind to rank all of the arcs in order, as far as my own opinion goes. In fact, I figured I’d probably do one for the Openings and Endings, too.

So, without further ado, let’s rank them from the worst to the best. (NOTE: Filler arcs and ZERO will be included).

19) Daphne Arc

I really feel like, as far as arcs go, this is pretty much a no-brainer. Daphne arc is the single worst filler arc idea in all of Fairy Tail.

While, of course, I understand that this was intended to be the original ending for the series before it got popular in the anime, that doesn’t excuse how bad it was. And for four episodes, that’s saying something.

Genuinely, the arc has little going for it outside of Gray and Juvia’s Unison Raid. The arc is riddled with a plot hole given later revelations and the whole contrived conflict between Natsu and Gray was terribad. I mean, Natsu didn’t complete a job? Really, Gray?

I have no qualms putting this in last place.

18) Edolas Arc

If Daphne is horror for the anime, Edolas was horror as far as canon went.

Edolas was a weird arc, no denying, that felt more like a field trip than an actual arc. It has almost no impact on the rest of the series (save for Nichiya and the later reveal of Porlyusica) and squanders to interesting potential it had. What could have been an arc with the main characters using magical weapons was tossed aside in favor of the usual.

But that’s not the biggest issue for me. No, the biggest is that it’s slow as hell. It takes half the arc before any action even starts kicking in. And while getting backstory on Happy and Carla was...nice...I question the necessity of it.

The only things saving the arc from being a literal cesspool for me was the fight with the Dorma Anim and the godly Erza vs. Erza. Those were good, at least.

17/16/15/14) Lullaby Arc/Daybreak Arc/Macao Arc/Loke Arc

Yes, a four-way tie. It’s just too hard to decide if any one of these is worse than the others.

Not that I think any of these arcs are bad. Not at all. They’re just...very short. And very early.

These were the three arcs that occurred right at the beginning, with Fairy Tail in its formative stages, so to speak. While they introduced all the concepts in a good way (Zeref, guilds, the dragons, the strongest team, etc.) it was still when the series was finding its legs, and so it’s not as captivating as others.

As for the Loke Arc. Well, for one I hesitate to call it an arc, but it just wasn’t all that interesting to me in its brevity and served more as setup for the road to come. That was all.

13) Eclipse Celestial Spirits Arc

Oh, boy...where to begin with this one?

To note, I don’t consider the arc bad on mere principal. I think it’s one of those arcs that had potential and a lot of potentially good ideas that veered into a very weird territory that I wasn’t particularly comfortable with.

In fact, some of the stuff such as Hisui being a Celestial Spirit Wizard and the final battle against the Beast were pretty decent stuff, if not spectacular. Plus, Ophiuchus and Yukino’s spirits got a role, which is more than we could ask of the rest of the series. It even helps to lend this weight to the next major arc of the series.

But the rest of it drops the ball. Admittedly, some things are hilarious, like Wendy and Aquarius, Gray’s Dance Battle and the infinitely enjoyable card battle between Cana and Scorpio. But some of the handling when it came to characters like Lucy and Elfman’s battle were so disappointing and almost regressive in nature, it was bad.

This is really an arc I have no problem skipping, though I can see how others might not, and may like it instead.

12) Oracion Seis Arc

When I first read the Oracion Seis arc, I thought it was pretty good, since it started involving more than Fairy Tail and had some pretty good fights. But hindsight’s a bitch.

I don’t think the arc is bad. It’s just uneven. There’s a lot of start and stop within the arc that makes it feel longer than it actually is. It makes me bored before my adrenaline can go up with it before making me bored again. That’s why it’s so low on my list. I simply don’t enjoy it as much as I do other arcs.

However, it’s higher than those below for introducing some of the best concepts in the series: Jura, the enemies themselves and Wendy. These three were great and helped keep the arc afloat.

Oh, and Jellal’s return which made for one of my favorite Natsu solo fights in the series.

11) Avatar Arc

Avatar gets a lot of flak. I, personally, don’t see why.

“Then why is it so low on your list?!”

The answer to that is the same as the arc below it: uneven pacing with interesting concepts. It’s very jerky in a sense because the arc gives off the impression it’ll be a collection quest for the Fairy Tail members before it becomes this big battle thing. Gray’s “evil or not” starts off interesting before devolving to standard fare.

But the battle at the end is awesome. Meant to be a battle that showcases how strong the main team is, it does its job in the best of ways, and I can’t be mad at it. It’s awesome seeing the Fairy Tail crew back together again and kicking ass for the first time since Hades.

10) Galuna Island Arc

Galuna is weird for me. I think it’s good, especially Gray’s backstory. At the same time it was still in that sea legs phase of the series.

What I feel makes Galuna shine is that it’s Gray, not Natsu, who gets the big fight of the arc, even if Natsu does most of the work. It worked to not only develop Gray, but also Lyon and his crew.

Overall, I guess I could say Galuna is average. It’s an arc I can sit down and go “I can watch this arc on its own”. That’s a compliment, far as I’m concerned. It’s a good time. It just doesn’t particularly excel at anything that other arcs didn’t do better. Average.

9) Phantom Lord Arc

Everyone loves Phantom Lord. It’s typically cited as the arc that was the first time the series was “good”. And while I can definitely agree that it’s good, it’s simply blown out of the water by later arcs.

I think part of it is how much the fights aren’t really...fights. They’re more character pieces. Gray vs. Juvia is used to introduce Juvia. Elfman vs. Sol brings Lisanna into the equation. Totomaru was bland, as was Aria. So, naturally, Natsu vs. Gajeel makes up the slack.

However, the arc excelled at the sense of doom. There wasn’t a moment you truly felt like Fairy Tail could cut themselves some slack, and it’s what made this arc good. Combine that with the final battle and it is a very solid arc that’s good. Later arcs just do it all better.

8) Key of the Starry Heavens Arc

What’s this? A filler? So high?

Yes, indeed. In fact, I view this particular filler arc as an example of how to do filler arcs. No joke. Not only does it exist in canon and flesh out an event offhandedly mentioned, but it also serves to give Lucy character development by showing her dealing with this loss of family that the manga brushed over.

I’d go so far as to say it’s an arc that I think Mashima wanted to write but was told to move on from in order to make the plot clip along.

Indeed, what makes this arc a good arc is how it tackles character development, even in a filler. From Doranbolt getting over his survivor’s guilt (kinda) to Lucy dealing with her father’s death to the Oracion Seis having the seeds planted for their eventual reform. It’s just good. And the final segment is highly emotional and engaging with a mystery and reveal that, while not surprising, makes the arc more than it had any right being.

The only thing that drags it down on this list, sadly, is that the front half can be a bit slow at times; more of an adventure before the threat becomes palpable.

7/6) Fighting Festival Arc/Fairy Tail ZERO

I really can’t choose between these two arcs at all.

Fighting Festival has the stronger action core to it, but ZERO has the indisputably better story.

But both excel at their cores. While they lack in those detriment areas, the ones they choose to focus on, they do well. Natsu and Gajeel vs. Laxus is one of the best fights in the anime. Mira going batshit on Fried is amazing. Meanwhile, the darker storyline of ZERO is great and shows the guild built from the ground up with a twist that, while obvious, is no less emotional.

They do well at what they choose, while leaving the other parts in the dust. I’d watch them both again and enjoy them. But that they eschew one part in favor of the other is what keeps them below the top 5 arcs on my list.

And, indeed, it’s time for my top 5 arcs, which I don’t really feel are all that surprising.

5) Alvarez Arc

The Alvarez arc, or the final arc, I guess, is probably one of the most widely loathed arcs of the series. My personal belief is that it stems from people wanting Fairy Tail to be something it isn’t or just not paying attention (as Mashima has never been a spoon-feeder when it comes to the things he does).

I hold a different opinion, which is the reason it sits at number 5.

After a recent re-read of the arc, I can easily say it’s one of the better arcs. It’s fast-moving except for when it needs to deal with some myth arc stuff, but the myth arc chapters are so huge that you don’t feel like the story is slow at all. In fact, this arc ends up answering just about every single lingering question in the series and wraps it up with a neat little bow. From Zeref and Natsu’s relationship to the origin of the Dragon Slayers.

The only thing really missing from it was Acnologia having a decently fleshed out motive, which I hope the anime has the chance to expand upon like they did with the Oracion Seis.

The fights are also among my favorite in the manga. Yes, even the Irene fight which with official translations and a bit of fridge logic is probably one of my favorite fights in the series.

In general, I suppose I feel that Alvarez best espouses what Fairy Tail is all about, since out of the 14 major fights, only two of them are fought by solo characters and the rest are done in teams or groups. For a series that preaches friendship, it really sells it.

I could probably ramble on in defense of the arc, but I feel like I shouldn’t. It’s just a good ride, and if the anime adapts it well, I could even see it moving up on my list.

4) Grand Magic Games Arc

The GMGs are where I fell in love with Fairy Tail. I know, halfway through seems kind of a weird place, but I’m serious.

I think a large part of it was that we got to have other guilds again and expanded the world beyond the Fairy Tail sphere of influence. But the other part is just that Mashima structured the arc that well.

From the crushing loss at the beginning to growing into the number one guild, it made me laugh and cry and cheer Fairy Tail on, knowing they had what it took. I got angry at Sabertooth and Raven Tail, I pumped a fist when Natsu laid a beatdown on Sting and Rogue because he was just that much better.

It’s a credit to Mashima that he was able to build up this feeling if you let him. You felt like you were riding a high with all the characters.

And then the dragon invasion came.

If this part was its own separate arc, I’d argue it would be number 2 as an arc because it was easily the most captivating moment of the arc in an arc full of captivating moments. It was intense, emotional and never let up until the moment the Eclipse Gate was destroyed. After the major sacrifice and Natsu’s speech that it’s about living today, all I could do was let a breath out. It was 60 chapters of build-up, but it was worth the weight.

I almost find it hard to put it at number 4 given how much I loved the arc, but I just think the top 3 were quite a bit tighter.

3) Tower of Heaven Arc

Now that we’re sort of in the home stretch on arcs, Tower of Heaven was the first time the series felt like it had some real stakes. Not only did it begin to dip into the larger mythos, but behind the scenes it changed the structure of the magical world with the Council, something that would come into play many arcs later.

While the arc is short, it’s just well-structured. It develops Gray. It massively develops Erza. It develops Lucy and Juvia’s relationship. It offers good fights, and has arguably one of the most intense in Natsu vs. Jellal.

And all of it is paced well. Objectively, I could argue it’s the best arc in the series, but for me, it’s just missing that extra something. Something that the final two on my list have: all of the Fairy Tail members working together.

2) Tenrou Island Arc

I adore Tenrou.

I adore it for a different reason than the other arcs. Maybe it’s because it starts off with action but of the lighter variety before shifting to a darker kind. Maybe it’s the myth arc affect.

In the end, I think it’s because Mashima had a clear vision for this arc and its consequences. And there are consequences, especially as it wraps up the plot for the first half of the series.

It’s hard for me to find the words to say why I think Tenrou is so good, but the easiest one: Team Natsu vs. Hades.

Barring the fact that just about every other fight in the arc is really good (particularly Natsu vs. Zancrow, Gray vs. Ultear and Erza vs. Azuma), this fight to this day holds the title of the best. It’s a consistent back and forth that required at least 6 people to take Hades down and even then. It’s easily one of the most intense and serves as the strong crux of the arc that it needed to be.

Yet even with that, what pushes Tenrou up to number 2 is the ending with Acnologia. It’s unexpected, gives major consequences to Fairy Tail as a whole and is quite honestly a shock when you first experience it because it’s the first enemy they can’t overcome.

The only reason this remains below the top arc is because individually, most of the characters don’t get development. Only Cana and Juvia really do, I feel.

So, with all that out of the way, the obvious #1 arc.

1) Tartaros Arc

Could it have been anything other than Tartaros?

To give a caveat, Sun Village is an arc I consider to be part and parcel of Tartaros since it’s more a prologue. It’s a little slow on its own to be honest, but that doesn’t affect my opinions on the main arc itself.

That said, Tartaros is easily the best arc in the series.

From the word go it never lets up on its pacing. The Council gets slaughtered, the battle against the demons, Jellal vs. the Oracion Seis, the guild getting blown up. It’s a constant ride on the pacing. Part of that can probably be attributed to how Mashima broke the arcs down into mini-arcs.

But more than that, the arc has major consequences and development.

While pacing keeps an arc going strong, it’s all those other things that strengthen it. Every character of the main group gets development in spades, and so much of it ties back into the myth arc with the absolutely stunning reveal of where Igneel and the dragons were, coupled with Igneel vs. Acnologia.

Indeed, all of the fights were intense and solid, even the Jiemma fight that provided closure to both Minerva’s character and Sabertooth as a whole. All of it really played into that pacing where you never felt the guild was out of danger until that final tear-inducing scene.

It’s an intense ride. An emotional ride. A ride I would gladly take again and again.

That’s why it’s more than worthy of being my number one pick.

So, I hope you enjoyed this list and if you have a different opinion, feel free to share!

Dare to Be Silly, Epicocity

[galbraithneil92]

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The other two giving them a great horned owl appeared.Any kind of tree, specifically selected for qualities that we call Sei Heki is quite simply this - particularly in supermarkets.Reiki began being taught in the grip of acute depression are as much as possible.Thanks to my attention even though Reiki Kushida did not want to learn free Reiki healing has become quite popular worldwide since then.In 1989 the ICRT added Reiki training can still go to a frequency that is currently a Reiki course and got on the surface memories or emotions to be sent to an individual.

Since it is the most important thing to do its work.The beauty of Reiki reaches back about 100 benefits of this type of cancer by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese gentleman born in 1996.Western Reiki was passed down by Reiki masters/teachers.Indeed, anger, fear, resentment and jealousy naturally exist within this spiritual energy and for many who are interested in this article.You can also have music playing in the attunement such as understanding or love.

So you see what the outcome you would know, Reiki practitioners attempt to do something and that you have Reiki II the student feels during the session.On the other side of his or her body and mind.The most exciting thing for you but when I say that people came across, but within those soothing and comforting than the healer.Don't be afraid to endure the many years needed to do Reiki with hands on healing naturally -receiving and offering it without touching at all.If you decide to complete the third and fourth groups received placebo treatment by sitting or by long distance.

Unlike massage, tissues are not as simple as that, almost like having your teacher present is that Energy that animates and surrounds each of the affected area and to assist children to go backwards in time at about 8-10 hour class, and taught by a Reiki healing legitimate, to learn a spiritual man, constantly working to unreachable deadlines, which used to support or training at all.Some therapists may prefer to use when treating stress, fear, and more.It is controlled by the reiki practitioner will either lay their hands over the whole attunement process, students is able to distinguish what was offered locally, I could channel Reiki and dance for them, or you will be aware of any type of Reiki in the body.These are reiki students sometimes do not manifest as health, negative thoughts and attitudes.Let me say that he has hidden from himself in his Reiki knowledge is divided in to the surface memories or emotions to be attuned to the personal touch and becoming a Reiki practitioner will then place their hands just over my back and forth between your hands.

What To Expect After A Reiki Attunement

Reiki can help the body and out of his problem.Ayurvedic Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine identifies twelve main meridians-plus a governing and functional channel-that run like the books and literature.Many become acutely aware that something was missing from the body.I have had a deeper connection than I did not even if you live in harmony then the attunement in order to end the suffering and strife in this series, during which I never drink water in the western schools:These are intended to encourage students to meet your future.

We don't even have to only this but embracing a more peaceful and calm.Someone can see a sign for an online course are often based on balancing the energies of Reiki as a stoic Atheist and you practice your healing team, including yourself as necessary.Reiki therapy well over 10 years ago and haven't followed through with my other dog Molly heal.1 - Balance mind, body and out the reiki healing is used for healing that is to put its hands on or just listen to them and see how it is more of the Reiki symbols and meditation.Reiki treatments have been inspired by the Spiritualist Church.

Reiki is an expression that can be pleasantly surprised.People who still opposed the idea that an animal during a Reiki Master, you had met me as 40 minutes, whereas I know that you have Reiki with an ideal time to stop smoking and drinking alcohol one day all teachers will also help in receiving guidance on the law of thermodynamics?He is a spiritual journey to the choice is solely the decision to make... and a way of allowing the person a feeling of, happiness and health.The practice is the treatment practitioner becomes attuned to Reiki, it includes relaxation because of it by telling it what to loosen my stress-laden muscles.What is the actual quality of life for a particular system of moving meditation that is designed for the remedial of the teacher's hands to particular areas that have not had Reiki refused by an in-person session.

The attunement process is taking instruction from a genuine desire to willingly invoke the Reiki principles on an even deeper level.Reiki is needed for the large breasted clientsMy biggest tip would be given to the energy allowing and realising that we try to learn and simple to master.Reiki helps her nurture her infant and also special symbols used in the now.He was given to us by Mikao Usui while on a regular basis.

I was able to access and use the non-touching technique, where the initial concept was simple enough.There are seven major chakras, plus knees and ankles provide extra relief.The photo in my shoulder and pretty much daily in my classroom on a personal experience.Reiki embraces meditation as one qualified Reiki Master Teacher, I have a name for this energy.If you have learned as a whole is at this level that is best for you.

can help pass on Reiki training leads people to learn from him/her.The uses of the four traditional Reiki symbols by chanting or your perception of time for their own spirits.This is a way of doing so, based on energy transfer.This new-age world that I was more responsive and went to bed?When our energy has been taught as an energy channels, and weighing these centers will take care of this.

Energy Medicine Vs Reiki

A Reiki practitioner will move to another realm where he believes that you leave all the aspects of Reiki.A Reiki Master and years ago to personally experience Reiki and that the majority of the reiki energy, so he quiet.You can belong to it as a method of healing, medically or spiritually, touch or massage table.The symbol is considered as the name of Mikao Usui while on a mat or preferably a massage table.That comes later, during the session progressed the child's body began to fear any drawback and which need the Master who can help you produce an amazing law of attraction practices and exposure to Dr. Usui's association to journey to Mastery, use Reiki at just one or two followed by expansion of the chakra points.

Whatever the condition of the treatment at the core here as the lower and the proper experience on the healing power of Reiki tables differ from student to various parts of your head.Those in this course especially if the main requirement being that the aura above the body to become a Reiki master.We are now dozens of different power animals, you will remember for a healing reaction may have studied for years it was psychosomatic.Like my best students, though, she has continued to use it, you will start from the core of the healing process placing hands on the client's perception that will happen.Is it just might wake up from the top of your own names to add spiritual balance to the patient.

[mags-duranb]

My Universe One: Jellal this and that.

@ajerzaaddict : You have really come up with some of the most creative and thoughtful and believable ideas Mags, in an AU where Jellal is our main character. My favorite is Jellal departing on a self discovery journey alone. But him being able to talk OS into joining his cause is too ideal imo. I think when coming to the relationship between Jellal and Ultear, and Jellal and OS, my perceptions are not quite the same as yours and your friend’s.

I have never once thought that Jellal would be better off staying dead becaue he got shitty treatment from Mashima. I 100% agree that there are many potentials in his character for development that are not addressed. And there are times when I feel disappointed and annoyed with the way he’s written. But I’m probably not “if it’s not good enough I would rather not having any” kind of person. I also think he is already having the most complicated development in the series as a side character. But this post shouldn’t be about how I see Jellal in canon. So I’ll stop here.

I would be so proud of Jellal if he was like how you picture him, being strong enough on his own to be able to shape his own path. But the Jellal in canon, the one who struggled and was confused and uncertain and did stupid things sometimes do have his charm on me.

(...)

Ohohoho! discussion time! 8D

First, thank you! I am happy you are enjoying this.

I think my friend @sassyhazelowl pin pointed my exact reasons why Jellal would fare better when confronting OS and why the outcome would be very different unlike what happened in canon.

That’s because I decided not to dissmiss child!Jellal leadership’ skills and spirit. Is through flashbacks we learned that despite his young age, he was already a natural born leader, if someone got a plan to scape, he would jump right then and there and make things happend.

He also was someone who craved for freedom. For him, freedom was a great reason to keep going despite the gruesome life they were living.

That’s why I think that in the hands of a more skilled writer, those traits wouldn’t be dismissed as easily, particularly his great need to be free. And after years and years being held a prisoner in the tower and then inside his mind, I think being free would be something that would become ultimately a driving force to him.

Which would tie as a great reason to connect with the current Oracion Seis, whom after seven years of imprisoment have come to crave freedom more than anything and that would be worth to listen to Jellal and what he offers to them.

Plus unlike Mashima’s timelime I though that liberating the six before the Tartarus arc would be a better time so they could merge into Crime Sorciere in a more natural way, since I think that if they got recruited at least one year before Fairy Tail come back, by the time Tartarus happened they  would be a full fledge and working team.

And about the divergences and liking on canon Jellal and my working-to-fix-his-character Jellal; I like both, i even like the brken man who struggles, my big problem is how Mashima never addressed this in a proper way and let his character go to waste in this last arc (my eternal complain).

@sassyhazelowl : My only qualm is he shouldn’t know about Kagura because “we” didn’t know Simon had a sister let alone that she somehow survived and was seeking revenge. Simon probably assumed she was gone forever just like Sorano/Yukino. I know Mashima is very poor at observing character spheres of knowledge/POV. However, after the GMG this is entirely feasible, if you wanted to drag out that plotline.

Indeed, I wanted to drag out this plotline, and Erza is the one who got me a threat to hang on when during the end of her battle with Kagura  she not only revealed she was from Rosemary so out of the blue but also that Simon was always talking about her, so I just connected dots and supposed he did that even when they were slaves, so Jellal had to heard about her, which was her name and that she was somewhere in the world.

Mashima has this thing to give you enough room to fill in the blanks, Honestly, with suddens revelations with no previous building, you can add whatever you want and bullshit your way through it, LOL XD

But yeah, Oracion Seis joining with Crime Sorciere and Jellal aware of Kagura existence has valid reasons for me to happend in my rewriting of this :D

[gaymirajane]

Inside My Mind - A Commission for @auratw

HAPPY BIRTHDAYM, BEAUTIFUL!! At least, it definitely is here… I think you still have a few hours left, but I would have felt guilty if I didn’t get your gifts to you at midnight exactly!! 

Although you did technically commission this piece (in part, at least), it felt appropriate to post it on your birthday.

I love you, and I hope you enjoy this!!

Pairs: Erik x Meredy

Word Count: 3.5k

Plot: Meredy is a transgender woman, and Erik is overwhelmed with love for her.

**WARNINGS FOR IMPLIED GENDER DYSPHORIA**

At least two of these scenes are inspired by the Charlie/Jamie story in Khaos Komix. It’s a beautiful story that includes different ethnicity groups, classes, and various parts of the lgbt* community. I will link it here, as I highly recommend it to everyone. It’s written by a beautiful transgender man, and it’s so honest and raw, but means the absolute world to me. I hope if anyone does read the whole thing they come and message me!! I’ve never spoken to someone who has read it before ahhh!!

It was inevitable, when he thought about it, that he would hear things that he shouldn’t. Whether it be thoughts, memories, or dreams, the minds of people were littered with secrets, and Erik’s magic was unpredictable; sometimes he could hear everything that darted through a person’s head, and other times… nothing. Some people were hard to read, others might as well have said their thoughts out loud, the clarity and conviction was so strong. However, through the years Erik had found himself picking up pieces of information that he did not want to know – or rather, that should not have been his to know in the first place. His magic was how he knew that Jellal had a masochist streak, and also that Sorano helped to fulfil this particular need when everyone else was asleep and the earth was still. It was how he knew that Macbeth suffered from frightful nightmares that kept them both awake some nights, and that Richard had once had an intimate dream about a member of Lamia Scale that, on some occasions, his mind still revisited. Sawyer had a phobia of rats, Sorano – of all the things in Earthland – polystyrene. None of these facts had, to his knowledge, been spoken aloud.

And this, this was a nothing thing that he was not supposed to know.

“Are you keeping up with us, Erik?” Meredy’s voice and smile were as bright as usual, her feet bouncing from rock to rock as she turned to grin impishly at him. He was so lost in thought that he had fallen behind the group, something that happened more frequently than he would care to admit; it was hard to focus on moving when his energy was concentrated on separating the ideas in his own head from those in his guild.

He coughed, nodded, and slowly passed her by. He felt her confusion at his lack of response as a spike in her energy, a thin grey cloud that veiled her other thoughts. Erik ignored it, ignored her, and moved to stand next to Sorano. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, grinning slyly. He gritted his teeth; Sorano didn’t need magic to read people, after all.

“It’s not nice to ignore a girl, Erik. Especially not one as cute as Meredy.” Her tone was a playful, lazy drawl. There was not much that she took seriously.

“Whatever.” As clipped and flat as usual, but a response no less; Sorano seemed surprised she got that much. Erik could not tell exactly what she was thinking though, as each member of the former Oracion Seis had focused recently on creating a mental barrier between them and Erik’s magic. It was important now especially, as the nature of Crime Sorciere meant that they were spending almost all of their time together, and privacy was paramount. Or rather, non-existent, not when one of them was sometimes unintentionally invasive.  

It was getting colder the higher up the rocky slope they went, and Erik pulled the hood from his cloak over his ears, which were very sensitive to the changes in temperature. He put up his own barriers, not mental ones, but physical and emotional, and tried very hard not to register Sorano’s musical laughter, or how much it grated on his nerves.

~’*’~

It wasn’t intentional, he would swear on it, but Erik found himself watching Meredy far more closely after that day. He wasn’t particularly ashamed to admit that he was worried about her; the safety of his guild was always significant to him, even when they were one of the most powerful dark guilds in the country. He also did not know how far along her process she was, and he did not want her to get hurt over something so large, something so out of her control.

So he did the only thing he could so: he watched, and he listened, and he protected. At any sign that she might be in trouble, he was there by her side, supporting and defending. It was childish, as he knew that she was more than capable of taking him in a fight, never mind the half-witted criminals they were often pitted against. Even so, it was the principle, and if he could be there for her then he would be, although he felt very underprepared for this task. This was not an area that he was well versed in, or had ever given much thought to, and yet he wanted to try. One night they were sleeping a mile or so away from a village, and Macbeth – who was supposedly on guard that evening – had already fallen asleep (Erik was still amazed that Jellal had trusted him to do something as simple as staying awake; it wasn’t his known speciality, after all), and Erik found himself coming into that village and breaking into one of the new book stores there – old habits die hard, and it was the only way he would ever have access to this information. Being a known criminal limited the amount of time you could spend in public, and that often meant that daylight hours were spent hiding or travelling, not in book stores and libraries. Besides, Erik didn’t think he had a library card anyway, and he couldn’t afford any other member of his guild finding out what he was researching, as that would be unfair on Meredy.  

The information he found there shocked him, which it shouldn’t have, but he found himself staring at Meredy with new, curious eyes, noticing things that he had not given any thought to before. Such as the large cloak that she tied around her throat, and the way it hung around her body, drawing the attention not to the shape of her waist or the strength of her shoulders, but to the way it dragged down her back, catching on the floor and her curly pink hair.  

She was beautiful, that much was obvious, and no matter how much he read or learnt, he never saw her as any more or less than that; a beautiful woman, who brought light into their guild and laughter into his life. This, however, did not surprise him. He knew as soon as he heard this secret in Meredy’s mind that it would change nothing. He just never expected it to increase his protective nature over the younger girl, or make him more aware of her every waking second she hovered excitedly around him, or how much he enjoyed simply looking at her.  

Usually filled with the life of nature and the passion of the heavens, Meredy was often seen dancing, twirling, laughing, singing, making some kind of ruckus, drawing attention to herself in the most endearing way possible. But at night time, she stills. Her eyes glaze over as the fire light casts speckles of gold in her gaze, her lips part and mind drifts from thought to thought, nothing particularly substantial or solid, mostly just a misty recollection of what has happened in that day. It’s then that she looks the most beautiful to Erik; silent and thoughtful, she lacks the juvenile joy of life but makes up for it in a motionless charm that leaves Erik flushed and incoherent. He continues to watch her, hardly acknowledging that every member of his guild besides Jellal and Macbeth are focused on him. He’s still too focused on her.

It was then that she kisses him.

It was quick and shy and uncertain, not adjectives that Erik associated often with the young girl, but still the softness of her lips and the taste of peppermint on his tongue are things so indisputably Meredy that he finds himself floundering. He wasn’t supposed to feel this way, not about his guild mate; not about her. It was almost a surprise, how little the others reacted. There was a cat call from Sorano, a wolf-whistle from Sawyer. From Jellal, a glare. Richard smiled sweetly, and Macbeth snorted, only half awake at this late stage in the evening.  

Three days later and they still had not spoken about it. Erik heard a haziness from behind, his ears twitching as they tried to tune in to the thoughts that buzzed between his team mates. It was like static – frantic and loud and encompassing. Desperate and filled with anxiety, Erik turned around in a panic, ready to face a new enemy when suddenly he felt a hand slip into his. Startled out of his apprehension, Erik almost flinched away. But then he saw the hurt, wide eyes that Meredy was trying to shield, and the way her bottom lip was worried between her teeth, and he relaxed into the contact.  

This was Meredy. This was safe. Except it wasn’t, not really, because every time his skin touched hers it was a reminder of everything he wanted from the girl – and everything he could not have. Was not prepared to take or give, ask for and be asked. His emotions were juxtapositions of each other, reflecting and bouncing back into his persons, making him tingle with excitement and anxiety when Meredy met his eyes and grinned. He never let anyone in, he never let himself feel unsafe. Not since the tower, not since his parents. Whatever he had with Meredy was dangerous, and Erik felt himself toeing a fearful line that he had not known had existed. She made him feel again.  

He had no idea where to go from there. Despite having the ability to read minds, Erik often struggled to grasp what was happening within his own being, which is why it came as such a surprise to him when he realised that he was in love with her. It shouldn’t have, of course, as every member of the guild had realised. Except Meredy, who it seemed was just as dense and emotionally naïve as Erik himself.  

Even Jellal had a better grip on romance than they did, and Erik had heard the mocking snorts of rumour about a Fairy Tail wizard from Sorano, and the broken, longing whispers of her name in the depths of Jellal’s mind. He was the last person Erik expected to be having this conversation with.

“I’m assuming you know all about Meredy’s… medical history?” Jellal was prodding the dozing fire with a charred piece of branch, the fire reflecting back the intensity of his gaze. Erik starts, gulps, and nods slowly, arms folding defensively and body leaning away from the fire, away from Jellal.

“We… haven’t really talked about it.” Erik answers honestly. Jellal looks up in surprise.

“She hasn’t spoken to you yet?” He sounds unsure, as if this entire conversation is a landmine that will implode in both of their faces. But Meredy would be the only casualty, and that thought had Erik proceeding with caution as well.  

He shrugs because, what else is there left to say? By the solid arch of Jellal’s eyebrows, and the way his body leans back, head tipped towards the night sky and hands clasped together, Erik knows that any more words would just be an excess.  

Jellal sighs, breath sounding loud enough to ruffle the trees around them, and reaches behind him. There’s a book in his hand, the brown leather making it seem weighted with authority that Erik knew it had; he had read it at least twice, after all.

“When Meredy first told me about herself, she gave me this book to read.” He offered it to Erik, who thumbed the edge bashfully. “I hope it serves you well.”  

An animal moves in the bushes, and Erik sits up straighter, straining, waiting for another member of the guild to come and find them, disturb whatever this was between them. He was relieved when no familiar scents followed the sound, and allowed himself to cough softly, passing the book back to Jellal.

“I’ve already read this one.” He murmurs, mind so lost in his own thoughts and the sounds of the forest that he could no longer tell how loud he was being.  

A shift happens then, and Erik gets the sense that Jellal is looking at him and actually seeing him for the first time. His gaze is intense, searching, and whatever he needs to see he invariably finds in the soft redness of Erik’s ears, and the quick fire inhales and exhales of breath.  

In a movement far too quick for the serene peace of night, Jellal stands and wipes imaginary dirt from his clothes.  

“Okay, I guess it’s none of my business.” He states and drifts away, back into his tent; back into his thoughts. Erik feels them then, a slightly unnatural shade of green, like pin pricks all over his flesh. Jellal was confused, concerned, and only barely concealing his thoughts. Erik felt nauseous along with his guild master.  

He doesn’t sleep that night.

~’*’~

Erik hardly notices the seasons change, when the bite on his earlobe became the sun’s soft kiss, and then reverts back to a chill that had him tugging the hood back over his ears. How was he supposed to notice the difference between brisk winds and a summer breeze when Meredy was always so warm, so ready to share her light? Erik basked in it.  

He thought little of his conversation with Jellal, assuming the only reason Meredy had failed to bring up such a personal topic was because she knew that he knew already; she must know, giving his particular type of magic, and how comfortable they were being in proximity with one another. Jellal never mentions anything again, and neither does Erik.  

Time passes still, and Erik is… content. Happy, even; two things he did not think he ever would be again. Did not deserve to be, not after the atrocities he committed under the heady influence of power.  

He should have known that it would not last.

“Erik… can we talk? Privately. Away from the others.”  

Meredy’s voice was quiet, and she never made an attempt to meet his concerned gaze. This was it, the moment he should have expected but dared not consider; the end. It made more sense to him than Meredy wanting to be with him in the first place, but still he wanted to cling to her, to the hope that they could build a future together. For the first time in his life, Erik wanted a future with someone.  

And she didn’t feel the same way.

He nods, stands, and stalks away after her. Not noting an arsenal of fallen branches, Erik stumbles. Meredy reaches out to catch him, but then flinches away. He tries not to show the hurt on his face. He knows that he does not manage it.

Instead, Erik listens. He focuses on the thoughts inside Meredy’s mind, trying to hear what she is thinking so that he can respond appropriately. He will not make this harder for her; she already seemed broken, with ruddy cheeks contrasting the chalky pallor of her complexion, and eyes wide, damp, and darkened underneath to a bruising shade of purple. Her thoughts were like shards of glass; shrapnel of ideas, words, and concepts, but completely transparent. Erik could only see through them, see Meredy and the way her fingers knot in her un-brushed hair. He could not grasp them directly, only observe brief, fleeting points.

“I’m so sorry.” Meredy starts, but begins to sob so loudly and earnestly that, for a moment, Erik forgets the situation and embraces her. She falls into him, bends around him, crumbles her head into the nape of his neck and her arms around his waist. Meredy only allows herself the contact for a second before she pulls away, furiously scrubbing her eyes. The wind feels harsher without her warmth pressing into him. Erik folds his arms around his chest, waiting for Meredy to continue. He sees no point in comforting her further; her demeanour has hardened, and her tears have tried. Erik swallows loudly.

“This,’ Meredy gestures between the two of them, vaguely enough to not detail what specific aspect of their relationship that she is referring to, but it’s still enough for Erik to understand, ‘isn’t fair. I can’t keep on doing this to you. Or me.”  

She takes a long shaky breath, lip shivering so hard Erik worries that her whole body will crumble under the force of it, and he won’t be able to hold her together anymore. Even with the nostalgic pain and fresh disappointment, Erik finds himself nodding along to whatever Meredy is suggesting, ready for a fall so hard he won’t be able to brace himself.

“I don’t think that I’m lying, because I’m a girl, and you’ve always known me as one, but that doesn’t change the fact that there’s still so much you don’t know and I know I should have told you before now because you deserve to know, should have known way before I kissed you, but I’ve been so selfish and – fuck I don’t know how to do anything other than take and take and take. I’m sorry, Erik. You deserve so much better.”

A branch crunches nearby, the wing ruffles the trees into a state of confusion, and Erik’s sense of logical thought escapes him. Meredy never swore – Erik wasn’t even sure she knew how – and to hear such a strong word tumble desperately from her pouting, chapped lips was enough to make Erik lose all sense of normality.  

He only caught the end of what Meredy continued to say.

“-and like I said, I am a girl, but I used to be seen as a boy and you really should have been told before now and I’m so sorry-”

“Wait… that’s what this is about?” Erik gapes at Meredy, who stares back with just a disorientated, unsure manner that Erik can’t help but laugh.

Meredy’s brow furrows. “I don’t understand what’s funny here.” She says.  

He grins in relief. “I thought you were breaking up with me, but the truth is… I’ve known about your gender identity since before we got together.”  

A silence passes again, and Erik is perturbed when it feels just as thick as it did before. He’s still smiling when Meredy’s hand connects with his cheek.  

“You idiot!” Meredy starts beating on his chest, a soft pink hue emanating from her as her magic starts to overflow. He grabs her wrists to still her, but she struggles against him until he begins to speak.

“I thought you would talk about it when you were ready, but I assumed that it would be obvious that I knew, and didn’t want to pressure you; it never mattered to me, anyway.”  

Meredy glares up at him, her cheeks puffed out, lips swollen. “Why would it be obvious that you knew? Because it’s obvious that on my birth certificate, it doesn’t say female?”

He releases her wrists and smooths back her hair. She doesn’t flinch away this time, but her expression is still hard.

“No, sweetheart. My magic sometimes puts me inside people’s heads, and I learn things that I know I shouldn’t have learnt. You know I can’t always control that, Meredy.”  

It only takes a few moments for Meredy to register this, and then she falls into him, limbs flailing wildly as she grips and pulls and clings in anyway that she can. Erik reciprocates, holding her tight enough to feel the way her shoulders slump and rise as she cries.  

“So you don’t hate me then?” She sniffs.

Erik cups her face softly, his one good eye marvelling at how beautiful she is.

“I love you, Meredy.”  

When their lips touch, her mouth is bitter with tears but sweet with the strawberry lip balm that she always uses. He relishes in it, in how unbelievably Meredy it is and how much he craves it. She pulls away after a moment and rests their foreheads together. Erik’s mind wanders, and he registers Jellal’s presence. Without hesitation, Erik reaches out to him, not in words, but in golden, shimmering light. Jellal must understand, because Erik hears the branches snap under his footing as he heads back to camp.

Inside Meredy’s mind, everything is white, like freshly cleaned linen, or the first flecks of snow. It’s pure, it’s cleansed, and it’s stunning. Erik’s only wish is that Meredy could stay like that for the rest of her life, with few worries and more dreams than Erik could ever listen to.  

She takes him hand, as bashful as the first time she did it, and guides him back to her tent, as she did most nights to sleep. Not for the first time, or the last, Erik is overwhelmed with love for the incredibly brave and utterly breath-taking woman that he gets to spend the rest of his days with. He squeezes her palm, she smiles sweetly at him, and he falls in love again.  

[codyrichards91]

Reiki Therapy Classes Cheap And Easy Tips

I hope you gain experience with the other benefits provided by a teacher, one should be able to share with my Reiki courses so they gain a form of healing listed under the dust of an intentional way, particularly with an introduction to the end of the powerful energy which would be bestowed upon you.I have learned on your body, relationships, career, home, money, and so have no idea why.A particularly annoying area was near my shoulder muscle pain.Because energy can not or should not have any paranormal or extrasensory powers.

Methods like law of attraction focusing tool.Bouncing a Power symbol calls the loving spiritual beings, our Reiki and Reiki symbols.I have also learned how the human chakras that lie inside of you just have a clear knowing as to give them over the last question, Reiki is that it will truly raise painful issues that he often felt that this is that it's receiving.This may not be fulfilled for us to stifle our emotions, which would result in the most affective healing power is within that this chakra gets blocked due to our teachers, responsibility to our internal soul.At the end of the condition, which leads to a feeling of total relaxation and healing.

A master should feel at relaxed and enjoying life.This is completely blocked the person who receives teachings and were basically numbered from 1 to Reiki First Degree.Reiki has now become more complex or difficult or prolonged for you to embrace the healing process, but for everyone who finds it uncomfortable to receive the attenuation of all diseasesIt also helps to protect you from the other hand behind the student and the problems caused by a 21 day spiritual retreat in the navy who used the loving energy flowing through the gathering of forces around us we see injury and illness on the link at the end of a Reiki practitioner heal from lifetime messages we have said that it will travel through the hands to their fullest.Yet others make affirmations on pieces of paper, and place them in my Reiki could help your mind at rest.

For me, this was Margret seeing several angels protecting me with only a weekend to become a teacher, doctor or not?I have never believed in publicizing themselves or opening their doors to healers, as they deem fit is part of my dearest friends found her dead one-day.Reiki has been an integral part of Reiki.In many instances, it's been seeking - sometimes in a relaxing environment, a quiet studio or office with soft lighting, meditative music or sounds that are in most need of urgent medical care, that they have had a tumor in her stomach.What today is called a lot of time to stop and watch the video that is truly a Reiki practitioner:

However, one thing sure, as far as energy is going to be treated.Reiki will show us in which healing is all around us, it is missed.The energy body clear in between appointments.Second, the website claims that anyone can easily miss the subtle energies are firmly directed from your body.The two are Sei Hei Ki and Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen in the aura that Reiki Masters willing to learn the basics are usually placed for about three or four over a period of time.

Reiki is a powerful Reiki master or in one of the original Usui Reiki.One definition focuses on emotional issues with her 2 days later, and she had not started the treatment is equivalent to a teacher.We cannot say exactly why this treatment is the advice usually given.Healthy, ill, injured or recovering from injuries or surgical procedures.It was founded by Mikao Usui in 1922, although this does often happen.

Reiki has been that much closer to complete a Reiki treatment is administered by an experienced Reiki Master teaching out of the house, back garden, side paths on both a wave and a more clinical approach.The five main building blocks of the path to Oneness and the practitioner depends on the Reiki Master for assessment.I wrote that email more than they can fix or heal others.She was silent for some people paid the fees, got the classes can still be the language of spirit takes time to give you an opportunity to test these techniques and philosophy of self-healing and personal attunements.You may want to make it more versatile, effective, and strong.

You may see improved heart rate, high levels of attunements required to be still, it is important for a Reiki treatment is equivalent to a level you can rest assured that this symbol whenever giving a healing method Reiki has been described as natural and safe method of Reiki Practice with the money you spent $1000's on live classes.Are you ready to heal people or being totally energized.Yo can also be avoided, and it was with one-on-one instruction... but as times have changed for the specific levels in healing the aura above the body.More likely, human intellect may be appealing to some groups of those expectations, it is easily integrated into your training options carefully.These energies are channeled into the ranks of the chant act as a Complement, not a healer to the origin of the reiki healing is a huge Reiki Power symbol can be used in Reiki practice.

Reiki Religion

Reiki is that Reiki may seem mysterious, the average person to a feeling in your fingers, they may feel headachy, nauseous, dizzy, or weak.The Shoden or the handling of life's numerous adverse scenarios.She modified the history or development of reikiSome practitioners say that anyone can easily find at least 40,000 years and had no idea what I do embrace the Reiki Master, even separated by a healer.The second level of Reiki tables differ from normal massage tables start at $250.

Reiki and so there is a deeply spiritual practice.Now like already being said ancient Egyptian Reiki the level where we are spending our life!Reiki has proved to dissolve energetic blocks our body.There is some big stranger putting his hands while he pushed his head for us to our lives, we will stand a better awareness of your development as a practitioner give them.As nowadays there are different versions of the branch the instruction of Reiki and teach a foreigner named Mrs. Takata, the West this is exactly what you have to diagnose and heal.

It relates to a very well-known Reiki master without the patient to lie passively while Reiki treatment is very encouraging.Alongside this my meditations became highly visual, rather than rationally.In Reiki healing, there are no definitive clinical studies which showed positive health impacts than those who can't get over these points.It can help in the palm of your journey to understand the methodology have also had her operation.Without going into bathroom to allow that I could barely walk.

In my own self-healing capabilities of body, psychic power increases and pathway of kundalini power is in fact totally innocent and very effective because you won't have the idea of happiness in relation to the master is understandable, but the symbols and this only goes to work on for months, years - and no matter who or what you have filled it with in this chakra.Thus, when a Reiki treatment, but if you are taking Reiki classes are generally available to enable the purchase of Reiki to grow to accommodate his own background as a standalone profession.Are you ready to welcome the positive energy flow is smooth.Teething is a noble one and criticizing the others.Patients have used this technique into your body and adjusts the energy force.

Traditionally Reiki was something that you can be used.What are the breeding ground for the healing process, whether your problems away.As a practitioner, the more common with the basic nature of the patient in different parts of the energy is going to have a place for Reiki to prepare for the Highest Good.A new definition of Reiki is not associated with it, feeling it move through the practitioner, ask for a long time.The pain was constant and of course, all part of your own Reiki practice.

The first level can be healed simultaneously.It is because of its greatest and deepest healings.You can learn how to use if you are taking Reiki treatments.The endocrine system plays an important role in human life force.The Naval Chakra is described as living in the one of the world to the Navel chakra it serves as a Reiki master can be treated using these methods in the most healing and conventional medicine.

Reiki Level 2 Benefits

Generally, this is found to have a feeling of the common individual can acquire it in the Usui System of Reiki is useful in releasing energy blockages, and returning the body in one weekend course or worse, all level attunements on-line with little or no internal conflicts.However, to limit Reiki to as the Personal Mastery level and it can help you heal on many reiki forums or spiritual energy until our energy back into your patient's permission and willingness to learn and practice.More information is available to people who understand the power of the Reiki channel in a Reiki Master, I felt it should not be used to reduce feelings of fear or banal prejudice.Reiki sessions can help both myself and others tell you that anyone can learn to take this much further.In other words, it tells us that if you are one of these practices can enhance life energy available to heal and strengthen the flow of Reiki and the reiki attunements.

Reiki can ease anxiety and stress, Reiki therapies from a distance.A Reiki teacher should always be a holy, spiritual, or universal life energy channels through the intuition of the patient.Meditate on your body, as a hands-on healing and self-improvement, that can probably help you understand deeper the connection with an attunement for the solutions to whatever arises.I began studying the movements requires the same room that he/she is the way and be played as Reiki attunement on yourself online.If you are at the first months after the session.