#mariam x max

[moonandblossoms]

Ok, so long ago, I used a height difference generator for my Beyblade ships. And the heights are solely based on my headcanons.

Takao x Hiromi

Quite above average for Takao. He probably has a bit of height because of training and stuff, plus a bit of genetics. And Hiromi is also quite above average for a Japanese woman. Cute height difference for huggies and cuddles while standing.

Height difference = 22cm

Kai x Julia

As for Kai, I wanted to make him taller than Takao. The deuteragonists always exceed the protagonist's height. Julia has the perfect 'tall girl' height, since she is already tall enough in the series. She'll wear heels so that Kai can kiss on her lips smeared with Lipstick hehe.

Height difference = 18cm

Rei x Mao

The Chinese are shorties in general, but I'm not convinced to give Rei a short height. He is a good trainer and I headcanon his father having a great height. As for Mariah, I neither made her short nor tall, instead average. But their big height difference is so cute and hot! Rei can lift her up anytime.

Height difference = 29cm

Max x Emily

Americans are decently tall. But, I still wanted to give Maxie some extra height and Emily is average to above average (?). It's soothing for Max when Emily hugs him and lays her head on his neck.

Height difference = 19cm

Yuriy x Queen

It's self explanatory for both of them, I guess? Yuriy is Russian, and they have a great height. And I think Queen is quite tall as well. Huge height difference and it's quite hot. Queen will enjoy the height difference and the effort to kiss him.

Height difference = 25cm

Ozuma x Mariam

I know Ozuma is VERY short in the series, but I'm not convinced by that. I headcanon him having a huge height boost as he ages. As for Mariam, she is quite tall. They have a lesser height difference, but still decent. Easier to kiss.

Height difference = 12cm

Kane x Salima

My OTP, eeh! Kane is a Japanese Australian and Australians have a great height. I'd say the height thing runs in their family genes. And, I think the height for Salima is quite decent above average-ish. Cute height difference for her to cuddle on Kane's chest.

Height difference = 25cm

Michael x Mathilda

Michael is definitely tall in my opinion. He seemed quite tall in the series. Mathilda as a shortie is cute and sweet. But, she buys heels after heels to come a bit closer to his height. Her head directly goes on his chest during hugs which is cute. They'd prefer showing their love language when they are lying down together since it would be difficult for her.

Height difference = 37cm

In order

1] Michael x Mathilda = 37cm

2] Rei x Mao = 29cm

3] Yuriy x Queen + Kane x Salima = 25cm

4] Takao x Hiromi = 22cm

5] Max x Emily = 19cm

6] Kai x Julia = 18cm

7] Ozuma x Mariam = 12cm

[Link]

[ashxketchum]

More self indulgent posting for Beyblade because why not- LET'S TALK ABOUT CAMP HALF BLOOD AU!!!

Picrew credit

First up my beloveeeed Tyson, aka son of Zeus. Being the son of the King of Gods of course he's blessed with a lot of abilities, but his control over the winds and lightning is the most powerful tool under his belt. He loses his mother when he's about 9 to mysterious circumstances which aren't clarified to him until much later. His stepfather at the time doesn't care for him much and sends him to a military school for problematic kids where he spends two years avoiding monsters until finally he runs away and makes it to Camp Half-Blood. It takes a few months for Zeus to claim him, till then he spends time at Cabin 11 (Hermes) where he makes fast friends with Charlie (OC). After he is claimed and assigned his first quest, he discovers during the quest that his mother just didn't die a mysterious natural death, but was murdered because of a plot instilled by Hera and then swears that he'll never answer to the goddess' call or prophecy (which proves almost fatal to him in the future as well). His sword-fighting skills are topnotch, thanks to his maternal grandfather a kendo specialist, who comes looking for him after he finishes a year at Camp Half-Blood and takes him in during the school year since then.

Hilary is the daughter of Athena and has been around at the camp the longest as her father her dropped her there when she turned 5 and didn't try to reconnect with her until she was much older. Despite many other kids being older than her, she's still the most sought-after for advice regarding quests because her strategic thinking is almost unparalleled within Cabin 6, however, she isn't allowed to join her first quest until Tyson rolls into the camp. She's sceptical of his presence because a child of the Big Three never not comes with problems but warms up to him eventually after they successfully complete a quest together. She understands his dislike towards Hera but tries to maintain a good relationship with the goddess herself, which eventually leads to them being dragged into a quest at the behest of Hera. This creates a big divide between her and Tyson, after the quest is over and the two go back for the school year, they don't keep in touch at all and don't speak to each other until the next summer. She's good with any kind of weapon, being the daughter of Athena, but prefers a bow and arrow.

Kai is the oldest camper and is the son of Ares. He's mostly quiet and barely noticeable around the camp until a battle comes by where you might hear his infamous scream that stops everyone in their tracks for a full minute helping him gain full control of the battlefield. He has very faint pyrokinetic abilities as well, but they only activate during stressful situations. Ares is also very open about claiming Kai as his favourite kid. His preferred weapon is a sword, and he's in charge of conducting the sword fighting lessons at the camp.He prefers to take solo quests despite Chiron's many attempts to team him up with other kids, and his first quest as a team is with Tyson (Tyson's 3rd Quest) when they're prepping to infiltrate a monster army base led by the Titans, but the two often butt heads and end up half failing the mission, leading a handful of monsters back to the camp which turns the whole camp into a warzone when they're not prepared for it. The only thing the two agree on is their dislike for Hera and the need to smash monsters into dust.

Now I thought a lot about Max but finally decided to make him a son of Apollo instead of Poseidon because he matches up so well with Will Solace in terms of personality and because with the stupidity/rashness levels of Tyson & Kai, they need a healer in the group. Apart from being one of the strongest Healers from Cabin 7, Max is also a talented archer and singer, and the most popular boy in Camp Half-Blood. Apollo is very openly proud of him and gifts him a magical quiver that never runs out of arrows after he completes his first-ever quest with Tyson and Hilary.

Charlie (OC) is the daughter of Hermes and usually prefers to sit out quests. She claims she's more interested in helping around at the Camp rather than monster fighting, but the truth is that after losing her sister (from her mortal parent) while making her way to Camp Half-Blood, she's just afraid that she's not strong enough to protect anyone else. The Oracle however picks her as the lead for a quest that requires stealing back important magical items from the Titan's monster army and through that quest Charlie is finally able to get over her fear of questing. She's friends with almost every Cabin and is usually the mastermind behind every major prank that happens at the Camp. She's a Capture the Flag expert and every year she makes other Cabins bid for Cabin 11's support using camp chores as leverage.

Rei arrives at the camp very late, and although his mother, Nemesis claims him instantly, since there is no cabin at the time for minor gods, he bunks at Cabin 11. He prefers not to divulge any information about his life outside of Camp Half-Blood which makes everyone at the camp naturally more curious towards him. He has his mother's blessing of perpetual good luck which makes him the most sought out companion for quests. Despite his cool demeanour and usually balanced outlook on life, Tyson notices that Rei doesn't really enjoy being bunkmates with Cabin 11 and at first, Tyson's protests for getting a Cabin in Nemesis's name aren't heard so he invites Rei to sleep at Cabin 1 which is obviously empty apart from Tyson. This doesn't sit well with anyone, but especially not with Hilary since it's breaking a major rule and tradition, and only sours things further between her and Tyson. Rei is grateful however for having more space for himself and he mentions this to Nemesis during one of his offerings, which ends up making the Goddess fond of Tyson as well so she always tries to make sure good luck is on his side. His preferred choice of a weapon is a dagger, though he does well with a sword as well.

[I don't think I need to spell out the ships since they're obvious but uh TyHil, KaixOc and ReiMax are endgame though there is a bit of drama involved with Mao and Mathilda (Aphrodite's daughters) in the middle.]

[where-them-kinomiya-at]

OMFG YAYAYAYYYYY OKOK SO WHERE DO I EVEN START

Ok one thing that makes me sad abt those who steer away from vforce is that they're also the ones who are like 'the best thing abt beyblade is that it's so over the top but it doesn't take itself too srsly' and its insane bcz vforce is EXACTLY THAT ykwim???

One thing I love that I just need to quickly put in somewhere is that GORDO IS SO HAWT HELLO PLS ye that's just like a sidenote

I love max x mariam hehe

Vforce writing is a bit inconsistent like in some places and arcs I only like it as much as I do because of my headcannoning problem and cuz I see the ✨️vision✨️ but for the most part it is the most INSANE szn and I love it for that ❤️

Like there is the psychick and saint shield arc where two parties try to steal bit beasts exx one for v futuristic rzns and the other for v traditional but same goal. Also no one talks abt this enough BUT THERE WAS LTRLY A DETECTIVE INVESTIGATION SIDE PLOT LIKE HELLO that is so good?

Also I love zeo as a villain he's just a little roboboy who wanted to be a real boy and the whole thing was so good my jaw was on the FLOOR

I love kai in this szn but I can't go into that now that's a whole other rant

Also speaking of writing king and queen had the PERFECT win to loss to tie ratio for the roles they played in the show. That's so random ik hehe

Anyway sry for ranting up ur poor askbox I just got hyper excited to talk abt vforce 😭

Ik exactly what you mean. It’s so overlooked it’s sad. It took me a re run of the series (quite a few bouncing of episodes from season to season) to understand its purpose and need and what I REALLY want to state, even though I’m not gonna elaborate it here is that the characters are a perfect build up of their season 1 counterparts and FFS THEY ARENT OOC. I can go on but I’m trying to keep it short.

Hahah I love Max and Mariam too! In fact, I LOVE Mariam! Don’t miss out on her, whether or not you like vforce.

Ironically v force Tyson is my favorite- let’s just not go into that overly recorded dialogue: omg Tyson was such a jerk, totally OOC- like no?? He was not😭. He literally deserves nothing but hugs!! I love his dub version a lot more tbh (also Marlowe did his best in this season).I love Kai in this season too!

The detective investigation part is my fav because that guy is LITERALLY THE ONLY useful adult in Beyblade, it’s hilarious. I’m not fond of the villains (Gideon and Dr.B) because they don’t match up to Boris, but I still love the rivals- Ozuma, Kane and Zeo and their respective teams ofc.

King and Queen had less screen time but omg I loved their presence! They didn’t feel unwanted and unnecessary and I loved that about them!

Season 1 is my fav but vforce is the best for me when it comes to analysis. The dub definitely messes up at time but there are so many things it does better too. V force dub is PEAK.

Also pleaseee do not feel sorry for filling my inboxes! It’s vforce, I can and will defend and talk about it my entire life haha. my dms are always open jic!

[eddieheart]

LOVER

Fandom: Stranger Things

Pairings: Steve x Billy

Words: 541

Description: Billy’s thoughts on love and loving Steve

Warning: internalized homophobia, homophobia

To the naked eye Billy Hargrove looked like someone who kept nothing to himself. He was pompas and constantly peacocking, the kind of person who'd brag about his conquests. But he wasn't, Billy was an extremely private person, mostly because of his father.

Everything that everyone else saw was a perfectly manicured version of everything his father wanted. A 'man's man', strong, confident, hypersexual, angry, so so very angry.

It had been beaten into him his whole life, be a man, be a man, stop with the pansy shit Billy, be a man. He was always hiding, his grandmothers locket, his stuffed bunny, his lover, his real lover.

He’d gone to camp, he’d prayed, he’d dated women but he couldn’t get rid of his sickness, it festered under the surface, waiting to break free.

It's not that Billy didn't love women, he did, but he also had a problem. He was head over heels, bewitched by Steve fucking Harrington. It couldn't be anyone else, no matter how badly he wanted it to be someone else.

Jeanie, Susan, Maria, Mariam, Laura, Beatrice, even Mrs. Wheeler, none of them compared to him and Billy had no idea why. Was it the hair, the voice, the body, he had no clue. All he knew is that he loved every inch of that boy and he couldn't do anything about it.

At first the girls were enough to take his mind off of it. It was enough. But then it changed, it wasn't enough anymore. He moved onto men, they were a good distraction, dangerous, but good. But they didn't work now either.

He’d succumbed to his illness, he’d given into temptation, to sin. He’s a sinner now and for some reason a part of Billy was determined to drag Harrington down with him.

That's why they'd moved, not because of Harrington, because of his last infatuation, Mathew 'Mattie'. Normally he could brush off his fathers worries, but when he'd caught them red handed, Mattie half naked on top of the other boy, there was no way to brush it off.

Billy was beaten black and blue, out of it for weeks before is father packed everything up and moved them to bum fuck nowhere. Neil thought it'd keep Billy away from any 'distractions', it didn't.

Keep him away from distraction, help fend off his perversions, Neil had kept him away from Max for weeks after he found the two of them together. Deprived him of his only living family just so father Calihan could cure him.

It was wrong, he knew it was, his father and the father had told him so. It’s wrong to lust after another man, he knows, but he can’t help it. Butterflies flutter in him stomach every time he sees Harrington.

In another life maybe they’d be friends, or even lovers, but Billy could think like that. He can’t get his hopes up just to have them crushed again. So he uses violence, Steve can’t like him if he’s mean. If Steve hates him it betters his own chances.

Not matter how much he wishes he could be cured, Billy Hargrove loves Steve Harrington and there's nothing he can do to change that, no matter how hard he tries.

@buggylad

[wqbytop100]

WQBY

Top 100 for the week ending March 19, 2023

Heaven---Niall Horan -2 [intro .16s /Ends Cold @ 3.00s]

Reborn----SIDEPIECE, *Kyle Walker remix-3^ [intro .08s / Break@ 1.34s / Ends Cold 3.38]

Here We Go Again----Oliver Tree, David Guetta -4^ [Intro 0.7s/ Ends Cold @4.39s]

Dancing's Done----Ava Max -5 [intro.10s/Ends Cold 2.40s]

Left & Right----Ownboss, FAST BOY -97 [Intro .03s/Ends Cold 2.31s]

Just The Kinda Feeling----Yotto, Lost Boy -9^ [intro 0.6s/Cold 3.32]

Lovesick----Alan Walker, Sophie Simmons -11 [intro .08s/EndsCold @2.03

Back To You---Lost Frequencies, Elley Duhe, X Ambassabors -12 [intro.08s/EndsCold@2.32]

High Heels - Party Down Under----Flo Rida, Walker Hayes, *Sam Feldt remix -18^ [Begins Vocals/1stEnd Break@2.06]

Sparks----MEDUZA, DEL-30, Mali-Koa -19^ [intro@0.6s/EndsCold@2.42]

10:35----Tiesto, Tate McRae -21 [Begins Vocals/EndsCold@2.47s]

Good Time----The Dare -27^[intro@.06s/EndsCold2.13s]

You Know What I Need----PNAU, Troye Sivan -15 [intro@09s/2.46s]

Unholy----Sam Smith, Kim Petras -1 [intro.21s/Break@2.34s]

I Can't Wait----Tiesto, Solardo, Poppy Baskcomb -17 [intro@.14s/Ends Cold@2.48s]

Pearls----Jessie Ware -25^ [intro0.30s/End@3.48s]

Money On The Dash-----Elley Duhe, Whethan -7 [introBeginsVocals/End@2.08s]

Never Gonna Not Dance Again----Pink, *Sam Feldt remix -10 [intro0.07s/Ends Cold@2.43s]

When I Talk-----Kx5 f/ Elderbrook -14 [intro0.14s/Ends@3.22s]

Lay Low----Tiesto -13 [BeginsVocals/Ends@2.31s]

Hungry Heart-----Steve Aoki, Galantis, Hayley Kiyoko -92^ [BeginsVocals/EndsCold@3.00s]

Borderline-----Tove Lo -62^ [intro0.7s/Break@2.16s/Fade3.00s]

Out Of My Mind----Little Image -8 [intro@0.11s/begins long fade @2.21s]

Something's Coming----Cheat Codes, Lady A -58 [intro0.8s/EndsCold@2.48s]

If We Ever Broke Up-----Mae Stephens -68^ [intro0.08s/EndsCold@2.22s]

Red Lights----Lane 8, Emmit Fenn, *EMBRZ remix -23

***River----Mylie Cyrus -(new entry)

Chasing Shadows----Alex Warren -89^

Afterparty----Loud Luxury, Hook N Sling -6

Gone (Da da Da)-----Imanbek, Jay Sean -16^

Lennon----ESSEL -33

Different Kind Of Lonely---Camp Kubrick, Don Diablo -24

New Gold----Gorrillaz, Tame Impala, Bootie Brown, *Dom Dolla remix -32

Tra Tra----HUGEL, BLOND:ISH, Nfasis -35

Bel Mercy---Jengi -37

Flowers ------Mylie Cyrus -43 ''peak16''

Shut Up----Alan Walker, UPSAHL -20

Freeze---Kygo -31

Solitude----Snakechips, BIA, Lucky Daye -36

I'm Good (Blue)----David Guetta, Bebe Rexha -34

What's It Gonna Take-----Cheat Codes, Michael Tenpenny -44^

How Many Tears----Kygo, Sam Feldt, Emily Warren -40

Makin' Time----Sultan + Shepard, Julia Church -45^

Sete-----BLOND:ISH, Francis Mercier, Amadou & Mariam -41

Gimme That Bounce----Mau P -26

Drifting Away----Audien, Joe Jury -38

Lipstick----BLR, Robbie Rise -56^

Rely On Me-----Sigala, Gabry Pointe, Alex Gaudino -22

*I'll Be Around----Elderbrook, Amtrac -(re entry)

Need Me Right----Anabel Englund -53

Show Me----John Summit, Hannah Boleyn -46

Pouring Rain----Guz, Camden Cox -55

No Love For You----Regard, Drop G -39

*Don't Make Me Come Down There----Dolly Parton -(re entry)

Revolution---John Summit -57

Kill Me---Alok -54

*Make Me Feel---The Chainsmokers, Cheyenne Giles -(re-entry)

What House----Block & Crown -88^

What A Life----John Summit, Guz, Stevie Appleton -42

*Can I Get It Back----Jordana Bryant, *R3HAB remix -(re-entry)

Firewalk-----Morgan Page, Lissie -63^

Clouds-----BUNT., Nate Traveller -81^

***Moving All Around----Schak, Kim English, *John Summit remix -(new entry)

The One---INJI -61

Stay Above----Lukas Graham -64

Anyway----CASH CASH f/ RuthAnne -70^

***Where Are You----John Summit, Hayla -(new entry)

Rhyme Dust----MK, Dom Dolla -78^

Bedroom Exile----Giant Rooks -74^

***Next To You----Loud Luxury, DVBBS, f/ Kane Brown -(new entry)

Say Your Mine----Paul Oakenfold, Nat Monday, Christina Novelli -75^

***Adore---Bob Sinclar -(new entry)

Crazy----RMR, Ryan Lewis -79^

Better Now----TELYKAST, Francis Karel, MEDUN remix -76

Forget You----FAST BOY, Topic -66

***Rewind (But I Loe You) ----Whipped Cream -(new entry)

***Find Your People----Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors -(new entry)

Feelings----EMELINE -85^

Caught Up----Gryffin, Olivia O'Brien -86^

The Freaks----David Guetta, Marten Harger -84^

Feel This Good----Sigala, Mae Muller, Caity Baser, Stefflon Don -95^

***Take Me Away----ACRAZE -(new entry)

***Submarine-----Seeb, BANNERS, SUPER-Hi -(new entry)

***Thousand Miles----Miley Cyrus, Brandi Carlile -(new entry)

***New Bottega-----Torren Foot, Azealia Banks -(new entry)

***I Wrote A Song----Mae Muller -(new entry)

***F U Goodbye----Peach PRC -(new entry)

***Choose You----Elmiene -(new entry)

****The Way----Manchester Orchestra -(new entry)

***After Midnight----Lucas & Steve, Yves V, Xoro, *TELYKAST remix

***Headstrone Gunner----Aldn -(new entry)

***Lose My Mind-----Stephen Dawes -(new entry)

***Everybody Hates Me----GAYLE -(new entry)

All Or Nothing----Topic, HRVY -49

*All Falls Down---Alonestar, Jethro & Ed Sheeran -(re-entry)

Sing Your Lullaby----R3HAB, Mike Williams -48

Wings (I Won't Let You Down-----Armin Van Helden, Karen Harding-39

High----NEIL FRANCIS, PawPawRod -40

Good Life----Hayden James, Emie -51

***Oi Oi Oi----Dubdogs, Maxximal, MC Hollywood -(new entry)

Gone this week are;

Heart Wants What It Wants-----Bebe Rexha Anything But Wet----I O LIghts Creepin-----Metro Bloomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage Serotonin Moonbeams----The Blessed Madonna On My Mind-----EDX Be Right There---Diplo, Sleepy Tom, *HUGEL remix Pegasus----MEDUZA, Eli & Fur Ghost Again----Depeche Mode Sleepwalking----Matt Sassari, Goodboys If I Live Forever----Vintage Culture, Izzy Bizu Shockwave----R3HAB, Afrojack Hurt That You Gave Me----Cheat Codes, Bret Young Nervous System----JOSEPH Heartbreak Feels So Good----Fall Out Boy Can't Tame Her----Zara Larson Here----Tom Grennan Blue-(Da Ba Dee----Effel 65, *Gabry Pointe Ice Box remix Horizons---Guz Dapperton Sweet Goodbye-----Robin Schultz Do You Really? ----Lyn Lapid, Ruth B Helicopter----Jame Hype It's Quiet Now-----Hoeny Dijon, Dope Earth Alien Feel Alive----TELYKAST, Sky Blu Whistle----Jax Jones, Calum Scott

[maxmiz]

In case you Max/Mariam shippers forgot, Max annihilated Queen's Beyblade after she and King did the same to Mariam in the previous round. Our boy here took some sweet, sweet revenge on Mariam's behalf, and how!

This ship deserved better after being teased to death throughout the season. This ship is one of the few things that saved V Force for me. And Mariam herself, of course.

[black-eilla]

Why don't you ship Max with Mariam, but Emily?

I get why people like that ship. But just because the majority ship it, it doesn't mean I should ship it either. I liked their dynamic in the show, and I once shipped them. But, my interests just changed.

Max and Mariam aren't the people I want to see in a relationship. I don't put Max into the sugar rush, but I feel Max may need someone having the persona of his mother more or less. I don't think Max needs the sassy-type girl as a romantic partner; albeit he is very chill with anybody, there is something that puts me off from shipping them. I do like the "girl being older than a boy", ships, but I can only ship them if it satisfies me or if the point behind the ship is specified. I don't get compelled to see a big girl-persona type with a cinnamon roll.

I think Mariam may need somebody like Ozuma, Johnny, or Bryan. I ship her with Ozuma and they are my Beyblade OTP. I guess Mariam needs somebody who is a bit reserved, cool, calm, and collected, or a very rough and tough-guy type. I can definitely see Max and Mariam as platonic friends, but not much as romantic partners. This is just me, but I think there are chances that they may not click well as romantic partners.

Although Max and Mariam seemed more canonical compared to their rival ships, it is not a ship I relate much with tbh. This is a very personal opinion of mine, but anybody can comment on if they may disagree :)

I do look for canonical interactions most of the time, but I do find Max and Emily more compelling and almost equally canonical (more or less) at the same time. Hence, I prefer them.

[beyblade-confessions]

[bellaelizabethsmith]

Day 3:Flowers

@beybladeweek2021

[moonandblossoms]

What if my favorite Beyblade couples featured in Indian commercials?

Takao and Hiromi - Dairy Milk

Kai and Julia - Manyavar

Rei and Mao - Taj Mahal Tea

Max and Emily - Reebok or Puma or any sports brand

Ozuma and Mariam - Malabar Gold and diamonds

Kane and Salima - Prestige cook stove

Tala and Queen - Durex condoms (please don't attack me now xD)

Miguel and Mathilda - Engage on Pocket spray

@rainbow-pearls @black-eilla I want your opinions on these 😁

[juliafernandez]

My Favourite Beyblade Ships

Here are some of my favourite hetero ships from Beyblade Original Series (including the manga version) :

Regina Hase x Yuriy Ivanov (I absolutely LOVE them.)

I was living a depressed life after the G-revolutions ended because I couldn’t find any girl to ship with Yuriy. But when Regina Haze made an appearance in the Beyblade Rising manga; I almost forgot to breathe. I swear, her character checked every single one of my criteria for Yuriy's female romantic interest (and the standard's pretty high!) : evil as hell, needs therapy (preferably due to family trauma), a fucking ninja strong enough to give him a competition jumping from roofs, attractive and smart at the same time). Their dynamic is so full of angst and Volkov’s daughter being Yuriy's soulmate just gives so much info to work with! Like, choose any kind of AU for Yuriy and Regina's bound to bump into him! I love her battle style (just like Yuriy in his Novae Rog mode) which renders the opponent helpless. Her blade is one of the first things I loved about her and then her battle outfit is breathtaking as well. Stan the queen, she even managed to beat Dragoon with those sharp fang-like edges of her bey! She is the kind of boss babe who makes Yuriy look calm and patient. I’ll ship these two in hell.

(Damn this collar tugging is everything!) 

Art credit: @nekodarkitten 

P.S. I still can't believe this scene is actually canon in the manga!

Max x Marium

Although Max initially hated her as he thought her to be a cheater who never plays fair. Mariam admits to have liked the innocence about Max and found him rather cute but didn’t actually show any feelings towards him until their final beybattle, which Mariam decides to play fair and they both develop a soft spot for each other and eventually earn each other’s respect. Although Max x Emily is also a great pair, I personally prefer Max x Mariam more. I feel their relationship is more intense but very unrealistic because Mariam and Max hardly ever saw each other after that beybattle, let alone have a conversation. Even in the manga version, they barely have any interation. But even after people being mean to this ship...it is still the one of the most adored in the series.

P.S. Okay, someone just told me that after Queen and King destroyed Mariam's Beyblade, Max smashed Queen's Beyblade in the next round. I feel a spark here! I truly love this ship without a doubt now.

Ray x Salima

Don’t hate me for this one but I think Salima and Ray had a lot more potential than Ray and Mariah because she was the first character Ray had any romantic feelings about (as Kai said, “He connected with Salima”). It is actually astonishing how in two or three meetings they had formed such a strong bond because of how similar their thoughts were! If only they had time to know each other more, they would have been one of the canon ships. Though Salima showed a lot of concern for Kane throughout the episodes but she did not admit having any romantic feelings about him.

Kai x Julia 

Although they never had any one-on-one conversation or a beybattle and practically are a “crack-ship”, Julia is the only female character throughout the series who literally could be Kai’s solemate. They both are badass, sassy, confidant, passionate, slightly arrogant, tough and mature. They both have had dysfunctional family dynamics which somehow made them independent leaders. I feel the ‘’know-it-all fire prince’’ will find a strong girl like her very appealing. I mean, they could relate to each other in every way. They just “fit” and complement each other in a way that is otherworldly. I think this ship deserves more fans.

Tyson X Hilary

The classic love-hate chemistry. Tyson did not show any type of feeling other than utter annoyance towards Hilary in the beginning, he secretly started liking Hilary slowly from V-Force to G-revolutions. (Many people missed this scene from V-Force: When Max suggested they played a word game in the cave so they don't get lost. It was Tyson's turn when he subconsciously said 'Hilary' then he said 'Oh sorry!...forgot has to start with a 'D'. It shows how her name was the first thing that came to his thoughts and how she was living in his mind rent-free!). Hilary had a soft spot for Tyson from the beginning. Hilary did have a crush on Kai [ I mean..who didn’t at some point?] but she was one of those few people who stood by Tyson through it all without “betraying”. And I feel she understands Tyson very well and she seems really happy whenever she's around Tyson. And I think Tyson likes Hilary too. When Master Tao asked Tyson if he liked Hilary...he blushed. This was probably in the Japanese version. The English dub just loves turning a blind eye to Tyson x Hilary and throwing Kai x Hilary crumb.(Jfc, quit acting like stupid high school teenagers!)

Special mentions :

Ray x Mariah

Ray and Mariah have a good potential. As long they had spent together from childhood, they understand each other very well. Mariah has always been head-over-heels for Ray in the anime. On the other hand, Ray always looked out for her as a friend. Although, it was pretty obvious that Mariah liked Ray a lot from the very beginning in the anime but Ray’s interest in Salima clearly states that, he only saw Mariah as a good friend. But even worse that is in the manga. Ray said he saw her as a “little sister” and on top of that, Mariah was okay with that but was angry about the fact that Ray wouldn’t consider her as his equal blader.They were both so dumb. (After reading that...I was like “What the fuck is wrong with you guys?!”). She stood by his side every single time and maybe that’s the reason why Ray got married to *spoilers ahead* Mariah eventually.

Max x Emily

This couple has gone unnoticed by many. The classic tsundere dynamic. Emily was hard on Max on their first meeting, she eventually developed a soft spot for Max. Max also supported her throughout and considered her a good friend. Emily was seen worried for Max when he went to battle Black Dranzer along with teammates in Russia (One of my favourite Max moments when he finally got to outshine his smartass teammates while almost beating Black Dranzer). In the G-Revolutions, Emily was one of the few people who really understood Max and on she also admitted to like boys who were as confidant as him. Not to mention, she supported him throughout every battle when they were in the same team. 

These are my personal preference and opinion. I’d love to hear what everyone has to say about beyblade ships in general.

[mach-speed-spin]

Ok so uhhhh do you have any beyblade ships 👉👈

Since I don't know which series you're asking about, I'll go through all of them

Bakuten Shoot

Ray x Mariah and that's straight-up canon

Ray x Salima and Max x Mariam are both "sometimes I ship sometimes I don't" things

Tyson x Kai I didn't ship at all until their battle in G-Rev. That space-beach sequence single-handedly changed my mind on the ship

Romero x whichever woman would make for a funnier scenario. This is a joke but also 100% in character for Romero

MFB

Doji x the cactus in his office of course

Jack x Tsubasa is an interesting dynamic, if one-sided

Ginga x Teru. Pretty straightforward and Teru deserved better in canon

Burst

Delta x Blindt because there is no explanation for Blindt's attitude towards Delta that isn't "Blind has a massive crush on Delta"

Aiger x Ranjiro. While this started in Turbo, Surge took it to whole new levels (the scene where they team up for the tournament reads like a love confession)

Ghasem x Arthur (the British Arthur, not the villain). I don't know why, but their interaction just gave off "vibes"

Free x Silas, mainly because of Surge

[parfaitkiwi]

002 Max :)

:D :D :D

One of my faves!

All the people I ship romantically with this character: So, the boring answer is that I ship Max with both everyone ....BUT, that's not quite the question, so my short list of Max ships is:

Mariam (everyone and their mother ships Max and Mariam, I think, but add me to that list).

Hiromi/Hilary (as an adult, I think they just have friend vibes. But it was one of my first ships, so I will clingy to it with my cold, tiny hands)

And...Ming-Ming (perhaps the most controversial things I've said in this fandom, but I think they could be fun).

Sometimes Rei/Ray (depends on the situation, mostly), OH AND SOMETIMES JULIA I THINK THEY COULD BE CUTE.

As I said.

I ship him with everyone LOL. My non-romantic OTP for this character: Takao/Tyson I tried to think of some others but they're just such perfect friends that adding someone else to the list would probably be dishonest of me.

I think he could be best friends with anyone, though, to be honest.

So, I guess "everyone", could be an answer...again

But my other short list is Kai, Kenny/Professor, and Hiromi/Hilary...and Rick...EVERYONE.

My unpopular opinion about this character: I don't think I have one, actually! He is 100% one of my favourite characters, and I think that maybe my unpopular opinion is that I wish that people didn't sleep on him so hard. But that's not an opinion about him, that's more of a general opinion. This is getting a lot better now that everyone in the fandom is older, but he's like...such a top-tier character and I hate how he used to/sometimes still might get slept on. But I don't think I have anything unpopular opinion on him. OH ...Maybe my unpopular opinion is that I ship him with Ming-Ming. One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: I wish he was team captain.

I get that he's the youngest, and I get that it makes sense that he can't just roll up to PPB and be the captain or that Kai makes for like, a more dramatic dub captain, but I think that Max would have been a great captain.

My OTP:

I put my ships up in the first question, and I stand by all of them, but I so happily ship him with pretty much everyone that I don't think I have a Max OTP.

My cross over ship: I am not like, in in many other fandoms, but Max x Rise Kujikawa from Persona 4 just *~*works*~* for me.

I think I just ship him with pop stars.

Is that my ~*~thing~*~? I guess so.

A headcanon fact:

UGH, I have SO MANY, but I think he always helps the bugs that he finds in his house get to safety (outside). Or makes sure that groups of animals get across the street OK.

Might be a fun Max and Kai activity, tbh.

[wqbytop100]

WQBY

Top 100 for the week ending March 12, 2023

Unholy----Sam Smith, Kim Petras, *Disclosure remix -2

Heaven----Niall Horan -3

Reborn----SIDEPIECE, *Kyle Walker remix -4

****Here We Go Again----Oliver Tree, David Guetta -(new)

Dancing's Done----Ava Max -5

Afterparty----Loud Luxury, Hook N Sling -6

Money On The Dash----Elley Duhe -8

Out Of My Mind---Little Image -10

Just The Kinda Feeling----Yotto, Lost Boy -11

Never Gonna Not Dance Again ---Pink -12

Lovesick----Alan Walker, Sophie Simmons -13

Back To You---Lost Frequencies, Elley Duhe, X Ambassadors -1

Lay Low----Tiesto -16

When I Talk----Kx5 w/ Elderbrook -17

You Know What I Need----PNAU, Troye Sivan -18

Gone (Da Da Da)-----Imanbek, Jay Sean -19

I Can't Wait----Tiesto, Solardo, Poppy Baskcomb -20

High Heels - Party Down Under----Flo Rida, Walker Hayes, *Sam Felt remix -30

Sparks----MEDUZA, DEL-30, Mali-Koa -21

Shut Up----Alan Walker, UPSAHL -30

10:35----Tiesto, Tate McRae -24

Rely On Me----Sigala, Gabry Pointe, Alex Gaudino -26

Red Lights----Lane 8, Emmit Fenn, *EMBRZ remix -9

Different Kind Of Lonely----Camp Kubrick, Don Diablo -34

Pearls----Jessie Ware -62

Gimme That Bounce----Mau P -29

***Good Time---The Dare- (new)

Whistle----Jax Jones, Calum Scott -27

Sing Your Lullaby---R3HAB, Mike Williams -48

Heart Wants What It Wants----Bebe Rexha -85

Freeze---Kygo -14

New Gold-----Gorillaz, Tame Impala, Bootie Brown, *Dom Dolla remix -31

Lennon----ESSEL -22

I'm Good (Blue)----David Guetta, Bebe Rexha -25

Tra Tra-----HUGEL, BLOND:ISH, Nfasis -33

Solitude----Snakechips, BIA, Lucky Daye -32

Bel Mercy----Jengi -41

Drifting Away----Audien, Joe Jury -15

No Love For You----Regard, Drop G -37

How Many Tears----Kygo, Sam Felt, Emily Warren -36

Sete-----BLOND:ISH, Francis Mercier, Amadou & Mariam -43

What A Life----John Summit, Guz, Stevie Appleton -38

Flowers----Mylie Cyrus -23

*What's It Gonna Take----Cheat Codes, Michael Tenpenny -(re entry)

Makin' Time----Sultan + Shepard, Julia Church -59

Show Me---John Summit, Hannah Boleyn -42

Anything But Wet--- I.O. Lights -45

Wings (I Won't Let You Down)----Armin Van Helden, Karen Harding -39

***All Or Nothing----Topic, HRVY -(new entry)

Creepin' ----Metro Bloomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage -46

Good Life----Hayden James, Emie -35

Serotonin Moonbeams----The Blessed Madonna -44

Need Me Right-----Anabel Englund -53

Kill Me----Alok -49

Pouring Rain-----Guz, Camden Cox -51

*Lipstick-----BLR, Robbie Rise -(re entry)

***Revolution----John Summit -(new entry)

Something's Coming-----Cheat Codes, Lady A -98

On My Mind----EDX -58

Be Right There----Diplo, Sleepy Tom, *HUGEL remix -60

The One---INJI -64

Borderline----Tove Lo -71

Firewalk----Martin Page, Lissie -72

Stay Above---Lukas Graham -63

Pegasus----MEDUZA, Eli & Fur -65

Forget You----FAST BOY, Topic -66

Ghost Again----Depeche Mode -67

If We Ever Broke Up-----Mae Stephens -70

Sleepwalking----Matt Sassari, Goodboys -68

Anyway----CASH CASH w/ Ruth Anne -61

If I Live Forever----Vintage Culture, Izzy Bizu -73

Shockwave-----R3HAB, Afrojack -74

Hurt That You Gave Me-----Cheat Codes, Brett Young -69

Bedroom Exile----Giant Rooks -88

Say Your Mine----Paul Oakenfold, Nat Monday, Christina Novelli -92

***Better Now----TELYKAST, Francis Karel, *MEDUN remix -(new entry)

Nervous System----JOSEPH -75

***Rhyme Dust----MK & Dom Dolla -(new entry)

***Crazy----RMR, Ryan Lewis -(new entry)

Heartbreak Feels So Good----Fall Out Boy -80

***Clouds----BUNT. , Nate Traveller -(new entry)

***Can't Tame Her-----Zara Larson -(new entry)

Here----Tom Grennan -82

***The Freaks-----David Guetta, Marten Harger -(new entry)

***Feelings----Emeline -(new entry)

***Caught Up----Gryffin, Olivia O'Brien -(new entry)

Blue (Da Ba Dee)----Eiffel 65. *Gabry Pointe Ice Pop remix -84

***What House----Block & Crown -(new entry)

Chasing Shadows----Alex Warren -47

***Take Me Away----ACRAZE -(new entry)

***Horizons---Gus Dapperton -(new entry)

***Hungry Heart----Steve Aoki, Galantis, Hayley Kiyoko -(new entry)

Sweet Goodbye-----Robin Schultz -90

Do You Really?-----Lyn Lapid, Ruth B -93

***Feels This Good----Sigala, Mae Muller, Caity Baser, Stefflon Don -(new entry)

Helicopter----James Hype -87

Left & Right----Ownboss, FAST BOY -7

High----Neil Frances, PawPawRod -40

It's Quiet Now----Honey Dijon, Dope Earth Alien -50

Feel Alive---TELYKAST, Sky Blu -52

Gone this week; 19off 17new 2 re-entry Body Breathe---LP Globbi, Monogem I'm Not Dead Yet----Mike Posner Heartbeat-----James Arthur Blood Upon The Snow-----Hozier, Bear McCreary Tornado----Hi Lo How To Drive----Alexander 23 Save Some Room-----Shallou Running Up That Hill-----Betty Who Break Up With That Guy----Virginia To Vegas Nervous----Joan Can i Get It Back----Jordana Bryant, *R3HAB remix Best Man----Mike Don't Make Me Have To Come Down There----Dolly Parton Koo Koo Fun----Major Laser, Major League Djz, Tiwa Savage Infinity----Dubdogs, Bhaskar Where Do We Go From Here----Gareth Emery Chasing Cars----Sofi Tukker Gimme Back My Soul-----Medium Build Merchans----San Soucis

[beybladenerd]

Do you ship Kai x Julia and Max x Mariam?

Eh I ship Max x Mariam kinda but I really like Max x Emily a lot more. Mariam is a good match for him too but I like the tsundere dynamic between him and Emily.

Don't really ship Kai x Julia together but if you do that's cool.

[maxmiz]

Okay, If Max were to propose Mariam on her 23rd birthday, what would it be like? Please write something on this, I am eagerly waiting to see this content written by you.

Firstly, thank you much for the ask @velox-the-knight. I thought I’d do one better and write a short one shot fanfic on this. But I’ve tweaked the facts a little. I’ve made it so that they’re both 28 (23 feels a bit too early for someone like Max to marry idk?) and I’ve not made it on her birthday. But I’ll hope you’ll like this!

Also tagging @stroblitzfalborg, @bakutenmayhem @araingirl @midnightstarr8 @gingericywolf @luxahheart @dangpanterita @turquoisewisteria @tshjortile @hiwataris-bitch and anyone else who would like some Max/Mariam content. Feedback is appreciated from anyone who likes Max/Mariam in the fandom! (This is a hurriedly written short fic, so it may not be great lol)

FAIRYTALE

The path to the dojo was covered in chrysanthemums and a young, blithe man strolled down the road, inhaling the fresh scent of spring into his lungs in the hopes that it would inspire him to finally pop the big question. The golden strands of his hair mirrored the bright beams of the radiant sun above, and twenty-eight-year-old Max Mizuhara strode into his best friend’s house with every ounce of his courage tucked away in a little black box in his pocket. Today was the day that he would ask her to marry him.

The familiar, idyllic setting of Takao’s house greeted him at the entrance and comforted him as he tried to pull himself together and calm his nerves. The oddly mature words of wisdom of his precocious younger sister, Charlotte, surfaced in his mind – if you know she’s the one, then she is. If she’s not, you can move on to other things. Like buying me a Playstation.

His eyes scanned the dojo. He half hoped that Daichi would not spring out of some corner with a bowl of soup in his hand and ruin the bouquet of wild flowers that Max was carrying, by tripping and falling over some rock as usual. Max’s mother, Judy, had not appreciated Daichi’s clumsiness when he had all but destroyed her immaculate designer pantsuit by spilling a drink on it by accident.

I can’t believe that I brought flowers, he thought to himself amused. Max had never really been the flowers-and-chocolates type of boyfriend. Romantic gifts were more of Rei and Takao’s domain. Mariam and Max had always had a jovial, easy-going relationship. They did many things together – from trekking to mountaintops and sleeping under the stars together, to skydiving and dancing at carnivals to which Raul and Julia often invited them. But romantic cliches had never been something that either of them was particularly fond of.

Growing up with parents who rarely lived in the same city, Max had never had the occasion to watch any romance blossom between them. Family dinners were often a cold affair, with his mother being an emotionally distant workaholic and his father being in blissful denial about the crumbling state of their marriage. Even as things had improved between his parents after he had won his first world championship, Max’s faith in romance and marriage had forever been marred by the shadow of his childhood in a dead home.

Yet, here he was, ready to ask the love of his life to marry him, with flowers no less. The irony was not lost upon him.

Oddly, it was his two friends Kai and Hiromi who had suggested that he take flowers with him as he proposed to her. Max could swear he almost choked on his drink as he heard those words leave Kai’s mouth. It made him wonder if, in private, Kai had actually ever given his nature-loving boyfriend Brooklyn any flowers. The thought of a romantic Kai seemed almost as inconceivable to him as the thought of Yuri and Takao’s errant brother Hitoshi hooking up. But stranger things had happened in their world – Balkov becoming a reality show star, for one. He certainly gave the Kardashians some stiff competition in the vanity department. Yuri almost retched at seeing Balkov’s vainglorious Instagram account.

Chuckling, Max looked down at his bouquet as the memory of his last conversation with his friends popped up in his mind.

“You listen to me Maximilian Mizuhara…”

“Actually, it’s just Max,” said Max, cutting her short, meekly.

“Did I say that you could interrupt me?” growled Hiromi, rolling her eyes. “Now, as I was saying…you have to get her flowers! You can’t propose without flowers to a woman who has been raised in the mountains in the lap of nature. Back me up, Hiwatari!”

Kai put down his drink on the table and shrugged. “You heard the woman.”

“You can’t be serious,” said Max, surprised. “And what if she does not like flowers?”

“Then you can take off your clothes and hope that she forgets about the flowers when she sees you in your magnificent birthday suit,” said a drunk Takao, laughing at his own joke without a care in the world.

“Takao!” said Hiromi, smacking him lightly on his head.

“Ow, what was that for?” said Takao, crossly.

“Your jokes are getting worse every day. Soon you’ll give Ivan a run for his money and that is not a compliment. Ask Yuri and Boris. They had to make a jar specifically for him in which he has to drop a penny every time he makes a terrible joke. There was enough money in it by the end of the year for Yuri to buy Julia a gift pack from Victoria’s Secret and have money left over for Boris and Sergei to go drinking expensive wine at Ralf’s vineyard. Do you want me to make such a jar for you too?” said Hiromi, narrowing her eyes.

“If it helps get you your favorites from Victoria’s Secret, why not,” said Takao, playfully.

Hiromi blushed and pretended to text on her phone.

“Okayyyy, get a room you two,” said Rei, laughing.

“Alright, guys, can we deal with my problem before Mr. World Champion here starts his drunken monologue? Is it yay or nay on the flowers? Won’t it be too cliched for Mariam to appreciate?” said Max, frowning.

“Make it so that it isn’t,” said Kai, in a deep voice.

 Make it so that it isn’t. I hope I’m doing this right.

Max walked further into the dojo to see Mariam sitting on the porch, with her long blue strands of hair casually tied up on top of her head in a bun. She was dressed in a white shirt and red skirt, while a tattoo of Sharkrash on her smooth, porcelain skin glimmered under the light of the sun. Max gasped as he watched his beautiful girlfriend concentrate on the book that she was reading, one that Max instantly recognized as his favorite, personal copy of Bitches Gotta Beyblade. Ming Ming had written quite the tantalizing but wonderful biography of her life as a beyblading and singing sensation – and though Max had initially found her annoying during her BEGA days, he had come to admire her over the years. Juggling school and Beyblade while winning Grammys every year was no mean feat.

As Max stepped into the garden by the little pond, Mariam lifted her face from her book and looked at him with a smile on her face.

“Maxie. What’s up? Why are we meeting at the dojo when neither Takao nor grandpa are here? Feels a little weird,” said Mariam, suspiciously.

“Weird? Why is that? We’re always hanging out at the dojo on weekends,” said Max, hiding the bouquet behind his back.

“You know…like we’re trespassing or something while he’s not around,” said Mariam.

“Trespassing? Did your conscience prick you like this when you were stalking me day and night to seal my bit-beast?” teased Max.

“For the last time Max, I wasn’t stalking. I was just gathering intel,” said Mariam, feigning annoyance.

“Alright, Mata Hari, pipe down,” quipped Max. “Ozuma can’t hear you, you know. We both know that you couldn’t get enough of me.”

“Oh yeah, and who was the one putting on all the moves in a collapsing building? Seriously Max, who flirts when they’re almost about to get crushed by a building?” said Mariam, playfully.

“Guilty as charged, m’lady,” said Max, laughing.

Mariam uncrossed her legs and leaned against a wooden pillar casually. “What have you got behind you?”

A romantic cliché, that’s what.

“Hmm, let’s see,” said Max, pulling out the bouquet and presenting it to her.

“Flowers…” said Mariam, surprised.

“Not just any flowers,” said Max, handing her the bouquet.

Mariam looked more closely at the bouquet and Max could see her face lighting up.

“Orchids…from my village in the mountains…” said Mariam, looking touched.

Max knew that Mariam missed her village frequently. Even though she quite liked her life as a marine biologist, free from the shackles of her tribe’s strict and conservative rules, Max often found her wistfully longing for the mountains that she called her home. He knew that if flowers were the way to go, he would personally write to Yusuf and request him to send them to Japan, where he and Mariam were living temporarily after taking a sabbatical from their jobs in California.

“What…what’s the occasion?” said Mariam.

Oh boy, here goes.

“Well…I don’t know how to do this…” mumbled Max, as he slipped his hand into his pocket.

Mariam watched him curiously as he pulled out a little black box.

“Oh…my…” said Mariam, intuitively, the minute that she laid her eyes on the box. “Are you asking me to…”

Max stared at Mariam, unsure about how to proceed with it. He stood quietly staring at her for a solid two minutes until Mariam said, “Uh…Max?”

Kneel, you moron. You can gawk at her later, thought Max as he mentally slapped himself, before going down on one knee.

“Mariam…I never thought that there’d come a day that I’d find myself asking you…or anyone, to marry me. I have never believed in fairytale endings or happily ever-afters. And I don’t believe that being with you is my fairytale ending, because nobody knows what the future holds. But you certainly are the beginning of my fairytale. Now I wish I had Rei’s eloquence to be able to come up with a romantic poem on the spot, but that’s not me. I’m all smiles and jokes and mustard on noodles and we have had always had an unconventional relationship. So, in the spirit of that…” said Max, opening the box, mid-sentence.

Okay, here goes nothing.

Much to Mariam’s surprise, Max pulled out a red, silken bandana from the box and tied it around her forehead.

“I could have got a ring…and I will after this, but I don’t do cliches. Now, I’m 14 years late, but here’s a long overdue replacement for the bandana you tied around my arm when I injured myself protecting you in that collapsing building. I’m tying this around your forehead as a promise to protect you for as long as I can, no matter how many buildings collapse on us and no matter what hurts me in the process. So…will you…marry me?” said Max.

Mariam gasped. She looked like someone had punched her in the gut.

“You know, Takao’s garden has just been hosed an hour ago. My jeans are getting soaked in the mud. Could you answer faster?” said Max, sheepishly.

“Well…yes, you idiot!” said Mariam, throwing her arms around Max and hugging him tenderly.

Kissing her softly on the cheek, Max pulled away and looked into her gorgeous green eyes. He had spent many a night looking into them, but this was the first time that he had seen a touch of vulnerability in them. If anything, her eyes looked even more beautiful now.

“Oh, that was so fucking cute, I’m going to faint!”

“Hell yeah, go Maxie!”

“Max, you dawg…”

Shocked, Max and Mariam looked to the left to see their friends peering at them from behind the dojo and giggling amongst themselves. Kai and Brooklyn did not seem to partake in their laughter, but smiled approvingly at him and Mariam.

“How long have you guys been there?” said Max, going red in the face.

“Long enough, buddy,” said Takao, bellowing with laughter.

“You promised you’d be out,” said Max, embarrassedly.

“And miss this? Never!” said Hiromi, slyly.

“Oh yeah, Kyouju even taped it,” said Rei, giving their bespectacled friend a nudge.

“It’s time for some celebration!” said Hiromi.

“Drinks in the garden?” said Takao.

“On it,” volunteered Brooklyn. Kai joined him to go into the house and fetch the celebratory champagne.

Max looked at his friends and then at Mariam, and smiled. He had finally found a sense of contentment that had eluded him for most of his life.

The beginning of a fairytale indeed.