#my dad's baby brother married a widow with two kids. she died

[hybridanafrost]

So I took some minor OCs from the back of my mind and made Jack the Ripper a wifey and some kids.

Name: Lorena Harlow

Age: 28

Birthday: September 26

Sign: Libra

Magic: Hook Magic

Grimoire: 3 leaf

Occupation: Butcher

Lorena is a young, widowed mother who lost her husband five years ago. After he had passed, she went back to her maiden name. She has two young daughters, Agnes (age 9) and Abigail (age 5). In order to support her family as a single mother, she works at a butcher shop and is very talented at what she does. She has a younger brother named Bennett Harlow (age 25) who works as a blacksmith to help keep the family afloat and look after her kids while she's away. One day, after losing most of his wages to gambling, Captain Jack stopped by her shop to sell her his latest kill. He was impressed by her expert knowledge on meat and hunting and asked what time she got off her shift so he could take her out. She initially rebuffed his offer until he found her at the local bar later that evening. Lorena had been drinking alone, as was her personal ritual of celebrating the day of her wedding anniversary after her husband's death. Jack sat next to her, bought her some drinks, and tried again to pick her up. She told him she had children, a detail that usually scared most men away. That didn't intimidate Jack in the slightest, claiming he found young mothers hot. Letting the booze and her natural urges get the better of her, she agreed to sleep with Jack the Ripper that night. She would quip that he was lucky he was built like her late husband because she liked tall men. The two had their night of passion and realized they were incredibly compatible. They began a friends with benefits type of relationship for half a year before Lorena gave him a genuine shot at a relationship. Jack got along well with her daughters, and the two eventually got married. Yami finds Lorena spooky with the way she can talk so casually about taking carcasses apart with her hooks and calls her "Mama Mantis." The nickname stuck with her among the Green Mantises. They admire her and her cooking very much.

Name: Agnes Harlow

Birthday: April 3rd

Sign: Aries

Magic: Knife Magic

Agnes is Lorena's firstborn daughter with her late husband. Agnes is the only one of Lorena's two children to remember their birth father. Being young and finding it difficult to cope with the loss, she develops anger issues. Agnes can be very sweet but has destructive habits. When her magic started manifesting, she began cutting her own hair. Lorena decided to give Agnes the freedom of deciding what to do with her hair, so it looks like a choppy bob most of the time. Once Agnes wasn't paying attention and cut the bridge of her nose by accident, leaving a scar. She usually covered it up with a bandage because she was insecure about it. After getting introduced to Captain Jack as her mother's "friend," she takes to him very well and begins to idolize him. She stopped wearing the bandage because he made having a scarred face cool. After Lorena and Jack explained they wanted to get married, Agnes wasn't as excited as Abigail was since she didn't want to feel like she was replacing her father for Jack. She did admit that she loved Jack and wanted her mom and sister to be happy. It took her a while after the marriage before she was comfortable enough to start calling Jack "dad." He never expected her to, so hearing it warmed Jack's deranged heart. She hopes to become a powerful magic knight someday.

Name: Abigail Harlow

Birthday: May 25th

Sign: Gemini

Magic: Chisel Magic

Abigail is Lorena's second child with her late husband. Her father died when she was still a baby, so she had no memory of him. The closest she ever had to a father was her uncle Ben. So when Lorena brought home Jack, she was very intrigued and bonded with him immediately. She was the first to call Jack "dad" after he married her mother. Abigail is very creative and enjoys carving or whittling with her magic.

Bennett Harlow profile is coming soon!

[phoenixyfriend]

When Obi-Wan gets to AotC, there's also about two dozen Anakin clones on-site. They're all girls because... IDK Anakin is trans. They have a hive mind and are developmentally a few years younger than Anakin himself.

It's incredibly unsettling to Obi-Wan.

It's almost definitely a "fuck with Anakin's already fragile mental health" ploy by Palpatine, along with a "what if Jedi Black Widows, for me, a Sith Lord. Wouldn't that be neat? That would be neat."

Anakin is torn between "this freaks me out" and "GANG OF BABY SISTERS LET'S GOOOOOOO."

(I just finished reading Like Real People Do by glimmerglanger, so this is definitely inspired by that and the obligatory 'lay back in bed and daydream variations on plot points of that fic you just really enjoyed,' and also a little by Same Heart, Same Blood by loosingletters.)

They're physically like 14-16 on average, and Anakin's vibrating out of his skin with a million conflicting emotions, but when he tells Padme she's just like "oh, you have a handmaiden gang!"

I told this to @willowcrowned and she suggested:

Once Anakin decides to repress the part of him that’s weirded out and just regard them as baby sisters he gets. A little strange about it The first time one of them dies he may or may not slaughter every person he can [in response to Padme's comment] Anakin starts worrying that he needs to get them cool matching outfits

I also chatted about it with @firebirdeternal and they said:

Gang of Unsettling Smol Siblings is exactly the Karma that Anakin deserves

Do you think the Clones have a kind of Collective Name that they use at first that eventually just kind of morphs into a new last name? Skysisters or something? Like Palpatine was trying to be clever and name them like the Nightsisters.

I initially went with "functionally one person" hive-mind but I'm torn.

I think maybe they're BASICALLY one person on Kamino but drift into Separate Consciousness once they're far enough apart physically that their minds don't blend from proximity anymore.

Then they start Dating (like half of them are dating Fett clones because they grew up with these dudes, it's like childhood friends romance), and Anakin loses his mind about Protecting Them and They're Too Young.

Padme: You're nineteen and we just got married, they can date. Anakin: THEY'RE EIGHT. Padme: And the Fett clones are ten and dying for us in the field. Get them rights before you panic about their love lives.

Firebird:

it could be worse, one of them could imprint on Obi-Wan. "Anakin I promise I won't yell at you for the next five stupid things you do if you can figure out a way to stop this baby from having a crush on me" (I like the idea of Obi-wan bargaining not with "I won't be mad at you ever" because they Both Know That's Not True, and instead haggling with specific allowances. Like he's handing out Stupidity Coupons)

Please imagine Mace and Obi-Wan's personal responses to the idea of suddenly having to deal with not one, not two, but OVER TWENTY SKYWALKERS.

Plo is delighted to take one off their hands.

So is Yoda.

Willow:

Mace is like. okay suicide isn’t the Jedi way but on the other hand. i physically cannot deal with this Yoda: a skywalker, you say? one who is tall enough to reach the top shelf, you say? such a skywalker, bring me

Anakin would be given at least one because fuck you, suffer with us, but he's still a padawan so Ugh, fine, no.

I want to say one stays on Coruscant to hang out with the Guard, and ends up half-adopted by Padme. She keeps dressing up the Aniclone left with her in handmaiden outfits and sending selfies to Anakin.

"Hanging out with the little SiL!"

Anakin has so many issues about WHEN his genetic material was acquired.

And there's some confusion from the Fett clones about how much of a hive mind is normal for Jedi. They are confused that the answer is basically none, and "this is WHY nobody clones a Jedi"

ONE OF THEM STEALS BOBA FROM THE ARENA ON GEONOSIS.

Firebird:

"I have followed in our progenitor's footsteps and acquired a sibling." holds up a struggling Boba "He bites."

Willow:

Ooooo okay so if they have a sort of hive mind then they probably don’t have names other than their designations on Kamino right BUT When they SEPARATE The one that picks Boba up on Geonosis gets a name specifically for that. Okay what if the one Padmé picks up gets some variant on ‘pretty’ because she’s always being dressed up BELLE Maybe Yoda’s Ani has a name that means thief? Because obviously Yoda is using Anakin to steal sweets

So, to make the timeline work...

I don't think anyone would give Anakin one of his sisters until after he's knighted at least.

So obviously when they're doing initial placements none of the sisters go to him or Obi-Wan.

Once he's knighted, of course they're already all placed with someone, and Anakin instead gets Ahsoka. He loves Ahsoka. She is also a little sister. He said so.

At some point afterwards, one of the sisters is left without a place because the Master that was in charge of her died in the field battle.

That sister then gets placed with Obi-Wan, because he's already mostly-successfully raised one Skywalker, so he can do it again.

Anakin gets to hang out with her basically all the time.

Ahsoka is very very jealous of this girl stealing Anakin's attention.

Anakin is oblivious to the rivalry.

He asks Barriss to look after them while he's discussing Adult War Things with Luminara and Obi-Wan, and Barriss gets an eye into This Mess, which is quickly colored by Ahsoka growing a puppy crush on the lovely Miss Offee herself.

Firebird:

Ahsoka: Ah yes, my nemesis. Anisister: Ah yes, my new older sister whom I want to impress so bad.

"I will impress her by being Stoic and Competent" "Oh my god she must think she's so much better than me what a bitch"

Anakin is oblivious to most things to be fair Anakin: Laser focused precision fighting machine who can read the tiniest body movements and predict your moves seconds in advance, who also cannot understand even the most basic social nuance. I was originally writing this as to Dunk on Anakin but then I made myself sad, because none of those things are really his fault.

So you know that post about like, Sasuke and Brooding, specifically in the context of "Brooding" as it's used to refer to Nesting Chickens? Grouchy and protective and sitting on a tennis ball trying to hatch it because they're just. "These are my Babies." Anakin Broods. Baby sisters. Must protecc. "I'm actually fine and extremely deadly in combat." "MUST PROTECT."

Bad Guy: [catches Ahsoka in a Trap] Aniclone: Must rescue sister! Aniclone: [fights, is not winning fight, gets ouched] Ahsoka tearing her way out of Trap: I lived bitch. Also: stay the fuck away from her. [murders so hard]

Ahsoka catches the Protective Older Sib feels by the traditional method: "Hey, only I'm allowed to be mean to them."

Willow:

Oh Anakin has no clue what’s going on. He walks in on Ahsoka glaring at the Ani and is like!!! Little sisters!!! Bonding!!! When Ahsoka was about three seconds away from tossing her out of the airlock. Ahsoka mistakenly assumes that Barriss has a crush on the Ani, and gets even MORE jealous.

Obi-Wan is like oh god. I can’t take care of an Anakin going through puberty again. He’s great with periods and other stuff because he read about a billion books. He is TERRIBLE with everything else, as he was the first time.

Barriss is like???? YOU'RE BOTH CHILDREN, PLEASE CALM DOWN, I HAVE ZERO INTEREST IN DATING ANYONE, LET ALONE SOMEONE YOUR AGE.

IDK how old Obi-Wan's Aniclone is, probably physically the same age as Ahsoka?

Per @atagotiak on discord:

Also something something, similarities btw Anakin and Obi-Wan where like. "Am I a parent? That seems uncomfortable, I'm too young to be a dad to a kid this age, I mean I'm cool with being a mentor/caretaker but..."

Obi-Wan can't even sidestep parenthood this time.

"Is Anakin basically your dad?" "Uhhhhhh" [Muffled discussion] "So Obi-Wan is your dad." "Okay!" "WAIT NO I DIDN'T AGREE TO THIS"

Ahsoka: She's stealing my brother, that BITCH. Obi-Wan's Aniclone: new sister new sister new sister gotta make a good impression

Firebird:

I feel like the Sister Squad would make very effective interstellar espionage agents Even like, kind of by accident. They just get encouraged to branch out in their interests and figure out what they want to do with their lives and end up all over the dang place, and since they're all pretty dang competent they tend to gravitate towards Important Positions wherever they end up. Except for one sister who just retires to raise Space Sheep.

I like that in this AU Palpatine is just like "I will create an army of Loyal Murderers who will obey my every whim and also be a big psychological lever on my Other Pet Murderer," and then they all just Baby Duckling imprint on the first Jedi to be nice to them instead and he has to just be like "Wait no not like that."

AND one of them Steals Boba

I want Obi-Wan's Aniclone to start dating Fives. All the sisters judge her for it, because he's a Goof. A very competent, ARC Trooper goof! But a goof.

Not as goofy as Anakin, though.

Firebird:

Who expects a clone of Anakin Skywalker to not make questionable lifelong romantic choices impulsively?

[papers4me]

Fruits Basket Manga Review , ch 112 & 113 (part 2)

I hate that this chapter is cut... mainly cuz it deals with the most “ horribly presented” theme in furuba anime.... grief.

-The shame of grieving: “ Rarely discussed theme in Literature”:

When a love one dies... ppl differ in how they deal with it. Some cry their hearts out, some become depressed & painfully lonely, others get angry or cynical, some might deny it, some move on quickly, others move on but years after the realization crushes them, others stay still... Above all, you feel ashamed of yourself if you didn’t move on or if you DID move on.. “ Sometimes ppl around you judge you for it... for your grief”

The later is the theme of these two chapters. Rarely discussed themes & it saddens me that it is cut. You see, Furuba anime doesn’t get grief  at all. To them, it’s a small part of the generic protagonist after she finishes her job of nurturing the real main protagonist. Mothers are strong, they help us cross the bridge between childhood & adulthood. Tohru, the show’s mom, did it so thoroughly & in slow visual & narrative details for yuki. Afterwards, the anime brushed whatever is left of her character, which the anime viewed as sheer suspenseful drama, & collected it thro 3rd person story-telling techniques in one ep “ se3, ep6″ & excessive monologue for 10 minutes in se3, ep9.

In this chapter, Kakeru, a side character, sheds light into this theme. Kakeru didn’t lose a parent by death, didn’t grieve, has no dependent familial bonds with either dead parents “ kyoko & komaki’s dad”. Yet, kakeru stood & judged tohru on how she “ should” grieve. Harshly tearing her down while she’s standing there lonely, trying to hide her shock at the loss of her only pillar in life, broken & traumatized, dealing with the pushed down traumatic feelings from her past where her mom abandoned her as a child..now her mom did it again, this time thro death.. & kakeru, rightfully not knowing all that, but wrongfully lecturing her on how to behave... kakeru isn’t a monster, but he only saw what he wanted: komaki & how the world should grieve with his lover, how he should be the hero protecting her. So self-centered, insensitive, horribly cruel & unbelievably conceited, but above all... what he did is so sadly common... it hurts.

-Judging Grieving People:

As I said many times.. grief is so personal, so unique to the person & as common as it is, so misunderstood. According to kakeru & many ppl I’ve sopken to lately, tohru should have acknowledged komaki. Komaki, the not-traumatized version of tohru, did the right “ tohru-like” thing. Not only felt sadness at the loss of her own dad, but found it in her heart to visit the other orphan, tohru, & give condolences & respect to the dead mother. Such kindness & purity. Very deserving of applaud: To not only see your pain but others’ as well. Tohru has always done the “ right, kind” thing to other ppl. When she can’t now, the author brought another “ tohru” to do the “ right, kind” thing.

Kakeru is so many ppl. During my brother’s funeral. I’ve heard so many gossip on how my mom should’ve stood tall & greeted the visitors.” Being silent , emotionless & non-responsive is not how you show visitors you value their kind words”, they said. How his widow should’ve collected herself & acted properly, respected his memory by taking proper care of herself & her kids. “Being a broken mess is not how you “ honor” loved one”, they said. Kakeru is indeed many ppl & that’s how you discuss a theme by creating characters who sin, screw up & be cruel, even if momentarily.

Kakeru is wrong. There is no “ you should have” in grief. There is no ounce of truth in his demeaning lecture to tohru & I respect komaki for her reaction to him so much. Kakeru did learn & grew from it, apologized to tohru even if he didn’t actually sought her to do so & even if she herself started the apology. But you see, these two chapters are 90% focused on kakeru as a character, his growth, thoughts, the mini focus on his relationship with komaki as an example of healthy relationship & all that is another lesson for yuki to observe & learn. He learned abt tohru’s past, kakeru’s personality & growth & got to observe another example of romantic relationship so yuki can grow as a man & approach machi healthily. But then again... nothing at all stops yuki/machi from being healthy, no past issues, no contradicting personalities “ they’re quite similar” & yuki is the only furuba character that doesn’t screw up big. He learns & teaches. He’s the personification of the author.

-Tohru.. stays a “ tohru”:

Tohru’s part is 10% of the this chapter which is fine as I think/hope it will lead into more tohru depth in the following chapters. But It is for this reason I’m glad this chapter was cut in the 13 eps season of furuba anime, cuz tohru doesnt have much depth in the anime due to the quick wrap up & the la~~~~st  thing I want is another 3rd person story-telling flashback abt tohru in the anime. Honestly, one of the most frustrating aspect to me of the anime & I’ll hold judgement abt manga- tohru till I reach its end. So far~~~ Tohru’s depth & character exploration gets better one chapter, then regress the next one, then moves on, the... it’s a fluctuating process. It has nothing to do with tohtu’s feelings.

you’ see ... kyo himself as a character with issues fluctuates a lot, he does sth good, then does sth bad, chooses right words, then makes a horrible mistake & chooses wrong! which is one of the most well-done aspects of character exploration that is rarely attempted by authors! I highly respect Takaya-san for what she’s doing with kyo in the manga so far. Other authors show us a character doing one big mistake & then he/she learns from it in a dramatic way. But Takaya-san, nope! she decided to approach it in a very human way, making us be frustrated with kyo’s repeated mistakes yet understands where he’s coming from! kudos to her!!

But I’m not yet satisfied with how tohru is portrayed in the manga & this has nothing to do with tohru’s character. Takaya-san is discussing rare themes thro tohru’s character. But what I mean is how tohru is approached thro the viewers/readers eyes. I wont judge until the last chapter. but this is the part that is frustrating to me.

Side Notes:

The flow of the 2 chapters is little off. We go back & forth between the past & the present, between yuki-machi & komaki-kakeru. Again, I’m so glad the anime cut it cuz, nope! they can’t handle such narrative. they’ll reorder it in a such heavily monologing way & insert the comedy abruptly to lighten the mood. Just look at how the comedy is inserted in momiji’s se03 ep!

Komaki is such a tohru with a sprinkle of kagura’s very softened outbursts. lol. she’s fun!

I’m liking yuki-machi interactions a lot. no drama, which is why the anime cut it -_-’, but it progresses healthily. Machi is yuki’s third-stage growth after (1) leaving tohru’s nest (baby yuki), (b) making friends with kakeru/someone who gets him (young boy yuki), (3) finding romantic love (being a man). The anime was so interested in the 2 stages above cuz that’s where the drama is & cut the third. Honestly, the anime didn’t have to include everything as there is never a space in 13 eps, but they certainly could’ve squeezed few panels or even made brand new very short yuki-machi scenes. but the anime weirdly decided after yuki “ saved” machi from her trauma by talking with her in her apartment, he should just marry her.... lol.. that’s why next scene is ep 5 momiji’s ep intro montage where yuki was abt to confess!!! making yuki-machi the least developed couple in the anime!

I love all furuba’s characters, but yuki, tohru, kyo & akito carry the big themes, therefore, I not only analyze their characters, but how the themes are presented thro them & how their presentation affects such themes. This might make it sound as I hate them or am harsh on them. not at all. It is the anime director/ manga author that I’m positively or negatively criticizing most times. Most importantly, my criticism is not the law. It’s just my perspective & my consumption of the material. Feel free to differ with me. I dont mind it. It brings interesting discussions!

When it comes to tohru’s issues... his chapter introduced nothing new. We have seen/read in canon repeatedly that tohru hides her pain behind a smile (heck! even kisa knows that & told us), that she cant stand up for herself much, that she smiles for other ppl not for herself. All this was presented thro so many characters already, which is why I understand the anime’s decision to cut it. What’s new? that yuki didn know tohru’s smile is mostly a mask & that kakleru has depth.

I love this chapter for the grieving themes it discussed that are rarely touched upon in literature, but since such themes are rarely presented, the anime’s decision to cut it, ironically proves my point! lol . They don’t get grief & so, they reduced it to se03 content & two eps worth. sad.. but expected. The anime is indeed another form of “past” kakeru: seeing one side of grieving person. The happy side.

[finitepeace]

fics i read this week:

 I read some bucky x natasha fics: 

Head Is Not My Home by taralkariel

Summary: The Black Widow is a legend. Legends aren't made cheap.

Shaken by the events of Civil War, Natasha Romanoff goes back to familiar ground to hide. To hide and remember how she became the Black Widow. How Natalia Romanova would do anything to save her father-figure. How she was one of 28 ballerinas with the Bolshoi - no, one of 28 Black Widow agents with the Red Room. How the only thing that made her feel human was a man with a metal arm.

(A story to show what really happened in the comics Red Room and how it could fit into the MCU)

19k words in 12 chapters, not rated (maybe T&up?), bucky nat up to IW, i think.  it’s not very dark themed <3,

tell me baby, do you recognize me? by xocean

Summary: "You're a liar." Natasha is shaking. "You're a heartless, lonely, lying murderer."

He doesn't even blink. "We both are."

The Winter Soldier's game is up, and Steve's not letting him go this time. Enter the only person who doesn't want a part in this shitfest: Natasha Romanov.

Or, as James Buchanan Barnes remembers her: Natalia Romanova.

63k words in 10 chapters (from 11), angst.

 and an IronDad x SpiderSon fic: 

This B.S. Better Be Worth It by losingmymindtonight 💙

Summary: Originally, Tony's plan had been to just surprise Peter with the fact that he would be on campus for a semester.

He’d never actually expected Peter to sign up for his class.

7k words in 4 chapters, tony acting like a dad (and awesome professor)

 as usual, the rest are Stony fics:  

American Dream by NobodysBloodyPrincess

Summary: Tony is trying, but try as he might he just can’t find the silver lining of this particular disaster.

After all, what happiness could possibly be derived from the knowledge that the perfect little girl in his arms is now motherless? What relief could be drawn, when his boyfriend of ten years, the love of his life really, is probably, currently, right at this moment in the arms of ‘Peggy’ his new fiancé?

13k words, no powers au, tony-centric, stevetony has broken up and tony adopts a kid, steve is depicted a bit insensitive (idk what the word, like unable to read the room?) here. 

Where Our Restless Monsters Sleep by Mizzy 💙

Summary: Years after Tony Stark saved the universe, the Avengers realize there’s a major problem: his body has gone missing. And he isn’t the only one. Fallen heroes all over the galaxy have had their graves pillaged.

An old foe is stealing the bodies of fallen warriors, but for what nefarious reason? There’s only one solution. To find out why it’s happening, Steve’s gotta die.

He probably shouldn’t be so eager to do that.

233k words in 12 chapters, post endgame resurrections (?), gladiator trope, lots of action scenes, and THERE’S MORGAN x STEVE INTERACTIONS!!!!! 

The Culling of the Stars by dirigibleplumbing

Summary: Tony dies saving Steve's life on the courthouse steps. Now Steve is left with the fallout of their Civil War, expected to take charge and preserve Tony's legacy. He doesn't know how he can do it alone—not when he can't stop thinking about Tony, or keep track of the days, or even feel.

9k words, comic book’s civil war not MCU’s, angst but gnidne yppah 

Together, Always by Sapphic_Futurist 💙

Summary: He swallows hard, a prickle of tears in his eyes because this is his husband.

This is Tony Stark and Steve’s husband, and Steve gets to have this. He gets to have this for the rest of his goddamn life.

30k words in 3 chapters, embodiment of stony’s “together” T_T, read the tags if you want to be spoiled lol if not then enjoy! (and I don’t regret not reading the tags tbh) 

And I'd Buy A Big House Where We Both Could Live by shinkonokokoro

Summary: Missing: Tony Stark, billionaire businessman, heir to Stark Industries, reward: none

Only Steve didn't know that when he picked up the waterlogged unconscious man from the bank of a river.

59k words in 29 chapters, non-power au, kid clint and peter as steve’s brothers

i stole the keys to this guy by kellifer_fic

Summary: Where it was Nick Fury's idea, but he didn't mean it like that

6k words, fake dating into real dating 

Home Is Where the Time Machine Is by Wordsplat 💙

Summary:Steve and Tony's daughter accidentally falls back in time, and learns that impossible time travel phone calls can and will be made just to ground you, big brothers are awful snitches, and parents used to date other people. The past blows.

23k words in 5 chapters, domestic, stony being married 

don't know why it took me so long to see by goodmorningbeloved (3799steps)

Summary: “Oh, watch this,” Natasha says, propping her chin against her knuckles and turning a sweet gaze on him. “Tony, what’s it like dating a superhero?”

Tony bristles in irritation. “We’re not dating,” he snaps. “Captain America probably thinks he can get into anyone’s pants just ‘cause he’s got a mask, costume, and reputation, but not me, buddy. That shield? Gotta be overcompensating for something.” He adds, a bit petulantly, “Oh, and all that blue? Definitely more Steve’s color than his.”

- In which Tony is a genius in all matters except recognizing his boyfriend past a mask.

11k words, tony being peacefully oblivious while the whole world isn’t. 

I Started a Joke by Naferty

Summary "Tony?"

"Who the hell is Tony?"

102k words in 11 chapters, tony is the winter soldier 

Take Two  by Wordsplat 💙

Summary: Steve loses his memory but he gets the feeling he's lost a lot more. Who exactly is Tony Stark to him and why won't he come out of the basement?

24k words, i just love it. 

Sunrise Over the End of the World by Sapphic_Futurist

Summary: When Dr. Strange arrives at an Accords Committee Meeting and warns of the coming of an alien megalomaniac set on destroying the world, the Rogues are pardoned and Tony finds himself exactly where he never wanted to be. Back at the Compound with Steve, who still can't take a hint and won't leave him alone.

--

In which Tony is broken and Steve finds redemption.

35k in 11 chapters, explicit, civil war fix-it up to infinity war 

Far Away And Long Ago by Ragdoll (Keshka) 💙

Summary: Steve steps into the past and discovers that hope held on a pedestal is as insubstantial as smoke. Then he sees Tony. And that's when things get complicated.

Full summary contained within.

18k in 4 chapters, mature, seems like abandoned WIP :( endgame fix-it au when steve returns the stones... 

Something More Than What They Are series by  Sapphic_Futurist

An exploration of love, denial and propensity for change.

38k in 4 works, explicit, Steve and Tony are married during the civil war madness but seems like their love is not enough to stop it from happening or reconciling T_T 

the marks you choose to leave behind by masterlokisev159

Summary: The Stane faction has been around for many years, long before Tony was bitten. And since he was forced, his life has been nothing short of misery and pain; a prison he will never escape. As a low member of the faction, his only hope at survival is to remain a loyal pet to Ezekiel. So when Ezekiel mentions the growing threat of the Avengers of the Undead, and the dreaded Captain, Tony is adamant to step up and do what he can. It’s also his last chance to see the outside world before he’s bonded to Whitney forever.

But what he finds instead is an unlikely companion with golden eyes. A strange werewolf by the name of Steve.

35k, general, vampire tony/werewolf steve, based on earth-666 

La La Love by Wordsplat

Summary: "To be perfectly clear, Tony always knew that Stephanie Rogers was the best thing that would ever happen to him."

4k words, teen up and audiences, female Steve, highschool au, awkward tony

Meet Your Heroes by Wordsplat

Summary:Tony gets rescued by a highly concerned, very handsy Captain America. This is confusing for a number of reasons.

4k words, identity porn AU, 

Hashtag Finally by Wordsplat 💙

Summary: Tony doesn't ever actually ask the Avengers to move into his house, steal his wifi, eat all his food, and become the best family he's ever known. They do it anyway.

15k, teen&up, domestic avengers a.k.a. tower life, hyperactive Clint lol, super cute, everyone are stony supporters

Thanks For the Memories by Wordsplat

Summary: When Tony is sent crashing-all too literally-into the 1940's by an alternate-universe Loki's spell, neither Tony nor Steve are prepared for the consequences.

9k words, time travel au, secret pining 

[chasing-classics]

Lean Into What Remains- Natasha Romanoff x Reader

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff/ Black Widow x Fem!Reader

 Warning: mentions of sterilization

 Summary: You and Nat have been together through thick and thin, nothing could ever tear you apart. An incident following the fight with Ultron leaves you both rattled and wondering whether the future you both dreamed of is still salvageable.

A/N: Inspired by my firm belief that Natasha Romanoff deserved the absolute world.

 ‘’Miss Stark I’m sorry to say-‘’ you held up your hand, cutting off the head doctor, biting down on your bottom lip to keep it from quivering.

 ‘’It’s Mrs. Romanoff, please. And if you’re about to say what I think you are, please,’’ unshed tears blurred your vision. You didn’t look up at the doctor as you sat on the cool hospital bed, the sheets were cold to the touch and crinkled under you. With sympathetic eyes the doctor sighed and lowered his clipboard so that you were able to see his findings.

 ‘’I’m so sorry, Y/N. The sheer force from the blast should have killed you, but given your armor, the impact was mostly absorbed except for-‘’

 ‘’Except for my uterus,’’ you finished, finally raising your head to look up at him. You didn’t dare look at Nat, who was on your left and holding your hand to offer any comfort you needed.

 The doctor nodded, ‘’the blast caused your armor to be weakened. Had it only been one hit the damage would have been minimal, but since the second blast resulted in a large piece of glass piercing your abdomen… your armor was unable to cushion the blow.’’

 You let out a shaky breath, not even bothering to wipe away the tears at this point. You felt Nat’s grip on your hand weaken for a second. ‘’So what are you saying, doc? I can’t have kids?’’ you could barely get the question out at this point. The doctor’s sad gaze confirmed yours and Natasha’s biggest fear; the incident left you sterile. The doctor offered his condolences once more before allowing you two to process the information. You rubbed a hand over your face and tried to even your breathing. Your eyes finally fell on your wife of nearly two years, her expression absolutely gutted you. Nat didn’t cry, she was the tough one in your relationship. The closest you ever came to seeing her cry was the night you got married, only your brother Tony and Clint being present as witnesses. She was gorgeous and you knew at that exact moment that life couldn’t get any better than this.

 That’s what you thought, at least. Not even a few months into your newlywed bliss, did the two of you talk about having a baby through a donor. While Natasha couldn’t have children due to the horrors she encountered in the Red Room, it was still possible to use her egg and for you to carry your baby via a donor. You were both excited at the possibility of bringing your love into the world, you vividly remember the night you agreed that you both would begin the process in the upcoming week. You made love to each other through the night and you often thought about that night. You two had experienced true hardships, life had been unkind to the both of you in different ways. You deserved each other’s love and to have each other in your lives, and Nat deserved to know what it feels like to hold her child and know what motherhood was like.

 ‘’Nat, I-I,’’ she hushed you instantly, bring your head to her chest as the sobs racked through your broken body. You knew she was crying too, the faint sniffles acting like little daggers through your heart.

 ‘’You can’t blame yourself honey,’’ she whispered as she stroked your hair.

 ‘’I was supposed to be able to do this for us, I wanted to give you the world. You deserve the world,’’ you sobbed, fisting the crinkly hospital sheets as if you could will this all away.

 She gently pulled away and bent down so that the two of you were eye level. Her sad green eyes pierced through your core as she offered you a sad smile.

 ‘’You. You are my world.’’

 Time went on. It went on slowly and painstakingly, but it went on nonetheless. You and Natasha had moved into a quieter house just outside of New York, both of you still continued to seek therapy. She never rushed you or pushed you to open up to her or to heal, she was your silent supporter and you loved her all the more for it. It was you who had mentioned adoption, to which she offered a smile and kissed your forehead. ‘’I think that’s a great idea babe,’’ she said as she offered that million-dollar smile that was reserved for only you. You kissed her, the kiss initially sweet and full of hope for the future quickly gave in to passion and lust. You never admitted it, but you were afraid the first time you made love after the accident. The once ugly gash on your lower abdomen was a constant reminder of what you lost, the angry wound mocking you every time you changed your bandages. Now it was an angry, but subdued, pink and silver scar. You wept with adoration when Nat kissed down your body, paying extra attention to the scar, as her lips trailed downward.

 Adoption was difficult, even with your brother constantly offering to locate and set appointments with the best adoption agencies around the world. You knew he did it out of guilt, that the guilt of creating Ultron was eating away at him.

‘’You can’t keep blaming yourself, Tony,’’ you sighed as the two of you overlooked the rest of the team as well as Clint’s family and Agent Hill with Fury, Pepper and Nat in a deep conversation. It was a rare moment for you all, to be at a barbeque as if you were all just a bunch of normal individuals and as if this was a typical Saturday get-together. Your brother’s brows furrowed in frustration as he leaned against the railing of the porch. Nat had suggested getting the team together before all of your schedules became too hectic, but in reality you knew she needed the distraction from all of the letters from numerous adoption agencies that cited the two of you as providing a ‘’potentially unstable, unsafe environment’’ for children. It had taken a toll on the two of you and you weren’t sure how much more you could bear.

 ‘’If I had just listened to Cap, if I had just left it all alone. . .’’ he trailed off, the way his adam’s apple twitched didn’t sneak past your observant gaze.

 You didn’t say anything as you put your hand on top of his, offering a small squeeze as you looked up at your only sibling.

 ‘’When mom and dad died, you were all I had Tony. If it hadn’t been for you who knows what would’ve happened to me. If it hadn’t been for you I never would have met Nat or joined the Avengers. We just need to lean into the good that still remains, you know?’’

 After a moment of silence he nodded his head, offering a small smile as he enveloped you in a warm embrace, kissing the top of your head.

Later that day you were in the kitchen helping Nat clean up. You didn’t even realize you were crying until Nat’s soft hands gently held the sides of your face.

 ‘’Baby,’’ she whispered, thumbing away the tears that streamed down your face.

 ‘’How much more can we take, Nat? I know, I know we’re different from other people. We’re stronger, built to take on the pain. But does that mean we always have to deal with this?’’ you waved your hand at another rejection letter from another agency. Natasha kept her composure as you let out a sigh of utter exhaustion.

 ‘’It was never supposed to be this way,’’ you whimpered as she held you tight. Her soft kisses against your temple and neck succeeded in calming you down.

 ‘’Lean into what remains.’’

 One year. One year was how long it took for the two of you to accept the possibility that children may not be in your shared future. Even with Tony and Pepper’s help, adoption proved to be difficult even for super heroes. Your pain waxed and waned, but you were able to carry on with your life without breaking down every time you heard a baby cry or saw children playing at the park you and Nat often jogged at. It wasn’t always easy, sometimes it ate away at you like something ugly. Sometimes Nat would break down and you had to be her anchor, other times you two argued about who forgot to take out the trash as a way to vent your frustrations. Other times it was through heated love making. You fought for your marriage, and now it finally seemed like the two of you were on solid ground.

 Until one day, it happened.

 T’Challa and Shuri had called the two of you with urgent news. In Wakanda, halfway across the world, were two orphans whose parents had tragically died in the incident in Sokovia. You two were on the first jet available.

 ‘’Given the extent of the tragedy, it took us a long time to identify all the victims and locate their families. Unfortunately, we were barely able to identify C’ora and Aron’s parents and locate the children. They’re very young and we’ve been keeping them here for the past few weeks to keep an eye on their health,’’ Shuri explained, the four of you walking through the corridors of the palace.

Nat and you shared a look, your shared guilt regarding the Sokovia incident was nothing new. You held onto her hand a little tighter.

‘’How are they?’’ you couldn’t help but ask.

‘’Not to worry Y/N. They have been through a horrible tragedy, but they were infants at the time their parents left for humanitarian work. It is unlikely the remember much, but all they have ever known is Wakanda so it will take time to ensure they adjust to the transition,’’ Shuri offered an encouraging smile.

 ‘’Transition?’’ Nat asked, your heartbeats began beating faster to the point you could feel the blood pulsing in your ears.

 ‘’You have been meaning to adopt children, yes? I see no better fit for these two children than the two of you,’’ T’Challa grinned, opening the doors of the throne room. You and your wife stood there in utter shock as the two most beautiful children were playing with Okoye and the other Dora Milaje. Twins. A boy and a girl. C’ora and Aron. They were small, couldn’t be older than two, if even that.

 ‘’Go on,’’ T’Challa smiled, the children already making there way to you and Nat. Aron had reached Nat first and your heart swelled as his chubby arms reached up for her. You only looked away to gently pick C’ora up, her warm eyes analyzing you as she giggled and touched your nose. Nothing was better than the sound of a child laughing, you quickly found. Nat’s eyes met yours and you both beamed, tears falling onto the pristine palace floors. Her forehead pressed against yours’ and she kissed you, the twins cooing and laughing with excitement. You didn’t even notice that everyone had quietly emptied out of the throne room as you leaned into your little family.

 That was the memory you kept close to your heart. A memory you often found yourself randomly smiling about, even today as Nat and you hung pink and blue streamers from your backyard.

 ‘’Alright where are my niece and nephew?’’ Tony’s booming voice caused you to break from your daydreams.

 ‘’Uncle!’’ two voices rang out, your children running as fast as their little legs could allow them as they tackled your brother in a hug.

 ‘’Shocker, always last to arrive,’’ Nat teased, but her smile was warm and sincere as she greeted your children’s godfather.

‘’Enough, it’s time for the cake,’’ you grinned.

 And as the two of you stood by your two children, the only people who you could love as much as you loved each other, you thought back to where you began. Just a girl in a suit of armor who fell for the Black Widow. Mrs. Y/N Romanoff-Stark. A scared, broken woman who believed her future was unfairly taken away. The loving wife. The determined mother of two beautiful children. The twins blew out their birthday candles on their own cakes, grinning when all of the Avengers and family friends clapped and applauded. You soaked up as much of this as you could, holding onto Natasha’s hand as you did. You closed your eyes when the sun hit your face, leaning into the warmth of your family.

[gizkasparadise]

cdrama rec/review: go ahead

KDRAMA AND CDRAMA MASTER LIST OF REVIEWS

Series: go ahead Episodes: 40 Genres: family, healing/melodrama, slice of life, romance Spoilers in the Rec: for the first 20% ish/set-up If You Like, You’ll Like: reply 1988, le coup de foudre, find yourself (same production company/main male actor), rain or shine/just between lovers, found family stories, meet again stories

Rank: 10/10** (see Drawbacks section)

PREMISE

widower hai chao and his 6 year old daughter jian jian live happily above his noodle restaurant despite the recent, tragic death of his wife. one day, dysfunction junction a married couple (he ping, a police officer, and chen ting, a real piece of work) move into the same building with their 7 year old son, ling xiao. immediately, jian jian attaches herself to ling xiao, who is unexpectedly grim for a small child. 

because ling xiao’s family is less-than-healthily grieving the loss of their youngest child, ling xiao’s sister who died in a terrible accident. The Apartment of Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms eventually implodes, ending with chen ting abandoning her husband and son. he ping, suddenly a single father, and hai chao come to a friendly partnership that is clearly alluding to gay marriage where they co-raise both of their kids--hai chao as the primary caregiver, and he ping supporting them financially through his job as a policeman.

meanwhile, the neighborhood busybody is dead-set on getting hia chao remarried. eventually she introduces him to a divorced single mother, he mei, and her son zi qiu, who is ling xiao’s age. they sort of start to date, but it culminates in he mei skipping town and leaving zi qiu behind. hai chao, man with a heart of gold, informally adopts him and zi qiu becomes jianjian’s foster brother.

from there, the trio grow up happily and become inseparable. but once zi qiu and ling xiao graduate high school, the bullshit parade their respective childhood skeletons reappear in their lives. circumstances lead to the boys moving overseas, leaving jianjian and their fathers behind. 

they reunite after 9 years, when the boys return to a home where they hope to pick things back up from where they left off. things are more complicated than that, as jianjian finds herself in a new life and surrounded by new people. 

MAIN CHARACTERS

li jian jian

hai chao’s daughter and the only girl in the family. she attended the required short-hair-low-grades training program required of all cdrama youth female leads. super positive and outgoing, as well as the youngest of the three pseudo-siblings, jian jian grows up spoiled and over protected by her father and brothers, and as a result is completely devastated once her family falls apart. it’s so sad.

after the time skip, she’s an on-the-verge successful artist who makes woodcarvings, and exudes big art bro energy. inhales sugar like it’s nobody’s business. she inherited her father’s disease called caring too much, and it’s incurable!! 

ling xiao

the eldest brother and resident fun police. ling xiao comes from a seriously toxic home that finally seems to improve once his mother leaves. but then she comes back. fucking great. introverted to the point of being withdrawn to anyone but his chosen family, ling xiao’s had to carry a lot of emotional weight that takes a larger and larger toll on him as the series progresses. please get this boy some therapy. 

becomes a dentist because jian jian needs one. wears a lot of monochromatic outfits with low necklines because heavy angst but make it fashion. has been in love with jian jian since high school and is still carrying that torch 9 years later.

he zi qiu  

the middle child who grows up in hai chao and jian jian’s home, and is her foster brother in all but paperwork. hotheaded, zi qiu and jian jian basically share two brain cells that ling xiao routinely takes from them for safekeeping. he spoils jian jian, sneaking her snacks and junk food and wants to become a pastry chef so he can open a sweet shop for her!!

my favorite character. just wants to be wanted 8( him and hai chao’s relationship is my favorite dynamic in the series. will sob while driving a pink moped. is too proud to beg

li hai chao (left) and ling he ping (right)

the greatest (hai chao) and okayest (he ping) dads in the world! noodle dad/hai chao has never done anything wrong in his life, ever, and we know this and we love him. he ping isn’t a bad person, but demonstrates pretty classic absentee parenting/isn’t as emotionally present in his son’s life as hai chao. hai chao is the heart of the family, and would do anything for his kids 8( 

SOME SUPPORT CHARACTERS 

tang can (left) and qiu ming yue (right)

jian jian’s #GirlGang and roommates. they, like literally everyone in this drama, have some severe mom issue hang-ups. tang can (left) is a former child actress who is struggling with her lack of success as an adult and gives well-meaning but absolutely terrible advice on the regular. 

ming yue (right) is jian jian’s best friend since childhood and as an adult is trying to break free from her mother’s controlling nature--she’s also had a thing for ling xiao for the last 9 years. raises fish for symbolism purposes.

chen ting

ling xiao’s mom and certified garbage human. unable to cope with the death of her daughter that was her fault lbr, she abandons her family and disappears for ten years. she forces her way back into ling xiao’s life when he turns 18, where it’s revealed that she’s remarried and ling xiao has a younger half-sister chengzi (”little orange”). shit goes down, and soon ling xiao is forced to move back to singapore to serve as primary caregiver to both his mother who abandoned him and the half sister he barely knows. 

emotionally abusive and basically hits every single square on the toxic parent bingo card. i just. i just hate her. even typing this out is making me mad.

he mei

zi qiu’s mother. after a few dates with hai chao, she ends up ditching her kid and disappearing for unknown reasons. is a slightly better parent than chen ting but that’s like saying some poison kills you slower. the show tries to bring us around on her but it didnt work for me. 

SOME OTHERS

zhuang bei, zi qiu’s best friend growing up who i would like a lot less if he wasn’t played by the same actor who played my beloved dachuan

zheng shuran, jian jian’s first boyfriend and fellow artist who’s got a weird thing for women’s waists and pretentious artists’ statements

du juan, jian jian’s friend who co-owns their woodworking studio. has absolute trash taste in men

chengzi, ling xiao’s half-sister who can be a brat but dear god does she need to be protected/saved 

**DRAWBACKS

so this is a weird one for me. what i didn’t like i really didn’t like, but what i loved i really loved. ultimately, the factors/uniqueness of this show and the loveability of the main characters outweighed the negatives and it’s one of my favorite dramas.

THAT SAID. i got some #thoughts on this one. 

first, there are literally no positive mother figures in this show. not a damn one. they are all negligent or controlling at best or down right abusive at worst. no woman over 30 is portrayed positively and that’s a big No from me. 

the last 10 eps have some pacing issues and focus on the wrong people. spending the remaining episodes focused on one of the most universally hated characters vs. the main family was a bad move 

the show tried to redeem or make us sympathize with characters that were, to me, completely irredeemable. one case is worse than the other, but both of them were terrible people that deserved to be cut out of the main family’s lives.  

REASONS TO WATCH

the main family. the characters are so wonderful and nuanced, and their dynamics with one another were amazing. you’ll fall in love with hai chao aka noodle dad and the trio. they go through so many trials but they still stick together and it’s ultimately a healing drama and i loved it very much.

the central romance was less in focus, but the pining is enough to make jane austen emerge from the grave. i loved the leads together, and while LOL ling xiao’s attachment to jian jian was not always healthy, they supported each other and it made me smile. i love me a tortured pining dude.

#Acting. everyone played their parts to perfection. the child actors in particular were so well-cast (esp baby zi qiu)

the soundtrack lmao. you watch the opening credits and know you’ll need to buckle up

idk it’s a very unique show, and i haven’t seen one like it. reply 1988 comes close, but it doesn’t tackle the same issues and it was all just very real and earnest. 

Final Thoughts.

GOODNIGHT, GOOODBYYYYYE MY CHILDREEEEEEEN

[timeladyjamie]

Robin Hood - 3x10 Bad Blood Meta

Here’s another crazy Robin Hood meta by Jamie about her thoughts pertaining to the confusing and retcon mess that is episode 3x10 of BBC Robin Hood. 

Let me know your thoughts and I hope you enjoy my ramblings once again. 

“I’ll free you, free you from the bad blood that shackles you to each other.” - Malcolm of Locksley to Robin & Guy

Where do I begin with this? No honestly, I’m not sure exactly where to start. 

I guess I’ll start with the obvious fact that while most of the fandom dislikes Season 3 in general, this episode is only one of the things that fuels it more. You can tell that the writers were trying to come up with a Surprise Mcguffin™ to keep the show running despite a good majority of the cast wanting to leave the show (all except one honestly.) Hence the retcon mess that transpires. Don’t get me wrong, I actually love some things about this episode, but there are also somethings that make me (and the fandom) scratch our head and just downright facepalm. 

Follow me through the ride that is this episode and make sure you don’t forget about that Mcguffin. There is a pop quiz on it later. 

Welcome to the first episode where Guy has become an outlaw. What there is only 3 episodes of this before it’s the end? Yeah, I feel ya. We should have gotten more of this. Anywho, Robin runs into the newly outlaw Gisborne in the forest as the two do what they do best: argue and fight with each other. It leads to a strange hooded man in the forest who shoots them down with poison darts, ties them up, and tells them a bedtime story of their past once they awaken because he wants to end the bad blood between them.

Kay...sounds legit???

Flashback to 20 years earlier! 

We are introduced to a couple kissing. Oh, don’t worry, it’s just Ghislaine of Gisborne and Malcolm of Locksley having a secret affair with each other. WAIT, WHAT?! Guy and Robin sit around the campfire as Gisborne tells him of the fact he spotted this happening. The stranger reminds Robin he was once on a different path. In fact, Guy and Robin both were. 

This episode is pretty much about the affair between their parents and is mostly a flashback episode, so the only way I can explain it all is in the characters themselves.

Ghislaine of Gisborne - Guy & Isabella’s Mother

She’s a supposed widow who has two kids, is ridiculed by the villagers for not only trying to run a manor/village all on her own, but for also being French. 

I LOVE THIS PRECIOUS MAMA! FIGHT ME! Her two children idolize her and love very much and so does her husband. Ghislaine was one of my favorites from this episode because despite her affair, it only ended up happening because she thought her husband was dead and since women (yes, even noblewomen) didn’t have many rights, the only way to secure her children’s future was to have a husband. Did Ghislaine love Malcolm? Yeah, probably, but there is also no denying the fact that even when her husband returns back from the crusade alive and is discovered as a leper, she still dearly loves him. She even sneaks to the leper colony to feed him and make sure he is well. 

As for the way she dies....by pretty much getting knocked back by Malcolm and hitting her head on the floor, I can see it, but I still call BS. 

Ghislaine was greatly loved by children so much that even once they discover the truth about her affair, they try to deny she would be capable of such a thing.

Malcolm of Locksley - Robin’s Father

THIS ASSHOLE! With all the problems I have with this episode, they all stem from this man right here. Who knows what happened to his wife? She’s never even mentioned, but it’s assumed she passed away. He’s a somewhat good father to Robin...at least he gives him helpful advice. He helps support Ghislaine while her husband is gone. 

But once everything is out in the open about the Secret Mcguffin, this shitstick says that despite the fact her husband has returned, he will declare his feelings for her, marry her or else once it’s discovered her husband is a leper, she will lose everything. Ghislaine is obviously having trouble accepting this, so he says she will have their Secret Mcguffin in secret and have it taken away for a short while until they can recover it.

Once Roger is kicked from the village for being found as a leper, probably by the hands of Malcolm since he was with the priest and bailiff when it happened. However, after the event when Robin refuses to go inside a lepers house, Malcolm at least calls his kid out on his shit. He also tries to defend Ghislaine from the bailiff who has spotted out their Secret Mcguffin, but does a wrong move by trying to marry her soon or else she will lose her lands to sneaky bailiff that goes to take the deeds at his order. 

But here’s the cake taker for me: despite fighting Roger for breaking the code to visit his wife, Malcolm of Locksley fakes his own death and makes his son think he is dead for years until he shows up to tell him this very story. Yep, the strange hooded man is none other than Malcolm of Locksley himself, much older and scared by the fire during his fight with Roger. Oh, and he only appears in this one episode to unite Guy and Robin to find the Mcguffin before disappearing again.

*sarcastic* A+ Parenting right here. Wow.

Roger of Gisborne - Guy & Isabella’s Father

This man is literally EVERYTHING Malcolm wants to be...no honestly, he’s literally trying to take his wife, and his lands, and probably his kids too. 

Presumed to have died fighting in the crusades, he mysteriously returns back with a secret (and no, it’s not the Mcguffin.) He contracted leporsy. He confides in his wife who tries to keep it a secret despite the villagers talking about the possibility of it. This man loves his wife and his kids dearly and pleads with his wife to pronounce herself a widow so his family doesn’t follow in his fate; homeless in a leper camp in the forest. Roger even tells Malcolm to take good care of his wife and kids, but still doesn’t know of the affair between them.

When Guy comes to warn his father of the fact Malcolm is trying to get Ghislaine to marry him, rules be damned. This man goes back to the village and speaks with his wife. Malcolm walks in on them and that’s when shit hits the fan. The asshole fights him for no good reason and when his wife is knocked dead, Roger refuses to leave her side and stays in the fire to die by her side. 

I mean, it doesn’t help their kids, but the kids have already lost their future at this point. 

Meet Young Robin of Locksley

He’s small, a great archer, and comes off as an irritating brat that accidentally causes trouble and ends up almost getting you hanged for it (whoops, sorry Guy.) He doesn’t listen to others that well, but can you blame him? He’s only 11.

He is assumed to be childhood friends with Guy, or at least they live in the same village and their parents know each other (a little too well.)  While the focus is on the parents in this episode, it was nice to see a Young Robin and Guy. Especially at the end when Robin finally listens to his father’s advice and takes up his bow, refusing to be afraid and fight for what’s right. 

Sure, I mean his dad faked his death and left him all on his own, but this kid will go places.

Meet Young Guy of Gisborne

Me being the big Guy fangirl I am, of course I have a lot to say about him. And of course it’s one of the reasons I love this episode: because we get hindsight into his backstory and find out why he turns into the asshole he is later on in life. This is pretty much a episode that makes you sympathize with him if you haven’t already and lets us see why he has no family as he’s told us in Season 1 and 2. 

Despite being 15-16, this boy comes off like an older brother figure when interacting with Robin. He easily shows his emotions unlike his older self and honestly just wants to protect his family. He doesn’t like that his mother is having an affair and feels she is being used by Malcolm. He also doesn’t like that his mother is visiting his father in the leper colony despite telling him not to do so himself. 

While trying to defend his parents when Malcolm comes bursting through the front door like a wild man, Guy grabs a torch, trying to scare him away. Malcolm pushes him back which ends up causing said torch to fall from his hands and start the house fire. While the parents quarrel inside, the manor burns to the ground and the parents with it. 

The other asshole (and supposedly main villain of this episode) Bailiff Longthorn exiles the Gisborne kids since the lands are his now and Guy is left to raise his little sister; homeless, penniless and without any help. He had to quickly become tough in life. Sorry, it just makes me sympathize with him more. 

Meet Archer: The Mcguffin - Robin & Guy’s Half-Brother

I love and hate this character so much. He only appears as a baby in this episode, but he is the reason that Malcolm of Locksley finally shows his face after hiding for years. Apparently he had been searching for him the whole time, but neglected Robin, wow. Okay....sure.

It’s not Archer’s fault but yet it is. When you meet an older version of him in the next episode, there is no denying he has a wonderful personality and lots of potential, but yet the reason he was created bugs me, especially since we only get to “know” him in only 3 episodes which isn’t enough honestly.

Jamie’s Pros & Cons of this episode:

Pros:

Backstory exploration showing the history between Guy & Robin that explains their conflicts with each other (Despite both losing their parents, Guy also lost his home and titles which were given to Robin by the villagers.)

Introduction to the parents (Roger, Ghislaine and Malcolm.) 

The Acting

Young Guy and Robin. Just look at how adorable they are.

A cause that unites Robin & Guy to work together for the only family they have left (Archer)

Cons:

The story can be confusing at times. I definitely didn’t understand it the first time I watched. In fact, I still question things.

The somewhat love triangle between Roger, Ghislaine and Malcolm. It feels more forced on Malcolm’s side then anything else because he is literally coming between a couple that is already married and clearly in love with each other.

Malcolm of Locksley. Mostly everything he does in this episode is stupid. Lets not talk about the fact he left his kid thinking he was dead for years only to show up once telling him the story of how he abandoned him....only to abandon him once again. Great, give this man Best Dad in the World mug. 

The townspeople who don’t help the Gisborne kids and criticize them for being French and exiling them, but giving everything to Robin because he’s the kid of an English Noblemen. What assholes. 

The fact that when you think about it: this episode is just a way to bring Guy & Robin together as well as keep the show going with Archer as the new Robin. Yep, that’s pretty much why our Mcguffin was created. I think they could have brought Guy and Robin together in a way that didn’t involve a secret Half-Brother between them....but that’s just me. 

The puzzling questions of Retcon:

Is the land that the Gisborne’s run Locksley village or is it an unnamed village? Where is Marian? How did Robin grow up fine and well if Malcolm left him behind? How did Guy and Isabella survive for the little bit they had together before he sold her as bride when she turned 13? Why wasn’t this established sooner? Oh yeah, that’s right, it’s a retcon. 

My thoughts in total:

Despite my issues with this episode, It’s actually one of the ones I enjoy in Season 3. I love that we got a glimpse into Guy and Robin’s backstories and firmly know that a character’s backstory is what shapes them into the people they are going to be later on down the road and this episode is proof of that. 

It’s a good episode in itself, but it clearly has some flaws that just don’t make sense and leave you with questions. I think if anything, this should have been revealed earlier in the season or done differently. 

[rachaelswrites]

What’s your cannon for Hotch’s life after witness protection?

I cannoned Hotch meeting a widowed mother of 3 sons who’s husband died of cancer or something during witness protection, they talk, start dating and Hotch comes clean about his past to her, then her kids meets Hotch, Jack and hotchner!reader and vice versa, they felt like they had a family moment, so between a couple months to a year they get married and the family is bigger

Hotch worries about hotchner!reader feeling left out because her new brothers are all younger than her but she doesn’t care because she adapts to things pretty fast and she’s chill with Hotch’s woman

Then Hotch’s new wife is pregnant and everyone is stoked for a bundle of joy, hotchner!reader kinda wants it to be a boy but it’s a girl and she’s worried that the baby will steal Hotch’s attention but she’s reassured that if she’s a good sister to brothers she will be good with a sister, and ofc the team knows because Garcia sends baby things

Then the baby comes, everyone is OBSSESED and when hotchner!reader holds the baby for the first time, she immediately doesn’t want to give her to anyone else, she stays up late with her, and when she gets a job, she literally spends her money on baby shoes, despite the age gap she loves her so much, and Hotch is a proud dad of not one, but 2 baby girls 😩 - 🌿

Honestly I haven’t thought too much about it cause Hotch isn’t in my top three favs (sorry🤷‍♀️) but this is definitely what I could see happening! I get vibes that Hotch would love to have a huge family because his was a bit chaotic so when he married Haley and had Hotchner!reader and Jack, he hopes for more but then everything happened and he only had the two. He loves both his kids to death but I think deep down he wishes he could have more. Then he meets his new wife and her three kids and Hotch is ecstatic that the family of three is now seven! And then the wife finds out she’s pregnant with a girl and now he has the huge, happy family he’s always wanted! Another plus is that all the kids get along, even with the age/gender differences. Like they all go to each other for certain things like school/relationships/friendships

[elisajdb]

Life With You: XXXIII

AN: Hi. I didn’t quit. Just had a very busy few months. I got sidelined into a project that took up a lot of my free time. It also caused me to have writer’s block but I got the story done. It’s another long one. Thank you for all the kind and supportive reviews. I’m sorry you had to wait so long.

 Part Thirty-Three: A New Life: Part Two

  “Krillin! Krillin, wake up!”

 The sharp pounding on his door woke Krillin from a blissful sleep. He was blinded in darkness. “What the hell?” Krillin murmured as he reached for the lamp and switched it on. “Ow!” he grimaced at the bright light.

 “Krillin!”

 “I’m up. I’m up.” Krillin pulled off the covers and swung his legs out of bed. Sluggishly, he walked to the door and stumbled over a shoe. He opened the door to see Master Roshi holding a cordless phone. “What is it?”

 “It’s Gohan. ChiChi’s in the hospital. She’s in labor.”

 “Labor?” Krillin rubbed his sleepy eyes. “Isn’t that soon?”

 The martial arts legend shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. Half Saiyan baby pregnancies may be different.” He handed Krillin a piece a paper. “Here’s the hospital Gohan and ChiChi are at. Better get there fast.”

 Krillin took the paper and closed the door. He murmured a curse when he tripped on that same shoe. Grabbing his pants off the floor, Krillin shuffled his legs in.  

 In bed, 18 propped herself on her elbow. “Goku’s wife is in labor?”

 “Yeah. I’m gonna find out what’s going on.”

 “Want me to come?”  

 Krillin hesitated for a moment before he slipped his shirt over his head. “Don’t think that will be smart. No one knows about us except Master Roshi and the timing’s not right.”

 “Whose fault is that?” 18 didn’t hide the irritation in her voice.

 Here we go again. “It’s not like we’ve had a reunion recently.” Krillin defended himself. “Everyone’s gone back to their lives.” 18’s face spoke volumes. She didn’t approve of what Krillin said and if he didn’t fix this, he wasn’t touching her for a while. “Lazuli,” he spoke her real name to let her know he’s serious. “I’m not ashamed of us. We’ll tell everyone about us when the time is right.”

 Krillin moved in to kiss 18 but she turned her face away. “Wasn’t it five years before you saw Goku after he married?”

 Krillin touched 18’s chin and kissed her. “It won’t be five years before we all meet. I promise.” He gave her another kiss. “I’ll call you when I’m at the hospital.”

 Bulma stepped off the elevator to the maternity ward of the hospital. She spotted Krillin with Gohan and Gyu-Mao and picked up her pace. Like Krillin, she was awakened with a call from Gohan. She left Trunks with her parents and flew here. It wasn’t WuKong Hospital where Goku recovered after his fight with Vegeta but the closest one near Mount Paouz. It was smaller and too far from West City for her liking.

 “Gohan. How’s ChiChi?”

 “I don’t know.” The child was very worried. As soon as ChiChi was taken to be examined, Gohan called Gyu-Mao, Master Roshi and Bulma. “The doctor is with her.”

 “What happened?”

 “Mom called for me. She was on the floor in pain, crying the baby’s coming.” Gohan wouldn’t say he triggered this. The last thing he wanted was his father’s friends accusing him. “I got here as fast as I could.”

 “You did the right thing,” Bulma told him. “But it might be one of those false contractions. I had a few. It wasn’t this early but I was so high on drugs when I was in labor I hardly felt anything. Maybe the stress of Goku’s death still lingered in her pregnancy but why didn’t ChiChi take better care of herself so this didn’t happen?”

 “ChiChi took excellent care of herself,” Gyu-Mao defended his daughter. “ChiChi would never do anything to harm her child. She loves her children more than her own life.”

 “She lost her husband,” Krillin joined in the defense. “That’s a lot of stress. Give her a break, Bulma.”

 “I know. I know.” It was an observation. She wasn’t insulting and didn’t understand they saw it that way. “But she is pregnant with Goku’s kid. That’s why I thought ChiChi would be cautious and not let herself go into labor early. It’s not all her fault,” Bulma lamented. “ChiChi wouldn’t be in this situation if it wasn’t for you, Krillin.”

 “Me?” Krillin pointed at himself. “How is this my fault?”

 “If you destroyed the remote, Goku wouldn’t have died and ChiChi wouldn’t have been so stressed about his death she put herself in the hospital.”

 Krillin balked at the insinuation. “You’re still blaming me?!”

Bulma crossed her arms as she stood her ground. “I don’t see anyone else to blame.”

 “How about that mass murderer you had a child with?!” Krillin fired back.

 “You’re blaming Vegeta?” Now Bulma was insulted.  

 “He let Cell reach perfect form. He fought his own son who tried to stop Cell. There never would’ve been a Cell Game if it wasn’t for Vegeta’s damn ego. If he and Trunks teamed up while Cell was imperfect, they would’ve killed Cell.”

 “It’s Vegeta!” Bulma yelled. “What else can you expect from a guy like him but you should’ve known better, Krillin! You’re the good guy or at least I thought you were when you weren’t thinking with your other head over someone not even a full human!”

 The remark about 18 stung. Secretly dating these months, Krillin got to know 18 very well. She didn’t share all of her past but what he knew, angered him, and if he weren’t determined to keep their relationship a secret, he would go in full-blown defense of her. Still, he couldn’t let Bulma get away with that strike against 18 without throwing up Bulma’s relationship with Vegeta. “So, because Vegeta isn’t ‘a good guy’ you excuse any dumbass thing he does? Gah!” Krillin threw his hands up. “You two are made for each other. Arrogant to the end but at least Vegeta eventually owns up to his mistakes!”

 Krillin talked back before but never like this. He never came at her so strongly. “You sure got a lot mouth on you. What’s going on with you?”

 “N-nothing,” Krillin stammered slightly, “but I’m tired of you constantly blaming me when we all know it was more than one person to blame for what happened at the Cell Game.”

 Gohan watched the bickering between his father’s friends in disbelief. Months later and they were still arguing whose fault this is. His father was dead and not coming back. His mother and baby brother were in danger and he blamed himself. He was haunted by the image of his mother crying in pain. Gohan called Grandpa and his Dad’s oldest friends hoping they will help. Grandpa did but all his father’s friends could do is argue with each other. They weren’t thinking of his family at all.

 Gohan felt rage boiling in him. Watching them argue was like watching his mother yell in the hospital over his decision to go to Namek. She kept screaming and didn’t want to listen or care how he felt about Piccolo. It was the same thing watching Bulma and Krillin argue with each other. They weren’t thinking about his mother or baby brother but only who to blame and Gohan was tired of it.

 “SHUT…. UP!!!” Gohan screamed. He was so loud Bulma and Krillin stopped arguing. Nurses looked up from their desk. People poked their heads out of their rooms to find the source of the yelling. “My mother and brother’s lives are in danger and all you two can think about is to find a person to blame! Blaming won’t bring my Dad back and it won’t help my Mom and brother! I wished I never called you!!”

 Not a sound passed as onlookers stared curiously at the two adults yelled at by a child. After the shock of Gohan yelling at them wore off, Bulma and Krillin’s faces turned red of embarrassment.

 It was Bulma who made the first move to apologize. “We’re frustrated, too, Gohan. This is our way of sorting it out.”

 “Find another way,” Gohan’s blunt tone stunned Bulma. He never spoke this way to her. He was always so well-mannered.

 Gyu-Mao stepped between the two and Gohan. “My grandson is right. This back and forth fighting does nothing. You fought at Goku’s memorial and you’re fighting now where his widow is in medical care to keep her and my grandson alive. Gohan called you because you’re Goku’s friends and thought you should know but if you can’t stop this petty fighting, then leave now before I throw you out.”

 Krillin took a step back and Bulma took a step back behind him.

 “Gohan!”

 Gohan turned to see Dr. Barkley rushing to him. He met her halfway. “My Mom….?”

 “Your Mom’s stabilized and we’re holding off as long as we can but your baby brother wants to come out. Your mother was three centimeters dilated when she came in. It’s five now and she’s going to be six centimeters soon.”

 Gohan understood some of that terminology. He read about it but not enough to fully understand. “But it’s too early. Mom should be nine months before she gives birth. If the baby’s born early then some things aren’t fully developed. Maybe it’s my brother’s lungs, his kidneys or his…..”

 “I understand your concerns,’ Dr. Barkley gently cut him off, “but you must remember you Mom’s not carrying a full-blooded human. You were born at nine months but you were more developed than any newborn I help birth. You acted like a two-month-old human baby at birth. If we take that into consideration, your brother may be born like a human newborn baby. Keep positive.”

 What she said made sense. That eased some of his worries. “I will.”

 “I’ve been through this once with your Mom. Your Dad’s not here but when she was in labor with you, Goku gave ChiChi some of his Ki. Can you do that?”

 “I can do that,” Gohan offered but doubt crept in him again, “but I don’t know how much.”

 Dr. Barkley secured an arm around Gohan as she walked them away. “You’ll know. Let’s go see your mother.”

 “Can we come?” Krillin asked.

 The smile on Dr. Barkley’s face fell at the expectant looks of Bulma and Krillin. She heard them arguing. “Sorry,” Dr. Barkley refused them. “ChiChi asked for Gohan and I saw your behavior. You’ll upset my patient.”

 Gohan looked at Gyu-Mao, thinking he will come. His grandpa declined. “Your Mom doesn’t know I’m here. Go talk to her. I’ll keep an eye on things here.” Gyu-Mao eyed Krillin and Bulma who both took another step back.

 When Gohan and Dr. Barkley left, Krillin sat in a chair farthest from Gyu-Mao. He couldn’t blame the doctor but Bulma was not happy at the refusal. “Who does she think she is? This isn’t West City but I can still make calls to the people on the board of this hospital.”

 Krillin sighed, “Bulma, just stop. With the way we were arguing, you can’t blame her for refusing us to see ChiChi.”

 Maybe he had a point but Bulma didn’t like it. She wasn’t one to be refused for anything and never so coldly. “I’ll let this pass,” Bulma accepted as she sat beside Krillin but there was one thing she wouldn’t let pass. “So….. who is she?”

 Krillin propped his elbow on the wooden chair arm. He rest his chin on his hand as he closed his eyes. It was almost two am and Krillin was tired. “Who?”

 “Who are you seeing?” Bulma asked. “You never talked to me that way before. You must be seeing someone to gain this confidence.” Krillin remained quiet but Bulma knew better. “You can pretend to sleep all you want but you know it’s true and I’ll keep talking until you tell me about her.”

 Krillin opened one eye. Bulma would keep pushing until she got the truth. She might even show up on Master Roshi’s island and meet 18 before he’s ready to introduce her to everyone. “I am seeing someone.” True. “It’s still new.” Lie.

 Bulma smirked. “I knew it. Is she cute? How did you meet her?”

 “She’s beautiful and I met her at work.”

 Bulma touched the short, black hair on Krillin’s head. It looked like a buzz cut. “And this has to be her influence, too. I didn’t know you could grow hair. I thought you were prematurely bald.”

 “I cut my hair because I was a fighter. One less way to be vulnerable.”

 “Was?” Bulma picked up the past tense.

 “I think it’s time I quit for good and settle down.” It was something Krillin thought about since Namek.  Spending time with 18 really settled it for him. “Goku’s sacrifice really makes ya think how short life is. I don’t wanna waste any more time.”

 “She’s that special and you won’t tell me about her? I’m insulted,” she dramatically feigned hurt. “I’m practically your big sister, Krillin.”

 Her guilt trip wasn’t working on him. “I don’t wanna jinx anything, Bulma.”

 “Fine,” Bulma huffed. “I won’t ask anymore but if it gets serious, I wanna meet her. Introduce her to all of us. I promise we’ll give her a better welcoming than we did ChiChi.”

 “Hope so.” Looking back, it was cringeworthy thinking how they all treated ChiChi when she married Goku. Bulma wanted to welcome 18 differently but Krillin knew when the day finally comes, it will be a disaster.

 “I’m surprised you work,” Bulma kept talking. “I thought you were on Master Roshi’s island doing nothing all these months.”

 “Not all of us are rich, Bulma. I did all types of odd jobs after the tournament before I worked regularly in security.”

 “You’re a rent a cop?” Bulma teased. “Why not do the real thing? You’d be the strongest cop on the force.”

 “I don’t feel that committed to law and order. Besides, I have more free time with this job.”

 Bulma smiled slyly. “And with that free time, you are seeing your girlfriend.” Bulma waited but Krillin didn’t answer. “You’re just like Yamcha. He won’t tell me about his girlfriend either.”

 “Well, exes usually don’t talk about who they are dating. Most exes don’t see each other. You and Yamcha are an anomaly.”

 “I guess you’re right.” Her and Yamcha’s situation was different but not uncommon. “It wasn’t always easy. Yamcha took our breakup hard and me being pregnant with Trunks even harder.”

 “Because he wanted a family with you and you didn’t with him but his mur---”

 “Point is,” Bulma cut him off, “Yamcha and I are in a better place now and are making it work. Just like me and Vegeta. We are proceeding with a relationship.”

 “He moved back in?” Krillin opened his eyes fully awake by this news. “You said he wasn’t living with you.”

 “Ancient history. He’s back. After being in a funk for a few months, Vegeta’s back to training, too.” An idea struck her. “After ChiChi has the baby, we all should get together. We shouldn’t let five years pass before we see each other. It’ll give us a chance to meet your girlfriend.”

 Oh, boy. Vegeta and 18 in the same room together. Krillin can see the mayhem.

 ****

 Gohan entered ChiChi’s room nervously. ChiChi wore a hospital gown, was hooked to machines and wore a strange belt over her belly. Each beep and chime increased his anxiety. ChiChi must’ve noticed his worry as she smiled and held her hand out to him. “I’m fine, Gohan.”

 Gohan didn’t believe that. He eyed one of the machines cautiously. “That is monitoring your Mom and brother’s heartbeats,” Dr. Barkley explained. “They’re good.”

 “If they were really good, Mom would be home and not here.” Gohan squeezed ChiChi’s hand. His hand illuminated as he transferred a little of his Ki to ChiChi. “I’ll make sure you have a healthy birth.”

 “Like your father,” ChiChi squeezed Gohan’s hand back. “Thank you but I might not need it. I don’t feel as drained as I did with you. When I have the baby, stay in the waiting room. You don’t need to see all of this.”

 “No,” Gohan refused. “I’m staying. Dad can’t be here so I will be in his place.”

 “Gohan, I know you’ve been through a lot, but you’re a child. You shouldn’t even be here now. Grandpa will be here with me.”

 “No!” Gohan would not be kicked out. “I survived living on my own for six months at four years old. I survived Namek when I was five. I saved the world from Cell months ago. I’m not too young for this!”

 Speechless, ChiChi looked at her doctor for help but she only shook her head. “Sorry, ChiChi. I agree with Gohan. We shouldn’t take any chances since this will not be a natural birth.”

 Outvoted, ChiChi shook her head slightly amused. “If it’s not Goku and you, it’s you and my doctor. I’m always outnumbered and have to give in, but I can’t with this. Gohan’s too young.”

 “It’s for your own good.” Dr. Barkley reached in the drawer by ChiChi’s bed. “Gohan, since you will be in here, there’s something you need to understand.”

 When ChiChi saw the wooden board in Dr. Barkley’s hands, her face turned bright pink. “Oh, no! Not that!”

 Gohan stared at the wooden chart. It was round with ten holes in different sizes. “What is that?”

 “This, Gohan, shows how your mother’s body is preparing for your baby brother to come out. You should be prepared if you have questions.”

 “Please put that away,” ChiChi requested. “Gohan’s too young for this.”

 “I am not,” Gohan protested. It was a chart with round holes in it. How can he be too young for that? “I know Mom has to push the baby out. I read that.” The books Gohan studied were very informative. This chart Dr. Barkley held was not something he read about. “But I never saw that in my books.”

 “Your mother is this size.” She pointed to the hole that’s five centimeters. Gohan’s eyes grew wide. His head didn’t turn but his eyes looked in his mother’s direction as he understood what Dr. Barkley meant. “When she is opened enough to be this size,” she pointed to the hole that’s ten centimeters, “she’ll be ready to push your brother out.”

 Gohan released his mother’s hand. He took the chart Dr. Barkley held out to him. He studied each hole. He pointed to the hole that’s ten centimeters. “I read the baby’s head comes out first.” This time Gohan looked at his mother alarmed. “You mean my brother….. I…..?! It stret……!”

 Dr. Barkley giggled. “He’s taking it better than Goku.”

 Though uncomfortable with Gohan learning all this, ChiChi couldn’t hold back her giggles as she thought of her late husband’s reaction. “Yes. Goku had a very different reaction.”

 “This should be the last checkup before your child is born. Any questions?”

 Goku had one. “Ya keep saying when ChiChi has the baby. How will ChiChi get the baby out?” He pointed to the monitor. “That baby looks big and ChiChi ain’t got any holes that big.”

 Dr. Barkley chuckled while ChiChi humorously rolled her eyes. “She will push the child out.”

 “Like poo?” Goku asked. “From her butt?” The idea horrified Goku. “Her butt hole’s gonna stretch that big?!!”

 Again the doctor laughed. “ChiChi will push the child out from where you entered to make the baby.”

 Dr. Barkley and ChiChi watched Goku’s eyes grow wide on his face to a horrific realization. “But ChiChi’s hole ain’t that big! It’s tight when I’m in there. How will the baby come out?”

 Dr. Barkley held up the dilation chart. “This is a dilation chart, Goku. When ChiChi’s in labor, her body will stretch in her vaginal area to prepare for the baby to come out. Over several hours, she will stretch from here,” she pointed to the circle that’s one centimeter, “to here.” She pointed to the circle that is ten centimeters. “When ChiChi’s at ten centimeters, her body is ready to push the child out.”

 Goku studied the different circle sizes on the chart. He looked at ChiChi and back at the chart. “It looks like it will hurt.”

 “Childbirth isn’t easy.” Dr. Barkley placed the chart back on the table. “It’s painful but the child is worth it.”

 Goku turned to ChiChi. “You didn’t say having a baby is painful, ChiChi. Why do this if it’s painful?”

 “It’s worth it, Goku. I promise you. Besides, you didn’t mind the pain in your fights.”

 “I guess you have a point.” Though Goku didn’t think it was the same. “But if ChiChi’s gonna get that big when she has a baby, what about after? I won’t be tight and warm in ChiChi anymore and I really like that feeling. It feels sooo good.”

 “Goku!” ChiChi blushed. “Don’t say that!”

 Goku didn’t see the issue in speaking to Dr. Barkley about their sex life. They’ve done it before. “We can talk about it with her, ChiChi. She’s seen you down there and told us we can still do it while you’re pregnant.”

 “Um,” Dr. Barkley cleared her throat. “Goku, ChiChi will return to normal down there but she has to heal after the baby’s born.”

 “Oh, yeah.” Thinking about the size ChiChi will stretch, that made sense. “I can get senzu beans for you, ChiChi. That’ll heal you up faster. We can have sex right after the baby’s born.”

 Now it was ChiChi’s eyes who expanded. “There’s no need for that. I’ll heal naturally.”

 That didn’t make sense to Goku but if that’s what ChiChi wanted. “How long will it take for you to heal?”

 “It’s usually two months,” Dr. Barkley answered.

 “WHAT?!” Goku screamed. “Two months?! But we ain’t done it in a month and ChiChi won’t let me put it behind her anymore until after the baby’s born.”

 “GOKU!” ChiChi screamed. Her face matched the colors of her red skirt. “Don’t talk about that with her!”

 The laughs of his Mom and Dr. Barkley left Gohan feeling he was left out of a joke or a fond memory of his father he wanted to be told about. “What happened? How did Dad react to it?”

 Dr. Barkley laughed even louder while ChiChi explained, “Your Dad was confused about the birthing process, Gohan, but he was there when it counted.”

 “You mean when he helped me be born?” Gohan heard about that. He was happy his Dad knew what to do and felt nervous to live up to that. After ChiChi gives birth, there will be two people he will be responsible for protecting. Not even a year since his father’s death and Gohan felt he failed to  protect his mother. A baby is even more vulnerable.

 How am I gonna do it? Can I really protect them both?

 “Where’s my Dad?” ChiChi asked unaware of Gohan’s troubles. “I know he’s out there.”

 “He’s in the waiting room with Krillin and Bulma.”

 “They’re here?” That surprised ChiChi.

 “I called them because I thought they should be here.” The earlier fighting still bothered him. “I made a mistake doing that.”

 “Why?”

 “They started arguing whose fault it is you’re like this and….” Gohan lowered his head. “We both know who that is.”

“Cell.” Dr. Barkley spoke as she placed the wooden chart back in the drawer. “Cell was the killer and nothing else matters. Maybe one of these days Goku’s friends will understand that.”

 They weren’t the only ones who needed to understand ChiChi thought as she noticed Gohan’s troubled expression.

 “Dr. Barkley, let Krillin, Bulma and my father know I’m well and they can visit but I need to talk to Gohan alone first.”

 “All right,” Dr. Barkley didn’t agree with ChiChi’s decision, “but if they argue again I will have security kick them out of the hospital. Remember what happened at Gohan’s birth with that old woman and her grandson,” she warned before leaving.

 ChiChi would never forget what happened but she wished Dr. Barkley didn’t say that in front of Gohan. She saw the curiosity forming on his face. With the way he has been with her lately, she knew Gohan will question it.

 “What happened when I was born, Mom?”

 Gohan knew of Mrs. Niver and Kaifun dislike for Goku. If he knew what happened the day of his birth… “Gohan, it was handled. I want to talk about why you feel my condition is your fault.”

 “Because it is.”

 “Because it’s not,” ChiChi corrected him. “You always listened to your Dad, Gohan. I knew whatever happened that day, you would be the one person to not do anything to cause his death and when you told me what you did…. it shocked me.”

 Months later and he still can’t believe what he did. He never thought his actions would lead his father to sacrifice himself. “I know. I never planned to tell you but it came out and I’m sorry. I know you hate me. I know you’re only tolerating me because you’re staying calm for the baby.”

 Gohan was a sweet child but he had his moods which led him to misconstrue facts, and in his own frustration, make false accusations. “You saw my grief more than anyone. I know you didn’t mean to do what you did but it happened and it hurt me.”

 Gohan knew that but he was frustrated, too. When he cried, his parents comforted him. When he needed comfort after his father’s sacrifice, his father’s voice calmed him. When he confessed to his mother his part in his father dying, Gohan expected his mother to comfort him. He didn’t like she pulled away as if rejecting him. “You kept moving away from me when I kept apologizing. I thought you hated me and wanted to kick me out.”

 If not for the gravity of the situation, ChiChi would smile. Her son had a lot of her ways, too, and when he’s emotional, he’s blinded. ChiChi patted a spot on her bed for Gohan to sit down. When he did, he leaned on ChiChi’s shoulder. “My reaction didn’t mean I hate you, Gohan. I could never hate you but I couldn’t comfort you either. You had months to wrestle with this decision. I only had moments to deal with it before you wanted me to forgive you. I’m always willing to sacrifice my needs and feelings for you and Goku but last night, I couldn’t. Call me selfish but I need time to process this.”

 Calmer with a clearer mind, Gohan felt guilty for his behavior. “You’re not selfish, Mom. I told you something I knew would hurt you but I couldn’t hold the guilt in anymore. I was selfish.” Gohan embraced ChiChi. “I’m sorry, Mom. I shouldn’t have begged you to forgive me. I should’ve given you time. I’m ready to do that.”

 ChiChi’s arms wrapped around Gohan. This was her kindhearted son. “Thank you, Gohan.”

 ****

 Gohan was by ChiChi’s side as she let out another scream. Gohan wiped her sweaty forehead. “You’re doing great, Mom.”

 It was after dawn when ChiChi was ready to deliver her second child.  Krillin and Bulma visited but left, promising to return when she gave birth. Gyu-Mao stayed but paced in the waiting room.

 “His head and shoulders are out. He has a lot of hair!” Dr. Barkley laughed. She glanced at ChiChi’s biometrics on a monitor. “Your body is handling this birth much better than Gohan’s.”

 This news excited Gohan. “He’s almost here, Mom.”

 “I need another push, ChiChi,” Dr. Barkley urged. “Give me a really big one.”

 “Oh….. okay.” ChiChi squeezed Gohan’s hand screaming while giving a strong push.

 “Good. Good!” Dr. Barkley cheered. “He’s out to his hips. Take a moment and get ready for one more push. He’s almost out.”

 “One more….” ChiChi panted. “One more….”

 “You can do it, Mom,” Gohan encouraged her. “Let’s make our family three again.”

 Three. That was a nice thought. If they couldn’t be a family of four, ChiChi happily settled for a family of three. ChiChi screamed one final, big push. It was sweet relief feeling the heavy load she carried for months leaving her body. It was even sweeter when that load announced itself to the world in a beautiful cry. ChiChi��s eyes moistened with tears. Her and Goku’s last child was finally here.

 Gohan eased ChiChi to rest against the pillows. The sweet sounds of her baby crying was joyful and until she noticed Dr. Barkley acting odd. When Gohan was born, Dr. Barkley held up Gohan for her and Goku to see. This time, Dr. Barkley held her baby in a way he was shielded from her view.  ChiChi felt something was dreadfully wrong.  “What is it?” ChiChi asked worriedly. “What’s wrong with my baby?”

 Dr. Barkley stared at the child and back to Gohan and ChiChi. “The baby’s fine, ChiChi. It’s just…… he….”

 “He what?” ChiChi demanded. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

 “We need to know,” Gohan, worried too, pleaded. Whatever it is, I will fix it.

 Dr. Barkley approached ChiChi. The child’s appearance became clear to mother and big brother as the doctor revealed the child. “It’s ….. the baby looks like Goku.”

 ChiChi and Gohan were awed in silence at the child’s similarity to Goku. Seeing the resemblance of his father in his brother filled Gohan with immense pleasure but an equal amount of guilt.  Dr. Barkley placed the baby on ChiChi’s stomach. She wiped the crying child clean before cutting the umbilical cord. She carried the baby to the other side of the room where she gave the child a thorough physical exam with her instruments and machines all under Gohan and ChiChi’s watchful eyes.  

 “He’s so beautiful,” ChiChi murmured with watery eyes.

 Dr. Barkley returned holding the baby wrapped in a blue blanket. “He’s a little different from Gohan,” she informed ChiChi as she placed the child in her arms.

 “How so?”

 “When Gohan was born, he could move his head at will. This child is like a human newborn baby. You have to hold his head. I guess,” Dr. Barkley explained, “it’s because he’s early but he’s still healthy as a newborn human. He responded to all the tests and everything is fully developed.”

 ChiChi murmured ‘okay’ as she gently held her newborn. The baby’s tired eyes stared at ChiChi as she placed a kiss on his forehead. “Hello…. Goten.”

 “Goten?” Gohan marveled at the name as he couldn’t stop grinning at the baby. “You didn’t tell me you had a name picked.”

 ChiChi nuzzled her face against Goten’s cheek tenderly. “There were two I was stuck on. When I learned I was having another boy, I wanted something close to Goku’s name. Goku’s in heaven protecting us but he’s still with us, and when I saw this sweet baby’s face, I knew. I have to name him Goten.”

 Gohan touched Goten’s soft and wet hair. The spikes in his hair were short but in a distinctive style. Just like Dad’s.

 “He’s not like you,” ChiChi softly chuckled at Goten closing his eyes.

 “What do you mean?”

 “When you were born, your eyes were wide open. You were constantly looking around. Goten is content to rest. He’s like Goku. He could sleep anywhere and not care what’s going on.” ChiChi shifted slightly. “Wanna hold him?”

 Slight trepidation rose in Gohan. He’s held babies before but they were much older. “I never held a newborn.”

 “You held Aki’s child.”

 “She wasn’t a newborn.”

 “He’s your brother,” ChiChi insisted. “You won’t hurt him.” ChiChi gently eased Goten in Gohan’s arms. “Careful with his head.” She adjusted Gohan’s arm slightly to elevate Goten’s head.

 The gentle exchange stirred Goten to open his eyes again. He gazed at Gohan in slight wonder. A lump formed in Gohan’s throat at the innocence of his baby brother staring at him. For a brief moment, he saw his father’s smiling face staring back.

 “Talk to him,” ChiChi encouraged Gohan. “Let him hear your voice.”

 “Hi, Goten. I’m your brother, Gohan. We’re gonna have a lot of fun together.” Gohan’s eyes mist as he thought of his father and what they did together. A strong need to protect and make sure Goten experience all the fun things he did with his father stirred in him. “I’m gonna take you fishing. I’m gonna take you camping and I will always protect you.”

 Holding Goten, Gohan felt all the pressure and stress he held since he brought his mother to the hospital lift. Now he knew mother and brother were all right, he could relax.

 Gohan’s stomach growled…. loudly.

 And eat.

 “Have you eaten?” ChiChi tiredly asked.

 “No,” Gohan admitted with a blush on his cheeks. “I’ve been too worried about you and Goten to eat. I don’t have any money either.”

 ChiChi gently took Goten from Gohan’s arms. “Grandpa does. Tell him about his grandson and go eat.”

 He didn’t need to be told twice. After being awake all night, waiting, worrying and helping with the birth of Goten, hunger and fatigue was settling in.  

 After telling Gyu-Mao about Goten and getting money for food, Gohan called Krillin and Bulma before going to the hospital’s food court. He was so hungry, he got food from every restaurant. When he left, his arms loaded with hot bags of food from all the food courts. While waiting for the elevator to open, Gohan heard his name called.

 “Gohan?”

 Gohan turned to see Kaifun and Mrs. Niver approaching. Why were they here?

 “I thought that was you,” Kaifun smiled but Gohan remained on guard. “What are you doing…..” Kaifun trailed off suddenly. “Is ChiChi okay?”

 “Mom gave birth.” Gohan answered curtly and asked, “Why are you here?”

 “Already?” Kaifun appeared concerned but after what Gohan learned about Kaifun’s history with his parents, Gohan didn’t trust him. “This is early. Are she and the baby okay?”

 “They’re fine,” Gohan was clipped again. “Why are you here?” he repeated.

 “Hmmph!” Mrs. Niver scoffed. “You’re being very rude. I thought without your father you would have better manners.”

 “My manners have nothing to do with my father.”

 “That’s true,” Mrs. Niver agreed. “What manners you did develop, you got from your mother. Your father never had any.”

 “Grandma,” Kaifun hushed Mrs. Niver. “Stop that.” Kaifun felt his face flush with embarrassment. Not even Goku’s death softened her feelings for him. “Grandma needs a procedure done, Gohan. She’s getting a pacemaker and she’s a bit grumpy. Forgive her.”

 The elevator doors opened. “I need to go. Goodbye.”

 Gohan stepped in the elevator and pressed the floor for maternity and much to Gohan’s displeasure, Kaifun and Mrs. Niver entered the elevator, too. “We should see ChiChi before we check you in, Grandma.”

 The two of them in the same room with his mother and brother? The thought turned Gohan’s stomach. “That’s not needed. You should check Mrs. Niver in now.”

 “We’re early,” Kaifun ruffled Gohan’s hair playfully. Gohan stepped out of Kaifun’s reach. Gohan’s subtle rejection went unnoticed as Kaifun bragged, “You don’t know this but we saw you the day you were born, Gohan. Kind of makes sense for us to be here to see ChiChi’s second child.”

 His mother’s second….. The lack of acknowledging his father wasn’t lost on Gohan. “It’s my father’s child, too.”

 This time Kaifun noticed something different about Gohan. Gohan was always so well-mannered around him. What changed? He hoped ChiChi didn’t tell Gohan what he and his grandmother have done to her and Goku in the past.

 “Hmm,” Mrs. Niver sucked her false teeth. “Last I saw you it was at your father’s wake. You didn’t have this attitude then. Is this a result of him being gone?”

 Remember what happened at Gohan’s birth with that old woman and her grandson.

 The bags of food nearly slipped out of his arms. Dr. Barkley referenced them. Kaifun and Mrs. Niver saw him at his birth and something happened. Something bad that upset his mother. If they thought they will upset his mother the day of his brother’s birth…….

 “I know you saw me the day I was born,” Gohan told them. “It wasn’t a happy occasion.” There! Gohan saw the change in demeanor…. from Kaifun. Mrs. Niver still wore the same grumpy face.

 “Oh….” Kaifun looked nervous. “You know.” Now he understood Gohan’s annoyance with him, Kaifun wanted to explain himself. “Grandma was wrong calling you deformed and she shouldn’t have said Goku is a mixed breed of a human and animal but she paid for that. I know it upset your Mom and the King but we moved past that.” The elevator opened. “Let’s see your Mom and send good wishes to her and her baby.”

 Kaifun had one foot out the elevator when Gohan grabbed his arm and pulled him back in. Kaifun tried to pull away but Gohan’s grip kept him in place. How was this child so strong? If he squeezed any tighter, his wrist might break. The anger in Gohan’s eyes concerned Kaifun. The last he saw that was years ago when he and Goku talked. ChiChi was pregnant with Gohan and Goku was very irritable and warned him to stay away from ChiChi.

 “Your grandmother called me deformed, insulted my father in front of my mother the day I was born. Do you think I’m going to let you two see my baby brother on the day of his birth?”

 “Gohan….” Kaifun pleaded. This child will break his arm. “Ah… you’re hurting me.”

 “You’re not going near my mother and brother!”

 “What’s the matter with you?” Kaifun crumpled to his knees under Gohan’s strength. The elevator closed. Mrs. Niver put her hand on Gohan and pulled. When her feeble strength couldn’t break Gohan’s hold, she smacked him with her purse. “Let go of my grandson!”

 During the struggle, the three didn’t notice the elevator going up until it opened. Two nurses stared at a man on his knees crying in pain under the strength of a child who was getting smacked by an old woman using her purse.

 Gohan immediately released Kaifun and Mrs. Niver stopped hitting him. Kaifun remained on his knees gripping his wrist. “Why did you do that?”

 The elevator began moving down under its own power. Gohan didn’t notice as he focused on Kaifun. “You want to see my mother and brother. I won’t let you.”

 The elevator opened on the maternity floor but no one pressed the button to that floor. All three were surprised to see Gyu-Mao on the other side.

 “Grandpa?”

 “Your Majesty,” Kaifun winced as he slowly stood.

 Gyu-Mao stared at all three confused. “What’s going on?”

 “Grandpa.” Gohan stepped off the elevator. “Why are you not with Mom and Goten?”

 “ChiChi had to feed Goten. I made some calls and I was going to join you in the food court.” Gyu-Mao noticed Kaifun and Mrs. Niver stepping off the elevator, too. “What are you two doing here?”

 “Grandma’s having a pacemaker put in. We saw Gohan and came up to see ChiChi and the baby.”

 “Only he tried to stop us!” Mrs. Niver pointed at Gohan. “He almost broke Kaifun’s wrist!”

 Gyu-Mao noticed Kaifun still rubbing his wrist. Gohan didn’t defend himself so Gyu-Mao surmised the accusations were true. “If Gohan did it, he must’ve had a reason. Gohan? Wanna tell Grandpa what happened?”

 The glare Gohan sent Kaifun and Mrs. Niver forced Kaifun to take a step back. “I know what happened the day I was born. I didn’t want them to see Mom and Goten.”

 Gyu-Mao was proud. The boy definitely had his father in him. “You’re protective. Just like your Pops. Don’t worry, Gohan. They can see them.” Gyu-Mao smiled at Kaifun and Mrs. Niver but his intense eyes signaled a silent threat to them. “They wouldn’t dare repeat what happen the day you were born. Come on,” Gyu-Mao led everyone to ChiChi’s room. “Let’s see ChiChi and my grandson.”

 Unaware of the drama, ChiChi enjoyed private time with Goten. “So, you’re here. A little early but you’re here.” Goten quietly nursed from ChiChi. “I should’ve expected that. Your Daddy wasn’t patient either when he really wanted something. I wish your Daddy can see you. He would’ve been eager to hold you.”

 ChiChi caressed a plumped cheek. “Daddy’s not here, Goten, but I’ll do my best to love you for both of us. Gohan and I will do things Daddy would do with you. We’ll take you fishing. We’ll take you camping. We’ll…..” she paused suddenly overwhelmed, “….. we’ll even train you. Well, maybe Gohan will train you. He’s probably the best person since he knows Daddy’s skills and I want you to be as strong as possible because it’s what your Daddy will want.” During her talk, Goten fell asleep again. ChiChi pulled him from her breast. “And when you see Daddy in heaven, you can tell him how strong you became.”

 ChiChi covered herself when she heard a light tap on her door. “ChiChi, are you still feeding?”

 “I’m done, Dad.”

 “I have some company.”

 “Krillin and Bulma are back?”

 “No, not them.” Gyu-Mao stepped in with Gohan close behind him. Lagging behind Gohan were Kaifun and Mrs. Niver.

 Color drained from ChiChi’s face. Her mind flashed to the day of Gohan’s birth. She remembered Mrs. Niver’s cold insult; the screaming from her father; baby Gohan crying. She instinctively pulled Goten closer.

 “I didn’t want them here,” Gohan announced as he placed his bags of food on a table, “but Grandpa said it’s okay.”

 “Mrs. Niver is having a pacemaker put in but she and Kaifun want to see the baby. I said it’s all right.” Gyu-Mao saw ChiChi’s worry. “I think they want to make up for what they did when Gohan was born.”

 “It’s true,” Kaifun put in. “We just want to see the baby, wish you well and be on our way.”

 ChiChi noticed the glare on Gohan’s face and the smile on her father’s. Two different responses but Gohan’s was most concerning. “All right,” she reluctantly gave in.

 Kaifun stepped forward. When he saw Goten’s face, color drained from his face. I don’t believe it. “He’s…..” Kaifun began slowly, “he’s beautiful. He looks so strong and healthy being early.” He looks just like Goku.

 Kaifun’s pale face brought a little satisfaction to ChiChi as she proudly declared, “Goten’s strong like his Daddy. He’s inherited a lot from him.”

 “Obviously,” Kaifun murmured.

 Mrs. Niver stepped forward curious herself. When she saw Goten’s face, the color drained from her face, too. “No…..” she murmured shaking her head. “No. His face……” Mrs. Niver stepped back. She looked as if she had seen a ghost. “It’s like……. it’s like…..” Sweat perspired on her face, the air in the room thickened and her heart thumped wildly in her chest.

 “Grandma? Are you all right?”

 The old woman clutched her chest as she stumbled backward out the door. “Air….. I need… air..”

 “Grandma!” Kaifun chased after the old woman. He found her leaning against the wall clutching her chest. “Grandma!” he worriedly clutched her shoulders. “Are you having a heart attack?”

“He’s come back from the grave.”

 Kaifun’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Who did?”

 “That….. waste of ….. sperm. Goku.” She was hyperventilating now. “I thought we were finally rid of him…..” She squeezed her hand over her chest, “but he’s come back to haunt us again!”

 Goten’s face was a shock but Kaifun didn’t think Goku was haunting them. “I don’t think he’s haunting anyone.”

 “That child is the spitting image of Goku. Children resemble their parents but this is ridiculous!” Mrs. Niver groaned frustrated. “What did I do to become so cursed? He’s probably in Hell laughing at us.”

 ****

 “Mmm! Ahhh!” ChiChi cried out with her face turned on a pillow. She bit her lip. She had to keep quiet. She couldn’t be as loud as before.

 But Goku’s mouth was so good and she needed this after so long. It was the first coupling since their baby’s birth. She and Goku were both eager for this night. Goku was ready more than her. All day he couldn’t resist touching and rubbing against her in anticipation.

 A leg wrapped around Goku’s back at her eager cry. She was close now. Biting her lip, ChiChi tried to subdue herself but Goku’s loving mouth and tongue, ultimately forced a loud cry to burst from her lips while her body convulsed.

 Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she recovered. She felt movement as Goku rose from between her legs. He licked his lips as she tried to catch her breath. “I think you taste even better, ChiChi.”

 Goku spread her wider as he pinned her left leg back and hooked her right leg over his shoulder. Her martial arts training always kept her body in great shape and helped her recover post-pregnancy. Still, Goku knew he had to be careful and patient for their first time. He was extra attentive preparing her body moments ago as he slowly eased himself into her.

 A sweet sigh escaped her lips as Goku stretched her insides. There was a slight pain but it was worth it to feel this again. “I missed this.”

 “You?” Goku groaned over her. “I missed it more than you.”

 ChiChi gripped a muscled pec as Goku filled her completely. “Really? Why don’t you show me?” Goku answered moving in her slow then….. fast.

 “Ah, you’re still so tight,” Goku gritted through thrusts. “Feels….. good.”

 “So…..” she gasped as Goku moved in and out of her. “….. do you.” Wrapping an arm around his neck, ChiChi pulled him closer for a kiss. The rhythm of their body was out of sync due to the break of the last month of her pregnancy and adjusting to life with a baby but with each thrust, each gasp and groan they were working their way back.

 Their coupling was perfect until the sound of a baby crying broke through the baby monitor. ChiChi tried to pretend it wasn’t true but the cry persisted. Goku was unaware as he continued to move in and out of her. ChiChi pressed her hands on Goku’s chest and pulled from his lips.

 “Wait. Stop, Goku.” ChiChi squeezed his chest harder. This ceased Goku’s movement. “The baby’s crying. Gohan needs me.”

 “Baby? Gohan?” Goku repeated confused. “ChiChi, Gohan’s ten. It’s Goten crying for you.”

 “Goten?” ChiChi saw a baby crib by the window. ChiChi got out of bed and went to the crib. Inside wasn’t baby Gohan but a baby resembling Goku. She turned to her bed to see Goku disappearing.  

 ChiChi’s eyes opened to darkness. Her ears nearly burned at baby Goten crying.

 It was only a dream.

 Goten cried even louder but ChiChi rolled on her side and stared at the empty, cold side of the bed left vacant by Goku.  

 ChiChi, Gohan and Goten returned home after two days in the hospital. After visits from Krillin, Bulma and Trunks, Aki and his family, ChiChi made it clear she wanted these first months to be a bonding time for her family. Only Gyu-Mao regularly visited as ChiChi and Gohan adjusted to a baby in the house.

 ChiChi turned on the lamp and shuffled across the room to Goten’s crib. “Mommy’s here, Goten.” ChiChi felt the problem as soon as she picked up Goten. She placed her son on her former sewing desk that became a changing area.

 “I should be mad at you. You took Mommy from a pleasant dream with Daddy.” She removed the soiled diaper. As she wiped Goten clean, she said, “But I can’t be mad at you. You’re our special baby. You’re the child we thought about making before Daddy died before his reunion. You’re the child we put on hold when Daddy came back after his fight with Freeza. We talked about having you for years. When Daddy died, I didn’t think it will happen but you are proof we were meant to have a second child.”

 With a fresh diaper on him, ChiChi fed Goten but being a half Saiyan, he drunk milk faster than her body could produce. He cried out of hunger as ChiChi carried him to the kitchen. To her surprise, she saw Gohan pouring milk formula into bottles.

 “Gohan, it’s after two a.m. You should be sleeping.”

 “I woke up.”

 “Goten?”

 Gohan shook his head as he squirted milk on his left wrist. “I went to bed early and I work up early.” He tested the milk. He handed the bottle to ChiChi. “It’s warm enough for Goten.”

 ChiChi took the bottle and fed Goten. She appreciated the help but didn’t want Gohan to do this. “You do this when you’re a father, Gohan. Not a big brother. Go to bed.”

 Gohan didn’t listen as he cleaned the dishes. “Did you get up a lot with me?”

 “It wasn’t only me,” ChiChi said as she settled in a chair at the kitchen table. “Your Dad got up, too.”

“Really?”

 “Dad didn’t always sleep when I checked on you. Sometimes he went with me or he brought you to me.” She chuckled at a sudden memory. “Our first night alone with you, Dad jumped out of bed and zoomed out of our room when you cried.”

 Gohan laughed. “Really?”

 ChiChi giggled. “We spent a few days with Grandpa before we took you home. His staff helped us but we were both nervous the first night we were alone with you.” Goten finished drinking a bottle. Gohan gave ChiChi another one while he cleaned the used one.  

 Despite wanting Gohan to go to bed, his kindness and willingness to help was appreciated and reminded ChiChi of Goku helping when Gohan was a baby.

 ChiChi had three bottles in a pot of hot water. Some days she produced enough milk for Gohan and some days she couldn’t. Dr. Barkley assured ChiChi the amount of milk she produced was normal. It was Gohan who had an extra appetite. Sometimes ChiChi felt the doctor knew there was another reason but wasn’t telling her. Dr. Barkley told her what Goku can do as a father to stimulate more milk. When ChiChi told him this, Goku was eager to help.

 “Gohan still hungry?”

 ChiChi saw Goku standing in the doorway. “Sorry Gohan woke you.”

 Goku yawned as he stepped into the kitchen. “Guess that’s my fault. Gohan eats like me.”

 “Don’t I know it,” ChiChi yawned as she paced with a crying Gohan. “Gohan emptied me but he’s still hungry. I didn’t produce enough milk for this feeding. Maybe in the morning, I’ll have enough. I’ll……” she paused when she felt Goku’s hand on her right breast. “Goku.”

 Goku wiggled his eyebrows at her as he gave her breast a gentle squeeze. “When Gohan goes to sleep, I’ll help you.” He sealed this promise with a kiss before taking Gohan out of her arms. He bounced his baby boy in his arms as ChiChi tested a bottle on her wrist. “Are the bottles ready?”

 ChiChi licked the warm milk on her wrist. “Yes.” ChiChi reached to take Gohan out of Goku’s arms but he took the bottle out of her hand. “I’ll watch Gohan. Go to bed.”

 “But…..” ChiChi hesitated.

 “You played with Gohan all day.” He grinned. “It’s my turn.”

 ChiChi thought to protest but changed her mind. Goku spent most of the day working on Mr. Olitz’s farm. When he came home, Gohan was already sleeping. “All right.” ChiChi left. She returned to her bedroom but before she climbed in bed, she wondered about Goku and if he can really handle Gohan. He was fussier and more active now. It might be too much for Goku.

 ChiChi quietly returned to the living room. There, she saw Goku sitting on the sofa feeding Gohan his bottle. “Ya just like your Pops. Eat like me; got a tail like me; got my eyes but I see some of Mommy, too.”

 Goku put down the empty bottle and reached for another one. “Full?” Goku rubbed the bottle’s nipple around Gohan’s mouth. He turned his head. Goku put the bottle down. “You’ll be hungry in another hour like me.” Goku stood and rubbed Gohan’s back while pacing the room.

 “Kind of wild you’re mine, Gohan. I never thought about being a Daddy. Bulma has a Daddy. I saw Daddies when I traveled but I never pictured that for me.” Gohan rested his head on his Daddy’s shoulder. The way he looked at Goku it was as if he understood his words. “I didn’t think about the future except fighting and winning the tournament. Good thing Mommy found me and reminded me of our promise.”

 ChiChi noticed Goku grinning. Was he thinking about them meeting again? “Sometimes I think of what would’ve happened if Mommy didn’t find me. I think I would’ve come back here. I’d be happy…… but not like now.” Gohan released a small belch. ChiChi shook her head as Goku looked over his shoulder. “Oops. Forgot that bib thing.”

 Goku lifted a giggling Gohan over his head. “You like spitting on Daddy?” Gohan answered with a laugh. “I forgive ya. I’ll probably forgive ya for anything.” Gohan squealed as Goku raised him higher. “Grandpa told me he’ll forgive me for anything, too.” ChiChi worried over Goku flying Gohan over his head. Gohan may spit up even more. Goku realized that, too. He lowered Gohan but held him close. As she watched the two, ChiChi noticed a change on Goku’s face. He smiled as always but he stared at Gohan for a very long moment. Gohan reached out to touch Goku’s face. His tiny hand touched Goku’s nose, his cheek and lips before the child suddenly stopped to stare at him. It was as if father and son were silently communicating with each other.

  “Grandpa said something to me I wanna say to you.” Goku embraced Gohan tenderly against his chest. “Gohan, I’m so happy you’re mine.”

 ChiChi turned away with a hand over her mouth. Tears streamed down her face as she returned to her bedroom to give Goku private time with Gohan.

 “Yup. Your Dad was very helpful.” ChiChi settled Goten’s head on her shoulder and patted his back gently. “But, Gohan, this is my responsibility. They’ll be plenty of time for you to do this when you’re a Daddy. Go to bed.”

 “I just want to help.”

 “You did. I appreciate this but this isn’t your job.”

 “Okay,” Gohan gave in. Everything was clean anyway. “Good night, Mom.” Gohan patted Goten’s head. “Good night, Goten.”

 When Gohan left, ChiChi gazed at the ceiling. Goten’s cooing warmed her heart but ChiChi burst with pride thinking of Gohan. “We did a good job with Gohan, Goku. You’re not here but look after me as I care for Goten and try to do a good job with him.”

 ****

 “That fight with Olibu was tougher than I thought it would be.” Goku rubbed a shoulder. ��But I got him.”

 “He’s improved since he died,” King Kai complimented as he walked alongside Goku. “Imagine how much stronger you will be after a thousand years.”

 “He’s a good fighter,” Goku praised the blonde warrior. “But he talks so much. He asked so many questions about Earth.”

 “He’s from Earth, Goku, and you’re the first Earthling he’s spoken to in a while. Olibu spends most of his time on the Grand Kai’s planet. I think the last Earthling he’s seen is Master Mutaito and he spends most of his time here with non-warriors.”

 They were in the part of Heaven where good people who weren’t fighters resided. It was King Kai’s idea for Goku to split his time into different parts of Heaven. “This place is huge. I don’t think I will ever reach its limits.”

 “That’s because there are no limits,” King Kai reminded him. “This place is home of the dead for thousands of years and all planets in the galaxy.”

 Goku and King Kai stopped to allow a group of flowing spirits to pass them. “I haven’t seen any Saiyans.”

 “Goku, your race didn’t have a reputation for being good people. They are in Hell or their spirits have been reincarnated.”

 “Like my parents?” In a rare moment of awkwardness, Goku appeared uncomfortable. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I know I probably couldn’t see them, but after meeting Grandpa again…… I just thought……”

 “They were reincarnated many years ago.”

 “I thought so.” Goku wasn’t surprised but there was disappointment in his voice. “I know I shouldn’t have expected them to be… but I thought since I’m dead……” he trailed off as something caught his eyes.

 King Kai continued walking unaware he left Goku. “Nothing wrong with wondering, Goku. I would’ve been concerned if you didn’t ask. There’s a transition everyone experiences after they die. Just like the living has to get used to their loved ones being dead, the dead has to get used to not being around the living. The first time you died you didn’t think about this since you knew you were going back, but this time it’s permanent and I know you weren’t thinking of leaving so soon.”

 King Kai’s sage words were met with silence. Looking around, he noticed Goku wasn’t beside him. Goku stared at a couple. Returning to Goku’s side, King Kai tried to understand what about this couple caught Goku’s interest. The man wore a dark suit and the woman wore a white dress.  

 “They look like Earthlings,” King Kai remarked. “Did you know them, Goku?”

 “No…….” Goku continued staring. “But they died on their wedding day.”

 “Wedding?” King Kai repeated. “Oh, that’s the bonding ceremony for humans. Death claims anybody at anytime, Goku.”

 “The woman has a bun in her hair like ChiChi.” The woman’s dress reminded him of ChiChi’s, too. Goku heard King Kai talking but his mind traveled to his wedding day.

 “Do you like being married, Goku?” ChiChi and Goku soared on Nimbus after saying goodbye to everyone. The fun wedding was over and it was time for their honeymoon to start. With the time they spent before this day, Goku had an idea of what will happen alone with ChiChi and looked forward to it.

 Since their “I do’s”, Goku and ChiChi were caught up in a whirlwind of activity: taking pictures together and with guests, talking to guests (ChiChi did most of that), eating (Goku did most of that) and dancing.  

 So far, Goku liked being married. “It hasn’t been long but I like it. I didn’t know we had to talk to so many people.”

 “That’s what happens at a wedding. So many people come together to celebrate the start of our lives.”

 “Start of our lives?”

 “Yes, Goku. After today, we’ll spend a lot of time alone.” ChiChi nuzzled her nose against his neck. “We’ll get to know each other even more. We’ll do many things together. We’ll have children, grandchildren and grow old together.”

 Goku’s eyes grew wide. “That’s a lot.” And some of it he didn’t understand like the children part, but if ChiChi was willing to show him, he was willing to try.

 ****

 “Eat some more carrots,” Goku dipped a spoonful of mashed carrots in a baby jar of smashed apples. “And apples, Gohan.” He brought the spoon to Gohan’s lips. His baby boy obediently opened his mouth to receive the food. “That’s a good boy. This food will make you big and strong like me.”

 ChiChi placed lunch dishes for her and Goku on the table. “Smells good.” Goku opened his mouth as ChiChi held a spoonful of food for him.

 He turned away to feed Gohan. While Gohan chewed his food, Goku got fed by ChiChi again. ChiChi took a moment to feed herself and Goku before he fed Gohan. The three tried to stay in sync with eating but food spilled on Goku and Gohan. Most of the food was eaten but Gohan was sloppier than him when lunch was over.

 “Gohan’s a mess,” ChiChi frowned at Gohan’s food covered face as she gathered the empty dishes. “I think you got more food on Gohan’s clothes than his mouth.”

 “He ate enough.” Goku pulled Gohan out of his highchair. “He ain’t crying so he ain’t hungry.”

 “I suppose,” ChiChi weakly agreed as she placed the dishes in the hot sink. “I’ll bathe Gohan while the dishes soak.”

 “Imma give me and Gohan a bath, ChiChi,” Goku told her. He was almost out of the room when ChiChi asked him, “You’re happy, aren’t you, Goku?”

 “Hmm?”

 “Happy,” ChiChi repeated. “On our wedding day, I asked if you like being married. You said it was still early but you liked it so far.”

 “I still meant it. I like it even more now I understand.” He made a silly face at Gohan who burst into giggles. “If I didn’t marry you, we wouldn’t have Gohan. I’m glad you came back in my life.”

 ChiChi came to Goku’s side. She pressed a kiss on Gohan’s cheek. “I’m glad, too.”

 “So, why did you ask if I am happy?” Now Goku was curious.

ChiChi shrugged. “I know you’ve been used to fighting all your life. I wasn’t sure how settling down made you.”

 “Oh.” Now he understood. Sort of. “Well, I like fighting but this is fun, too, and I kinda wanted a break.” Since his encounter with the Red Ribbon Army, all Goku did was fight. He only meant to collect his Grandpa’s four-star dragon ball but it spiraled into him taking down the Red Ribbon Army with no break in between to prepare for the next tournament. “Before we married, it was years before I relaxed and not fight for something or prepare for one. I’m glad to take it easy and do other things. I’ll get another fight soon, but I’m happy with life now.”

“And it’ll be long life now there’s peace in the world, Goku. We’ll get to see our son grow up in peace, marry and have grandkids for us to play with.”

 Goku and ChiChi had three more years before their family life spiraled where they were separated for two years. In the last three years, the family was together but Piccolo lived with them. It wasn’t the same. Their lives were forced on hold. Their plans to expand their family was put on hold. Goku thought they will have time after the Artificial Humans were defeated but it wasn’t until the days before the Cell Game Goku realized how much time was wasted.

 “Goku?”

 His teacher knew him enough to understand the emotions churning in him and Goku didn’t want to share it. There was one he wanted to share his emotions with but she wouldn’t be here for a long time.

 “I’m fine, King Kai.”

 “The transition will pass,” the Lord of the North promised. “It’s a process you have to go through.”

 “I know.” He understood. He was dead. He can’t go back home. He won’t see his family for years. In a place where time isn’t measured Goku didn’t know how long the wait will be.

 “Daddy, how long do we have to wait for Mommy?”

 Goku and King Kai spotted a young man walking towards them holding a child in his arms. The child wore a similar uniform Gohan wore when he attended preschool. The way the child clutched his father reminded Goku of Gohan doing the same when he was so young.

 “I don’t know, Kiev. We’re dead now and it will be a while before Mommy sees us.”

 “It’s my fault we died, Daddy,” Kiev sniffled. “You died because you tried to save me. I’m sorry.”

 “It’s not your fault and I’ll do it again. We were meant to die together and wait for Mommy. I would never let you be here by yourself.” The father hugged his son. “We’re a team. We’re always gonna be a team. Okay?”

 “Okay, Daddy.”

 Father and son smiled in passing at Goku and King Kai. King Kai observed Goku’s stoic face. He was lost again in another memory. King Kai didn’t want Goku to feel pain but knew he had to. So far, Goku wasn’t going through the normal process of accepting death. That’s why he wanted Goku to spend his time between these two worlds. It was finally happening and as painful as this is, King Kai knew Goku will grow immensely from it.

Goku strolled home with a giant boar under one arm and a giant fish slung over his shoulder. There was always enough food to eat but ChiChi always kept the refrigerator and pantry stuffed with food. An empty shelf meant they were running low.

 Today Goku hunted and tomorrow he’ll train. ChiChi didn’t mind as long as he spent time with Gohan when he’s home from school. Goku agreed. Plus, he loved spending time with Gohan. This weekend they were going camping. Goku looked forward to that.

 When he entered his yard, Goku noticed ChiChi coming out of the house in a rush. She looked upset.

 Goku picked up his pace to ChiChi. “What’s wrong?”

 “Gohan’s school just called. Gohan was in the playground with his classmates when kids from another class picked on his tail. One kid tried to grab it. The teacher intervened but Gohan started crying. He jumped in a tree won’t come down.” She sighed, “I need to get him.”

 Goku lowered the animals on the ground. His frown mirrored ChiChi’s. “This is the third time this happened.”

 “I know,” ChiChi agreed. “We handled the kids in his classroom but I didn’t think about those other kids.”

 “Does Gohan need to go to preschool?” Goku asked. “You taught him stuff before he went. You can keep doing that.”

 “Gohan needs to socialize with children his age, Goku. He can’t be around us all the time.”

 “Then let me train him,” Goku insisted. “A kid tried to pull his tail today. Gohan needs to defend himself.”

 “Gohan doesn’t need to defend himself. The child tried to pull his tail. He didn’t throw a fist.”

 “Gohan’s crying in a tree and won’t come down!” Goku argued. “He wouldn’t have done that if he knew how to defend himself.”

 Normally, ChiChi would argue but when she didn’t, Goku knew ChiChi agreed with him. “I know,” she sighed. “But he’s too young to fight, Goku. We gotta do something else. Maybe Gohan should hide his tail while he’s in school.”

 “Gohan ain’t hidin’ his tail.” Goku was offended ChiChi suggested that. “I never did. Ain’t nothing wrong with Gohan’s tail.”

 “I know that, but I’ve been around kids, Goku, and kids are blunt. They don’t understand how mean they can be and teaching Gohan to defend himself won’t solve the problem. Gohan has to learn to ignore the words like you did otherwise he’ll fight anyone who says anything bad about his tail and that’s not our baby.”

 “No…..” Goku didn’t want that either. He was called stupid a lot, even by his friends and during his travels, his tail got attention. It never bothered Goku. He didn’t care what they thought but Gohan was different. Words bothered him like it did ChiChi sometimes. When the three were out together, sometimes they got stares or giggles and it was at Gohan who never noticed thanks to him and ChiChi.

“I’ll pick up, Gohan,” Goku decided. “I’ll talk to him.”

 “Okay,” ChiChi agreed. “I’ll make Gohan’s favorite.”

 Gohan wasn’t the only one in the family to receive stares. Goku received them when he dropped off or picked up Gohan on Nimbus. In the playground, Gohan’s teacher and classmates surrounded the tree. They tried encouraging Gohan to come down. Gohan didn’t listen as he sat on a high branch and clutched the tree trunk crying.

 “It’s Gohan’s Daddy on the cloud!” A child pointed at Goku flying in.

 Nimbus slowly floated to Gohan who cried so loudly he didn’t hear them. “Gohan…. it’s Daddy.”

 Gohan pulled away from the tree trunk. His teary face lit up! He jumped from the tree and into Goku’s arms. “Daddy!!”

 Nimbus lowered to the ground. Gohan’s classmates gathered around Nimbus and touched the cloud in aww and pleas to get on it. “I’m taking Gohan home.”

 “Of course. I’ll bring Gohan’s bag. Come, children,” the teacher ushered the whining kids away from the cloud.

 Goku wiped away Gohan’s tears. “Wanna tell Daddy what happened?”

 Gohan sniffed. “I was playing in the sandbox when a kid asked about my tail. He thought it was a toy and wanted to pull it. I wouldn’t let him. Other kids tried to grab it so I ran and I got in the tree.”

 “Mr. Son?”

 Goku noticed Gohan’s teacher returning with Gohan’s lesson bag and school hat. She waved him over implying she wanted to speak alone.

 “Stay on Nimbus,” Goku told Gohan as he got off and walked to Gohan’s teacher.

 The teacher handed Goku Gohan’s belongings. “I tried to stop the teasing. The kids in my class know not to do that but not the other children.”

 “Guess it can’t be helped.”

 “Gohan did something unusual, Mr. Son.”

 “Unusual?”

 The teacher nodded. “I was right here when I saw the kids teasing. I was coming over when Gohan ran from them and suddenly jumped into the tree. He jumped twenty feet off the ground. He didn’t climb the branches at all.”

Goku looked at the tree in question. “Gohan jumped all by himself?” He knew it. He knew Gohan has strength in him. Goku took Gohan’s belongings and returned to the cloud. As Nimbus began the journey home, Goku asked, “So, you got up the tree by yourself?”

 Gohan shrugged. “I guess so. I was on the ground and then I was in the tree.”

 “You don’t remember how you got there?”

 Gohan shook his head. “No, Daddy.  Daddy, how come I have a tail? My classmates don’t have one and the kids at Grandpa’s village don’t have a tail either. Why do I have one?”

 ChiChi warned him Gohan will have these questions one day and they should talk about it but Goku refused. He didn’t care people asked about his tail. He thought Gohan would react the same way. Now he saw he was wrong. “Because you’re my son.” He ruffled Gohan’s head. “I had a tail when I was a kid, too.”

 “What happened to your tail?”

“It was removed.”

 “Why?”

 Kami explained but now Goku doubted that was true. Why would it be trouble for the world if he kept his tail? “Kami told me it had to be removed. It had to do with the safety of the world. I believed him then but now I think I was tricked. If I could do it over again, I would keep my tail.”

 “Did other kids talk about your tail, too, Daddy?”

 Goku laughed. “My tail was the last thing they talked about. People called me stupid. They wondered why I was so strong. They wonder why they couldn’t kill me.” Gohan giggled. “Ah, is that a smile I see? You think it’s funny people wanna kill Daddy?”

 Gohan shook his head laughing. “It’s funny people think they can kill you. You’re the strongest person in the world, Daddy. No one can beat you.”

 Goku liked to believe that but he wasn’t that naïve. Gohan was all smiles now in his lap and waving at the birds that passed. Gohan was happy but talk about his tail bothered Goku. “Gohan, do you hate your tail?”

 “No. I like it but I don’t like people calling me names because I have a tail.”

 Goku was very glad to hear Gohan didn’t hate his tail but he needed to work on his son not caring what others think. “Gohan, you shouldn’t care what people say. It’s more important what you think.”

 “What about you and Mommy?” Gohan asked worriedly. “Should I care what you two think?”

“I guess,” Goku slowly answered, not certain himself, “but me and Mommy can be wrong, too. No matter what, Gohan, me and Mommy will be happy with what you want.”

 Gohan grinned at Goku. Seeing his little boy’s face light up really made Goku happy. “Okay. Daddy.”

 “I guess words can hurt but ya gotta be strong, Gohan, and I know you are.”

 “I’m not strong like you, Daddy, but I’ll try.”

 “You are strong like me, Gohan. You just don’t know it yet, but one day, you’ll see. Now,” Goku tickled Gohan who burst into giggles and pleas for Goku to stop, “wanna race home? Mommy’s making your favorite!”

 “Yay!” Gohan cheered.

 “Tell Nimbus to fly faster.”

 “Faster Nimbus!”

 Father and son laughter echoed in the sky as they zoomed home.  

 It was bittersweet for Goku how Gohan realized how strong he is. He always pictured sharing this moment with Gohan together but they were separated and have to deal with it alone. As much as he told Gohan to not feel sad about him being dead, Goku knew Gohan was sad and ChiChi…. His mind played over ChiChi wailing on the floor at his dead.

 ChiChi, I’m so sorry.

 “King Kai, I think I will visit Grandpa.”

 “Okay, Goku. Take your……” Goku was already flying away, “……time.”

 ****

  “We are not blood but you do take after me, my boy.” Gohan Sr. observed the glum composure of Goku. “When I had time alone, I thought about my decision and regret not telling you about that tail.”

 Dealing with sadness wasn’t something Goku was accustomed to. He didn’t like being sad. He didn’t like dealing with his emotions if they weren’t happy. “I thought it was the right decision.”

 Whack!

 “Ow! Grandpa!” Goku rubbed the back of his stinging head. He was dead but Grandpa Gohan smacks still hurt. “Why did you hit me?”

 “I was silent because I was protecting you. Only I was at risk not telling you the truth. Your decision took you from your family!”

 “Your decision took you from me,” Goku argued. “I had to live in the woods alone for years.”

 Whack!

 “My mistake should’ve told you to not stay dead.” Grandpa Gohan scolded Goku.

 Goku rubbed the back of his neck irritably. “I didn’t wanna stay dead, Grandpa, but I kept putting everyone in danger. My brother came for me and kidnapped my son. I defeated Freeza and he tried to kill everyone on Earth. I was only trying to find the dragon ball you kept when I met the Red Ribbon Army. A friend’s Dad was murdered because they wanted the dragon balls I had.” He was pacing now and the more Goku thought on this, the angrier he got. “I defeated the Red Ribbon Army to get the dragon balls to bring that friend’s Dad back to life and sixteen years later someone I never met when I fought the Red Ribbon Army wanted revenge on me. His revenge almost destroyed the world! In another timeline, everyone’s dead! Everything bad happening was tied to me!”

 Goku was in his Super Saiyan form now. His gold aura was almost blinding. Grandpa Gohan cautiously approached Goku. He placed a weathered hand on Goku’s strong shoulder. The simple contact was enough for Goku to depower to his base form.

 Ashamed at his outburst, Goku turned away from Grandpa Gohan. “I just wanted to fight for fun, Grandpa, but it kept hurting everyone. Gohan’s childhood was taken. Me and ChiChi never had a chance to make more children. When I was coming home from space, I thought I was done being the hero. I thought I was going back to a peaceful planet and me, Gohan and ChiChi can go back to our lives but Trunks showed up. Three more years.” Goku sighed as he gazed at the peaceful horizon. “I thought this was it. I thought after this fight, everything will be normal again. I wouldn’t grow bored with Piccolo and Vegeta around. Me and ChiChi can have more kids and Gohan can be what he wants.”

 Goku sat on the grass emotionally exhausted. Nothing went as he thought. “When I was sick, I realize I didn’t have as much time as I thought. I wasted so much time putting off things, Grandpa. We really wanted another baby. ChiChi wanted peace so me and Gohan didn’t fight anymore. I could only give her that by staying dead.”

 Grandpa Gohan squeezed Goku’s shoulder gently. “But it’s not what you wanted… is it?”

 Grandpa Gohan heard a sniff from Goku before he shook his head. “No…..”

 “Regrets and missed opportunities are things we have to deal with when we crossover, Goku. You can’t go back. You have to come to terms with it and move on because there isn’t a guarantee you’ll meet again.” Grandpa Gohan hesitated but decided Goku needs to understand everything. “Even here. Everyone doesn’t keep their bodies, Goku. Your family may cross over as floating spirits.”

 That crossed Goku’s mind whenever he saw the floating spirits. Gohan may keep his body since he saved the world but what about ChiChi? She was a good person. She could fly Nimbus but was that enough for ChiChi to keep her body? King Yemma seemed selective on who kept their body and who didn’t.

 Coming to terms with all of this was harder than Goku thought since the consequences were still fresh. He didn’t know what constitutes as a day here but Goku thought many didn’t go by without him thinking about the Cell Game and Gohan. “I didn’t prepare Gohan like I should’ve, Grandpa. He didn’t listen to me when I told him to finish Cell.”

 “You said Gohan never acted this way before. If he did in that room, you would’ve warned him about the Saiyan rage.”

 If only that was all. “It’s not just that, Grandpa. I didn’t tell Gohan he will fight Cell.”

 “Why didn’t you?”

 “I think deep down I didn’t want Gohan to fight. I wanted to finish Cell off myself. It was created for revenge against me and I always fight my battles.” Goku put a hand over his heart. It was still strange to not feel a heartbeat. “But my body reached its limit.” That wasn’t the only reason. “I knew Gohan didn’t summon his rage like me but when he got mad, he was stronger than everyone but Gohan couldn’t naturally pull it. He had to be triggered. That was the flaw.”

 Grandpa Gohan rubbed his mustache. “That is a problem.”

 “Things were pretty bad when Gohan finally released it.” Goku felt pretty good seeing the shock on everyone’s faces when Gohan ascended. No one believed it. Everyone thought he was crazy but Goku knew what he was doing. “But when he did, it was amazing, Grandpa. Gohan has this tremendous power. When we trained, it was what I always wanted. Me and Gohan spending the day sparring, watching him grow stronger. It was just like you and me, Grandpa.”

 Grandpa Gohan could feel Goku’s pride. He felt the same when he trained Goku. “Made you feel pretty good seeing that.”

 “Yeah,” Goku agreed. He burst with pride thinking of how strong Gohan is. “I don’t have much to offer Gohan so it feels good teaching him something I’m good at. He’s so smart and responsible. He’s so much better than me, Grandpa. I’m really proud of him.”

 Grandpa Gohan felt that pride, too, because of how well Goku turned out and not for how strong he became. “Don’t be down on yourself, my boy. You’ve done more than I ever imagined. I worried you’d stay in the mountains forever but you didn’t. You traveled the world and universe. You saved so many people. You married a fine woman and have a great son. Be proud of your accomplishments because I am.”

 Seeing his kind Grandpa smiling at him with the same love and pride he felt for his son nearly overwhelmed Goku. “Thanks, Grandpa.”

 “My great-grandson sounds like a fine, young man, Goku. When we sparred together, there was no purpose other than our enjoyment and discipline for you.” The elder laughed, “You were a rambunctious child. For you and your son, sparring was great bonding but there was a purpose to your fighting.”

 “Yeah. Gohan doesn’t fight like me but he does like it. Maybe it would’ve been different if I trained him first. I wanted to when Gohan was one but ChiChi said no.”

 “One?” Grandpa Gohan laughed. “That’s too young! You were almost four when I showed you the basics. You were too eager with your son. No wonder your wife said no.”

 That wasn’t the only reason. “ChiChi thought Gohan should focus his mind on education.”

 “Nothing wrong with that. I tried schooling you, too. You did the work but you had more interest in martial arts. It held your attention more than schooling. You had a natural talent for martial arts so I nurtured it.”

 Nurtured. ChiChi said that about Gohan. She thought Gohan’s fast development meant he was special and his brain should be nurtured. ChiChi read to Gohan daily. She was so happy when Gohan brought her books for her to read to him. As often as he trained in the yard and knew Gohan watched him, Gohan never asked to be taught. Gohan only wanted to play. When Goku initiated basic martial arts, Gohan showed he had a natural talent but not the interest.

 It took longer for Gohan’s interest to come out. Maybe if Gohan wasn’t kidnapped and forced into it by Piccolo, he would’ve developed a natural interest in fighting sooner.

 Training with Gohan alone and seeing him display that power against Cell was confirmation for Goku Gohan did enjoy fighting. Goku saw it as a good thing Gohan didn’t fight like him. That meant his interests can expand. Gohan can do the school stuff like ChiChi wants but he can do the fighting stuff like me, too. Gohan’s smart enough to balance both. I wonder how much stronger Gohan will be when I see him again.

 Reality hit again how he will miss seeing Gohan grow up and grow stronger and thinking of Gohan, got Goku thinking of ChiChi and how he misses her. There’s no more waking up to her in the morning. He can’t eat her cooking; hold her hand when they stroll Mount Paouz, soak in the cauldron together or engage in anymore intimacy. No more family dinners, holidays or sitting together after dinner enjoying games together.

 ChiChi crying on the floor and Gohan comforting her after his death were his last memories and it’ll be a long time before he can apologize to both of them.  If he can. He didn’t forget about the floating spirits.

 “Grandpa, how do you deal with the wait?”

 Transition to death was hard. Grandpa Gohan experienced hardship accepting this life when he crossed over. It would’ve been easier if he didn’t worry about the child he left behind. Now that child was a man going through it, too. “There’s no timetable, Goku. It comes from accepting this is your home. There’s a new life here to explore; new friends to make. Time here passes differently and you’ll be so busy getting stronger and making new friends, your family will crossover before you realized a lifetime has passed.”

 As always Grandpa knew what to say but accepting this new home meant accepting, really accepting he won’t see his family for a long time and that was something he could only do alone. “Thanks, Grandpa. If you don’t mind, I want to be alone now.”

 My boy, you really have grown up. The old man stood and gently patted Goku’s shoulder. “Take all the time you need.”

  *****

 It was rare for ChiChi to enjoy a quiet afternoon at home. Goten slept, Gohan was away visiting Piccolo on Kami’s Temple and her father left an hour ago with toys for Goten. She didn’t need to start dinner for another hour and used this quiet moment to read while drinking her favorite tea.

 ChiChi was engrossed in a climactic chapter of her book when the doorbell rang. Closing her book, ChiChi looked out the window and saw an airship in her yard. There were several men dressed in black suits standing outside. Curious, ChiChi opened the door to see the King of Earth on the other side with two tall men in black.

 “Your Majesty.” ChiChi bowed before the dog king.

 “I’m sorry for coming unannounced.” The king bowed before ChiChi. “May I come in?” He signaled his bodyguards to wait outside.

 “Of course.” ChiChi stepped aside to let the ruler of Earth in. She had her suspicions on his visit but hoped to be wrong. “Would you like some tea?”

 “No, thank you. I won’t stay long.”

 ChiChi invited him to sit on the sofa. “What brings you here?”

 “The first anniversary of the Cell Game is approaching. Mr. Satan is lauded as the one who killed Cell. There will be a parade and ceremony at my castle.” Verbally, ChiChi didn’t speak but the king saw pain in her eyes. “I can’t shake this feeling it’s not true. Son Goku killed King Piccolo. He saved us from his son. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen him but I could’ve sworn I saw Son Goku at the Cell Game. A man with blonde hair looked like him.”

 “Oh.” Now she had confirmation. “So, that’s why you are here.”

 The King’s fur bristled in worry. Something was wrong. “Is Son Goku around? I’d like to speak to him.”

 ChiChi dwelled on the question before finally saying, “My husband died nearly a year ago.”

 “Nearly a year ago?” he picked up. He was afraid to ask but did so anyway. “Son Goku was at the Cell Game, wasn’t he? That little boy that fought Cell….. was that Son Goku’s son?”

 Goten’s crying from the baby monitor saved ChiChi from answering. “Excuse me.” ChiChi rose and hurried out of the room.

 Alone, the King of Earth toured the room. He went to the wall of photographs to get a closer look at the pictures. There were many of Son Goku with his wife and son and one that confirmed what he suspected. A picture of Son Goku and his son with blonde hair.

 Oh, my Go—

 A soft gurgle made the King look away from the photograph to the baby in ChiChi’s arms. The baby was the spitting image of Goku and looked less than a year old.

 My husband died nearly a year ago.

 The truth hit the King like a ton of bricks.

 “My son gets fussy when he wakes from a nap and no one is around.”

 Shock coursed through the King of Earth as ChiChi settled in her seat. His mind spun over the truth and lie he was told. “Why didn’t you speak out? Son Goku died at the Cell Game. It wasn’t Mr. Satan that killed Cell. Son Goku died saving the world.”

 ChiChi waved a toy in her hand at Goten. Her focus was on keeping him happy. “Goku died at the Cell Game but it was our son, Gohan, who killed Cell.”

 This revelation shook the King of Earth to his core. “A child?” He remembered Gohan. He remembered seeing the power expel from the child. “It’s just as when Son Goku killed King Piccolo.” The King chastised himself for not realizing sooner. Son Goku saved the world from King Piccolo. Of course his son will save the world from Cell. “Why? Why didn’t you say anything? How could Mr. Satan take credit for what he didn’t do? Cities are being named after him. He’s getting a movie and book deals. I’m hosting a parade and ceremony for him!”

 Very rare in his life the dog King showed anger. He was always a calm and kind king but learning what Mr. Satan did infuriated him. “I’ll fix this. I’ll cancel the ceremony. I’ll tell the world the truth.”

 “Please don’t,” ChiChi pleaded.

 Don’t?! “But why? The world deserves to know the truth.”

 “My family deserves to live in peace. Do you think I want television crews around my home? Do you think I want my family harassed when we go out? My son is still struggling with the death of his father. I know the attention that fraud is getting. Cameras are following him everywhere. Do you think I want that for my family? The media is insane now. Goku didn’t get this attention when he beat Piccolo.”

 That was true. Over the years the media have become more obsessed with celebrities and Mr. Satan was doing his part adding more fuel to that fire.

 “The world never knew Son Goku killed King Piccolo. They knew a child did. It’s dumb luck Son Goku was never publicly connected to King Piccolo and Piccolo’s defeat.”

 “I guess I should be fortunate for small favors, but I can’t come forward with the truth.”

 With the celebrity obsession now, the King understood ChiChi’s reluctance but he didn’t like this silence. In his eyes, the world deserved to know the truth.

 “I hate what that fraud has been doing. I hate he’s making his money off my family’s hard work. I hate my husband will not get the recognition he deserves….” ChiChi’s voice shook as tears burst from her eyes. “I will never forgive that con artist but if being left alone is the price I have to pay for my family’s peace, then I accept it.”

 ChiChi’s cries caused Goten to suddenly cry. “I’m sorry, Goten,” ChiChi apologized to her baby. She rocked him gently to soothe his tears. “Mommy didn’t mean to cry.”

 Hiding the truth hurt ChiChi but her family came first. The King wanted rightful recognition for Son Goku but he couldn’t argue against his widow wanting peace for her family. Everything Son ChiChi said about the media would happen if they knew the truth.

 “I understand.” The King bowed before ChiChi. “One day, Son Goku and his son will get the recognition they deserve. I promise.”

 The King of Earth left the Son Family home very troubled and very conflicted. He didn’t want to honor ChiChi’s request. If there was a way to get the truth out without disturbing Son ChiChi’s peace, he will do that. Son ChiChi was right and wrong about the media. It’s a bit celebrity-obsessed but Mr. Satan sought the attention. Son Goku never did. He could’ve capitalized on his fame after defeating Piccolo. He could’ve gotten endorsements, a book and movie deal, made special appearances for money but instead retreated from society and his fight with Piccolo was a small footnote in history that the world forgot.

 In this last year, Mr. Satan did several promotions and appearances. He kept the Cell story alive and not let it be a forgotten news story. Perhaps he knew if he did, his fame and money will go, too. If the world knew the truth, Son ChiChi’s family will deal with some disturbance but it wouldn’t last long. Living far away from society, very few reporters would come here anyway. If Son ChiChi did one big interview, that will answer many questions and hinder anyone from returning.

 Telling the truth and betraying Son ChiChi’s wishes was something the King wrestled until the morning of the first anniversary of the Cell Game. Maybe it was the long sleep he got or confiding in his trusted advisor last night that he woke up this morning with clarity.

 I will honor the wishes of Son Goku’s wife. It’s the least I can do for her and the man who saved us.

 But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t let Mr. Satan know what he thought of him.

 His private office opened to loud, boisterous laughs of Mr. Satan bursting in. The more Mr. Satan lied and laughed the more irritated the King of Earth became. Dinner the previous night was insufferable. It took all in him to not lash out at Mr. Satan at his retelling of lies. Perhaps if his daughter wasn’t looking at him with pride he would’ve said something then.

 “Great day isn’t it, King!” Mr. Satan stepped to the window. He was pleased with the crowds of people gathering. “It’s a perfect day for so many people to come out and celebrate the end of Cell and my saving the world.”

 The King growled. If was like the four-legged dogs people kept as pets, he would bite Mr. Satan. “Before the ceremony begins, I want to talk to you.”

 “Sure.” Mr. Satan turned his attention back to the King. “Is this about how long my speech should be? I know I went long at the changing of my hometown’s name to mine but I promise to keep this one short. Thirty---- no twenty minutes.”

 “This isn’t about that.” This man didn’t know humility at all! “Today, I will give a speech honoring you and thanking you for defeating Cell. It will be the first and only lie I ever tell the people of this planet.”

 “Lie?” Mr. Satan kept his cool. There’s no way the King of Earth knew his dark secret. “What are you talking about, King? I defeated Cell. I saved the world.”

 “That is a lie and we both know it. I don’t know everything that happened at the Cell Game but I know the world wasn’t saved by you. It was saved by people who have far more integrity than you can ever have. It is only because of the great respect I have for the real savior, I don’t tell the world the truth. May mercy be placed on your soul when you meet King Yemma.”

 The harsh, brusque tone stunned Mr. Satan. His face warmed up and his heart thumped faster in his chest.  How did the King find out? The group with him at the Cell Game were the only ones who could blow his secret and Mr. Satan paid them off handsomely. If they spoke a word they lose all the money they have received. It was all tied up nicely unless one of those strange people at the Cell Game spoke.

 King Furry shook his head disgusted. The fraud still wouldn’t confess. “You have a daughter. How can you look at her every day and lie? How can you let her think you’re a hero when you’re a fraud? Where’s your honor?!”

 He’s a fraud. Mr. Satan knew that. The King can call him whatever he wanted but Mr. Satan didn’t accept his daughter being brought into the conversation.

 “Listen, King. You’re right. I didn’t kill Cell. One of those people in the group probably did it. I admit that but don’t bring my daughter into this. I’m doing this for her.” The King of Earth wasn’t moved and that bothered Mr. Satan. “Do you know who I was before the Cell Game? How broke I was? Sure I had some fame but no money to give my baby girl all she deserves and after losing her mother, she deserves everything!”

 Again the King of Earth was immune because he thought of the sweet face of a baby boy and his kind mother that wanted to protect the family of the real heroes. “If you want to use your daughter to gain sympathy from me, forget it. My sympathy goes to a baby boy that will never know his father and a boy that will grow into a man without him.”

 “Baby?” Mr. Satan repeated confused. Was this a made-up story from the King to make him feel guilty for what he’s doing? “I don’t know what you’re talking about but I did what I had to do for my daughter! Whoever killed Cell could’ve come forward but he never did. He doesn’t care what I’m doing so why should you? If he’s too dumb to capitalize on this, that’s his problem. Not mine. ”

 The King heard enough. Mr. Satan was thick-headed and blind with fame and ego. “One of these days, your daughter will know the truth. Remember that when you tell her you did it for her. I’ll honor you today but don’t expect another ceremony like this here again.”

 Mr. Satan accepted that. With his publicists, they can do celebrations every year elsewhere. He thought about using his fame to restart the World Martial Arts Tournament. It wouldn’t be a small affair like it was in the past. No. These will be big and flamboyant with multiple prizes. His future looked very bright except for one thing. The King of Earth knew his secret, and if he knew, how long it will be before the rest of the world knew?

 ****

 It was a sunny, warm day the first anniversary of Goku’s death. Gohan laid in bed that morning wide awake for an hour. He wanted to stay in bed and sleep the day away but knew he should get up. He needed to check on Mom. He heard her talking on the phone to Grandpa, Bulma and Krillin the last few days.

 No. I don’t want to do anything special, Bulma. I want to be home with my sons.

 No, Krillin, I think it’s best my sons and I stay together that day.

 I appreciate that, Dad, but I want to be alone with my sons.

 If Mom wanted to be around him and Goten today, then he shouldn’t stay in his room all day. Gohan left his room and went to the kitchen but he didn’t see his mother cooking. That was strange. She was always in the kitchen at this time.

 Gohan returned upstairs. He softly knocked on Mom’s door but after no answer, he turned the doorknob and quietly entered. Goten slept in his crib and Mom’s bed was empty and unmade. There was an open box by the closet. Gohan went to it and saw his Dad’s fighting gi.

 Putting pieces of this mystery together, Gohan noticed the bathroom door closed. Curious, Gohan pressed his ear against it. He heard soft sobs. Gohan slowly turned the doorknob to see his mother sitting on the bathroom floor crying into his Dad’s fighting gi. Gohan quietly closed the door.

 Gohan leaned on the door. Why did he look? Don’t cry. Don’t cry. You can’t cry anymore, Gohan. You have to be the man now. I have to be strong for Mom and Goten.

 After Goku’s death, ChiChi turned the top of the wooden chest into a shrine to Goku. It held a framed photo of Goku, a pot of flowers and incense. ChiChi arranged this months ago but it felt like yesterday to Gohan when she introduced him to it.

 “Dad’s gone but that doesn’t mean we can’t still talk to him and let him know what’s going on in our lives. I made this shrine so we can always talk to him. I’ll go first.”

 ChiChi stepped in front of the chest. “Goku, I have wonderful news for you.” ChiChi placed her hand on her round stomach. “I’m pregnant. We’re going to have another baby. Isn’t that wonderful? I know we talked about it since Gohan started preschool and things got in the way but it’s finally happening. It’s a boy.” ChiChi giggled. “I can see you throwing your fist in the air. I know you’re happy about that. Things will be different with him. I promise.”

 ChiChi turned to Gohan with a bright smile on her pretty face. “See, Gohan? It’s easy. Talk to your Dad, too. It’ll make you feel better.”

 Gohan didn’t speak to Dad’s shrine often. There was too much guilt but this morning Gohan felt compelled to talk.

 “Hey, Dad. It’s not a fun day today. You died a year ago. Mom doesn’t want to be around anyone except me and Goten. She’s crying in the bathroom and I don’t know what to do. It’s all my fault Mom’s crying. It’s my fault Goten won’t know you.”

 Gohan chewed his lower lip so he wouldn’t cry. “It’s my fault but I will make it right. I’ll protect Mom and Goten and be there for them.”

 As he made this promise, Gohan didn’t notice ChiChi quietly watching him.

 ****

 Breakfast passed quietly for Gohan. ChiChi and Goten were lively for different reasons. Even though he was born early, Goten still developed faster than human babies. At six months, Goten was a fast crawler and speaking one- or two-word sentences. Gohan noticed his mother talked about many things that morning; his lessons; a book she read; the weather; everything except the obvious: his father died today.

 After breakfast, Gohan gave Goten piggyback rides, chased Goten as he crawled over the house, played with his toys and concluded the morning watching TV. ChiChi played with them occasionally but spent most of the morning in the kitchen cooking for their afternoon picnic.

 “It’s a bright, beautiful day,” ChiChi said. “Instead of lunch inside, let’s have it in the yard.”

 Food covered the kitchen counters, stove and oven as ChiChi transferred food into serving dishes and picnic boxes. “I’m almost done. It’s time you two get away from the TV.”

 Goten sat in Gohan’s lap entertained by giant costume animals singing. “This show is fun, Mom. Goten likes it. I did, too. I used to watch this a lot.”

 “Yeah,” ChiChi agreed, “you did. You’d clutch your favorite stuffed rabbit while glued to the TV.” ChiChi looked up from her work. On the TV, the animals sang numbers and Goten repeated it a few. “At least it’s educational.”

 Gohan remembered this program and his stuffed rabbit from his early childhood. He wouldn’t go anywhere without it. After his kidnapping, Gohan never slept with his stuffed toys anymore. Goten had them now as companions.

 When the last commercial ended, Gohan expected another of Goten’s favorite program to start. Instead of seeing cartoon animals, a live feed of the King of Earth’s castle appeared on TV. There were crowds of celebratory people, marching bands and dancers. Gohan wondered what was going on until he saw Mr. Satan riding on top of a car waving at the people. In the car with him was the King of Earth waving very subdued.  

 Gohan saw him on TV a few times but generally avoided him. He didn’t want to see or hear Mr. Satan tell another lie of Cell. Goten wasn’t affected like his brother but he was bored not seeing his program. “’Han,” Goten tugged Gohan’s shirt. Goten was too young to fully pronounce Gohan’s name and could only call him Han. “TV?”

 “Sorry, Goten. Our program isn’t on today.” Goten frowned in the cutest grumpy face. “You can play with your toys.” He turned Goten to the alphabet blocks scattered on the sofa.

 “Ah!” Attention diverted, Goten reached for the blocks. He grabbed blocks and put letters together to make incoherent words.

 Meanwhile, Gohan watched the parade float take the King of Earth and Mr. Satan to a stage. Mr. Satan threw his arms up waving at the crowd and blowing kisses to his adoring fans. The King of Earth behaved with more decorum as he stepped to the podium. He spoke of the significance of this day and Mr. Satan’s heroics at the Cell Game.

 Heroics. Gohan scoffed. Gohan’s feelings for Mr. Satan were mixed. Gohan didn’t care about the media attention Mr. Satan captured but he wasn’t happy he took credit for what his Dad did. Dad died for everyone. He wouldn’t have beaten Cell without his Dad. Mr. Satan took credit for it and made a lot of money.

 The fame didn’t bother Gohan but the money did.

 When he was very young, Gohan remembered his Dad coming home with money on freelance jobs. While Dad was in space, Grandpa gave Mom money. He continued after Dad came home. Money never mattered to Gohan until he overheard a conversation with Mom and Grandpa two years ago.

 Today, there will be no training. It was a national holiday and Mom wanted him and Dad to take a day off and spend time together. Piccolo didn’t fly off this time. He took the day off, too. Gohan yawned as he shuffled out of bed. He left his room intending to get some fruit from the kitchen and read until breakfast is ready.

 In the hallway, Gohan heard the voices of his mother and Grandpa. Grandpa! Grandpa hasn’t visited much since Dad returned from space. Most times Gohan only saw Grandpa when they visited him in his castle. It was very strange to not see Grandpa around the house so much but Gohan figured that was due to him, Dad and Piccolo training for the Artificial Humans. They had one more year before their arrival and Gohan thought after that’s over, he will see more of his Grandpa again.

 “I can’t believe you have that kidnapper living in your house.”

 Grandpa sounded mad. Gohan didn’t hear this anger except when Grandpa talked about Dad when he was gone. Gohan remained hidden at the top of the stairs listening. From his view, Gohan saw Piccolo sleeping on the sofa with a blanket on him. Mom must’ve put that on him when she came downstairs. Feeling the level of his Ki, Gohan knew Piccolo was awake but pretending to sleep. Gohan saw a little of the kitchen from his view. Grandpa stood over Mom angry while she prepared several of her yummy donuts.

 “He’s a guest, Dad.”

 “Guests don’t stay for two years, ChiChi. He’s living here. He kidnapped my grandson. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

 “Of course it does. I didn’t like it when Goku brought him home but we are getting along. Piccolo regrets what he did to Gohan.”

 Grandpa sighed. “Oh, ChiChi. You’re being complicit. You and Gohan should’ve moved in with me two years ago.”

 Mom turned to Grandpa angry. “You expect me to leave my husband?”

“Is Goku being a husband to you?” The coldness of his Grandpa shook Gohan. “Besides, performing his husband duties to you, is he being a husband? He spends his days training with Gohan and Piccolo----”

 “You know why he is doing that,” Mom cut him off as she went back to her donuts.

 “He doesn’t work for the farmers anymore. Mr. Olitz offered Goku to come by once a week to do work so he can bring some money into the house.”

 There was that word again. Money. Was it really that bad for them?

 “He needs to train for the Artificial Humans,” Mom defended Dad.

 “So is everyone else, but they still need money to go about their lives now. I saw that Yamcha fella in a baseball game. I know the fight is in another year but you still have to live every day. If not for me, you wouldn’t have money to buy food for your family. You wouldn’t have money to buy Gohan a birthday gift.”

 Mom slammed a ball of dough on the counter. “What’s your point, Dad? Are you counting every cent of money you gave us? Are you expecting us to pay you back?”

 “No. I’m worried about you, ChiChi. I know this isn’t what you wanted. You moved out to be independent of me. You said you and Goku are adults and can take care of each other. I’ve been taking care of you financially half as long as you and Goku have been married.”

 Gohan noticed Mom stopped kneading the dough. She rubbed her arm over her eyes as if she were crying. Did it bother Mom that much?

 “After all this is over, Goku will get a job. We won’t depend on you anymore, Dad. We’ll be the independent adults I told you we will be.”

 Mr. Satan spoke at the podium. Gohan gripped the arm of the sofa tightly. Dad was dead and Mom still depended on Grandpa for money. Gohan noticed it more now since his Dad’s death Mom hated taking money from Grandpa. If she had some of that money Mr. Satan made, she wouldn’t depend on Grandpa anymore.

 Don’t we deserve that money?

 Suddenly the TV screen turned black. ChiChi held the remote. She looked as annoyed as Gohan felt. “Goten doesn’t need to see garbage. Lunch is ready.”

 The afternoon replicated a year ago: warm, sunny with few clouds in the sky. Only differences, there were no earthquakes of Cell fighting Goku and Gohan. No worriedly watching the TV of her husband and son fighting a monster. It was tranquil as Goten slept exhausted on the picnic blanket. Playing with Gohan most of the morning and eating ChiChi’s food exhausted the baby.  

 Mom’s food was great as always but Gohan’s thoughts were on the meaning of this day. He envied his brother not weighed with troubling memories but Gohan didn’t understand why Mom didn’t speak about what happened a year ago.

 “Is the food bad?”

 Gohan looked up at ChiChi gazing at him while she fixed her plate. “Hmm? No, Mom. It’s great.” He finished his sandwich to prove it.

 ChiChi smiled but the usual warmth didn’t reach her eyes. “I know today’s rough. This whole year has been rough. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe it’s been a year since Goku died.”

 Mom’s confession brought Gohan some relief. If Mom wanted to talk, maybe he can confess what’s on his mind, too. “Sometimes, I try to think Dad’s in space. It makes it easier.”

 “Maybe it’s easier but it doesn’t make it right,” ChiChi scooped a spoonful of potato salad on her plate. “I’ve been so busy with Goten, we never had that talk I promised we will have about Dad. It’s time, Gohan.”

 Gohan tensed slightly. Even though he knew it will happen, he still wasn’t ready for it.

 ChiChi added korokke to her plate. “Dad told you to finish Cell, but you didn’t want to. Why?”

Mom was calm. She spoke as if she will listen and not react strongly. It was comforting but didn’t ease the tightness in Gohan’s chest. “I didn’t think Cell suffered enough. I wanted him to pay. I don’t know what came over me, Mom, but Trunks said it happened to him, too.”

 “What happened?”

 Gohan combed his hair with his fingers agitated. “I don’t know if I can describe it, Mom. I was arrogant and I liked how strong I felt. I thought no one can stop me. I didn’t want to listen to anyone. Not even Dad.”

 So, that’s what happened. It affected Gohan, too. “Your Dad felt that, too, Gohan. It happened when he turned into a Super Saiyan.”

 Gohan filled his plate with more karaage. “Dad was really angry the first time he changed. It was scary but I know why he yelled at me.”

“One of the reasons Dad stayed away for a year, he wanted to control that Super Saiyan rage. On Yardrat, it spontaneously happened. It wasn’t safe being around him.”

 “Dad never told me this.” Gohan was disappointed to not know. “He told me he was recovering from his injuries and learning his teleportation trick.”

 “Dad didn’t want you to worry. He tried to keep it from me but I forced it out of him.” ChiChi was too busy filling her plate, explaining without thinking how cautious she should be. “Once Goku opened up, he told me stories he spontaneously burst into a Super Saiyan on Yardrat. It happened while he slept; while he ate, while he talked to the people on Yardrat. He thought he fully controlled it when he left but sometimes it still happened.”

 Gohan wondered where he were when this happened. “I never saw Dad change unless he wanted to. Sometimes I woke up feeling Dad’s Ki soar but I didn’t feel any threats. Dad was always around you.” Gohan thought that was strange but since he didn’t feel any threats, he ignored it. “If it wasn’t intentional, Mom, what happened to cause Dad to change?”

 ChiChi froze with her cheeks swollen with food. She never talked about Goku as a Super Saiyan with anyone. Bulma pried but ChiChi was tight-lipped. Distracted with food and talking about Goku, ChiChi let it slip something she hadn’t meant to say.

 “Hmm?” ChiChi feigned innocence.

 “What happened that caused Dad to change?”

 “Hah! Ahhh! Slow down, Goku.” ChiChi panted. “It’s hur…ahh!” she screamed as Goku slapped his body against hers.

 “I love your screams…..” Goku’s lustful voice breathed over ChiChi. “It boils my blood like your anger.” His powerful thrust caused ChiChi to cry out again. “That’s it. Scream for me.”

 ChiChi’s hips bounced off the bed at another powerful whap. The way Goku pummeled in her ChiChi was amazed her hips didn’t break.

 “Don’t worry.” Goku murmured over her. “I know how much you can take,” he slammed his body against hers. “And you can take a lot. You’re made for me….” One of his hands squeezed a breast. “Mine.” His mouth covered a nipple suckling and biting her flesh.

 “Goku….” His teeth hurt but ChiChi couldn’t deny how good he felt feeding off her breast and his body merging between her legs. He grabbed her left leg and pinned it behind her head, stretching her even wider as he pushed in and out of her rapidly. “I love how you keep your body fit for me.” He ignored her groans as he increased his thrusts. “I can twist your body anyway I desire and fuck you without breaking you.”

 Sweat from Goku dropped on her; his eyes and smiles were sinister. “Goku….” ChiChi grabbed a handful of his chest. “Too hard.”

 But Goku didn’t hear her as he kept slapping his body against hers faster. He was almost there and each quick thrust left her breathless to speak as she reached her end.

 “Rrgh!” Goku groaned as he came over her. Her body arched with the simultaneous intensity of her orgasm and his warm heat pouring into her. Dazed, she heard Goku’s, “That felt good. Didn’t it, ChiChi?”

 ChiChi only answered with heavy pants. Gazing at Goku, she noticed the change in his eyes. They weren’t feral anymore. Tears sprang from her eyes when she saw the guilt in his. He removed his hand from pinning ChiChi’s leg behind her head.

 As ChiChi lowered her leg, Goku depowered to his base form. “I did it again.” He kissed her tears. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Goku murmured repeatedly. His face buried in her neck as he kissed her apologetically. “I thought I had control in that form. I did on Yardrat.”

 ChiChi accepted the tender kisses. When Goku pulled back, ChiChi noticed his wet face. She couldn’t decipher if it were her tears or his. “Don’t apologize. We’re getting used to each other again.”

 ChiChi sounded hopeful but she knew Goku wasn’t happy with his behavior. “Maybe….. maybe we shouldn’t try it like this anymore.”

 ChiChi playfully tugged one of his spiky bangs. “You were the one who suddenly changed.”

 “I know,” he wasn’t happy he did. “I don’t know what happened. I saw you in your intimacy clothes and poof! Super Saiyan.”

 ChiChi kissed him. “I think that’s a compliment.”

 Goku wasn’t convinced this was a good thing. “It’s different now. Being a Super Saiyan completely changed me, ChiChi. I wanted control of it before I came home.” Goku’s voice was muffled as he buried his head in ChiChi’s hair. “I had control but I lost it, ChiChi. I don’t know what happened.”

 ChiChi understood but Goku didn’t. She pulled Goku’s head to lay on her breasts. Goku wrapped his arms around her like a scared child while ChiChi soothed him by caressing the spikes of his hair. “You did get control of those emotions, Goku. The problem is you got control of one kind of emotion.” Goku raised his head puzzled. “Goku, you got control of rage and bloodlust for fighting. You told me on Yardrat you remember intimate times with me. You suddenly burst into a Super Saiyan.” Goku nodded remembering.  “You controlled your emotions of rage sparked by fighting but you never had a chance to control your emotions of lust because I wasn’t there. Anger emotions and intimacy emotions are two different emotions, Goku.”

 Suddenly, it clicked for Goku. “Ohhhhh! So that means I have to get control of my lust emotions.”

 “You’re not the only one who has to train. I have to get my body stronger, too. I don’t wanna be worn out after one round with you as a Super Saiyan. We can achieve our goals with practice,” ChiChi advised as her hand glided down his muscled chest. “Lots of practice.”

 Goku grinned, liking that idea. “Like when we got married.”

 ChiChi remembered the short breaks before resuming intimacy multiple times, mornings she’d try to get out of bed but Goku pulled her back. There were afternoons after lunch Goku felt in the mood. “We had more time to practice. Not so much time now. Gohan. Your training.”

 “It’ll take longer,” Goku accepted as he crawled over ChiChi again. “But we’ll get there.”

 If Gohan didn’t know better he’d say Mom’s blushing. “I guess Dad suddenly changing into a Super Saiyan wasn’t bad but what triggered it?”

 ChiChi chewed an onigiri. She prayed she wasn’t blushing as she casually explained. “Past anger in fights and other experiences. Dad got it under control and um, I got stronger, too.”

 Got stronger? Gohan wondered what Mom meant until it hit him. “You and Dad trained together?!”

 “Do you think Mom is too weak to spar with Dad?” All the innuendos. ChiChi was so glad her son never caught on. If Goku were here, he would roll on the grass laughing. “I’m still a martial artist. Remember I did fight Dad when he escaped the hospital.”

 “Oh, yeah,” Gohan remembered the story ChiChi told at the family picnic before the Cell Game. “Wow, Mom.” Gohan was impressed. “You must be really tough to battle Dad as a Super Saiyan.”    

 ChiChi could see Gohan pondering more questions to ask but ChiChi turned the topic back on him. “So you didn’t feel this rage when you trained alone with Dad. It only happened at the Cell Game?” Gohan nodded as he reached for an apple. Is that why Goku never trained Gohan to control it?  

 “If I acted cocky in that room, I know Dad would’ve prepared me.” Gohan took a big bite into his apple. “One thing I don’t understand, Mom, is why Dad didn’t tell me I will fight Cell.”

 I know why he didn’t want to tell me, but why didn’t he tell Gohan? Goku, what the hell were you thinking? “I know his heart played a part in you fighting but Dad didn’t prepare you enough and that cost him his life, too.”

 “That’s not true, Mom.”

 “Dad knew you surpassed him but didn’t tell you, Gohan. He knew you will fight Cell but didn’t tell you until the Cell Game. I love your father, but he shares the blame, too.”

 Like her, Gohan could be stubborn. “No, Mom, you’re wrong. When we entered that room, Dad told me I will be a Super Saiyan and I will be stronger than him. I didn’t believe him because I never thought I can be stronger than Dad.” So many times Gohan thought over his time with Dad in that room. So many times he noticed things he missed when it happened. It made him feel even guiltier about his father’s death.

 “We’re not finished, Dad. You said you want me to be stronger than you. I’m not there yet. Maybe I will be when the year’s up.”

 “We are, Gohan. I’ve gotten as strong as I can and you…..” Dad was happy as always. “Gohan, you’re a Super Saiyan at nine years old. Four years ago, I was the only one. A year ago, it was me, Vegeta and Trunks. You’re younger than all of us. There’s no telling how much stronger you will be.  You’re stronger than me.”

 Gohan wished his Dad didn’t lie to make him feel better. “I’m stronger, Dad, but we know I’m not as strong as you. No one can be.”

 Gohan buried his face in his hands to hide the surfacing tears. “He told me, Mom. Before we left, he said I was stronger than him but I didn’t believe him.”

 ChiChi slid across the picnic blanket to enclose her arms around Gohan. Her brave boy. She held him as he gave into the tears and cried. “It’s not your fault you didn’t believe Dad, Gohan. As strong as you are, you were too young to be fighting.”

 “But I was the only one who could stop Cell!”

 Gohan’s pain broke ChiChi’s heart. “I know but you still weren’t ready and Dad didn’t see that. Your Dad asked me if he can bring you to that room. I told him to make you as strong as possible. I know that made him happy. Goku always wanted to train you, but in his excitement to finally do that, I don’t think he saw you didn’t have the same drive as him.

 “Your Dad and I both made mistakes. Dad saw your strength and thought it meant you’re like him. I saw an interest you have and went overboard with it.” Looking back, ChiChi saw flaws in both her and Goku’s parenting. “I did it because it was safe and not dangerous like your Dad’s interest but I also knew it was something you wanted.”

 Gohan rubbed his eyes as he tried to understand his Mom. “You mean studying?”

 ChiChi dried Gohan’s tears with a napkin. “Yes. We didn’t know about Dad’s lineage so we thought you were a special baby. You crawled, talked and walked so early. We both thought you were special and felt you should be nurtured but in different ways. I thought we should give you the best future possible and nurture your mind. I read to you every day. I taught you with flashcards and blocks so early at nine months you could put round, square and triangle pegs in the right hole.”

 That sounded like Mom. “What did Dad do?”

 “Dad taught you how to swim, helped you crawl and walk. He tested your reflexes and coordination. It was light training I approved of. Your Dad was very impressed at how quickly you developed physically. It gave him more reasons to think he should train you. The first time he asked you were barely a year old.”

 “A year?” Gohan laughed. “That’s kind of young.”

“Yup,” ChiChi agreed while fondly remembering Goku’s eagerness to train Gohan. “Every birthday he asked and I said no. Your Dad accepted that until a few months after your third birthday. I noticed Goku starting to lose patience and by your fourth, he was agitated, especially when you started preschool. He said, “’If Gohan can go to preschool, why can’t I teach him martial arts?’”

 “Kind of a stretch,” Gohan admitted. “I didn’t have to fight in school.”

 “No, but you did have issues. Some kids tried to pull your tail.”

 The incident drew a blank for Gohan. “It’s been so long since I’ve been to school I forgot a lot. I barely remember preschool.”

 “Do you miss school?” ChiChi thought after the fighting, Gohan will resume school but since Goku’s death, ChiChi hadn’t thought about sending Gohan to school and Gohan hadn’t asked to go.

 “I like being home. I want to be home with you and Goten.”

 ChiChi wanted him to stay, too, but knew he shouldn’t. “You can’t stay home forever, Gohan. You need to be around kids your age. You need to find your own group of friends and not just your Dad’s friends.”

 Maybe Mom was right but Gohan didn’t feel like socializing. “I will,” Gohan promised, “but let me stay home a little longer. I’m still catching up from missing three years of school.”

 ChiChi knew Gohan didn’t ‘miss’ three years of school. Even while training Gohan read and studied. He might have been a little behind but he wasn’t three years behind. “All right,” ChiChi gave in. “We won’t talk about you going to school yet.” Hearing her say that caused ChiChi to laugh at herself. “Oh, my. Your father is influencing me from the grave. Me not send you to school?” She laughed again. “Maybe I’m loosening up too much.”

 “I don’t think so. You still won’t let me fight.”

 Gohan laughed but ChiChi didn’t take the joke light-heartedly. Her past behavior would make anyone think that but everyone was wrong. “It’s not as if I never wanted you to learn how to fight, Gohan. Your Dad and his friends thought that but it’s not true.”

 When it came to him fighting, the reaction Gohan mostly saw from his mother was anger. It was mostly directed at his Dad and his friends. Now, Mom appeared conflicted and sad. Emotionally, she was never this raw and open. One thing Gohan noticed from his parents recently was how they sometimes hid their real feelings. Seeing this as a rare opportunity, Gohan used this moment to get answers. “What is the truth?”

 Her son looked so different now. Moments ago, he cried in her arms for comfort like he did at four. Now he looked wise beyond his years; ready for adult conversations. The price of so many fights she assumed. “Seeing your Dad fight Piccolo was traumatic. The brutal beating he took was something I never wanted to happen to you. I told Goku times were peaceful and you didn’t need to learn how to fight. That didn’t mean you couldn’t fight to help others but honestly, I thought if that happened, it wouldn’t be for a very long time. Your Dad was fifteen the first time he saved the world. He wasn’t nine. He wasn’t fighting aliens that could destroy a planet at five years old.”

 At four years old, Gohan accepted his fate. He accepted he had to fight to save the Earth from the Saiyans. He volunteered to go to Namek. He wanted to fight the Artificial Humans. Not since being left alone for six months, did Gohan think he was too young for all this. Cell was the breaking point. The sacrifice in that fight was too much. When Goku was on Yardrat, Gohan trained to keep in shape. He sometimes visited Piccolo for a light session. Since Cell, he hasn’t trained at all. When he visit Piccolo, it’s only to talk. All Gohan wanted to do is read and study. He exercised to stay in shape but he never trained.

 “My other reason,” ChiChi continued, “is that I knew you didn’t want to fight. That was your father’s dream. You told me your dream.”

 “Being a scholar?” Gohan guessed. Gohan remembered telling Piccolo this but he couldn’t remember the day he decided he will be a scholar.

 Luckily, ChiChi did. “Gohan, do you remember when you told me what you wanted to be when you grow up?” Gohan shook his head. “I do. I always wanted you to get an education but you, Gohan, you said you wanted to be a scholar and like any good mother I supported that.”

 “Gohan? Your mother’s here.”

 Gohan turned his head to see his mother standing at the door of his classroom. “Mommy!” Gohan closed his book and ran to ChiChi. He wrapped his arms around her legs.

 ChiChi rubbed his shaggy hair. “Did you have a good day today?” Gohan nodded. “Get your things. We have a long drive home.”

 Gohan grabbed his school hat and bag and bowed before his teacher. Holding ChiChi’s hand, mother and son left preschool. “Where’s Daddy?”

 Most days she and Goku picked up and dropped off Gohan at preschool. “He’s doing work for Mr. Olitz but he’ll be home for dinner.” When they were settled in the truck, ChiChi drove off. Traffic was always congested near the school but once ChiChi drove the route home, traffic always became light. “What did you do in school?”

 “We learned about animals. Miss Rae talked about dinosaurs, lions and tigers. The dinosaurs she talked about aren’t like the ones at home, Mommy.”

 True. The dinosaurs in the Mount Paouz area were friendly and kept to themselves. The ones Miss Rae talked about were the violent and human eating type that scared children.  

 “Mommy, what should I be when I grow up?”

 The unexpected question caused ChiChi to laugh, “Gohan, you’re four. Why are you asking that?”

 “Miss Rae gave us homework. She wants us to think about what we will be when we grow up and draw it.” Gohan shrugged. “I don’t know what to be.”

 ChiChi tried to help. “Well, you want it to be something you love because you will be doing it for a very long time. What do you love to do?”    

 “Play with Daddy.”

 ChiChi laughed. “I do, too, but that’s not a career.”

 “Eat your cooking,” Gohan tried again.

 Another giggle. “That’s not a career.”

 Gohan became quiet as he seriously thought about it. “I love to read.”

 “That’s a start. Let’s see,” ChiChi pondered. What career can be built on reading? “With reading, you can be a writer, a teacher, a scholar…..”

 “What’s a scholar?”

 “A scholar is a very smart person who reads and studies a lot.”

 “I can do that. I’ll be a scholar,” Gohan decided. “I love to read and you and Miss Rae tell me I’m smart.”

 A scholar. ChiChi liked that. It will definitely nourish his mind and ChiChi always wanted to do that. “If that’s what you want to do, Gohan, I’ll help you.”

 Gohan faintly remembered his teacher, Miss Rae. She was kind and helpful to him but like many things, Gohan forgot a lot of his life before the kidnapping. Classmates he ate lunch with, played in the sandbox were completely forgotten. He couldn’t remember their names.

 “Like any good parent, I supported your decision though,” ChiChi sighed, “there was extra motive on my part. I thought it would help me convince your Dad to not train you. I should support your decision like any parent but I should’ve been realistic you will change your mind. You were four years old. I doubt Miss Rae took you seriously.”

 So his desire to be a scholar was based on an assignment from preschool. It was his decision. He chose that career but Mom sounded as if she regretted encouraging him.

“Your Dad and I both made mistakes and in our own ways forced things on you before you were ready to make a decision for yourself. I can change that. All I want is for you to be happy and get an education because I think you deserve that but you don’t have to be a scholar. Be what you want.”

 Was this a trap? Did Mom really mean this? “If I quit school will you be mad?”

 ChiChi raised an eyebrow curiously. Was he testing her? Maybe she and Goku went to the extremes in getting what they wanted out of Gohan but ChiChi wasn’t going to allow Gohan to make the same mistake. “I think you will miss a great opportunity giving up your education. Your Dad and I never had the chances you have, Gohan. Your Dad lived on his own for a very long time and had to figure things out on his own. I had my own tragedies but Grandpa gave me a normal but limited upbringing. While I did get some school lessons, Grandpa thought it would be best if I focus more on being a wife and mother.”

 “Why?”

 “Because of his kingdom. He thought I will inherit it after I married and the only education I need is Grandpa grooming me and Goku but I had my own plans. So, if I didn’t follow in my Dad’s plans for me, I should do the same for you. But Gohan,” ChiChi was firm and vowed to argue if Gohan refused her olive branch, “you have to meet me halfway. I won’t force you but you do need an education.”

 So, it wasn’t a test. This was a lot to think about but Gohan wanted to make one thing clear with his mother. “I never felt forced, Mom but I didn’t think you were right wanting me to study when there were other things happening.”

 “Like bringing back Piccolo?”

 That was a big one. “Yeah, but I was wrong, too. I didn’t think about you missing me for a year. I didn’t know what you went through.”

 ChiChi wrapped an arm around Gohan and squeezed him. “That’s in the past and we have both learned from it.”

 Gohan nodded. There were unfortunate misunderstandings on both their parts and both learned the hard way. “I want to continue my education, Mom. I like reading but maybe scholar isn’t for me.” He laughed. “It’s a broad topic.”

 “Don’t worry, Gohan. You have many peaceful years to decide. You and Goten. Oh,” Something caught her eye. “Someone heard his name.”

 Goten’s little body wiggled as he slowly awakened. He raised his head and looked around searching for someone until he saw ChiChi. A sweet giggle burst from Goten as he crawled to his mother.

 “Is my sweet Goten awake?” ChiChi cooed as she picked up Goten and smothered him with kisses. ChiChi fell back on the blanket with Goten on her chest. “We are lucky, Gohan.”

 “Lucky?”

 “We lost Goku but we get to live in peace. In another future, you and your father are dead.” She lift Goten over her. The child burst in sweet giggles as he went up and down in his mother’s arms. “Goten never existed. I don’t know what happened to me but I know it wasn’t good. The me in that time won’t have a happy ending. We get to have a happy ending, Gohan. You will grow up, find a career, marry and have children. Goten will grow up in peace. He won’t have to deal with kidnappings and violence. I won’t have Goku but I will have you, Goten and any grandchildren you’ll give me. I’ll be happy.”

 His mother was so happy as she flew Goten in her arms. Goten’s laughs were pure and joyous like all happy babies. It made Gohan very happy to see this. Mom was right. They will have a happier future. Dad was gone but for the first time in a year Gohan wasn’t heavily burdened with guilt. He and Mom had a long overdue talk and Gohan felt a change in their relationship. It was a good change. Gohan accepted he will always carry some guilt but it felt lighter now. They were lucky. Dad was gone but Goten is here. He’ll have a better future than his dead counterpart. He won’t die at a young age in a dystopian future. He’ll have his father’s friends and new friends he’ll make in the future.

 I’ll be happy, Gohan decided. I’ll be happy.

 ****

 ChiChi felt the summer heat when she stepped out of her father’s car. The heat was somewhat bearable in her mountain home. It was brutal in West City. The city was going through a record-breaking heatwave.

 Dr. Briefs invented an invisible dome for the gathering in his backyard. The heat was brutal from where Gyu-Mao parked to the short distance inside the large Capsule Corporation domicile. ChiChi picked up her pace as she was eager to get her and Goten inside.  

 “Oooo,” ChiChi felt the relief of chilled air, “that cool air feels wonderful.”

 “I still want a drink,” Gyu-Mao, with his massive frame, felt the heat more than his family. He wiped the sweat off his forehead. “A nice cold beer sounds good.”

 “Wow,” Gohan marveled at the booms of music overhead and the transformation of the Briefs’ backyard into a carnival. There were several booths managed by robots that prepared a variety of foods, an area cornered off for video and carnival games for all to play. It reminded ChiChi of the festivals her father hosted in his village. A few of Dr. Briefs pets roamed free in a fenced area. ChiChi thought that will be a fun spot to play with Goten. At almost nine months, Goten walked, was fearless and enthusiastic playing with wild animals while Gohan was shy around them at his age.

 “You made it!”

 Bulma spotted them as she and Trunks were by a food booth of sweet cakes. Bulma waved them over.

 “Drink,” Gyu-Mao said parched. “It’s so hot outside.”

 Bulma pointed to three booths down from them. “Makes everything. Alcoholic. Nonalcoholic.”

 While Gyu-Mao sauntered over to the drink booth, ChiChi and Gohan remained. ChiChi carried Goten in his carrier while Gohan carried Goten’s baby bag. “Sorry we’re late,” ChiChi apologized. “Goten was a little fussy before we left but he settled on the drive here.”

 “At least you came.” Bulma was irritated. “Not everyone showed up. Piccolo refused to come and Tien wasn’t kidding when he told Yamcha after the Cell Game this may be the last time we see him.”

 ChiChi tried to be optimistic. “Well, more fun for us I guess.”

 “Visit all the booths,” Bulma told them. “I have plenty of food and games. The interactive ones are great, Gohan. I highly recommend them.”

 “I don’t know how to play those games,” Gohan admitted shyly.

 “Yamcha will show you. ChiChi, I have a Goldfish, UNO and Old Maid for you. I’ll play with you but after I have my rematch with Master Roshi over Poker. He swindled two grand out of me. I’m getting it back today.”

 ChiChi suspected Bulma meant well referring child games to her as Goku’s friends didn’t see her as the adult games type of player but it would’ve been nice to be asked what and if she played  but like everyone always suspected Goku was too innocent to know anything, they thought that of her as well. Like Goku, she will use this to her advantage. “I wouldn’t mind sitting in on a Poker game.”

 Bulma was taken back at the suggestion. “If you want but Master Roshi is really good and plays for money. I’ll explain the game and after watching me and Master Roshi play a round or two, join in if you feel comfortable.”

 “Master Roshi wouldn’t take money from me.” If he tried, ChiChi would make him pay. “It would be cruel to take money from his former student’s widow.”

 “We always play for money but Roshi only takes it from me.” It shouldn’t matter to Bulma since she is rich and the two grand Master Roshi won from her was pocket change but it was the principle that old man outplayed a genius like her that infuriated her.

 “Oh, Trunks,” Bulma groaned at Trunks’ cake smeared face. “You’re such a messy eater.” She grabbed a napkin and wiped his face clean.

 There was a sudden chorus of roars at one of the video game consoles. Yamcha threw his hands up with Oolong, Puar and a woman ChiChi never saw before cheering him. She was a brunette with her hair pulled up into a ponytail. She wore a pretty summer dress that flattered her petite figure and stood very close to Yamcha. “They are really into the games,” ChiChi commented.

 “They’ve been playing since they got here. Oh,” Bulma smiled cheekily. “Yamcha brought his girlfriend. Not as pretty as me, but not many women are. He met her at one of his baseball games.”

 Trunks got fussy when Bulma pulled him away from the booth of sweets. She settled the child in her arms as she walked with ChiChi, Goten and Gohan. “I’m more interested in Krillin’s girlfriend.”

 “Why?”

 “They’ve been dating for over a year and Krillin’s so secretive about it. That’s suspicious.”

 ChiChi agreed it did sound suspicious but Krillin’s life was his personal business. “Maybe he wasn’t ready to tell us about her.”

 “And that makes it suspicious. Why hasn’t Krillin told us about her? What’s he hiding?” It was all an exciting mystery to Bulma.

 “Maybe he’s scared of what we will think,” Gohan offered his opinion. “Vegeta was upset with him not destroying 18 after the fight with Cell and…..” Gohan recalled the embarrassing thing he said on Kami’s Temple. “I accidentally announced Krillin’s feelings to 18.”

 “Whoever she is, we can be relieved it’s not 18.”

 Bulma brought them to the picnic area where her mother laid on a blanket wearing sunglasses, a crop shirt and mini shorts. A few feet away at the tables sat Vegeta surrounded by food.  

 “Let’s sit on the grass,” ChiChi pointed to a spot near Mrs. Briefs.  

 Gohan grabbed a picnic blanket off a spare table and spread it out. Goten woke up in the middle of this and his curious eyes looked around. ChiChi spotted that look in Goten’s eyes. She had ten seconds before Goten broke out in a full-blown wail. ChiChi unbuckled the carrier and pulled Goten out just in time.

 “What’s wrong with Goten?” Bulma asked curiously of Goten clinging to ChiChi.

 ChiChi rocked Goten gently. “Goten has to be held when he wakes up from his naps or he’s gonna scream.”

 “And fed.” Gohan opened Goten’s baby bag and handed ChiChi a bottle of milk.  

 Trunks walked over to Gohan as he pulled toys, snacks and bottles from Goten’s baby bag. Trunks grabbed a plush dragon and sat on the blanket to play with it. Seeing Trunks got himself a temporary babysitter with Gohan and ChiChi, Bulma said, “Mind watching him while I grab something to eat? I’m starving.”

 Before ChiChi could answer, Bulma was already walking away. “Mine!” Goten jumped out of ChiChi’s arms when he saw Trunks playing with his toy. Trunks stuck his tongue out at Goten and held the plush dragon close to him.

 “Let him play with it, Goten.” ChiChi grabbed a toy from the bag and gave it to her son. “When Bulma visited us, she let you play with Trunks’ toys.”

 “He broke it!” Trunks pointed at Goten.

 Goten tried to reach for the toy again but ChiChi held him back. “Oh, my,” Mrs. Briefs cooed seeing Goten. Today was the first time she met him. “He looks like Goku.”

 ChiChi tickled Goten to distract him from getting his plush dragon from Trunks. The baby squirmed and laughed, completely forgetting about his toy. “He looks and smiles so much like his Daddy. It’s almost as if he’s returned in some way.”

 Vegeta rolled his eyes. If she continued on like this, he will throw up his food. “Kakarrot’s isn’t coming back and you need to get over that. There isn’t any special meaning to Goten looking like Kakarrot. The second sons of a Saiyan look like their father.”

ChiChi and Gohan looked at Goten before turning to Vegeta surprised by this revelation. “Really?”

 “Saiyan genetics,” Vegeta explained. “Even that idiot Raditz knew. He knew he will recognize Kakarrot because he looked like their father.”

 That sounded familiar to ChiChi. “When he was in the hospital, Goku did mention his brother saying that.”

 Vegeta resumed eating when he noticed ChiChi staring at him in a peculiar way. “What are you looking at me for?”

 “I’m wondering if you are the oldest or second son of your father.”

 Vegeta turned away from ChiChi. It was bad enough Bulma asked about his past. He didn’t need ChiChi doing it, too. “Mind your own business!”

 “Krillin!” Bulma screamed. “What the hell?!”

 Alarmed, ChiChi, Gohan and Vegeta looked to see what happened. Master Roshi, Krillin and Krillin’s girlfriend, 18, arrived.

 18 dressed relaxed in her black skinny jeans and plum-colored halter top. The bracelets on her right arm jingled as she pushed back a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. Her sharp, pretty blue eyes surveyed the shock and suspicious stares at her as she arrived on Krillin’s arm. Krillin rubbed the back of his head nervously. “Hi, everyone! Nice group get together you arranged, Bulma.” Several pairs of eyes stared wanting an explanation. “We all know each other but I’ll introduce her again. Meet 18…. my girlfriend.”

 Yamcha pushed his girlfriend behind him. Oolong and Puar dived behind a game console.

 Gyu-Mao dropped his drink while Master Roshi ordered himself one.  

 Dr. Briefs resumed playing with his pets while Mrs. Briefs clapped her hands giddily. “Ooooh, we have another blonde in the group!”

 Bulma gripped her plate irate at Krillin. “Well, I see why you kept this a secret.”

 Gohan was the only one happy. He was relieved he didn’t blow Krillin’s chance with 18. “Krillin got her to be his girlfriend after all! That’s great!”

 A vein popped on Vegeta’s forehead as the metal can of cool drink crushed in his hand. “What the fucking hell?!” Vegeta rose. His hair turned blonde and with one leap stood beside Bulma. He wanted answers. “What the hell is this?!”

 “Listen, Vegeta.” Krillin tried to explain. “I know you don’t like 18 but it’s been over a year since she kicked your ass and she’s not a killer. She’s not a bad person.”

 “The hell she isn’t! She’s one of Dr. Gero’s monstrous creations. Have you forgotten what hell she unleashed on us a year ago?!”

 “It wasn’t that bad. She’s not like the ones Trunks fought in his time.”

 Not that bad? She broke his arm!! She humiliated him, the Prince of Saiyans! “You would say that. Your cowardly ass stayed behind while the rest of had the guts to face her and her tin can brother.” 18’s pretty blue eyes thinned at the insult. “Oh, does the tin can have feelings?” Vegeta mocked. “Did I hurt you telling you the truth about yourself?”

 “Look,” Krillin warned him. He expected hostility but Krillin wanted it directed at him. Not 18. “Everyone can change. You did worse than 18 and we forgave you. Bulma had a baby with you even though you are responsible for her ex getting killed.”

 Yamcha whistled. “I knew someone would say it but I didn’t think it would be him.”

 “Seriously?!” Bulma screamed. “You bring that up after you couldn’t destroy the remote that would’ve saved your best friend’s life?!”

 Here we go again. Gohan slapped his forehead. When will this stop? “Pack Goten’s things,” ChiChi told Gohan. “If they start fighting, I want you to get Goten away from here.”

 “Don’t worry, Mom.” Gohan felt the escalation, too. “It won’t come to that.”

 “I don’t care if you stay or go,” Vegeta raged at Krillin, “but I don’t want that robot in my house!”

 “It’s not your house,” Krillin refused to leave. “And 18’s not a robot.”

 “Well, I don’t want her in my house.” Bulma pointed behind Krillin. “Get out!”

 If only they didn’t insult 18. “It’s not your house either,” Krillin shot back in a smartass tone. “It’s your Dad’s house.”

 Bulma flinched at Krillin’s sharp tongue. Where did this behavior come from? All she had to do is scream and Krillin would cower but now he stood in front of 18 defiantly.

 Dr. Briefs lit up a cigarette amused. “Oh, let them stay, Bulma. He’s right. Vegeta’s has done worse.”

 “Why are you taking Krillin’s side?!” Bulma yelled. “I’m your daughter!”

 Krillin standing in front of 18 humored Vegeta. “You’ve gained a lot of confidence.” And he knew why. “You fuck that robot.” He laughed cruelly. “I guess if you’re desperate you’ll fuck anything.”

 18’s sharp eyes smoldered. She didn’t care what Vegeta said to her, but he crossed a line going after 17 or Krillin. “I do regret things I did but when I think of you, Vegeta, I have no regrets.” She stepped closer to him where her breath fanned his face. “You still talk too much.” Even though she invaded his personal space, he didn’t move as 18 circled him. “Sometimes I think of you. I think of the look on your face before I slapped you into a mountain. I think of you when I broke your arm. I smile and think, ‘That’s one good thing I did right. What would it be like to do it again?’”

 “YOU WANT A REMATCH?!” Vegeta’s body illuminated as his rising Ki created trembles and hurricane force winds in the backyard. Bulma was knocked back several feet. Yamcha pulled his girlfriend behind a game console. Gyu-Mao and Master Roshi shielded themselves behind the liquor booth. Trunks moved closer to ChiChi. As the ground shook, debris from booths flung over the yard, game consoles began sliding from their spot. Some even tipped over. A blonde Gohan stood protectively in front of his mother and brother. He shielded them with his power as he waited for the moment he will have to step in.

 Vegeta’s body pulsed with energy. He wasn’t at half his power but it was enough to deal with 18. “TAKE THIS!” Vegeta roared as he threw the first punch. His fist barely moved forward when Gohan caught his wrist. Vegeta raised his Ki but the ten-year-old was still too strong for him. “Get your damn hands off me!”

 “You’re causing a lot of damage, Vegeta!”

 “Me?!” Vegeta tried to move but Gohan restrained him. “She caused this!”

 “You’re instigating a fight!” Gohan thought yelling would get through Vegeta. “You’re causing damage and scaring everyone!”

 Vegeta looked around at knocked over game consoles and blown over booths. Bulma climbed out of one blown several feet away. There were dazed robots and everyone staring at Vegeta as if he was the one wrong. “Fuck off!”

 “It’s not Vegeta’s fault.” Bulma returned to Vegeta’s side and pointed at Krillin and 18. “They started it. Krillin deliberately kept this a secret!”

 “There wasn’t a right time to mention I’m dating 18,” Krillin tried to explain. “ChiChi was pregnant when we last saw each other.”

 “You still could’ve told the rest of us. We could’ve kept it quiet from ChiChi like we used to do.” Bulma spotted Master Roshi by the liquor booth. “Same for you, Old Man! You knew and said nothing!”

 “That’s enough of that.” Dr. Briefs joined the group. “As long as everyone behaves, there’s no reason we all can’t get along and enjoy this party.”

 Dr. Briefs wasn’t a physically strong man. He had a very relaxed personality and let his family and Vegeta do what they want and accommodated them if he can. So when he kindly put his foot down, no one argued against him. Not even Vegeta.

 “If she makes one move, she’s dead,” Vegeta threatened. He returned to base form where Gohan still held him. Vegeta snatched his arm away from Gohan. “Get your hands off me!”

 Vegeta stormed off to his table but Bulma remained. She had a few more words for Krillin and 18. “Where’s your brother? Should I expect him to crash the party and kill us?”

 18 flipped her hair. “My brother has no plans of coming here.”

 Bulma didn’t believe 18 and she looked at Krillin as if she didn’t know him. “Thanks for ruining the party, Krillin.”

 Bulma left to catch up with Vegeta. While the most hostile group walked away, the eyes of everyone else weren’t welcoming except for Gohan and Master Roshi who knew the secret.

 “Come sit with us, Krillin,” Gohan offered.

 “With your Mom?!” Krillin reacted with fear. “If Bulma wanted to tear my head off, ChiChi will kill me.”

 “It’s not a good move anyway,” 18 observed Bulma sitting on the blanket with ChiChi.

 Krillin saw it and groaned. He imagined the two teaming up against him later. ChiChi may literally throw him out! This reunion was spiraling into a disaster. “18, how about we go somewhere else?”

 “No.” 18 refused to run. “We didn’t do anything wrong. They need to get used to seeing us.” Headstrong she was, 18 was sympathetic to Krillin’s plight. “But I know you have to talk to your friends. You can do that better without me.”

 Without another word, 18 left his side. Walking alone, 18 saw Yamcha, a woman, Oolong and Puar stare at her with fear. When she arrived in the picnic area, Mrs. Briefs waved while Vegeta scowled while stuffing his mouth with food. Bulma clutched Trunks as if protecting her from 18. 18 mentally scoffed. Bulma really thought she will kill her child? 18 spotted the other woman she knew to be Son Goku’s widow. She held her child, too, but she didn’t look at 18 with fear. 18 didn’t bother deciphering her look as she sat at the farthest table with her back to everyone.

 Lapis told you but you didn’t listen. 18 cursed herself as she recalled her conversation with her brother.

 “You’re crazy, Lazuli.” 17 told her. “Absolutely crazy. They are not gonna accept you. All they will see is what we did after we were freed and what they think of us because of Trunks.”

 18 casually sat in her chair with her legs crossed and hands behind her head. She asked Krillin when he will introduce her to his friends. Krillin always said the time wasn’t right and each time 18 gave him the cold shoulder. Now on the verge of meeting his friends, 18 had second doubts.

 “I’m not doing it to be accepted.”

 “I’m your brother. I know when you’re lying. You act all cool and unaffected but you want to be accepted. You want to show you are different and not what they think.” 17 sat on the railing of his porch. “I don’t know what you see in Krillin but you want to be welcome in that circle.”

 “After everything that’s happened to us, I deserve something good and that’s Krillin.”

 17 rolled his eyes. “If you say so but those friends of his won’t accept you. Vegeta’s doesn’t strike me as the forgiving type and from what Krillin told you, Vegeta’s a lot stronger now. I won’t be able to help you if he wants a rematch.”

 “Krillin and I can handle him.”

 “Hmph,” 17 snorted.

 “What about you, Lapis?” 18 questioned. “Don’t you want something different? Do you enjoy living in the middle of nowhere? Alone?”

 17 laughed. “What’s wrong with this?” He stretched his arms out at the cabin they were in. “It’s quiet, away from civilization. As for alone,” he grinned, “not always. You’re just not a nature girl.”

 “You weren’t exactly an outdoorsman either,” 18 reminded him. “16’s death affected you more than you want to let on.” Krillin told 18 about 16’s sacrifice and how his death changed the course of the Cell Game. She thought of how 16 tried to save her before Cell absorbed her. 17 never saw any of this but he took 16’s death harder than she.

 “What are your plans with Krillin, Lazuli?” 17 changed the subject. 18 noticed her brother did that lot whenever 16 was mentioned. “What are you trying to do with him? Are you looking for marriage? A family? Can you even have kids?”

 “You know there are still parts of me that’s human. Just like you.”

 “Hmm. Dr. Gero certainly made sure of that,” 17 said cuttingly. The horrors of what Dr. Gero did to them will never be forgotten. Brother and sister handled it in their own way. 17 engaged in petty robberies and entertaining female company. 18 dealt with the trauma by focusing on happier things. Her and Krillin. “How much does Krillin know what Dr. Gero did to us? Does he even know your name?”

 “Krillin knows enough.”

 “If he doesn’t protect you at this gathering, I’m including Krillin in my revenge.”

 Krillin doesn’t have to worry about my brother but what do I do now? 18 asked herself as she sat alone. She could hear Krillin laughing with his friends. At least someone is enjoying themselves.

 After the disturbance of Krillin and 18’s arrival, the reunion happily resumed. Game consoles, food and liquor booths were occupied again. Mrs. Brief relaxed on her blanket. Dr. Briefs played with his animals. Krillin chatted with Yamcha and Gohan and received some light teasing from Oolong.

 The mood was subdued in the picnic area. Vegeta watched 18 like a hawk. Bulma and ChiChi stared at 18 curiously, too, while they cared for their children.

 “The nerve of Krillin inviting 18 and not telling us he’s dating her,” Bulma grumbled. “There’s no way she’s into him. She’s using him to get close to us.”

 ChiChi cut the food on Goten’s plate into smaller bites. “I don’t agree with Krillin keeping this secret. I don’t like secrets.” Goten didn’t wait for ChiChi to put his food on a fork. He grabbed the food and stuffed it in his mouth. “Oh, Goten,” ChiChi wiped Goten’s messy face. “I know what it’s like to be left out on things but you were hypocritical yelling at Krillin.”

 “Hypocritical?” Bulma felt she was right. “18 almost killed Vegeta. She and her brother hunted down Goku. You should be mad and on my side.”

 “I’m not picking sides but everyone forgave Piccolo and I was looked at as the bad person because I didn’t when he kidnapped my son for a year. I wasn’t understanding to let my five-year-old son who was just reunited with me after a year apart to go into space. You and Krillin said it will be a safe trip because the Namekians are peaceful but no one took into consideration that being a safe trip meant my son didn’t need to go. In spite of how you treated me, I forgave all of you.”

 Bulma winced at the emotional slap of words. She still held a grudge about that. “It wasn’t like that, ChiChi. We did think it was a safe trip and we didn’t see the harm in Gohan going.”

 “Because he wasn’t your child,” ChiChi steered Bulma to understand her view. “If it were Trunks, you wouldn’t have let him go.”

 “Zoom!” Trunks flew a toy car in the air like an air ship.

 Trunks was so happy playing with Goten’s toys. Bulma would’ve argued against Trunks going off into space at five years old. However, Bulma felt she had some wiggle room to argue her side. “I wouldn’t but Gohan is Goku’s son. Maybe subconsciously, we did think we need Gohan just in case our trip wasn’t peaceful and we were right. We did need him. Anyway,” Bulma wanted to stay on topic, “it doesn’t excuse what Krillin did.”

 “Vegeta did a lot worst.” ChiChi didn’t understand Bulma’s blindness to that. It was starting to aggravate her. “I’ve noticed forgiveness is very quick with you all as long as it doesn’t affect you. When it does, your behavior isn’t different than mine when it only affected me.”

 ChiChi could feel her temper bubbling. The hypocrisy! Playing victim. Will it ever end? ChiChi wanted to get on better terms with Goku’s friends but sometimes they made it so difficult. Instead of lashing out, she picked up Goten and walked off. She needed to cool off or she will be screaming like everyone expected of her.

 ChiChi passed booths of food and games. Her father was drunk and sharing stories with Master Roshi she wouldn’t subject her innocent child of hearing. Yamcha and Krillin stood over Gohan, showing him how to play a game.  She had Goten but ChiChi felt lonely.  

 When it was just us, Goku was always by my side. At the festivals at my Dad’s village or when we went to different cities, Goku was with me. Would it be the same if we were with his friends?

 ChiChi distracted herself by taking Goten to the petting zoo of Dr. Briefs’ animals. While Goten played with the animals, ChiChi talked with Dr. Briefs. The patriarch was kind, very chill and seem more interested in his animals and keeping the peace than socializing.

 After feeding and playing with each animal, Goten and ChiChi left the petting zoo. Krillin and Gohan were playing against each other in an interactive game with Oolong and Puar cheering them on. Yamcha and his girlfriend were sharing a meal at a food booth. Bulma played with Trunks with her Mom. Vegeta kept eating and watching 18 who sat alone.

 She and Goten were at the petting zoo for an hour. In all this time, ChiChi wondered, did anyone approach 18?

 Isolation from Goku’s friends. ChiChi knew what that was like. Until last year, she felt very isolated from them. She was wife to the friend they loved so much; the mother of his children but for years she wasn’t accepted. She was judged, didn’t fit in and ChiChi saw history repeating itself with 18.

 ChiChi decided to change that.

 18 looked at her watch. This is boring. She drummed her fingers against the table. 18 thought Krillin should speak with his friends to explain things but she thought he would’ve returned. He was gone for over an hour talking and playing those games. He should catch up with his friends since he hasn’t spent time with them in months but I’m important, too.

 18 contemplated going to Krillin when she felt someone near. She turned, saw ChiChi and Goten and looked away. 18 only knew what Krillin told her about ChiChi. Great. Another volatile greeting.

 “I guess this isn’t the welcome you wanted.”

 That wasn’t a yell. ChiChi sounded sympathetic. Was this a trick? 18 studied ChiChi for a moment before turning away again. “Aren’t you afraid I will kill you and your child?”

 “If you wanted to, you would’ve tried and failed already.” ChiChi sat next to 18 which caused the blonde to turn back with skeptical eyes. What was she up to? “I know what it’s like being the new person in this group. No one knows you. No one understands you. No one wants to be your friend or give you a chance.”

 Goten reached to grab 18 but ChiChi adjusted Goten in her lap. “I was Goku’s wife for ten years. I wasn’t accepted by his friends until he died last year.”

 If 18 was surprised, she didn’t reveal it. “They are an interesting bunch. In some ways, I see why Goku called them friends and enjoyed adventures with them but I also see why he could go years without seeing them.”

 Goten reached forward and touch 18’s bracelets. He gripped on it and pulled. “Sorry,” ChiChi apologized pulling Goten’s fingers away from 18’s bracelet. “Goten’s at that grabby stage.”

 Goten reached for 18’s bracelet again and whimpered when ChiChi pulled him away. “No,” he whined.

 “It’s okay.” 18 extended her hand so Goten can touch her bracelets. “Not that I care what anyone thinks but are you saying I have to wait ten years before everyone stops looking at me as if I will kill them?”

 “I think ten years will only be for me. They’ve matured some so you’ll never go through what I went through with them.”

 Krillin only shared ChiChi being Goku’s wife with a bad temper who hated all of them. He mostly talked about Goku, Gohan, Yamcha and sometimes Bulma. What Krillin told her about ChiChi and what she saw was different. “I know you don’t get along with them. What did Krillin do?”

 “I’m not gonna badmouth your boyfriend to you,” ChiChi wasn’t falling for that trap. “There were things I wished was handled better but Krillin has to tell you.”

 “You could tell me.”

 ChiChi shook her head too smart for that. “I could but if I talk badly about your boyfriend, would you believe me or defend him?”

 18 removed one of her bracelets and handed it to Goten. “You don’t think I’m open minded to hear both sides?”

 Goten gripped the bracelet in his tiny hands. ChiChi and 18 were humored with Goten’s fascination of it. “I think you should question why Krillin told you one side and not the whole story.” ChiChi groaned when Goten bit the jewelry. “Goten,” she scolded her son while pulling the bracelet from his mouth.

 18 thought over what ChiChi said. Krillin said ChiChi hated all of them and she has a bad temper. When 18 pried for more information, Krillin mentioned the remote incident and 18 accepted that was the reason but now she felt there was more to this hate. “So, this isn’t over just the remote?”

 ChiChi shook her head wryly. “Talk to him.”

 18 decided she will. Krillin will tell her everything or else. She smiled suddenly not feeling bored anymore.

 “Did you enjoy my dress?”

 18’s eyebrows wrinkled at ChiChi’s question. “What dress?”

 “When Goku, Gohan and I returned home, our home was a mess. I noticed one of my dresses missing.” ChiChi bounced Goten in her lap. “I was angry at first but I got over it. I have plenty of dresses even though I really did like that one.”

 Oh. That dress. 18 remembered holding the dress in front of a mirror in Son Goku’s home. The rose qipao dress was very pretty and with it being her size 18 couldn’t resist taking it. “You have a closet full of clothes. I didn’t think you’d noticed one missing. Besides, I was locked up in Dr. Gero’s lab. I deserve a new wardrobe.”

 ChiChi knew nothing about 17 and 18’s experience with Dr. Gero but knowing what a psycho he was with his desire to seek revenge on her husband, she suspected it wasn’t a great experience. “Dr. Gero sounds like a monster. It couldn’t be comforting living with him. I guess you are staying with Krillin and Master Roshi.” 18 didn’t answer but ChiChi suspected it’s true. “Master Roshi is an upgrade over Dr. Gero but Krillin owes you a new wardrobe having you live there with that lecher and not in a place of your own.”

 This time 18 lips turned up in a sly smile. 18 got the vibe Krillin wasn’t a big fan of ChiChi but 18 decided, she liked her.

 ****

 18 found herself alone again when ChiChi joined Bulma and Master Roshi in a game of Poker. Gohan sat next to ChiChi with Goten in his lap. While the sons cheered on their Mom, 18 watched from afar knowing she wouldn’t be welcomed.

 Krillin sat in the spot once occupied by ChiChi. He sipped his beer as he watched the game. “How did you get a Full House?” Bulma screamed as ChiChi showed her winning hand.

 “I didn’t know ChiChi played Poker,” Krillin sipped his beer as ChiChi celebrated with her sons. “She doesn’t seem like the type to know how.” While he played games with his friends, he saw ChiChi talking to 18. He didn’t hear any screaming from ChiChi. He hoped it meant they got along but he needed to be sure. “How did it go with ChiChi?”

 “She wasn’t what you warned me about.”

 Krillin was relieved to hear that. “That’s good. She doesn’t like me and I never expected her to talk to you without screaming you tried to kill Goku.”

 Krillin warned her but after talking to ChiChi, 18 felt she didn’t get the full story from Krillin. “What did Bulma mean when she said, ‘We could’ve kept it quiet from ChiChi like we used to do’? It didn’t sound like Bulma was only talking about the remote.”

 Oh, boy. Bulma and her big mouth. He thought 18 forgot about that but she was too sharp, observant and her suspicious eyes told him she wasn’t letting this go. He had to tell her the truth. “When Goku died the first time, we didn’t let ChiChi know he was dead or Gohan was taken by Piccolo.”

 “For how long?” Krillin told her this story but a loose version of it. Goku died saving his son and Piccolo trained Gohan to prepare for the fight against Vegeta and Nappa. The details were always glossed over. He never mentioned ChiChi.

 “A day.” Six years later and it still sounded bad. “ChiChi came to Master Roshi’s island wanting to know where they were.”

 “Taken?” 18 repeated. “As in kidnapped?”

 “Taken is a nicer word.”

 A nicer word? 18 gazed at Gohan. He was ten now but when this happened, he was so much younger. Knowing Gohan was a very young child kidnapped triggered her own painful memories with Dr. Gero. No wonder ChiChi didn’t like them! “So, you let ChiChi wander all night where her husband and son were? She had to go to you to find out what happened to her family?”

 18 was upset. Krillin knew it and will pay for it later. “Yeah, and ChiChi wasn’t told what was really happening on Namek.” Krillin decided to get it all out in the open. Sooner or later, 18 will find out. “She thought Goku and Gohan were playing around but that part wasn’t my fault. That was Bulma’s.”

 With the way Bulma greeted her, 18 didn’t find this surprising. All this gave 18 a deeper perception of ChiChi. “She’s generous.”

 “Generous? Who?”

 “ChiChi. If you knew my brother was dead for a day and let me confront you instead of telling me immediately, I would’ve killed you.” 18 said it so casually but Krillin knew it was a threat and something she will do if he ever did this to her. 18 pushed back a lock of her blonde hair as she turned her attention back on the Poker game. “ChiChi invited me to visit her. I think I’ll do that.”

 Krillin nodded okay as he drunk his beer. Lazuli and ChiChi talking and becoming friends? I don’t know if this is a good thing for them or a bad thing for me.

 At the Poker table, ChiChi, Bulma and Master Roshi had an audience. It grew from Gohan and Goten to Bulma’s parents, Gyu-Mao, Yamcha and his girlfriend, Oolong and Puar. Vegeta remained far away as usual. Hearing Master Roshi and Bulma curse at their losses to ChiChi had them intrigued. Two of the games ChiChi bluffed to victory which infuriated her opponents they were fooled by someone they considered very emotional and easy to read.

 Master Roshi pushed in his remaining chips. “I’m ready.” Older with more skills, Master Roshi didn’t like losing. Two of the game losses, he did blame himself looking at Bulma’s breasts in her tight shirt with poking nipples and ChiChi’s fuller breasts. This time he had the hot hand.

 “Already?!” Bulma nearly screeched. Last time ChiChi bluffed her way to victory. Now Master Roshi was doing it. Bulma looked at her cards. It was a good hand. No. It was a winning hand. She pushed in her chips. “I’m in.”

 All eyes were on ChiChi. “Well, I wasn’t ready,” she grumbled irritated, “but I guess I don’t have a choice.”

 ChiChi’s frustration made Master Roshi gleefully cackle. This was the first time ChiChi showed anger in a game. That meant she knew she lost and he won! He flipped his cards. “Beat this!” Jack, ten and a pair of nines.

 Bulma cackled victoriously. She had this one! “Gotcha, Old Man! Two pairs of tens and nines! Whoo!” She stood up to dance. “You owe me and I’m not letting you off the hook because I’m rich!”

 “But Bulma,” Gohan interrupted Bulma’s victory dance. “Mom hasn’t revealed her hand.”

 So busy celebrating Bulma forgot about ChiChi but from her sour expression, it was obvious ChiChi lost.  “Sorry. I celebrated too soon. I’ll celebrate after you show your hand.”

 ChiChi looked at her cards and sighed. “We were playing for real money?” ChiChi asked again. “I owe you?”

 “No,” Bulma laughed. She would never make ChiChi pay. Gloating was payment for Bulma. “I won’t make you pay, ChiChi. If you won, I would pay you. A few thousand zeni is nothing to me but since you didn’t win and I did.....”

 ChiChi placed her cards down. “But I thought two pairs of Kings and nines are higher than two pairs of tens and nines.”

 Everyone leaned over to read ChiChi’s cards. Gohan picked up a little of the game watching ChiChi. He didn’t understand everything but he did know his mother’s hand were the best ones. “Mom, you won!!”

 Goten clapped and giggled. “Momma won! Momma won!”

 Bulma dropped in her seat. “What the hell?” She studied her and ChiChi’s cards. ChiChi’s cards were higher but Bulma was still in denial. “But I won.”

 Yamcha laughed. He took more pleasure than others in Bulma getting a loss. He patted her shoulder. “Oh, too bad, Bulma.” Bulma’s icy glare made Yamcha flinch and clamp his hands over his mouth.

 “Does that mean I really win?” ChiChi wanted to be sure. “I win four thousand zeni?”

 Bulma rolled her eyes sourly. She gave her word. “I guess so, but how are you so good at Poker? You learned how to play today.”

 ChiChi couldn’t resist smirking at her victory. “You assumed I didn’t know and volunteered to teach me. Goku told me he likes letting you all think what you want about him. I decided to do the same.” ChiChi clapped gleefully. “I can’t believe I won! This money will come in handy. I can buy that computer for you, Gohan, get new clothes for everyone…..”

 As ChiChi gushed over what she will spend her money on and receive congratulations from everyone even Master Roshi, Bulma’s temper cooled. It still bothered her she was conned but it was funny and gave more insight into ChiChi. The woman was a guarded fortress. Bulma couldn’t get anything out of her but seeing another layer removed, seeing another lighthearted side of ChiChi had Bulma thinking the loops she was going through to be friends with ChiChi was worth it.

 ****

 As time passed in the afterlife, Goku grew less like a visitor and more as someone comfortable in his new home. Like King Kai said there were so many people to talk and learn from. Goku felt more comfortable with the warriors at Grand Kai’s home and spent less time in the land of only the good people. Even his visits to Grandpa Gohan lessen.  

 Being among the fighters kept Goku busy. He was a sponge, studying and learning anything beneficial from other fighters. Most times he spent alone pushing himself further. Gohan inspired him to go beyond a Super Saiyan. In death, he was free from the limits of a mortal body and vowed to reach Gohan’s level.

 King Kai observed Goku as he sparred in the air with a fighter from the West Kai quadrant. Fighters from the west were notoriously strong and the only fighters besides the ones in the North quadrant to give Goku a challenge.

 Fighting was common in this place and no one batted an eye when warriors spar but when Goku fought, others took notice or held onto something since Goku’s fights usually cause quakes.  

 It was these tremors that irritated East Kai’s arrival with her newest fighter.

 “Does this land always suffer from tremors?” the warrior elevated over the ground while East Kai struggled to stay upright on her scooter.

 “No,” East Kai wobbled on her scooter. “This is Son Goku. He’s fighting someone again. There are other places on the planet he can go fight without rattling the planet but that jerk Kai of the North wants to show off his best student.”

 The fighter reach out to feel the Ki. Both were very strong but one succeeded the other. As East Kai and her fighter strolled the area, other warriors took notice of the new fighter. One stared while walking into a wall. Another nearly dropped one of his heavy weights. The East Kai fighter ignored the attention but East Kai cackled. “I knew you will make a splash here. If you impress by your looks imagine the reaction when they see your skills, Kimani.”

 Kimani was very aware of her beauty. Her lithe, muscular frame, sleek black hair and cerulean eyes garnered attention but she thought in the afterlife in a land among warriors, her beauty wouldn’t be as captivating as her skills as a fighter.

 “I thought it would be different here, but as long as there are fighters I can learn and develop from, I’ll be happy.”

 “There are plenty of them here,” East Kai guaranteed. “As much as I hate to say, your best challengers will be fighters from the North and West quadrant. You are a rare breed from my quadrant. My fighters are known for speed but you are on another level with your strength and skills. Your speed gives you a great advantage.”

 When East Kai and Kimani reached the courtyard of the palace, the tremors resumed again. This time East Kai fell off her scooter. Kimani kept her balance but the source of the tremors caught her eyes. Two fighters, one East Kai called Goku were engaged in an intense battle. Their punches in the sky clapped like boisterous thunder. They were both very good Kimani observed. The way they moved their bodies, blocking and striking each other were of individuals with years of battle experience.

 “I can’t see them!” Kimani heard a fighter say. They couldn’t see but Kimani did.

 The stronger fighter Kimani guessed as Goku expelled a bright sphere of Ki from his body. His opponent deflected the attack with a punch that shattered the sphere in a massive explosion. Meteors of Ki rained on everyone below. Fighters scattered, ducking for cover and dodging the raining Ki. One hit the ground not far from Kimani and created a foot-deep crater. More rained in her direction and Kimani sliced the raining Ki meteors away from her and East Kai with her knifehand strike. Through it all Goku and his opponent didn’t miss a step in their fighting.

 Impressive there are fighters like these in the afterlife. Kimani smiled as she gazed at the battling warriors. I think I will like it here.

 Part 34: Waiting For You

[darkspellmaster]

The Dragon Prince Theories: Some Darker Theories on Lord Viren

So with Lord Viren proving how much of a jerk, and how dangerous, I was thinking about something that struck me as odd. My sister mentioned that the whole coin thing seemed weird and that, given Callum has a different dad, could there have been more to what Harrow was talking about in regard to Viren’s actions that he didn’t know about? 

So we know that Viren has been by Harrow’s side since they were both younger, and before Ezran was born. I’m assuming that it was true of Callum as well. We know that Queen Sarai had Callum with another man and was married before. We also know her name means Princess (although I have another theory on that) and that she probably was a warrior seeing as Amaya is her sister and we see her grave marked by her on horseback with a polearm like weapon (more on that in a late post). 

Now one of the things I noticed about this series is that it has some Shakesperian qualities to it. Namely we have an Othello like King who listens to his Iago like advisor. And when said king turns on advisor, it goes down hill for him from there. 

Now we know that Harrow mentioned that he went along with a lot of Iag...I mean Lord Viren’s schemes, and apparently most of them worked but with consequences. This was one of the reasons why he didn’t want to use Dark Magic as it wouldn’t solve the issue, only make it far worse. 

This brings me two two possible theories, both are dark as hell, but both make perfect sense given the character. 

Remember the coins that are seen in the end with Runaan. 

There are four coins there, including Runaan’s coin. I don’t think it’s that much of a coincidence that the artist who did the title card art put only that many coins on screen. Typically in a shot like this you would get more than four, but we only get four, making them stand out against the bag in the back. Why? Well I think that Viren has two other people in those coins, and I think that that may come into play later. 

So for the first theory in this dark, dark thought process.

What if Harrow’s actions lead to the death or disappearance of Callum’s dad. 

Let me explain. We know from Aaron’s tweet that Callum is half and half, like Ez, leading me to believe that Callum’s father was someone of importance. Why not tell us what the other half is if it’s just some rando solider or civilian. I think it’s probably because Callum’s dad may be either someone that was connected to Harrow’s army, possibly to some other kingdom (or a ruler) or an elf. 

We know according to Sarai’s info that she was previously married to Callum’s dad. This means that her husband was either dead or they divorced. Now the easiest conclusion to draw is either Callum’s father died and Sarai was a widow before she met Harrow, or he had left her and they were no longer married. Simple right? 

Problem is that something about the situation doesn’t seem quiet right given that Harrow says to Viren. 

Now we know King Harrow isn’t a bad man. In fact he’s very brave, but it’s clear that he kept using Viren’s solutions to make things easier and better. This follows a bit close to the story of Othello, where Iago would used his skills as a manipulator to make issues for Othello go away, and thus believed he was equal to Othello and that he should be given a raise and be Othello’s best bud ever. 

As we’ve seen with Harrow and Viren’s fight, Viren certainly is an Iago type, Manipulating even his children to do some horrible things for him. (Soren to kill the kids, and Claudia to kill her brother.) We also saw that Harrow has had it with the things that Viren suggests. 

So we know that Viren is capable of things that Harrow finds despicable, but is willing to go along with. 

Now, in regard to Sarai, I honestly think she and Amaya are from a different area of the kingdom, or possibly even another Kingdom all together. Either way I suspect that Harrow met both women at a time when Sarai was married to her first husband, and had already had baby Callum by this point. Harrow, not knowing this, flirts with her and finds out that she’s already married and has a kid. 

Of course, a man in love is want to do foolish things and say foolish things, like how he wishes that Sarai could be his wife. Now Viren, being Viren, suggests a solution to the problem, make Sarai’s husband disappear. Harrow would never go along with killing someone that would be wrong, and we’ve seen that he has a high moral code. However, I do see that he’s the sort of man that could be talked into doing something less scrupulous, or tricked into it in some way. 

Viren could easily get Callum’s father away from his wife, either a mission with Viren, or a mission on his own. Some how Viren gets alone with Sarai’s first husband and, either A. Kills him. or B. (and I think more likely solution), traps him in a coin. This could then free up Sarai to marry Harrow who comes in to comfort the grieving widow. 

So that’s one coin down. 

Now coin two probably is an earlier one. We have no clue where Claudia or Soren’s mother is. She’s yet to be mentioned, but if Viren is Iago, then he may have disposed of his wife as well. 

In the story of Othello, Emilia, the wife of Iago and friend of Othello’s wife Desdemona, discovers her husband’s actions and tells everyone what he did, only to be killed by him for opening her mouth about what she found out. 

So what if that’s the case with Soren and Claudia’s mom. We know that Viren is willing to have a lot of nasty things down in the dungeon, is it that hard to buy into the idea that he could have discovered that his own wife had found out the truth behind either what he and Harrow did, the egg still being there, or the possibility that he killed or trapped Callum’s dad. Any of these could lead to him killing or trapping her in another coin, and no one would be the wiser. Bury her body and make it look like some sort of tragedy befell her. 

There’s coin two. 

So what’s coin three? I think it could be the soul of Callum and Ezran’s mother. 

Hear me out. If we go by the Othello theory, and we already know that Viren is obessed with being someone close to Harrow, then we can guess that over time he may have become Jealous of the Queen. 

We hear from Amaya that Sarai had his ear and was helping him make good calls. So what good does an advisor do when the Queen’s suggestions are more taken than Viren’s? Not to mention if Sarai was against the idea of using Dark Magic, this could easily put a cramp in Viren’s style and make it harder for him to do his “creative solutions” as he’s want to do. 

Now, if Viren is as dark as I think he is, then it’s not that huge of a leap to figure that Sarai may have realized what was going on in regard to possibly her missing husband and other actions that Viren did that could have lead to trouble for the Kingdom. Fearing that she could expose him at some point, Viren may have poisoned her (which could lead to her untimely death) or, she became the last coin. 

Laying her to rest, far from everyone so that her soul would have a hard time getting back to her body should someone figure this all out, it doesn’t seem like that huge a leap of logic. 

So that would be coin three. 

It’s not too hard of a theory to go on, and seems like the logical thing to do. 

So yes, I think Viren has his wife, Sarai’s first husband and possibly Sarai herself trapped in the coins, and now he’s added Runaan to the group. He can’t do this a lot since it turns him gray and weird looking, but for people he needs to keep close at hand, it works. 

[miilenv-archived]

well, well, well... helloooo, it’s been a while, my friends, but i’m back nd ( i think ) better than ever ?? idk, either way, i’m bee nd pumped to be back here, i missed you all sm ! there has been a massive change in lenya’s life so even if you’ve read it before, i promise y’all it’s worth the read again !

&&. announcing her majesty, ( milena yurivič ), the ( 36 ) year old ( queen ) of ( belarus ). she is often confused with ( irina shayk ). some say that she is ( machiavellian & acerbic ), but she is actually ( ambitious & intelligent ).

so this is milena, or lenya if you're a close friend or family member ! she's the queen of belarus, and she used to be married to the king of belarus, pyotr yurivič. she's also formerly her serene highness, milena maksimovna de bourbon-grimaldi, the princess of monaco & before that, her royal highness milena romanova, princess of russia. so basically, This Bitch has a lot of damn titles.

i'm going to add a few dot points below but trust me when i say that if you read her BIO, STATS & TASK 002 ( or just... check out this tag for all the tasks i did way back when & recently updated (; )  you'll know pretty much everything you need to know. 

so she was born may 1, 1984, which makes her 36 ! she's just celebrated her one-year anniversary as the queen of belarus. 

her father, maksim, was king mikhail's younger brother, he was married to ekaterina they had a son, nikolai, who was two years older than lenya. 

when she was eleven, katya fell pregnant and sadly, she died giving birth to anastasiya. BUT, she left a letter behind, detailing an affair she had that resulted in her falling pregnant. simka, lenya's dad, was already struggling with her death and the letter was basically the straw that broke the camels back. he told her and her brother the secret, and then climbed in his car. nikolasha was determined to stop him and climbed into the backseat, but before he could say or do anything, their father drove into a tree, killing them both.

so then it was just lenya and her newborn baby sister, thankfully though, her uncle took them in and they were then raised alongside alexei, nadya & her other cousins.

skipping forwards, she attended oxford and studied ppe ( philosophy, politics & economics ) & journalism, and once she left school she managed to nab a job as a political journalist at the guardian newspaper in the uk. 

around the time she got her job she began dating henri de bourbon-grimaldi ( and levente cröy ), she was nearing twenty-eight years old and she wanted the wedding and the kids. it really was a matter of who out of henri and levente was ready for more and stepped up. it ended up being henri and he proposed at her twenty-eighth birthday. they married 3 months later.

henri and lenya wanted kids, desperately, but it wasn't for them and they tried to conceive but never succeeded. after finding out the reason for their bad luck, not a week later henri perished in the plane crash.

barely a month after his funeral, lenya packed her bags and fleed back to russia, in her grief she just wanted to be at home, with family. she also needed a new plan.

that's another thing: milena always has a plan. you can call it a goal too but she needs the organisation. she lives for having a purpose. 

so she had a few journalist friends in belarus ( she calls them sources, they're essentially spies ), who told her that king pyotr was of old age, no heirs, and his health was deteriorating. so she did as she does, and brought an idea to her cousins: ‘ what if i bring belarus even closer to us ? ’

and so, off she went to belarus, and within about a month she was milena yurivič, queen of belarus. because of the speed of the wedding after henri's death, she's been painted in the media as a black widow. 

she lived in dubai for almost two months, if you also subtract the two or so weeks she returned to belarus when pyotr was in ill health, but had to return when he went beyond the point of no return. within a month of milena returning to minsk, her husband was dead. before his death, he stipulated that in the event of his passing, milena was to rule belarus, on one condition: that she stay in a period of mourning for twelve months and not marry until after it. 

it was, if she was honest, a complete shock to her. she’d spent their whole marriage convincing him she was trying to conceive and would continue to do so in the event of his death. as it would seem, it was hardly necessary.

now she’s returning to dubai as the only ruling monarch of belarus, and she’s fully aware that she’s in a precarious position politically. she’s been fending off pyotr’s distant relatives who all claim they’re now the true heir, while trying to firmly cement herself in the court. any alliances she can make that can support her in the event that someone challenges her rule would be exceptionally welcome.

as for her personality: she's ruthless in her pursuit of what she wants, she's not a very open person and only trusts her family and those who've proven themselves. new friendships are unlikely but she will make alliances. 

oh ! and she's based on cersei lannister from game of thrones, which i think explain a lot about her tbh !

okay, that's all i've got for now, but please come and love on my girl ! i’m so pleased to be back & more than happy to pick up plots where i left them or start fresh, hmu either way bbs !

[thewinterspy]

i was looking for ‘cheaper by the dozen au’ notes for hours in my documents. and then i realized that i saved it as ‘yours mine and ours’. it’s basically a transcript of a conversation i had with @vermofftiss in the sherlolly chat

katie: I see Sherlock and Molly being more of a "Yours, Mine and Ours" type sam: aww, but that means they're both widows katie: Or they could be single people that decided to have kids on their own before they met sam: ooh, true. ... *whispers* what if widows for a moment. stay with me. what if molly was married to tom before sherlock, and all her kids are convinced she's only with sherlock because he looks like tom katie: hmmm. IDK I think that gives Tom too much improtance. I was thinking that Sherlock just keeps ending up with kids by finding them through the homeless network. sam: i was thinking something like that too. like it starts with maybe two or three he has doing  bit of spywork for him katie: he means to just be a temporary waystation until something permenant comes along but then every person that tries to adopt them he deduce something that makes him go "nope!" sam: but maybe they don't take his money and they're like "we'd rather have a bed than be paid" so sherlock's like "alright, keep up though". but then they stay the night, and the next day, and the next day... katie: and it's not even major things it's that he falls for them. yes! maybe molly is raising her siblings. like she had young siblings that she was left to take care of after her dad died sam: ooh yeah, that could be it. oh my gosh are we thinking hard on this au katie: like they can work together and never know the other has kids~ we could totes collab on this fic! sam: oh my gosh that'd be so much fun! well, sherlock being sherlock, he'd probably notice something on molly and be like "are you a mother, molly?" katie: their kids go to the same school, they meet up at the Headmaster's office because they were fighting and it's like... "oh..." sam: "Oh no, i just take care of my siblings" "Oh. okk." katie: yeah! sam: and sherlock assumes that means like one or two -- ohhh no katie: lol Molly is Catholic of course sam: i'm just giggling about all the misunderstandings. like, when molly meets sherlock's kids, and none of them look the same, and he's like "they're all mine" and molly's thinking to herself "really, you must get around" katie: let's do. YES! and none of his kids call him dead. and she's like "my that's progressive" sam: and it's not just for a minute, imagine if it gets dragged out for days katie: i think there should be three each sam: and the kids are offhandedly mentioning the things that happened in their homes before they ended up on streets and molly's just completely bewildered katie: too many and then it's just madness. yeah! like maybe one of their mothers is an addict and still on the streets and she tries to come around for money or something sometimes sam: "my dad says eat your vegetables or you turn into a bird" "my dad didn't like vegetables" "my dad would *never( be able to pronounce vegetable!" can you imagine one of the kids being used as sherlock's pressure point katie: AHHH! sam: sit back and imagine the catatonic rage if one of them was taken. katie: yes that can tie in with the addict mom still on the street sam: can you imagine if one of molly's siblings was taken! katie: like they could be taken together. sam: what if they're all like "we don't like sherlock" but then he saves them and they're like "he's ok i guess" katie: they fight over whose fault it. YES! ok so here it is. the kid is a pressure point so the person in question basically uses the addict mom by getting her set up in a flat with an income and polishing her up to look like she's recovered and she wants her kid back and then they stage the kidnapping to make Sherlock look like an unsuitable guardian sam: OOOH, yes! ..... oh my god, what if moriarty katie: and the poor kid can be conflicted because he really loves his mom sam: because when moriarty was first trying to ruin sherlock, the most important thing to sherlock was the work. katie: but she's not interested in recovering sam: but now it's all about family for him katie: yes! so where will john fit in? or is this after he gets with mary? sam: i think he's probably with mary and baby watson katie: works! sam: but he and mary probably stop by to help with the kids/cases/etc. "uncle john" and "aunt mary" katie: yeah and he's their pediatrician as well or something sam: of course sherlock's like "they're not your aunt and uncle" "whatever you say, dad" "sherlock." "dad." "sherlock." dad." "sherlock." "dad." katie: yeah and toward the end he and Molly find out they're pregnant and when they announce it his kids are like "congratulations, Sherlock" and he's like "You should call me dad." sam: AHHHH that's so cute. ok i'm screencapping this, this is all too great katie: so it can be angst and smut and fluff and everything that is awesome in the universe sam: yessssss. all i really want is sherlock being sherlock-ish with a bunch of kids katie: definitely! sam: BUT there's one small one where he just can't help but be very caring and gentle around katie: no OOC and no crack. yes! like maybe he found that one and he or she doesn't speak. and he can use his skills of deduction to understand what he or she needs or wants sam: g osh i'm just squealing, that's so adorable katie: like it's trauma-related psychosematic mutism sam: of course, if anyone ever told sherlock he was adorable, he'd go into a sulk katie: right!? one big moment in the fic can be after molly and sherlock are together and they're all cohabiting like a real family the little one starts talking again sam: AWWW. ok, my brain gave me this katie: like something super innocuous like "pass the wheetabix. pelase" and everyone is like O.O sam: maybe sherlock's tucking in the little one. he usually doesn't tuck in the kids, but maybe something happens and they ask him to, so he does it. and the quiet one just sort of snuffles and asks about molly. "is molly gonna be our mummy?" katie: awww! sam: and the others just look at sherlock expectantly. im just katie: And they'll definitely need to rent out 221c. OMG all the Mrs. Hudson moments would be priceless. sam: lol, yes! they need plenty of room. katie: Like Mrs. Hudson always has treats for the little ones sam: awww katie: the older ones go in and raid her cupboards without asking and she doesn't mind. sam: by older ones you mean sherlock? katie: like they come straight home from school and instead of going up to 221b they go to Mrs. Hudson and she's always stuffing them with goodies. they sit around and watch jeremy kyle and one of the kids is looming yarn with her sam: what a small sherlolly moment where molly's feeling unsure about taking care of her siblings, because she misses her dad, and something's gone wrong? katie: yes! sam: and sherlock ends up comforting her. but it's sherlock, so he probably does it without realizing he's done it. katie: yeah he helps her realize she can do it. Sherlock's kids help Molly's siblings come to terms with the death of their parents sam: all the squabbles though, can you imagine katie: YEP! sam: sherlock's kids might think molly's siblings are snobbish and ungrateful because "at least you still have a home" katie: i imagine the older ones will get into a squabble and one of Molly's calsl one of Sherlock's street trash sam: ooof, what if one of hte kids say that in earshot of sherlock, who's hurt by it without realizing he's hurt katie: and Molly takes them aside and rails on them sam: because he thinks he's done alright by the kids, but the kids are assuming that sherlock's care is temporary, because they've never had anything permenant katie: aww yeah! yeah realize this will be about a bazillion chapters long! well we definitely need to write this. i know AO3 has a cowriting option I just don't know how it works sam: i'm sure we can figure it out. ao3's not that tricky katie: that's why i love it! of cousre we have to have an epilogue with molly and sherlock's "oops" baby being raised in this epic blended family sam: aww, yes! all these kids need names too katie: like looking at her life and all her awesome brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and how her family is different from everyone else's that makes her extra lucky. yep! sherlock's kids can have really urban sounding names sam: i think sherlock's kids would probably make something up. like, little nicknames. katie: yeah! sam: oooh, and for the quiet one, maybe the other kids give them a nickname? katie: like they call her Kitty because she likes to curl up in your lap sam: awwww katie: in the official paperwork they settle on "katherine" OMG the older ones prank mycroft whenever he comes round. but kitty is always sweet to him and wants to sit in his lap and hug him and he's just like uhm... sam: "Sherlock what do I do with the small one?" "If you rub her back she hums." *"Sherlock."* "No, honest to god, she does." katie: like maybe he found her hiding in a skip and he had to lure her out with sweeties sam: awww, and what if kitty actually doesn't want to get close to him at first, but maybe he does one of those small monologue things about "it's okay to be scared" and stuff like that katie: yeah!! sam: maybe he finds her on a case! katie: yes! he thinks she might have been a witness. but by the time she's able to talk about it it's too late to do anything about it... legally. so they go vigilante justice on their ass sam: oooh, yes! katie: ooh ok so he lures her out with food! sam: Yes! oooh, maybe he just happens to have a sweet in his pocket because mrs. hudson was handing candies to the other kids? katie: at first he's just trying to get her out but she won't so he and John get sandwiches and just sit by the skip and lay an extra sandwich a little bit away from them and start eating and are like "mmm sure its good!" and she kinda sneakily gets closer and closer and they pretend not to notice that she sat down beside them and started eating the other sandwich

[takaraphoenix]

Jercy Week Day 3: Loyalty

Prince Perseus was the second youngest child of King Neptune and Queen Salacia.

Prince of the ocean and of all merpeople. And he was absolutely breathtaking. Everyone who got to meet the prince in person knew that. His skin was a light, soft blue and so was his long, sleek tail, his eyes were a sparkling sea-green and his hair black, softly floating around his face.

Jason had watched the young prince grow up, through the press and through official events when the royal family would visit Atlantis. He had always admired the prince, who had the kindest smiles and who always interacted with everyone. The prince got into a lot of trouble all the time, it was always a topic of gossip around Atlantis.

Jason? He came from nothing. His mother had died when Jason was only two years old. His big sister Thalia and her best friend Luke had basically raised him. Jason and Thalia grew up on the streets, urchins living in a gang of orphans. Stealing to get by and have food on the table.

He worked hard. As soon as he was old enough, he started working hard. He joined the army, went through basic training, he worked his way through the ranks, climbed the ladder.

He came from nothing and he got everything.

He was a decorated general, the youngest that Atlantis' army had ever seen. He was highly respected and had the king himself pin the medal to Jason's chest. Probably the last medal he would ever earn, because during that last battle, he had lost one of his fins. He couldn't go back to war, not like that. And just like that, he was back at square one, back to having nothing.

/break\

Jason was sitting on the couch, glaring at the wall. He had bought the house for them, once he had the money. Thalia and Jason's three best friends – Leo, Piper and Reyna. Luke had moved in with his by now fiance a couple of years ago and had taken the youngest street-kids with him. Jason and Thalia had taken the older. Jason wondered how long they'd be able to afford it.

"Stop sulking, Jay", sighed Reyna and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"We'll be fine", assured Piper gently, tilting her head.

Reyna was also in the army. She'd leave soon again for deployment. Piper had gotten a job as a chamber-maiden at the palace, Leo worked at the forges. They would be fine, probably. And Atlantis took care of their veterans, so it wasn't like they stood there with nothing now that Jason was honorably discharged. It still stung. Jason had worked so hard and now it was all gone.

A knocking at the door disturbed Jason's gloominess. Thalia swam right through the living room to go and open the door. Jason sighed and slipped lower on the couch, fingers clawed into the armrest.

"...Jason. Jason, it's... for you", called Thalia out, sounding stunned.

"I'm not in the mood for visitors", growled Jason back.

"I did hope you would welcome your queen."

Jason froze and turned slowly to see that indeed, it was Queen Salacia. She smiled kindly, her brown hair flowing around her as did the pink silken robes she was wearing. The light from outside caught in her crown, making it sparkle. Piper and Reyna exchanged a surprised look.

"Queen Salacia, what... It's an honor, but... what are you doing here?", asked Jason slowly.

"I've watched your career very closely, General Jason", replied the queen with a smile.

"My... You... have?", grunted Jason stunned and confused.

"You and I, we're much alike", continued Queen Salacia with a kind smile. "We both came from nothing and we worked very hard to get to where we are."

Slowly, Jason nodded at that. She had come from nothing, that was true. A teenaged orphan working hard at a bakery and catching the recently widowed king's eye. She never forgot her roots though, she had always watched out for the little guy. She always kept close to her neighborhood.

"Percy... Prince Perseus, he's a good boy, but oh, he is a lot of trouble", sighed the queen, brushing her hair out of her face. "He's a free spirit. He's not made to stay cooped up in the palace. He wants to explore. I... I'm so afraid that something will happen to him."

"I... understand that. He's your son", nodded Jason. "But... what do I have to do with this...?"

"You are a good, honorable man, General", replied the queen. "A strong fighter and brave soldier. And you are, above all else, loyal to the royal family."

"I... am", nodded Jason, still very much confused.

"I felt for you, during the ceremony. Being discharged. I know the service meant a lot to you. I'm here because I want to offer you a job. It might not be what you are used to, it might not be what you were expecting of your life at this point, but I had hoped you might be up to becoming the prince's personal guard", explained Queen Salacia. "He wants to travel the ocean and I don't want him to travel alone. If that is... in any way a job you could see yourself doing... come to the palace and see me. For now, just think on it, please."

All Jason could do was nod in confusion and watch the queen leave. What had just happened...?

/break\

"Wait, so the queen wants you to become the prince's bodyguard?", asked Leo excitedly.

He rubbed the dirt off his cheek. He had just gotten home from work to hear the news. Piper and Reyna were making dinner together, Thalia was setting the table and Jason was just sitting at the table, staring into the figurative void. He was still trying to process.

"Apparently, my little brother left an impression", chuckled Thalia.

"Percy is pretty amazing", shrugged Piper.

"Percy?", echoed Jason doubtfully, one eyebrow raised.

"Yeah. He prefers to be called Percy. We ran into each other a lot – he regularly steals laundry from the laundry room to build pillow-fords with his younger brother", grinned Piper. "He's a good guy."

"No one doubts that", sighed Jason. "But... am I fit to protect the prince?"

"Well, how about a trial run?", suggested Reyna with a shrug. "Test it. For... a week or two. See how well you two work with each other. See if this can work."

"Not a bad idea", agreed Thalia.

"You know exactly what I mean", grumbled Jason with a glare, flapping his tail.

"Oh please", huffed Leo and rolled his eyes. "The new fin I built you works perfectly as a replacement. You might not be as fast anymore as you were and you can't use your tail for fighting anymore, but it's not like you can't swim straight."

"Leo-", started Piper with a frown.

"No", grunted Leo and shook his head. "Jay, I love you man, but we're all getting real tired of your moping. You lost your fin during battle. It sucks. It really sucks. But it's been... months. And it's been months that you have returned home and... you need to get your shit together. You gotta train, learn to use your new fin and you got to sort your life out again. You did it before. You worked your ass off to achieve what you had. It took years of hard work, but you did. You gotta do it again and it sucks, but you know you can do it and sitting here and giving up is not like you."

Jason stared at his best friend in surprise, before he let his eyes wander over the others. Piper and Reyna avoided his gaze, Piper shuffling around a little. Thalia was the one to heave a sigh.

"Leo's right", agreed Thalia. "You've been... bitter and moping since you got home. If this is a new chance, in any way or shape, then take it. Please don't give up, Jason. Give this a chance."

"Who knows where it'll take you", tagged Reyna on gently. "Try it."

/break\

Percy was laying on the ground in the stables, arms crossed over his chest, a deep glare on his face. He wanted to travel the ocean, but his mom and dad were being overly protective of him. Dad flat-out said no, mom got him down to 'in the company of a guard'. Percy was twenty-three. Other, normal merpeople that age went to college or had work already, some were even already married. And he was being coddled, just because he was the prince. He hated it.

"Big brother? Why are you moping?", asked his baby-brother Tyson.

Sighing, Percy opened his arms and welcomed his brother in his arms. Tyson happily snuggled up to him. The little boy was barely eight and he absolutely adored Percy and Percy adored him.

"I wanna travel, but mom and dad are being... mom and dad", sighed Percy.

"But they said yes?", offered Tyson, even more confused.

"If I take a guard with me", grumbled Percy. "That's... like a babysitter. I'm too old for a babysitter."

"That's true", agreed Tyson and tilted his head. "But it's because mom and dad love you and are worried, right? That's not a bad thing... right?"

"I guess", sighed Percy with a frown. "But still..."

"You should at least meet him, right? I didn't want a babysitter either, but then I met Rachel and now I really-really love her and spending time with her sister Ella", suggested Tyson. "Maybe you'll like your babysitter too and it'll be all okay?"

"...Maybe", mused Percy with a small smile, kissing the top of Tyson's head. "Thanks, bro."

"Boys. Here you are", sighed Sally as she entered the stables.

"Mom? You were looking for us?", asked Percy and sat up.

The queen sighed as she swam up to her children. "Percy. I want you to meet General Jason. He agreed to come and guard you for a week, to see if the two of you can get along. And if you do, if he agrees to take the job, then you... Your father and I agreed to send you to the Pacific Ocean as our ambassador, officially. You can go, if you take a guard."

Percy perked up at that. He got to travel and do official family business. Two birds, one stone. All he had to do was get along with his babysitter. His babysitter, who... oh. Nice. Tall, broad-shouldered, muscular arms, sharp features, a golden tail and golden-blonde hair, electric-blue eyes. There was a scar on his lip and he was missing his right tail-fin, but neither made him any less handsome.

"General Jason", said Percy slowly, surprised. "Mom. When you said guard, I was not expecting a highly decorated general of our army. Are you kidding me?"

"Please", huffed Sally amused. "You really think your dad would have agreed for just any guard?"

Percy rolled his eyes and got up to properly greet the general. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for your service, general."

"It will be an honor to work for you, your highness", replied Jason and bowed.

"Right, no. First rule: No highness and majesty stuff. I'm Percy. Not Perseus", stated Percy. "That's a really important one, okay? Okay. Now... mh... Right. How about I show you around?"

"That would be much appreciated, your... Percy", nodded Jason with a small smile.

Percy laughed at that and flipped his tail. "Okay, so, this is Blackjack. He's important. He'll come with us, when we travel. I've trained him since he was a foal."

Jason stared in amazement. Everyone usually did. Hippocampi were shimmering in all the colors of the rainbow, but Blackjack was, as the name might suggest, pitch-black. He whined and tilted his head, leaning in to sniff Jason suspiciously.

"That the babysitter, boss?", asked Blackjack.

"That the babysitter", confirmed Percy with a smile. "And aside from Blackjack, two more will accompany us. Annabeth and Mrs. O'Leary. They're very important."

"Annabeth... Chase? Your personal adviser?", guessed Jason, earning a nod. "And who is this Mrs. O'Leary? I'll be happy to meet her, if she is that important to you."

Percy grinned and whistled. Moments later and an orca tackled Percy, licking his cheek.

"That is Mrs. O'Leary", grinned Percy, patting the orca's head.

"...Of course does the prince have a pet orca", muttered Jason beneath his breath.

Percy's grin grew at that. He had a feeling he was going to like Jason.

/break\

Percy did like Jason. And it was a mutual thing. They hit it off right away. The trial week passed in the blink of an eye and both of them agreed that they worked together pretty well. King and queen seemed very pleased with the match-up too and a week after, they packed their stuff up and left the Atlantic Ocean behind. Blackjack and Mrs. O'Leary were pulling the chariot, with Annabeth, Jason and Percy in it. Annabeth kept eyeing the boys suspiciously.

"Why do you keep glaring at us, Annabeth?", asked Jason with a frown.

"Just waiting for Percy to crack", shrugged Annabeth with a small, nearly mean grin.

"What does that mean?", asked Jason confused, earning a huff from Percy.

Two hours later and he had his answer. The gorgeous prince was not good with being cooped up in enclosed space with nothing to do. Percy laid sprawled out on the bench, including Jason who sat next to him. It was startling for Jason, even though he had gotten used to Percy in the past week, but the level of comfort and physicality that was so quintessentially Percy was still... odd to him.

"I'm bo—ored. I'm so—o bo—ored, Annie, when are we the—ere", groaned Percy.

Annabeth rolled her eyes and didn't look up from the book she was reading. "The same as five minutes ago, minus five minutes. Pacifika is not exactly right around the corner, Perce."

"I kno—ow, but... urgh", grunted Percy. "When will someone invent a teleporter?"

"You are a god. You could teleport", offered Annabeth, raising one eyebrow. "Your dad's literally the god of the ocean. Me and the general, we would have to travel."

"Well, that'd be even more boring", pouted Percy with a huff.

Jason smiled, just faintly. Their bickering reminded him a lot of Thalia. After another hour of riding, he started caressing the prince's tail, more out of boredom than anything else. There was something soft laying on his lap, so why not pat it. It was instinct. But it seemed to actually help, because Percy settled down and quieted down, to the point that Annabeth lowered her book suspiciously and watched them in surprise. But all Jason could look at was the prince, calm and serene and beautiful.

/break\

Jason woke screaming from a nightmare. His eyes were wide and wild, his breathing rattled.

"Jason? Jay? You alright? What happened?"

He turned stiffly, looking unfocused at the figure at the door, ready to attack. The figure paused.

"Jason. Jason, you're alright. You're in Pacifika. It's me, Percy. You're safe. It's Saturday, it's... three AM, you're in your room in the Pacifican palace. You're safe. Everything is fine."

The voice was gentle and soothing and came very slowly closer. Taking shaky breaths, Jason slowly started to focus. The figure in front of him came back into focus. Percy. The prince.

"Breath with me", whispered Percy gently. "Slowly. In and out. You're fine. Can I... touch you?"

Jason shook his head jerkily, but he managed to regulate his breathing. Sighing, he pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes. When he looked up again, Percy was still there, watching him concerned and not looking as though he planned on moving.

"You better?", asked Percy carefully.

"I... I... yes", nodded Jason, taking deep breaths. "I'm sorry if I woke you. It's just..."

"Yeah?", prompted Percy very gently. "You had a flashback, right? PTSD, huh?"

"...Yes", nodded Jason tentatively, leaning heavily against the headboard.

"I get that. I mean, I don't get it. But... Proteus, my oldest brother, he's been a general for a while now. He sometimes gets that. Panic attacks and flashbacks", offered Percy carefully. "You... wanna talk about it? Or not? Not is fine too. I just... If you need someone, I'm here for you, okay?"

Jason stared at Percy in surprise. "I am your protector. I should be there for you."

Percy just shrugged. "You're supposed to protect me, sure. But that doesn't mean I can't be there for you. You... I'd like for us to be friends, you know? And friends are there for each other."

"...Thank you", whispered Jason gently, looking at the prince.

"So. Is there anything I can do?", wanted Percy to know.

"I... I don't know if it's asking too much, but usually, when I have... Thalia, my older sister, she'd stay with me, just... hold me", shrugged Jason and bit his lips. "It helps me feel grounded to know there's another living, breathing being there, here. Helps me keep from slipping back."

"That's okay", nodded Percy and got comfortable, laying down to face Jason. "So...?"

"It's the new place", sighed Jason and shook his head. "Every time I sleep somewhere else, the first night always... gives me flashbacks, because it's all... new."

Percy hummed softly and folded one arm under his head, looking at Jason. He started talking about something unimportant and silly, just to keep Jason distracted, until they both fell asleep.

/break\

People didn't give Prince Perseus the credit he deserved. It was all the way in Arctika that Jason's tail started acting up. He was still not a hundred percent used to the fake tail-fin. Long swims still were too much for him. He glared viciously at his tail as he slowed down.

"I'm sorry. I really need a break. I'm parched. Why don't we have some sushi? This place looks like a lovely inn and I could truly use the break", declared Percy with the brightest smile.

He was fanning himself and convincing the local royals to take a break. Percy turned toward Jason and winked at him. He had noticed that Jason's tail was acting up. Because Percy noticed things. Percy was brilliant and caring and sweet and kind and he always did everything to help those around him. Over the past weeks of traveling together... Jason had... fallen for the prince.

"Thank you, Perce", whispered Jason softly as they sat down at the table.

"What? Why? I'm absolutely starving and I'm very exhausted", hummed Percy innocently. "I am, after all, just a frail little prince, not used to such long, exhausting swims."

He winked and grinned broadly. How was this boy so cute and amazing...?

/break\

It was during their last stop that Jason had already gotten used to Percy sneaking into his bed during the first night. Every hotel they stayed at, whether it be the small stops during the way when the journey was too long, or when they had reached a palace, Percy would always come to him to make sure Jason would not be alone during the first night.

"I'm really liking this place", started Percy with a soft yawn, patting Mrs. O'Leary.

The orca was sprawled out half on top of the two. Jason smiled and also patted the small whale. He had gotten so used to Percy, to them all. To this all. Percy, after he had noticed that Jason was not fully used to his fin, had taken to doing exercises with Jason. He kept an eye on Jason, to make sure he was okay – even though it was Jason's job to make sure Percy was alright.

"You're amazing", whispered Jason as he stared at the prince's face.

"Ye—eah. What else is new?", asked Percy and laughed.

"No", whispered Jason more urgently, shaking his head. "No. You are absolutely amazing. I was... This was supposed to be a job. But you... you're so much more than a job. You helped me... through something I didn't think I'd ever get through. I'm not through it yet, but... you helped me so much. I... admire you. In a way I never admired someone before. I... adore... you..."

"So, this like... a platonic adoration, or is this a love-confession?", asked Percy cautiously.

"What... Whatever you want it to be", admitted Jason. "I know it is highly unprofessional and I know we have only known each other for a few, precious months now, but... no one has ever made me feel the way you make me feel. Even though I am your bodyguard and I am loyal to the throne, but I can not... I can't betray my heart either."

"Well. You're amazing too, you know?", smiled Percy and leaned in very slowly. "You're funny and cute and I love spending time with you. I've always made friends easily, but with you... with you it feels different. I... I feel different, when I'm with you."

"You... You do?", asked Jason surprised, eyes wide.

"I do", confirmed Percy and reached out to cup Jason's cheek. "So... kiss?"

Jason snorted at that, shaking his head. "You're absolutely ridiculous and I adore you."

"Yeah, yeah. We covered that. Now, kiss or no kiss?", asked Percy with a grin.

Smiling faintly, Jason bridged the last space between them and pressed his lips against Percy's. He could feel the excited flutter of Percy's tail, his fins brushing against Jason's tail because they laid so close. Eagerly, Percy scooted closer and closer to him until they were pressed against each other, Percy's hands against Jason's chest, trapped between them as Jason had his arms around Percy's waist to keep him close. Slowly, Percy wrapped his tail around Jason's to keep him close too.

"I adore you a lot, General Jason", whispered Percy against Jason's lips before kissing him again.

"Your father is going to kill me", whispered Jason with a crooked grin.

"Oh yeah, he will totally pull your scales off one by one", confirmed Percy seriously, nodding. "Seriously, you break my heart, he'll break your spine. That is one hundred percent a thing."

"Well, I guess I better not break your heart then, mh?", whispered Jason amused.

Mrs. O'Leary made a long-drawn cooing sound at that and nudged them both, as though she was agreeing to them. Percy and Jason laughed before they adjusted to lay more comfortably together, with the orca comfortable next to them. Jason smiled as he fell asleep with Percy in his arms.

~*~ The End ~*~

Read this here on FFNet & here on AO3

[miilenv-archive]

guess who said that she’d be sleeping but is not... hehe *fingerguns* anyway i’m jared 19 never learnt how to read ( bee, 20, semi-literate ) nd i'm so excited to be bringing this angelic looking devil ! anyway, i hope y'all are ready for a wild ride, this intro's going to be NUTS. death, suicide, miscarriage and age gap tw for everything under the cut — message me if you want the triggerless rundown ! oh, and a huuuuge thank you to @femkelotte for the irina gif icons, i might never have made lenya without the push of having brilliant resources !

&&. announcing her majesty, ( milena yurivič ), the ( 35 ) year old ( queen ) of ( belarus ). she is often confused with ( irina shayk ). some say that she is ( machiavellian & acerbic ), but she is actually ( ambitious & intelligent ). 

so this is milena, or lenya if you're a close friend or family member ! she's the queen of belarus, via marriage to her 79-year-old husband ( yuh that’s a 44 year age gap, sue me ). she's also formerly her serene highness, milena maksimovna de bourbon-grimaldi, the princess of monaco & before that, her royal highness milena romanova, princess of russia. so basically, This Bitch has a lot of damn titles.

i'm going to add a few dot points below but trust me when i say that if you read her BIO, STATS & TASK 002 you'll know pretty much everything you need to know.

so she was born may 1, 1984, which makes her 35 ! she's very freshly the czarina of belarus, as in six months in the role, but she's basically born for this, trust me !

her father, maksim, was king mikhail's younger brother, he was married to ekaterina they had a son, nikolai, who was two years older than lenya. 

when she was eleven, katya fell pregnant and sadly, she died giving birth to anastasiya. BUT, she left a letter behind, detailing an affair she had that resulted in her falling pregnant. simka, lenya's dad, was already struggling with her death and the letter was basically the straw that broke the camels back. he told her and her brother the secret, and then climbed in his car. nikolasha was determined to stop him and climbed into the backseat, but before he could say or do anything, their father drove into a tree, killing them both.

so then it was just lenya and her newborn baby sister, thankfully though, her uncle took them in and they were then raised alongside alexei, valentina, kostya and nadya. 

skipping forwards, she attended oxford and studied ppe ( philosophy, politics & economics ) & journalism, and once she left school she managed to nab a job as a political journalist at the guardian newspaper in the uk. 

around the time she got her job she began dating henri de bourbon-grimaldi ( and levente cröy ), she was nearing twenty-eight years old and she wanted the wedding and the kids. it really was a matter of who out of henri and levente was ready for more and stepped up. it ended up being henri and he proposed at her twenty-eighth birthday. they married 3 months later.

henri and lenya wanted kids, desperately, but it wasn't for them and they tried to conceive but never succeeded. after finding out the reason for their bad luck, not a week later henri perished in the plane crash.

barely a month after his funeral, lenya packed her bags and fleed back to russia, in her grief she just wanted to be at home, with family. she also needed a new plan.

that's another thing: milena always has a plan. you can call it a goal too but she needs the organisation. she lives for having a purpose. 

so she had a few journalist friends in belarus ( she calls them sources, they're essentially spies ), who told her that king pyotr was of old age, no heirs, and his health was deteriorating. so she did as she does, and brought an idea to her cousins: 'what if i bring belarus even closer to us?'

and so, off she went to belarus, and within about a month she was milena yurivič, czarina of belarus. because of the speed of the wedding after henri's death, she's been painted in the media as a black widow. 

she's mostly come to dubai to strengthen alliances, mend past hurts and make new alliances that are beneficial to both belarus and russia.

as for her personailty: she's ruthless in her pursuit of what she wants, she's not a very open person and only trusts her family and those who've proven themselves. new friendships are unlikely but she will make alliances. 

oh ! and she's based on cersei lannister from game of thrones, which i think explain a lot about her tbh !

okay, that's all i've got for now, but please come and love on my girl ! i've got some wc's for her HERE, there isn't many but i'm happy to brainstorm !

[the-record-newspaper]

Quiet Desperation:  The Lucy Combs story Part I

By LARRY J. GRIFFIN

Special Reporter for The Record

“The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation….”—from Walden, by Henry David Thoreau

Waugh  Street runs east to west across Sparta Road (Hwy 18N) for less than a half-mile in the northern borough.  

It is bounded by fast food restaurants, an auto parts store, a bridal shop, and a Food Lion shopping center, among other commercial concerns.  Traffic is typically teeming on the main highway, though precious little ventures down Waugh Street—east or west—unless, of course, you happen to reside in one of the houses tucked within the wooded nooks and crannies carved out by the twists and turns of the truncated thoroughfare.  

Perhaps it was the trees and a healthy stand of bamboo that muffled the reports of the .38-caliber pistol or the hunting rifle as each was frequently fired—aimed at human targets.  Of course, few heard the subdued screams of a wife and two sons who were living off West Waugh in harm’s way—literally feet away from the hustle and bustle of traffic, commercial endeavors, and the lunchtime crowd ordering food from their favorite fast food vendor.  And no one took note of the “quiet desperation” etched upon their beleaguered faces.

“Mine, George (Jerry Jr.), and Jeff’s lives were so awful; nobody would know the hell we went through…,” wrote a wife and mother in a journal in which she confided when there was no one else to sympathize.  For what must have seemed like an interminable maelstrom of malcontent—35 years, in fact—she and her two sons endured abject physical and mental abuse, criminal neglect, and a life-threatening barrage of bullets, some of which, on occasion, found their intended moving targets.  

It is difficult for Lucy Combs to remember life before the abuse began.  But when asked about it, her mind easily wandered back to her childhood with her parents.

Lucy was born on Tuesday, July 1, 1947, to Carl (1885-1964) and Edith Prichard (1921-1995) who resided in Alexander County.  She was the 10th of 14 children—eight boys and six girls in all.

“I grew up in Hiddenite in a homeplace that stood until December of last year (2017).  I attended school at Hiddenite High—the elementary and high school grades were all in the same building.  I played fast-pitch softball—I was a shortstop—and basketball from the seventh grade to the 11th grade.  I was a guard and certainly the shortest player on the court,” Lucy laughed.  “But I could dribble around players and could come up under the basket before anyone saw me.”

 Her father, Carl Prichard, was 62-years-old when Lucy was born.  She remembered him fondly.  “My Dad was 36-years older than my Mom. He was a jeweler by trade but did other things for people, like sharpen saws, to make money.  My dad was also a strict, church-going man and didn’t appreciate a lot of noise; but, I was close to him—you could call me a ‘daddy’s girl.’”

Lucy remembered their gardens and working in them.  “We had—usually—four gardens every spring and summer that we (the children) helped tend, of course.  My Dad had a plow but no horse or mule to pull it.  So a couple of us kids would pick up the plow and drag it through the gardens to break up the ground and make furrows.”

When he was 79-years-of-age, Mr. Prichard died in Alexander County and was interred at Liberty Baptist Church in Hiddenite, where the family convenes for yearly reunions.  Lucy was 16-years-old.  Her mother, a young 43-year-old widow, eventually remarried a school handyman named, Woodrow Payne.  “He was a singer who sang in choir at church.  My stepfather was a good man—a churchman,” Lucy remembered.  “I think he was also a barber.”

In the January following her father’s death, Lucy’s met a young man that would change her life—his name, Jerry Combs.  “My mother (Edith) knew his grandparents and would assist them in harvesting tobacco. Jerry was there of course.  But I really got to know him some when he came over to our house to visit my brothers,” Lucy recounted.

Jerry Fred Combs was born 12:50 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1947, at Wilkes County Hospital to Agnes Mae and Fred J. Combs.  He was their firstborn.  Though his parents were a constant in his life, Jerry stayed with his Grandmother and Grandpa Griffin and a great-grandma to whom they referred to as Gran Ann—purportedly a full-blooded Cherokee.  

On March 12, 1965, Jerry Combs and Lucy Prichard were married.

“Both of us were 17-years-old; and, I was pregnant,” Lucy averred without equivocation.  “We were married in York, S.C., by a magistrate there.  His mom and dad and my mom witnessed it.  But Jerry really didn’t love me—he barely knew me at the time we were married.” After being lost in thought for a moment, Lucy added, “He never had any love for me.”  

Jerry’s family lived around Johnson Road, off Hwy 268 in the Rock Creek Community.  So, the newlyweds went to live there at first.  Though their lives were never idyllic, Lucy remembered that everything was “OK” in the beginning.  But a late Summer trip in August, 1965 to Kerr Scott Dam with relatives—during her last trimester of pregnancy—triggered a disruption of their tenuous tranquility.

“Jerry and some of his cousins wanted to go up to the dam; but, they had been drinking too much to drive.  So, I had to take them.  They got to talking and told Jerry that I was being ‘flirtatious’ with them.  Well, I certainly wasn’t being flirtatious—not with any of them.  I was pregnant and didn’t feel like that.  But of course they got him stirred-up.  He never said anything much about it to me until after another incident sometime later.”

The revelers were swimming in the cool waters of Kerr Scott while Lucy sat on the bank watching them.

“I can’t swim, and I was also pregnant.  For some reason, though, Jerry insisted that I get in the water.  Well, I told him that I wasn’t a swimmer and wasn’t going to get in the water.  He didn’t pay that any attention and grabbed my arm and pulled me in anyway.  I panicked; I thought I was going to drown. Jerry saw that I really couldn’t swim and tried to push me out.  But I was so scared that I kept pushing him under.  Another swimmer, Larry Reavis, was swimming in the area at the time, saw what was happening, quickly came to the rescue, and managed to push me out of the water.”  

But when Lucy returned to the shoreline, she knew something was wrong inside her body.  “It just didn’t feel right; so, the next day, I ended up in the doctor’s office and learned that my baby had turned sideways. I guess it had something to do with the stress and trauma I experienced when Jerry pulled me in the water.  Obviously, I was scared!  When the doctor placed me on bed-rest for a week, he (Jerry) was not happy about it.”

The spousal abuse, in the early stages of the couple’s relationship, consisted primarily of drunken verbal castigations and lashing-out, but nothing really physical—even after their first son, Jerry Jr., was born on Saturday, Oct. 9, 1965. However, the vestiges of the couple’s domestic tranquility would soon be shattered—evermore—shortly after the birth of their second son in 1967.  The abuse would intensify and take a potentially deadly turn.

[youngwidowofbrooklyn]

Heads. In front of people.

This week I did something I’d never done before. I stood on a stage and read something that I wrote in front of a crowd. The assignment was to create a piece seven minutes in length that somehow related to the concept of “Heads.” I went through several drafts, beginning with the notion of “Heads versus Tails” and ending up somewhere very different. Below is the first draft I wrote.

--------------

Heads.

Heads or tails. Right and wrong. Up and down. Here or there. Kill, fuck, or marry. Death is not an option.

Life is all about choices.

Two roads diverge, and which do you choose? Robert Frost, the pretentious fuck, chose the road less traveled and la-di-da for him.

Meryl Streep, dear Sophie, said to the Nazis “Take my girl!” and regretted her choice for the rest of her life. {Spoiler alert: Did she? I actually never saw “Sophie’s Choice” but I can never miss an opportunity to reference it}

It’s a matter of life and death, make a choice, the beginning or the end. The choice our protagonist makes at the beginning of the novel that sends her on an unexpected journey, and the courageous choice our hero makes at the end of the film to stay and fight and save the poor villagers when the odds are stacked against them.

We love to talk about beginnings and ends. Heads and tails. There’s romance in the newness of a fresh perspective, and there’s cathartic closure that comes in the resolution.

But that’s all bullshit. I call “heads” and we wait, collectively as the coin flips in the air, and some of you - you fuckers - are silently whispering to yourself, “Be tails, be tails, be tails.” And a moment later the reveal comes, and it’s all over. I’m either a winner or a loser. Well, the joke’s on you because I don’t choose. I’m fucking both.

I used to be a person who believed in right and wrong. I used to believe in good guys and bad guys. I used to have been a person who hadn’t experienced much living yet.

2014 was the year after my son was born. It was two years after I’d finally made a the decision to try to have a child before time ran out. In the what seemed like the last moment, we chose to  make another person, my husband and I. And as soon as we got pregnant, we had revealed our secret doubts about this choice we’d made. Could we do it? Could we actually put ourselves second and raise a human being up to be good?

My husband was more nervous than I was, for reasons he’d have to explain, I won’t try to armchair analyze his neuroses. Whenever I had moments of doubt, I was always fortified by the knowledge that my kid would get to have my husband as a dad. My husband: impossibly cool, practical, fastidious, kind and quiet.

My husband: in many ways the yin to my yan. He from a freakishly functional and loving family of educated Southern Democrats. The kind of people who call each other to….talk to each other, because….they love each other? And…are genuinely curious about how each other are feeling?

Me: I’m a fucking Tasmanian devil of skinned knees and dirty socks thrown on the coffee table. Me, the spontaneous one, the one who laughs too loud at shows and gets stink eye from other audience members, who can’t remember to pay bills on time and will jaywalk across streets without looking EITHER WAY, and who has broken a two twice this year, just walking around and not walking where I’m going.

My son’s name - no shit, this is true - my husband thought of his name, and we agreed on it primarily because, as he said, “It sounds really good when you angrily yell it.” And it does. That’s my husband. The practical one, the one much better at planning for the future than me.

So, anyway. 2014. The summer before our son turned 1. The summer that my husband first noticed the blue-black bruises of unexplained origin on his leg, that left his doctors scratching their heads.

After weeks of tests, they admitted to the hospital - about three weeks before our baby turned 1. They needed time to make a diagnosis to figure out what was wrong and how to correct it and he had to stay in Mt Sinai Hospital in Manhattan while they figured it out.

I’m not here to talk to you about my husband’s illness, though. I’m here to tell you about the year that I spent - every day - making an impossible choice. You see, here’s the thing, the only thing they knew for a very long time was that my husband’s immune system had been blown to smithereens. And when you have no immune system the last person you should have contact with is a tiny drooling person who doesn’t obey simple commands and who carries a bag full of human waste with them at all times.

One year. Every day, I had a choice to stay with my amazing baby boy and watch him take his first steps, say his first words and inch closer and closer to the funny, smart and silly dude that he turned into. Or, to take two subway trains and one bus from our Brooklyn apartment to the upper east side of Manhattan to put on a hospital gown, a mask and latex gloves to play countless hands of gin rummy with my quarantined husband.

Heads or tails. Every day.  Life or death? Every day I chose, and every day I regretted my choice. Sitting on the subway hurtling underground toward one half of my heart and away from the other.

Head or tails. How do you choose when those are the stakes? When both options will break your heart?

That year concluded almost exactly a year later, two weeks before my son’s birthday. My year of impossible choices ended like this:

Me and a stable of doctors in a shabby waiting room on the 11th floor. Something something this infection has made it’s way to his head. Blah blah irreparable brain damage.  There are two options. Which do you choose, m’am, as power of attorney?

Well, here’s the wisdom I have to impart to you after a year of playing heads or tails with those stakes. Choose whatever. There’s no right or wrong. Choose the road most traveled, for all it fucking matters. Just keep your fucking head out of your phone, walk to the right side and let the fast walkers pass you on the left side when you do, for Christ’s sake.

Your choices in life take only moments. The beginning of the book is one sentence. The end of the film is one scene.

It’s all the shit you do in between those choices that really matter.

Choose to look at the people around you. Choose to call your brother just to ask him how he’s doing even though he never even called you to offer his condolences. Choose to forgive yourself for all the times you chose wrong. Choose heads. Or tails. Or both. Or neither. And in between all those choices, choose kindness, always.

------------

This was my first pass on the topic, and I sat on it for about a week, before attempting to sculpt it into something that felt more honest and less manipulative.

This was the version that came next.

------------------

I did not choose heads. I chose tails. Didn’t matter, though because I was actually assigned heads in this round of “Head vs. Tails,” which - ironically - seems to imply that a person has freedom to choose.

I did not choose to be here, either. Here in my life, this is not what I chose for myself. I chose an alternate version of my life. I chose the thing that so many of my peers and people in my age group choose: to get married, to have a child, to settle down, and by virtue of those choices avoiding the hellscape of online dating and the possibility of growing old alone, with only my collection of cats and parakeets to keep me company.

That’s what I chose for myself. But the universe chose something else.

So. Heads or tails? You want the good news first or the bad? You’re going to hear both, so it’s not really a choice. But isn’t it nice to feel like your preferences matter in this great big fucking universe that - lets face it - hardly even notices whether you exist or not?

So, tails it is. Bad news first, which is lucky because it allows me to end on an uplifting note. And everyone loves a happy ending, right?

The bad news is that your choices don’t matter. But that doesn’t mean not choosing is an option. You must. You must keep going, you must keep choosing. Even if you choose wrong over and over again. In fact, the ultimate paradox is that even in not choosing you still have made a choice. I’m aware that I am paraphrasing a lyric from a Rush song, and even though I think they are a shitty band, I cannot argue with their logic.

If you know me, then you are thinking to yourself right now, “Oh shit, Jen’s gonna stand on stage and talk about when her husband died and left her widowed and alone to parent their toddler.”

I’m not here to talk to you about my husband’s illness, though. I’m here to tell you about the year that I spent - every day - making an impossible choice. You see, here’s the thing, the only thing they knew for a very long time was that my husband’s immune system had been blown to smithereens. And when you have no immune system the last person you should have contact with is a tiny drooling person who doesn’t obey simple commands and who carries a bag full of human waste with them at all times.

One year. Every day, I had a choice to stay with my amazing baby boy and watch him take his first steps, say his first words and inch closer and closer to the funny, smart and silly dude that he turned into. Or, to take two subway trains and one bus from our Brooklyn apartment to the upper east side of Manhattan to put on a hospital gown, a mask and latex gloves to play countless hands of gin rummy with my quarantined husband.

Heads or tails. Every day. Life or death? Every day I chose, and every day I regretted my choice. Sitting on the subway hurtling underground toward one half of my heart and away from the other.

He didn’t choose that fate. Neither did I. We collectively called “Tails!” as the coin spun in the air, “Tails! We choose to beat this and grow old together and one day tell our grown son, TOGETHER - about the most surreal and scary adventure that our little family went on and how we beat it - we beat the big, scary monster that was a terrifying and rare disease, and an army of apathetic and jaded New York hospital staff members! That’s our choice! And when the coin finally landed, the universe hollered back, “It’s heads, fuckers.”

That was two and a half years ago. I struggle regularly with how to exist in a world where my own personal “worst case scenario” has already played out. I look at older couples walking together and know that it won’t be us. I see children on an outing with their fathers and - okay, first I think how fucking lucky that mother is that she has a fucking moment to herself, is she taking luxurious bath now? Or sleeping? Oh jesus christ I miss sleeping like I can’t even tell you

- and after that passes I think to myself, “What did my kid do to deserve this fate? He didn’t get a single, fucking daddy and son outing and it’s not fucking fair to do that kind of shit to a child!”

In my darkest hours I feel like a walking example of the life that no one wants to live. Sometimes the weight of my grief collapses square into my chest and turns me into the world’s saddest navel gazer. I stand here before you, the central character of the saddest story of all time: The Tragic Tale of The Young Lover Who Had and Then Lost Everything. The title is long, I know, but apt.

But as I promised, there is good news, too. And the good news is that your choices do not matter.

The universe is so vast and we are so tiny and very little of what we say or do matters all that much.

I know expect me to have a very bleak world view at this point. But I don’t. I promise you. I have found a freedom in knowing that the universe will not change irreparably with the choices that I make.

I am one tiny part of the universe. My grief is nothing compared to some people in other corners of this planet. I have lost one half of my heart. Yes. But I have also known love in a true and profound way and I am a better person for it.

I am a heartbroken person. Yes. But every day, I choose to be happy. I choose to have things to look forward to. I choose to laugh with my child.

The universe isn’t watching to make sure I’ll be okay. The universe will be just fine if I collapse and disappear. I could drink myself to sleep every night and stumble through my waking life. I could choose to let relatives raise my child. I feel like many people would understand if I did.

But I do not choose that path. I choose to get up. Again. And again. The universe expects me to choose “Heads.”

Fuck you, Universe. I choose “Tails.”

-----------------

And I liked that draft just fine. But, as the date of the performance approached, I began to like it less and less. So with less than a day left, I endeavored to come at the topic from a very different approach. This is where I landed, and this is what I stood onstage and said. It feels like exactly what I wanted to say, in a way that I wanted to say it, to talk about my pain, my fumblings at being a good person, without asking for pity and by making fun of my sadness - mostly because that’s the only way I can bear it myself. Here it is, the final version, for all of my friends who could not be there to hear me say it out loud.

----------------

According to my tax returns, I am the head of my household, but this is surely an error. I am, in no way qualified to head up an entire household, let alone one containing myself, a small child and four small domesticated animals besides.

I plan to appeal this decision to the highest authorities, if need be. The following is a list of reasons why I should be removed from this position post haste.

1. I have totaled two cars and one bicycle, so far.

2. Assuming I was the most qualified person for the job, I have pierced my own ears, and my nose, several times, using safety pins, sewing needles and other pointy and unsanitized instruments.

3. I believe that food you do not pay for has zero calories.

4. I am suspicious of blonde haired people.

5. I have broken my arm three times over the course of my life, broken a toe twice in the past year, required stitches to close a gash in my wrist after being locked out of my apartment and deciding the prudent way to regain entry was to punch through the glass panel in the front door, and I once got high and laughed so hard for so long at my then-boyfriend saying the word “Snarf,” that I actually bruised my lung and had to be treated at an emergency room.

6. I consistently walk across intersections without looking in EITHER direction.

7. I am 42 years old, and I have not yet mastered the art of not peeing in my pants during awkward social interactions.

8. I once got high on Rush’s tour bus.

9. Despite all evidence to the contrary, I strongly believe that it is possible that I could be killed by a great white shark that someone put in a swimming pool as a prank.

For these reasons I feel I should be exempt from consideration for head of anything. I have throughout my life exhibited a pattern of irrational behavior and poorly conceived ideologies. I cannot - no matter how many reminders I put in my phone - remember to pay my bills on time. No matter how much I want to be an organized and orderly person, my home is still a mess of dirty socks on the coffee table and dishes are not loaded into the washer until I’ve resorted to eating cereal out of a vase with chopsticks.

If - for some inexplicable reason - the aforementioned anecdotal evidence I’ve presented is insignificant to persuade you of my poor qualifications for this title, please allow me to submit one final fact about myself. It concerns the manner in which I became head of my household.

Two years, six months and nine days ago. I was sat in a shabby waiting room on the 11th floor of Mount Sinai Hospital. Across from me sat three doctors, a nondescript white man, a south asian man, who did most of the talking, and a white woman with blonde hair (pause) who looked ready to burst into tears at any moment. They called me “Mrs. Bateman” - which was confusing because that’s my mother in law, not me.

“As you know, Mrs. Bateman, your husband began showing signs of confusion two days ago, and we’ve been working to diagnose the precise cause of it. Something-something an infection, Ma’am. This infection has made it’s way into his head. We’ve done some tests, and so on and so forth, and given the size of his pupils at this point, blah blah irreparable brain damage. So, Mrs. Bateman, we have to ask you - what would you like us to do? Did your husband ever discuss....etc., etc.?”

They asked ME these questions. As if I could be trusted with something of this magnitude. I don’t read operating instructions. I don’t save receipts. I don’t balance my checkbook.

Suddenly, it was up to me to say “I don’t think he would want this.” My husband who - incidentally - as the son of two educators, LOVED doing homework, was maddeningly meticulous and always paid our bills on time, had a 401K and great health insurance, HE was the head of the household. He was the brains of our operation. I was the often misguided but usually well-meaning heart of it. Not only am I not equipped to replace him, but I cannot bear that my first order of business in doing so was to give my permission for him to die.

So you see, surely there has been some sort of clerical error. It should have been me. I should have been eaten by a shark in a pool.

Because if that would’ve happened, sad as he would’ve been, my husband would’ve known what to do after. He was always much better at planning for the future than I was.

I can tell you for sure that HE wouldn’t have put MY ashes in a ziplock baggie that he accidentally let burst inside his purse.

Of course, it is possible that the authorities will reject my plea to step down from this post I did not campaign for. I do have a contingency plan, in that event. 

I look at my son. Four and a half years old now, he is. Blonde haired. And in his face, I see his father, as everyone who knew his father does. I see his calm reason and his reassurance in my panicked moments and in my grief that everything is going to be okay. Even if it’s hard. Even if it seems like it will never be okay again. And I remind myself that even though it does not come natural to me, it does not FEEL like it is me, I do know how to be sensible, practical, to not make rash or reckless decisions. I know how because these are the ways in which my husband balanced me. And if I close my eyes, I can still see him inside my head, telling me what he would do if he were here.

And so, if I must claim the title of head of household, head of my family, chief decision maker, I know that I am not doing it alone. He’s still here and I accept the title in his honor.