#new ken fit!! he has shorts to match!!! no i’m not okay!!!

[ghoulbats]

michael jones the man that you are

[arcanescholar]

Hard To Find The Right Words

Omori Post True Good Ending Spoilers. 

Aubrey having a tough time, etc etc. Enjoy maybe??? Might get more chapters later if I feel like it???????????? FUCK????????????

Ch 2 

On the long, long list of “shit Aubrey’s had to put up with” for the past few days…

This special, insidious sort of dizziness has gotta be a new one. Seriously, give a girl a break right? Who the fuck is able to handle this many highs and lows at once? It’s enough to make her head spin, and the hospital taking her bat away wasn’t helping matters.

The words that tumbled from Sunny’s placid, stony expression, his singular eye barely betraying the shaky, unsteady difficulty in handling recounting the story, made her stomach turn.

Shit, what a time to be thinking about what she had for lunch. If it comes back up right now she might straight up die of embarrassment y’know?

She couldn’t even turn her attention to Kel or Hero but, with the way the younger had to take a step back and struggle to find any words, and how the elder seemed to freeze like a statue, she had a feeling they were in just as bad of a spot.

“… and, that’s what happened.”

Sunny finally finishes recounting his story, and before he can say another word, Hero is already lunging, Ken barely able to snag his less-in-shape brother before he gets the chance to do whatever he was about to.

Aubrey, though…?

Years of anger, years of hatred and fury and bottled up impatience, a near lifetime of bitterness bubbles in her gut and sends her vision swimming.

Huh.

She just remembered, it was pizza.

Weird, why is Sunny getting so much taller? Kel? Hero? How come her knees started hurting suddenly-

Oh.

Oh, her legs gave out. That makes sense. God, her hair’s getting in her eyes, was it already starting to lose its color? Why is it so hard to focus on anything right now? She should be pissed! She should be picking up hospital equipment and chucking it out a window right now! So why can’t she move?! Why?!

For once, Aubrey can’t summon up her anger. For the first time in who only knows how long, she feels like the scared little girl that had to hide away when holes got punched into walls, that covered her head in her room and squeezed herself into a corner with her rabbit when the arguing got too loud. Her breath catches in her throat and refuses to let up. Is she going to die?

She can’t handle this again. Not now. She’s not strong enough, she’s not tough enough to deal with this-

….

Pap

… A hand rests against her head. That brief touch is enough to peel back the veil and drag focus back kicking and screaming into reality. She almost reflexively goes to turn and smack the hand out of the way, only to realize part way through her turn that it was just Basil’s arm, flopping out from the mattress and accidentally brushing against her head for a moment. The boy was still asleep, still a mess of injuries that made her nearly throw up seeing him in that state.

She might have bullied him, fantasized about beating him to an inch of his life, thought about crushing that bat of hers against his skull more times than she could count. She might have turned that weapon on Kel and Sunny both at least once before, but…

Seeing him like this, seeing Sunny with that eye patch, having lost sight in one of his eyes for what might be the rest of his life?

…

She takes Basil’s hand in hers and carefully stands up. Hero and Kel had been shouting for at least a minute now, she’s not sure how long it’s been since they started processing what happened in their own way. A shove is all Hero needs to finally get out of Kel’s grip, giving him time to damn near sprint out of the room, tackling the door hard enough to almost knock it off of its hinges before dashing out of the room.

Almost without thinking, Kel dips out, rushing after his brother with words that only come across like muffled noises in Aubrey’s ears.

… … …

There was a time when she confided in Mari, a time when she spoke to her about what was happening back at home, she remembered the pain in the older girl’s face, and the words she told her as she let Aubrey rest her head in her lap one quiet afternoon, just between the two of them.

“It’s not my place to say, but… If I could, I’d adopt you right now and give you the biggest welcome to the family hug I could…! Family should never hurt family. No one should ever raise a hand to a loved one and mean it, and the fact that they’re scaring you like that just isn’t right…” The older sister murmured at the time. Aubrey remembers now, Mari brushed her fingers through her hair in a really specific and special way that she almost forgot about.

It was like tracing little circles into her skin with her fingers, like trying to massage the fear from her brain, reaching in deep and grasping the wellspring of her despair and coaxing it out to let her think clearly again…

“When you get older… When things seem tough and scary and you don’t know what to do, that you feel like you’ve got nowhere else you can turn to. You might want to get mad, you might get really furious at having to deal with so much as a kid, but… Promise me, you won’t turn that anger on your friends, okay? Take a breath-”

… Haaaaahhh…

“-center yourself-”

Aubrey gives Basil’s hand a light squeeze. She can hear the hum of medical equipment and the sound of Hero and Kel’s footsteps retreating again.

“-and remember all the precious people you have in your life.”

She wasn’t the sort to pay the most attention to school, but, in this moment, a line she read in a book she had to read a few weeks back crosses her mind again.

“They asked, ‘do you love her to death’? And I said ‘speak of her over my grave, and watch how she brings me back to life’.” (1)

Funny how things dredge up in your memory at the weirdest possible moments, she thinks. For the first time, she’s starting to understand at least some of what those words really mean. 

…

After a moment, she carefully tucks Basil’s hand back into the bed, before letting loose a light huff through her nose. He’s still sleeping, if a bit more fitfully from all the noise.

“… Kh. Don’t gotta remind me like that y’know? Puts a bad taste in my mouth…” She nearly spits, trying to mask herself with bitterness.

It wouldn’t be long before hospital security came to drag Sunny back to his bed and cut this conversation short, she had to act fast.

She steps forward, and without hesitation, reaches up… and presses her hand on Sunny’s head, rubbing her fingers through his hair, tracing circles and massaging with a silent, stony expression that matches his own. She was still sick to her stomach, her balance was still terrifically uneasy, but…

“… I’ll come talk to you again later, okay?”

She pulls her hand back, and gives him a light punch to his shoulder before stepping out of the room.

“For what it’s worth…” She says, pausing in the door frame as she hears the sounds of shoes squeaking against tile flooring as the hospital staff finally approaches to do their damn jobs.

“I kinda get it. I understand it. I’ve been there. I’m not good at talking about this kind of thing, but, if you need to talk, I can give listening a try... this time.”

Sunny was going to leave after he recovered enough for the hospital to let him loose with his frankly fucking negligent mom. There was nothing she could do that would change that, but…

At least for now, at least while he was still recovering in the hospital, she could finally, actually speak to him.

“… Thanks for opening up Sunny. Give Hero a bit. That guy’s so strung up trying to be the best of us that I guess even he’s gotta snap at some point right?”

Says the girl trying to play mom-friend to the most broken-ass friend group in the tristate area. Christ, trying to be a decent person sucks. How the fuck did Hero pull it off for so damn long?

“Aubrey…”

“Yeah Sunny?”

“… thank you. I’m sorry.”

“Kh, fuck that, I almost drowned both you and Basil. If I started whining about accidents that happened in fits of rage I’d be the worst hypocrite in history, y’know?”

“…”

“Talk to Basil and let him know what happened if he wakes up before the staff drag you back to your room or something. I’ll let ‘em know you need a sec.”

With that, she carefully shuts the door.

What she says to the staff, what kind of look she gives them is growled with enough force and tinged with enough protective violence that it gives them just enough pause for the young boys to exchange an all too important smile of mutual understanding. 

Even if Aubrey never saw it, that little moment of clarity between them saved both of their lives in a way she’d refuse to take credit for helping make happen, knowing her.

A busted, crappy, cracked-screen phone buzzes to life as she walks past the staff. God, she fucking hates it here. The way her shoes hit the tiles, the way the equipment sounds, the fact that every time she’s come here, she’s ended up crying for some reason or another-

Shit, here come the water works now. Damn it Aubrey, at least make it out the door first-

A trip and a tumble nearly sends her falling straight to the floor but, she snaps out her hand just in time to snatch onto a handrail on the side of one of the hallways, her head still spinning as she sags against the floor, her phone toppling out of her jacket’s pocket and landing on its back with a loud, spinning clatter, settling in upside down to her perspective. Tear drops spatter onto the screen, distorting the light and scattering rainbow patterns across its surface. Gah. Add that to the damage. This just isn’t her day. 

Behind a call notification, her background shows the cork board in her room with the pictures she yanked out of Basil’s album after saving them from their near ruined state, mixed in with pictures of her and her other friends she made in the time that passed since. A little bubble on the screen bounces about, showing a picture of Kim flashing a peace sign with a bright eyed wink that reflects in Aubrey’s tired eyes, refracting as it passes underneath her teardrops.  “… Hhfffhh…”

She eventually picks her phone up off the ground and answers it. A hospital staffer looks about ready to tell her off for using her phone in the hallway but, lets be honest.

The kind of glare Aubrey gives off as she very deliberately swipes her finger across the screen to accept the call is the sort that would give most adults pause.

“… Hey.”

“Aubrey!!!! You finally picked up!!!”

“…”

“I was so worried when I heard about what happened! Kh, stupid hospital not letting us in…!”

“…”

“… Aubrey? Are you there? I can kinda hear you breathing so you probably didn’t butt-accept the call or something!”

“Yeah. Yeah I’m here.”

“Jeez, how come you weren’t saying anything? Did those ner-”

An audible pause. Kim clears her throat after a second.

“Sorry, uh, did those guys get out of the woods okay…? I kinda only caught the cliffnotes of you going to the hospital from that text you sent me so…”

“They’re fine.”

Aubrey steps outside the hospital’s visiting center doors and finally breathes fresh air for the first time in what felt like days.

“Or… They’re as fine as they can be. Sort of. Kinda.” She continues, stepping over to one of the benches outside and taking a seat, drinking in the sounds of chirping birds, gentle breezes, swaying trees, and the sensation of warm sunlight… It was a beautiful day, and she didn’t feel nearly good enough to appreciate any of it.

“That’s good at least yeah? Uh… Hrmggh. I’m bad at this kinda thing but… Uh. If there’s anything you need to talk about, you can hit me and the others up at any time yeah?”

Kim’s voice was surprisingly tender, tender enough that it manages to draw a sniff out from Aubrey, forcing her to bring a hand up to her eyes and rub it across them to make sure she didn’t show any tears yet god damn it-

Ugh. Where’s Kel’s Taurine soaked brain anyway. He’s better about handling this kinda energy! Does- shit, does he even like energy drinks?

“Aubreeeeey, if you keep going silent I’m gonna think someone kidnapped you y’know. Gotta pull the whole gang together, beat up on the nearest creepos till we find you! The Maverick’s got a Style Meter App on his phone that does those shouts from that one game so we’ll even get t’ have our own hype-men-”

The thought of Michael in a parking lot with a buffer sword in one hand and a phone in the other trying to do combos for a video to put on his Way Too Many Social Media accounts hits Aubrey with a second hand cringe that nearly brings her to her knees.

“UGGGHHHH!” Aubrey finally cracks, a doofy grin hitting her lips despite her audible mental suffering, slumping back in the chair and nearly sliding out of it entirely, a few tears finally trickling down her eyes as her body releases its tension at last.

“I can’t believe that try hard seriously sprung for something like that. If he tries that shit in public in front of me I’m making’ his screen look like mine.” Aubrey finally grumbles, adjusting her bow. “… Right, I left my bat at home. Ugh.”

“There we go! Now you’re talking’ again. Jeez, way to make a girl worry… Charlene was getting ready to find some flowers to give to you too, the sweetheart.”

“She’s more of an angel than Angel is…”

“Right?! Maybe we should make Angel give up on his nickname-”

“Don’t bother, Charlene’d never let him do it.”

“You’re so right it’s actually kinda annoying.”

“She’s the best of us, y’know.”

“…”

“…”

“So, can you like, talk about what happened at all now or…?”

“… Hang out spot, by the lake, be there in 20.”

“Should I bring the rest of the group-”

“Not this time, Kim.”

The call ends without another word, another ping showing on her phone’s screen showing string of texts from Kel.

JrangeOoe: hey!!!!! ;v;

JrangeOoe: sorry i left you alone with sunny and basil there, hero was having a really bad freak out

JrangeOoe: mom and dad and i are workin with him now, gonna try to calm him down will be back at hospital to give basil and sunny another visit later

JrangeOoe: gonna be honest, this is giving me a little time to figure this stuff out too so, thanks hero for the panic i guess??????

JrangeOoe: ugh no that’s not fair

JrangeOoe: anyway, if you need to chill and get some ginos later i found 10 bucks in a visiting center couch and was trying to hide it but

JrangeOoe: today’s a “spread the wealth” sorta day

It took a couple of moments of hesitation, but…

headhooligan: dinner, maybe

headhooligan: fuck this whole dumbs week

headhooligan: i got some spare cash so i’ll chip in too to get hero something if it’ll help

headhooligan: also what the fuck how are you so calm about this are your parents not trying to work you through this too or something?!

JrangeOoe: uh

JrangeOoe: no but i think hero needs it more right now!!!

JrangeOoe: i dunno how i feel, i guess i’m just to worried about everyone else to think about it?

JrangeOoe: *too

JrangeOoe: i’ll catch you later for dinner tho, if i can get hero to calm down enough to feel safe leaving him be with mom and dad

JrangeOoe: get a feelings jam up in here

JrangeOoe: pizza and ice cream or whatever

JrangeOoe: not at your place tho tbh your mom kinda freaks me out like a lot

headhooligan: >:/

JrangeOoe: what? it’s the truth!

With a roll of her eyes, Aubrey stuffs her phone away, wrenching her bike out of its lock from the hospital’s parking lot bike rack and mounting up. She takes one, final, long look at the hospital’s monolithic facade, and thinks about just how high up that building goes before shaking her head, and pedaling off.

The whole ride home, all she can do is play back today’s events again, and again, and again. Hear the same story in Sunny’s stilted monotone, again, and again, and again.

Every instinct, every trained gut reaction, every beaten in urge and desire tells her she should hate him.

He stole her from everyone, he murdered her, broke her skull against the floor like some raging animal then strung her up like a horror show for everyone to see just to avoid consequences with Basil’s help-

… But…

That panic that gripped her chest when Basil fell in the water from her shove just a few days ago, the terror at taking not one life, but two when Sunny jumped in after him, still unable to swim.

“…”

Her pedaling gets harder, more forceful, making the aging, damaged frame of her hand me down, fourth hand bike creak and groan in protest, hair billowing behind her in a tangled mess of poorly kept locks…

What should be anger gives way to an oddly calm understanding, what should be hatred and fury and violence wraps itself so tightly in its own chaotic energy that all she can do is…

…

There’s not a cloud in the sky, but raindrops spatter on concrete and asphalt where she rides, leaving a trail of sorrow four years in the making, finally given “closure”, finally released.

—-

(1) Credit to Mahmoud Darwish for this legendary line.

[ryuukia]

[Translation] Tsukihana Kagura Cast Presentation: Asagi (Growth)

Happy New Year, everyone! Continuing with Ryota’s translations (many thanks again), now is Growth’s time to shine. Next up will be my set of units, SolidS and then Quell.

Please don’t repost/retranslate/reuse this translation. Likes and reblogs are appreciated!

Nation: the affiliated country’s name Flower name: the name as a dancer Dance technique: the name of each person’s characteristic dance Dance props: the name of the tool used while dancing (there are cases when none are used)

Eto Koki

“We are Asagi. We will continue to pray for the world’s peace.”

Nation: Asagi ※Chief

Flower name: Kogetsu (Lonely Moon)

Dance technique: Kibanasanga (Scattered Rimy Flowers)

Dance props: Folding Fan / Inscription: [Gurousu] (Growth)

His family is the owner of a vast plot of land which they inherited from their ancestors. From there, they started finding success in agriculture and forestry. Moreover, their businesses continued to expand as they ventured in manufactures, sales, import, and even financing. They are a very wealthy family.

His father came from the nation of 'Asahanada' after falling in love with the Eto Household’s only daughter. In an attempt to woo her, his father became an excellent Flower Dancer and has once become a 'King of Flowers'.

Being their son, he has shown outstanding qualities since he was a child and for the past 15 years has been expected to be selected as the 'King of Flowers'.

Yaegashi Kensuke

“Asagi’s dance has a fast and slow tempo so it’s a lot more trying than you’d think~!”

Nation: Asagi

Flower name: Hekikuu (Cloudless)

Dance technique: Ryuuryokukakou (The World’s True Nature)

Dance props: Folding Fan / Inscription: [Shinra] (Blessings Between Heaven and Earth)

His family runs a food manufacturing company. The products his family makes are called “Yaegashi Sealed ●●” and are beloved by the locals. He couldn’t forget the “Tsukihana Kagura” he saw once at the “Tsukihana Festival” so he’s aiming to become a Flower Dancer.

Just as he was thinking of wanting to work very hard as a dancer for someone, Koki introduced him to a man he didn’t know (Mamoru). He was surprised at first but after getting to know Mamoru, he began to accept the idea. He's a very attentive man who usually knows how to make someone move just by taking a glance from head to toe at the person.

Interview with Eto Koki (Growth)

Q. Please tell us about the highlights of this stage play and your impressions or story behind your partnered dance.

Our dance has a lot of parts wherein I move far away and then closer to my partner so, when I was trying to move to my position, I accidentally hit Mamoru with a violent swing of my arm. I’m really sorry about that time (bitter smile). I will promise to show you a wonderful performance while being careful as well.

Q. In Tsukihana, all 12 nations have their own specialties, but if you could come up with a new specialty for your own country, what would it be?

Negi-yaki.

Q. Lastly, leave a short message for the fans.

Tsukihana Kagura has a total of 12 songs. Each of them are flowing with personality so I would be really happy if you listened and found all of them. Personally, aside from Asagi’s, I quite adore listening to Asahanada’s and Geppaku’s music. I wish that you would be able to find a favorite as well!

Interview with Yaegashi Kensuke (Growth)

Q. Please tell us about the highlights of this stage play and your impressions or story behind your partnered dance.

You can tell from the costume (I think?) that I will move around a lot~! I jump and move around so much. On the other hand, Ryou dances so elegantly. The complete difference in atmosphere is interesting. We actually do something different from each other halfway and then at the end, our movements become perfectly matched! It gives me goosebumps! Check it out, okay~?!

Q. In Tsukihana, all 12 nations have their own specialties, but if you could come up with a new specialty for your own country, what would it be?

Yaegashi Sealed Spring Onion. (It’s delicious!)

Q. Lastly, leave a short message for the fans.

The Yaegashi Seal is everywhere so there's Yaegashi Sealed dango, bread, and even ramen! Look forward to the amazing Yaegashi Family Seal that sells everything (laughs). We interact a lot with members we don’t usually interact with, too~!

Sakuraba Ryota

“Beautiful things are wonderful, aren’t they?”

Nation: Asagi

Flower name: Houki (The Prime of Womanhood)

Dance technique: Ryuuryokukakou (The Beauty of Spring)

Dance props: Folding Fan / Inscription: [Kuromonji] (Black Letters)

He hails from a wealthy household that specializes in foreign trading. Ever since he was young, he has been used to having any selfish whim of his granted. He is a bit of a mischievous and antagonistic type of person.

He seems to be attracted to things that don’t go his way. One reason that he loves dancing is because his own body doesn’t move just to fulfill ideals.

He is childhood friends with Koki and Kensuke, and while he says a lot, he thinks of the both of them as precious friends.

That is exactly why, he was a bit wary of Mamoru when he suddenly appeared in their lives.

Fujimura Mamoru

“I wish that the tears I saw that day would go away… I will dance for your sake.”

Nation: Asagi

Flower name: Yakou (Light in the Darkness)

Dance technique: Shiran (Purple Light)

Dance props: Fox Mask / Inscription: [Kokuko] (Black Fox)

He is a young man who was always on a journey. Though he felt at ease once he got back to Asagi, he fell unconscious right in the middle of the street in the capital city.

Fortunately, Koki happened to be passing by and picked him up. However, Mamoru was in a slightly malnourished state because he had scarcely eaten for two weeks.

Mamoru was not someone who was suited for survival in the first place so, Koki couldn’t find it in his heart to abandon him. There, their strange life living together began.

It all started with an act of just helping another person out. However, after seeing Mamoru’s mysterious and entrancing dance, Koki proposed to have him join as a dancer.

Interview with Sakuraba Ryota (Growth)

Q. Please tell us about the highlights of this stage play and your impressions or story behind your partnered dance.

My dance with Ken has choreography that emphasizes the difference between our personalities. There are a lot of contrasting movements that perfectly show our differences. However, I am doing my best to practice to make those differences fit together. It’s because we’re dancing as partners that I think I have to show how good we are together.

Q. In Tsukihana, all 12 nations have their own specialties, but if you could come up with a new specialty for your own country, what would it be?

Asagi Soft-serve Ice Cream.

Q. Lastly, leave a short message for the fans.

Unlike 'Kiso Sekai' we are living in a very peaceful world this time. It’s because this world is very peaceful that I can be as selfish as I can. I have a lot of selfish requests that will take everyone for a spin ♪

Interview with Fujimura Mamoru (Growth)

Q. Please tell us about the highlights of this stage play and your impressions or story behind your partnered dance.

This is my first time dancing together with Kou-kun so every day, my heart was pounding and I was freaking out. Though, when we start dancing, I don’t have the liberty to think about that (laughs). Gentle movements have a different difficulty from the fast movements, I think. I can’t afford to look messy and I can’t fail. In a lot of ways, my muscles were very sore (laughs). I will do my best to not lose to everyone!

Q. In Tsukihana, all 12 nations have their own specialties, but if you could come up with a new specialty for your own country, what would it be?

Asagi Ramen (with lots of spring onions~)

Q. Lastly, leave a short message for the fans.

This time, we’re in a very peaceful world. Meaning, there’s a lot of daily life scenes. There are a lot of ad-libs and daily jokes, too. To the point where you’ll think “Wait, this unit’s doing that, too!?” (laughs). It would be very nice if everyone laughed along with us, too ♪

If you want to support Ryota and her work, you can buy her a ko-fi right [here]. I also have my own [ko-fi] page and [commission page] linked here.

[annoyinglyjovialbird]

Voltron: Next Generation

Dangerous Clashes: II

Word Count: 2804

Kenny woke up to someone shaking him. He reluctantly awoke, still groggy. His dad was at his bedside, staring at him. 

"Hey, Ken." Keith was saying. "C'mon, time to wake up. We have to go."

"What?" The teen groaned. 

"It's time to go." 

"We can't wait five more minutes?" Keith shook his head and walked to the door.

"Get up and pack up. You'll be staying with the Holts."

"What about Kyla?" He asked, but Keith had already walked out the door.

With a groan, he pushed back the gray and white plaid comforter and grabbed his suitcase and backpack. His closet was filled with oranges, browns, reds, and greens. Kenny grabbed a white t-shirt, a brown jacket, and blue jeans. He looked under the bed for his sneakers, then remembered they were by the front door. With a suitcase and backpack in hand, Kenny walked down the familiar hallway. Pictures lined the walls, mostly of Keith and Katie's adventures and accomplishments. Kenny passed the family picture taken years ago without looking at it. Why did his parents think a mullet was a great idea?

Kenny missed the wood-paneled walls. He even missed the mismatched yellow chair. 

"Kyla!" Pidge yelled from the kitchen. "Why are you still wearing pajamas? Are you even packed?" Kenny dropped his suitcase and backpack by the front door and walked past the living room to the nearest counter. Kyla looked so small in her seafoam green pajamas, clutching the small lilac blanket over her shoulders. Kyla had her head bent, staring at the hardwood floor. She slept with that blanket like it was a stuffed animal. Whether the short woman saw or not didn't matter when tears began to fall to the floor. 

"Stop it." Kenny stepped forward, picking up the little girl. One stern look was all Kenny gave his mother. When he entered the hallway, he dropped his voice. "Don't pay attention to Pidge. She's just cranky." 

They entered Kyla's room. He remembered they used to argue about the wall color. The paint can read "Night Sky Navy" but Kyla insisted it was dark purple. Whatever. 

Setting the little girl down, Kenny kneeled on the floor in front of her. 

"Pidge and Keith are going to go away for awhile. You need to be packed and ready to live at your new home until they come back, okay?" Kyla cocked her head, shrugged, and nodded. "Cool. Now, where's your suitcase?" She pointed at a black suitcase in the back of her closet. He grabbed it and set it on the bed beside her. "Now, what should we put in here?" 

For the next few minutes, Kyla directed Kenny on her shirts, pants, underwear, and socks' locations. They chose a purple long-sleeved shirt with ruffles at the sleeves, two pink t-shirts, two pairs of brown plaid shorts, a pair of black pants, and four pairs of socks. Her underwear should last her a week without washes, but hopefully, their parents weren't that cruel. 

Only a few items were missing. Extra pajamas, swimsuit, fancy dresses, maybe some overalls, and a random object she could take in the suitcase. Her big smile returned, and her amber eyes were bright. Besides her seafoam onesie, Kyla insisted her gray onesie be put inside too, along with the matching slippers. Kenny complied, also grabbing a pair of black mary janes and pink sneakers in the process. The swimsuit was packed at the bottom of a junk drawer, but they managed to grab it. It was designed to look like a Voltron Paladin suit. He had a matching two-piece. His was green, while Kyla's was black. She didn't wear it often, though. 

"Okay, Kyla! Time for fancy dresses!" Kenny said in a funny voice, making the little girl laugh. He pulled a closet door aside and saw most of the clothes were hanging on the upper rack, much too far off the ground for little Kyla. "Which fancy dress, little Ky?" Kenny looked through the rack, studying the reds and greens on almost every dress. He got to a black sequined dress when Kyla told him to stop. If he remembered right, this was a gift from the Shiroganes. Or Grandma. Maybe he didn't remember right. 

"This is the one with the ribbons, right?" He called. 

"Yeah!"

"Okay. Where are the ribbons?"

"In the box."

"What box?"

"That box!" He turned and saw Kyla pointing at the wooden chest on her dresser. A dresser she also couldn't reach alone. 

"That's a rainbow of color. Okay, Ky. What colors am I grabbing?"

"Hmm, blue, red, and purple!"

"Purple?"

"Purple!"

"Okay!" Kenny grabbed the colors and returned to Kyla and the suitcase. "Ooh, I almost forgot the overalls. While I grab those, do you wanna grab your special object?"

"What's a special object?" He kneeled in front of her again.

"It's anything you want that can fit in your bag. It can be a toy, or a picture of the family, or even your blankie." Kyla wrapped the thin blanket around her shoulders tightly, eyes narrowing defiantly. She was daring him to take her blankie away. "Okay, okay! Maybe not the blankie, but do you get what I mean?" She nodded, and he stood up to grab the overalls from the closet. Whatever she grabbed, he didn't see. She had hidden it in the piles of clothes inside the suitcase already. He didn't ask any questions, especially since there was no time to ask them. Keith and Pidge were starting to yell and honk the horn. Kenny sat on the bed and Kyla wrapped her arms around his neck. They piggy-backed to the living room, where Kova asked to be put down. With her suitcase in one hand, and Kova holding the other, Kenny walked out the front door for the last time. 

That wasn't the last time Kenny saw Kyla, though. She fell asleep in the car on the way to the Holt's house. It was still pretty early in the morning. When he got out of the car, Kenny got a long, tearful goodbye from his parents on his grandparents' doorstep. They wished him well and promised he would be the first to visit when they returned. Kyla woke up in the car alone, shivering. Her blankie had fallen off. She looked out the windows to figure out where she was. Kenny saw Kyla's bright eyes staring at the scene sadly. She pressed a hand into the glass, and Kenny lifted his hand in return. His parents didn't see, and his grandparents didn't seem to notice. As they drove off, Kenny could only wish Kyla the best wherever she went. 

———————

"Do you have any real questions for us or are you just going to keep accusing us?"

"Griffin!" Shiro scolded. 

"Sorry, Colonel." She sat up in her chair. 

"This is just," Keith trailed off. They had moved the extra chair to the floor below. Keith was sitting in front of the crew, rubbing his face with a hand. 

"It's a lot, I know. But you've been asleep for a long time, and we should catch you up on current events." Shiro stepped away from the head console, descended the stairs, and approached Keith. His head was bent, trying to process everything. 

"You're telling me I had been asleep for ten years?" Keith looked up at the teens, all staring at him with varying degrees of boredom. 

"Almost eleven," Caleb mentioned, crossing his arms and reclining in his chair. Shiro shot him a look but said nothing. The teens sat and watched Keith's brain trying to catch up to the present while anxiously waiting for news about the teleduv. 

"How did the mission go? Did everyone get back to Earth okay?" 

"Griffin, as his doctor, tell me if you agree." Caleb stood up to lean on his console. "All relevant members of the crew are aware of the ACHLYS mission and its aftermath, correct? I don't see the need to pain the man anymore with the knowledge until he has completely understood the current threat." 

"Nice Kova impression."

"Shut up."

"Caleb is right." Shiro turned to Keith. "We'll tell you what we're up against, but we aren't going to tell you what happened to the crew of the ACHLYS." Shiro turned to the crew of the Coeus, ready to brief them. 

"They're dead," Keith whispered. "They're all dead, aren't they?" 

"Keith," Shiro began. 

"Tell me." Keith looked up to meet Shiro's eyes. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes, his heartbreak clear on his face. It was his fault they had been ambushed. It was his fault that the mission failed. His friends died because he couldn't see two feet in front of him. Allie had stood up from her seat with a box of tissues in her hand. Taking one from the box, she dabbed the tears falling from Keith's eyes. When his gaze met hers, her body tightened. With a breath, she relaxed. 

"They are not dead." The young girl said quietly. "We believe they are like you were. Asleep, in stasis." She moved to the other eye, Keith watching her every move. "We don't want to tell you what happened because we're afraid you'll attack us in your grief." She placed the tissue box in Keith's hands and walked away, heels clicking on every step.

"They're fine?"

"More than likely." Shiro was standing beside Keith again, holding the man's shoulder. Keith held a dazed look.

"Kenny to crew, prepare for a wormhole jump. Repeat, prepare for a wormhole jump." The speakers were deafening, louder than necessary.

Allie hopped back to her seat, Caleb sat down, and Shiro dragged Keith's chair to the corner under Allie's console. Each of the teens was strapped into their colorful chairs, holding on for dear life. Shiro, on the other hand, held tight but remained standing.

A bright blue rift appeared in front of the Coeus, thrusters ceasing fire as it floated through. The teens braced themselves as the Coeus rocked harshly from the force inside the wormhole. The Coeus emerged intact on the other side of the rift, the wormhole closing behind it. Thrusters came back online, power returned to normal. Liz pulled up the charts and coordinates on her console. 

"Please don't tell me we jumped two feet again." Cake groaned, turning his chair to look at Liz. 

"I'm checking, calm down." She looked at the charts, pinpointing their last location and where Kova currently was. She pulled it up to the larger screen and she shrieked in delight. 

"We moved the equivalent of four days' travel!" The teens cheered, Kenny included in the engine room, while Shiro looked at the teens proudly. Keith came out of his daze to stare at the cheering teens, smiling sadly. He and Shiro met eyes, seemingly having met the same conclusion. The teens were just like them when they were younger. When they were paladins of Voltron a lifetime ago. 

——————

"What's wrong, mutt? Afraid to get your overrated hands dirty?" Kova shouted at the guard as they stood in front of her tiny room. The guards snarled and growled at her, but they seemed to remain stoic. "Figured. You like to act so high and mighty, but you know you're one of a million in the universe. Act like it." 

"Enough!" A loud voice on the other side yelled, and Kova smiled. Finally. The door opened and the guard stalked in as others tried to stop him. "I'll show you what a mutt can do." He snarled and pounced. Kova was quicker, though. She side-stepped, using the force of his jump against him by pushing his head towards the dirty mattress. Kova had him by the scruff despite the size difference. 

"Ooh, so scary." Kova mocked the guard, angering him. Another growl and he had thrown Kova off of him. She landed with a crash, cleaning supplies landing on the floor below. She was crouched when the guard pounced towards her again. She jumped onto his back as he fell into a small pothole that was used as an emergency toilet. It was currently backed up, making the room smell horrible."Thanks for using your head as a stopper. The smell was starting to seriously give me a headache." She smacked the back of the guard's head as she stood up. His flailing body had obscured her view from the door. 

"Kyla!" A voice shouted. Kova turned to glare at the person. It wasn't Yorak. The young man had been built like a bodybuilder, wearing a silver shoulder-piece to keep his navy blue cape in check. Unlike Yorak, this man had more alien characteristics. His skin was orange, his hair was a matching blue to his cape, and his eyes had yellow sclera with a dark iris and pupil. Kova remembered him.

"Ezrid, nice to see you again," Kova said, earning a glare of annoyance from the tall man. He glanced at the guard stuck in the emergency toilet and met Kova's eyes again. 

"That is not my name." He said slowly. "I am Commander Vhix, second-in-command to Emperor Yorak."

"Ooh, so proper." Kova leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. "How long did it take you to come up with that?"

"You dare mock me?"

"Sorry if Vhix doesn't strike as much fear in my heart as believing you were eaten by a shark in our backyard pool."

"You remember that?"

"Why wouldn't I? I'm still afraid of sharks."

"Nevermind. Stop pestering the guards." 

"No." 

"You dare disobey a direct order from your superior?" 

"You wouldn't be able to beat me. And besides, I needed the armor."

"Why would you possibly need armor for?" 

"Where do I start? I'm on an intergalactic spaceship heading who-knows-where after being kidnapped by a maniac. I want to be prepared for anything."

"If you wanted armor, you could have asked."

"Asked who? Your undertrained mutts?" In a swift move, Vhix had Kova by the throat, holding her against the wall. 

"Seems you need to remember you're a mutt, too," Vhix growled in Kova's ear. "If I hear about you tormenting the guards again, you will be punished harshly. Understood?" He didn't wait for a reply. Instead, he dropped her and walked out the door. Kova gasped for breath, rubbing her neck. Two more guards had come in to remove the first guard by bending back the metal of the emergency toilet. He was freed, gagging the entire way out of the room. The door closed behind them, leaving the emergency toilet bigger than before. 

At least Kova would have what she needed to get out. The cleaning supplies that had fallen to the floor were garbage bags, disinfectants with long gone labels, and hydrogen peroxide. She needed the garbage bags more than the peroxide, but it still helped. Stripping down to her bodysuit, which she wore underneath her street clothes, she stuffed her clothes into a plastic bag. Stashing it in the inner corner of the corner, out of sight from the door, she set herself to work. Pouring a few bottles into a large bucket, she kept a close eye on the door and a keen ear to others walking about.

Everything was ready. She just needed yeast. Who better to ask than the ever polite half-Galra guards outside her door? She knocked on the door, and they banged on it in response. She knocked again, and they groaned, annoyed. Kova didn't blame them. She'd do the same. The door opened. The guard held a shield in front of them, separating the two. It didn't separate the smells, though. The guard groaned, covering their nose. 

"Can I get a box of yeast? It helps with eliminating odors." The guard nodded, closing the door and rushing off to grab it. 

As a disclaimer, kids, don't use yeast to eliminate smells in your bathroom. Baking soda helps eliminate odors from the bathroom, and when mixed correctly with peroxide, can create a whitening paste. Hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and yeast mixed together will form a chemical compound made foam. The guards here don't have to know yeast doesn't get rid of the poopy smell. 

Kova is counting on this. The guard returned, pinching their nose again at the smell. Kova thanked them, even if it went unacknowledged. She got to work setting her trap with a broom and a bucket, positioned carefully. Her escape would be in a few hours when the emergency toilet was emptied.

Hopefully, the Coeus was close enough to reach her. Otherwise, Kova was a sitting duck, and she didn't want to be a duck.

[md-admissions]

2017 in Review

By tradition, it’s time for my annual review!

1 - What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?

Interviewed and got into fellowship, finally became 100% happy with being single, wrote a research manuscript from start to finish, burned out, recovered from the burn out, went to a protest, called a senator, called a rep, did a moonlighting gig, yelled at a patient, attended the funeral of someone near my age, baked bread, played D&D 2 - Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Last year’s resolutions were: Make my health a priority (ehhhh), get into the top ID fellowship of my choice (yes!), and increase my romantic confidence (yes!).

This coming year, I resolve to find an exercise or daily activity I like that I can commit to at least on a weekly basis!

3 - Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yeah!

4 - Did anyone close to you die?

Yeah, my cousin. 

5 - What countries did you visit?

Went out of the country for my cousin’s funeral

6 - What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?

More “life skills” like doing my own taxes, hosting dinner parties, an exercise routine or just a way to move around and stay fit on a frequent basis, more art and reading for leisure 7 - What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

6/12/17, the day my cousin passed away and 12/6/17, the day I matched into fellowship. I’m only realizing now as I type this the pattern in the numbers. 

8 - What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Getting into the fellowship of my choice!!!

9 - What was your biggest failure?

Due to my laziness, several bouts of illness, family tragedy, and multiple call months, I haven’t been able to stick with dancing. I hope I can change that next year! 10 - Did you suffer illness or injury?

Little things, like the flu but otherwise I was okay! 11 - What was the best thing you bought?

Probably the iPhone charging cable that now lives in my car. The number of times that this has saved my dying phone and my resident career is already too many.  12 - Whose behavior merited celebration?

Ladies of color. You are all the MVPs. Thank you to the black women who kept Roy Moore from winning the race in Alabama. Thank you for being the ones on social media and in real life teaching, educating, and supporting our communities through these fraught political times. Thank you for being the leaders when others remain silent.  13 - Whose behavior made you appalled or depressed?

*stares at the US Republicans who voted for the tax reform, Ajit Pai, those who agreed with the immigration ban, climate change deniers, anti-vaxxers* 

Oh was that list too short?

14 - Where did most of your money go?

FELLOWSHIP STUFF. Application fees, airplane tickets, train tickets, dry cleaning for my suit. Then food. So much food. 

15 - What did you get really, really, really excited about?

D&D (I know, how have I not played before?), Movies: Star Wars, Thor: Ragnarok, Wonder Woman, Dunkirk, GotG2, Logan, John Wick 2, TV shows: The Defenders, The Punisher, The Unit, GoT, American Gods, Insecure 16 - What song(s) will always remind you of 2017?

DNA-BTS 17 - Compared to this time last year, are you: I. Happier or sadder?

I’m going to say the same as last year. Sadder. I’ve been really fortunate this year, but I think it’s been a tough year. II. Thinner or fatter?

Same.

III. Richer or poorer?

Richer by a tiny bit. 

18 - What do you wish you’d done more of?

More self care. It was hard to discern sometimes from self indulgence with family tragedy and work exhaustion 19 - What do you wish you’d done less of?

using food to cope with stress 20 - How will you be spending/spent christmas?

Star Wars with the family, and we hung out together <3

21 - Did you fall in love in 2017?

A bit more with myself, for the first time ever. 22 - How many one-night stands?

Zero. 23 - What was your favorite tv program?

GoT probably

24 - Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

But of course 25 - What was the best book you read?

The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu 26 - What was your greatest musical discovery?

BTS. I said KPop in 2015 but this year I actually listened through most of their music and I really enjoyed BTS in particular 27 - What did you want and get?

My fellowship pick, the opportunity to teach and demonstrate my sincerity to my profession 28 - What was your favorite film of this year?

Thor: Ragnarok

29 - What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Turned 29, but I didn’t feel like celebrating and actually didn’t say anything. So two of my prior interns actually surprised me with a birthday party!! It was one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me.  30 - What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

If the tax reform had not been passed, I would be less fearful going into 2018.

31 - How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?

Sports-wear type scrubs for work. Tailored black and navy pieces with a professional/sporty vibe. 32 - What kept you sane?

family, friends, medblrs. Podcasts like Sawbones and Friends at the Table. Grassroots political action. The Great British Bake Off.  33 - Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Jason Momoa. I didn’t watch Justice League but he is a beautiful human being. 

34 - What political/social issue stirred you the most?

Healthcare equality, DACA/immigration issues, net neutrality 35 - Who did you miss?

My maternal grandparents. My cousin who passed away. @descantforhope because she’s the best and I love her and her kids  36 - Who was the best new person you met?

My work bestie! We sit and commiserate about medical education, stationary, and sci fi. 

37 - Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017:

We cannot silence ourselves when right and wrong are at stake.

[jay-fabe7712]

the invisible woman

Summary: location - weirdly dark club + supernatural element - demonic gathering + situation - making a deal with someone you shouldn’t have + quote - “i wonder if you taste as good as your fear smells.”

A/N: So, this is my contribution to the eleventh day of the 31 Little Wrestling Fics challenge! (Barely on time, mind you.) I have mixed feelings about how it turned out, but I’m super happy I got a chance to participate.

Also, I’d like to give a special shoutout to @fan-fiction-galore. Even though I’ve known her for about a month, the little interactions we’ve had has been a joy and I wish her all the best on her new journey!

When I looked into the eyes of Minoru Suzuki for the first time, fear was the furthest thing from my mind.

I would describe the feeling more along the lines of awe or wonder.

His eyes were wide at first, darting around to find his next victim. The next body to brutalize in an exorcism of his own frustrations. His smile spread slow as molasses and the glistening of his incisor through parted lips was barely visible before his gaze settled on me.

But all I could focus on were his eyes. Not the dark brown of the iris or the murderous intent they held, but how they were looking directly at me. Not past me. Not over my head. Not in my general direction. His gaze was locked tight with mine and I had his full attention. And it might sound a little preposterous, but no one had ever looked at me like that. And shit, if they ever had it was so long ago that it didn’t matter.

Because if there was one thing I was good at, it was being invisible. Which is why being a production assistant for New Japan Pro Wrestling was the perfect job for me. In fact, I liked the anonymity of it. Fading into the background and watching all the action unfold.

At least, I thought I did.

You see, people always looked past me. They forgot I was there. They forgot I existed. So even if Suzuki wanted to murder me in cold blood in front of a live audience, I couldn’t help but marvel at the fact that someone had seen through the invisibility cloak that seemed to shroud all of my daily interactions.

Then, I blinked and he was right in front of me. So close I could feel his heavy breaths jostling my eyelashes with each exhale. I could feel the heat radiating off of his body. I could see individual beads of sweat wind their way down his temple.

But again, I was distracted by his eyes. I could see them clouding with thought at the short, squatty being that was staring back at him. Wide-eyed and ripe for the killing.

The moment was broken when he let out a noise somewhere between a scoff and a grunt before turning abruptly on his heel and heading toward the back.

My eyes followed him until he was out of my line of vision; he never looked back. His stablemates, Desperado and Taichi, kept shooting glances my way as they trailed after him. Deperado’s mask gave away very little but his eyes were piercing and his arms were crossed tightly across his chest. Taichi smoothed his hair back and grinned so wide I almost looked away.

“Naomi.”

I felt a nudge to my shoulder and it was as if someone had just drenched me in cold water. I hadn’t even realized that I had spaced out until that moment. Suddenly, the din of the crowd warred against my eardrums, the bright lights illuminating the ring hurt my eyes and I clutched at my cardigan to stop my trembling even though it wasn’t cold at all.

"Are you okay?" My co-worker Ryou asked me.

"Yeah," I said, glancing up at him. But his eyes weren’t on me. Of course they weren’t. He was staring after Taichi and Desperado and I watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed hard.

"Man, those guys," He shook his head. "Minoru especially. Always terrorizing the staff."

Believe it or not, it wasn’t until that moment that I realized I should be afraid. The most brutal wrestler on NJPW’s roster had quite literally breathed down my neck and I had barely batted an eye.

Fear started to unfurl in my stomach like a spider stretching its legs. I hope I hadn’t made myself even more of a target.

"Look who it is!"

I recognized Taka Michinoku’s game-show-host voice anywhere. "It’s the rope wrangler who stood toe-to-toe with the boss."

He shook his head with a lopsided smile. "Can’t fucking believe it."

He elbowed Kanemaru by his side who simply quirked a brow and studied me.

“I’d watch my back if I were you,” Taka continued. “The boss seemed pretty pissed last week.”

“Might even come to getcha.” Kanemaru was close enough for me to smell the alcohol on his breath and I took several steps back.

The two men traded glances and chuckled, obviously thinking I was scared. And frankly, I wished I was. I wished I had the common sense enough to be trembling in fear at the thought of Minoru Suzuki having some kind of vendetta against me. But what I felt was hopeful. Hoping that I could be under that laser-focused gaze of his again. Hoping to be seen.

In fact, the searching looks Taka and Kanemaru were giving me already transported me back to that day ringside. To no longer being invisible.

But before I could entertain the thought any further, I clutched the clipboard in my hand tight to my chest and muttered, “I’ve got work to do.” Then, I proceeded to scurry as far away from these men as I could possibly get.

Unfortunately, that did little to change what was already set in motion.

“And working ringside we’ve got-”

“I’ll do it!” I blurted, garnering several sideways glances from my co-workers.

“Who…” Our supervisor Ken looked around, skimming over my face several times before finally resting his gaze on my general area. “Naomi?”

Huh. Surprised he even remembered my name.

“Yeah.”

He cleared his throat. “I was going to say that Atsuko will be working ringside with-”

“Why don’t you let me do it?” I cut in again. More stares. “Atsuko doesn’t mind if I take her place, do you Atsu?”

The brown-haired woman sputtered a moment. “Uh, no. Sure, I don’t mind.”

“That settles it then, huh?”

By this time, everyone’s eyes were on me but they turned collectively to see Ken’s reaction.

I thought I saw a vein pop out in his forehead, but he responded with a stiff nod and said, “I guess it does.”

Once he was done with announcements, everyone dispersed to begin preparing for tonight’s show.

“Naomi!” Ken called to me as soon as most everyone else was gone. “Let me talk to you for a minute.”

“Sure.” I responded, even though he didn’t exactly ask me a question.

“What the hell was that?”

“What the hell was what?” I fired back.

Yep, that was definitely the vein in his forehead popping out. “You questioning my authority.”

“I was making a suggestion.” I responded, feeling my own anger spike. “A pretty logical one, I think.”

“How so?”

“Atsuko is too slow to assist with the camera cords. Someone always ends up tripping and she’s gonna block the camera at least five times during the-”

“Regardless, that’s my decision to make.”

“-show.” I finished my previous sentence in lieu of an actual response.

“Whatever you were doing, it better not happen again. Understood?”

“Mm-hm.” I could feel the anger radiating off him and if looks could kill, I would probably be dead.

But I didn’t care. In fact, the heady mixture had me feeling a strange sense of satisfaction. I didn’t know who this guy thought he was anyway.

Working in the behind-the-scenes production of NJPW actually had a pretty quick turnaround. Some people came in just to rub elbows with their favorite wrestlers and got a reality check real quick. Some people came in just to get a paycheck but ended up realizing how hard the work actually was. And some people just quit. I had been here for two years while Ken had only been here six months and already he was in a managerial position while I was in the exact same spot.

It was about time I got some respect. --- That night I couldn’t take my eyes off of them.

Every single bit of the vile chaos that ensued in their match, I couldn’t take my eyes off of it.

Kanemaru spraying his opponents faces with alcohol until the entirety of ringside stank of whiskey. Taichi driving the handle of the bell hammer into eye sockets and twisting it with glee. Minoru leaning casually into submissions as his victims screamed bloody murder at the pain of their wrenching muscles.

I had always garnered a strange sense of comfort from being around the carnage of pro wrestling. The dull thud of bodies hitting the canvas was so calming that I would sometimes queue up NJPW World on nights I had trouble sleeping.

But this was different.

I had never actually taken pleasure in people getting hurt. In fact, I’d always considered it my least favorite part of my job. Besides Ken, of course.

But now, as I watched the men of Suzuki-gun gather around the broken bodies and raise their pointer fingers up high, I was hit with a more unsettling realization.

I not only liked the violence. I wanted to be a part of it. --- There were a lot of moments in my life worthy of a great deal of shame, but this was probably one of the higher items on the list.

I followed them.

I overheard them talking about some club or the other they planned on visiting that night and…I decided I would show up. I would say this was strange behavior for me but quite frankly, strange behavior had become the norm for me lately.

The man at the door didn’t stop at me. In fact, he barely even looked at me.

I wasn’t a frequenter of the club scene, but I was pretty sure the man at the door didn’t fit the bill of what I would consider a “bouncer”.

He was average height with a shaved head, decked out in a navy blue sweater and similarly colored dress pants. Honestly, the most intimidating thing about him was the fact he was wearing sunglasses at about ten minutes until midnight. I paused at the door, clutching my wallet in my hand. When he didn’t react to my presence, I rifled through my wallet to find my ID and held it out to him.

“Are you just going to stand there or are you going to go in?” He didn’t move from his stationary position; he didn’t crane his head or lift up his glasses to examine my card, he barely even moved his lips when he spoke.

“Wha- Don’t you need to see my ID?”

“Guess you’re just going to stand there, then.”

I stared at him, speechless for a few seconds but he remained unresponsive. He was kinda starting to creep me out. Especially those damn glasses.

No matter how hard I stared, I couldn’t make out his eyes behind them. Just two sheens of depthless black. The longer I stared at them, the more confused I felt. I blinked and shook my head, breaking his unsettling gaze, which grew even more unsettling when I realized even though the building in front of me vibrated with music and voices, no one else was out front. There was no line, no smokers, no drunkards, no one.

Not wanting to dwell on the feeling, I brushed past the man and splayed my hand onto the door but he did nothing to stop me.

“Ow!” I exclaimed as I bumped hard into something (or someone) as soon as I stepped inside.

Unfortunately I couldn’t find the obstruction – I couldn’t really find anything the damn place was so dark. I stood still for a few moments waiting for my vision to adjust to the light. I was able to make out shapes and eventually objects. No wonder I had bumped into something, I had walked right into a wall. The front door led right into a hallway that extended to the left and right but the only thing in front of me was wall. I looked down either side of the hallway. I decided to go left.

During my entire trek, I didn’t run into a single person. Which was weird because the deeper I went into the place, the stronger the pulsing music and indiscernible voices grew.

I was considering going back the way I came when I heard the familiar sound of a deep, crisp voice.

Taka Michinoku.

“…is such a fucking prick now. I liked him better when he was Mr. Goody Two Shoes.”

Up ahead, thin cracks of dim light formed the shape of a door.

“Yeah, you can’t even really have fun with him anymore.” Taichi. “He’s either spitting on you or staring at you with those dead eyes.”

I pressed closer.

“Well, he knew what he wanted and he didn’t care what he had to do to get it.” That sounded like Suzuki.

“Come on, it’s a waste! All that just for the fans to give a shit about him.” Taichi scoffed. “Ridiculous.”

“You’re just saying that because they don’t give a shit about you.” Taka quipped. Laughter filled the room.

“Some people will do anything just for anyone to give a shit.” Minoru responded. That brought on silence.

Then, I thought I could hear their voices starting up again but lower this time. I pressed so hard to the door it felt like I was melding with the wood.

Suddenly, the door yanked open and I nearly fell into the room, to which Kanemaru responded by graciously moving out of the way to let me do just that.

“Look at that.” Taka chuckled. “Standing at attention. Just like you said, boss.”

“Mm-hm.” Minoru hummed, remaining seated for a moment longer before rising to take a few slow steps toward me.

“A- Are you going to kill me?”

“You guessed it.” Taichi smirked.

“I wonder if you taste as good as your fear smells.” Iizuka added.

My stomach dropped but the men in the room laughed collectively.

“Shut up.” Minoru growled out, but humor tugged at edges of his tone. Nonetheless, the men grew silent.

“We’re not in the business of killing-”

Taka cleared his throat.

“-at the moment.” Minoru finished. “We’re in the business of making deals.”

“Deals?”

“Don’t act dumb,” His eyes darkened. “It doesn’t suit you.”

I averted my gaze.

“I know you were listening long enough and hard enough today, and yesterday, and last week,” My eyes widened as he accurately listed off the days I had been snooping about them. “To piece together the basics of what’s going on here.”

“What are you?”

He scoffed and nodded his head. “Thought so. Unfortunately that one is above your paygrade. Next question.”

“How does this deal thing work?”

“That depends. What do you want?”

“What do you mean?”

If I didn’t know any better, I would say the smirk he gave me was almost pitying.

“People like you always want something,” He shook his head and laughed. “As soon as I saw you, I knew you did. Only a person with nothing to lose would look evil in the eyes with curiosity. After all,” He gestured to the dimly lit room. “You even came chasing after it.”

I blinked at the playful way he just called himself evil.

“But I’m still not quite sure what you want. So what is it?”

A pause. “I want to be one of you.” The words surprised even me.

In the corner of my eye I saw Desperado scoot forward in his seat, looking ready to jump up any second. The rest of the men in the room remained still.

Then, Suzuki threw his head back and laughed.

“I-I know you’re not human. I’m not sure what you are but…I want in.”

Minoru took a step forward. “Oh really?”

“Yeah really.”

He scratched his chin and shrugged. “Okay.”

“Okay?” I studied him. “It’s that easy?”

“I didn’t say that.” He shook his head. “I need you to bring me someone first.”

“Bring you something?”

He smirked and it made my stomach feel sour.

“Someone.”

“So do you want to go?” I smiled, hoping it made my offer seem more genuine.

“Let me get this straight,” Ken began, eyeing me in a way that made my neck grow hot with anger.  “You.”

He pointed at me.

“Want to go out,”

Another unnecessarily dramatic pause.

“To a club,”

I nodded, wishing he would get to the point already.

“With me.”

“Yeaahh.” I said slowly. “You in?”

“You know this is unexpected and actually,” His eyes narrowed. “Borderline unprofessional.”

I fiddled with my fingers, wondering if I had just majorly fucked up. I mean, it was clear the guy already didn’t like me. Did I really think I could just ask him out and we’d become best-

“I like it!”

“Huh?”

“I said I like it. Guess you finally realized all that strong, silent shit isn’t going to get you anywhere around here.” He hooked an arm around my shoulders and I tried to hide the shiver that accompanied the contact. “You know, I was worried about I’d have to fire you eventually after you mouthed off in front of everybody last week.”

It took everything in me not to elbow him in the gut so he’d get his lanky arm off of my shoulder.

“But it looks like I won’t have to.” He grinned. “How about nine o’clock?”

“Actually-”

But he was on his way before I could get another word out.

“Damn idiot.” I mumbled turning around…and bumping right into someone else in the process.

"Oh! Um, sorry." I said, righting myself quickly.

Desperado hadn't stumbled at all and his only response was staring back at me with stark white irises.

After a few seconds, I asked, a little irritation in my voice, "Can I help you?"

He glanced over my shoulder at Ken who was still making his way down the hall.

"Is it him?"

"Is what him?"

Desperado crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his head in the Ken's direction.

"You know what I mean. Is it him?"

I averted my eyes. "Maybe." My stomach dropped. "What? Do you think - Is he not the right choice?"

Desperado's eyes narrowed. "No, he's actually perfect. The guys hate him and the boss has talked about ripping off his arm off on several occasions. Actually, they hate almost all of the staff here except…" He blinked at me and shook his head. "Is that really all you're concerned about right now?"

"What? Does he want more?"

Desperado regarded me for a few seconds, black-painted fingernails idly twirling the cross around his neck. "I thought maybe you..." He clenched the rosary in a fist. "I guess not."

He turned as if he was about to walk away and I stopped him.

"Wait, you thought what?"

"Doesn't matter. I was wrong." He kept walking.

I groaned. "Aren't you going to answer my question?"

"Yeah." He threw me a haphazard glance. "The boss always wants more."

“What was up with that guy at the door?”

“I don’t know.” I muttered, sick of Ken’s never-ending flow of chatter.

“I mean, what kind of douchebag wears sunglasses at night?”

“He’s always been that way.” I said, trying to the resist the urge to comment on the irony of him calling someone else a douchebag.

“Why is it so dark in here?” He complained. “I know we didn’t have to pay but they could at least have some lights in-”

“Do you ever stop talking?”

Ken and I both jumped at the voice and whirled around to find Taichi leaning against the wall we had just walked past.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Nope. Don’t think he does.” And now Kanemaru was standing a few feet in front of us.

“Naomi? What the hell is this?”

Taichi ran a hand through his hair before pushing himself of the wall and towards us. “I think it’s about time we shut you up.”

“Oh, I see.” Ken said, glancing between the two men. “You brought me here to have your creepy friends rough me up because of that shit at work.”

The two men grabbed on to each one of Ken’s shoulders and steered him back down the hallway. “You’re going to regret this!”

“Will you shut up?” Taichi shook him hard and he grew quiet.

I barely had the chance to entertain the thought of what they might do to him when a dark chuckle made me jump again. My reaction just made Suzuki laugh more.

“Geez. Do you guys make any noise when you walk or what?”

“I see you brought your boss.”

“So that’s it?”

Suzuki’s brow raised.

“That’s how the deal works?”

He laughed once more, but this time my stomach got that sour feeling again.

“Eh. That’s only half of it.”

“What?” I said, getting a bit pissed. “What more do you need?”

A heavy hand rested on my shoulder and I knew without looking that it was Iizuka.

“You.” --- The screeches from the audience announced Suzuki-gun's presence before the announcer ever could.

Desperado and Kanemaru were already halfway down the ramp, unconcerned with the melee taking place behind them.

Iizuka was terrorizing spectators as usual, but it was a little more alarming because it seemed as if no one was restraining him. That was until the man's head was jerked back just as he was an inch away from biting off a chunk of an older woman's nose.

A short woman with chin-length black hair bleached blonde at the ends wound his leash around her hand and yanked him again until he was out of the crowd and headed down the ramp.

Ryou looked on with the rest of the audience in wonder at this seemingly new addition to the terrifying stable.

As the four stablemates made their way into the ring, Ryou could've sworn there was something familiar about the woman touting the leash with an air of stony haughtiness.

And when her eyes scanned over ringside, stopping on him with a wicked smirk before disregarding him just as quickly, he felt almost sure he knew her from somewhere.

But no, he was sure that if a woman that striking and intimidating had ever been in his presence, he would remember.

He tried not to gawk at the woman while she was ringside, observing the action with a strangely serene expression. He had to much to do to spend too much time on it anyway. After all, being promoted to the position of supervisor had its perks, but it was a hefty job to handle.

No wonder Ken left.

[pinktatertots99]

an artist, through and through

ok I'm gonna write something that's actually good (HAH yeah right) and to do that, I'm writing about a ship that, oddly enough doesn't get a lot of attention.

story takes place years after nanba. nico and rock are around their late 20's in this. (26/27 and 29.)

warning for swearing (obviously) and a suggestive/slightly nsfw scene later. note: the lines that come in the middle are to symbolize a scene taking place shortly after the first scene. (kinda similar to how the series and many other animes do.) and the one in the middle is to symbolize that the next part takes place on another day. (hopefully this makes sense lol sorry if it doesn't).

(name of the fic is a lyric to a ken ashcorp song. guess what it is~)

the scratching of a pen filled the mostly quiet room as nico sketched on the piece of paper on his desk. said desk was scattered with finished colored pages, other blank drawing pages for later, pencils, pens, a corkboard with pictures and sticky notes and a lamp that was located above the piece of paper he had.

despite being completely concentrated with the piece, his ears perked at the sudden sound of keys jingling from the other side of the door. he continued to stay focused though as he heard the door unlock and slowly crack open, and then fully open, the door silently, or as silently as it could be closing, and light tiptoeing of work boots on the floor.

"I can hear you." he said. the boots stopped instantly. "sorry. didn't know if you were busy inking or somethin'." rock replied, heavy footsteps moving to the back of nico's chair, strong and hairy arms coming down on him and slowly encircling him.

he stopped the strokes he was doing to put his hands on said arms. "so, this the new chapter?"

"yep! I'm halfway there!" he announced throwing a fist in the air.

"so you gonna let me take a peek?" rock asked tilting his head to see the page. nico huffed his cheeks out. "no! that'd be spoilers! and I'm NOT gonna let you see till it's done!"

"aw c'mon. just a little peak?" he teased. nico threw his hands in the air to his face, trying to keep him from looking any closer. "AAAAAUUUUUGH NOOOOOO!"

_____

"by the way, I gotta go to a store. can you come with me?"

"sure."

at that nico went to take out a pair of sweat pants, a hoodie, sunglasses, gloves, and a medical mask. why didn't he ask him after he got in his disguise? he thought to himself.

after nico prepared himself the two were off. all of this was so weird to rock as they walked. he knew nico's fixation on manga and anime and comics would leave him inspired to make something, but he along with the rest of the guys never thought that it would lead to him actually succeeding in it.

once he mailed his manga idea all of them were ready for him to be denied and comfort him. it left them surprised when he got the memo back that the company liked his idea and wanted him to make it, which he got around the time they all left prison.

after that the two were able to get their own apartment together and rock got into working in construction, just to make a little extra for food and bills. that and boredom strikes fast when your not escaping from prison or fighting anyone.

the change though to only him and nico being together was still something he was getting used to, even if it's already been a while since they left prison. they were still able to keep in contact with everyone but it was a little hard getting used to not having two extra roommates to come back to. one advantage though was that now the two didn't have to worry about any...accidental walk ins from anybody. they still had to keep quiet due to neighbors but it was manageable.

his sudden trip down memory lane stopped once he saw nico had stopped. the otaku then took two steps forward and pointed in n overly dramatic anime pose. "THERE IT IS!" he announced. rock looked to see he was pointing at a clothing store.

he was a bit disappointed cause he thought they were gonna go to the grocery store or something. he had run out of purple dye a while ago and had been meaning to get some more but forgot. now his hair was mostly red with the purple on the tips of his hair, taking a bit of a darker shade. but oh well he suppose he'll have to go himself sometime. cause he sure as hell wasn't gonna wait another week to go back and get it. though it was odd that nico wanted to go here specifically. but rock had a feeling he knew why he wanted to come here.

the two entered the shop with nico seeming to already know exactly what he wanted, as he dragged rock to one of the clothes racks and then to the dressing rooms, holding an outfit.

"I need you to wear this." he said, and held out a-...oh no. a school girls uniform. it was the typical white short sleeved blouse with red bow n the middle and blue skirt. it seemed to have been a costume though, given that it was all connected. he sighed.

"uh, yeah, I can't wear that." nico pouted angrily at him. ho boy, here they go.

"but what about that time hitoshi-san made us all dresses-"

"it's not a skirt thing I just- it won't fit."

"poppycock." and with that nico opened one of the open dressing rooms and walked in. after a bit he came out, wearing the dress. rock could feel his face get hot.

"see. if it can fit me than it can fit you too!" he stated.

"that's kinda the opposite of what you meant."

suddenly the two heard snickering and looked over to see a small group of boys snickering and playfully whistling at nico, and saying stuff that rock couldn't understand but he sure as hell had a feeling of beating them up now. though he halted it once he saw nico giggling at them and posing at them.

"heehee they like it."

"uh nico. I don't think their serious about all that."

"hm? well too bad for them cause I'm gonna take these as genuine compliments."

"n-ni-ko-sensei?!"

the two looked over to see two highschool girls looking at nico in disbelief. they must've been fans considering they knew nico somehow and, looking closely, rock could see one of them holding one of nico's manga series chapters.

the three then started talking, with nico talking in perfect Japanese. it wasn't much of a surprise though, not only did he consume a lot of anime and manga but he also ended up gaining a disease where if he hears a certain language, he can speak it fluently. he didn't catch onto much of what they were talking about, Japanese being his weakest in understanding beside a couple of phrases and words but that was about it. all he could get out of it was the two were talking about his manga being great and all that.

incidents like this didn't happen a lot shockingly enough. nico tried hard to keep from anyone seeing him and disguising himself. but something would come up and it'd end with him undisguised and getting noticed by fans. not all their interactions were bad most of the time, despite wasting time. some were nice, some were weird, and some were just...ugh.

if they were ever together when those type of fans came around rock was instantly there close to nico. though he has heard that the times he wasn't around nico had to bear with those types though it usually ended with him saying he was very busy and couldn't stay. he did though buy a pepper spray JUST incase, so rock was fine with it.

he didn't even notice the girls had left already and nico had come back from the dressing room in his disguise again, with the outfit in tow.

"okay! we can go." he said. he paid for the outfit and the two left.

===

after they got back, nico undressed himself from his disguise...and then undressed himself suddenly from his actual outfit, causing rock to jump at the suddenness of it. thank god their place was on a higher level and they didn't have to worry about strangers walking by the window and seeing.

the smaller male then grabbed the bag from rock's grip and pulled out the dress and started dressing himself up in it. "could you get my camera?" he asked. rock obliged and went over to the desk and opened the top drawer on the right, pulling out a large camera.

turning around he saw nico had already put on the school shoes and white stockings that matched the outfit and was currently ripping the small bag with hair accessories that also came with it. after nico put whatever accessories he wanted in his hair, which was a red scrunchie and two hair clips he went over to rock and started pulling him to a part of the room and commanding him to be in a specific position.

"ok!" he said as he walked away and got into a running position. "make sure you take a couple okay?"

"ok."

"and try not to let your big fingers get on the lens."

"got I-wait hey!" nico giggled at his reaction. turning on the camera and putting his finger lightly on the button, he was ready. "ready?" "yep!"

they took a couple pictures before nico told him to stop and went to look at them. he smiled "THESE ARE GREAT!" and with that he took the camera and went back to his study, quickly getting to work on his next page.

"neh rock." rock raised his gaze from the magazine he was reading and looked to see nico, looking a bit...nervous? he was blushing, his gaze was going anywhere but him, and his smile was weak. he wanted him to do something for him he thought. this was always how nico reacted when he needed something.

"yeah?" he asked. nico's face got redder as he rubbed a finger on his cheek, mumbling. "uh...um...could you uhm, c-could you maybe, uhm..." he then pulled one of his arms from behind his back and both his hands grabbed what it was in his grasp and pushed it to him. "c-could you uh...wear...this?" he asked.

rock took it and feeling it it was an outfit. he turned it over to see a red bow tie on a white short sleeved shirt. coupled witht the shirt was a matching blue skirt. oh god he thought. not again.

"nico I said I can't wear-"

"I-I know but, I got you one in a size that'll fit you." he smiled. "it was actually the biggest size!"

"that's...nice." rock muttered, not exactly thrilled at that statement. "is this for a reference? why not just wear your outfit and I take the pictures like last time?"

"I...forgot." rock squinted at nico suspiciously.

nico clasped his hands together. "please. please. pleeeeaaaaaase. it's only a couple of photos I promise!"

rock sighed in defeat at nico's begging. if it was only a couple of photos then fine he guessed. though, he was gonna close the window just to be careful. "alright." he agreed. nico cheered in victory as he turned around. "ok. get dressed. I'm not peaking."

"you DO know you've seen me undressed before right?"

"I wanna be surprised!"

---

this was so awkward rock thought as he stood fully in the outfit. he knew regardless if it was the largest size it wouldn't exactly fit well. the top looked more like a tank almost crop top that showed his abs, the sleeves were a bit tight around the shoulders, but the skirt wasn't that bad but he naturally pulled it down a bit, not used to it. the shutter sound of a camera went off as he did that and he looked back to see nico.

"that was a nice one! very natural." he said.

"yeah yeah very funny. so, what'dya want me to do?"

nico then quickly pointed to their bed. "get on the bed." rock looked over at it, back at nico and back at it again. "heh, you sure this is for a reference? or was that an excuse for something else?" he teased. nico flushed and stuck his tongue out. "nyeh."

the hefty male decided to go along with the artist's demand and went to lay down on it. "ok, now put your hands behind your head, curve your leg up a bit, and try to look relax." the otaku ordered. rock complied. "lower the leg a little. little more. aaaaaaand there! perfect!"

rock could hear him getting the camera ready. "try to relax a bit."

"I am."

"your faking it. c'mon just pretend I'm not taking a picture of you in a school girls uniform."

"that doesn't help."

"just relax. like you usually do." at that rock took a deep breath in and out slowly, relaxing. the camera shutters went off multiple times till he hard them stop and the pitter patter of feet walk towards him. "that all?" he asked.

"not yet. I need close ups now." nico said. he then caught rock by surprise as he moved ontop of him, straddling him a bit. "wh-what are you-" "just relax. just keep the relaxed look and look as if your looking up at the ceiling." rock calmed himself again and did just that. after a few pictures nico told him to side eye the left side, and then after that the right.

"could you...lean up a bit?" nico asked. rock leaned up a bit on his elbows. he got a closer look at nico's face. he could see the deep blush on his cheeks and the look of lust and he swore hearts in his eye. he looked so cute. the burly man ended up turning his head to the side blushing a shade of pink, and the shutters went off again.

"that's...that's a good one." nico muttered. rock just chuckled silently. "y-yeah...very funny." he muttered as nico leaned over to the nightstand next to their bed. "so...is that it?" "just one more thing." he hummed, putting the camera down on the table and moving back. before rock could ask what he needed to do, his mouth was suddenly captured by nico's, kissing him.

the sudden kiss caused him to fall back on the bed as nico started to lick his mouth, wanting entrance. rock complied and the two's tongues started wrestling. he had a feeling his eyes weren't playing tricks on him earlier when he thought he saw...something in nico's shorts. the two made out heatedly, with nico's hands suddenly moving under his shirt and gripping his chest, twisting his nipples.

that was enough for him to sit up and quickly push nico down, kissing and touching him roughly. in the past he's tried to refrain such animalistic instincts when it came to nico pushing those right buttons. but after finding that he started to purposefully push them and infact liked when he got a bit crazy he refrained the inner animal less.

after a while they broke off, panting with a saliva trail following. "so," rock panted, wiping the saliva. "I guess...that need for a reference...wasn't the only reason you wanted me to do this right?"

"h..hah, yeah." nico replied. "but...this wasn't..the only reason I wanted you to do this." rock raised a brow at that. "actually, the other reason I wanted you to pose was because...well, you taking pictures of me posing...weren't that great."

that comment immediately caused rock's mood drop dramatically. "I mean," nico continued. "they weren't BAD but, y'know. they weren't great. but they DID work as a good reference. from what I was able to work with." he muttered the last sentence but rock heard it clear as day. he quickly got off of nico and walked in the direction to the bathroom.

"wha-wait rock! where you going?!"

"getting changed."

"what?! but-but I- but we haven't- ROCK COME BACK! ROOOOOOOOOCK!"

that night the poor fool of an otaku had to unreplenish his sexual desires by fapping to the reference pictures he took earlier. and then proceeded to sleep in his soft and squishy bean bag and blanket, considering that he was also kicked out of bed that night.