#off kai expo

[vtuberconfessions]

dang, anycolors rep is at rock bottom if an Expo thinks you're not worth hosting any of the talents, Rip to Reimu and maybe Millie. at least their fans got refunded for the meat and greet

.

[fanfic-writer-and-rambler]

Kate is the only one who can do this to him

Bruce Wayne is sitting at the kitchen table, eating breakfast. The morning sun filters through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. The kitchen is quiet until Kate Kane enters, talking on her phone.

KATE

(into phone)

Yes, I’ll be there. Yes… Kelly, stop panicking. Hold on a sec.

Kate walks over to Bruce, casually reaching over and grabbing a few pieces of scrambled eggs from his plate. She pops them into her mouth, then eyes a strip of bacon and takes it.

BRUCE

(half-hearted protest)

That… That was mine.

Kate holds up a finger, still ignoring him as she continues her call.

KATE

(into phone)

Is Mike going to be there for the meeting? … You’re sure? I can’t have him just not show up again.

Kate leans in, whispering to Bruce.

KATE

(whispering)

I’m just gonna take the other strip.

She takes the second piece of bacon. Bruce looks at her, exasperated.

BRUCE

(sighs)

Hey, hey, stop doing that.

Kate pulls away from her phone for a moment, dismissing his complaint.

KATE

You’re fine, I’m in a hurry.

She returns to her call.

KATE

(into phone)

Sorry, my cousin is pestering me. Now, he’ll be there? … Good. I’ll be a little late, it’s—

Kate lifts Bruce’s arm to check his watch.

KATE

Shit, 10:10 already? So I’ll be there in another ten minutes… Yes, I’m aware I’ll be late, but Mike has been late fifteen times— Hold on.

Kate grabs Bruce’s glass of orange juice from his hand and drinks it down in one go. Bruce taps his fingers on the table, clearly aggravated. Kate finishes the juice, her face contorting at the taste.

KATE

Tangy. Is there pulp in this?

BRUCE

(trying to process)

Yes.

KATE

You’re weird. Here.

She hands the empty glass back to Bruce, who takes it, unamused.

BRUCE

(sarcastically)

Oh, thank you, I needed the glass back. Want my coffee too?

KATE

Nah, there’s no cream in there.

Kate returns to her call, as Bruce stares at his now nearly empty plate.

KATE

(into phone)

Kelly, we’re going to get into this expo. Just keep him busy… Thank you. See you in 10 minutes.

Kate ends the call and turns to Bruce, who’s left with only a piece of toast on his plate.

KATE

(smirking)

Business meetings, am I right, cuzzo?

BRUCE

(frustrated)

Hn, yup. At least you filled up on my food and drank my juice before heading in. Don’t want an empty stomach!

Kate ruffles Bruce’s hair playfully.

KATE

I know, thanks for that. I’m gonna head out. Thanks for letting me crash here while my place is being fumigated. I’ll be back in a few hours. What’s Alfred making for dinner, by the way?

BRUCE

(raising an eyebrow)

Oh, do you want me to make you a plate, or will you just eat off mine again?

KATE

(teasing)

You can make me one. It’s the least you can do as a rich man. Aww, you’re so sweet. I’m off.

Kate grabs the piece of toast from Bruce’s hand just before he can take a bite and heads for the door. Bruce groans.

BRUCE

(sarcastic)

Oh thanks, I didn’t want the toast anyway. I’ll be fine with coffee!

KATE

(calling out as she leaves)

Kay, I’m taking one of your cars! Bye!

The front door closes with a thud. Bruce sighs, rubbing his forehead.

BRUCE

(muttering)

I wanted… some of that. This is what happens when I’m a good person.

The Wayne kids, who have been silently watching the whole scene from the table, exchange glances.

DICK

(trying to process)

How did she manage to do all that?!

BRUCE

(grumbling)

Shut up… Welp, I’m not getting back up to get more. I’ll eat yours.

Bruce casually reaches over and takes Jason’s plate, starting to eat off it. Jason glares, grumbling.

JASON

(complaining)

Come to breakfast, you said. I’ll enjoy it, you said. Jesus!

Jason tries to grab Dick’s plate, but Dick slides it away, shaking his head.

DICK

(firmly)

I’m not the one right now.

Jason, not to be deterred, swipes Tim’s bagel instead and takes a big bite. Tim just shrugs.

TIM

(seriously)

I’m cool. I can actually be good with the coffee.

[cboffshore]

Both Djinn and Oni are seen as evil in the show but they don’t necessarily have to be. I wonder if there’s a Dragon-adjacent species in the Realms? If I squint, you can put Arin who’s Oni-coded with Lloyd’s old helmet or whatever with Nya and Sora with…whoever. But she’s Dragon-coded, AND Creation coded to Arin’s hypothetical Destruction. If I squint really hard I swear you can give Arin a character arc with Nya there’s gotta be more than just them not having any real powers at the start of the show.

I feel like my certified big brain bestie @nyaskitten would also enjoy this ask (and probably with WAY more coherence than me) so I'm inviting them to the party as well.

Before Raine shows up, here's my handful of assorted thoughts about this ask (under the cut for DRS1 spoilers:)

Regarding the Oni-Djinn-Dragon spectrum you imply and that I am about to run away with: what if the djinn are actually the MIDPOINT of that hypothetical range? I'm suggesting this because our sample size for djinn is so small right now (in order of appearance we ONLY have Jackass Supreme, Mr. Expo-Dump-And-Die, and Arrakore (who I do not yet have a funny summarizing nickname for because he's got like ten minutes of screentime under his belt), which isn't enough for me to extrapolate from) and we really don't have a TON of information to suggest that they lean one way or another as a collective. (Obviously if we get a montage of a bunch of resurrected djinn proving that Arrakore is the outlier by, I dunno, committing grand tax fraud or something, THEN we can make an overall assumption.) They do, however, display visual indicators of both Oni and Dragon - Nadakhan's finale evil magic ball things are destruction purple and Arrakore's magic manifests as bright creation gold - and generally otherworldly powers, although we don't know how universal they are. Nadakhan is the only one we ever see using most of the non wish-granting abilities like shapeshifting and teleportation (that reminds me, I still need to get that magic gatekeeping theory out!), but I'd assume that that early Skybound line where all Kai knows of djinn is that they're "sneaky and have great power" probably means this isn't a one-off thing. Anyway, back on track - I do agree that the djinn lean towards the Oni side given what little we've seen so far, but that evidence field is so small that any hint of Dragon coding in there could tip it. And Arrakore might not have done much yet, but I do think he's contributing to the Dragon side and dragging their alignment closer to the middle of the scale.

Regarding the Arin thing: I fully agree that Arin could have a killer connection with Nya right now, but I actually like that his arc is a bit disconnected from the rest of the team at the moment! Ninjago has always had a funky problem of shoving protagonists into relationships straight off the bat, whether that be romantic or not, so it's interesting that Arin's a bit emotionally isolated. He's very much trying to sort himself out, which isn't something I really remember getting in the first fifteen seasons. I feel like that's going to be a huge part of season 2 and I'm really curious to see how it's handled! Too curious to speculate, really, but that might change later, and I do love what you're going for here.

That was kind of a mess, but I hope it made some sense! Thanks for the ask!

[helloiamadrawer]

Dragon Ball Super

Kai couple headcanons 💕

Starting with..

U9 x U3 (Roh and Ea)

Tw: none! basically just fluffy headcanons

So who fell first you may ask? Surprisingly it was Roh. At first he didn't know what came over him when he was at a certain supreme Kai meeting, his lavender eyes kept wandering to the blue skinned deity. He felt warm inside for the first time despite being a bit cold hearted during the Tournament of Power...and the Zeno Expo but he decided then and there that maybe it's not too late to change a little.

After he couldn't help to find the nerdy Kai interesting like what would he look like w/o his glasses or wtf is going on in his head aside loving technology and all.

Ea, on the other was confused, he's literally sitting beside the mint colored Kai and for some reason..eyes were on him and he could sense it. But every time he turned his head to him the feelings gone. 'Is this man playing games with me? Seriously?'

Don't get him wrong he doesn't think he's a bad god, he just has different traits that the other kais don't have. He's wild...and untamed and handsome...what? Why is he thinking these thoughts right now? And is his face growing hot? He wanted to slap himself for spacing out but he couldn't make a fool of himself at the meeting. Pay attention damnit!

After the meeting, Roh is the first to ask or at least say something until Ea cuts him off

"Why were you looking at me so much?" Ea asks while placing a hand on his hip.

Crap! He sensed me! Roh acted quickly and came up with a sleazy lie

"What are you talking about, nerd? I was just paying attention to the Grand Minister on the screen, not you." He turns his head away from him doing the usual denial acting he does hoping it doesn't backfire.

Ea scoffed at the nickname that never bothers him at all since he's basically immune to it. "Come on Roh, I know it was you, what's your deal today?"

"it's not my fault you're so cute." Roh mutters under his breath, a faint blush appearing on his face.

For what Ea did next was the most unexpected thing Roh couldn't even predict, he was flushed a bright red thus making his skin looking like Roh's eyes and Kai-Kais (aka teleports) it back to his universe, into his lair and groans in frustration "did he just call me...cute!?," 😳 "What the hell is happening to me?"

His palms were sweaty, his heart was racing, and his mind was running a thousand miles an hour. He knew what it was and my god for some reason he liked it???? Yep, he fell for a bad boy. He then plops his head back down in his desk in defeat and muffles a soft, "damnit..."

Btw here they are if you don't know who they are

Update: GAMMA HEADCANONS ARE COMING SOON

[kylesvariouslistsandstuff]

This is my post for tonight's movie presentation at the D23 Expo, which I'll edit/update as the news comes out, and after I formulate thoughts and whatnot... I have already seen some of the stuff for ELIO and ZOOTOPIA 2 revealed earlier today and yesterday, and will integrate my thoughts into this.

10:23PM EST (Approx): Looks like MOANA 2 will be the focus of their first announcement tonight. A real 180 from the 2022 D23, where they saved all the animation stuff for the last half hour and breeeezed through it.

10:30 PM EST: Trailer drop. Promises epic adventure, more pig, a very natural kind of villain, and worldbuilding/expansion of this South Pacific setting. I dig, I dig. Looks very movie-caliber to me. If it was never said that this began life as a D+ show, I don't think most would see a difference.

10:35 EST: The Rock is involved with another Disney movie, a live-action called MONSTER JAM. About... Monster trucks. Documentary or picture that isn't a remake? No release date given.

10:37 EST: 'Kay, we're jumping right into the AVATAR movies now. From water to monster trucks to water... I guess we'll be jumping around a bit tonight.

10:42 EST: AVATAR 3 is AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH. Not THE SEED BEARER, as previously rumored. Hitting all the elements.

10:44 EST: Alright, Pixar time, what's a-cookin'?

10:46 EST: Kicking off with DREAM PRODUCTIONS, the INSIDE OUT Disney+ series that had been previously talked about in interviews. TBD 2025. Takes place between the two movies, so a little bridging of the gap.

10:48 EST: FINALLY! A WIN OR LOSE release date! December 6th!

10:50 EST: Trailer for WIN OR LOSE. Looks like a lot of fun, love the different animation styles for each players' perspectives.

TOY STORY 5 is being directed by Andrew Stanton after all. Concept art shows Woody, Buzz, and the gang all together, in Bonnie's room. She's playing with a tablet. Apparently the story about toys dealing with... Electronics. Smartphones and computers and tablets... Is this a midquel?

A bunch of malfunctioning Buzzes... 50 of them... Is the antagonist. Kinda dipping into the unmade Circle 7 TOY STORY 3 well for ideas, is we?

10:54 EST: Pixar original 2026 is called HOPPERS, starring Bobby Moynihan as a beaver. Not a movie about a clone army of the A BUG'S LIFE villain. Logo gives secret agent/spy vibes. Critter comedy meets action?

It's about a girl who switches brains with a beaver, while her town's mayor (voiced by Jon Hamm) threatens to destroy the beaver home... Love this. Wacky-sounding and perfectly Pixar.

10:58 EST: Zoe Saldanha is starring in ELIO, as the titular kid's aunt. The story doesn't sound much different from what the mid-2023 teaser promised...

The little girl is HOPPERS is putting her brain in a ROBOT beaver, correction. This stuff comes at you so fast. No director named, but I'm thinking it's Daniel Chong?

11:01 EST: INCREDIBLES 3... Whoaaaaaa.

HOPPERS is Daniel Chong's Pixar movie. Makes sense... Bears, now beavers...

Per INCREDIBLES 3... "Brad Bird is developing it right now." Directing? Writing? Producing?

Pixar presentation OVER. INCREDIBLES 3, I guess, will bow in 2027 or 2028.

11:05 PM EST: ZOOTOPIA 2 time. Ke Huy Quan voices a snake named Gary in the film. Reptiles, sea creatures, and more are now in the city.

11:09 PM EST: FROZEN III, 2027. Not 2026. FROZEN IV confirmed. Disney's "Four Seasons" quadrilogy, it seems.

Jennifer Lee says an original comes from WDAS in 2026... Doesn't say what... yet?

11:12 PM EST: Not announced at D23. Adrian Molina was removed as director from ELIO, it was taken over by Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian... More on this shocking development later.

11:15 PM EST: They're onto stage stuff now, musicals, etc. No word on the WDAS original slated for 2026. Surprised, but also not surprised. The furthest Pixars tend to get announced before the furthest WDAS movie... Still very shocked about ELIO, though. First director removal of Pete Docter's era... He said in an interview that Molina is still at Pixar and had been moved to a "priority project"... ELIO must've really hit a wall, or something's afoot...

Stay tooned...

[rainbowmancer-gwen]

Story time:- Shitting the bed (Disrespectful house guests) CONTAINS NSFW moments

I need to start using my tumblr more... My threapist said I should journal more and tell my life stories because a lot of them are just as absured as this... Okay so this is not an am I the asshole stories because I know I am not. I wrote this last night night whilst stoned. I also wanted to test a new clicky RGB keyboard that my Friend Kendra bought me (She was at this party too and can verify it's a true story...) Here goes

Okay, so... close to a decade ago, now I held a party after the Armageddon expo (Anime and Geek convention in New Zealand) one year.

The lead up was that I was working on an assignment for Uni that needed to be in before Sunday. Sunday was Armageddon, and I was hosting an after-party for cosplayers and furries at my parents' house.

It was a sleepover, and I had worked extra shifts to afford a boat load of Kai to feed everyone. My folks were away in the UK. They knew about the party and they knew about my rule.

If you stay cooked, breakfast is at 10 am because you can sleep in. After that I will give you a job cleaning the house. This had worked previously to great effect.

My folks' house can comfortably sleep 12 (in beds) + more on couches.

The whole of the local furry community was invited, and my best friends at the time had helped me plan.

I get my assignment done at 3am after much tinkering and fuckwittery with word counts as Uni had fucked up the brief and there was ambiguity about word count. Fuck it! It's 3am, it is done. I need to sleep and get ready to let off steam.

Arrive at Armageddon, meet friends, and help friend Cosplay as Totoro in a big fursuit. Meet more furries, including draw fest artists. Fuck it! Invite them. This party is going to be the ultimate nerd fest.

And that's when I meet AL... AL is a dragon furry, who is so up himself his fursona has two dicks... I didn't know this at the time. AL asks if he can come. I had only met him once previously but had interacted well enough online and he seemed cool.... Say fuck it! Come along.

Start getting messages out of the blue from a Trans friend, B, who had just gotten back into the country after a messy break up. Say Fuck it! She can come too. It'll do her some good!

Fast forward to the party. Everything is going swell. I am the perfect host. I'm nervous because my parents' house is full of people I have had next to no sleep and a full day of convention. I'm knackered, my best mate. Let's call him Phoenix. He has packed me a joint. Instantly feel better.

Start to notice something is off...

Notice AL and B are making out like it's an Olympic sport. They are all over each other, and it's squicking out my guests...

Ask them politely. Hey guys... It's not that kinda party. We got people playing fucking Yu-Gi-Oh! And drawing furries and you're... You're doing that...

It gets later, and people start to trickle out. The stayers are watching anime on a projector in the living room that Totoro friend, had brought over.

I'm like, sweet. This is my time for another joint, and I'll set up beds. I walk into the kitchen, and what do I see? B An 8 foot transwoman in heels sucking off AL...

I am beyond mortified and beyond words... AL smug face says something to me, which I forget.

Anyway I tell them that it's not appropriate quietly and again not that kinda party. No other party guests saw that, thankfully... Read the room seriously!

Move on to allocating beds. Okay, so let's put them separately...

B pipes up. "Um... I will have anxiety if I don't sleep away from other people who I don't know" sounds fake as fuck.

Okay, you can have the room my GRANDMOTHER sleeps in when she visits... and my room is ABOVE YOU... 

Everyone hears this... Everyone goes to bed. I go upstairs when they do. Spend a little more time with core friends. Break down and tell them what happened... and how mortified I am.

They ask me why you did not tell us? Because I didn't want to ruin the party...

Go sleep. Hear fucking. PISSBOILED! I am so angry! Angry cry self to sleep listening to Weezer. "I am the greatest man that ever lived" (I was masc at the time...) more on that story later...

Skip ahead to the morning. I am up first as I had not slept, nor had they. (The headphones did not hide the fucking...!)

Here I am, angry breakfast! Thankfully, due to many doors between guests and them (except for me... I AM THE ONE WHO HEARD EVERYTHING!)

It was awful... Thankfully, everyone helped clean and was grateful for breakfast. EXCEPT FOR THEM!

THEY DIDN'T GET OUT OF BED UNTIL MIDDAY!

I had shit I needed to do! Everyone did! Everyone knew this. It was on the invites! I purposefully sent the invites. Because in the digital age, respect the party rules!

And I made it very clear 3 TIMES!

☆♤♧◇♧♤♡☆

NOT

THAT

KIND

OF

PARTY!!!

☆♤♧◇♧♤♡☆

They have the AUDACITY! the AUDACITY! to ask where's BREAKFAST!

After a brief explanation... AL, to his credit, helps a little with the last of the cleaning....

B does a sneaky exit but gets caught at the door by me. She says , sheepish and fake sad sounding "Bye...." *Sad eyes look away* ME ME me me me kinda look.

Leaves... Whatever screw her! She's out of my life now...

Meanwhile, other guests start to ship out and thank me for my hospitality and grace, humility and kind hosting, and network skills, etc...

AL and core BFFs last to leave (Phoenix, and Rei) after knowing what has happened asked me if  I wanted to stay with them. Say yes please. AL hears this (he's still not left yet) and says he'll travel with us...

Que? No, me gusta!

Does not get hint. Walk to.bus stop is silent.

Get to bus. AL invites himself by stating “Am I coming to [PHOENIX and REI'S HOUSE] with you?”

Rei who has had it at this point states “I don’t know… Are you?” and glares at him.

Finally getting the hint AL gets off the bus.

Watch him leave… Continue Bus journal. All of us are gobsmacked… GAGGING!!!

Continue to my friend's house. Phone blows up. Messages from B saying how much of a shit host I was and how unwelcome she was made to feel… CALL OUT HER BULLSHIT! Phoenix is cheering me up by making me laugh about the whole thing calling it the "Kitchen BJ saga" Rei is pouring me a hair of thedog bloody mary and a cup of tea

Come home a day later. Shit stains on the bed….  I AM FUCKING LIVID THEY LITERALLY SHIT THE BED!!

End up charging both of them for the price of entirely new bed sheets… AL reluctantly pays as he has rich parents, find out later that he payed for B too.

Never hear for B again, except randomly bumping into her in the hospital (I am an RN) No words were spoken but I honestly hope she is well… AL occasionally pops up in online circles, Never let him live it down. Trues to laugh about it because “LOL It’s been close to a decade” NO! YOU SHIT THE BED! I’m never letting you or anybody else forget it!

If you read this far you are a saint. Thank you for letting me get this off my chest

Peace and love tumblr!

MAY YOU NEVER SHIT THE BED!

Gwen

[tangledbea]

Have you ever imagined you would come this far, having a very popular blog, knowing cast members, and even having some fans? I acknowledge (and admire) your dedication in achieving all this, but I wonder how it feels like XD

Honestly? No, not at all. XD I never sought any sort of popularity, and some days I don't even want it. Some days, it's kind of lonely. I made this blog primarily to be a resource archive, and to share my insights that seven years of being a Tangled fan had granted me (at the time that TBEA aired), but when crew members started showing up on Tumblr, I one day found myself in the headspace of, "The worst they could do is completely ignore me." So I reached out to everyone I could at first, and kept talking to those who answered.

I think the biggest shocker for me was finding out that crew who hadn't pinged my radar knew who I was. When I went to the Tangled the Series panel at D23 Expo in 2017, Ricky Roxburgh bound up to me, all excited to meet me, like I was some kind of celebrity, and I didn't know who he was (yet). It was surprising, to say the least. When I visited DTVA studios, people's faces lit up when we met for the first time, because they knew who I was. It was like meeting an old friend for the first time. Kay Hayes used to run livestreams of their drawing Tangled fanart, and I attended a few, and whenever I did, they'd say, "Oh hi, Bex!" and people in chat would lose their minds, because I was the Bex. I never thought I'd be the anything. XD And close to the series ending, or just after it, I was told by one of the animators that whenever they (the animation team) animated New Dream interacting, they thought of me and hoped I approved. Me, personally. I was literally told that I was influential in how New Dream turned out. I'm not ashamed to say I cried when I heard that.

The thing is, I'm just a person. I'm a middle-aged woman who works as a bookkeeper in a very small accounting office to pay my bills. There are people who would claim that I'm too old to still be a part of fandom space (especially things that originated when I was already an adult). But I think being in my 30s when the series began and in my 40s now gives me a unique insight into things, in that I'm an age-peer to a lot of the people who worked on the show. I don't come across as a silly kid, I come across as a mature adult. That made me trustworthy and on equal footing with the crew, so they were willing to talk to me in private about things (and even, in some cases, give me gifts that the public didn't get to see).

Fandom has always been led by adults, and fandom spaces were invented by women, of which I am both. But I never dreamed that the creation of my fandom blog would lead me to having days where I had so many asks in my inbox that I was too overwhelmed to even open it, or have to make hard and fast rules about what I didn't want to discuss, or create an FAQ for literally frequently asked questions. I didn't think people would look up to me, or find me too intimidating to talk to me off anon (hello to the handful of you who let me see who you are!). I'm just a person, just a fellow fan. If anything, this experience has taught me that everyone we idolize are just people, too. Sure, they might have a career or hobby that thrusts them into the spotlight, and fame and power might go to their heads, but they're really just people just like the rest of us. Just like you.

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball Super 080

Who’s ready for some GOTH GOHAN?

Or is this GLAM?  I’m kind of out of touch with this stuff. 

So this is the second match of the Zeno Expo, an exhibition featuring fighters from Universes 7 and 9.  Majin Buu already beat Basil, so now it’s Gohan vs. Lavender. 

Lavender is part of a three-man team known as Trio of Danger, along with his brothers, Basil and Bergamo.  So they’re all anthropomorphic wolves with a love of extreme violence and cheating.  Apparently everyone in Universe 9 is at least a little evil, but Lavendar seems to be an especially sick fuck, since he plans to murder Gohan and the rest of the U7 team if he gets the chance.  After all, the previous bout established that it’s anything-goes, and if there’s no rules, then that works in Lavender’s favor. 

Gohan, on the other hand, hasn’t been in a one-on-one fight like this since he took on Super Buu way back in DBZ.  I mean, he fought some of Frieza’s goons in Res F, but I hardly think that counts.  He’s been training hard ever since the Frieza incident, but he still feels rusty, despite his greater strength.  So at first he thinks he should take things slow to get his feet wet, but Goku tells him to go all out.   One weird feature of the Trio of Danger is that the U7 guys can’t sense their fighting power, so it’s unclear just what they’re up against.  So Gohan’s better off going in hot.  Besides, this will be the best way for him to guage his own power.   Worrying about his opponent’s strength comes later.

So the first thing Lavendar does is spit a poison mist into Gohan’s face.  Then he blows some more on his hands, so anything he punches will get poisoned as well.  I mean, this is a pretty handy power to have, but in a 1v1 match like this, how many times can you poison the same guy?  I mean, at some point Gohan’s as poisoned as he’s going to get, right?

The Supreme Kai.... Well, I should probably stick to calling him “Shin”, since there’s 11 more Supreme Kais in this story.  Shin offers to throw Gohan a senzu bean to heal him from the effects of the poison.  It’s legal, after all, since Basil got a magic power-up thing from his entourage in the last match.  But Gohan refuses, since he wants to see this through on his own.  Goku agrees, since this predicament is the “perfect” training for Gohan, who needs a tight spot like this to prepare him for the battles to come. 

And yeah, that adds up.  You look at Gohan’s most famous fights-- Cell and Super Buu-- and both of them went the same way.  He dominated both of those guys, and then they threw him a curveball.  Cell self-destructed, and Buu absorbed Gotenks and Piccolo.  Lavender spewing poison into Gohan’s eyes is the same sort of thing.  All the training and talent in the world can only get you so far.  There’s twists and turns you encounter in a real fight, which only a real fight can help you prepare for.  So Gohan’s going to gut this out and follow it where it leads him. 

So this is a pretty standard Fighter-can’t-see-so-they-rely-on-their-other-senses kind of deal.  Except Gohan can’t sense Lavender’s ki either, so that makes this a little tougher than it usually gets in this show.  He stands still and concentrates, until Lavender goes for a kick to his head, and just as his heel touchs Gohan’s hair...

Yeah!  You can’t do shit!  Gohan’s in the house!

Of course, Lavender is still a tough opponent, and Gohan still has to cope with the poison affecting the rest of his body.  So Gohan turns Super Saiyan to keep up the pressure, even though that just makes the poison’s effects even worse.  Eventually he just collapses from the strain.

But Gohan’s not finished yet.  He may be on his last legs, but he still pushes ahead, turning Super Saiyan one more time and getting into a beam struggle with Lavendar.  But that’s no good!  The harder Gohan rotates the L and R stick on his controllers, the faster the poison will circulate through his body!

And sure enough, Gohan loses the beam struggle and eats a hit.  Lavender goes in for the kill... which is exactly what Gohan was counting on.  He goes on the offensive, charging straight at Lavender...

... Then grabs him and flies him straight down into the ring.  Hell yeah!

Lavender’s out cold, and Gohan manages to make it to his feet for a second, but he passes out soon after.  Since neither fighter can continue, the Grand Minister rules the match a draw. 

Goku gives him a senzu bean to de-purple Gohan, and Goku also tells him how proud he is of him.  Awww.

Before we get to the third match, the Grand Minister pauses to discuss the Tournament of Power in greater detail.  In particular, he announces that while Goku was the one to remind Grand Zeno of the idea, the Zenos have long felt that there were too many universes, and so they’re going to use the tournament to eliminate some of them.

According to the Grand Minister, Zeno has been studying all the universes, assigning each one a score based on the average power level of the mortals who live in each universe.  Four of these universes, 1, 5, 8, and 12, have a score of 7 or higher, so they will be exempted from the Tournament of Power. 

The other eight universes: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11, will all compete.  Zeno was planning to eliminate them anyway, but the Tournament of Power will allow one universe to enjoy a reprieve.  At least this way, they each get a fighting chance.  But the goal here is to whittle down the number of universes from twelve to five. 

This kind of ties in with what Whis said about Grand Zeno’s power to erase universes.  In Episode 47, while explaining Zeno’s abilities, Whis said that there were once eighteen universes, until something annoyed Grand Zeno and he erased six of them in an instant.  Whis never said why this happened, but it sounds to me like this is a continuation of that process.  Grand Zeno seems to think that there’s some proper number of universes to have, and he hasn’t found it yet.  Apparently, this Average Mortal Power score of his is one metric by which he decides a universe’s fitness. 

Beerus and Shin blame each other for their universe’s low score.  It’s not like they even knew about it, but perhaps a god could have improved the situation.  But Shin never wanted to interfere with mortals’ natural development, and all Beerus ever does is eat, sleep, and complain.

And this pattern seems to play out on all of the other universes we’ve seen so far.  Champa and Vados are the mirror image of Beerus and Whis.  Their Supreme Kai is so boring I don’t even remember him most of the time.  Universe 9′s gods are corrupt, and Gowasu of Universe 10 seemed content to take no action whatsoever.  The God of Destruction in Universe 10 never even appeared in the Zamasu Saga, even though a bunch of crazy shit was going down.  That says a lot. 

So the implication is that the gods of Universe 1, 5, 8, and 12 must have been doing something right, or at least they managed to avoid doing something wrong.  On the other hand, whille Universes 7 and 9 have the lowest scores on Zeno’s scale, they still produced powerful warriors like Gohan and the Trio of Danger.  So maybe that’s what intrigued Zeno when he learned about Beerus and Champa’s tournament.  He saw these matches happening, and was impressed to see such powerful warriors from two universes he had written off as failures. 

Oh, and when the losing universes get erased, their gods go with them.  The only ones who will be spared are the guide angels assigned to each universe, like Whis and Vados.  I don’t know why anyone is surprised by this, since the angels aren’t actually part of the universes they serve in.   I mean, I’m pretty sure Whis comes from someplace very far from Universe 7. 

Anyway, forget that noise, because now it’s time for Goku’s match, and he’s rarin’ to go.  A quick fistbump with his son, and he’s all set. 

[foundtherightwords]

Winter Light - Chapter 3

Pairing:Tom Grant (Make Up) x OFC

Summary: Vanessa, a young cancer patient, arrives at a remote holiday park in Cornwall to wait out the rest of her days, but after a chance meeting with a park employee named Tom who's nursing a broken heart, Vanessa realizes life may not be done with her yet.

Warnings: slow burn, fluff with some angst, swearing, serious illness (cancer)

A/N: There's bound to be a lot of content this weekend with JQ's NOLA Fan Expo appearance so I'll the posting the remaining chapters a little later next week. Also, there's some spiciness coming in Chapter 4 (very mild though. Maybe just on the same scale as some black pepper. Or a mild chili.)

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Total Perspective Vortex

It was November 5th. The park had been closed for over a week. The remaining staff and the tenants were building a huge scrap pile on the beach, ready for Bonfire Night.

Vanessa watched them from the dunes, where she sat soaking up the last rays of the autumn sun. Tom was there. He waved at her, and she waved back, but she had no desire to join him. For some reason, she wanted to keep their moments together just for themselves, with nobody else encroaching on their solitude. She saw Kai looking over at her and making some sort of remark to Tom, no doubt a provoking one, because Tom then stormed off in a different direction.

Later, Vanessa was resigning herself to an evening with her books when there was a knock on her door. She opened it before the last knock died away, and sure enough, there he was, with his curls all fluffed up by the wind and the smile she'd known so well by now.

"Why aren't you at the bonfire?" she asked.

"Eh, it's just an excuse to get drunk. We can do that here," he said, holding up a six-pack.    

"Sorry, alcohol and my meds don't agree," Vanessa grimaced ruefully.

Tom put the six-pack down, deflated. "Oh. I didn't think about that."

"You go ahead."

"Nah, it's pathetic drinking alone."

Vanessa didn't want him to leave. "How about some hot cocoa then?" she said. "I can't cook, but I make a mean cup of cocoa. And we can watch the fireworks from the dunes."

Tom brightened up. "Sounds good."

When the cocoa was done, Tom carried the mugs to the buff right outside the caravan, and Vanessa followed with a blanket from the sofa. From the buff, they could see the bonfire crackling merrily in the distance. Tom shivered in his thin jumper, so Vanessa offered him a corner of the blanket, but it wasn't big enough to cover both of them. After watching Vanessa struggle with it for a while, Tom held his hand out. "Give it." He took the blanket, wrapped it around himself, and spread his arms out like wings. "C'mere."

Vanessa hesitated, but eventually the cold won out. She sat down in front of Tom, and he enfolded her in his arms, the blanket covering them both. "How's this?"

"Perfect," Vanessa said, trying to resist the temptation to lean into him. She felt his breath tickling her neck and prayed he couldn't see how flushed her face was.

"Sure you don't want to get closer?" Tom asked.

"What?" Vanessa almost shouted. Had he read her thoughts?

"To the bonfire."

"Oh." Her face, if it was possible, got even hotter. She was sure even the tips of her ears were burning and Tom must have seen them. She cleared her throat. "No, this is fine."

Down on the beach, fireworks and rockets were being set off at random, sparklers glowed like fireflies, and some brave soul was even waving around a flare. There was a sense of frenzied, almost unsettling wildness to the whole thing that was so different from the sedate, homemade Bonfire Nights of Vanessa's childhood, and she was glad to be watching it from afar.

"When I was little, we were only allowed a tiny fire in the garden," she said. "No Guy either. In school, me and my friends would make this huge Guy every year, but Mum never let me go watch it get burned. She said it was too dangerous. What she didn't know is that I would climb on the roof to watch the fireworks afterward."

Tom laughed. "And she let you become a lifeguard?!"

"It was at a community pool. Not as if I had to rescue people from the sea all the time."

She could feel Tom grinning as he rested his chin on the top of her head. "Well, you did a great job."

It almost felt normal, snuggling up with him, sipping hot cocoa, watching the fireworks, and talking about her childhood. But Vanessa could feel herself getting too comfortable. She needed to break the spell before it took over. She wriggled out of Tom's arms and got up. "I'm going to get more cocoa, you want some?"

Without waiting for his answer, she walked briskly toward the caravan, but stopped short as she felt sharp twinge in her leg. Tom turned to her. "You all right?"

"Yeah, just my old war injury acting up again," she joked, and went into the caravan, to the bedroom, where her med bag was kept on the bedside table. The pain was building so quickly that just those few steps forced her to sit down. She dug through the bag, then upended it on the bed and sorted through the various bottles with shaking hands.

Tom stepped in. "Everything OK?"

"I can't find my morphine."

He'd seen her chugging it enough to realize how serious this was. "You don't have another?"

"No, I was going to pick up the refill when we go into town next." Her chest felt tight. As if they could sense the barricades were down, the wolves were rushing back, snapping at her bones with razor-sharp teeth.

"When did you last use it?"

"This morning, I think." Her heart sank as she remembered. "I went down to the beach. It must've slipped out of my bag."

Tom dashed out to grab a torch from the kitchen. "I'll go look."

"I'm coming too," Vanessa said through gritted teeth.

"You're in no shape."

"It'll save you a trip back."

Tom didn't argue again. He scooped her up in his arms and ran down to the beach. The party was in full swing now, the bonfire flaring its flames sky-high, its heat reaching them even from a distance. The revelers were dark, monstrous shapes, darting in and out of a hellish red glow that shrouded over everything. Some techno was playing at ear-bleeding volume, the pounding bass combined with the sharp explosions of firecrackers making the constricted feeling in Vanessa's chest worse. 

"Where did you sit?" Tom shouted in her ear. At first, confused by the chaos of the party and the pain, she couldn't tell one dune from another, but when she remembered where she had been in relations to the bonfire, it became clear. She pointed and tried to say "Over there", but it turned into a groan. Tom set her down carefully and started going over the sand with the torch. Vanessa curled up into the fetal position, as if doing so would stop the searing hot needles from spreading all over her bones.

A figure detached itself from the dark whirlwind around the fire and staggered toward them. Kai. "Look who's decided to join us!" he shouted at Tom, his voice slurring.

"Give us some room, mate," Tom said, brushing him aside. "Bit of an emergency here."

Kai saw Vanessa, and his lips twitched up in a leer. He bent down, pressing his face toward her. "Partying too hard, are we?" His breath reeked of alcohol.

Tom pulled Kai away from Vanessa and gave him a shove. "Leave her the fuck alone. She's in pain."

Kai's drunken grin was disconcerting to see, like a dog baring its teeth. "Don't get teasy with me now. Right about the other one, wassan I? Maybe this one's a bit more friendly..."

Tom lunged at the bigger man. "Tom!" Vanessa cried out, half in pain and half in fear. That cry froze Tom in his track. He turned his back on Kai and started sweeping the sand with the torch again. Kai stared at them in confusion for a moment, before lumbering off.

The pain was intolerable - it was no longer confined to her bones, but seemed to have spread over her every tissue until her entire body was one mass of pain. She tried to follow Tom's torch, trying to see where the bottle of morphine could be, but each sweep of light was a knife stabbing into her eyes. She couldn't breathe. The pounding in her ears was deafening. She couldn't tell if it was from the music, the firecrackers, or her own blood. The dark vortex around the fire grew larger. Then Tom was beside her, pressing a bottle to her lips. She swallowed a few gulps, and a black curtain fell over her eyes.

***

Vanessa woke with an unfamiliar sensation. The pain had dulled but left her tired and sore as if she had run a full marathon. Then she realized what the unfamiliar sensation was. There was someone else in bed with her.

She twisted around, as quietly as her pain-wrecked body allowed. Tom was lying next to her, one arm tucked under the pillow, the other wrapped around her. The morning sun shone weakly through the window, dusting his curls with gold and casting the shadows of his long lashes on his cheeks. Vanessa had to fight the urge to lean over and kiss those shadows.

She knew she had fallen in love with Tom, ever since the day he gave her the plants and smiled at her. Despite her determination to wall up her heart, that smile had broken through the barricades with no effort at all and taken permanent residence inside. The moment she saw it, she'd known. If she could have him smile at her like that for the rest of her life, she would not want anything else. There was something about him that made her feel safe, something that comforted her. Perhaps it was the way he took everything as it came, quietly and without complaint. Perhaps it was the way he always knew what she needed, sometimes even before she realized it herself. Perhaps it was just his smile. But she never really thought much about why she loved him. She just enjoyed it. She enjoyed the fluttering of her stomach whenever she looked at him, enjoyed a brief repose from her misery whenever she thought of him, enjoyed simply being in love without having to worry about him loving her back. In fact, she didn't even want him to love her back, because it meant he would be hurt when she died. She didn't want him to get hurt. But this morning, waking up in bed next to him, she ached for what could have been.

Tom stirred, and Vanessa quickly rolled over, pretending to be asleep so he wouldn't catch her staring at him while he slept. He woke up and leaned over her, so close she could almost feel his lips touching her ear. She heard him let out a sigh of relief at her breathing and felt his hand brushing a strand of hair away of her face, lingering on her cheek for a moment, before he got out of bed.

Vanessa couldn't move much that day. Tom asked for the day off and stayed with her, helping her in and out of bed, cooking, putting the caravan in order.

"Tom," Vanessa asked that night, while he was washing up, "why'd you stay with me?"

"I couldn't leave you alone after last night," Tom said, his tone implying that there was no debate.

"No, I mean... in general. Why'd you stay with me all this time? Do you feel like you owed me, because I saved you from drowning?" she asked. "Or..." She came up with the worst thing she could think of. "Or do you just feel sorry for me?"

"No, nothing like that." Tom came round to the sofa, sat down next to her, and took her hand. "I mean, I am grateful. But there's something else too."

"What?"

It took him so long to answer that Vanessa was afraid she wouldn't like what he had to say.

"I was dumped," finally he said. "Last year. She came down here to stay with me, and then she dumped me."

"Is her name Jade?" Vanessa said, without thinking.

Tom looked at her, surprised. "Where'd you hear that?"

Oh no. Perhaps she'd made a terrible mistake. Perhaps Jade was no one and had nothing to do with Tom at all, and now he was going to know that Vanessa had been obsessing over it like a fool. "Shirley mentioned her name when I first arrived, and you were kind of... angry," she explained, flush creeping over her face. "She used to live here, right?"

"Yeah," Tom said. "But she isn't my ex. My ex's Ruth. She, uh... left me for Jade."

"Oh" was all Vanessa could say. It made so much sense now.

"We've been together since we were 15," Tom said. "Planned our whole life together. Sounds pathetic, but I really thought we would last, you know?"

Vanessa didn't know what to say. "My longest relationship lasted for two months and ended because he went back to France and ghosted me," she confessed. Pierre the putain, she and her friends had called him afterward. But at least that relationship earned her the clout of losing her virginity to a French guy. "So I wouldn't know, really. But it must've been horrible for you."

"They fucked off to Madeira together, and everybody here knew," Tom continued, his brow darkening. "That's why I didn't want to come back this year. I kept thinking about it, did I do something wrong, if only she'd said something, if only I'd asked her..." Vanessa was reminded of what he'd said the day she told him about her family. Don't expect people to read your mind. So this was where it'd come from.

"It kept playing in loops in my head 'til it drove me mad. But then I met you." He turned to her, his eyes tender, and her heart skipped a beat. "You're dealing with this fucking enormous amount of pain, and you're so brave about it..."

If only he'd known. How afraid she was, going to sleep every night not knowing if she was going to wake up, waking up every morning not knowing if it was going to be her last. How she hid behind her jokes and her nonchalant discussion of death.

"And it made me realize how pathetic my problem is." Tom gave her hand a squeeze. "While I'm with you, I don't think about Ruth much, and if I do, it doesn't hurt anymore."

He clearly meant well. And he must've come to trust her a lot, to confide in her like this. But Vanessa was hurt. Although she didn't want him to love her back, she had hoped he would like her as a friend, perhaps even miss her a little after she was gone. But to find out she was only a distraction, a way for him to forget his own heartbreak... It hurt, and she didn't know why.

"So I'm like your personal Total Perspective Vortex?" she said, finding refuge in humor as usual.

Tom was used to that by now. "Another of your references?"

"Well, I can try to relate on a human level, but it's better to do it via media," Vanessa said. Tom rolled his eyes playfully.

"Let me guess, a Doctor Who monster?"

"No, it's from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. You know it?"

"'Course I do!" Tom said, putting on a show of being offended. Then he added, sheepishly, "Only saw the series once, when I was little. Don't remember much except for the green alien guy. Scared the shit out of me."

Vanessa smiled at his honesty. "It's this machine that when you step inside, it'll show you where you are in relation to the whole universe," she explained. "It gets used as a torture device, mostly."

Tom raised his eyebrow. "Did you just compare yourself to a torture device?"

"Maybe."

"Sometimes you can be a bit fucking dark, you know that?" Tom said, shaking his head at her.

"That's me, the queen of gallows humor," Vanessa grinned back, despite her fractured heart. At least she could still make him laugh.

Later that night, as he was carrying her to bed, Vanessa almost asked Tom to stay. It was so tempting in that moment, with his face close to her and her arms around his neck. But before she could open her mouth, Tom said, as if he could read her mind, "I can stay, if you want." He quickly added, "I'll sleep on the sofa. Give me a shout if you need anything."

A voice in Vanessa's mind told her she would only end up hurting herself. Another voice said it wouldn't matter anyway. It was painful to have him close, true, but it was a safe, almost pleasant kind of pain. "You wouldn't mind?"

"'No, 'course not."

"Then yes, please," she said quietly.

Tom tucked her in. "You're not a torture device, Vanessa Curran," he whispered, before dropping a kiss on her forehead.

Chapter 4

[questioned-quetzalcoatl]

30 Days of OTP: Day 7, Cosplaying

Rating: K

Verse: Human AU

AN: New Zealand has at least 5 cosplays of selected characters that he wears to the Auckland Armageddon expo every year. Once he ended up talking Tonga into cosplaying with him and he does it every now and again.

Also I just recently watched Thor: Love and Thunder and thought matching Thor and Jane costumes would be a cute idea uwu;;

He found it strange enough that Kainga had cooped himself up in his room for the past few days or so. Even stranger that Kainga hadn't explained his unusual behavior, James had only caught glimpses of him going into the kitchen for food. Whatever it was it was apparently very secretive too with Kainga throwing James out his room every time he tried in intrude in. Simply claiming that he should keep his 'Fat fucking nose' out of his business.

Leading James to convince himself that his nose was in fact NOT fat under a surplus of pouty grumbles the New Zealander emit after being kicked out.

Kainga couldn't help but laugh at him a little from behind the closed door. After all, he didn't want to ruin the surprise for James. He worked hard on it for months; he had the needle marks from the sewing machine to prove it. Going from knitting sweaters to making a full fledged cosplay was not an easily achievable feat, the amount of detail every part of it required was something truly remarkable. He wanted to make sure everything on it was completely perfect, sat behind a sowing machine with his signature glasses perched on the end of his nose. Threading every string through the costume with precision and care. Leave it to him and his perfectionist ideals to choose one of the most complicated outfits out there.

He’s impressed, if anything, James simply staring at the creations Kainga had made, the Tongan fast asleep at his desk in the room with a selection of sewing pins and needles cluttered around bare feet and the New Zealander is vaguely surprised to find an embroidery needle still between the others finger tips. His glasses slouched upwards across his face from his cheek resting on his cross arms on the desk. He could only smile fondly at him, bringing up a blanket and wrapping it around Kainga. He didn't want him to get cold after all, cooped up in his room all day wasn't exactly the most healthiest choice. James wasn’t sure how long the other had been working on them or stuck in here, a few months if the bubbling excitement the other had been spewing over the Armageddon Expo coming up was anything to go by, but he hadn’t actually expected him to make his costume, letting out a low whistle as he saw the wigs and facial hair pinned to the wig heads.

It was too dark to see what Kainga was actually working on, James simply placing a loving kiss to the top of his head. Pressing his lips down on the Tongan's curly hair that'd tussled up from sleep. Probably the first he'd gotten in ages so he made sure the blanket was wrapped around him snugly. Something about being able to tuck Kainga in on any occasion brings James so much satisfaction, watching the other cozy up on his desk was rewarding enough for him.

Dawn hit Kainga like a good morning slap to the face. His disappointment is quite frankly immeasurable as he realized he'd creased up some of the fabric he was sowing by sleeping on it. Now he'd have to get the iron out again which was a job within itself as it was stashed away in some unknown corner of his room.

Standing up groggily to try and look for it, only to be met with the silhouette of James leaning on his doorframe. Jolting up in fright as he didn't expect the other to be there, looking as smug as usual with two cups of tea in his hands. James laughed at him gently when he sees Kainga's look like that of a deer caught in the headlights before the Tongan relaxes again.

“James…it’s early, stupidly early. Why are you here?" he looked at him rather startled, hardly even awake yet.

"Kai-boob, it's 1pm now," he said softly, standing off the doorframe and handing him the cup of tea he made for him. "You've been locked up n' here like bloody Rapunzel. Eating nothing but takeout and instant noodles, what on earth are ya hiding from me?"

Kainga seemed to be rather embarrassed by the fact that James was right about his peculiar habit. Bringing the tea up to his lips to stall conversation as he normally does in these kinds of situations.

"I...I wanted to make a costume that matched yours for the Expo this year," he admitted quietly. "You know me, I wanted it to be perfect. I guess I got a little too into it and couldn't seem to stop." He let out a small laugh before finally looking back up at James. "Maybe I should time my surprises better..."

James looked at him in surprise. Almost like he'd expected the answer to be that Kainga just wanted to avoid him but...this was not the case. He couldn't help but start to feel a little warmer than usual.

"Oh Kai, yer mean it lovely?!" he pulled the unsuspecting Tongan into a hug, Kainga let out a small angry yelp at his tea almost spilling all over the two. "This is amazing! We can both go together in cosplay! Oh! Let me see what ya made! Pleaseeee~?!"

Kainga was reluctant at first glance but soon came around once he saw the puppy eyes James was pulling at him. Even though his cosplay had a bit more touching up to do, details only a perfectionist like Kainga would notice, he took it off the sowing machine to present it. His whole face tinted in a deep crimson blush, more than shy to be showing off his creation to James.

"I-It's still a work in progress!" he nervously stammered in defense out as if James would start nit picking at it like the Gordon Ramsey of costumes at any second. "I still need to touch up the cape and armbands of her outfit. You wouldn't stop badgering me about how you wanted to dress up as Thor this year so I figured, I'd go as Jane to match yours." He placed the costume in James's hands, his fingers lingering on it for a bit like it was a priceless artwork from the Renaissance.

James looked completely astounded at it. Unable to even keep his jaw up as his eyes trailed up and down the costume in amazement.

"Ar' ya kidding me?! It looks incredible! Look at that detail! You got everything down to a T Kai! Holy shit this must've taken ages to do!" It wasn't long before James started to go off on an excited ramble about how incredible the costume was. Flipping it around over and over to admire every enticed detail within the threads of the fabric and metal plates of shielded armor.

He should probably stop complimenting the Tongan on it at some point; he’s too modest for his own good and becoming increasingly more and more flustered by the second. But he’d not seen him in a while and an embarrassed and modest Kainga was something that only came round once in a while.

[mysticdragon3md3]

And that's the end of the first GSCFanWeek!

Day 1, Collection Showcase:

I separated templates by Nendoroid, Figma,Pop Up Parade, and Swacchao. Still a few to unbox. Some back row Nendos got hidden in a couple double layer display boxes. I should make more figure risers.

Day 2, The One That Got Away:

Some of these got away because I got into a series late, they weren't being sold thru GSC US, I took too long to decide, or I just needed to skip to save my budget. But now these haunt me! I actually have a MUCH LONGER list of figures I wish I could have gotten or had to let get away. These are just a few.

Day 3, The One That Started It All:

Figma Miyuki Takara was my first high-end figure. Before her, I only bought gachapon and Play Arts. But I was wandering around Comic Con, and as often happens at non-anime cons, there wasn't much I was interested in buying and I felt kind of bad for not buying loot. But I ran into a booth selling Lucky Star Figma. So I tried buying high-end figures for the first time. (I don't count Play Arts, because they're not like the $45+ Play Arts Kai line. I got a lot of my Play Arts around $20.) Then I got into Sengoku Basara and found they had Nendoroids. I LOVE "tough shonen characters" being turned into cute chibi!🤣💖I originally only wanted Sanada Yukimura but the store also had Date Masamune. So I got them both at the same time💙❤️

Day 4, GSCfiguresIRL:

I always wanted to share this pic of the time I took my Nendoroid Date Masamune to Los Angeles Tanabata, and there was a kazari from Sendai with Date Masamune on it! Also I just love sharing my Tanabata nendography🎋💖I don't often get to share it on GSC contests or features, because I often mix parts/accessories, especially for Tanabata when I take Nendoroids off of their usual bodies to put them into the Nendoroid More Yukata set. These tanabata photos are from multiple years of LA Tanabata, spanning from 2016-2019.

Day 5, Good Smile Spirit Day:

Cheers! Here's to more figures from Good Smile Company!🎊🎊🎊 Originally, I wasn't sure what concept to use for a photo of "your figures celebrating GSC and another year of exciting figures". But I thought Miku is the closest Nendoroid I have to a mascot for GSC. So I used my latest Miku. And of course, I wanted to use the GSC acrylic standee that they gave me for being one of the winner of the figure photo contest to get our pics exhibited in GSC's Anime Expo booth. Honestly, when I saw that acrylic standee of their logo on an event's menu, it was one of the things I reeeeeeeeeeeally wanted, enough to make me feel bad I was still quarantining and not attending conventions. So I was so very happy when they just included it in the package of my photo, printed on the canvas that they displayed at their Anime Expo booth. I was so happy! So this photo is just a big party, a toast to Good Smile figures.

Post GSCFanWeek:

I'm sorry that I wasn't able to post something on each day of this past week's events. But real life and other commitments took priority. I know that decreased the exposure that my photos would get, so I do feel kind of bad for spending as much time/effort on them as I did. But the new photoshoots I did this past week, I think came out well. And I love answering these type of collecting questions, making me nostalgic about my collecting journey, and giving me an opportunity to record some memories. <3

[vtuberconfessions]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Altare & Kobo's off-kai the first hololive/holostars off-kai? If so, then yet another common Leader W. If not, it was still cute as hell to see them act like children. They could be actual siblings.

.

[theprincessandthecowboy]

I climb into the droid’s speeder as it pulls up and lean back as it takes off, “Aiden’s at an- an art expo. An’ Sera’s visitin’ home. ‘M gonna go now, ‘Kay? See you in time for the babies. I’ll make sure to get a Man-“ I cut off for a soft cry, “Mando room.”

"Please be s-safe," he whispers, starting to cry, "Please... I- I will make it. I will. Get human doctor, no droid. Hate droid doctor."

[mmyriapoda]

Hey if you hover over my shoulder while I'm doing something on my phone and then react to me turning the screen off by saying "what do you have to hide???" I fucking hate you thanks

[storiesofsvu]

Classified Affairs Ch 8

Heather Dunbar x fem!reader Warnings: language, alcohol consumption, mommy kink. Covers the “Chosen Last” by Sara Kays square for fall bingo.

The pub was absolutely fucking slammed. It was Friday night, the t.v’s were split between a hockey game and a football game, maybe both playoffs? You really didn’t know.

What you did know was that nearly everybody was in the weeds, yourself included. You’d been granted a supervisory position over the past couple of weeks which meant on top of running your own section or bartending, you also had to deal with a ton of customer complaints, or servers needing discounts, deleted items, or anything else off the computer. Honestly, you were thankful this was the second job that Heather didn’t know about, between her wanting your service, and wanting you to not be stressed? She’d hate coming here. You were in the midst of helping out the bar, pouring draft to help them get up to speed when a small voice called out.

“Y/N may I?!” Your eyes shot up to Becca, one of the newest girls the pub had, and one that you’d trained, at the POS, “I can’t find the button for white sangria!” She looked absolutely flustered, and honestly, you knew the feeling, you’d been there way too many times before. You finished pouring the beer, plopping it on the bar by its chit and moved over where she was.

“What do you need babe?”

“They want a jug of the white sangria, it’s not under cocktails?”

“I know.” You gave her shoulder a soft squeeze, “our POS is fucking crap and it makes no sense, okay? I’ve been here nearly ten years and I still can’t find shit. Check under white wine.” You gestured to the menu button watching as she hit it and her eyes glazed through the menu, finally finding the proper button.

“Oh god I’m so fucking stupid.”

“No!” You warned her, giving her half a glare, “you are not. If any guest says shit, you tell them it’s your first day, you hear me?”

“But I’ve been here two weeks.”

“They don’t know that.” You tossed her a smirk, “and if anyone pushes anywhere past that, or you need any help with anything, you call me, okay? I know this is your first serving job, and all things considered, tonight might be a bit of a mess. Consult with me if you think someone needs to be cut off, alright?”

“Okay.” She nodded, “thank you!”

She darted off immediately and honestly, you were a little worried about all of the new kids at work. There hadn’t been a busy night where the drinks were constantly flowing since any of them had started and tonight was a shit show, even to a pro like you. You glanced to the bar, it seemed to be doing alright at their drink times, so you ducked back to the kitchen, spending sometime expoing and running food for a few hours before returning to the front of house.

Things finally seemed to be slightly settling down, though people were still racing through the pub like no tomorrow. At least the food service side of things seemed to have slowed down, and it was focussed on mainly drinks. You popped back behind the bar, helping out there where you could, and kept an eye on the servers. It was only a few drinks into your assistance that you noticed Becca at a table, where clearly someone wasn’t happy. And it wasn’t some college kid, it was some woman who clearly shouldn’t have been in a pub on a fucking Friday if she wanted her meal to be perfect.

You managed to swoop in at the perfect time, the perfect yet completely fake smile on your face as you ushered Becca away from the table, asking what the problem was. You listened, nodding along to the woman’s complaints, internally rolling your eyes as she complained about shit that not only wasn’t the pubs fault, but definitely wasn’t Becca’s fault. You instead, apologized for everything, saying you would take the meal off her bill and offered her something else in place of it. The woman simply scoffed with an eye roll, saying she would rather eat at an IHOP than here and you took that with a very sarcastic smile, instantly settling their bill for them before they left.

With a huff and roll of your eyes you glanced around the room to find Becca, considering you need to pass off the debit slip. Instead, you were met with a sea of people that didn’t include her, though things were finally starting to calm down as both the games ended. You managed to settle a couple more bills from her section before getting worried that she’d bailed or something. It wouldn’t be the first time one of the newer kids had walked out, hell, even people who had been there for years had walked out mid shift.

Instead, you rounded into the back, preparing to knock on the staff bathrooms when you nearly ran into her coming out of dry storage. She had a pack of napkins in her hand, clearly ready to do some roll ups when her eyes widened and you could tell they were rimmed with red, there was no doubt she had been crying.

“You okay?” You asked softly, giving her shoulder a soft squeeze.

“I’m fine.” She shoved it off, moving past you to the roll up station.

“Becca…” you nearly warned, “shit happens okay? What did those cunts say to you?

“That I was an incompetent server and deserved to be fired.” She did her best to hold back but the tears leaked out of her eyes and you felt your heart clench, having been there yourself more than once over the years. You instinctively pulled her into a tight hug, your hands rubbing at her back.

“People are fucking assholes. And I’m sorry you had to deal with those bitches tonight. You really didn’t deserve to. Honestly, you’re the best of the new servers we have, so whatever these assholes say, don’t believe it. Okay?”

“But..” the dam broke and she shivered as the tears started to roll over her cheeks.

“No…no!” You wrapped your arms around her in a tight hug, “those cunts don’t deserve your tears, you hear me?” Your hug pulled her right against you, letting her cry into your shoulder, “I know it’s a shit thing to say but. ..you’ll get used to it. You build a thick skin and soon enough those dicks won’t bother you. And believe me….Becca you are way better than the dicks we have coming in here on a regular basis.”

“Really?” She glanced up at you with tears eyes and you smoothed back a piece of her hair.

“Yes.” You smiled. Giving her shoulder a squeeze, “we’ve all been there, trust me. Even after ten years I still like to have a little cry or scream in the walk in. Take a few minutes, calm yourself down. Go stand in the freezer, or take a wine carafe and smash it out by the dumpster. Let it all out, I’ll cover your section.”

“For real?”

“Yeah babe.” You shot her a smile, “I know what it’s like to be a newbie, I’m not gonna let you crash. Go do your thing.”

You took the packet of napkins from her, nudging her in the direction of the back door and freezer, letting out a soft sigh as she followed you direction. Becca had been one of your trainees and on her first day you knew she was going to be one of the good ones. She had incredible work ethic, was always on time and tried her hardest to make sure things were done right. You didn’t know much else about her, work taking priority over personal conversation so far through the couple of weeks that she’d been training. She definitely had it in her to make a wonderful server, and you wanted to see that through, and make sure assholes didn’t upset her enough to make her want to quit.

*

The shift was finally over, the bar having been cleared out of customers while you finished wrapping things up, cleaning the last of tables and making sure dishes were being done. You dropped a few of the cash outs with the first few server who were ready before dropping your own from the bar, stuffing your tips into your wallet and pouring yourself a cider. Perched at the end of the bar you pulled open your Apple Watch app, making sure your food log was fully up to date, and checking your activity stats for the day. You were checking the other notifications on your phone when Becca popped up,

“My section’s clear, can I drop?”

“Yeah.” You glanced up, triple checking her tables were done as you hopped from the stool, leading her back to the office. “How was the rest of your night? Sorry I couldn’t help out more, the bar got fucking slammed.”

“It’s okay.” She let out a little sigh, settling into one of the chairs as you flicked on the computer quickly to record her sales. “I mean I made it through.”

“You sold almost four grand, Jesus. You at least make good money?”

“Yeah. Which is good because I’ve got another slew of textbooks I need to pick up for university.”

“What’re you taking?”

“Sociology.”

“Sweet.” You signed off on her cash out, dropping it into the safe, “I took journalism, let me know if you get stuck on any classes, I think there’s a bunch that overlap.”

“Oh…thank you. Honestly I might end up changing my major, I’m just trying to figure things out right now.”

“Hey, I changed majors like three times, it’ll work itself out, don’t worry.” You gave her a quick once over as you stood, guiding her out of the office, “how old are you again?”

“Twenty three.” You could’ve sworn she blushed when she answered. She was fucking adorable, that was for sure.

“You want a shift beer?”

“Oh, I don’t drink beer.”

“It can be anything in a bottle or can.” You laughed, “we’ve got cider and a few kinds of coolers if that’s more your style.”

“Can I try one of those peach coolers?”

“Course.” You swung back behind the bar, marking it down and sliding the can across to her. “So..” you leant against the bar, your hand seeking out your glass of cider as you faced Becca, “I know you’re new to this, and that you’re in school…what else should I know? Tell me about yourself?” You could sense that Becca was someone who needed a bit of encouragement to open up and be comfortable, and you knew that those things would help with her finding her confidence with tables and drunk patrons.

“Oh..uh…” she ducked her gaze, distracting herself with a sip of her drink while she thought it over, and honestly, her stomach was doing somersaults. “I dunno?” Her brow furrowed as she glanced up at you, “I live on campus…”

“You from here?” You asked, your attention half on putting glassware away as you continued your conversation.

“Born and raised.” She sighed, taking another sip of her drink.

“You just prefer to be closer to campus then?”

“I…uh…kinda hate my family?” She winced, daring a glance up at you, “maybe not hate but like…I need to escape a bit.”

“I feel that.” You turned back to her, having now shut off the dishwasher, your attention fully on her, “family can be a fucking bitch sometimes. Know that you’re not obligated to spend time with them or give them the time of day, you don’t owe them shit, just because they raised you? Fucking bullshit.”

“Thanks.” She shot you a small grin, “my brother’s not too bad honestly, he gets it…but my parents are…”

“The worst?” You finished for her with a small smile.

“Yeah.” She sighed again, taking a heftier drink of her cooler, “every family gathering I think sometimes I would rather stay home than show up to be ignored and alone.”

“Family can be the fucking worst.” You assured her, reaching out to squeeze at her hand.

“Do you still talk to yours?”

“Nope.” You huffed, taking a swig of cider, “Mom died when I was six, Dad kicked me out and cut me off at sixteen when he found out I was gay.”

“Oh god…” her eyes widened, but she couldn’t deny the way her heart picked up at the knowledge that you batted for the same team.

“It wasn’t that bad.” You shrugged, “my Aunt took me in for a few years, helped me out ‘til I was in college and had a job. I mean…she wasn’t the best, but…it helped.”

“I just kinda hate that we’re stuck with them for life, ya know?” She raised a glance to you, “like…every time I have to see them I don’t speak my mind, I just sit and listen, just…suck it up and get it over with. I don’t have a clue why I’m at all the birthday parties when I’m not close to anybody.”

“I mean, you could stop going.” You suggested, “working the service industry is the easiest way out of that shit. I haven’t seen a long weekend in over five fucking years, even if you’re not scheduled, just say you are and bam…no family holiday dinners anymore.”

Becca laughed, taking a hearty swig of her drink, “aren’t you in charge of scheduling?”

“I mean…I can’t get you out of Christmas since we’re closed but everything else? You’re my go to.”

“Perfect.” She laughed. Noting as your attention got pulled to your phone as it vibrated against the bar top. A text from Heather,

‘Glad to see you had more than just chicken nuggets today.’

‘It was a hectic night, but yes M’am.’ You replied with a small grin on your face, feeling Becca’s eyes on you.

“Girlfriend?” She asked softly, and you sighed.

“Uh..no…just a watchful friend.” You smiled, shoving your phone back into your pants pocket.

Heather obviously wasn’t your girlfriend, although her agreement did come with the stipulation of you not seeing anyone else. You understood it for health reasons, but also, she really only requested you not sleep with anyone else. Her restrictions were more so to keep the two of you, and thus, her marriage, safe. You wondered briefly if you were allowed to date, exploring the more soft side of relationships before things turned sexual.

“Oh fuck!” Becca swore suddenly, jumping off the stool, “the last train comes in five.”

“Whoa!” You held out a hand, “whoa! Babe! It’s fucking one thirty in the morning, you are not taking the train!”

“But…it’s the easiest way back to campus.”

“Without a car, maybe.” You laughed, “I’ll drive you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. There is no way I’m letting one of my girls take fucking public transit home after a night of work and when it’s this late? At least call and uber or a cab.”

“I guess…I was just trying to save some cash?”

“I feel you.” You tossed her a smile, “finish your drink, I’ve got a couple of things to wrap up and then are you good to go?”

“Yeah.” She shot you a very eager smile as you swiped your cider from the bar to finish up the night report in the office.

It only took a little bit for you to be finished with what was needed as you passed off the appropriate reports to the manager that was on shift. You had a brief chat about how the night went, and things that you thought could go better next time, and then bid them a goodnight. It was halfway down the hall as you were picking up your bag and getting ready to leave that your phone pinged again

‘You’re usually home by now kitten.’

‘It’s this whole supervisor position, I’ve got more crap to deal with at the end of the night, but I’m done now.’

‘So I should expect you in fifteen?’

‘Twenty to thirty? One of the new girls needs a ride home. I’m sorry to keep you waiting M’am.’

‘It’s no worry. Your stats are good, you were a wonderful pet this week. I’ll be waiting’

Your breath nearly caught in your throat at her words, knowing that she was likely already at your condo. Honestly, you were pretty exhausted already, but Heather usually had a bottle of wine waiting for you when you arrived home to help you relax, so you weren’t too worried.

You picked up Becca at the bar, leading her to your car, slipping into the front seat, dropping your phone into the cup holder.

“Guess I should’ve checked what campus you’re at.” You laughed as you peeled out of the parking spot.

“Oh…right.” She laughed, “Howard.”

“That’s what I was hoping.” You laughed in return, turning the right direction as you made your way onto the street.

“Did you go to Howard?” Becca asked and you nodded.

“Yeah. It was decent….didn’t do much for connecting me with a career but obviously that differs between fields. So don’t let that get you down.”

The University was just around the corner from the bar, so it didn’t take you long to reach Becca’s dorm. You followed her directions to make sure you were right at her door before you bid her goodnight, reminding her that you were more than able to pick her up or drop her off whenever she needed or wanted.

You let out a soft sigh, the exhaustion seeping into your bones as you shifted the car into gear to drive back to your condo. Once parked you stepped into the elevator, part of you wished that Heather wasn’t still there, that she’d gotten bored and gone back home. Instead you let out another huff when you let yourself into your apartment, seeing her on your couch, half distracted by the t.v before she glanced your way.

“For what they’re paying you? They’re overworking you.” She commented.

“For what its worth, they did give me a raise.” You huffed back, dropping your bag onto the kitchen island.

“Everything alright?” She raised a brow, her attention now fully on you.

“Yeah…I’m just…honestly..I’m exhausted. I’m really sorry M’am…I really don’t think I have it in me tonight.”

“Well then why don’t you get changed into pyjamas? Shower if you want to. I have a nice bottle of wine waiting for you, you’ve got the t.v in your room after all.”

“Thank you.” You urged, disappearing into your room briefly as you changed and wiped off your makeup, returning to the open area of the apartment for you collect your things with a small yawn.

“I know you had a stir fry for dinner, but when was the last time you ate?” Heather asked as she stood from the couch, flicking off the t.v.

“Bout ten p.m, someone fucked up and there was an extra Caesar wrap.” You mumbled, running a hand over your face.

“Oh kitten…” she cupped your cheek gently, “you really are exhausted, aren’t you?”

“Yeah.” Your cheek nodded in her hand, “I know you wanted to play….”

“It’s alright.” She ducked to press a kiss to your lips, “you need rest.” She nudged you further into the bedroom, “would you like a glass of wine?”

“Please.” You asked, slipping into bed and burying yourself under the covers.

“I can’t stay long, but I’ll give you the best I can before leaving.” She smirked, slipping onto the bed beside you as she handed you the glass of wine.

“Thank you.” You smiled, “I’m honestly surprised you were even here tonight.”

“Well I’ve got to make sure my kitten is taken care of, don’t I?” She replied with a smirk and your cheeks flushed, avoiding her gaze as you nearly buried into her arms. “Do you have a current series we should go to or should we find a movie?”

“A series please.” You sucked back a large sip of wine, “I don’t think I can stay awake long enough to make it through a movie.”

“Alright.” Her hand flicked through the remote, finding one that you could both enjoy for a little bit as you finished your wine. About halfway through the first episode you spoke again,

“May I ask you something?” You tilted your head up on her shoulder to face her.

“Of course.” She replied with a small smile.

“Your…husband….what is it that he does? To not realize you’re gone all the time?”

“Mmhmm.” She chuckled softly, “he’s a doctor, a surgeon, he does a lot of long shifts, overnight shifts, and he knows what politics is like. I don’t want you to ever worry about him kitten.” She pressed a soft kiss to your forehead and you hummed.

“Okay.” You let out a happy sigh, burying deeper into the pillows and Heather laughed again. It didn’t take long before you were completely out. You fell asleep with her arms lazily draped around you, her lips pressing soft kisses to your skin every so often. Though it wasn’t long after you were finally asleep that Heather pressed a kiss to your forehead, slipping out of the bed. After all, she did have a home to return tonight.

_________ @lesbianologist @screenee @disaster-and-disgrace @jamiethetrans @natasha-danvers @veteranwerewolf95 @laurenhope13 @imlike-so-gaydude @svulife-rl @gay-ass-bitch @oliviaswifey @mysticfalls01 @cmmndrwidw @bumblebear30 @paulson-hargitay @molllss @snowsgay19 @solemnnova @svushots @nocreditinthestraightworld @yourtaletotell @cerberus-spectre @thatgaygiraffesquirrelgirl @emskisworld @ex-uallyactive @addictedtodinosaurs @rosiewritesagain @imaginaryoperagloves @wandasbrat @lustvolle-liebe @disn3y7 @samwithnoplan @multifandomlesbianic @swimmingstudentchaos891 @anne-gillettes-wh0r3 @season4scullyhair @whimsicallymad @alexusonfire @mmmmokdok @lazarettta @muscatmusic18 @sia2raw @ladysc @dxtery @Awkwardreadera

[odetolove95]

In a pulse of light, Steve found himself standing in an alley in London. One he knew all too well since he had a penchant for picking fights in alleys. His time travel suit dematerialized and he was left in his usual uniform, which seemed a little too much for the timeline he came back to. The real mission was to return the Infinity Stones and get back to 2019, but he figured his Bucky wouldn’t mind if he took a little detour. He wouldn’t be here long anyway.

The back door of the Whip and Fiddle pub to his right was proof that he landed in the right timeline—somewhere in the 40s. He remembered that the Howling Commandos were in there. Perhaps it wasn’t a good idea going in there dressed like this.

Not to mention the absolute bizarreness if he met his past self.

But there was no turning back now. He opened the door slightly and peeked inside. The pub was more crowded than he expected. He felt completely out of place. And his new-found confidence fizzled out sooner than it came. Across the hall, he spotted his past self and a young Bucky seated near the bar, busy in drink and conversation.

Steve smiled at the sight of that bright-eyed, innocent Bucky who was willing to fight by his side till the end. This was the Bucky who didn’t know what was about to happen to him. And that was the Cap next to him who failed to protect him.

A pang of pain gripped Steve’s heart. But he brushed those thoughts aside and focused on what he came for. The future, seventy years from here, eventually turned out good, so he drew some reassurance from that.

He wondered if it was simply easier to just barge in there and talk to Barnes himself, but he didn’t want to attract unwanted attention. He had little time too.

Closing the door, he paced back and forth restlessly outside, trying to form a plan. A whole minute passed in that. The thought of his past self struck him. He didn’t stop to think how Bucky would be able to slip out without being noticed. Not to mention the fact that he would be subjected to two Steves.

“Shit,” he whispered.

Abort mission?

No. He came this far and wasn’t about to give up easily. He smoothed his hair, straightened his uniform, as though trying to impress a date. Steeling himself, he walked to the door and opened it.

And came face to face with James Buchanan Barnes.

Both froze, staring at each other for a moment. Bucky scanned him from head to toe, shooting a glance at the bar then back at him. “How...?”

Catching his arm, Steve pulled him into the alley and shut the door.

“How did you get out here so fast?” Bucky’s eyes darted to his uniform and his brows rose. “Am I missing something here? Did you change your hair?”

He couldn’t tell if it was his alcohol-addled brain playing tricks on him or Captain America’s uniform suddenly got an upgrade.

Steve couldn’t lie to him. He had to provide an explanation. Besides, he remembered Bucky’s fascination with the future. He remembered the sparkle in his eyes and his awe-struck face during their so-called date at the Stark Expo. At least, that was how Rogers saw it.

“Yeah, well... I’m not really Steve,” he stuttered. “I mean, I am, but not your Steve.” 

Your Steve. 

Sweet Jesus. 

“I’m from the future,” he added.

An awkward silence followed. So much so that he could imagine crickets chirping nearby.

Bucky gave him a blank stare. “Did you smoke something? Or did I drink too much?”

“No, it’s true. I—” Rogers was about to point to his to the time GPS when he realized it was better not to. “You know what, never mind. I came here because I wanted to tell you something I should’ve said a long time ago.”

Bucky’s mind still struggled to grasp what was going on. Because a few minutes ago, he was sitting next to his best friend, who was in his military uniform, and who then headed to the loo shortly after.

“O-kay?” he said.

This is it. Steve couldn’t afford to mess this up. His stomach fluttered and his heart thudded in his chest. With a deep breath, he mustered every ounce of courage he had. He’d said these words before, in another time, and yet, it still managed to make him nervous.

“For as long as I remember,” he said. “You were all I had. You were there when I picked fights and when I got hurt.” He swallowed. “When my parents died. You were always there. When I had nothing, I had you.”

Bucky's heart melted. But he wouldn’t show it, so he merely smiled. “It’s no big deal, Stevie.”

“It is for me. I don’t know what I’d do without you. And I wish I had told you sooner.”

The smile on Bucky’s face reduced when Steve came close. Too close. That golden hair swept back in a smooth quiff really did it for him. He sucked in a breath. His gaze involuntarily darted to his pink lips. Something about this Rogers was different. His fresh sky-blue eyes had the same glimmer and warmth that Barnes knew well, but something had changed in them. He couldn’t place a finger on what. Either way, they always seemed to stare right into his soul. Put him in a spell he couldn’t get out of.

He cleared his throat. “T-tell me what?”

He didn’t know his bright eyes cast the same magic on Steve.

“I love you, Buck. I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner.”

Those words had been weighing heavily on his chest for so long. Now that he finally got it out, he felt exposed. 

Bucky’s brows eased, “What?”

“You heard me. You used to--I mean--you were jealous whenever you saw a woman too close to me and I never understood why, because I never felt anything for them. Not the way I do for you. It’s always been you.”

Bucky didn’t respond. His brain stopped functioning a long time ago, and he wasn’t sure if his heart was still beating. He simply stood there, gawking like an idiot. His best friend was in love with him. All this time, he thought his feelings were unrequited.

He didn’t realize how long he remained frozen like that until Steve’s voice snapped him out of the trance.

“Will you say something, please?”

“Huh?” he blurted.

Steve huffed. “Oh, for God’s sake—”

Holding Bucky’s face, he closed the gap between them. Bucky gasped as Cap’s lips crushed his with fervor, tasting his whiskey-tinged lips, and setting his soul on fire. He pushed back instinctively, tugging at Steve’s lips with his teeth. Grabbing the straps on his uniform, he pulled him closer. Their surroundings were a blur, like nothing mattered except them. Every other sound—people and vehicles, all drowned in the background.

Steve would’ve stood there, kissing him for hours, if only he had the time. Slowly and unwillingly, he pulled away.

Bucky’s mouth dropped open as he exhaled a short breath. He might’ve forgotten to breathe the entire time. “Whoa.”

“Yeah,” Steve whispered. He took one look at the alley, checking to see if anyone was looking. “So sorry about this but um, I have to go now.”

“What? Where?”

“It’s complicated. But don’t worry, you’ll get there.” In about seventy years, give or take. “I have to go. Maybe you need to ask that jackass what he feels? The other jackass who’s technically me...”

“O-okay.”

Happiness filled Steve’s heart, like the warmth of the sun on a cold day. “See you around, jerk.”

In the end, this detour was well worth it. He tapped his band and the time travel suit materialized before Bucky’s widening eyes. The latter stared, slack-jawed, at the magical transformation. And in a pulse of light, Rogers disappeared.

Barnes stood there for a moment, staring at the space where the man stood a millisecond earlier, trying to comprehend if all that was real. He cautiously reached a hand out, thinking he’d feel something, anything, but his hand simply waved in the air.

The guy literally just vanished.

“What the fuck...” Bucky breathed. What just happened?

He could still feel Steve’s lips on his. Like a damp, invisible imprint left behind. Dazed, he went back into the pub.

His Steve stood near the bar, raising his arms outwards. “Where did you go off to?”

I met your future self. Or at least, I think I did. “Just went out for some fresh air.” Bucky shrugged, trying to be as casual as he could.

“Well, come on, we’re gonna be late for the briefing. The team’s waiting outside.”

Bucky needed to convince himself that whatever happened in the alley was not some bizarre manifestation of his mind. “Wait. I need to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“Do you... you know...” Come on, Barnes. Get it together.

“Do I what?”

He bobbed on his feet. “... L-love me?”

Steve stared at him for a moment, mouth parting slowly. Bucky wasn’t sure if that was a good sign. A bead of sweat rolled down the back of his neck. The last thing he wanted was to ruin their friendship. It was the one precious thing he had.

But he had to know.

A smile crept onto Steve’s face. He blushed as he scratched his head. “I guess. Yeah.”

The relief Bucky felt was palpable. He shook his head, laughing a little under his breath. His heart did the Jitterbug in his chest. A part of him wanted to smack the blond idiot at the back of his head for not telling the truth sooner.

“Stupid punk,” he said.

“Yeah, I guess I deserve that,” Rogers replied. “How did you find out anyway?”

“Well, you keep giving me these googly eyes all the time! I didn’t know if you really... felt that.”

“Of course I do. You are my whole life.”

Bucky scoffed and looked away, hiding the surging happiness inside. The volcanic eruption in his heart.

“I’m sorry,” said Steve. “I should’ve told you. I was waiting for the right time.”

“Yeah? When exactly is that? Your retirement party?”

Steve tilted his head, looking at his friend with those big, blue puppy eyes and a smile that said ‘please don’t be mad’. Bucky absolutely hated it because he could never resist that face.

“Fine, never mind it,” he said. “You wanna... have dinner or something?”

“I know the perfect place. We could go tonight. Eight o’clock.”

“Sounds good.”

The two of them left the pub, walking so close beside each other that their fingers brushed. Good thing the rest of the Howling Commandos were too drunk out of their wits to notice the love in the air.

-- The Words That Should’ve Been Said. (Read full on AO3)