#playing her instrument (violin) better and at a younger age than he

[stargazer-sims]

Tatsuya “Violet” Kanematsu (RSVP for @rebelangelsims)

Age: 23 (Young Adult in-game age)

Birthday: 8 April

Gender Identity: male

Pronouns: he/him

Sexuality: pansexual

From: Mt. Komorebi

Occupation: musician

Relationship Status: married

Favourite Colours: purple, red, black

ABOUT

Violet is the frontman (lead vocals, guitar) for the rock band Chasing Ghosts. The band consists of Violet, his spouse Rebel Saetang (keyboard, vocals) and husband-and-wife duo Emi Moriuchi (violin, vocals) and Kaito Moriuchi (drums). They’ve been enjoying quite a lot of success recently, with the release of their first English-language album, Haunted Hearts.

He loved music from an early age, and both he and his younger sister had voice lessons and instrument lessons (guitar for him, piano for her) when they were growing up. Violet first got the idea that he wanted to be in a band when he was in middle school. He was part of his school band, but he likes to say that doesn't really count, as the school orchestra wasn't exactly playing rock 'n roll. He started writing songs when he was in his early teens. Although he isn't the main songwriter for his current band, he still contributes.

Outside of music, Violet's interests include snowboarding, dancing and gardening. He's a cowplant enthusiast, and also enjoys helping take care of Rebel's bees.

Violet is definitely an extrovert. He's the complete opposite of his spouse, Rebel, who would rather not talk to anyone other than his family and friends. Violet, on the other hand, loves to go out and socialize and meet new people. Sometimes it seems to Rebel that Violet knows everyone in the Mt. Komorebi music scene.

He loves attention, and he likes to be seen at as many social functions as possible, which is a good thing because he's always getting invited to things (and dragging his reluctant spouse along).

Everyone calls him Violet, except for his parents and the government. There are people who know him who've actually forgotten that his real name is Tatsuya, and some people who may never have even known his legal first name.

———

Rebel Saetang

Age: 24 (Young Adult in-game age)

Birthday: 30 October

Gender Identity: male

Pronouns: he/him

Sexuality: homosexual

From: Brindleton Bay (currently: Mt. Komorebi)

Occupation: musician

Relationship Status: married

Favourite Colours: red, yellow, white

ABOUT

Rebel is the keyboardist and one of the vocalists of Chasing Ghosts. He's most noted for his keyboard solos, and for his amazing ability to harmonize. He is the band's main composer. He does write some lyrics as well, but he's much better at setting other people's lyrics to music.

"Rebel" is Rebel's real name, a fact which he has a love-hate relationship with. He likes the fact that his name is unique, but sometimes he wishes he didn't have to explain it to people when doing official transactions like credit card payments at hotels, or renewing his driving license. Rebel's mother, a Japanese-Canadian actress, was (and still is) somewhat of a rebel herself, and decided her only child needed a name to match their lifestyle. Rebel's dad is Thai, but that's all he really knows about him other than his surname (which Rebel inherited). As far as Rebel knows, his father has never been in his life, and his mother rarely talks about him.

He has a speech impairment that gets worse when he's stressed or nervous, and he's shy about speaking on stage or giving interviews because of it. He discovered at a young age that his stutter does not affect him when he sings and that it in fact seems to go away entirely when he's singing. He has a beautiful voice and loves to sing, and sometimes likes to say that he found his "real voice" through music. If he's upset, anxious or scared, sometimes he stops speaking altogether, because trying to get the words out is too frustrating for him and just upsets him more. He's been known to go into a quiet room with Violet and literally sing his problem (something he won't do with anyone else, not even Emi or Kaito).

In his spare time, Rebel likes gardening and he enjoys tending to his bees. He has a thing for dangerous pets, which is why he's okay with his spouse's cowplant obsession. Their garden is quite unusual, as they also have a few alien plants along with the cowplants and the bees. He also enjoys reading, and he loves to cook.

Rebel is an introvert, and would rather spend his time quietly at home when he's not performing. But, because his spouse is a social butterfly, he ends up at all sorts of functions that he'd never go to if it weren't for Violet. Violet seems to know everybody, and of course he has to introduce Rebel to everybody.

The paparazzi love Rebel because his looks are so striking. The love is not mutual.

[xmeihuang]

[ gemma chan | cisfemale | she/her | 36 ] ——   welcome to grimrose, mei lian huang. it’s cool that you’re here, you know. haven’t you heard of the history of this place… anyway, how’s being a local who has been in town for 4 years, especially since you spend most of your days as a teacher at grimrose elementary? also, not that it’s a bad thing, of course, but i’ve heard people say you can be a little guarded more than you are nurturing… but that’s just coming from people who are bored here, i promise. to me, you remind me of ivy by taylor swift and meeting stealthily under the moonlight, a longing so deep it starts to burn, resilience that would make your ancestors proud (or fearful) . hope to see you around, mei.

headcanons:

Her mother died when giving birth to Mei’s younger brother, and as the only daughter with two brothers, Mei’s whole life was centered around cooking and cleaning and all around servitude- being the perfect daughter, and eventually the perfect little housewife, was what she was always poised to do.

She’s fluent in Mandarin and was trained in piano and the violin from a young age.

Her father is a very prominent businessman and arranged her into marriage with a business partner to strengthen his own ties, a match Mei despised. While (lovelessly) married, she had an affair (wc coming!) and became pregnant.

Her daughter Selene is four and has no idea about her father. 

Became a school teacher in town, wanting to teach the next generation and have them have better opportunities than she was allowed

bio:

Mei Lian was the first born daughter to the Huang family--and the last. Her mother died in childbirth with her younger brother, leaving Mei as the only woman in the family at just four years old, and as such, had high expectations put on her from the moment she took her first breath. While her older brother had duties of his own, Mei’s varied a little. She was educated in all the things one expected of a lady: classic literature, weaving, playing instruments, painting–and how to be a good and proper wife. She was to be seen as eloquent and elegant at all times, quiet, molded into the absolute picture-perfect daughter in the hopes that she’d find a good, wealthy husband to be married off to–but Mei always wanted more. She was smart, incredibly so, and whenever she’d disappeared, her family would always find her with her nose stuck in a book, eager to learn.

Nevertheless though, Mei was nothing less than dutiful. Her father was a powerful businessman and her eldest brother eagerly followed in his footsteps, ready to take on the family business. Her younger brother however wanted nothing of it, leaving the family once he was of age and heading off on his own, putting more of a strain on her father and of the pristine image he wanted for their family and making Mei feel stuck in doing nothing but keep her head down and keep her father happy, not wanting to be another black stain on the family name. So when she was 21, her father decided the best course of action wasn’t to allow Mei into the inner workings of his business, but to instead arrange her in marriage with a colleague of his, Albert Tsung, and she felt she had little choice but to agree. 

And she tried, she did. Albert was just as busy as her father and often left on business trips for weeks on end, leaving Mei with some blissful alone time to continue to teach herself more in the ways of maths and sciences and trying to give herself the higher education she’d never been allowed. But no amount of duty ever made her truly happy- and no amount of trying ever made the marriage successful, and after a decade of marriage, Mei felt truly stuck and lost in life.

It was then that she met him.

Albert was the only man she’d been with in all her life- the only one she’d been allowed to. She’d accepted the fact too that he’d be the only one if her father had anything to say about it. But when she met him, everything changed. 

A stranger on the same moonlit stroll soon became a friend, which soon became a confidant, which soon became more. Mei never thought of herself as a cheater, but from the moment they first kissed, she felt happiness for the first time in her entire life.

They met in secret at night for months and Mei not only felt happiness, but she fell in love as well. She never knew life could feel so bright and so full and he was all she wanted. But life, unfortunately, had other plans.

Her lover needed to leave for a family emergency, and he begged Mei to run away with him…but as always, Mei was a devoted woman, and despite all his faults, she genuinely loved her father and didn’t want to be excommunicated from her family, so sadly, her duty won out, and when the only man she’d ever loved left, Mei heartbrokenly stayed behind. A few weeks later she found out she was pregnant.

She could have easily just...lied about who the father of her baby was, could have gone on pretending her perfect little marriage and her perfect little life was..well...perfect, but instead the loss of her lover made Mei realize just how little control she had over herself and when her daughter, Selene, was born, Mei had realized something had to change

Mei came clean to Albert, who was rightfully upset, and they agreed on a divorce. Her father was however was absolutely furious, and no grandchild was going to change that. He barred Mei and her daughter from the family, giving her some semblance of pity and wiring some money into her bank before sending her off, saying he never wanted to see her again--just like he’d done to her brother.

She was a new mother to an infant, had never had a job, had no home...She didn’t even know how to contact her old lover (besides, how could she. How could she tell him he was a father after all this time? He was better off). So Mei decided to head off towards a little town she’d gone on vacations to with Albert, Grimrose. Once there, she got herself a little apartment and a waitressing job, working days and going to school at night while also taking care of Sel on her own. And while the town every now and then was....odd, it was still a sense of independence she’d never had before, and again, finally, Mei was content. Eventually she got her teaching degree, and just last year, she finally began teaching at the elementary school in town in the kindergarten class--a bonus since Selene was now four and attending as well. 

She still feels a sense of longing though, a hole in her heart that never quite filled since the only man she’d ever loved had left. She just hopes that one day, she’ll maybe feel some semblance of true happiness again.

[htfanimevocagirl02]

DITOEFTV headcanons with Og Penelope and Ivonne

-Penelope is super fickle, especially coming to food and taking care of her skin. Hates the sun so she constantly carries around a parasol and sun cream to keep in the shade. Is mostly vegetarian, only eating fish, vegetables, fruits and yogurt (blueberry yoghurt icecream is her favourite), making her skin constantly glowing and healthy. If you serve her any food thats heavy or salty she'll get offended.

-She's very beautiful but is pretty voluptuous for her age. Despite being the same age and a bit younger than Ivonne, Penelope grows up to have a super curvy body and larger breasts which is why she wears a lot of clothes for adults, to define it better and look mature/alluring as if it's an attractive thing for people's attention--so she's kind of hot compared to Ivonne who just has a normal body for a girl her age and is kind of cute.

-Has doe-like eyes lined with cat eye liner like audrey hepburn, a dolly face that's very fair than Ivonne's, slim pretty antelope legs, natural pink cheeks, eye lids and lips that's pink. I like to think Penelope would adore ballet and ice skating because it makes her feel graceful and light instead of feeling heavy, being stuck in her room all day and facing people's torments. And I also think if she were to play an instrument, it would be a flute, piano, violin or harp to express her feelings through music.

-Is very chic/feminine so she mostly wears lots of lace, tulles, flowers, stockings, heels, silk, coats, fur, handbags/purses and wears mostly in her favourite colours; turquoise, white, black, coral pink, pompadour pink. Always wears turquoise or pale lavender eyeshadow with cat eyeliner, or leaves her eyelids alone since they're naturally pink.

-Is addicted to perfumes and has so many strict beauty secrets which she found out herself to make herself look more beautiful--eg) She takes milk baths like marie antoinette, uses sweet almond oil as a body lotion after baths, wears wax lined gloves full of sweet almond oil and rose water when sleeping, and sleeps on silk pillows for her hair. For perfumes, she loves floral, sweet, fruity and powdery perfumes that especially have notes of orange blossom and violets.

-Is literally a mix of Elsa from Frozen, Marinette Dupain Cheng, Chloe Bourgeois from Miraculous Ladybug and maybe even Aria Roscent from The Villainess Reverses The Hourglass. If Aria and Penelope met, they would definitely be best friends and I'm sure Aria would give her advice on how to act around people.

-She adores flowers so she wears them as the main notes in her perfumes and potpourri which she always has it made in her bedroom for her smell them. Has a very detailed bath and skincare routine with products specially made for only, her scared beauty secret that she can tell no one bc she always wants to look her best as a lady. Is known to leave the room smelling like spring.

-Swears to never look at Reynold and Derrick as her brother and calls them young masters in secret and uses the mean words they said to her/their hateful feelings for her to not be any near them or ever talk to them due to the promise to never be family they made her to make. Reynold regrets it and still tries to talk to her while Derrick finds it burdening to his pride and want her to leave it so he could be near her.

-Ivonne is actually a 'stubborn but cute, good girl' and a 'younger twin-sisterly' type of girl who is kind of weak and super empathetic yet has very strong enthusiasm. She's kind to everyone and is willing to help anyone if they ask her for it (If Derrick or Reynold would even allow her to help anyone, but if Ivonne begs then they'll take care of it instead of her).

-She likes to take care of the garden that her mother who passed away in the past grew, which was precious to her and used to cry a lot if she ever saw one flower die like it was the end of the world since it was the only thing left of her mother. Mostly in her day she would just be hanging out with Penelope or Derrick and Reynold, taking care of the garden herself and just do anything simple that would come up to her mind, but she likes to be around her family the most.

-Ivonne and Penelope have a really good relationship; Ivonne loves to be around Penelope as she's mostly hanging out with her the most while Penelope just goes along with whatever Ivonne wants to do but is a bit concerned for her since Ivonne's clumsy and can hardly protect herself so she would scare anyone off if they're acting really strange.

-Ivonne is always on Penelope's side, especially if Derrick and Reynold are being dicks because Penelope hardly ever attacks anyone first. When Derrick and Reynold are trying to talk to Penelope who doesn't want to be around them like Reynold trying to pick a fight with her to get her to talk to him or Derrick trying to say something about what she's doing, Ivonne would call them out and roast them for Penelope even if they don't mean it.

-It's sometimes funny and sometimes it also hits right in the nerves but because of Penelope appearing more attractive in a mature way and being a bit taller, people often mistake Penelope as her older sister or mom which secretly brings down Ivonne's pride as a grown lady like her sister and get her all wary about how her body looks more childish, though she never tells anyone or Penelope about it because she just positively brightens up about it at the end.

-As much as she loves her brothers she is really livid and upset towards them for how they treat Penelope, and can't believe they're like this when they were so kind in her memories. And lord save her when she finds out Derrick's feelings for Penelope and why he's so random towards her, her whole perspective on him changes and the poor cinnamon roll just dies inside that her brother is actually in love with their step sister, feeling more sorry for Penelope to deal with him.

-Cue Ivonne 'ferociously' giving Derrick an earful and protecting Penelope from Derrick from now on and allow Reynold to help as well because I mean, I'm pretty sure Reynold would also be in half disbelief-half disturbed and think his brother is crazy as well if he first hears of it. Lucky Penelope is just loving the show as Derrick is forced to face the reality and his reponsibilites he always denies.

[linkemon]

Luka Couffaine x Raeder (selfship)

Selfship made for ggoliaa on Wattpad with a special wish for a friendzone.

Friendly reminder that English is not my first languge. You can check my Masterlists both in English and Polish here.

☸ You met Luka thanks to Juleka. His sister has been having trouble finding friends since an early age. Therefore, he was sincerely glad that she brought you home. That's how you became friend with the other twin.

☸ The three of you were hanging out everywhere until Juleka went to high school. Later, each of you chose different schools. However, you managed to acquire many memories togehter. You have set up a photo album that lies in the siblings' house. There are photos of you from childhood in it. You keep adding new ones, though less often than before.

☸ You've been to Kitty Section's rehearsals a lot. You can't play or sing but you offered marketing help. You set up social media for them, recorded videos and vlogs. Recently, their popularity has increased significantly but despite the extra work, you enjoy it.

☸ It is not uncommon for a boy to communicate with you via his guitar. Thanks to it, he can read human emotions better. Yours come easier to him because you have known each other for a very long time.

☸ If you feel like it, he will teach you to play the instrument. He is a very, very patient teacher. He does not believe in knowledge from books. He says you have to feel the music with your heart. So he sits down next to you and guides your hands over the strings, telling you what the chords are called.

☸ When he sees that you are having a bad day, he will play your favourite song for you. He doesn't push you to to confide in him. He will ask once. If you don't want to talk, he won't bring topic back. He will distract you from sad thoughts.

☸ You exchange music playlists. You send each other pieces that may interest you.

☸ He took you to a Jagged Stone concert. His sister was sick and he did not want to go alone. You guys had a great time. You couldn't see much in the crowd, so he offered you a piggyback. You saw everything above his head.

After concert, you absolutely wanted to have a photo together. You asked a passerby. He said you were a lovely couple. You tried to explain yourself but he left.

☸ You are one of the few people, apart from the family, with whom he shared his violin play. He believes he is not very good in this area yet.

☸ You used to take his mother's boat when she was leaving. Even his sister doesn't know about it. You pretended to be the captain and he was the bard. He learned to sing shanties especially for this occasion. You even earned a fine once when a policeman caught you at the helm.

☸ In winter you go to the ice rink in the center of Paris. He always makes sure that you are warmly dressed. He once gave you his scarf and hat because he was afraid you might get sick. When he was younger and you were just learning to skate, he would hold your hand so you wouldn't fall over. Later he did it because you didn't have gloves. Now he has stopped. You miss it a bit.

☸ You've been putting off aside what you felt for a long time. You thought that your relationship was enough for you. You went on dates with other people. However, you quickly found out how you compare everyone to Luca. It didn't seem fair to you, so you stop. You didn't want to hurt others.

After that, you were simply afraid to tell the truth. You didn't want to lose his friendship.

☸ You chose the worst possible moment to confess your love to the boy. You knew he met Marinette a while ago but you didn't think he would fall in love with her that quickly. You haven't seen each other for a couple of weeks because each of you was busy with your own affairs. You were planning to stay silent but when he started telling you why she impressed him so much, you couldn't stand it. You shouted all your feelings to his face. A small part of you was hoping for him to change his mind. Even if it was illogical. Unfortunately, he said he was sorry and you are just a friend to him.

At that point, Hawk Moth spoke to you. You were akumatized and set off to conquer Paris. Couffaine was with you when you awoke from being a supervillain. He hugged you and asked you not to leave him and be his friend. You don't know if you can bear the sight of him with another. The decision is yours...

[alicemitch09writes]

first love

pairing: Kuroo Tetsurou x reader

summary: You never forget your first love.

author’s notes: This is what prompted the many angst fics to come in my repertoire. I’ll just to slowly transfer some of my one-shots that are reader inserts here on tumblr.

twenty one pilot’s cover of ‘can’t help falling in love’ really helped me in the writing of this fic. It’s a favorite of mine I keep going back to when writing fics. Reader is a musician, who plays the ukulele and violin and at the time when I wrote this (back in 2017), I was learning to play the uke, mostly for fun.

also available on ao3.

disclaimer: i own NOTHING but the plot.

Wise men say, only fools rush in

But I can't help, falling in love with you

 They moved to Tokyo when she was 8.

And at a young age, she was pretty much a timid and shy girl, always hiding behind her parents whenever in the presence of new people, especially when she was being introduced. She wasn't very good with socializing, always wary and scared that she'd make a horrible impression.  And of people, in general. People were generally scary, especially those she was unfamiliar with. She found solace in music, due to her father's influence, who was a music instructor at a university. "When words fail, music speaks." He'd tell her as they played 'Heart and Soul' together on the piano, her mother taking a video of them from the side. And a little while later, by some miracle, she made friends with the local kids – Tetsurou and Kenma. The two were an odd pair, given Tetsurou's loud and mischievous demeanor being a total contrast to Kenma's quiet and well-behaved and aloofness. Still, they were the best friends she could ever have.

 Years passed, and the three were inseparable.

Over time, the two proved to be more trouble than they were worth – Tetsurou, with his never-ending schemes and provocation abilities, and Kenma, with his indifference to the world so long as he was playing his games.

Nothing's changed much of her, other than her ability to keep the dynamic duo grounded. Also, she had her flair for music. Still, she was terribly shy. Though she has a voice, she chose to stick to the background, wanting to be out of the limelight.

Tetsurou would scold her, saying that it was a waste because she had a good singing voice. In which, would make her blush. Kenma would say the same thing even without looking up from his game console. But Tetsurou's words resounded, her heart beating like a drum.

    Shall I stay, would it be a sin?

If I can't help, falling in love with you

   It was the clichest thing to happen – she fell in love with her childhood friend.

She fell for Tetsurou.

For all his cockiness, his mischievousness, his peculiar affinity with cats (ironic that they attended Nekoma), and his atrocious bed hair – she loved it all.

Of course, she'd never tell him.

She doesn't have the heart to.

Neither will she tell Kenma, being the perceptive boy he was.

Plus, she'd have to go against a throng of his admirers (who made up of about half of the female population, by the way). There was no way she had a chance. And besides, who was she to him but his ever dependable, timid and adorable best friend?

When he bought her a ukulele on her 16th birthday – he knew she had wanted to try to play it for the longest time, she knew that it was simply out of friendship.

For a while, she became the volleyball team's manager. And for a while, she was able to play it cool with her feelings. This was okay, she thought, its better like this.

"This is my best friend, (Last Name) (Name)." he says, wrapping his arms around her neck as he hugged her from behind, introducing her to two players from Fukurodani.

The shorter of the two – Akaashi Keiji, smiles. "Nice to meet you, (Last name)-san."

"Oh! She's so cute!" says the loud boy – Bokuto Koutarou. "Are you sure she's not your girlfriend?"

Tetsurou laughed, chin digging into her head. "I've known her forever, that'll be weird."

"Kuroo, you're hugging her too tight." Kenma says with a frown.

Best friend.

That's all she'll ever be to him.

    Like a river flows, surely to the sea

Darling, so it goes, this love was meant to be

   It was rare to find Tetsurou at his lowest since he was usually contented with whatever happened. But they lost, unable to secure a spot at nationals.

So when she found him all by himself at the gym, she knew he needed to be cheered up.

Taking her ukulele from her bag, she started playing. Tetsurou looked up just as she started singing. "You with the sad eyes don't be discouraged, oh I realize" she kneeled in front of him, watching him with careful eyes. "It's hard to take courage, in a world full of people; you can lose sight of it all, the darkness inside you, can make you feel so small."

She continued singing to him, feeling her heart beat faster with every line. It was so hard seeing this down, it was so unlike him. He rested his head on his folded arms, eyes closed as she sang. He always loved hearing her sing.

"And I see your true colors shining through," she wished her words reached him. "I see your true colors, and that's why I love you."

For a moment, she choked up. Not intending to say those words out loud, but they were part of the song, and the way she sang it with so much emotion that the look Tetsurou was giving her made her nervous. His golden eyes stared deep into her (eye color) – filled with so much emotion, but she focused on confusion, probably at why she had stopped.

Regaining her composure, she continued. "So don't be afraid to let them show, your true colors are beautiful like a rainbow."

Tetsurou cracked a smile, reaching out to ruffle her hair playfully. "When did you get so cheesy?"

"And when did you become this uncool?" she teased back, slapping his hand away. "Are you feeling better now?"

Sighing, he leaned his back against the wall, staring at the ceiling. "A little, but thanks for coming after me."

"It's not the end of the world," she tells him kindly. "and after all, there's next year. Right, captain?"

The look on his face was priceless – clearly not expecting that. But their senpai had already decided, Kai and Morisuke were on it too, as was Coach Nekomata – before it broke into a grin.

His grin was the biggest she's ever seen.

     Take my hand; take my whole life, too

'Cause I can't help, falling in love with you

  Tetsurou got mad at her, saying painful words to her face.

Furiously, he turned to face her. She took a step back in surprise, clutching her ukulele to her chest. Then her instrument slipped from her hand, landing on the ground with a loud crack. The words coming out from his mouth were hard to bear, and she could just stand there taking it all in.

He didn't mean it really, but the stress and frustrations were just getting to him. She knew that.

"You know nothing. I never want to see your face again." He seethed.

When all was said and done, he up and left.

It felt as though the life was sucked out of her. She couldn't feel anything, she felt too numb to move. It only came as a surprise that she was still there when she found herself sitting on the ground, rocks digging into her skin.

Picking up her ukulele from the ground, she was surprised to find that it was still in one piece. Except for the scratches on the surface, and crack on the rim of the saddle boards. Funny, they seemed like an allegory.

Despite it all, the pain in her heart and Tetsurou's harsh treatment towards her, she found herself smiling. Hot tears streamed down her face, teeth digging unto her lower lip as if to keep her sobs in.

But the pain of it all was too much, she was only human.

Hugging her instrument to her chest, she allowed herself to cry, sobbing loudly, body shaking violently as her heart broke into smithereens.

    She heard that they had made it to the semi-finals, being one of the top four schools, which shouldn't be a surprise. Actually, it was secondhand information from Kenma. Right after what happened with Tetsurou, she decided to cut ties with anything associated with him, which was basically everything – the volleyball club, Kenma.

It was something she had to – no, something she wanted to do.

No matter how much it killed her.

           "Hey, let's make a little bet. If I win, you go out on a date with me."

"And if I win?"

"You won't ever see me again."

          Gentle strums silenced out the lull machines, the dripping of liquids. Faint scents of flowers and fruits hid the overly sanitized room, with walls too white and dull.

"But I can't help," her voice was quiet, low, eyes transfixed to her fingers on each string on her ukulele. "falling in love," a lone tear slips down her face, though a smile graced her lips. "with you."

In front of her, the television displayed the live coverage of the nationals - Nekoma won against Fukorodani, and then lost to Karasuno.

She smiled, hugging her ukulele as tears slipped freely.

The memory of the bet they made when they were younger came to mind, making her smile. That was such a long time ago, Tetsurou probably forgot all about that just as he forgot all about her.

"Don't worry, you won."

Now you won't ever see me again.

          He was surprised when they came back to school, she wasn't there. She was the first person he looked for since she was absent during the whole finals match. But she wasn't anywhere to be found – not in the library, the music room, the club room.

He had a promise to keep, and an apology to make up.

So it came as a surprise to him when his classmates' expressions turned grim at the mention of her name. Some had begun to cry, some looked away, nothing was making sense.

But one word was clear to him – cancer.

He turned to his best friend, who met his gaze. For the first time in his life, he saw anger in those usually stoic eyes. He knew then that he knew, he always knew. There was also pain, pain for his best friend's condition. And for (Name)'s sake, he decided to keep his mouth shut.

Without a word, he ran, as fast as he can, ignoring the calls from his classmates, teachers, teammates. He had to get to her. He had to apologize; he didn't mean what he said. He wanted to see her, hold her, tell her he was stupid and an idiot-

           But he was already too late.

[asian-hero]

i personally feel like todoroki would be forced to do piano lessons or something, but what if he finds someone who’s super good at piano as well as loves to play it- so you get the emotion as well (which todoroki lacked when playing because you don’t get the emotion if you aren’t motivated -❤️, who was forced to play violin and had that exact same problem lmao)

A/N: Back on my Todoroki bullshit lmao

I haven’t played the piano in so long, it’s truly a shame

There are just some hcs I cooked up just for you ❤️ anon, I hope you enjoy

When Todoroki was around six years old, he discovered the wonderful world of classical music when his sister had been practicing the piano for one of her recitals. After one of his more intense training sessions with his father, he stumbled out of the home gym, limping over towards his room to just collapse onto the floor, probably while a few angry tears streamed down his face. However, as he passed by his sister’s room, he could hear the soft sound of the piano being played. Poking his head in, he watched in awe as his sister elegantly played the piano, her fingers dancing gracefully across the keys, lulling him into a calm aura. Silently, he sat by her door frame, not wanting to disturb her, as he let the music take him to a much better place than reality

As he continued to watch, he didn’t notice his father’s loud steps coming to a halt in front of him. Normally, the elder Todoroki would be angry at the sight before him, his prodigy, just sitting around, doing nothing productive to his training, nor to his next steps to the road of being a hero. But, Enji also noted that playing an instrument, especially one like the piano, required a lot of discipline and could potentially whip Shouto into shape

So, he signed up the younger Todoroki for piano lessons the very next day

At first, Shouto was excited. He was finally able to do something that didn’t involve using his quirk, something that wouldn’t hurt him. It also made him happy to be able to produce the same beautiful sounds as his sister had, even if he was a little slow, and sometimes off key. It was fun for him

However, fun wasn’t good enough for his father, and the first time that he’d asked Shouto to play something for him, he was terribly disappointed. Rather than praising his son for doing so well at such a young age, he instead found everything wrong with his performance and critiqued him

“Why did you speed up here?” “You hit the wrong key here,” “Why have I been paying for your lessons when you haven’t learned anything?”

It’s a widely known fact that, if you want your children to be successful and enjoy their hobbies, you need to give praise and pointers rather than harsh criticism, lest you destroy their soul. For Shouto, it was that moment that made him resent the instrument. However, because his father wanted him to be the best at everything he did, he continued to force Shouto into his piano lessons, forced him to play in front of him, and then the cycle of harsh critiques would start over. No matter what Shouto did, there was always something wrong when he played, whether it be that his fingers slipped on occasion, or that his pace was off, his father always found something to nitpick. So, after years and years of playing, he found himself hating the piano, and hating the way it sounded

That was, until he met you

You had also learned the piano at a young age. However, your parents had showered you in love and compliments, praising you for your playing, even if you didn’t do the best. They’d help you out whenever you needed it, and only gave you pointers when you asked. They nourished your love for the instrument, and it helped you grow into a wonderful pianist. As the years progressed, you’d go from easy level classical songs such as Debussy’s Clair du Lune, to more advanced songs like Mozart’s Rondo all Turca. You loved challenging yourself, and nothing could beat the feeling of pride that hit you whenever you’d nail a piece. It was safe to say that the piano brought you a sense of joy whenever you’d play it, and you loved to listen to others pour their hearts into their performance

The first time Shouto hears you playing the piano is when the two of you are in the dorms. He was coming back from his supplemental classes for his provisional license, getting ready to take a shower and get ready to study. As he passed by your dorm, he found himself pausing in his steps, frozen in place as he listened to the melodic tune that was coming from your room. Hesitantly, he moved closer to your open door, standing by the doorframe, similar to all those years ago, except, this performance was different. Both Shouto and Fuyumi were forced to play the instrument, as their father wanted nothing less than perfection from the two of them, so they never truly played as if they enjoyed it

You, however, seemed to have a completely different outlook on the instrument

Whereas Shouto’s playing is concise, methodical, and nearly mechanical sounding, yours sounds as if you were allowing the music to control you, not the other way around. He continued to watch in amazement as your body swayed slightly from side to side, your eyes closed ever so slightly, simply enjoying the moment. Shouto found himself staying for the entire song, clapping for you when you had finally finished, nearly scaring the soul out of you

You felt your face heat up as you asked him what he was doing there, and apologizing if you were being too loud. He simply shook his head, taking this as an opportunity to move closer to you

“You sounded wonderful, don’t ever apologize for that,”

If you weren’t flustered before, you certainly were now

As you stuttered out a quiet “thank you,” you shyly looked up at the boy, carefully watching his expression. “Can you play?”

He nodded his head, though you could see his expression shift to a distant one, “Not as well as you, though,”

You adamantly shook your head, standing up from your spot to pull him closer to you, eventually shoving him down onto the stool before you, practically begging him to play a piece for you, wanting nothing more than to spend just a few minutes more with the boy. His face showed the pure hesitance his body was feeling, and just before you were about to tell him that he didn’t have to, that it was probably too late and he was probably tired, he gave you a small nod, positioning his hands onto the keys

You watched as he played Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, his movements slightly stiff, yet you could tell that he was trying to relax. He wasn’t sure why, but he was even more nervous to play in front of you than his father, though perhaps it was due to the fact that he had found himself enamored with you, and he wanted nothing more than to impress you. However, after years and years of being told that he wasn’t good enough, he worried that you would think the same, that you’d say the same things as his father had

As he played the final notes, he slowly placed his hands back into his lap, too nervous to look at you. After a beat of silence that felt like an eternity to Shouto, you clapped your hands together, a bright smile taking over your features.

“That was amazing! I can’t believe you thought that I was better than you!”

He could feel his cheeks turning red, but he simply shook his head, “No, I was rushing during the end,”

You took his hands in yours, shocking the poor boy with your radiant smile. “What are you talking about? Everything was perfect! Even if you messed up, Hungarian Rhapsody is such a hard song, it’s amazing that you could even play it!”

Throughout his entire life, Shouto ears had been filled with superficial praises from his father’s coworkers, his old teachers, anyone who wanted to be closer to his family. However, he’d never heard such earnest and painfully honest praises. He never experienced the unconditional praise that you seemed to lay on him, and to be quite honest, he wasn’t really sure how to handle it. Taking one of his hands from your grip, he rubbed the back of his neck, an uncharacteristic sign of bashfulness

“It’s really nothing special, there’s much I could improve,”

He watched as your smile fell, and he wished that he could take what he said back. He shouldn’t have been piling so much onto your shoulders when you did nothing but simply complimented him. Just as he was about to apologize, you squeezed his cheeks into your hands, forcing him to look at you

“I don’t know who told you that you sounded awful, or that those ‘flaws’ are something that take away from your performance, but let me tell you what I think: I think that you’re an amazing pianist and you’ve clearly put in a lot of effort into your practice. I’ve truly never heard a more amazing sound than you playing just now. You sounded like some angel,”

Slowly moving your hands, you smiled sadly at him, “I’m sorry that you had no one to tell you that,”

Shouto wasn’t really sure of how he should react, and you didn’t push him to say anything as you sat beside him on the piano bench, your hands taking over where his were, simply playing a song to deafen the silence. After a few more moments, he slowly moved his head to rest upon your shoulder, both physically and emotionally drained

As the two of you sat there, with his head resting on you, and your hands moving across the keys, Shouto realized something: while he may have hated the sound of the piano, he certainly didn’t hate it when you played

[magiefish]

hhhhhhhhhh guess who drew all the batim characters in prep for the comic they’re making!

yeah so it took like 4 days to draw all these guys, and it was actually pretty fun figuring out colours and designs and stuff!

(also, update on the Reveries Twisted comic, I have a plan for the first chapter but i have like, 7 tests next week and I haven’t started drawing it yet so it’s definitely not going to be coming out anytime soon sdfgsdfsj but i am still working on it!)

anyway, i felt like writing little descriptions for every character, so feel free to read these below the ‘keep reading’ line if you feel like it! My ask box is also always open, so if u have any questions feel free to ask

Bertrum Piedmont-he/him, gay/ace

-Started working as a mechanic at about 15 and worked his way up from there -Everyone in the studio @ him: why are u british -His big ego often gets in the way of things, but at his core he's a good person (doing bad shit but ultimately having good intentions is common among these guys shdgfs) -Wlw & mlm solidarity w/ Lacie, who is his most trusted confidant and friend -Actually treats his employees well, even when they do basically nothing all day, so he does a lot of work himself most of the time Linda Stein-she/her, straight as a ruler -Parents immigrated from Spain -She's very catholic and very into 'traditional family values' and that sort of stuff -She is sweet, but her strict morals and black and white ethics often make her do unintentional harm -She is also pretty oblivious to most things Jack Fain-he/him & they/them, pan/ace, OCD -Mother immigrated from China to France, and then he moved to America, it's confusing -Can play the violin really well, but is terrible at composing his own pieces -Peak friend material -Short and round and soft with a love of a good espresso -Kind and quiet but ultimately ineffective and happy to watch from the sidelines Daniel 'Buddy' Lewek-he/him, aro/ace, autistic, jewish -He is curious and observant, but very very naive -He finds it hard to pick up on social cues, and tends to daydream a lot -Never really had a father figure, and unfortunately kind of half sees Joey as one (baaaad choice), but his mother is great -Loves drawing and tends to chew on pens (and most objects really) -Too young Susie Campbell-she/her, demi -Her parents were Russian and she picked up their accent, but taught herself how to cover it up. She is now excellent at voice acting. -Has a birthmark most theatres turned her away for. But luckily voice acting gave her another chance at performance, and the music department really does not care about it. -Her dad was a butcher, so she now knows a concerning amount about how to cut up and dissect meat. -She gets easily attached to things emotionally, and has a whole pile of random bits and bops she keeps on her person because she can't throw them away. -Naive, but smart enough to know how to read and deceive people if needed. Ms Abigail Lambert-she/her, lesbian -A very gifted artist, who is quite frustrated with the business aspect of animation. -Picked up quite a few things about engineering from Lacie. -Stern, but kind. Motherly, if she likes you and you squint hard enough. -Used to fighting for things. -Giving her food is a pretty good way to get her to like you. Being an artist, she forgets to eat at the correct times a lot, so a meals always appreciated. Norman Polk-he/him, gay, albino -Knows how to fix things, knows how to fight, knows how to hide -General cool uncle vibes -He watches people a lot, and gives off some creepy vibes, but he does genuinely care about people -Knows something is up and is determined to find out what (even if he dies trying) -Fought in WW1, then worked at a cinema for a bit. Emma Lamont-she/her, heteroflexible -Keep dancing even when everything goes wrong -Bit of a 'i'm better than these fools' mentality going on -But she's pretty chill, and willing to act when needed -Basically every woman in the studio knows her on the basis that she chills in the girls bathroom. -Hates Joey, but knows those who stir up a bit too much trouble usually 'resign' Sammy Lawrence-he/him, (vocal-romantic) bi/ace, ADD -His dad sucked, so he ran away. He's also the reason he's largely abandoned his faith, but he still holds hope that there is some kind of god out there. -He and Jack are basically brothers, they've known each other for a long time. -He can compose music in his head, but can play basically every instrument. -Tall and thin and sharp with a love of black coffee. -He's actually pretty chill and nice, but the conditions of the studio (workload, noises, dreams) have left him quick to snap and a stressed out mess. -He's pretty oblivious to his own feelings and spends basically all his time thinking about music, so he usually only realises that he has a crush on someone if he hears them singing (hence the vocal-romantic joke) Johnny Hart-he/him (she/her), gay (trans), heart condition -A nervous wreck who avoids everything and everyone -Trans but doesn't realise it, he thinks this level of discomfort has something to do with his heart condition or something like that. -Speaking of which, if he gets genuinely terrified or panicked he could have a heart attack. -Hence why he's a recluse who remains in the organ room and interacts w/ literally no one. -Except Dot and Buddy (who forgets he exists and who he also has a crush on). Wally Franks-he/him, pan -Friends with literally everyone who isn't one of the older folks (and thomas) -Honorary member of the music department because he can play a harmonica and vibes with everyone there. -Tries to put a positive spin on everything, often beyond the point of reason -A mischevous, mildly selfish prankster with a heart of gold -Gossip pals with Susie and Norman The Violinist-she/her, nobody knows -Has literally never expressed an emotion ever -Seems to know things are going to happen before they happen -Just generally pretty weird -She isn't friends with Dot, they're both just vaguely interested in what the others doing -She looks a lot like Allison, but the two have never spoken and nobody knows if they're sisters Thomas Connor-they/them, gynephilia -He is just. So tired. -An actual mechanical genius who gets his work used for the wrong purposes. -Is very of the 'when you're on a path stick to it' mentality -Cold and hard exterior that vertually no one except Allison has ever managed to get through. -He can and will beat you up. Henry Stein-he/him, gay, vitiligo -Nice and hardworking. -Doesn't have many emotions other than to draw. -He's in fucking narnia he's so deep in the closest. -Feels emotions, but buries them deep down and doesn't express them too clearly. -Has difficulty setting healthy boundaries with people and represses himself far too much. Joey Drew-he/him, homoromantic/pansexual, bipolar disorder, alcohol and cigarette addictions -Chaotic, feral, short little man who lies to everyone -Charismatic as hell, but also a terrible friend and person in general -He doesn't blink enough, does not know the meaning of personal space, and hasn't aged for about 4 years, which are all very bad signs. -Doesn't understand how to run a business but does so anyway. Doesn't understand how to interact with people but does so anyway. Doesn't understand how to create life but does so anyway- -He isn't pure evil, he just gets into very bad mindsets and makes poor decisions that lead him down the wrongest way to go. -Does some self evaluation and goes 'maybe this wasn't the right way chief :/' just a bit too late Audrey Dempsey-she/her, lesbian, Borderline Personality Disorder -Feral conspiracy theorist -May or may not be related to multiple studio members -Everyone's called her crazy for years and made her feel like a burden, and she is hellbent on proving everyone wrong -Quite socially awkward, and rather sarcastic with a dark sense of humour -Works for Archgate Allison Pendle-she/her & they/them, androphilic/ace -Is forever lost in a vintage clothing store -Most people say she seems nice, but everyone just kind of subconciously registers that there is something up with her -Knows a lot about the supernatural -The person closest to Joey, which doesn't necessarily mean they're friends -Nobody has ever seen the right side of her face Dot Acciaci-she/her, pan -Her parents are Italian, and she speaks a little herself, usually using it to encrypt her private notes -Mischevious & curious, but ultimately kind -She will find out your secrets, and is very good at reading people -Great storyteller -Struggles with loneliness a lot Dr Eleanor Hackenbush-she/her, aro/ace -Science knows no bounds -Doesn't care what your motivation is, as long as you give her some cash and some experiments -Filled with nothing but utter spite Ms Reina Rodriguez-they/them, demi -Tired of everything -Although she puts up a calm exterior, Rodriguez is very attached to the studio and views it as her 'new family', having a terrible relationship with her old one -Her family drama connects to the fact they're very catholic, but she nobody knows what this drama is other than Joey Tessa Arch-she/her, straight -An absolute bitch -Trusts her husband far too much -Not very smart, but compensates for this for being good looking and rich Shawn Flynn-he/him (intersex), pan -Jovial, but gets angry quickly -Willing to do 'wrong' things if it helps someone else out, kind of like Robin Hood or something -His mother taught him how to sew and he helped her make clothes when he was younger -Found it hard to get a job because he's Irish, so despite being tired of all the bullshit of JDS, he is reluctant to look elsewhere -Friends with Lacie and Grant because they appreciate his humour Lacie Benton-She/her, lesbian, trans -Tougher than the toughies -wlw & mlm solidarity w/ Bertrum, who she views as one of the only genuinely smart people in JDS and who she has worked for for basically all of her life -Feels like something is up, but doesn't notice much if it doesn't connect to her work -Has automatophobia -Friend with Shawn and Grant because she respects their dedication to their work Grant Cohen-He/him, bi, depression, jewish -Absolute madlad at maths -Acts like he doesn't care what you think, cares far too much about what you think -Everyone wants him to just get therapy already -Doesn't have many friends, but has a weird 'we're both horribly overworked' kinship with Sammy, so they usually just chill and smoke together -Friends with Shawn and Lacie because they're actually mentally stable and he needs some rocks Nathan Arch-He/him, straight -You should hate him -You should hate him a lot -Super rich and doesn't pay his workers enough -Silver tongued -Basically a spider. Creates webs of manipulation and lies, sees a lot, and knows plenty about waiting for his prey to come to him.

[mtgc858]

Some more train ocs but this time with actual trains,I will make here human forms soon and there info is for both there engines and human forms.

Jimmy-6771

Age: 25

Gender: Male/Him/He

Jimmy is a big strong canadian engine that works were Edward works at,He grown rivalry with Gordon and Spencer despite him not knowing,Jimmy is a softie who enjoys making friends and seeing children,He is good friends with Henry and backs him up when being picked on from being scared about certain things,Jimmy also is a soft spoken,kind,low headed,Gentile sweetie who gets a intimating poster from his huge size.

He love music,singing and anything with instruments,His favorite instrument is a violin and in my H.E.AU he loves playing it when it's raining and to cheer up the other engines,He is a little gullible and is very apologetic plus he sometimes falls prey to Diesel and Arry and Bert's tricks in which they make fun of him for it,Thankfully him playing the Violin calms him and makes him feel better and the fact that the children and younger engines enjoy his music and would join along.

Rick-300

Age: 35

Gender: Male/Him/He

Rick is a western engine who works near the one side of Sodor were Oliver,Toad and Duck work at,He is a strict,Mature,warm headed,Hard working kind of fellow who wants to get the job done and will try to get it done no matter how long it takes,He enjoys taking his time and enjoying the view but will stay focused on his task and to make the S.T.H proud,He had some tough moment's with James and hates being called a wannabe for his color being similar to James.

He love the countryside and misses his old home and friends but is happy to meet his new ones Duck and Oliver,He is fine with getting dirty and enjoys the dust and hardwork cause it reminds him of his old home,He enjoys Jimmy's music and would play a bango he brought from his home and would play along with Jimmy,Rick is willing to put himself in harm's way to protect his friends or anyone even if they hurt him emotionally or physically.

Joey-PT

Age: 21

Gender: Male/He/They

Joey is a different kind of engine who works with passengers on the mainland,He is a Funny,Cheeky,Goofy kind of engine who loves telling story's and jokeing around,He does take his job seriously however and wants to make sure all his passengers are doing alright,He enjoys talking to older engines and learning from there examples and loves telling them his stories and his future adventures.

Joey is completely fine with the Clay twins and had even giggled at there jokes before,He does get serious when things are going too far or if someone is hurt and is willing to help if needed,He likes talking to Thomas,Edward and Percy sence there nice to talk to and he enjoys there company and tasks,He is easy to forgive and is fine with being looked down on by bigger engines.

Quicks-8494

Age: 30

Gender: Female/She/Her/They/Them

Quicks is a southern half engine half diesel who works along side Nerville and the other diesels,She is a big mature tough lady who is a huge mother figure to some smaller diesels and even engines,She can fend for herself and isn't afraid to fight back if she is in danger,She has strong muscles and is has been working out with her arms and legs to be a hard-worker,She can step in when other engines are being bullied or treated like garbage and can fill in a there mother figure when they need one,She is a good cook who makes great cake and cinnamon rolls and is happy to share them with the others.

Puffin-6

Age: 19

Gender: Female/She/Her

Puffin is a australian medium side engine who works at the Narrow Gruge,She is a kind,helpful,cheerful kind of gal who has the problem of being distracted in which makes it slightly harder for her to work and needs help and reminders to stay focused,She is good friends with the narrow gruge engines and is very good friends with Mighty Mac,Luke,Rusty and Duncan.

She has a crush on Duncan but isn't sure if he will feel the same way if she confessed and wanted to get a little closer for her to take a shot,She would get mistaken by some new engines or by children that she is related to the scottish twins in which she laughs it off saying that she couldn't be cause of her old home town and that she isn't scottish,She likes visiting the engines around the island and meeting new friends and engines.

Jet & Rocket

Age: 25

Gender: Male/He/Him/They/Them

Jet and Rocket are both british twin engines who work near the fast lane,They enjoy racing echother and picking on echother,They love to mess with the other engines and Diesels and they even can get under the Clay twins skins and they like picking on them for there size and speed,Jet is just slightly faster than Rocket but they are very close in speed and looks,When not working they race along they tracks passing the other engines giggling that they are faster and they even challange the Clay twins with a races in which they make sure that Bill and Ben aren't playing tricks on them so it's fair and square.

They had times were they became too hyper and just a big mess were they nearly or did crash when they weren't paying attention or accidently bumped into echother or another engine,Jet is the more cocky one and loves talking about his speed,work etc while Rocket is the more respectable one who is willing to calm his behavior if he is bothering another engine or Diesel,Jet dislikes Diesels and even picked of BoCo before but Rocket would stepped in and put his twin in place

Beatrice-741633

Age: 18

Gender: Female/She/Her/They/Them

Beatrice is a american oil engine and who works near the scrapyard,Her job is to transport Oil to difficult locations and is usually covered in oil and is often dirty,She is a shy,kind engine who can stand up for herself or other engines but can start stuttering and would get nervous,She enjoys Nervilles company and has a small crush on him cause there so similar,She would often hide her face in her hoodie when she's being nervous or when she's flustered,She is being shipped with Evan my other oc in another au and they are so adorable.

She enjoys painting and using dark colors to draw and color,Her favorite type of drawings are ink and water color drawings,She is nervous when around Arry and Bert and is very scared that she will be scrapped despite her working along with them,She would often rush away when they are near in which they like to mess with her and make her even more nervous and scared(God dang-it you jerks,Leave my girl alone >:(),She is a sweet bean and must be protected at all costs

They must be protected >:]

@swiftstar01

@asktrio516

@aprellerozu

@diesel10-of-ethereal

@chuchuboi33

@just-an-oliver-simp-existing

@robotic-railway-machines

[there-must-be-a-lock]

Partying and Poker Faces

Criminal Minds x Supernatural

Word Count: ~3350

Warnings: Errbody gettin drunk. Terrible zamboni puns. 

A/N: No, seriously, it’s just random drunk conversations. They are ridiculous. It’s fun. Thanks to @stunudo​, @fookinghelljensensthighs​, @lastactiontricia​ and everybody else in the Slack chat who listened to me ramble and helped with Nutcracker jokes/Winchester band names. Hair clip scene inspired by this post. 

Part 6 of the Rockstar AU! 

-

-

The “Wayward Sons” World Tour: Pre-Tour Kickoff Party

. . .

“Okay, seriously though, my friend found all these pictures of them at Bonnaroo walking around with a girl with blue hair, right? So she did a side-by-side analysis and she swears it’s Harry Styles in a wig. Like, honest to god.” 

“Who’s Harry Styles?” Spencer asks, putting his book down and rubbing his eyes as he comes out of his reading trance.

“Only the love of my life,” Penelope tells him. 

“Penelope,” Emily interrupts. “You are not allowed to ask him if he’s really friends with Harry Styles.” 

Penelope deflates slightly. “But -”

JJ tells her, “You are definitely not allowed to ask if you can have Harry Styles’s phone number.” 

Penelope rolls her eyes. “Apparently there’s a whole group of crazies who think he and Sam are actually dating. There are conspiracy theories and everything.” 

“Let’s just outlaw the subject of Harry Styles altogether,” JJ says hurriedly. “Okay?” 

“Oh my God, I wouldn’t actually ask. Are you ready yet, Em?” 

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Emily replies, glaring at her reflection. She’s been trying to even out her wings for like half an hour now. “I look like a raccoon.” 

“So… normal then?” Spencer asks, with his cheekiest smile. 

“Uh oh, we’ve got Sassy Spence tonight,” JJ says. She grabs Emily’s arm to tug her away from the mirror. “You’re gorgeous. Let’s go.” 

“Forward, march!” Penelope orders. “To Suite 202!” 

. . . 

“So then Sammy asks if she’s his daughter,” Dean finishes. 

Hotch and Spencer laugh; it makes Hotch look about ten years younger. 

“What did she say?” Spencer asks, tucking his hair behind his ears again. With his legs crossed in his ratty Chucks, he looks too young to be drinking. 

“Just said ‘I’m his wife,’ ice cold, and walked away.”

“You should’ve seen the look on Sam’s face,” Cas adds. He settles down next to Dean, handing him a fresh drink and sitting close. For a moment Dean forgets that they’re allowed to be close, that he’s not in public any more, and then he puts an arm around Cas, smiling to himself. 

“What about you?” Dean asks. 

“I haven’t gotten starstruck since Kurt Cobain,” Hotch answers. “But you should ask Spencer what happened when he met David Byrne.” 

“Spencer, what happened when you met David Byrne?” Cas asks with a smirk. 

“Well… you know how Freud talked about seeing the Acropolis for the first time? The feeling of derealization?” 

“No,” Dean says, raising his eyebrows. “Should I?” 

“What you have to understand is that my mom was playing me the Talking Heads while I was in the womb,” Spencer continues earnestly. “Remain In Light, mostly, because it came out that year, but — anyway. Research shows —“

“David Byrne is his Acropolis,” Hotch translates. “He didn’t speak for almost two hours after they were introduced.” 

“And I get the feeling there aren’t many things that render him speechless,” Cas says dryly. 

. . .

“Hey there, hot stuff,” Penelope says, and she sits in the empty spot next to Derek on the couch. She almost kicks Spencer as she does so; he’s sitting on the floor in front of the couch, hunched over one of the acoustic guitars that everybody’s been passing around. 

“You know there’s another chair, right?” asks Sam, who’s sprawled out in one of the armchairs opposite their couch.   

“Trust me, it’s pointless,” Derek tells him. “He hates chairs.” 

“That’s not true,” Spencer says absent-mindedly, tucking his hair behind his ears. “I like the ones with wheels.” 

“Wait, you play keys, right?” Sam asks, watching Spencer pluck out a quick, dexterous open-tuned thing that Penelope is pretty sure he’s improvising. 

“And synths,” Spencer says, pushing his hair out of his eyes again. “But also… a little bit of everything, I guess.” 

“Guitar, bass, drums, violin, cello, saxophone, clarinet,” Derek rattles off proudly. “What else? There are some weird ones.” 

“Didgeridoo!” Penelope adds. 

“She calls it my didgeri-don’t,” Spencer says, and it’s true; it’s her least favorite instrument, which is unfortunate because it’s one of her favorite words.“And there are a few things I built, I guess, but haven’t really named yet.”

“That’s awesome,” Sam says, looking suitably impressed. 

“You need a goddamn haircut, Pretty Boy,” Derek says, as Spencer tries to get his hair out of his eyes again. 

“Don’t listen to him,” Sam tells Spencer, running a hand through the shampoo-commercial situation he has on his own head. “And don’t let my brother start in on you, either.” 

Penelope rummages in her purse for a second and pulls out a neon green butterfly clip. She combs some hair back from Spencer’s forehead, twists it, and secures it so that the butterfly is right on the crown of Spencer’s head.

“Thanks, that’s much better,” Spencer says, giving her a quick smile over his shoulder. Sam stifles a laugh. 

“Hey,” Derek says, in an undertone. “Got any more of those?” 

“I love the way your brain works,” Penelope stage-whispers back. She digs around until she has a whole handful of aggressively colorful glittery barrettes (some are shaped like flowers, some have pom-poms) and passes half to Derek. She leans down and starts to braid a little section of hair near Spencer’s temple. He doesn’t seem to notice. 

. . . 

“You’re new, aren’t you?” Hotch asks, as he starts mixing himself a drink. “I don’t think we met at the surprise show.” 

“Jack,” the kid says, with a sweet smile. He’s all fresh-faced and earnest. Hotch has concerns. 

“I’m Aaron, but everybody calls me Hotch,” he says. “What‘s your part in this whole circus?” 

“I’m their guitar tech,” he chirps. “Cas is my uncle, also. He’s the one who got me the job.” 

“Uh-huh. First tour?” 

He nods. “I’m excited! This is going to be great.”

Hotch has a feeling this is going to be trouble. 

Jack has a hand on the whiskey bottle when Hotch notices and asks, “How old are you?” 

“He’s twenty,” Charlie interrupts, snatching the bottle from Jack’s hand. “Down, boy.” 

Jack shrugs, not seeming particularly bothered, and wanders away with his soda. 

“Good to know,” Hotch says wryly. 

Charlie gives Hotch an apologetic look and says, “I feel like a spoilsport. Like, let the kid have some fun, right?”

“So you followed all the rules when you were his age?” 

“Well, no, not so much, although I wasn’t into drinking so much as… um. Mild felonies.” She wrinkles her nose expressively. “But I have strict orders from Cas. He might look like a teddy bear, but Cas can be scary.” 

“Felonies,” Hotch says, trying to keep a straight face. Charlie nods. 

“Hacking, mostly?” she says tentatively. “There was some… environmentally focused cyber-terrorism, I guess you’d call it.” 

“You should talk to Penelope, she used to do that sort of thing as well.” 

Charlie looks over dubiously at Penelope, who is pulling up the hem of Derek’s shirt and showing off his abs, Vanna White style, for Sam’s benefit. Sam looks shockingly unaffected, so odds are he is straight, in which case, Rossi owes Hotch some money.

“Really. She was actually contacted by the FBI, they wanted to hire her, but.” Hotch smiles at the way Charlie’s mouth falls open. “She has a whole… sordid history. They used to call her the Black Queen.” 

“Are you… what?” Charlie asks incredulously. 

“I know, it’s a ridiculous name, but —”

“No, that’s — I can’t believe it,” Charlie stutters. “Really?” 

Hotch raises an eyebrow. “Really. Does that mean something to you?” 

Charlie shakes her head, eyes wide. “You don’t understand, she’s a legend. She’s like a frakking rockstar.” 

“Excuse me?” 

“No, like an actual rockstar,” Charlie insists. “Not that you’re not a rockstar, I didn’t mean — holy crap.” 

“Would you like me to introduce you?” Hotch offers. 

Charlie goes pale. “I don’t — um.” 

“I think you’re the first person who has ever been intimidated by Penelope Garcia,” Hotch muses. 

Charlie does a quick shot of whiskey before nodding. “Okay, I think I’m ready.” 

. . . 

“I am so fuckin’ glad I don’t have to deal with this every night,” Bobby says gruffly, with an expansive gesture at everyone in the room and their varied levels of inebriation. “We’re too old for this shit. Don’t know how you still want to go out on the road.” 

“Of all the groups I’ve managed, believe it or not, this one’s the easiest.”

Bobby looks across the room to where JJ is passing around shots and Emily is talking everybody into a game of Truth or Dare, as a “bonding exercise.” Spencer is clinging to Morgan’s back like a gangly white Yoda; Morgan, who’s serenading Sam with “Wonderwall” (Sam is covering his ears and looking pained) doesn’t seem to notice his weight. 

“I don’t believe it, actually,” Bobby tells Rossi, who shrugs. 

“They take care of each other, really. No ego involved, with any of them, which is rare enough in this business.” Rossi pauses as Penelope shrieks; Hotch, who is standing between her and Charlie, looks vaguely alarmed, but nobody seems to be in any real danger. Rossi adds, “They may act like a bunch of assclowns sometimes, but they’re much smarter than they look. I told you, didn’t I?” 

“Fair enough,” Bobby says. He’d called Rossi on a whim, looking for an opener for Dean’s surprise show and hinting about “discretion” and “liberal types,” trying not to give too much away. He’d expected Rossi to put him in touch with a friend of a friend, or something. He didn’t expect this to work out so well.

Bobby’s not used to things working out well. It’s a nice change. 

“Good to see you again, anyway” Rossi says. “You’re coming out to a few more shows, right?” 

“Course. I’ll be around here and there.” 

“Bet you’ll miss them soon enough. I was bored stiff when I was retired,” Rossi says. 

“Yeah, well, you didn’t have to get those two through their teenage years,” Bobby grouches. “Just about put me in an early grave.” 

“They seem like good kids,” Rossi says. “I don’t think I’ve seen you since they were… how old?” 

Bobby can’t help but smile at that. “Yeah, they’ve got good heads on their shoulders. They grew up. Just in time, too. I kept tellin’ them, success is going to change things, but I don’t think they believed me. Idjits.” 

Rossi nods knowingly. “Cheers to success, then. And old friends.” 

“I’ll drink to that.” 

. . . 

“Pastor’s son, in the church,” Emily says. 

“Twins,” Dean replies smugly. 

“Nice.” Emily gives him a fist-bump. “Backstage during a performance of The Nutcracker.” 

“I’ll be very disappointed if there were no nut jokes.” 

Emily smirks. “Well, there were no actual nuts involved, but the fairy did, in fact, taste like sugar plums.” 

“Yeah, okay, not bad,” Dean says. He clinks his beer bottle against hers and they drink. “On top of a zamboni.” 

“You mean zam-bone-y?” 

“Thank you! Sam rolled his eyes so hard I thought they were gonna fall out when I said that.” 

“The Roxy.”  

“Green room? C’mon,” Dean scoffs. “Amateur hour.” 

“Nope,” Emily says triumphantly. “In the crowd, during a Guns N Roses show.” 

“Okay, that’s fuckin’ awesome,” Dean laughs.

“It really was.” 

Dean’s eyes flick across the room, following Cas, who just deadpanned something that’s making Hotch double over with laughter. Dean’s eyes go crinkly at the corners as his smile gets even brighter — a full-on megawatt movie star smile — and his expression is so sweet and soft and utterly adoring that Emily melts a little bit. 

“Gross,” she says, elbowing Dean. He elbows her right back. 

“Shuddup,” he mutters. 

“No more twins for you,” Emily sing-songs. 

“Worth it,” Dean says firmly, and even she can’t think of anything snarky to say to that. 

. . . 

JJ can only understand about one in five of the words Penelope and Charlie are chattering to each other, so she gives up and leaves them to it. She’s slightly concerned they’re plotting to take over the world, or something. They don’t seem to notice her leaving. 

Dean and Emily are side by side on one of the couches, both slouching, with their feet up on the coffee table and beers resting on their stomachs, giggling about something as if they’ve been lifelong friends. The whole tableau is unexpected, but not in a bad way. 

There’s something about Dean that JJ just didn’t like, at first. It’s mostly that he’s too likable. In every interaction they’ve had, he’s been incredibly charismatic, warm, polite, funny… but it’s not him. 

JJ is an expert at getting people to trust her without ever showing her hand. She recognizes a bluff when she sees one. 

She’s been watching Dean, whenever he thinks she’s not paying attention. He lets his guard down, sometimes, when he’s with his brother or Cas, but there’s a well-disguised wall that goes up when he talks to anyone else. It’s defensive fortifications camouflaged as charm. 

Apparently Emily’s shoved through whatever wall Dean usually puts up when he’s around strangers. Emily can do that to a person, though. JJ knows that better than anybody. 

Emily’s clearly teasing him about something. He’s grinning, boyish and bashful and genuine, and JJ likes him a hell of a lot more, suddenly. 

She heads over to join them on their couch, sliding over the armrest to sprawl halfway over Emily’s lap and cuddle in close. 

“Are you two still playing Truth or Dare? This doesn’t look very daring.” 

“Debauchery pissing contest,” Emily informs her. 

Dean is watching her, and his walls are up again: pleasant smile slapped on his face, eyes calculating, playing it close to the chest until he figures her out. 

She raises an eyebrow and prompts him: “Well? Aren’t you going to ask me?” 

He looks suspicious, but he goes with it. “What’s the craziest place you’ve had sex?”

“A lady doesn’t kiss and tell,” JJ says primly, and for a second Dean’s actually thinking about taking her seriously. She rolls her eyes. “Kidding. Middle of a Guns N Roses show.” 

He looks confused for a second. Then Emily and JJ high-five, and Dean barks out a laugh. 

“I didn’t know you —” 

He hesitates. 

“Swing that way?” JJ supplies. 

“Yeah, that.”

“Most people don’t, and we’re gonna keep it that way. Understood?”

Dean seems surprised by the sudden sharp edge in her voice. “Gotcha.” 

“I used to think she was crazy for not coming out publicly,” Emily tells Dean, but she’s looking at JJ with a little half-smile on her face. “But now that people are starting to give a shit about us, sometimes I think she might’ve had the right idea.” 

“Don’t lie, you love being an ‘inspiration to the youth,’” JJ says, with mocking finger quotes. “And you’ve been disappointing your mom for years, she’s used to it. Mine would probably have a heart attack.” 

“Yeah, but the number of times I get that fucking ‘Does that mean you’re attracted to pans?’ bullshit, I swear to God…” 

Dean’s looking at JJ again, but this time it’s less calculating and more admiring. He nods slowly like something just started to make sense.  

“Helluva poker face,” he says approvingly.  

JJ grins. “Yours isn’t too bad either.” 

. . . 

“I gotta ask,” Spencer says, slurred and slow. “How’d you choose the band name? The Ceiling Fires?”

Sam shrugs. “It was a recurring dream that Dean and I both used to have.” 

“Weird image.” Spencer makes a face as he undoes one of the tiny braids Penelope left in his hair. “Not that — weird isn’t a bad thing. It’s memorable.”  

“Yeah, I guess so. Dean called it that as a joke, to start with, I think, but...” Sam rambles. He’s right at that point of drunk where words just keep rolling off his tongue. “Feels like a long time ago. I mean, I did not in a million years think we’d end up here.” 

“Linear time,” Spencer comments. 

Sam waits for him to finish the thought, but apparently that’s it. 

“Linear time,” he repeats agreeably. “It’s not just… time, though, you know? It’s the whole deal. Success, I guess. People listening.  Expecting you to look a certain way, or… I don’t fucking know.”

Spencer nods pensively, combing his fingers through his hair again. “We did a magazine photo shoot the other day and they wouldn’t let me wear any of my own clothes. I like my clothes. And people keep asking if I’m dating anybody.” 

“Yeah, I’ve been getting that question too.” Spencer doesn’t know the half of it. Sam laughs to himself, rubbing his forehead, and takes a big gulp of his drink. 

Spencer pulls out another barrette with a grimace. “I mean, why would anyone care if you’re dating… who was it? Harry Styles?” 

Sam chokes and spits whiskey everywhere. 

“Who —” he wheezes, and has to stop to cough. “Fucking — how did you know?” 

“Wait, really?” 

“What?” 

“Penelope said it was just a stupid rumor,” Spencer says. He’s squinting at Sam like he’s seeing double. 

“Shit.” The adrenaline rush is going a long way toward sobering Sam up. He shakes his head and tries to pull himself together. “Shit. I just… shit.” 

“Is that a big deal?” Spencer asks, with a mild sort of confusion. “Penelope made it sound like a joke. She called it a conspiracy theory.” 

Sam stares at him, open-mouthed, before dropping his head into his hands with a groan. “Yeah, let’s just keep calling it a conspiracy theory, okay? I already owe his publicist a fucking… fruit basket, or maybe just a lot of wine.” 

“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t actually know who that is,” Spencer offers. Sam laughs weakly. “No, really, I won’t tell anybody. Even Penelope. Especially Penelope.” 

Sam studies him for a second. He looks earnest enough, in a boozy, unfocused way, but Sam’s learned the hard way that most people can’t be trusted. 

Still, worth a try. 

“If you could — yeah. Please? Just… please don’t tell anybody.” 

“Believe me,” Spencer says. “I know how it goes. If you let people see the things that matter…” He trails off, his eyes sliding to a point somewhere over Sam’s shoulder, and his voice gets unexpectedly clear and fierce. “People can be vicious. I wouldn’t give them a weapon like that.” 

Sam’s pretty sure he shouldn’t feel so reassured — Spencer still has a glittery butterfly clip sticking out from behind one ear — but he is, somehow. 

“Thanks,” he says quietly. 

Spencer shrugs, like it’s nothing, and settles the guitar in his lap again. “Anyway, here’s Wonderwall.”

“Oh hell no,” Sam grumbles, and throws a couch cushion at him.  

. . .

“Okay,” Hotch says decisively. “Everybody have their room keys?” 

“Aww! He’s like the world’s cutest drill sergeant,” Charlie says. Hotch scowls at her, but he has a feeling it’s not very intimidating. She just giggles.

“Rossi?” Hotch asks, looking around and doing a quick head count. 

“Went to bed an hour ago to listen to the latest episode of his fucking true crime podcast,” Emily says. 

Hotch frowns. “Without me? Sneaky bastard.” 

“Of all the weird fucking hobbies…” JJ mutters. “Hey, Morgan, is it my turn to be the jetpack?” 

“Fuck no. I am way too buzzed to be carrying any of you home tonight. You can walk.”

“I’m not sure I can, actually,” Spencer says morosely. He looks like a rag doll, sitting on the floor, propped up by the side of the couch. 

“Somebody come get Schroeder,” Dean mumbles, from where he’s curled up on the couch with his head in Cas’s lap. 

“We got this,” Penelope says determinedly. She grabs Spencer by the wrists and hauls him to his feet, and they lean against each other heavily, somehow managing to stay upright. 

Sam opens the door for them, smiling bemusedly as they all start to trail past: Morgan first, uncharacteristically wobbly on his feet; Emily and JJ, with their hands tucked into each other’s back pockets; Spencer and Penelope, staggering dangerously; and finally, Hotch bringing up the rear.

“Thanks,” he tells Sam, and waves at the others. “See you tomorrow.” 

Before the door closes behind him, Hotch hears Dean say, “It’s gonna be a fun tour.” 

.

.

.

[alexiaaaaaaaaambriz]

End of A Day

Please listen to the following for best experience reading: 

End of A Day Orchestra Version by Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra

Megumi remembers the first time his hands laid on a violin. 

He remembers being 4 and gifted a violin for his birthday. 

He remembers the wide smile on his father’s face and a small smile from his mother and sister.

He remembers being told by his father that one day he will surpass him in skills.

Coming from the prestigious Fushiguro family, known for its patriarch's violin skills throughout Asia, Megumi understood from a young age it was his role to uphold the family name and continue the legacy set by his father. 

Through a strict and repetitive routine, Megumi learned how to play the violin and various pieces to play. He can remember the excitement he felt when he won his first national competition, and the time he won his first international one. The smile on his father’s face was enough to keep Megumi motivated to strive for more. 

However, nothing could have prepared him for the nervousness he felt as he stood behind the large red curtains, peeking at the crowd seated in front of him. He’s never been surrounded by that many prominent figures in the international classical music community. Megumi feels more jittery after learning of the arrival of the Nanami family,  known throughout Asia for being one of the leading performers for Seoul and Japan’s Philharmonic Orchestra. He recognizes you, whose before him to perform as the younger flutist of the family. and searches the crowd for your brother, known internationally for being the first Japanese pianist to come in second place throughout the competition’s history at the 2010 International Chopin Piano competition.

The thought of Nanami watching him perform makes Megumi extremely scared. 

Megumi can feel his heart ramming in his chest, because he’s afraid of making a mistake in front of prestigious people in the international classical music scene. He would be even more embarrassed if Nanami saw him commit an error. 

His thoughts are interrupted as he hears the bottom of your heels clack against the wooden ground as you walk past him, flute in hand. You bow to the audience as the judges converse, placing your fingers on the keys of the cool metal as you position the instrument near your mouth. The sounds emitted from the instrument are soft, airy, and wind-like as the registers fluctuate between different levels. 

You’re performing a piece Megumi doesn’t quite know, and he thinks, is this her own rendition of a song? 

His eyes become diverted towards you once again and he notices you’re moving beautifully to the sounds the flute produces, all while keeping your embouchure steady. Megumi notices no sign of fear or nervousness in you and feelings of envy arise in him. He wishes to be able to play with as much confidence as you do. He wishes he could create his own rendition of a song without having to conform to what his father tells him to perform.  The soft sounds of the flute penetrate his ears, and he allows himself to close his eyes and emerge himself in the piece. He can feel his nerves lessen as he takes a deep breath, engraving the light and graceful sound into his memory. He likes the melody. 

His thoughts are interrupted by the last note of the piece and he opens his eyes to see you bowing at the people in the crowd.

The crowd erupts into fits of clapping, the sound vividly echoing throughout the walls of the theatre. You wave your hands at them before bowing one last time, heels clacking against the wooden floor as you walk besides Megumi to go backstage, clutching your flute into your hands whispering a quick good luck. 

Megumi’s not quite sure why your words seem to resonate with him more than the words of his own father. When the lights flicker off and on again, signaling his turn, Megumi walks onto the stage, bowing as he sits down on the chair. He rests the violin on his collarbone, supporting the instrument with his left hand and by his shoulder. He tilts his chin downwards to place it on top of the violin, relaxing his neck and making sure the length is comfortable. Megumi gulps, taking a deep breath before holding the bow. 

The stage lights always seem to blind him, even after years of participating in competitions. The supporting background music starts to play and Megumi thinks about his father. 

Do not mess up. It’ll be a shame if you embarrassed yourself in front of the judges. 

He hates the pressure his father places on him, wishing his father allowed for him to choose an instrument of his choice. Megumi would prefer enhancing his piano skills, much to his father’s dismay and disapproval. 

His thoughts then shift to your words.

Good luck. 

And so he plays the piece his father chose for him: Mozart’s II. Adagio 

When all the contestants are done performing and the judges release the results, you’re smiling cheerfully as you win first place for your rendition of End of The Day, a song from one of your favorite foreign artists from South Korea. The judges compliment your decision to cover a piece aside from the classical genre and the ability to execute it so well. Megumi comes in second, praised for his technique and facial expressions. 

And while second place is a notable achievement, it is not satisfactory to him because he understands that creativity in a scene dominated by old pieces is highly valuable, an idea that his father seems to reject. 

When everybody is sent to gather their belongings, Megumi searches the area for you, trying to spot your hair and distinct features in a crowded backstage. He spots you, placing your flute in its protective casing, sealing it beneath black leather. He’s practically running towards you, his raven hair and tie running side to side. He ignores the yells of his father before he kneels in front of you, placing his hands on his knees as he pants. You’re stunned by his appearance, looking up at him while tucking a piece of your hair behind his ear. 

Megumi pants one last time before meeting your eyes with his own, blue eyes shining with determination. The glint in his eyes do not go unnoticed and your lips curve upward, awaiting what he has to say. 

“I’ll surpass you one day!” He yells, pointing at you as he corrects his posture, standing up while looking down at you, knees crossed on the ground as you grab the handle of the black leather case, standing up to meet his eyes. You’re a bit taller than him, and the realization makes you giggle as Megumi’s cheeks begin to turn red out of embarrassment from noticing your eyes looking down on him. 

“So the roles have been reversed,” Your lips form into a smirk as you move your hair to the side, wanting to assert your dominance over him. 

In a field dominated by men, your brother and family always remind you that whenever possible, strive to be the bigger person. It’s exactly what you do in this moment. 

Megumi purses his lips, hands rubbing behind his neck as he looks towards the side, wanting to conceal much of his flustered appearance as he could. You think the raven-haired boy whose hair sticks out in different directions looks absolutely adorable in a flustered state. 

You want to tease him even more but your thoughts are interrupted by the familiar voice of your brother. 

“Nanami!” 

The blonde-haired man embraces you in a hug, ruffling his hands through your hair as he kisses your forehead. “I’m incredibly proud of you.” He states, flashing a smile at you as he looks at the blue-eyed male in front of him. He looks visibly stunned, Nanami notices. 

If Megumi wasn’t filled with determination to speak to you, perhaps he would have fanboyed over the famed pianist. It’s one thing to see him from afar, but another thing up close, he thinks.

“Y/N, the chauffeur is waiting for us,” Nanami says, fixing his tie as he takes ahold of your case, turning around before walking to the exit. You nod quickly at his words before diverting your attention back to Megumi.

“Fushiguro, in 8 years I’ll be performing in Seoul as a performer for the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra,” You proudly state, face grinning in excitement as you think about what the future holds for you. The excitement of moving to another country to perform with a world-renowned orchestra fills you up with joy as the thought of continuing to do what you love is a pleasant one. 

Megumi’s eyes widen at your statement, but he quickly thinks to himself that what you’re saying to him is absolutely possible. With your abilities and family prominence, it’s an actual possibility that you’ll achieve what you’ve sought to do. 

 “In 8 years, I hope to see you there beside me,” You end your sentence, holding out your hand towards him. His eyes look down at your gesture before meeting your eyes again and Megumi begins to smirk widely at your announcement. He takes your hand into his, giving it a firm shake as both of you nod at each other. 

“I will! And I’ll become even more famous than you!” Megumi exclaims as your hand leaves his, heels clacking against the floor as you walk towards the exit. Once your hand reaches the door knob, you turn around, giving him one last look and smile as you wave at him. 

Megumi smiles as the door shuts, his father walking up beside him as he grabs his hand to walk towards the exit, carrying his violin case in one hand.

He leaves the theatre with a smile on his face because he acknowledges it is not a goodbye.

It is simply a see you later. 

Days and weeks pass by and Megumi keeps practicing. 

Day and night, Megumi spends countless hours improving as much as he can. He seeks out other instructors beyond his father who help him with his creativity. He creates a few pieces of his own and uploads a multitude of them online. The melody of your rendered piece follows him throughout the day, and it becomes a daily habit for him to hum the tune. 

While Megumi continues to strive for better, he searches your name online every once in a while to see how you’re doing. As expected, you’re taking up the offers and opportunities that come along your way. You’ve won first place in several international competitions and serve as a substitute for flutist members of the North American Philharmonic Orchestra. He hears about you attending the Juilliard school, one of the most prestigious and famed schools for music.

And even though it appears you’re receiving more opportunities than Megumi, he gets a few of his own. He’s accepted into the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, and he attends college in hopes of improving his skills even more. He wins an endless amount of violin competitions throughout the world, and performs with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. At the age of 20, Megumi feels almost satisfied. 

Megumi’s manager informs him of a private audition the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra wants him to attend, and without hesitation, Megumi says yes.

As hoped, Megumi becomes a performer. He’s delighted in his achievement because he feels that he can finally compete with you on the same level. He’s informed of your status within the orchestra, and how they will be performing your famed piece at the Seoul Arts Center. When he practices with the other members, he never sees you.

He’s informed of your short absence that you’ve taken after Nanami gets into an accident. 

And so the time passes, and the day comes where the orchestra will perform.

Megumi clutches his violin tightly as he sits in his chair, speaking Korean to the other performers as he awaits your arrival. While there are talks of you perhaps not coming at all, Megumi refuses to believe them. The time passes, and the curtains are 5 minutes away from opening when he hears the familiar sound of your heels hit the wooden ground.

He whips his head around, and his blue eyes meet yours. You’re clutching your flute tightly as you run towards him, embracing him in a hug as you’re laughing.

“You actually did it!” You yell as the sounds of laughter continue to escape your mouth. Megumi is quick to embrace you in his arms, and he lets out a laugh as the feeling of relief escapes him. 

“Told you I would,” Megumi smirks, and you can’t help but continue to smile. You’re not quite sure why you feel like crying, and you can’t help the tears that come. Megumi takes notice and quickly dabs them away as you sniff and pull away from him.

 “Our paths were destined to intertwine after all, weren’t they?” You say as Megumi nods, allowing himself to smile.

As you’re ushered away to your spot, the lights turn off and Megumi continues to smile.

Megumi takes a moment to appreciate everything that has happened. He’s grateful for his mother, his sister, and even his father for pushing him to pursue an instrument he grew to love. He thanks the instructors who have helped him in his journey, and he thanks you, for giving him the motivation to do everything he did. 

The stage lights always seem to blind both of you, even after countless times of performing. 

Both of you take your bow after the formal applause by the audience, smiling as both of you rise up in unison.  Standing in front of the sheet music stand, your fingers pick up the cool nickel material, placing it by your lips. The coldness of the material makes the hair on the back on your neck raise up, reminding you of the familiar sense of conformity the instrument has given you throughout the years. Tranquility spreads throughout your body as you notice the conductor dip his hand for the metre. 

Your eyes divert to the raven-haired boy next to you, and blue eyes meet you as the music begins. 

At the end of each day, both of you were meant to be each other’s life. 

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #451

“taste the waste of their god’s grace & spit your hate upon your young”

Who are you subscribed to on YouTube? A shitload of people. Do you like to go to the farmer's market? Yeah, sure. What will (or was) the color of your wedding dress be? Probably black. What's your favorite melon? I don't really like melons, actually. What was the name of the last pet of yours that died? Teddy. :( When was the last time you wished the day would just get over with? Literally every day. Seriously. It's funny, I dread fighting to sleep at night, but I also just want it to be time to sleep so time will pass. My life is just so fucking boring that I just... wait for something exciting to happen. Name one person you've never had a fight with: Tez. What are you currently listening to? "Sex Metal Barbie" by In This Moment. What would you rather have: cat or dog? I prefer cats. Who is your least favorite person in real life? Probably my sister's husband. Do you ever watch anybody's live stream of... anything, really? I'll sometimes watch live let's plays. Does your house have security cameras? No. If you go grey as you age, would you dye your hair or let it be? I'll be dyeing it. What was the last establishment you stopped going to due to bad service? What happened? I'm not sure. What soundtrack do you listen to the most? Silent Hill 2's, definitely. Was there a family secret you weren’t told about until you were an adult? I don't know if it's really a secret, but I didn't know until this year that my dad did some really dangerous drugs before us kids were born. Do you have an opinion most people you meet seem to disagree with you? Yes. What’s something you like to have many options to choose from? Food, ha ha. Feels great to have a full kitchen after a grocery trip. What’s the strangest decorative object you own? Nothing "strange" to me. What’s a thing you couldn’t imagine doing with your life right now? One biggie is having a baby. I just... could not imagine. My life would plummet. What’s been your proudest moment? Graduating in the top percentile in my high school graduating class. What’s the filthiest non-pornographic movie you’ve seen? Omfg, Sausage Party. That movie was so gross. Do you know anyone who doesn't seem to be fond of animals? Thankfully, no. I don't even think I could befriend someone who doesn't like animals. Are you planning any outings or trips anytime soon? Whereabouts? No. Do you know anyone who has a phobia of a certain animal? Yeah, like me with whale sharks. Is there a particular brand of technology/electronics that you prefer? Not really, no. Is there a singer whose voice gives you goosebumps/chills? Amy Lee's. And is there a singer whose voice you simply can't stand? Yeah, such as Bob Dylan. Are there any authors that are particularly dominant on your bookshelf? Tui T. Sutherland, but only because I read their series Wings of Fire. Have you seen any photographs or videos that made you smile today? I'm sure on Facebook at some point. Which item in your fridge are you most looking forward to consuming? Does the freezer count? If so, this Healthy Choice grilled chicken pesto bowl I have in there. I am like addicted to them. Has anyone you know got into a new relationship lately? I don't know. If you menstruate, do you experience much PMS prior to it? It varies month-to-month. Have you ever had a tattoo covered up or added to? I had my Markiplier tattoo essentially redone by a better artist. I also plan on getting my "ohana" tat covered, as well as my "how rare and beautiful it is to even exist" one (I adore the quote, but it's not an original design, which I don't like having anymore), and I want to move and redesign my "perfectly flawed" one because I want a bigger tattoo in its location. Can you remember the last time you had a sudden change of mind? Yeah; I'm pretty sure I like-like my friend Girt now, something I was never entirely sure about. When was the last time you did something on a whim? *shrug* Were you raised by both of your parents? If not, then who raised you? Well, I guess both, but Dad didn't do a lot of the teaching part about life and stuff. Have you ever began a relationship with someone you knew for less than a week? No. Has one of your friends ever tried to ‘hook you up?’ Yes. Colleen tried that with me and Girt and only succeeded in making us very uncomfortable. She said something I wanted to slap her for that I won't repeat. What is your card game of choice? Magic: The Gathering. What is your favourite books series? I think my favorite series of all time was the Shiloh trilogy. I adored both the books and movies. Do you prefer landmarks or street names when being given directions? You'd better give me landmarks, ha ha. Do you read the prologues in the beginnings of books? Of course. What was your favourite gym class moment? There're such things as GOOD gym memories in school? Do you think that ocean boardwalks are fun? Yes. Do you dread when people ask you to sign their yearbooks? No, I always thought it was very flattering that they even wanted mine. Do you have a favourite Scooby-Doo movie? The Phantom Virus one. I had the video game as a kid, too. Could never beat the damn thing. Do you think it’s cute when toddlers try to run away and fall down? No? I don't like seeing children - or anyone - fall. Do you enjoy listening to your grandparents tell stories of their past? So, this really only happened once, and it was coincidentally the day I learned of her pancreatic cancer, but before Mom told me. I had an assignment to interview someone of an older generation about how various sources of media affected their lives, like the development of TV and such, and she really got into it. It was very interesting to learn about. Do you have a crush on someone? I guess I do idfk. If so... what does his/her name begin with? "D." What attracts you to them? More than anything, the fact he's been there for me without fail. Both single and when I was with Jason and he was interested in me, he's just... been there and has made an effort since high school to be in my life in one way or another. Do they know that you like them? Not anymore, no. We dated for a few months, but I broke up with him because he felt more like my brother, so I would assume he doesn't think I do. Maybe he still is family to me. I really don't know what I feel. If they don't know, why didn't you tell them? I might at some point, idk. We just haven't talked in a while. Name two people that you miss: Jason and Megan. Have you ever seen Titanic? When I was in the hospital, yes. Everyone was crying, lmao. Have you ever swam with dolphins? No, but I would. When was the last time you had a stomachache? Now. Mother Nature finally visited me after three whole fucking months and is v angry. What's going to bed early for you? Like 7:00. Do you want to have a big family in the future? Of pets! Human kids ain't for me. What was the last thing you did that gave you a rush? Hell if I know. Favorite Nicholas Cage movie? Ghost Rider. Have you had your Covid vaccine yet? Which one, if you have? Yes. I got Moderna. If you've had your vaccine, did you experience any side effects? I did on my second dosage. I was OUT of it the day afterwards, but then I was fine. What's the next item of clothing that you intend to buy for yourself? I need new bras badly. What Facebook groups have you found the most helpful? It's called "Not Just A Pet Rock (Python regius)" and is a group for advanced ball python husbandry. It is very informative, but I will say there is a SHITLOAD of very rude elitists. Do you like your butt? Why or why not? NO because it's a PANCAKE and I want CAKE. Have you ever personally been a victim of homophobia? I personally think so. When Sara visited and we were trying to go to my older sister's so she especially could meet her, Ash entirely ignored Mom's messages. I know her homophobic husband well enough to nearly be able to guarantee he didn't want us coming over because the kids "don't need to see that." Ash kinda does what Nick says, so... you know. Do you think you’d be happier if you had a pet? I know I'm happier with pets. Who was the last person you went on a date with? Sara. Were you ever hospitalized as a little kid? No. What’s your favorite way to curl your hair? It's too short to do that. At what age did you start swearing? However old I was in 7th grade. What is something you physically can’t do? Clean up vomit lkdsjal;sdkjfa;lkwd. I can't clean up my pet's or even my own. I literally can't. My mom has to. What do like better, apples or oranges? Apples. I don't like oranges. Around the holidays, do you hope for snow? Yes!!! What are your top two favorite bands? Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica. How many people do you 100% trust? Like two. Maybe. Do you care what others think about you? Way too much. Has anyone ever called you a bitch? My grandmother has. Did you watch Teletubbies when you were younger? Omg yes, I was obsessed. Do you have any licenses other than your driver's license? I don't even have that. Could you live the rest of your life without eating meat? No. Not because I don't want to, because I do, but I would have an extreme protein deficit if I did that. Besides meat, I don't like enough protein-rich foods. Have you ever had a rolling backpack? Yes. Did you make any money today? I haven't made any money in a very, very long time. I'm only ever paid when someone hires me to take pictures for them. What was the highest place you've ever jumped from? I don't know. Definitely not very high. Have you ever gone swimming in a river? Yes. What was the last souvenir someone got you? I have zero clue. Do you have a favorite remix of a song? Hm. Perhaps this techno-y remix of "Psychosocial" by Slipknot. I don't know for sure, though. What do you think is the most saddest sounding instrument? Either the violin or piano. Do you really pay attention to the ratings on movies? Nope. Do you have a favorite species of wild cat (tiger/lion/cougar/etc.)? Probably clouded leopards aesthetics, but I think lions overall. If you had $500,000, what would you do with it? Pay off school debt as well as help Mom with various financial issues, buy new glasses, buy Mom and I a new house and car, get Venus a great tank with all the optimal supplies, get LOADS of tattoos, donate to various charities, adopt a few specific pets, travel to Yellowstone, get laser hair removal on my legs and teeth whitening... There are a lot of possibilities. Did the last person you touched lips with have a kid? Just scaly ones. :') "First loves are never really over." Is this true for you? Yeeeep... Did you like Michael Jackson before he died? I didn't really have an opinion on him. I know/like a couple songs, sure. What are some things that would make you break up with someone? If they became abusive, started doing drugs, acted arrogantly, didn't understand my mental conditions and were unwilling to be emotionally supportive, stuff like that. What was the worst breakup you've ever had? Ha, the one with Jason. For. Fucking. Sure.

[cloveroctobers]

NOAH SAMPATH —

IG info/bio: @/noahknowspat | 275k followers | “A True Renaissance-Man.” | (currently his page is on private, which he often does several months out of the year

25 (26) years of age

Born & raised in Kandy, Sri Lanka until his mother decided to uproot him & his sibs to the uk leaving his father behind

Both of his parents are from Nuwara Eliya

His parents decided it would be best for just his wife & children to live elsewhere while he continued his work in hotel & tourism

Which to him, is the best job he’s ever had—in a sense it felt like he loved his job a little more than his family but Noah knew that wasn’t completely true

Noah figured there was something secretly going on between his parents, he noticed how they would argue more over the years & how his father was fond of their homeland while his mother was not

She did not have much family left, most either leaving the country or dying from sickness

He’s used to living in a bungalow since that’s what he grew up in

Moved to Romford which didn’t take long for him to get adjusted to, he was quick to adapt to situations since that’s normally expected of him as the eldest...

Lived with an aunt? Who really wasn’t a aunt in a cramped 2 bedroom apartment with a child of her own (who was around Noah’s age and favored Richa Moorjani) for a couple of years

Has two younger sibs: a 17 year old brother, and a 11 year old sister

His mother was m*rdered just before his 18th birthday, therefore he’s grown not to celebrate his birthdays even tho he knows deep down that’s not how his mother would have wanted him to go on

She was wise and often stayed up with the moon having conversations with her eldest—if not with all her children

but as he looked back on their conversations he could tell that his mother knew she wouldn’t be on this earth for long

Which showed him a different way of living

His father hated Romford, didn’t think it was the best/ safest place ( I did some research and mostly saw that this town is kinda rough. Anybody from the uk reading & have experience with the town please confirm? Not attending to offend anyone plus every place has its rough areas) for his family & felt his point was proven once his wife was k*lled

He demanded for his children to come back home but Noah wasn’t having it once he realized his father had changed & became aggressive himself

He hated confrontation but he was of age now so he could do what he wanted but there was no bloody way his sibs were going back with this man

He was not the man they all once knew—shit, his sibs BARELY knew him

So Noah fought a lengthy battle with guardianship over his siblings

It only became easy once money was involved for the man to back off

It was v difficult to manage a household and two children at 18-19 all on his own but he was willing to do it, he felt like it was part of his purpose

Plus his “auntie” & “cousin” came around quite often which helped somewhat & even tho the woman was gritty in how she carried herself, anyone could see she cared for Noah’s mother & her children otherwise she wouldn’t have been around before & after his mother’s death

She became like a second mum but no one would ever replace his mother

It was tough going through his early twenties...he had became a parent figure instead of going to uni to study archaeology

He loved fossils & dinosaurs as a kid 

probably keeps up to date with any articles or shows that share their findings on prehistoric species in water or land (I find that shit so creepy yet interesting until I get too creeped out and leave lmao? especially dealing with the ocean!)

Enjoyed that American show called “siren”

He didn’t enjoy much of what usual twenty-something year olds would, he had to be home to take care of his siblings they became a major part of his life now

He is the type to bottle up his feelings. Ofc he jumped at the chance to raise his sibs without a question after seeing the state of his dad a week after his mum’s funeral but he knew he HAD feelings

He wasn’t a robot just because he tends to be quiet & observant

He had his low days too

But he would hide them in books, that was his safe haven, his escape

He loved working as a librarian even if he got shitted on for it

It never payed much even in his position but it brought him comfort that there were aisles of novels ready to tell him stories & found some relation to his own life

As if that wasn’t enough, he loved going to book shops as well. If he had enough $ leftover he would treat himself in a new book purchase

Will buy a new book even if he has piles of unread ones, which he does have a section of that in his room & in the corner of the living room

Has a kindle since it was the cheapest & can easily slip it into a bag if he can’t decide on what book to bring with him

Has glasses but prefers contacts, ‘i don’t want someone to think I’m that nerdy since I read out in public.’ He often thinks to himself—yet when he’s immerse in those pages the world goes silent around him

Collects vinyl toy figures and keeps them either on his mantle or built in shelves in his room

Loves coconut water & won’t drink any water unless it’s coconut

Got his gorgeous cheekbones from his dad

His father p*ssed during his 23rd year of life due to tsunami hitting the hotel he worked in

He took his sibs to their native land once it was safe and connected with their father’s side, which was bittersweet

I think I get Scorpio energy from noah? Idk but it’s in there somewhere

He likes cutting his food into smaller pieces no matter what it is, it’s just a habit since he did so for his younger sibs

Secretly it’s also easier for him since he feels like the dentist ruined one of his nerves once he got his wisdom teeth out

He hates the dentist

His baby sis is deaf & he absolutely took the time to learn sign language along with his brother

Chose buying her hearing aids over paying a monthly bill when $ got tight

His 17 year old brother now works a job & helps out the best way he can even if it took a bit of persuading from their cousin

They’re all extremely close and are aware what Noah’s done and continues to do for them

Probably enjoys painting even if he’s not the greatest at it, but there’s something about water color that is pleasing to his eyes

He’s had many jobs to keep food on the table and support his family but being a custodian paid him the most yet he couldn’t continue working overtime not when his sibs were as young as they once were. He had to let the job go, the money was great, his co-workers sucked since they never came to work leaving him with OT, but it was also a lot of gross work & the teenage girls were always hitting on him

Prone to taking on more than he can chew whether it’s in relationships or life situations

Has either one or two best friends outside of the villa & they’ve been tight since junior year

They didn’t approve of Noah stepping forward to take care of his sibs, knowing it would be a big responsibility & possibly put his life on hold

But they didn’t understand & came around to once they saw him in action & became supportive/proud

He knows they mean well?

Cannot dance

Owns a couple of blazers that he feels the most comfy in

Loves a good pin-striped dress shirt

Has soft thin wavy hair

Will sport a 5’oclock shadow if he’s stressed out, tired, or wants to show a more “mature” side of himself

Misses his mum’s Lamprais & kottu roti

He’s 5’11

Had 1-2 gfs before the villa & both of them were super lengthy relationships which there’s obviously nothing wrong with

Always trying to make it work even if there are signs of it failing

Is not the dominant one in relationships & usually wants to keep the peace—which falls back on him taking everything on his plate & bottling them up instead of addressing situations from the jump

Is observant but also likes to assume?

Tries to be honest & loyal

Once he’s in a relationship & it’s confirmed from the other, he is completely devoted & smitten

I think quality time is his love language

I also think he tried to play the violin growing up since he found that to be one of the instruments that holds so much passion

Likes period pieces minsus the racism :)

Has read Frankenstein countless of times over Shakespeare, he’s got good work, yeah? but it’s a bit overrated

Keeps in touch with rahim & feels he understands him on a level his mates of years do not

They go holiday together when Noah feels he can afford it, even if rahim says he can pay for it. It’s not a big deal

Yet it is. He feels insecure when someone feels like he can’t do something because of where he’s from & what he does for a living. It showed more in his relationship with hope

Sure she was constantly paying for things but when he silently took the initiative to do so it was automatically assume that he didn’t have it even with his wallet out to pay

There were plenty of flaws in his relationship with hope and it took forever for him to see the toxicity in it even if fans adored them together

I’ve decided that they won’t be endgame. Which breaks everyone’s hearts after he’s the one to surprisingly call it quits after 3 years. He thought it would get better once he realized they way the acted towards each other was not completely heathly but it got worse

So he did what he had to do with what was in the best interest of everyone & hope did not agree

It was heated, it was emotional, and there was a last moment of intimacy to seal the deal of their goodbyes

Then came the drama online, with interviews and people trying to bring Priya into the mix & Hope was always vocal so it became a bigger issue

Noah just wanted to heal on his own but he was never going to engage in the drama. If they were all back in the villa face to face he might have said something but he didn’t need his words twisted so he rose above it and knew the two would eventually along with the fans

To get over the breakup? He hung out a little later with his mates at CLUBS, visited rahim, spent more time with his sibs, read, and...reached out to...BLAKE

After almost two years with whoever (in my case it was henrik) she was freshly single herself & not really looking but knew Noah was trying to get underneath someone. A rebound? Since he couldn’t bring himself to do so with the girls around home

Blake knew what happened with hope. She along with mc & some fans saw it coming. She thought about it, really thought about it but decided that she wouldn’t be Noah’s rebound. She knew Noah just needed time and when he was ready, maybe she’d be around

Celeb crush: Gillian Anderson, Antonia Thomas, Tika Sumpter, Aja-Naomi King, Normani Kordei, & Sophie Turner

Who does Noah listen to? Hozier maybe? KWABS, Grace Carter, Seinabo Sey, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Half Moon Run, Aisha Badru, Lianne La Havas, Dana Williams, Allan Rayman, Rationale, etc...

Anthem = Sid Sriram, “It isn’t true”

[nobody-wants-ice-cream]

Everything Wrong With The Umbrella Academy. Episode 2, Run Boy Run.

Link to the first episode!

Same disclaimer as last episode: This is all in good fun! I wanted to do a really nitpicky re-watch of the series and found some really cool and interesting things I didn’t notice before. This is meant to have a Cinema Sins-esque tone. However, I did take off a lot more sins than Cinema Sins would have because I do genuinely like the series and the people that made it possible. So all of the good things got one sin off and all the bad things got one sin added. This is a really long post, so grab some popcorn. If there’s anything that I missed, feel free to add it!

Run Boy Run 

Grace started the Herr Carlson record before the kids even arrived. How are they supposed to learn if they miss the first few seconds of it?  What is the point of the record if they’re not even around to hear all of it?+1

The kids all have their hands on the chairs except for Five, showing that he will do something out of the ordinary. -1

Diego is causing property damage to Reggie’s chairs and Reggie allows this. Be consistent, show! Is Reggie lenient or strict? You could make the argument that Reggie doesn’t care about the chair because he’s rich. In that case, sinning for capitalism.+1

Klaus is already into drugs at the age of 13. We can see him rolling a blunt, and doing it quite well, presumably. +1

Ben is straight up allowed to read at the table. So then what is the point of the record if the kids don’t have to pay attention to it? +1

The kids expressions when Five stabs the table. The ones that we see are pure gold. Especially Klaus’s. Well done Dante Albidone. -1

Diego’s side eye when Five starts arguing with Reggie. This is the perfect expression for “my sibling is about to get in trouble”, so props to Blake Talabis. -1

Vanya’s side eye is also good. TJ McGibbon did well. -1

We see Five jump faster than a bullet, but he’s significantly slower when jumping across the table. +1

Reggie is a dick to Five, who just wants to explore his powers. We know that it’s dangerous because we see Five getting stuck, but Five doesn’t think that that is really a possibility. Reggie only talks in confusing ice and acorn metaphors. +1

Five’s face when Reggie presents the ice and acorn metaphor. -1

Vanya and Allison both give Five a look in this scene. This is what makes Five hesitate. Two of his siblings tell him it’s a bad idea, but he does it anyway because he’s a stubborn bastard. +1

Grace’s face drops when Five starts running out the door. Allison and Vanya also look absolutely horrified. -1

“Run Boy Run” is a little on the nose. Especially once you remember that The Boy is Five’s hero name in the comics. +1

No one cares that a 13 year old popped into existence out of nowhere when Five starts traveling into the future. +1

Easter egg! There is an ice cream cart outside the academy. If you’ve read Dallas, you know why I think that’s significant. Also, it happens to be my icon. -1

Five’s look of complete disbelief and horror when he is faced with the apocalypse for the first time. -1

“Vanya! Ben!” This has created a lot of curiosity in the fandom. In the comics he left before they were named, but in the show it looks like he chose to keep Number Five. Why? +1

The apocalypse looks very believable. -1

Title screen umbrella! -1

The awesome scene with Ellen Page and Aidan Gallagher continues in the next episode. -1

Where would Five have heard that rumor about Twinkies having an endless shelf life? It’s not like he was very exposed to pop culture as a kid. +1

Vanya doesn’t keep her Violin in the case. She leaves it proped on a chair, which is basically begging gravity to come and fuck up your instrument. +1

Five plays the pronoun game and doesn’t tell Vanya about Dolores. +1

The last thing Five heard for 40 years was Reggie’s stupid metaphor. That’s a sin for the metaphor and a sin for Five’s pain and suffering. +2

Vanya gives someone with a thirteen-year-old’s liver a few shots worth of hard liquor in a tall glass. +1

“You think I didn’t try everything to get back to my family?” This quote is Five at his core. It shows his exact motivation. Aidan Gallagher really could have screwed up with this line because it’s so raw, but the delivery doesn’t suck. Well done. -1

Is that liquor real? Aidan Gallagher’s face suggests that it is and he only takes two sips of it. Also, Five takes a sip when it’s just a bit, pours more, then takes another sip, and doesn’t drink any more of it. Sin for showmakers possibly giving a kid real alcohol and sin for Five only taking a sip after pouring a lot out. +1

However, if the alcohol is fake, which I really hope it is, sin off for Aidan Gallagher’s acting. -1

Five expects Vanya to believe his crazy apocalypse story. I had a hard time believing it when we were shown flashbacks as the audience. It wasn’t until they brought in the Commission that I actually believed it. If Five had explained the Commission, just like he did to Luther, then Vanya would have had an easier time believing him. +1

Vanya calls Five crazy and then expects him to not be hurt and want to stay in her apartment. +1

Vanya takes the pills after an emotionally charged scene. Pills-foreshadowing. -1

Five’s hands are shaking when he’s looking at the eyeball. This shows both his uncertainty, with this being his only clue, and shows that he is unwilling to leave his sister again even after she called him insane. -1

Mary J. Bilge. -1

The Lunar Motor Lodge has rates by the week, day, and hour. The Commission is super sleazy for putting Hazel and Cha Cha in a place that also rents by the hour. +1

Hazel and Cha Cha are an underrated duo. The “It smells like cat piss” dialogue is honestly really funny. -1

Obvious villains are obvious. I know they’re meant to be obvious, but it doesn’t change the fact that a show with a lot of subtlety just kind of thrust Hazel and Cha Cha in there with no subtlety at all. +1

Hazel stores the briefcase away and throws a screw, foreshadowing that this will be an important detail later. -1

No one, including police, notices the blinking and beeping, neon green tracker. +1

Patch is sort of right. Five made a jump in the middle of two of the local hires, which caused them to shoot each other. -1

“The guy had an eclair and the kid had coffee”. Patch’s side eye says that she thinks Agnes is getting her story mixed up. If we didn’t see what happened, then the audience wouldn’t believe Agnes either. Great acting Ashley Madekwe. -1

Agnes doesn’t stay in the back room. She crawls out so her head can dramatically pop up over the counter after Five leaves. This is a stupid decision on Agnes’s part.+1

Agnes is seen handling American money. Somehow we as a fandom didn’t notice this. Klaus also uses American money to buy drugs later in this episode. Sinning the showmakers not specifying which state at the very least, but reluctantly because I know that’s a reference to the comics. +1

“What other detective”. Camera cuts to Diego exiting Griddys. -1

Diego is a vigilante. What he is doing impedes the law. In this instance, we want him to stop Patch’s investigation because we know that the answer leads back to Five, which would be bad for the plot. However, Patch’s annoyance suggests Diego has done this to her before. How many murderers have gone free because Diego intervenes in Patch’s cases? +1

Diego did not consent to being searched and having his personal belongings taken. +1

Ebay exists but there is no internet or smartphones. What? +1

Diego thinks that this looks like a botched robbery. No way in hell does this look like a robbery of a doughnut shop in any universe. A bank robbery, yeah sure, but not a doughnut shop. What kind of doughnut shop has the kind of money that requires multiple guys with very large weapons, Diego? +1

The way Patch is described to Five by Diego in a later episode does not match the personality she actually has. +1

A whole crowd of people had nothing better to do than to watch the cops investigate a murder scene in a densely populated city. +1

Is Luther hitting his head after he wakes up a character choice? He does it again with the model airplane. After the low ceilings on the moon for four years, you would think that he would learn to duck. +1

Emmy Raver-Lampman gives an amazing performance when talking to Luther about Claire. -1

Allison has multiple posters of herself in her room. I am sinning for her younger self’s narcissism. +1

However, this narcissism goes hand in hand with Allison as a character. Props to the set designers for making these posters and hanging them up. It adds detail to Allison’s room and really shows who she was as a character. -1

“When Claire was little I used to read her books about the moon. I’d tell her her Uncle was living up there” Allison doesn’t remember that Luther was on the moon and therefore shouldn’t know about her divorce in the first episode, but says this in the second episode. +1

Luther looks so genuinely happy at being Claire’s personal superhero. -1

The ghosts torturing Klaus. +1

That fucking animal print thing Klaus is wearing. +1

Robert Sheehan is very, very attractive. This makes up for the monstrosity Klaus is wearing. -1

“You know you talk in your sleep.” “Oh there’s no point. You’re out of drugs” I love Ben as a character so much. -1

“Shut your piehole, Ben. Said with love” smooch. I love this line. -1

“I’ve got a crazy idea. Why not try starting your day with… a glass of orange juice or some eggs”. Justin Min’s delivery of this line kills me every time. -1

Pogo is really vague about why the papers in Reggie’s box are important. If he said something about the papers detailing the Academy’s powers in explicit detail, Klaus would have tried harder to get them back. +1

We don’t see Klaus pull out the Red Journal in episode one. +1

“Liar” “Drop dead” “Low blow”. This is an iconic interaction for a reason. -1

Pogo knows that Klaus can talk to ghosts, but remains offended when Klaus tells a ghost to shut up. +1

“Really awful, terrible, depressing times” Reggie is a dick to his children. +7

Vanya sleeps with the door to her bedroom open, even though we saw her close it. So she must have gotten up to open the door and didn’t notice Five was gone. +1

Where did Five go all night? Did he sleep back in the Academy? It couldn’t have taken him this long to get to the MeriTech building, so what happened to him? He changed to a clean uniform, so presumably he went to the Academy, but why did the show vague this? Did he walk into a department store and buy/steal a clean shirt?+1

Only the plot relevant person notices Five. The front desk girl doesn’t question why he’s there. And that is her literal job. I would know, I run the front desk at a medical office. If you don’t greet the patients then you’re not doing your job, front desk girl.+1

“Must have just [click] popped out.” iconic.-1

Five decides that violence is the best course of action to get the information he needs, directly contradicting “I know how to do everything” +1

The 1938 fingerprints may be Five’s. However, police usually discard this kind of evidence because there is a very reasonable doubt. Not to mention that anyone could have touched the knife. It’s a public place. Forensic evidence is not as reliable as it is portrayed in the media. +1

Diego is an asshole to everyone, but especially to Patch. She’s right, Diego is obstructing justice. How many murderers have gone free because Diego interfered in an investigation? +1

Diego’s boiler room is way too big to be a boiler room. +1

Luther’s reflection in Diego’s mask shows that Luther wants to know what it would be like to be number two instead of number one. Luther can’t lead for shit and subconsciously wishes that he didn’t have to. -1

With an aerial shot of the Academy from the outside, we can see that Reggie never bothered to take the laundromat sign off the mansion or that Reggie sold ad space on the mansion exterior. +1

Reggie is a dick to animals. See: the animal skeletons and the taxidermy. +1

Part of the mansion is painted an ugly neon green for no reason. +1

“Sorry I left without saying goodbye”. The “both times” is unspoken. -1

Vanya apologises for calling him crazy and being dismissive, but still suggests he needs mental help. He does, but maybe suggest it later when he isn’t convinced you think he’s insane? +1

Five lies to Vanya about something stupid. If he said that he was having Klaus help him with the apocalypse, I don’t think she would have minded. +1

Why does Five have so many toys in his room? Including a baseball? +1

Klaus comes out of the wardrobe as loudly as possible. The mansion does not have sound proofing (see: I Think We’re Alone Now dance party). There is no way in hell Vanya didn’t hear him. +1

This is the last time Vanya and Five interact. +1

Five’s room is more childish than a thirteen-year-old’s room should be. It honestly looks like he was the favorite because his room has so many toys in it. Like Reggie wanted to win his favor or something. Sinning for the weird set design choice and for Reggie being an asshole. +1 

The fake circumstances in which Five was born in their cover story gives me immense joy. -1

In one camera angle, if you look carefully they cut two takes of “what a disturbing glimpse into that thing you call a brain”. In the one where we can’t see his face properly, Aidan Gallagher is openly smiling. Corpsing. +1

Robert Sheehan is funny. -1

Syd the tow truck guy doesn’t really look like Sean Sullivan (actor that plays adult Five) enough for Cha Cha, a trained assassin, to not see that he isn’t their mark. +1

Hazel eating a sandwich in this scene. Also the “Italian for dinner line”. -1

And Cha Cha sees the differences between Syd and Five later! +1

“Time travel’s a bitch” “Especially without a briefcase” There's other time travel methods than briefcase or being Five? Elaborate. +1

Patrick is a dick to Allison. We understand why later, but really Patrick, you’re going to be an asshole when her father just died? Don’t get me wrong, Reggie abused the hell out of her, but still! Patrick should have let Allison talk to Claire. +1

Vanya tries to comfort Allison even though she knows nothing about the situation other than that it happened. She’s never even met Patrick! +1

Allison is clearly trying to get away from this conversation with Vanya, but Vanya presses on. +1

“Well if I wanted advice, Vanya, no offence, it wouldn’t be from you”. This is why Vanya doesn’t take Allison’s advice about Leonard. Also, Allison is a dick to Vanya. +1

This scene with Allison and Vanya is interesting. Allison is projecting her pain and taking it out on Vanya, who really should have seen and heard what happened enough to leave her alone. Both of them are the bad guy here regardless of how you slice it. I am sinning the show for this moment because they really tried to villainize Allison for this scene, but she does have some well thought out points and is in an emotionally compromised state. Or in other words, the fight between Allison and Vanya is stupid. +1

Grant/Lance/whatever gave Klaus and Five valuable office time. Doctors do not have time for this sort of crap. Shouldn’t this guy have patients? +1

Aidan Gallagher looks to the actor playing Grant/Lance/whatever as if he’s waiting for him to say his line. I see this all the time with younger kids in theatre, but they can get away with it if their character has a reason to look at that character. That being said, Five would have no reason to do this.+1

The sound effect that plays when Klaus slaps Five is really out of place. +1

Seeing Robert Sheehan slap Aidan Gallagher. -1

Klaus pauses as if he’s listening to Ben before he picks up the snowglobe. -1

The snowglobe. Robert Sheehan pretending to be Klaus pretending to be Five’s crazy dad. Acting. -1

Five looks like a proud grandfather when Klaus gets Lance to show them the records. -1

Five doesn’t pay Klaus for that brilliant acting. Also, how was Five planning to give Klaus $20. He doesn’t have any money nor do we ever see him with money. Five is a cheapskate. +1

Klaus calls Five “old man”. I thought that was just a fandom thing lmao. -1

“You must be horny as hell”. Great Klaus line, but super weird that he’s saying it to someone that looks thirteen. +1

Klaus is wearing the shirt that goes with his nicest outfit underneath Reggie’s pinstripe suit. -1

“Goodbye Dolores”, a song from the soundtrack, starts playing when Five starts talking about Dolores. This is good placement of that song because we later learn that he left her in the apocalypse when he left to work for the Commission. -1

Five is a dick to Klaus. Klaus is really trying to connect with his long lost brother, but Five jumps away. +1

That taxi driver doesn’t freak out and cause a car accident when a random kid appears in his car. +1

Also, how did Five pay for that taxi? Did he jump out of the moving vehicle too? +1

Leonard is so obvious from the start. So charming that he’s slimy. +1

Vanya can’t see this and is actually attracted to him. This may go back to that conversation with Allison when she asks if Vanya has ever been in a relationship. For all we know, the answer is no. +1

Leonard took three years of German in prison. I don't think American jails are that nice. +1

Leonard picks up another person’s instrument without their consent. As a musician, this is very, very painful. +2

Diego is paranoid, but also observant as fuck. -1

But how did he get his weapons back from the police? Are knives open carry in whatever state this is in? There are some states where Diego’s harness would be legal so it’s possible. I’ll have to look into this. Sinning the show for being vauge as fuck. +1

Luther didn’t notice the boiler room door open. +1

Diego throws weapons on his siblings. +1

Reginald Hargreeves died March 21st. The funeral is on March 24th. This is way too soon. It should have been a week or two not two days between the date of death and the funeral. Especially considering Luther suspects Reggie was murdered. And if you say that Reggie, Pogo, or Grace bribed them, then I’m sinning for bribery.+1

Diego eats a raw egg. Salmonella headass. +2

David Castaneda eats a raw egg. Why did you make him do this? It adds nothing to the character other than making Diego look dumb as hell. +1

Vanya interrupts her student while he’s playing and doing well. Whenever my teacher does that I get a minor heart attack. +1

Leonard is already lying to Vanya. He manipulates her by saying his Dad was into music and that's why he’s taking violin lessons. +1

An actual place named “Bricktown” in a place called “The City.” Sigh. +1

It is four o’clock when Leonard takes his lesson, but then after the lesson we cut to night time. What happened in those couple hours, show? Are you really saying that these characters did nothing interesting for all that time? +1

Emmy Raver-Lampman clearly isn’t smoking. Which is fine because she’s a Broadway actress and needs her voice/lungs for that part of her career. It’s weird because it shows that Allison isn't smoking. +1

Pogo scolds Allison for her language. Allison is an adult, Pogo. +1

Klaus made a drink at a young age and Reggie didn’t stop him. Or talk to him. He recorded Klaus drinking, but didn’t care. +1

The showmakers show us Allison’s face for dramatic tension instead of showing us the tape. This was a good choice and I feel it helped the narative.-1

They show a sign “Gimbel Brothers Seniors Tuesdays 10% Off.” after Five walks by. -1

The most awkward and dopey smile in existence when Five finds Dolores. -1

They play “Goodbye Dolores” after he finds her. That could have worked if they transposed it to the major key. Hello Dolores. +1

“Goodbye Dolores” transitioning into “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. -1

This action sequence is great. -1

Hazel’s wrist splint. -1

Five cuts Cha Cha with a trowel. -1

The dual screen thing is cool. -1

Five literally jumps over a stand and somehow doesn’t get shot. Hazel and Cha Cha have Stormtrooper aim. +1

How did Hazel and Cha Cha leave? You would think the police would notice someone leaving through the back. +1

Similarly, how did Five and Dolores get out of this? Did he wait until he could jump and teleport outside the store? Can he teleport that far? +1

How did Diego get another police scanner so quickly? Unless that’s the scanner Patch confiscated? +1

“I gotta show you something” +1

Once again, Five should be a lot sweatier. What are these magic, sweat absorbing things you can buy in a department store and where can I buy them? +1

Five sees an eyeball and immediately picks it up for no reason. He doesn’t even know that’s Luther’s body yet. He just picked up an eye for no reason. +1

Five as a thirteen-year-old boy saw his siblings' dead bodies. Sinning for trauma. +1

Aidan Gallagher portrays this trauma well. -1

Overall Review: 

I love this episode and had a hard time finding things wrong with it. I genuinely like this episode and I think that it could have stood alone as the pilot. 

Some acting things I noticed, David Castaneda, John Magaro (Leonard), and Ashley Madekwe were the standouts this episode. All three brought something interesting to the table this episode and I look forward to re-watching their scenes. I wish Madekwe and Magaro all the best as I know that they probably won’t be returning for season two. 

The plot thickens! Hazel and Cha Cha were introduced in a very obvious way compared to the subtle way they introduced Leonard. There is a reason I adore this episode, and it’s not just for Klaus slapping Five (though that is part of it). 

Total: 52

Sentence: We saw Diego eat a raw egg. That’s punishment enough for this episode. 

[dickytwister]

HEY do you maybe have like an oc page or could you tell me something about all your ocs because i'm Interested and you have my full attention :eyes:

AHSJDKGLHL that's so sweet i'm nfjghl???? i don't have an oc page bc i'm the embodiment of an old man being given an iphone after 50 years of using a rotary phone but !!! i can yell abt them a bit aaa thank you for asking abt them 🥺🥺💚

i put everything under the cut bc dear god i have a lot to say abt my kids and i'm not gonna make everyone scroll through that HHHHHH haw 🤠🤠

elliot fletcher

- he's my deputy in fc5!! he's from waverly in iowa and he's just...very tired nfjfkhl give my poor man a break

- everytime his radio crackles he ages 10 years and if it's john talking add another 10 years

- he keeps the three heralds alive but he doesn't care abt joseph <3

- gets in trouble bc he's impulsive af nfjghl when jacob is close to the cage?? ram his face in the bars. when john leans like rlly close in the confession scene?? headbutt 😌🙏🏼

- the only people who know abt his past are earl, grace, faith and john, the rest just kinda speculate and elliot lets them believe what they want bc not only does he rlly not want ppl to know the actual truth, it's also very funny to listen to the stuff they can come up with

- speaking of faith he often seeks her for advice and sometimes they get high together and he gets teary eyed bc she's just... very nice to him and when all you see everyday is violence it's overwhelming to be shown a little bit of kindness 🥲🙏🏼

- he's in love with john but also he'd kick him across the county if he could but also he'd give his life for him

- after the bombs and all he unlocks his final form and becomes A Husband™, complete with a beard, a scarf and bad jokes that make john want to officially marry him so he can divorce his ass

- fun fact i came up with the name elliot fletcher bc i thought it sounded neat but recently i found out there's a trans actor called elliot fletcher too??? like what were the odds ngl that's so cool

carter quill

- this is my character in the marvel dnd game my brother is dming!!

- his parents are peter quill and kitty pryde and he inherited his mom's powers (so he can become immaterial and stuff uwu) and his dad's tiny pebble brain~

- he grew up on a ship with the guardians so his family is just... a bunch of uncles, one of which is a tree

- he's part of an initiative called the peacekeepers with isaaq cage (luke cage's and jessica jones' son), finneas "zorn" reeves (brock rumlow's and sinthea shmidt's son), lu "highway star" khan (the mandarin's son), alexis "hex" pythagoras (doctor strange's protégé) and ev-lin (ronan the destroyer's daughter who also happens to be carter's bully when they were 11 HHHHHH)

- everyone agrees that carter is just... a puppy. a little labrador. so overexcited. head empty. he doesn't know what's going on but he's having fun with his friends and that's what matters <3

- he died once and went to hell for like 66 years bc he held a bomb while it was exploding but he got better and he doesn't remember most of his time in hell but also he's a lil traumatised

- he wears cute skirts sometimes and also froggie themed clothes 🥰🥰 he's terrible at applying nail polish and it ends up smudged most of the time bc he can't sit still for more than two minutes without going insane but he still likes it

- he has a pet bird called ink!! he thought it was a nice name bc his last name is quill so u know,,, ink,,, quill,,,, he inherited his dad's terrible humor also

- he's fruity and has a big fat crush on one of his teammates 😳😳👉🏼👈🏼

- he strictly refuses to kill, so he uses stunt energy guns and a three section staff to fight!! he accidentally killed someone once and threw up

- he knows asl and is fluent in it!! he's also very bad at reading measurements when cooking (and reading in general) so he relies on their proto-ai, dadji, to help him cook and he listens to audiobooks a lot!!

- idk what else to say abt him except like two games ago he was in the hospital bc lu got hurt and he wanted to get him muffins from a coffee shop across the streets but he panicked when faced with the selection so he bought one of each and came back to the hospital room with like,,,, twenty muffins

- i found this pic of his face claim and it honestly just radiates his vibe so here have it

thorgran galvish

- he's my dwarf enchanter from another homebrew dnd game!! in this universe (and maybe others idk shit abt actual dnd HHHH forgive me) enchanter dwarves are lowkey enslaved bc of their rare link with magic

- thorgran blew up a wall and ran away to the surface so now he's a fugitive and he's constantly on the run uwu trust issues ensue

- he loves the sky so much?? especially at night?? he knows abt constellations, but he thinks they're just whatever you see in the stars and doesn't know there are like,,, actual constellations so he sits on the roof of a tall building sometimes and finds his own constellations

- he also tries to draw them but he rlly sucks at it aslkdsgl that doesn't stop him from filling his journal with little stars and drawings!!

- during my very first game with him he found his rival, who turned out to be a 16 years old teenager?? millennial/gen z rivalry

- agh i don't have much abt him yet bc i've only just started to play him but he's my beefiest boy and also a dilf 🥰🥰

theadric "elder" montajay

- yet another character from the same universe as thorgran, but this time it's a funky little halfling bard

- his instrument is the violin!! he tried every other instrument and his mom was very supportive despite how bad he was at all of them. his community was raided and his father died, so he inherited his violin and that turned out to be the only instrument he could play

- took his love of the economy to the next level when he decided to fuck every gang leader he could find to control their operations and ruin their organizations so the money they hoarded could be put back in circulation

- accidentally fell in love with a half-orc gang leader and was abt to tell him the truth abt what he was doing but was exposed by the first person he'd cheated so he had to run without explaining himself to his lover smh ://

- "i don't wanna fall in the slutty bard cliché," i say before immediately giving elder the tightest leather pants and opening his shirt to show his majestic chest hair.

- surprisingly good with kids?? anyone younger than him who looks sad becomes His Child and he turns into a lil mama, tasting the food of an inn first to assure it's not poisoned, giving hugs, soft shit like that ngl he's just a mom 😔😔

- we abandoned the game he was in but we left off when he'd just escaped a dwarven prison with his new child and others owo anyway slutty bard with chest hair?? that's just the witcher's jaskier

scylla

- my gay pirate lady!! i don't have much abt her either bc AAA BRAINROT but !!! i still love her very much

- she's a hybrid between a human and a psaarinch (fish folks in our homebrew universe uwu) and she looks very human except she has like shark abilities?? she can smell blood, taste with her skin, breathe underwater for like two hours or smth, sharper teeth,,

- she started off as a privateer but like what was the kingdom gonna do?? track her down to make sure everything she did was legal?? nah man she got that sweet fleet and became a pirate

- she beats men up in inns and gives their wives a good time <3

- she's very close to her crew and they're kinda just a big family

- she fights with those s-shaped staffs?? but they're actually blades ngfhl she's very agile and looks like she's dancing when she's actually fighting

- fun fact she's my second shark oc the first one was called maito and she was a yellow lantern in a dc game we did (the main difference between them is that maito loved men while scylla is very much a lesbian 😌🙏🏼)

i have like so many more of them but that's already such a long post and i don't wanna do too much NGL if u wanna know more hmu i'll yell some more 😎😎🙏🏼🙏🏼

[lettersfromn0where]

A Masterlist of Zutara AUs I Wish Existed But Will Never Write

Movies/Books/Shows

YOUR LIE IN APRIL AU YOUR LIE IN APRIL AU YOUR LIE IN - okay yeah you get it. Beautiful anime, lots of similarities to their story, may or may not already be writing this for Zutara week, ohp.

10 Things I Hate About You AU - pls pls PLS yes it would be perfect!

Crash Landing On You AU. I WOULD. DIE A HUNDRED DEATHS. (That would also work better gender flipped - eg Zuko is the heiress and Katara is the soldier - but still. Seri’s home life is a lot like Zuko’s so I can kinda see it. This would work VERY well for Sukka too.)

Miss Saigon AU, period.

High School & College

High School Theater AU - Katara’s the perennial lead actress, Zuko’s the stage crew’s lights & sound guy who auditioned as an actor on a dare and somehow got cast in the love interest role. She resents his ability to be handed things with zero experience, he thinks she’s a theater snob of the highest order...and *then* they have to start rehearsing stage kisses. Things are about to get a little nuts up in this theater.

“Kissing Lessons” AU: Zuko is an aspiring writer who is given an assignment in a creative writing class to ‘experience something new for the sake of your writing.’ And when your most embarrassing high school moment came when your work was used as an example of how NOT to write a romantic scene...well. He’s going to figure out how to write a good kiss from firsthand experience or die trying - and the beautiful girl who sits in front of him is all too willing to help out.

Group Chat AU: a few years back I heard about this challenge teenagers were doing where they had to make a group chat with an even number of people who didn’t like each other romantically in it, pair off, and pretend to like each other, the goal being to see who caught feels first. I’m pretty sure it’s an insanely dumb idea irl but I still want to see the Gaang do that. (Maybe throw in Mai and Ty Lee for Spice.)

Canon Divergence

FAKE MARRIED ON AN UNDERCOVER MISSION AU. I do not think I need to explain why this would be Everything.

Blue Spirit/Painted Lady AU where a) Iroh is Fire Lord and b) Lu Ten didn’t die and is thus the heir, allowing Zuko to spend his youth traveling the world, Blue Spirit-ing, getting into scrapes as teenagers do...and repeatedly running across a mysterious veiled girl when he’s out doing his Blue Spirit thing. However, that life is abruptly halted when he starts facing pressure to marry, and he realizes his most appealing option is a girl whose face he’s never seen. After all, the Painted Lady is definitely a girl his age, and she’s smart, compassionate, skilled - yeahhh, he might be just a little bit in love with her. It may be insane, but no more so than marrying any other complete stranger...right? So Zuko sets out on one last mission to discover the identity of the Painted Lady and win her heart.

Other

Fake Wedding Date AU: at a high school reunion, a very single Zuko lets it slip that his sister is getting married and he’s going to get eaten alive for going to her wedding without a date. Enter his old friend and onetime crush Katara, who volunteers to stand in as his fake date as a very delayed way to get back at Azula, who picked on her relentlessly in high school.

Orchestra AU: the Gaang are professional musicians playing in the same orchestra. Their carefully-maintained status quo, however, is about to get shaken up when Zuko, a newly-hired musician who plays the same instrument as Katara (his instant rival), arrives - along with his younger sister, an impossible-to-please teenage violin prodigy making her debut with their orchestra. Is this an excuse to name-check the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto? Probably. Do I care? NOPE.