#((give him an eyepatch and the kid is set))

[skyfcx]

     "He feels like a weird uncle that my mom keeps telling me I shouldn't talk to."

[goosewizard]

hc that tubbo is REALLY insecure about his missing eye, so he wears an eyepatch in new l’manberg and absolutely hates it. it’s too big and garish, it rubs up on his wounds all wrong, he hates seeing himself with it. it makes him feel weak. ranboo notices (of course he does) and thinks that tubbo deserves to feel handsome again. they set off after a cabinet meeting to see if ghostbur has any books on prosthetics.

it should be noted that ranboo has no fucking clue what they’re doing. in the weeks after the plans inception, he has amassed over fifty handcrafted glass eyes, of which exactly zero will work. they’re too big, too small, not the right color. he even managed to make one with a rectangular pupil before they thought better of it. it's a shame, too, that was his best one yet. they're tired and frustrated and the eye collection is really starting to creep him out. ranboo considers asking for help.

ranboo remembers the tumultuous political state of new l'manburg.

ranboo thinks this may be a one-man project.

it really shouldn’t be a surprise that tubbo finds out. they've been practically attached at the hip since ranboo joined, and he was never any good at keeping things from tubbo anyway. they're popping over to ranboo's to get supplies for whatever adventure they're going on today, and the little chest labeled SECRET DO NOT OPEN is too full, propped open with dozens of lumpy glass spheres. tubbo notices (of course he does) and gets halfway through a i can't believe you have an eye fetish before he realizes. ranboo thinks it's a bad sign when he goes silent and an even worse one when his eye goes all misty and aw shit he made the president cry.

he's stuttering through an apology when tubbo's one eye meets their two and he asks is this for me? did you make these for me? ranboo nods and tubbo smiles like a kid on christmas, watery and bright. they've missed that smile. before he knows what's happening, tubbo's tackled them into a hug, sending both of them careening to the ground. ranboo vows there and then to give the man anything and everything he desires now and forever, just so he can feel like this again. not a veteran, not a politician, just tubbo, carefree and kind.

yeah, that sounds like a good life.

as quickly as ranboo went down, he's being pulled back up with tubbo insisting that they try every single eye, previous adventure abandoned. they spend the day like that, going through the chest, laughing at some of ranboos earlier attempts, and screaming with excitement when one managed to fit.

he looks beautiful. more confident, brighter, somehow. they burn his eyepatch that night. ranboo had already gotten him a better one anyway.

part 1 | part 2

[terrifiedlimechime]

okokok here we are again

the yapper opened her mouth quick get the ear plugs 🙄

so when I think of the stan twins I think of idyllic seaside area...about twenty minutes away because glass shard beach really lives up to its name, polluted and covered in beer bottles as well as sea glass

and the pawn shop, well, not a place for kids, but filbrick couldn't care less

man up boys it's time to learn how to haggle!

and although the stan twins have...a...relatively...interesting life (if selling overpriced junk is interesting to you)  filbrick decides that these kids have it way too good. off to the countryside, you pampered little-

well, gravity falls is a...remote place. so with a bottle of sunscreen and a boot up the ass the stans are off to take on gravity falls with grunkle dipper! (or grauntie mabel. im considering having dipper impersonate mabel. MAYBE.)

and dipper is HARSH to ford. like...real harsh. dipper liked all that science stuff when he was a kid, and where did that get him? running a shitty tourist attraction with a box of fake ids under his desk. (sad) ford stumbles into the forest, hits tree, the whole journal finding scene. and branded with a shooting star is a journal describing all the anomalies of gravity falls.

not a massive scientific document, rather a brief study and description of the different creatures, how to protect and slaughter some of the more dangerous (and/or wearable) kinds aswell as various garments inspired by them

the whole tourist trapped gnomes take mabel away thing is flipped to a large group of fairies taking stan (more love for stan please 🙏) to be their king, bla bla bla, fly swatter instead of leaf blower, swat swat that's it, good job guys

in the time travelers pig (possum..rat thing?) we see stan win shanklin by guessing how many fleas are on him (old fifteen 'er) while ford tries to impress fiddleford by winning him a gobblewonker plush (fmcg: "I don't know what that monstergamajig is...but I want it!")

then we meet.... BILL!

bill and gideon are swapped in this au, so bill is a human with his own telepathy tent, branded with a triangle and famed for its "mind tricks"

he never takes off that stupid triangular eyepatch...

dipper...well dipper hates him. "that little brat, always calling me pine tree, making fun of the shack"

and immediately, like gideon, bill is drawn to ford, flattery, "mysteries? haha I love them we should totally talk ab them",n stuff, yadayada

till bill tries to rizz him up asks him out on a date, the whole "omg I don't like him like that can't we be friends again" "no hes gon fall on love" stanley to stanford convo happens, stan breaks up w bill for ford, bill goes apeshit, uses a triangular amulet like gideons, basically what happens w gideon in the show him up asks him out on a date, the whole "omg I don't like him like that can't we be friends again" "no hes gon fall on love" stanley to stanford convo happens, stan breaks up w bill for ford, bill goes apeshit, uses a triangular amulet like gideons, basically what happens w gideon in the show

BUT (I over thought this reference way too much) when defeating bill, ford pretends to be on bills side, bill gives him the amulet and tells him to wipe his brothers mind, ford pretends to, stanley uppercuts bill in the face and ford breaks the amulet, all is saved

b: "CURSE YOU PINE TREE!!"

later in the series, more mysteries are solved, maybe candy/ grenda take the place of soos? idrk, stan and ford set up dipper with pacifica (bcuz i said so)

and guess who billy boo boo summons?

none other then gideon chaos-god gleeful!

the whole gideon-bill scene flipped (i like to think human bill is more confident then human gideon in it tho)  and bill and gideon make a deal (idk if i should js tweak gideons human design or make him his telepathy tent star) and instead of bills blind godly confidence and obvious flattery, gideon is all texas charm, the whole shabang

he invades stans mind for the mystery shack deeds, yadayada...

but there's something going on with grunkle dipper...

under the shack, by night dipper tries to fix the portal. the catwalk is in a wreck, and the portal is just about operational (he has a picture of the twins aswell as mabels perfume that she left in the house down there. its the same one she used as a teen and its the only thing that keeps him from falling apart on the bad days)

under the shack, by night dipper tries to fix the portal. the catwalk is in a wreck, and the portal is just about operational (he has a picture of the twins aswell as mabels perfume that she left in the house down there. its the same one she used as a teen and its the only thing that keeps him from falling apart on the bad days)

he's not what he seems.

(might write more, might fling myself off s cliff in the meantime)

[clavissionary-position]

Ikeprinces As Ranked By Gilbert

**Best enjoyed after reading Gil’s route. There are also spoilers of varying degrees from some sequel routes (Chev, Licht).

1. LUKE

Luke: I’m surprised I got the top spot. Don’t you and Chevvie go way back? Gilbert: That’s true, but you’re my adorable little kid brother. I’ve carried you on my back. You’ve carried me on your back. Good times. Luke: Aw, Dad… (bear-hugs Gil) Gilbert: (pouts as he struggles to breathe) Did you even… hear a word of what I said… Luke: I heard ‘kid’. That makes ya my dad, right?

2. CHEVALIER

Gilbert: So? What do you think? Chevalier: (ignores him and continues doing paperwork) Gilbert: (high-pitched voice) “Please, oh please, Gil! Please trample my country to the ground, rebuild it in your image and then run it for me!” Something like that, right? Gilbert: (dodges pebble) Ahh, sorry, sorry. It would probably be more like “Please, oh please, Eyepatch!" Gilbert: (dodges another pebble) What is going on here? Do you roll around in the garden before coming to work every day?

3. CLAVIS

Clavis: (stiff smile) I baked you one of my most sought-after creations as thanks. I’d be honored if you’d try it, Lord Gilbert. Gilbert: Hmm, it looks as unappetizing as I expected but smells delicious. Oh, and... (sniffs) ...you even infused it with my favorite poison! Clavis: Hahaha! Well, I didn’t want you to get the idea that I’d learned nothing about you during all our years working together. Gilbert: Of course, of course. Would you like to share this with me Clavis: (stiff smile) No, no, no. It’s best enjoyed alone. Please, I insist.

4. RIO

Rio: If you’re trying to use me to get to my mistress, then I’ll— Gilbert: You misunderstand me. (Sets down two plates of pain perdu and places his hand on Rio’s) I really do commiserate with you, you know. It’s not easy seeing the one you love go off to be with another man. And yet you gladly sacrifice your own happiness. As though it were someone else's joy to give away. Rio: It is. My joy belongs to my mistress. Gilbert: Hmph? Let's see. Pain perdu means ‘lost bread’, right? Poor, poor abandoned little toast, molding under the table. Gilbert: Oh, by the way. I asked the little rabbit if I could bring these to you on her behalf. (Proceeds to eat all the pain perdu himself) Rio: (smiles brightly) So I’ve heard you love exercising!

5. SILVIO

Silvio: (kicks down the door) Where's the list? Gilbert: (innocently sips tea) So you can tear it up? Did you think I didn't make copies to send to every one of your little merchant friends? Silvio: My real friends know what's up. Gilbert: What a hurtful thing to say. I’m just honoring our friendship. And buttering you up for future manipulation. Silvio: Tch. I don’t know what game you’re playing— Gilbert: Human chess. Silvio: —but I’ll buy up every damn piece before you can get your filthy little mitts on 'em. Gilbert: Hehe, splendid. (Sits back with a smile) What’s more fun than controlling someone who controls everything else?

6. KEITH

Keith: Picked me over the other guy, did ya? Gilbert: Oh, he’s on the list too, of course. But I can’t stand how much of a do-gooder he is. And besides, you’re much more fun to play with. Keith: That right? I’m usually the one doing the teasing around here, though. Gilbert: (looks around dramatically) Around here? Where only a handful of people even know you exist? Tell me, if a tree falls and no one’s there to hear it, does it make a sound? Keith: >:0

7. KEITH

Keith: (hangs head) So you know… about him… Gilbert: Ahaha, there's no need to look so down! You haven’t done anything wrong, have you? It’s all him, right? If only he’d just disappear and stop taunting you from Spot #6. Keith: N-No! I don’t want that! I don’t… think I want that… Keith: Yes, I’m sure of it. He and I can share our friends. Gilbert: (stops smiling) Sharing only works if you can fully trust the other person to not take advantage of your kindness. You may think you can do that now, but people change. Circumstances change. The galette must one day burn. Keith: :’(

8. JIN

Jin: (thoroughly unamused) How kind of you. Gilbert: Isn’t it? But you should know that I’ve got nothing against you personally. Whatever enmity there is between us stems primarily from you. If you weren’t royalty, we might have even co-brothered Luke together. Jin: (throws up in his mouth) I don’t see how that has anything to do with this. And you’re the most detested royal figurehead on the continent. Gilbert: (shrugs) I’d say I’m sorry you can’t see past that, but I’d be lying if I claimed there was anything there to be seen in the first place. Thanks for the lollypop. Jin: What? HEY—

9. SARIEL

Sariel: (stops as soon as he enters his office) What are these vermin doing here? Gilbert: (sitting in Sariel’s chair) Just a little gift I brought so I could congratulate you for making it onto my list. Would you like to do the honors? Sariel: (plucks him up by the fur) Am I to understand you’re giving me a chance to correct my oversight before you take things into your own hands? Gilbert: (brushes himself off) I expect you to do most if not all of the work since my hands are tied while I’m a visiting guest here. But I’m happy to take them under my wing if you can’t even do that much. Sariel: “Kill them, or be forced to kill them,’ is it? (glances at the tied-up assassins) I wonder which one of us they would consider a fate worse than death.

10. LEON

Leon: (glares) I take it you only stuck me on here out of diplomatic courtesy. Gilbert: Haha, maybe. But there’s something about you that’s always reminded me of someone I know. Leon: Whoever it is, I feel bad for the guy. Gilbert: (bittersweet smile) You might be right. Maybe I need to do better by him…

11. LICHT

Licht: Do I know you? Gilbert: I was wondering the same thing, to be honest. But I’ve seen you around the palace enough times that I figured I might as well throw you on here. Gilbert: Nice eyes by the way, hehe. Licht: Oh no you don’t. My only family is Nokto.

12. NOKTO

Gilbert: Oh. There are two of you. Must be nice having an identical twin. (Resting his chin in his hand) Do you two switch places a lot? Nokto: You never noticed before today? Never received a report from one of your spies about it? Gilbert: Oh no, what sort of boring activities do you think I have my spies do all day? Nokto: Well, for starters, you sure seem to have paranormal insight into the contents of our kitchen at any given moment. Gilbert: So you'd rather I left all the carrots where they are? Nokto: ...

...

.......

................

Yves: Prince Gilbert!

Gilbert: (stops but doesn’t turn around)

Yves: I saw your list, and I couldn’t help but notice—

Gilbert: No, I believe you noticed everything you were meant to.

Gilbert: (leaves to go find the little rabbit to fix his bad mood)

[sealofarchives]

Could you create a headcanon for ‘Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ about what kind of fathers Leo, Raph, Donnie, and Mikey would be? I find this idea fun. :3

Headcanon: Rise!Turtles being dads and sweetest husband to the reader (Separate) (Requested prompt)

A/N: I'm still uncomfortable with the idea of aging up the guys towards "mature content."

However, this idea was really cute. It only made sense for this prompt where the guys are aged up with some reference to their bad end!future selves. I went with around early 30's when the turtle of your choice and the reader are in a committed relationship and currently raising a kid at the moment.

So please have common sense and think before typing some snarky response with 'oh aged up content is bad lol' (Because I will put those ideas on the 'do not write list' if people get too weird about it...)

Raph

You know how he has the habit of that one baby voice with Mayhem. (and a bit of the hey buddy tone towards Mikey or Donnie)

- His kid is never gonna escape from it. (even by the time the kid is a grown up)

He definitely panicked for a bit when his kid (during the energetic toddler phase) enjoyed climbing over a big guy like him.

- So he had to ask Donnie to make a battle shell specifically as a soft cushion. So the spiky shell doesn't accidentally scratch the kid.

Part of him is worried anytime he has to scold his kid. And only when you're around is when he feels okay to do so.

- He definitely does the "Did you ask (Y/N) if you could have another cookie?" sort of question. (Sometimes willing to go along with what his kid wants or following (Y/N) if he got caught spoiling the kid)

You're getting at least one peck on the cheek by the end of the day.

- Or earlier in the day if he accidentally woke you up.

Compared to his younger self who slightly whined about chores, he grew to enjoy it when both of you worked on it together.

- Laundry being one example where you're usually folding clothing fresh from the dryer. And he stacks a pile back into the clean basket/hamper.

His eyesight in the right eye has gotten a bit worse. (not as bad as his bad end counterpart where he needs an eyepatch) But, you often act as his extra set of eyes and call out to any surprise attacks.

- Which earned the title of you two with a tag team couple and he still blushes thinking about it.

Leo

Every few hours before a night patrol, he always checks in to see what his kid is up to and often gives a hug before leaving.

Often gives bedtime stories through retellings of Lou Jitsu's movies or Jupiter Jim's comics.

- Even acting out of some of the scenes before a yawn decides its time to sleep.

Gave one of his spare bandana scarves to his kid.

- Had the biggest grin on his face when the kid realized "Oh hey! We're matching!!!"

Almost similar to the night patrol part, but if you can't make it because of work or some other boring life detour.

- Its a portal away for a light hang out sesh. For both of you to take a breather away from the grown up life.

Late night conversations are just a regular thing between the two of you.

- Especially when he couldn't sleep. By the time he almost dozes off to sleep in your arms, he still playfully teases you that your voice is soothing to him.

When light conversations about the bad end future was brought up during a casual match of video games, he was never used to the idea that he had a prosthetic arm.

- You instantly hugged his right arm, jokingly reassuring him.

"As long as you can crack a joke in the most serious moment. I'll still know that its you Leo."

"Even in a timeline where, me and the guys were raised by Draxum?"

You gave the red slider turtle a 'really?' pout before he hugged you into his lap.

"Nah I'm just kidding, but for real though. Draxum's former henchmen are still goofballs that know their way around the city. I'm pretty sure that Leo could get a couple of one liners and maybe from you as well."

Donnie

Almost went into a frenzy trying to child-proof the lair. (Especially the month before the kid's arrival changed the atmosphere) But eventually settled down.

- Realizing it would have stressed his kid out by any sudden new changes (and a bit of his family and your help explaining the reasoning as well)

Leo's showboating energy transferred to him but, in a way that, the softshell turtle is very grateful. That he has you as a spouse and both of you raising a kid along side his sentient inventions. And will try to bring it up in any conversation.

- The whole wallet photo gag of him showing family pictures. You love this silly turtle but, usually lightly pinch his face if its the wrong time for that.

He lights up whenever his kid goes to him for any sort of question.

- He slightly restrains himself to avoid going overboard with the answer. But, his kid is smart enough to know that and sometimes tells you that he's not being himself again.

Cannot force himself to sleep unless you're beside him. (or if you have to drag him to bed yourself)

- The few times where he woke up while you were still sleeping. He always gives you a light hug and a kiss on the forehead before getting out of bed.

He subtly took interest in one of your hobbies. (Either an ongoing or a new one) Just so he can step away from a tedious project that was going nowhere and not bother you with the boring details about it.

- Sometimes mentioning a fun fact to impress you.

You gave into his idea of letting your kid have a similar weapon like Casey Jr's.

- Only when they reached their 13th birthday and learning the basics of: constructing it and fixing parts along side their dad. How to use it defensively, offensively, and etc.

Mikey

Considering how his future self had some hair on his head, he kept it long so he can do a few matching embarrassing baby photos to his kid.

- Like giving the kid a tiny ponytail and etc. He definitely cried a bit while having his signature grin when the kid pulled too hard on his hair, laughing at one of his jokes. And you had to step in to help him.

He knows how to work around some of his kid's picky eating habits. Usually making sure his kid is having fun or decorating the plate in an artistic manner.

- However, there are times when the kid can hide the veggie or fruit out of plain sight. Or his kid asks his uncles for help when Mikey's focused on some other thing.

Absolutely does that peek-a-boo trick with hiding his face or whole body into his shell.

- He was nervous at first, if the trick might have scared his kid but, no the kid was giggling. Curiously crawling towards him in awe of it.

Will sometimes make meals ahead of time. (often being, if you returned from work, too exhausted to greet him)

- Either leaving a note on a plastic container in the fridge of: [(Y/N)'s breakfast: DO NOT EAT unless you want an surprise session with Dr Delicate Touch </3] (this also applies to lunch as well)

On very rare occasions, he will temporary wear a cloaking brooch. If you're at an area isn't very friendly towards mutants and/or yokai.

- The one time that happened, is when you forgot to bring your lunch at a job that barely lasted a week. (Stuff that was out of your control but, he was relieved that you got out of that place before your coworkers decided to physically fight back at the manager)

Spends at least one day in the week with you to do some light meditative exercises.

- On the really bad days, he doesn't mind letting you hold his hand as a stress ball or just have a quiet moment to relax while his brothers babysit your kid.

[googledetective]

what I would buy each drdt character for christmas:

Arturo Giles - a toothbrush so he can use his toothpaste hair to brush his teeth

Charles Cuevas - illegally purchased uranium

Rose Lacroix - one of those super duper all inclusive cheap art sets for kids so she can really test her forgery skills

J Rosales - a Walkman and all of my favorite albums on CD so she can be exposed to my elite taste in music while still being cool

Min Jeung - a lizard

Hu Jing - I would get her bass guitar lessons only to benefit me bc then I would make her teach me how to play the bass guitar, and she’d probably be good at it bc she is already stellar at the zither

Ace Markey - idk I just would get him an air purifier cause I think he would need it

Levi Fontana - pink high heels

Teruko Tawaki - a night at a nice hotel, and I’ll order her room service too so she could relax

Arei Nageishi - I’d get her a scene kid’s dream worth of Hello Kitty clothes, accessories, stickers, decorations- anything and everything Hello Kitty

Whit Young - a girlfriend

Eden Tobisa - also, a girlfriend

Nico Hakobyan - I’d get them a weighted robe/blanket and this specific blanket I have that says “meowy catmas” on it and it’s like the best thing ever

Xander Matthews - a pirate eyepatch and a pirate costume as well as a Santa costume cause I think he’d make a great Mall Santa for kids to give their wishes to

David Chiem - happy pills or crack or just atp an alcohol dependency

Veronika Grebenischikova - I’d get her hot chocolate bombs but the plot twist is they’re actually bombs and in water they explode and don’t actually make you hot chocolate. that or a gun and she can play Russian Roulette :)

[wake-me-up-inside-imagines]

Can you do Danganronpa Despair Time Boys Hcs with a Lover who from a large family like the Loud House and introduce There boyfriend to there large family for first time

Sure! Reader in this is gonna have both younger and older siblings so if you're the oldest/youngest, sorry!

DRDT boys meeting S/O's large family for the first time

Warnings: mentions of Xander's eye injury

Gn! reader

-Xander ADORES your family

-He was a little nervous going into meeting them for the first time, but you reassure him that they'll love him (he's super charismatic, he really has nothing to worry about)

-He's really good with little kids given the amount of energy he has, so your younger siblings take a liking to him immediately. Two seconds into the meeting and he's already playing with them, letting them run around him and climb over him like he's a tree. They also think his hair is super cool which is a plus

- He does worry that they'll pull off his eyepatch and become scared after seeing his eye socket, so you make sure they all know not to touch it or pull at it beforehand

-Your older siblings can tell he's a good guy from the way he clicks with the younger family members so easily, so they don't give him as much flack as they were planning (some of them may still tease him though)

-He's more nervous when interacting with your older siblings and parents, but he loosens up a little the more he talks with them. Although, he gets really nervous if they start questioning him even slightly aggressively, he really wants to make a good impression but he thinks he'll mess it up

-Xander may be a rebel, but he's super respectful to your family. He addresses your parents as "sir" or "ma'am" and he helps with anything needed, like carrying food to the table or rounding the kids up for dinner. He really does his best to make a good impression on your family (He's aware that having a sibling/kid who's dating the ultimate rebel may be a bit off-putting)

-He assures you family that you're in good hands and that he'd never dream of hurting you, and who wouldn't believe him? He's proven to be an honest guy (ignore chapter one he was just being silly and goofy) and they respect you're decision to date him

-Your parents tell you later that they think he's a respectable young man and they'd love to have him for dinner again sometime, so it would appear you're family approves of him!

-Oh boy

-You're uhhh... you're gonna have to wait a bit before introducing Arturo to you're family

-You're also going to have to drill it into his skull that he can't insult, snark, or do anything rude whilst visiting your family, which he begrudgingly agrees to

-To be honest, he doesn't really care what you're family thinks. he loves you and you love him, so why should their opinion matter? But he understands it's important to you, so he'll try to be on his best behavior (he does tell you this though)

-Once the meeting date rolls around, he does put effort into looing nice for the occasion, you can even see him try to set his face into a less disapproving look

-Meeting you're parents is the easy part, he shakes their hands and is fairly respectful to them, trying to answer all their questions to the best of his ability. It's a bit awkward, but the real challenge is your siblings.

-He's noticeably uncomfortable with you're younger siblings trying to touch him, but when questioned about it he apologizes and says he's a bit of a germaphobe, that's all. He does try to be nice to them, but he's not great with kids so half the time he doesn't know what to say

-Your older siblings can tell somethings up with him. They fully notice his politeness is unnatural, and some of them begin asking him questions about himself, sometimes making little jabs here and there. Their suspicion makes Arturo a bit defensive, but he tries to keep his snark under control so he he'll match their energy and make little comments back at them.

-It's kinda like a game to them. Who can make digs at the other without being broken first? Stick around to find out!

-He's fairly quiet during dinner, he pretty much only speaks when spoken to, but your parents think he's the more silent type

-He thanks your parents for dinner afterwards and then he takes his leave, but he does give you a quick peck on the mouth before he goes, it's mostly a fuck you to you're older siblings because he sirs afterwards.

-You're older siblings may not like him, but your parents think he's a good kid so they approve your relationship

-Lowkey really excited but nervous to meet your family

-Levi was disowned by his own family, so he's happy he gets to experience the family dynamic again, but he’s also nervous, he really wants to make a good impression

-He’s the type to either take this super seriously and show up in a tuxedo with flowers and some homemade food for dinner or he pretends to be super chill

-Him? Nervous? Nooooo…maybe a little

-He’s surprisingly good with kids, he’s the type of guy to not know how to interact with kids but they still love him anyways

-He eventually gets used to them though, he’ll even start to join in on their little games once he feels he understands them well enough

-Hell totally let your younger siblings sit on his lap during dinner or while he’s talking to your parents, and he gives them piggy back rides if they’d like. He doesn’t mind much, he’s strong enough to carry them around and it’s one of the few ways he can bond with your siblings without it being totally awkward

-I can see him having tea parties with your younger siblings, imagine him in a big hat with a fluffy boa scarf around his neck sipping out a fake plastic teacup

-Your older siblings are a bit put off by him, not because he’s shady but because he responds to all their jokes and jabs completely seriously

-Your sibling: “I hope you take care of Y/N, it would be a shame if you hurt them and suddenly went missing one day.”

-Levi: “Of course I’ll take care of Y/N, I would never hurt them. But why would I go missing?”

-They know he’s a good guy though, he may be too serious sometimes, but he looks at you with stars in his eyes, it’s obvious to everyone in your family how much he loves you

-You’re parents love him, they see him as a respectable, quiet young man who they can have a intelligent conversation with. They hope he visits more often

-And he does! He loves your family, they’re practically his actual family at this point. He can’t wait until they legally become his in-laws!

-Levi’s the perfect gentleman to your whole family, 10/10 would introduce again

-Ace is…reluctant to meet your family, not that he’d ever let you know that (he’s not very slick though, you can tell)

-Ace is a very insecure and anxious guy, he knows what people think of him and he’s been riddled with anxiety about your parents thinking the same once they meet him. Will they hate him? Will they think he’s rude? What if they refuse to let the two of you continue dating?

-As I said earlier though, he pretends nothings wrong, in fact he acts overly confident about the whole thing

-“Don’t worry babe, you’re parents will love me, who wouldn’t? Hahahaha…”

-He’s sweating bullets once you actually get there, he promised to behave but Ace is an impulsive guy, he’s very worried he’ll blurt something out by accident

-He’s very startled by your younger siblings, he has no idea how to interact with them and he’s a little bit freaked out by them suddenly jumping on him the second he walked in the door (he definitely screamed)

-He does try to be nice, but it’s very awkward, and not in the Levi sort of way

-He’s very intimidated by your older siblings, he tries to play it cool with them but the slightest bit of hostility or pressure from them gets him defensive

-He’s pretty respectful with your parents though, he responds to there questions as politely as he’s capable of, although he does stutter a lot when speaking to them

-After dinner he’ll awkwardly offer to help your family with the clean up, he doesn’t talk unless spoken to first, he’s still way too nervous

-It’ll take him awhile to loosen up around your family, give him a few more visits and he’ll eventually get there

-Oh he’s so hyped to meet your family, you have no idea

-This man is one of the few drdt boys who’s not all that nervous to meet your family, sure he wants to make a good impression but he believes that if your truly meant to be it’ll work itself out eventually

-He’s all smiles the second he gets to the house, your entire family falls in love with him almost immediately

-The younger kids adore him, Whit’s super good with children so he has no problem engaging with them! He’ll give them piggyback rides (if they’re small enough, he’s not all that strong) and he’ll gladly participate in any games they come up with (he’s probably gonna come up with his own at some point)

-Your siblings are gonna beg for you to bring him back over after he leaves, he’s just so much fun!

-Your older siblings worry that he’s a player because of his talent and his laid back attitude, but it only takes a few minutes talking to him for them to realize that he really loves you

-His way of winning them over is to joke around with them, he’s got even the most stone faced of your siblings laughing by the end of the night

-Your parents adore him too, Whit loves to joke around but at the end of the day he’s still a respectful guy, especially to your parents

-Whit will loudly announce how much he loves you several times throughout the gathering, it’s really cute to everyone because he says it so casually but so full of affection

-He doesn’t even ask if your parents need help with the cleanup, he just starts cleaning immediately after everyone’s done

-He comes over a lot more after that, your family loves him to death and he loves spending time with them and you so it’s a win win for everyone!

-Does David want to meet your family? No, not particularly. Will he because he loves you? Yes, although begrudgingly. He’s of the same mind as Arturo, he loves you and you love him so why should he care what your family thinks of him?

-But if there’s one thing he’s good at, it’s pretending to have a positive attitude, so he’ll just do what he does for his job: put on a smile and fake it

-When you get there he’s all smiles, greeting your parents with a handshake and telling them it’s a pleasure to finally meet them

-He does his best to be polite with your younger siblings. He’ll play with them and talk with them, but if any of them start climbing onto him like he’s a jungle gym he’ll gently shake them off and ask them to refrain from climbing on him, he’s not strong enough to hold them up you know?

-Your older siblings probably know who he is, so they have a lot a questions about how you two started dating and what his intentions are. Despite how nice he may be on screen, some of your siblings may be skeptical that he’s really like that

-No matter how rude they may be or how many questions they ask him though, he still answers all their questions with a bright smile and polite words

-He acts humble whenever anyone mentions his achievements or his fame, shrugging it off with a awkward smile while rubbing his neck, he hates talking about his career but your parents just think he’s embarrassed by all the attention

-He’ll help prepare/ clean up dinner even if he isn’t asked to

-Once he leaves he’ll try his best to refrain from making negative comments about your family, but he may let a snide comment about your older siblings slip

-It’ll take him awhile to get used to your family, but he begrudgingly becomes attached to them the more he visits

-Charles takes this very seriously, probably the most seriously out of any of the other boys (not that they don’t think it’s serious, Charles is just a serious dude)

-He understands and appreciates the bond you have with your family, so he wants to make sure he doesn’t mess up your relationship by making a bad impression on them

-He’d show up to the dinner all dressed up, hands shaking as he says hello to your parents and gets invited in, he’s trying so hard to be polite but his voice is shaking and he’s visibly sweating so everyone can tell how nervous he is

-Charles does try to engage with the children present, but he’s very awkward and has no idea how to have a conversation with someone considerably younger than him

-He gets along decently well with your siblings, even when they make snide comments at him he refrains from resorting to his natural rude attitude, although he may act slightly colder towards those specific siblings if they do it enough

-During dinner he tries to keep conversation going by asking your parents about there jobs, what you were like when you were young, stuff like that. It comes across kinda uncomfortable sometimes but he’s trying

-Like some of the others, he helps out afterwords with cleanup without being asked, and then he thanks your parents for dinner before leaving

-It may have been nerve racking for him but your family loves him in all his awkward glory. He’s just glad he didn’t fuck anything up

I’m backkkkkk

[presidentbungus]

in a similar vein to my last post i very much think demo’d be so good with kids. i don’t know if he’d be a good dad necessarily with all that emotional baggage and undoubtedly enough generational trauma to permanently ruin a toddler within seconds but he’d be a great uncle, godfather, weird neighbor, etc.

consider with me here. uncle tavish with the eyepatch and the peg-leg. he looks scary but he tells great stories about wizards and wars and explosions and he leaves in all the gory bits. he’ll show you how to make a pretty good firework out of the cleaning stuff your mum’s got lying around the house as long as you won’t tell on him. he’ll help you pull pranks on your adult relatives and he’ll take the blame for them. he’ll let you sip on his beer and scrumpy if you swear up and down you’re grown-up enough and when you hiss and stick your tongue out at the alcohol he’ll tell you that means you’re probably more mature than him. he doesn’t seem that rich but he’ll buy you a dirtbike or a pony or a whole set of expensive action figures for your birthday and he won’t even act like it’s a big deal. there’s something so simply enjoyable to him about kids (kids that aren’t his), so kicking with wonder and fierce excitement about the world, and he does whatever he can to give them what he never got—the push to run around and discover and do what they want, and to spit and curse and play-swordfight in the backyard and everything else all the adults in his life never really let him do. really, under it all, at the end of the day he’s got the big dumb heart of an absolute bloody sap and he knows it, and it’s almost relieving to know he’s still got it after all these years. you know? it works out

[beheworthy]

Another article (TheMarySue) was saying how it'd be cheap if all the dead characters cameo. And this one (Looper) is saying Valhalla can't just show up. It needs to have a proper reason to feel authentic. Furthermore, no matter what you do in Thor 5, it CANNOT disturb the two things set up in Thor4 - the rando kid and the rando Hercules. They NEED to be the crux of Thor 5 and everything else should be after that BECAUSE that's what is set up in Thor4.

I have a bone to pick real quick.

First off, how is Thor getting to reunite w the loved ones who were UNECESSARILY k-lled off - possibly the cost being him dying himself - be cheap? I think it'd be emotional.

Second, and more importantly, what is this need of media to rEsPeCt Waititi's trash film that got criticized into oblivion. No one gives a crap about that film and those 2 things it set up. Marvel has no obligation to follow through with them. In fact, they were the ones that got the most criticism in terms of Thor's future. Why on Midgard would Marvel want to continue with them? The new filmmaker has every right to add and remove things as they see fit for THEIR story.

Because that's what Waititi did to Thor1 and 2. Thor1 and 2 were nowhere near as badly received as his Thor4 and yet the setups in Thor2 (Thor choosing Midgard, Loki posing as Odin, Odin being missing) for Thor3 were thrown out the window as disrespectfully as possible.

And at that time, these same media publications rejoiced that humiliation of prev films and hailed Waititi as a visionary for doing that. But now, a mere rumor that Valhalla might play a role has them clutching their pearls that that would sideline their precious Waititi's brilliant work of drilling Thor into the ground.

I don't think any new filmmaker will be as callous and capricious as Waititi was to Sir Branagh's Thor. They will deal with these two unwanted setups respectfully, even if erasing them. But I do wish they just throw them out the window without a mention the way Russos threw out Thor's eyepatch and Korg Valkyrie in Avengers3.

[scummy-writes]

Todays thought: themes of self harm and gilbert route spoilers, eye stuff

I dont remember a lot of eyepatch specifics (exactly when he started wearing it) but its clear that when he went to Rhodolite as a kid, he wasn't wearing it.

So i imagine he didnt start wearing it until after his mother and albert were killed.

The scene in my head is a young Gilbert looking in a mirror, either he caught view of himself after crying, or maybe he was doing night/morning routine stuff. But regardless, he catches sight of his reflection, of his blue eye, and something in him that has been building up snaps. The blue eye reminds him of his heartless grandpa(?) who saw the heads of his mother and albert, and tsked it away. Who said nothing of comfort, only degraded those gilbert loved.

And gilbert reaches up to his blue eye, how vibrant it is, and realizes that he can't see it any other way now. That its a connection to the klosses, how they looked down on his family. And he hits his reflection. Again, and again, until that doesn't feel good enough. So then he starts scratching at his eye.

He can't do it when open, so he's there curling in on himself, sobbing as he tries to scratch it away. He gets a few decent cuts on his eyelid/eye area before he has to stop, because he can't manage it any more.

Walter is the only one that sees it, and only because after that, Gilbert refuses to leave his room for a while. Walter gets worried and goes to check on him, and Gilbert refuses to look at him, until Walter makes him. He ignores the vitriol and how Gilbert tries to retaliate, but its very easy for Walter to piece together what happened.

Walter ends up cleaning it up while Gilbert pouts. Neither of them address it, but Walter sets him up with a temporary eyepatch.

To avoid it happening again, Walter gets one thats more suitable for longwear, giving it to Gilbert wordlessly. I think from there, Gilbert would fashion his own and begin wearing it, especially whenever roderic comes into play.

[mermaidsirennikita]

Hi! I've been following your blog for a couple years since loving DiW and really enjoy your recs so I was wondering do you know any historical romances where the male lead has personality similar to Erik/the phantom from poto or is disfigured / wears a mask etc? Thank you!

Thank you so much, first off!

BOY. DO. I.

So the first one I'm going to recommend is not a strict historical romance... Like it is, and it isn't, but I'm going to strongly recommend you check it out because the entire series is amazing and if you're a POTO fan I think you may be able to get behind some BATTINESS.

It's Firelight by Kristen Callihan, the first in her fabulous Darkest London series. Which is absolutely set in the Victorian London we know and love... just with like. Supernatural creatures running around. The average people don't know about it, it really isn't Steampunk despite what people will tell you. It is a historical romance series. But with magic. It reads VERY similar to the 1999 Mummy, tonally speaking.

So, why I'm recommending it: Our heroine, Miranda, secretly has these fire powers. She's accidentally burned shit down in the past, her dad SUUUCKS and has had her pick pockets for him before, etc. But basically, hard times are hitting, and I think her dad owes the hero something... and the hero is like cool you can square up by giving me YOUR DAUGHTERRRR. But the hero, Archer, wears like, a full mask. Like a porcelain mask. And won't let her see his face at all. And is OBSESSED with her.

Features one of my favorite moments in a long time, where he gets stabbed in one of his mysterious evening excursions (TM) and refuses to let her help him medically, so she basically just follows him as he manfully bleeds out in their palatial estate until he's about to lose consciousness and is like "FINE MIRANDA YOU CAN HELP".

Ummm my favorite Grace Callaway book, Pippa and The Prince of Secrets, is a fun option. Pippa is a widow, and Cull is the guy who gave her her first kiss before they were separated. He now runs a band of CHILD THIEVES!!! and wears a mask because half of his face has been horribly scarred. The scene where he first lets her view his face without the mask is SO. EMOTIONAL. I got choked up.

Also they use a sex swing at one point. Cull FUCKS. But he also skulks and yearns.

She Tempts the Duke by Lorraine Heath has a hero who's scarred on one side of his face is very angsty about it (he doesn't wear a mask, but he does wear an eyepatch). The heroine knew him as a kid, they were falling in love (in a childish way) and he had to run away with his brothers because their uncle was trying to kill them. He comes back years later, scarred and self-loathing and very much a brooder, and she's about to get engaged to another man. Cue the angst!

The Taming of a Highlander by Elisa Braden. In this one, the hero was wrongfully detained for something he didn't do, and was very brutally treated and scarred on one half of his face as a result. (Another "no to mask, yes to eyepatch" book.) The heroine is this very sweet girl and ends up having to marry him in order to avoid testifying against him. It's very much a "he hates himself, she helps him heal" book and it's soooo good. Especially if you like a "it'll never fit" moment. Which.

To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt has a hero who's scarred, and again, eyepatch--and he's been hiding up in his big Scottish lair/castle, when the heroine comes to act as his housekeeper with her two kids in tow. What he doesn't know is that she's on the run from her kids' father, as she was his mistress and he was horrible. The hero does a lot of "I'M A MONSTER" stuff but he also bends her over his desk and fucks her soooo.

To a lesser extent, Hoyt's The Raven Prince may also give you this vibe. The hero is scarred, but this time from smallpox--he's still very dramatic about it. (In many ways, this book is Jane Eyre but with fucking and without a kid.) The heroine is his secretary, and they get into this tension-filled situation.

[sparrow-writes-draws]

Toy Story Human Au

Idea that I’m probably not gonna write but a human toy story (I recently watched it and this has been rotting away in my brain).

Names and Ages

Woody Round 34

Jessie Round 28

Andy and Molly Round 8 & 2

Brady “Buzz” Lightyear 30

Henry “Mr. Potato” Spud 42

Rex Plastic 20

Bonnie “Bo” Peep 31

Jim “Slinky” Dog 39

John Hahnm 43

“Sarg. (No one knows his real name except Woody and wants to keep it that way) 48

Setup

Woody and Jessie are siblings raising Woody’s adopted kids, Andy and Molly(the only kids in town). They run a ranch called the “Roundup Ranch.” Woody’s prone to stress but is the unofficial leader of their small community with Jessie and Bo as his second. Slinky is often there to give him advice though, as the town’s only bartender. Jessie is even worse than her brother when it comes to anxiety but Bo helps her keep a level head. She likes Buzz and hopes to be his friend but his boisterous attitude in the beginning is a bit off putting. 

Andy and Molly are orphans. Their mother died in a car accident years ago leaving them to the care of her childhood friend, Woody. They’ve been living with them ever since Molly was an infant and Andy was six. As the only children, they’re doted on by everyone in town and are a bit spoiled, but no one really minds. Andy insists on giving everyone nicknames and Molly follows along with a laugh.

Rex Plastic is the local gentle giant. He’s a little slow but he knows his strength and is so gentle with the children. He works on the ranch as a farmhand for a bed and meal.

Brady “Buzz” Lightyear is an astronaut who crash landed in their wild west esque town. Woody doesn’t trust him but his kids and sister like him so that’s something. He’s currently stranded there and thinks everyone is insane because even though it’s the modern age they still like to live in the wild west. He’s working to get back to his space program but is slowly getting attached to the small town.

Henry Spud runs the local bank with his business partner and friend John Hahnm. He’s called “Mr. Potato” by the kids, something that everyone starts doing. He’s missing one eye that he constantly replaces with a set of wild and fun false eyes to entertain the kids, before he only wore an eyepatch. Even though his soft on the children, to everyone else he's ornery and short tempered.

John Hahnm runs the local bank with Mr. Potato head. He’s a sarcastic old man but his wisecrack remarks are fun to be around. (Mr. Ham! No kids, it's Hahnm, say it with me, Hahnm. Ham!)

Bonnie Peep, called “Ms. Bo Peep,” tends to the local sheep and cattle(the irony is not lost on her). She’s dating Jessie and is one of Woody’s closest friends and confidants. 

Jim “Slinky” Dog, his nickname surprisingly didn’t come from the kids, but Mr. Potato and Hahnm instead(Never play cards with that tricky bastard). He tends to the only bar in town as the only worker and owner. No one’s really sure where he came from, he just showed up one day with a fully stocked bar and an open ear. Even though he has a mysterious demeanor, Woody trusts him and that's enough for everyone else.

Sarg. He’s just as mysterious as Slinky but for much sadder reasons. Everyone can tell he’s a vet but his demeanor towards that part of his life is so negative and usually results in either violence or sobbing that everyone has steered away from it. Everyone except for Woody, he was the only one Sarg confided in when he first moved and that’s remained the same. When asked, Woody simply insists they leave him alone. For some reason though, he likes being called Sarg, it brings pride to him.

[thenovelartist]

The Mystery Man - Ikemen Prince fanfiction

Blame @atelieredux for this story idea that somehow, despite me not being the biggest Gilbert fan, hooked me and refused to let go until I did something for it. Maybe I'm a sucker for single parent AUs and the opportunity of a kid finding their second "parent". (Eyes "Second Chances".) Yeah, definitely...

“My son wants one thing for his birthday. One!”

“And it’s the one thing you can’t get him?” her co-worker deadpanned.

“Yes!” Emma shouted, flinging her arms about. “He wants tickets to go see a filming of his favorite tv show ‘The Mystery Man’, and they’re sold out everywhere.”

“Ohhhh, yeah. I forgot your son likes that creepy show.”

Emma rolled her eyes, then took a step forward when she noticed that the food line she was standing in had moved up. “It’s… not your average children’s show, sure, I’ll give you that. But quality-wise, it’s fantastic in comparison. I’m not opposed to sitting down and watching this with him compared to some children’s programming.”

“It’s creepy.”

“It’s not.”

“The main guy looks every bit the James Bond villain, dressing in black with an eyepatch. My children run screaming from the room every time.”

“Your loss.”

This time, it was her coworker’s turn to roll her eyes.

“Next!”

Emma marched up to the food truck to place her order. It wasn’t common to see them out and about, but one happened to be at the park by the office building today, so she thought “why not?” After placing her order, she stepped off to the side to wait for her food.

“Watch it, kid!”

Turning around, she watched as some middle-aged man began chewing out some kids who looked to be in elementary school, maybe middle school. Their apologies could be heard loud and clear, but the man just wasn’t having it, his voice growing louder and louder by the second.

Even before she had her son, Emma knew she frequently stuck her nose into other people’s business, but this time, her mama bear instincts were just too strong to ignore the situation. Before she could think, she found herself storming over.

“Something the matter, sir?” she asked, putting on her best customer service smile as she placed herself in between the man and the two kids who looked to be on the verge of tears about now.

Just as he opened his mouth, the smell of alcohol hit her, and warning bells went off in the back of her mind. Someone was having it rough if they were drinking mid-day, but that also meant he was in a volatile state where the smallest thing could set him off.

“Stay out of it!”

Suddenly, he swung a hand out at her, one that she dodged only because of how unsteady he was. But that was a good excuse as any to make a swing of her own.

Her fist collided with his jaw, and the man stumbled back into the park fountain.

“Go go go,” she hissed at the kids, shooing them away from the situation.

Not needing to be told twice, the two kids took off at breakneck speed, sneakers slapping loud against the pavement as they disappeared.

“You bitch!”

The man tried to climb out of the fountain, but out of nowhere, a cane tapping against his chest sent the unsteady man straight back in with a splash.

“Now, now, that’s not very polite,” a smooth voice spoke. “You swung out at the lady first, and you have the audacity to say she’s in the wrong?”

With a growl, the drunkard tried to stand up again, but with a tap of the cane, her savior sent the man right back into the fountain.

“Forgive me.” Her savior soon turned towards her, allowing Emma to take in his fierce gaze that was only made more intimidating by his eyepatch. “Are you alright, my lady?”

It took Emma a moment to figure out who this man was, but it was unmistakable. After all, this was her son’s “hero”, Gilbert von Obsidian. “Yes,” she answered, rubbing the lingering sting away from her knuckles. “I’m fine.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Lifting his cane again, he tapped the end against the drunkard’s chest, preventing him from leaving the fountain once again as he collapsed with a splash. “That was quite a swing you’ve got on you. Color me impressed.”

Honestly, she wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that. “Uh, thank you?”

He chuckled. “Well, your son surely must be thrilled to have such a fierce mother. I have to wonder if he’s as spicy as you. But that said—” With his cane, he tapped the cussing drunkard’s shoulder, preventing him from so much as getting to his knees now. “—you best be careful. Your sense of duty is admirable, but don’t you think it wise to keep your sense of justice under wraps for your son’s sake? What would he do if his precious mother ended up hurt because she was too selfless for her own good?”

Emma’s brow furrowed. How did he know she had a son? Was he listening to her conversation just now while waiting in line for the truck? She’d sworn she hadn’t seen him, but maybe she wasn’t paying close enough attention.

“Don’t give me that look,” he said, giving her a smile that seemed friendly and calculating all at once. “I am ‘The Mystery Man’, after all. Maybe you should listen to your friend and treat me like the James Bond villain I am.”

With that, he once again tapped the drunkard’s shoulder, keeping him in the fountain and away from Emma. “Now, I’ll bet they’re about to call your name any second now. And entertaining this fool isn’t worth letting your food get cold.”

Words seemed unforthcoming, but she had enough good sense to show her appreciation to this… strange man. “Thank you. For your help.”

His smile seemed to cause his lone red eye to glow. “You’re quite welcome. It’s been a pleasure, Ms. Emma.”

“Order for Emma!”

At the shout, she whipped her head around towards the food truck, where her name had just been called. He really had heard everything, hadn’t he?

Though unsettled, Emma turned back to Gilbert. “Excuse me.”

And she scurried off, his gentle chuckle hitting her ears as she went.

Maybe her friend was right about the creepy thing.

* * *

“Emmaaaaa!”

With a chuckle, Emma turned towards Rio, the front deskman at the book publishing firm she was an editor at. “Hey, Rio. Have you been lonely?” she teased.

“You didn’t tell me you were seeing anyone!”

Her brows furrowed as she tilted her head. “Huh?”

“Huh?”

The duo blinked at each other for a second before Emma shook her head. “I’m not seeing anyone, Rio. What makes you say that?”

“But then…” Scowl on his face, he glanced towards the door before turning a concerned look back to her. “The guy who left this said you were his sweetheart of justice?” Fishing in a drawer, he pulled out a letter, one with her name written in an elegant script.

Curiously, she took it, flipping it over to reveal a wax seal with a tiger on it. One that looked a little familiar.

Wait…

“Did this man have an eyepatch and cane?”

“So you do know him?”

Dread welled up in her gut. This was the same wax seal Gilbert used on his tv show. How did he know where she worked? Was he stalking her? It had only been two days since they happened to cross paths, so how had he discovered so much about her so quickly? “Er… something like that.”

Rio’s eyes narrowed. “Hey, Emma, you know I’m always here for you, right?”

It was impossible to keep the sweet smile off her lips. “I know, Rio. You’ve been too kind to me.”

“You saved my life and got me this job. My thanks will never be enough,” he finished with a wink.

“You got this job on your own merits,” Emma countered.

“The other point still stands.”

Knowing this spiral wouldn’t stop, she simply shook her head. “Okay, okay. There’s no point in arguing with you, anyway.”

With a bright smile, Rio sat tall in his chair, chest puffed with pride. “So, if you need me to walk you home and clarify that you’re not available because you already have a man in your life, then I can do that, too.”

Playfully, she rolled her eyes. “It’s not fair to lie to them, is it?”

Rio sighed. “You’re too nice for your own good. Look, it’s not lying when you have little Cedric. But if they happen to mistake me for that ‘special man in your life’, then I’m not going to correct them.”

With an amused grin, she shook her head. Her son Cedric really was the only man in her life; after a sad parting with his father, he was all that remained. And she was determined to focus on being the best mother she could to him.

Looking down at the letter burning her hands, her curiosity was unable to be stopped any longer. If this was going to be a problem, she really should let Rio know, if only so he didn’t fuss over her for the next three months. So, if only to put his mind at ease, she popped open the seal of the envelope, taking out the letter only for two slips of paper to fall out and land on the front desk. Upon picking them up…

She froze. No way.

In her hand were two VIP passes to “The Mystery Man” show she had been so desperate to get her hands on.

“Wait, weren’t you looking all over for those?” Rio cried upon seeing what they were.

Numbly, Emma handed the two tickets over to Rio to examine as her gaze fell upon the neat script of the letter.

Ms. Emma,

I hope this letter finds you well. However, I’ll wager you don’t care much for small talk, so there’s no point in wasting your time. Instead, I’ll simply say you’re welcome for the tickets. I’m sure your son will have a happy birthday knowing his mother obtained his wish. Truly, what a sweet and doting mother you are.

As to how these tickets find themselves in your possession, it’s simple process of elimination, really. Your bag had a company logo on it. I had been in the park before you and watched you walk from the direction of the office buildings rather than from the parking garage, so with that, I made a simple deduction.

Lastly, I’ll insist you accept them, not that you can return them anyway as I’m not there to take them back. Furthermore, it would be a tragedy to simply throw them away. After all, your son wants these most of all gifts, correct?

I look forward to seeing you again and to meeting your son. If he’s anything like his spitfire of a mother, I’m sure it will be a joy to make his acquaintance.

Gilbert von Obsidian

Lips pursed, she squeezed the letter. That cocky sonova—

“Emma?”

Breaking out of her trance, Emma turned towards Rio. “Huh?”

“I said you were lucky to score those. But who was that guy who gave them to you?”

She opened her mouth, trying to find the answer as she took the two tickets back from Rio.

“A James Bond villain.” With that, she put the letter and tickets back in the envelope.

Well… villain or no, her son would surely be happy. And it’s not like anything could go wrong at a professional show, right?

Right?

* * *

Cedric was, to use his own words, super-duper excited.

Emma did her best to take as many pictures as she could of this event, capturing the unabashed joy on her son’s face.

Then came time where they could go backstage and have a meet-and-greet with the cast.

Cedric could have exploded with excitement, but Emma was filled with a certain amount of dread facing… well, her son’s hero.

And that dread doubled when Emma realized she’d caught said hero’s eye toe moment they stepped backstage.

She took a breath as they stood in line to do the meet-and-greet. They’d somehow ended up being the last in line, much to her son’s disappointment. But she was able to keep him busy by playing “I spy,” and considering they were backstage with a plethora of props around, there were plenty of things to spy.

When it was finally their turn, Cerdic was fidgeting with excitement that couldn’t be contained. Particularly when Gilbert gave him a smile and extended his hand. “Well, well, how wonderful to meet you.”

Cedric bounced up to Gilbert with all the energy of an active four-year-old. “Hi! You’re my hero!”

Gilbert chuckled. “Your hero, huh? You know who is a hero, too?”

His eye widened. “Who?”

“Your mom.” Gilbert glanced up at Emma, giving her a smile that made her a little uncomfortable, if she were honest. Though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly why. “I got to meet her once, and I must say, she’s very brave. You must be very proud of her.”

Cedric looked back to Emma, his eyes glowing with love and admiration. “She’s the best.”

Gilbert chuckled, a soft, gentle chuckle that didn’t appear to have any other meaning behind it than true mirth. “I’m very glad to hear it. Tell me, what’s your name?”

“Cedric!”

“That’s a very cool name.”

And just like that, they chatted for a bit. And then a bit more. That’s when Emma started to realize that Gilbert hadn’t done this for any other child, only hers. Which made her slightly suspicious. Emma got the impression that there was much more to Gilbert von Obsidian than what met the eye. He produced and starred in a children’s show, and clearly, he enjoyed being around the children that had VIP passes to meet him. But why did she get the impression that there was something… strange underneath that, oddly, didn’t frighten her. And why was she not concerned that her son was right there, chatting with this man. Idolizing him, even. And yet, she felt secure enough with that.

She best keep her guard up.

“Emma, you should come in for this picture, too.”

Gilbert’s words brought her fully back to reality. “Oh, sure.”

After the photographer took their picture, Gilbert knelt down to Cedric’s level. “It was nice meeting you. It would be cool if we could meet again.”

Cedric looked up at his mom. “Yeah! Can I?”

That dread was back as Gilbert looked over to her. “I can organize it quite easily.”

“No,” she quickly insisted. “I can’t accept your generosity any more than I have.”

“It’s no trouble.”

“No, really. I thank you for the tickets tonight, but I cannot accept any more.”

He hummed, his red eye sparkling mischievously. “Well, that’s a shame. I wonder if I’ll have to simply… forget an invitation at your work again.”

Emma fixed him with the best glare she could while still smiling.

“Oh, no,” he purred. “That’s a scary look.”

And yet, Gilbert seemed to be more amused than intimidated.

“Then, I’ll concede,” he acquiesced. “For now. Cedric, it was wonderful meeting you, but I believe it’s time for you and your mom to go back home for the night.”

“Awww.”

Yet, Cedric said his good byes and got in one hug before Emma guided him out of the studio.

“Did we have fun today?” she asked as they marched back to their car.

“Yeah! It was so cool!”

“I’m very glad.”

And as much as she was loathe to admit, she was very thankful to a very odd eyepatch villain for being the hero of her son’s day.

[brendathedoodler]

Could you tell me more about Time in your adventure swap au? Who kidnapped his big sister? And what about his eyepatch?

Aughh I have so many questions-

I’m happy to answer your questions!

First, who kidnapped Saria? The answer is the Helmaroc King, just like how he kidnapped Aryll in canon.

Saria got snatched because the Helmaroc King was assigned to catch young girls with pointy ears in the search for Princess Zelda.

The issue is that he and Ganondorf are going about this in the entirely wrong way because this reincarnation of Zelda is not, in fact, a woman. By the time Saria is kidnapped and Time set off to rescue her, Sheik would’ve been out for over a year. The only reason they got involved in this situation at all is because Time kept sneaking onboard their ship and would not leave them the hell alone until they agreed to help him.

They threw him overboard at least twice and he just kept coming back. Stubborn little shit.

As for why Time wears an eyepatch, the simple answer is because he thinks it’s cool. As a kid, his brother Mido told him that eyepatches were very cool, and Time started wearing one just to be cool. Then Saria started making him special embroidered eyepatches, which he adored, so he kept wearing them. Back then he’d often switch which eye it was on but generally kept it on his right eye.

When he did eventually lose his eye, he was already used to wearing an eyepatch daily. How’d he lose it? He got pecked in the eye by a cucco.

It happened several years after his adventures. Every time someone asks how he lost his eye he gives a different story, as do all of his siblings. Sometimes he tells the truth but last time someone asked he answered “the moon stole it” so obviously nobody takes it seriously.

[sentrysapper]

Majima doesn't go on trains often. They bore him and make him unreasonably sleepy, so he relies on taxis should they be available, or he just goes on foot if it's manageable.

If he does have to go on trains, which he usually avoids, he brings along Nishida- His trusted lieutenant, because he knows having somebody he knows with him will put him on high alert, thus causing him to stay awake.

It does not seem to work this time, as he starts struggling to keep his eye open, and the noise of the large vehicle is starting to put him to sleep. Nishida, ever the angel, says nothing of it. He continues to scribble away at a small stack of paper on his very worn out clipboard.

He really should get the kid a new one...

(He says that to himself often, and then never does.)

He gives up trying to stay awake when he finds what whatever his head has decided to droop onto is rather comfortable, and promptly drifts off to sleep.

Nishida believes he must be going insane when he feels Goro Majima lay his head on his shoulder. He doesn't quite understand why in the world he's being so gentle when he's always hated touch, and then he hears the slight snores that escape his lips, and it starts to make sense.

He makes an effort not to move a muscle- If he woke up his Oyaji he'd never forgive himself and he was sure that Majima wouldn't forgive him either, so he minimizes his movements and tries to write a little quieter.

When Majima wakes up, their stop is only about half an hour away. He looks confused, but it quickly turns to a glare, and then it softens.

"Musta' fallen asleep." He says.

"I'm sorry if I woke you. I tried not to move... I- I didn't want to disturb you or anything." Nishida smiles, small and slightly nervous.

"Did I step out of bounds by not waking you up?"

"Naw- Naw, ya did fine." Majima lays his head back down, and Nishida is sure he's going insane this time. Or maybe he's with an impostor and this isn't actually Majima speaking to him.

He sucks in a breath through his teeth and glances over to him. He still has the eyepatch, his goatee, his jacket, the same tattoos-

Nishida swallows and glances back over to his clipboard. He doesn't want to be caught looking at him for too long.

Majima opens his mouth to speak again, "Yer a really good kid."

"I'm glad you think so, Sir." Nishida replies quickly, "You can go back to sleep if you want to. We get there in half an hour, I think."

Majima doesn't reply, but after ten minutes have passed and Nishida has set his clipboard into his backpack, the man has fallen asleep again.

Nishida says nothing of the smile on his patriarch's lips, or the warmth that fills his chest at the sight of it, instead he is gentle as he makes sure Majima doesn't fall forward, and he is silent as he waits for their stop.

(i swear I've written better stuff than this pleas trust m)

[sl-newsie]

Eyes And Ears: Kid Blink x Brooklyn girl *Mafia*

“Goodddeee!” A muffled voice calls from the surface.

I swim up from the river bottom and find Scab wait’n on the docks.

“Hey Scab, what’s happening?” I spit out some water and wipe the hair outta my face.

The freckled-faced spy squints in the bright sunlight. “Got a message from King. Says he’s gonna be having you escorted from now on.”

I groan. “Ugghh. Why? Colon knows I can take care-a myself! Why now do I gotta have a babysitter?!”

Scab shrugs. “Donno. All I know is I ain’t the one babysitting. You’ll find out when ya get back to the lodging house, so get out and dry off so I can have you back in time for dinner.”

My heart wants to keep swimming ‘til the sun sets, but my head tells me to do as Scab says in order to avoid Colon’s wrath. I hesitantly climb up the ladder and gather my boots ‘nd hat. Look’n out, my sharp eyes can just make out a new barge making its way towards the harbor.

Scab hands me a towel. “Ya know, you should wear someth’n more than just shorts ‘nd a tank top.”

I scoff and twist my blonde hair into a knot. “Why? All tha guys wear this when they swim, why can’t I?”

“You’s a goil, and it’s dangerous for a goil to be act’n so rash.”

“If you’s refer’n to the Queens gang that tried to jump me last week then save it. I got the rant from King a few days ago ‘bout how I should ‘be more modest,’ and ‘be more careful ‘cause-a my hear’n problem.’ Believe me, it was a long speech.” I grunt as I throw a stone out into the river. “I just wish he’d trust me more.”

“He does.” Scab walks up beside me. “‘S just he’s worried that your… condition might be untrustworthy.”

“How can he say that?” I gape. “How does he know what’s best for me? He ain’t my fadda, and he ain’t my brodda! Just ‘cause I work as his lookout don’t mean he can decide what’s right for me!”

Scab holds up his hand and makes a lowering motion. “Goldie, you’re shouting again.”

I scrunch my face into a scowl and harsh-whisper: “I don’t care! I might be half-deaf, but that don’t mean I’s helpless! My eyes can point out a black ant in a box-a coffee beans!”

“Never said you were,” Scab says calmly. “But sometimes you gotta accept that ya need help-”

“Excuse me?”

We both turn and see a guy hiding in the dark, half his face in the shadows. Scab immediately tenses up and gets ready to run, but I’s more of a fighter and prepare a wide stance.

“Who are you and why’re you in Brooklyn? You ain’t from here!” I bark.

The guy steps back a bit. “No need to yell, I’s just here to deliver a message personally to Spot Colon. Kelly sent me, name’s Kid Blink.” He steps out fully outta the dark to shake my hand, and I can now see that his left eye is covered by an eyepatch. That’s strange.

I give Kid Blink a suspicious glance, then partake in a sturdy handshake.

“You’s here for King?”

“That’s correct, miss.”

Gotta say, I applaud him for his manners. I look back at Scab, who’s look’n more like a timid deer.

“Go back and tell Colon he’s got a visitor.”

“Why can’t I just walk in-?” Blink asks.

“‘Cause I don’t want just any random ‘Hattan stranger waltzing into our territory. So just cool your jets and wait ‘til we get the all-clear from Colon, got it?” I put my hands on my hips.

Kid Blink frowns and gives an impatient sigh, but eventually nods. Scab gives me a questioning look, but still follows my directions and goes off to report to Spot.

Beside me, Blink quickly starts to get antsy. “So you’re Colon’s security?”

I huff. “No, just the lookout. Colon doesn’t think I can handle the big stuff, so he just has me perched up on some crates everyday look’n for anyth’n unusual.”

“I see. So what’s your name?”

“Goldie, but everybody calls me Goldfish.” I smile.

The eyepatch guy laughs. “What do they call you that?”

I roll my eyes. “‘Cause I’s the best swimmer in Brooklyn, and my hair’s golden. So when Colon foist called by Goldfish the name stuck.”

Kid Blink grins. “Neat name. Guess someday I might have ya teach me.”

I frown. “To swim? You don’t know how to swim?! That’s crazy!”

He shrugs and starts pacing. “When ya spend all your life in tha city there’s no reason to. You lucky Brooklyn guys get to swim all the time! Sometimes I wish I- wdvgntbrk-” His words blur out as he walks farther away, and I can already tell that my left ear’s giving me trouble. Uh-oh. Not again.

“What?” I hold my hand up to my ear and lean in closer.

Blink gets a confused look. “Ya still can’t hear me? Are ya deaf or someth’n?”

I avoid his gaze and busy myself by kicking a rock across the dock. “Um… Kinda. When I was 8 I was in a house fire. Just before I got out, an explosion knocked me down. When I woke up my ear was ring’n, and it’s never been the same.”

Blink’s face changes. “That’s why you’s always yelling. So… your folks…?” he asks hesitantly.

“Yeah. They’s dead.” I quickly wipe the dark memory from my head and continue to toss stones into the dark wadda. “But I’ve grown out of it. Brooklyn’s all the family I need. Sorry ‘bout the rant ‘nd all, ‘s just that I don’t get to talk much. Ya know, be’n by myself most-a the day.”

Blink shakes his head. “I don’t mind. In all honesty I don’t get much chit-chat either ‘cause Kelly always has us guards stay quiet. Says it’s more ‘intimidating.’”

“If you’s security then why’re you here?”

Blink shrugs. “Boots, our messenger, got caught up in someth’n, so Kelly sent me instead.”

I nod. “What ‘bout you? You got folks?”

Blink leans against a crate and shakes his head. “Sort-a. My ma left my fadda when I was 6, and my fadda basically left me to fend for myself. Sometimes I see him work’n odd jobs here ‘nd there, but he don’t recognize me. By the way-” He looks over at me. “I know you’re wonder’n ‘bout the patch.”

A blush spreads over my face, but Blink just laughs.

“It’s alright. Lots-a people ask ‘bout it. Wanna see?” His face lights up.

My eyes widen. “Really? Ya don’t mind?”

He waves it off. “Nah. Why would I go around be’n called ‘Kid Blink’ if I didn’t want people ask’n ‘bout it? It’s a good way for business too, ‘cause it makes me look intimidat’n ‘nd all.”

He walks up and pulls back his eyepatch, reveal’n a long, dark scar scratched across his eyelid. “I still got my eye, but when I foist started out on my own a Bronx gang jumped me and tried to rob me. I tried to fight back, but they cut up my eye as a ‘warning.’ Few days later I met Jack, and he gave those Bronx fellas a soak’n they’d never forget. Now I act as Cowboy’s security to repay the favor, plus it’s a steady living.”

I sadly shake my head. “I know how ya feel. Last week Colon sent me on an errand, only for a Queens gang to try to rough me up. Thankfully Riff had been passing by and helped me out, but I was still shaken up. Now Colon won’t ever let me leave, and he owes a debt to Riff.” I continue to examine his scared eye and hold a hand up to it. “May I?”

He nods. “Go right ahead, doll.”

I rub my thumb along the scar, trying desperately to ignore how close our faces are. Blink’s good eye is a deep golden brown, and he never looks away as I analyze his scar.

“Looks painful.”

Blink gives me a soft smile. “Could’ve been worse. At least I have one good eye to see your pretty face.”

I blush and push the comment away. “There’s faces out there far prettier than mine, Blink. Ones that have ears that work.”

Kid Blink starts to argue, but then I see Scab ‘nd King walk’n up and I take my hand away from his eye. When the King of Brooklyn struts up, I give him a stiff nod and gesture to the guy behind me.

“Goldfish. What’s the scoop?”

“Name’s Kid Blink, says Kelly sent him to deliver a message.”

Colon frowns. “Where’s Boots?”

“Got caught up,” Blink informs him.

“Shame. Haven’t seen him in a while. So what’s the message, Blink?”

“Kelly wanted you to know that there’s an emergency meeting next Friday regarding the new gang in the West Side. Manhattan’s hosting, and both the Sharks and Jets will be attending, as well as a few from Queens.”

Both Colon and me exchange stern glances, remembering what those Queens nearly did to me.

“I got a bone to pick with Queens, but for Kelly’s sake I’ll play nice… for now. Tell him he can count on Brooklyn being there.”

Him and Blink shake hands, then Blink says: “One more thing, Colon. If I could ask one favor?”

Spot looks surprised. “What favor?”

Kid Blink looks over at me, then back at King. “If I could have the privilege to take Goldie out to Medda’s Joint for a night off. She says she don’t get much social time, and Medda’s is a good place for dinner.”

Huh?

I almost think I didn’t hear it right. This guy, outta nowhere, wants to spend time with me?

I shift uncomfortably. “Um, Blink? I’m in ragged pants, an oversized shoit, and half-soak’n wet. I ain’t in any condition to go anywhere.”

He shakes his head and looks me up and down. “You look beautiful. Trust me, some-a the strangers in ‘Hattan dress in literal rags. Your attire is prime material compared to some.”

But now Spot butts in. “And just what makes you think that I’ll let Goldfish go to ‘Hattan with you? You literally just met her!”

“Sir,” Blink has a sincere look on his face and looks Colon dead-on in the face. “Goldie is one-a the most unique goils I’ve ever met. She deserves more than just be’n kept here only ‘cause she has a hear’n problem. Please, just let her leave Brooklyn for once in her life.”

In my head I think: It’s what I’ve wanted all my life, maybe this time I really can live! Maybe this guy can talk some sense into him…?

Spot scratches his head. “Well… If Kelly trusts you enough to fill in for Boots, then I guess I can trust you too. But!” He grabs Blink’s shirt and pulls him in to whisper someth’n, and I can barely make it out: “...hear’n ain’t too good… been through a lot… kept safe… you’ll be sorry.”

I get the message, and I think Blink does too due to his shocked expression. It ain’t every day that Colon does death threats, but when he does it’s very entertaining.

Spot now comes up to me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Now be careful, Goldie. Ya know how much I worry ‘bout ya, and I don’t want anodda… accident. If this guy so much as touches you I’ll rip his odda eye out. Manhattan’s a safe place, but still keep your guard up. Your ear ain’t too good, but keep your eyes open. You’s the closest I got to a sister, so please be careful.”

I bring Spot in for a hug, which is very rare for the King of Brooklyn to give affection. “I will, Spot. I think I can trust him, and I’ve heard from Bucky that Medda’s is a nice place. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

After Colon walks away while dragging a protesting Scab with him, I turn back at Blink and give him a lopsided grin.

“Spot’s a stubborn jerk sometimes, but ya gotta luv him.”

Blink gives me an animated look. “Yeah, and fear him. So, you wanna get outta here?” He offers an arm, which I take gratefully.

“Very much so!”

The walk into Manhattan is much more enjoyable than Brooklyn. King always keeps a heavy thumb on crime to the point that even children are afraid to be outside. In Manhattan, kids are playing outside without a care in the world. The markets are full-a fresh-smelling baked goods, bright fruits, sweet-smelling flowers, and much more! The crowd’s start’n to clear out since it’s sunset, but there’s still lots-a people. But I keep Spot’s advice awake in my head and keep my eyes sharp for any danger.

Blink must sense my unease, ‘cause he comments: “Don’t worry. The only trouble for us has been Detective Weasel and Sergeant Snyder, and Denton’s kept us well-informed enough for us to be one step ahead.”

I keep look’n around. “But I thought the Delancy broddas-?”

“Don’t worry. They got re-stationed to the Upper East Side. Manhattan’s been a prime spot for months, which is why the market’s been so good- thsye…” His words are drowned out by the noisy crowd and I have to lean in to listen. When Blink sees my frustration he leads me down an alley that leads to a backroad. “Here, this leads to Medda’s and ain’t as loud.”

I let out an aggravated groan. “I’m sorry. I wish my stupid ear would work right!” We continue to walk down the path, and every once in a while I notice a few carts rush’n in and outta different alleyways.

Kid Blink chuckles. “Wish my eye would work right. One time I-”

“Look out!” I quickly yank Blink outta the way as a carriage speeds past, just missing us by a hair.

Blink’s shocked face looks at me with an open mouth while look’n back ‘nd forth from me to the cart that’s get’n further away. Then he pulls me in to wrap his arms around me in a tight hug.

“Jesus, you just saved my life, Goldie!”

Unsure what to make of this sudden form of affection, I hastily decide to hug him back. “No problem.”

“Gosh, this is embarrassing,” Blink shakes his head, still hugging me. “Normally I can see pretty well, but I never woulda seen that horse. I’s supposed to protect you, but you actually gotta protect me!”

Laugh’n out loud, I give him a raised look. “Let’s just make it to Medda’s alive, and then we can celebrate!”

Quickly, we both walk to Medda’s all the while giggling like a couple-a idiots. When we finally reach the esteemed pub, Blink opens the door like a gentleman and waves me in. Inside, the brightly-lit joint is buzz’n with noisy customers. I can hardly hear myself think, let alone what people’re saying! But thankfully Blink guides me to a booth in a corner, away from the noise. Soon a red-haired lady in a purple dress with a big feather hat rushes up and tugs Blink into a big hug.

“Blink! It’s been so long! How’ve you been? Has Jack kept you busy? Tell him he owes me a visit! Business has been so good thanks to you guys-!” She turns and notices me, and her eyes light up. “My goodness, Blink! Who is this beautiful young lady?”

A blush spreads across Blink’s face, but his shy smile is kinda cute. “Medda, this is Goldie. She’s from Brooklyn and don’t get out much, so I thought she’d like it here. Goldie,” He takes my hand. “This is Medda Larkson, owner of the place. She’s basically every ‘Hattan member’s adopted modda.”

“Indeed I am!” Medda grins and gestures to our booth. “Sit, sit! I’ll have George bring food! Goldie, I hope you have a wonderful evening and, if I might be so bold to say, enjoy every minute with this handsome man!” She gives Blink a wink. “He’s a real charmer!” With that she goes off to the kitchen, leaving both Blink ‘nd me in an awkward mess.

“Can you hear ok?” Blink asks across from me as we sit down.

I nod. “Think so.” Then I give him an evil grin. “Can you see ok?”

Blink rolls his eye. “Haha, very funny. I donno…” He pretends to cluelessly look around. “Might gotta have a cute goil save me again!” He dramatically put a hand on his head.

I stifle a laugh. “Gotta say, you ‘Hattan fellas are much more fun than our Brooklyn guys.”

He gives me a surprised look. “Really? Huh. So I guess you’d prefer them mature, stoned-faced Brooklyn boys than us rowdy ‘Hattans.”

I smile and go to hold Blink’s hand, which makes him jump a bit. “But you listen, Blink. You actually care whedda or not I care hear. All my life I’ve just been used as someone for people to rant to, and once I thought what's the point of me trying to talk when everyone just says hi and then goes away? But you care enough to make sure I can hear what you’ve got to say.”

At foist Kid Blink don’t say anyth’n, but then whispers someth’n I can’t make out.

I lean in to hear. “What?”

“Louis Balletti.”

“What?” I squint, wondering if I heard him right.

“Technically my name’s Louis Balletti. I haven’t gone by that in years, but… If you want to, you can call me Louis.”

I go to respond but then a chef comes out with a giant platter of food, followed by a pitcher of wadda and a vase of flowers. After look’n at all the food I nearly collapse.

“Jeez. This is too much! I’ve never seen this much food!” Blink gawkes.

“Louis,” I say, testing the name out. Blink’s eye widens and he looks up with a bewildered gaze.

“I like how you say it.”

“Thank you.” I take his hand again.

He frowns. “For what?”

I smile and look over at his sweet face. “For everything. For bringing me here, for trusting me with your name, for making a half-deaf Brooklyn goil feel special.”

Blink gets a mushy look on his face and leans in closer. “You’re welcome, Goldie. Kinda owed it to you anyway, see’n as you saved my life ‘nd all. And, if Spot doesn’t hate me after tonight, would you wanna go out again sometime?”

I answer by lean’n in to press a soft kiss to Blink’s cheek, which gets me an astounded look. “If Spot hates you after tonight, I quit.”

Blink brings a hand up to cup my face. “What if I be your ears, and you be my eyes?”

Now I use my hands to bring Blink’s face closer and kiss him full-on the lips, a deep and passionate kiss that makes every noise drown out. Blink slowly gets up to maneuver around to sit next to me, and we lean over to lay down on the cushion. Everyone around is too busy and drunk to notice, aside from Medda who gets a giddy look on her face. We lay there for what seems like eternity. Blink peppers kisses all over my face, while I take his eyepatch off and massage his head.

“If this is what luv feels like, I don’t want it to stop,” I whisper as the rowdy swarm of people muffles out all sound until I can only hear my throbbing heartbeat.