#Bad Shima is good Shima to me

[fionnalovesanimeboysandholo]

Wooooh I like the action and drama that is going. Shima is the traitor? Wow never expected that from a simp but I definitely like him more for some reason because I am down bad for this

[frobby]

one of my favorite senarios to imagine to put yukio in is sending him 10 years into the future (with the exwires usually) and everyone from their class are like chill adults including himself working their boring ass exorcist job and hes trying to assert dominance over them as the teacher™ but they're all like bro why so serious?

[shima-draws]

Been having a rough couple of days. Send me asks?

[cloudbends]

Skip and loafer chapter 51... Ouhhhahah :((

[metalandmagi]

Romance Anime Starter List

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m sick and tired of seeing “Top ___ Best Anime of All Time” lists that are nothing but shounen. So, with "My Happy Marriage" getting a little attention from the anime community, I wanted to put together a list of some romance anime that I consider good “starters” for the genre. Because if I were just now becoming an anime fan, I’d think all there was to offer was shounen action series.

And by “starters” I mean basic stuff that’s not too…out there, and actually involves the characters getting together instead of just harems or using romance as a side plot (sorry Ouran High School Host Club and My Next Life as a Villainess). 

So if you’re new to anime and want stuff that’s not just guys beating the shit out of each other (which is also fun, don’t get me wrong), here are some basics.

Taisho Maiden Fairy Tale- When the pessimistic Tamahiko Shima loses all function in his right arm, his family sends him away to live in the mountains with the cheerful, hard working Yuzuki Tachibana…who was purchased by the Shima family to pay off her family’s debts and basically act as a caretaker/future bride for Tamahiko so they’d never have to deal with him again. It’s a more cheerful version of My Happy Marriage (without the supernatural stuff), except in this one, the guy is the one who has massive self-esteem issues and an abusive family. There are still very serious themes, but ultimately it’s not meant to make you cry every episode. I swear it’s so good, but nobody watched it!

Horimiya- A slice of life in which pretty and popular high school queen bee Hori, finds out her quiet, unassuming classmate Miyamura is hiding piercings and tattoos that could get him expelled. The two gradually find out more about each other and get together in the most realistic way I’ve seen depicted in an anime. It’s also fucking hysterical and genuinely emotional.

Recovery of an MMO Junkie- Another slice of life that focuses on two adults who meet in an MMO game without realizing they also know each other in real life. I don’t want to say much more than that. It’s adorable, and the main character is so relatable it hurts.

Love with Yamada-kun at Level 999- Speaking of MMOs, this is a newer series about Akane Kinoshita, a college first year who’s reeling from a bad break up. In an attempt to get back at her ex, she winds up meeting Akito Yamada, a popular gamer who happens to be in her guild in the MMO they both play at an IRL meetup. The two go from acquaintances to something more as they keep running into each other. Even more relatable main characters and just wholesome relationships all around.

Snow White With The Red Hair- A fantasy in which an apothecary named Shirayuki (meaning, you guessed it, “snow white”) runs away from her home in order to escape becoming the concubine of her town’s prince. While fleeing, she is rescued by Zen, the prince of a neighboring country, and she ends up becoming an herbalist to repay him. It's super cute with some genuinely swoon worthy moments and a couple that just works so well together. I have a habit of comparing this to Akatsuki no Yona, even though the two aren’t really that alike. This is more romance driven while Akatsuki no Yona is more of a serious historical fantasy with romance elements (Yona manga is amazing, but the anime barely scratches the surface, so that’s why I didn’t include it).

Sasaki to Miyano- When the shy, easily flustered Miyano meets Sasaki, a cool “delinquent” upperclassmen, the two end up bonding over manga…specifically BL manga. That’s right, Miyano is a fudanshi, but due to his small stature and somewhat feminine appearance, he’s constantly trying to convince others that he’s not interested in having his own love story where he’d be reduced to a stereotypical doe-eyed uke. But as Sasaki and Miyano spend more time together, they realize that what they have is more than friendship, and they have to come to terms with their own perception of gay relationships. This is my favorite romance of all time. It’s a slow burn, but boy is it worth it. Their relationship is so natural and realistic, just like Horimiya. Just two people hanging out and bonding over things the way people do in real life!

Given: The story of some boys in a band with trauma. Enough said. It's great. Go watch it.

Bloom Into You- Yuu Koito is a high school girl who’s been waiting her whole life for her own perfect romance to start…but when she receives a confession, she realizes she doesn’t know how to respond when she’s just not into the guy. And then she gets another confession…this time from the cool student council president Touko Nanami, who basically jumpstarts her lesbian awakening. Very cute story about how we perceive the concept of love vs actually feeling it. Also has a canonically aro/ace side character, so that’s a win for me. Another show like this is Adachi to Shimamura (but I honestly don’t remember much about it. It just didn’t stick with me as much).

Ore Monogatari- Takeo Gouda is a tall, bulky high school first year with a sensitive heart of gold. He wants nothing more than to find his own true love, but most girls are intimidated by his enormous stature, and they end up falling for his conventionally attractive friend instead. That is, until he meets the tiny, adorable Rinko Yamato. He falls in love instantly, but he’s sure she’s interested in his best friend like everyone else, so he vows to help get them together, even though his heart is breaking. Peak himbo behavior. Pure of heart, dumb of ass.

Yuri on Ice- Yes it’s the gay figure skating anime everyone knows. And yes it’s a fucking romance, okay? I will die on this hill. The romance between Viktor and Yuri is just as important as the plot!

Kaguya-sama Love Is War- Two insanely smart high school students both have a crush on the other, but since they’re…you know…high schoolers, neither of them wants to admit it first. So they come up with increasingly convoluted plans to get the other to confess first. This will go down as one of the best of all time. It’s a hilarious yet poignant modern classic.

Fruits Basket- I’ve talked about it before and I’ll talk about it again. A romance “comedy” that slowly morphs into a drama about a girl named Tohru who finds herself living with the mysterious Sohma family after her mother dies. Little does she know, the Sohmas are the victims of a  (somewhat silly, but ultimately tragic) curse that she must fight to break. Even though I’m more into it for the family drama, the romance is still top tier and plays an important role in the story. This is my second favorite anime of all time, and it’s a classic for a reason. If anyone hasn’t watched it yet, GO WATCH IT! IT WILL RIP YOU TO SHREDS!

And now for some honorable mentions that didn't quite fit into the regular list:

Ride Your Wave- A movie about a surfer who falls in love with a firefighter……and I’m not going to say any more than that. Go into it blind. If you like stuff like Your Name, this is a good one to watch.

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun- A comedy about a high school girl who finds out the upperclassman she has a crush on is actually a shoujo manga artist, and no matter how she tries to confess to him, he just never gets it.

The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague- A slow burn slice of life that focuses on a guy with ice powers who has a crush on his coworker. That’s it. That’s the show. When I say slow, I mean SLOW. It’s perfectly cute and fluffy, but my god does it take forever to get anywhere with these two.

Skip to Loafer- A high strung, small town girl decides to go to high school in Tokyo, where she meets a variety of classmates, including the laid back Sousuke Shima. The unlikely pair become friends, and soon enough, she starts to feel something more than friendship. The only reason I didn’t include it in the main list is because they don’t get together by the end of the first season, but it’s still really cute (also canonically trans character for the win!?)

So that��s my starter list. And no, I didn’t include Toradora, even though it’s a classic. I know it’s blasphemous, but I like it more as a comedy than a romance. It kinda lost me with the ending. But anyway, maybe someone will find something they like. Or maybe you'll just want to roast me and my picks 😅

[hyunnie04]

puppy love

inspired by that one scene in skip and loafer where mitsumi pets shima's hair;; not my best but its cute jskfdh

kim seungmin x reader

genre: fluff, non-idol au

you have been staring at seungmin the entire day. not because of anything bad, it’s just that there's this one thing that has been bothering you lately. propping your fist against your chin, you let out a burdened sigh.

ever since he had dyed his hair this captivating caramel color at the start of senior year, which was only a few weeks ago, you can’t seem to get your eyes off him. 

the change was refreshing, like seeing him in a completely different light. it had suited him so well, the blondish gold complemented his features like it was supposed to be like that from the start.

whenever you would place your curious gaze on him, the gears in your mind start turning, unable to place your finger on what it reminded you of. it had definitely started to become sort of a routine for you.

you’re also pretty sure seungmin had figured out you have been burning holes at the back of his head during lectures or lunch. he would sometimes look back at you with a quirk of his lip and a questioning gaze, making you shift your focus to somewhere else, cheeks reddening like a child catching glimpses of their crush.

but now you are sure he looked like someone. but who? you’re trying to figure that out yourself.

you don’t know where this sudden fascination with his hair came from, was it because it made him look so handsome? or maybe the way it looked very cute whenever it flopped around when he moved? 

confused feelings for the caramel haired boy aside, you decide to let it go.

you were hanging out with the man himself and a bunch of other friends one afternoon and started scrolling through your phone. they wouldn’t mind, seeing as to how all of them were currently preoccupied with playing a board game.

“hey, you can’t just do that! you have to give me money!”

“i can do whatever i want!”

you subconsciously block the noise coming from your rowdy friends, very much used to the chaotic nature. your thumb landed on a really adorable picture of your sweet little puppy back at home, already missing him. a thought instantly strikes you.    

you look up from your phone. and then to seungmin. and then back to your phone. 

it’s the exact same?!

you’ve finally cracked it. he looked exactly like your family dog. comparing him to an actual dog sounded mean, but you meant this genuinely as a compliment, you absolutely adored your golden retriever puppy- haru, more than your own family. the longer you thought about it, it’s sweet demeanor and honey colored coat resembled kim seungmin right in front of you.

after thinking about this revelation, you kept it to yourself, out of context it could sound mean. the last thing you wanted was to offend someone when you meant it in an endearing way.

so upon walking home one day, hurried footsteps trailed behind yours, prompting you to turn to see who it was. it was seungmin himself, his hair flopping in the wind, resembling the cutest pair of puppy ears.

he finally stopped, panting heavily after chasing you for a good while now. he straightened up, opening his adorable mouth to say something to you.

you couldn’t help yourself, the thought of wanting to feel his soft looking hair.

“haru-” you cover your mouth as soon as the words left it, extremely mortified to have said it out loud.

“haru? who’s that?” seungmin teases your increasingly flustered state. “are you mistaking me for someone else?” it was too late, you have to explain now.

“no...its...my…family’s dog…” you blurted out, embarrassed of saying it in front of him. you had fully expected him to get mad but he doesn’t. instead, seungmin lets out a chuckle, his eyes crinkling in what seems to be delight.

“well, my hair is really soft.” he watches your face morph into confusion as he tucks his hands coyly into his pockets. he wasn’t mad?

 “do you want to touch? you've been staring at it all week.”

seungmin wasn’t known for being touchy with his friends or anyone for that matter so you can imagine the shock on your face when he leans down to your level, silently allowing you to do so.

placing a hesitant touch on his honey hued locks with one hand, you slowly bring your other to ruffle his head, really going at it and much like you would do to haru. a grin graces your features as his strands get messed up, absolutely elated that you now know what his hair feels like.

once you were done, he straightens up and pats his messy hair back in its place as best as he can. seungmin quietly wraps an arm around your shoulder, as if nothing happened.

“got it out of your system?” you nod gleefully.

“good, now i can ask you out for a date.”

[lordpheles]

Chapter 153: Backstories galore...

IBLIS

She gave us quite the monologue. She talks about her obsession with beauty, perfection and the fear of growing old. Sounds like Hachiro, no? She takes us back in time to a classical Mayan civilization with temples like Chichen Itza.

She uses seduction to kill men, uses humans. For kicks in her human body she eventually conceives a child. What I find interesting, she appears to love the boy. They have good times by the looks of the imagery. But when the child gets old she is forced to kill him. Ibis acts like it doesn't effect her at all, but I don't believe it. Demons blow off their emotions, but maybe she killed him out of empathy for his pain? We honestly don't know the details.

She said he killed him because he was weak but I think it's a lie. I think she's sided with Lucifer to end all humans because she never got over the hurt of loving a human son and losing him. This is her way of avoiding the deep emotional pain of bonding with creatures that do not have an eternal life.

We do know that Iblis also has a fixation on Egyn. The little boy demon the never grows old, that sounds like baggage to me. He's like a surrogate son. Demons fear growing old and being in pain. But they also fear loss, and the loneliness of an eternal life.

It also begs the question, did Iblis have the kid naturally? She doesn't look pregnant in any of the images. The mystery of demon child conception continues...

Demons and Liu are afraid of senior citizens.

Iblis hates Lucy because she's old and wise, she's terrified of people growing old and terrified of the old. Lucy rattles her.

Liu is also rattled by Lucy. We get a flashback of his life and Lucy has been holding the seat of power from his family. They said she stole all the power and magical secrets from their clan, but I doubt that. I bet this was like the Shima family when the demon Yamataka unexpectantly chose Shima....demons have unique preferences of whom they choose to be in a contract with.

When you see the way the Liu clan was run, it's training was based on draconian demon hatred. Sort of the same mentality as young Shiro had. He didn't collaborate with demons and instead sought to destroy every, single one. It's sad really. The only friend Shiro had, and the only reason why Shiro lived into adulthood was because of Mephisto's help. Shiro relied on a demon.

The strongest exorcists get their power and assistance from a collaboration with demons. True intelligence is finding not just violent ways to vanquish the enemy but to see how the enemy ticks. To see if violence isn't always the answer. Demons, like humans are shaped by their experiences and bad experiences warp their worldview. Demons are such powerful creatures that act out their angst. Unfortunately humans tend to be the victims of that retaliation.

When Lucy finally dies (again), she jokes that Liu is too scared to take her place. And he is highly offended by this. Ibis might be afraid of Lucy, but Liu doesn't want to be lumped in with demons.

But he is scared.

Lucy is right.

She also gives him a bit of parting advice.

Even demons have dreams.

They are not as different from humans as we think they are.

This is all the arc knights. Lightning and Lucy openly acknowledge the importance of understanding demons, Angel is still in denial, but it's the truth.

We all know from the manga that collaboration with demons seems to be a better option for a strong exorcist. The strongest exorcists do not see demon relationships as black and white, but more like situationships with a variety of subtexts.

Once Lucy dies, Liu doesn't believe anything she's said and charges into battle to destroy the torch. It looks like he was successful, but we will need to wait until the next chapter to find out. I bet there is a surprise waiting for him that he didn't consider.

[meandthegarden]

im so sad guys shima was surrounded by the wrong people for so long that he thinks every good thing about him is just a fake front that he needs to display around but deep inside hes just another horrible person who doesnt deserve all the love and hes never been given the chance to understand that kindness comes easy for him and the line between his 'acting' and real actions have long been blurred that not even him can tell. for shima, all the bad thoughts and selfish actions are the 'real him' and he cant run from who he is. now his journey of coming out of his shell and seeing the world is full of people who knows the good and the bad and chooses him anyway and until now he struggles to process that and its so special to me watching him figure out the little things and choosing to move forward despite the confusion and uncertainties because if theres one thing mitsumi has taught him, its that everyone can make a step, no matter how small

[kagomes]

todays chapter was soooo good as always but this was me the whole chapter and i don’t mean it in a bad way i mean in ‘there’s soooo much going on this chapter, like shimas feelings and thoughts and then he asking mitsumi “what did u like about me” but then not feeling satisfied with the answer because that’s his ‘facade’ and then me screaming at my screen nonono that’s not it, she genuinely feels like that about u and she really sees that in u!!!!! u r so important to her for these reasons and maybe she didn’t say in a way that u would understand how much u mean to her, but shima listen to me!!! and then he realizing that he didn’t feel ‘enough’ (is that the right word???) to be dating her and then his mind just full of so many thoughts and the way he thinks about himself and then he telling her to wait for him so he could be better,

[youuuimeanmee]

The dark cloud effect on these panels is kinda unsettling, it's like it's there to show Shima having dark thoughts and emotions; though, I don't neccesarily think it's a bad thing; everyone can have dark thoughts and that's normal.

I'm just intrigued to learn what Shima might be feeling right here.

"I want to perform this role better than anyone else. I want to show everyone that no one knows this role better than I do. I want to show everyone that deep inside I am broken and lonely like this monster. I want people to wonder how do I get so good at this role that they would wonder if I experience the same thing. I want people to know I am not the perfect Shima Sousuke they knew. I want to scare them a little. I want them to think twice about me. I want them to take a glimpse of the real me."

... or at least this is how I read Shima; the reason why he wants to perform this role better than anyone else. Maybe I'm overreaching.

I think he started to think like this after the summer vacation, after Mitsumi inspired and encourage him to be himself, just the way he is. He always tried to show his good side to everyone, but thanks to Mitsumi and this new role, he probably wanted to go a little... rough? Messy? (there's gotta be a better word for that, ugh). To throw people off a little. Maybe also to test Mitsumi's words, that people won't instantly dislike you just because you show a weakness or two; though, I don't think he realized it yet.

It's kinda like a self projection. Shima resonates with the monster's struggle, I think performing this role is his new-found way to express himself, to learn to lay himself bare; which is great!

So far, Kanechika is responding positively to his acting. I wonder if his peers feel uncomfortable because they couldn't keep up with Shima, but judging by the looks of it, it doesn't seem like the theater club is reacting negatively to Shima's great acting. I think, partly because of that, Shima is able to enjoy his time in the theater club.

Funny enough, in the next panel, we're shown with this.

I know Ujie's words is from a completely different topic and just happen to fit Shima's narrative timely, but 🤣😭

Not only it implies it's a bare minimun of wanting to do your best, it also implies it's the bare minimum of showing your real self to people. Which... stings? because not everyone can do that.

What do you think?

[justsomeoneintoomanyfandoms]

Please may I have a Blue exorcist scenario of when you (FEMALE reader *she is a highly skilled Paladin and Rin's childhood friend and everything and she is his girlfriend and the same age as Rin*) basically defended Rin when you made an excuse to talk to Bon alone in his home. You understood his pain considering how you lost your older sister in the blue night when you were a baby at the time but it caused a lot of pain for your family which was understandable considering that they lost a daughter. Your tone generally was serious when you remarked; "Only jerks judge books by their covers man.." Bon didn't appreciate that you called him a jerk when you said that..but you only proved your point when he basically grabbed you by the collar when he asked in a dangerous voice of what exactly you were implying. You told him that you thought that he was a good friend but obviously regarding how Rin had been treated recently..you thought wrong. You basically forced him to apologise to Rin the next day

Kinda angsty but not exactly..it's just the reader teaching someone a good lesson about not judging a book by its cover.

Hi! Thank you for your request! Sorry it took so long. I hope you like the scenario!

Fandom: Blue Exorcist

Character: Bon Suguro x gn! Reader (platonic, Reader is in a relationship with Rin)

Work Count: 1.1k (1,118 words)

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You've had enough of Bon badmouthing your boyfriend Rin so you decide to have some strong words with him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Well it’s not my fault I have to share a classroom with this lazy slob.”

“Oh yeah, well it’s not my fault I have to share a classroom with this perfect grade A student who always does well in exams.”

“Uh, Rin, that’s not really an insult…”

“And as if it’s not bad enough that I have to look at your ugly face all the time, you’re the son of Satan. Literally the spawn of the one creature I hate most in this world.”

The classroom fell silent. The longer it went on, the less anyone seemed to know how to break it. Finally your teacher, Rin’s older brother, Yukio, cleared his throat.

Your relationship with Yukio was strange. On one hand, he was your boyfriend’s brother, who loved him dearly but was delighted you were there to help keep him in line. On the other, he was your teacher who you had a healthy amount of both fear and respect for.

You were grateful for his intervention now as both of these roles.

“Well, if you don’t mind, we’ll get back to the class shall we?”

Rin and Bon were still glaring at each other but at Yukio’s words Bon exhaled loudly through his nose and looked away, sitting back down.

Rin scoffed. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

Although the words were muttered under his breath, you saw Bons eyes light up in anger again and he raised his hands as if to slam them down on the table.

“Mr Suguro, Mr Okumura, that is enough.” There was a sharp edge to Yukio’s voice now, “You will remain in your seats and, unless you’re answering a question, I don’t want to hear another word out of either of you. Am I understood?”

Silence.

“Am. I. Understood.” It wasn’t a question anymore.

“Yes sir.”

“Yeah.”

Yukio let out a deep breath. “Alright then, back to the topic at hand.”

~ After class had finished, everyone began filing out of the classroom. Yukio called out to Rin as he tried to sneak out and, as they turned into the hallways together, you could hear Yukio berating his brother for making such a ruckus in class.

You stood up from your desk, turning to where Bon was still packing away his supplies. Usually, he was much faster with this, but today you suspected he was trying to put some distance between himself and Rin.

You walked over to him. Shima and Konekomaru were standing next to him, discussing lunch.

“Hey, Bon?”

He looked up from his bag. “Yeah? What’s up?”

“I was wondering if you could help me out with some of the homework. There’s a bit I’m not sure I understand.”

The corner of Bon’s mouth twitched. “Not going to ask your boyfriend for help?” You could hear the jeering tone in his voice but knew it wasn’t directed at you.

“Rin’s great and all but when it comes to study, I’d rather get advice from someone who actually knows what they’re doing.”

Bon smiled. “Yeah, I guess I can’t blame you there. Sure, I’ll help.” He turned to his friends, “You guys go on ahead. I’ll catch up.”

Shima and Konekomaru waved their goodbyes as they left the room. You waited until you couldn’t hear their footsteps anymore before turning back to Bon.

“So, what homework did you need help with?”

You shook your head. “No homework sorry. That was a lie. I just needed an excuse to talk to you alone.”

A frown creased his brow. “About what?”

You took a breath. You’d been waiting for this opportunity for a while and now that it was here, you had to make sure you got what you wanted to say right. “It’s about Rin. And the way you treat him.”

Bon rolled his eyes and stood as if to leave. You stepped in front of him to block his way. Frustration glimmered in his eyes as his frown deepened.

“I know I’m his partner and you might think this is just me looking out for my boyfriend but even if we weren’t a couple, I’d still feel the same way. It’s not cool the way you treat him. Only jerks judge books by their covers man.”

Bon lunged forward, grabbing you by the collar of your uniform and pulling you close. “What exactly are you implying? You don’t know me! You don’t know what I’ve been through because of his father. I lost everything! You could never know what that’s like. And don’t call me a jerk.”

“Oh, don’t I?” Now you could feel the anger rising in your own chest, “So you’re saying I didn’t lose my older sister in the Blue Night? I didn’t have to grow up, knowing my entire life that there was someone so close to me that I would never get the chance to meet?”

You saw realisation hit Bon but you weren’t finished. “I do know Bon. I know better than anyone. And you know what? I still care about him. Because he’s not his father. Oh, and by the way?” You lifted a hand to tap at his, where they were still bunched up in the fabric of your collar, “You are a jerk. If you aren’t, why did you grab me like that just now?”

Bon released your uniform abruptly, as if he’d just realised he was still holding it. “Sorry.”

You smoothed down the fabric. “Yeah, you should be. I’m going to have to iron this now.”

“No, I mean I’m sorry about your sister. And grabbing you. I shouldn’t have said those things. You’re right, I was being a jerk.”

“You shouldn’t be apologising to me. You should be apologising to Rin. He hates Satan as much as you do. He’s not his father.” You sighed. “I thought you were a good friend to him, but I guess I was wrong. If you were really his friend, you’d know that.”

Bon let out a long, deep breath. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. He just has a way of rubbing me the wrong way, you know?”

You laughed. “Oh boy, do I. He’s been an irritation since the day I met him. But he’s a good person. And that’s all that matters.”

Bon nodded, clearly deep in thought.

You picked up your bag and swung it over your shoulder. “Come on. We should get to lunch before it’s finished.”

Bon shouldered his own bag and walked to the door with you. The tension in the room had dissipated, leaving only an understanding between you and Bon.

Before you left, you lightly punched his shoulder. “By the way, you’re apologising to Rin tomorrow okay?”

Bon smiled, chuckling. “Yeah, yeah, okay.”

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[m34gs]

so, a little rant.

Hey so, if I choose, when writing fanfic, to write Yukio Okumura or Renzou Shima doing Not Great Things, making Not Great Choices, or straight-up Behaving Badly; that is not an indication that I hate them, nor is it an invitation for people to come bash their characters to me. I'm not doing it out of malice for them. I'm doing it because I love them. I love their bad choices. I love their frustration and their anger and the fact they are literal teenagers acting how teenagers will. I love the different facets of their characters.

I love that Shima comes across as the "girl-obsessed play-boy" type when he's really not. I love that, while he is somewhat lighthearted at times, he's mostly hiding part of himself. I love him so much. It's easy to, from an outside perspective, condemn his joining of the illuminati. However, he was a teenage boy, in a family where he was told EXACTLY how his life was gonna go, and made to feel that he had to carry a burden he didn't want, and constantly reminded of the oldest brother that died that he never got to meet. It's normal for teens to want to try new things and to try and be independent and make their own choices (even if those choices end poorly) in even a regular, healthy setting growing up. With all of that added on, is it any surprise that he thought spying for the illuminati would be a good idea? Furthermore, the illuminati aren't fucking idiots. Of course they found the child that seemed to be struggling with following along a course of life he found no real attachment to. They're not gonna be able to convince someone who's sense of identity is rooted firmly against them. They're going to prey on a person's insecurities and needs. Not once did Shima feel like he was asked what he wanted to do. His brothers are old enough to remember the oldest, and to feel strongly about his death and want to take on the mantle, but Shima doesn't have those memories and connection. Of course he's gonna feel like he's being forced into things he doesn't wanna do. And then something interesting comes along and he decides to try it. Again, he is a teenager. He can't be expected to conduct himself within the same expectations as an adult.

Plus, he figures it out in the end. He figures out he values his friends. He feels guilty about the betrayal. He chooses their side later on. He makes a choice. But, it's *his* choice, not something he was forced to choose.

I also can't help but feel that if he didn't have that "girl-crazy" aspect to him, people would be a lot more forgiving to his character. Which is annoying. I mean, don't like him if you don't want to like him, that's fine. But he's also acting like a teenage boy in that moment. Yeah, his jokes don't always land and they're pretty perverted at times; but have you ever fucking met a teenager, regardless of gender? They make dumb jokes. They say stupid shit. They talk about raunchy things. And, as we go further into his character, it's not actually that he's Like That. He exaggerates a lot of his characteristics. I mean, who would think that the goofy, can't-get-a-date, yet desperate for girls, teenager with pink fucking hair is someone even capable of being a spy? Yeah, he likes girls. Yeah, he likes Izumo. Yeah, he's a bit of an idiot and he really can't seem to get a date, and he's a dork, but when we finally get the betrayal and the reveal, there's a part of him that is *different* and it has been hiding. He has more confidence than he lets on. He's more skilled than he lets on. And he's more conflicted over what he's doing than he lets on.

Let's not forget he's also being monitored by the illuminati, even if he is spying for them. As I said, they're not stupid. So, of course he has to put on a front, even when he might think he's alone with friends.

The thing is, I love his character, I love his development. I love experimenting with him making bad choices or engaging in dark behaviour. He's special to me. I tend to avoid fics that bash him or hate on him, which is my personal choice. I won't go after people writing those kinds of fics because they can write whatever kind of fic they want and enjoy it however they choose. But don't think for one second that I'm ever happy to see people hating on him in my comment sections or messages. I don't write him as dark or twisted because I hate him. I do it because exploring negative character aspects and negative character growth is one of the highest forms of love I can bestow upon my beloved faves.

The same goes for Yukio.

Yukio is, again, a literal teenager. He was forced into an adult role far too soon. He lost his father figure and didn't even get to say goodbye. He is fucking *grieving* but at the same time he now has to help his older brother figure out the world of Exorcists, while also keeping it a secret that he's the son of Satan. Unfortunately, Rin is not that good at keeping those kind of secrets and also has a shit ton of factors working against him; like unexpected visits from Amaimon, difficult to control powers, and being a bit hotheaded. Yukio is supposed to protect Rin, but within a few months of realizing his powers, Rin is suddenly being persecuted by The Entire Vatican, and scheduled for execution. Do people think it's easy to watch your twin brother get persecuted for something that's not his fault?

Not only that, but Yukio has an inferiority complex. Rin was born with the physical strength. Rin was born with Satan's flames. Yukio was not. Yukio was reliant on Rin when they were really little. And that still frustrates him to this day. On top of the fears of Rin being executed, the stress of being an exorcist, the demands of being a teacher, and the loneliness of having lost Shiro, Yukio also feels inadequate and has a thirst to prove that he is just as good as Rin. While Yukio has to work his ass off to get where he is, Rin comes by strength more naturally and that irritates Yukio. Yet, he also hates himself for feeling that way because what kind of brother thinks like that?

In addition to all of this inner turmoil, Yukio lives in constant fear that he will awaken demonic powers as well. He has a front-row seat to how much people hate Rin on-sight for just existing as the Son of Satan with blue flames. Yukio has built up reputation, connections, and skills. He has worked so hard for this. But, if he shows one ounce of demonic ability, it could all burn to the ground. And this is something he has zero actual control over.

It's clear when, in the manga, he does start to awaken things, just how panicked he is. He's skipping his physical. He's trying to avoid others. He can't let them find out because all his hard work will be as good as gone and not having demonic powers was both at once a source of jealousy against Rin but also a fucking comfort because he wasn't up there on the chopping block.

He is in so much turmoil, and for people to just go "he's treating Rin poorly" or "he's not fair to Rin"; like, yeah, he isn't. He is not treating Rin fairly or nicely. But it's not like most other people would be able to manage everything he is going through AND be the Ultimate Best Supportive Brother on top of it all. Give the guy a break.

I hate the idea of characters needing to always act Correctly (TM) even when facing the most extreme and awful circumstances, lest they become condemned and hated by fandom. For one, it's nowhere near realistic. And two, how fucking boring would it be to never see characters make big, high-stakes mistakes? No, their circumstances don't mean their actions are "good" or "excusable"; but it gives a lot of light onto why they act the way they do and that is the more important part. Understanding characters and their motives is way more important than making sure you only like the "good" characters. That's where the reading comprehension comes in. That's where people can practice and learn to think about how a person's circumstances and environment might influence them. That's where people can explore the fact that "good" and "bad" are overly simplistic terms that really have no business being applied to people; as people can behave in both "good" and "bad" ways...often even within the same day. People are far too diverse in personality and actions to ever be categorized fully into neat little boxes of "good person", "bad person", and that is reflected very well in both Yukio's and Shima's characters.

[jessicaloons]

Chapter 30:

It was the end of a decade, but the start of an age

Masterlist - Previous - Next

After the tyre tests were done I only had to attend one last sponsoring event for Audi, before it was time to prepare for the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony in Bologna. I browsed through the internet, looking for inspirations, while Shima sent me dress after dress.

"Okay, now come on! I’ve sent you a dozen of beautiful dresses! You seriously wanna tell me there’s not one you like?" she sighed and I shook my head.

"I’m sorry! But… god Shima this is fucking important! It’s not just an Insta post here or a picture snapped of us at the paddock there! It’s an official event! A red carpet event! It’s broadcasted! There will be photographers! Everyone will see the pictures! It has to be perfect. Everything. The dress. My make-up. My hair. Everything!" I groaned and Shima chuckled "I really don’t know what’s so funny…"

"Nothing! Let’s focus on a dress, okay? So, you said you don’t care about the designer?"

"Not at all… but umm- okay. I thought about something… I want a red dress."

"Red? Really?" Shima asked and I saw her eyes widen on the screen.

"Yeah… I know I would usually never wear such a strong colour! But it’s our first official appearance and I want to show everyone that… that- you know…" I stuttered a little.

"You want to show everyone that that’s your man and you’re wearing his colour. Got it. Okay. Well I haven’t picked out any red dresses, but I will have a look and sent them to you. Really red?" she grinned and I rolled my eyes.

"Yes red!"

"Okay, I got you! Cleavage? No cleavage? Lace? Tulle? Flowy skirt or more tight?"

"Umm- not too much cleavage? Not too tight? I don’t care about the fabric! Just not too much and over the top. Still me kinda, despite that’s its red."

"Okay. I’ll find something. So I talked to Joris the other day…" she began and I chuckled.

"You talked to Joris… interesting…"

"Haha very funny. Anyways. He told me that Charles goes above and beyond for your Christmas presents… oh to be the girlfriend of a multi millionaire athlete…"

"What do you mean, with Christmas presents? Presents, plural?" I groaned.

"Well he bought or planned a few things…"

"Planned? As in activities?"

"Planned as in vacation."

"Great! I seriously have no idea what to buy him! Because as you already mentioned, he’s a multi millionaire! Everything I thought about kinda sucks! And now you tell me that he’s planned a vacation and has at least one more present…"

"Oh I think it’s more than just one more… not helpful… sorry."

"I can’t give him another vacation, when the one I got him for his birthday didn’t even happen yet!" I sighed leaning back.

"Oh yeah, you’re secret little getaway you didn’t tell me more about!" Shima looked at me, trying her best attempt at puppy eyes.

"Okay! Okay! I tell you! So basically after Christmas, when the rest will fly to Costa Rica, Charles and I will fly for 4 days to Iceland, over New Year’s Eve. There are these super luxurious but cozy cabins, with a glass ceiling, so you can lay in bed and watch the northern lights over you…" I practically beamed but Shima choked up.

"New Year’s Eve? Like this New Year’s Eve?" she asked and I nodded.

"Yeah of course this New Year’s Eve? What’s going on?" I looked at her confused.

"Oh, you won’t like that…" her look was sinister.

"We have to talk." I sat down, handing Charles a fork.

"Oh oh. There comes never something good after that…" he looked at me, cautiously, stirring his food.

"It’s nothing bad!" I chuckled a little.

"Okay? What’s going on?"

"It’s about New Year’s Eve…" I began and he almost choked on his pasta.

"What about New Year’s Eve?" he sounded panicked and I laughed.

"Well, it seems like my birthday present for you and your upcoming Christmas present number 1 for me, and we have to talk about the fact that it’s just one from how many exactly, but that’s not the point now, the point is, we had the same idea…"

"What do you mean? Same idea? And no we’re not discussing the amount of presents I got you…but yeah. Same idea how? And how do you know?" he was confused.

"Thankfully our best friends are talking behind our backs to each other… Joris told Shima that you booked us a romantic cabin in Iceland for New Year’s Eve and she told me that because I just had told her that I did the same… and because it would be a waste of money, we have to cancel one booking…" I chuckled a little.

"No way? You stole my idea?" Charles pouted.

"Excuse you? I gave it to you first! So you stole my idea!"

"You only gave it to me first because my birthday is before Christmas!"

"That’s not…" I began but he raised an eyebrow "Okay. Technically you’re right. But still. We have to cancel one trip."

"Okay. But can we eat first and then decide?" he grabbed his fork again and twirled some spaghetti.

"It’s easy. Yours! It was my birthday gift for you. I had nothing else! And you seem to have more than one gift for me for Christmas. So you will cancel your booking."

"No? We will discuss that later…" he looked at me intently and I sighed.

"Fine…" we will definitely take my booking.

"I know that look! We will discuss it later!" he chuckled and I sighed.

"Okay…"

"Did you find a dress with Shima?" Charles asked after a while and I nodded "Yeah? How does it look?"

"You’ll see it in four days." I tried to say it nonchalantly but he sensed it immediately, looking at me "I’m just a little nervous, it’s all good, tho."

"Whatever you’ll wear, you’ll look gorgeous!" he took my hand in his and kissed the back of it "I have absolutely no doubt."

I smiled a little, hoping he was right.

Charles POV:

I sat on the sofa, scrolling through my phone, listening to the bustling coming out of the bedroom. I heard faint cursing and put my phone down.

"Are you okay in there, cara mia?" I asked and got up, walking towards the door.

"Yeah. Sure. Just need a minute and I’ll be out." she said breathlessly.

"Okay…" I chuckled and sat back down.

"I don’t know if the dress was the right choice…I don’t know if it was a good idea to think that I don’t need a stylist or hair and make up person…" she mumbled.

"Hair and make up person?" I laughed.

"Yeah a hair dresser and make-up artist… you know what I mean." she puffed out.

"I’m sure you look…" I began just to be interrupted by her, stepping out of the bedroom. I got up. Looking her up and down and was at a loss of words. She was stunning. The most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. But it was the look on her face that made her shine. She looked almost shy. Unsure. As if she wasn’t aware of how beautiful she was "Cara mia…"

"Is it okay? Red was maybe the wrong choice? I thought it would be nice, you know, wearing red for you. Showing how proud I am of you, what you’ve achieved this season. But now I’m not so sure that it’s not maybe too much? It is too much, right? And it also shows a lot of skin! What was I thinking! God! I have a black back-up dress, give me a minute. Maybe I should do something with my hair as well, not just open like that? Yeah. I change it as well." she rambled and I gently cupped her cheeks.

"You, cara mia, look like a goddess. You look more than beautiful. And that dress? That stays on! That will only leave your body tonight, when we’re back, and I’ll rip it off of you…" I said and she blushed.

"Are you sure? I don’t want to… I don’t want people to look at me and think…"

"Stop. Whatever you’re about to say. Stop. I can guarantee you, there is no one looking more beautiful and perfect than you tonight. You look magnifique… umm… magnificent!" I kissed her plush lips carefully, to not smudge her lipstick "And now let’s go. I want to see everyone’s jaw drop to the floor, knowing that I’m the one you’re there with and later going home with." I grabbed her hand and she giggled sweetly.

"Okay…" she whispered and then looked around "Where’s my clutch…" she grabbed a little bag and then smiled at me "Let’s go."

We clapped as Max walked up the stage and I saw how Lizzie looked at me, an encouraging smile on her lips. I was happy for Max, but of course I would’ve love to make the final step myself, winning the trophy Max was holding now.

"I’m sorry, Charles. That could’ve been you if things would’ve worked out better…" she leaned into me and I smiled, tilting her face towards mine.

"I have won the most beautiful prize there is to win this year… I’ve got you!" I answered and she was blushing adorably "No trophy, no award, no title will ever make me as happy as having you by my side, cara mia!" I leaned in and kissed her softly, leaving her breathless "But next year? Next year I would love to add another trophy to my cabinet!" I chuckled, nodding towards Max and the WDC trophy.

"You will. I just know it." she said and intertwined our hands "2023 will be your year."

"I hope so. And if not, I still got you by my side."

"Always and forever." she kissed my cheek and we looked back up on the stage again.

I got a sign from one of the organisers that it was time for me to present an award and I got up, kissing Lizzie’s head.

"I’ll be right back…" I winked at her and she made an adorable confused face, her nose scrunching up a little. I followed the guy backstage where he fitted a microphone around my head and I waited at the stage entry, watching the hosts calling out my name, the crowd applauded and I entered the stage, looking for Lizzie, who looked at me with big eyes.

"Hello everyone. This years award for the Rookie of the year goes to a very special driver, who showed her remarkable talent on track, from finishing on the podium in her first race, to continue winning two races over the course of the year, ending her first season as fourth in the driver standings. Everyone who closely followed our winners career over the years knows that she’s not just one of the most talented drivers of our generation, but also one of the most resilient, disciplined, hard working and outstanding ones. She never gave up her dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver, although she had to surpass obstacles none of us can even fathom. Nothing could stop her on her way and I’m more than proud to stand here tonight, not only presenting this award to an astonishing young driver, but also to my beautiful and amazing girlfriend. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome our Rookie of the year 2022 award winner, Lizzie Doetterer!" I held my speech and as the room began to applaud I looked at Lizzie, how she nervously smiled and got up, making her way up the stage, a woman handed me the trophy and Lizzie a microphone. As soon as she stood in front of me I gave her the trophy which she accepted with shaking hands. She then looked up at me and I couldn’t hold back, pulling her in by the waist, kissing her. Just a small, innocent kiss, but she blushed nevertheless and I was 100% sure I heard Max wolf whistle. When I pulled away I squeezed her hand gently and nodded towards the audience. Lizzie took a deep breath.

"Thank you so much. Winning this award is a big honour, it really means a lot. Our team had an amazing season, it’s been a really great year for us. It wasn’t always easy, we had our ups and downs, but I think in the end we managed quite well, for a rookie team. I really want to thank the Audi Sports board, for taking a chance on me. Felix Bayer for his trust and confidence in me, Pete Wirth for being my calming voice of reason during the race, Valtteri for helping me adjust and giving me advice throughout the season. Everyone who’s part of this amazing team, thank you so much, we achieved this together! Thank you to the amazing Audi fans! Your support over the season meant everything! Thank you to my family and friends for always supporting me, for quite some time now, thank you Pops for travelling with me as often as you can, all the way back since 2003! And one last thank you to this guy here, Charles. I have no words to describe how much your love and support means to me. I wouldn’t be standing here tonight, if it wasn’t for you and your undying faith in me. You never gave up, always believed that I would make it into Formula 1, even when I had almost given up, you were always by my side, through the ups and downs! Thank you." Lizzie looked at me and I saw the tears in her eyes, the audience clapped again and I pulled her in my arms, hugging her tight before we left the stage together. Someone took the microphone from her and I unclasped the one attached around my head and I smiled at her.

"You didn’t tell me that you were presenting this award!" she playfully hit my shoulder and I laughed.

"Well, I wanted to surprise you!"

"It was a nice surprise." she smiled

"It was an honor to present this award to you, no one deserves it more than you!"

"Oh stop getting all sappy on me."

"Never."

I walked inside the flower shop, waiting in line to pick up the bouquets Lizzie ordered when my phone rang.

"Hi." I picked up the FaceTime call but was greeted with the empty kitchen "Cara mia?" I heard rustling from somewhere and Lizzie walked in the frame.

"Hey, did you pick up the bouquets?" she asked while peeling some carrots.

"I’m in the flower shop right now."

"Oh, okay. Good." she walked out of the frame again "Hey, when will everyone arrive again?" she looked up.

"You said everyone should come around 5 and at 6 we’re eating." I replied and her eyes widened "I’m almost done here and then I’m coming over, helping you, okay?"

"No! I’m fine! It’s all good." she said although I could clearly see that she was lying "You pick them up from the airport. I cook. It’s all going to be fine."

"Okay, but cara mia if you need help, call me, okay? Hey! Look at me!"

"I’m fine, Charles, but when I need you help I’m calling you!" she sighed, looking at me.

"Okay, see you later then." I smiled and she nodded before she hung up.

I smiled as a young boy looked at me with big eyes.

"Are you Charles Leclerc?" he asked and I nodded "So cool! Can I take a picture with you?"

"Sure." I smiled at him and he poked his mother’s arm.

"Take a picture of us, mummy! That’s Charles Leclerc!" he beamed at her and she smiled taking a picture of us "Everyone will be so jealous! Thank you so much!"

"No worries! Merry Christmas!" I waved him goodbye as he and his mother left.

"You’re Charles Leclerc?" The girl behind the counter asked and I nodded "Then I guess these bouquets are for you, or rather your girlfriend!" she smiled and grabbed two bouquets from the table behind her.

"Yes they are for us. Thank you!" I handed her my credit card.

"Lizzie is so cool! It’s so amazing that a girl is now in F1!" the girl gave me credit card and the receipt back "I’m a huge fan of her! Of course of you as well! I mean you’re Monegasque!"

"Thank you, I will tell her to stop by some time!" I smiled and grabbed the two bouquets "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!" she waved and I left the shop.

Back in the car I called Enzo.

"What’s up?"

"Enzo, you and Arthur have to pick up the family. I need to check on Lizzie." I drove off.

"Okay. Is everything okay?" he asked and I sighed.

"You know Lizzie, she probably is totally overdoing everything just to make it perfect."

"Yeah, sounds like her. Arthur and I will pick up the family and you take care of Lizzie." he laughed.

"Alright, see you later then!" I hung up, heading back home to grab my stuff.

I unlocked the door and walked inside, slipping off my shoes. It smelled amazing.

"Whatever you’re cooking, it smells delicious." I said, walking towards the kitchen, setting down the bouquets and my bags "Cara mia?" I looked around, but Lizzie wasn’t there "Lizzie? Where are you?" there were two pots and whatever was inside started to boil over, Lizzie stormed out from the bathroom, eyes red, 3 fingers on her left and 2 on her right bandaged.

"No no no! Please!" she turned off the stove, pushing the pots away "Fuck!"

"What happened to those." I pointed at the band-aids on her fingers.

"Nothing, I’m clumsy." she sighed a little and then forced out a smile "It’s all good."

It wasn’t. I knew her long enough to know that nothing was good. I could basically feel the anxiety radiating from her. She looked back to the stove and stirred in a pot, frowning at whatever is inside.

"You’re early?" she didn’t look at me.

"Yeah, Lorenzo and Arthur pick up the fam so I thought I could come and help you a little." I said slowly and saw how she wiped away a tear "So, what can I do?"

"You can set the table."

I looked over, the table was already well decorated, only the bouquets of flowers were missing.

"Alright." I smiled at her and grabbed the 2 vases from the table, putting the flowers in and setting them back down. I turned back to Lizzie, a panicked look on her face. She began to rummage through the fridge.

"Oh god no!" she groaned "Amazing. Just amazing. Why am I so stupid."

"What’s wrong?" I looked at her and she closed her eyes.

"I forgot to buy fresh thyme!" she let out before she looked at me with big eyes "This all is a disaster!"

"It’s okay! We can surely use dried thyme as well, no?" I looked at her and she sighed, nodding right when a timer went off.

"Oh, I have to turn the roast beef." she opened the oven and the smell was mouthwatering "I turn it every half hour so it cooks evenly and pour some of the juices over it." she bends down, gripping the baking tray and hissed out in pain.

"Lizzie." I was at her in an instant, gently grabbing her hands, but she only shook her head "Lizzie you burnt yourself, come…" I pulled her towards the sink, letting cool water run over her fingers "Why do you never use your oven mitts?" I whispered and I saw the tears gathering in her eyes.

"I don’t know, okay? God! This was a stupid idea! Who do I think I am? Martha Stuart? Look at this mess! I’m not even halfway done with everything and in not even two hours everyone is coming! My kitchen looks like a mess, the food is not ready, I’ve burned myself again. And look at me! I need to shower and change! Fuck! Why did I insist on cooking today? Alone?" she cried and I pulled her to my side, kissing her temple.

"Okay, first of all, it’s not looking like a mess in here! I’m sure we can do this together, okay?" I reassured her.

"Okay…" she whispered.

"I have an idea. You take a shower. And rest a little, I clean up everything and prepare the next steps and when you’re done, we’re finishing the rest together?" I looked at her, but she shook her head.

"I can’t rest! I still have to prepare so many things! And then clean up and do the dishes!"

"I can prepare everything and as soon as you’re ready we finish it off together? I’m not saying lay down for two hours! Just a little rest, you look exhausted! Come on! I will turn over your roast beef in 25 minutes, pour some juices over. I have it under control." I gently pushed her towards the hallway to her bedroom.

"Are you sure?" she asked and I nodded.

"Yup. Go now." I kissed her cheek.

"In 30 minutes come and get me!" she insisted and I nodded.

"I will." I won’t.

I walked back into the kitchen and looked over the counter, saw her notes and had to smile, everything was written down meticulously, she had ticked off what was done already. I followed her instructions and flinched when the timer went off again and hastily silenced her phone, then did exactly what she did 30 minutes ago. I quietly walked into her bedroom, to see her rolled up on her bed, cuddled up in her bathrobe, hair wrapped up in a towel. Carefully I lifted her head on the pillows and put a blanket over her. Back in the kitchen, I checked her notes again, following all her instructions. Right as I stored away the broom the next timer got off. When I closed the oven my phone rang and I picked it up quickly.

"On a scale from one to ten, how’s it going?" Sissy asked and I chuckled a little.

"It’s going quite well. Everything is prepared. Table is set. Kitchen is cleaned. Lizzie is doing good."

"Good. I was really worried when I saw that she texted mum and me the entire night question after question. I honestly think she didn’t sleep at all." she sounded worried.

"Yeah, she looked a little tired but don’t worry, I’ve got it under control!" I reassured her.

"Don’t know if that is reassuring!" I heard Arthur in the back "Hey! Stop pinching me! I’m the driver!"

"When Charlie says he has it under control then he has it under control!" Liam said and I had to laugh.

"You tell him, Bubba!" I cheered him on.

"Okay, I take care of these two and you take care of Lizzie! See you later!" Sissy chuckled and hung up.

I washed my hands when I felt Lizzie hugging me from behind.

"Your pista should be white…" she whispered.

"What?" I chuckled.

"You know, like a white horse! You’re a knight in shining armour riding on your white horse!"

"And you’re the damsel in distress that needs saving?" I turned around, looking at her.

"Kinda…" she sighed "I thought you would come and get me after half an hour? And not one and a half hours?"

"You looked exhausted and tired and everything is under control! Only the final steps!" I cupped her cheeks "See? It’s all good!"

"Thank you. Really! I was so scared that I screw it all up…" she mumbled and I kissed her forehead.

"Nope. You didn’t! And by the way, everything I tasted was delicious!" I said and Lizzie chuckled.

"What did you taste?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Let me tell you what I didn’t taste." I smiled sheepishly.

"Thank you. Really!" she put her arms around my neck, pulling me close "What did I do to deserve you?"

"Hmm… being the most amazing person on earth?"

"No, that’s you…" she kissed me and I smiled "Okay, let’s do the rest and then I go and get changed."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Lizzie, that dinner was delicious!" Pascale said, everyone else mumbling in agreement.

"I had the best little helper today!" I chuckled and she looked at Liam and Benji for a moment.

"But you guys arrived to-…" she began.

"She meant me!" Charles mumbled and everyone looked at him in silence "Yep. I helped, so never say I’m useless in the kitchen."

"You?" Pascale asked stunned.

"If we’re all having food poisoning tomorrow, we know who to blame." Arthur whispered and Charles throw a bread roll at him, hitting his head "Ouch! What the fu- fudge!" he looked sheepishly at Benji and Liam who giggled at the behaviour of the older boys.

"No one‘s having food poisoning! It was delicious and I’m sure Charles did good." Mum patted Charles arm.

"Thank you, Marina, the only person who’s nice to me." Charles threw his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer "Can you please adopt me? My mum is so not nice!"

"I’m not sure that’s even necessary at this point." Mum laughed.

"True." Marcus shrugged his shoulders.

"Okay we had now enough grown up talks! Can we have our presents now?" Liam chirped and Benji nodded along.

"Yes! Presents!" he said excited.

"Oh kiddos, I forgot to tell you this… but here in Monaco it’s tradition to open up the presents on the 25th in the morning…" I said and both boys made big eyes.

"Noooooo!" they whined and we laughed.

"We would never make you wait this long!" Charles said and got up, picking up both boys, going to the bathroom.

I got up as well and began cleaning up the table, Lisa and Sissy helping me.

"You stay!" I said to Mum and Pascale and they both sighed a little, right as Liam and Benji stormed back in.

"Did you wash your hands?" Sissy asked and they both nodded "Alright. Then sit down for a little, until we’re done."

"But hurry up please!" Liam pleaded and I laughed.

"Almost done, Bubba!" I closed the dishwasher and started it.

"Hurry uuuup!" he whined.

"Stop whining you little munchkin!" Arthur grabbed Liam and tossed him over his shoulder making him giggle. As Benji began to laugh Charles picked him up and followed Arthur to the sofa.

I did the last dishes, washed my hands and filled up my glass.

"Alright. Done." I followed Sissy and Lisa to the sofa and sat down on the floor, in front of Charles.

"Presents! Presents! Presents!" Liam, Benji and Arthur cheered and I had to laugh.

"Let the kids start. Before these three get a heart attack!" Enzo said and Arthur cheered even louder.

30 minutes later almost all presents were exchanged and the kids sat in a corner, playing a new game on their Switch. Charles gently put his hands under my chin, tilting my head upwards, facing him.

"You didn’t open any of my presents for you, cara mia!" he pouted and I chuckled a little.

"What? You mean these five remaining presents there? Five! Really?" I replied and he grinned.

"You know that it were originally six…"

"I only had one for you…" I sighed and he kissed my forehead.

"Yeah! A painting! A huge ass painting! Probably worth more than anything I bought you! And it doesn’t matter how many presents you buy or how much they cost, it’s the thought that counts." he whispered and I nodded "Maman, can you please give me that white bag? Merci."

I sat up and got up, sitting down next to Charles. Everyone looked at me and I blushed.

"Why are you all looking at me?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Well, you’re the last one to unwrap any presents because you waited till the end… where else should we look?" Dad scratched his head and Charles laughed handing me the first three presents.

"These ones would actually go along with the one I had to cancel." he explained and I opened them, revealing a cozy and soft scarf, beanie and gloves. All in dark grey with pastel pink adornments.

"You planned a ski trip?" Marcus asked and I shook my head.

"Nope. As Charles‘ birthday present I booked a cozy cabin with glass ceiling in Iceland over New Year’s Eve for us…"

"…and I booked the same trip as a Christmas gift." Charles finished and the others started laughing.

"You’re not coming to Costa Rica then?" Mum asked and Liam stopped playing and looked at us.

"We fly on the second of January from Iceland to Costa Rica. Four days later then you guys!" Charles said and I saw how Liam breathed out, looking relieved.

"Romantic getaway…" Marcus whispered, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Ouuuhhhh will there be a mini Lizzie or mini Charles next September then?" Arthur grinned and Enzo flicked his ear "Hey! I’m just saying what we’re all thinking…"

"Shut it, Arthi or I swear the moment we have a kid I manipulate it to annoy the living shit out of you!" I laughed and in the corner of my eyes I saw how Charles smiled.

"But there is more to unwrap!" Liam and Benji joined us again when they saw that I was still unwrapping presents and I sighed.

"There appears to be more to unwrap, yeah…" I looked at Charles and he grinned, handing me a big present. I slowly unwrapped it and a sleek, black box appeared, the white Chanel logo on the top. My jaw dropped when I opened the box, revealing a beautiful black Chanel bag, the classic and timeless flap bag "You’re crazy!" I carefully lifted the bag out of the box.

"Do you like it? The lady in the store said I couldn’t go wrong with that one…" Charles looked at me cautiously.

"You know that I’m not really into fashion and stuff…" I began and his face fell a little "But this is literally the only bag I always wanted to have!"

"Since she was a little girl!" Mum said and I nodded.

"Yeah! I don’t even know why, but that bag was just it for me! Thank you so much!" I kissed his cheek, pulling him close "It’s perfect! Really, really perfect!"

"I’m just glad you like it!" he chuckled a little, fiddling at the last present he held in his hand "This last one is a little special." he handed me the black box and I opened it.

"Are you for real?" I whispered looking at him.

"It was about time that you have a custom made one… maybe you’ll wear that one!" he smiled and I was at a loss of words, carefully taking the watch out of the box "It’s the Richard Mille 07-04. But I designed it and added that little feature." he pointed at the 7 at the top and 16 at the bottom.

"Charles that’s… that’s way too much! Are you crazy?" I stared at the watch with big eyes.

"You know that we’re sponsored by Richard Mille?" he whispered and I nodded.

"But still! They certainly didn’t give it to you for free! And that watch? That costs what? 100k? 150k?" I sighed and he looked down for a moment "Oh god! More! Charles I can’t walk around with a watch at my wrist that’s worth more than 3 cars!"

"Why not? He’s running around with watches worth more than entire mansions!" Arthur again with the not helping comment.

"That’s not the point…" I mumbled.

"Suck it up and thank your boyfriend for that beautiful watch!" Mum said.

"Thank you, my lovely boyfriend for that beautiful watch that will make me hire a bodyguard for whenever I leave the house now, wearing it!" I joked and pecked Charles lips "No really! It’s beautiful! I love it!" I hugged him.

"Only the best for you!" he whispered in my ear.

"Yeah… I can see that!"

The next days we spent all together, cooking and baking, watching Christmas movies and playing board games when it was time for our vacation. Charles and I had to leave earlier than the rest for the airport and we hugged everyone goodbye the night before, as we were leaving early in the morning.

"Are you ready for Iceland?" Charles asked as we both got inside the black SUV and I snuggled into him.

"Já, ég er tilbúinn!" I said and he looked at me, raising an eyebrow "That’s Icelandic and means yes, I’m ready."

"When did you learn Icelandic?" Charles asked and I chuckled.

"The moment I booked this trip. But just some basics and common phrases and words."

"You’re amazing, you know that?" he kissed my temple.

"I try."

Charles laughed and I looked outside, the world still shrouded in darkness. After one hour in the air the sky outside was illuminated by the first rays of sunshine and I turned to Charles, who had a content smile on his face when he grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it.

"I can’t wait to kiss you at midnight on New Year’s Eve." he whispered and I smiled.

"Me neither." I looked outside again, watching the clouds and the sky, leaning back in my seat. At some point I must’ve fallen asleep, after a while Charles caressed my cheek and I opened my eyes, looking around a little confused.

"Cara mia, we’re about to land." he said and I yawned.

"Already?" I yawned and he nodded.

"Yeah. As soon as we’re out here we look for something to eat, when they served food and I woke you up you just grumbled that you’re not hungry and want to sleep, then you turned away and fell asleep again." he laughed and I stretched.

"I couldn’t sleep last night, I was too excited." I said sheepishly and he kissed my cheek.

"I know, I felt you tossing and turning the whole time." he whispered.

"Sorry…" I looked at him apologetically.

"Don’t worry. I’m used to it. You were always a wild sleeper… the amount of times you change position? Uncountable." he laughed and pulled me into his side.

"I know." I sighed as the plane touched ground "But hey! This was the first time I slept through a flight! Like almost entirely! Usually I just doze off for a couple of minutes here and there!"

"That’s true, so now we know how to make you sleep in the plane! Don’t let you sleep beforehand!"

"Yeah maybe." I shrugged my shoulders and slipped into my shoes, pulling a little mirror out of my bag "Oh god! I look horrible!" I groaned and wiped the sleep out of my eyes, before I smoothed down my hair "I need my scarf and beanie…" I rummaged through my bag, pulling said clothing out and wrapped the scarf around my neck, holding the beanie in my hand.

"You look adorable as always and now let’s go!" Charles got up and pulled me with him.

We were awaited by a black SUV that picked us up and I got inside, happily munching on a pastry and nursing a hot chocolate.

"Miss Doetterer, Mr. Leclerc, welcome to Iceland!" the driver said and we smiled.

"Thank you!" I said and he started the engine, driving off.

"This. This is it. I don’t want anything else." I whispered, as Charles’ hand gently stroked up and down my naked spine.

The whole cabin lulled in darkness, only the soft glimmer from the fireplace to our right illuminating the place a little. Cuddled up against Charles, head on his breast, I looked at the glass ceiling. The northern lights glimmering above us.

"Yeah. You beside me. That sky above us. That’s perfection." he kissed the crown of my head.

"We definitely have to come here with the little ones one day. The whole family. This is something they have to see as well!" I yawned and Charles chuckled.

"We will definitely come here with them… but for now, I’d say my pretty girl needs some sleep!" he said and grabbed the blanket, pulling it over us "Tomorrow I want to do a little stroll through the snow! We need to be well rested for that!"

"Sounds more like a snow hike, than a stroll…" I giggled and Charles tilted my head up, two fingers under my chin.

"We’ll see." he kissed me softly and I smiled "Sleep now."

"Okay, okay, Charlie bear… good night…" I laid my head back on his chest and looked above again, it didn’t take long for sleep to find me.

Turning a little, I find the bed empty next to me. With a sigh I opened my eyes, looking around. It was snowing. A lot.

"Good morning, cara mia." Charles walked in with a tray full of food "Are you hungry?" he set the trey down in front of me and climbed back into bed.

"Always." I mumbled and sat up, the blanket slipping down, making me shiver.

"Here." Charles handed me his hoodie and pulled it over my head.

"Thanks… so what do we have here." I smiled and looked at the food "Looks good, did you make that?"

"No, don’t worry. You can order it and they bring it up to your cabin." he chuckled, pouring some orange juice into a glass "Here. I have everything that you love."

"I thought for lunch we could check out the restaurant at the reception building? Then we can select our dinner for tonight as well and order it."

"Sounds like a plan… snow hike then." I laughed, eating some yogurt.

"Oh come on! It’s not that far away! According to the flyer it’s only 1.7 kilometre! That’s nothing for us!"

"Did you see the snow outside? That will take forever! We will probably freeze to death on our way there! A pack of wild wolves will find us and eat us as a little snack!"

"Now you’re being dramatic! There are no wolves in Iceland!" he laughed and I shrugged my shoulders "It’s going to be amazing, you’ll see!"

After breakfast I had a long, hot shower and then dressed up.

"I’m glad I took my ski clothes with me." I said and sat down to put on my boots.

"Smart girl!" Charles chuckled and put on his beanie "Ready?"

"Yup!" I slipped my gloves on and followed him outside "Oh wow, that’s really cold!"

"Just a little… come on now!" he held out his hand and we walked along the beautiful, snowy landscape.

"As much as I love snow, but that would be too much! Seriously! Three to four months like this? Hell no!" I mumbled when we arrived at the reception building, shaking off the snow.

"God no! You’re right. That’s really a little much." Charles opened the door for me and I unzipped my jacket right as a woman walked up to us.

"Miss Doetterer, Mr. Leclerc. I’ll take you to your table. Do you want me to take your jackets?" she smiled at us.

"That would be wonderful, they’re wet and snowy." I answered and she nodded,looking at a young man, who took our jackets from us. We then followed her inside the little restaurant and she placed us right next to a cozy fireplace, a huge panorama window on the other side.

"Here’s the menu. If you have any questions, just ask." with one last smile she walked away.

"That food sounds delicious!" I read through the menu, not knowing what to pick "I kinda want everything."

"Don’t forget, we order some dinner as well for tonight. So you can try a lot of different stuff." Charles smiled and I nodded.

"That’s good, because I have already three things I want to order and I’m not even half way done with the menu."

"Same same."

"Let me just set up my camera!" I smiled at Charles who jumped into the snow, making snow angels.

"Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to do that with only jeans on!" he laughed as I jumped right next to him.

"Sweatpants aren’t that great either." I grabbed a handful snow and threw it at him.

"Hey!" Charles shuddered a little before he grabbed some snow as well "Oh the battle is on!" he lunged at me and for the next 10 minutes we were rolling through the snow, throwing snowballs at each other and having the time of our life’s.

"Ok, I give up! I’m done!" I heaved, plopping down in the snow and Charles leaned over me.

"You surrender?" he asked, his hot breath fanning over my skin.

"I surrender!" I whispered and he put his cold lips on mine.

"Let’s get inside, cara mia." he kissed the tip of my nose and then picked me up, carrying me inside "How about we make use of that huge bathtub?" he sat me down and I shut off my camera.

"That sounds like an amazing idea!" I nodded and Charles took my hand, leading me to the bathroom.

Thirty minutes later I sat, between Charles legs, back pressed into his chest, watching the snow fall outside.

"We could go to the blue lagoon tomorrow? I mean, where in Iceland! We have to go there!" Charles kissed my shoulder.

"Oh yes please! That mud and clay is supposed to be really good for your skin!" I said excitedly and he laughed.

"Alright. I’ll check in with the reception later on.

"Thank you!" I turned a little, kissing him.

We sat cuddled up on the sofa in front of the fireplace, Charles reading a book while I was scrolling through Instagram to see what our family and friends were up to. Under the newest post of Arthur, a picture of him with Liam on his shoulders and Lorenzo with Benji on his shoulders the comments were full of comments about Charles and I. People were asking if we were there as well, as since Mexico we were pretty quiet on social media. Charles only posted twice after. The picture of us in Mexico and then one last picture from Abu Dhabi, where he thanked the Tifosi for an incredible year. My last post was from the media day in Mexico, where I took a picture with a girl who gave me a self made doll, looking like me. People were wondering why I haven’t posted anything yet about Charles and I. I put my phone down and picked up my camera, looking through the picture it took while we were playing in the snow earlier. There were some really nice snapshots among some very blurry ones. As I went through the photos I had an idea.

When it knocked on the door, Charles got up, opening the door. A whole cart full of food and beverages was rolled in and after tipping the server Charles turned to look at me.

"I guess, the party can begin!" he laughed, pointing at the big champagne bottle and I smiled.

"Looks like it!" I said and Charles rolled the cart over to the big panorama windows "That food smells amazing!"

He sat down on the sofa and patted the space next to him.

"What a way to end this year." I sighed, plopping down and leaning back into the soft pillows, Charles leaned back as well, snaking his arm around me and pulling me close to him.

"Last year on New Year’s Eve I promised myself that this was the year I would make you mine. You know me, I usually never have any New Year’s resolutions… but yeah this one time I had one and I’m more than happy that it worked out." Charles said and kissed my temple.

I turned slightly to look at him, he had a content smile on his face, watching the heavy snowfall outside our window.

"Thank you…" I whispered after a while and he tilted his head slightly "Thank you for believing in us. Fighting for us… thank you for making this year literally the best year of my life!"

"I mean, it’s not like I was being totally selfless and did it just for your sake… I gained a lot from it as well." he chuckled a little and I playfully hit his chest "It was a good year. And I know even better years will come!"

"Hear, hear!"

After another moment of silence where we just indulged in being together at this wonderful place, Charles sat up slowly.

"Now come on! We have all of this amazing food!" he said and I sat up as well "Should I put on some music? Or do you want to watch a film?"

"We only watched four out of our five Christmas movies this year! We have to watch Elf!" I said and Charles laughed "We did it every year! We can’t break that tradition now!"

"Alright. Elf it is!" he turned on the TV and I loaded up my plate with food, snuggling back into the pillows.

"I like New Year’s Eve like this… good food, watching a movie all cuddled up. Just you and me. Quiet. Comfy." I mumbled after a while and Charles hummed his agreement.

When the end credits were rolling I checked the time. 23:46.

"Almost midnight." Charles smiled, following my look "I have an idea. Come on up, pretty girl." he pulled me up on my feet, grabbing our jackets and boots "Dress up. I want to slow dance in the snow with you." he wrapped his scarf around his head and out his beanie on, I did the same and sat down to lace up my boots. Charles grabbed his phone and looked at me "Ready? Okay… oh wait. One more thing!" he grabbed the bottle of champagne and then slid open the glass doors to the terrace holding out his hand for me to take.

"Oh wow it’s freezing!" I said as we stepped outside.

"Give me a second and I’ll fix that." Charles said tapping away at his phone and Ed Sheeran’s 'Perfect' started to play. He placed his phone and the champagne on the table and then pulled me onto his arms, gently swaying us around, humming to the melody of the song. He leaned his forehead against mine closed his eyes. I did the same "…dancing in the dark, with you between my arms, with snow boots in the snow, listening to our favourite song…" he quietly sang along and I had to laugh when he changed the lyrics.

"Is that our favourite song then?" I asked and he looked at me.

"No. But it’s a nice one. And it’s slow. Just wait… our favourite song will play next…" he smiled and I was curious what he might’ve picked out.

We slow danced in the snow when the song ended and the next one began. My heart racing, big smile spreading over my face.

"Charles…" I whispered and he pulled me closer.

"This is it. I know it’s one of your favourite songs… and when I learned to play it on the piano for you I kinda fell in love with it as well… and I want that for us… I want to go where you go, I always want to be this close… you’re my lover…" Charles smiled his most adorable smile and gently wiped away a stray tear from my cheek "I love you, Lizzie."

"I love you too, Charles. So much." and right as I leaned in the fireworks exploded above us "Midnight…"

Charles pulled me closer, his soft lips fitted perfectly on mine and I gasped at how cold they where. He slipped his tongue inside my mouth, gentle but demanding, sending shivers down my spine. His grip on my waist tightened as he tried to pull me even closer into him, every single part of my body dissolving into his, a shockwave of tingles spreading all over my body.

"Happy New Year, mon amour." Charles whispered against my lips when we both had to come up for some air.

"Happy New Year, mon cœur." I replied looking in his beautiful eyes.

"Here." he pulled away a little, turning to the table and grabbed the bootle of champagne, popping the cork, pouring us two glasses. I took the glass he handed me and we toasted them together "Cheers to us." our glasses clinked together and I took a swig of it. Charles pulled me to his side again and we looked at the sky above, the northern lights glowing, the fireworks sparkling.

The whole flight from Iceland to Miami and then San Jose I felt giddy, excited. The pictures our family had sent us were looking amazing and I couldn’t wait to spent some last relaxed days with our family before the preparation for the new season would start. We got out of the car and the door opened, Liam and Benji storming out.

"THEY‘RE HERE! THEY‘RE HERE!" the boys shouted happily and I had to laugh, both storming towards us.

"Hey kiddos!" Charles scooped them up and they hugged him "I missed you guys!"

"We missed you too! Charlie the pool is so big! And there are tiny geckos everywhere! And you can hear monkeys in the jungle! It’s so cool!" Liam screeched and then leaned over to me and I grabbed him, hugging him close "And we saw a sloth! The my are sooooo slow!" he kissed my cheek and I smiled.

"Yeah and we saw turtles! Nico said we will see baby turtles if we’re lucky!" Benji made big eyes and I kissed his cheek.

"Oh wow! Sounds like you had some amazing adventure already then?" Charles said and the boys nodded, right as Arthur and Marcus walked outside, taking our suitcases from the driver.

"You couldn’t even let them get inside, couldn’t you?" Marcus chuckled, sidehugging me "Hey schwesti."

"They were just so happy to see us… maybe they were a little sick of the same boring faces for the past few days!" I chuckled and he pinched my side.

"Come on in. You’ll love it! You did an amazing job, picking this place, Lizzie!" Arthur said and we followed them inside. I was stunned. The photos didn’t do this place justice. It was insane.

"Oh hey there lovebirds!" Enzo came inside from the terrace and we hugged him "You’re just in time for dinner! Or do you first settle down a little? Freshen up?"

"If dinner means there’s also a cold drink for me? Then I’m up for it now." I chuckled a little and Charles nodded.

"Don’t worry, you can have any drink you want! Come on out!" he smiled and we followed him outside.

We hugged everyone and then sat down on the terrace, overlooking a huge infinity pool with a marvellous beach right in front.

"How was Iceland? It looked pretty cold! But so beautiful!" Mum asked and I munched on my garlic bread, letting Charles do the talk.

"It was really cold. But so quiet! The cabins are so far away from each other that you really had the feeling you were there alone! And then half of the house is made out of glass! We lay in bed, watching the northern lights above us! They were so amazing! I swear I didn’t even want to sleep, just look at them." he said with a big smile.

"Probably not the only thing he wanted to do while laying there…" Arthur leaned in, saying it only for me to hear and I punched his arm "Hey!"

"You, little Arthi, should get your head out of the gutter!" I said underneath my breath and he rubbed his arm.

"As if I’m wrong." he mumbled and I laughed.

"No, you’re absolutely not wrong. You want to have the full details…" I looked him dead in the eye, wiggling my eyebrows.

"Eww stop!" he shoved me a little and Charles looked at us.

"What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing!" Arthur and I said at the same time and we burst out laughing.

"Enough from Iceland! How’s it here? What have you done already?" I asked.

"We were at the beach, the city, just relaxed here by the pool. In two days we want to go on a boat ride… oh and there are three turtle nests right in front of our nose… we spent some time just watching it until they hatch." Dad gave us a quick rundown and I cheered excitedly.

"Turtle nests? Three of them? That’s where we might see the baby turtles then!" I asked and Benji nodded "Oh wow! How exciting!"

"Yeah Nico, he’s the wildlife expert who works for the resort, said the chances are pretty high that we will see baby turtles… he goes on control walks every night and when he sees that they hatch he will call us, so we can join him at the beach." Sissy explained and I nodded.

"I really hope they will hatch!" Liam said and I smiled.

"Me too, little one, me too!"

Charles POV:

"Charles! Liam! Come on! The cars are waiting!" Sissy shouted and Liam rolled his eyes.

"She always needs hours to be ready and then that one time we need a little longer she shouts!" he mumbled and I laughed.

"Take the first car, we’re coming in the second one!" I shouted back and heard the door close "Now come on, Bubba. Put on your shoes."

"Why do I need shoes anyway? I’m just in the car and then on the boat!" Liam mumbled.

"Because we have to get from the car tonte boat as well?" I cocked an eyebrow and he frowned, putting on socks and his shoes "That’s what I thought. Let me just grab some water, I know you, we’re probably not even in the car and you’re thirsty already!" we walked down the stairs and I grabbed two bottles of water, putting them in my backpack "Alright, let’s go."

Outside was no car waiting for us and I looked around. I saw the car parking at the entryway to the neighbouring house and ushered Liam towards it.

"Hi, umm are you our driver?" I asked the guy who leaned against the car and he nodded.

"I’m José. Is it just you two? I thought you’re more?" he asked and opened our door.

"They took the first car, we’re a little late." I laughed as we sat down and I buckled Liam in.

"Oh? Okay? I thought I was the first car and then Matteo would be picking up the latecomer? Maybe I drove too fast." he pulled into the traffic and Liam laughed.

"Maybe you should also be a Formula 1 driver like Charlie and Lizzie!" he said excitedly and José looked at us in the rear view mirror.

"Formula 1 driver? You’re Charles Leclerc from Ferrari?" he asked and I nodded slightly.

"Guilty." I said and he smiled.

"You had a pretty good season, without some mistakes from your team, you might’ve won the title." he said and I shrugged my shoulders.

"I made too many mistakes myself, to blame the team entirely." I sighed a little but he only shook his head.

"Imola and France were your only mistakes. The rest was your team’s fault."

"Yes, because Ferrari is bad to Charlie!" Liam pouted and I chuckled.

"Oh come on now Bubba, you love Ferrari!" I put an arm around his shoulder, pulling him a little into my side.

"Just because you drive there! Maybe you should go to Red Bull and drive with Max! Then you would win!" he chirped and José and I laughed.

"I don’t think that’s so easy, little man." our driver said and I nodded.

"Absolutely not that easy. And I also love Ferrari, just like you." I laughed, ruffling Liams hair.

"Whatever." he shrugged his shoulders and looked out of the window.

For the next 25 minutes we drove in silence, following a street deep into the forest.

"I thought the harbour was just a short drive away downtown somewhere?" I asked and José looked at me in the mirror.

"Harbour? No, no, compañero, we’re driving into the jungle to the adventure park?" he said and Liams eyes lit up.

"Adventure park?" he said excitedly and José nodded.

"Okay, there must be a mistake, because our cars were supposed to bring us to the harbour." I said, pulling out my phone "I have to call Lizzie." I dialled her number.

"Where are you, the skipper wants to leave in the next minutes?" Lizzie picked up.

"Umm I think there’s a mix up? We’re on our way to an adventure park instead of the harbour." I said and was met with silence "Lizzie?"

"How- how did that happen?" she asked.

"I honestly don’t know." I scratched my chin.

"I wanna go to the adventure park! Adventure park! Adventure park!" Liam whined and Lizzie sighed.

"Wait, I have to ask your mum…" Lizzie said and I heard her talking with Sissy "Alright. You go to the adventure park as it seems!"

"Are you sure? We could turn around?" I asked.

"Noooooo! I want to spend the day with you in the adventure park!" Liam pouted and I laughed.

"Okay. Seems like we’re going to the adventure park…"

"Take care and have fun boys! See you tonight!" Lizzie said.

"See you tonight, cara mia." I hung up and Liam looked at me with big eyes.

"It’s only you and me?" he said and I nodded "Awesome!"

An hour later, after we got our first instructions, were both strapped into our harnesses, climbing up the trees. Liam above me giggling happily.

"Come on, Charlie! Hurry up!" he looked back at me and I chuckled.

"I’m on my way! Look where you’re going!"

The next few hours we climbed higher and higher, swinging from platform to platform, walking over rope bridges, and slack lines. At the end of the track, we arrived at a huge platform with a zip line, Liam making big eyes, grabbing my hand tight.

"That looks scary." he whispered, clutching to my hand.

"Yeah a little." I nodded and looked at him, fear evident on his face "We can do it together?"

"Can we?" he asked and I looked at the the instructor who nodded.

"No problem, we will strap you to him and then you go together!" he smiled and clipped me onto the zip line, then he clipped Liams harness to mine, pulling at it, to check if it’s safe "You guys are ready to go!"

"Alright! Thank you!" I smiled at him and Liam held onto my arm "Ready? 3… 2… 1… Go!"

It was amazing. The view was incredible, the speed thrilling and when it was over I would’ve loved to go again.

"That was sooo cool!" Liam jumped happily up and down when we stepped out of the harnesses "Can we do that again?"

"Not today, Bubba, it’s already quite late and we have to walk to the car park." I said and he pouted a little.

"Can we come here again? Tomorrow? With everyone? Lizzie, Benji, Arthi, Marcus, Enzo?"

"We’ll ask them when we’re back home."

"Deal?"

"Deal!"

We opened the door and walked inside, I noticed the light in the kitchen was on.

"Charles?" I said loudly and walked through the archway.

"Shhh!" Charles shushed me as I rounded the corner.

Sitting on the huge sofa was Charles, Liam cuddled up on his chest, snoring softly. Charles looked exhausted but had a big smile on his face, waving at us.

"I think I exhausted him a little." he chuckled and Lorenzo walked past me, setting down a dozing Benji right next to him. Benji grumbled a little but then looked up at Charles, yawning and cuddling up to his side "And you exhausted this little one." he put his arm around Benji, pulling him closer.

"How was the adventure park?" I asked, sitting down next to him.

"It was pretty cool, in the jungle. Liam wants to go there tomorrow again, with all of you guys. It was a high ropes course in the trees and a huge zip line at the end, couple hundreds of metres long. Pretty high. But the view? Incredible." Charles eyes lit up and I smiled.

"Yeah, then we should go there tomorrow all together." Marcus said and I nodded.

"High ropes in the trees? Zip line? Nope. I’m too old for that." Juergen chuckled and Maman and Marina nodded agreeing.

"And I’m afraid of heights, so I’m out as well!" Lisa chuckled.

"We enjoy a quiet house then." Maman said.

"Sounds like a plan then. Did he eat something?" Sissy asked and I nodded "Perfect, I’ll take him to bed then!" she carefully picked him up and Lisa did the same with Benji.

"You look exhausted?" I whispered to Charles as he put his arm around me.

"A little, yeah… but it was fun and you guys will love it!" he said and I nodded.

"I think I’ll head to bed as well. I’m tired." I sat up and stretched a little.

"Already? Are you okay?" he sat up as well, looking at me.

"Yeah yeah, I’m just tired!" I kissed his cheek and got up "Good night guys!"

"You’re going to bed already?" Dad asked and I nodded, not missing the look he and Charles exchanged "Alright, good night then."

I walked upstairs into our bedroom and went straight for the bathroom, stripping naked and took a shower. I wrapped my hair in a towel and sat down on the bed, stretching my back. I felt a little tense the past days, some days more, some less. Today it was a little more, probably caused by climbing the ladder of the boat out of the ocean again and again. I unwrapped my hair after a while and walked into the bathroom, brushing it when Charles walked in.

"Hey…" he said and looked at me for a moment "Are you really okay? You’re a little pale?"

"I’m just tired, really." I sighed and put the brush down "Don’t worry! I just need to sleep a little."

"Okay." he kissed the crown of my head and then went for a shower.

Cuddled up in the bed I took my phone out and scrolled a little through Instagram and Co. when Charles came back, lying down next to me.

"We’re leaving in four days and then the preparation for the new season starts already." he whispered and I put my phone down "Do you want to join us? I know that Andrea and JK talked about it. A little skiing. Snow hiking, climbing?"

"Yeah JK asked me already, I wanted to surprise you…" I smiled and he turned his head "We’ll join you."

"Now I’m excited for it!" he pulled me closer.

"Yeah? You know that I will kick your ass?" I chuckled and he threw his head back laughing.

"Only you would make a competition out of a training camp!"

"You know me." I shrugged my shoulders a little.

"Yeah that’s true." he kissed my head "Now sleep, cara mia. You need to be well rested tomorrow!"

"Oh come on! A little high ropes course? That’ll be easy peasy!" I laughed.

It wasn’t easy at all. It was exhausting. A lot of fun. But exhausting. As we arrived at the zip line it was all worth it though. The view was incredible and the feeling of breezing down the valley felt amazing.

"That was freaking awesome!" I cheered back in the car.

"It was so cool!" Benji agreed "Can we come here again?"

"We’ll see, little one!" Marcus patted his shoulder as I watched the sun slowly setting and Enzo’s phone rang.

"Really? Oh wow! Yeah we’ll be there in 10 minutes! See you soon!" he hung up and looked at us "In one of the nests the eggs began to hatch!"

"BABY TURTLES!" Liam shouted and I laughed excitedly.

The car wasn’t even parked when Benji and Liam already unbuckled their seatbelts and darted out of the car, running towards the beach. The rest of us followed them quickly, a small group of people had already gathered at one of the nests. Mum, Dad, Pascale and Lisa waved us over and the boys ran over to them. When we arrived, Nico told us that his team made sure that the baby turtles would make it safely into the ocean, as a lot of predators were looking out for the little ones and unfortunately also poachers. The first baby turtles already made their way down to the beach, flanked by two people on each side. They looked adorable and I kneeled down to take a closer look. Nico carefully picked up two baby turtles and sat them down gently onto Liams and Benjis outstretched hands.

"They are so cute!" Liam whispered, lifting his head a little to look closely at the tiny creature.

"And so small!" Benji did the same.

"For now they are small, but they will turn into big sea turtles, maybe even bigger than you!" Nico explained and the boys made big eyes.

"Wow!" they whispered.

"You want to bring them down to the water?" Nico asked and the boys nodded "Who else wants a baby turtle?" he turned to us and in the next minute we all had our own little baby turtle in our hands, carrying them down to the rest of Nico’s team. They instructed us to sat them down close to the waterline, but not too close, they had to start their journey to the ocean alone.

"What a special day." Charles whispered as we watched how the little creatures made their way into the ocean, getting swapped away as soon as they reached the water, right as the sun set over the horizon. He hugged me from behind and leaned his chin on my shoulder, watching the baby turtles starting their journey in front of us.

"What a special day indeed."

Chapter 30 - that was the winter break, just some cute and fluffy moments! They deserved to be a little carefree for a while… before the new season starts… and…

Please leave a comment/ like/ reblog/ message and tell me how you liked it! I'm dying to hear your thoughts!

If you want to be added to the taglist, drop a comment!

Last but not least, English is not my first language and although I tried my best: please excuse any mistakes I made!

Taglist:

@silkenthusiasts @eugene-emt-roe @sunny44 @itsjustkhaos @glitterquadricorn @aundercover @kakorrhaphiphobia @alittlebitofbooksandmagic @ru-kru @glitterf1 @janeholt3 @maeve-wileyy @18754389 @chiliwhore @hellowgoodbye @queensassybitchsworld @harrysdimple05 @skynel09

All the images I’m using are from Google, Pinterest and Instagram (or self made).

[shima-draws]

If you could wipe the memory of one Pokémon game from everyone, which game would it be?

(The game will still exist and is able to be played again, but no one will remember anything about it)

Sun and Moon bc maybe then people would learn to actually appreciate it more for its story especially after we all collectively flipped our shit at how good SV’s story was

[fr0glet-5]

So my sister and I are watching "Kiss Him, Not Me" we're only episode 8, so if everything goes to shit in the last few episodes, I don't know about it yet. Anyway, when I started watching it, my expectations weren't that high. I knew it was probably going to make me laugh, and I thought it was gonna be a bit problematic (just based on the premise), but omg, it's genuinely so good.

For example, in episode 5, Kae gains weight again. All the guys are grossed out (except Asuma, but he's just kinda there), but

1: Shima isn't fazed and still cares for her, and we later learn that she fell for her before she was skinny the first time which I love

2: when the guys start treating her like crap again it's treated as a bad thing, and on top of that, Yuuskue learns not to just like someone for their looks. He realizes she's beautiful inside and out.

The episode is way better than I thought it could be.

In episode 8, which is the one we just watched, Nokomu assaults Kae. When I saw that part, I thought it was going to be treated like sexual assault is addressed in other animes and manga in the way it isn't addressed ever. But in kiss him not me she's scared of him afterward, she doesn't go to school or practice for the show she's in because of him.

Once Nokomu comes to his senses (bro was deathly sick and wasn't in the right state of mind), he feels awful and goes to apologize. She's still messed up from him, and on the day of the show, she tells him that she needs some space from him and he agrees. After the show (stuff goes down and they dance together and she saves him from falling) after the show she tells him that it's going to take a bit but they can still be friends. AND she makes it clear to the audience that not all situations like this are addressed the same way and that it's different for everybody. Kae also mentions that this happens in fiction all the time, but when it happens in real life, it's scary.

So far, this show gets an A+. I'm hoping the last few episodes don't ruin it T-T

[at1nys-blog]

Can I get HCs for the cram school boys finding out their crush is a half demon? :O (blue exorcist)

If is okay for you I’m making reader Mephistopheles’ child in every HC. I hope this turned out how you imagined. Please leave a feedback even in anon is okay

Rin Okumura’s HC

Boy is like “???!!!!! What?”

I mean he still has to come to the realization HE is half a demon

Found out by accident because overheard Mephistopheles

After being very confused he is chill

100% asks you about your childhood with your… condition?!

Rin: so… how was your childhood considering.. your condition yk?!

YN: dude… really?

He asks you a lot about Gehenna and about your father, mostly if they should trust him because is Mephisto we are talking about

Rin: you truly believe him?

YN: he is my dad?!

You help him with homework because… self explanatory

Fascinated by your demon form. He would learn to draw so he can have scratches of you in his notebooks (will fail? Possible. Would he give up? After a while)

A LOT OF TIME SPENT WITH KURO

Is a must like, at first is just when possible then it becomes once a week and then every day?!!!!

You don’t complain, you like Kuro

Cooking dates

He teaches you how to cook even though you can have all the food you want with a schiocco of fingers

He introduces you to manga

Asks you your favorite hobby so he would try and learn it

Yukio Okumura’s HC

100% saw it coming

Maybe not that Mephisto is your dad, which took him a couple of minutes to realize, but he saw it coming you are half demon

Very chill, I mean he is half a demon too

But still suspicious about you a little

Asks you how it is to have him as a father

Asks you to show your powers so he can work a routine for your training (he is amazed by your powers but wants to keep it professional)

Sometimes would use you as a spy

Doesn’t know what fun means sometimes

YN: Yukio you should get out your room and have some fun

Yukio: No

YN: COME ON *tries to get him off his chair but fails*

Yukio: No

Always there if you get hurt, I mean as much as you could get hurt

Sometimes forgets you are half demon and heal faster than humans

Yukio: here take this so you won’t bleed much

YN: …

Yukio: Right

If you are a Meister trusts you with the mission

If you are a student…

He is careful you don’t get in trouble

You think is because your dad told him to, and is actually because your dad told him to (but he wants to make sure his crush is fine)

A good friend overall

Ryūji Suguro’s HC

Man is dying inside

His crush???? A half demon????? When???? Why????

He avoids you… FOR WEEKS

Doesn’t talk to you. Doesn’t acknowledge you in class. Nothing

Renzo and Miwa knock some sense into him

He is shy to say the least when he apologizes to you because 1: he likes you and 2: he feels like trash for avoiding you

Mephisto would follow him around school as a dog just to piss him off (he broke his little baby’s heart)

Would be careful about what he talks to you because of your nature no matter how many times you assure him you are with the good guys

YN: Bon…

Bon: don’t call me that

YN: okay, sorry. Suguro I told you already I’m not the bad guy here

Bon: Uhm… sure

The more you spend time with him the more he realizes you are actually good

Feels stupid for his prejudice on you

Gives you an anonymous gift to apologize (he might or might not have written a letter too)

Introduces to his family immediately as his friend. Renzo’s brothers teased him about that

Makes sure you eat

Bon: try this one, is my favorite food here

YN: thanks but I’m not in the mood

Bon: then maybe this? This is not my favorite but you might like it

Also make sure you are safe during missions and are not hurt

Very observant about you

Renzō Shima’s HC

Shima would NOT care about it

Renzo: you are half demon???😍😍

YN: yes, are you okay with that?

Renzo: MY CRUSH IS SO SPECIAL

YN: you know I might betray you all one day?

Renzo: whatever you want to do my dear

Totally wrote back home about him having a special S/O just to make his brothers jealous

Already planning the wedding

No fr he is so in love with you and the fact you are half a demon means nothing to him.

Very open about his feelings for you

Would do everything to make you happy

I mean EVERYTHING

If you attend Cram School as a student/teacher would leave little gifts on your desk

If not would try and find a way to come see you

100% asks you to things (festivals; out on Valentine’s Day etc) with a big gesture

Boy is CLINGY AF

And jealous too

Random person: *looks at you for 1s*

Renzo: that is my partner you are looking at you perv

YN: Renzo…

Do not expect him to cook for you unless you want the kitchen on fire

Not very romantic but tries his best

Totally told you what your dad asked him to do

Konekomaru Miwa’s HC

Scared. Not only because you are half demon, or because your dad is the principal of the school but because this thing is new to him overall

Avoids Renzo for advice and goes to Rin or Yukio

Also asks Izumo and Shiemi

Gentleman throughout

Boy is chatty but you like listening to him

Actually asks Mephisto if he can ask you out

You found out because your dad can’t keep secrets for his own good

Would shyly ask you to show him your power

Miwa: not to bother you or anything but… can I maybe, just if you want, see your powers?

YN: sure *powers on display*

Miwa: wow

If you are a student helps you studying

Flash cards are his way to go and would freak out if he looses his

Miwa: please tell me you have seen my flash cards

YN: *joking* no, sorry

Miwa: *full on panic attack*

YN: calm down I was joking. Here

Miwa: NEVER AGAIN

Quality time is his favorite time

He would make you see all his favorite movies so you can get quotes

Introduces you to the concept of inside jokes (he is big on inside jokes. I can see him randomly dropping a joke and laughs at Renzo and Bon not understanding what he is saying)

Always asking you how are you feeling and/or how your day went

Makes you list of human things you should try