#I dun want drama dammit

[citrusmonkey]

So hyped up for the premier x0 two more days OMG!!! Sadly I couldn't avoid all spoilers thou ;0;

[tinyboxxtink]

Build Me Up Buttercup *Part 8*

This one goes out to @wanniiieeee 

If you need to catch up:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 9

Note: In the universe of this story, we're saying Barba is 40, the rest of the squad is like 35-38

ALSO-- WOWWWWWWW I have just realized the whole "super young detective super genius" persona was from the one shot I wrote right before this. Wow. I am so sorry guys. I hope that didn't totally take away from it, we'll just say it was always a thing. Cool? Cool. 😅

“2 vodka shots, top shelf,”

You instructed the bartender as you sat down in the very edged corner of the bar, making sure a seat was empty next to you. Like a moth to the flame Rafael slipped into it before you finished your sentence.

“Ah, I don’t really care for vodka,” he smirked.

“Who said those were for you? I’m obviously not driving anywhere tonight,” you rolled your eyes.

“Right….I’ll have 2 Jose Cuervo shots, thanks,” he nodded at the bartender, noticing you were giving him a  “look”.

“What? I’m not gonna let you get drunk alone,”

“2 shots is hardly going to get me drunk counselor, I can’t say the same for you,” you eyed him up and down.

“Pfft, please…” Rafael laughed.

The bartender returned with your four shots. You downed your two like they were water, then glanced at Barba. He took one of his shots and turned bright red, coughing wildly. You couldn’t help but smirk.

“You were saying?” You asked, trying your damnedest not to burst out laughing.

“It’s fine, it just...went down the wrong pipe,” he croaked.

“Mmmhmm well take the other one then,” You smirked.

He hesitated, but wouldn’t dare let himself be shown up like this, especially in front of you. He took the second shot glass and downed it; this time he only made a horrible face, but kept the liquid down nice and easy.

“You were saying?” He choked out with a fake smile, and you couldn’t help but smile. Dammit, NO. Stick to the plan.

“Can we please not do this,” You sighed, putting back on your chilly demeanor.

“Do what?”

“The whole witty flirty banter thing, I’m really not in the mood. Especially after you just rejected me,”  You gestured between the two of you.

“I didn’t REJECT--”

“We’re working, Y/N. Your insane crush is super flattering, Y/N. Neither of those sound good for me,” you scoffed.

“You have an ‘insane crush’ on me?” Rafael’s eyes perked up with a smile.

“Wha--no I was mocking you, moron,” You hit him casually.

“But I didn’t know you had an insane crush on me until this moment, so that couldn’t have been me,” he teased.

“Ok this is what I’m talking about,” you tried to stay angry, but the vodka was kicking in and all you could do was stare at his lips.

“I’m not rejecting you,” he simply stated, causing your eyebrows to arch.

“Sounds like tequila talking,” you scoffed.

“I was never trying to reject you, I just--” he tried explaining but you cut him off.

“Don’t wanna lead me on?”

“Excuse me?” he nearly choked again.

“I’m not stupid, counselor. Or deaf,” you narrowed your eyes at him; he looked at you with puppy dog confusion.

“I heard you and Liv’s conversation,” his eyes went wide with fear.

“....How much?”

“Enough to know she’s not ok with it, and you’re gonna listen because you guys are like, soulmates or something,” you gestured sarcastically.

“What?”

“Oh please, I’ve seen you around each other for over a year now. You’re so in sync, it’s like you're one person,” you couldn’t believe you had to explain this to him.

“We’re not together,” he blurted out rather quickly, causing you to give him a “really?” stare.

“...But she doesn’t want you with anyone else,”  you raised an eyebrow.

“She doesn’t want me with you,” he murmured, looking at the empty shot glass.

“See?! Told you!” You slapped the bar triumphantly.

“No! Ugh….look, I don’t care what Liv wants, or thinks,” Rafael gently pounded the bar with a fist.

“Prove it,” you smirked.

“Excuse me?”

“Prove it. Kiss me,” you dared him.

“That’s not-- I’m not gonna--” he half laughed nervously.

“Hey you said you didn’t care what Liv thinks, and I can promise you you’re not leading me on. And I know you’ve wanted to since you walked back in here,”

“What? No, I didn’t-- pfft you...that’s not why I--” He tried coming up with an answer, but the tequila was hitting him hard.

“Then prove it….counselor,” you moved yourself up on the barstool closer to him, your faces now inches apart.

Rafael’s brain was frozen, all the blood in his body had already travelled south. He stared at your lips, willing himself to be strong but losing. Finally after a few seconds, you couldn’t wait anymore; you grabbed his collar and pulled him into you, HARD. He nearly fell off his own stool, he grabbed your shoulders to balance, pulling you further into him. Both of your minds went completely blank in that moment. All the bull shit of this wretched day had been erased, and all that mattered was this moment, your mouths exploring each other like Lewis and Clark. It was so intense and powerful it caused a few hoots and hollers from nearby patrons. Rafael felt your huge smile against his lips, and he couldn’t help but return the gesture. His hands ran through your hair, hungrily biting your lip. It took you all you had not to moan right there. You both tasted the burning of the two liquors mixing, almost making it that much more intoxicating. You lost all sense of time until--

“AHEM,”

You both snapped apart, and looked to see the squad, Olivia at the head, standing there in shock. Well, three of them looked shocked, Olivia looked PISSED.

“...I found a body shop near here that will send someone to fix your tire first thing in the morning, 6 am SHARP. So we’re going to check in that motel next door. ALL of us,” She practically growled at the two of you.

“...Yeah, yeah sure Liv whatever you want,” Barba tried to casually play off the fact that his face was covered in your lipstick. You muttered some awkward agreement phrases, throwing down a $20.

“Keep the change,” You whispered, lagging just behind the group. Rafael fell behind as you kept walking.

“Ooooh, you two are in troubleeee!!!” Amanda giggled, causing you both to glare at her.

“Shut up!” You hissed. Rafael tugged on your shoulder signaling you to chill.

“I’ll pay you back,” he whispered.

“What?” You said in a normal tone.

“For the shots,” he motioned back towards the bar.

“Oh, yeah that’s what I’m worried about right now,”

The six of you walked in silence after that, through the parking lot and into the “lobby” of the motel. It was basically a room consisting of: a vending machine, a couch, a black and white TV, and a desk where a girl who looked no older than 16 stood behind, playing on her phone.

“Excuse me,” Olivia knocked on the desk, getting the girls attention. She looked at the group and sighed, rolling her eyes and reluctantly putting her phone away.

“3 rooms?” She asked, gesturing to the three couplets you all happened to be standing in. Amanda and Carisi, Fin and Olivia, obviously you and Barba.

“Wha--NO,” Olivia almost yelled. “We’ll take six rooms,”

“Ah but--” Sonny protested, gesturing to Amanda, who quickly elbowed him in the gut.

“For how many hours?” She began typing into a computer that looked like it was from the 80’s.

“....Overnight? 6 am,” She shook her head at the seediness of this hotel becoming more and more apparent.

“$1920,” The girl replied, looking back down at her phone.

“EXCUSE ME?”

“The rooms are $40 an hour ma’am, times 8 hours. That’s 320. Times 6. That’s--”

“$1920,” Olivia bit her lip, trying her best not to explode.

“...I’ll uh, I’ll get it, Liv,” Barba spoke up as he walked up to counter, handing the girl his credit card. They traded looks that looked like an entire argument between eyebrows.

“Six keys, they’re the six rooms right next door. Get out by six am sharp or we’ll keep charging your card until you do.” The girl threw keys at the group nonchalantly, not looking back up from her phone.

“Great hospitality there, princess,” Sonny shot her a sarcastic smile, not like she noticed.

The group returned outside to the parking lot, Olivia handed out keys.

“Alright, meet back here in six hours. SIX HOURS, NO LATER,” She warned, looking each member in the eye; she lingered on you and then stopped on Barba.

“Can I speak with you?”

“Dun dun dun,” Carisi chuckled, Amanda couldn’t help but giggle. Fin rolled his eyes and peaced out, he wasn’t about the drama.

“ALONE,” She enunciated, motioning the three of you to run along. You all complied….to a spot around the corner, out of her sight.

“What did I JUST say, Rafael?!” Olivia began pacing.

“You said not to lead her on, I’m not leading her on,” Rafael stated calmly.

“I also said that she clearly has some kind of crush on you, and was trying to seduce you!” Olivia gestured towards where you had walked off towards.

“Oh Liv come on--” he started but Liv was not having it.

“I saw her kiss you! SHE kissed YOU!” she started to raise her voice.

“I would’ve kissed her if she hadn’t!” He bit back defensively

“God, don’t tell me that Rafa. I really wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt here,” Olivia sighed deeply, her hands wrapping around the back of her head.

“What are you talking about?” Rafael’s eyes questioned her.

“SHE 'S 28, RAFAEL. You’re 12 years older than her! You really think that banging her is a great idea?” Oliva wagged a finger at him.

“HEY. Olivia, it’s not like that,” Rafael’s voice raised higher, she was not going to cheapen what you and him had today.

“Oh please-- you’ve been around her for a YEAR, Rafael. You two have barely spoken two words to each other for a YEAR. And...and what, we come out to the country and you lose your minds?” Olivia scoffed.

“No, it’s not like--” He tried speaking again but Olivia was on a tirade. 

“You have one conversation in a bathroom and suddenly you’re soulmates? Really, Rafa?” She scoffed again.

“Look, Liv. I love you, but I’m not gonna stand here and take this, ok? You’re right. I am a grown man, and you can’t tell me who I can and can’t ba--date!” Rafael kicked himself for getting caught up in her judgmental terms; this isn't some booty call. You weren’t just a piece of ass to him.

“No, but I can tell her,” Oliva said eerily soft.

“Excuse me?” Rafael felt threatened, and he didn’t like it.

“If you start sleeping with that girl Rafa I swear to God, she will be on desk duty until she retires,” She warned.

“Oh real mature Liv,” Barba rolled his eyes angrily.

“Oh yeah I’M the immature one here,”

“You’re such a hypocrite, this is SUCH a double standard” Rafael raised his voice again.

“What do you mean?” Oliva narrowed her eyes.

“What do I mean--” He sarcastically laughed. “I mean clearly Rollins and Carisi have been sleeping together for MONTHS now,” He gestured towards where Sonny and Amanda had walked towards.

Sonny acted offended for half a second, then shrugged. He wasn’t wrong.

“And you, how many people have you dated ‘within the family’? In fact, when’s the last time you dated someone NOT ‘in the family’?” He asked in a soft, serious tone, his fists clenching in and out.

“....THAT, is different,” She lowered her voice, trying not to lose it in the parking lot. She took a deep breath and continued

“Rollins and Carisi have known each other for YEARS, and they’re ADULTS,” She emphasized. 

“We’re adults!” Barba argued.

“Are you? Because right now the two of you are acting like teenagers, sneaking around and hooking up when you’re supposed to be working.” Olivia snapped back.

Then, all of a sudden her eyes lit up with an idea. An evilly brilliant idea.

“Alright, how about this,” She paused.

“You say this isn’t just about sex, and I say it is. So...” she circled him like he was a suspect she was shaking down.

“Why don’t you go ahead and go ‘bang it out’ with the junior detective,”

Rafael’s jaw dropped. “You cannot be serious--”

“Why? Because you know I’m right?” Olivia baited him, but quickly lost any fun she was having with it when she saw the anguish in Rafael’s eyes.

 “I know you’re a good person, Rafa. You don’t wanna hurt that girl any more than I want you to,” 

“I’m not going to---”

“Alright fine, then chance it. Go to her right now. But you better be ready to accept the consequences for her. Because I’m pretty damn sure when we get back to the city, you’re gonna realize that you and her don’t make sense,”

“And if I don’t?” he asked.

“Then I’ll give you my blessing. I won’t like it, but if it’s really what you want, I can’t stand in the way of my friend being happy,” She placed a hand on his shoulder, a small smile finally appearing. 

“Thank you Liv,” Rafa smiled back, giving her a small hug.

“I wouldn’t thank me yet-- in fact if this costs me a detective I’m using your pay grade to find another one!” She walked off with a small laugh.

"Maybe we should...." Amanda tugged Sonny's sleeve and they walked away, shooting you apologetic looks.

This was infuriating; they were standing there joking about your life, making decisions for you.

You stomped away towards your room before Liv and Barba could see you eavesdropping.

Would he chance it? Would you let him chance it? 

[tracingdreams]

Daiya no Ace: The Dramas #13: Bananaman

An explanation… To keep my brain from rusting I started a project to translate the drama tracks that came with the character song CDs and other stuff relating to Daiya no Ace (because I love them and they’re all hilarious). My disclaimer - I am not a native speaker of Japanese, but I will do my best!

Character Song CD 10: Todoroki Raichi: Drama Track 01 Featuring Raichi, Sanada and Mishima

Scene: Mishima and Raichi are surrounded by bananas when approached by Sanada. It seems that they’ve discovered the secret of Raichi’s powers. It’s curved, yellow, and comes in its own onesie…and it seems like Yakushi have a lot of them to spare.

Translator’s admission: I wasn’t actually going to translate for Yakushi until I’d at least finished for Seidou because I am unashamedly Seidou-centric in my allegiances, but this track is so hilarious I felt it needed to be shared. For any fans of Raichi and co who are feeling blue…

 Mishima: Raichi, what about this one?

Raichi (eating banana, swallows): Phillipines!

Mishima: Amazing! You’re right! What about this one?

Raichi (eats another banana, swallows) Taiwan!

Mishima: You did it again! You’re right!

Sanada: What are you guys doing here, surrounded by bananas like this?

Raichi: Sanada-senpai!

Mishima: Sanada-senpai, look at what this guy can do! He can tell what country a banana is grown in just by eating it! He’s got them a hundred percent right so far!

Sanada: The country? No way.

Mishima: Yes way! It’s…BANANA TASTING!

Sanada: I’ve heard of wine tasting and karaage tasting, but I’ve never heard of banana tasting..?! Are you serious?

Mishima: I couldn’t believe it either. Here, please, watch this. Raichi! One more.

Raichi: (laughs)

Mishima: This one next.

Raichi: (Takes and eats the banana): Ecuador.

Sanada: Ecuador’s a South American country, isn’t it. Do they really import bananas from that far away?

Mishima: You’ve heard of it?

Sanada: Yeah. They’re a strong footballing country, that’s why. They got into the best sixteen at the World Cup.

Mishima: That’s Yakushi’s number one football fan for you!

Sanada: Only international football, though. Well? What’s the right answer?

Mishima: Here, look. This label says the country on it.

Sanada: Ecuador? He’s right?!

Raichi: (laughing)

Mishima: I can’t believe he has this kind of talent.

Sanada: I guess its because every day, whether at practice or in a game, he’s eating bananas. More to the point, though, where did this huge pile of bananas come from, anyway?

Mishima: They were snacks given to us by the retired senpai.

Sanada: Just bananas?

Mishima: Yeah. I have no clue why.

Sanada: Maybe they’re because they want Raichi to perform well?

Mishima: What?! Why Raichi?

Sanada: Well, he has power. He’s a strong batter. More than anything he stands out.

Mishima: Dammit! I’m not being noticed at all, then? You…one day I swear I will steal the fourth hitter spot away from you! (this to Raichi).

Raichi: (laughs) Do your best, Miss-shima!

Mishima: Don’t you say that! And don’t call me Miss-shima!

Sanada: Maybe you should try banana tasting too, Miss-shima!

Mishima: Sanada-senpai! Don’t you start calling me that too! And why should I do that?

Sanada: It might be that we’ve discovered the secret of Raichi’s mad-level power

Mishima: You mean, it’s bananas? Is it bananas, Raichi?

Raichi: (laughing).

Mishima: I’ll do it! If you please, Sanada-senpai!

Sanada: Ok. In that case, what about this one? (he gives him a banana).

Mishima: (eats banana): I feel like I ate one like this before. Brazil!

(an incorrect buzzer sound).

Sanada: Sorry. It’s Malaysia. Next, this one?

Mishima: (eats banana): America!

(incorrect buzzer sound)

Sanada: China.

Raichi: (laughing). You’re not even close, are you!

Mishima: Shut up! Don’t just watch me! You do it, too!

Sanada: In that case, both of you try at the same time. Here.

Mishima (eats banana): I got it! Spain!

Raichi: You’re wrong! It’s the Phillipines! It’s a ‘Monkey Banana!’ (Yes, this is a type of banana. Honestly).

(correct sound)

Sanada: Raichi. You’re right.

Mishima: NOOOOOO!

Raichi: (laughs).

Sanada: It’s amazing. Not only the country but also the type of banana as well?

Mishima: You can understand it in that much detail?!

Sanada: Then, next…

Mishima: (eats banana) This is the tastiest of the bananas I’ve eaten.

Raichi: (laughing)

Sanada: What’s up?

Raichi: I don’t know. This banana…I’ve never eaten it before.

Sanada: Ahh. So there are bananas even you haven’t eaten, Raichi.

Mishima: (Cackles): That means Raichi isn’t perfect, either! That means there are any number of openings to take him down!

Sanada: Let me see…this banana is…huh?! This is..?

Raichi: Kaha? (That is genuinely his line. Kind of confused cackle laugh?)

Mishima: What’s up?

Sanada: Look, Mishima. This banana label…

Mishima: It’s…it’s a high quality banana!

Sanada: And the price!?

Mishima: THREE TIMES AS EXPENSIVE AS THE NORMAL ONES?! The bananas Raichi eats are those sold in the supermarkets?

Sanada: Well, if you think of the Todoroki family…it kind of makes sense that his banana tasting powers wouldn’t stretch this far.

Raichi: Kaha?

Mishima: Wait a minute. This high level banana, that Raichi has never tasted before…if I eat these, will I be able to overreach Raichi’s power level and obtain it myself?!

Sanada: Erm, probably not.

Mishima: Right! Then the high quality bananas, I’m going to keep all for myself…huh? Wait a minute, where are they all?

Sanada: You were a bit slow off the mark, Miss-shima.

Mishima: Huh? AAAAH! (Raichi is eating them).

Raichi: They’re tasty. TASTY!

Mishima: You…Raichi…you jerk, give me those bananas!

Raichi: Dun wanna! (Laughing).

Sanada (laughing): Looks like the path to achieving your wish is going to be a tough one, Mishima.

Mishima: You brat, you’ve already eaten a ton of them!

Raichi: Totally not enough, though!

Sanada: Okay, Raichi, Mishima. It’s about time to begin afternoon practice.

Mishima: Crap. Hey, Raichi, help me out.

Raichi: Kaha?

Mishima: We’ve got to get our preparations done. Come on, let’s go!

Raichi: Got it!

(he clearly takes the bananas with him, because Mishima says)

Mishima: Hey, leave the bananas behind!

Sanada: He’s gone. He really likes bananas way too much, doesn’t he?

Mishima: How many bananas do I need to eat to overreach him?

Sanada: Just don’t upset your stomach, okay? Miss-shima.

Mishima: Like I said, don’t call me Miss-shima, Sanada-senpai!

[pass3rby]

Caught By Your Past

31st Part

Fandom: Assassin’s Creed Pairing: Altair x Malik Warnings: modern AU, mature, OOC, original female character; unbetaed.

A/N: So, first of all, I'm sorry for the 'There must occur an accident in order for them to get their act together' drama. It was not the point there. Instead, I wanted to address that horrible (for Altair a lucky, in the end, really) thing that happens in your life sometimes? The one where you pretend something to get out of whatever and your life throws it right into your face the very next moment. Like, I still remember my classmate missing one day at school. The next one, she attended and after the classes I heard her whispering to a group of her friends that she "just didn't want to go to school, so I've told them my grandma/aunt died." (not sure which one that was anymore). I cannot remember exactly (yeah, I don't remember A LOT) if it was the very next day or just a few after when I saw her shaken up and crying at school. Turned out her grandma/aunt just died. So... There's that. Dun dun dun dun. Sorry for ruining the mood, but I kinda felt the need to explain why the story ended in such a cliché manner. (Yes, you heard right.) So, without further ado...

Lucy loved cognitive neuroscience and all the mysteries and possibilities it had to offer. Think about the various studies which were only asking for substudies and evolution. Attending university, she inhaled any information she could get. She had ambitions.

As much as she wasn't stingy with her smiles and at least a few polite words, that wasn't what she studied for. As if that hadn't been enough, she had to watch as those in power and with opportunities to move her chosen field further didn't care about it one bit. All they did was patting each other's shoulders, while the real progress in the field was rotting in the corner just because a few elites weren't capable of accepting that the world was changing, evolving.

What wasn't as painfully obvious when she had loads to do and learn, turned into a nightmare now as she was basically forced into twirling her thumbs. As much as she enjoyed digging deeper into her chosen field, everything has its pros and cons. For example.

Be a “genetic freak” and there you have it – a lonesome life right there. There's simply no time for anything else and frankly, why would you waste your day on whatever when what you wanted to do was right in front of you? Her obsession proceeded to swiftly bite her in the hide, though, as soon as they kicked her out of the university.

Wait. They kicked her out? They...?

Beep beep beep beep.

Her eyes opened on reflex, her cheek suddenly pressed against a pillow. Her pillow. And her old alarm clock was blaring full force.

Damn.

Another morning.

 ***

 Arriving at the hospital meant undergoing the same ritual she had done twenty-four hours ago. Then the coffee, the to-do list, the new patients and old; the stories. When it was a turn to check one Altair Ibn-La'Ahad's room and the patient himself, there was no telling what sight will greet her after the event from yesterday.

What she did encounter was atypical silence. Locating the reason of that wasn't hard. Taking in Altair's silent nod in greeting, her eyes immediately slid down to his hip and the extra heap of dead-to-the-world human.

Half-sitting on a chair, half-slumped on the side of the bed. Jet black hair. Male. Wearing the same clothes that he stormed the room in hours ago, his fingers partly threaded with those of their patient.

For the little time she had the... pleasure to know Malik Al-Sayf, she had no doubt that he must have been all-out knackered to allow himself ending up in such an undignified, hand-in-a-jar heap. As she looked back up, the brunette mouthed a “please, don't wake him”.

Giving a nod to signalize that she understood, she began the regular checkup of the IV and whether any of Altair's wounds reopened or bled through the bandages while quietly maneuvering her way around the sleeping visitor.

The bed's rightful occupant kept still – or at least much less animated now than what she had gotten used to. Not in a bad way, though. Nothing forced, stiff or that whipped kind of behavior, no. Somehow, the until-then very lively, socializing-addicted guy was more than happy to stay like that, silent.

Content.

That was the word.

In the end, it wasn't so bad to end up where she was. Contact with humans and not just the central organ of their nervous system had its perks. Instead of just picking at their brains, she got to talk to people or see this. That didn't change her opinion about the stuffed piñatas called higher-ups.

Almost done with the check-up, she carefully redressed one wound that seemed to be acting up a bit before getting her things and the old dressing, intent on soundless retreat to give them their privacy back. Only to be stopped half-a-step away from the bed.

“Hey, could you-” Altair whispered, pointing to his side table drawer messily, the gesture just barely clear enough for Lucy to understand what he wanted her to do. However, as he previously shared with her what secret the drawer held, she frowned.

“Are you sure?” After all, the other man was deeply asleep.

“Positive.”

“Shouldn't he be awake for that?”

“Absolutely not.” If anyone were to witness their back-and-forth whisper game, they would laugh for sure. She, personally, would. Also, she was starting to suspect that the room's dark stowaway might be actually dead, because the acoustic here was doing them no favors.

No, he was good; his chest moved just now.

“You know, I still think that doing this while he's asleep is kind of wussing out.”

“To the contrary, hun. Braver man has not walked this Earth.”

“That doesn't make any sense,” As if going through with this while the man was awake would equal intentionally running onto a scalpel... Well, considering the previous reaction, the thought of modern seppuku wouldn't be entirely baseless. Yet, “You're a BASE jumper.”

“Exactly. Excitement. Adrenaline. Hardly suicidal. Malik?” pointing at his partner as successful in that as with the drawer a minute ago, “Waking him up now, you might as well start thinking about what to write in my obituary. Now, c'mon, before he really wakes up.”

Not entirely convinced, she pulled the drawer, taking a small box hidden inside and passing it to the suddenly impatient patient. Not that he didn't politely thank her before diving into work.

“Fuck. Dammit.” Swearing in a subdued voice, he kept trying to open the box. Since he had one arm in a cast and the other bandaged heavily, rendering it a basically mummificated appendage, they were unsurprisingly, visibly and frustratingly close to no use in his endeavor whatsoever.

Before he could swear any further – and possibly also louder – she took the box away from him, opening it herself before returning it to its owner.

“Aw, thanks.”

“You're welcome.”

Ungracefully shaking the box upside down resulted in dumping its content into his palm.

“Now the fun part,” he chuckled and wasn't he right. Since his only hand that had a chance to actually do the deal was the one further away from where Malik lied, this was hands down going to hurt. Nothing that would pop his stitches open or setback his healing if done carefully enough, but it'll have a bite. Lucy watched as he stubbornly pushed through anyway.

He took a deep breath before turning his upper body towards the slumbering man as much as possible; reaching with his hand out...

Almost...

Almost-

Defeated, he was forced to lay down on his back again, eyes closed, mind obviously whirring. After a bit the amber showed again with renewed fervor shining through.

“Maybe if you held his hand up?” The thoughtful voice was soon covered in a layer of plea frosting on top. Lucy sighed but did as he asked, careful not to wake the dark-haired man up. It was much better option than him really ending up doing some serious damage to himself.

“I feel like I'm being a part of a conspiracy here.”

“Well, darling,” Altair moved again, painstakingly slow, the arduousness of the exercise easy to read on his face. Nevertheless, he kept up with the conversation despite the physical pain, “You basically are. But no worries, he likes it.”

“He's asleep.”

“He still likes it.”

She snorted. This man was impossible. While objectively a tempting specimen of a man, it was more of a relief that he was spoken for, because taming this wild being? That would be a hardwork. But clearly an ordeal somebody had under their belt already anyway.

After a few dozens of very dragging seconds full of hand-handling on her part and careful cooperation from them both, she could finally be a witness to Altair painstakingly – if shakily and quite gingerly – putting a shiny new ring on the literally oblivious man's finger.

With the deed done, Altair wearily slumped back to his original position, eyes squeezed shut, breathing labored.

“Aw shit, that was harder than I thought.” She closely, if secretly, monitored his pulse slowing down back to normal. His eyes shone with quite a deal of pain when he blinked them back open again, though. She went to re-read when was the last time he had something for pain.

“I presume you're not talking about the nerves.” She noted dryly, humor on par with his. Hmm. She'll check up on him in an hour again and if he'll want, she'll have it ready.

Altair's shit-eating – if tired – smile was answer enough. He was obviously satisfied with himself.

“That was the least romantic proposal I ever saw.”

“Thank you, dear.”

The proud grin never ceased.

Gie was starting to understand why Malik was so exasperated with Altair at times.

Let's start with that fake episode with cast and brace... he even had the gall to ask her to pinkie-swear! The offer alone was utterly ridiculous, since the only one getting something out of that deal would be him; she wasn't in any danger from Malik finding out.

Although he and Malik seemed somehow gotten over the matter the morning Altair left again, the experience could be hardly forgotten. No wonder that the drive to the hospital looked the way it did.

Since Malik was the one driving, there was enough space in terms of opportunity to notice things. Things like Malik not being stressed. As in really not stressed. At all. Even her brother had certain tells, but none of them were showing. If anything, he seemed irked. When she asked if he was alright, the answer was a curt “Perfect.”. Go figure.

Now, Altair had been hospitalized, seriously hospitalized and while in no way would anyone plan that, it was heck of a timing to get into an accident anyway. All Gie was saying here was that even though she loved them both, she could finally see where Malik was coming from. Altair tends to do dumb shit and when something really happens...

This, though; this was truly something else. Altair Ibn-La'Ahad worked fast. There was no question about that. Awestruck, she just stood there, in the hospital room, her eyes firmly held and fixed by the metallic shine coming off her slumbering brother's finger. Ring finger. Left one.

Her eyebrow went up.

Altair's wiggled in answer.

One leaves for a couple of hours to preclude an end of student privileges and obligations only to return to a completely different world. One she never even imagined that she'll find herself living in for how far off the concept was. Strange to see but great all the same.

Time didn't wait around even then, though, and so it happened that Malik – engaged Malik? – started to gradually wake up. Taking stock of his surroundings, nose wrinkling... his fingers gave a strange kind of spasm upon encountering steel andwaitaminutethere. Did she imagine it or-

Don't tell me...

Gie didn't even get to decide how she felt about the revelation before Malik's head went up, eyes forcefully blinking the sleep away. Not daring to even imagine what will Malik do when he finds out, her eyes hunted down the amber hue.

Unapologetic in all its glory.

For the love of- that man was an accident waiting to happen combined with utter disregard for basic principles.

No matter the amount of desire to kick someone in the shin, they both stealthily watched as Malik was little by little shaking off the fog of sleep, in silent truce. True to his fashion, Malik was a bit slow in the mornings without a proper kickstarter – a very useful knowledge to wield – and today was no different.

Not fully focused, yet his littlefinger and middle finger kept subtly, inconspicuously brushing over the new adornment, evaluating the situation for sure. He didn't take a look – he was too awake already to be that obvious. Shame that she and Altair were focused exactly on that particular area, rendering all his efforts vain. But they better come up with a cover up themselves, because Malik was bound to look up any moment.

What's your plan now?

“Morning.”

Cheery, huh? Satisfied with the evidence that Malik noticed the ring much? He might've notice it way easier, if you gave it to him when he was conscious.

On one hand, she recognized the daring person, on another she couldn't believe that his ability to think quick on his feet failed him so bad. Neither of which meant she was thrilled. She inclined more towards-

“Hmph.”

Well, that's one way to say it.

“More like noon.” Opposing with pure facts straight away was an automatic reaction. One of which Malik would be proud. It wasn't her looking for a fight per se, as much as Altair deserved a good smack, no. More like a 'what the hell' statement of her inner self if anything, only continuing with the topic where it was left off. Whatever. She might as well play distraction so as to give Malik an opportunity to take a good look with his own eyes.

“Semantics.” Altair winked, taking cue from her and intentionally switching his full attention her way.

Forcing a frown on her face, she ignored it. She was trying to stay mad at him here. She was doing this for her brother, not confirming their renewed conspirators-in-arms status. Nope.

“Did you take a look who we're talking about?” Speaking of which, Malik was yet to take a look. What? She was his sister, she had to check! But he did stop with the ring nudging, fingers idle again; there was no way he didn't realize what the constricting band around his digit was and its meaning.

Nothing.

No reaction.

“If you want to bicker, there better be a coffee available.”

Except this one.

Malik got up from the chair to stretch, his joints cracking unnaturally loud.

“It is. In the hall. The vending machine is fully operational.” Okay, maybe she was starting to get annoyed by both of them this little bit. Is he really not gonna say anything?

“Ever helpful, little sister.” And here they were, back to the dry ribbing – as if she'll back off.

“Don't mention it.”

“I won't.” He checked for his wallet before heading for the door.

What the-As he was leaving, Altair gave Gie a beaming smile.

“Unbelievable.”

Next

A/N:

Well, this is it, guys. Now, please, if you give me a minute of your time, I'd like to explain this whole thing (CBYP in the form it is). Aside from my obvious weak spot for AltMal, in overall, I just wanted to include all the situations that happen in stories and completely ruin them for me just because they are written in that soap opera-ish manner, you know the kind of thing? Namely, I'm talking about:

1) love triangle between siblings and a third person 2) accident being all relationship trouble solution (okay, now, I know I'm walking a very thin line here, but you gotta admit that eventually Malik and Altair would be able to solve their shit even without Altair falling with no hay safeguard) 3) way too feely, overdramatic reactions to everything happening in the story. (what I mean is feelings are good, but that overplayed kind I'm having serious trouble with)

So, I've decided to give them a try myself to draw them differently. Because I believe all of these can happen. What I also believe in is, that they don't have to necessarily result in Esmeralda field of doom if there's a valid explanation at hand.

What do you say, how did I do?

Also, you didn't believe I'd left you hanging like this, did you? (actually, you could and you probably did, fuck. x.x) Anyway, be prepared for an epilogue the next week! ;)

[nellie-elizabeth]

Grey's Anatomy: True Colors (13x23)

Of course this happens. God, these people are cursed, I tell you! This was a good episode of Grey's Anatomy, in that it delivered I think exactly what this show is supposed to deliver. A lot of melodrama with some really compelling characters. Let's dive in.

Cons:

Okay, so the big "twist" here is that Megan, Owen's sister, is alive and his being transported to Grey Sloan Memorial as we speak. I'm not sure how to feel, because DUH. God, I wish there could have been some way to not make it super obvious that this was going to happen. I'm excited to meet Megan, but they did this in the most trite way. Owen's having a panic attack about it, and they try to keep faking you out like maybe they just found Megan's body, and she's been dead all along. But no of course not. And we see all these happy scenes of Meredith and Nathan ready to take bigger steps into their relationship, so of course timing-wise this is the perfect time for Nathan's long-lost love to make a reappearance. C'mon.

We have a few brief scenes with Maggie and Jackson bonding. I do not want this to be a thing. Maggie is annoying when she's in any sort of relationship plot thread. And Jackson and April should really get back together. I can't believe we still haven't seen them explore the consequences of their hookup. Whatever.

Pros:

So, my thoughts about Megan's return being what they are, I do want to say that I still like a lot of the elements going on here. Amelia set aside her bullshit for once in order to help Owen through this stressful time. I love that Owen is basically in denial, refusing to let the good news in, because if Megan is alive it means that Owen gave up on her when he shouldn't have. It's not a rational thought, but it makes sense why Owen would be feeling that way. And Amelia handled the situation really well, calling the hospital to confirm, talking with Teddy - yay Teddy! I forgot about her! - and letting Owen break down and cry. Also, Meredith handled herself perfectly. The second Amelia tells her what's up, Meredith says that she'll go and tell Nathan, because if Derek were alive she'd want to know right away. She doesn't for one second let the drama of the situation wash over her. She doesn't let it get to her or let it be about her. I feel like Maggie would have thrown a fit about her own feelings in this situation, but Meredith behaved properly.

Okay, let's pivot to Alex's strange little subplot. His mysterious phone call from last week's episode has led him to the location of Jo's abusive husband, a respectable doctor. Alex spends the episode at a conference where this guy is speaking, imagining different scenarios wherein he befriends the guy and then beats him to a bloody pulp, landing himself in jail again. Or where he warns him and threatens him to stay way from Jo, but then the guy finds and kills Jo anyway. In the end, Alex lets the guy go off in a cab without ever talking to him or telling him who he is. This was an odd subplot, and it kind of didn't belong in this episode, except for the fact that it could lead to some interesting stuff for next season. Alex has been a little MIA for most of this season, so I like the idea of bringing him back in with concrete goals for next season. Jo might be boring to me, but Alex certainly isn't. I'd love to see where this goes.

Now for the main event: Stephanie's plot thread. Yikes. A couple shows up in the hospital, both severely injured from a car driving off of a cliff while they were having sex. Or so we believe at first. The guy wakes up and is frantic with worry for his girlfriend. And then the girl wakes up and asks "did I kill him?" and we discover that she was actually trying to kill him. This other guy, Keith, is not this girl's boyfriend. He's a rapist who she tried to kill by driving the car off of the cliff. Suddenly, Jackson realizes that Stephanie is with Keith. She was trying to sneak him in to see his "girlfriend." When he hears that the hospital is locking down because of a rapist, he holds a scalpel on her and forces her to help him escape. Of course, things escalate from there. A little girl who keeps wandering off from her family ends up stuck in the stairwell with Stephanie and Keith. The doors go into lock-down, so Keith decides to start a fire to force people to open the doors. Stephanie gets the little girl out of there after forcing Keith to set himself on fire... only for Stephanie to realize that she's locked him in a room with a gas tank, which then of course explodes as she rushes into the room to try and stop that from happening.

Dun dun dun... are they going to kill Stephanie? She deserves a better exit than that, dammit! At the same time, what a bomb-ass way to go out, killing an evil rapist and saving a little girl. I don't know what to think! There's a lot to untangle here. I loved the little girl, she was a really great actress and I hope she has a role to play in the finale. I loved the twist with the rapist. I felt like I knew something strange was going on with the way these two were reacting as they woke up, but I never would have guessed the truth until suddenly we're being told.

Also, just, this is the stuff that good ol' fashioned Grey's Anatomy is made of. Interpersonal drama is going on all over the place, and then suddenly some improbable and potentially deadly accident occurs, and we're worried for the very life of one of our beloved characters. I eat this melodrama crap up. It's why I watch the show. And this episode was a prime example of it.

Next week's finale is sure to be shocking and confusing and upsetting, and I'm soooo there for it!

9/10

[sarazanmai]

Thoughts on the “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure” English dub. Episode nine.

and thus one of my favorite variations of Dio was born, Floating Head Dio

something I like with this series is you don’t see major events undone, what I mean is things like Dio turning all these people isn’t erased much like how the Kawajiri family is still broken at the end of DIU

for how this series can get, there is a feeling of permanence to it that many other famous anime lack

Jonathan, Zeppeli, they don’t get a reset button and even if there are deaths within this series I did not want or see a need for I appreciate Araki committing to his decisions

“our work here is done” for now

I am gonna miss this intro

also they added sound effects over the music. hmmm.

sorry but I always hated Erina’s wedding gown

“Mr. Speedwagon! you almost missed being able to say goodbye” I’m sad

GET. OFF. THAT. BOAT.

“these tears that I cry are from joy, joy that I’m here with you” STOP

also can we appreciate that Erina is pregnant at this point?

just reminding everyone I guess

its too bad they axed some scenes with Jonathan and Erina as kids since I really like how Michelle voices her

THEY JUST WANTED TO BE HAPPY GOD DAMMIT

so in the manga anyway Jonathan swears after hitting his head, not sure if the Japanese anime kept it or not but eh it was an endearing moment

dramatic color change of drama

also the music that plays when Jonathan spots Wang Chan reminds me of the opening part of Jojo Sono Chi no Kioku (my second favorite intro by the way)

he got a splitting headache!

“where is...my body?” um it got destroyed? sorry?

Floating Head Dio will always be hilarious to me

so the family behind Erina is one I can’t take seriously anymore because someone a while back posted those screen caps of them and wrote “dammit honey I can’t take you anywhere!”

its still funny

“Dio...” “Jojo...” this sums up PB in a nutshell

“if there really is a God, one who plucks the strings that bind our fates, I am certain that our fates were bound together for a reason” a point further substantiated by SBR, but a point we still don’t really know much about

whatever reason it is that Jonathan and Dio are so bound up together we can only leave it to personal interpretation because Araki never tells us

maybe that’s intentional, maybe he just didn’t bother giving us a reason, for me I just see Jonathan and Dio as representing two opposing forces that are constantly at odds

granted Johnny and Diego are very different from their counterparts which is why they are characters in their own right instead of extensions of these two, but the fact that they still got tied up with each other in their timeline does prove that Araki sees the Joestars and Dio as two entities that will always be involved with each other

this is jumping the gun, but this ties into why I wish he explored Giorno’s connections to Jonathan and Dio more as he’s literally the byproduct of Dio forcing himself into Jonathan’s fate

look, look with your special eyes

so the fact that he shatters the glass with his eye beams and is still fine suggests that the jar was not necessary at all and just something he did for aesthetics

RIP Lisa Lisa’s birth parents

I’ll give them credit for making baby Lisa Lisa a brunette, since I recall the manga making her blond (oops)

“the body of my dearest foe has become my future!” you have no idea

all Jonathan wants to do is save Erina...

its Dio’s turn at exposition now

this is a beautiful moment and I also gotta say Araki might be the only person who wrote a shonen manga that was not afraid to show his couple kissing (well okay him and Togashi since Yusuke and Keiko kiss)

why are authors of shonen manga so afraid of showing any intimacy between their leading male and his love interest? do you assume the readers still think girls have cooties? even American comics show the heroes kissing women

unfriendly reminder that Erina is only 19

fuck you Dio

okay the way Dio says “velvet boudoir” is hilarious especially knowing a boudoir is something for women not men

GEWDBAI JOJO

he stabbed Floating Head Dio in his neck, a weird area to attack a floating head admittedly

“farewell to you my beloved” no....

back when the SDC finale aired I mentioned this series never making me cry before (though seeing Jotaro and Joseph say goodbye to Polnareff came close) but this is really effective

I think coming back to certain parts of the series has helped me realize that even something as ridiculous as Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure can move me

I mentioned previously that I once felt Jonathan’s death was undermined by SDC and how now I see that’s untrue. Jonathan’s goal throughout this climax was get Erina to safety, stop Dio but get Erina to safety at all costs. she is pregnant with their only son and leaving with the future mother to their only grandchild, the legacy is what Jonathan died for. it was not just about stopping Dio, assuming it was about that was very narrow minded of me. the fact that his bloodline carried onward even in highly complicated ways is his true victory. without his heroic death Joseph wouldn’t have been able to stop Kars, Jotaro wouldn’t have finished what he started with Dio, Josuke wouldn’t have saved Morioh, Giorno wouldn’t have defeated Diavolo, Jolyne would not have accomplished all that she did, because none of them would have existed

in the back of the official English manga there are nice writings from Araki about some of the choices he made. one thing he noted was that killing Jonathan was a very bold move as the idea of the hero dying, but the story moving forward was unheard of. and its because he chose to make this a generational series that Jojo is still able to exist as a manga and anime now. he did create a perfect formula for maintaining his story without it becoming redundant, whether he realized it or not

and even if fans will still argue that PB is so removed from the rest of the series or that its the weakest chain I disagree. PB laid the groundwork for some of the most significant elements of the series and gave us some of the most important characters that exist within it. there’s a reason they tried to make it into a standalone movie. granted the movie was so bad Araki scrubbed it out public access sparing the occasional screen cap and some dialogue free footage of Dio and Jonathan meeting, its still proof that in its homeland PB is regarded as something worthy of retelling

mind you PB isn’t perfect, I feel that every part of Jojo has something that needed to be worked on, but revisiting it has really helped me to appreciate it more than I already did. its too bad the anime cut some noteworthy things, but I really think fans still gain a lot from it and to deprive yourself of this experience just because you only care about Stands or you bought the unjustified hype that PB and BT are bad just feels like shooting yourself in the foot

as far as this dub is concerned, despite the accents slipping occasionally and some questionable line changes and translation choices I think they’ve done very well. I enjoyed myself completely.

back to the episode though (yeah I still got a few minutes of it left, God will I ever stop ranting?)

“his life was an important part of history, but invisible to ordinary people” WOW that is one meta ass line

“and the book of the stone mask was closed. for a time. but that was only the beginning of a new bizarre adventure” DUN NUN NUN

meanwhile, in the Aztec ruins, there is a new diva on the block

tune in next time where we go to New York to meet my absolute favorite character in the entire series