#I haven't wished a drama is longer as much as i do now

[dramashutup]

Look here. I just had an epiphany lol

These two are basically the smartest in terms of booksmart, right. A doctor and a lawyer, those are the most sought after jobs in asian countries

And they're both very compassionate and understanding of other people. I'm not saying the other characters aren't; they are, I'm saying these two with their high end careers and their compassions are also the two people who hide the most of their problems

They are always so ready to help others; Dal with Haejun's and Juwon's problems, Sanha and his sister, and Haejun as well, but they're both not so good at voicing that they need help or that they're in pain

Something something about how some people can appear to have it all but they don't; not when they're struggling inside and are not good at asking for help

Sad reality aside, that's why they gotta be with the other two people who are basically sunshine and their anchors

4 warm people, they should have their happy endings together ☺️

[llitchilitchi]

blog update? vent? what I wanna do going forward? this is long and ranty

I am not going anywhere, please remain calm :)

so this has been on my mind for the better part of a year now, if not longer. I don't think it's a secret or a shock to anyone that I am barely engaging in mcyt-related fandoms, even more so when it comes to creators. the community has for a large part transformed into something that I don't want to necessarily be a part of.

I am saddened at what has become of the CCs that I liked and found comfort in back during lockdown. I don't want to delve into any of the things that have happened over the last few weeks, much less months and years - I made it a rule for myself to not keep up with "drama" (I genuinely hate the word. a lot of it is pointless bickering and people being stupid and vile over small things that could have been solved privately, or people attacking others for no reason, and those that do not fit under the "people are stupid" umbrella are matters far too serious to be labelled as drama or discourse) and I try to not comment on it much. I can't help the two posts from time to time but the truth is, seeing discourse on my dash for days on end is wearing me down. and it often feels like that is all there is going on anymore.

as of, this is not me denouncing my love for dream and the dream team, or their friends and supporters, much less the fan community around them. there are many kind people who I cherish and I am grateful that they welcomed me in and shared my art and talked to me about it. these comments and conversations mean more to me than you could ever imagine. I've forged friendships here that I never could have dreamed of. I've never felt so comfortable in a fandom before and I don't think I will ever fully leave it behind.

that being said, I also doubt that I will be posting too much about anything mcyt-related. I haven't really been doing anything for the fandom anyways, not really. I enjoy the fan projects, and I am very grateful that I managed to get on the c!Dream zine as an artist, and I am looking forward to sharing that piece with you guys! it's one of my favourites that I've ever done, so look forward to that, and go support the project if you can! but to post only when it's related to projects feels a little insincere.

I am mostly writing this because there were a couple more projects that popped up, and I hesitate to join. not only because my involvement with the fandom is miniscule, but also because I feel a little worn and tired and gross about everything that has gone down. and I dread that by the time I get to actually work on a piece, the exhaustion and resignation will turn into distaste and unwillingness to do anything.

I still want to support artists and writers in the fandom. I will continue reblogging stuff, maybe even post some of my own (I have been itching to do a small illustration for monarchy again, but I've been incredibly busy, so don't get excited), but for the most part I think I'll be slowly turning towards other fandoms and original content. oh yeah, I there are OCs incoming.

I miss this fandom, and the community, and every good thing that came with it, but it does not feel sincere to keep engaging too much. I will likely stick to DSMP for the most part, if I will stay in the fandom at all. the real people around it just make me sad.

I don't have a conclusion to offer. no tl;dr. I wanted to get this off my chest. my feelings about everything going on are complicated at best. there's a yearning to come back and a revulsion at what many of the CCs are doing that keeps me away. a yearning for the excitement and love I felt once. maybe it'll come back. for now I just want things to calm down and if that isn't possible here, I will be minding my own business. so if you see me posting about Things at Inappropriate Times, do know that I simply do not wish to engage in the bad anymore.

[bangtanficsforyou]

Home Sweet Home (JJK)

Pairing: (Bunny hybrid) Jungkook x Reader.

Genre: floof

Word count: 1.5K

Warnings: curse words ig?

Au: established relationship au.

Based on this request.

If you enjoy my writing consider supporting my patreon!

You're oddly surprised when a warm body doesn't collide with yours upon your arrival. Looking around the living room you find no trace of the man that regularly greets you with a wide bunny grin and warm bear hugs. 

He must be asleep, you deduce and decide to head over to his room. 

When you swing the door open, your previous thought is proved right when you notice him peacefully sleeping with blankets wrapped all around him. 

You walk inside the room without making a sound and for a few moments, silently observe his features. He looks so cute and precious sleeping like this, without a worry about the world. You only wish to keep him this content as long as he will allow you to. 

Without even realising what you're doing, your hand gently brushes a few strands of his hair from his face. However, when the body moves suddenly to cover their head with the blanket, you're taken by surprise and yelp, not having expected the sudden movement. 

Is he not asleep? 

"Jungkook?" You call his name out and recieve a grunt in response, confirming your suspicions. "Hey baby, are you not feeling well?" 

Jungkook doesn't answer and only tightens the blanket around him, which makes you frown in concern. 

"Baby, are you okay?" When he still refuses to answer, you shake his body softly urging him to respond. 

Jungkook grunts once again to show his displeasure. "You do not have to worry about me. You can stay at office all you want."

Your hands pause when you register his words. So this is what it is about. He hasn't been asleep at all. If anything, he had probably made his way to bed when he had heard your foot steps approaching. 

You snicker silently at the thought of him doing that to show his protest. Just when you think he cannot get any cuter. 

"The very least you could do is to not laugh," Jungkook's muffled voice greets your ears, immediately halting your laughter. 

Sometimes, you tend to forget that he's a hybrid which means he can hear even the slightest of sounds, your silent laughter not being an exception. 

"I'm sorry," you apologise, genuinely feeling bad for laughing. "What can I do to earn your forgiveness?" 

Jungkook remains quiet for a few moments and maybe you know him a little too well to know that he isn't actually mad, he never actually is, when it comes to you. He only ever decides to be a little bit dramatic when he feels like you haven't been giving him enough attention. 

"Kookieee," whining his name you tickle him over the blankets. Despite the thick layer of protection, Jungkook squirms and soon scoots away from you. 

You huff. "Fine, I will sit here as long as you don't talk to me."

Saying so you take a seat on the now empty side of bed. 

A few moments later a pair of hands make their way out and he peeks at you with only his eyes and the messy mop of his curls visible. 

"You can make up to me by getting under the blanket, right now," he grumbles cutely. 

Fighting off the urge to smile, you remove your jacket and get rid of your belt to be more comfortable. Jungkook loosens the blanket enough so that you can get in and the moment you do, you're instantly pulled closer by a pair of limbs. 

"Much better," he whispers, his nose skimming gently across your cheek. 

You chuckle at his actions and wrap your arm around his torso. "I'm still in my work clothes."

Jungkook looks at you for a second before breaking into a wide grin, no longer pretending to be angry. "I couldn't care less about anything with you in my arms like this."

"Such a drama king you are," you mumble softly, placing a small kiss at the juncture of his neck. 

"Sometimes you gotta be like that if the love of your life isn't giving you enough attention," whining cutely, he complains and places several kisses on any expanse of skin he has access to. 

You giggle and squirm at the tickling sensation but it only causes Jungkook to hold you tighter. 

"Stop squirming," he nibbles at your neck causing you to laugh even more. 

"I can't help it, it tickles."

His actions slow down and he simply buries his face in the crook of your neck, "this feels nice."

"I know," you hum. "I'm sorry I have been busy lately and that we have barely got any time to spend."

You feel him softly smile against your skin. "It's okay. I missed you but now that you're here, it's all okay."

You're aware that Jungkook knows how heavy the workload has recently been. You're grateful that he understands and is always so willing to do whatever it is to make things easier for you. But you won't lie, sometimes you too wish you could work from home like Jungkook does and be in his presence more. Admittedly, these feelings only ever occur to you when your work simply doesn't allow you to make time for anyone or anything else, like the last few days. 

"I missed you too," you mumble into his hair, the soft smell of his shampoo enveloping you in immense amounts of comfort. 

"Lies," he scoffs. "If you had missed me, you'd have smothered me with kisses by now to express exactly how much you missed me."

You scoff right back at him. "You know you can just ask if you want me to kiss you."

"But where's the fun in that?" 

"You're such a brat, you know?" Laughing in disbelief, you run your fingers through his hair.

"Yeah? Want me to teach a lesson or something?" His body shakes with waves of soft laughter and warm puffs of breath hit your skin. 

"Maybe, I should," you say in a thoughtful manner, taking his words into consideration. "Maybe I won't kiss you, that should sure teach you a lesson."

Jungkook's laughter stops immediately and he looks up at you with offence written all over his face. "You do not mean that." 

"Maybe I do," you shrug softly, trying to hold yourself back from smiling. 

Jungkook levels his face with yours and looks at you as if he were a sad kicked puppy. "You really won't kiss me?" 

"Nope," you pop the 'p' and watch in amusement as his face contorts into pure disbelief. 

"Heyyyyyy," he whines and somehow you know this time he isn't being dramatic. He really doesn't like the idea of you not giving him kisses. "This is not fair."

"What isn't?" 

"You not kissing me," he complains. "I was waiting the whole day for you to come back home and this is what I get? No kisses?"

You chew on your bottom lip to hold yourself back from kissing him right at that very moment. Jungkook is adorable, he always is. But there's nothing more tempting to you then when his plump lips protrude to form a pout. 

"Baby, my sweet girl, darling of mine," he presses his lips against your cheek and gradually, almost as if magnetically he inches closer to your lips. Pressing a soft kiss at the corner of your mouth, he retreats. "Kiss me. Please."

You wanted to continue teasing him a little longer. But you should have known better. With Jungkook looking at you like that and with his lips hovering over yours, nothing in the world could stop you from closing the gap. 

The moment your lips meet his, Jungkook sighs in relief. His lips mold against yours and he matches your pace with one of his hands now resting on your hips. 

You place your palm on his face and your fingers gently rub across the skin of his cheek. Jungkook is gentle, soft, sweet and everything nice. You kiss him with a tenderness that is delicate yet one which sets his soul on fire. He isn't sure what is it that you do but everytime you kiss him, his soul feels a little more alive, he feels a little more like himself and he feels love in a way that makes him want to drown in it. 

He spends most of his day in the apartment doing his work on his laptop. It's absurd but to him this place without your presence is just that to him, an apartment. It's only when you are with him, that it feels like home. You're home. You're his home. 

"I love you," he whispers, a little breathless but not from the kissing, rather from the warmth that's flowing through his veins.

"I love you too, baby," you smile and place a small peck on his lips. "Now let me get changed and take a shower."

"Five more minutes," he says and doesn't give you the chance to protest for the next thing you know he's laying with his head on your chest, enjoying the soft thumping of your heartbeat. 

You close your eyes and relax because when have you ever been able to say no to him. 

[duckprintspress]

I know almost nothing about NaNoWriMo but I would love to hear what you mean about "the last five years". What have they don't in the last years (before this current bullshit) to make the experience worse than before?

Hey!

So, I first heard about NaNoWriMo in like...2005? 2006?...and made my own first attempt in 2012, so I've been around for a while.

For me personally, three major things stand out as being issues:

In 2019, NaNo rolled out a new webpage, consolidating what had once been two different webpages - the main NaNo page and the Camp NaNo page. This roll out was, to put it gently, a fucking disaster, and broke much of the website, and at least for me made it nigh-unusable. It also nerfed the forums.

Late last year, grooming allegations came out against moderators and staff. You can read more about it here. I never looked into it much, and it was very difficult to tell what actually happened with the backlash - what was proven, etc. - and I just don't know much about it, but it certainly made me extremely wary.

And the current nonsense, which it sounds like you're aware of.

I've also known multiple regional coordinators (ML = Municipal Liaisons) and while they've not shared specifics and even if they had, I wouldn't feel at liberty to share what was shared with me, the general consensus is that the treatment of the volunteer MLs has gotten progressively worse, and the forums and boards increasingly unusable, to the extent that a lot of people I know have "broken off" their regions - my home region, for example, operates a writer group, founded originally through NaNo, now completely separate from NaNo because NaNo fucked up just that bad. Like I said, I don't know the details, but I trust my friends that if they say it was untenable, it was untenable.

All in all, since the website merge, they've made it clear they don't care about the feedback they receive, seemed to almost be going out of their way to damage the community-building aspects of the webpage that were always one of the most valuable parts of the experience, and just generally haven't managed things like the scandal in #2 well.

Honestly, I basically stopped using NaNo after the merge. I managed, I think, two more years after that (not winning NaNo, but I won a couple Camp NaNos with my own word count goal in, like, 2019 and 2020).

The reason the current issues have prompted me to delete is that, once upon a time, it was required to enter typed text to "validate" a word count. I have no idea if NaNo retained that text in anyway, nor do I have any idea what the terms of NaNo's agreement with ProWritingAid is. All I know that even the possibility that they've got my data stored, even the chance that they might use my words to train PWA's LLM, is enough for me to go from "I no longer use this or wish to us this" to "I am immediately deleting."

Hopefully, deleting actually removes my data. I wasn't able to take the time to read their updated ToS enough to actually be sure. But it's the one thing in my power to do, so I did it.

Sorry I don't have more detail to make rubbernecking the drama more fun, lol. :D

-unforth

[gffa]

Dearest gffa, you are the only person I know whose been reading Batfamily comics. (Though I do read some of the fanfic haha). The destiel meme informed me that Bad Things just happened in the latest comics. Is there a primer to the latest drama? (Everyone seems upset). Are you ok?

Best wishes, your fandom neighbor on Star Wars Street

I assume this is about the Batman #148 leaks? I haven't seen a ton of drama (other than a couple of posts, including the Destiel meme notification that got me to go see what was happening) but if that's it, it's kind of funny, because okay. As far as I've seen (the issue isn't even out yet, so I can't read it until tomorrow, I'm only going on the leaked panels I've seen) what happens in the issue is that Failsafe-- okay, let me back up. In the current Batman run (written by Chip Zdarsky), awhile back Bruce created a super powerful robot that was meant to be activated in the case of him going rogue so that it could take him down, and it's very coldly logical, based on his patterns, so it knows him extremely well and is hard to beat. It's powerful enough that it apparently took out the Justice League awhile back (I haven't read that arc yet, so take that with a grain of salt), which means now that Failsafe has gone rogue in the current Batman series that Zdarsky's writing, Bruce is having a hell of a time fighting it, especially with his "backup personality" Zur-En-Arrh (Bruce is a paranoid shit and I love him the most) is also running amok in his head and he's fighting back against that. Back up further--in late 2023, there was an event called "Gotham War" that was basically, "Bruce has been through a lot of shit lately, so he was out of commission for several months, in that time Selina stepped up in Gotham and started training crooks to be cat burglars instead of rogues' goons, Bruce woke up, thought this was bullshit, despite that crime was down, and they basically had a turf war while Bruce was losing his goddamned mind because of what he'd been through and because Zur-En-Arrh was literally ratting the bars of the cage of his mind, and part of the fallout being that Bruce dosed Jason with a gas that basically made his adrenaline go wild any time he would do anything dangerous, so that he could no longer be in this life of crime or vigilantism, because Jason had killed a lot of people, but Bruce couldn't bear to send him to jail, so this was the only way he could live with taking Jason out of the life they lived". Gotham War was extremely controversial--I had fun with it, because it was BONKERS and I fuckin' love bonkers stuff in the "punching people in the face solves crime" genre, but a lot of people were really angry about how Jason was treated in the arc. Zdarsky co-wrote Gotham War, so this is a continuation of a lot of people's frustration and anger towards how Jason has been treated by DC especially by this author.

There's also a lot of lingering frustration and resentment in fandom because Jason is not always written well or frequently. He doesn't have his own solo book these days, half of what's written about him is written by authors with VASTLY different takes from the other half of the writers out there, and there's a lot of fanon that goes around with Jason's sub-section of fandom where I think it furthers the divide because the fic that's written about Jason delves deep into his character in specific ways that the canon doesn't match and I think it can set expectations for some fans that are just not matched by DC themselves, either because they see Jason differently or because Jason just doesn't have a lot of fans at the company itself, I couldn't say for sure. So, now comes Batman #148 leaks (it's not actually out until tomorrow), where Failsafe kills Jason and Bruce has a dramatic reaction to it, and a lot of people are furious that DC would kill Jason at all, much less with such little fanfare, after how little focus he's gotten over the last several years. The thing is, though, that Jason doesn't stay dead, he's alive again by the end of the issue (I've seen panels from later in the issue) and I'm not sure how many people are reacting just to seeing the posts flying around fandom versus how many people have actually seen the whole context. Because context is slowly rolling out, but people generally aren't soothed by that, given the lead-up to this moment. Basically, years of Jason not getting much focus in the comics + the events of Gotham War have led to a powderkeg of a situation and the contextless leaks (ie, without the panel where Jason's alive again) took a match to the whole thing. And that's what's going on, as far as I know! I personally am having a great time because I was extremely skeptical that they would actually kill Jason without any fanfare and also I like Jason as a hot mess with crunchy relationships with people and that he's done bad things and had bad things done to him/been a victim as well, so all this messy drama in the story has me living for it. (This would have been a very different situation if I'd thought Jason was really dead, but I didn't, so I'm doing fine right now. Also, my Blorbo is Dick Grayson, so I've already been through this wringer and I'm still mad at DiDio for it, so it's Jason-Blorbo's time now.)

[destinygoldenstar]

🌟THE JELLO HAS BEEN EXPOSED🌟 - Total Drama Viewer Reacts to Disventure Camp Season 3 Episode 5 “The Turbulent Triathlon”

Get out of the picture, Yul. How dare you.

I wish this turned out better. Honestly. It's a bit lacking compared to the others.

But come on, since when has Yul ever been a quality character?

Enjoy the reaction.

Villains Alliance is such a lame name for this.

We need a better name.

If you have a better name in mind, tell me.

Oliver gets thrown out of a plane, as usual.

We haven't actually seen much of Oliver. I'm starting to think he's dead XD

NOOOOO!!!

NOT THE CHICKEN!!

THAT CHICKEN WAS CUTE, COME ON.

I know this is something they do in Survivor. But there's a reason you get clotheslined by a clothesline for it.

"Sorry ma'am, we're just tired of eating fruits."

Hey, fruit is good man!

Such evil behavior.

Who are the villains again?

"Camp life has been good recently. Tom's been extremely helpful! Guess cops make good survivalists as well."

Aw, look at these two getting along!

Jake butts in the confessional like "THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY ABOUT BEING HAPPY?! I'M DYING OVER HERE! ALL I HAVE IS FISH!!!"

I noticed the camps are in different locations. The Yellow Team is near the beach. The Cyan Team is more in the woodlands. And the Pink Team has a bit of both with a nice lake area.

Or, sorry MAGENTA Team.

That's a weird thing to name a team.

Magenta Team. Magenta Team. Magenta Team. Magenta Team.

I guess it has a ring to it.

"Wait... you want to kill it?!"

TELL EM GABBY!!!

I knew she would be against this.

"Well yeah. How else would we eat it?"

"WELL FUCK ALL Y'ALL! I'D RATHER YOU EAT ME!"

"We can keep her and name her Freckles."

Awwww, yes!

Yes, please do that!

Cyan Team should have a pet.

"Why don't we vote an see what the majority wants to do?"

A smart Ellie decision?

Wow.

The smartest thing Ellie has ever done. And it's regarding a CHICKEN.

OH YOU SUCK TESS! REALLY?!

COME ON! LET THE CHICKEN LIVE!

NOOOOOOO

"Sorry Gabs. Why don't we go get some fruit?"

"Let's go set up a clothesline. That'll be a 10/10 prank to pull on Tom. Just for you, babe."

"I would've voted to eat the chicken, but I didn't want Gabby to feel ostracized."

Oh come on.

Well at least you're supportive of your girlfriend I guess.

#JUSTICEFORFRECKLES

"Where's Ally and Hunter?"

"Taking a nap in the tent."

"Hope the lovebirds keep it PG in there."

😳

OHOHOHOHOOOOOOO...

OH MY GOD NO.

THAT WAS NOT NECESSARY XD

OH GOD.

"We... were thinking about the alliance you offered."

"Ashley and I talked and... well... we want to take you up on that offer."

Really?

That is interesting.

Cause I would've thought they would all band to get her out.

"If you're out, it'll come down to a tie between us two against Hunter and Ally."

OH THAT'S TRUE.

That's actually smart.

"And what's stopping you from using me now and throwing me away when I'm no longer useful?"

Nothing.

XD

I'm gonna be honest there.

"To be honest, nothing."

Even they said that XD

Oh poor Fiore.

"I need to get Hunter and Fiore on the same page. Otherwise, we're toast! I'm not letting history repeat itself."

Hey, at least you learned from last time.

Where are these guys?

"Though, you might see the occasional hair on your plate if you're rude like me!"

Oh that's gross.

Hate that.

"Oliver? Wha- why would you take orders from him?"

"He helped me through some rough times. I owe him a lot."

Yeah. He did. Bless.

Also good to know he's not dead.

GET YOUR ARMS OFF OF HIM!!!

"Oh don't worry! You'll have plenty of time to decompose in a retirement home when you're out of the game!"

"Uh, you voted for me, idiot!"

GET YUL OUTTA HERE.

YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT.

And honestly, I BLESS whoever did vote for you.

"It was me. I voted Yul."

😲

OH. MY GOD.

QUEEN QUEEN QUEEN QUEEN QUEEN QUEEN QUEEEEEEENNNN.👑

BLESS HER.

BLESS THIS WOMAN.

"For my next showing, I will vote Yul. Every time I can. Yul is such a bad villain nobody wants him around. He don't deserve to be in this alliance."

NO RIYA YOU'RE TOO GOOD!!! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE EVIL!!!

"Lately, I've been getting on his nerve, and I wanted that negative attention on someone else."

OH. OH I GET THAT.

So she shortens a target on her back, cause attention will be on Yul to go once Connor is gone.

GIRL. YOU ARE TOO SLAY FOR THIS GAME. 💅

AND I HATE YUL, SO OF COURSE I LOVE YOU FOR THIS.

SHE DID THIS FOR ME.

"Sorry Connor. You've become my meat shield, and it's too late to turn back now."

"Hey, I warned you. I had the decency to at least give you that much."

"It's also satisfying to see Yul a bit paranoid for once."

👑

Yes. Yes it is.

WE LOVE THE YUL TORMENT IN THIS HOUSEHOLD.

I love Riya bullying Yul. It fills me with joy.

OOOOOOOOOHHHH

Is she gonna expose them?

THEY GET EXPOSED ALREADY?! DAMN.

OKAY CONNOR GETS TO DO STUFF! 👏

YAY! CONNOR'S RELEVANT TO THE PLOT!!!!

OKAY HE CRUSHED THAT! LET'S GO!

"Hey guys, we got mail! Someone left us a note!"

"Wait, the postal service delivers all the way out here?"

😂😂😂

😂😂😂

*CHOKING FROM LAUGHTER*

😂

OH MY-

😂

*Fanning myself from tears*

OH MY GOD...

😂

HIS FACE.

😂😂😂

I'M SORRY.

I'M SO SORRY!!!

THAT HAD NO RIGHT BEING AS FUNNY AS THAT WAS!!

😂

OH MY GOD 😂

Oh my god I need to calm down...

That has to be the hardest I've laughed from Disventure Camp EVER.

I-I have to watch it again. I have to.

"Hey guys, we got mail! Someone left us a note!"

"Wait, the postal service delivers all the way out here?"

I don't even know why that gets me. Maybe cause I'm laughing too hard to think and get the joke.

Oh my god that's good. XD

"'This note is for members of the Magenta Team and Cyan Team. I am issuing a warning. You must act now while there's still time.'"

OH SHIT SHE IS EXPOSING THEM.

"'If you're reading this, it means I was voted out at last nights elimination.'"

"N-no! S-she... s-she... she can't be gone already!"

OH NO JAKE!! OH SWEETIE!!

That was only person he had left in this world!! AWWWW💔

Told you he would be devastated.

"'Riya, Alec, Grett, Yul, Ellie, and Fiore have formed a secret villains alliance. I heard their plans myself.'"

"'The six of them plan to take control at the merge.'"

"'To achieve this, they will do anything to create problems amongst the rest of you.'"

"'Do not fall for their plans. Take them out before it's too late. Good luck. Signed, Miriam.'"

OH SHIT.

THEY'RE EXPOSED ALREADY?!

What are they gonna do now?!

THERE'S AN ACTUAL THREAT!! THERE'S ACTUAL HIGH STAKES!!!

Aaaaannnnd this is where Fiore goes.

RIP.

"That old lady is obviously senile!"

"Don't you dare call her that!"

YEAH JAKE AIN'T HAVING YOU INSULT MIRIAM.

"I mean, how could we even form that alliance when they're on the other team? Huh? Use your brains!"

I mean... true. It's kinda faulty thinking on their part.

"You are a grown man fighting with a child!"

FR FR.

All Hunter's been doing so far is bully the child.

I hope Allyson and Hunter NEVER have kids.

"You really are a piece of work, Ellie! First you get out Lake, then you're a traitor to your own team?!"

YEP.

ELLIE IS ALSO FUCKED.

GEE, IF ONLY YOU HAD A GIRLS ALLIANCE THAT INCLUDED LAKE SO YOU WOULDN'T NEED TO JOIN THE VILLAINS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

"Let's just all calm down!"

Aw poor Tess.

Tess really is just the glue holding this team together at this point.

"But it's not out of character for you! Dividing people and secret alliances?! Anything for money, right?"

OOF.

OH THAT HURT.

WOOF.

Also Tom should know.

"If this were all true, Ellie would have told me! Right, Ellie?"

OH GIRL.

OH GABBY.

OH NO.

OH NO.

Poor Tess.

Tess is just being completely unheard on her team.

"Our team is in shambles, but I don't blame Aiden and Tom for blowing up. The Ellie I've come to know these last few days is way different than the chill person I met in college."

Game do be like that.

AGAIN, IF ONLY ELLIE HAD A GIRLS ALLIANCE THAT COULD PROTECT HER HERE.

"They might work together!"

"Fiore was literally just exposed. That makes no sense!"

I kinda get both sides though.

Cause what really is better for the game here? Keeping a member of this threatening alliance around? What if you potentially don't lose till merge? Twice? Let alone once?

On the other hand, if you get rid of her, you leave yourself vulnerable to a tie.

Damn. I don't know what the correct option is here.

"You want to get farther in this game? We need Fiore on our side, and you are sabotaging our chances!"

"Jeez, it's always me that messes up huh? Always me that has to admit when I'm wrong. Like you're an angel."

You both suck.

XD

Crazy I'm saying that cause I liked them decently enough last season.

They weren't my favorites, but I liked them.

It's crazy how I'd much rather watch Jake hallucinate getting cucked than these two fighting.

Like I want to know what's going on there and why Tom is acting the way he is.

These two are just pissing me off cause they KNOW how to communicate usually. (At least there's a reason for the boys to have this issue)

What the hell is happening here?

"This is our chance to prove ourselves, for people to see us in a better light!"

WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?

THE AUDIENCE CAN'T HELP YOU!

"Why do you care so much about what everyone thinks of you? Does it matter that I see so much more than some idiots online?!"

FR.

"You never listen Hunter! You make everything worse. That's all you ever do!"

Go get therapy. Both of you.

Like, you're both awful. But for different reasons.

OH.

OH HE FEELS BAD.

Is he just trying to look out for her but is coming up with the wrong plan?

"Magenta and Cyan Team, getting your first look at the new Yellow Team."

Jello Team?

I heard Jello Team.

*rewinds*

No she said Jello.

SCREW IT. YOU CAUSED THIS.

IT'S JELLO TEAM NOW.

THE JELLO ALLIANCE!

"I feel horrible for Miriam. I know she was super excited to play again."

Awwww 💔

I can never be upset with Jake and Miriam. They are precious.

You probably don't deserve a hug. But screw it.

Oh they're bringing back a Season 2 challenge. That's cool!

I think Total Drama All Stars did this too. Where they just reused challenges from previous seasons but with a twist. Like, Paintball Deer Hunter but with leeches.

I mean they didn't do a good job with the concept. Still.

OH GOD THEY BROUGHT BACK THE THOUSAND FOOT DROP TOO!

Trevor's like "Ha... ha ha... great... nice knowing y'all."

"I was a little tempted to ask the Yellow Team about the legitimacy of the villains alliance-"

IT'S THE JELLO ALLIANCE.

THEY HAVE TEA PARTIES WITH JELLO AS A CLUB OUTING.

"Guess it's time to use my police academy training, and figure out what they're up to!"

Ooh. Tom's gonna intervene?

I mean, everyone knows, so idk how good spying is when there's nothing to spy on. But sure.

Let Tom do some police spy stuff.

"YOU ARE UNDER ARREST FOR THE DISGRACE OF THE NAME OF JELLO! AND BIGGOTRY, A COUPLE OF MURDER ATTEMPTS, AND CROSS TEAMING RESPECTIVELY!"

"And... where do you stand?"

"We have to get her out."

Oh.

Jake having friendly interactions with some of his teammates...

Huh. Not on my bingo card at all.

OP-

THAT LOOKED LIKE IT HURT.

"Hunter, a-are you alright?"

Oh wow he actually stopped to check on him.

"Awwwww, did someone have a little tumble? Eat my dust, loser!"

*Proceeds to throw a tumble weed at his face*

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR DUST PLAIN OR SEASONED?

"Same old guy."

Yeah, facts.

"That was a little funny, but don't you think you were too harsh on him? He already lost his bike."

Oh wow. Grett's not as shitty as she used to be.

I mean I loved Grett's shitiness, I'm just shocked. I thought she would be all over that.

"That's the point. Kick em while they're down to ensure defeat."

I'm sure that won't end poorly.

(This GIF cracks me up XD)

"Being mean and controlling didn't exactly end well for me last time."

Grett redemption arc?

Is this what I'm hearing right now? She learned from her mistakes?

Is that what they're doing with her character?

Let's go???? Grett redemption arc???

"Who are you, my mother? Quit trying to tell me what to do!"

SHE'S TRYING TO HELP YOU.

"Well next time, if you want your opinion, I'll ask!"

"Which will be never! UGH, who gave women rights?!"

"You've got to get rid of those thunder thighs."

WHAT THE-

PERMISSION TO KILL THIS BITCH?

HER THUNDER THIGHS ARE BEAUTIFUL! FUCK YOU!!

"He knows that's a sore spot for me..."

I'm kinda worried for Grett now.

I don't want to assume SOMETHING, but if her own boyfriend body shames her, then shit.

Idk, she SAID she was losing weight for herself. How much of that is the truth??

"Thank god Miriam is gone."

Of course Ellie is happy.

"I wasn't responsible for it, but screw it. REVENGE FEELS GREAT!"

"Three million bucks is on the line. If you're not stressed, you don't belong here."

Yeah, I can see that being on Ellie's mind cause she's in poverty.

In her mind, she needs that money more than anyone else.

Which, you know, might be true actually.

I get her motive. I do.

As much as I dunk on Ellie, I actually do like her as a character and I do find her motives and her story arc interesting and compelling.

Just, you know, think your plans through.

"If I win, I won't need to hold down two jobs to pay for college."

You know how SHIT college bills are?

The majority of people who go to college get student debt they can never recover from.

I got lucky. My family refused to let me pay for college myself.

OH HE HAS TO CARRY HIS BIKE XD

Poor guy.

"Let's go! There's no time to waste, Tess!"

No let Tess talk with her bae! That's what she came here for.

Oh no.

He just looks sad now. The anger is just gone.

He just looks sad looking at it.

Tom doesn't want you anymore.

🎵"Don't wish. Don't start. Wishing only wounds the heart."🎵

🎵"There's a girl I know. He loves her so. I'm not that girl."🎵

I AM SO SORRY FOR THE WICKED JOKES.

"Just hold onto me while I swim."

"I HEARD THAT! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT EXACTLY, TOM?!"

"NOTICE ME DAMMIT!!!"

"Alright, but I want to try and do this myself first."

Aiden character development! Let's go!

I like their friendship. It's so wholesome.

You know, aside from the elephant in the room.

"Over this past year, me and James took gliding lessons Cute, right?"

Awww.

"Well, we did it mostly to help me overcome the trauma from last seasons final. I still don't love heights, but... those lessons have helped me overcome that fear."

Oh that's so sweet! I love that!

I love what they're doing with Aiden so far. It's so nice!

And as I said that he's already on Tom's back.

I hope Jake isn't watching that.

"I guess being a lifeguard could be my... plan C!"

"Hahaha! Cause I suck at all my jobs?"

"Hey... is Jake mad at you or something?"

OH HE NOTICED.

"He's been eyeing us for awhile, and not in a friendly way."

"Who's Jake?"

"The guy in pink. He looks like Ladybug, but a guy."

"I don't know him."

"But I thought-"

"I don't know anything about him. Nope. Never talked to him in my life."

"Don't worry, I'm planning on talking to him."

Are you? *Not convinced*

"Fine! I've been avoiding Jake."

Oh finally you fess up to it!

"I feel burned by what happened on our season and... whatever. I need to look forward."

Oh yeah...

I said it could be that, but that just confirms it.

It does have to do with that. Cause I know that hurt both of them so much.

And Tom's already moved on, it seems like. So it's a bit hard to confront your past.

BTW, I do know about these Greetings existing.

Currently, as I am reacting to the show, I do not care about these.

Whatever information is said in these is irrelevant to me at the moment.

Because for me, the REALLY vital stuff should be IN THE SHOW.

I'm sure they're great. But in terms of my exposure to them: NOT RIGHT NOW.

Y'all just chilling here?

Nothing better to do?

"Friendships can't be trusted in this game."

In terms of Alec, yeah.

In terms of Jake, YOU were the one that broke that.

"With all do respect, you don't know him like I do. I can decide that for myself."

POP OFF TESS!

She has a backbone! She knows what she's doing!

"I'm tired, Tess."

"Of the game?"

"Of Ally."

Oh shit.

"Ever since last season, a ton of haters started coming to her streams and raiding her social media, leaving nasty comments."

For literally no reason. Like seriously WHAT DID SHE DO???

I still don't get this. She didn't have this issue before? Really?

It's the Internet. You're gonna get haters.

I'm getting hate comments, but you don't see me being a bitch to anyone about it.

EVER HEARD OF BLOCKING?

"I don't blame her. People online are cruel."

I guess, but I feel like Allyson is more mature than that.

She has a Twitch Career! She has way more social media presence and impact than I could dream of!

"Ally seems to have this thing where... she needs to be liked above all else, and... when people are mean, she can't brush it off like the rest of us."

THAT IS NOT HOW ALLYSON WAS CHARACTERIZED LAST SEASON.

THAT'S WHY I'M NOT BUYING IT.

Like, I WOULD buy it if she WAS characterized like that before. But she wasn't.

"She acts confident, but I can tell that she's hurting inside."

So Hunter does care about her.

He just is really bad at it.

Awww.

"You have to let me win, Riya!"

She can't help you! She's on the other team!

Cross teaming does not work.

"We've been exposed. Everyone knows about the villains alliance!"

"Miriam sent out a letter to the other teams. My entire team found out this morning!"

"But... wait, that's not possible. Miriam was sitting at camp all afternoon before elimination."

Put the pieces together.

"Sorry kid, but I want the reward."

RIYA!

COME ON!

I mean I get it, cross teaming don't work. But at least piggyback her!

"For my next showing, I am undoing the crosses of the cross teaming that is crossing the line with the exposure of the crossing! And now the crossing is out of hand and we have a lose lose scenario!"

NO RIYA THAT'S A TONGUE TWISTER!

"Don't worry! I'm like a bullet train!"

OOP.

AND NOW YOU LOSE.

"I HAVE BEEN BAMBOOZLED! I SHOULDN'T HAVE UNDERESTIMED THE GABBY! DAMMIT!! MY EGO!!!"

"Your team will have a portable shower and soaps delivered to your camp!"

"Yes! That's exactly what I wanted!"

Of course you do XD

"I am SO SICK of catching colds! I want my next showing to be HOT! And clean!"

Of course Riya wants luxury. I love her.

And Fiore is screwed.

"Hey, fellow Jellos?? Yeah... I got some bad news for ya. The kid's a bit... yeah..."

"Why the hell did you not help her?"

"Look at how we set this up, man! If the Jello Team loses, one of us goes home! If the Cyan Team loses, one of us goes home! If the Pink Team loses, one of us goes home! DID YOU NOT THINK THAT THROUGH? AT THE VERY LEAST I WON Y'ALL A SHOWER!"

"Is it that shocking? We trusted Fiore to win a challenge for us."

Yeah, why did you guys put her at the end?

"Hopefully the team finally realizes who really needs to go."

I don't know what the best move is here, actually.

I don't think they're gonna get rid of Hunter or Allyson though. They have a plotline.

Oh we're just going right into it! DAMN! OKAY!

It's gotta be Fiore, right?

They're not gonna get rid of the other two yet.

"First vote..."

The long pause.

Fiore?

'FIORE'

Yep. She's gone.

'FIORE'

She is gone.

'HUNTER'

That's Fiore's handwriting.

'HUNTER'

OH!

OH MY GOD?!

WAIT ARE THEY ACTUALLY-?!

😲

MY JAW IS DROPPED.

OH MY GOD THEY ACTUALLY DID IT!!!

I DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD!

HOLY SHIT, I THOUGHT HUNTER WAS GONNA STAY LONGER! HE HAD A PLOTLINE WITH ALLYSON!

THAT WAS A BLINDSIDE!

"Do y'all just hate winning challenges?!"

"Yes. Yes we do."

"I'm sorry dude, but we did what was best for our game."

Which is pretty fair.

I feel like both options help you.

On top of that Hunter is... kind of a merge beast.

"What's the point of a goodbye? I'm probably joining you soon anyway..."

Yeah, I'm shocked by this.

I thought these two were in it for the long run and we'd have to deal with their relationship drama the whole time.

But no. They dropped it in Episode 5.

Especially since the promotional stuff and the intro emphasized them fighting. You'd think that'd mean that's a major plot point.

But NO.

I'm shocked.

"Hey now. The Ally I know wouldn't give up on a game like that."

Awww.

See? He cares about you.

Awwww.

At least they made up.

XD

YEAH SUFFER BITCH. YOU DON'T GET BEAUTY SLEEP.

Oh?

What are you doing here?

Cliffhanger. Great. Love that. /s

Idk, I feel like that make up was bit rushed.

THEY WON ME OVER A BIT AT THE END THERE THOUGH.

I mean I get it, but also both of them just don't feel like the same characters from Season 2, ya know?

Shock to the system hearing that from me, cause you all know I love the messy characters at this point. But like, the ones I like are consistent, ya know? They were characterized and set up in their respective seasons to be that way, so it makes sense.

Hunter and Allyson are chill people. Idk.

Not saying they can never argue, but both of them have shown to be so calm under pressure in Season 2. And here they aren't.

They had targets on their backs ALL MERGE, and yet they were so calm under that amount of pressure!

I'm still not seeing the vision of what they're doing with Allyson.

Maybe with Hunter gone, she will, ya know, be more tolerable.

She's not completely pissing me off yet though. Still.

It's not that stress over hate comments is unrelatable or anything. I was pretty heavily emotionally abused from where I used to live myself. That can make you hot tempered. But she's not emotionally abused, it's Internet people that can't hurt her.

If anyone remembers when I used to hate on Dhar Mann (I still do), I actually got very nasty comments ALL THE TIME. And it led to me having anxiety attacks for two weeks straight.

But that was the worst reaction I ever got to an Internet comment, and that took two weeks time. Every other time since that I'm over it in like a day.

Even with hate comments I get sometimes, I'm over it in about an hour and it doesn't phase me anymore.

So... I HAVE been where she is. But it does not make sense to me that her type of character would have that issue.

It just kinda feels like "Hey look at her! She's relatable! SYMPATHIZE!"

Relatability does not equal a good character. It does not get points from me.

I do not relate to Grett or her struggles at all. This stuff never happened to me. But I still stan her. I especially do NOT relate to Riya at all! It would be very concerning if I did. But look at me still liking her.

I'm for her being an underdog on her team. If that's what the plan is.

She can gravitate towards her teammates, minus Fiore. I can see that happening.

If this team loses again, Fiore is gone. 100%. There is literally no reason for any of them to keep her longer than that.

I am willing to give Allyson's story a chance. It's only Episode 5. She can still win me over!

I DO NOT HATE HER. (YET.) I DON'T WANT TO. I WANT TO LIKE HER.

Unfortunately the Jello Alliance is exposed to everyone. Yes I'm calling them the Jellos cause it's funnier than 'the villains'.

I think they're gonna be okay though. Fiore won't be, but aside from that. It just seems like such a big deal and it's being established as this major threat that it can't just be dropped a few episodes in.

That doesn't make any sense to me, anyway.

Jello is important. They're gonna be important.

RIP Fiore. You are royally fucked.

[conniesministallion]

☆☆𝓘𝓻𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓟𝓸𝓲𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓉𝟣☆☆

Warnings: Violence! (Rafe/Ward)(Rafe/JJ) Angst!

Pairing: Rafe x Black reader

This is y/n's POV for now

Summary: Waking up in the hot tropical sun, y/n makes her way to enjoy the rest of her summer. Rafe is keeping it together but struggles on his own. This is just the beginning and I like detail so bare with me lol.

A/N: So sorry it's late I scheduled the post and somehow someway it didn't save :((

*+:｡.｡　　｡.｡:+*

" I really could get used to staying here." I manage to croak out of my wine dried mouth. These past few months have been absolute paradise. Trying to convince myself that this isn't better than Kildare is ridiculous. I wish I could stay here for a bit longer but school was starting and I knew I would have to get back to the hot Carolina heat.

Slowly turning on to my side to the ivory colored night stand and grabbing my phone. Finally deciding to check snapchat, the first one is JJ's. I'm not surprised to see his bloody nose but hold on, why the fuck am I tagged.

" Your bestie is a psycho but I'll get my lick back @y/nkitty"

What the fuck? So, your bold enough to tag me but not the one that clearly beat your ass?

First of all, I'm not even there. Second I am not that mans owner, the fuck is he tagging me for! Wait, mkay so back to the fighting shit again? Rafe really ugh.

MayJ: Tag the one you beefing with if you bold mf not his bsf.

I quickly switched to messages and tried to hold myself back from raging on Rafe. He knows damn well I don't do fighting unless it's necessary and knowing him. The fight was obviously over something small.

Rafeybby: Dude are you serious? Got mfs tagging me cuz you don't know how to keep your damn anger in check? 7:42 a.m. Rafeybby: Seriously what was it over? Are you okay? I can't patch you up this time but we can call if you're free. 7:43 a.m.

Being so fed up with his antics combined with him not responding, I swing my feet over the plush mattress making my way towards the white bathroom doors. Washing my face with some coconut facial scrub, brushing my teeth and taking a quick shower. I make out of the restroom when I hear my cousin's high pitch scream from downstairs.

" Y/n your mom made breakfast and we're heading out towards the island to shop in the village hurry!"

"I'm getting dressed be down soon!" I yelled back.

I hurry and get dressed as I grab my phone of the dresser. Realizing that Rafe has yet to respond to me.

Grabbing my purse and making my way downstairs I briefly glance at the polaroid of Rafe and myself sitting on the beach.

*+:｡.｡　　｡.｡:+*

" Is it possible that you have this in gold and silver as a pair?"

Already into the village, I decided to get a piece of the island for me and Rafe to share. Not knowing when either of us would be able to come back together. Summer in Kildare meant more parties, more clients for rafe to sell, and more drama around my friend group. Speaking of, I need to call Ki and Jade to catch them up with my summer. Plus....I wanna know the messy tea that been popping off while I was gone. I turned my attention back to the lady realizing that I spaced out.

" Of course love, give me one second to wrap them for you."

I haven't been to the village since I was a child and standing here at the booth makes me a lil anxious. Much more people here than back a figure 8.

The sun is illuminating over the sand filled roads with taverns covering the coast. Merchants on every end of this small corner of the village. People of all ages gathering and talking amongst one another and even though the heat is suffocating everyone seems pleased.

The scarf around my locs is loose on my head, the thin fabric of my skirt makes the heat feel cooler as the breeze hits my skin. I settled for a tube top my granny made me as a plus. It reminds me of the summers we spend together while fishing for dinner.

" You're all good to go dear! These are the perfect gift for a lover if you have one in mind." She expressed to me. Reaching out her small hand and placing the glitter wrapped bracelets on the counter.

I smile at the old lady who looks at me with beaming eyes.

" I have no lover but I do have a best friend. I'm sure they'll be happy to have a thoughtful gift." I softly spoke. As I grab the bag off of the wooden counter. I thank her as I make my way to find the rest of my family.

" We're heading to Seaside Oasis. Did you get everything you needed?" My mom says as she checks her phone for the reservations.

"I got some gifts and tons of clothes hopefully they'll fit in my suitcase." I giggled back.

Heading to lunch while my dad constantly talks his head off does not sound so pleasant but drinking does.

As we made out way towards the seating area and settle down. I ordered first while my family followed. Of course as soon as the food comes my father starts to talk about his collogues. Choosing to ignore him while sipping on a margarita. I start to think about Rafe, which is what I've been doing constantly while away. I miss him of course but, the constant fights and selling is what makes me worry.

On top of his reputation of sleeping with anything that walks, unless it's a pogue doesn't make it any better. This man spoils me constantly, he doesn't need to but he does. Not with just money either but affection....which I wouldn't be surprised he does with the rest of the girls he whatever I'm getting pissed just thinking about it.

.｡ping ping.｡ Rafeybby: Nice to hear from you too mama. I'm all good how's your trip? Rafeybby: That mf tagged you but has be blocked is crazy. Why do you have him on snap anyway. Thought I told you to block him before you left. 10:30 a.m.

Me: Just call me when you can and don't worry I'm having fun. Just wanted to make sure you were good. Rafeybby: You just gonna skip over what I said? Rafeybby: Don't worry mama we'll talk about it later. Going to Barry's, call when I can.

Umm.....who the hell, does this mf thinks he is? My Daddy???

I stared at the phone with my head tilted sideways. I'm not even gonna respond to his ass. Constantly thinking that I'm going to listen to him is gonna get his ass cursed out. Especially since he knows that it won't work. But for now instead of thinking of what kind of timing Rafe is on, im gonna sit back, sip my drink, and

*+:｡.｡　　｡.｡:+*

Enjoy my summer <3

[eyitzme]

ᵘⁿˡᵘᶜᵏʸ ᶜʰᵃʳᵐˢ ;; ᵏᵃⁱᵐᵒⁿ ⁽ᵖ:ᵉᵍ⁾

Summary: Getting Damon Maitsu and Kai Monteago as godparents has made Toshiko Kayura’s life easier to an extent. After so much time together, she’s gotten used to them and expects to wake up and know they’re both there to help her when she needs it. However, that changes when Damon decides to resign from being a godparent, causing a rift between him and Kai. After a misadventure with Tozu, Toshiko decides that even if Damon will no longer be her godparent, she needs to fix Damon and Kai’s relationship before it’s too late! And maybe get Damon back as her godparent. That’s not too much to ask for, right? Word Count: 11,571 Warning: Slight Spoilers (Chapter 1 references) A/N: Did anyone ask for a Kaimon Fairly OddParents AU? No, but have one anyway. In case anyone wants to hear me ramble about how I got this idea, I was watching WeebyNewz’s P:EG Chapter 1 livestream a while ago, and the chat exploded with Wicked references when Damon and Kai were going to be roommates. A Kaimon Wicked AU would be cool, but I know nothing about Wicked other than the drama, the fact it has a music and a book, the fact it's a Wizard of Oz fanfic, how it has green and pink lesbians, the bad promotions, and something about holding space for Defying Gravity or whatever the song’s called. Fortunately, I remember another popular green-pink duo after thinking of how the marketing team tried to say everything pink and green was Wicked but Cosmo and Wanda already got there first, but this ended up straying a lot farther from Cosmo and Wanda than I wanted. Still, since you’re here, take a Kaimon Fairly OddParents AU, featuring Toshiko as Timmy since she’s the youngest so it felt right to give her that role (I haven't watched the remake so I don’t know anything about Wanda and Cosmo’s new godchild). By the way, if you see something that’s inaccurate to the actual Fairly OddParents lore, just ignore it. We’re here for a fun time so don’t think too hard about it. Also, Toshiko’s age isn’t clear because I wasn’t writing this with a clear age in mind for her. You can keep thinking of her as 14 or youngre (older than however old a third-grader is, though, because her blackmail is mentioned). Doesn't really matter. Don't forget your daily clicks!

i’ll do my best to fix this!

It wasn’t as if Toshiko Kayura was wishing and praying for godparents every day for years. She didn’t even know they existed. After another horrible day of not being taken seriously with the threat of the worst babysitter in the world coming later, Toshiko was sulking in her bedroom when she noticed the Magic 9-Ball she received from a past client. She wanted to get her anger out and threw the Magic 9-Ball, but after it hit the walls, two fairies she would later learn were named Damon Maitsu and Kai Monteago appeared. They claimed to be her godparents who could grant her any wish so long as it followed certain rules. Now, she was stuck with them for better or for worse.

Despite how long she had been with them, there was little Toshiko knew about Fairy World, the place where fairies who weren’t currently being godparents on Earth lived. She had never been there, but Damon would sometimes go there, whether it be for business or matters he didn’t share with her but did share with Kai. Today, Damon had left, leaving her with just Kai.

In the safety of her bedroom, Toshiko felt more relaxed talking to her godparents when she knew there was no one who could look at her weirdly for seeming to talk to herself. Laying on her bed, she told Kai, “I’ve been meaning to ask, how do you know Mochi? How did you meet, when did you meet...?”

“How I met him?” Kai, having taken one of her fans without her permission again, waved it to his face several times as he thought. “That was years ago. Like, take your age, and multiply by 1,000. I think that’s how long we’ve known each other.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You think? You couldn’t even be bothered to remember the date you met Damon? Whatever do you do on anniversaries?”

“I... No one wants me to do anything on any anniversary!” he hurriedly defended.

She glared at him before sighing. “Anyway, you only partially answered my question. You answered when you met him, as poorly as it was, but you didn’t answer how. Was it through training to become godparents?”

“I mean, yeah, we met at Fairy Academy,” Kai admitted. “We didn’t really train together, though. Just kinda met.”

His answers bothered her, but the topic of Damon reminded her of his absence. “What is Damon doing right now, anyway? He didn’t have the decency to tell me where he was going, although I assume it’s in Fairy Land. If I was not so used to it—which is shameful on your ends—I would scold him the second I saw him again!”

Kai stopped fanning himself. “I don’t know, actually. He usually tells me where he goes, but today... Maybe he’s planning something.”

“So, he does special things on anniversaries, but you don’t?”

“First of all, we both  don’t do anything special on anniversaries, and second, there aren’t any anniversaries coming up. I don’t even actually know if he’s planning something.”

“Perhaps something happened to him.” She sat up. “I suppose the only way to find out what he is doing is to find out ourselves.”

“Okay, cool idea, but how do we do that if we don’t even know where he is?”

“Can I wish to go to Mochi’s location?”

He thought for a few seconds. “I don’t think Da Rules say anything about it. I’m not sure, though, but I am not reading through Da Rules for this.”

“There’s no harm in trying. I might have to use his real name, so...” Toshiko cleared her throat. “I wish to go to Damon’s location.”

Kai smiled as he took out his wand. In a flash, they were gone. They appeared in front of a building that resembled houses on Earth, but the main differences lied in the pastel colours and the rounder shape. Frankly, she never thought Damon was one to like pastel colours, considering how his clothes seemed to mostly be darker colours, but she could admit that she didn’t know a lot about her godparents.

“Hey, it does work!” Kai grinned as he handed Toshiko her fan that he still had on him. He turned to look at the building with a confused frown. “Why’s Damon at his house?”

“Mochi lives here? It’s a nice house,” Toshiko complimented.

Kai smirked. “If you think this is nice, I’ll show you my house one day! It’s so much better than Damon’s!”

“Let’s get Mochi first.” Toshiko was about to knock on the door before wondering if that was impolite for Fairies. She learned it wasn’t when Kai knocked on the door for them.

When Damon opened the door, his eyes widened when he saw them before he frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“We were worried about you, right, Toshiko?” Kai put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her to his side, trapping her.

“Yes, we were...” She tried to get free for a few seconds before giving up. “You need to start telling me where you’re going, Mochi. I can’t always wish to go to your location! That is terribly improper!”

“You won’t have to worry about it soon,” he told her.

“Because you’re going to tell me where you’re going from now on? Good choice. It’s polite to—”

“No, because you won’t have me as your godparent anymore.”

Any words that Toshiko could say disappeared as she felt Kai’s grip on her shoulders tightened. Even if Kai could only say, “What...?” it was better than her.

Damon looked unfazed, as if this news was nothing more than noticing the sun coming out after some rain. “I’m resigning from being a godparent. I’ve figured I’ve been through enough of it to move on to a different part of my life.”

“Wh-What part?” asked Kai. “You spent thousands of years in the Fairy Academy to become a godparent—we spent thousands of years becoming godparents!”

“I put those thousands of years to use. I would say I was a decent godparent.”

“You’re still a godparent! Toshiko’s still a child. She still needs us!”

“She needs a godparent. She doesn’t need two of us. Godchildren don’t usually get two godparents anyway. As long as you’re here, she will still get what she needs.”

“But I agreed to being a godparent with you, not by myself! How am I supposed to take care of Toshiko by myself?”

Damon’s frown deepened. “By...granting her wishes? You’re making it sound like you’ve never been a godparent before.”

“I’ve never been a godparent without you. I don’t know how to be a godparent by myself! You should’ve talked to me about this, you know. You should’ve at least given me some sort of heads-up!”

“That...” Damon sighed. “Listen, what’s done has been done. I already sent in my resignation letter. There’s nothing we can do about it anymore.”

“Yes, you can!” insisted Kai. “Make whatever excuse you need to, just take back your resignation letter! Stay with me for longer! At the very least, stay until Toshiko doesn’t need us anymore!”

“I already told you, Toshiko needs a godparent, not two. It isn’t a problem if I resign.”

“Maybe to you, but not to me! And definitely not to Toshiko! She’s right here, so let’s ask her—”

“Don’t bring her into this, Kai...”

“Don’t bring her into this? This whole thing revolves around her!” Kai gently shook her. “Toshiko, do you want Damon to stay, yes or no?”

Both of their eyes fell onto her—maybe even the neighbours, if any of them had come out to see what the commotion was about. Toshiko didn’t know if any of them did; she couldn’t look anywhere that wasn’t her feet. Even with her fan covering her face, she didn’t want to cry over this. She was stronger than that, but the tears kept trying to find a way out.

If she had to cry, she wanted to get one question out to Damon before then: “Did I do something...?”

She couldn’t even bring her eyes up to Damon’s face, but she could hear his answer clearly: “You didn’t do anything, Toshiko.”

She thought hearing that would make her feel a bit relieved and stop the tears, but it didn’t. It did the opposite, actually. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to keep her sobs as quiet as she could. Her fan was basically pressed against her face.

“Take her home, Kai,” she heard Damon say.

“You think you can tell me what to do now?” Kai had responded.

“Staying here isn’t going to cheer her up. Take her home and make her happy. Isn’t that what a godparent is supposed to do?”

Kai didn’t respond. Toshiko heard him sigh, and the next thing she knew, they were back in Toshiko’s bedroom.

All of that, and Damon didn’t even have the courtesy to offer an invitation to talk inside his house.

. . .

Toshiko was sure she didn’t need a babysitter, especially since she had godparents, but she apparently wasn’t if her parents kept hiring Tozu, the worst babysitter in the world. He was pure evil, and he took fun in seeing her in horrible situations. She had no idea where her parents found a man with a goat head, but wherever they did, she hoped they would put him back there soon.

“Tozu’s coming?” Kai shuddered when she told him. He seemed to sink into her mattress. “Why does he have to come? Can’t you get some nice babysitter for a change?”

“My parents think Tozu is the nicest person in the world.” Toshiko opened her fan wider. “What do you think he’ll do this time?”

“Good question...” Hi’s eyes widened. “What if he takes you on another train to a locked building and told you that you had to find your way out of it yourself again? That was already a nightmare, but if he added murder—like you had to kill someone to get out—I think I’d throw up...”

Toshiko waited for the familiar voice to tell Kai that he was being stupid for worrying about something like this before she remembered Damon wasn’t here anymore. It had been a week since she found out Damon was resigning from being a godparent, but it was still hard to believe that was her reality. Judging from the look on Kai’s face, he was going through the same thoughts as her.

Since both of them were wondering about Damon, Toshiko asked, “How long does it take for godparents to stop being godparents?”

Playing with the necklace he always wore, Kai answered, “Since Damon handed his resignation letter a week ago, I think he still has three weeks left before his court hearing.”

“Court hearing?”

“Being a godparent is serious work. How powerful our magic is depends on how much humans believe in our existence. Not only are godparents helping make children’s lives better, but they’re also partly responsible for helping to keep our magic going. The Fairy Council will see if he actually should resign, so technically, Damon’s still your godparent.”

“Then why doesn’t he come see me?”

He shrugged. “It’s...probably personal reasons...”

That didn’t make her feel any better. Perhaps she needed something else to focus on. “Kai, I want to make a wish. I wish—”

“That’s cool and all, but I don’t know if I’m in the mood to grant any wishes...”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What do you mean, you’re not in the mood? You’re my godparent; your job is to grant my wishes.”

He sighed. “I know, but I just don’t feel like it. I feel too depressed, you know...?”

“If Mochi was here, he would grant my wishes.”

“And if Damon was here, then I wouldn’t be feeling so depressed! I don’t even feel like having my wand anymore...” Kai threw his wand across her room.

That conversation led them nowhere.

Toshiko decided to search through her bedroom for something to do. There had to be something she could do before Tozu arrived and made her even more miserable. There were no games she felt like playing, there was nothing in her closet, there was nothing on her desk...

“Oh, I forgot about this!” Toshiko pulled out a piece of paper from one of the drawers on her desk.

“Forgot about what?” Kai asked from her bed.

“Back when we first met, I drew a picture of us together. Me, you, and Damon. I knew I would remember this moment, but I wanted a physical reminder of it. It wasn’t a reminder, though, since I forgot about the reminder.”

“Wait, you drew a picture of us?” Kai sat up. “I wanna see!”

Toshiko sat on her bed and showed Kai the drawing. It was nothing other than the three of them together. It wasn’t anything special, and in her opinion, the drawing itself was childish. Her drawing skills had improved since they first met, and she had also matured as a person. This photo meant nothing to her.

Kai, on the other hand, was treating it like the finest piece of art he had ever laid his eyes on. The compliments from him just kept coming and coming. Toshiko honestly felt a bit overwhelmed.

“We look like one happy family,” Kai said.

“You’re supposed to be my godparent,” she replied. “That makes me technically your child.”

“Aww, and I’m your mom and Damon’s your dad?”

“If you want to say that, then sure.” She frowned at the drawing. “But I guess I’m the divorced child now... Have you talked to Mochi, by the way?”

“I’ve, umm... I’ve been ignoring him,” Kai admitted.

“Ignoring or avoiding?” Toshiko asked.

After a pause, he said, “Avoiding.”

“Nothing is going to get solved if you keep avoiding him,” she pointed out.

“He’s dead-set on resigning, though...”

“Not that! I meant in your relationship . If you keep avoiding him, your relationship will fall apart. You’re angry at him now,” she said, “but I know you like being with Mochi. You wouldn’t be my godparents—plural—otherwise.”

“But he doesn’t want to talk to me.”

“You’re only saying that as an excuse to not talk to him. In the future, you’ll be wishing that you did talk to him and kept in touch. That’s assuming you get to the point where you avoid him for a long time, of course. I’m assuming that won’t be the case, since you’re going to talk to him.”

“Are you making me talk to him?”

“I’m not going to make you do anything. I just know you’ll do it because you want to.”

Kai sighed and leaned against her headboard. “Why am I listening to my godchild lecture me about ignoring Damon...?”

“It’s because I’m your godchild that I’m saying this,” Toshiko said. “I know you’ll both leave me when I’m an adult, so I understand our relationship will fall apart one day, but I don’t want to see my godparents’ relationship fall apart.”

“I guess you have a—”

There was a knock on the front door.

Toshiko sprang off the bed as Kai transformed into a small pink pillow resting on her headboard. Her bedroom was on the far end of the hallway, meaning she had to run to get to the stairs. When she reached the balcony, she saw the front door open just in time to see her parents leave and Tozu shutting the door behind them. His gaze fell onto her. Despite having no mouth, she knew he was smiling.

“Hello, Toshiko!” he said, waving at her to join him downstairs. “It’s great to see you again! Have any luck with your new costumers? Have they found any love yet?”

“Yes, Tozu...” She didn’t move from her spot, her hands gripping the railings next to her. With Kai’s fear of Tozu, Damon always disguised himself as some sort of green accessory whenever she had to face Tozu. She always had that comforting weight of him on her, but now that he was gone, she felt too light and vulnerable.

Tozu looked around. “Say, I’m hungry, and I need to use the bathroom. Make me a sandwich, okay?”

Toshiko knew she should stand her ground—that would be what Damon would encourage her to do—but she found herself meekly saying, “O-Okay, Tozu,” and going to the kitchen.

Unsure of what kind of sandwich to give Tozu, Toshiko settled for a basic tuna sandwich. When Tozu came back downstairs, Toshiko spotted a bright light and felt her heart stop when she noticed him carrying a wand in his hand—Kai’s wand.

“You have a fun toy!” Tozu waved it around.

“That was in my room,” she managed to say. “Why were you in my room...?”

“Oh, I lied about needing to go to the bathroom. As your babysitter, I have to make sure you’re safe. Matchmaking people at such a young age... Someone will give you something you shouldn’t have one of these days.”

“Give me my wand back...”

“I will after I’m done playing with it! Grownups need to play too, you know!” He picked up the sandwich, and his visible eye had some disgust. “Tuna? I’m not a big fan of that. I wish you had given me something like a ham sandwich.”

Toshiko’s eyes widened as the sandwich changed from a tuna sandwich to a ham sandwich. Tozu blinked a few times at the sandwich before saying, “Oh, forgive me, Toshiko. It appears you did give me a ham sandwich.”

“Y-Yes, I did...” Nervous laughter followed.

Since Tozu was busy with his sandwich, Toshiko took the chance and went to her bedroom. She found a panicked Kai who, once seeing her, immediately said, “He just came so fast, and I couldn’t stop him! He has my wand now, so he can grant any wish in the world! What do we do?”

Toshiko tugged on her sleeves. “I-I don’t know, I was going to ask you that...!”

“Damon would be better at this...” After a moment of thought, Kai said, “Okay, here’s the plan: I distract him with whatever magic I can do, and you grab the wand!”

“How will you distract him?”

“I’ll be stuff like the pizza delivery man, a man delivering an online order, a man trying to sell something...”

“He’ll definitely become suspicious...”

“I don’t see you coming up with any better ideas!”

Toshiko didn’t have any ideas, let alone any that would be better than Kai’s. They had no choice; this was what they were going to do to get Kai’s wand back from Tozu.

. . .

Toshiko and Kai discovered early on that Tozu decided the wand looked so cool that he would keep it on him at all times. He kept accidentally making wishes, such as wishing the rug was a different colour or that a show about 16 students trapped in a killing game was airing on the television right now. Toshiko successfully helped convince him to think these were all coincidences, but they were risking him finding out the truth with every second that passed. Unfortunately, she and Kai were running out of ideas.

“Why did Damon have to leave?” Kai groaned when they returned to Toshiko’s bedroom after another failed attempt. “If he was here, this problem would’ve already been solved! He’s always been better than me at everything...”

“I wouldn’t say at everything.” At his look, Toshiko said, “I’m trying to make us happier.”

“Don’t bother. We failed again, and at this rate, I’ll be taken away as your godparent too.”

She frowned. “What will happen if you’re no longer my godparent?”

“I’ll probably be taken away before Damon’s court hearing, so the court will probably say Damon will still have to be your godparent. But if they agree to let him resign...” His shoulder’s drooped. “You’ll forget about us.”

“Oh.” Forgetting about Kai and Damon felt so unreal. She could live without them in her life, but she couldn’t imagine not ever knowing them.

“But we still have time!” Kai said with a forced cheerful tone. “We can still get it back! And who knows? Maybe Tozu will give it back before he leaves!”

“He’s stolen my stuff before. He once stole a whole suitcase full of my clothes and other stuff, remember? We had to fight to get it back...”

“M-Maybe this time is different! We can still get the wand back, and I’ll still be your godparent!”

“Kai? Can I ask something?” With his full attention, Toshiko asked, “What magic can you do without a wand?”

He counted what he could do on his fingers. “I can float, I can shape-shift, I can heal really fast, and I can teleport me and other stuff to places.”

She nodded along. “I have an idea. Let’s teleport to Mochi and ask for his help!”

After a second, he said, “You can go. I’ll stay here.”

“Why? It’s just Mochi. You were the one who kept complaining about his absence too.”

“Well, someone’s gotta keep watch on the wand, and since it’s my wand...”

“Aren’t you scared of Tozu?”

Kai didn’t reply. Instead, Toshiko found she had been teleported in front of Damon’s house again—alone. Had he no manners?

She couldn’t leave Fairy Land alone, though, so she knocked on Damon’s front door like Kai did last time. When there was no answer, she knocked again and again. Soon, she was pounding on the door. Was he ignoring her like Kai was ignoring him? He was the one who said she didn’t do anything!

“Toshiko, I’m right here.”

Toshiko turned around and saw Damon approaching his house. Feeling the blood rush to her face, she asked, “How long were you there...?”

“I just got here.” He looked around and looked a little disappointed. “Where’s Kai?”

“Back at my house.” The words came rushing out of her as she said, “I know you don’t want to be a godparent, but you’re still technically my godparent right now, so you should come back and help Kai and me because Tozu took his wand, and we need your help getting it back.”

Damon listened in silence. He seemed to be debating whether he should agree before he sighed and held out his hand to her. “Let’s go.”

Toshiko smiled and took Damon’s hand. She knew he would be able to make things better again.

. . .

When Toshiko returned to her bedroom, she asked Kai if Tozu had done anything. After Kai answered that he hadn’t, he asked, “Isn’t Damon meant to be with you?”

“It’s all part of his plan.” Toshiko took a fan from her bedroom and covered her face. “We have to wait a few minutes. Mochi said to tell you that you shouldn’t be worried, even though you will be. He says you need to stay calm no matter what.”

“He can’t control how I feel...”

Toshiko sighed. “We have some time before the plan starts, so I’m going to tell you this now: Kai, you need to get yourself together. Your marriage is going to fall apart.”

“My marriage?” He frowned. “What marriage? When was I married? Who am I married to? I don’t remember any of this.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m obviously talking about your marriage with Damon.”

“But...we’re not married?”

“You’re... You’re not?” At the shake of his head, she lifted her fan higher. “O-Oh...”

A smile spread across his face. “Wait, you actually thought we were married?”

“I-I was introduced to you both as my godparent s , so I thought...you were at least dating...”

Laughter burst from Kai. “I promise, I’m not married to him! Seriously, just being godparents together doesn’t mean we’re together.”

“Didn’t you just say today when you saw that old picture I drew that you were my mother and Damon was my father?”

“Just because I said that doesn’t mean we’re together. Friends always say stuff like that! Oh, and by the way—”

“Friends usually say one of you is the parent and the other is the aunt, the uncle, the older sibling...”

“Well, me and Damon are just different. I told you, take your age and times it by 1,000, and that should be about how long me and Damon have known each other. We’re probably closer than regular friends ‘cause of that.”

“How many godchildren have you had over these thousands of years?”

“A lot more than I can count.” He sighed. “You know, we didn’t take that long of breaks between godchildren. Actually, we spent those breaks together, too. We were inseparable after our first godchild. Like, it felt like my whole life changed after meeting him.”

“Do you feel like you can’t live a life without ever knowing Mochi anymore?”

“Yeah, exactly!”

She contemplated what question she could ask him before settling on, “How does being with Mochi make you feel?”

“Being with Damon... Safe, I guess. I know if I can’t do something, he’ll help me.”

“Does being with Mochi make you have this warm feeling inside you? It can feel like a mix of safety, comfort, peace, and happiness. Do you feel like that even at the thought of Mochi?”

“Now that you mention it, I do feel like that around Damon, but when I think of him, I’m just angry and sad at him for quitting.”

“Would you feel angry and sad if you were a godparent with someone else, but they also quit without telling you?”

“Obviously, but that would never happen! Damon’s the only Fairy I’d ever be godparents with! Don’t get me wrong,” he said, “there are cool Fairies out there, but I’d never be godparents with them. Damon’s the only one who had enough patience to last thousands of years with me, and honestly, I don’t like the thought of sharing a godchild with anyone but him.”

“Does sharing a godchild feel too intimate for you? ‘Child’ is in the name, after all; you’re practically raising a living creature together.”

“Yeah, yeah, you get it! Sharing a godchild with anyone else just feels too weird, but I’m happy to share 1,000—more than that, actually! I’m happy to share a ton more with Damon. Why are you asking me all this anyway?”

It appeared she would have to be the one to tell him.

Toshiko extended her free hand and waited for Kai to take it, albeit hesitantly. Slowly and carefully, she said, “Kai, we both know that I am a matchmaker and have lots of experience in matchmaking, even with how young I am. You might not witness any of my matchmaking sessions because of how boring you find it, but you know I’m not lying. I’m speaking as a matchmaker, your godchild, and someone who cares about you when I say—”

The fire alarm went off.

Ignoring what she wanted to say before, Toshiko said, “Damon said to stay calm!”

“I-I am calm! I’m always calm!” Kai’s expression looked anything but calm.

Hearing Tozu’s footsteps coming up the stairs, Toshiko quickly told him, “Try to get the wand back when we leave,” before Kai turned into a pink ball.

Her bedroom door opened, revealing Tozu who didn’t have Kai’s wand on him. Before she could react, he grabbed her arm and yanked her forwards. “I’m not getting paid if you die...”

Despite knowing the cause, she still asked, “What happened?”

“The fire alarm went off, and I smell smoke. We are getting out of here, and you’re not going to get a scratch on you.”

“But...you never cared if I died before...”

“Before, I could make up some cheap story about your death. If you die here, it will obviously be my fault to some extent.”

At least she learned something about Tozu.

Outside, the other neighbours had come out too. The smoke detectors had gone off in their homes. In the distance, a fire could be seen. When Tozu spotted it, he muttered, “I didn’t know this area was close to wildfires.”

“It’s not supposed to be,” Toshiko replied. She wondered when he would let go of her arm.

The fire looked to be quite a while away, but some neighbours were evacuating. Tozu looked at them and said in a voice that was too cheerful, “I know! Let’s go to the park, Toshiko!”

“But last time we went to the park, you forced me to solve a murder you set up and would kill me too if I failed to get the right answer under a time limit...”

“You only need one to survive, and you have two! That was a fun time. Should we do it again?”

Spotting a child who looked to be around her age, Toshiko said, “I see my friend. Can I go?”

Tozu stared at her with his unblinking eye. She tried not to squirm. Finally, he let go and said, “Meet me back at the house in three hours. Your parents will be back a little after that. They don’t have to know we weren’t together.”

“R-Right! Umm... Thank you, Tozu.” Toshiko headed off in the direction of the child. When she knew Tozu wasn’t looking, she turned and, with the houses, hid herself from Tozu’s sight. Damon was waiting not too far away.

In his hands were two sticks with roasted marshmallows on them. “I got them for you and Kai,” he said as he handed her one.

“Did you use the fire for this?” As he nodded, Toshiko took a bite out of one marshmallow. With the perfectly crisped outer layer and soft inside, she swore she could taste Heaven.

That explained the wish. After quickly going over Da Rules, Damon said they could wish for a fire as long as it didn’t harm any living thing. That meant Toshiko could wish for the smoke detectors in all the houses to go off, and if that didn’t make everyone leave, she could wish for a fire far away that didn’t harm any humans or plants. He told her to wish that it would happen after a few minutes so she could tell Kai and to wish it would end after a few minutes to end it without any problems. She had assumed he didn’t want to talk to Kai as much as Kai didn’t want to talk to him, but if he had roasted marshmallows just for Kai, it appeared she was wrong.

“Toshiko!” Kai’s voice rang out as he appeared next to her with his wand. He waved it around as he sang, “I got my wand back!”

“You should thank Mochi for that. It was his idea,” she said before taking another bite out of her marshmallows.

It was only then did Kai seem to notice Damon. “Oh, hi. Yeah, umm... Thanks for helping.”

“It’s nothing.” He held out the other stick with roasted marshmallows. “I got you this.”

Kai’s eyes lit up. “You got me roasted marshmallows? Damon, thank you so much! I haven’t had these since forever!”

“It’s barely been 100 years.” To Toshiko, he said, “Kai and I were the godparents around the time roasting marshmallows started becoming a thing. Our godchild fell in love with it, and so did Kai. Apparently, Kai only liked the ones that godchild roasted. Ever since the godchild grew up and didn’t need us anymore, he never ate one since then.”

“Then why is he eating them right now?”

“Since he didn’t want to learn how to do it like that kid, I decided to learn.”

“Shouldn’t it be possible to make another one like it with magic?”

“That’s what I kept telling him,” interrupted Kai. “But this guy keeps saying it doesn’t taste the same if magic is used, so he spent all these years trying to perfect something a human kid 100 years ago did.”

“It still isn’t that accurate,” said Damon. “The texture is still a little off. You could say it’s close enough, but if I keep trying for at least a few dozen years, it might—”

“Oh, my God, Damon, these are perfect!” Each stick had five marshmallows on them, and Kai was already halfway done. “I feel like I’m back at the little house with the fire starting and the sunlight streaming in through the windows ‘cause the poor kid was horrified of the dark...”

“I just said—” Damon sighed, and a smile came onto his face. “Well, if you’re happy with it, I guess I did a good job.”

Kai was about to eat the last marshmallow when he realized Toshiko had her own stick with roasted marshmallows but not Damon. “Hey, why don’t you have one?”

“They were just for you and Toshiko.”

“But you should have one! You went through the all the trouble of making these.” He pulled the last marshmallow off the stick and held it near Damon’s mouth. “Here, have it!”

Instead of arguing as expected, Damon let Kai feed him the marshmallow. His expression towards the smiling Kai didn’t look as annoyed as expected either.

Oh, no. Toshiko finished her last marshmallow! Now what was she supposed to focus on to prevent feeling like she was interrupting something?

Kai��s eyes fell on Toshiko, and his smile fell as he seemed to come to the realization someone else was with them. Along with that realization, he turned his back to Damon. “I’m still mad at you,” he said to him.

As Damon’s expression flickered to one that had more sadness, Toshiko said, “I would forgive him just enough to talk to him if I was you. He brought you marshmallows!”

“You’re just easy to be swayed.”

“No, I’m not! My heart is just soft and delicate, so I’m more empathetic, but that does not mean I’m easily swayed!”

“Whatever makes you sleep at night.”

Usually, when one of her godparents annoyed her, Toshiko would make a point to spend more time with the other. Since Damon was here, and he was still technically her godparent, she turned to him and asked, “Can we go somewhere? Like Fairy World? I want to see more of it.”

“Oh, so now you’re on his side?” Kai frowned at her. “Come on, Toshiko. Who’s your favourite between me and Damon?”

“Mochi,” Toshiko answered without hesitation, earning a chuckle from Damon.

Kai stared at her with a blank expression before turning his back to both of them, muttering about how he didn’t care if they hung out and it wasn’t any of his business.

“I can take you to Fairy World,” Damon told Toshiko. “Just don’t do anything that makes people stare at us, okay?”

“Okay!” Toshiko held Damon’s hand as he took them to Fairy World, leaving a grumpy Kai behind.

When the magic was gone, Toshiko saw that Damon took them to a park. It didn’t have a playground, but it looked pretty to look at. Damn started walking without telling her, and she quickly caught up. As they walked around the park, Toshiko asked, “Are humans allowed in Fairy World?”

“There’s no rule saying they aren’t,” Damon answered. “I heard it might change soon, though. The Fairy Council is thinking about making it so humans can’t come here without their godparents, and godparents who currently have godchildren can’t come here without special permission. It’s all just rumours, though, so don’t worry about it. You’re safe to come here for now.”

“Speaking of the Fairy Council, Kai says you’ll meet with the Fairy Council to resign from being a godparent in a few weeks.”

“I should be.”

“And...there isn’t anything I can say that can change your mind?”

She expected to hear something similar to him telling her to not bother trying, but she didn’t receive a response.

She couldn’t stop a smile from coming onto her face. “Oh! I can convince you to stay!”

“You’re not going to,” he said.

“Said who? I can be really convincing,” she threatened.

“Helping someone realize they have feelings for someone else is different from this.”

“I don’t think so.” If she pretended that being a godparent was someone Damon had feelings for and quitting was someone Damon was trying to convince himself he had feelings for, it wasn’t that different from matchmaking. There were quite a few people she helped who had that problem. “Why do you want to quit?”

He sighed. “I shouldn’t have said anything... Are you going to stop asking those questions soon?”

“No! I want answers, Mochi!”

“I can give you at least one answer if you don’t call me that. And preferably not here,” he said, looking around. There weren’t a lot of other Fairies nearby, but she could understand that being around other people might not be the most comfortable.

“Then where should we go, Mochi?” Toshiko asked. “Keep in mind, you didn’t invite me inside your house even though I’ve gone to your house twice...!”

“You’re not going into my house, Toshiko.” Damon didn’t let her say another word before he used his wand and teleported them away.

The sound of rushing water was the first thing Toshiko noticed about the new area. When her eyes got used to the scenery, her heart dropped as she realized she was above a waterfall. She screamed and flailed around until she realized she wasn’t falling. When her gaze fell on Damon, she saw him using magic to carry her along with an amused smile. If she didn’t have questions to ask him, she would wipe that smile off his face and go back to Kai!

However, since she did have questions, she asked very politely like a true lady, “Where are we?”

He pointed to a large yellow sign in the distance. “This is Fairy Falls, the only large body of water in Fairy World.”

Now knowing she was under no danger, Toshiko took a better look around. “It looks like Niagara Falls.”

“That’s the waterfall between Canada and the United States, isn’t it?”

“It is. Why are we here out of everywhere, though?”

“It was the first place I could think of going.” He paused for a moment. “I think it’s because I usually go here with Kai after we leave a godchild. We usually go over the falls—which made me forget you can’t fly.”

“Which means I could’ve been dead. Very irresponsible,” she muttered.

“If I saved you from Tozu from using you to test that execution of making you sit on some sort of treadmil taking you to a pit of fire and making fun of your situation by making it impossible to get to the exit door right in front of you, I would never let you die.”

She huffed. “Why do you and Kai come here anyway?”

He shrugged. “It’s a form of tradition for us. Just Kai and I, I mean. Other Fairies don’t do this. Kai was really excited when we graduated from Fairy Acadmey. He wanted to do something immediately, and since I’ve wanted to come here for a while, I took us to Fairy Falls. He was bored of it at first, but he grew to like it enough to willingly go here with me every time we leave a godchild.”

“Is it relaxing for you here?”

“It is.”

“Then why do I have to yell to make sure you can hear me?”

“You’re just not used to it yet—and I’m a used to Kai’s loud voice. Here.” She stifled a scream as he moved her closer. “Now you don’t have to yell as loudly. I’m pretty sure the whole Fairy World heard you before.”

“Be quiet.” Toshiko gave herself a moment to recollect herself before she asked, “Were you friends with Kai during training? When I asked Kai, he made it unclear, but it sounds like you were.”

“You could say that.”

“Is that a yes or a no?”

“We knew each other, but I wouldn’t say we were friends. He wouldn’t either.”

“Did you hook up?”

“What— Why would we hook up while we were at Fairy Academy?”

“Your face is red.”

“Because you asked me if I hooked up with Kai! You’re a child; are you even supposed to be asking this?”

“I’m a matchmaker. Are you opposed to the idea of hooking up with Kai? Do you even like boys?”

“This conversation is ending here.” Damon used his wand to move them apart. Toshiko was sure he moved them further apart than they were when they first teleported to Fairy Falls.

“I have another question!” she shouted over the waterfall. “Why aren’t there any other Fairies here?”

“It’s usually a honeymoon spot for couples.”

“Does that mean you and Kai were once married, but now you’re divorced?”

Damon moved Toshiko further away from him.

She strained her voice to shout, “What was your relationship with Kai when you two were in Fairy Academy?”

Damon said something she could hear. She asked him to repeat it multiple times before he finally moved her closer and shouted, “Because Kai couldn’t graduate without me!”

She frowned. “That’s mean.”

“It’s the truth,” he said.

“When you say he couldn’t graduate without you, do you mean being godparents together?”

“Right. Kai couldn’t be a godparent by himself no matter how hard he tried.”

“Why?”

“If Kai didn’t already share it with you, then I’m not telling you.”

“At least tell me why you helped him.”

“Why I helped him?” Damon looked surprised at that question. Toshiko stayed silent as she gave him time to think. Eventually, he said, “You might think worse of me, but I only helped him because of how pathetic he was.”

“Explain, please.”

“Kai needed someone to help graduate. He...” His eyes looked conflicted before he said, “No one was very amiable towards him, so no one else offered to help him. Kai looked so desperate that I agreed to help, even though we hadn’t spoken to each other before.”

Knowing how Kai acted, Toshiko could believe that he made such a big deal about not being able to graduate that someone he had never spoken to would take notice. “Did you have fun being godparents with Kai?”

Again, the expression on his face made it clear he wasn’t expecting these questions. Being a matchmaker involved expecting the unexpected, though, so as someone who attended her matchmaking meetings more than her other godparent, he shouldn’t be surprised. “Being a godparent isn’t meant to be fun. You’re helping sad children become happier, which helps make sure Fairies can still use magic.”

“I didn’t ask if the job was fun. I asked if you had fun working with Kai.”

“If I say yes, will you leave me alone?”

In case he pushed her away again, Toshiko said quickly, “Kai had fun working with you too. I can tell. He’s really depressed now that you’re gone and doesn’t know if he can be a godparent or do anything without you.”

At first, Damon looked ready to push her away, but he didn’t. A thoughtful look was on his face. “He was?”

“I think he’s being depressed now. He didn’t feel like granting any of my wishes today because of how depressed he felt, which made him leave his wand unattended and let Tozu take it.”

He sighed. “See, it’s this kind of stuff that made him unable to graduate from Fairy Academy by himself...”

“How did you handle him for thousands of years?”

“If you’ve been around him for thousands of years like me, you learn how to deal with him.”

“Actually, no, that’s not what I wanted to ask. I meant...” She decided to word it with, “Why did you let it get to thousands of years? From what I know of Kai and how you’ve described it, I would assume most Fairies would’ve given up on Kai maybe 100 years in, 1,000 at most. You’ve been godparents with Kai for more than 1,000 years, though. Why were you okay with that, even though you knew how Kai can be?”

When Damon fell silent, Toshiko first assumed it was because he was thinking of an answer. Then, she realized he had no answer. Her suspicions were confirmed when he muttered, “These questions are so stupid.”

She smiled from behind her fan. “That’s all I needed to know.”

“All you needed to know for what? Why are you laughing?”

“It’s a secret! A lady’s secret. You can’t ask what it is since you’re a boy.”

A frustrated look appeared on his face. “I understand godchildren less and less with every new one—and I barely understood the first one...”

“I’m doing being angry at Kai, by the way,” she said. “Can you come with me, though? Kai might actually do stuff if you’re there...”

“And get him used to having me again?”

“It’s been thousands of years. A few more days together doesn’t make that much of a difference. Please? Do it for Kai?” she added quietly.

It was a flat-out denial she was expecting, but she was happy to take Damon looking like he was reluctant to take out his wand. Toshiko didn’t have time to think about how he probably wasn’t actually so reluctant; she now had a mission she needed to complete, and she needed to complete it today. If she couldn’t, then there was little to no chance she could ever have another opportunity like this again.

. . .

Kai, who was less grumpy than he was before, had made himself comfortable in Toshiko’s living room. He looked surprise when seeing Damon with Toshiko. When Toshiko explained that Damon was staying for a little longer, Kai said, “Didn’t know all it took for Damon to be a godparent for a day longer was to have our godchild ask nicely. Is it because she’s cute? Damon, who’s cuter, me or Toshiko?”

“Me,” Toshiko answered for Damon.

“I only came here because Toshiko said you were too depressed without me to do anything,” clarified Damon.

He sounded like he was already tired of Kai after being in his presence for a minute, but he had a smile when Kai sputtered out, “I was not depressed! Toshiko’s just— She’s making up lies! You taught her that! You’re corrupting our daughter!”

“Then how did your wand go missing? Toshiko told me it was because—”

“Don’t listen to her! Listen to me, and I’m telling you that Toshiko was the one who was depressed without you!”

“I was a little sad,” she admitted.

Damon patted her head. “See, that’s the difference between you and her, Kai. Toshiko can actually accept that she was sad over me. Plus, Toshiko is a child.”

“Kai has the maturity of a child, though.”

Kai pointed at her. “You taught her that, too!”

Toshiko smiled. It felt like how it was a few weeks ago, when Damon leaving them didn’t have any chance of happening. She didn’t have too good of a relationship with her parents, to say the least, but being with Damon and Kai made her feel like she was actually part of a family. It was far from a regular one, but it was hers.

The thought of it made her reminded of the picture. “Kai, what happened to my drawing?”

“I still have it on me,” he answered. “I was gonna tell you before, but I guess I forgot.”

“I didn’t know you started drawing,” Damon told her. When she told him why the drawing was made, he asked, “Can I see it?”

“It’s with Kai right now,” Toshiko answered as Kai proudly took it out and displayed it like he was offering Damon a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a millionaire.

“We’re like a happy family!” he told Damon. “You’re the dad, I’m the mom, and Toshiko’s our cute, little baby!”

“Why are you the mom?” asked Toshiko.

“Because I wouldn’t be pregnant! Oh, I forgot humans have more differences from Fairies than just having no magic,” he said when he noticed her confused look. “You know how human moms get pregnant? For Fairies, it’s the dad that gets pregnant.”

“Oh.” The question of how was on the tip of her tongue, but it was probably better for her own sake if she didn’t know all the details.

“Since we’re both boys, we both could get pregnant, but I feel like between me and Damon, Damon would be the pregnant one.”

“Mochi, are you listening to this?” Toshiko turned to look at him, expecting some sort of shocked look.

Instead, his focus was entirely on the drawing. He looked almost hypnotized by it. Maybe he was, since it took Kai saying Damon’s name after Toshiko tried several times to get Damon’s focus away from it. Since he looked a little lost, Toshiko said, “Kai thinks that between you and him, you would be the pregnant one.”

“What?” The shocked she was expecting earlier was now on his face.

“It’s just sort of vibes, you know?” Kai made vague gestures with his hand that wasn’t holding the drawing. “Like, you just look like someone who would be pregnant.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I-It’s a compliment, I swear!”

“How?”

“Hey, maybe let’s not talk about pregnancy in front of our daughter, okay? ‘Cause she’s so young and innocent...?”

Toshiko could defend herself right now, but she didn’t need to. It would look weird if she didn’t, though, so she settled for glaring at Kai before saying, “I have to go to the bathroom.”

The bathroom was on the second floor and was opposite to her bedroom. When she climbed up the stairs, she turned around the corner and hid behind the wall. Since she was apparently so “innocent,” they would definitely talk about something they didn’t want her to listen to. Unfortunately for them, she might need to in order to get more information and make sure her mission to succeed.

After a stretch of silence that felt like it lasted an eternity, her suspicions were finally confirmed. Damon was the one to break it. “Say whatever you want to tell me now. We might not get another chance like this again”

Kai’s voice, which had so much more emotion just before she left, sounded much more deflated now. “I don’t have anything I want to tell you.”

“You said earlier that you were still angry at me. If you—”

“I lied. I wasn’t angry at you anymore. I just...didn’t want Toshiko to know I knew this was coming...”

Damon said exactly what Toshiko was thinking. “You knew this was coming? What are you talking about?”

“I knew you would eventually get tired of having me around.” He sighed. His voice was quieter when he spoke again, but Toshiko could make out what he was saying. “I told you before, Damon, I know who I am and what everyone thinks of me. I know my magic is unstable, and no matter how many people I can get to like me, my magic will be the reason they start hating me again.”

“So, you were waiting for me to start hating you?”

“Obviously. I guess I’m just...still a little surprised it took you this long. Really long... But yeah,” he added, “I didn’t want to worry Toshiko with my own feelings. We’re here to help give her a worry-free life, you know? We can’t do that if she realizes I’m literally the reason it’s illegal for Fairies to have babies.”

“It’s not your fault I’m resigning, Kai.”

“Then give me a reason that doesn’t involve me.”

Toshiko resisted the urge to peek around the corner when there was only silence.

“You don’t have to keep lying to me, Damon. I’m not that stupid.”

“It’s— It’s not the reason you’re thinking, Kai. Your magic has nothing to do with this. Actually, I couldn’t care less about how insane your magic can get.”

“You do care—”

“But not to the extent you’re thinking. Yes, your magic can get crazy, yes, it can get annoying, but do you really think I’ve spent thousands of years with you just to hate you?”

“What other reason is there?”

Toshiko heard Damon sigh, and she froze when he said, “I don’t want Toshiko listening to this...”

“Toshiko’s in the bathroom,” Kai said, while Toshiko panicked over if she accidentally revealed herself. “Just say it really fast.”

“She said she was going to the bathroom, but if you taught her anything, it was how to eavesdrop.”

“Hey, I never eavesdrop. I’m too good of a person for that.”

“Toshiko might not be.”

As much as she wanted to keep listening, Toshiko hurried as quietly as she could to the bathroom. Only after she locked the door behind her did she realize she was trapped in there until a good amount of time had passed for her to act like she actually went to the bathroom. What did people do in bathrooms?

. . .

Toshiko waited for what felt like forever before stepping out of the bathroom. She went downstairs but found no one there. No one was in the kitchen or outside, either. Upstairs, her parents’ room was empty, and no one could be in the bathroom if she just came out of it. That meant Kai and Damon went to her bedroom, for whatever reason.

When Toshiko went into her bedroom, though, it was empty too. She was wondering if they both went to Fairy World when two arms trapped her from behind.

“I’ve caught her!” Kai declared as Damon stepped into her view. “Stay still, Toshiko! You’re now being held hostage!”

They were hiding! Probably as some very small objects. “Let me go! You should never treat a lady like this!”

“Ladies also shouldn’t eavesdrop on people.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Your footsteps aren’t as quiet as you think they are when you’re running away.”

Stupid feet giving her away... However, she wasn’t going to give in that easily. “Again, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re not good at lying.”

“Come on, Damon, interrogate her,” encouraged Kai. “Like... Do it like a pirate! Like that Jean guy!”

“Jean DeLamer? Wasn’t he a ship captain being interviewed on TV after he almost drowned at sea?” asked Toshiko.

“He looks like a pirate. Come on, Damon, be a pirate!”

Damon with a very unamused face said, “Yar, har, har. Tell us what ye’s intentions were when eavesdropping on me and my matey.”

Kai’s smile was evident in his voice alone. “Yeah, see, you’re getting it! Just add a bit more emotion next time, okay?”

“I’ll think about it after Toshiko admits to eavesdropping.”

She turned her head away from him. “I’m not telling you anything because I don’t know anything. I’m done talking about this.”

“She’s lying, and she’s trying to get out of this confrontation! May I attack, Captain?” Kai asked Damon.

“Go ahead.”

Toshiko squealed as Kai began his attack—tickles. How rude of Damon to just stand there and watch! Yes, she did eavesdrop, but she was on a mission! From how they were acting, she could assume she succeeded if they were getting along again, but she wasn’t satisfied with these results. That was a matter for later, though. Right now, she needed to stop Kai’s attacks as quickly as possible!

. . .

As the end of the day neared, Toshiko thought Damon was going to leave. He stayed for the night, though. He stayed the next day too. And the next. And the next. Soon, his court trial was only a few days away, and he spent all his time with her and Kai. At least he and Kai were getting along, making her sure that her plan had succeeded.

However, his long stay was confusing. Toshiko needed to confront him about this when Kai wasn’t there, so Toshiko asked Damon, “Can I go to your house, Mochi?”

Unfortunately, Kai immediately asked after, “Ooh, can I come too?”

“You’ve been to my house before, Kai,” Damon reminded him.

“And I like being there! Plus, you still have some of my clothes. I know I told you that you can keep some of them, but I didn’t say you could just take everything I own.”

“Your closet is full of clothes.”

“‘Cause I kept buying more after I realized I’m going to lose my entire closet to you if I don’t!”

“You could tell him to stop,” suggested Toshiko.

“But I don’t know if he’d listen to me.” He whispered in her ear, “And I also need him to take some of my clothes. I have clothes I would never wear, but I know Damon would love to have them in his closet. Plus, he does look nice wearing my clothes.”

“You could give him the clothes as a gift,” she whispered back. “You could wrap it nicely and add flowers as a bonus.”

“Damon’s more of a giver and not a receiver when it comes to gifts, though. I tried to get him a plushie that costed about five human dollars one time because I thought it looked like him, and he acted like I was offering him $1,000,000, but he’d have to go through Faggigly failure to get it.”

“Do you know what other human word starts with the first four letters of ‘Faggigly’ and could describe Damon and you?”

“Whatever plans you’re making aren’t going to work,” interrupted Damon. “Kai, you’re not coming to my house, and Toshiko, you’re never coming into my house.”

Kai pouted as Toshiko said, “But I want to go to Fairy World and see the inside of your house!”

“I can take you to Fairy World, but we’re not going into my house.”

“Where are we going?” asked Kai.

“It’s just going to be me and Toshiko.”

Kai’s smiling expression faded. “What? Why?”

“I have something I need to talk to her about.”

“As do I,” agreed Toshiko. “Other than about your house.”

“You could’ve just said that.”

“But I want to be in your house.”

“So, you guys are just going to leave me?” Kai sighed. “Have fun...”

After a second, Damon took him and Toshiko to Fairy World. They appeared to be in a forest. All the trees loomed over Toshiko, making her feel as big as an ant. “Do you and Kai come here often too?” she asked.

“No, but it’s private here.” Despite saying that, he still looked around like someone was listening in. Only weird people listened in on conversations they weren’t supposed to hear. “You can say whatever you wanted to tell me first.”

“Alright.” She waited for him to look at her. “I don’t mean this in a rude way, but why are you still here? I thought from the way you acted in Fairy Falls that you would leave after an hour or two, but it’s been days.”

“I was going to leave earlier,” he admitted, “but I changed my mind.”

“Why?”

“Reasons.”

“I can listen.”

“I’ll tell you later.”

“Later instead of never? You’re changing, Mochi. Your turn,” she said before he could reply. “Unlike you, I shall actually answer!”

“Right.” His gaze darted away. “Don’t laugh.”

“I am an empathetic person, but I can’t promise I won’t laugh at you.”

“Good enough, I guess.” After a pause, he began. “I’ve been... I’ve been wanting to tell Kai...”

“That you have feelings for him?” she finished. “It took you long enough, but fortunately, you have come to the right person! I am certain that Kai reciprocates your feelings, although I doubt he knows his feelings. Don’t worry; I will help him realize that, and after, I will tell you when—”

“That was not what I was going to say.”

“What else would there be to tell him?”

“That I’m changing my mind about resigning!”

“You’re— You’re staying?” She stared at his face that reminded her of a strawberry from how red he was. “You’re not lying, right?”

“I’m not lying. I didn’t bring you here to talk about...that. I brought you here—”

“You’re staying!” Toshiko wrapped her arms around him. He stumbled back a few steps from her sudden hug, but he didn’t push her away like the other times she tried to hug him. He was awkwardly patting her head, but she didn’t care. Damon was staying!

She knew Damon wasn’t a huge fan of physical touch, so she made herself pull away soon. When she did, she asked, “What made you change your mind? Weren’t you sure you were done with this part of your life?”

“I wasn’t done with this part of life.”

“Obviously, if you’re staying.”

“I meant... It’s that stupid drawing,” he sighed.

“The one I made?” She wrinkled her nose. “That drawing is so bad.”

“I know it’s bad, but...” After struggling with his words for a bit, he settled for, “I don’t know, I just couldn’t leave after looking at that.”

“If I knew I just needed to show you that picture to make you realize you couldn’t leave yet, I would’ve done that ages ago. Mochi, your resolve for moving onto a new part of your life isn’t strong.” His expression looked off to her. Guilty, he looked, and ashamed. Toshiko couldn’t help but ask, “Did you lie about why you were resigning?”

“To you and Kai. Everyone else who found out thought I had enough of Kai.”

“You didn’t bother to correct them?”

“That would mean I need to know the actual reason I’m resigning.”

She shook her head. “Mochi, I thought you were more professional than that. Quitting your job without knowing why? You were panicking about your crush on Kai, weren’t you?”

“I don’t—”

“I don’t want to hear any of it! I know Kai was part of the reason you were resigning, and I know you both have feelings for the other. Friends don’t spend thousands of years raising children together! Friends aren’t even godparents together! If you two got married right now, most people would be more surprised that you weren’t married before.”

Damon cleared his throat. “We’re not talking about this anymore, and we’re moving on to how to actually tell Kai about how I’m staying.”

She huffed. “Fine. We can talk about that. The answer is simple, though. All you have to do is just tell him. I’m not sure why you’re making this a big deal.”

“Kai will make it a big deal.”

“You’ve dealt with Kai for this long. You can find a way to handle that.”

He sighed. “It was a mistake asking you about this...”

“Maybe to you, but I am very happy about everything you told me.”

Telling Kai about the news might be a challenge to Damon, but they would move on from it fast. Soon, the two of them and Toshiko would get back to their version of normality. The future was looking bright!

. . .

Technically, Toshiko was eavesdropping again. However, she felt she had a right to hear Damon and Kai’s conversation about him staying. She was the one Damon went to for help, after all. Yes, she hadn’t given him the best advice in his eyes, but she also made a deal with Damon: He could tell Kai himself today, or she would tell Kai. It was obvious who would be the better person to break the news.

So, when they were watching the television showing a golf game mainly featuring a woman with a bunny visor yelling at everyone, Toshiko made an excuse about needing to look for something to help a costumer and ran up the stairs. Back in her hiding spot from the last time she eavesdropped, she waited for Damon to reveal his secret.

He did sooner than she expected. The way he randomly said, “I changed my mind about resigning,” wasn’t to her liking, but she could deal with it.

However, from how random it was, all Kai’s response was, “What?”

“I changed my mind,” he repeated. “I got approval to stay. We can still be godparents together.”

“You’re lying,” he said quietly. “You have to be. You can’t actually...”

“I’m not lying. But...if you don’t want that, I can—”

“No, don’t... Don’t try to leave again...”

Toshiko heard a sniff, then quiet crying. She risked taking a peek and saw Damon with his arms around a crying Kai. Neither of them said anything. There was a quiet comfort between them, the one that only came from knowing the other for most of your life.

Toshiko made sure she was quiet this time as she carefully made her way to her bedroom. This wasn’t something she needed to overhear.

. . .

Today was the day when Damon’s court case was supposed to be. Even though they all knew it was cancelled, the three of them still laid on the grass in Toshiko’s backyard and waited there silently like someone was going to come find Damon for not showing up.

The sun was setting. That showed that in the Fairy World, that showed the time for the court case had ended. Still, no one said anything for a while. Eventually, Damon broke the silence. “We’re never going to talk about this again.”

“Why?” asked Toshiko.

At his silence, Kai filled in. “He’s just embarrassed.”

“You did overreact.” Having a crush wasn’t scary, and from the way they currently were, they already spent so much time together that they might as well have been a married couple. Toshiko would have to find another day to deal with her godparents’ feelings for each other, and when that day came, she would make sure her godparents were happy with each other. She was a matchmaker—she could even be the best matchmaker—for a reason.

“I just said we’re not talking about this,” repeated Damon. “This topic will never come up again.”

Silence filled in the space after that. It didn’t last as long as before, though, when Kai said, “Toshiko, do you remember that one time when Damon wanted to quit being a godparent but came back before the day of his court case?”

“Shut up, Kai.” Damon’s voice didn’t have any of his usual annoyance in it.

“If you keep bothering Mochi,” added Toshiko, “he’s going to actually leave us.”

“I won’t.” This time, his voice sounded gentler.

Toshiko’s gaze was on the sunset. It was quiet. No one else mattered in the world except her and her godparents. Her mission had succeeded: She helped Kai and Damon make up, and she even did what she hoped but didn’t except to achieve, which was getting Damon back as her godparent. After such a tiring mission and crazy few weeks, she could use this moment of peace, and she knew her godparents would agree.

Kai said her old drawing made them look like a family. The families she saw always seemed to be close and love each other to the moon and back. She wasn’t like that with her parents, but she was sure she was like that a little with Kai and Damon. Speaking of the moon, she would love to stay outside for longer. They could treat it like they were camping, which could be a good excuse to have Damon make them more marshmallows. Kai would agree to do it if marshmallows were involved.

She, however, didn’t get the chance to tell her godparents about her fantastic idea. Another voice calling out her name came in before she could. That voice was annoying and sadly familiar.

Damon and Kai turned into toy balls as the door leading to the backyard opened. Tozu stepped out from inside the house. His red eye fixed itself on her. “What are you doing on the ground, Toshiko? You’re going to get dirty.”

“No, I won’t,” she said as she sat up.

“Right, you’re already dirty.”

“Just because I laid on the ground—”

“No, not because of the ground! You’re already dirty since you’re unfaithful. Do I really need to mention your third-grade boyfriend for you to remember?”

Toshiko’s heart stopped. “How did you get that information?”

“I have my ways. Speaking of having my ways...” Tozu’s voice lifted like he was smiling. “I have a friend named Mara! You haven’t met her before, but you will later. We’re going to see her!”

“What are we doing with Mara...?”

“It’s a surprise! It’s going to be so much fun! She has so many guns we can use!” Tozu went back inside and closed the door behind him.

Once he was far enough away, Kai turned back into his regular form and hissed, “That Mara girl is so going to kill you...!”

“I-I know...!”

Damon had transformed back to normal not too long after Kai. He added, “That’s why we’re here, Kai. We need to protect Toshiko.”

“But Tozu’s so scary...” He clasped his hands together. “Damon—”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re safe too.”

He beamed. “Thank you, Damon!”

Toshiko would have to postpone her and her godparents’ fake camping. Their moment of peace was over, but if Tozu was being the worst babysitter in the world, and Damon was the one who indirectly confronted him the most with Kai fearing Tozu more than Toshiko, then they were back to normal. As nice as the peace was, knowing that things were always going to be the same as always like now made Toshiko appreciate Tozu just a little. Heavy emphasis on the last three words.

This fic was fun to write because of the fact I felt like I was writing an elaborate fic about a child with divorced parents trying to get them back together, featuring Tozu. It was actually harder to write than I thought, since I kept running into dead ends and kept having to rewrite parts. Honestly, this feels like it would’ve been better in a multi-chaptered fic, but I can’t write anything like the adventures in Fairly OddParents. I’m now attached to this AU, though, so yay for that. Maybe. On the topic of my sister, I told her I would put this in the notes, so I will. When first I got the idea of a Kaimon Fairly OddParents AU, I was scrolling through TikTok for Fairly OddParents stuff to get a quick idea. All I got was reminders that mpreg is canon in The Fairly OddParents universe. Since the green one was pregnant, I was genuinely thinking of writing a crack-taken-seriously Kaimon mpreg Damon Fairly OddParents AU oneshot. I didn’t write it though since I probably wouldn’t be able to take it seriously and didn’t think you guys would want that. I felt like I should mention it though, so that’s where Kai saying he’s the dad and Damon’s the mom after seeing Toshiko’s drawing. My sister also told me to tell you all that I have finals coming up in less than a week, but I spent more time studying Da Rules compared to studying for my Math finals (I also have LA finals but they’re easy). Maybe if Math had less word problems more boys kissing, I’d feel more inclined to study.

[fayrinferno]

The (printed) collection

From time to time I get a question like, "do you have this or that book?" So, a few weeks back, I finally took them all out of their hiding place and grabbed some photos. Wish I had used my camera instead of phone, I had to stand on a chair to get it all and yeah, the picture is not the sharpest.

Anyway, I have some other stuff, figures and such, although I admittedly DO focus more on books as an artist/writer/translator. These books are the ones I translate from so I wasn't going for mint conditions, although a few of them are. You can see some of them still packed in the store bags. I included the CDs cause... well, they were next to the books and they do have some printed material as well.

The Shiren Suiki book gets a separate photo cause after taking the photos at home I realized I had left it at work when I scanned it... practically crying as I did cause it was barely opened when I bought it and it's a beautiful book. My Anvils are also very fragile.

I may do a complete list one day but for now, here are the quick descriptions.

ARTBOOKS & FANBOOKS I have pretty much all of the major official books I think, missing maybe 1-2 pieces. The one that may look less familiar is Hiroshi Osaka's personal artbook. I also have four of the relevant Nobuteru Yuuki artbooks. The bottom right one with the orange title is the issue of Newtype Magazine with a feature about Esca.

SMALLER BOOKS (let's pretend that's a category) Here I got all the novels (they are out of their sleeves cause I was working on them), all the filmbooks, Secrets of Escaflowne, Escaflowne Bible, and the Energist Memories manga/doujin collection.

DOUJINSHI I was mostly going for stuff I haven't seen online so I only got a handful. Besides the Shiren Suiki book, there are three Minato Tajima doujins (one of them is racy heh but I'm not hiding that I have it). One of the other doujins may look unfamiliar; it's a compilation book that includes other series (the character on the cover is from DN Angel). People who talk to me on Discord probably recognize the Nanoka doujinshi cover.

CDs AND THE LIKE I don't have all the soundtracks for some reason, probably cause I thought the missing ones wouldn't be hard to get. The PSX game is the special edition with the tarot cards. The LDs that I literally bought just for the covers and inlays. I also have all the audio dramas, some CDs with extras... and a phone card that was for some reason packed in a CD case lol (kidding, it's precious that they would give it that kind of protection). Oh, and there are two movie posters which I guess don't fall under either category.

I have some other stuff that is kinda related to Esca "by association" such as by artist or things that "looked similar" but I didn't include them. Also the figures. I may update this post with those but this is the brunt of it. I will be posting some goodies from these soon!

Same goes for the ongoing translations that I've been doing updates on in this post. Life is too short to delay them for months and years because of perfectionism, or rather, being self conscious about one's imperfect language skills. I am thankful to everyone who has helped me so far, proofreading my translations (coverteyes, pikafwance, sevenstars, and radical-rad1986)... I'm not tagging you guys but know that I'm VERY grateful, also to the other people who are helping me with other projects). I always had fun working together with you but it's no longer sustainable and I likely bit off more than I can chew. So I will get myself out of the way. There are two books that are almost complete as of today so I will just probably go chapter by chapter. I hope to be done with this asap but also December is a busy month for me so I'm not sure how smoothly it will go. Let's hope it does.

[sonik-kun]

I feel a level of accountability needs to be had amongst certain wangxian stans, particularly in regards to how some of them make us JC fans feel and have us reluctant to engage with the mainstream part of the fandom due endless hounding and bullying..

Yes, for Twitter users, this is about that one poll that is going around and the conversations I've seen amongst moots about the poll..

After reading what I've read this week.. I just need to get something off my chest about how icky this fandom is sometimes and how it has us JC fans feeling all the time. So bear with me whilst I rant. It's a lot to unpack, but it has to be said.. So here I go..

So for those who dont know, there's this poll going around on twitter for best DILF/MILF.. Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji both happen to be in that poll.

To both the surprise and excitement of us JC fans, JC is doing well.. However.. So is LWJ.. and so, of course, the possibility of them two coming head to head hangs over us..

And now, in the semi-finals, JC is up against Toji from JJK, LWJ is up against Loid from Spy x Family. It seems LWJ is going to win his.. and JC fans, as a result.. Have felt the need to step away and let Toji take the win.. In fear of backlash and what's to come for our fanbase, if LWJ and JC were to face each other in the finals..

Throughout the entire tournament, we already saw a few nasty remarks from these antis, rearing their ugly heads. So we could only imagine what it would be like should the two be put up against each other.

The fact that we as a fanbase feel the need to let another character win so our favourite doesn't recieve any backlash is both upsetting and really telling of what this fandom has been reduced to.

The fact of the matter is, it shouldn't have to be this way. Us JC fans shouldn't have to be afraid to vote for our favourite character, to see him do well and win and to enter his name or his ships into other tournaments. We should be able to enjoy ourselves and have fun, free of any fandom drama and bullying. The same freedom wangxian fans get to enjoy.

I know it's just a twitter poll, and it doesn't really mean anything, but.. It's just so disheartening seeing your moots feel that way about a character they should be allowed to enjoy.. Honestly, the whole thing has just left a bad taste in my mouth.. I wasn't really a fan of LWJ due to some of his fanbase.. But the nasty attitudes I've seen in this poll, amongst many, have only further solidified that stance..

To the kind and normal wangxian fans out there, I am sorry if you are reading this. I'm not tarring you with this lot. But I hope you all understand that this is the position of most JC fans rn. We do not trust most of you because, unfortunately, the toxic but very vocal minority speaks the loudest.

It really is ruining the whole fandom experience and making MDZS look like a joke and I think that is a conversation that needs to be had.

JC fans aren't the only ones who feel this way. Anyone outside of Wangxian feels very alienated by some of the fans of the main ship.

As a result, a lot of us are afraid to enjoy our characters the same way wangxian fans do.

No Wangxian fan would ever feel afraid to enter their fave into a mainstream poll, and rightfully so. So why should we feel afraid? Why can't we enjoy our characters the same way?

Sorry, this is all mostly me rambling, but.. I just couldn't sit there and not address all the ick.. Especially whilst I was having so much fun, seeing JC doing so well and my moots being so happy as a result..

Note: Just to make it clear, in case I haven't already, I'm not upset with the JC fans who chose to no longer vote for JC towards the end of the tournament. Giving all the bullying and backlash we receive, I can see why you wouldn't want him to win for that reason. A part of me felt the same way, too. I just wish it didn't have to be that way.. It just sucks to see that some people can't behave and let others have their fun :(

[p5x-theories]

Heya it's been a while, now if you're wondering why I haven't been interacting with this blog for quite a while, I'm actually half-retired on Tumblr (it was to do with some drama regarding AI bros & entitled people in tandem > >) so unfortunately I don't bother with properly using this site as much nowadays, so sorry for the bad news :'< I do however wish to share these for this little community to mess around with for fun; fanon/headcanon designs for Polter & Enco's outfits based on the theories shared on this blog (pardon the subpar art of mine) :')

So firstly here's my interpretation of Polter, since the most popular idea of her rebellious spirit is that of a witch, that I obviously went with. But to try and give it some spice, I gave it a subtle secondary raggedy doll theme to play on the idea of a "possessed doll" given what her Codename might be short for. Now the choice of colour for her gloves comes from the species of flower known as Lamprocapnos or "bleeding heart flower". The reason I went with this is not only to be a nod to the already existing heart motif going on for her civilian self, but also on this idea that her element being Curse (to fit with the witch/occult thing) with the flower itself being toxic. As for the choice of weapons, this was rather tricky to decide as I wanted something that still fits the witch theme and after discussions with a friend, I finally settled on a tome for a "melee" & a wand for "ranged" How it works is on DnD logic. For the tome she reads a Cantrip where she can cast a spectral fist at enemies without depletion, While for the wand she fires arcane bolts with the "ammo" itself being of spell memory.

And next up is my interpretation of Enco, based on the one theory that was suggested here of his rebellious spirit being a knight errand, now his was obviously a lot more harder to do knowing armor can be a pain to draw heh. I also took some consideration in how to design something of striking a balance between not making him too overly armored & giving him a unique feature to this knightly theme, and eventually I settled on giving it a striking surcoat as focus. (which yes, the back is deliberately longer than the front.) For the choice of colours for both his gloves and the overall outfit that too was difficult, as I am on the belief of his element being Force as to echo that one theory of the story members representing the 7 normal magic types of SMT (fire, ice, lightning, wind, dark & support/life), as I couldn't quite see another story teammate of the assumed 7 members being green as well (as technically Wind takes the spot). So after further consideration I ended up with the colours list in the pic, with Celeste Polvere being a shade of sky blue in the similar vein of Morgana's sky blue eyes. As for his weapons here, I wanted something unique for his melee weapon that fits with the chivalry theme which I eventually settled on a weaponized flag standard, as I felt it'll compliment the whole "victory" angle I wanted to go for his attire. While for the ranged weapon here, since nobody in the main story group uses a rifle yet I felt he'll be the most fitting to use one himself, with the types he's using here are Bullpup firing Personal Defense Weapons. As I felt it oddly fit with the armoured look of it all. So anyway, that's my reasoning for these fan interpretations of their Thief outfit s, if I'm close to my money then hey that it'll be a fun coincidence! If not then consider these instead a time capsule of a very wild guess of what these two would have looked like in my head. ;v;

Ooo, these are super fun designs, thank you so much for sending them in!! Especially if you went out of your way to log onto Tumblr again so you could send them here.

[scepterno]

Oh my god I love nsfw with acc feelings in it it makes it so real and meaningful icl

I remember reading one where Alejandro was insanely focused on Noah and like to get handsy and describe every part he loved ab him😭 Alejandro when he’s not playing in TD is so different towards people (if he wasn’t attracted to Heather he’d be attracted to Noah?? Or something like that I remember seeing it) but yeah Noah felt so safe with him and wasn’t at all nervous to say no to things in the fic it was so sweet☹️

I haven't read any nsfw fics of alenoah simply because.. erm...... i do not enjoy a lot of alenoah fics in general.. i cannot shake the feeling that most are written by teens so i just tend to avoid them by virtue of not wanting to read some high schooler's fanfic. i am a stickler about proper grammer, syntax, rhythm and beats, or what have you. *pushes up glasses* i am a scholar in STEM at heart. do not let the art degree fool you! when you get older and go to college you tend to...................................... now, i don't mean to be rude, but you tend to refine your tastes in literature, aka silly gay fanfics in the internet.

i just cannot bring myself to sit through more than 2 sentences of a fic if there's not proper punctuation or grammar. (also you can sort of tell when a fic is written by someone young or inexperienced, which, you know, power to them! you cant get better if you dont suck first! but that does not. mean. i will subject myself to Suck) i simply cannot. it hurts my bones.

that was a totally unrelated tangent. WOOPS. sourry 'bout that, mate.

what you're thinking of is the reddit AMA with alejandro's original voice actor where someone asked if they could see alejandro being attracted to anyone other than Heather, using Noah as an example, and he agreed. (they kind of led him into that one, so i take it with a grain of salt, but celebrate nonetheless)

i personally cannNNNAWWWWTTTT see Noah as submissive in a sexual situation with alejandro. with someone like Emma? yeah. sure. vaporize that stupid twink. but with alejandro, who brings out the competitive, spiky side to Noah??? i cant see him assuming the submissive role. maybe he likes to get pampered and Pillow Princess'd once in a while (he is VERY lazy to his core, after all).

i do find it interesting how most people tend to agree that alejandro would be a much better person as soon as he's no longer on reality television. although, i suppose that applies to most characters, especially the villains.

i personally still think that alejandro has a nasty side, since he wasn't ALLOWED to have a nasty side around his family (or he'd get a beating). being on total drama let him have fun with being a complete asshole, which is not something he was ever allowed to do before then, because he's supposed to be perfect! and suave! and a gentleman! Chris hired him to be a dirtbag, so he played the part and had a blast doing it (until it bit him in the ass)

i do regret not being able to show alejandro's Nasty Side more in my fic, but i dont' really think there was room for it given how hard he was trying to redeem himself both in his family's eyes, as well as Noah's. once he and Noah are more comfortable with each other, Alejandro definitely allows himself to be let loose a bit and forego the manners. he truly DOES admire that Noah isn't a pushover, because he considers himself one and wishes, deep down, that he wasn't so compelled to be a people pleaser. there is a subconscious filter in his brain that keeps him generally polite, just because it's been drilled into him by his family (diplomatic and strict, cough cough) that being undesirable or off-putting is something to be punished for.

EGADS, it appears I have allowed myself to ramble again, so I'll cut it off here. sorry for using your fairly straightforward message as a means of info-dumping. 'tis the turn of the tide, or what have you.

じゃね~~~~!!!

[pure-garbage]

Assume Too Much! Caution And Curiosity

"Alright, tell me what you're playing at," Zoro demanded of Robin.

They'd since returned to the Merry and Lana had disappeared to bathe.

"You'll have to be more specific," Robin said without looking up from her book.

"Did you think I wouldn't notice it was you who tripped us earlier? I wanna know why."

"And here I thought I could get away with being subtle," Robin sighed. "You're remarkably observant, swordsman."

"Why'd you trip us?"

"I was just trying to be a good friend," Robin smirked, raising her hands innocently.

"By dragging us to the ground?"

"Seemed to me that neither of you minded being so close."

"You... wanted us close?" Zoro crossed his arms over his chest, heat rising to his cheeks while Robin chuckled lightly.

"The two of you act so cute around each other... I figured a little push might help speed things along."

"Speed things... there's nothing to speed," he protested.

"Hm, so you don't have any feelings for her then?" Robin asked directly.

"No more than for any of my friends," Zoro lied.

"Funny. I've never seen you lick your lips so much while watching Nami or Usopp," Robin teased.

"Hey! I don't-"

"It's alright, Zoro. You do know she feels the same way, right?"

'She... does?'

"You've got it wrong," Zoro grumbled insistently. "You're reading too much into nothing."

"Oh dear, well pardon my presumptiveness," Robin smirked with dry sarcasm. "I guess it was just my imagination earlier as well... or weren't the two of you taking your time getting out of those vines?"

'Lana certainly wasn't rushed,' Zoro recalled. The memory of her adorable blush, the hike of her breath, the audible racing of her heart...

"What would make you think she has some kind of... feelings. For me, that is."

"Aside from the fact that she was hoping you would kiss her earlier?"

Zoro couldn't deny that for a moment, it had seemed that way.

"Well, you two have become nearly inseparable, haven't you?" Robin went on. "Ever since you saved her from Corrin... well, I'd say it seems like you're both very attracted to each other, but neither of you can work up the nerve to tell the other. So, swordsman? Am I wrong?"

"Hmph. And here I thought you were actually reading those books of yours," Zoro scoffed. "Meddlesome woman. If it's drama you're looking for, look somewhere else. Keep your nose out of my business."

"As you wish."

Robin went back to her book, nonchalant as if the conversation had never happened.

'Inseparable... she means the training. That's nothing. Lana just wants to get stronger, that's all. We trained together even before what happened with the Seeker pirates... it doesn't mean anything.'

Zoro caught sight of Lana, emerging from the washroom with wet, glistening hair. Involuntarily, he recalled the heat of her body under his, the curve of her figure slotted against him like it was made to do so.

'I don't lick my lips when I look at her,' he scowled derisively.

Lana flipped her hair, sending water droplets flying. Zoro kept his tongue in his mouth, perturbed by how hard it was to do. He cast his mind's eye back, thinking of the time he'd spent with her. For every moment that made him feel like she wanted more from him than friendship, another came to mind to counter it. Surely Robin wasn't seeing the full picture. She was just being nosy, making up tension where there was none to pass the time while they sailed.

'Robin assumes too much... but maybe just a test. It couldn't hurt.'

Zoro approached Lana silently while she combed her fingers through her hair. He waited, hesitating a split-second longer before he pounced.

"Hey!" she cried.

"Off your guard," he tsked, pinning her back to the wall with ease.

"Crap, you did wait extra long that time!" she lamented.

"I even warned you that's what I would do."

"Next time I'll be ready."

"Now let's see you break free."

"Huh?"

"Break free. I won't let you go so easily this time."

"Zoro, you're at least ten times as strong as me!" she protested. "There's no way I can overpower you!"

"What did I tell you about that?"

Lana sighed heavily while Zoro secretly savored the contact between their bodies. He saw no indication from her that she liked it too, though.

"Don't limit myself, I know, but be practical."

"If you can make me give even a little, I'll let you go," he promised. "Unless..."

His heart pounded, blood rushing loud as thunder in his ears as questions burned on the tip of his tongue. He held them in check, gauging her reaction, considering the consequences of directness.

"Unless...?" Lana trailed off, tone inquisitive. Once again, silence gave her the opportunity to realize just how much of him was pressed against her. His eyes were dark again, shaded by the dim light in the cabin. Lana bit her lip as she held his gaze, pulse roaring as he adjusted his grip on her wrists.

'Is... is he...'

Zoro's hands slid up until his palms rested on hers. He couldn't stop his tongue from sliding over his lips when she reflexively clasped their fingers loosely.

"Unless you... don't want me to let you go," he rasped. His voice was low and deep, almost a whisper. Just like earlier, his lips were so close to hers, their quick breaths mingling. A shiver ripped through her as she fought to steady herself enough to speak.

"Z-Zoro, are you... do you-"

A crash interrupted her. The cabin door flew open violently and a large ball of fur rolled their way at breakneck speed. They cried out in unison as it hit them, slamming them both hard against the wall before ricocheting away. They slumped to the ground, both dazed as Luffy burst in, Usopp hot on his heels.

"CHOPPER BALL!" Luffy bellowed. "I SCORE!"

"Ugh, my head!" Lana groaned in pain. Sprawled at her side, Zoro moaned in agonized consensus.

"Zoro! Lana! Wanna play Chopper Ball with us?" Luffy grinned gleefully.

"My ball!" Usopp yelled, leaping on top of Chopper to stop him from rolling away.

"You have one minute to outscore Luffy before my guard point wears off," Chopper informed him from somewhere under all his fur.

"I'm good, but thanks," Lana informed her captain. "Zoro?"

"I'll pass."

He stood, shoved his hands deep into his pockets and strode away without another word. Lana got up and brushed herself off, aching head still spinning.

'What the hell was that about?' she wondered.

As far as Zoro was concerned, the matter was closed. He felt he'd reached an important realization after his little test.

'The way she was breathing, those wide eyes, pounding heart, stuttering... I scared her. That was a stupid thing to do.'

He knew the years she'd spent with the Seeker pirates had been far from easy or pleasant, but she'd never given him the details of her time with them. This omission glared at him, screaming of unspoken traumas that he seethed to even begin imagining.

'She doesn't want me touching her like that. Her reasons are her own. Maybe someday she'll tell me, maybe at some point she'll feel differently... but for now, I need to stick with training. I've finally found a situation where directness is going to do me more harm than good.'

Zoro set his resolve out of respect. If Lana wanted something from him, she would surely let him know. He expected that much of his tenacious shipmate.

___________________________________________

<== Previous Chapter

Next Chapter ==>

== First Chapter ==

[le-trash-prince]

Only Friends Episode 12 Thoughts

Overall, I think I'm pretty okay with how things ended! I didn't get everything exactly as I wanted, but I don't need a show to be perfect, and I got enough to chew on to make me happy.

I am sad that BostonNick didn't end up together, even though I know it was the right call, and it was honestly a better ending for them than what I was scared we would get LOL. Like usual I'll just make a separate post for this because I've got a lot to say about them

I do think Boston was owed more of an apology from his friends than what he got, but I'm not that surprised he didn't get it, and it's probably for the best that they're parting ways. And honestly, when a person is leaving the country, it can be easier to just say "Why bother apologizing if they don't give a shit anyways."

I know people were dissatisfied with Cheum's characterization as of Ep 11, but this episode really solidified how I see her--as someone who wants things to be happy on the surface and doesn't know how to really honestly confront what it is that people need. As the woman in the group, she's under pressure to be the peacekeeper and the nurturing influence and I don't think that role comes naturally to her. She's not good at it, and she shouldn't have to be. And I do honestly like that she was written that way. I wish she had gotten more screentime over the series, and maybe that could happen in a spinoff/sequel with some queer lady writers on the team. (I just finished the ep so I haven't looked at any announcements from the event on Saturday)

I do wish this series had been longer because it seemed it really had a lot of story to tell and not enough time to do it. But a longer season would also have been more stressful to deal with lmfao.

Some things I would have loved to see more of, off the top of my head: Daddy Dan, Sand's dad, Ray in rehab, Boeing.

I'm generally okay with where TopMew has ended up, and while I think there's more that could be explored in a future story, the only thing that really interests me regarding their relationship is Mew's physicality. But I would still like to see more growth from Mew, and I would like to know Top as a person because so much of his behavior and even his plans for the future are wrapped up in Mew.

I think SandRay ended on as satisfactory a note as could be managed. Did Ray's behavior towards Boeing piss me off? Sure. Do I think he needs more time to get his life together? Sure. Do I need a story to have its characters Do Every Correct Action Until Maximum Healthiness Is Achieved? No. They're talking things out and figuring out their relationship and that's what matters.

I am really gonna need that flight attendant!Boeing x NYC!Boston spinoff now thank you very much.

I don't hate the idea of a second season as much as I thought it would, although maybe it's because I'm biased and would want a season with BostonNick or Boston and Nick taking more central roles. I've gotten what I need out of TopMew and SandRay, but I think there's more story to be explored with other characters, and I wouldn't hate that. But I would hate to see tired breakup-drama second season tropes.

Debating whether I even want to catch up on everyone's reactions because I'm sure the ending was just loose enough to be divisive. Anyways I'm gonna go wrap up my playlist now bye lol

[youremyheaven]

(Brother post person)

They constantly comment on my looks, hair, basically anything I do differently including my interest in astrology and my reverence towards goddesses and attraction towards temples.

They laugh when I cry. And are the happiest when I am not doing well in life. They create unnecessary conflicts and drama whenever I seem to be doing well and drag me into it. It's been 24 years, I have been quiet. But I wish to get out. Could you please help me?

I just wish to separate the self from not-self and see things more clearly.

I know you said there has been delays in your education but I hope you've finished your Bachelor's at least. I would say you should start looking for work and building your resume if you haven't already.

If you keep trying to pursue this new degree, you will still be at their mercy and they will exploit you at every turn. What you need to do is save money, find a job and move out and be independent. Once you're stable in that life, you can return to your education.

I know what's it's like to want to study further and remain a student. Sometimes it feels absolutely necessary to advance your career. Other times, it's a great way to take more time to figure things out. But trust me, right now, you need to leave this house and people behind. People less qualified than you are making $$$$. Don't be defeated, keep looking for work and you will find a job. Try to find remote work initially or part time jobs or an internship or something. Save up money. And then keep applying to places and once you have enough, move out.

You need to be a working woman rn because you need to have your own identity. Beyond money and stability, that's what a job gives you. As long as you remain a daughter and a sister, you will have to put up with this nonsense. They will never change. You need to carve a new life for yourself and that will not happen if you keep depending on them for your survival. This is exactly how Indian families keep their kids trapped. Can't cut them out if you're pursuing 3 degrees until you're 30, by which point your mind and personality has become so cemented by the nonsense they feed you that you can no longer see right from wrong and all those years of abuse and trauma will make you too afraid to stand up to them.

I'm not saying any of this to discourage you. I'm saying you need to get out asap. Don't wait for the next degree or whatever. Obviously it won't happen overnight but no one will save you, you have to save yourself. It may take several months to save enough money but that's okay. Start job hunting now and find work. Be determined and don't give up. Don't be embarassed of doing "small" jobs. Many jobs don't require any qualifications and you can easily earn ₹20k to ₹25k a month. Be a hustler. That's what will help you. Carve a new life and be in a new environment where your parents aren't influencing all your decisions and what not. Sometimes God puts us in certain situations just to see how much we can tolerate before we stand up for ourselves. Take a stand and find work. God will be with you.

[the-invisible-queer]

Do you think that the Big Time Rush show was better structured than the Jonas show? Completely setting aside which music you prefer, just going off of characters and the story itself.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind I haven't watched Big Time Rush since it ended. And while I've rewatched Jonas, this last rewatch feels like I'm watching it for the first time and I'm still mid S1 so my memories might be a little out of wack

Bestie one had 4 seasons and the other only had 2

Plus Big Time Rush got a movie

What did Jonas get? Cancelled

They both started around the same time too

They are very much the same show which is group of guys navigating teen/young adult life and getting into all types of drama

Both heavily inspired by The Monkees

But Big Time Rush was more interesting with their plots and shenanigans because sometimes they lasted several episodes

Like Big Time Rush had more time for serious plotlines

While I feel like the drama of Jonas was always around Joe and Stella will they won't they

Like the whole Kendall and Jo and then Kendall and Lucy AND THEN when Jo came BACK

TRUE ART

The dynamics between the BTR guys was a little more interesting because they were four very different dudes who were childhood friends and sometimes got into tiffs

I feel like Jonas with them being brothers the stakes were lower

The pizza girl plot COULD HAVE lasted like 3 whole episodes if they cared about keeping it interesting or it could have been a running gag throughout the first season

But Nick and Disney's programing are so different

Like I'd argue (non-Schnieder) Nick shows are actual entertainment while most Disney shows were always to sell a product whether it be toys or music - and JB did say they were sold on the show because Disney was like this will keep people interested between tours and albums

While I ADORE the Jonas show and will always have a soft spot for it, I wonder if it was the best choice for them

Because they were on top of the world in 2008

I don't think they needed a dumb sitcom

If they made longer episodes of Living the Dream I think it would have been more successful

WHERE DISNEY DROPPED THE BALL is not creating the originally planed J.O.N.A.S. (Junior Operatives Networking As Spies) where they were spies

But BIg Time Rush is definitely the better show

But also keep in mind Big Time Rush the boyband was only made for the show just like The Monkees

NOW what I wish we could have gotten is the Big Time Movie BUT JONAS

Like same exact plot same Beatles songs but with JB

IN THE END I adore both shows

I adore both music groups

My favorite band and my favorite boyband

They've all been watching me sleep since 2010 🤣