#I wanted to make him look so goofy and I think I succeeded

[mangoshorthand]

A Hargreeves Christmas Carol | Five Hargreeves/ F Reader | Ch4

SUMMARY: Luther is the sort of idiot who goes around with a 'Merry Christmas' and a goofy smile on his lips. In your opinion, he should be roasted with his own turkey and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. Who better to teach you the error of your ways than Luther's brother, the man who holds the power of Christmases Past, Present, and Yet to Come in the palm of his hand? Info/Announcement Post

<< Read Chapter Three

Chapter Four (Rated M, 4.3k words)

The Last of the Spirits

As the living room cleared of his family, their Christmas ruined by the argument, Five succeeded in priming the briefcase. He reached out as if to take your upper arm and vanish with you into the previous evening, but you jumped out of his reach. 

“No Five. Show me the future! Show me the nuclear armageddon all this is supposed to cause. Because, based on what I just saw, this is your fault, not mine.” 

You reached out a finger and jabbed him hard in the chest, withdrawing quickly lest he use the opportunity to grab you. 

“You’re going home,” he said, firmly.

“I am not!” you yelled, stamping your foot in frustration, “take me to the future and prove to me that you haven’t been lying for an opportunity to get in my pants!”

Five tossed his head angrily, shaking his fists at his sides in equal frustration and making the briefcase hit him hard in the leg. 

“Don’t flatter yourself” he spat, “You think I’d do all this just for that?”

And then, after a slight pause:

“You think I’d try to scare you into fucking me, is that it?

“I don’t know what to believe!” you cried. 

Five took two or three angry breaths and chewed the inside of his cheek before he responded.

“I didn’t lie to get into your pants,” he said, sounding bitter, but slightly calmer “And, technically, I didn’t lie to you at all. I never actually said you caused nuclear armageddon. I just let you believe it.”

“WHAT?”

“I said that upsetting Luther could potentially cause nuclear armageddon, which is true: actions like those can, indirectly, lead to apocalyptic events. I never actually said it did in this case, however.”

You seized a bookend off a nearby shelf and threw it at him, hard. He, of course, blinked and reappeared a short distance away, leaving the bookend to smash against the wall. 

“I guess I would have deserved that.” Five said, eyeing the bookend as it faded back into being on the bookshelf. 

“YOU FUCKING PSYCHOPATH.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, “I know I shouldn’t -”

“YOU BASTARD!”

“I know,” he replied, a pleading note in his voice now, “but if you just-”

“YOU ARE BARRED. TAKE ME HOME, AND THEN NEVER SHOW YOUR FACE IN MY BAR AGAIN. I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!”

Five held up the hand not holding the briefcase.

“Fine, okay. I get it. But will you let me explain?”

You breathed like an angry bull, your fists clenched so hard it felt like you’d never be able to relax them again, but gave a resentful nod.

“Thank you,” he said, putting the briefcase down on one of the couches and sitting on its arm, facing you. 

“I guess it was my fault. I just…I guess I tried to blame you because that was easier than facing the fact I ruined Christmas for Luther… and for everyone else.”

You let out a huff, but his face kept you from an angry expostulation for the time being, and he continued: 

“But Sloane was right. You and I are similar. We’re both kind of misanthropic: we push the people who care about us away. It might not lead to an apocalypse, but it’s hardly gonna spell good news for us in the future.”

His expression appealed to yours, and you found it hard to maintain the same level of anger as you saw the honest-to-God anxiety in his face.

“I got a second chance to live my life,” he continued, quietly, “and I’m already fucking it up. You only got one life, and I don’t want to see you fuck it up either.”

You looked back at him, at his beautiful, infuriating, and wholly sincere face. Not for the first time that night, you felt the strange urge to cry. 

What was even stranger was the urge to cry on his shoulder. 

“I think you’re right,” he said.

“About what?” you asked, frowning.

“We should go see the future. Check in on you and I in, say, ten years time? See how bad it gets?”

The idea, though you’d been fiercely advocating for it only a minute or so earlier, suddenly filled you with a thrill of uncertain horror. Perhaps it was the effect of his speech, but to have such unnatural knowledge, impossible in the normal course of things, seemed now too terrible to comprehend. 

Nevertheless, you nodded silently, your legs starting to tremble beneath you. 

“Good,” Five said, and held out his hand. 

You took it. As he ran his thumb over the back of your hand, the fear became a little more bearable. 

“I really am sorry,” he said, seriously, still holding your eyes with his.

“I'll forgive you,” you replied, and squeezed his fingers. 

He smiled softly and let your hand go, reaching behind him for the briefcase once more.

“Okay,” he said, balancing it on one knee and playing with the dials, “since it’s still my hair in the briefcase, we may as well visit me first.”

The case clicked and whirred as, with a flourish, he finished his calibration. 

“Ready to see how shit my life gets?”

He looked up at you with a grin, took your hand again, and you both vanished into the now-familiar static.

You emerged in another living room, almost as different as it was possible to be from the one you just left. It was dingy, lit by a single bulb uncovered by any sort of shade.

“Are you fuckin’ kidding me?” Five murmured, looking around disdainfully. 

You had overcome your fear for now, and you looked around the living room with interest. 

It was clean at least, but the furnishings left a lot to be desired. There was a single recliner in the center of the carpet facing a TV mounted on the wall in front of you. There was also a squashed looking chesterfield, which seemed as if it was only there for form’s sake; a vague gesture at the idea of having guests.

Other than that, there was a small table beside the recliner and a couple of IKEA-looking bookcases, each filled to the brim with books. Otherwise, the room was empty. 

“Well, I’m definitely still single.” Five said, nodding to the sparse decor slightly bitterly, “Figures.”

“Yep, it’s not great,” you confirmed, grimacing.

He glanced down at the briefcase and then around the room again.

“It’s definitely Christmas Eve,” he said, “but I guess I got nobody to put up a tree for. What would be the point?”

There was a voice from the other room and you both fell silent.

“Oh, that’s great. Tell him I say hi.” 

It was Five’s voice, and it was followed a half second later by Five himself coming into the room. 

“Really?” the Five beside you said, a mixture of disappointment and incredulity in his voice. 

The decade-older Five was wearing a pair of pajama pants, no shirt, and was sporting a chevron mustache that didn't suit him. He held a phone wedged between his ear and shoulder, and his well-abused slippers shushed against the carpet. 

He was carrying a beer in one hand and what looked like some sort of frozen dinner in the other: constituted beef packaged into steak-esque shapes was sitting on a bed of soggy green beans. On the side, there was a dump of watery potato puree masquerading as mashed. 

“This is so depressing,” Five said, cringing at the sight of himself.

“That mustache does make you look like a child molester,” you agreed.

“Thanks." 

“Mm-hm,” said the future Five, placing his sad meal on the table and settling himself in the recliner, facing away from you, “well that’s nice to hear. Did the gifts for the kids arrive...Good, good.”

He picked up the beer and took a swig, using the remote to turn on the TV and immediately mute it, flicking through the channels as he spoke on the phone. 

“Me? Oh, I’m fine. Just relaxing, you know?”

He paused in his channel surfing on a showing of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, set down the control and watched it as he continued the conversation.

“You know me, I hate Christmas … Yeah, I’m happy as hell here.”

Five winced beside you. 

“I’m guessing that’s a lie?” you murmured, looking at your Five sidelong.

“Yup,” Five said, grimly, “the only thing I hate worse than people is being alone.”

Five’s future self lifted his dinner onto his lap and speared a limp green bean onto his fork.

“How’s Luther?” he said, “Life and soul of the party, right? … Sure, sure … good for you.”

He took a few more bites of his meal, ‘uh-huh-ing’ and ‘mm-hm-ing’ occasionally at the voice on the other end of the line. 

 Well,” he said, an almost undetectable tinge of sadness in his voice now, “maybe next year.”

His tone made it so clear that he didn’t hold out much hope that you didn’t even bother conferring with the Five beside you.

“You guys got your New Years planned? … Nice, nice … do you know what everyone else is doing?”

He stayed quiet as he listened, eating some more and throwing out another mm-hm or uh-huh as the conversation required. 

“Huh?” he said, eventually. “I’ll probably hit the bars with a couple of friends. Maybe do the big countdown in Times Square or wherever.”

“I’m lying,” Five said to you, flatly.

“Yeah, yeah,” the Five in the chair continued, “well I’ll - what? … Oh. No, that’s fine. Have fun tomorrow. I gotta go now anyway … alright … yeah, Happy Christmas. Bye Vik.”

When the call ended, he put down his knife and fork for a few moments, sighed, and then lifted his eyes back to the TV and began eating once more. 

“This is what I get.” Five said dully, watching himself finish the last third of his meal. 

You looked from the Five facing away from you in the chair to the Five beside you, his expression haunted.

“But this is just a future that might be, right?” you said, half asking, half attempting to reassure him, “This isn’t set in stone.”

“If I don’t get my shit together, this is where I’ll be.”

“But you talk like you’re past all hope,” you said, bracingly, “You just have to make a change.”

“Yeah,” he said, though not sounding convinced. 

“And even if you get like this, it’s not like it’s too late to make it right! You’re, what, in your thirties here?” 

“Over eighty,” Five said. 

“Well, whatever,” you continued, “the one thing you got is time. If that Five pulled his finger out of his ass, he could go fix it. It’s not like anyone’s dead.”

As you spoke, the older Five finished his meal and began to channel surf again.

“I was alone for a very long time.” your Five said, “It does something to you.”

You watched him in silence as he continued. 

“When my brain was developing the finer points of empathy, I didn’t have anyone around to empathize with. There was nobody real to practice on while my brain was still plastic.”

You looked from him to the Five in the chair, considering him as you listened. 

“I feel like…maybe I’m doomed.” Five continued, “This is my mind’s comfort zone; nobody around to force me to be an actual human being. Nobody to challenge me, nobody to compromise for. Nobody to force me to be better by expecting more of me.”

Your attention was suddenly caught by the television.

“Uh, Five?”

“It’s like I’m stuck in this pattern of -”

“Five, seriously.”

This got his attention, and he looked at the TV in horror.

“Oh my god!” he cried, almost dropping the briefcase.

On the screen, there were two women gyrating against one another in barely-there Santa-themed lingerie. From the chair, a rhythmic shuffling sound confirmed the worst. 

Horrified, Five grabbed you by the back of your sweater, pulled you out of the room and into a sad looking bedroom. 

“I am so, so sorry!” he said, sitting down heavily on the bed and hiding his face in his hands, “I can’t believe you had to see that!”

You tried extremely hard to keep the laughter in, but a little burst bounds despite your best efforts. 

“I’m sorry,” you said back to him, looking up at you with a red, mortified face made even worse by your reaction, “I’m really sorry to laugh, I don’t want to embarrass you. It was just so unexpected!”

He hid his head in his hands again and groaned, just as the Five from the living room gave an audible groan of his own.

This was too much, and you fell into helpless giggles.

“I’m - s-so ….sorry!” you managed, struggling to speak against laughter that had you doubled over and leaning against the wall for support, “I’m not… I’m not j-judging you, it’s j-just… really f-f-f-funny!”

You struggled to get ahold of yourself, managing it with difficulty, and Five recovered himself just enough to look up at you, mortified. 

“I’m glad one of us is enjoying this at least.”

At this, all your hard work was undone and you bent double again, breathless with laughter.

“T-t-two of us are enjoying it!” you wheezed, gesturing in the direction of Five’s counterpart. 

Five’s face crumpled, but then a pained snort forced its way out, and then he was laughing too. 

“I can’t believe I masturbate to cable porn.” he said, agony in his voice, “That’s the worst part!”

You sat down beside him on the bed and put your arm around his shoulders, giggling breathlessly, his own reluctant laughter just adding to the hilarity. 

In this manner, the laughter gradually faded, and you finished up leaning against one another, still chuckling occasionally. 

Turning to him, you looked at his expression. Though he still looked amused, there was equal humiliation and misery in the lines of his face.

“Listen to me,” you said, softly, “you’re not doomed to loneliness and cable porn. You’re not… you’re not broken, maybe just a little bent.”

“Thanks,” he murmured, bowing his head and letting it rest gently against yours. 

He let out a little breath, as if he were laying down a heavy burden he knew he would have to pick up again all too soon. 

At this close quarters, you could smell that menthol scent again; eucalyptus, perhaps a hint of citrus.

And, rather like the night you wiped salt away from his chin, your body acted without your brain’s involvement. 

You pressed your lips to his scarlet temple, and then withdrew. 

Five looked surprised, and he lifted his head to look at you, only a few inches apart. 

“Thanks,” he said, again, though he mouthed it this time, the word barely articulated.

You looked at each other, caught in this strange, frozen moment. Both of you sat there, paralysed, completely unsure what might happen next.

And then, a particularly drawn out moan from the living room snapped you both back to reality. Apparently the other Five wasn’t far off finishing his visit to the land of cable porn. 

“We should go,” Five said, quickly, drawing away from you quickly and fumbling in his breast pocket for the vial containing your hair.

“Sounds good,” you said, brightly, hiding the awkwardness with jollity. 

There were a few exquisitely embarrassing moments as Five exchanged the hairs in which his older self was putting on rather the auditory show.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Five chanted as he worked, finally succeeding in slamming the DNA housing back into place and setting the briefcase.

With no preamble, he grabbed your arm and you both thankfully vanished into the ether. 

When you rematerialized, it was to find yourself in your bar on a busy night. 

“Thank God.” Five said, still bright pink.

He looked briefly down at the briefcase:

“Yep, same night.”

The bar looked relatively unchanged, though the fixtures and fittings had been upgraded at some point in the ten years that lay between you and this permutation of Maggie’s. There was the same half-assed tinsel around the window frame as the sole concession to the fact it was Christmas Eve.

On the corner table, a group of men donning Santa hats were singing an uproarious version of Jingle Bells, their drinks up over their heads and swaying in unison. 

There you were, behind the crowded bar as usual, shaking a cocktail with one hand and pulling a pint of lager with the other, working with the same, ruthless energy you always did, face hard and steely in concentration. 

Robbie was gone, it seemed, because you didn’t recognise the two employees helping to fend off the rest of the crowd of customers baying for booze and jacked up on Christmas cheer.

“This doesn’t seem fair,” Five said, “You’re doing great, but a few miles away I’m…wanking into a TV dinner like Ebenezer Splooge!”

“I look so much older,” you said, not listening and instead eyeing the first hint of crow’s feet emerging around your eyes.

“You look great,” Five said, impatiently, “This just proves that I’m the problem. You’re perfectly happy, and I'm a mess.”

He watched you almost wistfully, both envying your future and admiring your command, as he always found himself doing whenever he visited Maggie’s. You really were a sight to see behind that bar, and ten years had only added more skill. 

As another large table began to join in with the Jingle Bells guys, you said something that Five didn’t quite catch, and he tore his eyes away from the future you to look at the you beside him.

He was surprised to see tears streaming down your face.

“I’m not happy!” 

You fell against his chest and cried tears more violent than any you’d cried that night.

Five stood there, bewildered, as your desperate tears began to soak through his shirt. 

“Okay, okay,” he said, soothingly, “I’m gonna take you home, alright?”

He fiddled with the briefcase with difficulty, peering over your shoulder to set it where he held it behind your back. With a couple of pushes of buttons, he succeeded, and you were at last standing once more in your darkened living room, the high wind buffering the windows. 

Five looked briefly down at the briefcase for confirmation.

“Ten minutes after we left,” he murmured, satisfied, “Quantum suspension engaged, so no doppelganger for me. We’re good to go from here.”

This done, he lowered you both onto the couch, letting the briefcase bump down softly onto the floor. 

For a few moments, he simply held you against him, and then he shifted his grip to hold you by the shoulders in order to look into your face. 

“What’s wrong?” he asked, “Why did seeing that make you cry?”

You shook your head and closed your eyes to weep once more, sobs overtaking you.

“Hey,” Five said, shaking you gently, “given all the shit you've seen about me tonight, you can at least tell me that!”

When this didn’t yield the desired result, he sighed and pulled you back against his shoulder.

“Okay, cry it out for now, but I’m not leaving until you tell me.”

You did cry it out, sniffling against his pure white shirt without a worry for how much you might be ruining it. Right now, he felt warm and safe. His was the only comfort you could imagine taking as waves of revelation broke upon you. 

His was the only comfort you could take, you realized.

Many of your bridges were burned, others had simply rotted away from lack of maintenance, and others yet had been severed by the loss of the other side. The end result was the same: you were very short on bridges. 

In truth, Luther, Robbie, and Five’s bridges were probably the only three you had left.

Luther had maintained his well, without your help, yet earlier today you’d launched a Molotov cocktail at it, leaving it in danger of burning down if you didn’t take action.

Robbie’s was a thin and sickly little bridge, barely a bridge at all. It could have been stronger, you knew, if only you’d allowed him to build as he wanted. 

And Five’s? Right now, it was the only one that could support your weight. It was untested before tonight, yet it was standing firm beneath your feet.

“I’m not happy,” you repeated, when your sobs had subsided enough to allow you to speak, “I haven’t been happy for a long, long time.”

Five’s arms tightened around you.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured.

“Ever since my grandma died. I’ve felt…”

You broke, took a couple of breaths, and tried a different way of explaining it. 

“I looked at myself behind that bar, and I realized I have no idea who that woman is.”

Five nodded slowly, though you could tell he didn’t really understand. 

“I don’t know who I am. I don’t know what I want. I just know that I don’t want to be her in ten years’ time.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because she’s exactly the same as I am now!”

Five gave another of those slow nods, processing. 

“Tell me if I’m way off base,” he said, tentatively, as if he’d just drawn a tenuous red line between points in his mind, “your grandma died, and you took over Maggie’s immediately, right? When you were twenty one?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think that maybe you threw yourself into managing the place to avoid… actually grieving her?”

You made a small, wounded noise, a fresh wave of tears descended, and you nodded against his chest.

He reclined on the couch, taking you with him as he fumbled behind you to pull a blanket over you. It was warm, comforting, and it made you cry harder in relief.

“Maggie’s was never your baby,” he said, softly, “it was hers.”

You nodded.

“Do you even like running it?”

You shook your head, admitting it for the first time with a shuddering outward breath.

“Everything she did for me. I can’t just let that go. That bar was everything to her.”

Five shook his head.

“You think she gave you that bar so that you could chain yourself to it?”

“No.”

“Then sell it.”

“No!”

“Well, then find something in the middle!” 

You sniffled and took a few moments to regain some composure. 

“I don’t like managing the bar, but I like mixology. When I make cocktails, it reminds me of her and it feels good.”

“Then stick with mixology and ditch the rest,” he said, as if it were obvious.

You shook your head.

“I can’t let her down. If - if I don’t make it a success then… then I’ll be proving she was wrong to trust me with it.”

“Sounds like you got your thinking backwards to me,” Five scoffed. 

“What do you mean?”

“You said she always fought for you, right?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re acting like she raised you just to make sure there would be someone around to make Maggie’s a success. Seems more likely that she worked her ass off in the bar to make sure she could leave something behind for you.”

You couldn’t help but see the logic in this, but still, something niggled:

“The bar’s her legacy. I can’t abandon it.”

“You’re her legacy, idiot.”

His logic had done little to dispel your doubts, but this emotional truth smashed through them with the force of a wrecking ball. 

You remembered her twinkling at you at fifteen as she taught you to make your first margaria, you remembered her beaming with pride when you first made a cosmo by heart, and you remembered her on her deathbed, pressing her rhinestone necklace into your hand and telling you how proud she was, how successful you’d be. 

You remembered her taking her in your arms and making you feel safe while your parents screamed. 

It wasn’t the bar, it was you. It was always you. 

And you were crying once more: hot, cleansing, healing tears.

“I miss her,” you hiccuped against Five’s chest. 

“I know,” he said, stroking your hair.

For the next several minutes, you cried yourself dry. And then you felt better. 

“I’m sorry,” you said, slightly hoarsely, “I cried all over your shirt.”

“I don’t mind,” Five said.

In truth, he could have stayed there all night with you in his arms, wet shirt or not. You stopping crying was bittersweet: your grief was over, but it meant that soon he’d have to stir himself, say his goodbyes and probably never touch you like this ever again. 

“Can I get you a nightcap?” you asked. 

“Sure.”

You extracted yourself from him and looked on the kitchen shelf that stored your private booze. 

“Tequila shot?” you asked him, with a mischievous grin. 

“Perfect,” he smiled back.

God, the pain your little grin caused him. Like a knife to his stomach. 

You returned to the couch with two shots of tequila and held one out to him. He took it with thanks, and you sat down again. 

Five raised his glass.

“To Maggie,” he said.

“To you,” you countered, “the man who said he didn’t have enough empathy.”

Five chuckled, and you clinked your glasses together before throwing them back, revelling in the heat as it went down. 

“I’d better take my leave,” Five said, when he’d recovered from the shot.

You nodded, and you both stood.

“For what it’s worth,” he said, “I’d like you to come for Christmas tomorrow. But no pressure. I’m going to do things differently on my end this time, and none of that’s on you.”

“Thank you,” you said.

He bent, picked up the briefcase, and you followed him to your apartment door. There, he turned to look at you and held out his hand once more.

“Happy Holidays,” you said, solemnly, taking his outstretched hand.

Five raised your linked hands to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of yours.

“Happy Holidays,” he replied, and left.

Read Chapter Five >> (Final chapter coming Christmas Eve!) I FEED OFF COMMENTS AND REBLOGS YUM YUM YUM

The Last of the Spirits — The Pointing Finger by John Leech, 1843 in Dickens' A Christmas Carol, first edition (1843).

Dickens' A Christmas Carol full text available here.

Read it! It's a much better than this, and you can see how many lines I stole verbatim or clumsily referenced.

Dividers used in this series by @bernardsbendystraws (garland) and @strangergraphics (lights) My husband (Mr Mango) also wishes it to be known that he came up with Ebenezer Splooge. It was him, it was him, it was all him! Here he is, at the bottom, where he belongs.

Taglist: @nevbrooke-555, @fiannee, @abeeabee6969, @chalametabingbong, @lolawassad, @icantpickanamefromonefandom @thebearmage @kaybreezy3000, @starlitflora (comment to be added or removed)

Megalist

Request info + rules

I take Five requests, I'm fairly versatile in what I write (fluff, smut, angst, psychological character study- I'll try it all) but I will consider them on a case by case basis. See request info + rules for request status and more.

[ratsonfire]

Stray/Catlad Jason that makes sense to only me </3

[luveline]

a june baby drabble —a typical sunday morning with eddie and his girlfriend (and her toddler)

Your arm wakes up first. Eddie's trying hard to climb over you without making any noise, and for the most part he's succeeding. You have superhuman hearing, the groan of the bed springs and the soft shuck of his socks on the floor waking you. 

"Eddie?" you mumble, blinking tired lashes. 

He strokes your cheek with the side of his pinky finger. You startle but turn into it fast, hungry for doting touch. Usually, Eddie would be eager to give it to you, but he needs to pee. 

He gives your cheek a last rub. Eddie's heavy with affection —he loves giving it to you, and you're in sore need. You're a sponge for love, probably because you didn't get as much of it as you needed the last few years. 

You poured it all into Junie 'til you had nothing else left, then you poured more. 

Eddie does his business, gets distracted in the bathroom by a toothpaste stain on the sink and then decides he might as well brush his teeth while he's in here. He rushes through it, excited to get back to you and the warm patch of bed he's left behind for some Sunday morning languishing. He's thinking he can stroke your back until it pisses you off. He loves how you let him do it far past annoying you, hiding your squirming until you have no choice but to push him away, the tickling unbearable. 

He's scratching his hair away from his face and squinting in the morning sun in the hall when he realises his prime time spot has been poached. A little arm curled around your neck, little face pressed to your face. Junebug hugs you while you snooze with a massive goofy smile on her lips, her cheeks chubby and her bare feet by your hip. 

Eddie knows then, looking at her, that he was wrong for thinking you needed love. You may not have been getting all the love you deserved, but the love you needed has been in arm's reach for the last three years. 

He climbs up the bed from the bottom, holding Junie's side up gently to slide beneath her. 

"Good morning, Junie-girl," he whispers, meeting her tired eyes. "You have a sleepie. Want me to get it?"

Her nod is slow like her head is moving through jelly. Eddie reaches up around her to brush it from the corner of her eye, careful not to scratch her with his nail. "Ew," he whispers teasingly. 

"Eddie," Junie grumbles. 

"You're gross, babe." 

"No," she says. 

Eddie wipes her sleepie in his shirt, unbothered. "Mom gets bad sleepies too. Must be from her. But I'm kidding, I'm kidding, you're not gross, are you?" His voice turns to a loving croon. "You're beautiful." 

You mumble something. Junie hugs you more insistently, prompting you to turn her way and pull your arm out. You drag her into your chest and bury your face in the side of hers, barely audible as you say, "He got that right." Cheek kiss, your hand covering her back, her pyjamas bunching under your slow back and forth, Junie looks as spoiled as any girl can.

Eddie inserts himself into the cuddle shamelessly. 

"What were you doing?" you ask, reaching blindly for his hand. 

"Me? Just using the facilities. You're real nosey, you know that?" 

"Bite my head off for asking," you say. He imagines you'd shrug if you had the arm space. "I won't ask again."

"Good," he says, though that's the opposite of what he wants. Eddie plans on answering small questions from you for the rest of his life if he has a choice. 

Junie plants a kiss on your cheek and uses her arms to leverage herself high enough to pout at Eddie. He brandished his cheek for a kiss, endeared when short fingers tangle in the hair by his ear. "Good morning," Junie says. "Mommy, you want breakfast?" 

You giggle and push yourself up the pillow, elbow in the mattress to get some height. You look very tired still, but you're a dream in Eddie's eyes, skin puffy around your eyes and your lips chapped. He's so in love, he wants to unscrew the chapstick and put it on you himself. He genuinely might do it. 

"Do you want breakfast?" you ask Junie. "Can you tell me? I want breakfast." 

"I want breakfast," Junie says. 'Breakfast' is a struggle for her sometimes, heavy on the 'uh' sound, like break-f-uh-sssst. She's a slow learner, but getting better everyday. "Sausages."

That sounds even funnier in her high-pitched voice. You brush a curl from Eddie's face thoughtlessly, looking at him without really looking at him. "We'll have sausage, egg and grits, yeah? Yummy." 

"Yummy," Junie agrees. She gives Eddie a pointed stare.

"Yummy," he says, scooping her up carefully to hold to his chest. "Let's go! Before mom thinks she's in charge of cooking!" 

You laugh as Eddie stands up in the middle of your mattress, and Junie screams with it as he bounds off of it and into the hallway. "Eddie, you could've tripped on the sheets!" you chide. 

"Oh no," he says, spinning down the hall, laughing himself as Junie starts her infectious baby giggle, vertigo pulling her head back. 

He makes a maraca of your girl until you appear to get her back, and for a good ten seconds, Eddie manages to wrap his arm around your arm and spin you with them. Your laughter is as cute as June's but lined in real alarm. You get dizzy faster than your daughter does. 

"Don't drop her," you plead, pulling away from him.

"As if I would." 

"Please, Eddie, you're wearing slippery socks." 

He stops spinning her. He doesn't feel dizzy himself, he wouldn't have risked something silly like that, but he stops because you were worried, and he only ever wants you to be relaxed, well-rested, and loved. 

"Take your spawn," he says, passing her to you with the utmost care. 

You take her and settle her against you, stroking her under the eye with the back of your finger. "Thank you. Eddie shook you around like a can of soda, huh? How do you feel?" 

"Hungry," Junie says immediately. 

You press a smile to her temple. "Good. Eddie's making breakfast." 

Eddie could pump his fist in victory, he's that happy. You're finally letting him take care of you. "Three plates of the best sausage, egg, and grits ever coming right up, ladies."  

[alelathedragon]

In a universe where Memes are the main source of media and power over obstacles. This man has no chance with his mindset xD

I love Mr.Puzzles, i love how he was introduced slowly and the more the SMG4 crew succeeded the closer he got to them, I love how utterly pathetic he is when hes not manipulating the stage.

Man is a stage manipulator. Not a fighter lol. Look at his twink ass, he was made for acting.

I love how he has that autism in him. He looks at the Meme Factory and only hyper fixates on the Comedy Zone, he doesnt find Memes funny and rather disgusting actually even when he can see right in front of him this whole building dedicated to SMG4's source of power in 'The Funny'

I love how. He can feel bad for others but only if they're on his side. He doesnt understand how his words can hurt people and while he is actually trying to be on their good side he ends up failing miserably bc he doesnt understand

'what did i say wrong? I just said whats true'

Its so autistic of him. But when he gets a friend: hes been secluded and alone for his whole life, bro doesn't know how to handle the positivity and constantly denies it. Until he sees his friend visibility in pain and he can register it- bc emotionally he doesn't know how to communicate with her. But seeing her getting beat up: he gets angry and defends her with all his strength

He doesnt wanna be softened up- he wants to be a TV show star and have power!

But bro doesnt understand Memes are what drives the power... And bro doesnt realize he actually wants a friend

I love him for that

Let him be evil but also keep him the awkward mess he is. If he gets some kind of redemption arc its gotta be a slow one and he GOTTA keep that theatric goofy ass to him or im leaving.

Becoming a nice person wont mean hes better at communicating with others and will suddenly understand how to think about how They Feel when he says something. But he can try, find his people who understand he isnt perfect and isnt TRYING to make you feel bad but he has a harder time thinking about others or in some cases can't think of others and how they feel bc to him, what he said makes perfect sense and is true! Isn't lying bad? . And id be ok with that bc that'd be a good arc, i just dont want it to be bad like a lot of redemption arcs ive seen

[idakyrie]

(This is part of an AU and a LOT OF TEXT asdfg) WHAT IF.... That weird deformed shape of Fake Peppino (AKA Bruno) is actually that way because of a brain problem (known as TBI)? That would explain that peculiar way of behaving (Silly? Goofy? Childish? Doesn't think straight? Doesn't know what he's doing? Almost 0 common sense, that almost permanent expression on his face, that strange way of moving... He is doing his best to stay on his feet and not melt completely (even if it shows a bit), he can barely speak coherently, among many things (WE MUST PROTECT HIM).

I'd like to think that the brain is the only organ he has, because the rest is just... Mmh, slime? amalgam? xD, it could be a HUMAN brain that Pizzahead (his creator) got (I like to think he is actually someone insane in a bad way and too different when it comes to his lab, just pretending to smile, hints of psychopath), that brain belonged to another chef, here I clarify about getting 2 adns: Peppino and Bruno (this last I mean the one from the abandoned pizzeria and yes, he is dead, where the hell Pizzahead was going to get that brain from? Actually dead for trusting a humanoid pizza)

So Fake Peppino has 2 adns? Yeah, that makes sense... Although Peppino and him don't look quite the same (Although Pizzahead's goal was that, to be the perfect impersonator), except for the clothes BUT here comes my favorite part, his stable form. 

Actually, his brain problem can be treated, he would still have 2 forms: stable and unstable, this unstable form is the one we all know, it would be present whenever he feels threatened, in danger or any other negative emotion (although he can take any form whenever he wants and be a mix of both forms).

Some history: Bruno is the first "clone" to be created, it went well, everything was perfect and one more minion... UNTIL... Pizzahead has a complicated, abusive, stupid, manipulative and ignorant attitude, basically he never treated him well, it started with scolding and even abuse (And yup! it was Pizzahead himself who caused him great injury) Why? He is a demanding and perfectionist guy, the clone had to come out EQUAL to Peppino (the irony is that he hates him and only does it to fuck up his life, to be able to replace him with some of the SO MANY clones out there) at the time he thought it was a GOOD IDEA to mix both adns and come out the same as the original, I repeat that this guy is an idiot?

Something funny is that after that he made other prototypes of clones (Classified as second generation idk) but these... None came out well, they are aberrations and can be found in a frozen chamber, he doesn't want to relive that moment and kept trying until he finally succeeded, the famous Peppino clones that can be found everywhere in the lab, inferior versions, weaker and more animal behavior than the first "clone".

Here comes another problem, Pizzahead paid more attention and was nicer to those clones, making Bruno jealous and annoyed, he never received a good treatment from him (Still he was loyal) and he had to fix and clean up all the atrocities the clones did, that means ALL the time, he could not defend himself and lived in silence, developing a great hatred towards them, precisely his behavior changes drastically to the most aggressive, just hearing a "croak" makes him angry (MODO BERSEK GOES BRR)

Many years enduring physical and emotional pain until he ends up in what? In an abandoned pizza restaurant? Just him being abandoned being very bad in all aspects? Completely alone for years, the only contact he had with others were those clones that invaded his "new home" (explaining why there are so many peppino corpses in that pizzeria).

(that girl in the image is an oc of mine hshs)

Bruno still has that silly and innocent personality, sensitive but at the same time disturbing if something bothers him. Paternal sense, playful and a big fan of Peppino, sometimes he annoys him by imitating him HAHA. Does he keep that frog behavior? YES! It's not as obvious as the clones because he knows how to control it. 

At the beginning he doesn't like to be touched, after all the problems he went through he doesn't even know if there are good people in this world, so gaining Bruno's trust is a bit complicated but if you talk nice to him (as you would do with your pet XD) the interaction will be effective. 

Does he have traumas? Besides he doesn't want to see Pizzahead and the clones again, or there will be a massacre, it's the first time someone is nice to him, he's afraid of abandonment and losing the little progress he has made... AND NEVER EVER SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING RELATED TO ANY LABORATORY AGAIN, his life was hell there, anything related either scares or angers him.

If you have any questions, you can ask and also, sorry if there are errors in my English, it is not my native language, I hope you can understand ;w;

[gregoftom]

Thinking about tomgreg getting married,, and I'm in my feelings!! They'd both be so excited! And they'd choose a spring date and some pretty but small venue, invite just family and friends and a small exclusive number of colleagues and associates and the atmosphere would be so lovely and joyful! There's a part of Tom that would want it to be a huge affair, he wants everyone to see them happy and succeeding - but I think in the end they'd decide to keep it small and cozy.

They'd go traditional and not see each other on the day before they see each other at the altar, so Tom gets ready on his own, with his mom doing his hair and bowtie for him. She'd tell him she's so happy for him and that she and Tom's dad love Greg - because it's so obvious Greg adores Tom. It makes them so happy to see their boy finally in a good relationship where they know he's loved ;-;

Tom was mainly in charge of planning but he and Greg chose the colour scheme together, it's all blues and silvers to go with their rings - which go with Greg's eyes because Tom is the biggest sap and so in love - so Tom's tux is a gorgeous deep navy. And he looks so fucking hot in that thing

And Tom would be dying to see Greg because even if it's just half a day, it's a long time to be apart from his Sporus - and besides, he wants to see how Greg looks. Tom offered to buy him a suit, of course he did, but Greg refused because he wanted to surprise Tom for once! So Greg is elsewhere getting ready with like Willa maybe? And they're swapping wedding preparation stories and honeymoon plans and she tucks a white rose in his lapel.. maybe dusts just a little bit of shimmering highlighter on his cheekbones and around his eyes because. It's his wedding and if he wants to be pretty for Tom he absolutely should!!

So when it's finally time, Greg's freaking out and basically vibrating out of his skin with excitement and nerves - his mom pulls him way down to kiss his cheek and whisper He's got this and he's making a good choice for once - and she walks him down the aisle

Tom's there waiting with the pastor and the Fly guys as his best men (I need them to be close friends again okay, Tom deserves to have bros) and he sees Greg walking toward him and. He can't believe it's actually real. They agreed on Navy but Greg's gone off script and his tux jacket is pure white. Subtly embroidered, bowtie and pants blue to complement Tom, his inky hair styled so it falls over his forehead in a soft swoop, his eyes sparkling - and he smiles so wide when he sees Tom, practically making his mom jog with how fast he's walking - and he's the prettiest thing Tom's ever seen. They both know there's nothing pure or virginal about Greg at this point but Tom loves how Greg looks in the white, can barely resist pulling him into a kiss immediately :')

They hold hands so tigtly and the priest starts the ceremony and from the corner of his eye Tom can see Greg doing this little rocking back and forth thing because he's impatient - and Tom can feel tears filling his eyes because. Here is this beautiful, sweet, goofy and absolutely perfect man, and he's so impatient, he can't wait to say I do, he can't wait to be allowed to kiss Tom and to officially and legally be Tom's?? How the fuck did Tom get so lucky???

And yeah then they do the vows, something subtly hinting at the Nero and Sporus thing, and then they have their happily ever after!! ;-;

waaahg yes omg 🥺 love this so much. they would abso get married like that’s just the Truth and this is perfect i thank you 🙏

[caelusproject]

So the thing about Clarice and Joey...

I'm just going on a HUGE rant here because I ship these two a ton and my exhausted brain wants to use this rarepair as an outlet hhhh

Okay so I am currently on my 8th or 9th playthrough of House of Ashes and I decided to take a look at the background characters. A bit late I know but shhhh. I decided to play as good guy Eric and make friends at the base but also look at the characters around the ones who do most of the talking. And what do I see when Eric and company enter the base and approach Joey?

Clarice opening her mouth as soon as she looks at Joey as if she's gasping. I'm reading a lot into it because I am desperate, I know, but look at it- (Putting the rest under 'keep reading' so I don't clutter your dashboard)

No idea why she did it. Maybe she was yawning or something, I dunno. But it's cute. And I mean, can you blame her? Sure, Joey likes to pull 'yo momma' jokes but unlike Merwin he has the charisma and social skills to only make those jokes when he wants to lighten up the mood, but drops it immediately if things get serious. He's a cutie and I would burn down a nation for him.

Anyways, during this scene Clarice keeps smiling at Joey. It's most likely because she feels encouraged by Eric's confident aura, it would be quite contagious, and knowing that she works for someone who pioneered a huge project that could turn the tides of war majorly could boost her own self-esteem. Or maybe she finds Joey's nervousness around Eric appealing, or at the very least charming.

Seriously, 95% of the time Clarice looks at Joey she's smiling or at least smirking. And yes, Joey doesn't pay her much attention during this moment, focused solely on Eric and his own embarrassment. But just look at Clarice's smile when Joey shyly shifts in his seat.

Let's take a look at Joey after the briefing, once you gain control of Eric. He's sitting on a desk behind Clarice, head turned towards her, whistling away as they wait. He's not directly shown looking at her in any of the cutscenes but when you approach him it's obvious. He doesn't follow Eric and when you trigger the cutscene you can see that he is looking towards him (where Clarice is) instead of the playing cards in his hands.

Alright, I know it's now time to look at their conversation in the helo. Notice how Clarice turns to Joey right away when she asks about the term 'Semper Fi' and when Joey explains the context of it all, she wants him to give her more examples. And even though she dismisses it all as some sort of boys' scout thing, Joey isn't offended in the slightest, merely stating that those superstitions exist to keep morale high and not leave everything in the hands of faith. They're having a very healthy conversation about their different viewpoints and I love it (plus how Joey's facial expression towards Clarice changes in this scene. It starts out with an unimpressed smile, turns into a serious gaze when he talks about his believes and then seemingly thinks the conversation is over and then he outright grins all goofy at her when Clarice asks further and then announces that it all sounds stupid to her. He looks like he wanted to tease her and succeeded).

Not to mention the parallels between the two. Joey get's shot during Dar's attack and dies in Nick's arms. Clarice hides in a panic and ends up stuck in the tunnels with a dying Merwin. She gets infected and slowly turns into a vampire. Joey's corpse somehow gets infected as well and he comes back from the dead, attacking Jason.

These two did NOT deserve what happened to them and I hope they meet in the afterlife to hold hands! *swipes away a dramatic tear*

And I know that most of the fandom headcanon Clarice as lesbian because of her and Rachel's chemistry. And I agree, but I personally headcanon her as a bi-lesbian, a woman who likes multiple genders but has a preference for women. Also Joey is trans in my headcanon and you can pry that away from my cold dead handsss-

ANYWAYS to round this whole thing up, I love Jorice. They shared only a fraction of screen time together but they have already wormed their way into my heart and I will cherish this ship forever, even if it's nothing more than a canoe for one!

Have some bad GIFs I made while writing this-

[whatyourusherthinks]

The Garfield Movie Review

Ah Garfield. The dead-beat dad of the Sunday morning paper. He was popular once, but years of resting on their laurels has made him nothing but a some-what sad joke. Anyway this movie looked bad. Real cookie cutter, bland, kids fare honestly. It did look better than the Bill Murray ones, but almost anything is better that the Bill Murray Garfield movies. I shudder thinking about those horrible eyes.

What's The Movie About?

Garfield and Odie involved in a heist of a dairy farm because of Garfield's dad and an insane Persian. Persian cat, not a person from Persia.

What I Like.

Dudes, what the fuck. This movie is actually really good. For starters, this movie is hilarious. Not every joke lands (and all the worst jokes are either awful cat puns or jokes where the punchline is "Modern gadgets sure exist, huh.") but there's a good 4/5 of comedy that is quick and hilarious. The only pauses in the comedy are for just for visual gags that look like they could've been pulled straight from the comic strip. There is a lot of background gags, admittedly some those awful puns, and the physical comedy is no slouch either. I was guffawing a whole lot more than I ever thought I would. And the movie has some really good emotional moment too. I really like Vic, Garfield's dad and his story was great. All the voice acting (with one notable exception) was great too. Animation is a bit simple, but it is perfect for a Garfield movie since it looks like the simple comic strips, just with more backgrounds and slight texture detail on character. The movie isn't afraid to make fun of itself as well, which I always appreciate, and it is perfect to establish not taking the world too seriously. Funnily enough though, the worldbuilding is much more consistent at following its rules that IF, the kids movie that came out the week before.

What I Didn't Like.

Act surprised when I say that my only issue with this movie is Chris Pratt. He's not horrendous in the movie, there are a couple line deliveries where I thought to myself, "That line kinda sounds close to what Garfield should sound like." But he does not blend with the character, unlike every other actor in the movie. I wasn't as initially dismissive of Chris Pratt as most others. I think he's a good voice actor actually, but here's the actual problem. Chris can only play 3 kinds of characters: the Goofball, the Everyman, and the Generic Action Hero. And Garfield is a Boor stereotype. He's supposed to be dry and sarcastic, uncaring because of either laziness or pride. They do give Garfield more goofy lines presumably in an attempt to make it work better. Didn't work. Funnily enough, the movie makes a bunch of jokes about Mission Impossible (I mean, Ving Rhames plays a mastermind) so I wonder if the film makers wanted Tom Cruise to be the lead. I could actually see that working pretty good.

Final Summation.

I feel undercut here. The Garfield Movie is good, but it's not so good that I'm super excited to tell you all about it. There's not really a lesson to learn in relation to this movie either. I guess I can end with this joke: I came out of the Garfield Movie higher than Furiosa. Not because it's a better movie, good lord no. But I had expectations about the quality of Furiosa that it met, while I had no expectations for Garfield and it vastly succeeded them.

So which is better, IF or this movie. Eh.... The problem here is that the Garfield Movie and IF are good for different reasons. IF was more imaginative (of course it was) and has a better message for kids, while Garfield is more structurally competent and would definitely be more entertaining for the parents. Honestly... If you can double feature them, go ahead. They are both less than 2 hours. Otherwise I'm leaning towards IF.

Anyway, chalk another notch up for a movie I thought was gonna suck actually being kinda awesome. This has lowkey been one of the best parts of this whole 'watch everything that comes out' experience. There's not going to be any reviews for a bit, since no new movies come out next week and I'm probably gonna be too busy to start watching Columbo again. Ciao!

[leonsliga]

Hi! How could you describe leon personality with the people he knows 🤍

Aww hi anon 💜 I think, like all of us, who Leon is depends on who he’s around. So what do you say we talk about some of the Bayern teammates he interacts with the most? I’ll also try to throw in a picture that summarizes his relationship with each one, like a mini picture book of sorts :)

Joshua Kimmich: Leon’s the order to Jo’s chaos, the quiet to his noise (when he hasn’t had his magic potion coffee, anyway). He’s protective with Jo while also giving him the space he needs to feel secure in himself and his role in the team. Leon seems to steady Jo, to ground him in a way no one else can. Their relationship is more than just Leon stabilizing the defense so Jo can surge forward and fuel the attack (or vice versa) though. It’s not reserved only for the midfield; their bond transcends the football world. It’s a partnership forged as much off the pitch as on it—one based in trust, tenderness, and mutual respect. After all, they’re business partners—We Kick Corona’s founding fathers. They even appeared on the German Who Wants to be a Millionaire? as a team. We may not know everything about their relationship, but the snapshots the cameras catch tell us a vivid story—a story of twin anchors taking turns grounding each other.

As is tradition, Leon Goretzka embraces his midfield partner, a gesture of recognition for the way in which they have helped each other thrive. In turn, Joshua Kimmich clings to him; the expectation that Leon will steady him through currents of passion remains unspoken.

Serge Gnabry: I’m almost 100% sure Leon and Serge love to annoy the shit out of each other, but at the end of the day, it’s all love, holding hands, piggyback rides, and strutting around Säbener like the royal couple they are. Serge didn’t call Leon his “kleinen Bruder” (little brother) for nothing after all ❤️ Leon has literally lifted him up before, but he isn’t afraid to knock him down a few pegs when necessary to keep him humble 😂

Leon Goretzka accompanies his best friend and brother, Serge Gnabry, on a stroll around Säbener Straße, Serge’s arm looped through his.

Leroy Sané: I feel like Leroy brings out Leon’s goofy side. They’ve probably known each other longer than Leon’s known anyone else on the Bayern squad, since they went to school together and played for their school’s football team. In other words, he’s not in as much of a “jaha” mood when Leroy’s around 🤣 That hardened shell Leon’s developed to handle the media attention cracks a bit, in the best possible way. That practiced seriousness melts away and leaves a genuine smile behind.

A passionate kiss on the cheek for Bayern’s number 10, the kind reserved for a relationship born in childhood and nurtured under the watchful eyes of millions.

Thomas Müller: I think Leon’s annoyed and amused by Thomas in equal measure. When I think of their interactions, the first thing that comes to mind is, of course, the classic Die Mannschaft video where Thomas says Holland instead of the Netherlands and Leon immediately snaps back with “Das ist auf gar keinen Fall richtig!” (“that is in no way right!”). I think Thomas wore Leon down in the end though, because Leon’s not afraid to tease him right back. If Thomas winds him up, he can expect that Leon won’t let that crime go unpunished!

Thomas Müller being his usual self and Leon looking off into the distance in amused disbelief.

Manuel Neuer: describing Leon’s relationship with Manu is a little bit trickier. Like Leon though, I like a challenge! I think Leon enjoys pushing his buttons a lot and tossing little jabs at him, trying to get him to crack. However, Manu’s not just any old Bayern teammate, he’s the captain, and as the overworked team mom, he’s used to dealing with the rambunctious, meddling kids that make up the Bayern squad. Whether Leon’s ever succeeded in winding him up is anyone’s guess, but what we do know is that the two are clearly close. After all, Leon’s addressed several of his selfies to him; not even Jo or Serge can say the same 😂

“Don’t hurt yourself, kid” Manuel Neuer writes to Leon Goretzka, one of the teammates under his charge as captain. If this exchange is any indication, it appears Leon’s attempts to grind the gears of his fearless leader have failed so far.

[horrendousmustard]

Happiness Day 💛

Headcanons for things that make Kaneki’s friends happy!

Hinami likes when Kaneki reads to her, so she decided that the rest of the group must also enjoy Kaneki’s reading and now the above picture happens regularly (I was just too lazy to try and incorporate another 4 characters into the drawing)

Banjou loves to see his friends smile or laugh! Sometimes he will do dumb things half on purpose to try and get a laugh out of the others. For about 2 months he kept trying to come up with the best joke that would one day make Kaneki laugh for the first time and eventually succeeded after slipping on a magazine and hearing Kaneki make his own stupid pun about it

Ichimi likes to play video games, especially arcade games (which he is exceptionally good at). Every time they leave the arcade, they end up with multiple extra plushies, 7 glow in the dark rubber pears and a drone

Jiro likes to think about bread! Sometimes she will buy some sourdough bread from the local bakery just to observe it. She also has several books about bread making, and yet has never baked a single loaf because she “can’t be bothered”. Hm.

Sante likes to make graffiti-style art with markers! He had a small online shop for prints in the past, however it got taken down after he drew a lot of questionable pictures of Goofy and Disney got mad at him

Kaneki loves his heated weighted blanket so so much. Banjou observed that he must feel Very Alone Sometimes, and remembered an acquaintance saying a blanket like that can feel like a hug. So he bought Kaneki a hug :) and it makes him sleep so much better :)))

Tsukiyama likes European architecture! He’s a huge fan of castles and whatnot, sometimes he’ll let out an “oh my” looking at the properties for sale that he isn’t allowed to buy. He’s also a fan of gardens and will rant about garden design if you ask or happen to be in a garden

Hetare likes biting people’s hair! He will try to steal your hair and fly away with it and he enjoys gathering it up in his cage to sit on. Currently he has a pile full of everyone’s hair in there and no one wants to try and take it out. Tsukiyama and Hetare are currently in a standoff about this

[ronyasha17]

Merry Christmas / Jigyu

Pairing: Mingyu x Jihoon

Fanfic for Christmas

Warnings: fluff; lovers; it is all fantasies and should not be taken seriously!

Jihoon's voice was so soothing that he barely paid attention to him and just looked at him with a silly grin on his face.

Jihoon noticed it as soon as he noticed that he had to explain more than once. It had been almost two hours, not counting the fact that they had to wait for the dough to be ready, and he was already starting to tense up. He had thought the hardest part would be making the biscuit, but it turned out that it was the decorating that was the hardest to explain.

It was mostly Mingyu who did the baking, but the older one decided to help since it was a special occasion.

And what could be better than doing something Mingyu had never done before.

The design consisted of two little biscuits representing them, with the detail that they both had to be something similar to each other.

But apparently Mingyu couldn't focus on two things at once. Either he was looking at Jihoon, or he was paying attention to that little decorating tutorial.

— Mingyu.

He shook his head slightly, noticing for the first time in several minutes that those beautiful eyes were looking at him.

— Could you please focus? — It felt more like an order that couldn't be disobeyed than anything else, so Mingyu flashed a smile and set himself the difficult task of focusing once and for all.

But surprisingly enough, it didn't last more than a minute. Jihoon didn't need to look at him to realize that he was grinning like a complete fool.

- You just have to do things carefully, because there's a chance of messing things up.

- If you move... a little... - He stopped his movements and stared at him for a few seconds.

He looked at his lips. Jihoon opened his lips to say something, but instead got a little nervous.

- Here, you do it.

Jihoon had the idea of making a red jumpsuit and writing something on it. Explaining what he had in mind wasn't easy, because Mingyu kept thinking that the older man wanted him to buy a jumpsuit in a very small size to wear on top, or knit it as another option.

- How are we going to eat them, you idiot? - He asked.

Mingyu tried to make one, trying to remember how he had taught him. Of course, the man didn't fail to hide what he was doing a few minutes ago to see if he was really paying attention.

He hadn't succeeded.

Not because he couldn't remember anything, but because his hands were shaking as he was about to finish.

Jihoon sighed and explained again just in case. His biscuit should have a wide smile, but Jihoon's was very light.

In the end, Mingyu's sweet sweater said "I love you, Jihoon" and Mingyu's bisque said "Me too, Mingyu" in white letters. It was Mingyu's idea because Jihoon just wanted to write "Jigyu" but he immediately decided it would be kind of boring.

— Did it have to be decorated like that? Soon they will say goodbye and rest in our bellies, — he said, folding his arms. But immediately started laughing with the other's infectious laughter.

- I love you so much, — Mingyu moved closer and wrapped his arms around his waist.

This didn't last long, because Jihoon couldn't stand the vulgar pose and literally ran away.

- Let's get to the cookies! - Was the first thing he said after breaking out of his embrace.

And of course, Mingyu didn't stay still and followed him, smiling his huge, goofy but beautiful smile.

I love you (from Mingyu)

Me too (from Jihoon)

From the translator:

A post with a visualization of the gingerbread men made for each other just below:

[zawazawanightmares]

Minnie Mouse & Nihrune

You, Minnie Mouse, are connected to Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.) Your partner doesn't mind all ages or 18+ roleplay

Minnie Mouse: Hi

Minnie Mouse: *!

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "Hello."

Minnie Mouse: How are you? You look like you're, uh, cold?

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "I'm alright, no need to worry about me, I'm an ice dragon, cold is how we like it. What about you, little mouse?"

Minnie Mouse: I'm fine, Mister Dragon! I've got my warm coat on!

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): The dragon nods. "Is a very nice coat, you and your family must be quite well off."

Minnie Mouse: "Ah, I live with my boyfriend, Mickey. We're middle-class but we go on a lot of adventures!"

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "Mickey? The famous mouse? Your adventures must be legendary. "

Minnie Mouse: "I suppose! We do get around!" Minnie giggled. "It's like something always happens wherever we go."

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): The dragon sits, then lays down so they are both at each other's head-height. "I'd love to hear about some of your exploits.'

Minnie Mouse: "Where do you want to start? Hmm...I think you would love the story about Mickey fighting the giant!"

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "That sounds like the perfect place to begin."

Minnie Mouse: "Well, during this time, Mickey was working as a tailor. And one day, he killed seven flies! But then people thought he was a giant slayer. So they sent him after the biggest giant in the land to collect his head..."

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "From flies to giants. There seem to be a few orders of magnitude missing between those, but, it appears he succeeded his quest regardless!"

Minnie Mouse: "Hmm...sort of. He made the giant trip by tying it up with thread and making it fall. Now his breath powers a windmill!"

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "Quite resourceful, your boyfriend is, I must say."

Minnie Mouse: "That's right! He was so brave, I covered him in kisses! It was one of the times I was serving as royalty...which happens a lot, actually."

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "You're a queen? I had no idea." Nihrune attempts a draconian bow

Minnie Mouse: "I was a princess then...but I'm a queen now! I rule over Disney Castle with Mickey when we fight the Heartless!"

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "Congratulations on your promotion! Ah, wait... that usually happens when the original king and queen- er, uh... also condolences? Condol...ulations? Sorry the was silly.'

Minnie Mouse: "It's fine! It was their time...plus, we have a whole world to ourselves now. It's so cool!"

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "An entire world? You and Mickey are quite lucky to have a world of such loyal subjects."

Minnie Mouse: "We are! From our Court Mage Donald to the leader of our Royal Guard, Goofy! We have the best subjects in the universe!"

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "I've heard of these heroes, it's hard to believe you know them all so personally. I'm almost jealous."

Minnie Mouse: "Oh, I'm luckier than most, I suppose! I'm glad to live in such interesting times!"

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "I hope this doesn't come off as rude, but, what do you do while Mickey and the others are off adventuring? Mickey is a multiverse-renowned hero, but, I rarely hear of you. I can't imagine Mickey would leave his girlfriend out of the glory without reason."

Minnie Mouse: "I mostly see to the kingdom, take care of the paperwork, keep up the magical barriers that keep the Heartless at bay...oh, and I play Mario Party with Daisy!"

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "Mario party? So in your universe that universe is a game, interesting. Wait, daisy? The princess from Mario?" Nihrune's head tilts curiously

Minnie Mouse: Minnie shook her head. "Daisy Duck! She's the kingdom's duchess."

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "Daisy Duck? Is she perhaps married to Donald?"

Minnie Mouse: "They're dating but he hasn't popped the question yet. It's starting to make her a bit annoyed..."

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "If he waits forever someone else might scoop her up." Nihrune sighs in disappointment at the absent heri.

Minnie Mouse: "That's what everyone tells him! But he's so gun-shy for some reason..."

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "I guess fighting monsters is easier than loving someone. .......I relate."

Minnie Mouse: "Do you have someone you like like that? Maybe someone not here?"

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "I... used to. Someone else scooped her up while I was busy trying to decide what I wanted."

Minnie Mouse: "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that...I know Mickey fought like a lion to keep me from Mortimer."

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "Mickey knows how to take care of those he cares for. You're a lucky mouse." Nihrune's scales turn a pale yellow, then fade back to blue. "Who is mortimer?"

Minnie Mouse: "Oh, this tall rapscallion who acts like he's entitled to everything he likes. He can be superficially charming though...but Mickey would always snap me out of it."

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): Nihrune lifts a brow, then laughs faintly. "He really wasn't about to let you go, was he?"

Minnie Mouse: "Mickey has already been crazy about me and I've been the same about him! It's been that way since the barnyard musicals...but not since the plane."

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "Barnyard musicals? Plane? This sounds like another interesting story."

Minnie Mouse: "They're really not. Just old short stories...but I value my time with Mickey in every way!"

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): Nihrune chuckles again and stands upright, looking down at the little mouse. "He's a lucky mouse to have you."

Minnie Mouse: "Thanks! I think I'm lucky to have him though."

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "Lucky to have each other, really."

Minnie Mouse: "That's what it feels like!" Minnie smiled warmly.

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): Nihrune's scales shift slightly from blue to white when Minnie smiles, her good mood quite infecrious.

Minnie Mouse: "I like you, Mister Dragon! You know all about me but I don't know your name! May I ask?" Minnie inquired.

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): "Oh how rude of me! I am Nihrune. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Minnie Mouse: "Pleased to make yours! I hope we can be friends for a long time, Nihrune."

Nihrune (Irritable, Ice Dragon, Color-shifting scales(Blue currently), Blue eyes.): Nihrune's mostly stoic face lifts slightly into a calm smile. "As do I, queen Minnie."

You left the chat

[signalsandsoundwaves]

Another! Mostly about Namine this time, also towards the end-ish of CoM/YABITDON.

[Part of scene, Sora POV]

Sora huffed. “Anyways, Maleficent and that Ansem jerk were manipulating Riku like crazy,” She went on, waving her hands, “They were telling him all kinds of lies, making him believe the craziest stuff—”

“What, um,” Namine cut in, looking more nervous than before, “Sorry to interrupt, but, uh, what does ‘manipulating’ mean, here?”

“Well, manipulating is a kind of lying,” Sora answered, “But it’s more than just lying, because when a person’s manipulating you, they’re often kinda telling the truth. But they’re telling the truth in such a way that makes you believe a total lie.”

“Yeah!” Donald added angrily, “Manipulating is just lying with extra steps! Anyone who does it is up to no good.”

“Namine? Are you okay?” Goofy asked.

She and Donald turned to see that Namine’s eyes had gone wide with her face even paler than usual, if that was possible, and that she was trembling.

“Namine, what’s wrong?” Sora asked, starting to reach out to her, until Namine jerked away.

“N-nothing, I—I’m fine—” Namine said suddenly, as if on reflex, before her mouth snapped shut with a flinch. Namine ducked her head and refused to meet their eyes, and turned to leave.

“Did I say something wrong?” Sora asked, but Namine only shook her head, still not looking at them, and still going towards the door. “Namine, wait!”

She started to go after her, but that only made Namine break into a run. And once she got to the door Namine nearly clawed at the handle, wrenching it open to reveal the blindingly white hallway beyond, before slamming it shut behind her.

---

[Following scene, Namine POV]

As soon as she was safely alone on the other side of the door, Namine was lost in her thoughts.

She looked down at her hands with rising panic. Those chains of memories she’d manipulated with reckless abandon—Sora’s memories. All just to make her Namine’s friend, against her will.

Namine thought back to Larxene’s lightning, Marluxia’s vines. And in her mind’s eye Namine saw how hopelessly intertwined her own chains had become with those of her ‘friends’. How they all came together to form a vast spiderweb, with Sora trapped in the center of it all.

She felt sick.

[note to self: She thinks to the things Sora + Co. said about what Ansem and Maleficent did to Riku, and what she’s doing to Repliku now. How Namine effectively made Repliku start harassing SDG in the same exact way as a result. And Namine realizes she’s no different from the bad guys.]

And Kairi.

Ansem had cast her from her home, her family, all the life she knew before. Kairi had come so far after losing everything and succeeded in making a new life for herself in the years since—even helping in the fight against Ansem to keep from losing everything again.

Only for it to be Namine who’d stolen Kairi’s whole life this time, instead.

Stupid. Weak. Useless.

Namine hid her face in her hands. Her old ‘friends’ may have been fake, but the truths they told certainly weren’t.

But…that was exactly what Sora and her friends were just warning her about, wasn’t it? Even the truth could become dangerous in the hands of the wrong people. Anything could become a weapon—including Namine. Especially Namine.

After all, what kind of a wretched power was it to manipulate memories? To manipulate people? Even Larxene’s and Marluxia’s powers had their uses; plants could become sustenance for the body or the Heart, with their beauty. Electricity was needed to power practically everything.

But what good was it to be able to steal the happiest days of a person’s life?

“What have I done?” She whimpered.

Namine didn’t look up at the sound of footsteps approaching, then. It was the last sound she wanted to hear right now. But she supposed she should’ve expected this.

Namine sighed. “I’m sorry, okay?” She said to the Kairi without moving, still curled in on herself, “Y-you were right about everything. What I did to them was horrific, they didn’t deserve that—they didn’t deserve any of this. I’m sorry. I’m sorry! P-please, just…just leave me alone.”

She flinched when it gently tugged at her wrists and pulled her up, but she didn’t resist. She knew what was to come, she was sure of it. Just as she was sure that this time she deserved it.

She was slow to raise her head, and worried that the Kairi’s now-painfully familiar face would be angry, or disappointed, or disdainful. Or anything at all.

But she wasn’t expecting its sad smile. Nor the weight in its eyes that told Namine in an instant that the Kairi’s sadness—Castle Oblivion’s sadness—wasn’t mere sympathy, but understanding. That the weight she could see was nothing compared to the true burden hidden within.

But that revelation didn’t make her any happier. Instead, she felt seen in the worst possible way. Like she was some stupid little insect that had been buzzing in everyone’s ears for so long, that had finally been caught and laid bare. Like a mosquito that had been sucking the life out of everyone around her, and was now being dissected for all the world to see and know exactly what she really was. She felt small. She felt miserable.

Namine choked back a sob.

The Kairi let go of her wrists to wrap its arms around her instead, and Namine hated that she leaned into its hug. That the feeling of its hand cradling the back of her head, holding her close, soothed something deep down inside a Heart she knew she didn’t have. She hated that she was now crying on its shoulder like some stupid gross little kid. Why was its shoulder warm? If it was as much of an illusion as her and her old friends, why wasn’t it so cold and painful like them?

Why was it different?

…Why was it warm like Sora?

Somehow that realization only made Namine cry harder, to the point where she could barely breathe. She gasped between sobs, her fingernails scraping at her palms, and she wished the Kairi would let go. She wished it would just hurt her already. Namine knew pain—she understood it. Pain was familiar. And familiarity of any kind was a comfort.

And besides, Namine knew how to recover after getting hurt or insulted, or worse. All she had to do was get back up and keep going. Sora said so.

But how was Namine supposed to recover from that warmth?

“It is a sorry truth that those who are hurt must then bear the burden of not passing their pain onto others,” The Kairi said finally, “And it is an even sorrier truth that the path to decency can be treacherous for them; hurt people hurt people. If the only love you’ve ever known was violence, or deceit, or avoidance…then those are the only ways you will know how to love others by.”

“But what does that mean?” Namine’s voice broke, “D-does that mean I’ll always be like my old friends? That I’ll—that I’ll never be—?”

That I’ll never be normal or warm, too?

“No,” The Kairi answered, and in that one word Namine could hear a pillar of steel under all that compassion. “You are more than your pain, Namine. You are alive, and your pain is but one symptom of that. To live is not just to hurt; It is to hurt, learn, and heal.”

[sora-fish]

Destined bit the side of his cheek and just focused on the lights. He knew that Noir (ISEKAI WILLIAM YAY) didn’t mean harm- and he saw how it affected him when he got close to coming back.. but- you know. It’s not like a bit deal. It’s fine! He’s fine.. he didn’t have to go to fauna. “Oh. Your Vyncent wanted to stay? That’s- that’s good.. I don’t know. I don’t want to stay but I don’t want Noir to- die-? I just.. if we go back, he’s dead. He’s supposed to be.. he’s supposed to be dead. I’m glad he’s not though—“ Destined muttered- the whole situation was.. upsetting at best. But he didn’t want to hurt Noir. No- no he couldn’t do that. Never. “That’s good-!!! I’m glad he’s was taken care of!!! I fought a villain before like that! It smelled really bad- it was- uogh.” Destined shivered, holding his tail close to himself again.

Destined SUCCEEDED!! YAYYY!!! Destined got a little happy at that fact and basically attached to Rabbits side completely. He was purring like a motorboat, just making a super loud fucking purring noise, YAY THEIR BOTH OK AND NOT TRAUMATIZED!!! The back and forth started again- almost instantly as he just was very happy. “Only a couple are still cool!! It sounds like he was a wizard!! That’s really cool!! I- I am a sorcerer- I think, I mean I only have cantrips, but I got magic from my dad!” He leaned forward, smiling as he looked at Rabbits goofy grin- it made him feel better!! “Me too!!! I didn’t really like the box at first- too- too small.. but- but yea! I’m glad you’re in the box!!” Destined looked up with wide eyes, almost cat like whimsy and wonder- his tail swung back and forth along with Rabbits- stimming a bit as he shook his hands. “Oh!!! Ok!! We can go there and find him!! I wanna meet them- and- and stuff!! I’m so excited- I’m- I’m so excited-“ he like breathed in and out quick- bro he’s so happy…. Ugh. He’s gonna puke trust.

Slides into your ask box, Hi sketch!!!

I wanna slowly hand you Isekai!Vyncent (still need a specific name for all these people 😭) to Rabbit Dakota cause Isekai Vynce is especially creature coded and I think it would be fun if we put them in a box…. YIPPE

HIIIII WELCOME TO THE RP CHAOS HEHEHE

Loooovvveeee putting Rabbit in a box, my favorite past time <3. And creature coded characters my beloved… U want feral Rabbit or regular Rabbit :D? (Feral Rabbit: SOOO jumpy and skittish and stuck in his instincts)

[talesofesther]

sweet and warm

Eddie Munson x Reader

Summary: You and Eddie are spending Christmas together, and he wants to steal a kiss from you.

Requested by multiple anons for my Christmas Special event.

A/N: Again, a lot of people requested this, so if you wanted prompt 13 with Eddie, this is for you. <3

Masterlist

"Darling I think your lasagna is ready."

You had just succeeded in finding a good radio station as your mother called. The old radio that had been in this house almost as long as you, started playing a classic Christmas song; the melody resonated through your house and created just the atmosphere you'd been after.

"I'll get it in a sec," you called back to your mother.

The living room was a sea of golden and red, with the knitted socks pinned to your fireplace and the blinking lights on your Christmas tree; all warm and cozy just the way it should be.

You wore a comfy white and red sweater, it had reindeer and pine trees on it, just about matching the one of a certain metalhead.

This was the first Christmas that Eddie was spending with your family and you couldn't be happier.

Turning around, you walked to your kitchen, but before you could fully cross the threshold two arms caught hold of your waist and pinned you in place.

You were already laughing as your back hit his chest, he planted the ghost of a kiss by the nape of your neck that got you shivering; "Eddie, come on..."

Eddie turned you around in his arms, he had a goofy grin on his lips as he looked down at you and held you close.

"If my lasagna burns..." You warned, winding your arms around his neck anyway.

"Burned food is not that bad, sweetheart," he pouted.

It got you raising an eyebrow at him, your fingers twirling and playing with one of his curls. The slow blinking of the Christmas lights reflected perfectly on Eddie's chocolate eyes, the golden glow making it easy to believe he held the universe by his fingertips; maybe for you, he did. His hair fell in gentle waves and stopped by his shoulders, tangling with the knitted sweater you made him wear — which was totally worth it because he looked adorable.

"Besides," Eddie clicked his tongue and glanced above you, "you kinda owe me something now."

You followed his eyes and looked up as well, only to see a small mistletoe haphazardly hanging from the archway.

Tracing his cheekbone with your thumb, you hummed, "I don't remember that being there."

"Oh, it was there, promise," Eddie told you with utmost confidence, furrowing his brows in a silly manner as his arms pulled you closer still.

You sighed, fighting a smile that wanted to form on your lips, "I mean, if it is tradition."

Eddie's eyes crinkled on the sides with his own smile just before he kissed you, all sweet and warm, his lower lip getting caught between yours and his hands tracing your back.

And you only broke apart after your mother called from the kitchen saying that your lasagna was starting to look a bit too dark on top.

⋆* ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

Thank you for reading this little story. Feedback and reblogs are very much appreciated. <3

Eddie’s taglist: @milkiane @bookfrog242 @alicefallsintotherabbithole @science--hoes @cherrypieyourface @tssf-imagines @astream-ofconsciousness @fentyreligion @fantasylovestoryme @justabeautiful-letdown @crazyrapunzel @yessica41 @dancing-hillary @bakugouswh0r3 @jakebasement @zervopoulouu @forverdaydreamer-blog @fromthedt @oeuryale @mcueveryday @witchbinchstories @call-me-magpie

@loveshineslikethesky @luvmybbies @tvserie-s-world @agirlsguidetolove @hallothankmas @sweetpeapod @forsaken-letters @hazydespair @fangirling-4-ever @electric-cabaret @ollyoxenfrees @twinkofmydreams @paola-carter @masterlistmanic @xceafh @andraimeide @esoltis280 @eddielives1986 @totallynotkaibiased @just-love-reading @murnsondock

[saotome-michi]

You ever lie awake at night and think about how intimate GinHiji is? Like yeah everyone and their grandmother already knows that they’re narrative foils and all that, but do you ever just. Stop. And think, “Wow, when Gintoki looks at Hijikata, he sees a version of himself that never lost?” 

Of course, Hijikata has lost things (his place with his brother, a home), but he hasn’t lost his general. He certainly hasn’t had to kill him with his own hands. 

And that parallel is made very obvious in the Farewell Shinsengumi arc, but once you read through the manga again, it’s clear that Gintoki has been at least somewhat aware of this parallel from the beginning, from their second meeting on the rooftop, when Hijikata challenged him to a duel because he disgraced Kondou, his general, his comrade in arms. “Anyone who disgraces the Shinsengumi... I’ll make mincemeat out of them!”  

Every subsequent interaction after that has just made the similarities more apparent, not only between themselves, but also between their respective groups: The Shinsengumi and the Shoka Sonjuku. The Shinsengumi and the Joui 4. The Shinsengumi and the Yorozuya. 

And the last one’s important, because it shows that Hijikata doesn’t only represent what Gintoki was, he represents what Gintoki is trying to be again. He is not only the past, but the present, a kindred spirit walking the same road, who he can draw strength from. That is why their roads cross time and time again, not only in the serious moments when the Shinsengumi is at jeopardy (and isn’t it interesting how only Gintoki is present during the Mitsuba and the Baragaki arcs?) but also during the ridiculous moments, the goofy moments, where they’re just wreaking havoc in Edo, making connections, living life. 

That’s why everything that happens to Gintoki ends up echoing around to Hijikata, and vice versa. 

It’s Gintoki and Katsura pointing their swords at Takasugi at the end of the Benizakura Arc, saying, “We will cut you down!” to Kondou punching Okita during the Mitsuba arc, saying, “If one of us goes astray, the other two will beat some sense into him,” to Gintoki in the Shogun Assasination Arc, punching Takasugi, reminding him that he’s still a student of the Shoka Sonjuku. 

It’s Kondou saying, “Why does he [Hijikata] always put the burden on himself? Always trying to play the bad guy,” to Takasugi saying, “We put the burden on you... You bore that sin,” to Gintoki telling Takasugi, “I don’t remember choosing you. All that happened was... I knew what he [Shouyou] held dear,” to Hijikata telling the rest of the Shinsengumi, “He told us to live... I don’t want you guys to die, that feeling is the same as Kondou-san’s.” 

It’s how Itou’s death in the Shinsengumi Crisis Arc foreshadows Takasugi’s death in the Final Arc: Both are comrades in arms who had gone astray, but although they’ve made their way back to the right path, they’re already at death’s door. Hijikata kills Itou in a duel to allow him die as an honorable warrior instead of as a traitor. Gintoki kills Takasugi in a duel in a way that allows him to die as a student of Shoka Sonjuku who succeeded in avenging Shouyou instead of as a vessel carrying Utsuro's being.

It’s Itou telling Hijikata, as he grabs his hand to save him from falling to his death, “I hate you and one day I’ll kill you, so don’t die here,” to Takasugi telling Gintoki and Katsura as he saves them from falling to their deaths, “We may hate each other and try to kill each other, but still they’re bonds we can’t sever.” 

It’s Gintoki helping Hijikata time and time again, reminding him who he is, delivering him things (spicy crackers for Mitsuba, a letter from Tetsu, a punch for Kondou), helping him get to where he needs to be... and Hijikata trying to return the favor as much as he can, running to Hagi to find him, delivering his bokuto in battle, kicking his ass over the gap so that he can make it to Shouyou, Shinpachi, and Kagura. 

It’s Hijikata telling Gintoki, after finding out he’s Shiroyasha, “There’s something that only we can do. We can stop people from making the same mistakes we did.”