#I’m so mad guh

[bugster-o7]

Got a bad haircut 🫠😓🥶😭

[0vergrowngraveyard]

"Even though Sonic lives by his own rules, his destiny is often shaped by the two constant figures in his life: his best friend, Tails, and his dastardly nemesis, Dr. Eggman." - info.sonicretro.org/images/6/6f/Sonic06_Prima_digital_guide.pdf#page=6

im not normal…the brubbersssss

[ctubbolvr]

i’ll say this till the day i die but we were so robbed. i hated the cbeeduo ending sm. LIKE WHAT. CTUBBO DIES? CRANBOO IS BACK BUT IN THE NETHER W MICHAEL? R U JOKING? LET THEM BE HAPPY OH MY GOD. ARE THEY ALLERGIC TO LETTING THEM BE HAPPY FOR ONCE. ESP AFTER THE BURGER ARC. after everything they’ve been thru (ESPECIALLY CTUBBO.) they deserve some peace. some CLOSURE. some kind of happy ending. BUT NO!!!!! we were ROBBED!!!

[mooooonnnzz]

okay,,,, hear me out,,,, how being ford's and stan's younger sibling and maybe like- remember when ford asked stanley to take the book and sail away? maybe what if ford asked reader to do that instead? and what if instead of ford being pushed into the portal it was reader? idk man i justn want some sibling angst >:]

World/Insured

Stanford Pines x Sibling!Reader/Stanley Pines x Sibling!Reader

᧔o᧓ i told myself it was gonna be a short lil fic

᧔o᧓ its 3k words guh

᧔o᧓ i had a lil too much fun writing this

᧔o᧓ if i made a taglist, would anyone be interested in being in it? if so, dm me or comment :p

᧔o᧓ angst!!

᧔o᧓ gnreader!

᧔o᧓ thats really all, enjoy!

᧔o᧓ request r open!!

𝜗℘ “[Name]! There’s some mail, can you be a doll and get it for me?” Stan shouts from the living room, a loud cheer following right after. His favorite football team of his was currently playing out of state and by the obnoxiously loud whistling and joyful cries, they seem to be doing good. Moodily stomping your foot on the ground, you yell; “Why don’t you get you slob!” while furiously scrubbing the dirty dishes clean. “But it’s sooo farr.” He whines. You could perfectly imagine his hand lazily reaching towards the door, exaggerated groans leaving his lips. Letting out an annoyed groan, you drop the plate down in the sink and shut off the sink. Walking out of the kitchen and into the living room, you point an angry finger at him. “You’re washing the dishes since you’re being a lazy bum right now.” You walk away, ignoring his protests against washing the dishes. Opening the door, you pop your head out and see a single postcard placed on the floor matt. You picked it up, curious about the unfamiliar postcard. “Gravity Falls?” You read out, closing the door with your foot. You’ve never heard of a place called that before? Flipping it on its back, in bold big letters read ‘Please come! - Ford’ Your heart catches in your throat. You had to reread the message again to make sure you weren’t imagining things.

𝜗℘ “Stan!” You need to show Stan this. He’d be the one to make sense of this all. Maybe you were imagining things, so delirious on the sadness of your distant brother your brain chose to cheer itself up by hallucinating postcards by Ford. That sounds plausible, right? “What’s up? Did you change your mind?” You don’t bother responding and shoved the postcard in his face. His face scrunches in confusion as he plucks the postcard from your hand. “Gravity Falls?” The same lost expression was pulled on his face. “Now, flip it on its back!” You said, tapping the card eagerly. Stan clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, slapping your hand away. “I will! If you’d let me.” He grumbled, turning it around. He reads the text, his eyes slowly widening. “FORD?!” He screams, abruptly standing up from the sofa. “He wants to talk to us now?” He glares at the postcard, anger swirling in his body. “What could he possibly want!”

𝜗℘ “I dunno but it sounds urgent.” You said, uncertainty in your tone. “You’re seriously considering seeing him?” He throws the postcard on the coffee table in front of him. “Is this something you really want to do?” Stan asks you, crossing his arms over his chest. He’s eyeing you carefully as if you have no idea what you’re talking about. “Yes, Stan! This is our brother. We need to go see him.” Stan pinched his nose, grumbling under his breath. “Fine,” He rolls his shoulders. “If we want to leave now, we better start packing.”

𝜗℘ While packing you wondered what Ford would have wanted. Did he want to reunite? Is this a sort of wedding invitation? Has he gone mad? So many scenarios filled your head and yet none of them felt right. Stuffing your clothes in your bag, you zip it close. “I’m done packing!” You announce, walking down the stairs. “Hurry, Stan! Or I’m going to leave without you!”

𝜗℘ “You better not!” Stan came rushing down the stairs, a bag strung across his body. “You ready?” You ask him, turning off the lights in the hallway. “I guess,” Stan shrugs, twisting the knob to the door, pulling it open. “After you.” He bows down to the floor. You kneed his shoulder, rolling your eyes. “You look ridiculous, get up.” You laugh.

𝜗℘ The car ride over to Gravity Falls was full of bostrious conversation from you and Stan. “Do you think he has a beard now?” Stan gasps, a grin pulling to his face at the thought of Ford with a beard. “Or a buzz?” You add, moving your head to the beats of the song that faintly played on the radio. “Nah, he would never.” Stan shakes his head. “The chances are never zero!”

𝜗℘ Checking the weather for probable storms was something you should’ve done beforehand. Stan was the first to notice how much snow had been falling and how roughly the wind slammed against the car. Thinking nothing of it, you continued onwards, telling Stan that he was probably making a big deal. He wasn’t. Nearing Gravity Falls, a snowstorm plowed through the small town and unknown to you and Stan, you got caught in it. That led you to pull over onto the side of the road that was practically just a white forest wonderland. “And who’s fault is this?” Stan asked sarcastically, motioning towards the car that was stuck in the snow. Fortunately for you and Stan, you were right where you needed to be. “Whatever, we’re close anyway.” You scowl, treading through the thick snow. “I think I might get blown away!” Stan’s loud voice pierced through the loud wind. “Stop being so dramatic!” You latched your hands around Stan’s wrist. “Oh, you’re so sweet.” Stan said, covering his face from the snow with his forearm. “Sure,”

𝜗℘ Approaching the shack, you knock on the door. “Ten bucks he doesn’t—“ The door whips open and a crossbow gets shoved to your face. “Woah, woah!” Stan swiftly stood in front of you, his body shielding you. “Who are you? Have you come to steal my eyes!”

𝜗℘ “Well, I can always count on you for a warm welcome.” Stan said, unbothered with Ford’s unusual greeting. Standing on your toes, you peered your head over Stan’s shoulder. You warmly smiled at Ford. He saw you and Stan, his eyes softened and his shoulders untensed. And for a split moment, Ford had a comforting feeling settle on him. He thought everything was going to be alright, but a slight shadow moving behind the trees triggered his paranoia back tenfold.

𝜗℘ “Guys! Did anyone follow you at all?” He looks warily side to side. “Eh, hello to you too, pal.” Said Stan, annoyance evident on his face. With one final look outside, Ford grabs you and Stan by the collar and pulls you in the shack. He shines a flashlight in Stan’s eyes then yours. “Why did you do that?” You pushed Ford away from you. “Sorry, I just had to make sure you weren't... uh, it's nothing. Come in, come in.” He urges you in, darting away further into the house. You closed the door and surveyed his house. Skeletons of certain animals were hung around, various books were stacked on top of each other and thrown around the house, and loads of crumpled up balls were scattered across the hallway. “What a mess this is.” You whisper to Stan who chuckles softly. “I’m telling him you said that.” Stan cheekily smiled. Removing his hand from his jacket pockets, he held his hand palm up in front of you. “You owe me ten bucks from earlier.” You sighed, grabbing your wallet out of your pocket and grabbing a crisp ten dollar bill. “Thank you!” He grabs it, sniffs it and shoves it in his pocket. “You’re weird.”

𝜗℘ “Uh, you’re gonna explain what’s going on here?” Stan asks, as you walk into another room, your mouth going slack in shock at how messy the room is. “You’re acting like mom on her tenth cup of coffee!” An amused puff of air left your nostrils. “He’s acting way worse than her.” You say, your eyes locking on a large animal skull that laid on top of an empty tank. “Don’t touch that!” He already knew that look in your eyes, a look where it told everyone who knew you that you were going to touch whatever caught your attention. “Thought I could get away with that.” You mumbled.

𝜗℘ Ford fills his arms with stacks of paper and a thick journal with the number one drawn on it. “Listen, there isn’t much time.” Ford starts, looking back to see if he missed any papers. “I’ve made huge mistakes and I don’t know who I could trust anymore.” He glances over to the skeleton who was positioned to where it's empty eye sockets stared directly at Ford’s side. Uncomfortable with the skeleton, he turns the head around. Stan’s immediately off put with how Ford’s talking. “Hey, uh, easy there. Let’s talk this through, okay?” He says, placing a hand on Ford’s shoulder. A glimpse of conflict flickers on Ford’s face. “I have something to show you two. Something you won’t believe.” Stan claims he’d understand, you heavily doubted that, this is Ford we’re talking about. Whatever he has to show, it is nothing within the lines of normal.

𝜗℘ He instructs you to follow him down to his lab. “Is this what you’ve been doing for 10 years?” You pondered out loud, your eyes taking in every machine that covered the place. What you weren’t expecting was the big triangular portal that stood in front of you and Stan. “Do you understand any of this?” You harmlessly jested. Stan dumbly stared at the portal in front of him. “Nope!”

𝜗℘ Taking steps towards the machine, Ford began to explain why such a thing was built and why it should never be turned on. He opened the side of his trench coat, his hand grabbing the book that was tucked in a pocket. “There’s only one journal left.” The journal was in front of you. “This is why I’m entrusting [Name] to hold onto the book.” You grabbed the book and you instantly felt queasy. “I have something to ask of you both,” His hands lay on you and Stan’s shoulders. “Remember our plans to sail around the world on a boat?” Your eyes glimmer with excitement. Was this the moment you and Stan have been waiting for? Are the Pines finally reuniting once and for all? “Take this book, get on a boat and sail away as far as ya can! To the edges of the earth!” He emphasizes this with a raise of his hands. “Bury it where no one can find it!”

𝜗℘ “You want us to get away from you?” You restated, voice slightly clipped with anger. “We just got here, Ford! And now you’re saying to get away from you?” You repeated, hoping your words held some kind of weight that would’ve shattered the ridiculous idea Ford had conjuring in his mind. “[Name], you don’t understand what I’m up against!” Ford says. “What I’ve been through!”

𝜗℘ Stan must’ve took what Ford said personally with how he was huffing out through his nose. “No, no!” Stan points at Ford. “I’ve been ban from three different countries! [Name] was outcasted by Dad because he didn’t bother taking care of them after you left! You think you’ve got problems? Me and [Name] have been struggling to stay afloat, Stanford.” He directs a finger to Ford’s chest. “Meanwhile, where have you been? Living it up in your fancy house in the woods! Selfishly hoarding your college money, because you only care about yourself!”

𝜗℘ “I’m selfish? I’m selfish, Stanley?” His eyebrows furrow inwards. Ford opened his mouth, ready to blow a few holes into Stan when you interjected. “I did not come here to hear you guys fight!” You stood in front of Ford, shoving his book in his hands. “Ford, I love you so much but we did not come all the way here just to do your dirty work.” Ford jerked his head back in disbelief. “My dirty work? Really?” He chuckles dryly. “And to think I could trust you with something valuable like this!”

𝜗℘ “Forget it,” Ford looks down at his book. “Forget all of this.” He waves his arm around his surroundings. “Why did I bother to ask you guys to come here? It’s pointless, everything is!” Ford babbles to himself, his hand that wasn’t holding the books was deeply entangled in his hair. You grew concerned over your brother, taking a step toward him, you reached a hand out. “Ford, are you o—“ A hand slams straight into your chest, pushing you back and stumbling over your feet. Stan grabs a hold of you, steadying you before yanking the book away from Ford. “You want to get rid of this book?” With his other hand, he digs it in his pocket. “Fine, I’ll do it then!” He pulls out a lighter. Flicking the lighter on, he holds the fire below the book. “My research!” Ford tackles Stan to the ground, the book flying out of Stan’s hold. You hurriedly rush over to where the book is and grab it. Ford removes himself off Stan and steadily approaches you like a wild animal. “Give me the book back, [Name].” He swipes his hand towards you, but you quickly back away into his lab.

𝜗℘ “Don’t let him get the book, [Name]!” Stan groans out, standing back up from the floor. “No!” Ford snarls. “Don’t listen to him, listen to me!” Ford took two steps forward while you took two steps back. “I’m sorry, Ford!” The back of your shoe slams against metal. Whipping your head behind you, you see yourself backed into a control panel of some sort. “Why must you do this to me? To your own brother!” His voice cracks with each word. “Whatever you’re doing here is slowly killing you, Ford. This isn’t right.” You shake the book in your hand. Whatever that’s in this journal must have something to do with Ford’s declining sanity. “Your brain can’t comprehend the sheer amount of important information that is in that book! You can’t destroy it!” Ford lunges towards you but you were faster than his fatigued body, you duck below and roll out of the way. His fingers brush against some controls, powering on the portal.

𝜗℘ Running back to where the portal stood, you threw the journal to Stan. “Catch!” You yell. Stan perfectly catches the book. “What do we do with it?” He questions, his eyes speedily darting to the book and Ford who was running up to him. “Destroy it!” You watch Stan stepsids Ford. “No!” Ford desperately yells out. Stan ran back into the lab but was pulled down by Ford delivering a well calculated kick to his ankle. “Give me back my book!” Ford cried out, kicking Stan to the back of the control panel. A guttural howl of agony left Stan, his hand flying to his back. He fell forward and you could see the upper right shoulder of his jacket was burnt off, a sizzling marking was blistering on his skin. “Stanley, oh my gosh! I’m so sorry, are you alr—“ Stan punches Ford in the face, causing him to stumble back into the lever, fully activating the portal. “Some brother you turned out to be!” Stan threw his book to the floor. Ford raised himself to his feet and was about to run to the book when you grabbed the back of his shoulder.

𝜗℘ “Stanford, do you really care more about stupid mysteries than your own family?” You spoke quietly, your sorrowful eyes locking with Ford’s erratic ones. “I—“ He gulps, his eyes shooting to the discarded book on the floor. “Don’t reach for the book, Stanford, please,” You beg, your voice shaky. “I can’t watch you guys fight anymore.” A look of sadness covers his face as he pushes you back, your feet overstepping the yellow and black caution tape. “I can’t let you take this away from me too!” Ford snatches the book from the ground, a relief sigh leaving him. The book was finally—

𝜗℘ “[Name]!” Stan screeched. “Stanford, what did you do!” He screamed, his hands grabbing his shoulder, fingers digging into Ford’s skin. Ford turns over to see you being pulled in by the portal. “[Name]!” Ford runs to you and he attempts to grab you, but you’re too far up. “Stan, Ford!” You call for them, your hand reaching to them. Stan fruitlessly tried snagging a finger, your sleeve, absolutely anything! But nothing. “What’s happening?!” You cry out in fear, seeing half of your body disappear within the portal. “Stanford, fucking do something!” Stan shoves Ford back. “I-I don’t know what to do!” He stammers. Stan grips the lever and with all his strength, pulls back, trying to switch it off but it wouldn’t budge. “Stanle—“ Your voice gets lost to the whirling wind of the portal and with a quick blink, you were sucked in, lost to time and space. The portal blasted Ford and Stan back.

𝜗℘ Stan groggily gets up, clutching his head in his hands. “Y-You!” Stan stumbles over his words, ears ringing loudly. “If it wasn’t for your obsession with this book, [N-Name] would’ve still been here!” His eyes water with tears. “Stanley, I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for this to happen!” Ford glanced at the portal, it was still intact, there was some hope! “We can power the portal on!” Ford scrambles to his feet and runs over to the portal. “It’s not going to work, Stanford.” Stan says, clenching his teeth so tightly he would’ve chipped a tooth. Stan watches with blurry eyes as Ford pathetically puts all his nonexistent strength into pulling the lever. “Stanley, help me!” He pitifully pleads. “It’s not going to work!” Stan yells. “All you do is bring bad luck wherever you go! You-You don’t do—“ His voice dies in his throat, a shuddered sob leaving in its stead. “Forget it, Stanford.” If you were here, you knew you wouldn’t want them to fight anymore. He held back his words in favor of you. “Stanley, we can fix this! We just need to find the other books.”

𝜗℘ As Ford shouted out different ways they could boot the portal back up, Stan left the lab and stared at the bag you left near the door. Grabbing it, he pulled it to his chest and sobbed onto it. You were gone and he wasn’t sure he was going to get you back.

Part 2

[stevesjockstrap]

Alone on Thanksgiving? Mad at your dad?

Based on this post

Or, Steve invites Craigslist!Eddie to Thanksgiving as his fake boyfriend for entertainment and drama purposes

Rated: T? Always with the swearing idk | read on ao3

ETA a/n: shout out to @rocknrollsalad for a direct quote in here and putting up with me and @machtaholic for encouraging this 🖤

“Are you serious?”

Steve sighed. “Yes, Robbie. You know how much my parents have been on me since they’re losing what little power they have left. This is going to be awesome.”

She was pacing around their living room, making him anxious. “But why are you going to take this stranger from Craigslist? Why can’t you find someone you know? Argyle would do it. What if this guy doesn’t show, or he comes and steals something?”

“If he doesn’t show I’m in the same boat anyhow, but hey, there’s a thought. You think I can pay him more to steal something from my parents? I’d love to see that.”

“Steve!” She rounded on him, eyes wide. “You’re paying him? You didn’t tell me that!”

“For fuck’s sake, Rob. He didn’t ask for money, the post actually said he would do it just for food. But the guy’s driving half an hour and I’m willing to bet my family is worse than he’s expecting. Sit down, you’re making me dizzy. Read this and tell me this isn’t exactly what I need.” He scrolled on his phone and handed it to her.

Her shoulders relaxed as she read on, laughing finally, “You’re not going to make him propose or fight your dad on the front lawn, right?”

“Maybe for Christmas,” he smirked.

His parent’s house was always so cold and empty. It was his childhood home but he had never really felt any attachment to it. His apartment with Robin was small and cluttered but cozy, and full of memories of them and their friends. They had done a Friendsgiving the previous weekend that had been a dangerously good time. (The smoke detector had only gone off three times, a new record.)

Running his hand through his hair again, he looked at the clock. Would Eddie show? He checked his phone again, knowing there were no missed texts because he had just looked thirty seconds ago. Why was he more nervous about meeting him than introducing him to his family? They’d had one phone call and some texts, mostly arranging the time and place and Steve already apologizing for his family.

Eddie had laughed, “It’s okay, Steve. Trust me, I’ve dealt with worse.”

He went to the bathroom, just to kill time.

And of course the doorbell rang.

He quickly washed and dried his hands, sparing a second to pull his hair into a less raked-through mess.

Quickening his pace when he saw his mom still holding the door open, not allowing whoever was on the stoop in, he craned his neck to see out the door.

Oh fuck.

“If you’d just go get him, ma’am, we could clear this all up,” Eddie was saying. The words were polite but there was an edge to them, just the tinge of a sneer on his lips. It was perfect.

“He’s mine,” he heard himself say. His mom whipped around, eyes crazed and mouth open. “Uh- I mean,” his eyes returned to Eddie standing on his doorstep. Taking in the long thick wavy hair, big brown eyes, his lips pulled into a toothy grin now. He’d clearly attempted to dress up, grey slacks and a black button down, paired with heavy combat boots. The sleeves were rolled up to reveal tattoos up his forearms and the backs of his hands. There were more tattoos on his neck, and Steve’s eyes glued themselves to the ring through his lip. Guh. “He’s, uh, here for me.”

“Hi Steve,” he watched the lips form. “Was just meeting your lovely mother.” Again there was nothing wrong with the words themselves, nothing anyone could pinpoint or take offense to. But that slithery way he said it with a razor sharp sting, Steve was impressed. He was clearly an expert at this.

Steve tried to school his own expression and voice. “My apologies. Mom, this is Eddie, my boyfriend.”

There was a long silence where he thought his mom was going to combust. She opened and closed her mouth several times, her eyebrows furrowed. He’d never seen her speechless before.

Eddie sent him a smirk and he almost matched it but his mom looked at him finally and stammered, “Y-your, ah, I’m sorry.” She closed her eyes and pulled in a steadying breath. When she opened them she asked, “He’s your boyfriend?”

“Yes ma’am,” Eddie answered from almost behind her now as she turned to question Steve.

“And why is it you didn’t tell us he was coming? Why is he ringing the doorbell like a stranger?”

“I, um, well I did think he’d text when he got here or something…” Steve started, meeting Eddie’s eyes over her shoulder.

“What, and miss out on this warm welcome?” Eddie winked at him but quickly settled his face when his mom turned to him. Doing the exact thing he’d hoped for, Mrs. Harrington remembering she’s leaving a guest out on her doorstep.

Steve delighted in the fact that this was going to be a chess match and his mother was already several moves behind.

Her eyes narrowed and she held a hand out to welcome Eddie in, walking them all into the foyer. “Well, don’t let me stop you, go ahead and greet your boyfriend, Steven.”

It was a challenge, he knew, but they hadn’t discussed this. Eddie was on the ball, however. He continued his momentum to slide a hand under Steve’s suit jacket to settle on his ribs and the other he brought up to cup his face, leaning in and angling their heads together. Steve tried to relax and closed his eyes. Eddie pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth, but from where his mom was standing she wouldn’t be able to tell.

“Hey, baby. Missed you,” he breathed when he pulled away. Steve was halfway to believing this himself.

“Yeah,” he sighed stupidly.

Eddie pulled his hands away and he almost reached back for them before stopping himself with a shake. He found he’d only gone a foot away when he opened his eyes though. Oh he was in trouble.

His mother cleared her throat from behind Eddie like she hadn’t put them up to this. Steve reached out for his hand and held onto it.

“Okay so I’m going to go introduce him to everyone else,” he said quickly and walked further into the house. Holding his hand.

They made their way through the dining room, Steve taking more and more pleasure with each stilted interaction Eddie weaved through with his family members.

His dad was propped in the living room with his uncle and Steve could feel his eyes on him as they made their way around. He knew his mother had ran to tell him all about it but he wouldn’t take being ignored well. It was making his skin crawl but he knew it would further piss off his dad so he kept it up.

After everyone else had been formally introduced to Eddie and Steve had gulped half a glass of wine, he felt almost ready to go deal with him. He took Eddie’s hand again and turned, but navigated them to the sliding glass door and outside instead.

It was chilly, late November in Indiana, but it felt amazing after the stuffiness of the house.

Steve remembered he still had Eddie’s hand in his and he quickly dropped it. “Uh, you smoke?”

Eddie grinned, all teeth and tongue as he held a battered pack of Newports out to him. “Not usually, really, but it makes for a good prop. Sorry they’re shit.”

“Holy shit. You’re amazing. I mean- perfect, I mean- fuck.” Steve laughed and shook his head. “The on-the-spot fact checking of my aunt’s political shit was next level. You could do this year round and make a killing, man.” He did pull a cigarette out of the pack and Eddie leaned into him, clicking the lighter for him, meeting his eyes as Steve sucked in.

“I don’t-“

The door slid open behind them and Mr. Harrington walked out.

“Looks like you and your date are avoiding me, Steven,” he said. Steve watched as he gave Eddie a very slow up and down look.

“No, dad. Just needed a break. It’s warm in there.” He made his face remain neutral. It’s not like anyone was cooking anything, his mom always got their big family meals catered.

His dad narrowed his eyes at him as he held eye contact, taking a drag from his bummed cigarette.

“Where is Robin today?”

He sighed. “With her family, dad. And for the last time, I’m not dating Robin. She’s a lesbian. This is Eddie, by the way. My date? He’s my boyfriend.”

When Steve had tried to come out as bisexual to his parents, his dad especially had made it clear that he did not accept that about his only child. As the years went on and he hadn’t spoken much about this part of his life, it seemed his dad had hoped it just went away.

Mr. Harrington scoffed, “I don’t understand why you want to throw your life away, Steven. I thought we’d raised you better-“ Eddie made a noise next to him and Steve knew he couldn’t look at him or he’d burst out laughing.

“Save it, dad. Believe it or not I love my life. Which is something I’d never thought I would be able to say. Can you even say that?”

His dad shook his head disappointedly and walked back inside.

“Excellent job. I don’t think you need me here after all,” Eddie joked.

Steve propped himself against the wall of the house, deeply tired from having to defend his choices to his dad for the umpteenth time.

“Maybe not need. But it’s been really fun having you here. Usually dinner conversation is about how big of a disappointment I am. Oh, I guess I didn’t give you that backstory. I’m graduating with my masters in psychology in the spring, and I’ve been early accepted into a PhD program. And there’s no money in helping people,” he chuckled. “So.” He scuffed out the butt with his heel and left it on his dad’s pristine patio.

“Steve. That’s amazing! Congratulations.” Eddie seemed genuinely excited for him and it brought a small smile to his face. “You look like you could really use a hug, man. Can I hug you?”

“Of course.” If he let himself hold on for a few seconds longer than strictly necessary, Eddie allowed it.

Dinner was quiet. His uncle asked Eddie what he did for work and he enthusiastically explained he was a line cook and worked nights at a bar. Steve surreptitiously looked around to take in everyone’s expressions and quickly covered his mouth with his napkin. He actually enjoyed himself during a holiday dinner for the first time he could remember.

Eddie at one point threw an arm around the back of his chair and he leaned in a bit into him, catching the disapproving stares they got from the corner of his eye.

Pie was passed around and by then Steve had had another glass of wine or two. He reached over to thumb the whipped cream from the side of Eddie’s lip without thinking, before popping the thumb into his own mouth. Eddie’s eyes widened and it was on the tip of his tongue to apologize but he caught himself.

“Thanks, babe,” Eddie said with a chuckle.

After saying their awkward goodbyes to everyone, Steve walked Eddie to his van. He looked down at his feet, fiddling with his keys.

“Hey, um, this may be out of left field and let me know if it’s too much, okay?” Eddie waited for Steve to nod. “Do you want to come to my uncle’s with me tomorrow night? It’s just the two of us and he always volunteers to work the holiday. But we do a thing, you know. A-and he’s always bugging me to bring someone.”

Steve blinked. “Would it have to be a fake date? I’m not as skilled at that as you are.”

“No, I mean, it wouldn’t- god I suck. I’m actually asking, like for real. If that’s okay? Just be you. And I’ll just be me.”

“That’s very okay. I’d really like that.” He couldn’t hold back his smile. Taking the chance, he leaned in, Eddie meeting him in the middle to finally press their lips together.

[maddogofshimano]

A Tiny Man Among Men: Kiryu Boss Rush

oh boy this one was a real hoot. we got two new cards with it that I want to show off because they’re so fun

look at them!! that’s the fish he caught in the opening of Y3!!!!!

summary: Shortly after moving to Okinawa, Kiryu faces down with his most cunning foe yet--a crayfish.

2007 Not long after Kiryu came to Okinawa... Kiryu was invited by a local resident named Uchima to help with a river clean-up event (tl note: name is 内間)

Kiryu: Uchima-san... Is this the river we're supposed to be cleaning up?

Uchima: Sure is. Filthy, right? It's usually beautiful, but inconsiderate people keep throwing garbage into it. Uchima: It's particularly bad right now... I clean trash out of it every month, but before I know it there's more trash than ever. Kiryu: ...That's awful. Uchima: I think up stream's a bit prettier, so how about you handle that since it's your first time. Kiryu: No, I'm fine right here. You should do the up stream. Uchima: ...Eh? A-Are you sure? I'll take you up on that kind offer, I've been having some awful back pain. Kiryu: Sure. I'll do it. Uchima: Well then, I'll get going, and if you need anything just let me know. Uchima: ...Oh, right. Kiryu-san, please watch out for the animals. Kiryu: ? Watch out for... animals? Uchima: During clean-ups, I've had crows and rats and other such animals knock over the trash and cause all sorts of issues. Uchima: Since these are the elite survivors of all the extermination activities done in this area, a lot of them are strangely intelligent. Uchima: This one time a weasel snuck into our house, got into our fridge, and stole all of our food--and mice have been pooping on the mouse traps, almost like they were making fun of us humans... Kiryu: ...Heh, so it's that kind of situation. I got it. I'll be careful. Uchima: Great, see ya then. <he leaves> Kiryu: ...Alright, let's get to it.

<sounds of Kiryu splashing around in the river> Kiryu: ...Whew. Plastic bottles in a convenience store garbage bag... how can someone just dump this in a river...

Kiryu: Seriously... Who the hell would... <a blade-like sound happens> Kiryu: ...Guh!? What the!? American Crayfish: ................. (tl note: also known as the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. I'm shortening it just to crayfish from here on)

Kiryu: A crayfish!? ...It was in the trash's crevice!? <another slicing sound, Kiryu steps to the side> Kiryu: Kh... You're quick on your feet... Crayfish: ..... Kiryu: It's back on top of that garbage again. Kiryu: ...I just want to clean up that trash. I don't mean you any harm... so let's just be adults here...

Crayfish: ....! <some kind of hissing sound?> Kiryu: ...No good. If I reach towards it any further, it will definitely catch me. On the other hand, I can't just leave this garbage here. Kiryu: What can I even do here? <a long moment passes in silence> Kiryu: I've got it. There was some dried squid in the trash I just picked up. I'll use it as bait to draw the crayfish away from here. Kiryu: ........Loook, is this some dried squid? Isn't that tasty? Wouldn't it be nice to eat~?

Crayfish: ............. Kiryu: C'mere, c'mereeee, won't you~? If you won't eat it, maybe I should~? Crayfish: ............. Kiryu: ...No reaction at all. Maybe it's not hungry? (tl note: he's so mad that his plan didn't work)

Kiryu: (If that isn't going to work... Then there's gotta be something else that will guy this guy to move.) Crayfish: ...Shaaa! <more hissing, and it smacks into Kiryu before bouncing back> Kiryu: !?

Crayfish: Munch... munch... Kiryu: I-It... took advantage of my momentary lapse in concentration... It took the squid!? Kiryu: Uchima-san said "there are smart animals around here"... don't tell me... this guy's one of them!!?? (tl note: Kiryu. you may be stupid) Crayfish: Shaaaa! Kiryu: ....Excellent. If a battle of wits is what you want, I'll show you what human intelligence is like...! 

<Kiryu ducks down> Kiryu: (...Good, this rock is exactly what I need. Now... Just gotta throw it behind it...) <the rock goes sailing with a comical whistle and a tiny splash> Crayfish: .....! Kiryu: (...Great. Now I can catch it when it's distracted and has its back turned...) Crayfish: .............. Kiryu: ............... Crayfish: .................... Kiryu: (It didn't turn around.....!? Could it be... it read my intentions....?) Crayfish: ............. Kiryu: Actually, where is this guy looking...... It's like there's something behind me..... Crayfish: ....! <another hiss and a slicing sound as Kiryu gets crayfish'd> Kiryu: Guh!

Kiryu: (This guy... the moment I turned my head... it went and pinched me on my damn ass...) Kiryu: (Was its gaze a trap...? Did it read my intentions... and then decide to get revenge?) Kiryu: ...What a clever crayfish. Kiryu: ........ Kiryu: ...Heh, you beat me. I guess I'll give up on those trash bags. <Kiryu leaves> Crayfish: ................... Kiryu: (...But, that was just to make it look that way... The moment it lets its guard down... I'll catch it...!) <Crayfish hisses at Kiryu> Kiryu: .....! Kiryu: Mmm... it feels good to stretch out my arms. This hand would absolutely for certain never ever be trying to catch you~. Crayfish: ........... Kiryu: (Yes, its defenses are down... now!) <The crayfish hisses again> Crayfish: .....! Kiryu: ....! Mmmm... still just stretching out my arms~.

Kiryu: (Damn... It's not turning around yet... what a distrusting creature.) Kiryu: (Yes... now---) <Crayfish hisses again, now with Kiryu much closer> Crayfish: ....! Kiryu: ...Ahhh~. Stretching my arms feels so good~.

Kiryu: (Damn... this guy... How many times is it going to look back here...) Riverside Resident A: ...That person... What's that person doing? Riverside Resident B: It looks like he's playing "Red Light Green Light" with a crayfish... I wonder if that poor guy doesn't have any friends... Kiryu: (...Shit... The stares of passersby are painful...) Kiryu: (I don't think continuing like this is going to get me anywhere... Maybe it's time to abandon this tactic...) Crayfish: ...Shaashaaa.... Kiryu: (It... waved its pincers like a peace sign... Could it be that this is what it wanted?) Kiryu: (In order to humiliate me, did it play along by pretending to be fooled..?) Kiryu: (Just how smart is this thing... and how the hell do I make it leave?) Crayfish: ...Shaaa! <more hissing as it leaps onto Kiryu> Kiryu: !?

Crayfish: Shashaaaa! Kiryu: Guh, this guy... it jumped on me so fast. Kiryu: That was awfully aggressive... I guess you've decided we're total enemies... Crayfish: Sha! .....Shaa? Crayfish: ....Sha!? Sha! Shaaaa! Kiryu: (It... got distracted by a fly... It turned around completely!?) Kiryu: (Heh, no matter how smart it is, in the end it's just an animal... This is my chance... I'm going to catch this thing now!) Kiryu: Haa! <wooshing sound> Crayfish: ....Sha! <slicing sound> Kiryu: Guhh!? Kiryu: (Stupid... I tried to grab hold of its back, but it pinched my hand...) Kiryu: (I was using its blind spot to catch it... how did it know...) Crayfish: Shashashashasha.... Kiryu: Damn... It's doing that gesture again. Kiryu: (You're kidding... was getting distracted by a fly all an act!? Did it use that as a trap so it could attack me when I got near!?) Kiryu: (It's looking down on me... But now I have to admit that it's smart... maybe even smarter than me...) Kiryu: (Even so... there's still a way to do this... there's something in the trash, I'm sure.) Crayfish: Shaaa! <hissing> Crayfish: ....Shaa!? <it falls into the water> Kiryu: ...Wh-! That guy was swinging its arms around as a threat but then... it fell!? Crayfish: Shaa... Shaa... !? Kiryu: And it landed on its back so it seems it can't get back up. Heh, what an unexpectedly stupid move. Kiryu: This time I'm going to catch you...! Haaa! <another whoosh> Crayfish: ...Sha! <a big slicing sound> Kiryu: ...Heh, of course not being able to get back up was an act too. Kiryu: I knew that you'd try to trick me into another attack like that, since you see me as your enemy and look down on me. Kiryu: But... this time I grabbed you not with my bare hands, but with these disposable chopsticks. Kiryu: Bad luck for you. You didn't pinch my finger... just these chopsticks that were thrown in the river! Crayfish: ...!? Kiryu: I'll throw these chopsticks with you still latched on... then I'll be free to finish cleaning up the trash!! Haa!! Crayfish: ...!! Kiryu: (Yes... It's still holding onto the chopsticks...! Take this...!!) <a crunching sound> Kiryu: ....! Crayfish: Sha... Shaaa...! Kiryu: Damn... so the chopsticks were rotten huh... The couldn't withstand the force of the throw and broke...

Kiryu: I was so close to getting this guy out of here... Crayfish: ...Shaa! Kiryu: You're a clever thing, I don't think the same trick will work on you twice. That said, I can't think of any other tricks to try... Kiryu: ...Well, it's fine. I concede. I can't beat you in a battle of wits. Crayfish: Sha? <the music cuts out> Kiryu: ...But, I still have to make this river beautiful. Kiryu: It doesn't matter how many times I get pinched... If I take you head on, I will catch you. Crayfish: ............! Crayfish: Shaaaa!!!!

<EVENT HAPPENS, WHICH IS A BOSS RUSH VS THE CRAYFISH>

Kiryu: Haa... Haa... Haa...!

<Kiryu gets close to the crayfish and grabs it> Crayfish: ....!? Kiryu: ...Whew, I finally caught you. Crayfish: Shaaa! Shaaaa! Kiryu: I'm holding you by your back. You can't get me with your pincers anymore. Kiryu: Finally, I can clean up this garbage... Huh? Small Crayfishes: Shashaa! Kiryu: Inside this garbage there's... baby crayfish... wait, are these your children? Crayfish: Shaa! Shaaa! Kiryu: ....I see. You were just trying to protect them. Kiryu: What I saw as a simple convenience store bag full of garbage was a nest you had to protect. Kiryu: ............ <he sets the crayfish down> Crayfish: .....! Kiryu: I'm sorry for causing a disturbance on your turf. Kiryu: I'll tell Uchima-san and the others to leave your garbage alone. Crayfish: ....Shaaa! <fade to black> Haruka: Oh, you're back Uncle Kaz!

Kiryu: ...Yep. I'm home, Haruka. Haruka: You were doing the river clean-up, right? Did you clean a lot? Kiryu: Yes. Though I almost cleaned up too much, and would have taken away an important home for the animals living there... Kiryu: I'm really glad I noticed it soon enough. Haruka: Is that so... I'm glad. You almost became an "invasive species" to that area, Uncle Kaz. Kiryu: ...Invasive species? Haruka: Yep. I learned about it today in science class. Invasive species take away the habitats of the animals who lived there originally. Haruka: That's why it's bad to release non-native species into the wild. Kiryu: ...I see. I don't know much about that, so I'll have to be mindful. Kiryu: By the way, what kinds of non-native species are there? Haruka: Ummm there's... raccoons, and black bass, and snapping turtle, and american bullfrogs... Kiryu: Woah... So even some of the animals we know. Haruka: Oh, and the american crayfish! Kiryu: A... American crayfish!? Haruka: U-Um, yeah. They eat the native species, spread disease, and damage the ecosystem. Kiryu: What the hell... Kiryu: But... It's not like they're trying to cause trouble, right? Kiryu: If you live, you have to eat and you have to get sick... It's not like they can help it if that ends up being an issue. Haruka: ...Wellll... I guess that's true, but...

Kiryu: Besides, I can assuredly say that this one’s devoted to their family. For their family's sake, they had the bravery to stand up to someone bigger than themself. Haruka: ....This one? Kiryu: I don't know if they were male or female, but they were a true man among men. If they were a human, I'd like to share a drink with them... Kiryu: ...I know. Haruka, why don't you come meet them? I'm sure you'll change your mind if you just meet-- Haruka: Uncle Kaz... did something happen with a crayfish?

<END EVENT>

Bonus stuff:

you don’t understand Haruka the yakuza invasive species are just trying to live their lives the only way they can! and sure they might be destructive but what else can they do? maybe that morally gray father figure crayfish was taking care of orphans!!

[archiveikemen]

Liam Evans Main Story: Chapter 15

I do not own any of the Ikemen Series content being uploaded on this blog, everything belongs to CYBIRD. Please support them by playing their games and buying stories. Not 100% accurate, expect mistakes.

read this before interacting with my posts

Liam, who had run away from Kate, recalled an encounter they had one night.

== Flashback Start ==

Liam: Oh? You were at the theatre…

Hooded Man: “Long time no see.”

Liam: … Uh.

The man hugged Liam and whispered into his ear, at a volume Kate couldn't hear.

Hooded Man: … I’m living in a church next to the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster.

Hooded Man: Make sure you come meet me, or everything dear to you will be destroyed.

== Flashback End ==

Those words disturbed his heart even more.

Liam: … I have to go meet him. I can’t cause Kate, Crown, and everyone at The Scala more hurt…

Dragging his body soaked in blood, he made his way to the church in the dark night.

He pushed open the door to the church with his cold hands, and—

Hooded Man: You’re late. I knew you were a naughty boy… “my son, Liam”.

— Standing there was the head of the Evans family, Max, who was supposed to have died in the fire. Liam’s father.

Liam’s facial expression instantly grew tense.

Liam: You’re still alive… no way.

Liam: … You died in the fire I started when I was 9 years old.

Liam: It’s been more than a decade.

It would’ve been more convincing if someone told him that he was talking to a ghost, but the man’s rose coloured eyes that resembled his own made it clear that he was real.

Max: Yeah, you’re right. I was indeed “burned to death” back then.

Liam: …?

Max, dressed in his hood and holding a cane, began revealing a long-time unsolved mystery.

That day, Max somehow managed to crawl out of the fire.

— The people who saw him lying in the yard with burns covering his entire body all thought “he’s definitely dead”.

And so, Max was transported to the burial site with his life hanging by a thread.

However, fortunately or unfortunately, a vagrant found him by chance and took him away.

From then on, Max spent his days being taken care of by the people in that poor town while he fought for his life.

It took him two years to wake up, two years to regain his ability to speak, and three years to get up on his own…

Max: I spent several hellish months and years getting back on my feet.

Max: I felt so moved when I could finally look at the blue sky while walking on my own.

Max: However, the sight of my reflection in a puddle of water shocked me.

Max pulled his hood off to reveal his face that had been burned raw and was covered in taut skin.

Liam: … *gasp*

Max: I lost my fortune, my honour, my status… I’ve become nothing more than an unsightly ghost who was killed by one of the people around me.

Max: With my legs that could barely walk, I searched for you, the only survivor in the Evans family.

Max: But you, who inherited all my assets, gave away all your property and possessions, and were nowhere to be found.

Max: After years of searching for you without a single clue… I finally found you on a poster I saw at the corner of a street!

Max: My son grew up to become a beautiful stage actor, standing in the spotlight and receiving rounds of applause.

== Flashback Start ==

Liam: Thank you all for coming to our play tonight!

== Flashback End ==

Max: You’re shining as bright as a star in the sky, and yet I’ve become such a hideous being.

Max: … Haah. Truly… miserable.

Liam: You’re not hideous—

Max: What are you saying when you couldn't recognise your own father until you heard my voice…?

Liam: …!

Liams … T-That’s…

Max: Listen, Liam. You are the reason why I’ve gone mad. Because of you…

Max thrusted the cane in his hand at Liam’s chest where his heart was.

Liam: … Guh.

Max: I lived as this unsightly thing just so that I can get rid of you from this world, you sinner.

Liam: … Sinner?

Max: Yes, you are sinful and evil.

Max: … Liam. Being born is your sin, your existence itself is the personification of evil.

Liam: … *gulp*

Liam: My existence is… evil…?

Max: Now, Liam. You’re too lovely and charming for me to kill you with my own hands.

Liam bit his lips when Max exerted more pressure on the cane that was held against his chest.

Max: I want you to kill yourself.

Liam: You want me to… kill myself?

Max: Yes. Pay for your sin of being born into this world, by taking your own life.

Max: A suitable atonement for you, right…?

Liam: If…

Liam: If I refuse, you’ll destroy… everything dear to me…?

Max: Of course. The actors at The Scala, and… that lovely lady who was next to you the other day.

Max didn’t mention the name “Crown” — meaning he was still unaware of its existence.

Max, who had burn scars all over his body and could only walk with the assistance of a cane, was not a threat.

As if he could see that Liam had hesitated for a moment, Max’s mouth curled into a crooked smile.

Max: “Golden Butterfly” — ever heard of it?

The words “Golden Butterfly” reminded Liam of something William told him before.

== Flashback Start ==

William: “Golden Butterfly” is a code name for an organisation. It was once broken up, but…

William: There have been signs that they’ll start moving again soon. I’ve been chasing after them.

== Flashback End ==

Max: An organisation called “Golden Butterfly” is backing me up. So if you go against me… you know what I mean, right?

He was certain that Crown would take action if he told them what was going on.

However—

Liam: … Will it make you happy if I die?

Max: Yes, everything will come back to me if you die.

Max: The money, power… everything.

Liam: … I wonder if Jacob will forgive me for this.

Liam reached for the dagger hanging at his waist, but—

He suddenly stopped.

== Flashback Start ==

Kate: The stars are beautiful tonight, so tomorrow's weather will definitely be clear… I’m looking forward to spending time with you tomorrow.

== Flashback End ==

In his mind, he heard the voices of Kate, the actors at The Scala, and the members of Crown.

Liam: … I’ll do it. But you have to wait till tomorrow.

Max: Fine. But you only have until tomorrow night 24:00, be at the bell tower by then.

Liam: … Okay.

Max: London bridge is broken down, broken down, broken down…♪

Max: — “See you tomorrow”. My lovely Liam.

…

The next day, Liam went to The Scala alone without letting Kate know.

— 14 hours before the time limit.

Liam: Hey, Tom. Can I have a quick chat with you about something?

Tom: Liam! It’s rare to have you approach me alone. So, what is it?

Liam: Remember you told me the other day that I received some offers from overseas?

Tom: YES! Leaving The Scala and becoming a world-famous stage actor isn't just a dream anymore!

Liam: I’ve gotten kind of interested in seeing the outside world, so I was thinking of going abroad to study for a while.

Tom: Study abroad? When?

Liam: I want to do it as soon as possible.

Tom: This is so sudden…

Tom: I’m coming with you! I’m worried about letting you go on your own, so—

Liam: Ahaha you’re exaggerating. I’m only going to have a look, I’ll be back soon.

Tom: Really?

Liam: Mm-hmm, yes.

Tom: Hmm, if you say so. I don't have the right to stop you.

Tom: But make sure you come back in time for the screenplay of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. You’re the main character.

Liam gave a faint smile and walked towards the doorway.

Liam: … Hey, Tom.

Tom: Hm?

Liam: Thank you for everything. Your work has saved many people. I hope you remember that.

After saying that, Liam disappeared like a star at sunrise.

Tom sensed that something wasn't right and frowned.

Tom: … Liam?

…

Ever since Liam vanished that night, I never saw him again.

I paid Roger a visit to tell him about Liam’s episode and how it happened.

Roger: … I see. You tried to stop him, but it was to no avail.

The feeling of helplessness because I couldn't stop him didn't disappear even after an entire night.

Memories of the smell of fresh blood had already faded away.

Kate: … Has anything like this happened before?

Roger: Quite a few times. But it doesn’t happen often, because Liam tries to keep it under control.

Kate: I see…

Liam has made several “mistakes” in the past due to his episodes.

All the hurt Liam has caused others and the lives he’s taken left a permanent shadow in his heart.

— He must hate himself so much.

The incident from that night confirmed that vague premonition.

(The reason why I came to see Roger was because I wanted to know if there was a way I could help Liam control his episodes.)

I wondered how much information about Liam’s personal life I should reveal—

Roger: Young lady. Do you happen to know something more?

Kate: Uhm.

Roger: It’s written all over your face. You can go ahead and talk about it, no good in keeping it all to yourself.

Roger: And—

Kate: “And it’s for Liam’s own good”... right?

Roger: Yeah, that's right.

Urged by Roger’s egoistic smile, I hauled in my strings of memories.

Kate: This is what Liam told me. He said that it always rains in his heart before he has an episode.

== Flashback Start ==

Liam: … It always rains in my heart right before I have an episode.

Kate: Rain?

Liam: It starts raining without any forewarning, neither can I voluntarily stop it.

Liam: And when that happens… I also hear a voice coming from somewhere.

Liam: I always end up listening to everything that voice says. By the time I snap back to my senses, I’ve already done something horribly wrong.

== Flashback End ==

Roger: Rain in his heart…

Kate: And then this happened. His curse is not the cause of his episodes…

Kate: I was thinking… what if there is a problem with Liam himself that’s causing him to have episodes?

Roger: …

Roger: Then it would be all “his fault”, instead of the curse’s…?

Kate: … Yeah.

Roger: I have yet to find out the cause. I don’t want to upset you or Liam with my uncertainty.

Roger: However, young lady.

Kate: …?

Roger: Don’t let yourself get too bothered by Liam’s issues. You’ll end up getting burnt out and the both of you will crumble.

Roger: … Especially if you intend to stay by his side.

I felt like I knew the reason for Roger’s dismissive attitude.

Kate: … Alright. Thank you, Roger.

…

When I left the dimly lit laboratory, the sky had started to turn crimson.

(... I want to see Liam. I just want to see his face.)

I couldn't help but wonder if he was feeling lonely, wherever he was.

Right when I was thinking of looking for Liam… I caught a waft of a familiar sweet vanilla smell.

I turned around and—

Liam: Ah, I was surprised by you suddenly turning around.

Kate: … Liam.

Kate: What have you been up to all day? … I was getting worried about you.

Liam: I’m sorry for disappearing. Perhaps I was panicking because it was my first episode in a while.

Liam: I must've said a lot of nasty things to you because I lost control.

Liam: I’m really, truly sorry!

We looked like a pair of friends making up after having a small squabble, and it made me feel at ease somehow.

Kate: … Fufu, look up, Liam. It’s alright. You’re back now, and that's all that matters.

Liam: … Yeah. Thanks, Kate.

Liam: — Anyway, this isn't for the sake of apologising, but…

Liam: Do you want to go on a date with me right now?

Liam’s carefree and cheerful smile looked no different from the one he wore when we first met.

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Chapter 3 Spoilers

This is not a full translation. Expect grammatical errors. Not 100% accurate.

Nobunaga: "Whether it's recuperation or rest, it doesn't matter. Mai, go soak in a hot spring and give your body some rest."

Nobunaga: "You're my lucky charm, so I won't allow you to collapse before the battle."

Nobunaga: "Hideyoshi, the same goes for you."

Hideyoshi: "Eh?"

Nobunaga: "I order you to guard Mai. Don't leave her side."

???: "There she is!"

(Eh?)

Samurai 1: "Hand over that sacrificial princess!"

Mai: "Hideyoshi, the sacrificial princess they're after..."

Hideyoshi: "Yeah, it looks like it's you."

Hideyoshi: "Mai!"

I lost my balance, and Hideyoshi swiftly wrapped his arms around me, preventing me from falling off the horse.

(No, don't touch me.)

Hideyoshi: "Guh!"

He gritted his teeth, enduring the intense pain.

Mai: "Let go of me, Hideyoshi!"

Hideyoshi: "As if I could just let go!"

Even though I hurriedly turned my body, he still wouldn't let go.

During all this, I could hear an unpleasant sound like a hot iron pressing against something.

(His skin is burning.)

So far, he's never had anything worse happen to him, even though the pain had increased. But now, there was no doubt that his skin was burning.

Mai: "Please, let me go! If you don't hurry, you'll..."

Hideyoshi: "I can't just trade your life."

(You're important too!)

Hideyoshi: “Nobody touches Mai.”

He knocked down the approaching enemies like a demon, drenched in blood, while protecting me.

(He must be reaching his limit by now.)

No matter how strong he was, the enemies were overwhelmingly outnumbering us.

Above all, one of his arms was tightly holding onto me.

(If this continues, the burns will only worsen.)

Mai: “Let go of me! I can’t let you push yourself any further.”

Hideyoshi: “Don’t make that face. If anything were to happen to you, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.”

Hideyoshi: “You’re more important than anything else. Please understand.”

(Hideyoshi...)

Hideyoshi parried the blow of a screaming enemy coming to cut him down.

His eyes were full of emotions more intense than madness as he killed his enemies with a grim expression.

(Even though there were so many of them...)

Before I knew it, the enemies who had come at us were lying on the ground.

He casually wiped off the splattered blood from his cheek and dismounted from the horse, leaving me behind.

Hideyoshi: “Wait here.”

Hideyoshi: “Hey, you.”

The last remaining person struggled to stand, barely catching his breath.

Samurai: “Ugh... Sacrificial princess...”

(Even in this situation, he’s still...)

As the man attempted to point his sword toward me, Hideyoshi grabbed him by the collar.

Hideyoshi: “Why are you targeting this woman!?”

Samurai: “Because she’s a sacrificial princess.”

Hideyoshi: “Sacrificial princess? Who calls her that?”

Samurai: “Our small country has been devastated by conflicts with neighboring regions.”

Samurai: “Even beyond the mountains, everyone is fighting with each other. Once you cross the borders, everyone becomes an enemy.”

Samurai: "The only people we can trust are our people."

Hideyoshi: "What does that have to do with the sacrificial princess?"

Samurai: "This devastation is happening because of Nobunaga's ambition to unify the country."

Samurai: "A priestess told us that if we offered a woman named Mai, who is Nobunaga's mistress, as an offering, the heavens would calm their wrath, and the world would be at peace."

(There's no way that will bring peace.)

Hideyoshi: "It's obviously a load of bullshit! Why can't you understand!?"

Samurai: "Her face is now on wanted posters."

Samurai: "The desperate people from the devastated regions, driven by desperation, are searching for her with bloodlust."

Samurai: "Even if you try to kill me, someone will eventually offer her as a sacrifice to the heavens. Then, there'll be peace again."

Hideyoshi: “Mai, I’m going to sleep. You get some rest too.”

Mai: “Okay. But I’ll stay here a little longer.”

Hideyoshi: “No. You need to lie down, or you’ll get tired.”

(He always worries about me no matter what the situation is.)

Mai: “Please, just a little longer. Okay?”

Hideyoshi: “I guess I don’t have a choice.”

Mai: “Okay, thanks.”

Hideyoshi: “I should be the one thanking you for taking care of me.”

(I’m not taking care of him at all.)

I felt frustrated and helpless that I couldn’t even wipe the sweat off his forehead.

(I can’t even apply to him the ointment I received from Ieyasu, even though I’m right by his side.)

Hideyoshi: “Mai.”

I snapped back to reality when he suddenly called me.

Mai: “Yeah? Something wrong?”

Hideyoshi: “.........”

Not having much energy left to speak, Hideyoshi stared at me.

His eyes were full of sympathy, as if he was trying to cheer me up.

Mai: “Oh, did I look tired by any chance?”

Mai: “I’m just a little sleepy. We’ve traveled quite pretty far.”

Hideyoshi: “I see.”

Mai: “So why are you two here?”

Ranmaru: “That’s because you’re in a difficult situation.”

A shadow fell over Ranmaru’s once cheerful expression.

Mai: “Are you talking about the sacrificial princess?”

Ranmaru: “Yes. I was actually going to tell him about the danger, but those guys were moving too fast.”

Ranmaru: “If only I had hurried a little more, Lord Hideyoshi wouldn’t have had to push himself too hard. I’m sorry.”

(There’s no need for Ranmaru to apologize.)

His words trailed off as regret lurked in his eyes.

Ranmaru: “But still, their methods are just too much. Those two are unbelievable.”

Mai: "Those two?"

After a pause, Kennyo spoke up.

Kennyo: "Mai, I'll tell you where the rumors came from."

Mai: "You know?"

(I don't know if I can trust this person to tell me the truth, but I still want to know.)

Feeling desperate, I stared at Kennyo.

Kennyo: "Let me get to the point. The rumors about the sacrificial princess are nothing but fabrications by Kicho."

➟ Chapter 4 Spoilers

[sister-lucifer]

Downs shot. Fuck it. I lied and said I was going to bed. I’m. I’m not getting over this so here’s my dumbass kidnapping fantasy, maybe I’ll post it tomorrow or maybe not.

I’m so sick of all the other attention you get online. Your therapists and your beloved adoring fans, your other friends.

It should be me. I should be the only object of your desire. I have everything you need! I am your family, your friends, your lovers— so why do you still need them?

What, am I not good enough? I specifically stalked you long enough to find out your weight to dose the sedative correctly! Who gives you that kind of dedication if not me? Who else steals your medical records to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction to the drugs I add to your morning coffee or inject into my sleeping beauty?

None of these people, I’m sure.

Who else is making sure their cabins or basements or bunkers don’t have mold to keep your pretty lungs from developing pneumonia? Who else is making sure your bed is just right to not aggravate your aches and pains?

I know you like the beds, my sleeping beauty.

It’s a struggle every day to get you up out of it.

If I was there, I doubt you’d ever want to leave.

Not like I’d let you anyway. You’d be trapped in my cabin forever. You couldn’t outrun me if you tried. I’m too fast. My aim is too good. I’d only hurt you if you wanted me to, and what says “please hurt me” more than an escape attempt?

Nothing permanent, I promise! Well, maybe a scar or two. Just as a reminder! I’ll even clean the blades beforehand so you don’t develop an infection.

And then you’ll only see me, only know me. Just me and you, just us, nobody else. We don’t even have to do anything. We can just sit. We can be quiet. We can just enjoy each other’s company.

I’d even play nice and let you talk to the others! Wouldn’t that be fun? Seeing your Papa or Al or BriBri or Mumma every once in a while? As a treat. But then they’d have to go away, because you’re still mine.

….Okay I think I got weird there. Uh. Sorry and good morning? You know who it is no matter what, this is just fantasy, I don’t need reassurance, blah blah blah, actually this would make a good fic.

i kept trying to think of something clever to say but i literally cant i just. guh/pos i think the tags will speak for themselves on this one

sorry you thought i was mad i literally just fell back asleep right before you sent this (i’ve been waking up like an hour before my alarm, around the same time you wake up…wonder if that’s connected?)

and corvus you and the others have to be nice okay

[cryptidcircusco]

Honestly mad respect Brian (? I hope I didn't get that wrong or upset you) it's good to be an out liner, go fuck your funky monsters you funky lil dude-Marc

:( Nah you got it right! Don’t worry too much about getting it wrong /gen

nsfw below the cut

But good god was I missing out when I was going around fucking humans man. Sure it’s whatever, we like. Moan n shit. Get sloppy sometimes. Whatever.

But good GOD when you have a feral animal creature drooling all over you, teeth and claws and GUH. Especially when you get to dom. Like what is more masculine than taming such a beast and making him your personal pet? Watching as he purrs and chitters because you stroked up his spine just the way he likes? I’m rambling rn horny brain but it’s literally so easy to make him completely submit i love domesticating that mutt <3

[joyokosuka]

NU: Carnival Battle Lines

Here are translations of the battle lines for N cards.  I think SSRs have some extras but I don’t have enough stars on them to properly listen orz but if anyone has some they want me to look at I will certainly do so!

Aster:

Attack 1: Hmmph!

Attack 2: There!

Under Attack 1: Ah!

Under Attack 2: This is the worst...

Skill: Leave it to me!

Death: Ugh...I don’t have enough essence!

Morvay:

Attack 1: Hiyah!

Attack 2: Leave it to me!

Under Attack 1: Ah!

Under Attack 2: Oww!

Skill: You’ll have to defeat me first!

Death: Gah!  I’ve run out of essence...

Yakumo:

Attack 1: Yah!

Attack 2: S-Sorry!

Under Attack 1: Ugh!

Under Attack 2: Whoa!

Skill: I won’t forgive you for hurting Mr. Eiden!

Death: I have to protect Mr. Eiden, and yet...

Edmond:

Attack 1: Hup!

Attack 2: Punishment!

Under Attack 1: Ugh!

Under Attack 2: *Cough*...I miscalculated...

Skill: It’s too late to ask for forgiveness.

Death: Tch...I wasn’t careful enough.

Olivine:

Attack 1: Hah!

Attack 2: By this sacred scripture!

Under Attack 1: Th-This is bad!

Under Attack 2: Ah!

Skill: I’m terribly sorry...But it appears that I have to deliver my sermon violently.

Death: Ugh...Is this punishment for denying my desires?

Quincy:

Attack 1: Hah!

Attack 2: Let’s finish this quickly.

Under Attack 1: Ugh!

Under Attack 2: Tch...

Skill: What a nuisance.  Leave it to me.

Death: Run away...It’s not safe here.

Kuya:

Attack 1: How’s this?

Attack 2: Ohh?  Well then, how about this?

Under Attack 1: Mm!

Under Attack 2: Keh...Now you’ve done it.

Skill: I wonder if you can withstand my test?

Death: Heheh...This is a more dangerous situation than I had thought.

Karu (Garu doesn’t have battle lines):

Attack 1: Now!

Attack 2: Don’t underestimate me!

Under Attack 1: Guh!

Under Attack 2: This doesn’t hurt!

Skill: I’ll beat the crap out of you!

Death: Shit! I don’t have any power left!

Blade:

Attack 1: Attack time!

Attack 2: Ta-da!  I’ll protect darling!

Under Attack 1: Waah!  It hurts!

Under Attack 2: Argh, not fair!

Skill: You’re okay!  I’ll beat them up quick!

Death: It’s fine.  I’m starting my repair function, so I’ll be fixed soon.

Dante:

Attack 1: Hmmph.  Are you prepared to die?

Attack 2: It seems you’re hesitating.

Under Attack 1: Do you want to make me mad!?

Under Attack 2: Hmph.  This doesn’t bother me.

Skill: I’ll finish this quickly.  You should be grateful.

Death: How could I lose?

Rei:

Attack 1: You’ll obviously fail.

Attack 2: Stop resisting.

Under Attack 1: Tch...Annoying.

Under Attack 2: That won’t work.

Skill: I can see your movements clear as day.

Death: Why am I having a seizure now!?

[the-himawari]

A3! Sumeragi Tenma - Translation [SSR] MANKAI Feature (3/3)

*Please read disclaimer on blog; default name set as Izumi

---

Izumi: Wow, Rio’s costume certainly suits you to a tee!

Tenma: Of course it does. Name a costume that I don’t look good in.

Izumi: Fufu, you got me there. I’m looking forward to a Rio who’s cool as always… But also a bit cute!

Tenma: Yeah. Leave it to me.

-pause-

Rio [Tenma]: “*Sigh*, I’m bored~. Is Jack going to come home yet…” “…Ah, that’s right. I have a new toy ball he bought me.” “Here we go…!”

-pause-

Jack: “I’m home.”

Rio [Tenma]: “!”

Jack: “!? W-what the heck…! The room’s a mess!”

Rio [Tenma]: “C-crap! I got lost in playing, so I just…!”

Jack: “Don’t tell me a thief broke in…!? No, wait. Hold on.” “The cotton is popping out from this cushion and this newspaper’s in tatters… Rio, are you the one who did this?”

Rio [Tenma]: “I-I’m sorry, Jack… but I was just…”

Jack: “Why did you do this… You’ve always been a good boy who could watch the home, weren’t you!?” “Bad boy, Rio!”

Rio [Tenma]: “…! *Whimper*….!”

*runs away*

Jack: “Ah, wait, Rio…!”

Izumi: (Rio got scolded by Jack. He couldn’t handle it, so he ran out the house…)

-pause-

Rio [Tenma]: “There’s no need to get so mad… I was just a little rowdy with my playing.” “Except, I think I did tear Jack’s favourite cushion…” “And I might have threw around his freshly washed socks…” “But, in my defense! I’m always a good boy, so he didn’t have to get that mad…”

Izumi: (As he trudged forward slowly, dejectedly reflecting on his actions—.)

Koro [Yuki]: “…Oh, Rio?”

Rio [Tenma]: “Koro…”

Koro [Yuki]: “What’s going on? You’re not with Jack?”

Rio [Tenma]: “…I don’t know Jack.”

Koro [Yuki]: “What’s up? Did something happen?”

Rio [Tenma]: “…I had a fight with him.”

Koro [Yuki]: “Huh? You and Jack?”

Man: “*Sigh*, what a pickle. Where in the world did it fall? I thought I dropped it around here, but…”

Koro [Yuki]: “Huh, that person… I guess he lost something? He looks troubled.”

Rio [Tenma]: “Oh no! Ah…” “…”

Izumi: (Rio hesitates when he’s about to help someone in need.)

Policeman: “What seems to be the matter?”

Man: “Ahh, so you see, I lost something…!”

Policeman: “Mhm. What sort of item is it? When did you realize you dropped it?”

Koro [Yuki]: “That’s good. A policeman came to the rescue.” “That’s strange though. Normally, Rio would be the first to jump in to save the day.”

Rio [Tenma]: “…It’s true that Jack’s a police officer and I’m his dog. And so I try my best to keep my head up high. But right now…” “…I’m not going to be a good boy today. I’ll do what I want.”

Koro [Yuki]: “Hmm…”

Little girl: “*Cries*… *cries*…”

Rio [Tenma]: “? The sound of crying…?”

Koro [Yuki]: “It’s that little girl over there!”

Rio [Tenma]: “…No, this has nothing to do with me. That little girl doesn’t bother me or anything…”

Little girl: “Someone… *sob*… please…”

Rio [Tenma]: “…! …Urgh…” “Nope, I can’t do this! I can’t just ignore her!”

*runs off*

Koro [Yuki]: “Ah. Hold on, Rio!”

-pause-

Rio [Tenma]: “Woof! What’s wrong!”

Little girl: “*Sob*… a doggie… My balloon flew away and got caught in a tree…”

Rio [Tenma]: “In a tree? Ah, that one? Uh oh. It looks like it’s going to get blown away by the wind any minute now.”

Koro [Yuki]: “But it’s so high up. It’s impossible for dogs like us…!”

Little girl: “Wahhh… my balloon…”

Rio [Tenma]: “Don’t worry. I’ll retrieve it for you.”

Koro [Yuki]: “Are you serious?”

Rio [Tenma]: “I’ll manage somehow if I try my best! Here goes nothing… woof!”

*jumps*

Izumi: (And so, Rio did a big jump and climbed the tree using his willpower.)

Rio [Tenma]: “Guh, just a little higher…” “Okay, I grabbed it!”

*jumps down*

Rio [Tenma]: “Phew…! Here’s your balloon.”

Little girl: “Wow, that’s amazing! Thank you! What a cool doggie!”

Rio [Tenma]: “Don’t mention it. Don’t let it go again if it’s important to you, alright?”

Koro [Yuki]: “Heh~, good job.”

Mother: “Amy! Good heavens, there you are!”

Jack: “Rio!”

Rio [Tenma]: “Ah, Jack…!”

Amy: “Mama! This doggie got my balloon that got stuck in a tree!”

Mother: “Oh my. Thank you…! What a kind and brave dog you are.”

Jack: “…That’s my dog who I’m proud of.”

Rio [Tenma]: “…!”

Amy: “Thank you so much, doggies! Bye bye!”

Mother: “Thank you very much.”

Rio [Tenma]: “No problem. See you.”

Koro [Yuki]: “Bye.”

Jack: “…I’m sorry, Rio.” “Even you have times where you want to be naughty, or act rowdy and play with all your might.” “I’m the one who caused you to feel bored, so I shouldn’t have gotten angry.”

Rio [Tenma]: “Jack…”

Jack: “Even if you’re naughty and mess up the room sometimes, you’re my beloved, adorable and cool dog who I’m proud of.”

Rio [Tenma]: “…!” “Jack… m-me too…”

Koro [Yuki]: “It looks like you’re trying to hide your embarrassment, but your tail is wagging like crazy. Caught in 4K.”

Rio [Tenma]: “Quiet, you…!”

-pause-

TV: “Come on, let’s go!” “Arf!” “This is delicious and hydrating after moving around so much!”

Kumon: You look sooo cool! I love how refreshing this commercial is!

Kazunari: I’m with ya! It’s totes blowing up ♪

Muku: Albert looks really cute too, doesn’t he?

Yuki: Yeah, he does. Both of them have a great look on their faces.

Misumi: Both Tenma and Albert look like they’re smiling and having fun~.

Tenma: Hmph, naturally. The shoot was fun. Thankfully, this commercial looks like it’s pretty popular like Kazunari said.

Izumi: Fufu, that’s great. The Rio spin-off is as well. It’s a big hit. We received lots of comments saying Rio isn’t just cool, but also cute when he messes up and pouts.

Tenma: I was like that as a kid, as well as Albert… so I thought Rio was probably the same way. Perfection isn’t everything. Isn’t that right?

Izumi: (…It’s because Tenma-kun is the way he is now that he can say that.) Yeah, that’s right.

---

previous |

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers LOST EDEN ー Shin Dark [05]

ー The scene starts in the living room of the Sakamaki manor

Subaru: ...Che. Why do I have to deal with this shit...?

Reiji: ...Subaru. So this is where you’ve been. I’ve been looking for you. 

Subaru: ...What do you want?

Reiji: You have received several letters. Please write your responses to them.

...I believe I told you to do so this morning?

Subaru: ...Not my problem.

Reiji: Haah...Perhaps it is time you become a little more self-aware. 

Of the responsibilities that come with inheriting Father’s powers, that is.

Subaru: ...How many do I have to tell you that I don’t give a flyin’ fuck!?

*THUD*

Subaru: It’s a pain in the ass. Havin’ these powers forced upon me when I never asked for them...

Reiji: Regardless of how you feel about it personally, you cannot escape this fate as long as those powers remain within your possession. 

I hope you will make your resolve already.

Subaru: Che...

ー Subaru walks away

Reiji: Haah...He truly is a handful.

What to do with him...?

ー The scene shfits to the saloon at Banmaden

Carla: Coff...Gah...Coff, coff...Haah...!

ー His vision grows blurry

Carla: My vision...grows blurry. As if my body is breaking apart.

ー He can hear approaching footsteps

Carla: ...Who’s there?

Giesbach: ...

Carla: ...! Father...

Giesbach: ーー This is your retribution. 

Accept the penalty for killing your Father. Suffer in agony...and perish.

Carla: ...!

...Father. Do you intend to punish me...no matter what...?

Then I shall once more...with my very own hands...!

ー The scene shifts to the entrance hall

*Rustle* 

Shin: Hm...Seems like tension is rising overall after all... (1)

Anything else to report? 

ー The Familiar shakes its head

Shin: I see. You can go then. 

...Well then, I better go inform Nii-san right away.

ー The scene shifts back to the saloon

Shin: ...Nii-san, remember how we talked about the other Clans’ movements the other daーー 

Carla: ...

Shin: Huh? He’s asleep...? I guess I came at the wrong time...

( That being said...His face is sheer white...Has he been feeling that sick? )

Carla: Uu...

Shin: Nii-san?

Carla: Guh...Ah...!

Shin: ...!

Carla: I still...have duties I need to fulfill...!!

Shin: N-Nii-san! Hang in there!

Nii-san, can you hear me? Wake up...!!

Carla: Uu...Ah...

Shin: ( Nii-san’s eyes...They’re not focusing. )

Carla: ...!

*Rustle rustle*

ー Carla starts strangling Shin

Shin: ...Ah...Gah...

Ni...i...sa...! I can’t...brea...

Carla: ...! Coff...Coff.

Shin: ( Blood...! )

*Rustle rustle*

Carla: Coff, coff... ーー Shin, it’s you.

Shin: ...Are you alright? Did you have a bad dream?

Carla: No need to worry. ーー I just need to step away for a bit.

Shin: ...Okay.

ー Carla leaves

Shin: ( ...Will he be alright, for real? )

I can’t believe he coughed up blood... 

( Has his illness gotten that bad? )

( Wait...Hm...? My hands feel kind of stickyーー )

*Rustle*

Shin: ...!

ー He dashes off to the bathroom

*Pshhhh*

Shin: ( It should be fine...There’s no way I’d get infected from just a few drops. )

( There should be no danger as long as I properly rinse everything off like this. )

*Psssh* 

Shin: Ow!

*Splash splash* 

Shin: ( There’s a cut over here...When did I get it? )

( Blood might have gotten inside...I better clean it thoroughly. )

If I got contracted with Endzeit...

( She might get it as well. )

...

Yui: ...Shin-kun? There’s something I’d like to talk abouーー

Shin: ...!! Stay away!

Yui: Eh...?

Selection

→ Don’t leave

Yui: Why...? You need to be more clear or I won’t understand.

Shin: Shut up!! Just leave already!

Yui: ( I don’t get why he needs to get so mad... )

→ Leave (❦)

Yui: ( I suppose I should step back for now... )

( But I wonder why? I can’t believe he’d lash out at me out of nowhere...That’s not how he has been acting as of late. )

Shin: What are you standing still for? I believe I told you to leave.

Yui: Ah...I’m sorry.

Yui: In that case...I’ll come talk to you again later, okay?

ー Yui leaves

*Thud*

Shin: ...

ー The scene shifts to the entrance hall

Yui: ( Shin-kun...What has gotten into him...? )

Monologue

ーー ‘Stay away’.

As Shin-kun spoke those words,

he seemed somewhat panicky (焦っている). 

We were able to have a normal conversation not too long ago,

so what exactly has happened since then?

Feeling a tinge of worry (一抹の不安) in my heart,

I began to walk towards the living room.

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

Translation notes

(1) We are given very little context right here but Shin uses the word 色抜き or ‘ironuki’ which literally means ‘to fade in color’. However, it can also be used to refer to the mood worsening, which I believe to be the case here. 

[fictionkinfessions]

Really wish kins who don’t get memories or who kin for fun would stop posting and interacting with canon calls. Its very like… what the hell am I supposed to talk to you about then 😭 that’s the whole point of a canon call isn’t it??? to compare memories??? hold them up like paint swatches to see if they match??? the number of times I’ve responded to/interacted with a canon call RECENTLY only to be told “oh I don’t really get memories” or “oh I just kin for fun” when I ask about memory stuff has been SO much. Like man I’m trying to find my buddies,,, you are wasting my time,,,,,,,, like I’m not mad per se but it is annoying. am I the only one who feels this way??? guh. sorry if this comes across as rude at all 🫠

[four-loose-screws]

FE7 Novelization Translation - Chapter 9 Section 6

If you would like to start from the beginning, read a missed part, etc., click here!

FE Game Script Translations - FE Novel Translations - Original FE Support Conversations

If you are interested in donating to support my work, please check out my Ko-fi here. Thank you!

———————————

Chapter 9: Dragon's Gate (Section 6)

Eliwood, who’d just barely managed to escape, looked up at the charred remains of the Dragon’s Gate and said, “...What happened?”

Beside him were Hector, Lyn, and Elbert, as well as the siblings Ninian and Nils.

He took a moment to confirm that everyone was alright, then breathed a sigh of relief.

But he had not a second longer to relax.

“Grrr…! An utter failure!! That Nils! If only he hadn’t gotten in my way…!”

Now that the ceremony he’d long waited for had literally gone up in flames, Nergal’s anger reached its peak.

He glared at them with eyes full of hatred, then disappeared again into a teleportation circle. 

When he reappeared, he was next to Ninian and Nils. “...Come, you two!!”

“No!!”

“No way!! We’d never go with you!”

Nergal forcefully grabbed the two siblings.

Eliwood raised his voice in anger. “Stop, Nergal!!" He tried to unsheath his rapier as quickly as he could to attack Nergal - but he could not. Though his rapier should have been in its sheath, it was not.

The instant he looked around to figure out where his rapier had gone, he heard the sound of a blade stabbing into flesh.

“I cannot… let you do that!”

“Huh…!?”

Eliwood’s rapier was in Elbert’s hands. And the blade was stabbed deep into Nergal’s side.

“...You fool… I could never be defeated by the likes of you…”

“...As I said. I will never… allow you to do as you wish…!”

“...You… have outlived your usefulness… Guh…!!

Nergal cast a spell, pushing Elbert off of him. Then he looked down at the rapier in annoyance, pulled it out of his body, and cast it aside.

That seemed to have used up the rest of his power, as he disappeared into a teleportation circle alone, and left Ninian and Nils where they stood.

“Father!!” Eliwood rushed over to him.

Elbert warned his son, “...Eliwood, do not put your guard down. He will appear again…”

“I know. But, right now…. let’s get off this island… and return to Lycia.”

“This is… the end for me. …Eliwood, I leave… the rest to you.”

After being kept in confinement for so long, his body was weak, and his face was so white he looked as if the life once within him was gone. After everything he’d been through, his strike back against Nergal seemed to have squeezed his last bit of energy out of him.

Elbert no longer had any strength left to survive.

Eliwood would realize that soon as well. But he could not immediately accept it. After his long journey, they’d finally been able to meet. The fact that their meeting would be so quickly followed by their parting nearly made his chest tear open from sorrow.

“Please hold on! Mother… she’s waiting for you in Pherae!”

Elbert chuckled. “Ah yes, Elenora. She’s probably going to get mad at me again…”

Elbert pictured his beloved wife’s face, and his expression softened.

He’d been born and raised as the son of a marquess, then met Elenora and had Eliwood… His life was flashing before his eyes.

“Eliwood… Tell your mother… I’m sor…” Elbert’s words were cut short.

“No… Please don’t die… Father… Open your eyes…” Eliwood, unable to accept the truth in front of him, shook his father several times.

But Elbert did not respond.

Elbert, Marquess of Pherae, breathed his last, and vanished from this world.

“Fatherrrrrrrrr!!!"

Eliwood’s cries of grief echoed through the shrine like neverending raindrops falling from the sky.

[solartranslations]

AF2 Dante Chapter 12: Confrontation

Now it’s not just his looks. It’s like there isn’t anything left of the old Dante…

~*Scene: Courtyard*~

Liberta: Ojou…is everything okay?

Felicita: With what?

Liberta: …With Dante of course!

Felicita: What’s wrong with Dante?

Liberta: Well…he’s like a totally different person since coming back from Vascello Fantasma

Felicita: But, he’s doing his job at Intelligence

Liberta: It’s weird to see Dante just quietly doing his job! He doesn’t even tell jokes anymore

Liberta: He’s just…not the Dante I know… What did Vir do to him!?

Felicita: No matter what, Dante is still Dante

Liberta: Then why do you always look so sad!

Liberta: Are you really…okay with Dante staying like a puppet machine?

Felicita: A puppet machine? …You’re not making any sense, Liberta

Liberta: Ah! That’s not the point!

Dante: What are you playing at, Liberta?

Liberta: Guh…Dante!

Dante: I suppose I need to teach you another lesson about watching your words

Liberta: Yeah, well, where did you leave your sense of humor!?

Dante: Sense of humor? We don’t need that here. All we need is to do our jobs

Liberta: Aren’t you the one always says “just kidding!” after confidently making the worst jokes ever?

Dante: You really aren’t making any sense

(*mad) Liberta: It’s what you used to do! …I can’t take this!

Dante: I don’t understand why he’s angry

Felicita: ……

Dante: What a waste of time

Felicita: D-Dante!

Dante: What?

>Can we talk for a bit?

(+30 Amore)

>Can we go somewhere?

(No Amore)

Dante: About what? Is there a job to do?

Felicita: Just…to chat?

Dante: I don’t have time for that

Dante: Like where? I never said I would

Felicita: I wanted to check out the flowers at the market. Want to come?

Dante: Why me?

Felicita: Because…

Dante: You can ask Luca to go with you. I’m busy

Felicita: Dante…

~*Scene: Dining Room*~

Dante: ……

Nova: Why does it feel like we’re eating at a wake?

Pace: It’s Dante’s fault. Nothing’ll taste good if he eats like that

(*stands)

Luca: Where are you going, Pace!?

Pace: To town for some lasagna!

Debito: I’ll come with you

Debito: I can’t go on without a signorina pouring me a drink

Luca: Not you too, Debito…!

Liberta: Ugh…we can’t keep going like this!

Liberta: Hey, do it!

Orso: Damn it… It’s for Dante…it’s for Dante…!

Nino: Okay!

Orso: Dante-san! We’re going to try telling those jokes that you like for once!

Dante: Jokes?

Nino: Right! Here we go!

Orso: Even more so with Orso!

Nino: Yes-no or Nino!

(*clap) Dante: Not bad, I guess

Orso: That’s it?

Dante: What else did you want me to say?

Nino: W-well…

Orso: Before, Dante-san would have either joined in…or kicked some sense into us…

Orso/Nino: *sigh*…

Liberta: Come on, Dante!

Dante: What is it, Liberta?

(*splash)

Liberta: Take that!

Dante: …That felt cold

Liberta: Huh!? That’s it?

Dante: Obviously getting a cup of water dumped over your head would feel cold. And my hair is wet

Liberta: You’re not mad?

(*reach) Felicita: Dante, you can dry off with this

Dante: Okay

(*stands)

Liberta: Where are you going!?

Dante: Back to my room

Liberta: He didn’t react at all…

Orso: Sorry, Ojou-san… We thought we could get him to show some kind of emotion…

Nino: It’s like he’s wearing a mask

Liberta: Before, even if Dante was wearing a mask, he’d show his emotions underneath. But now…

Felicita: [This is Vir’s curse… One worse than death]

Felicita: [I want to get Dante’s emotions back…]

Felicita: *glare*

Liberta: Ojou? What’s wrong?

Felicita: …I’m going to see Dante

~*Scene: Hallway*~

(*knock knock)

Felicita: Dante, do you have a minute?

~*Scene: Chief Executive’s Office*~

Dante: If you need something, make it quick

Felicita: …Dante, do you remember this?

Dante: A blue ribbon… Yes, I remember it

Felicita: Dante, you’re really important to me. I said we’d be together forever, right?

Felicita: I still want that now

Dante: A Nord-style proposal…

Dante: Your Nord-style proposal…

Dante: ……

Dante: I don’t know how it was before, but right now, I don’t feel anything for you

Felicita: !

Dante: So, I can’t accept your proposal

Felicita: …Alright

(*door closes)

~*Scene: Hallway*~

Liberta: !!

Nova: !!

Felicita: Liberta! And Nova too…!

Liberta: Oh, uh, we were just…

Felicita: …!

Liberta: Oww! You might be feeling down, but your kicks still pack a punch!

Nova: Why’d you drag me into this…

Liberta: I didn’t make you come with me! You did that on your own!

Nova: Don’t yell at me! I’m not the one you’re mad at!

Liberta: ! Sorry… You’re right

~*Scene: Chief Executive’s Office*~

Dante: Great, more of you

Liberta: Don’t give us that! How could you say that to Ojou!

Dante: I just said how I felt

Liberta: You used to be so lovey-dovey with her! What happened!?

Dante: Maybe I used to be. But not anymore

Nova: I thought better of you

Dante: Hearing that doesn’t hurt me in the slightest

Nova: …!

Liberta: Damn it…! If you’re going to act like that…then I’ll take Ojou myself!

Dante: Do what you want

Liberta: Yeah, I sure will!

(*door closes)

Nova: Is he seriously taking advantage of this situation…?

Dante: Will that be all?

Nova: …I’ll say one thing. I don’t know what you’re planning, but there’s only one person who can make her happy. Remember that

(*door closes)

Dante: …That has nothing to do with me

~*Scene: Felicita’s Room*~

Felicita: A curse that takes away his emotions… Even his love for me is gone…

Felicita: Am I never going to see Dante smile again?

~*Scene: Felicita’s Room*~

Felicita: A curse that takes away his emotions… Even his love for me is gone…

Felicita: Am I never going to see Dante smile again?

(*knock knock)

Luca: Ojou-sama, may I come in?

Felicita: L-Luca? Yes

Luca: Ojou-sama…were you crying?

Felicita: No, I wasn’t

Luca: You can’t fool me. You’re eyes are red

(*blush)

Luca: …Not only does he look young again, he’s acting different too. He’s like another person

Felicita: He’s still Dante. I try to tell myself that, but…

Luca: Yes, I see. Let’s think of a solution together

Felicita: Okay. …By they way, did you need something?

Luca: Oh, yes! I completely forgot. I have a letter for you

Felicita: A letter? …Oh, it’s from Neve

Felicita: ……

Luca: What did Neve say?

Felicita: It sounds like she’s with Vir…

Felicita: And it almost seems like she sent this so I’d know where he was…

Felicita: …!

Luca: …Ojou-sama? What is it?

Felicita: Ah, oh. It’s nothing

Felicita: [The best way to rid Dante of his curse, is to confront the person who cast it…]

Felicita: [I’ll go see Vir. And get him to remove Dante’s curse]

~*Scene: Dining Room*~

Liberta: Is Ojou seriously missing!?

Luca: Yes… I thought some dolce might cheer her up, but when I went to her room, it was empty…

Nova: Nope, she’s not anywhere in town

Pace: Or the harbor

Liberta: Damn it… Where are you, Ojou!

Nova: No ideas, Luca?

Luca: She started acting strange after receiving Neve’s letter, so I read it out of curiosity…

Debito: Going through other people’s mail sure isn’t nice

Luca: It’s an emergency, I had no choice! Can you please not slander me?

Debito: So, what’d it say?

Luca: She said she was doing well and asked about Ojou-sama, then mentioned she was in Nord with Vir…

Liberta: Nord…

Liberta: Does that mean anything?

Nova: Are you stupid? Think about it. She obviously went to see Vir

Pace: Huh? What for?

Debito: Use your brains… It’s obviously to fix Dante’s curse

Liberta: She’s going to face Vir head on!? That’s too dangerous!

Nova: It just goes to show how determined she is

Liberta: Ojou…

Nova: …Do you still not feel anything, Dante?

Dante: If Ojou-san left, that’s her decision. We have no right to interfere

Liberta: So you don’t care if something happens to her!?

Dante: It has nothing to do with me

Liberta: Is this seriously what happens when you lose your emotions…!? How do you think Ojou feels…

Liberta: Is this seriously what happens when you lose your emotions…!? How do you think Ojou feels…

Luca: You should go after Ojou-sama, Dante

Dante: That’s not my job. Someone else can do it

Liberta: It has to be you, Dante!

Jolly: The effects of Vir’s curse…are certainly interesting

Nova: Now’s not the time for that

Jolly: I don’t want Ojou-sama putting herself in danger over this either

Jolly: So I may as well make use of my postion as advisor

Nova: What are you planning?

Jolly: Dante. Go bring Ojou-sama back. That’s an order

Dante: An order? If that’s all I need to do, then fine

Jolly: Alive, of course

Dante: …Right. And orders are absolute?

Jolly: Correct

Dante: Then I’ll obey

Liberta: What, seriously!? He’ll go if it’s an order!?

Nova: Is this a good idea? Will he even help her like this?

Liberta: Ah, forget it! We can’t trust Dante when he’s like this! I’m going too!

Nova: If you do, you’ll just be in the way

Liberta: It’s better than sending Dante like this! Just hold on, Ojou!

~*Scene: Casa Bianca Vault*~

Vir: I’m surprised you knew I was here

Felicita: I’m here to ask a favor

Vir: A request…? You’re foolish if you think I’d listen when you took the Tarocco from me

Felicita: I won’t apologize about the Tarocco. I didn’t do anything wrong

Vir: Oh?

Felicita: So it’s not fair to do this to Dante

Vir: Things done out of anger are never fair

Felicita: Remove Dante’s curse

Vir: No

Felicita: What if we pay another price instead? Then it’s an equivalent exchange

Felicita: As long as I can save him, I’m willing

Vir: I don’t anything from you. And there’s nothing you can do to atone for burning the Tarocco

Felicita: You won’t negotiate?

Vir: No, I don’t believe I will

(*shing) Felicita: Then, I’ll have to resort to force

Vir: You’re challenging me again when you’ve never won before? You truly are foolish

Attack!

>Hit

(+30 Amore)

>Miss

(-40 Amore)

Vir: Oh. Perhaps you’ve improved?

Felicita: I know I couldn’t win like that

Vir: But it’s still not enough!

Vir: You haven’t learned. Your kicks are still so sloppy

Felicita: I’m not done!

Vir: I’m not above holding a grudge. I’m still angry about you burning the Tarocco. So I fear I won’t hold back

Vir: Don’t blame me if I kill you

Dodge!

>Hit

(+30 Amore)

>Miss

(-40 Amore)

Felicita: *dodge*

Vir: At least you’re light on your feet. But how long will you last?

Felicita: Guh…

Vir: Well, I’m impressed you’re still standing

Vir: But, this is the end! You’re done!

Felicita: !

Liberta: Ojou!

Dante: Ojou-san!

Felicita: ! Dante…!

Felicita: You came…

Dante: Are you okay?

Felicita: You’re here to save me? Dante… Are your emotions back?

Dante: I don’t feel anything in particular. But, my body just moved on its own

Dante: It’s strange. Why would I move without thinking…?

Vir: Was one curse not enough for you, Dante?

Dante: I just came to bring Ojou-san back. I have no intention of fighting you

Vir: And what if I still did?

Dante: Then, I would have to defend myself

Liberta: Dante!? What are you doing!?

Dante: I must answer to his challenge

Liberta: How come that part of you didn’t change!?

Vir: This won’t even be a fight. I’ll kill you in one hit. I have nothing to fear now that you’ve lost your Tarocco powers

(*serious)

Vir: This is farewell

Neve: Wait, Vir!

Vir: …Neve. Step aside

Neve: I won’t… Remove Dante’s curse, Vir

Felicita: Neve…

Neve: I’m the one who told her you were here

Vir: You did what?

Neve: The curse you cast will come back around. The fact that your anger hasn’t faded is proof do that

Vir: ……

Neve: You can’t be happy if you continue to hate, Vir

Felicita: Neve, why…?

Neve: Because you’re my friend. And I am indebted to you

Felicita: Indebted?

Neve: I hurt your Mama. And…I keep trying to take away those important to you…

Neve: I can’t ignore that

Vir: Neve, whatever you’re trying to do, it won’t soothe my anger

Neve: Then I have no choice…Vir

Felicita: Neve, what are…?

Neve: If you won’t remove Dante’s curse, then I will be the price

Vir: What do you mean?

Neve: Neither of us can die. I thought that’s why we were drawn to each other, but…

Neve: Even if I don’t want to, I will leave you

Felicita: Neve…!

Neve: Hate accomplishes nothing. And my Tarocco is already gone too

Vir: Neve, what are you saying?

Neve: We can be happy without the Tarocco… No, we’re better off without it…

Vir: ……

Vir: I don’t want to lose you, Neve

Neve: I feel the same. And those two care about each other as well

Vir: ……

Felicita: Vir…?

Vir: I can’t believe I’m hearing that from you…

~*End of Scene*~

(Continue to Dante Chapter 13)

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