#addition: it probably helps they're teammates next year

[jacyinn]

Is it a universal thing to be charmed by Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia when you first step foot into Motogp or am I just personally drawn to a mix of slightly insane(tm) men and men that looks just a tad bit Wet at all times

[siddyyyyyyyy]

You're Only Sixteen

wc: ~3.8k

summary: child soldier joins task force141, stuff is complicated

warnings: violence, brief discussion of child soldiers

a/n: got this idea from somewhere, it marinated in my drafts for about half a year lol; second part

Waiting at the back of the base, Ghost is leaning against the building, waiting on the new addition to the Task Force. As if they even need one. Price sent him to meet the recruit, telling him the new asset should be highly trained and good for the team. Maybe he's right, but five people on the team seem too much for Ghost. Whatever criticism he has, they don't matter now since Price got you into the team anyway, meaning there's no going back unless you manage to mess up badly. Soap passes him by, having a clue on why he's waiting outside right now.

»Waiting on the new recruit?«

He gives a grunt as a response. »Supposedly, they're highly trained and an 'asset' to us.« Soap nods and wishes him good luck, but also prays for the recruit. Meeting Ghost as the first of the team might be scary for the new recruit, but Price probably doesn't really care about that or he wants that to happen. God knows what his plan is; no one really knows.

Some time passes after the interaction before a truck arrives with you in it, a smaller figure popping out of the vehicle once it stopped near Ghost. He doesn't register what he sees in front of him for a moment, too focused on the truck driving away, before properly taking a look at you. While about two heads smaller than him, you have a rather slim build but a gloomy appearance around you. And you're... not older than bloody fifteen. There's no way. That's either a bad joke or you just look incredibly young.

»Name?« Once his gruff voice reaches you, you can't help but already tense up slightly more than before. He looks intimidating, yes, but you're sure he should be your future teammate. Eventually, you briefly introduce yourself, and he is also very sure that he's got the right person in front of him. The new asset. Ghost isn't one to be nosy or ask personal questions, but he needs to really bite back on asking about your age. You look way too young to be here. Let alone meet him in person.

»And you're Ghost, right?« You ask carefully, standing right in front of him with a respective distance. With how stoic your expression is... you're too much like his younger self. Maybe Ghost thinks too much of it, but he hopes you didn't need to go through the same thing he did.

He gives you back a small nod, uncrossing his arms and sizing you up for a second longer before turning around to the door. Walking into the base without saying another word and expecting you to follow him just like that. Pretty scary, to be honest.

You don't know much, but being added to a team of four, not sure what their intentions are with either you or in general. Maybe it's better when he doesn't talk much to you; the less you know, the better. But the base looks too clean and organised for any shady stuff to go on. But you could also be easily mistaken. Looking around, you spot only a few soldiers walking by, how simple it's decorated inside, and it isn't cold like in other buildings. After some long corridors, he stops at a double door, a small sign next to the doors with 'Briefing Room' written on it. Ah, good to know.

Ghost eyes you for a hot second before opening one of the doors and walking in, following behind him once again. Walking in, you see three other men in the room already, looking less intimidating than this ‘Ghost guy‘. »Nice to meet you and welcome to the team.« Another deep but more soft voice greets you, a man with a beard and fisherman's hat giving you a small nod. His gaze hardens for a moment too, like Ghost's did before when first meeting you. He also realises something is wrong. You nod back as a small form of greeting, mumbling out a formal greeting back.

»Kid, tell me. How old are you'?« He asks as he straightens his posture and awaits your answer, tilting his head a bit to the side. It‘s clear this man doesn‘t beat around the bush and goes straight to the point. The other two men in the room stay quiet, silently watching and studying you as well. One with a mowhawk exchanges a look with the tall, scary guy, Ghost, before glancing to the captain.

»There was no age on your file, so I'm just curious.« He adds to his question, sounding polite even though you can clearly hear the suspicion and probably even concern in his voice. Taking a deep breath, you try to be honest, but you're also afraid of the consequences of being honest. There are four men after all, all taller than you, seemingly much bigger and stronger. You know how to fight, but it still gives you chills standing in this room with unfamiliar men, all alone.

»I'm sixteen, sir.« Is your answer and voice steady and calm even though your body language betrays you. Your whole body stays still, with hands behind your back, seemingly waiting for any possible attack or threat to come right your way. It's silent while you look around the faces of them, seeing both surprise and disbelief in almost all of them. Only Ghost stays unwavering, but that might just be his balaclava covering his whole face. He knew something was wrong but wasn't sure enough to ask you that same question earlier, having figured that his captain knew enough anyway to avoid this situation. It stays silent for another beat until the captain sighs out, leaning his hands onto the table in front of him.

»And what's a sixteen-year-old doing in such a place?« He asks you, even though he could ask that question himself. How could he allow this? Is that why there was no age to your file? And are there more poor children like you? It's obvious they're all against something like a 'child soldier‘ in their team, even when you‘re a teen by now. »I was sent here to be an asset to your team.« You answer him, deciding it's better to talk and communicate rather than stay silent and listen to the thick silence.

»Captain, that's-« »Another word and you're out, Gaz.« The guy with the cap is interrupted by the captain's loud voice, giving out a clear warning. You notice how tense it feels in the room, sensing just how badly this could go wrong. Price takes a short breath before turning his attention back to you, standing at his full height once again.

»What do you know? About this, I mean. Do you even know our names? What we're doing?« You simply shake your head, staying stoic and calm even though you have the strong urge to run out of the room, knowing you‘re most likely not welcome in this room. But you won‘t; you've learnt to stay put and stand your ground, to not show any weakness no matter what.

»Kid...« He sighs out, trying to find a way to put this correctly, »Okay, let's start with you first. Tell us about yourself.« This is much kinder than you thought this would be. No one's glaring at you besides one particular shadow in the corner, but that just seems to be in his nature. You answer him, your voice being as steady and calm as possible, while telling them about yourself.

»I've been trained professionally for nearly nine years, been on the field since then. My specialisations are weapon handling, sabotage, sniper techniques, and demolitions.«

You state, carefully picking your words and telling them information about yourself that seems to be most necessary for now. Price stares at you for a few seconds, all eyes on you, while the mowhawk and Ghost are occasionally exchanging looks with each other, seemingly unsure about you. It seems like the captain is thinking before speaking up once more, having decided it.

»That's a lot for sixteen years. You must be real good if you were sent here, no? I think you have potential.« »Price, are you serious-« The mowhawk snaps, glaring at his captain before glancing back to you shortly. »That's a kid.« He hisses, completely thrown off with his captain's easy acceptance of you in their team. »I agree, Cap'. There's no way we'll have a child soldier on our side.« Baseball cap, Gaz, chimes in and tries to convince Price otherwise of you.

It feels both refreshing but also scary when someone talks like this about you, not being used to someone recognising the falseness of this, but you're also afraid if they decide to not accept you into the team. All you can do is watch.

»There's no safer place than here for a kid like this. And the mission is too soon to search for other assets.« He argues back, thinking it's better for you here than anywhere else. He's not wrong; you're in better hands now. The thing is that you have no knowledge of who these people are or what they're fighting for. Or anything else, really.

»Trust me, Soap.« The captain reassures him, Soap, the mowhawk guy, taking his eyes back to you. It's uneasy for you when you know how none of them like the idea of you in the team but the captain. And that's pretty much the only thing keeping you in this task force for now.

»Sorry. We'll keep you in the team, but if you aren't really that good, then we'll have to get rid of you.« The captain's words cut right through you, understanding that this might be a warning for you. That, if you let yourself down or don't show your everything, this might be your end. But maybe he also just said it to scare you. Which worked either way, not wanting to disappoint him. »I understand, sir.« You nod, glancing around the other faces once more quickly as if to remember their faces. ----

Not knowing their names is difficult, having no idea how to ask them for it as well. Wait for them to introduce themselves? Might take longer than some missions. Ask them yourself? No, that's too embarrassing, right? I mean, the captain mentioned their names before in the briefing room, but you just couldn't remember them that quickly. Especially with the situation you were in. But asking them yourself might be a good idea too; practicing social skills and trying to get to know what their intentions are would be a good start.

Looking around yourself, you see only how everyone's preparing for the mission. After the briefing ended, the captain announced that you're all heading out, not able to waste any more time. The mowhawk guy, also the closest to your height, is preparing his guns and picking out some more stuff for himself. Besides him, there's the guy with the baseball cap, and he's doing pretty much the same as his teammate. They look harmless like this, but it's just the fact that these are men, all too unfamiliar to be comfortable around them yet.

Ghost is the only more scary and silent one among them, knowing not to mess with him just by looking at him. The captain is by the helicopter, talking to the pilot and seemingly going over the plan or route once more.

So, there's two people not doing much but preparing themselves, one who's waiting for everyone to be ready and the captain who is busy talking to someone already. Now's your chance, but also not. It doesn't feel right to just walk up to them and start talking, not used to such casual interactions back at your camp. But staring at them isn't really polite either, so you take your eyes off the poor men and instead study the helicopter while strapping on your gear. ----

Sitting in the helicopter is much more interesting, there are more buttons, more extra buttons, interesting technology, and other stuff to look at. Good thing you're sitting next to the captain, too afraid to move the wrong way as if he would care about that in the first place.

He's more focused on the mission and if everything is going according to plan. The others don't seem as nervous or excited in the first place, just like you being rather stoic or focused. To your left sits the scot, he is not looking your way, instead checking out the helicopter's interior as well. Looking straight in front of you, there's Ghost and the most normal-looking one. You could basically ask them their names now, but that could come off as awkward too.

Maybe earlier was a better idea than now... »What's your name again?« Asks the rough voice from your right, looking straight at you. You glance at him and answer him shortly with your name. He nods in response, gesturing to the opposite of him, and goes on.

»That's Gaz. On his right, there's Ghost. And on your left, there's Soap. These are our call signs. I'm Captain Price, sorry for not introducing ourselves earlier.«

Hm, that's very nice of him, actually. You'd never thought he would be so soft spoken, even with his rather rough and raspy voice. But the way he introduces everyone gives you hope that this team might be just a chill and friendly one.

You nod back in return, considering shortly what to say to that. »Nice.« Soap smirks just lightly at your short response, the same goes to Gaz, who after that short introduction looks away once more. Ghost's eyes stay on you for longer, either sizing you up or just staring. Well, there goes your social skills, having thought too much about speaking up and how not to be awkwa-

»What'd you know about guns? You said you specialise in weapon handling.« This is on your left side this time, Soap, if you remember correctly. Your attention is on him now, answering his question after processing it quickly.

»Like, what kind of guns there are or what I have with me?« You ask back, unsure of what to reply exactly to him. He clarifies himself, shifting slightly in his seat to face you better. He tries again, asking you more about what kind of guns are your favourites and if you know some of the mechanics of them and how to tune your gun.

You learn a lot about tuning your gun or rifle, not having been taught that much in your camp. Even though you both haven't talked much, it still felt like you learnt a lot through him. Some would say talking about guns isn't appropriate with a teenager, but is there anything else to talk about with you anyway?

As soon as the helicopter landed and Soap had mostly rambled to you about guns, you're all ready to walk out and officially start the mission. It was rather simple, the plan is to clear a three-story building, get the intel and leave. It shouldn't take any longer than an hour, depends on how many difficulties there are going to be.

After the last few commands of the captain, it starts, pairing up in groups of two while Price goes to the front. Soap is by your side like before, while Ghost and Gaz are in front of you.The atmosphere shifts, and everyone is dead focused, having no place for mistakes. The task of clearing out the building wasn't difficult, it was difficult to actually focus on getting the intel. It was in the basement of the rather big house, only able to get in after having actually cleared out the entire area. After that's done, it goes straight to it, and there was no going back.

Your stomach drops once you reach the basement, it's silent but also so loud you can't hear what the others are saying. Several dead bodies, a dimly lit lamp from the ceiling, the intel in the corner, inside of a USB-stick next to the computer. Price steps in and first puts the stick in to check if it is really what's needed. After a few seconds of loading, it turns out that, yes, it's exactly the information you're here for.

You're finally able to breathe once Price turns around with the intel in hand before giving a firm nod, ready to go back out and return to base. The stench of the dead bodies was torture for you, let alone how dark it was in the room and how silent it was. Walking out was way easier, almost running out as the first one. But outside, there was another surprise. Right as the team went out of the basement, there was another team of soldiers, having just entered the hallway. One wrong move and you're done for, that's for sure.

Your adrenaline skyrockets and makes you act on impulse, shooting two soldiers down with clean head shots. They stop staring and act, one rushing right at you with a knife, probably thinking that’s an easier way instead of shooting at you. Thanks to your aggression that’s mostly caused by your adrenaline rush, you’re quick to block and counterattack him. The enemy soldier is clearly taller than you, but for some reason not hard to fight with at all. You quickly jab his side, which makes him gasp for air; using the distraction to choke him before stabbing him at his other side repeatedly. He cries out and winces before you let go, him holding onto his injured side and falling to his knees. You grab a fire extinguisher from the wall and hit his back with it until he collapses, aiming at his head until you’re sure he is done for. The team took out the rest and glanced to where the loud bangs were coming from, only seeing how you hit the soldier one last time before the fire extinguisher fell from your sweaty palms.

A look of surprise washes over their faces until Nikolai talks into the earpieces, informing you he’s waiting right outside with his helicopter, having about a minute before he needs to fly away.

Once the enemies are out, you're quick to leave the building all together and indeed, see the helicopter of Nikolai. Loaded in and safe, it feels like you've just run a whole marathon. Sitting down at one of the seats with a sigh, you relax your muscles as much as you can. Nikolai’s voice chimes in through the headset you're all wearing once again, all loud and clear and almost as soft spoken as Price's voice. Maybe a bit more warm than the captains, but laced with an accent. The conversation only consists of updating and some light jokes afterwards, it’s mostly quiet. The low grumble of the helicopter is the only thing filling the silence inside, not that it's uncomfortable. It's almost relaxing to finally be safe and at peace for now, even if it's just the way back.

That basement earlier took up some courage in you to go in and stay grounded, not to think too much and focus on the obvious. The surprise attack afterwards sure was surprising but nothing too challenging. The seat was strangely comfortable now after the mission, it's getting darker now anyways as the sun sets and your sore legs are able to have a time out for now. In fact, it's so comfortable that you need to force yourself to stay awake now.

Sandwiched between Price and Soap once more is enough to keep you awake, but not for long. Falling asleep seemed impossible in a room with these four guys at first but now you're napping against the shoulder of Price. Eyes closed and breathing steady, body very much relaxed. Price, on the other hand, is as stiff as a rock right now, not wanting to wake you or make this awkward. Gaz is pretty much amused at the sight in front of him, needing to resist a chuckle. The way you're just so relaxed and napping while Price is as tense as steel is also amusing to the other two teammates.

»We're almost there, just five more minutes.« Nikolai’s thick Russian accent is heard through the mic into the headsets, while Price is feeling relieved that you took your own off headset earlier. It's silent, so Nikolai speaks again, confused on why it's silent.

»Everybody alright?« He asks slowly, awaiting for someone to answer positively. »Rookie fell asleep. Trying t' stay quiet.« Ghost answers quietly back, and Nikolai has to fight back the urge to turn around in his seat and take a look himself. A low chuckle escapes him eventually as he shakes his head lightly and continues flying everyone back to base. ----

The debrief was... calm. Awfully calm. No one's arguing, and no one is yelling for no reason, it's just so casual but professional. Maybe your camp was abusive or at least unprofessional, but this almost feels too calm. It feels as if something will go wrong any second, but it doesn't.

Captain is telling everyone what he found on the USB stick, and the new plan and information are being displayed on the wall by a projector. He's going straight to the point and just tells the obvious, facing the team that is seated at a long table. The next big mission should be in about two weeks until everything is planned, it being a more complicated raid, with the main point of taking held hostages from a big building. Eventually, once he's done, his eyes lock on you and seem to become more serious.

»Before this mission, we'll need to train you as much as possible, so you won't make mistakes. Or worse.« You nod in return, already seeing yourself training day and night and trying to improve impossibly fast.

»We'll train all together and work on our teamwork. As well as spare a few rounds together, hm? Sound good?« You nod once more, feeling like this might actually be more pleasant than hard work like your usual training was. »Good.« You reply back, and once everything is settled, everyone can retreat back into their bunks and rest for tonight. ----

This night was restless for you like every other. Sleeping at a completely different and strange place is always off-setting at first. The bed is normal-sized, and there's nothing you would complain about in your own bunk, you just need to get used to it. Or maybe it was the one-hour nap you took before in the helicopter that prevents you from sleeping now. You're just glad no one addressed it later on after you woke up. Tossing and turning, you eventually fall asleep after several hours from exhaustion.

a/n: don't worry, there will be more chapters, just have to refresh my brain about my plot since I haven't touched it in a while... hope you still enjoyed it!

[sweeethinny]

OTP Ask> Hinny: 2, 5 & 51

hi anon, thank you! <3

What would they do if the other woke in a manic state after a nightmare?

I think Harry needs silence and a hug, Ginny just pulls him close and makes sure he realizes he's safe and that she's there for him Ginny, on the other hand, I think she needs him, but in addition to hugging, to keep talking to her, so Harry will remind her that he's there, but he'll also talk about something ordinary about his day, remind her of some good story between the two of them that will make her laugh, and talk until she fell asleep again or calmed down completely.

Describe their cozy night in.

Harry making dinner, Ginny sitting next to him telling him about her day and making him laugh with the gossip about her teammates, she serves them with wine, Harry starts making her laugh because he insists that all food is an aphrodisiac as long as you drink wine She will keep trying to help him but Harry will keep saying that dinner is special to her so she just has to sit and look pretty while waiting, Ginny will say he always says that (and he does) They go to eat, some music playing on the radio, they talk about everything, about their future - if they already have children, they talk about them, about some worries, some victories, some gossip… - about them, about the country house they want to build because they deserve a place where no one can find them, Harry says he's going to buy a boat (and at some point he does), Ginny says he doesn't even know how to fish… Dessert is something Harry saw in a book, because one day while waiting as long on a mission to capture a wizard, he hid in a bookstore and ended up buying this book and now he tries to make all the 1,000+ desserts that are there, and Ginny never complains (only when he uses coconut, she doesn't like coconut) They laugh, drinking another wine that she bought on a trip she took with the Harpies or that someone gave them as a gift. If it's summer and they're already living in their house, they'll go to the back of the garden, sit on the couch that Harry bought on an impulse purchase as soon as the war ended because he wanted to have something of his own, sitting on the porch If it's winter, Ginny will have light the fireplace and they'll be in the living room, lying together on the sofa, under a blanket she bought as soon as they moved in together. Regardless of the weather, they'll be talking and flirting quietly with each other as if they're not alone, because they're used to always being surrounded by people, so Ginny starts to say that she loves him, because she feels so happy there and so complete it almost hurts. Harry will repeat that he was sure he loved her before he even knew what love was, and was just a teenager too confused to understand his own feelings. And they'll be there, together, whether it's under the covers in the living room in front of the fireplace, wine finished and cheeks flushed, or on the garden porch, Ginny with her legs in Harry's lap, body warm, under the starry sky, listening to the their dog, Sir, playing around while their cat, Khaleesi is lying nearby, probably lying by the tree that after a few years, when they had kids, Harry built a tree house. Anyway, they are together and with no intention of leaving each other.

What’s a non verbal way they say I love you?

Harry is doing things that Ginny likes; food, wearing an outfit she bought him and he doesn't even like it that much, but she is so happy when he wears it, going with her to some places he wouldn't normally go just because she said she doesn't want to feel alone.. Ginny is for the touch; she is going to learn how to cut Harry's hair because during a mission he got hurt and had to stay at home for a while, which made him start to hate the length of his hair and she wanted to help him with that, she goes to hug him him and say nothing after a nightmare, or when he just needs it, she will hold his hand during funerals (unfortunately, even after the war, they still go on some… Aurors..) and during Ministry events that Harry just wanted to be home.

[crimsonblazw]

I'm 8/9 episodes in to my Jungle Fury/Gekiranger watch through and I have some initial analysis. In general I've always loved the theme/aesthetic of the series concept, from the way the suits are reminiscent of tracksuits and other sports/martial arts garb to the way they use Ki for attacks and forming their Megazords. The tldr is that both series are very good so far and does the theme Justice even in where they differ,but the deeper dive is below.

Gekiranger

Characters

To start I think this team is my favorite "initially only three people team", I'll start with Gekired/Jan who was raised by tigers and has a childlike/simple nature on top of being energetic which gives him this Goku/Tarzan vibe.

His development so far seems to be a journey of enlightenment as he continues to be disciplined in Jyuken and begins pushing past relying on base emotions and instincts to achieve something greater,by learning from not only the team's mentor Xiafu (who's mantra of training through everyday circumstance holds true even when he's not directly involved) but also his teammates ,with Gekiblue/Retsu being more aloof and uptight but allows his sense of technique to inspire Jan as well as others, and Gekiyellow/Ran being more calm and focused showing Jan that her dedication to practice allows her to quell any feelings of anxiety during battle.

Miki is an ally and secondary mentor figure to the team grounds the series with her down to Earth presence while providing support for the team using her athletic company SCRTC to develop the team's gear and weapons (something I think is very cool/unique and fitting for this series), I also like the surrogate mother role she plays to Jan which fits given she already has a child named Natsume who has had a few helping roles herself and appropriately acts as a sister figure to Jan.

In terms of villains I'm currently more curious to see what happens going forward since I know some scattered details about later events and Rio hasn't really been fleshed out just yet, though I do find Mele interesting so far showing that her loyalty/thirst for Rio began when he revived her due to sensing their "mutual sorrow" which I suppose made her the ideal right hand woman. When this loyalty is put to the test when the leader of the Venom fists offers her true reserection in exchange for betraying Rio and she decides then and there serving Rio is trully what makes her happy.

Plot

Each episode so far is framed with two key ideas; "everyday life can be used to further the team's training" and the concept of characters representing Mind(referred to as technique here),Body,and Heart. Each episode so far shows how various activities no matter how innocuous can be applied to Jyukrn discipline,as well how each member represents the archetypes of Mind/Technique(Gekiblue/Retsu),Body(Gekired/Jan),and Heart (Gekiyellow/Ran) and why they're synchronization is the key to victory. It definitely adds more dimension to their overall development and I'm a sucker for this type of symbolism as well as watching characters master their craft and improve with new lessons over time.

Jungle Fury/Comparison

The team dynamic definitely has the skeleton of Gekiranger's but adds it's on flare (which I think is the best way to do adaptation in my opinion). The main team still carries the Body, Heart, and Mind symbolism and even has an excellent example of how each member represents this in the first two episodes with Casey (representing the body) having a lot of potential as a newcomer, but is unsure of himself so Lilly (The Heart) uses her compassion and positive/mature nature to encourage Theo(the mind) to inspire Casey and help him master his weapon, all of which perfectly demonstrates the type of synchronization the team needs.

Something more unique is the relationship between the characters,in Gekiranger Retsu and Ran accept Jan rather quickly with a few initial clashes here or there with their overall friendship before he arrived seemingly being more "professional" for a lack of better words. In JF you really get the feeling that Theo and Lilly have been close friends for years with their chemistry even hinting at something a little deeper. When Casey enters the dynamic he instantly has chemistry with Liily which Theo feels threatened by, leading to some initial infighting the group has to work through and resolve.I

think it's one of the best explorations of team dynamic PR has done, especially with how maturely the whole ordeal is handled. individually I think Casey journey in gaining confidence isn't to different from Jan's journey to enlightenment,Theo's uptight and perfectionist nature is a rather straightforward adaptation of Retsu's personality ,and Lilly is my favorite with a very fun but mature personality that builds on Ran's more focused and level headed personality.

RJ is also a fun mentor character who's unorthodox teaching style parallels Xiafu's philosophy in addition to him just being very charismatic and personable. Like Miki Fran grounds the show as a civilian character who balances out the more intense parts of the ranger's dynamic and allows them to bounce off of someone who isn't involved in the action. Jared/Daishi is interesting,the show quickly establishes a strong rivalry between him and Casey built on Jared's strong pride and aggressive nature clashing against Casey's Kinder and more meek one with the difference between their rivalry and Rio and Jan's rivalry being how the former seems to clash over Rio being Xiafu's disgraced student and Jan more or less defending the honor of his Xiafu's teachings.

Another notable difference between Jared and Rio is while Rio is more aloof Jared is actively abusive (at least initially) and agressive towards practically everyone including Camille ( who's basically a perfect adaptation of Mele) which only makes sense as someone who was more concerned with his pride and power over others.

Overall

Both series are off to a great start and I'm probably going to move through both very fast. Next time I'll post it'll be thoughts on the new Masters ,the new rangers,and other developments. Please share your thoughts below.