#and i said yes of course. who am i if not the designated babysitter

[dickggansey]

being an eldest sibling really is a lifestyle

[grampstaxidermy87]

Are you able to write about poly lost boys x male reader who has bipolar? Maybe he's going through a depressive episode or something?

I’m here

An:Hello my lovelies! I’m back after my sudden hiatus, I am sorry this took me so long but life had gotten pretty hectic, all good things I promise! Anyways I do hope you like it! ❤️

Warning: Bipolar!Reader, Male pronouns used, poor mental health, Suicidal thoughts, Swearing.

It was hard to pinpoint an exact reason why my body suddenly refused to move, and yet my mind was racing. That voice that was usually in the back of my mind now took up all of my brain, telling me I wasn’t good enough,that I should just wither away because everyone hates me.

The stress was the worst part, making me feel ashamed for having emotions,that maybe I wouldn’t be feeling like this if I wasn’t so weak…if I were stronger I would be happy.

The blankets felt suffocating around me, but I felt nauseous of the idea of building up the energy to kick them off. Looking up with heavy eyes I saw my clock flashing ‘8:50’ which meant my boys were probably already at the boardwalk waiting for me while I laid here being useless.

That voice spoke louder,they were better off without me dragging them down, they would have more fun now that they didn’t have to worry about me.

Tears filled my eyes as I hugged my stuffed bear tighter, it was a gift from David after he had caught me staring at it and the next day I woke up to it sitting on my bedside table staring at me.

Of course the stoic leader denied having any idea of what I was talking about when I thanked him, but I could see the way his beautiful blue eyes softened when he thought I wasn’t looking.

It still smelled like them, to the point where I was pretty sure they each rubbed their scent on it just so I would end up smelling like them.

That thought brought a small hint of a smile to my face, I really missed them...

A sudden knock on the window beside my bed made me jump, "Babe? You sleeping?" Marko...

"Come on Doll, we know you're awake." David said sliding the window up and slipping inside, they didn't need permission to enter, I gave it to them so long ago that they just waltzed right in whenever they wanted.

"Aww look at our mate wrapped up like a cute little burrito!" Paul cooed hopping in and laying down behind me, I didn't bother moving over since he was just going to tangle himself around me anyways.

He had no idea how much comfort such a simple act brought me right now, the pressure helping to keep me grounded and not get lost in my spiraling mentality.

"Hey Baby boy, we missed you at the boardwalk. Are you feeling sick?" Dwayne's concerned eyes stared into mine as he knelt down beside the bed, reaching up to brush my matted hair out of my face.

"Physically yes..." David sat on his designated chair at my desk, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

"Is it happening again? Doll you should have called Max, he would have told us earlier so you didn't have to be alone." David scolded lightly, knowing I wasn't exactly thinking rationally when I was like this.

"I didn't want to bother anyone, I shouldn't need a babysitter anytime I feel a little sad." I huffed forcing myself to sit up, Paul fallowed and brought me back into his chest as he gently hugged me.

"Baby, this isn't just you being a little sad. We love you and want to be here for you, what kind of mates would we be if we can't help you with these kinds of things." Marko sat on the bed and took one of my hands, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles in soothing circles.

Despite how soft they were being with me I just felt so angry, defeated. I didn’t know how much longer I could deal with this stupid disorder.

“I love you guys too…I just wish I didn’t feel like this! I don’t even remember what triggered it this time…” I hadn’t even realized I was crying until Dwayne was wiping the tears off my cheeks.

“It’s okay to be upset my handsome prince, Your feelings are completely valid. But bottling it all up isn’t healthy,you’ll only end up hurting yourself. That’s why we want you to rely on us too.” The others voiced their agreements and I looked up as David approached and cupped my chin,making me shiver from the intensity of those striking blue eyes of his.

“You’re not going to scare us away,if that’s what you’re afraid of. We are immortal vampires who kill to survive, you being Bipolar isn’t going to make us change the fact that we love you more than you’ll ever know. We have killed for you,Ripped bastards apart for even looking at you the wrong way.” He said leaned down until our faces were inches apart.

“Isn’t that enough to prove our complete and utter devotion to you?” My breath hitched in my throat and he smirked when he heard my heart skip a beat.

“Such a romantic Davey.” Paul teased earning a smack up the head from Marko for ruining the moment,”Shut up Paul.”

They started arguing but stopped once hearing the quiet chuckle that passed my lips as i tiredly rubbed at my cheeks, “I love you guys, I’m so-“ ,”(Y/n), if the next two words out of you mouth are ‘I’m sorry’ I will smack you.” Dwayne warned successfully shutting me up.

“You have nothing to apologize for babe, You’re allowed to have emotions. And yea sometimes they really suck ass, but you’re not alone.” Paul cooed cuddling into me and pressing a kiss on my neck.

Marko moved to press a kiss to my cheek and sat back with a smile,“He’s right love, you’re stuck with us.” A teasing smile tugged at my lips and I playfully rolled my eyes, “Lucky me…”

The terror twins immediately tackled me back into bed, with feral grins and merciless fingers that tickled all the spots they knew by heart.

Dwayne and David stood off to the side, smiling at the three of us softly. They were happy to hear my laughter, no matter how far into my own head I got they would always be there to bring me back or offer a listening ear.

Because we were family, one big messy family.

[lubdubsworld]

Insatiable. ( Jungkook x OC)

Pairing : Jeon Jungkook x OC

Rating 18+

Genre : Vampire Au!!!! , DILF! Jungkook ! Bodyguard AU! Babysitter OC!   Age difference!!! [ bet you’ve never seen all of this in one fic before? ] 

[ Some notes : Born Vampires stop aging when they turn twenty five.  Turned vampires stop aging when they’re turned. ]

Summary : 

21 year old Hwang Sera is sick of being the only human in an entire clan of vampires. As an immortal human from one of the oldest bloodlines, she is a catch. The Vampire she marries would essentially be indestructible. 

Which makes her an easy target for greedy vampires everywhere. 

Determined to keep his precious daughter safe, her father hires an old friend , Jeon Jungkook as her full time bodyguard. 

Jungkook is 35 years old ( well technically 576 years old )  , father to an adorable five year old kid and he has zero tolerance for Sera and her teenage shenanigans. But , he needs the money and he knows his son would be safe in the  Hwang clan’s massive mansion.  

And suddenly, after years of despising vampires, all Sera can think about is getting into the gorgeous vampire’s bed and maybe into his heart. 

Chapter 1

“He’s so hot.” My sister sighed for the seventeenth time and I glared at her.

“He’s mine. Back the fuck off.” I bared my non existent fangs at her and she retaliated by showing off her own inch long fangs, eyes flashing ruby red in the confines of our huge sprawling bedroom. 

The man in question, my sparkling new bodyguard wasn’t here now. He was downstairs at the party, being introduced to the others as the latest addition to our clan.

My mouth watered when I remembered his gorgeous, handsome face. And that body , God. 

Sculpted by some higher being who wanted to show off, for sure. 

I had never given much thought to losing my virginity. It certainly wasn’t by design that I hadn’t had sex yet but looking at Jeon Jungkook in a fitted black suit, midnight black hair falling into his lovely red eyes and those delicious muscles.....

I kind of believed in fate now. 

This was why I’d always been repulsed by the vampires who courted me. 

Because Jeon Jungkook had been out there, waiting for me. 

And now fate had brought him here and he was going to be mine. 

I stumbled over a stray bra, nearly face planting onto the floor . 

 God, i hated how messy Somi was but I was also eternally grateful that she had skipped out on the party tonight, volunteering to help me with the kids. 

I ran a daycare in one of the larger cottages in the estate, keeping the little fanged devils in check while the parents went about their daily lives. On nights like this, when my father hosted guests from every clan in the country for one of his lavish parties, there was always a whole bunch of bite-happy toddlers in need of supervision. 

Enter me.

 I loved babies. I’d always loved them. They were adorable. And after three years of school , I was finally, officially qualified in caring for them. 

Oh and by the way did i tell you that Jungkook had a son? Jeon Joowon was possibly the cutest five year old I’d ever seen and yes I was a little biased but that was okay. I was going to be the kids step mom , after all. 

Listen, don’t look at me like that, I just really want to be with Jungkook okay?

I tripped over the same bra when turning back around and I swore.

Focus, Sera. You can day dream about hot vampire daddy later.

“ Why do you have to throw your shit all over the place like this? “ I whined, grabbing the offensive piece of fabric and tossing it at her. She caught is so fast I  went a little cross eyed. My sister never missed an opportunity to show off her super-saiyan, vampire powers. That made her a crowd favorite with the toddlers and younglings . 

“I still don’t think your choice of a career is smart. These fanged little beasts are impossible to control... ” She commented mildly, watching me stuff two whole cartons of baby wipes into the huge backpack I had propped against the bed. I’d forgotten to restock the day care with wet wipes and it was sheer luck that I had a pair of them lying around my room.

The very idea of entering a room full of babies and toddlers without baby wipes, made me shudder. 

“Listen, they’re absolute angels when you listen to what they’re saying. Just because babies can’t talk doesn’t mean they don’t have preferences. All you really need to do is find out what each kid likes and help them feel comfortable -”

“Please stop.” She rolled her eyes and I glared at her.

“I’m a little thirsty. Can i have a sip..” She said softly and I frowned.

“You haven’t drunk from me the entire day. Are you okay?” I held my wrist out.

She shrugged , grabbing my wrist and casually sinking her fangs into the vein . Pain bloomed, familiar and somehow comforting , replaced almost at once by the gentle numbing of her venom. She drank a little and pulled back soon after, linking the puncture wounds for good measure. I watched the skin knit itself together , whole and unmarred in no time. 

Perks of being immortal. 

The knock on the door made me jump. 

“Ms Hwang?” Jungkook’s soft, husky voice came floating through the door and I grinned, cheeks aching with how wide my smile was.

“You look like a maniac. Stop smiling.” My sister looked a little alarmed and I struggled to rearrange my features. Sticking my tongue out at her, I grabbed my sweatshirt, slipping it overhead quickly. I glanced at the mirror, grimacing a bit. 

Being with toddlers meant no make up or hair left free.... and so I had a messy top bun, and just lip gloss to look presentable. While the entire party teemed with gorgeous vampires in low cut gowns and blood red lips. 

Ugh. 

I grabbed the backpack and waved to Somi.

“Come as soon as you can alright?” I begged her and she waved me off.

I rushed to the door, throwing it open and smiling wide.

“Hi oppa.” I said cheerfully.

“I’m not your oppa.” Jungkook said automatically, barely glancing at me and instead reaching for the backpack. He directed me to the stairwell on the side, the one that led straight down to the ground floor and out into the gardens. He went in first and  I followed him,  climbing down carefully. 

I sighed, taking in the mouth watering width of his shoulders, encased in a perfectly fitted jacket. He looked so handsome I wanted to cry. And although he’d been here for a whole week month now, I hadn’t managed to get into his good graces. 

“What do I call you, then?” I made to hold his hand when we reached the end of the staircase  but he shook my arm off at once.

Did I tell you that he really can’t stand me for some reason? 

“As I’ve  mentioned a dozen times already, Mr. Jeon would suffice.” He said shortly. He held the door leading out into the gardens open and I walked through. 

“That makes you seem so old.” I grimaced, shaking my head and he gave me an amused look.

“I am 576 years old.” He deadpanned. The daycare cottage was just a five minute walk from the mansion and the pathway through the garden was absolutely beautiful, well lit and covered in the brightest flowers. 

I waved off his excuse about his age. 

“you don’t look a day over twenty five to me.” I said with a shrug. He shook his head, clearly too tired to carry the conversation on. We walked in silence and I felt incredibly content, just with him near.

 And he was going to be by my side for the rest of our lives, I thought softly. I would make sure of it. I’d never felt this way about anyone. Jungkook was a good man , evident in literally everything he did. He was kind, an amazing father and such a gentleman that he made me melt. 

Jungkook had been turned at the age of 35. And so he sailed through eternity with the gorgeous good looks of a mature , well kept man. His hair was thick, just a slight bit of grey peppering the edges and his features were sharp and well defined. 

“Is Joowon in the daycare already?” I asked with a smile and he nodded curtly. 

“He has Mr. Pepper with him. He refused to leave him behind. please just make sure he still has him with him when he leaves. He can’t fall asleep without the bunny “ He said softly and I felt my heart bloom ten sizes.

“Of course, I will -”

“Jungkook !!!” The shrill voice broke the stillness of the night like a hammer through a mirror. 

I turned around with a frown only to be greeted by the sight of a very pretty, very tall vampire in a blood red bodycon dress and a neckline that plunged all the way to her belly button. She had ruby red lips, and well made eyes. Eyes that now flashed red , dilating as they ran up and down his body. 

I felt myself clenching my fists. 

“I’m getting late....we need to go, I grabbed his arm trying to tug him along but he didn’t budge. i glanced at his face and felt my heart shatter at the small smile playing around his lips.

“Helena..... Surprise seeing you here....” He drawled, voice so much deeper than usual and I bit my lips. They knew each other? 

The vampire had reached us now and she gave me a disdainful smile.

“Who’s this?” She asked with a laugh, “ Are you babysitting now, Jeon?”

I bristled. To my utter chagrin, Jungkook laughed to.

“She’s the kid I’m watching. The Immortal human  of the Hwang clan.” He intoned dully. 

The lady’s brows went up in surprise.

“:The rumors are true, ....The Hwang clan’s hidden jewel.....with skin like the rarest pearl and eyes that steal souls. Fiercely guarded ...a beauty like no other.... I thought they were exaggerating, but I see they were not. . You’re exquisite.” She commented , seemingly genuine in the compliment as her eyes roved over my features. 

“ Um.. thanks?” I shrugged, not particularly flattered by the extravagant description.  

The poets in my clan tended to be a bit overdramatic at times. 

. She laughed.

“Are you unavailable for the night, then Jeon?” She turned her flashing eyes on him .

My jaw nearly dropped.

Did this bitch really just proposition-

“Afraid so.... Raincheck?” Jungkook smiled wide and he looked so beautiful that I had to bit my lips to stop from moaning. 

Helena waved softly, eyes shifting back to me.

“Be safe, little human. When the sun goes down, the ghouls come out to play.” She grinned wide, letting her fangs grow long, past her lower lip, eyes red and bloody. 

I stared right back. She laughed and waved before floating away into the night. 

Jungkook chuckled. 

“You’re not intimidated by us, then.” He said mildly as we began walking again.

“I spent the entirety of my childhood playing with vampires. Do you really think they didn’t spend every waking hour trying to scare me to death?” 

He gave me soft smile, and then went back to staring straight ahead. 

I relaxed when the familiar cottage came into view, the sound of laughing kids reaching me. 

I held my hand out for the backpack and Jungkook gave it to me.

“I’ll just check out the backyard and see if al the gates are secure and then I’ll be right outside the door, alright? Call out if you need me...” He said sharply 

“Will you come even if I call you oppa?” I bit my lips, grinning and he flicked my nose. 

“Behave.” He said shortly. I sighed.

“I’m not a kid, you know.” I said softly and he gave me a look.

“You are to me. Now get inside.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“There’s a monster behind the tree and I’m Hawkeye because I have the bow and arrow and Jieun is the princess.” Joowon said brightly, showing off the toy bow and arrow in his hand and I grinned, taking in his exquisite features. He looked strikingly like his father , except for the two adorable dimples that showed up everytime he smiled.

“That’s amazing... do you like fighting monsters?” I asked with a grin holding my arms out for him and he hugged me happily.

“Yes, I like fighting monsters and I like Mr. Pepper.” He waved the stuffed bunny in my face. 

“Make sure you keep him safe, alright? “ I stroked the soft skin of the 

“So what color does your daddy like?” I asked with a grin. I felt a sharp kick on my shin and I turned to my sister. 

“Don’t use the fucking kid for your sinful aims, you dingbat!” She hissed and I glared at her. 

“I did no such thing...I was just making conversation....” I hissed back.

“Dad likes black.” Joowon answered dutifully and I ruffled his hair. Jieun appeared then, having waited for her prince and gotten bored. She tugged on Joowon’s arm and I let him go, watching the two of them run off. 

“Its only been a month, Sera.... I think you should tone down the infatuation. You know dad would never approve.” My sister said gently and I frowned.

“No he won’t, Dad loves me , he wants me to be happy.” I said shortly. 

“Yes, but not with Jungkook. He’s a rogue vampire. He doesn’t have a clan. He has a kid ...”

“An angel of a kid...”

“he has a kid whose mother he had to kill because she was a bloodthirsty witch.” 

i stared at my sister feeling anger build inside me.

“What does any of that have to do with how I feel about him?” I demanded , moving to stop one of the littles from tripping over a stray rubik’s cube. 

“ You’re special. You’re being courted by some of the richest, most powerful  vampires in the country and you want to go after the rogue , broke vampire who’s only here because he needs the money and the safety of our clan?” 

“I’m not having this conversation with you.” I said firmly.

Somi sighed.

“I’m just saying. Don’t be so blatantly open about your feelings. You’ll be putting a target on Jungkook’s back.” 

I exhaled sharply. 

“If anyone tries to hurt him, they die.” I said softly.

Somi chuckled.

“I know.... but still, he’s not looking for trouble. Don’t bring it to his doorstep.” 

I didn’t reply, moving quickly to the other side of the room. 

the words left a bitter taste on my tongue.

Mostly because my sister was right. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

i stared at the tall strapping vampire, trying to comprehend what I was hearing.

“What do you mean he isn’t here for the night?” I demanded. 

“He’s a little tired. He told me had a little too much to drink and he wants to sleep it off. I’ll be here instead ... Just for tonight.” He tried to smile reassuringly and I was momentarily distracted by very deep dimples  but I could feel myself fuming. 

“and he didn’t think of saying that to me himself? He had to run off while i was closing up the cottage?” I glared. 

The Vampire chuckled. 

“He told me you might protest.”

“Of course i protest, I feel safer with him...” I said sharply.

The Vampire gave me a deep sigh.

“I’ve been doing this for three centuries, Miss Hwang. You’re definitely safe with me.” He bowed his head.

“What’s your name?” I demanded. 

“Kim Namjoon.” 

“Fine , Kim Namjoon ssi.... Let’s go. “ 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giving Namjoon the slip was a lot easier than I thought. I waited for him to greet my great uncle, and slipped between two waiters carrying blood cocktails and weaved into the crowd easily. 

Jungkook’s bedroom was next to mine and it took me less than a minute to race up the stairs and to his room.

i banged on the door , determined to see for myself just how drunk he’d gotten. 

The door opened and i took a deep breath.

“How dare you leave me-” 

I froze when I realized that he was shirtless, fresh out of the shower. Water dripped down his torso , like little starbursts of liquid light and my mouth went dry. I swallowed, staring at the tightly packed abs, the dip of his v line as it disappeared into a fluffy white towel.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” He growled angrily.

My eyes flew to meet his and then my gaze caught something red on his bed and I peered over his shoulder.

Pain lanced through my heart so sharp that I felt like I’d taken a fucking brick to my chest. 

The sight of Helena, naked except for a red bra, stretched out on his bed got burned into my brain and I choked.

“You-” I began but he grabbed my arm, so hard that I knew I would bruise. He yanked me away from the threshold of his room, dragging me to the middle of the hallway as he slammed the door to his room shut.

“Where the fuck is Namjoon?”

“You ditched me to get laid? “ I hissed in disbelief.

“I can’t fucking believe you’re doing this-”

“Is she your girlfriend-”

“Sera-” he shook me again but I refused to back down. I had to know.

“Are you in love with her?!!!” I demanded, my heart breaking .

Jungkook growled.

“It’s none of your damned business!!” He snapped angrily .

“It is !!” I said shrilly.

“Why on earth-”

“Because I’m in love with you!!” I shouted and he froze. 

He let go of me like he’d been burned and stepped back, staring at me wide eyed,. 

“What did you just say?” He demanded.

“I want you. I want you to court me-”

“Sera stop.” He said sharply 

“I’m not joking...I like you and-”

“Shut up.” He growled, his voice shaking. 

I swallowed.

“If you say something as asinine as that to me , ever again... I  will  make you regret it. ” He warned softly.

I felt my heart jerk in panic.

“Jungkook-”

“It’s Mr. Jeon to you!!!” He growled. 

I bit my lips, staring at my feet.

“I’m going to pretend this never happened. You’re going to go to your room and wait for Namjoon. If anything like this ever happens again, I’m telling your father.” 

I laughed bitterly.

“I’m not fucking twelve years old you son of a bitch. Stop talking to me like I’m your toy or something !” I snarled.

“If you were my toy I would fucking spank you till you cry and lock you in a damn room!” He hissed. 

I flinched.

He took a deep shaky breath. 

“This never happened.” He said sharply. “ I’m not one of your boytoys. I have no interest in fledgling humans who know nothing about life. That's not the kind of woman I’m looking for. You’re not the kind of woman I’m looking for because you aren’t even a woman yet.” 

“ Jungkook !!!” Namjoon’s voice rang through the hallway and I stepped back. 

“Have a good night with your whore, Mr. Jeon.” I snapped, before turning on my heel and leaving. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author’s Note : Hot DILF! Vampire Jungkook is hot.  This brings back fond memories of me panting after my husband as a nineteen year old brat . I was a devilish teenager smitten with a twenty seven year old man. Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed :D

[true-blue-megamind]

FAN THEORY THURSDAY – Megamind’s Anatomy

Yes, yes, I know… You’re probably getting tired of hearing me say it, but here it is anyway: SPOILER WARNING!

It’s not secret that Megamind is physically different from humans.  Anyone who has ever seen the film—or merely seen an imagine of the title character—knows that obvious fact.  There have, however, been a great many intriguing discussions within the fandom about exactly how different he is, and about possible biological reasons for those differences.  Luckily for all of us, this has led to a plethora of interesting theories; so many, in fact, that I will only be able to touch upon a few of the most popular ones here.  Even then, this post will likely be long enough that, benevolent soul that I am, I’ll have mercy upon my readers and adopt a slightly different format, including sub-headers for easier perusal. After all, despite its expansiveness, this promises to be a deeply fascinating subject.

A quick note before we dive into this post: I will not be discussing Megamind’s strength as I already wrote about that in another blog article, How Strong is Megamind, nor will I be going much into courtship instincts, and that was covered in Why Kidnap Roxanne.  If I may say so, both posts are well worth reading, so please feel free to check them out.  Now, without further ado, let’s get started.

Megamind is Semi-Aquatic

Oh, yes, when I said we would “dive in,” I really meant it.  A large portion of the Megamind fandom seems to have agreed that our favorite alien is just as comfortable in water as on land.  In fact, one very popular theory suggests that he may even have gills, and that his awareness of how different this makes him may be part of the reason he keeps his body covered from the chin down.  As odd as that concept may sound to some, it’s not nearly as far fetched as it may appear. There’s actually some evidence to support it.

Firstly, near the beginning of the film, as infant Megamind’s escape pod is leaving his doomed solar system, we see that his planet is blue. Some fans have suggested that this could indicate it is largely covered by water.  Secondly, there is the fact that his mother and father chose a fish to be his caretaker.  There is some discussion in the fandom about whether Minion hails from a sentient and intelligent species that had a symbiotic relationship with Megamind’s people, or whether he was genetically and biotechnologically modified for his job as surrogate parent.  Either way, a fully-aquatic being would seem an illogical choice of babysitter if Megamind’s parents expected them to live largely on land, and we know that, given the spaceship they hurriedly constructed for their son and their offspring’s incredible intellect, they must have been highly intelligent.  That makes it seem likely that Megamind’s parents must have expected him to spend significant time in water, which indicates that they must have been accustomed to living that way themselves.  After all, we all tend to base our decisions on what we perceive as normal.

Some have also pointed to one of Minion’s lines near the beginning of the film, when he states that he has kept the Lair “cold and damp” for his boss.  Of course, this was likely simply a joke drawing on evil stereotypes, but we are the Megamind fandom; we are creative and intelligent enough to turn any small detail into a half-credible theory.  In this case, that specific theory involves Megamind’s semi-aquatic nature meaning his skin (or the supposed gills) can hurt or even crack if allowed to become too hot and dry for too long.  Hence why he would need a cool, damp environment.  Fans have even suggested that the undersuit we see him donning the Black Mamba uniform over may be designed, among other things, to hold moisture close to his skin.  This could also explain why Megamind’s Lair is located on an inlet of Lake Michigan, as can be seen in the film.  Perhaps he and Minion enjoy an occasional dip in the cold depths.

Finally, Megamind’s body also seems well adapted for water.  Indeed, the blue man seems especially well-suited for a semi-aquatic lifestyle.  The bald heads of both males and females of his species mean there would be no hair to create drag underwater.  The former villain’s lithe, slim frame and sleek musculature would likely help him move quickly and agilely beneath the waves.  (It is, after all, called a swimmers’ build for a reason.)  Some fans have suggested that, while Megamind’s brain is certainly much bigger than a human’s, his large skull may also contain an air sac, similar to that of dolphins and other Cetaceans, which is used, among other things, to control buoyancy.  Then there is the blue skin tones of Megamind’s people to consider. It’s a color that naturally stands out on land—hardly an evolutionary advantage—but it might make sense if they spent a lot of time in water.  Aquatic animals often tend to have blue, gray, and green colorations.

Megamind’s Skin Tone is More Realistic Than You Think

Megamind’s possible semi-aquatic nature may not be the only reason for the color of his skin.  While, in popular culture, we usually think of extraterrestrials as “little green men,” the creators of the film chose to make Megamind blue instead. That’s certainly not something you see every day, but there may actually be good reason for it.  In fact, it’s not as strange as many may believe.  In fact, there are real people who actually have blue skin—a condition called cyanosis—and one fan theory states that Megamind’s complexion occurs for reasons similar to those of blue skin in humans.

Perhaps the most common (if I may call it that) cause of cyanosis is Methemoglobinemia, which results from hemoglobins in the blood transferring oxygen differently or less effectively.  This can be caused by medical conditions, but it can also be the result of genetics, specifically the met-H gene, which itself is the result of an enzyme deficiency paired with lower iron levels in the blood.

The best known example of this among humans is the Fugate family of Troublesome Creek, Kentucky, better known as the Blue Fugates, who came to the medical world’s attention in the mid-twentieth century. Until treatments using an (ironically named) substance called methylene blue became available to the secluded clan, many of their children were born with varying shades of blue skin tones.  Thanks in part to the aforementioned medical help, there are no longer any known descendants of the Blue Fugates with cyanosis.

Such cases of Congenital Methemoglobinemia often lack most of the far more negative side effects seen in Acquired Methemoglobinemia, such as dizziness and shortness of breath, so that, even before treatment was available, persons who inherited the met-H gene (and resulting methemoglobinemia) were usually able to lead full and active lives.  (Many of the Blue Fugates were reported to be extremely healthy, with some living into their nineties.)

All of this means two things for our favorite blue hero: firstly, given that Megamind was born on another planet, it is quite possible that his people were adapted to a different atmosphere.  According to one fan theory, this evolution involved a form of Congenital Methemoglobinemia that, somehow, allowed them to make the best use of the air on their home world as well as making their skin blue. Secondly, Megamind, like the Blue Fugates, would be able to live a full and healthy life on Earth despite differences in the was his blood transferred oxygen.

On an interesting side note, before we move on, some of the first relatives of the Blue Fugates to try methylene blue treatment in the early 1960’s were a couple named Rachel and Patrick Ritchie.  I can’t wait to see what fan theories spring up out of that one.

Megamind Has Different Dietary Needs

Alright, yes, I know, this is probably a pretty obvious statement where a character who is literally a space alien is involved, but discussions on the subject have spawned some truly fascinating suppositions.  The first and most popular is that Megamind craves a lot of sugar.  This is supported by the movie as, aside from his sipping a little champagne, the only foods we see associated with Megamind are sweets: doughnuts and churros.  One fan theory has built upon this, saying that this is not only due to the blue man’s high energy levels—think about the way he leaps and dashes around—but also to his large and highly-functioning brain.  It makes sense; according to NeuroTray, brains need a certain amount of glucose to fuel them, help produce amino acids, and even maintain neuronal health.  So it seems logical that an alien super-genius with a much larger and more active brain might need more sugar.

Further expanding on this idea, fans have theorized that Megamind’s dietary requirements also include other “brain foods” such as: carbohydrate-rich grains, fish, nuts, and eggs.  The eggs have developed a special significance thanks to one supposition that began as a sort of joke of the Megamind fan Discord known as The Evil Lair, and is quickly growing into a popular theory.  Megamind, according to many fans, not only craves eggs, but raw eggs, which he consumes shell and all.  Although this was, as I’ve said, started as a lark, the idea actually has some validity.  Raw eggs not only contain a lot of nutrients, including energy-increasing B12, but also aid in breaking down and digesting large amounts of carbohydrates.  Egg shells, meanwhile, are an excellent source of many other essential vitamins and minerals.

Art: Midnight Snack by Ejga-Ostja.  I absolutely love this image, and had to use it here!  Please check out the rest of their amazing Megamind fanart!

Megamind’s Neck is Extremely Sensitive

This will be a short section, I promise.  I touched on this particular concept before in the post Why Kidnap Roxanne.  Of course, we all know Megamind wears large, high collars, but there may be more reason for this than a desire for a suitably villainous look.  When he is incarcerated, the blue man pops up the collar of his prison uniform, and, at the beginning of the movie, we see that his parents also wear high collars.  Even Megamind’s briefly-worn white hero uniform in The Button of Doom covers his everything from the head down except for a small opening at the front of his throat.  It’s almost as if, for Megamind’s people, showing one’s neck in public is indecent.

A popular fan theory explains this by suggesting that Megamind’s neck is very sensitive; so much so, in fact, that it is an erogenous zone. If merely touching the blue alien there is enough to cause arousal and pleasure, then his species’ apparently universal instinct to keep that part of the body covered makes sense.  Showing it would be akin to a woman walking around topless.  It’s also quite possible that the neck is also hidden for protection, as extreme sensitivity would mean it could be easily hurt.  This casts Megamind’s large collars in an entirely different light: he is wearing clothing that draws the eye both to his large head (and the impressive brain within it) and to a pleasure point on his body.  Many fans suppose that this could be a form of “peacocking,” and is part of an instinctual courtship display meant to attract Roxanne.  Again, for more about that theory, you can read the aforementioned post.

I could, of course, go on and on.  There are numerous other theories concerning Megamind’s anatomy, ranging from reflective eyes for low-light vision to alien vocal cords that allow a wider range of sounds and tone, but I will stop here for now.  If you’ve enjoyed this particular post, however, and would like to read another on the same subject, please let me know.  In the meantime, I’ll close by saying that the amazing physical attributes already discussed hint, as always, that far more thought and care may have been put into Megamind’s creation than most people realize.  It’s no wonder this movie and its protagonist have so many dedicated fans.

[whomst-art-thou-whomst-whomst]

Texts from the Lost Tomb, part 5.4

I swear folks once I get this and the last part up I’m gonna condense it all

But yeah couldn’t resist some <3

Zhang and Wu Chat

Wu Xie: Um. I’m all done with the shower if you want a turn.

Zhang Qiling: I’m alright without one.

Wu Xie: sooo are you pissed at me still?

Zhang Qiling: ? I have not been angry with you since the ladder incident.

Wu Xie: you’ve barely said anything since the necklace thingy

Zhang Qiling: I believe it is a long-running joke amongst my friend group that I do not, in fact, say much.

Wu Xie: okay but there are multiple gouges in the tea house walls that would suggest you had somewhat strong feelings today

and I kinda caused the events that sparked said feelings

so just checking in you know

Zhang Qiling: I was not angry so much as I was afraid. More afraid than I’ve been in a long time.

Wu Xie: ??? But it has worked out fine??? Everyone made it out alive and Uncle Erbai gets to feel morally superior to the Zhang family for a while so today was a win overall

Zhang Qiling: I heard you scream. I didn’t know what had happened. I couldn’t get to you right away. Therefore, I was afraid.

Wu Xie: ohhhhh. oh, Xiao Ge. It’s alright now—hey the necklace was actually helping u look out for me:) It’s not like those ppl were actually trying to hurt me, really. Your family isn’t so bad, at least you don’t have any uncles you know of

today was just some big misunderstandings wrapped in some poor life choices. Tbh my memoir title

I feel kind of stupid for screaming but when a glowing necklace wraps itself around your neck it’s a little uhoh moment lol

I did like the design tho def my aesthetic.

Zhang Qiling: I am pleased that it was able to protect you when I was not.

Wu Xie: Uh no you are not allowed to get all emo abt this it’s only like 3pm

damn time flies when it’s flashing before your eyes lol

Are you on the roof? You’re def on the roof. I thought I heard the tiles moving over my head. Come down or I’m coming up.

Zhang Qiling: I will be down in a moment. Do not come outside, it’s cold and raining.

Wu Xie: you know, Zhang Rishan said he thinks the necklace might be linked to you, somehow

something from long ago, even though you wouldn’t remember it.

It’s lucky that it liked me, huh:)

Zhang Qiling: Yes. Quite lucky.

Babysitters Club Chat

Wang Pangzi: AWW LOOK AT HIM NAPPING ON YOUR SHOULDER SO CUTE. BEBES HAD A BIG DAY. YOU TWO ARE PRECIOUS. BE GOOD AND POSE FOR THE PICTURE NOW.

Zhang Qiling: No. Also, I am considering what steps I should take with Zhang Rishan. Regardless of his concern for the Zhang family line, his actions were unacceptable.

Wang Pangzi: HES DROOLING A LITTLE ON YOU WHICH IS LESS CUTE BUT I CAN CROP THAT PART

LOOK I KNOW YOURE STILL PISSED. IM NOT EXACTLY CALM MYSELF, I JUST HAVE WAYS TO SKIRT AROUND TIANZHENS BULLSHIT FILTER THAT YOU LACK

GET ON MY LEVEL

WU ERBAI WILL HANDLE IT, THINGS HAVE SETTLED I THINK

BUT ABOUT THAT NECKLACE

SO INTERESTING HMMM

Zhang Qiling: I am the patriarch of my family. The necklace behaved as I would, apparently, to protect a vulnerable family member. Wu Xie’s bad cold last week activated it, and it responded to a perceived danger to him today. Simple enough.

Wang Pangzi: UH HUH

A FAMILY MEMBER

THE NECKLACE REALLY SAID LOVE WINS

TOLKIEN COULD NEVER

Zhang Qiling: It protected him on a technicality. But I will not allow him to bear the burdens of my family ever again. It has taken so much from him already.

Wang Pangzi: YEAH SURE BLAH BLAH DESTINY BLAH BLAH ANGST

“A TECHNICALITY” WOW WHO SAID ROMANCE WAS DEAD

ANYHOO IM SCREENSHOTTING THIS FOR UR WEDDING RECEPTION SLIDESHOW

YA KNOW DURING MY SPEECH

Friends of Wu Xie Support Group Chat

Hei Yangjing: you’re welcome for everything today<3 I accept PayPal, although of course it is always my honor to assist my friends:)

Wang Pangzi: WE ARENT PAYING YOU SHIT

Zhang Qiling: You did absolutely nothing.

Hei Yangjing: whoa whoa maybe I wasn’t threatening family members or busting up load-bearing walls like some undying divas I could name but I totes helped

or at least I was there for moral support maybe?

Zhang Qiling: The only reason I knew you were there at all was that as I lowered my blade from Zhang Rishan’s neck, I heard the camera click and saw you were taking a selfie making a peace sign, angled to have the two of us in the background.

Xie Yuchen: I saw it on social media just now. The caption is “#greatdaycatchingupwiththelads #blessed”

Wang Pangzi: TBH KIND OF JEALOUS I DIDNT THINK TO DO THAT

Hei Hangjing: okay yeah you see Xiao Ge that is a modern kind of help I should’ve known you wouldn’t be aware

It’s called performance, you wouldn’t understand

it’s a ‘Gram thing

Also it means I’m a great person

Bc letting you handle the situation was my gift to you

Zhang Qiling: Wu Xie mentioned there is something called “blocking ppl” that gets them out of my phone.

Hei Yangjing: nah

Can’t trust that Wu Xie, bae can’t tell a coffin from an urn amirite

it’s not a thing, blocking

Xie Yuchen: It is a thing. I’ll show you later, Zhang Qiling.

Wang Pangzi: YOU BOYS GO GET CLEANED UP AND COME BY AROUND 9 I SNAGGED SOME OF ZHANG RISHANS BOOZE ON THE WAY OUT

Bonnie and Clyde Chat

Hei Yangjing: you looked pretty comfortable in those handcuffs earlier ;););)

Xie Yuchen: Go to sleep, idiot.

Hei Yangjing: You’d have to do something to tire me out ;););)

Xie Yuchen: Are you like this around Wu Xie? Not that I care, I’m just asking.

Hei Yangjing: uh that’s a big nope

First off all Idk when I’ll die but Id prefer it to be on my terms and not at the hands of those other two

Secondly there is a part of me that remembers how adorable he was when he was younger and that makes it weird

(No offense but u were not adorable. He was bebe luke skywalker, you were bebe princess leia I am obvs Han Solo 4lyfe)

Also I’m a little scared that if i flirted with him and he flirted back he’d be better at it.

Xie Yuchen: All valid concerns.

Hei Yangjing: as cute as he is I don’t really wanna tap that.

Xie Yuchen: I see.

Hei Yangjing: do you tho

Main Chat

Wu Xie: okay folks who wants cocoa to top the evening off? I picked some up today:D

Wang Pangzi: UH YOU SPENT YOUR DAY BEING KIDNAPPED AND PLACATING A SENTIENT NECKLACE WHEN DID YOU HAVE TIME TO GET GROCERIES

FRANKLY THATS INTIMIDATING

Wu Xie: the tea house gift shop:)

Wang Pangzi: …YOU BOUGHT COCOA FROM YOUR KIDNAPPERS. FROM THEIR GIFT SHOP. DURING YOUR KIDNAPPING.

WU XIE

WU XIE WHY

Wu Xie: I mean we were there the whole day, it felt impolite not to buy anything.

Wang Pangzi: OH RIGHT GREAT POINT ID HATE TO BE RUDE TO THEM AFTER THEY WENT TO THE TROUBLE OF ABDUCTING US

LISTEN WHEN PPL STEAL YOU IT BECOMES FREE REIGN ON THEIR SHIT

UGH YOU PROBABLY GOT A RECEIPT AND EVERYTHING

WAS UR LITTLE SHOPPING TRIP BEFORE OR AFTER THEY STUCK U IN A DUNGEON TO EXPERIMENT ON YOU

WAIT NVM I DONT WANT TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT

Wu Xie: look, let’s focus on the positives/ we are all okay, and we learned something new, that necklace is still active! It’s really quite nice-looking when it isn’t moving of its own volition.

Wang Pangzi: YOU AND YOUR RELENTLESS DUCKING OPTIMISM

ZHANG QILING ARE YOU SEEING THIS

Zhang Qiling: I would love some cocoa. I’ll come to the kitchen.

Wu Xie: I have special marshmallows for you!!

Wang Pangzi: I SEE

WE ARE SUBSCRIBING TO THE PRESTIGIOUS “FUCK IT WHY NOT” SCHOOL OF THOT TONIGHT

LOL SURE LETS GO COCOA IT UP

IVE GOT SOMETHING STRONG TO POP IN IT

Wu Xie: Still thinking about that design… I’d love another chance to examine that necklace under less Zhangy circumstances.

Kinda sad we couldn’t borrow it to use for illnesses and dangerous missions :/

ah well it’s for the best, a family heirloom should be treasured, preserved and protected<3

Zhang Qiling: I put it on your dresser.

Wu Xie: ???????

Wang Pangzi: AND THATS WHY YOU AND I ARE FRIENDS, XIAOGE <3

Wu Xie: I—

Zhang Qiling: Are those bunny-shaped marshmallows for me?

[pan-fangirl-345]

Where’s the Manager?

Summary: You visit your boyfriend, but, as always, your captain is content to have the worst timing.

TW: Slight swearing (Kyouken and Iwa-chan have potty mouths)

A/N: There weren’t enough Kyoutani x Reader fics out there so I wrote my own.

As soon as you walked into Seijoh's gym, all eyes were on you.

"Oikawa, I think there's a fan here for you," a spiky haired man shouted, making a guy with a knee brace turn.

"My fans don't usually come to nightly practices," the man, Oikawa, said.

"Because you always stay so late, Shittykawa!"

"Who's Oikawa?" you asked, raising an eyebrow. "I'm here to see my boyfriend."

"And who might that be?" Oikawa asked, looking slightly offended. He must've been the guy with the fan club your boyfriend had told you about.

"(Y/F/N)? What are you doing here? I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow!" Kyoutani said, rushing over to hug you, spinning you around a few times.

"Ken," you laughed. "Put me down!"

He set you down lightly, giving you a big smile.

"That's the school uniform for Fukurodani, isn't it?" someone else asked.

"My school cancelled classes today due to the fact that it's raining so hard you can't see an inch in front of you. I figured I'd come surprise you," you muttered, smiling back at him.

"How did you know we were ending practice?" Kyoutani asked.

"You told me silly," you teased. "Yesterday. I asked you when you got off practice."

"Woah, woah, woah. Let's recap for everyone whose brain just liquified and melted out of their noses," Oikawa muttered, making you wrinkle your nose at the description. "Our resident Mad Dog-chan, not only has a girlfriend, but he has a cute girlfriend from a different school."

"Not to mention she's hot," a pink-haired guy added.

"And goes to a pretty prestigious school," the other third year chimed in.

You flushed a little, but rolled your eyes.

"Ken, you didn't tell them about me?" you asked, pouting a little bit, then giving a small laugh. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

"Didn't think they needed to know," he grumbled. "I already have to share you with my sister."

You snorted, putting your hand over your mouth, smiling at him.

"You're cute when you're jealous," you teased, bopping him on the nose lightly. "I'm (Y/N), I'm Kyoutani's girlfriend. And for whoever asked, yes, this is the uniform for Fukurodani."

"How old are you?" someone asked.

He looked like a creampuff.

"I'm a second year, just like you Yahaba," you told him.

"You know who I am?" He looked surprised.

"Well, yeah. You slammed my boyfriend into a wall and shouted at him," you told him, deadpan. "I wanted to know who you were. And I already know about Iwaizumi-san because Ken talks about him all the time. And he complains about the fluffy haired dude, who I am assuming is Oikawa."

Iwaizumi laughed as Oikawa pouted, and you glanced at Kyoutani, who was too busy smiling at you to really notice.

Your phone ringing caught your attention and you dug through your bag looking for it.

"Ugh, it's Bokuto-san, give me a moment, would you?" you asked your boyfriend, scooting away so the others could bombard him with questions.

"(Y/L/N)! Why aren't you at practice?" he shouted and you winced, pulling the phone away from your ear.

"Why are you guys even having practice? It's practically a hurricane there! And I'm visiting my boyfriend, I told Akaashi that when I left," you told him. "Didn't he tell you?"

"Boyfriend!" he shouted. "That punk looking blond?"

"His name's Kyoutani, but yes, that's him."

"Your our manager (Y/L/N)! Your fattenizing with the enemy!" Bokuto whined.

"I think the word your looking for is ‘fraternizing’ Bokuto-san," you corrected. "And he's not the enemy. Do you realize how little we go against teams like Seijoh? They always tend to be in a different bracket," you pointed out.

"That's not the point!" he said, and you could practically see his hair deflating on the other end of the line. He was going to go into emo mode if you didn't do something.

"I promise to help you with your line shots when I get back. I'll stay after with Akaashi the next practice we have, alright? Please don't be sad Bokuto-san," you said, feeling slightly bad that you hadn't told him.

"All the guys miss you though!" Bokuto whined. He was definitely pouting. And he was definitely trying to trick you.

"And I miss you guys too, but I see you all everyday, I barely get to see my boyfriend. How would you feel if you only got to see Akaashi every few weeks?"

"That's not fair!" Bokuto shouted again.

"Put him on speaker!" Kyoutani mouthed and you rolled your eyes, but put him on speaker anyway.

"What if he tries to steal you away?" Bokuto asked, sounding extra whiny, the way he did when this sort of thing came up.

Which it did.

Often.

"I'm stealing her for a weekend Owl-san, you and your team will have her back on Monday," Kyoutani said, draping himself across your back, wrapping his arms around you waist so he could talk to your boyfriend.

"I feel like a glorified, underpaid babysitter," you muttered.

"You and me both," Akaashi said. "I apologize for this (Y/L/N), I told him where you were and he got all . . . deflated."

"It's alright," you assured him. "I'll just give Bokuto a heads up next time."

"Next time!?" Bokuto yelled from the background, making you stifle a laugh.

"Yes, next time Bokuto-san, did you think I was breaking up with Kyou this weekend?"

"You should! He's trying to steal you from us!"

"You say that every time a member of a different team talks to me! You did it with Kuroo-san, and Kenma, and Suga-san, and don't even get me started on the other Tokyo teams," you reminded him, watching your boyfriend's team laughed at your captain's antics. "You thought Hinata-kun was trying to smuggle me back to Karasuno when he was just walking me to our bus!"

"You're a good manager (Y/L/N)!" Bokuto retorted. "They want you all to themselves!"

"While I'm flattered that you think so Bokuto-san, the only people that even act somewhat like that are Tanaka and Nishinoya! And even then, Akaashi is usually right by me, or I'm with the other managers."

"But-"

"Look, Bokuto-san, I have to go," you interjected. "I can't spend all weekend arguing with you on this. I'll text you when I get home so you know where I am. I promise, I'll be back practice on Monday. I think you can handle a weekend without me."

You ended the call before he could respond, silencing your phone and slipping it back into your bag.

"How is he one of the top five aces in the country?" Kyoutani asked when you sighed. "He acts like an overgrown child.

"I have no fucking clue," you muttered, laying your head against his chest. "I love Bokuto-san, he's like an older brother to me, but sometimes I wish he had a little more fucking tact."

"That's the captain of Fukurodani?" Oikawa asked.

"Yeah."

"Is he always like that?" Iwaizumi inquired.

"Pretty much," you sighed. "He gets a little different during games, but he pretty acts like that all the time unless he's alone with Akaashi, our setter. Who also happens Bokuto's designated babysitter whenever we go to tournaments or practice games. And training camps, but Tsukishima from Karasuno and Kuroo from Nekoma tend to have him on a leash too."

"The salty glasses kid, and the cat with the fucked up hairdo?" Kyoutani asked.

"Yep, that's them. Hinata, the red-head spiker from Karasuno, tends to keep Bokuto busy when we have training camps with them because Bokuto is too busy trying to 'mentor' him. They make my job so much easier."

"You know a lot of people from other teams," Oikawa pointed out, squinting at you.

"As a manager, I run into a lot of different people. I'm friends with a lot of Nekoma, Karasuno, the other Tokyo teams, not to mention Shiritorizawa and Date Tech. And I know a few people from your team now. I tend to liaison between different teams to help set up practice matches and just to check up on them. It helps out our coach and advisor, plus, I get to meet a bunch of new people."

"That's actually kind of how we met," Kyoutani admitted. "She was the manager for my middle school team."

"I lived near here until the start of my first year. I would've gone here, but my mother got a job transfer to Tokyo, so I moved. Kyoutani and I knew each other from middle school and we helped each other out a few times."

"I never would've guessed that Kyoutani would have a girlfriend like you," Iwaizumi said.

"Why not?"

"Have you seen him?" Oikawa asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Have you guys ever seen him with his sister, or his dogs?" you countered.

"No," they admitted. "He's a pretty private person."

"Kyou's a good person, but people don't get to know him before they decide he's a bad person and it's best to steer clear. Not to mention that most idiots believe the rumors that fly around. I can tell you that he's only ever been in one fight, and it was to protect me."

"I still have the scar," he mumbled.

"That's because you attacked a guy who had a knife!"

"I didn't know he had it when I tackled the son of bitch!" he retorted.

"I could've handled him. I take self-defense classes for a reason dipshit."

Kyoutani shrugged.

"Dumbass," you teased.

"Idiot," he replied, kissing the top of your head.

You rolled your eyes but smiled.

"I can't tell if you two are disgustingly sweet or slightly concerning," Makki muttered.

"Both," you answered.

"My sister is wondering where I am," Kyoutani said, pulling his phone out of his bag.

"Then let's go, I want to give her a big hug! I've missed her."

"And I've missed you," he told you, making you smile.

"Of course you did! I'm your girlfriend."

"I'll see you guys on Tuesday," Kyoutani called.

"It was nice to meet you guys!" you shouted as you raced Kyoutani to the doors.

"We didn't even introduce ourselves," Watari muttered.

"She probably knew anyway, Mad Dog-chan loves us," Oikawa said, gathering up his own things.

"I think he loves her more though," Yahaba pointed out.

"Definitely."

[keelywolfe]

FIC: Gentle Sins ch.3 (BAON)

Summary:   Edge is heading back into work, but since when do his days ever go smoothly?

Tags: Spicyhoney, kustard, Established Relationships, Hurt/Comfort, Aftermath of Kidnapping

Part of the ‘by any other name’ series.

~~*~~

Read it on AO3

or

Read it here!

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It was entirely too soon for him to be returning to work by Edge’s measure. Two days off after a kidnapping was a paltry concession and he would have preferred at least working from home for the rest of the week. The Embassy wasn’t particularly far from New New Home, but depending on traffic and stoplights, it could take nearly half an hour to drive between them, not including the time it took to get to his car.

Time enough for so many things to go wrong and for Stretch to be alone when it did.

But despite his preference, two mornings after he’d brought Stretch home, Edge was pulling into the Embassy parking lot and ignoring the shouts of the protestors on the other side of the street as he walked in, though he didn’t extend his cane until he was inside the front entrance.

The issue at hand was not with his employment. Stretch was the one all but pushing him out their front door and he’d done so with a massive spew of words coupled with wild gestures, all of which boiled down to him not needing a babysitter while he was at home.

Edge didn’t have the soul to argue with him about it, particularly since he was right. There were already enough new violations of his boundaries, and past experience taught that he would start to chafe under them soon enough. Perhaps it was already beginning; exhausted as he was, he’d still slept restlessly the night before and while Stretch often tossed and turned, this time it was enough to disturb Edge’s own sleep, his subconscious crying out that this was not a familiar level of thrashing.

He’d still been in bed when Edge left though not asleep, muttering something about heading down to his lab to check on his experiments. Edge hoped that he did; if he could get absorbed in his own version of mad science, it would be a good distraction for the day, one that was very much needed. Red was supposed to stop by at some point about the bodyguard assignment and while Edge asked his brother to wait for him to get home, there was no telling if he would. If he deemed Edge’s presence unnecessary, Red would do as he liked and to hell with waiting for his brother.

With that in mind, Edge’s plan was to work as swiftly as he could today without sacrificing accuracy so that he could leave on time, perhaps even early, in an effort to thwart anything Red might attempt for his own amusements. But as so often happened, plans had a way of changing and in very unexpected ways.

When he’d arrived at the Embassy that morning, he’d been hyperaware of the stares that followed behind him from the moment he came through the door. From the security guard at his station to the interns to the janitors, eyes and whispers lingered in his wake. Whatever hopes he’d had for discretion about the kidnapping incident were quickly dismissed; it was obviously the talk of the office though no one was bold enough to confront him about it directly. As Red often said, ‘the only way to keep a secret is if ya kill the guy who told ya’ and considering how many witnesses were at the bar that night when Stretch and Jeff were taken, that option was not exactly feasible, if it ever was.

The local news was plastered with stories, some sticking with the one provided by the Embassy and others filled with wild speculations. Monsters were hardly immune to gossip and Stretch often featured on both sides of the rumor equation.

As for his usual partner in crime, Jeff was taking the week off and Antwan with him, and while Edge could appreciate the urge to get back to some form of normalcy, he couldn’t help a twinge of jealousy to think the two of them were probably curled in bed together sleeping while he was fending off the glares of his co-workers.

He deliberately kept his limping pace normal on his way to his office, refusing to give the gossip any further fuel. That worked well enough until he went inside. Janice was already at her desk and she looked up when he entered, her long ears swiveling in his direction and her pink nose twitching as she gave him a narrow look.

He wondered if she was disappointed in him for coming in today. The thought made him want to look away from her direct gaze and he forced himself not to, saying crisply, “Good morning.”

But perhaps he was only projecting his own troubled thoughts because Janice only replied with a certain gentle concern, “Good morning. How is Stretch doing?”

Yes, the gossip traveled quickly, indeed. Edge hesitated, then said with cautious honesty, “He’s doing better.”

She nodded and didn’t press. Absently, she reached out to straighten the picture frame on her desk of her two children. Edge understood the impulse. “If you need anything, either of you, please do let me know.”

“I will,” Edge said. He meant it. Somehow in the past year their relationship had gone from a strictly working one to something akin to friends, a change that came about right around the time he’d married Stretch. Another way his love had changed his life for the better.

Still, it was a relief for her expression to change in a flash from motherly concern to businesslike briskness. “I’ve already emailed your agenda for the day, nothing particularly robust, but you do have a meeting in an hour with Toriel.”

“Toriel.” Edge blinked in surprise. Technically, Toriel didn’t work for the Embassy in a similar way to Stretch. She acted as Frisk’s guardian, and while she certainly handled things she likely shouldn’t at her own discretion, they were the diplomat, not her. What could she want to discuss that she couldn’t have come to their home?

He set his laptop case down and dug out his phone, opening the email app and scrolled to his daily agenda to scan the list. The schedule said only, ‘Meeting with Toriel, 10am’ and gave no clues. “Did she happen to say what it was about?”

Janice shook her head. “I’m afraid not, she only contacted and asked for an appointment. I couldn’t think of a reason not to, so I gave her the first available timeslot.” Her voice uplifted at the end, turning the statement into a question.

“Of course you should,” Edge said, belatedly, “I’m perfectly willing to talk with her. I’m simply confused as to why.”

Janice offered him a faint smile and raised eyebrows. “I suppose in an hour you’ll find out.”

“I suppose I will,” Edge sighed. He picked up his laptop and headed into his office, already considering whether to brave the gauntlet again for a cup of coffee or to relinquish is pride and ask Janice to retrieve one. He wasn’t particularly in the mood for any surprises and a meeting with the former Queen would likely offer them, in spades.

~~*~~

If there was one thing to appreciate about meeting with Toriel, it was her promptness. At precisely 9:59 am Janice buzzed him that she’d arrived.

Edge took a moment to drain the last of the lukewarm coffee from his cup, brought to him by Janice without any prompting from him, further proof of what an excellent assistant she was. He saved the document he was working on before he replied, “Send her in.”

He’d hardly finished speaking when his door opened, Toriel’s bulk filling the entryway. She had to duck her head to fit through the entrance, barely missing bumping her horns on the trim.

“Please, come in,” Edge said. He ignored his cane where it leaned against the side of his chair and instead walked cautiously as he came around it. He gestured to the sofa rather than the chairs at his desk; Toriel was not a small Monster, but his office was designed for visits with everyone, up to and including Asgore himself.

“Thank you,” Toriel said. Her voice was soft enough that it seemed one should strain to hear it, and yet it still carried clearly through the room. She seated herself where he’d indicated, folding her lightly furred hands into her lap.

Edge hadn’t spent a great deal of time with Toriel outside of Embassy functions and the few times he’d traveled along with the diplomats. Even then, he’d kept a cautious distance from her. Despite the small glasses perched on her muzzle, her soft purple dress and motherly cardigan she wore, as a Boss Monster, there was a certain aura of power that she carried that no casual outfit could stifle. Her status might be simply as Frisk’s guardian, but even Humans couldn’t fail to notice it. Adding in that Edge had no basis of comparison with her counterpart in Underfell, put simply, she made him faintly uncomfortable, despite the common interest in puns she shared with several members of his family.

“Would you like a drink?” He barely caught himself before asking if she’d care for tea, already knowing the answer to that. She and Stretch should be closer friends, they could bond over their mutual dislike of the King. “Water? Fruit juice?”

“Water would be lovely,” Toriel said. The words were merely polite, he sincerely doubted she’d come here for refreshments.

From the small fridge in the corner, he retrieved a bottle of water. He set it on a coaster rather than hand it to her and took the seat across from her, folding his hands into his lap in an unconscious mirror of hers. “What can I do for you?” Edge asked.

Without preamble, Toriel said, “You saved my child’s life, and mine.”

That was far from any topic he’d expected she wanted to discuss. If anything, he’d supposed she might wish for more personal information regarding the kidnapping and rather than trusting the gossips, she’d gone to a reliable source. That she might want to talk about their last meeting hadn’t even occurred to him.

The incident in California was not so long ago and yet, despite his lingering scars, the event itself had mostly left his mind. Yes, it was traumatic and yes, he’d certainly be feeling the aftereffects for some time. But it wasn’t his way to linger over such things; it happened, it was over, and now there was only to move onto introducing new safeguards to keep such a thing from happening again.

He considered Toriel’s statement with care before offering cautiously, “Anything I could do to keep you and your child safe, I was willing to offer.”

“I’m sure you were, and are.” Toriel’s eyes were a shade of red unlike his own eye lights. In a way, they were more like Red’s and his way of seeing things deeper than should be possible. “And I am willing to offer my own gift for that kindness. I’ve noticed your leg is still troubling you.”

Edge struggled against shifting uncomfortably, forcing himself not to look down at the leg in question. He was wearing the brace today as he always did in the office, not because he thought he particularly needed it, but due to his suspicions that Janice would discreetly tattle to Stretch if he didn’t. It was a tradeoff for leaving their strictly business relationship behind. “It’s healing, it simply takes time.”

“Indeed,” Toriel inclined her head in agreement. “I’d like to help you, if you’ll allow it. It wouldn’t begin to pay my debt to you but—”

“Your Highness,” Edge interrupted gently, “you don’t owe me anything. I’m well aware that you saved my life after the explosion.”

“I’m no longer the Queen, Toriel is fine,” Her interruption was less gentle and for one who claimed no title, her tone made him want to straighten his spine and come to attention, a habit he’d thought gone along with Underfell. “And your life wouldn’t have needed saving if you hadn’t saved mine.”

“Toriel,” Edge said deliberately, “if you’re offering to heal me, I have a doctor, they’ve done as much with healing magic as they can.”

“I’m sure they have. Which is why I’m offering. My skills are somewhat more…” she hesitated, settling on, “Robust, than other Monsters.”

As a Boss Monster, that was surely true, and Edge couldn’t help considering it.

She’d used her magic on him before, and while that was an emergency, he could hardly protest her doing it again. And what she was offering was gift unlike any other. The opportunity to be healed, to be able to return to his normal activities was tempting to be sure, but what irritated more was his brother keeping him at arm’s-length during the kidnapping. If he’d been more capable, if his leg wasn’t slowing him down, would Red have forced him to stay home instead of allowing him to provide some real assistance? There was no way to tell now, but if he could keep it from happening in the future…?

But Edge also knew that things that seemed too good to be true often were and that there was little in life that came without some sort of price attached. He’d gotten such a gift from the Angel already, if one believed in such things, in the love given to him by Stretch. Asking for more seemed greedy.

Toriel only waited serenely, perhaps understanding his inner turmoil.

“There’s no chance this could have a negative effect,” Edge said slowly. “I’ve made a great deal of progress already, I won't have it set back."

“None at all,” Toriel assured him. “I wouldn’t offer if there was even a chance.” She shifted in her seat, briefly looking away as if his bookcases had suddenly caught her interest. “I would have offered sooner but you must understand, this sort of healing is very draining. If it got out I could do this, Monsters would be lining up at my door, begging for treatment.” She shook her head, her mouth pulling downward unhappily, and suddenly she seemed older and weary. “I can only do as much as I can.”

“I understand.” He did. It was the same reason they’d chosen to keep Monsters’ ability to heal from the Humans. There were limits to the care anyone could provide. Still, his immediate impulse to agree warred with his cautious reluctance. “Then why now?”

“Why not now?” Toriel countered. She spread her empty hands in something like a plea. “I can’t heal every Monster, but what point is it for me to have these gifts if I can’t use them to help someone who was injured by helping me? I owe you a debt, Edge, and I mean to pay it.”

The steel in her voice resonated and the determined need to repay a debt was certainly something he could understand. Edge straightened and inclined his head formally, “I accept your offer.”

A smile lit Toriel’s face and that melancholy fell away as she clapped her hands together like a child rather than the powerful, centuries-old Monster that she was. “Wonderful! Let’s get started, then, shall we?”

“Now?” Edge said, surprised. He’d expected her to need to make some preparations, perhaps arrange for a secret meeting someplace out of the way and not well watched. If there was such a place when one considered his brother.

But Toriel only nodded. “Oh, yes. It won’t take long.”

She rose from the sofa and crouched down next to him. A bit nonplussed, he helped her unbuckle the splint and remove it, and as always, there was a slight, uncomfortable twinge with its support gone. Worse was the awkward intimacy in the way she settled her hands on his leg, even over his trousers, her fingers shifting into precise positions as she closed her eyes and summoned her magic.

Edge had been healed before, too many times to count. Rarely in Underfell, healing there was usually scoffed at and often considered a weakness as it was a difficult skill for those with LV. But in this universe, Stretch, Blue, even Toriel herself had healed him in the past, little wounds mostly, except for California.

He hadn’t been in a position to pay attention the last time she’d used her magic on him, drifting in and out of consciousness, but here there was nothing to distract him. Her magical signature was a deft one, not the brusque force of his brother or familiar honeyed languidness of Stretch or even Blue, who managed to somehow be both forceful and nearly timid at the same time. The greenness of healing came at a delicate trickle at first, seeking and finding the places in his leg that still ached with cunning skill, sinking in. In tiny increments, that trickle became a flood, and then a torrent, and the sensation was indescribable. Not pain, that was far too simple a word, but the deep power that carried healing into his leg and further, seeking out his very essence. Edge shied away instinctively as it sought out his soul, trying to escape that implacable, almost ethereal touch, but it didn’t invade or violate, only swirled briefly through his ribcage in a sort of greeting before returning to the task at hand, or rather, at leg, before it slowly withdrew into empty nothingness.

Edge opened his sockets, hardly aware of closing them, to see Toriel closing her own eyes as she wobbled on her feet, sinking back to sit on the floor with her legs tucked under her and her skirt demurely covering them.

“Your Highness,” Edge said in concern. He reached for her automatically, hesitating before touching her. Even though his gloves he could still feel the aura of roused magic surrounding her.

She opened her eyes. “Toriel,” she corrected with a slight smile, waving his hands away. She retrieved the bottle of water from the table, opening it and taking a long drink, then sighed out, “I’m fine. How are you?”

In answer, Edge stood, striding across the room and back again. The lingering weakness and frustrating ache of the past weeks were entirely gone. The urge to tests his limits was strong and he wondered giddily what anyone would make of it if they caught him racing up and down the stairwell with his coattails flapping behind him.

As if reading his thoughts and perhaps she was to some extent, they wouldn’t be difficult to guess, Toriel cautioned, “I suggest you wear the brace for a little longer. It might keep the curious from asking questions.”

Edge was about to agree, then amended it, “I won’t lie to Stretch. If he asks.”

To his surprise, Toriel let out of a peal of soft laughter and shook her head. “I wouldn’t worry about that. He’ll know the moment he sees you.”

That he hadn’t expected and Edge could only stare at her, aghast, “What?

Her smile turned incredulous. "You have my magic clinging to you, do you truly think he won't notice? Papyrus of all people?"

He wasn’t quite sure what she meant by that and he wished he'd known before he agreed. Well, it was too late to change anything now, wasn’t it, and that was a meal he’d have to swallow when it came to the table.

Belatedly, he realized Toriel was attempting to climb up from the floor and he hastily leaned down to help. Her weight was easily triple his own but between the two of them, they managed to get her back on her feet.

“Well!” Toriel said with a soft sigh as she dusted off her dress. “I’ll leave you to your duties, then. I need to get back to Frisk, they have a meeting this afternoon with the Prime Minister of Japan, and I wanted to brush up on the agenda.”

“Yes, of course, your—Toriel,” Edge correctly hastily. He couldn’t help flexing his knee again, still giddy with the pain-free movement of the joint. “Thank you, Toriel. This means a great deal to me, past simply healing.” She’d already turned to the door and paused, turning back to him.

There was a certain familiar impishness to her smile as she said, “If you truly wanted to thank me, you could try calling me Tori.”

In answer, Edge only bowed deeply to her and said, sincerely, “I’m afraid the attempt would be too much for me and might undo all the damage you healed. I would hate to be the cause of ruining all your hard work.”

Her soft laughter washed over him in a gentle wave and she shook her head. “Well, we wouldn’t want that, would we.” Her amused expression shifted to seriousness, “And Edge? Anything I could do to help you, I was willing to offer.”

Edge inclined his head in wry acknowledgement and with a last smile, she went out the door, leaving him alone in his office. Alone with his leg in perfect working condition and itching to be used.

A jog up the stairs might be out of the question, but there was no reason he couldn’t walk down to get another cup of coffee. With the brace on for now, and by next week? Perhaps he could risk going without, at least in the morning, if the stares died down by then. Time would tell.

He sat down to strap the blasted thing back on, its lack of necessity making it all the more annoying.

Soon, he told himself, soon.

Despite the events of the past few days, Edge felt lighter than he had in weeks. He only hoped Stretch’s reaction would be as pleased as his own.

Once the brace was properly on, Edge retrieved his cup from his desk and went down the hallway to the breakroom to fill it, giving Janice’s curious glance a sedate nod and careful to keep his steps slow and measured so as to not rouse any suspicions.

On the leg brace he would concede, an annoying necessity to be sure. But the cane? That, he left behind.

tbc

[adultswim2021]

Minoriteam #12: “The Fog!” S01E12 | May 29, 2006 – 12:00AM | S01E12

WOW, if only this was 4/20 today and not “day after 4/20″ day. Damn! Because this is a 4/20 one. Watch it back to back with the Code Monkeys 4/20 special, if you want the marijuana coursing through your bloodstream to help assist your suicide by willing your vital organs to shut down, killing you instantly.

Did I ever talk about the Code Monkeys 4/20 special on here? Oh well, it’s a good place to talk about it again, so: Adam De La Pena also created a show called Code Monkeys (after this, I think?) that aired on G4. It was done in a video game pixel art style and was a workplace comedy about video game designers or something. *SIGH*, I am going to have to on an aside within this aside. Hang on. 

One of the last times I went to comic-con, I had a connection at G4 who got us all press badges. I forget what he did at G4, and there’s a chance I never knew or even asked about it. I traveled with another friend from a small shitty town and we already had our own regular badges, but we couldn’t resist the upgrade. They had “G4″ Printed on them, an organization he and I had nothing to do with, we just knew this one guy who happened to work there. There was a fourth guy in our party, he was a famous horror movie director’s nephew, and had based his entire personality on that fact.

For some reason, horror nephew acted in such a way that it really seemed like he was trying to impress me and my aforementioned small town friend. I mention the small town thing because yes, we were from a small town but were not rubes by any stretch. That’s important. Anyway, horror nephew would brag about how much sex he had. When we got into a traffic jam, he bragged about how he could get girls numbers during said jam, and that he gets girls phone numbers all the time. We took our host, the fellow from G4, aside and asked him “is he trying to impress us or does he talk like that all the time?” He was basically like: “yes, he is trying to impress you guys. I am extremely embarrassed for him” Anyway, we’ve reached the bottom of our telescoping tangents, time to kick back up and bring this home. 

So, my friend and I started riffing on what we could say when people looked at our badges, saw “G4″ and asked us what we did there. The funniest thing we could think of was “we do the music on Code Monkeys”. Horror nephew had flaked away from our party and joined us again at the moment we were cracking ourselves up. He asked us what was so funny. We rehashed the “we do music on Code Monkeys” joke. He lit up, “dude, I do music for Code Monkeys!”. The man just couldn’t not name drop.

Anyway, that joke was right off the heals of me and my friend watching Code Monkeys for the first time, and it was the 4/20 special, and we both groaned in pain while the first scene played out (one of the Code Monkeys starts talking about 4/20 like it’s Christmas and going on and on about how good it is, and being like “YES” over and over). Like horror nephew’s trying too hard to convince us that he has sex, it was embarrassing. We had to stop watching it because it pissed us off too bad. It felt like something I would have written in high school, and I was a wimpy teen who was terrified of getting high and didn’t even try it until it was legal a decade later. It was pathetic.

Anyway, I can imagine that this episode was written in this way: they are having a writers meeting in an office, because for some reason Adam DLP thinks he needed a whole office to make this show. Adam has a cookie jar over his head, completely stuck. His staff writers are all wimpily taking turns trying to get it off, but it’s greasy from La Pena’s disgusting mitts. Jimmy Kimmel, who is just there to drop off his kids (La Pena is Kimmel’s dedicated babysitter, even when he has to work), walks in, calls the writers all a slur that used to be okay in 2006 because it was in all the Judd Apatow movies of the time, and punches the jar off Adam’s head. With a stunned look in his eyes, La Pena shakes it off, and then finally speaks: “we should do a weed episode of Minoriteam”.

Anyway, this one is about a fog that makes people have nightmares, and it’s defeated by one of the dudes weed smoke that reverses the nightmare fog.

Venture Bros. Season One DVD (May 30, 2006)

Why did all the nice high-res versions of those images go? Why do they all look like this now??? It’s CRAZY.

Okay, here’s the thing: we are still a little ways away before I can pin down the exact moment that I started actively liking The Venture Bros. The crescendo of that moment would be me deciding to get in my car and spend an entire afternoon doing this: driving to the middle of Redding where the big stores were, eating an overpriced hamburger at a chain restaurant I have a soft spot for, and then driving to Best Buy to hope they had Venture Bros. Season One on DVD so I could pay full price for it and take it home and start watching it.

It was important, and it still is. This DVD set, like all the Venture sets, are very worth it, because the commentaries are so fun and good. I love them so much and wish those two did a podcast together or something. We should all have podcasts.

MAIL BAG

I've been to Grant Pass once on my way between Vancouver and LA. It's a particularly unruly place.

Let’s pray for the citizens of Grants Pass... they may not make it through the night.

My pal KON writes:

When I sold my Home Movies season 4 DVD I kept the music CD, on purpose! The recent mailbagger made me realize the error of my ways; the CD was easily the highlight of the set and should have been passed on to the next owner.

You know what’s weird about me is when I got a CD/DVD combo I would always, ALWAYS separate them out so I could keep the CD in my CD collection and my DVD in my DVD collection. Sometimes this required me to make custom artwork and use a spare DVD or CD case. I also, as a space saving measure, have compacted several boxsets into multi-disc cases with all the original slipcovers jammed into one sleeve (this also makes it so that you have to just understand that I did that so when you read “season 3 disc 3″ on the spine just know it’s because I thought the slipcover for disc 3 looked most attractive and used it to represent the entire season box). I save all the boxes by collapsing them and storing them in a box labeled “DVD BOXES”. So in order for me to sell my season 4 DVD I would have to visit three locations (my DVD shelves, my closet, and probably my off-cite storage unit) in order to marry all the pieces back together.

[rk1kheadcanons]

smol hc: Being the only RK models, CyberLife used some of Markus's base code in Connor's program. Emotions & empathy for social integration, and also some caretaking protocols in case emergency repairs/first aid are needed on the job (IE reactivating the Traci at the Eden Club, or diagnosing & "treating" Hank's ethylic coma LOL). I love the idea of Con getting to take care of Markus for once if he gets injured doing Rebel Leader Things™

🥺 Anon. I love this HC so much. Connor having some caretaker protocols is...yes. Absolutely. The jury is out and they find the defendant correct.

___

When Markus limped into his office, practically hopping on one foot every other step, all he wanted to do was bulldoze through his paperwork so he could go home and forget today ever happened. He’d taken a pretty hard hit earlier when a counter protester at their rally thought it was just a capital idea to hurl a brick into the crowd. Much more surprising than the sudden brick to the knee, though, was the (almost terrifying in it’s rapidness) reaction from the crowd. The guy was immediately apprehended and cursed out by human supporters and androids alike. It was wild. His bodyguards barely had to do any work. Markus swore he heard a human yell that thirium shots were on them after this, amidst a chorus of responding cheers. Nothing brings people together like a communal ass whoopin��? Apparently??

God he really hoped that human didn’t drink any thirium. Markus still had nightmares about Leo accidentally mixing up his blue raspberry jello shot with his drink, nevermind the fact that thirium consumables smelled like laundry detergent and poison as purposeful deterrents.  

“Are you sure you don’t want to go see the technician?” said Simon who, as his designated babysitter while North and Josh handled the fallout of the rally, followed into his office after him. 

“Naaahh,” Markus drawled, waving the hand that was grasping a pen as if he could wave away the problem altogether. Not for the first time he wished the government would catch up with the rest of the world and just go paperless. Reading over and signing these tedious documents would be a lot less painful to do if they would just let him download it into his mind like a sensible person would. “I barely feel it, plus my Regenerative Program has already kicked in. By the time I get to the med bay it’ll probably be all fixed.”

“Uh huh,” Simon unconvinced at him. “How long till you’re repaired.”

Markus pulled up the damage report in his HUD. “About six…”  he stared at the readings for a moment longer and, much to Simon’s chagrin, went back to doing his paperwork.

“...six what?”

“Bahhh,” Markus waved his hand again unhelpfully. Truthfully, he didn’t know how to make this sound better. Hopefully, his innate charm would cover for his trash convincing. “Ya know…”

“No. I do not know. What is it? Six minutes?”

Markus grunted.

“Hours!?”

Markus slumped lower in his chair. “Mmmhumph.”

“....Markus,” Simon started in a low warning voice. “If it’s days so help me I’m going to take out your other knee - ”

The door slammed open, startling Simon out of his threat, which was definitely about to escalate to more than Markus’ other knee once he found out it was six weeks. 

“Connor!”

“Good morning Simon,” Connor greeted briskly, expression stormy as he made a beeline for Markus like the man possesses on a mission that he usually was. He was swinging a rather large, rather ominous looking tool box with a red medical cross painted on it. Markus didn’t even stop doing his paperwork. He knew the drill by now. “I heard about what happened and came as fast as I could.”

“Wow, the news has only been out for an hou - wait. Weren’t you in Ohio?”

“Yes. I would have been here sooner but traffic was heavier than usual and the family driving the Escalade was surprisingly insistent on going the speed limit. A majority of police officers won't cite drivers for going between 1-5 miles per hour over,” Connor rolled his eyes and scoffed, like he didn’t follow some laws down to the letter while blatantly disregarding others at any given time. 

“Wha - did you hitchhike all the way here!?”

“Oh no of course not! There is a 46% chance of violent or criminal conduct committed against people who hitchhike.”

“Then how - ”

“I was sitting on top of the aforementioned Escalade.”

Markus gave him his best ‘why are you like this’ stare while Simon gaped in perplexion. “You didn’t need to car surf just to come all the way down here, hon.”

“After hearing about the state you were in, with all my love in the world I violently disagree.”

Markus sighed like a man whose knee wasn’t sparking and twitching at this very moment. And...hm. Maybe it did ache. A teeny bit. Whatever. He was still of the opinion that rubbing some dirt on it and a little stretching was enough to get him through the rest of the day.

“Well, maybe you can help me convince him to go to the technician,” said Simon.

“No need.” Without preamble, Connor plopped the heavy med(?) box on the floor and gently lifted Markus’ leg, hiking up his pants up to the thigh. As he examined it, intense as any jeweler examining a rare diamond, he hooked the back of a nearby stool with his foot and pulled it over, resting the leg on it. Markus neither struggled nor visually reacted; just kept stringently doing his paperwork like nothing was going on.

When Connor pulled out a collapsible creeper seat and rolled under Markus’ leg as if he were a mechanic working on a car, Simon went from passive observer to concernedly going around the desk to see what all the RK800 was doing.

“H-hey wait a second! Connor - it’s a pretty serious wound, maybe we should let the professionals handle it!”

Connor rolled slightly from under Markus with a large drill in his hand and an unimpressed look on his face. Surprisingly, Simon was not reassured by this in the slightest. “I assure you Simon that I am fully equipped with the latest caretaking protocols now could you please pass me that monkey wrench.”

“What seriously- UHH! I mean...” Realizing how insulting that sounded, Simon hurried to hand Connor the tool, clearing his throat. “I didn’t realize you had such uh...versatile programing.”

“It’s the same base code used in mine, actually,” Markus added, using his free hand to pat Connor’s soothingly when he heard him grumbling things like “I can do more than kill things” and “No one has been irreparably maimed in my Knitting Circle”. Damn right honey, Markus thought, Greta and Patrica have had nothing but nice things to say about you’re wool socks.

“Oh riiiiiight. You two are from the same model line, I…” Markus could practically Jedi Sense Simon about to say ‘I forget that sometimes’, so he looked up at the PL600 and shook his head firmly with glaring eyes. Simon, sheepish, held up his hands placatingly and held his tongue.

“The code...has been streamlined to cater more towards field and emergency repairs,” Connor admitted reluctantly, but then quickly added, “but combined with my own personal research outside of my programming, it is no less effective.”

Eager to keep his foot out of his mouth, Simon merely nodded in agreement. He couldn’t, however, keep the growing alarm showing from his face as Connor pulled more and more absurd tools out of his box (the electric saw was particularly disconcerting), and started contorting around Markus so that he wasn’t interfering with his work in ways that at first, seemed normal, but were steadily becoming more on par with a cirque du soleil act. That alarm changed into bewilderment when he tilted Markus’ chair back, put a car jack under his desk so that it tilted forward at the perfect writing level, put a pillow behind his head and a fizzy thirium drink (complete with a fun crazy straw) in his mouth. His standard office setup now suddenly a mini spa. 

When Connor started working a polisher to his knee Markus practically melted back into the chair. Oh that sneaky bastard. He knew Markus wouldn’t be able to get anything done by administering the android equivalent of a deep tissue massage. 

Bewilderment now firmly settled on amusement, and thoroughly reassured that his friend/boss was in good hands, Simon started to take his leave. “Alright, I’ll leave you to it Connor. If you need back up to make sure this guy takes it easy we’re all on stand by.”

Connor nodded. “I will escort him home for further recuperation as soon as I have finalized his repairs.”

Markus, eyes closed as he happily sipped at his Particle-Colada, grunted in response to Simon’s farewell. He was a little annoyed that everyone was treating him like a toddler over his small injury, and a little more annoyed that Simon had felt the need to hover around Connor, as if he were bracing for the RK800 to do something violent, before trusting his good intentions. Granted, Markus (begrudgingly) could admit that Connor’s methods certainly weren’t...standard caretaker protocols, and that his bedside manner was well...much like the android himself; aggressive, confusing, and, most importantly, well-meaning.

“‘Can’t go home,” Markus murmured around his straw, very convincingly and not at all like he was about to ascend to a higher plane. “Still got work to do.”

“Hmm. Do you now?” With a fond, humoring, smile, Connor cranked up the power on the polisher. Markus swore his soul was straight vibin’.

Yea, actually. Maybe work could wait till tomorrow.

[gemma-lemma]

Flaming Hearts - A Nalu Fanfiction

Chapter two

When Lucy left her room the next morning, Natsu was leaning on the opposite wall already.

“Mornin’ princess.” He greeted and pushed himself off, casting a quick glance down her body while she did the same. While Lucy was wearing a navy-blue skirt and a white turtleneck, combined with white boots and a dark blue backpack, Natsu wore black jeans and a black sweater beneath his black leather jacket. Did he not know any other colours than those depressing tones?

“Good morning, Natsu.” She purred and started walking down the hall. “Were you standing there all night?”

Natsu chuckled and admitted. “No, I slept in a very comfortable bed in another wing of the estate.”

Lucy gave him a surprised look. Did that mean..? “But before you make any false assumptions, my partner was guarding your room at night, so don’t try anything in the future.” He crushed her hopes and gave her a wicked grin. He knew exactly what Lucy was thinking, and it irked her.

“Will you have breakfast with me, then?” She asked, trying to conceal her hopes by sounding as if she were up to something. She hated eating alone.

“Sadly, no. I’ve already eaten.” He said and glanced towards her as she stared strictly forward, lips pressed to a thin line. He wasn’t entirely sure how to interpret that reaction, but she gave him no further room to speculate.

“Then I will see you when I depart from the estate.” She pressed with a smile and turned around to face him one last time before entering the dining room and slamming the door behind her. Natsu looked at it baffled. Had he offended her?

During breakfast Lucy took out her phone and decided to check the Fairy Tail group chat.

 Levy: What??! New bodyguards? Again?

Erza: How many more of those is your dad going to hire until he realizes that you’re able to get rid of them all?

Juvia: Lucy, be nice! Those poor guys don’t know yet what they’re dealing with.

Lucy: Then it’s time they found out, don’t you think?

 The answer was almost immediate.

 Juvia: But be a little nicer than you were with that Hibiscus guy from the Unicorn agency!

Levy: You mean Hibiki from Blue Pegasus?

Juvia: Yes, that one. How am I supposed to remember all their names? There were so many.

Erza: And there will be many more, so you better start remembering.

Lucy: Uhm, maybe not…

Levy: What do you mean?

Lucy: The new agency? They’re Strauss and Co. I met their boss, Mirajane Strauss, yesterday.

Erza: Strauss and Co.? Those are said to be the best! Mirajane is my absolute idol!

Juvia: What’s so interesting about her?

Erza: She was in the military before she started the agency, and from what I’ve heard the woman’s a beast! There was no mission she didn’t complete excellently, and she received loads of medals.

Levy: When she was such a great soldier, why’d she stop just to become a babysitter?

Erza: I’m not sure, they never really dropped the details. All I know is that her sister Lisanna was somehow involved, and that since Mirajane left the military, nobody has ever seen Lisanna again.

Lucy: You think she died?

Erza: I’m don’t know, but at this point I think it’s probable. But that was years ago.

Juvia: But Lucy, why did you say that maybe there wouldn’t come any more agencies?

Lucy: I’m hoping that if I just get Strauss and Co. to fail as spectacularly as possible, my father will realize that it’s useless and stop hiring bodyguards. They’re said to be the best, after all.

Levy: That sounds wicked.

Levy: You got a plan already or need some help?

Lucy: As a starter, I’m gonna start sneaking out and running away from them, beginning with Sting’s party. Oh, and I’ve got to introduce someone to you once we’re at the University.

Erza: That sounds interesting.

 With a smile, Lucy put her phone away and stood up from the table. Just like before, Natsu was waiting right outside the room she was in, this time leaning next to the door.

“You ready?” He asked, and Lucy nodded. Together they walked out to the car and got in the backseat.

“We’re ready, Gajeel.” Natsu called and the driver, a man with long black hair, started the car.

“What happened to my usual driver?” Lucy asked curiously and watched Natsu lean back in his seat.

“We decided that it would be better if someone of our team would drive.” He said and watched out the window.

“That doesn’t answer my question.” Lucy smiled sweetly and scooted closer to the pink haired man.

“What can you tell me about your friends?” He asked instead of answering her question and pretended not to notice how she got closer still. Of course, he knew all about her friends, but maybe this would distract her from asking further questions he didn’t want her to know the answer to. Her previous driver had turned out to be in close contact with several very intrusive paparazzi.

“Well, there’s Levy, for one. Levy McGarden.” Lucy began listing them up and he was surprised about how willing to help she seemed. “She’s a total bookworm, we often exchange books that we liked reading. She’s really sweet, but also a bit of a shark. Once she finds something interesting, she will go beyond herself to find out everything about it.”

Levy McGarden was the daughter of a very famous publisher and a slightly less famous Instagram celebrity. She was in all probability as harmless as her babyface made her look. Her and Lucy had known each other since kindergarten.

“Then there’s Erza Scarlet. She’s been one of my best friends since middle school, and she loves strawberry cake. Probably would kill for a slice. She’s the mom friend of the group, and really nice.”

Natsu frowned. Erza Scarlet was the heir to Scarlet Inc., a company that sold cars. It seemed that her parents were, just like Lucy’s father, more interested in building an empire than raising their daughter, who early on started to rebel against their plans for her. She was versed in all kinds of fighting sports and taught self-defence via videos on social media. Natsu wasn’t all too sure if she was actually as sweet as Lucy said.

“And last but not least we have Juvia Lockser. Her Mother has this great fashion label, Loxar, and she herself wants nothing more than to become a designer like her one day. She’s really cool, like the friend you can go on rollercoasters with.” Lucy concluded, and Natsu raised his brows at the odd comparison.

Juvia Lockser had transferred to Lucy’s high school in eleventh grade, and they had spent the year as sworn enemies. Apparently because of some boy they had both had a thing for, but nothing had ever been confirmed. All he knew was that they ended eleventh grade with catfight and started twelfth grade as best friends.

“Are you telling me something about your team too or will I have to figure out everything by myself?” Lucy asked, now so close that their bodies were touching, and Natsu made the mistake of turning his head to look at her. Their faces were only centimetres apart anymore and she glanced seducingly down towards his lips, before her big brown eyes met his again. For the first time Lucy realized that his eyes were not just really dark but seemed to be actually black.

Natsu cleared his throat and tried to move closer to the door, but he was already pressed against it. There was no escape from Lucy’s attempts to…yeah, what was she even doing? Trying to seduce him? Yeah, that had to be it. He wasn’t entirely sure why she was trying to in the first place, though. Was she hoping for him to make a mistake because he was distracted or to give in to her advances and get fired for it?

“Well, uh,” He stammered and cleared his throat again. “Mirajane you already met. Then there’s Gajeel, our driver.”

“What’s Gajeel’s last name?” Lucy interrupted, and he gave her a startled look.

“His last name’s Redfox. My partner, who’s guarding your room at night, is called Gray Fullbuster, then there’s Cana Alberona, who takes care that extern locations are secure. You happy ‘bout that answer, princess?”

Lucy hummed while thinking it through. Little did Natsu know that those names would wander directly to Levy, who would crack her knuckles twice and then find out everything about the team there was to know.

“What’s your last name, Natsu?”

“Dragneel.”

“Natsu…Dragneel.” She repeated slowly, and a shiver ran down Natsu’s spine. He had to give it to her: She knew the game she was playing very well.

Suddenly, Lucy retreated back to her seat, and just as Natsu gave her a puzzled look, he saw that they were right in front of the University.

“You ready, love?” She asked and looked at him through her lashes. Natsu swallowed and nodded, shaking off all the insecurity she brought up in him. Two could play the game she was playing, and it was time for him to step onto the field.

“Ready when you are, princess.” He retorted and watched, as Gajeel opened her door for her before getting out himself and walking around the car. Lucy hadn’t bothered waiting up for him, but Gajeel still stood there smirking.

“Good luck with that one, Salamander. Seems like she’s got you by the balls.”

“Fuck you, Metalhead. At least I don’t have to play the driver.” He muttered and followed after his fake girlfriend, who just at that moment reached her friends in front of the stairs.

 “The pink haired one?” Levy asked curiously, and Lucy nodded.

“He’s actually my bodyguard, but he’s acting like he’s my boyfriend in public, so it doesn’t seem that obvious that I’m protected.” She whispered and watched him approach. He even had a backpack slung over his shoulder that she hadn’t noticed before.

When he reached them, he laid an arm over Lucy’s shoulder and she smiled up at him sweetly.

“Guys, that’s Natsu, my boyfriend.” She introduced him and he raised his hand in a small wave.

“Nice to meet you, girls. Lucy’s told me already so much about you.”

“And those are Erza,” the red haired one who gave him the evil eye, “Juvia,” the one with the dark blue hair who just eyed him curiously, “And Levy.” The one with the light blue hair and the glasses, who gifted him an honest smile.

“So, Natsu,” Erza spoke and Lucy tried to push down her grin. “Where did you two meet?”

“At the bookstore. We were reaching for the same book and that’s when we first noticed each other.” He chuckled and scratched his neck, and the girls almost melted into his smile. That was actually a very sweet idea, Lucy thought, but they didn’t give up so soon. After all, her friends enjoyed playing Lucy’s games at least as much as she did.

“Oh, you like to read? What genres?” Levy questioned with shining eyes. If there was anyone in the world who loved reading more than Lucy, then it was Levy. Natsu feigned thinking for a second, when he was probably actually wondering what game the girls were playing. He was pretty sure that Lucy had told them the truth already.

“I think my favourite’s probably action, though I really like YA and Romance too. The book we reached for was romance, if I remember it right. Wasn’t it, Lucy?” He thought aloud and glanced down towards the blonde who gave a slight nod.

“Yeah, it was.”

“You know, I’ve gotta say, you’re kinda pretty. I’m sure I would’ve noticed you by now.” Juvia stated and smiled wickedly. “You don’t go to this University, do you?”

They were trying to corner him, Natsu realised. They were trying to make him make a mistake, and suddenly he was very thankful for Mirajane, who always insisted that he learned every last detail of his faux background story by heart and even practiced answering questions about it.

“Well, I’ve been going to this Uni for quite a while now, but I chose to attend via online lessons. I’ve always found those more practical anyways. But since I met Lucy I want to spend as much time with her as I can, and thus am going to come to Uni in person.” He smiled just as sweetly back and could see the exact moment Juvia decided to test his limits.

Lucy snuck her arm around his waist and said: “It’s pretty late already, I think we should go inside.”

The girls agreed, and so everyone went to their lessons.

Lucy took a seat at the back of the classroom and neatly laid out her laptop, a notebook and a biro pen in front of her. Natsu simply put his backpack to his feet and slouched back in his chair.

“Are you even going to pay attention?” Lucy asked curiously and propped her chin on her hand. Natsu nodded.

“Of course I am. Just not to your chemistry lesson.”

“It’s physics, actually.” Lucy gave him a sly smile.

“Ain’t gonna pay attention to that either.” He retorted and tried not to let his embarrassment show. He should have known that.

“Of course not.” Lucy teased and directed her attention to her professor.

During the lesson Natsu kept watching the students surrounding them like an eagle. He was aware of every movement, every glance in their direction.

When Lucy turned her attention back to him, at first, he didn’t even notice, too busy glaring down a fellow student who seemed to have a little crush on the blonde beauty. Determined to focus his attention back on her, Lucy inconspicuously pushed a pen towards the edge of the table. Natsu noticed it the moment it rolled off the edge of the table but was too slow to catch it.

“Whoopsie.” Lucy feigned surprise before leaning down to get the pen that had rolled under Natsu’s seat, knowingly invading his space. Startled, he tried to scoot a little away, but there was only so far he could go before falling off his chair.

“Found it.” Lucy looked up to him with a smile, still bowed over his lap, providing a great view of her cleavage. In that moment Natsu understood perfectly how Lucy had gotten rid of all her previous bodyguards. Either they quit because the teasing was too much, or they were fired because they had given in and walked right into her trap. And if they were actually professional enough to not be affected by how she acted, she would have found a way to prove them incompetent.

“Great.” Natsu pressed and let out a breath when she sat back up again. He needed to find a way to make her give up.

 When they finally left the classroom, Lucy snuck her hand into Natsu’s and leaned into his side.

“Did you find the lesson interesting, love?” She purred and batted her lashes.

“Yes, it was quite the entertainment, princess. What did you like best?” He answered, smile dripping poison. Lucy sported a smug expression.

“The part where I dropped my pen.” She bit her lip, and Natsu finally had enough. He started walking faster, trailing Lucy after him by her hand. She almost stumbled, but as quickly as he had started, he pushed her into a janitor’s room and closed the door behind them.

“What-?” Lucy stuttered, but he immediately shut her up by pressing her against a wall. There was only a little red lamp that barely lighted the room, but she could see his glowing dark eyes clear as day.

“Listen up now, princess.” He growled, one arm propped to the wall above her head, leaning down right beside her ear. “I know exactly what you’re trying to do, and I don’t like it.”

“Oh, is that was dislike looks like, love?” She interrupted, having quickly recovered from the surprise. Natsu got closer, pressing a leg between hers, hoping to wipe some of that smugness off her face. He knew it failed tremendously the moment she put a hand on his chest.

“Yes, that’s what dislike looks like. I won’t fall for your games. I’ve read your files. I know exactly how you got rid of all those before me and let me tell you that I won’t follow them. The only way you’re getting rid of me is if someone puts a bullet in my head.” With the tiniest bit of self-satisfaction, he felt Lucy’s body react to his. She wasn’t as immune as she would have liked him to think, after all. Little goosebumps appeared on her neck and went down her spine, and instead of drawing circles with her fingers like before she grabbed his sweater as her breathing got heavier. Natsu leaned back a little, just enough to look her in the widened eyes. She looked at him like a deer in headlights.

But then she grabbed his sweater tighter, and though still breathing heavily, she bit her lip and smirked. “I know where daddy keeps the guns, love.”

Natsu narrowed his eyes, trying not to let his exasperation show. How the fuck could he intimidate her if not like that?

Letting out an irritated breath, he retreated from her, and watched how she almost slipped down the wall. Looked like someone had gotten weak knees, huh?

Natsu rolled his eyes and grabbed her by the hand as soon as her knees seemed steady enough to carry her again and pulled her out of the room and to her next class.

 SATURDAY

 Lucy was humming while putting on her make up. She hadn’t managed to get another reaction out of Natsu for the entire week and was now determined to not let this evening flop. She had eaten about two hours before and had officially already gone to bed. It worried her a little that Natsu had known about her sneaking out in the past but she calmed her nerves by reminding herself that, in fact, everyone knew about it. That had been the whole point – to be seen and get rid of another useless team of bodyguards.

When her lipstick finally seemed to have the perfect angle, she thoughtfully eyed the cylindrical box that sat on the counter next to the sink. It was opened, and in it there was a bright pink wig Lucy usually used to sneak out and be unseen. She was still debating with herself whether or not to wear it. Did she want to be unseen or did she want to let people know she was there right away?

Carefully taking the wig out she chose the first option, thinking about remaining incognito until later at night so that her bodyguards couldn’t have a chance to crash the party earlier than she wanted them to.

When everything was finally at the right place, she picked up her phone and threw a last checking look in the mirror. The black dress she was wearing barely reached to her mid-thighs, and the v-neckline was quite revealing too. Her high heels would already have killed her feet by the time they reached the club, but she didn’t care. All Lucy cared about was that she looked smoking hot and hardly recognizable with the hot pink wig that reached straight to her shoulders. It even had bangs.

 Levy: We’ll be there in ten, Lu. Same spot as always?

Lucy: Of course. See you.

 To climb out the window, Lucy took her shoes off again, not wanting to fall and break her neck, and as she snuck her way through a small passage in the garden and then through that part of the bushes, knowing no one from the estate would be able to see her, she kept them dangling from her fingers. Last but not least she finally reached the gate for the delivery men and snuck through it with a security card she had stolen some time ago while seducing one.

Finally taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the fresh night air.

“Man, how I love being right.” A raspy voice broke her out of her peace, and she jolted around to see Natsu leaning on the wall, grinning cockily.

“How- how did you know?” Lucy stuttered, trying to register what was happening just now. Damn it! Natsu pushed himself off the wall and slowly started walking towards her.

“As I said before, I know about how you got rid of all the others. Doing the necessary research about what way you could get off the property so easily made me genuinely worried about the laziness of your previous bodyguards.” He explained and stood still right in front of her. Lucy swallowed hard and watch as he raised a hand to twirl a pink lock around his finger. “Nice wig, by the way. I was already wondering if you went out to just get some fun, too.”

Trying to recollect her thoughts, Lucy pushed his hand off and bowed down to put her shoes back on. She didn’t see how Natsu averted his eyes from her very revealing pose, but she sure hoped he did. When she stood back upright, she was almost as tall as him.

“So, what’s the plan now, love?” She asked and narrowed her eyes at him.

He sent her a knowing smirk. “I’m gonna bring ya back to your room and save mine and Mira’s asses. You are gonna come with me without a fight and nicely go to sleep as you announced almost three hours ago you would.”

Lucy scoffed. “And what if I won’t come with you?”

“I have no problem picking you up and carrying you, princess.”

Debating her chances of getting away from him in that kind of situation, Lucy frowned. Eventually, she raised her hands in defeat. “I don’t wanna go back. I still want to have a night out with my friends.”

“Hah, no. You’re going home.” Natsu said coldly.

“Please, I can never have some fun! And they’re already on their way here.” She pleaded and watched as his cold façade slowly started to melt.

“No, no fucking way. You’re not going to some party just because you don’t like your life, princess. Out of the question, your friends are gonna have to turn around.”

“Please, Natsu! Let me go and I swear that I’ll be nice. Don’t take this away from me too.” Lucy boldly laid her hands on top of his crossed arms and he glanced down for only a moment before sending her a warning glare.

“You’re gonna stay by my side, you hear me? The first time I can’t see you for more than three seconds will be the moment we go home.” He instructed gruffly and opened up his arms so her hands would fall off. Instead, she darted forward and threw her arms around his neck to embrace him in a tight hug.

“Thanks, Natsu! You’re the greatest!” She cheered, genuinely grateful but none the less already thinking of some kind of plan B.

[incorrect-spiderson]

for the prompts, can i have peter and shuri or michelle (whichever you prefer) babysit Morgan?

Ao3 Link:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25350943

The Babysitters

Okay this took way too long but here you go lovie💕

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Peter I’m not sending you to purgatory, I’m just asking you to babysit Morgan.”

The teenager groans and slumps over the side of the couch. “It might as well be the same thing!”, he whines, tossing his hands in the air. “I’ve watched Nemo at least twelve times this week!”

Tony rolls his eyes as he adjusts his tie. “She’s your sister Pete, and she’s six. Plus you’re the only one she’ll listen to besides The Wiggles.”

Peter huffs and adjusts his totally not pouty position. But after a second of thought he smiles. “Well then, I have one condition.”

Tony cocks and eyebrow and looks at his son through the mirror. “You have conditions for babysitting your sister now?”

“No, condition. One.”

“Mhm, and that would be...?”

“I want Shuri to come over.”

Tony turns to eye his son and gives him a smirk. “You want me to let you have a girl over? While you’re home alone with your sister?”

Peter’s face turns at least six different colors of red and screws up into the most disgusted look Tony could imagaine. “Dad- no that’s- ew stop it no Shuri is one of my best friends that’s just- you’re nasty.”

Tony laughs as he turns back to the mirror. “I know I know kiddo. Of course you can. Just be careful with that Trek teleporter thing that she made. I don’t want to get a call and find out that Morgan is in Siberia.”

Peter’s look of disgust instantly transforms into a smile as he stands up and hugs his dad. “Thanks dad! But uh.. shouldn’t you be going? I think moms been waiting in the car for like.. ten minutes.”

Tony’s expression turns from one of love to one of fear. He quickly adjusts the sleeve over his robotic arm and races towards the door mumbling something about thinking she was upstairs. He swipes his phone from the counter and opens the door. “Love you bambino! Tell Mo I love her!” He calls, then shuts the door and races off to the car.

Peter chuckles as he hears the car start up then zoom off towards the city. He turns and makes his way to the garage, slipping his phone out of his pocket to quickly message Shuri.

——————————————————————————

spooderpete: Beam yourself up

shuriken: Why?

spooderpete: Babysitting Morgan, Dad said you could come over.

shuriken: Omw Scotty

——————————————————————————

Peter puts his phone back in his pocket and flips on the lights in the garage. He makes his way down to the Trek Pad and switches it on. The device starts glowing in bright blue pulses, then it suddenly turns a deep purple. Then in the blink of an eye Shuri is standing before him.

Peter laughs. “Well, it works!”

Shuri scoffs, stepping off of the device and lightly slapping his arm. “Did you think it might not work? I built it! Of course it would work!”

“I mean if we go back to last week...”

“Last week does not count! Do you know how hard it is to create a small black hole?”

“Yes because I tried it with you.”

“I- shut up. Where’s your sista?”

Peter rolls his eyes. “She’s upstairs in her room, but you’re avoiding-”

Shuri sticks her finger in his face. “Not another word from you or I will beam myself back to Wakanda. I have something for her to see.”

The girl walks into the house and heads towards the stairs. Peter hurriedly follows as he closes up the garage. By the time he gets up the stairs, Shuri is already in Morgan’s room. He gently pushes open the door and is instantly met with the upside down face of a six year old girl.

“Hi petey!”, Morgan squeals. She gives him an upside down hug around the neck and giggles, “I’m just like you now!”

When his sister releases him she realizes that Shuri, who is also upside down, is standing behind her. Both girls are wearing glowing bands around their shoes and heads. The older girl smiles. “What? Now we can all hang out.”

Peter finally recovers from the shock of seeing an upside down child and joins them on the ceiling. “So... whats going on up here ladies.”

Morgan giggles. “We’re gonna have an Avengers Meeting!”

Shuri takes on a serious look and nods. “What are we battling today Morgan?”

The little girl gets serious as well. “From now on you call me Admiral Stark. We have to fight the evil fluff monsters from a parasail universe.”

Peter leans over and whispers in her ear. The girl sighs and rolls her eyes. “That’s what I said! Parasail!”

Peter sticks his hands up in defeat. “Okay okay! But Admiral Stark we’re going to need reinforcements. The evil fluff monsters are dangerous.”

Morgan thinks for a minute then nods. “You’re right Spiderman. Bring me to the ground! I need to go get the others!”

She reaches out for peter to grab her so he takes her by the arm pits and flips her over so she lands on the ground softly. Both teens watch upside down as she sprints off down the hall.

They did in silence for a moment before they both laugh. “Your sister is very imaginative. I figured she would like my Spider-bands.”

Peter raises a brow. “So how’d you make those? Are the headbands to keep the blood from rushing to your head?”

“Yes! It’s a very intricate process and it makes us able to-”

Morgan come sprinting back into the room with two arms full of action figures, dolls, and tape. Peter lifts her back onto the ceiling and makes sure the Spider-bands stick before releasing her. She crawls back over to her spot and sits criss-cross. They spend the next few minutes taping the dolls and action figures to the ceiling. Once the last doll is secure, Morgan starts ‘the meeting’.

“Spiderman, Shuri, I want you to meet the other Avengers.”

Morgan points to an Ironman figure with a tutu. “That’s Irondad.” She then point to a figure of Thor. “Thunder Poptart.” Then two stuffed birds. “Hawkeye and Pidgeon” A Barbie doll with red hair colored on by a marker. “Tasha”. Then a Cap figure. “And that’s Captain Assho-”

“MORGAN” Peter screeches before she can finish. “Do you know what dad would say if he heard you say that?”

The girl ponders for a second then smiles. “Dads not here so it doesn’t matter.”

Peter opens his mouth to protest, then shuts it with a sigh. “Whatever, just say butthead.”

Shuri giggles to the side and he rolls his eyes.

The ‘battle’ starts and soon enough there’s action figures and stuffed animals flying across the room. The game lasts about 30 minutes before Morgan grows bored and hungry.

Just as she makes Irondad punch the evil teddy bear she sighs. Dropping her toys to the ground she lets gravity make her arms sway above her head. “I’m hungry Petey... and I wanna watch a movie.”

Peter chuckles and lowers himself to the ground. “Yeah I figured Momo. Let’s get you down then you, me, and Shuri can go eat some pizza and watch a movie.”

Shuri flips down second and deactivates her devices. Both teens help Morgan off the ceiling and onto her bed. They all head down the stairs, Shuri and Morgan go into the kitchen to make the frozen pizza while Peter sets up the Netflix and gets out the blankets.

The three kids settle down on the couch. Morgan lays on the left, Peter sits in the middle, and Shuri lays to the right. They flip through multiple movies until Morgan, thankfully, picks Frozen II instead of Nemo. Peter gets up to get the pizza and drinks, then they start the movie.

They spend the rest of the night singing along to the movie, eating pizza, and eventually sleeping. Peter picks up his sleeping sister and carries her upstairs to her room. After he tucks her in he goes back downstairs to help Shuri clean up.

The teens pick up the left over pizza and plates. After they finish, they spend the rest of the night talking and coming up with tech designs. Shuri is in the middle of explaining a new gadget design when her kimoyo beads start glowing.

Shuri slumps into the couch. “I am guessing this is my brotha. I should go. Are we meeting next week?”

Peter sits up and stretches. “Oh yeah definitely. We have to build that real life Millennium Falcon.”

Shuri stands and walks towards the garage. “Of course! See you next week Peterman!” She throws up a peace sign and then leaves.

Peter sighs and lays back on the couch. Soon enough he’s drifting off. He barely even hears the door open and his parents lay a blanket over him. He smiles and lets himself drift off to into a peaceful sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bonus:

Tony walks up stairs carefully so he doesn’t wake up his little girl. As he steps into her room he realizes that something.. isn’t quite right. He doesn’t have Peter’s spider sense but he has a dad sense.

And something is wrong. He swings the door open, searching for any threat. Then he hears it. A slight creaking, or even... peeling noise. He can’t tell where it comes from. But suddenly, it hits him.

Literally.

The Captain America figure falls off the ceiling and lands on Tony’s head. In a moment of fury he yells, “DAMN YOU CAPTAIN ASSHOLE!”

He spins when he hears a gasp. Morgan is sitting up right in her bed with a hand over her mouth. With a smile she says, “It’s okay daddy I won’t tell mom.”

[true-blue-megamind]

FAN THEORY THURSDAY - Megamind's Anatomy

It was brought to my attention that some might wish to re-post, but might not feel they could due to the length and the lack of a "Keep Reading" link. I am re-posting this slightly edited version for them.

Yes, yes, I know… You’re probably getting tired of hearing me say it, but here it is anyway: SPOILER WARNING!

It’s not secret that Megamind is physically different from humans.  Anyone who has ever seen the film—or merely seen an imagine of the title character—knows that obvious fact.  There have, however, been a great many intriguing discussions within the fandom about exactly how different he is, and about possible biological reasons for those differences.  Luckily for all of us, this has led to a plethora of interesting theories; so many, in fact, that I will only be able to touch upon a few of the most popular ones here.  Even then, this post will likely be long enough that, benevolent soul that I am, I’ll have mercy upon my readers and adopt a slightly different format, including sub-headers for easier perusal. After all, despite its expansiveness, this promises to be a deeply fascinating subject.

A quick note before we dive into this post: I will not be discussing Megamind’s strength as I already wrote about that in another blog article, How Strong is Megamind, nor will I be going much into courtship instincts, and that was covered in Why Kidnap Roxanne.  If I may say so, both posts are well worth reading, so please feel free to check them out.  Now, without further ado, let’s get started.

Megamind is Semi-Aquatic

Oh, yes, when I said we would “dive in,” I really meant it.  A large portion of the Megamind fandom seems to have agreed that our favorite alien is just as comfortable in water as on land.  In fact, one very popular theory suggests that he may even have gills, and that his awareness of how different this makes him may be part of the reason he keeps his body covered from the chin down.  As odd as that concept may sound to some, it’s not nearly as far fetched as it may appear. There’s actually some evidence to support it.

Firstly, near the beginning of the film, as infant Megamind’s escape pod is leaving his doomed solar system, we see that his planet is blue. Some fans have suggested that this could indicate it is largely covered by water.  Secondly, there is the fact that his mother and father chose a fish to be his caretaker.  There is some discussion in the fandom about whether Minion hails from a sentient and intelligent species that had a symbiotic relationship with Megamind’s people, or whether he was genetically and biotechnologically modified for his job as surrogate parent.  Either way, a fully-aquatic being would seem an illogical choice of babysitter if Megamind’s parents expected them to live largely on land, and we know that, given the spaceship they hurriedly constructed for their son and their offspring’s incredible intellect, they must have been highly intelligent.  That makes it seem likely that Megamind’s parents must have expected him to spend significant time in water, which indicates that they must have been accustomed to living that way themselves.  After all, we all tend to base our decisions on what we perceive as normal.

Some have also pointed to one of Minion’s lines near the beginning of the film, when he states that he has kept the Lair “cold and damp” for his boss.  Of course, this was likely simply a joke drawing on evil stereotypes, but we are the Megamind fandom; we are creative and intelligent enough to turn any small detail into a half-credible theory.  In this case, that specific theory involves Megamind’s semi-aquatic nature meaning his skin (or the supposed gills) can hurt or even crack if allowed to become too hot and dry for too long.  Hence why he would need a cool, damp environment.  Fans have even suggested that the undersuit we see him donning the Black Mamba uniform over may be designed, among other things, to hold moisture close to his skin.  This could also explain why Megamind’s Lair is located on an inlet of Lake Michigan, as can be seen in the film.  Perhaps he and Minion enjoy an occasional dip in the cold depths.

Finally, Megamind’s body also seems well adapted for water.  Indeed, the blue man seems especially well-suited for a semi-aquatic lifestyle.  The bald heads of both males and females of his species mean there would be no hair to create drag underwater.  The former villain’s lithe, slim frame and sleek musculature would likely help him move quickly and agilely beneath the waves.  (It is, after all, called a swimmers’ build for a reason.)  Some fans have suggested that, while Megamind’s brain is certainly much bigger than a human’s, his large skull may also contain an air sac, similar to that of dolphins and other Cetaceans, which is used, among other things, to control buoyancy.  Then there is the blue skin tones of Megamind’s people to consider. It’s a color that naturally stands out on land—hardly an evolutionary advantage—but it might make sense if they spent a lot of time in water.  Aquatic animals often tend to have blue, gray, and green colorations.

Megamind’s Skin Tone is More Realistic Than You Think

Megamind’s possible semi-aquatic nature may not be the only reason for the color of his skin.  While, in popular culture, we usually think of extraterrestrials as “little green men,” the creators of the film chose to make Megamind blue instead. That’s certainly not something you see every day, but there may actually be good reason for it.  In fact, it’s not as strange as many may believe.  In fact, there are real people who actually have blue skin—a condition called cyanosis—and one fan theory states that Megamind’s complexion occurs for reasons similar to those of blue skin in humans.

Perhaps the most common (if I may call it that) cause of cyanosis is Methemoglobinemia, which results from hemoglobins in the blood transferring oxygen differently or less effectively.  This can be caused by medical conditions, but it can also be the result of genetics, specifically the met-H gene, which itself is the result of an enzyme deficiency paired with lower iron levels in the blood.

The best known example of this among humans is the Fugate family of Troublesome Creek, Kentucky, better known as the Blue Fugates, who came to the medical world’s attention in the mid-twentieth century. Until treatments using an (ironically named) substance called methylene blue became available to the secluded clan, many of their children were born with varying shades of blue skin tones.  Thanks in part to the aforementioned medical help, there are no longer any known descendants of the Blue Fugates with cyanosis.

Such cases of Congenital Methemoglobinemia often lack most of the far more negative side effects seen in Acquired Methemoglobinemia, such as dizziness and shortness of breath, so that, even before treatment was available, persons who inherited the met-H gene (and resulting methemoglobinemia) were usually able to lead full and active lives.  (Many of the Blue Fugates were reported to be extremely healthy, with some living into their nineties.)

All of this means two things for our favorite blue hero: firstly, given that Megamind was born on another planet, it is quite possible that his people were adapted to a different atmosphere.  According to one fan theory, this evolution involved a form of Congenital Methemoglobinemia that, somehow, allowed them to make the best use of the air on their home world as well as making their skin blue. Secondly, Megamind, like the Blue Fugates, would be able to live a full and healthy life on Earth despite differences in the was his blood transferred oxygen.

On an interesting side note, before we move on, some of the first relatives of the Blue Fugates to try methylene blue treatment in the early 1960’s were a couple named Rachel and Patrick Ritchie.  I can’t wait to see what fan theories spring up out of that one.

Megamind Has Different Dietary Needs

Alright, yes, I know, this is probably a pretty obvious statement where a character who is literally a space alienis involved, but discussions on the subject have spawned some truly fascinating suppositions.  The first and most popular is that Megamind craves a lot of sugar.  This is supported by the movie as, aside from his sipping a little champagne, the only foods we see associated with Megamind are sweets: doughnuts and churros.  One fan theory has built upon this, saying that this is not only due to the blue man’s high energy levels—think about the way he leaps and dashes around—but also to his large and highly-functioning brain.  It makes sense; according to NeuroTray, brains need a certain amount of glucose to fuel them, help produce amino acids, and even maintain neuronal health.  So it seems logical that an alien super-genius with a much larger and more active brain might need more sugar.

Further expanding on this idea, fans have theorized that Megamind’s dietary requirements also include other “brain foods” such as: carbohydrate-rich grains, fish, nuts, and eggs.  The eggs have developed a special significance thanks to one supposition that began as a sort of joke of the Megamind fan Discord known as The Evil Lair, and is quickly growing into a popular theory.  Megamind, according to many fans, not only craves eggs, but raweggs, which he consumes shell and all.  Although this was, as I’ve said, started as a lark, the idea actually has some validity.  Raw eggs not only contain a lot of nutrients, including energy-increasing B12, but also aid in breaking down and digesting large amounts of carbohydrates.  Egg shells, meanwhile, are an excellent source of many other essential vitamins and minerals.

Art: Midnight Snack by Ejga-Ostja.  I absolutely love this image, and had to use it here!  Please check out the rest of their amazing Megamind fanart!

Megamind’s Neck is Extremely Sensitive

This will be a short section, I promise.  I touched on this particular concept before in the post Why Kidnap Roxanne.  Of course, we all know Megamind wears large, high collars, but there may be more reason for this than a desire for a suitably villainous look.  When he is incarcerated, the blue man pops up the collar of his prison uniform, and, at the beginning of the movie, we see that his parents also wear high collars.  Even Megamind’s briefly-worn white hero uniform in The Button of Doom covers his everything from the head down except for a small opening at the front of his throat.  It’s almost as if, for Megamind’s people, showing one’s neck in public is indecent.

A popular fan theory explains this by suggesting that Megamind’s neck is very sensitive; so much so, in fact, that it is an erogenous zone. If merely touching the blue alien there is enough to cause arousal and pleasure, then his species’ apparently universal instinct to keep that part of the body covered.  Showing it would be akin to a woman walking around topless.  It’s also quite possible that the neck is also hidden for protection, as extreme sensitivity would mean it could be easily hurt.  This casts Megamind’s large collars in an entirely different light: he is wearing clothing that draws the eye both to his large head (and the impressive brain within it) and to a pleasure point on his body.  Many fans suppose that this could be a form of “peacocking,” and is part of an instinctual courtship display meant to attract Roxanne.  Again, for more about that theory, you can read the aforementioned post.

I could, of course, go on and on.  There are numerous other theories concerning Megamind’s anatomy, ranging from reflective eyes for low-light vision to alien vocal cords that allow a wider range of sounds and tone, but I will stop here for now.  If you’ve enjoyed this particular post, however, and would like to read another on the same subject, please let me know.  In the meantime, I’ll close by saying that the amazing physical attributes already discussed hint, as always, that far more thought and care may have been put into Megamind’s creation than most people realize.  It’s no wonder this movie and its protagonist have so many dedicated fans.

[ninja-librarian]

any personal head canons on gandra, lena, and violet in your DT stories? what are they like around each other? all that jazz.

I’ve got a couple... Lena and Violet were quick to dub Gandra as their older sister, which initially freaked Gandra out a little bit. Not in a “these kids are crazy” kind of way, but a “they think of me as a sister??? why??? I’m not worthy of being anyone’s family” kind of way. But the Sabrewings basically adopted her and Gandra has accepted this. (The entire Sabrewing family: “We have had the FOWL agent known as Gandra Dee living in our household for less than a week, but if anything happened to her, we would kill everyone in this city and then ourselves.”)

Shortly after the events of “Between a Rock and a Hard Place!”, Gandra was in a rough mental/emotional place, but she was incredibly conflicted on how to feel about the nanites in her hand. She designed them to protect herself by hurting people, something she no longer wants to do unless in the case of self-defense, and they are a very permanent part of her past. In a way, she became hyperaware of them and accidentally discharges the electricity, to her frustration; Lena, of course, understands Gandra’s feelings the best, having Magica’s magic that she couldn’t always control. Lena assures her it’ll get better, with time and with support. Violet is the one who suggests that they find alternative uses for Gandra’s electricity, sensing that what Gandra truly needs is a new sense of purpose. And that’s how the Sabrewing Dads came home one day to find the three girls in the kitchen, Violet and Lena throwing unpopped popcorn kernels at Gandra for her to zap in midair and turn into popcorn.

Lena doesn’t have a real birthday, so she and Violet did a bit of astrology to pick a day that is Lena’s. They made it into a combination birthday and adoption day celebration.

Gandra, Lena and Violet watch a lot of cozy British murder mystery shows together. They have a dedicated night for it. It leads to a lot of in-jokes between them.

Violet is largely the reason Gandra passed her GED test. Gandra could easily knock out the math and science sections, because those were subjects she was actually interested in, but flunked the social studies and language arts section on her first practice test. Violet tutored her and encouraged her and even got up early on the day of the test to make a special breakfast. Violet cried with pride when Gandra’s results came in.

Gandra has a driver’s license (a really good fake, courtesy of FOWL), but doesn’t actually know how to drive. There weren’t exactly FOWL agents lining up to teach Drivers Ed to their youngest agent when she turned sixteen. Kevin and Raymond, upon learning of this, offered to teach her. It was rough, and Gandra was sure that they’d change their minds, but they didn’t. A few years later, Gandra would help the dads teach Violet how to drive. (Lena doesn’t drive for a variety of reasons that we won’t get into just now.)

Also, a little bit of Violet backstory that hasn’t had the chance to be brought up in the story so far: Violet is, biologically speaking, Kevin’s niece, as Violet’s birth mother is Kevin’s younger sister, Lavender. Lavender was in college at the time and knew she wasn’t ready to be a mom yet. Kevin and Raymond had just recently gotten married, and offered to adopt Violet. Vi’s totally aware of the situation, and it was never a big dramatic family secret. Violet is on good terms with Lavender, whom she calls ‘aunt’.

Speaking of “aunts”, Gandra and Fenton’s kids have a Tia Violet and a Tia Lena. There was a long conversation between the three when Gandra was expecting her first kid about what Violet and Lena wanted to be called, especially since Gandra and Violet were worried that the word ‘aunt’ would be tainted for Lena because of her relationship with Magica. At first, Lena insisted that she would just be called ‘Lena’, no ‘aunt’ or ‘tia’ like Violet had chosen. Just ‘Lena’. Then when Lena first got to hold her niece, she teared up and said, “Hi, I’m your Tia Lena.” (She also made a promise to burn the world to ash if anything ever happened to the kid. As one does. Violet’s only response was along the lines of “how the heck am I supposed to one-up that?”) Violet and Lena are also the kids’ godmothers, and were Gandra’s co-maids-of-honor when she got married.

Also, Fenton used to babysit Violet. (Yes, Huey was irrationally angry and jealous when he found this out and didn’t talk to Violet or Fenton for nearly a day, despite everyone telling him he was being ridiculous.) This arrangement happened a little bit by accident, as a frantic, new dad Raymond’s babysitter fell through one afternoon and he had to bring Violet to the police station. Rosa didn’t trust Fenton at home by himself after school until he was like sixteen (and for good reason) and she had trouble finding childcare for every day, so Fenton spent a lot of time at the station, under his mom’s desk when he was little and in the break room when he got too big for that. On that particular afternoon in which Raymond had a baby and no babysitter, Fenton was asked to entertain Violet for an hour or so while Raymond went to a meeting. Fenton agreed, though both Raymond and Rosa were certain that they were going to come back to utter chaos. But everything was fine, and Raymond suggested that Fenton watch Violet every afternoon. (Fenton quickly agreed, but mostly because he could sense a future Junior Woodchuck badge in his future and because Violet was an easy baby to hang out with. He really didn’t understand why Raymond was giving him money after the first week of this arrangement.) When Violet got a bit older, Fenton would take her down the street to the library for the baby storytimes and so that they could both get books; the rookies on Raymond and Rosa’s squad’s initiation was to tail the two as discreetly as possible. (Fenton never noticed; toddler Violet totally did, but she was no snitch.) As a result, Violet was one of three people to know exactly who was underneath the Gizmoduck suit without being told.

[mrsgreenworld]

It's not easy to let go of the past

A/N: So I've had this very insistent idea for a while now. I decided to speculate way ahead. Let's imagine that it goes like this: Serkan breaks up with Eda without telling her the truth. Then Eda's grandmother comes into the picture. It's revealed that her and Efe have been working together to take the holding from the Bolats. Eda learns the truth about her parents' death from Efe or maybe her grandmother. She also finds out that Serkan knows about everything. Her grandmother's revenge plans are also revealed. However, Eda convinces Efe to help her stop her grandmother. All in all, the grandma capitulates, Efe sells back the shares. The Bolats don't lose the holding. Efe helps Eda move to Italy. She leaves and gets her degree.

That's just my imagination running wild 🤣

Let's imagine everything going down like this. This fic takes place 2 years after Eda leaves.

___________________________________________

Serkan opened his eyes way before his alarm clock was supposed to go off.

He went about his morning routine. He just moved on autopilot. Like all other mornings for the last 2 years.

2 years, 2 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, about 11 hours... without her.

Time without her seemed to drag on forever. 2 years felt like 2 lifetimes.

2 lifetimes that had brought him denial - first.

When he refused to accept that she was gone for good, that she had given up on them, on him. He called her. All his calls went into voicemail. Then her number was out of service. He tried going to her house only to find it empty. Ayfer Hanım and Melek moved house. The flower shop had been sold. He wasn't able to reach any of the girls either. They had simply blocked him.

That's when anger started.

He started taking it out on everyone in the office. Then one evening he crashed everything in his house. His parents and Seyfi came running because they had heard the noise. His mother and Seyfi barely managed to stop him from attacking his father. The next day Serkan moved out. He couldn't bring himself to go to the house he owned, where he and Eda had spent that one and only night together. He just found a completely new place instead.

Then it was time for bargaining.

He tried finding her. He found out that she wasn't at the university that she had initially applied to. Instead of taking advantage of his connections Serkan decided to go to Ceren. Out of all the girls she was the easiest to find. She was from a wealthy family of lawyers after all and worked in a prominent law firm. So Serkan just boldly waltzed into Ceren's office one day. She didn't throw him out. She didn't ask him to leave. She was patient and kind enough to actually talk to him. She asked him only one question:

"Do you love her, Serkan?"

"You know I do, Ceren. I love her more than anything and anyone in this world"

"I can tell you only one thing without betraying Eda's trust: things are going really well for her now. She looks maybe not quite happy yet but at peace. So if you truly love her the way you say you do, please, just let her go. Don't try to find her. Don't go to her. Don't try to bring her back. Don't ruin what she's managed to build for herself"

After that conversation with Ceren finally came depression. He just locked himself in his house. Stopped going to work and eventually left everything at Art Life to Pırıl and Engin. He didn't care much about the holding anymore. His father was still in charge and that made Serkan care even less.

But at least something good came from the period of depression: his mother was so worried about him that she went into therapy and after a while was able to leave the house. One day Aydan Hanım and Seyfi knocked on his door. When he didn't open it they just let themselves in using a spare key. They found him sitting on the floor in the living room, staring at the photo of him and Eda on his phone. He heard the steps and then - his mother's voice. That managed to pull him from his trance. He broke down then, a year after Eda's departure. He broke down in his mother's arms under the wave of happiness for her and under the weight of sorrow and acceptance. Acceptance of the fact that it was really over and Eda wasn't coming back. He had really lost her.

After that he pulled himself back together. He managed to create a resemblance of life in this state of numb resignation and acceptance. He travelled for two months around South America. When he returned, he got back to work at Art Life. His return was a true triumph. He had never been as productive, creative and successful as he was then. He even tried to reconsile with Selin but both of them very soon agreed that they were better off as friends.

And here he was 2 years, 2 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, about 11 hours later. Making breakfast for himself and his mother. Ever since Aydan Hanım started leaving the house, it had become their daily tradition - having breakfast together at Serkan's place, just the two of them. Sometimes it was Serkan making breakfast, sometimes he and his mother cooked together. Serkan treasured this everyday ritual.

A doorbell caught his attention and he went to let his mother in. He was greeted by her radiant smile and high-pitched: "Günaydın, canım!".

"Good morning, mom" Serkan said while returning his mother's enthusiastic hug.

They went into the kitchen and finished preparing breakfast. When everything was ready, they proceeded into a small patio. The day was calm and the weather - warm, so they decided that eating outside was a good idea.

"So, how are you, dear?" his mom asked after they were done eating and were just lazily drinking their coffee.

"You ask me this question every day, mom. Nothing's changed since yesterday morning"

"Well, today is not just any other day. Remember where you're supposed to be today?"

How could he forget. It was the first big event he had to attend since he was back. A big international business conference of architects and designers from all over the world.

He gave his mother a silent nod.

"And you know who's going to be hosting this event, right?" Aydan Hanım asked carefully.

"Of course I know, mom"

"So it's not going to be a problem?"

"Why should it be a problem?"

His mother just threw him a "Really?" look.

"It's fine, mom. I am fine. I haven't seen Efe Akman for over two years and it's not like we will have to work together. He's just hosting this conference. Despite our personal history with him, he's a recognised architect and he really is good at his work"

"Still don't like him after everything he did back then. And I don't think that seeing him is a good idea. Might trigger something... Maybe I should go too? Don't want to leave you alone"

"Don't be ridiculous, mom. I don't need a babysitter. Plus you're not ready for this yet. You haven't been anywhere except my house. Going to an event like this at a place that's completely new, where there will be hundreds of strangers... No, it will only overwhelm you. And I will have to worry about you among other things"

"Yes, of course you're right, dear. Then maybe take Seyfi with you?"

"For the love of god, mom! Stop it! I told you I don't need a babysitter" with a huff of annoyance Serkan rose from the table and started collecting the dishes.

"Ok, ok... Sorry. I will keep silent. You do what you want. You know what's best for you. But will you at least let me help you clean up?"

Serkan looked at his mother's pleading expression and the corner of his mouth twitched. He silently nodded and moved into the house.

"What was it? I think I saw an almost-smile" he heard his mother say at his retreating back.

He busied himself with washing the dishes. His mother joined him and started drying the plates. They worked without saying a word for a couple of minutes.

"You will one day, you know" his mother's quiet and cautious voice broke the silence.

Serkan looked at her and raised his eyebrows in question.

"You will smile and laugh again. I promise"

"You cannot promise something like this, mom. And I... I am not sure I know how to do this anymore"

"You will learn. You can learn. It's not impossible, my dear. I also thought I would never smile again after we lost your brother. But here I am. I even managed to leave the house. If I was able to do that, you will surely smile again one day. I know your smiles and your laughter will never be the way they were around her... But... Maybe it's not bad? It's just... different? And different can be good too. It can bring happiness"

"How do I become happy without her? If I love her this much but she's not here?"

"Oh, my dear boy! It's hard, I know. But you have to try. You have to be happy for you. No matter how much you love someone else, you have to love yourself first. And it doesn't make you selfish. It doesn't mean you don't love her anymore. But you said it yourself - she's not here. Don't you think that maybe the best way to honour this love is to let go of the past and allow yourself to be happy?"

A sob tore from his throat and he nodded frantically.

"You are right... I just... I am not ready yet"

"I know, I know... There's no rush, ok? I am not saying you have to do this now. It's not easy, it takes time. Just remember that when you feel ready, I will be there for you. Always"

"I know, mom. Thank you"

Aydan Hanım pulled her son into a tight hug.

Mother and son spent another 20 minutes together and after that Aydan Bolat left, leaving her son to prepare for the conference.

When Serkan was putting on and buttoning up his dress shirt he felt ready to face Efe Akman. However, there was a small tug in his chest, right under his heart. As if he needed to brace himself for something more than meeting with his former business partner-turned-rival.

"You're being paranoid" he huffed at himself.

Once he was ready, he grabbed his car keys and his phone. He looked dashing, collected and confident when he was climbing into his car. Nothing betrayed his typical Serkan Bolat facade. Nothing but a tiny gesture of him running his thumb over a band on his right hand.

[thebluenoteblog]

Security

Summary: When some guy starts getting a little handsy with you while the guys are warming up, Colton takes it upon himself to handle the situation.

Player: Colton Parayko

Word Count: 1.6k

Requested: can you do a joel edmundson or colton parayko and go to a game with the other wags and some guys come up to you during the game and start to talk to you and wont leave you alone and starts to touch you and then colton or joel slams into the boards and yells at the man till he leaves you alone and after the game he seems really upset and you comfort him and tell him how much you love him

“I swear, if it gets any busier, I’m going to throw my hat in and call it,” you said before taking a drink from your water bottle.

Cris nodded, “I feel you. Sort of. I mean I don’t get the whole nurse thing, but I get the running around like a chicken with your head cut off thing.”

“You don’t have to be a nurse to understand being swamped at work,” you said, screwing the cap back onto your water bottle. You only turned away from Cris as the boys started to filter out onto the ice for warm ups.

“At least you got the night off,” Molly said, leaning around Cris to look at you. “Even I didn’t want to miss this one and I’ve been to so many hockey games that they star in my dreams.”

You laughed, “Yeah, you’ve got to love when the Blues play the Preds. It’s always a good match up, especially this late in the season.”

Jayne smiled, “Such a good match up that we all got babysitters, so we could go out tonight. You’re coming right?”

“Of course,” you said, “Wouldn’t miss it.”

You were distracted from Cris’s reply by someone coming up beside you. He took a seat next to you and turned in your direction. He smiled, “Are you sitting here for the game or just down for warm ups?”

You smiled politely back at him, “For the game,” then turned back to Cris.

You were about to restart your conversation with her when you felt a tap on your shoulder. Jayne looked around the two of you at the man. Maybe she was curious who was disrupting your evening, maybe she was hoping that he would recognize her and put two and two together, then back off. If her goal was the latter, it failed.

He continued to tap until you turned to face him again. You gave him another polite smile, “Yes?”

“I was wondering if I could get your name?” He asked, “After all, we will be sitting by each other all night.”

You frowned, but being the good conflict avoiding midwestern girl that you were, you answered him, “(Y/N),” you said, and immediately regretted it when his eyes lit up.

He held out a hand, “It’s nice to meet you, (Y/N). I’m Tom.”

You begrudgingly took the hand and after releasing it, halfway turned in your seat before he spoke again. “So how did you afford these tickets?” He asked.

Did you avoid conflict? Yes. Was this an exception? Also, yes. You narrowed your eyes at him. This was your way out. You should have told him the truth. You were Colton Parayko’s girlfriend of two years. You were at every home game that you weren’t working or sleeping through after a twelve-hour shift, like the supportive girlfriend that you were. He bought your season pass.

However, the implication that for some reason you shouldn’t be able to afford these seats? Oh, no. Oh. No. “Why shouldn’t I be able to afford them?”

He paused for a moment, face flushing before responding, “I was just saying that I practically had to sell a kidney for this ticket. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

You nodded slowly, pretending to believe him. “Okay,” you had made your point. He knew he’d made a mistake. You tried to turn back to the group and he grabbed your shoulder, forcing you to face him. You took a deep breath and bit the inside of your cheek. You could practically feel the women behind you shifting uncomfortably in their seats, unsure of whether or not to make a scene yet.

“So, what do you do for a living?” He asked.

You sighed heavily, “I’m a nurse practitioner.”

He nodded, “That’s really cool. I work construction.”

You nodded but didn’t say anything. You also didn’t try to turn away from him because his hand was still on your shoulder. He slid it lower, now resting dangerously close to your breast. You attempted to flinch away, and you heard Molly finally say something behind you, but it was completely drowned out by what sounded like a car crashing into the boards.

Tom jerked his hand away in surprise and stared wide eyed at the player who had just rammed himself into the glass right in front of you. You stared in surprise as Colton slammed the side of his fist against the glass. “Leave her alone!” He yelled.

You, and all of the women sitting beside you sat in shocked silence as he stared Tom down. The look Tom was getting, was honestly turning you on a little bit. However, if you had been the one on the receiving end of it, you probably would have gotten up out of your seat and left until warm ups were over.

That was exactly what Tom did after about thirty seconds of this stare down. Colton watched him retreat with harsh eyes. When he had disappeared, Colton turned to you, his eyes softer, but you could still see his jaw working. He was still clearly angry.

He smiled at you then nodded his head and skated away.

Ten minutes later a security guard was standing at the end of your row. He didn’t leave once throughout the entire game.

<><><><><><>

Colton wasn’t typically clingy. He wasn’t usually clung to your side, following you to the bar when you went to get a drink. He had never walked you to the bathroom before. He wasn’t typically possessive. He didn’t make a show out of kissing you in an explicit way anytime he caught another guy looking in your direction, even his single friends. He usually didn’t keep and arm around you at all times, even when you were clearly getting annoyed because you were trying to move through a tight space. This is how you knew something was wrong.

It was after you had spent an extra five minutes pushing your way through the crowd in an effort to get to the bar because he was clung to your side, only to have him pull you into a lip bruising kiss when you got there that you finally broke. When he pulled away, arms still around your waist, you looked up at him and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

His eyebrows came together, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

You crossed your arms which was one interesting task because you were still pressed against his chest. “You don’t know what I’m talking about? Really?”

He shook his head, “Really.”

“Okay, let me fill you in. You’re acting like I’m a helium balloon, for starters,” you said.

He snorted, “What?”

“Like I’m going to float away if you take your hands off of me,” you waved a hand through the air exaggeratedly.

He frowned, “I am not.”

“Then let me go,” you said, attempting to take a step back.

He dropped his hands from around your waist but took your hand in his before ever losing contact with you. You didn’t say anything about it, just turned and walked toward the exit. You knew he would follow. “Where are we going?”

“Outside to talk,” you said. “There’s to many people in here, I can hardly hear you.”

You pushed your way through the door and the cool February air hit you like a truck. You sucked in a breath and he noticed right away, “(Y/N), let’s go back inside. It’s cold out here.”

“I’m fine. It isn’t that bad,” you said, turning to face him. “Now tell me what’s wrong.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Colton said quietly as he stepped around you to block the wind.

You brushed your fingers over his jaw, “Colt, please. Just tell me. If you’re planning to act like this forever, then I guess I don’t mind too much but it’s going to get really inconvenient.”

He sighed and reached up to play with a strand of hair that the wind had blown into your face before he had moved to protect you from it just like he had been trying to protect you all night. “I didn’t like it.”

“What didn’t you like?” You asked, continuing to stroke your thumb over his jaw.

His head tilted to the side and his eyes scanned over your face. Studying? Assessing? “He was harassing you. I was watching it happen the whole time and there was nothing I could do to stop it.”

“You did stop it though,” you said.

He nodded slowly, “Yeah, but he didn’t have to listen to me. I couldn’t have done anything to him from the other side of the boards. If I could have, I would probably be looking at an interesting suspension right now.”

You pulled your lip between your teeth and looked away from him before saying, “I really don’t believe you. You have more self-control than that.”

He placed both hands on your waist and tugged you against him, “We both know that I have no self-control when it comes to you, (Y/N).”

You laughed softly, “You have enough not to hit someone over me.”

He didn’t look so convinced but he nodded, “Whatever you say.”

You stood up on your toes and pulled him down to you. He pressed his lips to yours and this kiss was unlike any of the others that you had shared that night. It wasn’t possessive or designed to put on a show. It was slow and sweet and just for the two of you. When he pulled away, he had a smile on his face. “I love you,” he said, brushing his hand over your neck, “I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” you said, “More than you know.”

[too-much-fandoms-trash]

MBAV theory and ending

Hello everyone ! Here I am to discuss our beloved but too soon cancelled show : My Babysitters’s A vampire’s. Mostly its ending but not only. Damn you Disney for that cliffhanger...

Warning, it’s a really long post ! It’s around 2k words. I didn’t put it under a cut, but I can if asked. The first part (half ?) of this post is something about the MBAV universe, that I use to explain my theory about the ending. Then I will explain it, what happened and all with that, and they a small paragraph of what could have been the beggining of season 3. I’d be really happy if you guys read, and what do you think about it. So, here we go ! (Please forgive the typos)

Anyway, before talking about the ending I want to speak about the vampires and their so called “immortality”. Throughout all the show it was clearly stated that all vampires are immortal. Yet, we see a lot of them dying (killed by wooden stakes, holy water, special daggers, etc.). Sooo, are they really that immortal, or can they just live as long as possible until they’re killed ? The show doesn’t answer it, and we never saw a vampire that was killed coming back. (Except for Jesse, but his case is a bit special, with the Cubile Animus and all, so we’re not talking about it here). But ! The movie answers it, more specificly Sarah. Remember the scene when they are at Ethan’s house and they are attacked by the pizza guy, who happens to be a vampire sent by Jesse ? Yeah ? Cool, because it tells us an intersting thing. So, Sarah kills him with a wooden stake, and a bit later Ethan asks if he’s really dead. Sarah then answers, and I quote : “ Not...dead, no, just in some kinds of limbo for souls.”

Oh boy. So, it’s clear : when vampires are killed, they don’t die. Their souls go into a limbo. But first of all, what is a limbo, you may ask ? I’m going to answer as simply as I can. A limbo is something from the catholic theology. Well, not only, but in the case of the show, it’s in this sense; let’s not forget that vampires can’t approach someone who’s holding a christian cross or just making a cross with sticks or whatever (I’m almost totally sure we see it in MBAV, but correct me if I’m wrong on that). So, in catholic theology, the “Underworld” is composed in 4 parts : Hell as we know it (”Hell of the Damned”), the Purgatory, the Limbo of the Fathers and the Limbo of Infants. Here, we don’t care about the second limbo, because it is for children who weren’t baptized.  So the Limbo of the Fathers it is ! That’s still not very helpful to you, I know, but I’m getting to it. So, what is it ? It’s a place where the souls of those who have commited sins but died in the friendship of God (I’m quoting wikipedia here, ahem). So, bad people but that could still go to Heaven but only if Mr. Jesus Christ come to pardon them. But I may be going a bit too far for MBAV here. Let’s continue, shall we ? Vampires are by definition a sin, for the Religion. So, it’s clear they’re not going to Heaven. But, they are immortal beings, so it’s not as if they could go to hell anyway. However, the souls of the killed vampire have to go somewhere, so they go in the limbo. Why not the Purgatory ? I don’t really know, and my theories are not really useful in the point I’m trying to make here about MBAV. And I probably already digressed too much... but hey, a little culture never hurts.

So ! It could stop here : the souls of the killed vampires go into that limbo because they can’t go anywhere else, and it’s done. But Sarah’s sentence is not done ! Just after the limbo thing, she says : “But he won't be back here.” If she just said that the pizza vampire guy wouldn’t be back, it wouldn’t change anything, it would just emphasize that he’s dead. However, notice the “here” at the very end of the sentence. Just that little word changes the meaning ! He won’t be back here, but he will be back somewhere else. Then, we understand that vampires are really immortal ! First they are “killed”, their soul go into the limbo for an unknown time, and then they come back. As I just said, we don’t know how long their soul stay in the limbo. Sure, we never saw vampires come back on the show, but I think it’s just because it’s not in the plot. I would say it takes a few days for the soul to come back, maybe weeks but not more. Maybe it depends of the cause of death ? I don’t know. Remember that it’s just me founding out things out of just one line, I can only theorize what I don’t know.

Well, it’s great that we found that. But... what for ? Okay, we learned something but it doesn’t really apply to the MBAV story / plotline... Or does it ?

Now, I’m bringing on the table “The Date To End All Dates, Part 2″, aka the awful cliffhanger that we all hate deeply. That left us with SO many questions, and no answers. This post is now going to be about “what would have happened in season 3 episode 1 (and possibly 2 too) ?” Here’s a quick recall of how the episode ended : VP Stern, Ethan, Benny, Sarah and Jesse are at the Council and there is a big boom all over White Chapel. Anastasia, Erica and Rory are in what looks like the mountains, at least they’re not in White Chapel. Anastasia said she was waiting for the explosion to happen, and visibly just wanted to go far enough to not be in it with the remaining vampires (are Rory and Erica the two last of the Council that could make it with her ?). So, she knew what Stern wanted to do. What was his plan already ? Jesse tells us that the Council has a broadcast system, originally used to communicate with other covens, that Stern would use to spread the Lucifractor’s power all over White Chapel and thus, killing all vampires in town.  But, aren’t vampires immortal, able to come back and all, as we’ve seen before ? As you know it, the Lucifractor is designed especially to kill vampires definitely by “absorbing the dark energy that keep vampires alive”, to quote Jesse. We saw Stern use it on vampires, it “shoots” like a purple lightnight, and the vampire turns to dust. So, the explosion happened. What would be the most logical thing to happen after that cliffhanger, aka season 3 ep 1 ? Main theory would be that the Lucifractor worked, which implies Sarah and Jesse being dead, along with the other remaining White Chapel vampires in town (but not Anastasia, Rory and Erica, because they are “safe” far away). Benny, Ethan and Stern on the other hand would be alive, because the Lucifractor only kills vampires and doesn’t affect humans. But... is it really what happened ? Of course not.

First of all, it is a Disney Channel show. That cliffhanger was made in the optic of having a third season, to continue the story. The show would never have killed one of its main character, especially Sarah. Count it as an argument or not, it’s true.  Second of all, I bet the explosion that happened didn’t go the way Stern intended. The plan was just to broadcast the Lucifractor’s power, nothing more. But if you don’t remember, Ethan went into Stern’s mind just before the explosion. I won’t describe the entire scene, but basically Ethan tells Stern that he is just a human. That without the Lucifractor, he is totally powerless. Ethan emphasize the fact that Stern is nothing without the Lucifractor, in a cocky and clever way. And let’s not forget it’s Ethan, the “brain” one of the group. Yet he wasn’t panicking, he was confident in what he was doing, going into Stern’s mind. He had a plan. What next ? Ethan’s remarks kind of angered Stern and he tells Ethan “Stop saying that ! I can draw all the energy I need from this and then the power will be in me and I can get rid of this little bubble.” Ethan says a last thing that pushes Stern over the edge. Stern stops what he was doing (which is shooting Jesse and Sarah with the Lucifractor, who are okay just after that) and then, he takes the Lucifractor and makes the mistake. He takes the power for himself. He feels it, he says “I can feel the power, the deepest darkness. You’re such a fool, you’ll never stop me now !”. Then, still with confidence, Ethan tells the other to run, and the explosion happens.

I believe that Ethan’s plan worked. I believe he wanted Stern to take the Lucifractor’s power to himself. By dragging him down, saying he couldn’t handle it... and it worked ! Stern thought he could take it and be all powerful and everything. But... he’s still just a human. And a normal human can’t physically handle all that power, that darkness. The explosion wasn’t Stern broadcasting the Lucifractor’s power, it was him. Stern’s body couldn’t bare all that and, because of the Lucifrator, exploded. But, theeen, what if if it had the same effect, and still killed Sarah and Jesse ? To that I will answer that even if the explosion looked the same as it would if the plan worked (as Anastasia is probably thinking), it is probably way less powerful than if should have been. First because Stern was trying to take the power, the Lucifractor wasn’t in “attack mode” (I think ?). But mostly because Stern took the Lucifractor in his hands, therefore ending the “broadcast” thing. My two other arguments are that, well it’s still a Disney Channel show, and Ethan’s confidence. As I said, he pulled a very clever move. He probably remembered Jesse telling him that Stern’s great great grandfather was mostly hella greedy of power, more than willing to clean White Chapel from vampires. It’s still canon that Ethan has a crush on Sarah and that he cares deeply for her (as Grandma Weir says, more for her than anyone ! (Just because it’s canon doesn’t mean I agree with that, okay ? But that’s what it said, and I’m working with the canon)). So he definitely didn’t waste precious time running away if he didn’t have a smart plan that he knew would work.

Hey, I’m still not done ! God that’s a long post. But then... what happened to Jesse and Sarah ? Yes, I said that the explosion was less powerfull than intended, but it still happened. Remember the first part of this post ? That’s right. The limbo for souls. That’s where I believe Sarah and Jesse would have been in the beggining of season 3. Sure, they would be weak. But they wouldn’t be dead. Now, that’s just my theory coming. I don’t really have the canon help anymore at this point, so here’s what I think is the most logic thing that could have happened.

Boom. They explosion went all over White Chapel. Benny and Ethan are knocked off and wake up after a few hours, possibly at dawn. Because hey, that’s still an explostion. Ironically, Stern’s the one who turned into dust. His body really couldn’t handle that. Benny and Ethan are relived, Sarah’s body is still here and intact, yet unconscious next to Jesse’s. But even after hours, they don’t wake up. Benny and Ethan kinda panic, and go to Evelyn (grandma Weir). She has theories but isn’t an expert in vampires, so can’t really help. The plan is to find Anastasia, Rory and Erica. They believed the explosion went as planned and went away. As Anastasia said before, they’ll just wait until Stern dies of old age. (Erica and Rory want to go back to check on Sarah, but missy vampire child tells them she is dead, and with her mind control thing, they can’t do anything). But Sarah is not dead, at least that’s what Ethan says, but they could start to loose hope at some point, and the guys are on their way to find Anastasia, because if anyone knows something about what to do, it’s her (they also want to have their friends back). They find her, and here’s the what happens : Sarah (as well as Jesse) are stuck in the limbo. Normally, they would be able to “come back to life” by themselves, but the Lucifractor weakened them, therefore they can’t escape the limbo. At least, not alone. It’s up to the fang gang to go there and bring their friend back (and they hesitate, but bring back Jesse too). They go back to White Chapel, and season 3 continues.

Now, I’m done ! I really hope I didn’t annoy you guys with my long post. If you like my theory, I’d be very happy if you tell me, I might try to write it, as a real fanfiction more than just a paragraph. Please, tell me what you think about it ! 

MBAV will ride again !