#awful trio is also the popular kids trio and I find that beautiful

[mari-lair]

Akane is a popular kid, arguably the most popular student outside Aoi and Teru, at least in his own class, so let's talk about it!

In his introduction, we are told the basics: how Akane is a childhood friend of Aoi, dutiful, obsessed with her, and so on. During this exposition, we get this small panel of two guys looking at him with a positive opinion of him:

It's important that the stripped shirt guy is the one who says "Akane is so nice" cause it is implied he has a crush on Aoi, or at the very least, that he considers her really cute, blushing when she is just living her life.

So even people who should consider him one hell of a romantic rival don't think badly of him. I would go as far as to say that they are invested in his obvious crush on Aoi because of the amount of attention he gets after being enchanted by the confession tree.

In an arc where everyone starts to get together, is hard to notice or even care about new couples.

But the whole class stops when Akane and Lemon claim to be dating. They surround the boys and talk about it, openly staring at them. (shout out to @bpzau-d-r-a-w-s for pointing out this crowd)

Which I would have assumed is homophobia if it wasn't for how many guys confess to Teru on the daily without being spared a single thought, or the way no one is trying to comfort Aoi.

If he was only known as 'that dude that follows Aoi' the class reaction should be "Great! Her bodyguard is not in the picture anymore! That's my chance!" but they don't spare Aoi a glance. No one cares that "our calm and composed popular queen is crying in the middle of class." right now. They are just... focused on Akane, too shocked by his change of heart to care about much else.

I know is Akane getting this attention instead of Lemon because the class reacted the same way once Akane started studying like crazy to win 'Teru's challenge' in chapter 59.

People don't dismiss his behavior as "hum, weird, well whatever" like when Nene talks to 'herself '(talk to Hanako) in class, they keep crowding and talking about Akane, they are invested, aware of the context of the situation (so they asked him) and familiar enough to take a guess that his behavior is related to Aoi.

So they care about what this weirdo is doing, he is a soap opera to the class! Just look at how invested people get when he says no to Aoi, even the background crew are open-mouthed or confused.

This idea Akane is a boy people pay attention to is everywhere in the manga.

Even for a class representative/council guy, it is ridiculous the number of people who want his help. He is always surrounded by people wanting his help.

I personally can't see that many people approach someone just to take advantage of them, he makes others go "Oh it's Aoi! I can trust Aoi to be of help :D" but I acknowledge that can be seen as a sign of how incompetent his class is or just people wanting to take advantage of him, so I'll talk about the cases people run to him that are nonrelated to his duties, is just his vibes:

Tiara gets super attached to Akane in no time, literally clinging to him out of everyone in the room, running to his side whenever there is an opportunity for it.

Hanako, who is apathetic towards most humans and supernaturals alike, loves his guts. Even if the admiration is not mutual.

Teru and Aoi are prideful people who have the whole school paying attention to them. They look at Akane the most.

Girls especially seem to like him.

We don't see him interact with many girls considering Aoi's jealous nature, but enough to tell the boys in his class call him 'Aoi', and the girls call him 'Akane-kun.' (shout out to @iamhereinthebg for pointing that out)

I am convinced the reason he doesn't get many confessions is because he brutally shuts down anyone who tries.

He isn't like Teru and Aoi, he does not believe in "I'll let them down gently, give them a cute smile to soothe the pain of rejection" he just crushes their hopes without hesitation and makes it clear they have no chance.

The one girl we explicitly see confess to him only ever hoped Akane would accept her chocolate, having no hopes her feelings would be returned but caring enough to let him know anyway.

And Akane still rejected her chocolates.

He seems to be relatively used to confessions, to the point he panicked when Nene said "I've meant to talk to you for ages" and immediately assumed she wanted to confess to him.

His answer is so quick, almost scripted "My heart belongs to another. I'm sorry." it makes no sense if he isn't at least somewhat used to getting love confessions.

Considering how... Unpleasant confessing to a guy who everyone knows has been madly in love with someone else for more than a decade must be, I am not surprised almost no one is brave enough to even try to pursue him. His blunt, borderline rude, way of expressing that his suitors are not welcome probably doesn't help either.

Bonus:

He is no idol, people do not trip over themselves when they see him like with Aoi and teru, but I do think he is considered a 'pretty boy' in canon.

Maybe I am reaching cause I am biased af, but I do find it wild that he is drawn super pretty in other's people pov when he is being playful or flirty, and the person always blushes about it.

EDIT: In a Twitter Valentine event that takes place in the canon world, Akane is described as having admirers.

[edie-k]

Greener Pastures (Lavender Brown/Mystery Character, Romione, Hinny, Deamus, PG-13)

Title: Greener Pastures

Pairing: Lavender Brown/Mystery Character, Romione, Hinny, Deamus, Past Lavender/Ron, Past Lavender/Seamus

Rating: PG-13 for language

Summary: At Harry and Ginny's engagement party, Lavender bemoans her single status to a mystery man.

Author's Note: Well, here's an obscure ship for you. Thanks to @adenei for her feedback and kind words!

*************

“I think that proves that for all the complaining I’ve done, Harry, I mean it when I say you are the only one I thought was good enough for my sister,” Ron said from the front of the room, to a chorus of laughter. “So let’s raise a glass to the newly engaged couple!”

From her seat at the bar, Lavender made a face and threw back the remaining contents of her tumblr. Parvati, who was seated next to her, joined the crowd in applauding and cheering Harry and Ginny.

Click below to read more or read at AO3

“That was a nice speech,” commented Parvati.

“Oh, just the best,” muttered Lavender, trying to catch the bartender’s eye.

Parvati shook her head. “I just spotted Adam’s sister. I wanted to ask her about what the expectations are for dress code and stuff at his grandmother’s. All Adam said when I asked him was ‘Whatever’s fine.�� We’re going abroad to meet an entire side of your family I have never met in all the time we’ve been together and you’re telling me whatever is fine.”

“Mmm hmm,” Lavender said, still trying to signal for a drink.

“Are you going to be okay if I-”

“Yes, yes,” said Lavender, sighing. “I’m fine. Sorry if I’m being a drag. Just… that news earlier and then all this… happiness. Go get the dish from Mara so we can go shopping tomorrow.”

Parvati squeezed her friend’s arm before hopping off the stool and wading through the crowd to find Mara. The bartender finally made his way over to her and began to mix her another drink without a word.

At least Adam was out of town on business for the weekend so Lavender didn’t have to third wheel with her best friend and her boyfriend. Because that would have been the only thing more depressing than going to an engagement party with your platonic best friend.

The bartender nudged the glass back to her and she nodded her head in thanks as he made his way back down the bar.

“Is this seat taken?”

Lavender glanced up and met the gaze of a man she’d never seen before.

“Uh, no, be my guest,” she said. “Although be warned that I am shitty company.”

The man chuckled as he sat down on the stool. “I highly doubt that but I’m game to find out.”

Lavender looked at him again. She didn’t recognize him, which was shocking because even though the venue was full, Lavender had thought she would know everyone here. Harry and Ginny were obviously incredibly popular so they had kept tight controls on who was included on the guest list.

The man signaled for the bartender and Lavender took the opportunity to give him a once over. The guy was huge - not in an overweight or bodybuilder type way. He was just tall and solid. Other than her first boyfriend, her preference was tall guys. She was 5”8’ herself and preferred to wear heels when she could so aesthetically, it was nice for her companion to have some height. Nice eyes, cute face. He had dark blond hair and was dressed in a dark blue Muggle button down shirt and black trousers with no robes. Since the war had ended, Muggle style had become popular with the wizards in her age group. Harry, who was raised by Muggles, was always more comfortable in that style of clothing and Ron, who she knew was dressed primarily by Hermione and Hermione’s mum, followed suit. And whatever that little Trio did, everyone else did and for Merlin’s sake, Ron Weasley was now a fucking fashion icon. Lavender took a big swig of her drink.

“It’s a nice party,” said the man. Lavender nodded as the bartender approached. “I’ll have whatever she’s having.”

The bartender made another drink before placing it in front of the man. He went to reach for his pocket when Lavender noticed a look of panic cross his face. Before she could say anything, the bartender waved him away. “Mr. Potter has the tab covered tonight.”

“Well,” he said, his face relaxed again. He turned back to Lavender. “Should we follow Red’s instructions and toast the happy couple?” The two clinked glasses. “It was a nice speech.”

Lavender snorted.

“You disagree?”

“I’d have thought his wife wrote it for him but there was too much swearing for her to have had a hand,” Lavender said. Then she wiped the palms of her hands down her face. “Ugh, ignore me. It actually was a very touching and funny speech. I’m just in an ugly mood and I have a bit of a history with Ron so I’m being mean for no reason.”

“You dated him?” the man guessed. She nodded. “Huh, he said in the speech that he’d loved his wife since he was 13.”

“And I dated him when we were 16 so…”

“Hence the ugliness,” finished the man.

“Hence the ugliness,” Lavender repeated. “I’m over it, really. Hermione and I shared a room for six years and are better friends now than we ever were at school. As for Ron, that was just some stupid school kid bullshit on both our parts. It’s more that I didn’t realize that my only opportunity to find love was going to be at Hogwarts. If I had known that, I’d have made better choices or… maybe taken Arithmancy to secure a better paying job to support my lonely life.”

“What do you mean?” the man asked.

“Everyone I know, they’re married or engaged or about to be engaged to the person that they dated at Hogwarts. Harry and Ginny dated at school, Neville and Hannah somehow started to date during our last year during the war. My best friend Parvati and her boyfriend dated our sixth year at Hogwarts and then he fled with his Muggle family overseas but they started right back up again when he came back to England. See that girl over there, the pregnant one?”

The man nodded.

“That’s Parvati’s sister. That’s her second kid cooking. She’s married to her prefect partner, Anthony. I guess technically, Ron and Hermione didn’t date at Hogwarts but -”

“He’s loved her since he was 13,” the man said amused.

“Yeah. I’m the only one that couldn’t make it out with a relationship intact.” she moaned, taking another drink.

“I’m sure that’s not true.”

Lavender took another long drink and contemplated his statement. “You know what? You’re right. Ginny, she also had a relationship that didn’t work out. Do you see that tall bloke over in the corner that she’s talking to?”

The man glanced in the direction Lavender was referring to. “Uh, yeah.”

“That’s Dean. He was the guy that Ginny dated before Harry. Now, do you see that cute little Irishman standing next to Dean?”

The man nodded.

“That’s Seamus. He was my ex-boyfriend before Ron. And now he’s Dean’s husband. Met in school, by the way.”

“Oh,” said the man, taken aback.

Lavender narrowed her eyes. “Do you have a problem with that? Because despite the fact that Seamus is just one more example of my inability to keep a boyfriend, I will defend those men and their amazing relationship to the death from any bigot that threatens it.”

“No, no!” the man sputtered. “I’m just… I went to an all-boys school and I knew gay guys but they all hid it and I’m just not used to people being open about it. It’s fine - more than fine. Good for them! I mean, hey, they found each other and are leaving more beautiful women for the rest of us, right?”

“Merlin, I wish I could find a beautiful woman,” Lavender moaned, burying her face in her hands. The bartender seemed to take this as a signal that she needed another drink and provided her with a refill.

“Oh, are you… interested in women?” she heard him ask.

“No,” she moaned. “You must think I’m insane.” Lavender put both her hands on the man’s arm that was closest to her. “I promise that I am not hung up on some school romance from five years ago. It’s just that, if you knew Seamus or Ron at Hogwarts… did you know Seamus or Ron at Hogwarts?”

The man shook his head.

“Okay, so if you knew them, you would know that they were both totally immature prats. After I broke up with Seamus, I thought he was the worst boyfriend ever. He was always running off to spend time with his mates, talking about Quidditch, no interest in spending time with me, dumb jokes. But then, then I dated Ron, who was even worse than him. The only thing he wanted to do with me was snog and I think that was some weird power move with Hermione or his sister… who knows. I have to be way more drunk to psychoanalyze Ron Weasley. Anyway, the last month we were together, he didn’t even try to hide the fact that he wanted to ditch me for Hermione but was just too much of a coward. And yet somehow, both of those idiots ended up married before me! And it’s not like they got married to some random person that they knocked up after a one night stand. Ron eloped with his wonderful, talented, brilliant best friend that he was in love with all through school and the entire time we were dating and Seamus… oh for Godric’s sake.”

Lavender paused in her tirade for a moment. “Seamus also married his wonderful, talented, brilliant best friend that he was probably in love with all through school AND the entire time we were dating. How am I just realizing that?” Lavender groaned, banging her head on the bar.

“Can wizards knock up other wizards?” asked the man. Lavender looked up at him and burst into laughter.

“Oh, thank you for that,” she giggled. “I was spiralling.”

“Uh, yeah, no worries,” said the man, shifting in his seat.

“It’s just that this dating stuff is really hard. The wizarding world is so small, you know? I think it’s why everyone locks in with their soulmate at school, ” Lavender commiserated.

“Have you ever considered dating like, outside the wizarding world?” the man asked.

Lavender shook her head. “How could I? It’s tough enough here. After all the Prophet spotlights on battle injuries and such, everyone knows how I got all these awful scars on my face but it still takes a certain type of man to look past them. And I’m sure there are Muggles that aren't shallow about them either but they would ask how I got them. How would I explain them to a Muggle? I can’t just say ‘Oh during a war at my school, a werewolf tried to rip me to shreds. But don’t worry, I’m not a werewolf although I have some side effects from it.’ They’d think I was insane.”

“Uh, yeah, that does sound a bit… daunting,” the man admitted, looking a bit pale.

“I mean, I’m still a catch. I’m funny, I have a great rack, I make excellent scones, and I’m amazing in bed.” At that comment, she heard the man next to her choke a little and she stifled a smile to continue on. “And even if I could get away with not explaining it to a man, once I meet his family, there’s no way. In my experience, mothers are always trying to find a reason to hate the woman that’s dating their special baby boy. I can’t imagine a Muggle mother taking very kindly to a literal witch with werewolf scars.”

“Yes,” sighed the man before giving a little chuckle. “I can certainly see that. And with all of the, you know, war stuff, I can see where you wish you had a school sweetheart.”

Lavender shook her head and drained the rest of her drink. “Seamus and Ron are just easy targets. I really am not hung up on them. This is about Don.”

“Who’s Don?”

“Don is my last boyfriend. We dated exclusively for eight months and he was so fun and thoughtful and generous. But he never said I love you. He kept telling me that he was too young to settle down and, I believed that he thought that. I really did. So we split in December because we wanted different things.”

“Ah,” said the man. “Seems sensible.”

“And then this morning, I see it in The Daily Prophet.”

“See what?”

“His engagement announcement,” she wailed, throwing herself on the bar again and almost upsetting her glass.

The man patted her on the shoulder. “Oh God, I’m sorry.”

“Do you know how long they’ve been dating?” Lavender asked.

“Eight months?” ventured the man.

“FIVE!” Lavender cried.

“Maybe he knocked her up?” suggested the man.

Lavender looked up at him and burst into laughter again. “Merlin, you’re funny. Why am I whinging about all these dolts I’ve surrounded myself with when I should get to know you better?”

“Yeah?” said the man with a grin.

“Yes,” she said. “I mean, if you want-”

“Of course,” he interrupted. “A funny, beautiful woman wants to get to know me better - the answer is always yes. I do need a refill. Do you want one? You’re not driving home, are you?”

Lavender giggled.

The man shook his head and looked embarrassed. “Oh, right, you wouldn’t be driving. You would uh - ”

“You must be a Muggle born. Do- I mean, I’ve heard others say that before. Those habits die hard.”

“Actually,” the man took a deep breath. “I’m a Muggle.”

Lavender’s jaw dropped. “How the fuck does a Muggle get invited to the engagement party of the Chosen One and a pureblood Quidditch player?”

“Well, Harry’s my cousin,” the man said. “My name’s Dudley.”

***************

“Do you see that over there?” asked Hermione, nudging Ron. He turned away from his conversation with Neville and Charlie to see what his wife was gesturing to across the room.

“Is that Dudley Dursley chatting up Lavender?” Ron asked, as his eyes landed on the sight before him.

“It appears to be,” said Hermione. “Merlin, they are really flirting. Should we go over there and say something? A warning or...?”

“Right,” said Ron. “Absolutely we should. Which one of them are we warning?”

[princess-of-the-corner]

I never watched Winx as a kid, so I really hope I don't sound like an idiot for asking this. What exactly does the Netflix Winx series do wrong besides giving it the "dark and gritty" makeover?

So like. There are a lot of problems here and I’ll try to tackle them. I haven’t finished the reboot because I have difficulty getting through things I like, much less things I hate watch. But anyway, this gets long and is separated into parts. 

Let’s start with it’s issues on it’s own and not as an adaptation: 

It’s still pretty garbage. Not ‘the worst thing ever’. Interesting enough. But it does have problems. Some racist and homophobic and fatphobic writing. The characters range from ‘kind of a jerk’ to ‘straight up assholes who will cause physical harm for petty reasons’. The nicest one so far is Terra, but even she kinda snaps and strangles a guy with her plant powers. 

Now on to things it fails on as an adaptation!

First, the whitewashing!

Of the six main characters, 3/6 were poc-coded in the original cartoon(I say ‘coded’ because they’re not Humans from Earth but still). Aisha is black, Flora is Latina, and Musa is Chinese. 

Aisha is the only one who remains black. I’ve heard varying testimonies on Musa’s actor, but the ‘best’ I’ve heard is that she’s 1/4 Singaporean and white passing. I don’t have the authority to say if that’s in the clear or not so I’m leaving that to other fans. 

Flora gets the worst though. They cast a white woman to play her. Then backtracked and said ‘oh, this isn’t Flora. We replaced her with her white cousin Terra’. Yeah you can see the problem there. 

Characters they got rid of entirely! I’ll only discuss characters that showed up in the first two seasons of the original show since Fate only has one season. (I’d say just the first, but they included Aisha who is from Season 2). 

Let’s see. They got rid of Tecna, one of the main six girls. It’s likely because they’re going for a more ‘bootleg Hogwarts’ vibe, and Tecna’s magic being heavily technology based ruins that. So she’s just tossed altogether. 

The boys! Oh my god my boys! Sky and Riven are the only ones who were kept in, while Brandon, Timmy and Helia got scrapped and replaced as well. The other boys like Dane and Sam? Totally could’ve just given them those names and been done with it. 

Then there’s Icy, Darcy and Stormy! I’m counting them together because that’s exactly what Fate did! The three Witches are villains in the series, and instead of keeping a trio, they combined her into a single character. Beatrix. 

I think Silva was also an amalgamation of the remaining Headmaster/Headmistresses and a few other staff members but considering they condensed it to just one school it kind of makes sense. 

Sometimes there’s just a name change like the Headmistress of Alfea was changed to Farah Dowling instead of Faragonda which is so pointless. 

Overall there’s other minor characters that don’t show up, like the rest of the school staff, Mirta and Lucy, so on and so forth. But I’m less upset about that. Still upset though because I love them. 

Personality changes! And romance drama!

Oh boy. Oh boy oh boy oh boy. 

I already mentioned how they made everyone an asshole in this reboot. In the original show, the only protagonist that was consistently a jerk was Riven, but he was more of the ‘grumpy but still a good guy’ type of asshole. 

Let’s compare just one character and her relationships to others!

Stella in the Original Cartoon: Preppy and sometimes a little vain, could be blunt to the point of insulting, but never malicious. Very sweet and loves her friends. She and Bloom are best friends, Stella having been the one to bring Bloom into the world of Magix and will do everything she can to make sure she’s safe. Stella’s love interest is Brandon, who is bffs with Bloom’s love interest Sky. Stella and Brandon are very cheesy and cute together. They aren’t usually jealous, and can even make a competition out of ‘how many phone numbers can I get?’. 

Stella in Fate: Total bitch to all her roommates. She’s getting the common ‘my mom’s a bitch who puts pressure on me so I’m going to be a bitch’ thing that’s become popular now. Since Brandon was deleted, they put her in a love triangle with Bloom and Sky, Sky being Stella’s ex bf. And despite breaking up with him, Stella sees him just talking to Bloom and decides ‘Hm. Let’s prey on her insecurities that she doesn’t belong here, and manipulate her into leaving!’ Which includes walking through a forest where there was recently a man attacked and viscously killed by some kind of monster, so I’m putting it up to attempted murder. 

Yeah. Everyone’s kind of like that. It’s awful. 

Bloom’s backstory and parents!

Okay, this can kind of fall under both ‘personality changes’ and ‘plot changes’ but it deserves it’s own section. 

In the Original Cartoon, Bloom’s home kingdom was attacked and destroyed by villains searching for something called the Dragon Flame. Bloom was a baby with said power, so her older sister sent her to Earth, a world without Magic, where she would be safe and hidden. Mike and Vanessa find her and adopt her, loving her and raising her very well. They are good parents. Bloom learns she has powers when she meets Stella, and instinctively uses Magic to protect her. 

In Fate, the only thing really the same is that Bloom was sent to Earth. I’m a little unclear on why, but instead of giving her loving adoptive parents, they made her a Changeling with emotionally abusive parents! Let me elaborate a little: Instead of adopting Bloom of their own free will, Mike and Vanessa’s real child died in the hospital and was secretly replaced with Bloom. Her parents are also, as mentioned, emotionally abusive. So much so that Fate!Bloom’s powers first manifested by setting them on fire in the middle of the night.

Fun. Ain’t it? 

Now onto plot points!

Again, pretty much the only thing the same is ‘Bloom discovers she has Magic, goes to another Dimension to learn at a school called Alfea. Gets into adventures with her Roomates while trying to figure out where she’s really from’. 

The whole ‘Burned ones’ were.... not a thing at all. There wasn’t any kind of ‘barrier’ to keep out ‘dangerous creatures’ or anything. 

I’m not going to go over every single subplot but that was just. No. They were easily allowed to go outside the school. 

The whole vibe

This is a big thing to talk about. While the reboot went for ‘dark and gritty’ over the bright colors and sparkles, it also went for ‘bootleg Hogwarts’ instead of anything interesting. 

In the reboot, the merging of Magic and Technloogy is mostly like. ‘Yeah we go to school in this old ass castle and we don’t use guns in weaponry class, but we have smartphones and social media and Harry Potter!”. 

In the Original??? The whole world was very Magitech. It was a combination of Magic and Scifi! Kinda Steven Universe style actually. 

The transformations!!!

Look. LOOK. Winx Club is a Magical Girl show! They have those beautiful transformation sequences that last a solid minute or so of screen time. And they also have like. At least one new Transformation a Season, which comes with an ungodly amount of different cool outfits. 

The reboot? One transformation sequence. And while the effects are nice, Bloom doesn’t even get a new outfit. Just a few flames coming off her that look vaguely like wings. 

SPEAKING OF! They are Faeries!!!! But they don’t have wings????? What????

Look idgaf about your effects budget you could’ve made the cheesiest shit like the live action Sailor Moon stuff and fans would’ve loved it!

Bonus: The fact that they didn’t have to change anything to make it ‘Dark’!

So like. Netflix decided to take all the color out of it, and make it ‘dark’ by having the characters smoke and drink and have sex and say swears. 

But they.... really didn’t have to! The original cartoon was plenty dark, despite it’s colorful aesthetic! If you wanted to do a more serious reboot, you could have easily done it by focusing more on those aspects. 

Hell, there are many fans who have done it. I’m one. I know a couple others as well. 

anyway it’s 2:30 am and this is long af so I’ll leave it at that. 

[chicoriii]

🎶Made for @lovesquarefluffweek Day 1 - Concert 🎶

Please, click on the picture to see it in full resolution, it looks awful when small and Kwamis are hardly seen.

🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵

It’s the first time I take part in event like this. When I noticed concert day, I knew I need to do this, since instrumental music is my the biggest passion. I love jazz and classical piano so much, even though piano is not my favourite instrument.

It's great to combine my love for Miraculous and instrumental/classical music. I'm not a musician, but I can do it by drawing a fanart which illustrates music scene with my favourite side of Love Square.

🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵

It’s one of my first attempts at drawing humans from years, I’ve never been good at it, Miraculous gives me lots of motivations to improve my terrible skills. I prefer drawing things like animals or various creatures (so also Kwamis), but humans are getting more and more enjoyable. So there’s lots of anatomy mistakes and so on, but it’s not too bad for now, I guess. Despite I made many improvements during drawing it, there’s still something wrong with Marinette’s face and I couldn’t fix it enough.

🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵

Some background for this fanart:

I imagine it’s a first private concert which Adrien is playing specially for Marinette, he even rents a concert hall (he’s rich and romantic enough to something as much extravagant) when it’s not used. It’s not just one piece or two, he’s playing about 1-hour long piano recital (look at playlist below) only for his girlfriend (and magical creatures). It’s post-reveal, so Kwamis also can enjoy it without being hidden. While Tikki is excited about it not less than Marinette, Plagg is more interested in his Sugarcube, since he’s used to listening to Adrien’s piano and sometimes he’s playing with him. But rather cheerful jazzy-like improvised pieces, because he doesn’t like classical as much, especially sad compositions (Feast gave me some thoughts like these). Adrien decides to give a concert in a melancholic theme (so slow, soft, beautiful etc. pieces are played) to make this date as much romantic as he can. Even though blond boy is usually closing his eyes while playing on piano (like many instrumentalists), he can’t stop staring at his sweet girlfriend with his signature soft look™.

🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵

One of my the biggest wishes is to see a scene when Adrien is playing on piano specially for Marinette, any good composition (I don’t like that one from Heart Hunter), preferably classical one. And I’d love to see an episode with a classical instrumentalist based akuma, rock and pop are not the only musical genres out there.

Classical music (and instrumental music in general) is highly unappreciated, so I'm happy when it’s represented in media, especially kid shows. This is what I love the most about classic cartoons, there’s lots of classical music. The Cat Concerto, Tom and Jerry episode which won an Academy Award, is one of the best examples of very creative use of classical piece for a slapstick comedy. Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 was even played by two pianist, by classical and jazz ones.

Classical music can be enjoyed by anyone who has some passion to music at least. It’s a very eclectic type of music where you can find everything. Classical is not only over 1-hour symphonies, there’s also compositions shorter than typical radio-friendly song. It’s not only serious music, classical can be also playful with very catchy melodies. Everyone can find something for themselves.

🎹🎹🎹🎹 Playlist 🎹🎹🎹🎹

I'm also enjoying choosing played pieces so much and it's too hard, since there's tons of beautiful piano music, though I know only a very small part of classical world. It’s about one-hour long concert, so also recordings were chosen to last about 1 hour together.

As sonata is a musical form with several movements (usually three or four) and since not all of them fit melancholic theme of this concert, Adrien play only one or two selected movements. For example only the first movement of extremely popular Beethoven's Moonlight sonata - Adagio sostenuto - is that dark and sad piece which everyone knows. The shortest second movement Allegretto is still not fast but quite cheerful, while the last Presto agitato is... Check it yourself, it's one of my favourites music moments ever. 😊

I also decided to try selecting lesser-known compositions (but it doesn't mean they are all little-known) to promote them, so there's a chance than maybe someone gives this music a shot and discover something new to appreciate.

Fryderyk Chopin - Nocturne in B flat minor, Op. 9 No. 1 - I couldn't choose anything else for the beginning. Nocturnes are my favourites Chopin's compositions and this one I love the most. No word describe how much I adore it, it's the most beautiful piece ever composed.

Franz Schubert  - Minuet in A Major, D. 334  - The first time I heard it, I thought about Adrien. I think this short sweet piece describes his childlike innocence quite well.

Fryderyk Chopin - Prelude Op.28 No.15 in D Flat Major, "Raindrop" - This thing is shown on the screen of Adrien's smartphone in few episodes (like Captain Hardrock), but for some reason it's not what's actually played. I have no idea if it was supposed to be played, but was changed after rendering was done or it's just an error. It's so nice composition, though not my favourite Chopin's prelude, even if it's the longest one. Unfortunately, the piece which is actually heard in the show is unknown for me, I'd love to discover it, but I can't. All I know it's definitely not any other Chopin's prelude.

Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 110 - I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo and III. Adagio ma non troppo – Allegro ma non troppo - It’s almost the whole sonata, the only missing thing is the shortest second movement. It's probably my favourite piano sonata, so I couldn't not choosing it.

Franz Liszt -  Consolation No. 3 in D-Flat Major, S. 172 - If once I wonder why I love this, this is because it's so Chopin-esque.

Franz Schubert - Piano Sonata No.16 in A minor D.845 -  I. Moderato - I discovered this wonderful composition thanks to Nodame Cantabile, my favourite anime and manga ever, which is focused on classical music college students and professional classical musicians. Two main characters are also opposites who learn much from each other. I gave a link to the performance made specially for Nodame Cantabile, because I'm mostly attached to it. Usually this piece is played faster and it kills the atmosphere in my opinion. This rendition is the most emotional I've ever heard.

How would be this list without any French composers? I believe Ravel and Debussy are a mustm since they are the most known and important, I believe, and I also added something from Satie, because he wrote lots of soft compositions for piano solo. Chopin was also half-French (from his father), but: "Chopin's biographer Adam Zamoyski writes that he never considered himself to be French, despite his father's French origins, and always saw himself as a Pole." (source: Wikipedia) Besides Chopin's music is very Polish.

Maurice Ravel -  Jeux d'eau

Claude Debussy -  Rêverie

Erik Satie -  Gnossiennes: No. 1 - Lent

Maurice Ravel  - Ma mère l'Oye, M. 60: I. Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant  - finish it with something very short but so beautiful.

🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵

Many beautiful things are missing, probably the most fitting for this concert would be Liszt's Liebestraum No. 3, since it's love music essentially, but it's too well-known (one of the most popular if not the most popular compostion by Liszt) and I'm kind of tired of this. I'm also very sad because of Chopin's Prelude in E Minor, but two pieces of the same composers are enough and this is his the most known prelude, too. I couldn't not recommend this jazz trio cover, because it's too good, too atmospheric though a different take on this theme.

Jazz musicians are often turning compositions into something much different. Everyone knows Beethoven's Für Elise, one of the best- known and (in my opinion) boring classical pieces in existence, but this jazz trio cover (sorry, I can’t find it outside of Spotify and other streaming services, it’s a very niche band) is just outstanding, I can't stop listening to it! Jazz arrangements of classical music is something I love so much.

[bookworm-blogs]

Passing The Torch (Félix Drabble)

Ok I know I don't usually make stuff like this-- or make original things anyway, I mostly repost stuff-- but an idea came to mind and I can't shake it. So, here's a quick drabble on Félix.

Also: I'm a huge fan of "completely deadass brother Félix and dorky sinnamon bun Adrien" so I'll deviate a bit from popular opinion of canon Félix. Idk why, but I have a feeling there's more to Félix than meets the eye.

<_>

"Finally, we did it," Chat Noir panted and shot Ladybug a victorious grin, which she returned with a smirk of her own. Alya, Rose and Juleka-- the trio Punisher-- were now back to their original civilian forms with their purified akumas floating away into the pristine Parisian air. Funny, how even with all the chaos, the beautiful city of love continued to shine brightly and buzz with everyday excitement of normal people.

It was beautiful for such a stressful day.

'I could really go for some lunch right now,' Chat thought with little appetite. Honestly, after the day he had, he wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep; fighting three supervillains was hard enough, but add the drama at home with his surprisingly cruel cousin and a small dose of parental issues, his day was really turning out to be shit.

Chat Noir turned to Ladybug, ready to announce his leave, when his heightened ears caught footsteps approaching them. He turned and found none other than his cousin, Félix, standing there- thankfully dressed in his own clothes this time. His expression was smug and his eyes were knowing as he scanned the two superheroes before him.

"You two make a really good team," Félix observed before directing his gaze to Chat. "Chat Noir, a word please?"

"And why the hell would I do that?" Chat spat. "Haven't you caused enough problems already?"

"I know that, but I have a good reason. I'll tell you if you're willing to listen," Félix told him coolly, and Chat was horrified finding himself listening to him.

"We're not doing this. Come on, Chaton, we're going to de-transform soon," Ladybug said firmly, and as if on cue, both their miraculouses began beeping. Chat Noir swallowed the tension in his throat and looked between the two uncertainly.

Félix was an asshole, that much was obvious, but if Chat Noir knew anything about his cousin, it was that Félix wasn't a man of short-sighted actions. He's meticulous and thoughtful, he always has been. He should be angry at his cousin, furious even, but deep down he only wanted to know what made Félix do the things he did.

"Chat," Ladybug said again.

"Your secret is safe with me, Chat Noir," Félix said unexpectedly, and when Chat Noir caught a good look of his face, he knew immediately what Félix meant.

'He knows I'm Chat Noir.'

"Alright," Chat said, "we'll listen."

Félix shook his head. "No, I want this to be between us," Félix said and shot a meaningful look Ladybug's way.

Ladybug looked like she wanted to argue or even hit something, but she caught Chat Noir's gaze and held it. He shook his head at her and took a step towards his cousin.

"Excuse us, m'lady. We won't be long," Chat Noir told her, and through gritted teeth, Ladybug nodded.

Chat Noir followed Félix down from Chloe's hotel roof and into one of the empty VIP rooms. While Chat Noir closed the blinds and checked for any unwanted viewers, Félix reached for the cheese platter in the mini fridge and took out a small peice of camembert.

Chat Noir's miraculous beeped another warning.

"Nobody's watching. You can change back now," Félix said, and with that, Chat Noir uttered the key words that changed him from a wild looking hero in leather spandex back into the form of a normal teenage boy.

Plagg flew out of the ring and onto the bed with an exhausted sigh. Instead of immediately whining about food, however, Plagg sat up and shot Félix a look filled with disgust, surprise, a little bit of joy, and most obviously, recognition.

"Félix, it's been a while," Plagg said, and the other blond sent the small god an appraising look of his own, though Adrien knew Félix well enough to see relief in his stoic face.

"Hello, Plagg," Félix said. "It's good to see you again."

Plagg scoffed. "You say that now even though you're the one who rejected me," the small feline grumbled, and Félix rolled his eyes.

"For a god as old as the universe you whine an awful lot."

"As if you have any room to talk, you jerkface."

"Okay, okay, hold up," Adrien interfered and sent both parties immensely bewildered glances. "You know each other?"

"Yes, we do," Félix said, and Plagg huffed unhappily from his place on the bed. Félix glared at the kwami before continuing on. "Around two years ago, I was travelling with my family in Thailand on a buisiness trip when the weirdest thing happened: snake people began coming out of the dirt and attacked several villages.

"Master Fu was wandering the area at the time when he met me, and he gave me the Cat Miraculous to combat against the naga invasion. By using the miraculous, I managed to defeat the nagas before they could do any major damage, and for my efforts, I was granted full custody of the miraculous--"

"Which you rejected!" Plagg hissed. "Could you believe this guy? He was given all the power mass destruction could give him and he gave it up!"

Adrien looked at Félix as if he had grown a second head. Félix was his predecessor? He was a Chat Noir, too? Adrien sat down; there was no way he could process his information on both legs.

Félix rolled his eyes. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you are jealous, Plagg," Félix remarked coolly, and Plagg bared his tiny fangs in response.

"I'm not jealous! I was mad! I had to be stuffed away in that cramped box again!"

"Anyway," Félix went on, much to Plagg's frustration, "I told Fu living the life of a superhero wasn't meant for me, but rather, for someone I knew would have not only the ambition to be a hero, but someone who had the strength to keep it up. I told Fu to go to France and look for a boy named Adrien Agreste."

"You sent Fu here?" Adrien gasped, and Félix nodded his head. Warmth slipped into his eyes and he managed a true smile completely unlike the serpentine ones he wore earlier.

"When I came back to France, I had to know what was going on. I wanted to check up on you after my aunt... vanished, but I also had to make sure you matched my expectations. So, I pulled every last trick I could think of to get people mad. My ploy worked, and I could never be more proud at how you exceeded all my expectations. You truly are a Chat Noir worthy of Plagg."

Adrien gaped at his cousin, who looked so composed and regal without ever actually trying. Adrien always envied Félix's ability to be the perfect man, and now here he is, trying to imagine Félix in a black cat suit fighting snake men. It was an impossible picture to conjure, and Adrien couldn't help a laugh.

Félix quirked up a thin golden eyebrow. "What's so funny?" He asked.

"I- I just can't believe this. You brought Fu here and you were Chat Noir? Wait, what did you even look like? What was your hero name?" Adrien asked, and Félix's eyebrows shot to his hairline. He looked stunned for a moment, then he almost seemed to lift his chin higher.

"I looked a lot like you do, actually. Though I had a bigger bell and didn't look anything like a stripper," Félix said proudly, and Plagg guffawed in joy.

"You kidding? Of all the Chat Noirs I've had, none of them had a more sinful outfit than you did. I don't know what your deal was with those thigh-high stripper boots but--"

"PLAGG!"

Adrien lost it. He fell on his side, wheezing while Félix's cheeks burned red in shame.

"IT'S NOT FUNNY, STOP LAUGHING!" Félix shrieked, and Plagg floated over to his side and took the camembert out of his hands.

"Good going, Dark Knight, you broke him," Plagg remarked, and Adrien wheezed even louder.

"Wait, YOUR NAME WAS A BATMAN REFERENCE??"

"IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MENACING!"

Plagg took a big bite out of his camembert as he watched the two cousins shriek at each other. He could easily imagine the two growing up together as closely as true brothers, and he was relieved to see that most of the bad blood between them was forgotten, at least for now. If they had come to hate each other after all this, Plagg would be put in an awkward situation.

In Thailand, Félix was a sight to behold; he had the grace of a butterfly with the fury of a panther, and with every village he reclaimed from the nagas, the more potential Plagg saw in him.

Félix was, without a doubt, one of the best Chat Noirs he's had, even if it was for a brief time, but he could never measure up to the hero Adrien was bound to grow into. Times were undoubtably going to get tougher for Adrien, but Plagg knew Adrien was ready for that kind of commitment.

Not all heroes wear capes, but some do wear ridiculous bells.

[creativeashproductions]

Skating into Love

Summary: In which two people cross paths blossoming into a friendship filled with love, wonder, and skates. Ethan Dolan never knew he was missing someone until she showed up in his life with a big heart and love for hockey.

Characters: Ethan Dolan x Reader, brother!Clay Y/L/N x sister!Reader, Jessa (OFC), Grayson Dolan and Lisa Dolan (mentioned).

Words: 3.6k

Warnings: Swearing, fluff, mention of injury and a little angst.

Disclaimer: I only own the storyline and I guess the idea of the Jaguars. Ethan Dolan portrayed in this may not be the real personality of the real life Ethan.

A/N: In 2015 news of NWHL was released. For those who don’t know this is the National Women’s Hockey League which is equivalent to the NHL for women. It’s the first U.S Women’s hockey league to pay its players. I only recently learned about it and I’m so proud to know about it. It’s now the top level in women’s hockey with the only option previously the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL).

Master list

Prompt List

ASK US A QUESTION LIST

You gazed over the open park waiting for the rest of the team to show up for off ice training that was mandatory. Your team was very well known for attending big tournaments and many of you being Olympic medalists helped also. You all originally came from difference locations around the world to play in a newer hockey league that was the female version of the NHL. Slowly it had gained popularity and teams since the year it was born nationally. You were the face of the Los Angeles Jaguars.

The Jersey was sported by many young female fans with the head of a fierce black jaguar roaring with claw marks in the background. The team colours with a deep forest green colour with black and silver and you all wore your jerseys with pride.

“Hey Cap.” Jessa spoke stepping up beside you wearing the away jersey with the silver dominant with the black jaguar head and green detailing.

You glanced to see the other seventeen Jaguars stretching out on the grass in small groups excitedly speaking to each other. There were a few new players on the team that were quickly becoming part of the family. The team was comprised of Canadian and American girls that were drafted from Universities and minor league hockey.

“Okay girls.” You spoke up straightening to your full height with your infamous steely gaze that spoke serious, “After we’re nice and stretched I want to run two miles before start building our strength.”

A few mumbles were heard before everyone returned to finishing up their stretches while you begin to converse with Jessa. You were captain of the team while Jessa was your assistant captain and your best friend.

“You think we can win this year?” Jessa asked helping you stretch forwards before you quickly helped her do the same.


“If the new girls can quickly pick up our plays then I’m sure we can.” You firmly replied, “Besides I have something fun planned.”


“You? Fun? While training.” Jessa snorted shaking her head, “You’re kind of a hard ass.”

“Okay I know I can be a little tough but still I still want the team to have fun and bond.”

“Let’s just get our run down.” Jessa giggled retying a shoelace.

You found the run to be exhilarating running from the park to the empty sidewalk near a beach that was empty in the early morning. You did see two forms coming up from the water to towels with surfboards. You turned away and focused on the cement below your feet as you continued on your path.

The new girls weren’t as in shape as the rest of you but with three team morning runs together they would get there. You were coated in a layer of sweat by the time you reached the area you had wanted to have fun. Near the park and the skatepark was an area you knew by heart growing up.

“What are we doing here?” Sam questioned scanning the brick wall a distance away with graffiti on it.

“We’re going to have fun.” You smiled gleefully. A few of your girls shared confused looks and mumbles before a beat up red truck stopped.

In the very back were two hockey nets, the team sticks and some balls and pucks to use. The needed equipment for your two goalies packed tight. The drivers door opened and a pair of sneakered feet stepped down.

“This is my brother Clay.” You happily spoke clapping your older brother on the back.

Your brother was more than six feet tall in height and muscular while still lean at the same time. He shared your hair colour, eye colour and your nose that you had inherited from your mother while he made a few more features that came from your Dad.

“Hi.” Clay spoke in his husky voice with just the slight hint of the Canadian accent you both faintly had.

Your parents met in their late teens while vacationing in Mexico years ago before beginning a long distance relationship. Your Dad is Canadian while your mother is America so you had dual citizenship and moved frequently between the two places you had called hometowns.

“I know we have some new girls on the team and I’ve kinda planned an event to donate money to charities tailored towards children.” You sheepishly spoke, “We’ll have a few scrimmages for the whole day with people that pay a minimum of one dollar to play.”

“I love this idea!” Sam exclaimed with a large grin.

“There’s a shit ton of team photos and sharpies if anyone wants an autograph. We’re having fun, bonding and doing something for the betterment of someone’s life.” You explained as Clay swiftly began to place the nets on the cement.

Everyone burst into movement setting up the nets at each side of the cement pad while setting up portage stick holders on the edges. A table with a cash box was set up while Clay parked the truck away away with a water tank and cups on the tailgate.

Within twenty minutes people were filling the area around the cement pad chattering about while your starting goalie dressed up in the minimum equipment. Your girls held their sticks in a semi circle around the net waiting for Sarah to give the go. With a nod everyone began to warm her up. You left them to walk over to the table where the line was beginning.

“Hi.” A sweet girl nervously spoke brushing her hair behind her ear, “How much?”


“Just a dollar. It’s going to a children’s charity.” You softly spoke as her family member dug in their pocket finding the money. You guided her to the sticks of her to grab. It went on until you had two lines of strangers to play the first game.

You took your place at centre staring into the eyes of one of your other centres with a playful glare. The puck dropped perfectly in between you two and the fun began.

Ethan and Grayson were taking advantage of the park on the cooler day thankful no one had come up to them. A football was tossed between them with jokes between the brothers before they heard feet and a gasp. Ethan tensed up waiting for the ambush of words.

“Oh my god!”

Grayson sent a look to Ethan before turning to meet the fan, they both adored the fan-base that they saw as family now. They absolutely loved meeting people but just wanted to be two kids from Jersey like before they started this career path.

“Hi.” Ethan spoke looking at the trio of teens standing there. Two females and one male both staring in their direction but it was like they weren’t seeing them.

“I can’t believe it!” The male spoke with awe painted in his eyes.


“Can we help you?” Grayson spoke instead.

Receiving barely a true glance into their eyes the trio mumbled before the middle girl stepped closer.

“Look I know you guys are the Dolan Twins and I adore you but Y/N Y/L/N is literally over there.” She spoke awed with almost a guilty expression, “She’s kinda my idol and to see her in person without a panel of glass between us is amazing.”

“Y/N?” Ethan questioned confused. The name was very familiar but he couldn’t place where he knew it.


“She’s practically the best hockey player in history.” The male quietly spoke up glancing at them, “Cara’s got her poster plastered on her wall and has this jersey she wears on game days and Y/N’s birthday.”

The trio took up in a run to the the group steadily growing near the massive cement pad that wasn’t used as often as it once was. Curious Ethan put the football into the bag before following the excited trio to the group. Once close the twins saw a game of road hockey being played. A few girls sporting jerseys that were wicked awesome with a few people in clothing of all colours.

“It’s a minimum of one dollar to play.” Ethan jumped at the sudden voice coming from his left. Sitting at a table with photos was a male he estimated was in his mid twenties.


“What?”


“It’s for charity. You pay one dollar or more and get placed into a list of people wanting to play.” The guy explained, “I’m Clay Y/L/N.”

“Ethan and Grayson Dolan.” Ethan pointed to Gray as he said his name, “You’re the brother of-“

“Y/N. No you can’t get her number.” Clay spoke as if it was a common answer. 
“I’m going to watch for now.” Grayson spoke as he dug into his pocket for the wallet. He carefully took out fifty dollars to give Clay while Ethan did the same. 
“Are you sure you want to donate this much?”

“What’s it for?” Ethan asked curiously.

“It’s going to be split evenly and given to mainly children’s foundations.”

“That’s cool.” Grayson grinned as he moved to an open spot. Ethan followed just in time to see a gorgeous girl with a wide grin and kind eyes moving to kneel in front of a little girl on the edge of the cement.

“Hi. I’m Y/N, what’s your name sweetheart.”

Ethan blinked hearing your voice he now could confidently say was his new favourite sound especially when it was you. There was something about that intrigued Ethan and not because it was because you are beautiful it was more. It was like he had missing something his entire life and was only now seeing you could be that missing part.

“I’m Jenny.” The shaky voice of the girl spoke, “I don’t know how to play.”

“When I was your age I didn’t either. I actually was in figure skating for two years before I picked up a hockey stick. We all start somewhere. It’s for fun, and I think you’ll be really good.” You spoke as the girl bit her lip.

You watched the emotions fly over Jenny’s face before you starting you pulled your arm into the jersey to pull it off. You gently placed on the little girl before carefully making a knot in the side of the jersey to have it fit snugly on her body. You secured it with an extra hair holder and rolled the sleeved until they were out of the way.

“You an do this.” You firmly told the girl before gently pushing her towards the group. With nervous steps Jenny stepped onto the makeshift rink where she was welcomed warmly by the group.

Ethan noticed you wore an emerald coloured top with your team name and the number thirteen on the back of it. You had stepped back to cheer on Jenny before you accidentally bumped into Ethan.

“I’m so sorry.” You ushered as you turned to see the male standing behind you.

“It’s my fault.” Ethan admitted.

“I was the one that stepped back in a crowd this large.” You shook your head while Ethan scanned over your features with awe, he had never found someone so intensely kind and nice as you in a long time.

“This is a cool idea.” Ethan replied before internally groaning at the stupid statement. As per usual Ethan was becoming awkward but it was worse with you.

“Thanks.” You blushed looking at your feet.

“What made you think of this?”

“There was a little girl last year who had a wish to meet us and she had been really sick and unable to come. It sucked so I decided she still deserved to meet the team. We walk into the room to see this frail child hooked up to tubes in a bland white room.” You half smiled remembering her, “We were getting new jerseys so I had everyone sign my jersey and frame it to give it to her.”

Ethan was speechless as you continued to explain.

“She cried and I decided if any child had to stay in hospital they deserve to be a kid. The money will go to many organizations with most aiming to children’s hospital for needed care, toys and new decorating.”

Grayson noticed how taken Ethan was with you and how his eyes never strayed far and the reciprocation he saw from you.

“You’re incredible.” Ethan breathed.

“No I’m just an average human.” You chuckled looking down at your feet.

“What happened to the little girl?”



“She recovered about a few months ago so we invited her to one of our games and sit in the dressing room after.”

You carefully looked at him before it came to you on why he looked so familiar as the memories of a friend talking about these twins.

“You’re Ethan Dolan.” You blinked shocked.

“You know me?”

“I get tagged by my followers all the damn time to your photos and tweets!” You exclaimed, “I’ve been tagged in edits of us together!”

“Seriously!” Ethan exclaimed shocked while a blush formed on his cheeks. You both didn’t notice the flashes around you. You were too caught up in each other. You wouldn’t see the news until late that same night.

Famed Jaguar Y/N Y/L/N Caught with YouTuber Ethan of the Dolan Twins at Charity Event

Jaguar Captain Finds Love. Will It Survive?

Months later you tentatively began to hang out one on one with Ethan when you both were able to. You were often busy with training, practices and games while he was typically filming and editing with Grayson. However he always made sure to attend home games and a few away ones that were close to LA.

After filming a new video with Grayson with plans to watch your game that night technical difficulties happened. The edited footage malfunctioned erasing the edited version and instead had no editing down to the video. Regretfully Ethan had to explain he couldn’t come to the game.

Of course something bad happened.

“Ethan!” Ethan and Grayson’s mom exclaimed hurriedly coming into the warehouse. Lisa was distraught knowing Ethan would be cut up hearing the news.

“What?” Ethan shouted annoyed at the interruption.

“You haven’t looked at social media right?” Lisa asked coming into the editing room. She glanced at the energy drink sitting on the desk with distaste.

“No?” Ethan spoke fully removing the headphones from around his neck, “Why?”

Lisa was quiet as Ethan turned his phone on from the corner of the desk, within minutes Ethan noticed the mentions on Twitter. It was way more than usual so he clicked on the first one.

Username1: Oh my god! Do you think Ethan heard?!

Username 2: @/Username1 He’s in love with her, why wouldn’t he?

Username 3: It’s was nasty hit and totally illegal! poor @officaly/n_y/l/n but as least @jessa_m16 took the girl out!

The following tweets were similar increasing the panic until he finally came across a tweet from the LA Jaguars official account.

Los Angeles Jaguars: As many know Y/N was hit from behind in the third period of the game hitting her head and blacking out. As of now Y/N is being checked out by our trainer and medical professional

Los Angeles Jaguars:…before we decide if a hospital is in our best interest. Please pray for our Captain.

Ethan tearfully looked up at his mom before he tripped over his own feet racing to the doorway out of the office. Standing there holding his car keys was a shaken up Grayson. You were close with the Dolan family, something rare for Ethan to bring someone to meet his family so soon.

“She’ll be okay.” Grayson soothed shakily.

“What if she isn’t.” Ethan’s voice cracked but Grayson knew it was a shitty time to tease him about it. Slowly the family walked to the car to make on the trips Ethan decided felt like the longest drive in his life.

The ER was a mess with people sitting and nurses milling around the room with tired smiles and kind smiles. Ethan quickly saw Jessa sitting on the edge of a chair staring at the floor with half her equipment still on.

“Jessa.” Ethan breathed swiftly racing over to the brunette girl.

“Ethan.” Jessa jumped hearing the voice of the male that you had grown to love. Something you barely knew yourself but Jessa knew you almost better than you knew yourself.

“What happened?” Ethan sniffled.

“Y/N didn’t tell you because she didn’t want to worry you but the team we played are known for being violent and making illegal hits. She was on a breakaway about to pass to Sam when their number ten harshly caught up and checked her from behind. Her head hit the ice hard and she wasn’t responsive.” Jessa shakily explained, “It’s mostly a blur but a brawl happened.”

Jessa raised her bloody fist to show the steadily bad bruise forming on her knuckles earning a surprised look from both Ethan and Grayson. He had only just caught up to him.

“You punched the girl?” Ethan asked shocked.


“Nobody hurts my team. Especially my best friend.” Jessa winced shaking her fist as the sharp pain came back, “I’m suspended for two games.”

“Jessa!” Clay called out rushing over to the little group with a worried face, “I just spoke to the doctor. Y/N will make a full recovery but she has a concussion that she’ll be out for the rest of the regular season.”

“Has she woken up?” Ethan demanded.

Clay barely batted an eye at the sudden appearance of the twins that had become a fixture in the Y/L/N family. It wasn’t surprising when you wore sweaters belonging to Ethan when you were at home with the family visiting. Hell Ethan was a common face at Sunday dinners at least twice a month.

“Not yet but she’s stirring.” Clay spoke sending the trio in a sigh of relief, at least your were moving, “They expect she’ll wake up in a few hours. They didn’t cut this off.”

In his hand of the oversized team jersey that was made to fit over your equipment so it tended to drown in a little. Ethan was surprised when Clay handed it to him with a half smile.


“She loves you. Hold on to it for her.” Clay cleared his throat, “Now excuse me I have to call my parents before they see the news.”

Ethan collapsed into a chair near your bed an hour later, nearly delirious in both happiness and shock hearing that you loved him. You loved Ethan, the boy that was awkward as hell and spontaneous with a romantic heart. He couldn’t believe that the girl of his dreams, other than his celebrity crush Nicki Minaj, felt the same for him. If only you had told him yourself.

“Ethan?” You mumbled with a sharp wince. You groaned at the brightness of the lights that made you want to throw up.


“Y/N, oh my god you scared the shit out of me!” Ethan exclaimed lunging to grasp your hand tightly.


“What happened?” You hissed in pain.

“You were hit by number ten and hit your hard bad.”

“That b-bitch.” You grunted thankfully as Ethan helped you lean up a little, “You look like you’ve been crying Ethan.”

“Well that happens when the girl you love gets heavily injured and you weren’t there to help her. I was editing the stupid fucking video when my mom comes racing in to tell what happened. I saw the mentions and I thought I was going to have a panic attack. Can you imagine your worst nightmare of that one person you think every minute of every day possibly dying and you haven’t told her you love her?” Ethan began rambling, “I’ve never regretted anything as much as not telling you, showing you how much my heart beats solely for you. I love you so freaking much I went out of my mind.”

“Ethan-“

“I never expected to fall so irrevocably, deeply, and completely in love with someone so fast but I did. You brought vivid colour into my life when I first saw you in person. You hold my whole heart and I’m so fucking lucky to have you in-“

With a sharp wince and near puking moment you yanked Ethan down to your height before doing the one thing you had dreamed of for so long. You kissed him. You kissed with such passion you swore the light burst from the force of your love for him.

“Hmf-“ Ethan mumbled before sinking into bubble of love and kissing you just as passionately. His hand carefully crawled up you arm until his hand was encased in your hair at the back of you head.

When you pulled back with swollen lips that matched his you blinked noticing that it felt like the air was softer, sounds were sweeter and colours were so vivid. You felt like you were complete basking in the knowledge this boy was just as in love with you as you were for him.

“I love you too Ethan Dolan.” You whispered happily, “But I’d love you more if you shut the godforsaken blinds.”

Standing in the doorway unnoticed was Grayson, Jessa, Lisa and Clay. Grayson’s hand resting on the light switch that had dimmed the room. He was content letting you and Ethan believe your love was so powerful it shut the lights off. Besides there was nothing more fulfilling than seeing Ethan climb onto the bed and carefully rest you against his chest.

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[thiswasthebadplaceallalong-blog]

Harry Potter and the Horrible World We Live In

What a horrible world we live in. What a terrible, evil, awful place- the space we occupy.

How did we get here? How did centuries of living lead to a world just as barbaric as the old one? How are we so hateful? How are we so vile? How can we continue this way? How can it get better? How can it get solved? We have had evil and hate throughout modern history. Always resolved. Evil loses. Good wins.

We circle back to the present and we are back at square one. Another war. Another fight. Another evil. Evil will always rise up. Star Wars knows this. Harry Potter knows this. The Star Wars original trilogy ended with evil being defeated. The new Star Wars trilogy begins in a world where a new evil has risen to take its place.

The Harry Potter novels and movies were about an evil that was eventually defeated. How did Harry’s life go on without any disturbances from the world? Another evil to take Voldemort’s place. The play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child which many fans do not adopt as canon despite author JK Rowling saying that it is, does not really have an evil power replacing Voldemort. Instead it is an intimate story about Harry and his son who had the spotlight in the final book and movie’s epilogue scenes, Albus Severus (For a protagonist, he has quite the unfortunate name). Albus Severus lives in his father’s shadow. The story of Harry’s adventure to defeat Voldemort is probably something every single adult and child knows about - just like us Muggles do in the real world.

Everyone knows Harry’s story. How can you not? And children born today and in years to come will all know about Harry Potter, and one day it will be a distant classic that one just knows about but hasn’t necessarily experienced because of all the other popular media that has taken over since Harry Potter existed. In the same way, Albus Severus experiences his father’s story. He then goes on to literally experience events from his father’s story by using an extremely powerful Time Turner to go back to moments in Harry’s life and interfering, creating different and terrifying alternate timelines. Some are downright insane to even comprehend as coming from JK Rowling or even from her approval. Albus is actually on this journey with his father’s school bully’s son (what an unlikely and fan servicey pairing, bordering on a romantic slash fiction story you would only find on the internet). He is also on this journey with a girl who becomes their “Hermione.” Now we have a classic trio of Albus’ friends matching his father’s adventure companions and friends to this day, Ron and Hermione.

The twist comes when we learn that the girl, Delphi, is in fact Lord Voldemort’s daughter. The daughter he had with none other than Bellatrix Lestrange. This reveal is the deepest you can possibly go down the well of fan fiction. Voldemort’s daughter with Bellatrix Lestrange? What the actual fuck? How did JK Rowling think this was remotely okay? How cliché! How awfully thought out. So the entire time Deathly Hallows was unfolding, you’re telling me that Voldemort and Bellatrix were parents? That there was a baby at Malfoy Manor being looked after. If this is really true, we would have had a hint of it in the final book. Imagine if the trio had discovered a baby born of Voldemort and Bellatrix while at Malfoy Manor. What would they have done? Even if the plot played out the exact same way but they just knew there was a child, the world would know about the child after the battle ended. 

The child would be living in complete public view of the world as the offspring of Voldemort. Just like Harry lived his life as the most famous wizard in the world for surviving Voldemort’s killing curse, Voldemort’s kid would probably make a very interesting 7 book series itself. How do you live in a world where you are the evillest being in the world’s child? I think that would be a better story to explore. Instead we get the child of Voldemort being the traitor who was trying to change the timeline to have their father live? I don’t even remember if that was the ultimate motivation and I’m too lazy to look it up. But I believe Delphi was just trying to recreate the legend of her father’s death to have him survive? That’s no First Order. Harry even gets to experience the night of his parents’ murder and has the choice to intervene and save them, thus altering every single damn thing in the Harry Potter universe. Nothing we would have seen before would have happened. 

The night Voldemort killed Harry’s parents and Harry survived defined the wizarding world for the rest of time. A world where Harry and his parents survived and just went on would never have involved Harry stepping up to defeat Voldemort. Maybe this world would have Neville as the one taking Harry’s place which in itself would make such a great alternate universe story, which I bet has been done a million times already. But imagine this as written by JK Rowling?

This all leads me to believe that the entirety of the plot of Cursed Child takes place in Albus Severus’ imagination. He imagines what it would be like to go back in time and experience some of the most significant events in his father’s life and altering some of them to create such different possibilities. He imagines that this would be orchestrated by Voldemort’s child and it comes together all too neatly and everything goes back to normal. Albus just now has a new appreciation for his dad.

Albus and Harry realized their relationship is not working, Albus imagines an entire adventure to mirror and exist with his father’s real adventure. He comes to realize that his father really is an amazing hero, but at the end of the day is still his father and he loves him. What a beautiful story. It is much better if this is how you see the story play out instead of as a complete literal sequel. That way, I accept it as canon as an intimate study of the effects an epic story like Harry Potter’s has on the psychology of him and his children. 

Back to my analogy of a new evil taking over. The Fantastic Beasts series takes place before the events of Harry Potter. In fact, it begins just before the actual birth of the Harry Potter villain and while all this is happening, an evil has risen to ultimate power in the current 20’s story. JK Rowling will take us up to 1945 when the current villain, Grindelwald was defeated. It’s interesting that out of all the possible plots JK Rowling could have chosen to write about as a follow up to Harry Potter, despite the millions of pleads for a Marauders series, she chooses to take the character that the movie studio wanted to make a film about and insert him into the ultimate good vs evil plot occurring during the time he was alive. 

She manages to insert the most unlikely of heroes into the events of the backstory of Harry Potter that has to do with an evil power before Voldemort. I bet that if Warner Bros never wanted to make Fantastic Beasts into a movie (Originally as a documentary-style film about the creatures in the wizarding world, what a terrible unimaginative idea), JK Rowling would still have maybe one day written the story about the rise of Grindelwald, but it never would have included Newt Scamander and his companions. JK Rowling had to create a whole storyline for Newt and his companions as they get involved in the rise and defeat of Grindelwald. Now we are going to have relationship drama with Newt, Tina, Theseus, Leta Lestrange and even between Jacob and Queenie. All this soap opera-style stuff along the epic story of good vs evil. And this time everyone is an adult and not a child in school growing up throughout the films and books. That’s why Fantastic Beasts is really just for the die-hard fans who were kids and grew up with Harry Potter and are now adults. 

Back to my first thoughts – the world is an evil place. It always will be. What will happen after we have defeated Donald Trump and his supporters? The Nazis, the racists, the white supremacists, the homophobes, all the evil ones. How will that fallout affect those that still are all those things? How will it affect those who are actually the good people in the world? If we don’t defeat them, the world will end. No doubt. Something will happen to bring on the apocalypse. Whatever it is. Society will break, and we will be done. We cannot continue on this path. We can’t keep letting all these atrocities keep happening. When will something be done? What is the damn tipping point? What is the fucking final straw? This? This week? With the bombs, the shootings, the EVIL. Will you finally wake up and do something? You. The person reading this. The random citizen of whatever country you are in the world. What will you do? Will you act? Will you do something about it? Vote? Protest? Argue? Fight? Make a difference? BE HEARD? When will this end? When we decide to finally fucking do something. When will we finally fucking do something? The armchair activism can only go so far. Something needs to be done.

If we lose, the world ends. If we win, we win for now until the next fight. But the next fight is not for us to worry about right now. What will we do to defeat the evil in the world? What will happen next? We are not far from finding out. So let’s do something.

[wazafam]

Top Gear returns for its 30th season on BBC America April 25, and its racing right back into action without any stop signs ahead. The trio of popular hosts -  Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff - have seen the iconic series rise to new heights and a wider audience thanks to their chemistry and the producers' innovative challenges.

The men hop into some "dad cars" for the premiere, reminiscing about their fathers and getting in touch with their emotions, but there are also plenty of Ferraris and hilarious racing segments in store. Despite the pandemic limiting their travel and interactions, the creators and hosts alike have found ways to keep their target audience entertained.

Related: Top Gear: 10 Best Jeremy Clarkson Quotes Of All Time

Harris, McGuinness and Flintoff spoke to Screen Rant and several other outlets at a recent press day, describing what was surprising about the latest season, explaining which they considered the "ultimate dad cars," and revealing how they'd like to celebrate their fifth series together.

Last season showcased how you can provide quality entertainment in the midst of a pandemic. What new ways have you been stretched creatively this season?

Paddy McGuinness: Well, it's been a little bit easier for us, as opposed to other people making TV shows, because for a lot of stuff we do we're in the car on our own with a little GoPro camera. We had to stay in a bubble together as well.

Apart from we've not traveled about as much, kind of filming in the UK, it's been sort of easier really. You feel fortunate that you can get out and work when everybody else is on, and we've got a chance to spend time with each other, drive cars, have some fun. You have a newfound appreciation of what you're doing.

Chris Harris: I think the producers had to come up with a couple of novel treatments to take us out of our comfort zone; you'll see those. One of them involves being towed behind the car, wearing a pair of titanium-soled boots at speeds that we never ever want to achieve again.

But other than that, really just trying to make the hub of the show the Cars. We've got a great spread of cars, from the new Defender to Ferrari Roma; we've got Fred in a bonkers electric Rally Car, and a beautiful old Alfa Romeo that's been reimagined. We've got a great spread of cars, and us lot having fun.

That's the core of the show, and actually, we're amazed at how much of that you can do still in the middle of a pandemic. So, we've been very, very lucky.

The Dad Cars episode was really wonderful to watch. What was it like to film?

Paddy McGuinness: It was lovely. We do a lot of mad stuff on Top Gear, and we're always having fun, so it was nice to rein that little bit back in a bit and be a bit honest with each other and talk about stuff and show a little bit of emotion. It'll be interesting to see how the viewers respond to something like that.

It was kind of honest. What you see is what you got with us, really. Yeah, it was a really nice episode, that one.

Freddie Flintoff: It was amazing getting into them cars and sitting there, looking around at the dashboard and all the dials, and all of a sudden everything starts flooding back from your childhood. I was [in] the car; I used to play cricket and my dad used to drive me up and down the country, and everything started flooding back. Then you flip it on its head: I'm driving and I'm a dad now, so I'm questioning myself as a dad and trying out, "Am I doing the right thing?"

So, it was emotional. And then, obviously, we lower the tone by sticking my ass in Paddy's face. There's a bit of everything there.

Chris Harris: Top Gear has been and is many things, but films like that make you realize it's actually a very simple product. It's about how human beings interact with motorcars, and why this weird mechanical object somehow elicits such emotional responses from human beings. Why we have opinions and why they cause arguments and, on that level, the memories that we have in them.

It was a very clever treatment from the producers, and not one that I was automatically comfortable with. But when you're they're presented with this thing that makes you remember such pungent memories, you can't really avoid it.

What would you consider the ultimate Dad Car, aside from the ones you drove in the episode or that brought back memories of your father's cars?

Paddy McGuinness: It'll be different because you're in the States, so you'll have a different view. You might be able to pull out some American cars that you think are dads cars.

Chris Harris: I think a Dad's car in the States would have to be something like a Mustang, because I just think it's the kind of car that you wish your dad had driven if he didn't drive one. And it's got some back seats, so you can actually go in there as a little person.

I know this is a difficult [ranking], but it's affordable. You can imagine a lot of people being able to afford a Mustang, because it can't be something that's too expensive and fancy pants. So, I'd go for that, really. I certainly wouldn't go minivan, F150, a truck or something. You could argue that, but for me, I'd like to think it was 'stang.

Freddie Flintoff: We've got four kids, we need a lot of seats. But on Chris' theme, I've bought these Camaros quite often. My kids love that, because in England it's completely different to anything else that you see on the roads. They don't have them out in the country, these left-hand drives, so it's a bit of an adventure for the kids. It's something a bit different. Just to get them all in at the same time, that's the other thing.

You moved to BBC One, the ratings have increased, and people really responded to your chemistry. What is it that you think works so well between the three of you?

Paddy McGuinness: I think we don't act when we're on. We are who we are, and it's a natural sort of chemistry we have around each other. Our personalities are different but, then again, they're very similar. I think viewers like it when they know you're being yourself, and we definitely are. If we lose a race, we hate it; if we win, we really go over the top with our celebrations. And we have a good time together.

We're talking about, hopefully - once this pandemic gets a bit more under control and we can travel again - coming over to the States and maybe doing a big road trip there as well. So, that'll be quite interesting. It's all exciting things ahead. But, yeah, I think we're just ourselves.

Freddie Flintoff: I think as well, the more time we spend together, the more you know each other. I think we are improving. The three of us, but also the producers, the crew and everyone has an understanding of what makes people tick; what people don't like; where to niggle people when you need to. I think we're going in the right direction. We can still improve obviously, but we're getting there.

What are you most proud of in Season 30?

Paddy McGuinness: Surviving it. Coming out alive; that was some achievement with the things they've had us doing.

Chris Harris: We were very lucky to be given the chance to get some cars from James Bond movies together, and that's not often done. To go onto the internet and find film or pictures of a load of old famous Bond cars in one place? You won't, because the fil productions very rarely allow that. But they did this time, so we got the chance to open a hangar that we've had filled with significant Bond cars. That was a great moment.

We also got to drive some as well. That's one that, when it comes to negotiating your paycheck, you actually in the back of your mind are thinking, "I'd pay to do that. I don't need to be paid to do that." It's one of those.

Freddie Flintoff: I think for me, it's hard to get past the dad cars. It's a change of pace, and it's also an opportunity to talk up your dad. He's the center of it, and you're driving the car he drove. I think when you watch that, as I say, it's a change of pace from a lot of stuff we do.

Hopefully fans will like that. I enjoyed watching that and listening to Paddy and Chris' reactions. Because, as Paddy said before, we don't see what each other are doing on board in the car. It was obviously Paddy and Chris talking about their dads, but they're not necessarily conversations that we'd have.

Do you watch the episodes with your families? What do they think?

Paddy McGuinness: I don't, actually. I don't watch it with my family, weirdly enough.

Chris Harris: It's tricky, that. My youngest boy is 10, and I'll sometimes watch it with him. But the others... There's a terrible self-consciousness about television, where you can't stand the sound of your own voice.

You've been through the process. You're not watching it afresh; you've seen the edit, you've done the voiceover for the film. So actually, you're familiar with most of the film. It sounds awful, but I'm very proud of what we do, and I'll watch their films. I'll watch their individual films, but I won't watch mine. When it's on, I would rather be anywhere than in front of a television. That's not because I'm not proud of it, it's just because I think so many people that make television or present it feel the same way. I'd rather go and kick a wall; I just cringe whenever I see myself and television,

Freddie Flintoff: My father'll watch it. Unlike Chris, I don't watch it with him. I hear the music come on, and they're all sat there. I'm a bit of a hoverer; I just hover about, popping my head around the door, and seeing if they're enjoying it.

And then I think my kids as well; they just expect me to embarrass myself as well. They're at an age now, where [everyone's] watching at their school and people are talking about it.

There hasn't been very much opportunity to drive with the pandemic. A lot of people haven't been in cars very much, and there's been a big detachment from the way that we think of them. Top Gear's always been a big, frivolous, masculine, outrageous thing - but was there an urge to make the cars more relatable to people, and to bring that emotive element back in different ways?

Chris Harris: Naturally, we've had less scope to go out and do that hyperbolic stuff. Top Gear always has to be a little bit of a cartoon, I think. If it isn't a cartoon, it just becomes a very cold and antiseptic review show, and everyone's realized that's not what mainstream television want. Because it would get about half a million viewers and would be off the air fairly quickly.

The masculine side of it, I don't necessarily see that. I think at the moment, it's just presented as, "If you like machinery, you like machinery." I think the "Dad's Cars" film was a good demonstration of the fact that we're exploring people's relationship with motor cars, as opposed to just going out and going too nuts.

But yes, to add to your point, there is a crazy Lamborghini that's got too much power that is unaffordable. It's a very difficult balance, really. Top Gear should be a good balance of silliness and relatable content, and in the last year the motorcar has not continued its role in our lives that it once had. I suppose we've had to slightly move with that, although being out and about when everyone else wasn't driving was tricky - because at times I think we felt guilty that we had that freedom.

But what were we supposed to do? We're not just going to go sit at home and do nothing either. Hopefully, we're providing a product that people can sit and watch and enjoy. It's a bit of a soup of emotions. Hopefully, we've trodden the right path, and I think the "Dad's Car" film first up will make people go, "We haven't seen that before."

Next year is going to be your fifth series as a trio. Is there something that you would love to do to celebrate?

Paddy McGuinness: I'd like to do more stuff on me own. [Laughs] I'll just go on a little road trip; on my own in the car. I'll be happy with that.

I don't know. I think I always like it, and it's been tricky doing it at the moment with a pandemic. But I like doing stuff when the three of us are in the same vehicle together. Because when you're talking to each other on a radio, it's okay, but you miss the little nuances. When we're in the car together, I feel as though they get more out of us.

So, going forward - like we've said about maybe a trip across the States - it'd be great to do that in a big RV or something. And I think it will be quite a funny episode as well. That's what I'd like to do; something where the three of us are in the same vehicle.

Freddie Flintoff: I love the sound of that. I'd like to do a big, unplanned adventure and just see what happens. It's been God knows how long, and I'd love to be with these two going across America. To me, that'd be brilliant if and when we can start traveling again.

Chris Harris: I agree with those two and America. I think an RV, a really shonky old Winnebago for the 70s - one of those really upright ones. Pile us into that, give us a tetanus jab so we don't catch anything off upholstery, and then just send us off to experience silly American [things].

On World of Outlaws, those speedboats that do that thing - all that stuff would be brilliant. One of us will die, but it'll be worth it for the greater good.

Paddy McGuinness: Graceland, all that stuff. But I'd love to go to Alaska. I want go to Alaska, I just look at the map... Look at the size of it! It's just massive; there must be adventures to be had in Alaska.

Since you mentioned Alaska, is there any place that you would love to take the camper van across states?

Paddy McGuinness: I'm a real movie buff, so a lot of America I see from films I've loved over the years. I'd really like to see San Francisco, just because I've seen the Golden Gate Bridge on tons of Alcatraz TV shows and films. I'd love to kind of drive over that and see that place, all the windy roads. I just love all that, but that's just me.

Freddie Flintoff: I'd like to do America, but follow a music group. So you've got Graceland, you go see Sinatra stuff. Just follow the greats of music and all that.

Chris Harris: I'd do what he'd do; I'd just be going north over the Golden Gate Bridge, and I'd just go straight to Napa, and basically just stay there and drink wine.

Was there anything this series that really surprised you when you went in? Anything unscripted that brought new depths, or conversations that made you see things in a brand new light?

Paddy McGuinness: Watching it back, it was seeing the loves reactions on the road, talking to the camera. It was quite nice to see that; even though we all have different experiences with our dads, it's all the same thing essentially. We have very similar memories, so it was just nice seeing all that. It was quite surprising.

Chris Harris: We've also done a film about what we call Midlife Crisis Cars. We've taken the idea of the midlife crisis - which clearly, the three of us and the way we're dressed, we're right in the middle of one anyway - and we've turned it into a midlife opportunity.

Rather than being ashamed of what you might want to do when you're in your mid- to late 40s, and have better resources than perhaps when you were in you 20s, we've said, "Embrace it. Celebrate it." That's quite a fun film, saying, "Don't be ashamed of it." I think there's been quite a few people that watch Top Gear that might be accused of being in a bit of a midlife crisis by their loved ones. We're like a comfort blanket to them. Come and be a part of our club; we know how you feel.

Freddie Flintoff: We're all in lycra in that episode. So, if you've got an HDTV, turn it off. You'll save yourself a lot of a lot of misery.

More: 10 Best BBC Dramas, Ranked

Top Gear premieres its 30th season on Sunday, April 25 at 8pm ET/7c on BBC AMERICA and AMC+.

Freddie Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness, & Chris Harris Interview: Top Gear Season 30 from https://ift.tt/3qnhO8w

[more--than--music]

Albums Of The Decade

Once again, I’m limiting myself to just one sentence about each of these. I have picked 25 albums that I feel were the best of the past decade; I have limited myself to one per artist, and I haven’t ranked them. They appear here in alphabetical order by artist name.

The 1975 – A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships

An album for the times if there ever were one, the 1975 here plumb the depths of the millennial consciousness, with awe-inspiring ambition; one can’t help but feel that the 2020s will see them ascend to the stratosphere.

Against All Logic – 2012-2017

What could easily be dismissed as a side-project from Nicholas Jaar, electronic wunderkind and avant-garde darling, 2012-2017 is a gorgeous exploration of house as a genre, replete with flickering samples and breakbeats; you only need listen once, and these tracks will capture you immediately.

Alt-J – This Is All Yours

Each of the 3 albums released by Alt-J this decade could have been here, but I’ve chosen their understated sophomore effort which, despite its ostensible subtleties compared with the rest of their catalogue, is unparalled for moments of sheer beauty; listen to ‘Pusher’ for a perfect example of this kind of subtle beauty.

Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

Although perhaps best known for the emotive rock grandeur of Funeral, for me The Suburbs is Win Butler & co. at their narrative height; essentially a concept album, it ties together so many themes of coming of age, Americana, and what it is to be teenage, that it transcends genre; put simply, it makes me nostalgic for a past I never had.

Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

Arctic Monkeys had many directions facing them after the worldbeating rock of 2013’s AM; they chose the path less travelled, in the form of sumptuous lounge rock, and found themselves in possession of the most interesting effort in an already distinguished career, and in Alex Turner, a frontman of prodigial talent.

Blood Orange – Negro Swan

Dev Hynes is one of those artists who exists on a different, rarefied creative plane to their contemporaries; Negro Swan demonstrates this with 49 minutes of astoundingly accomplished R&B, interlocked with a narrative addressing race, gender, sexuality and so much more with an admirably light touch.

Drake – Nothing Was The Same

Many may be surprised to see Drake in the company of others on this list, but although I think he has lost his way for several years now, his earlier output is quite masterful in its blend of pop and R&B; I believe Nothing Was The Same is this at its finest, with genuinely masterful production, delivery and direction- ‘Tuscan Leather’ alone is a statement of intent that belied the stratospheric bearing his career was to take.

Father John Misty – Pure Comedy

I’ve been a fan of Father John Misty for a number of years, but Pure Comedy was my introduction to the singer-songwriter, and I was lost for words; the frankly cosmic scale of his ambitions, elevating the inspection of the minutiae of romance he had undergone for 2015’s I Love You Honeybear to examining the entirety of human existence- many other artists would falter, Tillman rises to the task.

Frank Ocean – Blonde

A genuine innovator, an artist of almost no comparison, Frank Ocean released two albums this decade that could beat out most of the competition on this list without breaking a sweat; however, 2016’s Blonde is a truly remarkable feat, an album I could write essays upon essays about, but we don’t have the time, so I will simply say that if you haven’t heard it, what on Earth are you doing, listen!

IDLES – Joy as an Act of Resistance

I can’t quite believe I only discovered IDLES last year, their presence in my life seems like it’s been for decades; a more vital album than Joy you won’t find, bursting with love, loss and beautiful, beautiful rage.

Kanye West – Yeezus

It really wouldn’t be a complete list without at least some Kanye on here; the man revolutionised hip-hop time and again over the course of the decade, and although for many My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is his opus, nothing hits me quite as much as this abrasive LP does, he really rewrote the book here.

Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly

It feels cruel to limit myself to just one Lamar project, but limit I must; little needs to be said about this album, other than that, for me, it is the absolute peak of hip-hop as a genre thus far, and Kendrick does it better than anyone.

King Krule – The OOZ

Patron saint of cooler-than-thou art kids everywhere, Krule crafts a grimy, grey world here, that nonetheless is populated by brief moments of aching beauty (a notable favourite for me is the slow collapse of Slush Puppy); Archy Marshall does that most captivating thing, creating an album that feels like a world unto itself, quite unlike anything else around.

Lana Del Rey – Norman Fucking Rockwell!

Up until this past summer, a Lana album would’ve made this list, but it would’ve been Ultraviolence, or perhaps Honeymoon; NFR! blew any of her past work clean out of the water with understated ease, a supreme album from a songwriter in her prime.

Leonard Cohen – Thanks For The Dance

It comes as no surprise that Cohen, and this album in particular, should make this list; the man was a master of his craft, and the idea of an album finished after his death by his son, with the help of some of the best musicians working today, was irresistible- and, thank god, it was a beautiful, beautiful record.

Mac DeMarco – This Old Dog

Mac has been a favourite of mine for the best part of the decade, but I can’t help but feel that This Old Dog is him operating at his creative peak- mature, airy songwriting, with real emotional heft.

Metronomy – The English Riviera

Put together a frankly immaculate album of pristine synths and guitar leads, centred on a tranquil concept of the British seaside, all held together by Joe Mount’s Midas touch for pop, and you have on your hands an instant classic.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree

For many, Ghosteen is the best album of the trio of Nick’s most recent output, but I find Skeleton Tree, in its barren landscape of harsh electronica and shocking grief, the most fascinating project he’s embarked on this decade.

Parquet Courts – Human Performance

An album of some of the most cerebral art-rock around, it reminds me why I fell in love with guitar music to begin with; smart, funny and often moving tracks with real guitar chops and lyrical chutzpah, there’s an overriding feeling that this could be some dusty old 12” found in a record shop, and it’s remarkable to think that it was recorded post-1980 (and that’s a compliment!)

Phoebe Bridgers – Stranger In The Alps

A supremely melancholy record from a singer-songwriter who is spiritual successor to the likes of Elliott Smith and Jeff Buckley, Bridgers delivers a set of songs that will make you weep, laugh, and weep again, even without knowledge of the infuriating tale of abuse of power that surrounds this album- an essential listen.

Queens Of The Stone Age – …Like Clockwork

Josh Homme and co. are a band that know their sound, and choose here to refine it and refine it until ‘Desert Rock’ feels like a far too meagre label for the pristine sonics here; the guitars roar when necessary, pianos make an appearance, and Homme remains the platonic ideal of the rock frontman, all too-cool lyrics and Californian drawl, holding the whole affair together with barely a sweat, just masterful.

Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool

Radiohead are getting on a bit, but 2016’s A Moon Shaped Pool shows that not only do they still have it (as if anyone was ever in doubt), but they have no issue continuing to explore new depths, seeming to approach their music from yet another angle again; the record is coloured by grief, age and modernity, and yet has moments of flooring beauty (all of Daydreaming, the seemingly underwater piano on Glass Eyes, ridiculously pretty guitar on Present Tense), they’re truly aging well indeed.

Tame Impala – Currents

A slice of psychedelia from one of Australia’s most popular exports, Currents is an album from a man who has already proved himself adept at recreating the sounds of other bands, and now turns his gaze toward creating an entirely new sonic palette- the album feels cohesive, and whole, and a statement of intent from one of the brightest talents in alt-rock working today; but also, in a very real way, it has Let It Happen on it, and so immediately earns its spot on this list.

Thom Yorke – ANIMA

Thom Yorke has already earnt his place in the pantheon of alternative with his work with Radiohead, but it’s been delightful this decade to see him flex his creative muscles a little more with his solo work, exploring avenues slightly less suited to the group, and boy, has he explored, with film soundtracks, collaborations, films; but ultimately, ANIMA feels his most accomplished work, and contains some really workable electronica, and incredibly subtle songwriting too- just listen to Dawn Chorus, it’s beautiful.\

Tyler, The Creator – IGOR

Our last entry, Tyler Okonma has also had quite the decade, going from outsider oddball, through provocateur and now all the way to the vanguard of pop culture, pulling together influences unlike anyone else, and really maturing his sound with his most recent works; IGOR is a prime example of this, with a wholly unique sound, and incredibly introspective and personal songwriting, it tops Tyler’s catalogue for me.

Well, that’s it for the decade then. It’s been a very good one indeed for music, and thank god I didn’t make myself rank these, I wouldn’t have known where to start. Here’s to the 2020s bringing more, as ever, thanks for reading.

[crow-caller]

have a throw away book idea/world

I’m trying to be more marketable with my new books, since my current writing tastes are too niche to be established (blah!)

anyway. writing a dystopia/future thing based on a more realistic vision of the future... so no strict silly laws, yes bad pollution and a weird mix of corporate+gov stuff. and severe rich/poor polarity

I have chap one ish, where three poor kids, on the last day of public school (after which they will likely be forced to work til death/go into the army) sneak into a private school to raise havoc

I’m trying to think more of a full plot tho. I think maybe I’ll have the three MCs be rebels, but they’re not hoping to make a change- just go out with a bang, since they feel the world is so odded against them. but instead... maybe they live and are seen as heroes and the big corp is trying to then capitalize off them?

like

3 MCs- sneak into to fancy private school, pull some pranks, probably take over some tech stuff and broadcast revolutionary messages and then escape. shits and giggles. they of course are caught, but their antics have gone viral in a positive way, so instead of being punished they are celebrated- brought to late night talk shows, get to travel, boons for the families... they even get to meet some politicians who jokingly deal with them as viral, cute things

their five minutes of fame starts to fade and they find themselves struggling to figure out what to do. stand up against the unfair system of reap the rewards? they vow instead to try and take it down from the inside while keeping in as ‘media darlings’

I feel like there’s room for a time skip. anyways, one becomes a video blogger with a gov-santioned channel talking about fixing income inequality... of course it is all bull and publicity stuff. another teen becomes a model/starlet praised for her ‘natural’ beauty (since like all rich people are genetically edited from birth). last one, narrator, is seen as the more bull-headed/mysterious member, but she announces she’ll be a judge on a popular reality show! aw!

secretly, of course, they are all still trying to balance the niceness of upper class fancies with remembering the slums they came from. MC MC is especially on this reality show (The Ascension, a dating show for the mega rich to meet super poor and find ‘honest love’) because one of the other hosts/judges is a famous politician’s son and she aims to seduce him for the connections

I think there can be some stuff of, oh no, he’s genuinely nice, rich people can be nice!! but still MC is kinda heartless because rich people suuuuck. it’s nuance and complicated but that’s the short of it.

the three of them are known as some fancy title and sell merch and local heroes of school but did change really come? how can you change something so messed up??

hmm I’m just rambling. it will be called ALL GLITTER ALL GOLD I think for now

I want more action/suspense, so I bet there’s some gov agents who are onto them and questions of you can trust, and also wondering if one of the trio has turned spy

trio also:

Anastasia- leader, she has frivolities and a weird thought process but is very stubborn and has little sympathy for the upper class. she’s a trans girl, and in this society that is sanctioned via early medical screening, meaning from a very young age she’s been required to be on various drugs and have medical procedures so she can be ‘normal’. it’s both progressive and not! this forced transition, even if she does ID as a woman, put her family into XTREME debt which pisses her off. when she’s 18 she’s due for top surgery as the ‘final step’, but even once she makes viral fame she puts it off. I wanted to talk about identity and debt and also a society that is both liberal (trans people exist) and not (we will help you transition by making you transition and charing you in advance :) you will be happier this way :) )

(I’m not anti transition at all lol I just want to write a future story that is confused and nuanced)

Right- Artist, high energy and impulsive. her talents are in art and singing, but neither is valued in society really, at least not at the level she does it. Because of this she feels she has no future or hope for happiness at all. An only child because her family is significantly poor (and you can have to buy the right to raise a child)

Kensington- a failed clone of someone very fancy and famous. They have a lot of pre-selected genes, making them immune to many common diseases, attractive, good metabolism, etc. However, they have something that wasn’t able to be pre-screened (some sort of mental illness?) and they were abandoned at a young age and sold to an orphanage. Their middle class family adopted them and went bankrupt because of it, hedging all their bets Kens would use their good genes to be successful and make them their money back. This is a lot of pressure.

-

-

An alt is that instead of doing a harmless stunt, they actually go to violence/killing, but that seems way more extreme. I was thinking the story instead of the above could just be a hostage situation/hunger games type scenario

[fmdxjerome]

Heyhey, I’m the memer behind the suave fuckboi Jérôme. The name’s Naomi and if u like rap or just khiphop in general pls hit me up lets talk about my cHILDREN or my actual dad Simon Dominic. Also. Plot page is almost done [check back tomorrow or the day after GMT+1 time] but I’m always open to plot just on the fly, u feel. I’m very excited to finally rp this kid, ugh he’s so beautiful. I don’t even fuck with Got7 that much but Jaebum just works greatly and he’s my small son even though he could break me with his bicep but whatevs.

Ugh, I’m so excited to be here! (/ ‘з’)/

Under the cut you’ll get a “brief” look of his backstory (if you haven’t got the time to read my novel lmao. I do highly recommend it though for more details and such because I suck at summaries) plus some random facts cuz idk yooo

Also his name is technically Jérôme but I’m lazy af so I just write Jerome lol you can just write Jerome too lolol

Trigger Warning: Racism, Yellow Fever type ish, Bad Adoption and Violence kinda? (this shit heavy son :( )

First I want to clarify I’m Biracial (black/white) and I’ve suffered from some gross racist shit in the past but in no way am I trying to speak over Korean struggles regarding the topic. I tried to apply my own experiences to Jerome’s life like struggling with rejecting culture, European beauty standards, internalized colourism and just growing up not being able to talk to people going through the same stuff. My life hasn’t been as crazy as Jerome’s thank god but I just wanted to clarify before you dive into this or his biography. Wow, heavy. I’m sorry lol. Anyway, please enjoy my tiny son and I hope we’ll rp soon!

Mom got persuaded by her family to put him on adoption because she wasn’t married and dead beat dad just left her when it was discovered she was with child. He got adopted at the age of two by a Franco/Anglo couple who reside in France.

Adoptive parents have a bad case of the yellow fever.

Raised in France multilingual (French, English) Also Korean but when he got older he got really reluctant to it. Only when he met Marie he got into it again and then he went to Korea. So he would still make mistakes. 

He was named after his adoptive grandfather Jérôme Gauthier Senior and Leslie Cheung, the singer and actor. His birth name is Jeon Jun-Hoe. (but he doesn’t know his birth name)

When growing up he was often seen as “other” by classmates in a negative racist way and by his parents in a “positive” racist way. (note; positive in this sense doesn’t mean it was good for him, it was terrible for him. What I mean with “positive racism” is instead of viewing a race in a negative light (e.g. black people are all lazy) the subject is seen in a positive light that has negative connotations (e.g. Asian people are all hardworking). Even though hard working is a good attribute, it can cause negative feelings towards the person of that certain race. Fetishizing a culture or a race is never okay and in Jerome’s story he still bares the scars of it. 

Finally didn’t feel like an other when he met his now best friend Freddy who introduced him to his own friends.

Got into Hiphop mostly because of his friend Freddy but started songwriting a year before that. (Outkast is his shit bro)

Started a hiphop trio with Freddy and another friend Khaled called Blanc.

People loved them tbh they were great.

Hiphop gave his life a purpose. An outlet if you will. He was quite the emo little shit when he was younger. (and understandably so. :( my son.)

Had a lot of fights w/ his parents.

Lived with his grandpa for awhile when he couldn’t bare to be in the same room as his parents, let alone the same house.

Eventually moved to Paris to pursue higher education.

Met the love of his life there. (Y O G A P A N T S) 

It was awkward but great.

Marie aka the love of his life went to the same school as him and they dated for a long time before she eventually cheated on him.

Before she cheated on him though she helped him accept his Korean heritage (something his parents stripped away from him due to them forcing it upon him.) 

Went to New York in the summer of 2012 and got offered a job at a major record label when the CEO heard his lyrics. 

His girlfriend cheated on him during that time and found out a few months later after he returned to France. Almost beat the shit out of the dude who she cheated on him with.

Got expelled from school because of that fight. (parents blamed the “violent” rap music) and because life felt meaningless in Paris. He grabbed his bags and moved to Seoul to work under the record label.

Asked his adoptive parents for his adoption papers in that time because he couldn’t find his birth parents without them. Parents basically refused and he just fell head first in work to forget that. He also drank a lot sometimes but only when stress got to him.

Eventually changed companies to write under BC Entertainment before they signed him to BCreate. (his honey voice was too much for KBC lmao no but really though)

Ex girlfriend made an appearance during his debut years. (*writes connection form ;)*) got like really emo and savage during that time. 

Now that he got moved to just the regular BC Entertainment he’s really nervous about the past haunting him. With more fame more eyes are on him and just one slip up could ruin his career. Having almost beaten someone up is a great first scandal. Misogynistic words to his ex is another (I mean he called her a whore tho. like boi.) and being adopted ? oh boi. my poor son. 

PLS LOVE HIM HE NEEDS LOVE HE’S SO EMO DON’T LET HIS FUCKBOY AESTHETIC FOOL YOU ITS JUST PROTECTION. HE HAS DEMONS. PLS HOLD HIM.

Random facts!

I actually got inspired to write Jerome because I was struggling between Jooheon or Namjoon and I randomly started adding on an old muse of mine. 

Is connected to another muse of mine on my indie blog lol I’m like the Disney Channel I like to crossovers.

He has two tattoo’s, one on his right hip of a French Cavalry pistol because his grandfather had one in his antique shop *nudity warning* [x] [x] the model is Julian Schratter btw love him he’s great. And one which I’m still musing about. 

Dyed his hair pink to show support for female rappers as he’s now a producer/judge on Show Me The Money 6. You would think with his fuckboy image he’d be misogynistic but no women are great and he wants more women in the hiphop scene. His princesses are Jessi and Cheetah and his queen is Yoon Mirae tbh. He gets so excited when he hears good female rappers. 

Has a Oriental Short Hair as cat. Her name is Edith or Edi named after Edith Piaf, his grandfathers favourite singer. (here is how I see her [x] its a video) She’s like his true wife. If you ever catch him with her you might be confused at how cute Jerome suddenly is.

Looks down on idol rappers a lot. Not all of them (he’d be cool with rappers like Zico, Rap Monster, etc.), but just the manufactured ones. You know the ones that couldn’t sing so they debuted as a rapper, know nothing about hip hop. Those ones. Hiphop saved him in a way and to see pretty boys disrespect the art like that just rubs him the wrong way. He’s pretty vocal about it too and yo fans of groups drag him for it lol. It’s great I love it. 

The Weeknd is his favourite artist of this time. Like he has that image he tries to emulate. 

Is actually pretty sweet though. Like Marie and his parents fucked him up and with stress consuming him he’s kinda distant but get him comfortable and he’s a really kind soul. The kind of type to have you lay on his lap whilst you rant about your problems and he just listens.

Hates when foreign fans call him “oppa” like boi he will come for you. He once almost called out a girl doing that at the airport. He eventually just “tsk’ed” her as he walked to his car lol. Jerome is my idol. I’m srry KBC He’s not an idol he has a hard time controlling himself.

Has troubles dating so he doesn’t date at all. Like he really needs to fall for you to get him to start a relationship again but lol trust issues and a fucked up view of love kinda ruins him as a partner. I mean if your muse wanna try be my guest but GOOD LUCK lol.

Never dated a guy before because he only realized he was kinda bi when he was 19 and at the time he was in a relationship. And after that ended he went to Korea. So he only ever fucked with girls.

The story behind his “bi discovery” was thanks to the land of the free *eagle screeches in the background* basically he saw a guy and he was like “wow... ? what ?? okay.. ? you’re cute in like a ‘let me hold you and give you kisses’ kinda way ?? but you’re a dude?? o ?” but he never acted upon shit obviously. (COUGH ITS A PLOT COUGH) In hindsight he wishes he did something so he could’ve been like “I CHEATED ON YOU TOO YOU BITCH” but he’s a faithful boi. 

Hates liars. Please don’t lie to him. This isn’t for his sake but for your muses sake lmao he’s awful when he finds out. He holds a grudge.

Has a real bad self image due to years of racism thrown at him. Like complimenting him is like poison to him. Compliment his work not his looks. 

Contrary to popular belief, he doesn’t really sleep around a lot. His last sexual partner was probably before his debut tbh. 

Donates to the orphanage he was from secretly because he cares a lot. If the fame ever runs out he’d probably end up working there. 

Dig hard enough on youtube and you’ll find his old youtube channel where he uploaded covers and original songs together with Khaled and Freddy. It’s really nice. He seemed happy.

Is very suffocating when he cares. Like when he really likes you he’ll REALLY like you. You feel me? (he hasn’t learned from Marie because he never asked why she cheated on him? So IF he eventually becomes close to someone again, he might find himself in the same situation. C R I E S.)

eh eh do i know more little facts? idk it’ll be in his profile when I finally get around to making it (i had a whole week but suddenly everything happened in that week so i couldnt do it. but it’ll be up soon *nodnod*

Okay that’s it for now. Again. I CAN’T WAIT TO RP WITH Y’ALL I hope you’ll enjoy my muse <3

[leonawriter]

Cinderella Stories

Read it on AO3

Fandom: Ace Attorney

Characters: Larry Butz, Original Female Character (Alice), Phoenix Wright, Justine Courtney.

Pairings: Larry/OFC

Summary: He meets her at a book signing, only learning her first name, the fact that she likes Alice in Wonderland, and that she thinks his art is beautiful, and for all he knows (as Nick points out) he’ll never see her after that.

Notes: Set post-AAI2. Canon divergence AU in that Phoenix never loses his badge, but does still end up with Trucy. 

...

The first time they met, it was while he was signing his latest masterpiece. Drawing children's books had its good points, given he had - somehow! - been able to find an area that was his, the way lawyering was for Nick and Edgy, but it also meant that most of the people he was selling them to were, well, kids, and although he met so many beautiful, lovely ladies on days like these, it was an inevitable fact of life that they were, nine times out of ten, mothers, or even grandmothers.

So he'd charm them, and he'd be friendly with the kids, the ones who'd pointed at his books and pestered their parents to get them, his books, and life was... well, it was okay.

And then there she was, looking kind of mousy and holding a copy of The Magic Thinking Clock in both hands, clutched tightly against her chest. 

He would always remember the way he'd smiled up at her from the table he was sat at. The way his wrist had kind of ached from how many signatures and messages he'd already had to do. The way his mouth was kind of dry from all the talking, even with a half finished plastic cup of water on the table behind him, safely away from the precious books.

"And who am I addressing this one to?"

"Um," she'd said, her cheeks gaining a dusting of a pink blush, "me. It's mine - I, I really like your books. I think they're beautiful. Oh! Allie. I mean, Alice. Like in Alice in Wonderland."

She held the book out to him, and he opened at the title page.

To Alice - A little madness can be found in the best of people, and there's more than a bit in here. Enjoy! Laurice Deauxnim.

She took it back with a duck of her head and moved away, and he couldn't help but stare after her. He had to be reminded by his PR aide that there was someone else in the line, and although he was disappointed that he couldn't just start ambling after her - asking which bits she liked best, how she found her first one, if she liked him -it was hard to feel annoyed for too long when the kids' faces looked up at him in awe, one after the other.

See, he felt like it was all saying, I can do this. I can hold down a job. And I can be important.

...

It'd become a habit of his that after a signing, once he'd got back home and had a chance to unwind, he'd take out his sketchbook and open at an unused page, and he'd start to draw from memory some of his favourite faces from the day.

Sometimes, they ended up making their way into his books as completely new characters. The princesses and ladies of The Dress Made For Fighting In that Maya had inspired by reminding him how popular the Pink Princess was, had almost entirely come from the sketches of beauties and the many, many excited little girls he'd come across. Sometimes, he remembered the way Maya's face had lit up when he'd given her a free copy (Nick and Edgy would have to pay for theirs - the discount was limited, of course) and he fancied that she liked the way he'd used her as inspiration even better than that other one.

Tonight, as he was half a page in, he already started to notice that one particular person was showing up a lot. Circles became faces, lines where eyes and noses and mouths would be, and again, it was her.

Allie.

...

"I'm in love," he sighs, and it's only completely rational, because she's all that he's been able to think of in the past week. "She's the one, Nick. She's my Cinderella. But I didn't even get her shoe."

"Stop being melodramatic, Larry. You met her once. At a signing. You're probably never going to see her again."

He stares at Nick for a good long minute or so, eyes widening and starting to water at the realisation that what one of his best friends has just told him is undeniably true.

He's never going to see her again. He only knows her first name.

She might not even live in this state.

Larry groans, and collapses onto the table in front of him, and no, he is not being melodramatic, because his life is over.

"Larry. That's - oh, com on. Up. I swear, dealing with you is harder than dealing with Trucy - at least she tries acting mature."

"My life is over," he says, voice muffled by the table. He's lucky he's waited until they'd finished their food, or he'd have faceplanted into burgers, chips and sauce. "My true love is lost, and I'm being compared to a nine year old."

He can hear Nick groaning above him, and it doesn't help. Doesn't he understand how serious this is? Because it is. Very serious. 

"I'm going, Larry."

He instantly sits up, tears still streaming from his eyes. 

"You're leaving me! When I need you the most!"

"Well, yes - I need to pick Trucy up from school, remember? And I have a meeting with a client right after that. So I really do have to get going."

He watches as Nick gets up and goes. And then, he stares at the now mostly empty table again. And lets his head fall back onto it in a controlled descent.

...

He sees her again when he goes to get coffee down at Gourd Lake two weeks later, and he thinks - after he's done with being giddy with the fact that he's met her again, his life has meaning again - that he's going to be able to tell Nick he was wrong for once.

They start to talk, and of course the first thing he asks is about her, about if she came here often, and what she does for a living - she works in a coffee shop! He could have bumped into her in any of them, and not known it - and then they're talking about him, and how she's sure she'd heard his name before she knew about his books, and he tells her, some parts embarrassment and some parts pride, that he'd been around a bit before finding his calling.

He ends up telling her about having been involved in criminal cases in the past, always by accident, although he leaves out anything to do with Cindy, dancing around the subject of her like an expert, hardly even knowing he was doing it, but unable to avoid certain other facts.

"Wait," she says at one point, "you mean to say you made that?"

He's ready to have to defend himself, because he's had to every other time, even though he can still remember Cindy telling him how amazing it was, that she'd take it with her anywhere-

(and how she had, even when she wouldn't have if she hadn't loved him at least a it)

-but he's hardly opened his mouth before she's talking again.

"I didn't know you were were so creative," she's saying. "A clock like that sounds really ingenious."

And he's encouraged, and the next thing he knows, he's sharing stories about how for a while he made ends meet by playing parts in stage productions, which inevitably included how he'd once helped save Edgy's butt in one of his cases, and they're both laughing, but god help him - when she laughs, it's like the whole world lights up.

...

He starts sketching out ideas at her coffee shop. Or rather, the coffee shop she works at, because it's not like she owns it, but to him, she might as well.

He'll there for hours, in one of their plush chairs, pad and pencils out and watching her as she works, and sketching ideas for his next book, and sketching her.

It's not even as though they can complain, since he buys coffee and a muffin every so often, and she doesn't mind - she comes over and talks to him when she goes on break, and sometimes they go out, usually just on a walk around the block to get away from her workplace and complain about her colleagues out of earshot, sometimes to the park, where it's away from the bustle of the city a bit, and away from angry and outright weird customers.

...

He introduces her to Nick one day when she's finished her shift, and they're walking down a familiar road as they're talking about ideas for his next book, and he realises that they aren't that far away from where his office is.

Allie is excited to meet another third of his trio of friends, though part of him is nervous about the idea - the last few times Nick has been involved with any of his girlfriends, or potential girlfriends, things have gone badly. Bad with a capital B. 

When he knocks and then lets himself in, he's kind of surprised to find someone else in there that he recognises.

"Wow, Nick! I didn't know you and Justine knew each other already!"

The judge rises from the couch, with Nick not far behind her, and Larry can already see him wondering who Allie is.

"Miles introduced us," Justine says with a serene smile. "When he understood that I might be able to give Phoenix here some unique insight into the world of being a single parent. Although, there are still many things that both of us are still learning."

When she's gone, Nick turns back to the both of them, though Larry has to admit, it's weird without Maya making as much noise as she always did around the place. It's quiet. And doesn't smell nearly as much of burgers or salty noodles.

"I'm guessing this isn't a client," Nick says dryly. 

"Nope! Allie, meet Nick! Nick, this is Allie, my girlfriend!"

Allie holds her hand out shyly, and Nick - glancing at him before he turns his attention back onto her, like he's confused why she's with him or something - takes it and shakes. 

A few minutes later, and they're sat on the couches, talking. Nick's surprised when Allie mentions where she works, probably used to Larry singing the praises of model after model, but then he also mentions offhand how he'd not really gone to coffee shops much since he was usually being dragged around by Maya. Then they're all talking about what they'd end up doing if they weren't in what they were doing - Allie started that one, by saying how she'd never really seen herself as ending up waiting tables all the time - and they ended up telling Nick's story of how he'd started out in the arts department but switched to law, and halfway through that she reveals that she'd wanted to design stage costumes at one point, which reminds him and Nick of their time in the drama club, putting on performances.

"She seems like a nice girl," Nick says, a few days later. "I don't know how you convinced her you're all she thinks you are, but-"

"Convinced?! She came up with all that on her own! Before we even met, remember?"

"I'm just saying. I hope things actually work out for once, Larry."

He's taken aback for a moment, because in all seriousness, he hadn't really expected that. So he gives Nick a grin, and scratches at the back of his head, looking away.

"Haha... yeah. Me too, y'know?"

...

She catches him sketching during work again, and asks him what he's working on.

"It's my version of Cinderella," he says, tongue stuck out as his pencils work on making the lines and colours on the page match what he can see in his mind, like Elise Deauxnim - Maya's mom, he remembers soberly, Misty Fey, but he remembers her as Elise - taught him. There's love in those lines. "I'm thinking that might be my next book."

Allie peers down over his shoulder to take a closer look, and she gasps, lightly, making him pause, because he loves it when he can surprise her with things, and what makes it even better is that he doesn't even have to pay for that little sound she made. 

"It's beautiful," she says. "But - isn't that-? Is that me?"

The princess in his picture is in her ballgown, running down the stairs, a copy of Alice in Wonderland in her arms and one glass slipper left behind. He'd worked hard to get her skin to match properly with Allie's warm brown tones, and the hair to have the right amount of frizz.

"I based it off one of the designs you showed me the other day," he says happily, basking in the way she was still staring at his mostly finished picture, letting his over-long sleeve flop from side to side. "You know, the one you came up with!"

...

A few months later, he takes a new book from a little girl, staring up at him with wide eyes, and opens it up to the title page to sign - and as he does so, he flicks past the dedication, and smiles even wider.

For Allie, it read, who everyone agrees is my very own Cinderella.

[neriede]

He Looks Just Like You - One Shot - Destiny Trio Centric

Working title is from way back when this just started as a ficlet about Sora growing up with Ven’s face, but now it’s grown into this whole “how we got here” SoRiKai shebang. Told myself I wouldn’t post anything until it was completely finished, but we all tell lies from time to time. So, uh. Here’s the first couple chapters squished together.

-

It was supposed to be a momentous occasion. He was the typical figure of a soon-to-be father, pacing back and forth outside the infirmary, slumped over and still clearly unsure about fatherhood. The nurses assured him this was normal—some parents didn’t really step into the role of fatherhood until they actually had the baby in their arms.

“Once you hold him, that’s when it’ll feel real,” they told him.

He was nervous—what if that didn’t happen for him? He wanted very much to be a good husband, and with that came wanting to be a good father for their child, but a small voice in the back of his mind kept whispering awful things to him—

You’re not father material.

You have no idea what you’re doing.

He’ll hate you.

The nurses all told him that this was normal too, but that did nothing to quell his fears. He just wanted the day to be over already. A sense of apprehension—whether it was from dread or excitement, he didn’t know—washed over him as one of the nurses opened the door and said two words; just two words, but they were the two most affecting words he’d ever heard in his life.

“He’s here.”

The last time two simple words had gripped him so hard was the day his wife had said, “I do.”

But then he saw the image of his wife, bathed in the light of the setting sun and radiating a glow that her newly attained motherhood afforded her, cradling their son against her breast. He stood at her side, reverent.

“Can I hold him?” he whispered.

This was it, the moment of truth. His wife nodded, smiling softly, and leaned over to provide her husband easy access. She guided his hands to the right places, told him gently to relax when she noticed how nervousness stiffened his movements. He was small, tiny enough to cradle against just one of his arms, and with a rush of relief, it hit him—this was his son. A living, breathing being, made up of himself and the person he loved, a mix of their blood and sinew and love.

In that moment, there was nothing he felt more than the feeling of being a father. Balancing him against his chest with one arm, he touched a finger to one of the tiny hands, something indescribable flowing through him as it was barely enclosed by unbelievably small digits. For the first time, he saw his son’s eyes flutter slowly open.

Instantly, a cold sensation swept through his entire body.

“…his eyes are blue.”

The voice of his wife floated from her nest of pillows, exhausted, but clearly enthusiastic, “I know. They’re beautiful.”

A spark of panic flashed through him. Surely…this was a mistake?

“But we both have brown eyes.”

The nurse, patting a wet towel to his wife’s forehead, offered an explanation, “That happens sometimes. It’s a recessive trait—you two must have blue eyes somewhere in your family tree.”

“Oh,” he said simply, feeling a bit ashamed that he’d ever let suspicion into his heart.

‘Of course there’s an explanation’, he thought, ‘after all, she’s your wife.’

He wasn’t the smartest man, he admitted. He’d never really paid that much attention in school, and lord only knew how his wife still loved someone as poor and ordinary as himself. Right now though, that didn’t matter—all he cared about was his son.

After this moment of reflection, he added, “Well, you learn something new every day.”

He took all his feelings of hesitancy, every lingering notion of doubt in his mind, and squashed them. He tried to recapture the bliss of holding his newborn son, gave his best efforts to remember how he had felt just moments prior.

And, for the moment, it worked.

-

They named him Sora, for his eyes.

“Blue as the skies,” his wife had noted fondly.

The first few weeks had undoubtedly been interesting. Being a parent was nothing at all like he imagined—it was sleepless and exhausting, both physically and mentally. Income was tight, since there was just so much expense to taking care of a baby, and he was having to come home an hour early every night to help with things around the house. They certainly couldn’t afford a sitter.

After his momentary lapse at the hospital, he tried very hard to connect with his son. He was always worried he was doing something wrong, like holding the bottle at the wrong angle, or patting him too hard on the back.

“…I don’t think he likes me.”

“You don’t know that, dear.”

“He’s always spitting up on me, and he cries when I hold him.”

“He’s a baby. They all do that.”

“All babies cry when their fathers hold them?”

“Give him some time to get used to you. He’ll recognize you after a week, I promise.”

He had nothing to say to this. To be honest, he was jealous. He had sort of expected his wife to be good at this—she always did have that sort of motherly quality about her—but it seemed as if nothing ever fazed her. Their son would be crying and she’d somehow just know what he needed, would set him against her bosom and that would be enough, like fitting a two piece puzzle together, mother and son, so perfect and easy, and just where did that leave him?

And of course, as with everything, she was right about Sora. It wasn’t even a week before his son was gurgling at the mere sight of him. In fact, it was increasingly becoming clear that Sora was a very affectionate child.

When he was strong enough to hold his own head up, Sora’s father took to sitting him on his knee and gently bouncing him. By this time he had largely shied away from most of the caretaking duties, finding himself awkward at them, and instead left them to his wife. But sometimes she would need both her hands, and when he found himself alone with his son while she went off for a minute or so, he would—for lack of knowing what else to do—bounce him.

Sora would never fail to give him the most mirthful smile, look at him with the bluest and most honest of eyes, and when he did he felt as if his son, this child, could see right through him and his insecurities, and he would ask himself, why does this have to be so hard?

He looked harder and tried to find even the slightest sliver of himself in the brightness that was his son.

And kept looking.

-

Riku’s mom was the sort of person who believed every child needed a best friend—a best friend whose mom was also coincidentally your best friend. It was just so much easier to arrange playdates, and you definitely knew what sort of upbringing they came from. Who knew what those other children were up to, after all.

“Oh, he’s got lots of friends. He’s very popular, very charming my boy is,” she’d say to all the other parents on the island, her wrists nested in to her sleeves all prim and proper, the clear apple of her own eye, “But he and Sora are just inseparable! Just like his mother and I at that age.”

Wasn’t that just so nice?

Riku thought Sora was okay.

Riku was only three—most things were okay.

Sora was all smiles and he shared his snacks with him. For a two-year old, Riku liked him enough. He was beginning to think he liked him more than Sora’s dad did, anyway.

“A year’s a big difference at that age, but Sora’ll catch up in no time, I’m sure,” his mom nodded sagely, chin bobbing like a ship on a gentle wave, “Especially with my Riku. My boy’s very observant—he’ll look after him, for sure.”

She said this, ironically, as if she expected her words to just sail over Riku’s head, unnoticed. Riku blinked and said nothing, just stared at the raisins Sora had just gifted on to his lap with a giggle, grin all toothy. Why did adults do that, talk about you as if you weren’t there?

“Sora’s coming along just fine,” Sora’s mom sipped her tea quietly, and Riku thought she looked like a flower, all folded in on itself, the way she tucked her ankles and elbows and everything in.

“He’s very lively. Don’t know where he gets all that energy from, really,” she continued, chuckling good-naturedly.

“He takes after you, clearly,” Riku’s mother’s laugh was more generous, large enough to fill the whole room.

It made Sora’s father shift uncomfortably in his seat.

“He’s got, ah,” and here there was a pause that, unbeknownst to him, did not go unabsorbed by either of the children in the room, “your hair.”

If Riku had the words to express what he thought about this, he might’ve said that that sentence did not actually end where it had stopped—that the words that had been left unsaid spoke volumes more than those that had.

But Riku was only three, and so he settled for thinking that Sora’s dad was kind of Weird.

He felt a little tug on his sleeve.

Sora gave him that same wide smile and pointed enthusiastically at the raisins Riku had yet to formally accept. Silently, he picked one up and popped it in his mouth, which made Sora happy enough to start clapping mirthfully. Then he did what he always did after sharing his snacks, which was to grab Riku’s hand in his and start stuffing his face with the food he’d kept for himself.

Riku’s mom had been right about one thing—he did certainly have a lot of friends, if you counted people at preschool who you happened to share a room with for a significant part of the day as friends. Or the people on the junior swim team. Or the ones from piano lessons.

In fact, most of his life thus far had been an exercise in letting himself be shuffled around to the next location, to the next set of people, to the next bunch of things that adults wanted him to do. Surely there had to be more out of being three than being stuck in one place? Maybe four would hold better promises—he vaguely remembered his father saying something about taking him to the play island when he was bigger.

He would often see that island in the distance as they passed by it. All the older kids got to go and play on it, but he had yet to set foot on it, because Riku’s mom was scared of him going too deep in to the foliage and hurting himself. He was fascinated by it. He imagined all sorts of hidden things to explore, thought about running down the endless beaches without anyone to hold him back. He pictured himself climbing to the highest cliff and proclaiming to the world at large that it was his for the taking.

Something bubbled up inside him, an itch that welled up and filled what very little being he possessed, and he came to the conclusion that he wanted all these things and more—he wanted everything. The world beyond these four walls, the ability to go and say and do whatever, wherever he wanted, the sun and the salt of the sea in his grasp, all of it.

And, he reflected after a moment or two, maybe someone to share it with. If he was going to have everything, it made sense that good company be one of those things.

But who to share it with? He thought about all the other kids in preschool—sure they were all willing to play with him, but that didn’t count for much when you were all stuck together in the same place every day. They only shared their toys with him because the adults told them to. Then, with a lapful of raisins, he thought about the one person who had ever shared anything with him without any reservation or prompting.

Finally, he thought about all the decisions his parents had ever made for him.

He squeezed Sora’s hand and thought, No. This one is mine.

-

Kairi loved books. If asked to name her most favorite thing in the world, she would’ve whole-heartedly and without another thought said it was her grandma, but, well, books came as a pretty close second. Which was why it was always the best day ever whenever grandma took her to the castle’s public library.

“Tell me that story again,” she said, for what may literally have been the thousandth time.

And for the thousandth time, Kairi’s grandmother tirelessly obliged her, “Long ago, people lived in peace, bathed in the warmth of light. Everyone loved the light. Then, people began to fight over it. They wanted to keep it for themselves. And darkness was born in their hearts.”

“Because they loved the light too much…,” Kairi gripped the edges of her seat, anchoring herself as she swung her legs back and forth.

Her grandma nodded wisely, pausing to let the gears that were so obviously working in her little granddaughter’s head turn to their conclusion.

“…Is it bad to want things?” Kairi said quietly, legs slowing to a slight sway.

“Only if you want them to the point of selfishness.”

This was why Kairi loved her grandma so much—she let her ask all the Hard Questions.

“I love you a lot, and I’d be really sad if someone took you away. Maybe even enough to get really angry,” and then after a thought, she added, “Is that selfish?”

“You must never apologize for how you feel Kairi. All emotions exist for a reason. Love and obsession, anger and rage, sadness and despair—they are all sides of the same coin of darkness and light.”

“I don’t get it. Which ones are bad?”

The old woman shook her head, “Child, there will indeed come a time when I can no longer walk beside you. If you love me, you will let me go in peace. Let your sadness for me remind you of the good times we had—that’s how you’ll know they were real—but do not let it drive you to despair. And if you are angry, let that anger sharpen your sense of justice, but do not let it consume you like a fire. If you can do that, then you need never fear the darkness ever taking over your heart. Understand?”

It was a lot for a four-year-old to take in, but Kairi thought she understood it well enough. Most of it, anyway. Grandma had a way of saying things so that she understood them.

“I’m going to put this back and get a new one,” she said suddenly with much ceremony, pulling the book on the table towards her.

She ran out towards the shelves, hugging the book—which was about the size of her torso—close to her with the whole of both arms. She made her way over to the children’s section, and almost yelped as she turned the corner in to an alleyway of towering bookcases. She’d barely avoided running in to whoever it was that had been standing just far enough from the mouth of the alley to remain unseen, until she’d just about smashed in to him. She had stopped just in time, but not before startling the poor boy in to dropping all his books on the floor.

“I’m sorry!” she huffed out, hefting her tome higher up, “I didn’t see you there!”

He didn’t answer, but he did watch her very carefully as he slowly bent down to pick up his books, never once taking his eyes off her—or at least, the one eye it seemed. Most of his face was obscured behind a curtain of messy, gray-blue hair.

“My name’s Kairi! What’s yours?”

She felt like she had seen him before, just around in general as merely another part of the castle, like how the books were a part of the shelves. He certainly gave a similar sort of impression as that of the books, quiet, unassuming, a mystery on the verge of swallowing you up. When he denied her an answer yet again, she glanced at the title of the nearest cover in his arms.

“…Hafet? What’s that mean?”

She wasn’t sure she was pronouncing it correctly. If she wasn’t, the boy didn’t correct her, just looked down at the bundle in his arms, as if considering something. She was beginning to wonder if he was mute. Then, ever so slightly, he leaned forward and extended his arms out a bit, adjusting the angle of his hold. Kairi blinked and shifted The Little Princess against one arm. Did he mean for her to take it? She reached out and tentatively slid the volume out from the rest of its companions.

Realizing she couldn’t open it with just one free hand, she asked, “What’s it about?”

He gave the slightest roll of the head, gesturing at the bookshelf beside them. There was a decent sized gap two shelves above their heads, just about the right size for Hafet. Oh! Did he perhaps want her to help put his books away? She liked being helpful. Standing on the very tip-top of her toes, she reached up and balanced the bottom of the book against the edge of the shelf. She gave it a little shove and—before it could tip back down and fall out—jumped up and pushed it all the way in.

Instantly there was a slight whirring sound, and Kairi gasped as the bookcase swung backwards to reveal a dark corridor. A rush of foreboding came over her. The passageway tunneled off and bled into darkness, giving off the sense that it led somewhere small children had no business being. The boy ran straight in to it.

“Wait!”

She took off after him. She held her breathe as the sieve of darkness passed over her, slowed down when it faded back behind her and she was on the other side. It was still dark, but at least she could discern the general shape of things, of which there didn’t seem to be very many. She stopped to gain her bearings.

The library was a musty place, but in that quiet way that was comforting. The books softened the silence and steeped it in ancient history, bleeding out from some of the more yellowed tomes. From the outside the castle looked just as saturated in history, but grand and in no way quiet. It was the sort of building that seemed to literally be supported by an aura of legacy, long stairs and high spires that kept your neck craned ever upwards in awe.

This was something else entirely.

There was barely any floor. In fact, the majority of the room consisted of a hole with a very long drop that made Kairi extremely glad she had slowed down before stopping. A gondola lift with an unsettling lack of any teeter hung just at the edge of the ledge in front of her. There was history here too, she felt, something old and unnerving and not meant to be remembered.

Her spine backed up against a sudden chill, prickling all throughout her shoulders as if they’d touched something solid. She spun around and came face to waist of a man in a white long coat.

“I don’t believe you’re supposed to be back here.”

“I’m…,” she took a step back, clutching her book tighter, “Kairi.”

The man simply smiled, “My name is Xehanort.”

And that was when she heard the far-off click of the bookcase shutting somewhere behind him.

-

It was scary being alone with your thoughts when there were no memories to keep you company. Still, Kairi sat and let the white surge of vacant hollowness wash over her, again and again, trying to sift through and find any semblance of familiarity.

She came up empty every time.

Kairi felt the onset of tears welling in the corners of her eyes, and with the tiniest of suppressed sniffles she swiped the back of her hand across them. It only served to push around the sand stuck to her skin. The salt and water mixed into a brown smear that reminded her how awful everything was. She was damp and covered in dirt, the sand in her hair made her itch, she couldn’t seem to remember who any of these people were, and perhaps the most frightening thing of all, none of them seemed to remember who she was either.

“Are we sure she doesn’t belong to anybody on the island?”

“I checked the records, and there doesn’t appear to be anyone missing a child. Nobody can figure out who she belongs to.”

There were three of them, a spindly woman, a short man doing himself no favors with his constant hunching over, and a quiet man who hadn’t said much since she’d woken up in this room. He was dressed somewhat formally—all three of them were—but his clothes seemed to sit more comfortably upon him than the other two. His sleeves were rolled loosely up to his forearms, and his lack of a proper jacket or blazer left visible a smart, black vest that wrapped against his bulky frame. He was made up of gentle curves, all of them arching outward. He exuded the notion of solid but approachable firmness. Of the three of adults, Kairi was least wary of this one.

After a moment of watching the other two bicker from behind his desk, he said thoughtfully, “Do any of the teachers recognize her?”

“We haven’t asked around the schools. She didn’t seem quite old enough for schooling,” said the woman, in that almost, but not quite, condescending tone that people used when they wanted to mask their oversights as them actually being smart enough to think ahead.

The man, whom Kairi was beginning to think was In Charge in some way, shook his head softly, “Surely someone can identify her?”

The other gentleman replied, patience clearly thin, “Even the child doesn’t know who she is. She hasn’t been at all cooperative and won’t even say where she came from.”

“Kairi.”

All heads swiveled in her direction.

“My name is Kairi. And stop—” she was crying, she realized suddenly, voice growing louder with every hiccup, “Stop talking like I don’t belong anywhere!!”

There was an embarrassed cough, and all the adults were immediately busy with looking very guilty and sorry. Somehow she felt that only one of them really meant it.

The man behind the desk rose up and strode over to her, and without saying another word lifted her straight up off her chair. His arm for a seat, she clung to his shoulders with a sense of terror, not unlike the fear one might have felt upon discovering that a lion had scooped its head under your legs and was now letting you ride it. She wasn’t sure if she felt safe yet, but she did feel very, very protected.

“I know where you belong,” he said, and Kairi had only the courage to blink through her tears at him.

He didn’t even mention how she was getting dirt and sand and water all over his clothes.

“We’re going home.”

-

It was love at first sight.

That sort of thing was easier when you were children, when youth afforded you the courage and foolishness that made you capable of loving someone before you really knew them. It required a certain combination of recklessness, naivety, and just the right amount of luck. It was very hard for the universe to line up just the right people, at just the right time, in just the right place for such a small miracle.

Sora somehow managed to do it all the time. He fell in love with every person he met.

He instantly loved Kairi: the redness of her hair (soooo red!), the way she giggled after saying hello, her cute hands gripped around the hem of her skirt.

Riku, as with everything, was more reserved. It wasn’t, per say, love at first sight—but right away he knew that he would love her, if he wasn’t careful. Everybody was talking about her—the girl who came from the sea. She was living, breathing proof that there was more out there than just their tiny, little island; she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. There was something stirring against his rib cage, the beginnings of affection he knew would slowly grow until suddenly, before he could say anything about it, it filled him up completely.

He squeezed Sora’s hand as they introduced themselves. It had happened once before, after all.

Kairi liked both boys immediately. They were the first people she’d met that were around her age.

She liked Sora. Most everyone liked Sora on general principle, but there was something specific about him that she felt drawn to—the first time he held her hand something warm flooded her chest, a feeling like finally coming home.

“She feels like magic, Riku!” Sora chirped.

Apparently he could sense it too.

It was Riku who suggested taking her to the play islands. Standing ankle-deep in salt water, backdropped by the sun-stained horizon, their eyes locked and she saw a suppressed hunger there—this was someone who knew what it felt like to be trapped. A whole town he could’ve shown her, and instead he’d given her a glimpse of the world outside. There was a reason he had chosen—yes, chosen, deliberately—to share this with her. Sora may have felt like home, but Riku felt like something familiar, wanderlust in both their veins.  

Sora splashed happily not too far from them, every little stomp, stomp, stomp its own circle of tidal waves, “Did you really come from the sea like everyone says?”

Kairi looked out toward the waves as longing filled her lungs, “I wish I knew.”

-

Destiny Islands was not a particularly…suspicious community. It was, however, a tight, homogenous little group, and when children appeared from seemingly nowhere, people tended to talk. They called her the fire-headed girl, and after a month or so when the freckles started dusting her shoulders they called her sun-spot as well. She didn’t look like any of the other children, and the sun did things to her pale skin that only served to cement the fact that she definitely was not from around here.

“She can’t have actually come from the sea, not really,” because how much sense did that make, people coming from the sea?

And yet, no one was rushing forward to provide any possible alternatives, because the only alternative to here was the encircling water out there. She gave a couple of the warier parents more than a few moments’ pause, but if there was one thing that everyone in their close-knit society agreed upon it was that the mayor commanded only the utmost respect—skepticisms and wagers surrounding the nature of her arrival were fair game, but any doubts cast upon her actual person were quickly met with the stern steel of the mayor’s gaze. He was the sort of person who led by example, who people naturally felt compelled to follow by example, and that extended to the gentleness and affection he showered upon his new-found fostered daughter.

Most people had been very kind, not the least of all two boys in particular.

“Hey Riku,” she started one afternoon as she was braiding threaded cowry shells in to Sora’s hair, “What did your mom mean when she said you guys better watch out when I get older, or I’ll break your hearts?”

“It means she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”

Kairi frowned, “She doesn’t hate me, does she?”

Sora twisted suddenly, errant string and shells slipping from Kairi’s fingers to bob back and forth as he shook his head furiously, “Noooo! Everyone loves you, Kairi!!”

She giggled, “I know,” and it was true—she really did know, actually believed she was loved.

Sora and her father (and Riku too, in his own subdued way) said as much to her every day, and as far as she was concerned that was as close to “everyone” that really mattered.

He shrugged, “Grownups say weird things sometimes.”

“Everyone on the island’s been so nice to me,” digging her fingers in to the eternal mess of Sora’s hair and pulling gently, prompting him to come back, “I like it here.”

Riku circled the two of them, picking up stray shells that had flown off in Sora’s enthusiasm, “But you still wish you could go back.”

It wasn’t a question.

“Hmmm…” her voice was a sweet hum, genuinely contemplative, “I do want to know where I came from.”

It wasn’t a yes or no.

A breeze pushed the warmth of the beach around them, cotton-soft and reassuring. It almost made her feel like the island was alive, and this was its version of a hug. She could feel it breeding complacency in her bones, which in turn roused a stubborn restlessness in her that made her skin itch for the ocean. She funneled it instead in to re-plaiting Sora’s hair, a gift it seemed determined to refuse. Riku sat down next to her, pressed the shells in to the small of her hand before attending to the other side of Sora’s head, opposite of her.

They sat like that for a moment, untangling the damage that Sora had caused, before Riku said, “When you go, I’m going with you.”

Kairi silently nodded, and that was that—the simple pact of children, no fuss, no muss, and all trust.

It was another moment of quiet shell-braiding before they realized something was wrong. Like the first crack of breaking glass, the smallest of sniffles escaped from the boy between them. Riku and Kairi immediately curved their bodies around to face him, like two mirror images of each other, perfectly in sync.

“Sora…?” their voices blended together in near-identical pitch.

He pressed the heel of his palm to the corner of his eye and swiped, trying to squeeze his eyes shut against the onslaught of tears and failing spectacularly.

“I-I-” he hiccupped through held breaths, as if that might help stop the crying, “I’ll m-miss you guys.”

It was here that the harmony broke, Riku letting out an exasperated groan.

“Stupid,” he shook his head.

“Silly,” Kairi laughed, wrapping her arms around his middle, “You’re coming with us, of course.”

More sniffles. Smaller and smaller ones. Sora smeared his nose across the bridge of his arm, trying to keep his face from getting too messy or gross.

“O-oh,” came the realization, and Sora’s world softened again, “Good.”

He sat up straighter, patted the braids Riku and Kairi had given him, gingerly, but with much affection, and tried not to think about what it might be like to be separated from them.

He wouldn’t think about it again for another ten years.