#but these came in a different delivery and i have them put away already

[imadhatt3r]

This month's comic book haul 👍

[therentyoupay]

How would you write Elsa falling first? I absolutely adore your loser Jack pining after put together Elsa, but how would you reverse their roles?

i promise i promise i did not mean to write a one-shot for this. and i SWEAR it is ACTUALLY a one-shot. it is the OLD-SCHOOL definition of a one-shot, because i opened this ask and thought, aw, wouldn't it be cute if i just wrote a little tiny ficlet to illustrate an example of this scenario instead? and then out came 5,297 words. in one sitting. in ONE SHOT.

i would also like the record to show that i LOVED this challenge, i love trying out new scenarios or styles that subvert all the habits i've gotten myself into over the past decade or so!! thank you for this ask!! and, also, let the record show, that even as i wrote a full 5k+ of fic leading up to a "she falls first, he falls harder" scenario, i still couldn't quite hit the mark... in this case, i think it's open to interpretation as to whether she falls first, or they fall at the same time. 🤣 ENJOY. p.s. LOSER JACK?? LMAO WHAT IS THIS

“Watch your head—“

She ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding the churning of what appeared to be a factory conveyor belt gone awry. A tiny creature smaller than even a Norwegian Mountain Troll cried out in dismay as a cascade of nutcrackers fell into a sorting bin meant for what appeared to be that latest handheld gaming device—the Swap, or something.

Elsa grinned at the chaos surrounding her—little elves scolding one another, scurrying about—and wasn’t the slightest bit embarrassed to see the Pooka—Bunnymund—grinning in delight at her delight. 

(I told you, his eyes seemed to say, as he gestured for her to continue ahead of him through the vast workshop chamber toward the office tucked away in the back. You wouldn’t regret it, if you came with me.)

Without giving him the satisfaction—yet—Elsa merely took in all the productivity around them, and let her gaze sparkle with the Wonder she knew was in them; dryly, she marveled, “It’s July.”

“Christmas doesn’t take holidays, mate,” Bunny winked. “Especially not here.”

Elsa stuck her courage to the sticking place as they approached the office—the door was slightly ajar. No matter what happens, Elsa inhaled and exhaled; you can always go back to Ahtohallan, to Antarctica.

You don’t have to stay here—with them.

Strengthened by this truth, Elsa squared her shoulders and softened her face into something curious and approachable as Bunny opened the door, not bothering to knock.

“OI.” Bunny stepped through the office, holding the door wide, which allowed Elsa to wait at the threshold—suspended between two worlds, two moments, two paths… perhaps two different lives.

“WHAT—Bunny, how many times I say, KNOCK, this program, it is DELICATE—“

“I got a delivery,” Bunny interrupted, and his whole body flinched at the look she gave him, “Er. I mean. I got someone here who you might wanna meet.”

And if Elsa had known then what she knew now, she would have realized in that moment (when North laid eyes on her that July evening in the middle of his work on the newest rollout of the popular role-playing video game—the Sums, or something) that, truly, the future was always in motion, her path already treaded, and—despite all her beliefs, her past, her heartbroken memories—her heart was already preparing to have two homes.

//

Elsa had visited plenty of warm—tropical, arid, sweltering—and chaotic, sprawling places in her travels, but none quite compared to the utter bustle of the Workshop. 

Over the next three weeks of her stay, Elsa grew accustomed to the factory’s noises, to the bickering between the elves and their strange adoration for her, to the yeti’s curious questions about her years at the south pole. They asked relentless questions about the melting ice caps, the fierce predators, and the tiny human-made stations; she answered them as best she could, having wandered Antarctica for only half a decade before Bunnymund happened to find her at the tip of Cape Adare. When she tried to explain that she was much more familiar with the Arctic, they listened politely, but they were clearly much less interested in land so close to home. They also had the strangest custom of bringing her icicles when they returned from their perimeter patrols; she was growing quite a large collection of them in the guest room in the Main House. 

The others—called Guardians, she learned—flitted in and out of this headquarters at seemingly all times of day. 

Sandy was shocked and delighted to see her again; they’d run into each other just once during the late 1940s, and only when Elsa was passing through a city—Barcelona, if Memory served—to familiarize herself with the changing of the times as quickly as possible. 

Sandy made no delay in giving her a much more insightful tour of the Workshop than North’s exuberant one had been, which had focused rather on not-so-subtle hints at how wonderful a life it was to be a Guardian, and such wonderful news it was to hear that Elsa was intrigued by Bunnymund’s offer to meet them, and so wonderful that Elsa had been spending all these years doing all that she could to explore the wonders of the world. 

(North was lovely, and welcoming, and fierce—and so boisterous!

And not subtle at all.)

After a few days of visiting the Workshop, Elsa grew comfortable enough to truly relax as she roamed its halls, visited the various stages of production, and occasionally caught up with Bunny as he flitted in and out of the Shop (“Easter is on Holiday!” he’d said, with another wink). She dined with North and his team of merry workers, often with Bunny, who, she learned, was rather too fond of eggnog, and sometimes with Sandy as well. 

After only a few hours into Sandy’s first visit, Elsa allowed herself to laugh with her whole chest at the ridiculous antics, the absurdity of it all, the bickering among Sandy, and North, and Bunny—and allowed herself to be endeared by the clear respect they held for one another, by the lightness in the air, the distinct sensation of family. That night, Elsa didn’t immediately retreat to her room after dinner, as she normally would have.

The Memories were not so painful, here. 

//

And their stories! 

They regaled her each night over (and after) dessert—about this horrid creature named Pitch Black, about the Moon, about the Battle of Burgess—they all sounded like fairytales to Elsa, even if she, herself, had practically been living in one for nearly two hundred odd years. 

The others told her of two other coalition members who fought beside them—both of whom were exceptionally busy, and who would not be journeying to the North Pole again until it was time to celebrate the Equinox.

Elsa was curious about Toothiana—and anxious, about the Memories she protected—and especially curious about the Guardian named Jack… 

Frost. 

She did not shy away from asking more about him—Elsa had far too little time to worry about such silly fears like embarrassment; immortality was funny like that—and her curiosity grew with each tale she heard. The Guardians spoke of Jack with a mix of fondness and exasperation—his mischievous nature, his loyalty, how bloody annoying he is, I tell ya, that’s what I say.

Elsa could not help but laugh at Bunny’s pervasive frustration with his teammate; his respect for Jack was clear, even if his patience was not.

Still… she had been wandering the world for over 200 years, and in all that time, she had never encountered any others like her, and certainly not anyone especially like her. 

The thought of meeting someone who might understand,  who might have powers like hers,  stirred something deep within her— something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

She caught Bunny staring at her in the midst of a reverie by the fire during an after-dinner coffee, so she crisply declared, “Don’t say it.”

“What’s that, Ice-pop? Sorry, couldn’t quite hear you over all of that Hope in your heart.”

Bunny, Elsa learned, was used to ducking snowballs.

//

Later that evening, as she stood by one of the desperately-tall windows in the corridor leading to her guest quarters—watching the snowflakes drift lazily from the sky—Elsa couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to actually meet him. 

The thought of Jack—a potential ally? a friend? a teammate?—occupied her mind more and more as the days passed, and with each story the Guardians told, Elsa found herself hoping that this Jack Frost—a teacher? a guide? a confidant?—would be looking forward to meeting her, too.

//

Sometimes, late at night, she would lie awake and wonder what it would be like to have someone in her life who understood her powers as deeply as she did. She imagined his face, always in motion, always just out of reach, and felt a strange sense of—Hope? Elsa rolled her eyes at the ceiling. Anticipation? Perhaps.

Fear?

In these quiet moments, she found her spirit reaching out, as if she could almost call to him—but of course, he was completely out of reach, never having met her before, and likely, perhaps, not even knowing that she existed until only recently... But her heart would quicken at the idea of meeting this person like her, of seeing his eyes—what color?—filled with the same understanding, the same longing for connection that she felt.

What would he think of her? Would he see the strength she had built over centuries? Or would he only see the loneliness that still clung to her, despite all her efforts to cast it aside?

The questions swirled in her mind, mingling with a strange sense of exhilaration that made her feel both alive and vulnerable.

She could almost hear the laughter they might share, the way their powers could dance together in the air, creating something beautiful, something new.

And in those moments, she couldn’t help but smile, imagining a world where she wasn’t alone, where someone else could stand beside her in the snow, not as an adversary— 

But as an equal.

//

“And did he wield ice magic as a human, as well?” Elsa pressed over after-dinner coffee in the drawing room, leaning forward in her chair near the fireplace. North’s giant hands were absurdly large compared to his delicate teacup. “Before he became a Guardian?”

“As a matter of fact—no. The power came later, AFTER Turning.”

Elsa considered his words carefully. Something about his expression seemed rather cagey; centuries of reading strangers’ faces had only honed her political prowess, which had been born out of survival as much as any sense of duty. 

“North, tell me: why do you want me to join the Guardians?” 

“I—ah! ELSA—

“Because ya’d be mighty good at it!” Bunny blurted, calling over from his newspaper reading on the other side of the drawing room, to North’s indignant sputtering, “if you wisened up and stopped hiding all Hope and Wonder!” And then, as an afterthought, “And it’ll keep Jack humble, I reckon!”

“ASTER!” North scolded fiercely, but he set the tiniest teacup down with the tiniest clink and placed the saucer on the coffee table with such deliberate care, even in his fit of anger, that Elsa couldn’t hold back a small, genuine smile. 

//

“Dont’cha worry, Ice-Pop,” Bunny told her later, as they stood in the wide, cold corridor leading into the main entry chamber of the Workshop, where Bunny preferred to open his portals. Elsa quirked a brow at him, and he chuckled. “We’re not here to actually convince ya. We just want you to see that there’s another option. This Choice… well. Guardians gotta make it for themselves.”

She still had too many questions. How is it that I had never crossed paths with any of you but Sandy, before? 

How is it that I have managed to avoid Pitch for all these years? 

Why me? What can I really offer—when you already have someone who can already do what I do?

“You still have time before you have to decide. And you need to meet the rest, anyway. Just think about it, is all,” he said, all his wisdom seeping into the very air around them. He cracked open a portal and, a moment later, he was gone. 

//

“Oh!” said an utterly beautiful creature, her wings fluttering with so much excitement and delight that she was practically vibrating. “You must be Elsa!”

Elsa and Toothiana took to one another with surprising ease; time had steadied Elsa’s heart, had taught her the patience and endurance and the strength of a glacier; time had energized Toothiana, who took charge of the world with her vast army and a wide smile. But it had been so long since Elsa had even felt anything remotely similar to the feel of holding onto her sister—and Toothiana understood, completely. 

Toothiana shared stories of her own—a whirlwind of adventures collecting memories and moments, each one a treasure she held dear.

(Toothiana's eyes softened as she took Elsa's hands in her own, her understanding gentle yet firm. "I know what it’s like to carry the weight of Memories, Elsa," Toothiana whispered, her voice a comforting balm. "But here, with us, you don’t have to carry them alone. We’re all in this together, and we’ll help you find your way.”)

And Elsa found herself starting to believe her. 

To Believe in them.

//

When the Guardians gathered around the fire—taking time, they said, to ensure that past mistakes were never repeated, that they carved out time for themselves the way they never used to—the conversation inevitably turned to their adventures, to answering Elsa's questions. Somehow, Jack always seemed to be at the center of their tales.

She was rather alarmed to realize the extent to which she had begun to wait for these moments, eager to hear more about Jack, piecing together an image of him in her mind that was as elusive as snowflakes on the wind. Why on earth does not a single Guardian commission a portrait, for goodness’ sake? But Elsa dared not ask for a Memory; apparently, there were still some things left worth being too embarrassed to ask for, after all.

So she contented herself with the way Sandy would add details to the story that the others had forgotten, conjuring up glowing scenes of Jack’s playful antics in vague, golden sand—flurries of snowflakes, intricate frost patterns on windows, and the gleeful laughter of children echoing through the air. 

She would find all their efforts rather suspicious… if they weren’t all being so utterly obvious about their Hopes.

Thus, one evening, as they were all gathered around the fire, Elsa couldn’t help but ask, “How did Jack become a Guardian?”

Bunny’s keen eye sharpened upon her cheek; she withstood the scrutiny, allowing him no further entry to her mind, as he added, “Jack was chosen by the Moon, like the rest of us.” 

“But Jack…” Toothiana’s voice was soft and somber and unusually serious; the atmosphere in the room shifted, its axis tilting ever so slightly. “He had a harder time accepting it. At first! That is.”

“Took him a while to figure out, is all,” Bunny held his boomerang up to the light, checking the polish. “He came around, eventually.”

“Why?” Elsa asked, genuinely curious.

Sandy floated closer, his golden sand forming an image of a young boy standing alone in the snow, his face a mixture of confusion and sorrow. The image flickered, and the boy’s expression shifted to one of determination and hope.

“Not easy for Jack, his Turning was,” North said, his voice softening. “Not easy for any of us… But Jack had no Memories of his past, no knowledge why he was Chosen. It wasn’t until centuries after his Turning that he found his center.”

“His center?” Elsa echoed, intrigued.

“FUN!” North boomed, smiling, and sending teacups clattering everywhere. Elsa clutched her saucer with both hands. “But not just ANY fun—bringing joy and wonder to children, making them BELIEVE in magic and in themselves. THAT is Jack’s true power!”

Elsa considered this as Bunny complained about dropping his boomerang polish and spilling it all over the carpet. Toothiana was laughing at him and offering to help in equal turns, as Elsa’s mind turned over the implications of centers—and Jack’s in particular. She had spent so long searching for her own purpose, her own… center? Do I have one? As well? Is that why Bunny had found her, out alone at the edge of the iceberg, at the exact moment when she had let it all go, had accepted that she may never find her purpose, that perhaps she did not have one—was that the moment that they had been waiting for?

And now, here in this team, Elsa might soon meet someone who had also once struggled with the same questions, who had found his answers in the most unexpected ways… It makes me, dare I say it… Wonder... 

She glanced at the Guardians, each of them so sure of their place, their role in the world, with all their quirks and their trust and their happiness. They had found their centers, their reasons for being. And Jack—this mysterious figure who was off wreaking havoc in some apparently historic winter season in New England—had somehow found the same. She wanted to know more about this spirit who had lived in solitude for so long, who had found a family among these remarkable beings, and who wielded the same icy power she did, yet in a way so different from her own—or, at least, so they thought. Nobody could quite seem to explain to her the exact mechanics of it all.

The more she heard about him, the more she felt a growing need to meet him. She caught herself imagining what their first meeting might be like—whether he would be as mischievous as they said, or if they would take a liking to one another right away, bonded by their similar powers, their similar stories… Perhaps he might help her make sense of… all this? Maybe there was something in him that could help her understand herself better. Maybe he could be… another friend? An ally. A partner. Elsa did not care about the name; what mattered was only that they could learn from each other. 

But still. She could not quite deny that her excitement at the chance of meeting him was, perhaps, a bit more complicated than all that. 

“I still don't understand. You already have someone whose powers are like mine,” Elsa pointed out reasonably, just when the others had started to turn the conversation to simpler matters. “How could I possibly contribute?”

Bunny barked with laughter from the other side of the circle, over the recipe book he was now reading, preparing for their grand dinner to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox. Sandy giggled in golden, sparkling shimmers. North’s laughter was as reassuring as it was alarming.

“ELSIE, my dear,” North boomed as he strode closer to the wing-backed chairs that Toothiana and Elsa were hoarding by the fire, just under the wide window of the central tower, which overlooked the northern tundra. “It is not about powers alone! It is CENTERS.”

“And besides!” Bunny called out over his recipe book, adjusting his reading glasses over the bridge of his twitching nose. She could feel his cheekiness from the other side of the room, but Elsa was particularly amused by the way Toothiana’s whole body tensed up in preparation for Bunny’s antics.  “You’re the better deal on both fronts, anyway!” 

Toothiana scolded him for the next five minutes but hardly put any real fire into it, and North’s voice echoed throughout the study (“Now, now, Bunny—Jack has only been with us for two years now—and he has done SPLENDID job—“), and Sandy had already fallen asleep in his preferred winged-back chair by the fire, lulled into a nap by the comforting sound of his fellow Guardians arguing over something utterly ridiculous.

//

Late that night, as Toothiana hastily prepared for departure and her return to her endless work, she caught Elsa by surprise. 

“We’ll understand if you would rather return,” Toothiana was gracious, so considerate in her efforts to not step on painful Memories, to not push Elsa too hard or too fast, too soon. “We recognize that this choice, this Oath, is not for everyone. But we hope you’ll consider it.”

Elsa nodded, appreciating the understanding in Tooth's eyes, though she couldn’t quite find the words to express it. The kindness and patience offered—by all of them—made her feel both comforted and conflicted; this was a choice she had to make for herself, but knowing she wouldn’t be judged either way brought a small measure of peace. 

Toothiana let out a knowing smile that Elsa didn’t quite understand. 

//

Two days before the Autumnal Equinox, the North Pole was strangely quiet; all others were out and about and attending to their centers, preparing their final tasks before they would all meet for the celebration, here in North’s home. 

She thus found herself wandering the hallways alone, her footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor, thinking of the word home, and how it had changed for her over the years—first, her kingdom; then, her sister; then, the secrets that lay in the depths of Ahtohallan, and then nowhere at all.

What was home?

She paused in front of a large, intricately carved door she hadn’t noticed before. There was something inviting about it, something that called to her curiosity. Without thinking, she reached out and pushed it open, stepping into a room bathed in a soft, ethereal glow.

The room was a gallery of sorts, filled with shelves upon shelves of intricate snow globes, each one containing a different scene—some of them cheerful, others serene, and a few that looked like they were mid-snowstorm. Elsa moved closer, her breath catching as she realized what she was seeing. Each snow globe was a memory—not one of Toothiana’s collections of course, but rather, a moving picture—a small clip of some film, captured in glass and suspended in time.

She reached out to touch one that was particularly beautiful—a snow globe depicting a small village blanketed in fresh snow, children playing and laughing as they built snowmen and threw snowballs. The scene was so vivid, so real, that she could almost hear their laughter.

“Beautiful, no?” a voice said softly from behind her.

Elsa turned to see North standing in the doorway, a fond smile on his face as he watched her.

“They’re not Memories,” Elsa whispered, more to herself than to him. “They’re… Reminders.”

“Yes. They help with the Wonder, of course.”

Elsa couldn’t move her gaze away from the glass again. “Whose are they?”

North stepped into the room, his presence filling the space with genuine warmth, with joy. “They belong to all of us. The children, the Guardians… and a few others.”

He gestured to a shelf on the far wall, where a single snow globe sat, slightly larger than the others. It depicted a lone figure standing in the middle of a frozen lake, surrounded by a dense forest. Snowflakes danced around him, but there was a sadness to the scene, a loneliness that tugged at Elsa’s heart. Her fingers itched to reach out and touch the glass.

“That one,” North said softly, “also belongs to Jack.”

Elsa’s breath caught. She had heard so much about him, yet she still knew so little. The thought of him, alone in this beautiful but desolate scene, stirred something deep within her.

Are you someone out there  who's a little bit like me?

Who knows deep down  I'm not where I'm meant to be?

“Yes, he’s been through much,” North continued, his voice gentle, washing over Elsa’s rapidly-blinking thoughts, through the strange swell of sadness that swam through her chest. “But he IS strong, and has found his place among us. Still, there are parts of him that are… sometimes, difficult to reach. Things that… perhaps… someone may help… heal?”

Elsa side-eyed him, beneath her lashes. “You are growing less subtle each day, I fear.”

His boisterous laugh told her he wasn’t deterred in the slightest.

“Elsa, when few more centuries you have, you too shall learn when to drop SUBTLETY. No?”

Haven’t I already? But she humored him with a smile instead. 

“Whatever you decide—we will support you, your Majesty.”

Elsa’s smile slipped, without her meaning to. Throat thick, she whispered, “No one has called me by that title for a very long time.”

Her eyes pricked with tears as North stepped closer to her, looking down at her—the way her father used to. The way her father might have, had he lived long enough to see her step into her own power, at last.

“I do not call you Majesty because you were Queen, or Snow Queen; I say because I remind you that what you have, and what you are, at your center, is FULL of that which makes living so majestic. It is my sincere wish that—“ and Elsa inhaled at the strange expression that passed his face, the soft mix of hope and resignation all at once— “You will choose the Oath with your full heart.”

Elsa wanted to thank him, but she didn’t want to lie; before she could settle on the perfect breath of diplomacy, North patted her shoulder in reassurance, and left the gallery, leaving Elsa with all the Reminders that were not hers, but insisted she be strong, anyway. 

She gazed into the large snow globe, at the figure standing alone on the frozen lake in the deep forest, and Wondered, truly, for the first time, This was also my past… 

Will I also find my future here, too?

//

The Equinox arrived, at last. Elsa had fashioned herself a dress for the occasion, and the excitement buzzing through the Workshop was palpable—everywhere she turned, there were smiles and knowing glances exchanged between the elves and the yetis, as if they all shared a secret that she was just on the cusp of understanding, but not quite privy to.

Elsa did not startle at Bunny’s sudden entrance behind her, but it was a near thing. 

“Stop twitching,” Bunny muttered as he sidled up beside her, at the window, where she was watching the horizon and waiting for the other Guardians to arrive. When she glanced up at him, she found his nose twitching in nervous anticipation. “Don’t overthink it, Ice-pop. Jack’s a handful, but he’s got a good heart.”

“Oh? No further jabs at your friendly foe?”

“Nah,” Bunny grinned. “Today, I’m on my best behavior. Scout’s honor.”

“You mean ‘Toothy’s honor’.”

“Aye, that too.”

She considered pointing out that his nose was equally twitchy, but she let it slide. 

Elsa understood.

And that understanding grew as some of the Guardians started to all trickle in at once; Toothiana sent wide glances about and around the room upon her arrival, and later, as she fussed with the elves’ itineraries, kept catching Bunny’s eye when they thought Elsa was not looking; Sandy checked his watch repeatedly after greeting them all with warm, sandy hugs; perhaps he was conscientious of the time… and yet… North’s laughter was too loud to be completely genuine. Elsa was beginning to understand the true purpose of tonight, swiftly and deeply; this night was no mere dinner, and no simple introduction. Tonight was an audition. An interview.

A trial. 

At this point, Elsa didn’t even mind the inquisition; she just wanted it to start.

//

The storm outside had been raging for over an hour, and yet there was still no sign of Jack. The wind howled, whipping snow into frenzied swirls that danced and spun against the windows of North’s Workshop. The Guardians stood by the large bay window, watching the tempest with a mixture of awe and concern. Elsa had seen far fiercer storms before… but seeing this storm here, now…? 

Elsa didn’t know what to think.

“Where do you suppose he is?” Toothiana murmured, her wings fluttering nervously as she peered out at the swirling snow. “When I got off the globe with him a few hours ago, he’d been in a good mood! Do you think he got distracted along the way?”

Sandy nodded, his golden sand forming an image of a snowflake, delicate and intricate, before it dispersed into the air. North stroked his beard thoughtfully, his gaze never leaving the storm.

“Such a nuisance,” Bunny agreed, his ears twitching as he squinted into the whiteout. “But he’ll wear himself out soon enough. Let’s get started, shall we?”

“Perhaps we might,” North rumbled, his voice filled with a deep, resonant certainty. “Jack may wish to make GRAND entrance—”

Elsa stood slightly apart from the others while they discussed, her eyes fixed on the tempest outside. The storm’s power called to something deep within her, something she recognized and understood. She had created countless storms like this, back in her darker days, when her emotions had been a force she couldn’t control. Here, she’d wanted to be a good guest, so it had been a month since she’d truly put her powers to proper use, out in the relative safety of the deep Antarctic deserts. But this… 

There was a wildness to it, a reckless abandon. This storm wasn’t about emotion. It was—it’s— 

He’s playing!

Just as the words passed through her mind, a voice suddenly piped up behind them, casual and completely out of place in the loud, bustling, tense atmosphere. 

“What are y’all looking at?”

The Guardians turned as one, startled by the unexpected intrusion. There, leaning against a large shepherd’s crook, was someone who could be none other than Jack Frost—his expression one of casual amusement as he took in the scene before him. He had somehow appeared without a sound.

The room, which had been brimming with anticipation, fell into a moment of stunned silence, then burst back into noise and life in the very next breath.

Elsa blinked, her heart still racing from the intensity of the storm and the weight of her expectations. But now, seeing Jack standing there, looking so nonchalant and distant, she didn’t know whether to laugh or feel disappointed. He was lean, with his staff slung over his shoulder, and there was an air of mischief about him, tempered by something darker, something cautious.

North was the first to fully recover, letting out a booming laugh that overpowered the other surprised voices in the room. “Jack, you never fail to surprise us! We were just admiring your WORK outside, no?”

Jack grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “Oh, that? Yeah, just setting the mood.”

Bunny rolled his eyes, though there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “You’re a menace, Frostbite. You know that?”

Jack shrugged, his grin widening. “Just doing my job.”

Elsa felt a strange mix of emotions as she watched the easy banter between Jack and the other Guardians. She realized, perhaps too late, that she had built up this moment in her mind, imagining a dramatic, powerful entrance that would define their first meeting. Instead, she was faced with the reality of Jack Frost: a mischievous, irreverent spirit who seemed to take very little seriously, including the storm he had unleashed.

It was at that moment—in her quiet evaluation, her unexplained disappointment, her curious, lingering hope—that Jack caught her gaze. 

Blue.

The playful expression slipped away, just for a flash; his blue eyes met hers, and she saw something there amidst the lingering laughter—something raw and guarded, something that told her that, like her, he was grappling with his own mixed expectations. 

For a fleeting moment, Elsa’s breath caught in her throat, not just from the intensity of his gaze, but from the unexpected warmth that spread through her, as if she’d been touched by a sudden gust of spring wind.

“Jack, Jack, my boy, come—meet Elsa! Our dear Elsa—this is Jack, our newest Guardian.”

Elsa’s heart leapt into her throat. The room seemed to hold its breath as Jack hesitated—and then he stepped forward, approaching them at the window; Elsa stood patiently at Bunny’s side, watching Jack’s tousled white hair catch the light of the whiteout outside, watching as his blue eyes deliberately scanned the decorations around the room. 

Jack Frost… ?

Elsa waited, patient as a glacier as Jack’s smirking gaze flickered over the gathered Guardians as he reached them, and he saluted North with a deliberately careless air. His smirking gaze lingered on each of them before finally landing on hers. 

“Yeah, I’ve heard a lot about you,” he replied. His tone was not unkind, but deliberately casual. “New Guardian, right? They’ve been talking about you non-stop.”

There was a hint of something sharp in his voice, and Elsa felt a pang of anxiety, which she pushed down; Bunny was covering his muttering face with his hand, and Toothiana was rolling her eyes to the ceiling in dismay—or perhaps prayer. Elsa quickly assessed the crisp stare and the hard line of his jaw; she’d been hoping for warmth, for understanding, but what she found in Jack’s gaze was something closer to suspicion.

Keeping her gaze on his, trying to ease the tension she could feel coiling between them, she softly corrected, “I’m not a Guardian.”

At least, not yet… 

Or so I… 

Elsa felt her chin raise; old habits falling back into place; perfect and pretty and polite, all smooth ice underneath; an effective mask for a Queen.

“I’m here on an invitation,” she said softly, and knew that he would not see the ice daggers in her eyes; not yet, although she was certain he was looking for them. “I’m very grateful to North and all of you for hosting me in honor of this autumnal celebration.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

That is suspicion there, isn’t it? And guardedness… He was trying hard to hide something behind a facade of coolness—some debonair indifference. Elsa recognized the act immediately but played along because there was something else there, too, something that made her heart ache with a familiar loneliness. I’m an ally, she tried to impress upon him through nothing more than the thought. Enough of this!

I could be a friend! 

But then, Toothiana swooped in, her wings fluttering with a cheerful energy that instantly distracted them—if not immediately lifting the mood.

“Well! Isn’t this just the perfect way to spend the Equinox?” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together, drawing their attention away from one another; Elsa was grateful for Toothiana’s quick thinking, her impressive tact. “Jack, I’m sure you’re energized and starving for a glass of eggnog after all that storm-making. Let’s not waste any more time!”

“Uh, did Bunny make it?” 

“What’s it to ya, you little twerp?” Bunny shot back, narrowing his eyes with mock suspicion.

Jack grinned, the tension easing slightly as he fell into what must have been familiar banter. “Just making sure it’s safe, is all. Wouldn’t want our guest of honor to get sick on her first night here.”

“Actually, she’s been here for over a month now—“

Elsa watched the exchange (Jack was rolling his eyes) with a mixture of amusement and relief and… unease. (Toothiana’s interruption had indeed worked wonders, shifting the focus away from the awkwardness of their initial encounter and giving everyone, including herself, a chance to breathe.)

(And yet… the warmth of the room contrasted sharply with the chill still clinging to her thoughts.)

As they all moved toward the dining room, Elsa fell in step beside Toothiana, grateful for the other Guardians’ subtle (for once!) alliance and support. She marveled at how, even two centuries since her last political summit, Elsa still remembered every step of walking into a political negotiation; Elsa knew how to navigate delicate situations, how to read the subtlest shifts in tone, how to win.

Elsa had always been a fine Reader of the Room; centuries of invisibility had only strengthened her skills. 

And so the Trial begins…

This first impression was a test—one she intended to pass.

//

And although Jack started to relax once they were all seated and well into the evening—his guarded expression giving way to something more genuine as he bantered with Bunny and teased North about his over-the-top decorations—the knots in Elsa’s stomach remained. 

How could she make him see that she wasn’t here to replace him—but to find her own place among them?

The Guardians fell into their usual rhythm as they ate and laughed together, the conversation flowing (mostly) easily between them. Elsa, too, had found her own rhythm with the Guardians during her month-long stay, understanding certain inside jokes and the fascinating nuances of their personalities. But even as she joined in their laughter, the tension between her and Jack was palpable, thicker than the winter storm raging outside.

She observed how Jack's eyes flicked between her and the other Guardians, his smile not quite reaching his eyes as he noted instances of the easy familiarity she had developed with them over the previous weeks. He joked along with everyone else, but there was a sharpness to his tone, occasionally—and it seemed that all the other Guardians could clearly tell, even if they were choosing to ignore it with varying degrees of patience… and understanding. 

Elsa could feel him measuring every word she said, every laugh she shared with the others. It wasn’t just that she was new or unfamiliar—it was that she had quickly become a part of something that Jack had spent years, perhaps centuries, building with them.

All of the Guardians’ assurances and encouragement over the past month had not hinted at the true nature of their concern; Elsa realized quite quickly that this rift wasn’t something that could be resolved with pleasantries or polite conversation.   

Winning his trust wouldn’t come easily—it would demand more than just time; it would require something deeper.

//

Later that night, after everyone had retired to their quarters or gone out for their evenings of work, Elsa found herself wandering the halls of North’s Workshop, her mind a whirl of thoughts and emotions, as was her wont.

The evening had not exactly gone to plan, but she supposed it could have been worse. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Jack still viewed her as a threat. It bothered her more than she cared to admit. She’d need to discuss it with Toothiana tomorrow. Perhaps they might lend me a snow globe?

As she rounded a corner, headed toward the snow globe Reminder gallery, she nearly collided with Jack himself—who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. He was leaning casually against the wall, his staff resting on his shoulder, but there was a tension in his posture that belied his relaxed demeanor. 

He’d been waiting for her.

“Jack,” she said, startled but keeping her voice steady; once more, familiar, old-fashioned patterns of politeness resurfaced in her moment of uncertainty. “I beg your pardon. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

He didn’t respond immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. “Could say the same about you. Can’t sleep?”

Elsa hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “Just... thinking. It’s been a lot to take in.”

Jack nodded, though he didn’t seem entirely convinced. He pushed himself off the wall and took a step closer, his expression unreadable. “You know, everyone seems pretty excited about you joining us. North, Bunny, even Tooth—they all think you’d be a great addition.”

She could hear the ‘but’ hanging in the air, unspoken but heavy between them; the way addition sounded like replacement. 

Elsa squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on. There was an intensity in his eyes, a challenge that sent a shiver down her spine, though she quickly attributed it to the cold. “Jack, I’m not here to replace you.”

The words hung in the air, sharp and clear. For a moment, Jack’s expression flickered, something vulnerable and upset flashing in his eyes before he quickly masked it with a smirk. “Who said anything about that?”

“No one—listen to me, I know you’re worried,” Elsa continued, refusing to let him deflect. “But you have no need to be. I’m not here to take your place. I’m here because…” Why am I here? “I was invited. I am simply getting to know you all better. I’ve been alone for some time.”

“Spare me the politicking,” Jack huffed, which, indeed, Elsa did take offense to. Especially since she genuinely had not been trying to be diplomatic; just careful.

Perhaps he didn’t believe her story… about being alone?

The idea was more painful than she expected.

Elsa’s eyes narrowed slightly, holding Jack’s gaze.  “I’m not here to play games, Jack. I’m just looking for where I might belong—that is all.”

“Will you take the Oath, then? What’s your center?”

Elsa couldn’t explain it, but this struck her as an absurdly personal question. Still. She could recognize a caged animal when she saw one. So, Elsa took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his question press down on her. The idea of the Oath, of finding her center, had been something she had pondered endlessly since she’d learned of its existence—perhaps since her arrival, if she was being honest. But to be confronted with it so directly by Jack, someone who still seemed to see her as a rival, made it all the more daunting.

“I’m not sure,” she finally admitted, her voice quiet but steady. “I’ve been... trying to understand what it would mean for me to take the Oath, to become a Guardian.” She willed him to understand, at last. “It’s not something I want to rush into without being certain.”

Jack’s gaze remained fixed on her, his blue eyes sharp, but there was a flicker of something softer there—a recognition, perhaps, of the honesty in her words. “And your center?” he pressed. “Do you even know what it is yet?”

Elsa hesitated again, her thoughts swirling. A long time ago, she had known who she was, what she was meant to do. She’d thought so. 

But after everything she had been through, all the loss, the isolation, and the rediscovery, she wasn’t sure if her center was what it once had been.

“Perhaps I might have, once,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “But now... Regardless of whether or not I join you, I’d like to think that there is something at the core of why I am still here.”

“In the Workshop?”

“No, I mean… I mean here.”

Jack tilted his head, studying her with a mix of curiosity and caution. Something told her that she finally got through to him, just a little. Elsa felt herself feeling sympathy for him; even after becoming a Guardian, he was still filled with such… 

Fear. 

Doubt. 

He didn’t respond immediately, his expression unreadable. For a brief, startling moment, she wondered what it would be like to stand by his side, to take the Oath together—as allies, as... something more? 

She brushed the thought aside, but the idea lingered, persistent. 

Then, finally, he let out a small, almost reluctant sigh. “It’s not easy, you know. Being a Guardian. Finding your center. It’s... it’s not something you just, like, stumble upon.”

“I understand,” Elsa said, her tone sincere. “But if there’s a chance that this is where I’m meant to be—then I’m willing to take that risk. I’m not interested in taking that away from you. You—you haven’t even seen what I can do yet! We don’t even know how much overlap we’d find in our powers, anyway!”

“You impressed Bunny in Antartica,” he practically accused. “That’s enough to say something, isn’t it?”

Elsa was trying her very best to remain steady and calm. “And what about you? What did it take for you to find your center?”

His eyes snapped back to hers, and for a moment, she saw something raw and unguarded in his gaze. “So they didn’t tell you everything, huh?”

She gaped at him. Honestly! 

Elsa took a deep breath, steadying herself as she met Jack's gaze. "Jack, you’re being ridiculous. I’m not here to steal anything from you—certainly not your place among the Guardians. I haven’t even decided if—I don’t know if—“

“I already know you’re gonna join us,” he said, almost in a whisper, as if admitting something he hadn’t wanted to face.

“Oh?” Elsa raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious. “And what makes you so sure?”

Jack hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching hers, and then, with a passion she hadn’t expected, he replied, “Because there’s nothing better. There’s nothing like it. It’s everything.”

Elsa was stunned by the raw intensity of his words, the conviction in his voice. She could see it in his eyes—this was more than just a responsibility, more than just a role for him. It was his purpose, his identity—his life, or whatever this agelessness was. For a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle with something unspoken, a deep understanding that went beyond words.

She felt her heart skip a beat, a strange mixture of emotions swirling within her—curiosity, admiration, and something else, something unfamiliar. Her pulse quickened. 

Jack seemed to realize the weight of his words, and he quickly looked away, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “Wait. I... I’m sorry for how I’ve been acting,” he said, his voice softer now, more hesitant. “I guess I’ve been... on edge, and I took it out on you. That wasn’t fair.”

Still shocked by how deeply his declaration affected her, how his passion stirred something within her that she hadn’t felt in a long time, Elsa softened at his apology, nodding slightly. “I… understand. And I accept your apology. I appreciate… you saying that. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to come home and see someone new in the middle of it all.”

Elsa thought she heard him laugh under his breath, mouthing the word Home—

Jack nodded, his shoulders relaxing just a bit. “Yeah... it is. Anyway.  I’m tired. I think I’m gonna call it a night.”

Elsa watched him start to turn away, a sudden sense of urgency bubbling up inside her. “Jack, wait—”

He paused, glancing back at her, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. They were so wide, when they weren’t glaring! 

“Shouldn’t we start over?” she asked, her voice gentler, almost tentative in her rush. She extended her hand toward him. “My name is Elsa. I happen to wield ice magic. E. Aster Bunnymund found me on an iceberg a few weeks ago as I was in the middle of creating a particularly notable blizzard, and he invited me to meet his friends, whom he loves and respects very much.”

Jack looked at her hand, then back at her face, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. Slowly, a smirk crawled over his face. 

“Alright, I’ll bite,” Jack floated closer, and Elsa held steady—stories or no stories, she had not been prepared to see him fly! “I’m Jack. I also happen to ‘wield’ ice and frost magic. Bunny did not find me on an iceberg, but I’m pretty sure he’d love to stick me in one. Nice to meet you, Elsa, who promises not to steal my spot on the A-team. Welcome to the madness,” and he reached out and took her hand in his, giving it a firm shake. 

The moment their hands touched, a strange, electric current seemed to pass between them, and Elsa felt her breath hitch in her throat.

Oh—

He’s—he’s rather handsome, she realized with a start.

They held each other’s gaze for a moment longer than necessary, the air between them thick with something she could not, would not name. 

Jack was the first to break the silence, his voice a little rougher than before. “Yeah... maybe we should—”

They let go of each other’s hands, but the sensation of his touch lingered, warm and unsettling. Elsa felt a flush creep up her cheeks, unsure of what to make of the emotions swirling inside her.

“Uh—goodnight, Elsa."

“Goodnight, Jack,” she replied, her voice steadier than she felt.

And with that, he turned and disappeared back into the shadows of the corridor, leaving Elsa standing alone in the soft glow of the snow globe gallery. She watched him go, a mix of hope and uncertainty swirling in her chest. The conversation had been difficult, but it had also been a step forward—a tentative, fragile step toward something more. Right?

As she turned back to her quarters, Elsa found herself tracing the line of his smirk in her mind, the curve of his jaw, the sharpness of his eyes—after weeks of wondering about what he might look like, might be like, she finally had the vision, the Memory of his face.

She rushed with the ornate door handle of her guest room, eager to be inside her room, alone, in the peace and quiet, and finally process the events of the evening, to reflect on all that she'd learned, she'd accomplished, she'd proved.

Exhausted by the sheer weight of so many careful decisions in so short a time, Elsa closed the door behind her with a deep sigh. Exhausted, yes, but also satisfied. She shut her eyes as she leaned against the back of the door and allowed herself a small, tentatively victorious grin, content in the knowledge that when she drifted off to sleep that night, the echoes of their meeting, their tentative truce would fill her mind; this moment gave her, indeed, a sense of Hope that she hadn’t felt in years...

But, in her mind, the Memory that lingered most vividly, as she tossed and turned—was his face. 

//

ao3 ✨

[marlynnofmany]

Small Noises

The air was warm, the breeze smelled of spicy alien flowers, the sun was a comforting Earthlike brightness, and something kept making a popping noise that was slowly driving me mad.

I tried to figure it out. The hoversled that Mur and I sat waiting on was inert and parked. There was no cargo on it because the client was late (thus the waiting). Our ship lay behind us on a relatively quiet landing pad, with crewmates bustling around inside and a variety of locals going about their own business at some distance.

The door to our ship was closed. Maybe it was something from another ship? I turned my head back and forth, trying to pinpoint the direction.

Mur noticed, glancing up from where he was idly braiding his tentacles like a particularly arts-and-crafts-inclined dark blue squid. “Something wrong?” He sounded like he was hoping I’d say yes, because it would mean something to do.

“I’m trying to tell where that sound is coming from,” I told him, cupping a hand to one ear. Of course it stopped when I was actively trying to find it.

“What sound?” Mur asked.

“The little popping noise,” I said. “It happens every few seconds. I thought maybe it’s that ship over there, but I don’t know.”

“This noise?” Mur separated his tentacles and lay one against the deck of the hoversled, popping it upward with a suction-cup smack.

“It was you??” I spread my hands in exasperation. “I was trying to see which ship engine was making the weird cooldown noises, or maybe somebody on this spaceport chews bubblegum!”

“Nope,” he said cheerfully, popping a different tentacle even louder this time.

Shaking my head, I pulled my lips in and made a popping sound with my mouth. I’d meant it to be a frivolous imitation, but Mur gave me a sharp look.

“You do know that’s a swear word, right?”

“Ha! No, I didn’t.” I grinned. “Good to know.”

Still visibly bored, Mur lined up two tentacles against each other and separated them in a cascade of sound like undersea popcorn. “Bet you can’t do that.”

“You’re right,” I said. “But I can do this.” I breathed on my palms and squished them together in a respectable imitation of squeaky flatulence. Third-grade me would have been proud.

“That’s not a swear,” Mur said.

“Probably for the best,” I told him. “Humans have been known to make that sound accidentally, and I can just imagine the diplomatic kerfuffles that it could lead to.”

Mur twirled a tentacle in assent. “Like we need more of those.”

I thought of another one. “Hey, I know you can’t do this.” I pressed one long fingernail against another, letting it snap back with a tiny click. “This only works when I need to trim my nails.” I snapped away in a flurry of clicks.

“Well, yeah,” Mur said. “You’ve got more hard parts to hit against each other than I do.”

“True.”

“Good thing there are no Mesmers here to put us to shame,” he said. “With all their clicky bits.”

I nodded, picturing the mantislike species that came in wild colors with egos to match. “Yeah, they’d definitely win the clicky-tappy competition. You know, I bet they’d make amazing tapdancers. I should ask Zhee if that’s already a thing.”

“Or you could ask these guys,” Mur said, standing abruptly.

I looked up to see an irritated-looking procession of Mesmers towing their own hoversled in our directions, loaded with shipping crates. There were many taps, clicks, and hissing grumbles.

I did not ask the late clients about tapdancing. Mur and I simply accepted the delivery with patience and grace, making sure everything was accounted for and all payments were squared away, promising that we would do everything in our power to get the crates to their destination in the agreed-upon time frame or better.

The clients agreed in a huff, leaving with a flair of red and bronze limbs, still muttering. Some of it was barely-veiled insults that they clearly didn’t care if we overheard.

I didn’t say anything as they clicked away. Neither did Mur.

But I did swear in his language once they were out of earshot.

~~~

The ongoing backstory adventures of the main character from this book. More to come!

[plutoccult]

HAIKYUU X THE OFFICE AU — EPISODE SEVEN: VALENTINE’S DAY

pairing: sugawara koushi x female reader

description: it’s valentine’s day at the office, and you hope for it to be one you’ll never forget. however, everyone seems to be having a better holiday than you.

word count: 4.9k

also available to read on my ao3 here

author’s note: tis the valentine’s episode! plus, it’s episode seven of this au, which is also my favorite number. i wanted to make sure i had this out in time for valentine’s day, so i was really cranking out episodes like a madman. sorry for the content overload! i’ve been looking forward to writing this episode for awhile, and i really wanted to make something cute rather than something absolutely soul crushing (lmao BOOZE CRUISE), so i hope you enjoy it just as much as i enjoyed writing it. happy early valentine’s, everyone! <3

tags: @toorubobatea @intorder @dragon-slayer5 @femme-lune @jeanboyjean @cowgirlikets @darthferbert @kazuchaos @bakagun1312 @beingbrokenfitsus @mumblepingu @daedaep69 @intheewrld @msbyomimi @sukxma @akari-fujikawa @milkteeboba @5sos-wdw @todorokiskitten @intheewrld

taglist form here

as weird as it sounded, you loved spending valentine’s day at the office. it felt like elementary school where you’d share little treats with your classmates. you were notorious for bringing in a box of valentine’s themed candy back in the day, and you lived up to that reputation even now. this year, it was valentine’s fun dip, your favorite.

you’ve spent valentine’s day as an engaged woman for quite a few years now, but you felt this year would be different now that you were less than four months away from your wedding. however, you and ryo promised each other not to go too crazy when it came to gifts. you were trying to save up as much money as possible before your big day. still, you hoped he would put in some effort.

you watched a delivery man enter the office with a big bouquet of red roses. could they be for you? you sure hoped so. you had never received such a bouquet like this before.

the delivery man placed the bouquet on top of your desk. you stand up and read the envelope that came with the bouquet to see who it’s for—hoping it’s for you—but alas, it’s for someone else.

“yachi.” you sigh. it shouldn’t be a surprise, but you couldn’t help but feel some sort of disappointment. still, you had all day to get a gift. you just had to be patient, although that will be a difficult task for you. you don’t even know how you’ve been so patient just for a simple wedding date.

yachi stood from her desk to receive her roses, practically skipping over as she was filled with joy. you look over to see a smile on yamaguchi’s face as he watched her pick up the bouquet, and you could immediately assume they were from him.

“wow, yachi. that bouquet is bigger than your head.” hinata said in amazement.

“i know!” yachi exclaimed. “quick, grab the card and read it out for me.”

“okay…” hinata obeyed, plucking the envelope out of the array of roses and opening up the card. he quickly read it over in his head before reading it out loud. “happy valentine’s day, buttercup. love, yamaguchi.”

“aw, yams!” she cooed. yamaguchi’s cheeks quickly turned pink. “you’re the sweetest.”

you groan as yachi ran over to yamaguchi and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before returning to her desk. they were adorable, you’d give them that, but man. you were already growing impatient.

“hey, y/n. why the sour face?” ukai asked you as he walked up to your desk. were you giving away your bitterness just by the look on your face? no, maybe you just had RSF or something. resting sour face is a thing, right?

“what?” you jump and place your hand over your heart. you really hoped no one else noticed anything off with you. “nothing, nothing. i’m fine.”

“well, i’m heading to tokyo for that meeting soon.” ukai said. right, the meeting. you remembered informing him a couple weeks ago about a meeting in tokyo with other branch managers and the new CFO of the company. you sure hoped he wouldn’t mess it all up. “want any touristy merch? keychain? t-shirt you’ll never let see the light of day?”

“no, i’m good.” you reply. what you really wanted was for ryo to blow you away with a valentine’s gift already.

“ugh, lame.” ukai rolled his eyes. “you want anything, tsukki? i bet they have weird dinosaur crap or something.”

“i’d prefer it if you didn’t do anything stupid in front of the new CFO.” tsukishima said. you were sure everyone was hoping for that.

“what? of course i’m not gonna do anything stupid.” ukai scoffed. “what do you think i am, an idiot?”

“yes, yes i do.” tsukishima deadpanned.

“well, no dinosaur crap for you.” ukai huffed like a child. “tanaka, you’re in charge.”

oh god, this was a match made in hell. why ukai decided to make a decision so randomly like that, you didn’t know, but he could’ve picked anyone else in the office and no one would’ve had a problem with it.

“woah, why him? why not me or suga?” daichi protested. “i’ve proven to be a good leader! i won you that stupid volleyball match with the warehouse guys! suga even took a volleyball to the face thanks to y/n’s fiancé!”

“woah, let’s not drag me into this—” suga began to say. he didn’t want to have to think about that again, nor did he want any extra responsibilities today. suga just wanted a relaxing day.

funny enough, ukai almost forgot about that happening. it felt so long ago, but it only happened in the fall. maybe he should reconsider his choices. “oh yeah… i change my mind. daichi, you’re in charge now.”

“god dammit!” tanaka whined. at least he had his fifteen seconds of glory.

“see ya, bozos!” ukai cackled on his way out.

as soon as the door shut behind him, you all let out a sigh of relief. maybe today wouldn’t so bad without ukai around.

•••

“i’m pretty glad ukai’s not here, actually.” suga confessed without hesitation. you sat next to him, hurriedly nodding in agreement.

“we were all thinking it.” you add on to suga’s statement.

“yeah, i don’t have to worry about him on my back over my love life on a day all about love.” he chuckled. maybe he shouldn’t have said that out loud, but ukai’s absence was a massive relief and breath of fresh air.

“why would he be on your back?” you furrow your eyebrows.

crap. “oh, you know… he’s ukai. he’s always on our backs.”

“yeah, you’re right.” you shrug.

suga was thankful you brushed off any suspicions. that was definitely a close one, especially given recent events.

•••

everyone went on with their day as normal, although some found it odd they weren’t being bombarded or borderline harassed by ukai for once. was it opposite day? no, it was valentine’s day. a weird one, it seemed.

after grabbing a cup of coffee, tanaka returned to his desk. a mysterious package sat next to his keyboard, which wasn’t there before. he looked at the plain, suspicious box in confusion, tilting his head as he tried making sense of it all.

“suga, what’s this?” tanaka questioned, hoping suga would have an answer.

“i don’t know.” he shrugged, which wasn’t the answer tanaka wanted to hear. “it’s yours, not mine.”

“but who put it here?” tanaka asked.

“it was already there when i sat down. just open it and see what’s up.” suga said.

“fine…” tanaka groaned before he reached for scissors and fumbled with opening the box. it took a minute, but he managed to get the job done. inside the box was a card, underneath an unknown item covered in tissue paper. who knows what it could possibly be?

“happy valentine’s day. love, your secret admirer—” tanaka’s jaw dropped to the floor. “holy F*CK! a secret admirer?!”

“i’m not even gonna scold you on censoring yourself.” suga rolled his eyes. he’s had his fair share of dropping bombs on camera too, he surely wasn’t innocent either.

“my word… now i gotta see what’s inside.” tanaka ripped away the tissue paper and picked up a bobble head that resembled him. he instantly loved it upon first sight, but if only tanaka knew who gifted it to him. “it's me… i'm the bobble head. nice!”

from afar, a soft grin crept up on kiyoko’s face, which went unnoticed by everyone in the office. could it be?

•••

“someone in this office has the hots for me and all i know is that it better not be tsukishima.” tanaka said as he stared down the camera. “i mean, i get it, i’m a catch! but why be anonymous with your love? secret admirer, show yourself!”

it was hilarious how tanaka was blind to the only true possibility to the identity of his secret admirer, but the documentary crew would let him take the time to figure it out while filming some television gold in the process.

•••

rather than doing work, nishinoya decided to use his time at the office to make plans for later. asahi was in on nishinoya’s plans, only because he begged him to, allowing his much smaller coworker to do all the talking, starting with suga and tanaka.

“hey, suga.” nishinoya leaned against suga’s desk. “you doin’ anything for valentine’s day?”

suga almost wanted to laugh maniacally. of course, he wasn’t doing anything today. he was pathetically single and had no eyes for other women. saeko was nice, but she was only friend material in suga’s eyes. at least he gained a friend out of that mess from the booze cruise, but tonight? suga planned to be all alone.

“heh, no.” he forced a subtle laugh, holding back on making a mockery out of his pathetic love life. “definitely not.”

“well, me and asahi are going on a bar crawl later. you’re definitely welcome to join.” nishinoya said.

a bar crawl? it didn’t sound like a terrible idea, but suga was worried about who would be attending. “i sure hope hinata isn’t invited. dude cannot handle his alcohol.”

“yeah, i bet kageyama will put a stop to that.” nishinoya chuckled. he didn’t even want to attempt to invite them, really. “so, you in?”

“um…” suga looked over at you. you’re oblivious to his stare as you’re on the phone with someone. of course he stood no chance, so suga quickly looked away to answer nishinoya. “yeah, i’m in.”

“sick! i’ll text you the details.” nishinoya replied. “tanaka, you know you’re always welcome.”

“i don’t know, noya. i might be occupied with a special someone tonight.” tanaka said as he leaned back against his chair, his arms behind his head. totally not for the purpose of showing off his biceps.

“oh, really? with who?” nishinoya questioned.

“oh, boy…” suga groaned. the poor guy had been dealing with tanaka over the moon thanks to this whole secret admirer thing all day so far. if there were a drinking game to take a shot every time tanaka mentioned his secret admirer, suga would be dead by alcohol poisoning already.

“my secret admirer.” tanaka smirked. if only suga had a shot to down right now.

“yeah, okay.” nishinoya scoffed, walking away from what has now become a foolish conversation.

tanaka stood from his desk defiantly, slamming his hands down as he yelled at nishinoya. “my secret admirer is real and i’m going to figure out who it is by the end of the day!”

everyone looked up to watch tanaka’s random outburst, rolling their eyes before getting back to work. suga snickered as a result, receiving a glare from tanaka. as if that guy ever scared him anyway.

nishinoya walked over to kiyoko next, the sound of her name escaping his mouth catching the attention of tanaka. “hey, kiyoko. you doing anything later?”

“um, actually i might have other plans…” she replied timidly.

“okay, that’s cool. have fun.” he said, finding nothing about her response to be suspicious. she was a pretty girl, why wouldn’t she have plans?

however, a light bulb lit up above tanaka’s head. could it really be the woman of his dreams who sent him the mystery package? nah, tanaka figured he was just reaching for the stars. there was just no way.

moments later, a different delivery man walked in with an arrangement of various flowers. just what you needed to see again. it was easy to figure out who they were for, and the card had proven your guess right.

“yachi, guess what?” you call out for her, hiding your jealousy.

“again?” yachi questioned, her puzzled face turning into an overjoyed one upon seeing a new bouquet just for her. “aw, yams, you didn’t have to!”

“rub it our faces, why don’t ya…” you grumble to yourself as yachi took her flowers back to her desk. did she really need another?

•••

“i’m okay! i’m okay, i swear.” you say, your eye twitching as you lie your ass off. “i’m totally not jealous about yachi getting two bouquets already and we’re only halfway through the day.”

“um, i think—”

“i’ll take just a single rose! i don’t care! something! anything!” you exclaim. you had truly gone mad, and the crew was better off leaving you be with your madness.

•••

later, tanaka found kiyoko in the break room making a cup of coffee. he didn’t even want coffee, he just wanted to do some investigating. tanaka just had to know if there was any chance of his dream girl harboring at least a little crush on him. he’d take anything at this point.

“hello, kiyoko.” he said. did that come off creepy? tanaka instantly regretted the delivery of his greeting, that’s for sure.

“hi, tanaka.” kiyoko replied. “i’ll be done in a second.”

“no, no. take your time.” tanaka insisted.

he watched intently as kiyoko made her coffee, grabbing vanilla flavored creamer—her favorite—from the fridge. tanaka always knew she poured it for exactly four seconds before putting in only one sugar packet. as kiyoko always said, the creamer was sweet enough.

“did you hear?” tanaka spoke up. kiyoko looked over to him to see what he had to say. she seemed to be as cool as a cucumber. “i got the best valentine’s day present ever and i don’t even know who it’s from.”

“yeah, we all heard you screaming about a secret admirer.” she giggled. “i’m glad you enjoyed your gift though.”

“oh, i did. i sure did.” tanaka replied with smirk. “did you get anything for valentine’s day?”

“just some candy.” kiyoko said. “y/n saved a blue fun dip specifically for me.”

damn, tanaka got stuck with red. but that wasn’t the point. he had to press the current matter further. “nothing special?”

“nope, i don’t usually get anything big for valentine’s day.” she shrugged.

“maybe this year will be different.” tanaka said, trying his best to come off a little flirty, but in a cool way. he wanted to be the man for her so bad.

“well, i sure hope it is.” kiyoko smiled, tanaka instantly blushing.

tanaka stood as kiyoko left the room with her mug. he didn’t really get any clues from that conversation, but it was worth it anyway because he at least he got to talk to her.

when he returned to his desk a minute later, a note appeared on his desk, just as mysterious as his gift from earlier. “suga? you know anything about this?”

“nope.” suga replied.

“typical.” tanaka scoffed as he picked up the note and read it aloud. “meet me in front of the warehouse at 5:30…”

woah. now things were really getting spicy in here. it was truly tanaka’s lucky day.

while tanaka tried analyzing the handwriting of the note over and over, a sudden commotion in the form of a delivery man struggling through the door with an oversized teddy bear on his back ruined tanaka’s concentration.

“god damn!” he exclaimed. tanaka definitely took the words right out of everyone’s mouths, yours included.

“yachi… hitoka.” the delivery man said out of breath, letting the teddy bear flop to the ground.

“uh… yachi?” you say to catch her attention. it shouldn’t even be a shock at this point. maybe you should blame tsukishima for forcing yamaguchi and yachi to confess their mutual crushes on each other months ago. all that teasing wasn’t enough, apparently.

“what—” yachi turned around. she immediately rushed out of her chair and leaped into the arms of the giant stuffed animal. “oh my god, i love it!”

you gently hit your head against the keyboard. no one seemed to notice your misery.

•••

“i officially give up on valentine’s day.” you let out a loud groan. the crew wondered if the sounds of your agony could be heard from the conference room. unfortunately, it did.

•••

the work day went back to normal, although yachi’s desk was littered with oversized gifts now. daichi couldn’t even see her face behind her computer screen anymore as her desk was crowded with bouquets and cards from yamaguchi. he truly outdid himself, even you couldn’t deny that. your jealousy still lingered, but at least yachi was happy.

without ukai around, you were glad to have a conversation with suga without the two of you being bothered. as he ate the fun dip you gave him earlier—only your most favorite people got the blue flavor—you recall a story from your junior high days.

“this kid gives him the twenty bucks and he actually snorts the pixy stix powder.” you say, detailing the end of your story.

“god, his poor nose…” suga cringed, although an idea popped into his mind. “hm, i wonder if i could snort this fun dip.”

“oh god, don’t!” you beg, grabbing his hand so he couldn’t do anything stupid. suga practically felt his heart jump out of his chest from the sudden contact, even if you didn’t seem to think anything of it. “i can’t lose you to silly candy.”

“it’s yummy though.” he grinned, swiftly moving on from the touch of your fingers grazing against his own, no matter how much he didn’t want to.

“yeah, on your tongue, not up your nose, dummy.” you scold him.

the two of you burst into laughter, the laugh fest interrupted by tanaka walking up to your desk. it seemed quite serious given his demeanor. “y/n. hi, how ya doing?”

“oh, hey—”

“good.” he cut you off. how rude. “listen, uh, may i speak with you... privately?”

“i’m kinda in the middle of a conversation…” you say, looking over to suga.

“y/n.” tanaka stared you down. he always did this when he was trying to get something he wanted. you knew him long enough to recognize the look.

“don’t give me that look, tanaka.” you cross your arms. “you don’t hold authority over me.”

“y/n, please just...” tanaka tilted his head, motioning for you to speak to him in another room. he really seemed desperate.

“do i have to?” you whine.

“love is on the line, dammit!” he yelled out, mayhaps a little too loud, but now you had no choice but to oblige.

“okay, okay!” you stand up from your chair. “let’s go then. sorry, suga.”

suga insisted it was no problem, but you still felt a little bad for cutting off your conversation like this. you and tanaka then walk out of the office and head into an empty hallway. if this was over nothing that important, you were going to be pissed.

“what is it that’s so urgent?” you ask tanaka.

“you’re a girl.” he said plainly. what a great start.

“well, unless my whole life has been a lie—”

“y/n. please.” tanaka interrupted, a pleading look in his eyes.

“sorry.” you say quietly.

“do you… recognize this handwriting at all?” he asked, taking out a card and folded note from his pocket. “it’s from my secret admirer.”

so that’s what this was about. you weren’t sure what tanaka wanted your help for so bad, but you figured it wouldn’t hurt to try and help him. “i guess i can take a look.”

tanaka handed you the notes and you inspect them carefully. it didn’t take you that long to figure out whose handwriting this belonged to. for you, it was clear as day.

“tanaka?”

“yeah?”

without saying another word, you smack him across the face, the sound of the slap echoing throughout the hallway. did your coworkers managed to hear that from inside the office? you sure hoped so. it was so satisfying, and the crew ate up the drama. this was peak television right here.

“what the heck was that for?!” tanaka yelled as his face now stung like hell. “i oughta file a complaint!”

“you’re such an idiot! it’s so obvious who wrote these!” you yelled back, forcing the notes back into his hands.

“well, who?!” he asked.

you purse your lips and cross your arms. you were going to play the petty game. “i’m not saying.”

“please, i’m begging!” tanaka exclaimed. “don’t make me get on my knees.”

“actually, i’d love to see that.” you say. if anyone was going to threaten you with a good time, then you’d accept it happily.

tanaka did exactly as he said he would, getting down on his knees as he gripped the sleeves of your sweater. this instantly made up for the shitty day you’ve had so far.

“y/n, please tell me whose handwriting this belongs to.” he begged.

his desperation was almost adorable. you knew who he wanted to be the person behind everything today. while you didn’t want to totally give away the surprise, you would be glad to give a hint and hope tanaka figured it out in enough time.

“all i’ll say is you better buy this person a lot of tenmusu later.” you tell him, hoping that served as a suitable clue.

“tenmusu…” tanaka tried thinking, but couldn’t come up with anything. “who the heck likes tenmusu?!”

“you know.” you smirk as you walk away. at least you could help someone else be happy today.

you walk back into the office by yourself. suga, now sitting at his desk, looked at you with a raised eyebrow. “what was that about?”

you eye tanaka as he walked back in, rubbing over your handprint on his cheek. you look over to kiyoko who doesn’t notice you’re looking at her nor that you’re aware of her secret identity.

“i’m cupid, biyotch.”

•••

it took tanaka five minutes to figure out who in this office likes tenmusu. he felt like he was on cloud nine if your hint was actually for real.

“could it… could it really be?” he questioned, almost in a love-filled daze. “if it’s really who i think it is, then i hope this dream never ends.”

•••

just what you needed to see, another delivery man. at least it wasn’t anything lavish this time, nor was it for yachi. it was merely a potted plant and a simple card. you would be glad to sign for the delivery man.

you walk over to kiyoko, yamaguchi, and tsukishima’s desks and place the plant in front of tsukishima, the receiver of said plant. “tsukki, it’s for you.”

“please don’t let it be from my mom…” he opened up the card. yeah, it was from his mom. “dammit.”

“haha, lonely, lonely tsukki once again.” yamaguchi laughed at him.

“shut up.” tsukishima rolled his eyes. “you’ve been around me too much, yamaguchi…”

“just be glad you got something today.” you say to him before heading back to your desk. when you return, ryo walked in. hopefully, he finally has the gift you’ve been waiting for all day.

“hey, babe.” he said as he leaned against your desk, watching as you sat down. “you almost ready to go? i’m gonna get the car warmed up.”

you look around. everything was filed in the right places, there weren’t any emails, and nobody was calling. there was nothing else for you to do, but you sure were bummed to have wasted your whole day mindlessly doing office work without any joy or pep in your step. “i guess, yeah.”

“what's wrong?” ryo asked, noticing you looked quite down. you know it’s bad if even he notices.

“nothing, it's just that i had to sit here all day while yachi got like an entire hallmark store delivered to her.” you say, letting out your frustrations. ryo wasn’t exactly the best person to go to when it came to your problems, but you hoped he’d just listen.

“what, are you mad at me or something?” he questioned. that wasn’t the point. he never understood the point.

“well, no—”

“then what’s the problem, y/n? i can’t read minds, ya know.” ryo scoffed.

there was no point in telling him what was wrong. he would never understand. could you really be chained to him for life like your families expected of you?

“nothing. it’s nothing.” all you could do is just bite your tongue. you’ve done it so much that it doesn’t even sting anymore.

“well, valentine's day isn't over, babe.” ryo said, trying to cheer you up, but miserably failing. “let’s get you home so i can light a candle and toss some rose petals on the bed or something.”

god. anything but that.

“i just have some things to finish up before i leave.” you lie to him. you just wanted a breather before the dreaded ride home, really.

“yeah, of course.” he replied.

once ryo left, you watch as everyone packed up for the day. tanaka seemed to be stalling his exit in hopes of catching his secret admirer earlier than the planned meetup time, but had no luck. you really wished for the best in his quest for love, especially when the one he wanted for so long.

“happy valentine’s day, y/n.” suga said on his way out.

“yeah, happy valentine’s day.” you reply. suga wouldn’t let you down like this, right? if only things were different. curse the expectations that rest as boulders on your back.

“goodnight, y/n.” yachi said as she and yamaguchi carried out her gifts together. lugging that massive teddy bear seemed to be the biggest struggle of all. at the very least, you didn’t have to deal with that monstrosity.

“night, you two…”

even if your valentine’s day wasn’t what you thought it would be, you hoped someone else—no matter who that may be—had a good day.

•••

(bonus scene)

tanaka waited outside the warehouse, his patience is wavering as it neared the meetup time. he had been dying for this all day, and it felt like time was going slower just for the sake of torturing him.

was this stupid? waiting around here like this? tanaka felt like a total idiot, that’s for sure. part of him almost thought this was one big prank, an insanely cruel one. if it was, then some ass kicking would definitely be in order.

just as tanaka was ready to say “screw it” and leave, his secret admirer finally appeared, the moment he had been waiting for all day. “tanaka.”

you weren’t playing around with your hint, it was kiyoko. come tomorrow, tanaka would give you the biggest hug in the whole world.

“kiyoko? it… it’s you?” he said breathlessly. “you’re my secret admirer?”

“mhm.” kiyoko shyly nodded.

tanaka still felt like he was dreaming. just the possibility felt like one, but knowing now that it truly was real, it was greater than the thought of pigs flying or finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

“why the anonymity?” he asked her. “you know i’d love anything as long as it’s from you. i mean, i asked you to marry me on my first day here, for christ’s sake.”

tanaka almost let out a laugh looking back at the memory of his first day. when he found out kiyoko would be showing him around the office, the words “marry me” slipped out of his mouth upon her introduction, almost like it came naturally. she didn’t seem phased one bit, simply saying “no” and moving on with the office tour as if nothing happened. kiyoko never once made fun of him for it, even if she had every opportunity to.

“i know. it seems so silly, but i just…” kiyoko paused. “i get shy with this kind of thing.”

“what do you mean?” tanaka asked. the moment of truth, he figured.

“i, uh…” instead of saying anything else, kiyoko gripped the collar of tanaka’s shirt and smashed her lips against his. it didn’t take long for him to reciprocate, immediately meshing against her lips. he felt like he was floating, but if anyone were to keep tanaka on the ground, it would always be kiyoko.

when she pulled away, tanaka immediately fell backwards, a loud smack against the pavement. that had to have hurt, but he truly couldn’t feel any pain after such a movie-like kiss.

“tanaka!” kiyoko gasped as she kneeled down to inspect him for any injuries. “are you okay?!”

“never felt better.” tanaka said, a dopey smile on his face. he truly was adorable in her eyes.

kiyoko softly grinned before helping tanaka back to his feet. the touch of her hand holding his finally allowed him to let the reality of the situation sink in; kiyoko actually liked him. no prank, no sick joke, all real. he couldn’t even fathom what he did to deserve such happiness.

“if it wasn’t obvious… i really like you, tanaka.” she said, any nerves she had throughout the day now faded away. “i’m sorry it took so long for me to catch up.”

“i’m just glad you made it.” he replied, tears forming in his eyes, all from pure joy.

tanaka leaned in to kiss kiyoko, finding solace with his arms around her waist as she wrapped hers around his neck. they kissed again, and again, and again, all without a care in the world. if tanaka could stay like this forever, he would. it felt safer this way.

“you wanna get some tenmusu?” tanaka asked as he pulled away.

“that’s my favorite.” kiyoko replied. “how’d you know?”

“a little birdie told me.” he shrugged, that birdie being you.

for tanaka, this was the best valentine’s day of his entire life. plus, nishinoya was certainly going to lose his mind when he found out about this. there’s truly nothing better than the girl he loved from the start finally feeling the same way.

© plutoccult / 310802. please do not copy, repost, modify, or translate any of my content in or outside of tumblr. reblogs are appreciated <3

[riveroftales]

:+:-・:+:-・𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍:+:-・:+:-

ᴛᴀᴛᴛᴏᴏ ᴀʀᴛɪsᴛ ɢɪʏᴜᴜ x ғᴇᴍ! ғʟᴏʀɪsᴛ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

𝘾𝙒! 𝖦𝗂𝗒𝗎𝗎'𝗌 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝖺𝖿𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖿𝗂𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖻𝖺𝗍𝗍𝗅𝖾

“Hello!” You smiled as you walked in the tattoo parlour, holding a box. “I have a delivery?”

“Oh! Hi!” A pretty girl with one tatted arm of a swarm of butterflies smiled back. “Are those the African Violets?”

“Mhm! Got 5 small pots in it, just as requested.”

“Thank you so much! You can leave them on the counter, and I believe the manager already paid?”

You listened to the girl, gently dropping the box near the register.

“Eh? I was told I’d be paid in person after I delivered it.”

“Ah, I see! Please wait for a bit then, I’ll go get the manager.”

You nodded as the girl walked away. Looking around, you took in the sight of the parlour. The whole place was kept neat and you saw a few bottles of tattoo ink.

Looking at the posters on the wall, you wondered if you could also get one.

What would it be?

As cliche as it was, you wanted a flower tattoo. A pretty flower of any kind.

There are a lot of pretty flowers.

“Hello.” A man emerged from the back.

But he’s prettier than flowers.

“Kocho, the girl you saw here, reminded me about the payment.” There wasn’t an expression present on his face, but his demeanour was soft.

“It’s fine. Honestly, things like this happen.” You smiled softly.

The man cleared his throat.

“How much is it?”

“$30.”

“Do you take credit?”

You nodded as you took your phone out.

“Yup! Just scan this and we’ll be good to go!”

He unlocked his own phone before scanning the QR code you put up on your screen.

“Thank you for your purchase!”

You sprayed the small bonsai tree on your windowsill with a spray bottle, humming along to the soft music you were playing in the back. The door opened.

“Oh! Welcome!” You smiled warmly to the customer, just for a blush to rise to your face.

The handsome tattoo artist.

“Hey.” He scratched the back of his head. “I.. Uhm. I need to make a new purchase.”

“Of course! Please feel free to look around and take your pick! I’ll make sure to deliver it myself as well.”

To your surprise, he laughed softly.

“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. I’d like to make a new purchase for you. I’d like to take you out to dinner.”

STAY CALM STAY CALM STAY CALM STAY CALM STAY CALM STAY CALM STAY CALM.

“Eh?”

“I don’t really like stalling.. you already should have my number on your order history. Just text me a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. If it’s ’no’, that’s fine. If it’s a ‘yes’, you can send me your address if you want me to pick you up. Be ready by 7:30 PM.” He smiled softly before putting his hands in his pockets, turning around to leave the shop.

“Wait!” You stopped. “How are you so confident I’ll come?”

He smiled. “You go on blind dates, right? Only difference is that you know what I look like.”

A small laugh came out of you.

“See you then, princess.”

A smile formed on your expression as you recalled the memory. You finished cutting the stems of your flowers and you started to arrange them.

You relocated your office. The store was still the same, but now, your office was in a different part. It was facing the tattoo parlour right across.

You could still remember how the parlour was once the size of a small grocery store, but now, it had undergone renovations and it looked better than ever. You counted 7 new clients.

My Love, you still ready for tonight?

You received a text.

Yep! Just gotta finish a small arrangement for a client who’s getting married soon

You got a response almost immediately.

That’s odd. I don’t remember proposing to you?

GIYUU

I’m kidding, Princess <3

You let out a small huff before smiling. Finishing the arrangement, you put it away at a safe spot in your office before grabbing your bag and walking to the other side of the road to the tattoo parlour.

You wanted to spend a little more time with Giyuu even though you were still going out for a date later that evening. Time just felt so beautiful when you were with him. A little unfortunately, you forgot your phone at your office and hence didn’t see the next two messages from him.

<<Image attachment>>

Heads up: I’m going to propose to you tonight with this ring. Don’t cry, okay? Just say yes or no. I’ll wait as long as it takes. I love you <3 get all dolled up for me, okay?

Ahhhh low-key hate this but I was desperate to upload smth T^T

I MIGHT rewrite this later bsjsjsjsjsj

[she-of-seidhr]

I have so many thoughts about The Rings of Power S2 SDCC trailer and some of the news that came out from the SDCC panel, but I am so unwell after watching it that I don't remember it all. Here's what I recall though:

The trailer is absolutely the best we've had of all their releases going back to S1. The difference is night and day. I like that this trailer has clear direction of what the general plot is going to be instead of just a bunch of clips that makes no sense whatsoever.

The Rhunic masks looked a bit futuristic to me. It reminded me of some background race in an MCU film, can't remember if it was in Thor 3 or Ant-Man 3, but yeah it looked a bit out of place and silly.

I really am quite puzzled at their insistence in dressing Gil-galad in gold hues when we have Pharazon and/or Sauron, or even the dwarves for that. I am hoping they are saving the silver and blues for the later seasons if we're not getting it now. That would look so striking since they went with the dark hair. Remember Thranduil's silk orange robe from The Hobbit? Now make it deep blue. Ah, a girl can dream.

I know this is a trailer so there's misdirection, but I wonder if that scene where Galadriel asks Elrond to promise he will not stop who I am assuming is Sauron is an indication that she's going to put up her sword (at least in S3 onwards) to do other things, bringing her closer to the Galadriel in the books in terms of character and also what we know she was doing during the Second Age. That will give Elrond and (as it should be honestly) Gil-galad the space to be the actual main protagonists along with the other prominent Second Age characters.

I wanted more of Cirdan instead of just a hand, and I got a different shot of his hand, this time going underwater. Exciting.

Entwives!!! I'm glad to see them featured, but I'm also terribly afraid they're going to show us how they were wiped out lost.

The Siege of Eregion looks fuckin' amazing. The shot of Sauron walking away with an explosion on the background? Sign me the fuck up.

Gil-galad's banners flying amidst the elven charge scene. Fuck me sideways.

Charlie Vickers was the best actor for me in S1, I have no doubts he will serve in S2. Owain Arthur, Charles Edwards, and Peter Mullan too.

I love Gil-galad to death but to be perfectly honest I kinda don't like how Benjamin Walker portrays him. That said, it definitely is also because of how he's being written. I imagine Gil-galad to still have warmth despite the burden of his position that has a 100% mortality rate.

Pharazon better not be fuckin' stabbin' that eagle.

Daniel Weyman's line delivery sounds so Ian McKellen, but I am still hoping he is a Blue Wizard. Then again, maybe he is just taking inspiration from the most iconic wizard portrayal we've ever had (that's not up for debate).

I know I said Robert Aramayo as Elrond is ok, but for some fuckin' reason I'm convinced that those curls is going to make him better in all aspects.

I love Elrond's hesitation about the Elven Rings because it deepens the mystery of just how much of everything we know so far has been by Sauron's design.

Really curious to see what Sam Hazeldine will bring to the Adar because he's got BIG shoes to fill. Joseph Mawle was born for that role. The subtleties and the quiet menace he brought to the Adar was just incredible.

Look, I like Tom Bombadil alright? But am I ever really hyped to see an adaptation of him onscreen? Not really.

Barrow-wights. Why, but yeah cool whatever.

I like that every ring has a different design and we're going to see all of them in their full glory.

Celeborn will show up, as he should. When and where, no idea but at least there's confirmation.

Glorfindel can show up. If I talk about this any more than I already have (although it's to my family members who don't give a single fuck about any of this), I would really start losing my shit.

Lloyd Owens who plays Elendil made some eyebrow-raising remarks in the SDCC panel in regards to Elendil and Miriel's relationship, so it has me worried about them going for a romantic route between the two. Theirs could be a story of friendship, loyalty, and steadfastness in the midst of all the unrest and danger, and it honestly cheapens the last scene they shared in S1, so I really hope they don't try any funny business with them.

Somebody did ask the showrunners if there's going to be LGBTQ+ representation which one of them answered along the lines of maybe we've already seen one. Is it really necessary? Is it really proper representation? Does it serve the story? There's so many additions to this series already that it's going to be one more thing that takes away from the lore characters who really should be the focus.

I know I'm still missing some shit, but yeah this list is long enough. Lots of good, maybe a little bad, but overall I feel good about this new season and I can genuinely say I'm excited again even after the meh that's S1. August 29 can't come soon enough!

[jellazticious]

JELL YOU CANT JUST DROP THIS RANDOM LORE ON THE FLOOR AND RUN AWAY!! TELL US MORE PLEASE IM BEGGING YOU

If this is about the Peppino clone theory then alright, buckle up cheesebags

First of all it's a theory and a headcanon, not lore, I don't want anyone acting like what I'm saying is canon 😭

BUT ANYWHO

I just thought it's weird that Peppino supposedly has never seen the tower in his life before or he has but he gets no association with it BUT he is plastered all over the posters, graffiti, boxes, etc in the background like he was part of the team. There's even like toys and robots designed after his scrumptious physique.

Next there's his malleability. I know this is a cartoon world with cartoon logic but alllll I'm saying is why doesn't Gus have that same whackiness? It's all mostly Brick doing the comedy. The most we have to Gus deforming his body was during the double jump where he turns into a ball. Peppino on the other hand? Turned to cheese, turned to a pizza, turned to a puppet, able to handle being in the front of a rocket, his body contorts during exaggeration of poses, way faster on foot than a rat etc.

He is just as cartoon character as the residents of the tower compared to the human levels of the outsiders like Gus and Stick. I mean yes, Gus can have exaggerated body parts but he is never as exaggerated as Peppino is

Next reason, the WAR level and the very confusing and retconned implication of what Peppino did. Some say it was canon that he was an actual veteran, some say he was technically not a soldier but a pizza delivery guy for the soldiers, and some say he accidentally wound up in the crossfires. Other than the war setting, the level, for zero reason or explanation, transitioned to a laboratory with clones of Peppino and the big ass tube in the bg has Pillar John in it. Cloning is not new to the tower but by god are they SHIT AT IT

Also here's a little intermission because I just LOOOOOVE this one tube in the bg so much

it's so stupid, he looks like he wanna die and he isn't even born yet, that's how you know you're getting a Peppino variant njsngjksrkj

but anwyay back to topic

I'm pretty sure we all think that the WAR level is the tower's last attempt at getting rid of Peppino by making a horrendous cheap move with making him relive his trauma. I love that take so much man, to think that the tower is this desperate because Peppino is SO CLOSE to destroying it that it didn't even have Pizza Time but a constantly ticking timer.

It makes sense with the war part of the level. That is clearly a traumatic event but then it turned to a lab which gets confusing.

I kinda stitched the two together and made them two different memories. The first one came from the original person the clones are based off and the other is Peppino's. I like to think that Faker and Peppino are opposites lol. Peppino has the perfectly structured body but not the mental stability while Faker is smart as hell despite being animalistic with a constantly shambling body. They're sorta the best ones to come out of the lab. but yeah, sorry for putting that tangent there. It's so to give a little context with how Peppino remembers stuff.

His brain is done fucked up that he cannot tell which memories are from him or from Bruno. It's like when you're dreaming and you already have stock knowledge in the dream's universe and it just hurts your brain when you try to pinpoint when exactly you got that information. He'd say some shit about his childhood and full believes he was the kid in the memory, and to Peppino he'd admit that all his memories are hella fuzzy for some reason but he just shrugs it off with "I'm just getting old". Also he kinda gets dreams about the lab and shrugs it off as some weird ass nightmare about the restaurant debt lmao.

(btw, Faker is well aware about Bruno's memories and know how to distinguish it from his own. I really love interpreting him as the alpha of all clones, it's so fun)

But yeah those are my reasons why I formulated and headcanoned Peppino as a clone.

All else that you need to know about this is that Peppino escapes, spends time in the real world, forgets his origins because brains are weird and it does this thing where it forgets traumatic events, and runs the restaurant (instinctual thing???), and seeing that Peppino is thriving on his own, Pizzahead thought how funny it would be to bring his ass back to the tower. Pizzahead is Pizzahead, his choices are whack asf

but all in all, I have always interpreted clone Peppino in all my silly little doodles gbjsbgksrbkj but like no one's gonna ask about it so I never made a peep nor a sound. But now you know lmao, which would raise questions that I'm more than happy to indulge

[theoceanoasis]

Mermay Soundrod with tropical mer Rodimus and sire soundwave having different courting cultures

"Leave me alone Getaway."

He snapped in annoyance swimming away. Ignoring the pretty rocks Getaway had delivery trying to entice him. Of course the other mer didn't listen and followed after him.

"Come on Hot Rod give me a change."

Getaway performed a mating dance. Showing off his bright colors as he swam around.

He shook his head giving him an annoyed look.

"I've already told you. I don't want to be your mate."

He snapped again, wishing he'd leave him alone.

Of course Getaway refused and he swam away. Annoyed when he followed after him. Until Soundwave suddenly came to his aide and attacked. He gasped. Staring at Soundwave in surprise as fought getaway, easily defeating him and forcing the mer to swim away.

"Are you okay?"

Soundwave swam over singing in a protective rage.

"Why did you do that?"

"Because he was trying to take you away and a siren always defends their mate."

"What?"

Soundwave nuzzled him pulling out a fish he'd just hunted.

"This is for you."

He took the fish noticing the pleased expression on Soundwave's face. As he begun singing a joyful kind of toon. Like usual after he delivered him fish. However he could barely focus on that. Still in shock over what Soundwave said.

"What do you mean by mate?"

He gave him a confused look while slowly eating the fish, wondering what was going on with the siren.

"You agreed to be my mate."

"What!?"

He looked at Soundwave in shock choking on the fish, causing Soundwave to hit his back.

"Are you okay?"

"Am I okay? I should be asking you that. What do you mean I've accepted your bonding proposition?"

"I fought off any suitors you had. Showing that I can protect you and putting my claim on you. I hunted you fish which shows I can provide and you accepted my fish. I've also impressed you with my singing. Which means that you have accepted my proposition."

He stared at Soundwave in shock as he went over siren mating culture.

"But that's not how my people do it."

"It's not?"

Soundwave gave him a confused look and he shook his head.

"No we give each other shiny rocks and dance for each other. Showing off our colors in hopes of impressing our future mates."

Soundwave looked down at his tail which was a dark blue and purple. Nothing like the bright multi colors on his own tail looking sad.

"Does this mean you do not want to mate with me?"

He shook his head pulling him in for a kiss.

"No, I'd love to mate with you. I was wondering when you were going to start and was worried you weren't interested. Now I see you were courting me all along."

The two of them smiled at each other and Soundwave kissed him again.

"I should have realized we'd have different mating rituals we are two different species after all."

He shrugged climbing into Soundwave's lap and cuddling him. Excited to bond with him and spend his life with Soundwave.

[cutiedwaekki]

would you write a fic about hyunjin discovering some magic cookies and the more he eats the more weight he gains? by the time he finishes them all he’s an obese immobile bratty slob, to dismay of Felix.

Hmm.

Honestly compared the aesthetics of my account with what I write it's really two different things especially this one I think I never really went that far (plus some smut in my draft) but i love to experience something else so don't be afraid to make other requests like this in the future or even pm me for doing a RP :D

I think i did enjoy writing it a bit too much 😭 but thank your for the request i hope you'll enjoy it as much as i did 🫶

COOKIE

It had already been several weeks since Felix had become friends with a certain Seungmin. He hadn't wanted to tell Hyunjin the reason for their meeting and their sudden friendship maks Hyunjin assumed it revolved around cooking since Felix always came back with various pastries that "Seungmin offered".

Honestly, he'd only had him once, and although at first he was rather skeptical, believing that the dark-haired man was trying to flirt with his boyfriend, when he saw what Chan his boyfriend looked like; a real ball of giant, pungent fat, it only took a few minutes for his judgment to change when he saw how lovey-dovey they were.

So Hyunjin was less jealous of Seungmin and was almost starting to like him, given the number of pastries he brought just for him! Chan was nice too, a very talented music producer who only seemed to go outside if Seungmin went out too. After all, it made sense: the Australian was so fat that he'd hardly seen him walk, and he swore it was hardly possible; his belly was so round and probably so heavy that he wouldn't be surprised if Chan needed scooter for his mobility.

Still, he found it strange that Seungmin didn't care at all and continued to feed Chan, pampering him as if it was just a detail. At least it was clear that he was in love with him!

But enough talk, let's get to the point.

It was Saturday afternoon, and Hyunjin and Felix had planned to spend a lazy day at home until Felix's boss called to ask him to deal with an urgent case. So, for the past two hours, Hyunjin had been bored to death.

But fate heard him and the doorbell rang.

-"I'm coming!" he exclaimed before moving to the door and opening it to see a deliveryman with a small parcel in his hand.

-"I have a delivery for Mr. Lee Felix".

- "That's here, give it to me, I'll sign for him" said Hyunjin, not wanting to disturb her lover who already had to work over the weekend because of his boss.

-"Thank you, goodbye" said the delivery man before Hyunjin closed the door, intrigued by the mysterious box.

At first he even thought his lover had bought a sextoy by the size of the parcel, but it was far too big for something like this, even though he knew his lover's naughty side.

But when he opened the box he saw Seungmin's name and address and was reassured that, as it was a common friend, he could afford to open the box, right? Maybe Seungmin had delivered a recipe or a cooking ustencil!

But when he opened it, he found another box with a strange aroma and a letter.

Curious, he grabbed the box and discovered that they were cookies! The rich aroma of sugar and vanilla blended perfectly together, and Hyunjin couldn't resist taking one before opening the letter and reading it.

What was it? Okay, it was for Felix, but he wouldn't know about it, right?

So he opened the letter and read:

"Lixie, you may tell me you don't care about this and that it's just a detail, but I can see how you envy my relationship with Chan, so give these cookies to Hyunjin and I'm sure you'll like the result ;)"

There was more to read, including a "ps", but Hyunjin thought he heard a noise, so he put the letter away without putting the cookies away. God, they were addictive, as if they'd just come out of the oven!

Hm, it was so delicious that Hyunjin could almost feel the warmth of the cookies spreading through him.

Ah it felt so good

૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡

If only he'd read the end of the letter, he'd know the fate those cookies would have in store for him.

At the end it read:

"Ps: don't make him eat all the cookies, I know you only prefer him to be a bit chubby! Besides, I added a little aphrodisiac, so if he seems a bit too stoned and disconnected from reality, that's normal! Enjoy your boyfriend Lixie, we'll see you tomorrow :)"

By the way, the warmth Hyunjin was feeling was none other than the cookies which, by who knows what magic, were opperating chzngelent on her waistline.

At first it was nothing, just wider thighs, a more prominent ass and a pot belly.

But after her fourth cookie the gain began to be more important. Hyunjin was originally tall and slim, so the extra kilos made him look more "normal" before his belly started to push an further towards his shirt as he lifted it. His hips also widened causing his track pants to stretch to their limits. Thus Hyunjin began to take on a pear shape, gaining especially in the lower part of his body, even though his belly was also swelling.

By the seventh cookie, Hyunjin was no longer in control of his movements; he wanted more and more of these cookies, going from eating one at a time to gorging himself on several at once, leaning back in his chair, which soon began to give way under his weight. But then again, Hyunjin wanted more.

His once-slim face was now so round that even Jisung (his best friend), with his chubby cheeks, looked skinny next to the fat cheeks he sported. Not to mention his neck, which had disappeared to reveal a second chin, with a third beginning to form.

By the tenth cookie, his clothes were tearing under his fat body. Everything was grease, rolls and stretch marks everywhere. He'd even acquired a pair of moobs that got bigger and bigger until they hung over his belly, which was becoming boundless.

When he'd finished all the cookies, there he was, sitting on the floor, with no clothes on, although thanks to all his rolls and curves he was well hidden despite his exposed chest. He was on the floor because his fat ass had broken one of their wooden chairs, but above all he had become so fat that he could hardly move.

But he wanted more

-"More! MORE!!!"

૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡

It was with this agitation that Felix decided to turn off the music on his tekephone and head for the kitchen to see what was going on.

-"Jinnie, is everything all right?

Asked Felix before almost jump at the sight in front of him. At first he didn't recognize Hyunjin, but after detailing his round face, he saw that it was none other than her dear, sweet boyfriend, who had an angry expression because no cookies remained.

-"J-Jinnie?! What happened to you?"

But Hyunjin did nothing but ask for more cookies, roaring almost like an animal as Felix gulped at the sight.

He looked around for clues and saw an empty box and a badly folded letter.

He quickly realized that Seungmin had something to do with it, and the letter confirmed it.

-"I'm going to kill you, Kim Seingmin! he said" before turning to Hyunjin.

His poor boyfriend was hungry... he wasn't going to leave him hungry, right?

૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡

-Are you kidding me? He's HUGE, he doesn't even want to move".

- "Hey, it's not my fault he ate all the cookies, watch your boyfriend too!"

- "Excuse me? Just because we share the same fetish doesn't mean you can interfere in my life like this!

- "Hey, calm down, it's okay, I've got the antidote too, so thank me instead of nagging me like that!"

Felix abruptly took the flask and took a long look at it. If he gave it to Hyunjin, he'd have no memory of this moment and would go back to being as fine as he'd ever been.

The Australian waved to his friend briefly before returning to his home with an pensive look on his face.

After all, big as he was and bratty as he acted wasn't bearable for Hyunjin or for him, but he could enjoy it for one more day before giving him the antidote right.

And yes, he'd always wanted to know what it felt like to make love with someone as big as Hyunjin.

As soon as he got home, he rushed over to his lover, who was sleeping on the sofa, which squeaked loudly with every move Hyunjin's fat body made.

-Jinnie... Jinnie, I've ordered some food for you , wake up".

Maybe this weekend would be rich in emotion for Felix, and who knows, maybe it would help him talk to Hyunjin about his fat fetish once all this was over. who knows, maybe Hyunjin would agree to put on some weight for him?

-"I'm... hungry" whispered Hyunjin

-"I know, Jinnie, I ordered a lot of food just for you".

Hyunjin just growled like an animal would while Felix sighed deeply, he guesses that with this body there he had no choice but to feed him seeing how Hyunjin seemed so greedy for doing anything else

We said : curiosiry killed a cat but in that case , curiosity made Hyunjin discover another part of his boyfriend that he didn't even suspect.

-"I hate you Kim Seungmin to have had such a good idea"

[blossom-tonic]

I missed you...

A Thoma x Gn Reader

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

You are quite known in Inazuma as a hardworking Adventurer. It became a routine for you to visit Kathryn and accept any kind of commission she throws at you. It doesn't matter if they are just delivery or giving advice or fighting Hilichurls in one of the Islands, you do all of them.

But with the amount of commissions you take it became quite hard balancing your free time with them. And in the past you didn't mind one bit, it was your childhood dream to become an Adventurer and when you were blessed with Vision, you took it as a sign to pursue this dream.

But since you have Partner, things seems different now. Now you find yourself longing to see the beautiful face of your lover. To see his beautiful emerald green eyes glancing at you with happiness. To feel his arms around you as he tells you about his day at the Kamisato estate.

At first it didn't seem to bother you that much. You were both hardworking people who took they assignments seriously and you guys understood that each of you weren't available at times so it wasn't a Problem. But it became a brother not seeing your liver frequently.

And Thoma felt the same. It was a known fact that he was absolutely smitten by you. Not one day passed without him thinking about you and worrying about your health when you went away for your commissions.

Of course his work as the housekeeper of the Kamisato family took his mind of these things and he often found himself thinking about how happy he will be, having you in his arms. But it has been days since he saw you.

He made sure to go see you when he was done with his work but often he came to see you already sleeping somewhere in the forest or at your home, exhausted from your commissions. And of course being a good lover he let you rest. But he can seem to shake away the feeling of missing you.

Today was again one of those days where you guys didn't see each other for the whole day. You were going your way home, or to explain it better, your were forcing your legs to keep your body up and drag you to your home. Of course it would've been better if you would make your way to Thoma but you didn't have the energy to go through the Chinju Forest, all the way to the estate.

So with the last strength you had you made it to your little house in the city only to see the strawberry blonde hair of your lover waiting by the door. You were surprised to see him but at the same time also so damn happy which is why you screamed his name to get his attention.

"Thoma!"

With the sound of your angelic voice in his ear he turned to where he heard it and smiled his adorable and charming smile when he saw you. Concern flashed quickly in his eyes once he saw how slow you were walking and jogged to you to help you.

And by helping you, he picked you with the result you gasping a bit and holding onto his shoulders a surprised look on your face.

"Thoma, what are you doing? Put me down?" You complained, even tho you missed being in his arm you still could walk properly on your own.

"Nope, not happening, you are clearly exhausted and as your partner it my duty to take care of you!" He exclaimed with a smile and started to walk to your door. He knew where you hid your spare keys so just took them and opened your door and carries you to your bed and laid you done gentle.

You were just smiling softly at Thoma as he removed your shoes and then said beside you. You can't still believe that this attentive man was your boyfriend. How did you get so lucky?

"Can i help you with something else? Do you need something to eat or drink? Do you want me to run a bath for you? I can get started right away!" He exclaimed quickly and started to stand up but before he could go somewhere you grabbed his hand stopping him. A little chuckle left your lips as you listen to him ramble.

"Thoma, I'm fine. All i want is being with you and listen to you talking about your day." You replied softly looking at him with your big eyes that, he always found himself dreaming about. With a content smile he started to lay down beside you and wrapped his arms around you and pulling you closer to his side.

God how he missed holding you. You limps entangling with his, having your head rest on his chest listening to his heart beat was all that he wished for the last few days.

"I missed this... I missed you." He said sighing in content as he left a small little kiss on the your head. You just laughed snuggled yourself closer to him.

"I missed you too." You said happily and looked up to him. He couldn't help himself and cupped one your cheeks in his hand, stroking the soft but also a bit dusty flesh. He pecked your lips quickly and pulled his hand away to let your head rest in his head.

"Start telling me about your day Thoma, i wanna hear everything." You asked and started to move your head so you can listen to his heartbeat. He began talking, he talked about his task, about the Kamisato siblings, how they asked when you come visit them again, how he thought every single second of you and how he couldn't wait to see you again.

You just sighed softly and slowly started to close your eyes. The exhaustion creeping up on you which resulted to you falling asleep on Thomas chest, listing to his heartbeat.

--------------------------------------------------

So this fic was heavily inspired by this Foto i took of my genshin game. Thb i didn't know how this happened Thoma just started talking and i turned lumine to him and then thus pose happend. Anyways i found it cute and sent a pic to my friend so yea that explains the quality. But still i will never ever delete this :)

[janitorsbroomcloset]

COVER INSPO: I LOVE AMY

Hey guysss :D I'm making a little comic/story (can only be accessed on Wattpad [ik it's a cursed place..]) and wanted to show you a little preview of it :3

Chapter One. 💌

"To Michii..."

"So why do you think Octopi have 8 hearts?" 

"I don't know...maybe because that's how they're made?"

A petite, cotton-candy haired girl shoves a mysterious girl away teasingly with a gentle arm. Startled, the girl responds by jumping slightly but her expression softens with the sight of her friend's smile aimed at her.

The girl who resembles cotton candy fixes a strand of hair that falls onto her face swiftly. Michii, a 16 year old girl who works at her folk's book shop, loves to have her usual walks at the park with her beloved best friend, Octavia, a girl relatively the same age as her who plays in a band as a gig. Each of them depend on one another as well as care for another, despite the lack of common interests, Michii treasures their friendship as unique and unforgettable.

"No, silly! It's just in case if their heart breaks, they have an extra 7!" Amused by this, Octavia rolls her eyes and laughs at the adorable response. "We should get going, you're gonna open up the shop soon, right?" Octavia mentions as she sits up from the bench they had been sitting on for 30 minutes, she groans from the pain of her back as she stood up. The bench was uncomfortable and wet from the rain the other night, but anything to have a break from all the walking, right?

Michii follows alongside her and clings onto Octavia's arm, knowing that she usually does this, it doesn't bother her in the slightest. Michii yawns, making her form a tear in her eye to which she gently removes the tear which fell from her cheek. "Someone's tired." Octavia noticed and Michii and laughs, "Yeah, I guess I am a bit. They said there would be a delivery of books last night so I stayed up late waiting, but they never came!"

Feeling concern, Octavia lifts an eyebrow and her expression forms into a worried one, she asks, "You gonna be okay? I can help you out at the shop if that makes you feel any better..I don't have anything better to do anyways, it's a Sunday and you know I-" Before Octavia could finish her sentence Michii laughs and continues, "You hate Sundays, I know, I know. Fine, then, I'd like the company anyway." Michii's signature smile returns accompanied by a glow in her eyes which mesmerises Octavia, making her look the other way to avoid Michii from seeing her go red. 

💌

The entrance door of the bookshop opens, welcoming the two with the ring of the tiny bell on top. The library stood there motionless yet meaningful and full of life, containing countless of stories in the form of books, each one with different colours and sizes. The homely library was small but it doesn't hide the fact that it was a sanctuary for both Michii and Octavia.

Octavia captures a stack of boxes at the corner of her eye and inspects it. "Hey, aren't these the books you were talking about?" Michii turns around without no hesitation as if she were a child hearing the ice cream truck come crossing around the corner. In a similar way, her eyes widen and she squeals with joy, opening her arms and tossing herself on the pile of plain boxes. Before even trying to warn Michii about getting hurt she's already body-flat against the cube cardboard objects. She struggles to get a sentence out due to the pain she put herself into, "I'm okaaaaay..." She manages to say. Octavia rushes to help her out and eventually her tiny companion is standing on her two feet once again. "You are so stupid, sometimes, you know that?" She flicks Michii's forehead gently, leaving Michii with an offended look glaring back at her. "I'm not stupid! I'm just...um-" She attempts to find the words to defend herself but it seems to not be working. Octavia can see this. It's a sorry sight, she thinks to herself while smirking at her little gremlin. "I am educated!" She finally says, but turns red as she realises what she said does not correlate to the situation in the slightest.

Michii looks down at the floor, metaphorically hanging her head in shame until she spots a note on the floor. It reads, 'To Michii.' 

"To Michii..." She reads quietly to herself, picking up the fraying note and glossing her fingertips over the dry ink. The handwriting is legible but she has no clue who's handwriting it belongs to - she tries to trace back her memory, hoping she would find an answer. But nothing. An atmosphere of silence entered the room. Octavia has now busied herself with plucking off specks of dust from some of the boxes and rummaging through the contents.

Octavia trails her friend's steps, immersed by the sudden change of emotion to down-right confusion; breaking the silence Octavia questions what that note is from. Still trying to figure out where it may have come from, Michii faces to Octavia still keeping her eyes on the note and shrugs. To solve her ambiguity, Octavia suggests, "Maybe it was stuck on those boxes to show that they belong to you. Nonetheless, you should probably keep it."

Thinking on the reasonable response, like the blink of an eye does Michii snap back to reality and looks up at the being above her. "Yeah, you're probably right." She puts the note inside her pocket in case of future use.

"Let's go get sushi on my break, I have a strong craving for it."

"What's with you and fish?"

"Octopi aren't fish!"

End of Chapter One. 💌

[anonymous-nobody-ghoul]

Safe Space

Birth of a Child

Jessica Tiffany was in labor, and she was not happy about it. “Just get the damn thing out of me already!” She screeched at the automaton at her feet. The automaton did not turn its faceplate away from where it was looking and responded in a soothing female voice, “Doctor Ermani is approximately 5 minutes away.” 

“I don’t care about that! You get it out of me! I have an interview with the press in twenty minutes and I need to have delivered and gotten freshened up by then!” Jessica spat angrily. The automaton only repeated its previous statement with a new time of three minutes. Before Jessica could respond again, a knock on the door gained her attention. “What is it?” Jessica snapped looking impatiently at the clock. 

“Madam, Doctor Ermani is here.” the dulcet tones of a Jade automaton said. It was Jessica’s favorite automaton to bring with her whenever she went out. 

“What are you waiting for? Let them in!” Jessica snapped and suddenly the door was opened revealing a woman in a lab coat. Before the woman could even open her mouth, Jessica snapped at her. “What took you so long? I have an interview in 15 minutes!”

Doctor Ermani smiles politely and makes her way over to the bed Jessica was on. “I apologize. I was in the middle of a surgery when I was informed that you were in labor. I came as soon as another doctor replaced me in the surgery.” She explains while looking at the baby crowning. “It seems I came just in time as the baby is just starting to crown.” She continues. 

“Hurry up and get it out of me. I can’t wait to get this pregnancy over with.” Jessica grumbles. “Jade get my Vil bot and tell it to get my outfit and makeup ready. I can’t see the press looking like this.” Jessica orders and waves her hand dismissively at the automaton. 

“Certainly Madam.” the Jade automaton answers, giving a bow to Jessica and starts on its way to complete its task while Doctor Ermani starts guiding Jessica to push. 

“And bring me that Cater bot, I won’t have time to deal with it before the press gets here.” Jessica said to the back of the Jade automaton, almost as if her child was a bother to her schedule. The Jade automaton replies once again to its master’s order while closing the door to the room. By the time both the Vil and Cater automaton’s reached the room, Jessica was almost finishing up her labor.

"We have arrived Madam." the Jade automaton said after knocking back on the door of Jessica’s dedicated delivery room. 

“Hurry up and get in here!” Jessica snapped over the sound of Doctor Ermani telling her to push and the nurse automaton’s constant monotone updates about the labor. The Jade automaton opened the door and the Vil and Cater automatons entered. The Jade automaton bowed to Jessica then closed the door. 

“We are here Madam.” the Vil and Cater automatons say in unison while bowing to Jessica. 

“Vil. Start putting on my makeup. I need to be ready for the meeting with the press.” Jessica snapped while squeezing her eyes shut to focus on pushing. 

“Right away Madam.” the Vil automaton said and made his way over to Jessica’s side to clean her face of sweat and start applying makeup. The Cater automaton stood to the side, waiting for instructions. 

“And you.” Jessica harshly said while looking over at the Cater automaton. “You take care of it when it comes out. I won’t have time to deal with it.” Jessica commands. 

“Yes Madam.” the Cater automaton and gives a bow towards Jessica. 

“And make sure to clean it up. I can’t have my first child looking like some disgusting alien for its first public appearance.” Jessica continues as Vil starts applying eyeshadow to her face. 

“One last push should do it Mrs. Tiffany.” Doctor Ermani interrupted, and Jessica focused her attention back to giving birth. 

“Finally. If I’m late for my interview because of this, I will tank your patient satisfaction score and tell everyone to go to a different doctor.” Jessica retorted before the sound of a crying baby filled the room. 

“Congratulations. It’s a healthy baby girl. Would you like to hold her?” The nurse automaton said while holding out the crying baby towards Jessica.

“Get that away from me! What if you get blood on me?” Jessica freaked out trying to scramble away from the baby that she just birthed in disgust. 

“Apologies. It’s programmed to do that. Please stay still so I can get you finished up.” Doctor Ermani calmly explained to Jessica.

“You take it! Hurry! Before I get anything on me!” Jessica screamed at the Cater automaton. With that, the Nurse automaton retracted her hands back and rolled over to the Cater automaton before placing the baby in its arms. 

“You are dismissed.” Doctor Ermani said to the nurse automaton, and it quickly rolled out of the room and presumably back to Doctor Ermani’s office at the hospital. “Alright, now please hold still. I am almost finished patching you up.” Doctor Ermani continued. 

“It’s about time. I’m going to be late for my interview at this rate.” Jessica complained as the Vil automaton started showing Jessica different outfits it brought that she could wear. “The third one, but change the shoes with the fifth one and the jewelry with the second necklace and the fourths bracelets.”  

“Yes madam.” the Vil automaton said and began moving the outfits around to do as ordered. 

“All right.” Doctor Ermani said while moving away from Jessica. “You are all patched up.” She continued while taking off her personal protective equipment. “Here is some medication for any pain or discomfort you may have. Take two as needed for pain or one every four hours.” She said while taking an orange bottle out of the briefcase she brought with her. “I will take the child to make sure it is healthy. I will also do the paperwork regarding her birth. Do you have a name in mind?” Doctor Ermani asked Jessica as she turned to face her. 

“Y/N Albert Tiffany. Now get out so I can get changed for my interview.” Jessica said dismissively and waved Doctor Ermani away. 

“Alright. Follow me Cater, we will take Y/N to her room to continue.” Doctor Ermani says and gestures for the Cater automaton to follow her. As Doctor Ermani and the Cater automaton were making their way out of the room Jessica spoke up again.

“Make sure the press doesn't see that before it gets cleaned up. I can have it tarnishing my reputation.” She said dismissively. 

“We will try not to be seen, but you know how the press can be.” Doctor Ermani said before the door closed behind her. 

Jessica huffed irritably before turning towards the Vil automaton who was still messing with the outfits. “Hurry and dress me already. If I am not ready before my interview, I’ll toss you out and get another one.” She snapped. The Vil automaton quickly starts helping Jessica get dressed, not reacting to the threats of being discarded. Jessica huffed again for the lack of reaction. ‘But that was to be expected,’ Jessica thought as Vil finished getting her dressed. Vil then helped her into a wheelchair and started pushing her in the direction of the formal living room. ‘Automatons were nothing more than a bit of coding in a human looking shell. They just follow orders.’ She continued thinking as her Jade automation announced her arrival. Jessica put on a haughty smile as she looked at the press before her. ‘Those things could never feel anything. They aren’t people.’ Jessica thought while the flash of cameras surrounded her.

[theinheriteddutchess]

I used to watch "Dark Angel" religiously, but I was just a little shit, so I don't remember Jensen at all. 😂 I got tired of SPN after a while, but The Boys refueled my interest in Jensen 'cause he was really good. I'd like to see Misha in more projects too, I feel like Jensen and Misha have more potential than Jared (sorry Jay). But you know, there's nothing wrong with doing cons, JJM seem to enjoy it a lot. Chris though... I feel like he'd hate it, even tho I still think it's in his future.

You don't remember Jensen Ackles, who single handedly stole almost all the attention away from Michael Weatherly and was the cause for some of the drama behind the scenes because of his popularity?

This Jensen?:

Who had one episode as Ben, the x5 who went on a murder spree and Max had to kill so he wouldn't be taken back to Manticore and put with the "nomlies"? Who after that one episode convinced the makers to bring him back in a bigger role because they liked his work? Who was an instant hit with the viewers?

Or Alec who was supposed to be the bad guy but turned out to be fun and charming and who made Max look like a sour puss and Logan boring? Who has great expressions and deliveries of his lines?

You forgot about him?? 😲

I tried watching supernatural after dark angel, but i couldn't get into it, so forgot and then something got me on a jensen bender and i gave it another try and i got really into it. Until s5. Then i stopped buying the seasons dvds,and life interrupted, and then suddenly there were lots of other seasons that had passed me which they did suddenly send out (my country is really good with not showing anything, or behind your back years later continuing on a different channel at different times) ... and so i have watched some episodes of some later seasons, but missed a lot too.

Haven't watched the boys yet. I am on poor men's tv, and don't know how to be able to watch it without spending a lot more money and a lot more effort to find ways to see it. But i do want to watch it because Jensen is looking so so good...😳

And yeah i think those two might be easier to get a variety of roles and have proven to play different characters well.

Although look at the acting Jared shows in a Christmas Cottage, where his cry scene is top notch... I'm so sorry jared, it's just what i remember all these years later, is that it was a lot.

At least he's looking cozy and they styled his hair. It's almost unnerving.

Oh look i found some gifs to give you the idea if you haven't seen it:

I mean i want to add all of them, but you should really see for yourself. It's a lot! A lot.

And look at how different Jensen cries. I think we all wish we could look like this crying. We probably look more like Jared...

Shall i see how misha cries? Or is this post already too long? Ah who cares?

This is overused...

This one's weird

This is a picture of Toby Maguire crying, which has nothing to do with this whole subject but jeez it's ugly.

I was going to try to put Jeffrey in here, but tumblr said enough! Which might be wise but annoying.

As for your last sentence, there's a lot of Chris's. Chris Evans, Chris(tian) Kane, Chris Martin whose music i don't listen to, or know anything about and i don't think he does cons. What would he even talk about.

I hope it's not Chris Martin because I don't want to look him up and find anything out. Not that i hate him, i just never think of him. He just came up as one of the chris's in a search. He looks like a lot of British singers had a lovebaby together.

If it's chris evans, i feel he'll like the first one, does okay with the second, grows tired and bored an annoyed and anxious by the time the third one comes around. Honestly the crowds, inappropriate questions and the constant noise would wear me out very quickly too, so i can't blame him. They seem fun but once in a while.

Thanks for sending the ask, it probably wasn't what your were looking for👍

[vmeemo]

Squidmas Delivery, Chapter 2

Rylee, to say the least, was... Not expecting her night to go like this. The most she had planned out was snuggling with her two partners before watching some Squidmas movie. Though with the storm that was going on, she didn't think that the movie would end up happening.

However something else came up instead. And that something or rather, someone, is now sitting on her couch and asking the three of them to take over being Father Squidmas for the night.

And from what she can see, even the candy crab was giving the guy a insinuating look about this before objecting, "Sir you can't be serious! These three wouldn't be able to do your job even if they tried!"

The manatee shakes his head and looks to the others, "Trust me Valorie. I do not make mistakes lightly. These three can do it." He looks over at Rylee with a twinkle in his eye, "Especially you young lady. You have a very special ability that can help out with this."

Except for the candy crab, everyone knew what he was talking about. Rylee's special power, the one she thought was a curse for a time. The ability to shift her size at will. Taking a deep breath the inkling steps forward.

"How do you think my power will help you?" She asked, "I'm not... Really magic like you are."

Squidmas shakes his head, "I beg to differ. With your power, you could deliver presents at a massive size, even making yourself smaller to go down the chimney." He looks at River and Hex, "And your friends can help keep track of deliveries, even help you in their own ways. And of course I can always send Valorie for extra assistance if you need it."

While Rylee was starting to think about the idea, River grabs her hand, pulling her to the side, "Rylee... I don't know about this. I'm already skeptical about the situation as it is but now? Say that we do take over for the night. We know next to nothing about delivering presents. Even less about being the guy." The inkling looks away from Rylee's face, "I just don't know..."

The shorter inkling can see where they're coming from. No one besides the man himself knows how to do it like he does. And travelling around the world in a single night is already a daunting task enough. However...

"I understand that Rivi." Rylee gently cups their face, "But to tell you the truth, I think we can do it. I got you and Hex after all. And isn't love stronger on Squidmas or something?"

The inkling pauses at what she said before letting out a light laugh, "Cheesy as you are Rylee, you know how to get me agreeing on your crazy ideas. Even if you did falter a little at the end there."

Rylee giggles a little at this before looking at Father Squidmas. “I would be honored to take over for you tonight. We won’t let you down.”

The smile returns on the manatee’s face before letting out a billowing laugh, “Ho ho ho! Great news! I am sure you three will do wonders! And young lady-” He digs into his red suit, pulling out three red fuzzy hats, holding them out to Rylee, “You need to look the part after all. And in your case, it will help conceal you from sight when you use your power, in addition to temporarily extending it to the presents.”

Holding the hat in her hands, the sizeshifter puts it on her head, it fitting perfectly. “It’s great! Thanks.” Holding out a hat to both River and Hex they take one as well, placing it on their heads. Father Squidmas smiles as he sees the three dressed up in front of him before turning to Valorie. “While I rest here, I need you to assist them in deliveries. Can you do that for me?”

Rylee can see her face scrunch up before letting out some air, “Yes sir... I will do my best. Squidmas will be done.”

“I’m sure it will. Now then-” He takes a breath before letting himself rest on the couch, “I will do my best to rest while you four are out. Do me proud ladies.”

Everyone can feel the sincereness of the manatee’s words as they all look at each other. Rylee sees the candy crab, Valorie, approach her, “We need to get going in that case. So get yourselves ready and meet me out front. I’ll go get the sleigh in the meantime.” Rylee nods, the crab leaving the three as she looks to the others. Understanding what she was about to ask, the two walk off to get themselves ready, leaving Rylee to do the same.

------

Minutes later, outside Rylee’s home

Standing out in the cold doesn’t make the inkling feel better, even with her partners beside her. The only saving grace was that the sleigh, pulled by giant clams, arrived shortly after they came outside, with Valorie holding the reins. Seeing the look on the crabs face, the three get on the sleigh, getting themselves comfortable. Or at least, as comfortable as they can before Valorie cracks the reins, making the sleigh shoot off the ground and into the sky.

River gets their bearings, glaring at the crab, “Couldn’t have waited a few more seconds?!”

Valorie side-eyes them before looking forward, guiding the sleigh into the air before straightening out. Seeing that they're being ignored River leans back in the seat, blowing some air out.

Rylee on the other hand tries to break the ice with the candy crab. Since she will be with them making deliveries and whatnot. "So... How long have you known Father Squidmas for?" There wasn't an answer from the crab. Giving them a weak smile the inkling gets herself comfortable beside River and Hex. She glances over at the back of the sleigh, watching the city lights go by further and further away from them.

"Soooo..." Rylee starts to say again, "Where are we deliverin' to this time? I imagine since we're flying away from Inkopolis that means he finished up the area?"

When there wasn't a response again, she considers giving up talking to Valorie anymore. "Yes." Rylee looks at the candy crab, "He finished the area up. I covered for him while you three were outside."

The inkling nods at this when something occurs to her about that statement. "Wait we were only outside for like two minutes? How did you?"

Valorie lets out a chuckle, "I'm quick at my job."

As Rylee sits there impressed at the smaller crab, Hex leans to River's ear, "Do you think this was a good idea? Like I know we agreed to it and everything but..." The octoling glances at Rylee, "You ever think we're too soft with her?"

River lets out some air before gently clasping their hand with the octos, "Sometimes. But if we weren't as soft with her this relationship wouldn't work out as well as it does."

Hex stares at them before letting out a small hum, leaning against the inkling, "You aren't wrong about that. It's what we both like about her. Wouldn't be the same otherwise."

The two sit in silence after that, feeling the wind blow over the sleigh. They're happy that it's not nearly as cold as River thought it would be, though it might be due to whatever magic this sleigh has. The man likely gets cold doing this for hours on end so why not have a heated sleigh? As River lets themself relax holding Hex's hand, Rylee tugs on their coat.

"River!" Rylee says with excitement, pointing ahead of them, "We're approaching the Crabibbean Islands!"

Looking to where she was pointing, River sits in amazement as the lights of the island still shine bright even in the dead of night. The inkling can see the joy in Rylee's eyes as they approach the islands. Though their own amazement was soon blunted by the candy crab that was riding along side them.

“Alright you three.” Valorie grunts, not looking back at them, “We need to deliver these presents pronto. So you three need to figure out how that’s going to get done.”

Rylee thinks for a moment before looking over at the bag, “Can the bag be split into more bags? Like one for each of us?”

“No it can’t.” Valorie clicks at this. As Rylee is mildly upset that her idea wasn’t gonna work she speaks again, “There are spares however. Emergencies for the rarest of situations. They’re just under the seat.”

As Rylee smiles and digs under the seat, Hex leans towards her, “So what’s the plan ‘Lee? Whatcha got in that brain of yours?”

Once the inkling finds the bags she holds them out to Rylee and Hex, smile still on her face “I’m gonna take the main bag. You two will take some presents and I’ll take the rest.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“You’ll see. Valorie can you park somewhere?” Grumbling ‘This isn’t a taxi.’ to herself, Valorie dips the sleigh down towards the ground near the outskirts. Once it was close enough, Rylee empties the main bag a little bit, filling the two smaller bags with presents. “Ok, here’s the plan. River and Hex, you two will deliver presents the classic way. Go up on the roof, slide it down, that fun stuff. I on the other hand-”

Rylee hops out of the sleigh, increasing her size as she does so. “Will cover the rest. I’ll walk towards the other islands, deliver presents that way while making myself huge.”

River grimaces at the idea before letting out a sigh, “Ok. Only because that hat protects you from being seen. If what Father Squidmas was saying is true, then you will be safe from being seen. Just- Be careful Rylee.”

Grinning at this, Rylee leans in to give both River and Hex a kiss with her ever-growing lips, “I will. Trust me, I know what I’m doing!”

Now at about 15 feet tall, Rylee effortlessly lifts the diminishing sack of presents, carefully holding it. “Just be safe for me as well. If you need me just look for the 50 to maybe 70 foot inkling wearing a Squidmas hat. Love you!”

Both the inkling and octoling blush at the kiss given to them before waving the growing inkling off. “Love you too Rylee. Good luck with the deliveries!”

The giant inkling waves back before approaching 25 feet already. As she gets further away with every footstep, River looks to the candy crab, who is wide-eyed at the inkling walking away, “Well then.” Valorie blinks, looking at River,  “Let’s get going. We got Squidmas presents to deliver. Wanna lift us off?”

“I- Uh-” Shaking back to attention Valorie cracks the reins, “Yeah, lets get busy.” With that said, the sleigh flies up into the air once more, ready to head to another part of the island to make deliveries.

Prev | Next

[justaduckarts]

BONES THIS SERIOUSLY CAME OUT SO BEAUTIFUL UGH I'M OBSESSED!

I had sm fun working on this AU with you! All the ideas! All the ways to incorporate the different movies and universes!

That being said, your drawing and all our chatting has my mind going wild <3 So I'll stop babbling and give you the drabble now!

Smoke poured out of the crooked chimney. Massive, spider-like legs stuck out from beneath the castle. The legs carried the unusual castle across the fields, past little villages and ever onward.

Sun's castle would run all day. Every day. Moving with urgency as the radiant magician searched tirelessly for his beloved. For you.

Where had Moon hidden you away?

The radiant magician paced about the castle balcony as he contemplated where to check next. He had already covered so much ground with no luck. And Sun's powers were not as strong at night. He would have a harder time searching when the star he was named for disappeared from the sky.

Where could Moon have gone?

The two had not spoken in many years. They were brothers divided, with no desire to reunite.

What Sun didn't know was just how divided.

For Moon had grown tired not only of his brother but of the mortals on the whole. He'd grown to loathe the sun in the sky and the short lives of those around him.

And so he'd stolen away into the spirit realm. To surround himself with things as ageless and wonderfully strange as himself.

Now, though.

Now he was in the company of a single mortal.

"The dragon did well to bring you to me." Nimble blue fingers rolled a gold coin between them. Another hand held aloft of a pipe.

Cold red eyes glared down at you.

"I can see why my brother would be so inclined towards you." Moon turned, blowing smoke. The room was heavy with the smell of incense.

You'd thought Sun's room was fancy. It paled in comparison to Moon's office. The golden abacus, the peacock quills. Richly colored, handwoven rug. Large mahogany desk.

Rising from his chair, Moon drummed his fingers along the top of the desk.

"Won't you give me your name?" Moon quirked a brow. "It's bad manners not to introduce oneself."

You shifted.

"Introduce myself, certainly. However, my name is mine and I don't plan to give it away." You watched closely as Moon stalked around the desk. The tunic he wore seemed to be spun from the stars themselves.

"Aren't you clever?" His voice was deep and cool. Like the rumble of thunder.

You said nothing. Moon huffed, puffing on his pipe once more.

"That's fine. I don't need your name." He shrugged. "You're here, that's what matters."

"Why did you bring me here?" You frowned.

"Hmm..." Moon blew a ring of smoke at you. His lips curled up into a wicked grin, sharp teeth glinting in the lamp light.

"Because it will make Sun miserable." He tapped the tip of your nose. "And that will make me happy." Moon turned, looking over his desk.

"The question now is what to do with you..." he sank into his chair. "A human in the bathhouse might cause trouble. Or get eaten..."

Moon examined you for a moment.

"But you seem familiar with spirits."

"I grew up near an old forest." You clenched your fists. This fellow put you way on edge. You were trying to keep yourself focused. All you needed to do was stay cool until you found an exit. Then you would be with Sun again. Things would be fine.

"Old forest, hm? Oh yes. Old places like that do house spirits." He nodded. Moon picked up a scroll and unfurled it.

"I know. You can fly a broom, can't you?" He looked at you. You felt your throat tighten.

"...How did you-

"I have sources. I'll take that as a yes?" He tilted his head at you.

"...Yes."

"Wonderful. We'll have you run deliveries. You'll stay busy." Moon flicked his wrist and the scroll vanished in a flourish.

"You can't just make me-

"I certainly can. You are in my house now. And if you want to stay alive, you will do what is asked of you." He folded his hands on the desk.

"Are we clear?"

You shifted. What a cold, horrible creature.

"...Fine." You just needed to tolerate it until you could sort an escape plan.

Moon's grin returned.

"Lovely. Well then, little spot. Welcome to the family." Moon gestured, and the door opened. You were greeted by the strange grinning boy from earlier.

But now you knew better than to trust Lunar. You knew the frightening beast he could become.

"Lunar. Show our new helper to the delivery room. Keep them out of my sight." Moon shooed the two of you away. Lunar nodded eagerly, turning to you.

"Alrighty, delivery! That means we'll get to work together!" His eyes sparkled. You felt your dread mounting.

Still, you turned and followed him out of the office.

Moon sat back, grin stretching.

Things were finally getting interesting around here. Who knew how long it'd take Sun to find them?

By then, though, Moon was sure he'd have convinced you to leave Sun behind.

a ghibli au i am cooking up with @justaduckarts.

[dailyrandomwriter]

Day 613

Growing up, I have always given the impression to other people of having a good memory… a great memory in fact. I was one of those children who would get fixated on a topic, or a piece of media, or something that I was doing and would remember a lot about that thing.

A habit that hasn’t actually changed over the years.

However, everyday mundane things tend to slip me by. This is the reason why the simple act of flossing can be a task that I forget, every single goddamn time. It’s improved over the past six months, but that’s because it’s built into a routine with a habit tracker for good measure. I floss, right after I take a shower, instead of it being the absolutely last thing I do before I go to bed. 

In fact, the shower routine has been used to build all sorts of routines. From brushing (right after flossing) to putting on face cream, to journaling. In fact, I journal, after my nighttime routine, even if I know I won’t be going to bed for a while, it ensures that it isn’t forgotten. This becomes a sort of reminder routine. A routine you do, to remind yourself you did a thing.

Another reminder routine I had started, (accidentally after some medical supply shortages) was that when I ordered medical supplies, I’m supposed to, right away, bring down the back up supplies I have in my closet and put them away into my regular accessible supply areas. Once the new supplies came in, they would be put into the closet as back-up supplies in case of another storage. This ensured that the supplies in the closet wouldn’t get dusty or sit so long that they may become compromised.

However, this accidentally became a reminder routine that reminded me I had already ordered medical supplies.

Except… recently. For whatever reason, I either thought, I didn’t put my supplies into my accessible storage out of laziness (which is a thing that would happen), or I actually didn’t put my supplies into my accessible storage out of laziness. Because I had thought, I had ordered my medical supplies last week. The problem was, the back up supplies were still in the closet, and nowhere in my journal indicated that was a task I had done. So I called the pharmacy, as far as the pharmacy was concerned, I had not ordered medical supplies last week.

Now the people in the front manning the pharmacy and the people in the back who order the supplies are two different people, and it’s very well possible that the front person just wasn’t looking in the right spot, but… well I have no notes saying I did a thing, and my credit card hadn’t been charged. As a result, safety is better than my pride, so I ordered my medical supplies…

And then noted it in my journal.

And then took the back-up supplies down.

But I honest to god thought I ordered my supplies last week. I could have sworn I had a conversation with someone where they asked if they were going to deliver the supplies to me, and I hummed and hawed at this trying to figure out if I needed delivery. But I have nothing, and so I could have very well mentally hallucinated that whole conversation.

If I get charged twice, and run out of places to put my supplies, it will be my own damn fault, but at least I have insurance. Better to have too many supplies than to not have enough at this point in my life.