#coming up with new links isn't something i think i'm ready for yet

[strawberryys-stuff]

WHERE IS MY SPANISH ROMANCE? | LN4

a short smau

tatemcrae and yourusername

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tatemcrae "strawberry skies" out everywhere july 13th!! 🍓 pre-save at the link in bio 🍓

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yourusername

🎵 Andrea Bejar • Marigolds - Live Acoustic

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yourusername greenery, my favorite scenery 🍀

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yourusername

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INSTAGRAM MESSAGES

quadrant wants to send you a message!

Hi yourusername! 👋

We came across your recent post repping the merch — thank you for the support! ❤️

We think there’s a great opportunity here to team up and create something awesome together. If you're up for it, we’d love to chat more about a possible collab 👀

Let us know what you think! 💫

— Team Quadrant

yourusername posted a story!

[caption: ✈️✈️]

yourusername

📍Budapest, Hungary

❤️ 5k 💬 930 🔃 3,170

tagged lando and danielricciardo

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yourusername

📍Budapest, Hungary

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tagged alexandrasaintmleux, lando, oscarpiastri

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yourusername posted a story!

[caption 1: @mclaren, caption 2: peekaboo]

yourusername

📍Monte-Carlo, Monaco

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yourusername 🌺

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[caption: what a beauty ☀️]

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[caption 1: we named her Shelly, caption 2: Shelly's mum]

yourbff

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yourusername

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yourfriend

📍Love Paradise

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tagged lando, maxfewtrell, herbf

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lando

❤️25k 💬 3,027 🔃 4,926

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[larluce]

Arthur and Merlin travel back in time without knowing the other is from the future too AU

Tagging @virgil-wannabe since you asked for a PART 3 ;)

LINKS TO THE OTHER PARTS OF THIS AU HERE: PART1 , PART 2 , PART3 (you're here) , PART4

In "The Dragon's Call"

Arthur: (bulling a servant for the third time just so Merlin meets him again)

Merlin: (appearing out of nowhere) You, oppressor!

Arthur: (thinking) finally

Merlin: (thinking) Wait, that's not my line.

Arthur: (thinking and barely containing himself from crying, running to Merlin and hugging him and kissing him right there) He’s just as beautiful as the day I lost him 🥺🤧

Merlin: (thinking in panic) He isn’t saying anything. Why isn’t he saying anything?! 😰😖

Merlin: Is that the way you treat your servants? You are a... a prat! and...and an ass!

Arthur:...

Merlin: (thinking) please say something, please say something, please say something.

Arthur: (coughs, just realising he's been staring for too long) You're right I was being mean. My apologies.

Merlin: ... wait what? 😧

In "The Poisoned Chalice"

Merlin: (ready to use a spell to make Arthur drop his cup)

Arthur: (dropping it on purpose) Oh, clumsy of me, I droped it.

Merlin: (to himself) What? But I didn't use the spell yet. (Looks at his hands) Or did I?... Ugh, whatever (picking up the cup) Hey, Gaius! What's that? (Pointing at the flower petal inside the cup)

Gaius: It's poison! Someone tried to poison the prince!

Arthur: (faking surprise) what? Really?

Merlin: (faking surprise too) I can't believe it!

In "Lancelot"

Merlin: He would make an excelent knight. He saved my life.

Arthur: (full panic mode) what?! When?! Are you okay?!

Merlin: (confused) ...yeah? The grif-I mean, the winged beast attacked me when-

Arthur: The griffin attacked you?! (Checks him) Why didn't you tell me?! Are you hurt?!

Merlin: (still shocked but blushing due to Arthur's sudden attention and closeness) Ahm... you didn't ask? And Lancelot stopped the beast before it could hurt me, so you don't have to worry.

Arthur: (swallowing his guilt for not asking in his other timeline)... Right. From now on you tell when these things happen, do you understand?

Merlin: Yes, sire.

Arthur: Good. (Lets go of Merlin realizing he's being holding him for too long) Well, as thankful as I am to Lancelot for saving you, I can't knight him if he isn't a noble. That's the code.

Merlin: I know but-

Arthur: So I'll give him another job in the castle and when I'm king I'll gladly consider knighting him if he's still interested.

Merlin: (more than surprised) You will?

Arthur: (nods) Is that all?

Merlin: Yes... (smiles) thank you

Arthur: (smiles) Anytime, Merlin. (leaves)

Merlin: (looking Arthur leave with hearteyes) 😍... wait. How did he know what the beast was called?😨

In "Excalibur"

Merlin: (debating with himself if he should let Arthur fight the Black Knight this time around or let Uther do it again)

Arthur: (arriving) Merlin.

Merlin: (utterly surprised) You are here! 😱

Arthur: Of course I'm here. You thought I would withdraw? I'm not a coward, Merlin.

Merlin: No! I'm just... surprised Uther let you.

Arthur: He did try to drug me to stop me from coming. (Looks at Excalibur in Merlin's hands, recognizing it) Where did you get that?

Merlin: Oh... I just thought... you would need a new sword for this. So I asked Tom to make it for you.

Arthur: You got it made... for me?

Merlin: Yes. (Thinking) Please use it, please use it, please use it.

Arthur: (holding the sword) It's good. Thank you.

Merlin: (blushing, still not used to Arthur thanking everything he does) I'm just doing my job. There's no need to-

Arthur: There’s every need. (Touching his shoulder fondly and smiling) Thank you, Merlin. For thinking of me.

Merlin: (screaming inside)

[maple-the-awesome]

He Becomes a Dad! || Part 1/2

PART 2

Pairing: Time, Four, Legend, Hyrule x Reader

Overview: Congratulations, you're new parents 🎉 Some of the Links are prepared. Others...might need a moment to gather themselves. But rest assured! At the end of the day, they're all going to get a handle on this whole dad thing. I'm a sucker for family tropes and there simply aren't enough out there for the Chain to quench my thirst, so here it is, I'm adding my contribution👍 Btw, there will be only two parts for this prompt since Wind will be excluded for obvious reasons. Baby making isn't a platonic activity🤷‍♀️

Zelda Masterlist 🩵Fandom Masterlist

You only brought the topic of children up to your husband once. It was at some point during the early half of your marriage and after a particularly lengthy day of enduring Malon’s well-meant pestering. Time, beside being caught slightly off guard, delivered a straightforward answer:

“It wouldn’t feel right bringing kids into this world, especially when I would hardly be home to help you rear them.”

Now, you can’t lie and say you weren’t at all disappointed by this answer, although you wouldn’t say you had the rug completely pulled from beneath you. You understood the true implications behind Time’s statement right away. It’s the same reason he took so long to let himself marry you. It’s not you nor a disgust towards children, but rather an unspoken fear of building a life where he’s too happy - one that could be ripped away from him at a moment’s notice as has seemed to be the case for his younger years.

Although his worries are needless, you never pushed against his boundaries because you could at least see the sense in his argument. Sure, the idea of having children did always appeal to you deep down, however between Time’s constant traveling and your hard work helping at Lon Lon Ranch, it would be difficult to squeeze a family into the schedule. There was no sense in forcing him into a commitment he wasn’t ready for nor one you weren’t in a  position to properly foster.

Twelve years of blissful marriage passed before your plans changed. The blame lies with those other heroes, too. One would think traveling alongside a group of unruly young boys would’ve made someone more certain of their decision to never again subject themselves to such a headache, yet it apparently had the opposite effect on your dear husband.

Discovering first hand how much pride he could feel towards a descendant was life-altering, to put it light. Twilight was living proof that somewhere along the line, Time does something right. Whatever kids he might have will grow up to have children of their own and so on…Not to mention Twilight isn’t a terrible outcome by any means. To raise someone with the possibility of them turning out like him and to do so with you of all people? Well, needless to say, it was settled rather quickly after that: Time wanted kids.

Call it baby-fever if you will, but he was suddenly rather eager about the concept he had once avoided like the plague. He brought it up through not-so-subtly hints at first, then when you outright asked him if he was being serious, he went on a slightly nervous spew about your home being too quiet and how he could officially retire from traveling to be home more and it’s really a shame that you have an extra bedroom just sitting around - You just had to kiss him to shut him up which eventually led to…other things. Let’s just say you both got started right away.

It took you twelve years to realize you did indeed want kids yet less than a year to actually be holding them for the first time. It turns out even the universe was impatiently waiting for you both to come to your senses, so once you finally had, it decided to award you with not one, but two beautiful girls whom you affectionately named Saria after Time’s old friend and Mallory, a mix between melody and Malon, their ever-so-excited godmother.  

It’s safe to say that the twins are pretty spoiled. Malon has been over almost everyday, bringing you plenty of baked goods as a bribe to let her spend more time with her favorite goddaughters and you have practically every baby related item that you could need, courtesy of the Queen of Hyrule herself, but of course, it’s their parents who love them the most.

Never in his wildest dreams did Time think it would be possible to feel so at peace with the life he’s built. For so many years, he feared true happiness was impossible - that every turn would result in the same cruel fate he had been subjected to during most of his existence - and yet for the last couple of nights, he’s held it in his arms. He’s watched the moon rise outside his window while playing soft lullabies on his ocarina, you cuddled by his side with your daughters shared between you both. You wear a small smile even in sleep and he swears the girls match it, too; he definitely does himself…This is a priceless treasure he’ll give his life to protect.

Four and you had already been married for a few years by the time you found out you’re pregnant. It’s not to say you were actively planning for it, although you also weren’t actively trying not to either. 

It had been agreed upon early in your relationship that kids would be nice should they come your way, therefore you were both equally excited that your wishes were finally being granted, so much so that the nursery was finished within the first month (courtesy of your handy husband). It’s painted in beautiful pastels that are easy on the eyes and decorated with many toys Four had hand-carved himself; a useful craft he’s now very appreciative towards Sky for teaching him.

Seeing as this was already a somewhat anticipated next step in your lives, Four’s pretty relaxed throughout the process despite its many challenges. For starters, pregnancy itself unfortunately isn't as much of a 'blessing' for you as some have made it sound. You’re rather sick from beginning to end. If it isn't your inability to keep food down (especially in the early stages) or your fluctuating blood pressure, then it’s the aching you constantly feel thanks to both your very heavy bump and extremely active baby who just loves to make sure you never forgot about their existence by kicking you as hard as possible day and night. 

Worry not. Four has made your struggles more bearable by being a darling husband through and through. He’s by your side during each doctor’s visit, does his own personal research on all things baby-related, and helps with every chore he can to give you at least some rest even if just for a quick nap, however most spectacularly, he does all of this without ever being too overbearing. 

Although certainly concerned for your health, Four can recognize your strength any day of the week, especially when you've been rolling with the punches like a warrior queen during such a draining pregnancy. Anxious, sure, but not afraid. Why would he be? He’s confident that you’re both prepared to face anything together! …That is, until you actually went into labor…

Yeah, remember that previously mentioned, relaxed and darling husband? Forget about him. Your water broke and so did Four's calm demeanor, but can he really be blamed? You went into labor early - and not just by a couple of days either. Oh no, we're talking a couple of weeks early. 

Regardless of his newfound fear, Four does his utmost best to still present himself as calm and collected in front of you, not wanting to freak you out any more than you’re already freaking out yourself. He first helped you lay down with plenty of pillows and cushions before running to get help. After that, he doesn’t leave your side, encouraging you throughout the process with a smile on his face, however don’t be fooled: the second you turn your head to the midwife’s voice or close your eyes to scream, your poor husband’s face reflects his inner thoughts as the situation fully begins to sink in. 'Scared shitless' - that's a good word to describe it; eyes wide in terror with a mouth that’s hung agape and slightly twisted in pain as your nails clawed into his hand.

As said, he never leaves your side - not even for a millisecond. You don’t have to worry about him being the type of guy to get grossed out by natural fluids or complain about your expressions of pain; none of that is remotely a concern of his. He’s just grateful to see you okay and even more so to hear his baby crying as they should.

A girl; small like her daddy, but healthy all things considered. Four couldn't wait to hold her, knowing damn well he was going to cry the second her soft skin touched his, but he isn’t ashamed of it in the slightest. Who wouldn’t cry holding something so precious?

Then you scream again. He thinks something must be wrong until the midwife announces that it isn’t over - that there are more squeezed in there waiting.

At the end of the day, you're just relieved to finally breathe easy without going through agonizing pain while Four, on the other hand, is left in shock staring at not one, not two, but three little babies, all healthy girls who wiggle and whimper in their parents' arms, but oh well. The nursery may have to be expanded, although there's plenty of love to go around. At least he can thank Hylia that it wasn’t quads (he's had enough of those).

Legend and you have been in a relationship for several years, although you had mutually agreed earlier on that neither of you were big fans of the whole 'marriage' thing. What difference would a ceremony and piece of paper make, anyway? You already act as any officially married couple would. You live together, go on dates, occasionally argue, and even share a bed which is exactly what resulted in a recent, unplanned detour in your lives: a baby.

When you first told Legend the news, he panicked, asking himself all those stupid questions like ‘what now’ and ‘how could this have happened’ even though he knew damn well how. Then he left. Giving some half-assed excuse about needing fresh air, he turned his back to you despite your pleas and didn’t return for hours. 

Now, rest assured, he did immediately regret having that reaction and apologized for it as soon as he came home. He didn’t mean to scare you with the thought of abandonment, but as he would quietly confess during his apology, the thought of being a parent had just been too overwhelming in the moment. Neither of you had ever talked about having kids, and while he could at least have some peace of mind knowing you’ll obviously be a great mom, he fears that the same won’t be applied to him.

You have always been the light in a dim room, as Legend would put it. You’re fun, sweet, and amazing with kids. Any child of yours, planned or not, will love you with all of their heart exactly as he does. Meanwhile he’s stubborn, cranky, and the last kid to cross his path literally started sobbing. Maybe it had to do with him being covered in monster blood after just having crawled out of a dungeon but he’s pretty sure he traumatized a kid nonetheless…The thought of being just as bad around any kid you share together scares the crap out of him.

Deep, deep down, Legend’s actually somewhat excited to be a father. Although he’s too stubborn to admit it to anyone other than you, he’ll sometimes daydream about how nice it would be to tell a little replica of you both about all his adventures or to teach them how to use some of the items he’s collected over the years like his trusty boomerang. Seeing the excitement in their eyes would definitely be worth listening to you scold him afterwards. If that’s all there was to being a father, Legend wouldn’t have a single concern, yet it’s his insecurities that always have a habit of souring things. Would his kid actually find his stories cool or would they just be tempted to throw the boomerang right at his head?

You’ve done your best to reassure him, often falling back on the argument that the baby will be a part of him. Like father, like son, right? Legend was almost ready to believe you, too, especially upon laying eyes on his child for the first time. As you passed the tiny bundle over to him, he thought that maybe being a dad wasn’t going to be that scary after all, and it might not be so bad to even have more someday either…However, his worries were quick to return when the baby started screaming two seconds after being set into his arms…

Baby screams if he holds him. Baby whimpers if he looks at him for too long. Sometimes, Legend swears the thing starts crying simply by hearing his voice in another room. It doesn’t happen with anyone else, though. The baby just adores you as predicted, but what Legend can’t stand is the fact that the baby seems to like Ravio, of all annoyances, over his own dad.

He’s forced to watch as the little brat happily lets Ravio cradle him, the sight filling him with bitter jealousy and sorrow. You’re convinced that he’s just overthinking everything - that he should give himself time to adjust to his new position as a father instead of holding himself to unrealistic standards, but how long is he exactly supposed to wait until it clicks? It’s been a whole month already and he still feels as confused as day one! Will he ever get the hang of this whole dad-thing or is he a lost cause…?

If there’s any comfort Legend can have, it’s that even Ravio doesn’t know what to do with the baby once he starts crying, so at least he’s not alone in that aspect. The only problem is you’re busy making lunch and stubbornly refuse to pause your efforts. Instead, you shove a bottle over to Legend, insisting that he be the one to feed his son since it should be a ‘good bonding exercise’ for them. You won’t take ‘no’ for an answer and judging on your glare when he tries to protest, you probably wouldn’t be happy if he tries passing the task onto Ravio either.

Thus, Legend is left to awkwardly sit down and take the baby into his arms. He already knows it’s obvious he has no idea what he’s doing, Ravio doesn’t have to point it out, but luckily after some swift around, he manages to hold his son more securely against his chest before shoving the bottle in his face. The baby continues to fuss while turning his head away from the bottle, and Legend’s almost tempted to call for you in defeat until at last, the room falls silent.

Looking down, he watches in quiet awe as his son accepts his meal eagerly. His little hands quickly rise up, gripping onto Legend’s which holds the bottle in place. They’re so tiny; barely able to wrap around a single finger - Oh, and his eyes as well! They’re wide as he stares up at his dad with unbroken eye contact. It’s like a wordless conversation - one more valuable than any he’s heard before.

You return, offering to take your son now that your work is done, but Legend is quick to shake his head. Why don’t you take a well-deserved break while he handles this little troublemaker? It would be a shame to bother him when he looks so comfortable in daddy’s arms.

You've been dating Hyrule for longer than either of you can really remember, however you aren’t in any big rush to get married, figuring that it would make no real difference in your commitment to each other. You love Hyrule and he loves you. What more is there to say? For a while there, you were both perfectly satisfied with simply taking things slow and letting fate decide your course, although more recently you’ve had to switch up that method to something more stable for the baby. Yes, a baby.

You wouldn’t necessarily call it a surprise, but you also can’t truthfully say it was planned either. You had agreed that kids might be nice if the goddesses ever blessed you with any in the future, however you weren’t exactly trying for them…You just weren’t being very careful…

Hyrule must admit he was rather nervous at the start. The only prior experience he really had around kids was with Wind, but there’s a pretty big difference between a young teen and newborn. Pair that with his not so ‘kid-friendly’ world and there’s plenty to worry over. Anything could happen, but Hyrule’s determined to be the best dad and partner he can.

First thing was first, of course: you needed a place to stay. Traveling is fun and you both enjoy being on the move, but that’s no life for a baby. Hyrule and you had actually already considered the idea of settling down someplace before, so you didn’t think of it as a massive loss to take off your adventure boots for a while. If anything, it was a welcomed change once you remembered how lovely it is to be able to kick your feet up for a rest or be surrounded by warmth during a terrible rainstorm.

Again, Hyrule takes his job as your partner very seriously which wasn’t ever a surprise to you. He found a small house for you both to rent in one of the safer villages around; a perfect place for raising a child. While he might not have a talent for decorating or making a place feel ‘homey’, he does thrive when it comes to making sure you’re comfortable, his spare rupees definitely going to fluffy wool blankets and a rickety rocking chair that he saw at a market.

Early on in the pregnancy, you noticed that your boyfriend also began showing a new found determination for cooking which did scare you a bit at first - Okay, so maybe a lot. Hyrule began taking cooking lessons from some kind elderly ladies in town who must have an endless pool of patience because while you can’t say every dish is a masterpiece (or even editable for that matter), you are happy to say Hyrule can now make things like toast and tomato soup successfully. It’s progress.

There aren’t a ton of doctors in your time and none in your village, so you have to take a lot of notes from local women regarding the process. Hearing all their stories and the possible ‘what if’s for what could go wrong made you anxious, especially once you finally go into labor, but it doesn’t faze Hyrule - not on the outside, anyway. He does an excellent job of swallowing his own fears for your peace of mind, talking you through each painful contraction and doing his best to distract you from it all until it comes time to start pushing.

Some people may get squeamish at the thought of childbirth, however Hyrule isn’t one of them. He’s fought through some terrifying dungeons and has bore witness to more than a few gory injuries over the years, so bodily fluids don’t bother him one bit. He’s kneeled down right in front of you without a second’s hesitation, multitasking between mentally reviewing what he’s been told to do and reassuring you even though he’s sure you don’t hear a word of it over your own screams.

One minute Hyrule’s encouraging you to keep pushing, the next he’s holding a small, crying baby in his arms. His movements after that feel almost automatic as he carefully cleans her off and just admires the fact that this baby - this tiny, precious gift of life is his. She’s yours and his and she’s beautiful despite having come into existence within such a broken world filled with more hardships than he could count…

Your tired voice brings him back to reality - asking if the baby you hear crying is okay. You clearly feel the same thing Hyrule does upon seeing your daughter for the first time, the two of you sitting side-by-side as you soak in this wonderful emotion. Hope...That’s what she represents. Hope for a brighter future...

[murderbot-moodboard]

Episode 7 of Murderbot, plus recently discovering some new songs to love, has inspired me to assemble the two Murderbot TV playlists I'd started—one for Murderbot, and one for Gurathin—so they're now ready for listening.

First, four notes:

1) These playlists are "living documents" and subject to further tweaks. Season 1 obviously isn't finished yet, and regardless, I still edit my "finished" playlists as I discover new songs, find ones that fit better, decide one doesn't actually work well, etc. I also do my best to make them generally enjoyable for most people, but I am but one person with one person's music taste, so take that as you will.

2) Since the plot for 'Murderbot' Season 1 overlaps with the plot for 'All Systems Red,' my TV playlist for Murderbot has most of the same songs as the beginning of my Murderbot Diaries playlist, "Murderbot Mood." (That one is linked in my pinned post if you want to check it out.) However, I've also added and changed a couple songs in both playlists, so there's something new even if you've listened before. Some of the songs are based on things that will probably happen by the end of Season 1 based on All Systems Red, so spoilerish alert?

3) Much of the Gurathin playlist is Twenty One Pilots songs. This is on purpose, and partly because "Jumpsuit" was the song that inspired the playlist. (It has a line in the middle that— well, I'll let you listen and find out *grins evilly*.) It's also partly because when I was getting my latest autoimmune flare under control, there were a few days when I was in too much pain to do anything besides lie in bed and listen to comfortable music, and I ended up listening to Twenty One Pilots' "Blurryface" album on repeat. During that time, I realized their music is punk as hell, I relate to it on a deep level, and a lot of it also sounded like Gurathin and/or Murderbot.

(We could also discuss the fact that I "discovered" most of their music fairly recently, because "Blurryface" came out while I was attending a hyperconservative religious college that severely restricted the music we could listen to (and restricted when women students and teachers were allowed to wear pants). But that's a whole other post about "things I laugh about now because looking back they were kinda fucked up.")

4) I've seen a few fun-looking Murderbot song recs and playlists come across my dashboard which I didn't have the energy to check out at the time (see above autoimmune flare and moving). I'm absolutely open to suggestions and recommendations for my playlists, as long as your feelings won't be hurt if I decide not to include them. I was given really good suggestions which I added to my Murderbot Mood playlist last time, and at least one song on there I discovered through another fan playlist. So feel free to comment on this post if you have any songs you'd like to suggest. You're also more than welcome to add any songs from my playlists to your playlists (this might be a given but I'll say it just to be sure).

Okay, I think that's it! Now for the playlists!

Murderbot Season 1 Mood:

Gurathin Mood:

[sparkles-and-trash]

Second Chances, a Shouto and Touya fix-it one-shot ~

tags: healing todofam, todosibs, Shouto and Touya focused, some dabihawks and bktd in the time jump part

note: this ended up a lot longer than planned, and I even added a time jump for some dabihawks and tdbk in there hehe! And as usual I'm playing a little fast and loose with the ages of the Todoroki kids for plot purposes, so let's just go with it and have fun, yeah?

~ ao3 link ~

He got life as a gift for a second time.

That's what the doctors and nurses keeps telling him, at least.

But right now, Touya's not sure he agrees with them.

The sterile air in the hospital room makes his nose and mouth feel dry, his eyes feels tired of all the white; the white walls, floors, sheets, his white bandages.

But honestly, while his body is covered in bandages and skin grafts and the intense pain that flares through his very bones every time he takes a breath, he still thinks the worst part is the embarrassment.

Turns out nobody tells you how embarrassing it is to almost die.

The nurses treat him like he's some little baby, which he isn't, he's 13 and a half, and the doctors talk all over him.

Meanwhile his family is all being totally awkward and weird, even more so than before, which quite frankly is saying something.

All Touya wanted had been for his dad to see him, to listen and to give him a little attention; how stupid and unknowing he had been.

Now his father refuses to leave his side, always just sitting there, teary eyed and sad looking, which is ridiculous when Touya's not used to see him show any emotion besides anger.

At first he has tried to hold Touya's hand all the time, but Touya managed to put a stop to that sooner rather than later.

His mom is quiet, and she's usually smiling and telling him about her day and how the wildlife in their garden is doing, but Touya sees the sadness in her eyes, too.

No matter how much she tries to hide it.

Fuyumi and Natsuo clearly thinks the hospital is scary, and Fuyumi keeps berating him for hurting himself, but she also loves to whisper to him about how dad is different now, that he barley goes to work, and Natsuo said that he even tried to watch SpongeBob with them recently.

Touya would love to have witnessed that, but all he gets is weepy dad.

No fair.

The only one he hasn't seen yet is Shouto, and he understands why.

Touya is way too scary looking for a little kid like Shouto.

One of the changes Fuyumi and Natsuo mentioned is that dad is no longer super focused on training Shouto, and Touya thinks Shouto should be able to enjoy that without being traumatized by seeing his brother looking like a freaky mix of a mummy and Frankenstein's monster.

So no, Shouto had not come to visit, yet.

But apparently he's been asking about "Nii-San" all the time, and their mom is insisting that Shouto is ready, but Touya isn't so sure.

The next time his mom comes through the door to the room to his hospital room, she looks weirdly nervous, but she's also smiling.

Like she has a secret.

Touya's not a fan of secrets.

She sits down next to him carefully, and when he finally looks at her properly, she puts her hand on his.

"Someone's here to see you, today," she says softly, and Touya sighs.

"Is it dad?" he asks in his new, creaky voice.

"Is he crying?"

Touya swears his mom hides a smile behind her hand.

"No dear, your father is home with your brother and sister," she informs him, and Touya nods.

"Good."

Rei tilts her head.

"Your little brother really worries for you, Touya," she says softly, and Touya has a feeling she's not talking about Natsuo.

"Probably because you guys are making such a fuss," Touya mumbles grumpily, before he adds.

"And dad crying all the time."

Rei actually fully smiles this time.

"That might be, but he refused to let me leave without him today, so he's sitting outside in the waiting room as we speak," she tells him, and Touya's heart starts speeding up.

"You let him come?!" he asks, and Rei sighs.

"Like I told you, he refused to let me leave," she says.

"I think that was the first temper tantrum he's thrown in his whole little life, actually."

Touya's eyes widens.

"He did?" he asks, only half believing her.

"He did," Rei confirms, before she continues.

"He's also refusing to see you with me in the room, so I'm gonna go outside and send him in now."

Touya doesn't protest, but he can't meet her eyes.

"It's time, baby," Rei says softly as she strokes his cheek, before she gently tilts his face so he has to face her.

"And be kind to your brother."

Touya nods.

He doesn't have enough energy to put up a fight.

His mom gets up to leave, and Touya keeps looking out the window, trying to show how disinterested he is.

The door closes, and he hears two quiet voices outside for a bit, before a tentative knock hits his door.

Touya sighs heavily.

"Come in, Shouto," he calls out as loud as his fried vocal cords will let him.

The door creaks open, and the sound of little footsteps comes closer towards his bed.

Touya really doesn't want to turn around and face his little brother.

What if he scares him?

With his burned face and bandaged body, with his new voice and his pale face, those parts that aren't burned at least.

Turns out Touya doesn't have to turn around, because Shouto's already made that choice for him by walking all the way around the bed.

Suddenly Shouto is standing right in front of him, his mis-matched eyes staring straight into Touya's, and for a few seconds his expression is unreadable.

Touya's heart is beating so fast and hard he worries it'll alert the nurses.

Then, as if someone pulled away curtains on a sunny day, Shouto's face lights up with pure joy and relief.

"Nii-San!" he squeals, and clumsily tries to climb up into Touya's bed.

Touya just stares, trying to figure out if this is real.

Shouto finally clambers up into the bed, and he gently reaches out to put his hand on Touya's cheek.

Exactly like their mom.

"Nii-San, does it hurt?" he asks quietly, and Touya blinks down at him.

Then he nods.

"Yes, it does," he says carefully, and if Shouto is scared of his voice, he doesn't show it.

Shouto's face falls a little, so Touya hurries to continue.

"But they give me great pain medication, and the doctors says my skin gr-"

Touya cuts himself off mid-sentence to not traumatize his almost-seven year old brother more than necessary.

"Uhm, my brand new skin is growing quick and it's strong!"

Shouto's eyes are huge, but not from fear, rather... awe?

"You're so strong, Touya-nii!" he exclaims eagerly, and Touya feels a blush creep up on his cheeks.

"I'm not..." he starts, but once again cuts himself off.

No need to take his own self hatred out by airing it out to his baby brother.

"Well, thank, Shou," Touya says quietly as he gently ruffles the kid's two toned hair.

Shouto beams.

"When I grow up I wanna be like you," Shouto declares, and Touya's heart squeezes.

Had he always been this goddamn cute?!

Touya gives him a wry smile.

"Maybe a little less fried, tho, right?" he asks in a teasing tone, and Shouto giggles, before his face gets serious again.

"You were very hurt, Nii-san," he says in his serious little voice.

"Dad cried."

Touya sighs and rolls his eyes.

"Well, dad cries every time he's here now, so you don't get to complain!" Touya says, trying to lighten the mood.

Shouto doesn't smile.

"I was really scared, Touya-Nii," he whispers.

Touya averts his eyes.

"I'm sorry about that, Shou," he says quietly, and suddenly a small hand grabs Touya's.

"Just don't get hurt like that again, okay?" Shouto asks, and Touya looks back at him.

"I'll try my best," he says with a small smile.

Shouto shakes his head.

"Promise!" he insists.

Touya chuckles.

"Fine, I promise," he says and he ruffles Shouto's hair again.

"Promise."

-

At this point, a trip to the hospital is like a trip to the grocery store for Touya.

Even his family doesn't kick up much of a fuss for these smaller procedures anymore, which is quite nice honestly.

Especially now that he has a boyfriend that takes care of all that worrying for him.

This was the first time since he and Keigo got serious he had to go under anesthesia for a small procedure, and Keigo had not been coping too well.

He was pretty good at pretending to keep it cool, but Touya knew better, and it was obvious he'd been a nervous wreck.

Which is why he's rather surprised when the first person through his doors when he's come to after surgery isn't Keigo.

Touya should have known.

"Nii-San!" he exclaims as he hurries over to Touya's bedside.

Touya can't help but smile.

"Hi, Shou," he says tiredly, and Shouto sits down on his bedside.

Even now, 18 years old, interning as a Pro-Hero and with a steady boyfriend, Shouto still gets that look in his eyes sometimes.

The one he had when he told Touya that he wanted to be just like him when he grew up.

To be fair he wasn't doing half bad on the matter.

Shouto was interning at the same agency that Touya (and Keigo) currently worked at, and he was already taking an extra interest in rescue and first aid work.

Touya couldn't be prouder.

"So, why is your face the first I see, and not my doting boyfriend?" Touya asks dryly, and Shouto shrugs.

"Because I told him to wait outside," Shouto said simply.

Touya felt a headache coming on.

"Why?" he asks, and Shouto tilts his head.

"Because I'm the first one who sees you," Shouto says simply, and Touya rolls his eyes.

This kid.

"I hope you were nice to Keigo at least?" he asks, and Shouto nods.

"I'm always nice to Keigo, I like him a lot."

Touya feels a small smile tug on his lips.

"I'm not so sure about Kats, tho," Shouto adds thoughtfully.

Touya's smile drops.

"...please tell me you did not leave Keigo alone with Bakugo?" Touya asks, and Shouto blinks.

"Why would I tell you that?" Shouto asks genuinely.

Touya sighs heavily.

"Nevermind Shou, could you just tell Keigo that he can come in now?" he asks, and Shouto nods.

"Oh, sure," he agrees and gets up off the bedside.

Before he goes to save Touya's boyfriend and keep his own in check, he stops and gives Touya a genuine look.

"I'm glad you're okay, Nii-San," he says quietly, and Touya smiles.

"Well, I'm glad you cam to check on me, Shou," Touya says back, and Shouto beams.

"I'm planning on keeping it that way," Shouto informs him.

Touya chuckles.

"I'll tell Keigo," he says dryly, but Shouto nods serious.

"Yeah, you probably should."

Touya waits to roll his eyes until Shouto's turned around.

"Don't roll your eyes at me, Touya-Nii."

Touya huffs.

"Just get my boyfriend, you menace."

Shouto turns back to give him a final smile before he goes out the door, and as soon as the door opens the sound of Bakugo's voice hits them both, and Shouto suddenly seems in a bit more of a hurry.

"Yeah, hurry up you little weirdo," Touya mumbles as Shouto scatters off.

He's rather grateful he still has his biggest fan, after all.

[zazaiafe2]

Emotional state in shifting ? Not so simple

(This is based on my survey on people who shift on command)

When you return to this reality, how do you feel in general?

What does this show? Contrary to popular belief many people don't come back sad or euphoric, but in a neutral, dissociated, or confused state. "Emptiness" or "calm" are words that comes up often in the answer .

What we often forget: emotional state isn't a bonus, it seems to be a lever almost as important as beliefs.

Many people think that you "just have to be calm" "positive" "aligned"… and yet:

According to the testimonies of people who shift on command

Too many strong emotions (even positive ones like excitement) = possible failure

Too much control or expectations = blockage

Too much attachment to the CR = distraction

Too much dissociation = loss of clarity

Too much doubt = self-sabotage

What the shifters who shift on command say:

- "I'm too stressed and I cut corners."

- "I think about my dr too much, I put it on a pedestal."

- "I have trouble concentrating or I'm too tired."

- "I'm in a bad mental state, I doubt myself, I want to run away."

Many fail not because of inability, or because of their thoughts, but because of the emotional burden.

What we can learn from it:

You should not force a state of mind:

You don't need to be "ultra zen" or "vibrate cosmic love." → Sometimes, being emotionally neutral, or even a little sad but lucid, is enough.

The trap of control

The more you want to "succeed," the more likely you are to unconsciously block yourself. The shift comes from letting go, not obsessing over and over.

The importance of inner alignment:

Not the new age alignment, but a moment when your mind and your desire are compatible. "Am I really letting myself go? Am I ready?"

To regulate your emotional state before a shift:

Too much anxiety -> Breathe 4–7–8 -> write down your fears -> do sensory grounding

Too excited or impatient-> Write down all your excitement on paper to “get it out” of your head

Discomfort or Feeling bad ->Don't force it. Ground yourself. Do something gentle or reassuring.

Too controlling -> Choose a simple, unscripted method. Like : visualization + mantra + breathing.

Emotion is a filter, not an enemy. It's not "either I'm calm or I fail," but "how can I support myself in the state I'm in?" Shifting is a release. And the more you respect your inner state without trying to shape it, the more it opens the way for you.

Low vs High-Impact Emotions – What I've discovered

We often label emotions as "positive".or "negative." but in shifting, what matters more is the intensity and your awareness, not whether the emotion is "good" or "bad" while (at least that's what I concluded with the data I have for now that doesn't mean it's impossible to shift in a high impact state just more difficult for the majority I guess there is profile who might find it easier)

Low-impact states = fertile ground

⭐Gentle emotions (melancholy, calm, mild boredom, longing, quiet sadness) actually help you shift:

-They seem to soften resistance.

-They make your inner world more accessible.

-They prepare the body and mind to surrender instead of fight.

And Yes , even sadness can help. When you're not trying to fix or control anything, the door to your DR can open.

High-impact emotions = overstimulation

⭐Intense states (rage, panic, euphoric excitement, overstimulation) tend to block shifting more based on the data.

-They amplify the mind’s noise.

-They anchor you more deeply into your CR's nervous system.

-They create urgency, which leads to control , not surrender.

But this isn’t black-and-white. Some people do shift in extreme emotional states. That shows us: it’s not the emotion , it’s your relationship to it

You don’t need to feel “good” to shift.You just need to be present, clear, and emotionally open , even if that means open in sadness, emptiness, or softness.

Link to the survey👇

[trafficlife]

I Could Even Learn How To Love (Like You)

As the last greens on Limited Life, Tango and Scott are hiding from the yellows on the server. They bump into each other underground and temporarily team up, until they can naturally turn yellow. There is some tension, but not the kind that Tango anticipated...

word count: 2192

AO3 link

(inspired by this artwork)

"He's here! He's here, I can hear him!"

"No- No he isn't."

"Etho, don't protect him! This is for peace!"

"Well, he's not here, so you can just turn around and look somewhere else."

"You know, even with the mask covering half your face, you are terrible at hiding your facial expressions when you're lying."

Tango, several blocks underneath Grian and Etho, threw a hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter. He kept his low stance, mining through the stone, his fiery hair being his only source of light. He didn't think being one of the last greens on the server would be so intense. But at the same time, it was pretty hilarious, hearing Grian shout in frustration whenever Tango squeaked "polo" in response to hearing his name.

The commotion from Joel, Grian, the clockers, and the rest of team T.I.E.S. changed in volume several times, giving Tango's heart constant whiplash. If anything was going to kill Tango at this moment, it would be these heart attacks.

Tango heard stones breaking from above and bit back a gasp, deciding to move down. Unfortunately for him, his pick broke and he didn't have a spare on him. He cursed and sets down his crafting table, quickly crafting a new pick as the stone-breaking noises became louder and louder. 

Just as he was about to pick up his crafting table, he heard a hushed scream from above, then a thud as someone fell directly onto him. 

"Ow..." Tango opened his eyes and found Scott sitting on him, smiling sheepishly. Tango almost forgot how exquisite Scott's new outfit was. As one of the "mean gills," he went above and beyond with his aquatic theme. Coral and seaweed wrapped around his cyan hair and arms. A couple of scales were visible on Scott's skin as well. Tango assumed they'd be more prominent once Scott became yellow or red. He always went above and beyond with his designs, which was something Tango never really appreciated until now. "Ah, hey Scott. Nice to see you dropping in."

Scott rolled his eyes, crawling off of Tango. "Haha. Come on, we need to move. I have no idea where Martyn is but he's covering for me..." He took Tango's hand and helped him up, took out a pickaxe, and continued to mine. "I am hoping we can find a cave," Scott whispered, "and that nobody is in the cave ready to ambush us."

Tango nodded, following close behind, and covering their tracks with the blocks Scott mined. He and Scott never really talked in these games, save for some hellos. But Tango always wanted to talk to Scott, to apologize for taking Jimmy from him last season. He knew about the flower husbands, and how much Jimmy and Scott loved each other. But Double Life came along. And Tango was bound to Jimmy. And they fell in love as if 3rd Life never happened. Though Scott didn't seem to care, he was good at hiding his emotions, masking them with a smile. Who knows what Scott thought about the situation? 

But it was a terrible time to apologize now. Any noise they made would've alerted the group. It didn't help that they were outnumbered. Yet, Tango knew he couldn't hold his tongue much longer. And what if they never got the chance to be alone again? He took a deep breath, his tail flicking behind him. "Scott..."

Still mining, Scott turned his head to face Tango, making his face burn up. Void, he was pretty. But he couldn't get distracted this fast—just apologize and get it over with. "I'm sorry." 

Scott arched a brow. "For what?"

"You know... Jimmy."

"Ah." There was silence, save for Scott's pickaxe (which was much slower now) and the muffled commotion coming from above. How was it that Jimmy's name held so much weight? Scott managed a smile. "You don't have to apologize for that, you know. It was just the mechanics of the game."

"Really?" Tango was surprised. "I thought you'd be upset about that. It was kind of a shitty thing I did, taking Jimmy from you..."

Scott sighed. "Tango, if we were still at the beginning of Double Life, and I saw the message of you and Jimmy dying, I'd probably make it my mission to cause you hell."

"So... You hated that we were soulmates at first?"

Scott nodded, a little embarrassed to admit it. "I was upset, for a while. But then I learned I was teamed up with Pearl..." He shuddered, as though trapped in powder snow. Fitting imagery for the woman who often froze herself to spite Scott. "You know how that ended; I went off with Cleo and I felt good. And then I realized I have no reason to hate you. Yes, you 'stole' Jimmy from me, but you still made him happy. And I think that's what matters more—that Jimmy is happy."

Tango nodded slowly, his tail swaying behind him. He remembered watching his former soulmate go off with Joel, shouting "Sorry, rancher!" as he left. Tango would have been mad if Jimmy didn't look so happy. Tango always adored it when Jimmy smiled and he wanted to make sure that smile was permanent. And if it meant a slight change in scenery, so be it.

"Besides," Scott continued, "it's a new season and it's fair that Jimmy wants a change in pace. It's the only way we can grow."

"Right. We can't stay stuck in the past."

"Exactly!" Scott put his pickaxe away and leaned into Tango, his breath gently tickling the blaze's lips. "And, not to be self-indulgent, but I like to think I've grown." 

"I think I can agree with that," Tango whispered, eyes flicking down to Scott's lips.

"You know, Tango, I used to think about why Jimmy loved you so much. At first, it was because I was jealous. But now, I think I understand better now. Except..." There was a mischievous glint in Scott's green eyes. "There are still things I want to know about you."

Tango raised a brow. "Well, what do you want to know about me, Mr. Major?"

Scott leaned in closer, barely closing the distance between them. Tango's eyes widened, his tail curling up in anticipation. "Are you as good of a kisser as I've heard people say you are?" He whispered.

The blaze chuckled, cupping Scott's face in his warm hands. "Only one way to find out." 

Once their lips connected, Scott and Tango completely forgot about the yellow army coming to hunt them down. Tango could only focus on the softness of Scott's lips, the taste of sweet bread and saltwater—which tasted much better than Tango would've anticipated—and the slight roughness of the scales on Scott's cheeks. One of Tango's hands slid down to Scott's lower back, grabbing it tightly to pull him closer. He felt Scott's lips part in a gasp but he made no effort to break the kiss. Neither of them did. It was so intoxicating and passionate. The area felt much warmer, all thanks to Tango, but Scott didn't seem to mind.

Scott threw his arms around Tango's neck, and one of his legs around his waist. Tango flinched at the sudden motion but smirked against Scott's lips. He grabbed both of Scott's thighs from underneath and hoisted him up, gently pressing him against the stone wall. If Scott wanted to be this fiery, Tango could easily match him.

That was a similarity between him and Scott, Tango noticed: their fire. But the main difference was that Scott's flames were more suppressed, or at least less expressive. So when he did let the flame ignite, it was definitely a moment to remember. It was probably how he got so far in both Last Life and Double Life. Tango always admired Scott's passion and his desire to survive, as long as he could. He often played by his own rules to do so: refusing to kill the second time he was boogeyman in Last Life, choosing his own soulmate in Double Life, and killing Skizz much earlier than he should have this season. Tango loved that.

Tango loved him.

He wasn't sure what Scott thought of him now—he didn't elaborate on that—but he was confident that Scott felt the same way.

The two pulled away once they were short on breath, taking heavy breaths. Scott appeared dazed and his eyes were half-lidded. His face was flushed and he managed to smirk up at Tango. Tango pressed his nose against Scott's and whispered "Did that answer your question?"

"Yes," Scott gasped breathlessly. He played with Tango's green tie, loosening it slightly. "And suddenly, I find myself a bit jealous of Jimmy. He was definitely lucky to be soul bound to you." He huffed playfully. "I like me a man that can kiss me breathless."

"Well, now you got one," Tango rasped, going in for a second round.

Since they were hypnotized by each other's lips, neither Scott nor Tango were aware that the yellows were getting closer to them by the second. Even though the talking slowly crescendoed in volume, the two managed to tune it out. Scott was nipping at Tango's bottom lip, a muffled groan escaping the blaze's lips. He continued to hold Scott, refusing to let go of him, because nothing mattered more than what was happening now.

Until Grian's cackling disturbed the two, interrupting their moment. They quickly broke away and turned towards the noise. Of course Grian had to be the one to catch them. "Oh my God!" The avian poked his head through a hole in the wall, his wings flapping behind him. "Guys, I found Tango!" He called out in a sing-song voice, still giggling.

"Grian—" Scott's face was redder than Tango's eyes.

"Well, this also explains where Scott was the entire time," Grian teased. The rest of the group came over to Grian, who completely broke through the wall, so they could see the whole picture.

Joel leaned against Grian's shoulder, whistling softly. "Oh, Tim's going to love knowing that his exes hooked up." He smirked a bit, peering at the two over the rim of his glasses. "Though he might be upset that you didn't think to invite him." Tango bit his lip at the thought. That'd be something to look forward to.

"Oh, you guys found Tango?" Martyn was the next to show. He gasped upon seeing Scott and Tango before smirking. "Ohoho! Well, now I feel a little bad for interrupting."

Scott rolled his eyes. "Shut up, Martyn, we all know that's not true."

Then, Skizz's voice could be heard from the distance. "I don't get it, why won't he just give me his time?!" He showed up with Impulse and Etho behind him. Skizz's eyes scanned the two, up and down. He pursed his lips and put his hands on his hips. For someone who was an angel, Skizz had quite the devilish look on his face. "Well, that makes sense now, he's clearly occupied with Scott."

"Skizz!" Tango laughed nervously, finally putting Scott down. "I-I was going to give your my time, I just wanted to get away from... Everyone else."

Impulse snickered. "Well it's clear you got distracted." Tango's tail flicked behind him as confirmation. "Alright, let's go back to the surface so Skizz can kill you, Tango."

"Well, who's going to kill Scott?" Grian asked.

"Me," Martyn declared. "I'm also low on time. Besides... I'd like to get some more details about what happened, in private."

Scott and Tango looked at each other in embarrassment. They should've seen this coming and they probably should've put up more of a fight. But they were already caught. Besides, it wasn't entirely a loss: they got to kiss each other, which was definitely their highlight of the season so far. "I guess I'll see you later? With Jimmy next time?" Tango asked, his voice a husky whisper.

Scott nodded. "Yup! Though this time, we'd like some privacy." He glared at the interrupters who just smirked and put their hands up defensively. Scott went back to the Coral Isles with Martyn, while Tango went back with his team. As for Grian and Joel, they had a lot of news to spill to Jimmy.

For Scott and Martyn, their trip back to the Coral Isles was silent. Until Martyn asked Scott a very important question.

("Does he kiss well?"

"MARTYN!"

"I mean, you were gone for a while, and you seemed to enjoy it! It's a valid question!")

Meanwhile, Team T.I.E.S. was quick to tease Tango for his moment with Scott.

("So you like fish, huh Tango?" Skizz said with a smirk.

"Fraternizing with the enemy... I wasn't expecting it but it's an interesting twist," Etho chimed in.

"Listen... I can explain," Tango said sheepishly.)

After Tango and Scott became yellow, Grian announced "IT IS TIME FOR YELLOW PEACE!" in the chat. Tango and Scott spent the first hour of their yellow peace with Jimmy, giving him many of the kisses that he missed out on.

[twistedmafiaau]

"Did you hear about the...?" A voice whispers in the interview room. several bloggers and reporters had shown up early. The room was quiet as they gathered to try to find the truth before the families appeared and they had to do their jobs.

Amaris (better known as Mort to her readers and lurkers), had been attacked.

"In Kingscholar territory? Who was stupid enough to do dirty business there?" Another adds as they pull up the news story for everyone to read.

"No one knows. The police aren't releasing her case details saying it's fragile. It's an open investigation." A reporter says adjusting his glasses.

"Heard they only now are taking her statements seriously about those shadows she talked about. Who knew It's getting dark(er) out there was a call for help."

"It's all over her other blog actually. You just have to read between the lines." Another whispers softly not wanting to get Amaris in more trouble. 'I'm running out of lives' 'Death follows me.' She wasn't subtle at all yet no one caught it."

"I'm curious how she got away alive." A female shivers clutching her arms.

"The public record says she's been reporting sightings since her first week interviewing. Stalking is the listed complaint." Another says clicking on some links on their phone scanning for any clue as to who had the balls to go after the spit fire blogger with a bleeding heart. Certainly not tupé man.

"Can you all stop. Miss Brighton wouldn't take kindly to you all commenting on her life. She's been through enough." A short woman says swallowing some as she stood among the chairs. Her baby pink floral blouse in stark contrast to the rooms dark colors. She was shaking a bit not ready to be the temporary point for a family and her teachers blogging entries for the paper. She had already missed last week's with the chaos. She hoped Amaris would somehow manage to upload from wherever she was being hidden. Something about police safety after they found blood on the walls. Maybe that's what made her snap at the tupé reporter who was screwing with her image and the Kingscholar families for clout. She had warned the man several times over the past few weeks to stop or she would raise hell.

"She's a blogger who knew what she was getting into intern. Sit down and shut up." A male says and the intern does so neverously. "Can't believe she gave you the Kingscholar's."

"It's just till she gets reviewed...."

"She's gonna get fired for what she did."

"She didn't do anything!" The intern stands infuriated as the Mafia come out, her back to them. "Miss Brighton is an amazing woman who works harder than anyone for her work and those she interviews. Yes she has a temper but that's what gives her the nerve that no one else has the guts to do and write as she does. How would you react if someone decided to stalk you and send you packages and write about your past on the walls! She's strong, reliable and damn good at keeping everything in line under pressure. It's what makes her perfect for the job. That sleezy reporter wouldn't stop with his lies so she did something to make him. Is it a crime to defend yourself against slader? To defend your honor? He outranked her what else was she to do? Let him upload ai obscenities onto the internet?! I saw what he was going to publish and sell! It was disgusting! She isn't stupid nor does she strike unless provoked. She was defending her body!"

The other's eyes widen and point behind her rapidly.

"I think your up first to ask questions intern." One whispers pointing behind her and the poor intern freezes up. "Good luck."

She turns slowly shaking a bit as she notices all the mafia. She'd never been out of the office, the blogger, Miss Brighton, she adored as a teacher always telling her tales of the energy and presence these men gave off, teaching her gently over coffee how to read someones intention. Warning her to always be careful when talking with powerful people and never let them see you squirm, but now that she was there...

She swallows and looks down at her tablet. At the notes her teacher, her friend, had left her with. She could do this despite how her legs shook in her pink heels with butterflies on the toe. She had the script Amaris had sent hours before their boss had removed her, pending in purgatory.

"Good afternoon gentleman." She reads off the screen. "The two questions are simple this week, and are, as always, for the Kingscholar family." She looks up at them to gauge them, clearly new to this whole process. Her brown eyes flick back to the screen trying to get comfortable being stared at by mafia. How her teacher did it she didn't know, nerves of steel probably. "This week I wish to know what job you would have if you weren't a Mafia member? I have my ideas as always, but I'm curious for the truth instead of speculation unlike some gossip rags." She blinks a bit amused by her teachers sass and cheekiness with them. "My second question is for each of you to answer or not. Are you more dominant or submissive, in bed? And not alone for those who need the details to answer."

The intern, being as brave as her legs could stand waited. A fancy pen in hand to write on the tablet.

Mort had thought of everything it seemed. Even locked away under protection a prison cell to her no doubt she was here. Asking questions through another she trusted to carry on while she fought to get her life, her home and her job back.

All the families stood before the audience, faces neutral and gazes solemn, watching every single journalist, cameraman, photographer and blogger like a jury ready to proclaim each and one of them guilty of some unspeakable crime.

A person walked on the stage, marching with a slow grace in front of the most powerful and dangerous men this city had the displeasure to host; none of them spoke in that person’s presence, almost as if in their small frame they held more power than any family combined.

Short stature, short haircut the color of the night, pale porcelain skin, face features and body shape so androgynous it made impossible the feat to determine whether they were female or male. They walked in front of every single family member like they owned the place, like they were the boss of every single one of them.

Dark eyes seemed to swallow the audience whole as they turned around to face that night’s interviewers, a smile so polite as eerie drawn on those thin lips.

“Evening to you all, ladies and gentlemen. — they spoke, their voice quiet yet thundering — I offer my humble apologies about what unfolded the week prior, I’m sure it left a horrid taste in everyone’s mouth. I would like to inform you all that, despite the culprits have yet to be identified and restrained, we have increased security along the perimeter of the whole structure, therefore there shouldn’t happen more inconveniences that would disrupt tonight’s session.” 

They expressed each syllable with the most calculated precision, almost as if they weren’t human at all.

The polite smile slipped off slowly, ominously, dark eyes seizing every involuntary twitch, every breath hitching, every goosebump forming on the skin, like a shark studying its prey with unnerving patience before pouncing.

“Before leaving you all to your chatter and drama and lovesick delusions, I’d like to point out something for the kind gentleman in the third row from the left.” and pointed with their gaze the man who talked about the audacity in another’s turf. You could see the man shrinking in his seat, fear mixed with shame. “This, my dear sir, is no man’s land. It’s a neutral territory where everyone is expected to at least be civil enough to not shoot, stab or physically arm others. Believe me when I say that the ones responsible for such actions will receive the punishment they deserve. With that said I may now take my leave. I hope you all pass an intriguing night.”

They gave a small bow out of politeness, leaving the room as silently as the shadow they were; not even their footsteps nor the closing of the heavy emergency exit door could be heard when they left, the only indicator of their absence was the sudden disappearance of tension, that hung heavily up until that point, as if it followed that person specifically.

All the families took their respective seats, some of them taking deep breaths like they’ve been underwater far too long.

The interview started and proceeded like nothing had happened. It had happened however, you still had cold shivers running through your whole body as proof — Amaris was right, the mafia is scary but that person was even scarier than all of them. You were sure Amaris would have a field day trying to read their cryptic body language.

Your eyes remained trained to the Kingscholar family like you’ve been instructed to do, to Leona in particular that, that individual evening was behaving especially extra, acting flattered when one of the female interviewers asked him out so blatantly.

When you finished reading the questions written by your mentor and friend you slumped back in your seat to control the trembling of your legs as the stares of three mafia men were studying you. Two words rang through your head like a mantra: fresh meat.

They were looking at you like prey.

Another pair of eyes also caught your attention. Two mismatched eyes, one a dark zircon the other a bright citrine, belonging to none other than Jade Leech, watching you with a mix of amusement and endearing. You preferred not concentrating too much on his gaze.

“Well, it seems like we have a new face in the crowd this evening.” commented Leona, smirking. “I suppose it’s understandable, it’s never easy being the center of attention. Unwanted attention to be precise.”

Just by the way he said that last phrase you were sure he would’ve easily snapped someone’s neck with his bare hands, that much he was pissed.

Ruggie’s giggle broke the tension, snickering at you and the way you looked like a fish out of water while reading and waiting for answers delegated to you. “Our spitfire of a lady sure gives no damn about being unfiltered, uh? I kinda feel sorry for you, gal.” he said jokingly.

“Anyway, to answer that question I would’ve loved being a photographer if I wasn’t dragged around by the collar like some pup by Mr.Laziness over here. — Leona simply rolled his eyes to the ceiling, having heard that complaint countless times by now — I know, I know, being any type of artist fresh out of school doesn't bring any bread to the table. That’s the kind of truth any artist has to face I’m afraid, and exposure doesn't pay the bills.”

You saw with the corner of your eyes Rook Hunt, from the fancy and incredibly popular Shonenheit family, placing a hand to his heart like he had been struck.

“Still, I’m not fit to sit at a desk, tapping soullessly on a keyboard for eight hours straight. I love freedom. Uncontaminated spaces, boundless skies, wild nature, streets full of life and people, foreign cultures and exotic dishes... a life lived traveling the world, seeing and learning, rather than merely observing from a computer screen or a postcard. Ain’t that quite a dream to live?”

From a few seats of distance the boss of the Al-Asim family started clapping like the answer given had inspired him and moved him to tears, as if that was some sort of motivational speech.

“Now it explains why you still have that old polaroid camera in your room…” murmured Jack, “You should give it a good makeover, though, it looks rather old.”

“It’s called vintage, thank you very much!” 

So this was the usual banter Amaris was used to. You had to admit it was rather funny and cute seeing them bickering like little siblings that didn’t want to divide that one cookie left in the jar. Leona interrupted the childish banter like a mother would have. “Children, children. As much as your bickering is amusing, we wouldn't want to give such an image of ourselves to our new guest, would we?”

The two of them sat in their respective chairs, Ruggie sulking and Jack crossing his arms annoyedly. 

Only when his boss signaled him with his hand that it was his turn to speak he relaxed his pose, even if slightly, pondering carefully his answer.

“A personal trainer perhaps, maybe a coach for a youth team. For someone to start working out can be two different experiences: those who just want to be fit and those that have an ulterior motive to start hitting the gym. Either way, seeing someone who’s more expert, has a better fitting body or knows his way with exercises and machineries can get a little…hurtful to one’s self esteem. I believe some people need a little encouragement, a push, to be able to give their all. Having someone cheer you on and compliment your achievements or perfect some loose points where you might be mistaken is something many people take for granted, especially with young ones attempting a sport. Some people treat them like Olympic athletes, training them like pros and forgetting that they’re still kids. What they need to be taught is that they’re not in some kind of life competition, they’re playing a game, and in every game someone wins and someone loses. They gave their all and a silver medal is not a loss, that’s what it should matter to them.”

You had the feeling he would've been an amazing coach, loved by many children and some moms too, had life not assigned him to a job full of corpses and guns and turf wars. Such a shame.

Everyone’s attention shifted to Leona, waiting with an odd trepidation what he would respond. Had life not assigned him to lead an organisation of wild beasts what would he’ve become? With a genius mind and a charming savoir faire like his he had only the spoiled for choice.

He shook his head lightly, tutting like he was somewhat disappointed. “I fear my answer is not only boring but also predictable. Leader is the only choice I was given in terms of career paths, anything else would be beneath me. — for a moment you swore you’d seen a hint of sadness flashing through his emerald eyes but weren’t absolutely convinced — I was taught how to dress and how to speak to influent people before I even knew the rules of chess. Managing land, affairs and people is the only reason why I was brought into this world.”

Sad… yet ominous — that was the thought bouncing off the walls of our brain, the reason, however, still evaded your hands.

The second question echoed in the loud silence of the conference room — though less silent than when that person with menacing black eyes made their entrance. Thinking about their imposing presence, although paired with such a fragile figure, made you shiver in terror. You were sure even Amaris would be frightened by such a presence.

You gave yourself a pinch on the hand to regain focus — answers first, fear later.

The three men were still silent, a quiet childish battle of who would answer first happening between them. 

The silence was broken by Ruggie once more — though he didn't exactly speak. He just shook his head slowly, azure eyes never leaving your figure, lips tucked in a strange smile — one that seemed to say "that's a no from me, dawg".

“I prefer that people continue to fantasize about it, 'cause this one ain't leaving my mouth. Sorry, not sorry, sweetheart, but I'll take this one to the grave.” he deadpanned.

“You're such a drama queen.” commented Jack, earning a spiteful and precisely spelled “no comment.” in response.

The attention shifted to Jack, his cheeks going cadmium red in the blink of an eye. He picked the glass of water provided by the staff and gulped it down in one go as if it was a shot of the strongest alcohol on the market.

“It takes great care and control to take from someone, but it takes even greater bravery to give that someone the reins of one's pleasure! Neither of them should be the subject of mockery, instead both of them should be praised!” he blurted out, voice booming through the whole room. Even Leona had to cover his ears, otherwise risking deafness due to the high volume.

Once he realized he was yelling, Jack's voice lowered significantly, reaching the level of a quiet embarrassed whisper. “That's as far as I'm willing to explain…”   

After a minute of silence — where half the audience had to wait for the buzz to leave their ears, it was the King's turn once more.

Leona himself blinked a few times before regaining his composure. The smirk on his face grew larger, and you always question the reason why your teacher despised it so much.

“Seems like our reporter still has a long way to go before she can read the signs. That or she's hard of hearing.”

Ah. That's why.

“Anyway, although in bed I'm willing to loosen up a little the leash for my partner, I'm still the one in control. That's the only way it was engraved in my body, mind and spirit, I fear. My answer is dominant, if that wasn't obvious enough.” he said, answering with a few well selected sentences.

“Also, tell your friend to be on her guard around officer Bellamy. — he whispered — That guy needs more than a simple no to get the hint. And by what I know he's not her type.”

That one person with black eyes was right, the interview concluded without any hiccups — no blackouts, no gravely injured guests…

You were checking your notes as you walked out of the conference room, ready to give every single sentence to your teacher and go back to permanently sit at a desk for the rest of your life, so much as to not ever cross eyes with the mafia again.

As you finished elaborating your thought someone tapped you on the shoulder gently yet firmly. Your eyes met with light amethyst ones, hair of a pearly white and the dominant colors of a very well known green and black. The Diasomnia family.

“Pardon me miss,” he said politely, curving his spine to reach your height and handing you a small, fine written card. “Would you be so kind to give this formal invitation for a tea to the one you represented tonight? If so, you would have my deepest gratitude.”

He bowed and disappeared like a gust of gentle wind. You looked back at the invite.

Amaris was going to be very much annoyed.

✠ Back to Bullettin Board

✠ If you have arrived to this point consider leaving a like, a comment and reblog. Thank you very much for your support

[yukimura-4]

Looking back at Deltarune's trailer on the Switch 2 Direct

Looking back at this trailer, it reaffirms something I've been thinking about myself for a while

I think my hype for Undertale/Deltarune is chilling out. In a good way, tho.

Truthfully I got spoiled there was a DR trailer because I couldn't watch it live, so it'd have probably caused me a different reaction had I watched it by surprise.

However, I did notice something reading how everyone else was all over the place about it: Only a few years ago, I would've probably been a lot more excited myself. I *WAS* excited, and watching everyone else freaking out about it also made me happy, but I could tell I felt different of how I used to. More "mature", maybe.

I remember back on the early years, lot of UT artists ended up burned out because of how big the game became, and how much attention it gathered. Some ended up harassed and quit their projects, and while I was on their side, it also made sad. So when *I* became an Undertale artist, a personal challenge of mine was to turn the tables. "I'm going to commit to it and make the difference! I WILL finish my project!"

And before you get a heart attack, yes, that's still, partially, my goal XD

Souls' Link keeps going, I don't have any good reason to cancel it and I don't think I ever will.

My point is that my views have changed. Of course all this comes from when I was a teen, and these "stereotypes" within the fandom also weren't always the truth. Undertale's turning a decade old, a lot of artist have been able to finish their projects, and others started new ones on the way. Life isn't just black and white, there's more than to either dedicate yourself to a game forever or become a hater of it Xd

I think the prime difference between my case and others is that I wasn't pressured by the community, just by myself. It eventually felt like a duty to finish my comic because it was my "big" project, a thing I was actually dedicated to finish and that kept me company on my 6 year career, so it's obviously very important to me.

But it wasn't just about my art, it was my hyperfixation. It's embarassing to talk about these things, but for a LONG time Undertale basically became my personality. I joked of how I had it on my mind 24/7, but part of those jokes were true. The harmful part of this was, however, that same "loyalty" I had to it. I was scared I would end up like all the other artists at some point, that all these Undertale years would end up meaning nothing, etc.

Sometimes, thinking about DR's full release, I'd even thought "what will I do when the game's finally over?", and get genuinelly nervous with the thought.

This comes from a lot other aspects in my life, of course. I wasn't allowing myself to change.

(I was a very exaggerated kid, and now I'm a very exaggerated adult XD)

Yet now, so many things have happened to me since I first played this game that when I look back, even tho it feels so close in history, I'm no longer the person I was then. And I like that change. I like myself more now.

I still have a lot of work to do, but I can't act like I'm still the isolated kid who only had room in his head for his videogames. I've opened up for a lot more things in life, and I like them.

In short, there's plenty of Undertale to go in my life, but when the time comes, I think I'm ready to move on. A few years ago, just the idea of it scared me, but now that it's here, it feels... good. Relieving, even.

I'm sure when Deltarune comes out, I'll enjoy it with every cell of my being like I did in the past. But the game *will* come to an end, and i'll keep on changing. And that's a good thing ^^

[canirove]

Friends, lovers… and an orange | Chapter 23

Previous chapter | Next chapter

Masterlist

“Yes. I know, yes. I… Yes, Erin. I know” Mason sighed. “I will. Ok. You too. Bye” he said before hanging up. “Erin wishes us all Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

“It will be merry and happy if we manage to get rid of her.”

“Mum!” he said, trying to look serious and not laugh.

“Sorry” Toni shrugged. “Anyway, have you decided yet what you are going to tell her to not go back to London and sign the new contract?”

That year for the holidays they all had decided to spend them in New York with Luca and Alex, hoping that putting an ocean between Mason and his agency would help them forget about them and everything that what was coming for a while. But judging by how Erin was calling him daily, it was going to be more difficult than they thought. 

“That I got sick. Like with a cold or something like that. Then that Addie got sick too and I want to be with her. And if in the meantime it wants to snow so we can't fly…” he shrugged.

“Your wish may be granted very soon” Adele said, joining him and Toni in the living room of the house their parents had rented. “It has started to snow.”

“Really?”

“Yes” Elizabeth said, walking behind her daughter. They had gone out to do some late Christmas shopping, Adele not being able to find one of her gifts for Mason back home. “It isn't too much, but if it continues during the night, it's very likely that this year we will also be having some white Christmas.”

“Ready for another snowball fight, Turlington?” Mason asked Adele with a teasing smile, walking towards where she was standing.

“I was born ready, Mount” she replied.

“Have I told you today that I love you?” 

“Not enough times” she giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Ok, I think this is our cue to leave” Toni said, getting up from the sofa. “Fancy a cup of tea?”

“Please” Elizabeth replied. “Who knew they would become so…”

“Cheesy?” Toni chuckled.

“Yes. Adele has never liked that.”

“Growing up you were allergic to anything romantic too. But then you met the love of your life, and boom! You became a real life heart eyes emoji. It must run in the family.”

“I never giggled like that.”

“Oh, you did, Elizabeth. You did” Toni laughed.

“But do you… Do you really think he is the love of her life? The one?” she asked while looking at Mason and Adele kissing and giggling like two teenagers.

“I do. And she is his” Toni smiled. “C'mon, let's go make us that tea and give them some privacy.”

“Yeah… I don't want to be here when your son starts putting his tongue down my daughters throat.”

“Oh, shush!” Toni laughed again, linking her arm with Elizabeth's and leaving the room, Mason and Adele definitely not noticing.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Addie… Adele… Don't.”

“Too late, Mount.”

“Addie, I swear I didn't mean to hit your face with that snowball, it was just my bad aim” Mason said.

“Excuses, excuses.”

“Addie… please. Remember that I need my face for work, that I make a living out of it.”

“But you are taking a sabbatical year, aren't you? You won't be needing it any time soon.”

“What about you, tho? Do you want an ugly boyfriend? One that can't kiss you because his lips are all swollen after getting hit by a snowball? Think about it.”

“Umm…” Adele said. “You actually are a really good kisser.”

“I am.”

“Then I guess I'll have to hit you somewhere else” she shrugged.

“What? Addie!”

“I'm sorry, Mase. It is what it is.”

“But I also need my body! Like, what if you hit my chest and hurt my heart?”

“What?” she laughed.

“And think about my abs. You love following the shape of them with your finger, and if you hurt me there, that will be painful and you won't be able to do it.”

“Mase…”

“And what if you miss and you hit me between my legs, uh? Goodbye to our children!”

“Mason!” Adele laughed again. “I'm going to throw this snowball at you whether you like it or not. I'm sorry.”

“But Addie… Addie!” he said when she threw the ball. “Oh my God, Adele. And then I have bad aim” he laughed. 

“Mase...”

“That was so bad, Addie.”

“Mase…” she repeated.

“You had to hit me, not the tree behind me.”

“Mason!” Adele said, throwing herself at him and pushing him down, a huge chunk of snow falling from one of the tree's branches just where he had been standing.

“Shit” he said, Adele on top of him. “That was close.”

“So close” she whispered, flashbacks from the previous Christmas coming back. “Did you know that during winter you have nineteen freckles?”

“What?” he laughed. 

“During the summer after being in the sun you get a lot more, but right now you have only nineteen.”

“Have you counted them?”

“I have.”

“Oh my God, Addie” he chuckled. 

“They are cute.”

“Because I am cute” he smirked.

“Seriously, guys? We are in a park, a public place where there are children!” Luca said behind them. “Can't you wait until we are home to have sex?”

“Oh, fuck off” Adele said, standing up.

“Hey!” Luca complained when she hit him with the snowball she had made as she got up. “That hurt, Addie!”

“Not sorry” she smiled.

“Not sorry? Oh, you asked for this!” he said, making another snowball to throw at her but hitting Mason instead as she hid behind him. 

“Adele!”

“I'm sorry, Mase. But you deserved it for hitting me.”

“I… come here” he said, making a snowball and starting to run after her while she laughed and screamed.

“Urgh” Luca groaned. “I liked you better when you weren't together. You are insufferable now with your cute couple crap.”

“Shut up and let them be happy” Alex said from behind a tree before hitting him with a snowball. 

“You little shit” Luca said before starting to run after him just as Mason was doing with Adele, the four of them ending up fighting against each other like they used to do as kids, laughing and screaming until they were soaking wet from all the snow.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Three, two, one… Happy New Year!” everyone in the room screamed.

“Happy New Year, Addie.”

“Happy New Year, Mase” she smiled before kissing him.

“Urgh, you two are seriously insufferable” Luca said, rolling his eyes.

“Oh, stop it” Adele laughed, hitting his arm. “It's not our fault that you are sad and single” she teased him.

“Actually…” Alex said, Luca giving him a murderous look.

“Actually what?” she said, looking between him and her brother. 

“Luca may be seeing someone.”

“What?” Adele and Mason said at the same time.

“You are seeing someone and you haven't told your sister about it?” she said, hitting him again.

“I'm sorry” Luca said. 

“Who is he? Do I know him? Have I met him?”

“No.”

“Don't lie to her, Luca” Alex said. “She's into football, she's definitely seen him play.”

“He's a football player?” Adele gasped. “Oh my God.”

“Shh, lower down your voice” her brother said. “Anyone could hear you.”

“People are too busy dancing and celebrating. I don't think they are paying attention to our conversation” Mason said.

“Exactly. So spill the beans, Luca. Who is he? How did you meet? I want all the details.”

“Again, I'm not gonna tell you everything about him in a place like this. He isn't out, you know? But we met this summer in Miami.”

“Likely place for a footballer to be during his holidays” Mason chuckled.

“Yeah, well. A mutual friend introduced us. When he said I was your brother, his friends started to talk about how hot you and mum are, that Mason is the luckiest guy…”

“I am” he grinned, kissing Adele's cheek and making her giggle.

“But then when we were kind of alone, he told me that he thought I was the hottest member of the family.”

“Smooth” Adele laughed. “So is he the reason why you've been going to London so often these past months?”

“Yeah” Luca said with a shy smile. “He can't travel because he is playing all the time, so since my schedule is more flexible…”

“He's actually thinking about ending his degree back home” Alex said.

“Really?”

“Yeah” Luca said again, his shy smile growing wider. “But I don't know, I haven't made up my mind yet. What I do know is that I like him a lot, that I have never felt this with any other guy, and that even though it isn't going to be easy because of his career and everything that surrounds it… I think he's worth it.”

“Aww, Luca” Adele said, hugging his little brother. “I am so happy you've found someone.”

“Thank you, sis” he said, hugging her back. “It was about time, wasn't it?” he whispered, doing a little nod towards Alex and confirming what she had always suspected: that he had feelings for him. 

“Yeah” she smiled. “Should we make a toast? To Luca and his new love!”

“To Luca and his new love” Mason and Alex said before drinking. 

“I guess there won't be a New Year kiss this time since you are seeing someone” Mason said.

“We actually made that up” Luca shrugged.

“You what?”

“Yeah” he shrugged again. “We don't have that tradition. We kissed so you would also kiss and realize that you were in love with each other. Though if I had known you were going to end up being so annoying, I would have not come out with that plan.”

“Idiot” Adele said, hitting his brother once again. 

“Anyway, I have to go. There is a phone call I have to make.”

“To your boyfriend living on the other side of the pond?” she smirked. 

“Precisely. So if you'll excuse me…” Luca said before leaving, Alex disappearing somewhere else too.

“I can't believe they made that up” Adele said.

“I actually can” Mason laughed.

“Was that kiss the reason why you were so weird the next morning? Because I said it meant nothing but to you it actually did?” she asked, remembering that night and what had happened after.

“Yeah…” he sighed.

“I'm so sorry I hurt you, Mase” she said, caressing his cheek. “But I was so confused and scared… Because I did feel things when you kissed me last year, you know? I just… I just didn't understand them. Or wanted to.”

“It's ok, don't worry. What matters is that everything worked out, and that here we are. Together” he smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Together” she smiled back. “I guess it did bring us good luck.”

“Definitely” Mason chuckled. “And we are gonna need a lot of luck this new year for your crazy plan to work, so I think we should kiss. A lot.”

“Can't think of a better plan.”

“Not even if I suggest…” he said, whispering into her ear some of the naughtiest things he had told her yet. “Shall we?” he said, meeting her eyes and making her feel goosebumps all over her body, her body temperature rising. Will she ever stop feeling like that when he gave her that look? Probably not. 

“Let's go” Adele said, taking his hand on hers and leaving the party.

[strawberryfairi]

Hello girl!! I love the stuff you write, it’s so immersing and fun to read,

To start off, how about JJK men and where they’d take you on a first date! Maybe also if they fumble or not? Or something along the lines of that if you’d like!

Note🧚🏾‍♀️: Omg hey🙋🏾‍♀️ that is so so sweet, thank you so much🥹!! I really appreciate that 'cause sometimes I be like dang, is my writing ass🧍🏾‍♀️🤡💀?? Lol but anywaaaayssssss...I decided to go and try the short fic kind of route for these so they'll be on the longer side, therefore I'm gonna make it a multipart thing! (P.S. Lmk also if the short fic version gave as opposed to the just straight bullet point thoughts)

JJK + First Date Headcanons

⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙

CHOSO KAMO ʚ🌹ɞ

Choso, being new to the dating world and not having really anyone to go to for advice on this particular field, chooses what he believes is the smart way to go....to the internet. There's so many articles, Youtube videos, and even movies that discuss the topic of "The Perfect First Date". The options are overwhelming, yet there's one idea that really catches his eye.

It's a Saturday, just hitting around twelve in the afternoon, and Choso is right on time just as he said he'd be. He's at your door, dressed in a black- fairly loose fitted- button up top, with acid wash black ripped jeans. His hair is in his signature style, the two spiky buns that you absolutely adore on him. You could smell the subtle hint of cologne on him, a very earthy and mellow fragrance that seemed to match his overall personality well. It was highly attractive.

He looks so nervous, and honestly, a huge part of you was relieved as you were shaking in your own boots as well.

"H-hey" He stammers cutely, "You ready to go?"

A sweet smile etches it's way across your glossy lips, "Yeah, I'm ready!"

He extends his right arm, allowing for you to link yours with him as he takes you to his car out front of your place. "You look beautiful by the way;...as always." He compliments with a faint dusty pink hue across his pale cheeks.

"Thank you. You look great as well; as always." You chuckle lightly, feeling your own cheeks heat up right along with him.

The drive isn't too long, and you figure out exactly where he's taking you as he pulls up to a beautiful looking arboretum parking lot, in the outskirts of Tokyo. You let out a soft gasp, heart warming at his choice in date destination.

"Oh wow, Choso this looks so beautiful already!" You beam excitedly, staring out the window in a rather childlike way as he puts the car in car.

"I'm glad you think so. I was so nervous you wouldn't like it." He admits with a timid chuckle. He gets out of the car, then comes around to give you a hand as you step out. You watch as he goes to the back seat, taking out a large blanket along with a basket that you hadn't even noticed. As if his idea couldn't get any sweeter. You feel your heart swell with warmth, watching as a happy, wide smile plasters itself across his adorable face.

"Ok..." Choso nods, grabbing your hand gently and leading you past the tall, black metal gates.

He chose such a perfect time of year as well, mid spring, when all the flowers have bloomed and the trees are full of lively colored leaves. The scent of all the flowers fill the air, being carried around by the soft breeze. You spot plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, camellias, and even lavender. Choso practically follows you around like a lost puppy, taking in all your explanations of each flower and how you love their shape and color. Even he can't help but squat down and gently touch some of their soft petals.

Finally, the pair of you reach the main event of the whole arboretum, a small stream with a beautiful, traditional looking red bridge in the center of a field. Beautiful lines of cherry blossom trees surround the area, and patches of flowers grow along the bank of the stream.

Choso sets the blanket down while you smoothen it out along the grass, and place the basket filled with foods he hopes you'll like down. The two of you talk, getting to know each other better while enjoying both the scenery, and overall, each other's company. You're already so enamored by Choso solely due to the amount of effort he's put into the first date alone.

So far, he never comes across like you're a burden or that it's some kind of obligation to take you out on a date, and you really appreciate that attitude from him.

He's made his intentions very clear with you, and this first date is just the icing on the cake. Inwardly, unbeknownst to either of you, you both wish this date would never end.

────────────────────────────

A/N❥: Choso does NOT fumble the first date bag whatsoever in my book! He's just too much of a sweetheart for that; he gon' do his RESEARCH🧐🔬 okaaaay!!!! But fr though, this was very fun to write! I really like this idea of doing date headcanons in this kind of short fic form, thank you so much for the ask🙆🏾‍♀️

[hel-phoenyx]

New Year's Eve, part 20

Well you know how it is but do you know how it will be~

Okay enough ominous, still the ongoing story with @corneille-but-not-the-author and @soupedepates, we're in the middle of March and it is time to link all the plotlines back together~

He thinks he's slick, doesn't he ?

Now that he's back at the precinct, hair tied and sadness on his face, working like nothing new happened in his life. Working like he isn't in a kind of journey for self discovery.

I'm sure he thinks nobody saw him. Else he wouldn't have gone out like this. Sadly for him, I'm Odysseus. And, well, when I notice some streets away the little figure of a person I hate with a lady looking suspiciously like one of my colleagues, with the same hazelnut hair and all, of course I get curious.

Didn't take me long to recognize who was under that camouflage. And I doubt he was undercover or some shit. Rather, I think he's undercover right now.

I haven't said anything. Yet. Oh, I could. Drop a little allusion here and there and see how his (?) face distorts. Imagine that, Mayor Warsowar's son, heir of one of the most conservative fuckers ever elected at the head of this city, strutting around the streets in full dress and makeup. The scandal for our little mayor.

I could even make him know I am aware of that little secret and watch how his attitude towards me change. I'm sure I'll get a lot of fear out of that.

Fear is power.

I haven't said anything.

I haven't said anything probably because I remember Thorfinn running towards me crying and shaking and telling me he might not be his assigned gender. Because I helped them find a new name and was behind him for all the steps of the identity change.

Because no one deserves to be forced in a vision of themselves they're not ready to accept.

Or maybe I am just softening.

Ha.

Who knows.

I don't think none of them noticed me, those few days ago. Or Domhildr would not have come to me to "make amends", she says. Feeling bad about destroying my reputation, huh ?

Sad she tried to make up with offering me a blowjob. Ew. Ew ew ew ew ew, just thinking about that is making me cringe. I don't want any sexual shit, and certainly not for you, the idea is enough to make my skin crawl. Fuck's sake I wouldn't even let TYR touch me this way, as if he wanted to.

Well that wasn't the only option.

She also offered me blackmail material on a silver plate.

Things Sigismund doesn't know about.

An judging by the second one, not even Tyr knows all of it.

It would be so easy to drop a hint of two and watch her whole world crumble. How would the oh so virtuous Sigismund Warsowar react when he learns you got pregnant four times from different fathers ?

How would my best friend take the fact you prostituted yourself for a year ?

...

I don't even know.

I hold so much power against you and at the same time your eyes when you told me everything were Brynja's.

Something is ringing in my ears.

Slut.

She had no choice. Just like her.

An abortion at 17.

A miscarriage at 9.

Doing the streets like it's everything you're good for.

Dead in the streets because it was the only thing she could do.

Dead. Dead. Dead.

The tears over the phone.

The funeral I couldn't go to.

The eyes. The eyes. The eyes.

Piano is blasting on my office. I got a few nasty looks from my colleagues, but I don't care. It does work. I've found a newfound affection for Chopin. It helps me focus.

Even if Walpurgis comes to my desk. Like right now.

"Wolffsen, you're up for patrolling."

"What ?! It's not Thursday ! I have files to progress-"

"Don't wanna hear it. Mayor Warsowar is worried about the protest of today. He wants everyone mobilized."

... Of course. Because it's more important to stop protesters rather than investigating the sect that kidnapped your son.

Even Karan af Mundir was not that cruel.

I'm driving the car with my usual patrol companion, and as usual he is silent, watching over the streets with diligence. I'm also following the usual route. Even if Mayor Warsowar wants to protect his precious little castle, I have a city to watch over.

What's unusual is that this time I have music in the car and he looks even jumpier than usual.

"... I've never heard you listen to music before."

Oh hey, the mute found back his voice.

"Therapist orders."

"..... You got therapy ?"

"Yeah, don't you ?"

He was supposed to, at least, after the kidnapping. Not like I cared at the time. Not like I really care today. It's just the reason why I can give him the real explanation.

Can't get judgy when you need a psychiatrist for "physical and mental trauma combine with complex PTSD".

I see on the mirror he's making a face. Oh. So someone skipped the skrink, huh ? Yeah, don't try to hide it. I have always been perecptive of this kind of things.

Because every time I come back home I have to study my father's face for my wellbeing.

The music changes. Moonlight sonata. Beethoven is good too; Apparently he also enjoys it, since his muscles are slowly starting to relax. Good, good, because we're approaching the place the protest is supposed to be held in and I don't want a ball of stress while I check if "everything's alright".

Jeez. Like I even want to interfere. If I could take a day off I'll be with the protesters, maybe even with my black ski mask. Sadly I can't. I need the money, and I need to lay low. Me taking a day off just the day of a protest would be suspicious as fuck.

We're heading to the City Hall.

I already hear noises in front of the mayor's little palace.

Looks like it's getting heated.

"... What the fuck ? Sigismund exclaimed when we got in eyesight of the crowd. This is not a peaceful protest !"

Oh, really ? Boi, if you'd know what I've seen. Sure, there's masked men on top of the procession and some of them are currently shouting at my colleagues, but that's still peaceful. No blows. No weapons. Not even pepper sprays, for fuck's sake.

I roll my eyes and doesn't answer, but Sigismund grips my arm.

"com'on, we have to go."

I snort.

"We ? I think the colleagues can handle a few people shouting."

"They're black blockers, it's dangerous-"

"Yeah, for you if you show up your pretty face, officer Warsowar. Com'on, it's fine, let the people protest."

His face distorts himself in something I have never seen.

Some kind of anger.

What are you angry at ?

Not me, I hope for you.

I'm still stronger.

I could bash your little white brain out of your sorry skull.

I could tell you all the shit your precious girlfriend did.

I could-

I shift on my seat. Lean on the steering wheel. Keeping the fists in check. Right. Keeping the fists in check.

Sigismund is still looking at me.

He's unfastening his seatbelt.

"You do whatever you want, Fenrir. i'm still going."

"Suit yourself. I'm not going out for a peaceful protest."

Even if i'll have to stay on guard. Black blockers were not supposed to be here. at least, not those of my group.

I send a message to Idalia.

"event planned today ?"

She's not answering.

Sigismund is now running towards the protest. The other cops are busy with the blackblockers, and some of them are even harassing the more peaceful protesters. I roll my eyes. I'll have to take care of that, just, give me a minute-

Some people are fighting in the bloc.

Nobody is noticing. The other are either busy with the shouting protesters or trying to make the peaceful ones go away.

And Sigismund is running right at them.

That idiot-

I get out. I'll have to stop the fucker before he reaches the blockers. If they're fighting, a cop trying to interfere is only gonna make them angrier.

The car is locked, I am outside, I made sure it's far enough from the protesters. I have my taser and service weapon on me, even if I'd rather not use them. Last time I had no choice but to interfere in a black bloc, I could use the confusion to throw some of my lacrymo grenades in the CRS's direction. it's not the case today.

My radio is emitting a noise.

"Walpurgis here, says my superintendant. CRS have been dispatched to the City Hall. I repeat-"

Damn it. Who called them ? Warsowar, no doubt. The mayor. Sigismund is too busy trying to interrupt the fight.

It's no use anyway.

Because they will be

Far too late.

A brick flies from the middle of the black crowd.

High above the heads of the protesters.

Right to a man trying to interfere.

I am close enough to hear a crack.

He's on the ground. Blood is flowing from a wound on his head. It doesn't seem that serious, now that I've reached him and tased everyone trying to get close, but at this rate, he may lose far too much blood.

Seeing Sigismund is down and unconscious, the other cops jumped into the melee. Everything around me is now blurred by screams and hitting sounds and I'm sure I even saw some people with knives.

Blood is tainting my hands.

Idiot. Trying to stop a fight while forgetting to protect your head. Why the fuck must you interfere in things you have no power over ?!

Now you're unconscious and bleeding on the ground while I am next to you while I could profit from that chaos to bring down Sarovar's reign.

"I have one man down, I shout in my radio, trying to keep my cool. Call an ambulance for the City Hall. I repeat-"

Fuck, that's a lot of blood. Head wounds always bleed a lot. He's gonna need a blood transfusion.

Com'on, fucker. You can't die on me like this.

Not for a meaningless goal.

Something flies towards me, too. I jump on the ground, try to avoid it. I don't know how I end up on the body below me, barely breathing blood flowing hair all red

I just remember

The pain in my right arm

And then only red and orange in my vision.

I regain some sort of consciousness in the ambulance. Apparently I am not in a serious enough state to be laying down on a bed. It may be because I am high on adrenaline. People in white coats are everywhere. Not around me.

My arm is bandaged. Why ? I don't feel anything.

"what.... the fuck..."

No one is really paying attention to me.

I kinda get why.

I see hazelnut in the middle of all this white.

They're talking about warning the family. About the danger.

Danger on his life ?

Fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

I still have my phone.

No message for Idalia.

Too late to care.

I have to do something.

Because

Because

They won't warn her, don't they ?

She's probably not in his emergency contacts, at the hospital.

Just like I wasn't.

And I was right next to him.

Right next to him

Before I lost him

For something that feels like forever.

Warning.

I have to

Something stabs my right arm. I shout in pain, and one of the med workers turn towards me.

"Don't move your arm ! The wound needs to rest-"

"Fuck off. I need to have this call, you hear me ?! Go away !"

They would like to preotest, but something is making a bolted noise on the other side, and he leaves me alone for a while.

Can't move my arm. Texting is out of the question. Fuck. I'm not even sure he will answer. Fuck.

I dial my own emergency number.

Com'on. Pick up, pick up, pick up pick up pick up

One time. Two time. Three times.

Please, pick up, I have to

I have to do something right for once.

Something finally clicks at the sixth attempt. A cold, cold voice is heard through the phone.

"I hope you have a damn good reason to spam me, Fenrir."

I've never felt so relieved.

He hasn't got me blocked. He still chose to pick up. Even after everything.

How ironic that he is now my only way of communication.

"Al-hamdulillah you've picked up."

"Wha- I've never heard you speak in Arabic before, especially not to thank God ? The fuck is happening, Fen- is that ambulance sirens ?!"

The cold is getting more and more frantic. but I don't have time to sugarcoat it. I don't.

"No time for this. Is Domhildr with you ?"

"Huh ? Yeah, actually, she is. We were chilling until going to the protest, we were about to leave, actually-"

I can hear a feminine voice asking what is up. Perfect. Just perfect. I don't even have time to be angry.

"Bad idea. It exploded. No, don't interrupt, I say as he is about to talk. Listen. I was on duty, and Sigismund was, too. He got hit with a brick. On the head."

Silence.

I can't stop talking.

"We're headed to the hospital. Both of us. Thought I had to warn her about what was happening"

Because no one will.

And if he does die

Please don't die on me

She won't even have time to see him before any funeral.

The silence is still there.

I'm done talking.

Tyr takes a deep breath.

"Okay. We're leaving. No, don't go to your bike, Domi, I hear a little further away in the phone. It'll be quicker on my motorcycle. I have a spare helmet."

I hear some frantic talking on the phone before Tyr's voice comes back in the speaker.

"We'll be at the hospital as soon as possible. Be here to explain yourself."

I have a tired smile.

"That's going to be complicated. Doctors may want to see me, too."

"Huh ? Why-"

"Metal pipe in my arm."

"What-"

I hang up.

World is spinning around me.

Adrenaline is running out. I feel so tired. Probably lost a lot of blood, too.

I barely see the hospital when we're finally discharged.

The white-haired doctor takes one look at us before sending us in two different rooms.

I can read on his face how worried he is.

Not for me.

I saw worse.

Did I ?

Did he ?

The emergency room closes behind him. Those doors now hiding the son (?) of the Warsowar.

[amadeusgame]

Devlog: MAGWest Retrospective + Demo Update Soon

Read on itch | Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee ~ Episode 1 ~ Waltz

It's been a week since MAGWest, and this is meant to be an update both for people who attended and found this game (hi!) and people who have been following this game and are awaiting updates.

For those from MAGWest: the version of the game you saw at the booth isn't publicly available yet, but will be this month. More details below.

Devlog Contents

MAGWest Recap - how it went, feedback received, what that means for the game's upcoming release.

New Public Demo - coming this month. Will take the MAGWest build and add a couple more scenes so it (more or less) covers what the currently live demo does in terms of story.

Full Game - coming SOON. By end of year is the goal I'm really pushing for.

Full devlog below the cut.

All game links here: linktr.ee/amadeusgame

MAGWest Recap

Truthfully, MAGWest was exactly what I needed to get this first episode finished. It gave me a deadline to make a new public-ready build, it gave me a deadline to make a new trailer (which accidentally turned into an anime-ass opening, and I think that was the best possible decision I could have made for it), and it let me meet a lot of people who have the same priorities that I do face-to-face.

I started working on this game when I was studying music composition in grad school, wanting to write music for games (...before deciding to just make the whole thing myself). It feels only natural that I found so many like-minded people at a convention specifically celebrating video game music.

(forgive my terrible phone camera quality)

I have a very small audience, primarily because I've been stubborn about sticking to a particular vision and making something near-unmarketably niche. My goal is to make something a small handful of people will deeply connect with. But prioritizing such a small, specific audience has made it difficult to look at pure metrics, as the numbers are (obviously) not very large.

This convention gave me the opportunity to see those "numbers" in person, talk to the people behind them, and realize that every single Steam wishlist or Itch follow is someone who has in some way engaged with my game and found it appealing. I had fascinating conversations with a lot of people, and I really connected with folks who were excited about what I'm making. It was incredibly motivating.

One thing that really felt... amazing, honestly, in a way I was genuinely unprepared for... was the overwhelmingly positive reception. People really loved Amadeus! They had such nice things to say about the art, music, story, and atmosphere. I received a proportionately tiny amount of critical feedback; almost everyone had nothing to say except that they loved it. I obviously did receive some critique (more below; I know exactly what to prioritize when tweaking the mechanics for the public build) - but I was anticipating a much more mixed reaction. The reaction wasn't mixed at all! A clear majority of people who stopped by seemed to really like it.

One person finished the demo, and without any prompting, said it reminded them of a different VN called Umineko. I will probably be riding that high for the rest of my life.

The current online build I released back in February is something I'm very proud of, but it is pretty rough around the edges. This new build is SO much more polished. I was able to put it in front of an audience of strangers and let it speak for itself, and people loved it. The foundation for a complete game is ready.

To everybody who stopped by my booth at the convention: thank you so much!

As for the notes on what to fix, the following points will be addressed in the new build:

It's very unclear that after exhausting all 3 options, selecting one again will progress the story. This is the #1 thing to fix as it came up a lot from many different people.

There's one interactible where Amadeus often gets stuck trying to walk to it.

Instead of reducing opacity on the non-active speaker in the Witch negotiation scene, it would be less visually confusing to add a grey overlay.

Need to adjust keyboard controls for backlog tome so that they don't overshoot parts of text when scrolling back through a long backlog.

Will add an option for an "instant" text appearance speed.

New Public Demo

The new demo will effectively be the build I presented at MAGWest but with the above adjustments and a few more scenes. And it's coming this month, October 2024!

It will be comparable to the current online demo in length and content, but there have been so many narrative and mechanical changes that it should feel almost like a new game. Unlike the old demo, which was written when I was still undecided on certain plot points, this new demo will reflect that I now know exactly where I'm going with them. >:)

That said, the full game should be coming not too far after the demo update, so whether you feel it's a must-play or not is entirely up to you. Its most important role is to accurately represent what the full episode will be like so nobody feels like they have to pay money for a game they aren't sure they will enjoy.

(I may elect to use Steam's new feature where people can review demos, though, so if I do that... well. Feel free to leave a review!)

Brief overview of everything new coming in the updated demo:

Rich text & more fonts

Witch redesign

UI indicates what you are interacting with before you click

Background is highlighted along with cursor change when hovering over interactibles

Speaker name is no longer part of the spoken text itself and is displayed in its own box above

Text appearance can be paused mid-scroll for dramatic effect

Menus and settings now navigable with keyboard controls. Also fixed an issue where some text scroll settings weren't working properly across scenes

Backlog redesign

"Cycle through all interactibles" mechanic

Glossary mechanic (to encourage big brain theorizing)

Save + load from 3 save slots

Anime-ass opening cutscene

Narrative adjustments to reflect more thorough planning

...Fun little secret new mechanic :)

Full Game Release

Coming Soon (TM)!

I still can't be more specific than that because I don't want to keep announcing release dates and then pushing back. November is looking... painfully over-optimistic; but "by the end of the year" I think may be doable. I will have a much better idea of how long it will take to finish the complete game after I've released the new demo, because I'll have a better idea of how long it actually takes to implement all of my new mechanics in multiple scenes.

I can't give a release date, but I can give a status update:

Music - all tracks are written but a few need more TLC/development.

Sound - I could release with only the sound design assets I currently have, but boy, I'd love to add some more. As time allows.

Art - still need to draw a few more backgrounds and portraits.

Narrative - fully written, but most scenes post-demo need more revisions.

Mechanics - almost COMPLETELY DONE! The small number of tweaks listed from the MAGWest build need to be implemented, but otherwise it is feeling great. I can draw a hard line in the sand here and say "we are good, build it and ship it."

Build - this is what is going to take the most time, and is why I can't give an estimate until I have built the new demo and seen how long it takes. The new mechanics exist, as do most of the audiovisual assets, but I need to build the remaining scenes.

I learned from MAGWest that I am very bad at estimating how long playtime of my own game is, and it varies dramatically based on read speed and how much you enjoy clicking on things; but I would roughly estimate that the demo will be between 30-40 minutes of playtime, and the full game will be somewhere in the ballpark of 2 hours. This will be Episode 1 of 5, and I make no promises that the episodes won't explode in scope from one to the next. One thing at a time: I'd love to get this first episode to you all very soon. Thanks to MAGWest for being an important goalpost and momentum boost on the way there!

Look forward to a big update this month, and I'll continue to work hard on getting this game finished. Happy werewolf season!

[starwarsmum]

Day 4: I Wanna Boy Who Isn't Anything Like Me

@maribat-calendar-events

Link to AO3

On the grand opening of their bar, Marinette was amped up and ready to greet whoever came through the door. Did she hope that Raven had received her message and would be in attendance? Of course! But that didn't mean she wasn't also excited to see who else might appear.

Chloé rolled her eyes at the excited squeal that Marinette gave as Adrien turned the sign on next to the door to show they were open but Marinette ignored her. They'd put so much work into getting the place presentable and fun looking, hoping that anyone who wanted to frequent it would be the kind of people who didn't cause trouble. 

“I'm just saying maybe we shouldn't have invited the woman who admitted that her group got ejected from their last bar,” Chloé said with a frown. 

“They haven't done anything at this bar yet, it would be rude not to tell her when we opened given she asked,” Marinette said with a pout. When Chloé leveled an unamused look at her, she threw her arms up. “Okay, so I invited her because I think she's hot, what's so wrong with that?” 

“Nothing wrong with that, Maribug,” Adrien chimed in from behind the bar. He was reading recipes for drinks and practicing throwing some of the tools and bottles around for flair. He always bragged that his cat-like reflexes were purr -fect for wowing crowds of people as he served them. 

“Thank you!” 

“But I'm still mad at you for missing out on getting that coffee guy's number,” he said severely, an exaggerated frown on his face. She stuck her tongue out at him and he grinned again, still throwing things around. “Give me a drink to make, I want to practice again.” 

Before either she or Chloé could come up with one, the door to the bar opened and a group of people came in, looking around. Marinette stayed where she was at the bar, practically beaming when they wandered over to the new pool tables she'd had Chloé buy. It didn't take long for them to settle in and then they wandered over to the bar to order. 

After the first group, people started coming in in drips and drabs. Occasionally someone would come in solo and just order a drink to have at the bar, but for the most part people were socialising and it gave the bar a very warm atmosphere. It made Marinette glow with pride that she was party to making a place that people seemed to genuinely be enjoying. 

Chloé ducked into a back office after the first hour, claiming that she had some bookkeeping to do. Neither Marinette nor Adrien questioned it, very aware that she hated being in crowds of people for extended periods of time. Marinette jumped behind the bar when it got even busier, making simple drinks and handing off anyone that wanted a complicated cocktail to Adrien. If it continued to get this much foot traffic, they would need to hire someone with more bar experience but for now it was just the two of them. 

Marinette worked hard and enjoyed it, but she was relieved when she got to call for the last round. It was tricky, and took a lot of her strategising ability to remember who ordered what and which order to go to people in. She didn't know how Adrien wasn't passed out on the floor by the end of the night, but she did notice a handful of paper in the tip jar that was suspiciously not money. She'd bet they were phone numbers for her pretty blond friend, and she said as much to him. 

“Well that's- mind your own business!” He sputtered, though his red cheeks were raised by his smile. The grin faltered a little and he sighed as he ruined the jar out and started separating the money from the other paper. “There wasn't anyone who struck me as the kind of guy I want to date right now.” 

“Do you have something specific in mind?” She asked, wiping down the tables across the room. “Like, do you mean looks or personality?” 

“Personality. I think I want my next boyfriend to be the complete opposite of me. I want someone who knows their own boundaries and will stand up for them, you know? Luka was so easy going I could never tell if he liked when we were spending time together.” 

“Mmm, makes it hard to know if you're doing something right,” she agreed. “You know, you should really be working on setting boundaries yourself. Because whoever you end up dating should be able to trust you to know yourself well enough to say no when you need to. And you're a little bit of a people pleaser, Kitty.” 

“Hey, that's…completely fair,” he sighed, replacing the tip jar and putting the phone numbers in the bin. “It's not like I was raised to be an independent thinker. And what am I supposed to do, go to therapy? As Chlo would say, ridiculous-” 

“Utterly ridiculous,” they chorused, bursting into fits of giggles. They subsided after only a minute, Marinette looking at him fondly. It was impossible to know if therapy was something that would help given they couldn't tell them everything about their pasts, but she wished he would give it a try. Just from what Gabriel had put him through she thought that it would be good to get a professional opinion. 

“Are you two making fun of me?” Chloé demanded, appearing in the doorway now that the crowds of people had been sent home. 

“Who us? We would never dare,” Marinette assured her, stifling another giggle at the withering look Chloé gave her. “But now that you’re here, we should suspiciously change the subject and talk about something else.”

“Hmph, whatever you say Dupain-Cheng,” Chloé sniffed, turning to Adrien and wrinkling her nose. “You need a shower, Adrikins! Let’s go home before it gets any later and you can tell me all about your horrendous night of serving commoners.” 

Still laughing, Marinette followed her two blonde friends and locked up the doors to their new bar. She had a warm feeling in the pit of her stomach and she couldn’t wait to see where they went next. 

[lilyginnyblackv2]

I'm baffled why Kingdom Hearts fans were expecting a trailer at either the State of Play or Summer Games Fest this week. There was absolutely nothing indicating that we would be getting a trailer of any kind any time soon.

We had Missing Link cancelled. It was a shitty, predatory mobile slop game, but that game was meant to be the game that held fans over until KH4 finally released/came out (and contained some level of lore setup for KH4, which may need to be reworked now). With it now cancelled, that means that there is nothing for Square Enix to show. They would continue to work on KH4, while Missing Link gave the fans something to talk about and discuss. Without Missing Link now, we just have to wait for KH4.

The screenshots that we got shortly after the Missing Link cancellation announcement were low quality, looked to still be in a very WIP state (especially the gameplay screenshots), and were compiled together in a simple photo grid. All of that indicated that those screenshots were just meant to be damage control, not an indicator that a trailer was on the horizon.

Square Enix then used PR language to basically say, "Hey, thanks for your patience. Please continue to be patient. The game is still a ways off, so please continue to wait for news on it in the future." It was worded differently than this, but that was the gist of what they were conveying with the PR word choices they went with.

Square Enix is currently in a large restructuring phase. They are rebooting the way they approach their business and planning models and there isn't any KH4 in sight here:

Finally, while there was a VA on Twitter that stated that they were in KH4, their post is now deleted. A lot of fans assumed that this individual broke an NDA and has actually done some VA work for KH4. That could be the case, but it could also be that that individual thought they did VA work for KH4, but it was actually for FF Tactics or maybe even Missing Link or something and that's why their post was deleted.

Now, David Gallagher, Riku's English VA, has stated on his Twitch that he hasn't done any VA work for KH4 yet. He could be saying that because of his NDA, of course, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was telling the truth either, given all the other factors.

There's also just the small stuff too like the fact that Final Fantasy games (of all kinds) are still the priority and main staples of the Square Enix company. KH needs to renew it's international merch license (iirc, it seems like people currently can't get any KH merch sent to them overseas, I think someone on Reddit posted about this in regards to one of the KH clocks or something). Nomura stated that the KH4 trailer that was shown a few years ago now was released earlier than intended (to combat against leaks, iirc). And insider info indicates that KH4 isn't ready to be shown or showcased yet.

I'm wondering if it's just younger or newer fans hyping themselves up for the game fests and the like. I feel like the fans that have been around since the beginning are just used to this and know to just forget about the franchise for a number of years. Then replay or rewatch the games to refresh your memory on the lore before the new game comes out. Play the new game. Then rinse and repeat.

I would love to be wrong and have a new trailer for KH4 come out some time this year. That would be cool, but it just doesn't seem all that likely.

Edit to Add: Square Enix has also just been making so many piss poor decisions over the years, in more recent times. I know that some of that stuff (like the NFT stuff, etc.) is why there is a current restructuring, but even some of the current choices and decisions SE has been making have had a lot of fans scratching their heads or feel a level of uncertainty with the company as a whole.

[kiss-my-freckle]

I used to read this recapper's pro DE/anti SE thoughts during TVD and while the site doesn't exist anymore there are archive links to their posts. I think you'll enjoy reading this on 4x6 and Elena's subconscious with Katherine:

https://web.archive.org/web/20130528231733/http://www.rophydoes.com/other-recaps/the-vampire-diaries/406-we-all-go-a-little-mad-sometimes/

This post is a treasure, and I thank you so much for sharing it with me. Believe everything you read because I agree with all of it. I'm actually bookmarking the blog because I love it that much, so I hope it never gets deleted. I haven't read the whole thing yet because it is quite long, but this link is everything I feel about 4x6. The blogger is more thorough than I am, and they word things better than I do. But the way I blog isn't so much for a wide audience because honestly, my ADHD is unmedicated as I choose to be. This writing is perfect for a large audience, so it's easy reading. Everyone that has read this blogger's post now knows what I've been saying. I knew Stelena was over in this very episode. You can literally feel the beginning and the end. Something I often talk about when Pastor Young flicks his lighter and blows up his farm house. He blows the kitchen because Elena is gonna be cooking without Stefan. And Pastor Young does this as soon as Stefan puts the daylight ring on her finger.

Elena's subconscious during the hunter's curse is a lot like the Legacies prism. That's why it's appearing as three different people rather than Elena herself. Elena is warring against herself, and she's getting buried in it. The curse wants her to give up, so it's hitting her pretty damn hard. It won't give her a moment to breathe, to relax. It's coming at her in a way that's a lot like Damon and Sybil in the cellar, only for Elena, it's everything she needs to move forward in her new life. She just needs them to pull her out of it like they pull Damon out of his head. Because yes, that's where she is in this episode - Her head.

I feel the same of Elena's feelings for Damon in 3x22. I will add to that. It's my continued belief that Elena wanted to break up with Stefan in her bedroom, and right before he kissed her. However, Elena had to wait for that breakup because of who she is. She can't break up with Stefan, then have him leave her house to face Alaric. That's not something to fight with. So she told Stefan that they could talk later. I'm not saying that she would've picked Damon, only that she was ready to break up with Stefan. I specifically love the portion about the doppelgangers and how Elena views herself regarding that aspect of herself. Beautiful work on that.

I love how this blogger mentions Elena being reborn because that's exactly what it felt like for me. More to the fact that water is used for them, so her drowning was perfect for it. They did the same thing with the daylight ring that they did with the vervain necklace, only they used fire for that. They pull this insane flashback montage as Elena is marching her way to the bridge because they're basically rewinding to 3x22 and throwing her back into the water. It's what you'd imagine. She's washing off the pains of the day and prepared to live true to herself. So when Elena wakes in her room, they're in her room because they've literally rewound it to the beginning of 4x1. That's why you'll see Damon sitting at her window like he was before. And yes, it was supposed to be Damon sitting on her bed with her, not Stefan. She let go of the normal girl she was, and is now ready to embrace this new girl that she is. She's emerging from the lake with her truth, and her desire to live in that truth.

So what I see in the Delena scene is their beginning. Elena wanted them to continue sitting on her bed, holding each others hand and... nope, Damon takes the high road. She didn't want him to take the high road at this point, she wanted to enjoy the moment with him. This is what drives Elena in her scene with Stefan. Since the moment she watched him walk away in 4x1, she's been forced to let him go over and over again, and she's just done with it. The section on the Delena bedroom scene… you'll understand what I mean when I say they're organic. The writers have them falling so naturally that I'm like… damn. They're everything that Stefan and Elena are not, and I love them for it. They built this, all of this, and in a natural way.

The Stelena scene is their end. I agree with Elena being the one who broke up with Stefan. I've felt that way since my first watch. But it's not without explanation. At the open of the episode, she refused to let Stefan make it about Damon. Here, she's purposefully making it about Damon because she's pushing Stefan to break up with her. I mean, she just survived an insane war against herself and all of these feelings she's been soaking up since time began. So after dealing with the curse, she wants this breakup to be easy. She's pushing Stefan to say the words. Just as much, she wants the breakup to be his. All I can think about is that movie, How To Lose a Guy In 10 Days.

I love it when people give me posts like this to chew on. I'll be enjoying it for a while.