#genuinely trying not to smile in this library because i have a representation to hold up and you’re ruining it boo ☹️

[tojiscrack]

I was reading “liar, liar”!! Omg you became my fav writer ever!! It’s smooth and Aaaaaa im in love

aww stop 😭❤️

i wish i could be more enthusiastic about the way i’m responding rn but i’m so tired and i can barely keep my eyes open as i type this but i want you to know that i appreciate your message sm and i’m beyond ecstatic that i’ve become your fav writer 🥳

i’m sorry my updates are so sporadic and slow and just all around annoying for you, but i’m working on it, hahaa <3 ty for ur patience!!

[schneesisterss]

Do you have any head cannons for the other Dimitrescu sisters? I loved your takes on Cassandra!

thank you! <3 and Of Course I have headcannons for the other two. (though not as extensive as the ones I have for Cassandra bc you know... brain rot) BUT HERE:

Daniela:

ADD/ADHD representation

stims include, but not limited to: jumping, hard blinking, leg bouncing, word/phrase/noise repetition, and fidgeting with her clothing

and i’m also CONVINCED she gets the zoomies at random times of the day

Alcina, hearing loud and fast footsteps up and down her hallway at 3am: *sigh* “Daniela! Take it outside!”

followed by a loud THUMP and painful groan (she definitely ran into a wall)

hates loud noises but simultaneously has no volume control

especially when she gets excited

Cassandra has to constantly remind her to lower her voice

“AND THEN I TOOK MY KNIFE AND STABBED THE LYCAN IN THE NECK AND IT WAS SO COOL—”

“Dani, i’m standing right here, why are you yelling?”

she loves play-fighting with her sisters

Cassandra is more willing to entertain her than Bela but the both of them like to see their sister happy. so whenever they recognize Daniela getting antsy they’ll wrestle with her a bit

(Cassandra gets way to into it sometimes and makes Bela be the referee lol. Cass always ends up pinning her younger sister with a proud, competitive smile on her face. Bela let’s Dani win, but we don’t tell her that)

has the keenest senses of the three which makes her the best at stalking/killing pray

and since she can hear the best out of all of them, she unintentionally eves drops on conversations

so Daniela, bless her, has all the tea

tactile learner

will just. touch things

“Life hard, Mothers gown soft”

can get trapped in her own head and doesn’t know how to express to her family what’s bothering her

this can make her very reserved at times and she’ll distance herself for days on end

her mother is really the only person who knows how to get her out of that state. Alcina walks up the long flight of stairs to the highest point of her castle. her youngest daughter likes to come here sometimes when she needs the quiet. “Daniela? Are you up here?”

“Hello, Mother.” Alcina looks up to see her daughter lounging on a banister high up on the ceiling.

“What are you doing up there, my love?” Daniela rubs the fabric of her dress between her fingers. “Cassandra and Bela were arguing again. I don’t like when Cassandra yells.”

Alcina shakes her head. Those two were always going at it. She’ll speak to Bela about it later. “I haven’t seen you in a few days.” Daniela then grabs a fist full of her dress and tugs at it, blinking hard. “Come down for a moment. Talk to me, baby.”

and Daniela simply rolls herself off the banister and into free fall. Alcina, already prepared, catches her with ease and holds her bridal style against her chest. Daniela runs her hands over the sleeve of her mother’s dress.

Alcina gave her youngest child time to gather her thoughts, knowing it sometimes takes longer for her to be able to understand them herself. Daniela finally spoke up: “It’s been very loud recently. Around the castle. Small things, like footsteps or glasses clicking, they sound so loud in my head.” She covers her ears with her hands. “Even now I can still hear Cassandras voice through the castle, it’s pushing in my ears. My head hurts, Mother.”

Alcina gave her daughter a quick squeeze before setting her down. “Follow me baby, I want to show you something.” Daniela followed her Mother through the twists and turns of the castle until they ended up at a door that was just like all the others. It blended in and maybe that’s why Daniela has never noticed it before. “In here.” her mother guided.

Inside was a small library and lounge room. A fire place tucked in the corner and, of course, a wall a wine next to it. Daniela looked at her Mother questioningly.

“Listen.” her mother said, and Daniela did. She heard... nothing. Nothing outside of the quiet cracking of the fire place. “This room is sound proofed. Come here whenever you feel overwhelmed.” She leaned down to stroke her daughters head. “Just don’t tell your sisters I showed you my secret getaway room.” and with a wink, the tall woman exited the room and shut the door behind her.

The next day Daniela was at breakfast like nothing had changed. She didn’t even mind when Cassandra yelled at a maiden for breaking a plate, it only made her laugh.

(if you get overstimulated you KNOW what i’m talking about)

personal space? never heard of her.

loves to cling to Belas arm and Bela let’s her bc she thinks it’s just. so cute.

will also sometimes just crawl into her mothers lap and fall asleep. then Alcinas like: “well.. i guess i’m not moving for three hours”

Daniela: “if I run an jump at Cassandra, she’ll most certainly catch me.” *takes off in a full blown sprint*

Cassandra: “NO IM HOLDING HOT TEA—” *drops tea to catch Daniela* *proceeds to cuss her younger sister out, all while Dani is wrapped around her like a koala*

(this happens a lot. Dani will just... climb on Cassandra. piggy back rides, getting on her shoulders, wrapping her hands around her neck from behind and letting her feet drag on the floor, etc. Cassandra complains adamantly but never once moves to get her off)

Cassandra: “hey Dani, I dare you too—”

Bela: “Mother said Daniela isn’t allowed to accept dares anymore.”

Daniela: “apparently I have ‘no regard for my personal safety.’”

it takes a lot for Daniela to get genuinely angry, but when she does, it’s.... bad.

Very Very Scary when mad

turns into a completely different person that you Do NOT want to fuck with

dangerous and violent

much more dark and sadistic as compared to her normal personality

came home one night covered in blood and laughing hysterically. it scared the shit out of her sisters bc if they would try and get close, she’d slash at them with her weapon.

(this was one of the only times Bela had seen Cassandra genuinely worried and afraid for their sister)

when Alcina came to see what was wrong, Daniela, still laughing madly, swung at her too. Cassandra quickly shot out her arm and grabbed Belas elbow to stop her from getting involved. Bela whipped around with a growl but Cassandras glare and squeezing nails told her to back down. Mother can handle it.

Insane Laugh™️

thinks it’s funny to intimidate the maidens by showing her fangs and snapping her jaw

she often likes to find Bela when she’s reading a book to convince her to read to her (Bela almost always complies)

that’s it for Daniela. just a hyperactive baby with a murder streak <3 ONTO THE FINAL SISTER

Bela:

Mama’s (and I cannot stress this enough) Girl

needs constant reassurance that’s she’s doing a good job and yes this reassurance can ONLY come from her mother

INSOMNIAC

this girl never sleeps, pls baby you need some rest

she spends the time she should be sleeping reading books or running errands for her mother (whether Alcina asked her to or not)

she has read almost every single book in their giant library

Cassandra doesn’t understand this at all

“Why are you always cooped up in here?” Bela glanced up over the pages of her book at her younger sister. “This is the library Cassandra. Take a wild guess.” her voice was completely level and had no inflection. Cassandra gritted her teeth, “You think your so much better than me.” Bela sighed and closed her book. She didn’t want to do this again. “No. I don’t.” she said seriously. Cassandra eyed her for a moment then looked away, Bela saw the guilt on her face before she turned on her heal. “You’re so boring.”

because she reads so much, she is incredibly smart and just knows facts about random things

Daniela, daydreaming: “I wonder why grass is green.”

Bela, immediately: “the pigment that most grasses produce, Chlorophyll, absorbs almost all blue and red light and reflects green light which is why we see green. so I mean, technically grass is every single color EXCEPT for green.

Dani, confused as fuck: ....

Cass: “Bitch, how do you even know that?”

Bela’s sisters just end up using her as Google

“Hey Bela, how far away is the moon?” “238,900 miles.”

“Hey Bela, how many different climates are there?” “Twelve”

“Hey Bela, what’s the worlds deadliest poison?” “Botulinum... why?” “No reason.” “Dani. WHY?”

“Hey Bela, how much can I sell a human skull on the black market for?” Bela, concerned: “Cassandra why would—” “HOW MUCH?” “Well... are all the teeth still in tact?” “...No.” “Than only about $500.” “FUCK.”

“Hey Bela, I have this weird rash on my back and—” “Daniela. Do not finish that sentence. Go ask Mother.”

she is so quiet

and not just because she doesn’t talk very loud or even much at all. she’s just So. Silent. when she moves

just pops up in random places without anyone hearing her approach

even Daniela can’t hear her coming, which is saying something

Cassandra, minding her own business, drinking blood tea: .....

Bela, suddenly right next to her: “Hey I was wondering if— stop screaming, it’s me— have you seen Mothers lipstick? It’s missing.”

refuses any type of help with anything or else she feels like she failed that task

Never asks for help, Never asks for favors, and Never Ever will burden her Mother with any of her problems. Ever.

(Alcina thinks this is ridiculous. her eldest daughter pushes herself too hard.)

Anxiety™️

sometimes when her anxiety becomes too much she shuts down and becomes very indifferent to things around her. this has caused many fights between herself and Cassandra because Cass will get really fired up when all Bela does is respond with a monotone voice and blank stare.

overthinks literally everything and is a perfectionist

this makes her prone to panic attacks :(

when this happens she shuts herself in her room, not wanting to bother her Mother or sisters

Bela closes her bedroom door behind her and stumbles to her knees. she can’t seem to get air into her lungs no matter how hard she tried. she had failed. Mother asked her to bring her the head of that stupid man-thing, but somehow he knew their weakness.

how could he know? are Cassandra and Daniela ok? where are they? where is Mother?

Belas breathing was shallow and short, her chest burns as she presses her forehead into the ground. She claws the skin of her chest raw, leaving angry, red marks behind, desperately trying to open her lungs.

she stays as quiet as she can, only gasping few and far between. she will not be a burden. she should deal with the consequences of her failure. alone.

a sudden knock on her door makes her scramble backwards on her bottom till her back hits the opposite wall. then Belas worst nightmare, her Mothers voice.

“Bela?! Bela, is that you?” Alcinas words were rushes and worried. the door handle jiggled. “Bela, baby the door is locked, please let me in.” Bela covered her mouth and cried silently while her Mother begged to be let in.

the sound of snapping wood had Belas eyes flying open, her Mother had broken down the door. Bela shrunk into herself. She’s going to be so mad. I’m a failure. the ringing in her ears became so intense she couldn’t hear anything else.

large, soft hands cup her cheeks and a muffled voice through the air: “Bela, my love, you’re alright thank god. Are you hurt anywhere? Let me see.”

Bela pushed weakly at her Mothers arms and said between sobs, “I-I’m sorry, M-Mother.”

Alcina looked at her eldest daughter with confusion, she had no physical wounds, but the look on her face was heartbreaking. “What are you sorry for, my love?” this only made Belas breathing spend up even more, her face red from the lack of oxygen. Alcina quickly pulled her in close.

“Now Bela, listen to the sound of my voice,” she said it gently but just hard enough to grab her daughters attention. “I need you to copy my breath. Do it now, love, listen to me. Do what i’m telling you to.” Alcina took exaggerated breaths and noticed that instantly after her command, Bela had tried to follow, but the smaller girls breath was still choppy and small. Alcina rubbed a thumb across Belas cheek. “You’re doing so well baby. Keep going just like that. Good girl.” a smaller hand was placed on her arm and grabbed at her sleeve. “Good baby, use me to ground yourself. Keep breathing now, you’re doing so good.” Alcina kept whispering soft encouragements and praises until her daughters breathing was back to normal and she was laying limp on her chest.

Alcina moved the hair away from Belas face. “What a good girl, you did so well.” Bela squeezed her eyes shut and pushed into her Mother until her face was hidden. “I’m sorry Mother.” came a muffled apology, though her voice was much more steadier than before. “I failed you, I couldn’t stop the man-thing. He shot at the windows! He knows our weakness, Mother. What are we going to do? Where’s Daniela and Cassandra, are they ok? I should have stopped him for you I’m so sorry I—”

“Quiet.” Bela immediately seals her lips and looks away, already extracting herself from her Mother’s arms. She probably hates her. Alcina simple tugs her back and forces Bela to look in her eyes with a quick tap to the forehead. “Bela, I need you to listen to me very carefully.” Her daughters eyes go wide and she nods. “You have nothing to apologize for. This is not you’re fault and I will not allow you to think that way. Plus, the man-thing won’t bother us any longer, I took care of it.”

“But—” Alcina raises an eyebrow and Bela gives in, nodding hesitantly. “Good girl.” Bela exhales through her nose at the phrase and squeezes her Mother’s sleeve again. They sit like that for a few more moments, calming down.

Bela suddenly shoots up. “Daniela, Cassandra, are they—” “They’re fine my dear, Daniela got a little banged up, but Cassandra was already patching her up before I could even get close. We didn’t know where you were, that’s why I was so worried.” Bela relaxed and again nuzzled her nose into her Mother’s chest, took one more deep breath, then stood. “I’m going to go check on them.”

She steps through the now empty door frame and pauses. She spoke without turning around: “I won’t fail you again, Mother.” and shifts into a cloud of flies and disappears.

(am I projecting again? idk help)

can play the piano

no like you don’t understand, she is so good at piano

this girl has mastered songs by composers like Liszt, Beethoven, and Ravel

she’ll play for hours on end, if she starts a new piece she Will Not get up until she can play it through perfectly

she pretends not to notice Cassandra secretly listening to her play, hidden behind a nearby bookshelf

while her younger sisters always jump head first into a fight, Bela takes a more calculating approach. learning her enemies movements from afar before advancing and ending it in like 3 quick moves.

“Well Bela, if Mother asked you to jump off a bridge, would you?”

Bela, already climbing over the railing: “Hm?”

and there you go for Bela! my sweet child.. please learn self-care.

*ahem* I went overboard again didn’t I? WELP. I regret nothing. Give me more headcannons.

[chocolate-parfait]

Sorry for not specifying! Um, i’d like Leonardo, Le Comte and Arthur please!

Don't worry! It's just that I wanted to make sure I was writing it the right way instead of answering with something unrelated,,

Forgiving MC - ikevamp headcanons (Leonardo, Comte & Arthur)

Leonardo

After Arthur's shocking revelation about the residents' identities, you were calmly strolling back to your room but took the wrong turn and ended up in the library. There, you unexpectedly met Leonardo, but the tiredness from your journey was starting to affect both your memory and your already weary body. As you wanted to get back to sleep as soon as possible, and you just couldn't remember the man's name, you blurted out "Excuse me mr. Vampire, do you perhaps happen to know where my room is?". The renaissance man is stunned. Aren't you afraid of him? Aren't you frightened by the thought he could jump on you and eat you whole? Apparently not. He shows you to your room and bids you goodnight with a curious smile on his face. The next day was surely going to be full of surprises

Just as he thought, when Comte proposed the idea of you and Leonardo becoming "compagni provvisori", neither of the two purebloods would've ever expected the proposal to be rejected, and for what reason? Because you weren't afraid of vampires and therefore didn't need any coverage! The Italian man lets out a hearty laugh and eyes you amusingly with a certain twinkle in his eyes; usually people live their lives commanded by their fears and even he has fallen prey to them many times, but your lightheartedness is something he finds very peculiar, rare and even unexpected coming from someone as small as you (he could fit you in his pocket!)

You're certainly a bold little thing, aren't you! You piqued his interest and now he's going to stick to your side 24/7, whether you want it or not. He says it's because he wants to know more about this little human, but that's not all there is to it as he's going to keep a close eye on you and the other residents. You may not care at all about vampires and their diets, but are you aware of the dangers you're exposed to? He makes sure to let you know in a very teasing way while glaring off anyone who wants to try anything funny on you, knowing you would never stand up for yourself

He'd also like to know the reasons behind your lack of fear. Did you experience something that made you that way or are you genuinely like that? Over time his curiosity grows stronger and little by little he starts developing feelings for you. Your shy, blushing face whenever he teases you and your pure heart that would forgive him even the worst of crimes; he can't help but feel tremendously protective of you

Comte

He had prepared himself to explain you about vampire hood in the calmest way he could master, going as far as offering you a separated villa outside the city, but when the moment actually came for you to know the truth, you weren't bothered by it even in the slightest bit. The only thing that flustered you was the idea of a mansion all to yourself paid by a total stranger

When living for a long time one comes in contact with countless different types of people and situations, but it wasn't everyday that someone stumbled into his life knowing about his real identity while fearlessly staying by his side at the same time. He finds you very odd, and most things have stopped surprising him a long time ago

As he keeps an eye out for you, he warns the other vampires not to do anything inappropriate with you, but he doesn't necessarily force you to stay by his side. Au contraire! If you want to spend more time with this golden gentleman, you'll have to do it of your own will, as he'll always respect your freedom and let you do whatever you want

After your relationship starts blossoming, you'll often find him chuckling at the irony of the situation. How did someone as kind and pure hearted as you end up with someone like him, a supernatural being that had nothing to do with innocence and naivete at all?

Your forgiving abilities will be of no use against him as you won't ever hear an impolite word coming from his mouth directed to you. On the other hand though, he might take action versus anyone who tries anything on you (Shakespeare I'm looking at THOU), even if you don't really care. No one will hurt his chérie and escape untouched!

Arthur

When finding themselves in a new environment, most people have trouble sleeping and so did you during your first night at the mansion. You went to the kitchen to get a glass of water, hoping it would help you relax a little. There, you found Sebastian and Arthur talking about getting some blood stains off the writer's shirt. Your first reaction was politely asking the blue haired man if he was injured and if he needed any help, to which he responded with a low chuckle, eyes darkening with mischief.

"These stains, you say? Oh my dear, the blood isn't mine~"

Are you a serial killer or something...? Is what first crossed your mind, but you kept quiet and waited for him to finish his explanation. Visibly amused by your confusion, Arthur added "Tonight I had a rendezvous with a pretty little skirt, you see. Oh, you should've seen her expression when I bit her! Us vampires really have something extra when it comes to foreplay in the bedroom~"

"Oh, so you're a vampire?" "Just like everyone else in this mansion, sweetie" "Ok, cool. Didn't know they existed" you said as you moved to get yourself a cup of water, leaving the two men standing dumbfoundedly while staring at you with wide eyes. "Y-you're not surprised...?" "Why would I be? If you wanted to kill me you would've already done so. Then again, I don't really care that much" "Then I shall give you a visual representation!" and he bit you.

This caused an uproar in the house as Comte started lecturing EVERYONE on sight and forced Arthur who, on his part was actually feeling pretty guilty, to apologize. He wanted you to be aware of the real dangers of living with a bunch of horny vampires, but he could have never predicted that you would brush it off as an accident and forgive him as soon as he stepped foot in your room.

He feels frustrated and confused in front of your behavior. Why can't you understand that your life is in danger? Are you that naive or do you really don't give a damn about your own safety? His uncontrollably growing interest towards your oddness make the two of you grow closer together, and just as he starts figuring out this mystery you represent, you too get closer to his real, vulnerable heart

Your ability to not hold any grudges against people or the past is something he truly learns a lot from. It's a skill he needs in his life and you inspire him to do better; your presence is healing to him, and he can't help but wanting to be always with you. With time, he's finally able to get over his past, forgive himself and forget his regrets. Despite all the teasing, he's very grateful for having had the chance to meet you as you quickly became a key component to his life

[subtlereferencetomyinterests]

The Ballroom

Ao3,  MasterPost

Relationships: Roceit

I know how to write Roman, in theory. In practice, it takes hours to get right. And yet, I love him. Oh! And I actually remembered to insert the italics this time, so, you’re welcome :3.

Warnings: Self-Doubt, Delusions/Hallucinations (they r not that bad), slight Trust Issues (Janus, obvs), Established Relationships, First ‘i love you’, Mentions of Greek Mythology, References to Musicals (Hadestown Hadestown Hadestown!! they sing Wedding Song together ok??), and I vaguely imply that Roman has ADHD because of course I do. 

Word count: 2,443

Every side had a room. Duh, common knowledge. The inhabitants of the Mindscape constantly barged in and out of each other’s domains without so much as a knock, usually to no more reaction than an irritated sigh. It wasn’t like it was a big deal to anyone, much like an actual family. If a trait wanted absolute privacy, well, they always had somewhere else to retreat to.

Thus brings us to the Extensions. It was well understood that you never visited one without express permission from the side who owned it. They were entirely personal settings, specific to the ‘individual’ that used it. The Extensions shifted and changed over time, just as each side’s representation, outlook, and even definition changed, but there had been a certain consistency upheld throughout the last three or four years. 

Roman’s was a theater, beautiful and ornate with a high-ceiling and perfect lighting, which of course always followed him. Logan’s was a planetarium, allowing the user to view any part of the night sky, and providing essentially all known information on astrology for those that wanted it. Patton had a garden, always filled with fresh produce and hundreds of different types of flowers; humble fountains and birdbaths were dotted along the narrow brick path that ran through the large space, at which he could often be found resting with a bunch of chrysanthemums. Remus’ was, predictably, a museum filled with almost innumerable odd and grotesque objects and devices from history- it also served as an art gallery, on occasion, offering a strange sort of beauty. Virgil’s had changed the most over the years, but it had seemed to settle on something of a vinyl record library, complete with bean bag chairs to lounge in while you listened: perfectly fitting for the hipster emo that he was at heart.

And that left Janus. Of course, no one besides the snake himself had ever seen his Extension, and for a good long time he’d intended it to stay that way. It was his business and nobody else’s- why should he want to invite someone into such a personal environment? 

But then he went and made the mistake of falling for just the someone to answer that rhetorical question. Someone who would surely be overjoyed to see it, and whom Janus loved dearly enough to maybe possibly let him.

It was a ballroom. Obviously Roman would love something like that. 

When Janus first began contemplating showing his boyfriend the Extension, he’d wanted to do something along the lines of a masquerade. He quickly deemed it excessive for Roman’s first visit, though. Just a standard setting, then! But, no, Janus didn’t want to have any of his prop people distracting his very easily distracted partner, so that was out of the question. So he would stay simple. Simple didn’t get a big reaction. Simple could be brushed under the rug if it went somehow awry (and was also less likely to go awry). Simple let him breathe.

Yet somehow it remained terrifying. Honestly, Deceit was second-guessing letting Roman in even as he was leading them down the lengthy hallway, feeling regret clawing at him with each muffled thump of his heeled boots on the carpet. 

“I want to show you something.”

“Oh? And what would that be, Loveliest Lie of All?” 

“You’ll see when we get there. Come along, before I change my mind.”

Janus extended a gloved hand, which Roman took with enthusiasm. He was raring to go without even the slightest idea what they were doing. It was a hopelessly endearing quality. 

“Whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll love it but half as much as you.”

“Only half?” Janus teased, narrowly avoiding returning the ‘L’ word, yet again (he wanted to, God did he want to, but the word died on his tongue every time).

Roman didn’t bat an eye at his deflection, merely leaning forward with a sappy smile.

“Naturally; nothing can match you, my dear.”

Yeah, no, he was committed now. This was, without a doubt, happening. Janus continued to lead his boyfriend along the hall, fielding all questions until they finally came upon the door. It was far taller than the ones around it, colored a bright canary-yellow. The trait took a deep breath and turned to Roman, whose face was bright with recognition as to what kind of entryway this was.

“This is your-”

“Yes.”

“You’re really going to show me-”

“Yes.”

“Oh,” Roman traced a hand down the door frame, as if it would shatter at a firmer touch. His eyes were wide with excitement, a grin stretching across his lips.

Janus felt as though his stomach were doing cartwheels.

“Well, then, what are we waiting for?” It was a genuine question; Deceit was open to suggestions for reasons to wait. But Roman clearly hadn’t picked up on the hesitance, too caught up in his own exuberance. 

Janus took a deep breath. He pulled the door open, and the two sides were immediately enveloped by brilliant golden light.

The ballroom was a showy place, which mightn’t have seemed to be the deceitful trait’s nature, at first glance- but, oh, did Janus adore just a dash of gaudiness. 

Roman already knew this about him. Roman knew a lot of things that took a careful eye and a lot of trust. 

Janus took the first step forward, holding Creativity’s hand in his and leading him into the baroque construct. The door snapped shut behind them, leaving them in glowing light cast down from crystalline chandeliers. Above them arched the ceiling, displaying murals of greek myths in perfect detail. The paintings danced and shifted around each other, even moving down the walls, as they played out dozens of ancient stories. It was like an animated oil painting, however impossible that would sound to a real human. 

Soft music filled the ballroom, drifting around the pair. Janus usually dressed his Extension up with fake guests; people of his own design for him to talk and laugh with. It felt safe, reassuring even, to be completely in control of things, including your compatriots. But now, the room was empty, save for him and his real guest. Janus turned his gaze back to Roman, trying to disguise his nervousness.

“Well?” 

Roman crosses his arms over his chest. He clicks his tongue, giving the surroundings a sweeping glance. At best, he’s unimpressed, at worst, he’s outright disdainful. 

“All that buildup, really, for this? What is even the point of such an Extension, Janus?” Roman’s intricately designed shoes clack against the hardwood floor as he further examines the room. He stops in the center, whirling to face Janus. “I’d hoped that this big reveal would make up for all of your other failings as a partner, but I suppose you’re just fated to disappoint me! And it took you months to show me this waste of architecture? Now, that’s just pathetic.”

With a scoff, Roman leaves. 

The scene Janus had unconsciously played came to an abrupt end. He staggered, blinking his eyes back into focus. Roman wasn’t looking down at him, gaze cold and unwavering; rather, he was spinning around the room as he drank in the decorations. He quite looked like he’d never had a malicious thought in his entire life, joyful as he was.

“Oh, Jay, this is gorgeous! Not as much as you, of course- but it is just astounding,” he beamed at Janus, who offered a smirk in return and rolled his mismatched eyes (though he could feel the human side of his face flush bright at the compliment). Before he had a proper response, however, Roman’s gaze caught on something behind him. The trait crossed the room in just a few strides. 

“Is that…?”

Janus turned on his heel and followed, his eyes landing on the painting that distracted his prince. The tale of Orpheus and Eurydice, a colorful-yet-accurate depiction, ‘painted’ in a somewhat impressionist style. It was easily one of Janus’ favorite myths; evidently Roman was a fan just the same. 

“I’m glad you like it,” the honesty was bitter on his tongue. It was well worth it. “I find mythology inspiring, to say the least.” 

Creativity ran his hand along the mural, a giddy laugh escaping him. Without the slightest of warnings, he spun around and grabbed one of Janus’ hands in both of his.

“Lover, tell me, if you can- who’s gonna buy the wedding bands? Times being what they are. Hard and getting harder all the time,” his singing was elated and bubbly, the lilt of one well-familiar with the lyrics he recited. Janus laughed and leaned into his partner. 

“You want to be Eurydice?”

“Just play along!” 

Janus sighed, far too fond for the exasperation he’d been aiming for, and pulled Roman in close. He settled his hands at The Prince’s hips, leading them in a mostly formless dance.

“Lover, when I sing my song, all the rivers sing along. And they're gonna break their banks for me, to lay their gold around my feet. All a-flashing in the pan, all to fashion for your hand. The river’s gonna give us the wedding bands,” once, Roman had told him his voice was honey, slow and sweet. That conversation came back to him, bringing a lanquidity to his singing just so he could soak in the lovestruck expression it earned him. 

“Lover, tell me, if you're able, who's gonna lay the wedding table? Times being what they are. Dark and getting darker all the time.”

Their simply patterned steps led them in wide circles around the room. Janus subconsciously let the jazz that usually rang across his ballroom slip away, only to be replaced with the instrumentals to their ballad. 

“Lover, when I sing my song, All the trees gonna sing along, And bend their branches down to me, To lay their fruit around my feet. The almond and the apple, And the sugar from the maple. The trees gonna lay the wedding table.” 

And so on they continued for the song’s duration- taking their turns with the lyrics, eyes only for each other despite the beauty of their surroundings.

When Janus reached the last line, he drew out the note until his voice faded to nothing more than a lingering hum of the tune. Softly, his standard background music returned to accompany them as the remnants of their duet slipped away. 

They eased to a gentle sway. Roman dropped his head onto Janus’ shoulder with a sigh.

“Thank you.”

“What for, my dear?”

“Bringing me here. Trusting me,” Creativity mumbled into his collar. 

“Of course,” Janus whispered, letting go of the side’s hips to properly wrap his arms around him. 

Roman raised his head, just enough to look Deceit in the eyes. 

“I love you,” he announced, open and honest and completely unexpectant- everything that Janus wasn’t. It was the same way he always said it; with a fierceness as though he was proving his point in an argument, yet somehow remaining gentle and caring. A mere statement, one that never even hinted at a need for response. It simply was, a fact thrown into the world with reckless abandon. 

Nothing terrified Janus more. But, between the duet and Roman’s reaction to the Extension, Janus felt something a bit more foreign than fear welling in him. 

Bravery.

“I love you, too.”

Roman pulls back from their embrace, a cruel laugh falling from his lips. He fixes Janus with a patronizing glare.

“Oh, you love me, do you? You sure know how to show it,” he taunts, backing further away from the snake. There is something dark that glints behind his eyes. “I only tell you that I love you a million times a day, to radio silence, and it’s only now you deign to reciprocate? Barely any fanfare, as though such a confession alone makes up for all the doubt you’ve brought me?”

Janus tries to speak, to make use of and flaunt his eloquence, to orchestrate those perfect sentences to craft himself some semblance of a defense. But all he can do is choke. 

“I don’t know why I ever expected better from you. It’s obvious that you can’t change, Deceit.”

And Roman leaves. 

Except he didn’t. It wasn’t real. Janus squeezed his eyes shut for just a second, blinking them open to see the real Roman- who, thankfully, seemed to be too preoccupied to take note of his… episode.

Roman was wide-eyed, completely still in Janus’ arms. He tilted back, and for a petrifying second the deceitful side thought he really was going to let go, but thankfully he didn’t go far. The Prince gripped tightly to Janus’ shoulders, holding on as if to keep himself steady. He let out a shaky laugh- soft and reverent and nothing like his nightmare version’s cackle. Because he wasn’t that, despite what Deceit’s mistrusting mind would try to convince him. 

“You said it,” Roman said at last, his voice small but his smile wide.

“I’m aware,” finally, am I right? Janus bit his tongue on that. I’m sorry, he couldn’t find the strength to say. I mean it, I’ve meant it for so long, please believe me, also went unspoken. What he settled on was:

“This is the easiest thing in the world for me.”

“I’m so proud of you.”

“Why? You tell me-” a shiver chased down his back, “-you tell me you love me a million times a day.”

“Yes, I do that. I suppose it’s just in my nature, after all. Regardless, it would be wrong of me to expect you act like me, because you’re you. And ‘you’ happens to be someone I love very, very much.”

Janus let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. 

“... I love you, too.”

Roman chuckled, bonking his nose against Janus’ affectionately.

“Two in one day? I must be the luckiest man in the world.”

“Shut up, I’m only to make up for lost time. Don’t get used to it.”

“Of course not, my love.” 

Janus sighed- relief, mostly, but infatuation crept its way into the sound. He picked up humming to the light melodies that played, resuming the swaying movements that had been forgotten in the face of confessions. Roman followed his lead, his grin delightfully infectious. 

“We should get back soon,” the artistic trait admitted, sounding very much like he considered it someone else’s problem- one that he did not intend on concerning himself with, at that. Janus hummed, feigning deep thought. He let his head fall against Roman’s shoulder, eyes falling closed as he responded. 

“Just one more song, Darling?” 

“Oh, if you insist.”

“Insist I do.” 

Roman stayed.

@shrimp-crockpot

[sapphicambitions]

Part 2 of My Happy Little Fantasy

First Part is here: “I want to live.”

---

It takes seconds for Eliot to cross the fire. Before Quentin takes his next breath--and it’s a real breath that proves he’s alive--Eliot has him pulled into a massive hug. The older man wraps his arms around him and Quentin sinks into the hug. He hugs Eliot like it’s the only thing holding him to this earth and suddenly he’s crying. Quentin is crying into Eliot’s clothes and he breathes in the familiar scent of his love. He thinks Eliot is crying too, but he’s not sure until Eliot finally pulls away and holds Quentin’s head in his hands.

“You died,” Eliot chokes out, eyes filled with tears.

Quentin can’t help but laugh, and nods. “I died,” He reaches up and takes Eliot’s hands into his own. “But I’m back, and I’m not going anywhere,” He stares up into Eliot’s eyes, just like he did that day in the park, just like he did for fifty years. And then Eliot is kissing him.

It’s as natural as breathing. It’s a kiss they’ve had a thousand times before and yet like they’re kissing for the first time. Quentin wraps his arm around Eliot’s waist and pulls him closer at the same time that Eliot wraps his hand around Quentin’s neck. They kiss like the star-crossed lovers they are, and for a moment Quentin forgets the world around him.

And then he hears Margo throw out a “What the fuck?” And they break apart, both grinning from ear to ear. Quentin turns back to the group, who are all on their feet at this point and staring at him with dropped jaws. Quentin squeezes Eliot’s hand in reassurance before stepping forward to greet the rest of the group.

“Hey, guys,” Quentin grins. “Penny says hello,”

---

Quentin and Eliot take a break. Not from each other, gods no. From the whole “saving the world” thing. After months of being separated by the Monster and after both of them dying one way or the other, they agree to take a step back, together. To take a pause. To take a breath. To take time to heal and to learn to love each other again.

The group wholeheartedly supports their choice. Kady and Penny 23 don’t actually super care, but they promise to check in and say hello every now and then. Alice actually seems a little relieved, and by the looks she’s giving Kady, Quentin knows that she’s going to be just fine. Julia and Margo are thrilled by this, the chance for their best friends to just live. But they agree on one condition: they live somewhere easily accessible so they can visit often and regularly.

Quentin and Eliot move to Upstate New York. They buy an old cabin in the middle of the woods that’s been abandoned for a while. The real estate agent is surprised that they want to take on such a project but it’s in the middle of a clearing and next to a stream and has echoes of the mosaic everywhere. It’s not the same as their home in Fillory. It’s different. Larger, a bit more run down and needing a lot of love to fix it up. There’s plumbing and electricity and air conditioning and internet, which is a blessing. There’s only one sun and their son is not running around the mosaic tiles, but it’s just similar enough to make them both smile.

The cabin is also fifteen minutes away from Brakebills, and the first piece of furniture that goes into their home is the Fillory Clock. Margo can now come and go as she pleases, but they do ask her to at least send a bunny before hand. Julia, who’s accepted a teaching job at Brakebills, is also welcome to come over whenever, but they do ask her to send a text message before hand. But unless either of them are there visiting, it’s just Q & El.

The first few weeks are a quiet time. Eliot is still healing and jumpy at every loud noise. Quentin is still reeling from his suicide attempt and miraculous return. A lot of time is just spent holding each other, whispering confessions and fears and secrets and promises. They make sure to take the time to actually talk through their trauma with each other and with Margo and with Julia and with the resident therapist at Brakebills. Fogg allows them both to see the therapist regularly, free of charge, despite the fact that they’re no longer students. But they begin the process of healing, understanding that it’s going to take time.

One morning, they’re sitting in their kitchen, drinking coffee in a comfortable silence when Quentin remarks that the cabinets would look good painted white. And that the walls would be better as a peach color. Eliot grins in that way he does for Quentin.

“Are you going Bobby Berk on my ass, Coldwater?” Eliot teases. Quentin smiles and for a second he wants to hide it in his mug, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t need to anymore.

Eliot had kind of assumed that he would be doing to bulk work in designing and fixing up the place. And it’s true, he might have a slightly better eye for it that his partner, (his partner) but Quentin enjoys the work. He enjoys quietly puttering around the cabin and mending the broken pieces. He enjoys going with Eliot to the store and giving his opinions on paint colors and curtain patterns. He even surprises Eliot one day by coming back from the store with an armload of small paint cans and brushes, rambling on about how he wants to paint a mosaic on that open wall in their bedroom and why it would be a good idea. Quentin wants to say “I know it’s stupid” but he doesn’t. He says “I want to paint a mosaic pattern on that empty wall in our room,”

Eliot answers with a solid yes and then kisses him.

Communication has become the most important thing they’ve had to work on. If they’re going to be partners (and they agree on the term partners, fully committed to each other, forever and ever amen) they need to be open about what they want and what they fear. On everything, from conversations about commitment and love to deciding that Fillorian rustic boho chic is the look they’re going for in their designs. And it’s hard. And it feels good. Some days it’s easy for Eliot to say “I’ve always been afraid of commitment because of what I saw my parents go through,” and then on the same day it’s hard for him to say “I don’t think that’s a good spot to put the new table,” So it’s a give and take.

Margo comes over for dinner after they’ve completely finished fixing the place up. She’s been over enough times to see the progress as it was happening, but to see it all finished leaves her breathless. Eliot can tell she’s trying not to get choked up from seeing her two best friends genuinely happy with each other and their home when she remarks that they’re giving Chip and Joanna a run for their money. Quentin and Eliot cook dinner for the three of them, and Margo secretly smiles at how the two work together in the kitchen. Like they’re a machine, working together in perfect tandem. She’s always had her bets on these two living happily ever after, and it’s nice to see she was right about it all along.

When Margo leaves and they’re cleaning up the kitchen, Eliot remarks that it feels like this is what would have happened if Jack and Ennis got their happily ever after. Quentin doesn’t know what he’s talking about which makes Eliot’s jaw hit the floor and so they curl up on the couch and watch Brokeback Mountain. Which, Eliot thinks is a great idea until Quentin is sobbing his eyes out and Eliot can only hold him tight. He can only press kisses to the top of his head and rub his back to calm his partner down.

“You know I love you so much, right?” Quentin chokes out through the sobs.

Eliot has to blink away his own tears and tells Quentin yes, he knows, and he loves him back. He loves him to the ends of the Earth and to the ends of Fillory and the ends of the Neitherlands and the ends of the Library and to the ends of Cuba. And he peppers kisses onto Quentin’s face and wipes away his tears. The sex is great that night.

Quentin begins writing a book. Several months after the start of their new life, they both figure they’ve got to do something with their lives eventually, as their money will eventually run down and they’ll need to stop lending money from Fillory or Fogg. And Quentin decides he wants to write a kids book, like Fillory and Further, but better. He’s telling Eliot about it one night over the fire pit in their backyard, about how he wants to write a fantasy series focused on queer characters. And how no matter what those queer characters will go through, they’re going to get a happy ending. Because Quentin wants to give that kind of representation that he never had to young queer kids. And then it’s Eliot’s turn to cry while Quentin rubs his back and peppers him with kisses.

Eliot doesn’t know what he wants to do. He has a hard time admitting it, but he never thought he’d live til his 30s, so he never really had a plan. (It’s hard for Quentin to hear that) But he’s inspired by Quentin and his desire to give back.. So Eliot begins working at a shelter for LGBT youth in New York City. They enchant one of the unused closets in their home to be a doorway to Eliot’s new job (which they both find hysterically ironic) and now he has a job and purpose. Working with queer youth and helping them get back on their feet is really good for Eliot. He can identify with a lot of them who’ve left abusive homes, those who seem to be heading down the dangerous addiction path, those who seem to be struggling to get out of bed. And Eliot shows them that it will take time and work, but it gets better. And he shows a lot of kids that they have a right to exist as themselves in the world. And sometimes he brings Quentin, just to show them that is possible to overcome tragedy and deal with their trauma in a healthy way. To show them that two queer men are allowed to live and have their happily ever after.  

“See? Look at my dastardly handsome partner.” He jokes to a room of teens, sending a sly smile to Quentin. Q is looking at him like Eliot hung the moon and he can’t get enough of it. Eliot takes his partner’s hand and kisses his knuckles. “We survived, and so can you,”

[sam-anderson-writes]

My Top 10: Motivational Songs

I'm fairly new to the whole "Daily Motivation" thing, but ever since I've started it, it really has helped me. As someone who enjoys music immensely, in a myriad of genres, I have a tendency to make playlists to work to on YouTube.

The wonderful thing about YouTube is that, as long as you have an internet connection, be it at home, at the library, at school, or just as a wireless hotspot on your phone, you can enjoy all the music you want for free, though you can also find all the songs listed here on Spotify. So, to try to make your day a little more triumphant, without hurting your wallet, I thought I'd share some songs with you that often have helped me get through the day. I'm sure that you've heard many of them before, though you may find some new gems to get yourself up and going.

The first band I want to mention is My Chemical Romance. They are and always have been one of my favorite bands. Their message has always been one of hope and self-love. This song I want to share is no different. It has a bouncing beat that's wonderful to dance to, especially in a club-type setting, with a message that is important to the crowds that may gather in such a venue.

To me, the message behind the song has always been one of not letting yourself remain one of a massive number. Someone who blends in with the crowd. And not letting yourself be dragged down by people you consider friends or family who tell you to do the same. It's about standing up for yourself, being yourself, and if you don't fit into the place where you are, go exploring. Be adventurous and be who you wanna be, even if it takes you out of your comfort zone. Sometimes especially if it takes you out of your comfort zone. And to surround yourself with friends who are willing to support you, no matter what happens. The lovely thing about this band in general is that throughout their entire career, they were always sending the message that even if you didn't know the band members personally, they would always be there to back you up if you had no one else to do so. To support you through the bad times. Even the end screen to the video for their song "Teenagers" has a message featuring the Suicide Hotline just in case you're feeling lost and alone. To be honest, as much as I've always loved other music, this band really did get me through the angst-ridden teenage years that we all experience, and made that part of my life just a little bit easier. It still continues to do so today.

Song: Planetary (GO!) Artist: My Chemical Romance Album: Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvfNmXbVHi4

Before I discovered My Chem, though, one of my friends introduced me to the essential modern punk rock experience known as Green Day. It all started with their album American Idiot, and then I backtracked through their earlier work from there. Though I don't have any of their older songs listed here, I can still say that my favorite album by them is Warning.

I chose these two songs because they give me the strength to keep going, even when I'm feeling down. They remind me to be who I want to be, and that even though times may be tough, I'm still breathing. I'm still alive. And I need to keep going.

I'll never forget the intro that singer Billie Joe Armstrong gave to "Holiday" on their concert DVD Bullet in a Bible. He shouted out to the crowd, "This song is not anti-American, it's anti-War!" An inspiring sentiment, and one that today still rings true, and to me, as I’m sure it is to many others, this song has always been one of satire, blatantly stating that though we may take a "holiday" from our day-to-day lives (the chorus), inevitably we must return to our capitalist, corporate, government-regulated lives and, in essence, are forced not to speak up for ourselves (the verses). Honestly, Green Day founded my love of punk rock and it doesn't matter if you listen to their older music, such as Kerplunk and Dookie, or their newer stuff, such as Revolution Radio, their message will always be a timeless one. Timeless, that is, until we, as a people, stand up and change things for the better.

Song: Holiday Artist: Green Day Album: American Idiot YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1OqtIqzScI

This next song reminds me of troubles that I've been through, troubles I'm still going through, and the troubles that we all go through in our everyday lives. But no matter what, here we are, still alive, still breathing, and still walking those streets. Still going to work, and school, and still interacting with those around us. It's those minute actions, the mundane ones of getting up, getting dressed, doing the things we need to do that sometimes, are the only things that are keeping us alive, and sometimes, that's okay. That's all we need until we find something better.

And sometimes it's that act of just keeping ourselves alive day after day that is in itself a call for help. A hand reaching out, waiting for someone, anyone, to come along and grab it, to pull us up. It can be a friend or family member, a coworker or authority figure, anyone, so long as it's genuine help. I think that like the end of the MCR's "Teenagers" video, this would be the perfect placement for the Suicide Hotline, just in case. And also like My Chem, sometimes, it's a band of magnificent people that you've never met that get you through the day just by playing the music that they do.

Song: Still Breathing Artist: Green Day Album: Revolution Radio YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnTZa4FY_7I

Continuing along the lines of 1) songs that make you feel that even though you are different, you matter; and 2) my top three favorite bands; let me introduce you to Steam Powered Giraffe. A quirky little band from San Diego, California where the entire band is made up of robots! Or rather, pantomime actors that play robotic characters who are themselves the band. That's not to say that they are auto-tuned though. Oh no. These wondrous thespians do all of their own make-up, vocals, and instruments, and even puppets!

The song I want to share with you can be easily explained in the official music video. It features fans of the band, and even the band itself if you look carefully, holding up signs stating what their "malfunction" is. What society looks down on them for. They range from the silliest, such as a smiling dog with the sign "Pitbull" to something serious, such as depression, anxiety, autism, or being transgendered. It's in listening to the song itself, and the representation on screen, in public media, that the band is conveying that even though you are considered flawed, you are not broken. You do not malfunction. You simply function in a different way, and that those who function normally, who are not “broken”, are uninteresting. Though, in making such a varied representation, the people are in fact showing that no one is perfect. Everyone has a little malfunction, a little quirk, that makes them who they are, and that's not something that is okay to laugh at or put down them down for.

Song: Malfunction Artist: Steam Powered Giraffe Album: Quintessential YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE01dViWqAM&t=18s

This song is another that I really enjoy from the female character in Steam Powered Giraffe, Rabbit. It's Rabbit when she's not Rabbit. It's Bunny as she normally is. This song is specific to her in that she is a transgendered woman, and that if only she were accepted as the way she wants to be, as a "she" rather than the "he" that she was born as (the silver robot The Spine is her identical twin brother), then she wouldn't care if they looked down on her. She wouldn't care that they didn't like her. She'd be happy to just be left alone to live her life as she saw fit. And that's all any of us ask for, truly. Just to be ourselves. To be accepted as ourselves. As the quirky, art/media-obsessed nerd that I am, I can absolutely relate, as I'm sure a lot of you out there could. There's no reason to be cruel to people just for being who they are, unless of course who they are is one of those... well, I'm sure you can fill in the blanks.

Song: Transform Artist: Isabella Bunny Bennett Album: N/A YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irQClUTaWJA

Okay, and now let's pick it back up. Like "Planetary (GO)", "Victorious" by Panic! At the Disco is what I would consider a dance-like-no-one-is-watching song. Or dance with people watching. Who cares? The important thing is that you're having fun, and it's a great song to have fun to.

Maybe you've had a bad day, a bad week, a bad month, or even a bad year. Sometimes it's that moment of pretending like you didn't, that fake-it-til-you-make-it mentality, that keeps you going. And eventually, every so often, it works out so that you don't have to fake it anymore. That's what I think about when I hear this song. Celebrating what you can. What helped you make it through the day, even if it was the littlest thing. Because even if you have a lot go wrong in your life, focusing on what went right can help it seem more bearable. Eventually, you'll be able to take the bad and deal with it like a boss!

Song: Victorious Artist: Panic! At the Disco Album: Death of a Bachelor YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUChk0lxF44

Now, up until this point, I've mentioned bands that you may or may not heard of, but now it starts getting a little more obscure. Maybe. The following are bands made up of YouTubers. This first one isn't even sung by the guy in the title, but is rather an auto-tuned version of him by another band made famous by doing auto-tuned songs of YouTubers and other celebrities. But the result is still the same: An awesome song that makes you want kick the butt of anyone and anything standing in your way. This is one of my absolute go-to motivational songs, which just so happens to coincide with the singer's newly established motto of "Positive Mental Attitude!" No matter where you're going, no matter what you're doing, no matter how many setbacks you have or how many mountains you need to climb, don't stop halfway through, or you'll never get there. You need to go all the way!

Song: All The Way (Jacksepticeye Remix) Artist: Shmoyoho Album: N/A YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJPc49z57bU

This next band is one I found that, to me, is rather silly and ridiculous, and it hearkens back to my boy-band days, but it's really just a bunch of guys having fun and singing about their favorite video games. Four YouTubers, including the singer of the last two songs on this list, dress up as or are animated as their favorite classic title bosses. There's G-Cash (Ganon from The Legend of Zelda series), Ronik (Dr. Robotnik from the Sonic the Hedgehog series), Big Bow (Bowser from the Mario games), and Sephy (Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII). By combining their strength and resourcefulness, they take out their heroes time and time again in this video, showing that no matter how many times someone tries to stand in your way, you can be the boss and take them down. Now, I'm not promoting villainy here, just self-confidence, something that I think we can all agree on needing every now and then.

Song: I'm the Boss Artist: Big Bad Bosses Album: Power Overwhelming YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H841uTdr5S0

And finally, this last artist is one that I found through his covers of big name titles such as Green Day's "Holiday", Fall Out Boy's "Thnks fr th Mmrs", and, funnily enough, Chip Skylark's "My Shiny Teeth and Me." (Extra cookies to whoever gets that last reference.) But not only does he do covers of big name songs, on top of his personal work, but he does songs from television series and movies.

The first one I want to share is from the children's show Steven Universe. It is originally sung by one of the main gem characters, Garnet, who is a fusion of the two female gems Ruby and Sapphire. Yes, a lesbian couple, but since all gems from the gem homeworld identify as female, making Steven the only male gem, lesbian/polyamorous relationships are inevitable. One thing that the creator Rebecca Sugar has consistently gotten flack in the media for, both unsurprisingly and undeservedly. Steven Universe is by far one of the greatest children's television series to come along in several years, and it's not stopping anytime soon.

I think that for Nathan to do a cover of that song, and do it well, is a testament to how powerful a statement its message really is. It doesn't matter who you have in your life that loves you, and that you love, it's that love itself, that bond, that can be stronger than anything that crosses your path, and you can use it to its full advantage. It's that confidence in that relationship, that trust, care, and compassion that makes you so strong. And that strength can carry over into your environment, including your children, your parents, your friends, until no one gives you any grief for anything. Any petty argument saltily flung your way reflects off your ward of awesome and falls to the ground, invalid and useless.

Song: Stronger than You (from Steven Universe) Artist: Nathan Sharp (NateWantsToBattle) Album: N/A YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkVbucbpZiw

Finally, I want to share one of Nate's covers of a big name song: Shakira's "Try Everything" from the film Zootopia. The premise is simple: You never know what you like until you try it, and you'll never be good at anything unless you keep trying, so pick yourself back up, brush yourself off, and try again. They only way you're going to learn is by fixing the mistakes, so why not fix them? If it's something that you really want to do, or to be, then it takes vigilance, persistence, and hard work. Be Judy Hopps! Be the first bunny cop in the history of Zootopia! Be you! Just make sure that you're the best you that you can be.

Not that I think Shakira's version is bad, I think I just have a preference for deep voices. (The Spine from Steam Powered Giraffe does an amazing cover of Rihanna's "Diamonds"!) But seriously, if you haven't seen Zootopia yet, you definitely should. Like Steven Universe, it's one of the best options for children's entertainment to come out in a long time, without being exclusively for kids!

Song: Try Everything (from Zootopia) Artist: Nathan Sharp (NateWantsToBattle) Album: N/A YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoKpPBM7fas&index=91&t=0s&list=PLTK7jKjKw3NU1karAt6LJAVsgYgPC1iAJ

That's all I've got for you now. If any song on the list helps you in any way, or if you have others that you think would add to it, feel free to post them in the comments. Tell me what you think of these songs, or artists. And if you'd like just hear all them in order instead of individually, here's the link to the playlist I created: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTK7jKjKw3NU4mnyMIqCm6nknV3FRLth_

Have a great day!