#here lemme *plays a loud trumpet*

[weaponizedmoth]

I finally sort of understand why it feels weird to tag things on Instagram and not so much on tumblr, and it's because on tumblr tags are used for organizational AND attention purposes. Meanwhile on Instagram it's only for attention. There's no other reason to tag stuff. Sure you can organize little nooks and highlights and direct people towards certain tags, but you can't just search your Instagram posts on your profile by tag, or click on a tag on someone's profile and be led to all the instances of that tag there. And idk I think it just makes me feel weird.

[jokertrap-ran]

(光与夜之恋 Light and Night) Osborn’s 5✩ Inspiration: Interdigital Heartbeat [指间心音] Date Translation (Prologue)

"Hu? Looks like he's really waving at you. What now? Should I give you two some space?”

*Light and Night Master-list | Osborn’s Personal Masterlist *Spoiler free: Translations will remain under cut *Join the Light & Night Discord (＾▽＾)~ ♪ *This 5✩ Inspiration has 6 Endings!! *Osborn’s tag will be #For Night, For Freedom

The Bar Street lit up with its disarrayed ensemble of neon lights as night fell, the night scene revving to life.

Dragging Osborn with me, we made a mad dash down the street before coming to a stop at the entrance of a bar that had Seed’s poster plastered on it. I whipped out both of our tickets.

MC: Huff… Huff… Still 5 minutes late…

MC: I planned on coming here early to get a spot in the front row… I can’t believe this.

A couple of days ago, Gao Cheng and I had agreed to go watch Seed’s live performance together.

Although the band wasn’t well known, they’d been active for a long time now, performing in bars all over Guangqi City. Gao Cheng and I both loved the style of their music.

However, Gao Cheng had suddenly called in a few hours before the live performance was slated to start, citing that his pet had suddenly fallen ill and that he wouldn’t be able to come.

Thinking that it wouldn’t be all that fun going to a live performance alone, I suddenly remembered Osborn, who was an avid fan of music himself…

⊹ ˚✩ ━━━━━━━━━━━ ∘◦ ✥ ◦∘ ━━━━━━━━━━━ ✩˚ ⊹

The small underground bar had cleared the area of all its tables and chairs, with many people packed into its cramped space.

After gaining entry, I pulled Osborn along and made my way to the front. Taking advantage of the break between the ending of the first song and the start of the next, I briefly did a simple introduction of all the band members.

MC: The last guy… He’s my favourite! He’s their keyboard player and also their leader, Liyuu!

MC: He’s especially talented! All the arrangements and lyrics that the band uses are all written by him!

Osborn raised an eyebrow as he looked at Liyuu, who was wearing a Camo T-Shirt, nodding at the fans with a smile on the stage, and back at me again. He nodded indifferently.

Osborn: Oh? That's your idol?

MC: Hmm… Not really? I just admire and look up to him!

MC: I’m the same as all these fans here. We’re all enamoured by his talents.

As soon as the words left my mouth, the two girls next to me screamed out loud with their hands cupped around their mouths, acting as make-shift trumpet amplifiers.

Fan A: AHH!! YOU ARE SO HOT, MY HUSBAND!!

Fan B: Liyuu BBY, I WANT YOUR BABIES!!

MC: Uh...

The slap to the face came way too suddenly, freezing the smile that had been on my face almost instantaneously. A look of understanding was displayed on Osborn’s face as he nodded pretentiously.

Osborn: Hm. Same like them? Okay, I get it now.

Osborn: So, what do you normally yell? Lemme hear.

MC: I don't! I really don't!

I hurriedly waved my hand, desperately trying to clear my name when I accidentally bumped into someone else and got a vehement glare in response.

MC: Sorry!

Osborn laughed, reaching an arm out to pull me closer.

Osborn: Okay, okay. I believe you.

It was then that the second song started up. We naturally put a halt to our conversation, focusing our attention on the music.

After a couple of songs, I couldn't help but feel like there was something different about today's performance. I tugged at Osborn's sleeve to explain.

MC: They normally sing catchier songs. I don't know why, but it looks like they're doing more of the emotional ones today.

He nodded lightly, calmly watching the stage.

Osborn: I like songs like these.

MC: Great!

The band members played freely on the stage as the spotlights shone at them, illuminating the glistening sweat on their foreheads. They'd occasionally divulge away from their scores to do an improvised segment, showing off their inspiration and the mutual tacit understanding they shared.

Emotions poured out of their music, infecting every member of the audience in the crowd before them and raising the excitement in the air into a crescendo over and over again…

During the encore, Liyuu stood up to thank the crowd from the bottom of his heart as the leader of the band.

And lastly, he ended it off with a bow. I saw him raise his hand to dab at the sides of his eyes, as if wiping away fallen tears.

MC: Oh no… I think I’m a tad moved…

Osborn purposely leaned down, getting in front of my face with a devilish smile on his face. He was clearly enjoying this.

Osborn: Oh? You're crying too? Lemme see.

MC: I'm not!

The live performance ended with a round of thunderous applause. The lights below the stage had turned back on, but the melody they’d played still resonated within my ears as if it didn’t want to dissipate just yet.

⊹ ˚✩ ━━━━━━━━━━━ ∘◦ ✥ ◦∘ ━━━━━━━━━━━ ✩˚ ⊹

The audience started to disperse. Osborn had to reach out to hold onto me as I stood there in a daze, getting swept along with the bustling crowd.

Suddenly, I caught sight of Liyuu coming down the stairs at the side of the stage from the corner of my eye. He waved in our direction. Surprised, I couldn't help but tug Osborn over.

MC: Huh? Am I hallucinating, or is he actually waving at me…?

Osborn waggled his brows playfully at me again as he purposely spoke provocatively.

Osborn: Hu? Looks like he's really waving at you. What now? Should I give you two some space?

Having said that, he let go of my hand and made a move to head outside. I quickly grabbed his hand and held it tight.

MC: Not funny! Stop joking around! You're not allowed to leave!!

I watched as Liyuu got closer and closer. It looked as if he was making a beeline straight towards us, which made me unwittingly panic as I thought of how I should say hi.

Liyuu stopped before us, raising his hand to pat Osborn on the shoulder.

Liyuu: Os! It really is you!

Osborn: It's been a long time.

MC: Wha? You know each other…?

Osborn: Yeah. He's my classmate from the Maritime Academy.

Liyuu: ...And who is this, Os?

I was just about to introduce myself, but his gaze had already dropped to our joined hands. A look of realization dawned upon him.

Liyuu: Oh…

A look at his slowly withdrawing hand was all that I needed to know that he’d misunderstood our relationship. However, Osborn still acted as usual, continuing to talk to Liyuu as if nothing happened.

Osborn: This is my friend, (Y/n) She loves your band, and she was the one who brought me here.

Liyuu: Thank you for supporting us!

Osborn: Grats. That was a great performance.

Liyuu: I’m really happy to run into you here, Os! It’s been a long time since we last saw each other!

Liyuu: It’s so rare to see you! I want to talk to you more.

Liyuu: Our band’s gonna go for a celebratory party now. Drummer man’s also from our alma mater. How about you and (Y/n) come join us for a spin?

Osborn nodded but didn’t reply. Instead, he turned to me.

Osborn: You decide.

I hesitated for a while before deciding to…

Do I want to join the band's celebration?

⊹ ˚✩ ━━━━━━━━━━━ ∘◦ ✥ ◦∘ ━━━━━━━━━━━ ✩˚ ⊹

✥ Choose your Ending:

END 1 | Choice: Do Nothing [都不做]

END 2 +3 + 4 | Choice: Call Out [呼唤] ⊹Speak⊹

END 5 | Choice: Listen [倾听] ❖ASMR

END 6 | Choice: Heart-throb [心动] ★Night★

❖☆————— ⊹ For Night, For Freedom⊹ —————★❖

[cardinal-carvings]

30 Questions

tagged by @onehell-of-apilot​

1. Name/Nickname: Xander / Xan; also goes by Guns

2. Gender: fluid

3. Star sign: Virgo(-Leo cusp)

4. Height: .... smol

5. Time: 30 til bedtime

6. Birthday: NOT THAT EASY 

7. Favorite bands: ..... the.... is The Score a band? it sounds like a--

8. Favorite solo artists:  shayfer james!!! but like also, i dont know i dont pay ATTENTION TO IF THEIR SOLO I JUST??? MUSIC

9. Song stuck in your head: I DONT KNOW THE NAME AND IM SUFFERING THANKS FOR ASKING!!

10. Last Movie: prolly some hallmark christmas one ngl

11. Last Show: m... mando???

12. When did I create this blog: jan 30, 2020!!

13. What I post: trash

14. Last thing I googled: lmfao definitions for my url to be a lil punk

15. Other blogs:  /loud knuckle crack

@muddledbloodlines​, @starfounded​, @gildedcommander​, @rebelliousstarling​, @hyperspacelanes​; @captain-cardinal​ has a list for my none sw ones if you wanna dig deeper.

16. Do I get asks: rarely

17. Why I chose my URL: 

cardinal:  topmost; greatest; ‘Cardinal among my men’-- carvings:  an object or design cut from a hard material as an artistic work 

or, simply put... cardinal makes carvings, which can also be read as excellent carvings in a way and that makes me giddy

18. Following: accounts that are here

19. Followers: ??? y’all weird idk why ur here

20. Average hours of sleep: ..... SLEEP?

21. Lucky number(s): 5, 13

22. Instruments: use to play trumpet forever ago but 

23. What I’m wearing: comfy hux shirt

24. Dream job:  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  lemme work @ smugglers run but irl, the chaos will be a TALE; and somehow i doubt itd be worse than where i work now

25. Dream trip: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

26. Favorite food: mac and cheeze ig

27. Nationality: bland 

28: Favorite song: Villainous Thing - Shayfer James... and when is someone gonna give me a story line that fits it?

29. Last book: /aggressively sliding Phasma under carpet   i dont read 

30. Top 3 fictional universes I wanna live in: uh.... one where people arent treated like shit and basic needs are met <3

[paladin-andric]

Story Time #2

@sheralynnramsey went with Senci, the excitable young kobold who dreams of becoming a hero one day! Here, Senci goes to a festival in Palethorn, his first glimpse into all the good the city has to offer.

Senci ambled through the crowd, eyes darting around in wonder. Having so recently moved to Palethorn, the young kobold thought this to be a miserable prospect. He was torn from his home, the wonderful village of Lannis, and his master, dearest Andric.

But today, things looked up for him, and the future.

The city of Palethorn was a rather squalid and poor city when the kobold first arrived. Senci had been staying at an inn, using the small pouch of gold his master had given him when he left. After a few weeks, the city was improved massively, thanks to the hard, dedicated work of the influx of beastmen seeking work as laborers.

In honor of Palethorn becoming a prosperous, bustling city, the Mayor of Palethorn threw a celebration in the form of a festival. Now in the market square, Senci gazed as crowds of disparate races filled the streets, singing, dancing, eating and drinking. Minstrels strummed away on lutes and harps, trumpets played all throughout, and laughter filled the square.

Everyone looked so happy. It gave Senci hope. Maybe this city wasn’t so bad after all.

A wolfman roared a deep shanty as his friends, two Koutu, laughed along with him, arms around each others’ shoulders. Caterers of various races rushed through the crowd to deliver some of the food off to whichever nobles were too busy or lazy to come down to the square. Guards lined the sides of the streets, speaking softly and laughing to one another.

Senci glanced around, smiling. Although he was happy, he wasn’t sure what to do, or where to go. He had spent so much time hiding away in his room. He was afraid of this city, and its people. He had no friends to make merry with, and all the loud music and shouting was starting to make him feel somewhat embarrassed. Everyone was having a great time with their friends, and here he was in the middle of this crowd, all alone!

���Hey, hey, pal!”

Senci turned to look behind him. A rather old looking Reptilian was walking toward him, holding a mug of ale in each hand.

The kobold looked around him before pointing to himself in question.

“Yeah, you!” The Reptilian walked up to the kobold and stuck one of the mugs out to him.

“’Ere! Join the fun, eh?” The Reptilian had a huge grin on his snout, probably already having sampled the ale extensively. He looked unaware, and was slurring his words.

“O-Oh, thank you sir, but...I don’t drink!” Senci smiled nervously.

“Don’t drink?” The Reptilian looked confused. He took a swig from one of the mugs. “W-Well, well than...why not?”

“Err, well I’m...too young, sir. Not uh, grown up yet.” Senci frowned at that. Technically, he WAS still a child, even though the kingdom basically kicked him out into the streets of Palethorn to live by himself.

“Y-You’re, uh, a kid, eh?” The Reptilian frowned. “W-Wherever’s ya mum at, than? Or uh, pop?”

Senci shrugged, “I lived with a paladin up north, but the kingdom kicked me here when the exile happened.”

The Reptilian’s eyes widened. “They’ve gone and started throwin’ kids out into the streets, than?!” Senci nodded.

“Ah, that’s horrid!” The Reptilian paused. “...so uh, ya sure you don’t want any?”

“No!” Senci said indignantly, “I can’t!”

“Gaha! Good choice, kid! This stuff’ll kill ya!” The Reptilian downed one of the mugs of ale, tossing it to the ground, “Real bad for ya!” Ale coated his chin, dripping down to his clothes.

“Sssso, uh...what’s yer name, what’re you doin’?”

“Senci, and well...I don’t know. Just looking around I guess?”

The Reptilian held out a clawed hand. Senci took it and shook.

“Name’s Vok, kid,” The Reptilian slurred, “Blacksmith. Hammerin’ things, makin’ pointy things n’ armor, ya know.”

It dawned on Senci that he shouldn’t be talking to strangers, much less drunken ones...but hey, there were guards lining the streets all over, and the kingdom forced him to start living like an adult. He had to start acting like one.

“Uhh, mister Vok? I’m kind of hungry.” Vok grinned at Senci.

“Ah, food stand’s right there, kid. Help yerself! Part of the festival. S’all free.”

Senci nodded and made his way over to one of the stands, grabbing a wing of roasted chicken. Vok ambled over and grabbed a pastry.

“S-So uh, you said you were a blacksmith?” Senci smiled at the old man, who nodded, a dull smile plastered on his face as he hungrily devoured the small pastry.

“Mmph, yeah, that’s right...you into that stuff, kid?”

Senci nodded. “Yeah! I wanna become a warrior one day, so I want to learn how to maintain weapons and armor!”

“Umph, youph, ugh...” Vok struggled to speak with his mouth full, eventually giving up and finishing the pastry.

“Sounds like you could use my help, kid!” Senci nodded. “Hmm...I suppose you could learn...I’m gonna need some payment, though. Ain’t nothing personal, I know we’re friends n’ all, but I gotta put food on the table, ya know?” The Reptilian nudged Senci with his elbow and winked.

“Of course! Only...I can’t pay...”

Vok frowned. “Aww, you’re n’ urchin too? Nasty king throwin’ a poor kid like ya out ta dry! Unexpectable!”

“Uhh, unacceptable?” Senci offered.

“Wha...? Ya. S’what I said, innit?”

“...right...uh, anyway, sorry. I don’t have a job, so I can’t really afford lessons. And my funds are nearly spent. I don’t have many days at the inn left...”

Vok slapped the sides of his head. “YER LIVIN’ AT AN INN, AND YER BROKE TOO?!”

The kobold nodded sadly. Vok shook his head in disbelief.

“Horrible! Just horrible! Ah Hell, why didn’t ya say somethin’, kid? You need work AND a place to stay?!”

“Yeah...too bad, I don’t know where to go. Who would even take me? Oh dear, I should message master. He’d be livid if he knew my situation. I didn’t tell him, because I wanted him to think everything was okay, but...I just don’t know what to do anymore.”

“I’ll take ya, kid!”

Senci’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Yeah!” Vok shouted, “I need an apprentice anyway! Instead of chargin’ ya for lessons, I’ll teach ya, then ya can help me around the forge. I’ll even get ya yer very own room. Howabout it?”

Senci felt elation well up in him. It was as if all his prayers had been answered at once. “Oh, really?! You’ll really take me?”

“Yeah!” Vok still had the same innocent grin he had when he first met the young kobold. He seemed quite excited to have a potential apprentice.

“Oh, of course I’ll join the forge! I can’t wait to start working, sir!”

“Gahaha! Great, kid! Here, why don’t ya come check it out? I’ll show ya where yer stayin’!” Senci nodded and quickly followed Vok, who stumbled away from the square and towards the inner city.

Senci followed Vok into his house. From the outside, it seemed quite humble, and the inside seemed no different. It looked to be well maintained, but simple. Most of the furniture was made of wood, and decorations were mostly small baubles, likely bought from the city square.

The kobold followed Vok into another room, small and mostly empty, aside from a chair, desk and bookcase.

“S’not much to look at, I know...but I’ll fix it all full of what ya need! This’ll be where you’re gonna stay! I’ll get a bed, and some drawers for yer clothes and whatnot, and some candles n’ some games or whatever you kids like to do...”

“I’m sure it’ll be great, sir!” Vok smiled at that, rubbing the top of Senci’s head roughly, making the kobold close his eyes.

“Ahh, you’re a good kid, I can tell. You’ll be a great apprentice. Come on, lemme show ya the forge.” The man walked out of the room, Senci right behind him.

The back door opened into a small yard, filled with kinds of equipment that made Senci’s eyes widen.

The giant anvil, the furnace, and the hammer, and the bucket and tongs...it was all there! This was a real, bonafide smithy! Senci quickly ran up to the anvil and ran his hand along the cool surface.

“Oooooh...”

“Nice, innit?” Vok crossed his arms, “I always wanted to be smith, ever since I was a little kid. S’always a good morning when I walk in here and remember I’m living my dream.”

“It’s so cool!” Senci cried, “You have everything! It’s great! When do I get to start working?!”

Vok laughed. “Ah, spirited lad, you are! Well, uh, today’s a festival day, so uh, we’re off you and I. Maybe tomorrow. Actually...we’ve got some shopping to do for ya tomorrow. Ya need a bed and whatnot. The day after?”

Vok yawned, stretching his arms. “Ahh, all that drinkin’ did a number on me. Think I’ll have a quick nap. Go on and have some fun at the festival, if ya want. If I’m not up tonight, wake me n’ I’ll cook us somethin’.”

Before he could turn and leave, Senci wrapped his arms around the man in a hug.

“I was scared that I was going to be out on the streets...thanks for taking me, sir.”

Vok smiled and patted Senci on his back. “Aww, don’t mention it, pal. Just couldn’t believe you were thrown out on yer own like that. Now...I’ll be off to bed. Have a nice day...apprentice!”

Senci waved as the man stumbled into his room, no doubt passing out from all the heavy drinking he did. Vok seemed really nice, and he had solved all of Senci’s problems in one fell swoop. So what if he drank a little?

The kobold took a few minutes to gaze at all the smithing tools, touching and playing with the tongs before walking back out to the festival. He could hardly believe his luck. He got lodging, a job, and a friend, all in under an hour.

Today was a good day.

That’s #2 down! There’s about four left, I believe.

Tag list: @thereisnothingwrongwithbeingmad, @candy-m-s, @lady-redshield-writes, @paper-shield-and-wooden-sword, @sheralynnramsey, @the-true-shadowmaster, @tawnywrites, @writer-on-time, @oceanwriter, @zwergis-spilledink, @fluffpiggy, @elliewritesfantasy, @homesteadhorner

[jadewing-realms]

“You should have seen it.”

Fictober 2018 - Day 18

Yeah you could be Someone special You've got bright in your brains and Lightning in your veins You'll go higher then they've ever gone In you I see Someone special You've got fire in your eyes and When you realize You'll go further then we've ever gone (look) Just turn it on

~ Miracles (Coldplay)

Sasuke has been in Izuku’s room a hundred times at this point. They’re thirteen now, they’ve been friends since second grade, and they basically live in each others’ houses by now. Everything in his house is familiar to Izuku, and everything in Izuku’s is familiar to him. Sasuke can always notice if something new appears, always asks about it or admires it out loud. That said, the Midoriya household is generally very constant—steadfast, predictable. Bargain interior decorations, as Mrs. Midoriya has scruples, and more practical items than anything else. With… the exception of Izuku’s room. Every long now and again, like today, Sasuke feels the need to stop in the doorway and let his gaze drift over the overwhelming amount of red, white, blue and yellow plastered in every available bit of wall or shelf space.

The sheer volume of All Might memorabilia sometimes hits him square between the eyes and makes him feel like he needs to blink, rapidly, for a minute or two. Or several.

Sasuke shakes the compulsion away and sets his backpack down next to Izuku’s yellow one. More yellow… I forget he uses the color so much. Izuku’s already on his way back out into the main living space, squeezing past Sasuke when both of them occupy the space in the doorframe for a brief second.

“We were almost late,” Izuku huffs with obvious relief. “We made it back just in time!” He scampers off down the hallway and calls, louder here than he ever is at school. “Ready, Mom!”

With a smirk that holds more fondness than Sasuke intends, he follows after his friend.

Whenever he comes over after a long school day, it’s become a tradition of sorts to help Mrs. Midoriya make dinner. Sasuke’s never minded; not when he’s adding to her work with his presence. It’s always seemed fair that he contribute for himself. Mrs. Midoriya turns on some music—usually oldies; her music tastes are charmingly outdated, and growing up with this musical influence made it rub off on Izuku—and then she’ll assign each of the boys a portion of the cooking. Usually something simple and straightforward, like chopping vegetables, or cooking the rice, boiling noodles. She always handles the more difficult tasks, and still finds time to give them guidance with their tasks.

Then, when they’re all finished and the food is steaming and ready to serve, they all sit around the table and Mrs. Midoriya asks them how their day was. About their classes, their favorite part of the day, anything special that happened. They fill her in, give her details, leave some out—mostly Izuku refrains from any mention of whatever torment he had to endure that day at the hands of the sheep-headed masses who follow the example set by the likes of Bakugou Katsuki. Yes, today goes by much the same way every other day does.

When they finish eating, as usual, they load up the dishwasher together and, once it’s running, the boys are free to retreat to Izuku’s room. Today’s a Friday; tomorrow is Saturday and Sasuke’s gotten permission to stay the night for the first time in a while, so long as they finish their homework. They had spent the whole of the walk home from school coming up with things they could do this time.

Usually, they study, they talk Heroes, they watch YouTube videos, they talk more Heroes. Izuku brainstorms his Hero costume, Sasuke brainstorms his tech.

Again, though, Sasuke finds himself pausing a minute to look over the posters on Izuku’s walls… the figurines on his shelf… the notebooks stacked on his desk. Then he looks to his friend, who’s nose is still buried in his textbook as he does what their mothers requested, and can’t help but think…

He doesn’t need a Quirk.

Nobody else seems willing to tell him that though. Izuku’s told him (and only him) of what his mother said to him the day they found out about his lack of powers. And Sasuke’s witnessed first hand the way he’s treated in class… sometimes by the teachers themselves.

It’s true, despite his somewhat mediocre existence here at home, Izuku’s not ‘normal,’ not by a long shot. He is... unique. Fun. Outstanding, even. So he doesn’t have this One Thing that eighty percent of the population does. Sasuke understands that, understands it’s uncommon. What he doesn’t understand is why, exactly, that’s looked at as a negative thing.

Izuku has plenty of other amazing things he can do, even things he’s better at than most people.

Like homework. Izuku tears through it like a starving man inhales a loaf of bread. Every time, too. He’s as fast as Sasuke, and his grades are just as good. Midoriya Izuku is smarter than the average person.

Once they finish their studies up like good students aiming for futures in Hero work, they dive to the computer. As per tradition, the first thing they watch is Izuku’s old favorite. The classic throwback, of one of All Might’s debut rescues.

After that, they get lost in suggested views, allowing themselves to spiral deep down the YouTube rabbit hole… for science. Izuku takes notes, as usual.

Except… it’s really not normal in a general sense, is it? Sasuke’s never met anyone as dedicated to Heroism as Izuku.

Even if the likes of Bakugou Katsuki would try to insist otherwise.

Nah, Bakugou Katsuki is basic. Average. The usual. Boring. Not to mention annoying as h***, and a narcissist to boot. Why does someone outstanding like Izuku waste his efforts on somebody like that? Sasuke just shakes his head.

“Hm?” Uh oh, Izuku notices. Wait, Sasuke actually shook his head? Whoops… “What’s wrong?”

Sasuke blinks against the glare of light from the screen. He… well, now he needs to think of something to actually say. Something useful, thought-provoking, since they only do this to better their instincts and understanding of their chosen craft…

“I feel like we’ve seen all these already,” he points out. And it’s true. Everything they’ve been watching, he’s almost positive they’ve watched at least once before, if not more often. He knows what’s going to happen before it does, and as much as he does like these Heroes and their escapades captured for all to see via some idiotic bystander’s camera phone, he can’t say he’s feeling ‘the usual’ so much tonight.

Not when he’s being hounded by constructs of society like some middle-aged philosopher during a full moon.

“Hmmm…” Izuku scrolls away from the video right when Death Arms is mid-uppercut, searching for… something. Anything, Sasuke supposes. Something they haven’t seen before. Then suddenly, he sits straight, face lighting up as a thought occurs. “Oh! Did you see what happened just the other day?”

Sasuke raises an eyebrow. “What other day?”

“Oh, I dunno… it was, like, last weekend? Over in Minato, All Might took down a crazy villain. I got to watch from the street corner!”

“I heard something about that from the gossips in class, but no, I haven’t seen anything.” Sasuke shifts in his seat, tucking one foot underneath him. “We were visiting my grandma. She doesn’t have internet.”

Izuku’s eyebrows jump. “No inter—gosh, how can you even function without—”

“Nobody knows.”

With a quick headshake, Izuku hunches over the keyboard and lets his fingers fly. “Lemme see if I can find some footage; there’s gotta be something up by now.”

Indeed, when he searches ‘all might minato fight’ a great selection of results come up. Several have high view counts but are from months past, but the top result is from just a few days ago. It’s title reads ‘CRAZY All Might battle vs ROCK MONSTER (actuall footage).’

“Ah, a grammarian,” Sasuke murmurs with a fair dose of sarcasm.

Izuku giggles, but abruptly silences himself as the video begins to play. A click and it fills the screen, expanding the blurry view of a city street, from the perspective of a phone that appears to be bouncing. From the wind and puffing sounds, not to mention the violent jerking of the footage, the person holding it is running, down the sidewalk, and comes upon a crowd of people at the corner. Several others have their phones out and over their heads.

Halfway down the block, visible once the camera’s jittering stills somewhat, a massive villain made of stone looms, swinging its arm like a giant mace at the spangley hero that’s currently launching himself through said villain’s personal space. The bystanders are all murmuring, some shouting, cheering, the guy behind the camera is uttering expletives of pure awe and wonder, and above it all, All Might’s raucous laughter booms over the rumble of heavy rock.

“IS THAT ALL YOU’VE GOT, BIG GUY!?” the hero trumpets just before he delivers a Washington Smash to the underside of the rock monster’s jaw. The crowd goes wild. Sasuke leans forward in his seat, trying to see through the camera blurs despite knowing there’s no way he’ll be able to get a better look at the action.

Then the moron drops his phone, there’s a harried curse and the crunch of plastic on concrete, the hushed fumble of fingers, and the video ends.

Izuku whimpers a little. “Dang it, that was so short…”

“You could probably describe what happened to me better than any video.” Easing out of his investment, Sasuke leans back in his chair and levels his friend with a steady, expectant stare.

Come on. Do your thing.

Izuku laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. “I dunno, probably not, but… I can try!”

With a sudden vigor belying his previous hesitation, he then launches into a detailed eye-witness account of a rock monster that tried to attack the Number One Hero’s agency building like a total idiot and of how that Number One Hero launched right out of said building to engage with the monster himself. He lays the scene out play by play, describing each of All Might’s moves and counter moves with a level of specificity that’s more than enough to convince Sasuke that it happened exactly as Izuku tells it.

“He had the thing ambling around in circles!” he says, hands splaying animatedly in his retelling. “He was so fast! The rock villain brought his arm down like a pile-driver and All Might just swung off his arm—not an ounce of fear! For every time the villain missed, All Might would land a hit like it was nothing. And he was laughing the whole time! The rock villain got so frustrated, he didn’t even know which way to look. Then All Might finished him off with a Texas Smash that threw him a whole block down the street! You should have seen it!”

Sasuke doubts Izuku notices that whenever he talks about All Might, he looks just as fearless. Whether that makes All Might a crutch… or just means Izuku’s that passionate and dedicated to this dream, Sasuke’s not sure but he’d like to believe it’s the latter. He’s used to being surrounded by… well, depression. Grim reality. That’ll happen when the brother you looked up to and idolized (much like how Izuku looks up to All Might, actually…) turns out to be a psycho killer and takes your Heroic father away from you and widows your mother.

But Izuku… it’s like, no matter what he’s been through, he can still smile and fanboy like this—without fear. Sure, he hasn’t been through quite what Sasuke has… but that’s good, he supposes. Better to be average in that area.

Izuku meets his gaze and stills his laughter, looking a bit confused at the fact that Sasuke, as he now realizes, is staring.

“What?” Izuku blinks. “What’s that look for?”

Sasuke snorts, and his answer comes a bit more easily this time. “You really like All Might, don’t you?”

“I… I mean…” Izuku glances around his room, at the computer screen, and finally at his lap, and a small smile creeps across his lips, milder and more hesitant than the grin that had beamed from his face just seconds before. “Well, yeah. He’s… he’s the reason I want to become a Hero in the first place. He’s why I keep… trying. Hoping. I just… I can only dream that maybe, some day… I can be even a fraction of the Hero he is. He’s… he’s extraordinary.”

“Hm…” Sasuke follows the path of Izuku’s previous glance. All Might’s smiling face surrounds them, to an almost unnerving degree, his presence radiating from the walls. And he thinks… that if Izuku has these in here not only as a shrine to his ultimate inspiration, but also as a ward to keep the poisonous barbs from the outside World of Mediocrity from sticking to him once he crosses the threshold of this space… that makes All Might cooler than any villain fight.

And it makes Izuku pretty d*** cool too.

“Yeah, I guess he is.” Sasuke returns his attention back to his friend, who’s staring now at the notebook he has on the desk top between them. He’s opened it to his sketch page, where his concept drawings for his Hero costume are. Sasuke taps the page. “He’d be cooler without the rabbit ears, though.”

Izuku gasps like Sasuke just uttered the bitterest of heresies and he needs a cross to shove in his face or something. “No, the ears are iconic!!”

“Izuku, the guy’s the definition of an icon, and I doubt he’d be any less of one if he nixxed the weird haircut.”

“Noooo, he needs the haircut. It makes him approachable.”

“Uh-huh. Well, in that case, don’t you think you’re bordering on plagiarism with your bunny hood, there?”

“What!? D-Do you really think—”

As Izuku launches to his own defense, Sasuke just smiles to himself. Partly in amusement, and with just a hint of fondness.

No, Izuku, I don’t really think that. I just think you’ll be fine being Just You.

[thebrotherscupheadandmugman]

Ruse of an Ooze! With Goopy le Grande!

Before you read: This is a rewriting of the main game Cuphead. Characters, certain dialogue, music, and locations obviously do not belong to me. This is best read with the OST playing over it. And before you start reading, remember that anything on this blog that is tagged as “Word on the Wind” can be reblogged and shared! That being said, enjoy!

Special thanks to

@inkwellharlequin​ for the second pun,

@merrymugsy​ for the third pun,

@easyriches​ for creating the word “squonch”

Blogs with Goopy le Grande as a muse: @bnlgoopywooper​

“Where to next?” Cuphead asked his older brother. “Don't you feel guilty at all?” Mugman asked. “I mean, the way he was just...begging!” “I know.” The other sighed. “But do we really have a say in the matter? If we don't do this...” “I know...” Mug sighed. “Let's keep moving.” He decided, pulling out the list, as well as an ink quill to mark it with. “We got those first three.” He thought out loud, crossing their names off. “Let's see, let's see...Lettuce see.” “Mugs!” The younger growled. “I'll stop, I'll stop,” Mugman chuckled. “Hilda Berg...” The older looked to his brother. “Some guy on here actually has the name 'Goopy'.” “What?” Cuphead asked in disbelief. “You've gotta be misreading that! Lemme see!” Cuphead knew full and well that Mugman was better at reading, considering how much he loved to read, but he thought that maybe he could see something that Mugs didn't. Mug handed his brother the list, showing the debtor's full name. “Golly, Mugs! You weren't kidding!” Cup tilted his head, trying to figure out how to pronounce it. “Goopy Le...Grand?” Mugman couldn't help but snort. “I think it's Hispanic, Cuphead. It's 'Goopy Le Grande'...I think.” “This poor guy!” Cuphead joked, dramatically putting the back of his hand to his forehead. “Think of all the children that made fun of him growing up!” Mugman couldn't help but chuckle, knowing he shouldn't. “You're rotten, you know that?” He asked as his brother fell back into his arms to be overly dramatic once again. “Oh, I know!” He grinned, standing up again. “Let's check by the lake over there! With a name like 'Goopy,' the fella's gotta stay hydrated probably.” “Pfft!” Mugman snorted. “It's just a name, Cuphead!” “Yeah, and my name's Cuphead. And I have a cup for a head.” He pointed out comedically. “Hahah! Fair point.” Mugs conceded, rolling up the list again.

The boys walked down to the edge of the isle to look for Goopy, but the whole area was pretty much vacant, with the exception of grouchy Old Man Nickles grumbling to himself about how the Devil probably controls the bank, and how he's better off hiding his money rather than saving it. “See anything Cuphead?”Mugman called. “Not really. Oh!” He pulled out a hidden coin. “Never mind, I found money! You?” “Well, I found two wooden stakes in the ground, but it's probably for the showboat on the sign here.” Mugs pointed out. “Showboat? Lemme see!” Cups hollered back, dashing to his brother to read the sign. The sign itself showed a picture of an older fly woman in short and showy dress decorated with frills and sparkles all around, wearing a feathery hair accessory. “The Flapper Flies?” He read. “Golly, why's that sound so familiar?”  His brother shrugged. “I don't know. But Flapper shows are meant for adults I'm pretty sure, so we should probably avoid going in if we can.” Cuphead nodded in agreement, having caused enough trouble by going into places they shouldn't have been for one day. “Let's go that way and look from there.” Cup suggested, pointing to a rickety old bridge. “Uh,” Mug's eyes widened at the disrepair of it, it definitely didn't look like it could hold their weight. “L-let's just go around back the way we came.” He decided, taking his brother by his wrist and pulling him that direction. “Really? That's such a waste of time!” “I don't trust that bridge.” “Aw, c'mon Mugsy! Where's your sense of adventure?!”

As the boys were walking past an old, familiar shop, Mugs jumped back as a cat was quite literally thrown out. “And stay out, ya bum! I don't let just anyone loiter around this shop!” A familiar gruff voice screamed. The cat looked back with a hiss before running off from the hog. Cuphead, completely unphased by this, looked back towards the old family friend curiously, unlike his brother who never liked the way he yelled. His gruff voice always scared him when he got loud, and Mugs instinctively hid behind his brother, despite being just a bit taller than Cuphead. “Hey, Porkrind!” He waved. “Wha-? Boys! Sorry y'had to see that, Mugs! I've heard you two have gotten yourselves into some deep trouble.” “Big time.” Cuphead nodded. The shopkeeper and Elder Kettle seemed to have a long history together, and were close friends ever since the brothers could remember. Porkrind was a family friend, and even would watch the boys after school when the Elder Kettle was out. “Did Elder Kettle tell ya?” Porkrind nodded.  “Why don't you two come inside th'shop? I gots some wears that might be of some use to ya runts.” The merchant offered, stepping aside to let the two in, calling them 'runts'  in an affectionate way. “Whaddya mean by 'wears'?” Cuphead asked, walking in without his brother. “Hey, wait up!” Mugman called, running in after Cups. “I gots charms, weapons, and even some drinks that'll be of good use in a brawl!” Porkrind explained, going behind the counter once again. “Take this Roundabout shot for example! These bullets provide great coverage with average damage. You'll wanna aim backwards for maximum range with this beaut.” “That sounds kinda lame.” Cuphead pouted. “I don't know, I think it sounds like it could be useful! But we are still getting used to the Peashooters, so I don't know if it'd be a good idea to get it now...” Mugman shrugged. “Seriously? 'Peashooter'? Isn't that what the Root Pack called it?” “Well, I can't think of anything better to call it.” He confessed, shrugging again. “If ya boys don't want any new weapons, I also have some charms that might be helpful fer ya! This here heart medal will let ya take a hit better than ya could on yer own! But I've gotten some complaints in the past that folks' attacks became weaker while it was equipped.” “Aw, it's like a little heart buddy!” Mugs cooed. “'Heart buddy'?” Cup teased. “Not sure if it'd be worth it though.” Porkrind thought for a moment. “I think I gots something right up yer ally, Cuphead.” He searched through a drawer behind the counter, before pulling out a small purple felt string bag. “Ah, here we are!” He pulled the bag open, and took out what almost looked like a green smoke grenade. “Th'Smoke Bomb!” “The Smoke Bomb?” The boys repeated, curious. “Yeah! With this, you will not take damage during a dash.” He looked at the brothers. “This'd be a great defense maneuver for yer brother!” “H-hey!” Mugs interjected, but quickly realized that he had a point. He wasn't much of a fighter. “It'd be a great mix of getting somewhere quickly, and dodging! You could make good use of it too, Red!” Porkrind suggested, patting Cup's head affectionately. “'Specially with how reckless y'can get.” “That's so cool! How much is it?!” Cuphead beamed, staring at the Smoke Bomb intently. “Three coins.” Cuphead fished out the coin he just found, while Mugs pulled out four more. “Huh? How'd I get four? I thought Mac only gave us three.” “Maybe Grandpa slipped one in your pocket!” Cuphead answered, handing over his only coin to the hog. “Maybe.” Mugs hummed, giving over the other two. “Here y'go boys!” He snorted, handing the bag to Mugman. “Now git out there and kick some poor saps in the rear end, ya bums!” He waved off. “Thanks, Porkrind!” Mugs smiled, waving as he and his brother walked out of the shop. “Goodbye!”

The boys walked through an open field, continuing their search for Goopy Le Grande. They argued back and forth, quickly losing any idea of where he could possibly be. “Why are we even looking out here?! It's not like there's ever anything out here but grass!” “Well do you have a better idea of where to look, Cuphead?!” “Anywhere but in an open field where there is visibly nothing!” “Shut up! We wouldn't even be here if you had actually stopped to think! If you wanna look somewhere else so badly, then you can go look through the forest by yourself!” Mugs snapped, pointing towards the forest behind his brother. It wasn't long before their shouting attracted the attention of a yellow daisy, who ran towards the two. “What in earth is all this yelling?! Yer disturbin' the peace!” “S-sorry, sir!” Mugman apologized. “Don't you mean, 'what on earth'?” “I'm a plant!” “So?” “Where do plants grow, kid?” “In dirt.” “I think he was going for in the earth.” Mugman pointed out. Cuphead thought for a minute. “Oh...Oh so that's what the Root Pack was saying...” The daisy suddenly threw a punch at Cuphead at the mere mention of the Root Pack, pushing him back into his brother. There was a record scratch, then silence. “Ow! What was that for?!” “How do you know the Root Pack?!” “W-we're neighbors! We meant no offense!” Mug explained, holding Cups by the shoulders to try and hold him back to stop him from retaliating. “You spies for them or somethin'?! And you think you can just come into our forest?!” “Last I checked, the forest wasn't owned by anyone!” “W-we're not-” “Forest Follies! Attack these two mugs! Charge!!” From seemingly nowhere, a trumpet was heard sounding a short charge anthem. Suddenly, more yellow daisies came rushing towards the brothers, some even hovering down from the trees above. “Aaahh!” The boys both screamed. “Run to the forest!” Mugs called, attempting to run past them all. Sadly, his plan hadn't worked, and he was quickly grabbed by several of the daisies. “No! L-let go of me!” Cuphead, without thinking twice began firing at the flowers holding his brother, causing them to disappear with a puff of smoke and stars. “Don't hurt them!” “We need to get through, one way or another!” Cup excused. The brothers ran through the field, dodging the deadly daisies that they could, and jumping over stumps and small cliffs to get out of the way. “Dibs on the coin!” Cuphead shouted as he lunged over Mugman's shoulder, hopped on another small cliff, and jumped up on a floating chunk of dirt, suspended in the air by a small propeller underneath it. “Haha!” “Really, Cup?!” Cups noticed two more daisies below, and jumped down from the platform, trying to land on them. His little attack worked, in a small way, but he didn't have the best landing, so the child ended up falling and getting hurt as well. “Ow! Note to self: don't jump on people!” “Oh gosh, Cuphead.” Mugman sighed, grabbing him by the back of his shirt as he ran by. A red and yellow-spotted mushroom suddenly popped up from the ground only to fire a pink spore at the pair, then duck back under the safety of its cap. “Ah!” Cuphead was quick to act, he jumped over the spore, a hand extended from his red bendy straw as he parried the pink object before it could hit his brother. “I got you covered, Mugsy!” “Thanks!”

As the two entered the forest, the enemies became more and more abundant and harder to manage. Terrible tulips began firing explosives at them, bothersome blueberries wouldn't stay down. They eventually came across a gap with nothing more than a dead tree trunk for a bridge and a thorn brush below. “W-we gotta cross that?!” Mugs gasped, afraid of falling in. “Looks like a fun challenge!” “Fun?!” The brothers looked back to see more daisies headed straight for them. “Better hurry up and cross!” Cuphead said, carefully and briskly walking across. “C-Cuphead, w-wait up!” Mug climbed on top, and slowly stood, trying to find his center of balance before slowly starting to walk forwards. “Just don't look down, Mugman!” Cups called. “Th-that just makes me want to look down!!” “Well don't, ya dummy!” Mugs shook, trying to keep his eyes forward. “C'mon, you're almost halfway- Mug, look out!” Mugman unfortunately didn't have enough time to react to Cuphead's warning, and was smacked in the back of the head, just above the handle, by a pink spiky bulb falling down from the trees. “Oof!” Mugs fell forwards, but luckily, he hadn't slipped off the tree. When he pushed himself up, he looked down to see something black with yellow spots and large teeth rushing at him from the brush below. “Aah!” He jolted and threw himself back to avoid his nose being bit, but the action caused him to slip from the trunk. He screamed even louder as he began to fall, just barely managing to grab a hold of the makeshift bridge. He let out a grunt as he started to try and pull himself back up. “C-Cuphead!” “Hold on Mug! I'm coming.” “Hurry! I-I think that- that...toothy terror is coming back!” Cuphead carefully crossed the tree again, making his way to his brother before kneeling and helping him up. “Gotchya!” “Th-thanks. Now let's make tracks!” The boys crossed the gap, only to be met with another shortly after, only difference being a downward slope and a lack of thorns. “Free coin!” Cuphead called, snatching another gold coin he spotted near the inside of the trunk. “Are you serious?!” “Let's cross together this time.” Cup suggested, ignoring his brother's annoyance. “Good idea.” Mugman nodded, grabbing his brother's hand as they crossed with ease. “I'll never let you pass!” A small blueberry threatened. Cup simply shot the tiny fruit a few times before it turned into a mushy mess. “Ah, no!!” They hopped off one tree, and onto another that seemed to be a host for fungi. “How dare you shoot Billy! Eat spores, you pills!” The mushroom shouted, firing a purple spore at the brothers from behind. “Duck!” Mug ordered, firing at the 'shroom with his left hand until it exploded. “S-sorry!” “Man, I never thought I'd be thankful for you being ambidextrous.” Cups admitted, standing once the spore passed over them. “You really gave that murderous mushroom what for!” “Never mind that! Let's keep moving!” As they got off the trunk, another tulip was lying in wait, and fired an explosive seed at the two as they stood on the ledge above. “Mugs watch out!” Cuphead warned, pushing his brother away as he backed up himself, falling back and tumbling down to the ground below where the tulip was. “Ow!” As the seed landed on the ground above, a small explosion fired off, disorienting the older brother for a moment. “Cuphead?!” “Gyah!” Cuphead fired at the flower, but the tulip was quick to retaliate, before he could even get back on his feet. Mugman instinctively followed the sound of his brother's yelp, looked down at the scene, and began snapping, shooting the flower. “C'mon!” He called, pointing to the jump they'd have to make. Once across, another blueberry rushed them. “I'll protect you, Uncle Goopy!” “Goopy?!” “As in Goopy Le Grande?” Mugs asked. “What's it to ya?!” “We need to fi-” Mugman quickly covered his brother's mouth before he said 'fight'. “We need to speak with him. Where can we find him?” “Well, if you really needed to talk to Uncle Goopy, I wouldn't have to tell you that he's over by those trees over there!” The blueberry pointed. “If you really needed to talk to Uncle Goopy, you'd already know where he is! So I don't believe you liars!” “Did...he just tell us where he is?” Cuphead asked in disbelief. “Thanks, Billy!” “I'm Bobby, and I won't let you pass!” The boys ran past Bobby, and onto the next log. “Coin!” Cuphead greedily called yet again as he jumped up to parry another pink spiky bulb, and grab the coin. However, as he fell back down, an acorn came flying from the trees, and fell on top of Cuphead, knocking him down and away from the tree trunk bridge. “Ow!!” “Cuphead!” Mugs just barely grabbed his brother in time. “Just hang on!” The forest itself seemed to be laughing at them “Nowhere to run, nowhere to go – This forest is yer foe! Ahahaha!” Mug ignored the taunt, and swung his brother back onto the wood. “Are you okay, that looked like a hard hit!” “Ugh...I'm fine.” The younger whined, holding his arm. “Here, let me see it.” Mugman asked, rolling up his sleeve. “I'm fine! It's just a scratch!” “Yeah, pretty big one.” “Ugh! Forget about it! Let's just keep moving!” Mugman nodded, and the boys continued to run through the forest until the came across a group of daisies pushing away a trunk from a gap. “No!” Mugs shouted as the tree fell below, knowing they wouldn't be able to make the jump across. “Let's get a running start, Mugman!” Cuphead suggested, running faster before jumping and dashing across, giving him a sort of glide as he soared to the other side. He turned around to face his brother. “It's easy Mugs! Try it before they catch up to you!” Mugs timidly looked across before decidedly shaking his head. “Y-you can jump farther than I can!” “Just dash across, Mug! You can make it, I promise!” Suddenly more acorns hovered over, making it increasingly difficult for Mugman to find the nerve to jump across, for fear of being hit like Cuphead had been earlier. “I-I'll fall!” “No you won't!” “I'll get hit like you did!” “You'll get caught if you don't try!” Cuphead thought of an idea as indicated by the light-bulb that popped above his head. He grabbed the purple felt bag, and pulled out a Smoke Bomb. “Mugsy! Smoke Bomb!” He threw the grenade to his brother, who caught it with ease. “Now you can't get hit! And if you fall, I'll catch you! So hurry up!” “O-okay...” Mug nodded, taking a deep breath as he backed up. He looked behind them to make sure the daisies weren't too close behind them, before realizing that he didn't have much time. He gulped, and ran towards the edge at top speed. “J-Jumping!!” He called before leaping off the cliff. He saw another acorn start to plummet towards him, so Mugman pulled the pin, and threw the Smoke Bomb downwards, dashing and gliding as he avoided being hit. Mugs almost didn't make it across, but he managed to grab his brother's hand, and true to his word, Cuphead caught Mugman, and pulled him up. “Gotchya, pal.” “Th-thanks.” Mugman praised, shaking as his feet were on solid ground again. “L-let's keep moving. I think he said Goopy was just over there!” Mug pointed forward.  The boys began running, before Mugman finally found his own coin, although he said nothing about it unlike his brother.

After another, albeit shorter jump, the boys finally found out where those aggravating acorns had been coming from. “An acorn maker?!” “And I always thought acorns grew on trees.” Cuphead joked. “Look out!” Mugs warned as another acorn began to fall on them, forcing the boys to dodge out of the way. “Mega Blast!” Cuphead fired off an Ex move, ready to scrap that acorn maker and be done with it already. “Are you going to say that every time you use an Ex move?!” Mugman asked, as he fired at the machine as well. “It's a signature move! Ya gotta do it!” Thanks to the Mega Blast, the acorn maker quickly began exploding, allowing the boys to pass. “And good riddance!” “Bravo to you, Cuphead. And I think we lost the flowers.” Mugman said, looking back towards the thick of the forest. “Let's keep going until we find Goopy.” “Are you sure you don't want to rest first, Cuphead? You took some pretty hard hits back there.” “No, I'm fine.” Mugman sighed. “If you say so.” With that, the boys began to hop across the pits of the forest, Mugman snagging another coin as they traveled.

Finally, they reached the trees Bobby mentioned back in the forest. As the boys entered the clearing, they couldn't help but notice a large, round patch of dirt that seemed like it'd been trampled and damaged so much that nothing could ever grow there. Even some of the trees seemed damaged. “See anything yet, Cuphead?” Mugman asked, looking towards his brother. “Not really.” The younger shrugged. “Maybe he left? I guess globby Bobby could've-” “Wait, do you he-” Mug suppressed a smile at his brother's joke. “Be nice.” There was a short pause, as Mugman listened to something. “Can you hear that?” “Hear what?” Cuphead asked, trying to hear what his brother was hearing. “Shh!” Cuphead paused, listening carefully. He heard the familiar sounds of the forest, but then he finally noticed something different. It sounded like... “Is someone...talking?” “Take a look over here.” Mugs motioned towards the babbling brook not too far from where they were standing. They saw a blue blob staring at himself in the reflections of the pond nearby. “Boy howdy, am I a looker or am I a looker? The world sure is lucky I exist.” He said to his reflection. “That's our guy. 'S just gotta be.” “Excuse me!” Mugs called with a friendly wave. “Could we speak with you?” The slime turned around at the sound of a young, unfamiliar voice. He looked over the two small figures for a moment, before bouncing his way over. “Yes?” Now that the other was facing towards them, the brothers could see his features better. There wasn't quite much to him, he simply appeared as a small, round blue blob, with a small red nose, and large black eyes. “Hello! My name is Mugman, and this is my little brother, Cuphead.”| “'Sup?” “I was wondering, um...You wouldn't happen to be Goopy Le Grande, would you?” The blob seemed to perk up at that, his lips curling into a large, proud smile. “Why, yes I am! Would you youngsters care for an autogra-” “So wait,” Cuphead interjected as a thought crossed his mind. “Yer Bobby Blueberry's Uncle or whatever, right?” “Uh...Yes?” “Cuphead, don't interrupt!” Mug scolded, trying to be quiet so Goopy wouldn't hear. “And yer name's Goopy?” A small smile crept up on the child's lips. “Uhhhh...Yes?” “So does that mean yer actually a Gooberry?” He cracked, causing his older brother to hold back a small snort in an attempt to not laugh. However, it seemed Goopy didn't find it clever, or funny for that matter. “And you think that's funny?!” “Uhuhh, don't mind him, he didn't mean any offense by it.” Mugman saved, still suppressing laughter. “Yeah, lighten up, Goopy! For someone so 'Grande,'  yer actin' like a real slimeball!” “Pff-” Mugs quickly put a hand to his mouth to avoid laughing. “C-Cuphead...” He tried to scold, but it was no use. Trying not to laugh only made the child all the more giggly. He really wanted to just talk things out, but he was worried that laughing at the other would make him mad. Plus he knew he just shouldn't laugh, it was just mean. If only his brother wasn't being so funny. “I'm a what?!” Goopy growled, far from laughing. “Lookee here, y'little brats, I don't know what your problem is, but if this is all you wanted from me, I'd say you'd better go home to your parents! I'm sure they've got some nice peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for ya or something.” It was clear that Goopy didn't want to cause trouble for the kids, given how he was urging them home for lunch. “Aw, man! Don't be silly! 'Sides, you're the only kinda Goober we need to talk to!!” That's what sent Mugs over the edge. He doubled over in laughter. “Goober!! Oh my gosh!!” He gasped. “That's it!!” Goopy finally snapped, “I'll put you brats in your place!!”

Goopy took the top of his head off and tipped it towards the boys with a polite bow, as if the portion of his head were a hat, before placing it back where it belonged. Immediately after, he began hopping towards the cups, Cuphead smirking confidently as he began to shoot. Truly, Mugman had tried his best to stop his laughter, but once he was giggly, it wasn't easy for him to stop.

Once Goopy got too close to the boys, Cuphead dashed under Goopy when he bounced, where as Mugman backed away to cover more ground as he finally began to shoot.

“You think it's funny to make fun of someone's name?! This'll teach ya t'laugh, blue brat!!” The slime growled, before taking a deep breath as he leaned back. Mugman continued his attempts to stop his laughter as he continued to back up until he bumped into a large oak tree. Upon realizing he was cornered, he finally stopped giggling. Goopy lunged forward, curling into the shape of a boxing glove in an attempt to hit Mugman. “Ptoo!!” Mugs just barely managed to dash towards Goopy in time to dodge. “Woah!! Don't you normally just spank kids for discipline?!” He half-joked. Cuphead quickly realized that their Peashooters didn't seem to be phasing Goopy much at all. When he saw that he had Mugs cornered, Cup knew he had to do something else to draw the slime away. Suddenly, a light-bulb appeared above his head once again as he thought of something, he took a deep breath. “Mega Blast!!” Cuphead fired off the blue Ex Move at Goopy, which seemed to do the trick for him. “Ouch! Little rascal!!” The blob growled, turning around to face the younger cup, who went back to snapping and firing. Goopy turned around again, and hopped towards Mugman, who tried to dash underneath him as Cuphead had done earlier, although unfortunately, this did not work out as well as it had for the cup, as Goopy then bounced off the tree he'd cornered Mugs in moments before, and landed right on top of the boy. “Oof! Ow!” The older brother whined. “And you! How dare you make fun of a man's name!” Goopy condemned with malice and anger in his voice as he glop hopped his way to the red-clad boy. “Then you've got the gall to attack me!”  “Ya misunderstand, goop-man! We're here for a contract! Your Soul Contract!” “My Soul Contract?! And did you expect me to just give that over to ya?! Fat chance! You finks must work fer th'Devil himself then, huh?!” Once he was close enough to Cuphead, Goopy lunged forward again, curling into the boxing glove again to try and hit him. “Ptoo!” Luckily, Cuphead was all too quick to utilize a Smoke Bomb, and appeared behind the blue blob unscathed. “Little fink!!” He coughed out. “I-it isn't like that, sir! W-we're being forced against our will! W-we don't wanna do the Devil's dirty work! Honest!” Mugman explained, finally peeling himself off the ground. “But he'll take our souls if we don't do what he says!” “Oh, so it's my soul or yours! Is that what I'm hearin'?!” Goopy spat. “Oh, well gol-lee gee! That's perfectly reasonable! Get lost, brats!! I'm done playin' around!” The brothers looked back to each other, and quickly nodded, then both proceeded to open fire upon the slime. “Ouch!” There was a bell ding, and Goopy gave a low growl. He seemingly pulled something out of his pocket, and flipped a small white pill into his mouth, swallowing it with a gulp.

Disoriented for a moment, three pink question marks appeared around Goopy, and since the boy had just depleted his Super Meter with the Mega Blast, Cuphead seized the opportunity to parry slap the expression marks, bouncing off the first two with ease. However, after a couple of blinks, Goopy quickly grew twice in his size, opening his mouth wide with a confident, “heh!” Cuphead was caught off-guard by the sudden change, and was knocked from the air to the dirt. “Aah! Oof!” He grunted as he landed on the other side of Goopy, who seemingly ignored the cup, and began to bounce towards Mugman once again. “Woah!” Mugman was left with little room to move around thanks to Goopy's new size, he knew he had nowhere to go if he backed up, so instead he waited for Goopy to get close, and dashed underneath him before he was cornered again. Once on the other side, Mugman opened fire on Goopy, calling out to his brother, “Cuphead! Toss me a couple of those Smoke Bombs!”  “Whaddya need those for?” Cuphead asked, reaching in the felt bag. “Just ta have 'em!” Cuphead threw one to his brother, “incoming!” Mugman switched hands, firing with his left and catching the toy grenade with his right before stuffing it into his pocket. “I won't give ya the chance to use it, squirt!” There was a boxing bell, then Goopy reeled back his boxing gloved fist, looking straight at Mugman. “Mugs, get down!!” Mugman just barely managed to heed Cuphead's warning before Goopy threw a punch at the boy. “Woah!! Thanks, Cup!!” “Grrr! You little brat!” Goopy hopped over Mugman to make his way over to Cuphead once again, all while ignoring Mugman's Peashooter bullets. Cuphead suddenly began firing at Goopy again as well, but he decided to stand his ground, thinking Goopy would bounce off the tree as he had done with Mugs earlier, but instead of that, Goopy hopped right on top of the child, crushing him into the ground. “Ahh! Mmff! G-get o-off m-me!” “Cuphead!!”  “Heh heh heh! What can I say? I'm a handsome slime bringing pain – one bounce at a time!” “Get off him!!” Mugman demanded. “Or what? You'll tea-se me ta death?!” Goopy glared at the mug again, and wound up for another punch, and while Mugman had been running their direction, he stopped and ran back to avoid getting hit. Mugs then gathered the magical energy that he had been feeling grow stronger with every shot he landed and willed it towards his hands as he took a deep breath.  “Ru-aaugh!” The child bellowed, firing off his Ex move at Goopy. “Ouch!!” “Hey! You're supposed to say 'Mega Blast' when you do that!” “Is that really important right now?!” Cuphead didn't have much time to respond, as the slime was far from pleased, and immediately hopped off him, and bounced his way towards Mugman. “Little! Blue! Brat!!” Once he had the poor boy cornered, Goopy reeled back for another punch, leaving Mugman with no other option but to duck. “Mugs!!” Cuphead tried to draw the debtor away, but the Peashooter seemed to only be a mild annoyance. “Save it, brat!” Goopy spat, turning back to face Cup. “Those wimpy little finger guns of yours don't even brooze me!” This didn't stop the younger cup from shooting Goopy, who turned to face the older mug again. “Your stupid brother here is mincemeat!” The slime resumed his pre-punch position, ready to hit Mugman full-force. However, before he could throw his fist, Mugman discharged another Ex move at Goopy, hitting him dead in the face. “Oof!” The blob began to sway side to side, moaning and groaning as his eyes began to spin wildly in different directions. “Please Mr. le Grande! We don't want trouble, but we need your Soul Contract! Give it over to us and we'll leave you alone, okay?” Mugman begged.

Suddenly, a giant tombstone fell from the sky, only being indicated by a short whistle before it crushed Goopy with a horrifying, echoing squonch. Everything went dead silent. The brothers completely froze in place. The gravestone depicted none other than Goopy le Grande himself, with the letters, 'RIP' engraved beneath his face and a cross to top off the curved tip of the grave.

“Oh my gosh...” Mugman muttered, tears bubbling in his eyes. “I...we...oh good gosh.”  “I- he wouldn't- we didn't-” “W-we killed him!!” Mugman suddenly wailed, feeling a horrible guilt. “I-I mean, c'mon! I-it was an accident! It was in self-defense!” “Good gosh, Cuphead, I'm the one that killed him!!” Mugman fell to the ground, rubbing his eyes with balled-up fists as he sobbed. “I-I didn't mean to! I-I didn't want to, I-I just-” “Hey, hey! It, uh, i-it's okay! I mean he was kind of a jerk anyway, right? So-” “What'd you say about me?!” The tombstone suddenly spoke, as if Goopy had become the memorial. “Aaaaaahhh!!” The boys screamed in unison as the music kicked back up.

Goopy le Gravestone dragged himself towards Cuphead,  who snapped out of his fear and confusion and began firing the Peashooter once again. The grave scraped its way past Cuphead, then back over to Mugman, who was still sitting on his spot on the ground. “Goopy, just give us your contract! Nobody needs to get hurt anymore than they already are!!” Cuphead tried, but it seemed the debtor wasn't having it. “You wish! You come into my part of the forest, insult my name, demand my Soul Contract, and insult me at my grave?! No more mister nice goop!” Goopy towered over Mug, who was frozen in fear. “You boys are in grave danger now!!” “Mugs, get outta the way!!” Before Mugman had time to react, Goopy suddenly slammed down on top of the boy, crushing him instantly. “Owwww....” Mugs whined, his blue spirit slowly floating away from his body as Goopy slid back and forth once again, passing by Cuphead as he ran towards his brother. “Hahaha! I'm very smashing! Even in grave situations!” “Mug! Waddya doin'?! We got work ta do!!” Cuphead extended his straw upwards, parry slapping the pink heart in his brother's ghost as he grabbed on and shoved his soul back into his head, “Thank yooouuu....” Mugman said woozily. “Shake it of, bro! We ain't outta the woods yet!” Cuphead looked back to Goopy, who was headed straight for them once again. Cup wrapped his left arm around his older brother, and continued to shoot Goopy with his right hand as he ran towards the gave. “Get ready to throw a Smoke Bomb!!” As the brothers passed by Goopy, he started to slam down on them again, but Mugman was quick to pull out a Smoke Bomb and hurl it at the ground as Cuphead dashed, allowing them to escape from harm's way. Once Mugman recovered from being squashed into the dirt, he began firing with his left hand at Goopy as well. “Give it up, deadbeat!!” Cuphead yelled, letting go of Mugs. “Just give us the contract before you dig yourself into a hole!!” “Never!! I'll never let you take it from me!!” Mugman kept up his fire as he turned his head towards his brother. “Let's get on opposite sides of him! He can't hit us both at the same time!” “Golly! Ya sure, Mug?” “I have a Smoke Bomb still. I can get out of the way if he goes after me.” He looked back towards Goopy. “Which he most likely will.” Cuphead nodded, and just as the tombstone went in for another smash, the boys ran in opposite directions. “I won't let you take it, little brats! I won't I won't I won't I won't!!” “Yeesh, man! I know yer desperate but have some dignity. Oh and one more thing. Mega Bla-” “Woah!!” In order to keep consistent fire on Goopy, Mugman was forced to run backwards, which resulted in him tripping over a rock and falling on the ground once again. “Oh come on! I just picked ya up!!” Cups huffed out, not noticing Goopy was taking the opportunity to make his way over to the fallen child. “Sorry! I tripped!” Mugman was already starting to get back up, but once he saw the gravestone passing by him, side to side, he began to panic, shooting it wildly as he froze in place. “It looks like your time has come, blue boy!!” Goopy leaned his grave back, ready to finish of the frightened mug. Mugman let out a fearful squeak as he threw his arms over himself to brace for impact again. “Mega Blast!!” Cuphead fired off the Ex move once again, breaking the grave in half upon the blue blast's impact just as it slammed down onto the ground on either side of his older brother. Mugman opened an eye, then saw the broken grave. “Oh thank goodness...” He breathed. “Yer welcome!” “Right, I'll buy you some lunch or something later...if we live long enough that is.”   “Nice optimism, Mugsy.” The brothers could hear Goopy mumble something into the dirt below. “Um, sir, we can't understand you when you talk into the ground like that...” There was a large puff of smoke, and Goopy suddenly was back to his original form, save for a few bandages, bruises, and a black eye. “Fine...you boys win...” Goopy grumbled, shoving his Soul Contract into Mugman's chest. As soon as the child had it, he unrolled the paper, checking the golden seal that sparkled and twinkled with a shing! “I...I'm sorry Goo-” “Just take it and go.” He said coldly. Mugman came to a stand. The boys said nothing more as they looked at each other before taking each other by the hand, and leaving.

[kookiekeys]

A List of 101 Jungkook/Jimin Recommendations

Since I began reading Jungkook/Jimin stories early last year, I’ve tried to keep track of all the ones that left a lasting impression. Unfortunately, I most definitely have missed out on other amazing stories that I have either not read or have not been able to recall (a lot of the ones on Tumblr I’ve unfortunately got no way of digging out of my 20,000+ likes). Regardless, I hope you find something in this list :) (List is in no particular order, and I’ve tried to include summaries as provided by the authors themselves. Also, please read the tags accordingly, as the list includes stories covering a wide array of topics)

Start a Riot by chihiro (Rating: E)

- Jeongguk and Jimin have been at this for a long time. The only difference now is that Jimin has grown up and Jeongguk sees no reason why he shouldn't have what he has wanted since a long damned time.

sweet like honey by graseun (Rating: M)

- we've been making shades of purple out of red and blue

Nowhere We Can Really Be Free by bangswing (Rating: E)

- Jeongguk is awakened to the supernatural walking beside him, wearing an ugly sweater and the sweetest smile.

Mine for the Taking by staycute1234 (Rating: M)

- Alpha Jungkook wants to mate Omega Jimin, but Jimin likes to play hard to get.

practiced by wordcouture (Rating: M)

- the fans have another thing comin'--but speaking of coming...

that spin i’m in by wordcouture (Rating: T)

- Open your mind, let your fantasies unwind. Welcome to the Moulin Rouge.

Blow Me Like Your French Horn by ohdizzy (Rating: T)

- In which Jimin undergoes a transformation from Cinnamon Roll to Sinnamon Roll and Jeongguk is a little too competitive, a little too tsundere, and a little bit too moony-eyed for his own good. “i see that you adore playing your loud ass trumpet at random moments in the middle of the night, well fyi i happen to be a master at the French horn so fuck u i challenge you to a brass off” AU

i guess you say (what can make me feel this way) by jungkooks hyung (Rating: T)

- in which jimin works at a country club at the pool and jungkook is a member

Rain All Day and I Don’t Mind by jams_and_suga (Rating: T)

- Jimin and Jungkook spend a rainy morning together. Inspired by the song "Banana Pancakes" by Jack Johnson

Sorry But I Need to Have You by eightninetwo (Rating: T)

- Jeongguk's never one to back down from a dare. But when said dare involves making out with Park Jimin, Jeongguk finds himself wanting it to be more than just that.

my only wish this year by atechamcham (Rating: G)

- jeongguk won't be back for the holidays, and that's fine with jimin. but on christmas morning he wakes up to a text saying he's got a present under his tree.

tying the knot by empressium (Rating: E)

- it's kind of a big fucking deal

star boards by wordcouture (Rating: T)

- "You should never dream about finding true love." "Why not?" "Because once you find it, the only thing that's left is heartbreak."

Little Pieces by Jikookiejar (Rating: Not Rated)

- My Jikook ficlets from Tumblr

lemme hear you beg for it by fatal (Rating: E)

- jeongguk's always been a tease, you'd think jimin would have caught on by now.

Who Let His Boyfriend Be so Fucking Hot? by Halottie (Rating: Not Rated)

- “I woke up early so we can have some fun before you have to go to class.” Jeongguk flashes him a sleepy smile, “I love you.” “I know.”

just one chance to make me blush by ninagum (Rating: M)

- Sometimes love is just a hand to hold and someone to listen.

i like how desperate you seem (in the way you look at me) by fatal (Rating: E)

- packs merge all the time. it's survival. jimin knows that, but what he's not prepared for is the attention he's getting from a certain jeon jeongguk, the alpha's son.

Picture Me With You by novilunar (Rating: E)

- Dealing with being in the same class as his favourite camboy is not an easy task for Jungkook

sugar, we're going down swinging by aborescent (Rating: T)

- modernsherlock!au - The first time Jeon Jungkook meets Park Jimin, the other boy is dissecting what looks like a penis.

Relax, Don’t Do It by yoongidontdoit (Rating: E)

- Jeongguk likes to party. Jeongguk likes to party hard. When he wakes up half naked in a Denny's parking lot, for the third time, he decides to commit to something for once and swear to be completely straight-edge for a full 90 days. That includes no partying, no late nights, and absolutely no sex. Easy until Jimin decides to crash land, literally, into his life.

talking body by empressium (Rating: E)

- "I'm a big fan of your work, author-nim"

Him by PinkBTS (Rating: M)

- “I mean a muse,” explained Yoongi, eyes traveling to Hoseok. “Someone that makes you feel the shots. Not only take them.”Jeongguk snorted. “You’re just whipped.” “Maybe,” agreed Yoongi, winking. “But it works.”

love exposure by pettey (Rating: E)

- “You’re in love with my brother. Do you know what he does?” “He dances.” In which Jeongguk is a soon-to-be journalist with a camera and Jimin lives in nightclubs, sort of.

officially by wordcouture (Rating: M)

- Jungkook usually fucks his interviews up the ass, figuratively speaking of course. Except for this one time when he literally did.

You're My Achilles Heel by miskeen (Rating: E)

- Jungkook just likes the taste of Jimin's cock in his mouth

nothing will be bigger than us by busan_brat (Rating: T)

- A fucking hypocrite, that's who Jimin is. A fucking hypocrite who makes sure that Jungkook is alive and as well as anybody can be in this concrete jungle made of too many broken dreams and too little hope.

Blooming Period by yourcupoftae (Rating: T)

- Jungkook learned, after years of studying them through his camera lenses, that flowers always flourished to their most beautiful blossoms right before they withered.

Ears by Usui (Rating: E)

- Jimin has been going through a dry spell. Taehyung decides the best way for him to get laid is dressing as a sexy cat for Halloween. Jimin meets Jungkook, a guy armed with bad cat puns who definitely approves of the costume.

listen to my heartbeat (it's calling you at its own will) by poplolli (Rating: T)

- Park Jimin has fluffy sweaters, green glasses, chubby cheeks and a smile what could make flowers grow. Jeon Jeongguk has Reputation (with capital R), a motorcycle, way more black leather jackets than necessary and a Secret (with capital S). And may or may not, Jeon Jeongguk has a teeny tiny Crush, too. (It's really tiny though, the capital C must be a mistake, okay.)

You Left This Here by RoxasJinsei (Rating: M)

- Red eyes, a shade or so deeper than blood, make Jimin's body freeze, a shudder racking his frame when a slow smirk makes it's way across the man's face.

I Promise, I Promise. Calm Down. by RoxasJinsei (Rating: T)

- Jungkook meets Youngbae, Jimin's charge. He likes him. Jungkook also meets Jimin's neighbors. He doesn't like them.

In the Line of Fire by bubbleteafics (Rating: E)

- For some reason, Jimin was everyone's favorite target.

A God's Star by TheHalesNyx (Rating: E)

And Back Again by novilunar (Rating: E)

- Jimin wishes he could stay away from Jungkook

underdressed and oversexed by gangbang (Rating: E)

- jungkook just needs the money. it’s kind of unfortunate jimin happens to be the porn star he's jacked off to for the past three years.

Flower Talk by soranosuzu (Rating: G)

- Jimin works in a flower shop and Jungkook is a delivery boy who drives a pastel pink van.

Captain Cuddles by goog (Rating: M)

- In which Taehyung learns that he is not entitled to call Jeongguk 'Captain Cuddles'.

Track one: I love you by dalliancee (Rating: T)

- Just way too close, just by the fingertips — and only by the fingertips. That's all they will ever be.

you're intoxicating (I can't stop) by astrochild (Rating: T)

- and what a strange love this is.

Dream Maker by graesun, Polkari Seuta (VeritasEtVita) (Rating: M)

- Oh, dream maker, you heartbreaker / wherever you're going, I'm going your way. Several days in the lives of Jimin and Jungkook living off instant ramen and lots of kisses.

check one two by gangbang (Rating: E)

- for the first time ever, camboy jimin has a couple of guests on his show. or: Local Twink Gets Fucked Hard and Raw by Two Hotties.

Hate the way I don't hate you by blt_prf (Rating: T)

- 10 things Jimin hates about the new kid in his dancing team.

Varsity by Noona (Rating: E)

- In which Park Jimin and Jeon Jungkook are rivals.

Baby, Take Care of Me by rapmonstsr (Rating: M)

- Jeongguk wants to protect Jimin.

wet by wowoashley (Rating: T)

- Jimin’s arms flex as he pulls the top off and tosses it to the side, and Jungkook feels the sudden need to sit down. It’s suddenly too hot. He needs a drink. He needs something.

i’ve been drinking, i’ve been drinking by decompositionbooks (Rating: T)

- Jungkook tries to figure Jimin out with Yoongi's trademarked "What Your Drink Says About You" alcohol psychoanalysis.All he knows is that Jimin likes fruity little drinks.

Web of lies by untrueee (Rating: M)

- Weaving a web of lies I can see it in your eyes Jimin is a liar and a spy, but that's why Jungkook loves him.

Boy You Belong To Me by rapmonstsr (Rating: M)

- When Jimin tries out for the cheer leading squad, he doesn't expect to be humiliated in front of the entire football team. He certainly didn't expect to get closer to the handsome star fullback, Jeon Jeongguk, but it seemed his senior year was beginning to become a series of unfortunate events.

Mizu by renaihyung (Rating: T)

- Jungkook and Jimin grew close in high school through their swimming club. Eventually, both swimmers developed feelings for one another, but it isn’t as easy as one may think. Jungkook is incapable of voicing or showing his emotions, and he isn't sure why. When high school ends and the couple split, never getting further than lingering touches in terms of their relationship thanks to Jungkook’s doing, it’s no shock that Jungkook regrets his decisions every day after Jimin has left. All he has is the swimming competitions to somehow bring him closer to the boy he loves.

Move Your Body by novilunar (Rating: M)

- Jimin has nothing on his mind but practice, and Jungkook has ways of getting into places he shouldn't be. The dance department of Jimin's university is one of them.

if i get in, i just might drown by fatal (Rating: E)

- fucking jimin has always been jeongguk's favourite hobby. ruts just made it that much more special.

Hamartia by chihiro (Rating: M)

- Jimin mistakes Jeongguk for a siren and makes a promise to him he is not prepared to face the consequences of.

The Bet by jonghyunslisterine (Rating: T)

- Where Jeon Jungkook makes a bet that he can get the notoriously single Park Jimin to sleep with him by the end of the semester.Needless to say, things don't go exactly as planned.

Paths by novilunar (Rating: T)

- Jimin is the son of an inn keeper, Jungkook is an adventurer. They make it work.

Gods & Monsters by rapmonstsr (Rating: M)

- Jimin is not entirely human. Jungkook is a ghoul hunter. And someone is pulling the strings behind a curtain.

you're a hard soul to save with an ocean in the way (but i'll get around it) by namakemono (Rating: T)

- Jimin has the whole ocean at his fingertips, but for some reason he can't help but look up to where the humans are, and wonder what it’s like to be part of their world. (or: the Little Mermaid AU that no one asked for)

Training Wheels by jeonify (Rating: G)

- everything starts when jeongguk moves over, and jimin teaches him to ride a bike. everything ends when kim taehyung moves over, and jeongguk abandons his bicycle. +“they say that if you watch the sunset on that hill for 31 consecutive days, your unrequited love will be reciprocated.”

the waiting game by bonnia (Rating: E)

- It’s a waiting game. Jimin knows that Jungkook doesn’t have to come back, but with every little touch, every time Jungkook does, and every time Jungkook lies down right next to him, pressed up close, torturously warm and smelling like cigarette smoke and cologne, Jimin can’t help but feel like he could — would — wait years just for Jungkook to come back to him again. (Or: In which Jimin is a prostitute and Jungkook is his favourite customer.)

I Don’t Need a Map My Heart Points Me to You by busantanboys (Rating: T)

- “Well,” He paused for effect, throwing a wicked smile Jungkook’s way before continuing, “I’d like you a whole lot better if you’d untie me, sweet cheeks.” “Sorry, no can-do, sunshine. Cap’n’s orders. Looks like you're stuck with me.” - (In which Jeon Jungkook is enamored with tiny, pirate, Park Jimin.)

When You Look Here by jimjamgguk (Rating: E)

- In which Jungkook and Jimin are paired together for an assignment. Stuff happens.

flashing lights (you've got me faded) by bonnia (Rating: E)

- getting married to the heir of his father's rival company, multi-billionaire-playboy-sexgod jeon jungkook in a bout of drunken insanity and consequently being forced into a fake relationship with said asshole, is Very Low on jimin's bucket list. (actually, it doesn't even make the list.) but, jimin would grudgingly admit, at least the sex is good. (actually, the sex is better than good. but you didn’t hear that from him.)

yankee doodle by Hurley (Rating: E)

- Jimin’s fourth relationship is with a guy who wore a policeman uniform to happy hour at the local bar. (aka the fic where Jimin likes older guys.)

Soft Times by rapmonstsr (Rating: M)

- Jeongguk takes care of his Jiminie.

once upon a timeshare by namakemono (Rating: M)

- Jungkook is in desperate need of a vacation, but spending two weeks in Namjoon and Hoseok’s timeshare in Okinawa with his recently separated ex of three years was probably (definitely) not what he had in mind.

Glass Diamonds by GinForInk (Rating: E)

- Jungkook accidentally fires his skateboard through the window of a dance studio.

warm me up (with your lips) by graesun (Rating: E)

- Jungkook feels like maybe it should be a bigger deal that most of the population chooses a lifelong mate before they turn twenty-five. But truth be told, Jungkook has always been a sucker for love stories--for the story of his parents finding each other at eighteen and nineteen, for the promise of belonging to somebody, for the legends – old stories of alpha, beta, and omega instincts finding the one without any effort at all. Jungkook had been sure of his own hopeful love story not long after he met Jimin, the both of them imprinting on each other while Jungkook was still too shy to say more than a few stuttered words to him. It’s been a long time coming. And Jungkook can’t wait for them to finally belong to each other.

I’m Not Sorry by bananacookies (Rating: Not Rated)

- Jungkook never would've expected a text from a stranger to turn out like this.(A story in which Jungkook's lonely, Jimin's a sweetheart, and Yoongi's the cat)

Perfect by miskeen (Rating: E)

- jimin and jungkook get ready to go out. eventually

hypnotic (you got me talking in my sleep) by ninagum (Rating: M)

- Jungkook plucks off the icicles around Jimin's heart, one at a time, despite the continuous blizzard.

i am a good good boy by narrowrule (Rating: E)

- The ideal couple. Jimin was short and soft in all the ways Jeongguk was tall and hard. The stuff of highly rated KBS dramas, Taehyung supposed. Until recently.aka taehyung stumbles upon (more like into) the true dynamics of his best friend's relationship ft. power bottom jimin, eager to please jeongguk and thirsty taehyung

When the Sun Goes Down by rapmonstsr (Rating: M)

- “Yeah? You must feel like a god right now.” Jeongguk glances out to Gangnam’s sparkling nightlife and hums in agreement. At least Jimin is aware. “What does that make you?” OrJeongguk is a sad rich boy who falls in love with his best friend.

crush(ed) by fatal (Rating: M)

- jimin's been lost for so long, he's forgotten what it feels like to be found.

Rubies for a King by TheHalesNyx (Rating: E)

- Prompt: Twenty years ago, Jimin's father struck a deal with Jungkook, the dragon to ensure that the crown will remain in the family. Twenty years later, Jungkook has come to claim his prize.In return for Jimin’s life, his health, in return for an heir to the company throne, Jimin’s father had made a deal with a dragon.

Sleepy Cuddles by jimin_to_my_ship_we_got_kookies (Rating: G)

- Jungkook just needs his cuddle buddy back in bed.

100% success rate by bonnia (Rating: T)

- Legend has it, that whenever Kim Taehyung unleashes the ;) face, things do not bode well for Jeon Jungkook. But legend also has it, that Jeon Jungkook has a penchant for making terrible decisions. (or: in which jungkook has a crush the size of manhattan, taehyung is his alleged wingman, and jimin is only wilfully oblivious)

you make my heart saur by sugrpill (Rating: M)

- "'I gotta go.” “Go where?” Taehyung asks as he settles back into the couch, admiring his new ink. “Do someone,” Jimin says cheekily as he rises, clambering over Taehyung's legs. Taehyung shoots up, back straight, eyes pleading. “Don't fuck Jeongguk.'” (In which Jimin goes out looking for a hook-up, and they both get a little surprise.)

Guilty Pleasures by jimin_to_my_ship_we_got_kookies (Rating: G)

- Everyone's got a guilty pleasure, some sweeter than others.

Bloom by mnsg (Rating: T)

- Jimin has a soft spot for Jeongguk the size of Jupiter and it’s hard not to take advantage of that, sometimes. Especially when Jimin looks so good and sweet and happy Jeongguk could just…eat him.

if i can be with you by goldenhearts (Rating: Not Rated)

- collection of shorter stories originally posted on tumblr (@springjeon)

You Read Me Like a Book by dyegu (Rating: T)

- The university library has really really tall bookshelves, which kinda sucks for someone who's short like Jimin.

could you stop being so high up, please? by dyegu (Rating: T)

- If someone wants a kiss, someone is going to have to stop being so freaking high up.

Park and Recreations by miskeen (Rating: E)

- Jimin and Jungkook play laser tag. It's pretty much a fight to the death

Cuddling Misadventures by nutterbutterbisquit (Rating: M)

- Jimin wakes up in the middle of the night to give Jungkook the wake-up call he's wanted since they started sleeping (literally) with each other.

longing: a yearning desire by NaHe (Rating: T)

- The first words a person’s soulmate will say to them appears on their left wrist on the day of their 18th birthday. Unless, of course, their soulmate has passed away. Jungkook was a 21 year old with a blank wrist.

your body is a place to stay by jonghyunslisterine (Rating: T)

- In which Jungkook juggles a five-year-old daughter, Jimin the pretty bookstore employee, and coworkers who like to tease him too much.

Just a joke by pastelrainbows (Rating: G)

- Jeongguk pranks jimin. Jimin is not amused.

numbers by memechele (Rating: T)

- jungkook loves his job: after all, being a cashier in 7/11 isn't exactly rocket science, and it pays well. He starts to love it even more though, when the christmas exhibition a mere 25 metres away from the store gets a new santa, and jungkook has the best seat to ogle him. or jimin is the new santa in jungkook's local mall, and jungkook ends up on jimin's lap on christmas eve.

Share a kiss with me tonight by Themboybandsthough (Rating: Not Rated)

- It's a social experiment

drop our anchors in a storm by merrimint (Rating: M)

- In which Jimin and Jeongguk's last night together before Jeongguk has to leave for the military results in nine months worth of stress and the consumption of a frankly ridiculous amount of chocolate covered strawberries.

Of course, it had to be you by Rose_gold715 (Rating: T)

- Park Jimin is an Omega wolf who simply wants to find a mate who will accept him. Jeon Jungkook is a mysterious, devastatingly handsome Alpha who confuses Jimin.

promise rings by cupidsus (Rating: E)

- cliche friends with benefits problems with slight twists of some sort

Practicality by rapmonstsr (Rating: T)

- Jungkook manages to piss off his crush and Secret Santa all in one go.

hit me (with your best shot) by happy_tokki (Rating: G)

- The first time they meet, Jeongguk hits him with a snowball. And that is how it all begins.

Won’t Let You Sink by jikookie (Rating: M)

- Jungkook considers it his life mission to make sure his boyfriend doesn't let the stress and pressure get to him. Based on when Jimin lost his part in Autumn Leaves to Tae. Jungkook taking care of his precious boyfriend who is always there for him. With just a tiny bit of smutty goodness.

All the Way Home I’ll Be Warm... by Anonymous (Rating: T)

- Lately, it seemed like Jungkook was always running. Running to work, running to the gym, running from gallery opening to gallery opening, trying to network and make a name for himself in this city, and currently, tonight, running very, very late to catch the last train home for Christmas.

White T-shirt and Brown Timberlands by Rose_gold715 (Rating: G)

- Jimin is filing for divorce after eight years with Jungkook. He needs to let go, and yet, he wants to hold on a little longer.

Well Done! by annafeu (Rating: E)

- Running low on provisions to last them through the winter, wolf-pack leader Jungkook captures an unsuspecting rabbit to have for his Christmas dinner.

Return with the Tides by baepsaeved (Rating: T)

- Jimin has been to six different worlds, but he ends up falling in love with a boy from his hometown.

Metallic by snarcsics (Rating: E)

- Jimin is an elegant killer, he’s sweet and careful and he makes every slice feel like hell. Jungkook learns from him, watches him, moans out with him when Jimin’s eyes flutter in satisfaction at the agonized muffled screams he receives with every glide of Jungkook’s kitchen knife.

baby you got devotion in every little motion by automatic_dick (Rating: E)

- jimin's six months pregnant when his boyfriend leaves him: unemployed, nothing in savings, three months from having a second mouth to feed. he gets a job getting fucked. can't be that bad. he's been getting fucked over his whole life, might as well get paid for it.

In some cases, I’ve had to shorten summaries a little bit. Please let me know if that is not acceptable and would like that changed.

If there are any errors, or if you have any recommendations for a better way to organize this, let me know!

[backto-trc-things]

Me: the going over to a neighbors house to complain abt intentionally loud instrument/music playing is such a ridiculous trope. Like what person thinks 'lemme blow into my fuckin trumpet as loud as I can for like 15 minutes a day so that hot guy comes over to tell me to stfu'??

Also me, writing 4 different fics for 4 different character pairings all using that exact same trope: nice. Quality shit right here. Good plot

[tune-collective]

13 Times Rihanna Showed Off Her Rap Skills

13 Times Rihanna Showed Off Her Rap Skills

When Kendrick Lamar shared the track list for his new album DAMN. earlier this week, fans and critics immediately started wondering about his collaboration with Rihanna (upstaged perhaps only by the sight of a then-puzzling U2 feature).

The Rihanna song, aptly titled “LOYALTY.,” sparked many memes, which referenced an “awkward” run-in between Rihanna and Lamar’s rumored rival Drake.

“Kendrick Lamar Ft Rihanna – ..LOYALTY” pic.twitter.com/h8imD2NQSX

— Rellington Beats (@TyRellington) April 11, 2017

  Jokes aside, the rollout of the Compton emcee’s latest on Friday (April 14) definitely delivered on the hype, with Rihanna’s appearance being just part of the mass conversation about the project.

RiRi’s feature is another reminder that she possesses the ability to ebb and flow between rapping and singing, succeeding in bringing her Bad Gal persona to life every time. Her bars always come at her most braggadocious moments, sometimes carrying the flagrant fire of Lil’ Kim or Future. Inspired by her mentor and idol Jay Z, Rihanna has had an extensive history of rapping on her songs since Good Girl Gone Bad and subsequent acknowledgements as the Princess of Hip-Hop and R&B.

Here are 13 examples of her wearing that crown:

“Lemme Get That” (2007)

After releasing softer dancehall and pop with R&B uptempos and ballads on her first two studio albums, “Lemme Get That” became the first example of Rihanna spitting on wax like a true emcee. On Good Girl Gone Bad, the singer manages to drop bars about gold-digging (“I bought me a Benz, you buy me the yacht/ A girl need a lot, the girl need some stocks/ Bonds is what I got, bonds is what I got”). Backed by a snare-powered and trumpet-enhanced beat, the singer received help from hip-hop’s biggest pop playmakers — Timbaland, Jay Z and the song’s hypeman, The-Dream — to pen the lines. Their creation could have worked very well as an answer to Kanye West’s “Gold Digger.”

“Wait Your Turn” (2009)

Marketed as a promotional single for her darkest studio album to date, Rated R, the football alluding “Wait Your Turn” infuses Rihanna’s rapping with a dubstep instrumental. The singer opens her first verse boasting about her greatness (“there’s so much power in my name/ if you pop off and you say it/ stadium gon’ do the wave”), before making one of her most notorious claims: “I’m such a fucking lady.” 

“Hard” (2009)

Backed by trap royalty Jeezy, Rihanna punches harder with Rated R‘s track successor to “Wait Your Turn.” With bars such as “never lying, truth-teller/ that Rihanna reign just won’t let up,” the singer earned an edgier street cred on radio. She blazes her second verse with a quadruplet rhyme scheme attacking her nemesis (“All up on it, know you want to clone it/ Ain’t like me, that chick too phony/ Ride this beat, beat, beat like a pony/ Meet me at the top, top, top, getting lonely”). Alongside Beyoncé’s “Diva,” this song became one of the premier examples of early trap&B ruling radio stations. 

“Raining Men” (2010)

Rihanna has even dabbled in hip-pop with some help from the scene’s leading enforcer, Nicki Minaj. On the Weather Girls-inspired track from the cheery LP Loud, Rihanna and Minaj rap about their dime (perfect ten) appeal and men being disposable. The lead artist takes shots at men’s intelligence with the lines “All you need to know that I’m a 2 times 5/ load it, cock it, aim it baby, boom bye bye/ set your standards lower baby you’re aiming too high/ matter of fact your friend looks better, so goodbye.” 

“Who’s That Chick” (2010)

The superstar has also brought rapping to her Euro-dancepop side. We can’t forget how Rihanna switches her flow in this David Guetta-produced electro club banger. Her flow goes from Ke$ha-style pop-rap to Cockney vernacular to American southern grit in a matter of seconds. Although the song was a moderate success on the Billboard Hot 100 (a peak of No. 51), Rihanna’s spitting about being an international magnet for attention helped the song reach the top 10 overseas. 

“Cockiness (Love It)” (2011)

As one of the standouts on the sexually-charged Talk That Talk, “Cockiness” started a period where Rihanna as an occasional rapper started to become second nature for radio. The song’s overtly sexual rap-singing (“I want you to be my sex slave/ anything that I desire/ be one with my femin-ay/ set my whole body on fire”) and punny innuendos (“suck my cockiness, lick my persuasion”) — over a Greg Kinnear sampling beat — worked as one of the singer’s edgiest sounds to grace the airwaves.  

“Birthday Cake (Remix)” (2012)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WimjkqmQy7U

Like most commercially successful rappers, Rihanna took a moment of personal chagrin and capitalized on the aftermath (and subsequent forgiveness) to offer a club banger. In the extended remix of Talk That Talk‘s little-over-a minute interlude, the singer enlisted the help of Chris Brown, much to the dismay of the general public. In the last minutes of the song, Brown starts off the third verse rapping about his share of having “cake.” Rihanna takes over with the bridge of a half-rapped, half-sung verse (many interpreted “sweeter than a rice cake, cake” as a dig at Brown’s then on-and-off again girlfriend Karrueche Tran) before dropping bars in a nursery rhyme-ish fourth verse.  

“Phresh Out the Runway” (2012)

Rihanna opened her seventh studio album, Unapologetic, by getting trappy with the production and vocals. Later on, it would become a sight to see as the future fashion icon strut on Victoria’s Secret runway spitting the lines “How could you be so hood/ but you so fucking pop/ How could you be so fun/ and sound like you selling rocks.” 

“Pour It Up” (2012)

It’d only make sense that Rihanna would rap over the answer song to Juicy J’s “Bandz a Make Her Dance.” In the feminine take of the strip club anthem, the entertainer gloats about receiving endless money and being self made. Similar to Unapologetic‘s other rap track, “Runway,” “Pour” also plays on trap Mafioso hip-hop vibes. 

“Bitch Better Have My Money” (2015)

An interesting takeaway from Kendrick Lamar’s MAD. was the lyrical reference to Rihanna’s former, scamming accountant in “FEAR.” That same accountant would become the inspiration behind the gruesome, killer music video for “Bitch Better Have My Money,” where the singer refers to the individual as “the b—-” who owes her money. Looking back on all the drama, it’s safe to say that Rihanna put out her first proper diss record — albeit, the intended subject probably wouldn’t be able to spit back a competitive response to “shit, your wife in the backseat of my brand new foreign car/ don’t act like you forgot/ I call the shots, shots, shots.” 

“Pose” (2016)

If Rihanna were a full time rapper, fashion would be one of her main topics alongside money. ANTI‘s grime and trap&B infused bonus track, “Pose,” hits upon both of those subjects as the singer finesses broken, staggered rapping into a party track that stunts on the haters. 

“Nothing Is Promised” (2016)

The industry darling paired with the penmanship of Future and the production of Mike Will Made-It to generate a hit that warns about fame and love. Feeling herself (and her success), Rihanna channels her collaborators’ energies while she discusses balling out and “never put[ting] money above” a love interest. 

“LOYALTY.” (2017) 

In her most recent effort, the self-referencing “Bad gyal RiRi” trades between rapping and singing with Kendrick Lamar — harping in on DAMN.‘s motif of reversing. The songstress’ quick mention of “I’m a natural” attests to her rap skills and how far she’s come in the submersion of hip-hop and R&B as a supergenre. It’s fitting that the song interlopes Jay Z’s turn of the millennium Roc-A-Fella Records jaunt “Get Your Mind Right Mami,” as Rihanna has remained loyal to Jay Z since she was signed under him in 2005. “LOYALTY.” also works as a 2017 spin on one of her favorite rapper’s discography, 2Pac, as the song exhibits similar thematic content over an affected West Coast beat. 

This article originally appeared on Billboard.

https://tunecollective.com/2017/04/19/13-times-rihanna-showed-off-rap-skills/