#i think we've got ourselves a future athlete

[grimm-haven]

Beginning of Lemon Gen // Previous // Next

[bengiyo]

Don't Care for an Old Man's Underwear Ep 9 Stray Thoughts

This watch made possible by @isaksbestpillow.

Last time, Mika recognized that Kakeru felt bad about how he snapped at them and opened up to his dad after talking to Daichi. As a result, she sent Makoto with Kakeru to the local festival with Daichi, and they all managed to make huge progress. Madoka followed them because he thought Daichi was seeing Kakeru, but Makoto cleared that up and the two gays are back together properly. Kakeru and Makoto understand each other better, and got to have a great moment where Makoto taught him how to use a pop gun to win a cute prize. Also, Makoto confronted his senior properly, and urged him to update after they solved a big problem.

I'm with Hasegawa on wanting to resolve the core issue that Kakeru hates the baseball team players.

I kinda wanna see what Furuike taking over for Shimura looks like now.

I'm glad the boys listened to Kakeru and tried to receive what he was giving them.

DON'T MIND 👍

I do feel a little for Furuike and am happy that he's trying. I'm glad Makoto started to change before he reached that age.

Oh shit! Is Moe family??

Look how far we've come. Moe is trusting Makoto with a big emotional ask. He didn't flub it, and was even able to offer praise!

The sign is coming down!!

I love these boys coming back a few days later after reflecting on what Kakeru said to share what they've learned. That's one of the kindest things one can do.

These girls walked in ready to fight these boys for Kakeru, and I fucks with that for real.

So much for that ship! Ookubo is already seeing someone.

DON'T MIND 👍

Not surprised that Madoka was an athlete at all.

He's holding Daichi's hand in public!!

I continue to love Daichi more than any other man we've met in these shows in a long time. I just love the way he cut through the bullshit and asserted that neither of them was giving up on building a future they want together.

I'm so ready to see Makoto at a concert!

Kakeru and Moe teasing Makoto about going on a date with Mika is such a lovely reward for all the effort everyone has put in.

I love Mika teasing Makoto for walking in the side of traffic after copying Daichi.

Wow @lurkingshan wasn't kidding. It does look like Kakeru is gonna fuck that bear.

I do love the siblings checking on each other.

I'm getting so emotional about Mika's explanation of how RANDOM gave her an outlet for something to be passionate about when she was in a dark place and feeling alone. It was so important to remind ourselves how Makoto used to be, and I'm glad he reflected on what role he played in that, and is able to thank the band for helping his wife and partner.

I'm really glad we've seen two shows this year that have women in the 40s and even 60s loving and enjoying boy bands.

I adore Makoto. Of course his bias would be Kanata, the one helping the others.

I'm so glad Mika has fandom friends her age to hang out with after a concert. I'm going to be thinking about how Mika described Makoto growing into someone unlikeable.

He did research! Look how happy she is!

Kakeru is such a little brother.

This family is fun again, and can let Makoto do dad things. They can trick him into a treat, and then Makoto gets to do fun dad things now like limit them to one parfait to share!

I am undone. Madoka recognized Daichi's backdoor proposal earlier, and seeing Daichi yearn for what the Okita family has pushed him to propose directly. I'm so happy for Daichi, and I'm so happy for the Okita family that they could be part of that moment after everything we've been through. Makoto didn't say anything this time and only applauded at the end. I know that parfait tasted great that night.

I'm so happy for Mihoko, too. You know she has worried so much about Daichi, and is thrilled by this engagement.

Oh boy, Daichi's dad is coming back next week.

I love love love how so much of this is about how there's always enough love to give. The end of the date was an opportunity for some out of house family time, and of course Daichi and his partner are welcome. And it's that yearning for that which pushed Madoka over the edge. I love that the Okita family got to be part of that moment. So much of this episode was just constant payoff for all the work everyone has put in. Kakeru has a place for himself at school. Makoto has the respect of his team. The kids like their dad again. Mika likes her husband again. We are a team now. We can face whatever comes next in these final two episodes.

[where-skies-end]

Evindal could no longer get the heavy doors to the old laboratory open on his own. Not that he'd wanted to, for the longest time. He'd ordered the servants not to touch it, back when Briares had disappeared, intending to continue his work. It had been too painful.

He meant to do this alone. He could just barely reach the lock and turn the key, just barely managed to pry the door open relying on arm strength alone. Wedging his sword, which had been purely ornamental for years, under the door held it open just enough to get his wheelchair in.

The laboratory was covered in a thick layer of dust, which stirred with every moment. Evindal coughed and pushed forward, to where Briares' old journal sat, again just barely out of reach. He was lucky Briares hadn't chosen to have tables installed to match his thirteen foot height.

The journal was heavy, and the cloud of dust moving it sent up made Evindal cough. He brushed off the cover and opened it up.

He knew it would hurt, seeing Briares' old notes and sketches. The staff, that Evindal had helped Briares hide before his disappearance.

"You miss him still, don't you?"

Evindal turned at the sight of the voice. "I..."

"It's okay." Merethyl slipped through the gap in the door, retrieving his sword as she did with the hand that held the ring that bound them together. "I've always known your heart belonged to him."

"I'm sorry. You deserve better than I could give you."

She shrugged. "It's not like I ever wanted to marry. Not just you, but at all. Perhaps... this is better than anything one-sided." Crossing the room, she handed him back his weapon and then took his hand. "I think we've both told each other, and ourselves, too many lies about what we are."

He considered that for a moment. "I wish we could give the kingdom what they're looking for, without having to put either of our comfort on the line."

"See... that's the thing."

He looked up at her. Sharp gray eyes most would have found captivating, an athletic frame that made her look invincible. She gave him a sly smile, holding up a tiny vial. "Now, I have no idea if it will work. Honestly, I don't think it will. But... It's worth a shot, right? For the kingdom?"

Evindal just watched her. "Wait, what is it supposed to do?"

"It's... it's supposed to make someone fall in love. I got it from one of the potion-makers during the last Harvest Festival. I just thought the bottle was pretty at the time."

"I think you're right that it won't work." Evindal sighed. "I also think you're right in that it's worth a shot, if it means we can be what everyone expects."

"Right." Merethyl uncorked the tiny bottle. "Evindal, are you sure?"

"Yes. Let's do it."

She sipped half the potion, passing the rest to him. He ran his fingers along his ex-lover's journal one more time before setting it aside. Then he drank the rest of the potion.

-----

Years later, Evindal watched as his two oldest daughters chased each other around the throne room, whooping and cheering as they played with their model horses. Soon enough, they'd be ready for the real thing. Merethyl stood beside him, holding their infant son with a gentle smile.

The potion they'd tried so long ago hadn't worked. Instead, it had made them both sick, and during their time recovering, they'd been able to open up to each other and clear the air between them. Whatever the kingdom thought of them, they considered each other close friends now, working to ensure their kingdom would remain stable and successful.

It hadn't been what Evindal dreamed he would have when he was young, working his way to the top of the rankings so he could be the one to ascend to the throne.

Though sometimes he missed what could have been, he was happy now. He had someone who considered him an equal, someone he could trust to have his back and watch over the kingdom. And he had his children, the kingdom's future, who he loved dearly and would do anything for.

After being forced into a loveless political marriage, a prince and princess agree to split a love potion in hope of finding happiness.