#i've just found out i can post polls now so obviously the first one is going to be about food lol

[kenziedrawz]

So, Psycho's Playground.

This is the AU y'all voted for, it's also the only AU I've posted about prior to the poll aside from LAL 2 Kenzie Edition. As in I've written a fic for it's beginning, which can be found here.

Here's the post where I'll go into more detail. Popping everything under the cut however due to length. Ah yes, and the warnings.

Warnings for ; Child Death, Death in general, Decapitation of bird statues, would that even count as Animal death? maybe!, violence.

So! First off, let's talk about how this AU got it's name. It's actually a play on the Near Future's battle theme, 'Playing with Psychos'. The reason why I named it Psycho's Playground, is due to the fact that Akira made most of the city into his personal 'playground' to torment those he hates in. Meanwhile the 'Psycho' part still refers to how Akira's a psychic.

But now, onto the actual lore.

So, first and foremost the canonical events of the game happen, following the true ending path. However after Oersted sends the heroes back they're sent to the beginning of their journey instead. I won't say what happens with the other heroes, but Akira takes this as a chance to try and change what happened, or to at least stop the conspirators earlier.

Obviously, he fails tremendously. But where things start to get divergent is during the scene post-tsukuba labs. This time, both Matsu and Akira go to try out the Titan(again, in Akira's case. Why won't it listen to him? It keeps on telling him that it's not time yet but when has there ever been a more useful time to have the titan on his side?).

After that it seems to realign with canon, however the fire at the Orphanage had already started just as Akira enters the bar. He only notices that it's ablaze after he leaves. He practically bolts over, was it supposed to start before or after he left there? He wasn't sure but he's pretty confident that it was the latter.

He doesn't waste a single second before he breaks open the door of the burning building, like last time Taeko's still alive, she'll be alright once she gets out of the building.

Kaori was barely moving by the time he managed to kick down the door to where she was, was she even moving at all? He didn't know, he didn't care, he knew she had to be alive. She had to be alive, he'd saved her last time, and he'd saved her again, right?

Then Matsu comes in with the Steel Titan, just as he remembers. Which means he practically overdosed on matango again. But the Titan reassures him that despite that, he won't die at it's wheel.

Akira may have chosen to neglect how reluctant it sounded to tell him that.

It was right, Matsu was barely alive, they just needed to get him to a hospital. Akira would stay behind, pilot the titan to defeat the conspirators. He told Taroimo- Tarokichi- whatever the turtle robots name even was now to take care of Kaori.

looking back, he must have looked stupid for telling a robot to protect the body of a girl long gone.

So, like in canon Akira gets to fuck up the army... Until a certain point in which Yamazaki attempts to bargain with our favorite giant mech pilot... with the lives of those that he loves. Matsu, Taeko, the Doc, the Matron, the other surviving Orphanage kids, they'd gotten surrounded during the chaos and Akira hadn't noticed.

He's ordered to stand down, however Akira is far too stubborn to just stand down. He tries, to save them that is, however he fails.

All of them get blown up by a tank.

And for a while, Akira is stunned. He can't really believe that this is happening, he doesn't want to believe that this is happening.

and then Odeo is brought into the world. Akira cannot catch a fucking break apparently.

During the fight with Odeo, he struggles. Odeo manages to down the Steel Titan, and that's when the Titan makes Akira an offer.

It apologizes, first and foremost, that things had turned out so wretchedly, but then comes the offer- one of power, of vengeance deserved, the opportunity to kick some giant bird ass.

Akira accepts, and that's how he finds himself ripping through the Titan as if it were a chrysalis of some kind. Though it was only reasonable considering that he himself was now a titan.

It's not long before he practically rips Odeo's head off, as the liquefacted people slither back into the lake.

He doesn't let them take the conspirators this time, no, they deserved something far worse than being consumed by the lake of their own sins. The power he now holds is overwhelming- yet he can tell it was slightly tainted by his newfound hate for the conspirators and all who had helped them.

He doesn't let it consume him, but what he does do is channel that power into making a pocket dimension- a playground for himself- around from where the Inko Buddha statue was, stretching out to cover the park, port and Tsukuba labs as well. Then, anyone who didn't deserve the hell he was about to bring was kicked out.

Thus began Satanael's birth, or rather, that was Satanael's birth.

----

Now moving on to the main, non-backstory bit of the AU! Essentially, it's a game between Hoshi and Akira. Every time that Hoshi makes it to Akira's little pocket dimension he made within the pocket dimension, he gets to ask one question. However sometimes Akira mixes it up, making him play a game or something, that's when he gets to ask two questions.

There are times where Hoshi simply doesn't ask questions, however, and just stays to talk.

If it's not obvious, the au is sort of a slowburn. With Hoshi trying to figure out Akira's past and what lead him to... this, and Akira making one big game out of it because... hoo boy he's far from mentally healthy here.

also, fun fact but Cube gets to show up as well here! Because Hoshi needs a companion in this shitfuckery realm, and I'd also imagine that what Akira's doing here would heavily affect the distant future in someway, hence the universe decided to send Cube to go fix things.

also because it's my au and I decide that my blorbos get to have the emotional support unit.

Also, as vaguely implied in the fic- yes Yamazaki still is a problem. Though he dies soon after he shows up in the au- not before almost cutting Hoshi's arm off. Yeah, that happens. Don't worry Hoshi's fine though.

and... I believe that's all for now. Maybe the next time I post about this AU I'll have Akira's Satanael design ready.

and yes. they(Akira and Hoshi) do in fact slowly fall in love and are basically together after a while.

[kaesaaurelia]

Hustler's Blood editing accountability, chapter 2

I've written a fuckoff long Good Omens fic, and now I'm editing the thing. You can read more about it here, but the main points are:

It's set in 1926 in Chicago.

I'm posting little discussions of my editing process chapter by chapter, with spoilers for the fic, editing kvetching, research blathering, etc.

If you don't want to see these posts, please block the tag "hustler's blood nattering."

The title of Chapter 2 is "an infidel's capital six days a week," the first (well, technically second) of many Nelson Algren quotes. Both this quote and the title of the fic are from his essay Chicago: City on the Make.

Wordcount: I started at 8,301 words and ended up with 8,870 words. You might think I didn't cut anything out, but I did! I took out a whole bunch of extraneous reallys and quites and verys, as well as a few paragraphs where Aziraphale tries to help Crowley with a difficult tempting job, which ended up being repetitive. This just always happens when I edit.

Song of the chapter: "Welcome Home" by insaneintherainmusic (I love an Undertale cover, and this one is so cozy.)

What happens in the fic?

Al Capone invites Crowley to his birthday party.

Aziraphale (who is very hungover and conflicted about what happened the night before) does not know who Al Capone is. Over brunch, Crowley explains, and also explains the four personas he's been using in Chicago. They are: i. Anthony Crowley -- bootlegger to the North Siders. Throws a lot of parties, is otherwise pretty bland because he doesn't like the North Siders very much. [This is never actually confirmed in the fic, but Crowley has based this persona heavily on Jay Gatsby, having read The Great Gatsby, loved it, and largely missed the point of it.] ii. Lilith Cambion -- bootlegger to Capone's gang. A wealthy widow who totally didn't (totally did) murder her husband. iii. Felix, a cipher with an obviously fake name, who gets out the vote for Chicago politicians by raising the dead and sending them shambling to the polls. iv. Merit O'Malley, an adventurous and kind-hearted young woman who volunteers at Hull House so that Crowley can try and damn its founder, Jane Addams.

Later that week, Aziraphale steals the neighbors' cat, who Crowley resurrected once and who the neighbors aren't very responsible about. Crowley is convinced the cat hates him. It is clear to anyone who's met a cat that the cat adores him. This is their cat now.

Aziraphale and Crowley visit Hull House; Aziraphale comes to the conclusion that Jane Addams might be a witch, and also that Crowley ought to be more careful about how he's operating.

Recurring character of the chapter: This chapter introduces three of the four major recurring historical characters by name, but only one of them gets any on-page time here. Jane Addams was the first social worker, and founded Hull House, an organization that provided social services to Chicagoans from 1889 until 2012. The organization is no longer around, but the remaining structure is a museum now. (One of Hull House's other contributions to the modern world is actually the concept of improv theater! Whether this is a good thing or not I leave as an exercise for the reader.)

Addams isn't as directly important to the plot as either Al Capone or Hymie Weiss, the two mob bosses who derail Aziraphale and Crowley's romance as they fight pointlessly over territory and personal honor. (Alas, Aziraphale and Crowley's romance is always getting derailed by two equally stupid sides fighting pointlessly over territory and personal honor! Sucks to be them.) But when I read her autobiography, Twenty Years at Hull-House, she was giving me Pratchett witch vibes -- maybe a little more Granny Weatherwax than Agnes Nutter, with a dash of Magrat's idealism -- and I liked the idea of her strongly-held pacifism coming in handy, which indeed it does later in the fic when War shows up.

She wasn't perfect -- like almost everyone with progressive views in the '20s she thought eugenics was a good idea, and I disagree pretty strongly with her about Prohibition and sex work -- but I wanted to highlight someone who wasn't a buffoonish mob boss, and who was trying to make the city a better place while knowing, realistically, that this work would never be over. I'm pretty pleased with the role she plays in the fic.

If you watch Ghost Files, you may be semi-familiar with her and Hull House from their episode on the Devil Baby. (Which, nerdy sidenote, I got to watch with a bunch of other Chicago nerds/ghost nerds at Hull House the night it dropped.) I dearly wanted to make the Devil Baby rumors more of a thing in this fic, but the timing is all wrong and there just wasn't room. However, I do lightly imply that Crowley started the rumors because the only "bad" thing he's been able to get Addams to do is to try and fail to lie. You can read Addams' account of the Devil Baby rumors (and her momentary temptation to lie about them) here.

Edit I am fondest of:

I posted a larger addition I made here involving Chicago politics, but I like this bit a lot:

"Yeah," said Crowley, "I think I can get it for you within a few days. I know somebody. No guarantees, but --" He mouthed something at Aziraphale, which Aziraphale didn't catch at all. "Oh! Oh, is that so? Well, happy birthday! When is it? Oh my goodness! Of course I'm free. Lovely. Can I bring a friend?" He winked at Aziraphale, who pointed at himself and frowned at Crowley. Was he the friend? "Yes, he's my, er, late husband's solicitor. Lovely man." Crowley nodded furiously, and pointed at him. His expression suddenly became stricken at something the person on the other end was saying. "No! We're just -- we're not -- well of course I've talked about him, he's an old friend. Yes. Oh, wonderful!

I just like that I was able to imply that in his guise as Lilith Cambion, Crowley has been talking about Aziraphale a lot, enough so that Al Capone asked "oh, you mean your BOYFRIEND???" over the phone while Aziraphale was standing right there.

[curioskitty]

THE・Rarest Bakugou

Given Bakugou-kun's description as a "juvenile delinquent" (Horikoshi sensei uses the term 不良少年, or furyou shounen, meaning juvenile delinquent boy), it's expected that he wouldn't conform to standard. So obviously, it's not possible to find Bakugou-kun wearing a tie properly................

What is up with this perfectly tied nonsense right here?!

Bakugou-kun, I thought I knew you!!! THE LIES! THE BETRAYAL!!!

But, it's probably just a fluke. You didn't mean it, right Horikoshi-sensei?

WTF?! WHY?!!! Horikoshi-sensei?!

Yep. Contrary to expectations, Bakugou-kun wearing a tie correctly only ranks at Ultra Rare status: difficult to find, but not impossible.

So, what's rarer than a tie-wearing Bakugou-kun? Go Beyond, Plus Ultra Rare Bakugou!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In fact, it's even harder to find Bakugou-kun wearing a tie improperly. Given proto-Bakugou's loose tie design, I would have expected that to be the likelier delinquent-esque tie option. But I've only seen Horikoshi-sensei draw him like this once:

(Horikoshi-sensei's one year celebration illustration. This is still fairly early in the publication.)

On top of that, Bakugou-kun consistently wears his uniform tie-less and with at least one button undone on his shirt collar. His pants are always slung low on his hips and legs bunching up at his feet (except when he had to wear jeans for Best Jeanist). You can even see panels where Horikoshi-sensei drew in the rips at the hems near the heel where they drag on the ground.

So why the inconsistency, Horikoshi-sensei? I see you over there, stop pretending you didn't notice. I know you're paying attention.

Horikoshi-sensei gave proto-Bakugou a loosened tie, so what is the reasoning for taking Bakugou-kun's tie away?

Some No-Tie Theories

Fan Theory #1: HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW

//Like Midoriya-kun, Bakugou-kun came from a middle school with gakuran uniforms. They never learned how to tie them. Midoriya-kun messes up his tie, while Bakugou-kun doesn't even bother to try.//

I actually think this is the least likely reason. Bakugou-kun was designed to be a naturally talented genius. I think this applies to anything he wants to do. If he does something, it's always perfectly done.

Bakugou-kun can (and does if you look above) tie it perfectly when necessary.

CONCLUSION: If Bakugou-kun doesn't do something, it's completely out of personal preference or because he doesn't see a reason to.

Fan Theory #2: REBELLIOUS NATURE

//Bakugou-kun is a delinquent and maintains that image because he thinks it looks cool. Or maybe he is rebelling against fashion designer parents. Either way, because of his family background he knows how to tie a tie, but wants to be a rebel.//

I'd give partial points for this one. I'm pretty sure he wears his pants loose at least partially because he thinks it looks cool. However, Bakugou-kun's parents were noted to be designers and not specifically fashion designers.

Despite appearances, this is the kid that sleeps at 8:30pm, doesn't break school rules, and yells at his friends for smoking.

He zips up the collar on his gym track suit all the way. Both the summer and winter versions get the same treatment. He doesn't feel the need to "make a statement" by wearing his track uniform incorrectly. Outside of class, he can and does sometimes wear his track jacket unzipped, but during class he always wears it properly.

So then why does Bakugou-kun refuse to wear the band T-shirt and Christmas party Santa outfit? Because he isn't cooperative. In Ultra Analysis, his Cooperativeness Stat was the lowest rank: E.

CONCLUSION: Bakugou-kun may be non-conformist and uncooperative, but he isn't a rebel.

Fan Theory #3: TRAUMA/PTSD

//This is one of the more popular theories. Between Dabi grabbing his neck, the Sludge Villain and being restrained at the School Festival, our boy has been through the wringer. As a result, he just doesn't like stuff around his neck because it gives him anxiety.//

The Western Fandom is definitely concerned about the mental health of the kids. But I don't actually think this is the reason. Not that I don't think they all need some therapy and self care, especially right now, but there just isn't evidence for this specific trauma in Bakugou-kun.

He wears scarves and even turtle necks without a problem.

On top of that, Bakugou-kun ALSO unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and gakuran in middle school; even from before the Sludge Villain incident. There isn't any evidence Bakugou-kun changed his dressing habits due to trauma. He wore a scarf to the entrance exam for UA, too.

CONCLUSION: Bakugou-kun has ALWAYS worn his shirts with the top button unbuttoned.

These 3 theories are inadequate, too. Even if they did explain the reasons Bakugou-kun doesn't wear a uniform tie, they don't factor in the reasoning for why he DOES wear his other ties properly sometimes.

HC#1: Bakugou-kun's preference

Bakugou-kun doesn't seem to care about his image and how "extras" see him. Even during the press interviews after his hero debut, he wore the same style of open collar look. He's not shy about being nude or taking his shirt off.

But what he hates is being uncomfortable.

He is "explosively brawny". Just look at how thick Bakugou-kun's neck is when compared to Midoriya-kun's. It isn't just that Midoriya-kun is supposed to be scrawny, but also that Bakugou-kun has a thicker than average neck.

Bakugou-kun doesn't like to button up his shirts all the way because it's uncomfortable. It's reasonable that he zips his track suit and everything else up because those are looser at the neck or made of stretchier materials.

As for why he doesn't wear the uniform tie at all... Don't forget Bakugou-kun is a perfectionist and a bit of a neat freak.

He always tucks his shirt in. For the band performance he wore a collared black dress shirt. From what we saw of his room, it's minimalist and clean. I don't see him wanting to look like a slob.

A sloppy loose tie would probably irritate him more than just not wearing it (which is even funnier when you think about Midoriya-kun's chonk tie. It probably makes him want to strangle Midoriya-kun, or maybe just tie it himself...)

Bakugou-kun has difficulties compromising when it comes to his high standards. So if he has to wear it, it's going to be either 0% or 100%.

HC#2: Explosiveness

Why draw Bakugou-kun with either 0% tie or 100% tie? If Horikoshi-sensei is going for a delinquent image, wouldn't the 50% tie option make more sense?

Taking a look again at Bakugou-kun's profile page, Horikoshi-sensei describes him to be explosive in every way. That includes his whole body being "explosively brawny", but also adds a note that he looks slender in clothes.

Horikoshi-sensei put an effort to make every element of Bakugou-kun's character in some state of either fully compressed or explosive.

His slimming clothes, general appearance and even his speech patterns are highly compressed (blunt/terse) and loud. The extremes of his attitude are compressed too; if Bakugou-kun is not loudly raging, then he's quietly observing.

This contrast is key to his character. You can't explode if you aren't compressed first. It's supposed to be shocking to see how brawny he actually is under his slenderizing clothes. And I always feel shocked whenever I see this kid compressed into a tie.

HC#3: Deku & Kacchan

These two are set apart from the class by design and very much on purpose. Horikoshi-sensei designed them to be at opposite ends of the same spectrum.

If Bakugou-kun has muscular arms, then Midoriya-kun needs muscular legs. If Midoriya-kun buttons up his shirt all the way to the collar, then Bakugou-kun's collar has to be loose. Their designs reflect their connection.

So if Midoriya-kun has a poorly tied tie, the opposite of that is either non-existant or perfectly tied. If it's perfectly tied, he'd just blend in with the class.

The no-tie option just makes more sense.

Plus Ultra Rare Bakugou

Horikoshi-sensei only ever draws Bakugou-kun with a tie in specific scenarios. Costume events that require the neck tie as part of the costume or "fancy" events where everyone is in formal wear. And even in those, Bakugou-kun manages to not wear his tie 90% of the time.

So, I just imagine that when Horikoshi-sensei makes Bakugou-kun wear his tie, he's super grumpy! Just look at his face in every illustration he's wearing a tie in. He's probably hot, uncomfortable, and really not enjoying himself at all.

Ultimately, the "Plus Ultra Rare Bakugou" is a Bakugou-kun who wears the tie and SMILES while doing it.

(Yes, I know that's NOT actually a tie. Shut up Bakugou-kun. You're only smirking in this one because you won the Popularity Poll for the 5th time in a row...)

(Well that's random, you say? Welcome to my blog. Considering the stuff going down on canon, I figured I should give fans, and myself, a break from angst to talk about something silly.

Please note that this applies only to the manga. I've found that the anime isn't quite so strict about how Bakugou-kun looks.

Regarding the headcanons, I just want to clarify that everyone is free to think whatever they like. I enjoy all headcanons and support your right to have them.

I wrote this a while ago and then debated posting it because it's such a huge meta about... Bakugou-kun's tie. I had regrets. But now it's become my new years post. Regrets were for 2020, it's already 2021!

Demons out, fortune in!!! I know it's not setsubun for another month, but 2020 was such a demon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!)

[ye4gerismarchives]

the bachelorette chp 4, part 3: visiting jean’s mom

an: so, i decided i'd write the elimination in a separate chapter, one, just to mess with y'all and two, to give you time. i honestly think picking one of these three guys is really hard. obviously, i know who i want to win, but i look at the two other guys and i'm like 'oh, they would be good too!'. i like pulling at your heartstrings ;). i'll probably put together another q&a (depending on the numbers of questions i get) and once i do that, i'll wait for a day and then close the poll to start writing! anyways, let me stop sharing my thought process with yall and start your date with jean. link at the bottom!

tags: black, fem reader

tag list: @taybird

Bertholdt drove you back to the mansion and you texted Connie asking him to prepare something for you, Bertholdt. Jean and Connie to eat. And maybe a lil something for that brat Levi. Connie responded with an 'ok' and a smiley face.

The car ride home was silent. You felt awful for Bertholdt. You wondered how many silent post-hospital drives he's been through.

Once you got home, Bertholdt told you he wasn't very hungry and just wanted to lay down. You wanted to argue with him but Bertholdt needed space. You wish him good night before making your way to the kitchen.

Connie and Jean were chatting it up in the kitchen once you walked in. Connie was the one to announce your entrance. "Hey, y/n," he greets. Jean then turns around. "Hey, y/n. How is Bert holding up? I understand that visit was really hard."

"Thank you for asking, Jean. Bertie...well...he's just being human. His dad...it's really bad," you reply. You take a seat by Jean at the kitchen island. "The fact that he's been holding in for a while...it's crazy. I would have never thought he was in that situation. No wonder he was so stressed after that Porco got angry with him," Jean says. You raise an eyebrow at Jean. "Oh...after Porco got angry with him about you, Bert seemed sadder and more introverted than usual. He only really confided in Reiner, though," Jean explained.

"Ah, that makes sense. Poor Bertie."

Connie had made some garlic bread with ava ado toast and egg. You didn't expect that out of him but you all enjoyed it. You felt tired, so you told the guys you were ready to lay down. They wished you good night before diving into a conversation about...y'all i don't even know what men talk about 😐

The next morning, you woke up at the same time as you did for Connie's visit. Your final visit would be Jean's mom. She also lived far away from the mansion but Jean insisted that you could take your time. She would still be at her home. No nurses to rush you out or kids bugging their parents. You hoped this visit would be as peaceful as it sounded.

You were very hungry though. You didn't realize it last night about the whole Bertholdt thing and you only had those little stupid avocado things that Connie made. It was good but didn't feel you up. You decided you would take a bath and get ready for your visit later.

You crept downstairs, hoping not to wake anyone up. You didn't want Levi questioning you and you didn't want to stop and talk to the boys because you would probably have a day-long conversation and if that conversation was with Jean, you probably wouldn't see his mom.

You made a few turns and found yourself in the kitchen. And you weren't alone. Jean was leaning on the kitchen counter, sipping on some coffee that he had made. His eyebrows widened at your presence.

"Good morning," he greeted, "I didn't expect you to be up right now."

"Oh, I'm just hungry right now. Didn't eat much yesterday," you say. Jean places his coffee down on the table. "Would you like me to make you something?"

You were about to say yes but a greater idea came into mind. "Why don't we make something together? It would be fun and give you bonus points..." You wiggle your eyebrows when you say that last part. Jean let out a laugh. "Well, you're hungry and I can't let you starve. Us working together will make things faster...and those 'bonus points' would help a lot."

You walk towards Jean and his eyes remain on you. You find yourself wrapping his arms around his waist. It was just on-demand. Jean pulls you close and kisses your forehead. "What do you wanna make?"You think for a minute. "You know how to make (meal of your choice)?"

Whether Jean says yes or no is up to you. However, Jean is really good at following directions. If you need something, he'll get it. If you needed him to watch something, he watches it with intensity.

After a few minutes, the meal was ready and you both sat by the kitchen island and dug in. "I hope Connie doesn't wake up and butt into our breakfast," you joke. Jean let out a small laugh. "Connie's really nice. He hasn't shown me or anyone else any hostility during our time here."

"If you could say...who did you think was the worst person here?" you ask. Jean doesn't even have to wait to answer. "I'd have to Floch. Confidence is key but Floch just got disrespectful about it. Talking about how we should all go home and let him have you. And he was only here one night and everyone already had a bad vibe about him."

Your heart panged at that answer. "Thank you for telling me. I know everyone likes drama but Floch sounds...dangerous. I don't know what would have happened if he stayed." "Yeah, of course. Sorry if that made you uncomfortable," Jean said sheepishly. The discomfort must have been visible on your face. "No, don't apologize. I asked."

You continued to eat your breakfast and chat and hear about Jean's experience in the mansion so far.

After breakfast, you and Jean got ready for the day and finally decided to head out. Jean was starting his car when you decided to ask another question.

"I've never heard you talk about your dad. I've heard bits about your mom and you've mentioned her to the other guys but I never hear about your father. He isn't dead right? Is he sick? Like Bertholdt's?"

Jean is silent for a minute. "Oh...I don't really like talking about my dad, but you would have to know at some point."

"Oh, Jean...you don't have to. Don't worry about it."

He shakes his head. "It's fine. We were going to have this conversation pretty soon, so it doesn't matter."

Jean starts moving the car and when he's out on the road, he begins to talk.

"My dad has never been in my life. At this point, I don't know if he's dead or not. Sometimes I feel like he isn't my father. We did talk like once or twice when I was a kid and I was actually desperate to see him. But once I reached high school and started preparing for my adult life, I realized he wasn't worth it anymore. If my dad really wanted to be there for me, he would have reached out more often and let me know that things were hard on his end. I know everything I'm saying is being recorded and broadcasted, so if he ever sees me on TV, he can always hit me up. I just won't be naïve and stupid like I was the last time."

You immediately jump in after that last line. "Hey. You weren't naïve or stupid. He was stupid. You were a kid waiting on his dad. You had every right to wait for him, so don't insult yourself over him."

Deep down inside, you weren't sure if you wanted to meet Jean's dad...if he was alive. Jean didn't seem comfortable talking about him at all, so you shouldn't expect any visits or calls from that man. If you were to have kids and he popped up, that'd be hard to deal with. It would probably break Jean's heart to learn that his father would want to see his grandkids before even meeting the guy who helped make them.

Jean doesn't respond to what you said. Again, this was hard for him and he didn't even want to bring his father up in the first place, so you weren't upset.

You end up falling asleep in the car. Hours later, you wake up and Jean is parked in front of a bakery. He's on the phone. "Yeah, ma, we're here. Right in front of it, she's sleeping but we'll head inside....I miss you too...alright then, bye."

Jean hangs up and places the phone down. He jumps slightly when he realizes you're awake. "H-hey. I thought you were sleeping."

"Well, I was. Your mom is ready to see us?" You ask. "Yeah. She owns this bakery and decided to close completely today to meet you. I asked her if we could meet at home but she insisted that her bakery would be best. She's really proud of it," Jean explains. "Are we going to bake something?"

Jean laughs and shakes his head no. "Oh, no. My mom won't let you do any work in there, since you're a special guest. She put some things together if you want to eat something."

You imagined Jean's mother as someone who prioritized her future-in-law over her own son sometimes. It sounds overbearing but you thought this was a good thing. You wouldn't want an evil mother or father-in-law. If Jean were to cheat on you or hurt you, you knew she'd probably be on your side or hear both sides instead of immediately siding with her son.

You also wanted to assume that she was tough on Jean. Considering that she raised him herself, she had to do other things like work. To give herself some peace, she probably had a no-nonsense household- maybe why Jean was more like a puppy and wasn't as scandalous as the eliminated.

Jean got out of the car and helped you out. He didn't take your hand when directing you to the bakery but opened the door for you. Inside was a short, older woman, standing there with her hands clasped. The minute you stepped in, her excitement exploded. "Hi! Welcome! It's finally nice to meet you," she says. The older woman squeezes and you can't help but let out a chuckle...or a wheeze. "H-hey, mom. Maybe you should let her go," Jean steps in nervously. Jean's mom slowly lets go. "I'm sorry! I just got excited. Are you hungry?"

You shake your head. "No, Mrs. Kirstein. Jean actually helped me put together breakfast."

"Good, good. I'm glad he's being useful! And call me June. Come, sit, sit."

Jean's mom takes your hand and leads you to a small table and pulls open a chair for you. Jean quietly pulls a chair up by you. You start to worry about him because all the attention is on you, rather than the both of you.

"Can I get you something to drink?" June asks. "Some water would be nice," you answer. Your eye catches Jean's hand. You place your own on his and you feel him jump slightly. "Jean, would you like something too?"

"I-I'll take water too," Jean croaks. "Well, Jean, I'm sure you can serve yourself. I'm getting old, you know. Make sure you get a glass for y/n too."

Jean looks ready to argue back but he keeps his lips zipped. He carefully removes your hand from

his, gets up, and heads over to the back of the bakery.

You watch Jean do all of this and then finally turn away so that you can give June all your attention. "Please tell me he's been good to you," she starts. You weren't expecting this question but considers why she's asking. "Yes, Jean is...amazing. He's always coming to my defense. Which I shouldn't be surprised by, he is a lawyer."

June sighs in relief. "I hope he stays that way. He told you...about our situation right?" You nod. "It's unfortunate that his father did that to the both of you. If Jean does get married to me, I hope he doesn't pop out of anywhere. Jean's a good guy but I'm not too sure how he'll react to something like that." June let's our a small hum.

"Have you been watching the show?" you ask. "A little. I work, so it's hard to catch up on what's going on. Sometimes I'll read articles and Jean will text me to let me know if he didn't get eliminated. I was a little concerned about him doing the show because nothing is guaranteed."

"Hm...is he cocky about this whole thing? Does he really think he can get me?"

June thinks for a moment. "I can't say cocky but there's nothing wrong with a little confidence. Jean is handsome, he has a good job, he's smart- and he knows that. He believed those would be good reasons for you to like him. But...he does get bashful sometimes. He doesn't want all the attention on him and for people to view him in the wrong way. The fact that he had a mirror in his pocket on the first night was interesting to me. He's never done anything like that before."

You open your mouth but Jean enters once more. He places three water bottles on the table. "Sorry for taking too long. Ma, I'll replace the waters. Don't worry about it," he says. June shakes her head. "Don't worry about it, Jean. We have plenty of water."

"So, have you two discussed wedding plans? Anything for the future?" June suddenly asks. You look at Jean, who looks like his stomach was doing the chacha slide or sum. "M-mom-!"

"Well, we haven't reached that point because we don't know if he's staying or not but I'd like a really elegant wedding. I know we'll have a live-streamed wedding but I'd like to have a private wedding too. That would be nice right?" you cut in. Jean nods in agreement.

"What about kids? I read somewhere that you wanted a family," you tease. Jean's face reddened. "W-well...um...yeah...two would be nice. A girl and b-boy maybe?"

"See? We have a plan," you say with a wide smile. You could imagine Jean as a cautious dad but he still knew how to have fun with his kids. After long days at work, he'd cuddle with them and put them to sleep for you. When the kids are asleep, he'll check on you and make sure you had something to eat. He'd probably make sure to schedule regular date nights and family vacations. He'll have photos of you and the kids and maybe a few bandages in a wallet. Obviously, you would both be in the public eye once in a while but he would make things feel normal.

"I think you two would have beautiful kids. I do hope Jean gets picked. But your two other guys are good too. Bertholdt is absolutely adorable and Connie seems like he knows what he's doing. I don't know how you're ever going to choose. I can't imagine being your situation," June says.

"Wow, thanks for having my back mom," Jean says jokingly. "But if not me, pick Connie. He's a good person."

"Oh, Jean, don't do that to yourself. You're lovely." You cup his cheek and his reddened face returns.

Jean's mom starts talking about Jean when he was a kid- how he was such a big softie and a great helper,  how he was popular in high school but still to himself, and all the girlfriends and boyfriends that she didn't like.

It was getting late. Jean's mom offered you her home but Jean stopped her before she could ask. You didn't question why he didn't want to stay at her home but still wondered why. You said your goodbyes, watched her lock the bakery, and drive off. Jean helps you into his car and gets into the drivers' seat.

"You know why she wanted to you go home with her?" he asks.

You shake your head no. "There's only one bed. A twin size bed," Jean says as he starts the car. You let out a chuckle. "Connie's parents tried that with us except Connie had a bigger bed."

Jean looks over at you. "Oh...I should have probably taken her offer."

"Connie and I didn't do anything that night...maybe you could give me a sample of what you can do. It'll help me decide."

Jean didn't hesitate to lean over and cup your cheek. He went in first. Jean was gentle and careful with your lips. You soon gave in and wrapped a hand on his wrist. When things started to get hot, you pulled away. "Didn't expect you to be that gentle...You really want me, huh?"

"Yeah," Jean says scratching his neck. "You're pretty rough... you have experience?"

Whether you say yes or no is up to you.

Jean smiles at your answer and starts driving. You try to fall asleep but it's so hard. All you can see is Bertholdt, Connie, and Jean at the next elimination. You wished Eren or Onyankopon did stupid stuff later on and were a part of the final three so that this could be easier.

Hours later, Jean reaches the mansion. He thinks you're still asleep. He doesn't want to wake you up. So what does he do? Jean opens the passenger door and scoops you up in his arms. Your heart jumps. You hope it's dark enough outside so that he can't see the small smile you're trying not to crack.

It doesn't Jean long to get to the door and ring the doorbell. He must be really strong. The door opens and he's greeted by Connie.

"You need help with that man?"

"Um...no...I think I'll get her up there. But you could get her purse from my car though. She'll probably wonder where that is."

Connie probably gave him a non-verbal response since there was just silence after that. Jean got you up the stairs and struggled with your bedroom door but he got in within ten minutes. Jean turns on your lights, places you on the bed, and removes your shoes. He steps away but you hear ripping sounds proceeding by scribbling. You can hear Jean turning off your lights and closing the door behind him as he leaves. Your eyes flick open and you wait a few moments. You turn on the light on your bed stand to see the note Jean wrote you.

'Wasn't sure what to do with your clothes. It's not my place to decide that- at least not yet. But I hope you slept comfortably.'

You smile softly at the note. It was definitely something he would say.

i use YOUR opinions to not only put together dates but to put together personalities. if y’all say you hate bertholdt, i’ll work my magic to mess with y’all :) anyways here’s the link! ask good questions. this is the last time you’ll see bertholdt, jean, OR connie. vote and ask wisely