#it looks fun and the effects are cool and i'm enjoying the excitement that the cast and crew have for the show and the story

[hawkinslibrary]

well, i can't upload the video, but the first official post for st day is here ! bts of the play for anyone interested

[swiftiethatlovesf1]

Losing his cool

Heyy guyss, I hope you enjoy this reader x Lewis one shot :)

If you want to read more stories of mine here's my masterlist.

The sun was shining high over the paddock, casting a warm glow over the Mercedes motorhome. You loved coming to the races whenever you could, always excited to support George, your younger brother, but also to soak in the electric atmosphere of the track.

Today, though, you were enjoying a rare moment of quiet, sitting comfortably on one of the sofas in the motorhome, your oversized sunglasses perched on your nose and your outfit, as always, effortlessly stylish.

As you scrolled through your phone, you felt a soft nudge against your leg. Glancing down, you saw Roscoe, looking up at you with those big, round eyes, his tail wagging with excitement.

"Well, hello there, handsome," you said with a smile, bending down to give him a scratch behind the ears. Roscoe flopped down at your feet, clearly in the mood for attention, and nudged a toy toward you. With a chuckle, you picked it up and started a gentle game of tug-of-war. His playful growls filled the motorhome, and you found yourself laughing as you pulled the toy from side to side, completely engrossed in the moment.

Lewis’s Perspective

Lewis walked out of a debriefing, looking forward to taking a breather in the motorhome. But as soon as he stepped out into the paddock, he noticed something — Roscoe was nowhere to be found. He furrowed his brow, scanning the area, wondering where his adventurous pup had wandered off to.

“Where’s Roscoe?” he mumbled, heading toward the motorhome. As soon as he stepped inside, his heart did a quick flip.

There you were — George’s older sister, casually lounging on the sofa, your smile lighting up the room as you played with Roscoe. He stood there for a moment, frozen.

From the first time Lewis had met you, you had an effect on him. You were effortlessly stylish, funny, and kind. Since that moment, he’d developed a quiet crush on you. The only problem? Whenever you were around, his confidence seemed to vanish.

Roscoe, sensing his presence, bounded over to him, wagging his tail.

“Oh, there you are,” you said, looking up with a grin. “I was starting to think I’d have to keep Roscoe for myself.”

Lewis chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, he’s good at wandering off. Sorry about that."

"No need to apologize," you replied, giving Roscoe one last pat before sitting up. "He’s great company."

Lewis felt the heat rise to his face, trying to hide how flustered he was. "He’s... yeah, he’s a good boy."

You smiled, tilting your head slightly. "So, what about you? How’ve you been? George told me you're are getting into music again, what’s on your playlist these days?"

The sudden switch in conversation threw him off guard. "Uh, playlist?" He cleared his throat, his mind racing to come up with an answer. "I’ve been listening to a lot of old-school hip-hop lately. Kendrick Lamar, a bit of J. Cole. Stuff like that."

Your eyes lit up with interest. "Kendrick, huh? Didn’t take you for a hip-hop fan. I like that." You leaned in slightly. "I’ve been obsessed with Sabrina Carpenter lately, especially her new album,."

Lewis grinned, feeling a bit more comfortable. "Sabrina is great. I'm not into pop music but I do like her songs, besides, I've heard that her live shows are insane, too."

You nodded, your gaze locked on his. "I bet. I’ve been dying to see her live. Maybe we should go to a concert sometime."

He froze at your words, his mind momentarily blank. Did you just suggest going to a concert together? He quickly tried to play it off casually. "Yeah, that could be fun."

You leaned back with a teasing smirk. "Could be?"

Lewis laughed awkwardly, his nerves creeping back in. "I mean, it would be fun. Definitely."

"That’s more like it." You gave him a playful wink, and Lewis couldn’t help but smile, though his heart was racing.

You tilted your head slightly, your expression softening. "So, how’s your break been? Any big plans?"

Lewis shifted, trying to keep his cool. "It’s been good. Spent some time hiking in Colorado with Roscoe. It was nice to get away from everything for a bit, you know?"

"Colorado sounds amazing," you said, your eyes lighting up. "I’ve always wanted to go hiking out there. Maybe you can show me around sometime?"

Lewis blinked, his heart skipping a beat. He hadn’t expected you to be so direct. "Uh, yeah, sure. I mean, if you’re ever out there…"

You smiled, clearly amused by his nervousness. "I’ll hold you to that."

As the conversation continued, Lewis found himself relaxing more, enjoying your company as you chatted about music, travel, and everything in between. But when the conversation lulled, you stood up, brushing a hand through Roscoe’s fur one last time.

"Well, it was nice catching up with you," you said, smiling warmly at him. "And since you’ve been dodging the question all afternoon… how about I make it easy for you?"

Lewis blinked, confused. "Question? What question?"

You laughed softly, stepping closer. "I know you’re not going to ask me out, so... how about I ask you instead?" Your tone was playful, but your eyes held his steadily. "What do you say, Lewis? Dinner next weekend?"

Lewis’s heart nearly stopped. He hadn’t seen that coming at all. His mind raced, trying to process the fact that you had just asked him out. "You... want to go out with me?"

You grinned, shaking your head at his surprise. "Yes, Lewis. I want to go out with you. What do you think?"

His nerves suddenly melted away, replaced by a wave of excitement. "I’d love that," he said, his voice a bit more confident now.

"Good," you said, giving him one last playful smile before turning to leave. "I’ll text you."

As you walked away, Lewis stood there, dumbfounded but grinning from ear to ear. Roscoe barked softly, as if to say, It’s about time.

Lewis shook his head, still in disbelief. "Yeah, Roscoe," he muttered, glancing down at his dog. "It’s about time."

[noemilivv]

Hi 👋,

If you're still taking requests, I absolutely loved the most recent one you did with Lucifer, Adam and Vox proposing and marrying their s/o.

If possible could you do one similar to that but for Husk and Alastor?

If not, it's totally cool and I'm loving your work 😊

hellooo, dw i’m still taking requests haha, yeah i can do that for you!! the first part was undeniably fun to write so obviously i’ll do it again for ya haha

Warnings: None(?)

Alastor Proposal + Wedding Headcanons

Alastor never really knew what love truly felt like, until he met you, from that alone — he knew you were the one

His proposal was simple, but still very gentlemanly, his shadows were his band, playing some of your shared favorite songs, and Alastor stood in a different suit than the one he normally wears, a black version with a red streak instead of the white line that goes down the collar

He stood in the center of your room in the hotel, awaiting for you to get back from work, with a bouquet of spider lilies in his hands and a ring box in his pocket.

When you arrive, he has a soft and gentle smile on his face, in contrast to the big grin he usually shows, he didn’t feel vulnerable or at risk with you, so he could wind down with you

He hands you the bouquet and gets down on one knee, taking your ring out of the box, holding it to you, as his other hand takes yours in his and kisses the back of it

“My dearest and truest love, you have made me feel more alive than I ever have, even in my years on Earth.” He started, his radio affect softer than you’ve ever heard it, it’s unlike him, given he usually has a more cheery tone.

“You have showed me what love truly feels like, what in feels like in here —” He said, putting a hand to his heart, “That being said, would you make me the happiest man in Hell and be my lawfully wedded spouse?”

You and Alastor have a wedding almost immediately, thanks to his magic staff.

The ceremony is like any other, other than the fact your soon-to-be husband has a massive fucking grin on his face that did not falter the whole time, other than when you came down the isle, and it seemed to inch up his face more.

When it came to the kiss, he does turn you both around as he does not enjoy displaying affection infront of others, but he also won’t break tradition, so…

The reception is nowhere near boring, he knows how to have a good time, there’s excitable jazz music that has a good chunk of guests swaying and moving their feet

He also may or may not freak out some family members of yours…but that’s okay!

He also does not wish to be in wedding photos, due to his opinions on modern cameras and tech, but will for you, and either way, he knows his grin fucks up the photos in contrast to your beauty so he doesn’t really see the point tbh — but he’ll most likely make you guys use an old camera for effect

Husk Proposal + Wedding

Headcanons

Husk genuinely did not care to get married, well, he would be fine if you did, but he was content the way you both were, but he knew how much of a romantic you were so…

Quite frankly, he probably had the laziest proposal out of everyone I’ve written for for this, while you guys were laying in bed, bitch asked you if you would ever wanna get married and proceeded to basically chuck the ring box at you.

You and Husk were in your shared bed. It was late, you were just about to doze off for the night, until you heard Husk’s gruff voice pipe up.

“I have a question for ya.” He said, staring at the ceiling with you on his furry chest. “And that is?” you ask, popping your head up in curiosity,

“Would you ever wanna get married?” He asked, looking down at you, a soft and subtle smirked played on his lips. “Oh!- Uh, probably!” You answered, a bit thrown off by the question.

“‘Kay, great.” Husk muttered, plopping the ring box in between you two. “Husk, what the fu-”

Yeah before you could finish he was already asleep 😛

Husk mainly leaves wedding planning to you, not cause he’s a dick, but it’s just not his thing, he will help out when need be though

At the ceremony, Husk is holding back a couple tears, only a few though!

He never saw himself as the sentimental type, and he knows he didn’t really have the desire to do this in the first place, but now? He knows he made the right choice, even if it was at 2 in the morning.

The reception is chill, it’s kinda just sitting around and chatting, and yes there’s a bar, and Husk is pissed he can’t work it.

There’s chill jazz music in the back, but it’s not like Alastor’s where it had people swaying, it was more soothing, and it wasn’t like Adam’s where people were absolutely bopping to music either

You guys still don’t know if you’re having a honeymoon, Husk is still way too tired and way too hungover to make that decision.

[portraitofalinkonfyre]

Counting Stars

Pairing: Wild x Reader

Warning(s): Shameless smut; you and Wild have fun on the roof.

Notes: I jammed this out in like 4 hours so enjoy my brainrot.

Masterlist

"...Are you sure this is safe?" You asked hesitantly, eyeing the open window with a healthy amount of apprehension.

"How do you mean?" A pants-less Wild asked, a single eyebrow raised with one foot already poised on the windowsill. He had been noticeably ecstatic when the chain had ended up in his Hyrule, and you thought his grin would never cease when it was discovered that Hateno Village was less than an hour's walk away, which led to everyone piling inside his admittedly-clean home for a good night's rest.

Except Wild, and, obviously, you.

You would be a liar to say you weren't the tiniest bit pissed when he poked you awake in the dead of night, practically vibrating with excitement and another emotion that you were far too exasperated to consider, but it was whatever, and you knew you would never turn down an opportunity to spend some alone time with your hero, even when he all but dragged you up to the spire structure in the back of the house.

"I don't know," you tried not to grimace, you really did. "It just seems... unstable."

"Mentally or physically?"

You gently smacked his arm. "The roof, honey."

"Ah, nah," he shook his head, shooting you a mischievous smile. "You wouldn't believe the things I've done on this baby–it'll be fine."

You crossed your arms over your chest, expression turning wary. "...That's ominous."

But Wild simply winked, and, in true fashion, jumped out of the window with a soft whoop. You let out a gasp and rushed to the edge, only to see him standing on the tiles, a few meters below you, wearing an excited grin. He glanced up at you and waved his arms in an invitation you knew all too well.

You ran a hand down your face. "Oh Hylia..."

"C'mon, sweetheart," the hero called, . "Live a little!"

"Easy for you to say," you grumbled under your breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing!"

You were going to die tonight, you were sure of it.

Wild waited patiently, making (adorable) grabby hands as you hesitantly hauled yourself up onto the windowsill, the cool air ruffling your hair. "...You're positive we won't fall through the roof?"

"Only one way to find out!" He crowed, looking more amused than anything. You allowed yourself to grin, feeling slightly braver in the face of his infectious enthusiasm. "Just jump and I'll do the rest. Promise."

You inhaled deeply, gathering all your courage.

"If I break anything, I'm blaming you," you mumbled to the wind before leaping from the safety of the spire.

The first thing you registered was the cloying feeling of imminent death as your body plummeted to the tiles below, squeezing your eyes shut as gales of wind whistled in your ears, buffering against your skin and clothes. Maybe you were screaming, or maybe you weren't–it was all a blur of motion until a pair of arms wrapped snuggly around your waist and legs, effectively haunting your fall. You immediately clung to Wild as he held you close, chuckling softly when your head pressed to his chest, the steady beat of his heart ringing in your ears.

"See?" He asked, grinning down at you. "Told ya I got you!"

You found the strength to smack his left pectoral. "Oh, shut up."

Wild laughed, and you yelped when he sat down on the tiles, maneuvering you so that your back pressed against his front, bare legs caging yours on either side, and you resisted the urge to admonish him for refusing to wear pants again, mostly because he was warm and the night was cold. "So, what are we doing out here?"

"Look," Wild's hand wound under your chin, gingerly tipping it towards the sky, the color of twilight with dozens of twinkling stars scattered across the expanse like little diamonds. The most impressive thing, however, was the moon, which hung heavy in the corner of the sky, more vivid than you ever remembered seeing it.

"Woah!" You exclaimed, taking in the sight with awe. "It's so big!"

"That's what you said–"

"Wild, I swear to Hylia–"

"Kidding, kidding!" He raised his hands in surrender when you turned a burning eye in his direction. "It's a full moon tonight, and I thought you'd want to see it."

You paused, taken aback by the sincerity in his tone. Not that Wild wasn't capable of being sweet, it was simply that it came in leaps and bounds, ebbing and flowing like ocean waves. You were on a quest, after all; there wasn't time to fool around like normal people did.

Until now, your brain reminded you as unhelpfully as possible. "I... thank you, Wild."

"Anything for you," the hero mumbled, his arms wrapping snuggly around your frame. You leaned into him, humming happily when his face buried itself in the crook of your neck and shoulder.

"For me?"

"For you," he responded with a conviction that had your heart fluttering in your chest. One of your hands wormed from his grip, reaching behind you to stroke the back of his head, fingers tangling in the hair just above his ponytail.

Wild made a noise between a groan and a hum, hugging you impossibly closer. His knees bent, bare heels bracing against the tile. You winced. "Hylia, wearing socks once in a while won't kill you, you know."

You heard his shrug before you felt it. "I'm not bothered."

"And why's that?"

"Because I've got a cutie in my lap telling me how bad I am."

You snorted, clapping a hand over your mouth so as to not encourage him. "Oh my goodness."

Wild grinned against your skin. "What? Can't handle the heat?"

"Honey, I can handle you any day."

"Careful, or I'll take you up on that," he warned, and you merely giggled, leaning your head back against his collarbone.

"Flirt."

"You bring out the best in me," he replied, half teasingly and half fondly.

"I'm honored," you mumbled, turning your head to the side to press a tender kiss on his temple.

Wild chuckled, a deep, smooth sound the reverberated through your skin. "I aim to please," he said, and you believed it. Not that you would admit it, of course.

"Hush, you."

Cerulean eyes flashed mischievously in the moonlight. "Make me."

Your hand released his hair and you spun in his lap. The Champion was grinning, per usual, when you cupped his face, the pads of your right fingers rested carefully over his scars as your thumb brushed his bottom lip. "Don't think I won't, hero."

Wild's lips parted as he sucked in a breath, eyes darting from your face to your own lips in record time. You leaned forward, pressing a chaste kiss to his left cheek. "There," you said, pulling back slowly. "Now quiet."

The hero was pouting now, in true fashion, and you had half a mind to simply kiss the expression from his cheeky little face. "Aw, sweetheart, that's not a real kiss..."

"It's the best you're getting," you responded sassily.

Wild cocked his head. "Why's that?"

"Gee, maybe because we're on a roof?"

"So?"

"I– Excuse me?"

The Champion leaned forward, pressing his forehead against yours as your noses bumped slightly. His fingers danced over your clothed hip, and you were momentarily rendered speechless, until a soft squeeze pulled you from your thoughts.

"...What're you doing over there?"

"I love you," the hero said hopefully, and you knew you were going to kill him, if he didn't do it first with whatever idea he planned to enact tonight.

"We're not having sex on a roof, Wild," you interjected firmly.

"Aw, c'mon," he whined, pouting again. You wondered what had possessed you to let him get to fourth base.

"No."

"But sweetheart–!"

"Absolutely not."

"I'll catch you if you fall!"

"That's not the point!"

He huffed, still unwilling to let go of your hips. "It's romantic, though."

"Romantic, my ass," you scoffed in response, wondering how the hell tile burn and the possibility of death When his gaze landed on your butt, you smacked his chest gently. "My eyes are up here, Wild!"

"I know," the Champion's voice was deceptively innocent, but you knew better. "Can't blame a guy for enjoying the view."

"Then look at the stars," you shot back with a deadpan expression.

Wild's eyes sparkled, and he pulled you closer. "Why would I when the most beautiful star is right in front of me?"

You blinked, slightly caught off guard by the sheer smoothness of that particular comment. "I– who taught you that?"

"Can't remember," the hero smirked. "But I'd like to thank them."

If your face wasn't already on fire, it sure was now. "You little–"

"Now that's not what you said," he teased, and you wondered if it was too late to simply jump to your own death. Unfortunately, his arms were solid around your frame, and you doubted he would allow you to die with the dignity you deserved. "And you call me a tease."

You deadpanned. "Because you are, Wild."

He shrugged, gaze turning calculating. "And what does that make you?"

There was no response, so he did the next best thing and scoot back against the base of the stone spire, dragging you along with him. You helped when the tiles scraped your socked feet. "I swear to Hylia, if we break through this roof–"

"You'll kill me?" He grinned cheekily.

"Damn right."

"Kinky."

You groaned.

Wild continued to smile as he leaned against the spire, unbothered by the slight chill of the air. "Well?"

"Well what?" you raised an eyebrow.

"Are you going to make me or what?"

You blinked. "...You're serious."

"I've never been more serious in my life," he said solemnly, and it was a beat unto itself not to burst into laughter.

"You literally said that last week while trying to convince me to give you a blowjob in a tree."

"And it worked, didn't it?" the Champion grinned back.

"That's beside the point," you huffed, knowing full-well that he was right. The tile was starting to dig into your knees, and you shifted uncomfortably in an attempt to alleviate the ache. "Don't start things you can't finish, Wild."

"Who says I won't finish?"

"I do."

"C'mon," he pouted, nose scrunching cutely, and you had to physically remind yourself that what he was asking for was downright madness. "Where's your sense of adventure? Danger?"

"I left it at the window."

"Sigh. For me?"

You chewed your lip, shifting some more. You weren't completely opposed to the idea, but there were enough factors to make you think twice, mostly because your traveling companions were sleeping below and you really didn't want to imagine what would happen if you and Wild crashed, butt naked, through the roof in the dead of night.

"Fine," his expression immediately shifted to elated, and you pushed on his chest to stop him from getting ahead of himself. "BUT–"

"Hm?"

"–If we break anything, I'm leaving you to bleed out."

"...K–"

Oh, for Hylia's sake!

"Finish that sentence and you're not getting laid for a week."

Wild obediently shut his mouth.

"Good boy," you cooed, rewarding him with a swift kiss to the nose, ignoring his disappointed whine. Remembering his current pants-less state, you furrowed your brows. "You're not uncomfortable?"

"Nope," he grinned. "'M used to this."

"Fucking on the roof or being uncomfortable? Because both of those are slightly concerning."

"Yes."

You sighed, wondering why you even tried. "Great," you landed another peck to his lips, only for his hand to cup the back of your head, keeping you pressed his warm mouth. "Mmph!"

After a moment, he pulled away, leaving you both panting. "You can't keep doing that."

You raised an eyebrow in genuine confusion. "Doing what?"

"Kissing me like that and not letting me return the favor," the hero mumbled, bringing you in for a second kiss, one hand cradling your head while the other traced circles on your clothed hip. You gasped lightly, and his tongue immediately darted into your mouth, bumping cheekily against your own. Your hands squeezed his shoulders as your thighs clenched into each other, and you hazily wished he was the one between them.

You broke apart, clinging to each other like it was your last night together. Wild's eyes darted down when you winced, the hard points of the tile digging into your skin, and hauled you into his lap, your legs on either side of his hips. "Better?"

"Yeah," you breathed, running a hand down his back as your face nosed against his neck, lips brushing his adams apple, which bobbed shakily at the contact. You felt his fingers trace the edge of your shirt, shallowly dripping below the fabric to skim over your skin, and hummed your approval into his flesh. "Go ahead."

Wild pulled your shirt up, and you leaned back to allow him to slip it over your head, revealing your chest to his piercing gaze. Gingerly, he cupped your breasts, thumbs passing lovingly over your hardened nipples. "You're beautiful," he said, and you shivered at the words. "I don't know how I got so lucky."

"Shush," if your face wasn't red before, it certainly was now. "I'm the lucky one."

"Hm," he didn't sound convinced, but mercifully let the matter rest, ducking down to roll his tongue over your right nipple, suckling gently. You sucked in a breath, carding your fingers through his hair as he laved and sucked the rosy bud, using his other hand to squeeze the underside of your other breast.

"Ah– Wild!"

He didn't respond verbally, moving to your other nipple as the first one left his mouth with a wet pop, shiny with spit. Your hips rocked forward, brushing his erection through the thin cloth of his boxers, both of you groaning softly at the sensation. He was still wearing his champion's tunic, while your sleep trousers were regrettably on.

Wild detached from your boob, staring up at you with his signature puppy dog eyes. One of his hands tugged at the band of your pants. "You're wearing too many clothes."

"Pot, meet kettle."

"I'll show you a kettle," he said, and before you had time to ask what in Hylia that meant, was practically ripping your trousers down your legs, tossing the garment over his shoulder. You squeaked in surprise, and he pressed an apologetic kiss to your sternum, muttering some bullshit about being 'sorry', like you actually believed him.

"Hey–! It's cold, you jerk!"

"I'll warm you up," he promised, and you would have scoffed had he not chosen that exact moment to run his index finger down the center of your underwear, drawing a muffled moan from your lips. Wild grinned, fingers dipping beneath the fabric to graze your stiffened clit, slick with arousal, which had you slapping a hand over your mouth in an effort to remain quiet. "You're so wet, sweetheart."

"S-Shut up," you said, not because you were mad, but because not all the boys were known for their stellar sleep schedules, leaving a part of you terrified at the prospect of being caught, naked, on the roof in the middle of the night. "What if–"

"So?" Wild's expression grew cocky. "We can be quiet."

"You mean I can be quiet– Oh Hylia!" You gasped when two of his fingers sunk into the tight, wet heat of your core, crooking up in the way he knew drove you wild. "F-Fuck!"

"I agree," the hero chuckled, beginning to pump his digits in and out at a steady pace, not bothering to fully remove your underwear. His spare hand rubbed down your bare side, sending shivers down your spine when the pad of his thumb pressed down on your clit. "Feels good?"

"M-Mmm," you nodded, burying your face in his shoulder, lips brushing the soft fabric of his tunic. It was too much and not enough, but you knew you wouldn't last if he kept it up, if the coil steadily building in your stomach was anything to go by. "Please, Wild–"

He turned his head to nibble lightly at your neck, sucking marks on the delicate flesh. You wanted to hiss at him for the action, but a solid flick of your clit had your thoughts stalling. "Are you close?" Wild whispered against you, his hot breath fanning over your oversensitive skin.

"Y-Yeah," you panted, hands scratching down his clothed back. Wild doubled down, gently scissoring his fingers against your gummy walls before they curled in tandem once more, finding that spongey spot within you with ease. "Oh– Wild!"

"That's it, cum for me," the hero purred as he repeated the motion. Your vision went white as your orgasm crashed down on you, no less fierce than the roaring ocean or thundering sky, and the world seemed to melt away as your veins ignited with pleasure, only dimly aware of the fingers leaving your panties and hands coaxing you to rest against his chest. "It's alright, I've got you."

You hummed, shivering slightly when cool air caressed your sweat-soaked back. He had definitely succeeded in warming you up, but all things had their end. "H–"

"Hang on," he said, already one step ahead of you. You blinked in surprise when he removed his tunic, draping the fabric over your head and guiding your tired arms into the sleeves. It was a bit big, and you were distinctly aware of the type of view the slit in the middle of the tunic offered, but there was no way in hell you were returning it. "Better?"

"Mmmm," you said eloquently, nuzzling your face into his now bare shoulder. "Thanks, honey."

"Anytime," his hands traveled to your hips, tracing gentle patterns on the soft skin. "Now..."

With a groan, you sat up blearily, already knowing where this was going. "Yes?"

"Hey baby," he said with a grin that should have been illegal. "Wanna play with my master sword?"

Your eye twitched, and you smacked his arm, moving to stand. Wild's expression fell slightly, and his grip tightened, keeping you where he wanted you. "Hey–"

"Wild, I swear to all that is holy–"

"But sweetheart!"

"–I am not playing with your dick on a roof."

"But I played with your–"

"Do not finish that sentence."

He huffed, gazing at you with a petulant expression. "C'mon, (Y/n), what's the worst that could happen?"

You sighed, long and hard. "We'll both fall off the roof and die?"

"Unlikely, you know I'd catch you."

He would, but that wasn't the point. You pressed an apologetic kiss to his lips. "I dunno, Wild, what if someone sees?"

He responded by pulling you impossibly closer, the warmth of his skin bleeding through the fabric of your borrowed tunic. "You know, this is the part when you say 'is that the master sword in your pants or are you just happy to see me?'"

"...You're impossible."

"And proud of it!" he said without missing a beat, and you would be a liar if you said you didn't grin a bit at the admission. His expression shifted slightly, and he pressed a tender kiss to your temple. "It's okay if you don't want to, I just–"

"Actually," you interjected, smirking lightly when he perked up. "I don't suppose you'd be up to making wildberry pancakes in the morning?"

Wild smiled boyishly, arms tightening around you when he realized the direction the situation was taking. "It's cute that you think you even have to ask."

"Is that a yes?"

"Absolutely."

"In that case," it took a fair bit of courage for your hands to find the waistband of his boxers, tented with the evidence of his arousal. There was even a small wet spot in the center of the fabric, which was both concerning and flattering. Wild sucked in a breath when you pulled his boxers just below his balls, not wanting him to have tile burn from what was undoubtedly about to occur. "...How do you–?"

"Touch me," the hero interjected, looking at you with an expression that practically screamed need, despite his earlier confidence. It had your heart thudding in your chest, hand reaching down to grip the middle of his length. "Please."

His skin felt hot against your hand, the head of his dick flushed a darker shade of pink that taped off the further down you went, a near-steady dribble of precum burbling at the tip. You pumped your hand slowly, spreading the rest of his dick in shiny pre as your core throbbed. This wasn't the first time you and Wild had been intimate, and it certainly wouldn't be the last, meaning you knew a fair bit about what made him tick, which is why the next thing you did was press your thumb against the veined underside of his length, right below the head.

"Fuck!" Wild swore, hips jerking slightly, and you immediately silenced him with a kiss, swiping over the rosy tip in retribution. He returned the favor eagerly, moaning when your tongue slipped into his mouth, bumping teasingly against his own. The kiss quickly grew, thin strings of saliva running down your chin as you kissed like people starved. You pumped your hand faster, only pausing when he broke the kiss to grab your wrist. "Mmph– wait, wait–"

You abruptly paused, hand falling slack in his grip, and the thought that you had done something wrong was a terrifying one. "Wild?"

"I–" he huffed, taking a short break to breath. "I want to–"

"Want to what?" You prompted, feeling a bit relieved that he didn't seem too distraught. "You can tell me."

"Can you," his hand cupped your mound, thumb brushing your swollen clit, and you immediately understood the assignment. "Dawn is– we can't stay out much longer."

"Guess we'll have to be quick, then," you found yourself grinning, heart swelling when he gripped your hips with vigor, returning the expression. You lifted your hips, scooting forward with his help, and moaned softly when his fingers brushed your dripping heat. It took a bit of maneuvering, but you eventually ended up with his dick sandwiched between your cunt and his stomach, the throbbing length sliding easily through your folds. You sucked in a breath when he head jostled your clit, sending shockwaves of pleasure through the sensitive nub. "Aah, Wild!"

"Feels good?" he asked in a vaguely teasing tone, guiding your hips up and down on his cock, panting slightly as your heat enveloped him. Your hands scrambled for purchase on his shoulders when he bent forward to capture one of your bouncing nipples in his mouth, swirling his tongue around the sensitive bud with practiced ease. "You're, ah, so hot."

"Mmm," you groaned, temporarily unable to form any words past his name and distinctly-sexual curses. "I need–"

Wild released your nipple, filthy and loud. His eyes shone brightly in the movement, studying your every expression with rapt attention. "Tell me what you need, sweetheart."

"You," you panted, nails digging into his skin. "Please, Wild–"

"It's okay, you can have me," he soothed, manually slowing the pace of your hips with his grip. You wined at the loss of sensation, though it was quickly remedied when he reached down, guiding the head of his dick to press firmly against your entrance, the tip just barely sinking into your pulsing warmth. "You're so perfect," he groaned when you began to slide down, taking every glorious inch like the champ you were. "I-I love you so much."

You sucked in a breath at his words, bucking your hips slightly, and he pressed a kiss to the trembling column of your neck, brushing over your quivering throat. Your hips met his thighs with a wet-sounding noise, and you had to pause for a moment to register how full you felt, how warm and safe his arms made you feel. Speaking of arms, one of Wild's slid up the front of your borrowed tunic, palming your right breast and gingerly flicking your pebbled nipple. "Wild!"

"Shh," he hushed you gently, kissing the corner of your mouth. "Quiet, sweetheart."

"It's hAHrd when you're doing that," you shot back, hardly able to sting together a sentence when he was so deep inside you.

His grin grew devious. "What's wrong with this?" You had to bite the inside of your cheek to keep from screaming when he twisted your poor nipple.

"Jerk," you gasped, clenching around his dick in what you hoped was karmic vengeance. You lifted your hips, sliding back down on him, and Wild grunted, giving another gentle squeeze to your tit. "I-I thought you were going to make it worth my while."

A dark look flashed across his expression. "Oh, I intend to."

Just like that, he was kissing you again, one hand cradling the back of your neck while the other settled on the small of your back, silently encouraging you to bounce on his cock as he rocked his hips up. You moved to wrap your arms fully around his neck, chests pressed together snugly as your fingers tugged on his loose ponytail, moaning against Wild's lips when the pace increased. There was a familiar coil winding in your belly, whether from the thrill of being caught or Wild himself, but you wouldn't have objected to it being both. "'M gonna–"

"Come on," he urged, thrusting up into your poor body. You jolted, using his mouth to muffle the yelp that threatened to rip past your lips, and began to shake when the hand on your ass circled to your front, the pad of his thumb finding purchase on your sensitive clit, sending jolts of pleasure shooting through your body. "Hylia, you're so tight... cum for me, sweetheart?"

You hugged his neck closer, practically screaming your approval against his mouth, hips twitching as you continued to bounce atop him, determined to finish this before the sun rose. Wild broke the kiss to bury his face in your neck, suctioning a trail of bruising hickeys down the expanse of skin. You knew they would show, but you didn't care, clinging to him for dear life as the coil in your belly grew tighter and tighter. "Wild–... Link– Please!"

A loud growl reverberated in Wild's chest at the sound of his name–his true name–and he grabbed your hip in his free hand, using it as leverage to pound up into you like a man starved. You responded by sinking your teeth in his exposed shoulder to keep yourself from screaming to the heavens as your orgasm crashed over you, vision briefly going white as unimaginable pleasure zipped through every inch of your body, alighting nerves you had forgotten existed. Wild groaned when your muscles clenched around him like a vice, and you shuddered when he rammed into you one last time, thumb never leaving your abused clit as sticky warmth filled you. "(Y/n)!"

Bonelessly, you collapsed against his heaving chest, squirming slightly to let him know you were done. Wild panted with exertion, his hand coming up to card through your hair. "You okay?"

"Never better," you huffed a laugh against the skin of his shoulder, Your skin felt sticky, tacky with sweat and... other fluids. Speaking of liquids that shouldn't belong in you while you were on top of a roof, Wild shifted slightly, a small noise leaving you when his softened cock slipped from your warmth, rivulets of cum already drooling down your thighs, quickly cooling in the night air. "Wild..."

"On it," he said, swiftly pulling his boxers up and hauling you into his arms with a gentleness that had your heart thudding in your chest. There was a ladder on the side of the roof, but you knew he was going to ignore it, choosing to brace yourself as the hero hopped off the ledge, landing perfectly on the ground below. A part of you wondered how his feet were still fine after all that effort, but you quickly remembered that this was Wild, the man who loved going barefoot almost as much as he liked going pants-less. "Don't worry, we'll get you cleaned up," his face dipped down to plant a sweet kiss on your cheek. "Okay?"

"Okay," you parroted, quieting when he approached the front door. Seeing as his hands were already full, you reached for the doorknob, stealthily maneuvering the door open. You were wearing his tunic, which was long enough to cover all the important bits, and the other men had no qualms seeing each other naked, so you weren't worried as Wild snuck inside the house, pushing the door closed with his heel. The rest of the chain was laid out across the floor on their sleeping mats, though Wind had used his age as an excuse to get the couch, and you held your breath, praying that they would all be heavy sleepers tonight.

Wild's arms tightened, pulling you closer in a sort of protective gesture. You nuzzled your head into the crook of his neck and shoulder as he started up the steps, carrying you to the bed on the second floor. It was no small miracle that it hadn't already been claimed, and you let out a small sigh of relief when the Champion set you down on the sheets. "Hang on," his hand pressed against your sternum when you tried to sit up. "I'll get a washcloth."

"And some tea," you reminded him gently, winching slightly when more globs of cum burbled from your sore cunt. Goddesses, you had really gone crazy, hadn't you?

"Of course," Wild stroked your cheek lovingly before starting down the steps, not bothering to put anything else on that magnificent body of his. There was a soft bang, followed by a few sleepy grumbles, but no one shot up to start yelling about the disturbance, so you allowed yourself to maintain your pretend innocence. The steps creaked, and Wild practically bounded across the landing, a damp-looking cloth in one hand and a cup of liquid in the other. You scooted against the headboard to receive the tea, sipping it while he nudged your legs apart, going to so far as to sling your left knee over his shoulder, wiping leftover cum from your thighs and core. "Is it good?"

"Nope," you snorted. Moon tea would never be an enjoyable drink, but you finished it anyways, setting the cup on the nightstand. "But it's good for me."

"You know, I wouldn't mind having–"

"Perish the thought."

He raised his unoccupied hand in surrender. "Kidding, kidding!"

"Better be," you mumbled, hissing when the washcloth brushed over your sore clit. "Ah– gentle."

"Sorry," Wild said with a wince, leaning down to press a kiss to your lower belly. Your heart fluttered, and you waited patiently for him to finish. "...How do you feel?"

"Sore," you replied honestly. He had been a bit rougher than usual, but you weren't complaining. Much. "But it was nice."

"Yeah?" He asked, looking hopeful. "Nice enough to do again?"

You made a face. "Don't push your luck, mister."

"I'm joking," he reassured you by leaning forward to peck your lips, tossing the washcloth onto the floor below. You grimaced slightly, knowing that you were likely the one who was going to have to wash it later, but that was a problem for tomorrow, so you simply opened your arms to him. Wild settled in your embrace with a happy sigh, head tucked under your chin with an arm slung just under your breasts. The scars on his cheek felt rough against your skin, but you couldn't have loved them more. "Love you, sweetheart."

"Love you too, honey," you responded softly, running your hand down his spine. Exhaustion was quickly taking hold, and you noted how close the moon had gotten to the horizon, heralding the dawn's approach. It was unfortunate–you had been looking forward to getting a full night's rest for weeks–but you couldn't bring yourself to be upset at the Champion, who had already fallen asleep, clearly exhausted from your... activities. Not that you minded, he deserved a break, and you couldn't help but smile as you drifted to sleep, the first rays of dawn illuminating the sky like a firebrand.

You were at the dining table when it happened. The sun was high in the sky, and you were pleased to report that you had managed to get six hours of rest before Wind came to throw himself on your stomach, shouting some bullshit about how the day waited for no one.

"Wild, I hate to be the one to tell you this," Warriors began, having just come in after what you assumed to be a bath. "But whoever made your roof did not care one bit."

"How do you mean?" Wild asked from his place by the fire, likely entrenched in the wildberry pancakes he was making.

"Ugh," Legend joined the fray, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. "For once, I agree with the captain, it was shaking all night–"

You nearly choked on your milk.

"–And something hit my forehead!" Wind interjected from his place across from you, a slight whine in his tone, rubbing the affected area despite there being no physical evidence to be seen.

"Was it a piece of tile?" Hyrule asked, looking up to study the ceiling with a concerned expression. "I hope nothing falls through–"

"No, I think it was a bug," Wind said thoughtfully, putting a hand on his chin.

"A bug?" Twilight asked, looking at you quizzically. "I thought ya closed all tha' windows?"

"I..." You were not having this conversation right now, but apparently fate had other plans. "I'm not sure, it could have gotten in through a crack?"

"Do remember what it looked like?" Sky asked.

"I squished it," the Sailor responded, and you breathed a sigh of relief at the supposed end of this conversation from hell. "But I was listening more to the noises–"

Fuck!

"Noises?" Time spoke, tone vaguely curious. "What kind of noises?"

Wind shrugged, and you wanted to die. "They were weird, I don't know."

"I think I heard things too," Four added with a thoughtful expression, leaning back against the chair. "Like... animal noises?"

"They sounded like the noise a cat makes when it's mating," Legend said with a perfect deadpan, and you would have laughed had your dignity not depended on it.

"What if there's a cat outside?" Wind's face instantly lit up. "We should go look for it!"

"Dunno," Wild said, finally putting his two cents in as he placed a steaming pile of pancakes on the table, taking a seat beside you as everyone dug in. "It's probably long gone if it was here last night."

"Aw..." Wind mumbled, mouth already stuffed full of pancake. You grimaced when more than a few crumbs rained past his lips, and Legend leaned forward to smack the back of the Sailor's head. "Hwey!"

"Chew your food, idiot."

"Fwuc owf–"

"Boys," Time interrupted before the situation could escalate further. He turned his gaze to Wild. "It sounds like repairs are in order, we'll help in any way we can."

"I'll keep that in mind," the Champion said gratefully, eyes sliding to you as a suspiciously giddy light flashed in them. "Say, (Y/n), how about helping me take a look after breakfast? I know how good you are with hammers, after all."

You gaped, knowing he wasn't talking about repairing the roof. With a forced grin and gaze that could have cut iron, you answered. "Sure thing, hon–" your hand slipped an inch over to grip his thigh, and Wild jerked subtly, ears turning slightly pink. "–but don't come crying when I make you do all the hammering."

"...I don't know what the fuck this is, but you two need a room," Legend said in disgust.

"No, a bed."

"Sky, please."

"What?" The skyloftian said with a wink. "Beds are more comfy."

"...I hate you sometimes."

"You love us," Warriors said, and the Vet's fist clenched.

"Actually–"

"Hey," Four interjected around a mouthful of pancakes, jerking his thumb to you and Wild. "We already hear enough from those two, we don't need to add a third."

"Oh Hylia," Twilight said, and you took great satisfaction in seeing him took a bit green.

"What?"

"Shut up and eat your pancakes," you said, shoveling a forkful of fluffy goodness into your mouth, humming happily. Wild was truly the best, and not just because of that mouthwatering ass of his.

"(Y/n), are you going to help us look for the cat?" Wind asked sweetly, and you caught Wild's gaze long enough for him to mouth 'pussy', followed by a very rude gesture using his tongue and the fork he was holding.

You buried your head in your hands and wondered how difficult it would be to make his death look like an accident.

I've been in a bit of a funk, so hopefully this makes up for all the radio silence.

[untitled-tmnt-blog]

Now that 2024 is coming to a close:

1) Of everything you've made this year, which ones are you the most proud of?

2) What are a few of your favorite things (art, comics, fics, etc) that someone else has made this past year?

As far as my own stuff, I would have to say:

This Hide and Seek animatic -- I love making animatics, but they end up taking me a LONG time! That does mean that when I finally finish one though, it's very rewarding to see the full thing!

This scene, for the rottmnt cut intro project -- It's a short scene, but was a lot of fun to do! I also think it shows how much I've improved, even from my first scene for this same project.

This hardcopy of IMBI -- I'd never tried bookbinding before, but I had so much fun learning how and was really happy with how it turned out!

These mixed media collages -- It was one of my first times experimenting with mixed media, and I think they ended up looking pretty cool! Plus, just like the others... I had a lot of fun with it! (I suppose it makes sense that my favorite pieces are kind of just the ones I had the most fun doing, huh?)

And then, for other people's stuff... I'm sorry, but I'm just so indecisive! I have to at least pick a few things from each category!

"Long" Comics:

Here There Be Turtles (by @theelvishfiddler) -- This is hands-down one of the most impressive fan comics I've ever seen! Not only does it have incredible art, but the characterization is spot-on, and the storyline is so engaging that I am absolutely dying to see what happens next after every single update! I've seen people saying that the quality is even better than the official comics, and... yeah, no doubt about it, it really is! This comic is INSANELY good!

You've Been Portal Jacked! (by @wickcipher) -- This comic has such an interesting premise, with an artstyle that I love and SO much potential! I was immediately hooked by the first chapter, and was so excited to see it continue! Very much looking forward to seeing where things go from here!

"Short" Comics:

This Raph comic (by @e-turn) -- Raph and Leo tug at my heartstrings sooooo much! And the effect of Raph's time spent under the krangs' control is something that I never get tired of seeing explored. He loves his brothers so much, and would never EVER want to hurt them... but now he has these memories of himself doing exactly that, and those memories are just so much at war with who he is as a person, and AAAARRRRRGGHHHH!!!! I love it.

This Splinter comic (by @charcoaldustonmyfingers) -- THE EMOTIONS. I enjoy seeing this one every time it crosses my dash, and it has yet to lose its impact. Splinter loves his boys so much!!

This alternate movie ending, and part 2 (by @magisav) -- Beautiful, and heartbreaking. Both at the same time. The look on Leo's face is ingrained in my memory forever.

This Firefight fan comic (by @sludge-city) -- This one is such a well-done adaptation of some of the most emotional moments in this incredible fic! It was heartbreaking enough reading it the first time, and seeing those emotions depicted on Leo and Donnie's faces ripped my heart to shreds.

This redrawn IDW scene (by @purplepixel) -- The redrawn panels are beautiful, and I love the coloring! But also... man, this hurts so much knowing what comes next! Donnie, nooooo!

Multi-Chapter Fics:

Emotional Support Water Bottles (by @dandylovesturtles) -- This series is easily one of my favorites! Poor Leo goes through so much... and yet even when it's over, that kind of experience will undoubtedly leave some scars behind. Not physical scars, but very real nonetheless, and I've loved seeing Leo and his family try to navigate their way through that.

Firefight (by @remedyturtles) -- A true classic, at this point. With probably some of the most intensely emotional scenes I have ever read. Highly recommend, if you can handle that level of hurt before the comfort!

DFL's Whumptober 2024 (by @daflangstlairde-art) -- Technically a series of fics, which are unrelated to one another. But they are related in one important way: making me FEEL THINGS. Each one is so well-written, and I've been hooked all the way from the first fic to the last!

Oneshots:

The Shadows May Go (by @remedyturtles) -- This fic. THIS FIC. It made me cry. Splinter loves his sons so much, and even in his darkest moments (perhaps especially in his darkest moments), Leo knows that.

Now the Darkness Comes Alive (@goodlucktai) -- The role-reversal that I didn't know I needed. It's beautifully written, and like I said, Raph and Leo tug at my heartstrings so much! I started drawing something for this fic a while back, and desperately want to finish when I have some more free time on my hands again!!

Bed Sheets (by @dandylovesturtles) -- Splinter is not a perfect parent, by any means. But he loves his sons so much!! This fic is practically the embodiment of those two things, and it makes me emotional every. Single. Time.

Art:

This drawing of April and Karai (by @darkpolicepsycho) -- absolutely beautiful!! I love how you can just feel the power of Karai's ninpo flowing through April.

This drawing of Raph with cherry blossoms (by @pelmenya-owo) -- soooooo pretty!!! The colors. The lighting. I cannot possibly overstate how gorgeous this drawing is!!

These Undertale-style drawings of April, Raph, Leo, Donnie, and Mikey (also by @pelmenya-owo) -- I've never played Undertale, but I love these little animations so much!! Very cool.

This drawing of Samurai Leo (by @kathaynesart) -- I showed this drawing to my husband, and he immediately asked for it on a T-shirt. It is PHENOMENAL.

This Hollow Mind drawing (by @grey-viridian) -- I haven't read the fic that this is from yet, but oh man, the emotion in this scene!! Family protecting family. I love it so much.

This drawing of Leo (by @oh-lordy-lord-save-me) -- The colors. The colors!! The absolutely STUNNING colors!!!

This TNV art (by @windide-blog) -- I'll admit, I still need to read TNV. But even without context, the scene depicted here is amazingly well-done! I can only hope to be able to draw scenes as beautiful as this one day.

This art of Leo falling through the sky (by @sad-leon) -- The background is beautiful. The imagery is beautiful. The animation is beautiful. All around: beautiful.

This drawing of FMA Sprout, plus this one (by @intotheelliwoods) -- I just love these so much! Brotherhood is probably my favorite anime, and man, Sprout makes a great Edward Elric.

This drawing for the Turtles Together zine (by @andva-ri) -- This one has everything. Splinter. April. Draxum. Big Mama. The turtles, of course! I love all the different scenes, and how seamlessly they come together into an absolutely gorgeous art piece! This is a level of skill that I can only hope to one day come close to reaching!

This drawing, also for the Turtles Together zine (by @staticwither) -- Just look at those bright, beautiful colors! Truly incredible. This scene was already great in the finale, but this art piece somehow manages to take that energy and multiply it tenfold! It's beautiful.

This drawing of Leo with water lilies (by @tangledinink) -- I absolutely LOVE the paint-like style of this one! The level of detail on this is insane, and it's just downright one of the most beautiful art pieces I think I've ever seen. I want it on a throw blanket.

This Kingdom Hearts AU drawing (by @boxfullaturtles) -- I have very minimal knowledge of Kingdom Hearts. But even without that context, this drawing is just SO GOOD! I love the stained-glass design! And the way all the characters are in their own circles, and Leo's head is lined up inside of one as well, but continues down into a full-body drawing. Gorgeous.

AUs:

Posessed AU (by @grey-viridian) -- Such an interesting premise!! It somehow manages to be absolutely heartbreaking, but also so much fun at the same time.

Tiz Sep AU (by @tizeline) -- I love the comic. I love the characterizations. I was hooked on this AU from the moment Leo starting infodumping about Sonic! But also, Mikey campaigning for president of the multiverse while Donnie works against him was perfection. I just love seeing these characters do literally anything, because they're just so enjoyable to watch!

"The Besties" (2AL by @intotheelliwoods & SLAU by @dianagj-art) -- I'm aware this is like, an AU crossover within an AU kind of situation, but man is it so much fun! And also, so much more emotional than you'd expect turtle multiverse shenanigans to be.

Animations:

Rottmnt Restored (by @emichen88 & @powerauerart) -- Incredible. Amazing. Phenomenal. Astounding. 100% would watch again and again and again.

This JJK WIP (by @seasaltcosmos) -- I don't care if it's unfinished, I LOVE this!!

That was... slightly more than "a few." And I'm sure I still forgot some. I could go on and on about all the awesome stuff people here have made, but I had to cut it off somewhere!

[riinkun-art-stuff]

Howdy ho! I'm very excited to finally be able to share this illustration I worked on as part of this year's @bumblebybigbang for @tahnex's lovely and super fun fic (with no pain attached whatsoever), "Of Dragons and Panthers," which you can read here! As soon as I read the original notes on it this scene captured me so much I had to do something dramatic for it. It's been such a pleasure watching the whole collab come together, tysm for having me!

First time joining an event like this, and I'd love to again if the opportunity comes around hehe. Still a few postings to go on this one, the pieces before us this year have knocked it out of the park and I'm super excited to see the rest once they come around!

Made a few process cuts just for fun, which I left under the cut!

I did do a few sketches roughly before I started out, especially based on other parts of the chapter, but this particular composition was so fixed in my mind that I ended up just sticking with it. In retrospect, I would've loved to go back and do some more thorough exploration for it. Here are a few of the sketches I managed to fish back up:

I also was thinking of trying a few other doodles/another big piece, but ended up not really having the time between other obligations :')

And the sketch I finally settled on:

Inking was SUCH a fun process on this piece in particular. I'm a huge fan of how dragon!Yang's mane turned out, especially, and all the detailing on the head and around Blake's fur and such. Feel like I'm really satisfied w the particular way the line weight variations came out, and it's where the piece shines the most imo.

Panther!Blake, too. Oh gosh. I feel like it took me a lot of reworking to get her structure to a point where she felt very leopard-like, rather than any other type of big cat- especially around the head.

Colours were such a challenging part. There was a big feeling I had for that glow coming off dragon!Yang in the middle of the heavy rain- I love seeing that sort of effect in real life so that's something I'm really hoping to work to capture better as I practice. Trying to get dragon!Yang's slight iridescence in there and to balance out the lighting on panther!Blake's fur each took a long time, too- I'm only a pinch sad that a good chunk of it is covered by other lighting effects XD

Blake's rosettes were SO fun. Augguhugg.

In terms of backgrounds. HOO boy I was going through a strange patch in life while working on the background and final polish for this piece, which is why (at least I feel like) it looks kinda rushed. I have been practicing natural landscapes and doing some observational studies but still struggling to get those rock shapes quite right, which I think is a big make or break point of something like this. I did really enjoy toying around with inking on the foliage and foreground layers of the ground, though! And in the end, lighting and effects ended up masking a lot of the big weak spots :D

I think natural effects like smoke/steam, and rain, are big things that I got to practice more of in this piece, but also really would like to get better at in future. Esp since I feel like it's been a great opportunity to mess around with different colours and brushes that I use way less, which I'm always grateful for w painting. I think just layering the rain on its own ended up being about 10 odd layers?

I think the only other thing I would have loved to improve is to just help the piece feel more Bumbleby™ in the final look. I think I like the cool colours of the lighting for this particular outcome, but I also would have probably tried to have made things much clearer (ahem at the very least switch to yellow/purple) in the long run in terms of representation and resemblance. Ik that at least for me it is fairly easy to associate the two characters with dragons and panthers since I'm more familiar w the fandom lingo around these two, but esp for outsiders I feel like it's probably not great at conveying who they are, and why they are potentially in this situation.

I'd also love to try and find a shading style that still has a painterly quality but compliments the inking a bit better, rather than overpowering it.

I think that, on the whole, I am pretty satisfied with the piece and had a great time working with Tahnex on the whole collab! And I've also has a fun time reading his work and notes in return, and thank you so much for being so so patient with me even as my updates were slow n rocky at points :'D

That's about all I got, have a great day y'all! Still a few big bang postings to go, so very excited for those once they come around!

[gaybananabread]

I'm so excited to participate in your augtickletober! For number 28, please consider writing lee kirishima! with ler todoroki from my hero academia hehehe, a relaxing massage seems nice~ By the way if the number is already taken, feel free to change to any numbers (probably number 29 or 24 as backups just in case 28 got taken), thank youu!!

TickleTober Day 28 - Massage

Oooooh not a pairing I write for often! Still, the skrimblos must have their fun. Kiri would be the kinda guy to massage his friends, so nice! I hope you Enjoy!

Lee: Todoroki

Ler: Kirishima

Summary: A stressed-out Todoroki passes Kirishima, the boy’s mama-bear instincts kicking in. An innocent massage to help him relax leads to a rather tickly situation.

Warnings: none! This is a tickle fic, so if you don't like that, scroll away!!

Todoroki was stressed, to say the least. Working tirelessly to get his Provisional License, training hard to stay on top, and regular classwork had him going pretty much non-stop. Cold soba was his only escape, and even that was starting to lose its effect. It was all wearing on him, keeping his muscles tense and eyes sunken with dark bags.

The dual-quirked teen sauntered into the dorm’s kitchen, in search of his comfort food. His shoulders ached from tension, his neck and back in similar condition. The cold soba was the only thing he wanted at that moment. When he opened the fridge door, though, he deflated. “Damn it…” He had forgotten to make more the night before, exhausted from another night of rigorous training.

Kirishima walked into the room, a bright smile on his face. “Hey, Todoroki! How’s it…going.” He saw the other student’s tired, saddened form, concern blooming on his face. “Are you okay, man?”

He sighed, closing the door and cutting off the cool air. Was he okay? He wasn’t sure he knew the answer himself. “Uhm…yes. Why do you ask?” 

That only made the bubbly teen’s brows furrow. “Because you look very not okay. You’re more tense than Aizawa sensei after dealing with Bakubro and Midoriya.” He smiled softly, a small huff of air escaping him. Though they didn't interact much, Todo knew he could trust the boy and enjoyed his company. “Maybe I am a little wound up.”

Kiri chuckled, getting a bit closer and opening the fridge. He noticed the lack of his classmate’s favorite dish. “If you want, I could help. I’m not the greatest cook, but I could try and make you some soba. Maybe a massage or something.”

The massage option caught his attention. He was stupidly tense; he could use a break. “I wouldn’t mind a massage, if you’re willing to give one.”

“So formal, Todobro. You’ve gotta loosen up a bit.” He was more than happy to help out his classmate, moving over to one of the dorm couches. “And of course, I’m happy to. You wanna sit down and I’ll help?”

He nodded, following him and sitting down beside the red-haired teen. Normally, he wouldn’t have been so accepting of the concerned gesture. Midoriya and the others had been working with him on asking for help, though; it was working. Kiri went right to work, rubbing circles in his shoulders. It was unfair how quickly the tension began to ease.

Eijirou moved methodically, working to ease his peer’s tense muscles. The sheer amount of knots he had to work out concerned him. “Jeez, man. You’ve really gotta take more breaks. This isn’t healthy.” 

A small hum came from the tense teen; he was too lost in the calming feeling to do much else. At first, when Kiri was working his shoulders, it felt wonderful. He could feel the tension leaving, the tight pains fading to dull aches or going entirely.

As time passed, Kirishima’s hands wandered, moving to the base of his ribs and back. A small, annoying buzz came with the release, making him smile. Todoroki squirmed a little, trying to distract himself from the feeling.

Kirishima noticed the squirms, pulling his hands away. “You good? Sorry if I hurt you, I’m a little rusty.” Of course that’s where his mind went. That boy was too kind. “No, it’s fine. Just needed to move.” With a nod, the massage continued, right back at the dreaded spot.

Okay, that was fine. He could handle a little buzzing, no problem. At least, he thought he could, until Kirishima moved upwards again, gently poking his neck to feel for tension. Todo went rigid, a small giggle escaping him. Oh, he was screwed.

“Todoroki…are you ticklish?” Previous statement retracted. Kirishima wasn’t nice at all for asking. He knew the answer already, and knew the other boy would lie. “Uh, no. Just, um, thought of something funny.”

Bullshit. Kiri sniffed out the obvious lie, deciding to toy with his friend. “Okay then. I’ll be more gentle, just because.” He went back to massaging the other teen’s neck, making sure to scritch his nails on the skin every once in a while. Todoroki bit his lip, thankful his back was to the hero-in-training. Rosy cheeks and a poorly suppressed smile didn’t really help his case.

This continued for about a minute; Kiishima gently massaging the other teen, occasionally letting his nails scrape the sensitive skin, and Todoroki trying desperately to stay quiet. The bright boy’s patience was wearing thin, and although he’d love to continue massaging his friend, the giggle was too enticing. He gave up on subtlety, going and simultaneously squeezing both Todoroki’s sides.

He muffled a yelp, jolting forwards and grabbing the crimson student’s hands. There was no denying it now; Todoroki was ticklish, and Kirishima was gonna help him let loose. Kiri wrapped his legs around the other’s torso, pulling him back and against his chest. It was a classic Kiri play-fight move, one most of the other students feared and loved; it meant that he was about to get it.

Ten fingers drilled into both his sides, pulling a few surprised giggles from the serious teen. He tried to squirm out of it, but he was essentially trapped in a hug; pinned both around the middle by wiggling fingers and waist by strong legs, Todoroki was trapped. He probably could’ve burned his way out of the hold, but he would never purposefully hurt his classmate. 

“Wow, so wiggly, Todobro. I’m just trying to get you to relax! Like these sides, they must be tense if you’re fighting it this much!” He knew that wasn’t why he was squirming so much, but it was an “excuse” to continue the tickling. Besides, teasing him was fun. He experimentally scribbled Todo’s navel, The results were better than he could’ve hoped for.

“K-KIHIRISHIMAHA! NOHOHO!” He practically squealed when he felt the boy’s nails on his belly button, his cheeks almost matching his left hair as he laughed. Kirishima adored the sound, happy that his classmate trusted him enough to cut loose like that. He didn’t really have much of a choice, but still. “Aww, there we go. You gotta release all that inner turmoil and stress, bro. Laughter is perfect!”

His well-meaning teases were completely unfair. Todoroki drummed his feet on the couch, twisting and shoving at his classmate’s hands. He didn’t totally hate what was happening, but still, it tickled! He just wished Kiri’s nails were focusing anywhere but his belly button. “MOHOHOVE! COHOME OHOHOHON!” 

Feeling merciful, he did as he was asked, instead focusing his fingers on the candy-cane boy’s sides.Loud laughter gave way to sweet giggles, surprisingly bright for such a serious kid. “Kihiri- Kihirishihihimaha! Whyhihihi?”

“Why? You’re stressed, that’s why. I’ve never seen someone so determined to have an aneurysm before adulthood before. You could do with some giggles.” He squeezed his navel, making Todoroki emphasize it with a squeal. “Like that! Very cute, by the way. You should laugh more.”

Such a jerk! He wanted to protest anything Kirishima had just claimed, but he couldn’t. Truth was, the tickling was helping. While giggly and flustered, he was much less tense than when he’d arrived. He also felt much happier, though he attributed that to human interaction rather than the goofy touch. 

Kiri could tell he was enjoying himself, at least to an extent. He hadn’t heard the actual word “stop” once. A certain sound, though, made him halt the touch. Was that…?

*grrrrrrlm*

Todoroki’s cheeks somehow got redder, that time from embarrassment. His stomach had growled rather loudly, reminding him of his long day and skipped meals. Kirishima was the one to laugh then, releasing his friend from the tickly hold. “Ohokay, your stomach’s got an opinion. Think we should get you some food, huh Todoroki?”

The half-and-half teen mumbled something under his breath, but nodded in agreement. He was hungry, and some cold soba would be nice. Kirishima chuckled, heading back to the dorm kitchen to prepare some grub for him and his friend. 

Todoroki looked after him, a small smile on his face. He felt much better than he had before, his dampened spirits lifted by the other student’s silliness. He got up, following to help with the dish. He’d have to ask for massages more often…

[oodlyenough]

dw empire of death

spoilers ofc

hm. like many RTD finales, a bit of a mixed bag. i feel less certain of my overall thoughts than last week (which i thought was a blast, tbh).

the good: i'm... pretty happy with the ruby mom reveal. this whole mystery box set up turning out to be "she was just a scared young woman who couldn't raise her baby", an ordinary woman mythologized by ruby and the doctor over the season, etc, is an extremely RTD solution. and as a fan of his stuff I liked seeing that... well... pivot to his roots as opposed to her being part of the pantheon or something (which I admit I did wonder about myself).

the *idea* of her pointing at the sign to name the baby is nice, I like the meaning of it and what Ruby takes from it, but it is a bit of a clumsy set up. very dramatic pointing, ms miller.

also as much as i was dying to see what the screen said lol i DID love the character moment of ruby stepping forward to offer the name to sutekh, only to smash it, and then clip his collar (lmfao btw). i thought that was a nice character moment for ruby. in that moment i thought perhaps we'd never find out the answer, and that would be something ruby sacrificed for the greater good. i wasn't sure how satisfying that would be and I guess I'll never have to find out bc it's not what happened lmao, but it is where i thought we might be headed.

i liked seeing the gloves and the rope from TCORR come back. i like surprise tools that will help us later :)

loved the memory tardis from the time window and the use of that tales from the tardis set. how cool.

loved the time window playing clips of classic who that's so fun. mel's moment with six's outfit awwww. and i'm sure i missed some of the namedrops of planets etc that fifteen was going on about but i liked the ones i caught. shan-shen! oodsphere!!

i thought the effects of the dust wave and the insta-crumbling was pretty good and spooky

i really like having mel around! i hope we get to see her cameo again

the mixed bag:

'the death wave is eating memories and going back through family trees in reverse' is pretty cool as a concept, i thought. where i think this hurts the resolution a bit is that in the moment i thought, "ok, well, ruby's "safe" because there's the Mystery, there's no family tree for it to climb!" but like... there was. does sutekh need to personally be aware of your family tree to kill you?

i really liked the moment of fifteen and ruby watching louise outside the coffee shop, and i really liked the moment where ruby sits down across from her and then the barista calls the name ruby and they have this look. i ... kind of found myself wishing that it would stop there? i mean, i'm happy for ruby, and i think "ruby found her bio fam and now ruby and her big family are together" is a nice ending for the character. but there was something so emotional and bittersweet about that split second of wondering and connection between the two, and ruby having that choice to make...

the goodbye between ruby and fifteen was lovely. millie gibson is so good her big watery eyes make me so sad. i've enjoyed the two of them together and i think they have incredible chemistry as characters and actors, like, what a team of besties. i'll miss ruby on the TARDIS. but ... only 10 episodes, a couple of which didn't feature them much at all... a bond that didn't get super developed on screen ... I dunno. Left me wishing we got more from them through the season.

I do know we'll see more of Ruby next season, so I'm excited for that. an s4 Martha situation. but then I also worry about Varada Sethu's character getting development time too...

the not so good:

killing off rose, kate, etc in the first minute removes stakes, because while you might worry about characters like cherry or carla who won't necessarily stick around when ruby leaves or whose deaths will impact ruby, you know rose and kate are not going to stay dead permanently. also very infinity war (derogatory) where there was the same issue -- no these characters won't stay dead and i'm not going to humour it lol

rose temple sweetie it was nice to see you stand in the background and not speak. what was that about. she FINALLY got all of two lines. it just felt like she didn't serve a lot of purpose in this ep. I mean I liked seeing her but she did not do anything to the story in either part of the ep

the solution of "death kills death" was a bit goofy lol but it's doctor who the solution is always goofy. i didn't care too much about that i guess. but it was goofy

i really think we could've used a more decisive scene with carla and ruby. carla seems to understand ruby's desire to know her bio fam and be supportive of it and that's lovely. obviously ruby loves carla and vice versa. but i think it would've been nice to have a moment of on-screen explicit acknowledgment between carla and ruby that there might be weird feelings there, that louise isn't replacing carla, something like that.

related to the above, the Doctor says Ruby redefined the way he thinks of family, which is a huge thing to say, but I don't feel like I ever saw that happening on screen. it COULD have. all the pieces are there with foundlings and foster care and adoption...

[mikailys]

MCL NewGen Ep 8 Commentary

Ik it's late and that several days have passed since the episode's release, but I wanted to wait a bit to let my thoughts simmer and write my review with a cool head. I need to rant about it so sit tight 'cause this one in particular is though lol.

As it was advertised, the whole episode revolves around Roy and a peculiar hobby of his: skinny dipping. Thomas is the one who spills the beans -as always- and everyone is curious about it. Roy explains that he only does it after the swimming pool closing hour and you know what: that is fine by me. Is it weird? Yes, but I'm not supposed to care what my co-workers do in their freetime so I personally don't mind.

And, unfortunately, that's all. To sum up, the plot is "co-workers try to go undercover to spy on their other coworker while he's skinny dipping :|

Since I don't like Roy, the premise of this ep didn't really appeal to me at all. But, weirdly enough, it had the opposite effect 'cause I've spent its whole duration feeling sorry for him. He gets the possibility once a month to train alone in a professional pool, and the six of us -which I recall you are his co-workers and his boss- have nothing better to do than to go spying on him? Just because they thought he subtly implied he wanted them to come see him?!

One. It is false since during the whole workday they kept "catcalling" him and joking about it and he wasn't really pleased to say the least. He put on a brave face, endured the working hours, and then left the office asap.

Two. You're adults, fully grown adults that are acting like literally teens. It's not normal for grown-ups to feel excited, see Elenda and Thomas, to play spies to see your co-worker naked. It is weird and creepy.

I'm glad at least I wasn't the only sane person to comprehend this was wrong and absurd on so many levels. Paradoxically enough, the only one I found myself agreeing with was Amanda, a character I couldn't stand until now, she gained a tons of points in my eyes + she's also a girl's girlie so gg.

Also, special mention to the hint of peer pressure put on Candy and Amanda by the quartet. I didn't like it at all and it shouldn't be even a thing considering the context.

No is no, even if Roy supposedly enjoys voyeurism, I personally do not.

This is really a shame cause they butchered so many characters with this unnecessary sketch, Thomas being the worst of them in my eyes. I'm not sure if my perception of him was wrong from the start, but I don't recognize this character at all. Silly jokes, creepy hobbies, and an immature, teenage-like attitude were never traits I would have attributed to him. I know I keep repeating myself but it's truly a shame that such poor writing has impacted the perception and development of the characters, which now seems clearly different from how they were portrayed in the beginning...

Going forward, I made then the choice to leave with Amanda and warn Roy about their ambush. It was nice to have that option tbh. The whole scene afterwards, sneaking into the public pool and hiding in the lockers, was utterly embarrassing because it’s not the kind of behavior you’d expect from people in their late twenties, but whatever the problem it's the whole context so I can't complain about it too much.

Then Roy catches the sextet and pulls off his counter-prank. After snitching on us, we all decided it was a good time to play with water guns. Again, the idea was fun and silly in a good way, but context-wise mmh...

Now the long-awaited moment I've been patiently waiting for: the encounter with Jason.

Look at him I love him sm nsgsg

I had no idea how they would include him in the episode since he practically had nothing to do with the Devenemential gang. And honestly -unpopular opinion- they probably should have left him out of this messy episode because the reason they gave for his involvement didn’t fully convince me, and the special scene was disappointing.

Apparently, he also has deals with the guards -worst security protocol ever if you ask me- and he goes there once a week to train. And here I was thinking that the CEO of a famous and well-known company would have a private pool or the means to rent one lol. Looks like everyone's feeling the pinch these days. Good job Jason, saving money like the rest of us poor unfortunate souls, such a relatable boss.

Fun fact, it appears one of his dreams is to defeat Roy? In a swimming competition?? Like, okay? I'll gladly be there to root for you the day you actually succeed then dear.

Well maybe not everyone shares the same hobbies as you and Roy, Candy. Besides, why would he know about Roy's interests?? He's not as deranged as Thomas, who keeps tabs on his colleagues' private lives...

ANYWAY. Candy feels cold and needs to get out of the pool if she doesn’t want to catch pneumonia. Jason offers to help her by closing his eyes, but she’s not fully convinced. Again, NOT EVERYONE IS A PERV, CANDY. You're just the unlucky girl who's got to work with them. In fact you should bring him to Devenemential to have him teach your colleagues the art of not being crazy maniacs, I'm sure that could be of help.

I won't spend too many words on the next scene since I've already made a whole ass post ranting about it and sharing my headcanon. However, regarding the mistress scene, I will say that yes, it was poorly executed. But if the entire episode had followed this direction I would have gladly signed off on it because, all things considered, it’s not even remotely comparable to the plot we've endured so far.

Now for the special scene I am conflicted. Ngl I really thought for a split second that we actually managed to kiss him, but I quickly snapped back to reality when I realized it was just Candy being delusional and I am just as much as her. She must have ingested way too much chlorine to be having such a mental trip lol. Anyway, I didn't like it very much because it was clear that BV didn't know what to come up with. The fact that they managed to incorporate Jason into the plot was something, but asking for a well-written special scene was apparently too much.

On a side note, I’m DEAD TIRED of having to endure the worst humiliations in every single episode when we’re on Jason’s route. It's pretty embarrassing, and, at lest for me, it’s not easy to move forward without cringing every few minutes. Moreover, it always seems like he has to have the upper hand in every situation. When is our Candy going to stop acting like a fool and step up her game??

And that's all, the episode ends with Candy leaving the pool, wondering if she and Jason will ever stop meeting in the most weird way spoiler: you won't i assure you.

Now for the next episode I fear we’re in for another ‘fun’ plot since it’s called A Child at Heart, but honestly I have no idea what these interns will actually get up to. Maybe the theme will revolve around generational differences, since they seem to be Gen Z while our colleagues are more on the border of being Millennials? Idk but I do really hope the writing will be better than in this ep.

All things considered, I still have faith in BV. I know they have the ability to write a good story with a solid foundation when they want to—it’s just that I don’t know what’s happening with this series in particular. As other players have pointed out, it feels like this plot was originally conceived when NG was still set in a high school, and now they’re trying to repurpose it in a more 'adult' way. The problem is, it’s just not working.

The Halloween event is approaching, and let’s hope it can alleviate some of the discontent in the community. Hopefully the upcoming episodes will be better since they’ve addressed the topic in the forums but we'll see.

[trashytoastboi]

Hiiii

I’m really glad to hear that I’m not being rude to u (I was really worried about it (>_<))........i didn’t really thought through about which character to pick....(sorry about that) so i hope I’m not asking to much if i ask for law ;-;

Ps.i really appreciate ur writing~<3 i want u to know how cherished u are so u don’t forget u always be loved UwU (i always want to say that to u :D)

Heyya! 🍞🍀 I'm really glad that you enjoy my work! Sorry for the long wait on this one and hope you enjoy!

Headcanons: Law x Shy! F! S/O – Trying to seduce her lover.

(Female Pronouns)

Trafalgar Law

🍄 Law enjoyed teasing {Name}, mostly because her animated reactions always made Law smile. She was so shy even after being together for so long, she still seemed to react to his usual flirting and seductions with the same shyness. Seeing how she got all bashful and stumbled a little over her words. “What’s wrong {Name-ya?}” he asked innocently, acting as if he had nothing to do with why she was blushing so much with how cheekily he stole a kiss. 

🍄 Well after so much teasing and being on the losing end of having Law poking fun at her, {Name} decided it was time for her to stand up and turn the tables. Maybe for once she wanted to see Law being the bumbling, blushing and bashful one. She tried to plot for how she would actually do that, every idea had her getting so embarrassed just by the thought alone that {Name} wondered if she would actually be capable of pulling it off for real when the time came. 

🍄 Plan one of {Name’s}, flirting. Simple yet effective but {Name} failed. Mostly because she is not as witty with her words as Law who easily turned it back on her and made her speechless. She was unable to utter anything in response. Seeing Law’s smug smile, riled {Name} up. Curse Law and his handsome face. 

🍄 {Name} decided to move onto her second plan, she heard about something that a few people tried. When she had the opportunity, when {Name} and Law were alone she decided it was time. Oh he was so excited to see what she had up her sleeve this time. “So? {Name-ya} now you have me all alone.” {Name} could feel the heat rising to her cheeks but she couldn’t get distracted before trying. Her fingers hooked into his belt as she pulled him close, {Name} smiled thinking it worked when there was a lack of remark. {Name} looked up and she was surprised by Law’s kiss. “Wha-?!” she stuttered, Law smiled. “You made it so easy dear.” Law kept his cool but that actually did surprise him when {Name} did something so bold. 

🍄 Law watched her crumble again, “So cute…” He thought to himself. Seeing how proactive she is being in her quest to reverse their roles made him look forward to when she would actually succeed. Well, technically she had. Law just managed to keep his composure better than {Name}, internally he had reacted the same when she flirted with him, or pulled him in close by his belt. “She’s honestly too adorable for her own good.” Law muttered to himself. 

🍄 Plan three. {Name} gave Law a rather perfectly executed, adequately dramatic kabedon. Law mused, “Oh? What’s your plan love?” {Name} kisses him, more than a peck and she deepened the kiss before pulling away. Law swipes his thumb across her lips, as he grabs her chin and lifts it before pressing another sweet kiss against her lips. “A good attempt but not quite enough {Name-ya}” {Name} blushed and buried her face in his chest as Law just held her and chuckled lowly. 

🍄 {Name} ran out of ideas quickly after they all got foiled by Law. She soon got frustrated by her lack of progress, unknowing that everything she did actually worked and in fact she charmed Law so much with how cute her antics were. Law already knew she was not the most apt of flirting, but her sweetness and adorable nature made up for it. Maybe she didn’t seduce him in the way of wiles and wit, but she still managed to charm him. Well, he takes that back after seeing all the stuff she pulled. She was definitely capable of seduction. 

🍄 {Name} hugged Law, no extra embellishment to her action. Aside from a pout as she looked up at Law, “I want a kiss.” She asked, there was no reply. When her eyes curiously peeked up at Law she noticed the faintest blush on his cheeks, “Yes, yes {Name-ya.}” Law agreed and gave her a kiss. She had successfully flustered him. Her face lit up with the victory. Law noticed her smug little expression and had to stop himself from clutching his chest and exclaiming that she is adorable.

[blasphemous-lies-and-deceit]

Flufftober Day 20 - Alternate Prompt: Gravestone

"Oh, this one's so pretty."

"Pretty mossy," Gerry agreed, stepping over another patch of weeds to stand next to Michael beside the mossy monument. It was a rather classic shape, a cross carved above the rounded stone with space for an inscription. The stone was so aged and weathered that it was impossible to make out the words carved into it, but it was still beautiful, in a rather gloomy way. 

"Is this the one?" Michael asked eagerly, brushing fallen leaves off the top of the headstone with gentle motions of his gloved hand.

"I think so," Gerry agreed, pulling out his mobile and snapping a picture. The creative urge was blooming in his chest, thrilling and exciting even though he was nowhere near his easel. A spooky abandoned graveyard was an odd place for most to find inspiration, but it was certainly fitting for him. He lowered his mobile and studied the gravestone again, crouching for a better look. The texture of stone and moss would be tricky, but a fun sort of tricky. "You wouldn't mind if I hang the painting in the flat, would you?"

"Of course not, it's lovely," Michael assured him, taking his hand and pulling him to his feet, expression peaceful and serene. He seemed to be enjoying himself just as much as Gerry was, soaking in the vibes and atmosphere with relish. "This whole place is beautiful."

"It is," Gerry agreed, swinging their arms up so he could spin under them, dead leaves crunching under his boots and his jacket swirling out around him. "Just like you."

Michael beamed and pulled him close, wrapping his arm around his waist as they began to dance, carefully weaving between grave markers and headstones. Gerry followed along with him, ducking under low branches and nearly losing his footing only to be saved by his tall boyfriend's arms. The cool air smelled of dirt and dead leaves, biting at his nose and cheeks, and Michael's face was similarly flushed, both of them reflecting the other's joy as they spun to a stop beneath a large tree, hidden under its dark branches.

"I've always wondered," Michael panted, his breath clouding the cool air as he took both of Gerry's hands and tugged him closer, until they were each other's space. "Is it disrespectful to make out in a graveyard?"

Gerry had to fight the urge to burst out laughing. That was not the correct reaction, at least not in the moment. "Not for me," he said instead, squeezing Michael's hands and tilting his head back to gaze up at him. "I think it's practically required of me."

"That's what I thought," Michael murmured, his eyes heavy and wanting. He used both their hands to hold Gerry's chin in place as he leaned down towards him, bringing their lips together for a kiss that started soft but quickly became deep. Gerry moaned into his mouth, feeling overwhelmed and claimed in the best way as Michael devoured him, grabbing him by the waist to pull him flush against his body. It was delightful, it was addictive, it made Gerry want to pull him down onto the dead leaves littering the ground and give himself up fully, damn the appropriateness of the location. He wanted more.

Michael pulled back with a moan, pupils blown wide as he stared down at Gerry. "Are we done here?" he asked, sounding just as wrecked and wanting as Gerry felt. "I have to take you home right now."

"You don't want to do this here?" Gerry laughed breathlessly, cutting off with a gasp when Michael ducked his head to mouth at his neck, his hand keeping him pressed close to his body.

"I'm not goth enough to fuck in a graveyard, my love," he moaned, kissing the underside of Gerry's jaw. "I need a bed with at least three pillows on it, to start with."

Gerry could no longer hold himself back, laughing brightly up at the branches overhead. He felt light-headed with love and delight, completely at odds with their surroundings, but that was simply the effect that Michael had on him. He was the brightest joy in his life, no matter their surroundings, and Gerry sent a silent thanks to whatever good that was out there for bringing Michael into his life. All of the misery in his life had been worth it, just because Michael had been there afterwards. He wouldn't change a thing.

[naughtygirl286]

So yes we went to see the musical extravaganza Wicked this week. I can say I wasn't overly excited or anything to see this being I never seen the play/stage show and was never really interested in it either, but being I do like the Wizard of Oz and have seen the other related movies over the years I was interested in going to see this.

As for collectables there apparently was stuff cups and buckets they were advertising them but didn't have any on display so when I asked about them at the counter I was told they were all sold out which was sad but what can you do right?

anyway as for the movie I thought it was pretty good. I did enjoy it. It was fun and plenty of singing and there was some cool action and visuals. Basically the story was and origin story. It start off at the end of the Wizard of Oz when the wicket witch is dead and you see Dorthy and her friends walking back down the Yellow Brick Road back to the Emerald City and the movie really starts when you get back to Munchkinland and Glenda (played by Ariana Grande) shows up and confirms the witches death and they have a musical number. then Glenda tells the story about how Elphaba/the Wicket Witch (played by Cynthia Erivo) becomes Wicked. you get to see her as a child and then a teenager/adult and how her and Glenda meet at a Hogwarts type of school for Witchcraft and Wizardry and everything that pretty much goes on from them that is pretty much it.

While watching around the first when the munchkins were having their celebration I was thinking "boy alot of these munchkins are awfully tall" and when they wheeled out the straw effigy of the witch I was like boy that was quick! like seriously did they have that pre built and stored in like a barn somewhere just in case the Witch was killed at some point? I also thought the name of the school was "Shitz" at first cause that is what I was hearing I had to lean over and ask one of the people I was with what the school was called and they were like "I think its Shiz?" so I had to look it up when I got home and it was "Shiz" which in my opinion isn't any better but I could swear I was hearing "Shitz" lol

but all joking aside while watching this it reminded me of the movie Maleficent that came out a few years ago. In my opinion it was pretty much the same idea. I'm not discounting this movie because of that being that this was pretty good I felt it was well acted and all the songs were I thought were really good and the choreography was really great too.

The visuals effects and alot of the character animations were really done as well I think this will probably get some Oscar Nomination for production designs and maybe even Make-up and costumes.

But yeah like I said I thought it was pretty good and being this is a "Part 1" we'll have to go and see Part 2 when it comes out so So if you are interested in seeing it I would recommend going to see it.

[snifferish]

Sneafie Book Review: "Where the Dark Stands Still" by A.B. Porenek

Alright gamers that's right I'm posting book reviews on my tumblr, BOO! Jumpscare! Anyways I'm a spoiler free kinda guy here we go.

This week I read Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Porenek, this is a Young Adult Fantasy novel that leans slightly into the gothic genre. It's got a lot of Polish Folklore, It's kind of a beauty and the beast retelling? The author and the marketing has compared it to Howl's Moving Castle, which is why I originally took interest in it.

Personally, I gave this a four star rating, but on the Sneaf'o'meter of precision I'd say 73%

Let's get into the good and the everything else.

First off, If you like fun prose and description, this is for you. The Author's range of being able to describe something so beautiful and then transition to something grotesque and everywhere in between is wonderful. This ability comes into play frequently with how she describes the house in the story (which is sentient).

The magic system in this??????? Spectacular, I loved the concept. I've seen things similar to it, but it was so simple yet meaningful (AHH!). Probably my favorite part.

Another really prominent point in the marketing is the amount of Polish Folklore. There's a few specific spirits and demons referenced that are apart of it. I'm no expert on Polish folklore that's for sure, so I can't say whether it was truthful, or what the Author directly took from it. However I can say it was refreshing, new and I learned things :)

Okay sooo... Welcome to a segment called, why not five stars? I hesitate to say something is "bad" about about this book because I think it's really just preference at this point.

The exposition was normally paced but around the exposition into rising action area I felt like It was stalled. Really the book was just giving vibes left and right which is totally cool to some people, but because some information was withheld to certain points I felt like I was missing a lot of the foundation for the conflict and by the time I understood the conflict I was just like ahh, okay.

The romance plot within the story is pretty big, and to me it felt, okay. Just okay. I'll admit I'm a stinky gay that holds heterosexual romances to high standards so maybe that's why I wasn't so into it??? Again! I was so excited, I was thinking yes, it's like Howl's Moving Castle! and I just didn't get that. However, a lot of people who read this and reviewed it did get those vibes, so... not sure. Also, I think pet names just aren't my thing.... It's not usually something I find appealing in romance storylines.

Ultimately, I still really enjoyed this book. This is Porenek's debut novel, and I think it's very promising! Her writing style is excellent and I imagine she can only get better.

Also, this doesn't effect my rating at all, but I am begging fantasy Authors of all kinds to considering adding pronunciation guides. There where times I had access to my computer and I could look it up, but even then I don't know if google is telling me the right way to say it.

if you've read this I'd love to know your thoughts and if youre going to read it, well same, basically, do tell.

[halothenthehorns]

Chapter 21: MY BIRTHDAY PARTY TAKES A DARK TURN

Thank you so much to:

@ary-cm

on Tumblr for the awesome cover image!

I can't believe I'm already almost done with one of the three series?!

PJOPJOPJOPJO

Will read what he was sure to be the last chapter title with heavy concern. What on earth could be left to happen to Percy that couldn't have waited until the next disaster of an adventure to start with?

Nico's heart sunk that's how his appearance was described. Apparently whatever respect he'd gained from Percy was already twisted into fear so early. He couldn't blame him, after what he'd talked him into. A lifelong curse he now had no clue about...

"Please involve something cool and fun for once," Thalia sighed, imagining him having one last fight to the death and passing out on his birthday or something. "Like blacklights! You don't enjoy the effects of those enough!"

"To see all the blood in my room? No thank you," Percy scoffed.

The rest of the summer seemed strange because it was so normal.

Will's tone was happy, hyper even, he seemed genuinely excited he was finally getting to share Percy having a normal time at their camp for actual weeks on end for once.

The daily activities continued: archery, rock climbing, Pegasus riding. We played capture the flag (though we all avoided Zeus's Fist).

"Clarisse actually sat out of most of them," Percy recalled in surprise. "Her whole cabin didn't, but she and Chris helped be the medics for a few fights. It was sooo weird, but it made a lot of the campers who were clearly uneasy about him warm up a bit. Especially when Mrs. O'Leary cuddled up to him too."

"He caught on pretty quick," Will agreed, "he still helps out in the infirmary too when he doesn't really need to anymore," he finished with a significant look at Nico. Most kids didn't seem to care who was helping them as long as the pain was going away, his parentage or whatever he'd done in the past usually wasn't on their mind when it hurt like that.

"Are you sure it wasn't changed to Kampe's fist?" Alex asked when Nico didn't seem to be answering in any way. "The first never even seemed to fit."

"Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to try and get everybody to agree on a new name for something?" Will asked. "Even if we did a poll it would be chaos."

Which was no bother at all to Alex of course, so she looked at him like he was the one who was nuts for pretending that was a good excuse not to.

We sang at the campfire and raced chariots and played practical jokes on the other cabins. 

Will hid well how hard the adjustment had been for him that time marched on. Kids had come and gone from the camp, his siblings hadn't been immune to shocking deaths from a random monster attack in the forest or even defecting, it wasn't even the first time he'd been witness to such a thing, if only a handful of times before; but it was usually the ones who'd been there a few weeks. The kids who he'd barely gotten to know.

Lee had been there from day one. Had shown Will the ropes and been his Luke, his best friend, his go to for advice on everything there. It was strange for so long to not wake up every day and have him rousing them for breakfast. Micheal had never tried to emulate him either, he'd done it his own way, which had been all right, but a part of Will had wished someone in there would keep making Loony Tunes references, would keep challenging them to archery target practice instead of just letting the memory of him slowly fade away. Hearing him in Percy's life had been the most he'd been able to think of him in a few years now, and it felt nice.

I spent a lot of time with Tyson, playing with Mrs. O'Leary, but she would still howl at night when she got lonely for her old master. Annabeth and I pretty much skirted around each other. I was glad to be with her, but it also kind of hurt, and it hurt when I wasn't with her, too.

Percy expected the laughing at the teasing, probably a few snarky comments about Rachel.

None came, and as he looked around in surprise he just saw sympathy. Because he didn't have that option now with her nowhere to be seen. He had friends down here, but he still didn't have someone very important to be going through all of this with him.

I wanted to talk to her about Kronos, but I couldn't do that anymore without bringing up Luke. And that was one subject I couldn't raise. She would shut me out every time I tried.

Jason couldn't let that one go without a good laugh though. "I'm now imagining you following her around and she actually darts into random cabins or bathrooms or anywhere she can to slam a door in your face. Maybe even a window if you agitate her enough."

"You're right Jason," Percy sighed with indulgent exhaustion. "I should have cornered her in the woods, maybe used Grover and Tyson to triangle her in so she couldn't escape."

"You say that like she doesn't need an intervention," Thalia grumbled.

July passed, with fireworks on the beach on the Fourth. August turned so hot the strawberries started baking in the fields. Finally, the last day of camp arrived. The standard form letter appeared on my bed after breakfast, warning me that the cleaning harpies would devour me if I stayed past noon.

Magnus opened and closed his mouth several times like he couldn't decide if he wanted to ask how real that threat was. If he stayed and killed the harpies would he be punished or rewarded for yet another fight for his life? Would they devour him if he stayed until 12:01 or if he managed to avoid them until next summer would the ban be lifted?

He ultimately closed his mouth and decided it wasn't worth the headache.

At ten o'clock I stood on the top of Half-Blood Hill, waiting for the camp van that would take me into the city. I'd made arrangements to leave Mrs. O'Leary at camp, where Chiron promised she'd be looked after.

"Tell me you at least intend on riding her down the streets of New York once Percy," Alex looked rather betrayed such a glorious hound was being confined to one camp.

"She deserves to be on a farm where she can stretch and be happy, um, without the death metaphor," Percy shrugged.

"You can still have her for the weekend," she sighed but didn't argue the point further.

Tyson and I would take turns visiting her during the year.

I hoped Annabeth would be riding into Manhattan with me, but she only came to see me off. She said she'd arranged to stay at camp a little longer.

"I can't decide how the bus should feel about that," Jason told him with an almost straight face. "You now range from blowing them up to awkward silence when she's around."

"He's blown up more on his own in his younger years without her, I think the bus should be worried," Thalia offered.

Percy sighed and muttered something about normal friends, whatever that meant.

She would tend to Chiron until his leg was fully recovered, and keep studying Deadalus's laptop, which had engrossed her for the last two months.

"I think you should be thanking some god out there for making sure she stepped away from it," Will agreed.

"She slept with it, Malcolm has proof," Thalia agreed.

Then she would head back to her father's place in San Francisco.

"There's a private school out there that I'll be going to," she said. "I'll probably hate it, but..." she shrugged.

"Yeah, that but," Percy agreed with the same feelings of awkwardness swimming through him now. A feeling that apparently wasn't as good of a swimmer as him, as it kept coasting up and down his throat like vomit!

"Truancy, something even a child of a wisdom goddess would never break the rules for," Alex agreed tragically.

"Yeah, well, call me, okay?"

"Sure," she said half-heartedly. "I'll keep my eyes open for..."

There it was again. Luke. She couldn't even say his name without opening up a huge box of hurt and worry and anger.

"I'll get the key," Nico promised through gritted teeth.

"Maybe you could lose a few while you're at it," Will muttered. Nico seemed to have been better as of late about not keeping everything so close to the chest, but it was still something he found himself worrying about.

"Annabeth," I said. "What was the rest of the prophecy?"

She fixed her eyes on the woods in the distance, but she didn't say anything.

"You would nag Zeus himself about not finishing destroying you," Alex told him with a hint of awe in her voice.

"Seriously Perce, learn to let it go," Jason couldn't help but agree with a troubled frown. Annabeth had been through enough.

Percy didn't feel particularly ashamed though. His stubbornness paid off, and if Annabeth didn't resent him he wasn't going to let these guys make him feel guilty for getting the full picture. It had happened so rarely before meeting her.

"You shall delve in the darkness of the endless maze," I remembered. "The dead, the traitor, and the lost one raise. We raised a lot of the dead.

Magnus had a cheeky remark on his tongue for, 'who's this we,' before he paused and realized. Bianca might never have revealed herself to Nico if Percy hadn't been there. His coming along on Annabeth's quest was likely essential for that to happen. It hurt his head, a lot, to realize all over again how powerful those fates were to be able to weave together such immensely different and important things.

We saved Ethan Nakamura, who turned out to be a traitor.

A line that Annabeth had probably hoped referred to Luke all this time, Thalia thought miserably. The girl had been a hopeless optimist when it came to him, but that would imply she'd ever fully admit to Luke being a full blown traitor.

We raised the spirit of Pan, the lost one."

"Raised, and or released," Will agreed.

Jason pursed his lips rather than putting in. He kind of regretted his comment to Percy because he loved that they went over these at the end to analyze them, but he felt like he'd only be encouraging Percy.

Annabeth shook her head like she wanted me to stop.

"You shall rise or fall by the ghost king's hand," I pressed on. "That wasn't Minos, like I'd thought. It was Nico. By choosing to be on our side, he saved us.

Nico still smiled at how casually Percy acknowledged the good he'd done on this quest instead of that unfortunate period of threatening his death. Seems Will had been right, Percy really didn't go around saying a bad thing about him.

And the child of Athena's final stand—that was Daedalus."

"I'm sure Malcolm is so relieved," Percy snorted.

"Percy—"

"Destroy with a hero's final breath. That makes sense now. Daedalus died to destroy the Labyrinth.

"Which is very awesome," Alex couldn't deny. "Though I'm still mildly disappointed Annabeth didn't discover some kind of sonic blast breath or something along the way."

"She uses words as a weapon, isn't that enough?" Percy sighed.

"Whoever said words don't hurt never got hit by a dictionary," Thalia nodded in agreement. She'd gotten quite angry in her youth trying to memorize all the homonyms once and thrown it across the room where Thalia's head happened to be.

But what was the last—"

"And lose a love to worse than death." Annabeth had tears in her eyes. "That was the last line, Percy. Are you happy now?"

"No," Percy whispered, shivering for the first time in the cold depths of the ocean. He'd always known she liked him, but it didn't really hit him until now she liked liked him. Not just admired and was impressed, as Percy once was. It left a very dead feeling inside him, wondering what had stopped her from running away with Luke back when he'd tried to kill Percy. If Luke had gone to Annabeth and taken her away then, how different his life could have been without her.

The sun seemed colder than it had a moment ago. "Oh," I said. "So Luke—"

"Percy, I didn't know who the prophecy was talking about. I—I didn't know if..." She faltered helplessly.

If it meant him, Percy clearly understood that context! She'd thought him dead, she might have even thought kissing him was some final breath that had been all her fault!

He found himself scrunched up in his seat to stop himself beating at the walls. He wanted her in here! He wanted Annabeth to look him in the eyes and say she was okay with how this had all gone and mean it! It was probably selfish of him to want her to relieve this nightmare with him, but he ached for her in a new way he couldn't even begin to describe to himself. Annabeth meant so much to him, couldn't her prophecy have mentioned that!

"Luke and I—for years, he was the only one who really cared about me. I thought..."

Before she could continue, a sparkle of light appeared next to us, like someone had opened a gold curtain in the air.

Magnus finally released a breath he'd been holding for getting to jump off the topic of the creepy idea of his cousin hoping some guy twice her age would be in love with her too and instead blanched in horror if that was Kronos/ Luke about to appear from thin air and murder them all. How was it possible her life was so much more miserable and complicated than his?

"You have nothing to apologize for, my dear." Standing on the hill was a tall woman in a white dress, her dark hair braided over her shoulder.

"Oh hey," Alex said with a hint of violence already on the horizon. "She owes you an explanation!"

Percy grinned a scary sight, tapping his fingers impatiently on his leg and glowering at the book. She'd scarred the piss out of Annabeth, her advice had been in no way helpful, and he had a bad feeling already he could blame more on her soon for how miserable this quest had gone.

Jason sighed. Just what they needed, another god for Percy to piss off.

Thalia was glancing uneasily between Percy and Jason though as her own guilty thoughts got an unpleasant jumpstart. Their reaction to her showing up only reinforced in her she was doing the right thing for now, keeping her suspicions to herself. Percy was already unhappy at Hera for his own and Annabeth's past, if he found out what Thalia was considering he'd rip apart the ocean in a heartbeat just to get rid of his growing tension.

Jason, Jason just looked like he would want no part in this. He was too cautious, to content to let things slide. She enjoyed that about her little brother, it would make picking on him much easier and made him nothing like their dad, but for this it felt right to keep him where he felt safe.

"Hera," Annabeth said.

The goddess smiled. "You found the answers, as I knew you would. Your quest was a success."

"A success?" Annabeth said. "Luke is gone. Daedalus is dead. Pan is dead. How is that—"

"Our family is safe," Hera insisted.

Will couldn't help but read that in agreement. He couldn't help but share the sentiment, that the good had outweighed the bad this time. His brother had died, his camp had felt vulnerable and left him scared to sleep at night like nothing before...and yet he still had a bed. Siblings he could lean on. Not all was lost as it could have easily been. There were better paths out there, like if Hera had actually stepped in and banished all the monsters before any of her 'family' had to die, but Will honestly read that with a sense of joy in his tone that, to Percy's ears, had somehow been lacking. Hera had been stating a fact with pride, Will made Percy smile in some sense of agreement of the word family, even if not the whole pie.

"Those others are better gone, my dear. I am proud of you."

I balled my fists. I couldn't believe she was saying this. "You're the one who paid Geryon to let us through the ranch, weren't you?"

Hera shrugged. Her dress shimmered in rainbow colors.

"Taking a rainbow in vain," Alex scowled hotly for such a beautiful representation of inclusiveness being taken hostage by someone so selective.

"I wanted to speed you on your way."

Will's voice cracked, like someone had stabbed his bubble with a knife. He knew Annabeth had a beef with Hera, the whole camp knew she blamed the goddess for Percy missing. His heart broke though that Nico's journey hadn't even been considered in her wisdom? That she'd only paid for just Annabeth's group to get through and any other half-blood could suffer the consequences? That had been Hera!

"But you didn't care about Nico. You were happy to see him turned over to the Titans."

"Oh, please." Hera waved her hand dismissively. "The son of Hades said it himself. No one wants him around. He does not belong."

The pain of hearing that surprised Nico more than the actual words. His dad said it all the time, he assumed it frequently from the few interactions he'd had with these major gods, but for Hera herself to just come outright and say it made him flinch.

Which quickly morphed into admiration when he heard Will cuss. He hadn't seen that before. Sure he'd been angry in the past, but never full-blown swearing like he was doing now. His southern accent really came through too, he was twanging bad on all his i's and drawing them out to a noticeable level.

"It's, erm, not a big deal Will," Nico patted his hand again. Not one person in here looked like they even sort of agreed with Hera, instead they all looked varying levels of anxious at Will and a tad angry too and his behalf. For some reason that didn't surprise him anymore, which surprised him. "We all know that's how the gods feel about-"

"It is a big deal Nico, because she's being a mother fu-"

"Will," Alex sighed, rubbing her temples. "I agree with every word you're saying, but maybe use some other language, oh child of a poetry god."*

Will finally shut his mouth with a restrained grimace. He didn't feel nearly the amount of better as he'd have liked after venting, but Alex looked as discomforted as Nico for once, who was looking equal parts uncomfortable as usual at being so focused on, everybody watching him for his reaction, and just a tad flattered at Will so vehementily defending him; all while looking rather anxiously at the book clearly wondering how Percy had reacted to that.

So Will conceded he'd made himself plain enough while wondering what the opposite of an offering was as he muttered and searched for his place.

Thalia looked on, mildly impressed and perhaps recruiting Will on her kill Hera crusade, while Percy just felt bad the guy was finally at his level of outrage. He hadn't wanted to drag anyone else down with him.

Magnus and Jason were to busy glancing at every speck to make sure Hera wasn't going to appear and blast them all to smithereens to react properly in time.

"Hephaestus was right," I growled. "You only care about your perfect family, not real people."

Will's voice still shook with fury at just how right the god of the forge was about that apparently. When the gods were born, how much understanding did they have? Had this newborn child looked up at his mother and seen the look of disgust on her face before being pitched off a mountain?

It was an ugly truth Will had never really been confronted with until this moment. It made him sick to realize if Luke had been telling kids this kind of stuff all along and how it wasn't that unbelievable to him anymore. He'd never considered the gods perfect, but growing up in camp had always given him a sense they'd at least grown from their first depictions as the very worst they could be called today. They'd laid out a safe space for their kids to practice and grow, they had to have been evolving with the times, if slower, right?

His breath shook loose, a calming feeling as he remembered his dad helping Percy find Artemis and how awkwardly yet fervently Posideon continued to help Percy. None of them were perfect. They were distant and often harsh and more often unhelpful if they did try and tended to make their lives worse, but Hera was just a horrible exception.

Ares and Hephestus, Zeus and Posideon, he'd never really had much firsthand experience with any god except Mr. D and flip-flopped between pitty and heavy annoyance with him with minimal grudging appreciation he didn't just incinerate them all and call it a job done. Percy's adventure in detail didn't really change anything, it just gave him a heavier feeling of what he'd been fighting for than he'd gone to Manhatten with.

It sort of scared him for a moment, actually, as he frowned at the rest of the page and his skin twitched with displeasure at what he'd really just been doing. He never would have considered thinking all that before being thrown in here, let alone saying it out loud, verbosely, and only having to be stopped because someone asked him to. He'd been noting Nico's slow change with enthusiasm, but hadn't really stopped to consider his own until this moment, and it left an uncomfortable knot in him as he continued.

Her eyes turned dangerously bright. "Watch yourself, son of Poseidon. I guided you more than you know in the maze. I was at your side when you faced Geryon. I let your arrow fly straight. I sent you to Calypso's island. I opened the way to the Titan's mountain.

Nico felt his mouth open for several moments before he realized he should close it. Not since the stories of old had he heard such blatant interference, and it kind of impressed him. That Hera had gone so out of her way, unprompted, to help them every step of the way. He'd never have believed such a thing from Percy's own mouth, but to hear it from an Olympian herself was amazing. Like a real flip of the cards to reveal what her plan had been all along and strike down all foes come to life.

It was, of course, possible she'd done all that just to gloat and change history a bit in making her seem like the caring mother her title suggested she could be, Thalia's painful looking sneer proved this wasn't a popular thought, but Nico still found it extremely fascinating. He'd have never wanted such help from a god before all this, every interaction he'd had with them was laced with tension and she herself proved they wanted nothing to do with him in return...but that didn't make this less interesting to hear by a mile.

Annabeth, my dear, surely you see how I've helped. I would welcome a sacrifice for my efforts."

"Do you think anybody sacrifices to her?" Magnus had very mixed feelings about hearing this, Percy was a tad disgusted to hear a touch of pity in his voice. "I think she really did do this, like a kind of adoption?" He didn't sound that sure though. Like a theory he expected to get trashed. He even mouthed 'sorry' to Nico, not trying to disconnect from the fact she didn't do it well! Yet Annabeth's own mother didn't seem to have stepped in here, maybe Hera had really wanted to help and was just out of practice.

Percy strived to keep his voice even and not too harsh in return. "I, um, think it's a tad more selfish. It sounds like she was willing to win by any means necessary, it just happened to align with our means."

Annabeth stood still as a statue. She could've said thank you. She could've promised to throw some barbecue on the brazier for Hera and forget the whole thing.

Jason looked very queasy at all of this, for once instead of being the arguing party he understood both sides well. Juno probably did feel undervalued, with no direct link to those kids at Camp. Her temple dusty, her history rarely spoken of and if so negatively.

Yet, he had a feeling what Annabeth was about do. The same thing Percy would have done. He had almost grown used to the level of disrespect these guys so often showed to the gods, and it froze some inner part of him with dread at the mere bubble of thought, let alone what his ears were about to hear worse than anything Will could have called her.

But she clenched her jaw stubbornly. She looked just the way she had when she'd faced the Sphinx—like she wasn't going to accept an easy answer, even if it got her in serious trouble. I realized that was one of the things I liked best about Annabeth.

"Name a thing you don't like about Annabeth," Thalia rolled her eyes.

Percy opened his mouth, closed it, thought about it for a moment, and then said with confidence, "her love of olives. I tolerate them at best, but she puts them on everything!"

"Ah, the olive theory, a classic," Alex snickered while Thalia just looked at him with complete pity. Gods, boys.

"Percy is right." she turned her back on the goddess. "You're the one who doesn't belong, Queen Hera. So next time, thanks...but no thanks."

"Not really as harsh as I was expecting," Magnus admitted even as his heart tried to jump around his chest like a jackrabbit on crack no matter what he said.

"I guess that was her restrained dismissal," Alex agreed with a tad more disappointment. She'd probably wanted at least one jump scare at minimum to impress her.

"And this was the girl who warned you to be polite to Ares," Jason mumbled through numb lips, expecting her to drop dead any second honestly.

Hera's sneer was worse than an empousa's. Her form began to glow.

"That, is not great," Magnus said with a very dry mouth. Somehow Percy constantly pissing off gods felt like second nature by now, it really wasn't that great of a concern at this point since he was alive.

Where the heck was Annabeth?! Was this curse to be forced to live at the bottom of the ocean meant for her? If so, the digs seemed way to nice, though perhaps by their standards this was poverty?

"You will regret this insult, Annabeth. You will regret this very much."

I averted my eyes as the goddess turned into her true divine form and disappeared in a blaze of light.

Most of the others flinched and instinctively wanted to close their eyes, imagining a mushroom cloud in her wake after that.

Except Jason, who sat frozen in place without the good sense to do anything other than mutter, "uhoh."

Percy sighed, already knowing he'd probably have to tackle this idiot to the ground at least once in his life if he saw something cool enough to kill them all.

The hilltop was peaceful again. Over at the pine tree, Peleus the dragon dozed under the Golden Fleece as if nothing had happened.

"I'm sorry," Annabeth told me.

"She's sorry?" Percy asked meekly, a very strange expression on his face. "Where's my apology?" His tone implied none was needed though, his lips were twitching to much and he kept rubbing his thumb across them. They all figured out what that tone was and collectively decided they didn't want to hear it again.

"I—I should get back. I'll keep in touch."

"Listen, Annabeth—" I thought about Mount St. Helens, Calypso's Island, Luke and Rachel Elizabeth Dare, and how suddenly everything had gotten so complicated. I wanted to tell Annabeth that I didn't really want to be so distant from her.

Then Argus honked his horn down at the road, and I lost my chance.

"Remind me to smack an eyeball onto Argus's sense of timing," Thalia groaned. She would have personally handcuffed the two together if it would have resolved their problems already.

"Duly noted," Percy and Jason both promised, causing the others to snicker hard.

"You'd better get going," Annabeth said. "Take care, Seaweed Brain."

She jogged down the hill. I watched her until she reached the cabins. She didn't look back once.

Percy had never felt so much at once seeing her take off like a blond comet across the green fields. Her confidence in every stride, how happy he was for her she'd finally made peace with her dad and felt no need to look back.

The longing he wished she'd at least slow down, that she'd shove that tenacity of hers in his face and kiss him again when he wasn't about to die. That she'd tell him he was a Seaweed Brain and that her feelings for him were just as complicated as they were for Luke's at minimum.

Will's voice startled him out of his memory, to be dragged back here as lost and confused as ever what Annabeth would ultimately decide was best for her with no clue how to show her it could be him.

He didn't even know who to ask for advice about this. His dad was kind of out of touch at the dating thing, he'd probably just suggest Percy snap his fingers and offer to split the ocean for her or something, or ban him from talking to Annabeth if he didn't already know who she was. His mom was just way to embarrassing to even consider every time her name came up. Chiron, maybe...nope. Still to awkward. He was starting to become more convinced by the hour that lone memory he'd awoken in here with was a dream and a fortune teller was probably his best bet. Gods he was hopeless.

Two days later it was my birthday. I never advertised the date, because it always fell right after camp, so none of my camp friends could usually come, and I didn't have that many mortal friends.

"Do you, have any?" Thalia honestly tried to ask without sarcasm, but it sounded that way anyways.

"Um, I used to cat sit for this really old lady before we moved and she'd give me jelly beans when I walked her dog," Percy shrugged.

"A true bestie I'm sorry we never got to meet," Thalia chuckled.

Besides, getting older didn't seem like anything to celebrate since I'd gotten the big prophecy about me destroying or saving the world when I turned sixteen.

"There are so many themes you could do around that though!" Alex sighed. "I can think of three off the top of my head!"

"Alex can and will make a volcano explode in your apartment," Magnus sighed with full confidence.

"But I'll leave the surprise of who jumps out," she winked.

"Pass," Percy could only say hesitantly though. It sounded fun, he'd never even had a bounce house before...but hadn't it already happened? Retroactive birthday party? Maybe? If he survived another year?

Now I was turning fifteen. I was running out of time.

My mom threw me a small party at our apartment. Paul Blofis came over, but that was okay because Chiron had manipulated the Mist to convince everyone at Goode High School that I had nothing to do with the band room explosion.

"Yes!" Percy fist bumped the air with such exuberance there was yet another new crack in the ceiling. "I thought of that before but didn't know if I'd remember to tell Chiron before I left!"

"Now remember this plan for the next time," Nico chuckled.

Percy sighed at the already assured knowledge there was going to be a next time, but it had been a nice five seconds while it lasted.

Now Paul and the other witnesses were convinced that Kelli had been a crazy, firebomb-throwing cheerleader, while I had simply been an innocent bystander who'd panicked and ran from the scene. I would still be allowed to start as a freshman at Goode next month. If I wanted to keep my record of getting kicked out of school every year, I'd have to try harder.

"You say that like it was your fault," Magnus told him bracingly. "Until someone invents monster repellent, you can try all you like and get nowhere."

He meant it in a positive way, but Percy nodded as glumly as before. It was something he'd heard all his life being ADHD. He'd have to try ten times harder than the 'normal' kids and still never be on their level, which to him sounded like he really shouldn't bother trying that hard at all.

Tyson came to my party, too, and my mother baked two extra blue cakes just for him.

Percy bounced in his seat for a moment with one of the happier grins they'd seen on his face today. Annabeth couldn't or wouldn't be there, Percy didn't feel like his own birth should be celebrated, but his little brother was there. His mom had opened the door and greeted him with a Tyson worthy hug and had extra cake just for him and that was pretty much the greatest birthday present he'd want anyways.

While Tyson helped my mom blow up party balloons, Paul Blofis asked me to help him in the kitchen.

As we were pouring punch, he said, "I hear your mom signed you up for driver's ed this fall."

"Would Percy's bus explosion problem translate to cars?" Alex asked eagerly.

"Gods I hope not," Percy sighed.

"I'm not sure I get the stereotype about New Yorkers and driving," Magnus admitted. "You have to walk everywhere because the streets are horrible, but if everybody walks or takes the subway why are the streets so bad?"

"We're fearless about any obstacle but are to impatient," Percy grinned.

Magnus might as well have asked him to spell out those Canadian monsters names again for all the light that provided on the subject.

"Yeah. It's cool. I can't wait."

Seriously, I'd been excited about getting my license forever,

"Pretty sure that's something we look forward to from the time we're born," Will said wistfully. He'd spent the whole day of his sixteenth birthday on the chariot track, imagining it as his dad's sun-mobile. He'd spent the previous week painting it bright red and everything and, according to his own imagination, won every Indie 500 Race that day.

Only to have several of his siblings show up and hog the races the rest of the day from the rest of camp to make that a reality. Kayla had even painted brands and logos on some of them for authenticity while Micheal and Lee somehow always had the dastardly bad luck of fumbling the finish so Will could sail through.

It really had been a good day, and only a tad bittersweet at the end as he sat on the roof of his cabin watching the sun go down, his prayer unanswered of hoping his dad would just make an appearance, let alone let him touch the sun. Austin had assured him that night as he flopped into bed they'd all made that wish and Apollo hadn't answered in centries for any of his kids, just another day.

but I guess my heart wasn't in it anymore, and Paul could tell. In a weird way he reminded me of Chiron sometimes, how he could look at you and actually see your thoughts.

Will realized his thoughts had drifted him into a melancholy mood, and trying to jump right back out, he offered, "hey, did you know Chiron will help kids at camp get their license if they want to. He does something with the mist, gives them papers if they need it, but they still have to pass on their own merit," he finished with a grin at remembering Connor nearly drove his practice car into a jewelry store and still insisted it was an accident. It probably was an accident, but it was still funny too.

"I was actually wondering about that for a second," Magnus told him gratefully. He knew he was out of luck on that front and would likely remain homeless forever because of it, but for once this Camp finally had a solid, irrefutably good thing he might be able to look into.

 I guess it was that teacher aura.

"Is the dark turn Paul's been a secret FBI agent all along infiltrating the school," she paused with a wild gasp, "or your family! And he reveals the secret conspiracy of hauling you all away to Area 51!"

"Alex," Percy sighed with a good-hearted grin. "You are going to be excellent at whatever you decide your life is."

"Living that dream," she smirked.

"You've had a rough summer," he said. "I'm guessing you lost someone important. And...girl trouble?"

"I guess we know who the problem child is, the ones the parents gossip about," Thalia did a pretty good impression of an ornery older sister to Percy's ears while he flushed and muttered a bit about how he wasn't surprised this had come up with his mom.

I stared at him. "How do you know that? Did my mom—"

He held up his hands. "Your mom hasn't said a thing.

"Oh," Thalia sounded as stunned as anybody while Percy went from shocked to pleased the fastest. Percy had never really missed his life as a mortal, he'd spent to much of his younger years being the odd kid out to even know what that felt like but at this moment he knew that if Paul was the dad in his life that he didn't have to be, things would have still turned out all right for him.

And I won't pry. I just know there's something unusual about you, Percy. You've got a lot going on that I can't figure. But I was also fifteen once, and I'm just guessing from your expression...Well, you've had a rough time."

I nodded. I'd promised my mom I would tell Paul the truth about me, but now didn't seem the time. Not yet.

"Save that for his birthday," Jason chuckled, "see how long he thinks you're pranking him and asking for his real present before it sinks in."

"Well I know who I'm scratching off my next guest list," Percy rolled his eyes.

"I was on the list?" Jason looked surprised, which Percy hoped was a joke. Obviously everybody in here was.

"I lost a couple of friends at this camp I go to," I said. "I mean, not close friends, but still—"

Will looked touched all the same Percy didn't go back to his home and try to forget it even happened. Maybe the next time there was a war council meeting and Lee wasn't at the table Percy wouldn't just blink and breeze right past it like it had entirely left his mind.

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah. And, uh, I guess the girl stuff..."

Percy had never been the greatest with his words. He had no more clue what to say to Paul than to Annabeth herself, how to get started on her and Rachel and Luke and the constant question mark bouncing around in his head. It wasn't because of Paul though. He'd stood there waiting patiently the entire time as he'd gathered his useless thoughts and then scraped them at least five times.

"Here." Paul handed me some punch. "To your fifteenth birthday. And to a better year to come."

We tapped our paper cups together and drank.

Percy couldn't have asked for a better toast. Any year had to be better than the one he'd just had. Right?

"Percy, I kind of feel bad giving you one more thing to think about," Paul said. "But I wanted to ask you something."

"He asks you if you're a half-blood?" Thalia asked, because really, it had to be something with Paul. Maybe he could see through the Mist too and never knew how to say it before he saw Kelli.

"Is he going to ask what he should have gotten you for your birthday?" Will asked, imagining he'd gotten Percy, like, a black puppy that turned out to be a hellhound too or something and that was the 'dark turn.'

"Is he going to ask to move in already?" Magnus asked, no clue how fast these things were supposed to go, but it felt like 'a step,' worthy of including Percy.

"What is the capital of Bulgaria?" Alex chuckled.

"Yeah?"

"Girl stuff."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Oh gods," Jason's mind started spinning like a guinea pig. "He's not going to ask you what he should get your mom for her birthday?" 

"Sounds, um, kind of nice?" Nico offered. Percy obviously got along with Paul, maybe Paul was looking for a way to spend more time with him.

"Your mom," Paul said. "I'm thinking about proposing to her."

"Oooh," all seven of them said with the same blank look. That was, so beyond the scope of their understanding honestly, they barely knew how to react to that other than nonplussed, maybe a little mild pleasure. None of the others really had a great enough relationship with their own mortal parent to process entirely what was being said.

I almost dropped my cup. "You mean...marrying her? You and her?"

"Sally and Paul, sitting in a tree," Thalia burst out singing with surprised laughter.

Percy came out of his dumbfounded state enough to react to that and give her a shove. He was happy for them, a hundred percent. Really, it wouldn't even be that weird, the guy was over all the time anyways. He just didn't even know how to process something like this because it didn't involve stabbing something.

"Well, that was the genera idea. Would that be okay with you?"

"You're asking my permission?"

Paul scratched his beard. "I don't know if it's permission, so much, but she's your mother. And I know you're going through a lot. I wouldn't feel right if I didn't talk to you about it first, man to man."

"Man to man," I repeated.

Percy had never been called anything more than his mom's little man before. He found himself sitting up straight in his beanbag chair, smiling with a new kind of pride.

It sounded strange, saying that. I thought about Paul and my mom, how she smiled and laughed more whenever he was around, and how Paul had gone out of his way to get me into high school. I found myself saying, "I think that's a great idea, Paul. Go for it."

It had felt like the obvious answer the moment he'd said it. Paul had looked him right in the eye while asking, despite their height difference. He was always there for his mom, he'd never made her cry. Percy didn't even know what else people needed to be in a marriage, but he already knew it would be better than what she'd had before.

He smiled really wide then. "Cheers, Percy. Let's join the party."

Percy had followed him with a strut in his step he'd never had before. His imagination had already been going wild, asking Paul to help him put on those weird monkey suits he'd only seen on TV. Would Paul ask Percy to call him dad? How upset would he be if Percy never wanted to?

But his mom...those seemed like minor problems when he could already feel the happiness through a kind of faith alone he'd never had for the gods that she was never going to stop smiling after this day.

I was just getting ready to blow out the candles when the doorbell rang.

"Did you make a wish?" Thalia asked with interest. The only time she'd ever managed to sit down for one of her birthdays was over a trashcan fire with Luke and Annabeth. They'd found some lumpy, frozen chocolate that had clearly all once melted together and were chipping it away, the two teasing her not to blow out their 'candle' that was keeping them warm, and she'd only promised her wish would be it never did. Other than that experience, she had no clue what someone would wish for.

"Yeah," Percy grinned without elaborating. It had just been a feeling really, of hope, that everything would be okay. He'd bottled it up tight and been about to exhale it onto that candle as a kind of offering all its own to the cosmos when that knock had interrupted him. He tried not to frown at that being some kind of bad omen.

My mom frowned. "Who could that be?"

It was weird, because our new building had a doorman, but he hadn't called up or anything. My mom opened the door and gasped.

It was my dad.

Percy had instantly felt zapped, shrunk back down to twelve years old again and seeing him for the first time on Olympus. He'd wanted to load him into a taxi and have some fairy tale ending. Instead, he'd told Percy he regretted him being born.

He was wearing Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt and Birkenstocks, like he usually does. His black beard was neatly trimmed and his sea-green eyes twinkled. He wore a battered cap decorated with fishing lures. It said NEPTUNE'S LUCKY FISHING HAT.

"Pos—" My mother stopped herself.

"What kind of fake name could she have even given?" Alex asked in amusement. "Pos, pause, pus," she kept trying to enunciate that into something and looked increasingly frustrated coming up with nothing. "Posterior? Pustrami? Pussudinym? Postumus? Possible? Positive, Pustual, Potter, Pos-"

"Posey?" Percy offered. That was a flower, and a girl's name, right? Then he went crosseyed as he realized what he just suggested his dad should go by for any length of time.

"Yes! Great one Percy!" Alex cackled in delight.

"I think we could go through every religion to find his alter ego and he'd still rather just go by his own name," Will finally interrupted the madness with a laugh.

She was blushing right to the roots of her hair. "Um, hello."

"Hello, Sally," Poseidon said. "You look as beautiful as ever. May I come in?"

"Can you say no to that?" Magnus stage whispered.

"I wouldn't want to try," Percy shrugged though because it was his dad, not in general.

My mother made a squeaking sound that might've been either a "Yes" or "Help." Poseidon took it as a yes and came in.

Percy shook his head at the six of them getting a good laugh out of that, Thalia of course escalating it by giving him a hearty clap on the shoulder and saying, "well, now we know where you got that from too."

"I don't squeak," he finished with a long, exhausted sigh knowing he couldn't really deny any such thing.

Paul was looking back and forth between us, trying to read our expressions.

Jason nodded in understanding. Some random guy showing up probably had Paul instinctively worried about Gabe showing up, if Sally had shared anything about him at all.

Finally he stepped forward. "Hi, I'm Paul Blofis."

Magnus crinkled up his nose in disgust at the idea of a creepy, three-eyed monkey coming to mind who always introduced himself like that at the end of those old cartoons. He'd really hated that thing. It had nothing to do with Paul, it was just a bad name association.

Poseidon raised his eyebrows as they shook hands. "Blowfish, did you say?"

"Ah, no. Blofis, actually."

"Oh, I see," Poseidon said. "A shame. I quite like blowfish.

"Poseidon's favorite son confirmed," Will snorted.

"At least it's not Antaeus," Percy shrugged.

I am Poseidon."

"I kind of like that better," Alex said. "Just come right out with it, why hide?"

"I think we just heard Alex's life motto," Nico grinned.

"Poseidon? That's an interesting name."

"Yes, I like it. I've gone by other names, but I do prefer Poseidon."

"Like the god of the sea."

"Very much like that, yes."

"Well!" my mom interrupted.

"I have never thought of your mom as a killjoy before this moment," Thalia admitted. "Even when she's being boring and safe and loving, telling you not to die and be careful and all that nonsense. This, this I would have paid to see how long your dad would go on like this."

"She's a little stressed," Percy shrugged, "and she gets a free pass."

"She gets all the free passes," Thalia nodded in agreement.

"Um, we're so glad you could drop by. Paul, this is Percy's father."

"Ah." Paul nodded, though he didn't look real pleased. "I see."

"Oooh, jealousy," Alex snickered in surprise.

"I'm guessing Paul's not his biggest fan," Percy agreed, confusion mixed into every syllable of how he felt about this. "My mom always made sure I knew my dad didn't abandon me, but you know, I was a little kid. I don't think Pual would have taken to that lost at sea thing. He probably wants to speak to him man to man too," he finished with an awkward smile he'd definitely have to be a part of that conversation to make sure nobody got turned into blowfishes.

Poseidon smiled at me. "There you are, my boy. And Tyson, hello, son!"

"Daddy!" Tyson bounded across the room and gave Poseidon a big hug, which almost knocked off his fishing hat.

"Naww," Magnus smiled in surprise.

"It was that or Tyson was going to burst into tears of joy or something," Percy grinned in relief at this choice.

Paul's jaw dropped. He stared at my mom. "Tyson is..."

"Not mine," she promised.

"Legally," Percy mock whispered, using air quotes and everything.

"It's a long story."

"I couldn't miss Percy's fifteenth birthday," Poseidon said. "Why, if this were Sparta, Percy would be a man today!"

"That's true," Paul said. "I used to teach ancient history."

Poseidon's eyes twinkled. "That's me. Ancient history.

"Have the gods written a memoir?" Jason asked with a false amusement meant to hide his instant need for such a thing. "An autobiography? A manuscript? A rough draft I could steal?"

"Jason, that last one could count as high treason, worse than stealing the bolt," Percy told him with wide-eyed concern that wasn't really mocking.

Jason laughed like he was kidding, but even to his own ears he knew he didn't convince anyone.

Sally, Paul, Tyson...would you mind if I borrowed Percy for a moment?"

He put his arm around me and steered me into the kitchen.

Once we were alone, his smile faded.

Percy sighed as that chapter title came true, again. He wished they wouldn't even be there to kill his blue skies, always looming over whatever nice moment he'd been having. Like storm clouds rolling in and chasing everyone off the beach. His dad hadn't done it on purpose he was sure, it had just instantly killed his mood.

"Are you all right, my boy?"

That immediately felt like the storm running out of rain though as Percy smiled. Chiron had called him that many times, but it had never hit as hard as that did.

"Yeah. I'm fine. I guess."

"I guess," Thalia nodded without surprise. "You know Percy, you don't have to guess every question you're given."

"I'm right like, fifty percent of the time," Percy shrugged.

"I call bullsit on that number," Jason scoffed.

"And I'm to bad at math to do the actual percentage," Percy scoffed right back.

"I heard stories," Poseidon said. "But I wanted to hear it directly from you. Tell me everything."

"See, this is why they invented cellphones though, to avoid awkward moments like this," Magnus said with a twitchy feeling in his gut. The gods popped up at any old place now, yeah been there done that, but something about Poseidon being in Percy's apartment was giving him a feeling of anxiety. Ever since Gabe had left, Percy had always felt safe there, and though his dad was clearly no threat to him, it felt invasive. Like he could hear howls in the distance...

So I did. It was kind of disconcerting, because Poseidon listened so intently. His eyes never left my face. His expression didn't change the whole time I talked. When I was done, he nodded slowly.

"I cannot say I've ever had a god's undivided attention before," Will said with a touch of awe. When Annabeth had done it, he'd been infuriated beyond words. Now his mind felt overflown with jealousy at Percy getting the same from his dad. It really did feel like all or nothing for the Olympians sometimes.

"So Kronos is indeed back. It will not be long before full war is upon us."

"As opposed to the minor battles you've been dealing with," Nico sighed.

"What is war if not just for a bunch of little battles," Thalia agreed.

"Violent," Alex offered.

"Profitable," Percy raised his hand for something he actually remembered from a class.

"You two think you're so clever," Thalia scoffed.

"What about Luke?" I asked. "Is he really gone?"

"I don't know, Percy. It is most disturbing."

"But his body is mortal. Couldn't you just destroy him?"

"We've been asking that since he summoned a scorpion and tore a rip in the air with a sword," Magnus said, and by we he clearly meant himself.

"Mortal, perhaps, but there is something different about Luke, my boy. I don't know how he was prepared to host the Titan's soul, but he will not be easily killed. And yet, I fear he must be killed if we are to send Kronos back to the pit. I will have to think on this. Unfortunately, I have other problems of my own."

"That, was the best summary of the gods, and I didn't even have to Sparknotes it," Nico sighed. Yeah, your problem sucked, but I'm busy with other things!

I remembered what Tyson had told me at the beginning of the summer. "The old sea gods?"

"I wonder if Oceanus is listening in on us and muttering about how his strategies still would have worked," Thalia said with interest. She wished he wasn't such a reclusive old nut, she'd have liked the chance to hear the perspective of an old Titan.

"More likely he'd forget our names every other minute and be whining about how the Olympians run things," Percy rolled his eyes.

"Back in my day we squashed puny mortals on their birthday!" Alex even gave a helpful old man impression again to prove Percy's point, earning a grin from said child of the sea.

"Tethy's didn't seem that bad," Jason was clearly on Thalia's side with a hopeful smile at the door.

"So long as she keeps that thermometer away from me," Percy insisted.

"Indeed. The battle came first to me, Percy. In fact, I cannot stay long. Even now the ocean is at war with itself. It is all I can do to keep hurricanes and typhoons from destroying your surface world, the fighting is so intense."

His dad had been stroking his beard the whole time, a nervous tick Percy had never seen him do before. He didn't have his triton on him, also a first. Poseidon had seemed more human in that kitchen than Percy realized he even could be. Like that delirious moment of him just waltzing back into his mom's life and snapping his fingers to make everything perfect was possible for just this second.

And then what he'd said really sunk in. That his dad, in all his godly power, was already exhausted and torn in half by a war long before Zeus even admitted one was happening. His father, like any of the gods, was far from perfect.

"Let me come down there," I said. "Let me help."

"The summer camp I'm honestly surprised you haven't attended yet," Alex agreed.

"Not for lack of trying!" Percy groaned.

Poseidon's eyes crinkled as he smiled. "Not yet, my boy.

"Yet," Percy sighed, though when he did try and search through his mind to get a glimpse for that feeling, it hurt. A trace of pain lancing through him he had no wish to play connect the dots with in the slightest.

I sense you will be needed here. Which reminds me..." He brought out a sand dollar and pressed it into my hand. "Your birthday present. Spend it wisely."

"Is, that a joke?" Jason asked slowly.

"Um, spoiler, I didn't laugh," Percy promised if it was.

"Uh, spend a sand dollar?"

"Oh, yes. In my day, you could buy quite a lot with a sand dollar.

"Could probably buy a whole sand mansion or something back in his day," Nico snorted.

"Wasn't he kind of born owning the ocean?" Magnus asked. "How rich is he from just all the treasure in the seas?"

"More immeasurable than his already infinite power I'm sure," Percy sighed at them missing the point, as usual.

I think you will find it still buys a lot, if used in the right situation."

"What situation?"

"When the time comes," Poseidon said, "I think you'll know."

Percy sighed at the strange feeling that gave him. Like he knew his dad was right, and it wasn't even particularly painful like the last time he'd just tried to understand this cryptic advice, but it was still as exhausting as wondering whose string those old ladies had cut. Better than sending him another card though.

I closed my hand around the sand dollar, but something was really bothering me.

"Only one something?" Jason sighed. "Because I'm over here losing track of all my somethings."

"I prioritize better," Percy smirked.

"You forget more," Thalia rolled her eyes.

"Dad," I said, "when I was in the maze, I met Antaeus. He said...well, he said he was your favorite son. He decorated his arena with skulls and—"

It had been a really horrible moment in a vast, never-ending sequence of horrible moments down in that maze. Nobody was surprised this one had stuck with Percy.

It was nice he got the chance to air it for once. That Poseidon had a chance to answer for why he'd never stepped in and told Antaeus to knock it off with the murdery entertainment.

"He dedicated them to me," Poseidon supplied. "And you are wondering how someone could do something so horrible in my name."

I nodded uncomfortably.

Poseidon put his weathered hand on my shoulder. "Percy, lesser beings do many horrible things in the name of the gods. That does not mean we gods approve. The way our sons and daughters act in our names...well, it usually says more about them than it does about us. And you, Percy, are my favorite son."

Percy smiled to bright for them to do anything other than smile along, the answer had clearly meant a lot to him that they weren't going to badger for more.

Yet it felt more like a redirect than an answer.

He smiled, and at that moment, just being in the kitchen with him was the best birthday present I ever got. Then my mom called from the living room.

"Percy? The candles are melting!"

"You'd better go," Poseidon said. "But, Percy, one last thing you should know. That incident at Mount St. Helens..."

For a second I thought he was talking about Annabeth kissing me, and I blushed, but then I realized he was talking about something a lot bigger.

"There was something bigger that happened?" Alex said in an oh so innocent impression of Percy's voice.

Percy gave her an eye roll for that, a blush on his cheeks but sinking lower in his seat all the same for what he'd done.

"The eruptions are continuing," he said. "Typhon is stirring. It is very likely that soon, in a few months, perhaps a year at best, he will escape his bonds."

"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean—"

Poseidon raised his hand. "It is not your fault, Percy. It would've happened sooner or later, with Kronos awakening the ancient monsters.

Percy couldn't believe the weight that was lifted off of him, like taking a much needed breath of air. He did still feel the responsibility of that on his shoulders, but for his own dad to assure him it wasn't his fault was unbelievable when he knew best the gods would try and blame this kind of mistake on the easiest target available.

But be aware, if Typhon stirs...it will be unlike anything you have faced before. The first time he appeared, all the forces of Olympus were barely enough to battle him. And when he stirs again, he will come here, to New York. He will make straight for Olympus."

"Oh, so it's not just my birthday that took a dark turn," Percy sighed. "It's the whole stinking continent that's soon going to be covered in ash and blotting out the sun getting a dark turn."

Thalia gave his shoulder a gentle shake and her usual spiel about not freaking out to early while Nico batted his eyes at Percy in surprise. He'd been so sure that stupid thing related to him, that he'd hear Percy's uncomfortable thoughts about inviting him inside to darken his apartment. Percy's wasn't exactly a great interpretation, but it certainly was different than his.

That was just the kind of wonderful news I wanted to get on my birthday, but Poseidon patted me on the back like everything was fine. "I should go. Enjoy your cake."

And just like that he turned to mist and was swept out the window on a warm ocean breeze.

Alex chuckled for a moment before telling Nico, "you still have the best calling card in this one by the way, but Poseidon does get points for spirit on that."

Nico swelled with pride he was being compared to some god other than his dad to care what those points were worth.

It took a little work to convince Paul that Poseidon had left via the fire escape, but since people can't vanish into thin air, he had no choice but to believe it.

"I feel so bad for Paul," Magnus chuckled as he rubbed his temple. "Knowing the answer you're given isn't the truth but feeling crazy there's no other answer."

"Yeah," Percy agreed with a sorrowful nod. He'd felt awful lying to Paul after the awesome talk they'd just had and resolved in himself to tell him the truth sooner rather than later. He hoped he'd managed to do that before this whole disappearing off the face of the earth thing he'd apparently done so his mom had someone to really confide in about her worries.

We ate blue cake and ice cream until we couldn't eat anymore. Then we played a bunch of cheesy party games like charades and Monopoly. Tyson didn't get charades. He kept shouting out the answer he was trying to mime,

"Which is lucky for you because he would have kicked all of your butts being such an awesome artist," Alex grinned.

"I call him on my team!" Jason instantly yelped.

"Hey, no dibs before we even set up our own game night," Alex narrowed her eyes with a menace none of them were sure was entirely playful.

"Got to be faster Alex, sorry," Jason just shrugged smugly.

Thalia loudly cleared her throat to move that on before she had to restrain the two.

but it turned out he was really good at Monopoly. He knocked me out of the game in the first five rounds and started bankrupting my mom and Paul.

"I see Tyson really got all of Poseidon's good traits," Magnus laughed in surprise.

"I call him on my Monopoly team," Alex said swiftly.

Jason sighed in defeat they would switch it up between games and gave in.

"How do you play Monopoly in teams?" Percy asked.

"By making shit up I'm sure," Thalia shrugged at the amount of chaos that was going to happen when this night happened.

I left them playing and went into my bedroom.

"Aw Perce, don't tell me you're a sore loser," Will frowned.

"More like I was getting a headache watching their money move hands so fast," Percy grinned.

I set an uneaten slice of blue cake on my dresser.

Nico smiled in surprise that finally explained why, when he'd materialized, he'd heard shouting in the background like there had been a gameshow on when the TV was off as he'd come in. He'd thought he had shut it off or something crazy when he'd come in with his weird powers and aura and they'd fallen silent upon seeing him. Turned out it was a much more fun, and mundane reason.

Then I took off my Camp Half-Blood necklace and laid it on the windowsill. There were three beads now, representing my three summers at camp—a trident, the Golden Fleece, and the latest: an intricate maze, symbolizing the Battle of the Labyrinth, as the campers had started to call it. I wondered what next year's bead would be, if I was still around to get it. If the camp survived until next summer.

Percy did have another bead on there, of course, and he clasped his fist around the lot now, his throat as tight with worry as ever what had happened between all that. He felt like the best-case scenario was he'd come out alive, but the more realistic possibility was he'd just gone nuts and molded one for himself in a mock victory from his grave or something before being plopped in here.

I looked at the phone by my bedside. I thought about calling Rachel Elizabeth Dare. My mom had asked me if there was anyone else I wanted to have over tonight, and I'd thought about Rachel. But I didn't call. I don't know why. The idea made me almost as nervous as a door into the Labyrinth.

Thalia sighed with guilty relief he hadn't. It would have just been awkward if Annabeth found out about that...and yet she knew from Annabeth Percy had spent a large chunk of time coming up hanging out with Rachel so she was a tad surprised that hadn't started here.

I patted my pockets and emptied out my stuff—Riptide, a Kleenex, my apartment key.

"You kept up with that this whole time," Will asked in complete disbelief. "I need the brightest rainbow lanyard I can find to keep up with my key to my cabin because I keep losing the dang thing and my siblings started locking me out after the seventh time."

"I never lock my cabin door," Percy said blankly.

"You scare kids to much to sneak in there," Thalia scoffed.

"I want to know how and why you got a kleenex," Alex snorted. "And, more importantly, why you didn't offer that to Annabeth when she was sobbing her nose out."

Percy's heart froze and his mind scrambled as he suddenly found himself asking the same thing before Magnus jumped in saying, "probably pocketed it from that meal with Hera, I wouldn't trust that thing not to be poisoned anymore. Grover's probably just immune to such things."

Which didn't make Percy feel better, but did make him laugh for a moment along with the others.

Then I patted my shirt pocket and felt a small lump. I hadn't even realized it, but I was wearing the white cotton shirt Calypso had given me on Ogygia.

"I bet Annabeth loved that," Jason muttered, imagining she'd hardly looked at him the entire time because of the reminder.

Percy had been amazed it held up so well, covered in dirt, mud, and other unmentionable things he was sure. She was probably more amazing with a loom than Circe for giving him clothes he hadn't lost and or torn to shreds.

I brought out a little piece of cloth, unwrapped it, and found the clipping of moonlace. It was a tiny sprig, shriveled up after two months, but I could still smell the faint scent of the enchanted garden. It made me sad.

Percy touched where the little pocket had been over his heart, of course no longer there on his camp shirt. He had done the impossible, he had forgotten about Calypso even for a brief time in all the other madness that went on when he came home. Now it was Annabeth, Rachel, and Calypso all bouncing around in his head like a screen saver all fighting for his attention as his fingers tightened in his shirt before he dropped his hand back to his lap and sighed.

What the hell had Hera meant by it, sending him to her island? Had it been a warning, that all the Titans had faced punishment and Percy had better remember which side he belonged on? Had it been her deranged way of helping, giving him a chance to heal there, a place she knew he'd never stay on?

All he did know was that, like all help with the gods, it felt more harmful than good really. From now on, only his dad was allowed to send him off on vacations, and that was a spotty vow considering he wasn't sure what the outcome of this place was going to be yet.

I remembered Calypso's last request of me: Plant a garden in Manhattan for me, will you? I opened the window and stepped onto the fire escape.

My mom kept a planter box out there. In the spring she usually filled it with flowers, but now it was all dirt, waiting for something new. It was a clear night. The moon was full over Eighty-second Street. I planted the dried sprig of moonlace carefully in the dirt and sprinkled a little nectar on it from my camp canteen.

Nothing happened at first.

Then, as I watched, a tiny silver plant sprang out of the soil—a baby moonlace, growing in the warm summer night.

"I'm surprised Grover didn't sniff that out and eat it," Alex broke the heavy tension falling around them. "I honestly expected this to be mentioned back at camp as an invasive species and D would rip it up and threaten to strangle you with it."

"My brain works in mysterious ways," Percy grinned, a sad but meaningful one to help take his mind off all the bad. "That's probably why it waited until just now, weeks later, for me to ever think of cleaning out my pockets."

"Mmm, yes, mysterious," Alex laughed, because she said mysterious like one would their least favorite kind of cheese.

"Nice plant," a voice said.

I jumped. Nico di Angelo was standing on the fire escape right next to me.

"Nico's back!" Will yelped in surprise. For once he hadn't been tensing up beside him, fidgeting and internally freaking out about this happening, so Will had not a hint of warning any more than anybody else.

"I've been here the whole time you nit," Nico rolled his eyes with a smile.

Will's arm pulled him just another tiny little bit closer as he just laughed in surprise and kept going like the whole room was a bit brighter all of a sudden, making Nico blush and for the first time think of pushing him away making this 'a thing.' It was just a fleeting thought though, one he didn't act on.

Will didn't find it hard to explain to himself why he was so jazzed for this news. It was the very first instance of Nico reaching out to anybody, especially the most perfect person on the planet being Percy with his mom right on the other side of that door. For Nico to get a glimpse of how he should be greeted any time he entered a room.

"Is anybody going to ask how?" Percy yelped loudly, rudely interrupting Will's joyful reading as he stared strangely at Nico. "You appeared out of nowhere dude!"

"Practice," Nico said with pride in his voice, which of course, was no answer.

Percy groaned, Chiron and Thalia were known to do that too so it wasn't just the gods being cryptic and annoying, they were passing it on!

Nico really did give him a sorrowful smile though and pressed his finger to his lips, his skull ring gleaming. They had shadow-traveled a lot in the coming time, and he didn't want to upset Percy now when he saw the last page in Will's hand. They were nearly done with another, no need to go pushing Percy's mind to its limit when he'd get his answer without Nico forcing it on him soon enough.

He'd just appeared there.

"Sorry," he said. "Didn't mean to startle you."

"That's—that's okay. I mean...what are you doing here?"

Nico inhaled carefully, letting his mind think of that with interest now rather than the little happy dance he'd been doing in his head Percy's first reaction back then hadn't been pushing him off the fire escape in surprise. Now he really heard this for what it was. Not the blatant acceptance he so craved, just Percy reacting to him somehow even better than he had Rachel popping up in his mortal life. It was surprisingly a nicer, warmer feeling than his old feeling he had to keep off any part of his face.

He'd grown about an inch taller over the last couple of months. His hair was a shaggy black mess. He wore a black T-shirt, black jeans, and a new silver ring shaped like a skull. His Stygian iron sword hung at his side.

"An outfit you apparently never changed out of," Jason chuckled in surprise.

"I bet he has a closet full of the same outfit," Alex sighed tragically.

"I like this color," he kept the childish note out of his voice almost well enough. He should get used to defending his odd choices now if he was going to go to camp and hear this over and over...then he was surprised how easily that thought had come to mind. Tartarus had gone to far from his plans, he realized as a cold feeling swept him.

Will's hand curled gently around his arm, a warm pulse radiating from his palm that gave Nico a chance to exhale and focus on this.

"I've done some exploring," he said.

"A common day pirate," Will smiled in delight. "A vassst yee, I shall be tied down to no land!"

"See, now you're getting it," Nico's eyes shimmered with delight at the goofy impression.

"Even pirates need a secret cove to bury all their treasure," Will reminded hopefully. If that's all camp could be to him, a way station of safety, it would feel like enough so long as he'd always feel free to use it.

"Hmm, I'm not much of an artist Will, I'll have to work on getting a map together," Nico couldn't help the glib comment, the wishy-washy response. Despite how comfortable he felt under Will's arm, it was the longest, most permanent feeling he'd ever had in his life up to this point. Something so solid, even more permanent like Will kept wanting still sounded like to much for him to wrap his mind around right now.

"That's okay, I know a good one. X marks the spot and all that," he grinned all the same. He'd still carve that on Thalia's old tree when he got back and knew Nico at least would get the reference.

 "Thought you'd like to know, Daedalus got his punishment."

Will's voice somehow sparked with even more joy getting to read this so soon. He really had wanted to know his fate, and Alex was right there with him, leaning forward eagerly in her seat, her teeth sunk into her lip as she wavered back in forth in her head how harsh she wanted to hear this being.

"You saw him?"

Nico nodded. "Minos wanted to boil him in cheese fondue for an eternity, but my father had other ideas.

Nico had been surprised when he'd showed up in his courtroom he hadn't even needed to step in and offer anything for this. Daedalus had been such a notoriously lost soul for so long Hades had already taken an interest, and swift execution before Nico had even woken up.

Hades had laughed to himself about the cheese fondue idea and even filed it away for later though. As far as Nico knew, Minos was still on his seat at the judge's table, so he hadn't exactly been as punished as Nico would have liked, but hey, you win some you lose some.

Daedalus will be building overpasses and exit ramps in Asphodel for all time. It'll help ease the traffic congestion. Truthfully, I think the old guy is pretty happy with that. He's still building. Still creating. And he gets to see his son and Perdix on the weekends."

It was just the perfect kind of Greek ending really. Quintus, Daeadlus the fifth's body, had had a very long road, and his punishment was to continue making them. It was no reward, but really, it was no great punishment. Hades seemed to have found a stroke of balance in his domain that all wished for really, a kind of medium eternal life after his grand adventure that rocked to many boats.

"That's good."

Nico tapped at his silver ring. "But that's not the real reason I've come. I've found out some things. I want to make you an offer."

"What?"

Percy hadn't squinted suspiciously at him or anything, he hadn't gone for his sword or jumped back in and slammed the window in his face. He hadn't exactly jumped to his feet with delight either and hugged him for finding all this out, so, that had been the highlight of Nico's month.

"The way to beat Luke," he said. "If I'm right, it's the only way you'll stand a chance."

I took a deep breath. "Okay. I'm listening."

Will's voice was so happy as he read that, his pupils kept wanting to jump away from the text to glance at the two with such bright eyes. This, this had been what he'd been hoping for Nico for so long, ever since he'd vanished after the Titan War. He already knew Percy and Nico made an awesome team, the two working together had been the saving strategy and the reason they were probably all alive today. Why did Nico constantly think he wasn't accepted again when Percy had been open and amenable from the start to his plan?!

Nico glanced inside my room. His eyebrows furrowed. "Is that...is that blue birthday cake?"

It had been the strangest feeling, Nico shook his head at himself. He'd been glancing around for an enemy, someone eavesdropping. Instead he'd seen the brightest splash of color, a blue swirl patterned cake with sprinkles. The exact kind of thing Bianca would have smacked his hand for reaching for, telling him he'd get a cavity just looking at that thing.

He sounded hungry, maybe a little wistful. I wondered if the poor kid had ever had a birthday party, or if he'd ever even been invited to one.

No, and no, Nico pursed his lips together rather than answer. Will, thankfully, read right over the moment without waiting for an answer, bless him. Nico still considered himself a no on both too, because he hadn't been 'invited' to this party. He'd gate crashed.

"Come inside for some cake and ice cream," I said. "It sounds like we've got a lot to talk about."

"Everything Percy brags about his mom's cooking is true by the way," Nico said swiftly before anybody could ask questions they weren't going to get an answer to. "It was, the best cake, I've ever had." He smacked his lips in appreciation at just the thought. It had been the most solid food he'd had in months and he was pretty sure his ambrosia had switched to tasting like that for a while.

"We'll get her her own cookbook, or a TV network show or something," Jason laughed.

Percy had a lot more questions buzzing around his mind about how that night would have continued. He opened his mouth with at least three trying to all bunch together, but all that came out was a very rude yawn.

"The question now is, do we take a break or just start the next one?" Thalia asked, stretching and jumping to her feet all the same.

"A break, definitely," Percy pleaded at once. "Hell, can I take a nap, since the days all out of whack anyways and we start the next one tomorrow."

"Nap yes," Thalia told him not unkindly, "but I am waking you back up to at least start on the next one! We'll be in here for twenty years if you sleep to your heart's content Rip Van Winkle!"

Percy nodded and then, actually just slumped over, right there in his chair. It would have been a tad concerning if he hadn't started drooling only moments later.

Nico expected Will to jump up and join the others as they all started talking quietly, stretching and going off to eat, but instead he stayed in place, hugging the black book tight to his chest and smiling at it still. Nico still thought him nuts, but a very charming kind. Nuts and berries.

Something had been nagging at the back of his mind though. A pessimistic idea that wouldn't leave him, an observation about Will always being so happy and optimistic at the idea of Nico being at camp. "Did you kiss me because you want me to stay at Camp?" Nico asked, his stomach in painful knots that the answer was going to be yes and how much he should care about that and how much it would make a difference. Maybe Will did just want something from him-

"No!" Will's startled blue eyes were pure honesty. "I kissed you because I wanted to, no other reason." Nico still seemed confused though, so he offered, "look, I, I feel like I should apologize, for kissing you right then," Will confessed. "That, um, wasn't exactly, 'friendly,' and if that's what you need right now-" his arm started to pull away even.

"I like it," Nico interrupted, the surprise on his own face for admitting that causing him to sheepishly avert his eyes, but his hand darting up to hold his fingers in place, nearly pining them to his black shirt. "L-liked. Um, it was, it feels- felt, good, but if you regret it-" his hand spasmed as he told himself to let go.

"Woah, I never said that," Will interpreted right back. "I've been trying to get to know you since we met. I just, um, was trying to make sure-" he was blushing himself and stammering and going very blank in the mind to find words to describe anything.

"Right, well," Nico took a shaky breath but looked back at him with a hesitant smile. He interlocked their fingers, and Will easily mimicked him. "That's, established. Neither of us, regret it, and we both like talking, so let's just, keep doing, that."

"Sounds perfect," Will grinned.

PJOPJOPJO

I am not promising that this will be the last book to end with Solangelo, I don't want to be a liar like that, but I do already have the ending to the next book planned out and it's not focused on them, so there's that?

So I'm taking a short break and then posting Demigod Files next month for sure, and then I'm going to start Last Olympian in May! I'm so excited guys, I'm looking forward to it all as much as anybody!

*I know most people probably imagine Alex using the f' word like a bestie, but I'm more familiar with people who grew up in verbally abusive households disliking strong language because it's been used on them to much. Also I do my best to keep these PG, T at most, so it's going to stay at least in the level of clean you've seen so far in the tone of the original books, so this is what I'm going with.

[yuzurujenn]

[2024.08.29] FS Life Extra - Yuzuru Hanyu PROFESSIONAL Season 2: Yamamoto Sota

I really admire his passion for the moment.

This year, they once again performed together on "Fantasy on Ice." What is the secret of the ‘aura’ that Yamamoto felt?

How was it to perform in "Fantasy on Ice" for the second time?

-First of all, I was very happy to receive the offer again, and since Hanyu-kun has done many solo shows, for this year's "Fantasy" he was only in the A tour. This time, I also participated in the A tour only, and I was able to learn a lot from him backstage and during the show, so it was really fun and I was very happy to be able to perform with him again. “Fantasy” is an ice show that I really love, and this year, many people came to see it, and the energy in the venue was truly amazing. The cheers when Hanyu-kun was going for the quadruple jump in the opening were incredible! Even before he reached the center position to start the opening choreography, by just entering the rink from backstage, the cheers were so loud it felt like my ears were going to burst. It’s the kind of excitement that you can only experience in "Fantasy", so it was a really special moment, and I think everyone had a great time and enjoyed the show.

What did you think of this year's opening and finale?

-The opening is usually a one-trick performance, and the choreography is almost the same each time, but the costumes are unique to "Fantasy". This time, the costumes exposed the shoulders quite a bit, which was quite innovative and fresh. For the finale, we had Nishikawa-san’s 'HIGH PRESSURE,' which

began with the men sitting on the Roomba (mobile stage). The choreography effectively used the Roomba and I thought it was a very cool part. "HIGH PRESSURE" was truly a high-energy finale. No matter where you look, every moment was really wonderful.

Everyone looked like they were having a lot of fun dancing.

-That's right (laughs). I think it's rare for such a large venue to be filled to capacity, so the time felt really special, and it was an unforgettable experience for me too. I'd like to work hard this season so I can perform there again next year.

It was also fun to see Hanyu moving between the skaters in groups while dancing in the finale.

-That's right. The song ended right at the transition part, and I thought it matched the music really well. You could hear the cheers of the audience wherever Hanyu-kun went (laughs). It was a lot of fun, and when he came to our group, he danced like crazy to keep the excitement going (laughs).

You were in the same group as Javier Fernandez and the others.

-Yes. During rehearsals we were asked to split into four groups and that was the group I happened to be split into. Tanaka Keiji and the other Japanese skaters were in another group, so I was the only Japanese in my group (laughs). I wasn't sure if I could handle it, but when it was time for the show, everyone danced like crazy, so I think I was able to dance with enthusiasm too.

It looked like fun (lol).

-It was fun (lol).

Have you seen Hanyu's "Danny Boy" and "Meteor"?

-Yes, of course. First of all, the costumes for both "Danny Boy" and "Meteor" were really cool. I thought the costume for "Meteor" was really striking and glittering, very Gundam-like, and "Danny Boy" is a song that envelops you in a sense of tranquillity with just the sound of the piano, which he conveyed through the expression in his fingertips, jumps, spins, steps, and other elements. In the silence, you could hear the sound of edges and the sound of the ice being scraped, which was very refreshing. It was a program where you could even enjoy such details. There were moments when the track stopped, and you wouldn’t usually hear these sounds during the song, so being able to clearly hear the edge sound was something new and I thought it was really great.

You're not from the Gundam generation, are you?

-I'm not from that generation, but I've seen pictures on social media comparing the costume to the video clip, and I thought they looked really similar. I thought the costume looked really cool on its own, and it was amazing that someone could pull it off.

Apparently, it was self-choreographed.

-Ehh! Amazing! "Meteor" also has some mechanical-like movements... I'm sorry, I don’t know much about Gundam, but there were machine-like movements scattered throughout the beginning, and I thought the patterns of those movements were really beautiful. They matched well with Nishikawa-san's vocals, and I thought it was great how every part fitted the music perfectly. He did a triple axel at the end, and his jumps were also sharper, which was cool.

Every time, I feel the greatness of seeing it live

After watching it, is there anything that you would like to incorporate into your performance?

-I would like to incorporate it, but it's difficult at my current level (laughs). When I see him up close, I think, "Wow, he's really amazing." I mean, his greatness, his aura. I think I still have a long way to go to be able to show that kind of thing, and when I look back at my performances, whether it's exhibition programs or competitive programs, there are a lot of things I want to do better. First of all, I hope to hone myself and then, if there are elements I can incorporate, that would be great. Even in jumps, I'm not so good with the Axel, but when I see him jump the Axel at the end, I think I have to work harder. And the precision of his expression... I think that he can express himself skillfully in beautiful songs, and I think that kind of breathtaking expressiveness is unique to only Hanyu. It's true when I watch it on video, but I especially feel its greatness when I see it live at the venue every time. I would like to learn from him how to create an aura or atmosphere, his expressive ability, and his precise footwork, and I would like to be able to incorporate these things into my own competitive programs.

Where do you think that aura comes from?

-He’s serious about the moment. The passion he has for every moment is incredible. In the opening of Fantasy, everyone performs one trick at the start, and towards the end, Hanyu-kun jumps a quadruple toe loop. To his fans, Hanyu-kun’s quad toe loop might seem like just another jump (since he also performs other quads like the Salchow and Loop), but performing a 4T right after coming onto the ice and in the midst of deafening cheers must be incredibly challenging. What’s even more impressive was seeing him making the final adjustments in the backstage right up until the opening begins. Witnessing him manage all these aspects up close, I strongly feel the weight he is carrying and the immense pressure he faces. Despite this, his ability to always give 120% is truly admirable, and I want to learn from him. I think that such qualities naturally emanate as his aura.

Did you have a chance to chat with Hanyu this year?

-Well, during the actual show, everyone was focused on their own performances, but we had a chance to talk a little after it was over and at dinner hall. Apparently, Hanyu-kun does a lot of training, and he told me that there’s a sauna at the gym. He brought up this topic because I was there (laughs). I asked him, "Really? I'd like to go too. Do you use the sauna, Hanyu-kun?" and he said, "I'm not really keen" (laughs). Apparently, in the past, Tsuzuki (Shoichiro)-sensei would take him to the bath or sauna, but he said, "I'm not good with it." We had that kind of conversation, and I don't know what else. We were just talking about really trivial things. Last year we talked about skating quite a bit, but this year it was this kind of talk.

I would like to talk to you again if I have the opportunity.

What did you think of your own program, Yamamoto? This was the first time you did a collaboration this year.

-Well, last year I did two individual programs, but this year I finally got to do my long-awaited collaboration number. "Ich bin ich bin Musik" was the song that was sent to me by the organizers, and I felt that they prepared a program that suited each skater. My song was also very easy to express, and I think it was a musical program that allowed me to really express my emotions alongside Shirota Yu's vocals.

It was a really wonderful program that it's a shame it can only be seen on Fantasy.

-I'd like to perform it in various places too. I heard from Keiji-kun and (Miyamoto) Kenji-sensei that "if I get permission, I can use it." If there's an opportunity, I'd like to perform it again someday.

And how was your solo "Beat It"? There was a lot of cheering.

-Um, on the short side, like this...

The part where (the chest area of the costume) was exposed too much, right.

-Ahaha, right (laughs). There was a choreography that exposed the part a little, but I was happy to see everyone’s reaction to it, and this time there was a live broadcast and live viewing, so there was a camera (for broadcasting) there (laughs). The cameras were positioned to match the audience's viewpoint on screen, but in fact they were quite low down. So, during the live broadcast, I made an effort to appeal to those cameras as well. People who watched said things like 'It felt like we made eye contact,' and it was fun for me too.

What did you gain from this year's "Fantasy"?

-After all, ice shows are entertainment that is different from competitions, and although I am still an athlete, I want people to enjoy such events as entertainment. There are many different ice shows, and I want to do my best as a member of each show. I was able to learn a lot from Hanyu-kun and the other skaters at "Fantasy" about various expressions, how to engage the audience, and how to liven up the atmosphere, and I also realised the importance of being aware of the audience in different areas, like the upper sections of the venue or at live viewings. I am learning more and more every year about how to express myself and liven up the show so that people can enjoy themselves.

Please give a message to Hanyu-san.

-I've always been shy, and since it’s an ice show, it's hard for me to find the courage or timing to speak to you directly, but this time I'm going to excuse myself (laughs). I really wish to communicate and talk to you more, and I was really happy to be able to work with you again in this year's "Fantasy", and although it was a really trivial conversation, I was really happy to be able to talk to you. If I'm invited back to "Fantasy" next year, or if we have the opportunity to work together somewhere, I hope we can have lots of fun conversations about trivial things, saunas, about myself, and skating. If there's another ice show this year, I'd like to go see it if I get the chance, so I look forward to seeing you then. Do your best! I look forward to working with you again!

And please give a message to your fans. -I was able to appear in "Fantasy" again this season, and I was able to learn a lot about how to express myself to the audience, how to direct my gaze, facial expressions, and so on. I hope that the expressions conveyed in “Fantasy” will be reflected in my competitive programs as well. I will continue to give my all this season to create such moments again, so I would be happy if you would support me. I will do my best this season as well. Thank you very much!

Source: FS Life Extra PROFESSIONAL Season 2, pg 96-99 Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4594622488 https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4594622771

[unholydeukae]

heyy!! hope you guys are doing well

I'm missing yubin right now, and I'm sure she'd have been missing her girls while they were on tour as well. Maybe something with them communicating long distance, Yoohyeon calls her one night (so it'd be morning for yubin), and somehow Yoohyeon finds herself frustrated and needy and it ends up with Yubin talking her through it over the phone while trying to ignore how painfully hard she is herself. Finishes with Yubin listening as Yoohyeon falls asleep on the other end.

hope this is okay!! tysm!

Hey!! I really liked this ask and had a lot of fun answering it, so I hope you enjoy what I came up with :)

Yubin was still in bed and scrolling through the fans’ pictures and videos of the concert that ended a few hours ago when her best friend's contact name appeared on her phone's screen. Smiling, she picked up, looking forward to hearing all the stories from the last two days they spent in Brazil.

“Binnie!!” Yoohyeon's voice was excited and Yubin felt relieved - a small part of her was always worried that something happened while she wasn't there to take care of the girls, but Yoohyeon didn't sound like something was off.

“Hey princess,” she answered, “how was the concert? I saw some videos, you looked so pretty today.”

A light giggle could be heard and Yubin knew immediately that the girl was blushing slightly.

“Oh, well, I liked the outfit, yeah! I think we all looked pretty cool and the fans liked it as well!”

“I'm glad they did, baby, but I still think you looked stunning tonight, so no need to be shy about it.” Yubin could hear Yoohyeon shuffle around on the other end and grinned when the girl made some clearly flustered noises.

“What was that, puppy? I thought you wanted to tell me about the concert?” she teased, very aware of the effect the pet names had on the older girl.

Yoohyeon cleared her throat before she answered, “It was really fun! We did Silent Night so many times, I felt like I was dying - I was jumping around so much, my legs still hurt. Oh, and the fans screamed your parts so loud, it was really touching.”

Now it was Yubin's turn to slightly blush, she was always happy when InSomnia evidently liked her raps a lot.

“That sounds so good, I'm really sad I couldn't be there with you guys…” she trailed off, wishing she was with the rest of her members. Well, she specifically wanted to be with one of them right now, if she was completely honest, but there was no need to say that out loud.

“Mhm…” Yoohyeon murmured, then added, “I wish you were here, too…” so quietly that Yubin could hardly hear her, but the needy tone of her voice was unmistakable.

“What did you say, baby?” the younger girl asked - if her suspicion was correct, Yoohyeon would most likely bury her head in her pillow now and refuse to say anything.

Rustling could be heard through her phone's speaker and Yubin could make out a muffled “Nothing…”. She grinned to herself, knowing exactly where this would be going now.

“I thought you said you wanted me there, princess, is that not what you meant? Well, if I misunderstood you, then it's probably best if I hang up now, I don't want to keep you from sleeping.”

More shuffling and Yoohyeon's voice was clearer again. “No, no, don't hang up!! I miss you so much, I really wish you were here right now… I couldn't stop thinking about you all day today.”

Yubin tilted her head, even though the other girl couldn't see it. “Is that so? What did you think about, baby?” she asked, her tone slightly teasing.

Groaning, then it was silent for a moment. The younger girl looked at the black screen of her phone and waited. Just when she was about to repeat her question, Yoohyeon said something.

“Was thinking about us cuddling, I miss feeling you close… Miss touching you.”

“Oh, I miss you too, darling, we'll cuddle so much when you're back here. And you miss touching me, hmm? What a coincidence that I miss touching you as well, don't you think?”

Yoohyeon let out a loud whine at Yubin's last sentence and from the sounds coming through, the latter knew that she was shuffling around in her bed, trying to decide if she should continue or not.

“Use your words, baby,” Yubin said softly, “you're winding yourself up like that.”

More whimpering, until a quiet “I need you, daddy” made the younger girl close her eyes and silently suck in air. Her dick had been semi-hard since the first whine but now she felt blood rush straight to her core.

Not letting Yoohyeon know how much her words affected her, she answered, “Oh, I know, princess, I know… what do you want me to do?”

Yoohyeon seemed restless again and for a few seconds, only whimpers escaped her throat. She knew that Yubin would not do anything unless she said out loud what she wanted, but finding words was hard when she could already feel the wetness in between her legs.

“I…” she started, trying to phrase a coherent sentence, “I need you, please, need to feel you so bad.”

That wasn't really the answer Yubin wanted, but she couldn't blame the girl - it wasn't like she was in a better state, she could just conceal it better.

Deciding Yoohyeon could need some help, she asked, “Are you a messy puppy already, hmm?”

She could hear her whine, then a breathless “I think so, yeah."

Nodding, Yubin said, “Well, why don't you check for daddy?”, not surprised at the moan that sounded through her phone's speaker a second later.

“So?” she asked, satisfied when Yoohyeon's voice was dripping in need as she answered, “I'm a mess, so wet already…”

Yubin took a deep breath in, forcing herself to ignore her now fully hard dick throbbing in her boxers.

“I knew you'd be, you're such a needy puppy… do you wanna taste yourself for me, princess?”

Yoohyeon whimpered when she slipped her fingers in between her lips, greedily licking the wetness off of them. “Tastes so nice…” she said, hoping for Yubin to allow her to touch herself again.

“I wish I could taste you right now, baby, run my tongue around your clit, slightly pushing inside your soaked little hole… you'd like that, wouldn't you?”

The older girl swallowed and pressed out a “yes”, words becoming more and more difficult for her. “Touch, please,” she managed to get out, hoping it was enough for Yubin.

“Why don't you touch yourself then, princess?” the younger girl said, knowing that Yoohyeon was dying to do so.

She heard the blanket rustle, then a sigh and a loud moan, although it was quickly toned down - Yubin didn't know if the other members’ rooms were close enough to hear Yoohyeon, so she didn't say anything about it, no matter how much she loved hearing the older girl’s sounds when she touched herself.

“Feels so good…” Yoohyeon whimpered after a moment and Yubin wished nothing more than for her own fingers to be the ones in between the girl's folds right now.

“Yeah, does it? You're such a good girl, touching yourself for daddy…” she praised her, knowing the effect it would have on Yoohyeon.

Yubin could hear another swallowed moan and figured it was time to push the girl a bit further.

“You're doing so well, baby, I wish I could feel how soaked you are for me,” she said, - whimpering was the immediate response.

“Want more, please,” Yoohyeon whined, and Yubin had to close her eyes again for a moment to refocus her thoughts.

“What do you want, princess? You know I want you to use your words.”

She could hear panting before the girl managed to say, “Need your dick, please, daddy, need it so bad…”

Yubin couldn't stop a quiet “fuck” from escaping her throat. Trying to compose herself, she said, “God, I bet you do, you'd feel so tight around my cock, wouldn't you, puppy?”

Yoohyeon moaned and slick sounds told Yubin that she started fucking herself.

“What are you thinking about right now, baby?” she asked, so close to giving in to the temptation and jerking her dick to the girl's lewd noises.

“I…” Yoohyeon clearly struggled to find words, “I'm thinking about… about your dick filling me up from behind.”

“Fuck,” Yubin let out, louder this time. “You'd feel so nice around me, so stretched out by my thick cock, wouldn't you?”

Hearing the older girl whimper and pant like that killed the last ounce of self-restraint she had. She turned halfways on her stomach, just so that her dick, that was still trapped in her boxers, lightly touched the mattress.

“Need you so deep, please, daddy,” Yoohyeon moaned and Yubin couldn't help but slightly buck her hips against the bed, wishing the older girl was lying under her.

“I know you do, puppy,” she pressed out, “I'd fuck you so well, you wouldn't be able to think anymore, would you?”

“God, yes, I…” Yoohyeon trailed off for a moment, before she continued, “I think I'm getting close, please…”

Yubin couldn't stop her hips from moving according to the slick sounds she heard from Yoohyeon's end. Groaning, she asked, “You're close? Are you gonna cum for daddy, princess? Want me to fill you up with my cum as well?”

Yoohyeon almost cried out, her voice shaky when she begged, “Please, please daddy, breed me, I need your cum in me, I'm so close, please…”

Forcing herself to shift her focus completely back on Yoohyeon, Yubin said, “I'd fill you up so well, you'd be throbbing around my dick, wouldn't you? You can cum, baby, I want to hear how good you sound when you fuck yourself for me.”

The older girl's panting got faster and more ragged while Yubin kept going on about how good she looked stretched out on her dick and how well she was taking her.

With a choked moan, Yoohyeon finally came undone and Yubin immediately switched to showering her with praises.

“You're such a good girl,” she said, “you did so well, making yourself cum so hard for me, you did such a good job, princess.”

Yoohyeon kept panting but seemed to come down from her high, more whimpers falling from her lips again.

“Are you okay, baby girl?” Yubin asked, wanting to make sure she was alright.

Only unintelligible sounds came through her phone's speaker, so she asked again before Yoohyeon eventually calmed down enough to murmur, “I'm okay, I'm just… exhausted, fuck, intense…”

“That's okay, puppy, no worries, you did so great,” Yubin responded, her voice soft and caring. “Are you tired now, darling?”

“Yeah…” Yoohyeon's voice was hardly more than a whisper. “Sleepy… need cuddles…”

Yubin's heart melted a little. “You'll get all the cuddles you want, baby, and head scratches as well, hmm? Does that sound good?”

“Mhm…” the older girl's voice trailed off and just a few seconds later, her breathing had evened out completely.

“Baby?” Yubin asked tentatively, but wasn't surprised when she didn't get an answer anymore.

Turning until she laid on her back again, she got lost in thoughts for a moment, but her still painfully hard dick brought her back to reality quickly.

Sighing, she muted herself on the call - she knew how much Yoohyeon loved to stay on call over night if they couldn't be together, so she didn't want to hang up, but she definitely didn't want to wake her up by getting off either.

She placed her phone on the nightstand before wrapping her fingers around her cock, thinking about how good Yoohyeon sounded when she got off for her…