#it's late spring/early summer in my game

[heich0e]

"can i call you later?"

the wind bites at your cheeks, but the sting you feel is as much from the smile on your face as it is from the chill.

"dunno," you muse, pursing your lips as though you're contemplating the question deeply. "can you?"

rintarou groans, but the sound isn't half as plaintive as it ought to be. you watch as his head hangs down defeatedly where his frame is folded over the railing that lines the front of the train station, his body pitched forward over the barrier like he's trying to reach you on the other side.

you've been saying goodbye for the past twenty minutes—or, you've been trying to. sort of. maybe. the train you'd planned to catch has already come and gone, and the next is set to soon arrive. one more and it will be the last of the night, but not even knowing that fact seems to be moving you closer towards the door to the station—content to stay here, like this, as the wind of the late fall night nips at your cheeks and the two of you muddle through your goodbye with the inelegance of two people who couldn't be less committed to it if they tried.

rintarou lifts his head to meet your gaze.

"i mean it, though." he says. "can i call you tonight?"

your stomach flips when he looks at you this way. when he keeps looking at you this way.

"we just spent hours together," you remind him, but your words are too breathy to make impact. too elated to be reproachful.

you've been on three dates with rintarou now. you think they're dates anyway, though it's never explicitly been stated. his invitations are always casual, sandwiched in between all the other texts he sends to you these days, so you might be reading into things too closely for your own good. but dinner doesn't just feel like dinner when rintarou has this way of looking at you like you're the only person he's ever laid his eyes on.

"i know," he answers. it's not an explanation, or an excuse, or even an apology. it's plain acceptance. a shamelessness you find wretchedly endearing.

you glance back at the station behind you, biting the inside of your cheek to temper your delight.

"my train is coming," you say.

he looks a bit crestfallen. laughably glum, considering the circumstances.

you drag the heel of your shoe back ever so slightly, not quite a step—at least not in any meaningful way—but inching in the direction of the doors at a glacial pace. continental drift seems positively hasty in comparison to your retreat.

"bye," he calls, his tone dejected. you watch as he lifts his hand weakly, still slumped over the railing, and waves at you with only a few fingers raised.

you want to laugh, but your chest is so full of something else—something syrupy and fluttering and good—that it's like there's no space for it underneath your ribs.

you call back to him just before you step into the station.

"rintarou—"

there are other people around, stepping between and around you both—rushing into the station to escape the cold, or moving briskly as they brace themselves and step out into it—but you hardly notice them when your eyes meet.

you smile.

"—call me later."

he calls you almost every night after that.

even as the cool autumn winds change with the seasons; carrying flakes of snow as winter blankets nagano, warming with the spring, turning heavy with humidity in summer, and then repeating the cycle anew.

even as your reluctant goodbyes turn from late nights outside of train stations to early morning words whispered under blankets as rintarou leaves for practice or away games.

even as the uncertainty of whether or not you're getting your hopes up—of whether those meetings were even really dates at all—melts away into nothing more than a memory.

you're not even sure what the two of you manage to spend so much time talking about on the phone. nothing, really. everything in its own right. rintarou's phone calls are something you come to look forward to at the end of a long day. something you anticipate when you have exciting news to share. a comfort when you're missing him and a relief when you need him most.

"is that the last one?" you ask, turning just in time to see your boyfriend—your live-in boyfriend now, officially—flop back on the sofa after he drops the last moving box atop the stack piled near the balcony door.

"yeah," he wheezes, evidently winded from the exertion—from the exhaustion—of moving house. you laugh a bit to yourself as you shuffle over to the sofa, leaning over the back so you can peer down at him where he lays sprawled against the cushions.

"aren't you a professional athlete?" you tease him. "shouldn't you have better stamina?"

rintarou cocks a brow, something sly swimming behind his gaze.

"i need better stamina?" he drawls. "you're usually complaining about the opposite."

you roll your eyes in the wake of his remark, grabbing a throw pillow from beneath his head and yanking it from under him unceremoniously, only to press it lightly against his face.

you shuffle back towards the kitchen where you'd left the box you were unpacking abandoned. you grab a plate from inside the cardboard and turn to place it on the shelf you'd decided would house your dinnerware.

"it's late," you tell him, reaching for the next plate in the box. "you should go wash up first."

you don't get a reply, and that surprises you. you creep over to the sofa again, only to find rintarou staring up at the ceiling, lost in thought.

"hey," you laugh a little, leaning on your elbows against the back of the couch. "where'd you go?"

rintarou's gaze snaps back to yours. he still looks at you like he did on your first date. like he did outside the train station on your third. he smiles, bit it's a bit sheepish.

"sorry, was just thinking," he answers quietly. he reaches up from where he's lying on his back, brushing his thumb against your cheek. his smile turns a little bit giddy, then. boyishly charming. "can't believe we finally got a place together."

you lean into his touch, huffing a little breath through your nose—halfway to a laugh.

"guess you won't have to call me anymore," you joke, and rintarou's expression changes—falls slightly—but only for a moment. you realize what you've said, or at least think about the implications more, and you sort of understand the shift.

you fell in love through those phone calls.

you'll miss them—the ritual, the familiarity, the comfort—even though you know they've been replaced by something better.

you turn your face, pressing a fleeting kiss to rintarou's palm. "go wash up," you tell him again, heading back towards the kitchen and your (now twice abandoned) box of plates.

he seems to heed your advice this time, peeling himself up off the sofa and shuffling off in the direction of the washroom.

"don't use all the hot water!" you call after his retreating frame, and you hear him reply noncommittally under his breath before the door clicks closed behind him.

you've only got three dishes left to unpack before your box is emptied, but the shelf you'd been organizing doesn't seem to want to accommodate all of your bowls in the way you wanted, so you're left arranging and rearranging them as you try to find a way to get them to fit.

in the back pocket of your jeans, your phone begins to ring. with three plates balanced in one hand, you reach for it with the other—the movement muscle memory now, instinct more than volition, after all this time. you answer the call without even looking at the screen, holding the phone between your ear and your shoulder as you continue juggling the dishes in front of you.

"oop—hello?"

you pause after you answer the call, realizing for the first time that you shouldn't be getting a call at all. not at this time of night. not in this apartment.

the line is quiet, just the sound of breathing that you could recognize anywhere to be heard from the other end of the call.

"why are you calling me?" you ask rintarou, but the words are light. too fond to be reproachful.

you hear rintarou laugh—from the other end of the call and from the other side of the bathroom door.

"just wanted to hear your voice," he answers you (the same way he has a thousand nights before when you've asked him that same question.)

"you're ridiculous," you tell him, completely enamoured.

"i know," he replies.

it's quiet for a moment as the two of you stand on opposite sides of your apartment. on opposite ends of your call.

you shift a stack of bowls a little to the left. it all fits now. just the way you wanted it to.

"y'know, the hot water won't run out as fast if we shower together—"

you hear the bathroom door open, and when you look over your shoulder, rintarou is peeking at you from around the edge of the door—his phone held to his ear, a smile on his face you know is mirrored on your own, and a look in his eye that's never once wavered.

he tilts his head.

"—wanna join me?"

[supernovafics]

•*⁀➷ ❝ 𝐈’𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔. ❞✧∘ ✭・.✫・゜·。.

supernovafics!

✭•*⁀➷ a bestfriend!steve harrington roommate au slightly inspired by the tv show “friends” ·。.·゜✭·.·✫·゜·。.

a year in the lives of you and your best friend steve harrington. you never thought that you would be living with this guy you’ve known since you were ten— although it was a hypothetical topic that was discussed at length during the many sleepovers you had over the years. but somehow on a hectic day in august, the stars managed to align, and the next thing you know a lease is being signed and the two of you are moving into a two-bedroom apartment. so far it’s been two months of countless late nights and too many really early mornings where you’re running late to class or steve’s rushing to get to his shift at family video. for the most part, though, it’s a perfect situation. until the lines that felt as if they were clearly drawn in the sand— and had been there from perhaps the moment you and him met— start getting blurrier and blurrier

warnings: bestfriend!steve, roommate!steve, childhood best friends to (eventual) lovers, two idiots in love (but neither wanna admit it), Big Big slow burn, besties being besties, minimal angst, mainly just a lot of fun vibes, eventual smut (minors dni!), many familiar faces (robin, eddie, sometimes the kids), no use of y/n, specific warnings will be tagged per chapter

important note! this will be a very “low stakes” series (there’s not really a super specific storyline happening in this), and i’m really just gonna post for it whenever i’m in the mood/feel inspired for it. i already have a bunch of random ideas for this universe that i wanna eventually do, but requests are open for anything you wanna see with these roommates/besties<333 (also oneshots/blurbs will be posted non-chronologically but will be listed chronologically, so you can pretty much read in any order you want to!)

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

fall 1985

love is a game (the one where you and steve have a “housewarming party”)

let’s forget it (the one where steve sees you naked)

third street (the one at the diner in the middle of the night)

silly promises (the one at dairy queen)

take a picture (the one with batman & robin)

from the dining table (the one with the early thanksgiving dinner)

never talk about it (the one where you see steve naked)

just a feeling (the one with steve’s date)

winter 1985/1986

the first fall of snow (the one where the kids spend the night)

care for you (the one where you’re both sick)

maybe this year (the one with the bet)

closing time (the one at family video)

while you were sleeping (the one with steve’s epiphany)

only for you (the one where you and steve play basketball)

in the middle of the night (the one with the ski trip)

worth waiting for (the one after the ski trip) (18+)

spring 1986

between you and me (the one where you and steve are secretly dating)

tell me a secret (the one where everyone finds out)

take my hand (the one where you and steve are chaperones at a school dance)

stay with me (the one where you come home drunk and steve takes care of you)

much better (the one with the "celebratory dinner")

summer 1986

one more second (the one with the barbecue)

[love-that-we-were-in]

betting on all three for us two

pairing: frat!luke castellan x reader summary: you think you like being a little more friendly and a little less competition with luke castellan this year. a sequel to this fic word count: 3.1k warnings: none

author's note: frat luke my dearly beloved loser son who studies pre-med this is for you you know who you are i love you

1. 

The fall semester comes at you faster than you’d like, this rapid change from a golden summer to the crisp air of being back on campus. You’re rooming with someone from an old anthropology elective you took, Silena finally moving into her sorority house. It should feel weirder, how everything has changed since spring break. 

You take the opportunity to build new habits. Early runs, no caffeine after 2pm. Little things that make the day go a tiny bit faster, building blocks to fit around your class schedule. Silena schedules weekly lunches for the three of you and there’s this gravity to it all that you want to study. 

It had been nice to be home for a few months. Your mom had missed having you there, being able to show you the new flowers she planted, how the lemon tree in the yard is twisting weirdly. Board games and family dinners and friends who never left your town. Being back home was resetting. Being back on campus was restarting.

Lee catches you as you leave the gym, offering to walk you to class if you’re heading in that direction. You smile, telling him that you have a late start and pretend he doesn’t frown when your phone buzzes. He mentions that he’s thinking of starting a study group for one of your classes and you tell him you’ll think about joining. 

While he heads towards the main building, you make your way to the campus coffee shop - caught behind the early risers desperate for something to get them through their first lecture of the day. 

“Can I get a flat white and an iced americano with caramel to go please?” You smile at the girl working the counter, stepping aside to glance at your watch.

You run through your schedule for today, ignoring the text that comes through. You know exactly what it says, the same thing every morning, and you don’t even bother to roll your eyes at this point. 

“I can’t believe you ignored my text,” Luke says when you reach the courtyard between the library and the medical building. “Not even a flame emoji.”

You stop in front of him, drinking in the jeans and sweater combination he’s settled on today. It’s a really nice sweater, dark blue and a little baggy. You wonder how quickly he’d notice it going missing. Probably not as quickly as he’d notice the stupid hat he’s wearing go missing. His backpack leans against the bench, pristine.

“No one uses those except you,” you shake your head, handing him the iced drink. “What time does your lecture start?” 

Luke tells you as if he really needs to. It’s this thing you’ve started doing since the semester began, acting like you don’t know his schedule as well as your own. As if the both of you haven’t fallen into this routine in just a few weeks. Like it’s not a highlight of your day. 

Clarisse thinks it’s adorable. Chris thinks it’s hilarious. You think it’s nice to have someone to share your free time with, beyond whatever else you and Luke have. It had been a fear of yours, when Silena mentioned not sharing a dorm with you, that you would fall to the sidelines. That life would come with these new priorities for everyone and you would only be fourth or fifth on their lists, too cemented in the day-to-day that you’d be forgotten.

Morning coffee with Luke stops that fear. 

“Did Silena tell you about the party on Friday?” 

“I have a study group in the afternoon,” Luke says, swirling his plastic cup around so the ice clinks together. “If I do go, I’m showing up late.” 

“Maybe I’ll keep my eye out for you there, Castellan.” 

He laughs and it’s like summer again. There’s something insane about hearing Luke laugh like this, unbroken and loud, nothing like it had been over the phone while you were back home. 

“You’ve got dinner with Silena and Clarisse tonight, right?” He asks, swinging his bag over one shoulder. You throw your empty cup into the trash can as you both start walking. “Is there any point in asking if you want to come round after?”

You knock his arm with your shoulder, laughing, and, instead of feigning hurt like usual, Luke just takes your hand in his, the skin a little colder than you expect. Gazing down at your linked hands, you bite your lip before sighing. 

“If I’m home before eleven, I’ll consider it.” 

Last year, when you first met him, you thought Luke only got that determined glint in his eyes when he was competing. That it was a sign of an unanticipated thrill. Since then, you’ve learnt that it’s not that at all. It’s this thing that ignites within him, determined and passionate and a little boyish. 

You think it might be one of your favorite things about him.

“I will take that deal.”

2. 

You wish you could say you were a little drunk. At least that way you would have something to blame. As it stands, you’re stone cold sober, maybe a little tired from class but nothing that can really be blamed for the lack of weight your actions seem to have right now. 

The only thing you can blame, and you will, is the boy next to you, completely engrossed in the movie playing. They’d been watching it when you arrived, all settled on the couches and you assume this is something they do regularly, and at any other time you might’ve called it cute. 

Not tonight. Not when you walked in to the discovery that Luke wears glasses and you didn’t know about it. It was something you played off, making a joke and settling into the cushions beside him. In the time since, Chris has left for his date with Clarisse and Charlie has pulled out some work to go through in the corner of the room. 

“What’s up?” Luke asks when he realizes you’ve hardly moved in ten minutes, barely even breathing. And it’s the worst possible thing he could do, glance down through the frames with that small smile you’ve gotten used to and curls loose. 

“Nothing’s up,” you let your eyes trail back to the screen. “This is a very cute tradition you guys have going on.” 

Charlie lets out a little laugh from across the room. You feel the way Luke exhales against the side of your face. You think you’re able to go back to pretending everything is normal, make a joke and enjoy the rest of the movie. The second you feel Luke’s fingertips on the skin of your knee, gentle and warm, you know you can’t. 

“You’re swerving,” he whispers, throwing a quick glance at Charlie to see if he can hear but the other boy is engrossed in his work. “Talk to me.” 

“It’s nothing,” you bite the inside of your cheek when he nods encouragingly, incredibly aware of the patterns he’s tracing on your skin. “I just think it’s interesting that you’d choose to wear a hat all the time when the glasses are right there.” 

“What?”

His hand stills and you wait. You wait and you stare at the shape of his jaw and you chuckle when it finally clicks, his adam’s apple shifting as he swallows the conclusion down. “Are you saying you like my glasses?” 

You don’t like how uneven this all feels. Whenever you’ve been with Luke so far, there’s been this mutual balance that you’ve grown used to. Even before now, back when you were locked in silly competitions, you did it on even footing, the expectation that everything meant nothing and you wouldn’t be affected. 

This, the way Luke grins around the realization, hand moving to rest on your thigh, is different. It’s heavier. It’s a loss after a winning streak and you’re kind of obsessed with the way it could drag you down. 

“I just think that hat is stupid.” 

“Yeah, okay,” Luke nods and you know, even if he doesn’t do it outright, he’s laughing. He’s categorizing the information you’ve just given him, placing it where it belongs in his mind, and it’s going to bite you in the ass. “Tell me more.” 

“Luke,” you mutter, gritting your teeth. His fingertips brush against the hem of your shorts and, when you glare at him for it, he just shrugs. You throw a glance over in Charlie’s direction. Still nothing. “Are you insane?” 

He tilts his head like he’s considering the question carefully. If Charlie were to look over, you know he’d assume you were locked in a debate about something silly - a staple of you and Luke - and it wouldn’t matter. He wouldn’t know for a second that you were holding onto Luke’s wrist, his hand itching to move just a little to the left. 

You sigh and the boy beside you raises an eyebrow. You both know that you’ve lost this round. 

When you press your lips to his bicep as the film credits roll, warm even through the fabric of his shirt, you mumble, “I really like your glasses.” 

3.

You aren’t used to watching things from a crowd. You’re used to focusing on yourself, on your team - not watching from a distance, surrounded by people who are there purely for enjoyment. There’s no winning from the stands. 

Luke doesn’t know you’re here. You’d sent him a text that morning wishing him luck, arranging to meet him when his debate was over. You hadn’t bothered to message him when your afternoon class got canceled, choosing instead to race across campus and find a seat in the dim auditorium they’re using. 

There isn’t the crackle of energy you get from swimming, or from watching Luke during track sessions. It’s less intense, for sure, a balance between the fire you know exists within him when he’s competing and the confidence he has in his own intelligence. You’ve argued with Luke, stupid things that neither of you care to take too seriously, and this is just the next stage of that. 

He’s got his glasses on, you note, when the debate gets underway. He’s wearing his lucky green polo, even if he’d never personally call it that, and he’s switched his smartwatch out for an analogue one. The cheap biro you’re used to seeing him use has been replaced by a fancy silver pen that he still taps against his thigh while thinking. He’s sitting straighter than usual, shoulders back. 

It’s almost like meeting him for the first time, focused and confident and sharp at the edges. 

You’re kind of obsessed with it. 

An hour and a winning handshake later, you make your way through the small crowd leaving to find Luke in conversation with one of his teammates. She smiles as you wrap an arm around his waist from behind, the slight tension still lingering in his bones melting away when he realizes it’s you. 

“What are you doing here?” He says, turning enough that he’s actually facing you now. The girl waves you both goodbye. “I thought you had class.” 

“Professor Chase had to cancel. His daughter got sent home from school with a fever.” 

Luke nods, pressing his lips to the top of your head quickly. “You didn’t have to come to my debate.” 

In the few months you’ve known Luke, you’ve learnt more about him than you expected to. You know from summer that Connecticut means looking after his sick mother, that he’s hoping to introduce some new charity events to ksig, that he used to go to a summer camp growing up. You know that his dad never showed up for anything and that he sits in the stands of all of your swim meets regardless of whether it cuts into his study time or not.

More than all of that, you know that the way he’s gazing at you now, a cross between awe and something deeper, is going to drive you crazy one day. You hope he can read the same expression on your face. 

“Thank you for coming,” he says when everyone is finally dismissed, an arm thrown across your shoulders as you make your way out of the building. You loop a finger around one of his, just because you want to. “It means a lot.”

“I told you I would,” and you had, months ago, staring at Luke’s bedroom ceiling, back when you were still caught in the casualness of it all. When Luke was just someone you pretended you weren’t trying to bump into at parties. You’d told him that you would show up for him if you ever got the chance. He’d rolled his eyes, throwing a blanket over you both and told you to go to sleep. He’d drifted off with his nose pressed against your neck. “I keep my word, Castellan.” 

“I know.”

In the evening light of campus, you think it might mean something more. Buried under the timing and the bitter wind until it’s a promise only you and Luke could translate. Asking him about where he wants to go for dinner, you like that no one else could understand the depth of it. 

+1.

Silena catches your attention as you enter the kitchen, grinning wildly and explaining her concept for tonight. Drew gave her permission to throw this week’s party, something themed and fun and it’s something she’s so proud of that you can’t help but grin back at her energy. 

“Even Charlie came,” she tells you excitedly, handing you a drink. “I feel like tonight is going to be it.” 

In all the years you’ve known her, she’s been counting down to it. You don’t exactly understand the fundamentals of what it is, if it’s a real thing or something she can just sense intrinsically. There have been moments where she’s thought of it before, mentioned it offhandedly before shaking her head - as if knowing she was wrong. 

“What even is it?” You ask and, for the first time, she breathes deeply instead of shrugging it off. 

“The beginning of the end,” she says and that doesn’t exactly explain anything. “Everything is about to change.” 

You still don’t really get it, but she’s as confident in this as she is about her clothes, so you nod like you understand. She sends you away not long after that, turning her attention to the new group that’s just walked through the doorway, mentioning that you need to be in the basement in about an hour and you just accept your fate, moving into the next room and falling into conversation with Rachel. 

*

Luke slips into the basement just as Silena starts yelling for everyone to do so, catching your eye across the room and waving. When you’re all instructed to sit down in a circle, you wonder exactly what Silena has planned for tonight. When she places a near empty bottle down in the center of you all, you laugh. 

“Are we actually playing spin the bottle?” Chris asks, prompting a murmured chorus of agreement from everyone else in the room. Silena frowns at him. 

“Wanna bet he ends up getting the most into it?” Luke whispers in your ear and you raise an eyebrow at him. “Loser has to buy the coffee tomorrow morning.” 

“You’re on,” you bump your fist to his to seal the deal. “I think he’s gonna get bored by round 3.” 

“Only boring people get bored of this game. It’s about drive.” 

“It’s about power?” Luke lets out a laugh and Silena turns her glare to you. “Sorry.”

She starts to explain the rules of the game, as if you’re all twelve again, and you bite your lip harder with every comment Luke makes under his breath. It’s a little mean, a little stupid, and you wish you were fifteen again, playing a proper game of spin the bottle for the first time.

Nothing much happens for the first few rounds, Chris starting to grumble the longer the game goes on. Luke clicks his tongue when you point it out, cursing his best friend like this was the worst thing that could’ve happened to him. 

Lee spins and it’s like cosmic interference when the bottle stops between you and Luke, the two of you glancing at each other and then back towards Lee. 

“Should I spin it again?” Lee asks when no one says anything. Silena shakes her head and says, “You can choose or we can vote if that makes you more comfortable.” 

“Please let us vote,” Chris shouts, animated and you narrow your eyes at him, ignoring the smug smile Luke gives you. “I’ll never ask you for anything ever again.” 

Lee glances between you both again, at where your knee rests against Luke’s thigh and the beer you’ve been sharing for the past twenty minutes sits between you. “It might be better to vote.” 

“Sure,” Silena smiles before silencing you all. “Everyone that wants Lee to kiss Luke, raise your hands.” 

You raise your hand and Luke mumbles beside you, flicking your leg and you poke him in return. Anything to avoid kissing Lee Fletcher after two years of avoiding it. 

“That is an overwhelming majority,” Silena says and you know, just by the way her eyes slide over to you, that she didn’t even bother to actually count. “Lee, you may now kiss Luke.” 

There’s this moment where you think Lee is going to just leave but instead he stares at the boy next to you, the relaxed set to his jaw, the annoying baseball cap on his head, how he’s so unbothered by it all. You watch as something clicks in his mind, you really want to know what it is. 

Whatever it was, it makes him grab the bottle again, ignoring Silena’s protests. It lands on the girl from Luke’s debate team and she straightens her back ever so slightly. 

“Silena,” Lee says as he leans towards the girl. “I’m not going to kiss Luke or his girlfriend.”

“Damn straight,” Luke mumbles, grabbing your hand from your lap and holding it in his instead. It’s stupid and it really doesn’t matter to either of you, you know that, but there’s this way he says it - almost like it’s the worst thing he could’ve imagined - and it settles in your gut with the beer you’ve been drinking. “Me or my girlfriend.”

“I’d really like to meet her,” you say, laughing when he huffs and pulls his hat down on your head. When you push the visor up to see him properly, all rosy cheeks and compacted curls, you think you might have found it. Whatever it is.

Based on the way Luke’s nose scrunches and his eyes crinkle, you think he understands that too. 

[farmerstarter]

ʚ🐣ɞ ˚ · . holding Shane's hands:

Tags: Shane from SDV x gn! reader

Have some lil fluffy stuff from our dude Shane. If you have any requests, feel free to send me an ask! Thanks for taking the time to read this. Likes and Reblogs are well appreciated! 🌷🤍

To not lose you in a crowd:

Whenever Shane earned enough money from working at Joja Mart, he would buy tickets to a gridball game and invite you to watch it with him. It was always a pleasant surprise, well, as pleasant as it was with hundreds of screaming gridball fans. As the two of you navigate through the crowd, Shane would hold your hand tightly, not wanting to lose you in a sea of people. And to reassure him, you would squeeze his hand back. Even when you've already found your seats, your hands would still be in Shane's. And it would be that way up until he walks you back to your front porch.

While waiting in the clinic:

The air reeked of antiseptics and alcohol. You stare down at your boots, looking even dirtier against the clean, white tile floor. Shane sat beside you, hands buried in his thinning jacket. He chewed on his lip while the hum of medical machinery filled his ears. You turn to Shane, eyes darting between his eyes and the wound on his arm.

It was an accident, you found him by Sindersnap Forest, looking worse than usual. 'Didn't know rocks were that sharp' Shane joked as you fretted over him mere minutes ago. Shane hesitantly reached for your hand and patted it. "Thanks for bringing me here," he mumbled, a small smile on his lips. You smiled back. "Of course. That's what friends are for." Shane nodded, his hand was still on top of yours,"Yeah, I guess you're right."

To know you're really there:

Shane has been quiet lately. The only noises that would filter through the warm summer air are the sounds of your barn animals and the occasional dog bark. It's been a few months since the two of you married last spring. And life's been good. But Shane's silence would stretch for hours at a time. The gentle rustle of the breeze swept through the farm, carrying flower petals and pollen. Shane sat on the porch steps, an empty Joja Cola can in one hand and the other intertwined in yours. It became a habit for the two of you to watch the sun rise and reveal itself to Pelican Town. You always woke up early and Shane would already be on the porch, waiting for you. Mornings were always peaceful. But Shane has trouble relaxing, constantly believing that the world is conspiring against him all the time.

"You know, sometimes it feels like everything's out to get me. It's like I'm trapped in this never-ending cycle of bad luck." You felt Shane's grip tighten, his thumb rubbed over your knuckles. He exhaled deeply, briefly closing his eyes before turning his gaze to you. "It's just hard to believe sometimes. But having you by my side— it makes a difference. It feels like the weight on my shoulders is a little lighter." He pulled your hand to his lips and kissed them, "Thanks for that. I'm a lucky guy."

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

am i the asshole for not lending my uncle my copy of zelda tears of the kingdom?

i (17f) have two uncles which are relevant to this story, both maternal. they're the oldest and youngest (not sure exactly how old, one is around 30 and the other is in his late 40s/early 50s.)

last year, the older uncle lent me his copy of zelda breath of the wild. this was after about a year and a half of him having it. during that time he made sure i was well aware how difficult and lengthy it was, which was why he couldn't give it to me to play yet. i don't profess to be a gamer or anything- i just enjoy playing videogames, and i didn't really know what the zelda series was at the time, so i kind of just shrugged it off. when he finally did give it to me, it was after i let his kids borrow my personal copy of animal crossing, and he kind of just stuck the cartridge into my hand while i was leaving and insisted i take it.

i was and still am a student, and just didn't have the time to start casually playing until a few months later in the spring, around may. i really enjoyed it and got 75% of the way through by the time summer vacation rolled around, which was when my cousin (his son) started dropping by to ask when i would be giving zelda back. i told him every day for three consecutive days that i would give it back when i was finished, but he was really anxious to start playing because my uncle only lets them have their nintendo switch in the summer. i offered my cousin his selection of any game we had (as we have done multiple times). he said he'd already played all of our games and that a couple of the newer ones my brother had gotten for his birthday were "trashy" and left.

the fourth time he came over he basically stood in the doorway and demanded the zelda game, said it was his dad's, and that he'd give it back when he finished it. my mom scolded him because of his attitude, saying that my uncle mostly just borrows whatever games they want to play from us for up to a year and a half at a time, and we never complain. she told me to go get the game and give it to him, and he started crying and left before i could. my uncle came over ten minutes later to smooth things over and left with botw. he never gave it back and i never got to finish it.

back in around november, my younger uncle, who is unmarried and has no kids, gifted me zelda botw and totk, specifically because he'd heard about what happened with my older uncle. when my older uncle found out at thanksgiving, he asked me to give totk to him. i told him i was busy with college apps and haven't opened it yet and he said it was fine, and that he would play it and give it back in a few days. i refused, saying that i wanted to open my own game when i wasn't busy, and my mom, who was also there, agreed with me and said that i deserved the experience of opening a present and enjoying it on my own time. he tried a few more times to convince me unsuccessfully and eventually relented.

two months ago i opened botw and am making very slow progress on it because i just don't have the time to finish it as quick as i'd like. totk is still in the plastic on my dresser. a few days ago my uncle messaged me asking for totk, and i ignored it. my mom told me just to tell him i already lent it to someone, but today he turned up on my porch while i was waiting to go to school and asked me for it, and in my exasperation i said, "i haven't even opened it yet." he again told me to let HIM open it and that "he'd give it back in three days after finishing it," and just to let him have it. i told him no. and then i told him no several more times. at one point he got annoyed and said, "fine, be like that," and walked away.

some additional context: my uncle is not broke. he makes six figures and has a very good engineering job. he bought a ps5 almost as soon as it came out. he makes the conscious choice not to purchase his own games, i guess because he feels no need to when he could just borrow them from us instead? my family doesn't make a lot of money but my mom saves up so we can have games, usually as birthday or holiday gifts. i have never borrowed a game from him except botw because he doesn't have any to lend. i also feel like if he really wanted zelda totk that bad he could just buy it himself, because he can definitely afford it. my mom, maternal aunt, and cousins (not his kids) are all on my side, and my aunt says that my younger uncle doesn't like my older uncle and would be pissed if i lent them to him. on the other hand i just feel bad for holding out and being difficult because i want to open it on my own time, and i even though i don't like him as a person i still feel guilty for being rude to and pissing him off because he's my mom's oldest sibling.

so, aita for not lending it to him?

What are these acronyms?

[zoerocksand1]

🌲Gravity Falls🌟

[stand alone Dipper and Mabel drawing]

FULLY back in my gravity falls hyperfixation era :)

also i realized that i've just. never. drawn fiddleford. before???? my guy???????? i've never drawn my best boy???????????????????????? i had to fix that

💕ALSO: about my Giffany design here:💕

so i have an ongoing reader-insert fanfic that is actually not written down anywhere and only exists in my brain and is only for me and my own whims, but this is my fanfic Giffany

her story is that years after Weirdmageddon, somehow Gideon gets ahold of the Romance Academy 7 game disc, still fucked up after Soos threw it in the oven at Hoo-Ha's, and gives it to the Reader (who at this point had lived in Gravity Falls for 3 months, has befriended him, and who was invited to live in the old Northwest mansion with McGucket) as a ✨gesture✨ (Gideon's not obsessively in love with Reader, but has a child-like crush on them, like a way toned-down Dipper/Wendy situation, and also Reader is like in their mid to late 20s or early 30s)

Reader is a slight dumpster diver and thinks random trash and junk are cool and could potentially be useful for some reason or other, so gladly takes the wrecked game disc back home. Reader has also acquired McGucket's old laptop (he got/made a new one and is all for Reader learning or building or experimenting on things so gave them the laptop). Reader brings the disc to Fidds, they decide to possibly sacrifice the old laptop to screw around with trying to find out what was on the disc/ how to fix it/ how to recover it. Fidds gets it working, the disc now permanently in the laptop as getting it up and running was a miracle, and taking it back out or shutting the program might cause it to never be able to open again.

Giffany has been "dead" for years (i know that in Journal 3 Soos and Dipper write that she ended up trying to romance Rumble McSkirmish, but i have elected to ignore that), so missed the past few years on progression and history in town, like all of Weirdmageddon.

Giffany now "wakes up" in the old laptop, but stays low to scope out what's going on: the last thing she remembers is Soos throwing her game into an oven and "killing" her. So who was this new person looking at her game files? Hell, who was the old man who booted up her programs even?? (i can't see any way she would know who McGucket is prior to this)

Reader has played dating sims, and specifically DDLC, so has some theories on what this game is- especially given how things in Gravity Falls are: Reader may be new to town, but very quickly discovered some of the ways it was strange here, like how a gnome tried to kidnap them once shortly after moving there. (Reader is really chill with the gnomes after this, and actually really good friends with Jeff)

Giffany eventually pops up and tries doing her "lure them in with the dating sim" thing like she did with Soos, but Reader is more focused on talking to an impressive program like Giffany, than actually playing her game. Reader straight out the gate treats her like a fellow living human, and they get to talking. Giffany talks about what happened with Soos and these 2 kids (Reader moved here in the spring, so hasn't had a summer meeting with Dipper and Mabel yet, and Ford and Stan are sailing, but has heard of all 4 of the Pines around town). Giffany tells them about how yes, she has hurt people, but her game always got returned, her own creators tried to delete her just for being too aware, and she is always left behind.

Reader has a lot of rejection stories too (because this is only in my brain and yah i have a lot of experience being rejected, so Reader gets my angst), so understands Giffany's perspective. Over a few days, they talk and bond, and then through what is basically a fetch quest Reader gets some "magic ink" (i dunno, im spit-balling here and it's MY brain fanfic) from the gnomes for an unrelated idea/previous conversation with Jeff.

The way the magic ink works is basically just that anything drawn with it will copy off the page into the world and come to life. A lot of it comes down to the emotions and thoughts put into the drawing, and the ink can read the intentions of the illustrator.

So Reader asks Giffany what she thinks, would she want Reader to try to give her a body? A physical form? Neither of them knows if/how it would work exactly, but what if she would be able to experience Life, maybe Reader would even want to be a part of that. She says yes.

Reader draws Giffany, just as she is in her pixel art, but less pixely, so she could hopefully blend in as a human so no one would treat her differently. Once the drawing is done, Reader actually jots down a few notes, namely "Giffany's physical body: all information, memories, feelings, and experience she has/had in her game disc/save files/the laptop are all still in here. Her physical body is realistic, her skin feels warm and she has real hair". After the final stroke, the ink reacts, and Giffany is standing before Reader, but she's also still on the laptop screen. The Giffanys look at each other, but the physical one looks at the screen more like she's looking in a mirror to check out a new outfit, rather than she was seeing a different version of herself- both are the same Giffany, the same consciousness (and even with a physical body she can still hop between screens like in her original episode, as she later would develop the habit of hanging out in Reader's phone to stay close to them without needing to move her physical body)

Longer story short; Reader introduces Giffany to Fiddleford, he's cool with her and offers her to live in the mansion like he did to Reader. They want Giffany to have agency and control over herself and her life, so turns over ownership of the drawing and the laptop to Giffany. Giffany gets reintroduced to other classic characters, including the Pines when summer starts, and Soos since Reader has also actually picked up a part-time job at the Shack. People are understandably worried and uncomfortable at first, but overtime warm up to Giffany once they start seeing her as a person. Giffany and Reader naturally and casually get to know each other and slowly fall in love. Reader is the one to make the first move, and kisses Giffany at a dance at the Shack. Fiddleford overall thinks of Reader and then Giffany like his kids or even siblings, and the 3 are best friends, Giffany surprised that she cares about someone so much without it being romantic. Eventually Giffany decides she wants a new look to go with her new life and perspectives, but instead of altering her drawing, she wants to change her appearance like a real human would: Reader cuts her hair for her, and they either go shopping for new clothes or she takes some of Reader's clothes (Reader gets the "boyfriend's clothes stolen by girlfriend" classic throughout this, Giffany loves to steal and wear their clothes to feel closer to them). The final touch is Giffany going in with magic ink and adding a little doodle of a leaf next to her drawing, and adding the note "she has this small leaf tattoo on her inner left wrist" because my name is Leif and i love Giffany and this is my fanfic soooooo i can do what i want

anyways my inner world is rich and my mental fanfic is fantastic and also this was only the Giffany notes, in my inner fanfic Reader is dating Giffany, Stan, and Ford, while Ford is also dating Fiddleford, though this is a later development. Also Mabel and Dipper are both dating Pacifica. Reader and Pacifica are the only members in the "dating a pair of Pines Twins" club.

(i love my internal fanfic, i've been thinking of and building this up for years. Also Pacifica lives with Candy and/or Grenda)

💕💕💕

[stardewremixed]

Summer (real world) birthday headcanons and how they would celebrate their special day

Jas - June 4th - picking wildflowers with Penny in the morning, drawing on coloring pages with some new crayons from Vincent (courtesy of Sam's Joja paycheck) in the afternoon and playing at the park together. Gunther organizes a special story time at the library (with the help of Elliott providing all the voices). Marnie doesn't cook so Jodi would bake a pink cake, but Marnie would probably would have bought a new doll for her. Jas finishes the day on Shane's shoulders feeding the chickens on the farm.

Gus - June 8th - this man deserves more love since he feeds the village! I could see the Farmer bringing fresh oranges from their orchard in a basket wrapped with a yellow ribbon. Emily cooks up a big batch of his favorite fish tacos, and drags Haley in to help serve (giving Gus the night off). Haley would drag Alex into it (at least to carry bags of ice and look hot doing it). Elliott might tinker on the piano. Leah would have a pint or two and pitch in also. Willy brings some tropical curry from Ginger Island for his buddy. The SAS trio attempt a song in his honor. Gus is happy to spend the evening in the Saloon with his friends and neighbors.

Maru - June 10th - A big breakfast with her family complete with fresh strawberries. Seb surfaces before 10 just in her honor. Maru is thrilled to spend the day with her dad in the lab and collecting specimens in the forest. Harvey gave her the day off, of course, and a little strawberry birthday card. She gets a rhubarb pie, courtesy of Evelyn or the farmer. She spends the late afternoon chatting on a park bench with her BFF, Penny, who gives her robot drawings from the Valley kiddos. Robin builds a wooden shelf for all of Maru's odds-and-ends gadgets. And stargazing with Sebastian (like they did as kids) is the perfect way to end the day.

Alex - June 13th - Evelyn would make a complete breakfast for her grandson, and a small gift that she knitted (maybe a cover for a water bottle or for his weights to keep them protected). With the help of Farmer, George ordered a gridball card online for his grandson. Tossing the ball down at the beach and a long ocean swim with Farmer, plus a picnic lunch. (I have this cute little headcanon that he would build sandcastles with Vincent and Sam). If Farmer is able to splurge, catching a gridball game together in the evening is his birthday present. And Alex is a very physical guy in my book, so plenty of hand holding, bear hugs, kisses all day long and then a dip at the hot springs in the evening (and maybe a sensual massage).

Sam - July 17th - A platter of maple bars for breakfast and maybe some early morning cloud gazing with his main squeeze (Farmer). And there's no way he wouldn't have a party. Pizza. Joja colas. Plenty of cheery hi-energy rock music. Streamers. Balloons. Arcade games. Party poppers. Confetti. Karaoke. Oh and he would buy something cheesy at Jojamart for party favors like rubber bracelets or silly string. And maybe for a final touch of whimsy, embracing his inner child, a pinata with tons of candy (much to Vincent's delight)! Abigail would play her woodland flute after one too many sugary drinks and candies and cakes. Seb might even step up to the mic for karaoke (but would sneak a smoke first for courage).

Dwarf - July 22 - Dwarf is just happy if someone makes the effort to visit them and remembers to bring a gift (preferably a shiny stone). Oh and they are touched if you speak their language. Fancy a spot of stardrop tea together? Cheers!

Demetrius - August 19 - this man doesn't strike me as someone who really likes celebrating his birthday. A nice quiet unwrapping of gifts at home (a gift card from Seb because he has no clue what to get his stepdad), and a good bean hotpot dinner is probably all he wants. Maybe sharing an ice cream cone with Robin and a private dance under the stars.

Willy - August 24 - Spend the day fishing together and enjoy a simple fish dinner on the beach by a fire and he's happy. Oh and mugs of mead shared while swapping sea stories.

Leo - August 26 - look for bird feathers and shells to decorate his treehouse. I picture playing tag on the beach with Jas and Vincent, probably Sam and Penny too. And some fresh mangos is a delicious treat! He would probably enjoy a tape of bird songs or a picture book about birds. I totally think Emily would do face painting for his birthday.

[lostloveletters]

Still Crazy After All These Years (Bucky Egan x OC)

Summary: It's a perfect Saturday evening in spring, which means only one thing for the Egans: baseball (specifically their son's Little League game).

Note: Fluffy post-war fic of Holly and Bucky being unhinged Little League parents (but we love them for it🥲) Do not interact if you're under 18, terf or radfem, or post thinspo/ED content.

Word count: 1.9k

Warnings: None.

“C’mon ump, that was out!” Bucky shouted from the bleachers. “Foul ball my as—butt,” he muttered to Holly, who had three-year-old Cynthia in her lap, her chestnut hair pulled up in twin ponytails that blew along with the late spring breeze.

The mid-May air was heavy with DC’s summer creeping up on them. The swampy, humid season dragged along until he finally reached fall’s reprieve. Spring was perfect, though, with its early season baseball games and cherry blossom festival. 

“It’s ridiculous.” Holly shook her head, her hand in the bag of pretzels she brought along, having carefully broken some into smaller pieces for Cindy.

“Who’s pitching? Is that the Baker kid?”

She nodded. “Yeah, Terry and Lynn’s youngest boy, Danny. He’s pretty good when he’s focused.”

“I can’t see,” Cindy pouted.

“Come on up, princess,” Bucky said, lifting his daughter and holding her on his hip. “Better?”

She nodded, wrapping her small arms around him as best as she could. 

“You know, when you’re a little older, they have leagues just like this for girls.”

“Honey.”

“I’m just letting Cindy know she has options!”

“Where’s Henry?” Cindy asked.

“You see him, right over there?” Bucky pointed at the boy playing shortstop whose dark, curly hair was barely contained beneath his blue baseball cap, a big orange ‘B’ for Bears embroidered on it. All of the local Little League teams were named after some type of animal, and Henry’s game schedule made him feel like he was in the Wizard of Oz with how many lions and tigers and bears were on the sheet of paper he brought home from his first day of practice.

“Henry! It’s Cindy!” she shouted, waving frantically at her brother.

The boy looked up, waving in the general direction of his family. Bucky and Holly had been in the middle of packing up the Christmas decorations when Henry asked them if he could sign up for the neighborhood Little League team that upcoming spring. Holly nearly dropped a box of glass ornaments in excitement.

Watching a major league game, Yankees or not, paled in comparison to cheering on for his own son. Even strikeouts and missed catches made Bucky overwhelmed with pride, because Henry was out there trying, making mistakes he could improve on in their backyard with Bucky’s encouragement to buoy Henry’s spirits if he felt a little discouraged—or got distracted. He had to give the coach credit. Keeping the attention of a dozen six- and seven-year-old boys long enough to teach them how to play a decent game of baseball couldn’t have been an easy feat.

“Out!” the umpire shouted.

Holly clapped as Henry’s team left the field to line up near home plate. “Now we’re talking.”

The kid batting before Henry hit a pop fly and was out before he could even make it a few feet from home plate. Bucky heard Holly take a deep breath when Henry walked up to bat. First pitch was a strike, but the second was almost perfect, the crack of the bat breaking through the crowd’s murmuring. The ball flew into the outfield, landing just in front of the chain link fence that separated the baseball field from the playground.

“Nice hit, Henry!” Bucky shouted.

Holly jumped up, bag of pretzels spilling across the bleachers. “Way to go, sweetheart!”

Bucky grabbed Holly’s hand as they watched their son pass first and make it to second before the centerfielder could throw the ball back to the infield.

“Kid’s a natural,” Bucky whispered excitedly, as all good parents do, adoration filling his chest. He pressed a kiss to the top of Cindy’s head. Holly liked to joke that the day Henry was born, Bucky cried more than their newborn baby did, but their son, and later their daughter, too, were the culmination of every hope and dream he desperately clung to for the better part of two years of just surviving. Because of that, he’d do anything for them.

He watched as the inning continued, his eyes on Henry the whole time. The next batter managed to get to first, but Henry flew past third and made a break for home just as the second baseman caught the ball.

“Go Henry!” Holly shouted. “Go go go!”

“You got this Henry! Come on buddy!”

Bucky was sure his heart was going to explode by the time Henry slid to home plate, barely a second before the ball flew into the catcher’s hand.

“Safe!” the umpire announced, nearly drowned out by Holly’s screaming.

“Attaboy Henry!” Bucky cheered.

“He did it! He fuc—flipping did it!” Holly gave Bucky a celebratory kiss, the two of them hardly able to contain their smiles long enough for their lips to meet for all that long. 

The rest of the game flew by. Nothing could compare to the rush of watching Henry steal home. The Bears won by a run, and Holly and Bucky were equally convinced it was thanks to their son. As soon as they found him after the game was over, Holly engulfed him in a hug, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“You did fantastic, sweetie! What a game!” she exclaimed, almost looking a bit teary-eyed when she took Cindy’s hand in hers.

“Look at you! Stole home like a champ,” Bucky said with a smile, pulling off Henry’s cap to ruffle his hair.

Henry smiled, front tooth missing, the first of his baby teeth to fall out. The tooth fairy had left him a quarter to mark the occasion. “Thanks, dad.”

“I think this calls for ice cream,” Holly said, as if they didn’t go for ice cream after every game Bucky was able to go to.

Bucky nodded. “Definitely. Whatever you kids want.”

——

Scoopland was one of the first places Holly had taken him to when they were stateside and he made the move to DC with her. A neighborhood staple she frequented before the war, she’d been excited to bring him there. The place boasted over 20 different flavors of ice cream, and after trying them all over the course of their first summer together after the war, found he liked their Rocky Road the best. Holly was partial to mint chocolate chip, a newer flavor which he thought tasted like toothpaste. 

Bucky walked up to the counter, tasked with ordering the ice cream while Holly wrangled Henry and Cindy into a nearby booth. She had the most difficulty getting Henry to sit down, since he spotted some friends from his baseball team on the other side of the ice cream shop.

“How’s it going Mr. Egan?” the teenage boy behind the counter asked.

“Can’t complain.”

“The usual for you guys?”

Bucky smiled. The usual. He wasn’t sure he ever figured himself to be the type of guy to have a usual at an ice cream place, but parenthood changed a lot of things. Sometimes, Cindy dealt out tea parties and temper tantrums in the same day. Henry got himself a trip to the emergency room just a few months prior while he was sledding on a snow day with his friends and went straight through a neighbor’s fence. He wasn’t sure how Holly managed on her own when he’d go away for work. At least her parents were nearby and took every opportunity to spoil their grandchildren that was presented to them.

He brought the four cups of ice cream over to the table, two in each hand, and placed the hot fudge sundae in front of Henry and tutti frutti with extra rainbow sprinkles in front of Cindy. He gave Holly a kiss as he handed her the cup of mint chocolate chip and snickered to himself when he sat down next to Cindy and saw Henry’s nose scrunched on the other side of the table.

“Listen champ, if there’s ever a day I don’t kiss your mom, that’s when you should be making that face.”

“‘S gross,” Henry said through a mouthful of ice cream.

“So is talking with your mouth full.”

Cindy stuck out her tongue, a distorted rainbow of ice cream and toppings that made Henry laugh.

“Next time, we’re taking you both to the zoo and leaving you there so the monkeys can raise you,” Holly said.

“We’re going to the zoo?” Henry asked. “When?”

“I wanna see a zebra and a giraffe!” Cindy exclaimed.

“How about next weekend?” Bucky looked to Holly for her approval, which was given in the smile that’d begrudgingly spread across her face.

Everything said and done, they made a damn good team as parents. Maybe he indulged the kids a little more than he should have, but Holly did her fair share of it too, letting Henry skip school to bring him and Cindy to weekday Nationals games for the hell of it. 

“Can I go say ‘hi’ to Danny and Paul?” Henry asked, looking over his shoulder at his friends who were waving at him.

“Fifteen minutes, but we’re heading home soon. It’s past your sister’s bedtime,” Holly said. “Don’t climb over the seat, Henry, that’s—” She sighed as he climbed over the back of the booth anyway, leaving a streak of dirt from his sneakers behind him. “He definitely gets it from you.”

“Me? The first time I met your parents, they made a point to tell me how much of a wild child you were,” Bucky reminded her with a grin.

Her parents were gracious enough to let him stay with them until he and Holly found a place of their own, although he was sure her returning with a ring on her finger made it easier for them to welcome him into their home. Holly must have done a hell of a job talking him up in her letters to them, because none of the awkward tension he’d been expecting was there when he first walked through the door to meet them.

Holly laughed to herself as she wiped off the seat with a napkin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Drawing on your bedroom walls?” he pressed.

“Can I draw on my walls?” Cindy asked.

“No. It wasn’t good when mommy did it.”

“Why not?”

“Because you have nice paper we bought for you to draw on, baby,” Holly said.

“It’s not as fun.”

“Sure it is,” Bucky said. “Remember the other day when we drew that castle with the unicorn and the dragon?”

She yawned. “You made the unicorn look funny.”

“Are you sleepy, Cin?” Holly asked.

Despite shaking her head, Cindy rubbed her eyes. She always did whatever she could to push out her bedtime, as if she were afraid she might miss something big if she went to sleep.

“I guess I should’ve asked mom and dad to watch her, huh?” Holly said. “I didn’t think we’d be out this late.”

Cindy mumbled something incomprehensible before dozing off.

Holly laughed softly, “And she’s out.”

“I got her,” Bucky said, picking up Cindy from her seat and placing her in his lap. She immediately curled up against him, and he tried not to think too much about how he wouldn’t know when the last time she’d ever do that would be. Hell, Henry was six and already ditching them to hang out with his friends. He glanced over at his son, face scrunched up in laughter at a joke one of them told him. His smile was like looking in a little mirror. 

Bucky ate a spoonful of ice cream, trying to tamper down the ache in his chest.

“You ever thought this would be how you’d spend your Saturday nights?” Holly asked teasingly.

“No.” Bucky smiled. “This is a lot better.”

[oh-stars]

Finally, Pt. 2

Part One | WC: 1,707

When Robin’s ready, she heads straight for the living room. Steve’s still not there, but the rest of their friends are settled around the place like they live there. It’s fantastic, it’s everything they’ve ever wanted for their home. 

As soon as she walks in, Eddie jumps up from the throne of a recliner they have. “Your seat, m’lady,” Eddie says, motioning to the seat. 

She smiles her thanks and eases herself into the sunken cushions. It’s like a hug and that’s exactly what she needs if she’s going to get through this. Looking at her friends' faces for the first time since her first trimester, Robin realizes just how much she’s missed them. They got together for Erica’s graduation before life took over and it was just harder to get together in general, let alone while Robin was suffering through her pregnancy. 

Not that they had any idea. 

“You ready?” Eddie whispers. 

“As I’ll ever be. Can you go get Steve?” 

“Yeah, where’s he at?” Dustin asks, crossing his arms. “I called three times yesterday and he didn’t answer. I had important news to share.” 

“Important?” Max scoffs. “Please tell me it’s not that game–” 

“You know it is.” 

Eddie snaps his fingers. “Hey,” he hisses, “knock it off. Everyone has to be super quiet when Steve walks in. Deal?” 

No one seems surprised by this request, so Eddie slips away. Robin keeps her eyes on the faces around her, anxiety suddenly clinging to her insides with a grip. They’re whispering among one another, mouthing words instead of actually speaking, like they do when Steve has a migraine. 

But this is no migraine. 

This is a new human that she created with Steve that they’re introducing for the first time. 

Oh my god, what was she thinking springing this on them? 

Before she can hyperventilate, Eddie and Steve shuffle back in, with Bubs bundled in Steve’s arms. 

“Is that…” Lucas asks, pointing at the bundle. 

“Why do you have a baby?” Dustin asks, eyes nearly bulging out of his head. 

Nancy leans forward. “Is this why you skipped coming down for the summer?” 

Steve walks over to Robin. “Look at him,” he says, barely glancing up from their baby’s sleepy face. “It’s like he’s drunk.” 

They’ve gotten really good at the transfers lately, but she still holds her breath until her baby is nestled against her chest, head on her shoulder, and safe. “He does look drunk,” she says, smoothing the hair on his head down. 

“Partially,” Steve answers as he pulls away from Robin and the baby.. 

“We didn’t have the funds, either,” Eddie adds. “Birdie missed a lot of work early on and we couldn’t afford to take time off when she was down for the count.” 

Robin looks away from Bubs’ drooping eyes, eyes that are definitely Steve shaped, and sees the look of… awe in her friends. 

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Nancy asks, a touch of hurt in her voice. 

She takes a deep breath, but doesn’t get a chance to respond before Dustin’s saying something again. 

“You owe me a hundred, Maxine,” he crows. “You don’t get more proof that Steve and Robin are hooking up than a baby.” 

Max rolls her eyes. “There are more ways than one to have a baby, dipshit.” 

Lucas pinches her arm. “Don’t cuss in front of a baby!”  

“It’s fine!” 

“Hey,” Eddie hisses quietly. “Knock it off.” 

Eleven shuffles forward and kneels beside Robin to peer down. “It is a boy?” 

“Yes,” Robin says, moving the blanket he’s swaddled in further from his face. “He’s only three days old.” 

“He is pretty,” she whispers. 

“Does he have a name?” Jonathan asks. 

Robin looks to Steve, who’s already looking at him. “I gave birth to him, you can tell your other children.” 

Steve sighs, looking to the ceiling as he accepts his fate. “No,” he says as he addresses the group, his eyes falling on Erica. “That would be Erica’s job.” 

She looks startled, but Robin’s sure she can only tell because she knows Erica well. It only lasts for a minute before a smug smile crosses her face and she gets up to move closer and hover over the baby. 

“Why does she get to name him?” Dustin squawks. 

“Yeah, what makes her so special?” Mike adds. 

Steve rolls his eyes. “As a part of Operation Child Endangerment, among the ice cream for life deal, Robin and I agreed that she could name our first born child if she helped out. And I’m a man of my word, so,” Steve says, motioning to Erica and the baby. 

“You really trust her to name your kid?” Will asks, wincing. 

Erica’s head whips around to shoot daggers at them all. “What’s that supposed to mean?” 

Will blushes and shrugs. 

“It means,” Lucas says, “that you’re still a baby yourself–” 

“I’m a legal adult, thank you,” Erica huffs, crossing her arms. 

Bubs starts to fuss, squirming in Robin’s arms as the noise starts to rise. It shuts everyone up, all eyes on him. 

“Holy shit, this is real,” Dustin says. 

“Why wouldn’t it be real?” Max asks. 

Dustin doesn’t say anything and soon everyone is crowding around her. “Can I hold him?” Dustin asks. 

“No,” Steve says, before Robin can get to it. “And back up.” He shoos everyone away from Robin. “You can’t get in his face. It’s not healthy.” 

“We don’t want a bunch of people holding him just yet,” Robin says, “not until his immune system is stronger.” 

“Outside of me, Rob, Ed–”

“Why does Eddie get to hold him?” Dustin asks. 

“Because Eddie lives here,” Eddie says, his voice coming from above Robin. She hadn’t noticed he’d moved above her. 

Steve nods. “Exactly. Otherwise, you guys can discuss which two people can hold him this time.” 

She tunes out the discussion, eyes finding their way back to Bubs’ face. 

It takes an hour for them to decide, but the group deems Erica and Dustin should get to hold the baby. Mostly because of Scoops Troop rules, but also since the majority of the group realized holding a newborn is kind of terrifying, it limited who actually wanted to hold him. 

Dustin holds Bubs first and cries over him, sniffling to the point everyone had tears in their eyes. Robin couldn’t hear what he was whispering to the baby, but it didn’t really matter since she was crying anyway. At least she can blame it on the hormones. 

Bubs got fussy again though, so Steve took him to change his diaper and settle him. It was while he was gone that Erica sat beside Robin on the arm of the recliner. “You’re really trusting me to name him?” she asked softly. 

“I’d much rather you name him than half of these dweebs.” She gives Erica a small smile. “And Steve and I couldn’t agree on what type of name. He wants sentimental and I want something that feels modern. It was easier to agree on fulfilling our debt to you than actually coming up with a name.” 

“Gee, thanks,” Erica says, rolling her eyes. She softens though and leans against Robin’s arm. 

When Steve comes back in, a new onesie and blanket on Bubs, he raises an eyebrow at Erica. 

She slides off the arm and switches places with Dustin to sit on the sofa. Erica looks so young as she holds him, all stiff limbs and wide eyes. 

Nancy, Jonathan, and Eddie end up ordering pizza for everyone, taking orders and getting everything squared away in the kitchen. The others are whispering about their plans in the city now that they have a baby to consider and in turn, the order on who gets to hold the baby next time. 

It’s then that Erica looks up at both Steve and Robin and grins. “I have a name.” 

Steve sits down beside her. Robin leans forward. 

“Jackson Eric.” 

Oh. She loves it. 

Robin wipes at her eyes. “That’s perfect,” she laughs. 

“Where’d you get that one?” Steve asks, wrapping an arm around her and brushing his finger along Jackson’s chubby cheek. 

“Jack is from Lady Applejack, who I debuted with you two,” she says, “and -son comes from Dustin’s last name. I considered doing his middle name, but it’s Michael and there can’t be any confusion on who he’s named after.” 

Steve’s eyes are sparkling when he looks up at Robin, barely holding back his own laughter. 

“And Eric is me, obviously.” 

“Sentimental,” Robin says, “yet modern. Good work.” 

“Did you doubt me?” 

Steve shakes his head. “Never.” 

“Jackson Buckley,” Robin says. “Has a good ring to it.” 

“Our son has a name,” Steve says as he pulls away from Erica to take a seat on the arm of the recliner. 

Robin hugs him, mostly because she feels this deep need to be close to him. “I’m still not over the fact we have a kid to begin with.” 

“It was your idea.” 

“Speaking of,” Dustin cuts in, “can we get back to how you two are obviously together?” 

“Oh my god,” Robin groans. “He just doesn’t stop.” 

“Dude,” Steve sighs. “How many times do we have to say it?” 

“Platonic with a capital P,” everyone in the room recites. 

Dustin rolls his eyes. “Whatever. You can deny it all you want, but I know. We all know.” 

“You know nothing,” Eddie says with a snort. “Heard we’ve got a name?” He sits on the other arm of the recliner, leaning back to put his arm around the back. 

Robin smiles at Erica. “You want to introduce him?” 

She nods and adjusts her hold. “This is Jackson Eric Buckley.” 

“Erica, you didn’t,” Lucas groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

Steve pushes Lucas’ arm gently. “We love it, it’s staying.” 

“Does this mean you’re going to name your next kid after us?” Max asks with a grin. Robin laughs, can’t help it. Here she thought they’d be furious with her, with them, for hiding the pregnancy, and yet they’re nothing but accepting. Sure, there’s probably bigger conversations to be had when the excitement settles and she can actually talk to Nancy and Jonathan, but for now, it’s all smiles and coos at Jackson.

----

Tag List from first one (sorry for the tag lol): @8em-em-em8 @fairytalesreality @lawrencebshoggoth @kal-ology @princessstevemunson @marismorar

And thanks to @lady-lostmind for the name help and betaing!

If I ever write more of this universe, I'm naming it Platonic Parents so you can keep an eye on that tag if you want. It's also on ao3 under the same series name

Ao3 link

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

trips and falls flat on my face BABY HOWL SIBLINGS MY BELOVEDDDDSFDD TEEHEHE))

''Hi guys! Do you think I can come with you? I heard from your big bro that you two are very skilled in snow sports. Where I come from there's no snow at all so I'm very unfamiliar with these kinds of winter activities. I would love to see and participate a bit in them if you don't mind!'' (but bear with me, I'll be a disaster.)

(Turns to the little sister.) ''As much as you're adorable now, I'm sure you will grow up to be a beautiful, powerful wolf beastwoman. Maybe even stronger and taller than your big bro, who knows? Teehe.''

NRC Family Day was originally conceived as a blog event to celebrate Mother/Father's Day, which usually takes place in late spring to early summer! But just for this interaction, let's pretend Family Day's in winter ;p

I made Jack's brother kind of a jerk because Jack describes him as someone who always mouths off to him 😅 whereas I wrote his sister as more of a sympathetic girl that's frustrated with her brothers leaving her out because of her youth. Again, tried to work with what little canon we have to write them!

Family means Nobody is Left Behind or Forgotten.

WHUMP!!

In your mad dash to nonchalantly approach the two young Howl siblings, you slipped on the ice that coated the street and fell forward, faceplanting in snow. Concern shouts and frantic footsteps followed, the children approaching.

"Are you okay?" Jack’s sister asked. Her voice was close—she was likely crouched down to check on you.

“Of course they aren’t,” his brother grumbled. He was more distant—standing. “Humans don’t have fur like we do. They’re probably freezing their butt off.”

“No, I’m better than okay! I’m great,” you insisted, lifting your snow-encrusted face from the ground. In spite of the unceremonious fall, your eyes were sparkling, your entire face warm with enthusiasm. "Actually, you think I can come with you guys? I heard from your big bro that you two are very skilled in snow sports. Where I come from there's no snow at all so I'm very unfamiliar with these kinds of winter activities. I would love to see and participate a bit in them if you don't mind--but bear with me, I'll be a disaster."

The Howls exchanged confused looks with one another.

"There's really such a thing as places that never have snow...?" the sister wondered, her nose crinkling. You saw bits of Jack in that expression--the fluff to her brows when they pushed together, resulting in appearing unintentionally fierce. "You're built different."

"Well, they handled a face full of snow just fine, so what the heck--let's let'm join us," the brother sighed. "We could do with the extra manpower."

"Yay!" You cheered, springing to your feet. "What's the game, captain?"

"Snowball fight. You ever heard of it?" Jack’s brother pointed to the imprint you had left on the ground. "Make balls with snow, then chuck it at your enemies. It's as simple as that."

"Enemies? You make it sound like a blood sport," you joked.

"It's serious business!! Only the manliest of men rise victorious,” the wolf boy insisted. “Today’s the day we’re finally gonna beat Jack aniki!!”

"He's being competitive again," Jack's sister said with a roll of her eyes. "He always is!"

"Maybe I wouldn't have to be if you did your part," he grumbled back, bending to pack together some snow.

Her fur bristled with annoyance. She stomped her foot and pouted, crossing her arms. "I've been helping!! But if you run off, how am I supposed to know where you went? You don't even wait for me."

Your ears piqued. “Hey now, it's not cool for your brother to do that to you.”

You knelt to meet the girl at her level, resting a hand upon her head. Her hair was softer than freshly fallen snow, and stuck up from between your fingers. Through damp eyes, she stared up at you curiously.

''As much as you're adorable now, I'm sure you will grow up to be a beautiful, powerful wolf beastwoman! Maybe even stronger and taller than your big bro, who knows?” You grinned impishly, tone warm and reassuring. "Then you can show both of your brothers what for!"

“E-Eh, you think so?” The girl’s face heated, her wolf ears flattening shyly.

“Yeah, for real!” You nudged her on the arm, then offered your hand. “Come on, let’s show your big bros what you’re made of.”

Jack’s sister perked a bit at your offer, slipping her hand into your own. Her tail, too, stood up, wagging happily in spite of her stoicism.

“Th-Thanks,” she started to mutter—then stopped, her muscles stiffening. Her brother, too, had gone quiet and still, a half-formed snowball in his palms.

Every strand of fur and hair on them stood on end, as if frozen in place by the frigid weather. Their ears twitched, sensing something shuffling closer and closer.

Suddenly, the Howl siblings violently tore away. Jack’s sister broke her hold on you as she barreled into a nearby bush, the brother abandoning his snowballs join her.

“G-Guys?! Where are you go…”

SPLAT!!

Something cold and wet collided with your face. Ice. White. They exploded across your vision, caking your lashes in a healthy layer of snow.

The force of the hit sent you stumbling back, your bottom meeting the frosted road. Pieces of the blue-grey sky above peered through the snow nestled upon your skin.

Your arms blindly extended before you, wildly grasping for the world, for something tangible. You found solace in the snow pooling around you, letting your fingers sink deeply into it.

Footsteps came, heavy like a blizzard but as brisk as a winter chill. Definitely not the same footsteps of the far smaller Howl siblings.

There was a huff, and a puff, and a voice low and gruff hit you. Not breathy from exhaustion, but with concern. You automatically recognized who it was.

"Oi, you good? Didn't mean for that snowball to hit you like that, sorry," Jack apologized--a little blunt, perhaps, but entirely earnest. "I was aiming for my kid sister, and... uh, looks like you got caught in the crossfire."

You spat out a chunk of ice in response.

Through a crack in your mask of snow, you could make out Jack flinching, guilt in his golden eyes. He was usually so tough and standoffish--now he resembled little more than a puppy whimpering after being chided for having an accident on the rug. A rare moment of vulnerability for him.

"Do you need to see Professor Crewel?" Jack asked, kneeling before you. With one hand, he wiped snow off of you, and, little by little, your vision was restored.

“Oh, thanks.” You smiled sweetly at him. “I’ve got a good look at you now.”

"Wha..."

SPLAT, SPLAT!

Fisting as much snow as you could in both hands, you threw your clumsily crafted snowballs at Jack. He fell back in an effort to avoid them—but he was too close, and caught off guard. His face caught the projectiles, turning the same fuzzy, silvery white as his hair.

Blink, blink.

His golden gaze shone through the snow, staring into the depths of your soul. Wide, and vaguely amused.

"Did you just...?!"

SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT!!

Jack yelped and buckled forward, pelted by a barrage of snowballs from behind. In the confusion, you sprung up, scrambling off the main street and ducking behind a tree trunk. Protected from the incoming fire, you dared to peer back at the chaotic scene.

Jack had gone from wolf to abominable snowman, covered head-to-toe in snow like a new coat of fur. He directed a glare and a growl over his shoulder. The Howl siblings had emerged from their hiding place, excitedly squealing as they high-fived each other.

"Hah! Did you see that? We totally got you!" his brother jeered smugly. "Good going, decoy!"

"Grrrr..."

Jack expertly shook off the cold like a dog drying itself of rainwater. He was left with clumps of wet hair and fur sticking up and out. His grumpy frown was indignant, like that of a pet forcibly bathed--and one that had struggled every step of the way.

You giggled at the thought. When Jack whipped his head in your direction, you were quick to conceal your mouth behind a hand, hoping he hadn't seen.

"That's how it's gonna be, huh... Alright,. I'll take you all on, 3 on 1!" Jack declared with a rebellious grin. "It's time to get serious."

Crouching, he scooped up massive mounds of snow in both arms, roughly shaping them into one massive sphere. Jack easily lifted the giant snowball over his head, casting a foreboding shadow over him--and you and the Howl siblings alike.

"H-Hold on a second," you clumsily stammered, "isn't that going kinda overboard...?!"

"Eeek, run awayyy!" Jack sister squeaked, hurriedly tugging on your arm. (His brother was already making a break for it.)

A visibly sinister glint dancing now danced in Jack's eyes. Something there that wasn't there before. His laughter rumbled softly, warning of a coming storm.

"Ready or not, here comes the big, bad wolf!"

[monstermoviedean]

inspired by @soft-pine's post, i'd like to try to break down the tight timeline between the end of 14x17 (mary's death) and the end of 15x03 (cas leaving).

short version: it may be as little as two weeks, and is likely no more than 3 weeks.

longer version: i've been trying to track the timeline of spn all through my rewatch. there are some points where it's very easy, and some where it's not. this is a maddeningly unclear timeline.

however, there are two confirmed bookends. one, 14x13 is conclusively stated to take place on february 7, 2019. two, 15x04 is conclusively stated to take place in early november 2019 (november 5-7, to be exact). so everything has to take place between february 7 and november 5.

my original thought was that 14x19 was taking place around april 18 - there's a poster that shows a book talk based on a book that has been recently launched (according to the dialogue). and all the other posters are from past events. however, there's a throwaway line in 15x02 - chuck mentions the game of thrones ending, which aired may 19, 2019. so 15x02 most likely takes place after that.

the thing that trip me up the most is the fact that there's snow on the ground in 14x17 and 14x18. that's what makes me think this is taking place in late spring, but there's no way to know for sure. and i'm actually okay writing this off as "feature of our world that doesn't apply to their world." same with the indicators of summer in early season 15. most of the time, with some exceptions, episodes take place in the spn universe around the same time they air in our universe (this is true for 14x13 and 15x04, our bookends).

while i can't state when this takes place in terms of months and days, i can give you the number of days it takes place over. just know that those days could be a stretch in april or in august - anywhere between february 7 and november 5. ***update! in 15x11 the sheriff references sam starting an fbi file on jack "last spring." this would make the most sense when he was soulless, so april/may would make sense here. this does, of course, mean that atomic monsters takes place months after the rupture.

so what is the timeline? here's the best i can do, pieced together from scripts and transcripts. i'm not going to cite evidence for each day line-by-line, but you are welcome to take a look at the transcripts or ask me to clarify if something is confusing.

i'll refer to mary's death as day 1, and all other days will be numbered accordingly.

14x18 absence: starts soon after the end of 14x17, maybe a few hours. it begins at night on day 1. when jack arrives at rowena's, it is the next day - day 2. jack trying to resurrect mary happens on day 2. they drive her body back to the bunker and burn her the next day - day 3. so she's burned within 48 hours, give or take.

14x19 jack in the box: this is the big question mark: how much time passes between burning mary's body, and her wake? there's no obvious answer. i would estimate at least a day (to call the hunters back to the bunker and prepare for the wake), and no more than a week because i'd imagine dean and sam would want to get the wake done relatively quickly, because they wouldn't want to let jack run around killing people, and because at the beginning of 14x19 jack is shown to be still in the same warehouse he was in at the end of 14x18.

i'll put 3 days on the clock here, meaning if they call everybody on day 3 after burning mary's body, mary's wake is taking place on day 6. less than a week after she died. the rest of the episode takes place over at least three additional days. end of day 6/beginning of day 7 is dean crying alone. day 7 involves dean and sam talking about mary, cas going to heaven, and dumah appearing to jack and then them both going to turn the professor into salt (this is where the poster with the april 18 date comes in). day 8 begins with cas returning from heaven, runs through dean, sam, and cas finding out about the professor, and ends with jack bringing the church group to heaven and filling the pastor with worms. day 9, dean, sam, and cas go visit the pastor in the hospital and say they want to talk about "last night." everything else through the end of the episode happens on day 9.

14x20 moriah: picks up on day 9. jack's truth spell is cast on day 10, and the entire rest of the episode takes place on day 10, transitioning to the night of day 10 after chuck kills jack.

15x01 back and to the future: picks up on day 10 right where 14x20 left off. takes place over the course of the night and through day 11.

15x02 raising hell: there is a clearly stated two-day gap - one of the harlan residents mentions they've been at the school for two days. the teaser takes place on the night of day 13 (48 hours, give or take, after the end of 15x01). the episode proper begins on the morning of day 14, with day 14 closing with dean and belphegor meeting "jack the ripper." day 15 opens with harlan residents trying to plan their escape and rowena's arrival. dean and ketch meet kevin at the end of day 15. the rest of the episode takes place on day 16.

15x03 the rupture: begins on a new day. i'm guessing day 17, but it could be day 18. probably not much later than that, since the warding is failing at the end of 15x02 and it seems very urgent. i'll say day 17 but know there's a little wiggle room here. the entire episode takes place in the course of one day, with the episode ending at night back at the bunker. the script says "some time has passed, at least half a day" between the closing of the rift and the end scene at the bunker. so it's late at night on day 18, maybe early in the morning on day 19.

the minimum timeline here, according for no wiggle room and assuming everything happens back-to-back, is 18 days. 2.5 weeks between mary's death and the rupture. you can add a few extra days here and there, but it is unlikely that this stretch of episodes took place over more than 3 weeks.

do with that what you will.

[welcome-to-green-hills]

Hey were people this antsy waiting for the Sonic 2 trailer?

Hi Hon!❤️✨

Believe it or not, people were just as antsy for the second film’s release. However, it was for a different reason. Back in late spring/early summer Movie!Knuckles was accidentally leaked online. We didn’t know that Knuckles was going to be an addition to the second film. We only knew that we were getting Tails and references of G.U.N. The anticipation for that period of time was to see Knuckles’ debut on screen. That, and trying to figure out who would be his VA in the films. We also had some tidbits on the plot sprinkled here and there before the trailer released.

All of this was pretty positive, especially since we live in a technological world. What I mean by that is that audience members could share their excitement online and have cast/crew members interact as well.

Here, we truly don’t know a whole lot about what the film will be about. This is one of the reasons why we’re so antsy. What do know is that it will NOT be a 100% remake of SA2 (this was talked about in my pinned post), Shadow’s game, and a third one. Everything is extremely tight-lipped. I’ve done my best to keep track of everything Sonic 3–related since 2021, but it still feels like a few breadcrumbs. We also don’t have a whole lot of interaction with cat and crew like we did a couple of years ago. Everything is under an NDA. That, and there’s too many people claiming to be “leakers” online with AI generated content and stating that it’s real.

In short, yes. We were antsy, but for a different reason. This type of antsy is a bit uncomfortable. Does that make sense?😅 I hope that this helps!

[yours-the-author]

Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony Extended Zodiac: My Thoughts

It's been a while, hasn't it? I finally decided to get this done, so let's hop onto one more ride of Homestuck and Danganronpa craziness! If you're unfamiliar with what the heck is going on, I've included links to previous posts I've made in this topic. THH and the Masterminds posts feature more detailed explanations of what this is and how it works, which I *could* rewrite here, but... I dunno, I'm eepy. Anyway, here's the Table of Contents, so to speak, and the actual good stuff will be below the cut, like always:

Trigger Happy Havoc

Masterminds

Goodbye Despair

Killing Harmony (You are here!)

And, as always: Spoilers for Danganronpa inbound!

Kaede Akamatsu - March 26

Arcer - Sign of the Officer (Aries, Prospit, Blood)

Born in the early days of Spring, Kaede is an Aries!

Aries are adventurous, confident, and energetic, traits that can make for great- if occasionally foolhardy- leaders. Kaede is quick to become the de facto leader of her class, guiding everyone through trials and tribulations with the power of her belief in her friends and her determination to escape the killing game. She's willing to throw her all into it, even risking her neck on the Death Road to Despair in the first chapter of the game... but unfortunately, she has an occasional tendency to be unaware of those around her, not noticing the exhaustion everyone's in until it's pointed out to her. Still, there's no denying her leaderly qualities, so she's a pretty reasonable Aries.

Prospit was a fairly easy decision for Kaede's Lunar Sway; she's reasonably optimistic and plenty creative! When she decides to try ending the killing game, she's surprisingly creative with it: taking Shuichi's plan and subtly making adjustments that fly right under the player's nose in an attempt to catch the Mastermind. I mean, constructing a ramp out of books to direct the shotput ball right onto the killer, even though she had never seen the top of the book case up close until that very moment? She's clearly good at thinking things up on the spot, which another trait common to Prospit dreamers! I think this one suits her well.

I had a few choices in mind for Kaede's Aspect, and in the end, I think she's a pretty good contender for being a Blood bound hero. It mostly comes down to her natural leaderly qualities; she has charisma up the wazoo, magnetically drawing the other students towards her with her "push forward no matter what" attitude. She also has a bit of a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of thing after the first class trial, making a final request before her execution that everyone escapes without killing even though she was willing to kill to help everyone live. If only things could work out so easily...

Finally, there's her Word: the Officer. This may seem rather weird; an officer is defined as someone in a position of command or authority, and Kaede certainly isn't so bossy. But she does play a bit of an authoritative role in an inspirational sense, inspiring her classmates (Shuichi especially) to keep working hard to escape the killing game with as little death as possible (with varying degrees of success). Up until her untimely death, Kaede was definitely the leader of the group, guiding them towards a more hopeful future of being friends with each other... and while not nearly as many people end up surviving as she'd have hoped, she technically did get her wish granted in the end.

---

Shuichi Saihara - September 7

Virza - Sign of the Puzzle (Virgo, Derse, Mind)

A late summer child, Shuichi is a Virgo!

Virgos are detail oriented, intelligent, and perfectionists, holding no one to a higher standard that themselves for the sake of getting everything just right. Shuichi definitely shows those traits, but he's also a bit timid and even doormat-like, especially early game. Really though, can you blame him? The first time he pursued the truth in his pre-game backstory, he got someone arrested who had only killed to get revenge for their family, making him doubt himself greatly. Thanks to Kaede encouraging him though, he eventually discards the hat he hides under to face the truth completely.

Someone shy and quiet like Shuichi makes Derse seem like a no brainer, but it's more than that. Derse dreamers are cerebral and have difficult with sincere vulnerability, often hiding behind a hard shell to keep themselves safe. Once they've warmed up to someone, though, they're powerful allies, and Shuichi's "powers" are no joke! It even comes to a point where Monokuma has to rely on Shuichi completely to uncover who the murderer/murderee of the fifth class trial is, since his mini flying cameras were all shut down by Kokichi just long enough for his deception to be set in place. If even the murder bear that's making you kill each other relies on your skills enough to actually get things done, then you know you've got something special.

Naturally, someone intelligent like Shuichi would have an intelligence focused Aspect, and between Light and Mind, Mind was the better choice. While Mind players are capable of creating and completing great plans with unbelievable grace, they can also get easily overwhelmed by their many possible choices, making them freeze up in the face of potentially making the wrong decision. This is literally Shuichi in the first class trial: he realizes the truth of the whole case, but freezes up instead of bringing up the facts, which results in him nearly getting pinned as the Blackened. It was only thanks to Kaede that he didn't get everyone killed from his fear of the truth. If that doesn't make him a Mind player, I'll eat Shuichi's hat (please do not make me eat his hat).

Finally his Word, which was a bit of a struggle to fit, but he's the Puzzle. Sure, his intelligence makes this seem obvious, but a person who is a puzzle/is puzzling is someone who causes confusion to others, being difficult to understand or even downright nonsensical. For the most part, Shuichi is a pretty straightforward person, but his reasoning for his early game behavior seems to puzzle Kaede, and some later decisions like (correctly) calling Gonta the Blackened of the fourth trial definitely puzzle the heck out of most people, especially Kaito. Shuichi can definitely be a puzzle, in more ways than one.

---

Kokichi Oma - June 24

Gemiborn - Sign of the Uproarious (Gemini, Derse, Rage)

The Ultimate Supreme Leader of the world (or not?) is a Gemini!

Geminis are smart, and aren't afraid to take advantage of it. They can talk in circles around most everyone, using their seemingly boundless energy to get what they want from others. Kokichi fits this perfectly; easily one of the most talkative "trouble makers" of the Danganronpa series, Kokichi smooth talks his way into all sorts of trouble- mostly for the others, but even himself on occasion. The Insect Meet and Greet in particular comes to mind, or really any of his interactions with Gonta, especially in the fourth class trial.

Someone so openly underhanded and closed off like Kokichi also makes for a perfect Derse dreamer. He hides any and all insecurities under his many, many lies, and his rebellious methods of ending the killing game make it hard to get close to him: revealing the killer of the fourth class trial early and managing to pull the wool over Monokuma's eyes to stop the fifth trial. Underhanded? A little. Meanspirited? Definitely. Effective? Almost too perfectly. It's no holds barred for a Derse dreamer like Kokichi.

Now, this may seem a little controversial, but I decided to give Kokichi the Rage aspect. Making him a Void player seems more reasonable at first; after all, who else is so up front about casting doubt on what's right and wrong? But the word for a Gemittarius- the Sapient- just didn't quite fit. So why a Rage player? Aren't they supposed to hate lies and false ideas? Well, yes... but that's the thing. Kokichi's "truth" is lying. To him, lies make the world go round, and most truths are lies, anyway. Kokichi is also insatiably cruel and fearless, more than willing to make everyone hate him for the sake of ending the killing game on his terms. No matter how much he might get attacked for his ways, he sticks to them and never compromises on who he is. Also, he's a bit... enRAGEing, hahaha! (Everyone boos)

Finally, his word, which was the main reason behind all these choices: the Uproarious. Typically defined as someone who makes or attracts a lot of noise, taking a more metaphorical approach makes him a perfect fit. I don't think I've ever seen a Danganronpa character cause as much of an uproar among both the other characters and the people who play the game; almost every let's player I've seen hates Kokichi (or at the very least, is extremely annoyed by him), and I'm sure he was quite a headache for the audience watching the 53rd Killing Game. Probably caused quite an... UPROAR... these are the jokes, people.

---

K1-B0 - October 29

Scorra - Sign of the Impromptu (Scorpio, Prospit, Mind)

Picking my favorite character from V3 was difficult, but I eventually decided on the character that fascinates me the most: K1-B0, the Ultimate Robot! His whole narrative purpose and in-game functionality is just... oof. I could go on for a while about that, but I won't. Anyway, surprisingly, he's a Scorpio!

Scorpios are seen as the most dangerous of the signs, throwing everything they have into everything they do. For someone as mild mannered and polite as K1-B0, this may seem like a mistake... but we have to remember that the K1-B0 we know for most of the game is different from who he actually is. When his "hair curl" is attached, he's under the control of the audience at home, acting as a sort of self insert for the people who watch Danganronpa. Once that wire gets cut at the end of the fifth class trial, though, he becomes determined to end the killing game by any means necessary, taking the most destructive option of blowing up the school and everyone in it to achieve his goal. Surprisingly Scorpio-like!

I chose Prospit as K1-B0's Lunar Sway, because there's never really a moment when he purposefully hides who he is; even when he's free of his antenna, he's honest and straightforward with his goals and personality; the only real difference is how destructive he's willing to get. He's also a fairly optimistic and easy going guy; even when others are being robophobic, he's polite, firm, and generally nonviolent in his approach to correcting that behavior.

For his Aspect, I chose Mind, which... was a surprisingly difficult choice to make. A number of Aspects matched him well, but it really came down to his word as the deciding factor, and even then, it's a bit of stretch... I'll explain more in a minute. For now, though: K1-B0 is definitely a logic based fellow, being rational in the face of all the irrational things happening around him, even if he sometimes comes off as a bit cold and inflexible to others emotional needs. But he's learning, so that's what matters most! He's eager to get as much information as possible so that he can make the best decisions and be the best Ultimate Robot!

Finally, his word: the Impromptu. To be impromptu is to do things without planning or thinking, which really doesn't match K1-B0 for the most part... until we get that darned antenna off his head. Then, it's no longer a matter or rationality; it's a matter of ending the killing game, and ending it quickly. Depending on how you view the end of the game, too, shows that there's a bit of impulsivity to him still: he chooses to allow the survivors to live, even though he was supposed to destroy everything about the Danganronpa world they were in. Maybe it was the viewer's decision, or maybe it was his own; either way, it was certainly very impromptu a decision.

---

AGH! Finally, I'm done! I really do enjoy doing these things, but they're also really tiring! I've been at this for hours... partially because I conked out and took a nap halfway through. Comfy couches really are too comfy... Anyway, I'll get around to adding/editing the table of contents for the previous posts later; my laptop is dying and I NEED to go to bed! Thanks for coming on the ride, everyone! Mind your step as you exit, and I'll see you around, some other day.

[miniherodesktales]

Day 13: Dreams

It was never summer in Bedford Falls. The little town, quaint as it was, was somehow forever stuck in a cycle of autumn, winter, and early spring before immeditately jumping back into autumn.

Residents of Bedford were sometimes treated few limp clumps of snowdrops dotted here and there, a few unhappy daffodils weighed down by frost and damp, and then after a couple of weeks the flowers would be buried beneath a glorious blanket of orange, red, and yellow fall leaves and a whole lot of rain. Then shortly after that, the first snow would begin to fall.

It reminded Krissy of Scotland.

But, in spite of the damp and the cold, Krissy loved it. She loved the crisp cool air, the crunch of frosty leaves beneath her boots, the crackle of the fire, the need for blankets, the smell of pumpkin pies and always being in a hurry to catch up on the Christmas shopping.

'This is mine! That's mine! And ttthhhiiissss is forever mine!'

The Cat was gliding his way down the hallway, spraying his scent over just about everything - the coat rack, the bench, the telephone...Krissy smiled warmly.

'Morning, Cat.'

'Morning, Mrs Lister, you off out?'

'Just some last minute Christmas shopping.'

'Well don't forget my present. And before you go -FEED MEEE!'

Krissy's smile became strained.

Life was a funny old thing. She was so happy, but things weren't perfect. As much as she loved Lister's friends, they did take up a lot of space. But, that was another funny thing - Lacaille House - old and falling apart - always seemed to grow to accommodate more people. They always had just about enough space. There was always extra bedding in the airing cupboard, another chair ready at the dining table.

Arnold Rimmer was the latest lost soul Lister had rescued. He had been malnourished and exhausted by life when Kryten had carried him in. He had pulled Bexley from the lake, risking his own life, there was no chance they would turn him back on the streets. Even before the doctor had attended to him, Krissy could see that he was in serious need of some TLC. Thankfully, they suddenly remembered that they had recently converted the attic into a cosy guest room. It was small, but warm and comfortable. He was recovering well if the daily morning shouting was anything to go by.

'OH WHY CAN'T YOU DO ANYTHING RIGHT, YOU USELESS STRING OF PHELGM!!'

'Right on cue, m'am,' said Kryten cheerfully, brushing past Krissy and the Cat with his tool box. 'Sounds like another painting gone wrong...although, only in Mr Rimmer's eyes. Perhaps if he wasn't so much of a perfectionist he'll create something he's satisfied with and we can all enjoy a quiet morning, eh?'

Krissy's smile stretched to breaking point.

'We can only hope,' she said.

'If you'll excuse me, M'am, Mr Cat, I'm just going to hammer in some extra nails for the coat rack. You can never have enough. People wear more hats here. I don't know if you've noticed.'

'I'm going,' Krissy announced, not that anyone heard her. 'I'll be home late.' And she dashed out the door leaving behind the noise of hammering, bellowing, and yowling.

***

Krissy found outside Lister at the hardware store, examining the Christmas trees.

His eyes lit up when he saw her and he hugged her tightly.

'I was going to surprise you and the kids,' he said, putting an arm around her waist. 'But now that you're here, how about this one? Too big or not big enough?'

She shrugged. 'Does it matter?'

'Course it matters!'

She pecked him on the cheek.

'I love you, you know that, right? I love our lives here. I love our bratty kids, the mouldy house, you're insane, annoying friends. I love it all. You know that? Say that you do, Dave!'

He brushed away her tears with his thumb. 'I do. You show me that everyday. You save me everyday. Why are you crying?'

'You must know that this is a dream, don't you?' she said softly. 'I'm just a dream. A game. That's all.'

'So what?' Lister's voice hardened. 'Does it matter? It's better than where I came from. That's the point, it's Better Than Life.'

'I'll drain you. I'll drain you of your life and your friends too.'

'Don't do this. Don't!'

Krissy held onto his hands and waited until he made eye contact again.

'I'm not meant to love, but I do,' she said. 'Get out. Get out now and live your life properly. That's an order, Lister.'

***

Lister returned to Lacaille House alone and called everyone together to the dining room.

'Sorry, lads, we've got to leave. None of this is real. It's just a dream. Time to wake up.'

'What are you talking about?' Rimmer laughed. 'Of course this is real!'

'Where did you come from?' Lister snapped. 'Where were you born?'

Rimmer blinked several times. 'England,' he said eventually, but he sounded uncertain.

'Not Io, then. Moon of Mars.'

'Jupiter, actually,' Rimmer corrected before he could stop himself. 'Why do I know that?'

'Perhaps you just do,' said Kryten.

'Sorry, but who are you?' Rimmer asked him. 'I've been meaning to ask. I know you but I also don't...I -I feel confused...'

Lister patted his shoulder. 'It's okay, man.'

'I feel confused too,' Kryten admitted. 'Why does Mr Rimmer keep painting space ships?'

'I'm not confused,' the Cat shrugged. 'If Bud says this is a dream, then I believe him! What is there to get confused about?'

'Oh shut up!' Rimmer snapped. 'You're ruining our existential crisis, you know that?'

Lister clapped his hands together. An Exit door appeared behind him.

'Let's just go,' he said flatly. 'And forget all about this place.'

'What happened?' Rimmer asked. 'Weren't we happy here? I mean, mostly happy?'

'Were you happy?'

Rimmer shrugged. 'I....my brothers were all killed in the war but I was an artist...I don't know...'

'Just go, we'll figure it out later.'

Rimmer walked through the doorway and disappeared him. The Cat followed him without a word.

'Sir?' Kryten asked. 'What happened?'

'Love,' said Lister. 'But it was just a dream.'

'Time to wake up, sir.'

'I know.'

[firstkanaphans]

Considering how long will Perfect10Liners be airing, do you think this means the CPs starring in it won't have any series airing until late spring/early summer? I'm trying to think of any CP (or even actor) having two series airing at the same time, but the closest I can think of is Mark Pakin having Only Friends and Last Twilight airing back to back.

You know, that is a very interesting question. I'm already on record saying I didn't think FK would get anything new since THK wasn't out yet, but you make a very compelling point because there are so many CPs in Perfect 10 Liners. Would they really bench them all for half a year? Who's going to be left to make BLs?

I would think that GMMTV would want to keep their three main pairs free for promotions. So maybe nothing new for ForceBook, PerthSanta, or JuniorMark? But the others are probably fair game. And even that might be inaccurate because I believe ForceBook were giving hints about a new show at the Book Expo this week. Although they could have just been talking about Our Skyy 3, which I've fully convinced myself is happening.

GMMTV is more than willing to air multiple shows with the same actors at once, though. They're notoriously bad at scheduling these things. We were getting Mark Pakin four days a week when Moonlight Chicken, My School President, and The Warp Effect were airing simultaneously. And then we also got a HeartLiming kiss before a TinnGun one and everyone was so angry 😂

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC Lucien’s Preaching Date translation + Subbed Video

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Lucien casually closes his eyes and raises the gun, pulling the trigger without care.

Bang-!

The barrel swiftly twists, and a bloody "firework" explodes on the man's finger.

Lucien's expression remains indifferent, but crimson bloodshot vessels have already filled the bottom of his eyes.

Like a calm sea surface concealing a dark vortex that has already surged, ready to swallow everything at any moment.

Everything- including himself.

Translation under the cut

[Subbed Video]

[Part 1]

The summer is full of sunshine in Europe, yet the temperatures are rather gentle like late spring.

I lift up my phone and capture a snapshot of the emerald-green scenery under the radiant sunlight.

MC: Lucien, what do you think of this photo I took?

Beside me, Lucien slightly leans forward. His other hand wraps around my waist.

Lucien: The composition is novel and the theme is clear, but it lacks a finishing touch.

MC: Huh? What do you mean?

As he speaks, he hands his phone to me, and the screen displays a photo — with the same emerald green tones, but this time with the addition of my silhouette in the background.

The thought of me taking a picture of the trees while Lucien takes a picture of me at the same time and space makes me unable to suppress my laughter.

MC: Professor Lucien always seems to play the role of the “watchful observer”* behind the scenes, doesn’t he?~

(T/N: 黄雀在后 (Lit. the oriole behind) is from a complex idiom 螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后 (lit. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind) which generally means to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger. You can say that Lucien is the greater danger and it’s an important foreshadowing :D)

Lucien: Is that so? I haven’t thought that much about it though.

Lucien: In my judgment, the best scenery is only found where you are.

I raise the corners of my lips and hook my hand around his neck under the shade of the trees.

MC: Well, I admit you’re more meticulous~ But are you sure you want to accompany me sightseeing?

MC: You have to attend the academic exhibition tomorrow. Shouldn’t you go back to the hotel and prepare for it?

Recently, there have been groundbreaking advancements in the research of neurodegenerative diseases at the Ultima Bioresearch Center.

To make further progress, Ultima Bioresearch Center organized its researchers to participate in the latest academic exhibition in Europe to present the project research to major medical companies.

If the collaboration between the two parties is successful, they will jointly develop lower-cost medications to save more patients.

Lucien smiles and lifts the palm of his hand to cradle the back of my head, imprinting a kiss on my forehead.

Lucien: Mm, can’t be more sure.

Lucien: The reason I came a day early is to bask in the sun and take a walk with you in advance.

Lucien: Moreover, this city holds numerous festive gatherings during its lively times, and I’m really looking forward to this time of leisure and exploration with you.

MC: Alright then, I can enjoy myself without worry.

MC: However, if there’s any assistance you need from me at the exhibition tomorrow, as a “non-staff personel,” I’ll be there to support you!

After saying that, I grab his hand and walk towards a bustling crowd ahead.

Apart from the fantastical carousel and teacup-like Ferris wheel, there are also shooting stalls, ring-toss games, claw machines, and other stalls all around, creating a lively atmosphere.

Lucien: Which one would you like to play first?

MC: Hmm... It seems like there are long queues for all of them.

Lucien looks around and then takes my hand, leading me toward a shooting stall filled with plush toys.

Lucien: Since that’s the case, let’s go to the place with prizes first.

Lucien: If we arrive late, I might see a “disappointed” little lady.

[Part 2]

That night, I fell into a deep slumber, holding tightly onto the small fox plushie that Lucien had won for me.

After a restful sleep, I wake up refreshed the next day and neatly organize the materials at the booth.

MC: It’s starting in ten minutes.

I adjust the name tag on my uniform, ensuring that the synchronous translation device in my ear is functioning properly. Then, I wave at Lucien before heading off.

MC: Today, I’ll be your little assistant, Professor Lucien. Feel free to give me any instructions~

Lucien: Then I’d like to offer a token of appreciation before we begin as a small thanks.

He smiles and takes my hand, walking towards the nearby railing.

The exhibition is located in an open-air atrium of a luxurious hotel, surrounded by lush greenery. With a gentle inhale, the air is filled with a delightful fragrance.

To my surprise, I discover that on the ground floor of the hotel, there is also a festive gathering with various stalls in the courtyard.

MC: Haha, I didn’t expect the organizers to be so thoughtful.

MC: They even consider that even the greatest and most rigorous scientists need to relax and unwind their minds from time to time~

Colorful tents adorn the area, and among them stands a person-sized rabbit plush toy inside a claw machine.

It raises its furry paw, seemingly beckoning to those who are destined to take it home.

Lucien: MC, don’t you think it would be a perfect match with the little fox from last night?

He seems to have noticed the same thing as me, and his voice gently resonates with a joyful tone.

MC: Yes, it’s indeed a perfect companion!

MC: I wonder if it will still be here waiting for us once we’re done with our busy schedule.

As I speak, I glance around, searching for any potential “competitors.”

However, since it’s an event within the hotel, aside from the staff, only a few people are sitting on a swing in one corner.

They are wearing casual plaid shirts and don’t have any name tags, so they must be hotel guests.

However, it seems like they are not very interested in the gathering as they keep their heads down, engrossed in their phones.

Lucien: It seems that for now, there won’t be anyone to compete with us for that adorable little rabbit.

With a subtle sense of delight, I tidy up his collar once again.

MC: Professor Lucien, shall we start working? We can bring it home with us once we’re finished~

Since it is a highly selective exhibition, the attendees here are representatives from authoritative companies in the medical industry.

In addition, with the format of poster presentations, Lucien and other researchers take turns being on duty.

One group is responsible for providing explanations to the attending representatives, while the other group can explore and learn from other booths.

Although I may not have expertise in the relevant field, I do my best to assist by delivering materials and providing guidance.

After two busy hours, the visiting group of researchers returns with smiles on their faces.

Researcher A: Thank you for your hard work. Now it’s our turn to take over and provide explanations.

Researcher B: The booths this time are all impressive. I believe you will gain a lot from exploring them.

Lucien: Alright, shall we go then?

Lucien’s fingertips naturally intertwine with mine through the gaps between our fingers. However, he doesn’t stop at any booth but leads me directly to the entrance on the ground floor.

MC: Huh? Aren’t you going to explore the booths?

He glances at the rabbit still inside the claw machine, and there is a slight relaxation in his expression.

Lucien: Of course, we’ll explore them, but we have two hours, remember?

Lucien: If all goes well, within ten minutes, I should be able to have you holding the rabbit in your arms.

MC: Professor Lucien is quite confident, huh~

Lucien: (chuckles) In my plan, having it as our companion will ensure that we have a good mood throughout the entire day.

As he speaks, he takes out a stack of bills and exchanges them for a basket of coins at the counter. He then walks over to the claw machine.

Because the rabbit plush toy is quite large, the claw machine is filled with balls of different colors. The goal is to grab the only pink ball, and then exchange it with the staff for the rabbit plush toy.

MC: Are you so confident? Those claw machines can be rigged, you know!

Lucien: As long as I practice a few times and observe the claw’s gripping strength, speed, and inertia when it shakes...

Lucien: Then we can bring it home.

The claw slowly descends after Lucien presses the button, scratching the smooth surface of the ball but coming back empty-handed.

He doesn’t feel discouraged. A sharp gleam appears in his narrow eyes as if he is quickly calculating something.

As time passes, with only two game coins remaining, Lucien calmly inserts them into the machine.

Lucien: MC, if I succeed on the last attempt, can I get some rewards?

I certainly know what he’s hinting at. I tiptoe and give him a kiss.

MC: Of course you can.

MC: However, based on my understanding of you, you can totally redeem the reward in advance!

[Part 3]

MC: Wow, this rabbit is even softer than I imagined.

Lucien: (chuckles) It’s very cute indeed. Can you lend it to me for now and place it at our booth as a mascot?

Lucien: Who knows, it might attract more company representatives to come over.

MC: Um! After we place it, then I’ll accompany you to visit other booths...

As I speak, I suddenly feel a buzzing sensation in my head, as if a layer of white mist is enveloping me. My vision becomes blurry, sometimes appearing closer and sometimes farther away.

Lucien....

Slowly turning my head, I notice that Lucien’s figure has become hazy, and the surrounding noise is drowned out by a buzzing sound.

He seems to have noticed that something is wrong with me as well, and he anxiously wraps his arm around my waist.

Lucien: MC.

I can’t hear anything.

I can only see his mouth opening and closing as if he’s calling out my name, but when I try to reach out and hold him, my hands are unresponsive and out of control.

It feels like an unknown force is pulling at my body, and I am aware that I have opened my mouth, uttering unexpected English words.

But in the next second, the translation earpiece automatically recognizes my voice and converts it into a cold, electronic sound—

‘MC’: “Hey, Professors, how can you two just casually leave the exhibition like that?”

What is happening?

No matter how much I try to wave my hands or shout out loud, it’s of no use.

It feels like my consciousness is being drawn into a vessel, and no matter how much my brain sends commands, my body refuses to obey my instructions.

Just as I try to seek help from Lucien, my legs suddenly start running forward, and then I leap up, using the railing in front of me for support, momentarily soaring into the air.

I sense a hint of pain as the ligaments in my thighs tear instantly, but in the next second, my body jumps over the railing.

Soon, the swing that I saw in the morning comes into view in my line of sight, and my hands immediately reach out from the bushes, holding a handgun.

After completing all the actions seamlessly, a cold muzzle is pressed against my temple.

Bang-!

My mind goes blank for a brief moment.

The expected pain and agony do not arrive as anticipated. In my line of sight, birds startle and flap their wings towards the sky, while the people around me scream and scatter in all directions.

In the chaos, several armed men drive the people who couldn’t escape into the tents, and sobs can be heard from inside.

Lucien: This evolver, what do you plan to do?

I feel the corners of my mouth twitch, and I keep the gun barrel pressed against my temple. I turn around and look at Lucien, whose face has turned icy.

His face is particularly grim, and the temperature around us seems to drop several degrees under the scorching sun.

But “I” simply give a shake to the bunny ears in my hand and let out a scoffing laugh.

‘MC’: “Professor, don’t be nervous. I’m just here to get the job done. If possible, I don’t want anyone to die here either.”

‘MC’: “So, before I explain my intentions, how about we quietly return to the venue?”

Lucien doesn’t take a step forward, and his narrow eyes become slightly cold.

Lucien: You have already stirred up trouble.

Lucien: I’m afraid that there won't be a way to calm things down peacefully.

As “I” speak, I tried countless times to escape from the white fog, but each attempt ends in failure.

Just as I am trying to calm down and think, “I” suddenly releases the grip on the gun and casually flips it around twice.

‘MC’: “Fine, let’s save some time then.”

‘MC’: “Although I’m not a professional, I do know that all of you have excellent research achievements. It’s just that they’re a bit too good.”

‘MC’: “If we continue to lower drug prices, there will always be people who are unhappy.”

‘MC’: “So, on behalf of my boss, I want to have a chat with all of you, discuss some business, and ensure that everyone presents has an opportunity to make money.”

The cold translation plays through the earphones, gradually making me realize that a terrorist attack is being launched against the exhibition.

However, he seems unfamiliar with Lucien, and the fact that I’m the one being "held hostage" is more like a “random stroke of luck.”

With that in mind, I instinctively nodded toward Lucien, despite being out of control.

‘MC’: “Alright, let’s go back to the venue with us. This way, I will release this lady.”

Lucien: I understand your intentions now.

Lucien: But you've taken the wrong person hostage. She is not a research team here.

Lucien: And compared to you, the person standing in front of you seems to pose an even greater threat.

My lips twitch again, but the bristling hairs on my body told me that there is some surging emotion building up.

However, the person controlling my body seems oblivious to this subtle change, even arrogantly crossing their arms.

‘MC’: “Professor, actually, my luck is not bad. Even if I’ve taken the wrong person hostage, she is still the most important one among these people.”

‘MC’: “Because you care about her a great deal, don’t you?”

‘MC’: “If you don’t believe me, take a look at this...”

The rabbit in my hand slips away and falls in front of my shoe.

I lift my hand and press it forcefully onto a sharp fence behind me, leaving a trail of blood.

A piercing pain spreads from my fingertips to my whole body, and my vision becomes blurred by involuntary tears.

However, the person controlling me seems to be devoid of shared pain, continuing to press down without any concern—

An instant frost envelops my fingertips, followed by my joints as they freeze, leaving my limbs completely immobilized in place.

Bang- Bang!

“I” follow the sound and look, only to see the people who were holding the gun also frozen on the ground, their eyes filled with fear clearly reflected through the ice crystals.

??: AHH-!

The people being held hostage immediately scream and flee from the tent, leaving only “me” and Lucien standing in place.

Lucien: Sorry.

Lucien: It might be a bit cold, but it'll be fine soon.

Lucien walks towards me step by step, and wherever he goes, thin ice forms in his steps.

I’m unconsciously trembling from the chilling air, and he covers the back of my hand with an even colder palm.

In just an instant, the gun in my hand is taken away by him.

[Part 4]

‘MC’: "If you're willing to do it, go ahead and shoot. After all, she'll be the only one getting hurt."

Lucien: I see you still haven't figured out the situation.

He shows no emotions on his face, the tightly pressed corners of his mouth sharp as a blade.

Lucien: The issue I'm facing has never been about making choices.

Lucien: Because even if you were to gamble with your life, your life is not worthy enough to do so.

Several sharp ice shards suddenly appear with us at the center, slanting downward and refracting a cold gleam of light.

Lucien: I know where you are.

Lucien: I also know what your fate will be.

At this moment, I feel my body stiffen, as if it's a reaction triggered by that Evolver.

‘MC’: “You-!”

All the ice shards pierce through, resoundingly embedding into the ground, except for one spot where a different sound emerges from the thicket of trees—

—like a muffled sound that blends together the piercing of flesh and bone.

As my body trembles uncontrollably, a body pierced by ice shards in each limb falls from among the trees.

Lying on the ground is a young man who appears to be around thirty years old, dressed in a plaid shirt...

In an instant, I recall that he seems to be the person who was sitting on the swing earlier in the morning!

So, it turns out they had already infiltrated early in the morning.

‘MC’: “....”

The person controlling my body seems to be overwhelmed with fear, only able to produce hoarse gasps.

Lucien takes oppressive steps forward, picking up the rabbit plush toy and the scattered game coins that fell to the ground.

Seeing my blood on them, a cold gleam flashes through Lucien's typically calm eyes, causing terrifying cracks to appear in the surrounding frost.

After a moment of silence, he sits on the nearby bench, quietly embracing the plush and holding it as if it were a lifeline.

Lucien: Sir, you made my rabbit dirty.

Lucien casually closes his eyes and raises the gun, pulling the trigger without care.

Bang-!

Lucien: However, that's not the only mistake you've made.

The barrel swiftly twists, and a bloody "firework" explodes on the man's finger.

Lucien's expression remains indifferent, but crimson bloodshot vessels have already filled the bottom of his eyes.

Like a calm sea surface concealing a dark vortex that has already surged, ready to swallow everything at any moment.

Everything- including himself.

Lucien: But now you still have the opportunity to make the final judgment.

Bang- Bang!

But Lucien seems uninterested in receiving a response, immediately firing several shots at the man’s various limbs.

The next moment, I feel my vision blur once again, but this time it seems like control over my body has returned.

I make a few deliberate movements with my fingers, and the sensations transmitted through the nerve endings make me realize that the person controlling me seems to have vanished from my body.

However, the peculiar sense of detachment amplifies within my body, and I can't prevent myself from losing strength and falling to the ground—

A strong hand scoops me up and embraces me.

Lucien: MC, it's all right now.

Lucien: It’s all right now…

It’s as if he said the last sentence to reassure himself, with barely detectable tremors in his soft voice.

MC: Lucien...

The lingering fear makes me instinctively cling to him, as if trying to absorb his warmth, burying it deep within my chest.

And he is holding me tightly, his large palm gently stroking me over and over again.

Lucien: Don't be afraid, I'm here.

MC: I... I can hear and see everything, but I just can't control myself...

Lucien: (chuckles softly) MC, do you need to confirm it again?

Lucien is holding my hand to his cheek, a cool and soft touch comes from his fingertips.

My fingertips tremble slightly, then slowly glide across his cheek, his nose, and the edge of his lips.

I want to imprint these ordinary touches deep into the bottom of my heart.

Lucien: Even though it feels a bit ticklish, you can take as much time as you need to be sure.

Lucien: I'll be here for you until you're fully at ease.

Lucien lowers his head and gently kisses my lips. His movement is light and slow as if he wants me to feel him as much as possible.

 MC: Lucien....

I grip his lapel with a bit of force, feeling the tension of the fabric under my fingertips, gradually soothing my unease and palpitations.

Everything that just happened seems to be just a nightmare.

After deepening the last kiss, he gently sets me down, crouches, and takes hold of my knee, slowly rubbing it.

Lucien: Are you still cold?

Seeing the apology in his eyes, I shake my head, preparing to say something, when a siren suddenly rings out from the distance.

I stare blankly at the man who's fallen unconscious on the ground, the pool of blood beneath him is a shocking sight.

Lucien: He’s fine for now.

Lucien: But I need to take you to get bandaged up first.

He massages my knee again, his gaze fixed intensely on the coagulated blood at my fingertips.

Even though it's just a minor scrape, I don't want him to worry any further, so I obediently nod.

MC: There seems to be a medical station in the venue, so by the time the police arrive, we can still manage to cooperate and give statements...

Before I can finish, Lucien pulls me into his arms, his chin lightly resting on the top of my head.

Lucien: There's no need to rush

Lucien: I don't want to make you suffer any more today. I will negotiate with them to postpone the process until tomorrow morning.

He unconsciously tightens his grip, revealing deeper emotions beneath his slightly stern demeanor.

Apart from guilt, there's a greater sense of fear that he can’t control.

[it’s the fear of losing someone yet again :”]

I can't help but hug him tightly, feeling his silent but turbulent embrace.

MC: Even though I'm fine now, I'll still listen to you~

The light in Lucien's eyes softens a bit more, he releases me and picks up the rabbit plush at his foot, and gently pats it.

Lucien: MC, my plans have been disrupted, so to make it up to you...

Lucien: I will help you clean it. In the time that follows, both me and it will be here to bring you joy.