#like i guess there isn't too much to say about suits everywhere BUT I fucking loved his costume designs

[a-passing-storm]

Anyway, in all seriousness, I really loved the set and costumes. I always love the set and costumes in most things, because I did costume design for a while, but I loved the Marquis’ costumes! The fabric looked really thick and rich, which totally suited the character, but it wasn’t too garish. Loved it!

[kaisa-ryo]

Nanami Kento NSFW Alphabet

Warning: English isn't my native language!

♡♡♡

A = Aftercare.

Doing things together. Taking a shower, having a whiskey while sitting on the balcony, discussing the news, whatever. The important thing is that you are there for him the whole time.

B = Body part.

The hands. A man doesn't show it, but he's fascinated to the point of butterflies in his stomach by the miniaturization of this body part, especially the big difference with his hand. Everyone you know has noticed how he sometimes stares at your hands while you're writing, sipping from a cup, or quietly tapping your fingernails on the table. But none of these things can enthrall him as much as the mere presence of a wedding ring on your ring finger that he'll put on you one day.

C = Cum.

Exclusively into a condom. First: prevention of unpleasant consequences is always his first priority. Secondly: he doesn't like to get it all over you because he knows how hard it can be to clean it up.

D = Dirty secret.

Definitely sex on his desk when there wouldn't be a soul in the entire office. He'd lean his head back in his chair and visualize in detail how he'd sweep the sheets of paper and all the fucking paperwork off the floor to sit you on the edge of the desk, spreading your legs wide and driving your fragile body into the desk.

E = Experience.

As Kento himself stated, for most of his life he believed that money was the most important thing. That's why he almost always exhausted himself working long hours at the office. From this, it's not hard to guess that he didn't have enough time for relationships. So, from time to time, you yourself had to teach him what you know. You once even booked a session with a sexologist who helped you a lot. It may be hard to call him a professional, but he is now quite good at it and plans to take it even further in the future.

F = Favorite position.

There is no body position that is less or more arousing. Simply put, everything feels the same. However, there is a plus side to this - you don't have to think about what position to get into next. As experience shows, this is one of the most pleasant aspects of intimate life. Besides, the absence of clear preferences means complete freedom, doesn't it?

G = Goofy (Is he serious at this point?)

He cares about you more than anything else in the world, accordingly, your needs aren't nothing to him either. He is so sweet when he tries to make you feel good over and over again. Sometimes he is not so empathetic, then you usually observe him depressed and immediately realize that something is wrong (more often than not, he is just very tired after work). This is the main reason why you never pressure him with your availability. He tells you a thousand "sorrys" but you know it's not his fault. Back to our rams, Nanami is definitely someone who is serious about all things, including sex. As stated earlier, he's only started to gain experience with you, but even simple techniques sometimes make you marvel and feel euphoric. It's a sin not to call him "daddy", if you know what I mean.

H = Hair.

Evaluating his appearance, which includes styled hair, perfectly clean and ironed business suits and just a nice perfume scent, you can say that everything is perfect underneath too. And indeed, it was. Even though he didn't have an active sex life before you, Nanami believed that if it was neat, it was everywhere. There was a time when you complimented him on it, but he didn't pay much attention to the compliment. I guess someone's doomed to be forever pathos and nerdy about aesthetics.

I = Intimacy.

Speaking of romance, his love language is care in all its forms. Burned by touching a recently boiled kettle? He'll immediately bring your hand to the cold water, and then, in an almost commanding tone, ask you to sit with ice in your hand until each cube melts completely. Did your selfish boss at work make you work overtime? After your five minute tantrum, Kento will cuddle up to you, stroking your head and kissing the top of your head, telling you that everything will be okay and that you'll get over everything. Did the cycle start the moment you ran out of pads and tampons at home? For him, it will not be a problem to purchase an extra time with all the necessary hygiene products, in which he has recently begun to understand. It is impossible to put into words what he does for you with immense love. When he says "you're the best thing that ever happened to me", he really feels it. Always, despite how he looks right now - drunk, perpetually exhausted, serious and frowning - he realizes how sweet and desirable he is to you. And you can't freaking dislike that.

J = Jack off.

Do you really think he needs this?

K = Kink.

Total Control. As scary as it sounds, knowing how wonderful Nanami is, both in work and in bed he needs control. At least partial control. Of course, it's unlikely he'll ever get to the point of shibari or blindfolds, but who knows... You can do a lot of things if you want to, especially if you're unpredictable. And Nanami is no exception.

L = Location.

He's more of a homebody.

- Who invented sex in public places? Exhibitionist lust, that's all.

But at home, the variety is off the charts: bed, couch, kitchen table, bathtub. You'll find comfort everywhere. And the pleasure doesn't fade. It's beautiful! What is even better - no unnecessary fiddling: where and when is better, so that no one will notice you. Convenient and practical. But if suddenly in front of him in public do something obscene, wait until he comes up to you to lean into your ear and whisper "at home for this you will repay with your body, understand me correctly". Then you will have to tense up at his words and try to behave normally for the rest of the day, while inside you are curdling up either from tension or from impatience of how he will punish you for your slutty behavior....

M = Motivation.

He gets turned on by the way you give blowjobs. Especially when you give it completely spontaneously. It drives him crazy. And then there's that irresistible smile you have afterwards. He wants to feel it again and again. And you like to enjoy it with him. He likes that side of you. He likes to feel in charge of the couple. You kind of listen to him because you're smart and know very well what he wants. For example, you notice nuances that he doesn't pay attention to: when he comes, his jaw drops, he leans back and falls silent. The key is not to overdo it; you don't want these moments of pleasure to become predictable, do you?

N = No.

Any harm. It doesn't matter what kind, physical, moral... nothing is worth the health of both of you. You won't even hear the word "slut" in his vocabulary because it won't even occur to him to say it about you. Ever. He will always call you sweet, beautiful and unique, even if it doesn't excite you at all. But to defile you with a word that sounds like a stigma these days... or to just keep going when you ask him to stop is something he'll never resort to.

O = Oral.

A little bit of everything. When it comes to sincerity, a man will of course say "receiving". One reason is that there's no need to gain experience, you just sit back and get high while the girl literally pulls all the seed out of you, which becomes a reward at the end for the lovely passerby. And what an angle! Oh... how marvelous you are sitting on your lap as you slowly capture the entire length, shivering with pleasure. And he just sighs languidly, head cocked back... your fingers freeze a few centimeters from the most sensitive spot, and it's as if he's afraid to move, to create an unnecessary vibration that will interrupt such a delightful process. You're so eager to inhale through open lips that you don't even notice his smirk when he loosens his grip on your hair, giving you a breath of air.

As for cunnilingus, this kind of erotic stimulation is quite special and the most sophisticated thing a man can offer. At least, that's what Kento thinks. Moving your hips back and forth while the cock is inside the girl can be done by absolutely anyone, but to pull off unthinkable tricks with the pussy: masterful use of the tongue, stimulation with fingers, the ability to stretch the orgasm... for such things you need experience, and that's why a young man will always ask at the right moment everything you would like Kento to do.

P = Pace.

If you've ever watched porn, you'll immediately realize that he moves just like he does in those very videos. The only thing you'll want to consider is his sudden pauses. They make the scene even more intense, especially moments before orgasm. But what they mean you can only guess, because you don't have the courage to ask him about it. Suddenly you will inadvertently touch on a painful topic for him. This kind of curiosity is better to keep to yourself. Although it would be funny if the real reason for all this is just to tease you.

Q = Quickie.

Oh, although he can't be called "youngster" for a long time now, they didn't make him any slower in the crucial moments of the year. How many times did you cum early just because he suddenly started speeding up, and you didn't even have time to get used to the pace he was picking up. It seemed like every thrust he gave you was as sobering as a slap. He got stronger and stronger from second to second-as if he wasn't so much giving himself away as holding you by the hair and thrusting his hips harder and harder. Once in a while, he remembered to mutter something to himself, but you couldn't hear him over your own heavy breathing and the shaking of your bodies. But the tenser you got, the louder his voice got.

R = Risk.

Strongly against it. Not because it's not his type, but because it will end badly for both of you, especially you.

S = Stamina.

Baby, if you'd seen him fighting curses, you'd have no doubt about his incredibly high stamina. However, that doesn't mean you fuck for 5-10 rounds, because one of you will get bored on the third round. And no stimulation will not help, because in this case you just gallop like a colt. And he's bored to death by these fucks. So he tries to avoid it.

- I see you're getting tired of it - the man remarks, sluggishly thrusting into your thighs. The slow pace has been going on for a few minutes now, and each of you has been thinking about something different, not wanting to follow through.

- What, oh yes... ah! Cumming!

- Y/n, don't overdo it, go take a shower.

T = Toys.

Doesn't mind them if you suddenly suggest them, but still doesn't understand why so pervert the process of essentially ordinary child conception. In general, a supporter of all things traditional.

- What's the point of these weird devices? They're just plain rip-offs, if you ask me.

- Nanami! Learn to enjoy life already!

U = Unfair (likes to tease).

He tried it once. To be honest, he didn't know what to do for a long time. You begged him to come back inside you because your orgasm was so close. How could he say no to someone like you? He began to move into you as slowly as if he were wading through a thicket of nettles. You felt so good, you were arching and arching, breathing so hard. And he kept delaying, as if he were stalling for something important to him (we both know what it was, don't we?), and suddenly he came at the last, decisive point, not very hard, but just completely. And right at that moment, when your back tensed, clenching painfully, and a wave went through your legs... You even shrieked in surprise, and immediately collapsed. For Nanami, this was... unusual and mesmerizing. Don't worry, baby, he'll do it again.

V = Volume.

The first time you were discouraged by how loud and bassy he can growl and moan... especially at climactic moments.

W = Wild card.

Another day where you complained about how hard it was to take care of your long hair. Your entire speech was filled with outrages about how unpleasant it is to go to bed with a wet head, and how expensive popular hair care products are.

- Just cut it off.

I suppose you could start exclaiming about how long you had to grow it out after the bob and how beautiful it was and so on, but damn you for being flirty this time.

- Just like that? What are you going to put on your fist?

Such a spontaneous phrase made him freeze and get stuck in his own thoughts, and later not only finding hair sexy, but being able to actually wind it around his fist more often, sneaking up behind you and flexing your body across the kitchen table, fucking so well, squeezing his fist harder with each thrust.

Y = Yearning.

You don't want to hit on him at the end of a hard day's work. Chances are, he'll probably refuse your request to even give you a blow job. Other than that, he will never take his anger out on sex with you or force it. 4/10

Z = Zzz (How fast he falls asleep).

In the first minute. It's important that you stay in bed all night, it makes him wake up quickly.

♡♡♡

[by-ethan-fox]

So I saw Gundam Seed FREEDOM...

... and honestly it defies analysis.

I will avoid spoilers for major plot elements in this write-up.

I'm a huge Gundam fan. This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who has followed my work for a long time, as I frequently bring it up, even in entirely inapplicable situations.

But even though I've been a fan since the late 90s, I'd never had a chance to see any of it in the cinema - so when AllTheAnime organised a special short run of the movie for UK theatres, I jumped at the chance.

What I saw surprised me.

To clarify, I'm not one of those Gundam fans who hates SEED. Sure, I love the UC, but I'm not gonna lie, Wing was my genesis within the fandom so I'm as likely to watch G-Gundam as 08th MS Team, though I do lean towards the grittier side of the franchise, with War in the Pocket being my favourite entry.

But most relevant to this is that while I enjoyed SEED, I've always been critical of Destiny for some really bizarre plotting that, frankly, kinda left the CE timeline in a mess. Like many fans, with the show having been off the air for nearly two decades, I gave up on the idea the movie might exist literally years ago.

With all that out of the way...

The movie does exist. Finally. And is it good? Bad?

The weird thing is I don't know what to say, and that's weird for a writer.

It's awesome. It's terrible. It's goofy. It's clever. It's idiotic. It's bizarre.

But it's over 2 hours long and, honestly, I was never bored, which I guess is a success?

Perhaps most surprisingly, the movie expends ZERO ENERGY on helping you if you haven't seen the near-100-episodes of CE anime which came before this. Like, if you haven't seen SEED and or Destiny, you are just utterly fucked. The show wheels characters and plot-beats from the prior material in-and-out in a manner I could best call aggressive. I last watched Destiny about ~7 years ago, and I'm a self-admitted Gundam nerd; but even I had to look up a few things on my phone afterwards.

Then, fan-service. Of both kinds. All sorts of things get pulled out of cold storage for the movie... But it works. Though that also stands as a testament to how this is, in the truest sense, a 2004 anime throwback. I actually heard some people in the cinema groaning at some of the Gainax Bouncing going on; but then given the jiggly silhouette in EVERY OPENING TO SEED, frankly it would've been stranger if it had been absent.

I think the movie has loads of problems. Even by CE standards, some of the storytelling was really goofy and dare-I-say-it, "cringe". It recycles probably too much and certainly doesn't stand on its own as a piece of media (though that's not so much a failing as a clear, conscious choice).

Also... It has that "anime movie" thing where the plot feels a bit filler. The first time you have this new guy on the scene with shock-white hair, being all edgelord as he talks about war and destiny and fencing or some other weird metaphor you kinda see the entire movie unfurl before you. If you're a longtime anime fan this isn't so much your first rodeo as your daily commute.

From there, the story takes numerous predictable turns, dips liberally into melodrama, sets up some great Mobile Suit fights, with relatively few surprises (note, however, I'm not saying "no surprises", as there are some, and also, I'm not suggesting it's tedious).

And yet...

It's fun.

It's really, really fun.

That's the crux of all this. That's what really matters. And honestly, when that new theme comes out of the speakers, sounding in perfect key with the types of music that ran through SEED's run, and Kira's onscreen, and he's locking onto a dozen targets and beams are spamming everywhere and everything's exploding in that weird pink way that things in SEED explode...

Have you ever tried to play a videogame from the 90s that you haven't played in years? And do you know how touch-and-go that is?

Gundam Seed FREEDOM is, if I'm to compare it to anything, like that.

But thankfully, it's one of the times when your memories might have been optimistic, but they're not wrong. That game may be a bit crude, a bit rough around the edges, and have more boob and ass jiggle than you recall... But it's good. So good that you find yourself sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of your console, grinning like an absolute loon, until it's 2am and you can no longer feel your feet.

If you have fond memories of the SEED era of the Gundam franchise, don't miss it.

[ink-flavored]

for pride and justice: 3, 4, 16, 19

thank you!! yay i get to talk about Them <3

3. What were their first impressions of each other? How does that compare to their impressions of each other now?

Justice's first impression of Pride was "oh no a demon is trying to get through the gates, I have to stop him!" and Pride's first impression of Justice was "oh fuck i'm getting chased by an angel that's not good!" So. They had an interesting meet-cute.

They go from that to "annoyed but stuck together because they're on the run" to "begrudging respect that I will not admit is care" on Pride's end and "genuine desire to understand" on Justice's end, all the way to "gay love ride or die forever."

4. How would they describe each other if asked? Physically? In personality?

Pride, about Justice: "Tall. Obnoxiously tall. Long hair. And the rest of him is like... cherub-face. Not, like, baby face, but you know. Round. Soft. The smiley approachable type. Absolutely no edge, except when he's swinging the sword around. And he does it in the living room, which is probably the worst idea he's had since chasing me down to Earth. Although I guess I get a bit of a show, with the whole swordsman's body thing, so it's not totally annoying. And he's got freckles everywhere...

Anyway. Uh, he's nice! Kind of too nice, if you ask me. He doesn't know when to quit it with that shit, you let him do one nice thing and it's like he can't stop. I can't even count how many times we've had to stop in the middle of the street to let him fix some rando's problem. Even the other angels got sick of him, which... would be funnier if it wasn't my fault, I guess. Don't tell him I said that.

Justice tries way too hard. He can't stop trying too hard. It's kinda scary? I don't really give a shit if he wants to spend all his free time playing guardian angel, but you start to feel bad for the guy. It's like he can't turn off the little voice that tells him Big G is gonna be soooo mad if he doesn't meet his Virtue Quota. It makes being a demon seem like the better option.

I don't know. He needs to get a little more selfish. Prideful, even. Don't tell him I said that either."

Justice, about Pride: "Pride is colorful, in language and mannerisms. He always wears the flashiest thing he can find, I honestly can't tell if he's going to the store or going to a bar with his friends most days. It's... a lot, but also wonderful in it's own way. I don't think there are a lot of people who are even half that confident about their style as he is. I like his piercings, too, they really suit him. And the goatee, messy hair—he's very rough around the edges, and I think it's on purpose that he looks the part.

I wish we got along better, honestly. I think—I know he's been hurt a lot in his life, so I don't blame him for being distant with me. We're from completely opposite worlds, after all. I just hope he isn't so driven by his pain that he thinks he can't heal from it.

Pride is so angry, and it really breaks my heart sometimes. I don't want to say that to him, because I know he'll take it the wrong way, but it's just how I feel. It's awful that he's had to go through so much alone. He doesn't ask for help because he thinks can't trust anybody but himself.

I wish he would trust me. Again, I don't know how to say that without coming off like I pity him. I just want him to be okay. I'm not sure if he knows I can feel his pain, but... I want to help make it stop."

16. Is one of them keeping secrets from the other? Why? How would they react if the secret was revealed?

For a long time, Pride was keeping the secret that he'd literally die if his demon contract couldn't be fulfilled. At first, it was because he didn't want an angel to know his one fatal weakness, but the longer it went the more he just... didn't want to think about it. "I will ignore the problem and then it'll go away," type. He didn't want to ruin this perfect never-before-experienced love by reminding himself and admitting to Justice how much danger he's truly in. He eventually reveals it himself, but if it had been discovered early he would have panicked and tried to flee the situation (he would fail)

Justice's secret is that he used to be very emo teenager (or the angel equivalent of a teenager anyway). He's keeping this secret because it's so so embarrassing. When Kindness reveals this secret to Pride behind his back the first thing he does is crumble into a pile of dust.

19. Are they satisfied with their relationship? Do they wish they were closer/more distant?

For a long time, Pride fought the idea that he even wanted to be friends with Justice. He didn't want to admit he wanted an angel to like him, it felt like debasing himself. At the same time, he had so many feelings about Justice that would not let him be normal. When they get together, the only thing Pride wants is for them to be physically attached at the hip so he can have attention whenever he wants.

Justice was far more able to accept how he felt about Pride, but kept it to himself because he thought Pride wouldn't want him that way. He did secretly yearn for a deeper friendship, if nothing else, because he could tell there was more to Pride than what he saw on the surface. When it turns out Pride wants him back, he is more than happy to spend every day of the rest of his life at his side. So they're both pretty satisfied with that!

[send me a couple ask]

[invisiblegarters]

23.5 Episode 7

Looks like Sun and Ongsa are entering the mutual awkwardness stage of their relationship. We love to see it. Now it's not just Ongsa being an epic dork and I love that for the both of them.

Okay but I also love Sun flirting and knowing just how cute Ongsa finds her. Both are good.

Pffft oh Charoen. She wants to look at Sun. In that way I guess it's bad feng shui.

Okay Tin lbr here. Ongsa as a cheerleader? I love her and she's way prettier than she thinks, but she also has the coordination of a newborn fawn.

I swear to god if she becomes a cheerleader and thus loses the glasses to do it I will scream. Let the girl keep her glasses!

Sun the flirt is hilarious I love her.

HA oh please Aylin don't play. You know you like it when Luna is around.

Sun is really working herself up towards the top of my list right now she's hilarious. Honestly I love all these girls, they're just great.

They're taking it slow dammit! Which hopefully means that they'll be making out before the ep is over.

Thank you Alpha. Ongsa needed that smack.

Ooh a wild Sun appears. And she's jealous, isn't she? That is adorable. I bet the only two who don't know and didn't expect this are Ton and Ongsa, lol.

Annoying mosquito! DYING.

Then again maybe he does. But I don't think so. Although I think he might be clueing in the longer we go on. Poor little himbo discovering gay people are everywhere.

This show was brought to you by Loreal!

I'm just loving this theme of liking people for wo they are and not for who they could or should be. And I think that Ongsa especially tends to forget that Sun fell for her over Insta. That said, I'm glad no one but Ongsa is pretending she isn't gorgeous.

KISS KISS KISS

OH don't you fucking fake me out with this show I will fight you.

DAMMIT SHOW we're fighting now. We are in a fight.

Let the lesbians kiss come on it's episode 7 there'd be at least one in a BL by now. I know we're going for cutesy here but they can still kiss dammit.

Ongsa: looks pretty much the same as always

Everyone: You're so pretty today!!

Okay show. Well at least she seems to be keeping her glasses.

Lol Sun is gonna murder Ton.

They are gonna set up a TonGharoen thing aren't they? Sigh. Boo I was hoping she'd hook up with Alpha. Gay all the way down baby.

"I don't think Sun likes my new look."

Ongsa. Girl.

You know what I will take my AylinLuna crumbs. I hope to see more of them next ep.

And there go the glasses. I really hope they don't stay gone though I will cry. Real tears.

She does look absolutely lovely though. Not that she isn't gorgeous anyway but you know what I mean. The outfit suits her.

Jealous!Sun is great. More, I say.

I love how everyone is just enjoying the hell out of poor Sun's misery.

Oh ha. Okay Ton is definitely in on this. He totally just got shooed over to interrupt. I would take back the jokes about how dumb he is, but I don't wanna.

Well okay, then. I'm not thinking Ongsa will mind in the least.

Okay damn Sun is on a roll here. Go girl! Get your girlfriend and get her now.

Does this mean I'm gonna get my kiss?

Aw Sun's poor friends. Last to know.

"My plan" he says. His plan my entire ass. We all know that was all Alpha and Luna. But this is why I think that I can't dislike the dude even though the self-obsessed character type usually puts me off a bit. He doesn't have a mean bone in his giant body.

OOOOH next week we're getting more AylinLuna and some crumbs for the teachers too???

I LOVE THIS SHOW.

[scribbleanddoodle]

500 words a day: day 1

Prompt: All the plants in and around houses in your character’s town are dying even though all other foliage is left untouched. It started happening after the last meteor shower. Goal: 500 words Finished: 817 words

a/n: this is a weird prompt because foliage is technically a cluster of leaves?? They’re parts of plants?? Idk I just went with it.

------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, that's weird," Nykki hummed. “They’re all dead inside.” She swiveled in her chair, looking toward the other end of the field lab, "I mean, have you found anything? I've got nothing."

Lucy, her forty-something co-worker, whom she affectionately called Lulu, frowned and looked up from her microscope, "Nothing. Nada. I guess you were wrong. There is a reason for this quarantine."

"Do you think?" Nykki looked past Lulu and out the opening of their lab tent. Outside, a swarm of people in hazmat suits marched by; she heard a helicopter overhead.

"Nyk," Lulu huffed, red in the face as she shook a beanstalk at her, "we're literally dealing with the living dead here."

"I suppose," She scratched her nose, "but—"

"But what?" Lulu hissed; her eyes widened, "God, what if this is contagious? What if it spreads to all the other plants everywhere? That would be the end of it! How would we survive?"

Nykki shrugged, "Astronaut food?"

"Be serious."

"I am!"

Lulu fixed her with a look, and Nykki fought the smile off her face. "Okay, fine," She relented. "Maybe I could take this a little more seriously, but come on, Lulu, jumping to conclusions much? This isn't a zombie show. It's real life."

"Exactly," Lulu shook the beanstalk at her again, "this is real life. If it affects plants, who's to say it won't affect humans? Other animals?" She paused again, her hand coming up to her throat in panic, "Why don't we have hazmat suits on? They didn't even give us masks! We should have brought our masks! We need to call the lab! O-or whoever's running this place. It's not safe!"

"Okay, calm down," Nykki tried to soothe her, "you're getting ahead of yourself. We're dealing with plants."

Lulu glared, hissing at her again, "Then what is all of this—" she gestured widely around, "—the government doesn't ship in two nobodies for nothing! When have they ever actually cared about safe agriculture? There are men in hazmat suits. Men with guns. We are in someone's backyard, but there are no civilians. You seriously can't think for a second this is normal, not dangerous stuff."  

Nykki sighed, returning to her samples, "I've got rent to pay, Lu."

"They're going to make us do something bad, you get that, right? It's going to be like all those other environmental disasters, where they pay off the specialists to say everything's all hunky-dory and then make us look like corrupt ones in the end when shit hits the fan. You're just fine with that? Being someone else's pawn?"

"Lucy," She snapped, swiveling back around, "it's not a fucking movie. And even if it was—" She jabbed her thumb into her chest, "—what the hell do you want me to do about it? I know just as much as you. You came too! You're a pawn, too!"

They glared at each other until Lucy looked away, deflating, "You're right. I'm sorry. I, uh, I—well, I'm just scared." There were tears in her eyes as she looked back over, "I mean, everything's dead, Nykki. There aren't even any birds."

Nykki chewed on the inside of her cheek. She picked up one of the dandelions she had taken a sample from and twirled it between her fingers. Its petals hadn't wilted, and its stalk wasn't limp. Visually, the dandelion was picture-perfect, but it smelt like sweet rot. A flower gone bad. If she peeled apart the stem, she'd find mold.

She had plucked the dandelion just fifteen minutes ago from right outside the lab tent.

"It’s none of the normal viruses or bacteria. Maybe it's the water," Nykki mused out loud. "Maybe the water went bad?"

Lulu snorted, "If the water went bad, the plants wouldn't look like this."

"Have you tested the water?" Nykki swiveled back to her samples, already knowing Lucy had not.

Lulu talked over her, "It's pretty damn convenient, don't you think, that meteor shower? I bet it's a cover-up."

"Uh-huh," She hummed absentmindedly, placing a drop of water on one of her slides and setting it under the microscope.

"The timelines match up," Lucy continued, "two weeks ago, there was a meteor shower—" she said 'meteor shower' like it was some joke, "—then the crops died, people went missing, and there are no birds. No. Birds." Her voice dropped into a stage whisper, "It's aliens, Nykki. They're trying to starve us out."  

"Aliens, right." She agreed, rolling her eyes. With Lucy, it was always aliens, and if it wasn't aliens, it was lizard people, or mole people, or the Mother Board, or whatever podcast conspiracy she had come across that day.

But Lucy was right in one regard; the meteor shower was pretty damn convenient. Nykki pushed the microscope away and sat back in her chair.

First, a meteor shower. Next, dead plants. Now, dead water.

[xbadgerbearx]

i guess they are pretty funky

word count: 1.5k

Can’t Sleep: [2] … [4]

Your team prepared themselves as you started your journey to your new destination. You and Abner were talking about random things as you walked.

"You really like the dots?" Abner timidly asked.

"Are you kidding? Of course! You're so colorful," you said quietly with a smile.

Abner smiled to himself before motioning to your outfit. "I like your uniform too, it suits you. It makes your eyes stand out."

"Thank you! Ya know, I always thought you had a really nice nose- whoa, Abner, are you doing alright?" You cut yourself as you faced Abner for the first time during this walking session. He had those glowing dots on his face again.

"Oh! Those?" He was nervously covering his face. "Don't worry about-" splat. Abner tripped over a rogue tree root and fell face first into the mud. As you went to help pick him up, Flag turned around.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Everyone turned around to look at you two, well, minus Cleo, but she was sitting on a fallen tree almost asleep.

"We're tired, Colonel. We need a rest," she whined.

"Goddamn hobbyists," muttered Chris.

Soria turned to Flag, "We cannot stop. We need to hurry if you're going to help my people."

"Hey," DuBois intervened. "We're not here to help your people. But she's right, we gotta keep moving."

"I carry friend?"

"It's okay, Nanaue," Cleo said before turning to Abner. "It's happening to his face again."

"It's nothing, I tripped," he brushed off.

"Hey," Peacemaker said as he shoved Abner back. "Norman Bates, if that shit's contagious, we need to know."

"It's not," Abner tried moving forward before he was pushed again.

"What is it?"

"What's your deal, Chris? Stop pushing people around before I turn into something you're really not gonna like. And what's up with the obscure references?" You were getting fed up with Chris' bullshit.

"Oh yeah? And what's that?"

"I don't know, how about your dead father? The one that killed himself in front of you when you were a kid?"

"How do you-"

"You'd be surprised how much your mom loved recording all your childhood achievements. Your fifth birthday—ring a bell?" Peacemaker had an unreadable expression on his face as you got in his face and lowered your voice. "You wouldn't believe how much information you can get on your hands if you're able to disguise yourself as a high ranking employee in Belle Reve."

Before any of you could make the situation worse, Abner cleared the tension with a sigh.

"It's a... it's an interdimensional virus."

"Fuck is that?" Peacemaker asked after seemingly forgetting what just happened. You think he was trying to not think about it.

"My mother was a scientist at S.T.A.R Labs, and she was obsessed with turning me and my brother and sisters into superheroes."

"Oh, Abner," you softly said as you placed a hand on his arm. Peacemaker looked between the two of you with a hard expression.

"She infected me. Now, if I don't expel the dots twice a day..."

DuBois asked, "Then what?"

Abner made a face that was hard to read as he said, "They'll eat me alive." He then chuckled dryly as if he himself couldn't believe it.

"What happened to your brother and sisters?" Flag questioned.

"Some lived. Some... died."

Cleo, now standing, asked, "And your mom, where is she now?"

Abner looked to you before turning to his team.

"Almost everywhere."

Everyone just looked at Krill for a few moments.

"Okay," Flag turned around. "Let's move out."

"Come on, we must hurry, or we'll be late to meet my contact," Soria ushered.

Sooner or later, well, later, you made your way to this blockade where a driver in a large van was being investigated. During your trip Abner had to expel the dots, and although he was embarrassed about the situation, you and Cleo tried keeping his mind off it. The soldiers surrounded the van after a minute and started banging on the door. That was your cue.

Peacemaker started taking people out with a silenced pistol, Bloodsport shot with his arm crossbow, and King Shark ate a guy. The rest of the team moved from their hiding spots once the soldiers were dealt with. Success.

Bloodsport banged on the van's window before asking, "Are you Milton?"

The driver choked out a tearful "Si."

After Soria directed him to a nearby pull off spot, you started looking at the contents in the boxes that were pulled out.

"Milton will drive you through town and to La Gatita Amable. There are clothes in the boxes for all of you so you can blend in." Cleo started putting on a random pair of sunglasses as you pulled out a fedora. Soria continued, "That said, the walking tiburon is gonna have to stay out of sight."

"I wear disguise," Nanaue said.

"Ohhh," Cleo drawled. "You're going to wear a disguise?"

"Si."

"Hey, he's learnin' Spanish," Peacemaker said offhandedly.

"And what kind of disguise?"

"Fake mustache," he said smugly.

"Yeah," DuBois interrupted as he moved more boxes. "Fake mustache isn't gonna cut it, mate."

"Aww come on," you cooed. "What if he wears a hat?" The fedora you picked up earlier was now sitting on the King of the Ocean's head.

"You still look exactly like yourself."

"That's the worst fake mustache I've ever seen," Chris added.

"And if you had fooled us, we'd have to kill you, shark-shaped bloke with a mustache creepin' up on us like that."

"FUCK!" Nanaue yelled as he stomped off. You snickered before turning to Abner with some clothes in your hand.

"What do you think?"

"Hmm? Oh, those look nice, although I saw something in another box that I thought you might like. Let me go get it."

As he walked away towards another box, you dropped the clothes you were holding as your face softened. Someone saw something and thought of you? That hasn't happened for a very long time. You started sifting thoughtfully through a nearby box when he came back.

"Here," he showed you the clothes. "I hope you like it." It was sweet how anxious he was getting over this. He must not socialize often.

Taking the clothes from him, you observed the material. It was... actually really good. It was something you would've loved to wear if you weren't forced to wear that stupid prison outfit, and it looked like it'd fit.

"Abner, this is great! It's a lot better than what I was originally going with," you laughed. "Oh! Here, I saw these pants and thought it would match the shirt you picked up."

"Thank you," he said shyly.

"I'm gonna change over there. Stand watch, please?"

How could he say no to you? "Of course," he said while respectfully turning around. As he waited, Peacemaker appeared.

"(L/n) around?"

"Huh?" Abner said, startled from Chris's sudden presence. "Uh, yeah, they went over there to change into their disguise. I'm looking out for them."

"Oh, you're looking out for them? Well look out for this, Patrick Bateman," Peacemaker wasn't looking so peaceful as he leaned in towards Abner. Dropping his voice, he continued. "I don't know what you think is going on between you two, but leave it, you understand me? Why would The Mimic want to go for someone as lame as you? You throw polka dots at people?" Peacemaker scoffed before finishing, "Quit getting in my way, or else."

Stay away from you? There was no way he could do that. You were seemingly the only person who liked him, and now he would have to end that? Fuck that.

Abner, admittedly with a little less confidence than what he hoped for, challenged him. "Or else what?"

Gosh, three words and his heart was already pumping.

"Excuse me?" Chris raised a brow.

Luckily before anything could be done, you emerged oblivious from the jungle while dawning your new attire. Your uniform was neatly folded and tucked under your arm. Both men looked at you and... wow. Abner was speechless. Literally. For the second time within you knowing him, you made his breath hitch.

"You look stunning," Peacemaker quickly said before Abner had a chance. That wouldn't really matter since your response was quite the cockblocker.

"Thanks! Abner picked it out for me," you smiled. You even gave a twirl to show off the outfit to your teammates. Abner just looked at you with such affection in his eyes.

"Anyways, your turn," you ordered as you took Krill's watching place so he could change. Peacemaker tried making some move on you, but you were clueless. Instead, you went into Mission Mode™ and discussed some tactics and strategies you could implement. Sighing, Chris humored you and joined your planning. Not too long later, Abner walked out with his disguise on.

"I'm not sure about this," he said while standing awkwardly.

"You look like an idio-"

"You look great!" you voiced over Peacemaker. "I love those pants on you."

"Really?"

"Yeah," you laughed. "They're funky."

"I-" Krill let out a laugh of his own. "Yeah, I guess they are pretty funky."

"Alright, well, we've gotta get back to the van," you announced while walking away. Abner blindly followed you with a dumb little smile on his face while leaving Chris just standing there in disbelief.

[redjaybathood]

Sort of inspired by the other idea, but Steph actually did die, and she was buried, but three/six months afterwards she came back.

Some bloggers were doing a six months anniversary thing and initially assumed zombie, attacking her hand with a shovel. On the second swing, Steph's hand grabs, it, pushes it into the bloggers stomach and uses it as leverage to get out.

She's very focused on her torso ideally not opening up and spilling her organs out everywhere cos coming back didn't fix 'everything'. She's somewhat hysterical, can't remember what brought her back, but also capable of wheedling a lot of info out of the bloggers, while subtly pulling bits of tombstone off and crushing them into dust.

Finding out the phone was doing a liveblog, she just uses a gust of wind and the crumbled stone to cover her 'escape'. Leaving the guys to run deeper into the graveyard looking for her, while she doubles back, grabs the shovel and leaves, shouting as she disappears into an alleyway "Sorry, East End Girls learn not to follow strangers anywhere!, even for doctors!" before vanishing.

Steph goes to a place she hid one of her old supply staches and uses it t patch herself up and trap an old bomb shelter or basement or what have you.

Meanwhile 'everyone' sees this, or more, lots of people do, there's investigations, plans and naturally Jason & Cass in their respective adventures flip out and race to Gotham. (Shiva & Cain are very upset Cass bailed on their fucked up family adventure with Mad Dog. That was all one thing right?)

Cass's motives are obvious, Jason's is that he knows Ra's will be after her and he is!

Bruce, Tim & Dick are on holiday and so are late to the party.

So, let's see. It's before Bruce dies, so Leslie isn't back in Gotham yet. There's no one in Batcave. Or Clock Tower. Or Batgirl's Cave. That's. Uh... That's okay. Fuck. Ouch. But - never fear! Stephanie can sew, and she can, in fact, sew herself together.

She can't go home, though, because with ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE IN GOTHAM: LOCAL VIGILANTE THE FIRST TO RISE a lot of journalists and just busybodies hound Crystal, asking for a comment.

So. You know. Hiding it is.

She does phone her mom, but. Her mother is crying, afraid to believe, angry that someone possibly playing a prank. It doesn't go so well.

Stephanie goes to the only ally she knows she has in Gotham, still: Catwoman.

"Huh," Selina says, finding her in the living room. "Guess you also have nine lives. Or, eight now, perhaps."

"About that," Steph says. "I kinda can't go home, and with this stupid zombie panic, I can't just roam the streets as Spoiler. Or Robin."

"Oh? So what did you have in mind?"

"I'm so glad you asked!"

So Stephanie becomes Stray. Her costume isn't much like Selina's, though. It's a mask, cat ears, and gloves with metal claws.

If anything, you could say Cheshire could be cited as an influence, but the color scheme and the suit style are different. It's a dark gray jumpsuit that covers all her body to hide the scars but still allows free movement for parkour and fighting.

There are claws in boots, too, so Steph can literally go up a wall if needed.

Batgirl and Red Hood find her pretty much at the same time. It's not that they tracked her down, it's that she's robbing Black Mask's warehouse, where he's keeping the guns and other illicit goods he's planning to fund his operations with. If you take away his money, Black Mask really can't offer much else in a fight. He's pretty pathetic, actually. Steph again congratulates herself on making the right choice not killing him: she doesn't need it to bring him down. It's just her death put something of a hamper on the timeline when she can actually finish him off.

Well, not anymore!

"Smart," says Red Hood.

"You're the literary last person I want approval from, Hood, you didn't have any hangups about killing anyone and still didn't manage to put him down!" She says.

"Okay, this was uncalled for. I had other priorities. Now, do you want my help or not?" Hood says. "You may not like me, or approve of my methods, but I am excellent in robbing Black Mask of valuables and pissing him off."

"Okay," Steph eyes him warily. "You're on probation as my sidekick."

"Sir yes sir!" Hood salutes.

And then shoots a ninja down. Because, it turns out, that's the real reason he came back, to keep her safe from a cult.

"They have the means to resurrect the dead, it's literally fine!" Hood replies when Steph is like: probation is over, you failed.

Steph: "Do I look like I care?"

And then she's attacked again, but now it's by Batgirl, and it's with a hug, not a knife.

"Stephanie," she says. "Is that really?.. I don't understand..."

"Shhh, names in the field!" Stephanie says.

"Come on," Hood says. "I know your name. The whole Gotham knows your name."

"They don't know Stray's name!" Steph argues.

"Like it's so hard to deduce, after you crawled out of your grave and then, a week later, a new crime-fighter appeared. At least I managed to get through my resurrect without being live-streamed."

"Who's the guy?" Stephanie asks Cass, because it's obvious that she's missing something. Like whoah, is she not the only zombie in Gotham?

(if that's what she is; so far, no cravings for brains)

Cass looks at Red Hood and shakes her head.

"I have no idea. And I don't care."

"Okay, that one really hurt. Batman didn't talk about me? Really?"

His shoulders snoop. Steph feels kinda sad about him.

"Alright," she says. "You can come with us. But - no guns, they're loud, and we're trying for stealth."

"Yeah, okay," Hood says. |It's not like I don't have knives. Or aren't as deadly in hand to hand.|

"No deadly force whatsoever," Cass says.

"Try and stop me," Hood grins. "If I don't kill it's because I don't want to. Not because you told me so."

But he does, indeed, refrain from using guns or killing anyone. He says that he doesn't need to, the mission parameters could be achieved without it.

So it goes. They completely devastate Roman Sionis' resources. He can't pay his people. They turn on him. Tragically, Black Mask dies. They were busy saving other people from getting caught in the crossfire, so it's not like they're to blame.

They do round up the rest of False Face Society pretty quick, working together.

And then Batman, Nightwing, and Robin come back.

They're like: "Spoiler! Batgirl! You're working with a known criminal and a killer! We're disappointed in you."

Cass is like: "Not for the first time, for me. I believe everyone can change and redeem themselves. Don't you?"

Stephanie is like: "Well, he didn't actually kill anyone when he was working with us, because my plan was much more superior to his own and could be implemented without any murder. So there."

Red Hood: "Alright, so? I didn't change a bit. I am as I always was. Ruthless and ready to go where you all can't, do what needs to be done. I am. And now is my cue to leave."

Exit stage left.

But! Jason has to stick in Gotham, because League of Shadows is still lurking around. To get Batman and the rest off his back, he decides to just walk into GCPD district and be like: hi, yes, I'm Jason Todd. No, really. No, I really died. No idea. Also no idea. Well, maybe connected to Stephanie Brown - I also crawled out of my grave, it's actually why I found the courage to come back to Gotham, because I am not the only one anymore. Who can testify? I would think my father, Bruce Wayne, could. Or Alfred Pennyworth. Or Dick Grayson. Or Commissioner Gordon's daughter Barbara, she was tutoring me in Math, did you know?

And it's like. What Bruce and the rest of them can do? It is Jason. Denying it's Jason will only raise more questions.

But, also. If Stephanie was the only one to come from beyond the grave, it would be freaky. But now...

Besides, there's also the Court of Owls. They let themselves be known right around the time Jason reveals he's alive. And, what do you know: they're using people who are presumed dead - brainwashed and augmented humans. So, when Batfam uncovers this plot - Jason helps, and he almost doesn't kill anyone here, because in his interest that as many Owls as possible are alive to be dragged into the light of the public eye. To answer in the court of the law, yes, but also, because Jason plans to blame his and Stephanie's resurrection on them.

It works. If all of them, who are in custody, die under mysterious circumstances, who's to blame? Not Jason, he was here reading this book the whole evening.

Look. Batfam doesn't trust him. They are basically certain that he orchestrated the deaths. The irony is, he really isn't responsible. Again, it's in his interest that Owls are alive.

Some of the Talons, who were deprogrammed, weren't as kin on letting them live. Honestly, Jason gets it. So he doesn't say anything and lets everyone, including Cass and Steph who's like: I was rooting for you, how dare you! just believe what they will.

So. With the explanation out in the open, Ra's - maybe he doesn't believe fully in the story Jason is selling, but he's not as keen to waste resources, especially with the uprising in the League, led by his daughters.

Steph patches up things with her mom. Crystal is devastated when she realizes that the girl who called her was really her daughter. But Steph doesn't blame her. Anyway, she couldn't have come home before she figured everything out, so. She shouldn't have even called. "No," Crystal says, "you should have, I should have... "

There's a lot of hugging and crying and it takes time, but then life goes back to normal.

Damian arrives at the Manor. Because the League is going through a rough time, it's safer for him in Gotham. He bosses Jason around because, well, isn't Jason his mother's pet project? One of the reasons the relationship between Mother and Grandfather soured? And he's not even there, fighting with her?

Jason, who was kinda cut off from the League news for a long, long time, is like: what???

So yeah, he's leaving Gotham and going to Talia. It's not like she needed him much, but it's thought that counts, Talia decides. So Jason stays with her until everything is said and done. Ra's dies, Nyssa dies. Talia doesn't.

In Gotham, things move on. Stephanie becomes Batgirl. And also a college student. Bruce dies. Cassandra becomes Batman. Damian becomes Robin. Dick becomes a parent to a ten years old child. Tim becomes obsessed with trying to clone his friend, proving Bruce is in fact alive, and Red Robin.

Jason, when he finds out about Bruce's death, blue-screens for a short while.

"So," Talia asks him. "What are you going to do? I know Bruce left you a message. Are you going back to Gotham? Find out what he had to say to you... Take the mantle of Batman..."

"No," Jason says. "Cass got it covered. And Bruce had all the chances he wanted to say something to me while I was living at the Manor again. But... You know. I made him a promise, once. If something like what happened to me, happened to him, I would have..."

He trails off. Then looks at Talia.

"I guess I have an evil god to kill."

[atsunflower]

Hospital for souls — The Line

Rated: SFW

Author note: I gotta nothing to say. This took me really long and I struggled a lot to write it. Thanks for being patient with me. Also, big shoutout to @neonghxst, who helped me a lot with this one. I love you bby 💕

Warnings: Cursing, mentions of anxiety and this chapter contains gore towards the end.

IV — The line

Previous || Next

"I don't wanna go" Your voice showed distaste at the invitation.

Since the fight with Sakusa, you avoided all human contact like the plague. The only ones that talked to you were the maids and, occasionally, Komori, who had warmed up to you since you saved his ass — to be honest, you weren't very fond of his change of character.

"Listen, you're the new lady of this household." Komori explained in a tired manner."This gala is held every year in some sort of diplomatics, to grant no family crosses the line. All the important members must make a presence."

"Yeah, but I'm sure no one cares if I don't show up." You deadpanned looking at his face.

"It's just a fancy ass party. I'll take you to get a dress myself, but I gotta run some errands and find a suit too. If I'm late, then Izuna will take you." Komori saw you stiffening when you heard the name. Ever since you arrived in Itachiyama, Izuna was the most hostile towards you. "Hey, don't worry about him... He'll be nice."

"I gotta remind you that no one has been nice to me since I came here, Komori-san." You stated the obvious and the male before you grimaced.

"Look, we're not as bad as you think. Neither we are some sort of low life criminals, you know." His voice sent shivers down your spine. The hazel-haired man has been treating you better, yes, but you could tell the words you said to Sakusa that day affected him too.

"Yeah. But you all did nothing to prove me wrong." You stared at his eyes, the sincere tone meaning each world "If anything, all you did was make me miserable even though I'm not a threat. And you know it." You saw when the hazel haired male shook his head, face softening a little.

"I'll be back in a few." And then, Komori left. 

To your relief, it was Komori himself who showed up at your bedroom door. Now, you were at some boutique somewhere in the fancy side of Shibuya, trying a beautiful strappy off-white dress.

You loved how the silky cloth hugged your body and how the pearly color complimented your skin tone. Definitely, it was the propper gown for an event as important as a mafia gala.

Taking in the figure reflected in the mirror, you recalled the last time you wore something so fancy was at your wedding. Suddenly, you felt ugly — after all, you were a woman of surgical scrubs and white coats. Wearing something like this dress was a reminder of what kind of life you were living now.

"[Name]-san, have you decided?" Komori asked with an undecipherable look on his face. 

"Ah, yes, I'm taking this one" You said to the salesperson, already getting back to the changing room.

From the inside, you heard a knock on the door. It was Komori.

"[Name], are you good?" He asked in a soft spoken manner, as if he was concerned.

You know it's not the case, don't let your guard down, you reminded yourself.

"Yes, Komori-san. Are we ready to go?" He hummed in agreement, saying he was going to do the payment.

The two of you had yet to arrive in Itachiyama. The silence was heavy inside the car and you could see the man opening his mouth as if he was trying to say something.

"I never asked, did you see a doctor?" You started, breaking the unnerving atmosphere.

"Ah, yes. I'm all good, no sequels or whatever." He cleared his throat, side-glancing at you "Those guys took us by surprise that night, huh? We were lucky you were there to help us out." You hummed, staring at his elbow, as if you could see through the material of his jacket.

"I shouldn't have opened your arm that way. It was really irresponsible of me to do it and it was a miracle things ended up well."You said in a reflecting manner.

Does she regret saving me?, Komori couldn't help but wonder.

"The doctor I saw said the surgery was perfectly executed, so don't beat yourself over it. Besides, I can see the passion you have. You'd make it right anyways." The male said truthfully and you frowned. You didn't want his trust because he would never have yours.

You also didn't like the appreciative tone he used. A doctor isn't a hero, You reminded yourself everyday, to never let it go to your head.

"I'm passionate, but it's about my personal ethics, you don't need passion to be good at what you do. I think you know it very well." You still frowned, not liking what he implied. You never wanted to be some sort of hero, much less to someone like him. 

"Yeah, I don't need to love the yakuza to be good at it. But I don't think a passionless person would make a good doctor." He argued, trying to prove his point.

"In my line of work, a mistake costs your whole career. Passionless and unethical people exist everywhere, a hospital isn't a sanctuary." You said matter of factly — it wasn't about the romantic lenses people saw the health workers. After all, medicine was a field made majorly of people with the means and the money. You learned it the hard way when you made into med school.

"Why would you say that?" The traffic light signalled to stop. The Kobun used this opportunity to take in your figure, eyes roaming over your crossed arms and unfazed features.

Duty takes a toll in everyone, huh?, He internally stated.

"Because I know someone. And as passionless someone could be, he's still the best at what he does." And Komori didn't miss the feeling displayed in your eyes.

It wasn't merely passion. Something deeper resided in those irises of yours.

An awkward silence overtook the atmosphere as the car resumed its movement. He felt uncomfortable, trying to figure out what you meant.

"Well, what matters is that everything ended up well. Who would have guessed they would attack us that night?" Komori conceded, trying to break the unsettling quietness.

"Yeah, this whole yakuza thing is really scary." You said looking through the tinted window, a pensive look in your face.

"You'll get used to it. And it doesn't happen on a daily basis either" He brushed you off, turning in a curb.

"Yeah, but ignoring the threat isn't an easy task." You retorted, tiredly.

"How do you know it? Besides, since you're our lady, it's not like we'll let  something happen to you." The brunette said, in hopes of comforting you. It had the opposite effect, as a silent rage ran down your body.

"Komori-san, how do I know?" You bitterly laughed "My whole life, I was at the line. My mother didn't want me to be born, Inarizaki wanted my head since I was in the womb and you guys will get rid of me at any given opportunity." You saw him opening his mouth to argue "Your household won't protect me if the order comes from Sakusa." 

As if in a cue, the car approached the gates of Itachiyama. Komori was rendered speechless, knowing you were right.

Personally, you weren't one to offend people and make them feel bad. You couldn't help the pang in your chest every time you exploded at any of them. But by god, were you tired.

I just want my life back, you thought. After all, it was infinite times easier to be a target when you were somehow detached from the life inside the families. The Kobun said something you paid no mind to.

Banging the car door shut, you ignored his calling.

The nagging feeling was a constant in his life.

Roaming through his memories, he could never pinpoint a time he felt comfortable under his skin. He was too anxious and life never treated him kindly to do so.

Maybe he overreacted a lot, too. But it wasn't his fault he had to be hyper aware of his surroundings.

The alert state was essential in an ambience full of people who could stab him in the back.

Fuck the diplomatics, he cursed.

It was one of those nights he hated the most. The suntuous ballroom was full of people going back and forth, bragging about futilities and throwing insincere flattery at each other. All because the ever so generous Karasuno was hosting a dinner at The Crow to assure no one disturbs the deal between the families.

Bullshit, he thought. It's only Karasuno trying to show off their influence over this frail peace.

And, as much as he appreciated said peace, he hated how everyone faked they got along with each other.

Not that he cared about politeness either. And his signature scowl did nothing to keep people away. After all, everyone wanted a piece of Itachiyama.

"Kiyoomi." The ravenette heard the deep voice from his back. A wave of relief washed over him.

At least, Wakatoshi-kun is here. I won't die from boredom, He mused.

"Wakatoshi." He responded, nodding at the other. From outside Itachiyama, Ushijima was the only one Sakusa considered a friend.

"I thought you wouldn't come tonight, I know you don't really like the crowd."

"People would find weird if I didn't, considering Inarizaki and everything."

"Speaking of which, did you bring your wife?" Ushijima asked, looking around. Sakusa nodded before speaking.

"Yeah, she went to the restrooms. Komori is with her." And speaking of the devil, you came into view.

He knew you had a fine taste for things, and he would be a fool to say you didn't look good tonight. But he would never admit it.

A Miya isn't worth you time, he repeated it like a mantra, observing as you made your way onto him.

Komori enthusiastically greeted Ushijima and you merely nodded out of politeness, looking at the bulky male with caution. Given Ushijima's intimidating vibes, Sakusa couldn't really blame you.

"I see you're Sakusa's wife. I'm Ushijima Wakatoshi." He offered his hand at you "It's a pleasure to meet you"

"Likewise, Ushijima-san" You introduced yourself as the Oyabun of Itachiyama watched the scene unfold before him, recalling how his friend was the blunt and introverted type. He couldn't help but admire the way the two of you conversed smoothly; earning Ushijima's sympathy required effort. You did it with ease.

"She's a good woman." Sakusa didn't see when your conversation died down and Ushijima turned to him. He found himself dumbfounded at the other's statement.

"She's a Miya"

"She worked with Shirabu. He spoke highly of her" A waiter passed by offering them whiskey. The rich scent of Yamazaki reached his nostrils as he drank it, throat used to the burning sensation "And you know he's not one to lie."

"Still…" His retort was halted when he felt the weight of a gaze on him. In the far corner of the room, none other than Oikawa Tooru had all his attention turned to the general direction of you all "What is he looking at?" He squinted at the brunette's direction, trying to make out his intentions.

"He seems to be looking at your wife" Ushijima bluntly spoke "But don't worry about him, Oikawa may have his reasons. He is a reliable man, after all."

"You're indeed soft today. What happened?" The other opened his mouth to respond before being interrupted by a startled voice.

Your husband was doing a good job ignoring you while speaking to Ushijima — you wouldn't complain, since you didn't want any of his attention.

Listening to Komori speaking wonders of the whiskey he was drinking, you felt a little at ease. You imagined the gala to be much scarier than this, but all you could see was snotty people too full of themselves. It was almost comical hearring them bragging about things you couldn't even dream of.

"This is a 25 years old Yamazaki. It's a favorite of mine and Kiyoomi—"

"Is this real life?" A surprised voice cutted Komori's middle sentence.

Before you, a handsome man looked appalled, staring at you with an emotion you couldn't identify. You were feeling uncomfortable as everyone around you was paying attention to your interaction.

"I'm sorry, sir. But am I supposed to know you?" You asked, in hopes to remember if you knew him by any chance. He beamed brightly at you.

"Of course you wouldn't remember me!" And he laughed again, earning a frown from your husband.

"Do you have any business to do with my wife?" Sakusa's cold-steel voice asked. The pretty man ignored it. And, at this point, everyone in the area stopped their actions, watching the scene with interest.

"I'm Oikawa Tooru, the Oyabun of Seijoh. Two years ago, you saved my nephew's life in an accident at the Dinosaur Bridge, only using a needle. After it, you held his hand until the ambulance came." The man bowed deeply, and only now you noticed he was accompanied by another spiky-haired male, who was also bowing at you. Observing them, you faintly remembered saving a little boy in a traffic accident a couple of years ago "For that, I'll be forever thankful. In return, I wanted to say you have Seijoh's gratitude whenever you need it." He stood tall again, staring at you dead in the eye to confirm he meant every single word he said.

You were speechless.

"I… sir, I'm thankful, but I did what had to be done. You don't owe me anything." You said uncertainly, glancing at the startled faces of both Komori and Sakusa. Ushijima looked fondly at you, as if he knew something.

"You had a choice that day, and you choosed to help us when we couldn't do anything. And it's enough for us to pay you back." The spiky-haired man said. It was rare for someone to address you with so much respect and sincerity. You appreciated it wholeheartedly.

"I— thank you." And you bowed at them, trying to show your gratitude to both males.

"Well, we won't disturb you anymore. Please have a good night" The Oikawa guy said, handing you a business card which you secluded inside your clutch.

"See?" You heard Ushijima saying, but you were too stunned to register it.

You didn't have time to process the event, as someone announced the dinner was about to be served.

"Seijoh's favour, huh? You sure are skyrocketing this mafia thing." Suna said, sitting on the chair on the opposite side of the table.

You all were addressed to a table with ten seats. It looked like Itachiyama was paired up with Inarizaki and another household you were yet to discover. The atmosphere was already stiff, as Sakusa kept throwing dirty glares at the twins.

"Impressive how you're doing well inside the yakuza. I thought you weren't going to last a month." Atsumu snickered as Osamu and the others ignored everything around them, getting ready for the dinner.

You mimicked their actions before Izuna joined you; you tensed seeing him taking the seat by your left.

Sakusa sat by your right, side-glancing at you. It looked like he had a newfound interest since the interaction with Oikawa earlier.

To your surprise, Seijoh was addressed to your table. Though, both Oikawa and Iwaizumi — Suna let you know his name and the fact he was also a Kobun — said nothing, sensing the tension hanging in the air.

None of the men said anything as the food started to be served. Instead, they busied themselves with the entree, keeping the smalltalk inside their household circle.

You heard Osamu saying something about the wine but you didn't register it. Soon enough, the waiters brought the main course in silver trays.

It smelled fabulous and your mouth watered at the scent.

"A lovely meal for the lady. Please enjoy it, I'm sure you won't forget this occasion." The blond waiter said, as he uncovered your plate. You took in the deep red sauce made of berries and the way the meat was perfectly cooked.

With fork and knife in hand, you went for it.

And indeed, you wouldn't forget the occasion.

Sliding the meat over the plate, you noticed it  hiding something. The scream was caught in your throat as you recognized the obnoxious structure, because years of unveiling the human anatomy would never fail you.

The cutlery clattered in the porcelain surface, spilling the sauce all over you. The white of your dress was now tainted with crimson, as if blood seeped out of your chest.

But you didn't even feel it. All you felt were hands shaking your body, trying to draw some reaction from you. The screams also came in a white noise through your ears, because all you could register was the sight before your eyes.

In the middle of the plate, a finger rested limp and dirty. Dead.

In a similar manner, you did too. 

Among the chaos, you sat there, also limp and dirty. At the end of a promise of death.

❥ tagging: @keekee-732 @chiibichann @captain-shittykawa @fortheloveofiwaizumi @daisyjaebae @jihoonspout @floodinginstars @fl4mepillar @trash4sportsanime @neonghxst @starrystanze @teaanbiss @hqxreader @yskomiii @shadyjinyoung @julimausi1311 @hyoonx23 @keuromi @differentballooncollection @onigiriimiya @wolfiepirate @sekshi-namjas @tomo-uwu @atsumusgf @letmegetthisclear @katokanae @cherryonigiri @ushijima-meixiu @bimboiiying @crownedcupcake17 @tvwhoresblog @thenerdyrebel @idiot-juice-enthusiast @caprolls @keijination   @wakaitoshi @clowninfortodoroki @shiningotak-ku @kemochie @lilacshouko @sehunosh @kiyoojima @shimy-deko @bap-kingdom @raenebalgaire @ricefarmerkita @rintarose @xanaxdeity @reiningsun

Taglist is closed (50/50)

[sanchoyo]

danny phantom season 2, eps 1-5 thoughts! opening the new season with episodes like these kinda blew me away. we had multiple serious episodes INCLUDING a two parter!! also, valerie :)

see prev episode thoughts in this tag <3

-I don't know what I expected s2 to open with. but danny portal incident in more detail was not it. (also, I hate to break it to you, sam, but danny's parent's bigass ghost hunting rv def chugs more gas than those vehicles, lmao. unless it runs on ectoplasm or something...)

-WHY WAS DESIREE IN THE SEWER? HAVING TEA WITH IT DOWN THERE?? Her making the giant cow come alive is a boss move, we've almost had all of my fav animals as ghosts now <3 I also don't like how sam was expecting danny to just, haunt the place so the cars wouldn't get sold? I KNOWWW I know she's 14 (and I had a very annoying phase like this, I think I mentioned in a previous post, I GET IT) but they're HIS powers, and messing with (1) dealership will not really put a dent in sales overall because they can just move the cars to another sales lot, and it certainly wont change the industry anyway, it's more of a minor annoyance for (1) location. Also, usually people who work at car sales places work on commission, so if they dont make a sale, they don't have money to pay bills, or eat. sam baby if u wanna be an activist you need to like, actually look into these things. with as much money as her parents have, she could be doing a lot..more useful things for causes she cares about? it's frustrating to see someone with resources who doesn't know how to use them. but shes 14 so again. cannot be really upset :/

-IS THIS A PREDATOR VS TERMINATOR VS FREDDY KRUEGER MOVIE BUT THEYRE ALL WOMEN?? you know, sam is so right to be excited about this. /I/ want to see this movie. that rules

-paulina inviting danny and friends to her quinceañera, aw! even if it is just to get phantom to show up :') and there'll be a meteor shower, and we KNOW danny wants to be an astronaut!! there's not a meteor shower every night!! the tickets are non-refundable, but..she's rich? like. gotta agree with danny, they never get invited!! I KNOW it's the principle of keeping promises, but if she was that upset, she should've said something. directly. I hated how she was like, passive aggressive about it through the episode, like you SAID IT WAS FINE, THAT YOU'D GO TO THE PARTY TOO. MOVIES SHOW FOR A FEW WEEKS IN THEATERS. IF YOU HAD A REAL PROBLEM YOU NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT. WE'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, SAM. YOUR FRIENDS. ARE NOT. MIND READERS.

-MR. LANCER GOING AFTER THE GHOST WITH THE FIRE EXTINGISHER LMAO

-this outfit is everything . anytime the show does an over the top cutesty pink outfit i WANT IT. it looks like shit I wear JKASDHF I HAVE a bow like that and a pink sweater. I need leg warmers </3

-SAMS GOTTA RE-HALF-KILL HIM??? thats fucked up. but also, he finally got his logo!! it took until s2!!! this episode was lowkey very fucked and I felt like it glossed over a lot. does sam have guilt about like. kinda KILLING HIM?? I know, he also agreed and walked into the portal. but. she made the choice to redo it SO quickly (even if it was because someone had to beat desiree) and danny, during their fight, brought up a lot of stuff sam's done in the past, meaning he was holding onto those memories and resentment was building. (I KEEP SAYING HE LOWKEY NEEDS THERAPY, BUT I THINK MOST EVERYONE IN THIS SHOW KINDA DOES) which...is a red flag? and then they didnt even GO to the party URGH I know she tried to make up for it, but it really felt like Sam fucked up and barely faced any consequences and got everything she wanted in the end. I KNOW it's a kids show obv they aren't going to go too in depth, and she undid the damage, kinda, but...I DUNNO how to articulate it but it rubbed me the wrong way.

-but on a note about desiree, her powers of wishes were STRONG ENOUGH TO ERASE NOT JUST THEIR MEMORIES, BUT DANNY'S POWERS?! fuck, if I was danny I'd be like, trying to make friends with her. I know they always have horrible side effects as most genie-granted wishes do, but...c'mon, I'd at least TRY to be like 'I wish no ghosts would hurt anyone in my town' or 'I wish vlad would lose his ghost powers forever no matter What and also forget about my mom' LIKE. SHIT DESIREE IS SO POWERFUL. rewriting reality powerful, basically!! appreciate her. respect her.

-aww, sam helping tucker pass the nurse's office so he wouldn't see because he's afraid of medical stuff? very sweet. I also don't like medical stuff, I've gotten a lot better at handling it tho. but seeing blood and needles still makes me feel lightheaded x_x

-FOLEY, BY TUCKER FOLEY. I want to make my own perfume, that's so cool. even if his first attempt isn't good, he's pretty consistently shown to have an inventor/entrepreneur streak in the show, so like. I can see him inventing or making something (or several somethings) that make him $$$ when he grows up :) proud of my creative son

-I know the 'creepy abandoned hospital on the edge of town' is a joke and the creepy hospital trope is so Worn Out, but in my town we actually DO have a hospital like that! my dad was born in it, but its not in use and hasn't been for, like, 20 years! it needs to be torn down but I think the city doesn't wanna pay the money. the inside is horrible, spray painted and broken glass and shit everywhere. but there's still like, rusty equipment and fucking DOLLS all over the place. the cops drive by it pretty frequently to make sure no one is like, breaking in. (because of water damage, some of the areas really aren't safe. also, asbestos, but people still go in anyway) but also, some of my town was used in a filming for a stephen king show. So it's lowkey spooky all over. just a fun personal tidbit :) to lead into saying, any hospital abandoned for any period of time is NOT safe to quarantine these kids in JKSAHDKF like I KNOW it's a ghost trying to do this, but NONE of these parents are even like, 'well, why dont we keep them in the regular, working hospital'....YIKES. this hospital looks pretty accurate to the one in town. grungy and spooky.

-fentons are tax evaders confirmed by jack's fear of being audited, lol no one is surprised

-ghost sickness via ghost bugs. horrifying concept. I actually expected it to be a new villain, not dr. spectra again! this is a very elaborate scheme. her new form rules, love the new costume. the way none of the bg kids seem to recognize her as their old school councilor. did we just forget about that completely?

-dash watching romance movies in the fucked up ghost hospital. same.

-'oh please, you're ghosts, do you have any idea what YOU smell like?' no, tucker, what DO ghosts smell like? I genuinely didn't know they would even have a smell, I actually want to know now.

-it feels like a while since we've seen jazz!! i was happy to see her again, even if she was a head in a jar for most the episode. I want another jazz-focused ep!!

-we finally see danny doing space-related stuff!! him and his friends stargazing to open ep 3 of s2. cute :) until, GHOST PIRATES!!!!! ...ghost pirate captain is a small child?? VOICED BY TAYLOR LAUTNER???

-oh, the easy listening is ember's song instrumental slowed. 'vapor drone' THEY VAPORWAVED HER!!! ember in a pirate outfit tho >>>>. and the cruise being called m.bersback JKASDHJK. ember adopting a little pirate brother is also pretty cute. concerning this teen and little kid have such bad opinions of adults, like, who hurt you?? (how did you DIE ALSO?? im always lowkey curious about that. we know desiree died at an old age, but her ghost form is young, probably mid-20s, so I wonder how that sort of thing works...its a more mental thing, isn't it?) but ghost team-ups are always cool to see, even if ember bailed after danny took her guitar. I guess she probably thinks youngblood can handle it (which, he's been owning danny this far in the ep, so...fair)

-tucker got that sponsorship from nasty burger for their radio!!! again, opportunistic money maker king, love to see it!!!

-danny taking control of the kids SO FAST. he makes a pretty great leader. no one is surprised, im pretty sure I said I think he's the most mature of the trio, once again, correct, because he's taken on so much responsibility already. all the teens suiting up in the jumpsuits to go save the adults and taking the ship over with a BLIMP. OKAY LETS GO. this feels like it should be a mid finale or straight up finale.

-...speaking of finales. why is ep 4-5 of s2 combined into a 50 minute episode? I havent even clicked play and im concerned. weird placement, like, this season JUST started and we're getting a two parter? okay...why are the episodes placed like this? why not put this at episode 10 or something, for a mid-season thing?

-this is also a cute dress. possibly my fav dress so far. can her parents give ME cute dresses, I'LL wear them.

-it turns out the castle fright knight was in is called pariah's keep and there's something worse than fright knight in there! lovely! fuck off vlad wtf are you doing <3 your hubris <3 is going to literally get you killed <3 'ring of rage' and 'crown of fire' are great names tho. ...vlad turning into a super polite guy when he was scared of mr. pariah was hilarious. and fright knight doing the same...I mean, it makes sense, he's a knight, he serves a king? happy to see fright knight again either way :) vlad telling him to call him tho, lmfao. you WISH HE WOULD. (I wish hed call me, too. 😔)

-so...jack being genuinely concerned about vlad...maddie really didn't tell him what happened at the cabin, did she. damn. if I was her id immediately come home and be like 'YOU WONT BELIEVE THIS SHITTTT THIS CREEPY GUY--' like, I feel like that stuff you need to tell your partner!!! I know she didnt want Jack to think she was an irresponsible parent putting danny in danger at that time, but STILLLL. maddie spilling boiling tea on him. get his ass. how is jack this oblivious to his wife's discomfort with vlad!! ughhh

-fenton wipe (tm). trademarked toilet paper.

-DANNY AND VALERIE BEING FRIENDS??? :D that was a cute moment. 'hey val <3' and 'if you like him like him, make a move, or someone else will ;)' at sam...damn!! I love her. valerie go for it girl!!! I hate how sam and tucker treat val also, like I GET IT YOURE PROTECTIVE AND DONT TRUST but if anything him befriending valerie will help when she finds out or he tells her like I feel like she'll be more understanding that they think! ALSO I feel like her reason for not liking ghosts is valid, like you haven't really explained the full story to her anyway! she doesn't seem to have any other friends after being booted from the a-listers so im like :( but seeing them kick butt together again was nice <3

-the ghosts all RUNNING FROM PARIAH DARK IS NOT GOOD, I thought he sent them to attack or something, but no. why doesn't someone just tell desiree 'hey i wish pariah dark would die' lol. once again I think she can solve every problem <3 but seeing all the enemies in one place, being civil and hiding together? love it.

-you just know danny's gonna have to clean up vlad's stupid mess. also, jack being willing to put on the ectoskeleton pants to help maddie, as soon as vlad heard it could kill him, he suggested jack do it instead of helping maddie himself? this is why jack got the girl, my man.

-ghost skeletons. how do you end up as a skeleton ghost in your afterlife instead of a humanoid like most the ones we've seen? lmao

-the ghosts just making new homes in various stores. I'd totally be setting up in an expensive clothing store if I was a ghost.

-valerie's dad is possibly the most useful adult so far, with that ghost shield expansion!!! and valerie saving vlad and danny, even tho shes been thru it already, shes still so good!!! this family rules.

-danny: *gently caresses valerie* :)

-*then he immediately TELLS HER DAD ON HER. and his first response is 'are you okay?' :'( such a good dad...

-*me every time fright knight breathes* youre doing SO great sweetie :)

-the fenton suit thing is so silly looking. does anyone take this thing seriously

-ALL THE GHOSTS FIGHTING WITH DANNY <3 AAAAA. and the fact that pariah isn't perma-defeated, but just locked away again. yikes. he'll probably get out again, won't he? it wasn't too clear, but if vlad DID make a pact with fright knight, I am rabid. I will beat vlad to death with the fenton bat (tm). YOU DONT DESERVE A COOL KNIGHT.

-valerie being direct with sam and challenging her? kinda love that, even tho I normally don't like 'catfight' type situations. because sam has been very passive aggressive about it which is annoying. valerie knows wtf she wants and wasn't even embarrassed to tell sam, but she did tell her, giving sam time to make her own move! and sam denied it and got embarrassed/mad! and sam did have a chance when danny was about to go off and fight, and she hesitated and didn't tell him. I feel like she's hesitating because they're friends and it might make it weird between the trio (poor tucker would be third-wheeling) but if u snooze u lose, u gotta GO after what u WANT girl. smh this is a No Tsundere Zone. 😤

[bargainmatinee]

The Batman

2022.7

Let's get this out of the way first...Robert Pattinson is fucking awesome. While Michael Keaton will always hold a special place in the hearts of fans everywhere, I still maintain he was a much more effective Bruce Wayne than he was Batman. Probably mostly because he always looked so awkward in that unforgiving, immobile suit. Val Kilmer was just fine, but we don't have enough to judge him on. And we won't even mention George Clooney (although technically I guess I just did). Then there's Christian Bale. No doubt, Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy is the high watermark by which all Batman flicks will be judged. But fuck, man....I don't know about you, but despite the brilliance of those films, that fucking ridiculous growling voice that Bale put on still bugs the shit out of me. Oh, and then we had Batfleck. Poor Ben never got his own solo movie, which is fine with me. Batman v Superman sucked a fat dick.

Which brings me back to Pattinson. Like most, the announcement of his casting took me by surprise. Isn't he the sparkly vampire from those Twilight flicks? Man, this sounds like a bad idea. Then I saw "The Lighthouse" and realized...oh! This guy can fucking ACT. That movie was dark and disturbing, and I was no longer worried about "The Batman." And now that I've seen it, I'm prepared to say that Pattinson is the best Batman we've had. I need to clarify, I don't think he was a great Bruce Wayne, but to be honest there wasn't really much of him out of costume in this flick anyway. He doesn't growl like an idiot, he's menacing as hell, and I just loved the shit out of the costume. It seemed like the most practical version of the batsuit we've ever seen. Badass boots, body armor, lack of rubber and nipples...fuck yeah.

As for the movie itself...um, yes please. This felt more like a detective serial killer drama like "Se7en" than it did a superhero flick, which is fine with me. The three hour runtime never felt bloated or dragged, and flew by pretty quickly for me. Zoe Kravitz was a perfect Catwoman, an unrecognizable Colin Farrell has some great bits as the Penguin, and the Riddler....oh my. This is where the serial killer part comes in. Forget everything you ever knew about the Riddler. Well, don't forget about the riddles, because that's still a thing. But no longer a goof in a green suit parading around like a moron, Paul Dano puts on a gimp mask and just goes full on terrifying creep. Outstanding.

I also want to note that a lot of reviews have pointed out that this version of Batman FINALLY plays up the fact that the comic book version is the "World's Greatest Detective" and we get to see much more of that in this one. While this is true...well, I don't want to spoil too much, but while I agree we get much more of that this time, I want to see it pushed further in the next one. Him playing detective makes so much sense in the context of this script but he still comes up a bit short in the end. I can't say more without spoiling things, but I definitely have feelings about just how effective his detective work was here.

That minor shortcoming aside, I can unequivocally (thank you predictive text for handling the spelling there) say that this is pretty close to the best version of Batman you can get. I loved it to pieces and I want more. And even though I earlier pronounced R-Pats as the best version of the Bat yet, I'm not quite ready to say this is the best movie of the bunch. Recency bias makes it easy to say this is better than "The Dark Knight," but is it really? Or are you just high on it because it's so new? I really don't think I'd be able to answer that one without the benefit of more time. But no matter what, it's at least definitely in the conversation to decide what the best Bat flick ultimately is.

[soartfullydone]

Ah, Miss Boggess, there you are. Timofey's been driving me mad. He said he's found you the most luxurious gown—I do hope you plan to contribute funds, this isn't Cresce after all—and he wanted to know what your preference in masks might be. I beg you not to be too gaudy, I refuse to be upstaged. And you know how Alderode can be when its women are too bold.

I don’t know if this is anything but oh well!

Melody squinted up at the wright who’d waltzed into her space, disturbing her work with his near-incessant chatter. Bastion was in a good mood, then, complaints about Timofey aside, which suited her because technically her space belonged to him. The entire safe house did. She had done her best to clear out the papers, books, empty wine bottles, and other assorted debris from a corner of the room and remain undisturbed while disturbing no one. That plan had mostly worked until now.

Mercifully, when she met Bastion’s black gaze, he was clothed this time. As ever, he wore that same silver torc she never saw him without and was swathed in black. The v-neck cut of his shirt extended all the way down to his naval, which was downright modest of him even if she did get an eyeful, sitting on the floor as she was. He towered over her as he braced a forearm against the wall in a casual lean, intent on having her answer. 

With a sigh, she lowered her writing instrument and, bypassing his comments entirely, extended the papers she was working on toward him, all business. “Here.” 

On each page’s surface was a series of facial composite sketches. She’d drawn every Ald and Sharte who’d been on that beach when the cache of First Silver was stolen to the best of her memory. Had done similarly for nearly every job she’d ever taken as an assassin. Killing the wrong mark was embarrassing—and clean-up was messier. Experience was the harshest and best teacher.

Which is why she knew she was missing something about that night. It eluded her as much as the identity of their mysterious thief.

“Well, I wouldn’t submit these to any museums if I were you, darling,” Bastion commented, straightening up and listlessly flipping through the pages. “I trust you won’t be offended by my firm refusal to display these. We’re both adults here.” 

Melody fought back the urge to roll her eyes. “Is there anyone there you don’t recognize?”

His black brow lifted minutely, and he studied the pages more thoroughly, eyes passing over every face and noting the ones marked dead with an x beside them. “Only this ugly fellow. Such an unfortunate nose. I hope he at least gets his use out of it between a woman’s thighs.”

As he showed her the sketch, Melody did not check her smile. It was all teeth. “That’s you. Before the glamour dropped.”

“Such a generous perception you have towards us merry Alds. You even took me for a soud! Some don’t believe the Golds are true Aldishmen at all, you know.”

“Is that what you think?”

“My dear murderess, I have grown quite immune to the opinions of my countrymen.”

“But there’s no one else?” she pressed, nodding towards the papers in his hands. “No one who looks different to you because they might’ve also been glamoured?”

“Afraid I was the only wright who came prepared and armed with intelligence.” Bastion handed the stack back to her, a dry smile appearing on his lips. “Which is a glowing commendation to the clever bastard who managed to escape unseen with my Silver.”

“Our Silver,” corrected Melody, tossing the papers aside. So that had been for nothing. If she hadn’t been keen on killing their saboteur when they found him, she sure was now. Irritated, she rubbed the bridge of her nose. “So sorry I missed the lad. I was preoccupied ensuring that a certain prepared and intelligent wright didn’t succeed in cutting open one of my major arteries.”

“You should’ve shown your face sooner, little Sharte. It might have given me pause.”

Melody climbed to her feet, extended her arms over her head, and stretched. A few vertebrae popped, and her tense muscles loosened the slightest bit. She felt more than saw Bastion’s gaze travel along the arch of her back, but she paid it no mind. Behind his charismatic mien, she heard the dripping disdain he had for her. His client—Beadman’s buyer—might have botched the whole deal with the First Silver, but Bastion still pinned plenty of blame on her, the unexpected Sharteshanian wright who’d gotten in the way. For now, he tolerated her presence. He did not like her.

She felt the same way toward him, but reclaiming the Silver took priority over personal feelings. They would succeed and be out of each other’s hair much faster by working together than going it alone. Or so attending this Jet-only fête was supposed to prove. 

“Timofey found me a dress, you said?”

“A gown,” stressed Bastion. “Regrettably, the event we’re attending is a respectable affair. On its surface, at any rate. No simple frock will do.”

“But let me guess. Full masks are too elaborate? Then, an eye mask is fine. I don’t care what’s on it, so long as it’s discreet.” If she was unable to completely hide her face as she skulked around, announcing her presence with a gaudy accessory wouldn’t help. In that regard, she and Bastion were in agreement. “I know my business, my lord. There’s no reason for you to be afraid I’ll top you—that’s not what I meant!”

Eventually, Bastion stopped laughing.

Eventually.

Melody didn’t know how Timofey lived with this man. In a figurative sense since Timofey wasn’t technically alive. At least the spirit seemed to like her or at least took some form of pity on her. If it truly was a gown he’d spied for her, that meant a long skirt. Which meant she could still wear her knives, including her dagger of First Iron. Thank the Twins. “If you do see Timofey before me, thank him, won’t you?”

“And when should I expect to hear praise fall from those acerbic lips, hm?” He shadowed her steps as she navigated through the cluttered safe house, past overturned chairs and tables overflowing with more papers, sheet music, cigarette buds, and half-full whisky tumblers. Without a hint of shame at the state of it all, he twirled a hand to indicate the room. “For providing you with all this?”

“Of course I’m grateful,” Melody allowed, her tone laced with irony. “My one regret—besides this whole thing—is that I can’t burden you less, but unfortunately, my benefactor has chosen Fachlyne for his roost. Only the most dangerous place in Kasslyne, but no matter.”

“You say that yet you haven’t even seen our shining capital! Although, that sarcasm of yours is almost charming. You must be a real brat in bed, aren’t you?” 

She spun, fixing him with an annoyed glare.  “Look, Winalils, about the gown. Don’t take this the wrong way—”

“Ach, an oft-used phrase that always achieves what it intends, but do continue.”

“The reason Timofey has my thanks is because I’m more confident that he has taste. I was terrified you’d be picking something out, and it would equate to dental floss.”

“So taking care of one’s teeth isn’t a total myth in Sharteshane.” Bastion’s mouth quirked, and he regarded her with half-lidded eyes, taking a single step closer. “For a worshipper of supposed divine beings, you have little faith. If I dressed you, darling, it would be to flatter. Death and danger each have their forbidden appeal, and a master assassin should know how to use both to seduce her prey. If you’ve never heightened your assets to such titillating ends—when you certainly have the ass and tits to do so—then perhaps we should change that sometime. Besides…” He was close enough for his cool breath to caress her neck. “Are you quite sure you’d mind overmuch playing the doll for me?” 

Her face hot, Melody shoved him back into the edge of a table to his audible amusement. “If you’re going to be a fucking prick, I’d rather hash out the rest of this with Timofey.”

“He can’t take your coin. And as adorable as you look all riled up like a bitch in heat, that’s why I’m here.”

Jaw clenching, Melody thought about biting his extended hand. Y’know, if she was going to be such a riled-up bitch. Instead, she retrieved her coin pouch, which was nowhere close to full, and concentrated on counting out a suitable amount of sems rather than test Bastion’s knowledge of using pymary through touch. The coins clinked as they fell into his open palm, the grim sight of her dwindling funds cooling her anger.  

“About that,” said Melody in a flinty tone, returning to business. “I didn’t exactly plan on an extended stay in Alderode, and the First Royal Bank of Sharteshane isn’t within walking distance. I was thinking we might amend our… arrangement.”

Bastion was already turning from her, waving a dismissive hand. “If you’re looking for charity—”

“We’re not going to find our man at this thing. Reconnaissance never goes that smoothly. We might find a lead at best,” Melody said, stepping in front of him. If he didn’t want to listen to her, he could offset away and leave her coin behind. “But that doesn’t mean it has to be a huge waste of time. Nobles are the same everywhere. They have secrets to hide. You want me to find those secrets for you, I will. Want to blackmail someone? Done. Need someone tailed after the party? Done. This might even be easier for me to do here than in Sharteshane. Women are just supposed to be part of the decor, aye?”

“Aye, except for here, it seems.” His words were clipped, but he gave her an appraising look, almost challenging. “They are also to stay where they can be seen, not wandering into forbidden places without an escort.”

“What’s that matter to me? My reputation here is a fabrication. I’m not an Aldish lady. I’m the Shade. I don’t exist.” Melody took a short, bracing breath, but what was the point in holding back now? “Listen, Winalils, this is the closest I get to selling myself, and I do take my business as seriously as a heart attack. At least tell me you’ll consider it.” 

“I already am. What I’m curious about is what you want in return.”

“A guarantee of shelter. Food, clothes, just the basics. To know that when I sleep I’ll be safe.”

His eyes narrowed. “That’s all?”

“Aye. When I say basics, I mean basics. And I don’t want to pay for another fucking dress. Sell them after or give them to one of your lays, I don’t care. But if I drop coin in this country, it’s going to be because I—we—had no other choice. I’m not going back to—” Melody stopped talking, memories carding through her mind too quickly to land on any one. Her Sharte accent was thick as she ended with, “Anywho, those’re me terms.”

For the first time since their conversation started, Melody thought Bastion looked tired. His frown somehow deepened the perpetual shadows under his eyes, which had taken on an unreachable distance. As quickly as the sight appeared, it was gone. His chin-length black hair moved just so as he tilted his head back to look down his straight nose at her, his shrug as equally careless. “I accept them, provided that my end of the bargain will only be honored on the delivery of yours.”

“That’s how it’s done.” Melody jutted out her hand, ready to seal the deal the Sharteshanian way. A bone-breaking handshake—sans the spit. They were in plague territory after all, and assassin though she was, she merely flirted with death; she didn’t court it. Bastion’s hand enfolded hers, his long fingers encasing her own. Bloody pianist hands. It didn’t bother her at all to turn their handshake into a biting vise, didn’t surprise her that Bastion winced as his bones creaked ever so slightly.

What did surprise her and cause her whole body to freeze was when, on the third pump, he bowed low and brought her hand to his lips, his mouth landing hot on her knuckles. His wet tongue slid between the skin of her middle and ring finger, his eyes flicking up to hers when she hissed. His mouth stretched into an unforgiving, unrepentant smile. 

The Aldish way to seal the deal, with a healthy side of Black Tongue.

Of course, she didn’t know that at the time.

[starship-imzadi]

S2 E18 Up The Long Ladder

This is another episode I mis-remember as season 1 because of the TOS vibes. More and more I realise when I say "TOS" I think of low production values, embarrassing or overdramatic acting, overt sexism or racism, or bad pacing.

Worf looks like he's going to throw up, and Riker is sitting just beneath him.

Wow, I think that's the first use of "Terran" to refer to Earth in TNG. I love the term. It makes me think of the mirror universe (Mirror, Mirror is my favourite TOS episode and I loved the Disco mirror episodes.)

Pulaski making fun of Worf's bravado is fabulous, it's a dangerous job but someone's got to do it.

How does Worf get a Klingon disease when there aren't any Klingons around to transmit it?

In surprised Pulaski knows anything about Klingon culture, she's had such disparaging remarks about Klingons before. I guess she really has improved.

"Aye, aye" typically it's just one "aye"

I hate that these characters are blatant stereotypes of Irish culture. The anti-Irish sentiment is long enough passed in America that perhaps the stereotypes are easier to accept an innocuous. Lucky Charms is a great example of accepted Irish stereotypes in America, and even if no one is offended by it, it's still unacceptable. I have read that Colm Meaney greatly disapproved of the depiction in this episode but wasn't in a position of sufficient power to get it changed.

Much like "The Royale" it feels like these costumes and set pieces were just pulled from stock.

I bet that straw was a pain for the film crew. Stuff like that gets everywhere. It's not a whole lot better than glitter.

This post makes a good point; why was the straw trasported in?

Riker asking "what about the men" isn't a line of great consequence but it's a welcome attempt at egalitarianism.

"the ship will clean itself" the one line answers a lot of questions about the ship, and brings up a whole lot more. I have no idea how the ship cleans itself....

This is either Riker's third, second, or first dalliance depending on how you'd like to interpret "Justice" and "Angel One". However this feels like a first because it's normal circumstances. "Justice" was a hyper sexualized environment and "Angel One" may or may not have been diplomatic manipulation. However between this and "Angel One" it seems pretty clear that at this point Riker is characterised as liking women with a strong sense of identity and self. (Again, I'd exclude Minuet as a slight outlier since she was built for him. Though she too had a note worthy personality and charisma.)

I feel like there should be some sort of metric or scale for Riker's interactions with women. Some he just flirts with, some he kisses, some he has sex with, and some he has an extended romantic relationship with, and each of these are separate activities he enjoys. (And then there's Troi). To some extent Riker seems to be written as a foil to Picard who only has a few, reserved relationships. I'm not sure if Riker's development in this vein is to play to a different "masculine" dynamic from Pocard or if he exists this way directly because of Kirk's behaviour.

I like Riker's honesty in assessing Brenna for the overbearing woman she is. She may light a spark but she is not his equal in demeanor. For what it's worth I'd like to point out that she initiates their little fling. However, it's only at this episode that Riker fianlly feels realised (i.e. developed) as the controversial flirt that everyone loves or hates.

This drunk "comedy" acting with the crossed eyes is part of what makes this episode feel TOS.

That beam down shot is different enough from all their other beam down shots it looks like they didn't get the group shot and had to make do with a different one.

Weird sculpture

Fun fact: the chances of spontaneously conceiving identical quadruplets is between 1 in 11 million and 1 in 15 million.

Also, Dolly the sheep was born July of 1996

"the entire concept of sexual reproduction is a little repugnant to us" *cuts to shot of Riker leaning back in his chair* Pulaski asked about them repressing their sexual drive...this is so far past 1960 haven't they separated sexual reproduction from sexual pleasure? Surely contraception isn't an issue. With Riker's career ambitious I'm sure he's not really into reproduction right now either.... It feels like the editing is trying to make a point that I'm not willing to accept.

Riker clearly has some strong feelings about being unique (so WTF happened in "Second Chances"?)

[This makes me think of Warped TNG Season 8...a planet of Rikers; Picard has to negotiate peace between beared and non-bearded factions. I've loaned my copy out so I can't check the details]

Jonathan either staggers or has a little swagger as he walks away from the table.

Such over dramatic needle work. Also, they're all wearing gloves but then put the sample needle right through the polyester space suit... Hello contamination.

Consent is important kids whether it's surgery, sex, drinking a cup of tea, or cloning.

(I can't actually tell that's Riker and Pulaski but I can suspended a bit of potential disbelief.)

Also, pro choice.

"unfortunately it will have to be a shotgun wedding"

It feels like accepting this ending is a shotgun wedding. I read a critism of this episode on reddit that I entirely agree with: it's a terrible episode. Not only is this a vapid ending glossed over by an empty speech by Picard but there are stupid loose ends (as pointed out in reddit) what happened to Worf's measles and what happens with Riker's fling with Brenna? She's quite happy to drop Riker for three husbands who may or may not be rich...

I'll just end by saying: what the fuck was that? It was some confused, xenophobic pile of rubbish is what it was. It wasn't 100% garage but all the shit made the parts that were acceptable reek too.

[utopiaanopia]

Oh boy, you guys. Really? Holy fuck. I have to break this down for you? Fuck.

If you looked at something that's not Forbes, maybe, idk, PlannedParenthood or an actual medical government site, you'd know this is bullshit within 5 minutes. Hell, use Google and every other website will tell you you're lying. The only one that doesn't is Forbes (conveniently?), with some vague rodent studies that claim the hardest place to grow mouse eggs was in the uterus, after implanting eggs everywhere else. Does that mean that specifically the uterine lining is to blame? No. Does it mean this is true in humans? No. Do we even know what they were testing for in their hypothesis? No. Forbes doesn't link you to that study. Why? THE STUDIES WERE IN PHYSICAL BOOKS FROM 1947 AND 1965. Guess what else was a medical issue in that time frame? Homosexuality. We've come a long way from fucking decades ago.

THE MAIN STUDY THAT CLAIMS THE UTERUS GREW THICKER TO PREVENT IMPLANTATION WAS PUBLISHED IN FUCKING 1998. CHECK YOUR SOURCES. THIS MEDICAL STUDY IS ALMOST AS OLD AS I AM. And that's if you read the abstract (the only thing available) and twist the wording to believe they said this, specifically. (They didn't. They merely said that thicker lining may have evolved because embryos, [not sperm so pregnancy already happened], have gotten more "invasive".)

Say it with me: correlation does not infer causation. Ever taken a science class? Probably heard that before. There are a lot of possible reasons why the uterus was the hardest spot as opposed to, say, the fucking eyeball.

The punishment thing is a running joke because we're suffering already, might as well keep our humor. No one seriously believes it. It's not "brainwashing". I promise you.

The thick lining? There so that a possible baby has a soft place to grow and not flat muscle. It's the difference between sleeping on a bed, or sleeping on one of those plastic mats from gym class. Do we lose this so called "non-pregnancy" lining if we do get pregnant? No. It's literally there for the baby. It's baby lining. To protect the baby. You don't shed it until after you give birth (called lochia, basically a postpartum period). It's thickest when we release eggs and our body prepares for possible implantation.

No baby? No need for the lining until eggs are released again. So we absorb our eggs and shed the lining like animals shed winter coats. It's tissue, it needs to be shed before it grows too much and causes Hyperplasia. While not dangerous and fixed with hormone therapy, it can go wonky if untreated and possibly cause cancer. You want that? Yeah, neither does your body.

It's not "flushing what it deems unworthy", your body isn't a fucking autonomous kingdom. Hormones tell your uterus, which has been building up a squishy, safe lining for a baby without stopping for about a month, "hey, we didn't get one this time, let's do some spring cleaning and start over before you go too overboard!" And it does. Takes out the lining so it can start on a fresh base again. If it doesn't, you get sick.

TL;DR: Yes, the idea that we're just baby incubators is sick and wrong. But don't misinform thousands Of teens online (with Forbes and not a medical website nor journal) about an actual medical process to suit your views. Our sex education is bad enough as it fucking is. We don't need people out there believing their thick juicy uterine lining means they won't get pregnant when the opposite is true. Just visualize that rabbit hole for a second.

CHECK YOUR SOURCES. IF THEY'RE FROM OVER 50 YEARS AGO, THEY'RE PROBABLY SHIT AND PROBABLY TWISTED TO MEAN WHAT THE ARTICLE WRITER WANTS IT TO. FORBES COUNTS ON YOU BEING TOO LAZY TO LOOK INTO THEM.

it was really heartening to learn that the purpose of creating such a thick uterine lining during the menstrual period was to prevent the implantation of embryos rather than encourage them, and that our uterus is basically flushing out anything it deems unworthy during the period itself rather than “punishing” us for not being pregnant (which is how it’s usually framed). it’s almost as if your female body is more concerned with the protection and continuation of itself rather than being used as a procreative vessel.

the fact that we’ve come to accept the idea that our reproductive organs are punishing us for not being continuously pregnant is proof of how deeply patriarchal brainwashing has convinced women that we are nothing but broodmares for ‘their’ children.

[atsunflower]

Hospital for souls — Silent rebellion

Rated: SFW

Author notes: Man, this chapter was a pain. There isn't much to say about this one. Thanks for everyone who left a comment in the last chapter, y'all are absolutely endearing.

Warnings: Mentions of anxiety, cursing and very pissed off people.

III — Silent Rebellion

Previous || Next

Screams and pleas filled his sleep. His mind was frantic, but his body felt like it was cemented on the surface he laid.

Memories were vivid in the back of his mind, though he couldn't see anything with closed eyelids.

He remembers the glint of metal and he remembers the metal in the blood stench.

Am I dead? — and his body jolted awake.

The discomfort Sakusa felt wasn't caused by the way he slept in the couch and he wasn't disgusted by the sweat layering his skin.

He felt disgusted by the memory of crimson painting his hands.

Recalling the vivid image, his legs led him to the kitchen in auto pilot mode. Reaching for the sink, hands grabbed the soap, rubbing it as if his life depended on it. His eyes wandered around the place, taking in the cleaniness of it.

She had a good taste, he would give her that.

"Shit, Komori" In long strides he went for the bedroom the Kobun was. Resting his body against the doorframe, he took on the scene before him.

In the bed, the brown-haired male slept in a peaceful state, as if his life wasn't on the line a couple of hours ago.

Through the chapped lips, air exhaled in a steady pace; the sight itself allowing Sakusa to breath properly for the first time within the last hours.

"Sakusa-san?" Your whisper ringed on his ears. You came from your personal bathroom, holding a bunch of clothes and bandages.

Staring at your figure, he saw how tired you looked. He couldn't ignore the bruises and scrapes littering your hands and face either."Komori-san had a tranquil night. But I still think he should go to a hospital, just in case" He noded, stare hardening while you spoke.

"How are you?" The tall male asked in a mere courtesy, you were still unsure wether he cared or not about your well-being.

"Fine" You spat drily before making your way to the sleeping man. "Gotta wake him up to see how the wound is" the whisper left your lips in a rushed manner.

Sakusa observed as you crouched down to the bed's level, setting the materials you brought on the nightstanding. Placing a hand on Komori's right shoulder, you shook him gently, only to startle him awake.

"[Name]?" The man frowned, holding the hand you had on his shoulder on an vice grip. "What the hell? Where the fuck is Kiyoomi?" Hatred dripping out of his grey irises, you shivered under the weight of his stare.

"I'm right here, Komori" Your husband said pulling off of the doorframe. A sigh of relief left the kobun's lips while both males exchanged knowing looks.

You cleared your throat, shaking the wrist Komori was still grasping.

"Can I see your wound so you guys can discuss whatever?" You didn't mean to snap, but hell, were you tired. At least, the brown haired man had the decency to look sheepish at his outburst. "Other than pain, are you feeling anything?"

"It just hurts like hell" Komori replied eyeing you. He took in your appearence, noticing how bruises litered your face, how a greyish tone colored your eyelids and how chapped your lips were. There was a weight in your features that made you look even more tired than you were supposed to be.

"Do you think you can bend the ring and pinky fingers?" He hissed but did as was told. You undid the bandages, seeing the stitches were perfect. You hummed in satisfaction, changing the dressings and readjusting the splint. "You need to see a doctor, I can't say if there is a nervous damages in your arm." He nodded, eyes locking to your handiwork while you checked his vitals.

"What happened to my arm?" His voice was rushed, reacalling the memory of being stabbed.

"[Name] said the knife hit an artery. You didn't want to go to a hospital so she saved your ass." You didn't bother to listen their dialogue, leaving the room as fast as possible.

Coming from them, the word 'save' held no meaning to you.

"We gotta contact Fukuroudani and check if they found something." Sakusa said pinching the bridge of his nose "What the fuck is Johzenji supposed to mean?"

"I don't have idea. Do you think Inarizaki is involved?" Komori asked, doubting the Miya were related to the recent events.

Something about the fight was off and the Itachiyama oyabun couldn't pinpoint what it was.

"I guess they're not. But we can't let our guard down either" The ravenette huffed trying to ignore the weight on his chest.

"Well, guess she has a list of reasons to want us dead. And still, [Name] helped us last night" He shrugged, sitting on the bed. He looked around the place, not reconigzing it. "Where we are?"

He knew you weren't related to the incident, but a part of him refused to trust you.

Inarizaki isn't one to be trusted, after all.

"It's [Name]'s place"

"Suits her" The Kobun hummed "Well, guess we have to make some calls"

"Komori" Sakusa voiced, using a stern tone "We need to talk."

"Not a fucking chance" Was all the brunette said, ignoring his Oyabun as he reached for his phone, dialling Konoha's number.

Your body jolted up when you felt people in your surroundings.

"Oh, [Name]-san. You're awake" You heard Komori saying while you observed they making themselves comfortable in the armchairs of your livingroom. You grimaced at his nice attitude.

"You aren't supposed to be out of the bed." You frowned watching three paper bags seating in you coffee table, the rich scent of cinnamon and coffee filling your nostrils.

"Don't worry. It takes much more to knock me out, I'm fine" The hazel haired man said as he handed you one of the bags with his damaged arm as if to prove his point. He was supposed to be in big pain and yet, his face showed no sign of discomfort.

He should be used to it, you supposed.

You opened the bag, eyeing its contents. You realized it was from the café across the street; the wave of nostalgia hitting you again as you took both paper cup and caramel muffin in your hands.

You took a bite of the baked good, feeling the taste of cake and caramel melting in your tongue. You smiled at it, recalling the rushed mornings when you would go to the eatery, in your way to work.

"Is the muffin that good?" Komori asked as a glint of amusement crossed his eyes.

"I just missed this place really bad." A pleased face took over your features, almost making you forget the current situation you were in.

Again, why you had to go through this?

"[Name]" The ravenette's voice blared in your ears "Hurry. We have important business today" All of sudden, the food tasted stale in your mouth.

Both men were waiting for you on the entrance hall, observing how you quickly you tidied the place.

"Shouldn't we clean before we leave?" Komori asked Sakusa.

You rolled your eyes and stood to grab your belongings. From the kitchen drawers, you took a plastic bag to dispose the thrash.

"The lady upstairs takes care of the place for me" Oh, you heard it. "It's not like anyone is coming back here anytime soon, too." You three took the elevator, going to the sidewalk where the car was parked.

"What's up for today, then?" The Kobun asked as you three entered the vehicle while Sakusa occupied the driver's seat.

"We have a meeting with Fukuroudani and Inarizaki" Your husband said eyeing you through the rearview. You ignored them as they chatted. "Looks like they have info regarding Johzenji"

"Are we going there?"

"No, they're already on Itachiyama, waiting for us" The ravenette answered as he drove smoothly through Tokyo streets.

You were doing your best to forget the memories of the night prior, but you realized you have never experienced such stress. Your lungs gave in a shaky breath as your mind felt like on the verge of breaking down.

"So it's really like they aren't involved... you know" The silence was thick as you recalled their accusations.

A couple of minutes later, you realized the ride didn't last much as you spotted Itachiyama lands, the mansion being seen by distance with the pristine white of its walls. Across the gates, the clean pavement and stunning garden welcomed you while you spotted the expensive cars parked by the house entrance.

"Meeting room, now. You included, [Name]" And here he was, his timbre giving the fact that Itachiyama's Oyabun wasn't someone to be defied.

The air inside the house was crispy cold. Your body hurted everywhere and the unsettling feeling in your stomach wasn't going away anytime soon. You didn't want to have anything to do with this reunion, and you were restless about the idea of facing both Osamu and Atsumu after this whole month.

You despised them for making you go through this.

You were never been into the meeting room before. And the image before your eyes wasn't like anything you have imagined.

It wasn't like the regular conference rooms, with a large table with a good amount of seats and all. No, the place screamed traditional: pristine dark floorboards, paper pannels covering the walls and a large chabudai table on the floor, with ten pillowy seats partially occupied by the guests.

The room smelled like burning incense and sake, the scent making you calm in a weird way.

Sakusa indicated your seat as you three made your way to the table. The five men slighty bowed their heads, greeting you.

Your husband grabbed a jar of sake out of nowhere, serving the porcelain hakushika before you first and the proceeding to fill his, Komori's and the other guests cups after.

"Kanpai" they said before downing the alchool down. You mimicked their actions, feeling the liquid burning your throat. You winced at the sensation as Suna sent you an amused look — it took all of your might to not show him your middle finger.

"Heard y'all had a shitty night, huh" Atsumu said on his provocative manner as Osamu eyed him warily. Your husband sitting by your right seemed unfazed by it while Konoha clicked his tongue.

What a way to make disaffections, you thought.

"If you don't have anything useful to say, Miya, shut it." Komori warned the blond man without traces of simpathy " Shall we start?"

At this, the four other men eyed you with caution. Weren't you supposed to be here?

"[Name] was there and she could reconize the woman. It's her business too, since she was attacked first" Was Sakusa's response to their implied question.

"Were they aiming for her?" The ravenette you never saw before asked.

"I don't think they were necessarily targetting [Name], Akashi." You frowned at Komori's reply. Something didn't click, you thought as you opened your mouth:

"Did they attack Inarizaki?" A proud feeling took over your chest as you realized your voice sounded steady.

Suna frowned and looked at Osamu. The latter nodded at the brunette.

"Not directly. They tried to interfere on some of our business and kinda stalked one of Tsumu's... acquaintances. Yeah, that's all" it was Suna's answered not getting your point.

"How many people know the circumstances of our marriage?" You asked directly at Sakusa, seing him frown.

"Just the involved parts. What are you implying?"

"I... I think they are trying to use me to create a strain between Itachiyama and Inarizaki" Your voice wavered at it. Atsumu obnoxiously laughed at what you said as if it was some kind of joke.

"How cute, [Name]" the blond twin giggled as the atmosphere got heavier and heavier "Tho our relationship 's already strained. Ya ain't that special" He wipped an invisible tear to add to his annoying act.

"Actually..." The man Akaashi butted in, his face contorting in a pensive manner "I think she is right."

"Yeah, it's not like they know how the alliance between your houses was estabelished. Think, they tried to incriminate her and last night she was the first one to be attacked" Konoha added to the discussion. You looked at him with surprise "Don't be so surprised, we should know the reason why you went there last night."

"Okay. So the fact is they're after [Name]-san, trying to destabilize both Itachiyama and Inarizaki. Why?" Akaashi inquired, rolling the white hakushika between his slender fingers. The cup glinted in the dim light, reflecting in the gunmetal gray of his irises.

"Well, lucky us, we went ta Niiyama today." Atsumu chimmed in and you didn't have idea of what he was talking about.

"Nee-san doesn't know very much tho" Osamu added to his twin's speech "Looks like these Johzenji guys are a bloomin' gang"

"If they're a gang, what are they up to, then? It's kind dumb to mess with the families when you're this insignificant" Konoha asked seeming trully dumbfolded.

"They're trying, at least, show some bravery" Suna retorted, fidgeting with his cellphone. Straightening his back, a glint of unnecessary pride crossed his eyes as his lips twisted in a provocative curve "Inarizaki and Itachiyama are the most important households. If Johzenji manage to cause ruckus, it can gain some sense of respect between another gangs"

"Still, it doesn't make much sense" Akaashi said as he fished an manila folder on his suit. Suna shrugged at it, coming back to his usual aloof demeanor. "Well, looks like it's you problem. Fukuroudani will cooperate if needed, but it's not like we can be of much help right now" The male handed the envelope to Komori, before standing on his feet. "This is all the information we gathered from the guy we captured yesterday. It's not much, so we will send him to you by nighttime." He completed his statement with a solemn glare, out of respect.

"We have to go now. Thank you so much for having us here, Sakusa-san" Konoha said as he and Akaashi bowed their heads at Sakusa "Let us know if you need anything" The ash-blond haired man bid his farewells as Komori walked them to the doors. The air got thicker with the five of you stared at each other; Suna mouthed something at you, but you couldn't catch what. Atsumu looked at you two with a mischievous smile but opted to keep quiet instead.

The Itachiyama Kobun returned, sitting back on his previous position.

"You okay, Komori-san?" Osamu asked as a mere courtesy, trying to break the still atmosphere.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just a cut that [Name]-san managed to patch up" The hazel haired Kobun replied in a polite tone while the infamous Inarizaki duo arched their brows to the honorific he used to reffer at you.

"Glad ta know she is not useless ta y'all" Atsumu provoked as he got up from his seat. He held back the urge to strech as his fellow companions did the same "It's time we go, too. Since they afta' Ina too, let us know if they try somethin'." Looked like the blond really meant it.

"We will see you off, then" Sakusa spoke for the first time in a while as you all stood from the low sitting position.

You husband and his Kobun went first, opening the doors and guiding you trought the corridors. Suna walked by your side, when he ruffled your hair for no special reason.

"Make sure to rest, you look like shit" He snickered but you were too tired to argue "I have something for you. Here, take it." the tall male handed you a beige envelope with a cute sticker of a Kitsune sealing it.

You took it with grattitude while he smiled softly at you. You mouthed a quiet 'thank you' at him as the brunette ruffled your hair again.

"Well, thanks I guess" Atsumu bid a half-assed farewell as he got out of the mansion. Suna and the other Miya twin followed him suit, not without bowing their hads at Sakusa showing some courtesy. You swore the gray irises of Osamu lingered a little longer in your figure; you choose to ignore the churning sensation in your stomach as you tried to decipher his intense stare.

"What is it?" Your husband inquired, glaring at the envelope in your hands with suspicion; you opened it and froze when you looked at its contents. With the lack of response he snatched it from you in a rough manner, crumpling the paper.

"Hey, you don't need to be rude!"

"You don't get to tell me what to do" He bluntly said as he inspectioned the envelope "It's not like I have any reason to trust you, Miya runt."

Within you, something snapped. You were sure you'd regret it later, but for now, you would blame the stress you were upon.

"Very much to respect your women" Your voice dripped venom as you recalled what he told you in the first day you met "You know, it's not like I wanted to be here, anyways"

"[Name]" Komori warned but you choose to ignore him.

"I hate this fucking yakuza thing. I despise you as much as I despise the Miya" You told as you looked at him dead in the eyes.

"Oh, fancy words coming from a Miya yourself." The ravenette said, keeping his cool.

"I'm not a fucking Miya!" You sneered, althought you wanted to scream "I'm not at fault that good for nothing of their father got my mother pregnant. Bad news to you: you fucking married a bastard"

"I can tell I did" His brow arched. His silence was unsettling but you didn't want to back out at this point.

"Well, I did too. Tough I regret the day I was forced to get involved with a criminal bastard like you." It was too fast. In a second, his tall frame was towering over yours.

You froze under his hard stare, sure he could end your existence anytime he wanted.

"Get the fuck out of my sight" The deep baritone of his timber killed any courage you garthered.

Yakuza would take away any dignity you had.

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[ladyarjuna]

It is in fact faster than light and I’m not going to look up exactly how much because it’s a shit-ton, which might get downgraded to merely a fuck-ton (did I say downgraded, I meant upgraded) 

Bulma comes back to tell them the news.

Daaaaang, Bulma! Five days is a hell of a short refit time! I mean, I guess you don't have to worry about things like flight weight or calling the FAA if it's that damned fast, but DAMN.

Oops, there's a hitch-- Mr. Popo can't go, since he's tied to the Earth and God's House.

But, no worries, Mr. Popo can teach anyone just about anything!

Bulma refses to go alone, and starts recruiting. Krillin is first to be volunteered for Job Squad. (I don't expect this trip to Namek to be easy, there are like 80 episodes left.)

Goku wants to go too, but dude, it's not even certain you WILL recover. You gotta wait here. ... Take it from someone who knows.

GOHAN VOLUNTEERS!? holy shit, kid.

Why tho?

... Oh. Oh Gohan. I feel u so much right now. You wanna bring him back! By yourself! but uh you are five. Five? Five.

Chichi, it's good you're trying to make up for leaving Gohan with Piccolo for a year, but uh... This is too little, too late.

Goku you are way too proud of your duty-burdened son. Just because YOU super love fighting and you see him trying to make excuses doesn't mean he isn't being heartfelt here.

Ten days later!

We now have a cleaned up, shiny space ship, and the super-wealthy Bulma of course has a space-suit.

Everyone is in their sunday best.

Bulma is taking this super-serious. I wonder if she always wanted to go to space?

And the luggage goes everywhere!

... Chichi they are going into SPACE who cares about CONDITIONER

... Awwwwwwwww Gohan you made a replica of Piccolo's clothing you complete cosplay dork

Yeah, Bulma's disappointed that they're treating this like a day trip.

EPISODE OVER

LAST TIME, we all decided to go to Namek! 

This time, we probably have some issues going to Namek.