#maple's writing adventures

[ukulele-mixtape]

Sonic the Hedgehog wakes up on an ethereal, secluded island and meets an odd stranger sitting alone on the beach, dubbing themselves "the manifestation of one’s dream long since abandoned", living in a realm made for lost dreams as their final resting place.

[luna-azzurra]

Hii I love your blog sm ur an angel 🩷. Could you please do like a list or something with examples of nicknames for friends?

I write fanfics in english but it's not my first language so it's a bit difficult for me, thanks 🩷

Heyyy, I'm glad that my blog helps you! 🩷 I’ve written down a bunch of my favorite nicknames, along with what they mean and the vibes they give off. 

Adorable & Affectionate Nicknames

Sweetie: Simple and cute, it’s like the classic nickname when one friend is always comforting the other.

Pumpkin: It’s got that old-fashioned, “you’re my little ball of sunshine” vibe.

Honeybun: Ultimate cozy nickname. You’d call someone this if they’re the nurturing, always-got-your-back kind of friend.

Snugglebug: It’s for the friend who’s all about giving hugs or being there when you need emotional support.

Cupcake: You know that friend who just makes you smile? That’s your cupcake.

Button: This one’s cute for a friend who’s small or just makes you go “aww” all the time.

Playful & Silly Nicknames

Spud: A potato, but in the best way. Perfect for that lazy but lovable friend.

Bean: It’s random but super cute, especially for a friend who’s quirky and fun.

Squishy: For the friend who’s soft, either physically or emotionally, and just huggable.

Giggles: You know that friend who’s always laughing at literally everything? Yeah, this is for them.

Waffles: No reason. Just waffles. It’s silly, weird, and perfect for a random nickname.

Pipsqueak: For the friend who’s short but feisty, like they’re small but will 100% fight you.

Personality-Based Nicknames

Ace: For the friend who’s always on top of their game, whether it’s in school, sports, or life in general.

Firecracker: You’ve got that one friend who’s all energy and attitude? Yep, this one’s for them.

Tiger: Strong, fierce, and maybe a little protective, this is for a friend who’s bold and confident.

Champ: For the friend who’s always winning at life, no matter what they do.

Professor: You know that super smart friend who’s always dropping random knowledge? This one’s for them.

Rocket: This is for the friend who’s always moving a mile a minute, constantly going somewhere or doing something.

Sparky: For the friend who’s got a quick wit or just a lot of energy. It’s short, fun, and full of personality.

Scout: For that adventurous friend who’s always trying new things or planning cool trips.

Nature-Inspired Nicknames

Rosebud: Cute and delicate, perfect for a friend who’s sweet or still growing into themselves.

Buttercup: It’s soft and nurturing, like the friend who’s always there when you need a shoulder to cry on.

Bluebell: Dreamy and whimsical, like someone who’s got their head in the clouds in a totally charming way.

Clover: Lucky charm vibes. This could be for someone who just brings good things into your life.

Lilac: Soft, calming, and just pretty. It’s for someone who makes everything feel more peaceful.

Maple: This gives cozy autumn vibes. It’s for a friend who feels like home or just brings warmth wherever they go.

Food-Inspired Nicknames

Peach: For someone who’s sweet and sunny. It’s a soft, affectionate name for a friend who just makes everything better.

Cookie: Comforting, dependable, and someone who’s always there when you need them. Total softie vibes.

Marshmallow: Soft, squishy, and maybe a little sensitive, but in a totally lovable way.

Gummy Bear: Cute, bouncy energy.

Dumpling: Another soft, squishy one. It’s perfect for a friend who’s a bit quiet but full of warmth.

If you need even more, I’m happy to help! 😊

[doumadono]

🌹🌹🌹 COOOOOONGRATULAAATIONNSSSS 🌹🌹🌹

Can I get a cone with vanilla flavour, topped with M&Ms and maple syrup? I want to ask for snow leopard Shoto 🐆

A/N: thank you so much for your ongoing support! I really enjoyed writing these headcanons for you, and I hope you'll like them as much as I do :3

5k FOLLOWERS EVENT MASTERLIST MY HERO ACADEMIA

Snow leopard!Shoto, who usually maintains a dignified demeanor, turns into a playful goofball when he's alone with you.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who often finds himself fascinated by his own fluffy tail, can be seen chasing it in playful circles. Whenever he catches it, he looks at you with a triumphant glint in his eyes, as if he's just accomplished the greatest feat.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who senses whenever you're feeling down or stressed, and curls up beside you, purring softly, his warm fur offering comfort and solace.

Snow leopard!Shoto has a penchant for being a bit goofy at times. He'll pounce on fallen leaves or playfully bat at floating feathers, his playful antics never failing to bring a smile to your face, and you can't help but laugh at his playful clumsiness.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who absolutely adores playing with balls, especially when you roll them across the floor for him. His mismatched eyes light up with excitement as he chases after them, his graceful leaps and bounds a joy to behold.

Snow leopard!Shoto and one of his favourite pastimes which is taking leisurely naps in the sunlit spots of your home. You often find him basking in the warm glow, napping with his head placed on the tip of his fluffy tail. You snap photos of him snoozing and send them to your friend with a captions like, "isn't he just adorable?!"

Snow leopard!Shoto, who is particularly fond of belly rubs, melts into a puddle of contentment when you stroke his soft fur, his purrs rumbling in satisfaction.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who also has a particular fondness for chin scratches. He tilts his head upwards, his eyes closing in bliss as you scratch under his chin, his purring intensifying with each loving touch.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who is deeply protective of you, often stands guard by your side, his watchful eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.

Snow leopard!Shoto is deeply attuned to your emotions, sensing when you need a comforting presence or a gentle nudge of encouragement.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who loves his nose being booped by you!

Snow leopard!Shoto, who values your companionship above all else, often nudges your hand with his head, silently asking for your attention and some head pats.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who is fond of exploring new places, and enjoys going on adventurous walks with you.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who absolutely loves rolling in the soft, lush grass. The sensation of the cool blades against his spotted fur brings him pure joy, his contented purrs filling the air as he revels in the simple pleasure.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who absolutely despises baths, will do anything to avoid them. At the mere mention of bath time, he'll slink away, his tail bushing in defiance as he seeks refuge in the farthest corner of the room.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who detests having his teeth cleaned, becomes a picture of stubbornness when it comes to dental hygiene. He'll clamp his jaws shut firmly, refusing to cooperate as you attempt to wield the toothbrush with patience. "Come on, Shoto, open your muzzle, I don't have the entire day!"

Snow leopard!Shoto, who prefers to maintain his grooming routine on his own terms, will often retreat to a secluded spot to lick his fur clean with meticulous care, glaring intently at you, making sure you're not trying to give him a bath.

Snow leopard!Shoto, who is quite picky about his food. He can and will be the drama king when it comes to his meals. You might present him with the fanciest of gourmet feeds, only for him to theatrically gag at the mere scent. For him, nothing quite compares to the delight of raw salmon or a juicy steak.

[studentinpursuitofclouds]

Howdy, dear Mouse! I have a question, I want to know your opinion about it!

I was on the SVE Wiki and realised something that's been on my mind for a long time! Lance hates most of the candies in the game. I want to know what you think about this, what do you think would be the reason?

Best regards and have a great week, dear Mousey! 🤗🌻🌻

Hewwo :3 Glad to see you again, dear moot! Thank you so much for the question, and have a wonderful week as well 💕 So... (Warning for SVE 1.15 spoilers):

_________________________________________

I put the question off until the weekend, wanting to look in the mod files first, hoping to find some useful information on this topic after the 1.15 update. And oh boy, did I find something interesting...

Going back to the discussions from a couple of years ago, the very first theory of the reason for Lance's hatred of all things sweet and baked goods was the idea that the gallant adventurer is very strict about his health and appearance. Always perfectly ironed clothes, always clean skin, always well-groomed, healthy, not a single blemish. And he wouldn't eat anything that could ruin his figure or teeth, not even Magic Rock candy, which is considered one of the all-powerful foods in the Stardew world (Prismatic Shard essence, that's rare Lance!). The exceptions were maple syrup (apparently because it is a healthy sweet, low in antioxidants and vitamins and minerals).

Another theory (which @sapphicastral said, thanks moot!) was that Lance is diabetic and therefore couldn't eat anything sweet. He can't consume it because of his health. Maple syrup is still liked gift though (let's write it off to the mechanics of the game, because syrup is loved by almost everyone, except Maru).

But now those two theories can be thrown in the trash, because as it turns out, this pink-haired bastard loves chocolate, more specifically - Chocolate Truffle Bar, the new item in SVE, the recipe for which we can buy from a Traveling Merchant at the Festival of Ice for 12000 gold (damn, expensive 🥲). It's made, as you might have realised, from truffle (which already makes it an expensive food), milk, sugar and hazelnut. And Lance will happily accept the chocolate, saying he doesn't usually eat sweets, but will make an exception here...

Of course he'll make an exception - a bar of such an expensive sweet sells for 4500 gold!!! So, the first theory (about not wanting to consume excessive amounts of sugar and carbohydrates in order to maintain his health and figure) partly remains, but he only accepts the best, natural and expensive chocolate, I guess... That's only 500 gold cheaper than a treasure chest! (Jesus Christ...). Mister, I love you, but your flavours of gifts are frickin expensive.

Well, mystery solved - our noble Lance only wants the best and the finest 🤌 But he's always on the job protecting people from monsters, so let him treat himself to something yummy. I still can't understand tho why he hates Magic Rock candy, because it's even more expensive than Truffle Chocolate and more useful in the plans of buffs imposed on Farmer. Maybe this will be fixed in future updates - who knows.

I'll end this post with a follow-up to his quote about chocolate, which made me think really, really hard:

"...In the northern Highlands, there's peculiar monsters that carry just a right ingredients for the chocolate. I've yet to uncover their origin."

🤨

Hmmmmmmmmmmm....

[demiaroacejadeharley]

The Amazing Digital Circus Episode 2 Review

Warning: This post contains spoilers for the second episode of The Amazing Digital Circus. If you haven't seen the episode, please skip this post and watch the episode before reading this post.

This post also contains critical commentary about Vivziepop. If you're a Vivziepop stan, please do not interact with me. Critical fans and antis are welcome to interact. Reblogs on this post are turned off to prevent Vivziepop stans from interacting with me.

If you're a Vivziepop stan and try to interact with me by sending a PM or tagging me in a post, you'll be instantly blocked. Any asks sent by Vivziepop stans will be deleted.

I didn't find out that TADC had another episode out until Saturday night while I was preparing for my morning shift at work. I decided to watch the new episode before bed and wasn't disappointed at what I watched.

The episode starts with Pomni having a nightmare before Ragatha woke her up. Poor girl can't catch a break after what she went through in the first episode.

And now, for the main event of the episode. Caine assigned the crew to a mission to return the maple syrup that was stolen for a candy kingdom by a small group of gummy gator bandits. I also got some nostalgia feels for the episode as I grew up watching Adventure Time, and the candy themed kingdom reminded me of the Candy Kingdom from Adventure Time.

The chase scene was extremely hilarious, and I felt bad that poor Pomni had to try to keep the bandits from going away. If only Jax actually did something instead of antagonizing her. Gotta say that Jax is one lovable prick.

It made me sad that after Pomni and Gummigoo had their little bonding moment, Caine was like, "nope" and Thanos'd Gummigoo from entering the circus. But after that episode, I wonder what Gooseworx has planned for Caine. Will he end up being the big bad guy in the show? His role is to be some sort of ringleader, after all. I'm looking forward to the future episodes to come.

To end my thoughts about the new episode, I did like that the ending shows Pomni slowly starting to get comfortable with the others. I know Gooseworx said that she doesn't plan on shipping the characters, but maybe she might reconsider it with Pomni and Ragatha. But either or is fine. Gooseworx has the right to do whatever she wants with the show.

I've also mentioned at the very beginning of the post that I will add some critical commentary about Vivziepop. So I might as well address everything now.

I believe I've said this in my post about my thoughts on the first episode about The Amazing Digital Circus, which is that Gooseworx doesn't rely heavily on excess amount of swearing to make her content funny. I still got a good laugh out of watching the new episode. I also like how Gooseworx hired indie voice actors for the show, and it shows that you don't need voice actors who have been in the industry for years to get people to consume your work. Also, last time I checked, the new episode got over 30 million views on YouTube.

Another thing is that I really like how the characters are designed. I'm curious if there is any significance for the roles the TADC crew will play during the future of the show. For example, Pomni is in a Jester outfit, and I'm curious how it will affect her role in the show. And it's obvious that Caine, being the ringleader of the crew, by having him wear a suit and top hat to show that. Meanwhile, Vivziepop seems to rehash similar character designs for the rest of her characters, which, in my opinion, makes her characters look dull looking. Viv has the potential to create really well designed characters as shown with her past work. And I wish she could improve that in the future.

Lastly, the writing. I know The Amazing Digital Circus only has two episodes, but the writing is far better than Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss combined. The Amazing Digital Circus stays consistent to the plot by showing the crew going to various parts of the universe they're in to complete their missions. I will admit that the plot of Hazbin Hotel is somewhat consistent as it shows Charlie trying to redeem sinners on top of the threat of Heaven. My biggest concern with Hazbin is that whenever Season two comes around, I'm worried that Vivziepop will sideline Charlie's mission to redeem sinners and help maintain the population of hell to either filler episodes or deter the main plot by focusing heavily on heaven or things that are not significant to the plot of Hazbin Hotel.

And then there's Helluva Boss. The show was promoted being about a group of imp mercenaries doing kill jobs. It wasn't until Viv decided it would be a "brilliant" to show that the main plot aside to focus on Stolas and Blitzo's "relationship" (even though I don't consider that a relationship due to how predatory Stolas is towards Blitz and something similar to Angel Dust and Valentino).

To close this post, I would like to say that The Amazing Digital Circus is what both Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss could be, despite TADC only having two episodes. If Vivziepop hired indie voice actors, worked more on her character designs, rethink how she writes both Hazbin and Helluva Boss, and works on giving her female characters the character development they deserve, then maybe I'll rewatch them in the future. However, the problem is that Viv doesn't really handle criticism well and relies on her fans to protect her. She's a grown woman, and she doesn't need other people to fight her own battles. If she can't handle that as a content creator, then maybe she should either step down from her position as the lead of HH and HB or consider taking a hiatus and have her work on herself.

But anyways, that's was I gotta say. The second episode of TADC was a fun watch, and I'm looking forward to what Gooseworx has in store for her viewers.

[storyofmychoices]

Autumn's Embrace

[Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley Masterlist] 

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley (F!OC) Book: Open Heart Word Count: ~550 Rating/Warnings: general, no warnings

Synopsis: Bryce and Olivia find magic in the small moments of autumn.

The warmth of summer slowly fell away, giving rise to cool nights that birthed crisp mornings. The kind of mornings you wanted to stay in your coziest pajamas, make a cup of your favorite hot tea, and sit beneath the warm sun streaming through the picture window. Bonus points if that also included being snuggled in the arms of one Bryce Lahela. Unfortunately, that outlook wasn't what the day's forecast had called for either of them.

"Are you ready?"

His familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts as he opened the car door for her. Her head turned toward the driver's seat and then back to Bryce at the door beside her. Olivia had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed they had already arrived at the hospital. But such was the magic of autumn. Even when you couldn't enjoy it to the fullest, its promise of cozy comforts was enough to make anyone smile and lose track of time.

"Thanks," she pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Always such a gentleman."

He laced his fingers with hers as they walked through the parking lot.

Dried, crinkly leaves scraped across the pavement, pulled by the cool breeze. She inhaled the refreshing scent of the air, that crisp scent that even the city couldn't hide. A slow smile drew on her lips, marveling at the golden leaf that had floated down in their path. It was followed by another, equally as vibrant. These beauties were most certainly from the sugar maple by the outpatient entrance. "We're still early, right?"

"Yeah," he replied after glancing at his watch. "What are you thinking?"

Her brows wagged playfully as an impossible smile danced on her lips. "Follow me." With no further warning or explanation, she pulled him forward along the perimeter of the hospital complex.

The leaves of the large tree adorning the small grassy area of respite burned brilliantly beneath the morning sun, its fallen colorful leaves creating the beginning of a mosaic on the ground beneath.

A giggle slipped from her lips as she rushed forward, dropping his hand as she kicked her feet softly through the leaves already on the ground. She spun blissfully, happy to have a moment of simple seasonal joy even in the city.

Stopping abruptly, she extended her arm toward him. "May I have this dance?"

It had been a couple of years since the first time they had danced together outside the hospital. So much had changed. They had been interns then and it was raining. Now, they were residents beneath a perfectly blue sky. Yet, this—them—that would never change.

"Always, Liv." Bryce pulled her close, guiding her through the steps to a song only the two of them could hear. It was a song they knew well. Their song. The one that their love wrote for them, one filled with hope and promise—and maybe, even a little magic, the same elements that made up the perfect autumn morning.

As they danced and twirled, their feet glided across the damp leaves on the ground, shimmering with the morning's dew. A slow flurry of orange, red, and gold drifted down from overhead as a gust of wind guided the leaves from the safety of their branches off into the day with the promise of their next adventure, much like that of the couple embracing beneath autumn's magical glow.

A/N #1: Thank you for reading. All interactions are appreciated. It truly means the world to me that you took time out to read this fluffy little story.

#2: This isn't edited or revised beyond spelling and punctuation. I really want to try to find the joy in writing again to fight writer's block and stop over thinking everything. So I'm going to share first drafts for a bit.

[small-world-au]

Sora Aguilar

———INCOMING BIG ASS POST———

Actual name: ???? Aguilar Yuki

Age: Same as the main trio

Personality type: ISFP

Ethnicity: Asian (Japanese) & Hispanic (Mexican) <- updated

Hair color/type: Dark purple (tho it looks like dark brown.) straight-curly

Eye color: light blue (beta) brown (officially)

Skin color: super light tan/dark pink

Gender: Male

Family: Natalia Aguilar (maternal grandmother)

Gabriela Aguilar (Mother 🪦)

Shino Yuuki (Father 🪦)

Dante (Stepfather)

Noelia Aguilar (Maternal aunt🪦)

Unknown (Maternal uncle)

Rowena Pagonis (Older half sister🪦)

Kip Aguilar Stone (biological son)

Stone (childhood sweetheart/husband)

Friends: Bailey, Jasper, Finn, Skipp, Zaria, Vinnie, pebble, maggot, Bailey’s kittens, Finn’s rat babies, old man Howard, Maroon, Olive, Ray, Rui, Maple, Chris, Zaria, Charlie, and Allay

Neutral: Tre, Rigel & cen, karma, Doña Mari, and Ivan Franzwick

Enemies: Fritz (the butler), ditch, Nadia (personal reasons), Jay, arrogant lootbags, street gangs, and AVRILLE!!!!

LIKES

Books

Sewing

Baking

Poetry

Cute animals

Stone

Spending time with friends/family

Exploring

Springtime

Food!!!

Caring for the young

DISLIKES

SHOESSSSS!!!!

Rude/whiny scraps & loot-bag

Leaving kip behind

Being treated as a 🏆

Discrimination

Art/writing block

Not being good enough

Disappointing his family

Leaving Stone and friends

Obsessive creeps

His dad and avrille

His beloved ones getting hurt

Being unable to help/being useless

Thunderstorms

Arguments

Street fights

Being cooped inside for too long

Sora Aguilar is one of the main character of my au. A sweet, gentle, and kindhearted young man filled with curiosity, who would do anything for the sake of his friends and family, even if it means sacrificing his own needs and wants.

He is Rowena’s younger half-brother, Gabriela’s and Shino’s only son, Natalia’s grandson, and Noelia’s nephew.

He’s a close friend to the scraps and a mom-friend who cherishes his own group dearly. He is also Stone’s childhood best friend/sweetheart.

He and his puppy (Kip) lived happily (???) in their mansion, until they wake up one night inside a big bag that was left on the streets of ramshackle.

Edit: ABOUT DAMN TIME I DID THIS SHIT!!!!!!!

Update 2: Sora’s now half Mexican!

Why? Cuz am Mexican.

Update 3: references and other ocs from “small world” au!

More facts below!!!!

[hpffwritersguild]

Comfort Zone Fest 2024 - Author Reveals!

(And round up)

All fics have been revealed, read, and screamed over on our Discord so here's the full list of works, and the authors who were brave enough to step out of their comfort zone for them.

Mon Eclair by @adam-my-adam Nothing by @sleepstxtic To Adventure by slytherinvamp It's Glamour, Not Algebra by cherrybirch He Follows by nockout Bird Feeder by @elisedonut Only me in the limelight by Lucigoo89 Cupid's Spiral by @maple-unicorn Ollivander & Thomas, Makers of Fine Wands by @rainstormradish Girls just wanna by @maesterchill Boots 'n' Bulges by @patriceavril Black and Brown by @annanother-thing Taskmaster: Magic Mayhem by @bluestringpudding Seen Unseen by Asphodel_and_Wormwood On Magic and Beds by @khb-writes Double, double toil and trouble by @serenaew Hufflepuff by @xslytherclawx-writes Interview for the Quibbler by Goddess47 Special Children by delfinestria Weasley & Weasley Ltd by @elliemarchetti Prop Me Up On The Table Like A Mannequin by DrWhoIsGinnyHolmes run boy run by @mirrorofliterature Breakfast every morning by @mkaugust bury me face down by beeprescott A knife all blade by @uncannycerulean

Congratulations to all of our writers this year! You did a phenomenal job. Thank you all so much for participating - hopefully we see you back for the next one! :)

[hollowsart]

New Tolba story-line and plot, from the perspective of a game part 1 of ???:

[cut for length and images!]

[SEVERELY unfinished, abandoned “OTL]

Professor Maple sits at a table, writing in a book and reading through another in her hand, she’s writing notes. After writing something down for the 2nd time, she takes notice of your presence, looks up, and smiles kindle at you.

She welcomes you and explains everything you’ll need to know before asking you a question that will help to identify what your player character will look like.

After the decision has been made, a Pokemon will come up to Prof.Maple, prompting her to look down to pet it before looking back up to you with a final statement welcoming you as a new trainer.

~~~~

You’ll start your adventure in your room. A doll-like Pokemon sits by your bed before running off out the door. Your parent’s voice pipes up, they’re telling you to hurry or you’ll be late to get your starter Pokemon.

Your room looks different depending on what gender you picked. The room is filled with traditional cultural nick-knacks, a poster of the region is hung on the wall behind your laptop, there are pins and notes on it:

After looking around and getting your things, you head out to find your dad holding the Pokemon you saw before in your room. He greets you and tells you your shoes are by the door, your mother wishes you luck on being a trainer and says she can’t wait to see what Pokemon you choose!

You head out and find your home is actually an apartment as you enter the elevator and make your way to the lobby where you can talk to some NPC’s.

Once you have left, you find yourself in the first city, this is your home, as well as it is the location of the lab and first gym you will be taking on later.

Before you can do anything, you are greeted by an older woman, she introduces herself as Ms.Hawthorn. She’s the professor’s aunt and she will take you to the lab since she was just on her way there.

Hawthorn and Maple have a chat after arriving and Maple proceeds to give you the full usual run-down of being a trainer.. however, she’s stumbling on her words and needs occasional reminding from Hawthorn of what to say or do. You can tell Hawthorn used to be a professor and Maple is pretty new to this.

After a bit, Maple heads to the back to open a door and out come running the starter Pokemon. They are playing around and chasing each other around the lab before Maple directs them to the table before you. They sit and wait patiently for you to pick one!

Kinderet: The fire starter Sloam: The grass starter and Spidish: the Water starter

Once your decision is made, Maple is then prompted to present you with a Pokedex, however. She is interrupted by your rival busting in and pushing you out of the way to get their starter. They pick the one with the type advantage over the one you picked. (Your rival is dependent on what gender you picked for your character: Female gives you the male rival, Aster, while Male gives you the female rival, Penny)

“OUT OF MY WAY! I must have a Pokemon! Oh? What is that THING you have there? It’s hideous! I’ll be taking THIS one, thank you!” ~Aster

“OUT OF MY WAY! I NEED THAT POKEMON! It’s SO CUTE!!! It’s perfect!! I MUST have it!! You can keep that ugly Pokemon, it suits you!” ~Penny

Your rival isn’t very nice, but, once they have made their choice Hawthorn will begin to scold them before Maple deescalates things and continues on with presenting the Pokedex. She will give you a quick rundown on how it functions and what neat little features you can have to customize it!

(You’ll get to see what color your rival has chosen later on: Aster has white, while Penny has pink, of course!)

[fantasysocstuffhere]

I rememvered I have Tumblr 👏

And this is Darksnap herself! + a more realistic al pallete I created after 2020 when people became fixated on realism and didn't allow ocs from past roleplays in new once anyway, so I created her genderbent version and made an alt pallete, but the story remained the same. Sneaky👌✨

Story:

(Created in 2016-17, a bit fixed in 2019 or so) (was typed many days ago)

She was born in some unnamed_clan_1 to those 2 cats I posted earlier. Her clan had 1 more kitten + he was her age. Tigerkit, but he shares nothing with Tigerclones, don't worry lol. At some point her parents argue, divorce and leave the clan in 2 separate ways. Darkkit was confused and ask where are they going. And leader said they're leaving. Darkkit freaked out and ran to chase them, but leader stopped her. She got angry he let them abandon her and attacked him. Btw she was like 5 moons old by this time. Or idk. Leader who is named Oakstar (yey Maple inspo) was trying to calm the child, but when it didn't work he impulsively hit the child, thus leaving her her eye and ear scars. He regretted that immedietly, but it was too late. And Darkkit would forever remember that.

Later Darkkit became an apprentice and was training, having a desire to take revenge. I love stories that have revenge btw and I don't judge revenge as something bad. Only strong ones take revenge I think. The only bad from revenge that can be is a wrong aim. Anyway.

She almost 'graduated' from her apprenticeship, but her desire for revenge was stronger, so one night (she wasn't too small by then btw, it's been moons of training) the young cat crawled into the leaders den and tried to hurt and sufficate him. She managed to take only 1 of his lives. And btw this leader had less than 9, bc this clan is isolated, they don't need many lives and they keep some additional ones only as a tradition. But at the end leader climbs out, shrieks, the clan gathers to separate the attacker and the victim, and in the morning they hold a short gathering and exile Darkpaw. Her best friend Tigerpaw is sad. She swears revenge on them and death on the leader, and runs away.

She then roams the forest for a while, searching for anyone, and ends up noticing our rp clan that came from Twolegs' town to the forest area. She joins them, finishes her training and gets the name darksnap (lol this Bill Cipher cat was her mentor btw; Imma magician✨ /j) And her bestie gets the name Tigerswipe. Fun fact - I gave them names when I didn't know english that well yet. Couldn't even write on that without google, and me from past would be prouf to see me rn typing this huge paragraph by myself yey.

So. The lore doesn't end here, then my second oc chimes in. At first I was thinking about Riddle's brother, but the guy who roleplayed for Riddle left, so I switched to the guy I called Ainer. I came up with the name myself and spelled it as Iner lol. He and Darksnap shared a lot, so they bonded later, she would become the deputy of his group and they would go on revenge sprees together. First his clan and then hers. In the battle in one of the endings she would try attacking the leader, but her former friend Tigerswipe came to fight her. And I never wrote how that ended, but I liked tragic ends. In one alt end Ainer and Darksnap died and went to the Dark Forest way before they could start revenge sprees. And would train cats for their goals later, in theory. The characters who were supposed to kill them left the roleplay, so I had to change the script and they lived. They ended up living 'till the end and were a part of one adventure involving the previously forgotten character Goldenclaw, Riddle's brother.

Yes, I do want to write books someday👌. And I enjoy torturing people with my long textx (/jjj). Thanks for reading! Buy gold, byye! (Bill reference yey)

[ukulele-mixtape]

Maple Scraps: The Siren's Call Chapter uhh i don't remember actually omg

context: the obligatory beach episode. the gang go to the beach and tune (oc) gets knocked upside her head w a volleyball.

oh yeah and some more exposition or something idk i wanted to write a beach episode in April whatever

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

“Right over there should be fine, Tune.”

Tune nodded, setting down wooden storage containers full of equipment atop the mountain stack of other large boxes of supplies. Amy was right behind her, setting down the last few boxes of the medical supplies next to Tune’s, wiping her sweaty forehead and resting her body against the stack. 

A whole month. It’d been a whole month since Tune had arrived. She was very short of the rings she’d need to get a train to New Mobotropolis from Emeraldville. No amount of busking out in the open could help her plight, especially not in this economy and especially because her choice of music didn’t really vibe well with the people of Emeraldville, or its surrounding cities. She had understood that the grungy rock music she was accustomed to playing wasn’t vibing well with the general public, mainly due to its…not so favorable about life attitude surrounding her lyrics.

To top it all off, she refused to ever entertain the idea of asking for funds from anyone, given how expensive the ticket was and especially because she didn’t want anything being tracked back to her on the day she left. What if I just went to another city? Tune would ponder. The closest I’d get is Station Square again, and from there it’d be Westopolis, and that’s an even more expensive drive, plus there’s like a million watch dogs from GUN. She considered actually taking the plunge to make enough money to book it out of the country, but remembered she didn’t have a passport, and it would cost a good sum just to get one. She wondered how she survived this long without any semblance of proper identification.

Tune was getting increasingly antsy. The voices she’d stolen swarmed around her vocal chords madly, like if they were begging to be released. And soon enough, as the weeks went by, she was seeing more and more wanted posters of her likeness, or what anyone was able to garner from the little they’d remember of her performances, littered across each wall of any town she’d occasionally get the chance to visit. They were all the same level of vague:

WANTED: VOICE STEALER  CODENAME: THE SIREN PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES UNIDENTIFIED MEDIUM RANGED VOCAL REGISTER USUALLY INVOLVED IN PERFORMANCES IN UNDERGROUND VENUES AUTHORITIES WARN TO PROTECT ANY AND ALL CAMERAS OR ELECTRONICS IN VICINITY ANY INFORMATION REGARDING APPEARANCE OR WHEREABOUTS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY.

She didn’t know whether or not to be thankful that the police barely had anything on her, but Tune was still put off nonetheless, especially by her uncannily spot on nickname “The Siren”. She’d heard about folklore describing sirens, mythical creatures who lived in rocky islands and lured sailors to their deaths with their enchanting voices. And while she wasn’t outwardly killing anyone, she had no reason to, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind that she portrayed that title almost too well, and it ached in her heart immensely. She may not have been mythical, but she was a monster nonetheless. A thief to the freedoms of people she had no claim over.

Tune contemplated time and time again whether or not the whole ordeal was even worth it. That maybe, just maybe, she could spend the rest of her life here at the Restoration. The stability was keeping her sane, her mind and power in check. Alto’s frequency had completely escaped her, and hadn’t arisen for the whole time since she took Sonic’s voice. She was a bit more happier as days went on. She was eating more at Silver’s request (who soon got everyone else on board to ensure it), she was working harder for a cause that she couldn’t really understand, but kept her busy. It was all she needed for now. Just something quiet to keep her steady. But she knew deep down this was hollow. She couldn’t stay much longer, but couldn’t find a sustainable way to leave without drawing suspicion. 

And it didn’t help that, unbeknownst to her, Tune was getting quite attached to her newfound companions.

“Thanks for the help,” Amy sighed. “I know I must have caught you at a bad time. The supply depot just needed an extra pair of hands because someone called in sick for the day.”

“Nah, I’m not doing much these days.” Tune replied flatly, following suit and sliding her body down the neatly stacked wooden piles with a big stretch of her arms. “Besides, gotta make myself useful somehow. Put me to work whenever.”

Amy gave a slightly strained hum, quiet enough for Tune to not bat an eye at it, as she shuffled towards the raccoon girl’s side and tilted her head, allowing her quills to fall and hang off her face.

“We’ve been over this, Tune. This is a–” she began.

“Volunteer effort, I know.” Tune groaned out, her arm resting on her knee and hand going for a casual grab at her cheek. She didn’t look at Amy, only choosing to look forward as she watched the people around her, scattered across, still continuing their business checking off tasks with their clipboards and riding forklifts and pushing hand trucks. “You don’t have to keep reminding me. I’m doing the job y’all want me to do willingly, isn’t that good?”

Amy pouted her lips, placing the tips of her fingers on the surface of the stacks of boxes behind her. “But do you even want this?”

“Doesn’t matter what I want right now.” Tune said matter-of-factly. “What matters is that I can help so I can repay my debts I've already taken on.”

“I thought we told you we aren’t asking for anything.” Amy let out another sigh. “If you don’t want to help, it’s fine.”

“Rosy–” Amy shook her head in defiance, walking right up to Tune, taking her clawed hands and pulling her up to force her to stand. Tune stumbled a bit, but managed to find her footing.

“Tune, it’s not about just working all day, everyday.” Amy softly lectured. “We want you to do this because we want you to want it. It should make you feel fulfilled, like if you’re accomplishing something good.”

Amy’s brow creased. “If this makes you satisfied, if it makes you happy, we’re glad to have you here.” She pleaded. “But, if you’re not happy, if there’s something wrong...”

“There’s nothing wrong, Rosy. I promise I’m fine. Believe it or not I’m happy to be here, honest.” Tune would steal a hand away to place it atop Amy’s shoulder in an attempt at reassurance, squeezing it a bit, a small smile straining on her face that anyone could tell didn’t match her eyes. Amy still looked unconvinced, her pout still lingering, her eyes still scanning everything Tune had to offer.

“Then, if there’s nothing wrong, I want you to do something for me.” Amy said, holding on to Tune’s hand on her shoulder. 

“Yeah, Jewel Bug’s office needs re-organizing, I know.” Tune said openly.

Amy shook her head, a little giggle escaping her lips at Tune’s nickname for Jewel. “No, none of that today, silly. In fact, it’s actually about that thing I’ve been mentioning.”

Tune frowned, turning her head away to not catch Amy��s overwhelming gaze.

“You mean about the beach?” She muttered out, her bushy tail wrapping around her waist. Amy nodded, her tail wagging in response.

“Yeah!” she giddily exclaimed, her grip on Tune’s hand tightening ever so slightly. “I think it’d be a nice way for us to get some air and spend time with each other. Y’know, to get away from the stuffiness that can sometimes creep up from HQ.”

…It did sound quite enticing. She’d never admit it, but Tune was quite homesick. Having sand between her toes and the smell of seawater flooding her nose again as she gazed upon a vast ocean of beauty sounded wonderful after who knows how long she’d been away. But even still, Tune shook her head.

“...Pass.” she said instinctively.

“Whaaat?” Another pout from Amy, a whine sounding off from her mouth. “Oh come on, Tune. The beaches around here are absolutely beautiful. The one near Green Hill especially this time of year.”

“I just don’t think I’m ready for the whole ‘family gathering’ thing right now.” Tune shifted her weight on one leg, kicking the other behind her.

“We’re not inviting the whole Restoration here, sweetheart.” Amy joked playfully. “Just a little get together with some friends, maybe a nice barbecue. You get in the water, maybe build a sandcastle or even just chill out by the coast.”                                                                                                                      

“Rosy…” Tune whined.

“And,” Amy’s voice turned mischievous. “You can watch Sonic, Silver, Tangle and Whisper absolutely obliterate each other in volleyball.”

“Those two against Tangle and Whisper? I feel like their marriage would end on the spot with how competitive they are.”

“Hey, if any of them were married I’d be the first to know, for your information.”

Without realizing it, Tune snorted, a thin sheepish smile spreading across her face, only serving to encourage Amy, the pink hedgehog shaking her hips in anticipation. Before the girls could get another word out, suddenly, something from above fell down and landed just next to them. Red and white sneakers, a blue exterior and piercing green irises attached to a very, very cocky aura was all that was needed to announce the surprise guest on scene.

“Oh, Sonic!” Amy released her grip on Tune to clasp her hands together, warm energy radiating from her face. “We were just talking about you, if you’d believe.”

Sonic scratched under his nose confidently with a hand on his hips, his foot tapping away at nothing. His mouth opened as he quickly signed off on something with enthusiasm, but realized what he was doing and rolled his eyes, ready to pull out his phone.

“She wants to have a barbecue.” Tune didn’t realize what she had done before Sonic’s eyes widened in shock. Still unsure, she spoke. “...What?”

“Hey, you never told us you knew sign language, Tune.” Amy chirped in.

Tune’s entire body went beet red, her tail clenching and prickling up from the embarrassment. “I-I don’t!! I just…I-I picked up on a few things, that’s all!”

“He rarely ever signs at us, though?” Amy pressed on, despite the raccoon girl's protest.  “Did you…look into this recently or something?”

“Amy, are we doing this beach thing or not?!” Sonic snickered mutedly, rewarding himself with a glare in his direction by his victim. “C-cut it out! I didn’t learn for your sake, you jerk. I’ve been known. You ain’t special.”

Sonic crossed his arms and leaned in a bit while nodding her head in false agreement, mouthing a teasing “Oh I’m sure.”

“Sorry, I don’t speak ‘shithead’.” Tune retorted unamused, causing Sonic to blow a raspberry in her direction.

“Alright you two, that’s enough.” Amy called out, her hands raised at the both of them. “Sonic, are you interested?” The speedster nodded, kicking off and wrapping an arm around Tune’s neck casually, Tune jolting at his touch trying to get him off by flicking his face, Sonic’s face contorting into what ended up being a silent sneeze. Amy rolled her eyes.

“Then, it’s settled!” she cheered, clapping her hands together. “Let’s go to the beach!”

–

“I look to a starry sky, Knowing on the Other Side of Night The coming light is beaming bright as never before.”

Of course this would be Tangle’s choice in the playlist. The car ride over to the beach was quite energetic. It wasn’t a long drive by any means, about fifteen minutes at most. But in that time, jams would be blasted through the speakers of Amy’s sports car unapologetically loud, Tangle and Amy snapping their fingers and pumping their fists in the air to the beat of the mood thumping rhythm, Whisper politely tapping her palms against her knees, quietly humming along. Tune sat in the front passenger seat gazing out the window, unable to control the way her foot lightly tapped to the infectious energy pouring through, her head bopping rhythmically.

“Every fear I had has gone away, Promises of joy are here to stay,” Tangle belted out with her whole chest from her side of the rear seat next to Whisper. “Another day when we can do this over again, All over again!”

She gave an energetic fist pump in the air, cheering a loud “Wooh!” to the skies above and anyone else lucky enough to witness. Amy giggled as she drove off, turning the wheel slightly as the road curved, revealing more and more of the ocean beyond.

“This is so exciting!” Amy exclaimed. “It’s been a while since I’ve been to this area with you guys. We really need to do this more often.”

“Sure thing, Ames!” said Tangle gleefully. “We don’t get a lot of time together outside fighting off Eggman’s goons, it’s good that we’re hanging out again. Helps that we’ve got a new musically inclined member to the group this time around.” With that, Tangle used her tail to stretch out towards Tune’s head, ruffling her hair playfully. Tune made a surprised, sharp noise from her mouth, like she was coughing up something, her hands instinctively going to swipe away at Tangle’s wagging tail.

“Hey, knock it off!” Tune whined irritably, the girls giggling in response.

“Say, I have an idea: why don’t you pick out the next track, Tune?” Tangle suggested, pulling out her phone and using her tail once more to plop it safely onto her lap.

“That’s a great idea, Tangle!” said Amy. “Anything you want, let’s hear what you’ve got.”

“I’m cool with anything really, why don’t you do it, Top Gun?” Tune bashfully muttered, already hating the attention, turning her head and trying to hand the phone to the lone wolf quietly sitting in the back. Whisper shook her head and held up her hand in denial, beckoning her to continue.

“Come on, what’s the musical genius’ favorite jam?” Tangle excitedly bounced in place, poking at the edges of Tune’s seat.

“I’m just a hobbyist, not some prodigy. And I like everything I can listen to, even the crappy stuff.” Tune corrected nonchalantly. She could see Tangle’s exceedingly disappointed face through the rear-view mirror, an over exaggerated cartoon-like glisten in her eyes. Tune sighed in defeat, tapping away at the phone presented to her. “But I mean, I guess I can go by the vibe today. Let’s see here…” 

Tune scrolled until she found the song she was looking for, a high energy, funky, feel good anthem, presented with a picture of a model spaceship with a strikingly plain orange background. She tapped the play button, and the music began in earnest. 

“You say that bolder doesn't always mean better But sometimes you gotta think outside of the box You limit every little step that you're taking And always take a second glance at the clock”

The three smiled excitedly, the road trip getting just a bit more energetic. Amy was careful to eye the road, but given no other people trying to tail behind or around her, she gave into the groove a bit more than she would normally, rocking her shoulders to the beat and absolutely beaming, her foot going a bit stronger on the gas. Tangle rose her arms out with reckless abandon, yelping out quick cheers into the wind. Whisper rocked her head back and forth, reaching her hand out to tap it against the outer part of the car door lightly.

“Don't you wanna look a little bit further, To see what's there for you to find? There is more for you than what's on your mind!”

A woosh from the distance caught everybody by surprise, Sonic and Silver greeting the four from right next to each other, Silver flying with a large backpack strapped to his back, giving an excited wave of his hand, and Sonic giving a playful wink and a flick of his two fingers in salute as he ran across the road on…foot?!

“Dude, did you run all the way here?!” Tune exclaimed wide eyed, peeling off her sunglasses in a frenzy. Surely, he couldn’t be this fast. There was no way.

“This is pretty on brand of him, actually.” Amy said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Tune whipped her head back towards her, and then back at the hedgehog duo beside them.

“That can’t be normal…I mean, I knew he was fast but still.”

“Well, how else is he gonna get a race in?” Tangle challenged, eyeing Sonic directly mischievously, her hands gripping the window sheild’s base. “He knows Amy would wipe the floor with him if he was driving his silly little patty wagon, so he needs a handicap.”

“Tangle, don’t encourage him. I’m driving on a public road with a speed limit attached.” Amy warned.

“I don’t see anybody nearby, do you?” Tangle shrugged playfully.

Sonic’s competitive spirit kicked into overdrive, signaling a countdown towards Amy. He held up his hand, fingers counting down from five, Silver giving the audible cue.

“Sonic, no!” Amy scolded, though Tune could see the way her foot tapped on that gas pedal, her knee pumping up and down and both hands going for the steering wheel, gripping tight. Oh no…

“You maybe wanna not do this today, Needlemouse?” Tune’s voice cracked, eliciting a giggle from Whisper.

“Four, three,” Silver counted as Sonic’s fingers lowered.

“Y’all better quit it right now!” Tune was getting desperate, already tightening her seatbelt to the furthest it could go, hands gripping to her seat like her life depended on it.

“Two, one…”

“Step on it, Amy!” Tangle screamed out with a pointed finger forward.

“GO!” 

If the competition was to find out who could release the most blood curdling scream, Tune would win by a landslide, her voice comically echoing into the atmosphere. The adrenaline rush was nerve wracking as it was intoxicating, watching as Amy pressed hard on the gas and the girl's body keeling backwards from the sudden momentum. Sonic took off in a flash, Silver following right behind him, his legs barely visible from the overwhelming pace he was setting. Everyone could see the ocean just beyond the horizon, getting closer and closer with each passing second. 

“Amy, I swear to every deity in the sky if you don’t win this…!” Tune blurted out, hearing Tangle whooping from the back of her seat. “Seriously, what the hell is the end goal here?!”

Amy could only laugh with the confidence of a madwoman, allowing her car to skid across the road once they reached another curve. She would just barely graze past Sonic’s form, Silver slowing down a bit to take in as a makeshift referee. 

“First one to the beach’s parking lot wins, and I'll be watching!” Silver called out, causing Sonic to up the ante and move his legs so quick Tune could see them spiraling into what looked to be an infinity symbol from Amy’s side mirror. 

He took off quickly, the gust of wind so massive Amy’s sunhat almost went with it, Whisper just barely catching it from behind her seat, keeping it to herself as the car sped off right behind him. Eventually, the gang reached a small hill on the road, but as much as Tune was silently begging her not to with a pleading eye and a pathetic whimper, Amy took one look at Sonic, who turned his head to face Amy and pulled his lower eyelid down, tongue sticking out teasingly, and it was game over from there on. 

Amy hit the pedal even harder, the speed limit of the universe seemingly having been breached, the speedometer encased in the glass panel on the driver’s seat going so far down there was a chance it’d break off its hinges. The car reached the hill and reached into the air, everyone on board screaming joyfully, Tune for dear life. All the while, the music Tune had been instructed to play just moments earlier was still blasting from Amy’s speakers, the chorus conveniently kicking in.

“Everything you wish for is just another dream away, So just pluck up the courage! Can't you feel your heart it is beating underneath your skin, For you to begin?”

The car bounced back onto the ground hard, the girl’s bodies following the rhythm of its flow, Amy not letting up in the slightest, just barely managing to snake by Sonic and find herself not too far from the parking lot. She hit the breaks quickly and swerved, the car making a screeching noise as it skidded against the pavement. Sonic was right on top, skidding his shoes down the floor, sparks and gravel harshly breaking from the force. Tangle was cheering uncontrollably, Amy gasping for air with a sweaty brow, Whisper’s tail wagging with vigor…and Tune melting into putty in her seat.

“That was awesome!! Let’s do it again!” Tangle gestured to Silver wildly, ripping off her seatbelt and basically springing out from the car, Whisper choosing to take the normal way out and open the door. Amy followed suit, grabbing her hat back from Whisper’s careful hands when she and her met, and Tune just kind of stood in place in her seat with the belt still attached to her body, her eyes still trying to adjust to her new environment.

“Who won, who won?” Sonic signed off energetically at Silver, causing his partner to laugh heartily.

“I dunno, it came preeetty close, darling.” Silver teased, adjusting his bag and floating downward, his feet lightly tapping against the pavement.

“Oh, it was obviously Amy.” Tangle refuted with a tail wrapping around Amy and pulling her forward, causing Amy to giggle. “She wiped the floor with you in that powerhouse!”

“Girl, it better have been Rosy.” Tune exasperatedly called out, finally managing to exit her seat and wobbling to the group. “I almost lost my life today.”

Sonic signed off yet again, slower so Tune could read properly.

“We can always go again to make absolutely sure.” He teased with a wink in her direction.

“Yeah, y’all do that while I go and do the thing we actually came here for.” Tune clapped back, fixing up her frizzy hair. Everyone around her had a hearty group laugh, a small smile gracing Tune’s features as she hummed softly.

“Hey, yeah, there we go,” Silver beamed. “That’s the look we wanna see!”

A blush settled in, Tune adjusting her glasses with the tips of her two fingers, wrapping her tail around her waist.

“Yeah, well don’t get used to it, Floats.” she passively said, but her tone didn’t quite match the smile growing further, not bothering to give him the satisfaction of her getting to see his pleased expression. 

“Don’t tempt us, we might just have to try harder to keep it there.” Sonic signed off to her with another wink.

She huffed out a breath through her nose, gesturing with her head to Amy to open the trunk of her car. The group took a few items each from the trunk they had accumulated for the trip: a few beach chairs, umbrellas, some towels, a small backpack that Tune had snagged at a thrift shop with a portable speaker built inside (which itself contained some essentials like sunscreen, portable batteries and first aid equipment), a basket owned by Amy containing a carefully curated selection of snacks and other goodies for them to eat, a cooler filled with ice and beverages, another one for the barbecue ingredients, and of course, volleyball and sand castle equipment.

Tune took her backpack out, wrapping the bands around her shoulders before trying to go for a chair and one of the coolers, but Silver’s aura snaked its way to carefully take the cooler away from her hands. When she looked at him in confusion, he simply uttered “I’ll be taking that.” with a warm smile, before heading off to meet the others who were already making their way towards the sandy beach, the cooler floating close behind.

Tune watched as they walked as a group, staying just a bit further away, enamored by the community just beyond her. Tangle had her tail laced around Whisper’s shoulder, Amy giddily talking to Sonic as he and Silver held each other’s hands. All the while smiles were on each and every one of their faces, like if they were all just a big happy family. Another genuine smile, albeit unsure, formed across Tune’s face, this time a bit wider as she saw Sonic turn his head around, scooping up air in a gesture for her to hurry up.

This is okay. For now, I can try to enjoy this.

Tune kicked off phantom dirt from her sneakers, and trotted off to meet the rest of the gang, the familiar scent of seawater gracing her nostrils.

–

As Amy had promised, the beach right beside Green Hill was beautiful, almost wistfully so. It stretched a good long way, was surprisingly not crowded and most importantly, it was quiet. The water was a clear blue, reflecting the completely cloudless sky, and the sand while burning hot was still cleaned and free of any man made debris. A few beach chairs and umbrellas surrounded the area, while some people had blankets on the ground already soaking in the summer sun. The wind blew lightly against the group's skins, the salty water perfectly settling in on the comfortably warm atmosphere.

The gang each took a respective task once they found a comfortable space to lay their things. Towels were placed on the warm sand, beach chairs were unpacked and unfolded and umbrellas were neatly perched atop the chairs. The cooler was opened revealing an assortment of sodas, juices and water bottles for them to enjoy, courtesy of Amy and Whisper. Amy had set aside her basket full of snacks and sandwiches to enjoy, as well as things to cook for the barbecue they had sat around to use. Tangle and Sonic wasted no time searching for the nearest spot to set up a volleyball game, while Whisper and Silver finished gathering up the paper plates Amy kept in her basket. Tune set her bag down, fiddling with the speakers and grabbing at her phone kept snug in one of the side pockets.

“Y’all got any requests?” she’d ask the group setting up beside her, watching from a distance as Tangle and Sonic ran around the open sand setting up their makeshift court.

“You’re the musician here, surely you should have some sort of playlist for an occasion like this.” teased Silver, adding the final adjustments to one of the last beach umbrellas. Tune boredly stuck her tongue out in a playful response, pulling up a premade playlist titled “SUMMER VIBEZ” from a list of already crafted tracklists she’d made in her spare time.

“Guess I’m doing everythin’ here, huh?” She rolled her eyes. “You’re lucky I just so happen to do this for fun, but I don’t guarantee you’d like any of the stuff I listen to.”

“So as long as we can have fun, that’s all that really matters.” Amy brightly said.

Tune reciprocated the look the pink hedgehog gave in kind, pressing play on her screen and allowing the music to float into the air.

“The game has begun, gals and pals!” Tangle called out with a wave of her hand, using her tail to spring up into the air to gain more attention from her friends. Amy giggled watching as Whisper and Silver ran up to meet the others, Whisper’s tail wagging as she greeted Tangle with a hug and Sonic and Silver giving each other the most boyish of high fives Tune had ever seen, it was almost like they weren’t dating with how goofily friendly they’d behave in comparison to the girls. Amy followed suit, glancing up at Tune who had situated herself atop a beach chair underneath an umbrella. 

“You’re not tagging along?” Amy asked. Tune shook her head. 

“Naw, I’ll probably just watch from here.” She said, waving her hand up and down.  “It’s comfy. Got a nice view. Besides, I get tired easily. Those guys look like they’d go on forever if you let ‘em.”

Amy hummed, smiling once more at the racoon girl with a nod. “Well, if you ever wanna get in on this, you let us know.”

“Bet.”

Tune watched as Amy walked away to meet with her friends, her preppy sundress bouncing against her figure as she did, holding onto her sunhat and sandals clapping against her feet with each step. She saw as Amy stood in the middle, holding up her hands and shouted some things Tune couldn’t quite make out, as the game began and Tangle gave the first serve of the day. It was mesmerizing watching them play, Tangle and Whisper working together in complete sync as they tackled the ball. 

Even with Sonic’s inability to speak, Silver and him still were managing just fine, at some point Silver would hoist Sonic’s whole body up with his interlaced hands, allowing him to catch and spike the ball to the other side with a kick of his foot, Tangle easily thwacking it back with a swipe of her tail. Silver would catch it, bouncing it back to Whisper’s side, a bit too far for her, forcing her to have to body the floor to pass it to Tangle, who managed to get a good spike before Sonic was able to properly react and grab the point.

They went on like that for a good while, and Tune made a note that the way these people played felt as if they were training in the octagon for some big tournament, Amy enthusiastically reffing the whole way through. Tune grimaced, thanking her lucky stars that she made the right call to not be involved. She helped herself to a water in the nearby cooler, choosing the cheaper option from the selection and setting down a few rings in its place from her bag as payment. 

Tune sipped quietly as she just took in the vibes of her playlist, sitting a bit further into the beach chair. She’d eye back and forth between the ocean before her and the basket full of food Amy had left behind, deciding it’d be best for her to eat now before Silver got mad. She sifted through the basket for a bit before taking out what looked to be a strawberry cream filled cornet from a fancy bakery, placing a few more rings in its place and unwrapping it with care. She closed her eyes and with a small “Thanks for the food”, she went to take a bite…

And that’s when something hard landed square at her, smashing the cornet right into her face.

“Sonic!” Amy groaned out, rushing towards the raccoon who was still trying to find out why the world was spinning, the cream of her pastry plastered all over her face, bits of the breading already leaking into her chest fur. “This is why I always say don’t kick-spike!”

Sonic’s face was wide eyed, sheepishly scratching at the back of his neck as he followed the others alongside Amy.

“Gwuh…?” Tune’s dizzy voice rang out, watching as at least eight repeats of the same Rosy she knew grabbed napkins to wipe the cream off, spouting something she couldn’t quite comprehend. “Run that by me again, Rosy?”

“I asked if you were okay,” Amy worriedly said, glaring at Sonic with a thin lipped pout, who’d reached into the cooler in search of a bottle of water for Amy to use to clean Tune up a bit more. “These guys can be so reckless sometimes, I swear.”

“Sonic…?” Tune questioned, still not quite coherent. He came by to her side swiftly, inaudibly mouthed off something to Amy before she backed off and allowed Sonic to take the reins, carefully swiping off any of the pastry left on Tune’s lap, eyeing her face in concern. 

“Wow Sonic, are you trying to give her a concussion or something?” Tangle called out teasingly. 

“Yeah because it’s totally not like you didn’t use your tail a majority of that match.” Silver interjected. 

“I’m not the one who spiked the ball at the new girl’s face, though.” Tangle clapped back with a giggle. 

“It was a bit reckless on all our parts.” Whisper muttered out.

Tune, finally able to process the scene unfurling, gazed back at him, eyes traveling to the group worriedly staring down at her, and then back to her body still covered with crumbs and cream sticking to her swim top and a bit of her jean shorts. 

“Sorry about that, you good?” he mouthed to Tune, clearly embarrassed. It was a refreshing look in comparison to his usual shiteating demeanor, a face that she was completely unfamiliar with. Sonic was waiting with baited breath, like if he was expecting an angry, mouthful of a reaction. But what he got instead, what everyone witnessed alongside him, was something much more unexpected.

She snorted, her face contorted, her teeth were bared and then…

She laughed. 

She blurted out uncontrollably, hugging her stomach. She laughed hard for the first time in years, for the first time in front of anyone in so long. It was genuine, it was unfiltered. She had an ugly, goofy cackling laugh, tears were forming in her eyes from the pressure. She could barely keep herself together, having to hold on to Sonic’s shoulder unknowingly to keep steady, unable to stop herself from making a scene. She was so loud even the neighboring beach-goers around the group could hear. All the same, it was cathartic, it was exactly what the group had been working towards this whole time.

“I completely ate dirt, oh my gosh!” Tune was turning red, crumbs still falling on her face. She looked crazy, trying to wipe them off but falling into another laughing fit once they’d unceremoniously be scattered onto Sonic’s nearby shoes. She fell to her side on the chair as she cried out, “I guess this is payback for last time, ain’t it Needlemouse–pfft–hahaha!”

“I think she actually might have a concussion…” Whisper uttered for Tangle’s ears only, Tangle nodding in agreement nervously as Tune’s laughter became too much, eliciting giggles and chuckles from the rest of the gang. Tune’s cackling died out slowly, small giggles still bubbling from her in bursts, finally able to retain her composure. She caught Sonic’s now slightly flushed expression, patting his head in assurance, finally smiling toothily at him for the first time since they’d met, warm and inviting.

“Don’t worry, now we’re even.” She jested. “But you do owe me some food.”

Sonic’s composure relaxed with her words, nodding excitedly before getting up and snagging Amy’s basket, fiddling through it until he managed to find another one of the cornets. It wasn't strawberry, just a basic chocolate, but Tune took it nonetheless. She grabbed at her bag and pulled out her ring purse, grabbing a few more and placing it into the basket. Sonic stood there confused, Silver quick to call her out.

“Hey, Tune, are you trying to pay for it?” Silver groaned out, walking to the basket, Tune trying to quickly put the ring purse away knowing what was coming. Unfortunately for her, she was head to head with a man with psychic abilities and a speedster faster than sound, Silver going after her ring purse and Sonic grabbing the rings from the basket, plus the extra she left for the other cornet, giving them to Silver to put back in the purse despite the musicians’ protests.

“Oh please, it was just for this one cornet, it’s fine.” Tune refuted, her voice once again cracking, trying to reach for her purse.

“We did bring these for all of us to share, you know.” Amy scolded. “It’s not something we’re expecting you to pay for.”

“Guys? There’s some more in the drink cooler.” Tangle called out, reaching for a soda and pulling out the extra rings Tune had left.

“Tune!” Amy whined out with puffed out cheeks. Silver snagged the other rings with his power unamused, placing them gently into the purse before reaching for Tune’s bag and securing the purse inside.

“None of that today.” he simply stated, smiling. “Remember, you’re here to have fun!”

“But Floats–” Tune tried for it once more.

“Nope, today’s a day for you to be unapologetically selfish.”

“But I can’t just–” Before she could finish, Sonic was the first to act, stealing her cornet from her hands and taking a bite from the pointed tip, Tune’s eyes going wide, completely dumbfounded when he handed it back to her. He signed to her with a shrug, his shit eating grin back.

“Today’s a day for us to be selfish, so you snooze, you lose!”

“Don’t make me change my mind about that ‘getting even’ thing, blue.” Tune rolled her eyes and pulled apart the area where Sonic bit, handing over to him and reluctantly took a bite of the other side, talking with her mouth full as she watched as Sonic snickered mutedly. “Don’t you have a volleyball game to lose?”

“Eh, we could all use a break. Call it a draw for now.” Tangle’s voice rang, lifting the cooler with the barbecue ingredients inside. “Besides, I think it’s high time we got grilling right?”

–

After feasting off piles of snacks, barbecue chili dogs and tasty grilled veggie skewers, the match would continue, with Sonic and Silver just barely managing to scrape by with a two point lead at the very end. The rest of the day was spent building sandcastles and playing in the water after such a long, strenuous game. Tune sat by the coast, watching as Tangle, Whisper and Amy would splash salt water at each other, their giggles creating an intoxicatingly happy atmosphere.

Tune didn’t participate much and she made the deliberate choice to stay a bit farther away from the group, but she was outside, she was taking in the air. For her, for now, it was enough. Tune felt the water drift along her now bare feet, choosing to leave her sneakers by their spot on the beach. She was far enough that it wouldn’t soak her shorts, but close enough that she could feel the soothing, familiar way the waves would push and pull against the current. If she squinted hard enough, she could probably see her homeland from the horizon line, just out of reach. 

She watched as Amy would get her face dunked into the water by Tangle, Whisper in response pulling lightly at her tail and causing Tangle to dramatically (and purposefully) fall, the three giggling the whole time. Like they had no cares in the world. Tune felt herself being swept away in the moment, content, being fully immersed for the first time in a while. She’d be used to the feeling when it came to producing or engaging in music, but it always came at the expense of her associating it with her mission. Something that, despite the circumstances that lead her here, despite associating with one of her victims, she hadn’t really paid any mind to for a while, regardless of some hiccups here and there. But here with the Restoration, with them? It felt natural, real. It felt like she could really see herself staying with these people for a while.

And even despite their insistence that today could be a day where she could be a bit more selfish, Tune couldn’t help but feel the shame of her happiness, knowing her people wouldn’t be able to bask in that same feeling with her. 

“I can’t keep doing this…” she thought, hugging her knees as she continued to gaze out. “I told myself from the start I’d break every part of myself and everyone around me to free them. If I truly am the only one that made it out, all I’m doing is abandoning what I set out here to do by choosing to stay. Alto is getting stronger by the day, and I’m wasting time partying and helping these..strangers. I’m the only one who can protect these people from falling victim to Alto’s hold, but it’s like I’m giving up on saving them by wasting my time here…” Her clawed hands gripped at her knees tighter, the sand turning to wet mud and the water losing its purity in her eyes. It was no longer the breathtaking scenery from just moments prior, it was morphed into just their most basic components: a vast ocean of water, and the decomposed rocks that formed the sandy shores they stood on.

“...I’m failing them.” she unconsciously uttered, so low no one could possibly hear.

“Failing who?”

Tune’s eyes widened as she sharply rose and jerked her head to the side, Sonic and Silver hand in hand above her. They sat down on opposite sides of Tune, Sonic taking her left and Silver her right. She adjusted her glasses once more, trying to conceal her flushed cheeks as they inched closer to get themselves comfy. From the distance, she could see the girls who were once in the water going far beyond her peripheral vision, Tangle’s voice echoing something about an “ice cream stand near the boardwalk”.

“N-no one!” she tried to retort. “You don’t think it’s a little rude to eavesdrop on a person like that, Floats?”

Silver wasn’t buying her attempt to change the subject in the slightest, his neutral, unreadable expression being perfectly lit by the daylight, the sun ever so slowly descending down as the late afternoon began. Sonic was the first to initiate, placing a hand on Tune’s shoulder. She didn’t bother looking at any of them, choosing to stay glued to the water.

“You know, this is the second time we’ve caught you brooding like this.” Silver jested passively. “I just wish sometimes you’d tell us what’s on your mind.”

“I’m sorry…” Tune said instinctively. “I must be ruining the vibe right now. I can be better, I just need a minute.”

Sonic shook his head, tapping at her forearm in an attempt to get her to look as he signed for her.

“You’re not ruining anything, we just want to check in. Make sure you’re good.”

“I’m noticing how often y’all feel the need to do that.” She wanted it to be mean, but Tune couldn’t help the huff from her nose from coming out, endearment laced in her tone.

“It’s because we care about you. And we want to help whatever’s going on.” signed Sonic earnestly. “Can’t really do that if we don’t know what the problem is.” His words brought her back to the day she and Sonic met, not that he’d remember. The day he had her pinned down, the day she took his voice away, he’d said something similar. It only served to nag at her psyche ever since.

“But this isn’t fair to you guys. You aren’t some therapists that are getting paid to listen to my problems.” Another hand, Silver’s, was gently placed on to her other shoulder. The waves crashed softly against the current.

“Is it so hard to believe that we’re doing this because we just…want to?” Silver asked. “I really don’t mean any disrespect, but I just wonder why you feel the need to push people away so hard.” He hesitated with his last words, fiddling with his open palm tree shirt. “Do you…not like being here?”

Tune sunk further into herself, her heart aching at Silver’s words. The disappointment radiating from him was unbearable. “Of course not! I…I think the problem is I like it here too much.” She said openly, sighing. “You guys…I really like hanging out with you. But it doesn’t help either of us by getting attached.”

“What do you mean?” she finally gave in and looked at Silver’s pleading gaze. Without having to speak, he was basically begging her to spill anything she had to offer. It tore her from the inside. It ate into her stomach until there was nothing left.

“I just…” Tune hesitated, she felt the way her heart started to pound, trying to contemplate what she would say. What could she say? If she said anything of value, she’d be deemed their enemy on the spot. It made no sense for her to relay anything about herself. It was dumb, it was shallow, pointless, reckless…and yet she continued, as vaguely as she could. “I… have a history of being let down by people in the past. I hurt people, and I get hurt by others. It’s just part of my brand, I guess.”

“Is that what you’re afraid of? Hurting us?” Sonic signed curiously. 

“I just don’t want you guys to feel like I’m owed your time, that you need to try and make me feel better or something because of your Hero code or whatever. What happened to me in my past to make me this way shouldn’t concern you.”

“So you’d rather just…stay alone? When you obviously want to be here? What sense do you think that makes?”

“Sense enough that I don’t get hurt. And I don’t hurt you.” She said almost immediately, like she was sure the conversation would die there.

“But you are hurting.” Silver said with a somber confidence. “And it hurts us to know that you’re…not okay right now. When there’s a chance we can help.”

The pit grew once more in Tune’s stomach. “...You shouldn’t want to help me.”

“But we do. And we’re not going to stop caring just because you want us to.” Sonic nimbly signed. A moment passed, Tune soaking in his words. 

“Can I share something with you?” Silver titled his head to meet her gaze once more. She nodded wordlessly, prompting him to continue. “The future I come from was always a mess. Everyone was so angry and sad, devoid of any hope. It was hard for me to even get it together half of the time. But once I got here, I started noticing how beautiful the world truly was. And how I wanted nothing more than to protect it.”

“What are you getting at?” Tune pondered curiously. 

“I’m saying I have experience with this level of despair.” He continued, his grip on Tune’s shoulder tightening slightly as if to emphasize his point. “I won’t say I know the full extent of what you’re going through, but I do know what damage such a state of mind can land you in. Having people to guide you through it can help, but it’s only if you let yourself be open to the idea.”

“Can you let us in, Tune?” Sonic signed out to her gently with a warm expression. Tune could only look down, unsure of what to say, millions of emotions circling across her features.

Silver got in position to stand up suddenly, lifting his body upwards and then reaching down for Tune’s hand with a soft smile. He wiggled his fingers in anticipation. She stared him down, unsure of what to make of his gesture, lifting her hand slightly, but hesitant to take that next step. Reluctantly, she grazed her fingers against his own, and he excitedly hoisted her up, pulling her in for a hug. 

Tune froze against his sudden embrace with a tiny yelp, overloaded with sensation all at once. She wasn’t sure where she should put her hands, her arms glued down below as Silver placed his chin atop her shoulder, his arms lacing against her back. Tune would catch Sonic’s warm glow, using his arms to motion inwardly. Reluctantly, timidly and completely unprepared, Tune shakily wrapped her arms around Silver’s shoulders, her small stature making her look more like a consoled child. Her mind was going a million miles a minute as Silver tightened his grip on her, dragging soothing circles across her upper back.

“How long has it been since you’ve even gotten to do this with someone?” Silver gently asked, not expecting an answer. “The way you talk, the way you act…It’s like you’re depriving yourself of something so inherently common.”

“...It’s been a long time…” Tune could barely get the words out, her body slowly relaxing into his touch. “I don’t have many people in my life to do this with anymore.”

“Then we’ve got a lot of these to catch you up on.” She closed her eyes with a shuddering breath, pulling Silver in further and hid her face in his fur, like she was holding on for dear life.

“Sure…” was all she could mutter.

When they finally pulled away, there was a physical disappointment Tune felt, and despite the warm air, she felt cold, alone. She timidly peered back at Sonic watching the whole scene take place, his warm, genuine smile bounced off her unsure eyes. Without thinking, without breathing, without any sense at all, she would slowly walk up to Sonic, grasping at his arms a bit too roughly and pulling him in. He was taken a bit aback, but didn’t waste any time, wrapping his arms around Tune’s frame softly.

“I’m really sorry…” she mumbled humbly. “I can’t ever make up for the bad shit I’ve done in the past…but I want to try and be better so I can maybe move forward. I don’t know how to stop hurting. I don’t know how to start to heal. But I want to try.”

Pulling away for a moment to sign to her, Sonic smiled, his hands speaking for him. “You can start small. You can start by letting us in a little more. This is good for now, if that’s all you can muster.”

“And if that’s all I can do for a while?” Tune pleaded, for the first time wishing she could remember what his voice sounded like beyond what it was in her choir.

Sonic’s determined look spelled it all out.“Then that’s all you can do for a while. The hardest part is taking that first step.”

Tune hummed in response, pulling away fully from Sonic. She paused momentarily, then awkwardly extended her hands towards Sonic and Silver. The hedgehogs tenderly placed their hands atop hers, almost as if in vow to each other. 

“I can’t promise to spill my secrets right away. Frankly, I’m still of the mindset that y’all would hate me forever once I did. But I want to get better. It’ll be slow, but I’m willing to put in the work.” Tune rattled off, pausing for a moment before continuing, her flushed and pleading gaze extended to both of them. “...Can you guys be patient with me a little longer while I work my way towards that?” She didn’t even have to ask, Sonic and Silver nodded, pulling her in once more briefly.

“Thanks, guys…” Tune quietly uttered.

The waves crashed onwards, Tune could see the beauty in the way they morphed the sand, the slowly lowering sun now against the clear waters, glistening in its splendor. Tangle's voice echoed from behind, and when the trio pulled away, they could see the girls with multiple ice creams wrapped in plastic, Tangle taking it upon herself to be a menace and grabbing as many as her hands and tail could carry. When she inevitably dropped a few, Whisper was there to quickly grab them before they had a chance to reach the floor, Amy stealing a few from Tangle’s grasp exhaustively. Silver laughed at the sight, the girls finally meeting up with the trio and distributing colorful ice creams, multiple at a time.

“So, what’d we miss?” Amy’s knowing expression towards Tune said it all, their absence was planned.

“We could be asking you that same question,” Tune jested. “Flexy, did you buy the cart out of stock or something?”

“That is totally not relevant to anything ever.” Tangle said defensively with a pointed finger. “But enough talking, these things’ll melt if we don’t eat ‘em fast!”

“Oh I should get my ring purse to pay for my share–-” Tune began, ready to walk before abruptly stopping in her tracks. She paused for a moment, catching herself, and then took one of the three popsicles Tangle had given her, unwrapped the one with the goofy sponge character and gumball eyes, and bit down quickly with an audible hum of contentment, to the boy’s visible comfort, but much to the horror of Amy.

“You bite your ice cream?!” she exclaimed. 

“Is that not how you’re supposed to do it? Don’t you bite food?” She asked, mouth full. Amy looked completely flabbergasted at Tune’s popsicle, littered with her large sharp teeth marks as the raccoon girl chewed thoroughly.

“Not if it’s ice cold!” 

“Well then how do you eat before it melts?” Tune took another bite, completely nonchalant.

“Like a normal person!!” Amy all but screamed.

“Well then ‘normal person’, get cracking because I think I see some drippings on your dress already.”

“What?!” Amy exclaimed, seeing purple stains already littering her dress just as Tune described, her hand full of an already melting popsicle. “Oh, Gaia above, why do I even bother?”

Tune would approach Amy and pat her on the back, watching her frantically try to wipe any stains off to no avail. “Let’s get you some napkins, we can throw that in the wash when we get back home. I for one will get sick if I eat this much ice cream in one sitting, so I’m unfortunately gonna have to throw these in the cooler.” With that, she left Amy to her devices, finishing off her ice cream in just three bites. 

The gang once more got in some good chuckles. They walked off, Sonic and Silver taking a good glance and Tune from behind her, grasping at each other's hands unconsciously. They both looked at each other in surprise, warm smiles etched on their faces. Sonic would bump his shoulder against Silver’s, Silver mirroring his actions in kind.

“She’ll be okay.” Silver simply stated.

Sonic nodded in agreement, the ringing in his ear getting just a bit softer.

[germhammy]

(Mis)Adventures of Little Wednesday- aka Wednesday’s mirror image niece

“Bring your parent to school- Wednesday’s turn”

Jane: Wednesday, now is not a good time to ask your Auntie Weenie. This is her time with Auntie Eenie

Little Wednesday: but I can’t ask her tomorrow. You know she hates being asked at the last minute. As it is my teacher told me yesterday my presentation was Monday. Good thing you don’t have meetings

They reached Auntie Weenie’s closed door and heard noises and screams from inside the room.

Little Wednesday: oopsie. I’ll ask at dinner.

Jane: good idea, my little Angel. I will remind you

Monday morning,

Miss Maple(teacher): Wednesday, come up here and present your mother

Little Wednesday went up yo the front of the class with her mother and her Aunt

Little Wednesday: this is my mama, Jane. She is a public relations coordinator. She manages my Auntie Weenie’s author career. My auntie is Wednesday Addams. She writes horror/detective novels. She has published 4. My mama runs my auntie’s public social media and appearances

Dayton raised his hand for a question. Little Wednesday called on him.

Dayton: Is your aunt going to give away free books to everyone like my dad gave away pool passes?

Little Wednesday: no because you’re not smart enough to read one of my Auntie’s books. And they will give you nightmares. They are not for children

Aiyon: but you read them. What makes you so special?

Little Wednesday: I am an advanced reader. And I like horror. And can stomach eating cow’s tongue and roasted crickets. Here. You can try and read it. This one doesn’t start off with a gruesome murder

Aiyon takes the book from Little Wednesday: it’s so heavy. - opens it - there’s no pictures. How can you read this?

Little Wednesday turning to her aunt: I wish to smack Aiyon on the side of the head with your novel, Auntie Weenie. May I?

Wednesday: as much as I would love to join you in that activity, El Diablo, I think not. This has been a good day so far. We don’t want to end up in detention again even though it would be for a good cause and for something you’ve actually done

Little Wednesday: rats!

Jane: Auntie Eenie made us a delicious lunch and Nes and I cleared our schedules for today to spend the day here at school with you and GJ

[lokisgoodgirl]

The gusset is good, but I'm still stuck on the Ragnarok pants. I'm certain they unbutton/unzip like this. It's just less obvious. And I will die on that hill.

I mean...just look at this.

Clearly, there is some kind of fastener at the hip area. There's a gap on each side you could stick your fingers in... 😏 And my kinky little brain won't stop screaming about it.

He wouldn't even have to pull them down. Then you could hold onto that leather clad ass while-- okay, this is going in Realmwalker somewhere. It must.

Sorry for that brief interruption. Carry on with your day. 🤭

Apols its taken me a minute to reply to this @lokikissesmyforehead I just kept meaning to produce my....visual aids.

Behold, a fairly technically accurate Ragnarok costume within my possession.

So the leather pants in this speciman have, as you surmise, a concealed zip down the hip/thigh area. You are also correct that one would hypothetically not have to remove the trousers fully in order to...engage.

Now, whether Loki would be faffing around with something as uncouth as a zipper on his Ragnarok leathers is debatable. I like to think that they fasten to him like Dr Strange's cloak. Seamless. Complete with sassy personality.

This is probably more in depth analysis that you wanted but hey, that's what you get with me👍and I fully endorse you including your theories in Realmwalker 🤣

Also if anyone ever writes a fic about Loki's adventures from the leather pants pov I would like to be tagged thanks

FYI: @gigglingtigger @maple-seed @simplyholl @fictive-sl0th @coldnique @mochie85 @cheekyscamp @currish-rosewolfe

[studentinpursuitofclouds]

Hello 👋 I was wondering if maybe I could request Magnus and Lance from SVE with a big chested farmer that will just pull the most random of stuff out from between them like a pocket dimension. Like they pull out a galaxy sword like an anime character.

LMFAO I'M DEAD 💀

Hope you like it, dear anon! I had so much fun writing this question because it's such a funny situation 🤣 Thanks again for your ask!

_________________________________________

Lance:

Lance first caught this event while with Farmer in the Mines at Marlon's request. Both had managed to complete the task, and even find a nice treasure, which they shared equally.

When Farmer pulled out a small can of soda from their massive chest to wet their throat after a hard day, Lance only raised an eyebrow sceptically, but didn't comment. Well, guess they had... plenty of room there, especially since their pockets were filled with gems and gold ore after a successful adventure. Kinda unusual, but no judgement here.

Imagine how the pink-haired adventurer's eyes widened when the Farmer a little later pulled out the Obsidian Blade, a sword that was long and heavy enough that it certainly couldn't have been there in the first place!

"Found this in the level 105. Do you think Marlon will buy it? The blade is quite good condition." Probably, but Lance was in no condition to think right now, because pardon him, what in the world-

Curiosity was tearing him apart and he wanted to ask what he had just seen. But every time Lance opened his mouth, he caught himself thinking, no matter how hard he tried to find the right words - the question would still sound tactless and rude, to say at least. He clearly didn't want to offend Farmer in any way, nor did he want to be rude by sticking his nose in other people's business.

Either Farmer really doesn't see anything weird about it, or they do it on purpose in front of Lance, but the number of times they've pulled other weapons, bombs (mega-bomb????), multiple jars of jam and maple syrup ("I'm craving sweets"), and freaking Crimson Baldlans artefacts out of their chests just increase.

Even if Lance starts dating Farmer, he has a little trouble bringing it up to discussion.

Once, when Farmer, in a burst of love and passion, hugged Lance tightly, the gallant adventurer's face was just inside their chest, where he saw with his own eyes a certain dimension resembling... space. There were even more questions, but he feels that sometimes, some mysteries must remain mysteries. But he's not complaining, Farmer is a wonderful friend and partner.

Magnus Rasmodius:

Sometimes Magnus wondered if his ancestors had offended some deity or all-powerful spirits, that in revenge they mocked the family of the offender up to the 7th generation. Or do they just have such a peculiar sense of humour, and it's fun for them to watch the last nerve cells of the old wizard start screaming furiously?

Because how else to explain that he got such a chaotic friend and pupil that they defy any logic? Even the logic of magic and wizardry?

Farmer have an incredible talent for sorcery, and even starting their apprenticeship so late, they have every excellent chance of becoming the greatest magician ever (that's if farming bores them). With their determination, they find the most unusual artefacts, visit places hidden from the eyes of ordinary people, full of magic and secrets. And they themselve are the greatest mystery of all.

A mystery that seems to love to put Magnus in a complete stupor.

Because how did the Farmer manage to pull out of their chest a bottle of wine, a large plate of cooked frog legs, a huge pumpkin, a long rusty sword, and.... a whole mushroom log.

"Here are all things you asked for."

......

"Hmm? Is there something wrong, Magnus? Am I forgetting something?"

.........

Sigh... Yoba, give him patience.

What's worse is that Rasmodius has to write a report to the Ministry of Magic about the unusual manifestations of Farmer magic. After all, considering how easy they are to learn spells, this did not go unnoticed by the Ministry's watchful eye.

"Report Number 4: On the 24th of Spring 20XX, Farmer manifested the ability to open access to a pocket dimension in their chest, mainly for storing personal items." Magnus reread what he had managed to write, crumpled up the piece of paper and threw it into the fireplace. He'd rather pretend it was a mystery to him than try to explain it to the Ministry. Would save himself a lot of nerve.

[pseudobunfandom]

Questionable Jax things

ep 1 and 2 (I watched it for the second time just to write this)

there's a theory here somewhere, if i wasn't so lazy id find it

"Old Kinger over there's supposedly been here the longest"

what do you mean by that?? what's there to suppose?

Directs Caine to start an adventure

given Caine didn't do it right away but still

Has keys to 'everywhere'?

why would caine allow that?

Literally always has something in reach when he wants it

ex. bowling ball in ep one conviently right in front of the door despite the rest of the room being torn to shreds, a gun in ep 2, literally manifesting? a bazooka also in ep 2 (Kinger also has random things on hand though)

Never gets hurt

didnt get hurt by Kaufmo, didnt get stabbed by knives ep 2, just does various cartoony hijinks without the discomfort the others have?

Defies Physics?

same vein as 'never gets hurt' but he was standing completely sideways when the maple rig went into the 'river'... everyone else also does cartoony hijinks (accidentally) but it always comes at a cost (normally pain)

Stays generally bored about everything

ep 2 shows this more but its still very clear in ep 1 (and unlike zooble wants to be entertained)

Looks into the camera episode 2

(after trying to get zooble to join the adventure) might do it more but that one was like obvious obvious

[depressedhatakekakashi]

Let Me Write You a Story

Words: 7,530

Prompt: Book(s)

Missions weren’t always full of adventure.

               That was a lesson Kakashi had learned when he was just six years old following Minato-Sensei around on whatever mission he decided to take him on. He’d fallen into the trap of believing that there would always be something for him to do. Some enemy to fight, or a scroll to steal, or information to gather.

               Things that would require his full attention.

               That was, unfortunately, not the case. In fact, ninety percent of any mission outside of the village was travel while five percent actually involved doing something. The finale five percent of every mission involved sitting around waiting. Whether it was waiting for the light of morning or the cover of dark to continue moving, or waiting to spot the enemy he’d been sent to fight.

               It was waiting, and as patient as Kakashi was he hated doing nothing.

               Usually he filled up the time spent waiting by reading a book. Although the space available for him to carry things in was restricted he always made sure to have one book on him at all times. Two if they were small enough.

               This time, unfortunately, he’d made a mistake.

               While prepping for his current mission he’d reached into his weapons pouch to check if he had his newest book already packed away. When his fingers had located the spine he made the mistake of assuming that it was his book and continued packing.

               It was not, in fact, his book.

               Instead, when Kakashi settled in for the night under a nice maple tree and pulled his book out to start reading he was greeted with a journal. Still a book, but one full of empty pages for him to fill in, rather than one with a story already written inside of it.

               “Great,” his head fell back against the tree. “Now I have nothing to do.”

               It wasn’t that he didn’t like the journal. When Kurenai had given it to him a few days ago, insisting that she wanted him to try writing some stories of his own rather than just reading them, he’d been excited. He’d always wanted to write his own stories but never had time or the journals necessary to do it.

               Kurenai had solved one of those problems by purchasing the journal for him.

               “I guess,” glancing down at the journal he ran his fingers over the cover. It wasn’t anything extravagant, but it was beautiful in his eyes. A simple brown cover with a sunflower on each corner for a little pop of colour. The first time he’d laid his eyes on it he’d thought of Gai because the brightness of the sunflowers reminded him of his friends smile. “If I have nothing else to do.”

               Remembering the pen that Kurenai had gifted him alongside the journal he dug his hand back into his weapon’s pouch and began searching. As soon as his fingers located the pen he grabbed hold of it and triumphantly pulled it out of the pouch.

               Just moments ago he’d been disappointed by the realization that he didn’t have his latest book with him, but now Kakashi felt a surge of excitement rushing through him. He wouldn’t be stuck sitting under this tree waiting for the time to pass by with nothing to occupy his mind.

               He’d entertain himself by coming up with his own story, just as Kurenai had wanted.

               The only thing left for him to do was decide what kind of story he wanted to write.

               “Maybe…no, that won’t work,” placing the pen between his forefinger and middle finger he began to twirl it between his fingers while he thought. “I could write an adventure story. Maybe a Shinobi saving his village, or completing a mission to save some civilians from an S-ranked missing nin.”

               The ideas sounded wonderful when he said them, but trying to think up an idea of how to begin them drew nothing but a giant blank.

               “Maybe something with less action,” he grumbled. “I could write something with an animal protagonist, or a comedy.”

               As soon as the word ‘comedy’ left his mouth he cringed. That was one of the few genre’s in writing that he simply could not enjoy. Not because he couldn’t laugh at a good joke, but because most of them relied heavily on being mean or even downright cruel to other characters in the book.

               He didn’t want to write a story like that.

               “Well, how about…” sifting through his options he searched for something, anything, that he could do. A story that would flow from his mind onto the journal pages like a river spilling into the ocean.

               Just as he was about to give up and resign himself to a boring night of waiting an image came to mind. A memory from the last competition he’d been able to have with Gai.

               It wasn’t the spar they’d had, or the triumphant feeling that had rushed over him when Gai declared him the winner while staring up at him from his spot on the ground with a Kunai placed non-threateningly against his neck. Instead, it was the smile Gai had given him that he recalled.

               The soft, warm smile that had smothered the flamed of his arrogance and left him feeling a strange sort of warmth in his chest. Something he’d never felt before, and which he’d found himself clinging to because it felt infinitely better than the guilt and sadness that he’d become accustomed to living with.

               The memory of his friends smile ignited a new feeling in his heart.

               Something he was familiar with, but which he hadn’t felt since his father’s death. At least, he’d tried his best not to feel it.

               Love.

               “For Gai,” he whispered, an idea blooming in his mind as soon as he’d resolved to write something for the friend who’d continued to stand by his side even when he tried to push him away. It wasn’t an idea full of action and adventure, but instead was soft.

               Something that other’s might consider boring, but which he was certain Gai would love because he always enjoyed the softer, sweeter moments when he could get them.

               The pen in his hand ceased twirling and settled into his hand. As he grabbed the cover, pulling it open to reveal the first page of a beautifully empty journal, the ideas began to spill forth like water falling from a jug.

               ‘Akari grew up on a farm with her mother and father,’ the pen glided across the page with surprising ease, the words flowing from the tip and becoming a permanent fixture on the paper. “Where the rabbits were always trying to sneak a bite of the garden carrots, and the stars sparkled brighter than anywhere else in the village.”

               Writing stories was a lot harder than reading them.

               Kakashi had known this, of course. It was part of why he’d never tried to write his own stories before even if ideas were constantly swimming around in his head threatening to distract him from the things he needed to focus on, like his job.

               He’d just never realized just how much harder writing was. The ideas were there, but most of the time he struggled to find a satisfactory way to write them down. It was as if the story would disappear as soon as he picked up a pen.

               Somehow he’d still managed to produce seven short stories that fit perfectly inside of the journal Kurenai had given him when they were teenagers. Those seven stories had taken him twelve years to complete. They were ideas he’d written out during missions, or when he was stuck recovering in the hospital, or sometimes even when he was at home with a flood of inspiration and no work to distract him.

Seven imperfect but beautiful stories that he had poured his heart into in the hopes of creating a book of stories that his Eternal Rival would adore. He’s not sure when he decided that the entire journal would go to Gai. It was sometime between the ages of sixteen and twenty that he’d realized every story he’d come up with were perfectly suited for Gai.

               All he really knew is that one day he’d been working on his third story, once again inspired by those fuzzy warm feelings he felt blooming in his chest when he thought of Gai, and he realized that the book was meant to go to Gai.

               Which was also the time when writing these stories started to become even harder. A gift for Gai had to be perfect, after all, and his stories were far from perfect. Plus they were stories that he wanted Gai to enjoy, and while he was confident in his knowledge of the things Gai enjoyed, he wasn’t as confident in his ability to depict those joys well in his stories.

               Still he pushed forward and over the years added a few more stories to the journal.

               Tales of adventure and battle, with a little bit of romance sprinkled in the middle when he was feeling particularly mushy after a night of drinking with Gai, Kurenai, Asuma, Genma, and Anko. That story was the only one he’d written in one sitting, and it was the only time he’d allowed himself to infuse his story with the emotions he was feeling at the moment.

               Now, with just enough room left in the journal for one last story, he was finding it more difficult than ever to think of what he wanted to write.

               “Maybe…” he drummed the pen against the blank page, his eyes fixed on the tree across from his as he thought. “No. That’s too similar to ‘Winter’s blood’.”

“Winter’s blood?” Naruto’s face appeared in front of him, the young shinobi hanging upside down from the tree branch just above Kakashi. “What’s that?”

               “Probably another gross book.” Glancing down, he frowned when he saw Sakura and Sasuke standing at the base of the tree.

               “Who cares?” Sasuke sighed. “We didn’t come here to ask about the books he’s reading.”

               “I’m not-“

               “Well, I want to know,” Naruto insisted, his eyes fixing on the blank page of Kakashi’s book. “hey, wait a second. Sensei, that book is empty!”

               Snapping the book shut, Kakashi sighed. “It’s a journal,” he corrected his student. “And what are you three doing here? I thought I dismissed you for the day.”

               He distinctly remembered going over some basic taijutsu that morning and setting Sakura and Naruto to spar against each other while he allowed Sasuke to try his best at landing a hit on him. It hadn’t happened, of course, but he was pleasantly surprised by all of his students growth.

               He’d even allowed them off an hour early with a promise of teaching them something new tomorrow.

               “You got Naruto excited,” Sasuke explained. “he won’t shut up about the new thing you promised to teach us.”

               Staring back at Naruto, Kakashi sighed when he saw those big blue eyes watching him with excitement. “I said tomorrow.”

               “But tomorrow’s so far away,” releasing the chakra at his feet, Naruto twisted himself mid air and landed on the branch in front of Kakashi in an impressive display of grace. A move that was immediately nullified by his foot slipping off of the branch and the energetic knuckle head falling toward the ground.

               Not wanting to deal with the mess that would result from Naruto falling head first against the ground, Kakashi reached out and grabbed hold of Naruto’s leg just before he was out of reach.

               “Nice catch, Sensei!” Sakura cheered, though he could almost swear there was a hint of disappointment in her expression. As if she had wanted Naruto to fall and injure himself.

               That was something he was going to have to speak to her about later. Teamwork didn’t usually include wishing one’s teammates would injure themselves.

               “As you can tell I am very busy,” he spoke calmly while making no move to pull Naruto back to safety. “And I have no doubt that as hard as it can be on you, you’re very capable of waiting until tomorrow for further training.”

               “But Sensei-“

               “Or,” Sasuke interrupted, ignoring the glare that Naruto shot his way when he spoke over him. “We could help. It’s probably something important that you’re working on.”

               Kakashi couldn’t help but cringe. His students, along with the entire village, already knew what kind of books he read. If they found out that he also dabbled in writing they were never going to let him hear the end of it.

               “Oh, I bet it’s mission planning!” pumping a fist up into the air Sakura giggled when Sasuke glanced her way. “I heard from Ino that Kakashi-Sensei is one of the best tactical minds in the village. Lord Third must give him a lot of extra work planning missions.”

               “Well, actually-“

               “That sounds boring,” Naruto whined. “Missions don’t need to be planned. You just go in and beat up the enemy! Believe it!”

               “That sounds idiotic,” Sasuke sighed. “You can’t just rush head first into every fight. That kind of thinking will just get you killed.”

               Sticking his tongue out, Naruto was quickly rewarded with a Kunai handle sticking him against the forehead. Kakashi had seen Sasuke pull the weapon out of the pouch strapped to his leg, but he had assumed the throw would be calculated so that it didn’t actually injure Naruto.

               He was thankful to be proven correct.

               “Alright,” tossing Naruto up into the air he watched as he flailed for a moment before finding his center once again and doing a little spin mid air. This time when he landed it was on the ground, and it was with a sturdy stance that kept him on his feet. “You want to help?”

               “It could be exciting,” Sakura nodded. “What do you say, Sasuke? I know you’re as excited as Naruto to learn something new.”

               Crossing his arms over his chest Sasuke turned away from Sakura. “I do not.”

               “Yes you do,” She giggled. “and if we help Sensei make this mission plan he’ll have to teach us. That’s the deal, right Sensei?” Now she turned her attention to him and set those bright green eyes on him with such determination that he simply couldn’t say no.

               “Fine,” he sighed, cheers erupting into the air with his agreement. “I should clarify though, this isn’t a tactical plan or mission I’m working on.” Those he’d finished hours before, right after he’d finished reading the newest book he’d purchased just yesterday. Sakura had been right to assume that someone liked to give him a bit of extra work in coming up with tactical plans and team set ups for missions he wasn’t even on, that someone just wasn’t Lord Third.

               It was Shikaku, and Kakashi could never say no even if he wanted to.

               Shikaku would never stop complaining about being over worked and needing to prepare someone to take over his job one day, and Kakashi had better things to do than listen to that. So if taking a bit of extra paperwork helped him escape from the older man’s complaints he was more than happy to do it.

               Well, not happy, but content.

               The smile dropped off of Sakura’s face. “Then what are you doing?”

               “It’s a story,” he explained, holding up the Journal so that they could get a better look at it. “I want it to be a story. I still haven’t decided what to write about.”?

               Where Sakura’s excitement fizzled, Naruto’s seemed to spark to life. Suddenly bursting with ideas he began jumping around while listing them off for everyone to hear.

               “The best shinobi in the world fighting an enemy!” He cheered while punching the space in front of him. “they have the biggest, best jutsu’s ever seen and move so fast no one can see them!”

               “That sounds dumb,” Sasuke interjected. “Fighting is about more than just having big flashy jutsu’s.”

               Stopping in his tracks Naruto glared at Sasuke. “Like what? Getting kicked in the face by a civilian?”

               “That-“ Sasuke’s eyes widened in shock and then narrowed into one of the fiercest glares Kakashi had ever seen. “I took that hit because of you!”

               Not deterred for even a second, Naruto crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head while frowning. If Kakashi had to compare, he’d say Naruto looked almost like Akino whenever he was told there were no more treats to give out. “I thought a good shinobi would know how to avoid getting hit by anything?”

               “That’s not-“

               “Anyways,” stepping forward Kakashi gently dropped his book against the top of Sasuke’s head and smiled when his student glared up at him. “how about we think of something together? Think of it as a team exercise.

               “That’s a weird team exercise,” Sakura frowned. “but…if we help you does that mean you’ll teach us that cool thing you promised to teach us tomorrow?”

               All three of his students were now staring at him. Naruto was almost vibrating with excitement while Sakura looked proud of herself for reminding him of the deal she’d tried to make earlier and Sasuke just looked like he was waiting to be told no so that he could considered himself released from the obligation of being there and go off to do his own thing.

               “If you help me think of a story,” he refrained from laughing when he spotted a small sparkle of excitement in Sasuke’s eyes. “Then yes, I will make an exception and teach you something new.”

               It was nice to see his students excited to learn, and it wasn’t as if he could ever really run out of things to teach them. Not yet, anyways. There was still a lot they had to learn in order to become stronger shinobi.

               “Yes!” Doing a little spin in her spot Sakura punched the air above her head. “Alright, where do we start?”

               “It’s a story,” Sasuke sighed, his shoulder’s slumping in defeat. “So we need a genre.”

               “Well, Kakashi-Sensei does like romance,” Kakashi could almost see the wheels in Sakura’s head turning. “but his idea of romance is kind of weird.”

               “Hey…”

               “Really weird,” Naruto nodded. “Bushier-brows-Sensei called it gross last time he was around.”

               “That’s not…”

               “Still,” Sasuke waved away his teammates words. “If Romance is what he likes it’s what we should focus on. Besides, it’s pretty easy. Just make two people fall in love and kiss, right?”

               Watching as his students chatted, formulating their own plan for the story they thought Kakashi should write, Kakashi simply stood there wondering what in the world he had done to deserve students who would insult him at every opportunity they got.

               Not that they were wrong. Most people did consider the Icha Icha series to be raunchy or indecent, but Kakashi had never really cared about that. He wasn’t reading those books for the scenes people complained about.

               He was reading them for the romance. As creepy as Jiraiya could be in his personal life, he was actually very talented at writing a good romance. It was as if there was a part of him locked away, hidden from the world and only allowed out when he needed to write.

               He couldn’t explain that to his students, though. Not only would they not believe him, but explaining it meant letting them know personal details about him.

               He wasn’t quite ready for them to know that much about him. Having them view him as a loser who was always late and didn’t like to do anything was harsh, but preferable to them knowing what he was really like.

               He just hoped Gai appreciated the book when it was done because not only had he spent years carefully writing out each story, but now he was being bullied over it. As if his students needed another excuse to bully him.

               His heart was pounding in his chest.

               Every breath he drew in felt like he was breathing in glass, and for the first time in his life it wasn’t because he’s been stabbed or shocked or nearly drowned. No, everything Kakashi was feeling was his bodies natural response to the situation he had willfully put himself in.

               “What is it you wanted to do, Rival?” Gai stared at him with a brilliant smile, his eyes focused intently on Kakashi’s face. “Is it a challenge you’re looking for? We haven’t had one of those for a while.’

               “That’s not why I asked you to meet me, no,” he shook his head, his hands tightening around the book he’d poured so much effort into over the last ten years. It wasn’t the journal he was holding, but a published copy of the book that he’d paid for. Jiraiya had suggested the publisher to him after Naruto had very rudely ratted him and his stories out to the Sannin, and he’d decided to give it a try.

               The process of getting published was more grueling that Jiraiya had made it seem. The worst part was that he had to let someone else, someone who wasn’t Gai aka the intended recipient of the book, read it.

               The second worst part was when the publisher asked him to let them publish more than just one copy of the book. He hadn’t paid too much attention to what they were saying, but there was something about ‘fantastic stories’ and ‘lots of money’. In the end he agreed, but with one simple condition.

               He would get two copies of the book before it was released. One for him and one for Gai.

               “Then what is it?” placing his hands on his hips Gai leaned forward so that his face was right in front of Kakashi’s. “it’s not like you to beat around the bush, Rival.”

               His fingers tightened into a white knuckle grip around the book. “I just wanted to give you something.”

               “Give me something?” Gai blinked. Glancing down at the object in Kakashi’s hands he frowned. “that’s not one of those dirty books of yours is it? I understand that you enjoy them, but I’m not really interested in sharing that particular passion of yours.”

               Kakashi shook his head “It’s not,” he promised. “It’s a book, but not from the Icha Icha series. It’s…well…” thinking of an appropriate descriptor was harder than he thought it would be. “Just…here,” give in he loosened his hold on the book and shoved it toward Gai, accidentally pushing it right into his face in his panic. “Sorry! I-“

               Standing straight Gai rubbed a hand over his face. “You really are out of sorts today, Rival.”

               “Sorry,” he whispered once more, his hands still stretched out in front of him offering the book to Gai. “It’s short stories.”

               “Short stories?” one large eyebrow arched upward. “By who?”

               “Me.”

               Gai stood there for a moment just staring at him. “You?” he asked, the blinding smile of his returning to his face when Kakashi nodded in confirmation. “you wrote a book? When?”

               “Over the years,” he shrugged, not really wanting to make a big deal out of it. “I had some down time here and there and decided to try something new.”

               “And it’s published?” Snatching the book out of Kakashi’s hand Gai turned it over to examine every inch of it. The cover was a light green that almost perfectly matched the jumpsuit Gai so proudly wore, and on the front there was a picture of a deep red tortoise with yellow swirls on its back.

               The publisher had asked him about his choice of picture, but Kakashi had simply told them that he liked Tortoise’s. He’d left out the fact that the tortoise he’d used for inspiration was Gai’s summon, Ningame, or that he’d chosen to use that picture for the cover specifically to show off who the book was meant for in a way that wouldn’t be too obvious.

               It was a detail he hoped Gai picked up on, and judging by the way his eyes sparkled when he examined the front cover, it had worked.

               “Ningame’s going to love it.”

               “You can read the stories to him,” reaching forward, Kakashi opened the cover to the front page. The publisher had chosen a simple white for the inside of the book and on it they’d placed the dedication. “This is the first copy. I only wanted to have it printed for you, but the publisher insisted on printing a big batch to sell at the book shop.”

               “So it is published?” Gai gasped and Kakashi tried to ignore the way his stomach began to knot up when he saw a look of wonder in his friends eyes. “My rival, a published author. Is there anything you can’t do?”

               ‘Tell you how much I love you.’

Shaking away that thought, Kakashi sighed. “there’s a lot I can’t do,” he assured his friend. “now pay attention. You still haven’t read the dedication.”

               “Oh, sorry,” chuckling, Gai returned his attention to the book and began to read aloud. “To Gai, my Eternal Rival, best friend and…”

               Kakashi waited to hear the final words, but Gai just stared at the book as tears began to form in the corner of his eyes.

               Realizing what was about to happen, Kakashi lifted his hand off of the book and gently cupped Gai’s cheek. “Cat got your tongue, Rival?”

               Snorting, Gai lifted his free hand and placed it over Kakashi’s. his thumb ran over the back of his knuckles, and those knots in his stomach only got tighter. “it’s more like a dog,” he answered. “A very cute, silver dog.”

               “Cute?” Thinking it over Kakashi nodded. Usually he would protest against anyone calling him ‘cute’, but for Gai he was willing to make an exception just this once. If only because hearing it from Gai made him smile a little brighter than he ever had before.  

               “You didn’t sign it.”

               “Hmm?”

               “You didn’t sign it,” holding the book between them, Gai signaled for him to look at it using just his eyes. When Kakashi did look down he was met with a simple white page with only a small dedication in the center to decorate it. “It’s the first copy you’ve given out, right?”

               “Yes.”

               “Well, it needs to be signed.”

               “Why?”

               Moving his hand down, Gai wrapped his hand around Kakashi’s wrist and squeezed just enough for him to feel it. A small gesture he’d come to use over the years when he wanted Kakashi to really listen to him.

               “It needs to be signed,” he repeated, as if that answered Kakashi’s question. “From the great Hatake Kakashi, Elite shinobi and amazing writers to his Man of destiny.”

               Hearing those words out of Gai’s mouth he couldn’t help but laugh. “I knew writing ‘man of destiny’ was too much,” he chuckled. It had seemed like an over the top declaration, especially when he realized that hundreds of people would be able to read it when it was ultimately published, but he’d decided to keep it in.

               For some reason is just felt wrong to have the book dedication without it.

               Stepping back, Gai placed his hand over his heart and gasped in the most overly dramatic way he possibly could. “Are you saying that I’m not your man of destiny?”

               “Oh, no, you are,” Kakashi clarified. “My man of destiny, my Rival, my Turtle.”

               Gai’s eyes widened and his eyes began darting around searching for any sign that someone had heard Kakashi’s words. “must you continue to use that nickname?”

               “I like the nickname.” Kakashi insisted, his mask hiding the small smile that stretched across his lips. It wasn’t often that he used that nickname for Gai, but it always earned him the same reaction. Complete and utter embarrassment, which was a rare thing to see Gai experience.

               The man rarely exhibited signs of embarrassment no matter how hard someone might actively try to humiliate or make fun of him.

               Standing there staring at each other, the two bowed their heads and laughed, and finally Kakashi felt those knots in his stomach beginning to release. After all of the stress he’d put himself writing those stories and getting the book published he could finally relax.

               Gai had his book and he loved it, and that’s all Kakashi could ask for.

               “Well,” snapping the book shut, Gai grinned. “Let’s go get some lunch, Rival. My treat.”

               “Uh, sure,” The invite had caught him off guard, but Kakashi quickly recovered himself. It wasn’t the first time Gai had suddenly declared what they were going to do next without any input from him, and it certainly wasn’t going to be the last. “Where are we going?”

               “I think Fuku’s restaurant would be a good choice. We can have some sushi. Perhaps even-“

               Holding up his hand to silence his friend, Kakashi sighed. “Every time we have an eating challenge, you get sick,” he reminded Gai. “how about instead we just enjoy a nice relaxing lunch today, and then we can do a different challenge after.”                      

               One that he hoped wouldn’t end with Gai emptying the contents of his stomach onto his feet, again.

               “Ah, right,” Gai chuckled. “In that case we can eat and you can tell me the inspiration behind these stories.”

               “Ah, well…” thinking about it Kakashi couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed. Most of the stories he’d written had been created because he’d been thinking about Gai, and not always in a way he could speak openly about in public. None of the stories were as risqué as the Icha Icha books he loved so much, but the story behind their creation was. “How about I just tell you about the last story?”

               “The last one?” Gai tilted his head like a confused puppy. “Why the last one?”

               “It was the most difficult for me to come up with,” he admitted. “so difficult in fact that I ended up getting help.”

               Gai’s lips curled at the edges into what Kakashi could only describe as a smirk. “Don’t tell me you asked Asuma for help.”

               “No,” he waved the thought away with his hand. “Actually, it was my students who helped me. Back when-“

               Cutting himself off this time he sighed. It had been almost a year since he’d written that last story and in that time a lot had changed. Sasuke had left the village, Naruto was traveling with Jiraiya so that he was a bit safer from the Akatsuki than he was in the village, and Sakura was training with Lady Tsunade to become a medical ninja.

               Grabbing hold of Kakashi’s hand, Gai gave him a soft, sweet smile. “Tell me at lunch,” he insisted as he tugged on Kakashi’s arm, the book still clutched securely in his other hand. “I want to hear it all and then you can sign the book for me. Deal?”

               Staring into those soft black eyes, Kakashi felt the knots beginning to form in his stomach once more. Not one to allow his emotions to show, though, he simply nodded his head and began to follow Gai through the crowded streets of Konoha.

               He’d hoped that today would be the day he finally admitted his feelings to Gai.

               The day when he gained the courage he needed and spilled his heart out to his rival.

               Like every other time in the past he’d hoped to finally admit his feelings, though, he’d failed. He’d simply shoved his emotions down into the deepest corner of his heart and continued on as if his heart wasn’t aching at every touch of Gai’s hand.

               ‘Maybe at lunch’ he thought to himself as he followed Gai through the crowded streets of Konoha and tightened his grip on his hand, afraid that if he didn’t hold on tight Gai would disappear from in front of him. ‘I’ll tell him at lunch.’

He wasn’t sure if he’d actually manage to do it, but he hoped so.

               Living with the knowledge that he was in love with his best friend, not knowing if those feelings were returned, was starting to become unbearable.

In all of the years he’d known Gai, there wasn’t one time Kakashi could think of when they’d sat down for Lunch in complete silence.

               It was a little unnerving, but also touching because it was his book that had caused his usually chatty Rival to sit there in front of him eating in silence. Rather than sitting down to eat his food and regaling Kakashi with tales of his teams latest expeditions, Gai had pulled out his new book and began reading. When their order arrived, which Kakashi had placed when Gai failed to look up from the book when Fuku asked for their order, Gai continued to read.

               His sushi sat in front of him completely untouched.

               It was a little unnerving.

               “All of this tempura,” Kakashi sighed as he watched Gai from the corner of his eye. “I really should learn to stop ordering it.”

               His Gai would have whipped his head up and immediately started claiming the tempura as his own while telling Kakashi all about his drunken escapades with Genma and Ebisu last week. A story which he’d already heard from Genma, but which Gai had not had the opportunity to tell him yet.

               This was not his Gai, though.

               The man sitting beside him didn’t reach for his chopsticks and begin stealing his tempura, or begin talking about all of the exciting things he’d done since they’d last had an opportunity to hang out. Instead, he continued sitting there on his stool with his nose in a book.

               “Yikes,” he cringed as a realization hit him. “is this really what it’s like hanging out with me?”

               “Hmmm?” finally Gai looked up from his book, and the look he gave Kakashi did nothing to sooth the harsh reality of his situation. He’d given Gai a book and immediately his best friend had turned into a poor, but much more handsome, version of him.     

               “Never mind,” he sighed. “Is it alright?”

               “Alright?” in an instant his Gai returned. A smile stretched across his face and his eyes twinkled with excitement. The imposter was gone and Kakashi could relax. “Kakashi, this is amazing!”

               “It is?”

               “Yes!” looking back down at the book he began to read aloud. “Sweat rolled down Akari’s back. Her hands screamed in agony, begging her to step back and take a break, but she refused. She’d set a goal for herself and there was nothing that could stop her from achieving it.” finishing the line sighed. “I’ve never read anything so beautiful.”

               Heat rose up Kakashi’s neck into his cheeks. If he had a mirror he was certain he’d see a deep blush creeping over the top of his mask. “I…”

               “You wrote this, all of this,” placing his thumb in the centre of the page Gai used his other hand to flip through the pages. “for me?”

               “Yes.”

               “And you just…decided to do that?” His eyes shown with excitement. “when? How? I don’t…tell me everything.”

               Thinking it over, Kakashi couldn’t help but chuckle. It had all happened so randomly, without any rhyme or reason. He’d been bored on a mission one minute, and now there was a book of short stories sitting in Gai’s hand because of it.

               “Kurenai gave me a journal,” he began, chuckling when Gai’s jaw dropped. “She told me I should try writing. I hadn’t intended to do that, but when I reached for my book during a mission I found the journal there instead.”

               “Amazing,” looking back down at the book Gai read another line before turning his attention back to Kakashi. “When did you write these stories?”

               “On missions mostly,” he answered, surprisingly amused by all of the questions Gai had for him. “Sometimes in the hospital when I had nothing better to do. Always after you’d left.”

               “To make sure I didn’t see it?”

               “You would have wanted to read it.”

               “I would have,” he admitted with a gentle smile that released a handful of butterflies into Kakashi’s stomach. “Was it all for me or did you have others people you were thinking of?”

               “You,” he answered with surprising ease. “Always you. I did write a story for Tenzo once but I put it in a small notebook because it was a birthday gift. I think he still has it in his bookshelf.”

               Puffing out his chest Gai huffed. “Of course he does! It was a gift from his precious Senpai, just as this is a gift from my Eternal Rival. We will hold onto them for the rest of our lives.”

               “It’s just stories.” Kakashi insisted.

               “They’re more than that and you know it,” seeing how his friend’s cheeks filled with air, displaying his annoyance at Kakashi’s words, he looked away in hopes of hiding his laughter. “hey, what’s so funny Kakashi?”

               “You,” he answered without hesitation.

               “Me?”

               Recovering his composure he turned to face Gai once more. “yes, you,” he insisted, poking Gai in the chest and raising an eyebrow when Gai glared at him. “You see the good in everything. No matter how small it is you treat it like it’s the biggest achievement in the world. It’s adorable.”

               “It is a big achievement,” Gai insisted. “you wrote a boo-“ stopping mid sentence he furrowed his brows. “wait…did you…adorable? Me?”

               “The most adorable,” Kakashi confirmed as he set his right elbow on the table and leaned into his hand, his eye fixed on Gai. “You haven’t even read all of the stories and you’re already acting like I’ve created a masterpiece.”

               “You think I’m adorable?” pointing at himself, Gai grinned when Kakashi nodded his head. “Me?”

               “That is what I said, yes.”

               “I’m sorry it’s just…” lowering his eyes to the ground Gai’s smile softened into something less overwhelming than his usual grin. A smile that Kakashi couldn’t help but love. “You’ve never called anyone else adorable before. Not in front of me.”

               “I’ve never loved anyone else like you before.”

               The words left Kakashi’s mouth, but it two minutes of awkward silence and a very surprised look from Gai for him to realize what he’d just said. As soon as he did he felt his entire face heating up with the fiercest blush he’d ever experienced.

               It was so overwhelming that he almost passed out in his spot.

               “Did you just-“

               “No,” he shook his head, wishing that he could turn back the clock and stop himself from saying that. “I didn’t. Just…wipe that from your memory.”

               Like always, Gai did the opposite of what he wanted him to.

               Instead of burying his nose back into his book and pretending like nothing had happened, or changing the conversation to something far less embarrassing, he reached out a hand and cupped Kakashi’s cheek in the same way Kakashi had done to him earlier.

               “Absolutely not,” his eyes stared into Kakashi’s with such fondness that he was certain he was going to combust. It was all too much for him, but it was his fault he was experiencing it. He’d been the one who’d slipped up.

               “Can we just…” breathing was becoming difficult. The words he’d said had come with a price, and Kakashi could feel his chest compressing inward as the reality of his situation sank in.

               “Have lunch?” Gai asked with a soft chuckle. “It is rude of us to leave our food untouched, and you do have some tempura.” Dropping his hand from Kakashi’s face, Gai picked up his chopsticks and immediately stole a piece of squash tempura from Kakashi’s plate.

               Another person might be disappointed by the sudden shift in action, but Kakashi appreciated it and he knew that was why Gai had done it.

               If there was anyone in the world who respected his need to process scenarios and emotions before he dealt with them, it was Gai.

               “But,” the world came crashing to a halt with that word. His heart hammered inside of his chest and breathing became a struggle. It felt as if his chest was compressing in on him. As if someone had placed a weight on him that was making it hard for him to breath. “Kakashi?”

               Digging his fingers into the fabric of his vest, just over his heart, he tried to focus on his breathing just as Shizune had taught him.

               Breath in through your nose and our through your mouth.

Her voice echoed in his ear, guiding him through the panic that had overwhelmed him. He wasn’t sure why it was this moment that his body had decided to turn against him when every other panic attack he’d had was during a mission, but he knew he needed to work through it.

               Gai would think he’d done something wrong if he suddenly passed out on him.

               “Hey,” Gai’s voice called out to him, but Kakashi screwed his eye shut. It was a small mistake he’d made but it felt like his world was crumbling around him. For years he’d hidden his feelings, terrified of making them known only for Gai to turn him down.

               Loving Gai in secret was hard enough. Losing him because he didn’t return his feelings would crush him.

               He wasn’t sure if he would survive that kind of heartbreak when he’d already lost so much. His father, his Sensei, his friends, his students.

               He’d failed to protect everyone in his life, and now because of his failure to keep his feelings to himself he was going to lose Gai as well.

               “Kakashi,” Gai called out to him again, but he continued to sit there leading himself through the breathing exercises hoping that the pain in his chest would go away. “Look at me.”

               Forcing his eye open he stared at that his friend.

               His rival.

               The one person in his life he’d found himself falling in love with.

               “I love you too.”

               The words hit him like a ton of bricks.

               “You,” the weight on his chest lifted, leaving him with more freedom to breath. Still he continued to focus on those deep, calming breaths as he eased his way through the panic.

               “I adore you,” leaning in close Gai pressed their foreheads together. “I never knew if you’d return my feelings, so I didn’t want to tell you and risk ruining everything,” Hearing his own fears being spoke aloud, Kakashi couldn’t help but laugh even though it hurt just to breath. “I love you too, Rival,” his hand settled over Kakashi’s and squeezed, offering a silent motion of support. “I have for years. Maybe since the day we met, I’m not really sure.”

               “We were four,” he laughed, cringing when a spark of pain surged through his chest.

               “And I already knew we were destined to be eternal rivals,” Gai fired back. “it only seems fair that I’d also know that we were destined to be something else as well.”

               Drawing in a deep breath, he straightened himself up and released it through his mouth. The pain still lingered, but it didn’t hurt as much. It no longer felt like he was being crushed, or like he couldn’t breath at all.

               It was a numb, lingering pain that he knew from experience would go away with time.

               “You love me?” he asked, eye locked on Gai searching his face for any hint of deception.

               “More than anything in the world,” Gai assured him while giving his hand another squeeze. “and when I’m done stealing all of your tempura I’m going to do two things.”

               “And those are?”

               A bright, beautiful grin split across Gai’s face. “First I’m going to do five hundred celebratory laps around the village.”

               “That’s not-“

               “And then,” Gai interrupted. “I’m going to meet you at your place where we can have dinner together and talk about what to do next.”

               Thinking it over, Kakashi smiled. “that sounds like something you would do.”

               “And a good idea?”

               “No,” releasing the hold he had on his vest he raised Gai’s hand up to his face and pressed a kiss against it. The entire time he kept his focus on Gai’s face, and it was the best decision he’d made since they arrived because he was rewarded with the sight of Gai’s darting off to the side in a clear, Maito Gai style expression of embarrassment. “the best idea ever. But instead of five hundred laps, how about we have a race around the village?”

               Gai’s eyes darted back to him. “really?”

               “Why not?” he asked, his hand still holding tightly onto Gai’s as he lowered them to his leg. “Might as well have a celebratory challenge don’t you think, Rival?”

               That brilliant smile returned to Gai’s face. “I’m going to win.”

“Mmm, we’ll see,” he hummed as the pain in his chest finally began to subside.

He didn’t dare say it out loud, but he was certain he’d already won.

After all, who could possibly claim victory over him when he’d been awarded with the love of Konoha’s great green beast?