#moto buddies

[motocrunch]

Never perfect. It is fine.

[the-stove-is-divorced]

Time for my yearly (ish, kinda, sorta, maybe) time to ANNOUNCE THAT I FUCKING LOVE SCARLET SCARAB!! I MISS HIM SO MUCH.

Look at my son. His iconic palette swapped fit. His funky little scarab buddy. His cool ass name. He's my little fella, my good time boy, the best mf that has ever existed on the planet and that time-span was like one episode. IF SCARLET SCARAB HAS NO FANS THEN I AM FUCKING DEAD.

That is all ( ´ ∀ `)ノ～ ♡

[wooliepjzz]

Under the cherry blossom tree, next to the hydrangeas

first ever fanfic :3 sorry its short + cringe it was js for funzies ^__^!!

Chapter 1:

A wave of metallic scraping and banging roared throughout the cold unforgiving night. Sonic and Shadow were both warding off Eggmans Badnik Moto Bugs and Buzz Bombers. They had been the victims of an Eggman surprise attack in a lousy attempt to win a chaos emerald that Shadow had acquired recently.

“OW!!”

Sonic yelped as a Moto Bug rammed itself into the back of his legs. The force sent him hurdling towards Shadow.

He caught him as he fell and snarled at him as he pushed him to his feet.

“Watch yourself, you blue buffoon!”

He snarled at Sonic.

“Im sorry, it was a cheap shot!”

The pair continued hitting their bodies against the Badniks until only one remained. Sonic smiled as he obliterated the last Moto Bug. However, as he threw his curled up body at the robot, the speed and force of the blow hit an unsuspecting Shadow in the back. He growled as he fell to the floor.

“Shadow!”

Sonic rushed over and pulled him up by underneath his arms.

“You okay, buddy?”

A sympathetic smile adorned his face, his hands still on Shadows upper torso, resting beneath his arms. Their eyes linger for a moment- only a moment- until Shadow stepped back slightly so Sonics hands would drop.

“Silly of you to think I wouldn’t be.”

He snarled in return.

Sonic, still smiling, sighed. Shadow was always so difficult. He didn’t entirely mind though. He liked Shadow the way he was- he was sweet and gooey under his rough exterior, Sonic knew it. In fact, he’d experienced it face-on before.

[flashback to Sonic prime] chapter 2:

Sonic lay on the hard wooden floor, eyes barely open. His body was writhing with agony. The sounds around him were muffled, his ears were ringing like crazy.

“I’ll take it from here.”

He managed to make out the vague gruffness of Shadow’s voice. Before he could think, he was tenderly being lifted by Shadow. His arm was slung around Shadows shoulder as he felt the warmth of one of his hands cup his side, and the other laying on top of Sonic’s swaying hand on Shadow’s shoulder.

Slowly, Shadow began to step forwards, guiding Sonic with his hand on his waist. He began to pick up the pace as Sonic’s shaky legs began to find their footing. His legs were pretty much on auto-pilot by now- his eyelids were heavy and his vision and hearing were obscured, his ears still ringing and his body still in agony.

Sonic “glitched” as a wave of sharp pain filled him and fell to his knees- if they were to stay in the shatter space for much longer he was a goner. Shadow half growled-half gasped in annoyance? Fear? Determination? Sonic wasn’t sure.

He felt Shadows hands shift from his hand to under his knees. Carefully and seemingly effortlessly, Shadow lifted him into his arms.

He could tell that Shadow had picked up speed now, as cool air rushed against his face, brushing his quills back. Sonic managed to steady his eyes, just for a second.

“I never knew you were a hugger.”

Sonic said breathlessly.

“Do you want me to save you or not?” Retorted Shadow.

The way he said this confused Sonic. He wasn’t annoyed with Sonics friendly- almost flirtatious-comment like he usually was. Yet he wasn’t entirely happy sounding- come to think of it, does Shadow ever sound happy? Sonic wasn’t sure..

The way he said his reply was sort of kind- playful almost.

Another surge of electrical pain flooded Sonics body causing him to groan in pain. Shadow inhaled as his eyes widened in what seemed like worry. He grunted as he strained to boost his speed, pushing his foot into a floating rock. Sonic’s body began to fade, more pain flowing through him than ever.

“HANG ON, SONIC!”

Shadow’s grip on Sonic tightened, but not enough to hurt him. He strained to move quicker.

A blinding light filled Sonic’s head. The blowing air against him had ceased. He opened his eyes, his body relieved of the pain he felt prior. They had made it.

chapter 3:

Sonic and Shadow walked side by side from the dark alley where they had fought the Badniks. Colourful city lights filled the crisp night. Sonic smiled up at the arrays of color and light. He breathed out as he took in the beauty of it all.

“Isn’t it beautiful, Shads?”

“Hm?”

“The lights- the City! So many people.. so many lives.. so many feelings and opportunities.. all in one place..”

Sonic stepped in front of Shadow and spun around, giving himself a 360 view of the surrounding city.

Shadow didn’t reply. But by the way he looked up at the sky and the city lights, Sonic could tell he was taking in what he said. He smiled at this thought- the thought of Shadow taking in his words and thinking them over.. god how he wished he could know what Shadow thought. He wasn’t entirely sure why he cared so much about Shadow and how he thought and felt but it had always intrigued him.

“C’mon,”

They had been stood in silence for a minute or so- the sudden talk caused Shadow to look over at Sonic, waiting for more. Sonic looked over at Shadow. As their eyes met, he felt a strange feeling overcome him- his face felt hotter and his pulse sped up.

“I wanna show you something!”

He smiled at him as he began to lead Shadow away.

Chapter 4

The pair arrived at the top of a hill. A cherry blossom tree stood tall and proud in the centre of the grassy plain. A bush of pink hydrangeas sat opposite the tree. Sonic placed his hands on Shadow’s shoulders, guiding him under the tree. Sonic sighed happily as he breathed in the sights of the city. From up here, they could see everything- all the shining lights and tall buildings. He sat beneath the tree. Shadow did the same. A cool breeze blew against them. Sonic turned to Shadow and grinned. Shadow’s head turned towards Sonic- seeing him already smiling at him with such kind eyes sent a weird feeling running through Shadow. His breath had suddenly vanished and his cheeks felt hot. He quickly turned away.

The sudden gust of wind had pulled a good few cherry blossoms from their branches. They began to slowly rain down on the two hedgehogs. Sonic let out a laugh as a petal landed on Shadows nose. His eyes widened and he huffed at the petal. He ever so slightly blushed as he snarled. Sonic smiled tenderly. He stood up and ran over to the bush of hydrangeas , he was back next to Shadow in a millisecond. Now sat again, he held the pink flower in his hands. He looked at it for a while before looking back up at the city. He turned his gaze over to Shadow once more. Shadow could feel his eyes on him. He turned to face him.

He was met with a smile which seemed to warm up the cold air surrounding them. As he looked down, he saw Sonic holding the hydrangea- offering it to Shadow. He stared at it with a confused look-he looked back at Sonic, who’s face flushed at the sudden eye contact.

With a defeated sigh, Sonic lowered his arm. He placed the pink flower next to Shadow. He looked at him and laughed softly.

Shadow turned to him confused,

“What now?” He huffed.

“Its just-“ Sonic giggled.

He reached his hand towards Shadow, who’s eyes followed it the whole way, and picked a petal off of his quills and smiled- they were covered in pink cherry blossoms, which contrasted nicely with the red and black of Shadows quills.

Shadows face reddened slightly, embarrassed to be covered unknowingly in petals.

He went to shake them off, but Sonic stopped him.

“They look pretty- COOL. Pretty cool. They look nice- They work well- They suit you is what I mean.”

God, what was wrong with him. His hands were sweaty and his heart was racing.. He noticed Shadows eyes flick to his own quills- OH! Right! He was probably covered in pink petals too. His hand reached to his head and picked off a petal. He laughed.

“Matching!” He grinned.

Shadow turned away, back to the blaring city lights. Sonic could make out a slight smile on Shadows face- it was quite the change to his usual serious face, no matter how slight the smile may be.

Sonic inhaled in a silent gasp as Shadow picked up the hydrangea Sonic had placed next to him.

“You look nice when you smile.”

This took both Shadow and Sonic by surprise.

“Sorry- I don’t know why I said that.”

Sonics face burnt. Why had he said that? I mean it was true.. Sonic thought so anyways. He loved seeing people smile. But this time he felt different seeing Shadow smile.

“You were right.”

Shadows rough voice was almost as sweet and soft as candy to Sonic. He loved hearing his voice..

“The city lights are.. nice.”

Sonic smiled, knowing he had gotten through to Shadow.

“..So is this spot.”

This spot had always reminded Sonic of Shadow. The busy, bustling city reminded him of how many lives Shadow seemed to have lived. The lights reminded him of the red in his eyes. It was so.. nice. He loved that shade of red. The hydrangeas and cherry blossom tree had always made Sonic think of Shadow, but he didn’t know why. The pink in the flowers filled him with the thought of Shadow- honestly, there weren’t many things that *didn’t* remind him of Shadow in one way or another.

Sonic realised he had been staring at Shadow for a good while now. He stood up and gently grasped Shadow’s hands, pulling him to his feet. Another gust of wind landing more petals on the two. Shadow’s hands were still in Sonic’s. He let go of one to brush a petal off of Shadows forehead. Suddenly, Shadow realised how close they were to one another. Their noses were close to touching. He never noticed how.. green.. Sonics eyes were.. such a pleasing green. Chaos emerald green.

Sonic’s hand lingered on Shadows head, slowly trailing down to his cheek, his other hand still holding Shadow’s.

Before he knew what he was doing, he gently moved his head towards the other hedgehogs, tenderly planting a kiss on Shadow’s lips.

Quickly he pulled away. What had he just done. His mouth hung open. He was stunned- what had he just done, WHY HAD HE DONE IT??

“Im sorry-! I-I should go im sorry-“

He let go of Shadows hand and began to step back, but before he properly could, he felt Shadow gently grab his arm, stopping him from leaving. His eyes stared intently at Sonic’s. Sonic smiled and exhaled. Maybe it wasn’t too bad of a thing to do..?

Shadows hand slid down Sonic’s arm into his hand. He pulled him closer as they stood under the tree. Wind blew, fluttering more petals onto the pair. They stared out at the city lights together. Shadow’s face still hot and Sonic’s hands still sweaty. Sonic fell into Shadow’s arms, sending them both to the ground.

“What are you doing-?!” Shadow grunted.

Now lying under the tree, Sonic curled up and snuggled into Shadow, his head resting on his chest fluff.

Shadow sighed but as he did so, he wrapped his arm around Sonic’s back. He let out a secret smile- a small one- so only the lights in the faraway city and the pink bush of hydrangeas could see.

[disneytva]

The Walt Disney Company Earns Multiple Animation Nominations At Children’s & Family Emmys 2024 As The Ceremony Moves To Spring 2025

The Children’s & Family Emmys are on the move. As the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on Thursday revealed the nominations for the 3rd annual event, it also announced that the ceremonies would take place on March 15 in Los Angeles. (The competition’s first two years were held in December.)

As for the nominations themselves, leading the charge was Disney+’s “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” with 16 nods — including for young teen series, where it faces off with “Goosebumps” in terms of animation Disney Animation Divisions like Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney Television Animation, Disney EMEA Animation, Disney Junior Educational And Inclusion, Marvel Animation and Lucasfilm Animation

BEST CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN ANIMATED SERIES

-Kiff

-Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur

BEST SHORT FORM ANIMATED PROGRAM

-How NOT To Draw

-I Am Groot

-Once Upon A Studio

-The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse In Steamboat Silly

BEST VOICE PERFORMER IN A PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

-Bobby Moynihan as Bobby Boots - Pupstruction

-Kari Wahlgren as Granny Caterina, Ms. Poochytail & Magda - SuperKitties

VOICE PERFORMER IN A CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM

-Ben Feldman as Tylor Tuskmon - Monsters at Work

YOUNGER VOICE PERFORMER IN A PRESCHOOL, CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM

Simisola Gbadamosi as Tola Martins - Iwájú

BEST WRITING FOR A CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN ANIMATED SERIES

-Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur - Dancing With Myself

-Hailey's On It! - I Wanna Dance With My Buddy

BEST DIRECTING FOR AN ANIMATED SERIES

-Monsters At Work - “Descent Into Fear”

-Iwáju - “Kole”

-Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire: “Moremi”

-Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur - “The Molecular Level”

VOICE DIRECTING FOR AN ANIMATED SERIES

-Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur -Monsters At Work

-Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures

BEST MUSIC DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION FOR AN ANIMATED PROGRAM

-Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures

BEST ORIGINAL SONG FOR A A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM

-“Let Your Wish Carry You Away” - Alice's Wonderland Bakery

BEST SONG FOR A CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM

-“Kiss Your Friend” - Hailey’s On It!

-“Things” - Kiff

BEST EDITING FOR A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM

-Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures

BEST EDITING FOR AN ANIMATED PROGRAM

-Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur

-The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse In Steamboat Silly

SOUND MIXING AND SOUND EDITING FOR A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM

-Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures

SOUND MIXING AND SOUND EDITING FOR AN ANIMATED PROGRAM

-I Am Groot

BEST CASTING FOR AN ANIMATED PROGRAM

-Monsters at Work

[justtrash202]

Sector V's Cell Phones and Their Backgrounds

Hey there! I’ve been thinking about what kinds of phones Sector V would have and, more importantly, what their wallpapers would look like. These are all just my headcanons, but I think they really reflect each character’s personality and quirks. Let’s dive in!

Nigel Uno

Phone Type: Nigel strikes me as someone who doesn’t care about flashy tech. He’d have an older Google Pixel or a Moto G—something practical, durable, and reliable for all those mission plans.

Case: Plain black or grey, because anything decorative would distract him from his leadership duties. It’s scratched and a bit worn, just like Nigel after a tough mission.

Wallpaper: Nigel starts with the default wallpaper. He’s too busy saving the world to care about changing it. BUT every so often, Wally “borrows” his phone and changes it to something hilarious, like: A meme-worthy picture of Nigel mid-blink with the text, “Do you know the way?” A bad selfie of Nigel that Wally edited with ridiculous filters. Nigel groans about it but usually leaves it for weeks because he doesn’t bother to change it back (or secretly finds it funny).

Hoagie Pennywhistle Gilligan Jr

Phone Type: Hoagie would totally have a Samsung Galaxy S Ultra. He loves gadgets and tech, and the amazing camera would let him document all his adventures and inventions.

Case: A custom comic-book-themed case with stickers slapped on it. Maybe even a Yipper Airlines logo for good measure.

Wallpaper: A constantly rotating slideshow of: Group photos of Sector V, usually funny ones. (Think Wally dodging Kuki’s hug or Nigel looking exasperated.), Family shots, especially goofy moments with Tommy., Candid selfies with Bradley, his fellow tech buddy. Hoagie’s gallery is basically an archive of good memories, and he’s proud of it.

Kuki Sanban

Phone Type: Kuki would 100% have a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, because it’s cute, trendy, and fun—just like her! She’d love the flip feature and probably flips it open dramatically just for fun.

Case: A pastel purple case with Rainbow Monkey designs or maybe some sparkly bedazzling. She’d also have a charm or two attached.

Wallpaper: A mix of: Pictures of her and Wally—usually her hugging him while he pretends to be annoyed (but is secretly blushing).bRainbow Monkey fan art or seasonal designs (like Rainbow Monkeys in Christmas sweaters). Silly group selfies with Sector V, often with Wally pulling a face or Nigel looking done with everyone. It’s rare for Kuki to have a solo photo, but if she does, it’s something cute like her holding her favorite Rainbow Monkey plush.

Wallabee Beetles

Phone Type: Wally isn’t careful with his stuff, so he’d need something durable like a Motorola G Power or Nokia XR21. These phones can survive drops, scratches, and anything else Wally throws at them (literally).

Case: A no-nonsense black or camo case, scuffed up from rough use.

Wallpaper:Wally’s wallpapers change as often as his mood. It’s always based on his latest hyperfixation: Street Fighter characters in action. Album covers from punk or rock bands like Green Day. Cool motorcycles or racing cars. Rarely, a group photo of his friends—but only when he’s feeling sentimental. He’ll change it quickly because he gets embarrassed looking at it.

Abigail Lincoln

Phone Type: Abby’s phone would be sleek and stylish, like an iPhone 15 Pro Max or Google Pixel 8 Pro. She’d choose it for its top-tier camera and design.

Case: Minimalist but cool—a clear case or one with abstract patterns.

Wallpaper: Always effortlessly cool and artsy: Photos of street art or graffiti she admires. Stunning landscape or cityscape shots she’s taken herself. Candid pictures of her with Hoagie or Kuki, smiling or goofing around. When she’s in a laid-back mood, she’ll switch to abstract designs or calming color gradients.

[ywpd-translations]

Ride 749: The last Straight Road*

(NdT.: same pun Kinaka always makes with his name and the word for straight road)

Pag 1

1: I....

3: Imaizumi-san!!

4: Go- good work!!

Good work!!

You were taking a long time for this lap

Pag 2

1: Yes, teh, I got a fl-fl-flat- my bike!!

Yessir!!

2: It's the tire!!

4: Only tires can get a flat

Ah- damn, yes, that's right

Right!!

6: I thought something like this might have happened, so I brought these

Replacement tubes, tire levers, and a pump. Use them

Pag 3

2: This is unusual!! I never thought Imaizumi-san was the attentive type – is it just for us!?

Yeah!! I thought first and second years were just not important to him....

3: You don't want to use the,?

We'll use them, thank you so much!!

4: You saved us, teh....!!

That's true

6: Ah, uhm... but..... Imaizumi-san

Earlier you said that

7: Sugimoto-san won't come”, what did you mean?

Pag 4

1: He retired

Pag 5

1: He's still displayed on the board, but

3: There's still time until midnight

If Sugimoto-kun....

4: Please leave the possibility open in case Sugimoto-kun wants to come back!!

5: Onoda insisted

6: Re... tired.....

Sugi..... moto-san....

Pag 6

1: He used up all his stamina and mental strength in his fight against Danchiku, and he was defeated

2: You didn't notice because you've been on the course the whole time

4: Ah... actually, when it got dark, Sugimoto-san and Danchiku-san passed us various times... teh

Huh!? That? So at that time-!?

5: You have no time to talk about unimportant things

As soon as you're done with the repairs, run, first years

6: Soon

Pag 7

1: Waa, ye-yes, teh, thank you for the tools

Yeah, there's still 40km

2: If we join our strengths....

Don't cooperate

5: Teh!?

7: From now on, you can't allow yourselves to run like friends

8: Huh....

Our “buddies” stickers.....!?

You have to fight

Pag 8

1: And win the last spot to be an Inter High member!!

Pag 9

1: Fa.... ight....

2: Against.... Kinaka-kun

3: Against.... Rokudai

4: 35km left!!

Gooo!! Kinakaa, Rokudaii!!

Do your best...!!

5: I feel like they'll be able to run the 1000km!!

Amazing!

Ah, but there was no distance between them just now?

Pag 10

1: Fight....

2: The spot as a regular in the two-times national champion, Sohoku....

3: I can't take it by just being friendly....!!

4: And also

5: There's Sugimoto-san's wish!!

Pag 11

1: Wa- wait, please, Imaizumi-san

But.... if in this training camp the condition to become the sixth regular was to finish the 1000km first....

2: Then why did Sugimoto-san and Danchiku-san race!?

4: I came here to give you a message from Sugimoto

5: I think, I think it's necessary, you know

Sohoku is a team that connect and support each other

6: Just like during our first year, you, Naruko, and Onoda, connected your wishes and aimed for the goal

7: And last year Kaburagi ran with Aoyagi-san and carried the team until the mountains on the third day

8: So I think we need it

9: Our third year Inter High members

Pag 12

1: Definitely need a “first year”!!

3: Even if he knew he was making his own situation worse, he thought about the best shape for the team would be

4: He accepted it, and fought

Pag 13

1: For the fifth place

3: Among the first years, those two are left, I look forward to see what they do!!

That's too much food

4: Danchiku probably understood it, too

That's why he fought with all his strength

6: Now you two have to run with the weight of those expectations on your back!!

7: Fight, against your opponent and against yourself!! Use all your strength

Pag 14

1: And pull to yourself that last jersey!!

2: Straaa-

Pag 15

1: Straight roaaad!!

2: - traight!!

3: …. ngh

Ugh.....

4: Kinaka-kun.....

5: Don't cry, Rokudai!!

Pag 16

1: What are you doing, oi!! I'll leave you behind like this!! I'll tear you off!!

If you give up, then it's lucky for me!!

2: My goal has always been the Inter High jersey!!

To get back at those senpai who made fun of me!!

3: To show it to the Onii-san who taught me how to ride bikes!!

So, for that....

6: So I'm telling you not to cry!!

Pag 17

1: But, Kinaka-kun....

It's that your “Straitgh road”, wasn't fast at all....!!

4: You knee? It's your knee, right?

Since when? Since a while ago?

5: Since when we were at about 800km

Pag 18

1: It's a race, Rokudai

2: You should have told me, teh

I didn't notice, teh!!

3: I'm such an incapable former manager, teh....

4: Since when I lost to you in the first years' race

6: I've been thinking that I would definitely not lose the next time we race

7: Even though the truth is that I don't really care about that anymore

So, once again...

Pag 19

1: It's a race, Rokudai!!

3: Let's do it, Rokudai!!

I can't, teh

4: Race me, pedal!!

I don't want to, teh....

5: Fight me!!

I won't pedal, teh

Pag 20

1: Because, if I fight you now, Kinaka-kun, I'll end up winning, teh

Pag 22

1: With that kindness of yours, support our senpai during the Inter High

[bazpango]

Crack, cont'd: [aka the LightGojoverse, pt 3]

[part 1] [part 2]

Thursday

“Buddy, c’mon. Pencil moving.” 

“They’re still on the weather!”

“Oh,” Satoru says, ducking his head out of the kitchen, “so they are.”

It's not that the kid's a liar, but it just so happens that today is Thursday, December 22nd; Fushiguro Megumi is officially twelve years old. A lot slides in the Gojo house on birthdays, but not homework.

Satoru darts out of the kitchen. Two plates of tamagoyaki balance on one arm, a leather crossbody is tucked under the other. A toothbrush hangs out of his mouth. He looks positively rabid, and the toothpaste foam isn't helping. “Eat up," he orders, tapping the still-blank worksheet, "this is due today, right?”

Megumi answers with a groan. His head thuds into the kotatsu, and yes, so it would seem this is due today. He is still in his pyjamas.

“I’m going to fail. Can’t I just skip?” 

“Not if you want to go to the arcade after school,” Satoru hollers, already running out of the room again.

It's one of those mornings where it feels like the sky is falling. They're only a little late, but those extra thirty minutes—as a treat!—have set them back forty five. When Gojo returns, it is with two slices of birthday cake and a plastic bag.

"This is a lot of food."

"You don't have to finish what you don't want, but make a wish before the wax gets everywhere," Satoru says, passing Megumi his slice of cake, lighting the candle as he goes. He tosses the small plastic bag on the kotatsu, directly on top of Megumi's unfinished assignment. The kid's eyes light up the second he sees it.

"S'that my birthday present?"

"That?" Satoru jokes, acting quizzical, "Better open it and find out."

Like a dog at the races, Megumi snatches the bag and rips it open. The bow, the box, and the manual go flying.

"Holy shit!"

"Language, buddy."

"Sorry," Megumi says, and no he is not sorry one bit. He pulls out a brand new, state-of-the-art, Moto RAZR V3, smiling like, well a kid ought to. He doesn't smile nearly enough, and Satoru remembers why they're having refined sugar so early in the morning.

"Complete with MP3 and MPEG-4 accessibility. Do you like it?"

"What's that?"

Satoru shrugs between bites of Megumi's cake, he finished his already. "Uhh. The kiosk lady said it was good."

"It has games!"

"It does, only a few. Don't download anymore."

"Ok."

"And don't use the internet."

"Ok."

"And I put my number in there for emergencies."

"Ok."

"Do you want me to show you how to find it?"

"Ok."

"Hey," Satoru flips the phone closed, hands enveloping Megumi's. Maybe he should have said this part first. Even though Megumi doesn't much act like one most of the time, he is still a kid. "It's important you know how to reach me, if you ever need me. I'll always answer, and if I can't for whatever reason, it has Nanami's number as well. Okay?"

"Ohkaaaaaaaaay."

Next year Megumi will be a teenager. His body is already hinting at manhood, and Satoru realizes that when they go clothes shopping he'll also have to pick up a set of safety razors for the peach fuzz just sprouting on his bottom lip. It's bittersweet. Satoru takes another bite of cake.

"Hey," he repeats, dropping his hands and squeezing Megumi's shoulders.

"If you want to go to a friend's after school—"

"Ugh, stop."

"—or bring someone to the arcade tonight, just lemme know."

"Gojoooo."

"Okay, okay, s'all good. We're cool, we're cool." Satoru takes his hands off Megumi like he's touched a too-hot pan. Five years he's been negotiating. He knows when not to push, and has pushed already. "Just don't text too much, yeah?"

"Yeah."

The phone is for emergencies. That is what Satoru will tell him on the drive to school. But the lady at the kiosk was so very nice, and when she offered a—frankly, ridiculously expensive—payment package that included unlimited SMS messaging, Satoru grew hopeful and a plan unfolded before his eyes. Megumi's growing into his independent phase, and there's nothing like a little reverse-psychology to invoke a twelve year old to rebel against The Man.

Satoru is smiling wistfully, until the lady on the television throws back from the weather and Megumi's head snaps up. "I need to write this down."

"What, exactly?"

"We have to do a group broadcast at school, like we're on the news. Step 1 is to break down a real one."

"Cool."

"Another attack in Shibuya this week in what the NPA is suspecting to be connected to a series of terrorist attacks."

"Woah." Megumi grabs his pencil. "Cool."

Satoru turns around to face the television. "Not cool."

He doesn't watch the news, or television for the matter, often—more of a movie buff. Crime prevention is an industry that in and of itself is usually corrupt, and therefore there is no need for sorcerers to cooperate with civilian law enforcers. It's a one-sided agreement by sorcerers that everyone stays on their side of the fence.

Now that he thinks about it, his opinions aren't flattering about a lot of civilian systems. The police, the press, the man in the ugly brown suit and orange spray tan, they're all—in their own, rotten little ways—technically making Satoru's job harder. If it bleeds, it leads. Money makes the world go round, and fear makes the money. Etc. They're generating fear, in turn, making more curses. Hurting more people.

For a minute, Satoru thinks maybe it is better to just let the kid fail civics.

The ugly orange man throws to Cindy, a less ugly woman, and she is doing a live hit in some sort of conference room. Satoru, realizing that they're now running quite a bit more late than intended, buttons the last remaining of his shirt in a frenzy.

"We are just waiting for the Chief to take the podium…"

Megumi won't be attending Jujutsu Tech until he's of age, which is another year and a half of civilian school. The change will be disorienting, and there's a fear that Satoru's poisoning the well by letting him watch this stuff. He just had to let the kid's homework slip, and they just had to analyze a terrorist investigation. Maybe his teacher will award points for flair, if she's cool.

"Gojo?"

"Yeah, buddy?"

"Isn't that—"

"Yagami Light, Chief of the NPA is taking the podium now."

Holy shit.

Satoru's hands are stuck, frozen on the top button of his shirt.

"You need to brush your teeth. Get a move on."

"But my assignment?"

"Go brush your teeth," he orders, more stern than is deserved on one's birthday. He makes up for it. "I'll take care of your assignment."

"Fuck yeah."

"Language!"

"Sorry!" Megumi hollers, racing out of the room. Nearly bouncing off the walls with his new phone and newer found freedom. Fortunately, he is seemingly unfazed by the sudden outburst, even though it makes Satoru's chest clench.

He stares. Fixated. The man smiling back is Yagami Light, or someone wearing his skin. His smile is so big and white and foreign in its fakeness. It's fascinating.

He is wearing a dark gray suit (very, very well). His hair is pushed back into something professional and understated. Satoru can't quite believe this is the man who's bruised his prostate.

"What's wrong with the tv?" Megumi asks, brushing in the hallway.

Satoru picks up the remote and flips to another channel and back again, shrugging at Megumi. The more Yagami Light talks, the more pixels die in the operator's camera. He hadn't noticed. It gets so bad they have to cut the live hit short.

So, Yagami is the Chief of the NPA.

Looks like they both got a present.

---

Friday

"Find anything?"

"Light," Matsuda sags into his chair, hands anxiously stroking his thighs. He's wearing blue jeans. "I can't find someone with only one name to go on. I just can't do it."

"Sure you can," he counters, and Matsuda wilts. Eight days a week, he's useless, but it's when Light says he's capable that he really flounders. So much for positive reinforcement.

"Well, maybe I could conduct some interviews and build a profile, but you haven't even told me what kind of crime this guy's committed."

"It's complicated," Light says, "not impossible."

Today is Friday, and Matsuda is wearing blue jeans. Everyone is wearing blue jeans, except for Light. Friday is, by far, the most stressful day of the week, and today is no exception. The Monday-through-Thursday grind always lags until there is a comically large pile of shit to sort through before end of day. Whoever decided to throw Casual into the mix ought to be castrated. There is only so much time in the day to judge the wicked and punish the damned, and adding 'investigate one supposedly uninvestigatable fuck buddy' to the mix is just too tall an order, so he must rely on Matsuda today.

"It started with an S."

"Yes, I know," Matsuda nods, frenzied. Like he ought to get a gold star for listening.

"Can't you get the ball rolling with that?"

"S…Gojo. In law enforcement. Innnn…"

"Tokyo. A private company. Security, maybe." Light waves his hand like he's listing off grocery store ingredients. "Start there."

"There has to be dozens of companies like that, hundreds of emplo-"

"-Well it sounds like you better get a move on, then."

"I dont know, Light…"

"And what's the plan for you and Misa Saturday?" Light taps at his keyboard, copying several files to a thumb drive. The screen is bright, and he didn't sleep well, which is going to set him back even farther than he'd hoped. He's going to have to take his work home with him.

"Light," Matsuda exhales, "that's terrible."

"What?" Light spins in his chair to face Matsuda when he doesn't answer, and he looks like a sad, orphaned dog. To think he's in any place to judge anyone. He's wearing a Timex for God's sake.

"…You're really not going to spend Christmas Eve with Misa?"

"One more thing."

"Light!" Matsuda exclaims, switching gears when it's clear Light isn't going to dignify his asinine question,"we've talked about this."

"Have we?"

“I can't be your assistant."

"Sure you can."

Matsuda exhales, "are you alright?" and with it, the last of his dignity for the day. He might as well clock out so Light can lead the manhunt.

Light is not alright. Light is fucking fantastic; he is the Chief of the NPA, he is wearing a Balmain suitjacket in charcoal, and he got sucked off by his girlfriend before Matsuda even gained consciousness this morning. Perhaps he still hasn't.

"If you don't like our current assistant we can hire a better fit. She is still on probation."

Light scoffs.

"Did someone call for me?" Takada asks, rounding the corner with a tray of coffees in hand like some comic relief in a prime time sitcom.

"Flowers," Light says flatly to Takada, "Saturday. Order flowers for Misa."

Does he have to do everything?

Lunch passes into late afternoon without consequence, and Light works straight through it. The rope of his esophagus whines and he has to physically restrain himself from gagging. His stomach feels like it is eating itself, but minimizing the amount of actual work for the weekend is paramount, here. Work hard. Play hard. Fuck the big dick blonde so hard he goes cross eyed.

"Um, Light?"

He turns in his chair to meet Matsuda. Sheepish thing, he's poking his head through the door like he's expecting a firing squad on the other side.

"Did you eat?"

"No, did you?"

"Yes, um," Matsuda shakes his head, "Listen-"

"-Good," Light says, a stack of manilla envelopes beside him. He gathers them in his hands, and flutters them in the air with emphasis. "These came in an hour ago. You need to sort them before day's end."

"U-um," Matsuda stutters.

"Why do you look so queasy?" Maybe he gambled again on a bad seafood boil at one of the new street vendors. He's always gambling in the name of adventure. Adventure, on a plate? Sad.

"I, um. Well. Gojo-"

Light brightens, rising from his seat. "Oh, you found something-"

"-Is in the lobby."

"What?"

Matsuda creeks the door open until, sure enough.

Lounging on the three seater Corbusier in the task force's lobby is Gojo. He's dressed in a black overcoat and has chosen Cartier sunglasses, a Montblanc briefcase, and a comically large scarf to accessorize. "Hiya," Gojo smiles, teeth blinding, and Light drops the stack of casefiles. "Have you had lunch, yet?"

"Oh no," Matsuda exclaims, darting to the mess. "Sorry Light, I'll sort these right away!"

"Okay," Light hears his mouth say, but he doesn't feel it moving. If he had a nickel for every time an obsessive blonde invaded his personal life, well.

Matsuda stands, a massive unorganized mess in his arms, and whispers, "should I arrest him?"

"What, no?" Light barks. "What are you doing here?" he asks Gojo.

"I owe you a proper lunch," Gojo says, shrugging. Like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"It's four thirty."

"No time like the present, right?"

"…I have a lot of work to get through."

"Oh, work!" Gojo bursts, rising from his seat. "I have a tip for you, regarding the KIRA case."

Matsuda gasps, spinning on his heels. Three sheets of paper flutter to the floor. He drops to pick them up.

"Do you?" Light narrows his gaze, lost.

He doesn't like this, not knowing the rules, or even what game they're playing. Gojo is a loose canon, and there's a not so slim chance he's going to follow Light home. Part of him wants to take Matsuda up on his offer to put the guy in cuffs and throw him in a jail cell. Peace of mind and all that.

"Yeah, I saw you on tv when I was getting Megumi ready for school, he says hi by the way." Sure, Light thinks. "And I have a theory about KIRA that I think really holds water."

"Light, isn't that amazing? It's been months and," Matsuda pants, practically slobbering on the proverbial tennis ball, "we haven't had a lead since Ryuzaki di—"

"Fuck! Matsuda!" Light interrupts, and for fuck's sake, he's losing it. He's fucking shouted in the office and it's all too late. He never shouts in the office.

Gojo's leaning in the doorway to the task force, head tilted curiously.

"That your partner?" Gojo asks, and Light feels like his chest is caving in.

"No, that's Misa-Misa," Matsuda says, and if Light can't find a way to fire him by Monday he'll at least make sure the denim wearing fuck is drowning in General Data Protection and Confidentiality in the Workplace training.

"Oh!" Gojo says, surprised. "Misa-Misa, the idol?"

"Yeah!" Matsuda cheers, and Light might actually die.

"Wow, that's…wow."

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see all the skeletons falling out of Light's closet in rapid succession. "Did Megumi have a good birthday?" Light redirects, sweating.

"He did, we made onigiri and watched the Saw movies."

"You had something to say about the KIRA case," Matsuda prods, and Light exhales, relieved. He never thought he'd see the day he'd be thankful that Matusda is the one asking the questions.

"Yeah. But I actually just realized I need to be somewhere." Gojo drops his head slightly and his glasses slide down his nose. He makes direct eye contact with Light and his are so pointedly icy blue that Light can feel his blood run cold. "Maybe I can come by tomorrow?"

Light's phone sits heavy in his pocket.

"Oh, it's Christmas Eve, we won't be here." Matsuda explains.

"I'd be willing to make a house call," Gojo volleys. "Any plans tomorrow, Yagami?"

"Well, if it's pertaining to KIRA…" Matsuda considers, looking at Light and tapping at the stack of papers in his arms. He then takes in a sharp breath, and Light knows he's got an idea. "There's no way I'm getting through all of this today. Why don't we take his statement tomorrow, We can do dinner at my place! We'll do KFC!"

"Sure." Light grits his teeth, caught in so many crosshairs. "Great. KFC. Your place."

"Takada can give you my address," Matsuda says, struggling with the loose leafs.

"Sure, it's a date," Gojo says with a wink. "See you Saturday."

 ---

Saturday

"You made it!" Matsuda cheers, opening the door. His apartment complex is painfully ordinary. So is his sweater.

"Don't sound so surprised," Light chides. "Sorry we're late."

"You're right on time! Gojo and Megumi just got here with the chicken."

"G-"

"-We brought chocolates," Misa interrupts, and Matsuda gasps. They're like two kids during Show and Tell.

"Ooh, chocolates!" exclaims the disembodied voice of Gojo, inside Matsuda's apartment, and Light's entire body stiffens. They'd made a plan, albeit a ridiculous one. He shouldn't sound so surprised, even though he is. His phone vibrates in his pocket.

Gojo: so when u said saturday Gojo: this wat u had in mind ?

They make their way into the foyer, and Matsuda seals them in with the heavy thunk of a deadbolt. "Shoes off, please."

Light wants to keep them on just to assert his dominance. Matsuda's never ordered him to do anything before.

"I don't want food to get cold, but, do you guys want a quick tour before we eat?"

"Please! I can't believe Light and I have never been over!"

"He has a life outside of work, Misa," Light says, playfully. Cool as a goddamn cucumber. He takes off his shoes.

"Not really," Matsuda jokes, smiling depricatingly at Misa. Yeah, yeah, get a room, why don't you? "At least not with KIRA out there. Right, Light?"

"Right," Light placates, smiling stiffly.

They take a brief, unnecessary tour of the two bedroom, and then Matsuda and Misa abandon Light with Gojo and the kid in the living room. Light falls into a sofa chair as far away from anyone as he can manage. It is a small apartment.

"Long time, no see," Gojo says with a smirk. "You remember Megumi."

"Megumi," Light acknowledges. Jaw off kilter. He couldn't have gotten a sitter? "Happy belated."

The child plays on a cell phone, gangly legs hanging over the couch.

"Megs," Gojo warns, "someone is talking to you. Be polite."

The kid lowers the cell phone a single half inch, says thanks, flatly, and then resumes whatever game he was playing. So, that's what passes for politeness in the Gojo house. Parent of the year over here.

"How's work been?" Light asks.

"Oh, great."

"Catch a lot of bad guys?"

"Liars, cheats, and scoundrels, it's what I do best."

"Sounds like a lot."

"This month's been pretty slow." Gojo says with a smirk. "I've just caught the one cheater, so far."

Light's cheeks burn. Gojo looks good. He always looks good. It's annoying.

"What's he talking about?" Megumi asks Gojo, and that confusion in is tone makes Light smile.

"Your not-dad, he works in law enforcement."

"What? No he doesn't."

"-Don't worry about it, Megs," Gojo assures, crossing his arms. He's all smiles, too. Not disappointed in the slightest that he's been outed as a liar.

They're both smiling. Then Misa walks in and ruins everything.

"Who's hungry!"

---

Light is dead.

There is simply no other explanation.

It is Christmas Eve, and Light is eating fried chicken with his wine-drunk girlfriend, least favourite coworker, illicit fuck buddy, and his illicit fuck-buddy's bastard kid.

For the last forty minutes, Matsuda has been playing detective while Gojo has been playing footsies under the table.

"Misa," Gojo says, deflecting. "An idol, what's that like? It must be incredible."

"Oh," she hiccups, "I don't want to bore you! It isn't all that glamorous, really." Her other arm is stroking Light's back. Her nails are long and they come to a point at the end. It's something new she's trying out. Light instantly pictures medieval torture devices and wonders how much it would hurt if she tried to claw his eyes out with them.

"Nonsense," Gojo debates with a smug smile, egging her on, and Matsuda steps in to boast about his managerial expertise. He's drunk as well, satisfied with his interrogation of Gojo that yielded, as expected, no new insights into the KIRA case. The more he waxes on about Misa's success and his minimal part in it, the more exaggerated Gojo nods. His foot continues to travel up Light's pant leg as he feigns innocent and curious above table.

Light checks his watch for the umteenth time that hour. If he found a way to get Gojo's wallet, he could have everyone here dead in the next two minutes. Faces slumped into their plates. Death by fried chicken.

Gojo's foot climbs up his leg and settles between them. Light coughs into his wine.

"Are you alright, Light?" Matsuda asks, "do you need a glass of water?"

"Nope, I'm-" Light begins, and then Gojo takes his foot off the gas, only to press even harder on his dick. "M'good," he chokes out, coughing harder. "M'just gonna use the restroom. Excuse me."

The chair makes a sharp sound when Light extricates himself, and he thinks if Matsuda ever gets the balls to woo Misa proper, he'll send him a cheque for the scuffs. No one is the wiser when he leaves the room except for Gojo, smiling like the village idiot he is.

When he makes it to the restroom, he collapses onto the lid of the toilet and exhales, long and shaky. His pulse has quickened and it's making his skin hot. He undoes the top button of his dress shirt.

Knock, knockknock.

"It's me," Gojo whispers, and Light curses under his breath. He wants to run.

"C'mon, lemme in," Gojo asks.

The bathroom feels like a coffin. Everything is telling him not to open the door, but Gojo is knocking again and Light stands, unsure how far the sound of it travels in Matsuda's apartment.

His hand shaking on the doorknob, turnlock heavy under his thumb. He doesn't want to open it at all. "Fuckingfuck," Light mutters. His free hand pulls at his hair. The walls are closing in on him.

"What's going on? You ok?"

You, you're fucking what's going on. Light wants to scream, and he just might if Misa weren't here to run to his rescue.

His pocket vibrates.

Gojo: lemme in :P Gojo: plz ?

He's sweating and it's ruining his shirt. There's no way out. Bested, he unlocks the door and silently ushers Gojo into the bathroom.

"You're actually a stalker," Light chides, and Gojo laughs. "What's so funny about that?"

He has to argue at a reduced volume, but the disdain is there. He hasn't drank much tonight—a lesson learned from their first meeting that he can't trust himself when he does. Still, his cheeks burn like he'd raided Matsuda's liquor cabinet.

Gojo is smiling like he's won something, and says "you and Misa make a cute couple." L was a sore loser, but Gojo's a sore winner, and Light hates that far more. His jaw tenses.

"I like her." Snide bastard, he's smiling like he actually does.

"No you fucking don't," Light seethes.

Gojo chuckles, and it's a laugh he hasn't heard before. "You're really one to talk, Light."

"I don't know what you think you-"

"-Does it ever get tiring, lying all the time?"

"I haven't lied to you once."

"You have a fucking girlfriend," and finally, finally there's some grit in his voice, too. Light can work with that. Gojo's favourite toy has been taken away; it's understandable that he's lashing out. Light is everyone's favourite.

"Oh, I'm sorry? I didn't think it bothered you," Light barks, "seeing as how you were foot-fucking me under the goddamn table."

"You loved it."

"I-"

"You love making her look stupid. It's mean." Gojo steps forward and his hand swiftly goes between Light's legs. They can both feel the half hardness in his pants that Light can't explain. "See? You're a bad person," Gojo says under his breath, eyes searching.

"…Why did you come to my work?"

"Well, funny story. Someone made Christmas Eve plans with me and then cancelled. So."

"Rescheduled," Light corrects.

"It isn't rescheduling if you don't follow up with the person."

"I was going to."

"I don't believe you."

"So instead of, oh, I don't know, taking the hint, ygh-" Light looks for the words, which is hard to do when your balls are in a vice grip. He gestures wildly to the kitchen. "You decided this is how you wanted to spend your Christmas Eve?"

"Well, not exactly," Gojo admits, tilting his head. "But I think Megs is having a good time."

Light's voice drops low. They need to get out of the restroom. "I just needed to tie up a few loose ends. I was going to call. I really was." He isn't sure if he's lying.

The loose end scream-laughs in the dining room and the sound travels all the way to the bathroom. Matsuda's own laughter chases it.

"I'm sorry I, I didn't explain my situation," Light placates, musturing his most sincere, apologetic tone. Mercifully, Gojo's grip on his sack loosens. Hook, line, and sinker. "I couldn't have you over."

"No shit," Gojo grits.

"I was going to book us a place."

"Book us a place?" He sounds insulted. "That's just sad."

It isn't sad. It is discreet. At least it was going to be, but now everything is far more messy than it was twenty four hours ago. "What do you want from me?" Light scoffs.

"I w-"

"-A boyfriend?"

"Please," Gojo laughs, proper, and doesn't that just make Light furious. He crosses his arms, and Light is, truthfully, a little insulted himself the assault hasn't turned into him facefucking Gojo to tears.

"I…" Gojo thinks, aloud, "I just wanted something fun."

"We're having fun-"

"-No, we're not. This isn't fun for me."

"So why are you here?" And the way Light asks it makes him sick. He doesn't know why his tone has softened so much.

"I…like you, I think. I hate it."

"Wow, thanks."

"I feel like, like I'm going to insane lengths to get to know you."

"What if I don't want you to?"

"Why?" Gojo asks.

"Because," Light says, soft, "this is easy. This is working. Isn't it? We both get what we want, don't we?"

"What do I want, Light?" Gojo asks like he's on a full on soap opera. All big doe eyes and melodrama.

He thinks about the day they met, the way he waxed on and on about Suguru. Suguru, who he still has a chance with. Who's still alive and breathing.

"Your kid doesn't need a step-dad," Light cooes, something small and hateful and heavy in his gut. The indignation in his voice is completely invisible. He brushes the hair from Gojo's eyes. "This doesn't have to get any more complicated, right?"

"It already is complicated," Gojo says, quietly.

There's a silence, then, in the small bathroom, so big it feels like Light's eardrums might shatter. Gojo's head drops and for a second Light thinks he's going to attempt to hold hands.

"That's a nice watch," Gojo says, deflecting.

"It was a gift," Light submits, too unsure of where they're going to take pride in it. "My Dad bought it."

The room is tense and he doesn't want to give Gojo a tenth of what he is asking for. His eyes are sad and sullen and he feels like he is so far away. Light supposes he is.

A part of him is jealous of the very air that surrounds Gojo. Another part is afraid he'll be followed home and killed in his sleep tonight.

"He's gone now."

"How do you know that?" Light whispers.

"Death follows you, Light Yagami."

And then something truly frightening happens.

Gojo grabs his wrist, gently. His thumb swipes over the watch face, slow, and then hovers on the quick release mechanism. Light holds his breath. A piece of the Death Note is millimeters away, hidden in the watch's false bottom, and Gojo's looking right at it like he has x-ray vision.

Gojo is not an idiot. Not by a long shot. He knows far more about Light than he's letting on, and it's like Light's been walking around blindfolded all this time, completely unaware. If Gojo isn't a PI, he's some sort of cosmic karmic stalker sent from beyond L's grave to give Light his comeuppance. He's sure of it.

"What do you actually do for work," Light, voice shaky, asks. Desperate to know.

"Law enforcem-"

"Don't fucking lie to me," Light snarls, hands coming up to shove Gojo. But his hands don't even reach him in time to deliver their first blow. In a split second, Light's body is thrust into the wall and the wind is knocked from his chest.

He's sandwiched there, his little rabbit heart beats thin. Trapped in the gaping maw of a wolfhound, his ribs feel like they might break.

For a second, this is the first time he's ever felt close to death, and then he coughs and Gojo immediately lets up.

"Stop running from me," Gojo pleads, his breath hot on Light's ear.

He imagines his corpse splayed out on Matsuda's bathroom mat in a pool of his own blood. Misa, on hand and knee, wailing incoherently. He doesn't want her scream to be the last thing he hears.

"Gonna," Light heaves, "hear us."

"And that would be just terrible for you, wouldn't it?" Gojo taunts. Light coughs, and Gojo seems to ease up a bit. "She loves you, you know. You don't even care."

Light says nothing—not like he could—and Gojo shoves off of him, sickened. When Light turns around to face him, Gojo looks at him like he's killed a litter of kittens. His eyes are darting between his chest, the watch, and the dinner table. "There's something wrong with you, Light."

Light still says nothing.

"Well?"

"Well, what?" Light says. "You'll have to be a little more fucking specific."

Gojo shakes his head, and leaves the bathroom. Light is finally alone. His head is swimming, sick from lack of oxygen, and he tries to wretch into the sink but nothing comes out. When he looks in the mirror, he looks the same as he did when he entered. But everything feels off, now. He's been staring at this face for too long, a word on a page that's lost it's meaning.

When he thoroughly dusts himself off and finds himself back in his seat, Gojo is telling a story that has everyone belly laughing except for the creepy kid. He always looks at Light like he's seen a ghost.

Misa wipes a tear from her prettily made up eye with a talon. "I'm sorry you don't have a special someone to spend Christmas Eve with," she says to Gojo, and apparently it's up to Light to use context clues to figure out what they're talking about since no one wants to fill him in. "I feel like I don't know any of Light's friends at all."

"Well now we're friends, too," Gojo says to her, and he smiles. It's such a sad, pathetic little thing. "How did you and Light meet, anyway? I'd love to hear the story."

She shrieks, elated, and Gojo flashes a quick look to Light, as if to rub the salt in.

"It isn't very noteworthy," she jests to Light, all teeth and smeared lipstick. This isn't the first time she's tried to display her cunning. He could fucking strangle her. She knows he hates puns.

But he keeps his mouth shut and waits for this absurd conversation to run its course while he fills his mouth with sawdust.

"Are the potatoes alright?" Gojo asks Light.

"Perfect," Light says, "thank you."

"You just made a face is all."

Light wants to punch him in the face. He didn't make a face. Like everything, he is far too in control to ever let that happen.

But Gojo tries. He takes every opportunity to draw attention to Light every time Misa makes a particularly sappy comment about their romance. The conversation flows like bad wine and, after a bottle of it, things should feel easier, should they not? Misa hangs off Light's shoulder, and every single sentence that comes out of her mouth seems to make Matsuda shoot wine from his nose.

Matsuda excuses himself to the kitchen to clean up, and when he returns, he's brought dessert with him. Great, another course.

It's angel food cake. Decorated with strawberries and drizzled honey. Matsuda serves up a plate for everyone, saving the biggest for the kid, who actually smiles when he sees it. Light didn't know him capable.

There's a brief moment of silence as everyone takes their first bites. "Is it okay?" Matsuda asks, "I'm taking classes."

"Fantastic," Gojo cheers. "Could you teach me, sometime?"

"I'd love to!" Matsuda sings, forgetting his allegiances, and Gojo beams at Light. Yes, everyone fucking loves Gojo. He plucks a strawberry off his plate with his thumb and forefinger and brings it to his lips and Light wonders what Matsuda would do if he flipped the table.

“Light," Gojo asks.

"Yes?"

"How do you like your cake. Didn't Matsuda do a great job?"

It tastes like sandpaper. But he wasn't going to say anything. That would be rude.

“Oh no! Is it not alright? I thought it was your favourite.” Matsuda asks, and Light can't understand for the life of him why Matsuda would think that-

“Or was that Ryuzaki?” 

“You keep mentioning him," Gojo notes, "who is he?"

From the uptick of Gojo's smirk, the colour has definitely drained Light's face. Strangely, the kid's head snaps up, then. He looks scared. What the fuck is going on?

“Oh, Ryuzaki's just an old friend of ours, he worked down at the station with us. Um, he," Matsuda explains, poorly, “he's no longer with us. We lost him in the KIRA case.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. My condolences.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet of you,” Misa assures, reaching a claw over the table to pat Gojo's hand. "Don't worry. It was a long time ago."

"Were you close?"

Matsuda waits for Light to offer an answer, and when he doesn't, steps in again. "Uhh, well. Light knew him better than the rest of us, but…But he was an all around great guy. Smartest I've ever met. Like, suuuuper smart. Amazing at tennis and chess and hacking and stuff. Just like, great at everything."

"Hmm," Gojo says, holding his dessert fork to his teeth. Light can't feel his fingers. "You guys play a lot of tennis?"

“Light doesn’t like tennis," Misa interrupts. Paranoid for God knows what reason. It isn't like L can just pop out of the grave and sweep him off to Wimbledon.

"Really?" Gojo asks, pivoting. "I thought you mentioned-"

“-I’m too busy for games," Light says, flatly.

"Are you now?" He says with more emphasis, suppressing a laugh. Eyes darting from left to right, thinking he's being subtle, or maybe not. It's good fortune everyone's had their fill of wine.

“I’ll say!" Misa steps in again, "now that Ryuzaki’s gone it’s like you live at the station.” She pours herself another glass.

“Misa."

“Yes, Light?”

The kid is looking at Light, no, looking at Light's watch, and something clicks. He doesn't know how, but he knows they know. It isn't paranoia. It's clarity. There is something very wrong with this family.

"Something isn't agreeing with me," Light announces, "I think it's time for us to go. Thank you for hosting us, Matsuda." He feels so sick. 

"Oh no! Sorry I can't finish the story," she squawks, halting her pour. "I'll get the keys. Um, can you drive? I've had a couple glasses."

---

Streetlamps paint his face in burnt orange as he makes the thirteen minute drive home. Misa is curled up in a ball, sitting in a way that would have her killed if they got into an accident. The seatbelt would take her head clean off, emergency brake locking it in place and potentially severing her at the torso, too. It wouldn't hurt her, though. It would all be over far too quickly. Her nerve endings wouldn't have even a full second to sprint to her brain in warning.

"You seem off tonight."

"I'm fine," Light mumbles.

"Okay."

A few minutes pass in almost silence.

"Gojo is nice."

"Yeah."

"I invited him over next week," she utters, softly. Her voice is sad. Like she's waiting to see if she's in trouble. Light supposes if he had the energy, she would be.

"That's nice."

"Yeah, I thought it could be nice. The three of us."

The whirring of the road makes him feel like he's floating. She won't stop looking at him.

"Are you okay?" Light asks.

"Yeah."

"Okay."

He contemplates turning on the radio. The silence is awkward in a way it usually isn't, ever. He's probably imagining it. She's had a lot to drink.

"I'm sorry we talked so much about Ryuzaki."

"That's okay."

"…Do you miss him?"

"No."

"It's okay if you do. He." Her voice is chalky in the way it gets before she breaks out in tears. "…I think I kind of miss him."

"Misa," Light warns, "rest your eyes a bit. We'll be home soon."

There's a moment where she's pondering, eyes locked on Light's profile. He can always feel it when she's looking at him. She bites on her thumb and Light doesn't know if that's a little jab. Her taking her rebellion in spades and hiding it under a girlish ignorance. Neither of them willing to say the quiet part out loud.

"I love you," she says, and closes her eyes.

"You too."

---

He stares at the ceiling fan, watches it spin around and around and around.

Rise. Judge. Execute. Around and Around and Around.

Misa sleeps soundly next to him, a safe distance away in her own twin bed pushed up against his. Within arms reach, but never reaching.

He could have asked her Gojo's name on the drive home, but then she'd know.

It's a mournful discovery, how much she doesn't let on.

Gojo has to die.

---

thank you @shydroid3000 for being the best beta reader on god's green earth, may santa bring you lots of strawberries and doomed yaoi fics <3

[bewilderedbuckley]

Buddie moto

Yeah 👍🏼

[motocrunch]

[boymagicalgirl]

I would love bl reccs thank u wise teacher

thank you for the praise nonnie

I will admit, I've been slacking on my BL bachelor's and what I've logged on MyAnimeList is mainly manga so bear this in mind, this'll mainly be manga recs.

Not Equal by Ike Reibun. It's short, only 2 volumes, and deals with supernatural shit like time travel. It's taboo with incest and age gap but I would argue it handles the topics with grace and was interesting.

Yuki to Matsu by Takahashi Hidebu. Also relatively short with 3 volumes. It's historical samurai yaoi. It's interesting and I enjoy it cause sometimes I like my boys to look more masculine and adult rather than only being waifish twinks.

ANY WORKS BY MOTO HAGIO OR TAKEMIYA KEIKO I ENJOYED A, A PRIME AND SUNROOM NI TE RESPECTIVELY.

Now for anime, that is tougher. I feel like Buddy Daddies, though not overt, had a decent amount of gay subtext with two close guys raising a child and being called her papas.

If you're fine with donghua I highly recommend Tian Guan Ci Fu or Heaven Official's Blessing and Mo Dao Zu Shi or Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. Those are great with a capital G and are actual BL.

[tentacledsnakelover]

Happy 14th Anniversary Wild Kratts

Wild Kratts Animal Friends Song Script

I have a big special interest in Wild Kratts and animals in general. In honor of the 14th anniversary of the show, I wanted to post a script of this little song I put together. It is highly based on the "Octonauts: Creatures A to Z" song (Octonauts: Creatures A to Z (US Version)), with Octonauts being one of my other major special interests.

Rocket Jaw, Lockjaw, Splash Claw and Snapjaw

Blue, Shellvana, Pokino and Jawsana

Snappy, Witty, Gabby, Bumper’s Mom, Avalanche and Grabsy

Gular, Martin, Gulpa, Kitten, 

Frosty, Green Alien, Roy G. Biv and Listen

Headbasher, Maxilla, Giddy-Up and Crocodilla

Downy, T. Rex, Stretch Jr., Thumb and Little X

Frederica, Lick, Voltage and Click

Pokalala, Chompella, Grandpa and Caja, 

Shadow, Arrow, Yellow, and Dragon Glow

Blur, Atlas, Stripes, Knapsack and Necklace

Maxilla Jr., Warty, Pounce More and Snorty

Elfis, Little Sis, Picky, Slurpy, Pacer, Thumb and Chris

Cork, Sucker Head, Spooky, Shield and Little Red

Flame, Blobby and Poby, Hercules, Spear and Ocean Pony 

Hoodie, Momma Raccoon, Lightning and Koala Balloon

Spot Swat and Swat, Crunchina and Crunch

Fluffy Flier, Fluff, Puffy, Puff and Gold Puff

Thornsley, Nosey, Joey, Pokey

Golden Ice, Tailer, Hero Jr. and Erminator

Spirit Jr, Hip-Hop, Red and Scoop and Fuzztop

Mrs. President, Quillber, Swirly, Timber, 

Tasmom, Snapifer, Jill, Thorn, and Platter

Pointer, Sparker, Buckaroo, Maze, Stars, Red Flash and Moo

Little Howler, Juice 2, T-Bone and Baby Blue

Munchette, Muncher, Shaggette, Bumper

Spinester, Spinner, Tasdad and Finnster

Scmurtle, Cookie, Dandelion, Pinkie

Hipster, Hopster, Pinkster, and Last Largest Lobster

Headbanger, Bang, Megafang and Hangtime

Druid, Spike and Lemair, Old Needle Claws and Gummy Bear

Surprise, Bite-Size, Tuba, Bob and Crazy Eyes

Juice 2, Buddy, Sweet Tweet and Nobody

Blockhead, Squiddo, Cute and Torpedo

Rollo, Pulpo, Tough-O, 

Blimpy, Rocko, Lil’ Cubby, Hero, 

Bounsa, Googly Eye, Queen Stealth and Shy Guy

Razor Mouth, Jojo, Red Crush, Bandito, Indigo, 

Huge-O, Plato, Anayepumua Moto

 Adapto, Stuffo, Camo, and Brainio

Puffo, Gulo, Bandito, El Cutisimo

Beast, Squidtacular, Orange Peel and Cat Burglar

Catapult, Raging Bull, Bellyful and Nostril

Spike Jr., Squidcicle, Curly Tail and Tackle

Chillax, Beaks, Harry and Cheeks

Smiley, Swish, Nubs, Coach and Wolfish

Necktie, Blue Beaky, Mama Panther, and Mambiky

Okay, Blue Goggle, Bumblezzz and Schnozzle

Cuter, Tusker, Kid Musky and Two Tusker

Artichoke, Pawflip, Foldy Flappy Flaps and Fingertip, 

Fishy, Spaceship, Mama Puffin and Slip Grip

Target, Gold Nugget, Bing-Boing and Violet, 

Batsox, Baby Tooth, Smiley and Old Shark Tooth

Speed Limit, Orbit, Mama Shrike and Spirit

Tickler, Flash, Swivel Head and Splash

Tracker, Sneaker, Roo Boss and Heatseeker

Juice, Big, Princess and Twig

Shaggy Vacuum and Figgy

Orange, Backpack, Pumpkin Face and Lil’ Jack

Shaggo, Golf Ball, Platty, Squeak and Spikeball

Googly Jr., Jillybean, Slider, Stomp and Green

Whistle, Queenie, Orange Juice and Wolfy

Mama Tenrec, Screensaver, Seven and Clever

Stinkflinger, Rufus, Little G and Mama Opotamus

Goblin, Clingon, Lil’ Marty and Swamp Dragon

Goldie, Sticker, Mama Grizz and Blinker

Mr. P.U. Skunk and Zippy, Mama Grizz, Skippy

Stretch, Squawk, Lost and Found and Seasquatch

Lounger, Poker, Slider, and Martin Jr.

[lemonidae]

I don't know if you have made this list or not, but can I ask for BL recs with family tags or taking care of child? After rewatching Buddy Daddies, kinda want to read BL with children (can be omegaverse or not)....

Read and loved:

Daraku Kazoku-ron by Tsurukame Mayo

Ibitsuna Bokura no Katachi by Mita Homuro

Read and liked:

Gochisousama by CJ Michalski

Shima-chan Chi no Tsugai Jijou by Mikkamita

Nobara by Kumota Haruko

Terpenoid by Tetuzoh Okadaya

Nichijousahan Bi by Haruhira Moto

Bokura No Shokutaku by Mita Ori

Sekai wa Shippo de Dekiteiru by Honjou Rie

TBR

Ikumen After by Kazuma Kodaka

Sannin Gurashi by Hirakita Yuya

Yozora no Sumikko de by Nojiko Hayakawa

Mabataki no Aida by Neruko Sugu

Tenjou no Shita ni Koi by Ichikawa Ichi

Every Day Is a Good Day by Nishi Noeko

Oh My Hero! by Cocomi

Seishun Catharsis by Katsuragi

One Week Family by Yatsuhashi

Ookami Papa wa Hitsuji Tsura shite Yatte kuru by Kurusu Haiji

Omegaverse - OK Read

Love Is An Illusion by Fargo

Low Tide in Twilight by Euja

How to Chase an Alpha by Kimnyeong

Some lists I found on MAL:

LGBT tag on MRM

[beckyh2112]

So, for my stuff where there's Motobolt and Onslaught/Silverbolt, I just think it's really fucking funny if Megatron doesn't know about any of this.

All of the other Decepticons do! It's great gossip, and Swindle has been taking bets on how this all is going to turn out. (Starscream has his money on Motormaster, because he has a very low opinion of the Aerialbots; Soundwave has his on "this won't be resolved for at least 20 years." Not sure about anyone else's bets.) (Swindle strongly suspects he's going to be paying out to Soundwave.)

They know about the Motobolt stuff first, because Motormaster is neither subtle nor trying to hide it. Nor are the Constructicons quiet about complaining when they have to fix him from when he and Silverbolt get really rough. But Moto isn't going to take a rival for ANYTHING, so the Ons/Bolt comes out sometime after Motormaster finds out about it.

Comparatively, very few Autobots know about Silverbolt's Decepticon boyfriends/fuck-buddies/whatever is going on there. Most of the ones who know also combine with him. The Aerialbots' attitude is: You're our brother, so we'll support and protect you from your own stupidity, just like you do for us, but wow, we don't want to know anything about this. Knowing their identities is bad enough.

(Prowl doesn't understand why Jazz and Ratchet keep putting Silverbolt and Hot Spot on joint missions/work shifts, but he'll take their word that it's a good idea.)

[motoreveries]

A Sendoff to Moto-Heaven: Ride in Peace Yamagata

In the 1988 cyberpunk motorcycle anime Akira, by acclaimed director, Katsuhiro Otomo, the protagonist, Kaneda learns of his biker buddy, Yamagata’s death. In turn, Kaneda proceeds to crash Yamagata’s bike in order to send it to him so that he may ride it in heaven.

For more, hit me on the gram.

[noseandnous]

Debaser by D.S. & Durga: Midgar shuffle

…don’t know about you, but I am un CHIEN! Andalusien! --Black Francis

I picked up a number of samples by the indie perfumer D.S. & Durga, including “Steamed Rainbow,” “Deep Dark Vanilla,” “Pistachio,” and this one. Debaser is my favorite so far.

Online reviews are mixed. The famous and eloquent Kafkaesque likes this, but argues an incongruity in its name; while Debaser cites the 1989 Pixies tune, the Black Francis screech is nowhere to be found in this pleasant, fig-based fragrance, powdered with a little iris, warmed up with tonka and coconut, sweetened with pear, and something slightly spicy and woody underneath. Other reviewers have taken up this theme, confused by the edgy name, complaining, even, about false advertising. Many allusions to green accords, garden wanders, fresh meadows, and so forth; all the traditional imagery of the mainstream mind as it seeks an exit from the ordinary.

I smell these described notes, certainly—the milky fig, the coconut, not too sweet but very present; the bassy tonka, the blonde wood, the iris and the moss all cutting through the lactones and preventing them from getting insipid.

But I am not transported to a bosky grove or dew-laden meadow: this fragrance is no portal to Narnia.

It's a little like one of those reversible pictures--a goose one way, an old lady another; if you focus too much on the fig and all its lacy green assumptions, you miss the city.

Because the thing is I get a very specific hit of leather jacket—no, vinyl… no, leather after all, a biker jacket, nice and bulky, the kind you wear as armor for the subway. The jacket you wear as you stand in the corner of the mechanics’ garage when your moto goes tits-up. The one you have on as you chew on a pear-flavored hard candy, lounging, inconspicuous, waiting for that guy on your docket--the dumb one, the weak link--to come out of the liquor store and lead you to your real quarry.

The one you wear when even the rain feels dirty.

The longer I had Debaser on, the more the affect crystallized: it’s Midgar, buddy. If this name means nothing to you, don’t worry. Just drop in the degraded urban environment of your choice, but fill it with the joy and optimism peculiar to that space, the joy of catching the last train, the joy of spicy red oil noodles, the joy of sarcastic jokes with your partner in crime.

For friends of mine who know where Midgar is—thus what I mean by citing it—I should warn you that depending on your skin chemistry, you may have to traverse an astonishing amount of coconut before the leather jacket, the train, the slanting light all come out to play. You may also find the pear alienating. Me, I like it; it’s artificial, but it’s not pretending. You keep the little tin of those little pear-flavored jewels in the pocket of that leather jacket and you watch the sun track across the hoardings as you listen to the buskers, taking your time.

It’s a good day.

[anarchic-miscellany]

Terrible Screenplay Idea: "Origami Tattoo"

"Origami Tattoo" are an up and coming rock band, formed of lead singer Chad Bolivar, bass player Wendy Frost, guitarist Ignatius Van Pelt, and drummer Sakura Moto.

All four are also mages of varying talent and skill levels: Chad tries his hand at a bit of everything but focuses on summoning and portals, Wendy is great at healing and manipulation of various stuff, Ignatius has doubled down on mastering fire magic as it "looks cool as fuck", and Sakura has studied so much magic she's actually confident and competent.

Their chance at glory lies only in The Battle of the Bands in Vegas! Not only is there a record contract and immense fame awaiting them, but there is a $20,000 cash prize for the winner!

They have three days to get there, but no petrol in their van, and even lower morale.

Complicating matters is the news that long term rival jazz band "The Sax Pistols" are on their way to the contest, Chad is going to be kicked out of the college of mages, Wendy is possibly pregnant, Ignatius' fire based magic is all he is good at, and Sakura's visa is about to expire. EVEN WORSE! They are skint, and an evil portal of anti-creation is in their path and can only be stopped by the combined efforts of this ragtag group of mages!

Will they save the world, make it to the contest, and emerge triumphant in the battle of the bands?!

Find out in this road trip, buddy cop adventure musical mystery tour!