#no spoilers i have the third book ready ok i just need to get this out

[really-nothingtoseehere]

Hyperfixation induced lazer focus pulled me through the second book in one sitting and I was managing just fine processing all the new information being thrown around, but absolutely nothing prepared me for the force of being launched back into real life by reading "Hi, Not Fucking Dead, I'm Dad."

[skyloftian-nutcase]

Ask the Blorbos! Healthcare edition

@silvercaptain24 @factorialsfandoms

Wind: I’ll go first! I wanted to be a pirate when I was a kid. That way I could take all the bad guys out on my ship and steal their stuff! >:)

Legend: Pirates are the bad guys, genius.

Wind: That depends entirely upon your point of view. Anyway, I still haven’t given up on that dream.

Wild: You gonna be a respiratory therapist that steals things?

Wind: Only from the bad surgeons.

Time:

Wind:…Which you are not.

Warriors: I wanted to be whatever it took to get out of the foster system.

Sky, sheepishly: Same. But I always loved the idea of flying, so being a pilot was a big deal to me. I’m glad I got to do that.

Hyrule: I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be, just something that allowed me to travel wherever and feel free.

Legend: I wanted to be a mechanic like my uncle.

Hyrule: What changed?

Legend: Eh, long story. Somebody died, somebody got hurt blah blah I nursed them back to health and was like “yeah ok I like this too.” And when I looked up the possibilities, nursing had the most promising path. So many different opportunities and the like.

Warriors: Somebody died?? There’s a lot you’re glossing over in this story!

Legend: We don’t have to all spill our secrets, you know.

Everyone:

Time: I wanted to be a fairy when I was a kid.

Warriors: …? How does that work?

Time, smiling fondly: My father told me stories about the forest fairies, and I always loved the idea of spending my time in the woods away from the rest of the world, in an enchanted land where everything was safe. But reality came soon enough. After that I wanted to be the person who protected others, whatever that meant.

Wind: So then you became a surgeon!

Time:….Something like that.

Four: I considered going into biomedical engineering, but I decided that I wanted to be more directly involved in patient care. Feel like I’m making more of a difference this way. But I am still very interested in how the medical tools are made. Maybe someday I can blend the two together and work for a biomedical tech company or something?

Twilight, smiling fondly: Honestly, I wanted to just work on the family ranch.

Wild: Why didn’t you?

Twi: I did. But life has a way of sweeping you into things, and I got… swept.

Wind: Do you… do you want to go back to the ranch?

Twi: I miss it, yeah, but this is way too much fun to go back. Besides, things change, and… yeah. I love my family but after everything I’ve seen and done I’m not ready to just go back and settle, you know?

Everyone: *stares at Wild expectantly*

Wild: *sweating* Uhhh… I—when I was a kid…. *glanced at me* spoilers??

Legend: Oh, brother, how did you get specific questions?

Warriors, smirking: Because I’m just that popular.

Twi, rolling his eyes: Attention is the last thing you need.

Warriors: Well, you can be as jealous as you like. Anyway! Favorite book. Hmm. I honestly like history books a great deal, especially war history. I think my war periods differ from yours, though, so I’ll settle for something else and say that my favorite non history book to read was The Hobbit. I used to read it to Wind during the war.

Wind: I love that book! :D

Sky: Me too! Though I don’t think I ever got through the whole thing…

Wind: You didn’t, because you went AWOL!

Time: We’ll have to rectify that.

Warriors: Yes, we will. As for favorite patient, I don’t know if I have a specific favorite patient so much as a favorite type. Namely, the kind of patient that fits two conditions. One, they have a legitimate reason to be in my ER and two, they’re polite and don’t lie to me.

Hyrule: Honestly, you can get away with just about anything if you’re polite and appreciative about it.

Warriors: True. Though wastes of resources still get on my nerves. But anyway, third question. My least favorite piece of equipment is the vocera.

Legend: YES

Hyrule: Oh, those phone things that hang on you like a badge?

Warriors: Yes. These little monsters are supposed to make your life easier. You press a button and you can call anyone in the department. But they never freaking understand what you’re saying, so they’re pointless.

Legend: Last time I tried to use it I said “call ED Charge Nurse” and she tried to call some random transplant coordinator from a clinic.

Warriors: Like I said. Pointless.

Four: My favorite thing to do with vocera is tell it to log off and it can’t even get that right.

Wild, laughing: He was ready to throw it across the nurse’s station trying to log out the other day.

[not-the-tie-youre-looking-for]

Something that's been bugging me for years since the Legends finale. If Zhan had been the writer for Rebels, do you think he would have had Thrawn bomb Lothal to bring Ezra out? On the one hand, from Legends Thrawn's portrayal I imagine he would without a second of hesitation. On the other, Canon Thrawn has been much more... restrained? And on a third point, there's the fact that Legends and Canon Thrawn seem like they really could be the same person just at different points of time. cnt in next

...I'm just curious if anyone else was curious if Zhan agreed with that direction taken. Which, on that note, did Zhan ever say anything about his thoughts on how Rebels handled Thrawn? Both from a writing standpoint as well as an acting and musical one (Thrawn's various leitmotifs)?

Oh man. Ohhhhhhhh maaaaan. My friend, you have asked exactly the right person this question, because not only have I wanted to talk about this multiple times before, but I also have ~receipts~. 👀

⚠️Spoiler warnings for Star Wars: Rebels, The Mandalorian, the canon Star Wars novels Thrawn, Thrawn: Alliances, Thrawn: Treason, Thrawn Ascendency: Chaos Rising, and Thrawn Ascendency: Greater Good, and the legends Star Wars novels Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command, and Outbound Flight.⚠️

Oh man. Where to begin.

Lets start with who Thrawn is, because depending on who you ask, you're gonna get different answers—whether you're strictly a Legends fan, Dave Filoni, a guy who's only seen Thrawn in Star Wars: Rebels, Timothy Zahn, or just a writer/artist fan like me.

To Timothy Zahn, the man behind our favorite chiss, Thrawn is a character that is constant in both attitude and personality throughout all of his content. In multiple interviews, ranging from Thrawn's debut in Rebels to the latest about the writing of the Ascendancy Trilogy, Zahn states that Thrawn in canon and Thrawn in Legends are indistinguishable.

And so I present the receipts:

In a 2017 interview with The Verge on writing the first canon Thrawn book Thrawn, Zahn is asked the following question and responds as such:

How do you navigate bringing back a character who already has an extensive backstory and audience expectations, with telling a new story that fits in the new continuity?

Actually, I didn’t find that to be a problem. I’d never written Thrawn in this part of the Star Wars timeline, so it was simply a matter of bringing him into the Empire and chronicling his rise through the ranks. It’s still the same character as in the 1990s books, just a decade or two younger and in a very different military and political environment.

In another interview with The Verge in 2018 (a few months after the finale of Rebels aired) about writing Thrawn: Alliances, he repeats this sentiment twice:

Thrawn feels like if it had been written before the canonization purge a couple of years ago, or if you squinted a bit, it would serve as a perfect setup for Heir to the Empire.

Oh, I don’t think you need to squint at all. I wrote him in these two books to fit in with everything else I’d done. So if someone at Lucasfilm snapped their fingers, and suddenly all of my other books were canon, and there would be no real retrofitting that would have to go in. It would all fit together.

Thrawn: Alliances feels more at home in the new canon, especially because Thrawn has been fleshed out a bit more in Rebels. Was there any adjustments for that?

Not really. I’m getting to play with more canon characters like Vader and Padmé and Anakin, but the character himself, I still see him as the same person. He’s got goals, and he won’t necessarily share them with you, but he as long as you’re going the same direction, he’s happy to cooperate and assist along the way.

...and this is referenced again in a 2020 interview with Polygon about writing Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising:

Along with Thrawn’s appearance in Rebels, Zahn would pen a new novel, Thrawn, that chronicled the character’s early days as an Imperial officer. Zahn didn’t have to change anything with the character, telling me in 2017 that “he’s like an old friend who I understand completely.” While Heir to the Empire was no longer canon, a reader could easily read Thrawn as a precursor to that classic novel. Thrawn went on to become a major presence in Rebels, and Zahn continued to explore his origins in Thrawn: Alliances and Thrawn: Treason.

The next day, an interview with IGN was published on the same subject:

Thrawn is an especially unique case because Zahn has been able to effectively continue the work he started way back in 1991 with Heir to the Empire. That novel may not be a part of official Star Wars lore any longer, but as Zahn explained, Thrawn himself is basically the same character regardless of continuity.

[....] The closest comparison between Chaos Rising and Zahn's earlier EU work is probably 2006's Outbound Flight, which is set during the Clone Wars and details the first encounter between Thrawn and the Galactic Republic (while also retroactively laying the groundwork for elements of Heir to the Empire). That novel is no longer canon, but Zahn told us he prefers to operate as if it were. He's making a concerted effort not to retread the same ground as Outbound Flight and to avoid contradicting the events of that novel as much as possible.

So yeah. In Zahn's opinion, Legends Thrawn is Canon Thrawn is Book Thrawn, and there is no difference whatsoever between Thrawns in, say, Outbound Flight, Heir to The Empire, Alliances, and Chaos Rising. I wholeheartedly disagree, but lets move on.

Now that the books are out of the way, its time for Rebels.

In July of 2016, after the trailer announcing Thrawn's canon debut aired, Dave Filoni had the following to say about Thrawn's character in regards to Timothy Zahn:

“I was pretty adamant with a couple of people saying, ‘Listen, we need to have Tim sign off on this. This is kind of a waste of time [otherwise],'” says Filoni. “We, of course, can do what we want with a character that Lucasfilm owns, but without Tim’s okay, what does it mean? That’s not going to be good. Once we had some stuff, we wanted to do what we thought was right and make the character. Then we brought him in. We had the production fully prepared. I said, ‘Look, if there’s something that Tim says that I think is really valuable, even if it changes something dynamically, we need to be ready for that and see what we can do.’ I wanted to make sure we did this right by everybody. We brought him in and we didn’t really tell him why. We just flew him up to Lucasfilm and sat him down in a theater and said, ‘Hey, we’re bringing Thrawn into the show.’ He was like, ‘Wow.’ and I said, ‘Yeah, wow. And I’m going to show him to you right now and you let me know what you think.'”

(Before we continue, keep that first highlighted sentence in mind for future reference. I'm going to come back to that later.)

Fortunately, Timothy Zahn was delighted at the show’s approach to the Empire’s imposing blue-skinned Chiss.

“We showed him some of the scenes with him,” Dave Filoni recalls. “He looked like a kid in a candy store. I think it meant a lot to him not just because it was his character, but because you have to imagine what he went through when it was announced that everything is Legends now, not Expanded Universe. I get that and I’ve always appreciated the work that goes into the Expanded Universe… For Tim, I think it was us saying, ‘No, no, no. We really like your character. We want him to be part of the real thing. The canon universe.'”

So in 2016, before we even saw Thrawn in action beyond a trailer, we were told that Zahn gave the OK, and he was chill with the way Thrawn was created in the show. In 2017, he gave a little more of the background of this process in an interview with FANgirl Blog:

The events of Thrawn dovetail closely with Rebels and shed light on some of Thrawn’s more seemingly surprising actions on the show, like when he appears to lose his temper and yell at Lieutenant Lyste. What was it like to see Thrawn come alive onscreen? Is he how you’ve pictured him in your head?

I don’t see my characters in terms of voice or appearance, but rather as personality or attitude. That said, I very much enjoyed the way the Rebels team brought him to life, in his appearance, voice, and actions.

I also appreciated the freedom I had to tweak certain incidents, such as the one you mentioned, and give additional or alternate explanations for the viewers who may have thought those were somewhat out of character for him.

He doesn't really elaborate on this, but we can assume he had SOME creative input on Thrawn's character, and he was overall pretty happy with the choices made in the show.

But then, we have this from that earlier 2017 the Verge article:

When did you learn that Dave Filoni was intending to bring Thrawn to Rebels, and did you have any input into how the character would be handled?

[...] I didn’t have any real input into how Thrawn was going to be handled, mainly because the lead time of an animated series is so long that much of season 3 had already been finished. But I trusted Dave and the team to do the character right. After all, why bring him into Rebels if you were going to drastically change him? Having seen the entire season now, I think we can agree that my trust was completely justified.

So... he didn't have "any real input," but was satisfied with it in the end? I guess? I don't know. We're getting into some contradictions now.

The last thing I've got in regards to Rebels is an interview Zahn did with the YouTube channel Star Wars Explained after the finale aired, where he responds to the following:

“So, maybe let's jump over to Rebels for a little bit. Now that it has wrapped up, how do you feel Thrawn was represented in Star Wars: Rebels?”

“They did a really good job—they not only understood the character and how to write for him, but they also understood the meta around how you defeat him. The only way to defeat Thrawn is to throw something at him he can't control, or can't anticipate. Given perfect knowledge and control, Thrawn will always find a way to win. But they understood, this is how you defeat him, these are the things we can use against him... so his portrayal in general, is very good; he's smart, he's anticipating, he's a step ahead of everybody, he's looking at clues and picking up on them, so I was very pleased with how the Rebels team handled the character."

I think these quotes answer many of your questions, so to answer your initial question: If Zhan had been the writer for Rebels, do I think he would have had Thrawn bomb Lothal to bring Ezra out?

Yes—but ONLY because at that point, the only established™️ Thrawn content was found in Legends, where Thrawn was a ruthless and calculating warlord.

However!

I do believe that if given the chance to re-write the Star Wars: Rebels finale using his now-canon novels as a solid background TODAY, Zahn would choose to not let Thrawn bombard Lothal's Capital City.

I believe this because he made one single very interesting creative choice when writing Thrawn that completely overwrote Thrawn's pre-established Rebels character: Thrawn was not responsible for the civilian deaths on Batonn—Pryce was.

And that's that on that.

A few months ago I would have ended it there, but today, Thrawn's story is no longer just contained in the novels and Rebels, but also in that of The Mandalorian.

This is where I will proudly say I have no idea what the fuck is going on. Before The Jedi aired, I was 100% sure that the next time we saw Thrawn, it would be nowhere NEAR the Empire, because Zahn was pretty adamant in the novels that Thrawn was only in the Empire to help. His. People.

So now he's apparently doing fuck-knows-what in fuck-knows-where and is STILL associated with the Seventh Fleet and Imperial Warlords???

Huh??? Despite the fact that he held no true loyalty to the Empire or to the Emperor??? It's been months and I'm still confused as fuck. Add to the fact that Zahn also doesn't know what the fuck is going on to the equation and we get a big fat question mark with one pretty clear answer that Filoni said himself that we have to keep in mind:

"We, of course, can do what we want with a character that Lucasfilm owns."

So I don't think Zahn has much control over Thrawn as we would all like to think. We can hope he gives us the crazy Thrawn and Ezra Space Adventure™️ novel all we want, but ultimately, Thrawn's fate does not rest in his hands.

If you guys have more to add please let me know!!! This is, obviously, a topic I am very passionate about, so I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[lila-rae]

NWH Thoughts (with Spoilers)

I’ve had this in my drafts and finally remembered to post it. It’s super long so you’ve been warned

I know we knew this going in but I really liked that it just immediately picked up with the daily bugle announcement. Even just having the sound under the studio logos brought you right back into the moment from the end of FFH. Of course we had to get one smug shot of Mysterio’s face (seriously would be on sight if you know any of this was real).

The swinging scenes were really well done and I know it was such a hardship for TZ to have to be stuck to each other for all those days of filming 😂. That first scene in his apartment though is still probably the most chaotic and hilarious and I just want to watch it on repeat. Happy not knowing how to handle a break up, May just trying to get him out, PJ making the most suggestive noises in their moments of panic. Shirtless Peter. May being a mood when seeing their compromising position and still going to introduce herself to MJ. Peter bouncing around to close all the windows while focusing on happy and May even though he has much bigger problems. 10/10.

I love that his legal troubles weren’t drawn out. May and MJ being on the same sunshine protector squad was amazing. Getting confirmation that MJ is Michelle Jones-Watson and he giving zero fucks when being interrogated while also driving looks. I am in love. And sweet sweet Ned. Bless him. Then Daredevil showing up at the kitchen table and catching a brick. It’s fine he’s just a really good lawyer *screams*

Happy lives like a NBA rookie who just got money and I’m here for it. And of course he lives on LI. Dum-E!!!! The whole Peter MJ face time conversation is adorable and Z’s line delivery was on point. I love playful sarcastic MJ. Honestly would watch a whole movie of them just interacting with each other.

Darnell 100% was the best part of that exterior school scene. I just love him. Still not sure how I feel about blonde flash but I do love that in a few weeks tops he’s been able to write and publish a whole ass book detailing his “best friendom” with Spider-Man.

The teachers at Midtown are always hilarious and I am so sad they cut the rest of the school scene out and we only got a minute of them. I want more of Mr. Dell and Mr. Harrington fawning all over Peter (that case though 😂) while the gym teacher hates him cause he’s team mysterio.

Rooftop PJ!! Need I say more… Also Ned being the oblivious third wheel the whole movie had me dying. He really said “okay you’ve got a girl now, what does that have to do with me?”

Them not realizing they didn’t get in to college with all those small ass envelopes… really? I know it’s been a decade since I had to do college admissions but pretty sure small envelopes are universal for rejection. Also having watched so many acceptance videos more than likely it would have been an email. So weird choice.

And now we get my least favorite part of every Spider-Man movie… Peter being a fucking idiot. He’s so smart. Like canonically he’s one of the smartest people in the world but his lack of common sense drives me up the wall. How hard would it be to just listen to Dr. Strange telling you to stop talking. Tell everyone you love your Spider-Man again and leave it alone. Better yet just ask for Everyone to forget Mysterio and everything he’s ever said. And boom done. Strange is me also when realizing he didn’t even attempt any other solution first. Like I love Peter but he’s so dumb it hurts.

The bridge fight with Doc Ock was immaculate and Peter playing with his tentacles once he gained control was probably the most comic Peter Parker we’ve ever seen him. But the real winner was protective Peter coming out ready to kill when he says “I should have killed your little girlfriend” Yeah he flipped a switch. Also MIT lady ready to read Otto the riot act also hilarious.

The jump scares in the basement scene, is that the horror moments they kept teasing cause… ok. Peter now recognizing he should ask his friends for assistance when needing to catch villains. If only you had thought to brainstorm with them before breaking the multiverse.(MJ agrees) And again Ned’s just happy to be there. Peter trying to get paint out of his suit and then deciding to just turn it inside out. But leaves it in the water and in the next breath he says he needs to go. No way your suit is dry at all but ok.

I’m so glad they didn’t keep Jamie Foxx blue. Ned and MJ were very unhelpful on video chat but I loved that he wanted them there. Peter “fixing” power lines with web. Friend I don’t think it works that way.

More protective Peter (my favorite Peter) when he gets that call from May. Only to get Norman in the kitchen stealing donuts. I love May but please let him be a kid and stop saying fixing these villains is his job. They’re grown ass men in need of therapy and he’s 17. You do it if you care so much.

Strange was right. I do not care argue with a wall. Their deaths don’t matter and they needed to just go home. Even after everything at the end the only real redeemable one feels like Doc. But I do applaud MJ for standing between Peter while running and Dr. Strange. Yes girl protect your man even if he is known for making very hasty decisions he clearly hasn’t thought through.

Still confused why exactly astral projection didn’t work on Peter but we did get “you know what’s better than magic… math” which is just so Peter but more hilarious since we know how Tom feels about “maths”.

The villains being in disbelief that Peter could pull MJ 😂 And her once again being the captain of the Peter Protection Squad while threatening them.

And moving to Happy’s apartment is when it all went to shit. And I just wanted to pull my hair out and yell at Peter for trusting them without any sort of insurance policy. Like leave them in the cages. Take them one by one. I don’t care but a whole apartment full of known villains is just disaster waiting to happen. And it did. Love the visualization of his spider sense and that’s the last nice thing I’ll say about that.

I can’t believe they fucking killed off May. May??? Are you fucking kidding me. He’s 17 barely and now he’s on his own. Did we just forget he’s a minor. That was fucking stupid and I stand by this stance. We did get her quoting the actual correct SM quote from the comics so I guess that’s something. And Marissa and Tom acted their asses off but I was just still so angry they killed her.

The aftermath of him in front of those LED billboard broke me. I was in the theatre crying with him. He just looked so broken (and fuck all the people who get a hard on for this version of Peter. And act like he hasn’t been through enough. This was enough right here and then it gets worse.) 😡

Ok so I’ll admit I wasn’t initially a fan of T and A being in the movie but Ned conjuring a portal and being Andrew in was so great to see with a crowd. Also MJ throwing bread is a mood. Ned’s Lola also a mood when she started ranting about the webs being shot. Tobey just causally walking through the portal like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Another mood.

We’re back on the rooftop and their hugging and I’m back to crying. They weren’t lying when they said this movie was emotional. Holy crap the way he breaks down while they’re holding him then grabs them either tighter until he senses something is off and then jumps up and moves MJ behind him. He’s so over everything and these assholes are still like no just fix them. No Peter be selfish and say fuck off.

I did love the lab scene. Andrew watch PJ and seeing the obvious love between them and getting dad missing Gwen (his MJ). Hearing Tobey also has a girl named MJ. Ned learning about the Spider-Man best friend to villain pipeline. Peter having no clue about that conversation but Ned vowing to never try to kill him confusing the hell out of Peter but making T and A proud. Everyone freaking out over Tobey’s organic webs, (as they should organic webbing has always been gross to me). Later the boys not letting it go and Peter asking if it comes out of anywhere else. Bless.

The final fight was absolute chaos cause they don’t know how to work in a team besides Peter. “I don’t want to brag but I will” yes Peter. And Andrew assuming the Avengers were a band 😂. Also Andrew just radiating golden retriever energy. His “I love you guys” he is the definition of just happy to be here.

Ned not knowing how to close the portals 🤦🏾‍♀️ MJ being so supportive and trying to coach him through it. I really liked that we got a lot of MJ/Ned interactions this movie. They’re hilarious together. He never gets it to close but he does bring back Stephen who is definitely impressed with Ned.

You know what’s not hilarious though MJ falling and the green goblin clipping Peter mid air. But Andrew gets to redeem himself for not catching Gwen. And we get a nice safe landing for our girl who is very confused why this grown man is about to cry just from catching her.

And now we get Dark Peter, the hottest Peter Parker has ever been probably. Cause watching him go feral and beat the absolute shit out of the Goblin was amazing and gave me something I never knew I needed. I really just wanted him to end him but you know moral high ground Tobey had to come and ruin the fun (kidding, not really)

And now the moment that ripped out my heart, part 1. Watching Peter tell the MJ and Ned they’re going to forget them. Ned and his long hand shake. And then Z gave the most heart breaking performance as she said goodbye. “I really hate magic” “I love you” “I love” “just wait and tell me when you see me again”… (cue mental breakdown). They awwed while watching the trailer. There was nothing Aww about that kiss. It was fucking heart breaking. And I just want them back together. It’s okay though he’s totally going to keep his PROMISE and tell her how he feels when he goes in the coffee shop. But wait he sees a bandaid and decided to fuck it and just keep quiet. WTF. She has a small scrape. Boy if you don’t tell her how you feel. She had that look on her face like she was putting together pieces. She’s going to figure it out and then ream your ass out and you deserve it.

Peter Parker meets Cherry…yeah that’s all I have to say about that. (Apparently the beanie exists solely because they shot that in November and his hair was too long.)

And we get lonely PP in his one room apartment with mementos from his former life. He made a new suit. (Why so shiny Peter?) And that’s how it ends. Tom Z and Jacob were going to fight because y’all kept saying it was a satisfying ending and that was the biggest load of bullshit you’ve ever said.

[lovlydovlyjaycie]

Ævi - Frontlines

Hey again! This will be a continued series. The first Ævi series is in my masterlist and is only four parts. This is going to be a ongoing series, so there is going to be a lot more of Ævi to come. :)

Summary: Y/n or also known as Ævi has lived through varies of world events. Now it is 1941, she has excepted that some things cannot be changed so Loki has convinced Y/n to go to New York and live a normal life, a life Y/n always wanted. Or as normal it can be, because new introductions lead to events that didn’t go down in the history books.

Characters: Bucky Barnes x reader, Steve Rogers, Peggy, Loki, OC Vera

Warnings: Fluff, Violence, we’re officially in Captain America the First Avenger now... So I guess spoilers?

Note: When I am writing and particularly writing about Bucky and y/n meeting again or them just being in love I always listen to Pirates of the Caribbean to the theme or Will and Elizabeth and I thought it would be good to share that with you guys. To get in the feels. Right now it jumps from POTC One day and the last minute or so from Drink up me hearties yo ho. I know it is so random, but I cannot get it out of my head.

Part 10

I woke up next to Bucky the next day with the blankets sprawled all over me and Bucky laying his arm lazily over me, still asleep. I looked at the dog tags that I was wearing. It felt nice having something with Bucky's name on it, to have something of his with me. I carefully turned around towards Bucky. He looked so peaceful in his sleep. Even in his sleep he had his well known smirk plastered on his face, probably dreaming about some good things. I reached with my hand towards his face. Slightly tracing his lips with my fingers and then up to his cheek. I was rubbing slow circles on his cheek with thumb.

"Good morning." He said quietly, his smirk becoming bigger. "Sorry for waking you up." I told him apologetic sliding my hand back to my place, but he quickly grabbed it. "Waking up next to you is the best thing, so never apologize for that doll." He told me as he guided my hand back to his cheek and he opened his eyes to look at me.

"What are you up to today?" I asked starting to rub circles on his cheek again. "If it were up to me.. I'd stay here the whole day." Bucky moved closer, our heads touching. My hand slid down to his neck. "But sadly it is not up to you. So what are you gonna do?" I said smiling. "Training. I wanted to ask.. Do you want to train with us or did they teach you enough in Sweden and Norway? You still got me curious about that, doll, but if you don't want to tell me I'll respect that." He continued on. I understood the curiosity and I wanted to tell him, but I didn't know what his reaction would be. "I have learned a lot from Sweden and Norway. And I will tell you everything you want to know, but I need time to find the right words.. And I want the world not to be going to shit." I slightly laughed. There was so much going on.. And how do you even tell a person that I am from the future, but have lived so far in the past as well. I honestly never told anyone before, besides Bjorn and his family, but they were there when I was figuring out what was happening to me. And then Loki, Thor, Odin, Heimdall and Frigga know, more like everyone in Asgard knew, but those five actually know the whole story. But besides that I never even tried to tell someone. And this time I really wanted to tell Bucky, but I have no clue how.

"I understand. Don't worry." He smiled then sighed. "I need to get ready." He turned over on his back. "At least we work at the same place." And he gave me a kiss on my mouth. But as soon as it started, it was over. "Lets get ready for work." I told him as I started to get up. "But lets end our day like this." He pulled my arm, making me fall on him. He kissed me again, this time it was deeper. He flipped us over, so now he was hovering over me. "I need to get these replaced." He said as he held his dog tags in his hand. He gave me a smirk. "They do look a lot better on you." He leaned in again for another kiss. "Bucky.. We.. Need.. To.. Get.. To.. Work.." After every word I got another kiss. I couldn't stop giggling between the kisses. "Bucky." I tried, but not really trying to stop him. "Alright. Lets get to work." And he stood up. As he started to walk away he turned around quickly once more and gave me another kiss. "Last one." He said as he almost skipped to the bathroom. All I could do was laugh.

-I walked in the facility to meet up with someone named Howard. Before I greeted everyone I decided to put the dog tags under my shirt. "Ah! You must be Y/n Ironside!" A man called and kind of startled me. "Yes I am." I said with big eyes turning around to see where the voice was coming from. It was a man with dark hair and a mustache. He walked up to me and put out his hand. "Nobody told me how beautiful you are. I am Howard Stark." He happily said as he was shaking my hand. "Howard Stark, I swear I have heard that name before. What's your full name?" He smirked. "Howard Anthony Walter Stark. You may have heard of me through my inventions. I have been trying to make cars fly and I see it happening in the near future." The last part I barely heard what he said. I could only think of the name Anthony. Anthony Stark. Tony Stark. Right before I got zapped away to the past he told everyone he is Iron Man. Is Howard or I Howard going to be his father, I mean they are on the same path of inventing things.

"I think I have heard Bucky mention your name before." I responded. "Bucky? Your husband?" He asked, trying to figure out whatever he was trying to figure out. "No.. But I am taken, if that's what you're getting at.." I said as I narrowed my eyes at him. He put his hands up. "Just curious. Anyway, I'll give you the tour of what we got." He said as he started walking, indicating I needed to follow. "So we have been dismantling the guns you had found in Switzerland. And there are some really interesting parts." He walked towards a machine that was holding up something that was shining blue. "This was something that was found in the guns." He explained. I stepped closer. There was no way. It looked like it was part of the Tesserect. That's how they made the guns. With the machine he was holding up the little piece, carefully. "Seems harmless enough." Howard stated. "Hard to see what all the fuss is about." He moved another machine arm closer, this one had a sort of laser. "NO!" I yelled as we got hit back by the blast of the little stone. "Write that down." Howard said. "Are you ok?" I asked as I came over to help him up. "I'm fine darling." He said as I helped him up. "Whatever that small thing is.. it is powerful." He stated.

This was actually good to know. To have the power of the stone, you don't need the whole stone. Even small bits and pieces could be powerful enough if you used it. I know the power I have is strong, but having the spell on me that Frigga helped me with so the stone can not be traced was not letting my powers come out to my full extend. I also have never really been able to use my full powers, for my own protection and others. Sometimes I do wonder what my limit is, but what if it is too much? What if I hurt people that I swore to protect? What if I cant control it? These are questions I don't want answers to right now or maybe ever.

As I turned around I saw Steve walking up. "Hi Steve." I said happy to see him and giving him a quick hug. "I have a question. What does fondueing mean?" He asked quietly. I snorted. "What? Fondue is just cheese and bread, dork." He narrowed his eyes seeing if I was joking. "Really?" He asked. "Really." I laughed.

"Alright ladies come on." Howard said ready to get back to work. "Right now we're working on everything to make sure you and your men, and woman, do not get killed." He told us showing Steve around the lab. I had no idea what they were making. "Carbon polymer. Should withstand your average German bayonet. Although Hydra's not going to attack you with a pocket knife." Howard told us as he showed us some material. It was most likely for his suit. "I hear you're kind of attached." Howard said as he patted the shield Steve had with him at the Hydra facility. It had a few bullet holes in them. Would be useless now. "It's handier than you might think." He told him. "You know you should think about a weapon or something to protect yourself with as well. Not just a shield." I told Steve. "I don't know. I don't think I want a offensive weapon. I want to protect people and defend them. How am I supposed to do the with a weapon." The last part wasn't a question. And he was right. To have a sort of shield as a symbol for protection would be such a good message. Steve has always been such a good man, fighting for what is right. I almost feel like a proud mother. "You're right. I completely agree with you." I told him. But what does that say about me? I swore to protect Life. And always when I fight I have my sword with me or knifes. Was I wrong for doing that?

"I took the liberty of coming up with some new options for your shield." Howard broke my train of thought. On the table there were many other shields. And they were the complete opposite of what Steve wanted. Howard was explaining somethings about the shields as I saw out of the corner of my eye another shield. Much smaller than the ones on the table. "What about this one?" I asked as I took the shield from next to the table and handed it over to Steve. It was very light. "No, no, that's just a proto type." Howard said dismissively. "What's it made of?" Steve asked him. "Vibranium. It's stronger than steel and a third the weight. It's completely vibration absorbent." Steve was spinning the shield around in his hands checking it out. He put the shield on his arm and gave it another look. "It looks good, Steve." He smiled and nodded at me. He also seemed to like it a lot too. "That is the rarest metal on Earth." Howard told him.

"You quite finished Mr. Stark?" Peggy asked as she came walking in the lad. "What do you think?" Steve asked Peggy. I could see in his eyes that he really like her. Slightly trying to show off his stance with the shield. In a quick motion Peggy grabbed a gun and fired at Steve. I quickly stepped away looking on in shock. Four shots and not even a dent in the shield. Howard's mouth was gaping open from shock. "Yes I think it works." Peggy said as she brushed by Steve. When Peggy was out of sight I spoke up. "What the hell did you do?!" I yelled at him punching him in the shoulder. "I-.. I don't know.." Steve said stammering. I narrowed my eyes at him. "Steve?" I said in a warning tone. "She might have seen me kiss another dame." That deserved another punch to his shoulder. "You what?! I thought you like Peggy? What are you doing kissing other girls for?" He shook his head. "I don't know. I didn't mean to." I pushed him. "Well you better get your priorities straight, cause we are leaving soon." I said as I walked away from him.

-

We had done a few missions already. It felt strange working with multiple people at once. I was so used to working alone. But there was still no luck on the Tesserect. There were many people with the same guns we had found earlier, but that was it. It was becoming so frustrating to still not be able to find anything. Even more so when people around me were getting hurt.

"Alright, here is the plan. Sergeant Barnes, you are gonna go up on the hills and you will be the look out for us. I will go down first to the facility and take out any threats that are outside. Dugan, Morita, Falsworth you take the Eastside. Jones and Dernier take West. Sawyer, Pinkerton and Juniper take North. Y/n, you stay close to me." Everybody nodded in agreement. We all got ready and checked our things. I put my knifes behind my back and Bucky had added a hand gun to my belt as well. He had told me it would make him feel less worried if I didn't just have knifes with me.

"You got everything?" Bucky asked coming closer and strapping his riffle to his back. "I do." I told him showing off the gun he gave me. "You have enough bullets?" I smiled. "I do. Don't worry. I am probably not even gonna use the gun anyway. So don't worry." I said smiling coming closer. "Besides.. I have this to protect me." I showed him the dog tags that were hidden under my shirt. "I would feel better if I was actually with you." He told me as he took the dog tags in his hand and gave them another look. "You know I need to check the facility. Who else is gonna make sure it is safe from a distance?" I told him smiling. "You really need to teach me how to fight with knifes." He told me as he pulled me closer to his chest.

It was always scary separating like this. Bucky was always somewhere behind up in the hills or between the trees. When I was somewhere at the front with Steve or Gabe Jones. I knew Bucky could defend himself, but I never have really seen him fight hand to hand.

"Alright. After this mission I will teach you a few things with me knife. Just don't do anything stupid." He laughed and nodded and hugged me a little tighter. I put my head down on his chest. Hearing his heart steadily pump. His warm embrace always calmed me down or just made me feel at peace. I breathed in his scent, he smelled like gunpowder and warm wood. "Be safe out there." I told him quietly. He put his hand up to my hair and started rubbing circles. "I will."

-

The mission had gone fairly well. We took out every Hydra member at this facility. But still no Tesserect. I mean how many hiding places do they even have? I feel like I have looked everywhere, but every single time there was nothing.

"Did you find what you where looking for?" Steve asked coming up behind me. "No, still nothing." I shook my head. It was getting so frustrating leaving empty handed every single time. "Did anybody know about what you were looking for?" Steve continued on. I wish someone did know as to where to find the Tesserect. "No, I need to find someone who is in some of the higher ranks they-.. Ahh!" My leg felt hot. I looked down and there was blood gushing out of my upper leg. I fell to the ground from the pain. In just a moment it would be gone, so I couldn't make a tooo big of a scene about it, but right now it hurt a lot and it was hard not to scream. Steve quickly jumped in action to the offender. He threw his shield towards the Hydra agent and he fell down.

"Y/n!" I heard coming from my right. Bucky was running down a hill towards me. "No! Stop!" I yelled. He didn't look if it was clear. Because behind the tree I saw another agent come out from hiding pointing his gun to Bucky's back. I quickly grabbed my knife I had behind my back and threw it at the Hydra agent. Bucky was trying to turn around and put his gun up at him at the same time, but the knife already hit the Hydra agent in his chest. In that moment the Hydra agent had pulled the trigger and hit Bucky in his right shoulder. "Bucky!"

My leg was not fully healed yet, but I bit down the pain and ran towards Bucky as fast as my legs could take me. Everything seemed to go in slow-motion from that moment on. I slowly saw Bucky fall to the ground and I felt like I couldn't breathe anymore. Every step I took made my heart beat faster for the worry I had for Bucky. As I came close to him I dropped to my knees.

"Bucky keep your eyes open!" I said. I checked his shoulder and saw all the blood gushing out. "Are you ok?" Bucky asked me out of breath. "Worry about yourself, Buck. You need to stay awake." I had to heal him even though there were people around me. I looked at Bucky's face and saw it drain of color. His eyes were slowly dropping. "Stay with me." I told him as I put my hand on his bullet wound. I quickly looked around and saw that Steve was already running towards us. It was now or never I thought. I put all my energy I had towards my hand and it started to light up. White and gold swirling around my hand and going through Bucky's skin. I looked at Bucky's face again and saw his eyes snap open. It worked. I slowly lifted my hand up and saw that the wound was already as good as healed. There was still a cut left, but it was nowhere near as bad as it was before. This would be naturally healed in a little more than a week. My hand had stopped glowing.

"Are you ok?" I asked Bucky with hopeful eyes. "I-... I uh.. I'm ok. What happened?" He asked me as he sat up. Steve had caught up and dropped down next to us. "Are you ok! I saw you get shot!" Steve said. Bucky looked down at his shoulder. It was still covered in blood, but he could definitely tell something was off. He saw the wound, but it was small, but there was a lot of blood. He pulled down his shirt from his shoulder trying to see if there were more wounds, but that was it. He looked really confused. He slowly looked up at me. He tried to search my eyes for an answer. "I thought I got shot too."

...

..

.

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[stardustintheabyss]

“I’ve seen you before”

Oikawa x fem!reader

Sum: Taking a deep breath, letting down your guard, getting out of your comfort zone. Opening the wall you built around your heart a long time ago.

You let Oikawa Tooru in.

But was it a mistake?

Warnings: swearing because I have no r e s t r a i n t. Insecurity, bullying. Oikawa being a dumbass. Angst and fluff. Small spoiler at the end.

Word count: A lot, it’s....it’s long. My stupid tablet doesn't have word count capabilities

A/n: this is based on a dream I had. How dare the dream gods give me oikawa and not my husbando(s) tendou(kirishima) 😩 and I write to get scenarios out of my head before they drive me insane

Well at least he's pretty

ok I 💫may💫 have fallen a little while writing this

It had been a long weekend of practice and homework for Oikawa. So what better way to zoneout and relax before bed on Sunday night then scroll through his instagram feed.

He'd been scrolling through random sunset photos when he suddenly saw your face in the 'suggested for you' section. Your picture was of you with what he assumed was your cat perched on your shoulder. It was cute. You were cute.

And you did look familiar. Yes, he has seen you before. He's seen you at school. You're always by yourself, reading a book or on your phone sitting on a bench by the front gates.

He tapped on your photo. He started looking through your posts. Landscapes, food, your cute cat, flowers, sunsets, your family. Is what you mostly posted.

Then he came across the rare selfie.

He was wrong. You weren't just cute.

You were breathtakingly beautiful.

How had he not seen that at school?

You were looking off to the side, a small shy smile on your lips. Sunlight and cherry blossom petals in your wild wind blown hair.

He saw that you were online.

He wanted to talk to you and he didn't have the patience to wait until tomorrow at school.

Hey I've seen you before. You go to Aoba Johsai right?

A message popped up on your phone. One from Aoba Johsai's resident pretty boy and captain of the volleyball club. Oikawa Tooru. What the fuck? You weren't one of his pathetic fan girls that fawned all over him. You never cared for the drama that followed the popular crowd. And in all honestly he kind of repulsed you because of the way he let his ego be stroked. You saw him as a pompous ass. You've never shown any kind of interest in the setter. So why was he messaging you of all people? But curiosity got the better of you and you wrote back. Not like he's gonna talk to you at school anyway. He's popular and you're a loner. Two different worlds.

You know that sounds creepy right? But yes.

I'm just trying to be friendly 😔

I've seen that you sit mostly by yourself and thought you could use a friend 😁

You snorted. Maybe he wasn't as bad as you thought. Still, you didn't want to be too friendly towards him.

I don't care for hs drama but thanks for your chivalry ig 🙄

At this moment your college aged sister begged you to help with one of her cosmetology classes that's due tomorrow. Eyelash extensions. You don't wear makeup but she's your sister and she's giving you puppy dog eyes. You sighed, "Fine." Forgetting to exit out of your messages, you set your phone down, ready to be put through hell.

"Thanks sis! Okay I just need you to lay down and relax." While she got to work the messages on your phone went unnoticed by you.

I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that, promise 😅

Y/l/n?

You there?

I'm REALLY sorry!

It's rude to leave people on read yk

Please ?

Y/l/n-chan?

Oikawa was panicking. He didn't mean to piss you off...and now he might have lost his chance to be your friend...or more maybe?

Trying to face time couldn't hurt right?

It just rang. And rang. And rang.

You didn't pick up.

Please. Y/n I'm truly sorry. Sometimes my mouth gets the better of me and I don't think about what I say. I just meant I'd like to be your friend. If you'd let me?

"All finished, babe." Your sister said. "You're looking gorgeous! If I do say so myself." She took a quick after picture for her class.

You grimaced. You never thought of yourself as pretty let alone gorgeous. "Thanks, I guess. Not one to toot your own horn, huh?"

She just rolled her eyes. " Your phone has been pinging like crazy by the way." Wiggling her eyebrows, "Talking to a boy? My baby sis, all grown up."

"W-what?" You stuttered, picking up your phone. 8 messages and 1 face time call. All from the setter captain. It must be your imagination because in the last message he sounded...flustered? You didn't notice the soft smile that graced your lips. But your annoying sister did.

"Oikawa. Isn't he some volleyball big shot at your school? Y/n, is that a smile I see?" She grinned from over your shoulder, seeing the messages.

"I-. Yes. He is." Furrowing your brows. Denying the truth, "And no, I am not smiling."

"Mmhm. Sooo you going to have a new 'friend' or what."

Your self consciencesness got the better of you. "Why would he want to be my friend? He's him and I'm...me." You bit your lip.

"You idiot. You really don't give yourself enough credit. Your smart, have a kind heart and you are beautiful. You just don't let yourself see it. Let someone in." She whispered in your ear giving you a hug.

You sighed. You believed that your sister believed in what she was saying...but years of middle school bullying ingrained into your heart and mind don't disappear overnight. "I'm tired. I'm gonna go to bed. 'Night sis."

"Good night y/n."

Getting ready for bed you looked in the mirror. You had a tiny smile, your sister was right, the lashes did look great.

It was late but right before you drifted off to sleep you sent Oikawa a message.

Sorry. I'm not mad, I was helping my sister with something...

Taking a deep breath, letting down your guard, getting out of your comfort zone.

Opening the wall you built around your heart a long time ago.

You let Oikawa Tooru in.

...I wouldn't mind having a friend

The next day

He woke up to two new messages from you. He had tried staying up, waiting for a reply back but he must have fallen asleep. His phone still in his hand.

Sorry. I'm not mad, I was helping my sister with something...

...I wouldn't mind having a friend.

A wide sleepy smile came across his face. Just about the time he was going to dm you his phone died. Where's my damn charger? He started rifling through everything, turning his room upside down. The last place he had it was...the locker room.

"Dammit!" He would just have to see you at school. He quickly got ready to go meet Iwa-chan and walk to school.

You weren't necessarily disappointed that Oikawa hadn't replied yet. Even though you had lowered your walls, you set the bar pretty low on expectations. Especially on a friendship with him. But that didn't stop you from being a little excited to see him. You were sitting in your favorite spot at school, reading. Same thing you did every day. It was on a small stone bench in the shade of a cherry tree near the entrance. Abruptly you heard a chorus of squealing. You've learned throughout high school this meant Oikawa had stepped on campus, Iwaizumi reluctantly in tow.

You smiled and waved.

He didn't see. But you didn't know that. 

You thought he was ignoring you. Your smile faded. Last night must have been some prank. It wouldn't have been the first time someone decided it would be funny to play with you like a toy. You never should have listened to your sister and let your guard down.

Tears started to prick your eyes. You shut them tightly, willing them to not fall.

You were not going to cry over Oikawa fucking Tooru.

You grabbed you bag and headed to your classroom.

He had seen you get off the bench and walk towards the building. He tried making his way to you but there was just too many girls blocking him. Letting out a frustrated breath he waved his hand and yelled, "Y/l/n-chan!"

You didn't hear him.

Upset he couldn't get to you he said the only thing he could think of to get all these girls to back off for once. "I have a girlfriend, so could you please respect that." He didn't see the crazy girls make a connection between what he said about having a girlfriend and yelling your name.

He didn't realize he just put a target on your back.

At lunch

You were spinning the dial to your locker getting your lunch when you were shoved against it. You turned around and was met with several angry looking girls. Eyes darting between them. Your fight or flight instincts kicking in.

But nobody ever mentions the third option, which is what happened.

You froze.

"This is her?" Some girl sneered.

What were they talking about? You'd never done anything to these girls. You'd always kept to yourself, ensuring a situation like this wouldn't happen.

"She's not even pretty." Said another taking a sip from her juice carton.

"I bet it's just some joke. He wouldn't be with some fat worthless nobody." The girl who seemed to be the leader said as she pushed you to the ground.

Ignoring the tears starting to run down your cheeks and swallowing the lump forming in your throat, "What are you talking about?"

"Wow, Oikawa has himself a stupid girlfriend." said the leader.

"G-girlfriend?" Ok. Now you really had no clue what the fuck they were talking about.

"Stay the hell away from him. He's mine." With that she dumped the remains of the other girls juice carton on you and they walked away laughing.

Holditin.Holditin.Holditin. You chanted inside your head until you made it to the bathroom where you could cry without being bothered. You had stayed off the radar for years and now you were in the middle of it. You let out a sob, sliding to the floor. You felt like you were right back in middle school. Useless. Fat. Ugly. You brought your knees to your chest. Unloveable. Unwanted. Not worth anybody’s time. That’s why you shut everyone out when you became a first year at Seijoh. You didn’t want a repeat of middle school. 

But it ended up happening anyway. 

So you cried. You cried until you had no more tears. You let it all out until you didn’t care anymore. You had no problem in obeying the threat staying away from the bastard. She could have him. You stood and splashed water on your face trying to ease the puffiness around your eyes. Sighing you realized you'd probably have to stay after school until you looked like you hadn't spent your entire lunch break crying or your sister would ask questions. The now pink stained shirt you could explain away easily. The red and puffy eyes you could not. And you didn't want to deal with that on top of everything else. 

Oikawa had looked for you at lunch but he couldn't find you. He did however hear some girls laughing and chatting about messing with ‘Oikawa’s girlfriend’. How could they mess with someone he made up? He turned to his best friend to ask. “Iwa-chan do you know what those girls were talking about?” he whispered so no one would hear, “How could they have messed with my ‘girlfriend’ when I made her up?”

“Idiot. Remember this morning when you called Y/l/n’s name and then immediately after said you had a girlfriend? And don't call me Iwa-chan, Shittykawa.” He rolled his eyes.

He blanched. He hadn’t realized what he'd done. Or apparently how psycho those girls are. He was so focused on you he didn't even whine about Iwaizumi’s regular insults. He wanted to find you and see if you were okay. To apologize for putting you in that situation. Standing abruptly making his chair screech, “I got to go find her--” The bell signaled lunch was over. Fuck. Maybe she’ll be on that bench after school. I’ve seen her there after practice sometimes.

After school

And by some miracle you were there, reading your book. Oikawa took a minute to look at you before he approached. As in your picture your hair was wild but not unkept, it was hiding your eyes. Your lips were slightly pursed while you were reading and your leg was bouncing contentedly.  

You were beautiful.

You looked okay.

Until he got closer and finally saw your eyes. You had obviously been crying. By the looks of it a lot. He also saw you had a huge pink stain on your shirt. What had happened?

You had heard someone approach but decided it was best to ignore them.

“Are you okay Y/l/n-chan?” Oikawa spoke softly.

You were so not in the mood for this. For him. Your hands tightened around your book, flicking your eyes up at him and then back down, “Don’t.” 

It was only a second but he saw the hurt in your eyes and it was his fault it was there, “I wanted to-” He tried to say but you didn’t let him finish.

Your voice was raw with emotions you didn’t want to feel for him. “WHAT?! You what? Wanted to play with my feelings some more? I bet you had a good laugh last night saying all that shit. And then completely ignoring me this morning when I waved. Making me feel like I could actually have a friend for once?” Your voice got louder and he flinched at your next words. “That someone would even want to be my friend? I fucking knew I shouldn't have but I let you in anyway.” You let out a dark broken laugh and said much quieter, “Even after what happened last time.” Coldly, “Don’t you have a harem to get back to? Just...just leave me alone Oikawa.”

His mouth dropped in shock. He hadn’t seen you wave. What did you mean by last time? He was heartbroken that someone had made you feel this horrible about yourself and he had reminded you of it. He didn’t want to leave you alone, he had to make you understand you were special. He laid his hand on your book trying to make you pay attention. He said the only thing he thought would make you listen. “Tooru.”

You stiffened, nobody calls him by his first name. You've never even heard his best friend call him Tooru. Your voice barely above a whisper, heart stuttering, “What did you say?”

“Tooru. You can call me Tooru. I-I was happy this morning when I woke up when I saw your messages. But my phone died before I could say anything.” He cleared his throat, “ I fell asleep waiting. I was going to talk to you but then that stupid crowd of girls came. Y/l/n I swear I didn’t see you wave! I tried calling for you but you must not have heard me," he frowned, "and I was frustrated so to get them to back off I said I had a girlfriend. I tried looking for you during lunch period but I couldn't find you. Then I heard what those girls did. I’m sorry I put that target on you. I was going to try looking for you again but then the bell rang. This spot after school was my last hope. Well for now anyway, until I got my phone charged.” He rushed out, praying you would forgive him. 

“That’s what they were talking about...” 

“What were they saying? If you don’t mind talking about it.” Gingerly he laid his hand on yours, holding it.

During his speech you had unconsciously torn your walls down yet again. You heard the sincerity in his voice and saw the concern in his eyes. This was real. He did care. Fuck. Somewhere between last night and this morning you had developed feelings, you just hadn't wanted to believe you weren't immune to his charms. Why did it have to be him. You swallowed, “They basically said I was worthless and wasn’t pretty enough for you. They also shoved me against my locker and onto the floor.” Taking a deep breath you revealed the most humiliating part of the whole thing, “Their leader dumped juice on me.” You looked away not wanting him to see the tears starting to run down your cheeks and you didn't want to see the pity you were sure to receive in his eyes. 

“Hey.” He gently turned your face with a palm on each cheek. Wiping your tears away with his thumbs. “You are not worthless. And those girls are just jealous because your the most beautiful girl at Seijoh. I’m sorry they said and did those things to you. It was my fault and I want to make it up to you if you’ll let me.”

You searched his face, surely he was lying to make you feel better? But you only found the truth in his warm brown eyes. Oikawa may be an ass but he does not lie. “Okay...Tooru.” 

His heart fluttered when you spoke his name. Little did he know that yours did too when he asked you to call him that.

“Come on, lets go.” He smiled pulling you up. “I got something you can change into so you don’t have to wear that home.” He pointed to your ruined shirt.

You and him walked over to the gym. He had never let your hand go from pulling you up and you didn’t mind. You halted at the entry way dropping his hand. He was going to lead you in but, “Tooru, I can't. Only players and managers can go in the gym during practice time.”

He snorted, “Iwa-chan made that rule so the uh” he coughed, “students wouldn't bother us.” Taking your hand he pulled you in after him. 

Your face was blushing like mad from the looks you were getting from his teammates. Nobody questioned their captain though. 

“Please wait here while I change and grab you something.” He left you at the bleachers. 

Iwaizumi walked over to where you were sitting. Before he could say anything you spoke. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not allowed in here but he drug me in and said he was going to get me something to change into." You plucked at your still sticky shirt. "I-I'll leave when Tooru comes back.” You found it easy for Tooru's name to roll of your tongue. 

The usually intimidating looking ace smirked and raised an eyebrow, “Tooru, huh? We don't let students in during practice because they follow Oikawa in. He brought you in here. So you can stay if you want.”

You let out a surprised, “Oh.” 

“You know he couldn't stop talking about you on the way to school this morning? About how he saw this and I quote ‘breathtakingly beautiful’ photo of you on instagram. He kept talking about your hair with cherry blossom petals in it and your shy smile.” 

Your face was on fire. You knew the exact photo he was talking about. How far back did he scroll, it was buried under a ton of pictures.

“He was also worried about you the rest of the day after lunch. He was pretty upset, he even threatened to cancel practice if he didn’t find you on your bench.”

“Iwa-channnn!” Oikawa whined. “Friends keep secrets.” He didn’t look mad but his face was a light shade of pink. Was he...embarrassed?

“Ew. I’m not your friend Shittykawa.” Iwaizumi replied walking away. You laughed quietly, his tone said otherwise.

Except it wasn't just any shirt, it was his jersey. “I can’t wear this! Only couples do that!”

“You're right! You're my best friend!” Tooru called back.

He was met with a middle finger and a "Shut it, Tooru."

 “Anyways here. You can change in the girls locker room over there.” He handed you one of his shirts and pointed to the room.

He shrugged his shoulders. “Well I did inadvertently call you my girlfriend. You wouldn't want to make me a liar now would you Y/l/n-chan?” He pouted.

“N-no, but I'm not your girlfriend?” You remembered the things Iwaizumi told you, your face deepening to a scarlet shade.

He took a step closer. You could smell his scent. He smelled like oranges, cloves and...clean sweat? Of course he could make sweat smell intoxicating. It was making your brain hazy. You almost missed what he said. “Do you? Want to be I mean.” The look he was giving you was so genuine and...sweet.

This was too much too fast, but your mouth and heart didn't care apparently what you thought. “I-.” You breathed. “Yes.”

His face lit up, taking one of your hands into his. “We’ll talk more after practice, yeah?” 

All you could do is nod. Squeezing your hand as he left to go start practice you went to go change your shirt. It was long on you. Almost falling to the same spot your uniform skirt stopped. You rolled it up a little and tucked it in. That was better.

After changing you returned to your spot on the bleachers. You'd been to games before. It was practically an unsaid rule that all students were required to go. But you really never paid attention, usually doing anything but watching to kill time.

This time you paid attention. Tooru was remarkable. You could see why he was captain and how he got the nickname 'the great king'. You were so entrapped by the teams flow you didn't notice the hours fly by.

Tooru came back over to you, asking somewhat nervously, "So what did you think?" He didn't know why it felt so important to get praise from you. He just knew he wanted you to be proud of him.

Your smile was open and you had stars in your eyes, "You were amazing!" Dipping your toe at being flirty, you winked, "l'll have to pay better attention at the next game."

His heart leapt. You said he was amazing. "Thank you, that means so much coming from you." The second part finally clicked, "Hey wait! What do you mean you'll have to pay better attention at the next game?" He teased.

Sheepishly, "I never uh...actively watched a game before."

"That hurts Y/l/n-chan. Just you wait until the next game." He smiled, "So can I walk you home? It's late and you shouldn't walk by yourself."

"Sure. I don't live far though." You returned his smile.

After he went and changed out of his practice clothes he outstretched his hand for you to take, interlacing your fingers with his. When you got to the gates he asked which way. You pulled him to the left. You curious about earlier.

"So about what Iwaizumi said..." You left the question hanging in the air.

"He was telling the truth." He said it so simply, like he just didn't turn your world upside-down.

"Oh." Was all you could manage with all the butterflies in your stomach. Before you knew it you were in front of your house. "This is me." You turned to face him.

"Really? Iwa-chan and I live one street over."

"You're joking." He had to be. 

"Nope, cross my heart." More seriously "Do you want to walk to school with us maybe?"

"I'd like that, Tooru." Shyly you peeked up at him through your lashes.

"Hey, I noticed before." He traced a thumb over your cheekbone, brushing against your fluttering eyelashes. "Your eyes look different some how?"

You let out a small chuckle, "Eye lash extensions. That's what I was helping my sister with last night. She's in a cosmetology class."

He leaned down, getting very close. "They suit you Y/l/n-chan."

Clearing your throat. "Um, thanks." A beat later, "Call me Y/n."

His eyes softened. "Can I kiss you, Y/n?"

Your breath caught. "Y-yes."

He closed the distance between the two of you. Your eyes shutting and heart thumping wildly with anticipation.

You did not expect the feather light touch of his lips ghosting over yours. You did not expect such a tender kiss from the popular setter captain.

At first your lips only brushed against each others. Testing. Until you couldn't stand it any longer. He had lit a fire inside. You leaned in closer, needing more. Pressing your lips against his and moving one hand onto the back of his neck and the other onto his shoulder pulling him closer. He took this queue to hold your waist. As you kissed time stood still. You couldn't tell if the fire inside was tearing you apart or if he was holding you together. There was just you and him, the world had long ago faded away.

He was surprised you took control of the kiss but was glad you did. He didn't want to push you after everything you'd been through. And honestly he could barely think straight. Could barely breathe. Your lips were so soft and they tasted like honey. He didn't want it to end, he would have happily drowned surrounded by air if it meant he could kiss you.

But you pulled away breathless and eyes bright. You leaned into the comfort of his arms.

 That was your first kiss.

"I'll be waiting here tomorrow Y/n." He pressed his lips to the crown of your head.

"Alright." You looked up at him. "Message me when you get home 'kay?"

"Will do, my queen." The name sent tingles down your spine. Once again putting his lips to yours. "Good night."

"'Night Tooru." You slipped out of his embrace and before you made your way inside, you gave him one last wave goodbye. Dazed you shut the door behind you with your back and brought your fingers to your smiling lips.

"'Friends' huh? Lot different in my day." Your sister said from the couch, her eyes catching on his jersey.

Still grinning like a fool, "Shut up." You headed upstairs to start on your homework. About ten minutes later you received a text. Smiling you opened it.

Made it home safe and sound. And now I'm going to sleep so I can dream of you 😘

Who knew 'the great king' was such a goofball.

Sweet dreams then, goofball

They will be because you'll be in them ❤

Rude, my queen, rude

Good night Tooru ❤

But that’s why you like me 

Rolling your eyes, you grinned.

The next morning he was right where he said he would be. Waiting for you. Iwaizumi with him of course. “Morning Iwaizumi.”

“Good morning Y/l/n.” Iwaizumi greeted.

 You said taking your boyfriends hand. “Morning Tooru.” You were feeling confident this morning so you tugged him down a little so you could reach his face, pecking him on the lips.

His eyes widened. He definitely didn't expect that, not that he was complaining. “G-good morning Y/n.” A rosy hue dusting his cheeks.

You giggled at his reaction. 

“I guess the right girl turns you into a flustered mess.” Iwaizumi joked.

"I make you a flustered mess huh? I wouldn’t mind taking advantage of that.” You nudged him playfully as you all started to make your way to school.

“No fair. I won’t allow you and Iwa ganging up on me!” He tilted his head towards your ear, whispering for only you to hear. “Besides, my queen, I give as good as I get.”

You choked. And he didn't miss the red on your face. Oh boy. If he kept up with that name you were going to become a puddle. Clearing your throat awkwardly, “Ah look, we’re here!”

Unfortunately you were met with his swarm of ‘fans’. At the head of it all were the bitches that made you feel like shit. Tooru felt you hesitate and gave your hand a reassuring squeeze and looked at you with such adoration in his eyes. That was all you needed. You were going to show these girls you weren’t afraid of them. You hoped he wouldn't mind your sudden boldness.

Turning towards him and standing on your tippy toes you grabbed the back of his neck and crashed your lips against his. This kiss was much deeper than the one you shared last night. You'd even go so far to say passionate. Last night was tentative, figuring each other out. This kiss you poured in all your feelings, all of your heart and soul. Pulling away slightly, resting your forehead against his and playing with the hair near where your hand rested on his neck, “Um, sorry if that was too much.”

You turned to face the mostly shocked crowd. The only angry one was the leader girl. Remembering what she said yesterday, “I’m his.” He wasn’t some possession to own. But you were free to give your heart to him, if he wanted it. Really you didn’t expect him to say anything during this exchange but he did. 

God, you were perfect he thought. With a stupid smile on his face, “N-no don’t be sorry. Not at all.” 

It made your heart catch in your throat.

“And I’m hers.” The girls mouth dropped open. “Come on. Let’s go, my queen.” he said pressing his lips to your knuckles, sending a shiver up your back.

“Tooru!” You squeaked. That damn pet name. You knew no matter how many times he said it, it would still make you weak in the knees and make your heart leap. And he fucking knew it. You walked hand in hand to your spot under the cherry tree. “Don’t call me that when a bunch of people are around...”

“Why not? It’s true. And you like it.” He gave you a cheeky look. “Besides that passionate kiss you gave me was pretty public.”

A blush creeping up your neck, “I-shut up.”

Chuckling he brought you into a hug, “Whatever you wish, my queen.”

Epilogue 

As the months passed you and Tooru grew closer together and his ‘fan club’ realized you weren't going anywhere. Sure some still tried to bring you down but over the months you had gained some confidence in yourself. You weren't as insecure but when you fell Tooru was there to help you pick yourself back up. You had also become good friends with the volleyball guys, especially Iwa. You had a special bond over teasing your boyfriend. Even though you both teased him relentlessly he was happy two of his favorite people got along so well. In fact he had asked if you had wanted to officially become a manager. You practically were now anyway he said so why not make it official. Of course you agreed. 

It was only your third game as a manager when they lost to Karasuno. You knew how bad he wanted to go to nationals. It was his dream and this was his last chance. He was sitting on the floor outside the gym, head hung low in devastation. You knew words were not what he wanted to hear right now. He just needed you to be there for him. You sat down next to him, waiting. He gently pulled you onto his lap, burying his head in the crook of your shoulder. Holding you closely. He was silent but you felt his warm tears fall on your skin. You held him and hummed a slow melody quietly in his ear. After awhile he kissed your temple.

“Thank you.” He whispered. He was ready talk.

“I’m here for you, always. You’re my king, win or lose. And I am so so proud of you.” A small smile lifted one side of his mouth.

 You were going to tell him something important today. No matter what happened. Maybe he needed to hear it especially because of what happened. You took a deep breath and kissed his forehead briefly. One hand on his cheek and looking into his still tear stained eyes. 

“I know the world has greater things than nationals waiting for you. You may not feel like it now but believe me when I say it. You are so much more than what you think you are and....and that’s why I love you, Tooru.”

He searched your face looking for pity or disappointment but all he found was love. For weeks those three words had been just under the surface, waiting to be spoken into existence, always on the tip of his tongue at the end of every conversation with you or even when he would see you do small simple things. Hearing the love in your voice and the feeling of you mend his shattered heart about nationals they finally broke free.

 “I love you too, Y/n.”

He might have been your first kiss but you were his first love and he wanted you to be his last.

He gently ran his thumb against your bottom lip.

And he kissed you with everything he had, like it would be his last.

But.

There was many more to come...

[watchyourbluesturngolden]

my annotations for chappy 11 of ysijwa

this is just for drea and leyla to read so if you're not drea or leyla pls keep scrolling :)

ok this is pretty chaotic and like i said earlier i treated this ike a wattpad comment section so... have fun ig :)

SHERLOCK AND WATSON CINEMATIC UNIVERSE SHUT UPPPPP I LOVE YOU SM DREA

NOT MISS SNAP CRACKLE POP

jealous y/n you say???

now i know why you ignored all my tiktok asks lmao

HELPLESS OH MY GOD

truly madly deeply intended :)

damn he's kind of a narcissist yk? like "I have to be serious my entire family depends on it" shut up mr darcy you're not special

devout in his religion hmmmmmm hopefully we see some more religious trauma content bc me too vampy

awww he wants kids but now he cant have them bc hes... dead :(

AWWW his sister taught him to knit :( if he doesn't knit bloodbag a sweater i swear to god

stuffy moron is correct

"IT'S A FUCKING WONDER HE EVER GOT LAID" OIJRIOJWEIOJIEWOJFIOEJOF

"THE ATROCITY THAT IS BEING ACQUAINTED WITH NIALL AND HIS HORRIBLE AFFINITY FOR CHEAP FLANEL" ORJFOIJFEIOWJ YOURE SUCH A POET

he's so dumb she was with him bc he's hot that much should be obvious to him🙄

FOOLISHLY HOPELESSLY UNMEASURABLY IN LOVE HWAT THE FUCK DREA IM SAD

i love that he remembers the spinal cord dislocation and the dead leaves . like yea im dead rn but the leaves in my hair are really what's bothering me the most

what the fuck is a maw

ok i looked it up i get it now

"attachment is for gullible idiots" yup and youre one of them vampy 😌

"the warmest skin his icy fingers had ever had the good fortune to touch" im so soft rn

oh so now she has "a wholesome beauty about her nature" ? i thought she was just cute enough 🤨

HE THINKS HER SMILE COULD RESTART HIS HEART THATS SO CUTE IM OUHOIJFOEWIJFIOEWJ

"the responsibility of keeping her safe, satisfied, and happy" how 🥺 🥺🥺

"as long as he breathes" i thought he didn't breathe lmao BUT I GET THE SENTIMENT

"always when it comes to her" IM SCREAMING RN THIS IS SO SOFT I CANT

ill never forgive him for being so dense either his brain is basically a rock

HE WANTED TO COMMUNICATE THAT HE BELONGED TO HER IM GONNA HAVE A STROKE

couldnt be me i dont want to be percieved

HE ADDED A FUCKING BUTTERFLY AFTER THE DISCO BALLS IM OIWFJIOEWJFIOEJIOEWNOJIWJ(*H(WUIOFJIOEWJFIOWHVIFUEH)U)($UT

HEY a hamilton obsession is not childish😤

'the only person who was allowed to touch him there was y/n' he's like a little kid who's possessive omggggggg

oh this reminds me i rlly hope everything in that chest was new and had never been used on anyone else owijfowiejfioewj

oh please my irish king can control himself let y/n meet the other vamps🙄

"if they knew all along why did it take so long" yk im wondering the same thing dummy

"every day was a battle to earn her love and affection" wtffff how could she hurt him like that he is just a baby

i think he needs therapy tbh

yes he does deserve to be treated with respect and dignity😤

"supporting and tolerating them despite your differences" exactly unless they're a republican

IM SORRY THAT WAS MEAN OIWFJOIWJFEIOw i said what i said tho

they did everything backwards but it's what baby needed🥺

im literally gonna 🔪 bradley how dare he hurt my favorite ribeye like that

PROPER BOYFRIEND-GIRLFRIEND BONDING PLSSSSS im sure he makes sure to say stuff like "as your boyfriend' or 'since youre my girlfriend' all the time now

"everything that has to do with harry has always and will always make her feel safe and secure" ...who's gonna tell her👀

HE BECOMES CLINGY IVE BEEN WAITIN FOR THIS ONE TURN IT UP

awwww my love language is also quality times bestiesssssss

(this is more serious you might want to change the words to nose kisses or something because esk*mo is a slur)

HE wants to be wrapped in HER arms and get forehead kissies like a little baby🥺🥺

i can tell you wrote this chappy bc leyla would never write about ice cream

IF CHRIST CAN GET A DATE MARKER SO CAN HARRY OIFJOEIWJFIOEWJFWI PLSSSSSSSSSS I LOVE HIM

ALWAYS FOR HER WEJFIOJWEIOFJEWIOFJOIEWJFOIEWJF HES SO IN LOOOOOVE

HE DID IT AND IM SO PROUD OF HIM🥺

omg i have a thot imagine if she got a heart murmur or something and obvi he knows bc he can hear it so now he has to find a way to make her get it checked out out without being suspicious 😭

HE ROCKS HER TO CALM HER DOWN WHEN SHES HAVING NIGHTMARES IJFEOWIJFOIWEFJ

“nearly blinds himself for eternity” what a drama queen i love him

maybe learn how to turn your brightness down grandpa

“can women sense emotional distress” why is this so funny oiewfjwieojfioewj

DEHUMANIZING OWEIJOIAJAKLFSDJLKSDJFKLD

not a psychotic episode 😭😭

crippling mommy issues woejfkljdklsjsdf me too king

awwwww he made her a full buffet i would cry

matchy socks im gonna sob

king is a chef 😌

y/n’s head @ harry’s clavicle rn: 💥

“his plush chest��� drea its ok you can say titties

“absolutely flawless”? are you sure shes not just cute enough 🤨

he got her oat milk 🥺the sign of true love

hes such a shithead i love him

SPELLING HIS NAM E ON HER TUMMY IM HAVING ANOTHER STROKE

“I DIDNT WANT TO LEAVE YOU ALL ALONE” HES SO WOIFJSJFSDKJKLSDJF

HE DIDNT HAVE TO DO NIALL LIKE THAT 😭😭

RAPUNZEL HAIR OSIDJSKJKLSJF

she traces a tiny heart on him wtfffffffffff im sad

this… is hot

“theres no room on the counter” owifjlksjfslkfjklsj

HE WOULD WALK THROUGH FIRE FOR HER maybe then he’d be a little less cold

im sorry that was wrong of me lisjfskldjfwoiejewiojrei

OH MY GOD OWEIJFKLJSKLFJL SHES SO BOLD “can’t i?” OSIJFKSLJLKJF

oh boy hes gonna kill her

I WONDERED WHEN THE YOURE HOT WHEN YOURE MEAN THING WAS GOING TO COME UP

literally shut the fuck up mr english major

do it bestie kick him in the balls

SPARE BOOBIES MAAM I CNAT BELIEVE YOU aCTUALLY WROTE THAT OWIFEJWIJEKLJFOIEWHOEWIFEHFLKEWJFKLEWJKLJFL

IM WHITE IM ALLERGIC TO SPICE WEJFLKJFKLEJFLKJSKLJKFSJD

“character development at its finest” what a self aware king

y/n stop being mean to him baby just wants to feel close ☹️

“I’m anemic” ok king whatever u say

“ME AND MY CHRONIC ILLNESS IM SENSITIVE” IJFKLSDJFKLJSDKLJ

ahhhhhhh it’s yoga time

“just ask your cervix” jlksdjflksdjflkdsjflk

“if only you knew” ☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️

yeah y/n isnt like those other girls 🤪 shes different 🤪

yes bestie objectify him

THERE IT IS MY FAVORITE LINE IN THIS ENTRIE BOOK

PERHAPS MY FAVORITE LINE IN ANY BOOK EVER

“He hasn't been this stiff since rigor mortis”

i think about this on a daily basis i truly do

grey shorts? what a slut

“call the lapd im pressing charges” me after walking up the stairs

OH SO THIS IS WHERE THE GREYS ANATOMY CHARACTERS FROM THE SPOILERS WITHOUT CONTEXT COME IN

him using his shirt as a towel im BARKING

“I wasnt jealous” yea ok 😃

AGAIN HIM DRAWING HIS INITIALS ON HER SKIN THATS SO WOIJFSKLDJFLSJ

yeah harold she just wanted a little kiss 😤

yeah 😃 its bc he ran track 😃

no bc thats so fucking cute that she pretended she had never seen the show before bc he was excited to introduce her to it 🥺

I would do the same tbh i feel like it would be fun to wash dishes with harry idk why

“that skank” oisjksldfjklsjfklsdjflkd

YOUR THICK SKULL COULD DAMAGE THE MARBLE LSKFJKLDSJKFLSDJFKLSJFKLSJKLSJLDKFJLSKDJF I WOULD CRY

he gets her a cup of water 🥺

ok but like wouldn't she want to wash her hair after it got all sweaty at yoga

awwwww she got his toothbrush ready for him why am i so soft rn

memory foam mattresses sound nice but actually they kind of suck bc you sink down and feel trapped in them 😃

HE WATCHED THE TIKTOK SHE SENT HIM IM HAVING A THIRD STROKE

niall is probably on the dumbest side of tiktok idek what side but it’s probably annoying and he thinks it’s hilarious

noooo baby youre not a monster🥺 someone give him a hug rn

well actually you are kind of a monster but its ok we still love u bestie

I too run on caffeine and pizza pockets 😌

TONSIL HOCKEY WHAT THE FUCK OIEJFLSDKJFKLSDJFLSJLKFJSDKLFJ

chatsnap hes such an old man 😭

true lmao if you dont have social media i immediately dont trust you

not the i just washed my hands tiktok 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

HE FEELS STRANGELY PERCIEVED RN KJFLSJFLKSDJ IDK WHY THIS IS SO FUNNY TO ME BUT IM LIKE LEGIT LAUGHING

DO IT BESTIE BITE HIM CHOMP CHOMP

“my eyes are stinging” hes such a baby 😭

“MY SIGH”TS ALL FUZZY” SJFKDSLJFLKDSJFLKDSJFLK

“are you all right” “I dont know :(’ i cant handle this my face hurts from smiling lksjflkjafklj

he has a kitchenaid stand mixer omg thats so sexy

ok but has anyone ever gotten salmonella from raw cookie dough bc i think thats just a myth

fuck u for that one vampy

wow he could never deal with my chronically ill ass

WAIT IS IT WAP

NOPE ITS BETTER LSDFJSDKLFJDS

I agree body is absolutely an instrumental masterpiece

I KNEW HE KNOWS SOME TIKTOK DANCES I KNEW IT

“I know youre kinda into that (getting smacked in the face)” SHUT UPPPPPPP SKJFSKDLJFDS

NOT HIM TWERKING SLKFJSDKLFJDSKLFJDSKL

YES YN GET THAT VIDEO AND BLACKMAIL HIM

“I think i popped something” ok old man 😭

why is the word wench so funny lkfjslkfjdslkfjsdlkfj

dont hand it over i want to see him snap

OH SHIT HE JUST JUMPED THE TABLE LSDFJSDKLFJLKDNMNXCMNJKHOIUIOEUR

oooooooooooo

OH MY GOD AGAIN SHE REALLY IS BOLD SLKDFJDSKLFJLSKDJFLKJFS

not guerrilla warfare 😭😭😭😭

do it bestie give him a concussion he deserves it

“no piece of art could ever compare to her” 🥺🥺

“remember that time you told me making out was childish” “no” i hate him 😭

THERE IT IS AGAIN “sex isnt the only way he can feel close to someone anymore” SHUT THE FUCK UP IM SOBBING

this reminds me of the dehydrated intercourse with demonrry

“don’t care, relationships are about sharing’ hes so sdjfksldjfklsjf

DO IT BESTIE KICK HIS KNEECAPS IN

suing disney for false advertisement 😭

THIS SCENE IS KILLING ME LKJFKLSJFLDSJ “just pucker your lips over it” “You have actual brain damage, dont you?” DREA I LOVE YOU KSDJFLDSKJFLKSDJ

how do those bubbles taste babe

ok drea wtf i was so happy and now this??????

“everything’s wrong” NO SHUT UP SHUT UP ITS HAPPY HOURS

not the boob privileges 😭

WAIT THIS IS FROM THE BSE MV ISNT IT “dance is just so hot rn” “depressing shades are just so hot rn”

NOT HIM GETTING ALL STUTTERY WHEN HE ASKS HER IF SHE WANTS A DRAWER 🥺

NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN THIS GENTLE WITH HIM BEFORE WTFFFFFFFF IM CRYING

“youre so fucking cute, my baby” me when i see literally any picture of him

JELLO HAS a STRONGER BACKBONE THAN THIS KSFJSDKLFJDSKLFJ

“betrayed. objectified. taken advantage of. used. “ i hate him sm 😭😭

OH MY GOD IS SHE GONNA SHAVE HIS FACE THATS SO CUTE IM

SHE ISsSSSSS IM SQUEALING

stop him worrying she’ll think it's weird and wont want to do it 🥺

“bold of you to assume id ever be convicted” PLS DREA LAKFJDKSLFJ

“the more you talk, the more appealing manslaughter sounds” I CHOKED DLSKFJDSKLFJDKSJFDSKLJ

HIM WHISTLING TO GET HER ATTENTION WHY IS THAT SO CUTE

Im sorry but its really funny to me how you wrote the sentence “wrong metal, he thinks ironically” … get it ? like IRONically lkfjdslkfj im sorry i’ll show myself out

“this boy?” what a fucking cutie i want to kick him

I forgot what a bop helpless is thanks for reminding me im gonna go listen to the entire soundtrack again-

theyre so fucking cute i hate them

so yea bascally this is the best thing ive ever read and i love you so much and my face hurts from smiling :)))

[rhiminee]

Therapy Sessions: Track by track feels

So ok I’ve had time to listen to David’s new album *mumble hundred* times since it came out earlier this week and I think I finally am ready to share my thoughts and feelings as I listen to each song. Sorry this took a few days. I’ve had some personal things going on and I wanted to be in a clearer state of mind before I wrote all this down. :) Here we go!!!

Track 1 - Paralyzed

This song. This song is like a whole different side of David. I honestly don’t usually have favorites of any album but this song is such a favorite of mine. I almost don’t think it’s fair because this is the only song off the album that I’ve seen him perform in concert and that’s a huge factor for me. He SLAYS this live. It’s been out since last August and it’s so next level. It’s almost like it comes from another universe??? Not that there’s a single thing wrong with the rest of the album it’s just that this song is WOW. Its like its own entity. It’s a banger and an anthem and I could listen to it 24/7. David wails on it and you feel every second with a sense of urgency. Honestly one of my favorite things he’s ever done. Wait. Change that. It’s my favorite song he’s ever done. Period. 

Track 2 - You Worry

This title is such a false lead! lol. I thought ok this is gonna be about trying to control your worries and how to be positive, etc. But spoiler alert: David Archuleta is a sneaky cupcake. DON’T YOU WORRY BOUT ME. icu what you did there David. This song is just such a mood. It starts off kinda slow but then it kicks up after the first verse and you know David is messing with you. It’s almost got a reggae type chill vibe to it with the ya-da-da-da-da and the melody. Or maybe that’s just me. “I’ve got my reasons why I am the way I am, so don’t you worry me”. “Living life in a bubble still comes with it’s troubles, I’ve still got a lot to learn about me but that’s ok.” This reminds me of a more mature version of Other Things In Sight from his last album. Like he was a bit bothered in OTIS but now he’s just like whatev. lol. I love it!! One of my faves from this album.

Track 3 - Ok, All Right

This is the 2nd of 3 songs on this album that we had already heard when the album was released. This song is fun and a good mantra for 2020 to try to keep ourselves sane. We need it. I like the sassiness of this and the unexpected changes in melody! David did an acoustic version of it during his launch party that I’m fully 100% in deep love with. Check it out if you get a chance.

Track 4 - Patient

Oh hi, song that I love! I don’t know why I love this so much but I would put it in my top songs on the album. Maybe it’s the stutter singing (is that what you call it??? Le-le-le-le-le-let me know) it makes my heart feel joyful. “I tell myself remember, remember to breathe, I’m trying to be patient, so won’t you please be patient, be patient with me” “Jump the gun, tend to run off at the mouth, I see that it’s in your eyes” “Find the beauty in the letting go, hurry up and learn to take it slow”. It’s almost got a bit of an R&B feel to it. Is that just me?? Maybe it’s just me. I have a pure love for this song. It just makes me so happy listening to it.

Track 5 - Need

This one of only two slower tempo songs on the album (Just Breathe is the other). David uses his lower register, especially in the first verse. Honestly when this song started I was like...is this a duet? Who is singing? Lmao. It was David. In addition to it being a lower register there’s almost a bit of a slurry quality to his pronunciation when he sings here. Or maybe it’s an overlay for the song? Idk. His voice just sounds different to me here. I’m gonna be honest and say this is my least favorite track on the album. Maybe I need to listen more. It’s not a bad song, just not my vibe and the vocals throw me off a bit. Listen and let me know what y’all think!

Track 6 - Brave

This song is such a change of pace from the previous one! It’s got an intriguing percussive cadence in the beginning, fast singing with short phrases and then bursts out into long soaring notes in the chorus, braaaaaaaaaaave!! It’s also has the honor of containing the lyric “bit me in the butt” and I laughed so hard I had had to start the song over. I really like this one!

Track 7 - Good in the Bad

THIS SONG. I wasn’t sure what to think the first time I listened. My brain was like, do I like this? Then the second time I was like, ok yeah. Then the third time and the next 500 times I was like, hi you are my true love. Seriously my level of obsession with this song now. If Paralyzed wasn’t on this album this would be my favorite song. I don’t think Paralyzed should count because yeah it’s a phenomenon and should not be compared to anything else. So. This is my favorite song on the album. I love love love love it. I can’t stop listening. “When it all goes wrong and you’re having a moment, you got to go all out, go bring back the sun out. And if it all goes wrong and you’re living in darkness, well that’s the only way the stars can shine” YES SIR “Fear is like a magnet that keeps pulling you down, so take another look because yeah it won’t take you long, give a break to your mind”. I don’t know why this song speaks so much to me but it does. Maybe because I tend to get stuck worrying about worst case and bad things that could happen and have happened. I know you can’t just ignore that stuff but idk this song just hit me different. Also the cadence and beat really drives the message. I just love everything about it.

Track 8 - Switch

Omg yep. #2 fav song after Good in the Bad. This is such an earworm! Honestly very radio friendly song. “why do i do that why do i do that” that hook. I always hit the switch and the tables start to flip, then the walls come up again, the beginning starts to end. why do i do that. Y’all. I feel that on every level. You need this song in your life. Along with Paralyzed it’s one of only two songs on this album that’s just plainly stating here’s my problem without offering a solution or “hey it’s ok we’re all like that”. I appreciate that David offers these songs too. I know and completely understand that for him music is about offering a message and hope and help to others. That’s one thing I love so much about him. But I also like that sometimes he just says here’s my issues. The humanity jumped out, that sometimes we’re just critical of ourselves without positive thoughts. Sometimes you just wanna be sad or mad at yourself. There’s time later to re-focus. It’s ok to just claim that personal honesty for a bit. If that even makes sense. But yeah. Love love this song. It’s a true jam.

Track 9 - Just Breathe

This song is like a bath in warm silk after you’ve been cold and lonely. It’s an experience. It’s like meditation in song form. Refreshing and hypnotizing. ‘I am not weak I am strong, there is still more I can offer. Someday you’ll see the better version of me. When it all stops spinning, when it all slows down. I was swimming deeper but I didn’t drown. Just breathe. So I open up to the flow and learn to love you as we go, until I don’t think I just know.’ It’s like a midsummer night’s dream in song form. <3

Track 10 - Future Self

So true and surprisingly funny! This is such a quirky song. Any song that references reddit and smash bros gets an A+ in my book lol. I was surprised because a lot of times the last track is kind of a throw way imho but this one had me smiling and bopping! It’s a love letter to finding yourself and being kind to yourself. 

Final thoughts:

You guys are gonna laugh because I feel like I say this anytime a new album comes out but I honestly think this is my favorite album that David has ever done. It’s cohesive and fun to listen to and says a lot without being too heavy. It’s so awesome to see the progression in David’s music but even more so to know it’s a reflection of the progression in his life. He’s not afraid to say he’s got issues but he has been working hard on facing those and making strides. It shows in his music. I feel a sense of joy I haven’t heard before. This album is so good. The production quality, the vocals are on point, the beats are stellar. Please check it out if you haven’t already!

http://lnkfi.re/TherapySessions

[imaginesforthosewhoseekthem]

Just imagine a normally nice MC that is pissed off. Everyone will be kinda concerned and confused bc this docile, sweet human is threatening to behead them. This something I cannot get out of my head. It’s ok if you don’t do it, but thanks for taking the time to read this :)

((I might just be on a Danganronpa binge, but I picture MC snapping like this (Spoilers for Danganronpa if you’ve never seen or played it and intend on doing so. I’ll put a gif under it if it helps prove the point better) ))

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt_qF8SbZ_I

                         I’m gonna TRY to take this seriously, I swear XD. Only doing this with the 7 bros atm, but lemme know if you guys want the undateables in the future.

SPOILERS FOR LESSONS 1-20, MOSTLY CUSA BELPHIE’S PART. I really hope this is okay, it took me a WHILE to write. There’s probably some grammar mistakes here and there, but I will fix them overtime))

Lucifer:

Lucifer was kinda putting pressure on you with chores and tasks, barely giving you time to rest. Eventually, it just kinda made you snap at him.

“CAN’T YOU DO THIS CRAP YOURSELF?! YOU MANAGE THESE 6 IDIOTS ALL THE TIME AND YOU CAN’T DO SOMETHING LIKE A SIMPLE CHORE OR TASK?!” you snapped at him.

Welp...it was nice knowing you. Depending on the types of relationship you have with Lucifer, his punishments are either personal...or “Private” if you get my drift.

WE KNOW YOU’RE A FREAKY BITCH, LUCI!

Either way, you DEFINITELY feel like you are dead meat once you realize it was LUCIFER you snapped at. 

If the others are in the room with you, Mammon will run, Levi will livestream it, Satan and Belphegor will either be there to laugh at you or encourage you to say worse, Beel will get a snack to watch and Asmo...well he’ll probably tell Luci to try not leave a mark on your body because that’s “his job”. Basically no one is helpful here.

Unless you’re not afraid of Luci or just stupid in which case, you keep runnin your damn mouth at him over stuff that will TOTALLY hurt his Pride. If you get one of his brothers to laugh, even SNICKER at him, you are in WORSE trouble.

Bonus points added to you getting screwed over by him if Diavolo was anywhere CLOSE to hear that,

Your ass is getting dragged to his room or office and getting a talking to or a “talking to” for SEVERAL hours straight.

Luci doesn’t take shit, He i the Avatar of Pride and will not let some human taint it.

Not gonna lie though...you DID catch him off guard and he did kinda ease up on the work because even though he’s way stronger than you, he does NOT wanna see you like that ever again

 Mammon:

Oh, he did it again. He got both of you in trouble. You snapped cus this was the third time in a row that week. Mammon’s making his stupid excuses and it just..unloaded onto him.

“WELL MAYBE IF YOU WEREN’T SUCH A SCUMBAG, WE WOULDN'T GET INTO SO MUCH TROUBLE!” you barked at him.

He. Was. Stunned. 

If you’re Lucifer levels of angry, he might even be a little scared of you. 

For a moment to defend himself, he may switch to how he was when you two first met.

“O-Oh yeah?! Who are you, a weak, feeble HUMAN to tell the Great Mammon what he is and isn’t?! I could crush ya right now if I wanted to!”

He’s bluffing so much even humans that WEREN’T there could see it.

“Oh, you know what? YA KNOW WHAT?! That is it! I am not even gonna speak to you til you are BEGGIN’ me to forgive ya!”

Yep, he’s really doing this. Obviously, you don’t care because you’re not the one that should be apologizing here.

The other 6 are actually pretty happy with this transaction. Finally, some silence from Mammon’s ever yapping pie-hole. He’s sitting there with a pout on his lip and slumped. He’s not going to say how sorry you’ll be in front of his brothers because he said HE wasn’t talking to YOU. So he doesn’t need it rubbed in his face.

Of course, being the Avatar of Greed, he’s up to his Greedy ways, so he’ll make whatever excuse he can to get his brothers away from you.

Not even a day has passed and he comes up saying he “forgives you for getting mad at him”. But if you still look upset with him, he does legit feel bad and apologizes...the MAMMON way lol.

“Well...I GUESS if it bugs you that much, I could keep outta trouble...Just for a little while, though! I ain't some softie! I’m too much of an awesome rebel for that~!” he said, trying so much to impress you with his “Bad Boy” attitude.

Deep down, he just doesn’t want to make his human mad at him again.

 Leviathan:

((Sorry if the reason isn't great, but this baby boy is too cute to have a reason to be mad at, I’m sorry! If Levi stans hate this, you have permission to slap me. I deserve it XD))

Levi had kept dragging you to play games with him and watch anime, but you had studying to do.

Whenever you tried to tell him you had to go study, he did this thing where he would use the “Studying is probably better than hanging out with a lame otaku like me” speech to get you to cave in.

You didn't realize it, but you only had a few days left to study and you were STRESSED.

Levi was about to use the same speech on you again when you finally had had enough.

“LEVI! I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME WITH YOU, IT COULD ACTUALLY COST ME FROM GETTING A GOOD GRADE! CAN YOU PLEASE PULL YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ANIME AND VIDEO GAMES AND DO SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T RISK OTHER PEOPLE FAILING AT LIFE!“ you blurted. You regretted saying some of that, but it was too little too late. 

Levi was hurt his best friend would say all of that to him. You could see him fighting back tears. 

“F-Fine..! Whatever! I can just find s-someone else to play with me..!” he said, choking n his words. “J-Just get outta my room, already!”

You tried to apologize for snapping, but he wasn’t having it, at least not right now. 

You would make it up to him after you finished studying and taking your test.

Levi spent the next few days being somewhat passive-aggressive towards you, spending more time with Mammon or Henry 2.0 (his goldfish) just to spite you. However, you were too busy catching up on the studying you missed out on to notice.

Eventually, he was ready to go give you a piece of his mind when he saw...you were asleep at your desk and surrounded by books. It kinda made him realize how much he really made you miss out on and he felt pretty bad.

The next morning, you woke up to a text from Lucifer that said he pulled some strings to get you more time to study and have your date for the test slightly later than the others. You also had Levi’s jacket wrapped around your shoulders.

You definitely bought him some new games and figures as a way to apologize for yelling at him and you two made up.

Rest assured, Levi listens to you way more after that. You being mad at him is upsetting and kinda scary to him.

Satan:

Satan was being a typical cynical smartass and talking about what tricks he’ll attempt on Lucifer today.

The past THREE times you, he and Belphie tried to pull pranks on Lucifer, you were one step ahead and you just DID not have the energy for it anymore.

“Hey Satan..~” you say sweetly to lure him in.

“Mmm?” he asked, distractedly.

“Shut...the F**K up!” you snapped, irritated at him.

Now...There are really two ways the Avatar or Wrath can take being told to shut up, let alone to shut the f up. 

If you are LUCKY...Satan will laugh it off with an amused chuckle that you’re trying to intimidate him

Your luck runs out of you try and elaborate on that WHILE he’s laughing.

“IF YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE SMARTEST BROTHER, HOW DO YOU HAVE SUCH IDIOTIC IDEAS?!”

You’re dead. You’ve dug your own grave and you are DEAD. He’ll PROBABLY grab you by the throat if that REALLY pissed him off.

“What the F**K...did you just say to me you weak, breakable little twerp?” he asks in that calm, serial killer like tone that let’s you know you’re dead meat.

That’s when you run, you knock some books in his path and you run!

You don’t stop running until you find Lucifer to make Satan calm the hell down.

It’s probably best if you two don’t talk to one another for a few days.

Satan is secretly shocked and upset his image of you being the innocent one is shattered...for like, a SECOND. That is until he realizes...he LIKES to see you angry...and he WILL use this newfound enjoyment against you.

You go to apologize, but he yanks you in, pins you to the wall like he’s going to hurt you...but smirks and says in his most smarmy and CONDESCENDING tone.

“You’re even cuter when you’re mad~ I won’t hurt you over this...at least not in the way I had intended~” he teases before pecking your nose and walking away like the tease he is.

He could be such a bitch sometimes.

 Asmodeus:

You were honestly pretty jealous of the people who Asmo had been flirting with. To the point it was really starting to irritate you. Especially if he spoke about how cute OTHER people were while you were there.

When he got to talking about something hot someone else has that you are self conscious over…you just lost it.

“MAYBE IF YOU STARTED THINKING WITH THE HEAD ON YOUR SHOULDERS, YOU’RE VAIN DUMBASS COULD FOCUS ON YOUR STUDIES!” you hissed.

Asmo blinked at you, shocked you would even WANT to shriek at someone as beautiful as him. After thinking it over for a second, not even looking offended, just surprised, he grew a small smirk.

You see, kids, if events have taught us anything, it’s that you can’t get angry at Asmo…cus his horny-ass just thinks you’re being forceful or aggressive and he enjoys it.

“My, my~ This is an INTERESTING change of pace, (Y/N). I sense that someone is jealous over my attention being away from them~! Of course, it’s not like I blame you~! I’m so beautiful, ANYONE would fight over me~” he bragged.

You were just so done with his nonsense, you were about to leave, but you felt him grab your wrist all of a sudden. He tugged you close and stroked your chin with a sly smirk.

“That being said, I think I LIKE seeing you raise your voice at me~ Do it some more, (Y/N)~ Pretty please~❤”

Yep, you were gone. You couldn’t with his flirty shit right now. You were still mad, you just had the deepest blush across your cheeks.

Asmo kept trying to make you jealous so you would bark at him. You opened a new kink for him to say the least.

You know what DID end up getting to him though? When you looked the person he was flirting with dead in the eye and said “You can have him..” like you were giving away something you didn’t even want.

THAT’S when he got offended. He was maaaaaaaad.

“(Y/N)! How could you SAY such a thing?! Do you not want me or something?!” he asked, pouting up a storm.

Well, you wanted to get a reaction out of him, you just didn’t expect it to go like THAT.

He tries to give you the cold shoulder, but he wants your attention too much to keep it up, so he eventually sits beside you with a pout on his lips and his arms folded.

“I’m willing to apologize for flirting with other demons...but only if you apologize for that comment earlier.” He said

You eventually do apologize, cus even if you love him, a whiny Asmo can get emotionally tiring. You promise him you mean every word of apology…and then he tackles you with hugs and kisses.

You may or may not regret apologize just for that alone, but at least he’s happy.

Beezlebub:

Beel ate something you were saving for later. Usually he wouldn’t because he would want to eat something like that WITH you since it was yours. Sometimes it wasn’t even that big of a deal to you because you could just get more. ((I know all the foodies in the audience are looking at me funny for writing that. Look guys, unless it’s something I haven’t had in a while, I don’t personally care if someone eats my food.))

 But this time it was different. It was a special treat someone close to you had brought just for you before you got to the Devildom. Maybe even they last time you’d see them for a long time, not just the year you were in the Devildom. It’s not the last time you see them ever because it’s not gonna be THAT depressing guys.

You had written your name and everything on it, but Beel was in his hungry stages…like CLOSE to demon form stages.

You saw the carnage left over from this special treat. Beel was JUST apologize when you snapped.

“TURNING INTO A DEMON PUT YOUR BRAIN IN YOUR STOMACH, DIDN’T IT?!” you snapped. Beel was like…legit surprised to see this coming from YOU of all people. You were such a small, sweet little human the rest of the time and here you were, yelling at him.

Yelling at Beel definitely caused some instant regret, because the boy couldn’t help himself. Now YOU were about to apologize when Beel interrupted.

“I-I’m so sorry (Y/N). I didn’t realize how much it meant to you. I should have gotten one of my brothers to call you…o-or told you on my D.D.D so we could’ve…I’m sorry.” He said, frowning. “I promise, I’ll make up for this…I’ll go to the human world and get the person who made it if I have to.” He said, leaving you alone.

Well you sure felt like a jackass now. Yeah, out of all the brothers, Beel is probably the most understanding, so you legit feel like an ass after yelling at him. You texted and said your apology over and over to him, but he either wouldn’t reply because he was trying to re-create it or insisting it was hit fault.

Belphie is pretty pissed you yelled at Beel like that, but you did tell him you didn’t mean for it to slip out and explain the situation.

He doesn’t get the sentimental value like you or Beel do, but he soon gets you really ARE sorry and leaves you alone about it.

Beel eventually calls you over and he made a BUNCH of the food he ate on you. Some he got his brothers or Barbados to help him with, but a lot were made by him.

This freaking teddy bear of a demon worked his wings off to make it up to you. Of COURSE you two forgive each other.

The flavor probably isn’t EXACTLY like the one he ate on you, but you felt the love put into it none the less and you at least have a new fond memory of that food. You may need help eating it all though.

The whole house eats that dish for a while. You even get Solomon, the angels and even Diavolo to help clean out the supply.

Beel’s more than happy to help though. It’s also just as well you won’t see the person who gave you the original for a while. You get sick of it pretty quick…but seeing Beel smile over it does help bring enjoyment back to the flavor.

 Belphegor:

It was either like Satan where he got you in trouble with Lucifer or he slept in and missed out on something important. Either way, you were fed up with Belphie showing up late to things or not showing up at all

As soon as he woke up, he just gave you an innocent looking, bus clearly condescending smile, much like when he used to lie to your face. You sure let him have it in the middle of his smart ass tone.

“WITH HOW IRRESPONSIBLE YOU ARE, I WISH I COULD SLEEP RIGHT THROUGH ALL YOUR BULLS**T!” you barked at him all of a sudden.

Now kinda like Satan, at first Belphie’s response to this is to get angry right away. His face gradually lowers and he kinda towers over you like he’s trying to intimidate you and, if you remember what he did in another timeline, it kinda works to a degree.

“The hell did you just say to me? I killed you once, I’ll do it again if I wanted to.” He was hoping to catch you off guard and laugh at you once you got scared of him, but you were still just so mad at him, you were ready to call his bluff.

“YEAH?! BIG MAN?! GO ON! DO IT! GIVE LUCI ANOTHER REASON TO LOCK YOU IN THE F**KIN ATTIC!” you yelled, pushing him.

Okay, THAT was a scorcher tho! That knocked the damn wind out of him. He knew for a FACT, you would never bring him being in the attic into this, so he KNEW he had legit pissed you right off. He just kinda took a step back in surprise.

“Okay, damn…I wasn’t being serious.” He said, picking up his pillow and walking away, shaking his head slightly. “You humans are so sensitive at times.

Out of all the brothers, as surprised as he is by your outburst, he probably cares the least. You know how he is with Lucifer, so he’ll likely use this as a means to push your buttons too.

You don’t want to talk to him, but he will STILL give you a smarmy “Are you done being a child yet?” JUST to get on your nerves.

Beel can see that it’s not just putting a damper on your mood, but Belphie’s too, because as much as he wants to uphold how much of a smartass he is, he’s finding it harder to take naps knowing he upset you.

The twins talk it out and Belphie admits defeat, waiting til you’re alone in your room to go see you. He says nothing, comes in and sits on your bed, gesturing you sit beside him and resting his head on your lap.

“I’m sorry I kept pushing you…I didn’t realize how much I actually upset you and I’ll try not to sleep in as much if it’s for you..” he said softly.

You stroked his hair slowly and kissed his forehead. “I’m sorry I yelled at you..the attic thing was too far.” You said.

Belphie smiled and wrapped his arms around you, keeping you in place. “You can make it up to me by letting me sleep on you.

He did actually make better effort into showing up and it only cost more naps while holding you, so best make sure you don’t have anywhere to be for the next few hours. Belphie will lock you in place.

[ikenbar]

Mr Love: Ike’s Choice Ch2 Pt11 (end)

Warnings: The conclusion to a thrilling chapter, ANGST, FLUFF, death(?), slight cursing, slight spoilers for Chapter eight of the game? but it really isn’t anything. Just me throwing names around, fire, tension, pain, guilt, adorable moments with officer Gavin, sadness, Minor being a cock block, AaAnaaANd cliffhangers for chapter three!!

AS A HEADS UP: As I said, last part of chapter two. Since I am already finished with chapter three, there will be a post next Wednesday. bUuUt! To keep you guys on your toes (and bring more background to my lovely OC) I will be posting a couple of one shots before beginning the third chapter. It will bring light to things from Ike’s past and make more sense of her story. Those one shots will just be of my OCs. Nothing pertaining to the game. It’ll just make the experience of reading my fanfic more understanding and enjoyable. Ok, I’ll stop wasting your time. Enjoy the thrilling conclusion to Chapter Two!! :D

(Chapter two’s prologue, parts one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten here :))

((Please read the author’s note (and the beginning of the story) on chapter one part one if you’re new here :D))

Chapter two (end):

Part eleven:

The moon’s light warped above me as I came to. The world’s sound seemed to have been deafened as I seemingly floated in thin air. Muffled thudding came from all around me, threatening to burst my eardrums with the pressure it exerted. I took in a deep breath. 

Water filled my mouth. 

I struggled and held my throat. Finally getting a grasp of the situation, I quickly swam towards the light, pulling the water around me with great force. Skyrocketing out of the lake, I sucked in as much oxygen as I could. Coughing as sputtering as I did so. As the water in my ears drained the world around me gained its sound again. A roaring fire came from the warehouse in front of the lake. Large chunks of debris fell from the building and hit the water, causing waves that made it hard to stay afloat. What was I doing in the lake? Wasn’t I just… 

I gasped, dragging a wave of water into my lungs. 

Gavin. 

Where was Gavin?

 “Gavin?!” I choked, whipping my head around to look for him. He wasn’t at the other end of the lake or on any of the floating debris. He wasn’t anywhere… 

Above land. 

I took a deep breath and dove back under the water. I opened my eyes and searched even harder. Everything was dark and murky. It was nearly impossible to make anything out. Until I caught sight of a large piece of debris slowly drifting to the bottom of the lake. 

Under it was Gavin. He was unconscious and his mouth was open but no bubbles came from it. 

The moment I saw him I propelled myself through the water, kicking and moving my arms wildly. Gavin had hit the bottom of the lake when I finally reached him. The debris was a piece of the wall that had been used as a door to that small, awful room. I grabbed the corner of the door, planted my feet at the bottom of the lake, and pulled. The debris was waterlogged, making it impossible to lift or move at all. I weakly let go and looked around. There was no other way to get him out of this.

I needed to lift the door.

I needed to save him.

Unwilling to leave him like this, I grabbed the door again. Using all of my power against the door, I grit my teeth and pulled again. The door snapped and broke into pieces, finally freeing Gavin from his watery grave. I threw the piece in my hands aside and held the freed Gavin in my arms. I pulled him close to my chest as I launched off the bottom of the lake and back to the surface.

I hit fresh air once more with Gavin securely held in my arms. With no time to delay, I slumped him over my shoulder and swam to the end of the lake. I calmed myself as I prepared to listen for his faith inducing heart beat… 

but there wasn’t one. 

I felt my heart stop. 

No. No no no. He can’t… I sped my pace in the water. He can’t. Not because of me. Please.

I finally reached the land and raced to place him safely down in the grass. I held my head next to his heart. 

Nothing.

I felt his mouth for air. 

Still nothing.

I cursed and positioned myself on top of his chest. I started compressing. One hit after the other, I’d pray that the next one would be the one. The one that would bring him back. Tears flooded my eyes as I stopped to hold his nose and pushed air into his mouth. Seeing that did nothing as well, I quickly got back up and started compressing again. The task was harder this time as the growing lump in my throat made it impossible to breathe.

Apologies flooded my head. Apologies for getting him roped into this. Apologies for the years we wasted fighting. Apologies for not recognizing him from the year book. Apologies for nearly killing him in the ring. I realized though that those apologies were confetti compared to the thing I needed him to hear the most.

“I forgive you.” I gasped as I held back my sobs into each compression, “I forgive you, Gavin. Please. I forgive you. I’m ready to be your partner again. To hear your nickname for me. To hear you make fun of me. To fly together again. To give you the second chance you wanted. Please, Gavin, let me give you a second chance. Come back. Pl-” 

Gavin coughed. 

Water came gushing from his mouth. He gasped for air. My breath hitched in my throat as I turned him over. I watched him take another breath. And another. And another. He opened his eyes. Tears of relief replaced the ones of grief I had as I closed my eyes and listened to him breathe.

“Bastard.” My voice cracked as I hit his arm weakly, “Don’t you ever scare me like that again.” I ducked my head down and closed my eyes, struggling to compose myself as wave after wave of tears came flooding to me. Gavin did nothing at first, letting what just happened sink in. Then he moved to sit up. I pushed him back down. “Don’t.” I choked, finally wiping the tears from my eyes and straightening myself, “Rest... Please.” Before I could say anything more, Gavin gripped my hand and pulled at it weakly. I let him guide me to his side. I lay down next to him as he pulled me into a weak embrace.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered hoarsely, causing him to have to cough more.

“... I forgive you.” I squeaked as I clung to his drenched jacket. 

The sound of the burning warehouse behind me soon flooded back to my senses without me realizing it had gone away at all. Sounds of debris popping up from the lake came over the roar of the fire every now and then, and even police sirens could also be heard in the distance. Coming closer each minute Gavin and I lay there together. I didn’t care for any of that noise. I had my eyes closed and focused on the one sound that mattered to me the most. The sound of Gavin’s heart. Proof of him being alive. Proof that he was with me and only me. Proof of our second chance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I clutched the bouquet of flowers and a shopping bag in my hand tightly as I raised my other hand over the door, hesitantly. It had been a week since the explosion of the warehouse had happened. Paramedics had arrived soon after Gavin and I had pulled ourselves together. The chief was there and pried for answers about the explosion. I was the one who gave him the story. I told him nearly everything on the ambulance, leaving out any information about my Evol and the other incriminating details. I decided against telling Gavin or the Chief what was on the wall in the room. If they had known, they would have kicked me off the case that had just barely lifted off of the ground. If I was the one being targeted I needed to know why, and I was going to be the one finding out.

When we got to the hospital they inspected me closely and told me I had gotten away with a sprained ankle, a few bruises, and scratches on my back and face, leaving an obvious scar on my cheek. Yet another to add to my collection. But it was nothing compared to what Gavin was prescribed with. 

He was forced to stay bed ridden in the hospital for two weeks, despite his objections to the idea. Despite his pleads to go back onto the field. Despite his begging eyes as he turned to me for help. I couldn’t meet them. I only insisted he followed orders. I’ll never forget the tone of dejection in his voice as he finally caved. 

I didn’t visit Gavin while he was there. I needed to work on building my walls back up again. I had almost lost Gavin because I was being reckless. I shouldn’t have let it happen and I couldn’t let it happen again. I also didn’t want to see him in the state of pain that I had left him in... that I had been at fault for. And I was terrified that he would hate me for how reckless I had been. And that he blamed me for almost killing him... that he didn’t want to see me anymore.... that our second chance as partners was left behind in that lake...

 I couldn’t avoid him forever though. My phone would ring nonstop from Gavin and, after I didn’t pick up, he would leave messages. A lot of messages. I tried ignoring it all but eventually, the calls were becoming bothersome. But it wasn’t the constant calling that made it troubling. It was when I spent my time waiting for the next one. Waiting for the voicemail. Waiting to hear his voice again. Soon, waiting for the calls from Gavin started affecting how I would work. Making me miss obvious mistakes in my reports and work slower than I ever had before. I tried convincing myself that I just needed a personal assistant, but then I realized I couldn’t keep putting off the get the inevitable. It was time I made a move.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the hospital room door. “Come in.” Gavin’s voice made my heart race wildly in my chest. The voice I had only heard from over the phone for a week seemed almost foreign to me in person. I shook my head and focused back to the matter at hand as I opened the door.

The room was quiet. The large window swept the back of the room was open and illuminated the white walls with a natural light. There were two beds. One was empty and the other was covered by a pink curtain that draped from the ceiling. A small television, that was mounted in the very back corner of the room, played the news quietly for the room’s occupant. 

It was talking about that story again. The story of the strange explosion at an old warehouse. The chief didn’t tell anyone we were involved. Just that the investigation was still underway. It gave Gavin and I the privacy we needed to heal both physically and mentally. I greatly appreciated the Chief’s consideration of us but still wondered how long he would be able to hide the truth, and how it would affect his reputation when the media finds out that not only was a civilian involved, but the head of an up and coming television company.

I closed the door carefully behind me and approached the curtain cautiously. My phone buzzed in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw it was from Gavin. I quickly ignored it. No use surprising him if he could hear me coming. 

My head spun with things I should say as I approached his bed. But my mind went blank when I saw Gavin for the first time in a week. The last I had left him, he could scarcely move without help or support from the paramedics. Now, he was sitting up, eyes glued to the phone in his hands. They were sharp, letting me know he got the rest he needed. And, though covered in bandages, it was obvious his attitude hadn’t changed. His expression was full of annoyance and tediosity. He was still the same Gavin I had always known. Though I wished he would just relax and let himself heal. I knew he wanted to get out of that bed and back on the case. I did too. But I would sooner strangle twelve orphans then to let Gavin get hurt again because of me. 

I opened my mouth to greet him, but I was quickly and rudely interrupted. “Unless you’re here to tell me I can be let off a week early, I don’t care.” Gavin grumbled, picking up the remote to turn off the television. Any amount of compassion I held for him flew out the window. My eyebrow twitched as I held my mouth open. Insults hung at the tip of my tongue. Oh how I could embarrass him right in that moment...

“... why won’t she answer?” Gavin asked, his tone shifting dramatically to one of desperation. I closed my mouth quickly. “Did I do something wrong? Were the calls too much? Maybe I should just go see her mysel-”

“Or maybe you can stay in bed and stop threatening to make your condition worse.” I snapped with vex on my tongue, “You know, just a thought.” Gavin’s eyes widened as he whipped his head to face me. His expression was one of pure shock as we locked eyes.

“Ike!” He gasped, dropping his phone onto the bed, “I thought-... You never-... Are you-...?”

“Are you going to finish any of those sentences or do you want me to?” I asked, raising an eyebrow and walking closer to his bedside. Though I had no intention of showing it, watching Gavin speechless to see me made me feel euphoric.

“I thought you weren’t going to visit.” Gavin finally settled on a sentence, “You never answered my calls.”

“They got increasingly harder to ignore.” I sat on the doctor’s stool by Gavin’s bedside.

“Why didn’t you answer them?”

“I… was busy.” I held back the guilt ridden expression threatening to push itself onto my face, “The funding got through from LFG so we are starting the production of our show.”

“Are you ok?” Gavin’s words seemed to be racing their way out of his mouth, as if he had been wanting to ask me these things for a long time.

“I’m fine. Nothing but a sprained ankle and… some cuts.” I bit my tongue. There he was, covered in bandages, and I got away scott free.

“You took most of the explosion.” Gavin said seriously, obviously not convinced by my words, “The chief told me you said were fine but you have a habit of hiding the truth.” I gulped, “I was worried sick.” His eyes drifted to something under my eye. He raised a hand to my face.

“Welp, no need to worry any more.” I rushed to say, dodging his hand, “I’m perfectly fine.” Gavin gave me a intense stare. “Really.” I emphasized. 

“... Good.” Gavin breathed and lowered his hand. I opened my mouth to ask him if he was ok but his eyes drifted to my hand, distracting me. “What’s that?” He asked.

“Oh.” I looked down at the flowers and the shopping bag, “I… got you flowers.” Gavin raised a teasing eyebrow. “Don’t give me that!” I rolled my eyes, “I wanted to make your room less… dreary.” My eyes fell at his bedside table where a batch of flowers already sat with a vase of water. They were large and extravagant and made my flowers look cheap. “I guess it wasn’t an original idea.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Gavin sighed and took my flowers from me, “That is from a buddy of mine. He tends to go over the top with these things. Your flowers are perfect. Thank you.”

“That’s just a nicer way of saying ‘not as cool.’” I murmured as Gavin replaced the flowers in the vase with my own. Gavin gave me an annoyed look and opened his mouth to lie again. I shoved the shopping bag in his face before he could say anything. “I also brought some soup.” I quickly said, pulling out a Tupperware bowl full of soup and a spoon, “It’s Bart’s cooking. I did promise I’d have you try it after all. It’s cold but-” Gavin took the soup and the spoon and opened it immediately.

“I’ll take it.” He sighed smelling the soup, “Anything other than the hospital food.”

“Wow.” I judged, folding my arms, “I didn’t know you could be so picky with food.”

“Normally I’m not. But after eating the same bland food for a week, you learn to appreciate what you had.” Gavin started digging in.It was obvious from the look on his face that he enjoyed every bite he took. A smile spread caross his cheeks. Unable to hold it back any more, I smiled as well. I was so glad to see he had been doing better… After... After all that pain I had caused him. 

My smile fell as I remembered the events of the week before. The shooting, the harsh words, the mistrust, the fight, the bomb, it all led back to me. He had gotten so hurt... he had died... and it was all my fault.

“I’m sorry.” The words escaped my mouth before I could stop them. Gavin stopped eating.

“For what?” His mouth was full of soup and obliviousness. I ducked my head and started playing with my hands in my lap, hoping to distract myself from the nervousness rising in my chest.

“For everything. I’m the reason you got hurt so badly. I’m the one who was reckless and set off the bomb. I’m the one who nearly beat you to death in the ring. I’m the whole reason this case exists in the first place.” The tears that I had been all too familiar with from the past week resurfaced, but this time, there was no alcohol to send them back. “I’m sorry… so so sorr-”

Gavin placed one of his big hands onto both of mine, making me look up at him, “Were you the one who called the hitman?”

“...No.”

“Were you the one who made the bomb?”

“No.” I was slowly catching on to him.

“Were you the one who blew up the warehouse?”

“... well kinda-”

“Ike.” Gavin looked at me earnestly, “None of this was your fault. You shouldn’t have been roped into this the way you have been, and I’m sorry that you were. But now is not the time to blame yourself. Now is the time to stop the person behind this from doing anymore damage, ok?” I nodded, feeling slightly better. “Besides, if not you, the hitman would have just found another Evolver to target.” I felt my heart jump. Images of what I had seen in that small room flashed across my mind.

“Right.” I looked down again. There was a moment of awkward silence. Gavin shifted slightly on the bed. I felt his calloused fingers scratch my skin slightly as he pulled both of my hands into both of his. 

“I’m ok.” He smiled reassuringly, “I’m healing quickly. I’ll be out in less than a week. There is no need to worry.” I nodded timidly. I went to remove my hands from his but our eyes locked. I felt the whole hospital room disappear from my peripherals as his amber eyes took in every last bit of my focus. I was the only thing reflected in Gavin’s eyes, as he was the only thing in mine. Deep in our stare, I could see the emotions that he had held that night we had alone together in my apartment. My heart beat sped up as that familiar sense of melting entered my chest. I was quick to shove it down but stopped as I saw Gavin lean toward me. I flinched slightly but Gavin had already rested his forehead onto mine. I watched as he started inspecting my hands.

“I was really worried about you.” His voice had dropped an octave, sending chills up my spine.

I sighed, slightly annoyed, “I-” I locked eyes on to Gavin’s. My annoyance vanished and was replaced with another emotion. One that I scarcely ever felt. “I… was worried about you too.” Emotions flew past Gavin’s eyes. He placed one of his hands onto my cheek. I closed my eyes and inadvertently leaned into his touch. I had missed that warmth. That gentle reminder that he was living and breathing. But, more importantly, he was living and breathing with me. I found myself wanting more of his touch. Craving it’s warmth. After a long moment, Gavin’s hand drifted to my chin, pulling it to bring my head to face him.

“You don’t have to worry anymore.” He nearly whispered, “I will always be by your side.” The air around us grew heavy with anticipation as I watched Gavin’s face inch closer to mine, his hand pulling at my chin to match his movements. I could feel his hot breath against my face as our noses nearly touched…

A loud bag came from the door, making Gavin and I fly apart. “Gavin!” A young male voice called from the other side of the room, “I’m back! And I brought you some quality food!” As his footsteps neared us, I jumped from the stool and away from Gavin. I saw Gavin's hand slightly hesitate to grab me but he stopped with a sigh. 

“What the hell, Minor?” Gavin said through gritted teeth. A young man with strawberry blonde hair appeared from around the curtain. He was tall, slim, and muscley challenged. He wore a coker, a purple shirt, black jeans, and a casual light gray blazer which brought out the glimmer in his brown eyes as he looked around the room expectantly. In his hands were a couple of bags of take out food and a drink holder with two portable drinks inside. 

We made eye contact. “Oh!” he exclaimed sheepishly, “I didn’t know you had company.”

“A knock would have been nice.” Gavin said harshly, causing the young man to cower slightly.

“Sorry, bro.” the young man muttered. He set down the take out bags on Gavin’s bed side and held out his hand to me, “My name is Minor. Nice to meet you, Miss...?”

“Bikira.” I said, taking his hand in mine and shaking it firmly. All the while trying to shove away what awkward feelings I had left. “Ikamara Bikira. You can call me Ike.” Minor smiled but that was slowly replaced by a look of confusion. 

“Wait.” he said slowly, coming closer to me and inspecting my face, “Ikamara?”

“...Yes?” I answered just as slowly, eyeing him suspiciously. Minor snapped his fingers and withdrew himself from me.

“I knew you looked familiar!” Minor smiled widely, “You used to go to Loveland High!”

“Am I the only one who remembers no one from that school?” I huffed and turned to look at Gavin. He shrugged. 

“Of course I remember you! Gavin used to… uh.” Minor’s eyes were locked on Gavin’s as he glared intensively at him, “Used to… share a class with you!”

“Gavin and I were two years apar-”

 “But hold on, the Ikamara I knew wore clothes twice the size of her. That suit looks almost too expensive to be yours… unless-”

“I didn’t steal it.” I derailed Minor’s train of thought before it took off, “This is just what happens when you grow up.”

“But-”

“Would you quit interrogating her.” Gavin punched Minor’s arm, “She has her life together. Unlike some people…”

“Hey, I’m trying!” Minor pouted as he rubbed his arm, “Searching for a new job is harder than you think.”

“You’re... looking for a new job?” I asked, getting an idea.

“Yeah. To no avail.” Minor sighed.

“Well, today may be your lucky day.” I folded my arms as my professional side kicked in. “I may have a position for you at my company”

“You have a company?!” Minor’s words received another punch from Gavin.

“Yes.” I said, ignoring the scene that was being made, “The Ike ‘n Bar Production Company. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?”

Minor’s jaw dropped. So did the drinks in his hands. Gavin caught them swiftly, causing only a couple drops from the contents from within to escape and hit the bed. “No way.” Minor gasped, completely unaware of his surroundings, “You’re the Ike in Ike ‘n Bar Productions?!”

“Yes.”

“No way!” Minor repeated, his tone becoming high pitched and squirrly, “I have been a fan of yours since your first episode of ‘Show Me the Honey.’ I even stuck around after the cliffhanger in season three! I don’t care what the forums say, that episode was brilliantly done.” 

“Thanks.” I muttered, beginning to regret bringing up the open position.

“What kind of job would I be applying for?! Props carrier? Script writer? Make up-”

“Personal assistant.” I stopped Minor before he could get his hopes up too high, “More specifically my personal assistant. I work in the office and could use some help with getting the small tasks done. It will be boring but-”

“I’ll take it!” Minor cut me off, still holding his large grin from the beginning of the conversation, “Anything I can do to help make the work of Ike from Ike ‘n Bar Productions easier, I’ll do it!”

“Then the job is yours.” I held out my hand again, “You can start tomorrow. Welcome to the team.” Minor eagerly shook my hand. He looked over at Gavin expectantly, face shining like the sun.

“You’re just lucky Ike was here.” Gavin rolled his eyes and looked back at his soup. Minor cherrily looked back at me.

“You won’t regret this.”

“I’d better not.” I said retrieving my arm to fold it again, “I fired a man last week for being neglectant in his work. Don’t go thinking being friends with Gavin will make me treat you any differently.” Minor gulped and nodded, still maintaining a somewhat confident smile. I looked down at the food Minor had brought. There were only two bags of food. As well as two drinks. I took this as a sign.

“Well,” I said, patting Minor on the back to move past him, “I should get going.”

“You’re leaving so soon?” Gavin asked, sounding slightly disappointed.

“I’ve got work I need to get back to. Besides,” I looked back, giving Gavin a teasing look, “You two have a lunch date and I would hate to be a third whee-”

“Stay!” Minor happily shouted, quickly grabbing my arm, “I can help make up for the lost work tomorrow! Besides, I’m not hungry! You can have my burger!”

“No, she can have mine.” Gavin said, shaking the bowl of soup in the air, “I owe her a meal.”

“You owe me nothing.” I said defiantly, “That meal was promised.”

“I can also get more!” Minor chimed, pushing me back to the stool, “Anything for my new boss! And a friend of Gavin’s, of course!” Minor’s words took me aback. I looked to Gavin to see if he was going to correct him. Gavin was already looking at me, smiling softly. He handed me one of the drinks.

“Friend?” I asked Gavin softly.

“Yeah.” He answered wearily, “... Is there something else that would better describe this?” I paused.

“I’d prefer ‘partner.’” I joked, taking the cup from his hand.

“Same thing.” Gavin insisted, his smile becoming wider. I rolled my eyes and felt the corners of my mouth rise. Gavin gasped. “So you can smile! I thought that was just a legend!” He teased. My smile fell and I playfully karate chopped the top of his head. “Hey, don’t get angry at me because you dropped your guard.” He chuckled as he gave me a soft punch on the shoulder.

“You’re one to talk.” I smirked as I took a sip of the drink in my hand. Gavin dropped his smile, his ears slowly reddening.

“...I feel like I’m missing something.” Minor spoke up, causing both of our attention to go back to him. Gavin grabbed a pillow from behind him and threw it at Minor’s face. He started yelling at Minor for interrupting our conversation, but I didn’t catch a word of it. The only thing that was going through my head was one word. 

Friend. 

Gavin was my friend.

Epilogue:

Ares trudged down the empty hallway and to the conference room, face blank and stare empty. When he entered, the room of people became silent and watched him at the door. Ares didn’t address them. Instead, he took one of the empty seats silently. He looked around to the room expectantly. The man one end of the table cleared his throat.

“Now that we are all here, we might as well get started. As you know, a man, who declares himself as Montu has targeted Ikamara Bikira. We have information that Montu unleashed an attack on her last week with a bomb in an abandoned warehouse.” Murmurs circled around the table. “As you know Ikamara is essential to our plan. As the Rook to our Queen. Our plan revolves around the Queen’s survival. Without the Rook to protect her, our plans for the advanced evolution of humankind will come to a screeching halt. It is crucial that we keep Ikamara alive. We must find this Montu and put a stop to his plans before he ends up killing our Rook.” As the man spoke, Ares’ attention shifted to the man that sat directly across from him. His eyes were down and his brows were ever so slightly furrowed. “Ares, you have been keeping a close eye on the Queen, correct?”

“That is correct.” Ares’ voice was emotionless and plain as he dragged his attention back to the speaker.

"Is there anything that points to her life being endangered by this 'Montu.'"

"None that I am aware of. The Queen and our Rook have yet to meet so the danger that Montu brings is minimal to none."

“And what of the Rook? Is there anything you can tell us about her life that could help us find Montu?”

“No. Ms. Bikira, though stagnant in emotions, has a close connection to the people in her life. Everyone she associates herself with respects her.” The man in the corner tensed as Ares spoke, “Rest assured, Black Swan’s plans with the Queen will not waver. I  also have plans for the Queen, and her Rook, of my own. I will personally see to it that this ‘Montu’ is taken care of.” The air of the room ran thick as Ares spoke. It was obvious how much power that man really held over everyone there.

When the meeting adjourned, the man across from Ares briskly stood up and left without making conversation with anyone around him. Ares watched as something fell from the man’s back pocket. Instead of stopping the man, Ares walked over to the object and picked it up. It was a slip of black, metallic paper that had calligraphic words written in a bright green ink.

 “Meet me if you want revenge. Hills, Warehouse, Wall.”

Ares turned the paper over in his hand. A flash of emotion brushed his eyes. Etched into the paper, was a shining, green scarab.

Chapter Two End :D

(Next)

(Chapter Three to be posted soon!)

[vroenis]

Uncharted 4: An Era’s End

It’s recently come to light that game developer Naughty Dog has been subjecting its employees to crunch; the practice of overworking and underpaying staff in order to meet deadlines. This is not unique to Naughty Dog, nor to their current project pending release later this year, The Last Of US 2. Reports suggest that crunch has been endemic in the working culture of Naughty Dog for some time and this is now no surprise to us as such reports continue to surface about studio after studio, most in the corporately structured, premium funded and managed space we call “triple A” or AAA, but many smaller studios and independent spaces also. Several senior and long-tenured creatives have left Naughty Dog quite recently, and some may have been leaving earlier than those that have been reported during what’s turning out to be a turbulent development cycle for The Last Of Us 2.

Each month, as part of the paid subscription to the Playstation Plus online service, Sony offers a small selection of games. For April, one of them was Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, from which I derived my title. Not only am I here to suggest the studio’s troubles may have begun during the development of this game, first released back in 2016, but the title may have been one of the first significant indications that the book was closing on AAA development as we know it. I appreciate there have been many good voices shouting from the rooftops about the how unsustainable it’s been from before then, but the Naughty Dog for a long time seemed like a light in the dark, signalling that a big studio could still produce good product under strong leadership.

I feel that Uncharted 4 rather than The Last Of Us 2 is the real light, and instead of a light-house, it turned out to be a signal-fire warning that even then the composure of Naughty Dog was an illusion.

This piece is going to contain significant spoilers for Uncharted 4. It’s also not investigative - I just played it for the first time, completed it and I have some thoughts about it; these are my thoughts.

I didn’t like the third game at all. I took nothing away from it. I’ll never play it again as there’s nothing I want to relive from it, so I’d better look up the wiki on what happened in it... well that didn’t help at all as I don’t remember playing any of that, it was so unmemorable. I remember the wandering around in the desert bit and then some shooting in the desert which was all pointless. There were also some puzzles with shadow puppets that were almost good but so short and pointless, those two things sum up my feelings about the third game entirely.

What a way to start.

I’ve replayed the first and second games once each, so I’ve played those each twice thru and have decided that the first game is overlong and poorly paced, and the second game is the best and probably two-thirds good. Honestly, Elena should drop the Drakes in the ocean, run-off with Chloe and keep in touch with Sully because those are the only three characters with any depth and meaning. Let’s roll-back a bit.

I get that Nathan’s supposed to be a charming, happy-go-lucky character and for the most part, it works. Maybe I’m just getting too old for it or it’s wearing too thin. I really think the third game was completely unnecessary. When I review my notes on the fourth game, I think about the emotional quandary it attempts to set up i.e., ultimately that Nathan should be more honest with Elena - spoiler; he isn’t, but don’t worry it all works out *SPIT* - this was already a problem I was ready to face at the end of the second game. Given my feelings on the third game, I’d have much preferred a simple trilogy and conclusion that faced that emotional brunt to wrap things up. Naturally of-course, that’s not how money-spinners work.

If Uncharted 4 doesn’t spend time on Elena, who does it spend time on? Nathan has a brother! To be fair, I love Troy Baker as a voice actor and if there’s one thing that is consistent in Naughty Dog games, it’s excellent voice acting. I don’t know if I’m now biased after seeing so much of Nolan North and Troy Baker on YouTube outside of their VO talent work, but they’re wonderful people and their professional work is always great. The supporting cast is always great, too - so too the villains even if the narrative arcs are always completely absurd. I know these are always a bit of a lark, you can’t take them too seriously so I can’t hold Uncharted up to Kentucky Route Zero (got my mention in) and shake them comparatively, that’s not fair. It’s OK to have an excuse for a romp even if it does wear on a bit over time.

The problems I have with Uncharted 4 specifically are things like the level and environmental design. I’ve never gotten lost in this franchise up until now when it happened in almost every level... several times. I simply didn’t know where to go. There would be absolutely no clear indication of where to go and no assists, no subtle environmental guide and no camera nudges to help. There is a timer that eventually tells the player where to go and at times, this is tied to deaths so at one point I just threw Nathan off cliffs repeatedly to respawn until the hint appeared. This is unquestionably stupid design. I began to wonder if this was due to criticism that previous games had too much hand-holding, but when the UI assist was finally given and I made my way to the next check-point, I would *never* have found it under normal exploratory gameplay.

This remained true during several moments of scripted action sequences, some including during combat which brings up something else I now remember about the third game. I still couldn’t tell you when it was other than I didn’t know where to go and it was stupid, so there you have it. Maybe the third game was the real signal fire in my metaphor, who knows. In any case, constantly reverting to check-points and having to repeat, not understanding why you’re failing when the game isn’t telegraphing what you need for a success state in a scripted sequence is an exercise in frustration I’m not willing to ever repeat. While I’m not a souls-like player, I completely appreciate the admiration and respect for those games because they have rules that are clear to parse. Video games are *all about* providing feedback to the player. I’m not saying it’s easy, it is an incredibly difficult thing to achieve but it is literally the job you set out to do, it is the only vehicle you have to convey the lofty emotions you want to communicate to your audience.

And then there’s the driving. Naughty Dog. Do not put driving in your games. This is something you’re not able to do.

I don’t want to bash the driving so hard because at this point I feel like it may have been bolted on without time to make it stick correctly. This is the first game in the title where the hot-zones for interactions weren’t quite right. Where I bugged out of animations and had check-points or re-spawns instanced or loaded. Where I glitched out and fell off things, where I had to walk back and forth in-front of things to make buttons appear. The edges of that Naughty Dog polish were fraying. I’d attempt to do a thing and it just wouldn’t work, I’d fall to my death. I’d attempt to do the same thing the same way and it would work. Again this is dredging up more nondescript memories of the third game so I’m beginning to have my suspicions about the working environment there and when in the timeline things started getting bad - but cameras and jumping distances got really difficult to judge. One gap at one time would be fine to jump, then another would have you plunge to your death, and they’d be inconsistent to read or judge. These were not frequent, as with the third game, almost as if the artists and level designers were given time to adjust lighting and camera geometry tracking and control mapping as much as possible but just couldn’t get to them all. But throughout the games, it creeps in more and more.

I’d talk about combat - it’s functional, but it’s not interesting. These games don’t add anything interesting to the genre or video games in general. I play the games on easy because I don’t need to prolong the experience, I don’t actually have the physical time - if I could play the games without combat, I would. There are other games to play if I want dexterity challenges which I do engage in, Uncharted isn’t one of them. Even in 2016 I’m not entirely sure this would have turned heads. I realise I’m playing this a full four years later, but it’s hard to think of the sum-total of this game’s parts and see it as relevant...

But you know what? Uncharted 4 visually looks immaculate. Outside of the voice-acting and sound design, without question, the highest priority has been given to the visual fidelity of this game inclusive of the animations. So much has been invested in how the tech works, to the abandonment of everything else, I’d say the for example, the driving suffered the most, level design next, then interaction scripting. The attention to detail in the environments is stupendous...

...yet it’s all hollow. You know what? I don’t care about pirates and adventures anymore. Whatever. By the fourth game, I don’t care. I totally get that the game’s not for me but I played it and I’m writing how I feel about it. You’re telling me a story about a guy who met the person of his dreams and marries, then his brother turns up and he can’t be honest to his wife? Meow meow meow it’s all for the sake of drama so we skip over all the details but the contrivance is too much. You want me to accept these things on face value, then on face value, I say Nathan and his brother can go get fucked.

I took particular issue with the comically brief relationship discussion Elena and Nathan have after she saves him and they set off together in which she concludes she’s with him “for better or for worse”, which from memory the game chapter is titled after. Now either the character genuinely believes she owes him under the sanctity of nuptial obligation or she’s using it as a justification of such. This is a wholly unsatisfying discussion for me was when I finally checked out of this game - sure I should have done so hours before but this was the last straw and the indication that I am definitely too old for this shit - but this is a horrifying and stupid message to be spouting. Elena don’t owe anyone shit. Married or not, she’s free to save Nathan if she wants to, for any reason, but she’s certainly not obliged to. I despise this massive chunk of traditionalist patriarchy smashed into her character and the narrative, even if it is “well it’s just about her character” yea great, so that just re-enforces her as a loyal dog-trophy for the main character in the on-going male power-fantasy shenanigans shit-train. Nathan’s behaviour isn’t exactly selfish but it’s certainly not adult or considerate. He behaves like a child not taking on an appropriate level of responsibility. Others around him, being Elena and Sully, continuously bail him out - literally saving his life while endangering their own, and he continues to behave like a manchild that neither acknowledges their physical and emotional labour nor does he grow and evolve as an individual. What a fucker. Does he ever sort his shit out, ask Elena what she wants to do for a career and support whatever the fuck she wants to do with her life? Of-course the fuck he doesn’t. Know why? Because he’s a literal man-baby. And his brother is too. But that’s OK cos  he’s a fucken jock-hero and a funny guy so as long as we can all laugh about it and the narrative says-so and it all works out in the end and he gets the girl and she ends-up supporting his career anyway, it’s aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall fine.

Nathan should have died and Elena shouldn’t have given a fuck.

I know I know, it’s not that serious. Look I’ve been thru some shit, alright? I can see it both ways. Sometimes you don’t think about stupid shit that deep and sometimes you do. Most of the time, I do, and most of the time, I take it to the nth degree, so yea, shit like that gets to me. I call it bad writing, so no, I don’t like the story. At all. Nathan’s supposed to be flawed but nothing ever costs him. When people make mistakes in life, those mistakes cost. The unfortunately thing is the cost is most often paid by the others around them, and sometimes they themselves never realise it. I don’t like stories where there’s a fuckhead at the centre but everyone still stays happy. Nathan seems to have been given a lesson, but I don’t think he earned it. This is why y’all watch Game of Thrones and are surprised when characters die because you keep consuming narratives with no stakes, and GoT is *still* only middling stuff.

Anyway.

How could Elena’s character have been given more attention? Uncharted 4 isn’t all bad. The most valuable thing Naughty Dog achieved was the recreation of real domestic spaces; the Drake households. Twice, we’re given time and space and encouraged to explore them without being funnelled by level design, events, NPC shepherding or audio cues. Rooms and the objects that fill them are meticulously and beautifully created, and they're given life and purpose in a way that has meaning far beyond all the pirate nonsense that while almost as equally beautiful, is completely vacuous.

Putting on Elena’s vinyl record as her daughter Cassie was the only time I enjoyed the music in the game, and it was a great call-back to Nathan having done the same thing in their house much earlier. Sure, there’s the Drake theme that repeats ad nauseam throughout the series but otherwise the soundtrack is bland and unremarkable adventuring fare. It contributes more to the feeling of this game being out of touch, contrasted to something like Control which certainly has a completely different setting, sure - but that’s part of it, so that affords the creative team room for more modular synths and drones and to have a distinct sound.

Walking thru those houses, first as Nathan but really as the player repositioning themselves from adventurer to ordinary life-living person in a domestic setting, and then as Cassie - daughter of these two amazing characters in an equalling urbane setting yet filled with wonderful objects, made up the most fascinating and enjoyable moments of the game for me. The mess of each room gave the houses the perfect lived-in feel to a degree that most other games struggle to achieve, probably due to how much effort it takes to get that much geometry mapped in - Giant Sparrow’s What Became of Edith Finch is probably one of the few games that has come close. The difference between the tropical islands, decaying pirate mansions and the domestic Drake residences is that the houses felt like everything in there felt like it meant something and was in there for a reason, like it had been part of something. I don’t mean that just for the objects that were intrinsically tied to implicit narrative beats like collectables or even items from countries where Uncharted 4 or prior games are set, but also things like towels, washing baskets, plates and dishes, books and picture frames, shampoo bottles, food - the detail in the fridges! That you can feed Cassie’s dog, Vicky is the most meaningful interaction of the game - by the way, the second most meaningful set of interactions is buying an apple in the market in Madagascar then playing with lemur and letting it take the apple.

Back to the houses, I’m disappointed we never got to walk through one of them as Elena. Now that the core of the franchise is wrapped, I’m left with the impression that she’s the most important character in the series and she’s left woefully under-served. This is a very me thing, and unsurprising. I doubt anyone else cares enough about writing and character to have thoughts like this. They’re into Uncharted for the adventuring and the shooting, but as soon as you present me the opportunity for character drama and you want to have a red-hot go at it, I’m here to set aside the rest of that guff and go for it. The running and jumping and shooting never changes, and I’m here to say that the puzzling could have stepped up orders of magnitude that Naughty Dog never committed to - Crystal Dynamics did far better with Rise Of The Romb Raider, and while the puzzling was never really difficult, the way I described it to a friend was to liken the puzzles to desk toys; not intended to be too challenging, but more satisfying in their tactile nature. I feel Fireproof’s The Room series for iOS and Android are great examples of providing similar sensations.

I don’t mind a game mostly about shenanigans, I just don’t want it centred around a character that won’t learn, or who gets off cheaply. Elena is infinitely more interesting to me - her concerns, her desires - Chloe too, for that matter, and I absolutely am not above making the joke about shipping them as I’m sure thousands have before me (no I won’t write a fanfic about them, I’m sure there are plenty around).

I didn’t play the first The Last of Us. There was a horrifically jarring moment when the game felt it was over-playing its sense of cinema to me, then had a sudden camera zoom transition onto I think the first combat gameplay and I checked out. The tone of that game is trying to telegraph TAKE ME SERIOUSLY and I feel all I’m going to do is read tonally similar things to what I have here but far worse. Also post-apocalypse is easy pickings for bad writing, especially by video games narrative writers, I just don’t have the patience. I’m pleased that there’s lesbian representation in the second game but I’m not sure it’ll be handled with sensitivity. While I’m in no way invested in the game as a product, I continue to be concerned for the welfare of the employees at Naughty Dog, and all game developers everywhere, as always. It is a hugely unregulated industry that is in the process of slow collapse, and now more than ever do we need reform and cultural change.

And in the midst of that, one day we’ll get a decent game that’s about domestic partnerships and wonderful emotional relationships with stunning visual fidelity; maybe it’ll have running and jumping and shooting and maybe it won’t. Maybe it’ll end sadly and maybe it’ll end happily but hopefully it’ll be well-written. 

Here’s to Elena.

[ironwoman18]

Pairing: Maxcer (Spencer Reid and Maxine Brenner)

Fandom: Criminal Minds

Disclaimer: I don't own any Criminal Minds character, I just use for entertainment and to kill boredom.

This story is a study of Max and Spencer reactions during their conversation with Cat, so...

Spoiler alert!

The Worst Third Date Ever Part 1

Chapter 1: Cat's Plan

After their case in Illinois, Spencer and Max planned a date to drink coffee the morning after he arrived to DC.

Spencer was nervous because she wanted to see his apartment. It was something weird but he accepted.

He cleaned his apartment deeper than he intended to but he didn't want it to smell like an old-person apartment.

He puts on his favorite suit and a tie. He was cleaning the table for the fourth time when he hears his bell rings.

He runs to the door and opens it, there was Max. She was wearing a cute light gray shirt, a jacket and jeans "Hey"

He smiles "Hi, co...come in"

"Oh boy, you, uh... you cleaned" the smell hits her nose as soon as she walks in. His apartment was cute and cozy but that smell was awful.

"I did" he was cursing in his mind. Why was he nervous? She was so sweet and she wouldn't say something mean because his apartment was 'dirty'.

"Hey, uh, we're just getting coffee. Why did you bleach your apartment?"

"Well, even though it's out third coffee date, you wanted to see my apartment, which initially I actually thought was kind of odd, but then I remembered that I was actually the one that said you should meet me at my apartment,..." he started to babble which she thought was cute but also very confusing "... and then I realized I have not had company in... 4 years, so, I should probably open up a window. You know, air out the place"

She smiles at his speech, he was so cute but she started to feel like maybe her request to take things slow maybe make his feel uncomfortable or he wasn't happy about it.

She really likes him and doesn't want to lose him like a former boyfriend because she took things too quickly. She looks at him worry and asked "Are you ok with this?"

"With what?"

"Taking things slow"

"Oh, yeah, I'm... I'm good with that"

"Good, because, um... whenever I've taken things fast, I've been disappointed"

"I know the feeling" he looks at her "A...and I know what 'fast' means to me, but in your book, when you say 'fast' do you mean..." she laughs softly as his phone starts to ring "Sorry, I'm so sorry"

"Please" she says as she turns to see his apartment while he takes that call.

He looks disappointed when he realizes it was from Emily, which means work.

"Hey, what's up?"

"We have a case that's urgent"

"All right. I'll be right in"

"Spencer, there's something you need to know"

"Uh- huh. All right. Understood" Max was checking something on a table listened who his voice change from his usual calm and warm tone into a cold and tensed one.

Both turn to look at each other, she knows it's a case so there date have to wait, she understand it but still its disappointing "Work"

"Yeah" he was also disappointed because he likes to drink coffee with her but this was an important case.

"It's ok. Coffee can wait" he places a hand on his chest and pats it softly "Go save a life" she leaves his apartment and he was upset to lose this opportunity with her especially with the person he has to face with at work.

He drives as quick as possible to the bureau and asks Emily all the details. Cat Adams, somehow, did it again. She managed to kidnap two people with someone's help and managed to annoy him.

Emily ordered the prison to bring her to their offices to interrogate her, of course it was his job. She always says her plans to him. That's there game.

She wanted a date with him, but that would never happens. He won't accept her demands, she must have a hidden agenda but what did she has in store for them?

She got into his skin quite quickly this time. He has to leave, take off his tie because he couldn't breathe for the anger he felt and throw some books on the floor.

After some minutes he calmed himself and walks to inform what she said about the date and about the people she kidnapped were father and daughter, a slightly change from her usual M.O.

They decided to send Emily to talk to her while Spencer stay outside. And he decided to call Max to check on her, he needs to hear her voice after his face off with Cat.

When she sees his phone number she let go a sigh of happiness "Hey, you" she was picking up her coffee.

"Hey, how's your day going?"

"Amazing actually. I got a phone call from my headhunter about a position at the Smithsonian creating programs for people with disabilities. I am drooling I want it so bad" he happiness makes him smiles a little.

"You're gonna get it"

She can tell there was something wrong but can't quite get it. He did not sound like himself so she decided to ask him "Hey, um... are you ready to tell me about what's been going on? Because there is something"

'Yeah there is something' thought him but of course he does not want to bother her with his problems with Cat. But he does not want to make her feel he does not thrust her so he told her "it's an old case. Someone I arrested that I thought I was done with"

"Well, we could talk about it tonight, maybe. Could be our first night time date" she smirks thinking about a night date with him. She wants to keep going out with him.

"Only if we don't talk about any of this, ok? I don't want to waste another second on her"

"Her?" He cursed under his breath when he realizes he told Max, his problems were because of a woman.

"It"

"It" she was not stupid, she heard him saying her so it was a woman messing with him. She was not the jealous kind of woman but still hates it when another woman mess up with her boy... 'no, he still isn't your boyfriend Max' she was thinking.

"I uh..." he was nervous.

"It just... it sounded like you said..."

"I have to go. Keep me posted."

"Right. You... you too"

"Bye" and he hung up. She bites her lip a little angry and wanting to know what was happening.

He was weird and she was worry but she will wait until tonight when they can talk.

After that he didn't call again and neither did she. She sent her resume to her headhunter so he gives it to the museum so they make their decision.

Meanwhile she does some painting and plans her classes. At night she got a phone call. She smiles thinking it was Spencer call to let her know he was ready to pick her up for their date.

The number was not registered but she answer "Hello Max, I have your sister Eloise" her sister scream to show her it was not a joke "if you want her alive and well... go to Spencer Reids apartment, there's a key under the mat" and she hung up leaving Max crying and shaking.

She managed to go to her car and drives to his apartment. Not knowing what will happens or what she will found.

OOooOOooOO

Ok this was all for now. I hope you like this first part. The second will be up tomorrow or tonight.

There will be all the dialogues between these three characters and their emotions.

I hope my writing isnt that bad. English isnt my native language.

[roadtoavonlea]

Working through 3.02

Well, it’s almost been 24 hours since we were all smacked with the second episode of the third season of Anne with an E.  There was a lot to digest and idk about y’all, but I got MAJOR heartburn from it all, but now after some contemplation, I’m ready to put my thoughts down.

I figure that the best way to do this is to do it storyline by storyline.  So, let’s start with Matthew/Miss Stacy:

This is a dynamic I definitely wanted to see more of since Ms Stacy first emerged in 2.09.  She is an adult version of Anne, just as hopeful and curious about the world around her.  Matthew is so incredibly reserved and shy that whenever he finds a connection with anyone other than Anne, Marilla, and Jerry, well--it’s kind of hypnotizing, tbh.  I loved his conversation with Gilbert in season one in which he offered to help Gilbert with his farm after Gilbert’s father passed away.  It takes a true kindred spirit to get Matthew to open up, and this was one of the shining lights of (what I consider to be) one of the darkest episodes of the series.  It was very refreshing.  And Ms. Stacy--well, I love her more with every passing episode.

I’m very worried about Matthew making it through this season.  He’s said quite a few things that have made me very nervous about the state of his mortality.

Cole and Aunt Jo.  I’ve been waiting over a year to see these two again.  Two of my favorite characters in the entire series and seeing them again is just *chef’s kiss*.  I love all of my found families in Anne with an E, but their dynamic is E V E R Y T H I N G. Can we have a spin-off with these two?  Unfortunately this episode offered very little of my favorite adult in the show, but Cole more than made up for that.

Anne’s journey.  For me, this was the darkest storyline of the episode (and potentially series, depending on which routes Moira takes this season).  We’ve seen flashes of Anne’s past at the orphanage before, not to mention the torment she faced from her peers and authority figures.  For her to go back, to (literally) FACE those who continue to stalk her nightmares--well, THAT is true brave.  Her poise and compassion while staring her tormentors in the eye...honestly...I’ve NEVER been prouder of our girl.  AB indicated that episode two was the most challenging for her this season--and I understand why.  It was so difficult to watch from the “ghosts” she witnessed to watching that father leave his two small children behind (side note: I LOST it during that part. Like openly sobbed, it was so heartbreaking), to proclaiming how pathetic she was for creating all of these fantasies just to survive.  And Cole.  His heart to heart with Anne and telling her that he wouldn’t have survived without her just made me cry even harder because at this point, Anne’s doubting everything.  Cole’s reassurance that she matters and that she’s loved was so powerful.  I knew her going back would be rough but man--those performances just blew me away.

Bash/Mary/Elijah.  Can Bash and Mary just be happy?  I just wanna go back to that happy family in 3.01.  I understand Elijah’s had a tough life and he’s in deep with some stuff, but man...that entire exchange with Mary and Bash hit me almost as deeply as Anne at the orphanage.  The entire time I knew something was going to happen and as soon as they showed Gilbert’s father’s medal, I knew where things were headed.  The pain in Gilbert’s eyes at the end of the episode twisted the knife that was already in my heart.  I hope this doesn’t fracture the Blythe/LaCroix unit.  After reading the brief synopsis of the next episode, I’m really anxious about one of my favorite Avonlea families.

I’m really worried about Mary.

Which I guess leads me to the storyline that shoved the knife in my throat in the first place.  I stumbled upon spoilers about five minutes before the show started and while I had all but figured out where Gilbert’s storyline was headed this season (I thought Ashleigh would be Christine, not a completely new character--which is more frightening tbh), I still wasn’t prepared for what actually happened.  So, *deep breath*, I’m gonna try to work through some of this:

It’s clear that while still hurt from the whole “Take Notice” thing in 3.01, Gilbert was willing to move forward and try to have an enjoyable trip to Charlottetown with Anne because...well...I feel like these two really haven’t been alone a lot between the last two seasons.  In 3.01 they seemed friendly enough, but not quite friends (which honestly, upon deep reflection--has been the most disappointing thing thus far this season...gimmie that friendship, Moira!!).  So, I feel like he was sort of hopeful to be able to have a conversation with Anne and regain some of the rapport they had at the end of season two.  

Obviously, Anne wasn’t quite in the mood given the HIGHLY embarrassing display Marilla subjected her to on the train platform.  Anne’s always considered herself to be fiercely independent (and she is, for the most part), so I can see her point in regards to not needing a chaperone.  Her anger and frustration with Marilla definitely got misplaced onto poor, unsuspecting Gilbert and (once again) she spoke before she really thought about what she was saying.

Only this time she actually said what Gilbert had been thinking for awhile.  She doesn’t need him.  She doesn’t see him in a romantic way.  He realized in that moment that he had been pining over someone who didn’t even deem him worthy to hear what her “mission” was.  Being reminded of his place in her world, that he was merely an acquaintance, immediately sent his defenses up.  We KNOW that he’s still hung up on the “take notice” thing because of that line about what he’s taken notice of.

So, still feeling the sting of her rejection, he goes to Dr. Ward’s office and there’s Winifred Rose.  I’m curious to learn how long these two have known one another and what her role is.  Obviously, he’s charmed by her because she’s a lot like a certain someone who had just rejected him, not to mention the fact that she is pretty.

Ok, so I have issues with this storyline (as do most of you). My issues are:

It seems a little OOC for Gilbert.  This is why I want to know how long he’s known Winifred.  If he’s known her for awhile and has had an infatuation for a bit, then ok...not too out of the ordinary, but for him to go from clear and obvious excitement about traveling with Anne to asking “Miss Rose” to tea...I mean...I got whiplash from how quickly he pivoted from one to the other.  I feel like if we just had one more episode of build up or had an episode of establishment with Winifred, it wouldn’t have been quite so jarring.  I think Moira knows this (because her pacing with the series thus far has been excellent) which leads me to believe that this has to be a rebound kind of thing.

How old is this woman?  I know others have posed that question and I’m in that boat.  I know Gilbert is supposed to be 18, but she seems....quite a bit older than that.  Also, my spidey senses are tingling when it comes to her.  What’s her endgame here?  I don’t trust her (this could be my shirbert soul screaming, but I feel like this needs to be said).

His actions don’t align with Gilbert from the books.  I know that seems like a cop-out because we all stopped comparing the show to the books back in season one (at least, we should have), but I’ve been a Gilbert Blythe stan for most of my life.  The books and the 80s mini-series were my first intro to him and he’s one of my favorite fictional characters--ever, so I can’t help but to think about book Gilbert while watching the show.  I know others have touched on this as well, so I won’t rehash.  I know the show is its own organism, but it just happened so fast.  So. Fast.

I will say that it appears as if Moira has taken a few plot points from Anne of the Island (my favorite book) this season, so it stands to reason that Winifred could be her version of Christine Stuart.  Anne’s quest to learn more about her parents (though just a blip) was also part of that book, sooooo that’s something to consider/keep in mind.

I guess my biggest issue right now is the pacing of it.  I’m all for angst.  I absolutely LOVE it.  It’s where I love to live, but it happened so quickly in the midst of an already emotionally draining episode, so it felt exponentially amplified.

I need to watch it again, but I’m not sure when I’ll have the stomach to because that episode punched me in the face with a lot of emotions I wasn’t quite prepared to handle.

Having said all of that (bless you if you’ve made it this far because i don’t think I’ve added anything of importance), bring on Charlie Sloane.  Make this triangle a square (however non-existent it may be).  Let Gilbert see someone else pursue Anne.  Heck, let’s throw in a few others.  Tilly doesn’t have any problems with multiple suitors (she’s the real MVP right now, let’s be honest), so let’s have someone else show interest in Anne.  The more the merrier.  I’m expecting/hope to have sheer chaos when it comes the fall out of this “take notice” board and the barn dance.  Throw Jerry/Diana/Moody in there too.  I’m totally on board for this kind of chaos.  GIVE ME ALL THE ANGST.

[beastlyimagines]

A/N: this takes place before the events of Fantastic Beasts, so technically no spoilers. This will be AU since we don’t know much about Newt and Theseus’ school days, but this idea popped into my head so I’m rolling with it. There will be a lot of flashing back and forth in time, flashbacks will be in italics. Also, Theseus is only 4 years older in this.

“Is that little Y/N I see?” A familiar voice sounded from behind you, causing you to pause in your movements and turn back to face the tall man approaching you. “My, it is you.”

“Theseus.” You responded politely, eyes discretely taking in how much more handsome he had gotten since you saw him last. Not that you’d ever tell him that.

It had been over a year since you’d seen him. He’d been away on Auror missions a lot more lately with Grindelwald beginning to rise in power, but it seemed he was back now since the dark wizards disappearance.

“It seems you get more beautiful every time I see you.” Theseus told you, eyes roaming over your form in an appreciative way. You squirmed slightly under his intense gaze, cheeks flushing in the pale light of the hallway. He smiled, pulling you quickly into a tight hug. You smiled briefly, allowing yourself to enjoy the embrace.

“And it seems you only get more arrogant.” Was your response, pulling away and crossing your arms over your chest. Theseus laughed, the sound loud and echoing down the hall.

“Somethings never change, do they?” He asked after he calmed down, eyes glittering in a reminiscent way.

“No, they don’t.”

“Do you think Professor Green will let us off our homework if we tell him about the hippogriff we found in the forbidden forest?” Your friend Leta asked as the small group of three friends made their way to Defense from Magical Creatures class.

“More like he’d expel us for not turning it in immediately.” Newt grumbled, his dislike for the professor pretty evident.

“I still can’t believe he thinks Bowtruckles should be illegal! I mean they’re harmless!” You exclaimed angrily, agreeing with Newts dislike.

“Oh come on you two, Professor Green’s not that bad.” Leta shrugged, causing Newt and you to stare at her in disbelief.

“Hello Newt, Leta..” A voice interrupted suddenly causing you all to turn to its source. Newt’s older brother was smiling down at the three Third years, his Head Boy badge displayed proudly on his chest, and as usual he had an air of superiority around him. “And little y/n.” His grin widened as his eyes landed on you, causing you to glare at the nickname. “Still hanging out with my little brother? I still say I’d be much better company.”

“And I still say you’re much too arrogant for my taste.” You snapped back, making Newt snort and try to cover it up with a cough. Leta merely laughed out loud.

“Aw, you wound me my dear little y/n.” Theseus exclaimed, clutching his heart with a grin still on his lips. “You’ll come around one day.” He teased, ruffling your hair as he passed the three of you.

“Yeah, when flobberworms fly.” You grumbled, causing your friends to laugh at your annoyance. “I don’t get why he always singles me out.” You complained, continuing towards your lessons.

“Maybe he fancies you.” Leta suggested after she had calmed down. Newt and you paused for a minute to look at her, before the three of you simultaneously burst into laughter.

“Yeah right!”

“Are you coming tonight to see my little brother off?” Theseus’ voice broke into your thoughts, causing you to look at him again. Shrugging, you turned back to your original destination and began to walk once more. He quickly fell into step beside you, eyes locked on the side of your face.

“Of course I am.” Was your response, hardly paying the man any attention as you saw your boss a little ways ahead.

“Then I look forward to seeing you again.” He spoke up once more, startling you to a halt when he grabbed your hand. You spun to face him, eyes widening as he brought your knuckles to his lips. “Until then.”

Your face was bright red as he retreated from you, a smug smirk on his face. You watched him as he turned and walked away, hating that your eyes glanced a little too far down more than once.

“Why does he still have this effect on me?” You muttered under your breath, mind flashing back to the summer before 7th year.

“Newt, y/n! Are you both ready? We only have 10 minutes to get to the station!” Mrs. Scamander shouted up the stairs, causing you and your best friend to race around the room to make sure you both had everything.

“Coming mum!” Newt shouted back, sounding winded. The two of you quickly packed the reminder of your things, before booking it down the stairs. You raced ahead of Newt to the kitchens, nearly colliding with another body. The second person caught you from toppling backward, arms wrapping securely around your waist.

“I knew you missed me y/n, but I had no idea it was this much.” The voice joked, causing your head to snap upward. A blush formed on your cheeks when you realized just how close you were to the older boy, causing him to chuckle slightly.

“Leave her alone Thes.” Newt spoke, pulling you away from his brother. “What are you doing here?”

“Didn’t mum tell you? I’m escorting the three of you to King’s Cross. They’ve closed down the floo network into the station, so we have to apparate there. It’s easier for me to just come along, I have work to attend to in the city afterwards anyway.”

“Come on you lot, you’re going to miss the train!” Mrs. Scamander exclaimed, rounding the corner to see the three of you. Grabbing your trunk after having let it fall when you nearly collided with Theseus, the three of you followed the witch out the door. Mrs. Scamander immediately grabbed Newt, disapparating away with him on the spot.

“Shall we?” Theseus asked, holding out his arm to you with a smirk on his lips. Rolling your eyes slightly, you grabbed his arm and spun from the ground. Landing abruptly in King’s Cross, you held onto Theseus a few moments longer to catch your bearings. “Still not a fan of apparition?”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be.” You responded, trying to shake away the slight sick feeling you got every time. “Don’t think I even want to take the class this year.”

“That’s ok. I’ll always be around to take you where you need to go.” He winked teasingly, causing you to groan as you stepped away from him. He quickly stopped you, grabbing you hand and pulling you back to face him.

“Take care of yourself this year, ok?” He whispered, reaching forward to brush a strand of hair behind your ear. He pulled your hand up to his lips, and softly placed a kiss there. “See you at Christmas.”

With that the man spun away, leaving you rooted to the spot in shock. You vaguely felt Mrs. Scamander give you a hug before she too left the station.

“He’s only like that with you, ya know?” Newt spoke up behind you, causing you to jump.

“Oh shut up.” You grumbled, smacking your friend in the chest.

“I think he fancies you.” He continued to tease, ruffling your hair affectionately like a brother would.

“He does not!” You denied, cheeks heating up once again to Newt’s amusement. “Now stop badgering me and lets go find Leta.” You growled, pushing Newt away.

“Whatever you say y/n.”

Thoughts of Theseus stayed in your mind the rest of the day. He’d been a constant in your life since the moment you met Newt in first year. Even later when you were sorted into Gryffindor and he into Hufflepuff, you still stayed friends. Then Leta joined your group, and the three of you remained best friends until the incident of 7th year that left Newt suspended and you and Leta at odds. You were still polite to Leta when you saw her, but nothing ever past that. Newt and you remained friends, going so far as to consider one another as a sibling.

Theseus always loved to tease you, and it happened quite frequently considering you were in the same house. He was never cruel or mean to you, not that you ever thought he could be, but he did know which buttons to push to drive you mad.

But he cared for you, that you knew for certain. It was him after all that comforted you years ago after your parents had died when you were 19.

A knock on your door late one night startled you out of a restless sleep. You’d gone to bed earlier that night feeling like something was wrong. Being unable to pinpoint exactly what was wrong, you’d fallen into a fitful sleep.

Immediately alert, you grabbed your wand and cautiously made your way to the front door.

“Who is it?” You questioned from the other side of the door, wand raised in front of you.

“It’s Theseus Scamander, Auror and brother of your best friend. In Hogwarts I always called you little y/n.” The familiar voice responded, causing you to instantly relax. Opening the door, you immediately frowned at the man.

“What on earth are you doing here this late? It’s-“ You paused, glancing at the clock behind you. “12 o clock at night!”

“Y/n.” Theseus started, his voice sounding tired and full of grief. “I’m sorry for coming by so late, but I wanted you to hear this from someone you knew first, before word spreads. They were going to send Travers, but I thought it might be better coming from me.”

“What is it Theseus?” You asked, worry worming it’s way into your heart hearing how serious he sounded. “You’re scaring me.”

“I’m so sorry.” He murmured, eyes not meeting yours. “We were sent on an Auror mission earlier this evening. It was a trap. An ambush.” He paused, taking a deep breath to collect himself. “Your parents were there y/n.”

“What?!” You exclaimed, body jolting in shock. “Are they ok? Are they hurt?” You demanded, immediately reaching for your coat.

“Y/n.” Theseus spoke softly again, grabbing your arm gently before you could move away. “They-they didn’t make it. They were killed with a couple other Auror’s in an explosion.”

“What?” You repeated, voice now void of emotion as you stared disbelievingly at the man in front of you.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” His voice wavered as he watched you, throat clogged with emotion.

“You’re lying.” You spoke, shaking off his hand and going for your coat again. “They’re just hurt, they can’t- they aren’t-“

“Y/n please, I’m not lying. What are you doing! Where are you going?” Theseus scrambled after you as you marched from your apartment, grabbing your arm once again to stop you.

“Let me go! I have to go find them!” You exclaimed, trying to shake him off again.

“No! You’re not thinking straight. Y/n listen to me! You won’t find them. They’re gone y/n.” He held you tighter as you began to fight back, eyes filling with tears.

“Stop, let me go! They aren’t gone!”

“Y/n please! I know this is hard, but you have to accept it.”

“LIAR!” You screamed, voice aching at the volume used. “THEY AREN’T GONE! THEY CAN’T BE DEA-“ Your voice cracked on the last word, tears streaming down your face relentlessly. “Please tell me you’re lying.”

“I wish I could, but I’m can’t y/n.” Theseus softly replied, his own eyes filling with tears. Sobs suddenly escaped your lips, body nearly collapsing to the ground in grief. Theseus quickly caught you, holding you tightly to his chest.

With you crying hysterically against his chest, he slowly moved you back into your apartment, locking the door behind him before settling you on his lap on the couch.

“I’m so sorry.” He kept murmuring, placing gentle kisses against your hair every now and then while rubbing your back.

What felt like hours later, you finally were able to compose yourself enough to form words.

“What am I going to do? I have nothing left, they were my only family.” You whispered brokenly, heart clenching in pain.

“Of course that’s not true.” Theseus responded, pulling away slightly and cupping your cheeks gently in his hands. “You have Newt, my mum-“ He paused, wiping a stray tear from your cheek. “And you have me. We’ll always be there for you.”

“Promise?” You whispered, sounding like a young child. Theseus merely smiled, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“I promise.”

Theseus kept that promise, being there for you more than you ever thought possible. He became a sort of light in the dark for you. You went to him when the pain got too much, and he was always there with open arms. He still annoyed you constantly, but you still held a deep intimate affection for him. Not that you’d tell him that.

Hours later found you beside your best friend, standing with him as he greeted the many guests who had come to wish him good luck on his upcoming journey. He paused in his greetings to glance at you, his boyish grin on his lips.

“I still can’t believe you’re leaving me for a whole year.” You pouted, latching onto your best friends arm as he laughed.

“Please, you’ll barely even realize I’m gone.” Newt replied, nudging your side playfully.

“You’re leaving me all on my own here Newt. Whose going to protect me from your evil brothers clutches.” You joked, causing Newt to chuckle.

“How ever will you survive?”

“I am proud of you though.” You said in all seriousness, smiling up at your best friend. “You’re finally doing what you love, even though most people have been telling you it wasn’t possible your whole life. But you’re gonna make a difference in the world, you’re going to do so much for the magical creatures. I can’t wait to read all about it.”

“I’ll send you a letter every week.” Newt told you, a pleased smile on his face.

“I know you will.”

“Brother.” Theseus suddenly broke into the conversation, causing your attention to switch to the older sibling. “Might I borrow y/n for a little while?” Newt turned his head to glance at you, asking for your permission. When you did nothing but shrug, he nodded towards his brother.

Holding out his arm, Theseus motioned for you to come with him. You quickly grabbed a hold of his arm, allowing him to lead you into another room. The room was filled with various couples, each dancing along to a soft piano melody.

“I remember that you always liked to dance at school, I thought you might like to join me for one.” He offered, pulling away and holding out a hand for you.

“One dance couldn’t hurt.” You responded calmly, though internally you were freaking out. Theseus let a bright smile break out on his face as you grabbed his hand, before quickly dragging you towards the dancing couples.

His left kept a hold on yours, while his right snaked around your waist. He then led you in a casual waltz, leaving barely an inch between your bodies.

“You’re so beautiful.” Theseus murmured, staring down in awe at you as the two of you continued to dance. “You always have been.”

“I-er-thanks.” You stuttered, cheeks reddening ever so slightly. He was silent for a minute, merely staring down at you with a contemplative look on his face, before he finally seemed to come to a conclusion.

“I’ve grown a lot in the past couple months, and I’ve also had a lot of time to think about what I want in the future.” He spoke, confusing you slightly. However, he simply ignored this and continued. “Do you know what I saw in every foreseeable future I thought of?” He asked, twirling you away from him, only to bring you back even closer to his body.

“What?” You questioned, feeling slightly breathless under his gaze.

“You.” He spoke, causing you to freeze in his arms. “Standing by my side. Being a friend. A confidant. A lover. Everything i want to accomplish in my life, I saw you right there with me. It’s always been you.”

“Theseus... I-“

“I know that I was a right prat growing up, that I still am sometimes. But I’d like to think that I’ve been growing more and more into a man that you could be proud of. A man that you could depend on, turn to for whatever you need. A man that you could trust, and eventually-one day- a man that you could learn to love.” Seeing that you were speechless, Theseus continued on. “It won’t be easy. I’m not always a great person to be around. I can be prideful, jealous, stubborn. There will be times when you’ll want to slap me and kick me aside. We’ll argue a lot I’m sure, we’ve always been good at that. And I don’t ever think I’ll stop teasing you, your reactions are too fun for me.”

He paused then, an adoring look in his eyes as he gazed down at you for a moment.

“But I can promise that I’ll love you fiercely. I’ll protect you, take care of you, be there for you whenever you need me. I’ll hold you when you need to be held. I’ll listen when you need to talk. And I’ll let you slap me down a few pegs when my big head gets the best of me. I’ll be whatever, or whoever, you want me to be. Just as long as I can love you the way I’ve always wanted to, even when I’ve done a poor job of showing it.”

You were still in a stunned silence for a few more moments, until a warmth started forming in your chest. Snapping out of, you finally spoke up.

“Where the hell has this Theseus been all these years?” You asked softly, a slow smile forming on your lips.

“He’s been hiding behind the ego and arrogance as you call it.” He teased, causing you to smile up at him.

“He suits you.” You whispered, before finally giving in and crashing your lips against his. He seemed stunned for a moment, body frozen against yours, before he responded tenfold. You nearly drowned in all the emotions you felt in his kiss, the only thing keeping you surfaced was his arms around you.

“I told you you’d come around one day.” Theseus whispered as he pulled away, causing you to blush fiercely.

“Shut up Scamander.” You replied, slapping his shoulder gently. He quickly grabbed your hand again, pulling you back into a dance and dipping you towards the floor. “I still say you’re way too arrogant for your own good.” You replied, melting fully into his chest. Before he had the chance to respond, you both heard a familiar voice that made the two of you freeze.

“Theseus! Why in Merlin’s name are your hands all over my best friend?!”

[bookscapadesblog]

SPOILERS AHEAD Don’t read past Loki if you haven’t finished “The Knife of Never Letting Go” by Patrick Ness

Seriously. These are my genuine feelings about the end of the first book and it will ruin it for you. This is longer than I intended it to be but I’m not even mad.

So, I finished this book on my birthday on vacation.  All the kids in my family (theres like 10 little cousins) went on a hike so I spent my birthday morning by the pool with the intent to finish this book I had been trying to read for awhile, but between work and trying to get my life together it was just not happening.  I had about a half/two-thirds of this 500 page book to finish before everyone got back and it was too loud to focus on reading or someone tried to talk to me every five seconds.  I flew through it and finished right after everyone got back. Then I got yelled at by my grandma because I wasn't talking to anyone because I was in emotional turmoil.

Me trying to have fun and party with my fam for my birthday but I can’t because I’m thinking about Viola and Todd:

Throughout the whole book all the characters kept talking about Haven, and Todd and Viola kept thinking that they just had to make it to Haven and they would be safe.  They had so much hope, and I was totally thinking they would get there and book two was going to be about them getting acclimated to a new way of life and preparing to fight Mayor Prentiss and his army. I was not ready for the emotional roller coaster I experienced when Todd and Viola could finally see Haven.

First, the whole thing with Aaron was just a mess.  That man WOULD NOT DIE. Literally every time something happened to him I was like ‘ok, thats it, he has to be dead now’. WRONG. This bitch just kept coming back more and more of a mess every time. 

Aaron showing up again to ruin Todd and Viola’s lives:

And we finally learned about how the boys of Prentisstown become men, which I was anxiously waiting for the entire book because I just knew it was going to be something horrible and crazy. Like you just straight up have to murder someone you’ve known your whole life. Totally casual. Whatever.

I almost cried when Viola killed Aaron.  Like Todd had every reason he needed to kill Aaron.  That man killed his dog, he was ready to finish it, but Viola wouldn't let him do it because she didn’t want the Mayor or Aaron to win. 

So after Aaron was dead, I was like ‘LIT, now they can finally stroll on down to Haven’.  WRONG AGAIN. Here comes Davy Prentiss Jr to ruin everything.  My heart STOPPED when Viola got shot. I was so confused and couldn’t believe it happened I had to go back and reread the paragraph. 

Me when Viola got shot:

Ok so I’m about to cry while sitting by a beautiful pool in front of my whole family while I’m reading this and my grandma’s yelling at me to stop reading and interact with people and I literally just yell back at her that I can’t stop because someone got shot.  I ignore her and continue to see if Todd can make it to Haven and get Viola some help.

When he made it to the town square and there were no people anywhere I was so mad. And then the mayor walked out and I was like ARE YOU KIDDING ME. I literally had no clue what to do with myself. The whole point of Haven was for it to be a symbol of hope and it just gets completely ripped away.  I was so upset and just wanted to start the next book immediately (I’m so happy I bought it before I left and had it with me), but I had to spend time with my family so I had to wait until the next day. 

Overall, the ending of this book sucked the life out of me (in a good way). Any story that makes you want to immediately start the next one is always a good read.

-Alex

[ultraclops]

I Can't Think Of A Creative Title [Mao Mao Spoilers]

SUGAR BERRY FEVER

BULL MONSTER? YEEHAW GIDDY-UP

Oh the Hero's Code IS a real book! Made by Mao's family no less! Cool

I'm gonna say it now. The pirate aunt's kinda cute.

I don't know much about cobbler but I'm pretty sure you don't put it in a trough

*screaming interspaced by cobbler eating*

Why exactly is eating cobbler against the Hero's Code? Did the first person in the Mao clan really hate cobbler or something?

"If I could have that cobbler, I would do things to it that would make my ancestors cry in shame." JESUS CHRIST HOW'D THEY GET AWAY WITH THAT

"Buuut I can't!" Am I the only one who thinks he sounded like Thomas Sanders when he said that

"Has anyone told you that you have issues?"

(Mao ominously hovers into the kitchen with glowing eyes while creepy wails play in the background) Nothing to see here.

The thing Mao's eyes do when he goes 'Oooooo' like if you agree

Apparently Badgerclops' biggest fear is 'crushing self-doubt'. Oooooo.

Tbh I had the same reaction as Mao when the cobbler started talking

I don't like where this is going...

UNCLE JIM-JIM?!

OH NO IT'S THE SCRIBBLY EYES

Okay but if Mao passed out in the kitchen how'd he get in the living room? Badgerclops couldn't have moved him because then he would've known he ate the cobbler

And that's, what, the second table Badgerclops has destroyed?

Cool, HQ has security cam - oh nevermind.

If Badgerclops and Adorabat saw the cobbler on Mao's mouth why didn't they assume he ate it? It wouldn't be there otherwise

"Ah know ah wooould :)" Sassy Adora

"And you're going by yourself. That's okay, I'm emotional anyways."

NYAAAMN NYAAAMN NYAAAMN

So the Sugar Berry Fever is literal? Like, an actual condition caused by eating cobbler? Is that why it's against the Hero's Code? And why didn't Badgerclops and Adorabat get it?

DOUBLE JOINTED BABEY!!

BEARCLOPS HAS RETURNED for like 2 minutes.

I know we makes jokes about Mao going feral but he ABSOLUTELY went feral in this episode. CBS incarnate.

Ok that's really sad. Why would you make a child destroy the thing they love and force their siblings to watch?! At least one of the sisters looks a little hurt over it.

Aaand the Bull Monster's back of course. And it has the fever too? Suspicious.

I don't wanna say where my mind went here but you probably know what I mean

ADORABAT BARKING I'M

B!TCH WENT SUPER SAIYAN - I mean GOLDEN TRUTH

If only fighting your demons was as easy as shoving a cobbler down their throat.

Are we gonna see Golden Truth Mao in the future? I like the he

Mao probably crashed the moment they got home ngl

CAPTURED CLOPS

Those stealth boots look like weird cleats.

"Stealth boots aren't toys." "Then why are mine colored like toys?" "I found them at the toy store." Isn't that a contradiction-

He used to be a villain what did you expect

HE DIDN'T SAAAVE

If BC's chores are fixing the Aerocycle and grocery shopping, what do Mao and Adora do?

"I need to be away from you right now before I LOSE IT on you." Is that a callback to The Truth Stinks or Legend of Torbaclaun? Both?

Yay another BC song, with some casual boulder-chucking

Aww the Sky Pirates are swimming together. Fambly.

BADGERCLOPS GETTING ATTACKED BY A TITMOUSE IN THE BACKGROUND ASDFGHJK

Yes, follow the cute but suspicious puppet that totally isn't trying to murder you

What's with the glowy eyes and creepy autotune?

So running away and cry-singing into a lake is normal for Badgerclops? Damn why isn't HE in therapy

MOM-MOM

You heard it here folks, BC is canonically depressed

That was quick

HOUSE MUSIC ELECTRONICA! And can we get uhh Orangusnake in the 90s?

Dang they still don't have any food? What happened to Mama Ratarang's meatballs?

ORANGUSNAKE WHAT THE HECK

I know it's supposed to be kinda sad but the imaginary food is really shiny.

So he'll fix the Sky Pirate's ship but not the Aerocycle? Priorities, priorities...

Mao and Adora Have Become Ninjas

HOSS WATERBOARDING THE PUPPET I

*Jaws theme*

"I love house music!" Trust me, I know.

DON'T HURT YOUR CO-HERO AND KID BC LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS

They're gonna take the Pure Heart? Weren't they trying to destroy it a couple episodes ago? Oh god what if Badgerclops DID get the Ruby Pure Heart's powers... that'd be scary

I can see the Badgersnake fics now

Mao fixed the Aerocycle - oh nevermind.

VIVA LA REVOLUTION

"How'd you get over here so fast??" "Badgerclops, I walked over here. Casually." Reminds me of a girl I used to know.

Hmm. Should've known the Sky Pirates not eating anything would've had side-effects

So the Sky Pirates could've just. Bought groceries. But chose not to.

"Aren't you forgetting something BIG?!" "*sighs* Thank you for having me" I mean at least he's polite??

How'd he manage to plug the ship into Benny and Penny's house though? And how'd it WORK?!

"Those guys are a little too relaxed" -cuts to the Sky Pirates panicking-

FLYAWAY

Aww, family training exercises - OH NO ADORABAT

Nevermind she's okay she just chipped a tooth.

'Physics...recital?' Do 5-year-olds even study physics? Is Adorabat a child prodigy?

Adorabat can face giant monsters but can't stand the dentist? Is she secretly Goku?

Aww, Mao still has one of his old plushies and he kisses it

I like that book it looks like there's a gemstone on it

Meditating Melvin, because you can't have enough alliterative names.

STAHP IT >:(

(Insert ASCENDED meme here)

Adora: *masters a technique that should take years* ight i'mma head out

WHY WOULD YOU DROP HER FROM THAT HIGH? BAD PARENTING BC

OH GOD THEY'RE GONNA KILL HER. good thing her soul isn't in her body huh

Oh look it's the Meditating Melvin guy. And he gives me strong Wander over Yonder vibes.

Being in the Astral Plane causes you to lose your memories?? Dang Adora better get out fast

Time for a song that TOTALLY isn't a desperate cry for help!

Bugs, smoke bombs, and popping balloons with pikes. These are the things used to summon Adorabat.

Wait, how come Adorabat doesn't feel any of the pain she sustained when Mao and BC were trying to return her soul to her body?

Yaaay Adorabat got over her fear and is ready to go to the dentist - OH MY GOD THAT IS UNCALLED FOR

THAT ENDING I

Wait a minute. If Mao said the technique took years to master, but Adorabat and Badgerclops both achieved it in under a day...does that mean they're more spiritually inclined than him or there's something preventing him from ascending?

BAOST IN SHOW

If I'm honest, I misread the title as 'Boast in Show', which made more sense at the time.

Why is Snugglemagne playing discus by himself though? Where's Quinton?

OH $H!T IT'S BAO BAO

Snugglemagne: it's free dog (and royal pet show)

"You're my new best friend!" Ooh boy.

"If he leaves me a third time, who knows what could happen? I might explode, LITERALLY" Mood

Literally everyone in PHV knows Badgerclops, how does changing his ear shape and putting on a leash count as a disguise. The guards could tell who Penny and Benny were why not him

Adorabat has a pet fly asdgdgffkh

Hey Chet's back

I don't want to imagine all the weird fanart and fanfics that'll come from this scene. Actually from this episode in general.

Whoever wins keeps Bao AND BC?! WHAT THE F-

Aww bento - OH NO ADORA ATE THE FLY

THAT 'DON'T STOP ME NOW' PARODY

IT'S THE SUIT FROM THE CONCEPT ART!

"I'm not actually a pet." "I know." Then why didn't you say anything??

Yay, Mao and Bao are reunited - nevermind Bao just wanted BC's snacks.

HE ACTUALLY EXPLODED and took it shockingly well I'm surprised

Well Mao, you did it. You pissed off Snugglemagne again.

Those combo attacks are freaking GENIUS

I'm tempted to make a "Long live the king" joke when Bao Bao bites Snugglemagne's arm

"I TOLD YOU HE'S TRAITOROUS"

At last, Mao truly forgives Bao and is willing to let him go

"Until next time." Is Bao Bao gonna come back??

Snugglemagne tortures people by forcing them to listen to his harpsichord? Does that even count as torture? And is Mao gonna get them out?