#not really but cloooose

[ghosting-plural-userboxes]

either moths or mantids for the bug pack —👉👈anon

Name(s): Antheraea, Theraea(nickname)

Age: 160(mentally 16)

Pronouns: They/Them

Neopronouns: It/Its, Moth/Mothself, Light/Lightself, Ne/Nym, Wy/Wym

Gender: Kenomoth, Cozbrowian, Asterfluid

Orientation: Aro/Ace, Bugfag, Velaurian

Role(s): Window Admin, Cartographer

Origin(s): Willogenic

Species: Moth person(Polyphemus Moth specifically)

Likes: The night, Silk, Cozy clothing, Blankets, Warm Light, Milk, Stars, Pretty Trees, Insects, Sweaters, Winter, Fall

Dislikes: Fly swaters, The morning, Coffee, Almond milk, Grass clippings, Lawn Mowers, Summer

Aesthetic: Winter Academia, Mothcore, Corvidcore

Extra: Mothkin, Assigned Moth At Birth, Artist, Ice Skater

Handwriting: 

Color palette(s): 

Song Suggestion: Soap - The Oh Hellos

Potential Faceclaim(s): 

hopefully this is ok anon!!! ^.^!(I really like moths so this was super fun!!!)

requests are cloooosed!!!! :D!

-02(he/him)

[fourmula1]

Michael has caught Max and Daniel in the act so many times, now it's time for revenge, he and Yuki are going to be caught in the act and traumatise Daniel 🫣

summer of cum day 18: ruined orgasm

yuki/michael. 471 words.

-

When it happens two things fly through Michael’s mind:

First, that he hasn’t really told Daniel about any of this.

And second, Yuki is going to be whiney and annoying all day, now.

He jerks back from his position where he’s kneeled in Yuki’s driver’s room, at the side of the massage table, Yuki sat there with his legs pushed wide by Michael’s big hands while his dick is in Michael’s mouth. Was. Yuki had been so close, Michael could tell.

“Holy fuckin’ shit,” comes Daniel’s voice and Michael’s known him long enough to know that he’s both shocked but also devilishly delighted at what he’s just come across.

“Get out!” Yuki yelps, moving to cover himself as Michael whips around to look at Daniel’s wide-open eyes, mouth hanging open but slowly smirking up into a grin.

“Shit, DR, could you knock?” Michael says as he wipes his mouth, moves back to let Yuki scramble to get his shorts back on.

“Sorry, sorry,” Daniel says, hands up in an apologetic gesture as he laughs. “You never sucked my dick so I didn’t think to expect this,” he says and it’s all cheek and Michael hates him a bit but he can’t help but laugh, too, because it’s true. There was never anything remotely more than friendly between them.

Behind him Yuki is hurriedly re-dressing and Michael finally pushes himself to his feet to playfully shove a hysterically laughing Daniel out of the room and closing the door before turning to look at Yuki.

He’s delightfully blushing, curling protectively in on himself on the little couch. Michael shakes his head with a little laugh as he comes over to pull Yuki into a snuggle on the couch.

“Don’t worry about DR,” he says as he gives Yuki a squeeze. “I’ve walked in on so much worse with him and Max.”

Next to him, Yuki is pouting and a little squirmy. “I was so cloooose,” he whines, pouting his lip out and Michael is so endeared. How he caught feelings for this little brat is beyond him but. Here he is.

“Just think, it’s motivation for a good session today. Put that pent up horniness to good use,” He laughs, squeezing him again in a little hug before letting Yuki go. “Maybe the secret is post quali blowjobs, a reward and incentive to do great!”

Yuki whines, shoving Michael away and getting up to get into his fireproofs.

[simlicious]

My upcoming set... still a WIP

I'm sorry for the delay folks, I did not expect it to be that long. My perfectionism is not letting me publish it yet! (The other set for my website fundraiser goal is ready to go though... I'm at 96%, soo cloooose... ) It sometimes really bothers me when patterns are off-center on some items, especially on bedding. So I am trying to optimize the larger pattern sizes of this set for EA's bedding, which involves mostly trial and error to position them, lots of file editing, starting the game, checking, closing the game, making changes in photoshop, saving the changes, putting it in the game, wait for the game to load, rinse and repeat. 🤪 I usually spot something else that is bothering me too and fix it while I'm at it (can you figure out what else I fixed here?) I know that many years ago, I was able to load my CC on-the fly into the game without restarting the game, it worked for texture edits, but I think either a game patch has stopped that or it was something special you had to put into the resource.cfg. I also do not know if it ever worked on patterns, they always show a blank pattern or lead to a game crash when putting a new pattern in while the game is still running. If anyone knows a way to load changed patterns into the Sims 3 on the fly, please let me know how! 💜

[retros-artandstuff]

im tryna do an animatic and i literally have 6 frames left (in a 3fps animation so like 2 secs left) and i am FUMBLING

im so cloooose but i geniunely dont have any ideas for those last 6 frames

hopefully i get ideas soon cuz i actually really wanna upload it 😭

[introvrt]

── "what, you can't read? sign says closed." niko doesn't even glance up from where he's working as he hears the bell over the door chime. he's busy, his hands somewhere between the fuse box and the battery of the jeep he's stooped over, working on, and he really doesn't even plan on turning around until he realizes his unwanted guest isn't leaving. "guess you can't hear either." he drawls after, tongue clicking the back of his teeth as he straightens, hands retracted and wiping over the thighs of his jeans. "we're cloooosed. c-l-o-s-e..." he trails off as he finally turns and catches sight of who it is (a certain racer, one he'd be content to never have step inside his shop again), and squints. there's a pause, nick getting a long, frustrated look, before niko even dares to ask. "what'd you do to it, now?" clearly referring to nick's car, one he's tuned up too many times to count. @renaissanses

[izzgoo]

Soldering iron hasnt come in yet but this passive mult and some other toys have come in and I'm really itching to share everything. I'm not going to know what day I'll be streaming this until everything I need is here, but I'm soooo cloooose

[dleena2023]

T1 VS G2 MSI QUARTERFINALS

bismillahirrahmanirrahim

dearest zofgk & kkoma/tom/roach

it's the day. finally the day. where everyone in every part of the world is anticipating. the rematch of t1 and g2. it's starting today. in 1 hour. it's not an easy obstacle because we struggled against them the previous round. we recently fought against tl on wed (2 days ago) and i could tell that you all are still struggling. champs, drafts and even skills wise. but we managed to win against them anyways with a 3-1. we have defeated g2 previously with a 3-2. an almost super close series with that annoying silver scrapes hah but we managed to go through! not gonna lie, g2 is looking extremely strong right now after they clean swept 3-0 tes, the #2 lpl seed, and wow even i'm impressed by them though i still don't know how they managed to do itttt x) i'm very fearful of them and definitely not going to underestimate them. if you bois are feeling afraid of them, let's don't forget to look at the brighter side, okay? if we were able to win it last time, of course we are able to win it all again today, right? in sha Allah! i know i know, this week's schedule is soooo hectic. if we manage to pull through, that means we will be playing 3 matches in a row which is so exhausting. so i hope you loves get enough sleep and rest during your off days and also on match day 🤍 this is is our final destination. one game loss, one match down and we are eliminated completely. we have gone so damn far here in this msi tournament starting from playoffs and we are here at the quarterfinals. now it's ride or die. so draft mega, mega, megaaaa well and let's play today confidently with no regrets, with ease mind and heart and don't let pressure get to you okay!! remember to communicate effectively with each other and have fun. let's finally show some tricks we have up in our sleeves and make great plays and calls. never lose hope in yourselves and each other my bois! let's play well individually and even better as a team. my zofgk bois, remember you're the better team, you're the more menacing team!! i managed to wake up early for subuh today heh alhamdulillah~ my love, prayers and do'a-do'a are all for you. at this moment, i really don't feel anything *sobs* but i know it's gonna be a cloooose series. but deep inside, i know we are going to win it all. we are going to win today's bo5s series and advance to tomorrow's stage. i know this. we got this. i feel this. because nothing is impossible. like keria said in the past few weeks in the t1 membership post, let's make good and happy memories throughout this msi journey 🤍 so let's enjoy today's ride and all the best to both teams competing soon, may the better team wins today!! and may victory belong to us today in sha Allah!!!

#i've been trying to find a song that i can relate well for this year's msi journey and i happened to click on imagine dragons. so i keep playing imagine dragon's song 'natural' on repeat since i listened to it for the first time this morning with my earpiece and mannnn the song is dope!!! definitely a perfect song and source of motivation for me throughout this msi journey with t1. and like the name of the title, each one of you are a natural. naturally talented, good, confident and gifted. SO LESS DO THIS BOIS LESS GET ITTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

T1 FIGHTING!! ZOFGK FIGHTING!! KKOMA TOM ROACH PLEASE DO YOUR MAGIC DRAFTING!!! LET GUMA CARRY!! GIVE THEM THEIR COMFORT PICKS!!! SUPER MEGA COMBO ON THE WAY!!! IMMA SUPPORT YOU ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE NIGHT!! ROOTING FOR YOU ALWAYS NO MATTER WHAT!!

HERE'S SOME LOVE, FIRE AND SPARKLE FOR EACH ONE OF YOU:

❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥

🤍🌟🤍🌟🤍🌟🤍🌟🤍🌟

with love and energy

addie

[guiltyasdave]

this hit cloooose to home and i feel so sorry for her, she’s such a badass and she deserves the world 🥺

i really love the way you write her emotions and her inner dialogue.

also, fuck all men except joel because wtf 😤

garnish {chapter 7}

Pairing: Chef! Joel Miller x Bartender! Reader

Summary: Reeling from a tense encounter with your professor, your emotions get the best of you. Self-destruction always makes for a good show to coworkers who don't have the whole picture.

Word Count: 4.9k

Warnings: violence, language, threatening behavior, misogynistic behavior, sexist language, threatening ultimatum, abuse of power, academic stress, academic anxiety, degrading talk from male characters, self-destructive behavior, home invasion, attempted break in, description of injuries, blood, injuries in the kitchen, dangers of sharp knives, intense emotions, readers internal monologue gets apathetic, reader has depressive and isolating thoughts, talk of injuries, self-depreciation, secret relationship, work relationship, power dynamics (due to job rankings), sexual content, allusions to sexual content, allusions to past feelings of inadequacy, reader gets in her head about life path, reader is having a tough time ngl, invasion of personal space, restaurant lingo, triggers associated with the food industry, smoking, cigarettes, use of tobacco, childhood trauma, reader reveals parentage issues, abandonment issues, past trauma, major angst

A/N: been struggling with this chapter for real, y'all. but the remainder of this fic is outlines and i'm beyond excited to get down to the nitty gritty with it. hope this feeds you well and happy holidays ♡

ao3 link || series masterlist || main masterlist || kofi

“Yes, my brother. He’s been keeping a low profile lately, trying to avoid suspicion that could land him in the hands of the authorities. He’s explained to me that you’re under the impression that he came onto you too strongly for your comfort and decided to submit a police report against him with the help of your boss.”

Surprise colored your features, not expecting this to be the reason why you weren’t being considered for something that would further your academic career, help you to establish yourself in your field of study.

“He put his hands on me in two different situations. He didn’t back off when I verbally told him I wasn’t interested. Then he proceeded to put his hands on me, attacked me outside of my place of work.”

“That’s what he said you would play it off as, but seeing the way that you interact with the gruff boss of yours, playing hard is what seems to be your prerogative.”

“If you want the internship, you need to drop the report. Tell them it was a lover’s spat or something, I’m not really too concerned with how you spin it. But drop it, or I will deny your application and tell my colleagues that while you’re a gifted student, you stir up trouble.”

You watched your phone ring for the umpteenth time. The name of the restaurant popping up, Millie’s name, Joel’s name, Mary’s name. A text from each of them in quick succession.

But you were numb, still seated in the chair across from the desk in the classroom. The sun had set already, the warm lights of the lampposts scattered around the campus the only source. The door still resolutely closed after your professor had left after delivering his two choices for you.

Scrambling as if waking up from a dream, you rushed through the campus and made your way to work.

“Use your safety words!” You shouted, disguising the rising of your voice at the sharp sting of the knife blade slicing through your skin in the heated words. You watched as the slice from the knife turned white before the cells caught up and blood began to bead, spilling from it quickly. The cutting board became stained, and blood made a sticky webbed pattern of splatter on the blade.

“I said behind, it’s not my fault you didn’t hear me!” The new guy had the audacity to raise his voice back at you. His face contorting into something ugly as he dropped the façade of keeping his cool.

“I would’ve heard you if you did say it!” You snarled as you whipped around, the towel normally kept tucked at your hip wrapped tight around your hand. Blood blossomed through the fabric almost immediately. You brandished it at the man. “This wouldn’t have happened if you had proper etiquette!” 

“Don’t blame me for not knowing what the hell you’re doing!”

You took a step toward him, good hand about to fly out and grip the front of his shirt. But you were stopped by the sound of the office door opening. Joel Miller filled out the doorway completely, his broad shoulders nearly brushing each side and it would be so easy a reach for him to touch the top of it. He glared around the kitchen, eyes hardening when they landed on the sight of you clutching a towel to a bleeding hand.

You had snuck in the day before, after the stressful interaction with your professor. The restaurant had been too busy to steal away any time with him and you were gone before he had been able to step outside of the kitchen. Overwhelmed and on autopilot for most of the night as the words of your professor echoed in your mind. You had texted him a perfunctory message, saying you had a migraine and would see him the next day and then proceeded to call Nia and vent to her over two bottles of wine that had been too sweet for your empty stomach.

You had snuck in today too, knowing he had to make an order before service started. This was your first time seeing him directly in nearly three days.

“What’s with all the hollerin’?” His eyes were hard, the brown of them dark as he took in the scene, the emotion and tension in the air. The sight of you worked up and a snarl pulling up one corner of your lips.

Before you could even open your mouth, the new guy was speaking in a mocking tone.

“Little miss bartender herself, chef.”

“I wouldn’t have if you had used your fucking safety words.” The words were low, vicious as your patience wore thin. You didn’t need this, especially not today. It had been hard enough to get into the headspace for work, let alone show up, and now you’re injured because some asshole thought he didn’t need to let people know where he was at as he moved around the kitchen space.

The already silent kitchen seemed to grow even more quiet at the harsh words that had fallen from your mouth. Taken aback by the breaking of your normally cool and collected demeanor, in face of the attack all those weeks ago, this was the only instance where you showed your raw emotions. Joel had taken a few steps from the doorway and began to make his way toward your station. His feet stilled when you spoke, the way you did so giving him pause. The manner in which the words had fallen from you stoked real worry deep in his chest. You never raised your voice, let alone spit words out in such a heated way.

Save for that one time you ripped him a new one about his inappropriate behavior when you had first started helping out in his kitchen. You were always polite and professional, cordial and jovial with those you were on closer terms with. This….this was foreign and it had warning bells going off in his head immediately. He hadn’t even seen you slink into the kitchen, the last concrete contact he had with you about maybe being late for work.

He was about to say something, to break up the confrontation when the new guy decided to dig his heels in and make an even bigger mess out of the situation. Joel noticed the way you didn’t step back as the younger man’s features morphed into a cocky grin and he took a step closer to you, getting into your personal space.

“You knew I was behind you, sweetie, you always have an eye on me and push that nice ass out toward me. Don’t play dumb. I know you like what you see. Too bad I don’t waste my time on pathetic, easy girls like you.”

The silence in the kitchen was deafening, the tension thick as everyone stopped what they were working on and watched you two stare each other down. It was no secret he hadn’t made any friends in the three weeks he had been here, too full of himself for people to want to talk to him. From the glares being aimed at him now, the feelings of ire flowing from everyone else in the kitchen. Joel felt the nerve in his jaw jump as he accessed the scene alongside everyone. He wanted to step in, but he felt frozen on the spot, his emotions a whirlwind inside of him and his anger making his mind blank out.

“Fuck this.”

His words stung, as much as you wish they didn’t. The entire week taking its toll on you and culminating  into an overwhelming tidal wave that finally crested and made an impact. You felt angry, hot tears prick at your eyes. You hated that they were visible in the fluorescent lights of the kitchen and that everyone could see the shine of them as you felt your face heat up. That Joel could see them when you frantically glanced around the room, trying to keep them at bay.

A smug grin on the man’s face was the last thing you saw before you turned on your heel and walked out the back door. You let it slam behind you as you walked past the dumpsters and the recycling bins lined up along the back of the building and some of fence that lined the back lot for employee parking.

Digging the keys out from underneath your apron, you unhooked them from your belt loop and unlocked your car. You didn’t look back when you heard the door open, just hopped into the driver’s seat and drove off from the restaurant.

The waiting room was crowded with screaming children and crying babies. An assault on your already overwhelmed senses. At the sight of blood dripping down the length of your arm, a nurse at the front desk hopped up from her chair and tended to you before taking your information and telling you to wait for a room to get stitches. That it would be wait, they were busy. You nodded, taking your injured hand and pride and settled into a vinyl chair with silent tears trailing down your cheeks.

Alone.

Always alone.

Fighting for the smallest things, always fighting, always trying, always pushing yourself.

Seemingly for no reason.

Everyone had someone, waiting with them, waiting for them. But your apartment was empty, your friends at work. No text sent out to let them know what had happened because it would be hours before anyone saw it. Evening, before you would inevitably return to wallow in the confines of your own apartment to nurse your bruised ego and aching heart.

I think I need some space, I’m sorry.

The woosh of the message sending was lost in the sounds of the waiting room. A couple close by, whispering to each other. Looked like the guy had broken his arm, holding it tight to his body. The girl fussing over him in a way you wish someone would pay attention to you. Joel was…he was great. When not at work, when in your own little bubble of connection and creation together. But he was an absent texter, would call and leave messages on your phone during class times, but they were mostly silence followed by a huff before the dial tone.

You weren’t sure what that was about. He had far more going on in his life. A restaurant to run, family in town, family out of town, an old business he kept up with, friends he would see on a semi-regular basis.

But you?

Alone. No family nearby or in general. Nothing but school that seemed to have been a giant mistake to continue. A job field you hadn’t wanted to return to. A man who could only seem to give you half of himself when not at work. Different personal spaces and paces of life, shared moments that always came to an end far too soon only to be swept under the rug when clocked in.

And it hurt, dammit.

He didn’t respond. And you hadn’t expected him to. It was service hours, after all.

It hurt, even as your heart pleaded at you to give him a call and ask him to come sit with you.

You called the manager as you turned into your apartment complex parking lot. The gate squeaking as it closed behind your truck. The hospital had seen you in three hours, the tirage taking a while despite actively bleeding. But you had shiny new stitches that stretched from the top of your left index finger knuckle to the middle of your palm in a painful way, twelve all in all.

You explained to her that you didn’t want to file any complaints or for workers comp but would need the week off to get stitches and let the injury heal a bit before you handled anything confidently. She agreed to pay you for the missed shifts, not taking it out of your PTO as they hadn’t had any issues with your attendance in the year you had worked there. You thanked her and apologized for any inconvenience once again.

You ignored the sound of a car pulling up along the curb outside the gate, used to random people parking around to get to the concert hall a few blocks away or a visitor for one of the other many apartment buildings lining both sides of the street.

“Just…expect to be taken off of prep. Chef doesn’t take lightly to people who bail, you know that.”

“Heard, see ya in a week.”

You were just out of the shower, having tried to keep your injury out of the spray of the hot water. You had asked them not to wrap it up as you got discharged, telling them you were going to shower the second you got home. They sent home the appropriate dressings and instructions on how to keep it all clean and avoid infection.  You were comfy in a large T-shirt with some hiking graphics on the back of it and a pair of boy shorts, just stepping into your slippers when there was a knock on your door.

You sauntered over to it, tired from the day and a little loopy from the cortisone shot they had given you at the hospital. When you pulled the door open you were greeted by the large figure of Joel. The crown of curls around his head lit up from a light post further down by the curb.

“Wh-why are you here?” You let your shock show in the slight parting of your lips, the heavy exhale at the image of the man you were yearning for displayed right in front of you. As if you had summoned him with thoughts alone.

“You got hurt,” He shuffled on his feet, bringing a hand up to rub at the back of his neck as he looked at the visible stitches on your left hand. His other one held a large paper bag, but you were more focused on the nervous energy he was exhibiting. As if he was worried he wasn’t supposed to be here, knew he wasn’t supposed to be here and hadn’t been able to keep away. You had been holding it close to your chest, not wanting to accidently knock it on anything as you walked around. “Wanted to check on ya.”

“I told you I needed some space.” You moved to begin swinging the door shut but his free hand shot out and stopped the motion easily, thick fingers and wide palm spanning the wood.

“I came to check on you.” He said with a little more force, reminiscent of him being in the kitchen as calling for hands or for dishes right that fucking second. When you didn’t move or say anything he cleared his throat and talked on, softer now. “Brought you some food. Your stomach is prolly turning from havin’ nothing in it when they gave you the shots needed for stitches. I know you might not be hungry or able to eat but it’ll be there for you when you want it.”

“How-“ You found yourself stepping back as he advanced into the doorway and then a few paces into the apartment. The front door opened up directly into the living room, the kitchen just beyond it, separated by a breakfast bar and the small doors that kept the washer and dryer hidden. He set a hefty paper bag on the couch underneath the window beside the door. The scent of greasy Chinese food made your stomach gurgle to life and your mouth water.

“Used to be a contractor, seen my fair share of bad injuries. There was a lot of blood left on the cutting board, just figured.” He looked around over the top of your head and took in the colorful but controlled palette of your belongings before his gaze landed back on you. Reading something in the space you couldn’t quite figure out. “Didn’t get a text from you, but if you really want me to, I’ll leave right this second.”

Your eyes softened, seeing how earnest he was. All you could do was shake your head, heart thudding in your chest at the realization that your text hadn’t been sent. A silent thank you to shitty hospital cell service.

The sound of the door shutting and locking behind him was the beginning of a quiet evening curled up on the couch with him and whispered words of comfort against your temple as his moustache tickled against your skin.

The shattering of glass was loud, jolting you from your sleeping position curled up in front of Joel, his arms around you and his legs tangled with your own. He was up on his feet in seconds, telling you to stay in the bedroom while he cautiously peered into the small living room. He shuffled on his feet as Sweet Pea came hurling into the room, puffed up as big as she could get, eyes blown out. She jumped atop the bed and you watched Joel’s back disappear in what little light from the street lamps filtered in through your sheer curtains and thick blinds.

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Joel was hollering, the bat you had set aside just outside the bedroom door all those weeks ago still there. He grabbed a hold of it and you could hear him swinging, making contact with something metallic. The crack of the wood was loud, making you jump to your feet and you scrambled to get your phone from where it was buried in the sheets.

There was a yelp, followed by the crunching of glass and harsh breathing. The operator was calmly trying to get your attention, hearing the commotion from the other side of the line as you had put it on speaker. The sounds of heavy thuds on the metal stairs outside rattled the walls and your dizzy head. Joel seemed to have followed them, a second set of steps sounding right behind the first.

“Ma’am, are you safe? What’s going on?”

“B-break in, someone broke into my apartment.”

“Is the person still there?”

The line was silent as she waited for an answer, the heavy footsteps of someone coming back up toward the apartment startled you. Hands flailing to catch Sweet Pea as she jumped into your arms. The phone clattered to the hardwood floor.

“Ma’am? Are you still there? Are you okay?”

“My-my boyfriend is-“ You bent down to pick it up, cuddling the small creature close to your chest as she shook in your arms. Joel walked back into the room then, blood smeared on the bat and sporting a gash to his cheek. “He scared them off.”

“Ma’am, I’m sending a police car, what’s your address?”

Joel took over the situation as they arrived, meeting them down at the gate. He walked them through the event, told them the car he had seen the guy rush to and then sped off in. The glimpses of dirty blonde hair underneath a cap, the sound of his voice reminiscent of the one he had protected you from at a bar all that time ago. Of the open investigations you both had over the encounter at his restaurant.

They seemed to take all the crumbs and piece them together, saying it was most likely a stalking situation and you had dropped the mug of tea you had just made at the word. It had been advised that a car were to patrol the street on a more regular basis, but ultimately that you should stay with someone for a while, until things calmed down and your window was repaired.

Hours later, as the sky began to lighten from the deep blue of nightfall to the pastel oranges of early morning, you and Joel found yourself tucked back into bed and curled up with each other. Shielding each other from the rest of the world.

“You gonna tell me what happened at your meeting?” Joel’s voice was careful as he regarded you across the cab of his own truck. He was driving toward his house just outside the downtown area. A suburb that hadn’t felt the effects of gentrification that had so many others had fallen into. It was quant and cozy, neighbors friendly with each other after living there for so long. A good home for his daughters as he raised one and then adopted the other in their teens, sharing the safe place he had crafted for one daughter with another who had never known such a thing. A kind and caring man, now offering to take care of you in the wake of your personal space feeling tainted.

Sweet pea was in your lap, curled up in your crossed legs, preventing Joel from being able to rest a hand atop your thigh while he drove, both hands firmly on the steering wheel. He had been stealing glances your way since you both loaded up, along with three packed bags. Two for you and one for the small cat, with the promise to get her a little box after dropping her off.

Your demeanor shifted from relaxed and boneless in his passenger seat to rigid, shoulders pulling taught as you sat as straight as you could, lower back aching with the pressure after having sat for so long in cheap, hard waiting room chairs the night before. The hot sensation of embarrassment and shame bubbled up your chest to your throat, preventing words even if you had them.

You shook your head, focused on the world passing by in a blur outside the window.

He seemed to realize it was the wrong moment, to have asked such a thing from you because one of his hands was reaching over and tangling with your own.

“That’s okay, whenever you’re ready, yeah?” He chewed on his bottom lip, coming to a stop at a red light. “Or even not at all, okay, if you don’t want. Whatever you need, baby, I’m gonna try my best, alright?”

You nodded, not able to meet his earnest stare, you both startled when a horn honked behind his truck, urging him to drive through the now green light.

“I’m here for you, you gotta know that. Even if you don’t ask me.” He spoke as he turned into a quiet neighborhood, just outside the bustle of the city. A suburb that reminded you of the one you grew up in, the one you hadn’t been back home to in a decade. Wasn’t welcome back to in wake of family drama and endless fighting.

“Did you know my dad got remarried when I was young?”

“No, darlin’, I didn’t.” He said softly, unaware of why this was what you decided to tell him. But he listened all the same, as he parked in a clear drive and helped you down out of the passenger side of the truck. Making sure that Sweet Pea was cuddled tight to you and safely ushered through the doorway into his home.

“She didn’t like me, the woman my dad had been dating. Said…said I was so smart it was blinding. That I’d never find a man who would want to be with me because I always intimidated people. Too independent, too heavy to attract anyone, too much of all the wrong things.”

You stood in the threshold of the living room, watching as your small cat explored the new space. With a cautious curiosity, as if worried about hidden threats behind every corner. Chirping as she went, looking back at you every few minutes to make sure you hadn’t abandoned her.

“I don’t know who this woman is, but she’s wrong, darlin’. She had no business telling you those things at such a young age.”

“If only she could see me now,” You scoffed as your stitches throbbed underneath thick bandages, pain dulled but breaking through the medicine you needed to take once again. “Got a stalker who won’t leave me alone and a professor who deals in ultimatums.”

The bags he still held dropped to the floor and he was suddenly in front of you, his hands on your shoulders as he gave you all of his attention.

Your eyes met his and the words came tumbling out in a rush.

“I was so stupid to think that she was just spewing bullshit, because she’s right. Smart mouth getting me in trouble, getting me into situations where I’m sleeping with my goddamn boss, barely scraping by for a degree that doesn’t mean anything now. He’s-he’s going to tell the entire board that I’m trouble and they’re both right. I always mess everything up, it’s why I’m alone. Can’t disappoint people who aren’t in your life, right?”

You chuckled wetly, face hot and hands shaking as Joel carefully took them in his own.

“Hey,” Joel’s voice was firm, his eyes focused as he brought you to his chest and held you. “Don’t go saying any of that alright. She’s not right. She don’t know you, what you made of yourself. It doesn’t matter what she thinks, what matters is how you feel.”

“I feel like she’s right, she got my dad to believe her. Haven’t spoken to him since I moved out at eighteen. But not from their house, I had been dumped with my grandparents because she wanted kids of her own and it was either space for me or space for them.

A-and it feels like all the hard work I spent years focusing on is all up to a man who has all the power. The ability to spin this entire situation to his needs and wants, to protect those in his care. Everyone has someone looking out for them, helping them, guiding them. But…but, I don’t…I don’t have anyone…”

Your breathing was slow and deep. Controlled as you calmly spiraled, mania from the past few days winding down into a resolute conclusion of bitter acceptance for the things that have happened and taking the blame for them because there was nowhere else to place it.

“You have me,” Your name was a plea on his lips and all you could do was cling to him as he pulled you into his chest. It was easy to fall into him, but you pulled away just as quickly as you had reached out. For his warmth and reassurance, his kind words that you didn’t deserve. “You have me, okay?”

“You-you’re my boss. And he was right, told me I’m just a messy girl who likes to play hard to get. That’s why he’s going to tell the entire board that I’m unfit for the internship, that I’m trouble to have in class, a risk that shouldn’t be considered. A waste of potential crumbling because I’m too self-righteous and tried to stand up for myself in that bar.”

“Look. No, you look at me and hear me okay.” He grasped your shoulders again and pivoted you from where you had begun to turn your attention away from him, feeling utterly hollowed out and bared for him to see all the ugliness you hid inside the beneath your skin and bones. All laid out for him to pick through like a predator to find the best parts and take take take what he wanted. But it was all rotten, it was all tainted, turned. Bad.

“I will file the appropriate paperwork in both our files, have Mary look it over and sign as a witness, stating that we are in a consensual relationship. That there were no contingencies of promised payment, position, or promotion regarding the development of it. I swear to you, baby, I will do it. To show you that it’s important to me, that you’re important to me. That this isn’t just some fling.”

“I was so close,” Your voice broke, hoarse and tapered off into a sound that didn’t sit right in your ears. It was startling how foreign it sounded. As if the woman speaking was someone else and not yourself, feeling small and childish and helpless as you watched your bags get taken from a car and placed around you by a woman smiling brightly and a man who wouldn’t look directly at you. Spoken words of, ‘this is for the best’.

“I was so close.” The woman repeated, and you felt your knees give as the weight of her words hit you and your vision faded out.

This is for the best.

previous chapter || next chapter

dividers by the lovely @/saradika / saradika-graphics

[glitchicorn]

For my birthday im buying myself an ork battle patrol i think to start my ork army

I have kommandos and snikrot now so ill be cloooose to 1k points

I love how goofy the orks look though their models are so fun

I'll probably also buy 2 gretchin units cause they're cheap and really good apparently lol

[afunnybeauty]

nogoodnessimproveme mentioned you in a post

@ afunnybeauty LOOK I JUST DONT…

But seriously though

I’m gonna try to not go off on a tangent, because Belle is definitely every single one of my heartstrings but like...people tend to only focus on the her love of reading and leave it there. Like oh, Belle’s so smart because she reads all the time. No! Belle doesn’t read the dictionary for fun, she reads fantasies and adventure tales because her goal is escapism. Like, did everyone tune out during her songs? If she were crazy about books for books sakes, she would have sung about books but she didn’t. In modern settings, Belle would be something like....idk, a stewardess or a tour guide or something. It really shouldn’t be that hard to think about characters and their dimensions, but as OUaT has proven (and everyone who believes Belle would be a Ravenclaw), it apparently is a lot harder than it seems.

[sparrowmoth]

The Sea and the Stars, Chap. 2 (Teaser)

Another teaser from the upcoming chap of the Jaylos and Malvie Pirate AU @telli1206 and I are co-writing. This time, a little Mal and Carlos banter... ;)

“What’s the matter?” Mal asks loudly, stepping up to confront him with her hands on her hips, one eyebrow raised. “This stuff can handle lightning, right? Should be able to handle a bit of jostling…”

“I told you,” Carlos answers, fingers half-curled at his sides. “They’re fragile and I just tuned them—”

“Stow the attitude, second mate, or I’ll have you reassembling them.”

“I’ll have to do that already,” Carlos bites back, narrowing his eyes to mirror Mal’s expression, “with the way you apes throw your shit around here. No wonder this ship looks like a suckin’ crud bucket!”

[ read/subscribe on AO3 ]

[clown-demon]

Oh now he was laughing, he heard her mumble loud and clear. "Haaa~! You thought me pinning you against the wall was HOT~? I AM FLATTERED~! Just think of how much HOTTER it can be once we have bonded and I take you as my girlfriend~!" This man really did NOT have a filter...

The magician wraps an arm around her shoulder and leans against her. "I wouldn't call myself a uh.. expert on love. But they really are NOT perfect. There's bound to be fights, but you get through them together and become closer~. Though of course-- there's no good cheaters who break your heart into a billion pieces~," he adds with a very dark and creepy voice. Reaching out with his hand and clenching his fist as if to crush something. "But when you DON"T have your partner cheating on you. Romance can be very nice~," he ends with a lighter tone.

"It's because you thought we were SOOOO CLOOOOSE~! THAT people would THINK we're in a relationship~! I am flattered really~!"

He blinked and placed his finger on his lips, "I did-- I mean, it sounded like you didn't wanna spend much time in my pocket dimension. So that's why I said it~. But we can spend years in there~! Just you and I~."

"I mean in general you know. Maybe you're not teasing me right now but you did have me pinned up against the wall earlier..." There's a pause before she mumbles a "which was kind of hot--" before she shakes her head. "N-nevermind that, so you're not teasing me right now, I'll take it." 

There's another huff as she lightly swats his hand away. "I wouldn't know, I've... never dated actually. Haven't ever thought about it before either. I don't know the first thing about romantic relationships or how they work. All I know is apparently everything's perfect according to romance movies which I know is a lie."

"And it's because we're talking about it you know! I don't know, people can assume wild things sometimes when you least expect it." He really was difficult sometimes. "And is it? You're the one who said you wouldn't stay in it for long periods of time."

[valkysrie]

tonights mood is listening to get you on loop but not in the same typa way i listen to love is always there on loop

[dialovers-translations]

DIABOLIK LOVERS MORE BLOOD Vol.2: Mukami Kou [Track 1+2]

Original title: 目隠しされて & 無神コウ

Source: Diabolik Lovers More, Blood Vol. 2: Mukami Kou [CD not owned by me]

Audio: Here (00:00~14:03)

Seiyuu: Kimura Ryouhei

Translator’s note: Continuing my marathon of MB CDs, everyone’s favorite idol Kou-kun is up next! I’m not a huge Kou fan myself, but he’s the main bias of my best friend so I’m always reminded of her when I translate his CDs. :p I used to find his voice quite annoying in the past, but in this CD, it didn’t bother me too much.

Track 1+2 ll Track 3+4 ll Track 5+6 ll Track 7+8 ll Track 9+10

→  LIKE MY TRANSLATIONS? SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI!

Track 1: Blindfolded

“...Hey!”

*Creaaak*

“Hey, you...!”

*Creaaak*

“Are you listening?”

*Rustle rustle*

“Say, say...~”

*Rustle rustle*

[00:15] “...Ah! Seems like you finally woke up! Ahー Thank god! You just kept on snoozing forever, for a second I thought you’d never wake up again!”

You look around, seeming confused.

“Eh? You want to know where you are...? Eeh...~ How cruel! You don’t recall? ーー Everything that happened before getting here, I mean.”

You flinch.

“Ahaha~ Seems like you remembered, huh? Exactly. I kidnapped you here~”

You ask him why.

[00:52] “...’Why’? You’ve been asking an awful lot of questions this whole time, haven’t you? Oh well, I guess it can’t be helped. After all, you’re currently stuck in pitch-black darkness. I guess it makes sense to grow anxious or scared...Fufufu~ But rest assured.”

*Rustle*

“I’ll explain the whole situation step by step, okay? First and foremost, you’re currently blindfolded, lying on top of my - Mukami Kou-kun’sーー

*Rustle*

ーー bed, you see~”

*Rustle rustle*

[01:31] “As for why I kidnapped you. Hmー There’s a few, but one of them would be because you’re a special human. ...Fufu~ Do you know what that means? It basically implies that you’re in a different league from just any other regular human out there. You might not be aware of it yourself, but to our species, your existence stands out as extraordinary.”

*Rustle*

“Actually, you know that already, don’t you? You’re being kept as a pet over at the Sakamaki manor after all.”

You protest.

“...Eh? You’re not being ‘kept’? Ah, sorry, sorry! I didn’t quite put it right, did I? I take back my words. More accurately, you’re their...prey, aren’t you?”

He pins you down.

*Thud*

[02:23] “Fufu...Ahahaha~ No need to look so dissatisfied. It’s the truth, isn’t it? Besides, that’s the second reason which made me interested in you so I dare argue it’s a good thing?”

*Creaaak*

“Hm? You want to know who I am? Didn’t I name myself earlier? You’ve got such bad memory.”

You shake your head.

[02:51] “Ah...That’s not what you meant? Ahー Gotcha. Hm...Can I spill the beans already? But I feel like Ruki-kun will give me an earful if I do and he’s a pain to deal with when he’s upset. ...Let’s see...~ Fufu...~ I’ll tell you when I feel like it, okay?”

*Creaaak*

“Anyway, I gave you an answer to your questions so happy now? More importantly, I want to know about you first. All sorts of things...~”

*Rustle*

[03:32] “We actually managed to get a hold of their weakness, so just like Ruki-kun is always saying, I should get an idea of what I’m dealing with. So to start off, I better do a little investigating to find out what exactly makes you so special...~”

*Rustle rustle*

“Fufu~ You’re shaking...My touch is still foreign to you, isn’t it? No need to be so scared though. I’m a nice guy after all.”

He pulls you close.

[04:04] “Here, I’ll stroke your head for you. ...Good girl, good girl...So stop trembling, okay?”

*Rustle*

“Hm...You’re more alert than I thought. Fufu~ You’re letting them have their way with you despite that?”

You protest again.

[04:28] “How odd...Or perhaps you’re simply feigning this cautious attitude? In that case, you’re one hell of a naughty kitten~ They say that a skillful hunter gets a kick out of going after highly alert prey and honestly, I think I may understand where they’re coming from. It’s boring when something is too easy to get. ーー I can already get my hands on pretty much everything I want through my job after all.”

*Rustle*

“...Ah! But I don’t really like how I’m implying those guys are skilled by saying that. What do you think? As the one they’re hunting for, how do you feel about them?”

You remain quiet.

[05:17] “Heeey~ Aren’t you going to answer? Giving me the silent treatment is a little mean, don’t you think? Hmー I guess it’s a little difficult of a question to start off with. In that case, let me ask you an easy one. Ah, right! How about this? ーー Does it really feel good to have them suck your blood? You know, does it make you feel like you’ve ascended to another world? Like your body is just floating mid-air~”

*Rustle*

“...No answer once again? You really are dull, geez. What will get you to talk? Should I ask you about your favorite spots? Or perhaps you really don’t care about those guys at all?”

*Rustle*

[06:12] “Ahー I’m kind of fed up with this already. I’m out here trying my best to be nice and all I get in return is the cold shoulder. What are you playing at?”

You explain.

“...You can’t say those things to someone you’ve only just met? Heh~ I see...That makes sense now that you mention it. In that case, I suppose I have to introduce myself  first.”

Track 2: Mukami Kou

He removes the blindfold.

*Rustle*

“Here. Take a cloooose look at my face. I removed your blindfold as well. See? I’m this close to you. Our lips could almost touch.”

You look straight at him.

[00:19] “...Fufu~ Can you see me? I guess I should say ‘nice to meet you’? I’m sorry for suddenly abducting you like that earlier~ However, it would have been difficult to take you away otherwise. I guess you could say it was the optimal timing? It really was my one chance.

...Say, are you the type who doesn’t watch television very often? Well, I guess you don’t strike me as a girl who would.”

You tilt your head to the side.

“Ah, no, I’m just talking to myself. I just figured that you’d probably recognize me if you watched TV every now and then. Not that it matters though.”

*Rustle*

[00:57] “But really, things went surprisingly well if I may say so myself. I’m sure those guys are frantically looking around for you right about now. After all, their precious little treat was snatched away from right underneath their nose, haha~! Fufu...Ahahaha! Just remembering those foolish expressions on their faces makes me laugh.”

*Rustle rustle*

“And I’m going to dig into their precious meal soon...Haah...Somehow just being this close to you makes my breath hitch.”

*Rustle*

“Is this what you’re capable of? Say, how come you’re this delicious?”

*Sniff sniff*

“...You smell amazing. What kind of scent is this? Hm...~”

Kou takes a deep breath.

[01:55] “I can’t get enough of it...I wonder where it’s coming from?”

*Sniff sniff*

“Not here...”

*Rustle*

“Then here maybe?”

*Sniff*

“I can’t quite tell through your clothes...”

*Rustle rustle*

“Why not take them off? It’s not like you need them, do you? ...Come on, hurry. The scent on the fabric is throwing me off.”

*Rustle*

“Come on, go ahead!”

You hesitate.

[02:29] “...Hurry up, will you? You might not guess it, but I’m not the most patient guy around. If you refuse to take them off yourself...You’re not going to have a good time.”

You refuse.

“...Tsk. Ahー What a fucking drag! Do you think I’m a joke or something? Do you have any idea what’ll happen if you oppose me like that?”

*Creaaak*

“Ugh...”

*Thud*

“I’ve gotten a little irritated you see. And once that happens, everything starts to annoy me. So that look you’re giving me...Ahaha...It pisses me off.”

*Rustle*

[03:12] “...I’m going to gauge out those eyes of yours, for real. I happen to kind of like that sorta stuff.”

You start taking off your clothes.

“...Huh? You’re gonna strip? Ahー So you’ve chosen to obey? How boring. I just had so many good ideas of things to do to you.”

*Rustle rustle*

“Anyway, if you’re just gonna bend to someone’s will in the end anyway, wouldn’t it be better to simply listen from the very start? Or did you want me to snap at you?”

You shake your head.

“Ah, I see! Right! You’re that kind of girl, aren’t you? You wanted me to lose my temper...so I’d treat you horribly, right? Fufu~ What an M-neko-chan you are~”

You seem confused by the nickname.

[04:03] “Hm? You want to know what ‘M-neko’ means? Isn’t that obvious? You’re more stupid than I thought. The ‘M’ is the same one as in ‘Do-M’, duh! Masochists, you know? You’re the type of girl who gets a kick out of the pain, aren’t you?”

*Creaaak*

“With that kind of personality, I can understand why you’d enjoy spending time with those guys. We’re capable of pleasing you in ways a regular human never could after all. Fufu...~ Is it true the pain is addictive?”

You try and explain.

[04:45] “When you put it like that, I almost want to turn into a human girl for one day and have a bunch of Vampires feast upon my blood~ Well, of course, I much prefer being the one doing the sucking. ...Aah, I was told this as well. Apparently having your blood sucked feels like strong currents of electricity running through your entire body, is that true? How nice~ I’m envious~”

You frown.

“That being said, I’d rather not get bitten myself. I’d love to get a taste of that pleasure, but I’d rather die than let some other Vampire pierce me with his fangs. Heh~ ...Ah, oh no, I’ve been rambling...”

*Rustle*

[05:39] “Come on, take those clothes off. I’ll figure out where this delicious scent is coming from first. You’re hiding it underneath that dull (1) outfit of yours, aren’t you? ーー Your precious secret~”

You start to take off the rest of your clothes.

“Fufu...Exactly~ You’ve got to show me your meek side like that, or else I might just poke your eyes out~”

You tell him you’re done.

[06:08] “...Eh? You took them off? Now don’t be ridiculous. When I say ‘strip’, I obviously meant everything, right? You move your jacket to the side a little and call that ‘taking off your clothes’? Heeh...You really must be making fun of me, aren’t you? ...Listen, I hate being ridiculed more than anything...There are many girls in this world who would kill to be in this kind of situation with me, you know? Yet here you are, living that dream...”

*Rustle*

“Ah, right! You’re just pretending to be embarrassed but you’re actually happy, aren’t you?”

*Rustle*

“Oh! Or perhaps...You want me to rip you apart? I would never resort to such violent actions though. I mean, there’s nothing fun about tearing apart someone who won’t even scream from the pain, is there? Fufu...~”

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

Translation notes

(1) More specifically, he describes her clothes as lacking even the faintest hint of sexiness.

[silvermuffins]

Wahaha, unlocked the secret menu at Hagakure! I already have enough courage for it. Sweet, rank 3 charm!

Anyway I can do one more link before the plot backhands me into paying attention to it. I think. I am cloooose to my deadline for maxing courage....but I only have one rank to go. If I really focus, then maybe...!

Oh damn I have a lot of options today. But it is definitely Maiko time. I Must max her out! Also this is the runaway event so I Need to care her.

...aww good I don't have to break my promise of keeping this secret. And I don't know where she went so! I just Care

Well. I mean. I know where she went. But she didn't tell Minato so he just guessed real good.

My heart always melts...

I am home and have eaten a food. I have also adjusted my setup so that my HDMI switcher stops defaulting to the fire stick instead of the ps4.

So, you know what time it is! ....I have no idea what I'm getting up to now! Running around town it is.

Oh yeahhhh I was going to Bebe! Gotta make sure I have a temperance then. I do! Bebe <3

[bitimdrake]

I just want to through my two cents in about calling Steph and Duke (and Babs) Bruce's kids because I feel strongly on the topic. I call them his mentees. Or his students. To me, those designation can signify a strong intergenerational relationship without the implications of friendship or family. I hate when people call Steph and Babs his kids because I think it massively undercuts their canonical relationships with their actual parents. Duke I'm more nebulous on, but I think mentee works best

Yeah that's very valid! Like I said, I have mixed feelings about it, but they do lean more towards the negative.

I'm not going to comment on Duke, since I haven't read his stuff quite yet. (I'm so cloooose. Technically I actually have now read one issue with kid!Duke, but I don't think that really counts for knowing his character.) But for the other two--

Definitely a big part of my problem with it is the way it undercuts Babs' and Steph's actual parents in Jim and Crystal. And considering Crystal especially is so often just forgotten in general...yeah, don't like that.

With Babs, there's also something about it that can feel...kind of infantalizing, I guess? Which is weird to say, because Bruce has multiple adult children, and them being his kids doesn't make them less of adults. But with Barbara, post-Crisis, as Oracle, she felt so much like Bruce's equal--in a way I'd argue even Dick couldn't, because for all Dick is just as good as if not better than Bruce, he is still fundamentally Bruce's son and that dynamic never fully goes away--that it just seems weird for even Bruce to think of her as a pseudo-daughter at that point. Add that to the way Babs has been continually de-aged and treated as ever younger ever since the new 52 and...yeah, Barbara being referred to as Bruce's kid is definitely the one that grates on me the most.

Steph, on the other hand, is the biggest reason my feelings are a little mixed. Because I don't want to see Crystal erased or ignored, and Steph for sure isn't literally Bruce's kid or part of the Wayne family. But there's also...idk, the way that she is a teen, and she was Robin for awhile. And at the best of Steph and Bruce's relationship--which, admittedly, was rare--it felt very similar to Tim and Bruce or Cass and Bruce. Recalling, ofc, that at the time Tim and Cass weren't Bruce's kids either.

Tim and Steph especially could hit real parallels in their relationships with Bruce--whichever one of them Bruce liked at the time would have such a close and important mentor/protege relationship with him, but then still have their own parents at home, and not remotely think of Bruce as their dad. Until, that is, Tim agreed to adoption and that relationship swapped over.

(I do wonder how much the hindsight of knowing they end up adopted makes people act like Tim and Cass were Bruce's kids from the start, because there was a time when there were only parental undertones to a non-parental relationship, if that! There was a time when Tim found the idea of Bruce being his dad hilarious! And if we're remembering that Steph and Babs aren't Bruce's kids--which we should--then we should also remember that there were many years when Tim and Cass weren't either, and it's okay for relationships to change over time. But I digress.)

The other source of mixed feelings is that even though I don't think Babs/Steph think of Bruce as a dad, I think it's feasible that Bruce sometimes thinks of them very close to his own kids. Like, we gotta be real here: this is not an expressive dude who does a lot of fatherly actions, and also this is a man who mostly relates to his kids via vigilante work. So I can see how, to Bruce, the relationships might tread very close to his real parent/child ones--though they don't have to. But either way, that doesn't mean they literally are parent/child.

imo the real biggest problem here is that DC just never has any nuance to it. If Steph/Babs are referred to as Bruce's kids, then they're listed right alongside his actual children, depicted hanging out at the manor, put in the family portraits, etc. And that's...not the relationship they have.

(And tbh goes hand in hand with DC's tendency to play it infuriatingly coy about whether the non-Damian kids have actually been adopted in any given post-Flashpoint continuity, and whether they're Bruce's kids or his "wards"/"proteges"/whatever "only blood relatives count" bullshit we're doing this week.)

If we could have thoughtful moments about how Bruce felt like Barbara was a surrogate daughter when he was training her as Batgirl, but still has a distance he can never get with his actual kids-- Or Bruce and Steph navigating how she (justifiably) kind of resents him and doesn't think of him as a dad and just wants her mom, but he sometimes catches himself lumping her in with his kids-- Or any other twist on that! allowing for some grey area without ignoring who is literal family.

Alas, we don't get that. And I like your phrasing, so mentee/protege/student sounds like the best encapsulation to me in lieu of a longer discussion.

They got their own parents.