#raimundo 'let me think' pedrosa

[multiandmany]

A  VALENTINE’S  APPLICATION. 

your  name: Raimundo Alexandre Pedrosa Guilherme (It's a mouthful I know, don't think too much about it Spicer).

your age: 15

your perfect date: Somewhere on the beach? I guess, like getting food from a food truck and hanging out by the shore? Or maybe taking you to an aquarium? Dinosaur museum? I dunno, lots of places!

make out in private or in public?: Private... if that's cool.

do you like to cuddle?: Maybe... I haven't been uh- touchy with people in a long time. Just letting you know: once I latch onto you, I don't let go.

tell me something about you: Umm.. I'm really committed? I care about people a lot, and you- a lot, and- I'm determined to do what I can to keep you safe. And I don't go back on my word with it either.

why do you want to be my valentine?: Don't tell anyone this, but... You're really sweet, Spicer. Anyone with eyes can see you'd be a great date- or uh... Valentine.

For Good Jack of course!!

Valentine's applications! || @champiionic

Jack looks the paper over with blush and a smile on his face. He wasn't expecting this! It was a very nice surprise.

"I would love to be your Valentine!" His smile grows some as he says this, he's just so happy!

"All of those places sound nice too!" Oh he's excited! He can't wait!

[featherchan]

🏠 REST /For Rai and Kanako, Vigilante/Mutant verse of course!

[ Vigilante prompts / @champiionic / No Longer Accepting! ]

🏠 REST - Your muse crashes my muse’s place after a rough patrol

[ P.S : Do not turn this ask into a thread without asking first 😉 ] 

Spider-Lily, is a defender who lurks within the shadows, protecting both mankind and the demon world, which is divided by a veil. In a twist of fate, the heroine and her friend, Onyx, find themselves transported to another world, a realm existing beyond the confines of their own time and dimension. As they pursued a demon with the power to open portals, the duo found themselves trapped on an alternate Earth, designated Earth-XXXX. This Earth was strikingly similar to their own, yet also distinctly different.

On this new Earth, they lost track of the demon they were pursuing and were stranded with no way to return home. Working together to solve their predicament. Their demonic senses suddenly went haywire, leading them to a young man named Raimundo Pedrosa. Similar to Onyx, he has a symbiotic being, which bonded with him. However, this being originated from outer space rather than the underworld. As expected, the three of them began to clash and throw accusations, misled by their demonic senses and his venom. But when the heroes were called into action, they soon realized that they were all on the same side, the side of good. Joining arms, they began to rely on one another, transitioning from mere partners into close friends.

The initial few months were challenging on this new Earth. However, with the assistance of their new friend, they learned how to survive living on the streets and were given a place to stay. In return, Spider-Lily and Onyx helped Raimundo gain better control and discipline over his newfound powers, including his ally, Venom.

The exhausted Lioness stumbled home from her part-time job, where she worked to keep a roof over their heads. And from a short patrol, where she encountered a second-rate supervillain. Her body was sore, as during the fight, Spider-Lily was tossed around and beaten down like a rag doll, but she managed to fight back and return the beating. Being warmly welcome home. The raven collapsed onto the lumpy sofa and happily joined Raimundo to watch a movie, anything to end the day with a dose of serotonin to recharge her humanity.

But midway through the movie, Kanako must have dozed off because she was shaken to wake up. The Lioness purrs as she pleads for another five more minutes, as the pillow she was hugging and snuggling on feels firm but warm and comfortable. She even swore that she could hug it forever. And when she finally woke up, she opened her eyes and found herself sleeping on top of the brunette. Causing the raven to nearly shriek, as she rapidly sat upright and began profusely apologizing to him.  "Rai-Raimundo, I'm so sorry..." Before she notices the drool stain on his shirt, her face turns pale, and she almost lets out another shriek again. "Did I drool on you?" Without waiting for a reply. "Gosh! I'm so-so sorry..." Was anything going right for her today? "Let me wash this right away..." Still half asleep with half a brain cell functioning, she proceeded to lift his shirt without thinking. And as if Kanako's life were a sitcom, Noburu returned unexpectedly from her part-time job, bringing dinner in tow. Soon, frozen, looking like a deer in a headlight, unsure of what she had just stumbled into. She gingerly backed away from the living room. As she took note of this, Kanako's mind slowly regained consciousness, as her scattered thoughts began to connect. Soon, a blush crept across her face as she reached out her hand and called out to her best friend. "Wait! This isn't what it looks like!" Unfortunately, it was too late. Slumping back onto the lumpy sofa, she screamed into the cushioned pillow, thankfully muffling the sound. Seriously. Can her day get any worse?

[runningracingdancingchasing]

"You think so? I would not want to put her out." Though she liked all of his family, she wasn't quite so close to Doroteia as she was to Camilla and Manoela, even after the incident of saving her dress from being stained. "Forgive me, despite an entirely pleasant stroll, I am suddenly finding myself feeling... awkward. As though perhaps I have done something unspeakably wrong."

She fidgeted with her wet skirt, pressing her lips together as she did and not raising her eyes to meet his. "It is nothing either you or your mama have done, I assure you. You have both been most kind and understanding. I think..."

She trailed off, as though uncertain, but she in fact recognized precisely what the cause was: Madame Gothel. Her entire upbringing had led her to think her very nature was an inconvenience, and though the Pedrosas did not seem to agree, and although she had plenty of experience with them delighting in her nature, this was the first instance of this specific kind, and it was leaving her feeling horribly like a burden. And though she would not hesitate to let Raimundo know in private, here in the sitting room, with Manoela and Sofia near, she did not wish to let it all out. She did not wish to be more of a burden by placing her weight upon their shoulders.

Getting inside was certainly a relief! His clothes hadn't gotten as wet as hers, given she'd only splashed him once and he hadn't waded in, but it was still particularly pleasant to be in the warmth of the sitting room beside the fire.

He laughed with Manoela and tried a scone or two, remarking that they were in fact delicious, despite their slightly strange shape.

At Rapunzel's question, Rai wrinkled his nose a moment in thought, then shook his head. "I should think not. The entire point was for you to get warm and dry," he allowed. "In fact, might I offer you some stockings and shoes from Teia's wardrobe...? I am certain she wouldn't mind, and you two are... roughly the same size." Though his sister was a little taller.

[hugthepanda12]

Ok, so I was inspired by @narvana27 ′s post and made a memey thing~

Raimundo_LetMeThink_Pedrosa.exe can’t work properly. Do the system checkup. 

Detecting problems...

There are too many, system overload. Please restart through yelling at Jack Spicer and your friends. 

[shortytori]

My OCs List: Bio Info

I’m going to do 3 different lists, one for Heroes, one for Villains, and one for Others (Neutral, Civilians, Deceased). The info I have so far are: Parents, Age, Birthday, and Sexual Orientation. Let me know if there is anything else I should put down in this small bio info! I was thinking of adding “Three Traits (...)” kind of thing? At least to give a small example of what their personalities are like?

Heroes:

Edward Logan: Son of Beast Boy (Garfield Logan) and Raven (Rachel Roth), 15 years old, Born July 15 (Cancer), demisexual, 

Tangaroa: Son of Starfire and Aqualad (Tempest, Teen Titans), 16 years old, Born May 23 (Gemini), asexual/panromantic, 

Bella Wilkins: Daughter of Cameron Wilkins, 18 years old, Born March 10 (Pisces), heterosexual

Winston Carbunkle: Son of Tootie and Tucker Carbunkle, 12 years old, Born January 12 (Capricorn), gay

Julie “Jules” Harper: Daughter of Speedy (Roy Harper) and Herminia (oc), 16 years old, Born February 26 (Picses), bisexual

Reynard Agreste: Son of Adrien Agreste and Ashley Hale (Katnappe), 15 years old, April 6 (Aries), demisexual

Abe Diaz-Maheswaran: Child of Marco Diaz and Connie Maheswaran, 14 years old, October 5 (Libra), asexual/aromantic

Florian Cooper: Son of Trent Cooper and Bloom Quinn, 16 years old, August 23 (Leo), pansexual

Makayla Hawkins: Younger daughter of Static Shock (Virgil Hawkins) and Bumblebee (Karen Beecher), 16 years old, April 28 (Taurus), heterosexual

Karlee Hawkins: Older daughter of Static Shock (Virgil Hawkins) and Bumblebee (Karen Beecher), 20 years old, December 29 (Capricorn), lesbian

Haven Kincaid: Daughter of K.O. Kincaid and Bubbles Utonium, 16 years old, June 26 (Cancer), pansexual

Devin Levin: Son of Kevin Levin and Dexter Dee, 15 years old (technically 2), Born September 7 (Virgo), demisexual

Marquise Stone: Adopted son of Cyborg (Victor Stone), 17 years old, May 3 (Taurus), heterosexual

Jeremiah Utonium: Son of AJ Gray and Blossom Utonium, 17 years old, November 28 (Sagittarius), gay

Laylin Load: Older daughter of Wade Load and Blossom Utonium, 13 years old, November 10 (Scorpio), bisexual

Lovelyn Load: Younger daughter of Wade Load and Blossom Utonium, 13 years old, November 10 (Scorpio), heterosexual(questioning)

Luis Guerrero Cruz: Son of Jessica Cruz (Green Lantern) and Gabriel Guerrero (oc), 17 years old, March 1 (Pisces), heterosexual

Pahola Pedrosa: Youngest daughter of Raimundo Pedrosa and LaCienega Boulevardez, 17 years old, September 22 (Virgo), heterosexual

Tamika Rodriguez: Daughter of Menos (Emiliano Rodriguez) and Savana (oc), 17 years old October 2 (Libra), bisexual

Emilia Rodriguez: Daughter of Mas (Jose Rodriguez) and Mari (oc), 17 years old July 14 (Cancer), lesbian

Simon Jojo: Son of Boomer Jojo, Mabel Pines, and Mac Kazoo (biologically Boomer and Mabel’s), 16 years old August 17 (Leo), demisexual

Concord Fenton: Son of Danny Fenton and Bliss Utonium, 15 years old, February 16 (Aquarius), bisexual

Qiang Long: Younger son of Jake Long and Lila Rossi, 15 years old, October 21 (Libra), pansexual

Astrid Lucitor: Daughter of Tom Lucitor and Sibella Dracula, 16 years old, November 25 (Saggitarius), bisexual

Hanna Jojo: Second oldest of Butch Jojo and Candy Chiu, 15 years old, June 10 (Gemini), pansexual

[narvana27]

The similarities between Raimundo Pedrosa and Grand Master Dashi: 

I'm not that good in observation like some other people, for example the person who compared WHOLE Rai's style of fighting with Dashi's style of fighting. (I don't remember who that was, so you can tag this person, that would be great). That is incredible for me, and then I saw a theory about Dashi being a dragon of wind just like Rai, and… My head exploded. That is making so much sense! Because listen: Aren't our dear xiaolin monks just like the elements they have? Like:

-Kimiko - temperamental, nervous = Fire

-Clay - Very calm and stady, but also strong = earth 

-Omi - energetic, stubborn, always all over the place = water 

-Rai - free spirit, sometimes careless, loves freedom and independence, untamable = Wind! 

Dashi was chilled and relaxed, very smart and wise obviously, his fighting was almost effortless. He made jokes, and was just this cool type of a guy. The funny friend everyone likes and wants to have. JUST LIKE RAI! Tell me you don't believe Dashi would make all of the wu and spread them all over the globe for the future monks to have some "quest"... I just thought about it now, but that would be totally him! Like, he could make them and just ✨leave them✨ in the temple, couldn't he? Yea, this whole "harmony" thing is making some sense, but you get me, this guy fight poor little Omi just for fun - A LEGEND, who is still funny (Like Rai). Well, maybe not just for fun, because at the end he gave  Omi puzzle box for Wuya to be closed in and tips about how to trap her there, but also - For fun. He was laughing all the time through this showdown. It was kinda like: "It's a prank bro!" but in Grand Master style. Rai loves fun and jokes too. He also has something that Dashi has not, and that is sarcasm and irony. But overall these two are just very smart guys, who by their wiseness and hard work accomplished something BIG, like being the Greatest Freaking Master of all Time, and being a Shoku Warrior. And they both were still FUNNY during these! They weren't either too serious, or either too careless. They both had balance, that was perfect. 👌 

They both knew where to and when to work, and when to rest. Omi didn't. He's training his ass off, and so much as it is worth of admiring, even Master Fung told him he needs to chill out a lil bit many times. That is why Rai is more like Dashi by personality, while Omi just by appearance (which, in my non racist ass opinion is not racist but let's leave this subject). They both are good warriors, both accomplished big things, have similar way of being, and both are wise and smart. Both know a taste of betrayal. Dashi saw it on Chase, and Rai did it himself, so they both know much more about heylin side than the rest, perhaps. Also, what is a big "if " for me: Remember (ofc u do) when Rai opened a box, in which Wuya was supposed to be closed in, and there a spirit of Dashi appeared and told him: "My congratulations, Dragon of Wind" (or smthng like that)? Well, what if, WHAT IF… Dashi knew just then - Rai's gonna be a leader and a shoku warrior?! 

I mean - He was a ghost! A spirit, who could have know such things! Idk, idk, but this thought is always making me 😀. There was also opinion that Wuya treated Rai the way she did because of the fact that he reminded her of Dashi. Well, that could also be true, and we see Wuya being literally SCARED when she saw Dashi's spirit, so we can assume that besides the obvious HATE she had for him - there was also some sort of respect. And maybe it's true - Maybe she didn't seek revenge on Rai, because she felt… Respect, in some way? By that I mean she could of think: "I need to be more careful with him now, I can't underestimate him anymore"? So, summarizing all of the above: Rai and Dashi are similar and could have the same element - wind. They both have funny and jokey personalities, very easy to like. Both are smart and wise, both know their opponents very well, and can predict their behaviour. They have respect for who they work with, and for their time. Both seem to love freedom and procrastination. They also are flexing from time to time, and both are willing to help somebody, no matter what. When Rai did save this old lady that turned out was a Paradise Bird, and didn't listen to Omi's shit talk then? Same with Dashi wantning to help Omi even tho his story sounded incredible, like a lie, or a joke (or a story of a crazy kid). So, that's in my opinion a lot of similarities for how short we saw Dashi, compared to how long we knew Rai. Being that close by personality to a Grand Master is for me a very good sign for Rai and his future. He could be just like him when the time would come. 

[whiskey-and-nightmares]

Hi, for a request, could you do Xiaolin Showdown? I was thinking the xiaolin monks X Jack, where they have secret crushes on their bumbling (and oblivious) rival. Maybe they get a bit jealous of each other? or work together to get Jack to spend more time with them?

    ◈ — @dont-touch-me-im-dreaming  || Request accepted !

     For some reason I can’t tag you but I LOVEyour idea so much !     So yes, here you go !

“Ugh, why can’t he just— Oh.”

    Kimiko sighed, relieved, when she saw Clay leaving ( finally ). After staying for almost 30 minutes hiding behind a flowerpot she was grateful for her training, otherwise her legs would be hurting too much to even stand up.

    It was just silly, she decided, to be hiding from the boys. It wasn’t like if she was doing something wrong or bad. Yeah, she was going to visit Spicer but it wasn’t for some dumb ‘evil’ plan of his or anything, Kimiko just wanted to play videogames on his big, HD screen. Just that. It wasn’t like she liked him or anything, it was only for the graphics.

“Hey Kim.”

    The phone in her hand almost got crushed between her fingers but Kimiko knew how to pretend, good enough to don’t look suspicious in front of Rai.

“What ya doing?”

“I’m going out for a walk.” She replied with an innocent tone and Rai raised an eyebrow but didn’t said anything else.

“This close to Spicer’s place?” Rai asked suddenly and Kim eyed him with annoyance and disbelief; How he dare to suggest, whatever he was suggesting, with that— That cynicism…

“What are you doing this close to Spicer’s?” She counterattacked and was sure that if Master Fung had been close he would have congratulated her for her quick thought.

“Wha— I’m not… I’m not—” Rai looked offended, shocked even, and looked at her like if Kimiko offended his family or something.

    The dragon of the fire smiled, proud of herself. She could almost hear the FATALITY in the air, just like in the combat games.

“You are not what, Rai?”

“I’m not doing whatever you’re thinking. What are you doing here, hiding behind a pot like a creepy garden stalker?”

    Kimiko gasped and her fist turned into fire before she could react in a more civilized way.

“What I’m doing here is none of your business Raimundo Pedrosa! ” Rai was wincing already, expecting the burning punch in his arm but Kimiko just shook her fist in front of his face before pointing to the direccion their cowboy friend took in his leave. “Why you don’t go to ask Clay what was he doing here? I bet he was here since he disappeared after breakfast! ”

    Rai blinked, looking at the place she was pointing and then at her again. There was confusion now, which was infinitely better that his accusing glare.

“He said he wanted to watch the regional ice skating championship…” Rai mumbled and suddenly a sense of understanding fell on both. Kimiko broke eye contact first and Rai looked down, scratching the back of his neck. “Well, I wanted to— I kinda, you know, asked Spicer if he could teach me how to fix a motor. Ya know, girls like those stuff and, that…”

    Kimiko nodded with a faint blush in her face.

“Yeah. Me too, uh, I wanted to play in his screen—”

“The huge HD screen in his living room? ”

“I love that screen…”

“Me too! The graphics are amazing and Jack isn’t that bad of a player…” Kimiko cut herself when she realized that both noticed she said Spicer’s name but before Rai could provoke his early dead by pointing that to her Omi called for both from the front door.

“Kimiko! Raimundo! My friends! ” Omi ran from the door to them, looking at both with that big, cheerful smile of his. “Are you here too to eat the ice cream treats with Jack Spicer too? ”

“Uh—”

“Yes.”

“Ah yes.”

“Totally.”

“That is the most amazing! ” Omi smiled so brightly that his friends almost felt bad for lying. Almost. “Come then my friends! I was ready to knock the door.”

    Both dragons allowed themselves to be dragged to the front door, none of them daring to even glance to the other, too embarrassed. Yet, when Spicer finally opened the door he was eating some pudding and had a pair of keys in his hands already.

“Ah…”

“Jack Spicer! Kimiko and Raimundo came too to enjoy the ice cream treats! ”

    Jack eyed them both with utter disbelief but ended nodding, probably just to play along now that Omi was right in the middle of them.

“… Okay… Let’s go then. I need to come back early today cheese ball, I have to check a project in a couple hours.”

    Omi nodded happily and they went outside, together, to whatever vehicle Jack decided fit to go and eat ice cream with three xiaolin dragons.

    Kimiko knew that she couldn’t put a feet in the mansion again soon, too embarrassed to be caught like that, and by Rai nonetheless.

    At least it was just that, she thought while they were at the store and Jack was helping Omi to decide what flavor of ice cream he wanted.

    Being ‘game friends’ with him was already bad enough. It would have been horrible if he found out she had a crush with Jack…

    Little did she know that Rai, right behind her, was thinking exactly the same. 

[nneefa]

fic: linda

fandom: xiaolin showdown

characters: raimundo/kimiko, clay, omi, the tohomikos

summary: if raimundo hadn't known kimiko better, he'd think she was fishing for a compliment, given that omi and clay had just sung her praises. as it was, he did know her better, especially if the glint in her blue eyes was anything to go by, and he suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

notes: ooh, boy. let's see where to start: 1) "linda" means "beautiful" in portuguese; 2) the park our teen kiddos are at is "Shinjuku Gyoen." i highly recommend y'all google it. it's very beautiful; 3) kimiko's yukata is based off this image; 4) this is like headcanons gone wild, but most importantly, credit goes to @sunbirddtellsstories for "Tomoko." i can only hope i portrayed her the way she was intended to be. 5) dedicated to the anon that asked me for raikim. i hope to the heavens that i portrayed the characters accurately.

[[MORE]]

❀

Raimundo barely had time to brace himself as the chilly spring air cut past the defenses of his layered clothing, right down to his bones.

He fought the urge to shiver as he sunk lower and lower into his coat, pulling his skull cap further over his ears before burrowing his hands into the safety of his coat pockets. He watched Clay shake like a pair of maracas on the ground, Omi pressed close to his side, like a squirrel clinging to a tree, in an effort to provide him warmth. He almost wanted to join them, anything to get rid of the goosebumps settling on his skin, but there was hardly any room on the blanket they sat on, with Clay's massive body taking up more than half the space, and somebody had to keep an eye out for Mr. Tohomiko for when he came back. The elderly man had insisted on getting them all hot drinks while they waited for the girls to show.

If only Kimiko were here; she could heat things up in an instant.

Speaking of Kimiko… leave it to her to take a long time, especially when this whole thing was her idea. Okay, maybe it wasn't her idea exactly - more like her sister's - but still. Japan was ridiculously cold. Where he's from, anything below sweltering was foreign, and even if he did spend the better part of three years training in the mountains of China, that didn't mean he was used to it.

Raimundo breathed a deep breath, watching it fade in the frigid air, and turned his gaze away from his friends to survey the park they were in.

Tokyo really was a beautiful city, especially in the spring. The only things he'd seen since their last visit were skyscrapers, shops, and shrines, and while those were nice and all, they paled in comparison to the city's blooming cherry blossom trees.

Sakura, Mr. Tohomiko had called them, stretched as far as the eye could see, the pink and white flowers breathtakingly beautiful against the bright blue sky, like something straight from a painting. There were hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people, families and couples and loners alike, scattered across the large expanse of the park with blankets and baskets and cameras, some seated in the sun having picnics, some relaxed beneath the shade of the trees on the petal-laden ground.

There were women, children, and even some men dressed in elaborately designed kimono for the occasion, though the bulk of them wore regular, civilian clothes, and he wondered briefly if Kimiko would be wearing hers. (He quickly banished the thought). Raimundo was pretty sure he saw at least three ponds on their walk across the park, two different sections of landscape with their own sets of flora and fauna, a pavilion located across a bridge, and from their spot beneath a Sakura tree he could even see a tower in the distance.

If it weren't for the fact that he was waiting for the others, he definitely would've gone exploring by now. What did Kimiko call this festival again? Hanabi? Hanami? Hababi? Whatever! It was nothing like he'd ever seen, and he was thankful the Tohomikos were kind enough to let them join their family outing.

Though I'd truly be thankful if they hurried up, he thought to himself as another gust of wind blew through the park. Any longer out here and I'll be a human popsicle.

Just as he was about to ask Clay and Omi to make room for him, he saw Mr. Tohomiko slip through a gap in the crowd, carrying two cup holders full of piping hot drinks. Raimundo immediately moved after him, his hands already on the drinks before the man could react. "Here, let me help you with that."

Toshiro blinked at him, surprised, but then he smiled before relinquinshing his hold on the items. "You have my gratitude, Pedrosa-san. By the way, I hope I didn't take too long. Japan's spring can be a little unforgiving at times."

"Nah, it's okay," Raimundo replied with a smile of his own, following him to where Clay and Omi were seated. "Though I'm not sure if I can say the same for our pal Clay."

"Forgive me, Bailey-san," Toshiro apologized with a slight bow of his head and a sympathetic smile once they'd reached them. "I wasn't expecting to encounter so many Goo Zombie fans in one place."

"That's quite alright, sir," said Clay, nodding his head in thanks when he handed him a drink from the tray. "If anythin', I should be the one apologizin'. Had I known you'd be swarmed, I'd gone with you."

"With your station, you must get attacked a lot," Omi said, making a grab for one of the teas. "I can't imagine what it's like to be a famous person in such a big city."

"You certainly like to try," Raimundo teased, grinning when the young boy shot him a glare over the rim of his cup.

The Dragon of Water blew into his tea before taking a sip, sparing Toshiro an earnest look. Genuinely, he added, "If you'd like, Mr. Tohomiko, we can accompany you until we return to the temple. We'll make sure no harm befalls Kimiko's papa."

Toshiro let out a hearty laugh, his smile as kind and warm as ever. "What kind young men you are! But there's no need to worry over an old man like me. Kimiko and Tomoko help me plenty already."

"Now that you mention them," Clay trailed off, curling his knees to his chest with a swig of his coffee, "what d'ya reckon's keepin' 'em?"

Toshiro fished into his coat pocket for his cell phone in order to check the time, his brows knitted in confusion. "I'm not sure," he answered. "It has been quite some time since we were scheduled to meet. Perhaps, I should call them."

"Knowing Kimiko, she probably lost track of time doing her nails again, right, Omi?" Raimundo joked, elbowing him with a wink after placing the trays on the blanket. "It wouldn't be the first time, now would it?"

"Nor the last," the younger monk agreed, recalling the time where their friend forgot the Ancient Scroll of the Shen Gong Wu over her panda faces.

"What d'ya think it is this time?" Raimundo asked with a grin, pilfering a cup of hot cocoa from the tray before opting to lean against the tree. "Giraffes or smiley faces?"

Omi shook his head. "She did smiley faces last week." Then he smiled and said, "My butt's on teddy bears."

"Uh, that's 'bet's,' bro," Raimundo corrected him with a raised brow. "I think she'll settle for something simple this time, like french tip."

"My wager's on flowers," Clay added, gesturing to the pink petals on the ground with his cup. "It'd certainly fit the theme of this here's festival."

As the boys continued to ponder over Kimiko's possible nail designs, Toshiro watching the exchange with a hint of amusement, none of them noticed the girls making their way through the crowd, towards their group. Not until one of them called out to Mr. Tohomiko.

"Papa!" Tomoko exclaimed, earning everyone's attention.

She looked completely out of breath as she came to a stop in front of her father, though that did nothing to stop her from smiling, and she hugged him just before launching into an explanation in Japanese. Apparently, her fans had swarmed her on the way here too, and wouldn't let her leave until she'd signed every single autograph and taken every single group photo there was to offer. It was thanks to the efforts of Kimiko that they even made it at all.

Raimundo heard a series of footsteps from behind father and daughter, followed by a chain of frustrated grunts, and knew it was Kimiko and her friend Keiko. Clay and Omi stood up, eager to finally see their teammate after what felt like hours in the cold, dusting cherry blossoms off of their clothes in the process. The Shoku leader smirked into his cup before closing his eyes and taking a swig of his cocoa, relishing in the sweetness just as Kimiko came into view.

"Geez, Kim. It took you long enough," he teased after swallowing his drink. "D'you have any idea how long we've been waiting for y-" But the faux complaint died on his lips when he finally opened his eyes and saw her, and in that moment only one word came to mind.

"What," Kimiko shot back with a raised brow, a smirk dancing across on her face. "Cat got your tongue? Say something!"

If Raimundo had thought Tokyo was beautiful in the spring before, then that was nothing compared to how Kimiko looked now. While a tiny, fleeting part of him had hoped she was wearing a kimono, he hadn't really expected her to go the whole nine, considering how much she'd loathed them in the past, but then again, it wouldn't really be Kimiko if she wasn't constantly proving him wrong.

She stood out like a flower all on her own in her black kimono, a dark swirl in a sea of color. Small pink and white petals adorned the top half of it, much like the cherry blossoms surrounding them, including the sleeves, though the closer it got to the bottom, they varied in size and shape until it was bursting with color, and holding it all together was a bright, gold sash and red string. Of course, her outfit wouldn't be complete if she didn't have a purse to match. Her hair was fashioned with both the Tangled Web Comb and Changing Chopsticks in an elaborately braided bun, her face framed by the loose, black curls that managed to escape her updo.

Had it been him three years ago, he'd have acted like an idiot and teased her on the spot, anything to downplay his attraction. But now, at 16-years-old, Raimundo found himself, not for the first time, speechless. She was- Kimiko was-

"Beautiful!" Omi had blurted at the top of his lungs.

Raimundo hadn't realized he'd been gawking at her like some kinda dopey, cross-eyed schoolboy until the small monk was no longer at his side, but fluttering about Kimiko with all the tenacity of a 13-year-old boy in love. Quickly, he averted his gaze to Keiko, whom he acknowledged with a nod of his head, as heat settled in his ears and cheeks, and for once since he'd arrived in Japan, he found himself grateful for the cold. He didn't trust his voice and he was pretty sure he looked like a tomato right now.

"Look at you! Well, aren't you 'bout as pretty as a magnolia in May?" Clay remarked, tipping his hat up with a finger to get a better view of their friend.

Omi nodded his head with a flourish as he admired her apperance from head to toe. "You look very pretty, Kimiko. You've even managed to incorporate the Changing Chopsticks into your wardrobe this time!"

Kimiko's cheeks darkened, though she beamed at their compliments, and she touched the aforementioned Shen Gong Wu with her free hand. "You like? At first I wasn't going to add them, but it went too well with my outfit to pass up. Plus, you never know when it'll come in handy."

"And look!" Omi cooed excitedly, taking her hand and holding it up like he'd just uncovered a new Shen Gong Wu. "She even styled her nails after France, just like you said Raimundo."

Quietly, she looked to Rai, who hadn't said a single word since she'd first arrived and raised a brow at him, her cocky smirk ever-present. "Well, Rai? What do you think?"

If Raimundo hadn't known Kimiko better, he'd think she was fishing for a compliment, given that Omi and Clay had just sung her praises. As it was, he did know her better, especially if the glint in her blue eyes was anything to go by, and he suddenly felt very uncomfortable. She'd purposely put him on the spot. (Granted, Omi did it first; he'd have to have a little talk with him about this later). He was vaguely aware that the guys were staring at him, anticipating his next words, but thankfully Tomoko had latched onto her sister's arm before Raimundo could loosen the knot on his tongue and speak.

He released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding when the older Tohomiko girl had pulled her, and by extension Keiko, towards Toshiro for a group photo, with Omi as their photographer. Clay put a hand on Raimundo's shoulder as the group huddled together, a soft, yet knowing smile overtaking the cowboy's lips.

"That pretty, huh?" Clay asked, dropping his hand when Rai looked at him.

Though his hot cocoa was long gone, Raimundo felt a warmth settle in his stomach as turned back to face the group, just in time to see a genuine smile break out over Kimiko's face. For the first time ever, he found himself admitting a very obvious truth: Kimiko was beautiful.

"Yeah."

Clay blinked, taken aback by his best friend's gentle admission, but it didn't last very long and soon he found himself smiling too.

[xiaolindude]

when does it stop // raijack ficlet

There’s a lot of uncertainty in Rai’s life at the moment. Not only is he directionless and lost without a cause, but now Jack Spicer is popping in and out of Rio as he pleases; Rai can’t help but wonder how and when this is all going to end.

---

“Is it just me or is it really fucking loud in here?!”

Raimundo is not, by nature, an anxious person. Sure, he’s insecure, uncertain about a lot of things, impatient, often over-dramatic… the list goes on, but anxious isn’t on there. It’s a rarity.

So this weird, uncomfortable buzzing surging through him right now (not to mention the associated nausea) is remarkably unfamiliar. So unfamiliar that it’s just making him feel worse, because what the hell is going on?!

His heart hammers, palms sweating; he feels his blood pounding wildly in his ears, notices the shake of his fingers and the way his entire body twitches with unused, nervous energy. What’s happening to him? He’s sick. He’s gotta be sick. He needs to sit down. Or maybe run, he can’t decide.

Jack just stares.

“Uh… no, it’s not that loud. Rai, are you—”

“It is loud. That overhead voice thingie?! What were they thinking, making that so loud? What, they wanna deafen people?” He mutters a few things in Portuguese, the words coming too fast, tripping over each other on their way out. “And there’s too many…” Too many other noises! Too many other people! Too many colours! Too much of everything. It’s like everything has been amplified ten times over and he’s starting to feel closed-in, trapped, stuck in this supermarket with Jack and too many strangers.

They’d only come out to stock up on junk food.

As if out of nowhere, there’s a hand on his arm and Rai whips around wildly, only to find Jack closer now and wearing a concerned frown.

“You’re being weird, Pedrosa. What’s happening? You okay…?”

Rai can’t answer. They’re exactly the questions he’s been asking himself.

His panic must show plainly on his face because Jack let’s his hand trace down his arm until their fingers are linked together and he gives Rai’s a squeeze.

“Alright, Wind Bag, let’s go. You can finish this freak out somewhere else.”

For now, Rai doesn’t have the presence of mind to argue. They leave empty-handed.

After the oppressive heat and noise and crowds of the supermarket, it’s a relief to be outside. He stands smaller than usual, huddled in on himself and trying to ignore his shortness of breath and the crazy rate of his heart beat. He watches Jack’s mouth open as if to speak, only for the other man to seemingly thing better of it and start walking in silence.

It doesn’t help. Rai wishes Jack would speak, just so he has something to distract him from the endless thoughts spiralling in his head. Where has all this come from?! One minute they’d been happily bickering over which chips to get and the next, Rai was suddenly thinking about stupid things like his direction in life and the choices he’d made and the very real possibility of Jack leaving Rio one day for the last time. Forever.

The thought has his throat sticking and something in his chest tightening like it’s been screwed up into a tight ball. It’s all weight and pointy edges and he doesn’t know how to shift it, and the more helpless he feels, the worse it gets, and the worse it gets, the more helpless he feels.

It’s awful. He can’t bring himself to voice any of this and he’s silent but twitchy as they walk, eyes darting all over the place and his hands shaking, even the one Jack is still holding.

It’s only when they’re back in the Airbnb and Jack is hanging up his jacket that something inside of Rai snaps.

“What’s happening?” he asks, mind too full-up to worry about the way his voice trembles.

Jack looks up and frowns at Raimundo like he might be crazy. “You tell me, man.”

That is entirely unhelpful and has Rai clenching his teeth. “I don’t know!” he blurts. “I don’t know anything!”

He stalks past Jack, goes to throw himself down on the couch but then thinks better of it. No, he needs to keep moving.  So he paces instead, staring unseeingly at some point in the distance and trying to push down the rising feeling of nausea.

The sun has gone behind heavy clouds and there’s no lights on; the place is quiet and dark, but Rai prefers it that way. Less overwhelming. Way better than the supermarket. Jack’s voice is quiet and careful, like he’s choosing his words deliberately, but it breaks the silence suddenly enough for Rai to jump a little.

“Sounds a lot like a panic attack from where I’m standing…” Jack’s voice almost sounds sympathetic.

What?! A panic attack?! He’s never had one of those in his life! Why now?!

Still, it’s good to have a label and a reason for what’s happening with him, plus it’s something he knows Jack has experienced a few times. He’d seen it at least once and had felt utterly helpless, unsure of what to do or say to help. But Jack’ll know what to do, right?

“I hate it. How do I… when does it stop?”

“… I don’t know? When it stops. I guess?” Rai glares; Jack just shrugs. “It depends.”

‘It depends’? He’s heard that one too many times for his liking. A lot of stuff seems to ‘depend’ these days. What if he asked Jack ‘hey, you keep leaving and I get why, but you’re always gonna come back, right?’ That’d be another ‘it depends’, he imagines. The thought worsens the sickness in his stomach, and he paces faster, practically frenzied as he lifts a hand to clench in his hair, panic throbbing through him and making his limbs ache.

“Just… jeez, breathe, Rai… Okay, can you just tell me what’s got you so worked up out of nowhere?”

Rai wants to get mad, but the look on Jack’s face is genuinely concerned. Caring. So he swallows, staring for a couple of moments before letting out a sharp sigh, shaking his head and resuming his pacing.

“Everything? I dunno. I don’t know where it came from but I feel like such shit. Like, dude, what am I doing? With my entire life, I mean? I was supposed to be a Xiaolin Dragon! But I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t even go Heylin. I can’t… I keep trying and I can’t do shit! And now…?” He scoffs. There’s no need to finish that thought. Jack knows well enough how badly Rai is floundering these days.

“And you?” His tone is suddenly accusatory. “When are you gonna leave Rio and just not come back, huh?”

“’When’?! Like that’s a given?!” Jack actually has the nerve to look affronted; Rai glowers right back and there’s venom in his words as he spits them out.

“Would it be a surprise? You’ve done it before.”

Harsh, but true. If Rai wasn’t enough to stick around for five years ago, then he sure as hell isn’t now, when he’s completely devoid of purpose or direction. This is like round two for them – some insecure, bitter part of Rai has just been waiting for Jack to decide he’s had enough and take off again.

For a moment, Jack looks like Rai slapped him. “Did you really…” His voice rises in anger for a moment, only for him to cut himself off, take a breath and stride over to Raimundo, grabbing his arms and pulling him to a stop. Rai tugs back, resisting. “Will you just stop for a second? Fucking hell, Pedrosa, just stop. Stop.”

Finally, Rai does. He stares at Jack, face drained of all anger, and now? He just looks scared. And about 10 years younger.

Jack swallows. “I can’t promise anything. But you know I have no intention of leaving for good.”

It’s not enough. Rai winces, screwing his eyes shut for a moment and turning his head away. “You can’t promise anything, Jack, that’s exactly it. You can’t… give me a solid answer. And I get it, but I never know when I’m gonna see you again and I can’t…” He shakes his head, turning away completely so Jack doesn’t see the tears in his eyes.

This whole panic attack thing can kiss his ass. This is the worst.

“… I don’t know what to do.” His voice cracks; he hears it and it’s painful and pathetic.

There’s a moment of heavy stillness and then Jack’s hand is at his shoulder, turning Rai around to face him. Rai’s gone too far – he waits for Jack to yell at him, to argue against his accusations and answer back and maybe call Rai a name for good measure. What he is absolutely not prepared for is a very gentle, mournful look and to be pulled into a tight hug.

For a second, Rai is stiff in Jack’s arms, just processing what’s going on and trying to make sense of it all. It’s too easy, though, to melt into the embrace and he presses his face into Jack’s shoulder, arms winding round his neck. This lasts a while. They’re silent and still, except for Rai’s shaking and Jack’s hand easing up and down Rai’s back.

“This is a panic attack,” Jack eventually mutters into Raimundo’s hair, and his voice is about as gentle as Rai has ever heard it. “It sucks ass, I know, trust me. But it’ll pass.”

Rai doesn’t know what to say. He’s not even sure he could speak if he tried right then. Being held and comforted and listened to and taken seriously had always meant so much to him, but from Jack? It means so much more. He knows just how big a deal it is that Jack is being so tender with him.

He’s getting lost in his thoughts again – it’s too good, it’s going too well, he’ll want to leave soon, he’ll get bored – and the panic is bubbling up in his chest when he’s caught off-guard by the gentle press of lips against his head. He blinks in surprise, swallowing and nuzzling closer into Jack.

Saudades de você. “I… I just missed you.” Well. He had. Was that stupid? Pathetic? They were never even really together. But they’d loved each other, that much Rai was absolutely certain about.

“That’s pretty gay, Rai,” Jack murmurs playfully; Raimundo actually smiles at that. He feels Jack smile too, but doesn’t look up, not ready to pull away from the hug just yet. Not when it really does feel like Jack is physically holding the crumbling pieces together.

“Strictly off record,” Jack adds in a would-be-casual voice, voice still soft, “I missed you too. But don’t go blabbing and ruining my reputation.”

This actually makes Rai laugh, the sound more a breath than anything. It hits him that his breathing has calmed enough for him to be able to laugh like that and with this realisation, he notices that his heart rate and swirling thoughts have slowed too. He draws back a little so he can look at Jack, who lifts a hand and brushes his fingertips along Rai’s cheekbone. Rai leans into the touch, eyes closed, letting out a slow, shaking breath.

Jack waits for Rai’s eyes to open again before speaking. “I’m not going anywhere, okay?”

Rai swallows, gazing right back and nodding his head.

“… ‘kay…”

Despite it all, Rai can’t help but believe him.

One hand curled into a fist at the front of Jack’s shirt, he drags the other man in for a kiss that’s a thank you and a please and a cry for help and a plea to stay all in one, knowing that Jack will listen.

--

Rai doesn’t thank him until later.

They’re curled up in bed, legs tangled together and each lost in their own thoughts. Rai’s still shaken, but the worst has passed and he knows that Jack is to thank for that. His first panic attack was one of the worst things he’s felt in a long time and he’s unspeakably grateful that Jack was there to talk him down.

A strong, callused hand lifts, fingers brushing through Jack’s hair and kissing him slowly, easily, because dammit, all of this feels so good and natural. “… obrigado, meu querido,” he murmurs, nudging his nose against Jack’s and watching his eyes light up and his cheeks flush at the term of endearment. He knows how much Jack loved that. His arms wind around Rai; Rai settles in, thumb rubbing circles at Jack’s hip.

“Hmm… how do I say something cute and sappy, like ‘you’re welcome, my love?’” Jack asks, clearly in two minds – half teasing, half serious.

Rai laughs, ignoring the faint blush on his own cheeks and starting to talk Jack through the pronunciation. “C’mon, man, you know ‘meu amor’, I told you that one yesterday…”

If nothing else is certain in this moment – and it sure as hell isn’t - he at least knows Jack loves him. That’s enough.

[razzzmatazz]

I know I did something like this a while ago but that was more of a characters I relate to, which isn’t really right for me. I don’t really have any characters I relate to when I think about it, but I definitely have ones that inspire me to be a better person.

So that’s kinda what this is. 

These characters have always stuck with me, having a special place in my heart and helping keep my mind strong. They all have strengths, or something special about them that inspires me to have or make the same strength. 

Kagome Higurashi: From one of the first animes I watched. I remember staying up late every single night before to catch Inuyasha when it would air late on Adult Swim. If anyone could put a picture on kindness, it would be her. I was always amazed by just how kind she was to everyone she ever met, and helped bring out kindness in other people. There’s many other positive things about Kagome, but that’s always what I was drawn to and wanted to be like.

Shanks: From the very first episode, I wanted to be like him. Shanks always put his friends first, not really caring what happened to himself. That, and some of his quotes just really speak to me. 

“By experiencing both victory and defeat, running away and shedding tears, a man will become a man. It's okay to cry, but you have to move on.” 

There’s several other good quotes from him, but this one sticks out to me. It’s stuff like this that helps give me strength. He even inspires other characters in the show, how can I not be inspired by him?

Sunset Shimmer: Actually, I lied. If there’s anyone I relate to it’s Sunset. She’s done some pretty bad things in her past but was allowed a chance at redemption and took it. She never really understood what friends were before that, and now she tries to help others that had been like her. Either falling down that same path or already on it. She’s one of the characters that gives me hope, telling me that-- yeah, you did some fucked up stuff, but you have to make it better. Try and be better, show you’re better to those who helped pull you up.

Sabo: To have a cause to stand for and the strength to stand up for it is something that’s always inspired me. Something I was I could do and try so hard to be like. I’ve spent a lot of my life being silent, letting things just happen and not speaking up when people needed me to. I don’t want to be like that anymore. And whether it’s a call for justice or my friends, I have something I can stand up for now.

Raimundo Pedrosa: Rai’s a bit different from the others on here. He’s one of those characters you grow up with, learning as they do. When you first see him, he’s cocky, a bit full of himself, and was very quick to fight without thinking. As you go along with him though, he learns from his mistakes, takes time to study his team and enemies, stand up and be a leader. He learns that doing the right thing isn’t always the easiest choice, having joined the enemies side several times to take the easy way out, and that doing the right thing requires sacrifice sometimes. He had to earn becoming leader, but there wasn’t anyone better suited for it in the end.

Kiki: Kiki makes me think of one of my favorite quotes from Johnny the Homicidal Maniac. 

“There's nothing terribly wrong with feeling lost, so long as that feeling precedes some plan on your part to actually do something about it. Too often a person grows complacent with their disillusionment, perpetually wearing their "discomfort" like a favorite shirt. I can't say I'm very pleased with where my life is just now... but I can't help but look forward to where it's going. “

Although she’s a much more PG representation of that than Johnny is. She knows who she is and what she wants to be. Somewhere along the way though.. she looses herself. Can’t fly anymore and can’t understand Gigi. Her magic is gone and it takes a lot of searching to get it back. She gives the message and inspiration to try, try, and just keep trying. Setting out on your own can be scary, and there’s going to be setbacks, but you can do it.

Asakura Yoh: Yoh’s another favorite from some of the first shows I watched. He’s carefree and very laidback, much different from everyone else on here. But that’s good sometimes I think. Worrying about too much stuff can stress a person to death. It’s important to find a balance between keeping a relaxed attitude and just plain old not caring. He’s always been positive, had a positive attitude and that’s something I want to have as well.

Mulan: Putting family first, even when they don’t put you first can be hard. And I know it’s a time period thing but it still happens. A lot of what inspires me is just the amount of bravery and strength she shows. I’ve never really been the one that people would think could be brave, but I’d like to be. I want to be able to find that courage and do something with it.

[galactic-aesir]

Road Trip!: Chapter Three

After getting hit with an anti-magic Shen Gong Wu that leaves Dojo unable to fly them back to China, the Dragons in training, plus Jack Spicer in tow, road trip across America towards the Bailey’s family ranch.

Surprising no one, it doesn’t go as planned.

Rating: Gen Tags: Multi-Chapter Fics, Road Trips, Temporary Truce, Dialogue Heavy, Dubious Placement in Canon

Read it on AO3 Read Chapter One

Keatt guffawed as they attempted to push the car towards the garage. The wreck was flat on its rims with a broken back axle. Even with the five of them at it, all they managed to do was make a two foot car-shaped groove in the muddy ground. One final heave sent them tripping over each other and crashing into the mud as Keatt bent over double, smacking his knee as he laughed.

“Ooh, fellas,” he tried saying between hiccups of laughter. “I haven’t suckered idiots like you in a while.”

He wiped a tear from his eye and tried to compose himself but the mocking smile on his face betrayed his amusement as they shook the mud off themselves.

“Anyways, I’ll be in the office. You have ‘til sundown to fix the car. Get off my property any later and I’ll call the cops on ya for loitering. Got it?”

With that, he sauntered off back to the office building leaving the monks plus Jack alone in the scrapyard. They grumbled as he left before turning their attention to the car.

“Great going, Pedrosa,” Jack snipped.

“Hey! I got us a car, didn’t I?!”

Omi looked at it curiously. “Does it qualify as a car?”

“No, it doesn’t, Omi.”

“Aw, come on, Kimiko.”

“Raimundo,” Kimiko said, cutting the brazilian off. “It’s a deathtrap past its prime. It’s an ex-car.”

Clay scratched at his head as he looked it over. “Woowie. I’ll admit, Rai. It looks like it won last place at the local derby seven years running.”

“So?” Raimundo said. “Jack can fix it.”

Split between agreeing with the praise and tearing into him, Jack settled with both. “Of course I can fix it! I’m a genius. But I can’t do it out here! How the hell are we supposed to get this into the garage?”

Clay peeked over his shoulder to see if Keatt was out of sight. Seeing no one around, he turned to the rest of him with a smile and motioned them all to get out of the way. “Don’t worry, y’all. I’ll have her out of there in a jiffy.”

Before anyone could ask him how, the texan smashed his foot to the ground.

“Earth!”

A column of earth erupted from under the car and pushed it into the air. Clay jumped onto the hood and with a wave of his hand began directing the wave beneath him. Riding it like a surfboard, Clay propelled the car towards the garage, whooping all the way. The monks watched him go.

“Huh, that works.”

***

After moving the car over into the garage, Jack toured them around the scrapyard with a rusty shopping cart. It took them the major part of an hour to fill it with the remnants of disused cars and partially wrecked trucks. They’d managed to find half of two engines and a replacement for the back axle along with a few other parts that Jack figured they would need and hauled them to the waiting car.

In the garage, surrounded by car parts and tools, Jack looked in his element. He spun a wrench in his hand and puffed up his chest as the monks looked over the piles of scrap. “I told you you’d need my help!”

“No, you didn't,” Kimiko said, utterly unimpressed.

He wagged the wrench at her. “It was implied!”

At the continued unimpressed looks from the monks Jack rolled his eyes.

“Whatever, now that I’ve got pretty much everything I need, I should be done with this in, like, four hours tops.”

“Four hours?” Raimundo said. “Can’t you go any faster?”

“Hey! If you want to frankenstein an engine out of scrap faster then be my guest, Pedrosa.” When Raimundo scowled at him Jack continued. “I’m just saying, losers; you need me. In fact,” he added tapping his chin in thought, “I don’t even know why I’m helping you out! I could just fix this car and leave by myself.”

At this, the monks took out their Wu nonchalantly if not menacingly. Jack shrank, laughing nervously, and relaxed only when the monks stashed their weapons.

“Haha, no worries, wouldn’t dream about it. I’ll have this thing working better than it ever did in its sorry life, you’ll see!”

“You’d better, Spicer,” said Kimiko.

“Wait, so what are we supposed to do while you work?”

Jack shrugged. “Don’t know, don't care, just as long as you stay out of my way.”

Dojo popped up from underneath Clay’s hat where he had decided to stay until they got on the road. It’d be easiest to hide himself under there if that swindler ever came back to check on them.

“I don’t know about you kids but I’m feeling a bit peckish.”

“Alright, I’ll go for snacks,” Kimiko said. “Clay, you wanna come?”

“Sure.”

“Ooh, get me a ginger ale!”

“And why should I?” she asked.

“Because I’m fixing the car and, wait, hold on, let me think, oh yeah: it’s my money!”

Kimiko frowned, he was right of course, not that she was going to admit it. Jack was a jerk and they may be stuck together for now but that didn’t mean she needed to like it. Or make it easy for him after all the grief he had put them through. Instead of a response, she turned to the rest of the monks, ignoring him completely.

“Omi, you coming?”

“Oh, I would like to help Jack! I am most interested in this motorhead stuff!”

“Gearhead.”

“That too!”

“Absolutely not,” would have been the words that Jack would have used. Instead, they died in his throat after the first syllable as Omi’s face fell, eyes welling with tears. Jack, for all the evilness in his pitch black heart, could not ignore the puppy dog eyes and so he swallowed down the words and huffed. “Alright, fine, you can hand me my tools or something.”

“Yes!”

Kimiko turned to their remaining member.

“Rai?”

“I’ll stay behind. Someone’s gotta keep an eye on you-know-who from stealing our you-know-what.”

“I’m right here!”

“Alright, then. We’ll be in that convenience store just outside of town. See you in a bit.”

Clay lazily waved a hand as they left. “Don’t trash the place, y’all.”

***

“Cheesehead, pass me a 3/8th wrench.”

Omi hummed as he looked at the open toolbox in front of him. It had many drawers and many more tools inside of it in a wide variety of shapes. The little monk was perplexed to find that he had absolutely no idea what any of them did. Nonetheless, Omi was not to be discouraged. Relying on his Tiger instincts, he quickly grabbed a tool he was sure Jack needed and placed it into Jack’s outstretched hand.

The hand quickly retracted as Jack went back to work. Omi congratulated himself. Even with no prior knowledge, he was no match for this task! Surely this was proof of his incredible skill and intelligence!

His pride was quickly dashed however when Jack straightened himself out of the hood and frowned at him. He pointed at the tool.

“This is a screwdriver.”

“Oh!” said Omi. “What does it do?”

Jack tipped his head back and groaned. “Ugh, I can’t work like this! Where’s a loyal minion when you need one?”

Raimundo zipped by them, using a floor creeper as a skateboard.

“Probably in that scraphead over there,” he grinned, pointing his thumb at what remained of the Jackbots.

“Hey! They’re not scrap!” Jack said, moving over to the pile of ex-Jackbots, as if to protect them. “They’re the meticulously engineered product of my incredible genius! They’re the pinnacle of modern robotics! Years ahead of their time!”

“Dude, they’re just robots.”

“Yes, and not particularly robust ones at that.”

Jack gasped and hugged the ex-robots, draping himself over the pile. “Don’t listen to them, they’re just jealous. Daddy loves you.”

“Weird.”

“Whatever,” Jack said, making his way back to the car.

He paused as a thought struck him and flipped the screwdriver in his hand before sitting himself down at the workbench to work on his robots.

“Hey, you’re supposed to fix the car, Spicer!”

“Yeah yeah, it can wait, this is more important,” he said prying the panel of a bot open and removing a small black component. Compared to the rest of the Jackbots, this part was obviously made solid with hard steel and heavy rivets. Wuya’s insignia on it glistened silver on the center of each one.

“What’s that?” Raimundo asked, leaning over Jack’s shoulder.

“Why’re you on my case, Pedrosa?”

Raimundo squinted at Jack. “‘Cause you’re evil.”

“Thank you!” Jack cupped his hands under his chin and batted his eyelashes at him.

“That wasn’t a compliment,” the Dragon of Wind frowned. “You could be building a bomb or something. I don’t trust you to just tinker around.”

Jack’s mouth was pressed into a line as he regarded the Xiaolin monk. “As tempting as it is, Raimundo, that wouldn’t help us out. Or me. Besides,” he said, mouth twirling into a smirk. “How would you even know if I was building one anyways?”

Raimundo's eyes went wide as it dawned on him. Jack looked on with a knowing smirk amongst the car parts and scrap metal and old wiring. He would have no idea if Jack was setting up a trap or a bomb. He would have to go on the Heylin’s word. Sensing this, Jack's lips curled further into a wicked grin.

“Huh. Guess we’ll just have to trust each other then.”

***

An electric jingle played as they walked passed the automatic doors. The cashier at the front offered them a welcoming hello before turning back to watch a baseball game on the old dusty TV set in the corner of the shop. It was a general store that had been repurposed many times over the course of its long life. It was old but clearly cared for by the current owner.

Clay and Kimiko set out between the scant aisles to get snacks for their friends and Jack. Kimiko was considering buying an off-brand ginger ale for Jack out of spite when Clay came around the corner with a mountain of chips and snack cakes. She snorted at the sight of him teetering under the mountain of snacks that were threatening to fall on top of him.

“Hold on there cowboy,” she said, the corners of her mouth twitching upwards, taking a few off his hands. “We can't blow our budget on snacks.”

Clay sighed and looked longingly at the snacks Kimiko was replacing onto the shelves. “I figure you’re right, there, Kimiko. I’d hazard saying that we still need to pay for at least one night at a motel.”

“‘At least’? How far are we from Texas?”

“It’s not exactly a hop, skip and a jump but it ain’t that far. I’d reckon a 30-sum hour drive?”

Kimiko’s face scrunched at the thought of being stuck in America for that long, let alone that long in a car with Jack Spicer.

“Is there anyway we could go faster, Clay?”

“No can do, Kimiko. ‘Less you want cops riding our tails.”

Kimiko grumbled. She grabbed a cheap ginger ale from the coolers and slammed the door shut.

“Figures.”

***

In the end, Jack hadn't actually been making a bomb. All he did was take out the small components out his bots and put them into his Wu-stealing bag, which Rai had asked about and yes, apparently not only did Jack have a bag just for stealing their Wu, he also kept it on his person at all times so he could haul his broken Jackbots back home at the end of a showdown.

“I don't get it, dude. Why don't you just build them better?”

“With, what?” he said, tossing the bag in the backseat next to his folded up trenchcoat and busted helipod. “Military grade steel and explosives? Do you know how hard it is to get a hold of that stuff?”

“Aren't you, you know,” Raimundo made air quotes, “‘an evil genius’?”

“An evil boy genius,” he specified, turning up his nose at the monk. He then paused and frowned. Looking embarrassed, he mumbled, “My parents won't buy me the good stuff anymore.”

Raimundo and Omi laughed at him.

Jack grabbed a wrench and made his way to the engine block. “Keep laughing, Xiaolin losers! Once I hit 18, you're screwed!”

“Jack Spicer, it would be unwise for you to wait until you are older!” Omi warned, running after him. “We train everyday to develop our abilities and we will only grow stronger! You will be left behind unless you begin training now!”

“Omi, please stop helping the bad guy,” grumbled Raimundo.

“Pssh, I don’t need help. Or training. I have robots for that. So have fun ‘waxing on, waxing off’ for the rest of your lives,” Jack said miming the movement. “Speaking of which, get going Raimundo. That car won’t clean itself.”

“Who said anything about cleaning?”

“I did,” Jack said with a smirk. “Get going, oh-so-noble Xiaolin Dragon of the Wind. The fight against cleanliness is an eternal struggle.”

“Indeed it is,” said Omi solemnly, thinking of Raimundo’s room back at the temple. “One that Raimundo is sorely losing.”

“Aw, what?”

“It would be wise for you to train on this Raimundo,” Omi said wisely. “As Master Fung says, ‘a tidy temple is a tidy mind,’ and it is important to keep one’s mind tidy in order to meditate. Perhaps your messiness is why you are lagging behind the rest of us!”

Raimundo was stunned out of words for a moment before squinting at the smaller Dragon as a realisation hit him.

“Is this about the chores I skipped out on yesterday?”

Omi did not hesitate. “Yes.”

“Come on, I said I was sorry!”

Jack laughed.

“Clean your mind, Raimundo,” the older teen said, waving his fingers at him. He then turned to Omi and said, “I’m teaching you how a combustion engine works. Hold this torch.”

Raimundo’s shoulders slumped as Omi bounced up to the top of the engine to get a better look at what Jack was doing. He couldn’t believe this. Was this what it felt like when he betrayed his teammates for Wuya? It sucked.

Oh wow. And just thinking about that just made him feel even worse.

Frowning, he looked to the trashed interior of the car and the quasi-unidentifiable junk littering the torn seats. With a sigh, he picked up a rag and got to work.

***

Clay and Kimiko quickly paid for the snacks and started their long walk back to the scrapyard. Once they were out of the town, Dojo popped out of his hiding place and opened a small bag of chips to munch on. There was no noise along the lonely, rarely traveled road other than the dragon’s munching and the crunch of their feet on the gravel shoulder.

Kimiko was staring intently at the styrofoam cup in her hand, fuming silently. Clay could feel the air charge around her as she boiled internally. It was strange of her. Clay wasn’t born in the metaphorical barn. He knew when something was up. In the quiet of the gentle bristle of leaves and crunching rock, his voice nearly startled her when he finally spoke.

“You mind me asking why you were so peeved off about no gettin’ back to the temple?” he asked casually enough. “This isn’t the longest we’ve been away or nothing.”

“Ugh, it’s just...” Kimiko frowned and shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

“Don’t sound like nothin’.”

“Why don’t you mind your own business, Clay?” she snapped.

Clay put his hands up in surrender. The plastic bags in his hands bounced against his arms. “Didn’t mean to pry, Kimiko.”

The Dragon of Fire felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment. She hadn’t meant to snap, especially not at Clay who was, often times, the kindest of them.

“Sorry.”

“Mmm hmm.”

Kimiko bit at her lip, as if considering whether or not to speak. Clay kept his eyes on the road ahead of them but waited patiently for her to continue. Finally, she sighed.

“I was supposed to fly out to go see my Dad in Tokyo. We were planning a surprise party for my sister. It’s her birthday tomorrow.”

Clay cocked his head. He did remember her mentioning plans to go back home but Kimiko hadn’t told them about a sister.

“Well, happy birthday, Kimiko’s sister. She older or younger?”

“Older. A lot older. She works a lot too so I don’t see her much.”

“Oh, well,” Clay said, “I’m sure she’ll understand if you can’t make it. You can always reschedule for some other time, right?”

Kimiko's shoulders sagged, all anger snuffed out of her like a candle. She looked sadly at the styrofoam cup in her hands and flicked at the plastic lid absentmindedly.

“No. Not with the kind of work she does.”

Clay didn’t say anything, leaving room for Kimiko to continue if she wanted to. He understood that family could be… complicated.

“It’s just, I––” Kimiko started and stopped, trying to find the right words. “I know what she does is super important and I get that that’s what she wants to do but I– we haven’t been the three of us together in a room in years and... and I just...”

She sighed. “I just miss them.”

They continued to walk, both lost in their own thoughts for a while.

“I miss my sister too.”

Kimiko blinked out of her reverie. “What?”

“I have an older sister too,” Clay admitted. “My dad and her don’t...” He paused. “Well, they just don’t see eye to eye, is all. She lives with my mom.”

“Oh,” was all Kimiko could say. “I didn’t know.”

Clay shrugged. “‘Cause I didn’t tell,” he said. “An’ well, listen. I ain’t much with words, Kimiko, but I’ve got a decent ear. You’re free to talk to me if ya want. Y’ain’t gotta keep it locked up, ya know? It’s bad for your health.”

Kimiko laughed softly at that. “Who told you that?”

Clay smiled. “My sister. She’s smart like you wouldn’t believe. She’s going to one of those big city universities.”

Kimiko smiled back, bright like the sun. “She sounds smart. What is she studying?”

They continued to talk as they made their way back to the scrapyard, Dojo smiling fondly down at them as they went.

[kariachi]

Alright y’all, so Sunday I’m gonna be taking fic requests! Yes one of those rare days, I just need to sit down and spend a day writing and y’all can give me shit to write.

What the deal is: I’m gonna take requests for shipping, crossover, and au fics on Sunday the 29th of January. They’ll likely be short, although I promise I will try to make sure each is at least 300 words long.

What are the guidelines?: You can request just about anything in the priorly noted categories, including things that fit multiple categories at once. You want Ben Tennyson and Raimundo Pedrosa in a Hogwarts setting? Ask away. You can also include a line you’d like to see used in the fic. Be as loose or as specific with your requests as you’d like.

What are the restrictions?: I will not write NSFW fics, you can send them but if they get written it’ll probably be in a SFW interpretation. I reserve the right to refuse to write ships I’m morally against (whether it’s due to pedophilia, canon abuse, incest between close relatives (Ben goes back in time and mistakenly bangs Max’s grandma? Maybe. Ben bangs Gwendolyn? Not happening.) etc) and to write ships that are NOTPs (don’t even bother, papa).

If you send me a request for a fandom I don’t know I will likely not be writing it, though I will make sure to let you know so you can make another request to take it’s place.

Fandoms I know and will write fic focusing in include:

Ben 10 (feel free to specify universes, fan AUs, etc)

The Librarians

Digimon (excepting season 4 of the anime)

Pokemon (excepting all anime after Johto)

Tenchi Muyo!

Almost Naked Animals (if you’re a fan of this show please send in a request, or at least say hi, I think I might be the only one left)

Xiaolin Showdown

Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles

This list isn’t comprehensive and I may have forgotten some, so feel free to ask.

Fandoms I know well enough to write AUs involving them include:

Dragonriders of Pern (please specify what level of canon compliance you’d like)

His Dark Materials (daemon stuffs)

Harry Potter

Heralds of Valdemar (again, if you’re a fan say hi)

Discworld

More general AUs are also acceptable (centaur au, superhero au, horror au, etc) as well as specific, character focused ones (such as AUs where, say, Gwendolyn has Kevin’s powers).

I hope to start writing at 9 am and continue until I run out of requests or collapse on my keyboard. Requests sent in after Sunday will no longer be on the list and be done or ignored solely at my discretion.

If you have any questions, ask here

?

[narvana27]

The time... Has come...

(xD)

The Childhood of Raimundo Pedrosa in my headcanon of him:

[Part #1.]

We all know Rai worked in a circus when he lived in Brazil. We could read that on the internet and websites dedicated to xiaolin, but in original xiaolin showdown there wasnt't a single word on that. I started to create my own history of Rai's childhood, and it wasn't very happy. Then the xiaolin chronicles happends, and there we actually saw Raimundo's backstory a litlle: He was a clown, or he was just made to wear clown clothes while he cleaned circus animal cages out of animals poop. And he was just couple years old when he worked like that. Couple. Years. Old. So, you know, Im gonna call myself ✨genius✨ and ✨clairvoyant✨ (what a weird word, Im sorry xD) for thinking about Rai's childhood as a bad experience before it was confirmed. That's my flex, but to the point: We still dont know (or I dont remember) if he worked there because it was his family buisness, which to me is the most likely version of events, or he worked there as a complete stranger at stranger's people buisness. All we know about Rai's past and family etc. is that he have 8 more siblings - a lot, but for Brazilian standards - let's say normal. So, let's focus on the most probable version - that he worked there bacuse it is his family buisness. Now - If we knew that a couple years old kid is working, and his duty is to clean animals poops all day, what we gonna say about parents of that kid? It's not normal to let your child do that stuff. Being in contact with excrements, animal excrements to be more specific - is dangerous! It is simply dangerous for ANYONE, you have to have special tools like masks and gloves to protect yourself from that, if you have contacts with that for longer time. We see them wearing masks and gloves when they changes Dojo's litter box:

But in Chronicles there is showed that he had NOTHING!

Nothing but some shitty gloves that I dont even know were what for cuz they dont see like they're made for work like that, a shuffle or a scoop, whatever. And, ofcourse, like it's not enough of being humiliated - his clown makeup and big, round, red nose. So... The question is - WHO would let to be it that way for him? For couple years old child? A good mother, a good father? I dont think so, a psychopath to say at least! In my headcanon Rai's father was crazy, mad, often furious tyrant, a bully. Bully for his kids, wife and anyone else. His wife and Raimundo's mother was simply scared to do something with that, like many other womans who experienced home violence. She thought she had no where to go, with all of her 9 children? Run away? Where? It was barely possibille to have an eye on them while being alone. So she didnt run. She didnt even tried. She and her kids were beaten by this man when they did something wrong, when they made a mistake while selling tickets, while performing, cleaning etc. When they tried ti stand up by themselves and say or do somethin against him. He didn't care about hia kid's vell being till they could work for him and the circus. Be waitedas long with taking them to any kind of mediacal help as long as he could, and when the meds were need - he didnt buy it or he would make them "pay their debs" after all, by working even harder then usuall. Every child in the family have to know every stuff they did in the circus, in case if someone couldnt perform. So everyine of 9 siblings knew how to jungle, walk on the rope etc. Ofcourse every fall or mistake was punished. Through so many years of tyranium only two of the oldest Rai's siblings was lucky enough to break free - his older brother, the firs born, and his older sister, the second born. He didnt have much of contacts with them, cuz he was mad at them for nit trying (or not trying enough) to help them escape too. He was scared and afraid as a child, and that is taken from the "Dream Stalker" episode where it was said clearly. But as he got older the fear was replaced with angryness. Angryness at his life situation and his father. He, as an only one to ever do that in the house - was brave enough to stand up towards him. That caused many major drama followed by many wounds and beating, but it only made Rai who he is/was: brave, daring, dealing with his problems by jokes and hiding his insecurities behind "Im always chill guy" mask.

Stay tuned fkr part 2 ✌️

[narvana27]

The Childhood of Raimundo Pedrosa in my headcanon of him part #2:

[Disclaimer]:

Since I post part #1. I saw a couple of post's about Rai being a clown in the chronicles, and no one was happy with that, which I can fully understand. I can fully get that, and tbh I learn that law in Brazil wouldn't let someone under age work as a clown, and situation with circus isn't like show has shown to us, but it didn't change my view and back story of Rai. It is simply because I have this version in my head for so long now, it's been couple of years, so it isnt that easy to forget and change it, so you have to forgive me (or dont, that's up to you ofc) and let me do him my way. Rai make me love Brazil so much, but Im not in power to know everything that I maybe should know if I want to create a proper back story of someone living there, but I hope that whatever I would write here wont hurt anyone in anyway 🙏 So:

As I explained earlier, because of living in a poor family Rai wanted to have money to be able to afford everything he didn't have as a child and teenager. He also wanted to accomplish something big, like fame or being famous footbal player. (that's in xiaolin canon, not only mine) But he also wanted to just relax. We often see him not wanting to train that hard (especially at the beggining of the show) or to clean the whole temple, so I figured out it's because of the fact he had to work his whole life since he was a kid. He wanted for ONCE just do nothing. But even tho he didnt like that whole training thing (as Wuya once said) he still did that, because he knew that the temple is his chance to have a diffrent life, to not be a slave anymore. We can see him loving Rio and Brazil still, and even saying "I shouldn't leave beautiful Rio de Janeiro" but that was said while beimg angry and under the influence of feeling unappreciated. I also think that that if he would return to Rii, he wouldn't return to his family house. He would rather find some job, even a shitty one, just to find some room somewhere and could help his family escape from the tyrany of his father. He stayed at the temple whatsoever and tried his best to became a xiaolin dragon, still having in his mind helping his family one day. The way he get himself into the temple in my imagination looks something like this: In the Episode when he got promoted he said that Fung chose him to be a monk cuz he knew he could became a dragon of wind. That could mean Fung really chosed all of them by himself - Maybe he talked to their parents also? So he chosed Rai because of his story, he wanted help him escape his household and prevent him from living on the street or something like this. So he talked with Rai's parents, hoping he will be able to convince his father to let Rai go to the China with him, but ofcourse, it didnt happend. He spoke to Raimundo himself, and at the beggining he wasnt sure if he could leave his family alone. Master Fung told him to think about it, and Rai talked about that with his mother. She told him he have to go, not only for himself, but for all of them. She wanted to help her kid having better life than she, so she was ready to take everything to take anything that her husband would do to her for letting Rai run away. She helped him escape at night, and the next day she was beated by her husband, but the rest of her kids stand up for her. Since that time Rai's sibling finally realized that even tho Rai's gone, they have "Group power", and they could change their father's bahaviour even a little bit.

Part 3 coming up.

[runningracingdancingchasing]

XS ;)

Series Opinions - Accepting

Favorite character

Raimundo Pedrosa, hands down. And funnily, I thought I’d like him because of @xiaolindude′s portrayal, but was also scared that I wouldn’t like him in the series. Not that I thought Charlie would be portraying him inaccurately, but I’m well aware that personal bias and interpretation can flavor how one plays a character, and I wanted to like him so bad. And then he turned out to deserve my love.

Second favorite character

Fffffffff... okay, prolly a toss up between Jack, Clay, Kimiko and Dojo (in no particular order). They each wormed their ways into my heart for different reasons. When the series was still new and on the air (while I was stubbornly not giving it a chance), I saw Jack Spicer art all over deviantART, and I was sooooo annoyed by him. But then I watched the show, and he’s so fucking delightful that I couldn’t believe I was so hard on him sight unseen. I loved Clay right away. I’m a huge fan of gentle giants as it is, but ones who are also Texan cowboys? That was not a dynamic I was prepared for, and I get a burst of heart bubbles every time I think about it. Kimiko is so fierce. I love that as The Girl, she did not become anyone’s love interest. It would have been so easy to make her boy crazy, but no! Also, I love that she’s multidimensional. She’s not just a Girl, she’s a fashion icon and a tech genius! You go, Kimiko! And Dojo? I love him. Yeah, he’s primarily comic relief, but no one - and I mean no one - in that series cares as much as Dojo Kanojo Cho.

Least favorite character

Hannibal Roy Bean. I just... I hate him so much. I hate the concept of him. I hate how utterly ridiculous it is. I just... as soon as I saw him, I was like, “Oh no, he’s gonna be a major player, isn’t he?” And oddly, some of his episodes are some of my favorites, but it’s because of what it does for the other characters *coughRAIcough* and not because it’s him. I wish they’d found another way to do his character.

The character I’m most like

Oh gosh, am I really most like anyone in that series? XD I guess if it’s anyone, it’s Clay? I guess? But I didn’t really have an “it me!” moment with any character other than Cat Nappe, at which point I joked with Charlie, “She’s like me, when I was eight years old, only I was never evil.” And I was referencing the period in my life when I was pretending to think I was a cat (to the point that my mom and sister got so irritated with me that my mom (jokingly) gave me cat food for breakfast one day). But like, Ashley and I aren’t actually very alike.

Favorite pairing

Eh, I’m straight up indifferent to pairings in Xiaolin Showdown, unless you count platonic or teammates. Cause like... Jack and Wuya were fantastic when they were on the same team (but I hated how her character was altered when she was on Chase’s team).

I’mma just selfishly go with Raipunzel. X3

Least favorite pairing

Chase and Wuya, I guess. XD Do people ship them? I have no idea. Probably. Oh wait, no! I bet people ship Chase and Omi! Gross! That is not a dynamic I generally go for, thanks all the same.

Favorite moment

I think my all time favorite moment in the whole show was when they left Omi behind and Rai was crying about it. That broke my fucking heart. I was not prepared for it. But also, like... Charlie really already let me know a lot of what was going to happen through explaining Rai as a character to me (and I didn’t mind, because I never expected to watch the show), but seeing his growth? Seeing his character development? Seeing him take on responsibility and becoming more powerful and formidable? Ugh. Just watch a clip show of Rai’s biggest moments, and that’s the runner up favorite moment.

Rating out of 10

I’d give it an 8/10. It is in no way a phenomenal show, but it gets bonus points for me not expecting to like it much and yet being thoroughly entertained. On average, once an episode, I found myself barking out a laugh because something caught me so off guard with how funny it was. For a show aimed at kids on the WB, it was surprisingly heartfelt and even deep at times. I would definitely rewatch it (or at least my favorite eps), but I can also easily see how it wouldn’t be for everyone.

[xiaolindude]

💀 you know i had to

@heylincorporated

send  💀 for my muse to die in your arms.

It was supposed to be their safe place.

The house they’d reconciled in, shared memories, shared years together. Their place. The only place in the world Jack has ever felt truly safe and happy.

Now it’s nothing but rubble.

They must have thought he was at home. He should have been at home – all he’d been doing was going out to get some chips. ‘Nah, Pedrosa, you keep lounging about, ya slob. I need to stretch my legs anyway,’ and he’d been gone.

Twenty minutes. He’d been gone twenty minutes, going into town, picking out the chips and meandering back home, lost in thought about his next ‘business venture’, as he liked to call it. Now he stops dead at the sight of their home, so beautiful when he’d left, now a smoking, burning ruin. His blood runs cold. No.

The chips drop to the floor as he tears into what’s left of the house.

“Raimundo?!” he shouts, scrambling over the wreckage, falling, pants catching on sharp edges and broken glass, stubbing his toes on huge chunks of brick and plaster and remnants of their furniture. Parts of the wreck are still burning, the flames dancing along their pictures and papers.

Rai is nowhere to be seen.

Jack’s voice rises, yelling for Raimundo as he continues to search through the rubble, throwing things out of his way as he moves towards the centre of the house.

And finally, Jack spots him. “Rai!”

He’s lying motionless, trapped beneath a beam, eyes closed.

Fuck, fuck, fuck! “No, no, Rai.” 

Jack hauls their couch out of his way, gritting his teeth with the exertion, then stumbles over. “Shit, Rai, wake up, c’mon…” he says, voice taut, grabbing Rai’s face and tilting it from side to side. Heart thundering, Jack reaches for Rai’s neck, searching for a pulse. When he finds one, he all but collapses in relief.

He’s gotta get that fucking beam off of him. Getting his footing, Jack crouches down and seizes the beam, struggling so hard his muscles are screaming at him; he yells in the exertion, face screwed up in his efforts. It’s no use – the beam is too heavy to even lift onto his shoulder, let alone move.

“J-Jack Bots!”

His voice shakes. Are there even any left?! Please, please let there be some left.

There’s a crashing and a whirring and two mostly intact Jack Bots approach, followed by another that is sparking and missing an arm. Three bots left – the rest are with the rubble, smoking husks of his own wasted genius. But he only needs three.

“Help me with this. Get it off him!” Jack orders desperately, still gripping at the beam. The combined efforts of three machines and one evil genius are just enough to heave the beam to the side, freeing Rai’s crushed legs and midsection.

The beam falls with a crash and some crunching; Jack pays it no mind, staring in horror at Rai’s legs, their positions all wrong. He’s broken. He’s broken and barely conscious and Jack feels like he’s gonna be sick any second. He collapses to his knees beside Rai, pulling him into his arms and holding him close, his eyes clenched shut as tears cut tracks through the dust settled on his face.

“Pedrosa, c’mon, don’t ignore me,” he whispers, trying to joke. His voice breaks instead as he cries into Rai’s bloodied hair.

There’s a twitch and then the tiniest cough. Heart squeezing in his chest, Jack draws back to look at Raimundo, dazed to see very familiar green half-lidded eyes blinking up at him. The breath of relief that escapes him is harsh and shaking; he brings up a trembling hand to stroke Rai’s hair away from his face. 

“Hey! Hey…”

He’s alive. He’s awake. He even gives the tiniest little ghost of a smile. Jack’s relief is short-lived as Rai coughs again, deeper this time, and blood dribbles from the corner of his mouth. 

“Hey, Spicer…”

Rai’s voice is barely there – Jack strains to hear it and it’s cracked, like cobblestone. Like the rubble all around them, the broken bones of the place that was supposed to be their sanctuary.

“Look at this mess, Rai,” Jack murmurs, still cradling Rai against his chest, his other hand stroking over his cheek and lips. “Can’t leave you alone for five minutes.”

Rai smiles faintly again but it quickly dissolves into a wince; his head lolls weakly onto Jack’s shoulder. “I’m glad you did.”

“What?”

“’m glad… you left me alone.” Rai tries to lift his hand, but it barely makes it up a few inches before falling again. Jack catches it and lifts it to press the palm against his tear-stained cheek. Rai’s thumb brushes feebly against Jack’s cheekbone and Jack leans into the familiar caress, staring down at Rai with blurred vision.

“… so glad you weren’t here, Jack…”

Jack bites back a sob, his eyes screwing shut as he leans into Rai’s hand, shaking his head. “I’m not. Rai… fuck. I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry, I shouldn’t—” It’s all his fault, right? They’re his enemies. No one else would have done this. It was meant to have been him, not Raimundo.

Rai’s thumb moves to Jack’s lips, silently shushing him; Jack kisses the pad of his thumb, pushing his own hand gently through Rai’s hair, thick and tacky with blood.

“… think… I need a doctor,” Rai manages to get out feebly, coughing up more blood. Jack tries to hold him a little more upright and brushes the blood away from his chin.

“Jack Bots! Call 192. Give them the address, get them here now.”

He knows it’s pointless. He’s not an idiot. The thought has his stomach rolling with waves of nausea and his blood starting to feel weirdly heavy,like lead, but he knows. Rai was practically crushed to death beneath that beam and the rest of the rubble and, judging by the blood he’s coughing up, probably bleeding internally. Even now, Jack watches the blood leaving Rai’s face like a receding tide.

Rai shifts in his arms, gripping at Jack frantically, too weak to lift his weight butdesperately trying to pull himself up, to go somewhere, to not lie here as part of the wreckage, another casualty of the implosion. He’s not ready to die and it only makes Jack cry harder.

All but blinded by his tears, he looks around at the rubble, then desperately to his remaining robots for help. Most are destroyed. That’s okay. Robots he can make more of. But he never learned how to recreate humanity… and the best of the bunch is dying in his arms. Not peacefully, not ‘ready to go’, but angry and desperate and fighting it.

He clutches Rai tighter. “I’ve gotta get you out of here…”

Still trying to move, Rai groans and whimpers in pain. His legs won’t move but his arms and head just about will; he grits his teeth, tries so hard, but Jack shakes his head.

“C’mon, c’mon… I gotcha, just…” He doesn’t know what to say. He can barely speak through his tears now and he leans down to kiss Rai’s cheek and lips. “I love you. Just stay awake for me, they’ll be here soon, they’ll fix you.”

But Rai’s stopped fighting. And Jack knows. There’s only one reason Raimundo Pedrosa would ever stop fighting.

Rai stills before he goes limp. He stares up at Jack for a couple of moments, then his eyes become unfocused and his gaze shifts to somewhere over Jack’s shoulder, staring at nothing.

“No. No, no, no, Rai, c’mon, c’mon, look at me. Look at me!” Jack’s words come out as a shout, pulling Rai’s head to face him. 

Raimundo breathes again, shallow and shaking, blood bubbling at the corner ofhis open mouth. One more breath, and then nothing. He goes limp.

No. Fuck. No… This is all some awful, awful dream. Raimundo can’t be dead, not before he’s even made it to 30 years old. Who dies at 28?! For a moment, Jack feels like he’s possessed. It’s like an out-of-body experience, like he’s watching himself break down, shaking Raimundo, yelling at him, telling him to stop being selfish and come back, dammit! Come back, you stupid sorry son of a bitch! Rai doesn’t respond. 

In the end, he just sobs into Raimundo’s neck, rocking him on the spot, a hand clutching at his hair. Who knows how long he stays there. It feels like only a second and also like forever all at once; what does Jack care? It doesn’t matter.

Through the smoke and the dust, the hot Brazilian sunshine smiles down at them. The waves carry on lapping at the sand. The world goes on and Jack is absolutely furious with it. Show some fucking respect! His entire world has just collapsed in on itself, broken and snatched away for-fucking-ever – the least the rest of the world can do is pay some attention.

Those waves will drive him crazy. He has to leave. But as sure as the sun isn’t going anywhere for a while in the cloudless midday sky, neither is Jack, rumpled amidst the wreckage of their home and clinging to Rai like a lifeline. He couldn’t move if he tried.

In the distance, there are sirens.