#rip three more seasons of these two idiots

[giffingthingsss]

When I was on that ship with Malcolm I was convinced I was going to die. You ever been there?...I'm not talking close scrapes. I mean when you're in a bad situation, and you know this is it, there's no way out, and you have time to think about it....What went through your mind?

-Whether or not to transfer auxiliary power to the deflector array. Why do you ask?

...Just curious.  

[anaargent]

FIVE WITH AN EMO⁉️⁉️Sorry if this is bad but I just can’t stop wondering what he would think about it

I got you, I loved it. comments are welcome

FIVE HARGREEVES X READER

Five season 1/2

Five was a grumpy brat, his first reaction upon seeing you was disbelief.

- What's with all that black clothing? Are you in mourning? - he starts to question you as he circles around you, watching like an old eagle - this is children's teeth hanging around your neck? - he says in shock.

-We're literally at a funeral, Five - you snap back grumpily - and this is my new style, accept it as soon as possible you annoying brat.

-What's up with that rude attitude, you punk? - Five snaps back irritably as he gets closer to you - Sorry, Grandpa, we're already in the future - you smile, ruffling his hair and running to take refuge behind Diego.

...

Still reluctant, Five tried to get used to his new lifestyle. Always ready with a joke or a witty comment about something, until the day he snuck into the house looking for you - "I'm just bored and you're this different from everything else" - finding you entertained with headphones as you danced absentmindedly around the room, immersed in a little world all your own.

-Are you struggling in pain or something? - Five enters the room after watching you dance for longer than he would admit - Do you need a doctor? - He sprawls on your bed, looking too comfortable in your space.

-get out of here, grandpa - You take off your headphones and stare at Five - Weren't you stopping the apocalypse or something dramatic like that? - You kick his legs off your bed and sit next to him - Unfortunately, I'm on an unwanted day off, much to your joy, what are you doing? - he asks with a disdainful air as he snatches the headphones from your hand and puts them on.

-nothing you like, little psychopath - you laugh, watching Five listen intently to the music, it was a random song by BVB, his grimace slowly turned into contemplation, and you could have sworn you saw the shadow of a smile before he jumped into space with your headphones - hey you bastard - you screamed when you realized the theft.

Five season 3

You couldn't tell at what point exactly the old-fashioned, talkative Five became your music companion, he still made faces at your clothing choices and hairstyles, and made comments about your "rebellious age". But you could easily notice his occasional appearance whenever you listened to music, always criticizing you when you skipped his favorites, claiming they were the least bad ones, he was a terrible liar. He also accompanied you to a concert - "I'm just making sure you don't get mixed up with other punks and disappear"

-wasn't the apocalypse supposed to happen in three days? You should be trying to stop it, but here you are - you grumble at him - but here you are like a punk.

-I'm not here for this nonsense - Five stops talking as soon as he sees the band enter, his attention now focused on the band with an idiotic smile. - Nonsense, you're more excited than me, you fangirl.

FIve just lets out a guilty laugh and shrugs, no sarcastic responses, just accepting the fact that maybe, just a little bit of him enjoyed all of this.

Five season 4

- Im hooome, you won't believe it, I got two tickets to...- Five stops in the middle of the living room,frozen with an envelope in his hand.- What is this? What happened to your clothes? - he asks terrified. looking for any trace of black clothes, worn-out Converse, ripped jeans, even the damn slicked-back hairstyle you chose to wear sometimes.

It had been a few weeks since Five had left on a mission for the CIA, which means you hadn't had any contact with him during that time. You had a bit of a change. Maybe a bit radical. You can just smile and take a little walk, showing off your pink cowboy outfit with sparkles and sequins.

-now I'm a fan of Chappel Roan.

[absoluteocellibehavior]

I adore (1) Charlie Dowd. I believe that Charlie should be surrounded by pretty men and women and be loved and everything. Unfortunately, this leads to a lot of sad thoughts about Charlie's place in a relationship. Let me explain:

1.) Noel Finley - Call it an awakening for both of them. Charlie's first love though neither of them knew what to do with said feelings. They become police partners and are thick as thieves. They both end up getting drafted in The Great War and I am one to believe that the two of them were able to get a single picture of themselves away from everyone else while they were there. It's the only thing that Charlie has of them, and he carries the picture in his breast pocket. A bud snipped before it even had a chance to bloom.

2.) Roland and Delphine Cummings - This is a ship I was turned onto by @creekschaoscorner (thanks a lot for the brainrot, Graham /j). He and Roland connected fast. And throughout working together, they became closer and closer. Roland was already married and had a ten-year-old daughter. Charlie was reasonably nervous about playing around with Roland after hours but couldn't help the love that he felt for him. Delphine's no idiot though. She can see the affection in his husband's warm, dark eyes every time he looks at his partner. It's a look she knows well. She's the only that actually wrangles the two into a proper relationship and what a powerhouse they are. Charlie becomes another father figure to Amanda and cares for her like she's his own. However, there was a still nagging thought in the back of his mind that he would never ever have the security in that relationship that Roland and Delphine had. Leaving for Egypt is one of the toughest things he did, though he didn't anticipate that to be the last time he would say goodbye to them. His girlfriend's body in a freezer. His boyfriend's soul later ripped apart in front of his own eyes because he couldn't convince the King in Yellow he wasn't lying. And his surrogate daughter leaving his letters unanswered. He had lost everything again.

3.) Frank Underhill - Now this is a rarepair for sure that I don't admittedly have much for but was inspired by the Malevolent commentary in which there was a possibility for Frank to have helped Arthur in the Dreamlands and possibly into Season Three, filling that sort of "guide" role that Charlie does in Season Four. Additionally, we are unsure of how much time Frank spent in the Dreamlands so it's certainly possible that the two were in the Dreamlands together (despite the possibility of the two of them actually meeting being slim to none). In my mind, Charlie was able to get out of the grasp of the King in Yellow and stumbled across Frank in his attempt to escape. The two of them teamed up and assisted each other in their mutual goals. They spent months together, trying to survive the Dreamlands and exploring the vast expanse of it all. I don't know if we have a concrete canon depiction of the cause of Frank's death, but I do think that Charlie was there to witness it. Probably one of those self-sacrificial acts so that Charlie could have a chance of getting out. It's something that still haunts him.

4.) Dennis Collins (The Butcher) - I have two different takes on this. One, is the canon storyline in which Butcher gets his head exploded and another where he lives. In both cases, Dollins gives me a very very intimate and close friends with benefits vibe. It's playful and flirty but also deeply caring without there being the stress about labels or commitments. In the canon storyline, it is very similar to Noel in which they don't even have the chance for something to blossom. In the living storyline, Charlie wishes for something a little more after a while, but Dennis is far too nomadic in his living and job that he doesn't wish to "settle down" so to speak. So, they compromise as much as they can.

5.) Ourthur (Arthur/John/Oscar) - Charlie loves these three more than life. I always see this ship as Oscar and Charlie (Holy Ghosts) getting together first and then John and Arthur (Jarthur) join in later. I think Charlie is actually the one to recommend the relationship since he has experience with it (*motions to Roland and Delphine*) which makes this prospect even more painful. Between the three of them, Charlie is generally the one to compromise on his own romantic wants for the others. Arthur or John have intruded on his moments with one of the others multiple times and simply will give in for the others' happiness. He's not the first one that many of them come to for physical affections despite him being quite fond of it. But he loves them so much, nonetheless.

So, what trend do we see here? There's two the pop out in my mind. The first is the fact that Charlie feels an immense guilt and responsibility for the deaths of his previous partners. There's a part of him that feels as though their ties to him is what caused their deaths even though he couldn't do anything about them. There's a hesitance in him getting into other relationships because of this fear that he's going to end up killing them too. Secondly, is the idea that Charlie feels like he consistently is second in a relationship. He doesn't have the stability that Roland and Delphine have, he knows that Dennis is going to prioritize himself over Charlie, and he's generally not the first one thought of in the Ourthur relationship. It's something that pains him but maybe it's for the best as it may be the only thing keeping them alive. At least in his mind.

Enjoy the Charlie angst! Kisses <3

[adventuringblind]

Drive with you Forever

Chapter Eleven: The end leaves room for more

Max Verstappen x Charles Leclerc x Lando Norris x Reader

Chapter summary: The end is just the beginning....

Warnings: depictions of abuse. Toxic media, mentions of murder and death, court trials,

Notes: have no fear, this may be the end of one story, but I promise there's more to come for these four ;)

Previous <-

Masterlist

The media had caught wind of what happened. It was an absolute PR nightmare. She’s sent Christian an email with the entire footage and not just what was leaked. She was thankful he understood.

How did nobody understand what she’d been through? Why did they feel the need to make her feel worse?

She couldn’t eat. She couldn’t sleep. She couldn’t think.

Her tears had run out days ago. The lack of fluids in her body causing dehydration.

She’d gone dark. Nobody had heard from her. The boys only using their media platforms to make statements about how things needed to change and their positions.

They’d been gone for pre-season testing. She was staying with Hanna and Seb since the paddock felt like to much right now.

Nobody had heard from whatever this group was calling themselves now. Her fathers small army. More interestingly, everyone had yet to hear from Jos Verstappen. The man who’d been seen helping pin his son to the ground and get away without a scratch.

“It’s quiet without them.”

“If it gets to bad I can hop on a plane with you to go see them.”

She shook her head. Grateful for the offer, but they needed to focus.

Lando especially since he had to navigate another new teammate this year.

Sergio had taken over her spot permanently. Max had already driven with him for half a year, .so it wasn’t as new to him.

“Do you think I’ll ever get back to normal?”

Seb looks at her with fascination. “Normal is overrated. Bees are far from normal and they are great.”

“Are you really comparing me to a bee?”

“It’s not a comparison, it’s a compliment.”

~

They boys find themselves catching up with everyone in between sessions. The air around them trying to be calm but it was obvious there is a massive elephant in the room.

“Can we ask about what happened? Like are you three okay?” Asks Alex. He’d always had a kind nature and wants to make sure his friends had the support they need.

“Nothing much to say other then the media sucks.” Hisses Max. Everyone else nodding in agreement.

“Y/N is hiding now because people are ripping her to pieces.”

The grin that appears on George’s face doesn’t go unnoticed. “We could always make a bigger statement.”

“What would that entail?”

“If all twenty drivers stand as a united front then maybe people will start to listen.”

“And how exactly do we do that?”

“We boycott.”

~

The first race of the season is always an exciting moment. She felt like a child again creating her spot for the next two hours on the couch.

But when the television was turned on, the drivers were nowhere to be seen. There were no interviews. Nothing.

The commentary Box was doing nothing but singing her praises. Mentioning every victory and achievement she'd made in the sport.

Then, across the Grid, the drivers, her friends pratically her family, were holding a flag out with the words 'Self-defense is not murder. We stand woth Y/N.' Written across in bold letters.

But then her boys were not there.

No, they were on the podium with their own signs. All words about how the media needs to stop the hate.

She cried.

Seb and Hanna were smiling like idiots because they knew.

It hadn't taken much to get everyone on board. Only a few days to organize. The entire F1 grid, driver, teams, commentators, engineers, mechanics, team principles, are all standing as a united front on her behalf.

For the first time in weeks, her tears were of pure joy.

~

She went to the next race. Still out of the prying eyes of gossips. But she wanted to be there. Her place is in the racing world.

An hour before the race, Lando came running into the redbull garage with Charles in tow. Successfully scarring her and Max out of their chairs.

"You two look like I said we'd do your favorite things tonight. What did you do?" Max playfully glares at them, pulling a laugh from the female next to him.

"Look at it! It's the best thing I've ever read in my whole life!" Charles gestures to Lando's phone.

"Didn't you cry at shakespear and claim it was also the most beautiful thing you'd ever read?" The female quips.

"That was different. This isn't tragic."

Max takes Landos phone from him. The Brit look like he might pass out from the happiness.

Breaking: Jos Verstappen and US head of experimental sciences arrested for alleged kidnapping and attempted murder.

Her and Max stood in shock. This is a joke, right? There is no way they might get to love in peace.

"It's great right! Kind of- I'm not sure I guess how I should react. Are we happy or sad-" She shuts Lando up with a kiss.

"Best news ever."

The Redbull staff shoots them all confused glances as they crowd into Max's small driver room. The four of them need a moment with nothing but the fact they could potentially put this behind them and start moving toward better mental health.

They took a minute there, and then they ran to Christian. He dropped everything to tell the rest of the team.

Next came Carlos and Daniel. They cheered and hollered in joy for the four. The relief in their faces cause them to smile.

It wasn't long until the entire paddock knew.

But then it was time to race, and they had to leave each other's arms. Goodluck kisses on each if their foreheads.

While she waited for lights out, she called Seb.

"Did you see it?"

"See what?"

"They're gone. They're really gone." She chokes.

"That's amazing news! I take it you'll be celebrating tonight?" She can hear the suggestive wiggle if his eyebrows.

"Not sure yet. Everything is so ovedwhelming." She sighs. "I'm free now."

"Oh love, you were always free. I'm just glad you can see it now."

"It just felt like with him running around I couldn't breathe. Like he could appear at any moment."

"But you don't have to worry about that now. Whatever happens next we'll take it day by day, just ad we always have."

Step by step. Day by day.

They would figure it out.

All good things take time, and now it's finally her turn.

~

The trial was far too long for her liking. It took three days to pronounce him guilty, sentenced to life in prison for a shopping list of offenses. Some she didn't even know about.

It was never her fault her mother died during childbirth.

It was never her fault. None of it was. She was just made to believe she'd been to blame.

After the trial, she'd gotten a permanent position as a redbull strategist. A position she loves and intends on keeping for years to come.

Jos was sent to the Netherlands and also given jail time for his offenses. Max had sarcastically wished him well as the older Dutch was escorted out.

Now 2023 is in full swing. Only on race number four but it felt like it had been years.

Technically speaking, it had.

Seb, Hanna, Charles, Lando, Max.

They had gotten her through so much.

And as she lay with them. Their smiles wide as they recall funny stories from their past, she knows she is safe. She is loved in their arms.

This is not the end of her story.

After all, the end is just the door to a new beginning.

~

@styles-sunflower @purplephantomwolf @boiohboii @reblog-princess-blog @jjsprobablywrong @jayda12 @faithm120601 @eugene-emt-roe @lpab @yaaadii @80sloverry @spongebeck3101 @eviethetheatrefreak @chanshintien

[rustycopper4use]

Could I request for a saiko metori x male reader?

Could male reader be rich and have outstanding looks but a personality of a tsundere? (If you could can you can add that he's popular)

yes! Sorry for the wait, I had some mild burnout then on top of that I had a terrible cold (still recovering hahahahhhahaha-)

Idiots to lovers<3

Saiko Metori x Male Reader

  Originally Saiko transferred to PK academy to win the affection of Teruhashi,however, after many failed attempts he came to realize that Teruhashi was smitten over a boring pink haired male.

  He of course was bitter over it, but still he stayed. And days pass, against his better judgment he fell head over heels for Y/n L/n.

 He wasn’t able to pin point when he fell, I guess from a glance it was obvious why anyone who fall for Y/n. His drop dead gorgeous looks, and all the money in the world to spoil any fool rotten.    

 He was quite popular among the students, a day wouldn’t pass by when he would get love confessions.

  But you seemed rather  abrasive towards the attention, you’ve never excepted any of the confessions. 

  You had this standoff personality, coming off as rude at times. You never really meant to be the way you are, it’s just you never were comfortable with displays of affection, a trait forced upon you.

  You ended up poking fun, or teasing as a way to convey closenesses you had for a person.

 This of course included Saiko. 

  You would always be close by to him, it was rare to see you apart funnily enough. 

 You’d poke fun at his arrogant personality,  and tease him for his lack of self awareness. It was a wonder he could stand you.

  Each day you would find yourself, growing more attached to him. Despite you twos constant bickering.

 Seasons passed or rather repeated, and the class started an ongoing bet, it was to see if you two would shut up and emit your obvious feelings for one an other. It got so popular the staff and teachers were joining in.

  There were three different categories for betting.

   First was who was going to confess first, majority said you.

  Second was when, the most popular answers were: two weeks from now, end of the year, and never.

   Final bet was how, that one now was very diverse with its answers. Some being the classic love note, by accident, and all the way to a dramatic life or death event forcing you two to emit you undying love for each other.

 Saiko was kept unaware of the morally questionable acts of the class, however Y/n was told about this, some idiot folded to his interrogation.

   When you found out of course you were taken aback, were you that obvious. But another idea came to mind.

 You pulled one of the students off to the side, and told them to place a bet for you under their name. They questioned the fairness of it all, but you forced them to do it.

  Your bet was: You, Tomorrow, and by a note.

  The student did your bidding, looks and a bit of hush up money does wonders. 

 You were going to use this bet to your advantage, you would finally… confess… your… love.. to him…

  You began to freak out a very reasonable and normal amount over your brash decision.

  What were you going to do! You clearly didn’t think this thoroughly.

  You spent the rest of the school day writing draft after draft for your love note. Being a perfectionist with inconsistent motivation was truly a personal hell for you.

  After awhile the words all looked the same. You were a prodigy at writing. a praise given by many teachers. And yet here you sit, pathetically struggling with a simple note, it was as if you’ve completely forgotten the skill.

  The day ends much to your dismay, and you dragged yourself home, knowing you’re going to need to sacrifice your sleep for this dumb idea.

  And in your frustration, you’ve completely avoided Saiko. Too caught up in your misery to notice.

  With a sigh, you enter to your house. No one was home, your parents once again failing to notice you of their overseas travel.

 You ripped open your bag, and dig through it looking for the crumble piece of paper.

  You haphazardly throw the paper on the living room table. You just stare at the paper, with rips,  pencil smudged everywhere.

  You just leave it there, even looking at it gives you a less than pleasant wave of anxiety.

  You grabbed a new sheet of paper out your chaotically organized bag, and start a new one. However you notice your hands, stained with ink, and graphite from the countless letters. 

 Will this even be worth it?

  The thought that has been nagging at the back of your head finally made its ugly return.

  You were doubtful of the benefit of doing such a decision.

  Does he actually care about you, or does he put up with you because you’re something that amused him doomed to be tossed away when he’s sick of you.

  There was no reason for him to waste so much of his time with you if you were just that, it was unreasonable!

  Though Saiko wasn’t a perosn of reason.

 You were practically pulling yourself apart at the seems.

  A gush of air flies past you, you look out and see a window open. Odd given that you don’t remember it being open before. You turn to around and see a fully written note on the table, with the old one nowhere to be seen. 

 Did you write this?

  You look at the letter, and it is your handwriting. And the contents of the letter with nicely written, a little more lovey dovey to your liking but still.

  You groan, how could you forget that you finished a letter already, sure you were a bit forgetful, but not to this extent.

  But none the less you were grateful it was finished now.

 But unknown by you, the letter was written by Saiki! Or rather copied by a rather sickening cheesy rom-com.

  He was doing this of course because he was sick and tired of you and Saiko being rather annoying idiots.

 There was alternative motives to his assistant, he placed a similar bet that you did not out of free will however since his loveable idiots that leached off him forced him to do so.

   Even going as far as adding that if he won, the group would buy him coffee jelly for the rest of the month. And how could he pass up that offer! So he decided to push you along the right path, making sure you don’t back out.

  But back to you,

The morning comes, and you are filled with dread. All you do is push his buttons so how could he—

  The thought gets muffled.

 You got out of bed and went through your usual routine. And left the house, making your way towards PK academy.

 You arrived at the front gates of the school, and to your surprise there was a crowd forming infront of the school, waiting in baited breathe.

  It wasn’t abnormal that a crazy impossible event arises out of thin air, it’s basically the norm at this point.

  But something about this felted off,  you couldn’t place your finger on it.

  It was almost like they were waiting for you.

 You felt uncomfortable with the eyes burning through you, and tried to enter the building but a voice stops you.

  “Y/n!”

You turned around and saw Saiko, the crowd starts watching the two, as if it was a some TV show.

 “What do you need this time?” You grinned. Trying to hide your nerves.

 “I have something I must confess to you!” He confidently spoke.

  “Okay, what is it?” You spoke, a little out off by his tone.

  “I have fallen in love with you!” He swoons, pulling out an absurdly big bouquet out of nowhere.

 “What?” You barely get out the words, staring dumbfounded by his actions.

  “I have be in-love with you since I’ve laid my eyes on you! Your looks, your passion. You would be the perfect match for me!” He rants, as the crowd cheered for him.

 You choked out a laugh, and before you could stop yourself you go into a laughing fit, the stress building up from the last few hours finally pouring out.

  “You idiot!” You run a hand through your hair. 

  The crowd gasps, clearly not predicting this turn of events.

 “Only you would make a big spectacle over this.” You giggled, as Saiko lowered the flowers slightly not sure what to do now.

 “I should’ve known you would’ve tried to make a move first! And to think I could’ve beaten you to it!” You snickered, pulling out the nicely sealed love note.

  “-Such a shame really, I wanted to take you off guard and romantically sweep you off your feet.” 

 The crowd is confused trying to make out the meaning of your words.

“Wait, you share the same feelings as me?” Saiko furrowed his brows.

  “You’re an idiot.” You grumbled, you grab him harshly by the button up shirt, and pulled him into a kiss. 

  The crowd erupted in cheers.

 You pull back with a sly grin, Saiko out his element of not having control, just absentmindedly puts his hand to his lips. Trying to mesmerize the feeling of your lips.

  “Does that answer your question.” You teased, as Saiko slightly nods his head.

 “Aw did I break you.” You cooed, now holding his face in your hands.

   No answer.

   The bell rings much to everyone’s dismay.

Everyone starts shuffling back into the school, some linger willing to risk being late for this moment.

  You sighed, before giving him another kiss.

  “I’ll see you after school for our date-“

“My little prince.” You began walking away,   With a cocky smile on your face.

 You enter the building doors, and make a dash for the men’s bathroom. You make a quick check to see if anyone is there with you.

  You hide your face in your hands, muffing an embarrass groan. You were burning up, and you could feel your heart beat. You stay in the bathroom, rethinking the ways you could’ve done it better.

 With the sappy moment, the story ends.

But Saiki is upset at this, he betted on you growing a pear and confessing. But nooo Saiko just had to do it himself. 

  Now he has to deal with another lovesick couple and to add insult to injury, he doesn’t get his coffee jelly now because of it.

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Wednesday, December 18

WILLOW: (pause) Oh ... well, Ta-Tara's right. Grief can be powerful, and we shouldn't judge- TARA: What are you, kidding?

~~Intervention~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

BtVS Triple Drabble: Too Vulnerable by badly_knitted (Buffy, PG)

Combining Forces by Amarin_Rose (Angel/Cordelia, Fred/Gunn, SG-1 xover, G)

The Sign by LudditeRobot (Faith, Xander, Potentials, G)

Wishes, Candy Canes and a World All Our Own by CheekyKitten (Buffy/Spike, E)

Ripped Away by spikesredqueen (Wesley/Fred, T)

Buffy Summers' Diary: The Return of Riley by ljs (Buffy/Spike, G)

Buffy Summers' Diary by ljs (Buffy/Spike, T)

A Ghost Of A Chance by Geliot99 (Buffy/Spike, M)

Winter’s Bite - burntsecrets (Spike/Reader, G)

The Pain Means You Love Me by GarsCrucible (Andrew/Warren, M)

Meant 2 Be by Spikelover4ever (Buffy/Spike, T)

Backstage 49 - So Sad the Song by Aadler (Xander, Cordelia, T)

Different Kind of Magic by fatalfae (Buffy/Willow, E)

day #18: "last christmas" by auroracalisto (Spike/reader, unrated)

Be Careful What You Wish For by Harmony99 (Buffy/Spike, PG)

Buffy Versus Santa Claws by SlayerOfSunnydale (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

A Ghost Of A Chance by Geliot99 (Buffy/Spike, R)

The Parting Glass by Magic Box Moon (Buffy/Spike, PG)

Buffy's A Chirstmas Carol by Alyot (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Be Careful What You Wish For by Harmony99 (Buffy/Spike, PG)

Sparkly Cookies by veronyxk84 (Buffy/William Pratt, T)

[Chaptered Fiction]

The Tie That Binds - ch. 1-2 by RoseWineGoddess (Spike/Drusilla, T)

Better Things to Do - ch. 1 by BeneficialAddiction (Buffy/Spike, T)

Psych-Out Wolves: The Side Quest - ch. 1 by calikocat (Xander/Spike/Graham, CSI Miami xover, E)

The Degradation of Duality [Series Part 2] - ch. 68 by Ragini (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Masquerade - ch. 8 by Holly (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Through The Keyhole - ch. 9-10 by Geliot99, cd85 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

The Office Hellmouth - ch. 7 by Willow25 (Buffy/Spike, R) COMPLETE!

Psych-Out Wolves: The Side Quest - ch. 1 by calikocat (Xander, CSI Miami xover, FR21)

The joining of souls - ch. 20 by delfine (Buffy, LOTR xover, FR13)

Snapshots From My Idiot - ch. 1-3 by Claire (Buffy/Spike, G)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: *Buffy renaissance pending* Spike x Buffy portrait season 4. “Something Blue”. by petridishbabydesigns (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

Artwork: *silently waiting for a Buffy cultural renaissance while rererewatching* by petridishbabydesigns (Buffy, worksafe)

Artwork: I think he'll stomach the flight next year by yarboyandy (Giles, Angel, worksafe)

Artwork: Fuffy getting handsy at the club by sideartblog999 (Buffy/Faith, mildly NSFW)

Icons: Buffy Summers — Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season Two (1997) by slashericons (Buffy, worksafe)

Icons: More: 1 by horrorcryingscreencaps (Buffy, worksafe)

Header: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, S03E10 — Amends. by screensland (Buffy, Angel, Willow, Xander, Faith, worksafe)

Two Collages: #277 Taylor Swift - Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince and 276 Taylor Swift - Cruel Summer both by thedecadentraven (Buffy/Spike and Spike, worksafe)

Collage: harmony 💗🦄 by slut-jpeg (Harmony, worksafe)

Two Collages: Collage #274 and Collage #275 both by thedecadentraven (Spike and Willow, worksafe)

Edit: I’m with you, my love The lights shining through on you [commentary in OP tags] by tenderjock (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

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I love buffy summers so so much. She’s so perfect and so incredibly complex and flawed... by youhavethesun

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[magixfairyix]

I was watching a ranking of all the Winx seasons and movies and whatnot (by ApocolypticSpaceGal on Youtube) and I started to think about how Bloom lost the fightwith the Trix in the Mystery of the Abyss Movie.

For me it makes sense that all six of the Winx could defeat the Trix after some decent battling, because of the numbers. Two against one if the split up.

The Trix also have two more years of magic experience (since they were seniors and I'm assuming the schools are all for three years). So of course some battling would occur due to the gap in experience.

But Bloom, three to one against the Trix (who once again, have more experience than them so I don't know why they are made to fight like idiots in the show but aNyWaYs) RIP GURL.

She does have the Dragon Flame. Against two of the Trix for me, it would make sense for her to win with a lot of effort. But if all three of them are going towards her at once and surround her she's done for.

I don't know what else to say.

LET THE TRIX BE BETTER THAN THE WINX IN BATTLES ON OCCASION RAINBOW EVEN IF THEY DON'T WIN THE FRIGGEN BATTLE.

[popculturebuffet]

Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Retrospective Season 1 Finale: Remain in Light (Patreon Review for Brotoman.exe)

Hello all you happy Autobots. It's been over a year, two spotlight issues, a two issue prequel, an annual and as of this review, 22 issues but we've done it we've reached the end of more than meets the eye season 1.

It's been a long project but one of my faviorites, one I always wanted to do but simply didn't have the time on my own and was more than happy when Brotoman commissioned these. I owe him a world of gratitude for his support and patience. Without him I woudln't of been able to talk about gay disfunctional robots every month and for that, i'm eternally grateful. This is one of my faviorite comics and re-reading it slowly and intently has only solidified that.

So a few things before we dive into this wonderful story: The first is something I forgot to mention last time that brotoman pointed out, something important I missed in my tired daze: How big a moment Rewind saying "I Love You" To chromedome is.

See before this, the series was coy about the two: It made it damn obvious the two were a couple.. but also used terms like them being "friends" and no one using words like couple, common law husbands or pound pals. The two were just a duo at first and if you were a mite thick headed like yours truly, who at the time I first read the comic didn't look for gay subtext like a bloodhound after a cheeseburger, you'd miss it. It was still obvious, the way they act around each other, their history, the way they fight.. the two are ENTIRELY an old married couple and act it and anyone looking closely could see that. But Roberts knew that those three little words were, to quote an interview with Sequart Orignization, a step up.

All that said, the Chromedome/Rewind relationship stepped up a gear – and moved fully into the open – with issue #16, when Rewind tells Chromedome (not for the first time, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it on the page) that he loves him. I was conscious that this was really nailing certain colors to the mast, and I was ready to make a case for those three words to stay in the script. But both John and Michael Kelly at Hasbro were incredibly supportive and encouraging, and the declaration of love survived the editing process. The reaction to the first Transformers gay couple was amazing – overwhelmingly positive. To be honest, I thought most people would be pretty cool with it, because most people are sensible and decent, but it was still encouraging to see. Hooray for Transformers fans."

I"m happy to hear that the reception was entirely positive and that Hasbro was supportive. I'm sure there are still a few idiots who were again it here and there, but like those who actively deny huntlow happened.. their a few idiots who can't accept objective reality and there's only one way to deal with them

Moving on to Remain in Light itself, We need to talk about the big shockwave shaped elephant in the room. Dark Cybertron is intended to be the finale for both this and Robots in Disguises' first season, a big epic crossover to shake up both series status quos and onboard us into season 2.

In practice.. it's the big showy finale to Robots in Disguise with the MTMTE cast guest starring. It's still VITAL to MTMTE, I would've simply recapped it like I intend to recap RID if that weren't the case: Nautica and Nightbeat are introduced, joining the crew in season 2, Megatron has his heel realization that leads to him also joining the crew, Cybertron finds out Prowl didn't kill MOST of the lost lighters (RIP Rewind I), and Chromedome powerbombs the motherfucker off a cliff.

I'll unpack this scene more when we properly get to it but I cannot see Prowl get powerbombed off a cliff while he's somehow SHOCKED this happened despite begging for it. It's Dellliccciooousss.

The fact is while a crossover was inevitable the death fakeout meant both books were completely isolated from each other, and thus their plots.. really don't intersect much. Prowl's actions have consequences and his baiting Chromdome leads to bad shit over in RID, but for the most part the two books are their own stories and their own spheres and by the time they intersect it works well enough... but it's clear they just work better on their own. It's likely why the third addition to this line, Windblade (both volumes) was made to stand on it's own while having an easier time intersecting back with Cybertron as our heroes are one teleport away versus the lost light being deep in space and in it's own character stuff. Windblade, btw is fucking great and I intend to cover it at some point, just not as part of this retrospective. It's it's own beautiful thing.

So while Lost Light was going to get into the Dark Cybertron hype, it needed to cap off it's own story first as it would've been a bit much to try and cram two series with a wide buffet of ongoing plots and plans together. So we get Remain in LIght where a LOT of character arcs are paid off, a few questions are answered, and a few things are set up for both next season and the eventual finale of the series. As usual it's remarkable how much Roberts set up, but here's where it gets to payoff more: last arc paid off the overlord conspiracy and rewind and chromedome's relationship, this one pays off magnus' breakdown, the circle of light and even where we found skids and just what was chasing him. It's a true epic and I can't wait to share it with you under the cut.

Part 1 picks up exactly where we left off: Tailgate is running to tell Cyclonus some "stupid news" while Rodimus, Blaster and Ambulon look over the security footage since Ratchet was busy telling Tailgate he gonna die. And to remind us Ambulon exists before the carnage to come.

For now Blaster's friend Mainframe is able to track the shuttle, so Rodimus is rounding up a crew to go find Magnus, with a determination we've scarely seen and a grimness we really haven't.

Meanwhile it turns out Tailgate's sickness... is cybercois, a condition that slowly kills the trnasformer, taking away their movement , speech and eventually memory.. and given memories of this place are all Tailgate really has he didn't take it well. Cyclonus urges tailgate to face his death with dignity and head on, agreeing to keep it secret and leaving... to mutilate his own face with a large scrap, enraged the one person he has on this ship is about to die and he can't just cut his diseas in half.

Hot Rod leads the crew to a big hole, making it very clear that he dosen't care what they ahve to say their going in... and for once his impusilvness pays off as what he finds is Luna 1, cybertron's missing moon which was mentioned before and I honestly forgot was the setting for this arc but it's a brilliant payoff and a way to have Rodimus have acomplished something big: he found one of the lost moons. Even if the quest has gone nowhere, this is still pretty damn big and he has perceptor confirm it. What's more curious, even if Perciptor dosen't buy it? Luna has a BILLION PEOPLE on board.

So Rodimus assembles his crack team.. and this is the first time we really see what we'll call Team Rodimus come together: While Rodimus has interacted with all these guys before, this is where it becomes clear how much he cares about them as more than just his crew:

First recurit is Rung whose surpised after Rodimus' outburst last time they talked. Naturally that's exactlyw hy: Rodimus flipped out largely because it was something he didn't want to hear... and with magnus gone he NEEDS that opposing opinon.

The rest of the team includes Brainstorm, whose happy to go and is already packed (holds up suitcase), Ratchet as the Medic, Perceptor as the more stable science guy to Brainstorm's mad scientest, and Whirl... who Rodimus flat out admits he just needs to throw a punch. Also going along is Chromedome, who Skids begs to help him: Since LUna 1 is allegedly's a giant treasure trove, Skids wants something to repair his memory. Swerve also wants to go but is harshly turned down by rodimus due to limited capacity, while Cyclonus agrees to go and take Drift's place as spirtual advisor, since he's the most religious person on the ship left, which he agrees to if Tailgate can come.

What I really get from this is while Rodimus is asking most on qulaifications, only being really straight with Rung.. like I said this shows who he really cares about: his team has to be small and he's a dick to swerve.. but it's likely more he knows Swerve might be in danger here and if there were room, skids and swerve would be along. These are who he can count on, who he's leaned on, who he needs without his two main supports on the ship. And this team will only grow as time goes on.

For now Team Rodimus heads to the planet, with Tailgate hoping to find a cure and Cyclonus.. thinking hope is a lie and telling him to never hope. And also he killed his puppy. He made him a puppy and then he stabbed it. A bunch. And then he showed tailgate the pictures.

Anyway our heroes land on the seemingly barren moon only to find...

IT's a hell of a reveal, and one that will be vastly important down the line... it won't really have any consequences for NOW but just remember this in a few years when we get to the final arc. For now jus tnejoy the sense of wonder on everyone's face: even Ratchet, the crankiest of crank and Tailgate who

We then find out what constructed cold means as Tailgate asks... granted I think I covered this definition back in chapter 1, but as a reminder; cold construction is making a cybertronian via "Spark splicing" using a bit of someone elses to craft a new one. This was in part due to demmand: Cybertron couldn't expand out into the cosmos if it didn't have enough people. Problem is as we've seen like any society Cybertron is quick to prejudice, and thus once Nova Prime who invented the process left, many a city started trying to "prove" constructed cold bots were inferior, something Chromedome is still bitter about and rightfully so.

It's about then things go to hell: On the ship commuincation is suddenly blocked between the bridge crew and away team, and Skids hears some clanking. on Luna 1, our heroes are soon swarmed by decepticons as Lockdown arrives

Okay probably not the right reaction but for those curious who this guy is, Lockdown was one of the handful of original characters from Transformers Animated, my faviorite transformers show and the one that reignited my spark for this fandom. And then this comic did it again, it's a bit cyclical. Point is even if I badly need a refresher on that series, Lockdown was their kraven the hunter, a bounty hunter who hunted down autobots for the decepticons, mostly working for them out of necisity and largely being his own man, so he fits for being a gun for hire for someone else. He sadly dosen't get as much to do here, at least in this season I can't remember if he shows up again, but it's just nice to see something from Animated imported as later installments tend to either make new transformers or stick with the core ones.

On the ship.. things are worse... Skids is confronted by those mysterious robots, who i'll just go ahead and call by their proper names: Legislators... only this time their giant sized and emerging out of the oil pool. What's worse is they soon creep up on EVERY deck of the ship, all shouting the same thing: 1984. Oh and in case you thought things couldn't get any worse as Team Rodimus flees... Ratchet is shot down and isolated....

We pick up from the siege in issue 2: the ship's overrun, our heroes are outgunned and only Swerve is able to land a solid hit as only one came to Swerves

... admitely I just wanted to show off the my first blaster. (Clears throat)

SAY YOU, LITTLE AUTOBOT. YOU WANT TO SHOOT THINGS WITH ALL THE BIG KIDS BUT YOU CAN'T FIRE THEIR BIG OLD GUNS FOR BIG OLD BOTS WITH YOUR WIDDLE BITTY BABY HANDS? TRY MY FIRST BLASTER! MY FIRST BLASTER IS A GUN DEISGNED FOR LITTLE FELLAS LIKE YOU. jUST POINT SHOOT AND MY FIRST BLASTER WILL TELL YOU IF YOU DID AND SUPPORT YOU IF YOUR NOT. MY FIRST BLASTER, FROM BRAINSTORM INC A DIVISON OF BRAINSTORM IS SMARTER THAN YOU LLC.

WARNING: NOT SELLABLE ANYWHERE EXCEPT THE LOST LIGHT. DO NOT GIVE TO BOTS UNDER 1. DO NOT USE WHILE DRUNK UNLESS IT'D BE REALLY FUNNY. COPYRIGHT VIOLATERS WILL BE HUNTED DOWN AND DIPPED IN ACID.

Meanwhile Skids continues his fight and easily wins using his super learning, able to predict his new foes attack easily and counter it.. the problem is while it's a great skill when your fighting a few of Legislators.. it's not so great when your fighting NINE of them and they'll likely keep coming.

So back on Luna 1.. it isn't much better. Whirl and Cyclonus get seperated from the group, and Rodimus, while finding out Ratchet got taken down from tailgate.. simply can't go back for him.

Rodimus then procedes to do some dope as hell sacrlige as he plunges into a titans corpse to give him more room to evade their captors. Sadly while his moves are dope as fuck and Lockdown is sure to give them the slow clap they deserve.. he's already gotten everyone else. After taking a second to tell pharma everyone else hates him, a worthy use of his time. What a legend.

So our heroes end up in a jail cell where, for the past two issues, Rodimus has been recapping these events to Minimus, his cellmate.. who looks an awful lot like someone a certain dead bot was looking for.. hmmm. Questions for later.

For now Rodimus admits they weren't just dumped in a cell first, as Rodimus correctly figures Lockdowns taking them to his boss: a long lost moon as a base, teleport tech.. all of this screams big bad.. and Lockdown is at the end of the day a guy just doing his job. Pharma mentioning a collective "lord and master earlier" already told us this, but it's a nice character bit, shows that beneath his reckleness Rodimus is far smarter than he appears and far more capable than most give him credit for. He's an idiot, sure, but he's one with great skill and intiution.

And sure enough there is a big bad behind all this.. and of all people it's..

I was as shocked as rodimus but it's a clever rug pull: We've seen Chief Tyrest brought up a lot, his accords are what Ultra Magnus is duly appointed enforcer of and back in Last Stand of the Wreckers, he's the one who oversaw the Aquetius trials. So seeing him show up is a suprise... but seeing him be BEHIND all this is a nice swerve. He also makes a perfect contrast to our crew: the embodiment of order and rigidity veruss our far looser, far more human crew. Metaphorically I mean thir still giant robots.

Tyrest is being an obstinante dick, proving he really is Magnus' boss, charging our heroes with crimes against creation. We find out our ambus ISN'T dominus, but his brother minimus, an allged energon trader who hasn't tried to escape because he's waiting for his day in court, a BIGGGGG honking neon sign of a clue at who this guy is. But more on that later, for now Tailgate has a bit of a breakdown, with no one knowing why since he didn't tell anyone present he's dying and could be trapped here for what days remain.

Meanwhile Ratchet.. is not doing any better, with Pharma torturning him, showing off his new shapeshifting hands which can become TWO chainsaws. That double groovey. He's no less stable than last time, but now he dosen't need to PRETEND to be and is honestly an even better villian on return: he has a joker style quality to him as he fiddles with his double groovy hands and plays with ratchet making him ask what's in THE BOX

Turns out 9 robots vs skids does just mean send more legislators and we get a nice speech from the guy, with him pointing out how the Lost Light took him in, cared for him and welcomed him no questions asked.. and

Unfortunately while Skid is totally badass.. he's also wiped.. and thus dosen't see this coming

We'll get into who this fine bastard is later, for now he knocks out Swerve too.

Back in Prison, Tailgate asks about tyrest, noting Nova Prime had a chief science offer of the same name.. the same guy. We get Tyrest's backstory: He was a nobody until the war when, with Dai Atlas' help , they helped 10,000 neutrals off world. Tyrest returned to TRY and broker peace, simply two city states, one for each side, but naturally since one of those sides was Megatron that never went anywhere. It instead lead to the Tyrest Accords, a series of rules of engagment the biggest being not exporting cybertronian weaponry. It's thanks to him the universe isn't a smoldering crater and thanks to Optimus he's chief justice.

As for what he's doing here... no one has a clue. He was last seen during the Aquetius trials, which Rodimus helpfully recaps: trials using a judging machine that 100% predicts guilt, and hasn't been seen since the trials. They also pass around energon sticks, something equivlent to either gum or cigarettes or autobot slim jims

Rung offers Minimus to snap into one.. then delberately spills it and spills it more, causing him to HAVE to get them off the ground and organized... and proving what Rung's figured all along:

Yup, while Ultra Magnus was indeed Ultra Magnus... he was also Minimus Ambus. It's complicated and naturally Hot Rod's a bit confused, so Magnus backs it up slightly: he war bought into luna one and reparied... then smacked in the face by tyrest.

Tyrest decides just bitchslapping Magnus PHYSICALLY isn't enougH: having read his logs and found his actions disgraceful, both the micromanagment and the various fraternizations, he disables the armor and left ambus as he was.

As for why Magnus was a fancy suit of armor, turns out Ultra Magnus is a legacy of brave autobots, all one percenters.. but smaller rewind sized ones, Loadbearers. So while their not super tanks from the start.. it means they can be heavily modified and thus wear the Magnus Armor. The Magnus Armor was forged after the original Magnus, a real brave bot, died: Tyrest saw what fear and awe he imposed and realized he could exploit that and thus created an "immortal lawman". If this is sounding very sinestro to you and making you nervous, that's the idea. As for why small transformers it's simply that most cybertronians can't get fancy armored add ons" too much and they freeze up. A loadbearer has plenty.

So our magnus, Minimus was the latest.. and seemingly last. He also has ten days left.. but it turns out Pharma wasn't lying: Tyrests doctors can work miracle.

Back in the flashback, we get a recontexulization of Magnus character from Tyrest, who isn't exactly reliable , hence why I didn't think too heaviyl about his words before.. but in hindsight.. they make perfect sense and the interview I mentioned backs it up: Magnus.. had a nervous breakdown.

For most of the lost lighters the war ending is a fresh start: the war is over.. but for the bulk of them the war wasn't something they fit into. They were fighting because they had no real choice or had been for too long. And in the case of some like Chromedome the war simply took one terrible thing they were forced into and swapped it for another. The war ending means a chance ot start over and do anything else.

Magnus... fit perfectly. He was a stickler for order, a natural talented combatant, and while he was the latest to wear this armor, he more than earned it. The war was chaotic and horrible, but it also had rules, a clear bad guy (even if this book shows there's still plenty shades of grey in the autobots), and a clear end goal. Life.. dosen't have those. LIfe is just doing your best and hoping today is good. It's not perfect, it's often messy, but it's just how it is. Magnus didn't really have to worry about small talk or what he does with the rest of his life.

It also explains why he took the lost light: it was seemingly close to what he'd been doing: going through space, righting wrongs, etc, all. Cybertron would've had more order.. but it was also filled with thousands of bots who resented him for everything he'd had to do over the war, and a new world he understood even less. It was the lesser of two evils, so he overcompesated by becoming anal retintive in the extreme. He's a soldier who simply couldn't cope with the war being over, a tale sadly as old as the nasty institution itself and didn't get himself the help he needed.

Magnus replacement.. was Star Saber, that guy we saw make Skids into a kebab. Magnus was mostly talking to them though.. because he was curious. He asked to be put in there as.. nothing is adding up: the decepticons, the titan, and now this "crimes against creation" charge that wasn't in the laws before. magnus, still being a tad naive even after all of this, goes to talk to tyrest.

While he does, WHirl and Cyclonus have escaped having killed a bunch of decipticons themselves and after their done getting to the numbers, see a cell block above... identified as such because it's directly over a giant smelting pool, as whirl puts it "a prison you can dunk" Whirl of all people is the logical one here: They need a ton of weapons to go rescue the others, and he can sniff an armory. Somehow. Honestly I'd question it but if anyone could find weapons through sheer force of will it's whirl.

Back with the head tha twouldn't die, Ratchet assumes this is about revenge.. and it is, Pharma wanted to hunt ratchet down, but his main goal

Thing is Pharma's a mite bit paranoid and hasn't removed them because their hard locked, and he assumes rigged to explode. Ratchet uses this to his advantage: he calls Pharma a coward, stating that he really didn't do it because he's scared he can't and essentially challenges him to a surgery duel: first to fix it win. Honestly Chicago Med and Grey's Anatomy could use WAY more of those. I'd watch every episode twice if it was a death sport race to see who can surgery faster. Get it on it Dick Wolf and Shondra Rhymes!

So back with the bicker twins, Cyclonus and Whirl argue, with Cyclonus pointing out byu this point.. Whirl could've had his own hands back and his face if he wanted, with Whirl genuinely worried if he stops being angry, he wouldn't be him anymore. Cyclonus gets stabbed from behind for our THIRD stabbing this story and our FOURTH in the last few issues, but it's not fatal, Whirl saves him.. and our dynamic duo find the prisoners: not our heroes, who are as it turns out somewhere else.. but the circle of light. It's why they have so many swords avaliable.

Back with Ratchet he made a bit of a tactical error.. while his gambit was clever.. he forgot that Pharma is basically the joker now and thus had ambulon and first aid brought here as swerve and skids were to Team Rodimus cell: their going to be the guinea pigs and despite ratchet's begging, he can't get the contest called off. This is happening. And unfortunately for ambulon instead of across the waist... Pharma decides to go lengthwise.

Semantics point is ambulon is super fucking dead and purple chainsaw blood is all over. It's a brutal, horrifying death.. and tha'ts really the only reason it works. That Pharma set up this horrifying death game, when he could've just done minor surgery and used one of the Legislators, since they aren't really sapient at this point anyway. Otherwise.. Ambulon is a guy we barely knew who disappeared entirely: Pipes was also mostly absent till his death.. but Pipes felt like an actual character and had enough characteirzation up to his death. Ambulon.. feels like he was kept on just for this chainsaw death since First Aid had more to give. It's not a bad death, I mean... look at that gore, but it's not as weighty especially coming after two big tearjerking ones.

Back at the cells, Swerve fills the rest of the crew in: the legislators have locked down the place, and he tells them about Star Saber, who it turns out in this unvierse is a notorious evangelical nutball who tried to do atheist genocide. So you know the MOST stable person to give a big sword. Star Saber being made into a villian.. was a bit contervseral according to tv tropes. Saber Originally was the optimus prime equilvent for one of the G1 animes, Transformers Victory, having a neat design and big old sword. So making him into a sociopathic religious nut wasn't the best for some. Me I think it's fine: the series already has plenty of heroic autobots and it helps reinforce the idea that being on the autobots .. dosen't make you a good person. Same with Tyrest.

He shows up to drop off a new prisoner.. and it makes Chromedome have a relization: when Skids memory was begging for estape it was asking for getaway... the autobot whose now being loaded into their cells.

Minimus goes to confront Tyrest who couldn't give a shit what Magnus thinks.. but is willing to explain what his grand evil plan is and why he's doing all this supervillian nonsense: guilt. Turns out Tyrest is one of the archetechts of Cold Construction, and instead of using sparks.. it used the matrix. This is a brilliant move and explains why, with cold construction only stopping fo ra bit because it was assumed the matrix was dry when really someone stole it assuming this was blasphemous.

And sadly. Tyrest has started to agree. The Aquetius trials drove him around the bend, with all the guilt and horrible actions of the autobots on trial getting to him.. to the point he started to drill into himself, hence the holes.. including one in his own head. Huh Egon WAS right it would've worked.. as Tyrest saw something beckoning him and thus the space bridge is a portal to cyberutopia itself. But being ... unhinged to say the least, Tyrest has decided he has to atone first... since all the criminals on trial were constructed cold, he assumes their an abomination and plans to use a literal killswitch to kill every last one tommorow. And beofre Minimus can stop this.. he has a legislator squish the poor guy's head.

Onto Part 4. After a reminder of the various gushers of blood abound, we cut to a fight with Whirl, Cyclonus and the Circle of Light. Turns out the circle had been cut down a bit, but is still a massive army, allowing for an epic battle while everything elses going on and the revelation that will come in hand in a bit that Cyclonus, being a true believer, can power their faithswords, which use energy from a spark to do something something something religion. Look I'm being as through as I can, but this is a MASSIVE story arc.

In the Cell Getaway TRIES to have a reunion with Skids, while also introducing his catchphrase bomp.. basically a sort of fistbump he used to annoy skids. At any rate Skids can't remember anything but Getaway can and fills the rest of the cast in on Tyrest's madness, which is a term I try to be careful with as someone with a mental illness myself.. but really appleis to a man whose drilled a thousand holes into himself and is trying to do holy genocide right about now. When Rodimus mentions Ambus not being back yet... Getaway drops the bomb on him baby, he drops the bomb on him... that Ambus LURED them here.

Back with Team Holy Genocide, Tyrest explains how the hell he knows this switch will work to someone who was there for it: He kidnapped Pharma because Pharma is apparently famous for being Forged, so he could prove it wouldn't kill Forged transformers. THe attack on the circle of light? A whole cities worth of test subjects, taking ten thousand down to one thousnad. Speaking of which given the Circle is a mite testy about the genocide, Tyrest decides to handle the situation by.. letting the equally religious genocidal monster he keeps on payroll handle it.

Skids has a bit of a breakdown over his missing memories so not wanting to see his best friend break down further, Swerve asks Gateway to fill him in on what he's missing. Skids and Brainwave were partners in the Dipolmatic Corps... which was really Autobot Special Ops. What good would being spies be if they broadcasted that fact? They had a similar job as the wreckers, impossible missions and such, but while the Wreckers were more Impossible MIssions Force, going in somewhat subtle and always ending loud and dangling themselves off cliffs, the ASO were more the stale beer type of spy: get in, do the mission, maybe surivive.

Their mission this time was to put a mind bullet in Tyrest's head.. not kill him, to Skids relief, as the binary gun, that gun Skids couldn't find when he was introduced, wasn't designed to kill, simply implant a thought, and a very simple one at that: Resign. As for why, while Skids boss didn't know the fulls cope of what tyrest is doing he got the feeling something bad was going down given he was chasing down titans and talking to the decpticons. Sadly .. Skids missed, Tyrest set his horeds on them and while Skids escaped, he followed one last protocol: after all the binary gun had two bullets... and the other was used on him to erase the mission

To no one's suprise, Prowl's the spymaster here and to even less shockity shock, him prodding the already deranged man with a god complex led him to speed up his plans. The good news of all this though is Getaway.. can get the mout. He's an escapeologist, a master escape artist, macguver as a transformer and the only reason he hasn't busted out? He didn't have a fresh set of keys.

While Getaway plans his way out, so does Ratchet, who has an argument iwth first aid: First Aid makes the valid point that Ratchet has a savior complex; he hasn't really retired.. because he dosen't think anyone else can do the job as well as him. Turns out this isn't it: Ratchet didn't let first aid help.. because Ambulon was long dead by chainsaw to the face, and he simply was stalling to weaponize his corpse, a nice little callback to drift doing the same. The two argue over what to do with Pharma, Ratchet not wanting to sink to his level and First Aid wisely feeling Pharma will just come back to haunt them again, if probably not the one to do it since i'ts clearly out of anger his friend we saw maybe once just got chainsawed in half by the guy.

The argument is interupted by Team Rodimus. Turns out the keys... were all the stuff on everyone and using Brainstorms breifcase straps (he had it on him as it's designed that only those who KNOW it's there see it) and Chromedome's fingers to create a dart gun, knock out the guard then have everyone use the sticks on the bars at the same time. THeir out, and Tailgate is hopeful he can find a cure. And what I like, and forgot to mention is HOW Luna 1's a treasure chest: it's not because it was lost. Luna 1.. is just luna 2 with a diffrent name. But since Tyrest took up refrence he also took every bit of treasure the magnuses had built up with him and thus he really CAN work medical miracles. It's juts without Pharma.. they might not be able to.

For now it's time to light up the stage cause it's time for a showdown. With team two guys , a religoius leader an an army it's not great as the legislators won't stop and there's a LOT of them, and Star Saber makes it worse. While Dai Atlas does his best against his polar oppiste.. Saber snidely tells him "Primus hates you and stabs the life out of him"

Team Rodimus don't have it much better.. they arrive, point a gattling gun at Tyrests face.. and tyrest simply activates his staff and the bodies hit the floor. It's a subsonic suggestion they can't move, so powerful they don't even belivie it when he tells them and with that.. he pulls the switch. Brainstorm and Chromedome start to fade.. and they aren't alone...

It's a brutal sequence ending with the scavengers... and with that tyrest has almost won, and all he has to do.. is step into the light of his portal as it activates.

So as the final chapter opens, Tyrest is about to get his big prize when...

It's a clever save: Tailgate's condition had been front and center for most of this arc, Ratchet outlined loss of functions.. it's poetry. I also love him jamming his finger in the head hole, it's a detail I did'nt notice till writing this but I love it.

WIth that the rest of the crew can rally.. but Tyrest uses tailgate as a human shield with Tailgate revelaing his condition so Rodimus can shoot.. but Rodimus has grown from the incident with fort max and can't bring himself too... thankfully..

Before we can process "how the hell is magnus still alive", we cut to the battle outside and we get an awesome fight with Cyclonus and Starsaber, with Cyclonus stabbing the fucker in the eye.. before he gets teleported away. Where? Well.. that's al ong ways off from being answered, but for now he's away from gutting people range so that's good at least. Back with Team Rodimus, Rodders asks what we're all thinking "What the hell". Turns out in a clever, if still somewhat labored twist... Minimus didn't tell them HOW many loads he was carring. This is as far down as he goes, but it still makes a lot of sense. Tyrest not KNOWING this dosen't, but we can handwave it as Tyrest assuming he got the heads and just.. not carring enough about magnus to double check the corpse, a mistage that made him into one.

Our heroes need to scramble to find someway to shut off the killswitch though as Tyrest was still sane enough to not put a shutoff on it. Before they can deal with that properlyt hough, Pharma heads into the portal with First Aid giving chase.. and Pharma saying far more than he needs to, chuckling and grinning about all the autbots at delphi and bursting into laughter about his lengthwise joke... and soon bursting from the head as first aid shoots him.. and then collapses, not able to deal with taking a life for the first time

It's a powerful moment. Pharma absoltuely deserved to get his head burst... but it's still a life and it dosen't, as first aid clearly hope, make the pain of everyone he's lost go away.

So while this goes on Perciptor has a hail mary: he hooks rodimus up to it, which MIGHT hurt him and will defintely destroy their matrix piece, using it to undo the code. While Rodimus makes a "there goes our map" quip.. it's very clear he has no intention of backing out: personal glory isn't worth the deaths of everyone.

So with Death on the way he decides to clear the air with Magnus, ask if he really betrayed them. Turns out.. yeah he entirely lured them out here, having become disturbed with Rodimus' increasing irresponsiblity. It wasn't a full trap as he had no idea Tyrest was so far gone, he just wanted him to give Rodders a lecture, snap him out of it, tha tsort of thing not you know, nearly kill them all and then try to commit genocide as an encore. It speaks to who Magnus is: he's orderly.. but he's not the zealot his former boss is. He just wants to do the right thing.

And so does rodimus..w hich leads to one hell of a confession

It's a powerful moment an da wakeup call for rodimus: while he's still carefree after this... it's him realizing he's been way too caviler.. and let his own ego and pride get people killed. And he needs to , instead of hiding from it like he did, face the conseqeucnes of his actions. It's also a nice moment in that instead of seeing his sacrifice as a way out or a glorious way to redeem himself as he might have before the incident... instead Rodimus just hopes he lives long enough to begin the real work.

As he writhes in pain, Tyrest.. turns out not to be dead and says one word: one... which sends all the legislators their way.

In the meantime Skids ends up on Cyberutopia.. yeah... in a big reveal it, or some form of it exists and skids ended up there due to taking the portal: it was blocking anyone who had guilt in them, and Skids.. finally felt free enough to try it.

What he saw there will be important later but for now the plan worked: everyone is saved and Whirl celebrates, deciding to put the past behind him and cyclonus... and after a quick murder fantasy Cyclonus agrees. He has somewhere more important to be.

Back in the control room the legislators swarm and Skids shows up to help.. while something takes Ambulon's corpse through the portal. No time to dwell on that setup now as the legislators need to be stopped..a nd it's tailgate who once again saves the day in a brilliant way too. Remember how Magnus had him memorize the law and just about everything including the dimensions of the kitchen sink? Well when finding out the law computer is right there, this allows tailgate to easily write a new one REPEALLING them all. the legislators freeze, our heroes win the day, and Tyrest vanishes. And sadly while Tailgate won the day.. he passes out.

Thankfully we have a solution: on his deathbed we get a very poginant line from Tailgate, the little bot who simply wanted to be special and important...

It's a small line.. but one that sums up the comic> life isn't about being a big hero or saving the unvierse, though our heroes certainly did that.. it's abotu living it. It can be hard, messy and often rediculous.. but it's more than worth it.. and with that Cyclonus gives Tailgate the gift of life.. by stabbing him in the chest

And for once.. IT IS HEALTHY as it was a way to do a spark transfusion, one Whirl of all people brought up. It was risky.. but it was worth it.

So as Rodimus decides to bounce, deciding this big discovery wasn't really wroth it with one crew member dead, first aid traumitzied and brainstorm in his lab, unknown to all having taken the super spark, and the rest of the sparks having gone quiet after the matrix became dust.. he's lost.

Magnus however.. is found. He may not know what his future is.. but he's finally at some sort of peace.. and has a ncie gentle talk with cyclonus

Remain in Light was one of my faviorite arcs of lost light.. and re-reading it only clinched that view: it's a tense epic that's fast paced but manages to cover a LOT of ground without anything feeling underserved, and the result is stunning. It's a worthy end to season 1.

And it WOULD be where we leave off.. but before dark cybertron we have one issue left, issue 22.

Little Victories is a nice Coda to the season, an issue I skimmed over the first time I read the comic due to the art... not being great. Artist James Raiz takes over from here through dark cybertron and his art style isn't bad, being kind of sketchy and gritty. Not my cup of tea but not bad art. The problem.. is that the art style dosen't fit lost light at all. I mean look at this panel with cyclonus

It's a good joke, but it looks just so dead serous and grungy. It just dosen't fit what's entirely a slice of life issue, showing a recuritment film Rewind made before his untimely passing.

That said giving the issue a second chance or two i've come around... once your ready for the jarring art shift, you can enjoy the story with plenty of fun documentary gags including Magnus having part of the film removed and getting editiing rights, as well as having Swerves swears censored.

There's two plots here: The first involves everyone being curious what Rungs alt mode is, with Swerve having a bet as to who can get him to show it first, leading to a really great, really stupid joke

I love this comic for it's deep characters, engaging plot and world building.. but I also love that a large part of the comic is just roberts letting these robots act like jackasses. It makes them so damn relatable. I mean someone had to try this.

The other is Thunderclash, what a guy. Thunderclash is a legendary hero and the king of the parody sues, a guy so noble and kind that even optimus looks up to him, a hero unparalleled. He's this series Ace Rimmer, and intentionally too as Roberts is a big red dwarf fan, something that isn't a huge suprise but is welcome.

For those not familiar with Ace, he's the alternate counterpart of Red Dwarf's Arnold Rimmer, an uptight attempted ladder climber who usually fails due to his own incomptience and ego, while Ace is everything Arnold WISHES he could be: Smart, handsome, good with a joke, beloved.

So naturually someone like Rodimus, full of ego and self importance himself, needed someone just simply better than him doing the same job who everyone on his crew unabashadely loves. Thunderclash is just.. that nice and I love the ways they bend over backwards to make EVERYONE fall for this guy, from him being one of the few autbots to be nice to cyclonus and earn his genuine respect with his knoweldge, to teaching Perciptor of all people something. It's just great fun and it's just as fun to watch Hot Rod gnash his teeth over someone else getting all the attention.

There's also a third kinda plot as the crew runs into the Ammonites, a group of robots fighting a forever war with some bug aliens that whirl seemingly end sin ten minutes. We don't know how and tha'ts how I sleep at night

All three collide at the end: Thunderclash's ship needs a jump, esspecailly since, while an epic hero of epicness, he's dying: the ship is Thunderclash's life support and being the autobot's own personal jesus, he's naturally using this time to save everyone he can. It's why his crew's behind on their own quest for the knights.

Sadly one of his crew turns out to be an ammonite spy and they turn out to not have been the good guys, thankfully Rung has an idea and turns into a blunt insturment. Or is it an object. point is he's blunt, hard and blunt. As for WHAT he is...

This will be important going forward, and in hindsight may be one of the most important little bits in this issue. Thunderclash will be too.

We then get the ending which is... eh in my eyes. I like Lost Light's comedy, I point you to just a few paragraphs ago with the stupid alt mode night joke. But this bit.. feels a bit of a stretch: it turns out the film was being screened to the circle of light who ALL, every one of them, boo hiss and complain about them all being fuckups. Besides being more than a little harsh... the film was made by a DEAD AUTOBOT. Rewind DIED before this was made and i'm damn sure they told them that. I like the jokes and I don't mind shots at how little the crews acomplished, it's a decent runner but here.. it just feels mean. Doubly so since the lost light JUST SAVED THEIR ASSES and the ENTIRE UNIVERSE, and not a one of them think tha'ts neat. We get a heartwarming ending showing how much it means but this joke.. just really dosen't work at all. One of Roberts rare misfires but boy is it off target.

That said the issue overall is fun and i'm glad I gave it a second shot. It's good stuff and like seemingly EVERYTHING before the finale itself, it's got a lot of setup.

Next Time: Before we can get to DARK CYBERTRON we have to see what everyone else has been up to

Thanks for reading

[zoeykallus]

Rex – In Love And War 15 – Healing And Foolish Ideas

Warnings: Slightly Angsty/Slightly Suggestive/Slightly Humorous

Rex x Fem!Reader FF

__________________

You get to observe the amusing mix that is Rex, Wolffe and Gregor. The always grumpy Wolffe, the always amused Gregor and your beloved Rex combined are an interesting little group to travel and work with. Aside from healing your rips, you can't do much right now though and you are not very patient.

__________________

What Happened Before

In Love And War

Part 2 -Noises In The Dark

Part 3 - Sinful Dreams

Part 4 - Mesh'la

Part 5 - Old Friends

Part 6 - Unspoken Things

Part 7 - Lies And Other Things About Love

Part 8 - Guilt And Forgiveness

Part 9 – Love At First Sight

Part 10 – Mine At Last

Part 11 - Unpleasant Surprises

Part 12 - Moving On

Part 13 - Hunted

Part 14 - On The Run

15 – Healing And Foolish Ideas

The baccta that Rex, Gregor and Wolffe got was not just for your benefit. On the mission when they got the baccta, Gregor took two grazes, but he just chuckled at your shocked concern. "Don't worry, it's half bad and was worth the result. You'll be completely healed very soon," he said lightly as you lay in your baccta bath and Wolffe tended to his wounds. You shook your head with a sigh. "You're crazy, all of you. But I'm very grateful." "Of course we're crazy," Gregor said as a matter of course with an innocent smile. Rex who entered the room with raised eyebrows said dryly, " Please only speak for yourself" Gregor chuckled and said, "You're the worst of the lot." Rex rolled his eyes and shook his head in amusement. His path led him directly to the baccta tub, where you lay dressed in special medical underwear. He smiled at you and gently stroked your cheek with a finger. "So, how are you doing? Can you feel the healing process yet?" You frowned and showed him a brave smile. "Well, if you mean that unbearable tingling and pulling in my ribs and pleura, then yes, I can feel the process very clearly." Rex assured you, "It will pass, tonight it won't bother you anymore". You sighed, "Okay, I'll take your word for it" Rex kissed your forehead and then turned and said, "Gregor went all out, we were about to give up and pull out, but he insisted we get the Baccta for you" "So that's how he got hurt," you said worriedly.

Gregor said from the background, "Don't worry, Rex is exaggerating. It wasn't half as dangerous as he acts, it's just a scratch." Wolffe grumbled, "It's a bit more than a crater, but it will heal quickly. Still, you are an idiot, brother, you could have been killed" "But I'm still alive," Gregor chuckled, unimpressed. Wolffe shook his head with a sigh and rolled his eyes. Rex grinned at you. "Thanks, guys," you said gratefully and also touched. "Any time," Wolffe and Gregor said in unison.

Rex was right, after a few hours, the tingling in your ribs subsided and you felt much better, could move better. "When can I get out of here?" you asked Wolffe, who examined you carefully. Rex and Gregor were busy in the engine room. "About two more hours, then you should be as good as new. You should still take it easy for the next two or three days." You smiled and asked, "Why do I get the feeling you're much more careful with me than you are with any other patient?" Wolffe raised his eyebrows in amusement. "I'm not really a medic, and the few situations in which I've been forced to act as one, I've always had one of my brothers in front of me, seasoned soldiers. You seem much more fragile in comparison to me." "Fragile," you repeated the word with a wry smile. Wolffe shrugged his shoulders, "you know what I mean" "I think so" Suddenly a jolt went through the shuttle, some of the baccta sloshed out of the tub and onto Wolffe's feet. He grumbled a curse and said, "You stay put, I'm going to see what these idiots are up to" "But..." Wolffe's gaze was so sharp that you instantly fell silent. "You stay right there," he growled. "Okay..." you said meekly and watched him leave the room. You lay there in your tub, restless, impatient. Another jolt went through the ship, and again some baccta sloshed out of the tub onto the floor. Your eyes were fixed on the entrance to the infirmary, impatiently waiting for one of the guys to come back. "Guys?"

Another jolt that shook the shuttle made your patience snap, you had to know what was going on. Cautiously and awkwardly, you climbed out of the tub. You almost slipped on the wet floor, but caught yourself just in time. Your ribs hurt nowhere near as much, but there was still a slight tug. You reached for a bathrobe and slipped it on. Carefully, you made your way barefoot in your robe, still wet from the baccta, to the engine room. Before you reached it, you heard the voices of the men. Wolffe sounded annoyed as he almost always did, Rex stoic and matter-of-fact, and Gregor completely nonchalant as usual. When you reached the entrance to the engine room, you saw the men standing around one of the engines, the hyperspace drive, if you were not mistaken. "Do we have a problem?" All three heads wheeled around to face you. All three were complaining about you getting out of the tub at the same time, you couldn't fully understand any of their sentences because they were all talking over each other, so you waited until they noticed. Rex glanced at his brothers in turn, annoyed, whereupon the two fell silent. Finally, he approached, his gaze stern, his brow furrowed critically. "Barefoot and wet? Are you serious?" he grumbled, "Aside from the fact that you could slip and seriously hurt yourself, do you want to get sick?" "Of course not, but that shaking made me nervous, I wanted to check if everything was alright."

Rex sighed and led you back to the infirmary, helped you back into the tub and finally said, "The hyperdrive just had a little hiccup. The fuel we bought on the black market is contaminated, or rather stretched, the engine doesn't like that, but it's not so bad. We'll change it at the next opportunity" "I see," you said softly. He kissed your forehead again and said, "I have to get back to the engine room now, sweetie. I'm counting on you to be good and stay in your bath." You said pouting, "Tonight I want to sleep in a bunk with you". Rex smirked. "That should be doable. In about an hour and a half you'll be allowed out of the tub, then you can freshen up, and later we'll cuddle up in a bunk" You looked at him searchingly. "Promise?" "Promise."

Rex looked at you in surprise to see you already in the bunk when he finally finished in the engine room. "So you got out of the tub alone?" You said reprovingly, "I waited the time as planned, but none of you came, so I got out myself, I didn't want to wait any longer. I'm feeling much better already." Rex smiled apologetically and said, "Sorry beautiful, we were quite stressed in the engine room" "That's alright, go take a shower now, I need you here" you said with a grin. Rex raised his eyebrows, amused as well as reproving. He glanced briefly over his shoulder to make sure his brothers were out of earshot. "Honey, we can't get up close and personal yet." You let yourself fall back into the sheets with a heavy sigh and immediately felt why, it wasn't a real pain but an uncomfortable throbbing that spread through your ribs at that movement. Pouting, you said, "But I'm so hungry for you". Rex smirked, leaning over you briefly to kiss you, and you immediately intertwined your hands in his neck, keeping him with you. "Believe me, I'm hornier than I ever want to admit, but we have to be reasonable" he said, clearing his throat. You said, wrinkling your nose, "Being reasonable is stupid". Rex laughed softly, kissing you again, and the warmth of your lips sent heat shooting to his loins. He had to force himself to pull back, pull your hands from his neck and straighten up. "Maybe we should sleep separately tonight after all," he said thoughtfully. You widened your eyes and said, protesting, "No! No way!" Rex scratched the back of his head and laughed softly, "That you want me so much pleases me more than I can say, but I don't think we can keep our hands off each other when we're in the same bed." You put on your most innocent look and said, "I promise I'll just cuddle." Rex smirked and said amused, "You're lying. And even if you weren't, who says I can hold back?" "But you promised!" You argued back and forth for a while longer, but Rex got his way, as he almost always did. You poutingly pulled the blanket up to your chin and watched him disappear in the direction of the refresher.

Ko-Fi (If you feel like giving me some coffee)

@ttzamara

@chxpsi

@andyoufollowyourheart

@the-sith-in-the-sky-with-diamond

@brynhildrmimi

@nunanuggets

@clone-whore-99

@misogirl828

@tech-deck @rexandechosandwich

@flyingkangaroo

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[7grandmel]

Todays rip: 10/04/2024

The World Ends With PSY

Season 1 Featured on: GilvaSunner's Highest Quality Video Game Rips: Volume 7: Part mm2wood

Ripped by Metalik

Hey, it's the 10th of April - 10/4, like the 104 building! I couldn't resist!

Here's a fun fact for you: Long before I was running this blog, I was making a certain other SiIvaGunner project, and through working on it decided to reach out to the SiIvaGunner channel head, MtH of Bigger at Night (Chung Yard) fame, for the first time ever. So what was one of the first-ever things I directly told someone from the SiIvaGunner team? "Make more The World Ends With You rips". Yes, I was young(er) and stupid(er), awkward and strange, and I of course now know that good rips come to those who make them, but the sentiment holds true even today. The World Ends With You's soundtrack still means EVERYTHING to me. And, well, though we don't have many rips to go around for the game, I will continue to cherish the ones we do have: because as far back as Season 1, there have been absolute bangers within out small selection.

Now, if you've followed SiIvaGunner for any amount of time, you know about the joke of The World Ends With PSY already. It's PSY, the K-Pop legend, the man behind Gangnam Style, Gentleman and so many more hits, and perhaps more importantly, a YTPMV celebrity. He's had annual days of celebration on SiIvaGunner, one of which I covered back with One Winged PSYcho - V​.​S. Sepsyrop, and rippers have continued to find all kinds of creative ways to utilize the man's distinct sound, including the sentence-mixing marvel of Korean Idiot. Those two rips are still the only PSY-specific I've covered on here, but they lay a pretty concise groundwork, particularly the former: Most PSY rips made for SiIva utilize PSY's "eyys" and "ops" for truly next-level YTPMV-tier postings, the kind that you'll also hear in big meme medley rips like ULTRA S+G. Yet, that kind of makes The World Ends With PSY a neat novelty, in a way: in the days of Season 1 before PSY's presence on the channel was so clearly decided, one Metalik made a PSY rip that goes against the pattern all three prior mentioned rips follow.

Rather than usurping Calling's instrumentation with leads made up purely of PSY's immaculate soundscape, The World Ends With PSY is a no-nonsense mashup, between PSY's Daddy and the aforementioned game track. Calling as a song is defined by the contrast between its noisy electronic backing and its beautiful vocals, like a light trying to shine through the darkness - The World Ends With PSY, then, is as if more noise is added to that blend, with pieces of Daddy's instrumental persisting throughout the track as PSY's own vocals alternate in and out with the original vocalist. It's a really interesting mashup - PSY's always prominent within it, yet the original beauty of Calling's vocals never feel as if they're drowned out, just framed within such a different kind of noisiness. To cut a long yap short - it bangs!! It isn't the kind of vocal/instrumental mashup that wholly changes the track's tone a la My Dr. Eggman Can't Be This Evil!, but it undoubtedly IS different, yet different in a way that highlights the strengths of both tracks used.

And yes, this is a Season 1 rip nonetheless, I can certainly hear some slight cracks in the facade at points - but The World Ends With PSY remains my favorite rip the game has gotten in all of these years. Compared to some other efforts made earlier in the season, such as Three Minutes Clapping literally just being what the track name says, or Deja Vu just switching to the titular Eurobeat song at the chorus' end - funny gags for sure, but none quite feeling like a loveletter to The World Ends With You in the way I've long wanted. We've gotten a sprinkling of rips of the game since, but it was The World Ends With PSY that I first connected with all those years ago - the rip that reassured me that the game's soundtrack is still remembered and cherished by others aboard the team.

[jamiesfootball]

Can you talk about oh god you’re gonna get it? Tell me anything. Status? Snippet? Whatever you want to share.

I LOVE to talk about Oh God You're Gonna Get It. HAPPILY!

Chapter two is still underway. I have two more gift fics to get through, and then it moves back up to the top of my priority list! Not that I haven't loved taking a stretch into other things, but I've missed my baby.

I also did a gift fic that takes place during chapter one from Jamie's pov.

In the meantime, thank you for your patience! Here's a sneak peak into chapter two:

If there were one player Roy would rather have nothing in common with, it was Dani Rojas.

Dani's knee made that impossible. Reading his report was like reliving an old nightmare. It may still be in the beginning stages, but the future of Dani's career laid out in front of him like lines on a road.

The injury that had kept him off the Richmond team for the better part of the season three years ago never went away, because inner meniscus tears never healed. They tore, they were removed with simple surgery, and then you spent the next few years convincing yourself that everything was the same. Meanwhile on the inside, the missing cartilage left the leg open to further injury, and if you were the kind of idiot that chased a ball around for a living -- the kind that ran and kicked and jumped -- all of those small twists would eventually tear more of the meniscus, until even a small rip around the outer edge of it might require surgery.

This would be Dani Roja's second meniscectomy, but it wouldn't be his last. As long as he kept playing, there'd be more. Eventually there'd be nothing left to remove.

Then some twat would offer him a position as a talking head somewhere, like that'd ever be an adequate consolation prize for someone like Dani Rojas.

Dani handled the news of his upcoming surgery well given the circumstances. The overall number of brain cells knocking around the Nelson Road may be lacking, but none of the players were dumb when it came to football. Dani could read the writing on the wall just as well as the next guy. Like Sam, he'd taken the news with a pained smile and a lack of surprise -- there was no way he'd been playing the full ninety minutes without feeling it coming.

The meniscectomy would be this week with the same doctor who'd done the first. No expected complications. The tearing was mild compared to the first time. If all went well, he'd be up in running in four to six weeks. Until then, there was nothing to be done about it.

Roy set his report aside.

[kiss-my-freckle]

3x6: Smells Like Teen Spirit

3x6 opens with Elena training because of Stefan. 3x6 ends with Elena putting her training to use.

"Look, I get why you're here. Stefan hurt you. You don't want it to happen again."

"It makes me strong."

It also opens with Damon and Stefan and ends with Damon and Mason... who he assumes is Stefan

It's best not to underestimate what Damon, Alaric, and Elena feel after she got "ripped" into. The difference between Damon's bite and Stefan's bite put her in the position to want training. Alaric is being honest about vampires. It's because he's being honest that he will forgive Damon. If it's their basic nature, and there's no changing their basic nature, it'd be idiotic for Alaric to continue hating Damon. In hating Damon, he'd essentially be hating a vampire for being a vampire. The only real way for them to stop vampires from ruining their lives is by completely removing them from their lives. They're a toxic species, plain and simple. I will say that Alaric is only half-right. The part he has wrong is their lack of remorse. Damon feels remorse, he just refuses to let people in the know. He hides the good part of himself - the part that would apologize.

Physical strength isn't the only thing Elena needs. Their workout scene is written to coincide with their kitchen scene from 3x4. As I said before, either denial or extreme hope because Elena continued to wear the necklace. Whatever it was, it's gone now. Understand that it's written to coincide with 3x4, and you understand what Damon is telling her, he's just saying it in the absence of Alaric. To put it bluntly, this is Delena "cooking" in the kitchen round 2 lol. Damon isn't blind to the reality of what he does to her, just don't let the sexual nature of this scene allow you to disregard the heart of the matter. He's doing more than turning her on. He's repeating his intention in 3x4. This is what a "heart-to-heart" looks like, and it's everything. They're literally showing you WHY their sire bond exists in season 4.

"I was faking most of it."

"So was I."

Two beautiful things about this episode that I feel the need to point out. Elena's boundary, as anyone can clearly see. She's getting more comfortable with her feelings. These intimate moments they share only show that she's no longer fighting as she was. She doesn't pull away. She doesn't stop his touch. She doesn't hesitate to look at him with love in her eyes. She's falling into it. I consider her new boundary a public vs private thing. She and Damon are basically a taboo, seeing each other "in the closet" like a gay couple. In the privacy of Damon's bathroom, not in public. The point of Elena becoming a vampire. She'd be living in that closet forever.

Elena also has this... blind confidence about her that's fun to watch. I'm talking about the fact that she sarcastically told Damon to preoccupy Rebekah with his charm, only to find herself preoccupied with jealousy while watching them lol. She's bothered by the fact that Rebekah is drooling all over the man she's in love with him. These two things, not just beautiful when viewed separately. They're beautiful when viewed together. Elena struggles with the fact that Rebekah has something she doesn't - the ability to be with Damon in public. Her "jealousy" scene with Stefan is quite a lie, and made obvious in the fact that she proves it. If Elena weren't jealous, their first aid scene would look completely different.

"He's a completely different person."

"From the moment Stefan had his first taste of human blood, he was a different person."

It takes Elena three seasons to see Stefan the way she saw Damon, that's how real this is. 1864 Damon is written parallel to RIpper Stefan. That's why Damon's "the most selfless he's ever been" in 3x1. These two brothers consume her. Stefan consumes her physically. Damon consumes her emotionally.

"Oh... Oh, I gotta, gotta go break up beer pong."

"Is that the bell? Oh... Ring! Ring! Don't want to be late!"

Tell you what's extremely beautiful about Damon. The fact that he's trying very hard to get Elena back to it. Back to her birthday party, back to her first day of school. She can handle it, but she shouldn't have to.

Insane that Stefan tells Elena she's "pathetic" for having hope. This is Stefan continuing his Delena push. "You think I'm annoying now? Wait till homecoming. Hey, who you bringing, by the way? I don't want it to be weird." Oh, it's gonna get weird lol... that's why "weird" gets mentioned again. "We kissed, now it's weird."

[howhow326]

Some of yall bout to be real mad at me...

Breakdown under read more.

Percabeth Energy: True love, made for each other, perfection, flawless, wholesome, zero bad vibes (Note: I planned to leave this part empty, but changed my mind when I saw these two ships)

Julerose is like a star in the void. In a show full of weirdness, these two are proof that an unproblematic relationship trumps all! For that, I give them the honor of Percabeth energy.

Tom and Sabine are just straight Julerose with the added bonus that Tom kicked his racist dad to curb and never looked back. Of only Marinette never found that guy again.

Lumity Energy: Full love, realistic problems but like not in an abusive way, the only reason these ships aren't giving Percabeth is because the show ruined them, yes that is what I'm going with, No I don't think Lumity is bad the name is just a joke

Alya x Marinette is a goated ship, fight me! "bUt WhAt AbOuT lIlA", everyone is an idiot in those episodes! Forgot Lila and remember that Marinette and Alya have a very supportive relationship that's mutual. Although, I couldn't completely forget about Lila which is why it's down here.

Lukanette was robbed. Luka x Adrien was also robbed.

So I don't dislike the gay boys but that one time Nathaniel ripped Marc's sketchbook just sticks in my head even tho he said sorry. It's not even in character for Nathaniel to do that! Oof. Still goated in the sauce.

I used to hate Marichat but then it went on to become the best side of the love square because it got so little focus?! More is less, and Elation is better than three thirds of the love square episodes.

Marinette and Kagami used to be such a wholesome relationship but then season 5 kept dragging out Kagami's kiddie pool sized jealousy for bad Lila episodes. At least I can pretend they don't exist.

Nooro and his only friend in the world. And now they've been separated 😭

BMBLB Energy: Not half bad, just not for me, may or may not be canon/developed well, I'm not criticizing BLBMB its just a joke

Adrien x Juleka could be cute, but it's one of those things that you have to accept will never be canon or even get episodes for it.

All of the other Lovesquare ships got dropped down here because of Arc Fatigue. Ladrien didn't even get a kiss!

Marinette and Marc got better development in Reverser than Nathaniel and Marc did.

"Back in my day, we used to ship Marinette with Nathaniel!" "Sure grandpa, let's get you to bed."

Ivan and Mylene wishes they could be the straight version of Julerose. These two are just weirdly codependent to the point that Ivan's last focus episode was like... season 1?

Skip

Adrien/Chat Noir and Alya/Rena Rouge had more chemistry with each other in two episodes than Alya had with Nino in the last 5 years (Yall bout to be really mad at me)

Adrien x Nathaniel could be cute, but it's one of those things that you have to accept will never be canon or even get episodes for it. Huh, deja vu.

Adrien and Nino had more chemistry with each other than Alya had with Nino in the last 5 years. Now I'm just doing it on porpoise.

"Oh look, a boy and a girl being friends? Not in my Westboro baptist church cartoon!!! They need to be married and have 8 children now!!!" Is the vibe this ship gives.

Past this point I don't really care about kwami shipping.

The only reason these two are up here is because the darkest skin background character managed to snag some sense of relevance. Good for him.

Klance Energy: waif like and blind, child like and bitter, guant visage, smoking mirrors, you have erased yourself, you learned to hate yourself, burning on the inside, he's tried so many times to take my life away, but he'll be the first to die tonight, I promise my dear

Remember when Chloe actually cared about Adrien before Astruc retconed her to be his spin on Marie Antoinette?

I stopped shipping it after Lies and you should too. Adrien was horrible to her.

Remember when Chloe actually cared about Sabrina before Astruc retconed her to not care about Sabrina at all and then he executive producers had to rerail her character by showing that she did care about Sabrina in her final moments?

GIRL, WHY ARE YOU WITH HIM???

Dosen't exist in canon, poor man's Lukanette in fanon.

Reread the last sentence. Also, I dislike the pare the spares thing.

Just wait until I get to Dj wifi.

GIRL, WHY ARE YOU WITH HIM???

Plagg/Tiki x Adrien/Marinette would be a good ship if half of the pairing weren't Fire emblem dragon wifu's that are 7,000 years old... but that's not going to stop some of yall, is it 😞

Skip

Reylo energy: forbidden, horrifying, abusive, wtf, GIRL WHY ARE YOU WITH HIM, unlike the other names I actually do hate Reylo

I do not ship canon Lila with anyone except the devil because she belongs in Gehenna. Reread this every time she shows up.

I do not ship canon Kim with anyone except his right hand because he deserves a kick in the teeth. All of the fanfictions that made him a mean jock were basically right. Reread this everytime he shows up.

Hi! It's me! I'm the guy who wrote Nino salt, it's me! I made a fic, where Alya punches him in his teeth! He should have never stalked her and assumed she was cheating on him; He should have never revealed her cover without her consent; why dafaq is Alya even still with him?

I refuse to ship Chloe with her victims.

Again, I refuse to ship Chloe with her victims.

Chloe is too toxic to be with prince Ali (Sabrina is also toxic so it balances out).

Kagami is too good for Chloe.

Three times the charm, I refuse to ship Chloe with her victims.

Max is Ace Me being an idiot

Does anyone even care about this AU anymore?

I am a big dumb dumb that confused Asexuality with Aromanticism. Whoops.

Marinette x Max does have some chemistry in the Gamer episodes. Unfortunately, Max stopped having episodes with her for some reason, and I blame the robot.

Boring

Do these two ever talk, or...

Well apparently the writers do because we're getting a special about them.

WTF IS THIS PICTURE???

WHY IS LUKA CHOKING NATHANIEL??????

[serendertothesquad]

Seren's Studies: Odd Squad UK -- "The Triangle Sisters" Episode Followup, Part 2

Part 2 of Oh God, I Have to Endure 11 Minutes of Stupid Pizza Gags, below the break!

Gay dramatics.

The only thing stopping me from declaring them to be in a relationship is the fact that they're sisters and likely by blood.

(But if they were just two villains who were friends...oh, I'd go all in on that.)

Not since Seattle Mr. O in Season 3 have I looked at a character and nodded and went "that is so obviously gay it's like shoving something in my eyeballs."

New headcanon: the writers went with "The Triangle Sisters" idea so they can avoid controversy by declaring them a couple who, on top of being gay, is biracial. There was a "can we make them a couple" idea that was bounced, but they saw all the news sites screaming and crying about the lesbian French bride wedding and instead of taking it in stride they took it as personally as if you told a child they suck at everything they do.

Headcanon accepted. It better come true before I lay in my casket.

Oh...wait...so is it the woman with the stick in her mouth? Or is it- okay it's a different woman. I think.

Her and Squidward clarinet faceoff when?

(It was either that, or "token straight person.")

Yeah...yeah...push the fact that you're sisters. IT WILL NOT ERASE THE INDIVIDUAL GAY.

...I'm starting to realize why Tasha hopped on board this episode.

Between the alliterative naming and the fact that she's trying to stuff a whole-ass family tree in 11 minutes, it speaks for itself.

Someone's gotta get Seattle Mr. O over here! Teach 'em how to do music right!

IT TOOK 'EM 10 YEARS TO MAKE A BADGE TRANSITION AHAHAHAHAAHAH.

takes a 15-minute nap

opal can take one in one minute

Skill issue, dude.

"there's nothing left to guard at the museum" YOU HAVE WANT IT NEED IT COOKIES. OTHER STRUCTURES. WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DRUGGIN' OUT ON DUDE?????

SO SHE GIFTS HIM A FUCKING OLD-TIMEY CAMERA???????????????

Orli bruh what the fuck. Is Britain that seriously behind on technology that these cameras are still in existence, or is Tasha one hell of a boomer?

*long very deep sigh*

This is literally a Great Grinaldi rip but with gay triangle villains and pizza and security officers with integrity.

I went into this being sure there were NO STRAIGHT RIPS.

This is a straight rip.

Fuck you.

(Worst part is that I know the pizza is a Chekhov's Gun, but I still hate it anyway.)

Okay, saying "delicious" to Osgood's face while saying "yuck" to Orli's at the exact same volume makes no fucking sense, Ozzie.

Maybe if you spoke telepathically, but y'know...that's just me.

There are two more minutes of this episode, my damn legs got blown off, and I'm dragging the rest of my body through the rest of it.

All right, now I know what my problem is with this episode.

See, a lot of episodes have you on the edge of your seat, or at the very least, make you think you're in for a surprise. And you are, most of the time! And even when they're predictable, there are still funny moments that make you smile and realize the episode's not so bad.

This one is purely predictable, lacks anything funny, and has the only things of actual merit be two gay triangle villains, their two ambiguously LGBTQ+ sisters, and a security officer who's an idiot but knows where his priorities lie. There's nothing really holding me. There was, at the beginning, but then things went downhill from there.

And I hate it.

Oh, and this. This is funny. This has merit too. But it's not episode-saving.

Man I can't wait until Season 2! Odd Squad UK: Orli and Ozzie Join a Triangle Cult.

THE MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP PIZZA IS NOT A THING. STOP TRYING TO MAKE IT A FUCKING THING.

No one played the triangle. There was just the sound. Fuck you, lost cause, I'm going home.

And your credits for this episode. Featuring three of the four Triangle Sisters. Don't ask me where the other one went.

-------------------------------------------------------

Overall...well, I think my comments up above say plenty. But perhaps one of the more offensive things was the pizza gag. It wasn't funny, and "The Great Grinaldi" did it leagues better with Grinaldi himself. In 11 minutes, you could make a drinking game out of it and I'd have to get my stomach pumped.

Not even the gay triangle villains were enough to save this one. Great to see 'em, but I'd have much preferred if they weren't stuffed into an episode that was already doomed to fail when the first quarter ended.

Basically, if you want to see this episode done better...go watch "The Great Grinaldi". Smile. Laugh. Might be predictable, but Otto's obsession and Olive's pure exasperation is so fun to watch every time.

Next time will be the final episode of the first batch, "Miss Information". From there, it'll be a pretty short break from followups -- about a day or so, give or take -- until the rest of the episodes drop. Given how that episode has Captain O give a kid-friendly bird flip to the camera, I might enjoy this one.

Seren out!

[astro-break]

Thoughts on the 11th ep of Hypmic Rhyme Anima+. Spoilers beware

Season 1 | Ep.1 | Ep.2 | Ep.3 | Ep.4 | Ep. 5 | Ep. 6 | Ep. 7 | Ep. 8 | Ep. 9 | Ep. 10

eyyy separating them into their gumis! the gentaro and jyushi interaction is cute and i love how worried jyushi is about hifu thats so sweet of him

i love how thats the part that kuko focuses on www

LMAO ramuda's cute

i love how ichiro's accent just slipped out a bit there its cute

hm i still think kaibyakumon is in the right

Hey look at that! we finally got why kenji is so invested in them. would have liked to see more of the three but ill take what i can get

honestly i wanna ship akira and satoru so bad wwww they have so much ship potential

YES. THANK YOU RAMUDA. just let them destroy each other my goodness

idk if this show wants to villainize or humanize kaibyakumon. like on one hand everyone's against him on principle but i don't see why they should be?? Ramuda is right, hes the answer to 90% of the casts outside problems

RIP HITOYA LMAO

i love how samatoki is probably the only consistent character here and just wants to be the one to punch the government in the face www

ugh i really wanted ramuda to have won that argument. it suckksss they really went with the most boring path

poor doppo, i feel so bad for him

even poor hifumi can't stand to watch ripp

i love seeing rio in his element, hes kinda cute like that

lmao rei being waving off his own son as if hes just a brat

man i do hope that they get their just revenge. it would be nice but unfortunately impossible just because of the nature of this sort of anime

LMAO HES SO EXHAUSTED THAT HES HALLUCINATING OH NOOOOOOO i feel so bad for doppo sometimes

wow for all that talk of stealth rio just blew up a whole wall

OOOOO GUMI SONG!!!!!!!!!!

hmm i don't like the last two songs as much but there is intresting wordplay to be found in ciaro's verses, especially one as an anti-governmental piece

damn so it seems like the last three episodes will be just the gumis going to each place and fighting off the others

oooo theres a bit of rio's rap ability on show with that shelter

HAHA DICE PUSHING RIO AWAYYYY

OH FUCK ARE THEY CORRUPTING THE DATA TO THE POINT WHERE THEY"RE KILLING AKIRA AND SATORU??????

ey look at that!! I did sort of predict the mass hypnosis! granted its subliminal messaging but im fine with being wrong once in a while

LMAO GAMBLER LIFE

damn theyre still gay after death

the "whos gonna answer my questions" has the same vibe as "who else will I eat icecream with?" thing from kingdom hearts wwww

bro i want a season just about these two idiots

hmm intresting design for scuro i do like it

man now i really do like akira and satoru. they're cool. I hate this bc i know in the end they'll die and kaibyakumon will get his ass kicked to preserve the status quo. i do hope that the anime does use this as a jumping off point tho bc the premise is pretty fun

tho they probably won't. as i said status quo as long as the source material still insists on the current status quo of keeping chuuoku in power. The drama CDs do seem like its building towards a conclusion but its not enough for any meaningful change yet.

tho the anime is original content and thus exists in a separate sphere from the CDs. Its entirely possible that they may move ahead and start shaking things up but i doubt it

lol why the dotsuhon ed they got so little screen time this episode ripp them

[barclaysangel]

The Wheelers' Reunion (Chucky season 2 rewrite fic, drabble 4/4)

Here is the fourth drabble! This is one of my favorites because I've kept it a big secret how Jake and Junior's reunion would go down. I'd prefer it if you read them in the order they are posted. PLEASE leave notes and comment what you think because comments help fuel our motivation since @streets-in-paradise and I worked on this AU together and one day, the fic will finally be written!

Thank you and enjoy! :)

Word count: 1.7K

Junior adjusted the tie around his neck for the tenth time, wanting desperately to rip that shit off. He always hated how it felt, like it was choking him. The last time he had worn a tie was at his mother’s— 

No. Don’t think about that. Stay focused, you idiot. He told himself while taking a deep breath and regained his composure, letting go of his tie and kept walking forward. 

Junior’s eyes kept wandering, trying to catch a glimpse of a three foot ginger doll. He was armed to the teeth, a gun in the hidden pocket of his blazer along with a dagger and a butcher knife, but he needed to be aware of everything. He wouldn’t be caught off guard, even though he wasn’t alone in the hallway. 

He made a mental note of everything and everyone surrounding home to the point where it was tedious. Nun, student, portrait, another student, another nun, Jake, another portrait, yet another nun—

Wait a minute…

He quickly looked back over and his eyes met Jake’s eyes across the hallway. Junior halted in his steps, neither of them moving and they both just stared. 

Jake looked taller, maybe by an inch or two. His curls were shorter too, he must’ve cut his hair over the last year. Speaking of cuts, there were a few on his face, possibly from the fucker that ruined their lives. But all in all, he still looked like his cousin that he grew up with. 

Well, until Junior burned that bridge when they were kids. But he still saw him nearly everyday after that. They were always in each other’s lives, whether they liked it or not. 

God, there were so many things he wanted to say, wanted to apologize for, but he didn’t have the time for that. 

A part of Junior wondered if Jake even recognized him. It had been almost a year and he was now sporting a more ‘wilderness-like’ hairstyle that Lexy called it, but judging from how his cousin’s eyes were nearly bulging out of their sockets and how pale he turned, he figured that Jake still recognized his asshole cousin. 

Finally, after a full thirty seconds of staring, Junior nudged his head to the side slightly to gesture for Jake to follow him and then entered into the room beside him. It was a library, filled with books but he assumed that most of them were bibles. 

Fun. 

He didn’t turn around to see if his cousin was behind him but after a few moments, he recognized his footsteps and turned to fully face him. 

“Hi Jake.” Junior said, trying to sound as casual as he could to not concern Jake. 

That didn’t work, because Jake looked like he was about to have a heart attack. “This-this isn’t real, this isn’t fucking real…” 

Oh boy…this might be more difficult than he thought. 

“This is very real, Jake, just take a breather and calm down…” 

“Don’t tell me to fucking calm down!” Jake snapped, taking a step away from him and then a step forward. “Who the fuck are you, huh? Is that you, Chucky? Possessing my dead cousin?!” 

“Wait, can Chucky possess a corpse?” Junior mused out loud before quickly shaking his head. “No, not the time—listen, Jake, I’m not Chucky. I’m me. This is me. I’m not dead, possessed, or a ghost. I’m real. I’m Junior.” 

Jake still didn’t look like he believed, and instead looked like he was five seconds away from throwing a bible at him. “Oh my god, first a priest that looks like my father and uncle, now a someone that looks like my cousin and pretending to be him…” 

“Oh yeah, I heard about that and fuck, I really do not want to meet him.” Junior once again spoke aloud at the mention of the priest that looked like their fathers, sending a shiver down his spine. But seeing that this wasn’t calming down Jake in the slightest, he had to quickly start thinking before an idea came to him. 

“When we were kids, we used to steal food from my kitchen!” Junior blurted out quickly. “You-you used to be the lookout because you sucked at being stealthy,” he chuckled fondly at the memory he hadn’t thought of in so long, “and I would shove as much food as I could under my shirt and we would both run. Run all the way back to my room. Our moms always knew what we did but they never did anything to stop us. They just let us pretend we were ninjas.” 

As he spoke, he could see Jake slowly becoming aware, recognition and then melancholy shining in his eyes. 

“I…I never told anyone about what we used to do,” Junior began speaking slowly, “not even Devon. No one on this earth would know about our ‘missions’. No one. And especially not Chucky.” He met his cousin’s eyes again, even taking a step forward. “I’m alive, Jake.” 

Jake blinked a few times as it slowly began to dawn on him that he was telling the truth. “Oh my god…” 

“Yeah, oh my god…” 

“Oh. My. God.” 

“Okay, we need to figure out how to get you the hell out of here, we don’t have time for this.” Junior spoke, about to turn away to leave the library but his cousin’s intense stare made him stay. 

“This whole time…you’ve been alive?” He spoke slowly, his voice barely staying even through contained rage. “This…whole…time?” 

Junior paused briefly. “Look, Jake, I know you have a lot of questions right now and I promise I’ll answer them, but we really need—!” 

“You’ve been alive for a year and you never told anyone?” Jake practically snarled out his next sentence. 

He didn’t say anything for a few seconds before smiling sheepishly. “…yes?” He said as cautiously as he could. 

For a long moment, no one said or did anything. His cousin just continued to stare daggers deep into his soul, making him shift uncomfortably from one foot onto the other. 

Suddenly, before he could blink, Jake’s fist connected with Junior’s nose. 

“OH FUCK!” He yelled out loud and stumbled backward, nearly hitting a bookshelf with both of his hands clasped over his nose. Junior could feel warm blood starting to leak out of his nostrils and his eyes watering from the impact. 

“You son of a bi—!” Junior started angrily before pausing so he didn’t murder his cousin and taking a deep breath, “…okay, I had that coming. I deserved that. I won’t punch you back because I did punch you first at my mom’s wake a year ago. So…are we even now?” 

Jake was still glaring at him but the glare had softened by now, one hand clutching onto his fist before he finally nodded. “Yeah…yeah, we’re even.” 

“Good.” He nodded then groaned, tilting his head upward to try and stop the bleeding. 

“No, don’t do that, you’re supposed to tilt your head forward, not back.”

“Well, thank you for your wonderful advice, Muhammad Ali!” Junior sneered as sarcastically as he could but listened to his cousin, moving his head forward and watched a couple drops of blood stain his white shirt. 

He could feel Jake staring at him. “Even after a year, you’re still being an asshole?” He asked almost rhetorically. 

“You punched me in the face, you’re not going to see my nice side right now!” Junior snapped back, looking up to narrow his eyes at Jake. “If you broke my nose, I’ll break your leg, fucker!” 

“I didn’t break your nose.” Jake said with a straight face, seemingly unfazed by his cousin’s threat. “Pinch your nostrils shut for a few minutes, that should stop the bleeding.” 

He was still scowling but once again listened to Jake, using two fingers to pinch his nostrils shut and huffed under his breath. 

Neither of the cousins said anything for a solid minute, just staring intensely at one another until Jake broke the silence. “I’m sorry for punching you,” he apologized, “but you have to understand that I thought everyone in my family was dead for a year. Even after everything between us, I still didn’t want you to be dead. But then I find out you’ve been alive this whole time and never told us. So you can’t blame me for getting upset.” 

“I can understand that, but you also have to understand why I didn’t let any of you guys know I was alive,” Junior started, his voice almost nasally from pinching his nostrils shut, “I did…horrible things. To everyone. Especially you. So I just…I convinced myself that you all were better off believing that I was six feet under and would live the rest of your lives in peace.” 

“You thought it was better to believe you were dead?!” Jake exclaimed and moved his arm back, making Junior immediately take several steps back and hold a hand out. 

“No no no no no no no! Don’t you dare hit me again! If you hit me again, our truce is off and we can have a full blown brawl right here in a fucking library!” He shouted, glaring at Jake until the latter finally put his arm back down. 

Junior sighed and ran a hand through his long hair, his other hand still on his nose. “My god. Look, I get you guys having very strong and aggressive reactions to me being alive, but at least Lexy and Devon didn’t physically assault me!” 

“Wait, Lexy and Devon? You’ve seen them?” Jake asked in surprise. 

“Yeah, how do you think we got here? Did you really think we decided to come to a catholic boarding school for fun?” Junior asked in sarcasm. 

“We?” 

“Me and Andy.” 

“Andy Barclay?! He’s alive too?!” Jake almost shouted, looking even more shocked than before. 

“Is there another Andy you know that would want to help kill a redhead doll?” He questioned with a slight attitude, which earned a glare from his cousin and sighed. “Look, I know I have so much I need to explain and apologize for. I swear I will do it, but right now, we need to make a plan to kill Chucky and get you out of here. I know I’m asking you for a lot…but can you trust me? Just this once?” 

Jake didn’t say anything, staring at his cousin to see if he was genuine before finally nodding. “Okay. I trust you.” 

Junior smiled slightly in relief. “Good, let’s go.”