#sara is one of the three 4* i still don't have so i didn't know she got fucking scolded for just playing w the soldiers as a kid until i sea

[welcometoteyvat]

need xiao and kujou sara to meet asap btw. 

- golden winged peng vs winged tengu (whose wings, incidentally, were damaged when she received her vision...)

- both dedicate their lives to their archons

- separated from the society (mortals, Inazuman troops/Tengou Commission) they were brought up in because of certain factors (karma, status as adopted child and tengu)

perhaps they’d understand each other. maybe they’d know what it’s like—an existence as a god’s right hand, and everything it entails. their eyes meet, gold on gold; they know: this person might only understand half of me but that's half more than anyone else. what’s it like to serve a god so deeply—what do you sacrifice and how does it remake you? sara believes that her vision was granted by the raiden shogun, saving her, and thus dedicates herself to carrying out the will of thunder across the land. xiao receives his new name from morax, and in return, agrees to protect liyue for however long it will need. sara’s wings, injured, as she falls off the mountain—alatus, lacking his golden wings, the bloodhound of that unknown god.

[blucassiopeia]

Contrast

"A prelude spin-off for an upcoming fic"

warnings: afab!reader, reader being 5 years older, 8.6k LONG

A Sakusa Kiyoomi x reader oneshot

a/n: solid clue on this; sorry for the delayyy, a lengthy one to compromiseee

"What do you want? I still haveー"

"C'mon, Kiyo. You just got back here from Osaka."

"Then, speak. Stop hitting around the bush. You know I don't like hospitals."

"She's gonna be here any moment. Just be patient, son."

Kiyoomi grunted as he sat back on his dad's office couch. The office was rather modern, his dad desperately riding Kiyoomi's generation. Though, it has their big family portrait just right off his humungous desk that he remembered was from Barcelona. His desktop was coated with orange fluffy cloth siders, probably a gift of Sara's, Kiyoomi's 4-yr-old nieceーand it was paired with a keyboard and mouse of the same shade. It practically throws off the white and classy vibe of the place. He smiled at the thought.. but this is all till in a hospital's vicinity. Kiyoomi's stomach started stirring.

"So, how's your team? Are you fitting nicely?" His father asked as Kiyoomi fiddled with his phone, huffing through his black mask, very anxious to leave.

"Sort of. We have the leagues next three months."

"Oh fuck off. The chief resident asked you, not me."

"Please."

The door flung open and revealed you in your scrub suit and gown, tongue mockingly out to someone behind the door. You, then, slid inside the office and closing the door, your eyes fell on Kiyoomi first, and then to his father. Kiyoomi has to inch the distance more from the smell his nose registered. Where would she had been? Germs. Germs. Germs.

"You called for me, Sirーah, Doc?"

Kiyoomi didn't spare you a glance, still fiddling at his phone, maybe trying to give his volleyball team captain a text or two of any nonsense to keep him visually busy. He just wants to get out of that place. His system is screaming already. He might want an alcohol bath, uh, that's too much. How does his family doing it likeー

"That's my youngest right there, Kiyoomi." The chairman of the hospital gestured to the curly black-haired man sitting dejectively on the couch, trying his hardest to ignore your presence. You perked a brow.

You leaned to the chairman, in the attempt to whisper. "And? I don't babysit teenagers, Doc. Too busy in becoming the medical director that I promised you."

Kiyoomi happened to glance at your direction when his father laughed lightly at whatever you whispered to him. He noticed your pout as you straightened your back, your gown's fabric crinkling at the movement. What were you even whispering to an old, married man? His nose scrunched up behind his mask, returning his attention to his phone.

"Take him to dinner, Y/n."

Both of your heads snapped at Sakusa Takashi that's already beaming at you, clearly pleased at what he said.

"Whー" Kiyoomi started to retort but you raced him to it first.

"I'm still comfortable in third-wheeling with Dai or with Katana-nee, Doc. Are they whining over me already?" Your feet stomp at your every word, whining like a child.

Kiyoomi wondered how did you even know his brother, or his cousin. Are you acquainted with the rest of his family? He doesn't recognize you from the numerous family occasions, or in any business functions where you could possibly be but remained unnoticed to him. Ugh. He knows where this is going. This also happened to his sister, that she somehow liked after years. He shivered at the thought.

He can't take the atmosphere of the office anymore so he stood up and said, "I'm going home."

"And he's this rude, Doc?" You smirked at Kiyoomi's direction, the ChairmanーKiyoomi's fatherーmirroring you, teasing his youngest son.

Huh. Is this a challenge?, Kiyoomi thought as he stared straight at his dad, black eyes hardly pass your figure. He scoffed at his father that mouthed 'Just once.' And he bored his eyes on yours and sighed.

You clasped your hands together, easing the tension Kiyoomi was giving you. "So, gimme an hour or two and I'd be ready, Kiyo. Orrrー" You faced the chairman and winked at him, knowing fully well that he knew what you're going to do with his beloved son. "ーbe with me in my rounds."

When you turned back to face Kiyoomi, you were greeted by his twitching eyes behind those round and delicate thin rimmed glasses. You returned them with a sly grin.

Kiyoomi found himself trudging after you to wherever. He actively convinces himself that this is better than waiting on that area where various people flocksーthe germ and virus infested waiting area at the lobby. This is better than staying on his dad's office where he'll just not hear the end of a discussion he doesn't want to associate with. Being with you is better. Yes, being with you is better.

You rounded to a hallway and he lifted his eyes from your back when he heard a familiar voice in the nearby nurse stationーto which you're heading to.

"The patient in 302 has to have his rehabilitations in 3 hours. Is the facility ready?"

"Yes, Doc."

"Dai, are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

You heard Kiyoomi groaned at your back as Daisuke and Katana spotted you approaching with their Kiyoomi. Their eyes are on him, round with bewilderment and surprise. You snorted. They are the culprits, the nerve of them. But eitherway, it's turning out well. Hopefully.

"Kiyoomi?"

"Is that their volleyball player?"

"Doc Takashi's youngest! Sakusa Kiyoomi!"

"He's so tall!"

"So hot lookーI mean, good looking!"

"He looks like a rougher version of Doc Dai."

Daisuke was the first one to approach his brother. Kiyoomi took a few steps back from him to which he chuckled. He glared at his brother through his glasses, daring him to approach further. Daisuke's tied black curls swayed as he moves his head to face you, hands in either sides of his waist, his gown pushed back revealing his branded slacks and dress shirt. Yeah, Kiyoomi's a rougher version alright.

"Ah, thanks Y/n, but how did you do this?"

His soft and genuinely amused laughs filled the hallways, followed by Katana's. The other fellows, nurses and residents nearby turned to the sound. You mentally noted that if Kiyoomi hasn't been wearing his mask, you'll see how red his cheeks were. Daisuke and Katana are sure to know how to tease him. You pursed your lips, not knowing whether to laugh with them or sympathize with his agony.

"Rounds." It was dangerously low that it had stuttered Daisuke's laughs. Kiyoomi's head was facing you, dark eyes demanding.

"Rounds, Y/n? With Kiyo?" Katana asked with pure curiosity as she motioned herself closer to you, her eyes on Kiyoomi.

"Who's with Sara right now?"

"Toya."

"Yeah, we have to have dinner by 6:30pm so he can go home early." Both of your fellow doctors turned wide-eyed to you from what you have just said. You rolled your eyes at them. "You whined at Sir Kashi about me third-wheeling on your respective dates. Can't believe you."

The two are still dumbstruck when you turned to Kiyoomi who's getting grumpier by the second. "Let's go?" You, next, called out to the interns at the back of the nurse station. "Those who wants to come with me for reports, let's go."

Katana rushed to the nurse station and opened a drawer hastily and went back in a matter of seconds, handing something to Kiyoomi. You peered at her extended hand and found two cute plastic vials of sanitizers, to which he gladly accepted. You heard stories of Kiyoomi from his siblings and cousins and how he hates crowds so much, anti-social.. and a germaphobe. You were even surprised he followed you to your rounds.

"Take care of my brother, Y/n." You didn't miss the dazed and stuttering tone of Daisuke as he patted your shoulder. He also placed a hand on Kiyoomi's shoulder as the latter carefully lather some of the sanitizer in his hands and sniffed it. Daisuke gave a squeeze at his shoulder before patting it twice. "Kiyo."

The interns and a nurse came filing up behind you, ready for the rounds. You took the walk to the ward when Katana called out, "Kiyo, be kind, okay?" Kiyoomi grumbled at your side to which you giggled. He shot a glance at you and furrowed his brows. You playfully turned your eyes away from him and stuffed your hands on your gown's pockets.

"Dai? Dinner? Seriously?"

"Dad. It's Dad."

Kiyoomi felt like running when he first stepped into the first ward you picked to do your rounds. He overheard your conversation with the one girl intern that you have two patients here. He took a deep breath and followed you inside.

"Mommyy~ how's the stitches? Is it still painful and itchy? How are you feeling?"

"Jii-saaaan~ how is the therapy? Are your movements doing fine? No reactions?"

"Baby~" He heard you cooed at that one kid on the second ward you lot went in. You sat in his bed and carefully patted his head. "Why are you crying? Does it still hurt?"

Kiyoomi has to turn his eyes away from your figure and unintentionally coughed. He mumbled a low sorry, thankfully of which you didn't hear.

"Tall curly man." His eyes turned back to the crying kid. The kid's eyes were on Kiyoomi as you looked with him with soft eyes. Kiyoomi thought he might be 6 or 7 years old. So young to be in a hospital. His eyes steeled and cold as he remembered something of which he shouldn't.

"I'm gonna wait outside."

You looked at Kiyoomi with concern and nodded. "One more room upstairs and we're off." Kiyoomi nodded as he took the exit of the ward. He can still hear the kid's cries from here so he distanced himself more, enough that he can see you walk out of the room anytime.

The ride was silent. Very uncharacteristic of you. Kiyoomi was silent, well he always is. You wanna ask about that cough and walking out a while ago but you thought that he maybe just be too grossed out at the patients. You suddenly felt guilty of making him accompany you in your rounds. You bit your lip as your hand knuckled up on the stirring wheel.

You badly want to break silence so, "Where should we eat?"

"Wherever you wish."

You glanced at him and found him staring at the view of bustling nightlife of Tokyo. You sighed and drove to your med friends' go-to fine dining. Well, you're assuming Kiyoomi would like it considering he's from a well-off family.

He waited for you to round up to him from the driver's side, you fixing your blouse as you approach him. Kiyoomi never got a good look of you in the hospital but now, amidst the glowing dim light of the restaurant and the parking lot's lamp post nearby, he sees you clearly and radiantly. It took him over a minute to stop his intrusive thoughts while you were still fixing your blouse and hair, unaware of his eyes, and so he motioned to the entrance of the restaurant.

"You're not allergic to anything?" He shook his head in response as he opened the door for you, to which your brows perked for a millisecond.

You ordered directly after being seated. The modern Japanese style fine-dining restaurant that you're in has a romantic ambience. Candles are lit and it's a bit dark, with just a low and very dimly-lit chandelier on each section of the space. Your friends would often take you here when they have to have a relaxing dinner after a toxic shift. And it is relaxing. You wonder if Kiyoomi's feeling the same.

He's exuding a laid back expression with a glint of disapproval to the whole situation you're both in. You're not dumb as to not know what the Chairman wants to happen with the both of you. You sighed. Just try, huh. Okay.

"So, Kiyo" You started, and his eyes darted to you from his phone, the candle giving it an unfathomable impression. You gulped. "When's the start of the season?"

He sighed and his gaze fell back to his phone. "In three months."

"MSBY, right? Of Osaka?" He nodded, eyes still on his phone. You chewed your cheek as your lashes kept fluttering on his direction, brows visibly furrowed at his loss of interest.

"How's Inunaki?"

Kiyoomi's brows were the first to react. It shot up, dragging his eyes with it, and then his head till you have his full attention, phone already discarded at the table.

He obscurely coughed, "You know him?"

You nodded, remembering the days when you dated the sweet libero. He was cute, but then you broke up with him to focus on your profession. It was a clean break though. No more strings attached. You were just reminded by him because the gentleman right in front of you is on the same team as your ex-boyfriend.

Kiyoomi was running his tongue on the backs of his teeth as he studied your face. You knew their team's libero. And your facial expression now was just like when he saw you talking with Daisuke earlier.

"He's fine. He's staying with our captain in their house just off Kita District. He might be off to Osaka next week with him." You hummed softly and it sent shivers on him, it made his thighs pop anxiously underneath the table.

He knows what's happening. Fuck, he knows what's happening. Can't believe it's actually happening at this certain point in his life. He remembered those incessant talks with his friends on his volleyball batch, especially talks with Atsumu and Kenji. He tilted his head as he stares at the spot on the table directly in front of you, not daring to look you in the eye.

"Howー" He was cutted off when the food arrived at your table. Thankfully. He didn't know what's gotten into him that he was about to ask something he shouldn't. He bit his lip behind his mask as he watched the food getting arranged in the table.

You're still dazed at how Kiyoomi suddenly poured you a bit of his attention by just mentioning Shion when suddenly, he got rid of his mask so casually you didn't have time to brace yourself. You found yourself staring at his features as a whole. His nose perfectly fitted his handsome face, thin-lipped, smooth cheeks and sharp jawline. You found your eyes trailing to every nook of his face and found his eyes in the process, staring back at you.

"Wow. You're handsomer without the mask, Kiyo."

Kiyoomi raised a brow as he placed a plate full of sushi and sashimi in front of you. "And you're saying that so casually, thanks." You didn't miss the little quiver of his bottom lip as he spoke, red ears still evident within the orange light from the candles.

You smiled while prepping your chopsticks. "Well, we're already grown-ups so no need to shy away about saying those kind of things." You trailed your eyes at his face, now focused on what dish to try first. But no, Kiyoomi's attention is on your voice. He's desperately trying to act normal, and yes, controlling himself and his tongue.

"Try the sashimi first, they taste good. Or do the Gyoza." You suggested and he picked the sashimi first, nodding as the dish reached his tongue. You have to distract yourself with eating your own food served in front of you.

The dinner was fine, casual queries and talks were exchanged but you concluded that someone not daring enough can't get any info out of Kiyoomi. And you're not daring enough. All queries were just public info, you-can-know stuffs.

You stared at the mirror of the restroom after you briefly excused yourself after taking two glasses of wine just to get out of that situation. You're questioning yourself, and can't believe you're feeling insecure with how you look. You fixed your hair, your lip tint. Are you that old for Kiyoomi? Are you not pretty for him?

You groaned as you repeatedly muttered, "Just try. If it doesn't work, then okay. It's okay." You exited that restroom with a newfound determination.

"Shall we go? Dai-nii said you both have to prepare for a surgery 6 hours prior." You stuttered as it was the first sentence Kiyoomi gave you after you sat back from the restroom. You whisked your wrist for your watch and rolled your eyes. It's still 7:30pm, the surgery is 5am. Seriously, Daisuke?

Grumpiness sat in you as you drove back to the hospital, still basking on Kiyoomi's silence. Or which you thought.

"Can we go to your favorite alley of yakitori?" Your wide-eyed gaze found his popping thighs and you didn't dare to look further to his face. But he noticed your surprised expression to which he turned away with a steeled expression and a click out of his tongue.

Why is he frustrated? He can't be that frustrated. He doesn't care about you. He closed his eyes for the rest of the ride.

"Kiyo, what are we doing here?"

He just hummed as he collect himself out of your car and out to the alley, clearly looking for a certain stall, his mask already back on his face, sanitized hands on his pockets. You scampered after him to which he sighed and turned back to you. He saw you still taking a few steps closer to him as you fixed your hair and glistening eyes locking to a stall farther back. He can't miss the brief parting of your lips and a bob on your throat. He followed your gaze and briskly walked to that direction.

"Hey! Wait!"

Where are you dining? She likes the yakitori on her favorite streetfood alley.

Kiyoomi, she has to prepare for our surgery 6 hours prior. Take her back to the hospital right after dinner.

Where are you now? Are you on your way back? Don't reply if you're driving. Be careful.

Daisuke's texts kept ringing on his ears as he heaves two trays full of yakitori, with you following him in bewilderment. You both were walking to the previous nurse station Kiyoomi saw his brother. And he's really there now and waiting. Kiyoomi furrowed his brows as he saw his brother perked up on your sight.

Kiyoomi was silent as he placed the trays on the station and informing them that it's on the house. He quickly took the paperbag with some yakitoris too and handed it to you, ignoring the stares of Daisuke on his side.

"Kiー"

"You shouldn't be considerate with others when we say Wherever you want. It was supposed to be your choice." You were startled when he said that to your face, the others hearing it. "Anyways, thanks for driving and for the dinner."

Your jaw dropped, cheeks burning, as your eyes followed his hovering figure walking away from you. Kiyoomi was clearly annoyed with whatever and you had no idea why that is. You turned to face Daisuke who was already staring at you, and he huffed, big strides following Kiyoomi.

"Doc Dai was already frustrated with something, Doc Y/n."

You turned to the nurse who spoke, gesturing her to go on with what's she's saying. "Maybe something about his dad?"

Hm. Maybe because of the run-down of the department's allowance., you thought as you ran your fingers through the paperbag with five yakitoris. You smiled at the thought of Kiyoomi. Well, he can be sweet while being grumpy and mean.

"Kiyo!"

Kiyoomi rolled his eyes as he detestfully punched in the buttons of the elevator. He quickly pulled out the sanitizer Katana gave her and lather some on his hands. Daisuke found his space on his brother's side, huffing whileーKiyoomi doesn't knowーlooking so annoyed with something? He smirked.

"You didn't go eat at her favorite stall?" Daisuke asked as the elevator dinged and opened for the both of the men. Thankfully, it's empty so they piled in.

"We're already eating when you texted." Kiyoomi deadpanned, just staring at the elevator door while his brother's body is on his direction, eyes somewhat blazing with whatever. Kiyoomi's not dumb, and he's mad at it.

"And you bought her yakitori after the dinner? What's with the trays?"

"For you, guys. Trying to be friendly, considering Katana-nee-san asked me to be kind."

He walked out of the elevator as soon as it reached the basement parking lot of the hospital building, Daisuke following behind with more questions he's not gonna answer due to an impending blow on his part that he's afraid to burst.

"It just took a few hours for you huh."

Kiyoomi faced his brother, full height and pride seeping through his veins, face scrunched up with his now discarded mask tucked on his chin.

"Dai. Nii. Chan. Why are you dating someone else when you're clearly in love with her?" There goes the blow.

When Daisuke didn't answer because of utter shock, Kiyoomi dragged his feet to his car far out left of the parking lot leaving his brother behind and frozen.

But he didn't know why he found himself on the same hospital again a week after that fateful one-time dinner. His fingers are tapping on his steering wheel as he was parking. His niece mused as how she's going to see Daisuke and Katana, Motoya cradling her in the passenger seat. No one knew of the conversation he had with Daisuke, and Daisuke hadn't been talking to him the past week, clearly left unguarded with Kiyoomi's blow. Irritating. As irritating as how you got stuck in his mind since that dinner night.

"Yoomi!" Sara leaned to Kiyoomi as they got out of the car. Kiyoomi carried her in one arm and eyed Motoya for her orange mask.

"Matchy." Motoya snickered as he hooked Sara's mask on her ears and quickly got his phone to take a picture of his grumpy cousin and Sara, both wearing orange kiddie masks. Motoya was surprised when Kiyoomi kissed Sara's head through his mask, completely ready for the shot. And he might've sent it to their GC, or maybe even posted online that you'll be seeing a few hours later and keel about.

Sara is loved by many nurses and doctors in the hospital for her talkativeness and cuteness, their future cutie doctor. But you gravely prayed she'll never be like her uncle Kiyoomi that yes, a kind gentleman but also and absolutely yes to being rude and grumpy.

Your irises immediately dilated when you saw her in Kiyoomi's arm, and how cute of Sara to make Kiyoomi wear her signature orange stuffs. You chuckled at the thought as you approached them.

"Ah, Y/n-san!" You ruffled Motoya's hair as you saw him bounding past Kiyoomi with Sara's orange bag.

"Y/n-chaan~" Sara mused as she leaned for you to carry her. But Kiyoomi held her away from you.

"She still has germs, Sara." Eventhough it was a mumble, you can't help but to hear it considering the distance between you. "Later, okay?" Kiyoomi kissed Sara's cheek still with mask on.

Sara lovingly put her hand on Kiyoomi's cheek, nudging the bottom of his glasses up, "But I like her, Yoomi. Won't care if she has germs or none. You shouldn't too. You like her, right?"

Motoya snorted at your back, while you and Kiyoomi unmistakenly blushed at Sara's words.

"Baby, Iー" Kiyoomi glanced at you, your hand on your mouth and face still burning, eyes still wide on him from shock. "I don't.. like.. her."

Kiyoomi's words rang in your ears and it has been an hour since then. You're in the middle of your rounds, clearly distracted that she had to let the interns take notes of what she said and had to read them afterwards for double checking. You tilted your head to let the thought die, and ran your fingers through your hair.

You jumped at a low cough on your side, and your head turned to face Kiyoomi, head low and fiddling fingers together, eyes unfocused. "Yes, Kiyoomi?"

His eyes shot at you on his name, uncomfortable without the nickname you once gave him. And you didn't know why, searching on your depths why didn't you used that. He'll probably worry about that, but very unlikely. He doesn't like you.

"Sara wants you to be with us out for dinner."

"Okay." You nodded in a heartbeat still wondering why doesn't he like you.

And Kiyoomi is uncomfortable with the looks you're giving him as you walk with him, Sara still in his arms refusing to walk because of her uncle's big paces. She is still talking with you and you converse with her, your eyes still burning on Kiyoomi from time to time. And Kiyoomi doesn't like how out-of-place is he with the little girl talk.

You rode passenger in his car, Sara on your lap after Kiyoomi told you it's now okay. But on what grounds are you okay? You can't understand that side of him, and you want to ask him to understand. You want to understand him. You want to understand whyー

You shifted on your seat, arms wrapping on Sara's little waist as she sings songs from Kiyoomi's nursery rhymes, and you sang with her too through the familiar lyrics. And it was proper music for Kiyoomi and he scoffed inaudibly, so amused with the scene he wished he can record it.

His mind was unintentionally wandering far off the future, where you could be with your own little girl in your lap, still with him in the driver's seat, both of you all dressed up according to the little girl's wishes. And it will be blissful and peaceful and no Daiー

He felt himself knuckled up at his steering wheel and you took notice, stammering mid-singing, thinking he doesn't want you singing, thinking how bad your voice is. You gulped hard, eyes straight to the dash and onto the highway he's cruising through.

"Don't you want me here, Kiyoomi?" You tilted your head, chin resting on your palms as Kiyoomi's eyes were on his niece playing on the makeshift playground of the kiddie fastfood chain. Kids on her age are there too. Ugh germs. He might want Sara to take a bath when they get home later.

It's Kiyo for you, Y/n. It's Kiyo. He wanted to say that he caught himself. He doesn't want to be misunderstood, though he himself doesn't understand himself either.

"Motoya's with Dad on a business meeting about his share. And I'm sorry if I can't stop Sara from whining for you to go with us." You hummed and his thigh started popping anxiously at instinct to the sound.

"Kiyoomi. Look at me for a second." Why do you want him to look at you? Why are you even asking him to look at you? His thoughts were battling inside his head and he willfully silenced it just for a moment, and without a thought, looked at you straight to your dilated orbs. He never found such beautiful eyes like yours, beautiful orbs beyond those long lashes. He blinked.

"Why?"

"Oh, nothing." You smiled and you found what you were looking for. A deductive confirmation, an incomplete assessment to whatever situation you have with him. You suddenly wanna go back to the hospital, or just anywhere away from his scalding gaze also searching.

The food was already served when Sara got back from the indoor playground, already holding her mask out of her face like Kiyoomi now. Kiyoomi turned her little figure around and got her scrunchie to tie her long big-curled black hair. And you reveled at the sight.

"D'you want me to feed you or you wanna be a big girl for today?"

"With Y/n-chan, Yoomi."

You felt like your heart skipped a beat when Sara lipped on your direction. Oh how cute is she, a bead of sweat still trickles down her temple and forehead. You reached for her hand and sat her on your lap to which she happily obliged, swaying her legs against yours as she smiles to her uncle across the table.

"Her towel, Yoomi." You deadpanned at Kiyoomi, trying hard not to smile when you imitated Sara's nickname for him, trying hard not to smile when you saw him blush upon hearing it slip out of your lips. And he tried too hard not to dwell on it. Try harder, Kiyoomi.

"Baby, you have to feed yourself because she also has to eat, okay?"

"But I want to be fed by Y/n-chan, Yoomi." Sara's pouts were Kiyoomi's weakness. He closed his eyes in exasperation, keeping in mind that he is the adult here and with the authority.

"Yeah, Yoomi, I can feed her while eating just fine. Let's eat."

And you tried your hardest too, to make it sound so natural and not veiled with awkwardness. And Kiyoomi regretted finding that Kiyo on you earlier that day. This is way worst than it, this will drive him to his grave. He bit his lip in annoyance to his giddiness.

The dinner with Sara went fine with you feeding her. Kiyoomi helped through the process, feeding her alternately while you eat, too. And maybe a bit too awkward, because some eyes inside the food chain were on you three, murmuring about how good-looking of a family you are with Kiyoomi and Sara. You should put some blush-on next time when you're with him, just to hide the natural blush you had been wearing throughout the time.

"Thank you for your time, Y/n."

"Anytime." You winked at him and debated with yourself between saying more, or just go straight to anywhere away from him. That was enough indulgence for today for Kiyoomi doesn't like you. You have to remind yourself.

But you softly patted the head of the sleeping figure in Kiyoomi's arms, and Kiyoomi stiffened on the closeness. He can smell your fragrance and something else. He nibbled his cheek and turned his eyes straight, to where he found Daisuke staring at them, smiling. Kiyoomi was confused for a moment.

"Take her home now. Drive safely, Yoomi." You patted his wide and bulky shoulder softly, trying not to wake Sara up. Kiyoomi hummed as he stared back on his brother, clearly pertrubed over something in his mind he dare not say. And you were oblivious of the tension. He's so glad you were.

You waved Kiyoomi bye and went to Daisuke, slithering your body towards him before grasping both his cheeks with one hand. All the while, Daisuke was still smiling to Kiyoomi before he dropped his eyes on you and messed your hair. Kiyoomi had to quickly turn away and go straight home, also oblivious that the following morning will change the course of the situation.

You were pacing back and forth outside the halls for the doctors' offices, a hard flush on your cheeks visible. Kiyoomi had asked you out of nowhere for a lunch date of sorts.

These past two months was too confusing for you. Because the Kiyoomi that doesn't like you keep poking out of nowhere, taking a portion of your time of day. May it be another dinner with Sara, or just with him, or being with you on your rounds, recently and suprisingly mask down and talking with your patients. He may have even memorized your sched like the back of his hand for the untimely timing of his visits.

These past two months was like a typhoon for you. Kiyoomi was the typhoon. And you can't brace yourself enough. Maybe because you were used to him being rude and grumpy, well, he still is, but something changed in him.

"Good luck, Y/n. HAHAHA!"

Motoya replied once when you asked him about why Kiyoomi was doing things he usually won't do. What's the good luck for? The toothpaste in the tube had bursted out and grimed on your fingers in annoyance to Motoya's reply.

"No comment LOL!"

And Daisuke, too. He's becoming normal for youーin a sense that he won't joke about his feelings for you anymore, or he isn't as clingy as before, and less time with you. You remembered pouting when you read his reply after you asked him too about Kiyoomi's actions, and that you threw your phone across your bed in frustration.

But now, you were smiling calmly in the back of your mind, reminding yourself that Kiyoomi doesn't like you. Yeah, he doesn't like you.

"Okay. Pick me up? Text me if you're here already."

"Can we take pictures Y/n?"

Like hell. You tried not to notice him taking stolen pictures of you when you're not looking. But never with him. You nodded and took his phone and snapped a pic with himーor maybe four with wacky poses. A nurse also took one with you on your scrub suit and gown, his hand surprisingly ghosting on your waist to which you nearly flinched.

"What's with the pictures?" You asked him during your lunch with him in your favorite yakitori stall.

"I'm going back to Osaka this weekend. Leagues are in a month and we still have to condition ourselves." You poked on your katsudon as you pouted on his answer.

"Had to show how you are doing to Inunaki-san. You're friends, right?"

He placed a slice of meat on your bowl that you acknowledged by placing a yakitori on his plate. You hummed at his statement, to which his thighs popped and you placed a hand on it to relax him and grinned, a habit you have when you hummed and he'll grow anxious by it. You tapped his thigh once before continuing on your meal.

"You're going back to Osaka. Can I come see your games some time if I'm free?" You're pushing your luck, no way he'll agree toー

"Sure. Any vacant time. Just be sure it'll not disrupt your shifts. I'll text you the time and venues of every game we'll have 3 days prior."

You smiled through kneading with your food with your chopsticks. "Glad to hear." And maybe you should know sometime soon, that even if moments like these are to be captured, it won't do any justice to Kiyoomi.

"Can I go see you off this weekend then?"

Both of you are already back from the lunch date when you asked him. He's still sipping from his milktea, one hand on the plastic with 2 large trays of yakitori, biceps flexing against his fitted black shirt, his jacket discarded on his car. You're also carrying two batch containers of milktea, all for the residents and nurses in the station.

"No. I might not be present in the games if you do see me off."

It is still the Kiyoomi that doesn't like you.

"See you soon." And your heart skipped a beatーokay, maybe twoー when he leaned in to kiss your forehead swiftly as he can to put his mask back on to conceal his reddening cheeks.

You tried to stay calm as you smiled at him. "Take care, Yoomi."

He hummed and patted your head. "I'll come see you soon."

And before you even realized it, he's walking away from you, and it might hurt just one bit of this figure of him being away. You pursed your lips as your mind registered what had happened. But you rolled your eyes as you were not the first one to reactーmore like, squeal.

"Stop it, Katana-nee!" You can't help but giggle as more of the nurses joined Katana's teasing and squealing. "Yoomi doesn't like me."

Katana scoffed mid-giggling. "What nonsense is that? He clearly likes you, Y/n!"

"He said so himself." You shrugged, still smiling as you took a sip of the milktea you and Kiyoomi bought.

"And you?" Your eyes darted to her, Katana's scrutinizing gaze boring at you. "How are you feeling about this?"

You stared at her, fumbling with your thoughts in your mind on how to answer that that it won't be misunderstood. Though, one phrase stood out. You bit your lip and hang your head low, fiddled with the straw of your milktea.

"I don't want to fall in love alone, Nee-san."

"Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Nov 24, 5:30pm. Let me know if you could come so I can reserve you a seat near the court."

You smiled, staring at his text from 3 days ago. You have replied then, even videocalled him after that, and the day after, like the ones you had a few weeks ago whenever he was free, or when you are free. It has been barely two months and the leagues has already started last month. You had watched his matches that you can't see live on your phone, or on Youtube. And you call each other at the end of each game, just talking about anything like how was the day going for both of you, or how was the game,or how did you enjoy watching him play. You smiled at how he wants you to be involved in his field of interest. But Y/n, he doesn't like you.

"Y/n, Chairman called for you in his office."

You turned to face Doc Akaashi and his hoarse voice. Your brows furrowed at it. "You okay, Doc?"

"I'm okay. Just stressed with my son."

"Oooh, Keiji?"

He nodded, running a hand on the back of his neck. "Yeah, but he's okay now, thanks to his friendsーyour Yoomi included." He snorted at his tease. You pouted as he patted your shoulder and walked away after gesturing you to the Chairman's office.

You checked the timeーstill 9:30amーwhile walking through the long hallway to the Chairman's office. You still have to pick up Sara by 3pm because she has literally begged you yesterday to take her to her Jii-chan Yoomi's games. And it will be a secret, she said. You chuckled at the thought of her. That kid really adores Kiyoomi.

You knocked before going into the office. You were entranced by a golden haired young man with glasses and a dark-grayish green haired young man on the couch, sitting and looking at you walking in the room.

"ーCoz Doc, I can't."

You turned to the Chairman's direction and you saw a golden-haired young lady sitting in front of the Chairman and rambling about something. Is she a patient?

"Sit first, Y/n." You heard the chairman as he paused to look at you, with the golden-haired lady's eyes on you too. She smiled at you briefly and turned again to the Chairman. You sat down across the men, well as you look closely they might still be in highschool. They're just tall-lookingーor really maybe tall.

"I am okay, really."

The golden haired boy snorted. "Doc, she slapped someone real hard hardly two hours ago. Twice."

The girl turned to the direction of the boy who spoke. "Shut up, Kei! She needs it! Who would wake her up other than her bestest girl-friend she'll ever have, huh?"

"You hate her." It was the other boy now that had spoken, and you were out of place already, trying to understand the situation.

She pouted, "I don't, and she knows it."

"Okay. Okay, Ran. Just do the oximeter for now. Will that calm you three?"

The Chairman took the pulse oximeter and latched it on Ran(?)'s pointer finger. And you had no idea why you're here. You leaned back on the couch while waiting for anything.

"I told you to just stay at Fukurodani while we send them off! Now Aki-nii knew about this!"

"And who texted him huh? Was itー"

And the unspeakable happen. The door of the office bursted open and you might've been excited for this for months now, but no. He stormed to Ran and pulled her up to stand.

"I told you not to go here to see my dad!"

It was Kiyoomi, already in his jersey under his MSBY track jacket, his black eyes furious and mask disregarded somewhere in his pockets. It stirred something in you, of which you thought you won't feel towards him. It scared you.

"Omi-san!" Ran yelped at Kiyoomi's grip. And you felt concerned for her as you jumped up from the couch. You can see his grip digging on her flesh.

"Kiyoomi!" The Chairman had also risen up from his seat, trying to get in between the two.

"I told you, Ran, did I? I told you to go find another doctor to take you! I told you why!"

"Kiyoomi-san!"

"Ran!"

"Omi-san, it hurts!"

"Kiyoomi!"

And you saw it in his eyes that's not leaving Ran's, a flicker of concern as he saw tears trickling down from hers. "Leave. Now."

The amber-eyed boy collected Ran that's now glaring at Kiyoomi, still with tears in her eyes. "Hope you fall in your butt, Kiyoomi!" And she was dragged by her waist out of the office.

Kiyoomi snapped a look at the dazed face of the Chairman, and he groaned. "How could you do that to her?" The chairman whispered in his strangled breaths.

"This is exactly why!"

"She did nothing to us! To you! To me!"

"SHE DID! She has her mother's face that you can't even forget after all these years!"

"It's..not her fault Kiyoomi.."

"Assign her to another doctor Dad, or I'll take the matters to my own hands."

"You know I can't."

Kiyoomi dialed in his phone and took a look at you, he sighed, just registering that you had witnessed something you shouldn't and he mouthed Sorry, to which you nodded, hesitant and still wide-eyed at the course of events happened in a matter of minutes.

"Daisuke. Where are you?ーCan you come up here at Dad's?ーYes, right now. ASAP."

It was achingly quiet for a few minutes when Daisuke barged in, breathless, still in his gown and a steth dangling around his neck. "Saw Ran-chan outside as I'm running up here. What happened?"

But Kiyoomi ignored him and turned to you. "Come with me, Y/n?" His voice is hoarse from yelling, but calmer now.

You followed his hurried paces and he was searching the halls of the hospital and you know who's he searching for. And you are, too. If Ran's a patient, then she should be in aー

Kiyoomi suddenly rushed to a nearby bench just off the indoor café of the hospital. There you saw three figures seating, the same people that are just in the office moments ago. Kiyoomi squatted in front of Ran and peeked on her face. She was doubled over on her knees, the two not daring to touch her. You decide to observe at a distance on earshot, but Kiyoomi looked back at you, wanting you near him, and you stood closer, a few steps away from the golden haired boy who bowed to acknowledge your presence.

"I'm sorry." Kiyoomi was about to touch Ran's head when the amber eyed boy on the other side of the bench cleared his throat.

"Don't touch her yet, Kiyoomi-san."

You saw Kiyoomi sheepishly smile at Ran when there's a slight movement of her head, and you heard Ran groan.

"Don't peekーDon't peek on me like that." A few struggled breaths from her and you hear an exasperated sigh from the golden haired boy beside you. "Up, Omi-san."

The golden-haired boy looked up at you. "Is she the one you're talking about Kiyoomi-san?" Kiyoomi hummed, now on his feet looking down at Ran's position. Are they talking about you? No way.

"Do you have a pulse oximeter? Chairman's was dropped in the office." The question disrupted your impending thoughts of how these boys knew about you. You have to ask Kiyoomi later.

You patted your pockets and thankfully, you have one. It was the hospital's protocol though, for doctors and nurses to bring an oximeter everywhere within the vicinity.

"She's still in high-sensitivity. Hold it first, Kei."

There was silence after, except for Ran's groans and whimpers from time to time. You stared at Kiyoomi that was statue-like, staring at Ran's figure on the bench. A few wild assumptions came to mind at his actions, and how this day showed you another side, well two, of Kiyoomi. You tilted your head as he huffed and looked at you, a silent apology on his eyes. You smiled at him, reassuring him anything you can offer to him eventhough you're unsure of yourself too.

"Told you I can't pick another doctor other than your Dad, Omi-san. I warned you." Ran's eyes were full of fury you can't help but to turn away and flash a grin on the wall.

Kiyoomi rolled his eyes upon hearing her words. "Told you you have to do plastic surgery or something. I hate your face."

"I know I'm pretty." And Ran happened to glance at you and almost immediately, wide-eyed and rounded her lips in surprise, much to your confusion. "And she's prettier up close, Omi-san!"

"Thank you?" You raised a brow at Kiyoomi while you feel your cheeks burn on the compliment, to which he groaned, pulling his phone from his pocket. "Umー"

"I'm Tadashi. This is Ran and Kei. Nice to finally meet you, Y/n-san." Your eyes flew from Kiyoomi to the amber eyed boy that's now standing and bowing briefly to you, flickering a teasing gaze on Kiyoomi. Your confusion grew more, it's achingly pressed to your bones.

"Stop it, Tadashi." Kiyoomi snapped at Tadashi who just grinned and took back his seat.

Ran groaned. "Please don't make me laugh." And to which Tadashi and Kei laughed.

You saw Kiyoomi rolled his eyes, cheeks were also beet red as he turned to you, and you giddily smiled back at him. "Are you still watching the game later?"

"I still can't move. Please, Omi-san, go flirt with her somewhere else, far enough that I can't hear."

"I really want to throw you off the grid, Ran." Kiyoomi deadpanned and you wanna laugh hard at it. Kiyoomi's gonna flirt with who now?

"Thankful that you love me." Ran paused and winked at you. "As a friend, Y/n-san. This irritating guy is all yours."

"You shouldn't tease Kiyoomi-san like that, Ran."

"Whyyy? That's called revenge!"

"But Kiyoomi-san's less grumpy around her, don't you think Kei?"

"Stop it. Don't make me laugh."

All your senses came back when you heard Kiyoomi unintelligently mumbled in his breaths, still in the moment where he's dragging you away from the teasing trio. You finally became aware that every pair of eyes across the lobby, and that those eyes were staring at both of you. You nibbled at your lip as you also became aware of his strong hands gentle but tugging at your wrist to somewhere. You can't help but smile as you fixed your eyes on his curly black hair, swaying as he bounds to the direction of the ER, not surprised that Kiyoomi knows where you have your shift in this time of this specific day of the week.

"You'll flirt with me in the ER, Yoomーah!" You bumped into his shoulder as he halted suddenly, a hall away from the doors of the ER. He turned to you, surprisingly still blushing. "Geez, Yoomi." You half-heartedly took back your tease as you brushed your hand on the spot where his shoulder made contact on your head.

"Yーyou're still coming to the game later, right?" His eyes were unfocused, darting anywhere but in your direction and you find it too cute and amusing.

You hummed, placed both your hands on his shoulders as you tiptoed to kiss his red cheek. "Won't miss it this time. See you later okay?"

You slid a hand on his chest to tap it twice against his MSBY jersey and went off to the ER, grinning at your action and to Kiyoomi's reaction. Flirting with a Kiyoomi that doesn't like you feels like you were shot to as far as Jupiter, far past the clouds.

But you thought you knew what you did to Kiyoomi. You have no idea. As he watches your gown getting winded up as you walked to the doors of the ER after you kissed his burning cheek, he stopped breathing for a moment, replaying the moment in his mind numerous times for a short while. He leaned back on the wall as he catch his breath, licking his dry lips.

"Want a check-up, lovestruck man?" He turned to his smug brother smirking in front of him.

"You already diagnosed me two months ago. Don't need a check-up." Daisuke laughed as he remembered what he said to Kiyoomi months ago.

"Kiyo, okay, listen."

"No."

"Listen, please."

Kiyoomi paused halfway the stairs to their rooms. He sighed and waited for Daisuke to speak up.

"I loved her. Before. Yes. But it doesn't matter now, is it?"

"I don't wanna date someone you loved, Daisuke."

"But you're already falling for her." That surprised Kiyo to the bone. How could Daisuke say things like that so casually? And no, he's not in love with you.

"Don't deny it. I hereby diagnose you as that. And please, don't be considerate of me. Go move on her if you want to. I will support you."

"Y/n-chaan~ Yoomi?" You looked down at Sara that's tightly gripping your hand, afraid to get lost in the crowd of Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. She's wearing Kiyoomi's merch jersey as you were wearing his jersey too, but not from the merch store. You blushed again behind your orange mask at the thought.

"Want me to carry you, Sara-chan?" She nodded, her curls bobbing with her head as she goes. You picked her up and realized she's not that heavy as you gripped her up around her orange shorts. "Yoomi's somewhere inside. Let's go find him."

But you didn't find him, instead you found someone else.

"Oh. So it's true." You turned to face Inunaki Shion and you smiled at him. "Sakusa Kiyoomi, huh?" You felt Sara squirmed in your arms to face the stranger in front of you.

"I'm Sakusa Sara, nice to meet you sir."

"You already have a kid with him?" Huh?

"What business do you have with my mommy, sir?"

"IーHuh?"

Shion was also as wide eyed and stuttering as you, him, clearly assuming something, and you, clearly confused and surprised with Sara's words. You were about to clear things with him when Shion's eyes fell somewhere far on your back.

You turned to that direction and there, you saw Kiyoomi taking big paces towards you. Sara squealed but your attention was on Kiyoomi and his intense gaze on you.

"Yoomi."

"Sara, close your eyes."

"Haiii~"

You didn't notice the way Sara grinned while closing her eyes, to the way the crowd turned their attention on the three of you, and to how the voices muffled, making it seem like it was buried away deep below.

One thing that you were sure was happening was this: Kiyoomi's hands cupping your cheeks and leaning his face towards yours, staring at your dilated orbs and smiled before tilting his head and closing the gap of his lips and yours.

You had to close your eyes because of the intense feeling he's giving you, kissing him back with equal fervor, too frustrated you can't wrap your arms around his neck so you tightly cradled Sara's waist instead, and still too dumbstruck of why Kiyoomi is kissing you right now.

He leaned his forehead on yours, giving you both chances to catch your breaths. You smiled at him, about to ask him the question when, "Can you be my girlfriend, Y/n?"

And you chuckled at the question that confirmed your past deduction.

"But, Yoomi, Dai said you have to ask first before kissing." And you can't help but laugh at how Sara responded for you, you kissed her cheek in adoration.

"What she said, Yoomi."

"Is it always like that?" He pouted as you turned around to Shion, giving Sara to him to which the little girl understood and even gave you a thumbs-up.

Kiyoomi was baffled at how Shion carried Sara and was about to retort when you pulled him into you and kissed him again, this time wrapping your arms in his neck, him hugging you close by your waist and kissing you back.

And yeah, maybe it's true that Kiyoomi doesn't like you.

Because he was already truly, madly, and deeply in love with you.

"You don't have a girlfriend, sir."

"I will have soon, you know. Behave before I put you down and leave you."

"Should we stop them? The warm-ups will start at 5 minutes."

"Oh, don't be an ass, Meian."

"Someone take a picture of them."

"I feel so single."

Semi Eita | Sugawara Koushi | Kuroo Tetsurou | Akaashi Keiji | Kageyama Tobio | Oikawa Tooru | Miya Osamu

@rudecopper on twt for the icon

Reblogs and interactions are appreciated. Theories will be entertained. Cassie 2023.

[windynebula]

Crash course into Finnish music.

So you've listened to Käärijä and you're curious about what other kinds of music Finland has to offer? I'm here to help.

First off, learn to use Lyrics Translate. A lot of Finnish song lyrics have been translated there, so you don't have to wonder what the song is about.

TL;DR: Here's a Spotify playlist by Japanese-Finnish comedian Gen Takagi of Finnish music where you can start from. It has some classics like Tiktak and Maija Vilkkumaa, but also newer hits like BESS's Ram pam pam and Benjamin's Hoida mut. It's also very hiphop-leaning which is good because that's one of the genres that I'm not super familiar with.

I also have a playlist of Finnish music that I've collected, but it's mostly my personal favourites. Expect some metal and rock.

I also invite my fellow Finns to add and shamelessly promote their favourite bands on this post. I'm just one person and I only listen to the genres that I like lol. That leaves me huge holes in my genre repertoire.

Also noting that I'm limiting this post to Finnish artists and bands who sing in Finnish. We all know about Nightwish, Darude, Children of Bodom, Poets of the Fall and Sonata Arctica already.

I'm going to shamelessly start with my own fave: Sara. They usually play alternative metal, but their last 3-4 albums have included some synths too. Here's a Spotify playlist of my personal fave songs from them, but if you don't have three hours to spare, check out these three songs:

Momentum

Ainoat hereillä

Sileä tie

Aikakone (or later known as Aika) doesn't make new music anymore, but they're still close to my 90's kid heart. I especially like how a lot of their lyrics has a scifi or fantasy vibe, I totally recommend reading translations of the lyrics if you look into them. Here's a spotify playlist, but if you don't have two hours, here's three highlights:

Tähtikaaren taa

Keltainen

Magiaa

CMX plays very melancholic rock with deep, evocative lyrics.

Kain

Melankolia

Auringon kultainen kaupunki

Korpiklaani plays very lively folk metal. If you've heard a metal version of Ievan polkka, chances are you've already heard them! I've talked about them and their unique style of lyrics before. I also have a Spotify playlist for them.

Viima

Harmaja

Rauta

PMMP was a duo of two women with an unconventional take on pop. Their music was very harsh and sometimes aggressive and they didn't shy away from tough subjects like domestic violence or female sexuality. They also made an album covering Finnish children's songs, which I 100 % didn't see coming from them.

Niina

Lautturi

Matkalaulu

Värttinä does folk music. One of their songs was in an episode of Arthur, I think. They also composed the music for a Lord of the Rings musical.

Linnunmieli

Haltijan hallussa

Kylä vuotti uutta kuuta

Viikate is also a metal band. What sticks out to me personally is the majestic way they use guitars and the deep, smooth voice of the singer.

Ah, ahtaita aikoja

Pohjoista viljaa

Ei enkeleitä

[theitalianscribe]

Flashback to the time I saw a hot air balloon museum and came up with a steampunk lost prince Welcome to Dreamworld AU

I'm going to paste the first half of the notes here because the Prince of the Skies au still lives in my head rent free but I want to do some formatting before posting all of my notes.

I feel like this will be a mix between Castle in the Sky and Anastasia. 

Also it is in the skies because hot air balloons are really cool and I want to read more stories about adventures in the skies. 

So there is this kingdom I have yet to name that is somewhere in the sky. It is magical because why not. The kingdom is plagued by a beast made of shadows that takes the form of a horse. To free the kingdom, the Lost Prince must be returned. 

Wiatt is tasked with finding the Lost Prince and guiding him back to the kingdom. He knows what to look for and a way to both confirm the prince's identity and restore his magic. There is a series of trials that the one worthy of the throne can pass. It is a coming of age ceremony/tradition for the new ruler to complete the magical trials and prove their worthiness. 

The story could start with Wiatt in a village on the ground. He has a perfectly fine life here, but he needs to find the prince of the skies and how can he do that from the ground? {This also leaves for me to put character cameos if I can't find roles for everyone in the cast.}  

Wiatt ends up aboard the ship named The Oddity, a slapdash ship housing a mix of people from all over the world. At the head are three people: Oliver Acrimony, Sara Covetman, and Lewis Bright. Oliver is the pilot. He steers the ship on paths he hopes will have treasures he can use to give his twin siblings a comfortable and safe life. Sara is the ship's designer/technician. She drew up the plans for this ship and has modified it to keep it flying. This ship is her baby and you best not mistreat it or you will have to answer to Sara and her plethora of tools. The crew's efforts are led by Lewis Bright. By day, he keeps the crew running and commands their attention with his sparkling personality and even more dazzling smile. At night, he captivates everyone's attention by telling stories. 

Wiatt sees Lewis and thinks he is practically glowing. This is definitely the Lost Prince. He is practically a celestial being, he must be meant to lead the kingdom in the sky. (This deduction is totally sound and definitely isn't influenced by his immediate crush, what are you talking about? Look at how he is a natural born leader who definitely didn't have to work to gain his self confidence and the trust of his crew.) Also the one clue Wiatt has is that the prince has brown hair and wears glasses. Since this guy screams prince material, lives in the skies, {and some third thing I forgot because I woke up at 4 today. Maybe that he looks familiar to Wiatt,} Wiatt asks that he take Lewis to these trials and bring the prince back to the Kingdom in the Sky. 

As they fly, Wiatt has to earn his place on the ship. He is appointed Sara's assistant and finds he actually really likes tinkering and doing mechanic/engineering work. Sara and he do not get along at first. There is a rivalry. Also, Wiatt wants to take Lewis away and Sara sees him and Oliver as her closest friends/brothers.

---

This seems like a good stopping point. I have more notes but they bounce around a bit and got disjointed. Low amounts of sleep plus getting up early to see hot air balloons made my adhd at peak performance that day.

Here are some other notes before I close the post off for now:

The group of Lewis, Sara, and Oliver would be called either the Oddity Trio, the Founder Trio, or something that references the word Founder. I don't know if this will even come up in the story.

Sara can fight. She teaches Wiatt to fight. I feel like her fighting style would be more improvised weapons and throwing knives, but also....girls with swords???? Yes???? I don't know if Alyssa is on this crew or if Carly is. 

I just want to have Wiatt and Sara have a training montage where it goes from Sara fighting Wiatt and enjoying having something to lorde over him to him working hard to learn to defend himself to her admiring his tenacity to them bonding and having a sort of rivalry that becomes friendly over time. 

If Carly and Lewis are both the adopted kids of Eric, learning to sword fight is a requirement. Carly tells Wiatt he has to beat her for her to allow him to date Lewis. Wiatt knows that Lewis isn't a prize and this is his call, but he also knows that this is Carly's way of feeling she has control.over the situation. He asks Lewis if he can teach him, but Lewis says that would be cheating to learn through him specifically and tells him to learn through Sara. 

I don't know if Wiatt actually beats Carly, but putting up with Sara that long takes dedication and tenacity. Plus, anyone that can put up with Sara and not leave (or be offed. I don't know if killing happens in this au, but they are maybe sky pirates so...?) is pretty good for Lewis. He's earned her approval.

Wiatt is a refugee from the Kingdom in the Sky. He and his dad left when Wiatt was very young. There is this entity of shadows and stars and magic that I've been calling Dark Horse. I'll go into it more later, but I decided that he is keeping everyone in the kingdom in line by trapping them in a sleep like state. They are all dreaming and the entity has the ability to see into all their dreams and even can turn the dreams into nightmares. When the Dark Horse came about, Owen grabbed his son and ran.

Owen is the one who told Wiatt about the trials.

I am playing with the idea of Lewis having magic and what that magic can do. Maybe he can float, can make himself glow and be more noticeable?

It might be cool to have Wiatt have prophetic dreams or maybe he gets dreams where he sees what is happening in the sky kingdom.

[spacecadet-ticklesinspace]

Tickletober Day 14: Loose

Fandom: NCIS

Pairing: Dinozzo and McGee (platonic)

Summary: High stakes lead to an interesting winner's choice.

(Set in Season 4 or 5 ❤️:)

Tony laid down a final card. "Your turn."

McGee picked up a card. "Who taught you to play King's Corner?"

"Senior and I would play all the time." Dinozzo watched the younger agent lay down three more cards. "Who taught you Probie?"

"Sara." McGee laid down one more card. "Your turn."

Tony glanced at the bedroom door before picking up another card. "Your sister taught you well."

McGee caught the movement and turned. He watched Tony move three cards over before laying down two more on top. "Worried about the couple we're supposed to watch?"

"Yeah because they're being too quiet."

"They weren't last night."

Dinozzo froze.

"And you were asleep so you didn't hear a peep of it."

"Why pay attention to something I hear on a daily basis?"

McGee made a face at the older agent.

Without breaking eye contact, Dinozzo laid a final card down. "Your turn."

Tim turned to his cards. "Want to make things interesting?"

Tony's eyebrows furrowed together.

"What?"

"After the conversation we just had, that doesn't sound the least bit suggestive to you?"

McGee's eyes went wide. "Oh no! No no no no, that's not what I---."

"What were you implying Probie?"

"Definitely not that." McGee held up his last two cards. "Stakes on a card game."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Looser has to do whatever the winner wants."

"Still sounds suggestive." Dinozzo held up his own two cards. "But let's do it."

"You're on." McGee grabbed a card and got two more cards down on the table.

The two went back and forth, each being left with one card.

Finally, McGee got close, but had one card that was the wrong color to play on any of the other cards. "Your move."

Tony grinned as he grabbed a card from the deck. "You're not very observant Probie."

Tim's eyebrows furrowed together. "Oh?"

Meanwhile, Tony laid down a card onto one of the piles before picking up one of the other piles and moving it then laying down his final card. "I'll move that here and I win."

McGee's mouth fell open. "I missed that."

"Yep." Tony leaned back in his chair. "And now, I get to decide what to do with you."

Tim threw down his last card and leaned back as well.

"What to do? What to do?"

McGee matched Tony's eyebrow arch. "I can only imagine what schemes are running through your head. Make him take over night watches for the next few days, clean the car or all the gear, make him stand on his head. The possibilities are endless."

"Actually." Dinozzo leaned forward to gather up all the cards. "I want to test something Abby told me about."

"Oh?"

Tony moved over beside him on the couch. "Move."

"Now who's being suggestive."

"You don't know what I'm planning to do."

"Should I worry?"

"Possibly." Dinozzo smirked. "Cause Abby told me you're ticklish."

"Why should that make me worry?"

"Cause I'm using it to my advantage." Dinozzo held up his phone.

Tim narrowed his eyes.

"As the winner, you're going to let me record one blackmail video to use whenever I want."

"By letting you tickle me?"

"Yes."

"And if I refuse?"

"I can think of something much worse."

"Weird."

Dinozzo "You never specified what was on and off the table Probie."

"Didn't think I had to specify tickling as something off the table."

Tony sat back. "I'll use anything for blackmail."

"I'm starting to realiIZE!"

McGee jumped in surprise as Tony immediately began attacking his sides. "I should start by saying you're letting me do this."

"Yohou're mahakihing mehe!"

"I'm not holding you down."

"Yohou're threheatehening mehehe!"

"I'm not saying anything."

"Yohou said ihit behihind thehe cameheraha!"

Dinozzo spidered up to his ribs. "What did I say?"

McGee couldn't respond from the attack on his ribs.

"What did I say Probie?"

"Ihi cahan't---!"

Tony made sure to really dig into the sensitive spot. "You can't or you won't?"

Tim threw himself back into the couch and tried to wiggle away.

"Abby was right." Tony pinned his legs in place with his own just out of sight of the camera. "You are extremely ticklish."

"Shuhut---!" McGee broke himself off with a snort.

Suddenly, Tony had to stop the video to answer a phone call. "Yeah boss?"

While catching his breath, McGee could make out Gibbs voice on the other side.

"Do we know where our couples is? . . . They're here at the safe house still asleep."

Tim watched as Tony's face dropped. "Whahat?"

Dinozzo immediately jumped up and ran to the bedroom door.

When he opened it up, the two agents were greeted with an empty room.

"They're gone," McGee exclaimed.

Tony moved over to the window. "They must have gone out the window in the middle of the night."

"Why didn't the guards see anything?"

Dinozzo looked down to find one of the guards collapsed on the ground. "Looks like they took them out before they took off."

Tim joined Tony at the window.

"Boss just saw them fleeing a gas station before getting on the highway."

"We're in so much trouble."

[kyogre-blue]

Finally went back and did Inazuma act 2 on my alt. I forgot how short it is. There's like... four conversations, two cutscenes, and that's it.

Although there are a lot of small issues with the logic and they fall down hard in terms of the pacing of the character arcs, I will stand by my opinion that Inazuma is still a far more interesting story than Sumeru.

Sumeru is just... some evil dudes, of whom we see only one, want to make a god, and for this they choose... Scaramouche? Who is a non-entity except when he vomits out his backstory. And Nahida is there, don't you feel sorry for her because uuh reasons. Don't even get me started on the pointless diversions of going to Ormos (why), the dream loop of time wasting (just tell me the answer up front), and the entire pointless whatever out in the desert (literally exists just to provide one lore cutscene and waste our time).

Inazuma at least has a potentially interesting conflict, characters who have their own varied stakes in it, and they even use NPCs better.

I didn't have any particularly notable observations on second pass, but I did find these points funny:

There's a bunch of small "???" moments if you use your brain while watching this, including the entire situation regarding Thoma being a public sacrifice (???) to mark the 100th vision taken. Like, why did they tie him up, did he resist? Why was he not using a fake vision, like it's implied Yoimiya did to get around the decree? What are the political implications of all this, because it's very interesting if you think about it? In general tho, it's just hilarious if you remember that Shinobu and Itto both did not have any reaction to losing their visions, so maybe Thoma isn't even slightly in danger here.

That said, the escalation is pretty good. I do like the concept.

Teppei is actually pretty cute. And I do think they tried to make you care about the war via both the civilians in act 1 and the soldiers in act 2.

I still find it hilarious that the culmination of act 2 is a "fight of honor" where both sides select "their finest warrior" for "single combat" and then Sara sends three different randos to fight us. I think during the third fight, the resistance troops start complaining that we're doing consecutive battles, but it's dialogue during the battle, so I'm not exactly going to be able to read it, you know? In general, it's worth noting that this duel of honor isn't meant to have any actual stakes. It's just for moral and intimidation, which is why they still have a big battle afterwards. This is in the text, but it's very counterintuitive, so it feels bizarre.

During the cutscene where Kokomi appears, Beidou says she hopes Kokomi can help pay for all these mercenaries she hired and Kazuha calls Gorou an old friend. This is uh sure some interesting implications, but it really does not do an adequate job explaining why the hell they're here. Kazuha's characterization and supposed arc are a shit show in general, of course.

I do recall that the writing quality, such as it is, plummets in act 3. They probably needed 4 acts, realistically, one for Watatsumi and Teppei, one more for returning to Narukami, but I guess at this point they wanted to have the same schedule as Liyue's release? It really did not work out.

[contentloadingandstuff]

Hello! I was wondering, in the post where you listed your current asks you said you have a few other fic ideas for after you were done with requests (I think it was angst fluff and smut). I was wondering what ideas you had for those? Like what characters you plan on using or what the fics were gonna be about

Hello there! If I recall correctly, I mentioned two angst drafts. But yes, I have a plenty of ideas from all three genres. Let me open up my word doc, where I keep my ideas, and list a few.

Hurt/Comfort: Shinobu x M!Reader

Desc: Shinobu has a breakdown in the Chasm, her stoic resolve shattering under the realisation that she might as well die there. R is there to help.

A cute little idea I might get around to writing some day. Why Shinobu? Because best girl, that's why.

Angst: Breakup HCs for Beidou and Ei

It's about 95% done - it has been for over a month by now. Why didn't I release it then? Well, I'm not satisfied with how Beidou's part turned out. But then again, I'm not satisfied with most of my writing, yet you guys seem to enjoy it. When I finish requests (4 left as of now, 3 smut and 1 fluff) I'll take a look at it.

Angst: Issues of Genshin girls

Characters: Jean, Eula, Rosaria, Keqing, Ganyu, Ayaka, Miko, Shinobu, Sara

I have a draft of it on Tumblr, but I focused on doing requests lately. I'm of an opinion that 'the best food is made by a hungry chef' applies to writing as well. The best fluff comes out when you're happy, the best smut when you're thirsty, best angst when you're soul-crushingly sad. It's back to school time (I had two weeks of winter break) so writing angst is a lot easier. Haha... :(

Smut: Childe & M!Reader x Keqing

Desc: Childe gets some highly valuable blackmailing material in his hands, and wants to use it to have some fun with his best pal on an otherwise boring day. Keqing has to make a choice.

A nasty little fic with blackmailing and dubious consent included. The '&' is quite important here, as it would be straight smut, with no action between Childe and R. Will most likely remain unwritten.

Smut: Yae Miko x M!Reader x Gorou

Okay, this one might be a surprise. The fic would inculde awful stuff like mind break, brain washing and slavery (you can guess who's the victim). I know I said that I only write hetero smut, and I stand by that - I'm not certain if I like the idea enough to make an exception. But I have considered it.

Don't ask where I got these ideas. Past me clearly thought these were worth writing down, so here we are. He is quite weird, that guy.

Smut: Empress!Ei x Shogun!M!Reader x Sara

Desc: Ei and Reader reward Sara for her loyalty and uneding devotion.

Because Sara deserves it. This is the oldest smut idea I've written down.

Smut (Warhammer Fantasy): Karl Franz x Miao Ying

Desc: Karl goes on a trip to China to establish trade relations. When he gets to the palace, it turns out he left his wallet at home. How will he pay me now, thinks the dragon empress, already having a different form of payment in mind...

This idea came to be because of one diplomacy line. And the fact that, out of all the ordertide leaders, it is Franz that gets the damsels. It is confirmed by SEGA, Games Workshop, and Marek Suski. Don't check that, just trust me.

Whump: Abusive!Rosaria x M!Reader

Desc: Rosaria comes home drunk, and her kidnapped boytoy is in big trouble. Beating, cutting, and a pair of long nails are involved. I'll leave it up to your imagination where the nails go.

Very horrible idea, 'inspired' by the movie Grotesque. Don't watch it under any circumstances. It's very nasty.

Art: ModernAU!Shinobu smoking on the rooftops.

She is just such a vibe. Maybe, maybe in a year's time I'll do it. I still can't draw.

Okay, that's the first page of seven. Maybe some of these will see their own posts. But I don't know.

[danglovely]

Regrading Taskmaster: S03 E02 The dong and the gong.

*Score changes in parenthesis.

Prize Task: Heaviest item that can fit in a shoebox.

I am struggling with this one. Paul, Dave, and Rob all bring in things that fit in shoeboxes and can be weighed. These things seek no other meaning from the word "heavy," so we know the rankings go Dave > Rob > Paul. Al is either first or last because he brings in a book about Hitler and Stalin and if it's heavy then it's heavier than any weight and it it's not, it's probably lighter than a box of melon. I don't really know how Greg threads it into third. Sara just lied. Always a funny joke, but should be punished. No DQ, because there might have been something in that box.

And I've just decided Al's interpretation was the wrong one.

Al: 2 (-1) Dave: 5 (0) Paul: 3 (+1) Rob: 4 (0) Sara: 1 (0)

VT 01: Surprise Alex when he emerges from the shed.

Paul has a unique talent for doing the funniest thing that isn't really doing the task. "Brown clown" is brilliant, in part because Alex didn't find it surprising at all. Sara's fake murder was underwhelming. The mere fact that Al got a gong because he knew a gong place in the area vaults it up the rankings. Dave had a level of misdirect and cleverness involved, but I somehow cannot deny Rob the five points. His task performance defies explanation and honestly . . . it just needs to be experienced.

Al: 3 (-1) Dave: 4 (+1) Paul: 2 (+1) Rob: 5 (0) Sara: 1 (-1)

Team Task: Release Alex.

Objective, so it's just about redistribution because the team of three get nothing when they did complete the task. Also, just a little waxing poetic -- I don't like Series Three all that much, but this task kicks ass. It's even better when they do it again in the States version too. Alex hiding the key in his hands the entire time is just *chef's kiss.*

Al: 2 (+2) Dave: 2 (+2) Paul: 2 (+2) Rob: 3 (-1) Sara: 3 (-2)

VT 02: Create the best upside down portrait.

Sara does a portrait of herself doing a handstand to make it easier. It's still truly bad and might only be better than Paul's (who claims he didn't receive enough brown). Greg ranking it high is bonkers. Rob having giant teeth and unintentionally characterizing them is just serendipitous. Al and Dave are the clear best though and I think I give the edge to Dave for being a little more distinct.

Al: 4 (-1) Dave: 5 (+2) Paul: 1 (-1) Rob: 3 (+1) Sara: 2 (-2)

VT 03: Pop the balloons.

Too bad for Al. He should have pursued the Morse inclination. He also didn't complete the task, so a DQ was appropriate.

Al: DQ (-1) Dave: 3 (0) Paul: 4 (0) Rob: 5 (0) Sara: 2 (0)

Live Task: Unravel a whole roll of sticky tape. Put the unraveled sticky tape in your lunch box.

No arguments here!

Al: 5 Dave: 3 Paul: 4 Rob: DQ Sara: 2

Final:

Al: 17 (-1) Dave: 22 (+5) Paul: 16 (+3) Rob: 20 (-1) Sara: 11 (-5)

Dave steals an episode from Rob! Explanation here is one part my personal taste and a second part the always-confuddling team task scoring.

[sparkadream]

@peachiiihearts sent: 🎰🎰🎰|| the old reliable

Extra symbols means more shuffles cause it's my meme so I make the rules~ :3 (under cut due to length of course)

1. Space Unicorn & Lilith Crowley - Space just wants to be friends with everyone even if they might not reciprocate such a sentiment. But in this case I feel like it be possible!

2. Drazhan & Raya - Raya bout to learn not all dragons be good after all....or sane for that matter, but then again being trapped in a void all by your lonesome for who knows how long will do that to ya....in otherwords, enemies for sure.

3. Sarantsatsral & James "Bucky" Barnes - Never considered a Marvel verse for Sara before but I could easily see one honestly! Be it human or otherwise cause hey why can't there be three feet tall chinchilla aliens in the Marvel universe? I could maybe see another friendship here though, maybe Sara's even worked on his arm a few times too.

4. Sophie & Heracles - Off hand I have no idea just how exactly to go about interactions here all I do know is that DOUBLE SUNSHINES JUST YES PLEASE. Be it friendship or otherwise this would be so adorable.

5. Diamond Blossom & Deuce Gorgon - I feel like I had a MH verse for Diamond already but even if I didn't it would be easy enough with her being a dragon/unicorn hybrid! And between the two honestly I feel like no matter the dynamic it could be adorable seeing as they are both very extroverted and kind hearted people.

6. Entei & Bloom - I can so easily see Entei being a guardian figure for Bloom!

7. Odessa & Sayuri Hashimoto - Hmmm, I'm not too sure about this one honestly both interaction wise and dynamically. After all a summoner of demons and a girl who just likes to draw and play video games?

8. Cosmos & Yor Briar - I don't know much about Spy x Family but based on what I read in your bio this could actually be oddly adorable? (Noting Cosmos does have a human form/verses.) Be it in a friendship or more dynamic.

9. Holly & Fairy Godmother - WHOLESOME! Can easily see them having a very grandmother/granddaughter sort of dynamic.

10. Veillios & Barret Wallace - I do actually have a FF verse for Veillios that I haven't touched on in a looooooooong while. But anyway, once Vei can get over his trust/fear issues maaaaayyybbbeee Marlene could have a new brother?

11. Demetria & Max Navarro - Oooooooo I don't know Max all that much but again based off what I read in the bio, I can see this being another adorable no matter the dynamic! Demetria is an aspiring witch who enjoys urban exploring mainly in places said to be haunted, even if she prefers to not actually mess with the supernatural.

12. Marden & Jude Mathis - Hmmm, another one I not be too sure about I've only played one 'Tale of...' game and I haven't actually finished it yet either for that matter...but even based on the bio and all I'm still not sure bout any potential dynamics or anything off hand.

13. Saoirse & Nilou - Oh this could be adorable! I don't have a Genshin verse for Saoirse yet but I can easily make one. And I can see these two being friends easy!

14. Arlie & Briar Beauty - Ya know, Briar already has a bunch of younger brothers, I'm sure she could handle this odd little gremlin who's primary forms of communication are biting and frog blinks.....

15. Zakaria & Jasmine - Waaaaiiiittt why do I oddly kinda want this? Be it friends or more. While Ria is a villain technically he is the sort that's more in the 'right motive, wrong means' sort so I could see him and Jas clashing a lot at first but maaaybe over time who knows~

Bonus!

16. Kion & Estela - I mean, I think this be a pretty easy friendship here!

[rewriting-thearrowverse]

It said I finished writing this one on May 1, 2023

𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝟏 𝑬𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒅𝒆 𝟐: 𝑯𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝑻𝒉𝒚 𝑭𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 (𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝟏)

𖤓ꕥ𖤓ꕥ𖤓ꕥ𖤓ꕥ𖤓ꕥ𖤓ꕥ𖤓ꕥ𖤓ꕥ𖤓ꕥ𖤓ꕤ𖤓ꕤ𖤓

The thunder crashes as the scene changes to Oliver's Lair as he is beginning to get ready to take out another screwed up One Percenter.

*Oliver's Voiceover*

The day I went missing... Was the day I died. Five years in hell forged me into a weapon. Which I use to honor a vow I made to my father. Who sacrificed his life for mine. In his final moments he told me the truth. That our family's wealth had been built on the suffering of others. That he failed our city and I had to save it, righting his wrongs. But to do that without endangering the people I love, I have to become someone else. I have to become something else.

➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳

The hood stands on a rooftop in a standoff against three men.

"Marcus Redman asks "Who's that?"

"And where did he come from?" Asks another man

"What's going on here?!" Says a third man as the hood fires an arrow at him

"Get the chopper back now!" Yells Marcus in a panic

The hood shoots an arrow at another man as Marcus says "Who is this guy?"

"Whoa whoa whoa! " he tells as he hits him with the bow, throwing him into the ventilator.

The hood kicks it open, exposing the blades. And then he pushes his head towards the blades as Redman struggles.

"No! Please! No!"

"Marcus Redman! You have failed this city!"

"Please! No! Please don't hurt me!"

"Cell phone, inside pocket. Call your partner to give those pensioners back their money!"

He jumps off the roof as he uses a Zip line arrrow

Oliver walks into the living room where his family is watching the news on the hood "Mr. Redman has withdrawn more than 30 million from the plant's account. Redman claims refunding the Halcyon Pension plan was always his intent., but sources say he was coerced by the vigilante.

Oliver points at the TV and says " Wow this guy gets more airtime than the Kardashians."

"5 years on a deserted island and you still know who they are." Says Thea

"I've been catching up. Nice to see how much our culture has improved while I was away." He says

"The city used to be safe." Moira says and sighs

"What's wrong mom? Are you scared we're next?" Thea asks

"Do you have any questions about today Oliver? It's a simple proof of life declaration. " Walter says as they stand up

"Read a brief prepared statement to the judge, then your death in absentia will be voided. "

"I'll be okay Walter, I've been in a courtroom before." Says Oliver

"About 4 times." Says Tommy as he walks in

"I mean there was the DUI, The time you assaulted that Paparazzi douchebag. When you stole the taxi, which was just awesome by the way.. And who could forget peeing on the cop? " he says with a light chuckle

"I wish everyone would." Says Moira

"Sorry Tommy, we're off to court. " says Oliver

"I know. That's why I'm here. You're getting legally resurrected, I wouldn't miss it for the world. "

Oliver looks at Thea before asking "What about you Thea?"

"The last 4 times of you in court was more than enough." She says as she walks away

"Fair enough."

Diggle walks into the room and says "Mrs. Queen, the car's ready."

➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳

As Oliver walks up to the Courthouse he is bombarded by the Paparazzi.

The constant talking, questions and lack of space brings up another flashback.

*Flashback*

Oliver and Sara are thrown as the boat sinks.

Oliver reaches for her hand, but misses and the ocean tears her away.

"Sara!" Oliver's yells as she screams

➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴

Inside the courtroom, Oliver begins to speak "there was a storm.. "

"The boat went down and I was the only survivor."

*Flashback*

It returns to him, his father and Gus on the boat as Oliver yells for Sara. "She's out there!"

"She isn't there!" Robert yells

"Sara!"

"My father didn't make it."

*Flashback*

Robert shoots himself in the head.

Oliver screams "No!"

"I almost died.. I thought I had when I spent so many days on the life raft before I saw the island."

*Oliver's voiceover*

When I reached it, I knew..

Oliver was crawling to the island.

I was gonna have to live for the both of us.

"And in those 5 years, it was that on thought that kept me going."

The Lawyer stands up to speak "Your honor, we move to vitiate the death-in-absentia, filed 5 years ago after Oliver's disappearance at sea on the Queen's Gambit."

Oliver looks back at his mother "unfortunately we will not be rescinding the declaration of death for Robert Queen, the Queen family is only entitled to one miracle, I'm afraid."

➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳➳

As they head out Moira says "Now, into the officers. Everyone is ready to meet you."

"Mom... That was a little heavier than I was expecting.. Can we please go tomorrow instead?"

"Of course. " she says and then she and Walter walk away.

Oliver and Tommy continue walking "Last week you couldn't wait to get to the company."

"I had just spent 5 years away from civilization, I wasn't exactly thinking straight."

Oliver and Tommy run into Laurel.

Oliver awkwardly smiles and says "uhh... Hi."

Laurel glares at him, "What are you doing here?"

"They were bringing me back from the dead, Legally speaking. And you?" He asks

"My job."

"More like the DA's." Johanna mutters and Laurel looks back at her.

Oliver extends his Hand to Emily Nocenti, who shakes it.

"Oliver Queen."

"Emily Nocenti."

"Last week Oliver got back from a deserted island and before that he was cheating on me with my sister. He was with her when she died. Then he told me to stay away from him. It was really good advice." Laurel says and storms off up the stairs.

"It was nice to meet you." Emily says as she and Johanna follow Laurel.

"Come on buddy, shake it off." Says Tommy and then they walk outside.

➴◈◉◈➶◈◉◈➴◈◉◈➶◈◉◈➴◈◉◈➶◈◉◈➴◈◉◈➶

Reporters are questioning Martin Somers "I don't know what I've done to earn this witch hunt by Ms. Lancer, but I can tell you I am an honest businessman and I will fight this slander to my last dime and breath."

As Somers walks in, they see Oliver and then their questioning to him as they swarm him.

As Diggle, Tommy and Oliver walk to the car, He tries to contain the situation "Everybody Back!"

A man with his camera gets extra close and Diggle angrily responds "Hey Man, I'll make you swallow that Nikon! Back!"

Oliver drives off and Tommy and Diggle look over.

"This happens to you a lot, doesn't it?" Tommy says as Diggle looks at him irritated.

Laurel is standing in the court room as she begins to speak "How much is a life worth. The life of a good man, a stevedore on the docks of the city in which we live?"

*Flashback*

Two goons drag Victor Nocenti towards Martin Somers.

*Laurel's Voiceover*

A father, with a daughter.

As Laurel walks around the courtroom she continues "The plaintiff will prove that Victor Nocenti learned his boss, the defendant was taking bribes from the Chinese triad to smuggle drugs into our city. "

*Laurel's Voiceover*

And when Nocenti threatened to tell the cops, Somers had him killed.

The Flashback shows a member of the triad slitting Victor's throat.

"Mr. Somers is a very well connected man, with friends in the district attorney's office. So if Emily Nocenti is to ever to get justice for her father's death, Someone's gonna have to do it for them."

✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠

Back in his Lair, Oliver is training, all of his scars from the island are shown.

He climbs up a tall rope.

*Oliver's Voiceover*

Martin Somers. Laurel's Targeted the worst of Starling City, so it's no surprise he's on my list.

Oliver practices as he hits metal bars with swords to hone his skills.

*Oliver's Voiceover*

The Police and the DA's office can't stop him, or they won't. Laurel thinks she's the only one willing to bring him to justice. She's wrong.

➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴◉◉➴

In a warehouse at the docks, Somers speaks "You, do whatever you have to so this trial gets shut down. The media will crucify me."

"Yes sir." Says the man as the lights dim and then they go out.

Multiple arrows can be heard being fired, the lights return and Martin Somers see all of his men down, just before he is grabbed from behind.

he wakes up, hanging upside down and in front of him, The hood is standing.

"Martin Somers."

"Who the hell are you? " he asks

"You have failed this city." The hood finishes

He aims an arrow at Somers, who then begs for his life. He shoots an arrow past him.

"You will testify in that trial and confess to having Nocenti killed. There will be no second warning." He says as he shoots an arrow that grazes Somers in the cheek, and he disappears.

Martin screams.

In the living room of the Queen Mansion Moira speaks "I hired you to protect my son. And while I'm not a professional bodyguard, a job requirement seems to be keeping around the person you're supposed to protect."

"With all due respect, I've never had a client that doesn't want my protection." Diggle responds

"I hired you, that makes me the client. Now where do you think he's going unsupervised?" She asks

"I truly do not know ma'am." He says

Oliver walks in "and he truly doesn't."

"Then perhaps you'd like to tell me where it is you go?"

"Mom, I've been alone for 5 years." He says

"I know that, Oliver." She sighs

"Mom...alone." He says

"I see."

"I promise to introduce her if it ever gets to the first names stage."

"No, I'd rather you promise to take Mr Diggle with you. It's not safe, you've been abducted once, and there's a maniac hunting the wealthy." She says

"He saved my life."

"This isn't a game, I already lost you once. I'm not doing it again."

"Okay. Dig's my guy."

"Thank you." She says as she leaves the room.

"Sorry to give you so much grief." Oliver says to Diggle

"I served 3 tours in Afghanistan, you don't even come close to my definition of grief. But if you ditch me one more time, no one will have to fire me." Dig says before walking away.

Oliver catches Thea passing as he catches her dressed nice "Where are you going?"

"Somewhere loud and smoky, and don't try to pickpocket my stash this time, cause I'm gonna get drunk instead."

"Thea, do you think dad would want this? " he asks

"Dead people don't want anything, benefit of being dead." She retorts

"I was dead and I wanted a lot."

"Except your family. All you do is avoid mom. Ignore Walter and Judge me. Don't wait up." She says as she walks off

At Somers' warehouse, Quentin questions him. "Guess I owe you apology. We come all the way here and it turns out you don't need the police."

"That's what I've been telling you." Somers responds

"So I guess that 9-1-1 call we got about a man in a green hood attacking you last night was what? A practical joke?" Lancer responds

"These men like to fool around."

"I'd be inclined to believe an upstanding business man like yourself, except my men found this at the scene." Says Lance as he pulls a green Arrow out of a bag.

"You see, there's this vigilante running around. He thinks he's some kind of Robin Hood. He's robbing the rich, he's trying to teach them a lesson I guess. I don't know, I don't know." He says

"The point is, he's a killer and no one and nothing will stop me from taking him down."

Quentin sticks the arrow in the mark on the desk, seeing it's a perfect fit. "Like you said, clearly nothing happened here last night."

"Isn't this a conflict of interest? Your daughter is suing me." Says Somers

"I'm pretty good at keeping my emotions in check."

"Well I'm not." Says Somers as he stands up.

"Neither of you wanna find out what happens when I get emotional."

Quentin and the other police walk out.

Oliver, Walter and Moira are taking a walk through of Queen Consolidated.

"We've modernized quite a bit since you were last here." Walter says

Moira sees Oliver flirting with some girls and asks "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"A little bit, yeah."

As they walk towards the office Walter says "I remember how excited you were when your father would take you as a boy."

"Dad let me drink soda in the office." He says

"So that's why you enjoyed coming" Moira says as they enter the office.

"The most recent success of the company comes from many different technologies, such as bio-tech and clean energy." Says Walter.

"Can I have a sparkling water?" Oliver asks a secretary.

"Take a seat Oliver, Walter and I have something to talk to you about." Moira says

"Mom, it makes me nervous when you ask me to sit." Oliver says

"The company is gonna break ground with a new applied sciences division shortly, and we want to honor your father by dedicating the building to him." Walter says

"Nice."

"And at the dedication we want to announce that you'll be taking a leadership position in the company." Says Moira

"No."

"No? But your company"

"I don't want to lead anything, besides Walter is doing a great job." Oliver says

"You are Robert Queen's son." Moira says

"A fact that I don't need to be reminded of." Oliver sighs

"Obviously you do." She says

"We understand this transition is hard." Walter says

"Which part exactly? That a deserted island gave me my MBA or that my father's CFO now sleeps down the hall from me?" Oliver says in irritation

As Moira walks away she says "you know, 5 years ago your irresponsibility was somewhat charming, it is a lot less so now."

Walter and Moira exit the office. Shortly after Oliver and Diggle walk to the car where Dig shields Oliver from the press.

➴◈◉◈➶◈◉◈➴◈◉◈➶◈◉◈➴◈◉◈➶◈◉◈➴◈◉◈➶

"The driver will be here in a minute. "

In the car, Diggle looks at Oliver before speaking, "I spent the first 27 years of my life in Starling City. And after that, I was 5 in Afghanistan. Did you want to know what I learned?"

"There's no place like home?"

"The opposite. Home is a Battlefield. Everyone wants you to be what they want or expect. But sometimes you're not sure if that's you anymore."

Oliver looks out the window "or maybe I'm wrong and 5 years alone didn't mess you up as bad as it should've."

*Flashback*

Seagulls are swarming the raft, where Oliver's Father's body is.

"Hey! Get away from him!" Oliver shoos them away.

He coughs from the smell as he drags his father off the raft, with the constant interference of seagulls.

He carries his father over his shoulder.

At CNRI Laurel and Johanna talk to Emily about her father's case.

"I'm sure Somer's attorney will try to make it look like you're blinded by grief or want money." Johanna says

"It's not about the money. I just want justice for my father's murder." Emily says

"Emily, there are Dangerous people who don't want this trial to proceed."

"My mother died when I was a baby. It's only ever been me and my father and they slit his throat. They'll have to kill me if they want me to drop this." Emily says

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Laurel says

"It won't. The three of you are under protective custody." Says Quentin entering with three cops

"This is ridiculous." Laurel says

"It's my job to keep you safe." He says

"Um, Emily. Let's grab a cup of coffee." Says Johanna

"Go ahead and do that." Lance says as he signaled his men to go with them.

"You stay." He says to the last one.

"I don't seem to remember this working this last time you tried it, when I discovered boys." Laurel Argues.

"This isn't a joke Laurel. Somers was attacked last night."

"What?" She says

"Yeah." He sighs

"By who?"

"It doesn't matter. The point is you've gotten on the wrong side of these men, so you'll be protected til the dust settles. End of discussion." He says

"I'm not a kid anymore, this isn't gonna work." Laurel Argues

"I said end of discussion Laurel!" He yells at her

"You're insistent on doing your job, fine. This is me doing mine, not only as a father, but also as a cop"

"You don't realize just how dangerous these people are, and you've made them angry."

✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠♫✧𖣠

At Somer's Warehouse, China White walks in and he says "Thank you for coming."

"anything for a friend." She says

"We're not friends. I let you use my port to smuggle drugs." He says

"For which you're paid very well." She responds

"Not enough to get shot at with arrows. You need to take him seriously, he's a much bigger threat than Nocenti ever was."

"Except now his daughter is the problem." China responds

"No way. If you kill her Laurel Lance won't let it go until she burns me, you and the whole triad."

"Then we kill her too."

Oliver is in his room changing his shirt when he gets distracted by the news report on Martin Somers saying "The attorney overseeing the case of Martin Somers has stated that Somers maintains his innocence, as he has no intention of testifying."

"We'll keep you updated as the information comes."

Thea walks in, seeing Oliver's scars as he puts his shirt on.

"How did you get those?!" Thea says

"Don't you knock?!" He says full of irritation.

"I know mom said there w-were scars, but this...?" She continues

"Ollie, what happened to you on that Island?"

"I don't want to talk about it." He says as he finished buttoning up his shirt

Thea scoffs "no surprise there. You never want to talk about anything other than my social life."

She begins to walk out.

"Wait Thea. I'm sorry. I know I need to get better at talking about what happened there. But.. I'm not ready yet."

"Do you have a second?" She asks

"Yeah." He says

"I wanna show you something out back."

[elenajohansenreads]

Books I Read in 2023

#99 - Zen in the Art of Writing, by Ray Bradbury

Rating: 4/5 stars

I've read quite a few books on writing by this point, mostly by authors I respect--Stephen King and Ursula K. Le Guin come to mind as the best of the bunch, though the works are vastly different. I read a fair bit of Bradbury as a teenager, reread The Martian Chronicles recently and found it's still a favorite years later, and mean to read much more of his catalog that I didn't get to on my first pass, reading my mother's original, tattered paperbacks.

That includes this book, which I did not realize before starting was a collection of essays Bradbury had written on the subject of writing over the course of his long career. The format led to some repetition, as anyone telling stories about their life will tell them multiple times over the years to different people--several essays prominently featured the Buck Rogers comic-strip incident, for example. But on the whole, reading essays by the same author that spanned such a long career and breadth of experience was enlightening. Some of the practical advice that worked for him is less practical now, as pumping out a short story a week to send to "the magazines" isn't necessarily as viable a road to potential success as he enjoyed; but the advice pertaining to the craft of writing itself, I found inspiring.

I especially liked his list: the ongoing collection of nouns he kept around for inspiration, which seemed like a particularly useful way to springboard from a simple object, like a jar, to some sort of fantastical horror or science fiction tale about that object. I immediately wanted to start my own list (and I have) but as I didn't feel like a list of object-nouns would be as useful to me as a romance writer, I've started a list of character concepts: a few of my entries so far are "the penny pincher" and "the flower hunter." The first one is inspired by a character in an anime I'm currently watching, because his obsession with the bottom line in his business defines his role, but the broader concept is applicable to so many more situations than the office money man. The second is simply a phrase I liked from a recent read (On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous) that, in context, did not literally mean a person who hunted for flowers, but could mean that in something I wrote--in a real-world setting that would probably mean a scientist searching for the flower for some reason, and in a fantasy setting it could be a full-blown occupation itself to supply your inevitable potion-makers with their reagents.

Since I haven't started a new project with this list to hand, I don't yet know how successful it will be as a tool for my writing, but lists appeal to my brain, and this is a long-term sort of thing, not necessarily meant to have immediate effects. (At least, if I'm not trying to write a short story in one sitting on Monday, to revise three times from Tuesday to Thursday, and to finally edit and send out on Friday, as Bradbury apparently did weekly for years.)

Beyond the irritation of the repetitious stories, though, my other gripe with this work is that it's very much a reflection of a man writing in a man's world; he mentions his wife typing his stories, he uses "man" and male pronouns as the default for referring to hypothetical people including the reader, and the authors he name-drops are overwhelmingly male. (The only two women I remember him mentioning are Sara Teasdale and Le Guin. Which are great choices, but they were the only ones.)

I admit that I'm personally bitter about the wife-typing thing, not just because of the massive history of the unacknowledged labor of women supporting male authors, but because my hateful, backwards grandmother assumed I was typing up all of my future-husband's papers while we were in college together. Of course he had to write the papers, because they were his classwork, but I was supposed to be typing them, while I was also doing all of my own work too.

She was absolutely shocked that I let him type his own papers, and did not seem to understand, even after my explanations, that on computers, writing is typing--he wasn't drafting longhand on paper first; and that it was massively unfair and sexist to expect a woman to take time away from her own schoolwork to help her boyfriend with his with no expectation of reciprocity.

Yes, I told her, we often (but not always) asked each other to proofread each other's papers, because we were both good writers; but she was flabbergasted that he helped me with my work.

So, yeah, Bradbury's writing memoir perpetuates some outdated sexist attitudes reflective of his time that happen to also personally piss me off. But setting that aside, it's still got useful things to say about the craft, and about his personal experiences, and even a little about the history and development of science fiction as a genre, so this definitely isn't a "cancel the book" situation. It just raised my hackles sometimes.

[hard-core-super-star]

I came to the conclusion that we're both cool and mysterious, that's it. that's very specific and right on target because I feel like one little joke would lead to another path with maybe other jokes, which would lead to comments and then a whole conversation revolving around it lmao

okay, on the third star this won't happen again 😔

I'm pretty good (I'm literally not) at getting references, so yeah, it would be funny joke! but since I told my joke first I won

I'm shocked that outside of my bubble hawkeye really didn't do that well either, but sshhh, we can pretend. WHY it's embarrassing to admit this?? this is so cool lmao, I loved the lego batman games and I still do tbh. see?? lego games leaded you to DC, they changed your entire life!!! I'll consider it a crime for you to say you find this embarrassing. I love being dramatic for no reason. do you have other games you like?

I didn't know there were other (canon) queer representations in the arrowverse shows- give me a reason to start watching Batwoman, I just want to start some series but nothing seems very interesting 😶

well, at least avalance got their happy ending... RIGHT?

I stopped at the season (I don't know which one it is) they go to paradise aka a place where there are many Ava clones. legend of tomorrow and batwoman being canceled and flash not? maybe... maybe it has a name? 👀 even though I love flash, I can't, every season being practically the same thing gets tiringhdhjwwk

THEY'RE NOT GIRLFRIENDS?????? The queer baiting needs to stop or I will take matters into my own hands, literally, it's so???? and did this work to boost the show further? It's okay, you deserve to sleep in peace, but iiif one daaaaayy--

–🌟

i think that's a very good conclusion to come to and i’m glad we can leave it at that. our conversations make up the messiest timeline ever and i somehow feel like that's really fitting.

i’ll believe it when i see it 👀

we’re just going to have to wait until i get the chance to make another reference again and see if you get it.

yeah, we can pretend it did well enough to get another season, they just haven't announced it ‘cause of the strike, you know? i don't know, i’ve just never told that story before and it felt kinda lame. it just goes back to young me having a lot of hyperfixations and having enough time to fall down rabbit holes. the Nightwing phase was strong for that very reason lmao. i don't know how well-known this franchise is but i adored Mafia 2 when i was younger which probably says something weird about me lmao. Mafia 3 is pretty amazing too. i also weirdly love the FIFA games even though i have a very basic understanding of soccer. i can't tell you how many times i’ve replayed GTA V for the cars alone. there's probably more but i can't remember 😶

OH MY GOD, don't get me started on batwoman because i love that show to death. the first season is good but not as good as two and three. it sucks that season three is their last season because it's so good. AND GAY! the whole show is queer af and it doesn't shy away from it at all! [hence why it was canceled so soon] and listen, i know she's supposed to be an irredeemable villain or whatever but alice kane is so ajdjjdjdkskaks 🫨 i could write essays on her character, her development, and how well rachel skarsten acts out all the nuances that come with a character like alice.

they did and that's all that matters to me. i just pretend like the cliffhanger doesn't exist and they went right back to causing chaos.

honestly i think that season [season 3] is one of the best ones and it’s definitely not just because of ava and sara but 👀 season 4 is good too except for the light queerbating that happens but since it's Legends of Tomorrow, i just assume it was canon but not shown on-screen, you know? there's honestly something to love about every season, even when it goes very off the rails. i defended the flash until i possibly couldn't anymore. i only kept watching it because of caitlin [AND THEY ALWAYS DID HER SO DIRTY, WTF!!! my girl deserved so much better]

shocking right? they played into it so much but it just never became canon. i think they just managed to string the fans along because no one could look away from that trainwreck. plus, the actresses are amazing, it's not their fault the producers kept queerbating the fans. i’ll think about it…maybe.

[dinosaurloverman]

SO YALL SAW MY MAN MADE DINOSAUR POST DID YA!?!?! WELL LETS TALK REAL DINOSAURS NOW!!! BTW TALK TO ME ABOUT DINOSAURS AND STUFF

Jurassic park, walking with dinosaurs, national geographic, Disney's dinosaur, land before time and rather old dinosaur books got me into loving these long gone bird bois and girls as well as their reptile flying and swimming friends.

Even now when I see the brachiosaurus scene and hear that music welling up I get the shakes and get tears in my eyes!

Then there's good old Roberta the tyrannosaurus. Ya her name was roberta not Rexy. However you could call her both that always works. A stunning icon for the species.

Then we come to jurassic park 3 the infamous child of the series. Loved this film despite its issues. What made me love it was its monster dinosaur, the spinosaurus

I wanna jump now to fallen kingdom my least favorite of the jurassic park story. The reason was...well the dock scene. I don't wanna elaborate you know what I speak of...*crying*. However thats not what I wanna talk about. When our human clone Maisie released the dinosaurs from a terrible fate I internally cheered. If the dinosaurs HAVE to go extinct again let them go under the stars or the sun. Not in a gas filled chamber. She did the right thing.

When I watch walking with dinosaurs I still cry like a baby at episode 4 and 6. This documentary series didn't pull any punches and it was the first time I cried towards any form of media

National geographic always has awsome dinosaur art I would just marvel at. Even paleoart in general. The amount of work and time making them is amazing and I wish I saved those pages and framed them. I gotta find the artists

Despite Disney's dinosaur having issues like all forms of historical media it was still a overall good story. The carnotaurs introduced me to the bull and I love the design. Hell I even have a figure of it in my bedroom besides PJ'S king Kongs vestatasaurus Rex

Need I say anything about land before time? Actually there is one. Sara was always an arse and I never liked her. Petrey, Ducky, and Spike were always my favorites. Spike probably made be a Foodie. Thanks alot you loveable dumb stegosaurus

I don't remember the book series but they came in three HUGE binders of books. I think it was the entire series all showing 1980s style of dinosaurs and so on. Crap I gotta remember what they were.

And then there's deadsounds magnum opus. Dinosauria. A *to my knowledge* 5 episode series of dinosaur stories he himself has animated and created by himself. So far two episodes have been shown and both are heart wrenching and beautiful examples of paleomedia. And darn it why can't I have more images!?!?

And truth be told I can't truly pick favorites. I love them all and I'm so hecking sad their extinct. (I am aware birds are dinosaurs bur you know what I mean). They didn't die of by changes in environment that was naturally made by the planet. They didn't change into new things because of the planet. They died because a hunk of space rock from nowhere came crashing in a screwed everything up. Nature didn't select them to die MALCOLM space was just an asshole and stuff happened.

If I could I'd defiantly do what Hammond did and bring them back in some kind of form. I understand the impacts on nature it'll do, what it could do to the dinosaurs, and humans in general. However with enough time, multiple voices, many form of expertise from many groups of people, and cooperation it can be done. We can bring back extinct species. Perhaps not perfectly like they were but close enough to where they can survive in this world and we can deal with new neighbour's. It can be done.

I would love to see another spin off of jurassic park where we see the lives of animal handlers and caretakers in the various parks. So the scene I would love to see most of is where a cartaker is calling to a triceratops by name and in a rampant calling/screaming said triceratops comes charging towards their handler not in violence but "OH MY GOD MOM!!! YOUR BACK!!!" Kinda like how you'd see handlers interact with large animals they cared for deeply. Or something similar to that. Jurassic park and it's story dosnr always have to be "AAHHH DINOSAURS ARE MONSTERS AND ATE MY HANDS". I would love to see more wholesome moments. More animal moments if you will.

What really sucks abour dinosaurs is that we will never know the full category. Ever. This was explained by kurzgesagt that there's an unkown unkown zone in biological history. This was caused by scavengers, natural events, acidic earth in jungles and so on. So there could have been some really crazy animals out there that we will never again see or know about. Hell perhaps even dragons or something that can be called a dragon could have existed.

Honestly I love them all. Even those that arnt dinosaurs by definition such as aquatic and air based reptiles. I love them all and I'm so sad their gone, mocked, and everything else that's negative. Hell eveey extinct animal I'm sad about. All of them. Even the giant sea scorpions and so on.

Also youtube, why are there so many dumb children's toy dinosaur videos. What the heck how do I fix this shit?

[etheraella]

The Lost Letter for Love

(Fred Weasley x Reader)

Summary : 10 years of friendship through letters, and being a hopeless romantic didn’t help you realise your feelings for your best friend, until it might be too late.

Warnings : MUGGLE!AU slow-burn, angst, violence if you squint, best friends-to-lovers, a few cursing you probably won’t realise.

Feet shuffling against the living room carpet, you finally let your body slump on the sofa with a sigh. The sound of wrinkling leather waves through the empty corridor of your shared house. You ignored it, knowing that one of your housemates (who also happen to be your best friends) might come huffing into the room for continuously abusing furniture. With the same occasion happening countless number of times that week, you expected them to grow tired of your mood swings.

You reached for the nearest cushion beside you, digging your fingers onto the sides of the rough object, before stuffing your face into it; rage burning in your chest for a peculiar Weasley. You lift your face from the cushion furiously, running your hands through your hair.

"Is it that hard for that git to take time and write to me?" you cursed under your breath.

You heard a scoff before lifting your head and meeting eyes with your friend, Delilah. She was leaning against the archway of the living room. "Go on, explain yourself." she said, walking to the couch beside you -- leaving a gap, knowing you might blow off any minute if bothered. Before you could reply, she shakes her head. "And don't lie to me, you've been acting like a maniac, plotting a murder for a week now."

"She probably is, It's been 3 weeks since she last received a letter from her long-distance boyfriend. Of course she's gone mad." You needn't turn around, knowing it was your other roommate, Sara.

"Fred." you say gripping the sweat-stained pillow and throwing it at her. "Is my best friend," pausing before adding "Nothing more," then leaning against the couch.

You bit your lip in frustration, pulling off a few loose threads from the hem of your sleeves in anger, "Be patient, Y/N," Delilah says, patting your back. "He might be busy with his shop or dealing with.. well, whatever he might be doing," You rolled your eyes, seeing the now sitting Sara looking at you, sympathetically.

"Well, he can do whatever the hell he wants for all I care. No actually--I don't care, they're just letters." You stood up and stormed up to your room. Shutting the door with a click, you hear muffled voices of your two friends, one of them saying "Wasn't she enraged three minutes ago".

You feel your head spinning before pulling out a specific letter from a wooden box and leaning against the desk. The words that were inked on the paper still enliven the butterflies in your stomach, even after you've memorised them. It was the last letter you received from him before his gifts came to an abrupt stop. You felt like a 16 year old teenager feeling giddy over a crush. Your eyes widen -- reminding yourself "NO Y/N, he's just a friend!" Suddenly remembering you weren't supposed to be 'caring', you cringed to yourself before shoving the letter back in the box weighing a heavy heart.

━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━

You let your body fall against the soft mattress with a squeal, staring up the ceiling whilst clutching the new envelope up to your chest. Without realising the rapid rate of your heartbeat, you impatiently tore open the envelope and unfolded its content.

Dearest Y/N,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of spirits.

I deeply apologise for this delayed reply as I have been quite busy with the joke shop here. Formalities aside, I'm going to be making a few business arrangements in your town. George thought I should go instead of him, and I definitely agree with him. I can't wait to see you, and expect me to ring your house phone tomorrow to discuss. Sadly, I'd have to make this letter short, pumpkin.

P.S bring along that beautiful smile of yours when we meet.

Yours lovingly,

Fred G. Weasley

A smile forms across your face as you read his words, your heart doing summersaults. Before you could trace his signature, you hear a knock on your bedroom door. Sighing, you opened the door, seeing an eyebrow raised Delilah and Sara. Seeing your friends just makes you want to squeeze them in a hug of joy. The smile on your lips didn't falter as you tried forming words "I-"

"We know, Y/N." Delilah interrupted. "We guessed the moment you turned all giddy when coming home. You even fell from the entrance stairs! What'd he say?" Sara asked, smirking. You stared at them, the red mark on your ankle feeling suddenly obvious.

"He said he's going to be dealing with a few business things here. I think he's coming in a few days." You say, your smile growing wider as the words escape your lips. Fred and you have met before. Only, it was twice or trice a year from a long-distance decade of friendship.

Your friendship with Fred was a rather complicated story that even to you, seems a little cliche of how it started with a single complication.

A letter,

The letter had somehow mistakenly ended up to your address, knowing that a 'Hermione Granger' doesn't exist in your household. Being the hopeless romantic you are, you thought it was some kind of love letter so you tore open the letter and read it. In the midst of the paragraph, you feel a pang of guilt as the letter has only to do with family matters. You cursed yourself, and felt sorry for the sender and immediately returned the letter to the signed name 'Fred Weasley' with an attached paper for explanation.

A few days after, you received a letter a letter from him, this time with your name as the addressee. Fred apolagised and offered his gratitude for returning his letter, as it was his mistake for writing the wrong address after all.. And that ladies and gents, was the story on how your friendship was formed.

Although the two of you had exchanged numbers on paper, you fancied the idea of continuing to use the old method with letters, as it was a reminder of how the two of you had gotten to know each other. Fred had always been open about his family and business to you. The both of you admitted that you weren't romantically involved with anyone, but decided to leave that topic 2 years ago. Surely, if he was in a relationship, he'd let you know anyway.

The more often you and Fred exchanged letters, the more you felt a tinge of excitement as he expresses his life and thoughts to you, hoping he'd feel the same. Sometimes, you'd spend endless nights rereading a few old letters of his which you cherished in a wooden box, paragraphs memorised.

Fred took you to meet his family on the third year of your friendship, even Hermione who was Fred's future sister-in-law back then was there. Molly Weasley had sent you presents for Christmas since then, which contained her self-made sweaters. You wondered how much Fred mentioned you to the Weasleys.

━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━

Later that week, Fred gave you a call, arranging your meeting for an evening. As soon as you saw the red-head arrive on your front door, you smiled and embraced him in a friendly hug. Fred, who was towering over you, looked the same as he always did; charming, with freckles painted on the bridge of his nose, enough to sway any girl’s feet.

"How's my pumpkin doing?" he grins, with a raised brow. You feel your face heating from the sound of his low-pitched voice calling the nickname he gave you 4 years ago. "I'm doing fine, Freddie." you said, returning his grin. The two of you immediately caught yourselves in a conversation on the journey. Clueless as to where Fred was taking you.

"Are you trying to kidnap me?" you scoffed jokingly, after the fourth time you had asked Fred for the destination while he was continuously refusing. "Pumpkin, I would have ordered someone to bring you to my hotel if I was." he winked, glancing sideways at you, making your cheeks blow bright pink in the shadow of the night. "But then again, I won't be kidnapping if I don't do it myself".

Finally, the two of you arrived at a coffee shop, "Is this the 'surprise', Freddie?" you asked him, getting out of the car.

"Not exactly." he smiles. The smell of baked muffins hit your nostrils as you enter the shop. Fred led you to a seat while you silently followed him, he stopped at a corner table next to a huge window, a girl with long black hair was already occupied.

"Y/N, I'd like to introduce you to Grace, my girlfriend." Fred turns to you with a prideful grin plastered across his face. "Darling, this is my best friend, Y/N." You felt your heart stop. Following his gaze, your eyes landed on the girl appearing to be his girlfriend, smile up at you, showing her pearly white teeth. Quickly pushing your overfilled thoughts away, you shook her hand, the room suddenly became insufferable. You forced a smile as you hesitantly took the seat opposite to them.

"Since, you're my best friend and all, I thought the two of you should meet." Even though he sounded as if it was meant for you, he didn't spare you a single glance. "Yes, Y/N. Seeing how much you meant to him and all." Grace smiled slightly, "I mean.. as friends." Grace added pressing the word 'friends'. You could’ve sworn you saw a sly look in her icy blue eyes, but shook it off, trying your best to act natural, smiling back at her sweetly.

━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━

Every time you glanced at Fred, you felt a stinging pain in your chest; maybe you were just feeling protective over him? But does that include wanting to have him all for yourself, as selfish as it is? It felt wrong with the idea of loving your best friend, but it felt right loving him.

Regretfully, you felt like an idiot for not recognizing your feelings sooner and denying them. The missed opportunities you could have experienced if you had just revealed your true feelings to him whether it was on paper, on phone or even in person. Were you just scared of ruining your friendship?

Sara and Delilah noticed your change in behaviour when Fred’s name pops up in random conversations, until one night you burst into tears and poured your bottled-up feelings onto them. It didn't help matters when you and Fred met, the blue-eyed minkle always tagged along. When Fred wasn't around, she bared her venom-like teeth. "I've seen the way you look at Fred, I'm not stupid."

And from there onwards…

"You're too immature for Freddie."

…you started knowing her more than Fred ever will.

"The two of you have been friends for what? A decade? He's known me a year, guess we all know who he sees as his lover and who as a friend."

That last statement hurt enough for you to have to restrain yourself from slapping the smirk off her face as she said it. You tried your best to act normally in front of Fred, but you knew seeing them together was a pain too unbearable for you to handle, so you declined his hangout calls and started seeing him less and less.

The last thing you wanted was to destroy their relationship by breaking down in front of the person you cared for, and revealing Grace's true colours. Knowing Fred, he'd side with you and break up with Grace, but seeing them together made you realise how happy they were. Fred deserved the happiness Grace brought him. And you’re well aware that the feelings he shared with her were much more in depth than the ones he shared with you, because when he looks at her, his face says it all

.

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A/N : Hi ! This is Luna, SO the ending wasn’t what I had in mind but overall, this story gives me victorian era vibes idk why lmao. OMG all my love goes to Celeste for helping me edit this, please reblog and comment if you like this fic :) We haven’t been active lately due to studying and all, but now we’re back with more fics. + taglist form up soon 🤝

[addictedtostorytelling]

what did you think about episode 4, particularly their scenes with nora cross and the bathrobe and end scenes? i'm going to need a while to forgive them for cutting the kiss.

also, from another anon:

Not a question but I can't stop watching that last scene, the way his voice goes into a whisper "I wanna know what kind of magic you used to put that women under your spell". Add that on top of Sara chilling in bed wearing Grissom's glasses. Don't even get me started on the scene of him checking her out in her robe. I'm dyyyyyyying and I need to to have a fangirl freakout out with someone!!! I wanna know your thoughts on the gsr moments in this ep!

hi, anons!

my thoughts are these:

obviously, super bummed that they cut the kiss. can't understand why they did it. can't believe they learned nothing from the mistake they made at the end of "immortality." don't get why they're so stingy about kisses between two married characters who have literally been in love for twenty-three years. have little hope this problem will be remedied at any point during this season. fully believe i will die having only seen one happy gsr kiss in the entirety of their decades-long fictional relationship.

elsewise, discussion after the "keep reading," if you're interested.

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first off, there were, in my view, a few eyeroll-inducing continuity errors (or at least fudges) throughout the episode. namely:

sara actually thinking that she could have possibly signed off on even one case that hodges had worked on—to say nothing of multiple cases—even though she was literally his "supervisor" for all of, like, three hours before she abruptly quit working at the lab;

dating that performance review cross reads to rattle sara not only to after the events of episode 05x13 "nesting dolls" but also well into the thick of s6, even though a) grissom would have already known sara's deal by that point, and, b) sara basically never had another behavioral issue at work again after she and grissom finally got together at least until the later seasons writers regressed her after the divorce*;

acting like sara had never encountered that performance review before even though in the early seasons of the show, it was pretty clearly established that grissom always went over his reviews with his team members after he wrote them (and there's no way that sara didn't want to hear what he wrote about her, both given that she's a career-minded person and also that she cares deeply about his opinion of her);

choosing the diane chase murder to be the compromised case from the "grissom era" of hodges's tenure at the lab, even though it strains credulity that anyone with more than just a glancing knowledge of the case would believe he could have potentially tampered with the evidence, just given his lack of access, the compressed timeline of the investigation, and the fact that the case was already reviewed by iab back in 2006**.

* the incident where she is insubordinate to catherine and ecklie in episode 05x13 “nesting dolls” is literally the last time sara ever individually gets in trouble under either grissom or catherine’s watches. while she still occasionally gets upset or goes overboard on cases, the whole “loose cannon with a gun” thing completely falls by the wayside once she and grissom get together and she has him to support her and keep her confidences.

** while i can believe that the fabricator may have chosen that case to mess with (just given that it is suitably high-profile and already had a lot of confusion surrounding it), i find it harder to swallow the idea that the da and iab could come to the conclusion that hodges actually could have been solely responsible for the fabrication in that case without accomplices. at the very least, wendy would have had to be knowingly complicit, and possibly also grissom and nick, as well. there just wasn't a clear window of opportunity or means of access for hodges to have fabricated the dna evidence otherwise. it's hard for me to accept that the da and iab wouldn't recognize that fact, even if they were eager to make hodges a scapegoat.

as for the grissoms' interactions with nora cross, i like that cross is being written not as straight up evil but rather politic, as that quality is one that both grissom and sara have historically both disdained and also struggled to reckon with when they've faced off against someone possessed of it (cf. ecklie).

as for the content of the interviews themselves:

sara's first interaction with cross, where cross reads off grissom's old evaluation, raises the question of how exactly grissom and sara dealt with the issue of evaluations during the "secret dating phase." 

did they have an unspoken understanding that no matter what grissom wrote about sara as a worker, it was separate from their romantic relationship? did they maybe come to a more explicit decision that grissom's evaluations would by necessity have to contain not insubstantial criticism (so as not to arouse suspicions)? did sara just stop reading her evaluations and grissom stop going over them with her in the interest of keeping things copacetic at home?

watching sara's initial reaction to the eval, i initially wondered if we were meant to suppose that she was perhaps been playing cross, even at that early point, pretending she was unfamiliar with and hurt by what she was hearing, even when in actuality she wasn't.

if one assumed that she were really fucking machiavellian, one could perhaps argue that everything sara says and does after she asks "what's wrong with my character?" is an act, meant to trick cross into showing her cards—what dirt does she actually have on sara?—and perhaps reveal her strategy surrounding the hodges case.

on the one hand, this episode does very much make it clear that sara is playing chess while cross is playing checkers, and sara does even say to grissom before she attends the meeting that she is intending to persuade cross, so maybe it is actually possible that sara's just putting on a show when she seemingly gets worked up about what grissom said about her fifteen years ago.

maybe she has already heard that eval before.

maybe she's fully aware that grissom wrote those criticisms of her as part of their old system for keeping their relationship a secret.

maybe she is not at all as surprised as she's making herself out to be, and in reality she just wants cross to think that she's thrown so that cross will drop her guard a bit and maybe reveal useful intel.

perhaps one point in favor of this interpretation: sara refers to the evaluation as “my husband’s words twisted against me” before cross even reads the final (more complimentary) lines aloud to her. does she maybe already know that the evaluation is not wholly negative from beginning to end? is she aware that cross has so far cherrypicked the most damning parts? possibly.

of course, on the other hand, i've already kind of been struggling with this idea of sara as a master manipulator, even with the manipulation that we know about, so i’m not sure if i’m ready to grant that she’s perhaps even more duplicitous than is initially suggested.

for the record: i don’t actually think sara was manipulating cross in that first interview; i just wasn’t sure what the writers intentions were with it to start out.

i mean, don't get me wrong: i know sara is a fucking genius who in terms of raw intelligence can run circles around just about anybody.

—it's just that, in the past, both she (and grissom) always struggled with the human element. she was never as socially savvy as catherine or warrick or even nick. she oftentimes got shown up by manipulators who were better at "playing the game" than was she (such as, for instance, hannah west and heather kessler). she was always too much a "heart on her sleeve" kind of girl to be able to successfully deceive others.

even with her and grissom's secret relationship, they avoided actively lying in favor of simply omitting the truth and being judicious about how they presented themselves in public, not only to assuage their consciences but also because they didn't want to have to test their powers of deception; neither one of them trusted that they could realistically fool anyone if the issue ever were explicitly raised.

that so, i'm not quite sure if i find it believable that sara would be able to string cross—who certainly isn't a dummy—along so completely. 

the level of social and self-awareness, people skills, and general acumen necessary to perpetrate that kind of a manipulation would require hannah west-levels of scheming, and for as smart as sara is, it just—i dunno—doesn't exactly feel like a skillset that's in her wheelhouse.

i mean, maybe she has always been capable of it, but certainly we’ve never seen anything like this behavior from her before.

of course, i'm torn on this issue, because the thing is, i love the interview scenes and the fact of sara's plan itself a lot.

watching grissom and sara go back and forth, playing cross like a fiddle—defeating her with the power of love!—is delightful, and i adore how much the plan itself illustrates what an absolute fucking genius sara is.

the whole thing gives me so much joy.

so far, this whole reboot has really been a celebration of sara. she is quite obviously jason tracey’s favorite character, as is reflected not only by the way the narrative treats her but also by all of the characters within the universe of the show enthusiastically agreeing that they all love her.

that so, i find myself scratching my head about the scene, because while i'm not sure that the characterization completely works, i want it to work very much.

i try to rationalize: maybe sara picked up some manipulation skills at some point over the last six years (as part of her eco pirate training), or maybe she's just developed that part of her brain with age.

certainly, i find myself better able to relate to people now that i'm in my thirties than i was when i was in my teens or twenties, so maybe sara is just on a whole other level now that she's fifty. maybe something just clicked for her at some point.

in any case, my questions about sara suddenly being queen of the cons aside, i absolutely adore the interview scenes in themselves and think the dialogue we get from grissom and sara there about each other is absolutely beautiful.

@bartramcat described the dual interviews with grissom and sara as “love letters,” and i couldn’t agree more. 

even with sara’s initial interview, i love the final lines of grissom’s evaluation of her. considering that for him, “the job” has always been a kind of loose synonym for himself, him saying “she was made for this job” is tantamount to him saying “she was made for me.”

which is something i’d like to think that sara picks up on when she later repeats the line as she’s talking to allie.

but speaking to the dual interviews specifically, what i keep coming back to is the intimacy of the descriptions they give of each other and how much those descriptions in some ways counter the ways that they tend to be publicly perceived.

grissom says of sara, “naïveté, by definition, is a lack of experience, wisdom, judgment. the antonyms are intelligence, perception, enlightenment—and that would be my wife.”

while pretty much everyone who knows sara agrees that she is intelligent and perceptive, the idea that she is enlightened/wise/not naïve isn’t one that everyone would agree with—and especially wasn’t one everyone agreed with back when she first joined the lvpd. 

folks like catherine and ecklie used to think of her as a hotheaded “kid” who oftentimes got ahead of herself and jumped to conclusions about things. 

even more recently, folks like nora cross herself have assumed that her emotionality equates to her having a lack of judgment.

but grissom sees her differently.

to him, sara has always been a kind of oracle—a diviner of his feelings when they’re confused, an answerer of his questions, someone who understands him even (and especially) when he doesn’t understand himself. and it’s not only as an expert in him that he trusts her but as someone who is wise in the way of the heart more generally; who knows what matters in life and is aware of how to treat people. that’s part of why she “restores his faith in the human being” (see episode 16x02 “immortality” pt. ii): because she is possessed of an intuitive kind of compassion that grissom believes in above everything.

meanwhile, on sara’s side, when she talks about how methodical grissom tends to be and how he won’t allow any gears to shift until he sees how they work, she means what she says in an entirely complimentary way—which is such a difference from how most people talk about that side of grissom’s personality.

while lots of folks would agree that grissom is “pragmatic” (to phrase it diplomatically), they typically view that as a negative trait in him, tying it to what they see as his overall detachment and “insufficient humanity.” to them, he is an unemotional automaton who always sticks to a protocol.

but that’s not how sara describes him at all.

to her, there’s beauty in how steady his is—that he won’t allow himself to be rushed to conclusions and that he is devoted to finding the truth. in her view, there is nothing inhuman or callous about how he goes about things; to the contrary, she thinks that his commitment to finding answers is deeply connective and something that ties him to people. she obviously admires his integrity so much.

not only are grissom and sara’s assessments of each other true—much more so than the surface-level glosses other people make of them—but they demonstrate a nuanced understanding and also so much love.

they obviously adore each other and each think of each other so highly.

i’m so glad that we were given this scene just to listen to them each explain the philosophy of the other; to speak so knowingly and lovingly as soulmates.

it really is a gorgeous moment.

elsewise, other thoughts about gsr throughout the episode:

the bathrobe scene is funny.

and i have no doubt that sara eventually got what she wanted that night, after grissom’s experiment proved successful.

as for the end scene, for one thing, i’m very glad that they put sara back on her side of the bed. for another, sara just casually wearing grissom’s glasses so she can read is everything.

the scene itself is so warm.

the way sara perks up in bed when grissom comes in, eager to hear his news, and he just stares at her in pure adoration, so in awe of his brilliant wife and her brilliant plan and how tenacious she’s been through this whole effort to clear hodges’s name.

“i wanna know what kind of magic you used to put that woman under your spell” has rocketed up to near the top of my list of favorite grissom lines ever just for the sheer romance of it.

a scientist who starts to believe in magic because he loves his wife so much!

i also adore sara’s about-to-jump-out-of-her-skin-with-curiosity energy through this whole exchange because a) it’s so on-brand for her, and, b) it speaks to the fact that she had perfect faith that grissom would deliver. she gave him an objective—to come home with a name—and she knew he’d achieve it.

we love one (1) married couple of who know each other so well and believe in each other so much, guys.

then, of course, there’s the final face touch, which is just so wonderfully intimate.

i have no doubt that sara probably also got what she wanted after the scene cut there, too. 

overall, i feel like we saw so much unity from grissom and sara in this episode; we’ve not just been told that they’re “old marrieds,” but we’re really seeing it in action. this is a longstanding relationship in which the participants know each other on an extremely intimate basis, not only in terms of their characters but also in terms of how the other person will behave in a given situation. their trust in each other is immense, as is their belief in each other’s capabilities. it’s so obvious they are each other’s favorite people, and i really love that.

i do feel like this episode was light on the “landsickness” storyline, so i wonder if there will be more of that in tonight’s episode.

i’m also interested to see what the grissoms do now that they have a suspect in their investigation.

anyway, that’s all i’ve got.

thanks for the questions! please feel welcome to send more any time.