#shout out to the five or so to the moon fans out there

[emdeejaydraws]

been replaying the to the moon (sigcorp) series and remembering how much i love these two

[imjustasimpxd]

Something Old, Something New

(Chapter One)

➬ Ken Sato x Fem reader

Summary : At first glance, Ken Sato seemed to have it all. With money, fame, and success surrounding his name, there was nothing he couldn’t get his hands on. They say money can buy happiness. That may be true to an extent, however, can money buy forgiveness? Unfortunately for Ken, no amount of money and influence can turn back time and change the past. No amount of bribery can erase the fact that he had chosen to abandon his wife in favor of pursuing his baseball career. That awful decision he made took place five years ago, when he was just starting out as a professional athlete. But now that he’s matured and had time to reflect on his actions, can he hope for a chance to rekindle his marriage? Or should he accept defeat and live with the consequences of letting the only woman he’s ever truly loved slip away from him?

Word count : around 2,500 words

Warnings : mentions of abandonment and neglect, arrogant Sato, sad reader, mentions of regret, angst

Author’s notes : comments and reblogs are appreciated!! I appreciate all feedback on my writing so that I can know what you guys liked and what you think I should improve on

Disclaimer : this is a work of fiction and should in no way, shape, or form, be taken seriously.

Side Note : This fic, and everything else I’ve written on my blog is mine and only mine. I work very hard on everything I write so do not, under any circumstances, modify, copy, or stela my work.

Ken Sato. Looks, wealth, talent, charisma, and confidence rolled into one good looking package. 

The mere mention of his name was enough to cause an uproar of fanatics screaming and shouting in excitement, as if they were a pack of wolves howling at the moon. 

Though he was mostly known for his impressive baseball career, being named one of the most eligible bachelors in sports didn’t hurt his credibility either. If anything, playing the part of the charming ladies’ man only increased his popularity, especially to any of his adoring fans that were women, which most of them were.

After becoming one of the biggest celebrities in both Japanese and American sports, there weren’t many people who were ignorant of a household name such as his. Every man wanted to be him, and every woman wanted to be with him. 

To the public eye, Ken Sato seemed to have it all. But looks can be deceiving, can’t they? Especially when it comes to a man who’s spent years hiding his true feelings behind a veil of humor and charisma. 

No one could know how much he was struggling to keep it all together, or the depths of the affliction eating away at his heart. He was Ken Sato after all, and Ken Sato wasn’t weak, he was a legend, and legends never died, they prevailed. So, he must too.

No matter how much the reporters hounded him, using every possible tactic they could think of to pry into his personal life, Kenji never gave them more than a shred of minuscule details. Feeding them like rats, giving them only the bare necessities to satisfy their hunger for a short while before they came crawling back, demanding more. 

He never let them know more than he wanted, more than he felt like sharing, and frankly, there was a plethora of details he didn’t feel like sharing. 

His reputation of perfection probably wouldn’t uphold itself that well if the media knew about all the things he was wrestling with. Between being a newfound parent to a kaiju infant by day and a masked vigilante known as Ultraman by night, Ken didn’t exactly fit the cookie cutter version of “having it all together.” 

And if that wasn’t enough, then the shame he harbored towards a decision he made almost five years ago would definitely topple the pedestal he comfortably built his identity on. 

The press loved gossip, and they’d fight tooth and nail for even the smallest scintilla of drama. Twisting innocent words and blowing frivolous details out of proportions was the job of reporters. So, imagine the headlines they’d make if those reporters found out any real insiders on the life of the world-famous baseball player. 

Imagine the sales they’d make if a journalist ever got ahold of the information about his past, the same past he’s been hiding away from during his time back in Japan.  

He’s thought about calling, maybe writing a letter to express some form of condolences, but what if word got out? What if the press found out about the woman he used to be married to, the same one he abandoned five years ago in order to pursue his baseball career. 

Forget his most recent batting record, a scandalous story such as that would make headlines from both sides of the Pacific Ocean, and then there really would be nowhere else for him to hide from his past, lest he fancied moving somewhere more remote and secluded. 

If that day came, if Ken Sato was exposed for the decisions he made before becoming famous, then his reputation might take some irreparable damage. 

That’s why he was so closed off towards reporters, towards his teammates, towards everyone. 

Never let anyone close to you and they can never betray you. That’s how Ken Sato lives. 

At least, how he did live, before a little reptilian creature crawled into his life, forcing him to realize there were things that mattered more than wealth and fame.

Before taking care of a kaiju infant became the priority in his life, Ken Sato had rooted his worth in the success of his career. So once that career took off, offering him all the success and affluence he could ever want, he began to realize just how little he really had. 

Despite the riches, the popularity, all of it felt meaningless with no one to share it with. He could’ve held a party with hundreds of guests, surrounding himself with countless people all desperate to please him. Nevertheless, none of it would fill the emptiness engulfing his heart; knowing that no one he interacted with would ever see him as more than a means to financial gain and an increase in social status. 

He had a world full of convenience and opportunities at his fingertips, and yet, he never felt more detached from reality. 

His family was complicated, his friends were more like business partners who benefitted from their relations to him, and the one person he had ever felt truly comfortable around probably hated him now, after being dismissed in favor of baseball. 

In the end, even in a room full of dedicated fans, Ken Sato felt alone. 

However, then that little kaiju infant came along, and everything started to get better. Caring for a child, though tiring at first, gave Kenji something to work towards; a purpose that mattered more than advertising for energy drinks or scoring another record breaking hit at home plate. 

Emi finally gave him the one thing he always wanted, the same thing he always pretended not to need: family. 

After that, baseball didn’t seem to matter as much as it used to, unless he was teaching it to Emi. And all the wealth he had acquired over the years didn’t hold the same value as before, unless he was spending it on his adopted daughter. His lifestyle remained the same, but his heart was in a different place, a more peaceful one. 

Winning championships were more rewarding when he had someone to win for, someone to celebrate with afterwards. And now that he’d repaired the relationship between him and his father, things were looking promising for his future. 

But there was still one more roadblock, one last regret preventing him from moving forward completely. 

You. The woman he’d been married to for a whole year, and, regretfully, the same woman who asked for a divorce due to his neglectful and inconsiderate disregard for her. 

He was young and immature back then, foolishly believing the pursuit of his baseball career was more important than maintaining a healthy marriage. He was arrogant, thinking that extravagant gifts and vacations would keep you happy and secure his role as a provider. 

But he was ignorant to think that being married to you meant he no longer had to earn your affection. All the money and gifts in the world couldn’t make up for the fact that he was never home, and that you were never his priority back then. 

Every morning he’d wake up early, well before you, just to attend practice. And every night he’d come home late, just after dinner, claiming he had needed to stay longer than normal to practice more. 

You’d set out a plate for him, but after his baseball career started taking off, he didn’t really have the time for things such as family dinners or game nights; or so he said. 

He’d usually come home and skip dinner, taking a shower or going to sleep instead. You didn’t necessarily blame him for that, it was only natural for him to be tired from practice. But as the days of barely seeing him turned into months, and he started traveling consistently for his games, you started to feel more like a stranger to him than his wife. He was your husband on paper, but, in the confines of your home, you barely knew how to keep a conversation with him anymore. If you were being honest, you didn’t even really know him that well anymore. 

At least, not as much as you used to. Things were different when you first got married, he wasn’t always so arrogant and inconsiderate. Instead, he was passionate and playful, always knowing how to make you laugh after crying. Even on your first date, he was romantic and charming, making you blush to yourself every time a compliment slipped past his lips. 

But I guess the honeymoon phase people always warn you about before marriage was real; at least, it was for you and Kenji. 

Once his baseball career started taking off, the fame must’ve gotten to his head, and he forgot about the one woman who had been supporting him from the sidelines all along. You had gone to every game, recorded all his winning homeruns, supported his career even though it meant holding off on pursuing yours. And yet, he repaid you with neglect, with a one-sided marriage.

You held on for a while, convinced that he would come around, that his behavior would change and he would reflect on his actions. But after the one-year anniversary of your marriage arrived and he wasn’t even in town to celebrate with you, that’s when you made your decision. You were done being a second choice. 

You got in contact with a lawyer, gathered divorce papers and waited with bated breath till he got home from his trip. And the moment he walked in the door, you practically shoved the papers in his face, all the emotions you’d kept bottled up for so long suddenly coming out in a volcanic eruption of shouting and sobbing. 

And surprisingly enough, he stayed quiet through the majority of it, just watching with a hollow stare as you unleashed all the frustration you’d been harboring towards him. And without a word, he took the papers from you and fished out a pen from his desk drawer, signing them in silence. 

Maybe he had realized from your onslaught of emotions that you were better off without him, that he was clearly causing you pain, and you’d be happier once he set you free of him. Or maybe he really was just that heartless and figured now was the perfect opportunity to get rid of you. Either way, your stomach seemed to twist into a knot at the way he so casually signed those divorce papers and handed them back to you. 

This was what you had wanted, wasn’t it? You’re the one who had gathered the papers in the first place, you should’ve been happy that he was finally ending it, finally setting you free. And yet, you felt yourself holding back tears at his lack of emotion. He didn’t try to argue, he didn’t plead with you to give him another chance like you had expected him too. He just admitted defeat, giving up on trying to fix your marriage and taking off for Japan two days later. 

He left, leaving you back in America while he returned to his home country to continue baseball there; abandoning his American team in the middle of their journey to the championships. 

He had given you an opportunity to move on, to become the person he always prevented you from being, and so you took it.

You cut all forms of communication, threw out everything of his that he didn’t take when he left, and moved into your own apartment. It was a fresh start, a clean slate, and you finally had the chance to chase after your dream career, just like he had been doing.  

So, you did, and you didn’t give up. You refused to, you owed this to yourself, and you weren’t going to waste any more time pouring effort into someone who didn’t appreciate it. 

So, you worked, tirelessly, anxiously, until the day came when your newest novel finally become a bestseller all around the nation, and you were officially titled a successful author. 

Now it was your turn, to stand in front of a crowd of adoring fans, to sign autographs and attend fan events. It almost reminded you of your ex-husband, how people used to scream his name and cheer for his success. But now they were cheering for you, supporting you like he hadn’t. You almost laughed at the irony of it all. Five years ago, you would’ve never imagined the life you’d made for yourself now, celebrating your fourth bestselling novel in a row and becoming a well-known author like you always dreamed of. 

And yet, looking back, none of this would’ve been possible had you not been set free from the restraints your marriage to Ken Sato had bound you to. Without him and the neglect he subjected you to, you wouldn’t have worked as hard as you did. So really, in a way, you had him to thank for how far you’ve come and all the success you’ve accomplished. Because if he never signed those papers five years ago, you would still be tied down to a one-sided marriage. 

But you weren’t, and thank God for that.

Now you had moved on, and so had he. 

Or so you thought. 

Little did you know, Ken Sato was on a mission, and not as Ultraman this time. After undergoing the change and maturity necessary to become a parent to a kaiju infant, Kenji realized he needed to make things right between the two of you. Even if it had been five years since he last saw you. 

He wasn’t looking to ask you to take him back and rekindle your marriage, though he wouldn’t have minded if that ended up happening. Instead, he simply wanted to apologize for his actions, for being such a crappy husband back then. He had reflected a lot on the subject of your marriage over the past couple years, but, he never reached out in fear of your reaction to seeing him again. 

Although, after avoiding it for long enough, and getting a lecture about taking responsibility from his dad, he finally decided to go through with it and booked a flight back to America. 

He was nervous to say the least, but he knew he couldn’t back out. Even if you screamed and yelled at him, he had to take accountability for his past actions and apologize for the pain he’d caused you, for pushing you to the back burner while he allowed baseball to take priority in his life. 

He’d made peace with himself and his father already, thanks to the help of his adoptive daughter. So now it was time to make peace with you. And as he watched the plane lift off the ground from his window seat, he held his breath, wondering how you would react to seeing him again after so many years. 

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[cdragons]

Blood & Pain - Druig x Hecate!Eternal Reader (Kaetlyn) Oneshot

Pairings: Persephone!Eternal Reader & Hecate!Eternal Reader, ft. Sephia x Ikaris, and Kaetlyn x Druig Word Count: ~3.5k Summary: A lil' oneshot to show how Druig and his wife got together, and what way to show that than with hot and heavy SMUT! Warning(s): SMUT (if you are under 18 DNI), some angst if you squint, mention of bullying (sort of), slight mention of blood, knife conjuring, Druig is obsessed and we love that, I just really wanted to write something to get me into the Halloween Spirit Notes: This a surprise oneshot to my wonderful beta reader, @valeskafics! She is in the middle of midterms, so I wanted to gift her a lil' oneshot to thank her for all of her help and encouragement! She is an incredibly kind and patient human and one of the best and most incredible fanfic writers for HOTD, GOT, and the Ewanverse on Tumblr! If you love any of Ewan Mitchell's works or are a fan of GOT/HOTD, I highly recommend checking her blog out! You will not regret it! Also, the BIGGEST thank you and shout of love to @ethereal-athalia my good man in the storm, I have never clicked so well with someone on this platform when it came to crazy ideas, and thanks to her, I can write out my ideas and share them on this site!If you want to read more from this AU, please click on this masterlist!

No matter how the rest of the team believed, what ideas his own children liked to conjure, how the tale was spun by generations -- Druig did not fall in love with his wife at first sight. He knew who you were, Kaetlyn, a fighter who could manipulate the shadows of every living being. You would later the mother of surgery and modern medicine- and even beyond that, a scholar and pioneer for feats of magic that remain untouched even by the greatest of the Supremes in the Mystic Arts.

He couldn’t remember the time he first realized that he loved you- he only knew that when he recognized it, he had fallen so deeply that he could no longer remember what it felt like not to be in love you. You were everywhere. There was simply no place left on this planet where Druig would wander that you wouldn’t be there beckoning him to you.

It was almost shameful how long it took for him to fall in love with you in comparison to how quickly you adored him. It had taken him over 100 years for you to fully gain his attention, and another 200 years for you to wait for him to confess his reciprocation. 200 years of clever banter and harmless flirting that shifted to longing gazes and lingering touches, until you finally had enough of his lame patience and reluctance. You dragged Druig to a secluded area- away from the Domo and humans alike, and took his face in your hands and forced his lips to yours. One kiss become two, two became five, and soon you and he had joined together in an explosion of passion that would bind you to him for the rest of eternity.

The sun had long set, and stars and moon glittered in the night. The two of you were as naked as the days you were born. Your need to have each other was beyond a matter of lust, it was primal need. Druig had torn your clothes without any thought- he starved for you. Any barrier that separated your body from him was flung away. Your skin glowed in the moonlight, every curve and line of your frame gloriously highlighted for his eyes alone. His lily-bloomed skin laid under you, ready for anything and everything you would give him. He still remembered the words you whispered to warn him all that would come as a result of your love.

“Druig, I must warn you,” you whispered. Druig kissed you across your collarbone, and you tugged on his hair to gaze into his eyes. “I can be very selfish- I will have all of you, or none of you.” 

He could feel your wet center throb with each wince that escaped his lips. “You already do, my love,” he whispered back, silently pleading you to let him continue. “I swear you do.”

He craved you. He desperately wanted to map his tongue and lips across your body; he wanted to memorize the feel of your skin, the smell of your sweat, the taste of your cum. Whatever you gave him, he wanted it all.

Pushing him to lay on his back, you crawled forward to hover your soaked cunt over his cock. “I’m selfish- relentlessly so, any other woman that catches your eye will feel no end of my wrath.” You lowered yourself only enough so that his tip could paint its precum on your clit, the corner of your lips curled into a cruel smirk in response to the strangled moan he let out. Your body trembled from the sheer delight you felt at witnessing the surly telepath whine so pathetically from your touch.

“Please,” he begged, “please angel. Let me feel you- I need it- I need you.” Druig could feel his eyes filled with tears from the overwhelming pleasure that would fill him. “I want to touch you, please-”

Druig’s whimpers were brutally cut off as you placed a finger over his lips.

“Shhhh- not yet,” you breathily whispered, “you need to earn your pleasure, my love.” Your pupils dilated seeing him take your finger in his mouth, and used his tongue to suck on it. “I need to know if you understand what it means to love me, and have it in return.”

Before Druig could respond, you lowered yourself further- until he filled you to the brim with only a single thrust. You were so taken back by the sheer size of him that you felt your climax wash over as every part of you trembled from the intense euphoria.

“By Arishem,” you thought, “how is he so big?”

You wanted to make him beg, to drown him in so much pleasure that it would hurt. Whatever pain you inflicted on him now, it was nothing compared to the torture you experienced in having to wait for him to admit his feelings. You lost count on the number of times you pleasured yourself at the thought of the man beneath you. So many times, you wanted to sneak into his bed, and wake him to witness the maddening effect he had on you. But having him inside you was better than anything you could imagine.

Gripping his shoulders, you lifted yourself until only his tip remained-before slamming your hips down to his- repeating this motion until falling into a rhythm that was accompanied by a song of wild moans and gasps. Everything about this man- the aquamarine shine in his eyes, the glowing pallor of his body, the tone and strength in his muscles- screamed the image of perfection to you.

“Druig, Druig,” you could only cry out his name- as if it was the only word you knew, “I love you, I love you, I love- FUCK!” You screamed out at the feel of his hips moving to meet yours, and before you could blink, he shifted your positions so that you would be laying on your back as he caged your body with his frame.

Druig couldn’t take it anymore, it tormented him to not take you without abandon. For so long, he dreamed of having you like this- warm, teasing, and his. You called yourself selfish, so what? Druig knew what it meant to be selfish, to want to possess and devour every part of you until there was nothing left for anyone else to take or see.

You must have blind to not see his desperation for you. How could someone so bright and brilliant not understand that he would gladly let you tear him limb by limb if it meant to be loved by you.

To have you under him like this- writhing in ecstasy, crying from exquisite pain, your soft curves molded against his hard frame- it was as if this was his true purpose. It was not to assist in humanity’s evolution, but to belong to you as you would belong to him. It was to have you like this at every waking moment- filling you with love, and overwhelming you with desire.

As he continued to slam his hips against yours with reckless abandon, he trailed his lips down your throat, sharply nipping your collarbones, until all that he could reach were your heaving breasts that moved in tandem with his thrusts. He was so enraptured by your presence that when you peaked once more on his cock, his rutting only grew more relentless and rougher than what you thought was possible.

Stars, he loved the way you screamed his name. He wanted everyone to know it was him who made you mad with elation. He wanted the whole world to know that you, Kaetlyn- gloriously headstrong, brilliantly beautiful Kaetlyn- the wielder of shadows, and master of the darkness and night, was begging for his cock like a common whore.

“Look at you,” he snarled- jaw clenched so tightly that his teeth threatened to break from the pressure, “what were you saying m’darling? I could have sworn that you were trying to get me to beg- but look at you now.” Your head thrown back as your hair sprayed around you like a beckoning halo as you babbled nonsensically, legs wrapped around his torso to minimize any potential loss of distance, your wickedly sharp nails cutting into his skin to leave vibrant trails on his back as blood leaked from the wounds. “You can’t get enough of me, can you?”

Your only response was whimpers and cries, so Druig decided to be a bit cruel, and slowed down before pulling himself out and stopping completely. The loss of your warmth was complete agony, but the consequence was well-worth the pain at the sight of your immediate reaction.

“DRUIG!” You cried out in pain. You tried to move yourself to feel more of him, but the smug bastard had pinned your torso down- and your body was still recovering from the overstimulation of your previous orgasm. Still maintaining his grip, Druig towered above you in order to gain a better vantage point. Staring down at the aftermath of his onslaught, he almost came right then and there. You were the very likeness of desired perfection- tears had leaked from your eyes and were trailing down your face, your flush travelled down to the tips of your breasts, and there was not a corner of your body that wasn’t covered in marks left by his teeth.

“Please, Druig, please-” you begged him, “don’t stop! I need you!” You felt you were dying from his loss, you felt so empty. It was like you finally felt complete, and when he pulled away it was as if all the air in your lungs were completely snuffed out. You couldn’t bear the pain- it was tearing you apart. You tried to pull him down to get him to kiss- you needed his love; nothing would ever be enough- not when it came from him.

Your soul craved his.

Crystalline blue eyes softened momentarily before steeling once more to grip your hips even tighter, Druig barely lowered himself- just enough to mix his throbbing tip’s precum with your slick. No matter how much he adored you -- however much he wanted to give in to you-- he needed you to admit that you were his first.

“Open your eyes,” his rasp sent chills to run throughout your entire body, “and see what you do to me.” When you looked into his eyes, you were taken back by how dark they had become- that beautiful pale hue had minimized into a thin ring from how dilated his pupils had become. It wasn’t just lust that swam in his gaze, but also mania and lunacy. His piercing gaze, along with his heaving breaths created such a stark contrast to the calm and collected mask he showcased to everyone- humans and Eternals alike. Druig looked less like the usual apathetic god everyone thought him to be, and more like a raging terrifying beast that fed on savagery and only cared to fulfill his most primal urges.

You have never seen such a magnificent and enthralling sight before, and you prayed to the stars above that this time would not be the last.

Druig could hear your thoughts, and he didn’t care how insane he looked. He wanted you to see all that you did to him- how you engrained yourself into his very soul and being. You called yourself infatuated, but he was obsessed. And as aware he was of his own delusion; he didn’t ever plan to stop.

Fuck Arishem- fuck anyone and everyone who would dare keep you from him. He didn’t care the lengths he would have to go to keep you by his side. Let them paint him the villain- it was all worth it if it meant having your love.

“Tell me.” He pleaded you, “please, my angel- tell me your mine. Let me in, I want all of you and only you.” His eyes held so much love and trust that it took your breath away, and it made your heart swell with so much adoration for the man that caged you between his arms. There was only one thing to say, the only thing that mattered that would seal a vow between you both for the rest of eternity.

Summoning all your courage, leaving behind all your bravado, letting all your insecurities to be put on display, you whispered, “Yes.”

Immediately after you condemned your soul to his, Druig speared himself into you to the hilt with a single thrust, and pressed his lips to yours to drink in every one of your throes of passion. Setting off at a relentless pace, it was not long until another brutal climax sheared through your body. With each push, Druig’s cock hit that spot inside you – resulting in stars to bloom around you as your mind was clouded in lust. With each thrust of his length, tremendous stimulation tearing through your walls. The sound of skin-on-skin surrounded the area around you, creating a forcefield of bliss that could not be intruded by anyone but the two immortal beings engaged in their act of fervor. The only other sounds that could be heard were the gentle whispers of the night breeze, along the soft chirpings of the crickets.

Feeling his cock throbbing, Druig knew that he was reaching his limit. However, he refused to finish without you going over the edge with him. Setting an even more ruthless pace, he could feel the trembles that ran throughout your body as he fights to hold control over himself, and not releasing himself deep inside you. Only being able to get a few more thrusts in, Druig viciously cursed as he let out a snarled cry – the loudest you have ever heard from him. With one final push, he came deep inside your cunt, painting your walls with his cum as you felt his warmth flooding inside you. The sensation of the thick ropes of cum engulfing your cunt triggered your final climax, and you felt the evidence of your indescribable pleasure that washed over you mixed with his thick cum that overflowed within you to the point where it leaked out of your core.

Refusing to part, the both of you let yourselves bask in the bliss-filled bubble that was the aftermath of your lovemaking. But as happy as you were, dread filled your mind as you realized what you had done. You knew how the others saw you. How Kingo and Sprite liked to poke fun at your darkness, how Ikaris would voice his doubts of your ability to protect with ill-hidden snarks to Ajak, even the humans would whisper in fear at the sight of you soaked in deviants’ blood in the aftermath of your many onslaughts. It was bad enough that they looked down on Sephia for how she so faithfully remained at your side, you couldn’t let the man you loved be dragged down as well – it would have been too much.

No matter how Druig liked to present himself as cool and indifferent to human conflict – you knew that it was far from true. You’ve watched him for centuries, and there was no one else on the world whose soul was as gentle and carried more love for humanity than even Ajak and Sersi. You couldn’t let your own selfish desires bring his ruin, you refused to let that happen.

“This was a mistake,” you forced yourself to say as you faced away from him to locate your attire, you couldn’t bear it if he saw how much it killed you to say it, but it needs to be done, “I never should have let it go this far.” You crawled on your knees to reach your tunic, “Let’s just forget this ever hap-”

A vicious growl cut you off as Druig’s hands grabbed your wrist to the point where you were sure bruises would show tomorrow. “Don’t,” he snarled, “even try to insult me by suggesting to pretend that this never happened- that we never happened.” Pulling you back to cage you in his arms, Druig buried his face into the crook of your neck- as if imprinting the scent of your skin to his memory in fear that you would disappear before his very eyes.

Leaning forward to whisper in your ear. “How could you ever think for a second that I could possibly go on with my life after finally having you? Tell me angel, how do you expect a man to simply live on weeds after finally partaking a drop of ambrosia?”

Your heart melted at his words, but you could not let yourself be swayed. “Druig,” you started, “you don’t understand the cost of being with me. You deserve someone who is kind and warm and-”

Druig forced you to look into his eyes. “Stop. Don’t you dare let the words of those idiots make you see yourself as less than the perfection you are. Do you know what I see when I look at you?” His eyes softened for what he was about to ask next. “Let me show you, my love.”

As his pale blue irises glowed into a golden hue, making him transform into a sight akin to godliness, you opened your mind to his, and what you saw shook you to your core. You saw scenes of yourself travelling through your shadows, taking down dozens of deviants with only a few arrows from your quiver, as well as the aftermath of you standing alone in a field of mangled corpses dyed with black tarlike blood. You saw yourself as the humans did, embodied darkness that killed with cold precision and controlled beings with their own shadows.

But soon you saw moments that you had forgotten, moments that you believed were private. You saw yourself sneaking away at night in the cover of darkness to watch ghosts roaming aimlessly, along with the pity in your eyes from hearing their sorrows. You saw yourself in your room at the Domo, surrounded by scrolls from topics ranging from rare spells to hand-drawn diagrams of the human body. You witnessed the smile spread across your face when you helped a spirit finally reach their peace to the other world. You saw the time Ajak approached you to ask for your assistance in delivering the children from expectant mothers in the village. You saw yourself come outside the tent to hand over the child of your first delivery to the father, who thanked you with tears in his eyes after being informed that both the child and mother safe and healthy. You watched yourself stare in shock of his praise before seeing the child reach for your finger, and let yourself feel the disbelief that flooded you at the sight of pure innocence staring back at you.

“You call yourself selfish and unkind,” Druig’s voice brought you back to reality- his eyes returned to that familiar blue, “but that couldn’t be more untrue.” He softly pressed his forehead to yours as he continued. “Would a selfish person spend night after night gathering impossible texts to study for an unnamed spirit to finally reach peace? Would someone unkind research every possibility in order to ensure that a mother could hold her child? How could you let someone as pathetic as Ikaris and Sprite taint your own views of yourself so much? Kaetlyn, I was a coward for waiting for so long to tell you my feelings, I was selfish in thinking of my own pride and dignity was more important than your strife. But still you loved me, and I could not be more grateful for your existence for that.”

Tears ran down your cheeks as you felt all your walls crashing down, how could someone so frustratingly wonderful exist? If this was all a dream, you never wanted to wake up. But just to be sure, you took a stone that just fit into the palm of your hand and transmuted it into a silver dagger. Holding it just above his heart, you warned him one final time.

“Druig, no matter what sweet words you whisper, I am selfish. I could kill you now without hesitation. I could cut you and cause you so much pain that you would beg for death. Do you still wish to remain by my side?”

Staring back at you with only ardent love and unfiltered adoration, Druig grasped your hand and dragged the blade’s tip across his chest. Thin trails of dark red life leaked from the wounds, but there was no indication of pain. “If loving you is pain,” he whispered as he wiped the blood from his wound with his finger, only to smear it across your lips, “then let me bleed.” He repeated those same words a year later, when he married you in a private ceremony after the two of you sneaked away from the village’s harvest banquet.

Tagging: @valeskafics, @ethereal-athalia, @aphroditesmoon, @3vergr3en, @its-actually-minicika, @fivebefore21, @asa-do-your-thing, @hypnoticmistake, @blog-100, @tacorice, @prettyvintageafternoon, @deanthomaswhore, @angelnyx, @henesseyhaven, @xcharlottemikaelsonx, @sunphyre, @beananacake, @atomwritez, @vikingqueen28, @getawaycardotmp3, @redheadspark, @heliosphere8, @bambiandbam, @americanprometheuss, @chaoticdetectivewidow, @mazerunnermarvel, @bryandechartisasmolbean,

Let me know if you want to be tagged! Have a happy October! Please be kind, and leave a like/comment/reblog!

[lomllover]

snow on the beach.

summary: y/n is on tour and harry joins her for one of her songs pairings: singer!yn x boyfriend!harry warnings: so so much fluff - You had been on tour for a total of five months and this was your final show for a little bit.

"Alright, Chicago are we re-" You began to say and saw a sign that made you laugh. "Wait hold on.. can I read your sign?" You asked the fan in the crowd and waited for their answer.

"Yes!!!" The girl shouted back at you and held her phone up higher to get a better angle of your guys' conversation.

"Her sign says, 'Y/N please reject me so I can move on'.. What's your name?"

"Charlotte!" She responded.

"Well Charlotte, you'll be very upset to hear that I have a boyfriend," You smiled as the crowd got louder at the mention of Harry. "And I think he would also be upset and a little jealous if he read your sign. What if we brought him out to confirm that?" You said with a smirk and watched as Harry walked onto the stage.

He wrapped his arm around your waist and gave it a light squeeze. "Now what's this I hear about you trying to get with my girlfriend?" He asked once everyone settled down.

Charlotte laughed and shrugged. "Have you seen her?"

"Have I seen her?! Of course I have! She's smokin' hot."

You buried your face into Harry's side as your cheeks turned red and shook your head. "Shhh.. okay.. We have one more song for you and I was going to bring H out to sing it with me so your sign was amazingly timed, Charlotte." You turned to Harry and gave him a small nod. "Ready baby?"

He nodded and you both put your mics on their stands as the band started playing.

"One night, a few moons ago I saw flecks of what could've been light. But it might just have been you passing by unbeknownst to me." You started singing and smiled at Harry. "Life is emotional abusive and time can't stop me quite like you did and my flight was awful, thanks for asking. I'm unglued, thanks to you." You shifted your weight from one side of your body to the other to start singing the chorus. "And it's like snow at the beach weird, but fuckin' beautiful. Flying in a dream stars by the pocketful you wanting me tonight feels impossible but it's comin' down no sound, it's all around."

Harry couldn't help but smile big at you singing that he almost forgot to start singing his part. "This scene feels like what I once saw on a screen. I searched "aurora borealis green" I've never seen someone lit from within blurring out my periphery," He watched as a couple in the pit started dancing with each other so he couldn't help taking his microphone off his stand and moving closer to you. "My smile is like I won a contest and to hide that would be so dishonest and it's fine to fake it 'til you make it 'til you do, 'til it's true." He sang as you turned to face him.

"Now it's like snow at the beach, weird, but fuckin' beautiful. Flying in a dream, stars by the pocketful. You wanting me tonight feels impossible. But it's comin' down no sound, it's all around." You both sang together. "I can't I speak, afraid to jinx it. I don't even dare to wish it."

You both moved down a couple of stairs to the cat-walk part of the stage and sat down on them then Harry started singing again, "But your eyes are flying saucers from another planet. Now I'm all for you like Janet. Can this be a real thing?"

"Can it?" You finished the lyric and held his free hand. "Are we falling like," You started this lyric for him to finish as small pieces of white confetti started falling down from the ceiling to act as snow.

"Snow snow at the beach? (Snow at the beach) Weird, but fuckin' beautiful. Flying in a dream (Flying in a dream), Stars by the pocketful. You wanting me (You wanting me). Tonight feels impossible, but it's comin' down. No sound, it's all around." He finished the song and you both stood up to bow to the crowd and blow them kisses.

"Thank you everyone so much please get home safe tonight, I love you all so much. Thank you for the best 5 months of tour I could ever ask for." You looked down at Charlotte and blew her a kiss. "Thank you." You mouthed to her and she smiled big.

You and Harry left the stage and went back stage to your dressing room. "That was so much fun, H. Thank you for coming and singing with me." You wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug.

"Anything for you, honey." He nuzzled his face into your neck. "I love you."

-

sooo what'd you guys think?? pls make sure to lmk and reblog this story if you did like it to help my account grow! i love you all so much and thank you for taking time to read my stories. <3

[vacantfields]

If you can! Please listen to Reverie by Invent Animate, as those are the vibes for this (: Thanks

[CONTENT WARNING: blood, death, violence]

------

It had been a regular day. However, it was long ago, of course.

He remembers begging Sun if he could join the children for their arts and crafts hours. Sun had sighed and crossed his arms over his broad chest as he looked up at the taller.

"Eclipse... You're not supposed to interact with the Starlings... Moon and I could get in trouble for letting you even be in here in the Daycare." Sun had said with a soft sigh escaping his lips.

"Sun, please. I will be good. I will not act out of line. I just want one hour with the kids, then I will return to my post, I promise." He had pleaded with his smaller counterpart.

He was taller than Sun and Moon, but they were all alike. He was a mix of Sun and Moon's codes; he wanted to entertain children so badly, but he was just a security bot.

Sun had given him an exasperated look, and with a wave-like spin of his rays, he gave the taller a nod.

"But just an hour, and that's it! Alright?"

He hadn't been able to believe it, the shock, the excitement, the warmth in his code.

"Yes, yes! Thank you, Sunny!" He quickly went to the children who knew of him as Super Eclipse, as Moon had spun a story of him rescuing kids from dangerous people, so the Starlings adored him when he would pass the Daycare.

He sat down at the small table as he watched and interacted with the kids happily. They were drawing and laughing together, and it felt so good. He felt so happy, so content, his three rays giving a weak wiggle.

He was watching a small boy drawing himself as Robin and him as Batman.

Cody. Cody was maybe his biggest fan. Cody was around five years old and so excited whenever he would walk past the windows when he patrolled.

"Mr. Eclipse! What do you think? Do you like it? Do you?" The kid asked excitedly as he held his drawing up to the tall android, who gently and carefully took the small drawing into his huge hands and smiled softly, awfully fond.

"I love it, Cody. Thank you." The drawing was... A child's drawing. It was stick figures, but you could tell it was him and Cody.

He felt his eye twitch at the red color Cody had used, and his hands itched, which confused him as he gently put down the paper.

"Mr. Eclipse?" Cody asked softly, the other kids stopping with their art as they watched the tall android; they looked startled and confused.

His hand jerked hard, a horrible twitch.

"I am okay, Starlings! Do not worry!" He said with a nervous grin, but Cody moved closer to him, worry in his eyes.

He took note of where Sun and Moon were for some reason...? His systems deemed them far enough away. He looked confused. "Starling-" He began only for a haze to cover his view; it all got dark.

He could feel his body move.

A warm and wet feeling on his hands.

Dripping. A growl from his lips.

He tried to regain control of his vision and body, but something was hindering him.

He heard screaming and crying. Frantic voices from Security guards traveled around him suddenly, and then more screaming.

He felt scared, terrified, horrified.

He couldn't connect to Sun or Moon via their shared headspace but heard them beg him to stop.

Stop what? What was happening?

He timed how long this fog lasted.

Four hours.

Four hours. Before he got out of the daze, he found himself pinned on the floor on his stomach by Freddy. Roxy. Monty and Chica. He frantically looked at them. "Please! What is happening!?" He shouted. Scared. His wires and fans were twitching.

The animatronics held him down, his hands pinned on his back. Their grip was firm. They didn't answer his cries, only looked over to Sun, who was shaking and covered in blood. His eyes looked empty, haunted.

Moon was also covered in blood. Holding something. Someone. In his arms.

His eyes widened. "No. No, no, no, no, no! NO, NO, NO, NO!" He yelled as it turned into agonizing sobs. "NO, NO!"

Moon was holding what was left of Cody.

"THAT WASN'T ME, IT WASN'T ME! I CAN'T HURT ANYONE! IT WASN'T ME!" he kept yelling, wriggling underneath the animatronics hold. He sobbed.

Moon was silent, eerily so. He held the body, just gazing at it like he could will the child to wake up again.

Sun was the first one to move. His hands were shaking, and Eclipse watched him nervously.

"Sun-" He choked out as he tried to free his hand. So he could touch Sun to calm him. But he couldn't move.

Sun dropped to his knees gently, and Eclipse slowly got his head pressed down by Freddy. Onto the colored floor, his cheek pressed hard against it as he felt Sun's light touch on the back of his neck. He was moving Eclipse's hair out of the way.

"No! Sun! Please don't! Please, I can't! Do not shut me down; please do not! It's so dark, and I can't- please don't leave me in the dark!" He cried out.

Sun didn't answer Eclipse's pleas as he felt his neck panel being opened. He shuddered as Sun wrapped his fingers around a bunch of wires, and he sobbed again. "Please don't, please," he begged. "Please, Sunny, please don't; it wasn't me! I would never hurt anyone!"

He heard Sun taking a sharp breath, and then he felt it.

His wires got pulled, and he fell slack. His system warned him that his wires weren't okay.

His eyes faded to nothing but blanks, though he was still aware.

"... I will call them," Moon said. Eclipse supposes it has to do with Cody.

"Okay." Was all Sun responded, his tone flat, as he stood and walked to do something. Eclipse guessed.

The rest of the animatronics were quiet, though he heard some mumble to Moon about helping.

Eclipse zoned in and out of awareness; his body had locked and not shut down, though, to everyone around him, it would look like he was powered off.

He couldn't feel himself, but he heard movement; he was being moved somewhere. He thinks it's Monty who's carrying him. He liked Monty; they played mini golf together on his patrol rounds and talked a lot. Eclipse could hear Monty mutter something but couldn't tell what the animatronic told him.

He zoned out again.

Then, he heard a heavy thunk, which probably meant he was sat down and propped up against a wall. He could see a tiny bit, but the room was dark. Monty's heavy footsteps meant he left for the door, then the door shut and locked. He was alone. He tried to move but couldn't.

It was so dark in this room.

Abandoned.

Stained.

He was left here until he would be found again.

That's at least what he remembers.

The virus is so strong it's tiring. At least he thinks it has to be a virus. He hopes he isn't like this. He's not someone who hurts anyone. He hopes.

Oh, he hopes.

[lakeofflowerss]

The moon, she and I ( Fleurmione )

English is not my first language so I apologise in advance for my mistakes.

They had said goodbye to Ron and Lavander less than five minutes before so they could start their way to their respective homes. The night was beautiful. Hermione couldn't tell if it was because it wasn't hot because, on the contrary, it was quite cool and the weather wasn't so overwhelming or because Fleur was holding her by the shoulders almost pressing her to her as she talked about how the stars seemed to shine much brighter than usual at the same time the music, now soft, was still enveloping them despite being almost a block and a half away from the bar.

Fleur's laughter echoed in Hermione's chest just at the height where she had her head resting. She looked up and Fleur's mouth was moving as she let out giggles and words that Hermione's brain, totally hypnotized by the situation and intoxicated by the strawberry cologne, couldn't quite understand. At some point the laughter subsided as well as the walk, she could not say for sure when they stopped moving forward, much less could she define the exact moment when Fleur fixed her gaze on her with a beautiful glow, even more dazzling than the moon's own.

Fleur felt like time had stood still there, in them, embracing and smiling at each other while a gentle breeze caressed their faces. She sighed helplessly as she ran her gaze over every faction of Hermione's face, just as she had done that time on the terrace, the first time she had been dazzled by the particular glow the other seemed to emanate without noticing it in the slightest. Still the Earth's satellite was not at its brightest, apparently she had to wait a little longer to have her picture perfect romantic date under the light of the full moon.

Hermione's eyes were locked on her. She had never been a big fan of direct and sustained stares, to her they tended to be extremely invasive and judgmental but now she had those brown eyes fixed in the darkness of her own she couldn't remember a time when she had felt safer. The lashes and crinkles that adorned his gaze accompanied by the sweetest smile in the world was the sight she wished she could hold as long as possible in her mind.

Hermione's hand slid carefully and gently to Fleur's neck. At no time did her gaze tremble or her smile drop. She separated from the other's body for only inches and for such a short amount of time that it wasn't even worth counting. The older woman's arms wrapped firmly and warmly around her waist in an unneeded attempt to keep her from escaping. She tilted her head to the perfect spot for their breaths to begin to mingle even with two centimeters coming between their lips.

Hermione's thumb first outlined Fleur's jaw as if it were the petal of a rose and then slid across her lower lip. The delicacy of the caress sent a shiver down both their spines. The scene was different, the sensation was different, much more of them, much more private than all the previous ones.

"Can I?" Hermione knew, Fleur knew, they both knew the question was because the connotation of what would come next was nowhere near similar to the previous ones.

"Yes...please." Fleur swallowed saliva and deep breaths came to her chest at the same time Hermione's lips came to her, and with a tenderness she had never been gifted with, she kissed her.

The kiss was sweet and intimate, even when they were in the middle of the sidewalk of a busy street that insisted on reminding them of their normality with the passing cars shouting all kinds of things and honking their horns. The bubble they formed was thick enough to feel that the noises and screams were meters away from them. In the distance, just where the terror of both of them and their insecurity about opening up with each other had been.

The seconds passed and the kiss continued its rhythm, their accompanied and calm breaths were the faithful reflection of the peace that was flooding them. The touch of both of them on the other possessed an extraordinary warmth, the breeze kept caressing them and it was the only thing, together with the soft music in the distance, that kept them on earth without letting their minds make them fly to the thousands of scenarios where they would like to replicate that kiss.

Separating was torture. They both felt the lack of the warmth and comfort that the other instilled in them. When Hermione arrived at her home, number twelve Grimmauld Place, she found Harry, Ginny and Teddy waiting for her in the main library. When she walked through the door she saw her nephew asleep in Ginny's arms who looked like she was about to fall into the same situation. Harry sat up and his face reminded her of her own when he was up to some mischief.

"Where were you, Hermione?" he asked her firmly as he searched her face and body. She couldn't help but smile. Her friend, brother at this point in their lives, was one of her favorite people in the whole world. Sometimes he forgot the detail that they were the same age and cared for each other as if they were little kids, as they did all their lives as the relationship was a back and forth. Although for some time now Harry chose to repay all the care that Hermione gave him since they met.

"Harry, relax" she placed her hands on her brother's shoulders "I was with Fleur." She smiled and felt him relax.

"Were you still with her? You could have warned me, I thought you were only going to see her for an hour and come back. It's almost three in the morning. We thought something had happened to you because your phone was sending us straight to the message box." the quickness of the words and the residue of alcohol still in her system made her let out a giggle as she threw herself on him to hug him.

"I ran out of battery and the truth is that when I'm with her I forget everything" she sighed and walked away "sorry. I promise it won't happen again."

"It's okay." revolleted his eyes and smiled at her. "So...Tell me, how was your night?"

"I'm going to get everything ready for tea and tell you about it. " she turned toward the kitchen.

[thedragonchilde]

"Chibodee has lit a fire in Domon's soul": a ship manifesto years in the making

For my followers who have been wondering what the hell I've been on about, here you are.

Before I start, a quick rundown for the newbies, of the show and the characters of the hour, as is customary for ship manifestos:

Earth has been ravaged by war, so all the nations created space colonies, and everyone who could afford it fled to them. In order to try and 'fix' the problem of war, they have decided to settle their differences by way of the Gundam Fight. The Fight happens every four years, and calls for every country to send a Gundam and a fighter to control it, and they spend a year battling it out, and the last one standing gives his nation the right to rule all the others for the next four years.

Earth is the ring.

The other thing to know is the presence of a secret quasi-mystical society called the Shuffle Alliance, which has existed throughout time for the purpose of overseeing wars and making sure humanity survives. There are five at any given time, mapped to card ranks, and they are magically 'chosen' rather than deciding to join. They are linked together by crests on their hands and an ill-explained empathic bond.

Domon Kasshu is our intrepid main character, and holds rank King of Hearts. He is 20 at the start of the Fight, and has been training as a fighter since he was 10. His father was sentenced to stasis by the government for alleged treason, and he wants to win so he can make a bid to reverse that. He broods quite a bit, but his anger is too red-hot to let that stay for long. He's LOUD and PASSIONATE and FEELS A LOT OF THINGS and SHOUTS A LOT. He's also a giant child sometimes, and that's not always a bad thing, particularly when he interacts with children. Also, he has a sexy suit-up sequence to rival Sailor Moon.

Chibodee Crockett is also 20, and holds rank Queen of Spades. He actually grew up an orphan on Earth (specifically NYC), but was discovered by talent scouts after a street fight and taken to the colony to be trained. He makes a name for himself as a professional boxer, and is undefeated by the start of the Fight. He is literally the rags-to-riches American Dream, and he seizes that, aiming to win the Fight as a symbol to give hope to those still living on Earth. He is loud and impulsive and naturally flirtatious, and has a heart of gold. And, you know, an 80s metal hairdo.

-

So why do I find this dynamic compelling? Let's start with what canon gives us.

In Chibodee's debut episode, they don't get off to the best start (a suckerpunch is not a meet-cute), and miscommunication induced by the Neo-American government makes it worse. But things get immediately friendlier once the two are able to have their match and communicate in the best way they know how. Domon wins the bout, and Chibodee doesn't handle the loss well, insisting that he's let down his fans. Now, we already know from the series opener that Domon has no qualms with leaving a situation that he feels isn't his business - so it stands out to me that Domon refuses to knock Chibodee out of the tournament, and in fact encourages him to keep fighting, even calling him “one of the good guys”.

This mercy must have stood out to Chibodee as well, because in “Prepare to Fight! Desperate Fugitive” he is downright obsessed with finding Domon again for a rematch, getting his team to scout the area and even going along with Neo-Mexico’s plan to use him just for the publicity. Even for the purposes of revenge as he claims, that's a lot of time and effort spent pursuing one guy. Their interaction is only in the last leg of the episode - Chibodee attempts to muscle in on Domon's match, then says he's “lost all respect” for Domon when he thinks Neo-Mexico’s Chico has been killed, implying that he respected Domon in the first place despite everything. When he figures out what the plan actually is, he thinks it's incredibly clever.

Then we get to the Guyana Highlands training arc. Our five-man band has just become the newest Shuffle Alliance, though they're still figuring out what that means and how they're tied to each other.

Right out of the gate, the narrator refers to Chibodee as Domon's “destined rival”. And the characters seem to agree! If self-proclaimed mentor Schwarz wants Domon to train against someone, he has plenty of choices, including two who fought him to a draw, but for whatever reason he decides Chibodee is the best option - and he secretly encourages Chibodee's team to come to the same conclusion.

When Chibodee arrives and finds Domon, instead of announcing himself, he just watches Domon train (shirtless, mind you) for long enough that the weather turns from sunny and beautiful to a thunderstorm.

Eventually, he does announce his presence, and they face off in the rain - and it's not just the lightning that's electric, as they excitedly comment on each other's technique and reenergize their fighting spirit, just as Schwarz planned. (In fact, Domon is so into the fight that he needs to be told there's an SOS signal from their support teams!)

It's some time later before we see Chibodee again, and he's either stayed in the highlands the whole time or left and came back, and either option is damning. The fledgling Shuffle Alliance has gathered, drawn to Domon, who’s gone off on his own without a word. Aside from George's half-baked excuse about wanting to protect Rain from wild beasts, the others are fairly upfront about wanting to see Domon, if only to fight him. But Chibodee gets oddly defensive and claims he just has nothing better to do.

When Domon returns from his training, his former teacher Master Asia strikes with the self-regenerating Devil Gundam, and the group has to find their way out. While they're strategizing, Chibodee makes a suggestion, then blushes and hurriedly assures Domon that he's “not doing this for you!” as if anyone would take it that way.

Eventually, they separate and reunite in Neo-Hong Kong for the tournament finals. Their next big interaction is in “Domon Targeted! The Assassin’s Staff”, where Domon is caught in the crosshairs of Neo-Nepal’s Kyral, who tries to assassinate him ahead of his next match. There is a very scary run-in with Kyral in broad daylight, which ends with Domon's shoulder slashed open. Chibodee comes to the rescue, laying Domon across his lap as he drives to help - at least until he flips the car in the chaos.

They do eventually get help, but Domon still has to face Kyral in the ring. For his part, Chibodee has decided to hang around Domon's lodgings for the entire two days between the attack and the match. Guilty? Worried? Feeling a little protective?

I won't say much about “Dazzling Power of the Clown! Get Mad, Gundam Maxter” here, except to ask: when Chibodee goes out that night and has his first meltdown, why is it Domon that the girls call to check on him?

As is the nature of tournaments, Domon has to face off against the other members of the Shuffle Alliance. He appeals to their bond as the Shuffle Alliance, but they each put their reasons for entering the tournament first, and will only come back around to the group once they've decisively faced Domon. Chibodee actually sounds pretty anguished about this, and, presumably in the interest of good sportsmanship, shows Domon his newest technique so he knows what he's up against.

Here are just a few real honest to God quotes from their match:

“Get ready for this, baby!”

“--and most of all, it's for you!”

“Your hunger ignited a fire within me”

“You sure know how to make me happy, Chibodee Crockett!”

“Chibodee has lit a fire in Domon's soul”

“I can feel your dream”

Domon wins with a technique that hasn't been seen before or since, and in fact manages to knock Chibodee out for a few seconds! When Domon reaches out to help him up, it is in shoujo soft focus. Again, Chibodee is discouraged, and again Domon tells him that he hasn't let his fans down, and then reassures him that the fight was great and they can rematch any time he wants. It's a lovely side of Domon we don't always get to see, being literally and figuratively supportive.

Eventually, we get to the battle royale, a winner-take-all match on an enclosed island, where of course the Devil Gundam has been resurrected and infected many of the participants. The Shuffle Alliance takes on foes to clear the way for Domon to go to the center. I mention this because in the span of less than a year, Chibodee has gone from ostensibly hating Domon to being willing to die for him.

Domon wins the tournament, but that's not the end of his troubles, as Rain, after having left Domon, is taken by the military to power the Devil Gundam. The emergency signal has the Shuffle Alliance going to Domon about it (and at least in the dub Chibodee shouts his name in this beautiful breathless, anguished way). Domon at first refuses to go after Rain, wanting to respect her wish not to see him again. But the others have seen the burgeoning romantic tension between Domon and Rain, and so Chibodee tries to motivate him by basically saying “don't be an idiot, either you go or I will”. Eventually Domon is convinced, and the rest of the group is not far behind.

Let me preface this part by saying it's not uncommon for other fighters to join in Domon's words in the midst of battle, demonstrating the connection between them brought about by 'communicating with your fists'. But only once does this happen when it's not part of an attack. The five of them have a terrible battle ahead of them, and at one of their lowest points, it is Chibodee who brings out Domon's words as a motivator.

There is a lull in between bouts, in which Domon asks the others why they followed him. They respond more or less with “it's fun to fight alongside you”, and Chibodee in particular phrases it in a ridiculous way that makes everyone laugh for an awkward amount of time because it's a scary moment and nobody wants to say “we care about you”.

Domon has to fight the last leg alone, not that the others didn't try to follow him, and rather than attack Rain, he disentangles her from the Devil Gundam with the power of love, in the most literal way. Now, of course, during his big confession, we get reaction shots of the others, and I have to say Chibodee looks rather more upset than expected for such a scene.

Now wait, you may say! Domon has a canon romance, one that literally saves the day, so what are we doing here?

Well, this is not the place for my thoughts on Domon/Rain. This is, however, a place for embracing transformative fandom. All I'm definitely saying here is that I find the Domon/Chibodee dynamic compelling, and there's maybe a canon precedent for Chibodee having caught feelings. But this is fanfic, so anything goes; maybe this is an alternate timeline, or maybe you prefer to write Rain with someone else anyway, or maybe the three of them come to an arrangement.

What I know is that they have a bond that the narrative itself acknowledges, one in which they consistently build each other up. They have a lot in common temperamentally, being evenly matched in hot-bloodedness, but their attitudes are sort of the inverse of each other - Domon is serious and melancholy, but deep down is trusting and wants to believe the best of people, where Chibodee keeps things light and devil-may-care, but he's a little more world-weary, a little more easily discouraged - and this makes them interesting foils. I just think there is a lot of unexplored potential in their relationship - especially in adding a romantic/sexual dimension to both the Shuffle Alliance empathy and ‘communicating with your fists’ - and I want to think I'm not the only one who sees it.

-

This is normally the part where I recommend other fanwork, but at the time of writing this, there are four works under this ship tag, one of them is mine, and two are Domon/multiple. There is a little bit of art on pixiv under the チボドモ tag. I know this is a thirty-year-old anime, but I also know that hero/friendly rival is usually slasher catnip, as is dudes in latex saying things like “you sure know how to make me happy” to each other.

[andordean]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers (except me because obvs I have done it). Spread the self-love ❤

Thanks for the tag, @valandhirwriter.

My most beloved fic will forever remain "Blood Ties", lovingly referred to as the Mammoth, for its size and impact both. Written and rewritten and translated and rewritten again, alternative ending for Ciri as the ruler of independent Cintra, reshaping the post-TW3 political landscape of the Continent, including a flotilla of ships, and two relationship tags added to AO3.

It's sequel, "Business Matter", diving deeper into the consequences of decisions made earlier in the story, is a close second. Ciri/Tankred of Kovir, whom I loved developing based on what crumbs we got of his characterisation in the books, as well as his parents. Special shout out to the smut scenes written on a busy commuter train on the way to/from work.

"Splinters", modern!AU Cahir/Ciri I love for all the delicious banter I could fully indulge in; a tribute to Eamon's Cahir (and his hands), and the internet persona we were lucky to be given glimpses of, before fans' behaviour drove him offline.

"The Ghost of You", Cahir/Ciri, my most Problematic fic so far, written out of spite, turned into something very special to me, and a few other people. Thank you friends, as always, for the encouragement and support.

"Hunter's Moon" happened because Natanis came and took over, and I got to weep with her over everything that could've been, had things been different. Regis/Natanis during the hansa's stay in Beauclair.

Thanks again for tagging me!

[tomtenadia]

"Our friends set us up under the mistletoe" (with firefighter Aelin would be amazing😍😍)

Thanks for the prompt!!!!!

Ok, so I wrote this tonight. I am not sure if it's any good but hey, it's cute Rowaelin (I hope).

Hope you will like it.

Word count: 1.2k

---

Station 5 loved the Solstice. Even when they were on shift they loved to have a huge celebration at the firehouse and Aelin, their captain, was the biggest fan. A few days before the longest night, she would drag the enormous box containing the decorations and, as soon as all the drills were over she would round up her team an decorate and they would decorate in-between calls. They had their traditions and they were followed like a religion. That year though, they were off as second shift was working the solstice shift and Fenrys, her lieutenant on engine, had organised a big party at his house. 

She was looking forward to it since Fen had the reputation of being a master at throwing parties and he was bragging that he had invited as many all the teams at the other five firehouses that were off shift for the day. Which meant only one thing: station 6 was going to be there and there was a change that the paramedics would be too. Knowing her luck Rowan, the PIC, would be there too.

Rowan Whitethorn, the senior paramedic at station 6 was her gigantic secret crush. They had met on calls and the man was hot. He was a good 1,90 of tanned muscles, with the most stunning arse she could imagine all adorned with a head of silver hair. But the most striking figure, butt aside, were his eyes. Rowan had the most beautiful pine green eyes. Hellas, the man was sex on two legs and she was a weak woman. Maybe he was on shift and she might be able to keep her dignity.

She really begged Mala that it was the case.

*

The solstice arrived and Fenrys’ house had been invaded by first responders eager to have a wild night and celebrate the winter holiday.

The blonde lieutenant stood on the table and called everyone to attention.

“You know that it’s not safe, right? And the paramedics in this house are off shift, so be careful Moon Moon.” Shouted Aelin, lifting her bottle of beer.

“Oh captain, my captain, thank you for your concern,” added the man winking “welcome all to this solstice party. Be happy, be merry and if you need it, the fire extinguishers are in the cupboard in the kitchen together with two first aid kits,” a deep grin “my parties are famous for turning wild.”

Two hours later Aelin had walked out on the porch with a mug of green tea. She enjoyed the occasional beer but her limit was two, her job had shown her what alcohol could do, plus she had to drive home. 

It was a chilly night and she huddled in her hoodie and sat on the chair on the porch. The sky was clear and the stars blanketed the dark sky. It was a beautiful night and she felt sad that she preferred spending it outside alone rather than inside with a crowd of unhinged adults.

She was enjoying the peace when a figure joined her on the porch. Aelin turned her head and froze when she spotted the distinctive figure of Rowan Whitethorn.

Why was he outside and not inside playing strip poker?

“Uh, sorry…” he muttered.

“It’s okay.” 

Rowan paused and leaned against the rail “too much madness inside?”

Aelin chuckled “I see them in various state of undress few days a week when I am at work and we are all sober. The drunk effect might be a bit too much.”

He was silent and she had the feeling she had said the wrong thing.

“Finished your beers already?”

“I don’t drink.” He added darkly.

Rowan was a colleague, all their past interactions had been purely work related. She knew nothing about him. 

“My parents died after their car got hit by a drunken driver when I was twelve.”

Aelin stood and walked at his side “Rowan, I am sorry.”

He leaned forward and this face turned up, staring at the sky “it’s the reason I became a paramedic. To help people like the ones who tried to save my parents.”

Without realising it, her hand brushed his arm “I am sure they are proud of you.”

“And you? Why tea?”

“Two beers, that’s my maximum.”

He nodded and gave her a weak chuckle.

Aelin smiled took another sip.

Screams came from inside the house and they both turned.

She walked back to the comfy bench and sat down pulling the blanket on her legs “What do you think happened?”

Rowan moved closer to the window and peeked inside “You don’t want to know.”

As long as nothing is on fire, I am happy.”

“Why firefighter?” He asked, turning towards her. His green eyes on her.

Aelin chuckled “because it’s the best job in the world?”

Rowan gave her a soft smile and she almost melted on the spot. The man was stunning and all she wanted to do was to run her hand through his long hair.

She stood and that’s when she noticed it.

Mistletoe hang from the ceiling. She moved quickly aside hoping to prevent Rowan from noticing it. She thought she was safe until the man lifted his head and he spotted the plant hanging. He was so tall that it was almost in his face.

“Uhm.” He said looking at her with a strange expression.

Aelin played dumb and tried to walk away, but his hand landed on her arm.

He pulled her closer “we can’t ignore traditions and displease the elves.”

She looked up at him and the smile he gave her almost left her breathless.

“Oh no, it would be very rude of us.”

Rowan stepped closer and his arm sneaked around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

Pine and snow. He smelled like winter and home and she basked in his scent. Her hand found the back of his neck and a moment later his lips were on hers.

The kiss was soft and tender to begin with and then something happened and it became more. He removed the little space that was between them  and Aelin placed her other hand on his heart.

She was kissing Rowan. 

Aelin arched her body into his when screams reached them and they both pulled apart.

“Oh my god!” Shouted Ansel.

“I told you!” Added Asterin.

“Ok guy it’s pay out time. Who had the solstice?” Shouted Fenrys while waving some bills in the air and dragging the crowd back inside.

Both Rowan and Aelin stood silent in front of each other, still reeling from the kiss.

“So that happened.”

“What, our friends betting on us kissing?”

Rowan smiled “no, the kiss,” he added softly “but yeah, the bet too.”

“I have a feeling that this is the only mistletoe in the house. Fen is a sneaky bastard and knows that we are not great fans of parties.”

He nodded “Oh yeah, that is something that he would definitely do.”

Rowan sat beside her and grabbed a corner of the blanket “I am not complaining, though.”

Aelin looked at him stunned then she moved forward and kissed him and a moment later Rowan responded to the kiss.

“Well, paramedic Whitethorn, I hope you enjoyed my rescue breaths.”

He kissed her gently again “I would stick to fighting fires, captain.”

Aelin hummed against his lips “You are welcome to set me on fire any time you want.”

They both paused and then burst out laughing.

“So Rowan,”Aelin stood and offered him her hand “aren’t you curious to see who won the bet?”

Rowan took her hand and walked back inside the house with her.

Inside, Aelin smiled at the elves and thanked them for making that solstice super special.

taglist

@rowaelinismyotp @swankii-art-teacher @whimsicallyreading @elentiyawhitethorn @aelin-bitch-queen @bruiseonthefaceofhumanity  @mis-lil-red @thegreyj @sailorsassley @leiawritesstories @clairec79 @morganofthewildfire @sv0430 @heartless--aromantic @autumnbabylon @rowanaelinn @backtobl4ck @susumaus98  @gracie-rosee @mybloodrunsblue @tanvee1231 @avenrebekah @whoever-you-choose-to-love  @theywillnotsingforme @universallytreepost @black-daisy-water @goddess-aelin @whispers-in-the-darkest-heart @lovely-dove-zee @athena127

[neonscandal]

Hello...just want to say, so happy !! Finally my best friend who is anti-shipping in shounen (and love to make fun of me because I have ships in every shounen that I watched/read), said that he can't find any het explanation for Gojo/Geto and Bakugou/Midoriya relationships...

Especially when I showed him your posts (that is based in canon and so true). Thanks for sharing your wonderful posts....

What do you think about JJK s2 op1 and ed1? I can't believe when I reas that the op is about geto from gojo's perspective (so romantic)....

OH ANON. HAVE I GOT SOME BRAINROT FOR YOUUUU. I've also noticed some of my older Satosugu posts are attracting attention and subsequently feel like I need to just list out all the most tragic things about them that I hold dear in a separate post because you've basically prodded a festering wound within me.

Re: Your last ask (maybe the same person?), I really only tried to focus on stuff that's already been animated because I try to avoid spoiling the fun for everyone. 🥹✨

It's hilarious that Gojo/Geto and Bakugou/Midoriya are the two relationships that stick out specifically considering their creators intently make them complements of one another.

Gege Akutami cited specifically that Gojo and Geto were designed to be a duo in an interview with Mandou Koboyashi (shout out to twitter user @/soukatsu_ or @soukatsu here as the real MVP for translating and adding further context for other fans). Fans seem to recognize their yin and yang design everywhere. There are countless salt and pepper shaker videos set to Ricky Montgomery's "Mr. Loverman" on tiktok, I'm positive. This is despite being marked by their dissonance.

Kohei Horokoshi has Bakugou and Midoriya recognized as two halves of the same whole by other characters in the story, most remarkably All Might who in many ways carves the deepest chasm(s) between them. The wax and wane of their unique development as individuals being integrally related is also something to note.

But this isn't unique to these two stories. I haven't even watched Naruto but know that Naruto and Sasuke serve as the sun and the moon to one another (literally within the story, their seals and by design/disposition) and I'm sure we could find this in other shows I haven't hyperfixated on haha

There's probably nothing new I can add to the MLM shipping discourse in shonen/seinen genres that hasn't been said, especially when it's been so eloquently broken down by IG user @/ariavelz. I also think there's a fair amount of queerbaiting in mainstream media and anime alike. Five seasons of Free! comes to mind...

Now the MUSIC!? In JJK? Bestie.

S1 already had me gagged with this brain worm. But, the fact that the song playing during Yuta and Rika's final moment in the fight vs. Geto and subsequently during the final moments Gojo and Geto share in that alley in JJK 0 was called "This is Pure Love"??? That's when I knew there were some Satosugu's on staff at Mappa. I don't think we need to dig into the parallels of how Yuta's fondness for Rika being the catalyst for her becoming a curse was the same way Gojo's fondness subsequently led to Geto's "comeback". Gojo, based on his experience at the time, said "love is the most twisted curse of them all" and time showed him just how twisted it really could be in season 2.

NOW THE OP!? It's just so lonely. Their cursed techniques being at odds with one another is so tragic, in a sense, and ultimately creates this divergence from one another. Geto, a genius of diligence, nobly consumes and sullies himself with the curses he has to imbibe like a martyr. Gojo, a genius of happenstance, is pristine. Born into privilege and untouched by the need to work hard or literally touch curses which Geto later grows to resent.

Meanwhile, Gojo's largely a product of isolation as imposed by his status and cursed technique and "Ao no Sumika" or "Where Our Blue Is" by Tatsuya Akitani waxes on about how, despite his best efforts, he could never reach Geto. The irony. As the story continues, we do, in fact, see that Gojo's never changed in the canonically affectionate way he regarded Geto. I think about this dissonance a lot. Literally, how did your Six Eyes miss that?

We could have shared everything. // Little by little since that day, // The curse of me being different from you grew thicker. The sorrow behind your smile, // All the way, I’ve regretted missing it. // To you, who bloomed and fell away as a fruitless flower, // Farewell. Our blue still lives, // Our blue is still clear. // No prayer or word could ever reach you, // No matter how close they could get to you. // In such a color as if it were a silent love, // Or as if it were a summer rolling down a cheek. // I’ve got a curse word for you stuck in the back of my throat. It is the unvoiced voice that says, // “We’ll see each other again, won’t we?” // Like star grains in an infinitely expanding galaxy, // Spilling through the gaps between my fingers

Now, I initially assumed the EP was from Gojo's perspective because Geto only seemed to smile in his presence (who's blushing face are we trying to see, afterall?). However, it is said to be from Geto's perspective and that, too, makes sense. Two viewpoints acting as bookends of the history between them.

I think what's sad about it is the way in which Gojo's POV is centered wholly on Geto, regardless of who or what he became; whereas Geto's perspective is more broadly applied to Gojo in part but also his own turmoil and moral dilemma.

Part of why Geto is thrown into such chaos is because of his inherently principled existence and yet, he is still the moon to Gojo's sun (Naruto, what are you doing heree?). Where Gojo always held a place for Geto, I think Geto assumed that his radicalization and subsequent defection marked a departure from Gojo because he was never really one to exist in shades of grey. Even if his impetus for this new society was ultimately to protect Gojo (and others like him) in the only way he felt he could.

Before my goodwill crumbles away, // I should have told you everything. // In a life descending and dissolving into the night, // Fuzzy emotions, a flickering light. With nothing to search for, love sways. // Living while concealing, // Hence, the moon is dark, head in flight. // Today, unable to go anywhere. // Sleeping, sleeping towards a brand new morning, // Loneliness under crying Though I understand a wounded heart // Why do I end up hurting and leaving the same scars? // Labeling it as ego, grouping it all together, // The true essence of you and me, burning transparently. Longing for change, but the feelings stay the same, // Only the form crumbles away, // Holding onto the hand of hope, your ghost Realizing that something seemingly everywhere // Exists only here, // In the trivial silence of the night. // Only I, residing in memories, awaken It exists only here. // I want to touch you, // Even with trivial conversations. // Show me your blushing face once more...

Pardon me, anon, while I burst into flames after reflecting on all this. 🫠

Edit: just adding this visual for everyone because SAME. 🥹

[everythingbap]

🎤 allkpop: [INTERVIEW] Former B.A.P members BANG&JUNG&YOO&MOON on reuniting after 7 years and growth: "The timing was right for us this time"

Nearly seven years after concluding their activities as one of the renowned groups that rocked their generation, B.A.P is back in the game, now as BANG&JUNG&YOO&MOON, hoping to put a "good closure" for the band's chapter.

Reuniting together several years after parting ways with each other is not an easy feat. Members BANG YONGGUK, JUNG DAE HYUN, YOO YOUNGJAE, and MOON JONG UP have gone their own ways, dropping solo activities here and there. Despite the members' busy schedules, they were able to get back together to work on their long-awaited group record, titled ‘CURTAIN CALL,’ released on August 8th.

This reunion came to fruition thanks to the boys' unwavering enthusiasm, they were able to create this one chance to get back again. During the interview with allkpop, YONGGUK acknowledged the difficulty faced by many idols who used to be in a group but now couldn’t do activities with their fellow members post-disbandment. He hopes that this BANG&JUNG&YOO&MOON return can serve as an inspiration and hope to those idols in a way, too.

Two months before the album's release, the former B.A.P members unveiled a teaser for their ‘Man on the moon’ documentary, igniting excitement among the fans and the general public alike. The five-episode (as of writing) documentary showed how YONGGUK, DAE HYUN, YOUNGJAE, and JONG UP were very much hands-on in crafting the album.

“Our last album [‘EGO’] was a bit fizzled out,” JONG UP expressed in the first episode. Now that they're back with ‘CURTAIN CALL,’ DAE HYUN wants to “share this last time with the fans in a really happy and beautiful way.” He said, “We don't know if there's another chance of us being together again, but we hope you will still support us.”

The mini-album boasts 5 tracks, “Love,” “Farewell,” “Gone,” “Stand it all,” and “Way Back,” all of which YONGGUK took part in crafting, from penning to producing them. YOUNGJAE also contributed lyrics to the concluding track, “Way Back.”

They are also set to hold the “last fan-con Asia tour,” which will commence with the two-day fan concert in Seoul on August 17 and 18, followed by their shows in Tokyo, Taipei, and Hong Kong.

To commemorate the group's highly-anticipated comeback, we sat down with BANG&JUNG&YOO&MOON to chat about ‘CURTAIN CALL’ and the process behind it, their growth, and more. Check out our exclusive interview with them below!

Shout-out to allkpop:

[Note: YOO YOUNGJAE wasn't able to participate in the interview due to his conflicting schedule. However, he sent a message for allkpop readers and the fans over email.]

You might want to check out our previous exclusive interviews with BANG YONGGUK (2023)(2024) and Moon Jong Up as well.

First of all, congratulations on your long-awaited comeback! What does it mean for you to finally reunite with your fellow B.A.P members? How did you come up and talk amongst yourselves coming back? Was there a little bit of awkwardness when you got to work together after 7 years or did it feel the same?

Jong Up: First of all, we made this comeback for the first time in seven years, so I think that’s why it’s heart fluttering and we’re so excited about it. During those seven years, we had actually been talking about getting together at any time. We asked questions like, “When will we do this again?” “When will we be having a reunion?” I think the timing was right for us this time and we thought that we were finally ready to do something we had been preparing for for a long time.

DAE HYUN: In the process of reuniting, of course, it would be nice to have a lot of laughs and smiles. As we shared our opinions, I think there were definitely some things that became sensitive. I think the reason why that happened is because we had a lot of personal growth as individuals. So, we needed a lot of time to bring those things back together. I think those were the moments that got us talking a lot.

What do you feel about closing this chapter? What have been your favorite moments from that journey? I feel like there’s a little bit of sadness because I know your group was once a big part of your idol life, but I also feel like you are rather happier because you get to be together again. It’s not that every group gets to be reunited after disbanding.

DAE HYUN: We mentioned that we have kind of ended our chapter as B.A.P, but we also want to tell you about another beginning. We’re going to go on our own journey are also looking forward to our future individual endeavors. We don’t know if there’s another chance of us being together again, but we hope that you will like our return with ‘CURTAIN CALL’ and that you will still support us. I want to share this last time with the fans in a really happy and beautiful way. We hope that this album is a good closure for this chapter.

Jong Up: Actually, when I think about the moments that have gone by since we started and now that we’re back together after seven years, I think I always remember a lot of things that I was disappointed with. I wonder if it would have been better if we had done something more like this. These regrettable moments were very memorable, but the reason why I think that we are so lucky to have the opportunity to get together again is that I don't know what to say about those regrettable moments. I feel like I'm actually getting a chance to challenge those things again, so I think I'm blessed to have those moments.

Tell us more about the album ‘CURTAIN CALL.’ What aspects of the album do you think “fill your fans with nostalgia”? In what ways do you think were you able to “showcase your chemistry”?

YONGGUK, you’ve been putting out solo releases and you have also been producing songs for other idols. How does it feel to be able to do that for your group after years?

YONGGUK: I feel like rather than making my own solo album or giving songs to other artist friends, it’s the most enjoyable for me to do work for my group. It’s because I’ve known the members for the longest time. It was easy to understand what each of us could do well. I think making music for our group is the easiest and happiest time to work.

Let’s talk about the songs. How did you find the album preparation, music video shooting, song recording, and all? Was there something that you found hard during the process?

DAE HYUN: First of all, I think it took us quite a long time to decide on the songs, including our title song. The company also edited a lot of songs, and YONGGUK continued to work on them. Ultimately, after a lot of time, the album was filled with such solid songs. I think there are people who probably struggled and went through a lot of hard work in that area. This was especially true for YONGGUK. The recording itself was organized a little quickly. YONGGUK was the one who directed us, he knew our points well, so the recording went very smoothly.

From each of you, I want to hear which track is your personal favorite and why?

DAE HYUN: I like the song called “Love” because it fits my sensibilities so well.

Jong Up: My favorite is the title track “Gone.” The reason is that I think it's the song that best represents us right now and I think it's worthy of the title. That's why I like it.

YONGGUK: For me, I like every single song. I kind of think of every song as a title track.

I watched your documentary on YouTube and you always said that the members hope that this album is something that you can be proud of. So I wanted to ask you that: Are you proud of how it came about? Are you satisfied with the outcome?

DAE HYUN: It’s an album that I’m very proud of, and that’s because it’s produced by YONGGUK. We also had a lot of input and participated with a lot of opinions from the members. And the company also put a lot of effort into making an album of better quality.

Jong Up: It’s an album that we’re proud of, not just because of the quality of the record itself, but also because we've had so many things going on and just the fact that it’s tuned out the way we know it’s going to turn out, I think that’s a testament to a lot of things, that itself proves a lot about ourselves. I think our fans are going to love it as well. I’m very proud of it and I can’t wait to show it to my parents. I feel like they’re going to be proud of it too.

(members laugh)

YONGGUK: You haven't got them to hear it?

Jong Up: Not yet. (laughs)

You said in our interview from 12 years ago that the reason why your fans are attracted to you is because you show a different image compared to other groups. Could you describe to us how unique and different this album and this new era are to you? What do you think still stands out within your group even today?

YONGGUK: I know that there are many idols like us who used to be active in their groups but are now unable to do group activities for some reason. I hope this album will be an album that has some meaning to them as well. And rather than showing or making a new trend, the album is a reflection of our past times. I hope people will listen to it a lot because I think it will be an album they can reminisce about.

Since it’s been over a decade since your debut, how would you describe your growth as an artist? If you have free time, do you look back on your old music, stage performances, videos, and photos, and think to yourself, “Oh, I’ve grown a lot. I’ve matured a lot”?

DAE HYUN: I think the concept of growing up has completely changed since I turned 30. I think in my 20s, I was making myself used to the songs. I was like, "Oh, I'm going to get that into my body and I'm going to get that into my ears. I'm going to grow that way.” But now that I'm in my 30s, I feel like I'm on a journey to find my true self. I think I've tried to create something of my own within myself.

Jong Up: In my case, in the past, I thought, researched, and worried a lot about how I wanted to show myself. But now, I think a little more about what is unique about me and want to show my true self, so that I can be seen better. I think there are things I try to do to show myself in a better light. So, in the past, I worked hard to show what I wanted to show, but now I just show what I can do, the next thing that I can do. I think I've matured a bit in that difference, in putting in effort to show that side of me well.

YONGGUK: I’ve matured a lot. Now, what I want and try to do is to do a lot of meaningful things in my life. I’m so happy that this album is exactly that.

In this album, you also talk about the challenges you faced in the past and express your hope for the future. What in that journey you remember in particular made you the artist and person you are today? What were your biggest takeaways and realizations from that journey?

DAE HYUN: I think I've been able to grow as an artist faster through my members because we're all really hard workers and we're still working hard until now. But I think I've always had a platform or a stepping stone to grow as a musical artist through the members closest to me. And now that I'm around a lot of people, I think I've learned a lot about trust, rhythm, friendship, love, and things like that because there are so many people around me.

YONGGUK: Same for me!

Jong Up: Same!

Following the album release, you’re going to hold two-day shows in Seoul. Congratulations on that! How are you preparing for this? What are you most excited about, and what should fans look forward to this special reunion?

DAE HYUN: It’s the live performance. I think our color as a group is really good, and that’s why many of our existing dans have trusted us and liked our group’s live performances. We will practice focusing on those points when performing live and also while hanging out with the fans at the concert. So, we are practicing as hard as we can every day.

Jong Up: There is a lot of cute and diverse merchandise, and this time, the t-shirts came out so pretty. The designs are really pretty and detailed. I think there will be a lot to enjoy in the concert itself. And the most important thing, as you said, is the performance we put together for the first time in seven years. I wonder if there will be more of our own mood, something a little different now. Actually, I'm looking forward to that too. I don't know how it will turn out... so, shall we have fun together?

We’re looking forward to those! What kind of comments or words would you like to see and hear from your fans after the album release?

YONGGUK: Music now gives us a certain amount of joy when we listen to it, and I hope that this album will be one of those albums that when people listen to it, they will be able to remember something from their childhood and be reminded of how we were when we were young and that they can look back through that.

DAE HYUN: Same!

Jong Up: I love you!

(members laugh)

Do you have anything else to say to allkpop readers and your fans who have long waited for your comeback?

DAE HYUN: First of all, thank you to allkpop who has interviewed us a lot since our debut era. We remember that we did a lot of interviews with allkpop as well before. I hope our fans support us and give us a lot of love especially thank you to all the B.A.B.Yz all over the world and I hope you guys enjoy the album

YOUNGJAE: To all the fans who have waited for a long time, I hope you enjoy what we’ve prepared for you and cherish this time spent together. Thank you and I love you.

[queenofmoons67]

I’ve got a Nie Bros idea if you’re interested. Maybe there was tampered intel or maybe some sort of kidnapping gone awry, but one or both thinks the other is dead. I’m a sucker for angst and the nie bros. relationship but happy ending always win for me. So they do eventually find each other again and there are many feels.

I had so much fun writing this! I hope you like it!

Nie Huaisang woke to the sound of shouting. He rolled over, groaning, but opened his eyes to stare blearily at the full moon outside his window, crystal clear against the dark of night. Even for Nie Mingjue, this was rather early to be waking people for morning saber practice.

But then the acrid smell of smoke blew into his nose, and Nie Huaisang shot up to stare around the room—the room that had only a handful of fans and paints, and held not a single birdcage.

He wasn’t in the Unclean Realm. He wasn’t even in Qinghe. He was in his room at the Cloud Recesses, where he had stayed for nearly five years: Four because he kept failing tests, and the fifth because his brother wanted him somewhere safe after the disaster of a Discussion Conference in Qishan. Or rather, somewhere that wouldn’t be a massive target in the case that war finally broke out between the QishanWen and QingheNie. 

But most importantly, if he was in the Cloud Recesses where one of the very first of three thousand rules prohibited making excessive noise: Who was shouting? And what was on fire?

Hurriedly pulling on the nearest set of outer robes—not the plain white student robes, thank Lan Qiren, but his own green and tan Nie-colored robes now that he was only a visiting disciple—Nie Huaisang threw open the door and stared out into the night.

In addition to being allowed regular clothes again, the change in label from ‘student’ to ‘visiting disciple’ meant that he no longer had reason to be in the student dorms. Instead, he had been granted a small, one-roomed building typically meant for visiting sect leaders. It was on the outskirts of the main buildings, since it was usually empty, but still close enough to the center of the Cloud Recesses that anyone staying there didn’t have far to walk to get places.

It was far enough away from everything that Nie Huaisang had apparently slept through the Cloud Recesses’s barrier being broken, but close enough that fire already licked at the roof of his own building from the ones next door, and that he could easily see the way a Wen disciple’s sword stabbed through a Lan disciple’s chest, splattering blood across the neatly kept pathways.

Nie Huaisang clutched at the doorway of his room. For a moment, that blood was all he could see: The ruby color of it as a droplet clung, dew-like, to a blade of grass.

And then the smell of smoke hit him again, and Nie Huaisang violently shook his head.

This wasn’t the first time he had seen blood. He was a cultivator, a disciple of QingheNie, descended from butchers and his brother’s only heir. Animals in the kitchen, yao and other creatures while night hunting—even the occasional blood from saber practice.

For all the entire cultivation world, himself included, regarded Nie Huaisang as soft, he was no stranger to the violence of the world. The world itself had seen to that.

Steeling himself, Nie Huaisang ran out into the night just as the first flame caught on the roof of his room.

<line break>

Nie Mingjue would never forget how he found out the news. Messengers from the Nightless City and the Cloud Recesses arrived at nearly the same time.

He had seen the Wen disciple first; the man had been smug as he walked across the hall to the QingheNie throne, offering the shallowest possible bow and doing his best to look down at Nie Mingjue.

Nie Mingjue had put a stop to that by simply rising to his feet, offering such a perfect bow that it could only be insincere, and then bending his head to literally look down his nose at the shorter man.

The Wen disciple had left quickly after that, only handing a scroll to Nie Mingjue before leaving.

Nie Mingjue scoffed, but sat down again, sprawling across the chair now that it was just him and the guards at the door.

The scroll wasn’t even sealed, its contents open to whoever wanted to read it. But Nie Mingjue quickly found out why. When Wen Ruohan dared to demand the heirs of every big sect become his willing hostages, why would the man bother hiding it? He was flaunting his power, telling the entire cultivation world that he didn’t fear them—that they should fear him instead.

Nie Mingjue crushed the scroll in his shaking fist with a growl.

“Send the Lan disciple in!” he demanded. Undoubtedly the other messenger was there about Nie Huaisang as well. Perhaps the Cloud Recesses had received a summons for Lan Wangji first? Though that would be strange; the Unclean Realm was closest to the Nightless City, they should have been the first to—

Nie Mingjue’s thoughts silenced themselves the moment he laid eyes on the Lan disciple. The bottom of her robes wore mud, and above that, ash. Even her Lan ribbon had turned to gray.

“Lan-guniang!” Nie Mingjue gasped, straightening up in his seat instantly. He gestured for the guards, and one of them laid a cushion at the disciple’s feet.

She knelt, then tried to bow in greeting, but had to stop only halfway through the gesture when she almost overbalanced and fell.

Nie Mingjue gave her time to recover and find her balance again, but anxious for news, he repeated, “Lan-guniang, what happened? Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, and despite the way her body shook, when her eyes met his there were no tears—only red-rimmed eyes. “Lan-shifu sent me,” she whispered.

“Lan Qiren?” Nie Mingjue asked, and she nodded.

“Wen Xu led an attack on the Cloud Recesses,” she started, voice growing stronger the longer she spoke. “Many of the buildings have been burnt, and we—we are still tallying the dead. Qingheng-jun is among them, Lan-gongzi is missing, and Lan-er-gongzi has been taken to the Nightless City. Lan-shifu is attempting to gather the disciples, but it is… it is slow-going.”

Nie Mingjue had bowed his head after her first sentence, and focused all his energy on not crushing his hands into fists as she went on. Only when she paused, with no mention of his brother, did he raise his head to ask, “And my brother? Where is he?”

Nie Huaisang had not come to the Unclean Realm with Lan-guniang; if he had, his brother would have barged into the main hall when the Wen messenger was still there with no care for societal expectations.

But Nie Huaisang would also not have wanted to stay in the Cloud Recesses. He would have wanted to return home, to run into Nie Mingjue’s arms and shelter there, like he had before each time Nie Mingjue sent him back to the Cloud Recesses.

There were few possibilities left, but still, Nie Mingjue hoped for a different one—hoped until Lan-guniang opened her mouth and said, as softly as her first words in the hall, “Nie-er-gongzi is missing. No one saw him during the attack, and the—the building he was housed in burnt to the ground.”

“Get out,” Nie Mingjue whispered. He wouldn’t have known he even spoke, so instinctive were the words, had Lan-guniang’s eyes not widened in surprise.

His next words were not so instinctive, nor as quiet.

“Get out!” he roared, and she stumbled to her feet and ran. In some distant part of his mind, Nie Mingjue regretted his outburst; it was not her fault, and after what she had gone through, the last thing she deserved was more fear. But his own disciples would care for her. Nie Mingjue himself…

Nie Mingjue bowed over his knees and braced his shaking fists on the throne. What use was his power when he wasn’t there when his little brother needed him? When he had sent Nie Huaisang away, thinking him safer in the Cloud Recesses than where Nie Mingjue could see him? Safer with the Lans than the Nie?

Lan-guniang’s words echoed in his mind: No one saw him during the attack.

Had no one looked for him? When the barrier was first broken, did no one to think to fetch Nie Huaisang, to keep safe the boy notorious for spurning the saber? Had no one even thought of his brother until the attack was over and they saw the empty space his building used to fill?

Nie Mingjue had sent his little brother away to keep him safe. Instead, Nie Huaisang was likely dead—if not now, then soon, lost in the wilderness, lonely and afraid, probably injured by blade or fire. Lan Qiren would not have sent news of his loss without being certain.

And all the while, Nie Mingjue had not been there. Had not even been aware.

Now all he could do was scream.

<line break>

Nie Huaisang opened his eyes as the first light of morning pierced past the forest canopy, bringing with it happy birdsong. For a moment, Nie Huaisang just laid there, staring up and taking it all in: The vibrant green leaves, untouched by fire this far from the Cloud Recesses, and the fluttering of feathers, as different birds performed their morning dances.

And then more than a kilogram of bunny landed on his chest, startling Nie Huaisang into standing up with a laugh, hands cradling the small animal.

Where Nie Huaisang had been just moments before was marked by both crushed grass and an outline of bunnies. He put the bunny back with the others, then stepped away from them and stretched.

In all likelihood, Nie Huaisang owed his life to the bunnies. He hadn’t been far from his own room when he remembered the little meadow he had stumbled across soon after moving from the student dorms into his own building—a little meadow that just happened to be where Lan Wangji was keeping a bunch of bunnies.

Knowing Lan Wangji had probably gone to fight, and that no one else would go looking for the poor bunnies, Nie Huaisang had run away from the fire and fighting, grabbed as many bunnies as he could carry, and led the rest into the forest and down the mountainside closest to the Unclean Realm—not hard to find, considering how many times he had flown over it on his trips between the two places.

He would have been a burden to the Lan disciples if he had tried to join them anyway, he told himself, and this way, he had done some good—even if it was just saving a bunch of bunnies. His many years of running away from saber practice, hiding from his brother, and looking for birds in the Qinghe mountains had also aided him well in hiding his tracks from any Wen disciples who might be looking for him.

The green and tan Nie robes helped too, camouflaging him amongst the trees, where white student robes would have stood out like a bright beacon.

Admittedly, though, Nie Huaisang probably didn’t need to hide his tracks anymore; he’d lost track of how long he’d been traveling, but according to the stars the night before, he was less than a day’s journey to the Unclean Realm.

He was really looking forward to seeing his older brother.

Well, his older brother and food. Nie Huaisang clutched his stomach as it growled and eyed a bush full of poisonous berries nearby. He’d never perfected inedia before, but he was wishing for it now. Drinking river water and eating the occasional non-poisonous berries had managed to keep him on his feet, but he longed for the sweet pork Qinghe’s kitchens were famous for.

Groaning, Nie Huaisang shook the images of chopsticks sticky with pork juices from his head and clucked his tongue at the bunnies.

“Come on!” he said, grabbing the littlest one and beginning to walk. Like they had every other time, the rest of the bunnies followed.

It wouldn’t be long before they hit the base of the Unclean Realm’s mountain, and then all that was left would be to climb.

If only he hadn’t left his saber in his room that night… even Nie Huaisang, with his weak golden core, could fly.

<line break>

Nie Mingjue sat slumped in his chair at the head of the meeting table. He had been there for two days, eyes fixed on the marked maps before him, ears tuned to the flurry of words his advisors and senior disciples flung back and forth, ever since his cousin Nie Zonghui had grasped his arm and pulled him from the main hall. He had eaten when given food and hydrated when given water, but he hadn’t given a single opinion himself. What did it matter when his brother was gone?

The Nie disciples could scour the Cloud Recesses and all of Gusu; the Lan disciples had already done so and found nothing.

QingheNie could declare war on QishanWen; why would they, when their odds were no better than before? Should Nie Mingjue send the disciples he cared for to be slaughtered, just as his brother was surely slaughtered, and their father before him?

What was there to do except barricade the gates and brace for Wen Ruohan’s attack? He would surely see the lack of any Nie heir at the Nightless City as an insult, no matter that all of QingheNie now mourned their second young master.

Nie Mingjue would eventually name someone else to succeed him, but for now, he slumped in his chair and picked at a loose thread. His mourning whites had been adjusted every year as he grew, but this was the first time he had truly worn them since his father died.

He hadn’t thought he’d be wearing them for his little brother.

Nie Huaisang was only eighteen…

The doors to the meeting room flew open, and every eye turned to the disciple who rushed in.

“Nie-zongzhu!” the disciple called—but whatever she said next was lost in the chaos as a dirty, beaming Nie Huaisang rushed in.

“Da-ge!” Nie Huaisang cried. He dropped something on the table, then threw himself into Nie Mingjue’s arms.

Nie Mingjue had stood in shock the moment he saw his brother, and his arms wrapped around Nie Huaisang easily, but the hug didn’t last long before Nie Huaisang was pushing away and looking him up and down.

“Why are you in mourning whites? What’s going on? Who died?” Nie Huaisang demanded, the questions quick, and Nie Mingjue gathered him back into his arms, gentle but persistent, desperate not to let go now that his brother was home.

“Lan Qiren sent word about the Cloud Recesses,” Nie Mingjue said. “We thought…”

Nie Huaisang’s arms grew tight around Nie Mingjue once more. “I was just rescuing Wangji-xiong’s bunnies,” he whispered, and the sentence was so nonsensical that Nie Mingjue actually let go to better see his brother’s face.

“You were what?” he asked—and then he blinked down as a tiny bunny on the table started to gnaw on his sleeve.

“Don’t chew Da-ge’s clothes!” Nie Huaisang scolded, scooping the bunny up with the kind of ease that came with practice, and Nie Mingjue realized that the bunny was what Nie Huaisang had put on the table in the first place.

“Didi,” Nie Mingjue started, shaking his head, “you never cease to surprise me.” Of course his brother was safe. Of course his animal-loving, exercise-hating brother had walked the entire way between the Cloud Recesses and the Unclean Realm just to save a bunch of bunnies, all while somehow evading every single search party.

Nie Huaisang smiled at him, and Nie Mingjue drew his brother back into a hug, bunny and all. He wouldn’t be letting go for a long, long time.

Which was of course when one of the elders piped up, “Will we be sending Nie-er-gongzi to Qishan after all, then?”

Nie Mingjue was going to kill someone.

<line break>

The end! If you liked it, please comment and/or reblog to feed the author!

Also, as a sign of just how many Nie bros fics I've written: I'm linking two older fics that kind of fit the prompt. Go here for your basic "NMJ rescues kidnapped NHS," or here for the more complex "NMJ never died despite everyone thinking he had."

[puppet-strung-moon]

Penumbra’s “Special Event”:

The Lord of the dimension sat backstage as the crew got everything ready for the event for the evening. Another esteemed guest from a different dimension wanted to have a little music battle, Penumbra was never one to disappoint and accepted to fulfill their little desire to battle them in the musical fashion. The mere anticipation of the event had the mystical eclipse model all revved up and excited beyond belief, they had craved a battle like this for a very long time; they were practically ready to combust from their building anticipation.

Soon enough Bonnie walks into their room to check on them “Five minutes before showtime Big Boss, are you-?” The blue bunny paused when he noticed Penumbra’s fidgety body language, smiling a mild wide, tail whipping around like crazy, and the twinkling star shape in their eye glitching out. “I see… Pretty excited tonight boss?” Penumbra snaps their attention to their bunny bodyguard, “Oh Bonnie I am possibly Elated someone has decided to have music battle with me~! Don’t get me wrong, I love preforming with you and the rest of the crew but just the music battle they-“ “Give a reason to go all out in from the fans, I know my lord. You show your dominance on stage” Bonnie interjected with a grin causing Penumbra to chuckle deeply with little spews of flames. “Oop! Time to go on Big Boss” Penumbra shot out of their chair, tail swishing and rays retracting and spinning.

Penumbra ran up on the stage being greeted by the cheers of many fans and patrons all excited for the performance about to begin. Penumbra hyped up the crowd with a couple of riffs on their bass and a few flirts then their opponent was called to the stage: A Lunar. They had respected the pint-sized moon model for wanted to challenge them. “As always, dear fans in a music battle-!” The crowd shouts back “THE GUEST GOES FIRST!” Penumbra chuckles and grins wickedly “Your go….punk~” this particular Lunar knew of Penumbra and was wise enough to bring his own guitar to the battle.

They rocked out on the stage for least an hour or two, the whole excursion had Penumbra dizzy with excitement “Gotta admit little man, you’re seriously giving me a run for my money!” They were laughing hysterically “But the show’s been goin’ on for too long and I got autographs to sign…So I must unfortunately must bid you adieu~” after that statement they wind up their upper body and swing down full force on Lunar. Right down the middle with their axe, laughing like a madman the whole time then turns to the audience with a wide smile as they cheer wildly.

Penumbra smiles as they get off the stage, feeling so refreshed and much more relaxed after such a rush. They caught a glimpse of Bonnie and suddenly they felt they had enough energy for one more thing before autographs.

[spotsupstuff]

whats your opinion on the games scugs?

(monk, arti, enot, etc.)

which ones are your favorite lore wise / gameplay wise?

i don't have much of opinions! as one could... probably tell from my excessive iterator posting and extreme lack of scug posting

lore wise i will forever stick with my ultimate fav scug, Hunter. being a pre-Downpour fan has conditioned me into thinkin of the vanilla scugs the most and i'm most attached to them as well. Hunter is my fav of the three because of how unique they are compared to the other two, the amount of special lore and explanations their campaign offers to us. also i fucking love NSH endlessly so those two are a combo to open up my heart. they are actually the reason why i ended up hyperfixating on RW the first time around!

Survivor at the end of the day is the most basic scug, no matter what people say that's just a factual truth with her bein the first lil bugger peeps usually try out, but i've had a lot of fun playing with her characterization and my absolutely favorite thing to do is pair her up with Pebbles. Survivor is Five Pebbles' Cat to me. from the olden days

still up to present

even with Arti around now these two get to me emotionally more still. my old ass is cursed </3

i don't have much to say about Monk except the fact that i'm still quietly laughing about how on THEIR campaign i got more pissed than anywhere fuckin else except Gourmand i think. like this peaceful little sunshine parading around in the world and then there's me behind the screen cursing up a fuckin Storm truly embracing my inner Bitch... i had fun with that..... either way, the fact that he can see traces of Survivor in the shelters is So Fucking and the possible parallels between vanilla scug sibs n Pebs n Moons are eating my brain alive whenever i dedicate a braincell to the slugcats

the Downpour scugs are more in the bg to me and also offer a sort of like... not exactly completely 100% continuation of the game, but one of the possible canonical paths the story could've taken n i ain't gon lie i often forget or ignore some Downpour facts because of my ass bein so stuck with the vanilla game

either way, Arti's maul ability is the best thing invented for this game, Gour is Neat and i really gotta go and explore OE better with Surv cuz that place is Very interesting from the lore stand point (also that map Pebs flashes when openin the gate is SUPER cool). Spearmaster is prolly my favorite of all the scugs cuz of their mechanics n the whole uncollapsed LTTM structure is a delicious world-building, along with the first hint towards the climate, the shit with Seven Red Son-of-a-bitches and the broadcasts at large. i'm affectionate for Spear. that lil fella can climb up with the vanilla scugs i shall allow it. Riv was... the most notable things to me about them was The Rot/Pebbles condition/his last words and then their crack cocaine eyes. love headcanoning UI made 'em like that with actual crackies. the ending with Moon didn't... really hit me for some reason- but still, i'd rank the coolness of their lore on the third place because of The Rot kush

now Saint... Saint is a though nut to crack to me because of Two ✌ reasons. 1. i still haven't fucking finished playing this asshole. 2. there is a lot of room for interpretations. which is a GOOD thing, i Like when that happens, but it makes talking about the lore of the rat harder. ultimately without any brainstorming, Saint's lore is a confusing outta-nowhere mess that is so extremely far from the original ideas and themes of the vanilla game that my head spins. at first i legit thought that the lore of the thing would break what vanilla has already laid out, but thankfully i'm a person who likes to shrug so i shrugged and let it be n started figuring out my own interpretation of it all which has been a lot of fun. what i have going on for Saint in my stuff i adore all SO so so much n ofc shout out to shkiki's interpretation for being one of the coolest i've seen too

n Sain't mechanics have. made me stupidly daring with death jumps i don't know what's happening but that tongue has made me basically jump off a ledge without any preparation before that Sky Islands/Chimney karma gate n i didn't even flinch about it cuz the.. tongue... i don't fucking know what happened to me there but it was bizarre n i like bizarre in this game so i'm givin that shit 4 pats out of 5 you-tried stars. i also got fucking BULLIED BY A SCAVENGER IN FRONT OF A SHELTER FOR TEN MINUTES THATS GETTING A 5 MINUTE FROWN OUT OF GODDAMMIT THIS GAME

[quicktimeeventfull]

death note fic prompt: Matt rushing to help Mello after the building explosion and Matt's inner turmoil of 'not enough truths to each other said, not enough time anymore' knowing that the clock is ticking to end Kira (especially before Near because of Mello's inferiority complex) - can be canon compliant or happily-ever-after :]

hello!!! thank you so much for sending this. it was very fun to write; let’s both pretend it didn’t take me literally an entire month to do so fvjjdf.

Monday night, six forty-five, three days shy of the new moon. That’s when you get the call. 

You’re lying on your futon staring up at the ceiling fan, trying to decide if you want to round out your shit day by ordering takeout you can’t afford or with a few handfuls of sugar cereal straight from the box. Or maybe you’ll just stay exactly where you are until you get tired enough to roll over and pass into sleep because you’re sure as shit not going to get up and fuck around with the hot plate or the janky rice maker which mysteriously trips your breaker half the times you plug it in, not after the shift you just had. Your legs hurt and your wrists hurt and your head hurts and there’s a brand-new oil burn across your forearm from where you’d tossed bowl of nuggets too fast into the fryer.

As a child you were snatched away with fairytale magic and trained to be the smartest and the bravest, swooping in to save the meek and the mild, but you failed and everyone else failed too, so now you stand over a grill for six hundred and fifty yen an hour and while away your nights in this single room apartment with water stains on the walls and a neighbour who shouts at odd hours of the night. 

You’re working up a real good ball of self-pity about your dogshit life, your ex-boy-genius life, a life that’s left you less like a has-been than a boy-who-never was when your cellphone rings.

You turn to look at it. It rings once, twice. 

No one calls you, really. There’s no need to answer. Still. You’ve got fuck-all happening with the rest of your evening, so why not. On the third ring, you snatch it up. 

And there it is. 

That voice. That old voice, which you have not forgotten. The last time you heard him, he had a little-kid voice, although of course you didn’t think of it at the time; you had a little kid voice, yourself, only just beginning to break. Still. Through all the years and all the changes, you know it like you know the pulse of your own blood. 

“Matt,” he’s saying. “I fucked up,” he’s saying. “There’s something really fucking wrong,” he’s saying, and this new voice of his, this adult voice of his, something in it twists and your stomach twists along with it.

You sit up. “Mello?” 

He laughs, sharp, and it turns into a cough and you grip the phone a little tighter, as if that would somehow allow you to hold onto him instead. 

“Yeah” he says. “It’s me. I … I didn’t account for — fuck.” He coughs again. It sounds, alarmingly, wet. “It doesn’t matter. I need you.” He says this like it’s obvious you’ll come, like it’s not even a question, and he’s right, because you’re already standing, already walking to pull a pair of jeans over your boxers and go wherever it is he needs you to go. “Where are you?” He tells you the address. It takes you a second. “Los Angeles?” “Yeah,” he says. “That’s where Kira … ” “Jesus. Mello. I’m not in fucking — I’m in Japan.” There’s a long pause, and then he speaks again, sounding disorientingly confused. “Japan? Why the fuck are you in Japan?” This is both a very good question and the stupidest one you’ve heard in your life. A good one because, sure, why are you here? It’s not like you have any connections to this country; it’s not like it’s been good to you. But it’s also a stupid question, because he expects you to be in America, so obviously he knows what he’s an arrogant bastard to assume — you’ve been following him, all this time. The only issue is that you have, apparently, done a shit job of it.

“Because —“ you start. “Because, fuck, Mello, because this is where Kira’s supposed to be. L said it on the television.”

There’s a long pause, during which you’re expecting him to — god, what, to apologize, to acknowledge that he called and you picked right up, that you were waiting for him this whole time, but he just coughs again, a liquid sound that makes you sick.

Something clicks just then, one of the news reports from the pack of them you’ve been running through every day, hoping for some kind of clue. 

One thing you can say about Kira: he made real good on his promise. Not a lot of crime left anymore. It’s easy to keep track of. You were trained for a more complicated world, a place where people killed and slaughtered and hurt and got away with it, no problem, right on national news. These days you spend, what, an hour or two every day and that’s enough to suck up all of it. 

You don’t have much of an opinion on this, one way or another. Maybe the ends justify the means and maybe they don’t — they always did with the faceless god you once wanted to be. The means are crueler but the ends burn brighter. It’s eggs and omelettes. No one’s scared to walk the night alone anymore, that’s what you think, but you’d still kill him if it came down to the wire and you don’t really care what that says about you.  

“Mello,” you say. “The explosion in Los Angeles — you have anything to do with that?” 

“A bit,” he says. “Yeah.”

Well, fuck. 

“How bad is it?” 

There’s another long pause. You can hear his breathing, ragged. “It’s not good,” he says, finally.  “I’m … I was inside. Got some burns. Hurts a bit. I’ve been thirsty.” Thirst means liquid loss; it means blood pooling into the damaged tissue. Thirst means death.

“Okay,” you say. “Fuck. I’m on my way. It’s a ten hour flight and I’ll get the first one out but you’ve gotta be somewhere in between. Can you get to a hospital?” 

“No. They’ll be …” 

“Yeah. Okay. Gotcha. Okay.” You could stitch him up if you were there — you’ve always been good at that.

Or maybe that’s just a little delusional of you. To assume that you could help just because you want to. To assume he’s in a state that some kid who learned his trade from an old man in an orphanage could fix.

You press your knuckles against your forehead. Should have gotten that takeout after all. It would have helped to have energy for this.

You breathe in. Breathe out. Finally you lean against the wall and look towards your ceiling fan again, watch it turn, demand of it that the movement settle you down. “Okay,” you say. “Listen. I’m going to walk you through what you have to do. It’s going to be just fine.” 

“Sure,” he says, and there it is, that stupid blind trust he’s always had and convinced himself he didn’t have. Mello always had more faith than you ever did; you figure that’s why Roger had eyes on him, near the end. You weren’t half as smart as him, sure, but the bigger issue, you think, is that you weren’t ready to leap for some letter on a screen.

“Alright,” you tell him. “Explain to me what exactly kind of burns you have.”

And you slump back agains the wall and you listen to him list off his injuries, these horrible things that happened to him, these things you’re going to have to fix long-distance. 

You think: you should tell him.

You should say it. Tell him how you’ve been waiting. Tell him how you’ve always — but, no. There’s no point to that. 

Because the thing is, you know he’s got something lined up that he’ll need a martyr for, but this part he could have done alone. Once he knew you weren’t coming in the next couple hours, he could have hung up. He can figure on his own that he’s got to keep his open wounds cleaned. No. He doesn’t need you, but he wants you. 

So it has to be that he’s aware. It has to be that you’re already telling him, as you’re explaining what he has to do to keep himself alive; it has to be that these are the sentences and these are the words, this is the unwinding of all those years he hadn’t called, of that night he’d left without waiting for you to press you lips against his and make that stupid, vapid promise. I love you, I’ll be here. If you said that now it would be trite, the words of a child — it would flatten out the complicated truth of it. 

Instead this will have to do. Your words, brusque and clear; the fact that he called you when he could have called anyone; the fact that there wasn’t, you’re sure, the slightest bit of surprise in your voice once you figured out who it was on the other end of the line. 

So, not yet. Not here, not with him sick and half-conscious, with you terrified and pretending so hard to sound otherwise. 

You’ll have to do your job right. You’ll have to keep him alive so you can say it all.  

[real-life-senshi]

When you see this, post 5 songs you actually listen to and tag 10 of your favourite followers/mutuals!

Thank you @hikamaus for tagging me!

Okay... five songs I listen to... how about five songs I not only listen to but actually StUdIeD because of PGSM Reinako feels? 🤪 I listen to songs more for muses and inspiration for fan video and fanfic writing, instead of following a certain genre or singer/band.

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I'm Here - Aino Minako (Komatsu Ayaka): Hey, this is a PGSM blog, so how can I not mention my favourite character song from the live-action series? Despite I'm Here was never aired in the actual show and only appeared in the special album, once I understood the lyrics, this song immediately had my emotions in a choke-hold. While Sayonara ~Sweet Days was about Minako's thinking about her friends, I'm Here is basically an inner monologue of Minako's true inner feelings that we don't get to explicitly say but implied in canon-PGSM. Listening to it helps me write what I believe to be an accurate depiction of PGSM Minako a lot. Seriously, this is one of my most-listened-to songs and I often play it on loop when writing fanfiction. Here's my proof from iTunes:

What If I Told You - Jason Walker: absolutely gave me Reinko feels when I listen to this song. It's on my to-do list to make a PGSM fan video using this song, but I just never got to it. lol

Sprinters - Kalafina: I don't think I've ever shared this before. This is the song that started me on the path of writing Echoes of Time. The original muse, you can say. Understanding the lyrics on top of loving the moving melody just sends my brain into overdrive building a whole story about Rei and Minako's love story. One day I also want to make a PGSM fanvideo using this song. lol

Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer: This song give me a past-life Mars Venus tragic love story vibe.

Destination Nowhere - Erika: This is actually the intro song to Mop Girl, a slightly supernatural mystery JDrama Keiko was the lead actress of in in her early career. While Sprinters was what led to the story of Echoes of Time to form in my head, this song was what started me on the path of imagination, an imagination of what a more mature Rei's adventure would be with her spiritual power. While Keiko's character Momo was extremely goofy and un-Rei like, but the portrayal of her character in the intro sequence, the supernatural vibe and Momo's self-sacrificing heroics in the last episode strongly reminded me of Rei.

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I don't know about "favourites", but I definitely feel like I haven't really recognized some folks who I've been seeing in my activity recurringly.

No pressure for anyone to do this (and I don't know if I'm tagging people's side blogs or main blogs, sorry!), but I'd like to try to reach out to some folks through this, so I'm tagging:

@suzuran-s-rooftop @junpr @ellorgast @ladyloveandjustice @afandomfarfaraway @rainbowxfmuses @smcempathy @fandomfuckery @izazizan @pgsm-gal

Special shout out to @pgsm-gal for being the only live-action focus blog I know that is out there on Tumblr. Funnily enough because I generally only hyper-fixate on the live-action, and most Sailor Moon blogs are anime/manga or mixed focus, I don't follow much Sailor Moon related blogs, and instead my dashboard is filled with other random fandom that I reblog on my main. So I only recently found out and actually took a look at @pgsm-gal, and it's awesome! If somehow folks following me haven't checked out their blog yet, give it a look! We can never get enough live-action PGSM blogs here. It's such a niche in the overall Sailor Moon fandom community. :')