#so we're always trained to get down on their level whenever possible

[woso-dreamzzz]

Nena IV

Barcelona Femení x Child!Reader

Summary: You always need your sister

Ingrid was glad that you were settling in at Barca. You were more outgoing with her teammates now. You played with them and you ate with them and you giggled whenever someone said something funny.

You were a possessive little thing at the beginning, attached to her in every way possible and pushing Mapi away when she 'interrupted' your sister time. You were like that in Norway too, wanting all of Ingrid's attention when she came home and unrelentingly pursuing it until you got what you wanted.

You were the same at Barca. You allowed Mapi grace occasionally, letting her and Ingrid snuggle up together as you ate or when you were playing with Bagheera but that could change quickly. Suddenly, you would decide that, no, Ingrid was your sister and that meant you got the monopoly over her affection.

At training, it was lesser and, somehow, that made Ingrid feel a little abandoned. She knew that it was a silly thing to feel but you were no longer attached to her hip as you ran around with Patri and Pina and snuggled up with Keira and Alexia during breaks.

You seemed enamoured with her teammates and broke away from your sister as soon as you entered the locker room.

"We see Patri and Pina today?" You asked, swinging your legs as you waited for Ingrid and Mapi to finish getting ready.

"Si."

"Because you are playing the ball game?"

"Yes, because we're playing football."

Mapi reached out to wrap her hand around Ingrid's waist and you quickly wiggled between them, trying to push Ingrid's Mapi back.

"No," You said," She's my Ingrid." You pushed her a bit harder. "Not yours. You're her Mapi but she's my Ingrid."

Mapi laughed a little and something inside Ingrid settled at the clear possessiveness you displayed over her. She knew that your parents were trying to break you out of it (they thought it was a horrible habit and not at all endearing like Ingrid thought it was) but she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief over it. Ingrid felt you were drifting a little away from her at training so it was nice to know that (at least in the privacy of the apartment) you still wanted her.

"Okay," Mapi agreed," She's your Ingrid."

You nod, reaching out for Ingrid's hand just for good measure and sticking out your tongue. You swung your joined arms and squeezed Ingrid's fingers extra tight. "We go now?"

"Yeah." Ingrid smiled at you softly, swinging you up into her arms. "We're going now."

You ran into the locker room in a whirlwind of energy, straight into Patri's arms. She swung you up instantly, balancing you on her shoulders as Pina excitedly talked to you about the upcoming game.

"Come on," Mapi nudged Ingrid, who remained frozen in the middle of the room," We need to get ready."

Ingrid's eyes moved back to you as she changed, to how you drifted between all of the girls happily but didn't once stray towards her.

You stayed away from her even during the warmup and stayed glued to Alexia and Frido.

"Hey," Ingrid managed to catch you before the teams headed out. She knelt down to your level, adjusting your new 'Engen' jersey. "You be good on the bench, okay?"

You huffed at her. "I know!" You grumbled, scuffing your shoes against the floor. "Gonna play with Ona and Jana."

They were your usual playmates on the bench when Patri and Pina were on the field and you tried to pull away from your sister to go join them, already growing bored of the usual spiel she gave you when she was about to start playing the ball game.

"Hey." Ingrid tugged you back. It was completely out of nowhere that the sense of heartbreak flooded her system at the way you were so adamant that you wanted to go play with Ona and Jana that you didn't even want to give her the usual good luck kisses you always did. "I love you."

You expelled a long, annoyed breath and mumbled back," Love you too."

"Hey, nena!" Ona cheered from where she was moving to head to the bench," Let's go!"

You wrenched yourself out of Ingrid's arms immediately and took Ona's, chattering away with her as soon as you got near enough.

You didn't pay much attention to the game as you sat between Jana and Ona, playing a clapping game with them. You didn't really feel the need to anymore. Barcelona always won so you took the time to play with your new friends and then your old friends Patri and Pina when the game was over.

Somewhere along the line, Patri had procured the ball from the game and was kicking it back and forth to you.

"Pina!" You shrieked, laughing when she appeared behind you and threw you up into the air.

"Careful, nena," Patri laughed as you were placed securely on Pina's shoulders," Pina's fast. She might run away with you!"

"That's okay!" You replied happily," Pina's my bestest friend!"

"What about me?"

"You can be my bestest friend too, Patri, 'cause we all wear the same shoes sometimes."

Patri grinned at you, kicking the ball up and juggling it. "You're pretty high up there, nena. Do you want to try a header?"

"Okay!"

It wasn't really meant to be.

Patri knew the moment she kicked the ball at you that it was with too much force. It whacked you straight in the face and you fell off Pina's shoulders backwards.

The scream you let out was loud and you sat up on the grass with fat tears rolling down your face.

"Ingrid!"

Patri and Pina rushed forward at your cries, feeling a little bit like older siblings who were desperately trying to stop their little sister from crying so they didn't get in trouble.

"Where does it hurt?" Pina asked quickly, looking around and swearing in her head when she noticed all the phones pointing at them and the way Mapi was turning Ingrid towards you.

You cried more, spitting out one of your front teeth.

Your gums bled as you sobbed. "Ingrid!" You flinched away when Patri tried to touch you. "Ingrid!"

You sister came skidding to a stop in front of you, moving your hands away from where they were hiding your mouth.

"Oh, elskling," She said softly, moving your top lip up to inspect the gap," It's okay. It's alright. I'm here."

You crawled into her arms, wiping your nose on her jersey as Mapi softly picked up your missing tooth. "Hurts," You whined.

"I know," Ingrid said," It wasn't really time for it to come out but it's okay."

"Lost my tooth," You whimpered pathetically, curling into the warm safety of her body.

"I know," Ingrid repeated. She rubbed your back and held you nice and tight. "I know. Let's get you some ice."

When she made to move away, you tightened your grip on her jersey. "No," You said," No. Ingrid, stay."

"I'm not going anywhere," She promised you, lifting you up easily in her arms before turning to Mapi," Could you get some ice for her gums?"

Mapi nodded, leaning towards you to press a kiss to the top of your head.

"Okay, you," Ingrid said as Mapi headed off," Let's sort that gum out, huh?"

"Bleeding," You said, running your tongue over it.

You've never lost a tooth before.

"It'll stop bleeding soon," Ingrid promised," What about your head? Does that hurt? Or your back? You took a bad fall."

"Just my tooth," You said sniffling.

"I'm sorry it hurts," Ingrid replied, taking the ice Mapi had arrived with and pressing it against your gums," It'll feel better soon."

She was right. Of course she was right. Your Ingrid was always right.

"How are you feeling?" Mapi asked when you had stopped crying.

"Do I still get a big girl tooth?" You answered with a question.

"Why wouldn't you?"

"Because my tooth didn't fall out on its own," You said," Do I still get another one?"

"Of course," Mapi said," You'll get your first big girl tooth soon. That's fun, isn't it?"

You shrugged. "Guess so." You slumped further into Ingrid, looking up at her as she smoothed down your hair and inspected your gum.

"Looking good, elskling," Ingrid said.

You looked at her intently, brushing your lips against her cheek. You smiled weakly at her, eyes still watering slightly. "We still put my tooth under my pillow? So the Norway tooth fairy can find me?"

Ingrid laughed softly. "Of course."

Your brow furrowed. "Even if I put it in my bed and sleep with you and your Mapi?"

Ingrid cupped your cheeks. "Even if you sleep in bed with me and Mapi. Would you like that?"

You nodded. "Sleep with you and your Mapi."

Ingrid stood up, holding you securely in her arms as you buried yourself into her neck. "Sleep with me and my Mapi."

[ramzawrites]

Hey, so I'm having a really rough time rn (dealing with bs from my friend group, we have to take my really old dog to the vet today bc we found blood in her pee and we're scared that she won't make it this time, I'm struggling with my mental health, I'm just kinda goin thru it rn ig) so I would love a comfort fic with the sbi maybe with the reader as their sibling where the reader is the one that always comforts the fam, but hides their emotions until (1/2, very sorry about splitting it)

(2/2) something happens that makes the reader have a full on breakdown? I'll leave the rest to you, it can be a good or bad ending, headcanons or one shots, anything. You can ignore this request if you want/if it makes you uncomfortable. Please don't feel pressured/guilt tripped to write anything from this, your mental health comes first and I'm sure you're already really busy. Reminder to eat something today if you haven't yet and get a drink of water <3

We are family - Reader and SBI!Brothers

GN

Pairings: none

Characters included: Wilbur, Technoblade, Tommy, (mentioned) Niki, (mentioned) Schlatt

Warnings: n/a

Series: a request <3

Summary: Y/N came back from an errand and surprises their brothers with their weird behavior. Trying to put on their usual smile, trying to hide away their real emotions but their brothers know them better than they inititally suspected. They could immediately tell that something must have happened.

Words count: 2060

Authors Note: I’m so sorry this took so long! I hope you and your dog are doing better! 💙 I wish I could give you more than words of encouragement and that I managed to get faster to this request, I apologize Please make sure to take care of yourself, alright? Take time for yourself to deal with the stress and anxiety! Make sure to stay hydrated and remember to eat! Even if it’s just something small!

Once again I apologize for the long wait, I felt really bad already and then I kinda put it off because I felt bad.

adhd hit hard again and haven’t checked for typos yet, but will get on it as soon as I can o7

On another note if you want to read another comfort fic; I have a small series called “A Painful Reminder” which is more angsty but the 2nd part is more about the comfort, if that is something for you 

Living in the SMP was chaotic, turbulent and at times downright painful.

Most people tended to gravitate to one cause or other people to deal with this. Holding on to something so they don’t get pulled under. Get buried beneath the chaos and the violence.

So having people like Y/N around was like a godsend. They were one of the few people that seemed to be able to withstand the constant waves of misfortune and stand strong. Be the rock to hold onto when everything got too overwhelming.

Wilbur, Technoblade and Tommy loved their sibling for it.

After Wilbur and Tommy got exiled with Y/N out of L’Manberg, they were there and cheered both of their siblings up. Immediately making plans on how to set up a safe home and collecting ideas on how to get back. They were the one who managed to get a message out to Technoblade and asked him to visit them. Maybe help them.

Wilbur often jokingly said that Y/N was the glue that held the family together, to which they would always reply with the warmest of smiles “I’m glad.”

And what he said was true. Whenever the family fell on hard times and they began to drift apart it was Y/N who pulled all of them back. Pulling them back to reality and giving solutions for their problems if needed.

Sitting down with Wilbur when things got to much. Listening to his thoughts and worries, letting his emotion run freely without judgement. While they looked worried for him, their comforting smile never faltered. Offering him solutions to problems if he wanted it, otherwise they gave him the chance to just air his own thoughts out. To be angry with him. Sad with him.

Working with Tommy on his own projects. Listening to his ideas and giving him a different perspective that could improve some things but also respecting it when Tommy wanted to do this his way. And while he liked to brag and pretend that some things didn’t hit him that hard, they were still patiently listening to him as he spoke about his own pain in a more roundabout way. Telling him that he was not alone and making him feel heard.

Talking to Technoblade whenever the voices got too loud or out of hand again. He would just walk over to them and nudge them away, asking them to talk about something, no matter what. He just needed to hear their voice and be able to concentrate on it. Tune out the garbled voices in his head with a familiar sound that calmed him down no matter what. Leaning against them, slowly falling asleep as Y/N told all about how they were happily working on their own farm and what shenanigans they got up to.

Y/N really was like the warm sun on a cold day. Warming them up and protecting them.

Yes, Y/N was strong. So strong that even Technoblade considered them stronger than him. Maybe not physically but mentally and emotionally.

A clanging of metal rung through the cave. Techno was training with Wilbur while Tommy was just watching. Cheering on Techno.

It wasn’t an unusual situation and something Y/N expected to see as they made their way down the staircase. Wilbur in full iron armor and weapon while Techno just fought back with his own iron sword.

“Hey, Y/N! Welcome back!” Wilbur breathed out. Sweat running down the side of his face as he stopped attacking his brother.

The three men looked happily over to their sibling who slowly walked towards them but soon their expressions fell. Something was off about Y/N and it confused the three.

Their smile was as always plastered on their face but it looked strained. Their eyes wide open, trying to look sincere and loving but the glassy look of them gave off a different picture.

“Y/N? You okay?” Tommy asked as he stood up from the ground. Taking a step closer to them which made them in return stop in their tracks.

Y/N was hugging themself, shakily opening up their mouth to answer but nothing came out. It was then when Techno got very aware of how they were shaking in general.

This all seemed so wrong. This shouldn’t be possible. It just didn’t seem to register fully inside their minds.

Wilbur made sure to get rid off his sword and armor as fast as he could, walking over to his sibling, trying to get a better look at them but they just avoided his gaze.

Staring at the ground, slowly shaking their head “It’s- It’s fine. I’m fine.”

“You aren’t. You really aren’t. What happened? Did they find you?” Techno asked, his voice full with worry. A bit of anger hidden as well.

Y/N had their own little farm in order to support Pogtopia. The potatoes from Techno were great but variety is important after all. Though they also had an abundance of wheat they usually tried to smuggle into Manberg for Niki. Trying to help her out as much as possible with her taxes and work.

This time Y/N nodded “They did… It’s fine though. I’m fine. I’m not hurt. It’s all good.”

Wilbur’s frown deepened “Usually when people have to be so adamant about being okay something isn’t alright.”

Tommy nodded, supporting his statement only to whisper to himself “Adamant? What does-“

But Wilbur continued “We are your family, talk to us.”

Y/N licked their chapped lips “I’m-“

The tears finally escaped their eyes and begun streaming down their face. Sobbing they fell down on the ground. Wilbur immediately followed suit, laying his arm around them and pulling them against his chest. His hand flew up to their head and begun going through their hair, trying to calm them down. Humming a soft tune from their childhood.

It was the first time in their lives they saw Y/N break down like that and it was quite frankly shocking.

Unsure what to do with himself Tommy squatted down “Um, uh, what- what happened?”

Techno was still gripping the iron sword in his hand. Pacing up and down. Manberg found them? What the hell did they do to make Y/N break down like that? His own sibling! Whatever it was he would make sure to pay it back a thousand times over.

“Tommy can you grab them some water?” Wilbur laid his chin on top of Y/N’s head, rubbing circles now on their back.

He didn’t even hesitate, jumping up to run towards one of the chests with food items that Y/N had always ready for them. Grabbing a water bottle and running back over. Happy that he could do something else besides staring.

Tommy then pushed the bottle towards Y/N who gratefully took it, putting some space between them and Wilbur as they drank some of the cold liquid which helped them to calm down.

“You ready to tell us what happened?” Techno stopped pacing around. His gaze purely trained on his crying sibling. Anger still rising in him just like the voices.

Screaming things like “Technosib! How dare they hurt them! Protect them! I love Y/N so much! Why would anyone hurt Y/N! They always help us! Let’s help them for a change! Technosib! Let’s go out and fight them! Yeah! Blood for the Blood God and Y/N!”

Y/N’s voice was still wavering and a bit scratchy from their sobbing as they begun speaking “Hey, hey! Techno don’t concentrate on the voices. Listen to me. It’s all good.”

This somehow made Techno angry. He threw the sword away and finally knelt down next to them as well so his face was on the same eye level as theirs “Stop. Please. Stop thinking about us for one second. Stop trying to not make us uncomfortable or worried! Tell us what happened! Please.”

He was basically begging at the last part. All his worry packed into it.

“Yeah, honestly you trying to make sure everything is okay for us makes us even more worried.” It surprised the others a bit that this came from Tommy but he was correct.

Tears fell down their face again “I- I was just delivering more wheat to Niki and someone must have followed me. They followed me back to my farm and- and- they burned my fields down. There were explosions. I- it was just my farm. I did not harm. Just, why does it always have to end like this. Why do all the good things always end like this. Why can’t this place let something be. There is always something.”

The farm was so important to Y/N. It was their little project they put so much sweat, love and work into. It was their home away from home. A place to retreat and enjoy some peace. This obviously was devastating. It was their one thing they had for themself. The one thing that wasn’t there for anyone else but them.

It was also clear that this seemed to be the straw that broke the camel’s back and it broke the three a bit that they only now seemed to notice this. That it took that long and their whole farm being destroyed for the realize this was heartbreaking.

“Who?” Techno urged but Y/N shook their head.

“I don’t know. Everything went so fast and I tried to save as much as I could but- but it’s all gone. It’s all gone.” Their voice jumped up an octave at the end, burying their face against Wilbur’s shoulder again. Silently sobbing.

It should have been impossible but Wilbur’s frown deepened and his expression turned more grim “Don’t worry. We will get back at them. We will get our revenge. They will see firsthand what they did to you, I promise.”

Shocked Y/N looked up, their red and puffy eyes wide open “Wil, that’s not what I- no revenge. There is already too much misery going around I just want this to stop. I just want all of us being able to live in peace.”

Wilbur should have known that Y/N was too good natured for that but he couldn’t help himself. He was just so angry. Angry at Schlatt and Manberg. That they went for him was one thing but to go out of their way to treat Y/N like this? Let’s just say he put it on the list in bold letters with reasonings on why he will get back at the Manberg faction.

“Listen Y/N.” Techno begun, his voice now calm again “Stop it. Just for once think about yourself. Stop thinking about others for once. You are also worthy of the same care you give us. Let us at least help rebuild your farm. You always help us with our projects, let us help you with yours.”

Tommy seemed to lit up at that “That sounds like a good idea! We could build towers around your new farm and make sure no one gets in! We could put down traps and all!”

He really wasn’t sure how to react but that was at least something he could do for them. As the past General’s right hand man, this should be something he can do. If he couldn’t protect his sibling how could he ever hope to get L’Manberg back.

Wilbur seemed to think about it for a bit but agreed “Yeah, how does that sound?” Though the dark glint in his eyes stayed. The cogs in head still running off with his own thoughts.

“You guys would? Since when can you guys build?” a dry laugh escaped them but it was a laugh nonetheless.

Both Tommy and Wilbur looked almost appalled at that claim while Techno just shrugged and nodded. Just looking around Pogtopia was more functioning than good looking after all. Y/N tried to pretty it up a bit but usually something always happened around here.

“Also Y/N, please talk to us more. Don’t bottle everything up. Please. We worry a lot about you and we love you. You always do so much for us, let us do the same.” Wilbur pushed Y/N a bit off of him and looked them deep into their eyes, hoping that this would really hammer in that this was a genuine plea.

As a respone Y/N wiped the tears off their face “I understand. I’ll try to remember that.”

“Don’t try just do it.”

[eryiss]

Summary: Freed and Gajeel were total opposites in every way, only connected by the guild. When they were forced to train together under Makarov's orders, they expected antagonism and mistrust. Instead, they were given a lesson in how quickly opposition can turn to attraction. The issue: let the budding relationship simmer away, or let it explode. [Freed x Gajeel Multi-chapter]

Notes: Hello everyone. I’ve been wanting to write something longer for this couple for a while, and this idea seemed quite fun. I hope you all enjoy it and maybe I can convert some of you to living Freed x Gajeel. Happy reading.

Links: FFN, Ao3, Chapter List

Chapter One - Makarov's Idea

As he walked towards the guildhall, Freed kept looking up at the moon.

The nights sky was cloudless and gave him an unhindered view of stars and the moon. It was a beautiful sight, but made him frown a little. The moon was large and nearly in its fullest state, a concern for the time of year. It had been some time since the full moon had coincided with the longest day of the year, and it seemed like it was going to happen again this year. The brimstone in his blood seemed to fizz at the idea, and he quickly looked away.

At his side, Laxus bumped his shoulder to get his attention. His frown told Freed that the dragon-Slayer had seen his concern, and he smiled to comfort the man.

"Nothing to concern yourself about," Freed assured him. "I've got it under control."

"Make sure you do," Laxus instructed. "No missions until it's over, right?"

"Of course," Freed nodded.

Laxus seemed to think the matter settled at that, but Freed wasn't so sure. The entirety of the guild - or at least those not already on missions - had been called to the guildhall that night. Makarov hadn't explained why he wanted everyone present, but it was entirely possible that they would all be dragged away on a mission and that Freed would be forced to act as if everything was normal. So promising that he wouldn't go on any missions was more wishful thinking than anything else.

Still, if he did have to go on a mission, he could handle it. Six years ago, it had taken him by surprise. Not this time.

"Let's take bets," Bickslow, unaware of the hushed conversation, stated mischievously. "Fifty-fifty odds of it being either a world ending disaster we have to deal with, or some weird competition so he can perv on the gals again."

Laxus winced at the second option, but didn't deny it.

"It better not be the second one," Evergreen huffed. "But knowing him, it probably will be. So I'll put five hundred jewels on that."

"Nah, it's been too long since we all nearly died," Bickslow shrugged. "Five hundred on the world ending. You two sticks in the mud gonna get involved?"

Freed had stopped listening to their conversation moments before, and found his worries back on the sky. The full moon had been scheduled in exactly one week, and it meant trouble for him. He should be making preparations in case he lost control of himself; this was all a distraction. He should leave town, just in case.

His team looked at him in concern, but remained quiet.

As they approached the doors, Freed's mind remained preoccupied. A hand clasped onto his shoulder and jerked him back, and he realised it was Laxus. He frowned, only then realising he had nearly walked into Gajeel Redfox. The dragon-slayer glared at him, arms crossed to highlight his biceps. He didn't have much else than his physical strength, Freed supposed, so he had to show it off.

"Idiot," Gajeel spat at Freed, and Freed nearly scoffed at the hypocrisy of the word. If either of them was an idiot, it was not Freed.

Gajeel was walking into the hall before Freed could retort.

"God, who put a stick up his ass?" Laxus muttered as he shook his head. He looked down to Freed again, looking worried. Perhaps he hadn't believed Freed's assurances as Freed had hoped. "You need to go back? He ain't taking over yet, right?"

"No, I was distracted, that's all," Freed assured him, but none of his team looked happy. "I'm in control of myself. But I've got plans on how to approach the demon should I need them."

"Can we help?" Evergreen asked.

"I'll ask if I need it, but I don't suspect it'll happen," Freed placated them. They were still unconvinced. "You needn't coddle me, I'm fine. Particularly when there's apparently a fifty-fifty chance that the word is ending. Though, I'm putting five hundred jewels on the competition."

Apparently, the mention of gambling, broke the ice.

When they got inside the guildhall, it was more crowded than normal. All the tables on the lower level had been taken, and as such they were forced to climb to the S-Class balcony and sit there. None of them particularly minded that, and they waited for a short while for the rest of their guild mates to file in and settle, drinking and talking as they did so.

Eventually, Makarov walked onto the stage and stood before the crowd of wizards. After a few shouts for them to be quiet, the room fell into silence.

"Thank you all for coming," He began after clearing his throat. "I'm sure you're all wondering why we're here."

"For you to creep on us," Ever mumbled, and Bickslow snickered.

"Fairy Tail is a guild with its bedrock founded on the principles of friendship. We work so well because we work together. Whereas other guilds maybe have one or two teams, we have many," Makarov explained, gesticulating as he spoke. "It makes me so proud that you've forged these relationships and implemented them into your working lives. Your friendship and love allows you to work together to fight harder and become stronger, side by side as friends. I'm immensely proud of you all, but as of late I've noticed a problem with your work."

He paused, and Freed rolled his eyes. Everything was so dramatic with him.

"While you're very good at working with your own teams, you sometimes struggle working with the guild members you're unfamiliar with," Makarov continued, as if this statement were a tragedy. "And sometimes your teams won't be available, and I don't want you not taking group jobs because your regular team isn't around."

"Starting to think I bet on the wrong side," Bickslow grumbled, taking a drink.

Freed found himself only half listening. Whenever Makarov made an announcement there would be a lot of preamble that Freed didn't particularly care to listen to; not when he had bigger problems to deal with.

Perhaps, if his demon did become more powerful under the moon, he could rune himself into a cage of sorts. That might work, though perhaps physical manacles and shackles might be more practice. His team would be able to help with that, most likely. They wouldn't be happy about it, but Laxus had seen first hand what could happen when the demon was allowed to take over without restraint. He would understand.

No. He was worrying for nothing. The demon was under control now. Besides, he should be listening to his guildmaster.

"So, to broaden your opportunities, I've come up with an idea," Makarov grinned. "For the next week, you'll be split into pairs that you don't normally work with, and you'll spend all of that time training together. These partnerships will be random, and by the end of the week you'll be fighting side by side in a tournament to prove how well you can work together."

Hm, maybe a distraction would work better than restraints. Makarov's idea was flawed to the point of pointlessness, but a week of training might wear his body out to the point his demon wouldn't have the energy to take over.

"And, I'm sure you're all thinking why you should care about this, so there's a prize set up for the team who wins," Makarov was grinning wider now. "Fifty thousand jewels!"

That sent a rush of excitement and talking through the guild. Freed found himself wondering where the money actually came from.

"That's not all. The fights will be ranked on teamwork, cohesion and communication, and at the end of each fight you'll get points based on how well you did," Makarov was running his hands together. "And the team with the least points will have to do a punishment, and the winners decide what it is!"

"Goddamnit," Bickslow mumbled, handing money to Evergreen. "Always about punishments with him."

"If you knew that, then you should have bet smarter," Evergreen laughed.

Freed ignored his friends, leaning back and watching as Mirajane brought out a large, ridiculous top-hat. It wasn't difficult to guess that this was how Makarov intended to randomly choose the teams; pick them out of a hat. Maybe Laxus was right and his grandfather was turning mad, but he seemed to be enjoying himself so Freed had no place to complain.

He would simply drink his beer, watch the chaos unfold, and use the oncoming disaster as a distraction.

——

Gajeel swallowed down his beer with a scowl on his face. When Makarov had called this meeting, he had known that whatever the old crow had to say, it would piss him off. When Makarov had made his announcement, Gajeel had been proven right.

A whole week with some random wizard seemed pointless. Gajeel worked alone, and only teamed up with people when needed. This wasn't going to work.

Fuck, it was such a waste of time! He could be doing jobs and earning his rent instead of fucking around with a stranger, trying to embrace Makarov's ridiculous mantra about the importance of friendship. Or if he wasn't making money, then he would have at least liked to relax and take some time to rest. He didn't want to make a new friend, he wanted to eat, sleep and maybe find a guy to take to bed. None of that would happen with some Fairy Tail mage hanging around his neck.

"Our first team is," Makarov began as he rummaged through the stupid hat he'd had made. "Juvia and Natsu!"

Dammit! Juvia was one of the few people he could have tolerated. The other was the bookworm, and Makarov would probably say them working together wasn't in the spirit of things.

Still. At least the salamander had to work with someone who extinguished his fire. That was funny.

"Kickass!" Natsu yelled into the crowd, standing up and pumping his fist in the air because he lacked self control. "We're gonna dominate!"

They wouldn't.

"If you'd like to meet up and discuss your plans then now's the time," Makarov stated, and Natsu was making his way to Juvia immediately. "And now it's time for the next team up," He reached into the hat again. "It's Evergreen and Lucy."

No loss there. Maybe he and blondie could have been okay, but Gajeel wasn't pissed the chance was gone.

Lucy looked up toward the balcony and waved at Evergreen a little intimidated. Evergreen looked resigned, but after some nudging from Bickslow, made her way down the stairs and started to talk to the woman. Gajeel absentmindedly wondered if the two had ever had a conversation, because they looked awkward around each other; painfully so.

Fuck, that was going to be him, wasnt it?

Maybe he could convince whoever he was paired up with to lie and say they trained when they just spend the week alone. But then there was the tournament, and the threat of some random punishment, and Gajeel had already been humiliated after losing the guild-wide race and having to dress like an idiot; it wasn't happening again if he could help it.

"Next up," Makarov reached into the hat again. "Bickslow and Gray."

"Fuck yeah, some eye candy at last!" Bickslow yelled, and people laughed. Gajeel rolled his eyes, watching as Bickslow leant over the banister and looked towards his teammate. "Wanna make a deal, every time you strip, I strip."

Gajeel could see Gray avert his gaze as if bored, but he was red in the cheeks. They were even redder when Bickslow tossed his shirt towards him, both men now partially stripped.

Well, at least he wasn't with that idiot. The two of them would be a mess.

Many other teams were announced, and Gajeel found himself more and more annoyed each time. The partnerships made no sense, most of the time their magics wouldn't compliment each other, and Gajeel knew that it would end in disaster. At best, half of the partnerships might end up having a fight with each other, and at worst people would get hurt because they just didn't work. How the hell did Makarov think this was going to work out?

Maybe Gajeel should have slunk out and not attended the meeting. He was running out of money for rent, and his landlord was a bastard just waiting to kick him out, so it made sense for him to get a job. Maybe if he left now he could avoid it altogether.

"And next we've got Gajeel," Makarov shouted, and Gajeel cursed. "And Freed."

Oh fuck no. Absolutely fucking not!

Gajeel was not working with that stuck up prick. A guy like that had clearly never worked a day in his life, probably grew up in a fancy ass house and only got into guild work because it was a trend to slum it with the other wizards. Everything about Freed - holier than thou - Justine screamed pampered brat. He would probably throw a fit if he got dirt under his fingernails. He was the damn opposite of a man like Gajeel, and he knew he'd struggle not to murder the spoiled shit before the week was over.

Could he even defend himself? He had magic, but as far as Gajeel knew, that only worked when he had time to prepare. Hardly practical in the heat of battle, and what would he do without it? He wouldn't have the balls to use his sword as a weapon, Gajeel was pretty sure of that, and he looked like a gust of wind could take him out.

Fucking dammit. The salamander was better than this!

He damn near walked out of the guildhall then and there, because he couldn't deal with an egomaniac freak for a week. But, as he went to move, he saw the egomaniac freak walking towards him, and he was not going to allow Freed to think he was running away. He turned in his chair to meet the man's gaze but didn't make a move towards him. Freed could come to him, not the other way around.

Soon, Freed was in his space, standing above him. His expression was as unimpressed with the situation as Gajeel felt. At least they could agree on one thing.

He looked up to meet the mans gaze. Freed was… taller than he thought.

"I think it's fair to assume neither of us want to do this," Freed said rather than greeting him. Gajeel was right, he was a dick. "And I expect that the way I train myself won't be the same way you do, so likely there's a chance we'll come to blows, so I have a proposition."

Huh, maybe Freed was gonna suggest they lie and only pretend to train together. Gajeel would agree, but make Freed squirm first. "Yeah?"

"If we went somewhere and tried to train how we both normally do, it would be an act of futility," Freed explained. "We have six days to work together. I propose that for the first three days we train however I wish, and you follow my instructions. For the latter three days, we train however you wish and I will follow your instructions. That way, we both get three days of training ourselves in a way we know works, and the week won't be a waste of time entirely."

Huh.

That wasn't what Gajeel had thought, but he could deal with it. He had to admit, trying to find a way that would work for them both would not work, so this meant he'd at least have three days to improve himself.

"Fine," He grunted. "But I wanna go first. You're gonna drag me to some library or something like that, and that's a waste of time. Might as well make it a rest day after some actual working out."

Freed sighed, as if dealing with a child, and Gajeel nearly kicked him in the balls. "If you insist,"

"I do."

"Well then, I'll see you on Monday."

"Guess ya will."

That was it, and Freed turned to go back to his table. Gajeel emptied his drink, then grinned. Three days where the asshole had to do as he said; that was interesting. Freed probably spent his life being pampered and spoiled, but not with Gajeel. Nah, he was gonna work. Gajeel was gonna put Freed through hell and love every damn second of it.

[marsupials-of-mars]

Coping (We Like Girls)

Thomas stood at a filthy counter in the middle of a poorly lit house. How he'd gotten himself into a house party was a cliche narrative and a poor life choice. He took a sip of his incredibly non-alcoholic drink and tried to block out the noise. Before long he felt a hand grab his arm.

"Hey Thomas, cmon we're playing spin the bottle! You coming or are you chicken?"

Thomas scoffed, ignoring his heart beating immediately faster it was something to do, and it felt more cool and spontaneous than standing around waiting for the party to end.

"Hell yeah, I can do cool things!" He was led to a group of high school friends in a circle around a card table. He scoped out the girls, though it was mostly guys, less than a one to three ratio. He focused on Lisa, a girl hed decided to respond with whenever he found himself in a discussion about crushes. She was a pretty redhead with a sweet voice and Thomas always enjoyed hanging out around her just to hear her talk, and not to mention sing. She had the voice of a Disney princess though she ironically seemed to always play the villain in the school's musicals. There were a couple more popular girls around the table but he hoped for her.

"Well, as the initiator..." The kid who had pulled him into the situation spoke. "I've got the first spin!" Thomas barely knew the guy, he talked to him in a couple classes. Robin, or something. He was sweaty like everyone at the party, the tacky and again, cliche, rainbow fairy lights lit up his face, only drawing more attention to the glisten. He was drunk, obviously, like more than half the people there. His almond brown skin and thick veil of black curls helped him gracefully meld into the night life scene while Thomas stuck out like a sore thumb, pale and sober.

He watched as Robin took the bottle and spun it, jokingly pretending to reach out to stop it when it passed a cute girl. It ended up landing on a senior, a tall, lanky guy Thomas had seen winning track awards every year. They laughed and made crude remarks, gagging sounds. The circle chanted, beating their thighs in unison and bursting out in laughter when lips met lips. Thomas looked away. The two pulled apart, track kid spitting and wiping his mouth on his sleeve and Robin mock flirting and taking a bow. Thomas pulled a knee to his chest.

A few more turns transpired, every girl on guy gutting a chorus of whistles and teasing, every girl on girl getting risky remarks from the guys, and every guy on guy being met with jeers and mocking laughter. Thomas was about ready to stand to leave when he saw the bottle land, neck pointing to him.

A blonde, a recognizable good friend of Lisa, and two grades above him. His face flushed and he leaned in awkwardly. She clasped her hands on the sides of his face and pecked him quicky, but long enough for Thomas to know it happened. She tasted like cheap lip gloss. He forced a smile over his mess of anxiety. She winked as the circle once again roared with excitement. That wasn't so bad.

Thomas had started to return to his seat when he remembered that he had the next spin. He took the bottle in a shaky hand and spun, praying for Lisa, good ole Lisa.

The bottle slowed, swooping, teetering back and forth with the uneven setoff. It landed. Thomas's eyes traced the neck of the bottle to his challenge. Dark brown eyes stared at him through a mess of stray black curls. Robin smirked. The blood rushed to Thomas's face. He watched Robin stalk, catlike, to the center of the circle. He once again felt his face taken in a pair of hands, but Robin's were less tactful. They gripped him by the nape of his neck and he was pulled in, for far more than a peck. He felt Robin's hair brush his shoulders, heavy and sturdy like the rest of him. The taste of lip shimmer on Thomas's lips was overridden by that of a badly concocted gatorade screwdriver. Strangely when considering the dynamic, Robin was the first to pull away.

"You're good at that." He smirked as the circle spat mockery.

"Th..." Thomas stared a moment before promptly turning and leaving the circle, leaving the living area, and barricading himself in the hallway bathroom.

~~~

Roman blinked rapidly as a rush of something wonderful flooded him. He beamed and shot upright, ducking into the sides usual meeting area. He summoned them quickly, Patton, Logan, and squealed.

"Now Roman, I felt something too but we gotta use our words!" Patton seemed almost equally giddy, fiddling with the hemming of his sweater vest.

"Love! Love is blossoming! I knew it was coming, Logan didnt I tell you I knew we'd get there?!"

"You have indeed informed me of your hopes many times and every time I've agreed, but count it as a win if it assures you stop doing all of...that." Logan motioned to Roman's fighting stance/happy dance.

"Cmon Logan, let him do his little victory hop, you know he gets excited!"

"So to my understanding you're both rather happy about this? Not what I'd expect in such a situation."

"A situation like love? Of course we're happy, our kiddo is growing up and onward, why wouldnt we be happy? Now who's the lucky gal?!" Patton looked to Logan expectantly.

"Ah..." Logan adjusted his glasses. "Now I understand the lack of concern. Have neither of you looked?"

"Why would we be concerned, Isaac No-fun? Love is blind! We love without looking!"

"Oh..." Patton made a sound similar to gashing open a beach ball. Utter defeat. Roman looked over in confusion.

"What? You too?!"

"Roman..." Patton seemed both disappointed and terrified. "You need to look."

Roman groaned and closed his eyes, letting the current Thomas events wash over him. Recent memories. He let them play out, grinning excitedly when he saw a pretty blonde senior lean in for a kiss.

"She's so pretty! Why are we upse... " he wrinkled his brow. Something wasn't clicking. No rush of wonder. She wasn't the one. He continued to watch, the second spin. The feeling washed over him again, pulsing, his throat went dry and he shook his head. Dark brown eyes, firm hands. He ducked out of the images. "Well something isn't right then!!!" He looked back to Patton and Logan with panic flooding his demeanor.

"Indeed something isn't!" He felt arms wrap his shoulders and a face by his. "But isn't that a lot more fun than some girl?"

Roman growled and wrestled his way out of his brother's grip.

"YOU! This is you isn't it?!"

"Me?" Remus stroked his chin. "What's me?"

"Roman's right! You did something awful to Thomas, didn't you!? Cut it out young man, it's not funny!" Patton's face was bright red with a mix of fury and panic.

"You're all the gross, lusty, icky, unwelcome thoughts, how could this not be you!?" Roman shoved his brother. Remus giggled knowingly.

"I may be, I may be. Can't say I'm not jazzed about this hunk of a specimen, did you feel those hands?! I wouldnt mind feeling em a bit more if we're going into it." He bit his lip and rolled his shoulders. Puberty was making him an absolute monster.

"So you ADMIT IT!" Roman jabbed a finger at Remus's face. "Our CULPRIT!" Roman looked to Logan for confirmation, only to be met with a subtle head shake.

"Remus is admitting to being lust. Was what you felt purely lustful?" He gently guided Roman's train of thought.

"Well..." He looked at Patton, who was gripping his chest as if to squeeze the emotion out of it, his eyes wide, softly mumbling to himself. Roman's eyes drifted down in thought, then up to a grinning Remus.

"I do the 'gross' thoughts... and you do the romance! Remember?"

"It's NOT! ROMANCE!" Roman tackled his twin to the ground, enduring bites and hair pulling before he dealt his own blows.

"BOYS! NO FIGHTING! We have enough problems already!!!" Patton choked out over his turmoil.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!" A low distorted voice bellowed from across the room. All heads turned and the room froze. Anxiety stood panting, his hood pulled far over his face and his hands hidden, bundled and crossed in his sleeves. He glared gut twisting daggers from shadowed eyes, though the rest of his demeanor was rather unintimidating. He swallowed his panicked outbursts, shaking. He stalked stiffly, every muscle tensed, up to the group. "What's HAPPENING to us?!

"What does it LOOK like genius?!" Roman shoved Remus off of him.

Logan nodded somberly. "It now seems possible with this newfound information... that we're more than likely homose-"

"SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!!!" base distortion shook Thomas's mind, Virgil pressed his hands to his ears so tightly it seemed his head would burst. "WE ARE NOT!!!" He bit down on the cuff of his hoodie to control the rattling that disrupted the living space. At Thomas's joyful age of fifteen, Anxiety generally took the drivers seat despite his general reclusivness, making him all the more dangerous when it came to his meltdowns. He knew this, and of course, he hated the pressure. Despite their all being the same age, he was a child at this point, dependant, terrified, entirely unprepared to govern a life. So he did the only thing he could think to make them all feel better. "DECEIT!!!"

And he was summoned.

"Anxiety?!" He quickly located his friend and ran over, wrapping him in a hug, securing him, keeping him at ground level as his panic surged. "Shh... what's going on here?" He looked over Anxiety's shoulder to meet the light side's looks of uneasiness at his presence with a glare and a hiss.

"Deceit..." His voice broke. Now that Deceit was here he didn't bother keeping up his tough guy facade even if the others were looking at him. He knew he was safe. "Deceit?"

"Yes Anxiety? Take your time..."

"We... we like girls, right?" He looked at Deceit with a terrified, pleading, begging expression. He wanted to feel better. He needed to hear the words.

Deceit was silent for a while, looking at his best friend, someone he'd sworn to protect no matter what, who he'd never disappoint. He looked at the lights, all confused but waiting with bated breath. He pulled Anxiety tighter, letting him bury his wet face in his shoulder. He nodded.

"We like girls."

The room stopped shaking, slowing to a rattle then nothing. The statement wasnt spoken in a tone more emotional then if he'd said any other clear and obvious fact, but somehow it was loud, impactful, clear, understood. He felt Anxiety take a deep breath. The others looked amongst themselves, nodding.

"That... makes a lot more sense. To me. I think that makes sense for Thomas, doesnt it?" Patton smiled, fake, forcing himself to be convinced. He took Deceit's matter-of-fact statement as truth, the only truth. Roman nodded slowly, convinced as quickly as he could manage. Logan and Remus looked on, each with their own sort of disappointment as their hands tightened around their mouths.

Deceit took Remus's wrist, his other arm still wrapped tightly around a shaking Anxiety, and sank out. Logan let his hand down, but stayed silent.

Roman tightened his fists with a new resolve.

~~~

Thomas threw open the bathroom door, ignoring the odd looks. He hoped she was still there. He lit up when he found her, alone in the kitchen.

"Lisa!" She looked over and smiled.

"Thomas. What happened back there, you flaked out on us!"

"I was nervous."

Lisa giggled. "About what? Robin?"

"About you, I was nervous it would land on you, because..." Thomas averted his eyes from hers.

Lisa smiled, gripping her lip in her teeth as she began to understand his intentions.

"I like you." Thomas looked back up at her. "And here I am, trying not to be even more of a wuss, to ask if you want to hang out sometime."

She grinned. "Finally!" She leaned in and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, giving him his third kiss of the night.

~~~

Roman pumped his fist. "YES!" He felt something rush over him, some sort of love. He didnt care what kind. It was there, and it was for a girl, a really nice, pretty girl who loved theater and singing. It was perfect.

"Yes!" Pattons face was flushed with relief and exuberance. "My little boy!"

Logan was silent, watching with an unreadable expression.

Back with the darks, Deceit sat with Anxiety's head in his lap, petting his hair comfortingly. He was asleep. He needed it.

"You're okay." Deceit whispered to himself as much as his best friend. "I'll protect us."

Disclaimer: this is obviously character thomas in this, I do not claim to know @thatsthat24 s real experience.

I had a theory before the most recent video came out that it would be pride related, and about how the sides dealt with thomas's coming out, or realization of his sexuality. It didnt happen, so I decided to make it anyway but more angsty. This is also my current hc about what drove the divide in Deceit and Virgil's relationship. Deceit tried to protect Virgil through his developmental years but did so in an unhealthy way and ultimately hurt thomas to keep Virgil happy, and when virgil found out, he hated Deceit because it ultimately worsened his anxiety tenfold.

[gentlespaceman-blog]

Behind the Scenes: Bridal Photo Shoot

Behind the Scenes: Bridal Photo Shoot

hello I'm Jeff Moore here with Bedford Cameron video and for many years Bedford camera has strived to provide the best customer service as well as experience with your camera equipment no matter what your skill level is whether it's through our educational seminars or to inform you about specifics on your camera or even just to inform you about the latest camera equipment Bedford camera always wants to make sure that you get the most out of your camera equipment so today we thought we'd do something a little bit different we are actually going to take you on a bridal shoot using items that you can get here at Bedford camera one of them is the Canon 24-70 f4 as well as the phottix Odin TTL wireless trigger system the phottix meteos or micro splash depending on how you pronounce it as well as a nice little compact LED light we're also going to use an octa box and a strip box so sit back relax hope you learn a thing or two and of course if you have any questions email them to us here at Bedford's comm first of all we're going to do is a bit of a kind of like a grand scale shots of this hallway so we're not going to have you step on the seal we're going to have you over here okay you're going to face this way and a little bit of train on the dress we can fan it out that direction yeah good I'd rip it just very graceful right okay okay yeah right yeah right there you're gonna be facing this way and just on the back end of the seal there there you go all right now let me see the stress here yeah okay all right so I know now take my octa box here I'm gonna light you up a nice little soft wraparound raise it here bring it down like so there we go now we're going to start off just with a basic low key shots because to start looking at the camera a lot of people tied again tend to get a little bit nervous and so we're going to take a few with you not looking at the camera okay and we adjust my I like to kind of hit you a little bit better all right three two one okay beauty with the the phottix Odin TTL I can control my flash power straight from my camera all right mm-hmm all right let's go ahead and walk down over here actually before we get to that let me have you right here and you're going to again face that way bring the flowers down a little bit lower less bend it yeah there we go one two three okay good now with just the shoulders the waist is great just bring more shoulder to it there you go one two three okay great one particular thing that's always nice is you can always try to experiment with an extremely cool lighting technique with the strobes okay strip box with the grid placed in front gives a more directional light it doesn't fan it out as much so what we're going to do is we're going to try to give you a little bit of backlight so you almost glow three two one okay three two and one good now me know lesson that...

See more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzlcUMHMIcM

What are the Merits of Employing the services of a Skilled professional Wedding Photographer?

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